Closed From one beach to another [Gossamer]

[Crylon Stonecraft]

10 Spring 522 It had been awhile since Crylon had first heard of Syka. Seasons past in fact. In the outpost he had run into an interesting Kelvic by the name of Ines who was from there, and he had even talked with her once or twice of him coming to visit. And then she had vanished, and Crylon had been unable to find her again. He was unsure if something had happened to her, or if perhaps she had simply stopped coming to the outpost, but he was somewhat worried about her and what might have happened. While he enjoyed living among the Meraki in the Demesne outside of Zeltiva among humans he always felt a bit distant and not quite at home. The Meraki perhaps was one of the places outside of Kalea and Sultros he had most felt at home in, but... Still, he had no rush when it came to such things, and he could always return to the Demesne after a few years, a decade, or longer. While such times were short to an Isur and a bit longer to a human, to a Kelvic it was much longer and possibly their entirely life, and so Crylon knew waiting too long could mean missing her entirely... With that in mind Crylon had made his goodbyes and set out from the Demesne to come to Syka, a trip that had taken over a season by land and sea. First he had traveled with a caravan from Zeltiva to Syliras, a major port city. Then he had taken a boat west and down the Suvan till he had ended up in Riverfall. That for Crylon had been the longest bit of the trip, taking ages longing than the others as he stayed firmly below deck and avoided seeing the open sea as much as possible. It only further proved his mental strength that he would go on such a trip when the thought of the ocean along made his legs feel like jelly. And the night when there had been a horrible storm, and he had been sure the entire boat would capsize... But in the end he had arrived safely... Only to find out he needed to spend a few more days by boat to finally get to Syka. He felt a bit better knowing it was a short trip, but it had taken him awhile to muster up the strength to get back on another boat. Language barrier aside, not being fluent in common but only conversational, he spent most of that last trip in silence and hiding below deck to avoid the water. Due to this by the time they arrived in Syka and he made his way out on top of the boat most everyone else had disembarked, and there were just people unloading goods brought over from Riverfall. Crylon for his part was seemingly packed lightly, only having three pieces of visible luggage other than his clothes. His vest showed off his arms, each bearing a different colorful marking left by a divine and one limb seemingly made of metal or some kind of gem which marked him as an Isur. To another Isur he was clearly a Pitrius, though most non-Isur would not be able to make that distinction. His sandaled feet were perhaps a bit better for the heat, and other that he only visibly wore a ring on his right arms finger with an odd marking most did not seem to recognize. At least, of the people Crylon had asked. The reason he only had three visible items was due to the one on his back, a magical pack which seemed to have an endless depth and ability to hold things. Since everything he owned that could fit inside of the pack was in it the only items he had out were two others that did not fit within. A steamer trunk looking case with an assortment of fine tools inside belying the beat up trunk they were in, and a folding table case that would unfold into a proper table for working and drawing up schematics. Pulling these behind him Crylon made his way off the boat, off the dock, and began looking around to see where he should go next. It was as he was trying to decide on this that he noticed someone coming near, when he suddenly and instinctively moved to hug this person, dropping his hold on his two cases to grip the other person in a firm hug that would last a few seconds, at least if the other person did not fight off his hug or otherwise avoid it. Being an Isur his grip was quite strong, and once inside of it said grip would not be easy to escape until the Isur ended it. If he did manage to hug the person he would effusively apologize afterwards, unsure why he had done it. “Ah, so sorry! Did not mean... Not sure what happen... Body just move on own. Apologies.” WC: 835

[Gossamer]

The Veronica was in chaos. There were children darting everywhere, and that wasn’t even the beginning of the chaos. People emerged from the jungle at the sight of the ship pulling up and the unload began to happen almost organically. A child darted into Crylon, colliding with him briefly before muttering an apology before the child was away. It happened so fast he wasn’t even sure if it was a girl or a boy. More children ran off the ship, then several ran back on, gathering supplies and heading back off.

Randal smiled as he approached, then kind of held up his hands as if to ward off Crylon’s hug, before leaning into it and accepting it with the brightness of surprise on his face. “Welcome to Syka!” He said with a chuckle, shaking his head at Crylon’s apology. “No need to apologize. Really… we are all close here. Hug if you want.” He said thoughtfully. “I’m Randal Zor, one of the Founders. And my companion here… Stu… Stu?” He looked around as if he’d expected someone to be right behind him. He wasn’t. Instead, there was a man halfway across the deck with a long mustache and longer locks surrounded by children. He had a surprised look on his face even as he cleared the kids out, and moved quickly to join Randal.

“Stu Alkamar!” Stu said with a grin. “Randal said he needed my help to carry a big trunk that an Isur had with him. That you? Mind if we get that offloaded and to wherever it's going to need next?” Stu said, glancing at Randal. Randal nodded. “Just show us where the haul it, and we’ll get on it. And while you’re at it, you can tell us who you are and why you are joining us in Syka.” He said thoughtfully, then winked at Stu. The pair joined forces and soon had the tool chest up and running with the aid of a clever four-squared device with wheels on each small corner. The men didn’t have to hold the weight of the trunk… they just had to steer it and give it little shoves out onto the gangplank, and then onto the dock.

