The Rose of Nelthroch

[Rigwyn]

The Rose of Nelthroch
By Eldersen Valderoth of Nelthroch


My departure from Nelthroch Village was not adorned with bittersweet goodbyes and warm embraces to cherish along the way, but with the sourness of  regret and the unbearable weight of dread. No caramelized treat or crystalline flash of light could mask that taste or lessen the darkness into which I would trek. Not even the gold of bees or rusting of autumn's foliage could distract me from the choices I had made. How I wish someone else could have been chosen to bear this task.

In my heart, were words who's weight would drag me down. Like a cold and dented anvil, they made each hill feel twice as steep, and each beast from whom I fled, ever more menacing. If only they knew of the burden and responsibility that I bore for myself, for my people, and even for them, then perhaps they would not stand in my way and add to my chore.

~~*~~

On the third night of my journey from the the Lower Fields, I laid within the split of a great stone and there I took refuge and prayed. Offering a fourth of my meal to the goddess through the mouth a small, nocturnal beast, I asked her how I might lessen the weight upon my soul. "I cannot walk any farther like this.", I complained. "This weight is overwhelming, I have no more hope."

I fell asleep in sorrow, but awoke in dazzling light. There in my midst, she stood clothed in golden leaves and rose petals – impossibly placed. She spoke with motherly adoration, the wisdom of an elderly woman, yet with the playfulness of a child. “Seek true love, learn of me, and when you are done with your task, I will escort you home.”

Her words were immediately written upon my soul. I could feel them deep beneath my flesh, and they changed me that very night. I could not sleep, and so chose to journey forward through the night with nothing but my staff with which to feel my way through the blackened forest, and the hope in my heart to light my way.

“To Hydlaa, and beyond!”

{{

I'll be posting progress in Eldersen's path in story format; always a bit behind so as not to spoil any surprises. Feel free to add any of your own observations, writings, encounters, and so on. I see this as a collage or memories, so don't be shy.

Unlike past events, I don't plan on actually running an event, per se, but rather simply role playing with several pre-chosen objectives and seeing where things go.

}}

[Rigwyn]

Day 2

Morning was soaked with dew and clouded by fog that blanketed ground below – spilling over the landscape like a vast swath of cotton. I was hungry once again, and chose to make of meal of wild berries and greens that I plucked as I continued on my quest. The berries were strangely bitter, and the green leaves and tender stalks a bit tough. This level had plants unlike those that I was accustomed to, but they were nourishing, nonetheless.

Feeling unusually tired, I stopped for a rest upon a fallen tree. There I sat at first, and then laid with my arms and legs dangling lazily on either side. The forest was shifting beneath me, and the squeaks and screeches of the insects and fowl rang awfully in my head as my thoughts shifted in ways that made no sense. What was unimaginable was suddenly quite tangible and convincing to say the least, though I could remember very little when the spell that had me rapt had ceased.

It was during that period of delusion that a scaly, green creature had crept along my shoulder and whispered strange words into my ear. He spoke like a man of intelligence, but had the body of a very large newt or salamander. From his scaly little lips came a stream of words that made me question my journey.

“Silly elf. You seek to change the future with your deeds. Don't you realize that you are just a cog in a great puzzle? You are a product of the past, not an agent of change. Only gods can change the future, mortal.”

It was not so much his words that changed me, but the way they played and danced in my dizzy mind. Had I really put the cart before horse? How can a ball that has been dropped just “choose” to do something other than fall to the ground and bounce? How can I possibly change the future and rectify the past deeds that threated to destroy and enslave my village? If I waited and did nothing, surely fate would take its course. Am I not a mere spectator before the play of life?

I awoke from my stupor in confusion and despair once more. Perhaps my vision of Xiosia was just dream, a taste of delirium, or the effects of a mouth full of badly fermented wine. I promptly discarded my wineskin and continued along my path – questioning myself every step of the way. Alas, the city of Hydlaa was visible though a break in the forest.

[Rigwyn]

Day 3


Hydlaa was not at all as I had expected. There were wells at various points in the city where people drew water with which to wash and drink, and sewers beneath the pavement to take away their excrement and swill. The citizens lived in tall buildings that looked like crates with holes in the sides and stacked one on top of the next. How could anyone live like this? There was barely a tree in sight – maybe two or thee, and what grasses that grew were confined to small orthogonal strips and plots. I questioned  what sort of people would live in such disarray.

Eager to see what else there was, I took ride upon a trained pterosaur to the Klyros village known as Andemnier. Such a strange name, and like Hydlaa, the village too was rather bizarre. Once again there were “houses” with holes in the side through which to see. There were flat, square stones all over the ground upon which they walked when they were not flapping and flying about. Like Hydlaa and the rest of this strange level, the little bit of water that could found was in small ponds and ceramic jars.

