In reply to Mia (msg # 35):

Mystal made no sound when the Elves carried in their inferno, albiet the rafters did require closer inspection. From her vantage point amongst the high segments she peered down cautiously. Noting how Flitter was courageous enough to simply take cover behind a long legged. Hearing the conversation taking place below she wearily winged back alighting between Flitter and Mia.

ooc Isn't Corbilo in or near the Fey Forest?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:01, Thu 21 Feb 2013.

"Mia, the Hun outpost is close to the Fey woods, and thus a potential threat to it," clarified Morgan.

"We know of nothing specifically malign within the wood itself. We know little at all. Only that it is a place of Fey presence, and power.  So the expedition there would be exploratory. At least initially." 

Morgan was yet considering her own purposes and destinations. As well as her standing service to her lord and lady.

Given a choice between following Alba to Arras and Mia to someplace else he was leaning to someplace else. He knew he didn't like towns and cities even less. If there was a chance to explore in the wilderness that suited him just fine. "I'd be happy to assist with the Fey Forest quest. I have a number of skills and abilities which may be helpful" he adds.

Alba smiles sadly. "I'll miss you too, Mia. But I have to go where I feel I'm called. I'm not sure I'm cut out to explore the inner fey forest. My talents lie with people and organization. I feel I'll best serve Minerva by going to Arras and helping the temples."

Giving a quick nod. "I hope we meet again. You should be able to get word to me through my family at Corialum.

She sighs. "Anyway, this is premature. We still have some huns to deal with."

Seeing Mystal wearily landing between her and flitter. She makes sure the desert is out so that there is no danger. Then gently pushes it closer so that Mystal and flitter could enjoy it at their leisure. "Enjoy! You two deserve a taste more then anyone since it scared you a bit."

Listening to Morgan Mia nods smiling at her. "Thank you Morgan. I wonder if the Huns have been trying to go in there after something. Mystal the question is can Corbolio wait. Could we explore and then come back to deal with the huns."

Gently she takes a moment to give Alba a gentle hug then smiles. "Your right we do still have Huns to deal with. That general that got fled from the previous fey battle is probably in Corbolio."

"Yes Onygriss I would like to see things no one else has. Though I am also worried about the Huns in Corbolio.  Togo favors the forest he is a druid, Alba I think favors Corbolio she's more of a people person as she says. Perhaps because they are close we could do both? If we go to Corbolio first hopefully we can defeat the Huns and drive them out. Then we could proceed into the fey forest. Alba would then go to Arras  as she desires. Onigriss, Vincenatus we would have to try to catch up to you."

For the benefit of everyone, a little bit about What is Where.

Vincentas, Morgan, Alba, Togo, and Aramil know the most about this, Ongriss some... Mia a little, and Mystal, just the "Local" area- but she knows that in great detail.  Flitter, despite have traveled quite a bit, doesn't really store a lot in her little head.  Just the really interesting parts.

This is northwestern Gaul, where most of everything has been happening.  Brittany, AKA Armorica, is that peninsula at the left, sticking off the west end of Gaul.  The Fey Forest is that great blob in the middle of the Peninsula, outlined in green.

Wait a minute.  That's most of Brittany.  Yes, yes it is.  The Fey Forest is a huge, mysterious place.  150 miles end to end.  That's why even Flitter, a native (her home was towards the east end of the Fey Forest, right about the top of the "e" in Riedonica) doesn't know much about specifics.

Corbilo, as you see, is close to the Fey Forest.  Everything in Brittany is.  Big Forest.  But the Odet River, which Ongriss and Vincentas want to explore, is on the western end.

The Fey Forest is home to a variety of magical creatures.  That's something Flitter can talk about, although by now, most of the characters are very familiar with them as well.  Mystal, being a coastal Fey, is not that familiar with what is deep in the forest, but she may well have seen them, or heard about them.

There are Wicked Fey living there, as well as the good kinds.

There are the Red Caps, who are the sadistic, brutal thugs of the Fey world.  They are small but unnaturally strong- a 3 foot tall Red Cap is as strong as a Human male.  They were the "foot soldiers" of the Unseelie when they tried to take over.

