Log cast: Stoneheart, Skywise, Treeestump, Minx, Naeblis, Ember, Yekazi
Log date: 9/27/99

Deep Forest

     Deep within the southern portion of a nameless forest, you see a
monolithic mountain rise out of its evergreen carpet into the sky. The top
of the mountain is flattened and its surface black. The large thing is a hill.

     To the north a small, seldom used trail winds into the bowed depths
leading to an unseen destination. Beneath ones feet is a dark, ash filled
soil which gleams with red and white quartz. There is something eerie about
the quiet stillness.

Contents:
Skywise(#2945PBJUce$g)
StoneHeart(#6760PJcf)
Nevardes
Obvious exits:
Trail North<N>  

[Stoneheart]
	StoneHeart could be called a Northern beauty to those of her kind, but her
hard, dark eyes drive all thoughts of that from ones mind. Her coal black
hair is long and tied back in a tight braid that hangs well down the middle
of her back. Around her head is a wide silver band, holding back any stray
pieces of hair that might fly free. Her long hooked nose has no warts, but
one is evident on the right side of her chin. Her grayish lips are set in a
stern line as again her eyes draw one to look at them. There is a deep lying
inteligence there and a quick wit to match it.
	She is dressed in thick leather britches with knee-high boots that lace up
the sides. They are thick-soled and have seen much travel. On her upper
body, she wears a blue long-sleeved tunick under a leather vest. But the
vest is barely visible under a shaped and sculpted breast plate that covers
her chest and back. It has been shaped to fit her, so it leaves nothing to
the imagination. Her arms that can bee seen through the close fitting tunic
material are large for a female troll, well muscled and toned to perfection.
Her huge hands could crush things fairly easily if she were so inclined to
do so.


[Treestump]
	His eyes are a pale blue, yet they darken or lighten with his moods. A
lupine shade, the blue of his irises calls up memories of summer skies or
crystal waters, calm and serene one moment, then wolfishly flaring with
anger, clouded and narrowed. They are set on a bluntly chiseled face with a
powerful jaw and a nose that slopes downwards. His chin sprouts facefur,
yellow-blonde curls the same color and texture as the unkept hair that curls
just over his brow. His form is one that whispers of power in brute
strength, his shoulders broad and his frame muscled. He stands no taller
than the average Wolfrider, yet he carries himself with a lupine grace and
inward pride that gives a touch of dignity to the old wolf. He is bound in
attire made almost entirely of fur and leather. 
	A bear-skin vest serves as his top, open-chest with the shoulders lined in
thick tufts of shagback fur. The vest tucks into a leather belt with a metal
buckle, troll-forged, that holds it in place, another length of fur-cloth
escaping out below to cover his groin and rear. A pair of form-fitting
breeches bind his legs, leather and a dark brown. They disappear as well,
into a pair of fur boots, their toes scuffed and their heels worn, looking
old and well-used. 

[Skywise]
	From top to toe, this impish elf seems to reflect all the colors of a
moonlit night. Silver white hair the shade of the full moon forms a cloud
around his head, held away from his face by a brightmetal face guard that
seems to hug the contours of his face. A smile of pure mischief curves his
lips, and his silver-grey eyes twinkle with merriment, but there is a
gravity about him that indicates that he is always pondering /something/. A
strange, wedge-shaped stone dangles from a cord about his neck, one hand
clasping it loosely in a form of reverence.
	His finely honed body is clothed in a blue/grey vest that opens down the
front of his chest, a pale grey belt cinching it in at the waist. Hanging
from his belt is a troll-forged sword. Adorning his arms are a pair of
brightmetal wrist guards, seeming matches to the face guard. As your eyes
travel down his length, you'll note that he wears a pair of leather breeches
the same shade as the belt around his waist. Black boots finish out his
appearance, and he is balanced as though poised for movement. You'll notice
that his eyes are not on you, but rather looking skyward, wondering what
lies beyond the physical limitations of his sight.

Carrying:
Sword
The lodestone


StoneHeart stands near an enclosed area where the Underworlders are storing
their trade goods at. Her arms are crossed and she seems to fit in quite
well with the snow, not seeming to be affected by it as the other green
trolls standing guard who shiver from time to time.

