The Bare Necessities

[Elsmere]

Day 15 of Spring 511 AV (a short time later since his arrival) Wet, cold, and exhausted, the old man left the comfort of the fire and continued his way down the path towards the Valintar. Apparently this was the place he was going to find a place to stay and possible employment. Not that he knew he needed it, but he had nothing save for the clothes that were once again on his body. Although grateful for the gate keeper allowing him to warm himself and dry his clothes, his mind still weighed heavily on his inability to remember much since his awakening. Perhaps some answer awaited him in this city. Retrieving the journal from the satchel, he flipped through the pages. Still blank. It was as if he thought the pages would magically fill back in. Did the pages even contain writing in the first place? He turned to the inside cover where the letters that spelled a named were located. Elsmere. That had to be his name. Why would it not be? It is written in a book that he has in his possession. So it must be him. Elsmere. Who am I? Elsmere found the door he had been pointed towards. The Valintar. He hoped that his disheveled appearance wouldn’t offend the man inside. Smoothing out his damp robe and combing his fingers through his white, scraggly hair, he opened the door, stamped his bare feet on the ground to liven them up, and walked inside.

[Flicker]

Set just a short walk from the inside the Sanikas Gates of Wind Reach on the ground level of the 'City' the Valintar's office is an impressive display of the glassworks of the Inarta. The office itself is in essence a huge stained glass atrium visible from both the air and the ground floor of the twin lakes as a platform that extends out partially on stone pillars over the lower lake itself. It has a small dock and pier attached to it, as well as an 'inner sanctum' portion that runs deep into the walls of the volcano where a small reception room is sheltered inside the volcano proper. A magic called 'sheilding' protects the exposed glass atrium from rock falls and landslides that often frequent Mt. Skyinarta. The reception lacks a secretary as Kaden handles most of his affairs himself and always maintains his office hours. If the door is unlocked, he's there. And if he's not there and the door is barred, there's always a sign with the return time clearly posted in neat magnetic-backed glass lettering. There's a large bird stand near the door to his office proper, and one can often see one of the large thunder bay eagles (though far smaller than a Wind Eagle) perched. Kaden keeps several birds as pets and often carries them with him save for the thunder bay eagle whos name is Starvine. Starvine roams the twin lakes areas and maintains a permanent residence in the Valintar's office or Kaden's personal quarters. The space itself looks out over a pier which has a sailboat tied up to it. The sailboat was one Kaden hand crafted himself. Meals can be taken on the dock part of the atrium, while business is conducted inside the reception itself. Kaden's office is offlimits to most people who aren't craftsman or riders, and is probably one of the most magnificent structures in Wind Reach. A side door off the atrium reception leads to Kaden's personal quarters, a large stone suit with its own set of windows looking over the lake. One doesn't need to knock to get Kaden's attention. All they need to do is open the door to the reception and walk in. They can marvel at the lit glass covering the walls and ceiling illuminated from behind until the structure stretches out over the water itself past giant double glass doors. There is a comfortable sitting area with sunken couches that people can relax in while they are waiting for an audience. NPCs: Kaden Avin is the supreme authority in Wind Reach. He is tasked with the responsibility of assigning class to each and every individual in Wind Reach. New or people who have suddenly married, bonded with an Eagle, or gained an education must seek him for reclassification so their food rations can be managed. Kaden also holds rank over the Master's Circle which is the ruling body in Wind Reach. He is also an incredible drummer who often plays at most of the city's party events and festivals. Kaden is extremely approachable, easy to look at but not exactly handsome, and tends to make people feel at ease in his presence. However, he is forthright and will speak his mind as needed. He carries about himself an aura of leadership that tends to quell anyone's desires to question him. Kaden glanced up from his ledger at the sound of his office door opening. His eyes didn't linger beyond the time it took to establish that the visitor was an outsider. Knowing the elder fellow could pass the wait in comfort, the Valintar meticulously finished the current column of figures before setting it aside and getting himself another cup of tea. Steaming dish in hand, he popped his head out into the reception area and nodded for Elsmere to join him. "Come in, elder," he directed, settling himself back behind his desk. Leaning back, he sipped his tea and fixed an attentive gaze on the traveler. It was early in the season for visitors, very early for travelers of this particular one's age. Most young men full of blood and vigor couldn't survive the winter trek up to their elevation. "I'm Kaden Avin. How long will you be in the city?" Pleasantries were...pleasant, but ultimately a waste of time. Kaden had a responsibility to balance the available food with the number of mouths to feed, the last few weeks had been difficult, and many came into the spring weak from malnourishment. Gaze mild, he scrutinized the old man, wondering what skills he had that could be used for the benefit of the city.

