Warden Neelahind/Conversations
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*The warden's gaze is distant.* Esk...
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*The warden is lost in rumination.* It can't be. It simply can't be.
Find Eskhind: Speak to Warden Neelahind
Warden Neelahind?
Ah! Yes. My apologies, kendren. Live and drink. I am Neelahind, Warden of Bey Lah. How... may I help you?
Friends with Eskhind
We were... yes. We were close.
I can scarcely believe that she would be capable of doing such a thing. Stealing our greatest treasure? Eskhind wouldn't possibly... but if Grand-Doe says it, it must be so.
Hindriarch is lying?
Wh—no! No! What? No, that's not possible! Ayvah, what an absurd idea!
Why not?
Grand-Doe speaks only truth! Grand-Doe only ever speaks truth!
It's not possible. She didn't lie.
Anyone can lie.
No. It's not true, and I won't hear any more of your poisonous ideas, kendren. Consider the topic closed.
Do you actually have a question?
Where?
Oh. Esk and I, we had a place... there's a path to the =EskhindRoadDirection= that leads to the remains of a lightning-struck tree, made hollow by the fire from above. It was the furthest from the village either of us had ever been, until I attended my first warden's moot.
She and I would spend time there, back then. Perhaps she is there now, but I don't dare check.
Find Eskhind
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Follow the road =EskhindRoadDirection= to find the hollow tree where Esk and I used to play.
Eskhind is Slain
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Kendren, do you... have any news of Eskhind, and Kindrish?
Eskhind is dead.
Oh.
Oh.
Did... you recover Kindrish?
No. I'm sorry.
No... no, I can't... and the artifact is lost?
It was all for nothing... for nothing...
No. The Hindriarch lied to you.
No, it can't be... how. This place. This accursed village!
This whole village be damned!
No, this was for fun.
You monster! You monster! How dare you!
Kith and Kin: Brief Warden Neelahind
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Wait, why... why is Esk here? What's going on? Do you have Kindrish?
KindrishReturn
Oh! Kendren, thank you, thank you! You've done so much for us. Here is a reward for your hard work.
Um, that said, there's still the matter of finding out who stole our treasure. It'd mean a great deal if you could still help with the resolution of the case.
No. Eskhind claims to be wrongfully accused.
Oh. But... what now?
You're the Warden. You tell me.
Oh. I... I don't know. Grand-doe usually resolves Bey Lah's disputes. She only calls me when the threat of violence is necessary.
We will investigate and find the truth.
Oh. Well, yes, that's... that's a good idea. You'll help, right? My axe-arm and conviction are strong, but deduction has never been my greatest strength.
I can answer questions about the people in town, if that would be helpful.
Kith and Kin: Investigations
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Oh dear, a mystery.
Perhaps I should have accepted Angohind's lessons after all.
Questioning Neelahind
Of course, kendren. Ask away.
Questioning Neelahind
Of course, kendren. Ask away.
Neelahind on Keh
Keh is very wise and very careful, which makes up for her lack of strength or... tact. She always knows what's right, and she runs a very tight shift.
She hates clutter from work like nothing else and cleans up any mess she makes--unless it's a spill, then she makes Kesehind do it. It's because Grand-Doe has a terrible fear of standing pools of water, refusing to touch them. Copper and bronze afflict her with allergy-sores and she can't touch them. She's too old to spar with me, but her bow-arm still aims true.
That's all I can think of.
Neelahind on Eskhind
Oh. She's, well, she's a good person with strong convictions, or has always seemed so. I suppose that isn't helpful.
Esk has a good eye for detail. She hates watervine so much that she avoids the paddies and won't eat matz without lah broth to make it taste better. Umm, she's afraid of saltbacks. She's good at foraging and terrible at crafting.
I've missed her so much.
Neelahind on Kesehind
Kesehind is completely loyal to Grand-Doe. We used to be friends, but his disposition has become so sour since he was appointed her protector, and he's quite cold to me now. He can't see well in darkness. He's the holder of Ari, an unbreakable heirloom fire axe, and he's very skilled with it.
He's terribly finicky about food. He'll only eat bland food and meat, and... oh! Once, when he had a bad cough as a faundren, a caretaker tried to feed him yuckwheat, and he kicked her so hard it dislocated her jaw. Poor Elder Eselhind.
Neelahind on kendren
Oh, not very much. The only kendren who were allowed in the village before you are traders, and it's always a very big fuss when one comes by. It's been a while since that happened, though, so any kendren who have visited must have come in secret.
Kith and Kin: Investigations (Love and Fear Complete)
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Ah, =name=, live and drink!
Has your investigation reached a conclusion? Our fate is in your hands.
Neelahind is giddy
Oh, =name=! I'm so happy!
I can scarcely believe she loves me, much less that... that we could be together. But it's true. Wherever we go from now on, we go together.
Accusations
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Live and drink, kendren. Have you... come to a conclusion?
Love and Fear
SonnetOffer
For me? Are you sure?
But... this is a poem. In Esk's handwriting. Are you s-sure this is for me?
SonnetDelivered
Oh.
Ayvah, she-- Eskhind wrote this about... me? How my head swims at these lavish words. If she wrote this and meant it for me, she must... love me.
But it can't be. Can it?
NeelaLovesEsk
Kendren, you must understand. I spent so many years trying in vain to fall out of love with Eskhind. I thought it the only way to endure our adolescence, watching her poor attempts at courtship with other hindren.
I thought it the only way to endure her departure, as well. But she is returned, and she loves me. Ayvah. I am terrified to speak to her of this, but I must.
Thank you.
Investigation
No. You are the one investigating, so my bias need not enter play. If you determine that Eskhind is guilty, I will heed your word and carry out a just sentence.
After that, I'm not sure.
Kith and Kin Outcome
Hindriarch Keh
Kendren, please...
I am grateful for what you have done for our village, but the sight of you is a bitter leaf. Leave me alone.
Hindriarch Esk
Kendren! I mean, =name=! My heart sings to see you.
Thank you for clearing Eskhind's name. If I could muster up the courage you have...
No Hindriarch
Live and drink, kendren.
Please forgive me; I am grateful that you opened my eyes, but the sight of you is yet a bitter leaf. Let me grieve my people in peace.