The Trine 2016

This article is a work in progress!

The Trine was a halfling festival presented by Silverwood Manor.

Shirelands, Khesta 'Dahl, and the Northern Steppes

[Silverwood Meadow, The Trine]
The stone-set pathway wends its way past neatly trimmed hedges and opens into a grassy meadow strewn with wildflowers, the air filled with a gentle sound of crickets.  A small settlement of gaily decorated gers clusters around a large bonfire, and a couple of logs have been conveniently arranged in the lush green grass.  Next to the gers, beneath the shade of a leafy hawthorn tree, hastily erected animal paddocks house small flocks of goats and rolton.

Archales says, "Ohh."

Kithly exclaims, "Hullo!"

Archales says, "Quite the crowd tonight."

Darbo leans forward onto his cane and extends one hand toward the bonfire.

Archales nods to Kithly in greeting.

Kithly applauds Archales.

Darbo says, "Take a seat, listen to a story."

Roxe asks, "There anything to be drinkin' here?"

Kelhaly says, "There is tea."

Speaking gruffly to Roxe, Darbo says, "If ye find something hard, bring me two."

Roxe squints.
Roxe asks, "Tea with booze?"

Kithly says, "Ma gonna get dizzy."

Kelhaly asks, "Well it has honey?"

A melodic chorus of peeping tree frogs is interrupted by the distant hoot of an owl.

Roxe offers Darbo a glass of peppered vodka.
Roxe winks at Darbo.
Speaking hoarsely to Roxe, Darbo says, "Ah, you save a life."

Archales says, "I appreciate everyone coming."
Archales says, "And early no less."
Archales says, "I'm going to wait just a moment or two more to begin in case folks are less prompty."
Archales says, "Please help yourselves to refreshments now."

Kithly beams happily at Archales!
Speaking to Archales, Kithly exclaims, "We love stories!"

Speaking curiously to Roxe, Darbo asks, "Are ye knotted to anyone?  Or are ye finding a mate this Trine?"
Prolly says, "Goodness, getting right to it aren't ya."
Speaking to Darbo, Roxe says, "Knotted to me ship, of course."
Speaking to Darbo, Kithly exclaims, "I knew it!"
Speaking to Darbo, Roxe says, "Only Mistress for me is the sea."
Speaking to Darbo, Kithly exclaims, "And she is prettier than a rolton!"
Speaking grumpily to Roxe, Darbo says, "The sea can't make a family."
Speaking to Darbo, Roxe says, "That's what shipmates are for."
Speaking to Kithly, Darbo asks, "Ye knew what?  That a daft little redhead wants to marry a piece of floating wood?"
Darbo glances skeptically at Roxe.
Speaking to Darbo, Roxe says, "I bet you ain't knotted to anyone..."
Speaking sadly to Roxe, Darbo says, "I was, and am.  I miss Mellie."
Darbo rubs a cord-wrapped mahogany cane in his hand.
Darbo shows Roxe his mahogany cane.
Speaking to Roxe, Darbo says, "Our cord."
Speaking skeptically to Darbo, Roxe says, "I won't truly believe it 'til I see her."
Darbo glowers darkly at Roxe.
Speaking bluntly to Roxe, Darbo says, "She's dead, missy."
Roxe stares at Darbo.
Kithly covers her eyes with her hands.
Speaking irritatedly to Darbo, Roxe asks, "Then why'd you make me stumble into sayin' that?"
Roxe mutters under her breath.
Darbo grumbles at Roxe.
Roxe takes a drink from her peppered vodka.
Speaking annoyedly to Roxe, Darbo murmurs, "Ye didn't bring me two, either.  Ye promised."
Roxe squints at Darbo.
Speaking to Darbo, Roxe says, "I just ain't given you the other one yet."
Roxe offers Darbo a chalice of mint on the rum.

Archales clears his throat.

Archales recites:

    "Welcome welcome
     Please find your seats"

Archales recites:

    "Welcome to our storytelling about the Shirelands, Khesta 'Dahl, and the Northern Steppes"

Archales recites:

    "The first is a tale I heard from a Brughan about how Lake Khesta 'Dahl got its name"

Archales says, "In case you don't know where it is, lake Khesta 'Dahl is just a bit northwest of Ragalatan, and alot northwest of Ta'Ardenai."
Archales clears his throat.

Archales recites:

    "Two Brughan sisters walk along the shore of Khesta 'Dahl, returning from the pastures with their goats. The weather was cold, cold enough to see their breathe of the two lasses as they chattered away amicably, as they walked back to their shire, the intricately detailed gers brilliantly illuminated by the sunset."

Archales recites:

    "The slightly taller girl turned and smiled patiently before answering a series of rapid fire questions from her younger sister. "when will we leave for the Trine?" "will any boys ask you to dance?", "when will the lake freeze?" the younger sister asked without pausing for an answer"

Archales recites:

    ""In Eantos, like every year." "no father says not for 2 more seasons." "by the solstice the lake will freeze." "why?" she replied to her younger sister?"