The Unseelie?  Dark, evil bad Fey, the worst of the Wicked Fey.  They seem almost like Elves.  They have powerful magic.  They aren't stupid, brutal thugs, and like many Fey they greatly enjoy beauty, but... they somehow got in their heads that because they were wise and powerful and beautiful and just plain better than everyone else, they should be the rulers over all Fey.  And anyone else they allowed to survive.  For this, they were banished to the Unseelie Realm... but every now and then... there is a leak.

Nightshades- Plant spirits, possibly like Dryads, but in this case, the spirits of poisonous plants.  Like Dryads they cannot usually venture far from their plants, but they same to have a little more freedom of movement than the Dryads do.

Quicklings.  Sprite-like beings, these little Fey were tempted by magic they should not have touched.  Now they are forced to live their lives at dizzying speeds, moving so fast they are a blur.  Being immortal, like most Fey, they don't have to worry about aging.  But they are mean, and a little bit psychotic.

There are various other dangers as well, although, if you ask Flitter you will get a strange list, including such things as chipmunks, spiders...  Some people have even seen Dragons.

Ongriss glances at Vincetas before she answers. "I would find traveling with you very interesting, but if Vincentas decides to press on the exploration early I should go with him. There is also the moving shoals, but with the winter storms it may not be safe for most of you to sail."

She grins though. "I'm not especially picky as to what we do. As long as we get to see some new places and do new things. Oh, and eat seafood. Anchovies and waffles. Yum!"

 Slowly pacing to give himself time to consider how much time he thinks he has left before the winter winds give way to the calmer southerly winds and he could once again unto the high seas.

 He had gone over their finances earlier and knew they would have enough to finish rerigging the ship and gathering of the crew back but unless the king or a merchant gave them a good contract, he guessed they would need to do some cargo runs.

 He glanced at the others who wanted to travel to Corbilo. "True, the city of Corbilo is not that far by sail or by foot. Still if we make that journey then we loose how ever long it takes before the city falls. I could also ask how many huns have made it to the city?, is it walled?, did they get a messenger away to ask for more troops?, do they have other forces within like the golems they like to use?.

 We can go have a look at the city, if Ongriss wants to, but my timing has to be getting permission from our king and to thinking of our ship and the spring season ahead."

Togo was listening to all when he heard Flitter speaking of dangers in the forest. Then something struck him as odd "Chipmunks!?" he repeated with a questioning voice. That was something he didn't consider a danger in the forest. Was he missing something?

Flitter explains the awful event that forever seared into her mind the danger of Chipmunks:

"Well… it was.. this one time, Oddlewink made a helmet out of a large nutshell, and he was napping under a mushroom, and a chipmunk came and grabbed his helmet and before anyone knew what was happening it stuffed all of Oddlewink’s head into his cheek.  We rushed over to help but it was a hungry chipmunk and didn’t want to let Oddlewink go, and the strap was stuck and we couldn’t get the nut helmet off, and it was shaking him and… well, we pulled him away, and the chipmunk gave up, but he was injured and covered in chipmunk drool, and after that… none of us could really look at chipmunks the same way, ever again.  Especially poor Oddlewink.  He flies away as fast as he can whenever he sees one."

"Surely, just one Chipmunk, that one time..." Budig says.

Flitter shakes her head.  "That one time was enough!  Ewww!  And there's also their singing, which is almost as bad!"

Flitter tells her stories through the Solstice feasts, and Radyul is quite impressed, especially when she mentions being of great service to the heroic Aramil and others. (But especially Aramil).

"As far as I have ever known, these things are unknown for Pixies," Radyul says.

Flitter shrugs.

"And as small as you are, you are intent to press on, and undertake more heroic deeds?" The Elf Lord asks.

Flitter nods.

Radyul looks towards Mystal.  "And that one too.  It is infectious, it seems.  I think.. I cannot let such brave, small folk depart for great quests without giving them some aid.  I ask that you at least stay for the Solstice morning.  The Winter King may yet deliver something to help you on the way."

* * * * *

It is already Solstice Eve, and the sky, for those who know how to read it (Mystal and Togo do, at least) can see the coming cold weather and snow.  It does not snow often in this area, but sometimes... the snow will be on the ground for a few days, at least.

News arrive from Corbilo, where the Elves still have their "pavilion" in the harbor, and the news is good.

