Location [Alvadas Location] The Womiyu

[Fable]

The Womiyu Somewhere near what one might consider the center of the city in regards to the circular walls that house both the illusion and reality of Alvadas and the people within it, there is a cylindrical tower of humble appearance. It is about the height of a house and a half with simple, faux windows in which are placed an assortment of different statuettes. These sculptures are the main defining feature of the tower, and if one pays close attention, one might see them change from time to time. Other than the tower's many child sized ornaments, there is only a single, ornate gate of luxurious wood. It stands at about the height of a large Jamoura, and if one presses upon it, one will find that it is just about as sturdy as a Jamoura as well. This tower is known as The Womiyu. What exactly the word "Womiyu" means is lost to time, or perhaps it was intentionally forgotten, its true meaning too dark and terrible to be worth remembering in the light of the city above the earth. Still, most know its name, if not all, and it is often on the lips and minds of those throughout Alvadas, for it houses some of the best known Alvads in the city. It is the home of the Speakers. Each statuette is a representation of its respective Speaker, though to say the sculptures are anything more than whimsical likenesses would be to give credit where it isn't quite due. The figurines range from all manner of media and perceived skill; some are immaculately elegant while others are little more than crudely cared wood. These idols are made by the various supporters of their respective Speakers. Typically, the more popular a Speaker, the more opulent the caricature. Without a ring that all Speakers wear, a simple metal band with a blue emerald setting in the form of an inverted triangle, one cannot push open the gates no matter how hard one might try. There are very few people who have ever passed through the unassuming arch who were not those chosen to dawn the mantle of a Speaker, but those who have tell of tales fantastic and - if one were to be honest - outlandish for even a denizen of the city of illusion. Within the tower itself there is only one large, circular chamber with vaulted ceilings and lovely blue tapestries drifting down from the murky darkness of the shadows above. There is a single spiral staircase in the center, allowing for several feet in space for those to walk in a full circle about the room unimpeded if they so wished, and at a glance, there does not seem to be a bottom to the ever winding curl of the steps that drift down into the hazy abyss below. At intervals that are as calculated as they are random, doors can be seen at any point past ground level. The farther one descends, the more doors. Each door varies in appearance, some stone, some wood, some glass, and many more in forms that most wouldn't image to pass for the guardian to any portal. No one is quite sure just how fair the rounded escalier sinks into the seemingly endless earth, and of the few who have tried to find its end, none have returned. It is said, within the Womiyu, that one should never open a door that doesn't want to be opened nor should one ever open a door that seems to want it too much. Regardless, most doors will open to the same room for each person, meaning that if one were to open a hundred doors, more often than not, one would find one's self in the same room, while if another were to open those same doors, it would be a different room, though just as constant. Thus, each Speaker is linked to a specific room, though some seem to stumble into others at a rate that quite easily could be mistaken for the ownership of several different rooms. The rooms themselves, however, are incredible things. Some are seascapes: rolling beaches with sapphire seas and a pleasant, balmy breeze. Others are dank dungeons or stuffy laboratories, forests or mountains, bars or castles. There is no limit to what the rooms might craft for the individual, but it should be noted that they are not infinite. Every room has an end, and it is better not to find it, if one wants to keep one's head - in all senses of the word. No one is sure when the Womiyu was built, nor does anyone quite know for what purpose. With the rise of the Speakers, however, it has been claimed as their place of residence. It isn't rare to see the various faces of the city come and go, and it is by far the easiest place to find a specific Speaker without too much trouble if one is patient enough. A stable building, perhaps due to the expansive basement below it, the Womiyu is almost always located somewhere near the middle of the city. The Speakers   Severus the Serpent Race: Human Skills: Date of birth: Spring 490 AV Intelligence 81 Place of birth: Alvadas Rhetoric 75 Title: The Silver Serpent Organization 63 Languages: Common Planning 61 Gnosis: Illusionism (1) Acting 55 Storytelling 54 Investigation 45 Interrogation 44 Bio: "The Silver Serpent", or more commonly said without the adjective, is one of the youngest Whispers the Speakers have ever seen. His mastery over information, boasting a network of several hundred known constituents, has brought him to the forefront of the Tongues, not only in popularity but true power as well. Those who tend to flock to the eloquent lines of a biting punishment find his militaristic displays of those who have done wrong possessing a more refined class; they appreciate the man's elegance and poise in contrast with the base depravity of those he chastises. Smooth spoken and confident, Severus is never caught unawares. His noble bearing is nigh unshakable, something that comes naturally to a man who knows more about those around them than they know themselves. While not unfriendly, Severus tends to speak as if he is an observer making only comment, rarely ever does he engage in true conversation, his words typically carrying with them the feeling of a teacher with his students rather than one of true empathy or understanding. While certainly young for his position, Severus is one of the most able of Speakers. He tends to deal with larger scale crimes, especially those involving magic. While perhaps not the most garish of the Speakers, Severus does sport a beard of flowers. The colors are variable, though they tend to stick to soft pastels. Immaculately dressed and groomed, he is the epitome of professionalism, a strange, almost refreshing juxtaposition from many of his estimable cohorts.   