EVENT: Symms arrives into the Stedding broken and battered. He meets the 
Ogier for the first time in his life.
DATE: November 18, 1998
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.
                           (There are +views here.)                           
Contents:
Deahn
Symms
Rane
Obvious exits:
Dark Path  Small Copse  Grassy Knoll  Faint Trail  

Rane says breezily, "Fine. I've managed to avoid getting shot at, cut up, or 
otherwise battered."

Through the trees, and into the clearing, emerges an elderly seeming female 
Ogier. She appears to be holding a light conversation with one of the younger 
Ogier of the stedding.

Deahn tightens a wrapping on Rane's last statement.

Symms smirks and the alcohol is most definetely effecting him now. "That's 
awful news. I wouldn't trade my adventurous life for...um.", he gasps as he 
sees a female Ogier the size of a house, well not that big but pretty big. He 
doesn't feel any pain anymore.

Deahn moves on to the next bleeding wound.

Rane nudges Symms. "Don't gape, its rude." She turns to Marith, "Eldest, this 
scruffy looking vagabond seems to have gotten himself into some trouble. His 
name is Symms, and I'm not sure he can walk. Should we help him out or toss him 
out on his ears?"

The sun shines down upon this clearing. In the center resides a very large 
stump. Surrounding the stump is several young Ogier. Their attention is upon an 
older gent that is talking.

Marith pauses briefly in her conversation as she hears voices in the Stedding. 
A tufted brow lifts delicately, particularly at the sight of a new human. A 
sligth tisking sound emerges from the back of her throat, sounding much like a 
deep rumbling. She mumbles something to her companion, then breaks away to 
those present within the clearing. The companion goes back into the copse, pace 
hurried, for an Ogier.

Deahn takes one of the longer rags and presses it into the largest wound along 
his chest.

Symms closes his mouth as Rane politely tells him to do. His eyes widen even 
further as the Ogier approaches them. He doesn't like to stare, but he can't 
help it. The alcohol in his system also doesn't help matters, or the numerous 
wounds he has. "Hi."

Marith's tufted brow appears to lift higher at Rane's words, "I've sent for one 
of the Sora'har, Mistress Rane. All are safe within the stedding. if he is 
injured, we'll take care of his wounds.." Her eyes narrow a bit at Symms, 
"Though he must follow the rules of the stedding, like all others."

Deahn starts wrapping the man's chest in bandages, "He won't walk for a week, 
he's lost so much blood, Eldest." she says calmly.

Marith gives a brief nod of her head, her voice rumbling in a delicate manner 
as she speaks, "There is room a plenty within the guest house.. he may have one 
of the rooms there until he is well enough to travel..." Her eyes move to 
Symms, "Be welcome to Stedding Maotai. I am Marith, daughter of Paloa daughter 
of Altar, eldest of the Stedding."

Symms blinks and looks way up at the Ogier. He smiles at her and then says 
rather carefully. "Symms at your service miss...um miss Eldest?", he thinks for 
a second and continues. "Oh, no need for me to stay very long. I thank you for 
your kindness."

Deahn lets the eldest do the talking as she wraps up the several wounds neatly, 
but not well enough to last long.

Rane snorts and mutters something about fool woolhead allyskulkers.

"Nonsense... you humans are always so hasty in things.. you will stay as long 
as your injuries need for you to stay." Marith appears to speak in a tone of 
authority. By the way that other Ogier passing through this area bow and 
curtsey to her, one might believe she's one of high importance.

Deahn steps back, shakeing her head, "I must do better." she says, not 
self-critisim, simply a statement of fact.

Symms glances at Rane for a second, giving her a rather confused look as if he 
hasn't done anything wrong. He notices the respect and authority in her voice 
and he bows while sitting (tries to anyways). "Thank you again Elder Marith. I 
am indebted to you."

After a few scant moments, after the younger Ogier traipsed back into the 
copse, another appears; male, standing about 10 ft in hight, a head and a half 
taller than Marith. With him, he carries all sorts of necessities that help 
wiht healing. "Eldest..." He bows when he gets to the group. "You called for a 
Sora'har?"

