Location [Riverfall] The Land and Sea Gates

[Gwin]

Summer 2, 513 AV.


A short visit wasn’t enough to discover and take in all the wonders Cyphrus and Riverfall, its majestic city by the sea, had to offer. And so, after two years, Gwin returned to the place she had barely grazed the surface of with a vague desire of seeing and taking with her more than she had before. Closely related to it, although barely conscious, was a sense of deeds left unfinished that clung to her like sticky liquid.

The city was looming at the horizon for bells, creating an illusion of proximity that was almost dream-like. To the Akvatari propelled forward by her butterfly wings, crossing a large surface with no landmarks but grass and the occasional gnarled tree seemed like eternity. Eventually her destination was put into perspective though. A few flaps brought her to the edge of the Blue Vein where she lingered by the ferry dock. Flying over the wall would only attract the attention of guards posted on top, dots of blue and violet against the summer sky. Instead she hovered just above the water while crossing over. That way she arrived through nearly the same way as the regular visitor.

Emerging from observations and musings of beauty, Gwin blinked when addressed by the guard. After a moment the words registered in her mind though, so she accepted the scroll with a nod designed to reveal gratitude and touched it with care. Although made for information, it had its own artistic touch that curled her lips into a smile. Even that was veiled by melancholy though.

With the document, passing the gates was ridiculously easy. With a flap of turquoise, she entered the shadow and read through the laws to refresh an ignorant memory. Then she put it in her satchel. Rather than using the map, she trusted curiosity and instinct to guide her to all the promising spots.

[Zakar]

5th of Summer, 513 AV. The Journey to Riverfall had been a long and arduous one, but the final stretch after its enormous walls had come into view felt like the hardest. Exhausted and hungry, Zakar had believed that he was finally there the moment he saw the city. Alas, it was much further than he had estimated, and the slowly growing walls were teasing him endlessly. Still, knowing that he had made it this far, alive, made him happier than he had ever been since he left Yahebah. By the time he reached the gate and crossed the river, he was smiling. With his tired grin, Zakar made his way up to the towering gate, taking his horse by the reins beside him. He wiped the tired grin off his face when he saw the guard, suddenly fearful of the welcome he would receive from this giant, blue man. An Akalak. It was the first time he'd seen one, and he was far more intimidating than he could have imagined. "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." Suprised by the hospitality, Zakar wordlessly took the scroll and glanced at its contents. He looked back up at the guard, gave him a weak nod, and made his way into the city.

[Litani]

5th day of Summer, 513


Finally. There it is. There it is..!

Litani's eyes blinked themselves clear of the bleariness and dust they'd gathered on the long road she'd traveled to come here. Riverfall. There it was, nestled before her on the face of a grass-covered cliff, hiding the best of itself on the rock faces below. She smiled in spite of herself. In spite of being saddle-sore, in spite of the high summer sun's heat, in spite of days of meager rations. She smiled. I am here now. Nothing can take that from me. Nothing.

The Konti guided her Gildling with what strength was left in her knees and gave the beast its head. Ansem had been good to her on the long ride, despite that they were still getting to know each other. Now, with her goal in sight, she felt free to let the horse calmly set a pace. Part of her longed to kick into a gallop, that much was certain, but she forced herself to drink in the slowly growing sight of the city as it rose out of the Sea of Grass before her. And with ever step, her smile deepened. Until her heart sang... albeit wearily.

When at last the pair approached the city proper, Litani raised one hand to gently hail the guard, giving them an open palm of greeting to show she meant no harm or trespass. With innocent intent reflecting in the faint azure of her gaze, she made her way into the place where her journey ends. And begins.

[Grant Reynolds]

