In reply to Zaigan the Serene (msg # 27):

The letter Xandra was carrying reads the following:

"Greetings Friends, Due to injuries in battle that have left me crippled and the duties of being chief, I am unable to join you. I have sent my unruly Daughter in my stead. I hope you will find her to be useful, I had tried to work with her to prepare for a journey like we had years ago. Do not be alarmed by her appearance, her Mother is a Genie, long story there.   -Grom of the Quaking Wilds-"

 It is weirdly elegant for Grom, either his downtime has allowed him to work on his writing or he had help composing that letter.

After reading the note, the bard seems to be even more confused. He sits down, looking like a deer in headlights. After taking some deep breaths, he taps his guitar and puts on the table. Some slight pressure here, little less pressure there "Music soothes the savage soul...or this is...well.." You don't even know what confusion is Zall? Come on "Everyone seems to have aged, got a swan well two of them now, a baby and Xandra that no one knows..." He puts a hadn to his mouth "Well this will proved to be one heck of a song...."

Lorn pick up the letter a couple of minutes, seeing the others done reading it. He reads it pretty fast for an old guy and says to the letter with a smile "A genie huh.. you old rascal..." he then looks up and Xandra and evaluates her. "Welcome to the group, Daughter of Grom. I'm Lorn Marcell, cleric of Pharasma and friend of your father. What is your name, child?"

 "I'm Xandra, and yeah Dad thought going along with you instead would be good for me or whatever."

She shrugged and continued to be mostly aloof sitting back at the table.

The male swan turns towards Zaigan the Serene at the use of his name.  Like the word "Tauren" means something to him but it is confused in the fog of time.  Or a memory of a memory.  Also his name but somehow missing something very important.
He moves up toward Zaigan.  Looking the old man up and down.
He extends his beak out so he is close to Zaigan's face.  Then moves his beak away quickly.
Shaking his head at Zaigan as if to tell him off.  The male swan takes a step backwards and looks at Zaigan.

The male swan looks back at female swan.  They stare at each other.  The male swan then point back at Zaigan.
The female swan lifts her wings up and down.  Almost as if to say so what in a gesture.

OOC:
Waiting for answer to a PM question I asked Alandria.  The answer will depend on what happens next to Tauron.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

OOC: Sorry I am so late in doing this. I had to have the GM set up something for us.

"Tauren? Do you mean... hmmm?"

She stared at the swan as if in contemplation. It couldn't be, could it? She then spoke up in Elvish which was not understood by everyone.

[Language unknown: "Eiaras, ai ugher ount? Ic no atave ouadse, Mihialte."]

Sitting on the table where the male swan had been was now an elf.  Young, happy, smiling, if somewhat confused.  The Tauron you remember is before you.  Little if anything had changed about him.
[Language unknown:  Et p p est?  M n Reamanpre Iveintmenwhinde.]  He says in answer to Alandria.
He then switches to common. I am an elf ?  I am an elf !  He says to himself.  I am Tauron Alphmellon elf of the woodlands.

He turns back to Alendria.
[Language unknown: Om Santedainven.  Ncany p k. St e Werstante, ndant noce'ilsi olesro.  T wi con he ei of a alldinion.  Se ntienteen, K red.]
If looks could kill - Tauron would be dead.  There is one really pissed off female swan and it is looking at Tauron in disbelief.  As if her world has just been turned up side down and ripped to peaces.  That the basic she understood about life had been wrong.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

Where once was a swan turns into a elf, Zall's eyes open wide. He drops his mug, watching what just happened. The bard rubs his eyes for a moment and reopens them. He goes to say something-anything for a moment he is speechless. Every few moments his mouth opens but then just closes and Xandra speaks out. Well she will be a tough nut to crack-but not for Zall. He knows what to say when-well normally. Now she's suddenly a member of the group without question? His eyes narrow and he looks over at Tauron "Think you hurt her feelings. You're probably going to explain it to her parents. You know, beak to beak." His eyes dart to each of them, watching Xandra for a extra moment then his eyes go to Alandria. For a moment he looks rather sad-but probably didn't even realize it. He goes back to his odd guitar and stares at it.

"I presume that you have the same affinity for battle as your father? That man could clear a battlefield in his prime." Lorn asks Xandra.

"Eh, maybe not the same affinity, but yeah I like to knock some heads around."

 Behind her back, She does seem to wield a pair of curved blades of some kind. Not quite the giant greatsword that her father would use, but they seem to suit her smaller, but still strong-looking frame.

"Good. Grom was hopeless when it came to finesse. Maybe you can show more guile." Lorn smiles to Xandra the looks over to the now changed Tauron.

"There you are Tauron, welcome back! I was beginning to think you were gonna stay that damnable bird until the end of time. Please get off the table and grab a chair like a somewhat civilized person."

Tauron slides off the table and sits next to Xandra.  Looking back at Lorn.
When did I get moved up the social ladder to somewhat civilized.  And why does she get to keep her feet on the table and I have to move my bum?

The elf turns to Xandra and grins.  Extends a hand to introduce himself.
Hi.  I am Tauron.  Nice to meet you and do you still want to eat me for dinner?

For some in the group the words "Tauron Shut up please." may spring into their minds from memory.
Then he looks over to the bard who is clearly having issues with his life.
Oh.  I think the main reason she so upset is because neither her mother Katerian or myself told her I was really an elf.  We sort of overlooked that detail.  Her mother told her she was special and so bound her to look after me.  I don't think Katerian explain the true nature of her daughter's promise. 

