Location [Alvadas Location] The Gaping Maw

[Amarhyl]

Winter 2nd, 511AV The walk from the docks was short, and all too soon the huge stone face loomed over the figure of a small girl. The sailors had called it “The Gaping Maw”. It was perhaps, the strangest entrance to a city Amarhyl had ever seen, for there were no guards. Though maybe the face was the guard? She didn’t know. She had noticed that it appeared more real the closer she got. Standing right before it now, it seemed too real. And she was certain that the eyes had followed her. Yes… the face was watching her. Maybe it was real then, maybe it wasn’t even a part of the wall at all. She almost leapt right out of her skin when it spoke. Taking a step back to compose herself, wide eyes fixated on the figure. It took her a few moments to find her voice again, but when she did a coherent response was, thankfully, managed. ”I’m here to explore, to find a new home… to learn new things.” With a grinding noise, the mouth of the great face opened, inviting the girl into the City of Illusions. She took a breath and stepped forward into the city that was to be her new home.

[Varric Ulex]

9th of winter, 511 av It had been a long trip, but Varric had finally arrived at the gates of Alvadas. Or at least what he thought was the gate. All he saw was a giant stone head, no guards or anything. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was staring at him. As he approached, an androgynous voice called out to him. "You have come in search of the City of Illusion. Tell me, stranger, why are you here?" it said. He looked around in panic, yet saw no one. He then came to a startling realization, it was the face that was speaking. He thought it would be best to answer, the last thing he wanted was a stone giant attacking him. "Well you see, Mr. stone head, I'm an adventurer of sorts and just wanted to go sightseeing." he nervously replied. Several agonizing seconds past until the stone heads mouth opened before him. He took it to mean that the answer he gave satisfied it. "uh.. thank you?" he called out as he stepped through the mouth, however there was no reply this time. Alvadas was before him, but this rather unique experience left him wondering if it was the best choice of travel destination.

[Corpus Aeternum]

Winter of 499BV

The screaming wails of a woman in the mere minutes before childbirth gasping as she gripped tightly to a tall pale faced man beside her. Screaming into the night. The eyes carved into the wall appeared to open and a voice rumbled from the wall.

“You have come in search of the City of Illusion. Tell me, stranger, why are you here?” The woman clutched her stomach, eyes screwed shut, teeth clenched as the struggling attempt to maintain her child's birthing until entrance into the city was given, it was after all dangerous to give birth out in the wilderness.

"To seek sanctuary and a warm place to deliver child! Now let us in damn it!" The man shouted at the wall.

No answer, just the rumbling wall as it's lips parted and steps became visible. Hurrying along the woman's screams echoed off the maw's walls. Once beyond the wall's threshold the woman collapsed to the ground and screamed in agony as she pushed the child growing within her out, blood poured from her, the extreme strength it took to hold the child in was too much for her body. Tearing at her muscles and body as the baby forced it's way out.

It was done! The lady let out a gasp of relief and then slumped backwards, laying herself out on the ground in a growing pool of blood. No gasping breathes the mother had passed on. The man picked up the child -- now bawling in the night's air -- and started down the city's streets in search of a place to stay.

The child was given the name Corpus Aeternum, his sole care-giver was his uncle... Marthos Aeternum, who ventured with his sister in search of a place reasonable enough to raise a child.

It appears that Alvadas was as good a place as any.

[Nyahna Sasin]

4th of Winter, 511 AV

The last few seasons had blurred together in his mind, and boredom had become the norm. He had left home for the excitement of carving his own path, something which did not seem to be happening. Hunting, killing, stealing, all had lost their fun and amusement for him, and he had stopped when he realized the enjoyment and thrill was gone.

His fingers brushed lightly against the hilt of his knife as he trudged. Two years ago, he had been pulled into a Game, and learned about gods. Now......

He hissed softly to himself in irritation as he stepped up to the face. It didn't matter. He had needed no protection from Sagallius. He would find interest in life again.

He stood there for a moment, considering. As far as he knew, this was the only way in or out of the city, which either meant that he had faulty information, or there was some sor.....

Sasin was startled from his musings by a voice booming from the rock. "You have come in search of the City of Illusion. Tell me, stranger, why are you here?"

