Echoes of Glimae'den (storyline)/2025-07-27 - Groundbreaking Ceremony (log)

[Cysaegir, Linsandrych Common]
Sunlight reflects on broken shards of glass littering the ground around a ramshackle cabin that is surrounded by rank weeds. Bursting through the floor and roof of the cabin is a twisted tree. Barely hanging on its last remaining hinge, a huge rusted lock is the only thing that is keeping the door from falling to the ground. Not far off, on a scorched piece of land, the bare trees beyond the shed look like fingers stripped to the bone. You also see a void black cat that is sitting, a wide fel-planked bridge and a hollowed stump.
Obvious paths: ne

You wander in.

Coroliss softly says, "They are often known for that, indeed."

Lissaya says, "Oh, he's not a cat. But he is known for it all the same."

Melyae wanders in after you.

Lissaya grins at Coroliss.

Coroliss softly says, "Oh fascinating. I shall have to inquire more, perhaps at another time."

Coroliss smiles.

You hoarsely say, "Ah, I see we have a... small crowd."

You ponder.

Coroliss waves to you.

You softly laugh, "For this momentous occasion..."

Coroliss softly says, "Words move as they move, much like water. Perhaps others will join us in time."

You hoarsely say, "I will give it a but before we begin, but I would hate to think any would miss out on my wonderful speech I spent weeks crafting."

Lissaya cocks her head at you.

Speaking softly to a void black cat, Coroliss says, "Now, little miss, please pay attention."

Speaking hoarsely to Lissaya, you ask, "What? You do not think I'd let the groundbreaking ceremony happen without some pomp and what not?"

You chuckle.

Coroliss softly says, "I do enjoy my pomp. Not enough pomp wandering the wilds."

Lissaya skeptically asks, "Weeks, though?"

Speaking softly to Lissaya, Coroliss says, "I mean, maybe not spent straight through practicing... unless..."

Coroliss ponders.

Speaking hoarsely to Lissaya, you say, "Perfection is the enemy of good, I think."

Lissaya adopts an agreeable expression.

Coroliss nods sympathetically to the black cat.

Speaking to Lissaya, Melyae mentions, "He practice in front of myself and my cousins."

Melyae adds, "A lot."

Lissaya gazes in amusement at Melyae.

Lissaya nods understandingly at Melyae.

You hoarsely wonder, "Administrator Zofiya must be running late, as well."

Coroliss leans against a hollowed stump.

Coroliss softly says, "Oh."

Coroliss squints at a hollowed stump.

Coroliss softly asks, "Here I was thinking this is a nice place to relax. But, once again, have I found myself next to a waste bin?"

Coroliss chuckles.

Speaking hoarsely to Coroliss, you say, "Yes, that is... a bit of a..."

Lissaya gives a sidelong glance at a hollowed stump.

Lissaya appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Coroliss softly says, "Well, perfect is indeed the enemy of the good."

Coroliss leans against a hollowed stump.

Speaking to Coroliss, Vaelani says, "I am not much a fan of how that was repurposed."

Coroliss nods sympathetically.

Coroliss softly asks, "I suppose not. But nature has a way of recycling its own garbage, so I appreciate... the endeavor?"

Coroliss shrugs.

Speaking to Coroliss, Melyae suggests, "Maybe a bath after this would be in order?"

Speaking softly to Melyae, Coroliss says, "Now there's an idea. Been a while since I've had a proper dip not in a creek or stream or somesuch."

Administrator Zofiya just arrived.

Coroliss nods at Zofiya.

Speaking hoarsely to Zofiya, you say, "Ah, welcome, Administrator. I was worried something may have held you up."

Zofiya nods.

Zofiya says, "Nysdael, so good to be back."

Lissaya says, "Fashionably late."

Lissaya nods once.

Melyae nods at Lissaya.

You hoarsely say, "Well, I will perhaps give it a little longer in case there is any other stragglers before I start my grand speech."

Zofiya says, "Just took me a moment getting off the island."

Coroliss softly says, "Pardon me."

Vaelani says, "I suspect the symposium may have tied several people up, as well."

Coroliss nods.

Lissaya nods in agreement.

Coroliss softly says, "Yes, I hear tell that's going on. But that's for another time, perhaps."

Imperatrix Lylia just arrived.

Lylia inclines her head.

Lissaya nods to Lylia in greeting.

Lylia smiles.

Coroliss nods at Lylia.

Speaking to Coroliss, Vaelani says, "I was only able to attend one discussion, and I was late to attend, that one, as is."

Speaking to Coroliss, Vaelani says, "But I did get a book which is nice."

Speaking softly to Vaelani, Coroliss says, "I am sure there will be notes I might could review."

Daijella bows her head slightly to you as she drops into a deep, respectful curtsy.

