THE COUNCIL OF ELROND

[wildestmods]

THE COUNCIL OF ELROND

[After their week of rest, once the injured are close to fully healed, the group is gathered up and brought into a Council. They're led down a long winding path to a circular area carved out of stone. The bubbling waters of the Bruinen can be heard rippling nearby, alongside the distance rush of the waterfalls, and birds twitter from the boughs of the trees. Rows of seats have been laid out on raised steps, kind of like very small bleachers, to allow multiple rows of people without some of them having a blocked view.]

[There are enough seats for all of them but also many other seats that have been filled by travelers from near and far. The dwarves have sent Gloin, one of the dwarves that stood with Thorin Oakenshield against the dragon Smaug. Faramir of Gondor has been sent by Aragorn to represent the Men of Gondor and Rohan. Tiffany Aching, a twenty year-old witch sits in one chair, a representative of the witches of the great Ramtops Steading of the Disc, who are not a nation like the others, but are just really, really nosy when it comes to other people's business.]

[They are just some of many who stand before the squad, drawn to this place to speak to them because of many different prophecies uttered by many different sages and prophets.]

[There are also two very small individuals, no larger than hobbits. They look even more Elven and spritely than the Elves. These two are the prophets that the gathered people trust the wisdom of the most. The two Gelflings, Kira and Jen, watch the squad join the Council with sharp and knowing eyes.]

[After they are all settled, a clear bell rings out, a last call for the Council and a signal that it's about to start. The faces of everyone that turn to the squad are grave. Some are slightly concerned or pitying, because of what they've heard about the group. A weight is about to be placed on their shoulders.]

[Elrond stands and gestures to them all. He says:]

Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you have been summoned here to offer counsel on matters that will affect every land that makes up the new world we have all been bound to. Thanks to the threat of Mordor and the Golden Nation, and the destructive nature of the Wilderlands itself, our worlds and lands stand upon the brink of destruction; none can escape it. Yet we have been told by many prophets and sages that one group, one band of individuals, might change our collective fate.

[He gestures to the squad now.]

I apologize for the long delay in meeting with you to speak of the serious matters at hand. We have sent emissaries to a place the spirits of the Green sometimes manifest, hoping that they'll agree to a meeting with you. Those set to this task have yet to return.

The Green has done you a great disservice in bringing you to this world with no explanation behind their actions, and your coming has sent ripples through all peoples in the Wilderlands. Many prophets from many lands were able to foretell of your coming before you ever arrived, and saw possible futures that might be created by your influence before ever gaining knowledge of your existence. Messengers and sages arrived in Rivendell shortly before and during your stay here.

I've been meeting with them during the recovery of your injured and trying to discern any patterns so that I might offer whatever counsel that I can.

What's clear is that your fate has been magically tied to our own by the Green; your choices may lead to our doom - or they might save us all. For that reason, we have all gathered here today to offer our knowledge, guidance, and wisdom, and to tell you of the prophecies spoken of in our many lands that concern your place in the Wilderlands.

[Now he gestures to the Gelflings who stand in the center of the circle.]

Of all the prophets and great sages among our peoples, the Gelflings are the most gifted at foresight. They have spent their days dreaming under the stars, untangling the webs of destiny that bind us all. They, above all others, have divined the most complete visions that concern your fate, and so they will speak for us all. After they speak, the council will be open to all to discuss these matters.

[The male Gelfling steps forward, and gestures first to himself and then to his female companions.] I'm Jen and this is Kira. We've spent many nights dreaming, seeking the truth of what has happened to the world - what has happened to many worlds.

[Kira says:] We've seen the threads of fate that bind you and know who has ensnared you. This land once belonged to the spirits of the Green. A calamity befell it, one that's beyond even their understanding, causing other worlds to be drawn in to their realm. They wish to separate the worlds and unbind their realm from the other worlds that have intruded.

