Location [Lhavit] Entrance Thread.

[Legion]

The Amaranthine Gate A traveler does not simply begin here. Lhavit sits atop high peaks, and arriving at the Amaranthine Gates is a feat unto itself. There is only one path, a treacherous one that circles the center peak and begins beside the Amaranthine River that lies not far off. Shrubbery and trees sprout on either side of the the small steps that signify the path, and a rather odd shack made of a glittering material is situated not ten feet from it. This is the home of Hachia Koat, the Guide that leads a prospective traveler with the help of the Okomo up the winding path and toward the Amaranthine Gates. Once there, a tall, elaborately carved gate stands before them, a testament of the beauty that lies behind its walls and the wonders one is promised to behold upon entrance. A pair of Shinya guards stand on either side, smiling down at the traveler with greeting, but remain oddly still, rooted to their positions. Up top, stationed at balconies overhead, are two more Shinya guards. Hachia generally remains with the traveler here, in case they are barred entrance and need assistance returning to ground level. One Shinya guard will look to a traveler and ask politely, "Hail, what brings you to Lhavit?" Moderator's Note: Feel free to self mod your entrance into Lhavit and PM an ST with any questions.

[Vadith]

The frequency of Vadith's breath had increased as he had gone farther and farther up the stairs. Standing on the last of the stone steps rewarded him a breathtaking view of the land and brought him face-to-face with the grand Amaranthine Gate. And the Shinya who stood watch on either side of it. He noticed their edge and understood immediately. He was a Symenestra, and as such was a potential threat to the denizens of Lhavit. They did not discriminate, however, and asked him the same question they asked everyone else who faced the Gate.

"Mn," he began, thinking about all of his intentions in Lhavit. "Knowledge for knowledge's sake."

This seemed to be a pleasing enough answer for the Shinya, for they stepped aside, extending their arms in the direction of the Gate. But Vadith saw their eyes following him, and he knew he would have to become accustomed to this. Until he proved he wasn't here to harm anyone, the guard was sure to monitor him.

He gave a brief thank you, a respectful nod to each of them, and glided inside the city.

[Laszlo]

Spring 74th, 512 Late afternoon. With the massive djed storm long over, travel through the Unforgiving had been more forgiving than Laszlo's last venture into the mountains. The cliffs near Lhavit, however, had been steeper and more perilous as his small band of friends and more experienced sellswords came closer to the rocky Kalea coast. Duvalyon had of course traversed these with ease, typically forced to wait on everyone else. For Laszlo and Abalia, the mountain guides had plenty of rope to spare, and were hoisted up or down sheer walls when there was no other way forward. Abalia never complained, except when Laszlo asked her too often how she was feeling. Still, her exhaustion had been visible, as was Laszlo's, the both of them sick to death of boulder passes and rocky ledges. It seemed endless; beyond the mountains, there seemed only to be more mountains. Every morning, Laszlo woke to taste the dusty, dry air of the peaks. Every night, he'd wake every few hours to swat the dirt from his bedroll. The Ethaefal began to bitterly imagine that his life would always be this way. His heart nearly sprang right out of his chest when the party came upon the Lhavitian mountain guide, Hachia Koat. Laszlo could have kissed the man, but settled for Abalia instead. Eventually coming up upon the gate itself, Laszlo found himself gawking. Compared to the mouth of Kalinor and the Gaping Maw of Alvadas, the exquisitely carved Amaranthine Gate promised to lead into Syna's realm itself. Any civilization at all would be paradise. For just about a full season, Laszlo and Abalia had been abroad or tucked away into dark, ominous crevices. In so many personal ways, Lhavit was indeed the Shining Star of Kalea. They probably even had real beds. One of the guards at the gate accosted him politely, but his smile looked painted and disingenuous. Although he seemed pleased by the Ethaefal's arrival, the Symenestra accompanying him was earning a few wary glances. "We're here to see the library," was Laszlo's dutiful reply. He took Abalia's hand and gave it a light squeeze, the dread in his heart reminding him why they had come to see the library. Suddenly brightening, he put on his most convincing, devilish grin and sent a sideward glance to his lover. "Right now, though, all I want is a bed and some gods-forsaken privacy. Gods, it's been months!"

