Location [Syliras Entrance] The Main Gates

[Aeryn Weylyn]

4th Day of Winter, 511AV {{Mid-afternoon}} Aeryn glanced up at the large gates towering over him, letting out a low whistle. He hadn't seen anything quite like it before, seeing as he came had come from a simple farm. Looking up at the ramparts high above him, he could make out a few blurs as he raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun bearing down on him. Archers, most likely, he mused silently. This city was quite protected, he gathered. Switching his gaze back to the gate before him, he caught sight of the two guards standing at posts on either side of the gates, their job obvious. Question the visitors, make sure there is no trouble. And so on. Aeryn strolled up confidently to the gates stopping about a yard away from the knights. He gave a curt wave to them as they sized him up. They stood there for a tense moment before Aeryn flashed a wry smile at what looked to be the elder of the two. "Beautiful day, is it not?" he asked sarcastically, referring to the intimidating looking clouds above, threatening to drench them at any moment. The elder guard glanced at the sky at his remark and held back a smile of his own. Instead he simply asked, "State you're business here in Syliras, stranger." Aeryn gave a small shrug and glanced at the younger knight briefly before turning his gaze back to the elder. "Oh you know, sight-seeing and whatnot. Figured I'd stay for awhile, perhaps find something interesting to do," he replied slyly, shifting slightly where he stood so that the knight was able to glimpse the blade he had at his hip. He was sure the man had already noted the bow slung over his shoulder. After seeing Aeryn's sword at his hip, the knight glanced back at him sharply, distrust blatant on his face. He obviously didn't catch on to the fact that Aeryn was messing with him. He had no intentions to do anything illegal whilst he was here. Exactly the opposite, in fact. Aeryn glanced briefly at the Windoak symbol etched across the man's armor, before looking back at the man and flashing a toothy grin. "I'm just messing with you. I'm not going to be doing anything illegal while I'm here. Actually, I'm looking for the Recruitment Office of the Knights. I'm guessing you could direct me there, yes?" he asked hopefully. He hadn't exactly thought this all the way through, and it was only now that he was here that he had no idea what he was doing or where he was to go. As realization dawned on the elder, Aeryn watched as the man returned his smile halfheartedly. "Why didn't you say so?" the knight asked, seemingly relieved that his job had been made easier, before going on to giving him directions that Aeryn could hardly remember. Nonetheless, not wanting to seem rude, he smiled and thanked the man for his assistance. He'd probably just ask one of the people inside the city where the place was. As he was ushered into the gates, he glanced back and gave a polite nod to the two Knights. "Thanks for the help. And have a beautiful day," he called out to them before disappearing into the bustling city. Ah, nothing like walking around a crowded city and not know where the petch you're going. Aeryn figured he liked the place already.

[Gunho Ma]

Winter 20, 511 AV Gunho Ma stared wide-eyed at the massive bustling city before him. Never before in his life had he seen a place so big with so many people and so many tall structures made from wood and stone. He was certain that a place like this would be a perfect for learning. "Next!" the guardsman snapped the blunt end of his spear into the ground and the half-vantha stepped forward with an awed look in his eye. Civilization at last! Gunho would have fallen on his knees and prostrated himself before the stone arch leading into the famous bastion of culture and trade of the region if not for the person behind him who looked like he was in a hurry. The former monk wore his best pleasant smile and greeted the guards with a Lhavit borne's traditional bow of respect. He explain his reasons for visit, received the mandatory health inspection and they went through his pack of travelling equipment in absolute silence. "Move along." one of them barked. He did, healing his backpack unto his shoulders and he stepped forward into the longest stretch of road he'd ever walked yet.

[Yve]

Winter 29, 511 AV Yve had arrived outside the city the previous evening. She used the hours before nightfall to make several aerial circuits above the city, focusing mainly on the open street that lead from the main gates through the bowls of the great city and to the ocean, like a colorful and energetic river. She was amazed by the sheer size of it all, and the amounts of people bustling to and fro, getting ready for the fast approaching night. She twisted her head toward the main gates, examining the people who passed through and how they were interacting with the intimidating men and women guarding the entrance to the street. She noticed how some exchanged words, just walked right through, or how the guards would scrutinize a few people more closely than others. Yve repeated this circuit, over and over until the sun had sunk past the horizon. As she alighted into the lower branches of a tree along the main road, a good mile from the gates, she knew she was no closer to understanding the workings or conduct of the city than when she arrived. She watched the road below, drowsily, until the signs of travel dwindled to the odd farmer or patrolling guard. Sleep took her not long after, but it was the restless kind, filled with dreams of pants. The sounds of movement below pulled her from sleep. The travelers already leaving and entering the city looked as if they were going to curl up in the road and go back to bed, but the second Yve opened her eyes she was completely awake. She quickly fluttered to the ground, concealing herself behind the try as she shifted into her human body and slipped on her shirt, smoothing it down to her knees. She wasted no time in getting on the road and, in her excitement, practically ran the mile to the city gates. As she approached the throng of people milling through the gates, she couldn't help trembling with excitement and the beginnings of apprehension. She did get some double-takes because of her outfit, but no one stopped her. They must have assumed what she was. As she passed between the guards and into the city itself, her palms were slick with sweat. The guards gave her a head-to-toe look, then each other a quick glance. She noticed one of them nod slightly before they all returned watching the other people. Yve would have smiled jovially, but her mouth was hanging open in a little "o" as she looked around at the bustling people. It was even better on the ground. So many colors, sounds, smells, and shops to explore. She had a pouch filled with mizas from her past 3 years of travel; she'd never actually bought anything before. Everything was always hunted or given by kind strangers. She might just spend all of it just for fun. This was going to be the start of something very exciting. OOC : The first two paragraphs are more of a flashback, of the evening before she actually enters the city.

