As Raszire is talking, Marik is imagining landscapes of hot sand and a giant city shining like a mirror under the sun. When Raszire talks of Zirathnian steel and shows the craftmanship of the dragonborn, a pleased smile cross  his lips as he admire the weapon made of glass turned as strong as forged steel. Raszire only confirm what he felt talking to Targana. He needs to see this for himself. He is already imaging ways to fit Rani to make the trip. Maybe he could work out something with leather for her paws, to avoid making them touch the hot sand....

As he hears Raszire ask of home, Marik smile remains, but change to a more reserved expression, as his gaze turn to the floor. He close his eyes and drink some tea.


"Such a loaded question, despite it's apparent simplicity..." begins the crippled elf, who then remains silent for a long time, in what would be a awkward silence in most cultures. "I "hail", as you said, from many places, yet none I would call home. From what I understand of the Common Tongue, "Home" is a word that carries comfort, security, harmony and identity. In that sense, I feel at "home" as much in the plains, or the mountains, as I do in the woods." He take another sip of tea.

"I do however have taken stronger roots somewhere at the moment, if that is what you mean. Up in the North-West, passed the Gate and near the human capital of Haldrim. There, after the hills of blackened trees lies a forest, haunted by ghosts and fell beasts. It is a place of mourning and lamentation, where the Eladrin still grieve the fall of their city and the death of their royal family. Little did they know that the shadows of the Dark Ones would so soon be followed by even more raging flames..." says Marik, while one of his gloved hands hold and massage his wrist under the leather, as if it was itching him.


"Still, despite all this, the Old Wood still stands. As we do..."


He then turns the head toward Filimena.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:23, Wed 05 Oct 2016.

Seeing that it's her turn to answer, Filimena frowns slightly and looks towards the floor. "Home..." she murmurs. It's not a word she's had occasion to use in a while. Then, making up her mind, she looks back up at Marik and Raszire.

"I was born in Haldrim, if that's what you mean by home... My family were merchants, a long line of traders, mostly dealing in furniture and antiques. We were not what you might consider extremely wealthy, but I had a comfortable childhood. We wanted for nothing, except... We were groomed, my brother and I, from a young age to one day take over the family business. It was understood that we would, just as my parents had, and their parents before them. But it's not what either of us wanted. On my twelfth birthday I ran away. I left Haldrim, hitched a ride on a trading caravan to Cardus. I'd heard they'd been raising an army there. I wanted to join up. I wanted glory. I wanted adventure..."

"When it became clear that was not going to happen, I left Cardus too... I've been wandering ever since... For a while I returned to Haldrim, not to see my parents, but to check on my brother, to see that he was okay, but..." Filimena turns to look out the window. "One day he disappeared. Ran away from home too, I suppose. It was really only a matter of time. We were twins, after all. He might have been a bit more timid than I was, but still... So I left Haldrim. Again. I went looking for him. I've looked everywhere."

Filimena turns back to face Marik and Raszire. There's a calm expression on her face. "There are few places north of the Spine I haven't been," she adds after a brief pause. "Although, I don't always remember..."

"But I apologise. You asked a simple question, and I answered with a longwinded story. Home," She pats her backpack. "I suppose this is home."

"Seems like a very long hunt you have put yourself into." says Marik, as he refill everyone cups. "But maybe he doesn't want to be found...Is he the one you see in your moments of transe?"



[Private to GM: OOC: Can Marik attempt a History check to see if he ever recall encountering someone who looked like Filimena's twin? Marik rolled a natural 20]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:18, Fri 07 Oct 2016.

A troubled expression momentarily crosses Filimena's face, only to be replaced by a stern confidence. "No. If there's anyone he's hiding from, it's our parents, not me. We were... We were close. I did hear rumours of a halfling meeting his description, training to be a bard in Ardenia, but by the time I got there, he was long gone."

"As for my trances..." Filimena shifts uncomfortably in her seat. This is not a topic she's particularly comfortable talking about. "It is not one being I see, nor only one voice I hear."

While Filimena is talking about his brother, Marik takes a sip from his tea, studying closely the halfling facial features, thinking. The nose, the eyes, the chin...Yes, there are similarities...He has seen those somewhere. But where?


