Jaekob at the Hall of the Ancients, Part 2

   The Druid was exhausted and fell into reverie exactly where he had collapsed, exhausted by the formidable journey to the Halls of Honor. (Reverie is the elvish form of sleep. They rest but are aware of everything around them.) It was hours or was it days before he slipped back into a total awareness, his clothes torn and ragged his hair unkempt, dirty and tangled. His body was caked in various dirts and muds chronicling his journey to the Halls of Honor, home of the Ancients.

   Slowly, he pushed upward on his palms and rose to stand near the statue. He wanted to touch it, his body ached to render his flesh to the marvel that shone itself before him. Then he paused and looked first to his right to note the large doors he had pushed open and left for the cold to have its way. Still the Halls felt amazingly comfortable. He reached into his rucksack and fumbled around until he found the last piece of lembas bread. He slowly removed the mallorn leaf and began to nibble the dry, crisp bread slowly. Then his tired eyes caught sight of the steps leading to the dais and the throne which sat there, wrapped in vines and limbs that probably rivaled his age easily.

Jaekob Discovers the Throne of the Ancients

He moved slowly, each step seemingly deliberate as his worn body moved up each step until his trembling fingers could touch the throne.. It was warm to the touch; it did not reflect the cold outside or the emptiness of the Hall. Rather, it seemed as if the owner had only just arisen from the throne. He let his hand grasp the arm of the throne and let his body slowly move to sit on the throne of the ancients. Then, his body seemed to tremble and he let go the arm of the throne and stepped backward as if some awe or fear had creeped through his worn body.

Then he turned and with a heavy sigh moved back down the steps that had led to the dais, he began to weave and work his way through the thick vines searching each room, each nook and cranny for signs of life. After all, he had come to the Halls for answers, for help. And he would not leave until he had them.

Fiesty Prepares for War, the War Room Scene

The morning found Fiesty trying out a new recipe for a corn cake that she and Tangles had collaborated on. It was really easy and did not need much to make it up, just corn meal, water, salt, sugar, and a little milk. You could even get by without the milk. That made it a good recipe for the hobbit scouts. She remembered how fun it was to experiment new recipes with Tangles and decided to call it Tanglecake.

Perhaps she would include it in the Tavern recipes. The Tavern cook Bertha was game for new foods and would probably improve on it a bit. Those new seeds Fae Talia had traded her for were really something. The tomatoes were good in season and were pretty good dried. The taters kept in storage a long time, and the corn was a real find. Fiesty couldn’t wait to try out Talia’s latest batch of seeds. She had said they were big green round things with red sweet insides. But those seeds had to wait for spring, so Fiesty put them away carefully.

Fiesty Making Her Rounds

Then it was time for a few errands and lunch with Copper and Juste. She left her cozy burrow and felt the cooling autumn breeze. Soon now she would have to bring her cloak, but the sun was shining enough to warm her. She looked out Southwest toward the Lighthouse and thought fleetingly of the task Tangles had taken on. He had left this morning with a few hobbit boys to keep lookout at the mouth of the Longflood River and the white cliffs. It was bound to be uncomfortable up there in the wind and the elements. She strengthened her resolve to see what she could do for them.

 Next stop the Millhouse. The winter was coming on and there was much to do. There was drying of all sorts of produce, and storage of grain and meat. Everything needed to be done quickly. As she entered the millhouse,  Fiesty smiled and looked around. The place was humming with activity. Some Hobbit girls were cutting off the corn kernels from the drying cobs to be milled, while other Hobbits shucked the cobs and laid out the silk on racks to be dried and used as a healing tea. The older hobbit men were at the grinder processing and hauling away flour and cornmeal to the storage burrows.
The Hobbit girl Maisie Boffin was hauling water for the mead and she smiled at Fiesty as she came in. Fiesty thought she was such a pretty Hobbit and was happy Copper was not around to gawk at her.

 "Oh yes" she mumbled, "Lunch…"
Fiesty then ambled off to the Tavern for her lunch with Copper and Juste.
She entered the Tavern and saw Copper there waiting for her.

Copper Lotus: "Hi Auntie. Where ya been? Lunch time be important!"

