#black crafter delegation is up!

[bklynmusicnerd]

Surprise T'Kor HoH era, with an opportunity for her to further increase her social capital in the house and dead the floater allegations, is pretty much everything I wanted, so I'm good over here!

[tact-and-impulse]

Shinkane Week 2021 Day 6

A crossover with the light novel series Sugar Apple Fairytale! The first 2 volumes were already translated but I hope someday that it’ll be picked up again or licensed.

Fairytale

Initially, he thought he could take advantage of her naïveté. She was obviously a traveler, alone and with wide eyes surveying the surroundings. And in need of a warrior fairy like himself, for protection on the road. After all, that was why she bought him.

His left wing, long separated from the rest of his body, was now in her possession, and he braced himself for the inevitable squeezing, for his will to be bent to her liking. But she never did. Instead, she offered her other hand, like he was another human.

“I’m Akane. Nice to meet you.”

“…Hello.”

“Do you have a name?”

“Call me whatever you like. You’re my owner.”

She frowned. “Don’t fairies have names?”

“We do, but people don’t really care.”

“I care.” She looked terribly earnest. She really was on her first trip away from whatever small town she hailed from.

“‘Kougami’ is fine.” A part of his full name would do.

“Alright, Kougami-san.” She smiled, and he dragged his stare to the gray sheen of his wing, to remind himself that he was under her control.

***

His new owner was far too defenseless.

As their wagon headed for the capital city, she tried to ward off the silence with conversation. She had been trained in sugarcraft by her late grandmother and this was her first competition. Silver sugar was blessed by the gods, but also inherently difficult to work with. With her skills, she hoped to do well enough to be promoted.

“Not to win the grand prize?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

“As long as I make something that only I could have, something that I’m proud of, even years from now, I’ll be happy enough. And I’ll give you your wing back, once we get there.”

“Sure, you will. Until you decide you like having someone follow all your orders and don’t want to release me.” It had happened before, multiple times.

“I’m not changing my mind, Kougami-san. And I won’t give you an order either. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Then, why don’t you hand over my wing now?” There was a flicker of hesitation, and he leaned back, his suspicions confirmed. Despite her doe eyes, she was just like the others. “As I thought.”

Unable to reply, she focused on driving the horses. It was supposed to be a scenic road. Then, in his periphery, he spotted four silhouettes on their own mounts, deliberately swerving towards them.

“We have company.” He warned her. “Probably heard crafters like you would be traveling this way.”

Akane snapped the reins, but with the sugar-laden wagon, they could only travel so fast. She glanced behind. “Are they armed?”

“Looks like it.” His elbow nudged her side. “Order me.”

“What?!”

“I can’t do anything unless you give me an order. Go ahead, twist my wing.”

“I won’t do that. I said I wouldn’t.” Stubborn, even when her life was at stake. The horses continued on, but their pursuers were catching up. Their rough, weather-worn faces slowly became visible.

“If you won’t, then we may not make it to your destination.”

The bandits rode closer. Their eyes traveled hungrily, not only upon the sugar barrels, but his owner as well.

Finally, she relented. “I’m not ordering you, I’m asking you to protect me.”

“Close enough.” Flaring out his right wing, he jumped off. He summoned his sword, black and electric blue, and went to work. Too easily, the enemies were rendered to crimson smears. It wasn’t much of a fight, but after so long, his skin was buzzing. The thrill of battle. He almost missed the wagon turning around.

“…stop…”

But her voice was too far away.

“I said, stop!”

And she must have twisted his wing because he spasmed and fell to the blood-soaked ground.

***

When he came to, he was curled on his side, and Akane was leaning over him.

“You’re awake! Thank goodness. Here, drink this.” She held a cup to his mouth, and he tentatively sipped. Coffee, but the sweetness was refined silver sugar. At the taste, it was as if a moonbeam was cast upon him, closing his wounds and rejuvenating with pure divine essence.

“…You didn’t leave me behind.”

“I wouldn’t have. I still have something that’s yours.”

In another life, he might have accused her of eating too much of her own supplies. But he looked directly at her, saying. “I feel better. You still have enough to compete?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be alright.”

They reached the capital by noon, and once they passed the main gate, she held out his wing. “Thank you so much, Kougami-san. I wouldn’t have made it here without you.”

He eyed her. “You’re really giving it back?”

“I meant what I said.”

He reached for his wing, afraid she’d pull away, but at the gossamer feel, energy surged through him. It glowed and flew to his back, fitting in its rightful place. After years of forced servitude, he was finally free. He slid off the wagon, stretching as he hadn’t in a long time. He felt like he could take a deep breath. “Thanks.”

