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dnd4adults · 1 month ago

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Tales of the Great Library

The Price of Beauty

The name Dragonsgate is deceptive, actually referring to a winding mountain pass through which the Wyrmsong River flows down, out of Drakhonia. It’s a rugged often narrow passage with sheer mountain walls on either side, sudden drops along its length, and always the roar of Wyrmsong. Dragonborn have long exploited the naturally defensible entrance to their country with scores of well-manned ambush points ready to assault land-based invaders. Actual dragons are frequently spotted over the pass, adding surveillance and defense by air.

At the lower end of the pass, Drakhonia maintains a trade community known in the Common Tongue simply as the Low Gate. Here again, there are no actual gates or even walls surrounding the community. It's shelter comes form rugger terrain and the wild. The greater concentration of community resides on either side of Wyrmsong’s rushing flow, with arched stone bridges for traffic passing back and forth across town. Isolated homesteads and towers spread outward for a mile around, however, equal in number to the central population.

GLORIEL WANDWEAVER (Wood Elf Sorcerer)

This is the friend Verdantorix mentioned. A elven sorceress of considerable skill, she's spent centuries acquiring discipline over her wild magic by crafting wands useful as arcane foci. She has a comfortable home and shop on the east side of community, including a teleportation circle inscribed in the workshop floor. Once each lunar month Gloriel makes “jaunts” to Alekhandir, selling wands she’s prepared for enchantment. She can activate the circle at any time, however, and is willing to do so as a favor for Verdantorix.

Indeed, when he a young dragonborn ranger, Verdantorix had an unfortunate encounter with a wild boar and barely made his way back to town alive. Gloriel found and took him in and nursed him back to health in secret, so other dragonborn wouldn’t witness his shame. Gloriel personally finds the idea perplexing, but could plainly see how much the notion troubled the ranger. They’ve been good friends for one another ever since.

If their need is urgent she's willing to activate the teleportation circle immediately. Insofar as she was already planning a trip in the morning, Gloriel asks the men if they wouldn't mind taking lodgings at an inn for the night, so she can complete her preparations. They're happy to oblige, of course -- provided Verdantorix allows them to pay for his drinks and lodging before the ranger makes his way into Dragonsgate and Drakhonia.

Low Gate

With the better part of an afternoon before them, five men (and Dorrik) scatter into the community, agreeing to reconvene at sundown, comparing notes on likely inns.

Sir Andros & Dorrik sell the iron bars, platinum filigree shield, and one filigree short sword. Andros keeps the other as a trophy weapon. Khazpar & Verdantorix sell the platinum filigree drinking horn, giving the dragonborn money to live on once in Drakhonia, as well as the dead centurion's armor and weapons. Khazpar retains the ominous Dread Helm for deeper consideration. Khazpar domnates half his income to a local shrine. Teddy & Hyram concentrate their efforts on the search for an inn. For Hyram, of course, it's a matter of professional pride, checking to see what others do with their cooking. For Teddy, however, it's been a long-hard slog through the wilderness, wholly lacking the creature comforts he'd taken for granted at the Great Library, and he wants a proper bath!

Sheth Ethorel ("House of the Restful Lily")

About a half-mile northwest of Low Gate's bustling town center, along a lesser stream making its way down from Drakhonia's heights, a delegation of high elves representing the Fey Court and Elven Nation established the semi-isolated refuge known as House of the Restful Lily. As the name implies, it's intended as a retreat from the Mortal Realm -- a slice of Faerie to which ambassadors and their retinues could retire following long deliberations with dragonborn politicians.

Ever since the Fall any need for ongoing diplomatic relations between the Elven Nation and Fey Court have long since ended, but the Fey Court retains its presence at Sheth Ethorel, opening their retreat for the enjoyment of others. It's never boisterous, crude, or ill-mannered here. It's quiet, wonder-filled, and other-worldly, rather like stepping into a waking dream. Gloriel recommends it, in fact, taking a fortnight's holiday at the "spa" every mid-winter.

The House of the Restful Lily does not occupy a crossroads into Faerie, however, nor any otherworldly realm for that matter. It was "grown" by the original high elf founders, making use of magic not unlike that of a Dark Shard. A fey fragment, however, is a living part of the Twilight Realm transplanted into the Mortal. As long as the fey fragment thrives, Sheth Ethorel remains a fey haven.

