THE LAST HOMELY HOUSE ※ RIVENDELL ※ LOG 2

[wildermods]

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.

Comments

[secondnature]

If he doesn't believe in going backwards, I'll have to change his mind about it. [As if that's the answer. As if walking toward danger that nearly killed everyone is a good idea.]

It's not like we need a large group to do it. Just people who can survive. You can stay here if you want.

[Keith has a tendency to not see the forest for the trees, which is a statement that really applies here.]

It sounds like that's what you want.

[awfulcer]

Fucking rude. [It speaks volumes to how much more chill Dixon is here in Rivendell than while they were on the road that he just keeps it to that, offense with a bit of a raised voice and leaning in to Keith’s personal space. Back in the woods he ended up in fistfights with the others over less. The fact that it’s true, that Dixon would love to stay here, somehow makes it more obnoxious.] I’m doing you a favor, alright? Don’t get sassy at me.

But it don’t matter anyway, since it’s impossible for the group to split up. [He wags a finger.] So you should play nice.

[secondnature]

[Impossible? Keith recalls being lured in here. He knows that he found his way even though it shouldn't have been possible. But not being able to split up at all doesn't make sense.]

Even to form separate attacks? No wonder a bunch of people got stabbed. [Whatever's holding them together, it's weirder than whatever cosmic energy (or quintessence) that forms the lions' bonds with the paladins.]

Unless you thought I meant to leave everyone behind. I'm not that bad.

[He just thinks that splitting up and off on his own is more practical than anything else.]

[awfulcer]

Form separate...? No, we all do our own thing, it's just that you can't get more than a half-mile away or however far. [Far enough to be out of earshot; close enough to be unable to hunker down and sit the action out. It's the worst of both worlds, really.]

I figured you meant that some of you go do the heavy lifting while some of the group sit on their ass playing cards. That isn't what you meant, right?

[secondnature]

I did mean that. I just wouldn't leave you sitting there forever. [Keith had an opportunity to look less like a jerk and he didn't have the social awareness to take it. That would have been smart. Too bad Keith's intelligence points are put ... entirely elsewhere, like where a half-mile difference in positioning would be bad in a fight.]

It's just ... there will be complications. In the long run. A good attack needs to be able to go in separate directions sometimes, and a good operative might need to be able to go in alone. What you're saying is that we can't do that. It's why everyone's been vulnerable so far.

[awfulcer]

And where do you get off acting like you're the king of shit mountain? [Dixon's metaphorical hackles are raised; as much difficulty as he's had finding his footing with the group, he feels very protective of them. He has limited patience for a newcomer with unproven credentials coming in to critique them.]

It's not exactly my fault that whatever superpower there is here decided we all needed to be magically tied together. Take it up with them, whenever we figure out who's in charge here.

[secondnature]

[Keith makes a frustrated sound. Communicating with people is difficult. He just spent the last two years communicating with his mom for the most part, and she's ... just as bad at it. He's not making his point clear.

After another dissatisfied grunt, he adds:] I'm not blaming you. I get it. It's the superpower that's the problem. And until we find a solution, all we can do is ... run.

[As if running away from danger is the worst thing that's ever been suggested to him.]

[awfulcer]

No shit, Sherlock. [He gives a dissatisfied grunt right back, although with a slightly nasal, mocking tone.]

Some of the people here are better off running anyway. Half the people in the group are way younger than you, and I'm personally against throwing them out like fresh meat to whatever's getting the jump on us.

[Dixon didn't really get Keith's assertion that a threat might need to be neutralized head-on. He's not exactly a tactical mastermind, or a mastermind in anything.]

[secondnature]

Can they fight? [From the way Dixon is talking, they have an entire team of civilians who wouldn't know where to start.]

Because if they can't, I can look into changing that.

[Training them for what lies ahead might be important. It might help them run better.]

[awfulcer]

Most of them can, but that's besides the point. Half of them ain't old enough to vote.

[Which, to Dixon, means that no matter how competent they are - which is "very" - means they are civilians first, combatants as a last resort. No one listens to him, but if he ran the world that would be the rule. 'Do what you can to keep teenagers out of harm's way' seems like a pretty straightforward goal for him while he's here.]

[secondnature]

Old enough to vote where? How many planets have you been to? [There's a bit of a challenge in his voice. Keith's rebellious streak thrives when it comes up against someone who hasn't proven that they deserve to be an authority.]

That age changes. If they've survived what you mentioned already, they'll keep surviving it. Unless you want to take responsibility for that.

[awfulcer]

What? What does that matter? [Dixon's face is very built for that perfect combination of confusion and anger. It's probably more natural than any sort of default expression on him.]

