Axe of Wolfeboro

[Admin]

The barbarian soothsayer comes to Lord Kristoff to report what her owls see and hear across the river. The warblood clans and their spirit-touched chieftain are celebrating the acquisition of the "Wolfeboro Axe" from Maru. Their shaman is upsetting the balance of the local Kami by trying to bind stray spirits to it. The demon-spear has been sent by rider east to the blood tower (formerly known as the Citadel of the white wood) as tribute to the "Dream-walker."

"We've very little to fear until landsleep" (4 months) the crone advises "Until the river freezes over they wont dare put themselves at disadvantage by crossing the serpent. Though their heavy troops remain encamped on the east banks, their supplies trains travel north toward Escandoor with tribes of goblins in chains."

Kristoff turns to Maru. "While I can run the keep's daily activities this hold is yours by rights and the Kron are here for your banner. What is it we should do?"

[MaruChan]

Maru looks to Kristoff with a grim expression, "I thought I was paying for me and my companions transgressions, but it seems like things will not get any better between us and those goblin tribes" Maru then turns to the soothsayer, " Wise one, my action have caused a disruption with the spirits, which is last thing i want.  The axe must be recovered so balance can return.  The agreement was that both items (Axe and Trident) were suppose to be recompense for the slaying of the wolf rider, if only one is going to this dream walker then something not right."

Maru turns and beckons the two to follow him outside.  Once outside Maru turns back to face the two with his arms outstreched and a wide smile on his face, " Kristoff! only thing that was mine by rights some land and pile of stones, you have changed that into impressive keep where you can raise a family... a family you can be proud off.  i will protect this place with my life and if need be, ill lay it down for you and yours.  Reach out to any nearby allies we have, we  will need help, 4 months is not a long time to gather.  Maru then turns to the soothsayer, "i will restore the balance between the Kami, go and gather our best hunters, will lead small group across river to take back axe... My clansmen have come here to help and support Kristoff, (Maru assumes) i owe them a debt as well, i will protect what Kristoff and my clansmen have created here.

[Admin]

Kristoff looks down trodden. "Escandoor seems an unlikely source of allies considering their plight and Raff seems set on rebuilding the shattered bridge....Have you any other allies we can call upon?"

The Crone nods, "Thankfully the dream-walker is kept at bay by the pack as the spirit wolves guard the valley against her visitations. I doubt Raff enjoys such protections and rightfully avoids her gaze. Have you shed blood with the devil spear? If you have and the bound spirit of it is in her hands, she may possess the magic to see you from the spirit world. You'd find no rest unless the wolves watch over you and yours. In a way it may be fortuitous that the Oni has kept the Axe as a trophy. What other spirit-bound (magical) items do you possess? "

Current known resources (if we need to know):
Kron hunters : 1 stand (scouts)
Wolfesboro Watch: 2 stands
Caravan: 1 stand

[MaruChan]

Maru looks to Kristoff and places a hand on his shoulder and smiles, " No need to look so down, we must do what we can with what we have, send word to Raff... he may not offer any help, but if we dont ask he most certainly wont send any help.  At the very least he can gain knowledge of whats been happening here.  Also have a couple men try and track down, inform, and escort that crazy elf prince that left here earlier in the day...  on the off chance that he actually finds men or elves or whatever to lead into battle we will need his support.  That prince is a very lucky person, by rights he should be dead 5 times over... hopefully we can use some of that luck in the future.

Maru releases Kristoffs shoulder and moves to the wise woman, "Wise one, i pray you are correct, if this disruption is caused by the Oni then who knows what this dream-walker could have done with that axe.  I will recover the axe tonight, and restore the spirits to balance.  As for the devil spear i do not recall ever using it in battle, it was more like a trophy received from battle."

Maru places his hand over his silver wolf medallion, "This is the only other spirit touched item in my poessession, a wolf spirit gifted it to me after i freed it from a demon"  A look of realization come on Maru, "Oh! and i also have this..."  Maru rifles  through his pack and pulls out his collection of items for his spiritual bundle, and shows the Crone a length of dark chain, "This was used to bind a devil, not sure if it is spirit touched, but it may... to be able to confine a devil it may have some power"

[Admin]

((Deliberately forgetting the everfull bowl of water- that brings pure water from the heart of the forest? I dont think you left that in the Abyss at one point I thought someone was going to try to use it as a portal to bring the souls of the dragon warriors back to their ancestors but things got a bit too hairy during the fight.))

[MaruChan]

OOC: Maru never had that bowl in his possession, i want to say Cheesecake has it but im not to sure... I know its not in Maru's inventory and im pretty good about that sort of thing.

[Admin]

"Cold iron can indeed bind a demon though the Oni has corrupted its mortal host. it is at once evil spirit and corporeal form. As for the wolf totem, it is a bond with the wild hunt. Have the spirit watch over you in your sleep and the skin-cloak devil will not dare haunt you in your dreams. Their kind (she motions towards Skiuske) do not commune with spirits in their sleep and so they are beyond her reach."
"Do not trust their kind. I have seen through borrowed eyes that a soulless one (elf) through grim enchantment and silver to bound a forest spirit to the axe. The Oni will look to strip the will of the spirit with blood before moving against us when the river sleeps. It may head north to Escandoor and hunt the those soulless ones who claim those wilds. (Some wood elves harass the goblins who inhabit the mines northeast of escandoor this is around where we met Momma Mabley

[artisto16 (Shiuske)]

Shiuske has the bowl.

[MaruChan]

"I accept your counsel soothsayer, I will tell spirit of totem to protect and guard my dream from any foul influences... I also accept your advice about the soulless, but i can not turn away help if they lend me their strength... The comming battle may be a long one and we need all of the allies that we can get, please send word to these Soulless (the wood elves) and let them know of the events that have taken place, and ask of any aid that they can provide... Please"

[Admin]

((Note: souless are all elves- The debate rages on among elders and shaman whether 1/2 elves have souls or are also embodied spirits))

"I can ask for a volunteer at the hunts fire (a night of feasting after a successful hunt) though as you know few of the huntsmen would be eager to leave their family during such times to search for the forest ghosts and it may be to much to depend on a youngling."

[MaruChan]

" All you can do is ask, we dont have a choice... We will need much help in the comming battle. If we cant get anyone, ill go myself after I get that axe back and return balance to the spirits."

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