“We have Bungalows and Overwater Ranchos to rent. We also have an Inn with some rooms available for housing. And we allow beach camping if that’s something you prefer.” Randal said, to break the ice with Crylon coming off the ship. “Did you have plans for housing here? I’d be glad to stash your things somewhere and take you on a tour. No one will mess with your chests.” Randal said, reaching up to scratch at his scalp as if something was bothering him.

“These kids are driving me nuts. Do you have any experience with them? I think twelve at a time was biting off more than this settlement can chew.” Randal complained, then groaned as a child was trying to capture a monkey that was about ready to chew the child’s nose off or worse. Randal gestured and Stu paled. The two men moved off for a moment to deal with the situation, gently chastising the child and parting the monkey from his company.

A parrot, a rather young scarlet macaw, flew down and perched on one of the dock's pylons. It opened its wings and squawked. “Hug?” It queried, looking at Crylon with its wings outstretched and twitching. Randal, returning, shooed the creature away. It leaped off the dock with a squawk, circled, and gained altitude.

“Parrots are just giant flying rats,” Randal assured the Isur. “Try to keep the kids away from the wildlife if you see any more of that. They don’t know what’s safe and what isn’t at the moment. Anyhow… besides all that. You are new here. What can we do for you? What help can we offer?” He asked, looking thoughtful and questioningly at Crylon. “It’s not every day we get a new person here. Though lately, we seem to be getting more and more. Are you planning on staying a bit or are you just here as a tourist?” He asked, sure the large baggage meant the Isur was going to stay awhile.

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[Crylon Stonecraft]

Heading off the boat, Crylon tensed in response as a small child bounced off of Crylon while passing by. Being quite heavy for his size he did not lose his footing or move much, but the fear of falling overboard still rolled over him and locked him in place for a moment. After a moment he was more worried the collision might have hurt the child, but they seemed none the worse for wear as they ran onward again afterwards. Crylon had thought that by waiting there would be less trouble, but it seemed that had not worked as there was still a scrum of people heading on and off the boat as he headed out. After hugging the man welcoming him to Syka and giving his own apology in response Crylon was once more sure he was ready to be far away from the water and on nice safe ground, not being able to help giving the deep water off the shore a hesitant glance before returning his gaze to the man greeting him. While his common was still in need of work he had known what he needed to explain for awhile, and so was relatively prepared to explain why he was there and what he was trying to do. Though, thinking on it, he realized even that was a bit basic and vague. The human talking to him seemed a bit on the young side, even for a human, though he was by no means the best at gauging human ages. If nothing else he felt certain that he was older than the human... Barring other factors, he reminded himself, such as magic, not being just human, or perhaps even being an Ethaefal, all came to mind as reasons why his guess of age would be even further off. When the man seemed both cheerful and accepting of his random embrace Crylon smiled at the man, nodding in response. “Is good to hear. Not normal a hugger... Maybe been on boat too long. Has been long... Voyage.” At the mans name Crylon nodded again, offering his own in turn though as usual leaving off his clan name. But the man being a founder and giving both of his names Crylon in turn gave not just his first name but also his family name, more than he normally did when first meeting a random human for the first time. An Isur hearing that would likely understand the show of respect, but those of other cultures would likely find it normal enough. “Hello Randal Zor. I am Crylon Stonecraft. Well met. And hello Stu. Good to see as well.” Stu seemed to have wandered off a bit, but headed over shortly after something involving more children, to which Crylon smiled in response to. “Ah, yes. If can, would... Appreciate help. Thank you. For now, if can just help move out of way, onto beach safe from tide, is good enough. Can figure out more later.” After offering to help move his stuff and loading his one trunk Crylon was left with his pack and his other case with his folding desk of magical nature. If not offered to load this as well Crylon would continue to haul this along by hand. Seeing the thing used to load and unload items of large size and weight his eyes grew interested, and Crylon spent a few moments wondering how it worked, how it was made, who made it, and where it had come from, before snapping back to the situation at hand. Luckily during that time the others were loading, and so his distraction did not overly hamper the conversation. At that point the man greeting him seemed ready to continue on with the formalities and move on to the real questions about Cryon like why he was there and such. Crylon nodded along in reply, spending a few moments to sort his thoughts and prepate his common before responding. “I am Crylon Stonecraft. Most recently of near Zeltiva, and other places before that. Originally of Sultros. As for why here... Ah well seasons past, I met Kelvic, Ines, in outpost. She spoke of Syka a lot. It seemed interesting place, and also place I could be of use. So decided to come here. Though not hear from Ines in awhile, so not sure if she is still here.” Pausing once more Crylon eyed the two men in turn before settling on Randal, seeing as he seemed to be the man in charge and the one asking the questions. “First and foremost, I am an Architect by trade. Also builder, and blacksmith. Though this place still being new, perhaps building and designing be of more help? I would not mind working in any of those if you need someone for them.” Looking at the housing in question Crylon spent a moment exmaning its base, reminded a bit of buildings he had seen in Ravok, but not quite the same as they did not float entirely but had some support likely below the water. However living in one did not seem something he would like, ad so he shook his head at that. “Honestly, have been on boat so long, might like bit of time outside. So think will camp a bit. Maybe back on beach, away from tide, out of way, if as say beach camping okay... Or suppose could make shelter if need to. Like stay at least awhile, least a few seasons, if can.” One thing that would quickly be clear about the Isur was that the man was in no particular rush. Not in that he made the conversation go slowly, but in general or perhaps in how he went about life he was in no hurry. Almost as if a few years was a blink of time to him. As the conversation turned to children Crylon eyed one running nearby, smiling again. Along with not being in a rush not much seemed to really be a big deal to the Isur, almost as if anything could happen right then and Crylon would be no more fazed than if nothing happened. Which, perhaps, meshed a bit better with Syka and its people than many of the other places he had been to. There was a short pause in their talk whiile Stu and Randal moved off to intercede with one of the children, before returning and giving Crylon a chance to answer another question. The Isur did his best to answer the lenfhy topic though. “Know of children, suppose. Been a bit since around them. Children are... Change, made flesh. Human children stay children so short of time though.... If nothing else... Children change. Will learn what do, what not do. And will change as people around. So is good yes, is around good place, good people, while still children, while changing, rather other worse place or bad people change like.” While Crylon had made his best attempt to explain what he meant on children, he was unsure his point had been clear enough in common to do so. But then, he had long since realized complex things and philosophy were two things that were hardest to translate well. He was unsure how literal the man was being about the bird, if he truly felt they were a pest, but assumed he was exaggerating seeing as he had rushed it off rather than killed it as a pest would likely be treated to. Another instance of translation being tricky. “Will do best if see one near wild animal. As for do... Well if know of work, would not mind that. Like say afore... Am Architect, and builder, and smith. Many things of making. Also bit of gadget, but newer to. If have work on those, would be good. Is been long time on boat no work, would be good, work again. Also would like know of place to make, would be good. And places with supplies, things, for build, make, also good. Also, thing on dock for carry things, who made, or where from? Just of interest, not big importance.” At the word tourist Crylon frowned, trying to recall what the word meant, spending a bit moving back and forth from his own Isur tongue and common, before understanding. “Tourist, not work, just stay? Am not tourist then.” WC: 1,390