513 AV, 2nd Day of Summer "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." It seemed that the Akalaks were even more intimidating in their home city. He'd met several before in Sylira, but it felt different here. This was their turf, and he was the foreigner now. Thank the Gods this one spoke Common, because he didn't know a lick of Tukant. Ill-played move on his part, not learning a little of their native tongue before showing up. "Yes, yes, of course. I agree, certainly. Thank you." A little bemused, Grant wondered what happened to the travelers that actually said no. He and his little troupe were then waved through the hulking gates. He wrestled a moment with Jack's reigns once inside, trying to hold the stallion and open this scroll at the same time. It took an awkward tick, but he managed it. "Alright, let's see here," he mumbled to himself, a habit he'd picked up over the years. "Gates are here, so this is the street." He glanced up from the map and to the city soaring upward ahead of him. It really was like nothing he'd ever seen before. Majestic gardens and domes dominated Riverfall, giving it a very distinctive appearance. He decided instantly that he liked the place. "There's a stable over there, but I want to ask around first." Grant looked down at Lucille sitting at his feet, panting and steadily wagging her tail. She enjoyed new places probably even more than he did. Jack was looking a little tense, though. The stallion's head was high with his ears shoved forward as he took in all the new sights, scents, and sounds. Grant raised a hand to a passing Akalak with reddish skin, who was carrying a keg of something on his shoulder. "Excuse me, sir," he began but then hesitated. "Er, you do speak Common don't you?" The Akalak nodded, shifting the weight of his load to a more comfortable position. "Aye, some." He had a thick accent, but he'd do. "Good. I just have a quick question, if you don't mind." Another nod. "Is the stable here any good? Meaning no offense, I'm sure it's a fine establishment, I just want to know what I'm in for." Grant could practically hear the gears turning in that reddish head of his, as he tried to put the foreign words together. "Is good, yes. But Sanctuary as well is very good. Is two mile north of Riverfall, owner goes by the name Kavala. Fine healer, with respectable business. Other animals as well, specializes in them." The Akalak looked very proud of himself by the end of his little speech. Grant nodded, thinking this over as he looked at Lucille and Jack. He was a doctor with animals in tow, it seemed like a good idea to visit this Sanctuary and see if he liked it. "Thank you, I appreciate it," he concluded to their conversation. "Have a good day, sir." Time to go find this Kavala. He'd figure everything else out as he went.

[Daekos Volundur]

50th of Winter, 502 AV


"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."

Daekos nodded slightly, taking the scroll with no small amount of distaste, although he hid it well enough with a small grin directed at the Akalak warrior, casting an observant eye over the armor and the prominently-visible Lakan, noting that it was well-made - that is, as well-made as it could be by non-Isur hands. The hints he could see of the muscular bodies of the Akalak made his respect for them rise ever so slightly, for he could tell that they had pride in their bodies.

As all should.

Ten steps, and Daekos was within Riverfall proper.

Now then, where's this Smithy?

[Nailah]

4th of Summer, 513AV

The Kontis' relief was evident as she stood in place on the dock to allow her body to stop its habitual motion from the voyage. Her horse had other ideas, and continued its lazy walk, tugging its owner after it.

«Slow down.» She whispered to her horse, who had seen fit to increase the pace and drag Nailah along, stopping only when an Akalak approached to help. It took the both them, patting and pulling at the beast in a futile effort to get it to pause for a chime. He then handed her a scroll with a map, the laws and some advertisements when they managed to get the beast stop moving.

As if on cue of her acceptance of the laws the horse began its cheerful trot once more, Nailah was a bit grateful this time, giving the Akalak an apologetic smile and a soft thanks. She then decided it was a waste of time to stop the horse and let it drag ger along each time she paused to be distracted by the city. It seemed so different from her homeland but she could adapt and learn.

Maybe I will even find my Call here.

[Jack Benefort]

2nd of Summer, 513AV

Jack had been moving at a fairly brisk pace for nearly the entire journey from Syliras to Riverfall, but the last few miles, he felt, it simply wouldn't be just to go fast. The sea of grass was beautiful, yes. But it was not even on the same level as the city walls. They loomed, distant and yet seemingly close for their size. It was a feeling not that different from approaching a mountain range, knowing that, for the massiveness of anything else around, all seemed relatively small and tame in comparison to the behemoth that lay before you. And it only became more of an awesome sight as he drew closer. Truly, he thought, still taking in the walls, heralded to be impenetrable(seeing it, he did believe it), truly this is a testament to the strength of the Akalak.

In his journeys throughout Sylira over the last 3 years, he had encountered a great many people. People of every size and shape. He had seen the monks of Nyka battle one another with fury and might. He had seen the Ebonstryfe of Ravok, majestic and fearsome. He had met more than one Syliran knight during his year in Syliras, majestic and strong men. He'd even spent a little time in Sunberth, where he met some of the most fearsome characters of his whole journey so far. But among the ranks of these orders, among all the warriors and sellswords and knights he had met, there was a special kind of honor and respect that is always given to an Akalak. Among the warriors of Mizahar, he had met none more capable, more fearsome. They were huge, strong as a bull, and always ready to fight, in his experience. Not that anyone was just going to start a fight with an Akalak.

