Dance of the Seasons VII: The Past, The Blasted Lands, and the Mirtins (Songs of Spring)
Game: Changeling: The Dreaming: Dance of the Seasons
GM: Aaron (2_ragged_claws)
Setting: The Grass Sea/The Blasted Lands
Players/Characters:
Passing through the trod, they found an amazingly large tree, big enough for people to live inside. And, indeed, the fae who had come through seemed to be doing just that. The trio was informed that Liala and Gaal Bonan could be ready for them now, or, given that it was close to dawn, they could get some rest first and meet with the rulers after that. Especially given Martus' recent partying, they decided resting first would be more prudent. They were shown to a number of hammocks hanging in the tree in which they could rest. Martus and Wendy quickly fell asleep, but Jerim stayed awake a little longer, pretending to sleep, until Gaal Bonan came in with their guide. Overhearing the two, in hushed tones, discuss how they had heard of us from Malthus, he decided this was likely a safe place, and allowed himself to rest.
21st day of the Month of the Calf
They awoke and were greeting by Lord Gregarious, Esquire, a squirrel Pooka who was there to bring them to food and then to his lords. After they'd dined (and after Malthus had grabbed a few leaves from the tree to eat later), they were before Liala and Gaal Bonan. Having been provided a drink of fermented milk, they were asked what they remembered of Autumn. Wendy explained what they had been doing in their most recent memories, about trying to prevent Winter. Under more questioning, she explained there had been two potential ways Autumn would end -- either through fighting with Fomorians, or through the return of the Iron Road. Based on the fact that neither Liala nor Gaal Bonan had heard anything about the Iron Road, they concluded this had likely not occurred. This belief was strengthened by the fact that Gaal Bonan had heard of the "Fire Court" and the "Ice Court", which both the trio and the lords assumed were the same as the Fomorian "White Court" and "Red Court". Since there was nothing similar to the "Green Court", the last of the groups of Fomorians, Wendy assumed they had not been released, which seemed like a small mercy.
Gaal Bonan further asked if they recalled meeting him, as he believed they had in a past life. He added his name them had been Kosa the Bull, and, though the group did not recall meeting him, Wendy did recall some information about Kosa the Bull -- that he had been one of the Five Great Beasts who fought on the Battle Plains of Kureksarra. They theorized that, perhaps they would meet him later. Liala asked them the same, as they were familiar to her as well. She, however, had likely been in what sounded like some form of hibernation during those memories, and none of them had any recollection of her. The two of them additionally briefly explained how they had come to be treated as gods by the tribes of the Grass Sea; Liala granting luck to them when they had performed rites near her tree. Liala and Gaal Bonan also explained the interaction between the fae and mortal worlds now -- mortals with little banality in areas of low banality could see fae seemings, the ease of the process determined by the glamour of the fae in question. They finally offered the trio shelter for a few days if they wished, but the offered was declined as the group saw little need for further rest and, indeed, Wendy was slightly concerned for Charlotte (who had not come in with them), though they were assured that the tribe was taking good care of her.
They were led down the tree by Lord Gregarious, who, at Jerim's request, provided them fermented milk. In addition, he gave them some berry wine, and gave a small wooden kazoo-like instrument to his fellow Pooka Malthus. As they approached the exit from the dreaming, they found a pack of feral fae, like Pooka or satyrs but even wilder -- Fuath. After they scared Lord Gregarious away, they warned the trio, especially Wendy, that they didn't trust them (Wendy, as a "Bright One", even less so). They left, and Lord Gregarious returned and opened the trod for them.
Returning to the mortal world, they found Charlotte, stabled by the Grass Sea tribes, and prepared to leave. They were given 2 elks by the tribe, one of which they loaded with their drinks, and the other of which Jerim took for himself, while Martus and Wendy travelled on Charlotte. They continued on their trek to the Blasted Lands. The day past uneventfully, and they camped for the night, setting watches.
Jerim was up first, and, partway through his watch, he noticed some odd movement that he realized meant someone was watching them. Stealthily, he awoke Wendy, and indicated she should awake Martus while he would sneak around and try to surprise whoever was there. Of course, at about that point everything went to hell. Martus awoke with a start, and a scream, and ran away immediately, while Jerim fell and made a ruckus. Seeing this, Wendy started to move towards their watcher, with Charlotte in tow. One arrow, then another, streaked towards Charlotte, with no real impact, and Wendy was almost on the interloper when the interloper cried to Jerim to help.
