Drift Cottage

Drift Cottage is a private property located within on the beach in Kraken's Fall.

This property was auctioned off during the first Duskruin in 2021. The property was purchased by Desorceri in Prime and Ashanor in Platinum. It is a permanent property with no monthly rent.

Location

[Kraken's Fall, Beach]
Ebbing and flowing, the lapping waves darken the glistening sands as they soak the edges of a beach dotted with bamboo torches. Rough stone stairs rise to the northwest providing access to the road above, each smooth stone step cut directly into the cliff face, which gradually descends into dunes to the southeast. Set back from the water, an enormous circular pedestal supports a large dolphin statue that casts its shadow upon a stone-lined angular archway built into the bluff. You also see a pebble-lined path.
Obvious exits: southeast

Front Yard

[Drift Cottage, Pathway]
Harbored within silver-kissed sea holly and tall, blue-green seagrass, a tiny bungalow fashioned of white-washed grey driftwood glitters in the sunlight. Sanded planks of pine traverse the distance between the beach and front door, while yellow-eyed fleabane and tangles of delicate sea lavender blossom around the support posts. A thin stream dips beneath the wooden walkway, its salty water feeding into a tidal pool with rhythmic abandon. Hugging the northeastern curve of the bungalow, a pearly white shell-lined pathway ending at an iron gate disappears into the structure's shadow.
Obvious exits: out

>look sea

You see a sprig of delicate sea lavender.

>get sea

You pinch off a bit of sea lavender off from the tangle that grows along the pathway.

>look other sea

You see a purple silver-kissed sea holly.

>get other sea

You gingerly pluck a purple silver-kissed sea holly from its home amid the blue-green seagrass.

>look bungalow

White-washed planks of grey driftwood form the walls and slanted roof of the tiny bungalow. Seaglass windchimes in red, blue, and brown hang in front of a wide-open window flanked by cream-hued shutters, while a drawn curtain of sailcloth can be glimpsed just beyond. A slanted greyish door with bright copper hinges is hung at a jaunty angle to the right of the window.

>look at pool

Bits of mica are scattered across the bottom of the tidal pool, the flecks of mineral winking in and out of the sunlight as the ebb and flow of the feeding stream rises and falls. Tiny hermit crabs scuttle about amid the discarded rocks, while minnows in groups of three and four dart to and fro. A small earthenware bowl of shredded chicken floats in the water.

>look in bowl

In the earthenware bowl:

Special [1]: a pile of shredded chicken

>get chicken

Pulling a bit of shredded chicken out of a small earthenware bowl, you work it between your forefinger and thumb until thin skeins of it fall into a nearby tidal pool. Tiny hermit crabs scuttle towards the offered meat, snatching it with their pincers while silvery minnows swim in their periphery to catch any discarded bits.

Back Yard (Earth Node)

[Drift Cottage, Backyard]
Perfectly manicured and vibrant green, a small lawn of dense centipede grass stretches from a driftwood bungalow to a short picket fence fashioned of narrow white slats. Departing from the shadows at the eastern edge of the bungalow is a pearly white shell-lined pathway ending at an iron gate that forks to connect a red teak and silver birch stable at one end and a pale silver driftwood door at the other. A small patio of glazed terracotta tiles offers a place to relax, the many bright white lounge chairs scattered upon it forming a loose circle around a tidy firepit.
Obvious exits: up

>sit chair

You settle yourself on the white lounge chair for a moment's rest.

>look firepit

You see a neatly laid-out pile of wood and tinder awaiting only the application of flame to come to life. Nearby is a pile of dried sticks ready to be used to light the fire or to keep it burning.

>get stick

You just grabbed yourself a wooden stick.

>rub stick

You break the stick into pieces and toss them into the waiting firepit.

>rub stick

You break the stick into pieces and begin to rub two of them together until you spy a wisp of fire. Carefully placing them in the firepit, you blow on the newborn flame until it can sustain its own life.

>put stick in fire

You toss the wood onto the fire and watch the flames rise higher as they feed on the fuel.

Fire Messaging

The fire sings its age-old song of home and hearth and protection as you gaze into the comforting blaze.

The flames glimmer, red and scarlet, orange and yellow.  The colors warm the surroundings and bring a cheerful glow to all things.

Now and again, some resin hidden in the wood is ignited by the flames, and the fire snaps and crackles loudly.  The sweet smell of the resin permeates the air and fills your nostrils.

Gazing into the flames, your mind wanders.  You relive old adventures and battles and plan greater triumphs yet to be.  It is pleasant to sit here and dream by the fire.  Perhaps you will conquer the world tomorrow, or another day.  There is always a tomorrow.  But for now, the fire lulls you warmly.

Sparks shoot up from the flames to dance in the hot air above the fire.  They glow brightly for a time and then slowly burn up and fly away as ash on the wind.  You feel this is a commentary on life itself, and it saddens you for a moment.

