Entry #9
===The dreams have started again. Not much I can really say, what little I can remember is fleeting and vague, just brief images of light, trees, battles and tall humanoid with pointy ears. Elfs, I think.
Elves have been extinct in the world for almost five centuries; the humans exterminated them to the last. From what I seen, the humans declared the war on the basis of morality; an ironic statement to make given the Confederation’s leader.
I know what I'm looking for now. Maybe I’ll find answers there.
---
I've arrived. Actually, I’ve been here for the past two nights. The former capital of the elven civilization, the Forest Retreat Rakedroot.
To be honest, I was expecting something … more, but all I’ve seen thus far are a few trees, and tored up grass.
It’s a little hard to believe that this was the site of some of the more fierce fighting in the Windy Plane. Back in Fistmachines, elves were always discounted as a bunch of nature-loving fools, whose refusal to accept industry lead to their own annihilation. Having seen their battles first hand, despite everything else, I can at least say that despite their nature, they fought as well as any dwarf would under the circumstances.
I saw it myself. 26 elves vs an army of 446.
In my dreams, I stood as one of the 26, brothers in arms under the banner Cequova Embracerack. We knew that the odds were very much against us, but we refused to go quietly into the night.
Course, given what they faced, there was only one possible outcome.
We (or perhaps they), had huddled around their home tree at the center of the encampment. Cequova had rallied us up around one single chokepoint. With their magic, they could create arrows faster than the enemy could deplete them, and all of them were accomplished bowmen. One hit, one kill.
Simple as that.
On the third night of the siege though …
I’ll recount what I saw below.
---
“They’re pulling back!”
Eriya was beside me, and excited pointed out as the humans began to retreat to the wastelands beyond. I had taken third watch as Cequova and the others slept. Two druids behind us worked the lands, shaping arrows for our quivers, and enchanting our armor. The fields between us and the Confederation were covered in fallen dead.
“Why would they pull back? They’ve got us outnumbered ten to one …”
The ground rumbled as those a single force had hammered the weight of a mountain upon it. A single imposing figure stepped into the clearing. Without delay, I took my bow, and fired at it, but the figure paid no mind.
“
You truly think you can win? That Gaia will protect you? I give you one chance. Surrender, swear allegiance, and serve as members of the Confederation.”
For a moment, the moon broke through the clouds, and I saw what was speaking. A massive demon that towered over any other being I’ve ever seen before, twisted in the shape of a llama. I felt it in my bones, it was nothing short of an abomination of life with a terrifying power.
I turned to Eriya, “Wake Cequova, now! While we have time.”
The young acolyte raced behind me, and moments later, Cequova, already in full battle dress stood along aside. “By Gaia …”
”My patience wears thin, treefolk … perhaps a demonstration is in order.”A deep sucking sound whistled through as the demon inhaled, and blew out a mist. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. Cequova shouted, “No one approach it!” The mist blew around us. Bethen it, grass and trees began to wilt and die as though their life was simply snuffed out. As though it were alive, the mist blew upwards, and began to surround the home tree.
The leaves died, the bark decayed, and the wood splintered. All of us could feel it. In a single breath, it had destroyed our home. Rakedroot was no more. No one spoke, all of us were afraid. There was no way we could face-
In a quiet whisper, Cequova spoke to me, "Id, get the others. I'll buy you time. Get out of here, try to regroup at Swampspattered."
He stood up taller than I've ever seen, as though possessed. Or maybe he had nothing left to fear. I couldn't disobey him, I could merely watch.
"Law-giver, may I speak to you under parley to discuss terms of surrender?"
The demon laughed,
"Very well. I shall allow this."Cequova gripped his sword, and stepped out to face his destiny. As though I was under a spell, I had the others group around me, waiting for the critical moment. Moments ticked by in silence, and then Cequova shouted "FOR RAKEDROOT!"
In the confusion, I got the others, and charged in the opposite direction towards the weakest parts of the human lines. I was not going to let Cequova's sacrifice end in vain.
I heard the devil scream behind me,
Impotent elf. I am Weirma Dreamroar. I shall make you suffer for this!”We ran into the night, fight off what we could. I never saw Cequova again …
---
When I woke from the dream, I couldn’t speak, think, or even scream. I saw the devil that I’ve dedicated myself to kill, and I saw what it could do. I curled up under my blankets, and tried not to cry.
I couldn’t help but think I set myself upon an impossible task. That devil would end me, and that would be that. As I stood there shivering, I wondered if maybe I should just go home when I heard
it …
You are stronger than you know …The voice came from all directions. I couldn’t tell you if it was male, female, or even what species. It was beyond description.
Startled, I grabbed my spear, and looked around, “Who’se there?”
I jumped around searching between the trees. I couldn’t find anything.
As long as believe …“Show yourself!”
I only heard silence. Scared by an advisory I couldn’t see, I grabbed my gear and ran into the night, leaving Rakedwood behind …
End of Entry #9---
*phew* another one. Please post if you've enjoyed this. Next time, Id travels north, and begins to comes to terms with the path she's chosen. I'm a little sad we lost the interactive elements of this story, but the fact of the matter is the actual Windy Planes world is a pocket world, and there's not much in it. If I actually do a full blown adventure run in a new world with Id, that element will return.
EDIT: For reference, here's the Arcycrystal section Bearskie referenced:
http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=156319.msg7619646#msg7619646. That takes place long after this story.
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Topic: The Story Of Id Matulcog (Updated 11/24/17) (Read 7363 times)