[M:0]
Post by Nathan on Nov 24, 2009 16:28:09 GMT -6
After finalizing the land negotiations with Universalis, Nathan departed Lindstrom City by charter jet to Oakham, in southwestern Hazelwood. A minor media sensation accompanied Nathan's first arrival in this small coastal city. He was on both official church and Foreign Ministry business. Following a short stay in the baron's vacation house, the ambassador from Stormark awoke to find his kidney missing. A huge embarrassment for all involved.
Nathan was aware of the local natives' interest in organ harvesting and enchanting and was convinced they were behind this. The Hazel were the first witnesses to the Butter Spirit's reincarnation as the Butter Bull and thus were organized into a special holy order within the Bovic Church so they may continue to practice their magic under the supervision of the state, which was hopelessly entwined with the church.
Nathan was traveling with a smaller entourage than he would normally, especially considering his dual capacities in this expedition. But the Great Hazel Woods were thick and dangerous, and only he, Prophet of the Butter Spirit, had special permission to enter into the darkest and deepest areas of the forest to seek out the ambassador's kidney.
They traveled for half a day by jeeps until the forest was too thick and proceeded on foot, guided by Nathan who had been to the Sacred Glade before, guided by divine providence to witness the Butter Bull upon his return. Now he felt no inspiration from the Butter Spirit, a sign they would not exactly be welcomed.
Night fell and they camped under a large ancient tree, taking turns to guard in case the Hazel needed more organs. By sun up they were moving again, Nathan predicting they would reach the Glade by mid afternoon.
It was mid day but the sun could not penetrate the heavy foliage. They were in perpetual twilight. Nathan, who had been attuned to the Hazel's unique magic many years ago by the influential Ryan Grass, who modernized the Hazel and brought them in to Natopia. He wore the enchanted leather armor given to him by now long dead Hazel druid.
The armor began to faintly glow, signaling the presence of similar magic. Almost instantly a Hazel scout appeared in front of the small party. "It is I, Nathan, prophet of the Butter Spirit, Pentheros of the Butter Bull's church on Micras, eternal servant to him and his followers," and he bowed to the scout. The scout nodded and smeared dust upon Nathan's armor, a blessing.
The party advanced into the Sacred Glade. The Hazel were going about their business, undisturbed by these outsiders. Nathan walked up to the largest tree, hollowed to act as a shelter. "Jaies? Jaies Timberpine? It is I, Nathan, your Pentheros. Come and greet us as your guests."
A withered gnarled old man, no more than 30 years old by the count of men yet appearing no younger than 80, advanced slowly from the tree trunk. His eyes burned red, almost glowing, his veins blue and purple through his translucent skin, his hair an unnatural silver blue. Nathan was startled, "Jaies... what has happened to you?"
Jaise turned his red eyes and looked through Nathan, "the power of the mighty and fearsome Bull is truly great. His sacrifices are plentiful, and his rewards are equal. My apologies Holy One." And suddenly the dust smeared on Nathan's armor reacted with the latent Hazel magic, and released a cloud of spores, knocking the Pentheros and his attendants unconscious.
Nathan was aware of the local natives' interest in organ harvesting and enchanting and was convinced they were behind this. The Hazel were the first witnesses to the Butter Spirit's reincarnation as the Butter Bull and thus were organized into a special holy order within the Bovic Church so they may continue to practice their magic under the supervision of the state, which was hopelessly entwined with the church.
Nathan was traveling with a smaller entourage than he would normally, especially considering his dual capacities in this expedition. But the Great Hazel Woods were thick and dangerous, and only he, Prophet of the Butter Spirit, had special permission to enter into the darkest and deepest areas of the forest to seek out the ambassador's kidney.
They traveled for half a day by jeeps until the forest was too thick and proceeded on foot, guided by Nathan who had been to the Sacred Glade before, guided by divine providence to witness the Butter Bull upon his return. Now he felt no inspiration from the Butter Spirit, a sign they would not exactly be welcomed.
Night fell and they camped under a large ancient tree, taking turns to guard in case the Hazel needed more organs. By sun up they were moving again, Nathan predicting they would reach the Glade by mid afternoon.
It was mid day but the sun could not penetrate the heavy foliage. They were in perpetual twilight. Nathan, who had been attuned to the Hazel's unique magic many years ago by the influential Ryan Grass, who modernized the Hazel and brought them in to Natopia. He wore the enchanted leather armor given to him by now long dead Hazel druid.
The armor began to faintly glow, signaling the presence of similar magic. Almost instantly a Hazel scout appeared in front of the small party. "It is I, Nathan, prophet of the Butter Spirit, Pentheros of the Butter Bull's church on Micras, eternal servant to him and his followers," and he bowed to the scout. The scout nodded and smeared dust upon Nathan's armor, a blessing.
The party advanced into the Sacred Glade. The Hazel were going about their business, undisturbed by these outsiders. Nathan walked up to the largest tree, hollowed to act as a shelter. "Jaies? Jaies Timberpine? It is I, Nathan, your Pentheros. Come and greet us as your guests."
A withered gnarled old man, no more than 30 years old by the count of men yet appearing no younger than 80, advanced slowly from the tree trunk. His eyes burned red, almost glowing, his veins blue and purple through his translucent skin, his hair an unnatural silver blue. Nathan was startled, "Jaies... what has happened to you?"
Jaise turned his red eyes and looked through Nathan, "the power of the mighty and fearsome Bull is truly great. His sacrifices are plentiful, and his rewards are equal. My apologies Holy One." And suddenly the dust smeared on Nathan's armor reacted with the latent Hazel magic, and released a cloud of spores, knocking the Pentheros and his attendants unconscious.
