Chapter Three: The City of Stone and Splendor. [Interstice]

To Kaya


"Fine, fine!" Adair steps out into the city, it's late in the day, but no hint of the orange glow of twilight just yet. "I have no issue with such. I was figuring on just taking a side street and seeing where it took me. Or do you have something else in mind?" He asked, lugging his sword onto his shoulder.
 
To Kalek


The old man snorts, "I would hope not, I tend to have great faith in the Seventh. But...as it stands, your last piece is upon the field and here I sit in command of it. Would you care to surrender? You can most certainly beat me another time, I'm sure of it. I'm nearing the end of my life, you have a long, long time to master all of this, my young friend." He'll knock out your second to last piece.


Results for 7 dice: 3 successes [ 6 5 7 4 8 4 7 ] (TN: 7) (damage/extra)
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


Looking up at the position of the sun in the sky, Kaya lost the last traces of her bad mood. Grinning again, she pointed towards the direction where the saw the glass pagoda. "There is a building that way made out of glass. Did you see it when we came in?" Her eyes fairly sparkled with anticipation as she glanced at Adair. "Back home, the setting sun looked marvelous on the glass buildings. Maybe we'll get there in time and we can see if the ones that built this structure knew what they were doing." Having lived in Chiaroscuro for so long, Kaya was partial to the beauty of that city of glass.
 
To Marcus


"Threats merely make your grave robbers and fools, you know. Though, I rarely see some people so motivated for books. But, if you wish to talk to the headmaster, so be it. Perhaps he'll be more susceptible to your...charms. Right this way, sirs." The old man is rather implacable it seems.


"We do not mean such hostility, truly." Garda speaks up. "But we did go through rather a lot to get these books. We merely figured you would want some of your cultural heritage back. However, we really could have just dumped the books on a dealer."


The old teacher chuckles. "You gentlemen should read up on the Demeter Hills sometimes. These books are valuable but...well, you'd just have to see. Anyhow, come along." He'll lead you both into the manor again and up the staircase in the grand hall, then through myriad corridors flanked with rooms for research, alchemy, and conducting lessons in spacious rooms with rows of keen students. You'll be brought to the top floor to a massive ballroom in the back with giant glass windows well over twenty feet tall looking out onto a sprawling hedge maze. A gentleman in a large blue cloak with gilded trim is overlooking the area.


"Headmaster Karon, these gentlemen would like a word over a choice find for our libraries."
 
Anju


Anju paid careful attention and nodded. It wasn’t a very specific answer, but it wasn’t impossible for a sign of good will to be given. She tilted her head afterwards, “You help the Elementals too? How do you do that?â€


It sounded like a lot of elementals to work with!
 
To Kalek


"Ha! A fine game." Golgo claps hands with you and a small wave of applause rushes over you both from the crowd gathered round. Numerous little bags of coin switch hands around you, men and women laughing or shaking their heads. "So, aside the both of us stressing over plotted moves and getting nearly crossed eyed drinking, what are your plans? We'll be here for some time. I think Lyrik's trying to charm his way into high society. If he does, I suggest we follow him all the way up." Golgo jerks his head toward the knight Lyrik is conversing with.
 
Kalek


"Hrm. I suppose all I really care to do right now is find myself a nice pair of soft breasts to lay my head on for a few hours," He lets out a hearty laugh, tossing a quick look around the Tavern for any women who might have been watching (And seemed interested) in the match, "And then do a bit of hunting so we might have a free meal at the caravan. What of yourself?"
 
To Kaya


Adair shrugs, "Let's be about it then."


You'll both stroll down the Avenue with few odd looks. Travellers filter through this place regularly. Though, you will notice you get a few respectful nods here and there from the actual Southerners. They know a Dereth when they see one. A few sneers, but that's expected as well. Your kinsmen never do look kindly on women normally, especially Dereth. Ah well. Such is the life you've chosen.


You'll cross into the massive Forum of Mountains, with the giant Hall of Law looming overhead, a manmade pillar to support the heavens. Adair drinks it all in in stride. The Tower is quite large, it almost looks taller than some of the towers back home, which certainly is impressive. The smooth edifice simply stands, watching its city.