Skywise tosses some snow down on the troll. "Hullo." he's perched in a tree
nearby, smiling impishly.

StoneHeart reaches up and brushes the snow off of her hair and shoulders,
"Icebrain..." she grumbles under her breath as she looks up at the perched
elf...

The thump of feet landing on a branch, and a moment later, so is Treestump,
though the old wolf is perched on a different branch. A hand braced against
the trunk of the tree for balance, he cocks his head to the side. "Ach, now,
that's not very sociable," he comments, though without making it clear who
he's addressing, the stargazer or the troll.

StoneHeart sizes up the older, larger elf, regarding him mildly.

Skywise flicks silver eyes to Treestump. "Well, I suppose not." he offers by
way of apology. "Where've you been?"
Skywise locksends ** I don't know whether or not to trust these
Underworlders. **

"I've been about," the elder Wolfrider replies, returning Stoneheart's
regard bemusedly, with a trace of curious amusement to the crooked grin
developing amidst his beard. After a moment, Treestump tips his head to her,
quipping, "G'day there, lass," before shifting his eyes to return the
stargazer's silvery glance briefly.
You locksend to Skywise, Treestump's tone is wry: ** I don't think any of us
do. **

Skywise locksends ** Something you should know. They told us that your
friend Jaylorra is apparently living happily as head of a House, whatever
that is. **
Skywise peers at StoneHeart. "Where'd you get the new ornament?" he asks the
troll, gesturing to the nasty scar on her arm.

Perhaps not so brief a glance, actually. For a moment, Treestump simply
stares at Skywise, his own blue eyes with sudden surprise. Odd, that there's
no obvious cause for it either.

You locksend ** .... What? ** to Skywise.

You sense in a locksend, Skywise gives a little mental shrug. ** We accused
them of killing her, and they said she wasn't dead. **

You locksend to Skywise, Treestump is silent for a minute or two after that,
staring, before slowly turning his gaze back on the troll, though not his
full attention. ** I... I see, ** he finally replies after a while, numbly.

Skywise frowns, apparently not getting quite the reaction he was expecting.
He turns his attention back to Treestump, a white eyebrow raised in question.
Skywise locksends ** What's wrong? **

You locksend ** It's... I just thought she was dead, lad. A bit hard
digesting that... You sure that it was her they were talking about? I
mean... Timmorn's blood... ** to Skywise.

Minx has arrived.

Skywise locksends ** I...I'm sorry. I thought you would be glad to know. I
didn't think... **

Treestump is perched in a tree, studying the troll in the clearing with some
level of bemusement, occasional glances shot in Skywise's direction.

You locksend to Skywise, Treestump is hasty to reply, ** Ach, nay, lad! I
am! Just... ** He hehs softly. ** Just a little surprised... **

Skywise is perched in a tree somewhat above StoneHeart, making a nuisance of
himself.

StoneHeart looks up at Skywise, and snorts, before walking over to stand
under your branch, moving away from the other trolls, "I found a way into
the UnderWorld...lets just say that after encountering one individual, the
snake of the group>Sorry...at work

Naeblis emerges from his tent, the heavy cloth rustling audibly as he does
so. He is clad once more in the heavy cloth and mask he wears on the
surface. "Visitors, I see. Come you to trade?"

StoneHeart looks down at the slight scar on her arm, "He stabbed me with a
poison dagger, shortly before I tried to skewer him.."

[Naeblis]
Your eyes slide off of the tall, cloaked elf almost immediately, as though
focusing on his form requires effort greater than watching another. He seems
to be drowning inside his simple mottled black cloak, as though it was
tailored to someone a bit bigger than he. With the hood up, you can't see
his hair, or his face, but you think you can make out his deep, watery blue
eyes, looking back at you from the voluminous hood and the odd stone mask
beneath it. The mask is colored black and white, with the division running
directly along the bridge of the nose and between the eyes. The black half
is twisted into a hateful, malicious grimace, and a pacific, tranquil
smoothness pervades the other. Soft, supple leather boots adorn his feet,
and sable colored pants, mottled throughout with lighter shades of gray, are
tucked into them. A small bronze clasp, imprinted with the insignia of House
Garado in relief, holds the cloak over his form, obscuring much of what you
might otherwise see. He appears comfortable in the cool air, as though he
had never been anywhere else.