Archales recites:

    ""I want to dance on the lake with the Sister of the Mist, you said it would make me a princess!" the little sister blurted out."

Archales recites:

    "Wincing ruefully at her atttempted jest, the older sister just smiled and nodded not wanting to disappoint her little sister. She opened the paddock to put the goats up and forgot all about the discussion."

Archales recites:

    "Long shadows heralded the sun's setting as a pair of brughan lasses scurried along the shoreline, as they led their goats back home. The cold had just set in for the season and the lake had a thin coating of ice, it proved irresistable for the girls to skip a few stones off the water on their way."

Archales recites:

    "One or two rocks skidded out across the lake, but didn't crack the ice, emboldened the younger sister raced ahead and onto the ice, waving for her sister to look at her. Just as the older girl called out for her to stop, the ice broke and the younger sister plunged into the icy water of Khesta 'Dahl."

Archales recites:

    "The older sister dove into the lake after her sister pulling the little girl from the water, but she was so small, and wet, and with the sunsetting there wasn't time to get help before she froze. The older sister carried her back to town, and was blue and cold to the touch by the time she did, but she was consumed with grief for her sister."

Archales recites:

    "The coldest months of winter force the Brughan indoors while the snows pass, leaving nothing to distract the girl from her loss, and she began to feel cold inside. Soon a frozen mist followed the older sister wherever she went, and even inside her ger."

Archales recites:

    "It is said that one night on the solstice the older sister wandered into the night, blinded by the mist surrounding her and stumbled into the same lake that claimed her sister. That's why Khesta 'Dahl is means sister of the mists."

Archales bows.

Kelhaly says, "Poor dears."
Kelhaly is hugging herself.
Kelhaly tries to pull Kithly towards her.
Kithly snuggles up to Kelhaly.

Archales recites:

    "No I will have to admit I have my doubts about the veracity about that last bit
     The Brughan who told me that tale was drinking like a fish the whole time"

Darbo glances at a chalice of mint on the rum in his hand.
Darbo takes a drink from his mint on the rum.
Darbo gruffly says, "Ye mean fish drink like a Brughan."

Archales recites:

    "The next tale I will share is one I overheard from a group of hunters from the Northern Steppes"

Archales recites:

    "They seemed a more sober bunch, so no reason to doubt this tale"

Archales clears his throat.

Archales recites:

    "This is entitled Snow deaf"

Archales recites:

    "A vivid blue sky, plays host to a golden sun,  as its rays glint across the snow covered rocks on the Northern Steppe.  Skidding to a halt near a cliff's edge, a tiny figure leans against his spear, then scans the valley below for signs of game, or tracks.  After searching in vain, he turns away from the cliff and pushes off with his spear back toward a stand of high mountain timber."

Archales recites:

    "A northern wind whips through the fir trees, blowing dark grey clouds across the horizon, that promising a swift end to the sunny weather and more snow by night fall. A rhythmic crunch of skies on snow betrays the approach of a Mhoragian hunter, he slides to a halt near a stand of white pine. Kneeling, he slowly observes the blood stained snow surrounding a broken snare, before howling in frustration at some nearby snow leopard tracks."

Archales recites:

    "Pressed against a large rock, the hunter watches a bighorn ram, slowly navigate the steep descent to a mountain meadow, freeing his bow, is the only movement he dares as he prepares for the ram to be in range. The is nearly in range when it stops and looks up, directly at the hunter, but he seems certain the ram cannot see or smell him. With a steadying breathe he nocks his short bow and prepares for a killing shot, instead of following the ram's gaze."

Archales recites:

    "As the first snowflakes begin to fall, the contrast of their movement betrays the stillness of a snow leopard its pale eyes fixed on the hunter, as it prepares to pounce. 'Twannng' the sound of the bow was still echoing through the valley, when the leopard struck the hunter, its momentum driving halfing and cat over the ravine edge."

Kithly gasps.

Archales recites:

    "Waking with a groan after his fallen the hunter, rolls on his side hissing sharply in pain and what was sure to be broken ribs. Glancing back over his shoulder, he noticed the snow leopard its neck broken in the fall, was trapped underneath him. Too exhausted to climb all the way back up the steppes the hunter decided to rest for the night, he would use the leopard's skin for shelter and head home in the morning."

Archales recites:

    "The wind screamed through the valley, but seemed to grow louder and louder as it blew around the sharp bends between the rocks and boulders at valley floor. It screamed and howled without ceasing the entire evening, growing ever louder until it even drowned out the hunter's own thoughts.  He tried sleeping fitfully, but the winds blew and wailed until right before dawn broke."

