"Alright, I'll gather what I need to make it. Just make sure to keep the fire going while I'm gone." he smiled at Fliss, he felt she was one of the only ones who appreciated him. He walked away into the woods, and looked around beginning to find what he needed. He returned shortly and started to make the tea over the fire. He had only gathered enough to make some for a few people. After he was done, he poured some into a wooden cup he quickly carved with a hunting knife. He walked over to Felecity and handed her the cup. "Tell me what you think." he said as he put his hands on his waist, waiting for an answer.

OOC: I don't mean to disrupt your entire post, but A) it's realy fast tea by the looks of it and B ) Desmond only delivered the firewood for the fire he was going to make but he never got to making the fire becausen Kynareth is suposedly about to tell what is going on, the posts after Pandar's last post should/could have been to give out a call that everyone was ready for the plot to continue

I think it's best to postpone the other activities such as setting up camp, making a fire and preparing something to eat untill after Pandar got to post the big message or vision or whatever he's planning

OOC: Meh, I agree.. but we might as well finish what we started...

It was lovely, it trickled down her throat calming all her senses and almost sending her into a trance. Warm and soft, it rolled over her tongue. "Wow" she answered breathless, "that was lovely." She noted half talking to herself being taken aback by the smooth, soothing feeling it gave her. Though she was less impressed with the cup, bits of wood had splintered, soaking in the warm liquid before rushing down her throat and cutting her tonsils.

"Thank You! I feel much better now." She smiled at him. Not sure what to do with the hollowed wood that was a 'cup' she put it down on the nearby bench, looking up at the mammoth tree that towered above her and the group. She wondered what was next, what Kynareth would ask of them, and awaited it, waiting for the voice of Kynareth to speak once again to 'Her'..

OOC: The end? Actually no, I think Character development will do us all good, nothing can go wrong with friendly banter hmm?

OOC: #%#$%#%##$!! I just finished typing up the message, BUT NO "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage" <-- FK U.. gimme a few, going to retype it, and it was fairly long ;_;

OOC: Not to make this an OOC discussion, I'll replace this later prob with an IC post. Sorry if I was a little fast about the tea part, and Pandar never exactly said Kynareth was going to tell us what to do, he was just making sure everyone was at the tree. And realistically don't you think someone would have set up the fire by the time Altas got back? I mean it is around midnight in the rp so...

ooc: True

ic: Shanji was already next to the great tree, shaking his head at Shens over zealous way of applauding things he said "Shen, Calm down. Your acting way to over zealous and its scareing people" he smirked resting against the tree trunk.

OOC: Sigh.. sorry for the nerd rage..


IC: The leaves of The Great Tree suddenly blew, the gustling wind was heard, Sons and daughters.. the message played again from Kynareth played again. Sons and Daughters, future protectors of the wild.. you are all probably curious of why I called you all here, I'm sorry to have called you all here, it's very grim for me to have, but there was no other way. Most of you know what your true calling is, it is to be a druid, a guardian and preserver of nature like your great ancestors, I'm very sorry to put such a burden on you all, but your hour of time is needed, I have a request that you all must perform... I wish that I could perform it myself, but it's a mortal's job to do so.. Kynareth's voice saddened.

"What is it, Lady of air?" Shen asked curiously.

All in due time, Shen'dar.. Kynareth responded to Shen. But first, all of you must heed this, of who and what you all are, and why all of you are here on this very day, I'll assume most of you know what you are, as Shen'dar there has probably mentioned it numerous times, you are all druids, descendants of your great ancestors who too were druids themselves, I put them on this earth in order to watch over nature, and preserve it and its balance. The Daedric God of Hunting, Hircine hunted and mercilessly slaughtered countless helpless animals, thus disrupting balanced, my past children whom your great ancestors were, had put a stop to Hircine's pointless hunting, and peace was restored to the wild.. but of course peace was paid with blood, and with blood I dear say.. my children's blood, their lives were sacrificed so that the wild could be at peace.. But peace was never meant to last, one terrible day, Hircine was furious and banded his most loyal servants making a huge resistance, the druids of this forest were massacred, and their corpses taken as trophies.. the thought of just thinking about it is just tormenting.. Hircine had also placed a terrible curse on the Great Tree here that stands here right now, the curse was to give the tree a slow death in pain and agony, The Great Tree was the only connection I had with the mortal world, and the immortality of the druids.. her saddened voice worsened.

"Kynareth.." Shen said.

