IC: The Sun Never Sets, IC thread for The Sun Never Sets Options

[Tecumseh]

It's a dark night in the forest. It's two days shy of the new moon; the tiny sliver of waning crescent does little to penetrate the treetops and the blackness below. Frosty white clouds drift by and cover it occasionally. Smohalla and Stogie can navigate via the astral, but the only thing keeping Ellesar from plowing into trees is the thermographic goggles. His natural low-light vision doesn't let him pick out anything but the largest tree trunks.

Smohalla:

[ Spoiler ]

Ellie eyes Smohalla warily as he starts to hum. She shifts her vision to the astral, looking to see if he is channeling any mana or working on a spell. Her current level of drain indicates that she wants no involvement in any magic casting at the moment. She takes his hand tentatively, staring off into space with an unfocused look in her eye. She hums along, but without direction or harmony. Hester and Selene finally push themselves off the forest floor and begin to stagger/crawl toward Smohalla. They look like they've gone three rounds with Neil the Ork Barbarian. They ignore his outstretched hand and slump at his feet, lacking the energy to do anything but lean against a log.

Stogie:

[ Spoiler ]

Jake is navigating more by scent and sound than by sight. The channels in the ground are deep enough so that a troll could not see over the top. The earth smells wet and fresh, and there are exposed roots reaching across the alleyways at unexpected angles. Combined with Stogie's astral vision and improved sense of direction, the duo quickly master the maze. Right now the complex is about fifty meters in diameter. Certainly not enough to slow someone down for more than a few minutes, but that might be all the time the Sisters need to slip away, or counterstrike. It's also true that they've only been working on it for a couple days - perhaps it will expand as they continue to develop it. Or maybe there's something to be said for leaving it small so that it won't be as visible to drones or satellite surveillance.

Ellesar:

[ Spoiler ]

Ellesar looks behind him and sees K'wa'iti's thermal image. The wolf stops in midstride when Ellesar calls out to him. The shifter pauses for a moment and then slips out of view behind some trees. Ellesar gets a good look at his surroundings and feels confident that there is nothing out of place. No traps, no signs of anyone passing through the area recently other than animals and the Sisters. Ellesar's even sharp-eyed enough to notice K'wa'iti sneaking around. He seems to be deliberately trying to avoid Ellesar's attention. The thought crosses his mind that perhaps the wolf was trying to sneak up on him.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla continues his low humming, the tune free of any sort of musical strictures.

After a short time he slowly winds it up and lets the sound gradually fade away.

He turns to Ellie and Hester and Selene in turn, giving each a small nod coupled with his trademark piercing gaze.

Then he waits with his eyes wide and reflecting the smallest light that might slip through the cover of the trees.

The astral is aglow with life and very much alive to his senses.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar watches for the wolf to make a reappearance. "No need to hide, K'wa'iti, I already know you're there. Won't you join me in my walk?" His instincts begin to kick in and he keeps the Ruger firm in his hand. His senses are open to any potential ambushes but his eyes continue to scan where the wolf disappeared.

[Tecumseh]

Ellesar:

[ Spoiler ]

K'wa'iti doesn't respond to Ellesar's invitation. He disappears into the trees and Ellesar doesn't see him again for the remainder of his patrol. There doesn't seem to be anything to find: the forest is empty and cold this evening. Ellesar is very grateful for the insulation in his camouflage suit.

Scanning the landscape, the elf combines his knowledge of the outdoors with his security tactics experience. He spots one or two locations where it might be possible to set basic traps: tripwires or foothold traps or the like. It would certainly be easier to do in the daylight, but it could bolster the site's defenses that much more.

Returning to the campsite, Ellesar removes his thermographic goggles so as not to be blinded by the campfire. He spots K'wa'iti sulking around the perimeter of the firelight. The mangled arm dangles from the wolf's jaw. He shoots Ellesar a look as he bounds away into the forest with his meal.

Smohalla:

[ Spoiler ]

Ellie speaks to Smohalla with a tired, far-away voice. She stares off, her eyes focused on some point deep in the Earth. "Oh, Sky-Father, the things we can do here! Mother Earth is so strong on this mountainside. There's enough strength here to accomplish all of Her goals, no matter how ambitious. We can cleanse the Earth, Sky-Father. She gives us the tools to do what She would have done."