The fire crackles and the flames jump as a warm glow settles in on you.

A log crashes and falls over into the fire.  The flames grow upon it slowly, like roses awakening, until the whole log is aglow with a garden of embers.

The fire brings a welcome warmth that seems to soak into your very bones and makes you feel relaxed.

The fire begins to die down somewhat, the flames retreating, and the embers shifting colors as they cool.

The fire is almost burned out now.  Faint ghosts of flame flicker about the few remaining fragments of wood, and even the embers sulk, their red glow barely noticeable.

The fire has almost died away, only a few flames totter about like old men seeking the youth they have lost.

The fire goes quietly out.  Small sounds come from the remaining bits of wood as they begin to cool off.  A last wisp of smoke rises to signal surrender to the forces of nature.

Ambient Room Scripts

Day Messaging

Tugged free by the ocean-borne breeze, an emerald green palm frond tumbles through the air before alighting on the mica-infused beach.

Sand pipers and gulls vie for dominance as they caw or peep at the passing clouds.

Framed by enormous off-white ears, the tiny face of a dune mouse pops briefly into view before disappearing once more.

Rhythmic as a heartbeat, the distant sound of the tide meeting the shore echoes through the air.

High overhead, puffy white clouds drift across the sky.

Drifting in and out of sight, a lone puffin prowls the sky and calls out to any that will listen.

Lone and piteous, the cry of a gull drifts down from above.

Bejeweled beetles, iridescent blue and green in color, flit about the patio as they investigate the tiles and fixtures.

Soft and melodic, the gentle tug of a light zephyr sends windchimes and sails throughout the island to dancing and singing.

Night Messaging

Alien sounds drift in from the ocean, creating a soft music that is bittersweet and slightly enervating.

Drifting up from the surrounding caterpillar grasses, fireflies wink in and out as their lights match the steady pulsing of the distant tide.

The sound of a furious feline, accompanied by wild splashing, fills the air.  Moments later, a half-drowned alley cat scampers past clutching a still flopping fish in his teeth.

Crickets and cicadas vie for dominance as they sing their nightly serenade.

Bumbling over the words of an old shanty, and mangling it terribly, the discordant sound of a drunken sailor echoes through the nearby dunes that surround the bungalow.

Main Room, Cottage

[Drift Cottage]
Wheat-hued rattan woven into a herringbone pattern stretches across the ceiling and is supported by bright white pillars of pine. Conical-shaped fishing baskets hang upon the pale green walls, the bottles within reflect the sunlight in prismatic patterns about the space. Plump floor cushions of beige and cream encircle a wood-framed low square table at the heart of the grass-green bamboo floor. A thin sheet of linen opposite a slanted greyish door provides a modicum of privacy for the bedroom beyond.
Obvious exits: northeast, out

>sit cush

You settle yourself on the cream floor cushion for a moment's rest.

>look on table

There is nothing on the table.

>inspect table

You estimate that a wood-framed low square table cannot store anything inside of it at all. It also appears that a fairly small amount can be stored on the table.

Bedroom, Cottage

[Drift Cottage, Bedroom]
Wide, glassless windows wreathe the semi-circular room filling it with golden sunlight and gentle seaborne breezes that cool the heat of the day. Anchored to the conical ceiling, fine bug netting encircles a four-poster white birch bed draped in silky beige sheets and a down-filled chocolate brown comforter, while an ornate and carved mahogany armoire rests against the southern wall near a thin sheet of linen that leads to the cottage's commons.
Obvious paths: none

>lay bed

You climb onto the white birch bed for a good rest.

>pull comforter

You grasp the comforter tightly, pulling it up to your neck.

>push comforter

You push the comforter off you.

>inspect armoire

You estimate that an ornate and carved mahogany armoire can store a huge amount with enough space for any number of items.

Kitchen, Cottage

[Drift Cottage, Kitchen]
Flanked by windows in the eastern and western walls, the remaining wall is dominated by low cabinets, high shelves, and a sturdy rhimar-lined cupboard. Piping in one corner allows smoke from a pot-bellied stove to exit the bungalow, while an oversized soapstone basin beside it is fed by exterior pipes that conveniently draw water into its deep recesses. A butcher block table surrounded by tall stools sits in the center of the room. You also see a pale silver driftwood door and a refurbished silver wood bin.
Obvious exits: southwest

>look in cupboard

In the rhimar-lined cupboard:

Containers [6]: a handcarved wooden salad bowl, a ceramic ice cream tub, a large tightly covered dish, a cut crystal wine decanter, a large serving platter holding an enormous glazed salmon, a pot-bellied glass carafe

Total items: 6

>get bowl

Extracting a small plate from a nearby shelf, you open a sturdy rhimar-lined cupboard and use the tongs by the bowl to serve yourself some salad.

>eat salad

You take a bite of your spinach salad. A zesty mint sauce lightly coats the salad, cleverly sharing the limelight with the apricot and goat cheese in the dish.

