[IC] The Faraway Land

[Thinslayer]

@Lord Zee
The Recruitment of Tiberius Longshadow

The sun crept higher on the horizon as the morning stretched into midday. The trees were alive with song and buzzing, and wagons regularly rattled down the cobblestone road. This particular town, called Menz, was under the jurisdiction of Fantus, a vassal state of Aetherion, and as such had an army of knights protecting it. One of them was Tiberius Longshadow, one of the greatest knights in their kingdom. A messenger had just delivered a letter to him from an unknown party and awaited further instructions.

Shortly thereafter, another messenger appeared. "Letter for you, sir." The letter was from the High Elf Sadron.

The Letter

Greetings, Sir Tiberius Longshadow
Your presence is required at High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow. Bring your battle gear and travel equipment.
~Sadron Aphaderuiondur

[Thinslayer]

@MissCapnCrunch
The Recruitment of Dionaea Sycamore

The village around the Great Tree was a buzz of activity. It had been decades since they last saw a human enter their territory, much less a human messenger. The rumor mill only got stronger once the messenger located his target - Miss Dionaea Sycamore. He handed the letter to her. "For you, miss." Then he sped off back the way he came.

The Letter

Greetings, Dionaea Sycamore
Your presence is required at High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow. Bring your gear. You will have to stay for a fortnight or longer, so additional travel provisions will be provided upon arrival.
~Sadron Aphaderuiondur

[Thinslayer]

@Hawlin
The Recruitment of Kaitra J. Elzbrn

There was a brief knock on the door, and an envelope slipped through the mail slot.

The Letter

Greetings, Sir Kaitra Elzbrn
Your presence is required at High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow.
~Sadron Aphaderuiondur

The letter was quite terse and said little else. It wasn't too surprising; the High Elf probably had a low opinion of half-elves like Kaite. Nonetheless, he wasn't stupid enough to let his racism cloud his judgement. If the great Sadron was recruiting a lowly half-elf to help him out, it must have been a great crisis indeed!

[Lord Zee]

Tiberius couldn't help but smile as he read the letter. What it said was intriguing, and he thought he recognized the handwriting but he couldn't be too sure. Regardless, he placed the ring on his left ring-finger and found it to be a perfect fit. He chuckled, whoever had written the letter, seemed to know him quite well. He went ahead and placed the letter inside his pocket for keepsakes.

He had been outside feeding his horse, Lancel when the first messenger arrived. He took the contents and told the messenger to wait at the stables while he went inside the barracks to find a pen and some parchment. He had just sat down when another messenger arrived, much to the previous letters speculation. He acted surprised and took the letter and that messenger left.

As he read this new message his mind went wild with questions. Never before had he been called by Sadron himself, so the rumors had to be true or something far worse was happening in the land to require him. He was instantly compelled to go to the summons and would began preparations immediately, but first he had business to attend to.

His brow furrowed, his penmanship wasn't the best and he didn't know exactly what to write. After just sitting there and staring at the paper before him, he got to work.

Hello Old Friend,

Though I do not know who you are, I do have my guesses but I won't say anything. Not yet anyway. It seems that you were right, Sadron has requested me after-all but for what purpose, I do not know. If you are right, then I am to become his champion? But for what purpose? I have so many questions, and I'm guessing you have answers. For now, I thank you for the gift and I shall use it when I believe the moment is right.

I have to say, that I am doing wonderful but I can sense something is happening in the world, something bad. The people that I help protect keep giving me the will to fight, and I shall no matter what happens in the future. For now, I hope to meet you again soon. Whoever you might be.

With Admiration,
Tiberius

P.s. I'll take you up on that offer for a visit to Aether someday, as soon as I figure out who you are.

He quickly sealed the message and packed what little gear he owned. He went ahead and strapped his armor on and sheathed his sword. The captain of the Knights there was sad to see him go, but Tiberius reassured him that all would be well here in Menz. With that said, he left to the stables and gave the note to the messenger.

"Please, deliver this letter to whoever sent you to find me. It means a great deal to me." Tiberius said softly.

The messenger nodded and went to his own horse.