And he realized the interloper was none other than Glenys, his long term girlfriend from back among his tribe. He got both her and Wendy to stay their hands for a moment, and talked to Glenys -- she was wondering what Jerim was doing, as she had assumed he had been captured and she was rescuing her, since something about Wendy didn't look quite right. Jerim feigned ignorance, which worked for a while. Glenys explained she'd convinced the Mirtins to wait where Jerim had left them, a dangerous proposition for their group, in the hopes he'd eventually return. Around then, Martus returned -- and to Glenys, Martus was obviously a "Beastman." Jerim explained that, yes, Martus was, but he trusted him and he was a good guy. Martus swore the he meant no harm, and Glenys was relaxed by this, as if she understood the full extent of the oath. Still, she was worried about Jerim's plan to bring the others to the Mirtins, in case they were servants of Queen Fallout. The two agreed that a better plan would be to escort Wendy and Martus to the edge of the Blasted Lands, and then leave them their while Glenys and Jerim returned to the tribe and explained what had happened after sending others to watch Wendy and Martus. Jerim explained the plan, sans the watchers, to Wendy and Martus, who agreed, having never really been too keen on entering the Blasted Lands. Wendy and Martus went back to sleep, as did Glenys, after getting a promise from Jerim to wake her before he slept, as she didn't trust being watched by either Wendy or Martus.
22nd day of the Month of the Calf
They arrived at the Blasted Lands late the next day, and Glenys and Jerim set off into the Blasted Lands. They camped for one night, and reached the Mirtin camp early the next day.
23rd day of the Month of the Calf
They were met on the outskirts by a defensive patrol lead by Narya, a Mirtin huntress who'd never really gotten along with Jerim. After Jerim and Narya traded barbs, they were brought into the camp, where Jerim met his grandfather, Baulson, who also happened to be one of the leaders of the tribe. After it became clear this was not a congenial family meeting, Jerim was ushered before the triumvirate, leaders of his tribe: Baulson, Jerim's grandfather and oldest male in the tribe; Serrat, the oldest woman in the tribe; and Padrakt, greatest warrior of the tribe. He explained, as he had to Glenys the night before, a somewhat redacted version of his adventures until then -- leaving out the parts about him being a fae, and remaining exactly consistent with what Glenys had already discovered. He claimed his staff was, he believed, a weapon for Queen Fallout, and that Martus was leading them to other weapons. He wanted to have some Mirtins assist them to prevent the weapons from falling into Queen Fallout's hand. While Padrakt seemed to want to help, Serrat hushed him and, instead, suggest Jerim head out and get breakfast.
As he left the tent, he was jumped by many of the tribe’s strongest wrestlers. He refused to resist, and was tied up and escorted to Garval, the tribe's healer, who began to perform a sort of exorcism on him. The worst Jerim felt was a slight tugging, and, two and a half hours later, Garval was unable to continue. It had been the longest exorcism he'd ever performed. Yet, when a young child came in to examine Jerim, the child explained Jerim still looked funny. The triumvirate and Jerim's mother, Irina, came into the tent. Garval assured them he had done all he could, and, though the triumvirate was unsure what to do, Irina's cries to let her son free gave Padrakt the confidence he needed to free Jerim. Jerim was given proper food then, and a welcome home, and an apology from those who had wrestled him down earlier. He sought out Glenys, who had heard what had happened, and the two put aside their differences again and hugged. Jerim explained that, regardless of the triumvirate’s decision, he intended to return to Wendy and Martus and see everything through to the end, and invited Glenys to come with them (she'd never been well loved among the tribe as something of a smart-alec, and lost most of the goodwill she had getting them to wait so long for Jerim). They returned to camp, and eventually the triumvirate brought everyone together and explained they could not sanction sending a group with him. Glenys explained she was going, and the tribe set out to send them off -- Padrakt explained that he would miss Jerim in their battles, while Irina gave Jerim a necklace his father had worn which he had believed would protect him from the spirits. Jerim, in return, left his tribe the fermented milk and berry wine, and he and Glenys returned to Wendy and Martus.
When he got back, he explained that the tribe had not offered assistance, and that they could set out again. However, when Wendy discovered that Glenys was coming with them, she insisted Jerim tell Glenys. Jerim tried once again to bluff his way out of admitting the truth to Glenys, but now she was having none of it. Left with no other option, he called upon the Wyrd and revealed his Eshu self to her. He told her that he wasn't evil. She was unconvinced, and so he explained the process of oaths to her and swore that, in fact, he'd only known he was fae for the last 4 days. She also made him swear that he'd told her everything relevant, and so, after giving her a full account of all that had transpired, he swore that as well. Glenys was still very upset, having given up her life with the Mirtins, even if just temporarily, for a spirit, but seemed to at least be willing to see things through.
