From: "Tatanka" To: Date: 9/9/99 11:31AM Subject: Re: [Tunare] What a night! From: "Tatanka" Great tale. Now for mine :) The evening started in the ButcherBlock Mountains. I've been trying to track down and bring to justice the two orge that are the bain to every youngster in the mountains. I was able to bring one to justice, but the other seems to be a bit craftier. I'm a Ranger, and as a result, I love to explore. Sitting in one spot for more than a day is...well...boring. I decided that tonight I would go to someplace I've never been. I headed down to Port Faydwer and was a bit upset when I saw the boat leave just as I entered the port walls. "Doesn't matter, I can relax from the hunt and fish." I pulled out my fishing pole. I love the docks. You never know who you're going to meet or what's going to happen. A fellow Ranger showed up and we started talking about the weather, our gods, and the beauty of the Bard standing next to us :) It's amazing how talking to others seems to speed up the arrival of a ship. I worked my way quickly through the Freeport underground and decide to head off to the LavaStorm Mountains. After a short trip through the familiar Commonlands, I come to the Nektulos Forest and begin to nod to myself. This is a forest just like home...but with a little more ominence feeling. I have heard that this is an area that the Dark Elves frequent, so I must be on my guard. I harbor no ill will towards them, but I can't trust that they'll ask questions first. And definitely no stopping and asking for directions. I walked parallel to the path I saw and quickly came upon a bridge spanning a small river. My suspicions about the Dark Elves were confirmed as two of their guards were stationed on the bridge. There were a number of dwarf, halfling, and human bodies in front of and around the bridge, so their possible disposition towards me wasn't hard to figure out. I quickly looked the guards over and figured that if it came down to a fight, I could take them. But fighting isn't always the way to solve a situation and I really have nothing against these fellows. They are just following the traditions set down by hundreds of years of hatred and intolerance. After slipping behind a tree and camouflaging myself, I forded the small river and continued on my way. I moved from tree to tree, noticing that the number of Dark Elves was increasing. I must be getting closer to the entrance of Neriak. I can only suppose that I was closer to the entrance than I thought. Following the noises of battle, I saw a young Dark Elf struggling against a spiderling. To the more experienced, this is a simple creature, but can be quite deadly to the younger. The fight was going badly for the Dark Elf, but he seemed determined to fight to the bitter end. I just couldn't stand there and watch him die, so I appeared from the shadows and began to heal him. This turned the tide of the battle in his favor and he finished off the spiderling. He was very grateful for the help and was amazed that I would help him. I explained that not everyone holds a grudge of things done in the past and he nodded in understanding. He started pointing out that I had better hide quickly before I was seen by a guard. I was about to slip back into the shadows when I heard the frightening yell of alarm. "Die where you stand. scum!" The young Dark Elf yelled "Run!", but I was already three steps ahead of him. What ensued was a heart pounding chase involving at least three Dark Elf guards and this young Wood Elf Ranger. Fortunately I was out ahead of them (or at least out of thee reach of their blades) and very thankful that none of them carried bows. As I would sprint past a Dark Elf, cheers or jeers would be shouted. I even think a couple older Dark Elves started wagering on my survival. The chase leads me into a long canyon and I can only assume that I am near to the LavaStorm Mountains. The guards end their chase as I reach the end of the canyon. I wasn't really prepared for what I would see. Barren rock, stone spires, and boiling pools of lava greeted my eyes. A far cry from the lush greens and the cool air of the forest. A drake was sitting on a nearby rock outcropping. It looked my direction, snorted, and flew off. Exhausted from my run through the forest, I decided to get some rest. Exploring these mountains will take some time and I'm in no hurry to rush. I camouflaged myself, crawled up under a nearby rock, and fell fast asleep. Teir Ranger of the Glade 17th Season ---------------------------------------------- EverQuest Tunare Server Mailing List Moderator http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Tunare