[Elsmere]

Enter the building, Elsmere's body soaked in the warmth of the room. Although his clothes were not as damp as before, they still brought him a chill. A chill that was very prominent as he walked. However, the air in the room felt pleasant and that was good enough for the old man. To him it was better than being outside in the cool air. The office was more alive than expected. Not with people per se, but with wildlife. Elsmere noticed several birds in certain areas of the office. Upon entering, he did catch eye contact with who he believed to be the Valintar. Remembering the name the gate keeper had given him, which was likely the only thing Elsmere remembered, Elsmere knew the man must be Kaden Avin. Confirmation happened when Kaden finally spoke. The question however, caught the old man off guard. How long am I to be in the city? I don't even know who I really am. Elsmere spoke, "Sadly I cannot say how long. I recently... woke... outside your gate. I barely know who I am. Elsmere is my name, I think. The last thing I remember before waking in the cold was laying in a grassy field staring at the sky." It was becoming rather difficult for Elsmere to focus. Even as he spoke, it strained him a great deal. Not being able to remember was terribly taxing to one's mind.

[Flicker]

Kaden's brow jumped at the man's story. The tea cup tinked lightly as he set it down on the desk. "Have a seat," he instructed with a nod toward a chair. As Elsmere seated himself, the Valintar stood to get the visitor a cup of hot tea. Carefully, he handed the brimming dish off and moved back to his side of the desk. "There aren't many grassy fields around here, elder," he finally offered sceptically. "I can't help you figure out who you are, but I can give you a job so you can eat and find a place to stay." Kaden pushed his saucer aside to make room for an ancient tome, the cover repaired many times over and the earliest pages brittle from age. With practiced care, he flipped nearer the end and slowly started going through the pages. Down each column his finger ran, eyes skimming along until he found what he searched for. Tongue clicking decisively, he raised his eyes. "Can you tell me what skills you have?" When Elsmere answered in the negative, Kaden shook his head and flipped through the tome a few more sheafs of parchment. Finally, he came to a stop a second time. "You'll be working in the nursery, cleaning up after the Yasi. Given the nature of this work, your caste assignment is as a Drudge. You'll receive two meals as day at the same time all other Dek are fed and you are on your own to find sleeping accommodations. If you're lucky, you might find an Endal who wants you to keep her bed warm."

[Elsmere]

Elsmere was more than happy to sit when Kaden gave the permission. However, when Elsmere heard about the absence of grassy fields he was unsure what to make of it. He knew in his heart he was somewhere yesterday and that a warm grassy field was it. But how he came to rest in the cold snow was another matter he would need to investigate. He knew things were not going well as Kaden shook his head and flipped pages. From the sound of things, Elsmere’s memory loss was going to cost him something. What it was and what he was about to do, he was unsure of. He just figured these were the first steps to regain what was his, his memory, his life. “If memory serves me,” Elsmere said in a snorted laugh, “a nursery is something at deals with babies? I mean it could deal with plants, but if I am cleaning up after them I suspect small children...these Yasi.” From the deep recesses of his mind, he knew something of the caste system, and from the sounds of it he was at the bottom. The funny thing was he found it rather pleasing. The only way to go was up. That or be dead, which didn’t sound appealing. He would need to find out more about these Dek, so he asked. “What are these Dek and when you say find sleeping accommodations, it sounds like find the nearest floor space.” Catching the meaning of his last comment, Elsmere believed he understood what an Endal could be. However, at the moment it was the farthest thing from his mind. A structured plan of survival was at the forefront of everything. This would be the start of the plan. “I know it won’t be much, but how much does this job pay?” Elsmere questioned. He knew he needed funds and this would be the best offer for him at the moment.

