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A Diversion from the Trollmoors (4554 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Drizzt Do'Urden vs Artemis Entreri
Characters: Bruenor Battlehammer, Drizzt Do'Urden, Wulfgar son of Beornegar, Regis [The Legend of Drizzt Series], Original Character(s)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, point of break is streams of silver, Ensemble Cast, Minor Character Death, Canon Typical Violence
Summary:

Kolarven, chosen by Alustriel to lead a diplomatic visitation, comes upon a battle on the edge of the Evermoors.

A Diversion from the Trollmoors

When Kolarven had agreed that they were possibly the best suited Knight in Silver to handle a diplomatic mission around the edge of the Silver Marches, they had hand-picked their group. Talaris was the only Spellguard they wanted for such a long journey, and having an older, decorated Knight like Mikhail was a good choice. With both Knights between squires at the moment, they looked a bit less like an armed war party. Bard Ruggero traveled with only one servant and one bodyguard, and all three had proven proficient in their horsemanship.

That Talaris could, and would, call for further aid if warranted made the small party work for quicker travel on the circuit that began in Everlund and circled so far south and west as Triboar and Yartar before looping back around and up through Nesme. Kolarven's instincts had proven correct, as the armor on both the Knights and their horses had done much to dissuade brigands from attacking six mounted beings.

Privately, Kolarven was all but certain Ruggero's bodyguard, a woman of almost six and a half feet in height had likely given as much pause as the armor visible. Now that they were on the Surbrin Trace between Mornbryn's Shield and Nesme, Kolarven was grateful to have her intimidating stature and axe, for they had to pass through lands far too close to the Evermoors for comfort.

Leryth, Kolarven's gelding, and Jemson, Mikhail's fine stud, both swiveled their ears forward at about the same time Ruggero's mare gave a nervous prance. Kolarven and Talaris listened with all they were and picked up the sound of battle ahead, pricking at their conscience. They had a diplomat and non-combatant to protect, but they also had sworn vows to aid all in need within the Silver Marches.

"Do I hear a martial strain ahead, good saers?" Ruggero asked, cheerful enough. "Let us hasten, and be of aid, if possible."

"If you are certain," Kolarven said, while Mikhail was focusing enough with his human ears to be more aware of it.

"I will, as agreed upon, remain back with Derevo, and Kali will aid with you," Ruggero said.

"I have defensive spells ready to place around you," Talaris agreed to that, and then the party, as one, picked up speed on the trace. The clash of blades all but came to a stop before the party could see the battle sight, but words carried in harsh voices.

"Foul company you keep, dwarf!"

"Your friend would be dead if it were not for that foul company! And he repays the drow with a blade!"

Drow.

Kolarven's shoulders rolled a bit even as they eased off the speed, coming into full view of the splintered bog blokes, dead or dying Riders and mounts, as well as five still upon their horses, facing a barbarian standing protectively over a downed — yes, that white hair indicated a drow — fighter while a dwarf in a dented, one-horned helmet shook his own axe menacingly at the men of Nesme.

"Hold your violence, both sides of this," Kolarven said, actually leaning into both their station as a Knight-Sergeant and their elven presence. "I see by the evidence that the inhabitants of the Moors spilled onto the trace, but what is this that Nesme threatens travelers that joined battle, by yon tribesman's word?"

"It is none of your concern," the lead rider spit, worked up into a fettle by the mere presence of a drow apparently, and neglecting his downed men. Kolarven raked a glance over the man, trying to place the flat small features of this human against Riders he knew of.

"Saer, you, and they, are currently impeding a diplomatic party of Silverymoon," Talaris called, trying to defuse this, and to ignore a drow that was not yet dead. "Pray put aside your violence and see to your men. We will wait, and keep an eye on the strangers."

"This isn't Silverymoon, nor nearer to her borders than ours!" the enraged man shot back. "There's a murderous drow right there, and we'll not let him pass!"

"We wish only to go our own way," said drow called back in a quiet, but carrying tone.

"Aye, as all we heard of Nesme seems to be lies among cowards after all!" the dwarf snapped.

Kolarven spared a moment to hope for patience in someone present, before leveling their gaze at the dwarf. "Diplomacy," they stressed, "is needed in the moment."

Mikhail cleared his throat to cut the dwarf's temperamental rebuttal off. "Saers, the Riders are charged to keep the Evermoors' inhabitants across the river. I suggest listening to the Knight-Sergeant's advice, and not aggravate this when there are men down, possibly dying."

"Already dead," one of the riders called, sparing a glance at the nearest body.

"Not the one who attacked my friend, though he might wish it," the barbarian said. "These new men speak truth, Riders. Gather up your dead and wounded, and leave us in peace."

"I won't let a lying, sorcerous dog of a drow — "

"Silence!" Kolarven shouted, cutting across all further words and the readying for further fighting. "I will personally escort them past your lands, if that is the direction they mean to go. Unless, Saer Rider, you wish to offend a diplomat charged by Lady Silverhand herself, and provoke our city?"

"Her reach is not so far!"

"Linder!" one of the other hissed.

"The good Knight speaks true," Ruggero said, "for your city calls upon ours for magical aid to beat back the Evermoors quite regularly. Do you wish to increase your duty so much? Are you so heartless as to ignore the suffering of your men who yet breathe in such pain as their injuries must provoke?"

"It is a drow!"

Kolarven shifted their weight, and Leryth shifted with it, making a better show of the muscle that the horse had to carry a Knight so well. "I will never understand how you humans manage to live with such fear knotted in your bellies around enemies that were never yours, that have inflicted maybe a tiny fraction of the indignities my own have seen!"