She beamed and pressed a wrapped handkerchief into his hands. “Before I go, this is just a little gift from me. I wish you well.” Then, she bowed and headed further into the city.

After he watched her disappear, he opened the fabric. Sparkling in the midday light, there was a tiny silver sugar wolf. Its ears were bent towards a sound only it could hear; the paws were poised in mid-step, the tail in a perfect curl.

“Damn it.” Pocketing the sculpture, he followed the signs to the competition, but the area was closed to participants only. Public viewing would be at dusk, with final judging at the end of the hour. Reluctantly, he left but even before the sun went down, he was loitering outside.

His intuition told him what her handiwork was, a spiraling arrangement of delicate flowers and leaves, studded with dewdrops. It reminded him of his early days of existence in the wildwoods, oddly nostalgic. However, the adjacent sculpture was very similar. Had the crafter cheated? The promotions were announced first, and he spotted her, flushed with joy as her name was called. In her wake, there was another girl, with long black hair and cold eyes. Then, the prizes were delegated but at the first runner-up, there was a snag. Two sculptures had caught the judges’ eyes, but there could only be one winner, who would be granted permission to tour the country and learn from the other masters to hone their craft. A tiebreaker round would decide the victor.

There might have been trepidation in the other girl’s face, but Akane shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve used up my supplies.” An automatic forfeit. But he didn’t want her to stop here, she deserved more. And he was partially responsible for the decrease.

He gritted his teeth and stepped forward. “Not all of it.” Ignoring the stunned looks of the crowd, he held up the sugar wolf. “You made this for me. You can break it down and recreate it. With your skills, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Her lips parted, surprised at his presence, but she determinedly took back the sculpture. “I can.”

The girls were given fifteen minutes, which seemed to drag on. The other had copied the wolf with great detail given that she’d only seen it once, but Akane had altered hers. Instead, it was leaping, balanced on one front foot and with a prouder demeanor than before. The judges’ eyes didn’t betray them, and Akane was rightfully declared this year’s master sugarcrafter, as the other girl was dragged away by officials. The extra round had been twofold, to uncover foul play too.

As the city descended into celebration, he hung in the growing shadows, but she still found him. “Kougami-san! Thank you, for helping me.”

“It would’ve been a shame if your hard work was put to waste.” He evasively replied. “Are you still planning to go home?”

“That was what I first thought, but…” She was thoughtful. “I wonder if there’s more I can learn, if I visit other sugarcrafting workshops.”

“Then, go. You can send a letter home and continue your journey.”

“What about you? I thought you would have left already. You’re free, you don’t have to follow humans’ orders anymore.”

“No, but I can do what I like. And right now, I think I’d like to see other sugarcrafting workshops.” At his answer, her smile was radiant.

In the morning, they bought fresh supplies and filled the sugar barrels. Settling into the wagon, he took the reins as she began sketching new ideas for sculptures. And so, they traveled on, past the horizon’s edge.

[bigfan-fanfic]

Windron (or Val d’Espoir)

Thanks to everyone who helped me decide on a city plan! History of the city and the layout description below!

Windron

History

In granting Lord Inquisitor Tash Adaar his own dukedom in the form of the Ylenn Basin, the Council of Heralds (and, indeed, Celene Valmont, Gaspard de Chalons, and Briala of the Dales) only really gave their approval in appointing the first Qunari nobleman in Orlais in order to piggyback on the overwhelming popularity of the young Inquisitor and appease him so he would turn his gaze away from the Empire’s throne. They gave him the seat at Windron Citadel, a fortress in the Basin that eventually developed a small town around it. A fertile and prosperous place, Ylenn could bankroll the Inquisition on its own. “Let that satisfy the little ox,” they thought.

How misguided they were. 

Working with Ambassador Montilyet, Tash negotiated his rights to rule all of Ylenn Basin as he pleased, within the legislation of the Empire, of course. As Celene, Gaspard, and Briala had kept secret their defeat in the Game at the hands of the young Inquisitor, the Council of Heralds underestimated Tash and gave him written confirmation of his right to rule as he saw fit. 

Tash proceeded to impose his own style and ideology on the city of Windron, which was alternately known as Val d’Espoir, and eventually over all of Ylenn Basin. And any time any noble was foolish or daring enough to complain, Tash or his network of allied nobles would flaunt his charter signed by all twelve of the Council of Heralds at them. 

