(2024-10-02) Vocations for Worgen

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Sarandis and Velrin come to the Howling Oak in Darnassus to make better acquaintance of the worgen there. They meet Callyna, who seems uncertain about her future, and Thaniel, who seems certain about his present. ~3200 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Callyna is sitting besides her hound, Finley, brushing his fur with her fingers as it naps near the waters of the Howling Oak.

Sarandis walks into the Howling Oak with some nervousness, a foreign space in her familiar home. She's wearing her usual armor with no tabard, her green hair pulled back loosely so that the scarring down the right side of her face is visible.

Thaniel sits by the water with a pile of long-stemmed flowers next to him, weaving them together into a garland.

Sarandis looks around at the people in human and worgen form. She pauses her gaze at Callyna's dog in uncertainty, likely wondering if this is some new type of worgen.

Thaniel says softly, "Hello."
[Thaniel]: Are you looking for someone?

Callyna's gaze linger towards the flower garlands going on on the other side of the waters. She then senses Sarandis's gaze and look back at her. Her gaze softens as she spots the burns on Sarandis's face.

Sarandis startles at the soft voice, and addresses him in careful Common. "No, not exactly. I only… realized I had never come here. And thought perhaps I should. You are… a worgen?"

Thaniel nods. "Mmhm."

Sarandis glances from Thaniel to Callyna and her dog. "And you…?"

[Callyna]: I am. I'm… Have you met worgen before?

Sarandis shakes her head mutely, and then adds, "No, I have not. I have seen your kind in Darnassus, naturally. You joined the Alliance close to the time the Highborne rejoined us. I hope you have… felt welcome?"

Thaniel weaves a flower into his garland. "My name is Thaniel Clay."

[Sarandis]: Thaniel Clay. I am happy to meet you. My name is Sarandis Wildbloom.

Callyna's gaze lowers to the waters. "Your leaders gave us a home. We are as welcome as can be."
[Callyna]: Oh! *She realizes introduction are in order.* I'm Callyna.

Thaniel smiles vaguely at Sarandis.

[Sarandis]: Callyna. And this is… *Sarandis gestures at the dog. She is making no assumptions.*

[Callyna]: Finley. *She smiles, though her guard isn't fully down*. A hound, from Gilneas.
[Callyna]: Hounds are… a type of dog. *She explains, just in case night elves have never seen hounds.*

[Sarandis]: Ah, a pet. *Sarandis nods quietly. She settles down on a tree stump by the water, still eyeing the human-form and worgen-form people curiously.* May I ask what you do, here in Darnassus?

Thaniel looks down at the garland in his hands, then at Sarandis. "Do? I help tend the land."

Velrin makes her way into the Howling Oak and looks around to see if there's anyone there who might need some help.

Callyna gently pats Finley, whose snoring gently fill the Oak. She seems to feel Velrin's entrance and moves sideways so as to have her in her line of sight.

Velrin sees a scarred, green-haired kaldorei woman sitting between a visibly human man and a worgen with a Gilnean hound.

[Thaniel]: Denalan. He grows plants. I help him.

[Sarandis]: You are… a druid? Or do you mean a gardener? *Sarandis's brow draws down.* Or a farmer?

Callyna looks back at Sarandis, although Velrin is in her peripheral vision. "We call them Harvest witches, in Gilneas." She pauses. "Called them."

Thaniel looks like this is a confusing question. "I'm a harvest witch." He smiles vaguely at Velrin. "Hello."

[Sarandis]: You may still call a thing so, even if the land is gone. *Sarandis says quietly.* We still call them Highborne, though we no longer have the system that revered them.

Velrin's ears perk up. She recognizes Sarandis from the new Kalimdor squad. "Hello." Velrin says cheerfully, "How are you today?"

Sarandis looks over to see Velrin, and a crooked smile comes to her face. "Velrin. I remember you, from the first day with Cobalt. I am well. I hope you are. Do you know these two?"

[Thaniel]: I'm Thaniel Clay. Hello.

[Velrin]: I'm doing well too, thank you. *she regards the two Gilneans, "And no, I don't think I've met these ones. *she takes a second to bow* I am Velrin Silverbloom. It's nice to meet you.

Thaniel just smiles at her and continues weaving his flower garland.

[Sarandis]: Thaniel was explaining that he is a harvest witch.

Callyna pauses, her eyes half-closed. "I suppose I just thought… We should adapt to our new environment. Use their words, eventually." She nods at Velrin. "I'm Callyna."

[Velrin]: Harvest Witch… that's like a druid, right?

Callyna nods at Velrin.

[Thaniel]: Some of us are.

