Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 1:07 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Gale watched as Delanac spoke with the man with the funny lenses sitting on his nose. The airship was beautiful, just like she imagined. She was surprised that it didn't have wings, and really was more like a ship that sailed through water. There was a bird of prey at the front of the ship, below the pointy part that stuck out like a needle and its large wings flanked the post it was mounted on. The tail feathers trailed off into curls resembling how people drew the wind in pictures. The flag was a dark blue with a white bird, and the tail feathers were exceptionally long. It was a pretty one, and from what she overhead between the man and Delanac–it was a 'thunderbird'. 

She had never heard of a thunderbird before. Were they like a phoenix, but born from storm clouds? What color would be be? Perhaps they were blue and white, or with feathers of gossamer? Phoenixes were the color of fire, according to Master Rashaad. He had never seen one before but he said that was what they looked like. From the airship's appearance, they must be fairly large if they were to be majestic birds of the sky. A small thunderbird didn't seem right to her.

Hearing the mention of dragons she asked innocently, "Will we see a dragon? I've never seen a live one before. The ship must fly very high if one can see them." The man with the spectacles chuckled, coughing a bit. "Is this your first time flying in an airship, little lady?" Gale nodded to him. "Yes, efendi. I have never seen a ship that flies through the air before. How does it fly?"

"Well we'd be here all day if I told you, so I'll give you the short version in layman's terms. In the ship, there's these machines that use a magical stone that gives them power. That power makes the propellers spin, and also makes the ship float when needed. If I want to lower the ship, I just turn some of the machines off. Sounds interesting, doesn't it?" She nodded again in agreement. "But what happens if the stones don't have enough power? What happens then? Do you replace them with new ones?" 

"Right you are, little miss. Though I can't bring you in to see them, that'd be far too dangerous. You can see the rest of the ship when you come on board with your friend there." The man gave a sly wink at Delanac, who grumbled while taking out his crescents. After checking the amount of money paid was not a single silver less, the man pulled out two slips of paper shaped like tickets. The text on them were in fancy letters and within the border it read: 'Admit One - Thunderbird Express'. There was a small drawing of the ship below and a compass rose. "Here you are, and right this way. We'll be taking off in the next half hour if no other passengers come on board." 

She took the ticketed and held it up to the light, fascinated. Gale wanted to keep this to show Master Rashaad when she reunited with him again. She boarded the airship with Delanac, walking up the gangplank once it was lowered.

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 12:25 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

It was good to see her eyes light up again. Seeing her happy brought a smile to the orc's face, as he answered her questions one at a time. "Yes, I've been on one a few times. They weren't fancy, but I know what it feels like. Sometimes when the sea gets rough the entire place feels like it's rocking like a wee babe's cradle! And once you get back on land, your legs wobble until they get used to it again. Travel by sea's sometimes tough for some folk, to the point where all that rocking makes them dizzy. But that's not a problem on an airship most of the time." He tucked away his pouch as he went on to describe an airship to the young girl: "An airship's not that much different from a regular ship. Just think of it with a bunch of big old spinners that keep it afloat and help it steer."

"What makes them fly? Do they have wings?" She asked him. "Well, some of them do, but not like bird wings mind you. They do have sails that look a bit different from the ones one the sea. As for what makes them fly, who knows? Probably by magic or somewhat. If you want, we can take a ride in one–then you can see it for yourself. I think I have enough on me for both of us to get seats on a small one." Motioning for her to come along, he walked to the docks. Passing the schooners and galleons, he arrived at the place where the airships would land for repairs. There were many of them, all splendid and shining in the sun with banners flapping in the breeze. They came in all shapes and sizes, just like the ones in the water. Each captain had their own boarding price, ranging from high to moderate.

The ones with more than one passenger deck were out of the question. He knew he didn't have enough to even get in himself. Browsing the smaller aircraft, he tried to see which one would be reliable and less painful to his pocket. The captains sure liked to dress their vessels up–some of them had even fancier masts and figureheads than Capt. Blackwater's 'White Mare', though less gaudy. He whistled as he passed one with a golden lion's head and red lions on the sails. Even the pirates in Vilpamolan would be jealous of this one. After much pacing, he settled on a medium-sized craft with a white bird spreading its wings grasping a pistol and lightning bolts in the talons. The side of the airship read: "Thunderbird". 