It was the first region in Orlais to have no alienages, for elves and all non-humans were provided the same rights as human citizens. Ylenn became a haven not only for elves, but for Tal-Vashoth and Vashoth refugees, surface dwarves, and mages. 

The refugees led by the Marquis de Serault took sanctuary in Windron, and Lord Basile de Serault was appointed chatelaine of the city. His sister Sylvie rode through town with a squadron of fighters of all races to defend the region from bandits. In addition, the Valo-Kas have a standing appointment as an occasional supplemental police force, as well as the Bull’s Chargers and the Sutherland Adventuring Company.

Though some flocked to the Divine’s new College of Enchanters, and some to Madame Vivienne’s New Circles, many mages traveled to Windron to gain sanctuary and found their talents were valued by their neighbors. A combination of Serualt glassmakers and free mages were able to recreate the ancient Towers of Light, providing the city with it’s signature glow. These towers sit atop the existing towers on the city’s battlements and shine in a beautiful display when the sun refract light through them, and at night, when mages are utilized to light mage lights.

Tash also offered Windron to Cullen Rutherford as a place where retired Templars needing rehabilitation or residence after getting off of lyrium could live in peace.

In honor of Duke Tash, who brought so many their freedom and created a prosperous and safe haven for all peoples, Ylenn Basin holds three day Carnival of Light each year at the end of the harvest. Those in the hamlets and villages of Ylenn Basin send up paper lanterns (inscribed with a special magical rune) into the air with messages of encouragement and love attached to them and watch them travel through the night sky. Guided by magic, the lantern makes its way to someone else in Ylenn, and they take the message and are blessed by its message for the year.

Layout

1. The Farmer’s District, formerly Catgate, now known as the Golden Ring. A rural district of small huts and scattered buildings where many of Ylenn’s farmers come to trade crops and techniques come harvest time. Also where many elves who have left other cities come to reside. Most residents leave to the nearby fields to farm. The name comes from the ring of golden magic lights that shines at the perimeter of the district, creating a magical barrier during times of distress. Dalish clans often send delegations of aravels to Windron that stay in the Golden Ring during the duration of their visit, in an area now known as the Aravel Park, a well-tended glade of trees where halla are known to graze and are protected from hunting by city law.

2. Noble Residential District, formerly the Old District, now the Lightsquare neighborhood. This district was left nearly abandoned as outraged Orlesian nobles left en masse in protest of not only their new horned ruler but his policies. Which gave Tash the opportunity to provide sturdy and accommodating housing for refugees, allowing elves and Tal-Vashoth to live in the fancy mansions and gilded houses. Lightsquare is known for its group housing, in which multiple families, oftentimes of different races, live in and care for their shared large house. The entire area is lit up by a soft glow, from lights that wrap around the trees, flicker on the fountains, and float past open windows.

3. Military Barracks and Mage Tower District, formerly the Castle Ward, now Knights’ Water. The most fortified of the districts, Knights’ Water provides numerous modest homes for the city’s knights and guards. There are also homes for displaced mages, and a mage tower where there is a thriving home for magical learning and experimentation independent of the Circle or College. The mage tower, known as the Obelisk, provides the main decorative feature of Knights’ Water: an eternal waterfall down the walls of the tower, the lights within refracting pleasantly in the square.

4. Peasant and Main District, The Valley.So named for the dip in elevation, the Valley is home to more traditional peasant dwellings. The citizens are mostly those who did not leave Windron, mainly the lower-class Orlesians who were already oppressed by the departing nobles. Enjoying the prosperity brought to them by Duke Tash, they accept his radical new ideology. The Valley is unique in Windron as being the only place where any overtly Andrastian iconography is found, as well as the only Chantry buildings within the city walls. The Valley boasts the greatest number of seedy inns and taverns, and is where the black market resides. The Valley is the least-altered area of the city by Tash, the only major change being the floating lanterns that glide along the streets to light the way.

5. The Artisan’s District, Bright Well neighborhood. Oddly for a town of this size, the guildhalls are all placed outside the city walls. Most of the refugees from Serault also gathered to live in this district, building houses to accommodate themselves. Serault glassmaking has found a new home in Bright Well, along with many surface dwarf artisans, former Qunari smiths, and elf crafters both Dalish and otherwise. A new tradition of crafting and smithing has formed that combines the techniques of all races which comes to be known as the Windron style.

