A River of Stars
The Journey to Ne'Haer
Vhalar 14, arc 716
The statue was, as always, stern yet welcoming. But the descendant of this great man, Morgan Parhn, founder of Etzos, stood on a raised dais, in defiance of both this open-door policy, and the pair of Immortals that had approached for an audience.To his credit, he had allowed them their say, an eloquently spoken request for the aid of the "Brave soldiers of Etzos, a city that has already proven its valor at the hands of the shadow apparitions of those very Immortals we seek now to stop." The voice of the lithe, reptilian-bodied Ethelynda carried conviction, and the promise of enduring respect for the city's policies; acknowledging that though the request ran counter to said policies, they would abide by them ever after, only to be heard now. She spoke of the threat to the entire global community, mortal and Immortal alike, citing the courage displayed by the mighty Etzori, and the need for such heroes against the likes of enemies that would inflict such dread upon a world shared and loved by all.
But this flattery brought only ire from High Marshall Brogen Parhn. "How very generous of you to have allowed us to defend ourselves, without your aid, these past cycles, only to come now to us for help against these same predators, after we have finished with our share of them. You offer up the name of the perpetrators of this evil. But we already possess this knowledge, and we will deal...ARE dealing...with those responsible, in our own fashion. I do, however, thank you for the confirmation that she is not presently abiding within her city. You do not need to cite to us our own bravery. Your endorsement of our mortal courage, after the fact, is nothing of which we have any need.
"We did not need your aid then, and we see no need to share ours now. You offer to respect our laws in the future if we only allow you to DISrespect them now. You have no place here! I say that you will show this alleged respect by obeying our laws now as WELL as in the future. It is your siblings that bring all the woes upon this world we all share and love. I do not apologize for mistrusting your pretty words. Enough has been done to our kind, by yours, to earn righteous distrust for a thousand arcs! Perhaps when your kind has resolved this current threat without it coming on the backs of doomed mortals, I will be more willing to hear the benefits of a more moderate approach. But for now, the answer is no. The Army of Etzos is not a mercenary force for the whims of Immortals!"
But much was said both before and after to support the position of Ethelynda, and Xiur, who currently accompanied her. They were known to be consistently respectful and supportive of mortals sovereignty, where it was desired. That they did not force their rule upon those that desired independence. But that against the malice of those they now faced, and the dire ramifications of their goal, all the world needs must stand united. Each who partook of this would be given weapons or shields of surpassing quality, and transport to where this battle would be fought. They did not desire the muster of the city's entire defense, only those few that shared this outlook.
As the debate went on, Marshall Parhn saw an ever-increasing shift to support of the visitors and their cause. He was not cold-hearted to their presentation, only justifiably hesitant to take it at face value. The history of those that founded the city bore ample testimony to this justification. Still, as he heard murmuring in assent to the Immortals' proposal among the citizenry, he relented. "Very well, be it known this trial, the 14th of Vhalar, of the arc of 716, that those citizens choosing to embark upon the quest set forth by the Immortals Ethelynda and Xuir, at the Gate of our founder, shall not be held to have abandoned their city, but rather to have taken its policies to a different front of that same battle, and shall be welcomed back as heroes of Etzos upon its completion."
He did not add, "...if they survive..."
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All those that chose to go had been told of the assembly at the gate by nothing more than word of mouth; spreading what would normally be assumed to be steadily growing exaggerations. But when their casual inquiries confirmed the presence of actual Immortals, this was an encounter not to be missed. And the importance and renown inherent in the mission was such that those who'd already displayed great daring and prowess against the shadow beasts were driven to carry this battle to what promised to be its source.Many formed spontaneous ranks before the gate as mounts and chariots were provided for those without mounts of their own. Xuir announced that the first leg of this journey would only be as far as the Westride River, which runs through the Western lands to become the Anari River, north of Ne'haer. Time was of the essence, and each mount would be given a tonic that granted them fantastic speed and endurance, that they might reach the bounds of the river by the next evening. At that time, Xiur would have waiting many river boats of swift design, which would be empowered by the very essence of the stars themselves, riding upon their reflection on the surface of the river. His concentration would need to be focused upon this for the duration of the river travel, once they got there.
But first they needed to get there. And the lands through which they would ride did not abide trespass graciously. Many were the shields crafted of malorite; made available to those that preferred that to replacing the weapons they'd become accustomed to. But to those who had known many weights and balances of weapons, and would not be hindered by a change in the replacement of their current selection by one crafted of adamantite, these they received with no question.
Once settled, and heeding the orders of the Immortal pair, all the mounts were fed their rations of tonic and they quickly achieved a speed that shamed the winds weaving patterns in the grasses across the Westride Plains.
PCs involved in this Contingent
This is for Vluharqih, Nauta, Jachiel, Dmitri, and Noth (possibly Nightshade Eld and Mal, if they have a change of heart) - No particular order, but let's try to keep it moving.