Nysdael steps forward with wings folded and eyes sweeping slowly across the gathered faces, and then past them to the decrepit cabin.

Coroliss glances at a decrepit cabin.

You slowly and deliberately empty your filled lungs.

Zofiya smiles at you.

Lissaya shifts her eyes to you.

You recite quietly:

   "My friends..."

Coroliss turns to face you.

Lylia nods appreciatively at Lissaya.

Nysdael pauses while glancing down, one hand brushing against a jagged shard at his feet.

Lylia turns to face you.

You recite hoarsely:

   "We do not gather today in a place that has healed."

Daijella turns an inquisitive ear toward you.

Nysdael turns slightly, nodding toward the decrepit cabin and the twisted tree rising through it.

Lissaya gazes thoughtfully at a decrepit cabin.

You recite introspectively:

   "We stand among broken glass, rusted iron, and weeds gone wild.  The wind still seems to carry the scent of ash.  The trees here are bare as bones, and the past -- whatever it was --  has not yet let go."

Speaking hoarsely to Melyae, you whisper aloud, "How am I doing so far?"

Lissaya appears to be struggling to keep a straight face.

Coroliss softly says, "Weeks, she said."

Coroliss coughs.

Melyae nods approvingly to you.

Daijella hums a sad little tune.

Lissaya begins chuckling at Coroliss!

You recite resolutely:

   "And that is why we are here."

Nysdael looks out over the crowd, lifting his chin slightly.

You recite reverently:

   "Long ago, this was a place of gathering.  A meeting house once stood where that twisted tree now bursts through the floor and roof.  But whatever was spoken here... has been swallowed by time."

Daijella gazes with interest at a decrepit cabin.

Lylia gazes with interest at a plaque.

Nysdael shifts his wings, unfolding them slightly in a slow stretch.

You recite understandingly:

   "We do not know what happened.  No tales remain to explain the silence.  But silence itself tells a kind of story, doesn't it?"

Daijella agrees with you.

Coroliss softly says, "So true."

Nysdael smiles, not with mirth, but with quiet resolve.

Coroliss pets a void black cat, which nuzzles his hand softly.

Zofiya says, "Very much so."

You recite hoarsely:

   "We come not because this place is ready, but because we are.  We come because we know what it means to rise from ruin.  Many of us have done it before.  I have."

Nysdael glances skyward, just for a moment, before continuing.

Lissaya tilts her head slightly, turning her attention to you. She regards you in a measured fashion, collecting her thoughts.

You recite remorsefully:

   "I remember another sky, and another world, and I remember what it is to start again with nothing but memory and breath."

Coroliss nods grimly.

Vaelani nods grimly.

Nysdael places his hand gently over his heart.

You recite hoarsely:

   "So I say this now, with certainty: even the earth that bears no words remembers what it has held."

Daijella manages a sad-eyed grin.

You recite proudly:

   "This new hall will not erase what was lost.  It cannot.  But it will give us space to honor the mystery, the silence, and whatever stories may one day rise from it."

Lissaya nods approvingly.

You recite humbly:

   "To those who were here -- whoever you were -- we feel your absence."

Coroliss gazes in wonder at his surroundings.

Nysdael turns slowly, making brief eye contact with those around him.

Daijella applauds.

You recite hoarsely:

   "To those who have waited -- we begin."

Nysdael reaches one hand down, brushing his fingers lightly over the earth, and picks up a small, nearby stone.

Zofiya smiles.

You recite hoarsely:

   "And to those not yet born -- may you walk this path and know it was built with care, and with courage."

Nysdael pauses, then straightens, his wings folding again with quiet finality.

You recite hoarsely:

   "Let this be the first stone."

Nysdael reverently places the stone before the cabin.

You recite confidently:

   "Let it not be the last."

Daijella beams, a happy tear sliding down her cheek!

You incline your head.

Speaking to Melyae, Vaelani whispers aloud, "Weeks, huh?"

Lissaya appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Speaking to Vaelani, Melyae mouths, "Weeks."

Lissaya applauds you politely.

You hoarsely say, "Now then... let's break into the cabin."

Lissaya gazes with interest at a decrepit cabin.

Zofiya says, "We are so pleased that those with a connection to the island will have another place here."

Coroliss softly says, "I hear much poetry on the road, in the wind and waves, stars and sky. An admirable tale. I am pleased to not be missing it. Especially now that we're breaking into something."

Coroliss leans on his cane.

Lylia gazes in amusement at Coroliss.

<cue people working on pulling and prying the door open>

Coroliss flashes Lylia a toothy grin.

A pained expression crosses Daijella's face as she grimaces at Coroliss.

Melyae notes, "It's a bit... stuck."

Daijella's cheeks flush a deep shade of dark rose.