[Velrin]: I see. *Vel nods* I used to know a few harvest witches a long time ago.

[Callyna]: A long time ago?

[Sarandis]: It wasn't so long ago that Gilneas was an open land. Merely a decade or so.

[Velrin]: I've been to Gilneas before. *she waves a hand in front of her face dismissively.* It's a long story.

Callyna looks up at Velrin with wide, curious doe-eyes.

[Velrin]: It's a beautiful country, though. It's a shame what's become of it. *she frowns*

Callyna nods sadly. "There's so much that could have been done differently to prevent such tragedy…"

Velrin nods to Callyna, "Perhaps one day you'll be able to go back. Goddess willing."

[Sarandis]: I have mostly been in Kalimdor for my life, *Sarandis says, considering* Except for recently, when I allowed myself to be whisked to the center of the sea. Children can sometimes lead you down paths you would not otherwise walk. I hope I may see your homeland one day.

[Callyna]: I hope so too.

[Thaniel]: Can you swim?

[Sarandis]: I… yes. But I am less strong a swimmer than I once was.

[Thaniel]: Good.
Thaniel smiles dreamily. It sure would be bad to be whisked to the center of the sea if you couldn't swim.

[Sarandis]: I was, however, on a ship. They assured me it would be safe.

[Thaniel]: Oh.

[Callyna]: Maybe, if we go back to Gilneas, we'll be more prepared to guard our land. Maybe our harvest witches could befriend some of those guardians you have.

Velrin moves to be closer to the rest of the group and takes a seat.

[Sarandis]: The ancient guardians? They are very powerful. I have recently worked alongside them to rid our land of trolls to the north, and to assist in protecting Darkshore from elemental disturbances. They would be a valuable ally.

[Thaniel]: They're nice.

Velrin's ears droop a little hearing about conflict with trolls.

[Sarandis]: …Perhaps they are also nice, yes.

Callyna nods, though she seems a little uncertain at the 'they're nice' answer. "With those warriors you have, maybe Darnassus could be impregnable."

[Velrin]: We have a lot of advantages in our defense here between the sea and the tree itself.

Callyna looks at Thaniel. "I don't know if the sea helped us. I wasn't… there, for most of the time Gilneas was under attack."

[Thaniel]: I didn't live by the sea.

[Sarandis]: Most of the land here is by the sea, so you may become better acquainted.
[Sarandis]: As for those warriors… the Sentinels, you mean?

Callyna turns to Sarandis. "Yes, the Sentinels. I watched them train."

Velrin looks a little awkward at the mention of the Sentinels, like she's not sure if she should speak up or not.

Callyna pulls out a sketchbook from her satchel. She looks at a page for a moment. Aaah, the Sentinels.

Velrin leans over to look at the sketchbook.

[Sarandis]: The Sentinels are a powerful force. I was with them, up until the Battle at Mount Hyjal.

The page Callyna is looking at is of a drawing she made of a Sentinel during her training. The sketch has been decorated with vivid touches of colors, including velvet blood sprayed around by the woman's large movement with her weapon.
[Callyna]: You were?

[Sarandis]: I was. For many years. My people are… fairly long-lived.

[Velrin]: Are you interested in the Sentinels?

[Callyna]: I've noticed. Twenty years ago isn't a long time for you, as you said.
[Callyna]: I… I'm intrigued by them.

Sarandis looks curiously at Thaniel's flower garland, but nods. "Not a long time, but much can change, I have found. What intrigues you, precisely?"

Velrin perks her ears and looks at Callyna.

Callyna shakes her head. "I just find them fascinating. Strong."
Callyna looks at Finley. He's drooling everywhere in his sleep. The drool joins the pure waters of the Howling Oak. Oh no.

[Velrin]: The Sentinels are strong, yes.

Sarandis does not seem to be bothered by the drool in the water. "They have a long history. Many thousands of years."

[Callyna]: They remind me of the Gilnean Rangers, in a way.

[Sarandis]: Oh? Is that an order that you have brought with you from Gilneas?

Velrin giggles at the sleeping dog, "Ranger skills are a huge part of what we train, so I'm not surprised."

Callyna shrugs one shoulder. "They're not as big or as important as they used to be."
[Callyna]: Some are still here.
[Callyna]: I thought I could become one of them, when I was little.

[Sarandis]: Perhaps you still might. *Sarandis suggests* I expect your people will work alongside our military, but maintain your identities. Or… I have also heard some have joined the mercenary company Velrin and I work for - Cobalt."

Velrin clears her throat and glances around furtively.

Sarandis looks around as well. Are there assassins?

Callyna also looks around. Why is everyone looking for assassins.