It was there that I sought a moments solitude in the wine cellar. It seems to be the perfect place to escape and gather my thoughts, but as I crept along the hall, it was apparent that I was not alone. I heard voices, and they were not my own.

Upon the floor, laid an elven woman with fine, blue flesh like my own, long black hair, and slender limbs. She was strange to look at, yet astonishingly beautiful despite the strange markings on her skin. In her presence was an Enkein couple who I later came to know as Prreta and Celroc. The latter was instrumental in helping me to meet my first Xiosian contacts in Hydlaa.

I spoke with Allena that day, the marked woman who I saw upon the floor, and over tea we discussed my latest dilemma on change and fate – though I did not present it to her as a problem, but as a casual topic for discussion. Her insight was piercing and quickly dismantled my confusion. I left confident that day, that my quest was not in vain, yet also realizing what grave danger I was in.

My conversation with their de facto leader, Siteya the next day confirmed my new found conclusions that mankind is in fact, capable of changing the future via choice, but that also means that mankind is subject to horrendous danger should the wrong choices be made. I shall choose carefully; very carefully.

Having read the materials provided by Siteya and Roled, I feel that potion of my quest is complete. With these books, I can return to my village and share what education they hold. Surely, Xiosia will be more inclined to tend our pleas for help given the correct formulations, rituals, and... “dances around trees.”

And now I sit and carve for myself, a new figurine to hang from my necklace. Another ruqua like the one I gave to that beautiful girl would be trite. Perhaps I'll choose a new design. Perhaps something to ease my mind as I embark on my next task, perhaps a distraction to safeguard my nerves from those who follow in my shadow and watch as I sleep.


(( Allena is blue... Oops! Will fix later xD ))

[Roled]

[Roled had a fine talk with this Eldersen fellow, and RR's player left thinking, 'wow that's a good roleplayer, clearly did his homework for a new player.' 

I admire you, Rigster, in so many ways, because it never occurred to me that you were anyone I know, much less that the nolthrir shared a creator with Rigwyn! Your character was complete, kind (seemingly), honest (seeminly) and full of appreciation for Xiosia!    Bravo !!! for totally tricking me which is, after all, how it should be. I commend your skills again and again (/me bows respectfully) and RR is looking forward to finding out IC what these secrets are that compel you new nolthrir so passionately.~      ]

[Candy]

[You're tempting me to stay up too late to meet this character ]

[Rigwyn]

[ Seems our schedules have not been lining up. Hopefully they do soon. I look forward to rping with you all. ]

[Mariana Xiechai]

[Hopefully I get a day off soon so I can do as Candy said and stay up to meet this fellah!]

[Rigwyn]

Day 6

Isn't it funny how in a city so large, one can bump into the same folks repeatedly? I wonder sometimes if such coincidences are truly by chance or by some other force? If by force, then which, and for what reasons?

Blessed with coincidences fuelled by forces unknown, I found myself at the base of tree with the Enkien couple Celroc Pretta- who's face I strained to look at with great difficulty and unease. How does one smile in to the eyes of another while ignoring the disturbing wounds upon their face?  How does one enquirer about their origin without offending? Sometimes the questions just slip out on their own, and the answers trail not to far behind. This is exactly what had happened.

Equally haggard was her sister Allena, the curious blue girl who I had met upon the cellar floor, and their third sister, who appeared a bit pooped, but nothing like the other two. The three of them were quite bright in their own unique ways. I should have been wary of this, but was not. Anysu too looked like she had been through the mill, and to think that they were all healers, yet broken and ailed with wounds from their laborious lives. I would have never guessed.

By this time, the weight of my burden was wearing me down, so I posed a hypothetical question to relieve myself and to gain their wisdom, but without revealing my plight. Before long, I was left feeling naked before them, undressed by their insight, and eagerness to pry and offer me aid. Fearing for what might come about, I abruptly excused myself and ran. For it seemed that each word left me deeper in a trench of lies that eroded the soil beneath my feet as the weight of this terrible anvil pressed me deeper into the ground. I was drowning and in need of a hand.

[Rigwyn]

Day 6 ½

“Roled! Is that you?”

The elven figure stood in a relaxed sort of manner next to the town's seller of potted plants and fat sacks. The Ynnwn was not offering a grab at his bags this time, but was holding his hand out as if to shoosh my new friend away. It was hardly the way to treat a man of such great esteem and prowess. The very leader of the male dominated Xiosian coven of Hydlaa, BOX was it? JOX? Or was it ... SOX! That was it!

Seeing poor Roled bleed from his chin as he rocked unsteadily on his feet, I reached out to brace him, lest he fall and dash his head upon the ground. He was sick more than once, and I offered to return to clean his mess, but Kaiman had already managed to clean his own leg and made it quite clear that we need not return. Embarrassed by what appeared to be the result of a lack of moderation, I helped my fellow elf across the orthogonal strip of grass and into the sanitarium for a rest.

