A roleplay transcript by Lyrena Auberan and Ezran of the Willowguard
TL;DR: Lyrena and Ezran visit the scar and discuss its origins. Could the scar be an overreaction of the forest to Skolvor's presence - like an auto-immune disorder? Neither of them has a good idea how to fix it either way. Best to leave it to the nice wizards. Lyrena shares grave warnings of a battle with Ezran. Ezran teaches Lyrena of the Willow Wisp birds and how to summon them in Ansa`fel and Moon Willow to send messages. There is much mutual respect and gratitude all round.
:: Lyrena Auberan had just docked at the Moon Willow island's modest little port, anchoring her sailboat bearing the sigil of Ansa'fel City. The Dame Commander tasked the two Guardians accompanying her - an orcish woman and an elven man - to stay by their ship, while the Blood elf herself stepped onto the pier, and began to look around - already trying to see if any signs of corruption were near. As she spotted what looked like a giant, mythical stag approaching the docks from within the grove, Lyrena approached the end of the pier, straightening her posture and keeping her hands joined above her abdomen. She wasn't quite sure who had come to greet her, and peered a bit left and right to take a better look at the somewhat obscured rider of the elegant beast.
:: Ezran walked the stag slowly towards the docks. The day, like all days in Moon Willow, was temperate and restful, but he could feel the corruption on the distant shore like a stain in the energy of the wood. As he approached, he saw the Ansa`fel boat arriving and three people disembark, two of whom stayed on the dock. The third, a Blood elf by the look of her, approached the forest. Ezran slid down lightly from the back of the stag, scratched its muzzle and then whispered to it to go. It stalked off through the trees leaving him alone to face the elf. "Welcome, honoured guest, to Moon Willow Forest. I am Ezran, captain of the Willowguard." He bowed formally, following the proper protocols of an official visit from the King's most honoured domain.
:: Lyrena watched as the winged fae slid down from his great mount with a growing curiosity. Her golden eyes trailed the stag as it wandered off into the woods, before Ezran summoned her attention again. Upon welcoming her to the island, the Dame Commander approached again - stepping off the planks of the pier, and onto the soil Ezran himself stood upon. "Lyrena, Dame Commander of the Guardians of Ansa'fel.", the blonde elf introduced herself, reaching out with a gauntleted hand for a handshake. "You have my thanks, Captain Ezran. I have seen the beauty of your island before, actually. One of the nymphs of Moonflower Hollow showed me around.", she reminisced with a cordial smile. "But I fear today I am not here for that.", she rhetorically stated, knowing Ezran certainly knew what she meant by that.
:: Ezran gripped her hand firmly. "We are well met, Lyrena of the Guardians," he said. "Your visit to the forest was observed and welcome," he said with a smile. "But this occasion is more formal and more auspicious." He released her hand and beneath his mask, a more grave expression could be seen. "It is a personal honour for me to meet my counterpart in the King's own seat of power. I am grateful that you came." He paused, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Under normal circumstances and by the custom of my people, we would begin in Tirgatha breaking bread together. I… ah…" he trailed off for a moment, visibly uncomfortable to be seeking to break protocol.
:: Lyrena felt the warrior fae's strong grip against her gauntlet, offering a similar squeeze of her own. "I appreciate your kindness. And your respect.", Lyrena reassured. "And be sure it is returned, Captain.", she said with a nod, tilting her head and snickering in a friendly fashion as Ezran spoke of the traditions here. "We can do that later, Captain.", Lyrena suggested, with a smile. "For now, I say we talk about our business. I have heard vague news of this corruption from a few people so far - one of them a nymph of the Hollow, in fact, an old friend of mine. Is it as serious as I suspect?"
:: Ezran smiled, relieved that she shared his view on the urgency of the business at hand and nodded gravely. "Truly it is," he said. "Come, let me take you to the scar, as it has become known in the short time it has been present in our woods." He turned from her and started treading softly through the mosses and flowers, his feet barely making a mark. After a few paces, he turned to be sure that she was following.