Symms grimaces as he finishes his bow and simply stares up at the Elder Marith 
and then to the even taller male Ogier.

Rane pats Deahn on the shoulder. "You did very well, dearheart. Remember that 
you haven't had any formal training."

Deahn stands back out of the way of the Ogier, but watches closely, "Thank you, 
Mother." she says calmly.

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

Marith turns her gaze away from Symms and company to address the newcomer. She 
nods her head to the Ogier, mumbling, "It seems Master Symms has gotten himself 
into a bit of trouble. Mistress Deahn needs some assistance in tending to his 
wounds." Whether or not that fact is true or not, Marith makes hte order known, 
then turns her gaze to the passing Ogier woman, "See that several of the Ogier 
watch come to help Master Symms to a room once he's able to be moved." The 
woman nods, hurrying off into the woods.

Rane smirks at Symms. "So come on, spit it out. What happened to you this time, 
O Great Adventurer?"

The male Ogier bows once more to Marith, then sets about helping Deahn tend to 
Symms's wounds. He has bandages, herbs, ointments, and instruments in applying 
them with him. He turns his gaze to the young girl tending the man, "If you see 
anything that might help, you are welcome to use my things.." His voice 
rumbles.

Symms blinks as he hears Rane and then stares at Deahn. "No training?", he 
blinks again and then says rather politely. "Um...sorry for being rude, but I 
think I will pass out now.",

Deahn shakes her head, "Only study. I'm quite good, though."

Symms starts to drift into unconsciousness. "It wasn't /my/ fault.", he fights 
the wave of nausea. "It wasn't my fault.", he mumbles again.

Rane sighs and sits down next to Symms, brushing a piece of hair out of his 
face. "You /always/ say that," she murmurs.

Symms is starting to get a bit glassy-eyed now. He looks at Rane. "I do not.", 
he smirks a bit, but it is more of a lopsided drunk grin. "Besides...this is me 
we are talking about. I don't ever get into trouble, that I can't get out of.", 
he looks at the Ogier.

Rane says, "Sure. You're forgetting about that incident with the Children of 
the Light, of course."

Deahn stares down at the man, watching the ogier closely, but wondering who 
this man is.

Symms blinks and nods. "Ha! That wasn't trouble...if you want an example of 
trouble, you should have seen me deal with that Sea Monster. Now that was a fun 
time.", smirks at the memory.

The sun shines down upon this clearing. In the center resides a very large 
stump. Surrounding the stump is several young Ogier. Their attention is upon an 
older gent that is talking.

Deahn blinks at Rane, "I think he's lost too much blood, Mother."

Symms shakes his head. "No, it's true...it was this giant squid-like creature. 
It had tentacles and a big beak.", he moves his hands to add emphasis on how 
big it was and waves his arms to signify tentacles. "Luckily, it was allergic 
to Shienear spice..."

Rane snorts. "No, dear, you just don't remember the Sea Monster. That's just 
the line he fed you when you and Ayende were three or so, to explain a very 
foolish incident in my past. He used to tell you two stories all the time. 
Before he up and disappeared on me again, that is."

Deahn nods slowly, "You sure he's not Ayende's father? Their enough alike." she 
says without a hitch.

Symms blinks. "Hey...I never dissapeared.", holds up his hands, palms out (his 
sign of peace). "It wasn't /my/ fault. I had some things to do."

Symms gives Deahn a double take. "What!? Hey...that is most certainly not /my/ 
fault.", looks to Rane. "I had to help Krispen and then some old pals of mine 
came calling about some old debt...and you know the story. Right?"

Rane sniffs. "Of course. Its not like I haven't heard it enough to get it 
memorized." And to Deahn, dryly, "I'm quite sure of your parantage, thank you, 
dear."

Symms looks at the Ogier pleadingly and says. "Um...do you have anything in 
there that can knock me unconscious, put me to sleep...", whispers, "get me out 
of this situation please kinda medicine?"