"You looking for a lift stranger?" A man with an odd set of spectacles and his hair combed back stepped out from the ship's shadow. "That I am. How much for two passengers?" Delanac asked, assuming he was one of the crew. "Fifty silver crescents per person, without luggage. If the luggage exceeds a maximum of thirty pounds that'll be double. If it's under, then only twenty plus the basic boarding fee. Where do you plan to go?" The man polished one of the brass pins on his coat, eyeing the orc. Delanac wrinkled his brow at the price. "We're planning on going to Iria. Think your vessel can take us there?" The thought of a hundred and twenty crescents leaving all at once was not a pleasant one, but he had asked around and so far there weren't any better offers. He wondered if there was a particular reason why, and hopefully it wasn't a bad one.

"Hm… I think the ship can manage. We can leave straight away, or should you have other business to attend to we'll be staying here until three in the afternoon." The man responded. He was already eyeing them as potential customers, and Delanac was having second thoughts. It wouldn't hurt to know more about the ship's reputation before making a decision. "So, what can you tell me about this ship here? And who's the captain of the vessel?" 

"The Thunderbird? She's a hardy flyer, capable of weathering gale-force winds. She's flown head-on into a thunderstorm twice and lived to tell the tale. Don't let her size fool you, she's far superior to those bloated albatrosses over there. Her engines and steering are first-rate and second to none. Nothing, and I mean nothing has been able to bring her down." The bespectacled man grinned proudly, twirling the end of his thin mustache. "I see…so what about dragons?" Delanac asked sarcastically.

"Hm, never ran into one before above the cloud layer. But I'm sure she could outrun the scaly lizards without breaking a sweat." The man's boast elicited a snort of disbelief from the orc.

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:47 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Her spirits had sunk upon learning the truth behind her situation. Homesickness filled her mind, and in one of the rare occasions in her life, her heart was not at peace. Delanac's words of encouragement helped ease the sadness. Although he himself was not able to help her, he told her of a place where she could find those who could. From what he said, it was very far away and across an ocean. Gale had never seen the sea, but she knew that places across an ocean must be very far apart. Looking at his map Iria seemed so far from Sularia, but there were ways to get there. She shook her head when he asked her if she had ever been on a ship. Karkhata was not a seaside town even though it was a center of trade. Around the city was rocky ground and desert, occasionally spotted with oases. Karkhata flourished because of the fact it was built on one, and the wells were replenished every autumn when the rains came. It was not so dry that all became sand, but the sun was merciless in the late summer.

"Have you been on a ship, Delanac? What is an airship like?" She had never heard of ships that traveled through air, only ones through water. How did they sail in the sky? She imagined a great big boat, being rowed by sailors in a sea of clouds while the wind blew behind them filling the sails. They must be very light for ships, if they could fly through clouds without sinking. They must have great pinwheels and banners streaming from the masts like the lanterns in the Full Moon Festival, in all sorts of colors and sizes. Drifting through the clouds, seeing the sun first thing in the morning and the moon at night…it seemed like a beautiful thing to see. She had always wanted to know what it was like to experience it in the waking world, and not just in dreams. The heaviness in her heart lifted, flying away like a released lantern into the evening sky. "Is it really alright for me to come with you?"

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:31 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

"Hey, hey now. Don't get yourself discouraged already…" Delanac sat down beside her. He wasn't the best when it came to talking, so the best he could do was give her emotional support. "You did the best you could, and it's not your fault. So you say you came from somewhere else after falling asleep did you? Proper strange. How about this, I know a place where you might be able to find someone to find your teacher even if you don't know where he is. There's a place called Iria in the next continent over. They've got plenty of mages there, and one of them's bound know how. Now let's see here.."

Pulling out his map he unfolded it then brought it over to let Gale see. "This here's Canelux, the continent we're on now. Sularia's right around here-" He said pointing to the area left of Horae Island. Then he pointed to the peninsula right of Abed. "-And Iria's around here. This here continent's called Parvpora. We'll need to sail across the Nyella Ocean before we can reach it, or take an airship. The first's much cheaper but more risky, while the latter's a wee bit safer but more expensive. Say, have you even been on a ship before?" When she shook her head, he rubbed his chin. "Hm…well there's a first time for everything ain't it? I think you'll like it quite a bit." He gave a quick check in his pouch to see how many crescents he had. He wasn't planning on letting her travel all by herself. And besides, he was thinking of visiting the hobbits in Komiteia for the food.