Both of you pass through the forum in minutes, heading ever onward the Four Thousand Steps. That glass pagoda grows steadily larger as you approach. Oh...it's gorgeous. Southerners or someone touched by the Great Maker worked on this thing. A wave of nostalgia whips your mood into one of wonder. It's not exactly like anything home, but all that glass. You feel giddy for a moment. In all respects, the odd choice of iron framing and fired slate tiles for the roof are exactly like a pagoda. but every single wall where wood or rice paper would be is faceted and carved glass. Leaded glass and clear glass carved with martial patterns, old sigils of military valor, colored leaded glass depicting scenes from wars long ago, silver plaques fronting the massive gilded glass doors swung open wide for the populace. And that's just the outside of this large structure.
 
To Anju


"Well, we're not well-regarded by our friends in Greyfalls to the northwest for it." The guide says matter-of-factly. "We have many good friends who regard us well in the Granite Minds, for that, we repay them in anyway we can. Part of public law is once a week giving thanks in prayer to the gods of the earth and to Sengoki, leader of the Granite Minds. His help has aided us far more than the missionaries of the Realm ever have."


Your party arrives on the second tier soon enough, you're near the Senate Chamber, you can already hear the echoes all around you.


The guide turns from you to the giant doors of oak standing not twenty feet from you. "In here," he nearly shouts, "we have the Senate Chamber, as you can hear, we have several senators in session, dealing out new laws to increase the land's prosperity! I think we should head up to the third tier, and we shall come back down in an hour so that I may give you a glimpse of the senate floor when they recess for lunch."


As the party moves on, you'll note the doors to the Senate floor are in fact open, just so. And...hmm.


Perception + Awareness, please.
 
Anju


Hee hee hee! She may not take precious treasures, but what was the harm of eavesdropping a little? Even if they were staying awhile, surely no laws-in-the-making would affect them! As the group moved forward, Anju lingered just a bit; her eyes flicking sideways too see what she could see through the door and concentrated to hear what she could hear.


Results for 5 dice: 2 successes [ 5 2 7 7 6 ] (TN: 7)
 
To Kalek


Golgo snorts, "You'll be hunting in the zoological gardens then, hunting is sparse here on the plain. Lest you like cattle rustling. We've tried, we know." Golgo shakes his head, getting a fresh pint. "I'll treat you to a meal. Everyone else will make do as well. As for the tits, well, there's a blue-lantern district nestled on the far side of the tower against the Shard Wall, the far eastern side, beyond the pagoda and such." Golgo taps his nose and nods.


"And I'm surprised you've not made peace with your albino brother-in-blood over yonder. He's a quiet one."
 
To Anju


The guide's voice will vanish up a set of wide stairs around the bend along with the group. You'll hear soft, but echoing words drifting through the door. Seems to be only a few people inside. No one near the door, you'll edge it open just a little bit more and look in to the cavernous chamber. Wow, they really did plan big for this thing. Cool air hits your face, looking down upon terraced rows of seating and ornate wooden desks leading down to a pulpit and raised dais. Several figures are down there conversing in a manner a bit removed from cordial. The echoes drift up to you.


Two men and a woman.


"...consequences..."


"...ou damned fool idea..."


"...didn't want..."


"...Look, you didn't..."
 
Lyrik Evensong


"The Hawk and its Knights upon this earth. A tribute to their bravery, their dedication, and their sacrifice. As you wish, good sir."


Lyrik closes his eyes for a moment, concentration evident on his face. His lips move subtly, as if singing the words. Fingers move on his fret board, picking out notes, chords and phrasings. Once or twice, the musician shakes his head and seems to begin anew. Finally, a smile appears and his eyes open.


Lyrik sits motionless, the smile retreating, his eyes staring straight ahead, filled with desperate longing. Fingers poise above strings. The moment drags out, lingers, almost too long. Then those fingers move, and the sound they produce is the sound of the bitter North wind, blowing over the tundra, scouring everything it its path. It is the sound of the raging oceans of the West, pounding all that dares stand before it. It is the sound of the eternal thirst, of days spent evaporating under the harsh Southern sun. It is the sound of the great trees of the East, strangling all other life below them, grasping the earth in their inexorable grip. It is the sound of the cracking earth, smashing together to devastate those who would dare to stand against it.


He begins a hum, and the hum is the longing, painful soul scream of those left behind. There is torment in that hum, yet there is also defiance. Defiance against that pain, against that loss. There is much that will break a man, it seems to say, but those who are valiant must bear up against all pain, against all that is sent to test them.


The hum segues into a soft chanting, reminiscent of marching feet. The sanxian underscores this with a staccato trilling. There is a weariness, as if the feet have been marching forever, as if they will continue to march forever. Yet, at the same time, there is steely resolve, as if the march is simply another duty against which Man tests himself. There is no respite from this march, no escape. It simply must be endured.