For the moment, they threw all of their human heritage aside, because this was beyond ridiculous.

"Pick. Up. Your. Men." Kolarven gestured, and Mikhail pushed forward, followed by Talaris, creating an equine wall between the three strangers — four? where had that halfling come from, the one who was steadying the drow? — and the Riders. "Unless, Saer Rider, you are willing to start a trade war, here and now."

"This will not be the last of it!"

"Please do send word to my aunt, Lady Silverhand, with all that happened today." Kolarven's invitation was icy, stressing the word 'all', even as they made certain to make a point of getting the travelers' version… even if it meant speaking with a drow. They very, very rarely leaned into the kinship, fully honorary but chosen, between themself and the lady they served.

This idiot had needed it, from the chalky look the idiot got.

To the travelers' credit, they stayed behind the equine shield, though on high alert for treachery, if the hands on hilts of hammer, axe, and swords were anything to go by.

It took some time, but eventually the Riders were on their way, riding as swiftly as the now double-burdened mounts could manage.

"I apologize for this incident," the drow offered once the Riders were gone.

"Bah, shove it, me elf. My boy says ye saved the one's life and were attacked for it; they got what they deserved."

"But these goodly people should not have had to intervene," the drow said mildly. "Saers, as we are no longer able to seek refuge in Nesme for a night to rest, we do ask if we can walk alongside your party until we are past it."

"We lost our mounts in the storms," the halfling said quickly. "And we hate to slow your party down, but we also do not want a fight with them."

"Here, lad," Ruggero said with a smile to the other halfling. "You can ride with me, and if the dwarf will ride with my servant Derevo, I think your longer-legged friends can keep pace with the walk of the horses."

"We do not know your names, nor have we given ours," the barbarian said, showing, yet again to Kolarven's happy surprise, that he was a man of manners.

"Pardon," Kolarven told him. "The Bard Ruggero, his servant Derevo, his bodyguard Kali. Our wizard is Talaris, my fellow Knight is Mikhail, and I am Kolarven."

"I'm Regis, this is Drizzt, that is Wulfgar, and he's Bruenor," the halfling said quickly, making Kolarven wonder if he was forestalling longer, more complete introductions on purpose.

"Come. They've had enough time to get ahead," Kolarven said, prompting Bruenor and Regis to go to the mounts indicated. And, as Ruggero had predicted, neither the drow — that looked like customary ranger garb — nor the barbarian had trouble keeping up at all.

---

With several rests through the day, they still had not actually cleared Nesme, and Kolarven called a halt in the last protected spot they could think of to keep from crossing Nesme's outer traffic by night. Twice, the drow had cast darkness to the side of the trace that face the Evermoors, confounding some of the smaller creatures that haunted the edges, seeking unwary victims.

It was… startling, both in the actions themselves, and to see a non-aggressive stance being taken by a drow. Kolarven knew of goodly drow, but all the tales they knew spoke of keeping hidden, and marks of the sword or moon in their clothing. While this one wore two curving blades of equal length, he looked — once you got past hair and skin — like most any scout or ranger of the area. A couple of times, as the drow unconsciously took point on the trace they followed, Kolarven could have sworn the darker threads in the green cloak depicted a unicorn, but dismissed it as fanciful notions wrought by being a citizen of Silverymoon.

"Now that we have a bit of time," Ruggero began, as bellies were being filled, "we should have your side of the tale, travelers. Tomorrow we will cross the frontage of Nesme, home to the Riders we parted from hostility with you."

"Aye, as they may yet try tae pick a fight again," the dwarf, Bruenor, answered, and Kolarven focused on him first. "Me boy there with his long legs ran on ahead as we heard the fighting. Rumblebelly — Regis, that is — followed the three of us. I'd made the fight ahead o' me elf, because he's not one for rushing in."

The strangled noise from Wulfgar suggested otherwise, and Kolarven saw a smirk under the purple eyes of the drow.

"We only gave aid, as our natures demand of us," Wulfgar picked up. "But my teacher," and he nodded to Drizzt, "had given that aid, and been laid out from dodging the axe of the one he protected from being pulped by the wooden creatures. I did throw the horse down, and injure the man, I will acknowledge, but my loyalty to my friends comes ahead of much, and I cannot abide the cowardice of a strike against one who aided!"

"Not a one of them moved to help any of their fellows," Regis said. "They were all just yelling at Drizzt, and us, because no one will look past his skin!"

"I gave fair warning that was how it would be," Drizzt said quietly. "Seven years I wandered below the Spine. Seven years of finding nowhere to let me remain. Often violently reinforcing that point."

"How came you by DeBrouchee's Bow?" Ruggero asked, and all of Silverymoon's people saw the drow startle and sit up straighter against his tree.

"You know his mark?"

"An owl, as was his Companion. The tale of he and his friends against the red was still fresh when I started learning my trade so long ago."

Drizzt dropped his face to hide it, but Kolarven did not feel there was deceit in the motion. The body language spoke of an emotional struggle.

"Montolio DeBrouchee took me in, my second spring above, and he trained me until just past the midwinter that same year, exacting a promise that I would not remain in his glade once he had passed. That I travel, and seek a place to belong." Drizzt looked at each of his three friends. "I have learned that such a home is less a place, and more connections with others.

"He died, and by his own wishes, I took his bow, his quiver, and his cloak. All of them have seen me through adventures, and preserved my life nearly as much as my blades have."