A pained expression crosses Lissaya's face.

A pained expression crosses Daijella's face as she grimaces at Coroliss.

Daijella flails her arms about.

Coroliss softly says, "Hm."

Daijella grins at Coroliss.

Coroliss squints at a ruined door.

You hoarsely say, "I'll let those younger and heartier folks work that door for me."

You lean back.

Vaelani sighs.

Lylia murmurs a chant as a shadowy film darkens her eyes.

Lylia gestures at a ruined door.

Nothing happens.

Zofiya strides over to stand before you.

Speaking to Coroliss, Lissaya suggests, "Maybe if you wedge your cane in there we can use it for some leverage?"

Zofiya grins at you.

Coroliss softly says, "Leverage. Good idea."

Coroliss abruptly kicks at a ruined door!

Speaking to you, Zofiya says, "Thank you for inviting me, this is exciting."

Lylia says, "It feels as though it is giving a bit."

Coroliss leans against a ruined door.

Speaking hoarsely to Zofiya, you say, "Well, it is with your partnership that this is coming to fruition."

Daijella stares at a ruined door.

Coroliss squints at Lissaya.

Lissaya nods encouragingly at Coroliss.

Speaking softly to Lissaya, Coroliss says, "Careful. Wouldn't want to ruin your nails."

Lissaya sighs.

Lylia removes a ivory-handled glass nail file with an onyx tip from in her wrap.

Coroliss pushes a ruined door shut. It slams into the frame with a dull thud, wedging firmly into place again.

Lissaya gazes in amusement at Lylia.

Coroliss pants.

Lylia shows Coroliss her glass nail file.

Daijella gasps.

Speaking to Lylia, Lissaya admits, "I always carry one as well."

Lylia put a ivory-handled glass nail file with an onyx tip in her wrap.

Coroliss nods gratefully.

Coroliss leans on his cane.

Coroliss ponders.

Vaelani places her hand on her suede tome.

Coroliss softly says, "Hey, I think you guys are making it work."

Speaking to Vaelani, Melyae says, "You could help, too."

Lylia blinks.

Lissaya can offer Coroliss only a blank expression.

Coroliss softly says, "Oops."

Daijella stares at Coroliss.

Speaking to Melyae, Vaelani says, "Oh... I... have a book and no pockets. A shame."

Lissaya disbelievingly asks, "Why?"

Lylia turns her head toward Coroliss to favor him with a silent, withering gaze.

You hear someone whistling in the shadows.

The voice of Coroliss softly says, "You got this."

Speaking to a void black cat, Lissaya says, "You had better make him regret that later."

Lissaya nods to the black cat.

Melyae exclaims, "Get back here, wanderer!"

Coroliss emerges from hiding to abruptly kick at a ruined door!

Coroliss softly says, "Yes, sorry."

Zofiya glances at Coroliss.

Coroliss abruptly attacks a ruined door!

Coroliss pants.

Zofiya says, "Come on everyone, put yours backs into it."

You hoarsely say, "I think you're almost there."

Coroliss softly says, "Fineeee."

Lylia wedges her fingers into the seam of a ruined door and pries. With a rasping screech, a ruined door shifts a few inches.

A ruined door pops open on rusty hinges.

Lissaya exclaims, "Oh!"

Lylia pants.

Zofiya says, "Whew."

Coroliss softly says, "Hey, nice."

Lylia removes an aged gold-wrought fan crafted into a skeletal hand from in her wrap.

Daijella's cheeks flush a deep shade of dark rose.

Lylia lightly fans herself with her aged gold fan.

Daijella fans herself.

Coroliss softly says, "Sorry I got confused about which way it opens."

Coroliss whistles a complicated ditty, impressing you with his virtuosity.

Lylia put an aged gold-wrought fan crafted into a skeletal hand in her wrap.

You hoarsely ask, "And there we go. Let's see what's inside now that we've cracked it open, yes?"

Lissaya gives a sidelong glance at Coroliss.

[Glimae'den Meetinghouse]
Dust motes swirl in narrow sunbeams slipping through the gaps of the aged roof, lighting rows of splintered benches facing a stone hearth darkened by time. At the heart of the room, a twisted tree splits the floorboards as it rises through the collapsed ceiling above. Shelves sag along the walls, holding cracked pottery and rusted lanterns. You also see a pile of skeletal remains and a warped leather tome with a broke spine.
Obvious exits: out

Coroliss blinks.

Lissaya glances around the room.

Vaelani coughs. (x2)

Coroliss softly says, "Oh."

Lissaya mouths, "Oooh."

Lissaya gazes with interest at a pile of skeletal remains.

Vaelani says, "Oh, well this is..."

Vaelani glances down.

Daijella softly says, "Dusty and rusty."

Lylia gazes with interest at a pile of skeletal remains.

