Taking Root (Player-Run Storyline)

Taking Root is a player-run storyline that began 6/1/2022 and is currently set to run through the summer months.

The main plot surrounds an arranged marriage between two prominent Ardenai families. The viewpoints and goals of these two families are quite opposed. One, based in the city of Ta'Ardenai proper, believes the Ardenai need to make a greater cultural contribution on par with the other houses guided by a more "civilized" approach. The other family hails from the wilder, more sparsely populated lands north of the city and profess a strong belief the "Old Ways" of tapping into the strength of primal energies.

Goals

• Explore Ardenai lore and culture
• Collaborate with other players to give said culture a greater identity than merely "Sylvan Lite"
• Offer opportunities for individuals unfamiliar with Elven Nations RP a chance to get involved
• Offer opportunities for players to create a new character just for RP; if you’ve never really tried to RP before, we’d love to see you! If you are someone who has an established character and just wants a fresh experience, please join us!

How to Get Involved

Roleplaying events will be announced via Discord in the "Festivals and Events" and "Ta'Vaalor" channels. You are welcome to bring any interested characters to these events. We also are open to anyone rolling up a new character that is part of one of the two families. If you’re interested in doing this, please contact Uniana or Teveriel to coordinate so that the bride or groom know who you are!

Current Timeline of Events

1 Lumnea, 5122 - A number of personages of various backgrounds gathered in Lilly's Tavern to discuss their plans for a busy summer. Among them was Celothor, a young scion of an Ardenai lord who is a friend to Lord and Lady Anduin, who declared his discontent with his impending marriage which was arranged by his family. His plight captured the interest of several in attendance as he explained his misgivings were rooted in his fears that his cultural identity adhering to the Old Ways was being supplanted, and this marriage exemplified this at its worst. The evening ended with Lady Anduin ultimately deciding to invite the young Lady Solvei to Ta'Vaalor where they would host a tea to properly introduce Celothor and his betrothed.

Tea and Sympathy

After another early morning amid ledgers and licenses Teveriel returned to their country manor in the middle of the afternoon. He greeted Uniana with a kiss on the temple, bending to do so, before he joined her at the small wrought vaalorn table that occupied one corner of the garden.

"Did you get the letter out this morning with regards to hosting Miss Aeldrish?" He inquired as he reached for the porcelain teapot in the middle of the table and poured himself a bit tea. The scent of cardamom and turmeric wafted up from the steaming liquid.

Uniana smiled and shook her head. "No, I saw little reason to. Celothor's betrothed is no doubt already on her way seeing as I extended the invitation some weeks ago."

Teveriel let forth a mild chuckle and shook his head. This was her way, he thought to himself; always several steps ahead and wholly confident in her capability to persuade others. He tasted the tea appraisingly, letting it warm his lips before committing to a generous sip. "In that case, you may leave Celothor to me. I shall see to it that he is at his very best."

---

4 Lumnea, 5122 - The young Lady Solvei arrived promptly for tea at noon. Despite his misgivings over the entire affair, Celothor attempted to make her feel welcome and she seemed rather taken with him from the start. As the event progressed, however, the ranger grew more and more somber in demeanor. She was dressed in a garish gown more suited for a Loenthran ball than a casual afternoon tea; she was enamored with horses to an almost childish degree, speaking of little else and ultimately excused herself early--to feed horses at the stable. After she departed Celothor once again, and most vehemently, declared that he could never marry such a woman. Lord Anduin managed to assuage some of his fears, advising him to send a missive to his lord father. Lady Anduin spoke with Solvei afterward, confirming her approval of Celothor and she also sent a letter.

Solvei's Letter

Dear Mother and Father,

Thank you for permitting me to stay with the Anduins. The lord and lady are very gracious and have me staying at their chalet within a hilly park area of the Fortress. It is down the way from a stable and I have fed the horses there twice already.

I met Celothor. He is tall and handsome, just as you said Mother. He prefers elks over horses but I still look forward to our wedding all the same. Please send some more bolts of cloth-of-gold. I would like to thank my hostess and make a new dress in the Vaalorian style.

Dearly,

Solvei

Celothor's Letter

Father,

As you have undoubtedly heard, I had the dubious pleasure today of meeting the girl you wish me to wed. Did you know she likes horses? Well, she really likes horses. She came to us wearing a dress made for one, I think, and then proceeded to drone on and on about them in what may well be the most wearisome "conversation" to which I have ever been subjected.

And I can sense your thoughts, Father, as you read this missive. You are no doubt thinking, "Surely there is something interesting about the girl. Some redeeming quality that my son can focus on and come to love about her." Well, if there is, then she stymied all of our efforts to uncover it. Even going so far as to excuse herself early from tea with the Anduins so that she could feed the stabled horses!

If this is who you insist I am to marry, then you must demand of Lord Aeldrish twice whatever dowry he has promised. The happiness of your son and the preservation of his sanity, I hope, is worth at least such a sum.

Yours in blood,

Celothor