[Nyka Location] The Gates

[Tarot]

Nyka did not have proper walls until the late fourth century After Valterrian, when the final layout of the city had been established and attacks from the outside world began to intensify. The walls of Nyka surround the city in its entirety, including the sections overlooking the characteristic Nykan high cliffs, providing defense from land and sea attacks alike. There is a single gate, located in Xannos' Western quarter. It consists of a reinforced portcullis defended by four heavily armed monks. The walls are made of the same reddish stone as the rest of the city, dug from the prized Nykshela quarry. There are ample walkways on the walls; some sections were even crenellated following the infamous "Great Yukman invasion of '73". Many of the older Nykans still have vivid memories of the time when hordes of the small, but dangerous creatures rose from the earth and besieged Nyka for an entire season. The Celestials have made every effort to bolster the walls ever since that dramatic crisis. The walls of Nyka are considered neutral ground, just like the Celestial quarter, and fights are officially forbidden on the walkways and guardtowers. In fact, since it can be very dangerous for a monk to venture in a quarter not his own, the walls are the preferred way for a monk to enter or exit the city without stepping on hostile ground. Still, monkfights do occur from time to time and occasionally a monk will fall down a cliff, never to be found again. Many among the monks think that the walls are haunted by the ghosts of their predecessors, and some of the spirits are angry and envious of the living. There are tales of monks feeling pushed by invisible hands and only barely managing to stand while patrolling the walls. Many will bring charms and touch their lucky talismans while on patrol, especially on the foggy winter days. The monks of Uphis of the Sharp Blade are most often tasked with manning the gate in groups of four. The commander is a burly helbard-wielding monk whose real name is virtually unknown and just goes by the nickname "Poleaxe". They are heavily armed and ready to strike at any suspicious-looking visitors. Getting into Nyka is a privilege, not a right. Dark races may be allowed into the city, but often with laughing remarks at how they're not going to last long in there.

[Daeva Timandre]

25th of Winter 511AV The guards looked at her with the same mixture of wonder and revulsion the akontak was normally used to. No doubt they couldn't decide if she was a konti or a mutant akalak, either of which would have incited a vexing glare that would hardly intimidate the battle-hardened monks that blocked her way in. They had inspected her bags, her horse and her weapons, muttering something about Uphis that was barely intelligible, scrutinized her abnormal features then proceeded to let her pass with a baleful look, passing jibes amongst themselves. So much for a friendly welcome. This seems like my kind of place. The dark sister observed. They seemed as not to know what we were. Perhaps that'll do us some good. Daeva ignored her sister's comment as she ventured further into the city of celestials.

[Roan Bjorn]

Roan approuched the gates calmly, his axe firmly in his hand. He gazed up at the large structure, " perhaps here I can find purpose," Roan thought to himself. The guards glanced at him, as he began to walk past them as the gates opened. "Hey you," yelled one of the guards, "what is your business here?" Roan stopped in his tracks and glanced back, "I seek my purpose."

[Damian]

Winter 44th 511AV Damian had wandered through the forest until the scent of salt water had grown thicker in the forest. He knew he was close to the great lake, little did he know how great of a lake the ocean was. He had followed some travelers as they made their way up to some unknown destination. Even though the physical bodies were not around, his nose could pick their scent up even when two days old. But now as he walked near the cliff side. He could first smell a perfume of food, or what he assumed was food, before his eyes could see the greyed stone of the city walls. The stone was stained by the ocean and speckled with shrubbery. His tail swayed behind him as he walked closer and closer to the Nykan walls. He still followed his nose as he stepped out of the tree line and into the sun. His fur was especially matted today. His days had been travel, hunt, and more travel for several days. He didn't know why he didn't stop and rest, he just had an itch to find somewhere urban. He began to walk along the wall, away from the cliff to find the entrance and possibly even the source to that smell. His paws ached as he finally found the entrance into the seemingly impenetrable wall, nearly half an hour later. His eyes looked over the massive gate and at the tops of the wall. He could see the grayed, veiled figures as they either traveled or stood guard. He could see banners that decorated the entrance as he began to make his way up to the city gate. His head and tail hung low as he approached the guards, half expecting them to kick him out but when they didn't he continued on. Giving a quiet bark, of excitement as he set out for somewhere to live among people.

[Etrius]

40th of Winter 511AV

Etrius gave a low whistle as he approached the walls. The shape of the city reminded him of Syliras, except that Nyka seemed less tall and more... thick. He continued towards the gate which was still a good distance away. Drawing close to the heavily armed guards he slowed his pace, knowing what words would greet him.

"Halt! What is your business here?"

The one with the massive halberd had spoken to him. Etrius turned to answer.

"I don't honestly know. I heard that there was supposed to be a contest of some sort here. I though it would be interesting to join." He gestured towards the forest. "I'm camped out there so I'll be making my way through here often. Dangerous, I know, but I don't have that much of a choice."

The guard nodded. "Fair enough." They proceeded to check his bag and weapon and let him pass, eying him suspiciously. Well, he was allowed in, at the very least. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as he thought it would be. Yeah, and maybe the guy with the poleaxe will crack a joke next time I come through. He smiled sarcastically and continued on his way.

