Child of Ember - Chapter 1

The Festival of Lights

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PC Message
DM

Fête de Éclairer, the annual festival celebrating spring and the warming return of the sun, is in full swing when you arrive into town. Parades march down the streets, singing and holding candles, torches, and lanterns aloft, pushing back the gathering dusk with their light. Bands played loudly and joyously Blessed is the Dawn, the anthem of Richmulot, and Vistani jugglers, and dancers fill the streets.

Blessed is the Dawn is a song that celebrates Richmulot's Independance. It remembers those who died when Drakov sent his troops into Richmulot. Although the battle was short and swift, it was also brutal and many lost their lives before the enemy troops were repelled.

The smells of food from many lands (including your own) fill the air drawing you to an area known as old market square.

Old market square is a large open area just this side of the river, filled now with tents and booths for merchants to hawk their wares and for people to seek shelter should the skies pour rain.

Every type of goods imaginable can be found here, and the gathering has brought venders from every corner of the heartlands, and even some of the lands sequestered by the mists.

The "heartlands" in this game, refer to the core

Which of the attractions call most to your characters?

Cornelia

A tough-looking female warrior threads her way confusedly through the crowd. Though she appears capable of handling herself, she is obviously out of her depth. She pays little attention to the festival goings-on, except to buy a little cake from a stall and munch on it absently as she searches for a familiar face.

Her gaze locks on a short, black-haired woman in earth tones. Wending her way through the crowd, she comes to the woman's side and murmurs into her ear in a strange accent,

"Wise one, I am Cornelia Sulla, of Palanthas. I don't know where I am, or how to get back to my caravan. Is there some way you can help me?"

Cornelia looks hopefully at the slender figure.

Kat

Looking around at the stalls containing various food stuffs, Katherynne purchases a loaf of homemade bread and a wedge of cheese. Savoring the fresh tasting food, her mouth waters. "It's been so long with nothing but trail rations" she realizes to herself and eats her lunch daintily. When the woman comes up to her hopefully, Katherynne listens intently to the quiet plea for help, before responding sadly, "I am unsure how I can help you, where are you from?"

Cornelia

"Wise one, I am from Palanthas, in the northern Solamnic Plains. Surely you know where Palanthas is? It is the most beautiful city in Ansalon - even the Dragonqueen could not cow its proud beauty! I was travelling near the lands of the elves to the south, the nation of Qualinesti, when my scouts picked up the tracks of draconians. I set out after them, but the mists surrounded me and I emerged on the outskirts of this strange city. Where am I? Is this still Ansalon?"

Kat

"Alas" Katherynne replies "I am afraid you have arrived in Richmulot" Watching the woman's face with concern etched into her features, Kat continues, ready to aid the woman should she grow faint or sorrowful "I have heard of this Ansalon, but know of no way to travel there but by magic. Did you arrive here in a fog type mist?" Kat asks trying to help the woman understand her predicament.

Cornelia

"Yes, exactly. A strange fog surrounded me and I emerged . . . here. This is Richemulot?" Cornelia asks, sounding the unfamiliar name carefully. "I have never heard of the place. Who rules here?"

Kat

"This town is ruled by the merchants to the best of my knowledge" she replies pulling her cloak a bit tighter around her face. "I believe you are in a land far from the one in wence you hail. You are not the first to travel thusly to a land unknown"
Cornelia

"Gods," Cornelia mutters under her breath, then looks around despairingly. "Wise one, I know not what to do or how to get home. Might I offer you my strong sword arm as your protector in exchange for your help in finding the path back to my homeland?"

Kat

"That sounds like an acceptable arrangement" Katherynne replies thoughtfully, looking around the area. "It would please me to travel with one such as yourself for protection." she agrees.

Cornelia

Cornelia breaks into a relieved smile. "Thank you, wise one. I promise to serve you well."

DM (Dolph)

As the group of you speak you see a man approaching from a book vendor's stand, He approaches in an open and friendly manner. He is dressed distinctly in a loose black shirt, cloak, and brown trousers. His coffe colored hair hangs in a tight ponytail at the back of his head. His complexion is pale, almost grey. In his left hand he holds a staff, tucked beneath his right arm is a slender leather bound book the size of a childs picture book.

