Location [Riverfall] The Land and Sea Gates

[Sarith]

6th of Spring, 513 AV

It was quite a wondrous sight, Riverfall, beautiful and impressive at the same time. Sarith could only imagine what lay beyond the city gates that loomed over him as he approached, no doubt it was just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. It was odd really, he hadn't slept for a whole day and he had been travelling by foot for quite sometime, ever since he had split with that caravan a while back. By all rights he should have been exhausted, however the giddy excitement in him suggested otherwise.

The road getting here had been long and difficult, there had been fighting during his journey and he had been forced to banish more than one Zith to the Void. It had been interesting to finally see the impressive Sea of Grass, and to witness true Zith behavior, as threatening as they may have been. However he was here now, and it was likely he would be here for sometime.

Sarith was approached by a large Akalak guard as he drew closer to the gates, internally he found the creature perfectly fascinating. He managed to bite back any questions he might have had regarding the finer points of Akalak physiology and waited for the guard to present him with the scroll, which apparently contain a list of laws and a city map.

The Scholar was giddy as he opened the parchment, carefully so as not to cause any lasting damage to it. His eyes scanned over every single word with a hungry intensity, drinking in the knowledge within. Sarith noted a few odd terms that he was unfamiliar with, as well as noting that slavery was permitted. He made mental note to gain citizenship as quickly as humanly possible that he may avoid any... complications.

Most of the laws seemed basic enough to remember, luckily he noted nothing strictly prohibiting the use of magic. It would still be wise for him to keep his knowledge relatively unknown, as most people were not fond of sticking around someone who could banish them to eternal nothingness. It was good to know that he would not be arrested just for being a wizard at least.

Sarith carefully rolled up the scroll and placed it within the folds of his robes. This accomplished he smiled softly at the Akalak who had waited patiently for him to finish.

"I will agree to abide by Riverfall laws, thank you for the scroll. It shall be returned to you in pristine condition, you have my word." The scholar said, adjusting his slightly askew monocle.

The guard nodded, "Welcome to Riverfall, traveler."

Sarith nodded and moved towards the gates, a content smile on his face. This would certainly be an adventure.

[Lial]

5th Spring 513 The first stone towers slipped into view, and Lial bounded towards them to check that they were real. But she couldn't keep running for long, as her feet dragged her into the ground. The spring rain had left sunk into the soil and left it as mud, sucking her feet under. She tried to walk on the grass, but it squelched beneath her footsteps anyway. One of the travellers glanced across at her. He smiled, a tight, thin smile. "Nearly there." He held the cracked reins for a dusty horse which paced along beside him, hooves clicking. On its back, it carried bottles of water and food wrapped up and valuables to sell for ten times the amount they had been purchased for in Riverfall. Lial slid her coat off. The sun beat down, not enough to be unbearable but enough to be pleasant. She let the wind skim over her arms. It whipped up her hair around her. The sun kept the stone walls of Riverfall a warm grey, welcoming but at the same time serious and foreboding. They had last stopped for a week or so in Syliras, and Lial remembered why she had left in the first place. The stench and the heat smothered her, and she had found herself hidden in the coolest corner she could find. After that, it had taken almost a season and a half to reach the road. And in a way, she wasn't relieved. The travelling merchants had been kind to her. When she had run out of water, or her coat hadn't been enough to protect her from the harsh winter snow, they had leant her theirs. And now, she would be stranded on her own in a city full of strangers. Eventually, they reached the city gates. Lial said goodbye to the travellers she had grown closest to, and began to jog down the cobbled road towards the cities. A few horses cantered past. She wished to be as fast as them. At the gate, she touched the wall to make sure it was real. So many days walking, pacing, doing nothing, and she wouldn't have been surprised if it had all been a hallucination. But the stone was warm and rough to her fingers. The Akalak passed her the scroll, and she skimmed through it. "I agree," she muttered, and handed the scroll back. They let her pass, and she wandered in, still taken back by the scale of the city. So many people, so many winding streets, the walls so high. After so many months, it could have been her imagination. But it wasn't. She allowed herself a smile. She had no idea what was waiting for her in a week, a month, a year. But for now, she had civilisation and enough money to survive. Maybe her time in Riverfall would be a challenge. But it was also a gift. So she was satisfied.