"Thank you friend, may you travel fast and light." he called after him. He turned to his own horse and mounted him. "Right old buddy, lets say we go on an adventure?"

Tiberius was then on his way to High Council Hill.

[Thinslayer]

@Darkmoon Angel
The Recruitment of Ivan Stormwall

The door to the castle barracks burst open for a messenger. All the knights turned to watch. The man paced up to Ivan and handed him a letter. "For you, sir."

The Letter

Greetings, Sir Ivan Stormwall
Your presence is required at High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow. You may bring whatever and whoever you wish, but you must leave any party members behind when you approach the Hill. Bring your best equipment.
~Sadron Aphaderuiondur

Sir Noire looked over Ivan's shoulder. "What's that? Can I come?"

[Hawlin]

Kaite had put herself up in the loft of farmhouse, the residence being more than welcoming after an incidental run-in with bandits at her camp the night before. Having thought the woods to be there territory, their headless corpses left in the clearing were certain to cement such a claim; their 'grave' left open for all manner of scavengers to have at their bodies, the half-elf was faintly curious what a passerby would think of the kneeling bodies with heads in their hands.
The lovely couple had been late on extortion fees, and the trio were days late on coming to collect. It was an odd occurrence, Kaite had been told, since they were often strictly early and stayed late to harass workers. A few inquiries about facial descriptions later, and it was official that Ispar's Black Knight's shadow spread through the town by word of mouth.

Rumors swept most of the worker's from her path as they had more important things to do than draw her attention. So it was a considerable surprise when a knock came to Kaite's door, causing her to look up from polishing their ebony-black helmet. "It's not my door to lock" she replied with her slight northern accent, assuming it was simply 'housekeeping' before the letter slipped into the room, earning a raised eyebrow. By the time she reached the door to peek out, the creaking of steps signified that the messenger had already left. With an unimpressed sniffle, Kaite tore the letter open and quickly read its contents before groaning and tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling.
If her whereabouts were known enough to receive letters, then it was best she begin moving on. However, the request for her attendance from Sadron himself wasn't a very welcoming invitation since the wording of being 'required' made her stop to think of what kind of legal trouble she could be in. All things considered, it wasn't too steep of an assumption to make, though her debts were paid in full and she'd been on her best behavior for the last few months.

Excusing the notion with the shake of her head, the half-elf stuffed the letter into her pack and resumed her work. "And what would that mean? This summons from..." she began to speak, turning the helmet over to face it's beaked visor and stopping as if being interrupted. "Hrm, I suppose. If it is no court call, then it must be something-" Kaite continued, opening the visor to reach the inside. Nodding her head with a small smirk teasing her previously concerned expression, "Exactly...something important enough to track us down," she chirped in agreement. With the conclusion of the odd exchange, she hastily packed the rest of her gear and cinched up the straps to the rest of the armor.

The owners of the farm had anticipated Kaite's departure in due time, and had set aside trail rations and a note encouraging her to take one of their horses in compensation for saving the village the trouble of losing supplies to the bandits. Thinking nothing of it, and without even a word, she picked the sturdiest of the lot and set out, leaving only a small stack of gold on top of the note.

[Darkmoon Angel]

Ivan gladly accepted the letter from the messenger. "Thank you good sir." He sent the messenger on his way and read the letter. "High Council Hill... Eight in the morning... Bring your best equipment... Huh, wonder what old Sadron wants with me." As he read the letter, Ivan felt a pair of eyes peering over his shoulder. He turned to find that it was Sir Noire, a good friend and knight though he did have a habit of eavesdropping.

"What's that? Can I come?" Ivan put the letter away and gave his friend a friendly smile. "Well my friend, it seems that it's your lucky day. It seems that our dear high elf, Sadron, has need of me for whatever reason and he has allowed me to bring some company." Ivan brought Noire with him to the armory to suit up for the trek to High Council Hill.

They stopped by the market to get supplies and returned to the barracks to set everything up. "Ok... Map, check... Food and camping supplies, check... Alright that's everything." Ivan didn't mention his family sword and shield, as he kept these items on his person at all times. "One of these days.." he thought. "One of these days..."