"Hello, my name is Dolph, a friend of Kat." He smiles and nods at Cornelia.

Kat

Katherynne smiles brightly with a nod, showing Cornelia that Dolph speaks the truth in that he is her friend. Turning towards Dolph she speaks. "Dolph, this is Cornelia Sulla, and she has asked that I help her find her way home. I cannot think of a reason to deny her request, so I will help her as best as I can." with a small smile to Cornelia she waits to see Dolphs reaction to the news, and Cornelia's to Dolph.

"Hello Cornelia, Often do we get visitors form far away exotic lands, transported here by the mists. I am acting as tour guide for Kat," His black eyes meet hers, "perhaps you might like to be shown the way of things yourself?"

He gestures with a hand to the throng that has gathered for the festival, "This is the festival of the sun, here tonight we are celebrating the return of the sun to thaw the fields and river. This winter has been especially harsh, some days the snow came down so heavily as to bring everything in Richmulot to a halt. Now though the snows have thawed, and days are getting longer. It is a time for celebration," he stops letting a small group of children pass.

"Peoples from all of the Heartland have come to sell their wares, as well as to buy. It is fortuitous that you have come at this time, for among such a gathering there is a goodly chance of you finding the answers you seek, if the questions are discreet. Tell me from whence you came?"

Cornelia

"I am from Palanthas," Cornelia replies after giving the man a cautious examination, "a city in the north of Ansalon. I was travelling with my employer's caravan as its guard when we came across the tracks of draconians. I tried to hunt them down, but a strange mist surrounded me and I emerged here."

DM (Dolph)

"There is a land far from here, where you might find some answers, though i hesitate to tell you for it is A place of grave danger ruled by a man from your home land with an iron grip. Though if tales be true he has escaped from here years ago. He is a tortured soul in fire blackened armor, served by 13 grim skeletal warriors. Perhaps you know of him. His name is Soth." He says looking at him.

Cornelia

Cornelia blanches and draws back automatically. "Soth? Soth is . . . is dead, truly dead. He must be!"

Kat

Kat puts a hand out to steady the obviously distraught woman. "Are you ok Cornelia? " she looks at the woman questioningly

DM (Dolph)

"Perhaps, gone definately. Some say he was returned to the land from which he came. Of this I do not know, it has been some time since I walked that cursed land. This i tell you, Soth, is a terrible sight to behold." He seems to shudder a little, and you are not sure if it is from the chill wind or some distant, disturbing memory.

"The night grows chill, let us retire some place where we can get some warm stew. I know of two places where he stew is hot and the wine is cold. One is a rowdy place, with loud festive music. The other is a more sedate enviroment selling not only food and wines, but other more... exotic supplies. The choice i leave to you good ladies."

Meanwhile...
Celestia

Celestia wanders around the city marveling at the sights. She pauses and watches the Vistani performers, but from across the street. She seems enthralled by them but at the same time it is apparent that she is keeping her distance from them. She also stops and watches anyone that is telling stories or dancing. She stays away from the foot carts and briefly, almost with no interest, glances at the wares for sale. No matter where she is, her gaze will drift back over to the Vistani.

Dea

Dea drifts through the crowd, munching on a meat-and-bark pie. She has only just procured it from a stall, which claimed to sell Vechorite foodstuffs. The owner had looked like a native, and greeted her with the respect she was due, but his speach had had an odd accent, and the pie, while tasty, has been spiced with local herbs. It tastes familiar enough though, and the bustle of the crowd reminds her of the summer festival at home. She almost expects the walls to turn into meat and the sky to turn purple, as she remembers had happened during the initiation ceremony last year.
Lost in her memories, she doesn't look where she is going, and bumps into a tall young woman in dark clothes.

"Vesanis! " she exclaims, as the leftovers of the pie splatter on the ground.
"I bid you forgive my clumsiness. My thoughts had wandered, I did not see you, lady."

