"Wanderlust, Gavin," Haedron declares as he dismisses his invisibility. He is a human, likely in his mid-thirties; his pink cheeks and auburn hair hint at Tengwar roots. Beneath his cloak are visible a chainshirt, the two drawn but downward pointed shortswords Seth mentioned, and a variety of vials, scrolls, and wands tucked into various loops and pockets.
"Since I was a boy, I've been curious about the secret and forgotten places of the world. I made a career of exploring them and, naturally, that eventually led me to the Tower of Ages... Cardriss' greatest mystery."
The man looks directly at the Witness as he adds, "I know a spell for traversing earth and stone, but it seemed to provoke the guardians."
"Guardian's you say? We've only encountered other Seekers so far. Tell us about these guardians."
”The guardians,” Haedron repeats somewhat incredulously. When he sees no signs of recognition, he gestures towards the nearest niche with one of his swords and explains, ”the statues are guardians; if you damage the Tower they animate to defend it, and if you spend too much time in the wall they wake up too.”
"I had no idea! This is indeed useful information, though I'm not sure if it would ever have come up, as I am very careful not to damage anything." Gavin replies, with a mischievous grin at Fenrick.
"How might we extricate ourselves from conflict with these guardians if we find ourselves in that situation?"
”You stop fighting,” Haedron answers. “I woke one up by cutting into the wall. I was fighting it slowly and a second one arrived to help it. Once that happened I finished off the first one quickly and withdrew. The second one just turned around left at that point.”
"What did you mean by 'spend too much time in the wall'?" Gavin asks, thinking through Haedron's initial statement. While he waits for an answer, he sifts through his bag, producing a single rolled scroll.
"The walls are thick," Haedron answers, "thick enough to stand completely inside of. I tried to do a little investigating while I was in there."
"Fascinating." Gavin remarks, as Haedron explains what he meant.
"This will be of little use in an emergency," Gavin says, holding up the scroll, then holding it out to be taken.
"But if you need my aid at some point, it will help you find me."
The Witness looks to the walls and statues as Haedron explains.
Interesting. The Tower defends Itself against intrusion into It's solid structure. The need to maintain simple structural integrity is obvious; however, I wonder if impurities introduced in the material might also affect the integrity of the magical fields present throughout.
"Thank you. Observation from inside the walls themselves - that avenue of investigation hadn't occurred to me.
"Please accept my companion's gift. Your motivations would seem to align with our own; perhaps we can assist each other in the future. We're currently making our way towards this Seeker community, and if it seems agreeable, we may well stay there for a short while. If you're headed down, I would recommend not taking the offer of the Stair Scholars at the bottom."
”Thank you,” Haedron answers accepting the scroll. ”I’m not always reliable with more powerful scrolls, especially divine ones, but I’ll try to use it if I need your aid.” He looks up and down the stairs for a moment and adds, “so, a hundred and seventy-one floors down to the bottom and about twenty-nine up to some kind of community? Given that I’ve covered all of about four floors so far, maybe it’s time to switch directions...”
His focus returns to the group before him and he asks, “so, is there some etiquette to passing others on the stairs? The only people I’ve encountered so far walked by me without knowing I was there.”
"We have discovered no such rules for etiquette as of yet, but if safety is your concern, we can return to wind form and pass harmlessly over you." Gavin replies.
++If we have no further business with this gentleman, we should be on our way. We will want all of the time we can get to secure safe lodging for the night.++
”Thus far all the fellow newcomers we’ve encountered have displayed caution and suspicion, but not aggression. Gavin here is quite gregarious, and we’ve engaged everyone we’ve met. The Stair Scholars appear to have been residing here for some time and were quite civil, though they placed a premium on information of any kind.
“Conversing with you has been very agreeable, but we must depart. As Gavin has said, we can pass by you in vaporous form if you prefer, but please don’t take our mode of travel as a threat.”
"Good luck Haedron" Seth says sincerely.
++Only one group passed him, but two passed us. Wonder which one disappeared, or became wary to the point of hiding so well he couldn't notice.++
”That wind form seemed pretty useful,” Haedron answers with the first hint of a smile. “Good luck to you all as well.” With that he steps back, sheathes his swords, and watches the explorers transform.
"We are agreed then." Gavin says as he returns to wind form.
"I hope our paths cross again, good sir." he says with a literally wispy smile.
++I would like to stop at least 1 floor below our destination and finish the way in corporeal form.
Fenrick nods at Haedron. Glad to meet another individual who does not have nefarious motives. Please travel safe and I do hope that we see each other someday.
