Out of character: so apparently I had a lot more words in me *after* the quest than during
Don't feel like you have to match me. Sometimes I just don't know when to stop
From the Journal of Zivilyn, Windling Magician
As I was passing through the great market, my attention was caught by a man and woman (later I found out their Names were Lettret and Gvrigeth, both with the same family name - I'm not sure if those names are common enough to really need a last name, but it seems many "civilized" folk are quite fond of having two names when one will do just fine) who seemed to be urgently seeking anyone who might be able to help the people of their village cross the plains and reach a community from the recently-opened kaer Irondelve. As we found out later, his people had been instructed by the Passions to never use weapons (I'm just assuming they're not allowed to fight like a beastmaster either, although it never came up), and the people of Irondelve had given them an escort of warriors to reach the gates of Throal before the scourge. These former refugees from a town they called Mannigoth wished to go now and return the favour by bringing needed supplies to Irondelve to help them through the winter, as they had been pushed out of their kaer just before winter, and in hopes of joining their village and reigniting old friendships.
Joining myself in escorting them on their pilgrimage were "Nez", a windling Beastmaster, Ramadori-... well, Ram, an Obsidiman Warrior, Temur, an Ork not-exactly-a-cavalryman who could call upon the spirit of his grandmother's legendary horse (and let me tell you, it is rightly called legendary, those hooves strike as if they were thunder) and Rose, a T'Skrang nethermancer. Some of them are rather odd, but then, I suppose perhaps they consider me to be odd as well.
We set out through the gates of Throal and I was greatly pleased to be out of that cave. Oh, you may think "cave" to be rather inadequate a description, and it certainly is a very *nice* cave, but to one who was born with wings to fly, it is a cave nonetheless. One can only meet so many bat and rat spirits before wishing for a little variety. The mountains were peaceful until we were almost out of them entirely; I had heard that groups of bandits had sprung up, and it seems to be true. We had the good fortune of encountering what I must presume were the most incompetent bandits in the entire area. First, they decided to attack our group of over 70 Namegivers when there were only half a dozen of them (granted, the people we were escorting had sworn off violence, but it isn't like they were carrying large signs proclaiming such a thing). So, not the smartest people out there (then again, they decided to be bandits, so what else is new). Plus, they completely botched their ambush as Nez spotted them easily, and their flanking warriors had to run away to their allies before the fight was joined. And as it turns out, they must have barely been able to figure out which side of a weapon goes into their opponents, because they were practically falling all over themselves trying to hit us. I suspect if I asked Ram, he would agree that they did not fight very well as a group, either, although I myself am no expert in such things. One of them must have particularly angered the spirits, because I don't believe I have ever seen such a walloping given by the spirit Invoked by the Crow Tear spell.
In any event, they were dispatched rather unceremoniously. It was actually at this point we found out our escortees (is that even a word?) had sworn off violence, as they refused to take any of the bandits' equipment. In fairness, it probably wasn't of very good quality anyways, and obviously it was all much too large for me anyways. In time, we reached a good camping site in the plains and had a night of sharing stories and dancing (well, mostly Temur danced - it involved a lot of jumping over firepits and changing directions by swinging around each other. I can see how that would be exciting for others, but I change directions in midair all the time, and these wings aren't fireproof, thank you very much). Those who had taken some damage from the bandits were able to recover, and the next morning we set out again towards the kaer after our karma rituals (I had great fun with a mischievous mouse spirit, hiding and finding seeds). I must say at this point that I am grateful to have been able to hitch a ride with various others along the way - Ram was most accomodating when my wings needed a rest, but perhaps I should be prepared in case I do not have such a convenient and willing perch in the future. I have to say it is a joy to be able to fly up and see for miles around, as well! No cave walls anywhere in sight! (Again, to be clear: I am grateful that I was inside those walls during the scourge. I am just also *very* grateful to be *out* of them now).
In time, we came across a pair of moving hills that we had heard from some distance away. It seems they were a pair of dyres, and if I thought our obsidiman friend was large, they showed me that things come in much larger sizes! These particular dyres were a little odd, in that they seemed to be made of more solid stuff than normal - almost earth-like. We had hoped we might be able to slip past without drawing attention, but the winds changed (literally) and spoiled our chances at getting through without unnecessary conflict. I mean, it isn't as if we were going to eat stony meat, and they were not enemies. I suppose it is just in their nature to be quite irritable. Fortunately, they proved to be far less difficult to deal with than I had expected. They were quite hard to hurt, but with constant pestering from my crows (they didn't do much damage, I'm afraid) keeping them unable to see clearly and the strength of our doughty fighting adepts, as well as a mighty spirit dart from Rose, one was rendered unconscious and the other fled. Seeing no reason to pursue, we made certain the unsconscious dyre would recover and went on our way; Temur seemed pleased with the idea that they might some day become the mount for some ork (not the ones who were with the bandits though... they seemed to have lances, but fought on foot. And also, they didn't survive their attempt to attack us and enslave our charges, which would be a real hindrance).
After that, we pressed through some very tall, tough, sharp grass which I may just want to try out as a basketweaving material some day. At times like that, I am glad to be able to fly. The cuts were hardly life-threatening, but they certainly sounded painful to hear the others talk of it. We reached Irondelve without further incident, and... well, let's just say that Ram is a stout companion, but his taste in music leaves something to be desired, and I think Rose stabbed herself with her embroidering needle more often than the cloth. Perhaps her hands were sore that day. Personally, I found the plants in Irondelve to be truly remarkable for my own craft - it seems the area is suffused with minerals so that the plants are like metal! I can only imagine what kind of beast spirits I might find there some day. The basket I crafted was, I think, one of my finest works. Perhaps one of the best I've ever seen, let alone made. If anyone is ever looking for a good material for basketweaving, I highly recommend the plants of Irondelve. Their leaders should really consider starting a trade with others, for it seems the downside is that their plants, while good once crafted, are not *quite* so good when harvesting and processing them. I had to sharpen my blade afterwards myself, so the people of Irondelve were glad to be receiving unworn tools and equipment and supplies from the ancestors of people they had helped before.
I must say though, it is strange that the headman mentioned that irondelve had no stories of warriors going to help others reach Throal. Still, we had a wonderful feast, and swapped some stories (some of their songs were in Or'zet; Temur assures me they were very interesting, although I think he might have said that about Orkish music even if it was terrible. Still, much better than Obsidiman music seems to be, that's for sure!). I was even able to sell my basket for an excellent price when I returned to Throal (the people of Irondelve had no shortage of ironweave baskets, and did have a shortage of many other things). Hopefully that will draw some merchants to be interested in establishing trade with them.