Daijella taps a warped leather tome with a broke spine. C oroliss squints at a pile of skeletal remains.

Coroliss kneels down.

Nysdael covers Melyae's eyes.

Coroliss pokes his finger at a pile of skeletal remains.

You hoarsely say, "You shouldn't see this, child."

Coroliss softly says, "We're too late. They're dead."

Melyae complains, "I'm an adult..."

Daijella adopts an agreeable expression.

Coroliss stands up.

Melyae ducks away from you to look around.

Coroliss waves a hand at Zofiya, dismissing her indifferently.

You glance down.

Daijella chuckles.

Daijella searches around for a moment.

(Lylia's hand hovers above the tome, but she seems to think better of touching it in its visibly fragile condition.)

You hoarsely say, "This is.. unfortunate, though. I did not think we would be breaking into a grave."

The sun sets to the west, causing a pale yellow hue to bathe the ground.

Lissaya waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.

You nervously ask, "We're not going to be cursed now, are we?"

Daijella gulps.

Daijella gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

Lissaya says, "Only if we're lucky."

Lylia says, "Superstitious nonsense."

Speaking carefully to Lissaya, Melyae says, "I have... questions."

Lylia waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.

Daijella flails her arms about.

Coroliss softly says, "So, uh. This is unfortunate."

Coroliss glances at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Lissaya glances between a warped leather tome with a broke spine and a pile of skeletal remains.

Zofiya says, "This is a bit unfortunate."

Vaelani mentions, "I'm a little worried about the remains here... How long have they been here? Have they been here the whole time we have and we've just been... ignoring them?"

Coroliss nods at Zofiya.

Lylia says, "Long enough for almost complete dissolution, only bones left."

You hoarsely say, "Well... just as I said silence tells a tale, I'm sure these... unfortunate circumstances do, as well."

Lylia turns to face a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Lissaya gazes thoughtfully at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss softly says, "By the state of them, they've been here for some time, but that's pure speculation."

squints at a pile of skeletal remains.

Zofiya says, "So everyone has been walking past them for... ages and ages."

Vaelani glances between a warped leather tome with a broke spine and a pile of skeletal remains.

Lylia searches around for a moment.

Speaking to Zofiya, Vaelani says, "Only twenty or so years... This place was abandoned for a while prior to that."

Lylia nods at Vaelani.

Vaelani murmurs, "Now I have to wonder why."

Coroliss softly says, "Time is so fluid, isn't it."

Coroliss squints at a pile of skeletal remains.

Lylia says, "Much longer than that, and there might not even be bones. Although of course, they are somewhat protected by what is left of the roof."

You hoarsely ask, "I, uh... don't suppose we have someone capable of coaxing the tale of these remains out present, do we?"

Lissaya shakes her head.

Zofiya asks, "Who is in fine voice today?"

You sing:

   "Do re mi fa so la ti--"

You cough.

You hoarsely say, "Not me."

Lissaya says, "I might have been able to renimate them if they were a little more intact, but... not at this stage."

Coroliss softly says, "Local songs for local bones, would be best. I can help if absolutely necessary, but..."

Lissaya glances at a pile of skeletal remains.

Lylia says, "I could carry a tune, but I get nothing from it save enjoyment while singing in the bath."

Lissaya begins chuckling at Lylia!

Coroliss softly asks, "Any other trained bards here?"

Vaelani casually observes her surroundings.

Lissaya glances around the room.

Vaelani says, "I deal with trees and things of that nature, not songs and... dead bodies."

Vaelani says, "Unless the dead bodies are not humanoid and meant to be fertilizer."

Coroliss softly asks, "Melyae? Daijella? Anyone here able to help?"

Coroliss furrows his brow.

Lissaya says, "All that prying and she's asleep on her feet."

Melyae says, "I'm afraid my skills lie in poetry, not song."

Lissaya gives a sidelong glance at Daijella.

Zofiya asks, "I am curious as to who they were?"

Coroliss softly says, "Hm."

Daijella's cheeks flush a deep shade of dark rose.

Zofiya glances skeptically around the room.

Melyae says, "I think we all are, at this point."

Coroliss kneels down.

Daijella softly says, "Beg pardon."

Coroliss softly says, "Oh, no worries."

Coroliss stands up.

Coroliss softly says, "So I was telling these fine people that I can offer my services as a wandering poet of sorts, I can sing to these remains... but I wanted to defer to you."

Daijella whistles a complicated ditty, impressing you with her virtuosity.

Coroliss softly says, "Local bones. Local songs. Feels more appropriate."

Speaking to Daijella, Melyae asks, "Are you skilled in song?"

Daijella softly says, "Oh, please do! I am very young yet."

You nod approvingly at Coroliss.

