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 Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:42 pm
Somnius
The small island continent of Aquis is located east of the central continent, and northeast of the Western Isles. The climate is maritime in nature, with the moderating influence of the sea breeze giving rise to pleasant summers and cool winters. The northern region of the continent is forested; the southern consists mainly of silt-rich plains. A number of rivers drain into the sea on the east coast. Somnius itself is located in the lower eastern corner of the continent.
- Year 50 -
Somnians: Fifty years after the first Stone Council, the small garden that was Nyx's is now neither small nor a garden. Under her tutelage, it has blossomed into a small but thriving town that bears the name of Somnius.
The people are generally clean-limbed and fair, with hair colours that vary between chestnut, black or blonde.They lack martial prowess of the kind that could be turned to warfare; their strength lies instead in their inventive and innovative minds. Under Nyx's tutelage, they have learned to cultivate imagination and expand their mental horizons, the result being that ideas bloom as naturally in their minds as flowers do in Laeray. Unless said knowledge is exceptionally technical or specific in nature, Somnians will never need to be taught how to do something. Provided with the necessary raw materials, they will discover it on their own before long.
Culture: Somnius is not particularly large, consisting of about 265 people, though its expanse is seemingly increased by the scattered, strewn nature of its settlements.The town itself is calm and pleasing to the eye, the buildings being constructed mostly of wood and a light grey slate that predominates in the area. They are shaped gracefully, with embellishments such as cupolas, arches and spires being favoured and most buildings rising two or three stories off the ground rather than expanding horizontally. A number of small rivers thread across the outskirts of town, and are crossed by bridges.
Somnius is unique in that its fledgeling society is already distinctly matriarchal; the senior members of the ten-person town coucil are all women, and women hold a large number of important posts. Nyx herself holds no official position in the administration of the small settlement, but the people turn constantly to her for advice and the adjudication of disputes nonetheless. Allthough there is a tower constructed on the northern outskirts of the town for her use, she rarely stays in one place, preferring to roam amidst the rivers and pine forests that border Somnius. Often, she takes the shape of a small bird to flit amidst the people; in this way, though they are often unaware of it, Somnians are constantly under the watchful eye of their Lady.
Their clothing consists of simple, fitted garments woven from flax or cotton. They eschew ostentation, opting instead for soft pastel shades that are obtained through natural dyes ground from the roots of various tubers, and herbs. Loose woollen robes provide warmth during the winter months and small trinkets such as simple metal bangles or seashell ornaments are common.
The art of ship-making was perfected about 20 years ago; there is a small shipyard and port adjoining the coast some way away from the main settlement, down in the southeast. Some trade has taken place with other civilizations since, but not much. Cotton is an important crop, flourishing in the sub-tropical climate and the rich soil of the south. Woody perennials such as herbs are cultivated in the cooler north, and a good deal of fishing is done on the coast and the rivers that originate in the east and snake inwards. There is also a small but flourishing trade in forest products such as resin and timber.
Ideology: The Somnians are by and large a pacifist race, valuing art, thought and philosophy over warmongering or conquest. They worship no God, and while Nyx makes it clear that she does not wish them to worship her either, they still look up to her as their light and savior, and view her with a deep respect and adoration that sometimes edges close to worship despite her best efforts.
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:22 pm
- The beginning of Chapter 2 -
- Year 50 -
The cool morning breeze from the sea swept over Somnius, bringing in its wake the faint but pleasant smells of brine and the sounds of seabirds' cries. The town itself was located on the raised portion of land towards the interior of the small continent, with the ground dipping down a mile or so away from it to swoop down to the beach. Still, particularly at high tide, the breezes from the sea still managed to reach it. It was a blessing in more ways than one, for it served to exert a cooling, moderating effect on the maritime climate.
At the moment however, Nyx was not thinking of climate. Seated on the shallow balcony that ran around the top storey of the smooth tower located on the outskirts of town, she was simply enjoying the breeze. The tower's relative height and distance from the main town afforded her privacy, and so, she had even slipped her hood off to allow the wind to toy teasingly with her pale white hair, and lift the fluttering strands. Her dark eyes were trained on the scattered buildings of the town.
