#dahl'renn

[dahlrenn]

((I arranged a brief theme to commemorate Dahl’s first time to Ardenweald))

[raxef]

Received this beautiful portrait of my boy Dahl’renn from @yung-rage as a holiday gift! I absolutely love it! Thank you!

[dahlrenn]

An Elf And His Bird

[dahlrenn]

A Bit of Home for the Bash

Time was running out, and the hunt was on.

Magical candles along the bulkhead ignited as Dahl’renn entered the hold of his boat. Having fulfilled his contracts, it was relatively empty, save for a row of wooden barrels to his right. Each barrel was stamped with Pandaren crest and labelled with their contents. Sugar, salt, black pepper, dill, chili flakes, juniper berries.

“Just one thing missing,” he muttered to himself, walking to a simple wooden table in the center of the hold. Spread across the table were a variety of documents. One was an invitation to this year’s Bonfire Bash in Stranglethorn Vale, the second seemed to be some kind of short story, and the third (and largest) was a map of a familiar continent; Pandaria.

The map was covered in check marks, X’s, and dashed lines meant to convey routes of some sort. Dahl'renn studied the markings for a few minutes, taking a nearby quill and drawing another X on the parchment, his lips curling into a frown. It had been eight days since he began his hunt. Eight fruitless days of questioning the locals, following rumours, and ultimately coming up empty-handed. He glanced from the map to the short story beside it, reading a short passage. Time was running out for Dahl'renn. It was only a few short weeks until the Bash, and he would be showing up empty-handed if he wasn’t successful.

Dahl ascended topside, shielding his eyes from the bright Pandaren sun. It was definitely summertime here. The local fishing village where he was anchored was bustling with activity. Coastal fishers were peddling their catches to traders who would then journey inland to sell the newly-gotten wares.

“Dahl'renn!” called a familiar voice. “Permission to come aboard?”

Dahl whipped his head in the direction of the plank bridging his boat to the bamboo dock, a smile immediately spreading across his face.

“Bry Lang! Of course, of course. You’re always welcome here!” Dahl waved him over, noting a certain bounce in the Pandaren’s step. Bry was one of the first Dahl had approached on his hunt. Initial efforts had proved fruitless, but Dahl was certain Bry would become an asset. After all, the famous Fish-Fetcher of Sri-La Village could hardly refuse prospect of the most significant catch in recent Pandaren history.

“What brings you to all the way down here, friend? Has new information reached you regarding my mark?”

Bry nodded at Dahl'renn, offering him a toothy grin. “Yes, yes! My contacts at Angler’s Wharf mentioned that they had seen signs of the -” Bry Lang whispered into Dahl'renn’s ear, giving a wary look to a group of Pandaren looking at the two of them. “- off the western coast! They plan to make their move soon, but I believe we can get ahead of them if we leave with haste.”

Dahl'renn nodded, listening intently to Bry’s words. “Mmm. I should’ve figured Nat would want to be in on the catch. Lucky for us they’re still down in Krasarang. We have the advantage of a head start. Come Bry! We’ve not a moment to lose!”

The next few minutes went by in a blur as Dahl'renn loaded Bry’s cart with fishing poles, spears, nets, and a variety of types of bait, ranging from dried worms, fresh worms, bread, cheese, berries, mushrooms, and just about any other small morsel you could imagine. Before long the two took off towards a fishing boat Dahl had rented from a local family. After about two hours of travel up the coast, they had made it to the rented boat. It was significantly smaller than Dahl'renn’s, with a smaller sail, but it would be faster and easier to manage.

Dahl could hardly pay attention as they loaded the boat. His eyes were out to the sea, continuously look for their mark, and their competition. With all their equipment loaded, they set out towards the sea. They were in luck. The wind was on their side as they gained momentum, and Dahl and Bry were setting a brisk pace now. Waves crashed against the bow of the boat, spraying seawater into their faces. Another hour had passed before Dahl raised the sail, slowing the vessel. They had reached their destination. The two set to work tossing the bait into the sea. Once they had finished, all that was left to do was sit back and wait. Dahl took a fishing pole, tying an unusually large hook to the line, then affixing a chunk of bread to the hook. With a mighty swing, he cast the line out into the water, watching where the lure landed for any sign of movement.

A minute passed. Then another. And another. Dahl sighed in frustration at the lack of progress. He certainly wasn’t the most patient elf in Azeroth, that was for sure. Cheering in the distance snapped him away from his thoughts. “Oh no,” he whispered in dread. Nat Pagle had arrived on a slightly larger fishing boat; several Anglers were with him. “They arrived sooner than expected,” Bry chimed. They were still a bit of distance off, but plenty close to land the catch of a lifetime. Nat and his crew operated with a precision that only came with decades of fishing experience. Their bait was better, their fishing rods were stronger. It was all but the end of the line for Dahl'renn. Nat’s arrival pretty much guaranteed that Dahl would be attending the Bonfire Bash without a  dish to contribute. Dahl slumped, setting his fishing rod down on the deck. All this effort, for nothing.

