Celadine Hills (Farmland)

Most likely she wound up on a communal homestead tower, as it was the most common sort of community to be found in the Expanse.

Raynor of the Celadine had just returned from a council meeting. The elders of the other clans were discussing the signs of danger that the oracles had spotted. It wasn't that hard to understand. Their various magical instruments had detected anomalous readings from the dragons' graveyard, which suggested some sort of resonance between the skulls. Such a thing would normally be impossible, since bones, even dragon bones, were as dead as dirt, and the only thing that could result in such resonance would be a living dragon, the presence of which could mean serious problems for the Land-Tiller Expanse down the line.

During the Cataclysm to the West, a group of dragons had entered their territory, hoping to conquer it. They mentioned something about a great exodus to a place called Darastrix, and that their group was unwilling to go. At first the Land-Tiller Tribe was sympathetic. They had nothing to do with the great dragon hunt, and if anything had eliminated most of the dark forces which posed a threat to dragons in their region. However, the dragons realized that the humans would ultimately side with their own species should people of the West pursue them, and decided it would be more prudent to take the land for themselves. Negotiations with them had deteriorated rapidly, and the creatures attacked their homes and farms. The Land-Tiller Tribe was forced to retaliate.

And oh boy did they retaliate. Lynx of the Celadine was a middle-aged mother of the child Raynor, and her mastery of Chaos Magic had grown considerably since her own personal journey began. It was at this sensitive stage of her life that she had been called to duty.

Raynor could still recall the blasts in the air, the incredible maelstroms and surges of energy which dotted the sky. Lynx herself led the charge, and had single-handedly felled dozens of dragons. However, she had also taken a direct hit from a lightning dragon and was critically injured. After recovering she vowed to avoid as many battles as possible so that her son would grow up with a mother.

Those dragons that survived their encounter with Lynx cursed her name and swore vengeance on her and her descendants...

Unfortunately, the anomalous readings came after his daughter Jun had gone on her own journey. He would have gone after her himself, but Ying-Na volunteered instead. After all, Raynor had many responsibilities here. Still, he wasn't too concerned. He knew Jun took after both him and her grandmother, and that she would become a powerful mage, even if deep down inside he wished she would follow a different path. Raynor didn't want to lose his daughter the way he almost lost his mother.

But enough back story and rumination. Raynor shook his head and focused on the task at hand... teaching his incompetent neighbors how to grow muskmelons. They all lived in the same communal stone tower, and each had their own corresponding plot of land. Of course Raynor's family plot was immaculate and currently hosted a strong variety of herbs, peppers, and fruits. His neighbor's plot... not so much.

"You know... I keep telling you people you'd be much better off in the textile industry. You're good with your hands. I don't know why you insist on-"

"Oh come now. Everyone knows there's no money in textiles! Clothes are so easy to make now since stupid Songbird Clan magically enchants their clothes. We need cash crops! Cash crops to sell! Now come help us out!" The shrill little woman and her even greedier husband were waiting at the edge of the field. The poor bastards didn't even have the right tools. "You guys didn't even remember to put a base underneath the fruit! The vines will rot and you'll have to keep requesting an earth mage to heal them." This time it was the husband's turn to be annoying. "Why do you think we called you?!" Raynor was losing his patience. "I can't be in seven places at once!"

It was during their bickering that they noticed a strange woman with a marked face wandering around the field. Raynor turned to his charges. "Oi, go get the bases ready. I'll see if she's alright." Despite the attitude of the couple, they obeyed without question. Raynor approached the strange woman, ready to cast a light spell in case she needed assistance... or perhaps turned out to be a threat. "Excuse me, miss, are you alright?"

"Who am I? Just a man. You may call me Raynor, and I'm one of the tenders of this land." Raynor walked closer to the strangers, but slowing his approach to get a better look at the two. "Ah, I see your physiology is somewhat, unique. I don't have much familiarity with human orc hybrids, although if my work with animals has taught me anything about heterosis, it's that hybrid youngsters are often stronger and more intelligent than their parents, so long as the species are just close enough."

While he said these surprisingly carefully chosen words, he placed his hands behind his back in a professional, non-threatening sort of manner. If Vorn and Feruzia were observant enough, they might have noticed a slight, silvery glimmer in his eyes, for he was casting a healing spell behind his back.

"I hope you don't mind me taking the honor of healing that wound on your cheek. I'm a rather impatient man." Vorn would feel the cut heal almost instantly, and perhaps a warm, stinging sensation where it once was that would quickly fade.

"What might your names be?"