In light of the strength and warrior spirit he had seen among these people, it was not a surprise to find such a fortified city as their home. 'Even the walls testify that these are a strong people. I knew coming to Cyphrus next was a good decision. This promises to be one of the most fascinating places yet, maybe even as much as Syliras was.

Eventually Jack did reach the ferry that would take him into the city. He gladly agreed to follow the rules and laws of Riverfall- after all, he couldn't expect to learn much of the culture if he didn't. At least, any more than the swordsmanship of an Akalak city guard. 'Mental note: Learn about Akalak Guard swordsmanship later.'

[Rylan Pitrius]

After weeks of travel, Rylan was in sight of finally getting out of the hateful sun. The sunburn on his shoulders rubbed against his double layered clothes, stifling for someone used to living in eternal darkness and chill, and he looked forward to finally being able to bathe. Though the rocking of the ferry promised future relaxation, he was still nervous to enter the city proper. The ferry bumped onto the dock, and he passed a group of Akalak warriors that looked like they were on a hunting expedition. I barely come up to their waist. He smiled to himself at that. His good humor faded when he took stock of his situation though. I can’t even remember why I came here. "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." Rylan took a few moments to parse the sentences before smiling and thanking the Akalak. He stood to the side of the traffic while he puzzled out the pamphlet, then strode off into the city.

[Recassi]

The gates of the city loomed above as Recassi made the first stop on his journey from Black Rock. As he was nearing the gate, he noticed that some Akalak was handing something out to the others who entered the city. As he neared the man, Recassi materialized in order to accept the item that was being handed out.

"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."

And so as he entered the city, Recassi unrolled the scroll, and began looking for the best place to begin his search.

[Istril]

46th of Summer, 513 AV Istril couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over her as Riverfall showed itself on the horizon. It appeared first as a distant glimmer-- faint and almost indistinguishable against the background, a tantalizing promise of what the future might hold. Istril found herself plastered to the port railing with anticipation, leaning out as far as her small form would let her do safely. Other passengers new to the journey were doing the same-- working to steal a glimpse wherever possible through the hustling and bustling deck of the ship. As the city grew closer, the sheer magnitude of its construction became apparent, and Istril heard gasps from her fellow passengers, people who had never seen something of this make and scale. Istril couldn't help but let a small smile grace her face, though it was borne from a much different emotion than awe. Constructs of this size were not uncommon in her mountain home of Sultros, and she was certain there were more than a few in the Old Kingdom that made those pale in comparison, and would truly fill her travelling companions with a sense of awe, mainly that such small people could build such large and magnificent creations. Little did they know just how much her people had lost in the Valterrian. Though the humans might have lost cities and cultures, the Isur lost their entire way of life. Those were wounds that still showed plainly even so long after the fact. It wasn't long until the noise hit her. It started as but a quiet whisper, nothing more than a slight hiss. It wasn't until they came closer that she understood it for what it was-- a massive waterfall, awesome in size and radiant in its splendor. Yet, as the collection of travelers ooed and ahed, Istril remained yet again unfazed. Were it not a natural occurrence and instead a construct of the Akalak, then Istril would have been truly impressed. This was nothing more than a construction of the Gods, and as such, they deserved the credit for it, not the people living around it. It wasn't long before the ship pulled into the harbor, and Istril had to clear the deck for the deckhands to finish docking preparations. She didn't mind much, as she had to gather her meager travelling provisions regardless, and saw this as the perfect time in which to do so. Descending into the gently lilting belly of the ship, Istril grabbed her backpack, and after a quick inspection to ensure nothing of hers was forgotten, ascended. She waited until the ship had finished docking and the gangplank had been extended, and with one final nod of thanks to the Captain, disembarked from the vessel. As she bee-lined to the city proper, a towering blue man matched her stride, babbling off some incoherent dribble in heavily accented Common. Istril made noises of agreeance, not all too certain what it was she was agreeing too, and took the scroll that was held out in front of her. The man then wandered off, going to hassle some of the other travelers with his accent and his scrolls. Pausing as she reached the gates, Istril looked up and took in one more glance of the city, as if confirming she was really there. Then, with a feeling of completion and nothing but a sense of hope for the future, she stepped forward.