As Filimena starts talking about her transes, Marik put the thought aside for a moment.


"I have seen a few of my kin enter transes before, usually to commune with forest spirits or more rarely with cosmic beings. But the communion were always initiated by the individual...and they never were that frequent or that violent."


"Unless they were the result of a curse from the Dark Ones" thinks Marik, suddenly remembering the departed Maeven, reduced to the level of a terror-stricken boar by Drow magic.

"Have the voices always been there or did they started after a certain event?"

Filimena picks up her tea and sips from it. Perhaps this is why people drink tea when they talk, she thinks. To buy themselves time, to think of a lie, perhaps, or a way to make the truth more palatable.

"They are not evil, if that's what you are suggesting," she begins, wearily, looking to the ground. "They want only to survive, same as us, and just as we are willing to injure and to kill so that we might keep on living, so they are prepared to hurt... and to destroy." Filimena looks back up at Marik. For a moment, there is disquiet in her eyes, but this fades quickly to calm, and she turns back away, sighing, then shrugging.

"As for whether they have always been there: I did not seek them. They came to me, through a book, a history, of an ancient city known as Viirapalu, in the far south. I resisted at first, but they were too strong, and after a while, I came to pity them. Algalbassadur, they call themselves, not one, but many, thousands, millions, the minds of an entire civilisation, lost and wandering through the cosmos. They wish to return. They believe they can, through me. But I know it is futile, and I think they are beginning to suspect it also. This is not their world. They do not belong in it."

Filimena turns to Marik and Raszire again, this time smiling nonchalantly. "I don't have to listen to them, to obey them. I choose to. Because I know what it's like, not belonging anywhere. And they give me my powers, which is fun also, so why shouldn't I listen?"

She chuckles, before glancing at Rani, then back at Marik. "I don't suppose there's a story behind him? Or her?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:53, Thu 13 Oct 2016.

Marik listen closely to Filimena story, occasionally nodding, without saying a word. He frowns a bit when she talks about the capacity of the voices to kill and destroy, but his expression otherwise remains neutral.  His eyes are focused intensely on the Halfling as she speaks, while his thoughts are racing in his head.

Marik is troubled and conflicted about what he hears, despite Filimena joking about it.  She says she is in control of her powers, but her frequent and violent trances definitely suggest otherwise. If the voices using her as a vessel already have such power over her mind, what would happen should she refuse to be their liberating champion in the future? Or otherwise, what WILL happen, as Filimena herself suggested, when their patience runs out and they fully realize she can’t deliver them the freedom they have yearned for ages…?

He feels empathy for Filimena. Being cursed with no place in the world and a missing brother is a cruel fate. But her pact, chosen or not, also make her a danger in waiting. Maybe he should put Filimena down and avert now the possibility of yet another destructive force entering the Spinelands… After all, are the Laments not proof enough of the chaos and violence wrought by demented wizard and foolish warlocks? And should Filimena eventually succeed, the uneasy peace reached after the invasion would certainly shatter with the introduction of another civilization colonizing the lands and extracting resources. With all the savagery, past and present, brought upon it by the humans, the orks and the drows, Marik isn’t sure the fragile ecobalance of the forest could sustain another war.

But, on the other hand, travelling with someone having access to the collective mind of an entire civilization is also a tantalizing prospect. Despite living in the far south, maybe the Algalbassadur would have some answers for him. Maybe their sages have seen what is coming, what he only could catch a glimpse of that day under the stars…

After a bit of time pondering on the dangers of leaving Filimena alive and debating internally on whether the potential for destruction should mean condemning an entire civilization, Marik decide to simply keep an eye of the Halfling for the moment. He’ll wait until he knows more about the Algalbassadur, or Filimena, before he judges if they present a threat sufficient to take action.

Marik realize the room is silent, while Raszire and Filimena awkwardly wait for him to answer. He constantly forgets how quickly conversations are conducted in human cities. He snaps out of his thoughts.


“Oh....Rani? Yes, I have many stories that I could tell.” He says, a warm smile now on his lips. “I have known her only for a short time, but I could tell you enough stories about her to fill a whole winter.” He says, as he extends his hand behind him to caress the fur of Rani neck.


