New Around Here
It's Tariday, Firetide 02 14:12:49 1022.
Fresh into town, the recently acknowledged Silver Guard, Shalethiste, makes her first order of business to pray at the Temple of Eluna. She is soon joined in prayer by Seldan, and the two make introductions before discussing certain aspects of etiquette. They assure each other aid in the struggle against Evil, before Seldan offers the Mul'iessa advice, and, at her request, the location of a nice place to bed down and clean up. After a pleasant meeting, the two part ways to attend their respective needs.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple of Eluna *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Eluna's temple stands near her brother's, and trees of the grove often wander their vines that way, only to be chased away by the priests--much as two children might battle in the back of a cart. Eluna's temple is composed of solemn, alabaster pillars and marble, as ancient as Her brother's though more austerely kept. Each pillar represents a phase of the moon, over which She has dominion. Their surface is scribed with the words of ancient dreams, those first recorded in the known world, when mankind was first awakening to their significance.
In the center of the temple lies a grand pool. Serene in its surface, it reflects the open sky overhead, though the temple is covered by an arched ceiling. At all times within the surface may the stars be seen. Surrounding this pool are a number of tasseled rugs, on which petitioners sit and meditate, or seek counsel for interpretation of their dreams.
Warriors of Daeus are often found here, providing guards where the wards of Eluna prefer introspection and contemplation. These fighters bear dual symbols, signifying the tie between divine father and divine daughter. They and the priests here speak in quiet voices, reminiscent of Eluna's place as the Dreaming Goddess.
To the north of the temple is a modest library, its function primarily in the way of records--recording of dreams, of meditation, of theories of the proper use of magic--teachings directly opposed by the Shadow Goddess, Taara. It is this last shift that has seen an increase in the number of guards among the temple, and the increased adoption of the Star of Tears among the belts of Seers.
EXTRAS: +view
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Seldan Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol. 12m 3h Shalethiste A copper maned elf maiden, hued in the night sky. 0s 25m
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A rather warm day in the city finds a new face seated in contemplation at the pool, scabbard lain to hand on one side, and, uncommonly, a traveler's pack set on the other. The Mul'iessa stares into the reflections of the water, her prayers a breathy whisper.
Daytime is a quiet time, within these cool walls, but Seldan strides in from the back, the armor not as loud as ordinary metal armor, but definitely audible. He kneels on the stone a respectful distance from her, murmuring prayers of his own as he pauses by the pool. The prayers he murmurs are paeans of thanksgiving for a victory, rather than contemplation or supplication. He remains a respectful distance, not intending to disturb, but he is audible all the same.
Shalethiste doesn't break the cadence of her reverent adulations as the sound of armour and new thanksgiving begin not far away. It is only as she finishes, bowing her head for some moments of supplication before she ventures a glance to that side.
