EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Goodnight.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

After Reanaseer translated the Cyrodilic portion of Fendros' response, the farmer seemed to think for a moment. It was obvious he had never met a Dunmer before, but equally apparent was the fact that he did not hate them. They would not be having the conversation if that were the case. Some of the Argonians in the village probably held animosity towards the Dark Elves, but to most, the Dunmer slave raids were just stories to frighten hatchlings. Not all of them latched onto the stories completely, but in such an isolated place, not many had any real knowledge of Dunmer culture.

"I have not met a Dunmer before; all I have are the stories of events that happened centuries ago. They are not favorable for your people. Perhaps you can help clear the waters for me? Are you from Morrowind? How do your people live, and why did you take a different path?" He asked, with Reanaseer translating.

Meesei could understand how the villagers would not know what an Orc is. In her own village, only leaders such as herself, and traders would know much about other provinces. Usually, they would be happy to share the knowledge if any of the villagers were curious, but with the day to day worries of surviving in the marsh, there was little reason to care about what the world was like beyond the Marsh. "He is an Orc. They are a race of Elves from the far northwest of Tamriel, though they do not usually identify with other elves. In fact, some may be offended if you identify them as such. They have no independent homeland, as the Empire chose not to protect them when the nations around them attacked, as has happened many times. Still, they are a proud race of warriors, and Lorag is a loyal friend." She explained.

Kaleeth seemed slightly confused at first, but after a few moments, she extended her hand. She did not expect the kiss he gave her, but she did not react negatively. In fact, she smiled and laughed. In contrast to some of the other cautious, or in some cases, angry Argonians around them, she seemed to be in quite a good mood and had no apprehension about speaking to an outsider. She stopped for a moment, then very visibly concentrated on what she was going to say next. "You. Are. Im-pear-ee-al. Yesss?" She asked, demonstrating a very rudimentary understanding of Cyrodilic. "I don't suppose you speak any Jel, do you? Like your friends?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei couldn't help but to smile when Fendros began speaking in Jel. To hear it coming from a Dunmer was both a bit ironic, and oddly pleasant to hear, not because he spoke particularly well, but because it showed that not all Dunmer had disdain for Argonian culture. Certainly, Reanaseer seemed pleasantly surprised to hear him speak their language, even if it sounded like the words of a hatchling.

"My name is Meesei, hunter and mage. Actually, I think it is safe to say we are all hunters in some capacity. We have to be, as we live outside of cities and towns. None of us have any desire to live within Imperial civilization." Meesei explained. Saying that they lived outside of towns by itself might have sounded suspicious, but the fact that she explained it by saying they had no love for Imperial civilization would certainly be understood by the Elder, and anyone else who might happen to understand her. Due to its independent nature, many Argonians in the Marsh, especially those from villages, disliked the Empire as a whole for its history of bringing provinces forcefully under its control. Indeed, the Elder nodded in understanding at her explanation, so Meesei moved on and pointed to Lorag. "This is Lorag, a proud warrior, and a good friend."

Lorag nodded and gave a slight wave. He appreciated that Meesei introduced him, as he did not really like these 'delicate' situations. For him, it would be best that he just remain silent. Ahnasha was more comfortable speaking, and since she had not yet introduced herself, she spoke up. "I am Ahnasha. I don't know much of your language, but I have been trying to learn since we arrived."

Once the introductions were done, Reanaseer took another sniff of the air to get her bearings, mainly by identifying the direction of the Hist tree. "Good, good. I am impressed that most of you are even trying to learn Jel. Most outsiders will not consider the thought. At any rate, my old bones do not like to stand for too long. Let's find a comfortable spot to sit down. Come, follow me." She said as she started off towards the Hist tree. She used her walking stick to help her navigate until she reached a point where the soil changed in consistency and the sun no longer shined as warmly on her scales, indicating that she was directly beneath the tree. It took her about ten seconds for her to carefully bring herself to sit down. The rest of the pack followed and sat under the tree near her, and, surprisingly, so did a few of the other villagers. For the ones who were not too afraid to approach them, the pack was a curiosity that broke up their daily routine, something to make their lives a bit more interesting. About six or so villagers joined them under the tree, though they tended to sit closer to Reanaseer.