OOC: I imagine Laments as mourning songs that also serves as historical lesson on past episodes of loss and destruction.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Wed 19 Oct 2016.

The panther groans and lift her large head to rub it against Marik shoulder. The crippled elf is almost thrown on the ground by the sheer size of Rani, who seems enormous in comparison to him. As he stabilizes himself, laughing a bit, the big cat passes her head on Marik neck and knock back his brown scarf, loosening it a bit.

As the scarf fall a bit further on the elf neck, you can see a glimpse of what is hidden underneath. Just below Marik chin, you can see a patch of red, deeply scarred skin with stretches of black tissue, where veins pop under the thin epidermis. The burned skin appears to cover all the lower half of his neck and stretches in some places almost to the jaw.

“Really it depends on what you what to know” says Marik, as he pushes back the big cat gently and quickly replace his scarf as if nothing happened, tying it more tightly this time.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Tue 18 Oct 2016.

Filimena sees the scars running down Marik's chin and neck, but chooses to ignore it.

"Why, how it is you came to meet, and to travel together," she replies. "Or do all elves have an animal companions?"

"Most of us do in some form...at least those who remains. It's a long standing practice among the V'aelkith  to seek the companionship and trust of the forest denizens. While most civilizations, including the Eladrin, seeks to establish mastery over the fauna and the beasts, we understood long ago that a better path resides in harmony, balance and mutualism. It is with the help of animal companions that we were able to fight off parasites like the Dark Ones or the humans for so long..." he says, with a hint of disgust in his voice.

“As for why Rani is with me now...It is still a question that bugs me, despite being at her side for ten years. Her mother, Velara, was found by my sister in the Spine and became her companion. Her three cubs, one of which was Rani, were afterward raised and trained by my sister until they were adults...”

"When the Ban'thurr came, I got stuck under a falling oak, felled by the raging fire." continue Marik, his eyes now closed as if the memory in itself was painful. "I can still hear the howling of the flames in the wind. For a reason I can't explain even today, Rani saw me screaming and struggling between the branches and braved the fire to get me out. Maybe my scent reminded her of my sister. She dragged me into the Valar river nearby, whose water thankfully was one of the few things that could extinguish the arcane flames. She never left my side afterwards, despite the forest burning and everything and everyone fleeing in terror all around us…”

He pauses, his hands agitated by a subtle trembling around his cup of tea

“I would be dead for a long time now without this big ball of fur.” He continues, a smile returning to his lips. “She helped me rebuild a house and crafting weapons. She’s been my legs since I lost mine’s under that oak and my most trusted friend among the ghosts. While I lost many, including my sister, that cursed day, I’ll be ever thankful for meeting Rani. “

“And that warlock who led the scorching will be much less thankful when I meet him or her again” thinks Marik for himself, remembering the vague sight of the long-haired form leading the riders, spewing large gouts of raging flames from both hands as they charged through the Old Wood. He remembers the distinct sound of its warcry, clear and feral, amidst all the cacophony.

He turns the head toward Raszire.

“And you, Raszire, what were you doing before joining the church? How did you decide to put yourself at the service of St.Fenwyn?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:48, Tue 01 Nov 2016.

Raszire stares at his cup for a moment "Those days are not something I am proud of. I grew up on the streets of Ziris. I have much in common with the children of the orphanage, I never knew my father and my mother died while I was quite young. Leaving me in the care of an uncle, he was far less than the caring or nurturing type. So I spent much of my younger years wandering the streets stealing what I needed to survive."

"One night, I guess I was a little more desperate than usual when I decided to break into a Church of St. Fenwyn. Thankfully I was not as good a thief as I thought I was, the priest who was there caught me in the act, I was sure that I would be sent to prison for the crime but the priest must have seen something in me that I did not, or he just felt sorry for me. Either way he ended up feeding me and providing me a place to stay for the night. I feel ill shortly after and was sure I was gona die but one night Saint Fenwyn came to me in my dreams and comforted my fevered mind, the next morning I awoke healed. That gesture of kindness opened my eyes. The next day I talked with Father Mogar and began my service to St. Fenwyn"

"When the word came that the Church need someone to travel here I volunteered. I now see that it was St. Fenwyn's will that I be here."