[Sami]

23rd Spring 513

The journey to Riverfall had indeed been a long one, but one that was worth it. Life had been hard and stressful, the tensions and worries running high. Her hand had been forced so far, but she did not object to it. If anything because of the knowledge of rejecting what was needed would have spelled an early demise for her. She shifted the weight of the quiver and bow, a final mental check before she made her approach. There was no need to hold herself back anymore.

After crossing the Bluevein she stood before the city gates, her eyes staring upon it with a tired yet satisfied expression, her shoulders rolling back. It was a strange sight for her to look upon with the rolling sea of grass behind her, and more so as she remembered what else she had left out there. Yet just as quickly did she remember it, did the girl push it back once more. For it was a place in the past now, nothing more nothing less. None would dare chase her here, and in the city she would be safe from things should they wish to follow her. Or so she liked to hope.

She looked upon the looming walls that hovered above her, serving as a defence against what laid out in the vast wilds. It was imposing to say the least, and it did its duty in acting as a deterrent. It was hard for the girl to approach properly and drag herself to the gate where the guards remained ever vigilant.

There was a brief glance back to the world beyond, and then an Akalak spoke to her. She gave a flinch, followed by a hard long stare at them. Her head turned as she slowed the words, a look of surprise having plastered itself across her face. She took the scroll and carefully read it as well as possible, picking out the odd words here and there before finally understanding the context of it. She gave a frown as she looked upon the small font, before giving a nod “I agree.”

She held tightly onto the scroll as she entered, her eyes turning up to the gate once more. It was the first step into gaining understanding and a foot hold in this vast city. With understanding the world she had been thrust first into, the girl could begin to adapt and work towards a goal that was much more imposing and daunting than the walls of the city of Riverfall that stood before her. There was no more time to waste, for although the day was before her, the lifetime was here to stay. The girl straightened herself, grabbing hold of her stubborn most side and using it to spur her on and into the city.

[Myya]

Spring 63rd, 513AV

Myya found it exhilarating to be coming to the city again. It was large and constantly expanding. Though sometimes it made her feel small. Well.. smaller.

Myya landed on a bush on the opposite side of the moat and watched the people on the bridge. They were busy and always had something on their backs or carrying them. Occasionally an animal would be on a leash or walking freely. Some seemed to drag along and others walked with their tails or heads high.

Myya knew of Riverfalls social structure. Or a little bit of it. And knew she wasn't in the best place if she wanted to live free, in her own nest. Kelvics were seen as pets or property. She was neither of such but knew thats the lifestyle she would be living.

It still didn't sit well with her. Myya took to the skys and fluttered above the heads of the tall blue men. No one seemed to notice her and it didn't surprise her. In less she stopped in one place or landed it was hard to see her. Moving closer to the city gates Myya stopped and waited for a human man the agree to the laws. She had often wondered if she should come in as a 'human' but thought not.

Her clothes would giver her away and she didn't want to know what would happen afterwards. So she continued to slip in when others went in. Feeling a pair of eyes on her Myya quickly moved away to a wild bush and waited until the gates opened before she took to the sky. The eyes seemed to follow her and Myya felt herself become self conscious. Did they know that she was a Kelvic?

Ignoring the feeling and finally flying into the city Myya took a deep breath. It was overflowing. With water and people. Myya stopped to enjoy the view but felt the eyes again. Not wanting to look suspicious Myya quickly flew off over the city. Curious and curiousier Myya continued on.

Finally escaping the feeling Myya found herself in what she believed was the Knirin Gardens. Settling down on a branch Myya studied the people around her. This would be her home now. And even though she knew that her life would not be as easy as those she looked at now... it would hopefully be better than the life she knew.

Myya felt the eyes on her again but chose to ignore them and settled for tucking her head under her wing for a little sleep. Little did she know those eyes would be a recurring thing.

