A refresher course on how to avoid crashing like an idiot and causing injuries to yourself and others is hardly unwelcome.  As travel gets underway, Hoal looks to Quelenna and asks "Shall you be remaining with your family, or continuing on past our first destination?  Neither is a questionable course of action."   Okay, so it's more like both courses of action are questionable when you get down to it.  But the former sounds nicer.

Quelenna glances at Hoal and says, "I plan to travel. It will be dangerous and danger is what I studied in school. So I will be more useful to the mission being with the messengers."

The bunch arrive in the gnome village. There to greet them is the gnome from the 4th-edition flash videos. "Hi there!"

"Hello there, sir," Gale greets with a smile and a slight bow, "My name is Gale.  Me and my associates are representatives from Gitbin City.  We have very urgent news for your leaders.  Would you be so kind as to lead us to them?"

  Clearly a Gnome who appreciated small fuzzy minions.  Hoal makes a note to keep them away from temperamental Tieflings.  "Your efforts will be appreciated Quelenna."  Perhaps some of those future efforts would involve looking into housing for sale for her family.

  What?  It sure beat needing someone to blow up those attempting to kill them.  Because that would imply people try to kill them.

The gnome nods. "Right this way!" he marches off, leading the group to what seems like a throne room of sorts. The guards stop him at every point, but he patiently explains what's going on every time.

Eventually, when the group is in the throne room, a scarey looking gnome who stands a shockingly tall 4' 6", has broad shoulders and seems rather muscular, turns to look at the group. His crown hovers above his head and his clothes have glowing runes that seems to move about. His eyes glow and he has a dour expression. The guide gnome kneels and waits. Another gnome with a powerful and horribly deep voice says, "You may speak!"

The guide gnome then says, "Greetings, m'lord! Guests here to see you!"

Gale of course is very impressed and shows proper respect.  She unrolls the map Bridget gave her and holds up the seal for all to see.

"We are messengers from Gitbin with urgent news, your highness," she explains, "It has come to our attention that the rulers of the Feywild plan to attack the Prime Material plane.  Full scale invasion and conquest.  Already, those who would warn us are being attacked to silence them.  We were sent here first to warn you about the attack."

  Hoal may have been the one to pick up on his Mother's side of the family, but he does make a quick check to ensure Mara-Kai hasn't decided to follow in her footsteps into oblivions.  There's Quiet, and then there is Unmentioned since before their journey began.

  He bows in official if not heartfelt respect, and states "While it would seem unwise for them to partake in any hostile acts towards you, what we have learned so far shows them desperate beyond reason based solely on prediction.  There was no practical purpose to be had for destroying the homes of their own kind if they sought to preserve themselves."

  Seriously.  'Guys!  our Eladrin homes are in danger!  Quick!  Blow up an Eladrin's home!.... Wait.'

Mara-Kai exists, but just hasn't had much to say. "War rarely makes much sense." she comments to Hoal's latest statement.

Quelenna says, "No practical purpose? If your kind faced extinction and your world falling apart, and one genasi, or one human, or one anything on your world was threatening to speed up or ensure the process, that person would be marked for death to save everyone else. Regardless of race."

Mara-Kai says, "You're not defending their actions, are you?"

Quelenna says, "Not at all. Just pointing out that our enemy isn't stupid or incapable of thinking straight. It's dangerous to start thinking your enemy is beneath your reasoning capacity."

Mara-Kai says, "Maybe. But Hoal and I will be expecting the enemy to attack innocents and now know they aren't above killing their own. This will be useful for dirt on them against their own cause."

Quelenna sighs, "You'll have to prove it was them, unfortunately."

Mara-Kai puts an arm around Hoal. "Well whatever happens, as long as we stick together we should be alright."

The spokesperson for the gnome king says, "The king declares his heartfelt gratitude towards you all. He desires for you to tell him who you will be visiting next."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:55, Sat 17 Sept 2011.

"The king is most welcome," Gale answers.

She consults the map.

"Looks like the next nearest community will be the fairies.  They would be the next logical destination."

---

This info of course supplied by the DM.

  "I must admit, the logistics of waging war on an entire plane of existence is not a subject I have deeply researched."   So, would that be a History skill check? or what?  "Though even if they were below one person's reasoning capability, would this not be just as dangerous them being beyond it if you could not understand their reasoning either way?"

