Saturday, April 30, 2011

Darach Seanathair (Grandfather Oak)

The challenge:

A Giant Oak was placed on Taure Ru as part of the new terra forming. This is a very very special oak and will hold a special place of honor in the lore of the United Kingdoms of Taure Ru. You are invited to help create that lore by submitting a proposed name and back story for this tree. (must be under 500 words.) Winner will be awarded the honor of reading their back story at the Beltane Feast on May 1.

Chene's Reply:

The dryad settled at the great roots of the huge tree in the forest of Taure Rue and it seemed to hover over her protectively. She leaned her head against the trunk as her mind linked with the old oak. “Ancient One, when I first came to this place you were not here. Why did you come?”

She heard his ponderous voice deep within her mind. “Daughter of the Trees, I am here because of an Amhran, a song of great need, not the song that you and your Sisters sing when you speak with the Ancient Ones, nor the melody you croon when you Sing a Tree. This song expressed hope of renewal for a land that had become dry and sere, a wasteland of rotting stumps and scorched earth. The Elders heard the song that your Mór Shaman fashioned and sent me as Caomhnóir ar an Iarmhéid, Guardian of the Balance.

“It is given to me to protect all of the creatures of the woods and the plants of the earth no matter if they be dark or light. The world was meant to encompass both the shadow and the sunlight; one cannot exist without the other. Listen and you will hear the wolves howl at the moon and the snakes slither in the grass. The insects that sting and the wild beasts that feast on flesh; all of these I have summoned to aid me in keeping the balance. My roots go deep and wide that I may feel the power within the earth and my crown reaches high that I may hear the song created as every thing exists together, whether that be in discord or in harmony. When consulted, I will provide guidance and counsel and occasionally I may give this even when not asked.” The great oak shook its leaves in silent laughter.

The dryad smiled to herself. A wise old oak with a sense of humor would be a welcome addition to the forest. “Do you have a name, Ancient One?”

The tree cautiously replied, “I have had many names throughout the ages, Little One. Some souls call me Oude Eik Verweerd and others name me Pohon Dari Usia. I have answered to Sage Vieux Chêne and Darach d’Aois. I acknowledge all of these names for I am not the same to each of you.”

The dryad gently laid her hand upon the aged tree and said softly “My own name for you will be Athair Mór de Mo Chroí, but I will call you Darach Seanathair in the presence of others.”

When she had said this she felt the tree tremble and heard a gentle rustle of leaves as the breeze sighed through his branches and he spoke in her mind. “Ingen mo chroí, I tell you that as long as I, Darach Seanathair, stand here, the balance of shadow will remain.” And the dryad lifted her head in delight.

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Yes, Chene is back. Emy was asked to bring her Maypole dance and Alk's minstrel's skills to the Beltane Festival this year and since SweetPea is gone, Chene was resurrected. Look for more stories to be shared...

Friday, April 29, 2011

Sirena Waits For An Answer

Damian enters The Place once again, hoping to find Sirena who had promised him an answer to his request and finds three women dancing. “Greetings everyone.”

ιηα (ina.crannock): greetings

Sirena says politely "Greetings Damian"

Jeni Luik lowers her eyes in respect

Damian: I see that all of your beauty is for my eyes only tonight. This is my lucky night.

Sirena Lauria says "pfffft"

Damian: I am not familiar with your sayings. Is 'pffft' a local greeting?

ιηα (ina.crannock): laughs

Sirena screws up her face to make a sharp retort and then laughs instead. She continues to dance, tying to ignore the Sylvan Ranger.

Damian savors the newly lit pipe while enjoying the dancers

Sirena watches the ranger smoke the pipe and hopes his head becomes muddled quickly before he remembers that she promised him an answer tonight.

Damian stands and leaves the pipe before it gets too strong. He says "Sirena, you promised me an answer to my request tonight. I hope I am not too late for it "

Sirena Lauria grimaces "I have thought long and hard about your request. You are aware that I really don’t need a protector, except perhaps when I am in Sylvan lands."

Damian smiles in response "Thinking is good and I am listening"

Sirena says slowly "I will accept your offer with reservations"

ιηα (ina.crannock) listens to the conversation.

Damian asks "and those reservations are?"

Sirena says "You must explain to your commander why you will be in Torgan lands so often. That is the first reservation. I will not be responsible for your loss of employment.”

Damian notes "fair enough"

Sirena continues “Second, the arrangement will be for a year and a day, no longer.”

Damian smiles "done"

Sirena smiles as she says "And last, you must learn to dance."

Damian hesitates... “to dance? to dance where? when?”

ιηα (ina.crannock): laughs. I want to see the ranger dance!

Damian: I am training to be a fighter

Sirena says "The dance is the most important thing in my life and you must learn to dance. I do not mean on the sand, as I do, but as others do."

Damian asks "Dance with others in here then?"

Sirena says "Of course! You do not expect ME to dance with you, do you?"

Damian looks disappointed

Sirena Lauria stops her dance and approaches Damian. She puts her hands on her hips. "Those are my terms."

Damian says "Let me summarize: 1. tell my commander, 2. one year and a day, 3. learn to dance.”

Sirena says "Perfect."

Damian asks "Is that it?

Sirena nods "If those are unacceptable I will understand"

Damian explains "I will speak with my commander. If he finds my quest acceptable I will agree."

Sirena Lauria says "pfffft"

Damian: another strange welcome?