6. Windron Citadel, or Palais du Petit Dragon, Seat of Duke Tash. The towers in the walls around the citadel provide soft illumination to the exterior of the palace during the night hours. The inside is an eclectic mix of decoration from every culture in Thedas that somehow fits together quite nicely, and is also lit well in the same manner as Tash’s Skyhold. The walls are hung with soft blue banners with his personal crest on them.

[officialleehadan]

Glass Shadow

As Meira sat beside her brothers in the small thrones beside the great one of her father, she looked at the delegation with curiosity.

The city-state of Glassbyrn was prosperous and the royal ambassadors of the far-away kingdoms of Sendhal had come to make trade alliances.

Most of the delegation was older men and women. Crafters and artisans, the official ambassodor was telling them, but Meira couldn’t tear her eyes from the last of the party.

He was tall and clad in a soft blue tunic and pants of silk. The silver detailing at the hems spoke of wealth, but it was the slim silver coronet that bound his dark hair that told him who he must be. The ambassador introduced him last, at odds with the usual hierarchy.

“You Majesty, please allow me to present Prince Anseraen, the second son of our king.”

Meira couldn’t help but lean forward as the prince, who looked only a little older than her eldest brother, came forward and bowed gracefully. His mother was an elf, if Meira remembered correctly and it showed in the way he moved and the fine features of his face. She had never seen so handsome a man.

The sight of the black bands around the biceps of both his arms made her breath catch for a different reason. They were the sign of a death, and likely one in his family.

But it was his eyes that held her, even though he hardly raised them from the floor and seemed to see almost nothing when he did. They were silver-grey, and carried the heavy sadness of one deep in mourning. Whomever he had lost, he bore it deeply.

“I welcome you to Glassbyrn, Prince Anseraen, and hope you will enjoy your stay here.” Her father told the young man, and glanced over to her, a question in his eyes. She nodded slightly, and received a small smile. She knew her father well, and would be pleased to be his hostess.

“My daughter, Meira, would be pleased to show you to your quarters.” Her father said as she stood and smoothed her skirts into place before walking forward to curtsey deeply

“Your Highness, my lords, if you would come with me.” She invited, only a little disappointed when the prince’s grey eyes remained distant, though he did give her a slight dip of the head, as was proper.

Now that she was closer to him, she could see the signs of one who was not well. His eyes were sunken and shadowed, and his clothes, though fine, hung loose on him as if he had recently lost a great deal of weight.

Perhaps the long travel by river had not been a good one, but more likely it was his grief. She heard tales that Elven-kin sometimes died from the illness that came to them with heavy loss.

“We’d be right pleased, Princess,” The ambassador accepted with a smile. She tried to remember his name. There were a lot of them and he had been the first introduction.

“And I would be pleased to show you the way, Lord Tikal.” She answered with a cheerful smile, and took the arm he offered. When she glanced up at her father, he winked, proud of her, as her brothers smiled.

The ambassador and his party walked with her through the stone hallways, and seemed delighted when she pointed out the various features of the palace. Not the least of which were the natural springs that fed the baths.

“Aye. That we’ll use as soon as we’re settled.” Tikal laughed. “We’ve been traveling long, and rationing water when we had to.”

Meira laughed with him, and tried not to glance back at the prince, who walked silently along behind them.

“The true wealth of Glassbyrn is our water” She promised the lord cheerfully. The baths of her city were legendary, and for good reason. Even the great kings of the north, and the river kingdoms could not boast the same tile-glazed magnificence. “It makes our city possible, here in the desert where the sand is best for our glassworks.”

“We saw the kilns as we came in,” one of the other men spoke up. Meira thought his name might be Ava. He was a glassworker from Lerith. “And the workshops. Might we be able to see them as well?”

“I would be most delighted to show you all the wonders of our city,” Meira told him. She loved the glass shops, and worked there whenever her duties allowed. “In a few days perhaps? I certainly understand if you would like a few days to rest from your long journey.”

Tikal looked at the other artisans who were nodding and smiling, albeit, tiredly.

“I think that would be just right, Princess,” he answered her politely, and not without a glance backwards towards his silent prince, who resembled nothing so much as a grey-edged ghost. “But you’re right about a few days to rest. It’s been a long journey from Leith.”

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Uncollected Fantasy:

Below the Fog

Glitter Bold

God-Touched Tide

Into the Darkness

Turn Me

Wolf Moon

Blood Moon

Hallowed Halls Memorial

A Kiss to Heal a Broken Heart

Cursebroken

Nothing but Trouble

Build a House of Paper

Unspoken Words

Imagine Reality (Patreon-Only)

Between Lives

Moon War

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