EVENT: Marith and Erilan talk about life in the Stedding. Erilan decides 
to become an Ogier Scout.
DATE: January 3, 1999
LOGGER: Marith

Clearing: Forest, Stedding Maotai(#328RAJMQ$)
	A rather large clearing, outskirted with trees, flowers, grasses and bushes 
of all shapes and sizes. Several small mounds, can be seen within the clearing, 
though staying toward the outskirts. Looking twice, one might just notice that 
a few of those mounds have tiny windows in them, seemingly formed naturally. In 
the center of the area is a large tree stump, of what could only have once been 
a Great Tree, with several steps leading up to the smooth surface.
	The sun towers high above, shining through the opening within the clearing. 
All around you can see various Ogier walking about, forming small groups. 
Several children can be seen running and playing, enjoying the afternoon away 
from their long studies. Layers upon layers of snow seem to fill the clearing 
in soft tufts or drifts. Smoke lazily rises from several of the mounds, as 
Ogier heat their homes. Cold air greets anyone that walks out of their warm 
home. Several paths seem to lead off from this area, heading into the forest or 
into the residential area of the stedding.
                                                      

Erilan walks into the clearing, coming from the southeast.

Marith strolls in from the small copse, humming something to herself quietly. 
She appears to be in a good mood, unusual really for this time of year. She 
pulls her cloak about her, to keep warm in the cool winter air.

Erilan is tangled with three strands of vine, trying to undo himself.

Marith pauses her steps a moment, watching Erilan as he too enters the 
clearing. A slight touch of amusement enters her eyes as she watches him a 
moment, "It seems you had a battle with the trees and vines, Erilan, and they 
won."

Erilan twitches nervously upon seeing Marith. "Hello, Eldest. Umm... the bushes 
won, I think."

Marith chuckles lightly, a soft expression touching her features. Ears twitch 
back and forth unconciously, "It seems so, yes...."

Erilan smiles back. "It seems you are in a good mood today. Did you finish the 
plantings?"

Marith inclines her head a bit, her eyes brightening somewhat, "Aye, and just 
in time for the winter storms to settle in around them. Most should be fine 
through the snows, the first ones are mild this time of the year."

An old Ogier walks through, mumbling under his breath and scribbling notes in 
the margins of a book.

Erilan says "I hope they are. I haven't seen too many storms, except on the 
edge of the mountains. " Erilan lowers his voice, "Is it proper to do anything 
special for snow here?"

Marith wrinkles her brow a moment, confused slightly, "In what sense? If you 
mean collect firewood, we encourage you to keep warm. We try to search out the 
trees that are beyond help... still a saddened venture, but they will at least 
be out of their misery."

Erilan nods slightly, eyes dropping. "I didn't mean to bring up the loss of our 
treefriends. I... I simply meant to ask if there were a time for remembering 
the snow-- if anything special is done in this Stedding that is not done 
elsewhere. I heard of the precedent elsewhere."

An Ogier woman walks by, straightening heavily embroidered skirts and muttering 
to herself.

A young Ogier nods in your direction as he passes by.

Erilan says, slowly, "That is a solemn night. Is there something daily that I 
should keep in mind. If I remember from my 25th season of school, it is common 
to remember a little of nature in every day."

Marith seems to consider, smiling slightly at Erilan's words, "Well... if you 
wish to get more involved, we are always in need of people looking over the 
winter gardens. We've a few greenhouses that need tending to keep our vegetable 
supplements coming in." She pauses, wrinkling her nose a bit, "Or help with the 
winter plants in the woods, or boarder patrols." She pauses her words a moment, 
eyes widening a bit, "Which reminds me, Watchmen Gildain found a group of 
Tuatha'an in the small meadow."

Erilan smiles happily. "Oh... The Tuatha'an? I heard they must be very 
interesting. Stories from the whole wide world. It's small sometimes, not going 
much beyond the protection of the stedding."

A scent of food drifts to you from one of the Ogier's dwellings where they are 
cooking.

Marith glances over her shoulder, back to the small copse where the food smells 
come from. Her stomach rumbles a bit, though she only pats it, turning her 
attention back to Erilan, "We've not had tinkers come through here before, not 
that I can recall... then again when Eldest Kamala was still alive she 
disapproved of any visitors coming to the Stedding.

Erilan blushes a little. "I hope I didn't say anything untoward. If it would 
help, I could help out. I spend enough time out in the woods that I might help 
look for visitors."

Marith blinks, turning her complete attention back to Erilan, "Untoward....?" 
She slowly shakes her head, ears twitching a bit, "Not at all Erilan..." She 
pauses a moment, a brief smile touching her lips, "That would be most 
appreciated. I am meaning to open the Stedding more and more to visitors. We've 
a few regulars who come back from time to time to give us word of the world. I 
do not like being so confined, at times."

Two young Ogier brush by, discussing some obscure aspect of philosophy.

Erilan says "It would be a good opportunity, Eldest, to meet those that we 
ordinarily only read about in our histories and stories."

Marith inclines her head a bit, "I've been planning a trip to Tar Valon for 
sometime. I think exposure to the city will allow us to be able to better react 
to any visitors that come to the Stedding, and also give others a chance to 
view humans and their hasty ways. The trip is scheduled to take place after the Tuatha'an move on to their next destination. If you wish, you are welcome to 
join us."

An old Ogier walks through, mumbling under his breath and scribbling notes in 
the margins of a book.

Erilan says "That would be most kind. I think I would like the opportunity, 
but... could I think of it one or two days first. I do not want to be too 
rash-- something I've been accused in earlier days."

Marith bows her head slightly, "Most certainly." Marith offers yet another soft 
smile, "Think upon it. Some of our Ogier brethren were going to go there to see 
if any repairs needed to be made. We are low on some of the supplies that we 
have to buy and needs funds to replace them."

Erilan says "Thank you most thoughtfully. I hope to be of help. I should return 
to my room, if it is not a problem. My family asks for correspondence."

Marith inclines her head to Erilan, "Of course..." She steps off the path so 
her fellow Ogier can leave.

A conversation of two Ogier drifts to you through the morning's first rays.

Erilan says "It has been good conversing with you."