[Gossamer]

Randal nodded. “Ines… yes I know her. I taught her some Wilderness Survival. She’s a kelvic though. They are fleeting in their comings and goings. I haven’t seen her for a few seasons, not even at a Tenday Celebration, so I don’t know what to tell you. She could have bonded with someone at The Outpost and decided to stay.” He said, not sure what to say. Ines had always kept to herself, living somewhere in a tower off in the Maw. “Camping on the beach above the tideline is fine. Feel free to do so around The Commons and Swing Beach. Other places might be considered private property. Just check around if you decide to move out a bit.” He suggested, making sure Crylon didn’t stomp on toes by pitching his tent in someone’s front yard view.

The youngest Founder nodded in response to Crylon’s assessment of children. “I suppose you aren’t wrong there. We needed some diversity in the population, so we gathered some homeless orphans to bring here. I’m not so sure it that was a good idea or not. They might just be fodder for the local wildlife, especially the big cats.” Randal mused, smiling slightly. “Well, even for the monkeys at this rate. I thought the’d be smarter… and not be so bold with them. Monkey’s are assholes.” He added, with a grin. “They look cute and cuddly, but they really just want to bite off a finger or two for a quick snack.” He grumbled, shaking his head. “We’ve tried to get rid of them around the Settlement, but they keep moving back in. They aren’t above throwing things at you either, especially their feces.” He added with a grimace.

“Thank you. Those kids need all the help they can get. And if you are interested in teaching one your craft, be sure to go interact with them and see if you can find one that might suit your trade. That’s why they are here after all.” Randal said, then reached up and scratched at his head again. He frowned, parting the hair, as if he discovered something. “Gods, it feels exactly like I’m growing a horn… or a set of them.” He mused randomly, checking the other side of his skull as if discovering that fact as well. Shaking his head absently, Randal removed his hand from his head, and shook out his fingers as if he had been touching something disturbing.

“I don’t know what it is, but Syka’s suddenly gotten very weird.” He said, looking thoughtful. Then he refocused on Crylon. “By the way, you aren’t the first Isur here. We have another one, a mage named Ialari. She’s often around.” He added, knowing that Ialari would probably want to know another Isur is on Syka’s shores. Once that tidbit was passed on, Randal continued.

“We have the sawmill here. Lars will make any cut of wood for you, but we also have another business I just finished building a place for. It is in-essence a hardware store and builder’s supply. It also hires out builders to work on projects like homes and the like. They know their stuff, for sure, and maybe might even hire an Architect.” He added looking thoughtful. Then he offered a smile.

“Do you need anything else? I’d be glad to give you a tour or show you around.” He offered, knowing the last thing he actually wanted to do was show anyone around… he’d done it about four times already today. But the man was new and he might need some guidance. Randal didn’t like anyone being left alone that was new to the Settlement, but they had gotten a huge influx of people at this season change. It was… rather odd, completely unusual for Syka.