Speaking hoarsely to Coroliss, you say, "Your aid would be appreciated."

Coroliss softly says, "I can try."

Coroliss stretches.

Coroliss kneels down.

Coroliss softly says, "Let's see here."

Daijella agrees with you.

Coroliss holds his hands out before him.

Coroliss sings to a pile of skeletal remains:

   "Skeletal remains, dusty and quiet
    Reveal your secrets, before there is a riot"

The skeletal remains seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

A derisive snort escapes Lissaya, who quickly clasps a hand over her mouth.

Coroliss squints at a pile of skeletal remains.

Daijella dances around the room to music only she can hear.

Coroliss sings to a pile of skeletal remains:

   "Skeletal remains, lost and alone
    What were the secrets you called your own"

The skeletal remains seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Daijella turns to Coroliss and cheers!

Lylia nods encouragingly.

Coroliss softly says, "Hmmmm."

Coroliss closes his eyes and focuses.

Lissaya glances between Coroliss and a pile of skeletal remains.

Daijella gazes with interest at a pile of skeletal remains.

Coroliss sings to a pile of skeletal remains:

   "Skeletal remains, dusty and bare
    Reveal your secrets, lying there"

The skeletal remains seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss's fingers still momentarily as a soft sigh escapes his lips, the whispered name, "Nishayla..." barely audible beneath his breath.

Coroliss softly says, "Oh."

Coroliss softly says, "I... I saw something."

Daijella gasps.

You ponder.

You hoarsely say, "I've heard that name before."

Coroliss softly says, "A robed figure, hunched over a tome."

Daijella points at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss softly says, "A sheet... draped across a chintinous form."

Coroliss's face turns slightly pale.

Daijella softly asks, "This one?"

Coroliss sings to a pile of skeletal remains:

   "Skeletal remains, I implore thee
    Let your mysteries set you free"

The skeletal remains seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

A faint flicker of unease passes across Coroliss's face, his hands clenching and unclenching nervously.

Lylia leans forward.

Coroliss softly says, "Various figures, in shadow."

Coroliss softly says, "Elves in robes, again with a tome."

Coroliss softly says, "A blonde female."

Lissaya gazes thoughtfully at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Zofiya frets.

Coroliss softly says, "Danger... a tunnel..."

Melyae furrows her brow.

Coroliss softly says, "A quiet, simple kiss on the cheek."

Melyae says, "I wonder if Nishayla was the blonde mentioned."

Coroliss's face turns slightly pale.

Coroliss sings to a pile of skeletal remains:

   "Skeletal remains, now is the time
    Tell us all, at the end of this rhyme"

The skeletal remains seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss staggers back a half-step, his eyes wide as his breath catches in his throat before he releases a mournful cry.

Lissaya shifts her eyes to Coroliss.

Coroliss softly says, "Torches... flcikering on caverenous walls... an elf in a robe, leading them through a tunnel."

Coroliss softly says, "A distant chittering... it's growing... growing."

You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.

Lissaya frowns.

You wring your hands.

Coroliss softly says, "Oh gods. A figure, again, chitinous, rot-flecked."

Lylia narrows her eyes.

Coroliss softly says, "Lurching out of the dark."

Vaelani uneasily says, "Oh... no..."

Coroliss softly says, "They're descending down, through this tunnel."

Coroliss softly says, "They are all anxious, if trying to power through."

Daijella gazes with dread at her surroundings.

Melyae nods slowly.

Coroliss sings to a pile of skeletal remains:

   "Skeletal remains, bleached and bare
    Conclude your story, whispers to the air"

The skeletal remains seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss sways slightly in place, a shadow of grief passing across his face before he steadies himself.

Coroliss softly says, "A meeting house..."

Coroliss softly says, "Windows shattered, beams sagging, splintered."

Lylia gazes with interest at her surroundings.

You hoarsely choke out, "This... meeting house...?"

Coroliss's face turns slightly pale.

Coroliss softly says, "Desperate cries... going silent."

Coroliss softly says, "Kiramon."

Coroliss softly says, "It's kiramon."

Coroliss softly says, "Swarming."

Daijella's face turns slightly pale.

Zofiya frowns.

Vaelani takes a few steps back.

Daijella softly asks, "Be there a tunnel here?"

Daijella searches around for a moment.

Coroliss softly says, "The elf, robed, is now wounded, crawling along the floor."

Coroliss softly says, "He, they, reaching for a leather tome."

Coroliss glances at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Speaking to Daijella, Melyae asks, "I... I don't know. Not here, I don't think?"

Coroliss screams!

You glance at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss softly says, "A limb, chintious, through the walls."

Zofiya blinks.

Coroliss softly says, "Punching through."

Coroliss softly says, "Dust, splinters, a misasma of pain."