:: Lyrena herself looked somberly upon that. It certainly didn't relieve the Dame Commander that trouble had found its way to Ansa'fel's very close neighbor island. As they walked, Lyrena was more careless at first, but when she noticed Ezran being more careful in his gait, the Blood elf herself began to tread a bit more gently, making sure her sabatons didn't bruise too many flowers. "I understand you yourself visited Ansa'fel a few days ago, Captain? In search of the Nymph Queen?", she asked while they walked through the woods. "And instead, you were helped by a certain Coraline and Rhea.", she followed up with. "Rhea is the old friend I spoke of. But I know Coraline too. They are kind, both of them. It does not surprise me that they came to your aid.", she said, pausing her speech as the volcanic scar, at first just a brightness in the distance, became more and more gruesome-looking as they neared it. Until the air around them became uncomfortably hot. Lyrena's eyes squinted, as if the fissure was also uncomfortably bright. "I am sorry you have had to deal with this.", the Blood elf readily said towards the Captain beside her, her voice a bit muffled by the quaking rocks and constantly bustling steam. "I understand this rupture was caused by the presence of a vile mage.", she questioned the fae. "I have come to know him. He was in Ansa'fel a few days ago. Where he caused more trouble.", she reminisced with a bit of frustration.
:: Ezran noted with approval that the Blood elf trod carefully as she passed in the forest. Not that the forest needed it - it was resilient - but it showed the proper respect to the spirit of the woods. "Yes," he said as they walked in answer to her question. "They were both kind and delightful." A smile played on his lips as he thought of them. "I am rarely in the city - it does not feel right to me. But the Hollow is a rare oasis that I intend to visit from time to time." He walked on, reflecting on his visit. As they approached the scar, he too felt its heat and narrowed his eyes against the brightness. They stood on the edge of it looking down as she mentioned her understanding of its origin. "We know not in certainty," he said as they looked at it. "This is the spot where Lady Silmariel and Skolvor were seen by my watchers to converse. But whether they caused it or not, I cannot say. Neither were seen nor felt to invoke their power." He shrugged, looking down at the hateful blemish to his beautiful forest. "Rhea felt strongly that the land was cursed, though the scar had not yet opened when we were here together. Coraline tasted that the soil was poisoned. I hope only that some combination of mage and nymph magic can heal this. All of our works have been as nothing against it." He looked at her with a sorrowful expression, slowly removing his mask and strapping it to his belt. His face was visibly drawn with worry and his bright blue eyes, though shining, were dimmed from their usual vibrancy. "Have you ever seen its like, Lyrena of the Guardians?"
:: Lyrena had dipped her head with a smile as Ezran spoke of his dealings with the pair of nymph girls. "I cannot speak in their names, but I imagine you are more than welcome to.", the Blood elf said in regards to the Captain paying visits to the nymphs' sacred Hollow. "Your scouts were right.", Lyrena confirmed, a bit morbidly. "I spoke yesterday with the Lady Silmariel. She indeed met with Skolvor here.", she added, continuing to examine the scar. "She claims she did not see, or notice Skolvor casting any spell. That it was his presence alone that has somehow started this sickness. Born of the magic Skolvor worships.", she said, trying to remember its name. Ven-Vyzran had told her. "Faerzress"?, she said, possibly not quite nailing the pronunciation. She looked towards the fae Captain, curious if he was familiar with it himself. "I have. Only green, not red.", she answered Ezran's final query. Though the contents of her statement may be interpreted as a joke on paper, the Blood elf's tone was serious. Concerned. She shook her head while looking at the scar. "The Lady Silmariel told me she plans to come here herself, and try to mend the damage. She seemed to think it would not be too complicated.", the Blood elf stated. "She has rivaled Skolvor for many years, as I understand it. She must understand his magic well enough by now. Perhaps it is worth a try."
:: Ezran listened carefully to the Commander's words. "Faerzress?" he asked thoughtfully, unfamiliar with the name. He was unfamiliar with most things beyond the borders of the forest any longer, though he had not lived here all his long life. "No," he said, shaking his head after thinking for a moment. "I know it not." He listened on as she spoke of her experience of a green scar. "And?" he asked in response. "Was it healed easily in your memory?" He looked down at Moon Willow's own sickness. "My fear," he said before she answered, "is that if this was done by Skolvor - by intent or accident - something about his magic has reacted with the Forest's own protective wards and spirits." He paused, chewing thoughtfully on his lip. "I spoke to the shaman of the centaur," he said after a moment. "He thinks that whatever was done by Skolvor, the Forest has overreacted and made it worse. It is as if it is destroying itself to be rid of Skolvor's essence. He knows not what to do either."
