[Ranger Hall] Of Wild Dreams and Silver Wolves

[Iras Loregard]

~Mid-Cryxatum, Spring Era XV~

A chorus of bluebirds sang their melodious approval of a fine spring day. Complemented by the pleasant breeze blowing through the forest rustling many leaves, one could imagine Carmelya playing chimes with nature, and a gentle atmosphere was set. To the natural rhythm walked a pair of brown boots making light noise on the earth, grass and stone that was the path to a grand sanctuary in the woods, a place where man and nature exist in harmony. The sight of the smooth granite walls, the elegant marble columns, and evergreen ivy blanketing it all briefly stole the breath of the half-elf moving towards the Ranger Hall with a purpose, a dream, and the knowledge that his life would change from this day forward. And he could not have chosen a more beautiful brightening.

Iras Loregard stopped before the marble entrance, and looked to the open door, the heavy, marvelous oak slabs with gleaming metal intricacies which seemed as pure silver. A smile came to his face as he glanced down to the ring he wore on his right hand, of similar material as the door, polished wood with siver intricacies. His emerald gaze then tilted his head upwards, and looking back at him was the silent watcher holding sentry over the entrance, the wolf's head blessed with silver. It was a wonderful sight, all of it, and it only gave the half-elf more comfort and confidence that the right choice was being made.

Through the doors and across the threshold he went, and he found the interior no less fantastic. The Silver Wolves of Natura really know how to transform a military installation into a home, he thought, and his steps sounded on the floor of the ranger hall for the first time. He could see a few of the residents moving across the hall with purpose, going to or coming from the Naturan forest with which they held guard. The notice board in front of him was granted the last of his attention after taking in the foyer of what he hoped would be his home. He read the board, and nodded in understanding, and recognized the name 'Owaten' signed at the bottom. He had been told of her by the half-Teleri Silver Star earlier. He knew he must find Owaten, so great and revered a ranger she must be to become the mistress of this most beautiful place, and yet take control over all the dangers of the surrounding woods.

He found himself walking in further, past the board, in a search for answers, in a search for Owaten, in a search for his future.

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] The Ranger’s Hall of Natura was a businesslike construct that nevertheless managed to be a place of intense beauty despite its slightly militaristic mein. It was a tall and fortified building, the walls made from cleanly-cut and polished granite with graceful, fluted columns of marble all around the building. Each of these columns was fantastically wreathed in a delicate growth of evergreen ivy, the deep blue-green of the three-pronged leaves contrasting nicely with the building they grew over. In Natura, after all, the machinations of the natural world could not be ignored and so the Rangers had a Hall that grew ivy, large trees surrounded it and spread their massive branches over it, and it was here that the Silver Wolves rested their weary bodies after long days spent rambling through the forest. But for all its simple, understated beauty, the Hall was clearly designed by someone in possession of an excellent military mind: the columns of marble in front of the main doors stood in a row of six in front of a pair of huge, heavy doors that were constructed of massive heavy oak planks, the slabs of wood a full two feet thick and bound with beautifully curving sheets of steel, cut into a design of leaves and vines that curled up the oak doors, reinforcing their strength and adding to their simple beauty. The columns of marble, so beautiful and so large, stood conveniently in front of the door, just far enough away for the doors to swing out and open (pushing on these doors would merely make them close and lock against each other tighter) and also the columns stood close enough to the doors, and close enough together, to effectively hamper any people who would fancy using a battering ram, although they were far enough apart for, say, one horse to pass through without problem. The Hall looked like it had been a Barracks of some sort before the Rangers had moved in and while Rangers were known for their roving ways, even they needed a place to congregate, and to discuss pertinent matters. On either door, however, far above the reach of even a Giant, there was one massive “face”, stylised wolf-heads, their solemn faces shown in a full-front position biased from above as if the eye of the artist had been looking at a wolf from above, were sheathed in softly gleaming silver, not snarling but calm and peaceful in their hollow-eyed expressions and conveying the impression of carer and protector. One Elven woman, wearing a smaller version of the wolf-head as a clasp upon her forest-green cloak which designated her as Ranger, was standing in the foyer – she looked up calmly with her dark brown eyes and smiled, then continued on her way. Silent and watchful, the Silver Wolves would return to their Hall to speak to their Kin, or to pick up on bits of news from the city they were sworn to protect, and though they lived here, their souls belonged to the Naturan forests. Inside the building, past the massive doors there was a notice board. Tacked onto this was a piece of parchment, written in the spidery hand of someone more used to elvish script than common. The Rangers of Natura, the Sentinels against all evil and the protectors of the lands and peoples, were a welcoming and gentle people who nevertheless would defend their beloved lands with bow, blade and cunning.