His eyes narrowed as he stared up at the face. Odd. It almost seemed... Was it looking at him? Yes, it was. He hesitated for a moment before he spoke, choosing his words carefully.

"I came to experience what life has to offer." He hadn't intended to say that, but it seemed the rock approved. The mouth cracked open, revealing the city of illusions. Sasin hesitated, then stepped forwards into the city, hoping he wasn't going to crash into invisible rock.

After all, in the city of illusions, anything could be possible.

[Jaeden Kincade]

28th of Winter, 511 A.V.

Jaeden slowly walked up towards the gates of Alvaldus leading his Nightwalker Fortunado, his gaze traveling over the detail of the face that rested over the entrance to itself. A slow rub to his chin was given as he looked down to Red, then up to Kamalia before a soft tug was given to the whiskers of his beard.

“Well, I’m not seeing what the fuss is all about.” Jaeden said to the two women as he gave a light stroke along the Fortunado’s brow. “The city doesn’t seem all that illusiony to me.”

Then the echoing voice boomed out, posing Jaeden’s intention to his visit. His face went blank, and a slight sigh escaped his lips. “Right, there it is.” Jaeden muttered under his breath.

Red quickly tugged at Jaeden’s shoulder. “Jaeden, the big stone face is talking to us.” Red said, almost nervously. While she had encountered magic users in her travel with Jaeden, she had yet to experience anything on this grand of a scale.

Jaeden slowly raised his hand, easing Red a little before patting her lightly along the top of the head. “Don’t worry Red, I’ll handle this.” Jaeden said, giving a reassuring grin.

Jaeden then took a couple of steps forward, bowing slightly in front of the great maw as his hands were held out to either side of him. “Oh great, giant………….stone face……..uh guy.” Jaeden said, stumbling along his own words in a “paying homage voice” as he addressed the Great Maw. “Our reasons are simple. Shelter, learning and culture.”

Jaeden then slowly looked up at the Great Maw. “Plus, have you seen the asses on these women I travel with?” Jaeden said, motioning to Kamalia and Red. “I mean, with curves like they got, if I were following behind them, they could walk into the middle of Taloba and I wouldn’t even notice until the cannibal ladies began chewing on my legs.”

After answers had been given and entry permitted, Jaeden would travel with Kamalia to find lodging and settle in. He wouldn't be in the city for long on his first visit, as he would be traveling the wilds for the first day to familiarize himself with the areas.

[Kamalia Timandre]

28th of Winter, 511 After Valterrian

It was a somewhat uneventful journey, but Kamalia had been thrilled for days to see what the “City of Illusions” was like. She had only read about Alvadas in books, or heard about the great Gaping Maw from the songs of the tavern bards or the rhymes of self-proclaimed poets, but nothing—not the songs, not the books, and not even her imagination—had prepared her for the wonder that was Alvadas, stronghold of Ionu, bastion of wonders and illusions, and its fantastical talking gate.

Laid out before them, looming over the roads of Kalea, was the marvelous entrance to the city—the Gaping Maw. With a broad nose, a jovial grin and ever-watchful eyes that seemed to penetrate the very soul, the shifting face on the stone walls stared at their approaching party, asking what their business in the city was. An exuberant smile lit the Konti’s face.

When Jaeden made a bowing gesture, Kamalia greeted the Gaping Maw with her own—one knee slightly bent, head bowed, and both hands over her heart. The Konti sorceress laughed easily at Jaeden’s jests involving their curves and cannibal ladies. Once they were allowed entrance, Kamalia walked beside Jaeden and his Kelvic bondmate into the fabled city of illusions.