[Jen says:] They, too, have gifts of foresight, even greater than our own, and unlike us, they can see the past and future in many worlds. They've looked into your own worlds and have chosen you all because they believe the gifts and traits you possess fit into their visions of salvation, especially when paired with their own granted gifts.

[Jen spreads a hand and whispers words he learned from his masters, the wise UrRu, that are not exactly a spell - just a simple utterance of truth, something that washes away the illusions of normalcy over reality. This reveals something on every member of the group, a mystical mark on their bodies, etched into their souls by the Green in glowing lines of green entwined with gold. This mark is on all their foreheads, and is a symbol in the Green's own strange spirit language that marks them as the saviors of the natural world.]

[When he stops murmuring, the brand fades, but now they'll all find that any magic spell from magic granted by the Green, or use of a magic weapon given to them by the Green will, cause the brand to glow when a spell or weapon power is active.]

[Kira says:] They've marked you as their own. But this choice isn't something handed down by a divine force or all-seeing being, it's based on their guesses. On their own predictions of possible futures. They are right in that you're capable of this, but have brought you here according to their will and bound you together, even changed some of you, hoping you'll serve them.

[Jen says:] And though some individual spirits of the Green are sympathetic to other life in the Wilderlands, many of these spirits don't care for the fate of anyone other than themselves. The Green has chosen you to save the Green alone.

[Kira says:] While the Green brought you here against your will, you still get to choose which paths to take. You have the ability to choose to unbind yourselves and save only yourselves, or to save only the Green so that you can go to your homes.

[Jen says:] Or you can choose to walk the more difficult paths to save us all, and to stop more worlds from being torn apart. To do that, you must empower the spirits of the Green that are willing to help save life beyond themselves: the Spirits of the Seasons, who each will place a task before you.

[Kira says:] You must also defeat the Dark Lord of the East, Sauron, and the Witch of the West, the Unfinished Princess. While many are fighting these enemies, the visions of many prophets have shown that you have the greatest chance of making sure that all those who resist them aren't fighting in vain.

[Jen says: And you must awaken the Childlike Empress, who sleeps in her Ivory Tower. To do all these tasks is to do the near-impossible, but only by walking all these paths can you save more than the Green.

[Kira says:] We wish we could give you more but our view of the future is imperfect. All we can do is place the truth before you: a great burden, especially since all the prophets of these lands can tell you of the roads you must follow, but few can tell you how to defeat all the evils you'll find on them, or even which ones you would face for sure.

[Jen says:] But this is all we can give you, A glimpse of what might be and the choices you must make. [Jen's expression is deeply sympathetic, almost sorrowful.] For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I was once...Chosen by a prophecy. Destined to end the reign of a great evil and heal my world. But the prophecy led to... [It's hard for him to say.] It led to the loss of our people; they were all killed to try to stop the prophecy from coming to pass. And now Kira and I are the last of our kind.

[Jen holds Kira's hand tightly in his and continues:] It hasn't been an easy path to walk and your path - I fear that yours will be much harsher, even if you only seek to free yourselves and return home. I hope I'm wrong.

[The two Gelflings share a look with each other that comes with their shared understanding. They are bound by what they are and bound by what they lost and it's clear they wouldn't wish that weight on anyone else.]

[Elrond beckons for them to step back and take a seat and they take seats in small chairs at his side, their hands still clasped tightly.]

[Elrond looks at the assembled squad, and says:] And so several choices are laid before you. I would advise you to withhold a final decision until you gain more information from the Green themselves. But in the meantime, grave matters must be discussed today.

[He arches an eyebrow.]

They have kidnapped you against your will - even despite the fact some of you are still children. They have entangled you in the threads of fate, even transformed some of you in grotesque ways, and yet expect you to grant them power and solve their problems.

They have much to answer for.

[He gestures with a hand to some of the assembled Elf servants and another bell rings, clear and bright.]