Carrying:
PlotBot

Minx advances through the branches, quiet as a shadow. Mostly.

StoneHearts ears seem to perk as she hears the russle of fabric and moves
back to the front of the tent to stand guiard near Naeblis.
StoneHeart moves through the snow almost silently...

Skywise watches Naeblis come out. ** No, just came to look. Staying out of
trouble? **

Treestump cocks his head slightly to the side, at both new arrivals, though
the only indication that he might've noticed the latter, Minx, is a brief
twitch of his ear in her direction. His chin dips in a nod, after a moment,
to Naeblis, watching StoneHeart change her course towards him bemusedly. **
Hoy there, ** he offers by way of greeting, Skywise's explanation apparently
sufficing for his reply as well.

Skywise nearly falls out of his tree in startlement, having been too
absorbed with the visitors to pay attention to anyone coming up from behind.

Minx stays a few branches away, grinning at Skywise from the shadows.

Naeblis looks at the white-haired surface dweller. ** I make trouble only
for those who seek to find it. You come with more questions for us, then? **
He folds his arms, the gloved hands disappearing into his sleeves.

Skywise locksends ** Ask him <Naeblis>. He would know better than me. Maybe
/you/ can figure out of they're telling the truth. **

Treestump's blue eyes flick towards Skywise for a moment, then shifts
towards Naeblis, studying the Underworld with a newfound interest. **
Actually, ** the old wolf sends, straightening from his perch. ** I have a
question for you. ** Or ten.

Naeblis looks at the newcomer. ** Ask then, and you may find what you seek.
Silence serves no one here. **

You sense in a locksend, Minx seems alarmed as she sends a brief greeting.
** I'm back from Sorrow's End. Where did these come from? **

You locksend to Minx, Treestump's tone is almost rueful. ** From
underground, lass. ** A pause ticks by, then he confesses, ** I'm not sure
why they're here, actually. Ask the Stargazer. **

StoneHeart stands behind Naeblis, a step to the left and a step behind. Her
arms are corssed as she relaxes her stanse just a bit. She remains silent as
she stuidies each elf (that she can see) in the trees..

Skywise makes himself a little more comfortable, looking a tad bit smug.

Treestump nods after a moment, pausing, then jumping off the frost-slickened
branch. He lands a second or two later almost silently, save for the crunch
of snow beneath his feet, some of it spraying upwards in reaction to his
landing. The old wolf doesn't move from there though, standing at the foot
of the tree, a hand reaching to comb absently at his beard as he watches
Naeblis. ** What do you know about a maiden named Jaylorra? **

Naeblis answers slowly and patiently. ** I know much of the one who calls
herself Erianvel, ** The eyes of the mask center on Treestump. ** What is it
you wish to know of her? **

StoneHeart remains as stiff as a frozen tree, but her eyes scan the trees
and undergrowth for movement

Treestump shifts his weight slightly, his free hand hooking a thumb along
the inside of his belt. ** I don't know an Erianvel, ** he replies gruffly.
** I'm asking about a lass named Jaylorra. I was told she died. ** He
squints at the taller elf, not suspiciously, but uneasily. ** This isn't
true? **

Naeblis smiles, but the expression is lost behind the stone, and not carried
in the send. ** Jaylorra... The surface dweller who came to live among us...
And now calls herself Erianvel... ** He shakes his head. ** She lives well
as the head of the House Elessardo, as was stated to the white-haired one.
** A motion of his head indicates Skywise. ** Perhaps you do not believe
me... It matters little, I have no proof here I may offer you. **
Naeblis walks towards a fallen log lying covered with snow near his tent,
and makes an effort to clear it of its frosty burden with gloved hands.

StoneHeart moves with Naeblis to stand on the other side of the log,
resuming her position...but still saying nothing..