Somnius had made exponential leaps of growth from the day fifty years ago when the Craftsman had first brought her to the stone-walled garden. The most obvious change was in the scenery, the verdant green having spread far beyond the reach of the eye now. Long-stemmed grass billowed and waved around the town, and small wildflowers peeked their heads out. The settlement itself was gently circular in nature. At its center was a long, low, round building with a shingled roof: The town council hall. From this edifice, which Nyx knew housed inside rows of concentric seats and a raised, bare podium, the rest of the buildings spread gradually outwards like ripples from a stone dropped in water.
There were roughly two hundred buildings clustered loosely together in this manner; a bare ring around the town hall that served as an informal sort of square and conglomeration spot for shops and stalls, then dwellings and longhouses, and finally granaries, mills and tanning vats on the fringes. Cobbles paths interwove through them, and a number of distinct architectural styles were visible. Some buildings rose smoothly a number of stories off the ground, others were surmounted by elaborate flourishes of eaves and balustrades, while yet others tapered to spires. The overall impression, while no doubt incongrous, managed to somehow be at the same time pleasing to the eye.
The townspeople would be stirring to wakefulness around this time, she supposed. Mornings in Somnius began {rather ironically} early. Even with the progress they had made over the years, there was still no dearth of tasks to be dealt with. What with fishing, threshing and grinding grain, operating the paper mills, tending the crops and cattle, tanning hides and spinning linen, life buzzed at a busy rate.
Not that there was no space for ease and leisure, of course. The stalls in the center square would open before the sun was three-fourths of the way to its zenith, and after evening, there would be gatherings, conversation, story-telling and perhaps even an informal skit staged in the town hall.
The faint rumble of thunder attracted her attention, and momentarily distracted from her thoughts, she turned her eyes to the horizon. A dark pastel smudge of clouds was gathering along the sealine, replete with the unspoken promise of stormy prospects.
"Looks like we're in for rain, then," she murmured to herself.
+++++++++++++++++++++
The first sounds of activity were stirring in the scattered buildings when Nyx finally rose to her feet on the small balcony. Smoothing non-existent creases out of her robes, she took a deep breath, and shifted into her small, grey-winged bird form. She flapped her wings and caught a rising thermal, riding it in a graceful arc down towards the town. Early as the morning was, she was sure most people would still be tucked safe in their beds, snuggled under blankets to protect them from the slight chill and mist that floated in from the sea in the mornings. There was however, one home whose inhabitant she knew would be awake, and it was towards this that she now angled her flight and headed.
Her destination was a cottage towards the northern boundary of the town, where the dwellings grew more sparse. It was small, but cozy, with a thatched roof and a small herb garden behind it; the smell of indolent thyme and persimmon drifted towards her on the breeze. The window was unlatched and flung open almost as if expecting her arrival. Banking her wings, she glided through it and had reassumed her form before her feet touched the floor.
She was standing in a small living room, with sparse furniture that consisted of little more than a table and a few hewn wooden chairs. Her arrival had been sensed, and already the inhabitant was rising from his seat at the table to bow his head to her in greeting.
“Lady Nyx,” he greeted, a smile creasing his weathered face. He was old, the oldest in the town yet, with mostly white hair that maintained a few faded hints of blonde. Despite his age, there was a sense of suppressed vitality around him, of wisdom tempered by experience.
“Pascal.” Nyx inclined her head in return and gave him one of her rare smiles. The only remaining member of the original inhabitants of her stone garden, Pascal was now one of the most respected town elders. Though he had refused a seat on the council, preferring instead to lead a solitary life, there were many who turned to him for aid and advice, and his storytelling abilities were renowned. For her part, she trusted him implicitly, and viewed him as one of the people closest to her.
“I’m going to the Library.” She glanced out the window, the sky was growing overcast in the east. “I was planning to go later, but it looks like it’s going to storm, and I don’t want to get caught in it. If anyone asks for me, tell them where I am. And also, warn them about the storm, they shouldn’t stray too far from the town, incase—“
“Your concern is, as always, unnecessary, Lady Nyx,” Pascal interrupted with a smile. “A little rain will do us no harm. But I will pass on your message nonetheless, so rest assured.”
“Thank you.” Nyx smiled again, slightly sheepishly this time; she was aware that she tended to become too overprotective of her people at time. “I should be back before long, unless the weather makes it otherwise.” With another bow, she dissolved into wraith-like mist and reformed once more, letting loose a small trill of thanks before swooping up and out through the window again.