The object of Iras Loregard’s search was a wiry elven woman with wispy strawberry blonde hair that barely reached her chin. A jutting chin characterizes her relatively homely face though the thin lips now tremble rather than push together in irritation. Despite her current frailty of form and character, Owaten is still a ranger and thus is wiry and fit, more ripcord than woman. Owaten is known as a strong-willed commander. She known as being very stubborn and doesn't like to admit personal weakness and is inclined to snap if any should be obviously manifesting them at the moment. Owaten is the head ranger and therefore has had extensive training, including 4th level training in Archery, and apprentice level training in druidism. She is well versed in tracking and hunting and also close quarter combat, and has much experience in the woods.

Oatwen stood in the corner her arms crossed over her chest and watched with deep brown eyes the young half elf as he made his way into the hall and read the notice on the board he sharp eyes took in his body language and the fact that after reading the notice he began to search the room for some clue as to who to speak with next . Despite her infirmities she slipped like oiled silk across the wooden floor and the half elf would find he had a companion who had appeared as if out of nowhere…..dressed in green with a cloak with a silver headed wolf broach she spoke softly but clearly .

Serale I am Oatwen do you require anything?

[Iras Loregard]

He had found the one he had heard of, the one he had been searching for, one spoken of so highly and in such reverence that in his mind he thought her to be the most skilled and comfortable ranger ever to have existed, a symbol of perfection which would serve to him the model he would seek to emulate. She was different from what he pictured her to be, tense and wound up as she was, plainly hinting she was not as she used to be. Iras did not let that make him think less of her, though; she was still the head ranger of the revered Silver Wolves so she must clearly still have the strength and wisdom to hold the title. He would not question Owaten Aspenpath. Not yet, anyway. He simply respected her too much.

But now that he was face to face with her, after all the traveling and anticipation, now that he was standing in the marble halls of the Naturan Rangers, the destination he had traveled far to come to, how was he to express the desire to join them that he had harbored for so long? How would he summarize his feelings enough to make her understand? He only trusted that she would. He bowed to her in respect and spoke.

"Owaten Aspenpath, it is an honor to finally meet you." he said, bowing respectfully in introduction. "My name is Iras Loregard. I have completed an entire journey to come here to these Halls, only to start a new one." He paused for a moment to reflect on his next words, so pivotal would they seem when he would look back at them many patterns from then. "Resting in me is a profound respect for the natural world and all life within it, and a strong will. I wish to put them both to use for the benefit of all. The life that I seek is the life of a Silver Wolf." he said, content with his words. After a few moments he finished, "Will you train me?"

He looked to her with hopeful eyes. She had probably seen his kind before, so courteous and formal, so not rugged. He did not care, though; there would be no shortage of opportunities to prove his worth.

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Owaten cocked her head to one side flicked her hair out of her eyes and grunted , she walked slowly around the young half elf as if measuring him before returning to face him squarely Well Iras Loregard you speak very pretty and your words please me but….. she paused weighing him up with care again …


There is much more to the life of a ranger than sweet words in a maidens ear. We are a militant organisation protectors of nature and the wild woods. You will have to learn a weapon understand the art of tracking, be prepared to be cold, wet and hungry and live off the land for as long as your tour of duty or mission allow. You will not be paid well but Iris Loregard a rangers life has its benefits comradeship of good men and women of all races and species the knowledge that you stand as a guardian of nature sworn to defend it from what ever the wild woods has to offer and believe me young man the Dolwoods is a place that will test the courage of the bravest and mightiest of warriors.You will live here as long as you wish and eat from the refectory free of charge and sleep in a simple bed in barracks.

You can come and go as you please unless you have a specific mission to complete and you will, once we deem you fit to wear the silver wolf be welcome in any ranger hall in the land.

She cocked her head again looking up into his eyes Well Iris are you still interested?