[Duvalyon Hellebore]

No place but Kalinor felt like home, but Duvalyon was not so obtuse as to have foreign splendor lost on him. The Amaranthine gate was fecundity and stone twined. It marked and balanced the division between the merciless expanse and the sanctuary wrought by men and stars. And, at the moment, Duvalyon preferred the sharp and airless peaks behind them. It had been years since he was forced to keep the persistent company of others for so long. The Duvalyon of everyday was cold passing into reserved. His wry sense of humor was the only testament to any liveliness of character, but it was often tempered with meanness. Yet it was difficult to reconcile his sharp air with his exhaustive labor on their behalf. After partially overcoming the painful abundance of sunlight, he had fallen into a pattern of usefulness and comparative ease. Instead of stirring bile, the insect like locomotion of Symenestra was met with mild envy. He spent half the trip testing routes or steadying the others on narrow paths. Neither party enjoyed the latter duty, but it made for a faster journey. He was ever careful with Abalia in these maneuvers, as if she was only feathers knit with gossamer. At night, he and Laszlo took turns as sentinels against the living dark. Sometimes Duvalyon would linger for the changing of the guard, a subtle signal that he was willing to hear what troubled the Ethaefal. Both pretended the Symenestra was just wakeful. The journey had been peaceful, if uncomfortable, but now Duvalyon was faced with the press of humanity and the cloying sounds and breath of their Azo bodies. Shame would be forced on him as countless visages bit back contempt and revulsion. The price of his blood. He would pay it a dozen times over. Laszlo offered their reasoning for the visit. It was easier for humans to believe lies from that face. The Ethaefal's final innuendo was met with a casual comment. "Abalia and I will tour the city then."

[Albireo]

Spring 15, 512 AV As the mountain peaks painted a zig-zag pattern across Syna’s shining surface a couple of monochrome silhouettes approached the hut sitting above the path. It was holding ground as an outpost to the city paying respect to the night sky and countless stars by trying to touch them with its towers ... They were an odd couple, female curves against the rough stone of their surroundings, the smaller wrapping an arm around the taller. They were wrapped in identical cloaks, although one had two peaks as if it covered not a human head, but an abomination. However, the hoods soon slipped in front of the guard. Cobalt eyes revealed themselves like a foreboding of the beginning night. He hurried, putting both of them on Okomos and leading them higher, not too fast, not too slow – careful as always. The smaller girl ran her hands through warm fur, whispering unheard words to the agile body carrying her towards shelter and food. Her companion silently clung to the reigns, failing to give up her stiff position. Lips tightened into a thin line at the notion of movement under her, but she endured. A deep sigh signified the end of their journey – passing the gates and finding a room was only a matter of chimes. The girl did all the communication and paperwork, voice like a chime dangling in the faces of Lhavitians. The quiet one, however, sank down soon after touching soft fabric and clean sheets. Grey hair with lavender highlights cascading over it like living things spilled out of the coat while white horns rested against the pillow – a creature made for Lhavit.

[Xib]