:: Lyrena closed her eyes and pessimistically shook her head while reminiscing of the green scars she spoke of. "No.", the Blood elf answered. "It took time. Power far beyond what most wield.", she said with a sigh. "But what you speak of,", she said, looking around the ancient groves behind them. "That this magic - it has disturbed the one in your home, I… I do not know. It is even farther from my understanding.", she told the Fae, looking into his eyes. "This magic, Skolvor's…", she started off. "Faerzress.", she repeated again, possibly pronouncing it differently yet again. "What I know is that it is strongest in the Underdark. And so is Skolvor.", she added. "Rhea told me you did not manage to speak with Queen Etain. She was not there, at the Hollow?", she asked Ezran, waiting for him to confirm it. "She has been absent as of late, but I know that as soon as she learns of your plights, she will come here quickly. Coraline is seeking her out as we speak. Queen Etain understands nature. I hope that she is able to see - understand - that which eludes you and your ilk, Ezran. But… There is something else you must know.", she said, turning towards the Willowguard Captain.
:: Ezran listened carefully, hoping she might have an idea, but finding that she was as earnest and out of her depth as he himself was. "No," he confirmed in answer to her question about the Queen of Moonflower Hollow. "I am sure too that she will come," he agreed. Then, as she turned to him, he turned himself to meet her gaze. "Go on…"
:: Lyrena looked towards the scar again, then all the beautiful nature around them. Towards the village she knew many fae lived. Then, finally, her concerned gaze met Ezran's. "Skolvor. He may come here again.", the Blood elf warned her Moon Willow counterpart. "The Lady Silmariel. She has made some deal with him. To trade artefacts of great power. It is why Skolvor came this far, to these waters. There is an accursed sword in these lands that he seeks. And the Lady Silmariel has promised it to him.", the Dame Commander explained. Her already somber mood turned a bit more towards frustrations as she again remembered and explained that entire ordeal. "The sword is not currently in her possession. It was, almost. I learned that she had been keeping these deals with Skolvor secret from me. From our King. The sword is with him now. He may give it to her. I advised against it, but…", the Blood elf closed her eyes for a moment, and grumbled. "I fear none of that matters. The Lady Silmariel thinks Skolvor will become violent if she does not have the sword for him, when next they meet. But even if she gets the sword, she plans to cheat Skolvor. Either way, she thinks a battle is almost certain.", she sternly added. "Your people deserve to know. From what I understand…", she sighed, looking at the ground for a moment. "Their fight could be so destructive, your entire island could be in danger. I can sense you are a warrior. That you may be inclined to join the Lady Silmariel and fight Skolvor. But your citizens - those who cannot protect themselves… They may need to be escorted to safety. Away from here."
:: Ezran listened to her thoughtfully, a serious look crossing his grey features and iridescent blue eyes. "A battle?" he asked when she finished speaking. "The Willowguard do not fight in the battles of mages," he said carefully. "Nor for swords, nor honour, nor for Kings. We fight only to protect the forest and its spirit and peoples. If the battle comes here, we will be ready. But we will not seek it." He raised his hand in a gesture, and from the trees and rocks around them crept creature after creature. Some were small and winged and flitted like wisps of light in the air; others were his size with wings or tails or horns or all three. One rock shifted and revealed itself to be some kind of troll, and from the trees stepped a centaur wearing shining armour and carrying a spear. Each fae and creature was armed in some fashion. Few of the armaments likely appeared terribly effective to Lyrena, but the overall appearance of the host was nevertheless impressive. "And the forest itself is not defenseless," he said, once the host had assembled. As he spoke, a susurrating wind started whispering through the branches of the trees as if in response to his words. He smiled at her and then lowered his hand. The host was gone. "Yet I confess, Lyrena, that this scar has proven to be our match. And so I will say this: though I cannot offer you the Willowguard unless the battle threatens our woods, I can offer you myself. Should you need me, speak my name into the wind and I will fly as fast as the eastern gales to your side."
