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Post by Vitsheep on May 17, 2021 2:15:27 GMT -5
DAWN OF DAY ONE
For most of you, it's a long trip to the the heavily fortified border town of Valorwind. The town is surrounded by a tall, stone wall, ancient. Guards in heavy armor greet you at the gate. They take a break from inspecting the many trade convoys coming and going - stopping for one last day of rest before passing through the mountain passes into Ervue - to point you in the right direction.
This is one of the largest trading towns in the province. Lanillans and a few Ervun elves mingle together in the streets, sit at cafes, or wander the large, open-air market. A giant fountain decorates the center of town, spraying water through a figure of the goddess of the mountains. Throngs of people pass through, many pausing to offer a quick prayer to the statue before turning and continuing towards their destinations.
Very few turn towards the northeast, down a small, narrow pathway. The backs of businesses and inns turned towards the main roads and larger streets make the path seem more like a giant alley than a proper road. It continues all the way to the base of the first mountain, where the town's walls meet the sheer cliffs. A torch above hole in the rock wall is the only greeting you receive. Inside, a long, curving stair winds its way up, up, and up...
Into the heart of Reverent Mountain.
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Post by Vitsheep on May 23, 2021 20:21:49 GMT -5
Indy, Roy, Misha, Cantrelle
You head back the town, proceeding through the cramped, forgotten road to the mountain. Many of the other students join you. As soon as you clear the mountain's stairs, Gwen spreads her arms and starts flapping, turning and flying up the mountain.
"Oh, are you heading up the mountain...?" Iora calls after her. "He-e-e-ey, do you think you could carry me?"
"No," Gwen calls back.
"Can't or won't?" Iora yells.
"Yeah." She continues out of earshot.
"Oh, well... Guess I just have to walk.." Iora says. "I wonder if I can even make it up to the lake? It's already pretty late... Hmmm."
The group proceeds back to the plaza in the center of town. The crowds continue to pass, though fewer seem to be coming and going now. The statue of the goddess looks down on all of you, continuing its uninterrupted vigil.
Misha
Erin tugs your shoulder. She seems to be in no mood to slow down, outside in this cold. You turn to the north and quickly duck into a small clothing store. Fur cloaks, padded clothes, and heavy boots line one wall, while most of the store seems to be devoted to clothes for travelers on the way out of the town to different places.
Erin quickly darts over to the wall and starts looking around. A man that you assume is an employee glances over from the counter as you walk in. He looks back to some other customers, then double-takes. The employee excuses himself and walks over. He quickly looks Erin up and down with a grimace. "You... are going to need much heavier clothing, Miss...! You'll catch a cold, and that's if you're lucky."
"I know, I know..." she mutters.
"OK, just... yell if you need any recommendations. You're clearly not from around here."
She sighs. "Fine."
The employee returns to helping others.
Erin stops for a moment, looking at some of the other clothes in the store. "Interesting. They have a lot of foreign designs. I knew this was a major trade hub, but I didn't think... They have clothing for lots of different places. Even designs based on traditional desert designs." She's looking at an outfit similar to what she's wearing. "That's... surprising to see somewhere like here."
Indy, Roy, Cantrelle
You stop at the statue and look around. To the north, it looks like a commercial district of some kind. Food, clothing, anything you might need for living. Past the shops and stores, you see houses and homes. Looks like this is where the locals spend most of their time. Fancier stores and restaurants branch off to the northwest and some larger houses past them, looks like some kind of upper class area.
The east and west roads look similar. Both are lined with inns and restaurants. There's even stables for traveling carts and mounts. Seems like the main road for getting in and out of town for traders passing through.
The south looks like an entertainment district. Taverns are preparing to open for the evening. A lot of taverns... A few other places, like theaters and even a museum.
Alice takes off to the south with no hesitation.
"I wish to investigate forest here." Fenian waves, then heads towards the east.
Balthazar sticks his hands behind his head and starts wandering aimlessly to the north.
Darius looks around for a moment, then offers a prayer to the goddess statue. He takes a twig out of his pocket and spins it on the base of the statue. It stops, pointing towards northwest. He looks up, frowns, then walks that way.
Iora takes a seat on the edge of the fountain. Nothing unusual, plenty of people are taking advantage of it, some to chat and others just to rest. Iora seems to be the only one with her legs in the fountain, though...
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Post by Neo 5.0 on May 23, 2021 20:34:58 GMT -5
"Maybe it's in part because of the school? They get magic students from all over the place, after all."
Misha looks around, clearly a bit awed herself. "I've never been inside a store this nice before... All this stuff looks so expensive..."
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Valorwind
May 23, 2021 21:03:51 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Digi on May 23, 2021 21:03:51 GMT -5
Indy casually strolls towards the entertainment district, stopping in the place that looks the most interesting.
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Valorwind
May 24, 2021 0:17:31 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mrfuzz111 on May 24, 2021 0:17:31 GMT -5
Cantrelle eagerly heads south as well, looking around to see if any of the taverns accept performers.
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Post by Malefio on May 24, 2021 19:35:04 GMT -5
"Hey! A museum? I'll feel just like home in there!"
Ray will go check out the museum.