Spring 23, 512 AV Sunlight beat down on his head making it ache as the moisture slowly drained from his clay flesh, it had been a very long say and Tibbs was faring much better then Xib, the heat barely seemed to touch the cat where as it wilted the miniscule Pycon. Using his Py-Pole as a walking stick the weary little figure marched ever onwards towards the promise of Lhavit, imagining the knowledge and variety of beings he would find there, tired but far from quitting his heels clattered on the road a little faster. The weather was of little concern to him, the dangers of the open road had been biting at his heels for too long for anything but sanctuary to be in his mind and the mind of his Cat, the yawning Feline that kept pace behind and to the left faithfully trusting in his masters judgement of direction. *Clack* His Py-pole struck the floor, the Cat and Pycon halted, Xib had spotted something of note. Not ten foot from his place on the path there was a small shack, glittering strangely in the light, That would be the place, he smiled, set his head down and marched on. ### The trip from the small shack to the City gates passed without event, idel chyatter of those on the road and an ocassional noise from the now snoozing Tibbs. Stepping down after the ride Xib nodded towards Hachia Koat, his guide this far and walked towards the gate, noting as he did that the guide waited to see his entranced ensured. A pair of Shinya guards stood on either side of the grand gate, smiling down at the diminuitive figure with greeting. Up top, stationed at balconies overhead, two more Shinya guards stood watch, eyes fixed on persons approachingt he gates. One of the Shinya guard looked in his direction and asked politely. "Hail, what brings you to Lhavit?" Xib smiled brightly, petted his Cat between the ears and let out a deep breath before replying. "Well met friend, i seek shelter, food, a good nights sleep and all the knowledge the city has to offer."

[Aless]

Spring 5, 512AV

In later days, Aless would not remember the details of her entering the city. The treacherous climb up the mountain was a blur to her, as were the nights spent alone in the aftermath of the storm. She would not remember how she managed such a feat, except that she was driven only by adrenaline and the need for food and shelter.

At last, she reached the gates. Aless had enough self-awareness at this point to know that she looked like a mess. Her long black hair was tangled and matted, and her cloak had been transformed into a makeshift bandage for the wound on her arm. Her eyes seemed unnaturally large on her small body, making her seem younger and more fragile than she actually was. A year ago, she would have scoffed at the idea that she was fragile. But that was before now, before she had lost everything...

She lowered her eyes and looked away, just so she wouldn't have to see the gatekeeper's expression as he studied her. She didn't need pity.

"Hail, what brings you to Lhavit?"

And there was the question she didn't know the answer to. Aless lifted her head, angling her chin slightly so that she could bring about some semblance of her former pride. What brought her to Lhavit? What could she say at this point but the truth?

"I don't have anywhere else to go."

And with that, Aless entered the city.

[Paris Lainfierno]

Spring 42 512AV

Paris walked up the steps to Lhavit, he looked at the Amaranthine Gates, he would have been amazed a day ago, but now he just wanted to get inside. His journey was not an easy one, it showed on him, his arms had scars and bruises, a twig was in his hair, and his face had a cut on his cheek which blood still slowly dripped out of like sap of a tree. He looked at the guards but paid little attention to them until they asked him something.

"Hail, what brings you to Lhavit?"

Paris looked up at them, he hardly had any breath but gathered some to say, "To..learn, and now, to rest."

Then he walked in and started to the nearest inn.

[Mara]

Summer 10 512AV

For a journey that began in such haste, they had been overly vigilant and taken more time than necessary. Marvasa worried, endlessly. Both Sian and Jael needed more time to rest. He could not imagine how it was for them, both physically and mentally, and though he never voiced it his concern, he could recognize they were becoming tired of his careful watch over them. He was their unasked-for visitor, no matter how sincere their thanks.

Sian knew the way better than either of them; he guided them up over crude niches like greeting old friends, his exhilaration seemed to thrust him further and harder now that they were out of the Unforgiving’s clutches. It was here that it sunk in, the true nature of his transgression. He had left Kalinor as another home he would never be permitted to return. The homes of his mother and of his father were now far beyond reach. He hoped he had cultured enough of both to never regret his choice, and as he scaled the jagged mountainside he didn't. He had saved them, saved Sian from his injuries, and saved Jael from the Nest, from surrogacy. Though her biliousness and her distance from him, seemed disheartening, for as much as she recalled she only confessed to bedding- no, he could not think of it.

At last a great plateau, grand arches and heavy gates. He felt as if he should peel off his very skin to be gifted admittance, his only luck was that Sian was with the Shinya, surely his word would grant him uncomplicated arrival and their tone was far from hostile as they approached.

"Hail, what brings you to Lhavit?"