Fiesty Lotus nods "Yes. But I had a few errands to do. Well, I am here now so let’s eat."
They repasted on roast duck and tater fritters with a little salad. Copper gobbled his lunch with gusto. Then he began thinking of dessert but Fiesty addressed him before he could get up to ask Bertha about it.

Fiesty Lotus: "Ahh, Juste must have even more ter do. Tell you what Copper, Let's tell Bertha to make him up something and send him upstairs shortly."
Copper Lotus nods, choking back his last mouthful. "Alright Auntie, lead the way."
They proceed up the stairs and Copper notices Fiesty has taken out a long rolled up paper from her knapsack. He holds his tongue and watches while she unrolls a map of the Shire. She weights it down with various cups, and then looks up at him seriously.

Fiesty Lotus: "Copper, I know you be young, but yer do have experience in wartime. Back on the Island they said yer did well in battle."
Fiesty Lotus: "And I expect yer had some fighten when yer sailed them ships. So, I want you ter head up my scouts there in the North."

 Copper Lotus grows serious. "Yes, I see that the bridge and the river should be watched."
Fiesty Lotus nods, "Tangles has already left for the Lighthouse and the Cliffs in the Southwest. You will be in charge of our border."
Copper Lotus: "I kin do that. I will need ter round me up a few boys that kin shoot."
Copper Lotus stares at the map considering his options and who he should take.
Fiesty Lotus: "It is gettin chilly; remember to take warm clothes and provisions."
Copper Lotus grins at his doting aunt. "I will, and I will make sure me men do too.
Fiesty Lotus: "You know of the dangers- I have told you about them, Them Drow may not get this far South, but we is takin no chances. They be sneaky and mean as an adder."
Copper Lotus: "Yes Auntie. I do remember you talkin about them. We will take no chances."
Fiesty Lotus: "Yes- that is good."

Juste Rivers rushes up the steps to meet with his hobbit friends. He runs through the door huffing and puffing but manages to say, "Mees is 'ere. Mees was doing a chore for Missy Amethyst and forgot da time."
Fiesty Lotus: "That's all right Juste- did you get the food Bertha has for you downstairs?"
Copper Lotus nods to Juste.
Juste Rivers nods, "She done told me abouts it and mees told 'er mees would get it after a bits."
Fiesty Lotus nods- "Well- I won't take up much of your time. I am going over with Copper the plans for keeping watch on the Shire borders."
Juste Rivers: "You bees worried bout dem dowries?"
Fiesty Lotus: "He and Tangles are sharing out the most vulnerable area."

Juste Rivers: "Wells mees can 'elp too."
Fiesty Lotus: "Yes , indeed. What I need from you Juste is…  I need a supply sergeant. The boys will be strung out at the White Cliffs and the Northern border."
Juste Rivers puffs up his shoulders, "Mees can be da supply 'obbit?"
Fiesty Lotus: "They need a way to survive and keep warm."
Fiesty Lotus: "So I need someone to head up getting them the supplies they need."
Juste Rivers: "Mees will take very good care of all da men off pertecting us."

Copper, Juste and Fiesty

Fiesty Lotus points with a stick at the X on the map.
Juste Rivers walks closer and looks at the map.
Fiesty Lotus: "This will be your supply burrow."
Fiesty Lotus: "And anything else you can scare up will be good."
Juste Rivers nods, "Mees supply burrow is where da X is?"
Fiesty Lotus: "Yes."
 Fiesty Lotus: "You will get some boys and girls to shuttle the goods up to the Cliffs and the river."
Fiesty Lotus: "They will count on you."
Juste Rivers: "Okays and mees gots a good cart for da 'eavy stuffs."
Fiesty Lotus nods.
Fiesty Lotus: "That's good."
Juste Rivers: "So Mistah Tangles is already gone off to do da pertecting and Mistah Copper is on 'is way soon?"
Fiesty Lotus: "Yes, Tangles is already gone and Copper is going to round up some recruits immediately."
Juste Rivers nods, "Den mees will go spectate the supply burrow and sees whut mees 'ave and whut mees needs."
Fiesty Lotus: "I don't need to impress on you the importance of this. WE are in danger. Them Drow is nasty."
Fiesty Lotus: "Good. Then we are agreed."
Juste Rivers: "Yes Missy Druid Fiesty, mees will take dis 'ere job very serious."
Fiesty Lotus: "I know you will Juste."
Fiesty Lotus: "I am ajurnin this meetin. Thank you both for your help."
Juste Rivers nods and stands very proper, "Tanks you. Mees will get rights to work."
Juste Rivers turns and hurries out of the inn..