"Ok, we should be ready to go... Anything else before we set out Noire?" Once they were done with what Sir Noire suggested, they set out to High Council Hill.

[Thinslayer]

@rush99999

The grandfather clock continued its steady beat through time. In the silence of the study, it echoed its warnings of the future every second to the man who stood before it. Just as the bells began to toll, a letter slipped through the mail slot.

The Letter

Greetings,

You know who I am. I request your presence at the High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow. There is something evil afoot, and I need your bold council. I will understand if you have no wish to attend; the last meeting was a wash, to say the least. But your insights would be extremely valuable to the Champions we have selected for the upcoming task. We would be happy to listen to any story you wish to tell for the rest of the day afterwards.

Sincerely,
~Sadron Aphaderuiondur

[rush99999]

Over the sound of the tolling bells, The Storyteller's ears barely just managed to catch the sound of the mail slot on the study's door opening long enough to produce a letter before snapping shut. The Storyteller waited until the bells of the grandfather clock had finished tolling before bringing the letter to his hand with a pull lesser item spell. The Storyteller read the address that the letter had been sent to and smiled. The Storyteller recognized the handwriting and the oddly specific address all too well. "Why you're always so specific about the address, I cannot fathom, Sadron" The Storyteller chuckled as he opened the letter.
'Greetings' the letter said.
"Lovely day for it" The Storyteller replied cheerfully.
'You know who I am. I request your presence at the High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow. There is something evil afoot, and I need your bold council' the letter declared.
"You actually want me to come back?" The Storyteller asked with a raised eyebrow "After what happened last time?".
'I will understand if you have no wish to attend; the last meeting was a wash, to say the least' The letter admitted.
"I'll say" The Storyteller responded.
'But your insights would be extremely valuable to the Champions we have selected for the upcoming task. We would be happy to listen to any story you wish to tell for the rest of the day afterwards. Sincerely,
~Sadron Aphaderuiondur'
"...I need to pack" The Storyteller decided.

[MissCapnCrunch]

"A human? You have to be joking mother." Dionaea said, her hand resting on her hip. She was young and full of spirit, as shown in her bright brown eyes. "I am not joking." her mother spoke, her hand outstretched pointing to some of the other elves who were huddled speaking. "See for yourself, listen for yourself." Dia walked outside of her home to where the group of people were speaking. She did not interrupt but merely listened as her elders spoke. They had all different sort of tales, all of which cast humans as tricksters and users. They only wanted to cause harm to elves, so if one was headed here it was for his own benefit.

It was only when the human himself appeared that she believed he was even real. The creature definitely wasn't as monstrous as she had imagined. His face pudgy and slightly unnerved. The man walked slowly between the other elves, stopping in front of Dia. Her mouth parted slightly in shock, as he handed the letter to her directly. "For you, miss." he said, speeding off from where he came. People looked over, confused and curious. Dia clutched the letter to her chest, dashing back home as people followed quickly behind.

She closed the door, her back planted against it. "The human gave me a letter!" she exclaimed as her mother came over and snatched it straight from her hands. Knocks were heard on the door and ignored as Dionaea pleaded, "What does it say! Read it to me!" she asked, as her mother's eyes peered to and fro, "It's Sadron, you're requested at the High Concil!" Dia was swept up in curiosity and slight fear. She snatched the letter back from her mother, so she could look at what it says with her own eyes:

Greetings, Dionaea Sycamore
Your presence is required at High Council Hill by eight in the morning tomorrow.
Bring your gear. You will have to stay for a fortnight or longer, so additional travel provisions will be provided upon arrival.
~ Sadron Aphaderuiondur

The knocks on the door became more furious, the curiosity overtaking the people as Dia's mother opened the door and try to explain everything. Rumors were everything to the elves, they lived and breathed their tales of the past and their prejudices against things based on what their forefathers had laid down for them. "I'm going." Dia said, as her mother turned. "I suppose you must." she replied, a bit of sadness in her voice. She was the woman's 15th child but each and every child was important to the community.

