[Druidic Grove]

Motito Gil'dae · May 2, 2008, 06:40 AM

Early Morning; 2nd brightening in the Month of Kalendryas, Winter
Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

The being moved with quiet skill through the woods. He was no Ranger, nor was he a druid, but he was the next best thing when it came to understanding a forest. He was an elf. He had grown up in forests not unlike the grove, his own home having resided in the Tawnleaf forest of Syl'rosya...at least it had before so many things in his life had changed. After his millenia away as a non-corporeal existence on another plane, it still did not alter where he'd come from, and it did not wipe his keen sense for the wilds that all elves had an innate sense for.

Thus, while his movements were not silent, they were however more deft and graceful then those of most other species with occasional exceptions. In fact, a half an era ago, when he had recorporalized, he could hardly walk. Any attempts to do so were almost like watching a toddler try...only less cute and more sad, as he was a full-grown elf. After millenia of having no body, standing up and walking again was one of the toughest of all the things he had to remember, ironic as it was. It didn't take long before it had come back to him enough to complete routine tasks, and then a while later, after much practice, he could finally function normally again. He'd immediately moved to exercising. Working on his balance, agility, flexibility, fluidity of movement...all things he wouldn't have focused on because people usually just don't think about that, but because he was training himself every day to try and get back to where he was, he at some point surpassed his old skills, and now had a bit more deft and conservational movement then he'd ever used to. It made his movements look slower and more timid despite moving at the same speeds, but that fact hadn't even entered his mind.

As he entered the Grove's clearing, he knew that it was being watched by the silent sentinels that were the landshapers...the Druids.

"Vedui," he spoke up quietly, knowing that despite him appearing alone, odds were astronomically high that he was being closely watched by someone very nearby, "This one wishes to speak with one of the druids of the Grove, if you please." A few months previous he probably would have forgotten the 'please' part...he had been learning how to be at least remotely civil again with people as part of his rehabilitation; a much more difficult task then one might first think at first glance. He knew what he was looking for was something silly and minor, but it would have a world of use if he could only acquire it, and druidic magic seemed the best fit for how to accomplish it.

OOC: Yes, I realize the title is blank except for the location area, and its actually sort of indicative of Tito's new mindset...it's difficult to explain.

Fox · August 13, 2008, 12:57 PM

The Druids of Natura saw many things in their time. Many beings came and went in to the woods, some seeking power, some money, others fame or infamy. They were used to beings of power and those who would be forgotten should they die that day. They did not judge, it was not their job, for in all things balance must be maintained. In all things there was the potential to balance, the capacity for it, and so to there was the capacity for inbalance..... and that was part of it all, Dhwae would tell them.

The young human who walked out to greet Motito did not really understand what Dhwae meant a lot of the time. She was a novice here, not really a Druid yet, but keen and willing to learn. She had an affinity with Druidic arcana that was rare in one so young, and so she had joined the Druids some months ago.

And it was this young human girl that came out in reply to Motito's call. She was tall and lanky, all elbows and legs, it seemed. Her hair was that strange shade that humans called mousey-brown and would not stay where it was put, no matter where she put it. So it fell in her face as she walked. She was barefoot and she skipped out of the treeline and into the clearing of the Grove with a smile. Her long blue dress was clean, and belted at her waist. The belt was functional, of course, and had bags dangling off it which made small clunky noises as she walked.

"Vedui" she said, her voice light and tinkling as only a child's can be "How can I help you this brightening? I am Nina" she said and smiled a cheery and amiable smile.

Motito Gil'dae · August 13, 2008, 01:26 PM

As she replied with a cheery amicability, Tito turned to face her fully, He offered a small, polite smile before bowing halfway.

"Thank you for coming to greet this one," he spoke softly, standing motionless. His black cloak shrouded much of his appearance, his black trousers and forest green tunic were of moderate taste, and his swordbelt allowed his elven longsword and and longknife to hang easily--though his longknife was concealed in the small of his back as was his nature. As his hands hung at his sides, however, neither strayed towards his blades. They were present for self-preservation purposes, but not for attack.

...at least, not here.

"This one has come seeking a small favor from the druids present. This one is willing to pay an asked price or perform an asked deed for it, to maintain balance, if necessary." He knew druids were proponents of balance. Children of nature, just as nature held it's own balance, so too did those that walked it's arcane path. In a very real sense, becoming a druid wasn't simply learning an arcane art...it was learning a way of life. One might know druidic magic, but they weren't druids until they strove for a similar balance. He knew this because he'd known a few growing up in Syl'rosya.