Ellie exhales slowly through pursed lips, like she's blowing out a candle. Mana crackles like electricity around a high-voltage power line, threatening to spark off and strike at the merest invitation.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla feels goose-pimples rise on his arm, a strange experience for the eagle-shifter.

Hearing Ellie's words returns to his mind the warnings about the Sisters.

The start down the Toxic path is easily accomplished using words such as these.

Yet he also knows that her words align with what's down deep in his own heart.

The tightrope must be walked, but perhaps together they could stay balanced.

The mental imagery gives him a moment of wry amusement.

What fear is there in falling to one who can fly?

He opens his eyes fully to Ellie and takes the first step out into the void.

I would honor Mother Earth as well. What do you intend?

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar returns to the campsite with mixed emotions. He's both happy that the wolf didn't decide to make him lunch and upset that he wasn't able to get to him. It was like dealing with a child. A child with an arm in its jowls. He sighs quietly as K'wa'iti plunges back into the dark expanses of the forest. Let him do as he will. It is of no concern to me. Glancing around, Ellesar notes that everyone is still absent from the camp. What could they be up to? Has even Stogie left me to go conjure demons? Sitting in his usual spot he selects a piece of wood from out of his pack and replaces his new-found pistol. The elf begins to whittle at the stick with his knife, intent on not sleeping until the others return.

[pbangarth]

Stogie and Jake round one of the berms and come into Ellesar's view. They come over and join him by the firepit. "I've checked out what the girls have done with the place. Could use a few more curtains, but the traps are divine."

[Tecumseh]

Smohalla:

[ Spoiler ]

Ellie shakes her head slowly as her eyes slowly regain focus on Smohalla's face, the intensity of her stare growing until it equals Smohalla's own.

"There are no limits, Sky-Father," she says with an awed, breathless tone. "With great Talol on our side, the only thing holding us back is ourselves."

She stands, unsteadily at first but soon finding her balance. She begins to pace as Hester and Selene continue to convalesce. "We can change the way men and women live in this world. This isn't about death, but rather life!" She grips her tiny fists tightly, raising them to the dense ring of forest surrounding you.

"There is no dam that can stand in our way, no power plant that can escape our reach, no polluter left behind. We may be deliberate and focused, targeting only the elements of civilization that bring ruin to the Earth. We can wipe away them all!" She sweeps her hand through the air like a giant slap.

"Individually, we are helpless. But together we can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move! Nothing will be impossible for you."

[AtroposReborn]

"Nice to have you back, Stogie. Off on another adventure I see." Ellesar looks up briefly as Stogie and Jake make their way into the camp before returning to his whittling. "The wolfman was here a bit ago but he was acting very strange. Didn't seem too thrilled about my offer for a walk. Anyway, have you seen Smohalla? He hasn't returned from his trance dance yet."

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla is awed by Ellie's speech.

The possibilities sweep through his mind, fast as wildfire.

The little voice of caution continues to cry out, somewhat lost in the torrent of feverish ideas.

The glow in the eagle shifter's eyes could be the reflection of the moonlight...or something else entirely.

Let us return to the others and discuss these things. I would have us as one mind, one body in our struggles.

[Tecumseh]

Smohalla:

[ Spoiler ]

Ellie nods silently and approaches closely. Standing in front of Smohalla, she is barely as tall as he is sitting. She reaches forward and grabs his hands in hers. She pulls them toward her, clasping them near her chest.

"Your friends are dear to us because they are dear to you, Sky-Father," she says, patting his hands. "But they cannot do what you may do. With training, you may join our rituals, adding your power to our own. So much the greater would we be for it! But your friends cannot. They are sympathetic souls and they may help us along our way, but what we do" - she looks to Hester and Selene first, then to Smohalla to include him in the statement - "we must do without them. It is not ideology; it is the difference of our Gifts."

She smiles apologetically, patting Smohalla's hands once more before releasing them.

"Up we go, ladies!" she orders with an encouraging tone. Hester and Selene have recovered enough to stand, which they do so with an uncertain sway in their step. Ellie bids Smohalla to rise, then leads the way back to camp through the dark forest night.

Back at camp, the Sisters emerge into the ring of light glowing around the campfire. Ellie leads the way, a little steadier than the lumbering ork and troll, but all with the zoned look that you recognize from your first night in camp. Ellie moves slowly and deliberately, pausing for a moment before reaching for the gunnysack that contains the tea. She starts to make a pot of peppermint tea, using the last of the leaves that she has available.