Natacha

A woman approaches. She seems to be in the beginning of her twenties. She has a swarthy complexion and there seems to be something exotic about her. You can't quite put the finger on it. She has long dark hair, bright blue eyes and while she isn't exactly slim she isn't quite fat either. She wears simple clothes made for traveling -- a cloak with trousers underneath. Her only weapon seems to be a simple knife at her belt. She has a bag strung over her left shoulder.

As she addresses you a white owl glides in and lands on her shoulder. Absently minded she caresses it chest. It stares at you. "God day." she greets you. "I'm Natacha... I'm looking for company for my travels. The roads are dangerous and a lone person can all to easy fall pray to an unpleasant fate." She shutters at these last words and a furtive glance over her shoulder follows. "May I ask where you might be going?"

Dea

Dea turns away from the woman she bumped into, who is already engrossed again in the Vistani's play.
She nods at the dark woman, a glint of light cascades of the metalic seal on her forehead, highlighting the engraved E in the metal. "My name is Quarta Deos Vanita. I, like you, am not from this place. I came from a long way, representing my country in this marvelous - though cold - city. And to answer your question, I have no plans of travelling anywhere."
She lets out a short, tinkling laugh.
"By my Lady, no. I just arrived here. But you seem in need of guidance and support, so maybe we can be of help to each other, hmm? Have you been long in this city?"

Natacha

Natacha seems to be studying the Vistani with an intense stare for a few moments. As Dea answers her she turns to her. (She study Dea for a long moment before answering, her gaze drifting to the 'E' on her forehead) "No... No I have not been long in this town and perhaps I'll stay for a while. I'm looking for something and my chance of finding it here seems as good as elsewhere..." Again her gaze has drifted to the Vistani nearby and the festival in general.

Celestia

Celestia's gaze is drawn back to the Vistani and some of the things that she hard them say. When she turned back to the woman she had starting talking to another woman.
Looking down at the food on the ground, Celestia feels a little bad that pie was ruined. She walks over the woman with the blue and purple robe.
Overhearing the conversation, she breaks in. "Milady, I believe that I may have been partly responsible for you dropping your pie. Please allow me to either buy you a new one or reimburse you for the one that was dropped." Softly, almost a whisper, she adds "I once knew how to safely navigate the mists. I fear now, I may not have that skill. If you would like my help, I will do what I can."
Celestia quickly glances around at the crowd, her gaze lingering on the Vistani before returning to the other women.

Dea

"No reason to reimburse the pie. I was lost in thought and blame none but myself. I apologize for startling you.
The festivities remind me of home."
She lowers her voice as in response to the woman's... emberassment?
"What mists do you speak of, lady? Do you mean the walls of Vesanis? They were erected by Easan, our Divine King, to protect us from the death-bearing armies of Iuz, who's domain, legend says, lies beyond the walls. No-one can breach them. At least those who have tried have never returned." She smiles grimly. "And I doubt that I would ever wish to visit Iuz' lands. Hmmm. No. You must be talking about something else."

She turns to Natacha.
"Come, you can tell us where you are heading. But let us not dally here. Some refreshments will help us get acquianted, as we are all strangers in this city, and it will be good to talk and learn of your lands, which is one reason why I am here. You can call me Dea. If you feel uncomfortable with using my name, you may refer to me as sister or maiden. We have never been called ladies.
Now, let us find a stall with refreshments and a nice spot to sit down, and we can take turns telling whence we came and where we are going."

At that, she beckons her new made friends to a nearby tavern, who'se owner has put up a stall outside.

Natacha

Behind her Dea hears Natacha answer as she follows her: "'Dea' will be fine with me. You can call me Natacha. This is, if you don't want to call me by my stage name 'Natacha the Marvelous'." It sound as if there is a smile in Natacha's voice.

Celestia

Celestia follows the group at a slight distance. She is unsure if they are including her or not. It has been a while since anyone had anything to do with her and she is uncertain how to react and this uncertainity shows on her face. She starts to fumble with something at her belt and then stops.

DM

As you travel you hear, "Can you believe it? Louise Renier is here?!?! I saw her only this very eve! Apparently she and her dear sister had some sort of spat..."

Next : Tasha's Exotica

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