  Hoal's default stoicism makes certain exceptions for his Sister, as he returns the gesture.  "Proof of their actions... Will we need as much or as little as what they consider proof to start their attacks, I wonder?"

Quelenna answers Hoal, "Over-estimating an enemy is better than underestimating. Or to put it another way, it is better to have and not need than to need and not have."

Fast-forwarding a little, when the group is ready to head out again, Quelenna says her goodbyes to her dad and even her step-mom. Then heads out with the group towards the fairy country.

The group had been given a gift from the gnome king; a special vial full of some kind of sacred water. They are to hold it up once they arrive, as a sign of coming in peace and not being there to harm anyone. The vial was given to Gale. Mara-Kai seems deep in thought as she gazes at the setting sun. She softly sings, "A swollen sun... melting in the horizon..." she looks at Hoal. "Hoal, do you think everything's going to be OK? Or do you think everything is going to change for the worse? Years from now, will we look back and miss these days?"

Gale shrugs in reply to Mara-Kai.  The question wasn't directed at the wizard, but it's a way to answer anyway without interrupting.

  Quelenna is currently in agreement with Hoal then, so that's nice.  Even if the subject is of the 'people trying to kill us' sort still.  Then Scene transition is go!

  "Any good day is one worthy of being missed, so then is most of our lives together, as will days to come."  Well, that's actually nice.  "For the moment, it is impossible to say if our journeys serve our intended purpose, or if they are a wasted effort as the world changes despite anyone's attempts to prevent it."

  Considering this has been stated to be a prequel thread before, it will be all for nothing when it comes to the world and most everyone dies anyway.  But at least the party will gets some levels out of it...

  Wait, this thread was changed to dice free... Uh...  We'll get back to you.  Man Hoal, every thread you are in eats the dice.  Is that fitting or Ironic for a Voidsoul?

The group arrives at the correct destination. It's easy enough to figure out they don't see any fairies because they need to hold the vial up as told. When Gale holds up the vial, the sacred water glows a little and the fairies begin to come out.

A fairy floats over to Gale, a rainbow trail flowing behind her. She's seemingly twice as big as the other fairies (standard fairy being about the size of your thumb). She speaks in a clear voice, "Welcome. I am Queen Snowform What is the purpose of your visit?"

Once it's explained, Queen Snowform says, "Why would you believe such a thing? What evidence is there?"

---

Just because it's inspired by Dark Sun doesn't mean Dark Sun is destined to happen. Besides, it was only inspired by. This is more a what-if where the Feywild strikes first instead of being annihilated by the Sorcerer Kings' abuse of Defiling Magic.

Also, if this "visit, say same thing all over again" bit seems redundant, don't worry. Each race will have differing reactions and this visit won't be so simple as the last one.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:49, Tue 20 Sept 2011.

"If it please your highness," Gale answers with a bow, "We humbly submit that the reason we are convinced of this news is because it comes from a trustworthy man, this young lady's father, who has little to gain and risks much in telling us.  Proof of just how much risk can be found in the fact that his home was destroyed in an explosion.  A fact that your agents can easily verify.

"The illustrious leader of the gnomes thanked us for the warning and will be making preparations of his own.  The man's who's house was destroyed is now living with the gnomes for fear of racial reprisal from simple people full of fear.  If this message is false, he would have more to fear from the gnome king."

  "We have no intentions of striking out against those we claim mean the world harm.  Not without more easily confirmed reasoning.  However, there is no denying that some force has taken hostile action already.  Whether Fey or otherwise, extra caution for the safety of your people in these times can be of no harm.  If no further incidents occur, claims of 'We told you so' would be an acceptable price."

Quelenna nods and says, "My father's life was in danger because he knew of the prophecy that was told in the Feywild... I am surprised you didn't know already. Of all the people who would have been invited, I would think you would have been."

The queen says, "And what if I told you I already knew the prophecy and that some were trying to stop the Feywild from restoring order? Are you bunch hoping to get in the way of the Feywild?"