Suddenly, Dahl heard a clattering beside him. The fishing rod had begun to move! Lightning-quick, he snatched the handle before it was yanked out of the boat. He was nearly carried over with force of whatever had gotten hooked. Dahl braced himself against the railing, struggling not to let go of the fishing rod. “Bry! Get over here!” The Pandaren rushed over, grasping the rod as well. With a hefty tug, the two pulled back. The dorsal fin of their prey breached the water. Dahl’s eyes went wide. It matched the descriptions he had been given. This was it! He could hear shouting from Nat Pagle’s boat. The Anglers had gathered in a crowd and were pointing and hollering in Dahl’s and Bry’s direction. Now was their chance!

“Come on, Bry! Put some elbow grease into it!” Dahl shouted, straining against the force of this creature.

“I’m giving it all I’ve got, Captain!” Bry bellowed back.

Dahl'renn grunted and groaned, reeling in with all his might. He could feel their catch coming closer and closer! With one final roar, the pair hoisted the fishing rod back as far as they could. It groaned and creaked under the tension. Then it gave. A colossal fish soared through the air, then came crashing down onto the deck of their fishing boat, flopping around violently. Dahl reached for a spear beside him, thrusting into the fish until it laid still. Exhausted, Dahl'renn leaned against the mast. The Anglers were now sailing away, Dahl could just make out Nat Pagle giving him a respectful salute.

Bry inspected their catch, attempting to lift the fish off the deck. “Dahl'renn… I think this weighs at least one-hundred-and-fifty pounds! The largest Emperor Salmon ever caught!”

Dahl'renn looked over wearily, still out of breath. “Is … that … so?” He struggled to his feet, patting Bry on the shoulder. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Come on, let’s get this thing prepared.”

The two sailed back to the fishing village where a small crowd was waiting for them. News had spread from the Anglers of their prize catch. An official weighing was held. One-hundred-and-sixty-three pounds; a new record. Dahl had his prize brought to the hold of his boat where he would get to work. But first, sleep.

Dahl'renn spent the next day preparing and filleting the salmon, first cleaning it thoroughly. He had to separate the two sides of the fish into smaller sections, or they wouldn’t be workable. He covered the meat in a mixture of salt, sugar, black pepper, chili flakes, juniper berries, and dill, then tightly wrapped each piece in parchment, tying them closed with string. He placed the fillets within a wooden chest, filled with ice. Here they would cure for a few days until the Bonfire Bash, where they would be cut into thin slices. If he followed the recipe correctly, Dahl'renn would have a heaping tray of delicious lox ready just in time for the celebration, just like his mother used to make.

[raxef]

This absolutely stunning piece of my boy Dahl’renn was done by the extremely talented @choxii-art! Thank you so so much!

[dahlrenn]

Making Connections

The familiar, unpleasant sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The world around you contracting then expanding all in a single moment. Dahl’renn avoided travelling by portal whenever, but every now and then he would make an exception. In this case, there wasn’t much of a choice. The elven sailor stepped away from the exit portal, nodding at the acolyte of the Ebon Blade which was maintaining it, and gave himself a quick once-over. No fingers or toes missing. Everything in its place. 

Good, he thought to himself. Despite the fact that portals have been proven to be incredibly safe, you do hear tales every now and then of some poor traveler leaving a left foot behind when  stepping through one.

Having collected himself, Dahl adjusted his feathered cap and looked up at a true sight to behold: Oribos, the Eternal, Undying City. A shiver ran up the elf’s spine. He had seen many impressive, wondrous things in his travels, but this was something else. Dalaran was a city that floated above the ground. This city just existed in space; a realm that seemed to expand forever, interrupted only by trailing lines of anima leading into stone conduits. Under normal circumstances, Dahl would have taken the time to walk around the entire outer perimeter, but he had an appointment to keep.

As Dahl walked towards the entrance of the city, he couldn’t help but take in the sheer size of the ancient stone structure. To think that every soul that had lived and died had passed through this place to be sent to their deserved afterlives… Perhaps... No. Now was not a time for such thoughts. He was here for a specific purpose, and if the tales were true, he did not want to keep his contact waiting. Dahl approached a giant armoured humanoid, standing guard with glaive in hand, removing his hat and putting on his friendliest smile. “Ah, excuse me? Do you think you could point me in the direction of the Hall of Curiosities?” Dahl asked. The Attendant looked down at the elf, a voice emanating from its helmet. “Yes, mortal. Here to see what the Brokers have brought to our city?” “Something like that,” Dahl replied.

