Location The Dancing Fires

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The Dancing Fires can be found close to the Northern walls of Taloba, close to the natural music of the wilds beyond them and the winds that sweep the smoke columns into the air into the far distance, creating an eternal smear of ashen grey across the skyline. The area for dancing is formed by a pit of stones in the shape of a rectangle. Whilst being only waist high, providing somewhere for the tired to rest for a few chimes, it neatly slices the sections for dancing and the mere socializing around the edge of the pit into distinct portions. A massive central fire lies at the heart of the location, its flames lovingly tended so that they are never extinguished, and at the four cardinal points which comprise to corners of the dancing area four smaller fires are tended but are allowed to turn to cinders when not in use. The stones of the pit themselves are carved in places, new effigies and patterns being added as the mood takes any dancer to come back after they have rested to etch their own distinctive mark upon the stone. The light from the flames lights these carvings with inconsistent, rippling shadows that merely serve to enhance the locations unique grandeur – especially under Leth’s gaze. The music that is played is communal, anyone can join in so long as they have an instrument or a voice at their command. Mostly comprised of rhythmic drumming of many forms, the clapping of hands, knucklebone rattles, wooden flutes and the shouts of the dancers it is an age old tradition that many claim activates the deeper parts of the mind to take them on an unstoppable journey of self-expression. Or...that is what they claim. Whatever the truth behind such advocacies one thing is true, very many – even of the most stoic – have been able to resist getting involved as the dances get into full swing. The location is also seen as a more peaceful way of trying to improve one’s reputation, even personal status at times – particularly the males of the Myrian race. After all, the longer one can dance the more stamina they must have, the more acrobatic their styles the more deadly their skills in battle could be presumed to be. Myrians have an intrinsic love for music and dancing, though many of the Barbarian races might be shocked to hear it, and most of all they relish in the sense of fun that The Dancing Flames brings to them – at least, fun without the immediate prospect of death. Since the fateful Djed Storm, and the ensuing rebuilding of their city and numbers, the Myrians have begun to gain a greater love for such ‘frivolous’ activities. Perhaps, in a form of subconscious, cultural rebellion they are seeking to prove to the world that they can never be conquered. The growing popularity of The Dancing Fires is of no real surprise when one considers that the Myrians are a lot ‘softer’ than they appear upon their grizzled surfaces. At any rate, the Goddess Myri herself is said to have bestowed her approval upon the growing interest and, for many, that is enough of a reason to visit.