Henal's work was far easier. Money was paid and information given. The most updated news was that the Troll lands was in turmoil, with power games between the various clans. War was brewing for sure. As for the Zorak Zorani? No one was sure exactly where he was based, though there was a well known temple to the dark lord deep within the ruins there. Some said in a desecrated Sun Temple.

The Trader had mentioned that the Count was worried about the power of the trolls and the increased frequency of their raids. Omens had spoken about a desecrated Sun Temple and a captured earth goddess who was to be violated by the Dark god.

He'd heard rumours of a powerful Yelornan heroquest building up in the Rubble and that an elf had been seen out of season, walking through the ruins bathed in fire.

...although takes me some time and coin, Salen, and I get nowhere without mentioning how Broosta thanks me for some knowledge they ignored, I think I have something useful. Interesting enough the greybeards went from uncaring to...I am not quite sure how to describe it. Still guarded but there is something behind the eyes. Fear perhaps, or maybe anger that is held tight hold of.

Their scrolls have much to make a man cold down to his boots. The sort of chill that makes Repe Sorsa look positively welcome. Soul stealers with living heads, still conscious of what they have been and are no longer, in the pain of control like that time he visibly shudders I am under the power of that jack-headed bear thing. No will, just the knowledge of thralldom to a foul bidding.

Issaries grant us all that we fall not into such slavery, yet Condor grants I can take us to that thing one day.

What is useful, though, is the story. I can tell it, but maybe in private and later. For now, it is enough that those Storm Bulls sold me their tunnel map. Temple to temple in the rubble. It is seeming they miss the source of the chaos they destroy in those old Mostali tunnels. There may be a clue down there. Something to give us an edge, or maybe take our lives from us. The little fellows tunnel into a thing best left buried and sealed if what I read is true. Left there for the world's ending from before the city stands.

He shrugs.

We need to talk. Might be worth us looking at Issaries' old temple on the way to deliver that seed after all.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:05, Tue 26 Mar 2019.

Grundar enters, waving farewell to some of his friends in the Deadheads Blood Runners, 'See you later!'

Turning to face the rest of the Rangers he plonks himself on a stool beside them, stroking  'Those rubble runners sure are fun, you should have seen their faces in the market when they poked their faces over the table!' At this a snout pokes out of his shoulder bag, sniffs and retreats, a titbit taken from Grundar's fingers.

He spots Salen seated there. 'I'm Grundar. I don't believe we've met yet, but I take it you're another Ranger? I'm the newcomer. Still learning the ropes but having a blast doing so. I don't suppose you've seen a female Rhino rider on your travels have you? My sister ...got separated from me. She's younger, wiry and with a fearsome sense of humour. You'd remember her if you'd seen her.'

Melock listens to the others news with interest. He leans forwards when Temush mentions the unicorn riders and looks like he's about to say something, but changes his mind. Melock welcomes Grundar with a smile and a drink, "Grundar, this is Salen, Salen this is Grundar. Another Raven." He chuckles to himself.

Another Raven, fantastic, just think of the fun we can have! Unlike Melock, he fails to keep his chuckle to himself... Three is much more fun than two. So Salen, what are you drinking? Can I get you another...

In reply to Grundar (msg # 272):

Melock shakes his head, "No, Salen's a Condor, I was letting him know about you." he burps, "I think I need to ease up on the drinking."

While Hoskar relates all that he has learned Salen sits and smokes, inhaling all that information and wisdom. He nods at appropriate points, narrows his eyes at others, and looks impassive over all. A final nod and a pass of the pipe allows him opportunity to reply.

"Indeed we do. I'll be with you all the way."

Just then one of the newer Rangers came up and introduced himself, with a little 'help' from Melock.

"Well met, Brother Grundar. I am a fellow Ranger, one from near the beginning although I've been off on a mission in recent times. Sorry to say I haven't met your sister, though by the sounds of her I should look forward to it!

As I'm sure you've discovered, life is never dull with this lot - not much chance of that with all you blooming Ravens around. What is the term for a group of Ravens, Melock? An unkindness? A murder? A mockery? Primal Chaos??

I'll have another beer, Grundar...Hoskar, pass me that pipe back quick, while I get my head around more Ravens..."

He shrugs, "A party? a merriment? An embarrassment?"

Amara arrived at the bar with a small cohort of warriors at her side. She ignored the boys and their fripperies as she talked to the warriors she brought with her about the seriousness of their task and the enemies they might face.

Melock watches Amara arrive and stands up, then calls to her, "Amara, come sit with us, we've saved you a seat. I've missed you this last week, what have you been up to, who are your new friends?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:03, Wed 27 Mar 2019.

Ohanzee watches Amara walk in and smiles as he does so, seeing all the good in the fiery redheaded woman and past that, the Earth Queen.

Sensing something of Ohanzee's feelings the Rubble runner looks up, something it hadn't bothered to do for the arrival of anything else.

There is a chittering sound, something like a laugh "Special one to you hmm?"

Henal guffaws "An embarrasment certainly fits what you lot bring us".

The young raven brave flushes and then shifts in his seat to look at Salen accidentally kicking the creature and earning a nip in response.

"A gathering of Ravens is beyond defining with names or words."

No, Grundar replies with a hint of mischief, it's a ruckus surely. A Ruckus of Ravens...

Another round of drinks and food is noisily slammed down on the table by the owner.

"Come on pay up!" he hollers, snapping his fat fingers in annoyance.

Just then a large group of boisterous folk barge in, knocking over stools and spilling drinks.

Uroxi! and they know Ohanzee

"Oi sexy boy!" shouts one towering woman as she makes a beeline for the Raven follower...

"Sheela!" Ohanzee exclaims his eyes darting to Amaraand then away quickly hoping not to catch the disappointment that was inevitable in hers.

"Good to see you all, drink?"

Grundar looks up hopefully, even starting to stand, before seeing the identity of the speaker and his brain catching up with his hormones. He sits down quickly hoping no one noticed.

The woman sees Grundar's reaction and grabs his arse as she passes.

"Always room for one more"

Then she's pulling Ohanzee into a lover's embrace to the cheers of her motley crew of warriors.

As one they draw up stools and benches to join the Rangers.

"Drink?" she booms once Ohanzee is released. The brave gets a punch in the arm for answer...

Melock digs in to his money pouch and passes the owner 10 lunars, "Is this enough?"

The owner looks at the enlarged group, does some mental arithmetic and shakes his head in the negative

"Now this lot are here you need double that."

Smiling, Melock gives him what he asks for.

Grundar chokes on his drink, blushes involuntarily, and then turns to smile merrily at Ohanzee and his crude companion.

"Definitely a ruckus, Grundar..."