Daijella softly says, "Heh..."

Daijella glances at Coroliss.

Coroliss softly says, "I... must continue."

Daijella nods at Coroliss.

Lylia nods.

Coroliss sings to a pile of skeletal remains:

   "Skeletal remains, lost and alone
    Finish your story, lead us home"

The skeletal remains seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss softly says, "That is all...."

Coroliss moves to a sitting position.

Coroliss softly says, "I... don't know."

Vaelani furrows her brow.

Daijella reaches out and pats a pile of skeletal remains.

Opening the top doors of her ebonwood basket, Lylia gazes inside and makes a show of breathing in the scent of the food stored within.

You hoarsely say, "Then... we may be able to piece together what has happened here."

Coroliss softly says, "I... will need a minute to compose myself."

Lylia pours herself a nearly opaque vaelfyren cup of smoky wolfberry tea.

Coroliss softly says, "That... was not what I expected."

Lylia offers Coroliss a nearly opaque vaelfyren cup of smoky wolfberry tea.

Speaking softly to a pile of skeletal remains, Daijella says, "You are missed and now we can remember."

Coroliss accepts Lylia's wolfberry tea.

Coroliss softly says, "T... thank you."

Coroliss takes a drink from his wolfberry tea.

Lylia nods slightly.

Coroliss softly says, "The tome."

Speaking to Coroliss, Vaelani says, "Take the time you need. This... is grave news."

Coroliss glances at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss softly says, "So... I wish I could give you a better picture. I believe this calls for a proper, local bard. The visions were flooding me fast and furiously."

Melyae concernedly notes, "This... can't be good."

Coroliss softly says, "It was such a blur."

Coroliss takes a drink from his wolfberry tea.

Zofiya says, "You did as well as you could."

You nod in agreement.

Coroliss softly says, "Thanks. I appreciate that."

Coroliss takes a drink from his wolfberry tea.

Lylia says, "Did you get the sense there was an attempt to control or quell the kiramon? One of the first images you described was of a chitinous form under a shroud of some sort."

You hoarsely say, "It is a dark history to be found here, clearly. And we will likely need to investigate further."

Coroliss softly asks, "Yes... but it's strange. It was like the figure was being researched... and then the later figures were far more... visceral?"

Coroliss softly asks, "If that makes sense?"

Daijella agrees with you.

Lylia nods at Coroliss.

Coroliss softly says, "It's all fading fast."

Coroliss softly says, "There's that name, too."

Daijella gazes with interest at a pile of skeletal remains.

Vaelani asks, "Nishayla?"

Coroliss softly says, "Oh... oh no."

Coroliss softly says, "Yes."

Coroliss softly says, "He... said one thing as the chitinous figure approaches."

Daijella softly asks, "Is there a necromancer in the lands?"

Coroliss softly says, ""Nishayla, no!"."

Lissaya casually glances at Daijella.

Coroliss softly says, "That's what he screamed."

Coroliss softly says, "It was a blur then, but as the rest fades that remains, ever clear."

Coroliss softly says, "Nishayla."

Melyae murmurs, "I have heard that name whispered in the wind by a male voice sometimes, but can never place where it originates."

Coroliss softly says, "No."

Lylia nods at Daijella.

Melyae gives a sidelong glance at a pile of skeletal remains.

Coroliss softly says, "Okay... I will try now with the tome."

Coroliss moves to a kneeling position.

Coroliss takes a drink from his wolfberry tea.

Coroliss closes his eyes once more and attempts to regulate his breathing.

Lylia dubiously says, "What happened here is past the skill of any necromancer I know. We tend to do best with more, ah...recent activity."

Lylia says, "Or inactivity, as the case may be."

You nod understandingly at Lylia.

Coroliss squints at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss sings ethereally to a warped leather tome with a broke spine:

   "Warped tome, yellowed with age
    Come to the fore, your moment on the stage"

The leather tome seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss softly says, "Hm."

Coroliss pokes his finger at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss takes a drink from his wolfberry tea.

Coroliss softly says, "I see I'm going to have to work at this."

Lissaya glances between Coroliss and a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss closes his eyes again.

Coroliss softly says, "I see sketches of images, I feel scents... but... nothing concrete."

Coroliss softly says, "Moss and vellum."

Lissaya thoughtfully taps a finger against her lips.

Coroliss sings ethereally to a warped leather tome with a broke spine:

   "Warped tome, origins a mystery
    Join us now from your dusty place in history"

The leather tome seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss's voice wavers, and a slight tension settles into his brow.

You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.

Coroliss softly says, "Something is fighting me."

Vaelani takes a moment to observe Coroliss.

Vaelani curiously asks, "Something?"

Coroliss softly says, "I am not sure."

Coroliss softly asks, "A ward?"