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:36 pm
Modest was whistling happily as he drove his wagon up onto the vessel that was to transport him to Somnius. He was surprisingly under-dressed than was characteristic of him despite the fact that there was a downpour falling from the heavens. The slight man had always liked the feeling of rain against his skin. It reminded him of a far off place he could not remember. The thought filled him with a brief and overwhelming sorrow he had not felt since his awakening.
The tub was loaded and pushed off. Modest finally tiring of the thoughts plaguing his mind retreated to the back of his wagon. From inside a chest he pulled out a small wooden pipe and a few leaves of a plant that he had taken to smoking. It grew in the unpleasant plains somewhere south, he'd neglected to inquire about who's land it was.
Hours passed on the journey, the rain only became heavier, which did nothing for his mood. After an eternity aboard this miserable tub he departed. It seemed about time he paid Nyx a visit, he'd attend to his Ship afterwards.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:29 am
The journey back to Aquis, now that she was not racing at the breakneck speed with which she had accompanied Shizuka to the Library, took a little over half an hour. Still, Nyx barely noticed the time. Indeed, she barely noticed anything around her, not the steady, rhythmic pulse of her wingbeats, nor the faint wisps of chilly cloud, or the ice floes beneath. Her mind was still running over the contents of the book she had just read, and--just as importantly--over what she had been able to read in the Librarian's parting words.
A trip to Dunaldra was definitely called for. And while she was at it, so were several more trips to the Library, and perhaps even a call on the Craftsman. The latter idea however, she handled gingerly. Infuriatingly scattered and incomplete as the scraps of information she had gathered so far were, they were enough to arouse a faint sense of misgiving. Sensitive information, the Librarian had called it. She intended to treat it as such.
At any rate, she eventually left the cerulean oceans to swoop instead over land, circling inward to head towards the sprawled settlement of Somnius. As she did, though, a familar tug made itself felt at the back of her mind. She had by now grown used to the sensation of a fellow Exile nearby, and it took her only a moment to realize that that was what she was feeling at the moment. After a few minutes of searching the terrain, she located the Exile in question, right on the outskirts of town. Once her eyes had settled on him, she banked and spiralled gently downwards in his direction.
Flaring her wings, she slowed and landed lightly directly behind the Exile, completing the transformation even as her feet touched the ground. For a few moments, she silently regarded the humbly-dressed Exile, trying to place him. He had not been at the first Stone Council, and therefore she was not well-accquainted with him, but she recalled having encountered him around the Library quite a few times. Modest was his name, if memory served her right.
"Greetings, fellow Exile." She smiled softly, and bowed her head to him. "Welcome to Somnius."
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:49 pm
'Hello Nyx. You haven't changed much since I last saw you.' He flashed her a smile, the ugly scar on his chin stretching as he formed the words. Modest regarded the woman she really hadn't changed at all. Neither had he now that he thought about it, his hair had just grown.
'I came here to check on a ship being constructed for me and considered it about time we had a talk. Where's your place of residence?' He asked her indicating she should take a seat next to him on the wagon. Modest was still in a poor frame of mind after his experience aboard the tub. It disturbed him that he did not know the reason for his pain.
Modest did not mind Somnius, he'd been here a few times in the past to purchase some small things and in turn commission the construction of a boat. It had always seemed prudent to the scarred man to stay discreet on these visits. He wasn't always in the mood for people.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:26 am
"Time has passed us all by." Nyx smiled. "But then, would we be Exiles if it did not?"
The question had been rhetorical, and so she didn't wait for an answer, instead accepting Modest's unspoken invitation to ascend the wagon. Once she had lightly stepped up and settled herself on the seat next to him, she considered the remainder of what he had said.
"That way, just over the crest of that hill." She indicated the direction with her hand, pointing to the north-east of the fringe of the village, where the tip of the graceful grey slate tower could be seen. "It's simple, but it's where I spend what time I don't devote to either wandering or the Library, or seeing to the town's affairs. If you're looking to avoid the townspeople, it'll do nicely."
As the wagon trundled into motion once more, she took a few moments to take in the slightly worse for wear, worn appearance of the conveyance. Modest was a wanderer, she knew that much, and he had been to a lot of places, if the state of the wagon was any indication. The idea of an Exile without an Exile still took a little effort to adjust to, accustomed as she was to the presence of a people to guide, and watch over. Still, there was something delightful about the idea. The freedom to wander, to roam through different lands, cultures and experiences alike...