Naeblis looks up at the troll and speaks softly. "Sit... Relax... If they
meant to cause trouble, they'd number more."

Minx moves out into the sunlight, perching on a closer branch. She still
looks guarded.

Treestump flicks a glance back towards Skywise, nodding after a while, his
eyes returning to the taller elf. His expression is still watchful; his
eyes, still guarded. "Goes through an awful lot of names in that short of
time, doesn't she?" he mutters aloud, not expecting to be answered. He
returns to sending, ** I'm not saying I don't believe you, but I'm not
saying I do either. Why was I told that she was dead, if she wasn't? **

Naeblis shrugs, as though the answer should be apparent. ** I neither know
all, nor control all. What you were told was in error, or you were lied to. **

StoneHeart nods and finds a stump to sit on...seeming unaffected by the
cold. Her body relaxes a bit, but she still seems on guard, almost
instinctively.

Treestump's nose twitches at that, but he doesn't argue the point. A wrinkle
creases his brow. ** What about her daughter? Galasia? **

Naeblis sits upon the log. ** She returned to us for a time, to find her
mother. She found that she had no interest in our ways, no desire to remain.
** He pauses a moment, and then continues, and his send carries a note of
weight as though memory infused its existence. ** I saw her leave the
caverns myself, gave her one of my daggers as a parting gift to aid her. **
He looks at Treestump carefully. ** She was to journey to Sorrow's End, and
visit the Sun Folk when she departed. I know naught else after that, I have
not seen her again. **

Minx blows Skywise a kiss, and having satisfied herself there is no threat
fades back into the forest.

Minx heads along the northern trail to Lost Holt.
Minx has left.

Treestump nods slowly, taking all of this in silence, scratching absently at
his beard for a few moments without saying or sending anything. Minx's
departure is marked in much the same way her entrance was, with a barely
noticeably twitch of his ear in her direction. Finally, with a quiet sigh,
the old wolf nods again. ** Aye... alright. Alright. I think... ** A frown
plucks the edges of his lips. ** Is Jaylorra alright? Last I heard she was
with... ah... ** Another wrinkle in his brow. ** ... Uthraedo? I think it
was. **

Naeblis smiles again behind the stone, but this time it comes with quiet
laughter.

Skywise just sits there, pushing little bits of snow off his branch to
shower down on StoneHeart every once in a while. He listens to Treestump
with minor mystification, knowing nothing of Houses.

Treestump blinks, then snorts, looking put off by the laughter that wolfkeen
ears easily pick up. "Eh?" ** What's so funny? **

Naeblis shakes his head slightly. ** They hate the sight of one another. **

Treestump's mouth opens and closes a few times without saying anything. Then
he hur-rumphs! quietly, with a nod, his hand smoothening back his hair now.
** Oh, ** he replies after a long moment, cleverly. ** What's she doing with
the Ellah-whassamacallit then? **

Naeblis frowns slightly, this too is lost to the mask. ** House Elessardo?
** This one at least is polite, but it would be better if his memory was as
developed as his manners. ** She leads the House Elessardo and holds its
seat on the Council. She casts her vote, and thus is one of the five Seats
who choose the path of the Underworld. **

Treestump blinks owlishly at Naeblis for a moment or two, before clearing
his throat. ** Aye, Elessardo... ** he repeats lowly, flustered. He doesn't
say anything after that for another beat, looking rather awkward as he
continues to run his fingers absently through his hair. ** So... ah. What
exactly does all that mean? **

StoneHeart looks up at Skywise, then shrugs and looks back to the ground,
looking bored. She reaches down as if to pluck something from the snow...and
in a split motion, flings a ball of snow up at Skywise....then goes back to
looking like nothing happened.

Naeblis hesitates a moment, as though uncertain he heard the question
accurately. ** It means she is part of the ruling Council... You have a
chief... We have a Council once more. **

Skywise gets a faceful of snow, letting out a yelp he rolls from the branch
he's sitting on, landing in a drift of snow below. His lip comes out as he
glares at the troll. "I'm going to get you for that, stinkweed."

Naeblis does not turn around. "You taunt those of my House at your own risk,
white-hair."

