When Elves Attack -
Part II
From
the correspondance of Baltuun Chagi
To: Master Jun Je Quon Chigi, Wah Tzu Do Monastery
Re: World Knowledge Update
My Master,
I realize that it has been some time
since my last report back to you concerning my trek across the world,
and for that I must humbly beg forgiveness.
As you may recall, my comrade, Thia, and I have been
in pursuit of a
rogue elven bard, who nearly caused our demise some time ago. Since
then, we have managed to assemble a small but varied team with which to
track him down.
As our travels continued, we found ourselves at the
forestry camp near
Covington Dale at the behest of the town and forestry officials due to
a possible escalation of hostilities between the humans and elves of
the forest. Apparently, the forest had begun to wither and crystallize,
and the elves blamed the humans. The humans refused to cease their
logging activities, and we were there to be some form of mediation.
While the humans continued their constant behaviour of enhanced self
entitlement, the elves fared no better, and appeared rather self
inclined, with repeated use of the phrase “It would please me”. They
are apparently used to others pleasing them, and offered little
pleasure in return. I have yet to become fully proficient in
understanding their culture. While they come from the woods, I would
call them wood elves. However, due to their rather heightened sense of
self worth, I would almost dare to call them high elves.
In the morning, we ventured forth into the woods
with two high elves as
our escorts into the heart of the crystal decay. The desecration
appeared roughly egg shaped, and we began examining the roots of the
fallen trees. While I endeavoured to ascertain additional information
on the issue, Thia was most insistent on me aiding the draining of
water of one of the holes made by a tree. I must apologize profusely,
My Master, as I was less than humble in coming to her aid, and managed
to splash her with rainwater from the small pool. She complained, but
since she is proficient in living off the wilds of the earth, I must
admit I did not feel much shame in my actions. Upon better
understanding that the ground was contaminated and spreading out like
some form of disease, I suggested that we search the centre of the
desiccated grove for the crystal egg which the bard had previously
taken from a dwarven burial tomb.
As well you have taught me, it is better to remain
silent and be
thought a fool, than open one's mouth and remove all doubt, however in
this case, Roderic engaged in an action which reminded me of lessons
taught to me by Master Sang Dan Chigi, as even a fool must now and then
be right by chance. Roderic uncovered the crystalline object, but no
sooner had he uncovered it than one of the elven guides turned upon his
comrade and struck him down. Indeed, the guide was in fact the object
of our trek, the bard himself.
We endeavoured hand to hand combat against him en
masse, however he was
most dextrous, and evaded most blows. Thus, I engaged him with the
technique taught to me by Ap Oli Chagi, “The Illegitimate Love Child”,
and grabbed hold of him. This allowed Roderick, Thia, Serve and Edwurd
and Lilly a better chance of defeating him.
The battle was shorter than I had anticipated, as
having immobilized
him, we denied him a great portion of his spellcasting itinerary. We
returned to the forestry camp thereafter, and offered our condolences
to the high elves at the loss of one of their own, but with the
consolation of having captured the bard, and putting some small measure
of closure to the forestry issue.
However, the elves were inclined to take the bard
into their own
custody. We disagreed at first, as I must admit, in my own journeys, I
have found most incarceration facilities to be less than adequate.
However, in an effort to maintain the peace, we agreed that we would at
least meet with the elves and the bard at a later time and place to
discuss what information he may have on his unprovoked attack against
Thia and I, as well as what schemes he has currently engaged.
To pass the time, we returned to Covington Dale and
to the abode of
Dwaim, the dwarf who had aided us with his key construct for the fallen
dwarf’s tomb. It was then that I decided to improve my own abilities
and began learning the Dwarven tongue, as it appeared a great many
regions of the land utilized the language. I am not yet proficient,
however Dwaim has issued me a guide of pronunciation and phrases.
With the passing of a week, we left to meet the
elves at the appointed
time. However, we received news that the bard himself had taken a turn
for the worse, and appeared to be delirious. It is uncertain as to what
is the cause behind his madness, and for this, I suspect we may need to
make another journey.
Until further information may be gleaned,
I remain humbly yours,
Brother Baltuun Chagi, Eighth of First Dan