GM: Aaron (2_ragged_claws)
Setting: The Grass Sea/The Blasted Lands
Players/Characters:
- Matt (ra1330)/Jerim Mirtin: A young warrior from the Blasted Lands, dangerous fiefdom of Queen Fallout.
- Peter (zero_the_fool)/Martus "the Wise": An older itinerant hermit originally from Roshatar.
- Sarah (kalliplokime)/Wendy: A young scholar from Roshatar.
Passing through the trod, they found an amazingly large tree, big enough for people to live inside. And, indeed, the fae who had come through seemed to be doing just that. The trio was informed that Liala and Gaal Bonan could be ready for them now, or, given that it was close to dawn, they could get some rest first and meet with the rulers after that. Especially given Martus' recent partying, they decided resting first would be more prudent. They were shown to a number of hammocks hanging in the tree in which they could rest. Martus and Wendy quickly fell asleep, but Jerim stayed awake a little longer, pretending to sleep, until Gaal Bonan came in with their guide. Overhearing the two, in hushed tones, discuss how they had heard of us from Malthus, he decided this was likely a safe place, and allowed himself to rest.
21st day of the Month of the Calf
They awoke and were greeting by Lord Gregarious, Esquire, a squirrel Pooka who was there to bring them to food and then to his lords. After they'd dined (and after Malthus had grabbed a few leaves from the tree to eat later), they were before Liala and Gaal Bonan. Having been provided a drink of fermented milk, they were asked what they remembered of Autumn. Wendy explained what they had been doing in their most recent memories, about trying to prevent Winter. Under more questioning, she explained there had been two potential ways Autumn would end -- either through fighting with Fomorians, or through the return of the Iron Road. Based on the fact that neither Liala nor Gaal Bonan had heard anything about the Iron Road, they concluded this had likely not occurred. This belief was strengthened by the fact that Gaal Bonan had heard of the "Fire Court" and the "Ice Court", which both the trio and the lords assumed were the same as the Fomorian "White Court" and "Red Court". Since there was nothing similar to the "Green Court", the last of the groups of Fomorians, Wendy assumed they had not been released, which seemed like a small mercy.
Gaal Bonan further asked if they recalled meeting him, as he believed they had in a past life. He added his name them had been Kosa the Bull, and, though the group did not recall meeting him, Wendy did recall some information about Kosa the Bull -- that he had been one of the Five Great Beasts who fought on the Battle Plains of Kureksarra. They theorized that, perhaps they would meet him later. Liala asked them the same, as they were familiar to her as well. She, however, had likely been in what sounded like some form of hibernation during those memories, and none of them had any recollection of her. The two of them additionally briefly explained how they had come to be treated as gods by the tribes of the Grass Sea; Liala granting luck to them when they had performed rites near her tree. Liala and Gaal Bonan also explained the interaction between the fae and mortal worlds now -- mortals with little banality in areas of low banality could see fae seemings, the ease of the process determined by the glamour of the fae in question. They finally offered the trio shelter for a few days if they wished, but the offered was declined as the group saw little need for further rest and, indeed, Wendy was slightly concerned for Charlotte (who had not come in with them), though they were assured that the tribe was taking good care of her.
They were led down the tree by Lord Gregarious, who, at Jerim's request, provided them fermented milk. In addition, he gave them some berry wine, and gave a small wooden kazoo-like instrument to his fellow Pooka Malthus. As they approached the exit from the dreaming, they found a pack of feral fae, like Pooka or satyrs but even wilder -- Fuath. After they scared Lord Gregarious away, they warned the trio, especially Wendy, that they didn't trust them (Wendy, as a "Bright One", even less so). They left, and Lord Gregarious returned and opened the trod for them.
Returning to the mortal world, they found Charlotte, stabled by the Grass Sea tribes, and prepared to leave. They were given 2 elks by the tribe, one of which they loaded with their drinks, and the other of which Jerim took for himself, while Martus and Wendy travelled on Charlotte. They continued on their trek to the Blasted Lands. The day past uneventfully, and they camped for the night, setting watches.
Jerim was up first, and, partway through his watch, he noticed some odd movement that he realized meant someone was watching them. Stealthily, he awoke Wendy, and indicated she should awake Martus while he would sneak around and try to surprise whoever was there. Of course, at about that point everything went to hell. Martus awoke with a start, and a scream, and ran away immediately, while Jerim fell and made a ruckus. Seeing this, Wendy started to move towards their watcher, with Charlotte in tow. One arrow, then another, streaked towards Charlotte, with no real impact, and Wendy was almost on the interloper when the interloper cried to Jerim to help.