Dia grabbed her backpack and packed enough gear for both the travel and for the time there. She was given blessings by some of the elders in the woods of Nise'corona and given hugs and kisses by her brothers and siblings both young and old. Her parents were the last to see her off as they embraced her and told her to make them proud. She nodded, her light blonde hair pulled into a short braid. "Be yourself, and no one can ever say you failed." Dia's father spoke, his slender hand on her shoulder as he looked into her eyes. "Yes papa." she said, as she turned to face the path to go towards High Council. Whistling a small tune, she began her journey.

[Thinslayer]

In the center of the continent, at the intersection of all four major racial territories, was the Domain of the High Elves. It was walled off in all directions with steel and stone, and the only entrances lay in the four cardinal directions. Once inside, the landscape changed. No longer would one step through mud blackened by decades-old blood. No longer would one pass stump after stump and decaying skeletons from wars long past. It transformed from a bleak battlefield into a lush paradise wonderland within the walls of the High Elves. Birds sang wild songs in the trees, deer and horses grazed peacefully on the soft carpets of grass, and bubbling streams trickled merrily through the countryside.

All roads led from the gates to a single hill deep inside their territory, a sacred place known as High Council Hill. Upon it was erected an open marble hall where the three leading High Elves convened. A wide circular table stood in the middle of the hall, with runes placed here and there to allow for three-dimensional projections. Three thrones were at one end of the table, one for each leader. At the other end were many lesser chairs, each decorated with images of heroes long past. Gentle music played in the background as elves practiced their various noble arts.

To enter the domain, one only had to ask at the gate, and it would open. Then one could proceed to the Hill and be granted an audience if one of the High Elves was present to receive it. Security was not a major concern here, since the High Elves were quite capable of defending themselves against concerted attack.

Today, the Hill was abuzz with excitement. Female elves darted about setting up chairs, food, chests, and accessories for the upcoming event. Arandur was the only High Elf present at the moment, providing directions to the servants as they prepared the Hall for the arriving champions.

[rush99999]

Shortly after receiving his invitation, The Storyteller had packed up his few belongings and had left his Aetherion refuge for High Council Hill. The High Elves apparently wanted his take on an important matter they were facing, and (Despite what happened the last time he made an appearance at High Council Hill.) The Storyteller had no intention of ignoring their call. Especially if he had a chance to regale the 3 most powerful elves in the land with some of his many tales and maybe even discover a few new additions to his storybook.

As he approached 1 of the gates to High Council Hill, The Storyteller noticed the gatekeeper's eyes widen with shock when he caught sight of who he was about to let in. The Storyteller wasn't all that surprised. After what happened during his last visit, The Storyteller became synonymous with all the events that had transpired that day, from the amusing to the troublesome. Despite all of this, when The Storyteller asked for the gates to open, the gates opened just like they did for every other visitor that came through them.

As he made his way up the hill, The Storyteller chuckled at all the looks he was getting from those he passed by. Usually, the looks he got were ones of amazement at the fact that they were meeting The Storyteller in the flesh, or ones of curiosity directed at the one-eyed stranger who was spinning a most entertaining yarn for the enjoyment of those around him. But at High Council Hill, all the looks he got were once that silently said "I remember you!" or "Oh no, not again!" among other things.

Upon reaching the top of the hill, The Storyteller quickly spotted Arandur directing the servants in their preparations for the arrival of the champions. "I see you 3 plan on giving these champions of yours a warm welcome to the hill" The Storyteller said as he drew level with Arandur "And if Sadron is piling on the charm this high, the task you have in store for these champions isn't going to be an easy 1".

[Thinslayer]

"I see you three plan on giving these champions of yours a warm welcome to the hill."

Arandur flinched. So he doesn't know yet. He turned and gave the Storyteller his brightest smile, choosing not to respond yet to his comment about Sadron's task. "Ho there, Friend! It is so very good to see you again!" He took the man's hand and clasped it for a firm shake. "You have no idea how much I've yearned for your company. Honestly, Sadron is dull as a brick in social situations."

A quick glance around the hall revealed that Arandur was the only High Elf present at the moment. "They're coming," Arandur said quickly. "Want some tea? I brewed a splendid pot if I do say so myself. The tea leaves are the very best, transported directly from Sagia's finest herb farms. This pot is brewed in traditional style, since I think magic ruins the taste." He offered a cup and saucer to the Storyteller and took another for himself.