Market Day and other Events

The River Lands Roleplay Community hosts a variety of events on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Everyone is welcome to attend these events, either as an active roleplay participant or just an observer.

Market Day (Thursdays) and Hobbit Elevenses (Sundays) are fully in-character events, where citizens of the Lands gather to shop, dance, eat and mostly gossip! Usually a fun affair with plenty of laughs, they also provide a possibility to keep up with current storylines or create new ones.

Drum Circle (Mondays) and Bardic Tales (to be announced) are more informal gatherings... a time to spend enjoying each others company and catching up on everyday things. Bardic Tales features some wonderful storytellers from our community and around the metaverse -  an opportunity to lose yourself in far-flung tales and fantastical adventures!

There is an events board at our Welcome Area and we also post events to the GCG Calendar (http://www.brownbearsw.com/cal/GCGEvents). 
These events are the perfect opportunity for all those who are curious about roleplay... just what it is we do, or how to get involved! Being a part of an active roleplay community is very rewarding, although it may seem daunting to many who have not tried it as yet, but we welcome newcomers or seasoned players, and the amount of time you invest is up to you.

Come and explore the River Lands Roleplay Community!
HyperGrid: http://login.greatcanadiangrid.ca:8002:River City
or 
GCG: the River Lands, The Sea of Rivers I (120, 109, 4001) 

Ame visits the Shire (Quest Roleplay)

Amethyst McMahon paces nervously around the market stalls, her mind buzzing with possibilities, smiling and nodding to the townsfolk, her thoughts obviously elsewhere...

Amethyst McMahon wanders across to the mangy cat who lurks around the fountain mewling for scraps and bends down to stroke behind it's ears, muttering softly to the apparently interested feline, "I tell you, it's astounding that he has done it again. He said he wouldn't disappear on me after his last outing to Mirkwood and yet...," she stands abruptly, nearly sending the cat flying, turns hastily and begins marching towards the bridge leading out of Cheshire, "...and yet, here we are spending hours and days wondering and worrying about the Druid!"

She hastily crosses the bridge and half runs through the forest towards the Henge, shaking her head in irritation as an idea forms in her mind. "Why didn't I think of this earlier! I will go to Hobbit Shire in search of ArchDruid Fiesty. She may be able to tell me more about Jaek's mysterious disappearance. The Druid's have much wisdom, but just as many secrets!"

Amethyst McMahon reaches the bridge leading to the Shire. Upon following the path and turning to climb some rough wooden steps, she stops to admire the home of the Hobbits of the Lands. An idyllic and peaceful place, yet she has attended a few rowdy Hobbit festivities in the path and smiles as she remembers just how much the wee folk love to eat, drink and be merry.

The Shire is quiet and the doors to the charming Hobbit homes are all closed. Her gaze sweeps the meadows and fishing spots, but there is no one to be seen.

"I wonder where everyone is? I had hoped to at least see Juste," she pouts and decides to circle back and walk past the gardens in expectation of seeing some bustling Hobbit activity there...

Amethyst McMahon looks pleased as she enjoys the sight of the burgeoning Hobbit gardens, bursting with fruit and vegetables and she considers gathering some beeswax from nearby hives that Juste usually looks after, in order to assist the Shire's candlemaker in her work. With the darker days upon them, Yuletide festivities were being planned everywhere. A call had gone out during Market Day for people to gather beeswax for the Candlemaker of the Shire - demand was high at this time of year!

Amethyst McMahon guides get steps to the hive hanging high above a fragrant field of late summer wildflowers.

She reaches into her pouch, talking to herself as she rummages among the contents, "...my new dagger is just what I need to gather some beeswax and I can deliver it on my way to see Fiesty."

The Candlemaker has her workshop on the banks of the sea. Amethyst approaches the wooden hut as the sky radiates the setting sun in warm, startling hues. The Candlemaker is standing smiling on the threshold as she pauses before her, grinning, "Good day to you! I've heard you are in dire need of beeswax just now!" 

The Candlemaker (NPC) beams and holds out her hands to gather the pieces of beeswax in her outstretched hands. "Now bless ye, M'Lady Amethyst! It be such an honour to see ye here an' to think you took the time to get me some wax."

