[Ranger Hall] A life defining choice, joining the wolves.

[Ildron Ser’il]

Brightening Solaria
First Cycle of Immanis
Spring of Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Era XIV Post Fractum

Moving on light steps through the streets of Natura Ildron Ser’il greeted his neighbours and talked with some of the more interesting people of town learning about the happenings of the day and informing them of his unfortunate misfire on the strategic planning in accordance with the aggressive movements of the enemy army called work commanded by his own mother, his trap had failed and as a result he had agreed to the terms of surrendering. He was to join the Silver wolves, the elite ranger group found in the city serving Natura and the surrounding forest. Having procured and apple from one of the elder elves working in the orchards as he made his way towards the Ranger’s Hall Ildron was feeling quite cheerful and invigorated. He was taking the very long off the track way towards the hall hoping that he would somehow figure out a way to weasel his way out of it by not breaking his own promise, he was tapping his jaw lightly seeming to be deep in thought as he had made it from one area of the small town to the other, it didn’t take long to just walk right through the main settlement but he still found himself taking the lesser walked paths passing elves, humans some of the other humanoid races the city had allowed over the eras and he took time greeting the ones he knew and gave a light bow to strangers he vaguely remembered from his childhood.

He might not know everyone in town, but quite a large portion of them knew him from his earlier days of exploring which often led him into a stranger’s house or garden in his quest for excitement and fun. He wasn’t doing any harm and many of the citizens found themselves with a little Syl’rosian boy around the dinner table after having found him walking around the house or gardens, people were friendly and he never said no to homemade meal from one of the other interesting races he didn’t much relate too. He was smiling as he remembered his past in the area. He had lived a protected and sheltered life knowing little of the world outside the protective barrier, he barely knew what was outside the barrier. When he returned from his little dream like state he found himself in front of the hall of the rangers, he had taken all the time he could and had most likely walked down a couple of streets several times in a row. As he tried to recollect his path he knew he had walked straight towards the orchards then back towards the whispering meadows and making his way in small circles around from there. He sighed and smiled as he wondered if his mind had purposely prevented his feet from moving too far from the centre portion of the town, that he even ended in front of the halls just as he finished his thinking just confirmed his predictability, even his own mind was playing with him.

Brushing off his previous thoughts he gave the city one last glance before walking into the halls themselves. He had resigned to the fact that he would become a ranger, it was a good life and it definitely had a purpose he could relate too, he never wanted any harm to come to the little pearl of a community in the middle of what others described as a hive of locust eating their way through the land and others wanting only to strengthen their own position. He couldn’t relate to things like that since he had never seen any purpose in acquiring massive wealth or strength to challenge the gods, after all he had found that he could get a lot of things by just asking nicely and returning the favour a few brightenings later. The giant pillars in front of the door was something he had wondered about since he first saw them as a little boy, he had spent some time exploring what he could of the area and he had always found something more interesting inside which let his mind wander off, once he left he noticed them again and asked his questions about them again in his mind. It didn’t seem like he would find out today either what the purpose was. He had other things on his mind for now and as he made his way into the foyer he noticed a familiar figure, a genuine smile appeared on his face and he increased his slow pace as he approached giving a slight bow as he drew closer.

“Vedui, a perfect start of spring this fine brightening. How are things around here? I don’t know if you’ve heard it from my mother, but I’ve succumb to the pressure and I’ve decided to follow my fathers footsteps and join the ranks of the Silver Wolves, if I would get accepted of course” With another bow he wondered why he felt so strange, he could feel himself acting a little erratic compared to how he usually was. His normal casual demeanour was barely showing, he wasn’t as composed and calm as he usually was and he could feel himself getting excited, he had never decided on something as important as a path he would follow for the remainder of his time on the mortal plane, for most elves that meant a couple of hundred ordinations which was an eternity in his eyes.

[Nimh]

Owaten Aspenpath held herself with the steady, temperate grace of the elvish, her back stiff and straight, her hands clasped behind her as the strange cloak of the Rangers snapped around her thin, angled form. It seemed to blend with the colors of the hall and Owaten merged in and out with the background, her blonde hair keeping her apart in such a way that all was made easier for her to be distinguished. She greeted the familiar elf with an inclined jut of her chin, her expression smoothly set with an even-lined mouth, no smile greeting him though her eyes sparked with the recognition, with the knowledge that she knew him and had seen him in his growth.

"Vedui, Ildron. It is a fine start to spring, as you say. Things go well. At least, there are no troubles I have to speak of. Things are...quiet." She spoke with carefully pitched words, almost expressionless in their timbre...and certainly in no rush to force out any word that followed the next. She listened with her bland expression, her cheek slightly canted. The situation was simple and straightforward: I am here to follow in the footsteps of my parents...would you have me?

"I must say that it is not entirely unexpected, Ildron, but I would have it from you: Do you choose this path because it is your own or because it is, as you suggested, the result of pressure? It would not do, of course, to have you here against your will. I believe you would be a valuable asset for all that your parents must have imparted some knowledge to you over the eras. But we would have someone willing join our ranks, someone who would look over the forests with the best intentions in their heart. Do you see?"

She turned slightly, as if finding interest in the walls and their decorations. She paced away slightly, tapping a finger against her angled chin. "Tell me, Ildron. Why do you wish to join us?" She stood several long strides away and pivoted with a slow ease on her heels, her sharp eyes examining him.