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[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon was somewhat disappointed to find out Ines was no longer in Syka, though not overly upset. it after all wasn't the only reason he had come, even if it had been the first and the reason he had initially heard of it. Now that he was here he expected there would be plenty to do, see, make, and build. He certainly wouldn't be going back just because of one person not being there. Kelvic were much faster living races compared to Isur, and so it made sense one would move on or off much faster than he had. At the note about private property and camping Crylon nodded, understanding what he meant. No one wanted someone camping on their doorstep and ruining there view, best he find a nice out of the way place where he wouldn't both anyone if he was going to camp. Eventually though he would probably buy some land and build something, but not until he had been settled in. “Will do so. Not want to bother anyone. If stay and build, would see about get own land.” At the mention of the cbhildren being homeless and orphans from somewhere, Crylon was reminded of Sunberth again. He had seen orphans there, and had even tried to help out at their residence. Not quite homeless since they did have a place to live, even if it was falling apart and not in good repair, but orphans all the same. “Yes, see many orphans in places, some more others. When in Sunberth, afore Zeltiva, saw many. Is better find trade, have place to grow, than not. If none help, not many options for them.” Crime was a common thing across Mizahar, though some places like Sunberth excelled at it more than others. And crime was a common fallback for those who had no other skills. A bit of sneaking, some smashing, and one could take things from others with little to no work. But if he could help or Syka could help while also it seemed gaining the people they so needed... Well then, that wasn't so bad for either party. Though if they had been in an environment, Crylon reasoned, it would take them some time to settle down and to grow accustomed to their new home. He assumed Randal was joking, at least partly, about the orphans being fodder, and so did not take this part too seriously. Still it took him a bit to work that one out, language barriers being what it was. “Yes, well hopefully not happen. Can see from looking, this place still wild. In sense of nature still being part of place, not apart truly, like big or old city. Is different from many others see. Is probably also... Different from what children see or now before. If see one want learn build, send my way. Maybe can show things or two. Otherwise, if get chance to talk to one, I see about what like do.” Seeing as the children were young, that did somewhat limit what they could do. He had been in the forge at a young age, but then he was an Isur and forging was like breathing. But still, surely there would be some things even a human child could do without being in danger. Perhaps then it would be better to start with design work? That was less physical and therefore safer. Looking about after the man commented on the horns, he did not see anything obviously off. Then he recalled his own hugging, and wondered if perhaps that was related. He did not think he had been doing that before he got off the ship... “Honestly, humans seem bit... Weird, most of time, to me. So not sure I notice. But... I also random hug, seem odd, so maybe is something. Know when start happen? Maybe a god in a mood, or playing game. Not too long ago, woke up in strange forest naked,Caiyha playing test. Seasons before that Leth do thing, and many people feel changes. Woke up woman. Wore off later in season, so normal now. Maybe is something like that?” At the mention of an Isur Crylon's interest turned, not having seen an Isur since... Sunberth? And he had been a criminal, who had attacked him just for being near another person... Likely not a proper Sultros born Isur, but one born elsewhere. He wondered what sort of an Isur she migth be, and what clan they were from. He had not seen a fellow Pitrius since Sultros, but did not hope too much that if there was one here it would be a clanmate. “If get chance, would like meet Ialari. Been while since saw Isur. Is nice, see one.” At hearing of the place having a sawmill run by a man named Lars and a builders place where he one could go to get supplies or to find people to build. Considering what he knew it might even be a good place to work while he was here, if they needed some help with design. Watching Randal it seemed the man was busy, and while seeing newcomers was perhaps part of his job with all of the new people he likely had many other things to do. Work was something he understood, and as a personal principle he never got in the way of someone else doing honest work. The key point being honest, as he wasn't above getting in the way of less than honest work by his measuring. “Ah no, is okay, no need tour of whole place. If someone could point me to commons place spoke of for camping, to bring stuff to, would be good. And if someone could show where builders place is, so can talk about work, think can work out rest self. Thank you for assistance. Is hope can talk more later, when not so busy.” WC: 985

[Gossamer]

Randal nodded; glad he didn’t have to explain to Crylon about indefinite camping. He was also glad he got a chance to explain the presence of the children to the stranger. It would look odd, Randal thought, seeing kids running about unattached to parents otherwise. “The children will learn fast. If they don’t, they won’t survive. This was all explained to them before they came. And I hope they took the explanation seriously.” Randal said thoughtfully. They would be watched, of course, but one couldn’t watch kids and keep them in view at all hours of the day. The death of his own child was an example of that.

“I don’t know what is causing the situation here in Syka. You say your hugging is unusual. That’s an understatement. We have far more unusual things going on. I just hope everyone gets together and figures it out quickly. It might be a God. It might not be. They do tend to test us time and time again.” Randal added. He did raise an eyebrow at Crylon claiming he woke up a woman, but then again, he’d heard Artik drunken babbling about one of the new women in Syka becoming a man randomly earlier in the day. Randal might very well need to start keeping track of the goings-on around Syka to see if patterns emerged.