It was there, in the enclave, the very symbol of my goddess's soul, that I opened up to my dear companion and relieved the weight that crushed my heart. It was a terrible secret that I carried with me. I repressed it to what extend that I could. I hid it for fear of the repercussions and scorn, the abuse and hatred that might rain upon my soul. I felt ashamed to carry such a black secret so deep witin.

The relief that my dear brother in Xiosia offered made me feel light, though still quite afraid. Although we spoke in secret, we heard a strange noise just outside the tent. I was immediately struck with fear that someone might overhear my terrible secret and spread it throughout the town – staining the lips and ears of all who it touched.

It was at this point, that I chose to go into hiding. We left by pterosaur and made a stop along the way where I changed my appearance and checked to see if we were followed. In my new place of hiding, I was given food, water, and protection via magics unbeknownst to me. I sit now, behind a large door that glows quite magically, that is bolted shut with a heavy beam and sturdy, metal hasp. Despite these protections, I do not feel safe at all.

I can only hope and pray that those who are enlisted by this kind brother of Xiosian light will be silent so as not to be heard, stealthy so as not to be caught, clever so as not to be tricked, and quite thorough so as not to be captured by those of my enemies who return from the realm. For they are relentless, cruel, and lack in human empathy.

[Rigwyn]

Day 7

Sleep came despite my stubborn protests, and kept me immobile until well past mid day. When I checked the door, it was still locked, but the magical seal was no more. I left my hiding place feeling rested, though still quite troubled and somewhat scared.

Using another travel token, I made my way to Hydlaa once more, and took a walk to the sacred garden – constantly checking over my shoulder and around each turn for spies and assassins. Perhaps it was all in my head – a mere delusion of grandeur. Was I so special that the forces of evil would look for me of all folks, and make it their business to hunt me down?

In the garden were three women gathered about the tree. The tall one facing me, I did not know, and the same for the Enkien lady who sat upon the grass. I thought I knew who the elven one was, but I hesitated to approach as I had not invitation and no business barging into their discussion. That said, I found time to review my Xiosian materials under the shade of a less than spectacular tree – but a tree, nonetheless.

Now bored, I decided to approach the group and introduce myself. But what if they were spies, non believers who just decided to sit there and wait for me to approach? I decided that I was just being irrational and went ahead despite my strange fears. My instincts proved right.

Having met Siteya's old friend Elady, I realized that the coven of Xiosia was rather large. She excused herself after a short while, leaving me with Siteya – alone and under the great tree.  It was there that I confided in her a portion of my woes, and a question that troubled me so. That of the proposition of justified murder.

Should the murder of a terrible person prevent the torturous demise of many more, and if the avoidance of action would trigger equally horrid results, then would it not be right to kill the terrible person to save the many?

This question drew out invaluable discussion and insight as well as emotions the were not of the most pleasant type. For it seems that to walk the way of Xiosia means to not kill, but to celebrate life. This conclusion was most bitter to me, and as it became clear, I drew from my pocket a small Nelthroch rose and gave it a squeeze. The pain was nigh intolerable.

The Nelthroch rose is a small, golden figurine the shape of a beautiful rose. It's stem is lined with long, sharp thorns – designed specifically to draw pain when touched. Though there are many meanings embedded in the symbolism, the one that is most obvious is that with love comes pain, and the two seem to be magically entwined. What is a rose without a thorn, or the thorns without the rose?

I gave this trinket to Siteya in gratitude for the help and insight that she provided me with, and hope to repay my dear friend Roled with a similar reward. As for my predicament, I think I may be left with a choice that is both right and regrettable, both flower, and thorn.

[Rigwyn]

Day [scratched out]

The days have blurred past, and I've found little time to record and reflect. It seems that the nagging sensation of being watched has become commonplace. Strange sounds spook me when alone and when talking in private with company. Now and then I see the back of a foot rushing into the shadows when I turn, I check my food, and sometimes go without eating for fear of being poisoned or drugged.

Are my fears well founded? Honestly, I do not know. I have reason to be afraid, but they could be nothing more than my bias and expectations blinding me. This is disquieting.

On the positive side, I've come out to Roled in the presence of some rather friendly folks at Kada El's, they all seemed to be surprisingly accepting of my choice. It seems that sometimes the stave is needed where a flower does not suffice. I am hereby gripping the stem of the Nethroch rose, and embracing its pain for the sake of love. What is love without pain, what is the rose without it's thorny stem. It is a cheap imitation, unworthy of even the least sophisticated nose.

In the seclusion of an alleyway, I submitted myself to my new mentor. He has taught be the very basics of magic, and the proper use of glyphs and spells. I will learn to fight, to embrace the cold reality of justified war for the sake of peace. May Xiosia not turn her gaze from me, as I fear that my other options will not suffice.