OOC: Made a slight edit forgot a small portion of the story.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Tue 01 Nov 2016.

Marik listen and nods.

"I am not familiar with St.Fenwyn. What domains is he known for? Is he a war deity? One that prefer healing? Was he one of Zir hero who ascended to sainthood? "

"She is a patron Saint of Doctors and other healers of the Dragonborn. She spent the greater portion of her life researching a cure to a disease that was ravaging Zir. She diied not long after finding the cure. She now served as a guide for our wisest healers."

"She certainly is a powerful patron. I have rarely seen someone close a gaping wound as fast as you did earlier. "

Marik makes a mental note to look into St.Fenwyn life more closely whenever he has the time. If she was a savant, maybe some of her research is still available somewhere. It couldn't hurt to look into existing developments on healing potions or rituals to expand his own medical knowledge. Maybe it would even interest the Elders. The combined millennial knowledge of the Elves was extensive, but curiosity was always encouraged and fostered. You could never have too much knowledge.

He refills everyone cups.

"It's a very long road from here to Zir, especially for someone who never done it before. Which way did you pass? By water or by land? I'm sure you have some stories to share."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Fri 04 Nov 2016.

"I joined a caravan that was making its way to Titans Gate, it was a long trip especially with it stopping a couple days at each town or city along the way. But caravans are always willing to take on people to help protect their goods. It was not a exciting as one would expect. The caravan was large and well defended, there was only one time when we had just crossed out of the desert that a band of raiders were seen scouting the caravan. They must have decided their forces were not enough though, because they soon broke off, not to be seen again."

"What about you and Filimena, did you travel alone all the way to Titans Gate?"

So it appears I'm not the only one who's experienced life on the streets, Filimena thinks. Although it does seem he's since found a bit more... stability?

Filimena's train of thought is interrupted when she hears her name, and realises she's been asked a question.

"Well, on some level, I'm never really alone anymore," she replies, once again feeling self-conscious. "This particular journey... to be honest, I don't remember much of it. I was in Arden, looking for my brother. I'd heard there was a famous bards' college there, and it seemed just the kind of place he'd want to go to. I did hear word of him there, but then... one moment I was in a tavern in Arden gathering rumours, the next I was in another tavern, in Titans Gate, it turns out, dripping wet with rain. How I got there, I'm not entirely sure. I can only assume I hitched a ride with somebody. I don't have many people I can call friends, but when you're a young, halfling girl, people tend to assume you're harmless. The more good-hearted sometimes offer to help."

At the mention of her brother, Marik is once again thinking. He knows he saw these traits...or something strikingly similar some time ago. But where?

"Rani and me did travel on our own from Tal'Onarafel to here. I was supposed to meet someone here, but apparently she couldn't make it or forgot about me. It was a relatively uneventful journey, apart from a few close-calls. We departed from the forest during the last moon cycle, at half-circle and made our way across the Burnt hills.  It is a dangerous area for any traveler or caravan, home of former rebellious soldiers turned low-down thugs and high road bandits. That is…unless you now how to follow some of the beast-path that cut through the hills…”

Marik talks at length, taking pleasure at recounting in detail the journey, as he would for a fellow elf.  Maybe it was the battle, but it looks like his guarded attitude has receded and gave place to a enthusiastic young elf rediscovering the pleasure of sharing simple discoveries in a conversation.  A voice inside him still warn him about opening up to these strangers, and it surprised him how much he doesn’t care about it this time.

“Passing near Pallem, Rani and me slowed down to get some reserves. There are a lot of deers in the area and their venison is exquisite. The fact is there are plenty of Daten’sh…hum… what’s the word?…delicious red berries that grow around the villages. The deers feast on these and it gives a delicate fruity taste to the meat.  “

Marik goes on to elaborate on a few of his favourite recipes using deer meat in tartar, in karakoni, or roasted with various herbal seasoning found in Tal’Onarafel, using the Elven names for half of them as he never heard their Common translation (and don’t think there is even one). He then moves on to narrate the days of travel through the Maw. Marik don’t speak of the sense of dread and the sensation of being watched he always feel passing through these cursed mountains, but rather of a few intriguing encounters.

