wilderlogs | THE LAST HOMELY HOUSE ※ RIVENDELL ※ LOG 2

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THE LAST HOMELY HOUSE ※ RIVENDELL ※ LOG 2

THE LAST HOMELY HOUSE
OOC POST
The group is told to take a week of rest in the Last Homely House as the injured and sick among them heal. The Elves promise them that at the end of that week, there will be a great Council, with representatives of several peoples in attendance.

Until then, they can wander the peaceful halls of Rivendell, which are filled with travelers from all over the Wilderlands who are making a rest stop while they travel through the lands of Middle-Earth.

The most notable part of Rivendell is the Hall of Fire, a great feast hall where people can eat, drink, and be merry. This is the great social hall of Rivendell, where the Elves and their visitors share news of lands far beyond, tell stories, or perform music. The music here almost sounds divine, especially when the Elves sing and play, but they're just as eager to hear songs from other lands, so if any of the squad decide to share, they'll be glad to listen.

Some of the hall's guests are a touch more lively than the others, like a party of dwarves staying at Rivendell. Their stories are a mite more adventurous and if you get in their good graces, they might be willing to share some of the beer they brought with them. Listening to their stories or their talk about their craftmanship is a way to get into their good graces.

The Elves love learning, so there are libraries the group is allowed to browse, though they mostly only contain tales of Middle-Earth (for now), though the Elves seem to be collecting what books about other lands they can. These libraries often have viewing stations with telescopes pointing at the sky. The Elves have been almost delighted by the changing skies, enjoying the challenge of trying to understand how the sky has been knitting itself together with the addition of new worlds.

There are also beautiful balconies here, overlooking the gorge and the waters below, and terraced gardens filled with flowers, bushes, and flowering trees. Their rooms are open to the outdoors and have beds that seem grown into the shape of bed-frames instead of carved. The bathrooms actually have running water. The Elves have figured out how to direct the clean running waters of the gorge in primitive indoor plumbing. Water for hot baths has to be heated first in brass cauldrons over coal braziers before getting dumped into the bath.

It's time for the squad to rest, eat, and regroup. If a great Council is going to be called involving them, it might be a good idea to make sure they go into it as a united front, lest decisions about their fate be made for them.

NOTES
✦ Joint log: Since this camp period won't be particularly long, everything will take place in a joint log. Players can post starters with prompts for others and tag into other players' prompts.

✦ Post in actionspam format. Plots and mod-run events in the game are meant to be in actionspam format to keep a brisk pace.

✦ Cursed Weapons/Powers: So they know about how they'll be treated: those with cursed weapons and dark powers will be tolerated by the Elves after entry. While they'll get the same general treatment, the Elves around them may at times seem uncomfortable. Those with cursed weapons will only be distrusted a little, as the weapons themselves will seem more suspicious than their bearers. Those with dark powers or some kind of dark nature (such as being a vampire, Necromancer mage, werewolf, etc.) will be treated with the greatest distrust.

✦ Fairy Swaps: The Elves may be slightly alarmed by the Brugh fairy swaps but get over it easily. However, if the character swapped in is one of the "dark" characters, the swap might be extra cause for alarm. (A potential prompt idea).

✦ Npcing: There will be two npc threads. The "Random Encounters" thread is for characters to have a totally random encounter with an npc. These npcs will be fellow travelers from lands beyond. While they can't give much information about the group's status as Chosen Ones (that will happen during the Council) they can provide info about events in the Wilderlands beyond that may come to affect the squad in their travels. The "Specific Requests" thread will be for more specific issues your character might want to discuss with the Elves. While they'll push any Chosen Ones discussion off to the Council, they're willing to discuss issues with the characters, like if they have questions about having received magic, about being bound to their weapons, etc. The Rivendell Elves have heard a lot of gossip from all over and can potentially provide info based on things they've heard.

✦ Clothes: The group will not yet be fully equipped for their travels (that will happen upon leaving) but everyone will at least be given new clothes since theirs are dirty and sometimes torn. Characters without appropriate travel footwear will also be given light and sturdy boots that will somehow be in their size without their size being asked. They'll also be given basic toiletries like scissors that can be used to cut hair and beards. There are no razors, however, because the Elves don't need to shave so they don't keep them on hand.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You have nothing to apologize for. Least of all here. [ He makes a dismissive gesture, eyes alighting on what isn't there. A missing arm with no augmetic replacement. ]

We prefer to be called Astartes, for what it's worth

Of course. [Her cheeks flush slightly, but her spine remains strong. She had started to forget the manners of High Gothic after a year of mingling with lowlifes and other such strata of society that would interact with her company.]