[Mongoose]

Timestamp: Spring 45, 513 AV Mongoose was sitting on the passenger seat of a trade wagon as it inched up the Kabrin Road. The driver of the horses was in the middle of a joke, "...And then she said, 'That's not my dog, that's my mother!'" Mongoose laughed heartily at this, slapping a clay hand to a clay leg. She'd met the man in Ahnatep, and learned that he was a merchant of sorts. And as such, he needed some guards to protect his goods from Ahnatep to a nearby city known as Riverfall. He couldn't pay anything, having been robbed before he'd arrived in Ahnatep, but he could provide a free trip in exchange. Mongoose had been longing for a change of scenery, for she'd spent her entire life in Ahnatep, but she'd never truly belong. One could only earn so much standing without being an Eypharian. The journey had been interesting, she'd seen never ending grass, she'd met the horse lords known as the Drykas, and she'd seen one of her fellow guards get eaten. "We should be nearing the city over this next rise, it's been quite the pleasure traveling with you. You Pycons aren't so bad, even if you are the queerest looking things I've ever seen." They rode over the rise, and saw the massive Blue Vein river, with a massive beast of a city crouching at its mouth to the west. The road branched off, one heading toward the river, the other westward to the city gates. The gates were so tall, Mongoose was fairly certain that even if none of the many guards were present, climbing them would be impossible. Ahnatep had been sprawling and full of majestic ruins, but this city, this Riverfall, was tall, beautiful, and everlasting. Their cart rolled along the road, and two Akalaks had met them. "Welcome, traveler. Here is a scroll of welcome from the city. It contains a list of our laws, a map of the city, and some advertisements from local businesses that sponsor these scrolls to be made. You can feel free to come in if you agree to our laws and turn this scroll back in when you leave so we can reuse it." Both of them were handed a scroll, and Mongoose smiled, "Thank you kindly. " She read through it quickly, "I gladly agree to your laws." Mongoose hopped down off the cart, "Thanks for the lift, I hope we meet again." And with that, the little Pycon marched into Riverfall, feeling like the tallest person there.

[Eida]

Spring 84th, AV 513 A long journey but she reached Riverfall with her kelvic. She was amazed it looked so beautiful. She was curious how the city works. She was never been in one. But she waited. Syna didn't go down yet and she was in her symenestra form. She was waiting on the bridge and waited. Eida didn't wait for so long. The sun went down and the moon came up. Her form changed from symenestra to her celestial form. She took down her cloak and went to the gate. She saw the Blue Vein river. Her heart was full of joy as she was closer and closer to the tall gates. It's a new chapter for her and her lover's lifes. And now she was standing before it. She bowed before the two big men. She didn't know their race but she will eventually soon in that city. She took the scroll they were giving to her and accepted it. "Thank you, Leth bless you. I will glaldy accept your rules!" And she stepped in. The city was big and confusing a bit even with the map. She needed some time to get used to it but she felt she can rest now a bit here and get new knowledges. Finally.

[Arckhebohn]

Spring 84, AV 513 No matter how much he traveled in his life he just can't get use to it. This journey to another unknown place - at least unknown for the Kelvic - made him a little excited. But it was always like this no matter where he traveled. Another of his father's sayings was to "expect the unexpected" because no matter where his wings take him he can never be sure what will await there. This was another challange he had to face but this time it was somehow a bit harder for him than ever before. Since his kindpapping he never trusted anyone - especially the humans - and now he have to walk to a city where dozens if not more lives there. He didn't really have any idea what it will be like there. Then he turned and looked at Eida. They went through so much and he knew that it will be fine as long as they stay together. Or at least he hoped so. When he saw the two man he almost amazed. He saw many kinds of people but this was the first to see this kind. He followed Eida's lead and bowed too though it was a bit uncomfortable. He never did it before and he was unsure if it's alright at all. To be among others was still so new for him. - Thanks you - he stoppend and remembered what Eida said - I accept your rules! His curiousity about this new place almost made him forget about the hatred towards the people. He hoped that he don't have to contact anyone soon at least until he will find out more about this place.

[Cisel]