“First, there was this band of dwarves, passing under the cover of darkness disguised as a merchant caravan. I never make fire while camping, apart from a small one I extinguish quickly after cooking, and so they never saw me as I was resting in the dark with Rani, as far away from the road as possible. I hadn’t given them much attention either, except when they suddenly quit the road and made their way toward a wall of the mountain. From the caravan sprung about a dozen dwarves, male and female, wearing simple shirts as armor and bearing arms. Their leader, a very muscular red bearded tattooed warrior, activated something in the façade and they all disappeared afterward in a secret opening, which sealed itself shut a few moments later.”

“There was also this black-armored woman, looking angry but resolute, who made her way southward on horse. It wasn’t as much her that struck me than her polearm and the golden crest she was bearing on it… a half-blackened sun encircled by walls. I don’t recall seeing it anywhere in the Northern Sanction or learning about it. Probably a very minor house. I was intrigued enough to think about asking her, but something held me. There was this eerie feeling around her, something unnatural and unsettling. I stayed hidden and let her on her way… “

After finishing narrating his passage though the Maw, his expression changes a bit as he talks of the last bit of the journey before Titan’s Gate, through the Ban’thurr steppes. There he tells Raszire and Filimena about the desolated plains and a few close-calls, as he was nearly spotted by roving bands of horsemens.

“Remember this large muscular woman, back in the tavern?” he says to Filimena. “She was one of the Ban’thurr. And frankly, I’m quite relieved she decided to go her own way finally. I don’t think I could have resisted putting an arrow into her at one point. As far as humans culture goes, the Ban’thurr are by far the worst of them and a plague upon existence on this land. I would kill every one of these fire-spewing horsefuckers if I could and rid them of existence. “

Marik takes a deep breath and calm himself. He feels the anger rising in his guts.  He needs to change the subject.


“Well, I arrived before Titan’s Gate doors yesterday, around the end of the afternoon. I had some inconvenience with the guards, who didn’t want to let Rani in…but the end I…”

He suddenly stops, as if something just struck him. Now, he remembers where he has seen that face.

“Ah Filimena, I just remembered something. You said you brother was your twin, is that right? There was someone who passed before me as I was arguing with the guards. If I take your traits and transfer them to a male figure, I think that would be just the one. The resemblance was striking now that I think of it. I didn’t talk to him or gave him any attention…I was rather busy with my own problems at the moment…but he was making his way out of the city yesterday… “


[Private to Filimena the Gentle: Dear Filimena. Make of that what you will. I had asked the DM privately a while ago if I could make a history roll to see if Marik could have encountered your brother and rolled a Nat 20 (7th Oct roll). It doesn't imply anything, you have the final say in this since it's your character, but I thought it could make a nice character moment ;). Could also be I have just seen someone who looks like him. Who knows? ]


EDIT: corrected some typos and add a passage that mysteriously didn't copy and paste last night.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Tue 15 Nov 2016.

Filimena had been wondering what exactly Marik had against the Ban’thurr when he mentioned spotting someone resembling her. She immediately straightened up, her eyes growing wide. It took her a while to collect her thoughts.

"A male halfling? And he looked like me?" She asked, urgently but softly, for some reason not wanting to be loud. Finneas wasn't her identical twin, and she didn't think they looked too alike, but sometimes it takes a stranger to notice these things. "And he was here, in Titan's Gate? Did you see which direction he was heading? Was he with anybody?"

OOC: Took a long time figuring out what to write next, and got a bit paralysed. Decided to give up thinking of something clever and just ask the obvious questions. Haha.

[Private to Marik: My main concern now is thinking of a reason why Filimena would continue on the adventure, knowing her brother might be out there.

I'm not sure either if this should really be Filimena's brother. It could be, but I'm also open to the possibility that our DM might have other plans. ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:16, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

"As I said, my attention was mainly focused on the two guards before me who didn't want to let me and Rani in. One of them even wanted to keep her in a pen for the whole time I would be in this blasted city. Your brother seemed to be alone from what I recalled and made his way out of the city, but I don't know where. From what you said earlier, he seems to be used to wander about. Given the time that passed, he could be anywhere right now."