"This one wishes for an enchantment...one that can be a permanent effect, that changes hair and eye color. The ones this one has is rather...distinctive, and sometimes wishes to be a bit more discreet and subtle. This one believes that druidism is probably the most natural and realistic way to do such, given that life and nature--including the body--can naturally affect change by druidic magic."

Fox · August 16, 2008, 12:12 PM

Nina looked at him and raised an eyebrow. She was surprised at how he spoke... he looked Elven, almost.. sort of... and yet she had never heard of an Elf refer to themselves in quite... that way. So she looked at him and smiled, nodding at his understanding of Druidism. "I... I think maybe you need to speak to someone who's a bit more... senior than me. Can you wait here?" she asked, and assuming that he did that, she scurried off into the trees, barefooted and giggling slightly.

After a few moments, another human woman came out. She was a slight woman with long brown hair and a heart shaped face. She did not seem, at first glance, to be particularly powerful, but then, there was no telling by appearance as Motito knew too well. The human woman wore a long beige robe, almost trailing on the floor as she walked.

"Serale"she said with a soft and ready smile "I am Dhwae and I have been told a most strange tale of an elf who wishes to change the colour of his hair and eyes? I assume that's you...... and so I thought I'd come out and find out for myself. You want us to help you, tell me then, if you would, why we should? How did you come to look the way you do?"

She did not seem unfriendly, in fact just the opposite, she seemed both friendly and curious as to what had happened. A glint of curiosity filled her eyes and she watched Motito carefully, wondering just what this one's story would be.

Motito Gil'dae · August 18, 2008, 03:10 AM

As the girl asked him to wait he nodded his head. He had figured that they might first send a messenger. It was classic negotiating tactics. You don't open strong, that indicates that you feel you have something to fear from the person or that they're worthy. Send in a lackey first, and make the person wait. That way the interest seems more off-handed, and squares it so that it seems that the person who arrived to being the bargaining wanted something, but the people who were being bargained with left the impression of ambivalent curiosity more than an eagerness to begin discussion. Such tactics, weather they were conscious of what they were doing or not, would usually put psychological pressure on the initiator, making it seem as though they needed to prove themselves in someway and usually immediately put them on the defensive, allowing the people who controlled the negotiating environment to open with a stronger hand then the other.

The former Minister of War was not that stupid, but unfortunately for him the circumstances were just that. All things being equal he wouldn't have felt the need...but all things were not equal. He wanted something from them, and they had expressed no interest in what he could potentially offer. As Dhwae arrived he still held an easy, relaxed posture and a pleasant expression, though it was more through puppeteering of his muscles to seem friendly then actually being pleased or friendly. This was a much different elf then he'd once been. As she introduced herself he gave her a half-bow from the waist, though his quicksilver eyes remained locked on her.

"Serale, Dhwae. This one is named Motito." He struggled for a long time on if he should reveal his true self to the druids, but for a group such as they, who didn't care for politics usually so much as the balance of life, he though it best to not worry too much. "This one does not wish for a permanent change on this one's self...what this one wishes for is an item that can affect that change that when removed can revert it back to this one's original hair and eye color. The truth of the matter is that the hair and eye color this one has, this one was born with. The problem is that their appearance is rather...distinctive. This one would like to stand out in a crowd a bit less." The question of 'why' was a difficult one, and it was one he'd pondered for a long time before even coming here, because he knew they would ask. Here too he had decided on honesty, though cautious and carefully worded honesty.

"As for why...this one used to be someone of great import to the Empire. These brightenings, this one wishes to be able to live in anonymity, where it suits this one. That, however, speaks only of this one's circumstances and desires. As for why this one is worthy...this one cannot say. If you wish for a trial to test this one, then this one understands, but this one was hoping that the Druids of Natura could understand the desire to live undisturbed in peace." Ironic, really, that he would make such a claim given that it was he himself who was disturbing that peace with his blatant request.

Fox · August 26, 2008, 08:19 AM

Dhwae looked at him and listened to his words. Then she sighed slightly and smiled at him, not unkindly. "I understand your desire for this, and I understand more than you might imagine the wish to not stand out in a crowd. However, your appearance is who you are and that is balance. If you were once someone of importance" she said, looking at him with some small measure of curiousity, although it had to be said that the measure was small indeed "Then you took on a role and you must now live with the consequences of that role. It is one thing to permanently change the colour of hair, but to have an item that allows you to be one thing one brightening and another a different one? That is an item of power and I see no reason why we would give it to you"

If they could actually create such a thing, of course, she thought to herself, but did not say as much "Why would I bother with a trial to test you?" she asked, looking at him with some skepticism "I have nothing that I want from you ~ to test you would be a waste of my time, quite honestly. No, I am afraid that we can not help you to avoid the consequences of your past role, and I would suggest that you consider seriously why you would want to."