It's not just my responsibility, it's the responsibility of every person here who's a damn adult to make sure the kids don't get fed to the wolves. You might still be wet behind the ears, but you ought to know that. It should be basic instinct.

[secondnature]

I'm a paladin of Voltron. [As if that answers anything. There is a very real chance that it won't, but Keith is riled up enough that he doesn't pause to care.]

I'm not wet behind the ears. I've been ending up in weird places and fighting for years now. And I know that different worlds have different policies. I'm surprised you didn't learn that already.

[awfulcer]

[That means absolutely nothing to Dixon, and feeling as if he's a beat behind everything else tends to just piss him off more. He launches into shouting.]

I don't care how many worlds you been on, we're on this one, and on this one we have basic fucking decency.

[secondnature]

Just tell me this. Do they need you looking after them? Did they ask you to do that? Because it sounds like you don't call the shots. You don't get to decide what's decent.

[This is absolutely a bad thing to have an argument about, but Keith's having it. He might be a certified adult now, but he's been dealing with a rough life his ... entire life. It's the way it is. He'll stand up for someone who can handle themselves.]

[awfulcer]

I didn't need to be asked because it's always decent to look after teenagers in a firefight!

[There's something deeper at work here: Dixon pinned himself to watching out for the teenagers because it seemed like the right thing to do, an easy and straightforward goal on his fumbling, lost way to trying to become a better person. Keith dragging that out from under him makes him feel like he's got this all wrong, that he'll never figure out what he needs to to uncover that good man people told him exists under everything bad about him.

But he can't really uncover that, and certainly wouldn't say that even if he knew that's what was driving him, so instead he just gets up in Keith's face.]

[secondnature]

And if those people don't need it, but someone else does, will you leave them hanging? Protect who needs protecting. [It's undoubtedly the sense of "I'm an authority, if not the leader" that wafts off of Dixon that keeps Keith going here. He had gotten into fights with the other students at the Garrison, and one time one of his instructors. He feels like Dixon isn't so far removed from Iverson, trying to tell him how to behave and feel in the days following Shiro's death.

(Supposed death. Until he finally died. But Keith lives in denial of all of the above.)

Keith hyperfocuses because a pointless argument is better than looking behind him.]

We both protect people. It's just clear that I'm smarter about it.

[awfulcer]

[It's like a switch gets flipped in Dixon's head. To him, it feels like the impulse strikes like a hypnic jerk, just as uncontrolled and automatic. The mechanics of decision-making have been lubricated with alcohol and stress and Dixon's propensity to blow off steam through the quickest and easiest way possible.

Keith landed on an insecurity that's been undermining Dixon not just since he got here, but since he was old enough to string sentences together, and Dixon swings his fist at Keith's face with all his might.]

[secondnature]

[Keith has had a rough few days (prior to arriving here, that is), but his instincts are hard to break. The moment he sees Dixon's body language change, he knows what's coming.

His movements are swift and fluid, but he doesn't bother with a counterattack. Blood pumps in his veins demanding it, but he's grown up. He knows better than to just fight.]

Is that really what you want to try?

[awfulcer]

[If Dixon were any kind of sensible, he would back off. But he's not - he's committed himself to this stupid action, and damned if he won't see it through, like every other idiot decision he's made. Keith's dodge leaves Dixon throwing himself off his balance with momentum, but he braces against the wall and rebounds, trying a second time.

He doesn't manage anything more than cocking his fist before someone grabs him by the shoulder and waist, dragging him backwards. One of his dwarf buddies, shorter than him but significantly stronger, starts pulling him back towards the dining hall, shushing him and telling him he's had enough beer. Dixon struggles with him, but doesn't get anywhere, and finally resigns himself to being hauled away. He spits at Keith.]

You're stuck with us, don't forget that!

[Great introduction, A+ welcoming committee.]

[secondnature]

[Keith hadn't walked in here to pick a fight, but he's not surprised that he did. Some part of him recognizes that he shouldn't have done precisely that with what lies ahead. He is stuck with these people. And while he's keen on helping—that part of this mess is undoubtedly the easiest part—he's not keen on the rest of the uncomfortable nature. He can already feel himself tied down. Being stuck with his mom is one thing. Being stuck with a bunch of strangers who have their own belief sets and notions, without the opportunity to strike out and sort things out for himself, is another.

It isn't ideal.

He doesn't say anything, instead sitting down to take a meal for himself, since he might as well. Given his little "scene," no one bothers to join him.

Not that anyone can blame them. Dixon threw the first punch, but Keith wasn't being nice.]