So that you're ready to face them with as much knowledge as possible, we will answer any questions you have about the state of the world, and what tidings others have had of prophetic visions about you that have been recorded in their own lands.

OOC DETAILS
❧ Free-for-all Post: This event will be in "free-for-all" format, meaning that threadhopping is encouraged and that threading should be treated in the same conversational way as network posts with branching threads. This post will only contain the part with Elrond and others. The agents of the Green will be set up with their own Q&A post after they've had time to talk to Elrond and co.

❧ Joint network Post. Due to the magic mirrors having the ability to be widened and set to float, any characters that don't (or can't) attend the meeting will be able to still participate.

❧ Post in bracketspam format. We're trying to keep a brisk pace and allow a network vibe where speech matters more than action, for some talking heads rp.

❧ b>NPCing. The mods will handle all the fantasy npcs and some may show up that aren't specifically listed in this post. There are many people at the Council.

❧ Food: Food and drink are plentiful. The food leans towards fruits and veggies but there's enough game for any meat-eaters, cooked well in unknown spices. Wine is abundant, some vintages more inebriating than others. The restorative cordial miruvor is available to help weary travelers get their energy up and revive their strength. It doesn't get characters drunk but helps them revive their strength. It has a light, pleasant floral taste and smell. Beer can also be provided, though that of the traveling dwarves is superior to what Rivendell has to offer.

❧ It's okay if the conversation gets messy. It's a giant group that's going to be talking here. That means it's natural if side conversations happen, interruptions happen, or things get missed because people are talking over each other and switching conversational partners.

❧ A private discussion will happen later. A crossroads post and private conversation among the squad will happen after the Council, and after the meeting with the Green, so they can decide for themselves what to do next and how to handle what they've learned.

Comments

[zerg_rush]

[This sounds like business as usual to Kerrigan, and she slouches into her chair with an almost childish sulkiness.]

You know, the last few times someone's conscripted me, they at least gave me decent gear.

[She's not really trying to be overheard by anyone but her "Chosen One" neighbors, but she's not trying not to be overheard, either.]

[the_hit_list]

[ Tim is trying out sitting next to new people today, mainly because he’s hoping to avoid people telling him he should take it easy.

He doesn’t often get to be in the snarky spitball section. ]

They gave you shiny headgear.

[hasapoint]

:You get equipment? Lucky. I get girls who've sometimes never even held a weapon before and a general feeling of 'this way lies disaster, you're closest, make it stop'.:

[She's snarking and is resigned as well but Need doesn't... really mind this. She's a willing servant and tool to the gods of her world who want to set things right, even if this is rather higher stakes than usual. Of course no one asked her this time but they so rarely do anyway. She literally has nothing better to do and while she's not enthusiastic, Need would readily have put herself on this path if the option had presented itself. Being nerfed and marked - probably on her blade - is basically all she's really annoyed about.]

[greyerrant]

"The finest armor and weapons" or so it was said.

[ He's got his arms crossed and is looking dubious of all this. ]

[wildestmods]

I can't speak for the spirits of the Green, but know that my house will do what they did not. Before you leave our halls you will be armed and supplied.

Regardless of the path you choose to walk, you should not have to face the Wilds unaided.

[It's unconscionable that they were kidnapped and thrown into things without any support or supplies.]

[wheyoftheadept]

[Saturday shrugs, laconically. Her voice is a little too even]

Hey, we got a sick tat, at least. Can't wait for someone to bullseye a mage with it.

[millenyal_pink]

[Elle's expression doesn't change, but anyone sitting near her will be able to feel her getting angry as Elrond and the Gelflings speak. It spikes when the symbols appear above the group's heads and steadily lowers from there, as if she's forcefully pushing it down.]

[Anyone paying particular attention will notice she gives people that she knows can read the future a wide berth.]

(OOC: this is a PSA that Elle's existence tends to make people with the gift of prophecy, or who can predict fates, very uncomfortable. This mostly manifests in her being difficult to look at directly by those with such powers.)

