TownCrier/Faction Attraction/Echoes of War

Deep in the cold north, a new, blossoming government manifests slowly, forming an identity of freedom distinct from Empire or the Elven Nations. Dubbed Northwatch, that diversity now houses the krolvin, the giants, practitioners of blood magic, and other controversial means ideologies. Its government, firm but fair, operates within the confines of Icemule's judicial system and the eventual constitution of Northwatch, fashioned by the men and women of Briarmoon Cove, Icemule Trace, Cold River, Pinefar, the Giant tribes, the krolvin survivors of Glaoveln. Unlike in most towns, local militia, known as the Regulators of the Northern Frontier, patrol the lands. However, with the expansion of threats near the Frostmain, another fighting force rears its head to deal with ships of the nautical variety. Led by Loralaii, this pirate faction carries the banner of the North, shielding away adversaries from crashing into the northern shores. This is Echoes of War.

Hosts

You see Necrotic Admiral Loralaii N'Harren the Northwarden.

She appears to be a Giantman of the Vaikalimara Clan.

She is shorter than average and has a particularly plump figure. She appears to be immature. She has violet-ringed nebulous grey eyes and tanned skin. She has very long, sun-damaged ebon-hazed purple hair gathered into a mass of intricate braids, the ends dangling several golden pieces of eight. She has big hips. She appears to have a sap-filled wrotwood globule in her eye socket.

She has a tiny red crystal rose in her left nostril, a discolored and crooked pickle tattoo on her finger, a hempen-hued inked noose dangling a dead pirate on her neck, an inked skeletal hand draped across the back of her hand, a crossed green pair of pickles tattoo on her wrist, a jack-o-lantern tattoo inked within a cobweb-like mist on her neck, a black deathstone stud in her lip, and a black-inked skull and crossbones wearing a sanguine-hued crown of molded flesh on her neck.

She is in good shape.

A knobby sentient potato wearing an orange and yellow jack'o'lantern costume is settled on her shoulder.

She has a chrome faewood arrow stuck in her right leg.

Her ankle bone is exposed, a fine trail of ichor green pus and blood trickling from an open wound where a smooth bone anklet pierced by tiny crystal shards rests.

She is holding some candied lemon lipbalm in her right hand.

Her form is concealed within the folds of a violet-tinged nacre velvet robe with ermine tippet sleeves.

Introduction

My travels took me to the harsh cold, the tundra of Icemule Trace. It was where I was reborn, a fresh start meant for the strong, the bold, the hardened. It was here where I met Loralaii, who I had known from a mutual friend named Illumiada. After several hunts, Lora and I became friends, and I've always enjoyed her kind yet firm demeanor -- she is not one to tolerate foolish or surly behavior. We met in Town Center in Icemule Trace, though it was surprising to not see the other members of the Echoes of War. Perhaps the night was busy. Yardie waves at Loralaii.

Loralaii waves to you.

Loralaii ponders.

Loralaii: Maaaybe?

Yardie: Heya. Doing a bit of work for the Town Crier. I was hoping to do an interview with Echoes of War?

Loralaii nods to you.

Yardie: Do you have a base of operations or the like?

Loralaii nods to you.

The Echo Chamber

The Snowcat's Den, Common Room
Guarded by a long counter of dark-stained pine, the common room's bar boasts an impressive array of spirits in pristine bottles that come in all of the colors of the rainbow. Several leather-upholstered stools sit along the counter's outer edge. A half wall behind the bar provides a glimpse of the inn's kitchen and its hearths, above which game birds and other meats roast on wooden spits. Nearby, a carved white pine stairway ascends to the second story.

Loralaii: We like to spend time here.

Yardie: Never been here. But a rather interesting place. I take it you're stationed at the heart of Icemule?

Loralaii holds up her hand and tilts it side to side in a so-so gesture. We prefer to be closer to the docks, but still a stones throw Icemule's heart.

Yardie chuckles at Loralaii. I like that a lot.

Loralaii adopts an agreeable expression.

Loralaii: So do we.

What is Echoes of War?

Yardie: So, for the first question: What would you say Echoes of War is all about? What would you say is its identity?

Loralaii: In a word, sell swords. Peace keepers.

Yardie (curiously): Sell swords?

Loralaii nods.

Loralaii: We will defend the fattest purse. Yardie: So mercenaries for hire, then?

Loralaii: In not such an ugly term."

Yardie chuckles. Loralaii: We had an agreement with the last group of government that as long we we keep Icemule safe, no one will harass us. And it's worked well. Yardie: Fair enough. Is this only with Icemule governments or others?

Loralaii: That's something I care not to discuss. Loralaii grins.

The First Traces of Echoes

Yardie: Understood. Next question: How did Echoes of War come to existence? How did you all come to be?

Loralaii: This has several stories, but the main, I suppose, would be I got tired of complaining. I was unhappy with how Icemule was run, so I put my money where my mouth was. And here we are. Loralaii grins.

Yardie: So it started with you, then? Were there any others?

Loralaii: My husband and myself, originally.

Yardie (sheepishly): Who's your husband again?

Loralaii: Lord Whirlin N'Harren..

Yardie nods at Loralaii. I know the name and the person a bit.

Loralaii grins. He is well liked.

Yardie: So I have heard.

Loralaii: Then the Ta'Mori joined.

The Ta'Mori and Echoes of War

Yardie: I'm curious as to how the Ta'Mori took up the charge of Echoes of War. That's rather remarkable and surprising.