She smiled at him gently as she continued "Is there anything else?"she asked, raising one eyebrow. She had much better things to be doing, her expression and her demeanour seemed to say.

Motito Gil'dae · August 31, 2008, 05:11 AM

He'd had a feeling Dhwae would react in the manner she had. After all, from the perspective of balance there was no benefit to fulfilling such a request. But he'd already considered that, and thought this through. Giving the fact that threatening the Grove was not a wise thing to do, he truly was limited in his options. Coersion was equally foolish an idea, for similar reasons. So, that just left the more positvely descripted version of coersion--convincing. Somehow he had to convince Dhwae that it would better serve balance that he have this object of power. Frivolty was not his goal, but subtlety. To serve himself, yes, but also to serve the Empire, since Imperial and personal interests currently aligned in the same direction...Motito having a power and information network capable of learning and accquiring many things as necessary.

"Surely, Lady Dhwae, you have felt the recent, unnatural unrest that seems to have filtered so strongly throughout the Empire that it would not surprise this one to find out that it can be felt in the very nature around us, and most certainly in the people." It was a risky tactic to take, but such a device, if he could convince the druidess, would be quite useful. "What this one seeks is to restore that balance, but the best way to restore balance oftentimes requires subtlety that this one cannot utilize when this one is so noticable. This one does not wish for a permanent change, however, as this one's hair and eye color are this one's favorite features...and sadly the most noticable."

He'd leave empty-handed if he absolutely had to, but really didn't wish to. It would be a very useful item to have. Regardless, he could fault Dhwae for her approach or response. He just wished he could be of some benefit and value to them...because if he could, then he would have a bargaining chip...

Fox · September 2, 2008, 12:34 PM

Dhwae looked at him and shook her head, slightly. "I have felt the unrest. Of course I have. But we believe that the unrest comes from a lack of balance.... part of that is due to the... the way that things have become here. People seek the easy option, people look for the easy way out. If you seek to restore the balance, then you understand that we can no longer live these lifestyles. We seek what is easy rather than what is right, and it must stop" wrong tactic, it seemed. She looked at him with narrowed eyes and spoke quite plainly. "You are asking for something that is powerful indeed, and all you are telling me is that you seek balance, and yet can not yet work out who you are enough to use the phrase "I" when you are obviously aware of it, since you call me "you" . Since you are aware of me as a separate being, you are aware of yourself... yes?"

She looked at him then and raised an eyebrow "No. Our answer is no. You either have to forego your favourite features, and dye your hair, or you live with it. We are not here to provide you an easy ride. It is not in our nature" She did not know whether he understood her, really, whether he knew that what he was suggesting was unbalanced in the extreme, but she could not, and would not, risk so much. Especially right now, when there was so very much at risk.

So she looked at him and crossed her arms. "Was there anything else you wanted?" she asked, directly.

Motito Gil'dae · September 13, 2008, 05:26 AM

As the druidess spoke, A slight curve appeared on the elf's thin lips. She was speaking now on a subject she knew nothing about. He would buy that his request was unbalancing--he was aware of that rather painfully, and yet quite hypocritically was hoping she wouldn't notice--but to speak on his awareness of the identity of the self...that was trespassing into a dangerous realm with the elf.

"This one speaks as this one does with good reason, Lady Dhwae. This one does not walk the path this one does for ease. Were this one concerned with ease, this one very easily could have opted not to try and right some of the wrongs in this world, but this one is trying instead to do something about it...and your passing of judgement on this one in that regard is, with all due respect, harsh and unbalanced in and of itself.

"In addition, Lady, you speak on something you know very little about. This one does not use 'I' not because this one does not know this one's self, but because millenia trapped on an alternate plane as a noncorporeal thought-entity where there is no surrounding life allows one to think from a more subjective point of view. When 'I' is all that this one is aware of and encompasses the entirety of one's being, senses, and thoughts, it would make sense that 'I' would begin to lose value considering that 'I' is akin to everything that exists.

"But instead of wishing to understand the truth behind the mannerism, you instead simply attempt to assume that my altered speech pattern is an issue of obsfucated identity rather than one of a broader sense of self...and coming from someone who's concern is for that of balance, it seems a bit of a hypocritical approach, Lady." He wasn't trying to be mean, he was just bothered at her superior attitude and claim to a broader knowledge, while her actually proven views were quite narrow thusfar.