Coroliss sings ethereally to a warped leather tome with a broke spine:

   "Warped tome, yellowed with rot
    Be with us now, ignore us not"

The leather tome seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss's breath catches as he sings, and the tome briefly alights with runes that vanish just as quickly.

Coroliss softly says, "It's resisting me."

Coroliss softly says, "But the runes... yes."

Coroliss squints at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Melyae uncertainly asks, "Hopefully it doesn't blow up, yes?"

Coroliss chuckles.

Coroliss nods at Melyae.

Zofiya frowns.

Coroliss sings ethereally to a warped leather tome with a broke spine:

   "Warped tome, to us be true
    Spill the secrets inside of you"

The leather tome seems to respond to the magic of Coroliss's song.

Coroliss lowers his gaze, his expression visibly frustrated.

Speaking to Melyae, Zofiya says, "I hope not."

Coroliss softly says, "No, it's in there."

Lissaya tilts her head slightly, turning her attention to Coroliss. She regards Coroliss in a measured fashion, collecting her thoughts.

Coroliss softly says, "Just... it's fighting me. Some magic I cannot penetrate stops me."

Coroliss moves to a sitting position.

Coroliss softly says, "That's it."

You sigh. Coroliss softly says, "I can tell nothing more."

Daijella gazes thoughtfully at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss pants.

Coroliss stands up.

Coroliss softly says, "I am sorry I could not provide more. But at least we have some insight into the remains."

Coroliss glances at a pile of skeletal remains.

Coroliss softly says, "Even if it raises more questions than it answers."

Daijella adopts an agreeable expression.

Vaelani comments, "It may be best to refer these to Ta'Illistim... as this was once an Illistim settlement?"

Coroliss nods.

Lissaya says, "Moss, vellum, and kiramon..."

Coroliss softly says, "Yes. This is far beyond me."

Lissaya says, "Puts me in mind of Seethe Naedal."

Lissaya thoughtfully taps a finger against her lips.

Speaking to Lissaya, Melyae asks, "Seethe Naedal?"

Coroliss softly says, "I lament, though. I will need to think on... Nishayla... this woman."

Daijella softly asks, "Mayhap Nitos could sing to the remains and the tome?"

Coroliss softly says, "Something horrifying happened here.;"

Speaking hoarsely to Daijella, you ask, "Nitos?"

Lissaya cocks her head at Daijella.

Daijella softly says, "He is the most accomplished bard I knoiw."

Coroliss softly says, "We could use a whole college of them."

Daijella grins at Coroliss.

Vaelani says, "It may need more than a bard... for the tome, at least. If there are wards in place, I doubt they will be easily broken unless by someone who is knowledgeable in them."

Coroliss nods.

Lylia gazes with interest at Vaelani.

Coroliss softly says, "My magic is fun and flightly but ultimately weak. Whoever placed these wards knows their stuff."

Lissaya gazes thoughtfully at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Coroliss softly says, "I suppose if we unlock the mysteries to the tome, we'll learn more of the remains."

Lylia narrows her eyes.

Lylia murmurs a chant as a shadowy film darkens her eyes.

Lylia gestures at a warped leather tome with a broke spine.

Speaking hoarsely to Lylia, you ask, "You disagree?"

Coroliss softly says, "Careful."

Coroliss glances at Lylia.

Zofiya says, "So much mystery here, right under our noses."

Daijella softly asks, "A wizard, maybe?"

Coroliss nods in agreement.

A hissing pop sounds near the tome, but quickly fizzles out.

Lylia says, "I can sense there is something there. I was hoping I could ascertain more. Not touching it, magically speaking, just...hovering my hand above it to see what I could feel."

Daijella ponders.

Coroliss nods.

You hoarsely say, "Well, I do not think we should allow these to remain as is for now. It may be best to relocate the tome and remains to a safe location until we can transport them to Ta'Illistim. It is only right if they were part of that House."

Lissaya nods in agreement to you.

Lylia says, "Best to preserve it in its current state, without attempting to restore order to it. Its very state may be a clue as to its nature."

You mournfully say, "Let us exit this place for the time being."

Lylia says, "I wish I could look more closely at it, but I have a feeling one does not simply thumb through it."

Coroliss softly says, "Y... yes. Exit."

Lissaya casually glances around the room.

Daijella nods to you.

Melyae says, "He seems... rather affected by this."

[Cysaegir, Linsandrych Common]
Moonlight glints on broken shards of glass littering the ground around a ramshackle cabin that is surrounded by rank weeds. Bursting through the floor and roof of the cabin is a twisted tree. Barely hanging on its last remaining hinge, a huge rusted lock is the only thing that is keeping the door from falling to the ground. Not far off, on a scorched piece of land, the bare trees beyond the shed look like fingers stripped to the bone. You also see a void black cat, a wide fel-planked bridge, and a hollowed stump.
Obvious paths: northeast

Coroliss softly says, "Well, when I wandered into town, this was certainly not what I expected."