Velrin is an assassin.

Thaniel looks like he's off in his own little mental world again. Put flower into garland.

[Callyna]: Oh, no! I'm not strong enough to be a Ranger or to train alongside the Sentinels, and not smart enough to become an investigator for our army.

Sarandis returns her attention to Callyna. "The young often underestimate their capabilities, but I am sure with time you will find your place."

Callyna is still looking for assassins. "Well, that's the thing. If I had started training earlier in life… Maybe." She's in her early twenties.

Velrin nods at Sarandis, "It took me a long time to find my place too, but I think I'm starting to figure it out."

Sarandis smiles briefly at Velrin.
[Sarandis]: My own daughter was unsuitable for the Sentinels, not for lack of strength but for lack of… interest. She is a druid now, and has found others to guide her path there. Caspis Silvershade as her shan'do, and a man called Thorn, among others.

[Callyna]: So you need strength and interest to join the Sentinels, hmm… *She whispers to herself.*

[Sarandis]: I find that if one is not interested in a thing, it is difficult to find the drive to do it well.

[Velrin]: Did you… want to join the Sentinels?

[Callyna]: No, no, that would be ridiculous. *She looks away. She really did consider it.*
[Callyna]: I'd need to be one of the best warriors among the worgens to even be considered as a recruit for the Sentinels, I bet.

[Sarandis]: I have no idea if they are even considering worgen recruits. But with how I hear things are going in Ashenvale, they may be recruiting.

Velrin frowns, "Well if you need to be the best, then isn't that all the more reason to train?"

Sarandis glances over to Thaniel, busy with flowers and uninterested in talk of soldiers, with a small, soft smile. He may remind her of someone.

[Callyna]: I- I'm not considering joining. And even if I was, what if they reject me? What if I train and it's still not enough? What if I was just never able to catch up to the centuries you get to train?

[Sarandis]: Sometimes people will reject you. That is not a good reason to… to surrender before the battle has started.

[Velrin]: W-well… you never know unless you try, right? I had to beg for them to let me in because I was too young.

[Callyna]: Just because of age? *She looks worriedly at Velrin.*

[Velrin]: I… I was just a little girl at the time. I-I know it's not quite the same as for humans. You're expected to grow up so fast. I was 22 at the time.

Callyna is probably around 22. "Oh."
[Callyna]: I don't know. I'm probably more likely to join a mercenary company if I ever decide to fight. Cobalt, you said?

[Sarandis]: Yes, they have extended at least a welcome to a pack called Gravehowl.
Sarandis has no idea if any of these people are Gravehowls.

Thaniel looks up. "Yes?"

[Callyna]: I've heard of the Gravehowls. They seem pretty… close. *That exclusive club that turned each other into werewolves.*

[Thaniel]: That's my pack.

[Sarandis]: Oh! *Sarandis looks back to Thaniel* Have you joined Cobalt Company? We may be colleagues.

Thaniel shakes his head no. "I'm not a mercenary."

[Callyna]: Is it for them you're making garlands? They're… for protection? *She guesses.*

[Thaniel]: They're for the tree.

[Sarandis]: The Howling Oak?

Thaniel points up to where some similar garlands are hung in the roots above them.
[Thaniel]: Mmhm.

Callyna looks up. "Oh."

[Velrin]: They're very pretty. *Velrin smiles at Thaniel.*

Callyna nods at Velrin.

Sarandis smiles again, made crooked by the scars on her cheek. "Well, some of your packmates must be my colleagues, though I have not met them. I am not certain how packs work. Are you recruited into them or born into them?"

Thaniel smiles back at Velrin. "Thank you."
[Thaniel]: I think it's probably that first one.
[Thaniel]: All of us were born as humans.

[Sarandis]: That makes sense. And you were not all siblings. *Sarandis gestures to Callyna* Then that may be a path to Cobalt, if you search for one. Pack recruitment.

[Callyna]: I don't know if I'd bring anything to the table that will interest the Gravehowls.

[Thaniel]: I don't know why they would only recruit from one pack. That's silly.
[Thaniel]: I don't know if worgen can have children. Or if the children will be cursed. I've never thought about it before.

[Sarandis]: I would think you could? Our druids are not infertile, though they also turn into animals. My own daughter's father was such a one. The curse is stronger than a druid's usual transformations, but I would assume it would not affect something like that.

[Callyna]: Could we… not have children?
Callyna looks even more worried than before.

Velrin tears up a little at even the thought that the worgen wouldn't be able to have children.

Callyna strokes Finley's fur for reassurance.

[Thaniel]: Oh, I don't know.

