[HQ Ignorance] Scene 64: Departures and the Waertagi

[Lev Lafayette]

With one of the weapons of Talor's Companions in their
possession the Fellowship took pause before the next
leg of the journey, to travel to Esrolia as
recommended by the Luatha. The introduction of the new
member of the Fellowship, the Godlearner Rikku Storm,
caused some gossip among the courtiers, especially
with his unusual dress and his insistence to wear
gloves at all times, but the new King Anzhur was
clever enough to ensure that his origins were not made
overly public. Rikku, having been held as a comatose
captive for hundreds of years, had to regain his
familiarity with the coast, the tides, the currents
and winds - all much changed since his time - not to
mention the geo-politics of the new age. At the same
time he proved himself quickly, absorbing the new
information with an uncanny speed, plotting new charts
and making plans for all the necessary logistic
challenges in the coming journey. 

But not all carried the same degree of enthusiasm. The
Emissary of the Kingdom of Loskalm and Sogolotha City
was able to provide information on the Kingdom of War.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Pelinorius
Stäarki, was expressing concerns that the Kingdom of
War was in preparations for a great event. Their rapid
initial expansions had seemed to have come to a halt,
but there was a loss of Power in surrounding lands.
The uneasy peace that had fallen on the lands of
Fronela did not convince anyone as even the peasants
in nearby lands remarked on the peculiar combination
of an air that was both tense and lacklustre.

The morose Aalmon Far Rider took this opportunity to
announce that he would be leaving the Fellowship to
travelling with the Emissary back to Sogolotha City
and then on to his home of Riverjoin. King Anzhur had
already attempted to dissuade him but to now avail,
and Marianne looked downwards at his announcement,
grasping his wedding gift tightly in her hands. More
surprisingly however was when Knarl announced that he
also would not be continuing with the Fellowship and
upon reaching port in Seshnela, he would return to his
den in Dragon Pass. 

The ever-emotionless immortal king of the Telmori,
Wilkairatha was terse in his response but clearly
angered. "You may walk your own path, lone wolf. But
know that this tribe is no longer for you. I gave you
the most holy relic of our people in hope that you
could carry it with the honour of the Beastpeople. But
you will not." The smooth-skinned hero wrested the axe
from Knarl's grip as the other Telmori howled in
approval at his actions. Wilkairatha carried the axe
among the members of the Fellowship. "Who among you is
brave enough and close enough to beast to carry this
relic of our people?"

He stopped and waited at Karala to give him an
answer.... [Dougie, I think this is your call.]

After appointing the Baron of Gilboch regent, the
Fellowship prepared to take sail. With high-tide in
the mid-morning, the Fellowship boarded "The
Acindina", named after the daughter of King
Svalanigos, King of Seshnela when Dormal landed.
Whilst not the flagship of the Kingdom, it is
certainly ranked very highly, with significant
quantities of enchanted plating from the Dwarves of
the Iron Mountains and hardwoods from the Kanthor
Elves. The figurehead itself is a living Dryad and the
engine hosts a salamander under the careful control of
a Dwarven engineer. Even Rikku is impressed - and
considers the opportunities.

Navigating along the coastline and the Pasos Islands,
the warning of the Luatha is proved accurate - and
what an incredible sight! An entire army of the
Waetargi is upon the back of a sea dragon*, itself at
least three leagues in length. The green- and blue-
skinned humanoids can be seen upon the numerous wrecks
of the Nolos and Pasos fleets and the shrines to
Dormal the Navigator lie scattered and broken. For
Rikku this is a nervous sight; the God Learners
largely destroyed the Weartagi and it seems that they
are seeking revenge on those who have troubled them in
the past.

A number of the Waetargi approach "The Acindina" but
without hostility. One introduces himself as Adonia,
and declares that his masters (one presumes the
Luatha) have informed the Waertargi to let your ship
through. "Although for what purpose, I know not. You
carry some of the most strange beasts on board here,
and only a few of you have any connection to the most
holy Malkion; and some", he indicates towards the God
Learner, "are downright heretical."

"You are a King, I believe Anzhur. It will do you well
to realise that we have rediscovered the fabled island
of Brithos and new relations have been established
with Arolanit. It is only a matter of time before they
make the reasonable request the Seshnela submits as a
vassal state. Perhaps you could expediate the
situation now and remove any lingering tensions that
may occur."

"You have our blessings on your journey King Anzhur.
But be warned, the seas ahead are full of pirates most
bloodthirsty and our conflict with them will determine
who are the true masters of the Ocean." And with
giving those missives, the Waetargi left.

Leaving the archipelago within two days, and with the
combined power of both a beforewind in the sales, and
the Salamanders firing the Mostali engine the ship
makes incredible speed along the coastline, passing
Orninior and the coastline of the Thrachodon Marsh
within the first day in the open seas. By evening they
were close to the notorious pirate haven of Smelch -
but they were most certainly in the region of Maniria.
"Now that's Mostal machinery for you", remarked Kalen.
Reaching Esrolia will take a mere two more days.

(Damn I can't find a map for Maniria)

* It looks something like this.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Rottnest_Island.jpg



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