"At the very least, this one will be facing turmoil for the sake of balance. If you can provide a method to accelerate healing considering the peril this one will be in on a regular basis, it would be greatly appreciated. Again, if you doubt this one's intentions, feel free to test this one." He didn't expect her to do this either, though. Thusfar he was underwhelmed by Dhwae's showing, and expected her to continue to refuse to assist and claim the morally superior higher road of 'serving balance'. Were it not for Larien, he was beginning to feel his time entirely wasted in coming to Natura.

Fox · September 16, 2008, 03:37 PM

She looked at him, and listened carefully as he spoke. "I take your words and I apologise if I judged you too harshly" she said, and then looked him up and down as he spoke some more.

"But they are just that, you know. They are words. Nothing more. I am not calling you a liar, but I am telling you that your words are just that to me, words and nothing more... you could be someone hells-bent on murder, but telling me that you are seeking to right wrongs"

She frowned then, and sighed gently before continuing "It is for this reason that I will not test you. What point would there be to that? What would it mean? It would be meaningless and worthless.... so"

She paused, and looked around "It is easy to loose sight of the world, here, you know. This place is a place where the trials of most brightenings are not there at all... and it is easy to forget where we are, the bigger picture."

She looked at him and her face set in a mask of determination "So the answer is no. No we will not give you the item you seek and no we will not test you. But... " she paused slightly as she considered what she said "But you prove yourself to me, you prove to me that you are working for good, that you are striving for what you say you are, and I will attempt something. It will take time and the first item will be nigh on impossible, to be frank. But the second one, perhaps... perhaps there is something..."

She looked him in the eye as she continued "But I am not an easy woman to impress. Impress me, and you and I might be able to work something out. That is the best that I can offer you. Take it or not"

Motito Gil'dae · September 27, 2008, 07:54 AM

Motito nodded, understanding her view completely. What he hated most was when someone gave such an open-ended task like that. 'there's nothing you can do as a standalone task, but bring something forward and I will judge if it's worthy'. proving himself by an act of his own choice was bothersome to the sorcerer, but he nodded, slowly.

"Very well, this one will do just that, Lady Dhwae. This one will return later...ideally within the same season, and when this one does, it will be with a form of proof...if you'll just permit this one to lay groundwork for a spell to return here?" If her approval was given he would imbue the nearby area with energy, his vis lingering in the very environment for one specific purpose itself...creating an Anchor. It wasn't the single Anchor of a Gate spell, but rather something slightly more complex...a spell unique to his experience since it used the workings of Portal but, with preperation, he should be able to create an apprentice-level spell Gate Network. The idea being it allowed one to create more than one Anchor, so that with a thought of the location of one of the Anchors, they can fold space to that predetermined location and transport there in the future. The concept was the same as Gate, but it allowed for multiple Anchors so that, so long as the Anchor still existed, the casting sorcerer could return there with minimal use of energy--approximately Apprentice-level, he assumed, since it was a natural progression off of the Gate spell--rather than requiring a Master-level spell.

Once the foundation had been laid--or, if Dhwae denied him permission for the spell--he would turn and depart, with the intention of returning later with some form of proof.

36th brightening in the Month of Immanis, Winter
Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

It was a few brightenings after he had rescued young Persephonie. Now he was the proud owner of two cracked ribs and a small number of bruises, but in the process he'd managed to do something that he hoped would help Lady Dhwae recognize the truth of his words. He returned--hopefully via Gate Network if Dhwae had permitted use of the spell, but Portal crafted from one of his precious few Master-level daily charges on his ring if not--and with him was the young golden-locked girl.

Persephonie, in the intervening time, had told him much about herself and he had learned much about her nature, as well as her unique ability. As he entered, one hand holding his arcane staff and the other the hand of the nine-ordination-old girl, favoring his cracked ribs carefully, he called out through the clearing for the woman he saught, the young girl's blue eyes peering about curiously.

"Vedui," he began loudly, "This one has returned to speak with Mistress Dhwae once again."

Fox · October 5, 2008, 10:55 AM

Dhwae looked at him and listened to his explanation of the spell. She shook her head, slightly, in surprise perhaps or in disbelief. But either way the audacity of the elf in front of her was enough to cause a smile on her face. It was rare that people were quite so... cheeky to the Archdruidess but she nodded and waved a hand, admitting that he could, in fact, should he wish it, use his spell. She seemed rather amused at the thought, but she said no more.