[Xenalia]

Winter 6th, 512 AV

Xenalia rides up at a brisk pace, she slides off the horse with ease and grins to the guards politely. She shakes out her hair, annoyingly not sitting right. The only bad thing about horses is the wind...or i guess air resist..whatever..either way..messes up my hair every time.. She half pouts to herself, then remembers she's in a public place. She walks around a bit, getting 'necessary' things out of the saddle bags as an excuse to move around so she doesn't walk like a duck. Most things end up back in the bags though anyways.


Xena grins to the guards again, going up and asking direction to the stables, where she can get a flat, and then anywhere to catch information. She thanks him, smiling again and sets off with Sevra. She gets Sevra settled at the stable, then get's the flat situation worked out, and is lost in all the people and too fascinated to care after that. She somehow ends up in a tavern. What was this called...that Dragon something...Good enough...it's a bar, info aplenty.

Xenalia settles into a chair, orders nothing and listens for a bit, but then leaves. Feeling too excited to be somewhere new, she just has to explore... everything. So that's what she sets out to do.

[Fiera]

Flashback - 75rd Autumn 508 AV Fiera approached the gates of Syliras in a manner that suggested confidence and pride, despite the fact that she was obviously exhausted and saddle sore. Although she had stayed outside the wall for almost two days; mostly sleeping and hunting, this would be her first time entering the great city. When Fiera had neared the guards, she inclined her head, to indicate submission. "What is your business in Syliras?" asked the taller of the two, inspecting her from head to toe. Fiera smiled tiredly, "I am a weary traveler, seeking rest and recuperation in this city of yours. I promise I pose no threat to the community within these walls" She indicated towards the city walls. Her voice was raspy from lack of use, but the knights seemed convinced that she spoke the truth. After a few moments, the the doors swung open on their well oiled hinges. Fiera thanked the knights and walked forth, into the city.

[Lenonrie]

Syliras's gates had finally come into view as Lenonrie scaled the large hill path heading toward the city. Her footsteps did not stutter, her eyes never swayed, but the smirk on her face grew larger and larger. She had long awaited her arrival to the city, and it had finally came. She was not dissappointed. It looked as glorious as she had imagined, though it really wasn't too much to look at, the mere thought of crossing those gates into an unknown city brought sparks of excitement down her spin.

She approached the gates with a stride that screamed confidence, and as she came to the guards, she met and kept eye contact with them both, showing her lack of fear to the fullest. She smiled at them kindly, and waited for what she knew would come next. The questioning.

The first guard clad in armor, looked down on her, being almost a foot and a half inches taller than her. "State your business, stranger."

Her eyes sparkled a bit as she answered, "Just passing through. I wanted to see Syliras as others do. Will you permit me?"

The guard showed no hesitation. It seemed to Lenonrie he thought of her not as a danger because of her stature. That was fine though. It's all good fun. Raising a steely hand, the guard signaled for the gates to be opened, and promptly, they were.

Anticipation always hits the hardest right about now.

She bowed her head politely to the guard, and continued on through the gates. Leaving the Wilds behind her, her journey behind her, opening her world up to a new step on the stairs in which she climbs.

[Dusk]

ANNOUNCEMENT! The Gates of Syliras will be closed as of the 88th Day of Winter 511 AV, and will not be opened again until around the 30th Day of Spring 512 AV. Anyone who approaches the Gates during this time will find them sealed tightly, and no Knights patrol the Wall. The only people to be found are whatever now-twisted creatures that were caught outside and unprotected in the Djed storm. From the 10th to the 12th of Spring, the Warrior-Mages slowly make the trek back to the city and reopen the Gates, though they allow no one to enter other than their own Knights, and will kill any who try to force their way in. From the 12th to the 30th, the city remains on lockdown as the inhabitants go about cleaning up the damage from the hurricane. It is not until everyone is settled and the peace relatively restored that the Gates are once again opened. However, refugees will be dealt with in new ways after the 30th. Updates will follow regarding this.

