Knights of Anathaeum Peaceweavers

[Helena]

​

Four Days South and East of the Eldyr Tree, amidst Almwych Pass. Enroute to Eastpoint Roost, home of the Kritan Harpies.
Mission: Talon and Hoof
Priority: Moderate
Rank: Squire with Sworn
Operatives: Captain of Dawn Helena, ... (TBD: hoping for 4 other players.)

Objectives: Provide aid to the Kritan Harpies of Eastpoint, and purify the blight burrows.

Briefing: We have received a request for aid from an allied settlement of Harpies near Almwych Pass. They have reported blight burrows spreading along their territory, corrupting water supply, despoiling the land, and changing the local wildlife.

The new burrow sightings are not linked to any known eld corruptions, so purifying rituals should remove their stain from the land. Knights versed in the rituals will be sure to accompany the acting party, along with tools and materials to carve warding stones.

Supply wagons are known to attract much unwanted attention in the region from all manner of desperate raider and brigand. Travel with extreme caution, and be well prepared for danger.

A Kritan guide will be accompanying you. As will I.

Trust and Strength,

Captain Helena of Dawn

---

On the trail to Eastpoint, the band of Knights marched.

The steady roll of the wagon against the dirt and gravel, a dull grey sound in Helena's ears as she rode her horse, Rocinante, at the head of their number. The high sun bright in her eyes as she scanned the horizon beyond, and took in the crisp mountain air.

She tried as she could to keep it from her face, but it was a failing effort. Helena couldn't help but wear her smile. Small as it was, no less warm to be beyond the halls of their beloved Monastery.
How long had it been since she had been on a proper ranging? Longer still since she had ventured to these parts.

A shout from one of the squires caught her attention, and Helena turned in her saddle to regard the commotion.

"Excuse me!" Piplin called out. The hafling squire riding in the wagon stood off with the Kritan harpy that was the party's guide. "You can't, you can't just eat our supplies like that!"

"I done told you, shortstuff," the man named Krohop said with narrowed eyes and a hungry smile. "I needs the fuel before I go ranging," he tilt a roughspan bag up to his mouth, and out tumbled an asortment of roasted nuts, and dried fruits.

"But!" Piplin stomped her small foot. Large eyes looked around to the others, busy with their own little tasks. "Those are for all of us!"

Krohop raised a brow, still chewing on his snack. "Sho?" he asked. Chewed more and gulped. "I'm part of all of us, right?" grinned too easy, and went to raise the bag up again.

 

[Kaida]

Excitement welled up in the little dragonling squire. She had been cooped up filling her journal with her adventures with her secret mage friend turned father figure. She was writing down all the runes she remembered when the call for aid had come. She had started to feel braver and branch out, being with Orion had slowly started to show her how to grow up some, even if she hadn't yet realized the effect he had on her.

Once they had departed, Kaida had spent the majority of her time buried in her journals again. She was recording everything, including the current argument. Scribbling furiously, she continued to look up at the harpy that was the cause for the disagreement. She was trying to catch his likeness to draw it, but he fidgeted too much for her to get all the details.

She stood up sharply as Piplin got even more agitated, shoving her charcoal in the face of the Harpy. "What would you say your diet is like?" She didn't care about the argument, just on recording what his species actually ate. She needed to know to submit a current and accurate addition to the library after all!

Helena

 

[Nacht]

Nacht wished he had half the carefree spirit Kaida seemed to possess but that was sadly not the case, and so since he had accepted to take part in the mission he had been fretting over many things, the principle one being that Helena, Captain of The Dawn, would be there alongside the chosen group. She was as majestic and had as much of an intimidating presence as he had heard from similarly awestruck squires, so that didn’t help his nerves much at all.

However, there were things he could look past the nervousness to be excited about. For example, he could get to watch warding stones be made as well as observe the rituals that were necessary to remove the blight. He read and reread in his mind the mission and told himself that whatever happened he would make sure to be worthy of one day calling himself a knight. Luckily, a rather heated argument was happening between the fiery Squire Piplin and their harpy guide that distracted him from further applying pressure onto himself.