One of the villagers looked at Fendros with a particular curiosity. He was male, not quite middle-aged, with dark brown scales. His clothes and scales, especially his fingers were muddy, indicating that he was a farmer, one who cared for the crops growing just outside the village. He asked Reanaseer something quietly in Jel, to which she nodded, then looked in the direction of the pack. "He wants me to translate his question for him." She explained before he began to speak, looking at Fendros.

"You are Dunmer, but you are trying to learn our language. Why do you wish to know about us?" He asked.

Another of the villagers sat down beside Janius. She was an Argonian female, perhaps a few years younger than him. She had light green scales, two fins on her head, and blue eyes, which was rare for an Argonian. She wore only a simple loincloth about her waist, but like some of the other Argonians in the village, she had an intricate set of tattoos. They were red and appeared like vines wrapping up her legs and torso, stopping just beneath her neck. She looked at Janius quizzically for a few moments, then slowly, and a bit nervously, held out her hand and pointed at him.

"Janius." She said in an almost questioning tone before pointing to herself with a nervous smile. "Kaleeth-Rei."

Shadows in the Moonlight

Sam had awoken a bit earlier than Stevie, so by this point, he was already cooking their breakfast: the classic bacon and eggs. He smiled to her and chuckled. "Don't worry, I thought of that when I was getting our supplies. I bought one yesterday; it's in the trunk of my car. We'll just have to pick up some ice and other things to cool it with when we stop by the store. I don't think there is anything I haven't thought of, really, unless you can think of something I missed. Just make sure to pack some extra clothes; we might end up tearing up a few sets if we turn unexpectedly."

Elder Scrolls: Danger of Discovery (EliteCommander and Luna)

"I think...I know, it is love. In it's purest form." Swims responded, trying to sound confident, but terribly afraid on the inside. He could hardly believe what was happening. He did not even know for how long he had wanted it, but right now, there was no question in his mind that it was the right thing. To Oblivion with the rest of the world, as long as she felt the same way, he was going to be with Veria, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop them. With a look of passion and love in his eyes, he caressed her soft cheek with his hand, then gave her another deep kiss. "I love you, Veria."

Elder Scrolls: Terror of the Padomaic

Sharee held her hand up at the pair. "I can assure you I don't intend to punish either of you. Unless of course Allaina comes to me later and tells me she didn't like whatever you two did when you left last night. In that case, I would be obligated to kill Serge, but barring that, you two are fine for now. Just stop all the saluting and stuff, it annoys me. Just stick with calling me captain and that'll be enough."

Sarel, Serge, and the Orc had arrived thusfar, so there weren't many more to go. She supposed there had been a lot of drinking the previous night, so there might be some delays getting everyone together again. Sharee herself was only really functioning because of the hangover cures she made for herself. She would be lying if she didn't admit that they were one of the biggest perks of being an alchemist. In order to avoid sitting around and staring at each other silently, Sharee decided to give a bit of a briefing to the three about why she called them up. "Anyway, as I'm sure you're aware, there are plenty of people on this ship. The sailors are mostly situated, but you might have noticed that there are a distinct lack of officers right now. I intend to remedy that. I've called those who I believe are fit for the job, we're just waiting on a few more. "

Elder Scrolls: Terror of the Padomaic

Actually, sent you a PM.

Elder Scrolls: Terror of the Padomaic

The New Yorker said
I have a half written post here, EC. Could you send me an Allaina response or something so I know what happened between her and Serge?

Just PM me with what you have, then.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Thorantilth returned Sabine's nod. "Very well, then I must begin preparations. I will send someone to find you when your first trial is ready." He said before leaving back in the direction of the Hist tree. Once the Treeminder left, Reanaseer stepped forward once more, looking at least mostly in the direction of Sabine.