[Iras Loregard]

He admired what she was doing, countering his sweet words with sour ones. Painting a grim picture of the realities of being a Ranger, attempting to shatter a utopian vision of being a Silver Wolf that perhaps she thought this man had, forcing him to gaze at the unattractive underside of what it is to be a warden of the natural world, for it is a world that itself has many ugly and savage things about it. But a true Ranger is trained and tested to resist it, to deal with it, to rise above it all to the point where none of the dangers the world provided would be a big enough threat to him. Was she perhaps testing him? Maybe she was, in a way, perhaps unintentionally. Or was it only that she truly saw Iras only as a sweet talker afraid to get dirty? Of that he had little doubt that she had dealt with men such as that before; she must be disgusted by such men by now. But for all the bleak realities she presented, he considered the good things as well. Of course there will be bad times; there will always be unfortunate brightenings for every man and woman, regardless of vocation. But much good there will be also, much wisdom the peace and solitude and roaming the natural world will bring, much skill he will learn, and much more respect for all life, including civilized life, will be gained from travels and patrols, indeed from a life spent in the forests of Natura.

After all that Owaten said, he nodded and replied, "Excellent." But before he continued he took a few short moments to look around the Hall once again, taking it all in, considering for one last time before he truly took the plunge if this was the right choice for him. Perhaps he should go to the Druids' Grove instead, surely the life of a druid is very peaceful compared to the rangers'. No, he wished to walk the line between the druids and civilization, not being fully commited to either, just permeating both worlds. Maybe the Temple would be his best destination, to be a paladin, a Silver Star just like his father was. No, he thought, his destiny lies on a different path from his father, of that he was sure. No, it was a druid or a ranger, and the Naturan Rangers knew some druidism besides.

After all the pondering, in the face of all he had to consider, he came to a decision. "I am prepared." he said firmly to Owaten. "I wish to be trained as a Silver Wolf." He took on a slightly concerned look as he continued, "But I'm afraid I lack the skills and will have to be trained from the beginning, and I own no possessions aside from what I am wearing."

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Very well, Iras the head ranger said I cannot deny one so enthusiastic as you the chance to become one of us but the path you step upon is a long one there are many skills you will have to learn. For the first one we shall have to teach you to shoot the long bow. If you can hit the target after a few lessons then we can proceed with other things but the long bow is our principle weapon, it is quiet and deadly and ideal for our work.

Secondly it has been found that some of the elements of the druids arcana are a key tool in our work. Arcana is not suited to everyone, not everyone can find the path to druidism but you will be tested to see if you are suitable, if you can be unbound then you will be on the way to becoming a Silver Wolf. So Iras are you willing to be taught these two skills to start with?

If Iras agreed the pace of events picked up, he was taken by a trainee ranger by the name of Delvin a sandy haired human with blue eyes a broken nose and lopsided smile that lit up his face to the dormitory a tall wooden building with simple palettes and a chest at the foot of the bed.

All right Iras there should be a uniform in the chest

The uniform was a mottle of green and brown consisting of a doublet and trousers, a warm grey shirt of wool and light ankle boots a shapeless green woolly hat completed the ensemble. The chest also contained a workman like dagger and sheath an unstrung long bow a quiver of arrows and a wrap of mysterious tools …which was explained as

your fletching kit

A brown leather two inch belt with a dull buckle held pouches which were empty for the moment but were for all the other bits and pieces he needed to become a ranger.

After Iras dressed in the comfortable uniform and was suitable equipped, Delvin grinned and led him to the refectory which bore a brimming board of good plain fare , stew, pies and vegetables, good bread and butter and light small ale in pewter tankards.

Dig in ordered Devlin and we can talk over the meal I am sure you have lots of questions.

[Iras Loregard]

Unlike the last time she spoke, everything Owaten said to Iras pleased him. Learn to shoot a bow? That requirement matched his will to learn the weapon, and indeed become quite masterful with it. But why a longbow? he thought. With all the obstacles and cover the forests provided to the ranger and his targets, how far did one really need to shoot? Wouldn't distance be less important than accuracy? He thought a shortbow to be more practical for this environment and easier to carry and use, but then again he knew nothing of fletching as the Silver Wolves did, and he simply had to trust in their wisdom. As for being unbound and imparted the power of the Druids, the prospect brought sweet music to his ears. He envisioned himself using that special connection to Nature to its greatest benefit to the lands he will travel in his days. Penda would surely approve, he thought. Yes, he greatly desired to possess extraordinary proficiency in both of those skills, and the only path to that goal was practice and experience. Although, he did find himself wondering at the fact that the head ranger would so cavalierly allow one whom she never saw before to learn the sacred magic of druidism, which thrives on balance and responsibility. He wondered if she held any regrets of former students abusing that power. He wondered what the Druids thought of it all, whether they had full complete trust in Owaten to responsibly impart their sacred art.