[Lyner]

Day 1, Winter 511AV Before he got on the boat that brought him to the shores of Kalea Lyner knew nothing of Alvadas save it's reputation for being a city of illusions. He had never even thought of visiting Kalea before in his life, it was too far from the comfort of home, he thought of that corner of the world was alien to him. But days on a ship with fellow passengers who had too much time to waste and were predisposed to the intolerance of listening to nothing but the sound of wind and rolling waves gave him the fundamentals one had to know about the city. It was a city home to a god who's work lay chiefly in illusions and trickery. The city was touched by him in a way that nothing every stayed in the same place for long, a glance down an alley might lead you to a bar one minute and if your eyes stray from it for a few seconds later it was highly likely that steps leading up to some other building might be what greets you instead. In short, it was like a fickleminded person, never sure of his or her plans, always changing things according to his or her mood. Lyner didn't think this was such a bad thing in itself. He had been confined to a small place for years, the strange freedom and refreshing change at every corner might be exactly what he was looking for. The stone face upon the wall and entrance to he city that the merchants that had shared their company with him blinked, opened its lips and asked him a question. He replied quickly and with but one word, but there was truth in that single word. "Variety." The gateway to the city bared itself open for his passage and he stepped forward, consumed in that city that was a world of it's own.

[Nisuness]

7th of Winter 511AV

Nisuness walked towards the stone wall. She had noticed it a while back and felt the need to come see what it was. She raised her face to look at it, wondering what was on the other side of it. She blinked at what she saw. A face was looking down on her as she walked. She thought for a moment, as she walked towards it that it’s eyes were following her. She continued up until she was directly in front of it. Now she was sure the eyes were following her. She stared up and they stared down at her. Trying to shake the eyes, she looked at the size of the wall. It was huge, but she’d happily attempt to climb it if it meant finding out what was on the other side. The stones spoke in front of her, startling her slightly. The surprise washed away as she listened to what it had to say. “You have come in search of the City of Illusion,” it said. She smiled. She knew what was on the other side and it sounded interesting. “Tell me, stranger, why are you here?” it asked. She thought about the question. Should she answer it? Would answering it get her to the other side of the wall? She didn’t know. She wished she had gone to school more often. Maybe they had learned about this place…

Making a quick decision that she hoped would turn out well, she cleared her throat. “For no reason,” she answered. She waited a few seconds for a reply that was delayed in coming. While waiting, she felt like the face was scrutinizing her, judging the answer she gave. She was about to turn around and leave or maybe just climb over the face when it’s mouth opened and she looked into the darkness of the mouth. She couldn’t see very much of anything inside it, but she could make out a lively area on the other side of it Movement of things about her height. She grinned, stepping into the darkness and making her way through the tunnel-like mouth of the face.

[Gabrielle Seawind]

25th of Winter (might change) Gabrielle couldn't help but shiver when the stone face spoke to her. She looked up at it, her face obviously in discomfort. The young woman had no knowledge about the city of Alvadas, and had only been sent there after escorting a group through the Suvan sea. Hopefully, she would be on her way out of there as soon as possible -- just this talking stone face scared her. "I'm not really sure why I'm here, but I'm probably not staying for long. I just need supplies." She had to go back to her podmembers soon. She felt incomplete without them. But to do that, she needed food and supplies to last at least a week her on her casinor. After she gave her response, she gave the stone face one last stare before making her way to the city.

[Mihaw]

Finally after weeks of traveling Mihaw had reached the walls of Alvadas. He dropped the old bag from his jaws that he carried. He stood still still for a few seconds listening for any signs of live and after being certain there was noone around he just layed down in the dirt about 20 metres away from the wall with a giant face to lick his paws. Although Mihaw could not hear or see anyone nearby he sensed something wasnt right, He stood up and grabbed the bag with his mouth ready to follow the walls till he would find the gate. Before he started he wanted to take a better look at the Giantstone face in the wall to find out what its there for or if he could climb up it and save him the time of walking. As Mihaw approached the giant face he noticed that its eyes were following him, first he thought it was some mirror trick but that thought vanished as the stature said:“You have come in search of the City of Illusion. Tell me, stranger, why are you here?”, in a powerful voice that Mihaw could not just hear but feel through his entire body, a strange feeling. First Mihaw thought of running away but dropped his bag and turned into human form, to say: "I am a traveller, just here to rest and maybe to search for a friend". The Huge Face started Rumbling, Mihaw was not sure whenever to run or stay but neverless turned back into his animal form incase he had to run. The mouth of the stature started opening turning the rumbling into the sound of stones grinding on stones, then it stopped. The mouth of the stature was now fully open and its eyes were still staring down at Mihaw. He wasnt sure if should enter incase it was a trap and he´d be squashed, but decided to go in anyway.