[zerg_rush]

[That is a substantial amount of anger even for the circumstances, and Kerrigan casts Elle a concerned look when the wave of emotion crests.

If she feels the need to kill someone over this, she should at least wait until they can engineer the deed to look like someone else did it.]

[wheyoftheadept]

[Saturday leans back in a totally casual stretching way that lets her whisper in Elle's ear]

Hey. Returning the favor. Keep it locked down, you're leaking.

[millenyal_pink]

What are the significant of the Dark Lord and the Unfinished Princess? Other than being powerful, why are they the barrier between us managing to save everyone? There are many worlds with terrible evils, what are the significance of these specific beings?

[Elle would like more to go on that 'we say it in a vision so go do it'.]

And this Childlike Empress-- who is she and what is her role?

[unsealthecatbox]

Beings from another plane of existence imposing their will onto others, for their own gain? Say it isn't so.

[What else is new, really. True, the Green seem far more benign than witches and their penchant for using unsuspecting people for their games, but as Ange sees it they're just as selfish as witches. It just is fortunate their selfishness could end in something good.

Still, Ange has to ask:]

If the Green give these gifts and powers to their piec--their chosen ones-- [Had to stop herself from saying 'pieces' yeah] --then would it be safe to assume everybody who have received these gifts are potential allies to this cause? Or is there any chance the Green can make mistake and bestow these onto someone who could be an enemy to us?

[It seems Ange has something in mind when asking this, yeah]

[talk_radio]

If they were that good at foresight, I don't think they would have shot themselves in the foot this badly.

[The soldiers that fought the hardest were the people who wanted to be there. Forced conscription led to soldiers who'd do anything to get out of it.]

[wildestmods]

There have been reports of others with similar magic but their loyalties, and whether those gifts were also granted by the Green, is unknown.

[ahelpingpaw]

[Since his arrival Filbo has been feeling over and over and over that everything is way over his head. He's just an average grumpus who somehow managed to get himself into the mayoral seat of a big city, he's not an adventurer!

Right now that feeling is invading him once again. Still, a conversation he once had with Saturday comes to mind: if you can do something about a problem, then do it. Can't go back on his words! Taking a deep breath, he tries to stifle his usual anxiety]

Sir Elrond, thank you for your hospitality. These days of rest were something we truly needed after...some happenings we went through.

[Feels like saying 'happenings' is putting it lightly, really. HAving said that, he directs this to whoever is best fit to answer it:]

There are many big goals to achieve. Leaving aside the matters of how uncomfortable it is that everyone here got forced into this without a say in the matter, it's overwhelming to have that hanging over our heads just like this.

Have there been any prophecies that could hint what should get our attention first? Just at first glance everything seems very urgent and demanding attention at once, but if there's anything that could get in the way of any of these goals then knowing about it could be good.

[He's kind of sure asking Elrond and the Gelflings may bring a better result than asking the Green directly once the chance arises, so he asks that now]

[wildestmods]

[If Elrond is phased by talking to a blue fuzzy monster, he doesn't show it. Perhaps this new world had made him get used to different species.]

[Elrond inclines his head.]

Our hospitality is a comfort we wish to give to all who come across our halls. You have my apologies for our hesitation and caution. Many dangers have encroached on Imladris since our arrival in this world.

Of the various prophecies, those say you have the power to end the Dark Lord's reign seem the most pressing. Though the Unfinished Princess has caused destruction, conquest is her goal. She wishes to rule the peoples she conquers, not enslave them.

The Dark Lord seeks to destroy and enslave all but himself. His armies are a scourge upon the world, one that leaves a path of wanton destruction in its wake.

[hasapoint]

[Need has been laid on a chair or something. Even though she's not really comfortable with a lot of unknowns being aware of her being a person, and would have been quite happy to pass questions on to be asked by living people, well... the Elves certainly already know and it's not like she has to be a secret.

