"I absolutely, positively, hate egg nog. Can't stand the stuff. Horrible, yucky, blech! How someone can drink that stuff is beyond me."

Visiting the elves and whatnot is just find by Togo. Elves have an affinity to nature and often relate to druids and fey creatures. It's a peaceful non antagonistic experience which he needs after the chaos they have been through lately. He takes it all in and wonders what he'll do for an animal companion. Maybe something that flies. Or even better, one that can fly him.

Mia is perfectly happy to dance doing so gracefully with various partners. She keeps half a eye on flitter eager to see the pixie dancing. She also looks for alba, togo and Aramil to see if they are dancing and if so with whom. Mia also participates in festival games laughing and smiling. Talking with various elves and townsfolk the time seems to fly!

Hearing Togo's reaction to Egg Nog Mia giggles and smiles knowing flitter would never agree on that subject. "More for flitter then! I know it's not for everyone Togo. I guess this means you will be sticking to wine!"

When it comes time to travel she's very careful and cautious when boarding the Elven boat. She was often concerned whenever things involved water and mud!

"I thank you as well. It's a honor to get to see your home! Alba Perhaps we can do a little shopping at their castle home. I would like something to remember being their by. Maybe something to decorate Aramil's home."

"Wine is fine" Togo repeats over and over as he dances about enjoying the joyful moment. He'll mix in with Mia and Alba if an opportunity presents and they allow it. He'll break out the magic flowers and have them dance too. It was just one of those times.

Many of the people in Corbilo are sad to see the group depart.  Well.. for the most part, many of the young men of Corbilo are sad to see Mia depart.  Sure, she's made of metal, but when she was dancing, it was easy to forget that.

The wind is brisk, and the little boat bounces on the waves.  The Elves enjoy it.  The small Elven crew practically leap around the little sailboat, fearlessly, and never slipping into the water.

Flitter stays in Aramil's hood the whole time, peaking out worriedly.  She's never been on the ocean before.  The ocean is a big place, and it is much bigger when you are a Pixie.

Within a few hours they see an island ahead.  Holding on tightly, Flitter looks out and asks:  "Is that Kyberon?"  She has to shout to be heard above the wind.

An Elven boy, a teenager, who has been manning the sail, looks over,  "Oh no, little one!  Arica is an island.  It is one of ours.  But Khyberon is a peninsula off the mainland.  We still have a few of our holdings there.  In days of old, we had more!"

"What happened to them?"  Flitter asks.

"There were more Elves back then.  Many more.  Now, we are few, so we do not need so many places.  We have given them up."

They can see another island on the horizon to the west, a place of granite cliffs and trees.  It is Ile Bella, and Aramil has been there a few times, years ago.  His mother lives there.

Togo is a little seasick queasy at first but manages ok. Sailing with elves on a ship. He'd never thought he'd being doing that..ever! He chuckles to himself. What adventures he was having! He probably should start taking notes before he forgot all the details. He was already starting to forget some of it but he still have Alba and Mia around to ask...and Aramil too for now.

Mia seems to come alive happily dancing with Togo, various townsfolk, alba, Aramil and even Flitter. For once she's in her element doing something she loves. When it's over she makes a soft happy sound. That had been fun and she would miss the small town and it's people.

While Mia is careful about when she moves not wanting to cause the small boat to list dangerously. She enjoys watching the elves work the boat as well as the lovely view while they make their way across the waters of the Ocean. "It's ok Flitter Aramil won't let anything happy to you. Besides you also have Togo, Alba and I to make sure your safe. Just stay well within the boat and if you leave it fly high above the water and not close to it's surface."

Perking up Mia leans forward slightly eager to see the Island Flitter mentioned. That and of course the castle should it be their destination. "Oh I see. We still have further to go Then." She wasn't sure she should ask about why the elves were few. Traveling to a far away place wouldn't be so bad. Though if many had fallen in a terrible war that wouldn't be good to bring up.

Seeing that Togo isn't feeling well Mia tries to pray to Aphrodite for him to feel better. Perhaps the water Nymph would show and have a cure for such. Maybe she would somehow come up with a remedy!

OOC: It can't hurt. Though I am pretty sure we don't have a spell for sea sickness. You have my sympathies though Togo. I have experienced motion sickness while in a car before.

Aramil strains for a sign of home and family on the distant shore of Ile Bela.  But he cannot see anything but the shape of the island on the horizon.   Although he’s been there, it was a while ago.  They didn’t settle down there… in fact they didn’t settle anywhere, Aramil’s mother moved around several different homes.  But he recalled, Ile Bela was always her favorite place.