"I would be delighted to learn the art of the bow, along with any other skills you have here to teach. And I would be honored to take up the special magic of the Druids; it is no small thing in my mind to be unbound to their natural sphere, and it is a power I will use responsibly." he said, bowing respectfully as a new ranger came up to show him around. "You will not regret this." were his assuring departing words to Owaten, with a smile, before being taken away to the dormitory.

He introduced himself to Delvin, a good man, and he found himself wondering if his own trials would leave him disfigured as well. Not if he was careful, he concluded, and reassured himself that the path he was just now taking his first steps down was the right one, even if it was a larger world unfamiliar to him. Into the wooden building they walked, and all the while Iras glanced all about him; he took note of the beautiful environment surrounding them, yet he knew that it was deceptively calm, for if it truly was as peaceful as he hoped it was then there would be little need for these rangers and all their weaponry. Yet it did have its share of gentleness and calm, and balance. It was a world he wanted to protect.

He dressed himself in the forest colors that made up his uniform, and unlike how he envisioned it he felt more awkward than confident wearing the garb of a ranger for the first time, since he possessed none of the knowledge or skill the outfit demanded of him. But he looked himself over, the green and brown doublet fitting well over his torso without making him look overweight, the trousers and boots a nice complement to it. His wavy dark brown hair rested on the doublet and matched it beautifully. "It fits me well." he gently spoke aloud, though Delvin might not have been sure if he was referring to the actual outfit or the vocation it represented. Iras sometimes spoke ambigulously like that, hinting at deeper meaning; it was a habit of his, but a lovely one he thought. He liked to know he saw things for what they are, at the time.

Taking his first steps outside with the uniform on, upon the soft earth and grass and amid the stone and trees, was a unique experience, something that would only happen just this once. Before he let Delvin lead him to the refectory, he politely told him to wait a momet. For a few moments he stood there, outside the wooden dormitory building, absorbing all that was happening, taking the time to get a feel for wearing the suit out in the open, under the sun and the wind and the shade of the trees. It was not a good idea to rush something like this, he thought, as he closed his eyes in reflection. He had to fully recognize what was transpiring before he would continue, else he may look back with regrets. He hoped Delvin would understand this.

After a particularly calming breeze flowed past them, Iras took a deep refreshing breath and opened his eyes, giving Delvin a nod as a sign he was finished, gave a quick apology for the delay and simply stated, "I am ready to move forward." Again, the depth of the words were probably more than they sounded.

Once at the refectory he looked to all the sundry and delicious foods to eat, and wondered how the Hall provided such meals every day. After all, baked pies were not the first things that came to one's mind when they thought of a ranger's diet. He was a little hungry, though, and fetched for himself a bowl of stew with some vegetables inside, a slice of buttered bread and a tall cup of water. Sitting down with Delvin as the two ate, he nodded as he indeed had some questions.

"Yes, I do." he said with a polite smile. "What are the day-to-day activities of a Naturan Ranger? When they are not training, of course. I expect to be training quite a bit, in fact constantly. Am I allowed to seek lessons in everything that is offered here as I wish, or is there a strict regiment to it? Actually, I suppose it matters little since I hope to learn it all." He smiled and took another spoonful of the warm refreshing stew.

"I'm also curious how adept a Silver Wolf is in his use of druidism, compared to the Druids. Are there some secrets we are not allowed to learn? I wish to know how far down that path we can go. And lastly...what is expected of me, especially in these first few cycles, and when does my training start? I understand there is much work done to keep this Hall alive, and I am willing to do my part." he said

"But," he added, "personally, I would like to ask you...are there many rewarding moments for your good works in the forest? Do those times make all the trials and efforts worth it?" He was smiling as he asked this, obviously hoping the answer to be yes. He continued to politely eat as he listened to Delvin's reply.

