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<blockquote data-quote="Pacio49" data-source="post: 2129792" data-attributes="member: 28472"><p><strong>The Lillends' Quest</strong></p><p></p><p>The River of Stars flows from the mountains to the far southwest of Tol Vehara through a fertile, forested valley and eventually joins the Gold River, the eastward flowing long river that nearly splits the continent of Brace's northern half. The source of the river emerges in the midst of an ancient caldera whose northeastern rim has long since fallen away by the settling of the earth in ages past. The caldera is low, more of a hilly crater now, and the mineral deposits from the underground springs and tributary streams is rich in mica and quartz, as well as black basalt and pumice from long-eroded magma flows from when the caldera was an active volcano. The result of this is that for the length of the river the stones, sand, and silt are black or dark gray in color, with minute flecks of mica and crystal that sparkle in the slow-moving stretches of the river, and give the river its name.</p><p></p><p>The Lillends, three sisters and apparently not subject to the effects of the Taint, have taken up residence in the Caldera at the source of the River of Stars. Their love of beauty and art has led them, over the years, to turn the slopes of the caldera into a series of terraced gardens, rock pools with musical waterfalls and dripping pools, reflecting areas, flower gardens, meditation courtyards, and a small stage and seating against the back of the caldera wall where they stage dramatic performances and invite musical performers and travelers to display their skills against the natural ampitheater. It is an oasis of beauty wed in near-perfect harmony with the natural surroundings, so the transition from wild to sculpted is gradual, and the sense of relief and wonder build the closer to their home you approach.</p><p></p><p>The party made their way to the River of Stars and followed it to the source, taking an entire day and into the night hours. They arrived at the Caldera Gardens and found their path lit by phosphorescent stones and luminary candles in exquisite pottery leading them to the center, the Well of Stars, and a Haven in which the Lillends kept their cottage, built in the gnomish style, with walls that are thick at the base and taper to normal thickness at the top, with troughs and terraces cut into and added onto the buildings in order to allow for gardens and vines, vegetables and grasses to be grown <em>on</em> the buildings themselves, with rooftop gardens accessed by ladders from the inside or the occasional stairway molded into the wall's outer edge itself.</p><p></p><p>The party was greeted by the eldest of the Lillends, Ophellia. Her sisters, Cordellia and Serallia also came to welcome them, and bid them rest after their long journey. Over a late supper, Arien and Valar informed the Lillends that they had come to the Caldera Gardens because they wished to earn their trust and their vouch as agents of Goodness in the world so that they could be accepted as Residents in Karral's Tower. Ophellia nodded and mentioned that goodness was proven in deeds better than words, and told the party that if they wished her vouch they would have to earn it by performing a task.</p><p></p><p>Someone downriver was using their magic irresponsibly and <em>awaken</em>ing all sorts of animals. Serallia left and returned with a group of animals, some wearing clothing, others not. A brown bear, several foxes, a few sparrows, an oppossum, a dozen or so mice, and a river otter, all told. The bear introduced himself as Barnaby, and asked for the party's help. Apparently, someone came through the woods and cast <em>awaken</em> on him, and then left. Newly awakened, Barnaby found himself suddenly aware and without a clue in the world as to how or why, and how he was supposed to behave. Bearish life no longer suited him, but there were few other options. It caused, in his words, an existential quandry of staggering proportions. The other animals confessed stories similar to Barnaby's, though without the intellectual snobbery.</p><p></p><p>Ophellia said that slowly they began to discover these animals and take them in, help them adapt, and allow them the choices for their new lifestyle. Arien asked if she had issue with the <em>awaken</em> spell, since someday she would be able to use it. Ophellia responded that so long as it was used responsibly, she didn't much mind since it was a matter of conscience and she would not interfere in the conscience of another unless it caused problems, and this was becoming a problem. More and more animals were finding their way to the Caldera gardens, and while most decided to stay, it was a burden that the animals had neither asked for nor been helped to deal with.</p><p></p><p>Ophellia thought that the most likely person to inquire after would be the Druidess Martha, currently living in a bend in the riverbanks 2 days downriver along the river's eastern bank. Martha, she said, maintained a colony of Shocker Lizards, and she was the only one that Ophellia knew who had the power to use <em>awaken</em>. If they checked with her, they needed to stop the indiscriminate use of the power, by the most peaceful means necessary since Martha professed a belief in goodness, or eliminate her as the most likely candidate and begin their search from there. Once the party solved the problem of the <em>awakening</em> animals, they would demonstrate their goodness of heart and the vouch would be theirs. The party rested, content to set out in the morning.