[Blythe]

Timestamp: Spring 37, 512 AV

Blythe stepped lightly against the terrain as she neared the massive gates of Syliras. The towering castle of dark stone, cast against a relatively light background now that the greater portions of the storm had passed. "This is it," she whispered, as she kept on moving, her dress swaying in the breeze as she came to a halt in front of the wrought iron barrier. She glanced around, wondering where everyone was, for it seemed rather quiet, at least in comparison to the last time she had been there, nearly a year beforehand, on Call.

"State your name and your business," came a gruff male voice.

"I'm Blythe, and this is Kariha," the Konti explained, as she gestured to the woman behind her. "We are here seeking shelter until the sea calms enough to allow for safe travel home. To Mura."

Although Blythe could not see it, the guard nodded. "Very well, have you any food or skill that may be of use?" the guard asked.

Blythe nodded. "Some food from our travels, and skills besides. I'm a fortune teller, and her student in the art of wielding the katana. She teaches dance as well." The guard nodded again, waved his hand in signal, and slowly, the gates opened, allowing the two Konti through, into the castle's guts, which lay beyond.

[Aria Xenil]

Spring, 512 AV Finally. I am here... Syliras. Aria thought as she arrived at the Main Gates. There was a storm the night before, and she had been traveling for about a season. She was relieved and exhausted. As she got closer to the Main Gates, she saw two Syliran Knights standing by. She walked slowly towards them. "State your name and business, stranger." one of the Knights said. "I...I am Aria Xenil, an Inarta. I am from Alvadas, and I have come here to seek shelter, and possibly, adventure." Aria said. The guard paused for a moment. He signalled to open the Main Gates. As the Gates opened, Aria saw Syliras. Finally. Like she had been expecting, Syliras was rather beautiful. It was huge, like the common Inartas have said. Wow. Aria mumbled. She slowly walked inside. She heard a loud noise. She glanced back at the gates. They were closed, as if they were never opened. She stopped walking for a while. Aria scanned the city for a moment. There were lots of things to see; new things, beautiful things. Aria felt like she was in... paradise. It was wonderful. She heard chattering people. From a distance, she found an inn. Oh, I do hope it isn't full... Aria thought as she walked towards the inn.

[Somnius]

[Timestamp: Spring 37, 512 AV] With an air of nonchalance Somnius quietly walked up to the city gates. His eyes shone in the warm torch light despite his deadened state and had the guards not been feeling particularly morose that night, they may have noticed his stiffened movements were almost forced. The minute the Nuit came to a stop, he felt the gaze of the guards fall upon his frail form. Raising a gauntlet, one of the men stepped forward and parted his lips for speech, "Stop there stranger." The gatekeeper looked incredibly worn. Dark bags hung under his eyes and a certain hollowness seemed to permeate from his being. Somnius tilted his head back as he waited for him to finish speaking. "State your name and purpose. Any skills you have available for the reconstruction and general benefit of Syliras and its people you'd best name now. Otherwise you'll be needing to head over to the tent city next to that wall o'er there." With a swing of his hand the guard pointed into the dark, little flickers of light indicating where the "tent city" seemed to have sprouted up. Somnius smiled and gently raised his hands, a backpack casually slung around the finery that adorned his body. "My name is Som." He murmured. His voice sounded dry, as though it had not been used in awhile. "I'm here to obtain residency and get some form of a job. To be truthful I am not entirely sure yet about the latter. However I have enough money to rent out a room, you can trust me on that one. I also.. have some abilities." The dead man's smile never wavered for a single moment. He'd endured his fair share of travel before. He knew caution when he saw it. And Somnius was anything but stupid when it came to testing the nature of men who had sworn to protect their brethren. "You have nothing to fear. However, I'd ask for your safety that you step back for a moment." Raising an eyebrow the man beneath the guarded helm nodded and stepped back, hesitantly pausing a moment before securely resting his hand on the pommel of his blade. Staring at the guard for a mere second before drawing out a pale hand, Somnius smiled. Within seconds a thin gaseous-like substance seemed to trickle out from his hand, floating in the air like an ethereal being before suddenly erupting into a medium scale gust of wind, immediately blowing back nearby leaves and branches. One of the men seemed to shiver at the sight, murmuring a word to his partner until the main gatekeeper held up a hand. "..You swear to use those abilities for the good of these people? We have suffered in this recent storm. Any misuse of that talent, and you can be assured we will not spare a moment to rectify your.. position." Somnius's smile didn't waver. Parting his lips he whispered calmly, "I'll do whatever is asked of me. I only want a place to stay, guard of Syliras." While the display he had presented was slightly impressive for a new Reimancer, in actuality, he felt the drain reaching surprisingly deep. Control was something he wasn't good at. Directing that flow of energy was.. enormously difficult. And he wasn't surprised when he saw one of the men readjusting their helmets due to a misdirected wind flow. Caught up in his thoughts as he was, the pallid figure barely noticed the gates swinging open soon after his little introduction. Instead his feet took control and guided him through the fortified walls, a strange sense of peace rushing over the Nuit as he finally, for once, felt comfortable with his surroundings.