It was this thought that was running uppermost through her mind as she commented "You must do a lot of travelling, then?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:25 pm
Modest moved the lumbering beasts that conveyed his big wagon, although it was worn out it would never break. Both he and The Craftsman had seen to that in it's construction.
Modest was usually okay with spending time amongst people but decided against it. 'Being apart seems okay. I do hope you have ale though, I have a thirst and my stocks are running low.' He pointed into the heart of the wagon indicating a barrel that was currently empty.
'I get around I suppose. I dabble at being a merchant but I make my way by being a storyteller and lore master, one learns alot, and I do have a couple of people running around. Even a person from your island I believe Nyx.' Modest flashed her a cheeky smile remembering his first travel companion a flighty old man from this very island. 'Could hold his drink.' Modest nodded in approval of the human who had wandered with him before even the days of his wagon. It was with this thought that they crested the hill and looked upon Nyx's home.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:45 am
"You will have to share some of your stories with us, sometime." Nyx replied lightly in response to his cheeky grin. She liked this Exile, he was straightforward and unpretentious. "If one cannot travel the world oneself, accounts heard from another must suffice. Besides, we respect storytellers. Their trade may not be wrought by hand, but it is no less of a craft for that."
The cool breeze from the sea had grown stronger now; the scent of rain lingered faintly on the air. They would have to refrain from putting out boats today, she pondered. Though the main settlement was located a couple of miles from the eastern coast of the island continent, a small port had been established on the coast some way to the sourth-east. Adjoining it was a small shipyard where the light, speedy skiffs Somnius specialized in were built; it was likely one of these that Modest had meant when he mentioned commissioning a ship. They were not particularly imposing or capable of ferrying very heavy cargoes, but were light, durable and very seaworthy. As far as the twin purposes of modest trade and fishing were concerned, they were ideal.
Her thoughts were dragged back to the present as they approached the tower on the outskirts of town. As the wagon trundled to a halt, she rose to her feet, laying a hand against the frame as she lightly dismounted.
From the outside, the three story tower did not look very imposing, though there was a certain grace about the slender greystone edifice. Inside, she knew it to be equally simple; the first storey consisted of only one large circular room furnished with nothing more than a curved wooden table set against one wall, a number of low cushioned seats and some potted herbs set around the room at intervals to add a touch of greenery and fragrance. A set of stairs led up to the next storey, positioned to the right of the door.
It was before this door that she now stopped, parting the curtain that was drawn across it. "Do come in," she invited Modest.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:10 pm
Modest had always had a particular fancy for towers, although this was by no means the tallest he had always admired it when he was present in the country. 'It's a lovely place you call home.' Modest told her as he stepped down from the Wagon. He walked over and gently patted the lumbering beasts that pulled his wagon.
Modest surveyed the simple room with a sense of longing and a smile on his face. He had never had a home as long a he'd been here on this plane of awareness. 'This really is nice Nyx. I'm a simple man, I can appreciate this tower more than you'd imagine.' He flashed her a gentle smile.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:34 am
Nyx paused for a moment, slightly taken back by the sudden praise, before returning his smile. She had been right when she had assessed Modest as a man of austere and simple tastes. The slight wistfulness in his voice had not escaped her, either. Few understood the value of a home better than those who had no fixed residence of their own.
"Thank you," she replied with a smile. "I've never felt the need for ostentation. Simplicity holds a much greater charm, I feel." She hesitated for a moment before gently asking "The life of a wanderer must be hard at times. Have you ever thought of settling down?"
They had entered the tower now, and she drew the sheer curtain across the doorway once more, motioning to Modest to seat himself.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:41 pm
Modest slumped gently in a seat, his eyes wandering over the room as if trying to absorb the home into himself. 'I admit the thought has taken me on occasion...' Modest paused for a moment, a delighted smile passing over his lips as he examined a small bush of herbs growing healthily in a small pot. 'But now is not the time for me to stay in one place. I've got tasks I still need to perform.' He flitted his eyes back to his host.
'Nyx, each of us Exile's has a task to perform. You know that, and each of us are lord over a certain domain; Ember over fire, your domain is over sleep and dreams, Mythee over fear and courage. I don't yell what mine is but it's just as important as anyone else's. I am lord over change.' He took a breath, realizing he had rambled on. 'As I've said. I don't have my own people in the same sense that you do. But all I come into contact with, those I spend too much time with become something like myself, they go around helping or hindering but they're my disciples. 'I can't stop and settle because too many people would be affected.'