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Pacio49, post: 2129792, member: 28472"] [b]The Lillends' Quest[/b] The River of Stars flows from the mountains to the far southwest of Tol Vehara through a fertile, forested valley and eventually joins the Gold River, the eastward flowing long river that nearly splits the continent of Brace's northern half. The source of the river emerges in the midst of an ancient caldera whose northeastern rim has long since fallen away by the settling of the earth in ages past. The caldera is low, more of a hilly crater now, and the mineral deposits from the underground springs and tributary streams is rich in mica and quartz, as well as black basalt and pumice from long-eroded magma flows from when the caldera was an active volcano. The result of this is that for the length of the river the stones, sand, and silt are black or dark gray in color, with minute flecks of mica and crystal that sparkle in the slow-moving stretches of the river, and give the river its name. The Lillends, three sisters and apparently not subject to the effects of the Taint, have taken up residence in the Caldera at the source of the River of Stars. Their love of beauty and art has led them, over the years, to turn the slopes of the caldera into a series of terraced gardens, rock pools with musical waterfalls and dripping pools, reflecting areas, flower gardens, meditation courtyards, and a small stage and seating against the back of the caldera wall where they stage dramatic performances and invite musical performers and travelers to display their skills against the natural ampitheater. It is an oasis of beauty wed in near-perfect harmony with the natural surroundings, so the transition from wild to sculpted is gradual, and the sense of relief and wonder build the closer to their home you approach. The party made their way to the River of Stars and followed it to the source, taking an entire day and into the night hours. They arrived at the Caldera Gardens and found their path lit by phosphorescent stones and luminary candles in exquisite pottery leading them to the center, the Well of Stars, and a Haven in which the Lillends kept their cottage, built in the gnomish style, with walls that are thick at the base and taper to normal thickness at the top, with troughs and terraces cut into and added onto the buildings in order to allow for gardens and vines, vegetables and grasses to be grown [i]on[/i] the buildings themselves, with rooftop gardens accessed by ladders from the inside or the occasional stairway molded into the wall's outer edge itself. The party was greeted by the eldest of the Lillends, Ophellia. Her sisters, Cordellia and Serallia also came to welcome them, and bid them rest after their long journey. Over a late supper, Arien and Valar informed the Lillends that they had come to the Caldera Gardens because they wished to earn their trust and their vouch as agents of Goodness in the world so that they could be accepted as Residents in Karral's Tower. Ophellia nodded and mentioned that goodness was proven in deeds better than words, and told the party that if they wished her vouch they would have to earn it by performing a task. Someone downriver was using their magic irresponsibly and [i]awaken[/i]ing all sorts of animals. Serallia left and returned with a group of animals, some wearing clothing, others not. A brown bear, several foxes, a few sparrows, an oppossum, a dozen or so mice, and a river otter, all told. The bear introduced himself as Barnaby, and asked for the party's help. Apparently, someone came through the woods and cast [i]awaken[/i] on him, and then left. Newly awakened, Barnaby found himself suddenly aware and without a clue in the world as to how or why, and how he was supposed to behave. Bearish life no longer suited him, but there were few other options. It caused, in his words, an existential quandry of staggering proportions. The other animals confessed stories similar to Barnaby's, though without the intellectual snobbery. Ophellia said that slowly they began to discover these animals and take them in, help them adapt, and allow them the choices for their new lifestyle. Arien asked if she had issue with the [i]awaken[/i] spell, since someday she would be able to use it. Ophellia responded that so long as it was used responsibly, she didn't much mind since it was a matter of conscience and she would not interfere in the conscience of another unless it caused problems, and this was becoming a problem. More and more animals were finding their way to the Caldera gardens, and while most decided to stay, it was a burden that the animals had neither asked for nor been helped to deal with. Ophellia thought that the most likely person to inquire after would be the Druidess Martha, currently living in a bend in the riverbanks 2 days downriver along the river's eastern bank. Martha, she said, maintained a colony of Shocker Lizards, and she was the only one that Ophellia knew who had the power to use [i]awaken[/i]. If they checked with her, they needed to stop the indiscriminate use of the power, by the most peaceful means necessary since Martha professed a belief in goodness, or eliminate her as the most likely candidate and begin their search from there. Once the party solved the problem of the [i]awakening[/i] animals, they would demonstrate their goodness of heart and the vouch would be theirs. The party rested, content to set out in the morning. [/QUOTE]
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