Suddenly, Lyrik’s voice ceases its humming and he begins to sing. The words are sharp and broken, as if the words themselves are marching. His voice is tinged with that selfsame weariness conveyed in the march. Time too long gone from loved ones. Time too long gone from home. Time too long gone from their very selves. The battle they are about to fight is overwhelming. Perhaps it is un-winnable. But it will be fought. It must be fought. For that is their purpose. That is their duty. They will die before they shirk that duty.


Lyrik stands suddenly, and with the change in position, the song changes. There is a discordant quality now, reminiscent of the chaos of battle. The words are rushed and clipped, a desperate quality about them. The odds against the soldiers are staggering. They are outnumbered. They are under equipped. Their positioning is terrible. But they are not cowed. They do not turn and break. They hold their lines. They fight frantically. They fight fiercely. They fight brilliantly. Lyrik punctuates his words with motions reminiscent of sword fighting – thrusting here, swinging there, leaping onto his chair to defend a hill. There is no doubt as to the efficacy of those who fought.


There is no conclusion to the battle, however. It is unknown whether the soldiers won or whether they lost. It is an amalgamation of all battles fought. Some are lost. Some are won. What is constant through all battles is loss. The loss of comrades. Of loved ones. No matter if the battle is won, those losses are the ones that are felt most dearly. Lyrik’s head is bowed, the pain of loss evident through every line in his body, through every note evoked from his sanxian. The aching bereavement is like a palpable, tangible force, conveyed through the desolate longing in Lyrik’s voice.


This loss is woven throughout the ending of the song. There is no escaping it. Hope glimmers through, hope for the next battle, for the duty that is upheld. Pride, too, in the fulfillment of that selfsame duty. But through it all, loss. As the song winds down, arriving at its conclusion, Lyrik, who has been standing tall, slowly shrinks in upon himself. First his shoulders slump, then his back bends; he sits, as if the weight of this loss is pressing down upon him, then he bends over his knees. The last notes of the song trail off, echoing the pain, the pride, the duty of the soldiers, and Lyrik sits, curled into a ball, bent over his knees. When he finally straightens, that sense of loss still echoes in his eyes. He looks at the knight and nods, almost imperceptibly, as if to say, I know your pain. And those who witnessed the performance would be hard pressed to gainsay him.


Spending 4 motes for the First Performance Excellency.


Wits (3) + Performance (4) + Excellency (4) + Sanxian (1) = Results for 12 dice: 7 successes [ 5 0 0 3 0 3 4 9 1 6 2 3 ] (TN: 7)


Plus any stunt dice.


:roll:
 
Anju


Oooh. The tour wasn’t bad, but this was much more interesting. Were they talking about laws this way, with only three present? Anju glanced down to check the width of the opening. Now the real problem was if anyone would see her! Even if she wasn’t worried about getting hunted to death (which she was), her clothing would lead back to the caravan, and that’d be disastrous.


Turning slightly from the door, Anju looked about for people present and listen for people coming up from below or down from above.


(Wits + Awareness) Results for 5 dice: **BOTCH** [ 1 2 1 2 3 ] (TN: 7)
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


It was nice to be recognized for what she was again, though Kaya still felt the vague sting of those who sneered at her. Somehow that made her a bit restless. She barely looked at the Hall of Law, though she stopped when Adair did, eyeing the massive blocks and the impressive limestone cap. She was impatient to get to the glass pagoda, shouldering past people, barely looking at the forum they went through. When they got there, the building did not disappoint in any way. Shading her eyes, Kaya tilted her head back to take in the impressive structure. Just as she had hoped, the afternoon light was creating colored watery reflections within.


The budding alchemist in her saw the compounds, the cobalts and the oxides making up the various bits of colored glass that they used in the scenes covering nearly all the walls. Vivid cobalt blues, bottle greens, ruby-like reds and the mysterious darkness of black glass. The iridescent dichroic panels were almost blinding, reflecting golden hues streaked with subtle colors in the light. On her face, pure awe and delight battled. Swallowing past the lump in her throat at having seen something so beautiful, she motioned for Adair to follow her with a tilt of her head.


Standing by one of the glowing panels, her hand reached out to trace the joins of the glass. "I never expected to see something this beautiful out here. I always thought Chiaroscuro would always reign supreme in glass buildings. But this?" Her hand patted the wall appreciatively while her neck craned upwards to try to see the detailed scenes up high. "This is beyond what I expected."