"I am not an expert on the rituals of the Hist in the way that Thorantilth is, but I know the path ahead of you is not an easy one. If your intentions are...genuine, then I wish you luck. Until then, you are our guests. The...common quarters in the largest of the huts will be open to you, and we will share the bounties of our hunts. In return, we expect you to follow our rules and customs. If you are unsure of those rules, you may ask. We would also expect that you...reciprocate our aid to you in whatever way is reasonable. From me, personally, I just ask that you not prove Zharanthixil correct; I would never hear the end of it if you did." Reanaseer explained with a slight grin crossing her face. "Now, you are my guests, but I know nothing about you. Tell me about yourselves, I insist."

Even if Reanaseer had accepted them as guests, the hunters did not let down their guard. Their eyes were always watching, waiting for signs of treachery. The other villagers, however, seemed to give a mixed, but overall less-hostile response. Most likely could not understand the current conversation, but with how the Elder was speaking to them, most seemed to relax. Some still looked at the pack with suspicion, but others seemed to be simply curious. A few members of the crowd that had gathered drew even closer to the pack to get a better look at them. Some even appeared like they wanted to talk to them, even if the language barrier would prevent that. The hatchlings were especially curious, but the adults around them prevented them from getting too close.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Reanaseer gave a chuckle. "Well, I would certainly hope not. I haven't seen a fight in about five years, with Zharanthixil's diligence. I hope to meet the end of my life without seeing another.

Fortunately, it was not too much longer before Treeminder Thorantilth, a middle-aged Argonian male, arrived from the direction of the Hist tree. Unlike the other two leaders, his clothing was a simple loincloth, but his tattoos were much more extensive and intricate. His scales were tan in color, though many were covered by the tattoos. On his head were a pair of sizable fins, and his eyes were a deep shade of green. He approached as if he had been in a hurry, despite the delay. "I apologize for the delay, I came as soon as I could. I was told that strangers arrived wishing to commune with the Hist; I assume this is them?"

Reanaseer nodded, prompting Thorantilth to walk up to the pack. He looked over the group with a bit of suspicion in his eyes, though not nearly as much as Zharanthixil or his hunters. "I warn you. Speaking with Hist is not a easy...thing. My purpose is protection of our Hist, and we do not accept threats to it. They may yet speak to you, though. That is solely their will. Is it you who wants to commune with them?" He asked in Cyrodilic, looking at Meesei. His Cyrodilic was not nearly as polished or practiced as Reanaseer's, but it conveyed his meaning well enough.

"Not precisely." Meesei answered in Jel, since the Treeminder did not appear comfortable in Cyrodilic. She stepped over to Sabine and put her arm around her shoulder. "She is a person with a scarred soul and traumatic past, and a loving girl who does not deserve the pain she feels. I wish to put her through the ritual of binding. I am familiar with the preparation and effort required, so I offer to do all you will allow me to help."

Thorantilth's interest was certainly piqued by Meesei's explanation. He looked down at Sabine, this time with more curiosity than suspicion. "The ritual of binding? Few, even among the Saxhleel, even know of the ritual, let alone how to practice it. You speak as one raised and educated in our traditions."

Meesei nodded. "From my hatching, I was raised as Treeminder of my clan. I took on the role for a time, but my path down the river unavoidably led me elsewhere. I left the clan in the hands of my capable successor so that I could continue on my path."

"Hmm, for a Treeminder to abandon her role is an exceptional event, but it is not my place to judge the worthiness of your cause. As for your purpose here, though...the ritual of binding will not serve her in the same way as it would a Saxhleel. No matter how often or deeply a Human communes with the Hist, they can never become connected to the Hist in the way we are. Thorantilth responded.

Meesei shook her head and looked up to the village's Hist tree. "I have no intention of attempting to bind her to the Hist. I merely want to connect her mind to theirs, to let them sense her soul and judge if she is worthy to have the burden she bears lifted from her shoulders. The effect of the binding need not remain permanent.

Thorantilth crossed his arms and let out a sigh. He was obviously in deep thought, and quite conflicted about the situation. Fortunately, they did not have to wait long for an answer, this time in Cyrodilic. "I can not deny your request. I can help with ritual of binding, but it takes much preparation. There are tests she must go through to judge readiness. It may take days. Are you sure you want to begin this?" The Treeminder asked, this time looking at Sabine.