You take a bite of your spinach salad. The spinach leaves are enhanced by the goat cheese, apricots, chick peas, and carrots that are mixed into the salad.

>get tub

Grabbing a small scoop hanging from the tub, you fill a small dish with pomegranate ice cream.

>eat ice

You take a bite of your pomegranate ice cream. Delicate, yet rich, the sweet flavors of the vanilla ice cream are mild and enticing. Bursting with flavor, the pomegranate seeds that are laced through the delicate concoction create a lively experience for the palate.

You take a bite of your pomegranate ice cream. Tart pomegranate flavoring assails your taste buds, only to be quickly tempered by the creamy sweetness of the vanilla ice cream.

>get dish

Pulling a small porcelain bowl from a nearby cupboard, you scoop up some granola from a large tightly covered dish in the cupboard.

>eat gran

You take a bite of your small bowl of granola. The salt of the nuts blends pleasantly with the sweetness of the dried fruit.

You take a bite of your small bowl of granola. Fragments of dried peaches, apples, and cherries give a sweet, zesty zing to the energizing granola.

>get decan

With practiced efficiency, you grab a crystal glass from a cabinet, filling it with white wine from the decanter in the cupboard.

>drink wine

You take a drink from your glass of white wine. Hints of ripe raspberries enliven the dry body of this wine.

You take a drink from your glass of white wine. The taste is charming, with a summery lightness and a touch of sparkle.

>get platter

You expertly slice a thin filet of glazed salmon from the platter.

>eat salmon

You take a bite of your glazed salmon. The grilled salmon's flavors course across your palate as each bite breaks into the light and flaky texture. Permeating your nose are the subtle flavors of the wood used in its grilling mingling with the delicate sweetness of the mango glaze.

You take a bite of your glazed salmon. Fruity and slightly sweet, the mango glaze that accents the salmon is heightened by the delectable flavor of char from the grill.

>get cara

Taking a tumbler from one of the nearby shelves, you move to a sturdy rhimar-lined cupboard and glance inside it for a long moment, letting the cool air out. You finally decide to take a pot-bellied glass carafe and pour yourself some fresh orange juice. Returning the carafe, you close the cupboard.

>drink juice

You take a drink from your fresh orange juice. Strong fruit flavors are balanced with subtle floral notes that tease your palette.

You take a drink from your fresh orange juice. Lightly sweet and intensely fruity, the complex tannic structure of the fresh orange juice carries with it subtle earthy notes and a hint of citrus.

>look on stove

On the pot-bellied stove:

Containers [2]: a silver coffee pot, a wide cast iron skillet

>get pot

You get a mug off a shelf, pouring yourself a cup of hot coffee from the pot on the stove.

>drink coffee

You take a drink from your steaming hot coffee. Smooth, savory, and robustly invigorating.

You take a drink from your steaming hot coffee. Dark, powerful, and confident, but of so high a quality that it is not truly bitter.

>get skillet

Moving the skillet into the center of the stove, you pull a bowl of batter out of a sturdy rhimar-lined cupboard and quickly stir it with a spoon. Content with the consistency, you spoon it into the sizzling skillet and return the bowl to the cupboard. You flip the now thick pancakes once before laying them on a newly claimed plate from one of the high shelves and move the skillet to the side of the stove.

>eat pancake

You take a bite of your thick pancakes. Warm maple syrup has imbued the pancakes with a sweet foil to the otherwise bland texture.

You take a bite of your thick pancakes. Thick and almost cake-like, the pancakes are soaked through with a warm maple syrup that has a buttery after-finish.

>l on table

There is nothing on the table.

>inspect table

You estimate that a butcher block table cannot store anything inside of it at all. It also appears that a medium amount can be stored on the table.

>sit stool

You settle yourself on the oak stool for a moment's rest.

Stable

[Drift Cottage, Stable]
Silver-hued driftwood planks form the finished facing of the stable's walls, while thick ship ribs provide structural support. Lanterns are bolted to the inverted keel at even intervals, the bright illumination dispelling shadows and highlighting a tidily swept birch floor. Tacked to a central post is a crisp vellum chore list outlining the duties of any proper horse owner, the lone lantern above it shedding light upon the east-facing door just beyond.
Obvious exits: out

>look list

There appears to be something written on it.

>read list

In the Common language, it reads:

o ------------------------- o

| Every Morning |

| CLEAN and ATTEND |

| to the rack, pail, and |

| bedding in each stall |

| and enclosure. |

o ------------------------- o

[Desorceri's Stall]
Alder shavings, rye and barley sheafs, and coarse oat straw create a layer of clean straw bedding on one side of the stall. Closer to the door, a whitewashed oak slatted hay rack is affixed to the wall above a rusty iron pail that is filled with clean water. A pair of brass-sided lanterns decorate the posts to either side of the entry, their faces cut to resemble a bevy of stars. You also see a sinewy ochre fringe-toed yierka.
Obvious exits: out