[Ildron Ser’il]

Ildron had always wondered why so many of the elves in the area were so, composed and serious all the time. He had received several remarks from his mother whenever he forgot how to stand 'properly' and how to talk and move with grace. In the end it became a natural thing and trying to change it was like trying to change from being right handed to left, but it still felt like such a hassle having to think through every action to make sure it couldn't be misinterpreted in some way or another. Owaten was a prime example of an elf who had followed such rules her entire life and even if Ildron had only broken his composure when speaking he felt he couldn't let it happen again. Owaten's words helped him calm himself when he heard the rangers would want someone like him, he just had to be sure himself that he wanted to join.

Watching as she walked away he let her words sink in, folding his hands in front of him he let his golden eyes lock with hers, before speaking in a casual tone. "It's not only pressure from my parents, I want to move on as well, find my place and help the city in any way I can. There are a number of jobs I could try. I'm sure I would manage just fine in a lot of them, but I just couldn't picture myself content with it. I don't think it would give me what I'm after. What it is i seek I do not know, but looking at the rangers and picturing myself in your ranks I feel like I could look back and say that I didn't regret the choice, protecting Natura and it's citizens, looking after the forest and do my best to safeguard it from harm and help it grow further." Smiling slightly he let his eyes wander around the room before continuing. "As to why I want to join, to repay everyone for their kindness, to protect the forest that has protected me since my birth. I would give it my all, I know that without a doubt." Locking his eyes with hers again he wondered if she would accept him, he felt he had gotten all he wanted to say out into the open and he didn't seem to regret it.

[Nimh]

Owaten was in no rush to be anywhere and she listened quietly, patiently, as Ildron explained his reasonings behind his decision to finally approach the Rangers. "So when you see the Rangers it is not merely adventure that you see?" she queried, turning steel eyes upon the man with a thoughtful frown stretched over her thin lips. "But then you are privvy to knowledge that others are not; not everyone who seeks us has parents of our ranks." Her smile was faint.

"To you the Rangers are protection. Protection of the forest, of the people, of the creatures that dwell here," she mused aloud, looking away and around her, at the hall and at the ghosting forms of others that strode through the hall. There was a light trickle of activity, of rangers coming in and out, some in small clusters, many alone. Still, the solitude of the forest seemed heavy in the room, as if the atmosphere from without had bled through the walls, permeating stone and paint. "You have a fair portrait of us, Ildron, and do not seem to have unfair expectations for what you believe to encounter while training in these walls."

She straightened slightly as he locked eyes with her, nodding a little. "Very well. Let me explain to you what we would expect of you in return for you pledge of service in our halls." She waited a moment before proceeding, to see if he would object or not. "Upon pledging your service to the Hall, you will not yet hold the rank of Ranger until you have garnered what knowledge we require. We will tutor you free of charge in archery and druidism, as well as teach you the ways of the wilderness, to track and survive on your own. What you already know we will not force upon you, but it would be best, I am sure, to review any knowledge your parents have bestowed upon you. The archery and druidism are of prime importance, of course, with all else being secondary in comparison. If you wish, we also have mentors on hand to instruct in herbalism and healing.

"You would train in these until your archery has improved enough to useful in the field whereas with Druidism you need only be what is considered an Initiate, although some go as far as becoming an Apprentice. When we believe you are ready, you will be asked where you stand on the matter of your allegiance to the hall and whether or not you believe it is truly what you wish. And then you will be tested. Tested to see if you can truly prove yourself able for the Rangers." She paused and looked him over, as if searching out a reaction. "Is this agreeable to you?"

[Ildron Ser’il]

Ildron was sure there was a lot of interesting things to be seen in the forest, calling it an adventure wouldn't be to far off but it wasn't how he would describe it. He followed her words intently and nodded as she carried on, the rangers walking by didn't concern him much, he could talk with them at a later time if he felt the need to. His hands still folded in front of him, her words were more like a repetition from his father then anything else, she had probably explained it to him as well but it would be improper to just cut her off and say it was things he all ready knew, hearing it again wouldn't hurt.

"I have no problems. learning more about archery and druidism will be good. I only know a little archery and have only seen what druidism can do, going through it all from the beginning would be in my best interest as well." He was not at all confident in his archery skills, he could string and fire a bow but there was a lot more to it then just that, someone to guide him all the way would make it so much easier to learn. The field of druidism was completely unknown to him, having only seen small examples of it's power he would never learn it from watching another, it required something a lot more then what the eyes could perceive.

[Nimh]

Owaten nodded slightly at his commentary and smiled faintly, the expression actually reaching her eyes. "Very well, then. It would be my pleasure to accept you within these Halls if you would have it, Ildron. We would test your mettle against other Rangers, see how you fare in your quest to join our ranks. Am I correct in assuming you know the proper individuals that will help aid you in your studies? I could direct you otherwise, or simply give you the names that you require should you need them. I would gladly help you in your pursuit of archery, should you wish it, and Gorte is ever dutiful in his desire to train others in the art of Druidism. Of course, there are other disciplines as well that you might give a try. But that is entirely up to you what you pursue and with whom."

It was a long speech for the elvish woman and she spoke it slowly, carefully, her expression smooth of her smile, waiting, expectant, to hear whether or not his decision was final or if he had any inqueries as to who to get a hold of. He would be allowed to wander the Hall and its rooms of his own freewill, of course, and get to know the Rangers and their students as well.

ooc: Feel free to start two training threads of any skill that you wish (or any other ranger thread) after your response! I will be unable to mod them myself (far too overloaded x.x), but you might ask Loudmouth or any of the other players in Natura or in the game Just make sure whoever takes on the threads that they take a look at the training guide at the top of the forum and if it's a peer-mod to speak with me first