Loralaii: Mystiq and I are soul sisters, it was a natural progression for our families to merge.

Yardie: So the Ta'Mori and the N'Harren merged? Unique to see Faendryl do such in a fashion like this.

Loralaii: We don't traipse around announcing things. We just work in silence and it's a beautiful thing.

Yardie: Much like the Ta'Mori...much like the Faendryl. Unique to see that position with giantmen...er....women....but a welcome one nonetheless.

Loralaii: Precisely. No one will see it coming.

Other Members

Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "This leads to the next question. Could you tell us more about your members? Are there any of note you wish to mention?" Loralaii darkly says, "Our membership is...small. But effective. Always looking for willing crew." Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "Any you wish to mention by name? And I see you have formed a nautical force?" Speaking darkly to you, Loralaii says, "Right now, I am comfortable with telling you myself, my husband, Mystiq and her husband Darphin." Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "I respect anonymity. So I'll accept that. For newcomers, are tere any requirements to join the Echoes of War?" Loralaii darkly says, "Not that we are a secret, but others identities is not mine to divulge." Loralaii darkly says, "Just a love of the sea and a heart to protect The Frostmain." Loralaii darkly says, "It's that simple." Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "They do not need to be a native to Frostwatch....is it Frostwatch? Icewatch? Coldwatch?" Loralaii darkly says, "Northwatch." Loralaii darkly says, "And no, were pirates afterall." Speaking to Loralaii, you say, "I'll ask the question as an aside regarding piratry: do you have any alliances with other nautical factions? There are quite a few throughout Elanthia." Loralaii darkly says, "We are friendly with RYSK and The free Captians Company." Loralaii darkly says, "We have yet to join forces." Speaking to Loralaii, you say, "I'm familiar with both. The latter is definitely not a pirate faction, the former well....RYSK is....rather versatile." Loralaii darkly says, "It's comforting to know our ports are so well protected." Loralaii darkly says, "Not pirate per se, just the seafaring life." Loralaii darkly asks, "And I assume the Fall's group is still going strong?" Speaking to Loralaii, you say, "It is. There are quite a few groups out there, and the Kraken Collective has a healthy allotment of ships." Loralaii darkly says, "Good, good." Loralaii darkly says, "We are trying to get our name out there a little more than we have in the past." Loralaii darkly says, "This year, we plan to be very active." Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "Sadly I missed the event you had a couple of weeks ago. My next question involves events. Are there any events that you plan on running or have in store?" Loralaii darkly says, "Oh yes, many." Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "Any upcoming?" Loralaii darkly says, "We are going to do sailing regularly, and other light hearted, fun events in the near future." Speaking darkly to you, Loralaii says, "I know Mystiq wanted to speak with you regarding a cooking cruise." Loralaii snickers. Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "Do you have a set day as to when you sail?" You blink at Loralaii. Speaking to Loralaii, you say, "Yes. She did. I am apt to run that." Speaking darkly to you, Loralaii says, "Without looking at my callendar, I beleive we commited to the third sunday of each month." You nod at Loralaii. Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "For future prospects, who should they approach or speak to involving learning more about Echoes of War?" Loralaii darkly says, "Lithyia and I are also in the works of something fun as well." You grin at Loralaii. Speaking to Loralaii, you say, "Lithyia's quite the organizer." Speaking darkly to you, Loralaii says, "Myself, Mystiq or Darphin." Speaking darkly to you, Loralaii exclaims, "She really is!" Loralaii whispers, "Were gona do an icemule brewing guild, but i dont think shes really do announce just yet." Loralaii whispers, "Lol ready to*." You quietly whisper to Loralaii, "I'll hold off on posting that, then." Loralaii grins at you. Loralaii nods to you. Loralaii darkly says, "We are going to try to hold regular meetings, so people can come and ask questions, take a cruise, see if its the life for them." Loralaii darkly says, "All of which I will announce or post." Speaking to Loralaii, you say, "That's a rather good thing. I think there are many who have curiosities about the seas, but are timid to discuss them." Loralaii darkly says, "Ive helped so many find the love of the sea." Speaking to Loralaii, you say, "I imagine Niima and Charl would be rather proud." Speaking to Loralaii, you ask, "Do you have any landmarks aside from the Snowcat's Den? I imagine you have the ship. The...Chicken, correct?" Loralaii starts chortling at you! Loralaii darkly says, "Terrifying Murky Black Chicken." You muse, "So many Murky Black items." Loralaii darkly says, "We can mostlly be found in Town Center of Icemule." Loralaii darkly says, "We conduct business here, usually." Loralaii's black comet goldfish swims right up to the edge of its glass fishbowl and puts it bulbous eyes against the fishbowl's glass walls. Loralaii's sentient potato hums an epic melody, filled with complexities! You ask, "Perfectly logical. Well, I only have one question remaining, or rather one aspect remaining. Would you like to leave a parting note about Echoes of War?" Loralaii darkly says, "There are no stupid questions." Loralaii darkly says, "If youre interested, ask us." Loralaii smiles. You say, "Thank you Lora. I appreciate it. I hope to have this published in a couple of weeks. I appreciate your time and Ill be apt to cooking on the cruise." Loralaii applauds you. Loralaii hugs you, and you detect the faint scent of pitch, resin, and dead flowers around her. Loralaii darkly says, "My pleasure." You say, "Oh wow, that was....fast." Loralaii darkly says, "The expressway." You say, "I'm surprised Mystiq is not here tonight."