Seeing human males in a Temple of Eluna is far from unknown, but it isn't that common, and the man a few feet away is striking indeed, not least for the open-front, sleeveless robe-type garment he wears over the armor. Seldan looks up, at length, and blinks when he catches the mul'niessa watching him, although in mild surprise rather than offense. "Forgive me, I had not wished to disrupt you." <sildanyari>
Shalethiste's eyebrows come up in pleasant surprise from the man's response, though mostly hidden under the curtain of her bangs and she smiles with a hand set gently over her heart and she bows her head a moment, "Not at all, good sir. I did not mean to interupt your prayers. Please, pardon me." <sildanyari>
The man's sildanyari is a second language, to be sure. It is accented in a more human way, with a lilt that to the knowledgeable ear suggests the Myrrish kingdoms, and lacks some of the polish of a native speaker, but he is quite conversational in the tongue. "No forgiveness is necessary, you interrupted nothing. You are new-come to Alexandria, or but passing through?" <sildanyari>
"I am, sir, though I know not how long I will stay." her own accent is not quite pure Mul'iessan, some lilt and timbre from time amongst her estranged cousins to blame, though the balance is significantly in that favor, "I am fresh from my travels, but it would be uncouth not to present myself at once, to thank Her grace in seeing me, here." <sildanyari>
The man's eyebrows lift, although a smile accompanies it. "Your faith does you credit, mistress, although it is different among my people. My people regard it as uncouth to appear before Her holy spaces unwashed, and thus do I most often offer my thanksgiving for Her grace upon the field itself. I am named Seldan." <sildanyari>
Shalethiste ah's silently and looks around with a suddenly awkward look on her face, ok, maybe mortified would be a better term and her cheeks take a dark, dark violet, "I... see..." She looks back to Seldan and after daintily clearing her throat behind her hand, "I am Shalethiste, Seldan, Her light upon this meeting." <sildanyari>
"Her light upon us all," Seldan agrees, his smile fading into understanding and concern as the woman flushes. "It is no matter. In truth did none notice, I think. From whence do you hail?" <sildanyari>
Shalethiste blinks at his word choice, but replies, "Ghaerum'voir, originally." softly and, not expecting many under the sky to know, "Beneath Charneth lands." She gives that a moment, then, "Though I have spent some decades errant in Myrridon and Charn, trying to find a worthy path." and she glances to her shield. <sildanyari>
"It would seem that you have found one," Seldan offers, although there is a question hanging in his words. "You have come to serve the Sky-Singer?" <sildanyari>
The Mul'iessa smiles warmly, and nods, "I have served as squire for some time, but my travels finally brought me to this city." She glances at his armor, then back into his eyes, "And yourself, I assume, have been doing Her good work for some time." <sildanyari>
Seldan's brows furrow. "Not so long as all that ..." He trails off. "It is but a year since I have come here, and three since I took my final vows. It has been ... an eventful year." His eyes cast down towards the marble floor. "Her wisdom and grace has seen me through a great deal, in that time." <sildanyari>
Shalethiste nods and looks toward the pool, "Well then, that you have served, Seldan. I would hope to ably follow your example, and stand with you against the wicked." <sildanyari>
"In that would I welcome all who stand, in such ways as they may." Seldan's smile broadens. "Would you be of aid, and come to learn of Alexandria, her people, and that which plagues her, I would commend to you to begin with the Explorer's Guild. _Adventurers_ they are termed here, those who undertake the jobs that few would dare." <sildanyari>
Shalethiste considers the man's advice, "I would." she says affirmingly, then after the rest, "I've heard them spoken of in the past, though, more of their individual exploits than a grander organization." She thinks for a moment, then, "Pray, whence would this Guild be reached, then?" <sildanyari>
"Across the bridge, to the west of the temples, on the other side of the river, will you find its headquarters. It is there that I found much of my purpose, and calling. Seldom now do I answer the Guild's call, while I hunt another evil, but at times may I do so. Be wary, for you will find as much of frustration as of glory, but seek always to serve Her ends, and you have naught to fear." <sildanyari>
Shalethiste takes in the man's words, according them each a step on the path in her memory. His advisory and course are set to another and she nods. Her lips part, and, as Seldan's upbringing colors her tongue from his lips, so too does it for his from them, "It shall be so, Seldan, and should I find evil beyond my reach, would I come to you?"
"Hesitate not to do so, Shalethiste. We are few enough, here, and we stand together. Do you need my aid, do you find a thing beyond you, I would have you seek me out." Seldan nods immediately.
Shalethiste's smile brightens and she nods, "Truly, a blessed meeting, then." She bows her head once more, "Such aid as I can offer, is for but your asking." She straightens where she sits and wonders, "Are there any inns close to hand?" she colors a little again and, "I would quarter and cleanse myself before Evensong, so to be of more acceptable countenance."
"The blessing is Hers, and it lies upon all of us, for that. I may at times depart the city, for a time, but you need but leave word." Amusement and understanding greet Shalethiste's final words. Clearly, Seldan can relate to that. "There is a bathing chamber within the Temple itself, or you might seek out the Fernwood, across the northern bridge. There are others, but of varying repute."