~ Cisel ~ ~ 1st of Summer 513 AV ~ Cisel arrives to Riverfall after a long sea journey * Cisel’s long sea journey was finally over and she arrived in Riverfall, where she hoped to find a more artistic environment for a mysticistic glass artisan than the bottle factory in Zeltiva had been. The ship sailed into a bay that was obviously carved by hundreds of years of the Blue Vein plunging down into the Suvan Sea. The waterfall dominated the landscape and yet the bay was large enough that the bay water calms and slides tranquilly out of the bay to allow ships to come and go from a port near the bay's mouth. She craned her neck in order take in the entire three thousand foot face of the city the Akalak call their home. The Bluevein River cascaded down the cliffs in one wondrous falls that, from a distance, seemed ever so peacefully flowing and inviting. The port where she went ashore was a constant flurry of workers loading and unloading ships and palettes containing any number of goods. Soon enough a tall, blue-skinned Akalak approached her : ”Hello there, can I help you with anything?” He handed her a scroll of welcome – it was about their laws to be exact, and to make it a bit less blunt a city map had been enclosed, and some advertisements from local businesses. Cisel was looking eccentric to the bone, dressed in her sheepskin coat in spite of the hot weather. The akalak’s face was serious and it’s closed expression didn’t reveal his reactions to the nearly six feet tall red-haired inarta vagabond. He just waited for her to agree to the rules. “I agree” Cisel confirmed. ”Thanks.” She put the scroll inside her coat. Ovbiously they wanted it back when she left the city. She would read it later. She went to find suitable housing. *

[Ketrien Ymiir]

Timestamp: Day 3 513 AV

Ketrien stepped skillfully off the barge adjusting his pack, as he marvels at the walls and craftsmanship of each structure as walks the winding path to the gate. Ket had not realized why he had been pulled here, while the city was indeed a sight to behold it was still not the free and open of the forests, 'Still, there is a reason I am here behind those walls' Ket hought to himself, uneasily he approached the gates. Two guards stood on duty both with arms crossed and a stern watchful expression on their faces, both carried satchels filled with tightly bound scrolls. Inadvertently he sniffed the air, many scents circled the area, the sea, cooking food, dust, the bathed and un-bathed all at once.

"Welcome traveler." the guardsmen closest to Ket reaches into the satchel and pulls out one of the scrolls and hands it to him. "Here is a scroll of welcome from the city. It contains a list of our laws, a map of the city, and some advertisements from local businesses that sponsor these scrolls to be made. You can feel free to come in if you agree to our laws and turn this scroll back in when you leave so we can reuse it." the other guardsmen says in a thickly accented form of common.

Opening the scroll swiftly, Ket scans over each line slowly. At one particular point in reading the rights of Kelvics in the city his eyes narrowed, and distaste filled him. 'I must be careful, if this is the case.' he thought, and nodded unwillingly to the laws, stuffing the scroll in his pack. Slowly the gates creaked open to the sound of a winch on the other side. Eyes fierce with determination he moved through the gates and started following the fresh smell of chopped meat. 'First I indulge the local cuisine, then surveillance see if i can sneak out and find a cave somewhere to bunker down, then I start my search someone has to know something.'

Following the scent, Ket found his way through the shops and structures of the bustling city of Riverfall, to his destination the Kulkukan Tavern and Inn and much to his surprise the butcher shop across the way. 'Maybe I can hold off one night of hunting and sleeping outside' he thought with a smile. as he stalked gracefully towards the butcher shop.

[Uleru]

58th of Summer, 513
16th bell


Uleru saw Laviku's tower in the distance and knew she was getting close. It hasn't been long since she was last here, not long for an Otani, anyway. But so much has changed since then. Part of the cliffs have collapsed, there are steps of strange pools dripping from the northern cliffs, and there is a tiny island that definitely wasn't there before. It must've been that massive storm from last year, she concludes. And it heartens her to know that her gods temple stood against it all.

But the Otani cant help but guiltily look away from the towering lighthouse like its a looming, accusatory finger. She has some penance to do before she is fit to enter his temple.

As she swims through the mouth of the bay a few of the Sevfra look over, pointing out the flash of her back to eager children. Though most of them will be hoping she doesn't approach. Her kind can be quite the nuisance, apparently. And she would have to agree, for the Otani are all quite fond of their games and pranks.

The bustle of the port swarms her vision like angry bees. The imposing dark figures of the resident race overpowering the purposeful strides of the much smaller humans. Scrolls change hands, tolls are collected, and hauls are pulled in for the day to much shouting and haggling. The air is heavy with the scent of fish, timber and sweat. It so busy and alive. It's the different kind of life than you see in the open ocean. A different kind of beauty and industry. Though the ocean will always be more beautiful, she would be lying to say she didn't miss this bubbling mass of energy.

The excitement is infecting her too, and she shrieks and laughs with a thrilling delight as she leaves the ships behind and the docks get closer, the figures becoming more defined.

Now to go harass a dockman to feed her...