01 - open

[tofindthesun]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: legolas
RECIPIENT: eeeeveryone
WHAT: a query about adventures. and adventurous query. also caves.
WHEN: at the crack of dawn. before the crack of dawn. the dawn-crack's crack.
WHERE: physically in the gallows. technically to anywhere.
NOTES: i'm okay with characters asking him about the last time he was here and any of the other legolas' past cr bringing that up. s'cool. (if anyone is still here from that time besides, like, Dad)

[to those who have heard it before or have spoken to his predecessor, they might recognize the voice in his this message.]

I wonder often if I worry needlessly, for needless things. For these are troubled times upon us, and far worse things there are than...

[hm. maybe not that topic.]

Far worse things, in any case.

I wish to ask: Where might one seek information for an excursion into the undergrounds? I would call it an adventure, but I am to understand it is not the safest place to be, at times. And at places. Though it is true that I seek an adventure!

[he sure sounds excited. y'know. in that mild tolkien-elf-voice-rises-one-(1)-octave sort of way.]

As for the reason... [hhhmmmmm.] ..let us say simply that I wish to see the sights.

And, if killing anything down there is required, it would not be a problem. [much.]

Comments

[doneisdone]

What, the Deep Roads?

[oh Maker, here we go.]

You're in a hurry to get the Blight, then?

[tofindthesun]

Well, not exactly. But that would be fine as well. [judging by the name, anyway.]

I seek more of the natural sort. Caverns and mines, shall we say. The Deep Roads sounds.. [vaguely terrifying] ..very extensive.

[seeing as no one in middle-earth has even bothered making roads between cities above ground, the concept of underground roads is a bit. out there.

a brief moment of quietness. there's less of an excited, adventurous tone now, but still just as decisive.] And if such a place has been taken by the Blight, then I would see it all the more. To know some of what we are fighting.

[doneisdone]

You'll find darkspawn in either, and in droves. [Must be a rifter, if he doesn't know that offhand.]

Don't set foot underground without at least one Warden in your company, or you're like to become one. If you're lucky.

[tofindthesun]

No shortage of dangers to be found... [musing.]

Thank you for your words. Luck is a fickle thing to chance; I will consider it a priority to have a Warden with me, if I should ever venture downwards.

[which may be sooner than he thinks.]

[inagutterson]

Orzammar is terrible don't go there unless you're going to gut it.

Also deepstalkers are a thing and there are packs of them that spit. And Darkspawn. Spiders. Probably brontos the dwarves forgot because Orzammar dwarves are terrible.

[tofindthesun]

Oh. [wow he's kind of disappointed.] That is unfortunate.

Hm.. I would not get close enough for anything to spit, usually. But it is hard to say of underground passageways. [....] The spiders do not sound pleasant, but spiders rarely ever do.

[yes, of all the things to fixate on. he goes for the spiders.]

What are deepstalkers, exactly?

[inagutterson]

It's all deshyrs this and 'in my day we rode the Casteless through the streets like bronto' and someone mutters about Bhelen and someone, younger, they'll cough and be able to look embarrassed and point at all them Casteless guards, uncle please you're embarrassing. Sundermount's got some caves with spiders but Sundermount's terrible too, don't go there.

[Cursed. All of it cursed. Fantastic view but unfortunately cursed.]

Deepstalkers are little lizards right but they've got them horrible worm faces that are all teeth, just packed full of gnashers with stronger back legs than they've any right to and a tail, and sometimes you'll be down in a cave in the dark and you'll go 'oh, look at that rock' and in that horrible deepstalker brain it'll think hehehe you fool then it'll come at it you faster than a northern arrow. They go about in packs too, wait until you're alone then these little buggers leap at you, mouths full of more teeth than a thoroughbred but sharp and they come at you and some got nasty stuff that they spit it's acid. Or it'll paralyse you.

[Throughout this explanation there are sound effects. And the sort of flapping and buffeting of the sending crystal to suggest he is pantoming to an audience. (He is, there is a damned menagerie with him at all times.)]