[Flicker]

Elsmere's ignorance, due to memory loss, sank in and Kaden leaned back in his chair, eying the man speculatively. "There are five castes here. Dek, Chiet, Yasi, Avora, and Endal. Dek provide grunt labor, Chiet are at least smart enough not to eat each other, Yasi are children, Avora are generally skilled artisans, and Endal are Eagle Riders. You have to obey all castes above you, but use discretion with the Yasi," he qualified at the end with a smile tugging at his lips. Elsmere did seem smart enough not to do what a toddler ordered him to. "You can move up and down through the system based on what you provide for the community. Until you achieve a higher status, you will sleep wherever you can, you will not show subordination, and you will earn 100 pinions a season. Fifty of which will come back to us in the form of taxes. You work ten hour days, nine days on and one off. I hold on to Dek wages at the end of the season to prevent them being stolen by higher castes." Finished with the standard speech, the Valintar reached out to carefully lift his tea to his lips. "If I may offer some advice, elder... Keep your head down, shave it, and try to find that memory of yours as quickly as you can. Disease runs rampant through the Dek, there are public baths you can use. People don't live long in our society, either, so you're already going to attract the attention of higher castes. The youthmaster's name is Duvin Kakiv, tell him you've been assigned under him with the job of cleaning up in the nursery. There shouldn't be any trouble." Kaden sipped on his steaming mug again. "What other questions do you have? Are you sure you can't remember anything?"

[Elsmere]

Elsmere listened as Kaden explained the level of job he would be performing. To him, it seemed the only appropriate place to start. He thought about his hair. Shaving it just wouldn't do. Deep inside he knew it had taken time for his silvery locks to grow. His mind told him, "NO!" He would have a place to sleep, sort of, a job, and eventually some spending money. Hopefully the work would allow him the time to think. Reflect. Examine. Pull the memories from the deep recesses. What was causing him to forget all the important information of his life? Time, old man, would tell. Elsmere knew where he needed to go and who he needed to report to. As Kaden asked his last question, one thing hung in his mind. "Master Kaden, I truly am unaware of what has caused this absent mindedness. I would like to know who I really am. If only I could find someone to talk to about this. Would you know of anyone that might fit the description? Just tell me where to go and I will be there. I assure you this is no a lie. I am not faking this." His voice began to waver, "I just want to know."

[Flicker]

OOCI have no idea what's in your SS thread, nor any idea of what Elsmere's past is, if you want something in particular you'll have to shoot me a PM with the details.

Kaden didn't need some old man breaking down in his office but the open features of his face didn't alter at all at the waiver in his guest's voice. But he didn't care if the man was lying, after all, the lie only got him the most miserable existence in Wind Reach, nor if the man desperately wanted his memory back. Kaden placed the empty cup back onto the saucer with a soft clink and set them both down onto the table next to the tome. "First, I'd suggest visiting Aidara, she recently took over the Infirmary, and can check to see if this is a medical condition. Then I suppose your only other real option would be Glav Navik, a new arrival that has a way with people."

[Elsmere]

Elsmere listened as Kaden suggested two possibilities that might be able to help him. He knew he must come off as crazy. How could anyone believe him? Why would anyone believe him? Yet, it was true. Less than twelve hours ago, Elsmere had woke from a sleep in a strange new place. To him, it was now time to find what he believes to be lost. "Master Kaden, I thank you for what you have done for me in this short amount of time. I only wish that I could offer more. I will seek out this Aidara to see if she might be able to cure me. Glav I guess could be a last result." He stood and smoothed out his robe. "I believe it is time for me to make my living while I search for answers. I will do my best to make this Duvin happy. I will do my job. Just point me in the direction and I will leave you to your work." OOCFlicker you rock. I will start a thread with Duvin to get me some money and work from there.

[Flicker]

Kaden nodded as Elsmere appeared to make himself a course of action, approving of the change in attitude and the decision to get things done instead of dwelling. "Just head up into the mountain. The Yasi area is relatively near the base here, so just ask around and you won't have too far a walk." Kaden stood and moved to walk Elsmere out of the office. "Listen, as soon as you know anything of your past life and skills, come right to me. I want to put you to work where you'll be useful and relatively safe." Elders were rare around here, but there was a reason for it. Elsmere just happened to be put into a caste that had the shortest life span of them all, his clock was ticking quickly now. Lores : Waking up with no recollection of his past Waking up freezing Snuggling pillars Getting a job from the Valintar Fear from being lost and adrift Kaden's office OOCGo ahead and start the thread reporting for work, we'll get him all settled in! And if you need anything else from us, don't be shy! Elsmere is quite the mystery.