Arandur crossed his legs and took a long sip. "So how was the journey? Did you meet any of the other champions yet?"

[rush99999]

The Storyteller mentally raised an eyebrow at Arandur. He could have sworn the High Elf had flinched. The Storyteller had put that thought to 1 side by the time Arandur started talking though.
"Ho there, Friend! It is so very good to see you again!" the elf exclaimed.
"It's good to see you too, Arandur" The Storyteller said as he shook Arandur's hand.
"You have no idea how much I've yearned for your company" Arandur stated "Honestly, Sadron is dull as a brick in social situations".
"That may be true" The Storyteller chuckled "But never let it be said that he isn't a good listener. While we're on the subject, do you know where I might find the rest of the High Council? I'd like to say hello to them as well".
"They're coming" Arandur said quickly after looking around for Sadron and Erudessa "Want some tea? I brewed a splendid pot if I do say so myself. The tea leaves are the very best, transported directly from Sagia's finest herb farms. This pot is brewed in traditional style, since I think magic ruins the taste".
"Traditional Sagia grown tea?" The Storyteller said "Don't mind if I do".

The Storyteller took the cup and saucer offered to him and took a modest sip before pulling up a chair and sitting down next to Arandur to continue the conversation.
"So how was the journey?" Arandur asked "Did you meet any of the other champions yet?".
"Not yet" The Storyteller replied "Though I don't suppose that will be the case for long. As for my journey, it was about as uneventful as you'd expect from a day long walk on a road leading to High Council Hill. But enough about me. How have you and the rest of the council been faring? I trust Sadron didn't have too much trouble in dealing with the aftermath of my last visit?".

[Thinslayer]

"Did you meet any of the other champions yet?"
"Not yet, though I don't suppose that will be the case for long."
"True enough," Arandur agreed.
"As for my journey, it was about as uneventful as you'd expect from a day long walk on a road leading to High Council Hill. But enough about me. How have you and the rest of the council been faring? I trust Sadron didn't have too much trouble in dealing with the aftermath of my last visit?"
Arandur flinched again. "It's been...trying."

"Indeed," came another voice, this one deep and powerful. Sadron had come up behind the Storyteller. "But the conflict is over now, one way or another. A new threat has taken its place, one that threatens all of us. But more on that later, once everyone is here." Sadron paced over to his seat, inched himself down, and pulled out his pipe. "Nothing quite like a good smoke, eh?" he commented as he lit the tobacco.

Arandur glanced at the third unoccupied seat. His shoulders drooped momentarily before he turned back to Sadron and exchanged with him a knowing look.
Sadron puffed out a little cloud of smoke resembling a sailing ship. "What do you think, Storyteller, of the state of affairs in Aetherion? I trust you've had a good look around since the last Council."

[Hawlin]

As loathe as Kaite was to set foot in the grime of the old wars, mud and ashened salt cast across the desolate land certain to cling to her boots, she felt it wouldn't be fair to force her burden upon the so-far faithful steed. Whispers inside her helmet jeered at the mangled, sun-bleached bones of fallen soldiers and likely innocents as well. Daisy chains of skeletons clutching swords buried in another skeleton's chest shamefully worked a small chuckle to join in the chorus of laughter, though all fell silent as she directed her gaze to the gates beyond the fetid moor.
It was admittedly disgusting to imagine paradise set in the center of such a mess, but Kaite supposed the moat of death to be a substantial warning for those undeservingly curious of the treetops that poked out from over the gated walls.