[eruit]

It is not something I would recommend. [ But, at least, Hanzo is going to try. More fool Legolas. ] There is not much to see. If you intend to go I would take a guide.

[tofindthesun]

It seems a very unpopular place. [what a shame.] But I will try my luck, very carefully, and indeed with a guide. It would be silly of me to venture down on my own.

[chipper. all his life he'd believed Underground Bad, and it's... well he still thinks the underground is not the best place to be, but it's not going to stop him anymore.]

I used to think the same, but I had heard recently [....sorta] that there is in fact much to see, if one looks in the right places. [pause.] Though, perhaps the Blight has made that more difficult.

[eruit]

There is good reason for it. I was there recently and I would not recommend it to anyone, no matter how brave they might think they are.

[ This man sounds far too happy about all of this, but. ]

It depends, then, on what you seek.

[somethingwild]

You probably want to speak to the Grey Wardens. They'll know the most about the Deep Roads.

But I've also been down there myself, if you want a Rifter's perspective.

[A pause.]

It is dangerous.

[Another pause.]

But it is quite the adventure. Have you encountered darkspawn before?

[tofindthesun]

I will do so, thank you. Although it is not quite the Deep Roads I seek, that is also something I would not mind seeing. All dangers aside.

I would have any perspective willing to lend itself to me, no matter the source. [respectfully.] One can never know too much about one's destination.

I have not! Not with my own eyes. I hear that one should avoid them at all costs, advice which, unfortunately, I may have to temporarily ignore.

[somethingwild]

Ah, my apologies. I assumed the Deep Roads, just from the description alone.

Indeed! I feel the same way. And there are quite the variety of perspectives, here. I expect you'll have all sorts to ponder.

They are troublesome. But they have their tender spots, same as the rest of us. You want to be careful and make sure not to have too much of their blood mingle with yours, however.

If you have a weapon and know how to fight, you should be fine.

[elegiaque]

I'd take Yngvi's word on Orzammar, he's a knowledgeable young dwarf.

( of whom gwenaëlle is exceedingly proud and fond. )

[tofindthesun]

[hi mom]

I will trust his words, then. I do not doubt the dangers that lurk in the dark, but I do hope that I will be able to see it for myself, one day.

[elegiaque]

( xoxo cheekpinch )

Sooner than later, probably. I know there've been missions there, and as long as Corypheus is fucking about with the blight, I'm sure they weren't the last.

[limier]

There are sea caves along the Wounded Coast,

[ full of bandits and spiders, but not the blight what is wrong with people ]

I am certain some use may be found of an excursion.

[tofindthesun]

[SEA CAVES.... the two things he was taught to avoid........... perfect.]

If use may come of it, then I would gladly go. [he wasn't too concerned about how useful it'd be, but interests aligning always makes things easier.]

..Although, it will be a problem should they be under the sea.

[limier]

Ah, no.

[ a pause. where the heck is this one from. ]

They flood. With the tides, no? The Scoutmaster would be best to speak of it, or perhaps Sra. Bonaventura — I understand there has been some investigation of the serpents within. You can swim?

[arlathvhen]

As the Scoutmaster, I can give you assignments that involve scouting out certain places--Which division are you in?

[tofindthesun]

I am Legolas, Scoutmaster, newly joined of your division. I apologize if I should have come to you first about such matters.

[arlathvhen]

Ah—Legolas! I've heard your name before.

[ Three guesses where, and two don't count. ]

I am Beleth, of Clan Ashara. It's of little consequence, you're still new, and it makes sense that you would want to hear from other people as well. I’m just the one that makes sure you get paid for wandering around.

[kecharitomene]

Killing things is usually required!

[tofindthesun]

That does seem to be the case! I do not find it disagreeable, though it depends what we are killing. If it must go, then it goes.

But disposing of bodies below ground seems a tad more difficult than above ground. [yes. that's what he's more concerned about.]

[kecharitomene]

But you can light a fire anywhere?