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:39 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

"…I know." Gale softly replied as she traced an invisible shape on the ground. "I suspected something like that would happen…" She stayed quiet for a while, before sitting down again. After a long silence she continued. "At first, I thought I was dreaming. I was in a great and majestic garden, with every kind of flower and tree imaginable. Then, as I entered a light I was here. Sooner or later, I believed I would wake up and I would hear the sound of the vendors hawking their wares and children playing in the streets. Master Rashaad would be sitting next to me, asking if I had a good dream." She brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

"But every time I close my eyes, I open them to find myself here. After you spoke to me, I have come to realize…that this is not a dream. I really am no longer in Karkhata, and now Master Rashaad will be looking for me. He will be worried, and I am not able to tell him that I am alive and well, or where I am. I know not how or why I came here. All I remember is I was walking in a dream." Resting her head on her knees, she concluded. "…I want to go home."

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 9:55 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

"Excuse me ladies, but have you seen anyone who looks like this come through here? I'm looking for him. He's someone's guardian." Delanac had to muster his courage before approaching the Rosenite guards watching the single entry point into the city. Even though he was much taller than them, those glaives they were holding weren't for show. Rosenites were also fierce fighters, willing to fight tooth and nail for the sake of their city and country. This made them far more terrifying than bandits, as they had a serious motivation behind their actions. One of the guards eyed the drawn image closely. "No, we haven't seen such a person. In the past few days there were no men wearing headscarves depicted here with these features."

"Oh, uh thanks. I'll be going now." He walked away scratching the back of his head returning to Gale, who was looking downcast. He felt bad seeing the lass like that. Being all alone in a strange place, without knowing where your parents were was something no child should have to experience. He tried to soften the blow the best he could as he told her. "So I asked the guards about your master, and it seems like they don't recall seeing him. Maybe he's lost in another city? Do you know where else he might be?" He didn't want her to feel as if she had been abandoned. That would just be too sad.

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 9:11 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Gale had drawn the face of Master Rashaad from memory. It took only a moment after she had closed her eyes to see the lines that made his face. Once her drawing was done, she returned the quill and paper to Delanac, and watched him look at it with surprise. She had never given her drawing a second thought; she was simply drawing what she saw in her mind. What seemed mundane to her was amazing to another, and she had never wondered why. She quietly nodded, agreeing to Delanac's choice of action. They finished their beverages and he paid for both as he got up. Following him, she walked down many streets and alleys until they reached the gate out of the city. Two women with beautiful, yet dangerous weapons kept watch over the exit and were on alert. Delanac then approached them, and inquired if they had seen a man resembling the drawing.

Gale had been standing far away enough that she could not hear what they were saying, but from how they acted it appeared the answer was 'no'. If the guards said they did not see him, then perhaps he was elsewhere. She was a bit disappointed, but it didn't come as a surprise. If he had been in the city he would have searched high and low until he found her. Gale looked down at the ground and traced invisible lines on the ground with the toe of her boots. So was she really here, by herself? How did she come here, and why? 

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:55 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Tall, with a black beard, and likely human. That was an awfully vague description of a man he had ever heard of. There was no way he could narrow down his search with only that to go on. When Gale suggested to draw a caricature to better depict her teacher, Delanac obliged. Tearing out a piece from his journal he pulled out a quill for her to write with. He watched as she drew a surprisingly accurate depiction of the face of a human man in his late thirties, with a full beard covering most of the lower portion of the face except the mouth. Serious eyes were placed above an aquiline nose, all below a piece of cloth secured by a circlet of rope. From the neck below he seemed to be wearing robes of some sort, and it was shocking how frighteningly detailed her drawing was–down to the crow's feet at the ends of the man's eyes.

Once the drawing was complete, she returned the quill and paper, and he stared at the inked face looking back. With this, there was no doubt they could find the man should he be within the walls of Sularia. "How did you–It looks just like a real person!" Delanac exclaimed, while the girl looked on with the same placidly curious expression. If she ever decided to become an artist, she would have no trouble making portraits. He was sure this would impress the craftsmen back home in Yovaesh. And the speed at which she recreated the image was phenomenal! It was as if she simply traced an image showing through from beneath the paper. "Well then, this is much better. With this we can ask the guards around if they've seen your master around here. They watch everyone who goes in and out of the city, so they should know if he's passed through."

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:07 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

So that was why she had seen such sights in her dreams. The dancing flowers were the people, and the stars were made of the same jewels she saw adorning the city. It all made sense now. Sularia was truly a city of flowers, in all aspects of the word. "My home is Karkhata, but I know not how I came to be in this place. Could you tell me where it is? My teacher Rashaad will worry about me when he learns I am gone. He may scold me, but I know he means well. He is tall like you, but his skin is of a different color and his beard is black like jet. If you have a piece of parchment and ink I can draw him for you."