However, fortunately there were some survivors along with Shen'dar, they devised to plan for The Great Tree to live on and Shen'dar to lead all of you, but.. in order for The Great Tree to live on, even more sacrifices had to be made, their own lives were given to The Great Tree in order for it to buy time, so that I may come into contact with all of you that are standing now at the age of maturity, all of you are protectors and preservers like your great ancestors once were, I never wanted to burden you all with such a task and future career, but all of you are my only hope.. nature's only hope.. Kynareth whispered.

If all of you future druids are willing to perform the task I requested, then you will be doing a great deed for all nature's beauty.. I don't have much time.. a shining acorn from The Great Tree fell to the ground before the group, take this acorn, my time is little, so listen.. she pleaded, take this acorn, to each of my wayshrines throughout Cyrodiil, I can't tell you where exactly they are, I fear Shen'dar won't be able to properly lead you, his knowledge of the outside world is somewhat little and poor, perhaps one of you may know.. please perform this task, farewell sons and daughters... Kynareth finished, her voice faded, and The Great Tree ended up in dark decay as it finally died.

Shen bent down picked the acorn up, and said "Kynareth.." muttering her name, "we will put a permanent end to Hircine's hunt, his pointless fun and games in killing innocent life will be no more, we will do your task, and our ancestors' deaths won't be vain.." his determination was strong, he then faced the group, "So.. uhm, anyone know where the wayshrines are?" He asked.

Felicity asked a simple question as she ate the jerky. Jackie knew the question was innocent in intent, but at its core it stung Jackie to the bone. Her skin paled and she went clammy for a moment before she shook her head gingerly. "I'm... not hungry right now. You need your food after that fight. Eat up." She told the girl, before moving back a ways towards Sheela. She leaned on the horse's flank, rubbing the short hair with the flat of her glove.

Druids... can become animals. True, they wouldn't allow themselves to be hunted, but just the thought... The mare turned her head and nudged Jackie's shoulder. And if I can speak to animals. If they can talk. If they think to that capacity... wouldn't hunting and eating them be like eating a person then? She never had really thought on it, but the idea was repulsive. Enough so to reduce her appetite to shreds.

And it was in this state of mind that she was encroached upon by Kynareth, that wind-chime delicate voice whispering within her ear. Caught off guard she twitched to look at the tree, startled. And the more Kynareth spoke, the more her jaw dropped. An acorn plummeted from the tree, and was picked up by Shen, just before the Tree as a whole took on a deathly shade of darkness; it was dead, or as good as. Jackie continued to stare at it incredulously, and likewise Shen who stood at its base.

"So.. uhm, anyone know where the wayshrines are?" Shen inquired, a lost traveler set to a task without a map. The question was a common one for Jacquelyn to hear, as she often had to direct merchants and adventurers to various locales in Cyrodiil. Her mouth moved of it's own accord, her face and mind still not catching up to the situation.

"Yeah... yeah I do... but they are a ways... and it's nearing midnight... we best camp for now."

He listened and pondered for a minute "I know where the Way Shrines of kynareth are." Shanji piped up looking at Shen. Taking a few steps forward. Well to an all round knowledge of where they are at least he thought holding back a chuckle. It was night and he was tired. But their location wasn't a mystery. "Im a Monk, so yeah I can point us all to them."

In the back of his mind though, he couldnt help but wonder about this. True to his beliefs performing such a task would be great and fulfill part of his life but yet, it could cost him his life. Something the young half breed didn't want to give up just yet. He had No son or daughter to continue his blood line which was something he held a great desire for. The tree taking its deathly shade of dark colouration turned him off from leaning on it. Making the cat stand up quickly.

'Well, good to hear that people know where the wayshrines are, roughly or briefly.. better than none, at least we know where our destinations are," Shen said to JT and Shanji.

"Yeah... yeah I do... but they are a ways... and it's nearing midnight... we best camp for now." JT replied

"Right." Shen nodded and agreed on JT's remark about heading out for tomorrow, as it would be best, afterall Shen's heard about the vile werewolves that lurk about at nightfall, his thoughts are both full of fear and excitement about going out to the outside world, as it would be his first time going into the real world, he hopes to not be an annoyance to the others when asking questions. Shen sat down cross legged by the campfire that was made earlier, he also had other thoughts about having to 'lead' the druids to their destiny, but he had thoughts of him being too young and not being cut out to be an 'Archdruid', after all Kynareth was right, he had no knowledge of whatsoever to lead the group in the read world, instead he self-proclaimed himself as 'the keeper of the acorn' and held the acorn tightly under his robe.