"Saer Kolarven, if the Riders do attempt to initiate hostilities again," Ruggero called, "remind them that starting fights with the favored of Mielikki in this region is even more of an offense than merely upsetting trade with our city."

Kolarven let their eyes wonder in amazement at that. "I do not know the ranger you speak of, though I am certain my cousin Tarthilmor can fill me in, as you mentioned a dragon." All of them had a slight laugh for that before they continued. "But I welcome that advice. Is She your patron, or merely that of your teacher?"

They directed the question back to Drizzt, certain that something was amiss in all of this compared to tales of the goodly drow, but uncertain why.

"She had seen fit to guide me, given I am inclined to tolerate very little in the way of spoiling the wilds," Drizzt agreed. "In the north, I was more apt to claim Gwaeron Windstrom due to their peculiar associations with masculine prominence, but Mielikki is the true patron."

"Well, all of that will be helpful, if there are idiots tomorrow," Kolarven said in a cheerful tone.

"Now that we have a bit more of the ranger there, who would care to put forth their own character references now?" Ruggero invited with a smile. "It's not every day that I have the luck of seeing a walking tavern tale."

Wulfgar looked puzzled, but Regis started giggling. "A dwarf, a barbarian, and a halfling walk into a tavern with a drow — oh that is funny when you point at it!"

Seeing his small friend be so amused put the barbarian more at ease, and then he did smile. "I am the latest to this assortment, so I shall answer first. I am Wulfgar son of Beornegar, once of the Tribe of Elk, now of the combined tribes of those that hunt along the Reghed Glacier.

"Several years past, when I was barely more than a boy — "

"Ye were one still," Bruenor interjected.

" — the tribes massed and attacked Ten Towns," Wulfgar continued, having paused just long enough to let Bruenor be heard. "I survived, because Bruenor took compassion on me, and indentured me after the fighting, rather than allow me to be killed by my people or the Towns' folk. When my service was almost done, he introduced me to Drizzt as my new teacher."

"Somewhat reluctantly on both sides of that introduction," Drizzt admitted. "But yes, and you have made much of what I shared with you."

"Ye both needed it," Bruenor growled, blustery in tone, but affection for the two men still evident to those who knew dwarves.

"And you, my very distant cousin?" Ruggero asked of Regis, even as the darker halfling squirmed a little.

"We're not all really related," Regis told Wulfgar before he could worry himself over that, "but it is a matter of courtesy, when halflings meet away from halfling places.

"Not much to say of me; I was a Spokesman for a time, but now I am just trying to help my friends."

Something in how the other three appraised Regis left Kolarven certain that there was far more at stake there.

"Which leaves me," Bruenor said after a long moment. "Me boy agreed tae help me quest openly, and while I did trick me elf into giving his word for it at long last, needed doing. Staying up there wasn't going tae be a good thing as tempers run hot in the re-building." He studied the pair of knights, the wizard, then the bard and his two people. "Me name is Bruenor Battlehammer, chieftain tae what remains of Clan Battlehammer and I be seeking me long-lost Hall."

There was a long silence with just the faint crackle of the carefully banked fire.

"The name is known, but the where is not," Ruggero told the dwarf. "Seek the clan Rockcrusher, once you reach Silverymoon, and employ them to help scour the histories within the Vault of the Sages, perhaps… they are a clan given to academic matters.

"But, in all honesty, you would be better suited to breaking from the road to our city after High Hold, and turning toward the forest, to seek the Herald's Holdfast. If the current Herald can be moved by your tale, he could grant access to the Hall of the Dwarves, where all knowledge that is known of your people would be found."

"Elf?" Bruenor called, getting a contemplative look.

"If this place is before the city, better to do as advised, and only seek Silverymoon if the Holdfast cannot provide," Drizzt finally answered. "Or else, we might find ourselves needlessly backtracking, and we have already lost many days on the road, if we are to be able to return north with the news before the winter storms begin."

"Winter is some time away," Mikhail pointed out.

"Yes, for this region. It will only barely be mid-autumn for you before those passes are closed to all travelers. Once we find our clue where to look, we will have to explore. This is why I am counseling as I do," Drizzt said.

"Ahh, I do forget the further north you go, the quicker winter brings her grip to bear," Mikhail told him.

"Now that we know more, so that we can stand surety tomorrow — if needed — I suggest we all sleep, and begin on the road at first light," Kolarven said.

"Agreed," came from Bruenor, while Ruggero nodded to the necessity.

---

Passing Nesme happened without incident.

Kolarven had reason to wish they had been detained there instead of this fight that had found them.

A wizard, two fighters, and a flesh-construct with a woman the dwarf's party knew was bad enough. But one fighter — the Calimshite, if Kolarven was placing coloring and clothing correctly — had taken down Mikhail by killing his horse under him almost before any of them had known there was a threat so close.

"Protect your bard!" Bruenor yelled, even as he and Wulfgar teamed with attacks on the rest of the party. Talaris had a wall of force up to try and hold the construct back long enough to use his sending stone. Kali was guarding Ruggero and Derevo, her massive axe more than enough threat that the Luskan fighter could not close in.

And the ranger! Kolarven could only hope to be that fine-skilled some day! The drow, almost before Mikhail's horse hit the ground, had leaped over to defend the knight. Blades flashed with speed the likes of which Kolarven had never seen in their life!

Despite only just being freed of the odd party, the woman that had cried their only warning was taking up the ranger's discarded bow and quiver, aiming for the fighter and wizard pair. The arrow meant for the wizard went astray — magical protection no doubt — but the fighter fell to one in his eye.