"It is our most important place," the Elf boy explains, "but it is not where our King lived.  He lived further south, near the southern end of our lands."

They realize that the Elves have spoken very little of their king.  In fact.. nothing.

"You have a king?"  Flitter asks.

"Had a king," the boy says.  "It was a long time ago.  Some of the old folks say that the reason the Atlantic Elves have shrunk away so much is that we lost our Royal Line.  They say that the Royal and Noble lines of the Elves all have magic.  I don't know."

"Who is in charge if you have no king?"  Flitter asks.

The Elf replies; "We have our Lords, the heads of the clans.  Where we are going... Radyul is lord.  He is a very brave Elf and many turn to him when there are problems, but he isn't king.  Well... just of Khyberon.  The lords of the clans talk among themselves, and decide what to do, and it all works out.  What would a king do?"

"Probably listen to the lords and make a decision based on what he learned from them. The advantage is that there is one voice, one decision from a king rather than any number of policies which can be confusing. Also, a king can in times of need, unite the clans under one banner and give orders for all to follow. There are other advantages but that's some of the basics."

As Alba listens to the elves tell of past times she notices that Togo is having a bit of trouble with the motion of the boat. Being a somewhat seasoned traveller she has an idea of what might be his problem. Quietly she whispers to him. "Look at the horizon. It will probably help."

Hearing that the elves were once a much greater nation resonates with her on multiple levels. She knows what it's like to belong to a house in decline. Raz is half elven, and she wonders if Raz is related to any of the elves here. She remembers the bolt of fine cloth that she has. I wonder if the elves here would be able to work the cloth I have into suitable gifts for Raz and Alara?

She has to grin at Flitter's antics in Aramil's hood. If there's a problem with the boat she's probably the second or third most likely to get to shore alive. "It's ok, Flitter. The elves have made this trip many times before, I'm sure that they know where all the hazards are and the best way to travel."

She knows that the elves are remarkably long lived. "How long ago did you have a king?"

Mia listens to the discussion of the lost king finding it very interesting. "Is it not possible to reestablish a royal bloodline and thus the magic," Somehow it seems important especially to the Atlantic elves. Although she is aware it might just be wishful thinking.

Listening to Togo the elf and flitter talking she thinks about it. "It's kind of like a council of elders. In smaller towns, villages and such they often have elders that they look to. As leaders they often deliberate and make important decisions that are important the the welfare of the town as a whole. They also cordinate with other towns if the situation involves more then one. I agree though having a central king to push things forward quickly in a emergency is a valuable thing. It's never good when diferent towns elders can't see eye to eye on something and nothing is done until something bad forces the issue."

She looks over at Alba nodding slightly Elves lived far longer then humans. Her eyes widen slightly with a look of shock. "I just realized I have no idea how long I will live." Mia looks worried for a moment then shakes her head deciding not to dwell on it overly much. Life was meant to be enjoyed and treasured not worried about. "I shouldn't worry about it. That's a mystery we all have to live with."

She looks at flitter though taking comfort in her presence. Perhaps she would end up going to live with the fey after the war was over. That or she could go home to Lutita Parisorium if it was still standing. Many questions might be answered there. "Alba have you thought about what you want to do after the war? What about you Togo?"

Togo takes Alba's sea suggestion and it seems to help alleviate the nausea. He smiles and says "Thank you Alba that helped."

---

Responding to Mia's question regarding after war activities. "Well, I don't have anything specifically planned...but..I would like to return to the halfing lands to see how they are doing. Maybe stop in on Nia and the fey castle to see how that's going as well." Togo shrugs "Who knows, other opportunities may present themselves..I'll just take it as it comes."

Mia's comments on not knowing how long she'll live bring Alba up short. She misses Raz and Alara very much, and they are often on her mind. Until now, she hadn't really considered the differences in lifespan. She knows that elves are long lived--do their half human progeny have similar life spans? What kind of effect would that have on any marriage or similar romantic relationship?

She decides to thrust those thoughts away. There is plenty of time to deal with that kind of thing assuming that they all make it through the war alive.

Mia's other question is equally incisive and she thinks about it for a few minutes. "Truthfully, I don't know. I had the set purpose of maintaining my house's standing when I started out on these adventures. Now, I'm not so sure. I've found comfort in the arms of the gods, particularly Minerva, that I never had before. I suppose that I will pursue my religious following now, but I still have a duty to my house and those that depend on it."

She gives a little smile; she's used to having answers or strong opinions on things. Her response seems a little wishy-washy. "I'm sorry that I can't answer your question any better than that."