May I ask your name sire, if that is not too forward? [Mita asks this cautiously, because even she cannot forget how dangerous, or capricious moods can be. Or perhaps that was only because of her interaction with one of the only Astartes she knew. She raised her head and examined his face. Strong, fair, handsome. Not mutated in any sense, but from that nothing could be concluded, since neither was Sahaal.]

Garviel Loken. And your name, Mamzel?

[ Loken seems a bit more at ease now that he realizes someone likely from his own time is here, instead of the comparatively ancient figures like Dixon, or people from who knows where like Revan. ]
No need for sire or other formalities here. We are wanderers in a land of sorcery and darkness. Best not to trip over our words too.

[Her face sours somewhat at hearing the word sorcery lumped in with darkness. But she restrains it, with only slightly thinned lips to reveal her displeasure. But she must respond.]

Mita Ashyn. [she says, somewhat shortly. She almost tacks on Interrogator of the Ordo Xenos, of The Holy Orders of the Emperor's Inquisition out of habit, but keeps it shut. She hasn't been, in a long time now.] It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance - as much of a pleasure it can be under these circumstances.

Indeed. So, find anything of interest within this place? [ he gestures to the many, many shelves of books.]

Edited 2018-06-15 21:06 (UTC)

I - no. There seem to be many books on gardening. While helpful, not exactly so for people like me. Or you, I imagine.

[She turns to the book in her hands, then glances up at him again.]

May I... May I ask what Legion you are from? I see no insignia.

[ Garviel smiles. A small, sad thing and says. ]

As it happens, there was a time fairly recently where a garden was all I had to maintain, and my wars were confined to swarming ants.

[ He inhales and exhales a long breath, then answers the question in two parts ] I have no Legion. Not anymore. But I was once a captain of the tenth company, Luna Wolves.

Edited 2018-06-15 22:44 (UTC)

[Mita exhales in return, a little 'oh' of relief, that could also be mistaken for surprise.]

Oh. I see. The Luna Wolves! [A sentence that could mean any number of things, but yes, she sees. This reveals much about him. She gives him a bright-eyed look, eyes shining with something not quite decipherable as her body language falls into something less cautious. Luna Wolves turned to the Sons of Horus, turned to the Black Legion.]

[The thought sends a remembered thrill of fear down her spine, the stories and record of the Black Legion's burning crusades echoing in her head. But it is difficult to reconcile that knowledge with this well-mannered man not even in war-plate, and one who speaks of gardening and armies of ants. But either way, he is like her. She can be more free with what she says. More reason to be cautious, but just in different ways, and ways Mita prefers.] You are an exile. Or a survivor. We are truly well met.

I'm both, in a way.

[ He nods his head. ]

Well met to you as well. We find ourselves amongst strange compatriots. So many humans from far earlier a time period than our own., for one thing.

They must not have yet made contact with xenos, otherwise they would understand. [She says, darkly.] They would not be so eager as to accept their hospitality. It is all wound with some ineffable plan that will surely bring salvation to them at the expense of somebody else's ruin, and the sooner we depart from this place, the better.

[Sorry, she just really hates the Eldar. She rubs her arms, as if cold.]

It is interesting. [She says, somewhat quieter.] To be from the 41st millennium and see our forebearers.

They are so innocent. I feel like I should protect all of them.

[ he sighs a little. ]

That's why I was created, after all. Well, made into what I am now. I was created because my parents on Cthonia... did parent things, I suppose.

[ You know what's awkward? Talking about sex and reproduction when the idea is basically alien to you. ]

41st Millenium? [ He blinks a few times. ]

I see.

[Parent things. He's slightly hapless in a way Mita never expected. It's almost endearing, in a way, if she could forget how dangerous Astartes could be too.]

You seem surprised? [She prompts, seeing him blink a few times at that.]

Yes. Does the Imperium endure in your time?

[ He looks carefully at her, his grey eyes focusing on her, his body language changing from a rather bemused sculpture of what humanity can be shaped into to something more like a forbidding cliff face, dangerous, even. ]

Yes, although it clings to life with its bare fingernails. [She says, somewhat defeated as if to admit it. She is unintimidated by the attention upon her, and stands up straighter.] It is bloated with both glory and defeat, and its countless enemies wait at the door to bring about its end. It is a matter of time, but I doubt it will go quietly. I have seen much in my past service to the Inquisition.