Treestump blinks again at that, though his eyes aren't nearly as wide, and
nods. "Timmorn's blood," he swears softly beneath his breath, evidently...
surprised? Something of an understatement. Shaking his head slowly from side
to side, he is luckily saved from further commenting on the subject, at
least temporarily. He does turn, to look back towards the troll, then up at
the stargazer, eyebrows raised.

Naeblis folds his arms, the hands vanishing into the sleeves once more.

Skywise frowns. "She knocked me out of the tree!" he yells at Naeblis. "I'm
supposed to ignore that?"

StoneHeart looks over at Skywise, a slight smile touching her lips.
StoneHeart remains silent, and is sitting the same way she was before, as if
nothing happened. She raises an eyebrow, "Thought you were fast...." she
says quietly.

Naeblis does not yell, nor even raise his quiet voice. "And you did nothing,
white-hair? Nothing at all?"

A frown of his own plays across Treestump's lips. He lifts his arms, folding
them to his chest, ducking his head slightly as he glances between the troll
and two elves.

If Skywise were any hotter the snow would be steaming. He shrugs, and wipes
some wet from his face. ** Are you threatening me in my own home? ** there's
danger here.

StoneHeart raises an eyebrow as Skywise seems fit to be tied, "You can brush
snow down on my head, and yet a simple snowball that knocked you off balance
and to the ground....you get upset about. You were not hurt, you landed in
soft snow."

Naeblis turns now, and his send is as the hissing of acid on metal in its
tone. ** You have done naught but insult and taunt and provoke this
delegation since we arrived. You distrust my every word. You treat me as
though I were an abomination, and through all of this, I have shown
restraint and patience. I have made no threats, white-hair, but I will make
you a promise. Draw your blade on one who bears the symbol of the House
Juraido, and one of us will not live to see the setting of the sun. ** He
shakes his head. ** I have met few surface dwellers, white-hair. You show me
well why I should want to meet no more. ** He turns his back on Skywise, the
matter closed in his mind, and returns at once to his discussion with
Treestump. ** You find it hard to believe, that she is part of the Council? **

StoneHeart says "It is not my fault you lost your balance...."

Treestump's brows give a faint twitch as he keeps his eyes moving between
the Underworlder and his tribemate, the frown on his lips deepening, the
edges of his eyes crinkling slightly, sketching crow's feet around their
corners. His eyes return to settle fully on Naeblis again, when he's
addressed, and hehs softly with a slight shake to his head. ** Nay... well.
Aye, I suppose I am, eh? ** His smile is faint. It doesn't reach his eyes.
** These past turns, I've been thinking she's dead and gone. Now I hear
she's worked herself all the way up to the Council. **

Naeblis nods slightly. ** An understandable belief. You wish to speak with
her? You would be a welcome guest in the House Juraido, my House, and I
would be happy to arrange it. **

Skywise slinks off and climbs back up a tree, sulking.

StoneHeart raises an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling as she watches
Skywise....she turns her head so she's not seen, but is laughing to herself..

Treestump is taken aback by the offer. "Well, I..." He clears his throat,
remembering belatedly that he should be sending instead of speaking. ** I
don't know... I'll have to run it by Cutter. **

Naeblis nods once. ** Of course. I will have a messenger return after our
departure if needed. **

Ember has connected.

StoneHeart sits quietly on the stump, near Naeblis. Her body still looks on
guard though she seems to be resting a bit. She yawns a bit, watching
Skywise with the corner of her eye...

Treestump scratches at his chin, brows drawn together, a few wrinkles still
pooled over his forehead. ** Aye... Aye. I'd appreciate that. **

Naeblis watches Treestump a moment. ** You have reservations about my
invitation? **

A wry smile appears, again not reaching Treestump's eyes. ** Not really,
lad. More about what I'd find down there. ** Lad. Eh. He calls everyone
that, it seems, whether or not he's older than them. Force of habit. ** But
I haven't exactly had the best of histories with the Underworld either, eh? **

Naeblis nods in agreement. ** Truth. ** he sends simply. ** I will not
influence your decision. ** He sighs, softly. ** I think, however, that our
visit here was less successful than I had... anticipated. **