(note; I am pacing this group just a little slow to time it correctly to another event.)

Aramil is fairly quiet, his thoughts possibly dwelling on his past, on his broken family, on his mother who is... who is doing what, these days, living among her people on the green island of Ile Bela?

Flitter asks about visiting there, but the Elves shake their heads.  They've planned to go to Khyberon- bringing visitors to one place when you've told everyone you are going another is poor social graces for Elves.  They can't do that.  So Flitter looks a little sad.  She settles on Aramil's shoulder and rubs his neck.

She hears Mia's existential pondering and adds to it.

"No one knows how long they will live, not even Unicorns and they can live forever.  Or so they say.  I think Pixies can live forever too, but we don't remember much of it.  We have small heads and so we cannot fit many memories."

Togo recalls other Fey explaining Pixies in that way:  They live forever, but they can't ever really grow up because their heads won't hold that much, so they are forever children, in a way.

The boat takes a route they call the "Elven passage", with the core islands of the Atlantic Elves on both sides, now.  Ile Bela, they see, is rough granite cliff on the seaward side, soft sandy beaches on the protected side- as are the lesser islands.

They pass Arica and another large island on the right, Siata, close enough to see the Elven homes- which are not up in trees, here.  And then, still miles ahead, they see the towers of Khyberon.

"Hmm I wouldn't mind seeing the halfling lands, or the dwarves homes at least once. I actually was considering settling with the fey eventually as one of my options."

Listening to alba Mia smiles shaking her head with a understanding look. "No need to apologize Alba. Perhaps you can stay with us as a traveling group. I also have been thinking about going back to Lutita Paraisorium once the war is over. I have questions that need to be answered. Perhaps you can advance the fortunes of your family in any of those three places. The halflings have a wonderful trade in food and the fey no doubt have exotic wears. Lutita Parisorium is a city so it also might have opportunities. I hope that your spiritual journey is also successful."

Looking to flitter Mia smiles at the tiny pixie. "Oh your no different then I there I have foggy memories of my past before being what I am now. What matters is that your happy Flitter. Perhaps if we are lucky we will meet some fey at the elves home. If not then perhaps later should we visit Mia like Togo was talking about."

Alba smiles, perhaps with a touch of melancholy. "Yes, I think I'd like that. To continue traveling and do what I can where I can."

She looks at Flitter and Mia almost enviously. There are times when she really wishes that she could chuck it all and not have many cares. But she has too many responsibilities. She has to help look after her house, to make sure that she undid the damage that her father had done, and to make sure that it never happens again.

Looking out towards the horizon, she spies first the elven homes. She'd heard that they lived in trees, but seeing those homes on the island she figured that they couldn't build in trees if there weren't any. Her first glance of Khyberon takes her breath away. So majestic and exotic. Overcome with excitement she points to it. "Look! That must be it!"


OOC: EDIT: Fixed color tag
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:37, Mon 04 Feb 2013.

"The whole living question is an interesting one. It seems that in some cases creatures are transported body and all to another place upon death. Most seem to lose their physical body but retain a spirit form. Others actually become something else entirely. Take my animated flowers for instance. Are they really alive or do they just exist in pieces of time. Hard to say sometimes. The elven home trees are most likely the oldest living plants..or plant beings around. I've heard that elves can live a thousand years or more and these home trees can live to many times that. Truly amazing really. There have been rumors of druids keeping some special plants alive for long periods of time but nothing that I'm aware of on the order of thousands of years."

 It is mid afternoon, and a strong breeze pushes little sprays of white foam across the tips of the waves.  The Elven sailboat rocks, and Togo tries not to think about it.

From further away, it seemed like one more island, but closer in, they can see that Khyberon is really a large peninsula of land, barely connected the mainland by a narrow land bridge.   It is one of the rare Atlantic Elf holdings on the mainland, with a high towered castle on one end.

The convoluted coasts of Brittany are not good places for great Home Trees the Elves are known for elsewhere.   The soil is to thin; in places, just there is no soil at all and the bare rock is exposed.  Wind is frequent, especially at the heights the giant trees grow to, and the salt in the air is not good for them.  The Atlantic Elves have learned to live without them.  But it almost looks like with  Khyberon, they wanted something to remind them.

Khyberon's five towers seem to be arranged randomly, and no two are of the same height , yet they also form a harmonious whole.  They rise high above the rest of the structure, and each has at least one large wrap-around balcony, giving the Elves broad views of the sea, the coast of Brittany, some of the other scattered pieces of the Atlantic  Elf Kingdom and of course the rolling blue-gray Atlantic Ocean.