Coroliss softly says, "But what is life if not the unexpected. Learned that from a young age."

Coroliss smiles.

Administrator Zofiya just arrived.

Lylia says, "Some say wandering is dangerous, but they never specify the nature of the dangers."

Speaking softly to Coroliss, Daijella exclaims, "We are indeed fortunate that you wandered this way!"

Coroliss nods sympathetically.

Coroliss softly says, "Sometimes travels take us exactly where we are needed."

Zofiya ponders.

Zofiya says, "It would seem you were needed."

Coroliss softly says, "Happy to be of service. It has given me... much... to ponder."

Nysdael exhales a loud whistle and a nearby attendant rushes forward. He whispers some words to the attendant who nods and enters the cabin.

Zofiya nods.

Coroliss glances at a decrepit cabin.

Daijella agrees with Coroliss.

Zofiya says, "It is time that one has a peaceful rest."

Coroliss softly says, "Yes. It would seem they are in need of it."

You hoarsely say, "Well, let us not be so downtrodden on what is meant to be a special occasion. While tragedy was found here, we, too, will find a way to honor the memory."

Lissaya nods approvingly to you.

Nysdael watches as the attendant exits the cabin carrying a large crate on his back.

Vaelani murmurs, "He worked quickly in there, it seems."

Zofiya mutters notmuchtoworkwi.

Coroliss softly says, "For the best."

Lissaya gazes in amusement at Zofiya.

Lylia says, "If that tome has some manner of controlling the kiramon, it is no tragedy at all to discover it. What a gift it could be."

Several workers arrive and quickly assemble scaffolds around a ramshackle cabin.

Coroliss glances at a decrepit cabin.

You hoarsely say, "I would rather not try to control those beasts."

Zofiya says, "Or curse."

You hoarsely say, "Well, I do thank you all for coming."

[Cysaegir, Linsandrych Common]
Moonlight glints off broken shards of glass scattered around a ramshackle cabin ringed by scaffolding, the signs of work now hushed beneath the still night sky. A twisted tree rises through the floorboards and juts from an open breach in the roof, its limbs tangled in exposed rafters. Beneath the quiet hum of nocturnal insects, weeds cling stubbornly to the edges of the clearing. Not far off, on a scorched piece of land, the bare trees beyond the shed look like fingers stripped to the bone. You also see a void black cat, a wide fel-planked bridge, and a hollowed stump.
Obvious paths: northeast

Coroliss softly says, "Yes. This was... unexpected."

Lylia says, "Cursed tomes are cursed because they contain the most powerful knowledge. Just need to find one's way past the thorny parts."

Coroliss nods gratefully to you.

Lylia bows to you.

Vaelani reasons, "If it was a way of controlling them, he failed miserably."

Coroliss softly says, "I am eager to hear of what comes next."

Zofiya says, "I look forward to puzzling out this mystery and the wonderful building that will stand as tribute here."

Lylia says, "Just so. This does not seem like a successful attempt."

Lylia says, "Remains to be seen, and all we have now is speculation."

Daijella agrees with Coroliss.

Speaking hoarsely to Lylia, you ask, "Was that a purposeful pun?"

Coroliss softly says, "Yes. Lots of questions indeed... so much remains."

Coroliss chuckles.

Vaelani wrinkles her nose.

Daijella chuckles.

Lylia deadpans, "Oh, no, I am known to have no sense of humor."

You hoarsely say, "Well, I'm going to take my leave... It seems I have some correspondence to write."

Daijella grins at Lylia.

Lissaya glances skeptically at Lylia.

Zofiya says, "So we see."

Daijella bows her head slightly to you as she drops into a deep, respectful curtsy.

Melyae quips, "This is going to take weeks, as well. I know it."

Speaking to you, Lylia says, "Thank you for welcoming visitors."

Daijella bows her head slightly toward Coroliss as she drops into a deep, respectful curtsy before him.

Coroliss softly says, "Yes. I would like to find some peace and reflect on what I have seen. If I can recall anything more amid the chaotic visions, I will not hesitate to let you know."

Speaking hoarsely to Lylia, you say, "Of course. Our town is open to all... except invaders and kiramon, for obvious reasons.,"

Daijella adopts an agreeable expression.

Speaking to you, Lylia says, "I look forward to seeing what you build here, and if there is a way I can speed the building, I would like to."

You hoarsely say, "Please, have a nice night and... let us look forward to wonderful things to come."

Zofiya nods to you.

You smile at Lylia.

You hoarsely say, "Thank you."

You wave.

You wander off.