That was about the moment that Talaris got his sending out, and Kolarven tightened up the defense with him and Kali so that Ruggero would be unharmed. Regis, who had gone shockingly pale on seeing the attackers, had fallen back to them, but had his mace in hand, ready in case anything made it through.

Time after time, Wulfgar's mighty hammer flew high and accurate into the construct, as the wall of force was set just off from where Wulfgar had been walking. The construct was not coming to where the wall ended, and just kept shuddering and taking damage, as it was intent on getting to the ranger, it seemed.

"Me ranger! He killed clan!" the bow-using woman shouted across the battlefield. Kolarven spared a glance that way, having realized the attackers only wanted the dwarf's party. What they saw raised the ancestral fear of drow all over again, as the fight went from a near stalemate to something far more favoring the ranger.

Kolarven didn't get to see more of it, as the air-displacing pop of a mass-teleport happened, and two more Spellguards brought their magic to bear on the construct, allowing Talaris to breathe and ready a better spell for ensnaring the wizard controlling the construct. He didn't get the chance, as the dwarf got to her first, following behind a volley of more deflected arrows.

The Knights in Silver that had also come to aid were circling to get to Mikhail, as the ranger had pushed the fight away from the downed man and horse. Kolarven looked that way just in time to see the Calimshite run into the invisible wall of force. Both drow and human were bleeding, but more on the human's side, and that sudden obstacle was just enough break in concentration for the ranger to land a killing thrust.

Like a wounded boar, the Calimshite tried to fight his way up the blade to hit the ranger with his knife, but the drow was too canny, twisting his body, and the blade, just right to finish the kill.

Two disintegratespells landed almost simultaneously on the construct, removing first one section and then enough of the rest to end that fight.

The ranger hadn't moved, and the woman hastened to his side, though she did not yet touch him. Kolarven looked to see who had come to their aid, even as they hurried to call out for everyone to look outwards, just in case of reinforcements, making their way to Mikhail.

"I'm not finishing this trip," the human knight said ruefully, while the pair helping him tried to determine how bad the leg was.

"What happened?" Jastinathiel asked her former squire as Kolarven reached them.

"We'd taken company with a party of travelers," Kolarven began. "The ones that are dead attacked without warning as we came past that last copse of trees. The Luskans were holding the young woman by the ranger captive; she cried warning, but nothing could have been fast enough against the Calimshite.

"The dwarf is the leader of the travelers we aided, and he told us to defend Ruggero and ourselves, which is what we mostly fell back to."

"Couldn't let that thing trample in," Talaris said as he made it to them, shaking his head. "It happened so damned fast."

"Something like that on the roads we use needed dealt with," Jasti reassured them both. "Alright, we'll take Mikhail on; any other injured?"

Kolarven looked to the ranger first, seeing that Drizzt had knelt, the young woman with a hand on his shoulder now. They swept their gaze over dwarf and barbarian, then back to the pair of halflings with servant and bodyguard both watching so keenly.

"Something tells me the ranger will refuse aid," Kolarven said, even as they realized the knights and Spellguards were only just realizing a drow was present. "So, no, unless someone has a potion I can try and convince him to use?"

"Aiding a drow?" Jasti asked, eyes wide.

"Of Mielikki," Kolarven pressed.

"Now I've heard everything."

"Oh, wait until we get to the city," Mikhail said with thin lips from the pain, but amused nonetheless.

"If you're here, you only have Rivermoot and High Hold left?" Jasti asked.

"Yes. Take Mikhail, give me a potion. Talaris and I will see this through, since neither you or Crispen are mounted."

"How about you put your people to camp for the day," Jasti suggested, "and one of us will return with a horse to finish the route?"

"We could do that," Kolarven agreed, now that she had settled from the instant suspicion of the drow.

"Then we will."

---

Kolarven took the time, as the group came to the best point to part ways, to go stand in front of the party of five.

"If the Herald cannot aid, come to us in Silverymoon," they told Bruenor seriously. "I swear by my sword that the lady of the city will do all she can to see Clan Battlehammer restored to their Hall, wherever it may be." Kolarven then looked up at Wulfgar and grinned. "You, and Regis there, I will take drinking! You deserve to see the best of our taverns!"

"Oh, that sounds delightful!" Regis said with a giggle, having recovered from his guilt under Catti-brie's serious counseling.

"Until we meet again," Catti-brie said for them all, but Kolarven shook their head, and held his hand, palm open, out to their ranger.

Startled, Drizzt reached, and was soon clasping wrists with Kolarven as the half-elf made a solid show of support.

"Whenever you draw your blades, saer, I have faith that Mielikki does guide them, and hope to see you in the Glade someday soon," Kolarven told him.

"Saer, you and your friends have convinced me that one day, I shall be there," Drizzt promised, before letting go.

The party from Silverymoon waited for the group on foot to clear the road fully, not wishing to stir the dust as they moved on. Once they were a good distance from the road, Kolarven led the way forward, intent on finishing the diplomatic mission, and their head full of the lessons learned in the last days' adventure.

---

Kolarven was glad of the fine brandy that Alustriel had set out for them. It really helped them endure the scowl from their uncle, even as the lady herself was looking more than slightly impressed — and intrigued.

"Old Knight has not reached out to me," she finally said, "so perhaps he was able to aid them fully. We will, of course, instruct any patrols in that direction to keep an eye for a need to aid them?"

Those words were leveled at Korvallen, who sighed and gave a curt nod.

"Do you mind passing on to my cousin in the dreadful deserts the name of the assassin?" Kolarven asked their aunt by family vows.

