Renath was a bit lost. This all was a lot to take in. Humans frequently came out here? They fought with the Draikken? They must never win since he had never heard more than whispers of the spirits in the woods, and even then he assumed they meant elves.

"Well, what do we do?" Renath asked, not directing the question to anyone in particular. He suddenly regretted leaving his comfort zone in the city.

A tall figure emerged from the circling vines, melting out of them as if the vines had spawned it through mitosis. It had the shape of a female Wood Elf, except for the appearance that "she" was made entirely of plant material. On her arms and torso, ropey vines spiraled around her, clinging to her spinach-pigmented skin. Her fingers resembled woody twigs; her legs were woody stalks that always remained partly underground, slogging through the ground as she walked as if the solid forest floor were made of mush. Her hair was a tangle of leaves and fine tendrils, partially covering her large, black, bottomless eyes.

The figure looked to Renath. She cocked her head at him as if she'd been unaware of his presence before, though this certainly couldn't have been the case. The vines whispered -- her voice. Who are you?

Renath did his best not to gape openly at what he saw now. A wood elf... made of plants? She then turned to watch him. Odd, she seemed unaware that he should have been here. Was this something else he was learning about his people? Maybe the- wait, she was speaking to him.

"I am Renath, an explorer here. I came to learn of your people." He said meekly, unsure of what this creature might be capable of if offended.

The she-plant angled her head at Renath. Her expression didn't change -- from the appearance of her tough, barkish skin, it was unclear whether or not it could -- but nonetheless, an air of sadness came over it. It was, however, a detached sort of sadness, the sadness one might feel to learn that one's birthplace was to be destroyed, without having been to the place for many, many years.

Like the Elf's face, the whisper did not change its tone. I am afraid that soon, this will no longer be possible.

Gnarcsh interjected. "I know no others of my kind who walk --" he stopped and fumbled for the correct word, "-- hunt, bah... pursue my course of study. Human weapons are cause of ill mood amongst us, quite opposite to our ways. Only through robust argument did they permit my studies, and then -- only in isolation."

The she-plant responded. I know little of this pack of Draikken. But their destruction of woodland, even very near to my home, leads me to believe that they have forsaken your traditions. Perhaps they have tasted power. Perhaps they crave more?

You must not go to Winyesa. The rogue Draikken will destroy you.

The way the word "destroy" was spoken, a deeper meaning was implied.

"Gnarsch, I still don't understand what is going on. Has some tribe of your people gone insane? What do we do?" Renath shook his head. He had not heard of any of the mythical races using human technology. Wait, human tech?!

Renath seemed to perk up as it came to him. If he knew one thing it was humans, and to know humans you had to know the tools they used. "I can help you if you need it. I don't think you can find anyone else in this forest that knows of the humans weapons other than a human them self."

Gnarcsh quietly reflected.

Both out of tradition and instinct, the Draikken were communally minded. Though not absolutely necessary, it was customary to seek the blessings of older or wiser members of their species before undertaking any bold new explorations or actions. Group synergy was key in their social relations, and those who strayed too far from the group mentality could not be easily welcomed into their temporary packs and gatherings. Radicals disrupted harmony; social change was a gentle process of adaptation to new circumstances.

It had taken a great deal of wandering and persuasion for Gnarcsh to gain the support he sought for his technological and magical research. And even at that, it was made clear to him that his social relations with other Draikken would be severely limited should he pursue such studies. The Draikken believed that magic and technology had given humanoids too much power too quickly, enabling them to act as they pleased without having gained the wisdom to use their power harmoniously. Gnarcsh, in his studies, could possibly become tainted with these attitudes.

Perhaps that was what had become of these marauding Draikken. They learned the use of advanced human weaponry and, seeking to settle age-old interspecies rivalries, decided to raid the great Elf settlement in a direct confrontation.

But what really troubled Gnarcsh was not just the fact that such an assault would be unsanctioned. What was stranger was that Draikken packs never banded together for an extended period of time. Large groups strained resources, developed territorial attitudes that upset natural balance. These Draikken, however, were acting as a unit. Such behavior was unprecedented for the past several thousand years.