Treestump nods slightly, a shadow crossing his face. ** Which reminds me...
** He tucks his chin to his chest, looking up towards Naeblis through
half-lidded eyes. ** How's old Morganthe doing? **

Naeblis shrugs. ** I do not know. He disappeared, and left Coelur in his
stead. I know of no one who has seen him since. **

Treestump blinks at that, and frowns again. He'd almost gotten to like that
Underworlder, though he doubts he'd ever be truly comfortable around him.
Nonetheless, the news of his disappearance earns another shadow over his
otherwise pale blue eyes. ** That's... a shame, ** he offers into the
silence after a while, awkwardly.

Skywise locksends ** A shame? <<heated>> After what he did to you? **

You locksend to Skywise, Treestump's reply is abrupt. ** Hush, cub. **

Skywise scowls.

Naeblis considers this only a moment. ** Some would disagree. ** He shrugs
and looks to where the trade goods lay.
Naeblis turns back. ** A question for you, now, perhaps? **

Treestump blinks, then nods, waving a hand absently in assent. ** Aye. **

Naeblis tilts his head to one side. ** The archer... ** He seems frustrated.
** I do not know his name. ** He looks to Skywise a moment, and then
continues. ** I had no part in the raids Morganthe led, nor in the
aftermath... And I was but a child then, yet he hates me for this... Why? **

Skywise pipes up finally, his eyes narrow. ** He's talking about Strongbow. **

Ember emerges from between the trees, surveying the camp. She sends a
greeting to her tribemates and nods courteously to the others.

StoneHeart looks bored, but is near enough to Naeblis to protect him.

Treestump blinks slowly, brows drawing together, picking through his memory.
After a while, he replies carefully, ** Our relations with the Underworld
have never been that admirable... Sometimes it's hard to forget, as much as
we'd like to. And sometimes it's hard to differentiate between friend and
foe. ** He would say more, but the fire-haired maiden's appearance stops him
short, a glance shot in her direction before he greets her with a warm
smile. ** Lass. **

Naeblis dips his head deeply in respect for the arrival. ** Darkness to you.
** he sends to Ember.

** Ayooah, Treestump. ** Ember smiles. She nods to Naeblis. ** Shade. ** she
replies. ** Your camp is well? **

Naeblis smiles behind the stone. ** My camp is peaceful and all is well
here. ** He chuckles, a soft self-depreciating sound. ** Little enough
trade, but at least the conversation remains civil. **

Ember smiles. ** Actually, I'd say that goes a long way towards success. **
she says. ** I wasn't sure any of us would last this long. ** Quite the
admission, really.

StoneHeart looks over this new arrival, surveying her with a practiced eye.

Naeblis smiles softly behind the stone mask again. ** Indeed. I think I
could be satisfied with more cordial relations, even if that was not the
entire goal. **

Ember nods. ** And there may yet be trade before you leave. I have yet to
speak with Lord Rhentagoth. **

Naeblis smiles as though he knows something, but again his expression is
invisible behind the mask. ** Yes... ** he sends ** Lord Rhentagoth was most
interested in speaking with you at length, I believe. **

Treestump waits a few moments, before backtracking, his smile faint. ** I
ought to get back to the Holt. I need to speak with Cutter anyway, and with
Clearbrook... ** He trails off for a moment, then inclines his head to
Naeblis. ** Nice talking with you, lad... Ember, Skywise, you two stay out
of trouble, eh? ** The last is said with a measure of humour, none of it
genuine, as he backtracks towards the tree he first appeared on.

Naeblis dips his head to Treestump as he leaves. ** Darkness to you. **

Ember waves to Treestump as he leaves. ** Oh, always. ** she replies, tongue
in cheek.

Yekazi emerges from within one of the tents, ducking slightly. ** Greetings
to all ** she sends as she wipes sleep from her eyes.

Treestump chuckles, a crooked grin directed towards the firehaired maiden,
before he disappears up into the tree with Wolfrider quickness. A few
moments later, to those with keen enough senses to be able to sense it, his
scent fades as well, indicating his departure.

[end log.]