And he realized the interloper was none other than Glenys, his long term girlfriend from back among his tribe. He got both her and Wendy to stay their hands for a moment, and talked to Glenys -- she was wondering what Jerim was doing, as she had assumed he had been captured and she was rescuing her, since something about Wendy didn't look quite right. Jerim feigned ignorance, which worked for a while. Glenys explained she'd convinced the Mirtins to wait where Jerim had left them, a dangerous proposition for their group, in the hopes he'd eventually return. Around then, Martus returned -- and to Glenys, Martus was obviously a "Beastman." Jerim explained that, yes, Martus was, but he trusted him and he was a good guy. Martus swore the he meant no harm, and Glenys was relaxed by this, as if she understood the full extent of the oath. Still, she was worried about Jerim's plan to bring the others to the Mirtins, in case they were servants of Queen Fallout. The two agreed that a better plan would be to escort Wendy and Martus to the edge of the Blasted Lands, and then leave them their while Glenys and Jerim returned to the tribe and explained what had happened after sending others to watch Wendy and Martus. Jerim explained the plan, sans the watchers, to Wendy and Martus, who agreed, having never really been too keen on entering the Blasted Lands. Wendy and Martus went back to sleep, as did Glenys, after getting a promise from Jerim to wake her before he slept, as she didn't trust being watched by either Wendy or Martus.
22nd day of the Month of the Calf
They arrived at the Blasted Lands late the next day, and Glenys and Jerim set off into the Blasted Lands. They camped for one night, and reached the Mirtin camp early the next day.
23rd day of the Month of the Calf
They were met on the outskirts by a defensive patrol lead by Narya, a Mirtin huntress who'd never really gotten along with Jerim. After Jerim and Narya traded barbs, they were brought into the camp, where Jerim met his grandfather, Baulson, who also happened to be one of the leaders of the tribe. After it became clear this was not a congenial family meeting, Jerim was ushered before the triumvirate, leaders of his tribe: Baulson, Jerim's grandfather and oldest male in the tribe; Serrat, the oldest woman in the tribe; and Padrakt, greatest warrior of the tribe. He explained, as he had to Glenys the night before, a somewhat redacted version of his adventures until then -- leaving out the parts about him being a fae, and remaining exactly consistent with what Glenys had already discovered. He claimed his staff was, he believed, a weapon for Queen Fallout, and that Martus was leading them to other weapons. He wanted to have some Mirtins assist them to prevent the weapons from falling into Queen Fallout's hand. While Padrakt seemed to want to help, Serrat hushed him and, instead, suggest Jerim head out and get breakfast.
As he left the tent, he was jumped by many of the tribe’s strongest wrestlers. He refused to resist, and was tied up and escorted to Garval, the tribe's healer, who began to perform a sort of exorcism on him. The worst Jerim felt was a slight tugging, and, two and a half hours later, Garval was unable to continue. It had been the longest exorcism he'd ever performed. Yet, when a young child came in to examine Jerim, the child explained Jerim still looked funny. The triumvirate and Jerim's mother, Irina, came into the tent. Garval assured them he had done all he could, and, though the triumvirate was unsure what to do, Irina's cries to let her son free gave Padrakt the confidence he needed to free Jerim. Jerim was given proper food then, and a welcome home, and an apology from those who had wrestled him down earlier. He sought out Glenys, who had heard what had happened, and the two put aside their differences again and hugged. Jerim explained that, regardless of the triumvirate’s decision, he intended to return to Wendy and Martus and see everything through to the end, and invited Glenys to come with them (she'd never been well loved among the tribe as something of a smart-alec, and lost most of the goodwill she had getting them to wait so long for Jerim). They returned to camp, and eventually the triumvirate brought everyone together and explained they could not sanction sending a group with him. Glenys explained she was going, and the tribe set out to send them off -- Padrakt explained that he would miss Jerim in their battles, while Irina gave Jerim a necklace his father had worn which he had believed would protect him from the spirits. Jerim, in return, left his tribe the fermented milk and berry wine, and he and Glenys returned to Wendy and Martus.
When he got back, he explained that the tribe had not offered assistance, and that they could set out again. However, when Wendy discovered that Glenys was coming with them, she insisted Jerim tell Glenys. Jerim tried once again to bluff his way out of admitting the truth to Glenys, but now she was having none of it. Left with no other option, he called upon the Wyrd and revealed his Eshu self to her. He told her that he wasn't evil. She was unconvinced, and so he explained the process of oaths to her and swore that, in fact, he'd only known he was fae for the last 4 days. She also made him swear that he'd told her everything relevant, and so, after giving her a full account of all that had transpired, he swore that as well. Glenys was still very upset, having given up her life with the Mirtins, even if just temporarily, for a spirit, but seemed to at least be willing to see things through.