Khyberon's dock is unique- The Elven sail boat passes through a great arch in a wall built out into the sea, and then into a large aquatic courtyard.  Beneath the towers and within the walls, the courtyard is a big artificial lagoon, with wooden docks and bridges, a dozens of wooden homes, and entrances into the palatial main structure that encloses the whole thing.  There are six other Elven boats parked here, and they all have a light, graceful look about them. One of them is larger and more refined looking than the others.

The sailboat floats into the harbor.

Nimora, the Elven woman the party met back in Corbilo with her young child, explains, "That is the boat of Radyul, the lord of this place.  We didn't want to come until we had word he was returning."

Alba nods when Togo makes mention of some of the plants being long-lived. He should know since he's a druid. The discussion is interesting and distracts her from the doldrums that she seems to have settled into of late. "Where did they come from, Togo?"

As the boat slips into the harbor, she can't help but be impressed at the casual elegance that the elven harbor has. Even places devoted to everyday work seem to have some kind of artistic expression integrated into the design. It's a pleasing esthetic.

They pass by some of the other boats in the harbor. Most of them look pretty much like the boat they're in, but one looks like a thoroughbred in a field of normal horses. The lines of the boat just scream that it's fast, refined and elegant. She can tell, that's Radyul's boat.

When Nimora confirms her supposition, she nods. "I thought so." She was about to inquire when they might be able to talk to him but stopped herself. The elves are a graceful, patient people and trying to hurry them along won't do any good. They'll do things in their own time and trying to hurry things along may only hurt their chances.

Togo smiles at Alba thankful for the conversation "The druids collect plants and animals from everywhere. Often druids are sent out on missions to acquire new samples or species for the academy. However, their resources are limited, so the accumulation tends to occur slowly over many years. Despite this, the druids make sure knowledge is gained and passed along both written and word. They maintain one of the few notable libraries. New finds still occur but not too frequently anymore. The Hun invasion really made new acquisitions difficult. Fortunately, druids tend to live more isolated lives so they weren't as easily targeted as clerics and priests who often live in towns in religious temples. Take me for example. I don't know where I'll even be a week from now so how are they going to know? Easier for them to focus on simpler plans like go to town A, find priest, kill priest, go to next town B. Oh well...say did I answer your question?"

"Good I hope we will travel together for a long while!" When alba mentions the castle Mia moves to the side of the boat causing it to move a bit with her. Far more then a normal person would anyway.


"I think the Elfin home tree's are magical in nature. Sort of like a soul of the forest! Maybe as long as the forest is healthy so are the home trees. Maybe they are immortal like Unicorns!"

She looks around a lot as they get closer then actually drift inside the aquatic Lagoon. "It's a lovely place. For once I wish I could swim!"   Normally she was a bit nervous around water of any depth with good reason. Here though the natural beauty has her distracted." </blue>

For a bit she admires the boat as well wondering what Radyul himself would be like. "It's a lovely boat.  Would you want to own something like that Alba? It's not for everyone as the sea is very different then the land."

When Togo talks about collecting plants and animals. As well as new species it made her think a bit about what a druid might or might not due with all that knowledge. "Togo druids work with and protect nature. Would it be ok for them to create a new species of flower for it's beauty. Perhaps a hardier food crop that can grow in cold weather or poor soil for farmers so they don't encroach on the forest?"

The boat rocks… a lot.. when Mia shifts. 
It makes the Elves nervous, but at the same time, Elves are fascinated by magic, and Mia is magic… so they don’t hold it against her.

It is afternoon as the little boat ties up to the wharf in the middle of the Khyberon marina.




The Atlantic Elves do not build the way other Elves do.  At least, they didn’t here.  Perhaps, with as little land as they have, they wished to conserve as much as possible in the “pure” state.  For whatever reason, it seems that most of the Elves living on this peninsula must share this one enclosure.  The main palace/fortress building surrounds a little village, with homes, work areas, and even a few shops.  But a lot of Khyberon’s life must take place within that main structure, because Elves are coming and going through the doors on all sides.

They see, around the perimeter of the enclosed harbor (which measures about 300 feet by 500 feet):

A workshop/store where the specialty of the house is shark skin.   Shark skin, cured, retains the tiny bony scales and has a very rough surface.  It is too stiff to be used as a supple leather but it is fine for shoes, belts, accessories, armor, and other products for which suppleness is not needed.

