Open News From Home

[Brodon Windriver]

"The Sanctuary'...What is that? Is it nearby?" This was Brodon's first visit to Riverfall. And being of the Diamond Pavilion originally, he was not as likely to know of the accomplishments of the clans of the Sapphire. He had been away long from news of the Drykas people, both bad news and good.

The mention of purchasing a dog struck Brodon as one of those obvious things that, somehow, no one seems to think of. That piqued his interest considerably, making this 'Sanctuary' a suddenly intriguing location to investigate. He loved all animals, though his chosen pursuits were birds and horses. His imagination began to populate this unseen facility with exotic creatures from all over Mizahar and he grew eager to be on their way.

"Of course I will accompany you. Is it far? Do I need to stop by The Stables to get Lovaak? Then I could introduce myself to your 'Coram'. I would like to meet him."

The mention of a Library struck him as both a boon and an obstacle. Though he was very much interested in sources of information that may give new insight on the symbol, he had never been to one before on the scale he imagined this city would have. He had seen books, of course, but his lack of fluency in common made reading them a frustrating experience. "A library, eh? Do libraries have maps, or are they all just stories and...learning...type books?"

He was a little reluctant to reveal his lack of experience with libraries. The very fact that she knew to mention it made it pretty clear that she was more knowledgeable about such things. Then it occurred to him that she had already mentioned her mark, her...'Lykata', was it?...A gift from her goddess. And not just ANY goddess, the goddess of knowledge! Of course she knows about libraries, they may even be considered temples to her goddess.' He was still nervous about looking lost in such a place, but he was not about to show it to Delani.

He dismissed his previous hesitation with a wave of confidence. "Never mind, it does not matter. I would be glad to visit this Sanctuary with you. I will look into finding maps and you can look into finding a dog. This will be great!"

[Delani Denusk]

Dela laughed aloud, her left hand rising immediately afterwards to cover her mouth considerately. "Oh, Brodon, no. I'm sorry, I am not laughing at you. The Sanctuary is a bell or so outside of Riverfall. It's on the map visitors receive upon arriving." She fetched her own copy that had been obtained at the gates, Atri's Place and the stables both circled on the map. She searched it a moment and then placed a finger over the location that was about six miles outside of the city, showing him. "Here. It has been running for a while, but I've never actually been. My cousin, Kavala, manages it. I believe she owns it as well, but my accuracy on that front is speculative, at best. Vanator mentioned it when we-" here, her eyes grew dark, thoughts passing across her consciousness as she mentioned her Ankal again. "-were talking in the stables a few bells ago. I believe he manages arms there, but again, tis speculative at best."

"However, I would encourage awareness at the time, lad. Mr. Syka is hosting a party for his guests and it would be rude to depart for private adventures, hm? We have a couple days before the expedition heads out and I will be rising early in the morrow to inquire there."

When he began asking of the library, she shrugged a bit. "I imagine they do have maps, but every facility is different; you should ask them if you come with me tomorrow. I am sure they can direct you appropriately."

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[Brodon Windriver]

Brodon nodded. "Of course you are right. We must not desert our host and fellow adventurers. Besides, it is late, they are probably closed up for the night anyway. It is tough to have new information and delay following up on it."

"But it will make the time pass more quickly until departure anyway, having something to do each day besides simply waiting. I can meet Coram tomorrow. And your cousin. And it will give me some time to think about what else I might research while we're there."

He had been surprised to hear Delani mention a cousin and was about to ask about her, but thought better of it. 'If Delani is determined to leave Endrykas, and her cousin already has, there may truly be some unpleasant history of which she does not wish to speak.' This seemed only to be confirmed by her mention of her conversation with another family member here only a few bells ago. He had heard of the Denusks when he was younger. They had been instrumental in finding a cure for some disease that had ravaged the herds, and hailed as heroes. Now it seemed they were dispersing.

He shook off this train of thought, figuring she would reveal what she felt comfortable revealing as time went on. "There are many in the party I have still not met, and more yet may have arrived. Perhaps Mr. Syka will be addressing the assemblage with details of what we may find when we reach our destination. And I need to arrange for Arrow to visit each vessel so I can give him a voice signal for each one, in addition to a different colored flag for each vessel."

A look of mock sadness crossed his face with a sigh. "I am guessing I will needing for changing back to common. Being full of woe is for me." he said in common.

[Delani Denusk]

Again, that pleasant laughter rolled from the matrons lips, her head shaking at his butchered common. "Well, we've plenty a-time to teach you the basics, I imagine. The faces of this party are many, the voices even more. Your dictation is sure to improve vastly if you've the ears to hear it." She winked, patted his shoulder and turned back to the throng. It was the most talking she'd done in a relaxed setting in what felt a lifetime. It was good to speak plainly with a kinsman, and it gave Delani a sense of comraderie that she'd sorely been missing. Even in Birdflight she'd felt a bit of an outcast, though the drykas marked that as likely due to the afflictions that had already befallen them. How could they devote time to the lost woman finding her own clan when they had troubles of their own to manage?

Besides, having someone she could speak natively to during this trip would be all the better.

OOCA good closure! Can't wait to thread further, Brodon

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[Magpie]

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Brodon :

XP:
Socialization +5
Storytelling +3
Philosophy +2
Animal Husbandry +1
Falconry +1
Observation +1

Lores:
Delani: Of the Denusk Pavilion
The Joy of Speaking the Home Tongue
Drykas Repopulation Plan
Be Careful Preaching Different Faiths
"Teacher" - Professor of Lykata
Breeding Ignorance, Breeding Fear
Delani: Reasons for Joining the Expedition
Admitting Honest Disagreement
The Bliss of Knowledge
Father's Symbol: Lykata?
Father's Symbol: A Map, and Why it was Stolen
Riverfall's Sanctuary: Vanator and Kavala

Delani :

XP:
Socialization +5
Storytelling +1
Philosophy +3
Observation +5

Lores:
Brodon: Father's Death
Brodon: Not a Fan of Myri
Yahal: Holy and Merciful
Destruction of Hai
The Bliss of Knowledge
Brodon: Arrow - His Hawk
Legend of the Zibri
Brodon: Father's Symbol
Brodon: Lovaak - His Horse
Jackals: Ahnatep's Guards
Brodon: Father's History

Notes :

The Storytelling marks on both sides may seem out of place, but I really felt they were deserved with how descriptively each described their experiences.

Overall, a lovely thread, with a lot of very interesting philosophizing on gods and such there in the beginning. I certainly look forward to seeing you two meet up again.

If you have any questions or concerns about what was awarded, please don't hesitate to PM me.
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