Well, heated on the side of Piplin, at least. Krohop, or so he had heard was the name of their guide, seemed rather nonchalant about the whole affair, something that was rather impressive considering he was bringing them to solve a magical disease. He let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding at the sound of Kaida questioning the Harpy on his diet and moved forward to join them.

"If I had to guess, I'd say the same as us. Omnivorous. Having the legs of a bird does not make Krohop's upper body any less human, but I could be wrong." he said, giving the harpy a look like he hoped he hadn't said anything accidentally offensive.

Helena
Kaida

 

[Naevia]

"All for one doesn't mean you get all food, there's one for all to remember, too." Syr Naevia's raspy voice came from behind the wagon, deciding she would keep an eye on the squires while the Captain of Dawn led the march. Her thick, dark brows were low over her eyes in an attempt to block out the sunlight that was aggravating her eyes and therefore giving her migraine. Her visor was broken, this happening quietly at the start of the journey. The knight wasn't apt to complain about trivial matters.

Dark eyes met the halfling squire's gaze before settling on Krohop. The wagon jostled at a steep uneven bend. She frowned as a nut missed the wide mouth of the Harpy to bounce off his cheek and land into the dirt.

"Wasteful." She muttered. She didn't suspect Krohop of lying, who was she to say how much hunger one could successfully stave off before performance dropped? "We don't eat while we march." All the crumbs caused by careless chewing-- by the sunny heavens above their tiny little heads, with such a big mouth one would think he'd not make such a mess. "If hunger persists, at the given travel breaks, a reconsideration of portion sizes can be discussed." A moment of contemplation and possible correction for all to have before Naevia had to add one little thing. "And you should apologize to Squire Piplin for insulting her height. It's rude."

Helena Kaida Nacht

 

[N'aschi Kona]

Absolute bliss. That's what this was. It was this very feeling that the young Bog-Elf N'aschi Kona had been seeking ever since fleeing his home in the Bayou and sailing for the mainland. Unfettered adventure, the sun beating down against his brow, the glistening of sword and steel... He could even smell it in the air, that scent of the unknown, just waiting to be seen by his eyes for the first time.

Josai had been right, becoming a Squire had been the right call. Alone, he'd been outmatched and overwhelmed by the ferocity of the world outside his small island home. While he couldn't be beat in ambition and eagerness, he was still but a youth, and an unhoned one at that. It was from the jaws of a blight beast that he'd been plucked from by the Knights, and in return, he'd sworn himself to them...

Well, not sworn, sworn. Not yet, anyway.

But it had all been worth it for this. Finally, he felt alive again. Harpies... he could scarcely believe they existed until he'd met their guide for this mission. A quirky little fellow, one that made him ever more eager to meet and assist his kin. The Knights had been kind enough to repair his damaged sword, a curved weapon from his homeland, and they'd also retrieved his Harmonisa, the small flute-like woodwind instrument he now played against his lips as he sat atop the wagon with crossed legs.

"Oh, don't be like that, Syr Naevia!" N'aschi chirped from behind his instrument, grinning ear to ear back at the Lady Knight. "I'm sure Krohop didn't mean it! And besides, there's plenty of boons to being short of height! Why, one time in the Blood Bogs, a Mire Wurm the size of an elephant--"

N'aschi's enthusiasm was apparent, but somewhat overflowing. The elven boy was making a habit of going off on tangents about his home, stories from the bog, regaling his partners with wild tales of triumph and daring.

He wished to "Live forever", he claimed, through the memories of his accomplishments.

"--So if I'd only been a foot shorter, I wouldn't have this scar over my eye!"

His attention moving as quickly as his mouth, Kona leaned forward, calling out to the Captain, "So, these Blight Burrows... they're the same gunk that almost killed me, right?"

