Lost Homeland

[Aereas]

Following the tour in complete silence Freylin is so busy noting every detail to mind that she doesn't even notice Alth talking to her. She followed every word the blacksmith and Alth said, and even heard Alth mention being speechless from knowledge. She just never put it together to mean her. She did consider talking to Varius about getting a better weapon but opted not to since he was eager to return and she didn't have the money for it.

As the tour continued they came across the unmarked house. Glancing around to make mental note of precisly where the house is she then looks at the tour guide and asks "Does this Laphen make more than just those 3 types of items? Also, do you know the circumstances as to why he chose the life of a hermit?

 

[Dog Moon]

"There are very few of that sort," Kiarra says, "And they tend to stay in the surrounding forest. Only rarely do they enter the city for supplies. Though it may be considered a more naturistic area, it is still too civilized for them.

"The Arboreal Guardians is the name of the group that consists of those the closest to nature. Who they really and what they really want are known only to them. When they come here, they do their business and leave. They speak to only those necessary to purchase their supplies. Several have tried to follow. Most return unsuccessful. Those few who are very persistent are thought to be killed. Of course there is never any proof of their deaths because of where they died - deep in the forest - so nothing can be done to convict their killers.

"As for Laphen, I have never heard of him creating anything but potions, scrolls, and wands. There are others with the capability of creating other magical items, but I will discuss them at a later part of the tour.

"Honestly," Kiarra says after a short pause, "I don't think anyone knows why he lives a hermetic lifestyle. He certainly must be wealthy. There are of course rumors" - by the look on her face, you can tell she doesn't believe them - "that Laphen changes during the night. Some say he becomes a derranged killer while others say he goes after little girls. If you've met Laphen, however, I don't think you would agree to such a thing either."

 

[Charberus]

Alth laughs, "It could be a rumor or it could be true. Who knows. I knew a wizard that was very fond of changing into different things, and then watching peoples reaction or just studying them. He was a very kind person, as long as you didn't mess with his experiments."

Sighing, "And then there was an *accident* where skitter here," pointing at skitter, whom sees where this conversation is going and rolls its eyes. "accidently killed the wizard in his changed form...which caused a magical backlash and turned him into what you see now."

So, I can understand some of the crazy rumors that people make for wizards, but I also never rule them out too.

 

[Aereas]

"I have found that at times the kindest of folk are the ones with the darkest secrets to hide. Almost as if thier generosity is in repentance of thier grisly past. However, I have not met this man so I shall make no claims on him until such a time."

OOC: I have nothing further to add at this point.

 

[Dog Moon]

Kiarra leads you through the row of natural houses. As she does, you notice the wall surrounding this Ward closing in. You pass through the boundary between the two Wards and the first thing you notice is the statuary and the carvings in the walls. Whereas before, they were pleasant versions of different races, they now contain many different sorts. They now range from peaceful and occasionally solemn to horrendous visages of those who could only have been tortured or brutally murdered.

"This is the truth about Manifest," Kiarra says quietly. "Not all who come here died peacefully. Considering the violence in the world, it is almost surprising that most of the people are not this terrifying.

"This is Phantom Hill, the Ward containing mostly Ghosts. They, more than anyone else, have recognized and accepted that victims of crimes come to Manifest as well as everyone else and though some would prefer to think only 'happy thoughts', few enough can in reality."

 

[Aereas]

Examining the statues with a mixed feeling of wonder and horror I can't help but ask "Do the souls that come here like this carry on a desire for vengeance and extract it upon the living visitors to thie realm?"

 

[Dog Moon]

"A few do," Kiarra says sadly. "Those who have become so angry at everything that they can only think of destruction. Fortunately, they very rarely make it inside the city, and there are several skilled adventurers who frequent the Dead Man Walking Inn who protect the people there. Trust me, anyone wildly dangerous is quickly dealt with."

 

[Dog Moon]

After a somber moment in silence, Kairra leads you to a building just inside the Phantom Hill Ward. Unlike all other buildings with the exception of those in the Forestview Ward, this building is made of lumber and is unique in that it contains no statues nearby and the walls are completely bare of any carvings or paintings on its side.

"This is Ren's Place," Kiarra tells you. "This is the most common ale house, but mainly because it is cheap, though the rundown feeling inside and the watered down ale give hints as to why it is cheap. It is a good place to find hired muscle though, if you don't have a lot of spend. There really isn't much more to say about this place.

"I wouldn't recommend coming here, but it has been added to the tour because there are enough people who ask for the cheapest tavern in Manifest. They are directed here. My fellow employees figured they might as well stop here to warn people away from it because of the numerous barfights that occur here, though some of the people actually become more interested in Ren's Place."

 

[Aereas]

Finding the lack of markings intriguing I ask "Do you know just why this place is kept so free of markings? The lack of them causes it to stand out far above the rest. Yet I get the idea there is more to it than just that"

 

[Dog Moon]

"Nothing quite so grand as you might think," is Kairra's answer. "Simply put, this was the first building in Manifest to be made of wood. Ren is...he thinks himself superior, unique. No one, not even Mrutvu, has a building made of wood. So what did he think to do? Build a house of wood. However, the addition of Forestview ruined that feeling for him. Now, he must suffice with having the only building without any architectural add-ons or carvings."