Amethyst McMahon brushes her hands down her skirt to remove the last traces of wax and looking up with a shy smile, she speaks in a soft tone, "I'm glad if I can help you in some small way. I wish you an enterprising evening. Safe paths."

Beginning to retrace her steps and continue on to Fiesty's house, she looks back over her shoulder and turns as the Candlemaker rushes up, takes her hand and presses a silver coin into her palm, "M'Lady, many thanks for wax and here's a silver for ye trouble." 

Amethyst McMahon's protests are silenced when the older woman shakes her head, gently releasing Amethyst's hand and moving quickly back to her hut, her voice sincere and assured, "Nay, bless ye, but I couldn't sleep tonight knowing I hadn't rewarded ye for the kindness."

Her smile widening, Amethyst stows the coin in her purse and raises her hand to wave farewell.

On the path to ArchDruid Fiesty's home, Amethyst wonders again on the unaccustomed quiet in the Shire this even. She shrugs and reflects that as the last of summer's bounty was currently being harvested, the Hobbit community may be afield gathering potatoes or mushrooms. All hands were often needed for the tasks, but as the evening lengthened past dusk, she figured that most would be returning to their cosy homes and Fiesty likely among them.

On reaching Fiesty's home, she knocked and listened for the melodious humming to approach as the hard-working Hobbit Druid came to open the door.

She knocks again waits patiently, but after another minute passes without answer, she groans, turning away from the door and directs her steps back toward Cheshire.

Amethyst McMahon kicks at a pebble on the path, grumbling under her breath, "Such luck! I'll have to return tomorrow to consult with Feisty," and as she speedily crosses the bridge separating the Shire from Cheshire, a smile lightens her features as she ponders aloud, "...but perchance the Druid is waiting at home when I return and on the morrow I will have nothing more pressing to attend to than perhaps persuading our friends, the bees, to give up some more beeswax!" 

*** The Candlemaker Quest is currently up and running in the River Lands Roleplay Community. A Unity pouch is free at our Welcome Area, you need this to gather the beeswax when you find the hives in Hobbit Shire. Join our Riverlands OOC Group and check the notice archives for the notecard explaining the Quest! ***

Evienne changes her spots

Evienne duLac glides towards the poised spires of the Citadel. Her magnificent wings flutter in the cool breeze and a throaty laughter bursts from the statuesque Fae and floats around her as she admires the rythmical swishing of the bright azure feathers...

Evienne duLac delights in her new outfit and her melodious voice sounds against the mountain peaks surrounding the walled city, "Pretty woman, I don't believe you, you're not the truth, No one could look as good as you..."

"Well", she lets out dramatic sigh, "...if I had known that a change of clothes would make my world right itself, I would not have dallied so long among those boring humans looking for fun! Now to claim a new member for my court."

Evienne duLac gracefully grazes the soft leafy tops of the trees as she circles towards the town walls, peering through the thick blanket of foilage to make certain that the guard who usually took up his post on this luscious grassy hilltop, was focused on the sea and Docks, as per usual.

She lights to the ground behind a pair of peacocks and nods regally in their direction. Neither bird had ruffled a feather at her appearance... they were (since yesterday at least), intimate acquaintances.

"Good evening, my friends," the Fae lilts in an enticing tone and flashes her bewitching smile at the animals. "What do you say to my new gown?", she continues, whirling on the spot, her voice questioning and her eyebrows arching charmingly.

Evienne duLac tilts her head as if she is listening for an answer and smiles encouragingly at the female peacock, resplendant in similar colours. She deliberately chooses a spot nearest to the blue-green bird and lowers her lovely form to the ground, fluttering her wings invitingly and turning her back on the other peacock, a male and partner to the Fae's chosen respondent.

"We fine females are simply too ravishing for words, my dear," Evienne duLac coos in a complimentary manner. "Would you be so good as to consent to accompanying me to my Otherworld today perhaps?"

Evienne duLac picks nonchalantly at a blade of grass, all the while watching the peacock pair conversing silently from underneath her lowered lashes. She tugs at the grass impatiently, pulling out a clump of earth which scatters over her skirt, just as the female peacock turns her attention back to the brazen guest.