"Your welcome." Altas said. He was about to ask if anyone else wanted some but was stopped when Kynareth's voice echoed inside his head. He listened quietly and took in what she said. As she finished, a frown came upon his face as the tree started to decay at an accelerating rate. He heard Shen ask if anyone knew where the wayshrines were and Jacquelyn and Shanji answered. He didn't know where they were, nor did he know they even existed. Wayshrines.. I never even thought about them.. He heard Jacquelyn say something about camping and he answered, "Aye. Best rest up, we got a long day tomorrow. We should make a plan in the morning however." he said with a smile. And with that he went to sleep on the soft grass in the clearing.

OOC: I don't know if I will be able to get on again tonight so try not to go too far without me. Or atleast take care of my char Pandar. Most likely I will get back on but just incase.

"Fascinating" Amynd muttered under his breath, he did not know the story behind the druids or why they had been selected but he was afraid. If they where truely facing Hircine they could assume hewould not appretiate them trying to ruin his fun the deadra where unpredictable and thus a danger.

He had been half listening to the conversations around him and heard someone mention camping and walked in the direction,
"Finally some sound advice despite the craziness of what we've all heard"

Jacquelyn heard Shen's reply, but it was sort of muffled and distant. She continued to look at the dead tree, unable to revert her eyes from its massive bulk.

"We should make a plan in the morning however." Altas spoke, before he had laid down in the grass to rest. Jackie did not look towards him, but further elaborated on his advice as she took a step forward, away from Sheela, towards the Tree. Both her hands slowly moved before her, clasped together.

"We'll also need breakfast, prepared as quickly as possible. Firewood will have to be conserved for use in the morning to begin a cooking fire, and we can collect more in the morning to sustain it." As she spoke she came nearer to the tree, still locked onto it diligently.

"Considering the recent Bandit activity in the area, we'll also need to have guard shifts. Two should suffice, and they switch with another two after a couple of hours. Otherwise we are sitting ducks for bandits." She advised, finally stepping lightly in front of the tree and brushing the toe of her boot on the root base. With her left hand, she removed her right glove and spread her bare fingers, slender and fair. These fingers she brushed over the bark of the dead tree in ensorcelled rapture. It felt dry and dusty, ready to crumble beneath her fingers.

"It's dead. Just like that... dead." She murmured under her breath.

Amynd heard someone discuss guard shifts and his head jerked in the direction of the voice,

"I volenteer" he shouted out, he had superb night vision from his time spent in the dark and magic to boot, he was probably the most qualified guard there, ironic considering his occupation.

"Considering the recent Bandit activity in the area, we'll also need to have guard shifts." Altas heard Jackie say. he opened one eye at the statement. "I've already gotten some sleep today so I'll volunteer also." He got up and sat down on a bench facing towards the woods. "Maybe you should keep watch over there Amynd." he said as he pointed towards the opposite side of the clearing that he was on.

OOC: Inc Hircine's servants? later-ish or now-ish? D=

IC: "Bandit activity in the area? Nothing from what I heard of.." Shen said, there was an event that had involved bandits and the other druids, Shen somewhat did not pay attention to it, "however.. although I'm not the fighting type, I could perhaps be some assistance to the nightwatch, so yes, I volunteer too!" Shen volunteered wanting to his part for the group for once.

You're stroking a tree. The voice that came into her mind now was not like Kynareth's. There was no wind chime, no calming breezy touch, no divine chill. Instead a warmth entered her mind along with the words, and touched her back as a mass rubbed against it. The voice was familiar and faint. But it was stronger than Jackie recalled. She withdrew her hand from the tree trunk and slipped it into the leather glove, a shudder crawling up her spine with tingling waves.

She turned to look at Sheela, who had nudged her back, and rested one hand on the mare's snout. "I don't know if that was you talking or not, but just stop it right now. Seriously Sheela. I can't take much more of this today." She looked at the horse for a moment, and no warm voices returned. After a minute more she rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation. "I'm conversing with a horse one-sidedly. Jackie, you are losing it." She muttered, before removing her hand from the horse's snout.

"I've already gotten some sleep today so I'll volunteer also." Altas proclaimed, revealing himself to be an extremely light sleeper. However, his announcement made Jackie smile.