Gale did her best to describe her mentor to Delanac, but from his reaction it seemed a more thorough explanation was needed. Pictures could describe things much better than words sometimes, for those whom had never seen the subject in question before. Though she was far away from home she did not seem afraid, and merely wanted to find the way back. For most they would become anxious at this knowledge, but Gale's heart was at peace. If she searched long enough, she would find the answers to her questions. That was what she had learned as a dream-walker, and her dreams had rarely proved themselves false. At times their meaning was obscured and only revealed their true purpose after something had happened, as was common for all dreams.

She had spent her entire life in Karkhata before arriving here. As far back as she could recall she lived with Master Rashaad and several other students. After he chose her to be his apprentice, she lived with him and studied under his tutelage. She had never left the trading city's walls, and had been content with her life there. Perhaps once she was older Master Rashaad would allow her to travel with him, but that was meant for the future. She had never met any of Rashaad's former pupils that he had trained before he chose her, and Rashaad himself spoke little of the subject. Gale had assumed that was not for her to know until the time was right, and did not continue asking him further after the first time. Sometimes it was far better to allow people to speak on their own time than to request for an answer. Patience was a virtue she had learned to implement in every aspect of her training and so she did in life. 

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 12:46 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Delanac was flabbergasted. He couldn't believe she didn't know what a Rosenite was. Even someone from Abed would be aware of this, at least. Her sudden politeness caught him off guard, and after hearing her speak so respectfully he couldn't be angry at her. Perhaps she had lived a sheltered life away from the world and cities. "Oh uh, you can just call me Delanac." Being called 'Mr. Ironbrow' was strange to him, and it made him feel it sounded stuffier than formal. He wasn't used to the whole 'sir' and 'madam' thing, even in places like Adeluna. He moved on to clear up her misconceptions.

"As for Rosenites, it's not like that. You see, they have a connection with plants and the earth and their rulers have the surname 'Rose'. Many of them name their children after flowers. I've heard that most of them have a red ring around their irises, so that's how you can tell if you're talking to one." That was as much as he knew about them. He hadn't encountered many Rosenites outside of Yovaesh, or at least ones he was aware of. He did know that most of them were female, and that he had never seen nor heard of any male ones. "So Gale, where's your hometown? You don't seem like you're from Sularia." He was already aware now, seeing how unfamiliar Gale had been on even the most basic knowledge of Canelux. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 11:07 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

"Ohh…I see. That's very different indeed. Sularia…what a pretty name. It even sounds beautiful when you say it. So this truly isn't home after all. The people in the city here seem happy, so it should continue to grow healthy and strong for years to come. That is a wonderful thing." Indeed, she had noticed this before she had drifted off to sleep. The children here were carefree and their parents relaxed. Surely they would not act so if the city was not safe for them. She hadn't noticed the society was matriarchal however, and she connected the observation of a high female population present on the streets with that. If all the women were out doing business, then where were the men? She pondered this thought, but changed her focus as a question she had been musing came back to her. 

"I almost forgot, while I was listening I had a question. I wanted to wait until you were finished speaking, and nearly lost it." Setting her cup gingerly onto the table, she asked him. "What is a Rosenite? I have never heard of one before. Was one of their ancestors known by the name of Rosen, or was that their surname?" She did not understand why the man looked so confused at her question. Did she say something wrong? She hadn't misheard the name, had she? Gale then followed up with another question, before she lost her train of thought. "I have realized that I also forgot another thing. My name is Gale, efendi. I humbly ask you in turn, how may I address you?"

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 2:31 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Leaning back in his chair, Delanac began with the first question. "This beautiful city of precious metals and jewels is called Sularia, the heart of the land known as Arri. This nation was founded long ago by a race known as Rosenites. You're probably seen many of them walk by in the streets and the city. The society here is distinctly matriarchal, so just imagine women in positions normally held by men in other places. I don't know too much when it comes to history, but this land has been through its share of struggles from without and within. In other words: Arri is a strong nation, and its people are fiercely loyal to their land." 