OOC:
Katerian was Tauron's old animal companion.

"You're right. Somewhat civilized is too high a praise. But it is good to see you old friend. I knew you loved that animal companion of your a lot, but I don't think I quite knew how much. Either that or I didn't want to know." Lorn says half jokingly, half serious.

"Is it just me or does everyone know what is going on but me? We show up a day later and everyone tells me its 20 years later. Still think its the next day. Then Tauron was a swan, Xandria-no offense doesn't seem to want to be here and everyone is fine...?" The bard stops messing with the guitar "Of course I don't mind hanging out with old friends...." He glances at Lorn and Zaigen "Young? Old? Inbetween? Nessing with magic? He taps the guitar a few time "Its a bit a lot to handle. I've seem interesting things but..." He leans back in his chair "I'm talking a lot..." Its not normal for Zall to talk so much. Or be confused. Bewildered? He leans over and grabs the now empty mug and puts it on the table, looking inside of it.

"hmm... yes Zall... what's that last thing you remember before coming here? The last thing you remember about yesterday before waking up today?" he turns to ask the flustered companion.

 Xandra looked Tauron up and down before putting her feet down and sitting up. She then spoke up with a grin to answer his question.

 "Nah, you're too old for me to eat."

"And now she wants to eat us though her swan lover woulnd't like that." Of course he pokes fun at Tauron, still comfused but he can't help it. Ironically he smiles. Zell keeps his distance from the cannibalist tribal something or another and he watches her for a long moment, eyes not leaving her in case she tries to rip into anyone. Without even looking at Lron, he blurts out "We took down the dreadlord."

Tauron looked over at Lorn.
I think it was more she was the only one that loved me enough to put up with me on a permanent bases.  Sometimes you get what you deserve not what you want.

He looked down at the table for a moment.

Then smiled and looked over at the bard.  I have to tell you a story of the Alpha male swan in the great forest, Katerian and me.
First he thought he could pick on me as I did not want to fight back.  You know me.  I only fight when I really have to.  But then I do...  After that he thought he would steel Katherian away from me.  He did not expect her to turn around and give him a good trashing too.  Never should his beak around again, I can tell you.  Worthy of one of your tales I think.

"And Tauron is in love....with a swan. Can't help who you fall in love with...." For some reason his eyes dart over to Alandria then back to Tauron, and he probably doesn't even know why "But seriously what can you do? Tell her to dress up? Permanent? Must be a spell. Come on now, to deal with you all the time? I bet your good at nesting eh?" And Zall seems to be unable to help it. Depite all that happened and the confusion he's in, and not even realizing he's even emotional...

Time bomb? Maybe.

"Well least you don't need a ring. Were you going to put it? Her neck? I'll carry her down the aisle, got you covered...."

Bazinga.

Maybe he's trying to hid what he can feel?

"Hilarious Zall, but take a step back and think. This is his daughter, not his mate." Lorn says to Zall flatly.

Looking at Tauron "You'll have to recount your adventures in greater detail to me at a later date. Preferably in a place where i can take notes, my memory isn't what it used to be. But I'm sure that it'll be a fantastical chronicle. It must be written down or it'll be lost to history!" he says emphatically.

"Where is Katherian now? Lorn asks carefully a few seconds later.

Tauron gave Lorn a sad smile.
You old Gravemonger you. Their is no bitterness in his words.  Just sadness.
Most wild swans are lucky to see 11 to 12 years.  A pet or druids friend maybe 20 or more.  Katherian said pushing over 40 was over doing it a bit.  Time to rest her wings and sleep.  She choose when and where to die.  In peace.  Few creatures have that luxury.
He shakes his head.
Funny at the time I somehow knew that for me 50 years was but couple of year in swan terms.  Did not question the difference or that I was only swan in the flock that could cast powerful spells.  The ones the others cast I had taught them.  Think the local human druid never did understand why some swans in the great forest could cast minor spells.
Looking down at the swan that been glaring at him for while he says.
You are right Lorn, Sophia is really upset with her dad at the moment.  Going to take some time I think.

"Well I apologize for inconviencing anyone." Zall sighs and fiddles with his guitar.

"Could you explain it to her?" Lorn asks Tauron kindly.

Well then let's see if anyone will get mad at him from playing the guitar since really no one knows what is going on, no one is getting him a straight answer and well he's got his guitar. Perhaps playing will give him some clarity. Probably not. He knows everyone here besides the tribal one, but something seems to be very off. He gently places his hands down upon the string he knows so well and stands up. Going over to the bar, he leans against it. Everyone seems so different-even himself. But not even he knows why.

13:52, Today: Zall Zanader rolled 16 using 1d20+11.  Perform-Guitar.

Tauron nods to Lorn. That will be a good idea.  There is a lot to explain.  Not all bad.
Tauron opens his month but nothing come out.  He looks into the distance then back at Lorn.
So much forgotten.  I have forgotten so much.

The elf cast a spell and talks to his swan.  This was bad news.  Very soon after the group had got together Tauron had learn the skill of talking to any and every animal he wished.  It was many years ago when they all where new to each other he had to use a spell to talk to an animal.  He had indeed lost so much knowledge.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Sat 11 Dec 2021.