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Devlin ate hearty, spooning mouthfuls of stew and moping up the gravy with his bread….

A brightening walking under the greenwood gives a man an appetite Iras and a little hunger makes a man grateful for his food. Look I am no philosopher Iras but I know about balance, hunger and good plain food they are two sides of the balance. My instructors says its all about the balance if you can perform one act that restores the odds in a brightening then you are becoming a ranger.

Our task is to keep the balance in the woods out there its tooth and claw but that’s natural animals eat each other it aint pretty but it’s the way of life death and life are part of the balance of nature. Our task as rangers is to ensure that this cycle continues. …..

He picked up his pot of small beer and drank wiping his mouth with his sleeve before continuing .

Its like this Iras, imagine a glade of sweet green grass that feeds itself off a stream of water from a spring that has been touched by magic, the grass is lush and grows taller then normal. The deer arrive drawn to this bounty and grow fat and well, nature allows them to breed and they drop their fawns in record numbers so the herd grows. Normally these deer would be food for predators but their numbers are such that no carnivore likes the odds so the deer feed and breed and soon the glade is over full. The grass can no longer grow so by the essential nature of their success the deer ensure that they will stave to death , the balance has tipped too far . Thus we cull the deer just enough to restore the herd to manageable proportions and the cycle is restored. The deer flourish, the carnivores do their job and the balance continues …do you understand what we do Iras.

The man grinned sorry got a bit serious there....what do we do Iras? Well obviously we train, we practise our skills and once you are beyond your first initial period of training, you will be placed on a brightenings duty roster maybe once or twice a cycle, but in our spare time you will find the rangers walking the woods and forests simply enjoying the great out doors. It is the great joy of our existence to be free and able to commune with nature itself to watch it and understand its shifting nature the way that the wild woods change and shift with the seasons.

That alone makes up for being cold wet hungry and tired a true ranger will understand these joys.

He looked a bit sheepish Sorry went off on one Iras anyway what is expected of you …..well do your best really, you will meet your instructors a little later and they will tell you when to arrive for training, try to be on time and pay attention to what they tell you, its simple really.

OOC ~ I will put up two threads for druidism and archery training hopefully by Wednesday.

[Iras Loregard]

OOC: I get to train in both at once?

Iras listened intently to what his guide had to say. He may claim not to be a philosopher but he certainly understood some truths about the natural world that comes only from immersing oneself in it and exploring the landscape. He spoke simply and yet the lessons he gave to Iras were such primal, natural wisdoms that they were understood immediately and Iras did feel wiser for having heard and understood what Delvin had to say. He continued to politely eat as he listened, but rarely broke eye contact and always nodded in comprehension when a point was understood. He had only been at the ranger hall for only a candlemark, and already he felt like a much wiser individual.

His question about the proficiency of Druidism the Rangers possess was not answered, perhaps purposefully. He would come to learn the answer himself eventually, and that moment was as good a time as any to learn that lesson: to truly find the answers you seek you must find them yourself, and Iras gathered that this held true for Rangers more than everyone else, so independent are they, so much they must rely on their own wisdom.

He finished his meal as he took another sip of the pure clean water in his cup and smiled. "I understand all you have said, thank you for your wisdom Delvin. Although, I'm of the mind that I will not truly understand until I learn for myself the truths that nature imparts. But, now more than ever I am glad I chose this life. I have much to learn and cannot wait to get started. When do I meet my instructors?" He was eager to see the next step in this new grand journey that would come to define him,

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OOC~ Yes , unless you want to do it another way. Ok new thread here

IC ~ Devlin grinned at the barrage of questions from his new comrade…. It’s really up to you . Some of us just have enough arcana skills to get by even as an initiate druid it’s a useful tool to have in the locker. Others may find that they are drawn to druidism and study it for eras becoming masters of the art …Some of us want to learn more of the other skills. tracking, woods craft weapon lore and skills with weapons .some are drawn to herbology or craft skills but the key is gaining the “silver wolf” and that takes time Iras. So we start with bow and druidism my instructor says “ we are training the body and the mind and there are many paths to the way of the ranger . The most famous ranger of all was “Tev” and he had a chain of leather work shops so Iras its difficult to say what is the best route its something you have to find for yourself .