"And to Laeral," Alustriel promised. "As Waterdeep has known troubles from Calimshan, and he may have been wanted there."

"My thanks," Kolarven said with a smile. "Mikhail has apparently been talking the city's ears off about the strangers, so I expect I have a few drinks to go collect," they said in a jaunty cheer, finishing off the brandy and rising.

"Glad you came to no harm, nibling," Korvallen told him, but looked set to stay put. Korvallen nodded, heading out and only caught a brief snippet of Korvallen's temper before the door shut.

"Not all drow are that way," Kolarven muttered as they headed down from the Lady's Tower, to go visit all of their friends they could find.

In tonight's game, ( the rest under a cut for those who don't care. )

And that's where we left off.

Let's try for an actual, proper fandom-related post for once, huh?

Critical Role had a panel at SDCC yesterday, and they announced all sorts of new details about The Legend of Vox Machina and the upcoming animated series The Mighty Nein (which is based on Campaign 2 of Critical Role like TLoVM is based on Campaign 1). I'm feeling properly fannish for the first time in ages, so let's see if I can keep up the momentum.

With TLoVM, they confirmed that Season 4 will be airing next year in 2026. It's also been renewed for Season 5 as its final season, which should give them plenty of time to properly cover the Vecna arc from the first campaign. They also shared a sneak peek of the upcoming season, which gave us our first look at the one and only Taryon Darrington and Doty. ( Video embed under the cut. )

On the M9 front, Season 1 will start airing this year on November 19th. In addition, the episodes will be a full hour instead of a half hour like TLoVM, although they didn't mention whether or not the total number of episodes in the season will drop because of that fact. They also shared a sneak peek of what will presumably be the first episode. ( Video embed under the cut. )

In addition, they shared some names of actors who will be guest starts on the first season of M9. There's definitely a couple that have me excited, and I can't wait to find out just who on earth they're going to be playing.

Spoilers under the cut in the form of actors' names but no details about who they're playing save for one who's already been in TLoVM. Some speculation on my part, but nothing official.

Robbie Daymond isn't much of a surprise, considering he was practically a full cast member for a huge chunk of Campaign 3 of Critical Role (with an implication he'll be back for Campaign 4). Plus, you know, he also was in TLoVM. I wonder if they'll have him playing the Gentleman? It would make sense since that's one of the few characters who's introduced early in CR2 and then pops up repeatedly going forward, and they'd probably want someone they could guarantee would definitely be around to voice the character in later seasons.

Mark Strong isn't unexpected either, since we already saw him playing Trent Ikithon in TLoVM during the flashback scene with Ripley. I think it's safe to say that's who he'll continue to be playing in M9.

I was very excited to see both Alan Cumming and Jonathan Frakes on the list, although I'm not certain just who they'll be playing. If Robbie Daymond isn't the Gentleman, Frakes would be my next best guess, but on the other hand I feel like that's leaning too far into Xanatos territory and they probably wouldn't want to re-tread that. Maybe Alan Cumming will be Ludinus? That could be very interesting to see.

Tim McGraw definitely wasn't a name I was expecting to see on the list, and I'm curious who he'll be playing. My best guess would be Lorenzo based on his accent, who I presume will pop up at the end of the season, but if they have flashbacks then he could possibly be Vandran from Fjord's backstory.

I'm amused that they have Ming-Na Wen, Anika Noni Rose, and Auli'i Cravalho are all playing roles. I suspect that Sam Riegel's ties to Disney very much played a role in that, but still. I wasn't expecting to see Mulan, Tiana, and Moana all appear. Personally, I suspect that Ming-Na Wen will be playing Dairon, but I'm not sure about the other two. Maybe Anika Noni Rose is playing Marion? It's not unlikely there will be some flashbacks and such featuring her. I have no idea on Auli'i Cravalho, though.

Rahul Kohli was the only one of the announced guest cast who I'm not that familiar with. I mean, I know who he is, but I don't think I've ever properly watched anything with him in it. The only thing I personally know him from is Stray Gods.

I also wonder if any of the guest stars from the actual campaign (hello, Khary Payton, I'm mainly looking at you) will be making an appearance, and they didn't have them on the list just to make people speculate. Shakäste is such an interesting character, and it would be a shame if they cut him even though it would probably make sense plot-wise.

Overall, I'm very much looking forward to both shows, and I hope it helps bring me properly back into fannishness. With Critical Role on hiatus for months and months now while they do other things leading up to Campaign 4, it's been a little too easy to slip out of being properly fannish about, well, anything. It would be nice to have something airing weekly to draw me back in.

Not a Hostage (350 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore, The Lord of the Rings - Peter Jackson movies
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Drizzt Do'Urden, Catti-brie [Dungeons & Dragons], Original Human Character(s)
Additional Tags: Crossover, Women Being Awesome
Summary:

Drizzt knew that all was not as it seemed.

Not a Hostage

Drizzt did not pace or show any vexation as he watched the war-chieftain with his knife at Catti-brie's throat. It was sheer misfortune that had led to her capture, even as they traveled the lands to be the King's Eyes, much as they would have for goodly rulers in their first world.

It helped that Strider had befriended Drizzt many years before, when the drow had first fallen into this world by accident rather than design.

No, Drizzt looked at this man, an Easterling, and slowly smiled.

"We came to explore, to see what the people of Rhûn had made for themselves, now that King Elessar has made peace with your people," Drizzt began, forcing the chieftain to keep eyes on him as the one who was so unusual. "This is not a peaceful gesture. You should let her go now."