From inside the cafe, a waitress came out bearing a tray with their drinks. The woman smiled as she set down the glass of fruit juice and chilled water. "Thank you, ma'am." Delanac nodded politely to her before she returned to the interior of the restaurant. Taking the drink he ordered, he took a sip and let the flavors mingle on his taste buds. Mango, strawberries, a hint of lemon, honey, and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on. He'd tasted this one before, but didn't know what it was. He'd have to ask the owner about it later. The girl was taking a drink from her cup of water, and peered at the bottom of it as she drank. She seemed to have an unnatural curiosity towards everything, even something as mundane as a stoneware cup. As the orc savored his drink he wondered where she had come from. Adeluna? No, she didn't seem like the type. Vilpamolan was out of the question, and Egjora wouldn't make sense. Her attire ruled out Karith and Ataiyo, but perhaps she was from Abed? 

"So, any other questions?"

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 1:28 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Gale followed him to a canopied building with chairs and tables outside. Slipping into the other chair at the table, she settled in. "Hm…what should I ask first?" Tilting her head back and forth, she rested her chin on her knuckles. Having found her train of thought, she raised her hand over her head. "I would like to hear the name of this place, and how it came to be if you please. It looks a lot like home, but it doesn't feel like it. There are lots more flowers here." Having made her request, she folded her hands on the table and crossed her legs on the chair. What kind of story would he tell her? Maybe it would be a tale of love and laughter, or one of loss and sadness. Or perhaps one of flights of fancy, with a bit of whimsy. With ears ready to listen, she watched as the wind made the tassels hanging off a post sway back and forth in the breeze. She loved stories, even if they wren't always happy ones. 

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 9:31 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

After listening to her reasons, Delanac feared he was right. She was an odd one, but didn't mean anyone harm. He had no idea what she was talking about aside from the dreaming part; which only made sense as she had been asleep. "…I see. If you want to know about the history of Sularia, I could tell you what I know. Keep in mind I might not have all my facts straight, so if accuracy's what you're after, best get the story from the horse's mouth–so to speak." When the girl looked up at him expectantly, he assumed she wanted to know.

Taking a deep breath, the orc looked if there were any people walking around friendly enough to give a tourist some information. When he failed to spot any, he heaved a sigh. "Hrmph… Looks like I'll have to grin and bear it. Come on, let's find a cooler spot to sit. This might take a while." He motioned for the girl to follow him as he made his way over to a small restaurant with tables and chairs outside the shop, beneath a large cloth canopy. This particular place was a favorite of his in the past, as they served a refreshing fruit drink made with tropical flavors and the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Ordering a glass for himself and some water for the girl, he took a seat. "So, where do you want me to start?"

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 8:19 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

"I wanted to learn of this city's story, so I decided to take a little walk in a dream." She spoke plainly and honestly, as it was the truth. "It is a beautiful city, with many flowers. The flowers themselves dance and move on their own as jewels shine in the skies. Life and water is plentiful here and they flow freely. But I have yet to gain insight into such things. A city like this must have many wonderful stories to tell." Although the dream-walker had seen such sights in the dreaming realm, she had no idea how accurate her dreaming was. For someone who had never heard of a Rosenite or their history, her depiction was very close to the truth itself. The strange man seemed puzzled at her words, and she in turn did not understand why. Folding her hands together, she waited for him to respond.

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:29 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

"Oh, didn't mean to disturb you. Were you sleeping? Never seen anyone doze off in the middle of the day by the side of the road before. Proper odd place for a nap, I'd say." Delanac took a few steps back to give the girl some space. She was an odd one, that was for sure. From the way she slowly woke up and took her time in responding, she was probably still half-asleep. She didn't react badly to him being orc, so that was a good thing. "No, no–I was just seeing if you were alright. Say, why were you sitting here all by yourself?" Sularia was very safe compared to most cities, but he couldn't help himself from worrying seeing a lass all alone like that. She didn't have any red in her eyes, so he hazarded a guess that she wasn't a Rosenite. Her hair was quite the unusual shade of orange, reminding him of the flames from the forge when it was roaring. It was like it had been made from fire itself.

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:30 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Gale was deep in the depths of the realm of dreams. This place was new, and the stream of consciousness shaped it differently than in Karkhata. Sparkling lights shone below while glowing precious stones acted as stars. Vines reached up from the ground to connect to them, and the plant life seemed to move creating a path as she walked. She knew not what these things meant in relation to the waking world, but it had everything to do with the dreams of the people here. Fragrances of flowers, grass, and water flowed through the fabric of the dream as she watched their trails drift through the air. Sitting on a chair formed from the curvature of a large leaf, she saw the lights ripple as she felt a tapping on her shoulder. Satisfied with what she had seen in her walk, she pulled back into her physical body, leaving the dream.