Deahn nods, "I don't doubt you mother." she says.

Symms shoots a look at Rane and Deahn. "Hey, did you call me scruffy-looking?"

The male Ogier chuckles as he continues to help bandage Symms, "You do not need 
to be drugged to heal...." Obviously there's no help there.

Marith simply watches, her ears moving back and forth as she listens to the 
interaction. From time to time a small frown touches upon her lips, though it 
quickly moves away.

The Ogier drift in and out of the clearing, going about their way.

Rane nods solemnly. "I did call you scruffy looking." She holds out her hand 
and slaps it lightly. "There. My whole three seconds of guilt for it, as well."

Symms glances towards the Ogier. "Great...thank you again for the healing. I 
almost feel like I could walk out of here.", contemplates it. "Well, if you 
don't have any herbs, that's okay.", looks to Rane. "That's not fair Rane."

Deahn shakes her head. "What next?" she asks calmly.

Rane looks innocent. "Life is fair? Deahn, you're the level-headed child, do 
you think life's fair? Eldest?"

Deahn shakes her head some more.

Symms looks at Deahn, Rane, Marith, and then shakes his head, muttering. 
"Great...Three against one. I don't like these odds."

The male Ogier shakes his head from side to side, "I am Sora'har. I've herbs, 
potent ones, but I will not use them to get you out of your troubles." His 
voice appears to be firm. As soon as he finishes with the bandages, he collects 
his things. He nods as several Ogier from the watch arrive.

Deahn smile to the Ogier, "Do you think it might be possible to rescieve 
traingin from the Sora'har?"

A tufted brow lifts at Symms's words. Marith crinkles her brow a bit, "I do not 
believe I had expressed an opinion Master Symms." She speaks, her voice 
rumbling softly as she does so.

Rane 's mouth quirks as Symms lets his mouth get him into trouble again.

The male Ogier seems to consider Deahn's request, turning his gaze to Marith, 
"That is something I have to ask the Council of Elders before I can allow." 
Perhaps there are healing techniques the Ogier use that he'd prefer not to 
teach. His answer seems to receive a small nod from Marith, as if the topic is 
noted for discussion.

Symms coughs. "Well, thanks for being honest Sora'har.", he looks at Deahn and 
then back to the male Ogier. "I will vouch for her talents. I have known her 
since she was but a child. She's a natural healer.", rubs at his head. "Gotta 
work on being gentle kid."

One of the Ogier watch steps forward, "You called for us eldest?"

Symms tries to stand. "Well, thank you so much for the healing. If you will 
point me to the entrance, I can be on my way...", his feet don't seem to be 
obeying him and he is concentrating very hard on standing. "Maybe I should stay 
a few days...or so?"

Rane snorts at Symms. "You knew her at three. As I haven't seen you since then, 
you can hardly say you know her now. Not even a letter for your old friend, a 
high I'm alive and--/get/ right /off/ your feet /right now!/"

Marith inclines her head to the Ogier Watchmen, "Indeed, I did. Please carry 
Master Symms to one of the guest rooms in the common house."

The three guards that appeared bow in unison to Marith, then start to approach 
Symms, as if meaning to carry him to the house whether he wills it or not...

Symms blinks at Rane's rather poignant comments. "Yes, I think I shall stay off 
my feet for now. Thanks Rane.", looks at Rane and sighs. "I...it's good to see 
you again.", smiles softly.

The pleasant aroma of someone baking carries in the faint stirring of a breeze.

Rane grins too. "Its good to see you, too," she admits.

Symms doesn't resist the help that the Ogier give him, since he probably 
wouldn't stand a chance against one Ogier in full health. "Thanks again Elder 
Marith. I am honoured to be a guest in your place and you have very nice...um 
trees here.", he grins.

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

Symms gets carried off towards the guest house by the Ogier helpers.

Rane thinks for a moment. Stands. Taps her foot. Follows.