I agree with Gavin, stopping before we reach where we expect to meet others is a good idea. Though I my legs are not looking forward to walking more stairs; flying has been nice.
++Good plan++
The explorers quickly fly up another twenty-seven floors before stopping to become solid and substantial once more. From there, travel slows to a crawl again as they trudge up two more levels to what the Witness counts to be the 200th floor. There they find two elves clad in gleaming mithril breastplates, trimmed with crimson sashes and bearing blades that somewhat resemble those wielded by the myriad statues that line the stairs. In between the two elves, a crude archway stands open from the staircase to the Tower's interior, with a bit of rubble strewn about it.
As the explorers approach, the closer elf turns to look at them and calls out, "Χαιρετισμός, νέοι κάτοικοι του Πύργου στο Κέντρο του Κόσμου. Ποια επιχείρηση έχετε εδώ?"
Once the group comes out of wind form, Gavin casts a few spells to, hopefully, increase the chance of success on making a good first impression.
Upon seeing the elven guards, Gavin stops and greets them.
"Well, hello good sirs! Our business is currently to secure safe and comfortable lodgings for tonight and possibly longer."
Gavin waits for a reply or further questions before continuing.
[oo]Gavin assists with the knowledge arcana the Witness performs[/ooc]
"Safe and comfortable lodgings can be found inside, if you are willing to abide by the rules and regulations set forth," the nearer guard answers rather sternly.
The Witness waits for several moments, expectant, before speaking.
"Where may we review these rules and regulations?"
”The rules are simple,” the elf answers, “commit no acts of sedition and do no harm to one another. A complete written list of regulations is available upon request in the guard house inside, but all regulations derive from the two rules: do not interfere with the duties of the Redguard; do not try to organize new political entities; do not wound or ensorcel each other; conduct business fairly; and so on.”
"Those rules seem reasonable and prudent if order is to be maintained. I can assure you that we seek no trouble and will conduct ourselves in a respectable manner. Is there a registry for entry?"
As Gavin speaks, he casually scratches an itch on his face, clearly displaying the ring of tarnished friendship to see if the guards recognize it, carefully observing their reaction.
"No registry is necessary for entry," the elf answers.
"If you want to lay claim to any space you will have to register that though," the other guard volunteers.
"Yes," the closer guard confirms, "usually someone at the guard house will go over those sorts of questions with interested parties, but there is a registration, and associated fees, if you wish to lay claim to any space in the residential or market areas."
"I have a question sir, if you don't mind. Did you come into the tower like we did? If that is too personal, please forgive my rudeness, I just am curious."
The elf pauses and looks questioningly at Seth. ”Everyone enters the Tower the same way: through the Bookkeeper’s gate.”
"Thank you." he gives a quick respectful nod.
++Going through all the trouble of getting here. To find answers and reach some goal you've set for yourself... then you become a gate guard.++ he thinks to his companions in wonder.
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"What's the existing political entity that upholds and enforces these rules?"
++The Stair Scholars stated this territory was created by a 'single company' of forty-nine elves; the term implies a military organization. It's possible these elves were a company even when entering The Tower, and may have done so less in a search for answers and more as dedication to duty.++
Fenrick listens to the conversation, though he holds back a smirk when Gavin mentions that we will act in a respectable manner. He has no questions for the guards.
I am interested on seeing what they do with the dead in this tower.
"Redwatch is a holding of Theldrassil Half-Elven, Earl of Evenglade and Commander of the Redguard Order," the closer elf answers the Witness. "He is the ultimate authority within this settlement and the Redguard enforces that authority."
++memory is not this old man's strong suite, I'm afraid. I have no knowledge of 'Evenglade'++
++Nor I, though my study of geography has been cursory compared to other topics.++
Inside The Witness's hood, The Choreographer gives a shake of her head.
Seth is eager to get inside and see the place, so doesn't contemplate what the Evenglade. But since the others seem interested.
"Sorry sirs, what is the Evenglade? I grew up in a small town, please do not take offense at my ignorance."
I am afraid beyond basics, matters of geography are outside my area. I am unfamiliar with this place. But one reason we have never heard of such a place may be because location might not be the issue. Who knows how long ago they came here. Everglades may not exist in our time. Or may not exist yet I guess.
"Evenglade is the earldom that Theldrassil rules over," the guard answers, "in the ancient elven lands that lay between the northern and western Anchors."
++I'm ready to proceed inside.++
"Good day to you gentlemen." Seth gives the guards a respectful nod.
The rest of the group suitably ready to enter, Gavin leads them into the elves community.
"One final question, is there a common name by which this enclave is referred?" Gavin asks as the group passes in.