 

[Helena]

Krohop's eyes widened when the young girl shoved a stick of charcoal in his face. "Huh?" he flinched back with a fast twitch of his neck. Then some snot nosed know it all started talking all... funny like. "What in the stones are you saying to me kid?" he said with a harsh hiss that bared his serrated teeth. He threw the bag of seeds and nuts at the boys chest. Some of the roasted confections clattered against the hard wood of wagon planks. "Human," he huffed. "Just like you little pig-monkies to think yourselves the center of it-"

A dark voice cut through the heat that rose in Krohop's chest, and his brow raised as he met the knight's gaze. Narrowed to dagger points. "I ain't-"

The long fellow with the smooth voice cut in.

Krohop smiled, a little truer and warmer at N'aschi's tale, nod along, slow and easy. Jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at the smooth talker "That ones got the right of it," The harpy guide hopped off the cart. Landed with little skips of talon and scale against the arid soil of the mountain pass.

Helena had watched what transpired, still sat atop her mount at the lead of the pack. Syr Lefelen, not far from her side.

"Technically speaking," she said, clear and true above the clatter and rattle of the wagon and the steady clop of hooves. "Yes, it is of the same, gunk," she said with an easy smile.

But she did not come to anyone's rescue.

The guide, Krohop, kept his distance from the group. Obviously miffed by what had transpired. But the Captain turned her attention back to the road ahead.

She trusted her Sworn to navigate the situation. If not the squires. Clarity knew no age.

Kaida, Nacht, Naevia, N'aschi Kona

 

[Kaida]

Kaida looked at Nacht with annoyance, a look she didn't often give others. "I'm not here to guess, I need factual information." She was about to turn back to the harpy to continue her line of questioning, her mouth snapping shut as Syr Naevia weighed in too. She was trying her best to not get annoyed with someone above her station, but she kept getting butted in on! At least with Orion, it was just the two of them.

By the time she could refocus on the Harpy, he was annoyed, angry, and then gone off the wagon. With a huff, the dragonette gave Nacht a scowl and turned away from him. Her focus then fell upon N'aschi. He was interesting too, and her eyes lit up with curiosity again.

She scrambled across the wagon, looking up at the elf with charcoal at the ready. "Say, what kinda elf are you? What do you eat? I like your story voice! What gunk are you talking about?" She prattled on, quite oblivious on how annoyed the others might get with her for never knowing how to shut her mouth.

Helena Nacht Naevia N'aschi Kona

 

[Nacht]

Nacht’s face upon registering Kaida’s disgusted look could not have been more regretful if you turned him into a dog and started calling him a bad one. Choking on his own words, he would realize an apology was of no use and move his horse back to the Sworn who despite being intimidating felt rather relatable due to their shared trait of having received nasty looks. Knight Naevia, as he knew her, seemed like a responsible lady and perhaps someone he could speak with to pass the time after the disaster that had just unfolded.

"Er- uh, I have the food back, at least." He said awkwardly, slotting the bag into his horse's saddlepouch. "What's being a knight been like for you?" The boy asked, well aware such a story might be beyond the lady's comfort to speak of, which was fine. Boundaries were important and if such a question was declined, that was fine.

The thing was that Nacht knew how long it would be until he could call himself Sworn, so stories of knightly life tended to hold off such thoughts, for he had always been rather adept at losing himself in tales, whether on the page or on the wind. Perhaps this trip could still be salvaged in some way after his failed attempt at joining the discussion.

Finally deciding to quit thinking for a minute, he would resolve to shut up after quickly covering all bases: “Uh, if I’m bothering you please tell me and I’ll go.” He would rather not have a repeat of a few seconds ago was all.

Naevia
@N’aschi Kona
Helena
Kaida

 

[Naevia]

“There is no bother.” Knight Naevia felt displeasure that Piplin was not given an apology. But one battle had been won: there would be food rations for all. She felt rather pleased with herself that justice had been served. She would show their guide just how valuable mealtimes were as she always savored food more when she couldn’t snack throughout the day.

“Being a knight gives me a great duty. You will not know of this yet, Squire Nacht, but when it comes time to decide on how you will help society, it is best to consider these things: what you find joy in, what you are good at, and how you can help others. When I came to the Monastery I found that wielding a sword was good exercise. Exercise gives me joy, I am good with a sword, and therefore, I will help others by being their shield.” Naevia’s face softened only a little, unable to display the swell in her heart. “My mentor taught me that dignity is inviolable. Is there any greater peace than knowing that?” She shook her head. Surely, there wasn’t. Justice would always prevail.