"Medan huh? Never heard of it. There's no such land east or south of here, so it must be to the west." Raynor looked at the soiled bandage. "Hmm, interesting concoction. I'd appreciate it if you could teach it to me. Not all of my people are as well versed in healing magic as I am, so healing poultices are considered very valuable here." Once again Raynor merely glanced at Feruzia's wound to heal it, so she would no longer have need of the remedy.

"I can't answer how you got here, but it's my policy to be hospitable. Let's get you two cleaned up and maybe we can trade life stories."

If they're willing, Raynor would lead them to a communal hot spring where they could rest and relax.

(OOC: Is there a way to create sub-threads to this thread? As in to add more locations.)

Vorn silently stared at Raynor, even squinting his eyes in suspicion as he complimented his mix of blood. He was quite surprised, actually. It was rare someone even noticed him to be a mix, most couldn't tell the difference between a half-orc and an orc. But even so, the choice of words didn't bode well with him. He wasn't used to flattery, most seemingly finding just one of his parent races as disgrace, not to mention a half-breed. Although, there was little he could do besides protest as Raynor decided to heal the gash. But even so, he said nothing, just allowing him to heal the gash, a slight tremble coming from him as he felt the sting. He wasn't one to usually display pain, but his late experience in the Misty Woods still had him weakened.

"Some hospitality would be nice." Vorn eyed Feruzia, waiting for a moment when Raynor was distracted and she would've looked at him. He'd make a slightly annoyed expression and a grunt. Although he did welcome the man's help and was even grateful for it, Vorn was not one to so easily just hand out trust to strangers. He knew not yet the reason for all this kindness, and so of course was unsure if it was even kindness at all.

The wound did not heal all the way even with the help of the man who was trying so hard. What did happen when he attempted to heal her, was a black, oily looking smoke seeping out of it. It was a rather odd looking thing and it seemed to slither toward the ground in it's putrid looking curls.

She stared down at it with narrowed eyes. "I wonder if his blade had been poisoned with something. It is hard to heal me, but I don't usually take this long either."

That was a question even her companion had not asked. Not that she really was up for telling back when they met. "I was on a quest for the Princess Camilla in liberating our people... We come from a land called Verri, which is now fallen and has most likely merged with Medan if she married the Prince like she said she was to." She went on to tell the story about Verri... Which took a good amount of time and the player can provide a link to it so as not to type that part out.---
"So I and a party of knights marched into the mountains to liberate the survivors of a ten year long war... Prince Harvold and I came to a stand off, and he thrust his sword into my belly. That one was as corrupt as they come. I grew ill along the way, though this wound has been treated several times. Hopefully this will be the last." Indeed, she was starting to at least feel better even if the wound did not completely heal.

Seeing that Raynor was tending to Feruzia, Vorn saw it fit to take a quick walk around the surroundings. It was nothing much, just a bit of sight seeing. The surrounding lands were rather amazing, and he was still curious about how he had even gotten there. If it were anything like he had heard occur to anyone else who'd take the mushrooms, he probably just walked there and dropped unconscious. Luckily he didn't head towards anywhere more dangerous than this. After taking a few moments to think, take in the environment, and generally just get some fresh air, he'd return to Raynor and Feruzia.

Vorn's jaw would drop slightly and his eyes would squint as he heard Raynor yelling out a few words and pointing his warhammer at Feruzia. He crossed his arms and said nothing, just watched with a rather confused look. He himself knew a bit of magic, nothing of an academic level, but more of tribal magics used mainly in improving his combat. And he had also met many other mages. But for some reason, he couldn't help but cringe at Raynor. Never had he seen a mage who yelled out in common, and saying things that, put in such a way, just sounded strange. And although the man was kind, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief after the given display.

Feruzia sighed and waited quietly while there was an argument going on between Raynor and some of his people. She also packed up the mushrooms and the vial of mist, then straightened up. To her companion she said, "We probably ought to try and travel back to Medan. Perhaps we can make use of this visit in the meantime."

Feruzia gave a jerking nod, a frown on her face and her brow puckered. "Suits me just fine." Her gaze fell upon him as she too sat, her arms curling around her upraised knees. "Vorn, I am sorry this didn't go better. I guess the most excitement you probably had was eating a mushroom piece, yes?" She genuinely felt bad, he'd not be able to miss that. "I will... pay you double what the offering was for your time and effort." And with that, she went silent.

She was far from tired at the moment, and wanted a nice bath because she felt disgusting. Hopefully, there would be a river or creek on the way back to Medan.