Guards stood at cautious attention as the cloaked figure lead their horse to the gate, the glint of a beaked black helmet poking from the hood. Kaite had little reason to ever set foot inside, and it showed in her voice which she composed to sound more confused than unnerved. "I was...summoned?" she said with a slight turn of her head, a statement that was met with the gates opening without a word. She stepped forward after a moment of hesitation, leading the horse in tow and offering a small "Cheers" to the armored figures who watched with suspicion as she hoisted the webbing of belts toating her swords and shield onto her back.
Stepping into the lush, lightly wooded land, Kaite finished relieving her mount of its pack of provisions which she slung over her shoulder in the same motion of pulling the saddle off. "Yeh, git!" she barked, giving the creature a gruff bump in the shoulder to direct it to the field, an invitation it accepted without a moment to consider. The half-elf assumed an edition to the fauna would be the least of the council's concern, and dumped the old saddle off to the side of the path as the beast's indentured servitude was no longer her concern. However, Kaite couldn't help but watch the horse trot over to join in the grazing with a glint of distant fondness within the deep darkness of the visor.

After getting a few unnerved looks from passing elves, the half-elf determined the company was friendly enough to at least [i]try[i] not to be so creepy. This notion was especially bolstered after bumping into one of the servants and scaring them off with a clawed black gauntlet emerging from the tattered black cloak to catch a clay jug of wine that was nearly dashed on the cobblestone. Watching them hurry off to the silent hisses of the voices commenting on her having 'lovely eyes' and 'how dare that ignorant cow!', Kaite shook her head and unclipped the helmet.
Brushing back their hood and freeing herself from the screams of protest in her head from the armor's hold, she held the helmet under her arm. Wavy shoulder-length golden blond hair fell back into place, veiling crystal blue eyes for as long as it took for a finger to brush it back behind short yet pointed ears save for a few errant bangs. Kaite could have probably passed for an elf if it weren't for her ears and how she towered above most of the women at 6'5 with the extra inch of her now sodden ink-black boots that clicked across stone as she made her way up the hill.

While Kaite had anticipated on not being the first to arrive, the audience at the crest of the hill was a bit sparse for what she'd hoped for and filled with face's she would have rather blended into a crowd to avoid. 'Living under a rock' could have described her knowledge of other lands well enough, as she cared little for news and stories. As such, the Storyteller didn't register in the shadow of Sadron and Arandur who appeared to be 'yukking it up' with them.
Kaite stood awkwardly in her ragged cloak obscuring the rest of her traveling attire, burdened with pack and tools of destruction slung across her back while a single black, clawed gauntlet politely held the forgotten and untouched jug of wine.

[Lord Zee]

Tiberius rode Lancel throughout the night, for where he had been, there was little time to rest or he feared he would not make it on time. The night had been very quiet with little going on besides occasionally spooking an animal in the forest or the passing of small villages with their closed doors. Luckily, he didn't tire easily even if sleep beckoned his name with sweet promises of dreams and the comfort of a warm bed.

Now the sun was just rising in glorious hues of orange, yellow and purple. It slowly coated the landscape around him and revealing that he was close now. He could see the wall now, it was the second time he had ever been to the High Elves domain and Tiberius was still mesmerized by how beautiful they had made everything and just how grand the wall really was. Built of stone and steel, a wondrous achievement and a great display of power. He learned that the High Elves had good hearts for what they did so long ago, and none of the races that were here now would be here without them. For this, he was thankful but the question still nagged at the back of his mind. Why had he been summoned?

He came upon the gate wrought of steel and carvings he did not understand shortly afterwords. He greeted the gatekeeper merrily and it opened slowly, giving way to a full view of High Elven country. Nothing had changed greatly since his last visit and it was still as beautiful as before much to his relief. What he enjoyed most about this place was how freely everything seemed to be. There was no fighting within these walls, and nothing to fear. Even the animals seemed to be in harmony with the elves and there was a good peace here. He bid the gatekeeper a very fond farewell and went on his way.

When he was close, he dismounted from Lancel and let him go freely. He was sure the Elves would not care and his white stallion deserved a good long break for his hard work. With a tender pat on his snout, he bid Lancel goodbye for a time. He waited and watched his horse go down to a stream to drink his fill. Tiberius smiled under his steel great helm and stretched his legs out before walking up towards the Council Hill.