Nacht

 

[N'aschi Kona]

N'aschi didn't seem to be seeking approval, as Krohop's praise was deftly ignored. The elf was far more focused on Helena's confirmation of what he'd already suspected, a determination hardening his face as the events that had nearly stolen his life away from him replayed in his mind, that beast of blight gnawing on his flesh like an appetizer before dinner...

He wouldn't be caught off guard again. Not a chance.

"I'm pretty sure the term they used for it is 'Blight'." N'aschi responded to the female voice, only flinching when she skittered across the wagon to get close to him like some kind of animal. It was hard not to pay attention to her when her face was glowing with the kinda curiosity that had brought him here in the first place. "I dunno much about it, but it infected some kinda creature and turned it into a mean fuckin' monster, and then that monster tried to have me for dinner."
If Josai hadn't shown up when she did... Kona didn't like to think about that, but hell if he wasn't thankful for the Knights for pulling his ass out of the fire. Or rather, the mouth of a hungry Blight Beast.

"And I'm a Bog Elf, from the Bayou Garramarisma." He flashed the auburn-haired girl a bright grin. Maybe some people would find her annoying, but N'aschi knew all about having questions. The entire reason he'd left home to see the mainland was because there was so much he wanted to know and see. "Grew up in a tribe in the Blood Bogs of the eastern shoreline."
“My mentor taught me that dignity is inviolable. Is there any greater peace than knowing that?”

N'aschi's pointed ears perked up, and he briefly turned his head towards another woman, peering at her glimmering armor and long black hair with a momentary curiosity.

"Sounds like a smart person. The Chief used to tell me the same thing."

 

[Helena]

A smile crested across Helena's lips as she listened in on the conversations behind her.

"Good, that," Syr Lefelen let on as his proud elk went on beneath him.

Helena cocked her head. "That they remember the blight?" she almost laughed.

Lefelen but smirked. "To hear them chatter,"

Helena gave a little hum. Nod. "Squabbles and all?"

Lefelen nod back. "Squabbles can help build character,"

The young Captain thought on it a moment. "For all of our squabbles, you don't seem much changed to me, Syr," She grinned.

A little huff of pride from the moon elf. "That is because I am already so full of character, Captain,"

A bounce of laughter shook Helena's shoulders. "No lie in that," her eyes scanned towards their guide, or where she had last scene him as their train moved along the rolling hillsides.

There he was, black feathered and raven footed, skip-hopping his way across the arid landscape.

"Should I go and make peace with him?" the Dusk Knight asked.

Helena shook her head. "No need," a click from her teeth, and shift in her legs saw the large horse shift off trail. "You've the better ears, for keeping keen," she said with a nod, and moved on toward Krohop as the relief caravan went on with its steady clip.

In the surrounding hills, birds could be seen darting from brush to brush. A wild hare sprang from its cover, chased by an other, and the pair tussled in the dusty soil of the slope. All kicks and scratches until one sprang further away.

Wildflowers stood tall against the grey and gold. Bright pinks and yellows that helped the eye see just how much life could be found, even in a place so stark as this.

In the near distance, a dense copse stood tall. The branches of tall pines, and maples swayed with the wind.

---

Kaida Nacht Naevia N'aschi Kona

 

[Kaida]

Kaida went from scribbling to studying the apparent Bog Elf, as he called himself. She had no idea such a thing existed. She had begun casually sketching his likeness in her pages as she listened to him dutifully. "I've yet to see a blight monster, I hear they are horrible monsters to go up against. I wonder if the blight is reversible." She paused, glancing up at N'aschi, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes as she realized he fought one and survived..even if he did almost get eaten.

"I wonder what they taste like?" She was off again, adding more lines to her sketch. She snapped her book shut then, finally taking in all her companions for this mission. With a sigh of satisfaction, she leaned back against the wagon wall, wiping her blackened hands on her trousers. "I don't know anything about Bog elves. Maybe after we finish this mission, you can tell me about them?" She looked up at the storyteller, hopeful he would agree.

