[Location] The Quays

[Cayenne]

The Quays There are a few ways to land a boat on Black Rock, and the only safe and accepted route is via the quays to the southeast. The canals of Black Rock are outfitted with their own intricate mooring system, made of blackened wood, that adjust along with the canals when the hour changes. The docks are dark and sturdy, although they look dangerous and creak threateningly. A few boats and shacks adorn the precarious-looking maze. There appears to be no guards, just vaguely interested natives going about their own business. The small number of lingering dead are sometimes visible, on the docks, in the water... and conversing with the locals. Beyond the ramshackle landing area is the settlement, with the Watchtower, Spire, and the marble buildings... a line of tombs, perhaps. Welcome to Black Rock.

[Jeremiah DraDerex]

12 Day of Winter 509AV It was a salty breezy day when the lookout first called “Land ho.” The trading ship moved over the water’s surface into an almost eerily calm ocean. Once the ship had docked at the mysterious island, a ramp was lowered to the docks, the wood from the boats ramp contrast that of the docks. The dock appeared to be old and aged, while the ramp seemed new and sturdy. Jeremy had traveled a great distance to get to the small island off the coast of Falyndar. The islands name was Black Rock. Myths of the death worshipping cults where all about to be confirmed or not within the next few moments, cool air brushed past one of his ears soundlessly as he steps out onto the questionable wooden dock. “I know! I am excited as well.” The still dark water near the edge of the dock rippled as if an unseen force was running their fingers through it. The sailor friends of his parents were unloading the boat of some imports for the island along with Jeremy’s supplies Jeremy had left most of his belongings back with his parents in Zeltiva. He had come to Black Rock with intentions of starting over. Starting a new life and helping not only the living but the undead and the wary spirits feel comforted and cared for. The island looked dead and grim just the way Jeremy thought it would look like. Where some saw terrifying horrors, Jeremy only saw potential to further his studies in Embalming, Taxidermy and Spiritism. The dangers and chaos of the normal world was not appealing to Jeremy. If it wasn’t for his brother coming back to tell him about the island, he would of never set foot on the wooden docks of Black Rock. Forever doomed to practice his strange rituals and hobbies with the possibility of being judged and prosecuted for what he loved. Jeremy was soon greeted by a silent figure whos features were hidden beneath darkness, which seemed to be a reoccurring theme here, “a potential neighbor?” He thought to himself, while the traders began to do their thing, Jeremy began to gather what little he brought with him with enthusiasm. The figures amorphous shape soon changes as what seemed to be an arm appeared from its side directing the man and other entity’s attention to a boat, a gondola to be exact. His lips curl into a child like smile as he happily walks to the boat. He turned his head and spoke over is shoulder, “Hmm he doesn’t seem like much of a talker, but I am sure you don’t mind neither do I.” As the man walked an almost faint distortion in the light seemed to be follow him to the gondola. He began loading his stuff into the thing boat, an easy task truly happy that he had finally made it to paradise.

[Trista]

68 Spring, 510 AV

Quite why anyone would want to go to Black Rock was open to question, but for Trista, at least, the answer was readily available. If one was a depressed artist, where better to go for inspiration than the citadel of death itself? Besides, although she approached it with a serious measure of respect, Trista was much less frightened of Black Rock than, say, Eloab. At least here, you knew what you were getting into.

There was probably more to it than that, but if asked, Trista would have declined to elaborate. It just seemed like something she ought to do, and given that she had precious little in the way of real responsibilities, she was able to act on such feelings essentially whenever she wished.

She took no boat, electing instead to make the journey through a combination of swimming and flying, but nonetheless, she approached the island by way of the Quays. Better to go in by the front door, after all.

It didn't seem like there was much of a check-in process, so Trista paused only briefly before flitting off in the direction of the island's center. She carefully noted the scene before her, and would probably come back to draw it at some point. For now, however, she wanted to have a look around.

[Abelach]

37th Day of Fall

By chance the ship arrived at the Black Rock's Quays around midday when the sun still shone heavily and made the island look less eery and foreboding. The Quays were surpisingly lively and vibrant. It was not like what Abelach had imagined it would be. Thankfully. Her green eyes took in all that she saw and her frows burrowed at the sight of the buildings beyond the Quays. Eventhough it was day the tomblike houses were still a tad scary, not to mention the 3 large towers in the distance. One of them in particularly had a weird feeling to it, it was the tallest tower and thanks to its special white and black-patterned exterior it looked even taller than it was.

' Geez, no wonder this island has a bad reputation. I know that they worship death as a new beginning but couldn't they have made the island more inviting to outsiders? Would decrease the drama and mystery around it alot I figure. '

She said to herself, or that's what any normal person would think anyway. The truth was she was talking to a friendly chap that used to work on this ship...'till he died anyway. Now he just sits on a barrel or stares at the ocean with his arms folded, leaning on the railing when he's not busy chatting to himself or in the odd case, to a Spiritist.