SYLVARIE (High Elf Cleric - Twilight Domain)

This lovely elf woman has been Mistress of the House for the better part of a century, so a fixture in Low Gate community known for her impeccable character and services. She never leaves House of the Restful Lily or its grounds, of course, as she's responsible for the fae fragment. Even so, she made an outstanding name for herself by greeting every visitor personally -- an enchanting introduction to an elvish spa-retreat, indeed!

Sylvarie's divine mistress is none less than elven love goddess Celene. In the Twilight Tradition, of course, she's associated with much more than sexuality, being a muse of artists and poets, and patron of relaxation, bathing, restorative rest, and sweet dreams of Faerie. As Mistress of the House Sylvarie is effective high priestess of the fae sanctuary, proudly maintaining its tradition as a place of rest, restoration, and repose for any who reach it.

SAETH (Half-elf Bard - College of Glamour)

Seath is originally from Celenaar, and participated in the Bloodless revolution fifty years ago, being all of seventy years of age. Given his multi-generational half-elven heritage, however, he looks little older than a mature thirty-five. Exceptionally charismatic, he discovered the the House of the Restful Lily twenty years ago, and struck a deal with Sylvarie. In exchange for bard services including appropriate musical entertainment, and assistance managing practical operations for the retreat, Saeth makes Seth Ethorel his home and avails himself freely of any patrons who'll have him.

HERMEXES (Dragonborn Sorcerer)

As luck would have it, also enjoying the luxuries of the retreat is an old acquaintance of Verdantorix. If not so "beefy" as the ranger, Hermexes is nevertheless tall and powerfully built, with a decided look of the Golden Desert in his attire. In fact, he's something of a scholar on its geography and cultures -- not affiliated with the Great Library, however. Hermexes prefers Drakhonia. He is traveling to Alekhandir and the Great Library, even so, to consult on some desert expedition being organized.

A Taste of Faerie

This pair of them aren't the only dragonborn in the house, not this close to Drakhonia. The old friends soon reunite, are introrduced all around, but fall into conversation and join a hot pool occupied by a pair of bronze dragonborn women; twin sisters, apparently.

Andros meanwhile orders up one of everything, beginning with the baths followed sensual massage, both for himself and Dorrik.

Teddy's all about bath, as well, but passes on the sensual massage, along with Hyram, who's wracking his brains for the perfect message to send winging back with Lenore.

Khazpaar bathes as well but also spends time in conversation with Sylvarie, offering his services to her Twilight Mistress. The priestess replies this is a place of rest from toil, so the only service he may provide is setting aside his burdens for so long as he remains.

The longer one lingers in the House of the Restful Lily, however, the more its fae essence has opportunity to take effect. Like a slow-building intoxicant, visitors find themselves steadily more relaxed, social, and unburdened of woe and troubles. The source isn't just the pool springs, but everything influenced by the fae shard, including the food, structures, and the very air within them.

Feeling merely intoxicated, those influenced by the effect find themselves living wholly in the moment, with no recollection of past troubles nor worry about the future. For elves this is a natural, even normal sensation, so they mostly feel nostalgic or "at home." Others, however, become enchanted by the playing musical instruments, the sight of starlight on rippling water, the smells of flowers, and so on. If not led away, for pleasant dreams in fragrant bowers, else they'd fall asleep where they are.

Lovers often seek Seth Ethorel to spend the night together, but it's hardly the hedonistic brothel of Pandaemonium. Lovers often arrive together but are thy are very seldom made here, and acts of passion become far less important than devoted gazing and embraces.

Teddy: I have fallen in love with you, mudar-sadikh. Khazpaar: (Sighs.) That is to be expected. Teddy: Is it wrong? Khazpaar: No, ak-eshek. It means you are ready now for the next My Lady's mysteries -- and I had hoped to linger here with you.

Each morning before dawn, a gentle shower falls over the House of the Restful Lily and its grounds, softly scattering dreams and all sense of lingering intoxication. Guests awaken feeling rested and restored, their recollections of the night before happy yet hazy, like passing dreams. By light of dawn with a freshening rain just ended, there are trays of fresh fruit, mild cheese, and warm bread waiting, along with steaming pots of strong tea.

Verdantorix and Hermexes will return to Gloriel's shop with the company, as the blue dragonbon's headed to Alkehandir, as well. Verdantorix, as stated, will make his way up, into Drakhonia, convincing his people to renew their interest in the outer foothills.

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