---

Occured to me, the queen of the fairies. DUH. She already knew and is likely a supporter of the idea of striking first. XD

Gale was expecting both the Gnome king and the Fairy Queen to be in the know.  Perhaps he was.  It was rather surprising how readily he accepted the news as true.  But this fact is a useful bargaining chip.

"I'm flattered you would suggest our humble efforts may have a significant impact for the better on future events," Gale answers with a bow, "Of course it is our hope that things turn out for the best for everyone, both those of the Feywild and those who live in the Prime Material.  I wouldn't be at all surprised if you had been told of the prophesy, or if you hadn't - given what happened to Quelenna's family.

"As Hoal pointed out, our primary concern is simply for the safety of all people.  Fey or otherwise.  If you already knew of the prophesy, now you know that the Gnome King and Gitbin also know.  If our sharing this news with you in some small way makes you even slightly more prepared, our simple peaceful mission will be accomplished."

  "What hope would we have to stand against the Feywild, even if we did intend such foolishness as to stand against a whole realm?  Such questions imply weakness in their part that is not present."  Well, sure, it's actually good odds they will have to attempt to do just that to survive.  But it does sound rather arrogant to claim such intentions outright.

  "If you had any message of your own you would wish us to pass along in our travels to those less informed than you, we may be able to spread the word."

The fairy queen is impressed with the group. "Very well. I shall tell you what I know that you might not: While the Feywild will suffer, it is your plane that will suffer first. The ones who will wipe the Feywild from existence will cause much pain and suffering to your world and make most of your own world not even liveable. And all before the Feywild even gets harmed. So it is not just the Feywild that is in danger, but you as well. If the Feywild held their hand back, everyone would be doomed. You, us, everyone. Just that the Feywild would be the ones to go extinct. However, if we act, we may be able to prevent this massive cataclysm from happening in the first place. What you DO know is that this is started with some crusade to eliminate the "monster races" from your world. I want you and anyone you talk to, to be prepared for when some righteous types or respected persons begin talking about "cleansing" the world of evil. Be on guard. And go, knowing the pixies will back you if you are for the cause of rescuing both our worlds."

Quelenna asks, "How is it anyone ever gets so far into destroying a world before people realize it's too late?"

Queen Snowform says, "This is nothing new. In the past, and even now, people have sat idly and watched their own neighbors die one by one, never rising up to do anything about it. The difference this time is that they will all be united in one cause, and have the backing of most people while they are at it."

Mara-Kai says, "But mass genocide? And why pixies?"

Queen Snowform answers, "It is all too easy to get a people to hate another people. Even inside one's own race. All that is needed is for one person to create propaganda that causes many people to agree with their view."

Gale courtseys respectfully.

"Thank you, your highness," she says, "We shall do as you suggest.  Long life and prosperity to you."

She chooses not to say anything further for now.

   The world will burn, but the Genasi will be the ones to pick up the Gamebreaker Racial Ability.  Heloooo immunity to high/Low ambient temperatures and Sun Sickness.  At least, if the world burns.

  "In a softer world, you would merely need remind people you can give them short flying rides to counteract such propaganda.  Alas that it is not such."  Power creep, Giving Pixies a better version of telekinetic leap.  Oh course!  It's the Zero supplement support Githyanki that will be coming after the Pixies!  It all makes sense now.

Quelenna looks at the check list, checking pixies off the list:

Gnomes √
Goblins
Kobolds
Lizard men
Ogres
Orcs
Pixies √
Trolls
Wemics

Quelenna says, "Oh boy... Well.. it looks like our best bet is Wemics next. They are the last on this list that wouldn't kill us on sight."

(OOC: In case you didn't know what a Wemic is, they are liontaur people. Here's a pic: http://www.dsl-mud.org/algoron/Races/images/Wemic2.jpg )

Gale smiles at Hoal's idea but waits until after the group is no longer in the presence of royalty before saying, "A softer world?  What a lovely concept!  I'll remember that and perhaps quote it to describe what I work toward."

She glances at the list and shrugs.

"So long as we don't bypass someone else on the list to do so," Gale replies to the suggestion, "If asked, 'Why did you go to the Wemics before us?!' I want to be able to honestly answer, 'Because they were closest.'  And I suppose it bears mentioning that if we're confronted by any sentient that shows even the remotest sign of being border patrol we should surrender - only fighting back if our surrender is rejected."