“You honestly can camp anywhere off the Commons. The Commons stretches from the dock out in a giant circle around. The beach that has a bunch of swings on it… anywhere on that beach is fine too. If you need cushions, there’s storage below the actual Syka Commons that has cushions you can use for bedding. As for as where The Builder’s Emporium is…. come with me. It’s not a long walk and I can take you.” Randal said, not at all unwilling to head that direction and show Crylon where it was.

“I will definitely introduce you to Ialari. You can’t miss her. She’s very distinctly Isur. Pitrius, if I view her arm correctly. A little odd, but if she shows back up, I’ll make sure you two get introductions.” He added. “She lives in a cave near here… but she’s usually not home. I really don’t know where she goes or what she does for a living. But she is around.” Randal assured him. And then he concentrated on walking, moving faster because they did have a bit of a walk ahead of them.

The Founder had a long-legged stride and after telling Crylon his things would be fine stashed anywhere in The Commons, the pair of them set off to the north. There was a large cobbled pathway that was wide enough for a pair of ashta and their carts or any kind of cart for that matter. Multiple people could walk along it side by side and Randal did so with Crylon, pointing out various sites as he did. He showed Crylon the Mercantile, the Bungalows, and even stopped at a vista to point out the Overwater Ranchos. He pointed out Mathias’ large bungalow with the huge ocean deck that had multiple poles and multiple seats on it. Everything was green and blooming, with flowers overhanging the cobbled pathway and wildlife everywhere. Birds fluttered everywhere, and small frogs and lizards scampered into the underbrush as the two men walked.

Randal actually picked up a crate that was a delivery for The Builder’s Emporium on their way out of the Commons, making his trip worthwhile beyond just showing Crylon around. They actually walked quite a ways, past the Inn and even onwards to scattered houses and claims until they got to a large turnoff to a nice multiple-story building that had stacks of building supplies all around. “This place is actually called Standing Tall, but everyone’s been calling it The Builder’s Emporium… its ran by a man named Sorian Blackward.” Randal said, walking up to the place, and not bothering to knock before he slipped inside. It wasn’t as if most places in Syka had proper doors. They didn’t. Standing Tall was no different. The entire bottom story was open with no doors or windows. There were supplies stacked everywhere. And a man was working at what appeared to be inventory.

“Brought you something from The Veronica, Sorian,” Randal called, and the man stopped what he was doing to grin.

“Hey, Randal. Thanks. Who’s this? A visitor?” He asked, walking forward and wiping his hand off on his pants before offering it to Crylon for a shake. “An Isur… no less. That’s great. We need some diversity here.” He added, grinning. “More races mean more perspectives. Randal and I have an ongoing argument about how to properly build things. I think I won though because he retired to start a surf shop.” Sorian grinned, his tone teasing.

Randal laughed. “That’s what you think. Anyhow…. this is Crylon. Crylon, this is Sorian. He is an architect so I think I brought him to the right place.” The youngest Founder said thoughtfully.

“Hi Crylon. How do you like Syka so far?” He said, smiling congenially. “You looking for work?” He asked because honestly, he could use an architect on staff, though he didn’t actually say that out loud.

