Imprints in Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

"It seems the least I can allow, given how much you and yours have helped Merrill," Marethari says simply. "I was part of the founding of this village, when I was but a little girl, so I should be able to help. Please, ask."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one has been tracing the story of one Stalwart Beauregard, elder brother of one Steadfast Beauregard who was called Sten, son of one Earnest Beauregard and one Charity Beauregard who was born Chandala Stewardson. Earnest Bearuegard's journal makes oblique reference to one Golden Green; however, as this was three hundred years ago, this one suspects that it was some incarnation or other place near here before this village was founded. Stalwart seems to have been taken to this place or person, and nevermore mentioned again, while Sten inherited. Currently, the family line is without heir, so if there is any chance that Stalwart survived and produced issue, this is of utmost importance to the Lights in Nyra."

[NPCs]

"I see," the ancient elf replies, eyebrows raising slightly as Helene progresses. "You are correct, a mention of Golden Green that long ago must have been a reference to the Gold Greens families, not this village." She smiles faintly, eyes looking on the past. "Hermias Gold Greens was the patriarch when we came here to settle. Young for the rank, his father had died too early, during an ill-ended hunt. A dire bear perhaps? Or an owlbear? I can't recall... the ache and low energy are the worst, but the fading of times past is not often a boon of age either.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one finds the lack of clear detailed memory to be a boon at times," offers Helene. "Many memories of the distant past are... painful. But this one has special circumstances, of course. This one's memories of Dakesh do not fade as memories of being this one do. They are... substantially different." Helene pauses, frowning. "Ah, but, right, the research. This one apologizes. Where could this one find records if a spell or ritual was performed upon the person of Stalwart Beauregard? This one suspects it was an unusual ritual, rather than a routine healing."

[NPCs]

"Hmmm. Well, the Gold Greens family is still around, of course- Hermias's daughter and grandson still live in the village, though he himself and his wife have passed on. Dullias, the daughter, is one of the probable Elders-to-be." Regrettably, she's a staunch isolationist, though I can't contest that she cares, deeply, about our village. "But Hermias was an herbalist by training, along with his very modest calling to Uryll. I doubt he was the one that performed the ritual you seek. Like as not, he petitioned Raplin for help. His... objections to Raplin's Oak village were not of faith, but politics, so he would not have hesitated in doing so."

[Varric]

"Politics meaning..?" Varric asks warily.

[NPCs]

Marethari winces a little, though it would pass unnoticed by those unversed in reading facial expressions. "Hermias believed that... those without a strong, revenant connection to nature, a deep appreciation not just for her gifts, but for her need to be preserved and nurtured, should not be allowed to settle among us." She coughs lightly. "Further, he felt that such a quality could only be truly instilled in a person if they were raised to it since birth."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Please, this one would like information about this person or entity named Raplin. Who or what is this?"

[Varric]

Varric glances over, a touch surprised Helene hasn't heard about Raplin. Then again, I only know about Him because one of my caravan leaders has family there (which gives me a nice little 'in' to get some very nice deals on rare animal parts). So... never mind, makes a bit of sense (not even a genius can know everything after all). 

[NPCs]

"Raplin is a local deity under the aegis of Uryll. His form and avatar is that of a massive gold oak, hence the common custom of having 'Gold' as a prefix to one's surname, to denote you are from His domain," Marethari explains. "For instance, my own name in full is Marethari Gold Dawn."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Ah! This one had heard that the titular Oak was a Gold Oak, and had noted the number of gold-related surnames, but this one was not given to understand that the Oak was a minor Deity. This changes the narrative that this one had been constructing significantly. May this one contact Raplin? Does Raplin answer the calls of strangers, or only those who worship him directly?"

[NPCs]

"You are Alydrean, correct? He should be willing to at least hear you out, should you call upon Him. An offering would not be amiss, however. Something that shows a respect for the wilds, particularly for trees and other growing things," the elder suggests. "Doing so in the tradition manner would also help." At Varric's gesture to proceed, she clarifies. "In the old ways, one beseeching His aid and unable to travel to Him in person would find a forest glade, preferably one with a single guardian tree or at least an impressive one as a focal point. During the dawn of a new day, as the light travels down the length of the tree, the supplicant would invoke Him- the normal subordinate variation for a deity under Uryll are fine. They would be alone, of course, and having fasted overnight, skyclad and with their offering- either a gift in and of itself or a representation of a service- wrapped in shed bark."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one is gifted with magics that can contact the deities directly, where they reside, other than in their mortal incarnations. This one will make the offerings in the woods here, and then cast the spell to call upon him as a supplicant. This one thanks you for your guidance, Elder Marethari." They bow deeply, despite sitting. 

[NPCs]

"It was my pleasure. And no less than you and yours were owed," Marethari says softly, glancing towards the kitchen were Carver and Merrill are chatting as Bethany cleans ups. "This is the happiest I've seen Merrill in... far, far too long. She... She has a great deal of trouble... fitting in."

[Varric]

"Given what we heard, I'd say her big trouble isn't fitting it, it's the shit people do to her," Varric says bluntly, almost aggressively. Carver isn't the only one that sees a bit of Beth in the elf. Or a bit of Carver, for that matter.