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Post by Vitsheep on May 25, 2021 19:37:02 GMT -5
Misha
"Hm? Hm..." Erin pauses to scrutinize some of the price tags. "...Looks like the stuff for locals isn't too pricey. But an outfit like mine, yeah. You're right." She thinks. "I... don't think it's because of the school. Students couldn't afford that. This is a big trading city, so it's probably supplies for merchants that screwed up and didn't think about different climates ahead of time." She holds up a pair of furry pants. "Think these would make my butt look big?"
Indy
You head down and without any better idea, you try to see where the most people are coming and going. You find a string of people coming and going from one of the larger taverns. People are even carrying out some different weird-looking foods you've never seen before and eating it in the street. Something that looks vaguely like pizza, and some kind of folded bread things, and roasted nuts wrapped in leaves...
Cantrelle
You go looking at taverns to see if any are interested in hiring performers. The first says they're not interested in live entertainment like that. The second says their roster is full. You finally manage to find a tavern looking for someone to cover for a sick singer. The pay's not much, but it comes with a bowl of stew.
Ray
You make your way to the local museum. You don't get a long time to look around with your deadline, but it helps you get a better idea of the local history. Valorwind was originally established as a Lanillan outpost - that explains that question, huh. Some elves from Ervue attacked it, took control. It changed hands a few times, each time being reinforced, expanded, and strengthened until it was a sizable fort and supply point. When tensions between the two nations weakened, it gradually became a trading outpost, then expanded into a full city.
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Post by Neo 5.0 on May 26, 2021 1:21:54 GMT -5
Misha raises an eyebrow. "Do I win points if I say yes or if I say no..?"
She walks closer and looks over the pants. "Uh.. I don't really have an eye for fashion, so take my opinion with a sizable bag of salt, but I think they'd look okay on you."
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Post by Malefio on May 26, 2021 5:33:39 GMT -5
Ray will take notes, then go back to the school to not be late.
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Valorwind
May 26, 2021 20:54:07 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Digi on May 26, 2021 20:54:07 GMT -5
Indy heads inside to feel out the vibe. If he says anyone who looks interesting, he'll waltz over and hit em with "do ya come here often?"
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Post by Vitsheep on May 27, 2021 0:01:50 GMT -5
Misha
"You get points for honesty. I'm not asking if they make my butt look big, not for your preference. Not that I'm not curious..." Erin looks at the pants some more. Her tail slides out of her belt loops and she holds it up beside the pants. "They won't work, anyway... Doubt I'll find anything made for tieflings up here."
In the end she buys a furry cloak and boots, which look more than a bit out of touch with her shorts. She also buys a hat, which doesn't quite fit right because of her horns. The ear-flaps end up raised just a bit too high to really work right. Erin pays the shopkeeper and you head outside. Erin tucks herself into her new cloak, tapping her boot on the cobblestone. "Hm... Better. Much better."
Indy
You pick one of the more interesting-looking folks and ask if they come by often. He's wearing a bit of body armor over an expensive-looking suit. The guy looks from a half-eaten bun that's stuffed with something steamy. He lets out a gasp of heat from the last bite. "Haaaa. Here often? Nah, nah. I just go wherever the business opportunities take me. And I'm expecting things to get very interesting around Valorwind in the next few weeks. We're scouting for new places to expand trade routes." He blows into the bun. "But I asked around at the merchant's guild and this place seemed popular with traveling types like myself. Mm. Good stuff."
Ray
You head back to the school, feeling more knowledgeable. On the way, you pass by Iora, who doesn't seem to have moved from the fountain. When she notices you, she stands up, stretches, and follows after you. "Hi-i-i-i-i-i. You look like you were busy." She walks at a casual speed, just a bit slower than you'd like, arms tossed behind her head. "I had a greeeaaaat day hanging out in the nice sun with with the statue... The weather here's ni-i-i-ice." What about you? Did you have fu-u-u-u-un... wherever you were...?"
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Valorwind
May 27, 2021 0:17:09 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Digi on May 27, 2021 0:17:09 GMT -5
"Ehhhh. I dont think anything interesting can come out of business. but whats the haps that gots the town talkin?"
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Post by Neo 5.0 on May 27, 2021 0:47:17 GMT -5
Misha gives a small, lopsided grin, as she adjusts her own coat. "Well then, if you'd prefer me to be honest... You look like a dork. In a cute way, at least."
She looks around the street, then back up towards the mountain. "Think we have time for a bit more sightseeing?"
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Post by Malefio on May 27, 2021 6:32:34 GMT -5
Ray turns around and gives her a big smile.
"Heloooooo there! Yeah, there's a museum, mainly seems to be talking about a situation we got asked about in the entry exam... Very neat.
My name is Ray by the way. Ray Talos. Yeah, I know... I'm kind of a big deal, but don't worry, I'm interested in the little things...
Like... Do you know the story of this statue?"
Ray smiles then gets even bigger.
"Oh. And of course. What's YOUR story?"
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Valorwind
May 27, 2021 9:49:41 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mrfuzz111 on May 27, 2021 9:49:41 GMT -5
“Just singing?”
Cantrelle thinks it over for a moment before shrugging.
“Well, a gig’s a gig. Oh, but when do we go on stage? I’ve got to be back somewhere else before too long.”
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