There is a great element of steady, unhurried calm to her. Need doesn't like being marked and even more doesn't like some of her powers being taken away, but she would be willing to help if asked. Or even unasked, if she knew, and that she was conscripted instead doesn't matter a whole lot to her.]

:And were you - and anyone else not local to this plane - told something on arrival? Were you even shown a dream, or did you have to work everything out yourselves?:

[wildestmods]

Sections of our lands appeared here with no warning and no explanation.

Over the last few years, we have had discern the truth of what happened by communicating and allying with the other peoples that have been displaced here.

The Elves have allied themselves once more with their comrades of old, the Men and Dwarves of Middle-Earth. We've also sought to ally ourselves with displaced peoples from other realms.

[cspd]

What all is known about the forces under command of Sauron, and this Unfinished Princess? We've encountered some, but I'm sure what we've seen is far from everything they're able to throw at us.

The more we know now, the less easily they can catch us off-guard later.

[zerg_rush]

[Right, right, complaining later, briefing now.]

How do you fight a Nazgul? I couldn't make a mark on that thing. And does that flower—[t h i n k i n g]—athelas work if it's dried?

[wildestmods]

Ever has the Dark Lord opposed the free peoples of Middle-Earth. His master was the greatest evil our world has ever known, one of the beings who shaped our world, corrupted to malevolence. Deep in the darkness of his fortresses of Utumno and Angband, Morgoth gathered to him the evil powers of the world and bred monsters in the mockery of life, fearsome orcs and towering trolls and other fell beasts. For ages of our world, Morgoth was a blight, nearly destroying us all.

Sauron was his right hand until his master's eventual defeat. Eventually he took up his mantle, first corrupting others through deception and then gathering power through dark magic. Then he openly menaced the world with the monsters of his master's creation and evil Men either enslaved or manipulated into his service. Those who aren't killed by his armies are left in shackles, doomed to a life at the end of the whips of their masters. His forces leave only ash and poison in their wake.

Upon his arrival in this world, he has continued his reign of terror, moving outward from Mordor in a wave of destruction, sending refugees fleeing from the advance of his armies. Chief among his servants are the Nazgul, nine great men corrupted into becoming wraiths, and cursed beings called Nightrenders who arise from the bodies of the restless dead.

The Unfinished Princess opposes him, wanting to conquer the lands he seeks to destroy and add them to her empire. She prefers to conquer and rule than enslave and destroy, but the kingdoms that fall under her control are treated as subservient and must bow down in obedience. Those peoples who refuse to be cowed face the same ruthless destruction they would at Sauron's hands. She often burns cities to the ground, ordering her troops to burn down buildings with the innocent still inside them.

Her armies are comprised of monstrous beings whose loyalties she's earned by treating them as trusted lieutenants, highly rewarding them for their efforts. This monstrous regiment and the daughters of the Moon King are unshakably loyal to her.

[wheyoftheadept]

[Saturday crosses her arms and keeps her face expressionless. Rig alums will recognize the look - it's her bad-news face, for when she's got enough presence of mind to keep her manners]

Well, gotta say, the prophecy's new. I've been caught up in fate before, but usually as the monkey wrench. Not sure I know the protocol for when you were actually supposed to be here today.

[wildestmods]

Even those who have some gift for foretelling the future couldn't tell you the inevitability of these prophecies.

Many worlds have blended together, with many forms of magic. The rules for each world all hold some sway.

Whether these fates are inevitable or are something that can be defied may be something you must determine for yourselves.

I wish we could provide more answers. The most we can do is warn you, try to arrange for the Green to speak with you, and share these portents for you to act on.

[He seems genuinely rueful that there isn't much more they can do.]

If we don't have time today to speak of every one of the prophecies, we'll make sure you all receive them transcribed.

[ferengineer]

Who are the Spirits of the Seasons, and why would they be more helpful than some of the others?

