The Company of the Moon
The world of Toril is a diverse and wondrous place. The continent of Faerun is the heart and soul of Toril. Deep with the Old Cormanthor Forest is a haven for the misfits, down-trodden, and outcasts. Eilistraee has created a safe haven for these people where no one else would. Eilistraee is the "Dark Maiden", the goddess of the good drow. Those rare dark elves who yearn for a return to a life in the surface realms, akin to that enjoyed by the elves of the woodlands, left behind by the drow long ago.
In the heart of the old forest are a number of tree villages occupied by good inclined drow, half elves, and other misfits who have a good heart but might not be safe in normal society because of an accident of birth or the color of their skin. Eilistraee is the drow goddess of song and beauty. Eilistraee and her priestesses protect and look after each villages' needs. The villages don't just rely on Eilistraee and her priestesses for protection. There are a few other groups that aid in the protection of the villages.
Among the forefront of those protectors are the Disciples of the Dancing Moon, led by Grandmaster Moon Dancer, Sabrar Arkhenneld. A group of martial artists following the discipline of the Dancing Moon, devoted to the cause of good and following Eilistraee's guidance. The Guardians of the Moonwood, a group of foresters, rangers, and druids. The Spelldancers of the Moonwood, a group of fighter/mages, mages and priests. And finally, the Blades of the Moonwood, a group of fighters, fighter/thieves, and scouts.
By the light of the moon, in the center of each village, the priestesses of Eilistraee lead the villagers in a worship session consisting of songs and dancing. In the village of Moonglade, while the rest of the village is getting ready for the circle of song, five figures are having a discussion by one of the many tree houses in the village.
"There are orcs camping by Broken Rock Ridge", yelled a fiery eyed redhead. "I left Jasmine and Dengal out there to keep an eye on them. As soon as I got back to Moonglade, I went looking for you guys. Who's up for a little orc hunting?" The redhead gave the rest of the group a bright smile as she asked the question. Ide Orcsbane was a fiery redhead with jade green eyes and a muscular build that came from doing a lot of heavy labor and many hours of hard sword practice. Ide could almost pass for a human except for the slightly round point of her ears that came from her mother's elven blood. Ide was a member of the Guardians of the Moonwood and a ranger. "By the Dark Maiden, Ide Orcsbane, I'm amazed that there is still an orc alive out there. Everybody knows how much you hate orcs.", said one of Ide's companions. The speaker was slightly shorter than Ide. She had midnight black skin, shining silver hair, piercing lavender eyes, and a slightly muscular build that came from martial training and hard work. Maya Arkhenneld was one of the many dark elves living in Moonglade and a priestess of Eilistraee.
"Maya, leave her be. Everybody is entitled to at least one little vice. So Ide hates orcs. For every orc that she kills, the world is a safer place for somebody else in our vast beautiful little world." said another companion. He was the same size and height as Maya, with the same midnight black skin, shining silver hair, piercing lavender eyes, and a slightly muscular build that came from following the discipline of the Dancing Moon. Wode Arkhenneld was Maya's twin brother and a disciple of the Dancing Moon. "Children, Children, you're both pretty!", laughed another one of the companions. Ash Firestar was the tallest one of the companions. Ash had chocolate brown hair and deep brown eyes, and a slightly muscular build that came from hard work mixed in with a tiny bit of martial training. Ash could also almost pass for a human except for the telltale points of his slightly rounded ears hidden in his hair, a gift from his father's elven blood. Ash was a member of the Blades of the Moonwood and a scout living in Moonglade. Ash also had the best sense of humor out of his group of friends. "Ash, you're such a card!" said the last of the companions. Reva Firestar was Ash's younger sister. She had the same deep brown eyes but she had midnight black hair, a gift from her mother. Reva had a thin but muscular build that came from studying books but still helping out with the common labors when the days studying was done. Reva's half elven heritage was hidden behind her long midnight black hair. Reva was a member of the Spelldancers of the Moonwood and a mage.
"Well, we'd better go tell mother and father that we won't be attending tonight's circle of songs so they don't get worried about us." said Maya sadly. A shadow stepped out from behind the tree house. "Don't worry about telling me or your mother about your little excursion tonight. I'll make sure she knows and understands what you young ones are up to." said Grandmaster Moon Dancer Sabrar Arkhenneld, as he silently approached the five companions. Sabrar Arkhenneld was a middle aged dark elf with long flowing white hair and deep crimson red eyes and muscular build from centuries of following the discipline of the Dancing Moon. "Damn, I hate it when you sneak up on us like that, Grandmaster." exclaimed Ash excitedly. "Don't worry Ash, I know that you'll be likely to be doing the same thing to your children and their friends. Somebody has to keep you young ones on your toes. And who's better at that than me?" Sabrar said as he slipped into another shadow and disappeared. "Okay, everybody get your night hunting gear together and meet at the west point lookout tower, in half an hour" said Wode as he and Maya headed to their home as the rest of the companions acknowledged him and did the same thing.
Half an hour latter, Ide Orcsbane was pacing by the west point tower waiting for her friends to arrive since she lived closest to the west point tower. Ide was wearing a set of black studded leather armor and a dark steel open faced helmet with her red hair tucked beneath her helmet and armor. A medium black shield was strapped to her back, along with her long bow and two long swords strapped to each of her shoulders. On each of her hips was a quiver full of arrows and she had a few daggers secreted on various parts of her body. Reva was to next companion to arrive. Reva was wearing a tight black robe with a set of dark metal bracers on her wrists. Reva was carrying a dark wooden staff on one hand. She also had pouches and secret pocket full of various magical components and sling bullets. A sling hung comfortably on her right hip, and like Ide she had a few daggers hidden on various parts of her body. "Where's your brother? He's usually here before everybody else." Ide asked. "He ran out of weapon black and had to get some more from Old Man Westin. He'll be here in a minute or two." Reva told Ide. A shadow slipped out from a nearby tree. "Speak of the devil." Reva sighed. Ash stepped out of the shadows decked out in a set of black studded leather armor and a black leather skullcap. He had a longsword strapped to his back with many daggers secreted on various parts of his body. "Ladies, your saviour has arrived" grinned Ash. "Always the ladies man." said Ide as she rolled her eyes. "I live to serve" bowed Ash regally. "You sure that isn't you serve to live, Ash" said Wode sarcastically as he slipped from the shadows. Wode was wearing a black night suit with his silver hair hidden deep under the hood of the night suit. Wode had a long bow strapped on his back and a scimitar strapped to each of his shoulders. On each of his hips was a quiver of arrows. "So everyone's here except for Maya." said Wode. "I wonder what's keeping her." asked Reva. "By the Dark Maiden, that was a chore." exclaimed Maya sa she came around a huge oak tree. Maya was wearing a set of dark scale mail armor and a dark steel open faced helmet with her silver hair tucked underneath her helmet and armor. A medium black shield was strapped to her back, along with her long bow and two short swords strapped to each of her shoulders. On each of her hips was a quiver full of arrows. Eilistraee's holy symbol was displayed prominently around her neck.
The companions gathered around Maya as she offered a prayer up to Eilistraee before heading out on this hunt. "Dark Maiden, watch out for your children as they go on a hunt to weed out your enemies in the Moonwood." prayed Maya. "Eilistraee be praised" intoned the five companions.