The Hun outpost nearby, on the edge of the forest between Corbilo and Namnates, has not seen much activity.  In fact, from observing tracks, it seems that Huns have been leaving!  This was predicted- it would be hard for them to stay through the winter, in large numbers.  But how many would stay?  This, no one knows.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:18, Mon 25 Feb 2013.

"Onigriss you shouldn't be separated from your husband I won't ask you to do that. I would enjoy getting a chance to travel with you as well." She smiles at Onigriss then turns her attention to Vincentas as he talks about the situation.

She realizes that his way of making a living could be hurt if he takes the time to go with them to Corbolio. She didn't want his crew, Vincentas, or Onigriss to suffer if they couldn't make the coin needed this year. "I understand Vincentas. Thank you for even considering the possibility of coming with us to Corbolio. Unfortunately I don't know the answer to most of those questions. However it might actually provide a solution. Once we arrive if it's obvious that because it's winter they won't lay siege for a few months. Then we likely have plenty of time to go with you to the fey forest. Alba wouldn't be able to wait that long and would likely go to Arras. If we can act right away things should work out going to Corbolio first."

Smiling at Onigriss, Mystal, Togo and the rest. "If it's agreed shall we go?"

At the mention of assitance from the Elf lord Mystal gave Mia a grin, cast a wary glance at the previously flaming platter and took to wing; flying across the table to land on the table to the his left. Noble Elf Lord On behalf of Flitter we thankest thee for thy graciously bountiful offer. Wouldst perchance those who sought to accompany we Fey be similarly assisted.

The Elves present are charmed by the earnestness of the Fey,  who so quickly asks on behalf of others, after having been told to expect a gift herself.

“Ah, the Fey Folk are easy,” Radyul says.  “As it happens, we have a few Pixie Bows.  And arrows, of course.  We make them.”

“I’ve always wondered where they come from,” Flitter says.   The Pixies are not known for their manufacturing ability.  Even the Pixies have no idea where half of the things they use come from.

“Do you know how to use one?” Radyul asks.

“I’m a Pixie, I hope that I do!” Flitter says.

“And you?” he asks of the Surf Sprite.

“It’s easy!” Flitter says enthusiastically, before she can answer.


If the whole party is intent on going on Ongriss and Vincentas’s Upriver Exploration, Radyul suggests a nearer river:  “There are plenty,” he says.  “All lead into forests little known.  Have you thought about the Blavet?”

“The river inland from Blabia?” King Budig asks.  “Isn’t that a kind of dull place?”


Radyul nods, showing a little agreement.  “Blabia, perhaps.  But upriver… who can say?  We haven’t been there.  It is closer.  We could loan a couple of boats.”

He takes a look at Mia.  “Small boats… we may need some magic, for you.”

Apparently word of "Mia in the Boat" has managed to make its way around Khyberon.

Radyul returns his attention to everyone.  “Is the plan then for you all to travel together?  With a few days.. perhaps we can help out more than just the two Fey.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:04, Tue 26 Feb 2013.

Mystal jiggles in excited anticipation, it has been some time since she'd had the opportunity to practice with a Pixie bow... she considers for a moment yes she nods to herself it may have been that time she accidently shot an arrow through the window of the queens tower right into the bowl of pickled turkills the queen was reaching for at the time.

Its easy she replies mirroring Flitters comment Simply load, draw, point and loose... she beams at both the Elf Lord and Flitter, looking about in hope of spying the precious Elvin gift.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Tue 26 Feb 2013.

Togo is amazed at Flitter's story. "I guess the moral of the story is to never use your nuts for a helmet. I'll..uh..keep that in mind."

He gets really worried over a jiggling pixie with a bow. Thinking to himself. Bad...this is bad...something bad is going to happen..probably to me.

In reply to Togo Took (msg # 50):

Mystal turns towards Togo Took tilting her head first to the right then to the left considering the long legged Master Togo doth Thy homeland groweth acorns to such a size ast that extending her arms out from her side to indicate the size she's thinking


ooc haven't got the bow yet.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Wed 27 Feb 2013.

Togo's eyebrows raise. "No, I don't think so..though if we're heading to a fey forest I don't count anything out of the realm of possibility." Boy this new pixie was a lively one he thought.