From the urgency in her tone, Marik understand easily that Filimena is ready to abandon them and fly out to seek her brother. He was expecting that reaction...and an idea is forming in his mind. Maybe that could be the way to keep her on watch...

He look at the portal...


"Here, I have a proposition for you. We have some children here that needs...and most probably could be... found. From what I recall, we could use someone of your skill in doing so and to deal with these foul things (he point at the grey corpse of the Skulk). Help us find them, and in return, Rani and me can help you track your brother wherever he's gone. We always relish the opportunity of a good [Language unknown: ie]" 
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

At the mere mention of the word "hunt", Rani begins to growls softly and whip her tail excitedly, looking at the conversation with wide eyes...


[Private to Filimena the Gentle:
Yeah, I was kind of expecting that reaction and I had prepared some ideas for it. XD From the result of that History check, I thought it could offer a good roleplaying opportunity for Marik to offer his help to Filimena (with reasons tied to his own background). Maybe we'll find out if it was really Filimena brother in the future.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

Filimena's initial reaction is one of anger. He could be anywhere right now. Who is this elf, who dares tell her what she should do? And to do so so calmly, as if it were the most reasonable, most natural course of action. Obviously, she should put her search for her brother on hold. Obviously, she should instead go tramping around some dwarven ruins, in search of kidnapped children who may or may not already be dead. How typical of elves to presume to know what's best, and what's wisest.

It is true, though, and she knows this. He could be anywhere. Hasn't she been searching for him for years? And hasn't her search turned up empty. Filimena couldn't have survived all this time on the streets without developing a sense of hardened realism, and that sense tells her now it might be time for a change in strategy. A ranger and a large, predatory cat could be useful allies in tracking down a person. And there are the Voices to think about too. They called her to Titan's Gate, and to the Scoundrel and Dirk. She is bound by her pact to listen and to obey.

Filimena quels her anger, hoping Marik doesn't notice. She looks to the ground, and lets an appropriate amount of time pass, to give the impression of careful consideration, before looking back up at him. "Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that I know my brother too well," she says, finally. "I've been anticipating his movements, looking in all the places I expect him to be. I forget that in the intervening years, he might have changed. An outsider's perspective might come in useful."

"Besides," she adds, looking out the window. "The Voices seem to have an interest in locating the children."

Not sure whether it matters to Marik, but just in case you want to contest, I rolled a performance check to see how well Filimena hides her anger and feigns careful consideration, and rolled awfully. 6 Haha. So much for having a high charisma stat.

Marik doesn't pick up any sign of Filimena anger. A small grin cross his face when the Halfling mentions the benefits of a outsider perspective, and looks surprised when Filimena mentions the voices again

"Really? What interest would the Algalbassadur have with these childs?"





OOC: Sorry for the long delays! Kinda swamped trying to extinguish fires everywhere in my thesis work. I'll manage eventually!

"That's what I would like to know as well," Filimena replies. "Presumably, one of them is connected in some way to the ancient civilisation which Algalbassadur manifest. Then again, Algalbassadur's ways are mysterious. In the past, they have sent me on adventures with no apparent aim or purpose. I can only imagine it is so I acquire some skill or some knowledge which they foresee shall be vital later.

"Anyway," Filimena continues, trying to change the subject, now that she's made up her mind. Also, she's finished her  tea, and figures it might be time to get down to business. "It seems we might be heading underground. Have you much experience, delving around in dark, underground places? It seems from your stories you have spent more time out in the wilds.

"As long as these are natural caves, I know enough about the Fallen and Geddonn...the Underdark to guide you both, and keep us from being ambushed" says Marik with confidence, although his experience is limited to a few scouting parties and the teachings of the Elders. "The Vael'kith are trained early to fight against Drows, which naturally means learning more about the dark holes they hide in. That being said, I will grant you Rani and me prefer the open spaces. There is something utterly depressing about living in a place without the warmth of sunlight or the watchful gaze of the Moon. It's no wonder the dwarves are always..."  says Marik, before looking at Ghelves, who is at some distance."Well, like this fellow... But you are right, it is getting late. We should prepare." says Marik while also finishing his tea.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:54, Tue 14 Feb 2017.