"Bah to your peace, and to your king! You will do as I say and disarm, for I hold your concubine as my hostage for your fate!"

Drizzt's smile only widened. "That is a very strong word, but I fear you have misinterpreted. I recommended the best solution for your survival, and that of your camp."

The man shifted, all but puffing up with rage —

— and Catti-brie moved, head back into the man's face, booted foot back and down the instep. Nor did the knife cut her more than a scratch, as she twisted free and proceeded to show dwarf-trained strength in her blows, leaving the war-chieftain crumpled. Drizzt hadn't been idle, even as he spared no more attention to his companion, taking the time to beat back the guards that had ringed them in.

He mostly let them live, disarming them with fast, impossible to parry blows. When Catti-brie joined him at his side, he made a gesture with the tip of a sword, and a way parted among the beaten, shocked guards.

The Easterling that had begun this all lay crumpled in a fetal position, breath coming in ragged painful gasps, and not a man moved to help him.

Drizzt thought they'd find a new chief soon.

Read at comm

Choosing to change my bus route slightly to avoid assholes who won't take "no" for an answer was definitely the right choice. I hadn't realized just how stressful it had been getting until today when I avoided the transit center, and the difference was very much noticeable.

The extra walk once I get off bus #1 to get to a bus stop where I can get on bus #2 is a bit annoying, admittedly, but I think it's well worth it. It was so much more peaceful waiting for the bus at a random bus stop with one or two other people than it is waiting at the transit center with dozens and dozens of strangers all around.

Now, it's not going to be fun the next time I take the bus when it's raining, since the bus stops don't have any type of roof over them like the transit center. Considering the alternative, though, I think it may still be worth it.

Required Rudeness (200 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings - Peter Jackson movies, Sword-Dancer Saga - Jennifer Roberson
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Samwise "Sam" Gamgee, Sandtiger [Sword-Singer Saga]
Additional Tags: Double Drabble, Alternate Universe - Fusion
Summary:

Samwise has to be rude, to keep his people safe.

Required Rudeness

The surly horse actually caught Samwise's attention before the man, but then he took note of the shoulder-scabbarded sword and decided he'd best do his duty. They didn't need more trouble at all, and he meant to make that happen!

"Here now, traveler, the Shire has no wish of men that live by the sword," Samwise said in a direct breach of being kind and hospitable. Then again, it was his job to be brusque, as he knew the signs of danger better than most.

"Seeking directions to a place called the Grey Havens," the man said in an accent Samwise could not place. "Word is my basha headed that way."

Samwise's eyebrows rose into his hairline, but if the man was bent on that pilgrimage, he'd let the elves deal with it.

"West a bit more, straight on to the river," Samwise offered.

The man nodded and rode on, taking his strangeness — and that well-used sword — away from the Shire. Maybe nothing would have come from inviting him to rest with them a time, but Samwise didn't put his faith in maybe. He dusted off his hands, well-shod of duty for the day and went to find a pipe.

Or read at the community

I think that I'm going to shift my bus route to/from work a little bit. I've been getting on the bus outside the hotel/near work, taking it to the transit center, and then switching to the bus that goes to work/the hotel (depending on if it's morning or evening, obviously). It's relatively painless, although the schedules almost never match up so I always end up having to wait a bit for the next bus once I get to the transit center.

There's been a growing issue the past few weeks, though, where a few of the jobless and/or homeless guys who hang out at the transit center all day have been giving me trouble. Some of them hang out there because they don't have anything better to do. Others stay there because it's a good place to pick up odd jobs from people, sell snacks or bottled water to raise a few dollars, easily bum a cigarette from time to time, etc. Most of them are fine, and even a little protective when they see people giving the "regulars" a hard time, but there are some who... well, aren't. It's aggressive flirting and not wanting to take "no" for an answer, for the most part, which isn't great but I can deal with it since it's a crowded, public spot.

This afternoon, though, one of them grabbed me by the arm hard enough to leave red marks when I tried to get to my bus because he wanted me to stay and talk with him. Despite the fact that I'd been pointedly ignoring him for a good ten minutes at that point. A couple of the other guys pulled him back so that I could get to my bus, and it sounded like they were giving him a pretty good tongue lashing, but no. Just, no.

What I think that I'm going to do is in the mornings start getting off four stops earlier near the library. I'll have to walk a block-and-a-half or so, but I don't have to cross the street or anything, and if I get off there I can make it to another bus stop that the bus that goes by work stops at without having to go to the transit center. Then in the afternoon, I'll do something similar and get off several stops early, although it's a little more of a pain as I'll have to not only walk a block or two but I'll have to cross two decent-sized roads in the process.

I think it will be worth it, though, to avoid the assholes.

Seeking Knowledge (500 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dragonlance, The Lord of the Rings - Peter Jackson movies
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Tanis Half-Elven [Dragonlance], Aragorn II Elessar
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fusion
Summary:

Sometimes Aragon wanders and meets interesting people.

Seeking Knowledge

Despite his office in life, sometimes Aragorn felt the need to be Strider. In such times, Arwen would cover his absences with typical elven political excuses, well-able to lead the minor matters in her own right. No one expected the king in well-worn clothes of an adventurer to wander between places, seeking inns and taverns to listen to the people.

On this particular wandering, he found himself staring at a man of medium frame and a bit tall, his hair and beard quite red like the tales of Maedhros spoke of. A bow and quiver were visible against the wall behind the man's chair. Aragorn was all but certain he had heard a tale of this man, and observed more details. Something about foreign lands plagued by dragons, another offshoot — or more — of Elves. It was likely something Faramir had mentioned to him in correspondence, now that he considered it.