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[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon nodded in response to Randal's words, finding them true enough and not finding he had much to add on the topic. Considering the state of things in other places, even the inherent danger of Syka was better than many other places orphans lived. Sunberth for example was quite a mess and not a place he felt anyone should live in, let alone grow up alone and without parents. It did seem the others were taking the training seriously in living with the wilds, and he expected of all people children would be well able to adapt. He was a bit surprised to hear that he had managed to arrive just as some new oddity was occurring in the settlement, though having lived among humans for years he wasn't all that surprised. In fact few things among humans truly surprised or startled him, though he supposed part of that might have just been down to age. By the time most humans were his own age they were grey and nearly finished with working and living. For an Isur though he was still relatively young. “Yes, is hope so if problem can fix. If can, would help with.” Taking a look and noting the landmarks and points being mentioned Crylon mentally mapped out a spot where he could safely camp. At some point he would likely buy some land and erect a structure, but for now just being on the beach and safely off the boat was enough. The commons... The docks... A beach with swings... As he finished working out this location as noted however Randal seemed ready to move on and offered to show him personally were the builders places was. Crylon nodded along in response to this as well, half expecting the clearly busy man to not have time to show him personally. Of course, as they picked up an item on the way, he realized it might have been a place he was planning to go to anyways and so wasn't really as much of a drain on his resources as other things he might be asked to do where. As they walked along for once Crylon's face did show a bit of surprise at something Randal said, noting that not only was there an Isur in Syka but it was a fellow Pitrius clan member... He hadn't mentioned his own clans name, but this man seemed to know enough about Isur to know on viewing that he and this other Isur were both one. Wanting to make some conversation as they travelled and recalling something he had not yet asked, Crylon worded another question to the man. It was something of interest to him, while also being something that seemed to vary from city to city, and so he felt worth getting a read on before displaying or saying too much. “Yes, if can meet, would like talk to. Let know please, if can if returns. Also thought might ask... How is Syka feel about magic? Have been many places, with many ways of feelings about it. Curious what Syka and its people feel on it.” Living in a cave he felt wasn't that odd for an Isur, if he could in fact he would likely end up trying to find a nice rocky bit of land to build on which felt a bit more like Sultros. Perhaps even if he could practice his earth Reimancy a bit more he could even use that as some Reimancers did to work out from the stone the building. Though he was unsure how rocky the surrounding area was. At least somewhat, from what had been said. On their walk he examined the wide walkway which seemed somewhat laid with stone, and a nice proper path through the jungle for moving and walking. Looking it over he wondered who had done it, and how... For a moment his mind went back to Reimancy, and he wondered if their were any other Earth Reimancers about, but he couldn't tell from just a casual glance how this road was made. “Is seem have good road maker here. Good for jungle. Well done or... Made. Who is person who make? Just curious.” As they walked and talked a bit Crylon kept his eyes and and tried to embed in his memory each place he saw... The Mercantile, assumedly a place of trade... Bungalows for living, and... He shuddered a bit seeing them, something called Ranchos which were literally above the water. That was an idea he did not like, though having lived in Ravok he understood somewhat how it was made. Though, he supposed, that wouldn't be quite the same as the Ravok buildings were totally floating, and these probably had some supports under the water... Perhaps worth looking at more closely, though far enough away to steer clear of the water... When they finally got to the proper building and he saw the stacks of supplies for work and building, he knew they had arrived even before Randal said anything. He almost felt like he could smell industry and labor, though he was unsure what odor that might be... Perhaps just a kin odor to his own life. Or perhaps the visual signs of a building with work materials stacked neatly that clear wasn't in the midst of being built... Standing Tall, run by Sorian Blackward, locally called the builders emporium. Crylon nodded along and noted these facts as he inspected the location. Clearly the building was well done and designed, which made sense for a place involved in building. Who wanted to go to a poorly made place to have a building made? A structure housing such a place would be as much of a sales point as anything said. As the man, Sorian apparently, moved in to offer Crylon a hand he felt the sudden sweeping urge across him and ended up pulling the man into a hug while still gripping his hand. He kept at this for a few seconds before the urge left him and he was able to release the man. Not this time bothering to explain the hug and instead trying to focus on the matter at hand the Isur nodded and introduced himself. “Hello Sorian. As Randal say, I am Crylon. Crylon Stonecraft, an Isur. Syka seem good so far, people friendly, place nice. Spread out, more than big city, more wild too, but that not bad. Just different. Before this was living in small settlement near Zeltiva, on beach, not so different from this.” Thinking to himself since he was unsure how the others felt about magic he noted the lack of a sentient building like back in the Demesne, but he doubted those were to common in general. “Am looking for work, yes. Among other things, have skill in being Architect, and in building. From examine site, to design, to build, can do bit of all. If looking, have interest in working as this. What sorts of place build around here? And what sorts of things do you do? Every place been to different. Floating buildings in Ravok, lots of wood, mostly stone in Zeltiva, all sorts in all places. Back home more dug out from mountain. All sorts in all places.” Looking around the building Crylon examined things, seeing where Sorian had been working and the general set up. “Been on boat while, finally on land, and not able do much on boat. So be good to get back to work.” WC: 1,250

[Gossamer]

Randal looked thoughtful at Crylon’s question. “There are quite a few mages here. We don’t openly advertise the presence of magic, but it is commonly accepted and the knowledge of it is shared.” He added. “If you have a dislike or suspicion of magic, you’ve come to the wrong place.” He added. “I’m not a mage, but I count many mages among my friends.” He added, studying Crylon to see what his reaction would be. “Our ‘road maker’ as you call him is a blind man.” Randal said, amusement in his words.

Sorian nodded at Crylon then blinked as the Isur continued on. He started to take a breath to speak, then paused, leaned back and simply nodded as Crylon talked. “Yes, we’re hiring, but I’d need to see some of your sketches, your designs…. And what you have experience at. We build all kind of buildings here, but we have to source local materials and keep local conditions in mind.” The man said simply, lifting an eyebrow and shaking his head. “We don’t excavate anything here. We build lofted and light, for air flow and waterproofing. It’s hot and humid all year round… that’s what we have to deal with.” He added.

“We currently have a couple of two story homes to build, perhaps another few businesses in the main Commons… and some land clearing.” He added, then looked thoughtful. “We don’t do windows, and we definitely don’t do basements.” He added with a chuckle.

Randal, meanwhile, smiled. “I need to get going. I’ll check back on you later, Crylon, if you are still here on my way back. Otherwise good luck. And if you decide you want to build anything here… buy any land… come talk to me. We do offer loans for new businesses and settlers.” He said, giving Sorian a smile, and heading off. There wasn’t much he was needed for while the two men talked shop.

“Come on….” Sorian said, and gave Crylon a small tour of Standing Tall, showing him the supplies of building materials, tools, and fasteners, the shop was stocking for settlers.
The ground floor, which is still raised in case of high tides and flooding, is accessible by all. This sprawling area is filled with the retail space holding tools, materials, a small philtering lab for paints and paint tinting, and all sorts of other products.