Taking quite a few steps back, she fixed her gaze at the top of the structure, looking upon it longingly. With a silly grin that was less impish and more sentimental somehow, she walked back towards Adair and threw her arm around his shoulder to pull him close enough that she could whisper in his ear. "You know, I think I'm going to climb up there. I bet it will be beautiful in this light." She let him go, taking a few steps towards the nearest corner before looking back. "You're welcome to join me, but only if you really want to."


Her strides picked up speed, swift and light. She lunged mightily upwards at the last minute to catch the turned-up corner of the roof, her fingers grateful for the lip since it was slippery glass after all. Kaya's muscles flexed as she deftly pulled herself up to the first tier. Safely ensconced behind the flared corner, she beckoned to Adair with a wave of her hand. "They decorated this thing, the least I could do is take a closer look at their handiwork, right?" Her smile was dazzling. Turning, she balanced herself along the spine of the roof's corner, carefully making her way up to the second story's walls, using handholds in the glass shingles whenever she could find it.


Kaya peered closely at the scenes, the reflections from the mosaics of glass making colored splotches on her face, arms, and all over her clothing. She walked around the perimeter, fingers trailing reverently on the panels before she hoisted herself up to the next tier. "I wish I could tell Neelah about this place," she whispered softly to herself. With another wave to Adair, she was off to admire the walls, clearly determined to make it all the way to the top.


Dexterity + Athletics


Results for 7 dice: 6 successes [ 1 7 0 8 2 6 0 ] (TN: 7)
 
Three-die stunt awarded!


Results for 3 dice: 2 successes [ 7 7 1 ] (TN: 7)


To Lyrik


The whole of the tavern sits quietly in suspense, a number of once dry eyes now like the ocean. Applause never really comes, people are too busy drinking in the whole of the song and simply just staring at you in awe. The knight is in near tears, nodding his appreciation, standing to applause. His whole retinue is standing in shock, clapping blindly in surprise. No one saw that coming. The knight grips his goblet of wine and holds it aloft, "To the Bard! And all his glory!" The crowd erupts into applause and cheers and words of adoration. The uncompromised zeal around you for a dirge is amazing, but the people are moved and let you know it.
 
To Kaya


As deftly as an Eastern Squirrel, you'll heft yourself higher and higher along the pagoda. You'll hear Adair facepalm behind you, letting out a bemoaned, "Kayaaaaa!" People down in the street are giving out their little gasps of shock and 'She's mad!' 'She'll be hurt!' 'Someone call the guards!' And so on. Eh, screw them. This place is too nice. The first plate of glass spanning the first tier was of a great battle being fought in a field of grain with the great suits of armor, warstriders, clashing in the background. The blood, the detail of each stalk of grain, the armor of the men, their faces, is almost absurd.


You'll catch onto the iron frame of the pagoda, taking yourself higher, being wary of the slate tiles of the pagoda tiers.


Soon, you'll see Adair climbing up behind you, quick as a monkey. You can see much of the city from here. Buildings other than the mighty tower only go up four or five stories. A large crowd is gathered below, pointing and shouting. Adair is shaking his head with a dull look on his face. "Okay, you're so smart, how do we get out of this when we get down finally?" He rolls his eyes and looks at the next carving in the glass.


A carving of a calvary charge, Lookshyan and Marukani horsemen running down into a testudo phalanx of Realm infantry. One of the riders is throwing a javelin at the firey anima of a Terrestrial in heavy armor. The dead are piled around the Realm testudo. The simple carving in Riverspeak, Low Realm and Airtongue all say the same: 'Battle of Yang Chang, Year 88.'
 
Lyrik Evensong


Lyrik raises his hand, slightly embarrassed but imminently pleased at the reaction to his song. His eye roams over the crowd, making note of the attractive men and women. Performances like these often had an added benefit to the satisfaction of a good show - many times, it brought pleasing company to his bed. He makes note of those who seem particularly taken with his music.


After finishing his survey, he makes his way over to the knight's table. He bows to the man and then smiles. "Well, sir, I hope, by your reaction, you enjoyed your song. I must say, though, you have the advantage. You know my name - Lyrik Evensong, at your service - but I do not know yours. Might I have the pleasure of knowing the name of the man who inspired that song?"
 
To Anju


You'll turn around and look into the torso of a very large gentleman who seemingly appeared through thin air behind you. You can see the imprint of armor plates underneath his fine coat of supple leather. A giant iron buckle of a belt is all you see until you crane your neck up. The leathery skin of his face is stretched in wide, unkind smile, his eyes are simple lapis slate, unfeeling. "Inside. Now." He opens to door up wide and places a hand on your shoudler.
 