His armor glinted in the morning sun as he made his approach and when he got to one of the arches he gazed up at it out of curiosity. He had never actually been to this place before and it was all knew to him but it was definitely what he thought it would be. A stone table, chairs, and three figures across from him. Two were definitely high elves and if he was a guessing man one would be Sadron. The third person he was was... the storyteller? At least that was who he thought it was. He had never met him, but had heard the tales. How exciting Tiberius thought. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her, a women. Or was she an elf? He couldn't really tell but she was also very tall, probably around the same height he was and her crystal blue eyes were striking. Her blond hair fit the picture perfectly and he felt himself blush under his helmet.

He just.. stared at her for a minute or two before realizing she wasn't saying anything. So, Tiberius eventually looked back at the High Elves and blurted out, "So, uhh, I got your letter."

[rush99999]

"It's been...trying" Arandur said after flinching a 2nd time. The Storyteller was about to ask about the flinching, but a 2nd voice chiming in once again sidelined all thoughts of Arandur's flinching once again.
"Indeed" Sadron said "But the conflict is over now, one way or another. A new threat has taken its place, one that threatens all of us. But more on that later, once everyone is here".
"Of course" The Storyteller said as Sadron took his seat and produced his pipe.
"Nothing quite like a good smoke, eh?" Sadron commented as he lit the tobacco.
"I couldn't agree more" The Storyteller replied before putting down his tea and reaching into his magic satchel for his own pipe, not noticing the looks the High Elves exchanged. The Storyteller quickly had his pipe ready and his tobacco lit. He admired Sadron's smoke ship before puffing out a vast mountain range with peaks that reached for the clouds.

"What do you think, Storyteller, of the state of affairs in Aetherion?" Sadron asked "I trust you've had a good look around since the last Council".
The Storyteller opened his mouth to reply, but closed it when someone addressed them.
"So, uhh, I got your letter" Tiberius said.

[Thinslayer]

@Darkmoon Angel
@Hawlin
@Lord Zee

The Story So Far

The Storyteller reached High Council Hill to find only Arandur was present. They exchanged pleasantries, but Arandur adamantly refused to talk business until the other champions arrived. Then Sadron arrived and exchanged more pleasantries, similarly stubborn (but less explicit) about his refusal to talk business until the others arrived. There seemed to be a bit of tension over what happened at the last Council, but no one explicitly stated what caused it. Meanwhile, Kaite and Tiberius arrived, and while Kaite was reluctant to join the group, Tiberius got straight to the point and joined up.

"So, uh, I got your letter," Sir Tiberius Longshadow blurted out. Sadron looked at Tiberius and sized him up. The corner of his mouth turned up slightly. "Excellent. Join us," Sadron murmured through his pipe. He winked at the young man and gestured for him to sit in one of the chairs.

"I've heard stories about you, young man. You're quite a remarkable fellow. Did you really defend Miss Evergleam from armed challengers with your bare hands, or was that a popular exaggeration?"

[Thinslayer]

Ivan gladly accepted the letter from the messenger. "Thank you good sir." He sent the messenger on his way and read the letter. "High Council Hill... Eight in the morning... Bring your best equipment... Huh, wonder what old Sadron wants with me." As he read the letter, Ivan felt a pair of eyes peering over his shoulder. He turned to find that it was Sir Noire, a good friend and knight though he did have a habit of eavesdropping.

"What's that? Can I come?" Ivan put the letter away and gave his friend a friendly smile. "Well my friend, it seems that it's your lucky day. It seems that our dear high elf, Sadron, has need of me for whatever reason and he has allowed me to bring some company." Ivan brought Noire with him to the armory to suit up for the trek to High Council Hill.

They stopped by the market to get supplies and returned to the barracks to set everything up. "Ok... Map, check... Food and camping supplies, check... Alright that's everything." Ivan didn't mention his family sword and shield, as he kept these items on his person at all times. "One of these days.." he thought. "One of these days..."

"Ok, we should be ready to go... Anything else before we set out Noire?" Once they were done with what Sir Noire suggested, they set out to High Council Hill.

@Darkmoon Angel

After about a day's journey, Sir Ivan and Sir Noire approached the gates of the Domain. "Welp, here we are. I gotta drop off from here, or Sarge will have me bee-hind. I'll see you around, man." He lightly punched Ivan in the shoulder, turned around, and headed for the nearby inn.