A fish market, where Elves display the catch of the day.  There are tubs filled with sardines, some cod, and quite a few crustaceans and shellfish.

Next to it, a stand where an Elf is dipping Sardines into some kind of thick sauce.

A small jewelry and crafts store.  There’s a lot of variety on display, so they must be selling trinkets acquired elsewhere in addition to the native creations.

The guesthouse, used by visiting Elves from other parts of the Atlantic Elf Kingdom.   It is built directly into one wall of the main structure.


Some sort of alchemist, with many pots and bottles of strange looking contents.  Upon closer inspection, it is clear why this is outside, not inside.  The contents of the pots and bottles are also strange smelling!

A covered outdoor market, where other goods are traded on table on a “What have we got today?” basis rather than through permanent shops.  At the moment, several elves are gathered around, discussing baskets made of silvery woven reeds.


GM’s note:  Khyberon is the real world Quiberon.  Quiberon makes an appearance in another fictional world.  In the Harry Potter universe, Quiberon is the home of a professional Quidditch team.   The Quiberon Quafflepunchers team members players wear shocking-pink robes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:35, Sun 10 Feb 2013.

Alba nods thoughtfully at Togo's commentary. "I think so. Perhaps your way does have certain advantages over the traditional Roman clerical way. Having a more fluid, dynamic and decentralized hierarchy makes it more difficult for the Blackguards to work against you. Although it does have its downsides too."

She does wonder whether that's one of the reasons why Minerva chose to choose her. She's certainly not a classical priestess. Yes she's educated, but she's certainly not part of any official structural dynamic. Minerva is the goddess of wisdom and defense. Who is she to question the goddess? Especially when things seem to be working. . . .

She looks again at the wondrous elven craft. "Who wouldn't? It's a very beautiful ship and looks very fast."

She notes the shops as they walk along and she's vaguely disappointed that they seem to be so mundane; she does take comfort in the fact that the shops they're currently walking by are the simpler trade shops and craftsmen. Surely some of the more affluent and successful elven businesses will have their own distinctive style?

Some of the shops seem to have a number of items from other places, so perhaps she could make a few deals here and have one or two of their ships put in to Corialum for trade. That should keep her father happy with the work she's doing out and about. Having elves visit to trade would certainly improve their status even if they don't buy much.

The alchemist and jewler are very interesting, and she pauses to look over some of the items there. Perhaps she'll be able to find a nice perfume or something even more interesting? There might also be a market for some of the gemstones from her family's mine. . . .

Some of the elves seem to be interested in some baskets or their contents. She can't tell for sure, not being able to understand what they're saying. Curious she makes her way forward, smiling and nodding pleasantly at some of the elves.

She gives the elves a apologetic look and later smiles when she realizes they are fine with her being different. "Where did you want to go first Alba, flitter, Togo? We could check out the garden first so flitter can see the flowers. I would love to see the garden as well. That or perhaps we could check out some of the local food and shops?" Or did you want to try to see Lord Radyul before we do anything else?"

She looks surprised at the sharkskin making a soft sound. "I had no idea you could make boots or armor from a creature of the sea. Do you think they have giant sea shells? The kind you can find on the beach but much smaller?"

She didn't like Sardines at all although that doesn't quell her curiosity. She delicately sniffs at a discreet distance the sauce that the elf is dipping the Sardine into. "Maybe this is something you could market to Haflings Alba. They love food of all sorts."

She literally plants her face gently against the window of the jewelry and crafts store her hands lightly resting against it as well. She's forgetting herself due to the beauty of the elvish art and jewelry. Somehow she manages not to damage the window. "OH my! Alba you have to see this! It's all so beautiful!"

It takes a little while for her attention to leave that shop though she is curious about the Alchemist and the strange aromas coming from that place. "OH my. You don't think that one is selling magical potions do you." She also notes the outdoor market though she's reluctant to move away from the jewelry store just yet even if the silvery read baskets are interesting. "Flitter do you like the silvery read Basket. I was thinking of getting something like that for you. We can make a bed for you inside it for Aramil's house. Though Aramil can take it with him wherever he goes if you like."

Togo enjoys trolling through the shops and markets with the women. He searches for a waterproof bag or backpack as well as any magic trinkets. "This is fun" he blurts out thoroughly enjoying seeing all the wares the elves had on display.

"Sweet Sally sold sea shells at the sea shore" he quips and laughs.

As the group disembarks, Nimora points at an Elf in fine clothing, approaching them.

“It is Radyul, Lord of Khyberon,” she says.  “We should introduce you!”

To do so, she takes the group into another thread:  Khyberon.