Works for me!

I am getting really strong vibes that what Ridahne did was illegal and dishonorable, but it still needed to be done. Is that right?I don't want to know what she did. I'm just trying to figure out how The Tree will react to her. If that makes sense.

That is correct. The tree might commend her intentions while still condemning her methods. One of those “for the greater good” sort of things where she felt the ends justified the means.

How do you think The Tree will react to her?

Not fully certain yet but I was thinking Ridahne would have more and more guilt/anxiety as she gets closer and when she does finally see it she just breaks down as the weight of everything she's done comes crashing down on her. Toyed with giving her some kind of visions. I think I've decided visions don't come from the Tree necessarily, and according to elvish belief they come from ancestors. But maybe the Tree sort of sparks one anyway even though it doesn't come directly from it? Idk we'll see. Either way Ridahne's gonna be a mess LOL.

The Tree prevents evil and it's hard to do real evil. You have to choose to so something bad for purely selfish reasons. Was what Ridahne did selfish.

Not wholly, no. Ajoran was never able to admit it out loud in clear terms, but even he implied to her that it needed to be done. The people close to her (basically Ajoran and her brother Hadian) were shocked but never outright rebuked her for it, because both knew what drove her to do it.

I'm debating whether or not Darin will find out what exactly her job was when they get to the tree. I think I have an idea for how she'll find out what Ridahne did to earn her exile, and it's not going to come from Ridahne. Bwahaha.

I have plans for The Tree as well. I don't think it's going to be what either of them are expecting.

Stoked!

Do you mind if I include just a little bit of a time skip in my next post? I would like to jump to when the stop to make camp for that night. If that's alright.

Go for it!

Alright. Thank you so much! It won't be tonight though. I have plans this weekend and I need to get to bed. I should get back to you at some point tomorrow or the day after.

Sweeeeet.

I have no idea when I I will get you a post. The latest will be Friday or Saturday. I hope that's okay.

No worries mate!

So, now seems like a good time to bring up part of my plottings. I would like to introduce several new characters when the two of them get to The Tree. I would like one of them to be an Elf. However, I don't know enough about the Elf cultures you have created to do so well. I would like them to be an Eluri, but that's only because the only thing I know about them is that that's the tribe that receives visions the most frequently. I have character traits in mind for them, but I'm not sure what they would look like or what naming conventions are for the Eluri. I know he is an outcast, but he is an outcast by choice. Is there anyway you can help me out.

I haven't thought too much about the Eluri. They are a 'softer' culture than Azurei, which is harsh, sharp, and hardy. For example, the Azurei would solve bartering disputes with a whole lot of shouting and hand gestures and curses, but then come to an agreement and be cool about it. The Eluri are probably a lot more 'reasonable'. Sort of 'oh, let's talk this out, let's make a deal that benefits both of us' etc. I guess they're more of a 'chill' culture whereas Azurei is very intense. They are more in touch with nature I think, since there is more nature to be in touch with LOL since Eluri is not a desert. Warm, since it's mostly southern but probably also wetter too. Likely forested.

They would be tall (elves are generally tall) with lighter skin than Azurei and hair colors leaning more towards light brown/blonde, eye colors ranging from brown to green to blue or grayish with everything in between, while Azurei tend to have more light brown/honey/gold/deep orange tones. If languages have a 'vibe' then Azurian tends to be sharp, while Eluri is more soft. More l, y, sorts of sounds. It flows a little more than Azurian which can be somewhat staccato, so Think Tolkien type elvish. In general they do have a more wood-elf kind of feel to them.

Culturally they value creativity, education, music, and the practice of critical thinking. Their access to visions make them able to understand ideas or cultures beyond their own, so they're flexible and accommodating when it comes to other cultures. Both they and the Orosi do not have ojih tattoos (the facial ones) like Azurei, though tattooing in general is still a large part of Orosi culture and probably a smaller part of Eluri culture. On the whole, they're not really fighters and sometimes will 'borrow' Azurei if they need guards for caravans or something. They have a single ruler (can be either gender) but they are backed by a council that is equally important.

Outside of that, add what you like and we'll sort of build it together, I haven't thought much beyond these generalities.

That actually answers all the questions I need answered! The only one I have left is would they know how to read the ojih? Oh! And any rules I should follow when it comes to naming?

Also I promise Ridahne would know just how serious "May The Tree take you for evil" really is. Everyone in Astra knows what it means. It's almost like a cross between "I hate you with the fiery flaming passion of a thousand suns" and "Damn you to hell" but way worse. And the Seed-Bearer just said it. So, yeah. No going home for Ridahne. I'm hoping the vibe I was aiming for came though in the post, but I'm not sure. Let me know if you have questions.

Nah no rules with naming. And ojih.....I’d say generally no. They might know enough to distinguish high rank or something (they would probably know how to spot a Sol, Taja, and Eija. If they were the sort to spend time learning the marks they might know Ridahne’s treason mark. The mark itself is nonspecific, so they wouldn’t know she killed the equivalent of a princess, but they would know she has committed some form of high treason if they knew the mark at all. Those that deal with the Azurei more directly (royalty, merchants, or people that often hired Eija guards) would be more likely to know tidbits about the Ojih. They do know it’s significance and they know it is extremely rude to touch an Azurei’s face without permission.

Also yeah, Ridahne definitely knows, though she’s more stunned by the fact that Darin would keep her, as she assumed above all else she wouldn’t.

Thank you for all that information! That is super helpful. I will get you a post tomorrow probably. Work is kicking my butt right now.