[HQ Ignorance] Scene 85: The Elf Sea and Merchants

[Lev Lafayette]

Scene 85: The Elf Sea and Merchants

In the wild north of Glorantha, a single-masted sail-and-row boat, makes
its journey across the Elf Sea. Normally this journey would be
impossible, for the great lake is known for bearing the children of
Magasta, mighty eels and serpents like none have seen. But this vessel
is commanded by an Elf, Greenwood, who carried the magic and knowledge
of her people and is thus able to find the path safely. Her wooden
visage is blackened in places, clearly the scars of fire, but she goes
about her work with an air of silence and purpose.

With her are two travellers. One is Icthya, also an elf but from distant
lands. She is skilled in matters of water and sea-creatures, and
although recently recovering from illness she is at the height of her
strength this fine day. Playing and talking to the fishes which travel
beside the boat, Icthya's brow shines with a magical light enamating
from a vine and leaf tiara [1]. The third character is Aalmon Far-Rider
[2] who is not enjoying the view as playfully as his companion. He is in
deep spirits, pondering the meaning of the words expressed to him by the
rebellious and pacifist White Moon cult.

The journey across the lake take the better part of eight hours.
Although most of a day, this is four or five times quicker than any
other route, even if one was travelling with Elves through the forests
of Balazar. Taking land at the far north shore of the lake, Greenwood
bids safe journey to her travellers. There is some forest here,
Nandwood, but soon you will be in open North Plains. These are inhabited
almost exlcusively by trolls. Beyond that is Malara's River which
becomes the Poralistor, upstream. North of this river is the Redlands,
small communities allied to the Empire. I don't know what it is that you
are looking for travellers, but if you can get beyond the North Plains
you are doing better than I. Godspeed."

Travelling some distance through the forest until the setting of Yelm, a
suitable spot was found to rest overnight with the skills of both a
courier and an elf. The peaceful forest gave no incident in the night
and early in the following morning the forest thinned into the plains of
which Greenwood spoke. Aalmon, well-used to estimating distanced peered
and squinted. "Some fifteen leagues north until some more forested
lands; I presume that is the river of which Greenwood spoke of. East and
West however these plains seem to go on far further than that. Maybe
four, five, six times? [3]

But that was not all that Aalmon espied; and indeed Icthya could not
help but notice it as well. Less than two hours away was a large party
of humans, some thirty-five in total with a great number of pack
animals, heading in a westward direction. "All the signs of a merchant
caravan", said Aalmon. "But out here?"

Curiousity taking the better of them Aalmon and Icthya sought to meet
with the caravan who hailed them down. The caravan was led, not
surprisingly, but an overweight and middle-aged Issaries priest who
introduced himself as Joh Mith. When asked where he was headed, with a
broad grin he said to the Land of the Giants, to trade; a most
remarkable statement in its own right. Standing alongside Joh was an
enormous dark troll who bore two shields. He licked his lips at the
sight of Icthya.

Breaking for lunch Aalmon noticed that Joh's open wagon had a chess set
upon it, in mid-game. As Aalmon pondered over the pieces, which showed a
fairly equal match, the towering dark troll came over to him. "If you
fancy yourself a player, we could always have a game. I would like to
claim your walking vegetable a prize if I win; I have not had such a
taste for some time. What say you? Are you game?"


[1] Somehow I overlooked your journey to the grove to pick up a light
spirit. We can use the tiara as a charm. How many HPs do you want to
spend on this and which ability are you using etc.
[2] Speaking of which, Far-Rider, how do you want to resolve the your
horse? It's not really appropriate to take a horse on a vessel this
small..
[3] Although a flat world allowing one to see far further than normal,
there are still limits to perceptual distance.