Archales recites:

    "Then there was blessed silence"

Archales recites:

    "Deciding spending a second night in the valley would be a mistake the Mhoragian hunter tossed his new prized hide across his back, and headed home to his ger in silence. Arriving at a beautifully decorated ger, the hunter is greeted by a rosy cheeked plump halfling woman and three children. The children dance around hugging their father and the hunter doesn't seem to hear them, growing louder as he approaches, it soon becomes apparent the wind has left him completely deaf."

Archales shakes his head, clucking his tongue.

Archales recites:

    "The winter snows came soon after and although the family was happy to be together, the hunter seemed distant, especially watching as the others laughed and shared songs during the long cold evenings."

Archales recites:

    "He had almost given into despair at his new lot in life, as the spring finally arrived. As the family prepared to break down their camp and follow the herds, the hunter's wife placed their handfasting cord into its box, its silver bells tinkling faintly as she packed up the box."

Archales recites:

    "He could hear the tinkling! his hearing was restored, and the Mhoragian now always keep silver bells on their gers to ward off the wind."

Archales bows.

Kithly applauds wildly!
Kithly exclaims, "Thank you for that story mister bard!"

Roxe manages a loud roar, sounding something like a leopard.

Archales recites:

    "As I wasn't sure how much time I'd be given before they told me to beat it
      I only prepared two stories of my own did anyone else have a tale of the northern steppes?
     If not I have a third and final tale I can share if time allows"

Darbo gruffly urges, "Share!  More stories!"
Darbo waves a cord-wrapped mahogany cane at Archales.
Darbo takes a drink from his mint on the rum.
Darbo gruffly asks, "Who has a drink for an old man?"
Kithly exclaims, "And for a little girl!"
Kithly gazes hopefully at her surroundings.
Speaking to Darbo, Roxe says, "Gotta get yer own this time."
Speaking to Roxe, Darbo complains, "I'm old.  I'm owed a drink."
Speaking to Darbo, Roxe exclaims, "I already done owed you one!"
Prolly says, "Prolly will."
Prolly offers Darbo a glass of peppered vodka.
Darbo accepts Prolly's peppered vodka.
Darbo nods appreciatively at Prolly.

Archales recites:

    "Alright one more story then"

Archales recites:

    "This is a tale I learned from an ancient halfling handfasting cord I once came across"

Archales recites:

    "Stars slowly twinkle into existence, their heavenly light becoming a backdrop for a perfect round moon of ghostly hue.  The late spring evening is filled with an air of merriment and touch of anticipation for the festival to come."

Archales recites:

    "Your eyes chase a falling star downward, as it streaks across the sky.  Firelight flickers brightly, inside a large ring of stones.  Drummers sit outside the circle, some banging on the stretched skins with the palms of their hands, others using short sticks bound with a ball of batting and wool at one end."

Archales recites:

    "Groaning tables full of meats, fruits, and sweet treats stand along the fringe of the celebration site, though many of the halfling present are not eating.  Off to the side they stand, dressed for the night's occasion, drinking fermented mead.  Giggling and giddy, they sway and jostle each other, clearly affected by the consumption of the potent beverage."

Archales recites:

    "You return to the festivities and watch as the Mother and Father of this Trine are lead to a makeshift throne alongside the circle.  Their hands joined and lightly wrapped with a loose cord, a symbol of handfasting, they gesture for the merriment to continue.  The drummers resume their almost carnal beat, and the drunken halflings begin to move wildly around the fire."

Archales recites:

    "After several moments of this frenzied dance, several elder halflings step forward, carrying red blindfolds decorated with black and silver symbols, and tie them snugly around the eyes of the young inebriates.  Then, taking them by the hand, they lead them into the forest near the edge of the vale."

Archales recites:

    "You have a sense of being transported, aided by the thick scent of the forest.  Hands reach out to touch you, strange and yet pleasing, wandering over your body.  Giggles and lusty laughter fill the air, as does a more erotic sound of intimacy here and there.  Off to the side, a sweet voice sings in perfect tone."

Archales recites:

    ""O' come 'way, come 'way, into the forest we go,
     A caravan a' joined hands, where to we dinna know.
     Blindfold 'cross me eyes, turning 'round an' round,
     Sweet scent o' the night, and crashin' to the ground.""

Kelhaly covers Kithly's ears.
Kithly leans forward.
Kithly vigorously shakes her head.

Archales recites:

    ""O' come 'way, come 'way, deeper 'mong the wood,
     A kiss upon yer lips, an' wanting more, dare I should.
     Fingers that touch you, aye, both gentle and rough,
     An' though tis but the one night, t'will ne'er be enough.""

Archales recites:

    "Gales of more laughter peak as the short verses conclude, and then the rustle of leaves as more pairs move off to couple under the Yesui Moon."

Archales bows.

Kelhaly says, "I can see I'll have some questions to answer tonite."
Kelhaly looks thoughtfully at Kithly.
Kithly giggles at Kelhaly.
Speaking to Kelhaly, Kithly exclaims, "Lots!"

Archales recites:

    "Thank you all for listening this evening
     I do hope you have enjoyed the tales"