Yes, the weave of cloth, the crafting of tools and leather all had a different appearance than items made in Aragorn's extensive roving. The red hair and beard finally sparked the final piece of Faramir's descriptions, and Aragorn realized he was looking at another noble hiding among commoners. Granted, the man was from far enough away that he had a much easier time just wandering anonymously.

He finished appraising everything from the bar he'd stopped at, took the mug of ale he'd asked for and headed straight for the man's small table.

"Greetings, Far-Traveler," Aragorn said with a disarming smile. "What brings a leader of the people of Krynn so far from his lands?"

The man studied Aragorn for a moment, then leaned on his arms against the table to be closer. "For you to know such, I think I may have found the one I seek. I have heard that a mighty ranger had traded in his cloak for a crown, but perhaps the gods are guiding me fairly.

"Tanis Half-Elven."

"You may have indeed been guided well," Aragorn said, though he did wonder at gods meddling so. "What could the purpose be?"

"To learn, if in all the travels this man had, he ever encountered a shrine to one not of these lands, with rumors of an artifact buried near it," Tanis said. "There is trouble stirring in Krynn once more, and it is hoped that the Tears of Shinare can help bring some peace, or at least breathing room."

"Ahh, well, I see why you would consider a ranger the kind of man that might have stumbled over this," Aragorn said. "It is not, however, specific enough for my memory to aid you. Perhaps you would see your way to traveling with me, to where better memories and resources exist?"

Tanis sized him up again, then gave a nod. "You seem as the tales I heard, so I agree."

"And you meet the one I was given as well," Aragorn agreed. "We shall do all we can to help your lands survive the coming storms of danger."

Or read the community

For over a week straight, the DC kept being hit by storms in the late afternoon, and it's been absolutely killing my head. I've always been sensitive to weather fronts moving through, and the older I get the worse it seems to be getting. (Although there's a definite possibility that some of that might be stress related too, considering the current state of everything.)

There were so many things that I needed to get done this past week that just didn't happen because I got off work and immediately curled up in bed for several hours until the storm had passed through. And by that point it was late enough in the evening that I didn't have time to get everything I needed to do done (or it was too late to start it because of noise-related reasons).

Theoretically the rain is supposed to finally be gone, so we'll see if this week goes better than last week on that front. 🤞🏻

The power went off again for a bit but, once it turned back on, everything was working correctly again.

Well, mostly. My AC was still making the odd grinding sound, but I did some googling and opened it up, and I was able to get it fixed. The sudden power outage while it was turned on basically knocked a couple of things loose, but I was able to get them all screwed back in properly so that it's working properly again.

We'll see if it lasts?

ETA: The power went out for another half hour around 7pm, with the fire alarm going off when it went out and again when it came back on. Our guess is that the fire alarm is being triggered for some reason when it transfers to the emergency back-up battery and back. No updates from Pepco about what's actually causing the outages (which is par for the course for Pepco), so everyone is assuming it's because the network is so overloaded from everyone using the AC 24/7.

A Needed Ally (400 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore, Sword-Dancer Saga - Jennifer Roberson
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Catti-brie [Dungeons & Dragons], Delilah [Sword-Dancer Saga]
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fusion
Summary:

Catti runs into an ally

A Needed Ally

Catti-brie would have given a lot of treasure to never see a desert again, but here she was in one that made Calimshan look civilized. The next time she was offered 'something different, something new, just track this wee artifact down' by ANY Harper, she would remember to say 'no'.

About the second time she broke a man's wrist for trying to touch her in brutish ways, she heard a 'ssstt' from one side and a welcome, if unexpected face peered at her, all pale in a sea of darker shades.

"Del?" Catti asked as she made it through the throng to the woman.

"You're a long way from where we met," the elder woman said. "Why are you in the Southron lands?"

"Looking for a trinket that supposedly got traded down here. Care to help me out?"

"Call the debt for the Moonshaes closed, and you have my aid. Possibly my partner's."

Catti-brie wrinkled her nose. "Ne'er counted a debt on helping ye. But if'n it means ye can help me before I have tae kill a man, done!"

"Kill one, ten more will appear," Del answered with a sigh.

"Glad as I met up with ye," Catti-brie said.

"You might not be if Tiger's still addled with liquor." Del's wry smile made her look a little younger, and Catti was glad to see it on her. She'd found the woman very driven, hard-pressed by her past, and too rare in her smiles.

"Dwarf-raised. Can deal with the hangover," Catti told her with a grin.

"You haven't met Tiger yet," Del warned. "Good thing you wear your blade at the hip; over the shoulder is a definite mark of a sword-dancer, and you'd be challenged to prove you can use them."

"I think I'd prove capable," Catti-brie answered with justifiable pride in her skill. After all, Drizzt had been her teacher.

"Yes, but it brings even more attention than just your looks."

"I should nae ask how many ye had to prove your skill to?"

"I lost count," Del said blandly, leading up a narrow alley before getting them inside a cooler building. Both took in the small space, lacking any person at all. "Hmm, maybe he didn't make it back this morning.

"So tell me about the trinket, while we have peace from Tiger's belly-aching."

Catti-brie settled to do just that, eager to be done with this quest.

Or read at the community

Okay, so apparently the sister hotel and the 7-Eleven next door are having the same issue where about half the lights/plugs in the building are working and the other half aren't. So it looks like it might actually be an issue with the power company rather than some of the wires specifically in this hotel getting fried like we were initially suspecting might be the case.