So it was that some brightenings later, Motito returned with a girl with hair spun of gold, it seemed. He returned to a place which looked the same, but felt different. More... empty, perhaps, more something which was a place where people used to live.

But enter he did and he called out for her. Dhwae came forwards after a few moments, but her walk was slower than it had been, even short brightenings ago. She looked tired, to her bones. She walked in to the grove, however, and smiled gently at Motito.

"You have returned" she said, rather obviously and nodded "And brought this young woman with you" she looked at Persephonie with interest. Then her attention was brough back to Motito. "You are hurt. May I heal you?" she asked, seemingly uncaring about anything else for the moment.

oocso sorry for the delay!

Motito Gil'dae · October 6, 2008, 04:13 AM

Upon his return the elf hadn't expected the place to seem so...devoid. He felt the girl's hand tighten her grip in his and he tightened back in silent reassurance. A moderate level of trust had been associated between the two, and at the very least she knew that he wouldn't do anything to harm her, and indeed would protect her where he could. As such she trusted in him, and would use her unique ability to his benefit in return if he wished, though on principle she was against such a thing since it had been the reason her father had died.

When Dhwae arrived, Motito's brow turned into a slight frown. He did not miss the tired frailty that seemed to have entered her own form as well.

"If you wouldn't mind," he nodded weakly, "That would be greatly appreciated." While Dhwae went to work, Motito looked down at the girl and offered her a small smile as if to say 'See? She's not bad at all.' Persephonie knew that, of course, her unique and unexplained ability of Telepathy told her as much, but the druidess's concern over the elf that had rescued her seemed to reinforce such a concept.

"Serale once more, Lady Dhwae," he spoke quietly, "This one promised you proof some time ago...and this one has returned with it...returned with her. She was a girl being held captive by an organized crime syndicate. She has the unique ability of Telepathy--naturally occuring, not arcanic--and she used it to help her father cheat at cards. He died for it, and they were going to sell her. She was heavily guarded by three men and an elementalist of some power, and despite this one's respectable power and preperation, this one could not rescue her and escape unscathed, as you see." He looked up and his eyes, still filled with a bit of pain from his situation, locked onto the archdruidess' eyes.

"Inquire with the girl as much as you like, have her show you what she knows if you wish...but learn the truth from her. This one did not ask a thing from her and has taken responsibility for the girl as her caretaker. Injustices such as this need righting, and though this one will on occasion leave her with the staff of a property this one owns and they help take care of her while this one is gone, this one would like to be able to come back to her...she doesn't deserve to lose another guardian in her life, but nor should she be the only one saved." The statement was a callback to his previous conversation with her; his desire for an item of healing so he could help better protect what was in front of him and still 'fight the good fight', so to speak. He took a slow, deep breath, hoping that by then his pain would have vanished from the druidess' healing skills, and glanced around the grove...though he hadn't forgotten the worn look the Archdruidess wore.

"It seems that you yourself have been set-upon by some trouble as of late...anything that you require help with?"

Fox · October 12, 2008, 08:54 AM

Her healing worked, and worked well. She was, after all an archdruidess and Dhwae moved slightly, but effectively. Motito soon felt the pain begin to lessen and by the time he had finished explaining the situation to Dhwae, he felt nothing more than his body's memory of pain, rather than of pain itself.

When she was done she looked at him and there was definitely something in her eyes, of that Motito could be in no doubt. She spoke quietly and calmly, though, looking at Persephonie for a full moment before speaking again.

"It seems that things are rather more complicated than they were just a few cycles ago" she said, and her voice was quiet, as though she were speaking a secret. "Your young charge here already knows what I am about to tell you, but I am, it seems, dying. That is not something that I wish for people to know, so please, keep it to yourself. I am linked with Natura, bound to it in a way that is impossible to explain, and I wish nothing more than to see Natura grow. But as I weaken, so too does our township, and there are some strange events going on. Be that as it may, I have made an agreement with you. You have saved a girl, and that is good. To save one life is to save the world entire."

She paused then and looked at him "I... I am weakening on a brightening by brightening basis. I do not know that I can do what you wish of me. I do not think I have the ability to any more, and even if I do, then I will most certainly be taking a lot of my power. I will, though, try to do so, that notwithstanding, for I have made a promise and I have no wish to break it. You wish an item which will aid your own healing speed or the speed of others around you?" she asked, looking at him with interest "I can, at the very least, provide you with an amulet which has a healing spell upon it... but who will the focus be? You, others or the possibility of both?"