" Ever dared to think outside the box young Abelach? This island is governed by Dira, The Dead Queen. Her wisdom and knowledge about the world is vastly superior to any human's. Trying to comprehend her existence and intelligence would be futile for many reasons. If not for her and her guardians this place would have fallen long ago. "

The sailorghost said in a bored, monotone voice as he stared over the railing into the dark, murky water. The ship was about to port while he was talking away. Abelach merely hmmm'd to assure him she had listened. She was in no mood to argue, especially not with a lost cause. Which was how she called the ghosts and netherworldly beings that refuse to let go of this world. She doesn't judge them though. People, dead and living alike, should follow their own path no matter where it takes them. She had learned that ideology from the very first ghost she actually communicated with. Back in The Keerdash Grove.

As she joined the searoaming ghost by leaning next to him on the railing she looked down to see vague smoke twirl around in the water. It wasn't just smoke though, occasionally she could see a set of eyes move through the dark water and look at her.

She thought it was trying to speak to her but the water clouded the message.

' WHAT IS IT? ' She yelled out to the drowned soul.

But only incomprehensible sounds were heard by her. And many eyes from the living stared at her back with a mild mixture of fear and amusement.
They all knew 'what' she was, though few respected and believed it. Nonetheless, nearly all of them wanted her of their ship as fast as possible. And out of here as soon as possible aswell.

After the ship had ported it took the ship's captain very little time to make clear that she had to disembark the ship immediatly. She ignored the captain and smeared soulmist over her the palm of her hands. The sailorghost looked in surprise at Abelach as she hugged him and pressed her palms against his back.

' Goodbye. ' she whispered in his ear as she turned around, paid the captain and left the ship without another word spoken.

[Lier Wavedancer]

Timestamp: 62nd of Summer 511AV They sensed it. As soon as the island with the three towers of black and white appeared on the horizon, a shiver ran through their bodies, draining the warmth Syna’s rays had etched under their skin. The twins worked in silence from that moment on. While Lier stood by the rudder in the back, balancing on tiptoes to see the land crawling nearer, Lian handled the rigging. The towers pointed skyward like three giant fingers trying to show their appreciation and respect for the Gods and Goddesses. She had heard that Dira walked the streets of Black Rock. Was it true? Settling down, she reached out and ran a hand through the water. The sea was near them, around them, in their blood, for they were Svefra, born with a love for Laviku. She couldn’t imagine that Dira was the same. How did the saying go? Remember youth as you pass by... Lier watched the island and the town nestled at its coast. Even the sky seemed to pale over the black and white structures. As they approached, she could discern more and more details. The swirling patterns hugging the tower in the center of the spectacle. The marble buildings, resembling tombs on a graveyard, rectangular and heavy. A special kind of gravity on that place. However, Lier didn’t doubt their decision to visit. It wasn’t always about the sea and the sun and sandy caves to loot. She wanted to see more, know more, learn. And Lian was happy to accompany her, feeling the same as ever. “Let’s laugh death into the face, you and I” had been his comment. The Tidemill glided towards the quays, a landmark of black wood. While Lian stayed by the rudder, Lier struck the sail through a few pulls at the ropes. Losing speed, the Casinor hovered near the quay. At the right time, Lier let go the anchor, the rope sliding through her hands until it reached the sea floor. Straightening, she caught a glimpse of a turtle shell in the water. You’ll have to wait by the ship, she thought. Joining Lian, she left the ship and set foot on the black wood.

[Sayf al Din]

3rd of Fall, 511 AV A smile crept on Sayf's face the closer the ship came to the docks of the mysterious Black Rock island, his breathingpace increased aswell as the amount of thoughts running through his head. No matter his complete trust and faith in Yahal, he was still scared. He knew that this was the location of his vision, that this was where he was meant to be, but the unknown is always scary. The smile was more to assure himself he was happy to have arrived at this mysterious island rather than a sign of actual happiness. He was only human afterall, every human has its weak moments. ' Faith, Sayf, have faith! Every new beginning is scary, move forward! ' And to reinforce the thought, he stepped forward from near his Desertbred towards the front of the ship, as if to say that he was not scared and that he would not falter. Standing with crossed arms and with a gently moving headband and silk clothing in the wind, he awaited the docking of the ship. Once that became a reality, his movement became steadfast yet rushed, like he had to get off the ship immediatly or he wouldn't be able to leave its comforting safe "aura". He guided his Desertbred along with him off the ship and onto the grim, creaky and unsafe docks. Once he was completely off the ship with all of his belongings he forced himself to realize this was his home for the time being. " Yahal, show me the way. " He said to himself as he petted the horse's face to calm his shivering and scared companion, much like its owner.

[Cassy]

Rain...bleak and unavoidable... sounds of people and the ocean...

Cassy looked up as she walked. She was coming up on an island of sorts. For a moment she would have wondered how she had gotten there, but then she remembered...

I am dead...

She looked back down at her bare feet, which walked across the surface of the water, and let her thoughts wander once more. She did not care where she was or where she was going. Now, in this existence without life or warmth, what did it really matter?

Slowly, one step at a time, Cassy stepped into Black Rock...

Vaguely Cassy noted a Benshira man sitting on one of the rocks near the lapping waves, but she paid him no mind and continued on, blinking in and out of focus...

[Allan Campbell]

Allan blinked across the water, his eye sockets staring out at the long plank of wood.

Eventually Allan had arrived at the quay. He stared out across the water as he blinked backwards into the black rock.