Once inside, Gavin suggests they stay together for at least the initial exploration.
++You never know what trouble an old man might find himself getting into.++
Gavin takes whatever time is needed to go over what this place has to offer, wares, lodging, services, as well as the population of the place.
The closer guard returns Seth's nod and answers Gavin, "Redwatch." Then he steps back against the wall so that each of the explorer's may step past him. Once between the elves, they can see that the archway cuts through five feet of white stone wall before opening into the interior. Just inside the exterior wall, hallways branch of the left and right, but each is blocked by another guard appareled similarly to those on the stairs, save that these two each carry a pair of smaller, matching swords.
Beyond the guarded halls, a central corridor continues straight ahead, flanked by gray stone walls, for another twenty feet before opening up into a twenty foot square chamber. Each of the four walls has a single passageway extending off of it and within the chamber there are three more guards and a spiral staircase that extends both up and down. As the four explorer's file into the passageway towards the chamber, one of the three elves there calls out, "Welcome to the Guardhouse. This is where you will come to report any crimes within Redwatch, or to seek adjudication if a dispute arises that you cannot solve within the bounds of our regulations. Up the stairs is the residential section, and down them is the market district. If you wish to claim an area within either you can come here to register and pay the associated fees. Do you have any questions?"
"Thank you, gentlemen, I'm sure we will be back to speak with you once we have settled in." Gavin replies, with a slight bow.
"I am inclined to examine the market place first,as long as there are no objections."
"One cannot truly judge a settlement until you've taken a stroll through the market" Seth completely agrees.
The market is fine by me. What better way to get a grap on what we are working with here.
Is this section of the tower Redwatch or the entirety of the inside of the tower?
++I believe the elves refer only to these few floors they control as Redwatch. And I agree the market is a good place to start.++
Leaving behind the Guardhouse, the newly arrived adventurers head down the tightly spiraled stairs into the Redwatch Marketplace. Where the Guardhouse was closed off and confined, the marketplace is surprisingly wide open. The structures that house business are packed much more tightly together than they need to be, but from nearly anyplace in the market there are clear sight lines to large, wall-less, unused space. Judging by the gray stone walls that make up each shop, it appears that at one point this may have been a completely empty floor that all this was added to. A quick look around reveals that although there are less than a dozen businesses they provide a wide array of options.
Seth has always been fascinated with the arts of healing. It stands to reason that he would be due to his and his sister's unique condition. So he watches with avid curiosity as the lovely half dwarven woman inserts her needles with the utmost care. "Excuse me, I am sorry for the interruption, and will leave immediately if I'm disturbing your relaxation, Madam. I am just curious what are the needles meant to do?" the young man asks as respectfully as he can.
The half-dwarf looks up and smiles, then returns her attention to her work. “We all have paths throughout our bodies that allow our blood to flow through us,” she explains distractedly, “if those paths are blocked our physical bodies will grow sick, or die. In the same way, we all have paths throughout our bodies that allow an energy—a spiritual blood, if you will—to move through us; if these paths are blocked our spirits will grow sick or die. Some people make the mistake of thinking that our bodies and our spirits are completely separate, but they’re not: each directly influences and effects each other. By placing these special needles at just the right places on my patient’s body, I can help to ensure that her spiritual energy is flowing properly, and that in turn will help to keep her mind and body fit and strong.”
The relaxing woman lets out a little laugh and, with a clear Vitolian accent clarifies, “she is treating me for exhaustion, and it is working magnificently.”
Gavin makes his way to each of the stalls, introducing himself and poking about the wares. Beginning each interaction with some variation of,
"Hello, my name is Gavin, My friends and I are new to the tower, just today in fact, and are eager to learn more about what to expect and how to best prepare ourselves for life within this strange new home. Anything you could share with us would be most helpful."
He makes polite chat while he looks about, but has a few specific questions at the mercantile.
At the Fine Imports stall, Gavin take the time to look over the tea varieties on hand and chat a bit more with the vendor.
"The young girl, was she born in the Tower?" He asks, motioning to the student and teacher.
-------------------------------------
At the Stoneworks, Gavin inquires about the spheres.
"Is there a Tower related reason your work seems focused on these spheres?"
The relaxing woman lets out a little laugh and, with a clear Vitolian accent clarifies, “she is treating me for exhaustion, and it is working magnificently.”
"It looks it, like the stress of the day is washing right out of you just a bit more with every needle." Seth is fascinated, then realizes he's been starting a bit too much, he looks away quickly at that point and says with a hint of embarrassment at himself. "Having a complete stranger ogling your back can't be helping though. Thank you, Both, for indulging my curiosity."