:: Lyrena watched as the nature around them almost came to life, and previously dormant or hidden dwellers of the groves made themselves known. She looked around as the creatures assembled. The Dame Commander looked impressed enough. Or at least, a bit more hopeful now that she knew the Forest denizens would be able to defend themselves if push came to shove. "Good.", she proclaimed with a bit more confidence, giving her fellow Commander a nod that signaled respect. "The secrets and wonders of your home are many, I imagine. I hope to learn more of them some day. Under better circumstances.", she clarified, a smile curling one corner of her lips. "I think the Lady Silmariel may work towards convincing Skolvor to meet elsewhere - not on your island. Especially when she comes here herself, and sees the harm he has done.", the Blood elf said, this time a bit less hopefully. "…But it may not be wholly up to her either. Skolvor may refuse.", she added. "If she does come here, I would counsel you not to blindly believe her claims that 'everything will be fine'. Do not let your guard down - especially if Skolvor does return here.", she nodded, reaching out to shake the Captain's hand again. "You have my thanks, Ezran of the Willowguard. "I hope no more harm comes to this gorgeous place. If things worsen, send for me again, and I will come.", she promised. "Do you have any… Birds here, who could carry a letter?", she asked, suggesting it as a way for the Willowguard to contact Ansa'fel.
:: Ezran smiled and shook her hand firmly. "My thanks, Lyrena of the Guardians," he said. "For your concern and your warning. Both will be remembered in these groves, whatever else may come." In answer to her final question, he held his hand out and whistled. A small blue bird with iridescent plumage flitted from between the trees and alighted on his finger, chirping and tilting its head. "This is a Willow Wisp," he said, holding the bird out towards her. "Hold out your finger and he will hop on." He watched as she followed his instructions. "They fly between the forest and mainland many times each day. Their homes are here, but they adore the fruit of the Tilberry, which does not grow on this shore. If you whistle, just so," he made the whistle again - a sort of two-note piping between the lips and teeth, "they will come to you and allow you to attach a note. We have trained them for many centuries for just this purpose. Let him fly away and then try the whistle for yourself."
:: Lyrena watched as the little blue bird fluttered its way to Ezran's hand so calmly. The Blood elf looked at the small creature with a mild curiosity as the winged fae told her of its behaviors. When prompted, Lyrena extended her gauntleted hand, awaiting the bird to land on it. She wasn't the greatest with animals, so at first, she stared a bit awkwardly as nothing happened. "A moment.", she asked, before removing the metal on her right hand. Then, she tried again. After a few seconds, the bird landed on her extended index. The Dame Commander smiled, at the bird, then at Ezran. "…I hope I can replicate that.", she half-jestingly said to her counterpart when he showcased the whistle. Lyrena turned towards the woods, and swayed her arm up, prompting the bird to fly off. After that, she began to whistle, doing her best to mimic Ezran. For about thirty seconds, she whistled nearly half as many times. The bird occasionally flew closer to the pair again - until finally, the Blood elf seemed to get the hang of the intricacy enough, and the bird landed on her hand again. With her other gauntleted hand, she very gently caressed at the back of the avian's head, before letting it fly off again. "A protector and a teacher. You are full of surprises.", she complimented.
:: Ezran smiled. "My congratulations," he said with a smile as he watched Lyrena succeed at the task. "It takes some of our children many moons to master that call." It was unclear whether Lyrena would take this as a complement or not, though he meant it to be so. "So, now we have a means to keep one another informed," he said with a smile. "I did not teach your predecessor about the Willow Wisps," he said softly. "He was not interested in the forest." He looked down at the scar once more. "We have stood near this cursed place long enough. Another will watch it now," he said. "Can I walk you back to your boat, or would you like to wend your way through our mossy paths at your own pace?"
:: Lyrena Auberan put her gloves back on and nodded. "A stroke of luck.", the Dame Commander reassured. "I was about to ask if the late Commander Folmer Qiwenys ever came here.", she hummed. "I never came to know him myself, but I would not take it as an insult. There is… A lot to do in the city. There really is.", the Sin'dorei assured. "Cities can be… So needlessly complicated.", she nodded. She was about turn to make the trip by herself, but when Ezran suggested he escort her, the blonde elf looked past her shoulder to meet the Captain's gaze again. "Together.", she answered with gratitude, beckoning the man with a nod to come by her side. She gladly listened to anything else interesting he had to say about the ancient forest. It was a nice change of pace from the barracks in Ansa'fel.