Then Sorian showed him the upstairs offices where people had work stations. The top floor is dedicated to offices, workshops, planning areas, and a large meeting room where clients can be escorted in and projects discussed. There is an impressive display of materials available that becomes a bit of a showcase displaying local woods, stone, and all sorts of collectible or harvestable materials.

“Everyone here has an interest. Tell me, Crylon. What are your interests? That helps us know if you will fit into the team or not.” He added, genuinely curious as to where the Isur's interest lay and what he'd be bringing to the table at Standing Tall.


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[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon nodded in response to Randal's words, making sure to check before saying much about his own magic. He did not really consider himself a mage, he was a builder and maker and designer, even if he knew a bit about magic. But having been in Sunberth for a time... Well, he felt it was better to ask first. And so when he was told the settlement was open to magic Crylon was a bit relieved visibly. “I not have problem with magic. But live in places afore do, like Sunberth. So thought better ask before speak. Know bit about magic, some things, and last place lived many who know magic. No problem with those use magic.” Crylon smiled at the man, hoping he understood his caution and question now that he had explained it, that he simply had a desire to find out the mood of the settlement on the topic rather than his own issue with the topic. He was more surprised by the person who made the road being blind. Was some sort of magic involved? Or did they do it by touch and feel? He was unsure which or if was done some other way, but he still regardless found the road done well. “Hmm... Seem impressive, done without see. I never make road before, but always interest in new things. Seem this person who do, knowledgeable.” Once they arrived at the place and Randal explained he had to leave Crylon nodded and thanked the man for his assistance, waving as he left before returning to Sorian who he had been speaking with. He duly noted the fact of coming to Randal for land purchase, though he felt it would be some time before he considered actually making something for himself. He had only just arrived and knew little about the needs of building in such a place, and knew he would need to expand said knowledge greatly before planning something he would live in. Nodding along Crylon considered the mans words, thinking on what was needed here. The dangers here that the buildings had to deal with where two fold, heat and water. Moisture needed to be kept out, perhaps also flooding, if nothing else rain. But also heat, the buildings needed to be made in such a way as to allow cooling compared to being outside. Stuffy internal areas boxed in where a no, open and airy areas were a yes. Perhaps with airflow or throughput... Not much digging into the ground, so not much in the way of basements or such. Quite a challenge, as it was quite different from other places he had been. But also at the same time... A smile on his lips... Exciting because it was not the same as other places he had been. As for drafts or such, he thought he had a copy of the boathouse he had designed back in the Demesne, or some step in the process, though other than that he did not think he had much in the way of blueprints and proof of prior work. Most of his work had been done working for others and so they had kept his work rather than him keeping his own. Since the boathouse had been designed privately for a friend who wanted it built at the Demesne, he thought he had some samples of it... And compared to other things he had designed, it likely would be a better measure since it had been a dock and a house and inn all in one, so was built right on and partially in the water. When the man offered a tour of the space Crylon followed along, working to keep up with the mans pace. It did not take him long to know it was indeed a place of building. From the design, the tools, the materials, it seemed to hold most anything one would want to build in this area. The only thing he noticed lacking was glass, but then as the man said windows were not too common. As they moved around Crylon did his normal thing of appraising the structure, trying to understand it like a hunter might a animals carcass before cutting in. Seeing into the bones, trying to understand it, before he set in. Working it out. From the base of the building he could see flooding or tides, perhaps both, were a threat being addressed... So a solid building that could be high off the ground... Open and airy for wind to get through and cooling, but also solid enough to keep out rain if needed... He was a bit interested by the mention of a lab for paints preparation, but that was one aspect of the builders trade he did not know about. Going from more of a storage and sales place they went upstairs, which clearly changed into more of a work environment where labor would be done. Not just labor like cutting wood and hammering iron, but also labor like thinking and designing. He was particularly interested in the locally sources stone and wood, and when he got the chance he would want to get a good appraisal of them. Their heft, their shape, their weight, their porousness, their overall nature that would need to be understood in using them. When the man finally asked him what his interest was, Crylon had to think deeply. Did he have a specific interest? For a bit he stood and thought on this, before a smile came to his face and he felt a nearby wall. Touching, feeling, he often actively interacted as such with his work, whether he was building a building or feeling the way iron settled after hammering... “Are you religious, mister Sorian?” Crylon would give the man a chance to answer, before further explaining himself, a look on his face that perhaps someone who was devout and who enjoyed telling others about their particular divine would recognize. “As an Isur... As a son of Izurdin... I think... Each time I design... Each time I make... When I hammer a nail in a wall... When I... Hammer a piece of metal into a tool or thing... I show worship to Izurdin. To his domain. That is one interest. I... Enjoy doing these things. Whatever form they are. It is an act of worship. I think most Isur you meet, say similar if ask.” “But also... I enjoy expanding... Knowledge. My knowledge. My... Understanding. The reason I left Sultros, reason left family... Was to expand. To see new. To design, build, new. Of new. In new. With new. This... This is my interest. This excites me. Other things I also do, is show worship, but this is excite me. Interest me. Doing new. Or better. Or more. Than afore. ” “Afore I... Do many things. Many different materials. Clear land... Tear down buildings. Design buildings. Assess damage. Help build things. Build forge. Build house. Build other building. House on water. House near water. House on sand. House on unsafe ground. But Syka, heat and water, not built quite that. But think, with time, with see other places, understand what need. How design.” Going into his pack Crylon spent a bit until he took out some of his designs and blueprints from the boathouse at the Demesne. It was not all of the final documents, but it would give a gist of how he had measured the space, planned it out, and worked on understanding it. It had been a complex structure, as half was over shallow water leading into the ocean, on the dock side... With dock facilities on the bottom for various tides... And also a hallway which led up to a inn on the second floor. “These some work did on boat house with inn above, near coast. Water, but not hot like Syka. This thing, not final work mind, since person build for have those, but ones before final step.” While no work of a master, he hoped it would show promise, and if nothing else showed a base level of competency. “Better at design than build, but also try hand afore at work with stone, wood, and things, and not mind doing also. Though is new place, so before design need chance see places here, get... Feel for land, and material.” Crylon hoped the man would offer him a job, and would accept even if he just wanted him to pitch in as a laborer putting up houses, though he hoped he would give him a chance to also spend time on design work. WC: 1,431