[An association she is loathe to bring up, but is necessary to give her credentials.]

We have all seen much. I won't bore you with the stories of my wars, though they are many and bitter. We have a chance here. A way to make a difference for the people with us. I intend to concentrate on that.

[ His posture returns to a more neutral stance, upon hearing of the Imperium's survival, ven if it dangles only over a precipice. If nothing else, that tells him all he needs to know about the outcome of the Great Heresy war. ]

Edited 2018-06-20 07:30 (UTC)

[oops did she mention she was one of the countless enemies who couldn't wait to bring about its end? guess not]

I would love to hear your stories sometime. I'm sure you must have seen many exotic things. [Mita does sound genuinely excited at the thought. The look in her eyes brighten, and she takes a small step forwards.] I once captured the songsword of a slain Eldar warlock during the Ylir uprising. It would only be a pleasure to do the same here, if only we had the forces.

The only trophy I have bothered to keep was a length of wire I used to strangle an Eldar Exarch, after a week long struggle between us that had cost us all other weapons.

[ He nods at the memory. ]

It would seem we have some battles in common then.

How impressive! I would have loved to have seen it. Well, perhaps not the whole week. [Mita says this with genuine appreciation in her voice. She would have absolutely been honored to see Garviel choking the life out of an Exarch. Warp take the Eldar. She loathed them even more than greenskins.]

Yes, and perhaps we even have an acquaintance in common. I know of an Astartes, very much like you. A First Captain, who was from the 31st Millennium and awoke to find himself in strange chronological circumstances. He had... quite a time adjusting, and I suspect we shall too.

It was only war. [ Loken shrugs, seemingly dismissing it. ]

Oh? Which First Captain did you know? Sigismund?

I'm afraid not, I don't know this Sigismund. He is - noble in his own way. [Not entirely a bare-faced lie, from Mita's perspective.] Perhaps you two would get along. He too, is an exile. It must certainly be a pleasure to be able to meet somebody who understands you when you are... adrift.

[Her voice can't help but soften slightly at the end. She appreciates the soft-spoken nature of this Astartes, though she understands Sahaal's moodiness and cruelties better, so to speak. He has no particular regard for the Black Legion, but... perhaps he would make an exception for Loken, as he is an exile too.]

His name is Talonmaster Zso Sahaal, First Captain of the Night Lords.

[ Loken considers that for a moment. The night lords were traitors, at Istvaan and elsewhere. Had this woman been deceived by a traitor's lies? Or had Zso been one of the loyal remnants that was purged at Istvaan 3. He didn't remember him, one way or another, so he is quiet for a long time, weighing his words. ]

I did not know him. Though I will say despite our mutual pasts as gangers, the Cthonians and the residents of Nostramo were often at odds. Our tactics were fundamentally very different.

His tactics are... [Mita lets out a laugh that would definitely be insulting were he here to hear it.] Of questionable efficiency. I am somewhat glad to hear that, to tell the truth.

I owe him a great personal favor. He opened my eyes to the truth.

Night Lords are terror troops. They can subjugate a world, but they... aren't as surgical as the Luna wolves tend to be. A flaying knife, instead of a speartip, if you will.

[ He pauses once she mentions the truth, locking eyes with her and saying. ]

Of course. The Imperial Truth.
[ Or so he hopes. He's heard enough ranting about the primordial truth for three lifetimes, really. ]

The Imperial Truth? Certainly.

[Mita is happy to go on.]

The truth that the Imperium is fear-mongering and ignorant of which it does not understand, full of ungrateful and close-minded citizens down to a man, and that the Emperor sits rotten and corpse-like on his Golden Throne borne by the sacrifices of a thousand psykers, raised as a false idol by the lies of the Ecclesiarchy to keep its population in check. That the love of the Emperor is a lie.

[Mita says this with a steely, confident voice, one stemming from utter conviction.]

That is the truth of which he revealed to me. But of course, I do not have to tell you that.

[ Loken stiffens, drawing himself up ]

I am uncertain what lies this traitor told you, but the Emperor is not a god. He is a man. He means the best for humanity, and you don't speak of the Imperium I fought for.

I have faced Horus. I have told him he was wrong to his face. And I tell you now, that you are wrong too.

[ One of his massive fists closes, almost reflexively. ]

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