'Nyx. Change is coming, although you'd have to be dim to not realize that.'He laughed at the pale thin girl. 'Now do you have something to drink?' A smile once again lit up the melancholy man's face.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:30 pm
Nyx returned the smile yet again, but it was distracted this time, tinged with thoughtfullness. His words had aroused the memory of the incident at the Library a scant hour ago, and reminded her that yes indeed, something was certainly underfoot. Something subtle, little more than the gentlest of undercurrents...but something, nonetheless.
For some reason, another memory stirred alongside that of Dunaldra and the Librarian's altercation. This one too, was located at the Library, but a Library of 50 years ago. Still surrounded with sand, flecked with snow and puddled with rust-red stains, and Dunaldra's incoherent, obviously panicked words as she described a creature...
Lost in her thoughts, it took her a moment to comprehend Modest's last words. When she did, she started slightly, a light blush rising to her face. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "You must think me a terrible host. I'll fetch it rightaway."
Stepping across the room to the table, she busied herself with the stone-carved bottle of Aldrainian wine placed neatly in a corner along with several roughly-hewen glasses {something obtained through their trading with Dunaldra}. She rarely indulged herself, and even more rarely had human visitors, but the bottle came in handy on the brief occasions when Exiles would drop in.
Returning, she handed Modest a glass before seating herself as well. "I'm afraid I don't stock ale," she said with a smile. "But there will doubtless be some in the town if you wish."
She hesitated, and continued. "Modest, you have travelled across much of the world. You must have seen and heard a great many things. I wonder...have you...ever heard tell of a creature, a deformed, grotesque thing, with the power to kill Exiles?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:30 pm
Off the ports of Somnius a narrow ship began to cut its way through the fog. The hull was swept low to the sea, only flaring up in the front. The hull was as black as night. The sails were ribbed and were of a deep red hue. It sliced through the waves at near breakneck speeds. There were a few people staring at the oncoming ship, most of whom were taking cautionary steps backwards as the ship approached their docks without appearing to relent.
The ship's sails dropped down the mast as the crew rapidly pulled the ribbed cloth towards the hull. Too late it seemed, when a dozen lines lashed out and caught the edges of the dock. The ship miraculously pulled into the dock without so much as dinging the hull. The words "Black Dagger" were etched into the side and inlaid with silver.
A few people looked over curiously at the odd skiff as 20 people jumped off the edge of the boat. Garen was the last one to leap off, he looked around with a small smile on his face, noting the people who were giving him rather dirty looks. He grinned rather balefully as he regarded the crowd of people.
"Oh, come off it! It's fine!" He said, pushing past the dock and walking towards the village.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:32 pm
Modest drank deeply of the fragrant wine. 'This is good,' he mumbled taking another long sip until the glass was empty. 'You refer to the monster Karon. It's an executioner, I was one of the ones who found The White Lady's mangled body.' A glaze crossed over his eyes. 'Did you see it Nyx? It's not something I'd care to relive. I fear I may have to soon though. Troubled times.' He stood up abruptly, pulling his curls out of his eyes.
'I need to go to the library. I'll be leaving as soon as possible. Thankyou for the hospitality.' He bowed deeply. 'If you ever fancy the life of a vagabond there's room on my wagon.' He picked his bag up off the floor and left the humble tower immediately.
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Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:22 am
Taken aback, Nyx paused for a few moments before bowing her head to him in farewell. "I will bear it in mind," she smiled, before straightening up and watching as the Exile left.
His sudden departure had surprised her, and she wondered if she might have said something to offend him. However, those thoughts were soon swept away by the feeling of lingering disquiet that settled on her as she mulled over his last words.
An executioner. Despite the balmy weather, she felt a slight shiver go up her spine.
++++++++++++++++++
More curious looks followed the small band of Eorans as they departed the pier, but no one stopped them. They had just moved into the clustered, low-lying buildings of the small dock when a stentorian voice rang out.
"Ahoy!" The speaker, now striding over to them, was a middle-aged woman with a firm, weathered face and streaks of grey in her hair. She was clothed like a man, in a salt-stained pair of breeches and a cotton shirt. There was a certain set to her jaw and a glint in her eye, that suggested she was a person better not trifled with.
"Welcome to Somnius, travellers," she said briskly as she came to a stop before Garen. "What business might ye have here?" Her tone was blunt and straightforward, but not unfriendly.
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