[Lucas Arias]

Winter 80, 511 AV

Lucas had already been halfway to Zeltiva to fulfill his life long dream to study at the University and become a world renowned scholar when he had noticed it. He hadn’t really thought much about it during the last couple of months. It didn’t come from Tyveth, Priskill or any of those other well known, hugely popular gods, but it was still a divine mark, and he didn’t really know much about it or the gods that had given it to him. Normally Lucas would just have shrugged his shoulders when confronted with something he didn’t understand, emptied a mug of ale and forgot all about it, but this was different.

So he decided to go on a pilgrimage of sorts to finally figure it out. There was something that almost seemed to draw him to Nyka which was odd since monks were the one thing that was worse than knights as far as he was concerned. The lifestyle of a monk definitely didn’t suit him. Besides, they wore dresses, and he’d look ugly in a dress.

As he neared the gate he wondered how he was supposed to make a horde of what seemed like Anti-Lucases listen to him. He wasn’t sure if there were female monks. If there were, they were likely immune to his meagre attempts at flirting. They probably couldn’t be bribed, and if he invited them to a beer, they would likely decline and stare at him as if he had grown a pair of horns and turned into some kind of demon.

He was so deep in thought that he nearly bumped into one of those heavily armed monks that stood at the gate which earned him an angry glare. As he looked up, he could see an ugly face full of scars. He shuddered for a moment, and then he straightened himself and stubbornly looked the ugly monk right into the eyes. He would not be intimidated (even though he was, a bit at least).

Fortunately he hadn‘t brought any of his drawings or books full of scandalous stories with him, otherwise this might have turned out very differently. But as it was, all he had were an old longsword, a cheap lute and a bag full of golden mizas (that he had wisely hidden under his clothes), and so he somehow made it into the city, murmurring something incomprehensible which might or might not have been a swearword as he did so.

[Kit]

Spring 60, 512

Kit stepped off the boat he'd taken from Sunberth, carrying his few meager possessions. At first he wasn't quite sure what to do; leaving Sunberth had been rather an abrupt decision. Fortunately, his instincts were still functioning as well as ever. New territory? First thing is, find a new den. Then find food. That was all he needed, a place to sleep and something to eat.

The dull empty ache in his chest belied those thoughts. There was something he needed besides food and shelter. Spending time among humans had made Kit aware of this extra need even above the needs of food and shelter. He tried to suppress it, to go back to the way things were, but he could not. So it was with a heavy heart that he entered the strange new city.

The guards gave him funny looks, but all they saw was a ratty-looking young man with slumped shoulders, ancient sack-cloth clothing that was barely holding together, and a small bag containing what could only be coins. He was clearly no threat, and so they let him pass.

[Clyde Sullins]

35 Spring 512 Clyde had been walking for quite a while. He had been making his way back to Ravok, ever since the djed storm, and this was the first city he had come to. Now he could rest and restock for a bit, before heading on to Ravok. He had not been to Nyka before, but regardless, he would do his best to figure it out. Though the greeting at the gate certainly was not to nice. But after talking for a while, they finally let him on through, believing he meant them no harm.

[Yve]

32nd Day of Spring, 512 AV A warm updraft buffeted her underside, rising her higher into the air. All of Nyka was spread out underneath her - a sprawling city of tinged red stone. Yve coasted on the warm wind, shielding her eyes from dust with her third eyelid as her head swiveled at different angles to allow her to observe the city. She had come looking for Lucas, her bondmate, who took a pilgrimage to this city. He hadn't returned to Syliras, so she decided to go to him. Sadly, she'd lost all her clothes on the way as well. This hadn't been a happy trip for her. Strong prevailing winds had caught her in a massive storm and the clothes had blown right out of her talons, ending up who knows where. Luckily she'd kept hold of her knife and money pouch. Upon observing the city, she learned how strange this place was going to be. There were very strong looking men wandering all over the place, decorated in arms and armor, and they didn't look like knights. Damage was obvious throughout the city, but a lot of repair work was being done as well. How am I going to find Lucas in this mess? she thought sadly. She wasn't afraid that he was hurt or anything - he was to stubborn to let anything like that get at him. And slavery was out of the question as well. Anyone who tried to take him would've thrown him back by the end of the day. His mouth would've driven them crazy. So he must have just got distracted here and not come back to get her. If she was in her other body she would've shrugged. Oh well. Her wings flapped powerfully against a sudden gust of wind, and when it passed she tucked them to her body, going into a steep dive. Unfurling her wings as she reached the desires altitude, she stopped the decent. She was now very close to the streets. Her wingtips brushed the rooftop of a building as she flew overhead, and she adjusted herself accordingly to climb a little higher. Crashing and breaking a wing would be the icing on the cake of this annoying trip. As another rooftop approached, she threw back her wings to slow herself and reached out with her black-taloned feet, grabbing at a foothold where she landed quietly. A quick rest, and she would search the streets for Lucas. Yve peered down at the milling street below, blinking her third eyelid rapidly before removing its canvas-like protection from her large black eyes.

[Jay Dasher]

1st Summer 512 AV

Jay walked up to the guards.

"What is your business here!" One of them yelled

"I have heard of people talking about this place before, thought it might be cool" Jay Replied

"On you go Kelvic. You are not carrying a bag so you are obviously not carrying weapons" The other guard said "Won't last long in there without a weapon though" He murmured

Jay shot a look at the guard as he walked in. He would enjoy himself here, he thought, just like the guards would be nice.