Thinslayer

The Faraway Land

@Thinslayer

What's iodine?

@rush99999

Iodine is a chemical element. It is sometimes used as a water purifier.

The Faraway Land

Kaite's question took Sadron off guard. He jolted back as if struck, composed himself, and replied, "As soldiers, you will be paid a soldier's salary. Unlike soldiers, you may loot your enemies and keep anything you acquire. But your participation is not optional." Since you are not a Free Elf, but a half-elven bastard.

To Zenovia, Sadron took a softer tone. He put his hand on her shoulder and said quietly, "I know you are capable. You will succeed where others cannot. Don't count yourself out just yet."

Then the Storyteller stood up. "I too shall join this quest!" he declared. "It will make a most entertaining addition to my book. But as I was also invited here for my 'bold council' I will say this: I know this story all to well. It comes in forms that are as varying and diverse as the races of this world. Some I know are true. Others I know to be simply works of fiction. But in all its forms, this story has many different twists and turns. Some favourable, others not so much. So should an unfavourable turn come to pass. Should we fail in this quest. Should the darkness claim us and reach out to all corners of this land. Hide. Hide and keep yourselves alive for as long as you can. For when the true heroes arise to succeed wherever we may fail and bring an end to this story, they will benefit greatly from your guidance."

Sadron closed his eyes and nodded. "History does oft repeat itself. It is true that villains like the Warlock have risen up in the past, and they shall undoubtedly rise up again in the future. Whether the day's heroes succeed or fail, it is up to those who survive to pass the torch to those who come after them."

Ivan pounded his fist on the table. "Sadron, you can count on me and my blade. We will bring justice to this Warlock and his armies!"
The high elf offered him an enthusiastic nod. "Excellent! I believe in you. Destroy the Warlock and bring your friends home safely. I'm counting on you."

He gestured to a number of chests sitting off to the side. "I suppose now is an excellent time to provide you the supplies you'll need on your journey. Each chest contains food and survival gear. It is all yours, so you may take what you want before departing. I trust Xen will let you know when to depart."

The items in each chest were the usual - elf rations, rope, knives, cloak, matches, lantern, canteen, and iodine. But as they dug through the chests, they each found a curious silver ring tucked away in the front corner, hidden as if someone didn't want them to be found. Three letters were inscribed on the inside of the rings:

Eru.

The Faraway Land

To be fair, Erudessa was more commonly known to humans than to elves, and even then, only a few ever knew her personally. There are two Champions in our group who have spoken with her in person before she vanished.

The Faraway Land

Sadron is terrible at speeches. Even Arandur would have been better, and that guy doesn't even like public speaking. xD

The Faraway Land

Sadron looked to Arandur, but Arandur had grown so crestfallen that he could not look the older elf in the eye. Sadron would have to address the matter himself. His face darkened as he announced:

"Lady Durvain was slain by the Warlock."

He let that sink in for a moment.

"By the end of the last Council, we agreed that the Warlock had to be stopped. Allowing the orcs to proliferate was a mistake on our-" Arandur shot him a reproachful look. "-my part," Sadron corrected, "a mistake I intend to correct. We miscalculated his strength and paid the price. By now, his abominable breeding initiatives have greatly bolstered his numbers, and worse, he has struck an alliance with the dwarves. He is crushing his way into human and elf territory to enslave them. Already thousands of innocent souls are bound under his iron grip."

Arandur looked miserable.

"Only the humans and elves stand in his way now," Sadron continued, "and we need the heroes of the world to stand together and fight. You cannot do this alone, much as you may think otherwise." He gave Kaite an almost-imperceptible frown. "Rather, you must work together for the common good, working as a cohesive unit against superior numbers and against all the odds."

Sadron rose from his seat to full height, towering over all the others.
"Xen'Desh Idlindra, I want you to lead this party, to bring hope and light to a war-torn world."
"Storyteller, I want you to record everything that transpires to the official history."
"Dionaea Sycamore, you shall be the party's scout, to guide them safely through the perils before them."
"Laina Silverstide, you shall be the party's healer, to bring them home when all is done."
"Tiberius Longshadow, you shall be the party's paladin, to guard them against any that would do them harm."
"Kaitra Elzbrn, you shall be the party's first brawler, a mighty fist to crush their foes."
"Ivan Stormwall, you shall be the party's second brawler, a bolt from the gods to smite evildoers.
"Zenovia Almire, you shall be the party's mage, the hand of the gods."

"I bid you now...stand, as Champions of Hope."

Arandur stared at him.

Sadron reddened. "Okay, that was a stupid line..." he muttered. "So sue me. It sounded nice on paper. You saw that, didn't you? Yet you didn't-"
"We've been over this."
"Yes, yes of course."

The Faraway Land

@Thinslayer Am... Am I there?

@tex

You, good sir, are several hundred miles north. So no. xD You'll get a proper introduction once I get off work.

The Faraway Land

@Lord Zee
@Hawlin
@MissCapnCrunch
@Darkmoon Angel
@rush99999
@Cuccoruler
@Rekaigan
@ineffable
@XenoCyanide

Sadron rapped his staff on the floor. "Seeing how everyone is here, how about we get started?"

The Faraway Land

We're about ready to start in earnest. Messaging tex and Thecrash20 for status updates.

The Faraway Land

@Rekaigan
The Recruitment of Zenovia Almire

Of all the Champions recruited by Sadron, this one was one of the more...unique. She almost didn't make the cut, but Sadron conceded once Arandur explained just how powerful she could be. And so it wasn't long before another runner came up to her and handed her a letter.
"For you, Miss Almire."

The Letter

Greetings, Zenovia Almire,
Your presence is required at High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow. As a Free Elf, you have the right to decline. Your unique skills are legendary and would be most useful in restoring peace to our world.
~Sadron Aphaderuiondur

The Faraway Land

Laina frowns, she's still contemplating the letter the following morning and finally decides on what she wants to do. She hurries into a decent white dress with some shimmery leggings under and rushes to High Council Hill. She meets the gard there, brushes some strands of glimmering silver hair from her face and shows him the letter.

@ineffable

The guard nodded and let her through.

Upon entry, Lord Arandur rose to greet her. "Lady Laina! I am glad you could make it!"