Sian's spoke up for the three of them, with an honest smile Mara had only seen reserved for his sister. He was now among family, in the city he had only had described to him, but shone as brightly as any fantasized imagery another half-blood may have painted for him.

[Alses]

70th day of Summer, 512 AV Lhavit loomed – although that word tends to carry connotations of a rather ominous nature, and to Alses, at least, it was anything but – before her, high overhead, a city of brilliant light and playful fantasy. Veiled one moment by curls and curlicues of pearly cloud, then free and clear to blaze brightly in Syna's light, to approach Lhavit for the first time was to glimpse an earthly paradise, far removed from baser concerns. Or at least, such was Alses' opinion on the city which had become her home. The climb, of course, along that narrow and rocky pathway which wended its way around rocky bluffs and razored arêtes, its loose rocks shifting treacherously underfoot, was a harrowing ordeal, as ever, even with the generous help of the Guide, Hachia Koat, and his Okomo. By the time she attained the small plateau before the elegant fusion of rock and skyglass that was the Amaranthine Gate, Alses was severely out of breath, lungs labouring with the strain of propelling her up the scree and rough-hewn steps that made up the majority of the path, made even worse by the altitude and the thinness of the air - factors she was used to dealing with when on a gentle perambulation along the skyglass boulevards and through greenery-filled courtyards half a mile up in the sky, but not when forced to hike briskly up from sea-level. It was decidedly not a dignified approach back to the city, completely unbefitting a celestial Ethaefal to boot, even one in relatively lowly circumstances as she found herself in at present. 'Syna above, I am the most stupid,' Alses silently berated herself – what had been planned to be a simple walk near the base of the city, drinking in the beauty of the setting up close that normally she only appreciated from on high and afar and, potentially, collecting a few minor components for her arcane studies, had turned into a rather longer outing than she'd planned and, concomitantly, she'd missed the last lifting basket, forcing her to take the long way around, not an experience she had ever really wished to repeat, if at all possible. Of course, by her own stupidity and absent-mindedness - the brilliant colours and textures, the perfumed glades brought to life by Syna's warm and giving light, all these had distracted her completely, for far, far longer than planned – she'd had to undergo that particular ascending trial again. Now, though, at the end of the journey, her flagging spirits were revived and restored by the sight of the imposing Gates; the soaring towers and ornate domes, deceptively-massive flying buttresses and their intricate merging and melding of ethereal skyglass – gently limned in purple radiance at this time of the day – and harsh, mundane rock, signalling hearth and home and safety to the weary Ethaefal. She took a moment to appreciate the artistry that had gone into their creation, a surer sign than any tale or fable that civilisation and enlightenment ruled here. The Gates were beautifully carved with symbols and statuary both secular and divine, as well as, prominently, with the crest of the city, an elaborate fusion of the profane and the divine, a reflection, in many ways, of the dichotomous duality of the city. The guards, too, were a welcome sight, a beacon of safety and reason in the wilds of Mizahar, although it was perhaps not as politic to let the Shinya see an Ethaefal as anything other than serene and composed. “Hail! What brings you to Lhavit?” The ritual, polite call, strident and brassy in its tones and sure of its authority and right, startled Alses out of her exhausted reverie, and she carefully took several deep, steadying breaths of the thin mountain air before sweeping an elegant bow to the Shinya guard who had addressed her and replying in her best Common – there was such a thing as manners, after all. “Returning home, honoured Shinya! My excursion into the wilds around the city took more time than I had expected, hence my return by the Amaranthine Gates at this late hour.” Sure enough, the sun was low in the sky and Alses felt the first stirrings of her mortal seeming with the lengthening of the shadows in the burnished, waning light. She hoped to be well inside the safe walls of the city of stars, and, if at all possible, in the cocoon of her own apartment, before final night fell. As she hurried forwards into the welcoming embrace of the Gates themselves, she half-turned, and murmured: “Syna bless you for your vigil, Shinya,” before swiftly moving deeper into the city.