The Attendant let out a low rumble, which could only be interpreted as a tired sigh. “Pass through this archway to the Ring of Fates,” it boomed. “Make your way clockwise around the central ring until you come to another archway with a scale carved at the top. That is where the Hall of Curiosities is located.” Dahl looked towards his destination, then back at the Attendant, nodding in appreciation. “Thank you very much!” The elf placed his cap back on his head and walked briskly towards the Ring of Fates, the blue light from the sconces on the hallway walls illuminating the way. If the outside of Oribos was impressive, then the inside was beyond belief. The city was hustling and bustling with folks from all walks of life. Besides the easily-recognizable races from Azeroth, there were blue-skinned human-looking people, a wide variety of Undead (and not the usually Forsaken kind), grey-skinned ... San’layn? They almost seemed to glide along the ground as they made their way. Robed and hooded figures that actually -were- floating. Winged sprites. Tiny ... owls with legs? Dahl could barely process what he was seeing. Still, not to be deterred from his goal, he continued with purpose towards the archway with the glowing scales above it. Making his way inside he was greeted with the sight of yet another race of ... people? They struck him more as constructs than living, yet they moved about quite naturally. Their heads were not heads at all, but flickering flames behind gilded masks. Still, voices could be heard emanating from these figures. Had he not known better, Dahl would have thought these must be some sort of Ethereals. No, these were definitely them. The Brokers. “Well, no use dawdling around,” he whispered to himself, walking forward.

The Hall itself certainly lived up to its name. Filling up every nook and cranny were all manner of containers and carts, most housing wares from who knows where. A couple of items looked familiar. Some rare creatures from Azeroth, a couple of gizmos that seemed to be of Gnomish design. Others, he could only guess their origin. In truth, the whole place reminded him of the bustling markets of Boralus only more otherworldly. Dahl’renn made his way towards the closest Broker in a nearby bunch. The Brokers were gathered around a cart, and (from what Dahl could make out) gazing upon some newly-gotten wares, talking through proposed prices and supply. “Excuse me! Ah... Apologies. I’m meant to meet someone here in the Hall? I have an appointment with a...” He pulls out a scrap of paper with a name written upon it. “Ta’zela. Are they available?” 

One of the Brokers spoke up. “I am Ta’zela. A pleasure to meet you, Dahl’renn? Did I pronounce that right? You mortals have such curious names.” The figure addressing him looked near identical to the rest, save for a few embellishments around the belt and sleeves of her outfit.

“Aye, you did,” Dahl replied. “Seems you’ve acquired a knack for such names in the short time that our realms have been connected.

“Oh, you misunderstand,” Ta’zela corrected. “We are not of the Shadowlands. Merely passing through to provide service to others, such as yourself. Come, let us find a place to sit down and discuss matters. In private.”

Dahl nodded as Ta’zela led him through the hall, where more and more goods were revealed to him. “It seems you and yours have been quite busy,” Dahl chirped. “Has Azeroth proven to be of significant interest to the Brokers?”

“Oh, indeed! We find your world to be most interesting. Cartel Ta has been ever so pleased at such an opportunity, and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”

A few moments later they arrived in a small, relatively empty area, dotted with tables, chairs; clearly some sort of meeting space. Ta’zela pulled out a chair for Dahl and then herself, taking a seat and leaning in. 

“Now that we are away from curious ears, I hear that you have some business with Cartel Ta that you wish to pursue. Yes?” If Brokers had faces, Ta’zela would be smiling with glee. Her words had a venomous charm to them. Dahl let out a measured breath. He had come this far, after all. “Aye, you heard right. I think I may have something for you that will prove to be mutually beneficial. A rising tide lifts all boats, after all.” Oh how he had missed this. The game had begun, and the players were at the ready.

“Oh, wonderful. Wonderful!” Ta’zela clapped her hands together. “Please, Dahl’renn, do continue...”

[dahlrenn]

If Dahl’renn were...

if I were a month: February

if I were a day: Saturday

if I were an animal: Fox

if I were a god/goddess: Njord

if I were a piece of furniture: Hammock

if I were a gemstone: Amethyst

if I were a flower: Lavender

if I were a kind of weather: Clear and Sunny

if I were a colour: Pastel Purple

if I were an emotion: Curiosity 

if I were a fruit: Orange

if I were a sound: The Ocean, crashing against the shore

if I were an element: Water

if I were a place: Where the sea meets land

if I were a mythological creature: Mermaid

if I were a taste: A smooth scotch

if I were a scent: Seawater

if I were an object: A Lute

if I were a body part: Hands

if I were a pair of shoes: Comfortable leather boots

Tagged By: @leora-strauss

[dahlrenn]

Art by: @windharmonious