Outside, the girl slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, and looked around for who or what which had interrupted her. She saw a tall figure beside her, partially crouched to be closer to her height. Looking up, she stared for a while as she came up with a response. He looked very strong, and his muscles were likely from hard labor. He did not look like the people here, but what drew her attention was the curious shade of his skin. "Oh…" Her voice trailed off. Realizing that she had been staring for quite some time, she stood up. "Is there something you wish to ask of me?"

Author: Delanac Ironbrow, Posted: Sat Apr 8, 2017 12:06 PM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

As he stepped onto the glittering streets, Delanac took a deep breath. Ahh, Sularia. Their air was warm and clean, and still smelled like roses. He had been here a few times with his father back when he was sure he'd become a blacksmith. For a man who worked with metals, Sularia was a place of interest for a myriad of reasons. It was here where Delanac learned about the different metals and precious stones sold in the city's bazaar and how they were used to create high-quality artisan goods. Carric saw his son had a talent for shaping metal and details, thus he decided to expose him to goldsmithing and silversmithing early. Walking down the busy market, he reminisced over those trips. The feeling of wonder as he followed the colorful stones watching them blossom into an intricate mosaic, seeing stalls lined with any raw material a craftsman could ever want, and standing in awe at the delicate beauty of the famous quartz fountain.

Stopping before said fountain, he lifted his head and crossed his arms admiring the sculptor's handiwork. It was just like he remembered, maybe even better. After all those years it still retained its smoothness and fine detail. Pulling out his canteen, he held the container underneath the water cascading down from the upper basins until it was filled. Taking a swig, he capped it. Today he had come here for a different reason. Instead of ingots, ores, and precious stones he was here for something more utilitarian. When he left Yovaesh he had only the bare essentials. If he was going to become a master chef, he would first need the right tools. His first stop was by a tent selling herbs and spices. Having only cooked simple meals all his life, he could only recognize a handful of the names written on the jars. Seeing a prime business opportunity, the merchant struck up a conversation and in turn Delanac had her explain the flavors and qualities of each of her wares.

He left after purchasing a bundle of dried bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, oregano, peppercorns, and tarragon. He thought about buying some fresh herbs, but the dried ones would keep fresh longer. He skipped a few spices he had wanted as they were too expensive for his pouch. Apparently some of them were from the Parvporan city of Abed, which was on his list of places to visit. The city was famous for its curry, especially during the festival of colors. He head also heard of the halfling city of Komiteia and their excellent cured meats and cheeses. The thought of food itself reminded him that it was about time for a midday meal, and he left the bazaar to find an establishment serving the city's local cuisine. On his way, he saw a girl sitting by the road with her eyes closed. Curious, the orc came over and passed his hand in front of her face to see if she was awake or sleeping. When she did not react, he gently tapped her shoulder. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sun Apr 2, 2017 10:50 AM, Post Subject: [O] Sularia, Jewel of the Desert

Dream-walkers always knew to expect the unexpected, but the sight Gale beheld was something entirely new. She had left the enchanted garden and entered what could be described as the celestial heights in the strictures of one of the religions practiced in Karkhata. The streets were literally paved with gold, and there were glittering precious stones everywhere the eye could see. The carefully pruned rose bushes were just as beautiful in the bright sun. She stood in wonder, awed by all that she saw. It was like a beautiful dream.

As she let her mind and feet wander through the streets, she saw many women with their children. Their clothing reminded her of the more luxurious garments of the merchants of Karkhata, and for a moment she would have thought she was back home. Tiptoeing over the silver and gold lined streets, she wondered if today was a market day. In her time walking she had seen very few, if any boys and men in this city. This was strange to her, but she assumed it was because they were at work or at school learning. It was not uncommon for mothers to bring their young children out while shopping. She had seen women teaching their girls how to haggle prices and pick the best produce all the time on days when she had finished her chores early. 

When she passed by a magnificent fountain, her curiosity led her to peer into the watery depths of its basin. She saw some coins lying at the bottom, in a design she was not familiar with. She did not reach in to take one to examine it more closely, as they represented the hopes and wishes of those who tossed them in. She prayed that the coins themselves would disappear once the wishes were granted. If they were good wishes, they could only bring more happiness to an oasis like this. Finding a comfortable spot by the road, she took a seat and entered a state of meditation. Maybe if she cleared her mind, the story of this fair city would make itself known to her. She always saw such incredible things when she entered the dreaming world, perhaps this would give her direction on where she should go next.

As her mind slipped into a state of peace, she thought to herself on how her teacher would love to hear about what she had seen in a fantastical place like this.