Shalethiste's smile is a little embarassed, though free and she bows her head again, "Thank you, for your kindness and patience." The Mul'iessa glances up at the reflected sky, then, 'Were time more generous I would tarry, as we're so well met, but sadly, I have my considerations to attend, and Her time comes soon.' Her palm once again touches her heart as her head bows, "May the Sky-Dancer's Light see you through the Darkness, Seldan." 'Perhaps we will meet again at Evensong.' with that spoken, she starts to gather her things with practiced deftness, 'Be well!' <sildanyari>
"It is as you say. I shall see you then at evensong." Seldan stands as well, and something in the set of his shoulders betray more than kind welcome - for the briefest of moments, there is a burden there at the words in the sibilant sil language. "Her wisdom and strength see me through, indeed." Then, it is gone, and she shifts languages once more, to his native tongue. 'Be well, then.' With that, he turns and strides for the front doors. <sildanyari>
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Seldan There is something about him, if one is human.
It is not easy to pin down exactly what, though. He is not the biggest man, despite a warrior's physique, just shy of six feet tall with a frame more closely resembling that of a gymnast than that of a brawler. Fair as a spring day, with hair equally balanced between ginger and blonde that is grown out of a military cut to fall in his eyes if not disciplined. Ice-blue eyes with blonde lashes hold wisdom and kindness, set into features that are even, straight, and strong. But - in certain lights, and at certain times, humans might almost see in this Eldanar man a glimpse of what a warrior of the Millennium Kingdom might once have looked like.
The warrior theme is carried again in the full platemail that he wears, its finish not a bright polish so much as a shimmer that recalls moonlight when under bright light, and quiescence in shadow. Over the platemail hangs an open, sleeveless robe of midnight-blue with moon-silvery edging and celestial symbols and creatures picked out in silver thread adorning it, and a steel pendant bearing the symbol of a crescent and sphere. A set of gold bracers, depicting celestial symbols that match the symbols on the robe, encircle his wrists.
He wears multiple belts, one of ornate silver links, another a beaten leather affair with attachments for weapons. A longsword hangs from this, from a sheath on his left hip with an ornately-carved pommel and a guard designed in an ancient style, and a much newer-looking heavy mace on his right hip. A belt pouch completes the contents of the leather belt, and a sturdy cloak over all in midnight blue bears the crescent-and-sphere of Eluna picked out in a mosaic of thousands of tiny silver crystals on the back. A simple, unadorned cloak pin holds it in place. Over his back, the top of an elkhorn, wood, and steel longbow is visible, along with a quiver of arrows made of red leather and trimmed in white fur.
Shalethiste
Given to a sinuous frame of just over five feet of height is this young Mul'Iessan elf. Her skin is bluish black and soft of luster. Coppery hair pours in a full, nearly fluid mass over her shoulders and back as it flows down from her widow's peak, bangs cut arrow straight at her thin, slightly arched brows. Her violet almond eyes are long of lash, and frequently glitter in mirth. Emerging from that shimmering, elbowlength mane are a pair of sharply pointed ears that peak a good inch or two above her eyebrows level, embellished and pierced in artful silver.
Her voice is proud and vibrant, given to the faintest accent, perhaps Myrrish, or Charneth, though undertones of her native dialect wreathe along it like a vine.
Clad at the base in a calf length dress of midnight blue, slit to an acceptable balance of mobility before scandal. Over this is a shirt of fine chainmail, the metal shining the cold blue of the full moon even under daylight. A well tooled belt the color of the midnight sky bears a dagger, a small flanged mace, and several pouches along her right hip, while the left bears a long, jeweled scabbard, possibly a unusually narrow bastard sword, based on it's ornate, gleaming blue crossguard. A narrow buckler, tempered blue-black about a burnished and embossed symbol of the Sky-singer, is itself etched about the boundries with Sildanyari script of the Silver Guard tenets.