OOC: Oh I know. Togo would probably keel over when that happened. :)

In reply to Togo Took (msg # 52):

Thankfully the long legged homeland didn't grow gigantic acorns, alleviating her concerns of encountering any gigantic Chipmunks...considering how strong an acorn shell made from a gigantic acorn would be. Dismissing the thought she fixed Togo with a speculative gaze Doth Thy companions oft refrain from dining with Thee

Mia couldn't help but look on with a sense of wonder when Radyul tells them that the elves make Pixie bows and arrows. She always thought that the fey produced their own food, drink, clothing and of course everything else. "May I see a Pixie bow Radyul? How much do they cost?"

She smiles at Flitter warmly speaking softly. "Do you want one Flitter?" She blushes slightly when Radyul looks at her mentioning the need for magic. "I think your Right Radyul, My regrets if it's a inconvenience to everyone especially you Vincentas, Ongriss. I don't want to accidentally tip the boat over."

Though she smiles again seeing Mystal's excitement and eagerness to receive such a gift. "I look forward to seeing you with a pixie Bow Mystal." Of course she has no idea that Mystal could just as easily accidentally put a arrow in someone's bottom!

OOC: lol I just think Togo just volunteered for a sleep arrow to the posterior. ^_~

Mia looks at Mystal thoughtfully. "Mmm You know if the nut or acorn is big enough you just might be able to hollow it out for a pixie helmet. I am not certain but I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a Pixie wearing one."

She glances at myster curiously wondering if she's talking about a Druids companion. "Are you talking about Togo's bear Brodo? I haven't seen Brodo in a while now."

Alba considers the news that the huns seem to be fleeing the village. "Since it looks like the huns are fleeing the village, I believe that they aren't going to be too much trouble for those that are planning on evicting them. I think I'll try to find a means to go on my way."

"You have a strange way of making friends pixie. You must know druids often spend a lot of time in the forest alone being one with nature. Though, I must say of late, I've been in fine company with these two lovely ladies for quite some time now. I'm still not comfortable with towns and cities but I've grown more accustomed to being with others..as challenging as that may be" he smiles back at her.

In reply to Togo Took (msg # 56):

Mystal blinks smiling at his responce. Oh my... one doth apologies for not being consise, our question was in interest of the hunger of Thy companions, within Thy sack she points at his hip pouch

Togo laughs and slaps his knee "Oh heavens, you must not know. They are magical animated plants and don't need any nourishment..maybe some occasional playtime but that's about it. I let them out every so often but they have a habit of making trouble for me..well at least dandelion anyway..I think it may be the fact that they are magically bound outside of their natural habitat but that's just a guess on my part" he returns a genuine smile.

It would not be right for distinguished guests of the Elves to be empty handed on the morning of the Solstice.

The Elves do some work, and morning of the Solstice are a number of things wrapped in colorful cloth, tied in ribbons, beneath the Solstice Festival Tree they have decorated.

Most are for other Elves, of course.

But Flitter and Mystal, having already each gotten a Pixie bow, find that they now each have a quiver of little Pixie arrows.  The Arrows are tiny, but fortunately, magic- otherwise they'd be of little use except possibly for long range sewing.  Each quiver has 20 arrows, 15 of which are "Sleep" arrows and 5 of which are "memory loss" arrows.

(No need to "identify" the magic- the Elves made them, they know what they are!)

They haven't had time to do anything more than "temporary" items for their  guests, but they hope they did well.

Alba gets a wooden cudgel staff charged with spells: Magic Weapon (20 uses) and True Strike (10 uses)

Vincentas gets a decanter with 10 water breathing potions.

Togo acquires a bag of acorns.  Each is the equivalent of a potion of Fox's Cunning.  The Elves put them in acorns to make it easier for Togo to feed to animals, in case he wants to "smarten" a summoned animal to enable it to understand more complex instructions.

Morgan and Ongriss each get an amulet of coral and mother-of-pearl, charged with 20 Fire Shield spells.

Mia and Aramil each get a small bottle containing the equivalent of 3 Polymorph potions.

In reply to Togo Took (msg # 58):

Oh my... she exclaimed peering at the sack. Glancing at Togo How marvellously intriguing animated plants. Taking to wing she rises to the his eye level and smiles. How be it that yon can talk... she mused aloud