Anju


Oh.


Crap.


This became way too interesting way too fast, and worst of all, involving her. Something also told her that water works would not go over with the man, or maybe it would- but not in a good way. He had that kind of smile, though his eyes held no mirth. Her skin crawled, the epicenter where the man’s hand rested. Too bad there wasn’t a charm or knack for ‘I would like to melt into the floor now’.


“Eh heh,†Anju let out before heading through the opened door.


If the man didn’t know how to flex his grip and take a person down, she was a monkey’s uncle. Best to act diminutive and wait for a nice chance to make a break for it. Besides, it wasn’t as if she’d really heard anything, really, really. Maybe they had been talking about laws after all, she didn’t know for certain.


Oh, she was in deep trouble.
 
To Lyrik


"Eneid Hallowfall," he bows his head, looking painfully out of place with his plain clothing amongst these nobility. "And it was a masterful song, master bard." He'll look to his compatriots and share words in some rapid-fire dialect of Rivertongue you have a little issue keeping up with. Something about a gala? Party?


Eneid will look back to you, "How would you care to perform at a gala being held tomorrow night by a good friend of mine at his manor in the Noldovina, er--The Quarter of Manors? I note you came in with companions, if they're well-behaved folk, they too may attend on my honor and watch. What do you say?"
 
Kayadin Reeyeh


Kaya was too busy staring hard at the colorfully depicted scenes on the walls of the pagoda to care much about the possibility of falling or even the crowd gathering below. She patted Adair's back reassuringly when he joined her at last. Her smile easily conveyed that she wasn't worried about much beyond being up close to the glass panels. Crouching down beside the Yang Chang piece, Kaya spread her palms over the body of one of the horses. Her fingers ran over the horse's neck, down to it's flank, depicted so well in hues from amber to brown. In a soft voice, she mused almost to herself, "Look at the skill of the people who mixed in the carbon and the sulfur to make these colors. Astonishing." Her lips curved into another smile, this one rather absent, lost in thought. "The Marukani are excellent on their mounts. Even my people can appreciate the skill of the Horselords." Her gaze flicked up towards Adair. "You see, Falcon, we could not have possibly seen all this from the ground." Returning to the scene in front of her, Kaya's fingers followed the sweep of the horse's manes, inky swathes of black glass ending in curling points that were difficult to cut. "Magnificent."


She rose slowly, contemplating the last few tiers. Her rakish grin was back as she made her way to a corner once more. "Don't just stand there, Falcon. There's more to see. We're going all the way to the top." With an easy grace, she crouched low and sprung upwards, grabbing for the edge of the next tier and disappearing from his view once she had negotiated the overhang. Her face soon popped into view above where Adair stood. "And don't worry about how to get out of this. I have an idea. Now come along, it's almost sunset." With a wink and a smile, she was gone again.


Dexterity + Athletics to get to the top


Results for 7 dice: 7 successes [ 8 3 7 7 0 2 0 ] (TN: 7)
 
To Anju


He'll lead you down the steps toward the wide pulpit where the others are now looking up at you. His hand flattened out and pushing you along.


The three are well to do, one man middle aged, hair thinning, a severe look to his face, even if he was a bit jowly and red-faced. His body looked padded by all the robes and chains of office and probably all the rich meals. The other man has a hungry look to him, narrowing his eyes at you leaning forward to see, completely gray haired, missing his right ear, dressed in a simple tunic, wide-legged pants and a cloth-of-gold cape with a hat hooked on his belt. The woman is wearing a deep pink and scarlet gown of sorts, her hair done up in odd archs and two long bangs holding down before her face. Pretty, if she didn't look so angry all of a sudden.


"And who is this," the man with the missing ear says, "a little mouse coming to listen to our tale?" He puts on a very charming look in-truth. He smiles a bit.


The large man speaks up, stopping you halfway down the steps to the pulpit, his voice echoing like a god's. "She was listening at the door. Obvious outlander." Thick, sausage-like fingers pluck at your clothing. "One of the damned gypsies."


The woman shakes her head, "In looks, yes. Where do you hail from, little one?"
 
Lyrik Evensong


Lyrik bows once more. "You do me honor, Sir Hallowfall. I would be most happy to attend this event and entertain the guests therein. As for my companions....I will see if they are interested. Truth to tell, I've only just recently met some of them, so I can't really speak as to their manners. All I need is a time and a place and I will be there. So I accept your invitation, sir. Gladly and with much anticipation."
 
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