[Nog's mostly resigned to fixing things properly, and would be doing even in the even of the group voting for the other ways out.]

And what's this Childlike Empress's role in all of this?

[wildestmods]

The Green is a conglomeration of spirits of nature. All plant life and all magic of nature, is their domain. They all commune together and make decisions in what they call the parliament of trees.

The Spirits of the Seasons are some of the most powerful among them, the embodiment of the different seasons on many worlds. They aren't just spirits of green life itself but are the spirits that allow for that life to grow.

Old Man Autumn is the spirit who holds sway when the leaves change color and the cold wind starts to blow. The last harvests before the cold of winter are his domain. He is a spirit of decline, but the transition is a necessary one, as it allows people a chance to prepare for the coming cold.

The Wintersmith is the spirit at the heart of the winter storms, the one who brings ice and snow and the chill winter winds. He is a spirit of death but part of the natural cycle of death and renewal, clearing out the old growth and making room for the new.

The Spring Child is the spirit of the thaw and warmth after winter, of the plants that bloom after the cold, the one who brings the first buds of spring flowers and the new green growth. She is a gentle spirit of renewed life.

The Summer Lady is the spirit of the summer heat, when the green of nature can reach its prime. The radiance of the summer sun is what causes plants to bear their fruit and thicken for the fall harvest.

The Spring Child and Old Man Autumn have demonstrated some kindness and consideration for mortals. While they care most about the Green itself, they're pleased when their works are able to provide for mortals, so long as too much plant life isn't culled.

The Wintersmith and the Summer Lady show little consideration for mortals, and their relationship is one of antagonism and obsession. It is their dance around each other that causes the transition between seasons - if not for them, the Old Man and the Spring Child would not exist.

They are some of the most powerful spirits here in the Wilderlands. It is no surprise that the Green thinks their further empowerment might allow what's happening in this world to become undone.

[the_hit_list]

[ Tim has figured out that the miruvor is the closest thing he’s found to coffee since he arrived, so he’s helped himself to a pint of it (his only regret is that it seemed indecent to take a flagon) and an entire salad’s worth of fruits and veggies that he’s mostly ignoring.

It might be the lack of sleep, or the exhaustion of recovery, but there are at least five different universes colliding in the story of the Green and the prophecy now and - the universe that he’s from is well aware how damn dangerous it is when the multiverse starts aligning and unaligning. ]

Why aren’t they telling us this? Or asking permission? Or asking if we have better recommendations for who could help from our worlds?

[wildestmods]

[Elrond raises both eyebrows and his expression is earnestly sympathetic.]

Would that I could tell you, I would answer. That's why it is my hope they agree to meet with you.

It is the prophets and their messengers that brought us this news, or we wouldn't know of your plight.

[slowmotionbuscrash]

[ Tommy gets increasingly agitated as the meeting drags on. This is why he can’t do team bearings that last more than ten minutes and, surprise, turns out not being a speedster doesn’t improve the situation.

Or maybe it does, but the presence of all this high fantasy - the Elves, the… midget elves that Tommy’s already forgotten the name for, there’s at least three Princesses to play Fuck, Marry, Kill with and Tommy is still operating without a fantasy bullshit translator.

He doesn’t get the references, he doesn’t get the tropes, and it’s all so dramatic sense and stare into mid-distance. ]

Several choices are laid before us, but they’re not really choices if we don’t know how to follow through with any of them and all the advice is like “wow that one’s impossible.”

[wildestmods]

If we don't manage to have all of these prophecies laid bare in one meeting, they will be transcribed and provided to you all for the journey ahead. Even if you don't discern their meaning now, perhaps context will come to you on your quest.

Allowing you the choice to accept or deny these fates.

[remaininghalf]

I do have questions. [Mio nods sternly] Why have we been chosen, of all people? Does it have anything to do with technology, like Cortana said?

[The Camera Obscura is indeed a piece of valuable technology, curses aside.]