The Forest - Chapter One

[spiderwrangler]

"Dealing with others isn't something I do by choice, and I'd likely be a poor choice for ambassador."

[Amara]

Rían listened and after a long pause said, "I do not feel that I know the politics of this region well enough. I would prefer a bit more time to see...and meet people from this region." Certainly he didn't wish to misspeak and potentially worsen relations. He also couldn't comment on Kast's spider; they didn't bother him, personally, but he could hardly speak for others. ...and he certainly did not know enough to form any sort of opinion regarding Fae, much less their origins.

Given time, certainly he wished to do what he could to help the two sides come to some sort of agreement.

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I am actually using text-to-speech on my phone to type this post. It works surprisingly well.

[willpell]

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Nioca?

[Amara]

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I sent a pm :C

[Nioca]

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Gah, sorry guys. Been rather scatter-brained recently thanks to recent computer issues, a sleep schedule that's decided to completely invert itself, and a few other real life events.

"Hmm..." For once, Vualn's face falls into a thoughtful frown. For the moment, though, he really doesn't have any more to say.

[willpell]

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You can have a few more hours to think it over.

[willpell]

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It appears we're at a slight impasse. How's Andrew's character coming along, Amara?

[Amara]

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Almost done, but he's currently been hit with his final exams for graduation.

[spiderwrangler]

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If Vualn has nothing to add, does that mean we're in agreement that politics are not of interest at the moment? And able to proceed in some direction?

[Amara]

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Well, Andrew is setting his character up so that he could basically join at any point, so I'd assume. He doesn't want people waiting on him.

[spiderwrangler]

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My sense was more that we were waiting on Nioca...

[willpell]

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Actually you're waiting on me to get my act together, sorry guys.

[willpell]

"Well, moving right along...this is the root cellar," Joyce says, leading you down a short flight of stairs into a dank and cold chamber which, true to its name, is roofed and walled largely with roots, the floor of packed earth. More storage is to be found here, with shelves of various foodstuffs being kept in the chill, sealed wooden boxes of various sizes, and even some empty clay planters leaning against a wall. Small "braziers" filled with bioluminescent moss prove surprisingly efficient in brightening the room. "Through here is a series of small living chambers where we occasionally put up travelers, refugees, dislocated migrants and the like. That tunnel leads to cloisters for meditation, and eventually to the command chamber...we call it the Think Tank. Usually Hansel hangs out in there, the office on the ground floor is mostly for diplomatic meetings....he must really like you to have put in an appearance there just for you. We can't go that way, of course; sensitive materials and classified information, plus territorial elders looking for a moment's peace, equals lots of security."

[Amara]

Rían was listening, though the moss held his attention for a moment. At the mention of the tunnels, his gaze traveled in the direction she was indicating. Well! Certainly he had no desire to intrude upon anyone.

And the tour was interesting, though his mind was still far more occupied with what needed to be done. ...or rather, with the fact that he still felt he didn't properly know.

[spiderwrangler]

Kast nodded at Joyce's descriptions, but it felt a bit odd to be surrounded by trees while UNDER the ground.

[Nioca]

Vualn nods politely and listens to what Joyce has to say as she takes them on the tour.

[spiderwrangler]

Kast tries to mask his impatience and discomfort by fiddling with his kukri and sheaths, but doesn't manage to keep a scowl off of his face. "How far do these tunnels go?"

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This is mostly Kast being surly and not good at interacting with others... and less me being impatient

[willpell]

"Far enough that I'm not going to try to show you all of them, by a long shot. Actually part of this was a transportation network for the...well, for the city that used to stand here. It goes both out and down, although a lot of the 'out' part has collapsed or been overgrown. A pity, that; we could use a transportation network ourselves, in my opinion, but for every druid who agrees that fast response to situations is useful, there are two others who like their privacy enough to be suspicious of the whole idea of accessibility."

[Amara]

"What of the city here before?" Rían asked finally, "what...happened here?" certainly, he had to wonder. Who had been here before? What had the city been like?

[Nioca]

Vualn glances down one of the tunnels. "Hmm... Does seem like the kind of thing that would be rather contested. There's good arguments for expediency, and equally good ones for security; after all, anything that enables access for certain elements also provides access for... less desirable elements." He remarks about the transportation system. Other than that, though, he remains silent.

[spiderwrangler]

Kast's scowl becomes more pronounced, but stills his hands. He's not a fan of the enclosed space, but trying not to let it show.

[willpell]

"Unfortunately that information is restricted at the moment. There are people who know and don't answer to Hansel, they might be able to tell you, but if I did, it'd be my ass."

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Okay, I am a crap GM with no sense of organization; I desperately hope I did write down what my plans for the city were, as then I'll have some hope of finding the notes someday, but that day isn't today so I just have to stall. Sorry all, let's move on if possible.

[spiderwrangler]

"Well, I wouldn't want to put your ass in danger, and I honestly could care less what happened to those who used to live here." , Kast said with a shrug. "What else do you need to show us before we get started on whatever the old man needs done?"

[Amara]

The bear's brows furrowed, but he didn't press further. Restricted? Certainly he was still very much curious, and perhaps now more than before. "..I see."

Had people been forced out? Killed? Had it been destroyed of its own devices? Rían had to force his mind not to wander. ...he would just do his best to pay attention to the tour. Still, he frowned a little at Kast's impatience. He wanted to get moving himself, but she meant well, and he didn't want to be rude!

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I once lost all of my documents for a city in vampire and as a result I had to make it up as I went. In my case the originals were lost to a fire. I was most unhappy with losing my illustrations :c
Turned out okay, though!

[willpell]

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So far my best idea for advancing the plot involves a lame ripoff of Princess Mononoke. Thoughts?