My AC still won't cool, but I have managed to get it to at least have a weak fan blowing which is better than nothing. And the AC in the hallway just outside my room is working, which is helping a little with keeping the temperature from going up too quickly in here.

Both the power company and the fire department are wandering around trying to figure out what the fuck is going on, especially since two extended stay hotels full of people without working AC (in some rooms, not all - the AC is working fine for some people, although most of the rooms with working AC don't have working lights) in 90+ degree weather is... not great.

The temperature in my room is slowly edging upwards, but it's not too bad yet at least. When the power went out at 11am, it was about 68°F in my room as I turn the AC down low at night to sleep so it hadn't had a chance to start warming back up yet at that point. A little over three hours later, with no AC that entire time, it's gone up to 74°F, so it's averaging about 2° an hour. Which, you know, could be worse.

Now, if they don't get it fixed within the next few hours, it's going to start being a problem. My fingers are desperately crossed that they'll figure it out before then, though.

ETA: It only went up to 75°F by 3pm, so it looks like the temperature might not be rising quite as quickly as it gets warmer. We'll see what happens.

The power in the hotel went out a little while ago and, while it came back on after about twenty minutes, the plugs for my fridge and microwave are dead and my AC won't blow cold air. And it's definitely not the circuit breaker, because I already checked it and tried flipping everything on/off to be certain. 🙃

While the plugs for the microwave and fridge aren't working, there are three more in the kitchen that are working fine (two on the wall over the counter and one for the oven). I was able to move the fridge to another nearby plug that was working, and I'm pretty sure that there's one close enough that I can do the same for the microwave if I need to use it. Or I can move the microwave to on top of the stove top long enough to use it if the cord won't reach.

It's not a great option, but it's at least an alternative until they can figure out what the fuck went wrong.

The temperature in the room is quickly ticking upwards a little at a time without a working AC, though, which is definitely not a plug issue since it's turning on but is just not cooling anything off. I turned the AC completely off, flipped the breaker off/on, and am letting it sit for half an hour to see if that helps. I know sometimes that can be enough to reset it, so my fingers are crossed it will work this time. Luckily, I had the room cool enough that it will take a while before it gets too hot in here, but still. It's supposed to hit 90°F today, so a working AC is kinda vital.

The lovely part is that the person at the front desk has no idea what to do, because a ton of people are having similar issues where some things came back on but not others. Half the lights in the hallway are still dead and a lot of us are having issues with some things working but not others (although it seems to vary from person to person per the person at the front desk who I spoke with), so it's gotta be some type of wiring issue where plugs that are piggybacked off the same failed wiring are the ones not coming back on for anyone. The maintenance guy doesn't even work on weekends, though, so.... yeah.

ETA: And now the fire alarm is going off, presumably due to the same wiring issue as there's definitely no fire. Today's great, y'all.

I promised myself I wouldn't make any more websites. I always make the structure too elaborate! They're so time-consuming!

And yet they're also so much fun.

Welcome to Kira's Tokyo, my brand new Death Note website! Mainly consisting of my rambling about Light Yagami, because, wow, I have a lot to say about Light Yagami.

As with my websites for Final Fantasy VIII and Silent Hill 2, much of the text originally comes from my posts on this blog, so parts of the site will probably sound familiar if you've read my previous Death Note rambling! I hope it's fun to see my thoughts presented in this new format, though.

fan_writers comm - for meta about writing

Wary Arrival (400 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dragonlance, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Raistlin Majere, Dalamar [Dragonlance], Drizzt Do'Urden
Additional Tags: Crossover
Summary:

Drizzt gets shoved off-plane and meets a Dark Elf... by some standards.

Wary Arrival

Drizzt Do'Urden was not a man to allow anything to leave him flat-footed for long. The tail had whipped around too fast, flung him back through the gate when it stole his breath with the thud against his chest, but he rolled with the blow, and came up, swords already back in their ready position… to find the gate had no visible sign on this side, and his eyes were streaming tears from the change of tree-dappled shade and sun to the glare of multiple light sources in a confined space.

Sound told him two bodies, both in loose rustling clothes, and the air pressure spoke of several obstacles in a small space.

"Deal with him; he's some sort of elf," a voice said, and Drizzt realized the sound of it was being translated through the arm-band he'd been gifted with, an artifact for translation.

Thankfully, it worked on his words too.

"Peace, unless you are in league with the dark ranger and druid I was fighting," Drizzt said.

"Magic," a second voice said, and now Drizzt knew where both were more clearly.

"How interesting," came a sardonic reply to that, and Drizzt could all but feel the jaded sense in the speaker.

"If you are both familiar with magic," he hazarded, "I can try and trade knowledge," he offered, smelling books and ink, "for a return to my rightful place before any of the archmages I work with come seeking me."

"Deal," the second voice answered, with only the slightest sigh from the first. As a show of peace, Drizzt flipped his swords into their scabbards, and ignored his injuries in favor of forcing his eyes to work. One elf, one… that was not quite a human, if he were to guess, for all the man likely had begun as such.

"Drizzt Do'Urden."

"Dalamar Nightson," the elf with bronze skin said. "And he is Raistlin Majere," he added when the once-human did not respond to the question of names implicit in the introduction. "Let us get our impressions of the portal that spit you out, and then we will decide further how to proceed."

Drizzt nodded once, and started working on his injuries, relieved that Mielikki's magic could aid him still — and aware that the one called Raistlin was studying him more than where he'd fallen from. There was a sense of foreboding, and Drizzt would stay on guard.

Or read at the community no_true_pair