The anomalous plant Elf had suggested that a visit to Winyesa could destroy him. Perhaps she feared that he would conform to the rogue pack's ways? That his accumulated knowledge would become theirs to wield?

There were many questions that he could not resolve with the information at hand. He decided, then, to go to Winyesa. Perhaps he could not do anything to influence the rogues -- his very life may be endangered -- but it would be of utmost importance for other Draikken to know the nature of the problem. This series of events must be studied, if not averted.

"Renath... I accept your offer of assistance. It seems there is much for both of usssss to learn in Winyesa."

The plant Elf's opinion on the matter, though vague in terms of motive, was clear in intent. The vines surrounding them slithered wildly, closing over their heads in a wickedly serrated, writhing dome structure.

The Elf stepped forward. The palm of her hand opened into a bright yellow blossom, out of which squirmed a half dozen snaky tendrils tipped with bright red barbs -- the color of poison.

Renath waited as his companion considered the events that were unfolding. He watched as this strange plant-elf with distrust. It had already trapped them, though only to warn them. It had mentioned Draikken imitating humans and attacking elves. Did that mean their races were in some sort of conflict? All he knew was that the ability to control plants was dangerous.

His mistrust proved correct when she took Gnarsch's decision badly and looked to be readying to kill them. Renath quickly sidestepped to put himself between her and Gnarsch, flaring his wings out at the same time. He was only moderately certain that he would not be hurt by the poison.

Gnarcsh was amazed at the Elf's reaction. If she were so concerned about their well-being, then why would she threaten them now?

The entire situation was confusing and disconcerting. But there was a more pressing matter at hand, and the inscrutable Elf was wasting valuable time.

Ghum was nowhere to be found and the clearing was bare; whatever poison the Elf possessed would be incurable until he found the appropriate herbs. To fight the strange creature now was too great of a risk. However, Renath's skin seemed exceedingly tough -- and that could be of great help in giving Gnarcsh some time.

Staying shielded behind the reptile's great wings, Gnarcsh recalled a bit of useful ritual magic he had learned in Winyesa. He began to scratch an arcane symbol in the dirt.

The Elf may have had dominion over the local flora, but the earth itself was still sympathetic.... All he needed was time.

Renath's right arm shot out as he tried to restrain the tendrils before they spread out too far. His hand clasped around several of the vines, and to his relief the thorns were broken in his grip rather than cutting him. He held his free hand open and ready for any vines that tried to get past him.

"I hope you have a plan back there. I don't know how long I can hold her off." As he called out he yanked on the vines in his hand towards him and down, twisting his elbow towards the plant-elf in the hopes he might pull her onto it.

*Sorry mate, but I need to get out of the roleplay for a bit to work on other things. I might come back later on when things get organized IRL; in the meantime maybe you can scout around for another partner.*

Gnarcsh did have a plan, and now it was complete.

Nature yielded to the will of Draikken, but a Draikken never had conscious control of these effects. The Elven design, however, amplified this natural affinity.

A pillar of earth shot up from beneath the plant creature and shoved her against the roof of the thorny dome. The thorns fell away to permit her passage, giving Gnarcsh and Renath an opening.

"Renath! I fear you must make your way to Winyesa alone. Remember this: If your heart and mind tell you that you are on the right path, then you are not. Travel where your instinct forbids.

"I will meet you there. There are supplies I must procure."

Gnarcsh scrambled up the pillar and disappeared through the hole, camouflaging himself immediately.

Renath nodded his head as Gnarsch gave his instructions and then vanished. He quickly took wing and made a hasty retreat as well.

As he increased his distance from the insane plant-elf, Renath soon began to realize how impossible such a task as finding a magically hidden city would be. He sighed and flew onward, his sense of foreboding growing.

((To- http://worldoid.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=264&p=1572#p1572]))

A lizard is walking along the river looking around. When it sees Melody, it looks for a nice stone to go onto and watch her from there. It found one on the same side of the river like Melody and a few meters away. It is now watching her.

Some hours later, the lizard moves further turning away from the river into the forest.
It follows its creator, who moved along a hour before.
[[ to The Heart of Telma ]]