[Gossamer]

The interview with Sorian wasn’t going that well. Sorian asked Crylon a question, but the Isur – instead of answering – asked him one of his own. Sorian just shrugged. “That’s between me and the Gods.” He said, not understanding where Crylon was going with the question rather than answering his own. He got that Isur worshiped Izurdin and made their acts of creation pieces of worship to them. That was something he’d long understood being a person that had worked with Isur for a long time.

He nodded to Crylon’s other words. He understood Crylon wanted to know new things, expand his toolbox of skills, and be inventive with new challenges. He suspected the Isur was the type of person that would get bored doing the same repetitive things over and over again. That reassured him, especially when Crylon added in all the experience he had building both on water, near water, and on various substrates and in other more challenging conditions. The fact that he’d also worked on a boat house with an inn above it was a good sign. That meant he could be flexible. One thing was just not one thing in Crylon’s mind, and that helped a lot designing buildings in places like Syka.

“Do you just like drawing up plans or do you like to actively build on things as well?” Sorian asked, curious, feeling better and better about this Isur. He didn’t like to talk about religion, namely because he was a very private man. Nor did he particularly care to talk about relationships or mental health or a million other things people seemed to like to talk about in society. Instead, he liked to talk structures, load bearing, foundational fortitude, materials, finishes…. that was his language. That was his spirituality.

The more Crylon talked, the more Sorian realized the man did like doing it all… or at least had helped with such things before. Sorian nodded his approval. One couldn’t be a good designer unless one had one’s hands on ones design in the field. “That experience will be invaluable here. There are many changing conditions. Sometimes clients want buildings built in the jungle… and the substrate doesn’t always work with that. Sometimes they want them built on the sand. It’s just as difficult. You have to walk every sight, see its strengths and weaknesses, and work in the confines of that. I know for a fact this season we will be designing at least one forge, one jewelry forge, two homes around that, a two-story lofted home, a two-story beach home… and there’s a few other buildings commissioned that we haven’t drawn up yet. I could in fact really use the help. I had no idea that this place was growing like it is and that we would move into a business opportunity like Syka and be behind before we ever got started.” Sorian said shaking his head.

“Only half of those projects I already know about have ground broken with them. The other half of them are dead in the water until we can get plans drawn up. I could really use you coming on board.” He added. “I have office space upstairs, and you’d be supervised on your first project or two… until you build your own reputation and draw your own crowd in. People talk here, Crylon… and they will judge whether they like your work or not. And it will be very nice to take clients around and show them your builds and the advantages and disadvantages of certain builds over others.” He added, and smiled. “And believe me, the clients will want you to use all sorts of materials. Randal was doing fine before, but he was all about functionality when he put in most of the Settlement. There’s nothing wrong with that. But this new crop of clients will want beauty and style…. Aesthetic as well. That’s where we come in.” He added.

“And it’s a really good chance for you to meet everyone around here… learn the settlers ins and outs… and that’s where the innovation will come in. If you like designing new things in new ways, you must learn who you are designing for before you can help them out. For Syka, our number one challenge is capture and storage of fresh water…. You wouldn’t think that would be a problem in a rain forest, but it is. The groundwater is unusable. It had all kinds of nasty things in it that would kill a human or even an Isur if they drank it straight. So every building… every one… you need some sort of rainwater collection system that stays clean and places the water in a safe storage cistern for use for drinking, showering, cooking... that sort of thing.” He added.

“Then we get hot, humid, and everything stays damp. Its another challenge to deal with.” He added. “If you think you can handle all that, I will pay architects 6 GM a day plus any bonus to their abilities… if you do masterwork, I’ll pay you accordingly.” He said, smiling at Crylon. “You’ll need to work on your common too. If you’ve been among humans as long as you have, if you can get yourself fluent in it… I’ll bonus you a GM a day. Communication so there is no misunderstanding is at least half if not three quarters of this job, Crylon.” Sorian said, then waited for the Isur’s answer.

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