[center][h2][color=aba000]The Aedelfaari - Turn 5[/color][/h2][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vDEPENll.jpg[/img][/center]
[hider=Summary]
H) Expand military: Eric rallies a militia and brings them to join the gathering forces of the forest.

I) Take diplomatic action - Attempt to talk down the sailors and start negotiations if possible.[/hider]

Slow and steady was the pace set by the Aedels of Waebury it would seem. Their shelter was basic and their food roughly won. With rugged work and blunt tools they plied the earth for easy water that would no longer see them spending half their day trekking to one stream or another just to quench the thirst brought on by the salty taste of smoked fish. This was not a glamorous way of living, nor could one say that these same people were showing a creative brand of thinking that would give them a unique effect on the world that would spawn stories and legends as of yet. The Aedelfaari were simple humans going about their simple lives as far as an outside observer would see. 

Eric ap Edrin did not see things that way. Like many minor kings before him his ambition outreached his ability but his mind was still at work and it found itself hungrily awakened by the music of the forest that he had seen work impossible wonders of magic. Surely their landing here and his choosing of this landing spot was another sign of divine providence. The angels themselves had guided his eyes to this forest and the strange creature within. The lord of the forest might be a wild creature that lacked the civilized airs of men but it had heard the songs of praise in the name of the divine and welcomed them. Perhaps it had been forgotten by the faithful or raised up from beasthood by some angel of the wilds but their encounter had shown Eric that there was a chance for an alliance between them and even hope that the creature might be brought into the fold of the faithful. 

Relations were already proving fruitful between the village and the forest. Quite literally as of some mornings when they would awake to offerings of fruits and nuts and rambling stories from their children claiming to have seen animals emerging from the treeline with gifts. Then the storm came. The bear that had first met them upon their arrival in the lands of Aedelfaar had become a regular sight around the outskirts of Waebury and the intelligence that lurked behind its eyes was something Eric had first seen when he had met it again in the forest. Its watching of the well's construction and the sudden arrival of the storm that had smote several trees to the ground were too close to be a coincidence. This creature was the messanger and possible right hand of the Deerman. Some were distrustful of its coming and going but for now Eric gave the animals the benefit of the doubt. They had mostly kept to themselves and behaved amicably to them since first meeting, he would not sour the waters between their peoples over a matter of paranoia. 

In fact he was considering ways of making them feel more welcome. Perhaps in the form of carving plaques similar to the carvings they had seen in the trees that announced who was welcome in the forest. If their was a way for them to cement this bond properly then Eric could beseech the Deerman to share the magic he used to encourage such verdant growth so that the Aedels might use it for themselves. It made perfect sense to Eric. This way they would be able to tend their own crops and patches of forestry without the need for the forest to deplete its own holdings. 

Eric was just thinking on what to do with the lumber they had gained and how best to approach this diplomatic issue when a loud issue arose in the heart of Waebury. A messenger had come running from the workmen that had been sent out to gather up the fallen trees, panting and ragged with breath. 

"The bear and wolves were roaring as if for battle! They looked on us as they did to the king and bid to follow. My kinsmen did so but I do believe they head for a fight!"

This was absolutely perfect. The chance ahead of them was clear as day to Eric. If they could muster a force fast enough and join with the forces of the wild then they would have earned the respect of battle brothers. The way ahead was clear. 

With his golden hair flowing in the breeze, Eric ap Edrin descended from the hilltop with his sword raised high and his voice bellowing in a demand to be heard. The Aedelfaari had come from a land that was forged in war and the Grass Dog clan from which they descended had earned its name not just for farming but for the hounds they had bred for generations to serve as companions in peace and war. Sadly none could be brought along with the immigrants that would name themselves Aedelfaar but these old loyalties would be honored this day Eric told them as the men of his kingdom would once again rally their blades to stand before the wolves that had welcomed them here and Eric himself vowed that he would display a strength that would rival a bear. 

The forest of Woodhenge (as they had taken to calling it) had welcomed them into the new lands of Aedelfaar and had even fed them in these early days when their future was so uncertain. Honor demanded they offer their aid in facing whatever threat had riled up the warrior animals of the forest. "Lest we shame ourselves and our ancestors before the eyes of the angels. With blade in hand and faith in heart I shall step forward into this battle and call out to all men strong enough to raise arms to join me!" Cried Eric to those assembled.

A Mighty cheer went up in Waebury as a militia was hastily assembled. The newly name Huscarls that had followed their king into the woods were quick to join, as was their station in life now. After them followed strong armed workmen and youthful lads who thirsted for their first taste of adventure and glory. Hunting spears were taken up, along with hammers and axes, any tool that could serve as a weapon was swept up in the mad rush to meet whatever this unknown threat might be. By the time the militia was assembled and was marching for the forest it looked as if some iron hungry specter had swept through Waebury with the storm and stolen off with all that it could carry.

[b]Arriving at the forest[/b]

The path made for them was easy enough to follow and the Aedels marched up the coastal path as swiftly as their legs would allow. When they finally found the place where their lumberjacks had followed to they did not find what Eric had expected. He had thought to find some massive animal that had stepped out of line or another animal person that was seeking to lay claim to the current lord's seat... perhaps a wolfman of some kind. 

He did not expect to find the animals forming battle lines against a windswept group of angry looking sailors. Suddenly the picture was becoming clear to him. The storm the deer had summoned to knock down the gift of trees must have caught this ship unawares and wrecked them here on the shore. Eric couldn't honestly say that he might not have drawn his sword and rallied his troops as well if he found himself shipwrecked and surrounded by wolves. 

Growls and howls to one side of him and battle cries and rattling sabers to the other. Yet the gutted giant of a ship that lay beyond. Once again his sense of avarice was awakened with the knowledge that today he could solidify his alliance with the forest lord and claim the remains of this ship and whatever else these sailors had in their hold for his own. Or he could have even more. These sailors were stranded here and would owe him their lives if Eric could get them out of this mess they found themselves in and his future legacy as a wise and noble king would be even further secured. 

With a wave of his hand Eric set his men to forming their own battle lines mixed in with the assembled packs and lone beasts of the forest, ready should battle be joined. Yet as he stepped forward he found the noble bear and since language was beyond them he could only ask with hand movements and with his eyes for it to stay its rage for now. With their force assembled Eric stepped forward, down the slope in order to separate himself from the crowd but not so far as to be beyond their help. 

Striking his most kingly pose Eric shouted across the divide between the two groups, calling to the new arrivals. "I am Eric ap Edrin! King of Aedelfaar and neighbor to these lands! It seems you have found yourselves stranded here and the lord of this forest fears you to be reavers. I bid thee, lower your weapons and speak the words of peace. Blood need not win out this day and you have my word of honor, before the watching angels of the divine that if you lay down your steel and you may yet repair your ship and find friends in our lands. Should you refuse and choose violence then know that you will found yourselves outnumbered and swept into the unforgiving sea."