Sirena Lauria laughs again. “Now I am waiting for your answer"

ιηα (ina.crannock) whispers .. Men are such strange beasts

Damian states "I will let you know as soon as I have a had a chance to speak with him"

Sirena Lauria inclines her head gracefully and walks to a bench to sit, dismissing him "Good evening Damian"

Damian: "I do not think it will be a problem with him. I must away for the evening. Good evening ladies. Enjoy your dancing."

Jeni says to Damian "May you be well"

ιηα (ina.crannock) waves as he passes

Damian: "Be well. I look forward to learning to dance with all of you."

ιηα (ina.crannock): laughs

Jeni says to Damian "You will find your soul."

Damian Waits For An Answer

Queens Ranger Damian enters The Place at Taure Ru, tired from his exploring, and notices the lovely Sirena dancing with others.

Sirena Lauria notices the sylvan ranger and sighs. Having been reminded that she is to be polite to all, she forces a smile and says "Good evening Damian"

Damian: Good evening Sirena. Good evening everyone.

GrandMother Wolf nods to Damian

Damian nods to Grandmother Wolf. “Good evening. Thank you for the lesson today.”

GrandMother Wolf: "You are welcome son, it is what I do"

Damian says 'Such a pity so many beautiful women are dancing here with such a small audience."

Sirena says sharply "Then you should feel honored."

Damian: It is a welcome relief to be able to rest in such nice surroundings after a day of exploring

Sirena tries to ignore the ranger politely.

GrandMother: "aye, it is a pleasant respite"

Damian asks Sirena "Have you considered my offer to be your protector?

Sirena looks at him "I do not need your protection and I have told you so."

Damian feels confused "But you asked for protection"

Sirena says "You are mad Ranger. I need no protection. The Place needs a peace keeper, but not one such as you"

Damian replies "Have it your way then. My offer will not last forever."

Sirena smiles, glad that they are in agreement at last and tries to lose herself in the dance.

Damian notes "You may not want me for a peacekeeper for this place but I am sworn to protect you none the less for saving my life so you have some personal protection whether you want it or not"

Sirena sighs, "Will you never be done with that? I was merely doing what my God and my training have bid me. If I had known the consequences of my actions I should have left you for dead."

Damian stands and leans against the wall. The smoke from the pipe has affected him. "Some day you will be thankful that you did m'lady"

Sirena stops dancing, turns to him and says "If I take you as my protector, what benefit for you?"

Damian: "What benefit for me you ask? The satisfaction of paying a debt, and to an enchanting woman.”

Sirena nods "That perhaps would be a way for the debt to be discharged." She says to herself "Perhaps he will then leave me alone"

Damian: “In the land where I come from, women like you are princesses and queens.”

Sirena says "Flattery indeed, I can see that you have been trained in diplomacy, with a silver tongue." She sighs "I will consider your offer. Come back tomorrow night and I will have an answer for you."

Damian replies "Thank you m'lady. You won't regret it should you decide in my favor. I will return tomorrow night as you ask."

Sirena inclines her head and returns to the dance circle.

No Good Deed Ever Goes Unpunished

These series of plays occurred over a three week period at The Place in the Klavnork Keep, Torgan Empire. Taure Ru

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Damian (silverwing.benoir): does anyone know where Sirena went? I would like to speak with her

Ina (ina.crannock): she is upstairs…points

Damian: aha thanks. He walks up the stairs and locates Sirena who is dancing on the balcony

Damian: Greetings Sirena. We meet again.

Sirena Lauria shakes her head and sees the trainee she once healed. "Greetings Damian."

Damian: I am Queen's Ranger Damian, here to make an announcement.

Sirena raises an eyebrow at the ranger and says "Well, spit it out man."

Damian: The dancer Sirena saved my life some weeks ago when she found me unconscious in the forest, shortly after I arrived in this land.

Manwell Roux: Greetings King Zig ... this is a nice place you have here ... I like it very much *looks around*

Damian: I owe Sirena my life.

Sirena calls down to the green orc "Greetings King Zig."

Damian: She made it clear that she does not like rangers and humans but ... It is not right that one so beautiful and talented should live her life with such fear in her heart.

Zig (grotch.qarnac): Greetings Lady Sirena

Damian: I hereby make it my quest to change the blackness she holds for rangers into lightness.

Manwell: In good time Lady Sirena ... in good time *smirks*

Damian: Such a light would only serve to make her even more beautiful than she already is.

Sirena is speechless for a split second. Then she says "You are crazed Damian. Go away."

Odil Lumiere: does not always pay to save a handsome young man

Zig: How do you fare Lady Sirena?

Damian: Remember I am here to protect you if you ever need it

Sirena Lauria says to King Zig "I am being accosted by a Sylvan ranger. I need a peace keeper to remove him! Can someone remove him from my presence please?"

Odil Lumiere: hehe

Zig: Ranger, you are upsetting the Lady

Morgoth Dragonash shrugs... "Rangers..."

Zig pulls a straight edge from his boot

Damian says "This is a good time for a new pipe."

Manwell Roux: *stops dancing*

Kami Kaze (kaminari.exonar): Aw, unrequited love, how... nauseating

Zig: Ranger, don’t make me go all "ic" on your arse now

Odil Lumiere: how I love drama, other peoples hehe

Damian: no need for 'ick' Zig. I am leaving her. back to dancing!

Odil Lumiere: so busy listening to all the good deeds. no good deed ever goes unpunished