A Moment of Celebration - Glint - 08/07
Jul 15, 2021 15:00:27 GMT
Jaezred Vandree, Delilah Daybreaker, and 1 more like this
Post by Varga on Jul 15, 2021 15:00:27 GMT
To Master Simenon, Head of the Illusion College Chapter of Shadowdale.
Esteemed Maestro,
You must be wondering what has become of me in my long absence and no doubt fearing for my safety. Yet I am well, and still in Kantas. I must assure you that the worries you so frequently voiced of 'Azuth willing, that flaming dunderhead will get himself killed’ are still far from being realized.
I write to you as I once again have been privy to some extraordinary sights, and this time – by an extraordinary stroke of luck. Some adventurers, whom I've never even met, saved the Kingdom of D’Avalon. In gratitude, the local king graciously invited a group of adventurers to join the celebrations. I was fortunate enough to end up among them and visit that magical place.
The teleportation took us from Portal Square right to the busy Cathedral in the center of a majestic city, covered with grey marble, very tastefully built. We were met by Lady Daliah – an imposing and brilliant lady, and what roughly equates to the Mistress of Ceremony here, although with a far more important role to play. One of my travelling companions, a dark elf gentleman of high nobility named Jaezred, was acquainted with the lady, and they engaged in a conversation. As I was free to take a look around.The Cathedral, which I was told 'guards the city', was buzzing with activity as everyone hurried to set up the celebrations. The amount of wizards there surprised me, as I've always thought the triumph preparation was a workman’s job. I was proven delightfully wrong.
After that, we were shown around the city by one of the king’s servants, a maître de called Thelius Coldwater. He is a striking-looking tiefling with royal blue skin and goat legs. Although a stylish black suit obscured the rest of his figure, as I was later to find out, the goat physiology doesn’t reach all the way up the thighs like it does in fawns. As a biology scholar, I did inquire quite thoroughly, but I will not bother you with details of my research.
We were escorted to the royal tailors and were gifted tailored attires fit for royalty. Wren, our young scout, got themselves a rather roguish-looking suit that could be used both for dancing at a ball and climbing the rooftops, as well as adorable garments for their pets. Cyclone, a fellow genasi, asked for a sparkling gold dress that put my hair to shame. Delilah, a half-elf, wore a black outfit with a cape, which I must say looked in equal parts stunning and menacing, quite matching the wearer. Jaezred asked for an ox-blood-suit and a white partial mask, both items contrasting lovely with his skin. I myself decided to go for a blue robe, as I believe befits a wizard. I added some feathers to the front and faux-eyes to the shoulders to add some semblance of a ceremonial look in line with our Zakharan customs. It is a magnificent garb with the only downside of it being, as I found out after owning it for some time, that it is quite cumbersome to take off in a hurry.
The celebration was as exuberant as our outfits. On the first day, there was a great light show. We joined the king and his entourage to observe it in the twilight. First, an aurora spread over the city, from the many towers of the cathedral to cover the entire sky. Then, a bell rung, and another, and a hundred more bells. Orbs of light, akin to guiding orbs, but much larger, flew from each tower, every orb making it at least a mile into the sky before exploding in a flurry of colors. The number of towers could hardly be counted even from our elevated position, and the orbs kept coming up and lighting the sky in flames of the most brilliant oranges, pinks and greens. But all that felt like little more than a Light cantrip when the largest orb flew from the main tower. It rose higher than others, and as it exploded, the aurora filled with moving figures: animals and people dancing across the ribbons of pearly shimmer in the night sky. It was a masterful work of illusion and, if I am not much mistaken, conjuration. I do hope some semblance of the spectacle can be organized by the College of Illusion, which I, by the way, is now happily an official member of.
The celebrations continued, with Wren getting royally hammered (quite literally, as few could claim having a king for a drinking partner). They were saved from alcohol poisoning by the king’s spouses who reigned (pardon my pun) their husband in. Jaezred spoke to the heirs apparent. Delilah found herself a worthy opponent in one of the security guards and was engaging him in what passes for a friendly argument among those more accustomed to violence than common scholars. Cyclone spoke to Madam Miriam, the most peaceful-looking aarakocra I’ve ever met, and yet, apparently, a fierce and distinguished warrior, and our host for the duration of our stay. I myself tried to stay away from the powerful of the world, as in my experience, getting too close to the sun drags all sorts of responsibilities and problems with it. I spent my time mingling with the crowd, and particularly with Thelius, who managed to attend to his duties and be a very engaging interlocutor.
The next day we attended a masquerade ball and danced our feet off. To be fair, it was an eventful trip, and I remember less of the ball than of other encounters. I must confess I was so overwhelmed by the experiences that I even needed a breath of fresh air away from the crowd. Thelius was obliging enough to escort me somewhere more private until I was quite recovered.
Upon my return, I have spent some time cataloguing my experiences with the Geography department. Just as my head was filled with light orbs, marblework and a certain blue-skinned tiefling, a red-skinned one entered the Academy and enquired after something connected to Madam Miriam. I was happy to discuss D’Avalon with anyone willing to listen, or indeed read up on that magical place, and ended up spending an entire week helping the gentleman, Faust, with his studies, the details of which I may relay to you another time. Right now, I need to hurry if I am to send a message back to D’Avalon, as I find myself already missing certain acquaintances I’ve made there. I hope I haven't tired you too much with my ramblings. Until next time!
Sincerest regards,
Glint, Adjunct Researcher of Unfortunate Biology and Locomotography at Saring Heights Academy.