"I fear that we may not be good company in the evenings," she says after the pot has been set to brew. "Our rituals are taxing, and we often find it necessary to sleep soon afterward. We will not impose much on you tonight. There are things that you may wish to discuss amongst yourselves."

When her tea is ready, she stands and retires for the night, Hester and Selene slouching behind in tow.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla's reply to Ellie is steady and measured.

Each plays a part, though the parts may not be the same.

Nothing more is said on the way back to camp.

After the Sisters have turned in for the night, Smohalla sits near the fire and faces his companions.

I fear our decision is near at hand.

Do we join the Sisters in their struggles, and deal with the bounty as the situation arises?

Their power is great, their idealogies not that far from our own.

With our stabilizing influence together we could be a powerful force for change.

What are your thoughts?

[pbangarth]

Stogie pipes in. "I like your point about the stabilizing influence. Thing is, that sort of influence could be a lifetime commitment. We could help them come to a different way of doing things, or we could be a damper on their worst impulses only so long as we are around. Beautiful as this place is, I don't want to live here the rest of my life."

[phlapjack77]

I feel the same as you my friend.

An eagle likes to soar where the winds take him.

But I also feel this situation is a great opportunity, a gift from Mother Earth to us.

Here we can do great works.

And if we are not able to have a permanent influence on the Sisters...

Well, let us travel that road when we reach it.

Smohalla pauses, staring deep into the flames of the campfire.

Noticing Jake nearby, he commences to give him a good scratching behind the ears.

As if anyone could resist Jake's charms for long.

Ellesar, you still seek those who did you wrong, do you not?

What do you say to this?

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar raises his head from the shaved wood in his hands. "Staying with the sisters has it's merit for sure. They are also not without a great amount of power. It's just like Stogie says though. These women are a liability and even though they speak well of their plans they have not shown much restraint in murdering those who get in their way. They are heading down a bad path." Placing the partially carved wood back into his pack the elf rises to stretch in front of the fire. "But your words have merit. If we stay with them we may be able to stay their hand if it reaches the wrong way. Befriending them may serve us well."

He pauses, his mind deep in thought. "Yes, I wish for those men who did me wrong to come to justice, but not so much that it taints my heart."

[phlapjack77]

I do not doubt your heart and it's purity.

If we stay here, your quest for justice will be put on hold for awhile longer.

How long, we might not know until much time has passed without our noticing.

[pbangarth]

"There is another angle to be aware of." Stogie says. "The Sisters are all able to read auras," he looks at Ellesar, "the mystical representation of our characters and thoughts. We may be able to hide any deception for a while, but not forever. So, whatever we decide to do and say, we better be sure we believe it, because one or the other will see the deception. I have no doubt they will be studying us closely for the first while during any kind of collaboration. I would."

[phlapjack77]

Agreed.

I would tell the Sisters of our decision and it's meanings.

If we will have a partnership, it should be one based on honesty.

[AtroposReborn]

"Honesty has worked for us so far, I don't see why we should stop now. Still, we should be careful to not offend them with our words. I'd rather not get in a fight with the spooks of this forest." Ellesar throws a few punches at the air. "I've heard trees make terrible punching bags."

[phlapjack77]

So it is certain.

We would like to join forces with the Sisters.

A partnership that would see the group able to strike blows at those who wrong us and Mother Earth.

The duration of our partnership is not decided, but it is not meant to be forever.

Does this sound agreeable to both of you?

[pbangarth]

"Works for me." Says Stogie. "I'll get tired of it pretty fast, though, if collateral damage keeps happening."

[AtroposReborn]

"Agreed, with both of you. If the sisters decide to shed innocent blood I may reconsider. Speaking of being tired, I'd say it's been a pretty fulfilling day. Wouldn't you guys?"

[phlapjack77]

Long days hang heavy on the body and the mind both.

I will sleep now.

Tomorrow will see a great new chapter for our story.

[pbangarth]

"Alright. Somebody take the first shift and give me a few hours sleep. I'll take the rest of the night." Stogie wonders whether passing the adept power of sustenance to Jake would be a boon. The thought of a Jake awake and active even more than he is changes Stogie's mind.

[phlapjack77]

Stogie's words are lost on Smohalla's slightly deaf ears.

The shifter is already asleep by the fire, one arm curled over his head.

His spirit wings it's way through the metaplane of dreams once more.