Narim Ranger Hall

[Steve]

The Narim Ranger Hall is located in the Sheriam Cosmopolis not too far from the city of Narim. Its remote location in the forest and blending with the natural flora has helped it escape destruction during the attack on Narim. Many of the Rangers believe that the Hall has survived because it is protected by Carmelya.

The Narim Ranger Hall is a large building, it's outer walls made of upright oak tree trunks that seem to be fused together, forming a continuous surface. The high domed roof is a mass of oak leaves that are green when the weather is warm and change to various tan hues when the weather cools. Several smaller outbuildings have the same appearance. Embossed on the front door is the seal of the city of Narim. Above the door, as part of the wall is a large front view of a Bald Eagle, the symbol of the Narim Ranger Hall.

One of three Rangers greet visitors. A human male, Taurus, his wife, Virgo, an elf. Tending to the spits that are cooking a haunch of venison and a large fat boar is their daughter Gemini, a stunning beauty. Each of the three wears the green and tan garb of a Ranger, with a sash and a silver bald eagle clasp denoting that the wearer is a full Ranger. Each is ready to greet visitors.
As you approach you receive a hardy "Serale"

Once inside, the visitor will find the floor has the appearance of grass and the feel of packed earth. On each wall is a stone fireplace with a crackling fire. Tables and chairs are smooth wood with a natural appearance. The inside walls are much like those on the outside. In the kitchen the counters blend right into the wall. There is a stone dutch oven in the kitchen as well. Overhead is a mass of what appears to be a blending of holly and mistletoe.

In the back of the Hall is the Armory and the Storeroom. Further down the Hallway is a staircase leading to the sleeping quarters upstairs.

Upstairs is a simple hallway with doors on either side. The typical room has a bed, cupboard, nightstand, desk, chair, dry sink and several oil lamps. There is a window near the head of the bed. The room of the Master Ranger is twice the size of the others and has one small bed as well a large one. This room accommodates his family when they stay over at the Ranger Hall.
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Carpe Diem
*****
Originally posted by Tev, additions by Steve

[Mineal Shade]

Last Cycle of Aperitus, Summer, Era XIV

Mineal stepped into the compound that encircled the Ranger Hall. He felt more relaxed than he had in Acumin. The buildings were more normal, and the mosat appreciated it. He made his way into the hall proper and looked around until he found Taurus. The man greeted him and Mineal nodded, "serale."

Mineal looked around the entrance to the hall before continuing. He pulled aside his poncho to show his silver snow owl badge marking him as a Ranger of Frigid River. "I came to salvage artifacts from the hall, but you are still here. There has been no contact from this hall in many cycles. Do you have any need for me, or letters to carry?"

[Steve]

Taurus looked up from his paperwork. As usual, he was glad to get a break from keeping the records of the Hall. It seemed that the other Rangers always had good excuses to avoid the paperwork.

The Ranger replied, "By the grace of Carmelya this Hall was spared the destruction wrought by the savage Orcs. Most of the Rangers belonging to this Hall were killed during the battle to protect Narim but the Orcs never did find the Ranger Hall.

"Now the Orcs have control of Narim and are too numerous for us to attack them. It seems that the Empire has decided to let the Orcs keep Narim". At that point Virgo came and placed a platter of venison and bread on the dining table. She also set down a pitcher of ale, mugs and plates. She turned to Mineal and said, "Come and refresh yourself. You've come a long way and must be hungry and thirsty."

[Mineal Shade]

There went another person praising Carmelya. Mineal might have been more enthusiastic about the goddess if he had not spent the majority of his life in the harsher landscapes of the western wastes. That country, as far as Carmelya was concerned, had been forgotten and left untouched by the boundless natural wonderment of the goddess's doting. It too made him skeptical of whether it was by any goddess's grace at all or by sheer luck of a drop coin that such things happened, when and why a random event.

Still the calling of that particular goddess's name was slowly becoming normative to the mosat. At least it was better than the druids. A mob of people who could not see a budding plant with anything less than the artistic machination of a brilliant nature architect. Mineal found such plain devotion without what seemed just cause a waste of time. Maybe it was his time spent in N'danosh and the rabble praying to a god without a name. He held Diana above the rest of the pantheon, as all rodenti should. The Mother, the one who delivered their bastard souls from chokehold of darkness. Not that it did them much good, but they were free and that was what was most important.

Mineal blinked his dark eyes at the empire deciding to give Narim up to the Orcs. "There is an army being recruited." He looked up at Virgo when she brought in refreshments and looked down at the food and drink when it was left. His nose wiggled slightly as he sniffed at the food. Deciding it was edible he crossed to the awkwardlt tall table and picked up a small hunk of bread, holding it in his paws as he nibbled on it.

The rodenti turned back to Taurus and waited for the Ranger to continue.

[Steve]

Taurus took a sip of ale and passed on the food.

"Yes, there is an Army being recruited. There are also Armies sitting idly throughout the Empire as there were when the Empire was defeated by the Orcs in Narim. The Generals get their medals and glory bestowed upon them when they send insufficient numbers off to war. If they had sent sufficient numbers to begin with, the Orc problem would have been resolved. Instead, they choose to ensure that there will always be a war on hand when they feel the need for self-glorification.

"We have ample space here and you are welcome to stay for as long as you like. There is a cool pond nearby to the south if you want to refresh yourself and then perhaps rest in one of the rooms. If you would rather, we have hammocks outside as well."

[Mineal Shade]

It was made very plain that Taurus did not like the idea that the empire was not summoning the bulk of its legions to take back Narim. Mineal himself did not have an opinion about the matter either way. He nibbled on the bread which caused his whiskers to wiggle up and down as he tore off small chunks of bread and and swallowed.

If the remaining Rangers were content to sit and wait for the bands of Orcs to come it was no business of his. Mineal was knowledgeable enough to think he should not tarry in the hall longer than necessary. He shook his head and laid the piece of bread down on the plate. "If you have no need of me I will take my leave the next brightening."

The eastern part of the empire had too many cities, too many people, too many problems that far outshadowed anything the rodenti thought he should be a part of. He could always return to Frigid River and sharpen his skills before the biting winter set in on the little town.