"Good, that means I can get some sleep. Gods know I've had a long day and need it." As she said this she tied her belt, quiver, and bow on the Sheela's saddle, in a position ready for use at a moment's notice directly from the horse, and laid back in the grass. It was softer than any bed at any inn. She loved the grass, the luscious smell it gave off and the comfort it brought. This comfort became her downfall, as within minutes she was out cold. Sheela came up beside her and stood there, as if protecting her owner.

"Hmm, never mind then, I'll take watch at the next round then.. other than that, good night all, I guess?" said Shen, the pressure building on him as a new world and life was going to take place for him tomorrow, he laid down and held onto the acorn tightly.

OOC: I'll be away from my computer for the following 24 to 30 hours, so please try not to start a big werewolf fight without me.

Desmond followed the others and unpakced a few of his things from the travel bag he had put down near one of the wooden benches and choose a spot near the fire and readied his bedroll, taking some of his own food and keeping his staff close, not because he was expecting an attack, but because his staff was very important to him.

OOC: too bad it's a short post, I don't think I'll be able to make another one soon

(Im a bit lost here... And you should've waited for me with the tea post coming up)

OOC: Wow, why all these posts at 3am? Stupid time zones..

The voice was innocent and sweet though it sounded hurt and was spoken in depressing tone. Felicity had listened throughout taking note of every word puzzling herself as to where these Wayshrines were. "Wait" she spluttered as everyone lay down on the floor. "My village was built around one of these Wayshrines. The one near Skingrad." She wasn't even sure if they were listening, and didn't bother to wait for a reply.

"I've already gotten some sleep today so I'll volunteer also."

Felicity was pleased that she wouldn't have to guard, for the battle earlier had drained her, and she considered that she had already done her bit.. so she lay down beside Jackie, eyes open and gazing up at the tree. 'Why me..' she pondered to herself, before silently drifting off into a deep sleep.

(wait for me dammit... Pandar, I think you shouldn't rush this much even if the audience wants it. rush a bit, but not too much)

Adeth had jumped when he heard the voice of Kynareth heaving a sigh of relief and calm. He remained there, standing up and watching the others talk. To him the whole situation seemed a bit like what it used to be in his hometown. Others doing what they do and ignoring his precense. But Kynareth had taken him in, it seemed.

Adeth walked to the fire now, trying to make himself feel more at home. 'Coul...' He was about to say before Kynareth started talking. Adeth listened carefully not to leave anything out. He sat down with his note book then and started writing what Kynareth said, writing the words as they came out. He wanted to know what it truly was and that he could make up his mind about the whole thing. He knew it was all true and so bowed his head.

After Kynareth finished talking and the others started to properly make camp, Adeth walked to Shen. 'Uh... Shen? Could you shed some more light on the matters for me, I mean if it's not too much to ask. About Kynareth, Hircine, druids and maybe what is really going on.' He asked, he sounded once more uncertain and uncomfortable.

OOC: Don't worry, you have plenty of interaction time as of right now, it'll be most likely that we end up leaving at next thread.

IC: Shen's attention was caught as soon as he heard his name being called, he sat back up and faced Adeth, and Adeth raised a question "Uh... Shen? Could you shed some more light on the matters for me, I mean if it's not too much to ask. About Kynareth, Hircine, druids and maybe what is really going on."

Shen raised an eye brow, surely Adeth had gotten the message from the Lady of Air herself, with a quick sigh, he reluctantly said, "Yeh, sure..I guess.."

Shanji looked at Adeth and sat down next to him "Hey it will be alright." he said cooly wanting to help calm the man down. He began to hum a soft tune as he looked into the fire.

Jackie smiled as she felt Felicity lay down beside her. It felt good to have a friend now in this group, and she seemed to connect quickly with the younger girl. Which was good; in a group primarily of men, women needed to stick together. And Felicity had just recently saved Jackie's life. Jackie closed her eyes again and drifted deeper into sleep. After a short time, she began to dream.

So many smells. It was intriguing how she could smell a dear on the girl in front of her, who lay so soundly in sleep. She could smell something ashen, and berries and fruits on another being in the distance. But that's not truly what piqued her interest. It was what she touched.

Smooth, cold, coppery tasting plates of metal. And they had grooves in them in strange patterns, the grooves like tiny mountains to her heightened sense of touch. She ran her paws over it, looking at it, before sniffing at the face of the girl. Then she heard talking, and perked up her ears, going onto her hind legs to look up over the girl.

There was a fire. And three beings sat around it. One of them smelled like a cat. Her eyes watched the flames and the men, curious but cautious.

To onlookers, a raccoon peaked its black masked face over Felicity's sleeping form, watching the men at the fire with hesitation.