Erithamiel's Introduction
It's Korday, Rhaltaas 20 11:42:31 1018. The full moon isn't up. The tide is high and ebbing. Chilly rain falls from a grey sky. It's bleak and raw. The wind blows from the east.
A18: Port Alexandria, The Inmost Sea
Under the chilly rain, grey skies, and blustery wind sits a Sylvanori male in greens and browns, and mithral chain, leaning back against a similarly armored, dazzlingly white griffon. The elf is singing an animated tune in his native tongue, which seems to amuse the griffon.
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Sing: (9)+4: 13
<OOC> Ga'Elian adds, "Neither elf nor griffon seem at all concerned with or bothered by the weather." (Elf is under effects of Endure Elements, and griffon under effects of Winter Feathers.)
<OOC> Selerik says, "We'll say I traded off some mojo at the temple for some endure elements as well."
The weather doesn't lend itself to being a tourist destination today, more here because they have to be than to sight see. Someone apparently doesn't care about that particular memo, and is leading two young boys - one human and one halfling. Both are dressed for sailing, and grinning ear to ear. Despite the awful weather, today is in some way amazing to the wanna-be cabin boys. Selerik's voice can be heard as he gets closer with the charges. "...can be difficult, but sailors face far worse than this on the open sea. Imagine the ground churning beneath your feet, waves crashing into you in an attempt to knock you down, the floor slick and your view barely enough to see your own hands. When the weather is particularly cruel, sailors think back on moments like that and call them a blessing." He points. "That mooring there, we saw a fishing vessel yesterday. Do either of you remember the name?" The small halfling pipes up, echo'd half a second later by the human boy. "Tha Deepberry!" Selerik dips a hand into his pouch, passing something small to the halfling that he quickly eats. The human boy tries not to look upset, but pouting is pouting.
Ga'Elian perks up and cuts off his song at the approach of the man and his two young companions. He smiles, privately, at the disappointed human boy for a moment, then rises to stand as his snowy griffon does the same. The griffon wags its tail and flutters its wings, as if to shake off the dullness of relaxation, and raises its beak in a mild squawk into the wind.
The elf stands 5 ft 4 inches tall, and is extremely slender, as most elves tend to be, but says, "Good day, gentlemen." and gives a slight bow of his head.
The greeting draws Selerik's attention. He inclines his head towards Ga'Elian without breaking his eyes away from the elf with the griffon, the two boys waving in greeting and the halfling child tossing in a 'G'day!' of his own. Selerik gestures towards the griffon as he speaks. "Greetings to you both. It is rare I see so noble a creature with such fair manners, perhaps you could share a bit of wisdom with these two. I'm helping them learn about the life of a sailor they each aspire towards, but this is an opportunity to them." He looks to the boys. "Have either of you ever touched a griffon before?" The human boy shakes his head. The halfling boy does half a nod before quickly changing to shaking his head as well.
Ga'Elian laughs in deep, innocent delight, and says, "Well come on over then. This is Erithamiel. In the tongue of my folk, Erithamiel means Ironclaws. You see, the nature-priests that serve the mighty descendants of the great Ygdrassil Tree have perfomed their wonders to enhance Erithamiel's talons with cold iron. This allows him to rake fey and demonic enemies normally, despite their natural resistance to wounds. It makes Erithamiel a particularly valiant demon-fighter." He pauses, then says, "He has a particularly keen sense of smell, too. You can pet him if you like, but let him sniff your hand with his beak first." As the kids approach, he further describes, "He isn't normally white, though. That's just a magical effect. His forequarters--talons, wings--are usually a tree-bark brown color, with the white head of a bald eagle, while the fur of his torso and hindquarters is normally golden. Also, that shiny silvery look about his beak is because of those same druids. They have infused his beak with the rare and beautiful metal Truesilver, known as Mithral among the Sildanyar. It is effective against devils and werecreatures."
The boys come over, staring at the gyphon's claws in wonder as Ga'Elian describes their powers. The halfling boy seems a bit skittish at offering the creature his hand, while the human boy without hesitation shoves his hand on up in the bird's face. Such, uh, manners. Selerik watches with amusment, "Meeting Erithamiel is a joy, may his hunts be fruitful and his name a beacon." He gestures first to the human, then the halfling. "These are Thomas and Hash. They have great dreams that I am tempering with facts and experience. At least for today." So he is some sort of teacher, but not a regular affair.
Ga'Elian extends his hand to Selerik, in imitation of the gesture he has seen humans often do, and says, "I am Ga'Elian Faravanilas, from the Periantha Forest in Llyranost. Do you fancy a short flight with your protegés? Erithamiel has, in the past, carried as many as two adult passengers together with me. I think we could manage to be adequately safe. Or we could take it in turns if you'd prefer."
Selerik returns the greeting by placing his hand over his heart, before doing an open palmed gesture towards Ga'Elian. A more unusual greeting, further reinforcing the hints his clothing gives that he isn't from these parts. "Selerik Delent, from Veyshan. I trust many things in like, Ga'Elian, and that their mother would flay me alive were she to see them atop a gryphon is surely one of them." He gives an apologetic smile. "I should be returning them to their lessons. Should you decide to visit the temple of Tarien, perhaps we will have opportunity to speak again." He looks to the boys. "Worry not, there are plenty of wonders to experience today that won't upset the powers that be."