Ano takes his small plate of food and a drink and makes his way over to Draugion. So what is it that has brought you all the way out to this side of the world?
To follow Toben and Ryland all this way after facing the darkness they have faced you must have some reason other then a death wish to be out here.

Klale troubled musings fail to deter him from eating and eating some more...it's been a long time since he was fully fed.

Draugion glances at Ano. "I'm not sure why I decided to follow Ryland and Toben all this way. Being introduced to this world after being asleep for a millennia is... surreal to say the least."
Draugion sighs. "After learning what happened, I believe that it might not be a wise decision to reveal to the world that some elves still exist."

Toben rotates his head toward the dwarf so that he's half facing him and half facing the barkeep. "Troubling times I'm afraid, friend. It's hard to keep one's chin up on the cusp of defeat. It's not over yet, however, and my friends and I will not give up. So..." he says with a pause. "There's that."

The young sage turns more towards the dwarf. "Where might you be hailing from?"

Ryland continues his playing.

"Oh, I have a place out in the country close to the Brandywine River.

You know, sometimes when your map doesn't show you the proper way forward, sometimes it helps to just press on anyway.
Someone makes a map, sometimes they aren't paying proper attention and get their details confused.  But they are blazing a trail for the first time.  Even if they succeeded, they may have forgotten the way when making the map back home.
Those that follow, then have to blaze the trail anew.

You seem a smart enough fellow.  No doubt you'll figure it out.  By the way, I didn't catch your name."

Toben smiles at the dwarf's words. "You speak as much wisdom as any other I've met, master Dwarf. Perhaps we are where we're meant to be. And my apologies as well, my name is Toben Ironsprings. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Sun 13 Jan 2019.

The strange man chuckles.  "I'm not a Dwarf.  Around here they call me Forn.  Ironsprings, eh?  I was sorry to hear about that town.  A shame what happens when children get unruly."  He looks up at the bartender.  "My lady, would you mind another round?  And one of whatever the Men are having for them as well, on me."  He laid an odd silver coin on the bar which the one-eyed dwarven woman swiped up in a hurry.

She gave Toben a wary look before softening a bit and giving him a nod as if to say 'what'll ya have?'  Another dwarf, a young male, goes to Klale, Ano, and Ryland to tell them a drink has been paid for on their behalf.

The bartender sets a large mug of some frothy drink.  It has what looks to be a dash of cinnamon atop the foam and a syrupy-buttery aroma wafts in Toben's direction.  Forn sips at it, getting nary a bubble in his beard or mustache.

Toben lowers his head in a subtle bow. "That's very kind of you, Forn. Ironsprings was my home for a long time." He pauses for a moment in remembrance. "I'm afraid I'm all that's left of it."

He looks over to the barkeep. "A little something to take the edge off but not dull the wits, please. I feel we are still in dire need of them."

"What did you mean by unruly children?" he asks Forn.

Klale finished eating and looked around. Others were engaged, at home. His home...far away.

Abruptly he rose and walked out. Coming to a dwarven forge, he looked and mumbled Perhaps work will ease.... He set to work, first making nails. When he was too tired to do detail work, he beat out sheets. When he was too tired to do that, he spelled another working bellows. Finally, he stumbled in his fatigue. Two dwarves helped him stagger to a pallet and pressed water and a bit on him. He manged the swallows before his eyes close and he slept tightly curled up. They covered him with a blanket. It was long before his body straightened in normal sleep.

Ano looks interested in what Draugion says
so there are more elves still out there in the world?  Are they sleeping as well?

Forn just waves off the comment.  "Just a figure of speech.  The chaos of such a random act is like when children play."  He finishes off his drink and smiles a Toben.  "It's getting late.  'Bout time for this ancient body to get some rest.  Pleasure to meet you, Toben Ironsprings.  Safe travels, my young friend."  He stands, pays the barkeep with a couple of gold coins - well more than the drinks were worth - and grabs his hat to go.

Draugion's eyes widen upon hearing Ano's question.
"Now that you mention that, there could be more elves currently asleep, just like how I was."
Draugion looks intrigued by the thought.

Ryland wraps up his set, pays for a drink, and moves over a seat next to Toben. He doesn't say anything as he stares down into the full mug in front of him. After a few sips, he looks over at Toben. "I still don't know what to call today, be it defeat or partial victory".

Toben sighs and looks down at his drink. "It's not over yet. As long as there is time, there is still a chance. I think we may just need a new perspective. Something we haven't thought of yet."

Ryland tips his mug up and drains the contents. "Indeed. Though I haven't the foggiest where to begin. Never was much good with puzzles of the mind". He looks down at his empty mug, contemplating another. "I think I'm going to turn in for the night". He stands, and clasps a hand on Toben's shoulder before turning to the barkeep and arranging a room for the evening. Key in hand he makes his way off to his lodgings, an ever so slight wobble to his gait.

Ano smiles at Draugion I certainly hope that is the case.  as he sees Ryland leaving Ano gets up and says I think I'll walk out with you,  I could use some sleep

Toben nods and watches Ryland leave the bar area from the corner of his eye. He lays a couple of coins in the bar to cover his drink and starts to head for the exit. He passes by the table of warriors on the way out and gives them a bit of a salute out of respect.

Draugion follows behind Toben.

With a restful night of sleep, the five adventurers meet at the wagon outside the dwarven town.  It takes them to Shock's cave in swift fashion.  There they find the Dischord standing, teeth gritted, sweat pouring down her face and body.  Gwaelind stands back from her just beyond her reach at the end of the chains.

"I fear that her master's control will be complete today if we cannot free her.  Tell me you have found something.  My properties as one of the Maiar seems to prevent me from calculating an answer to this most dire of situations."  There is anguish and pleading buried deep in his voice, leaking out more in the words he uses then in the tone which is fiercely controlled for her sake.

With a very solemn and resolute look upon his face, Toben reassures Gwaelind. "We are going to do everything within our power to see that Delunaur comes out of this on the right side."

He walks slowly over to Gwaelind, places a hand on his shoulder, and asks in a low voice. "Do you trust in Eru? Implicitly?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

Ano steps up and addresses the group in a somber but loud voice.  I didn't want it to come to this, I didn't even want to bring it up but we are too close now.
What do we do if we can't save her.  Do we let a power like that exist and threaten  Gwaelind.  We are sworn to protect the songs, it means we may need to consider the unthinkable.

Klale was about to speak but holds his tongue when he hears Toben's question.

"I do."  Gwaelind says to Toben after a brief scowl at Ano.

Ryland winces at the scowl from Gwaelind. He's only seen it once before and it was enough for a time.