Aysu the Sea Race: Human Skills: Date of birth: Summer 474 AV Singing 77 Place of birth: Alvadas Acting 65 Title: The Sea Dance 58 Languages: Common Rhetoric 57 Gnosis: Illusionism (2) Cosmetology 56 Storytelling 54 Investigation 46 Interrogation 32 Bio: "The Swirling Sea", Aysu's true name is known only by a select few. Taking pleasure in all things relating to the ebb and flow of the ocean's undulating life, she is as capricious as the waves that lap against the shore. Though her forms are always shifting, there is an organic manner in which she conducts herself. She drifts through the city, always keeping her eyes peeled for anything or anyone interesting enough to draw her towards them, and rarely is she ever disappointed with the many wonders the city has to offer her. As a Speaker, she prefers to exploit normalcy of crimes through operatic scenes in which she shames those who would get caught so easily. Out of all her of her supporters, not a single one truly knows where The Sea's morals lie, whether she is cruel or kind, wise or foolish, all these things are merely speculation, and she likes it that way. Her deep, rich voice is often misleading depending on what appearance she may take for the day, but The Sea always has a single constant: she only cares about things she's interested in. One of the most longstanding Tongues, The Sea has many admirers and very few who find her ways distasteful. She is, by far, the most widely appreciated Speaker, as she rarely causes physical harm to her captives, only a searing, soul crushing mix of poisonous words and condescending arias to destroy and hopes of those foolish enough to cross the city.   Kaleo the Mockingbird Race: Benshira Skills: Date of birth: Fall 455 AV Imitation 81 Place of birth: Alvadas Ventriloquism 72 Title: The Mockingbird Impersonation 63 Languages: Common, Shiber, Tawna, Disguise 57 Arumenic, Kontinese, Tukant, Subterfuge 56 Fratava, Symenos, Vani Storytelling 51 Gnosis: Illusionism (1) Interrogation 36 Investigation 31 Bio:"The Master of Mockery" or more commonly referred to as "The Mockingbird", Kaleo is eccentric even by Alvadas' standards. No one is quite sure what his actual voice sounds like, nor truly what ethnic background he hails from. His talents do not lie within his physicality so much as his proficiency in the art of mimicry. Able to throw voices of anyone he has heard before, The Mockingbird tends to use chaos and confusion as his main venues of correction. Those crimes which often involve misdirection are often allowed to continue, becoming a performance in and of themselves as he exploits the foolish confidence of those who would seek to behave improperly. While not the most loved of the Tongues, The Mockingbird has a sizable following in those who take great joy in watching those who think themselves high brought down to size. His voice, accent, and even language is ever changing, often sounding as though one is speaking to a crowd of people rather than a single man. He is one of the oldest Speakers in term of age, but his body is still spry and able. Often wearing baggy robes of a multitude of colors and applying various sorts of colorful make-up, when he is not performing he can often be mistaken for a prismatic pallet of homelessness.   Sanjanya the Seamstress Race: Symenestra Skills: Date of birth: Fall 465 AV Sewing 80 Place of birth: Kalinor Medicine 72 Title: The Seamstress Embroidering 65 Languages: Symenos, Common Cosmetology 56 Gnosis: Viritas (2) Carving 53 Storytelling 52 Interrogation 32 Torture 31 Bio:"The Sanguine Seamstress", Sanjanya is one of the most feared of the Speakers. Her followers within the city are often a mix of sadist and masochists, some even going so far as to cross her to gain the "honor" of her punishments. Using a mix of surgical skill and artistic flair, Sanjanya creates living works of art. Skilled with a needle in more ways than one, she often warps the bodies of those she presides over: turning flaps of flesh into beautiful, bleeding wings; carefully carving the bones of arms into delicate works of art; warping a proud man or woman into a shell of flesh and meat. Well educated in her crafts, her alterations are never deadly, though they often push people far past the limits of their pain. Her interests tend to like with the more bestial races for both protection and punishment. While never directly taking the life of those who fall under her stern gaze, the mortality rate of those after her Speeches is of the highest among the Speakers. She holds her position among the Tongues for her aesthetic rather than by the love of those who support her, and she is almost always at odds with Aysu. Elegant in every form of the word, Sanjanya conducts herself with a regal air, commanding attention rather than simply receiving it. Her words are always carefully chosen, and her Symenos accent is accentuated with her soft, flowing voice. Dressed immaculately, it's rumored that she makes her clothes every morning as she's never seen wearing the same thing twice. She is most often found out and about at night, but she was one of the few Speakers than people tend to appreciate from afar. The Speakers   Iman the Tailor Race: Kelvic, Kakapo Skills: Date of birth: Spring 485 AV Sewing 59 Place of birth: The Unforgiving Storytelling 54 Title: The Silver Serpent Rhetoric 52 Languages: Common Tanning 48 Gnosis: Illusionism (1) Embalming 46 Singing 37 Investigation 35 Bio: "The Twisted Tailor", Iman is a oddity even among the ranks of the Speakers. No one is quite sure what the Kelvic's gender is, and Iman has never offered up a confirmation or denial, thus he is referred to as she and she as he without much digression. Her talents are focus in similar areas to his bondmate's, Sanjanya the Seamstress, and they are often found together. Often, he does a large portion of the actual physical work, allowing her bondmate to direct his efforts rather than to create things all on her own. While not quite as skilled in diversity as Sanjanya, Iman's abilities like in his perfectionism: a job isn't done until she says it's done. Again, often involved with the affairs of the more bestial races, Iman has been known to interfere in interracial disputes, taking interest in xenophobic individuals. A voice capable of high sopranos and croaking base, Iman's voice often cracks as she speaks. Always clad in garb complimentary of his bondmate, Iman's gnosis allows her some leeway when it comes to his appearance. Though not nearly as unapproachable as Sanjanya, there is something decidedly off about Iman, making her one of the more avoided Speakers. Some express jealousy that a creature so strange might have the honor to serve alongside so immaculate a woman as Sanjanya. Credit to Bedlam for original layout and location write up. NoteThis location requires ST permission to self moderate.