The Fae hastily brushes the dirt away, a frown forming on her otherwise smooth forehead and interrupts pertly, "Oh really, you cannot truly believe a MALE who will tell you any fairytale to keep you here cooking and cleaning for him!"

Evienne duLac rises speedily, soaring upwards, but descending again far enough to address the colourful birds, her voice frosting over, "Naturally, the life I was offering you among my admirers is beyond magical, but if you choose to credit the nonsensical utterings of a mere male of your species, then I doubt you have what it takes to serve me anyway!"  

The capricious Fae nods majestically from the air and twirling with a flourish, directs her flight back towards her Otherworld refuge, grumbling under her breath, "Such a load of codswallop... silly fowl actually believes her meddlesome partner who attests that a bird cannot exist underwater in my sanctuary for too long without drowning."
Evienne duLac flicks her hair self-importantly over her shoulder and recommences her mutterings, "... of all the stuff and nonsense! Shows how much he knows! What about all those "water fowl"? They didn't get that name just because they enjoy a warm bubblebath!"

The Fae shakes her head at the obdurate creatures populating the Lands and floats wearily into her Otherworld home, settling onto her settee, where her head rests on a silken pillow. She waves her attendants away and is soon overwhelmed by a deep sleep and extraordinarily lavish dreams... 


Song text: Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison

Jaekob Arrives at the Hall of the Ancients, Part 1

   The journey had been overly tedious, long and often times, the Druid felt he was on a journey of no consequence, a journey of nothingness and headed toward a thing not existent. But, eventually following the old parchment with directions and drawings scribbled hastily, he came to the Halls of Honor, the home of the ancients, the dragon kin who taught the first Druids.
   As he entered, as he put his shoulder to the thick doors wrapped and trapped in vines and and every greenery imaginable, it slowly began to move. With another push and a loud creak, the door began to move inward, the Druid's shoulder pushing harder into the thick, splintered wood. And then, with a loud growl from the Druid, the door crashed inward and left him collapsed on the floor, his already torn tunic and breeches even dirtier than before.

the Druid in the Halls of Honor, Long Forgotten, Long Abandoned

   And there he lay on the floor, belly down and slowly began to push himself up with his dirty and worn hands. His eyes widened as the they began to focus on the home of the ancients, empty of life save himself and the plants which had pushed in through cracks and crevices to claim the warmth inside the thick stone walls.
   He took a step forward, his legs weak from the excitement of having found the place where life had begun in these lands. He knelt at the great statue that sat in the center of the Hall. He marveled that it, of all the things in the Hall, was untouched and perfect in its form. With a shaky hand he reached out to touch it and and quickly jerked his hand back when he found the thing warm and seemingly alive.
   It was cold in the mountains, in the passes he had made his way through to arrive at the home of the ancients. But there was a glow from the statue, a warmth and it was here he spread his bedroll and lay down for some much needed sleep.

Samhain Ceremony @ The Henge

The Druids of the Lands gathered to give thanks for the rich bounties of the year past and call upon the Elements to protect the region during the dark days that follow...

Samhain Ceremony 2015 (excerpt)

Master Druid Jaekob: This is the night when the gateway between our world and the spirit world is thinnest. 
   
ArchDruid Fiesty: Tonight is a night to call out those who came before.
Tonight we honor our ancestors.

ArchDruid Fitheach: The past must be cleansed away for the future to start.

Jaekob:The veil is at it's thinnest. We walk between the worlds; let us beseech the elements to walk with us...

Jaekob: "Tonight we celebrate Samhain.
It is the end of the harvest, the last days of summer, and the cold nights wait on the other side for us.
The bounty of our labor, the abundance of the harvest, the success of the hunt, all lies before us.
We thank the earth for all it has given us this season, and yet we look forward to winter, a time of sacred darkness.

ArchDruid Fit: The time of light is ending; the time of darkness begins now. The fire that has sustained us through the light cannot hold against the dark to come. We honor the fire of the seasons past and light our torches from it to brighten our way in the dark days. 

Jaekob: Let us kindle a new flame to see us through until the light comes again. 

The circle is closed; the season of light has ended and the dark holds sway. 
Go all in peace and light until we meet again.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Many thanks to Saphira, Fiesty, Fitheach, Talia and Jaekob for creating the magic around this inspiring event.