She was still annoyed the Harpy was nowhere close to question, and she made a mental note to come back on her own to study the creature's habits more closely. Eyes now traveled to Naevia as she spoke and the little dragonette grinned. "Just like I know I'm good at seeking out knowledge, and at being a dragon." She said it loudly, and proudly, the words of wisdom slightly lost on her.

Helena Nacht Naevia N'aschi Kona

 

[Nacht]

"I'm glad about that, uh, at least." He said, bowing his head in respect. He felt bad that Krohop had to have gotten so defensive and that apologies just hadn't been given, but he was at least conscious enough to know that further involvement by him would only worsen the situation. It was good to know that at least the knight had no problem with him. He himself was slightly famished but there would be no snacking now, not after he had hopped on the "give back snack and no eating right now" wagon as though there was some kind of moral argument afoot.

"I have already decided that this is the best way to help people, Miss Knight." he responded meekly, not exactly wanting to display that he was correcting his superior even if it was on something as small as this. "Not to sound like some archetypal hero or something whose entire life goal is just to beat the great evil, of course, but this power I have would be wasted on me doing something more....normal, I guess? Mundane?" Maybe it's wasted on me even still. That tiny little thought popped into his mind, causing him to pause for a moment with a concerned look before shaking it off, banishing it to the back of his mind as soon as his next thought came through. "They seem like a wise teacher. Do you plan to teach others like that?" he wondered.

Naevia
Kaida
N'aschi Kona
Helena

 

[Naevia]

Unknowingly, Naevia's words had sparked a bout of attention towards her from the squires. Brown eyes briefly found the dark feathers belonging to Krohop, a kindred pang in her heart that the harpy would never know of. She cleared her throat.

"Yes, my mentor is wise. No, the pursuit of knowledge nor being a dragon is the same as upholding one's morals. People will do bad things to gain knowledge. Your race also has nothing to do with dignity. No, having magic, power, or money does not make you have less or more. Anyone can uphold peace and justice, from the smallest knight to the wealthiest king," she nodded, unaware of the poor comparison. "All knights shall help and encourage all squires." Naevia took a deep breath. "But if I were to mentor a squire, I would hope I'd not impose my will so much on theirs that their foundations become weak. They must be moved as I was, understand in their way why such thought is important, not just for society, but for them. I believe only certain conditions are right for such a thing, such as experiencing a reversal of faith. You see, some people may believe how...." And on and on, Naevia would drone, dark brows heavy over darker eyes filled with much passion on such a lengthy, boring subject.

N'aschi Kona Helena Kaida Nacht

 

[N'aschi Kona]

N'aschi was listening to Kaida as she spoke, though he only showed it by nodding along to her words, having leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs as he enjoyed the picturesque view of the breathtaking copse ahead of them. Kona was more than happy to be the center of attention, and the girl's burning curiosity was met with a splitting grin across his face.

"If you want! The old man certainly regaled me with our history enough times that I have it all memorized!" He snickered, always happy to take a dig at his stuffy, self-righteous father. "But I wouldn't recommend messing around with that Blight stuff if you wanna get that far. I've seen what it does to a creature. Nasty stuff, friend. Makes me shiver just remembering it."

Well, it was probably more being trapped in the foul thing's mouth that gave him the heebie-jeebies, but his advice was good, nevertheless. It had taken a whole group of Knights to bring that thing down, and even then, it had been seriously touch-and-go.

Which made him worry, just a tad, about how well this little ragtag group of trainees would fare.

Not that he was lacking in self confidence of course.

"But, you gotta humor me first..." The elf rolled to sit back up, leaning forward as he pointed a finger between both Kaida and Naevia. "You two keep mentioning being 'Dragons', but you look like girls to me. Is 'Dragon' some kinda title or rank? I always heard they were just myths, you know?" He'd heard people be described as dragons as an insult, but Kaida and Naevia were both easy on the eyes. Granted, Nae had the look of somebody who could absolutely disembowel you if you wronged her...

Naevia
Kaida