[Sarandis]: As for Cobalt and Gravehowl, I cannot speak as to why. I only know what I have read in the newsletter, that we have welcomed the one pack.
[Sarandis]: Perhaps they plan also to welcome others?

[Velrin]: I-I don't see why Cobalt wouldn't allow others to join.

Thaniel smiles at Callyna. "What do you actually want to do?"

[Callyna]: I don't… know.

[Thaniel]: Well… maybe that's the first thing to figure out.

Sarandis nods.

[Callyna]: As I said, I'm not strong, I'm not smart, I freeze when I'm afraid. I don't know how I could be useful to the Gravehowls, the Gilnean Rangers or the Sentinels.

[Thaniel]: You draw pictures.
[Thaniel]: I remember that.

[Velrin]: Well you sound like you want to be a Sentinel or a ranger.

Callyna strokes FInley who growls softly as if saying'I'm here, it's okay'. But still sleepy. "I do draw pictures, yes. I paint."

[Callyna]: I'm… Those are children's dreams…
Callyna looks at Velrin as she says the last part.

[Thaniel]: Are you just trying to talk yourself out of your dreams because you're scared of being disappointed?

[Callyna]: I… *She looks straight at Thaniel, then around as if looking for those assassins from earlier.* Things hardly ever go as planned.

[Sarandis]: My daughter's half-sister is a painter. I have not met her, but I am certain I could contrive to introduce you, should you like to see what that life may be like.

Callyna looks at Sarandis. "She's making a living out of it?"

[Sarandis]: Well, she is also a Sentinel. But she is a painter.

[Callyna]: She's both? *She looks a little confused.*

Thaniel looks like he has been handed a puzzle and he doesn't know what to do with it. He sits there, staring off into the middle distance.

[Sarandis]: She is, yes. Both.

[Callyna]: I… Maybe I could meet her, yes.
[Callyna]: For the art part.

[Velrin]: If you want to speak with the Sentinels, I could introduce you to a commander.

[Callyna]: That's… I don't want to bother them. They must be busy…

Sarandis shrugs. "I will ask my daughter to make an introduction for you. She is recently back from the bottom of the sea."

[Velrin]: It's no trouble really…

[Thaniel]: I think you're trying to sabotage yourself because you're scared. You shouldn't do that.
[Thaniel]: Sometimes things go badly and that's okay.
[Thaniel]: But if you don't try then you won't know if it could have worked out or not.

Callyna looks down at her front paws on her knees. Sometimes things go badly…
[Callyna]: Maybe…
[Callyna]: Maybe I could meet the Sentinels too, yes. So I can ask to paint them during their training.

Sarandis smiles. "That is a good thought. Whatever comes of it, you will gain something."

[Thaniel]: Mmhm.

[Callyna]: I appreciate the help, really. *She nods at everyone, getting up.* I don't know if any of it will lead… anywhere…
That's the end of her sentence.

[Velrin]: Goddess willing. *Vel offers her a smile.*

[Sarandis]: Sometimes it doesn't need to. You will find your path one day.

Thaniel smiles at her.

Callyna scratches her addresses on three pieces of paper from her sketchbook. "Here, to let everyone know how to contact me. If they want to, of course." She hands them each a piece.

Thaniel takes it and tucks it into his satchel.

Velrin takes the paper and slips it into her pocket, "Thank you."

Sarandis takes the paper and looks at it, and then nods, tucking it away. "You will likely be able to find me in Ashenvale, but I am not certain of my address. I expect I will be somewhere there, for work, in the near future."

[Thaniel]: I sleep here usually.

[Callyna]: Maybe… I'll see you there.
[Callyna]: And maybe I'll see you here.

Sarandis smiles. "It is good to build connections such as these."

Callyna nods. She doesn't seem certain but she nods.
[Callyna]: I should probably get going. Thank you for the conversation. I haven't really… talked in a while.

[Thaniel]: Goodbye.

[Callyna]: You didn't really meet the right worgen for a first introduction. I'm sorry. *She bows her head to Sarandis.*

[Sarandis]: I am pleased to have met you both. And to see you again, Velrin.

Callyna nods.

Velrin wiggles her ears, "It was nice to see you all as well."

[Callyna]: I'll see you again, maybe. I hope.
Callyna begins walking away. As if on cue, Finley wakes up, jumps to his feet and rushes to join her as she leaves.

[Sarandis]: I hope so. *Sarandis rises as well* I should return to my duties. I hope you continue to make the tree beautiful, Thaniel.

Finley barks happily after her.

Velrin also stands, "I ought to go as well. I have some personal matters to attend to."

[Sarandis]: Take care, Velrin.

Thaniel smiles and gives them a little wave.