Journeys of the Paradis

Sahaegin says, "I have a last story to tell you"

Sahaegin says, "I call it.."

Sahaegin says, "The Age of Chaos and Beyond"

Sahaegin says, "You remember that a group of halflings departed.. and we call them the Paradis"

Sahaegin smiles.

Sahaegin says, "They endured great hardships, not the least of which was despair at the loss of their families and homeland."

Sahaegin says, "Centuries became millennia as the Paradis halflings slowly meandered westward, around the southern tip of the DragonSpine, continuing northward in their seemingly endless search for a home, while every season some would settle as they grew weary of their constant trekking."

Sahaegin says, "As the rovers continued, the Land grew more temperate."

Sahaegin says, "Meadows were rich with crops and orchards gave the halflings their bounty."

Sahaegin says, "However, as the travelers ventured northward, the land became arid, and soon the halflings found themselves at the edge of a dune-swept desert."

Sahaegin says, "The Paradis passed through a great desert."

Sahaegin says, "Therein, they met a tall people who lived in graceful tents and rode strange hump-backed beasts."

Sahaegin says, "These nomads reminded the halflings of their Mhoragian kin. The halflings felt at home with the generous nomads and stayed with the desert people in their expansive, gaily-striped tents for six years."

Sahaegin says, "They were taught to find water hidden by sand and the art of navigating the ever-shifting dunes of the desert. And in return, they shared their spicy tribal food dishes with the nomads, as well as their rich traditional songs."

Sahaegin says, "Finally, the halflings bade their hosts farewell, and the nomads were sorry to lose the company of the kindly, short people from the lands of the rising sun."

Sahaegin says, "They accompanied the halflings to the far edge of the intractable wasteland, seeing to it that their little friends did not lose their way and perish."

Sahaegin says, "The name of this tribe ws Tehir"

Sahaegin says, "As the Truefolk moved ever north, they began to see trees and in time, were journeying through a vast, old growth forest."

Sahaegin says, "Reminded of their Brughan kin and the beautiful forest surrounding Khesta 'Dahl, the halflings found themselves too sorrowful to go further."

Sahaegin says, "They made a camp and there, spent a number of months composing new songs and singing old ones in tribute to the Brughan families they missed so desperately."

Sahaegin says, "The forest yielded game and succulent berries and roots, and a cold stream was found not too distant."

Sahaegin says, "The gers were pitched between tree-trunks so immense that the round tents resembled mushrooms crouching at the foot of the leviathans."

Sahaegin says, "As the days and weeks passed, halfling children among the Paradis spoke of seeing shadowy folk watching them from the dense foliage."

Sahaegin says, "Finally, a delegation of tall, beautiful folk materialized out of the underbrush, and approached the Paradis, who were surprised and quite amused by such a turn of events."

Sahaegin says, "The strangers attempted to communicate using graceful hand-signals."

Sahaegin says, "Although making little headway with the hand-signals, the halflings finally managed to understand a few rudimentary gestures."

Sahaegin says, "Using those and a few more they invented on the spot, they invited the visitors to eat and drink and make music."

Sahaegin says, "The svelte people called themselves Sylvans and they told the halflings many wonderful stories about the great forest in which they dwelled."

Sahaegin says, "In turn, the halflings told them of the Brughan forests and sang songs about the crystal waters of Khesta 'Dahl."

Sahaegin says, "The Sylvans were delighted with the travelers, and quietly decided among themselves to forego killing the halflings for the grievous sin of trespassing within the Silver Veil, their name for the forest surrounding and guarding the boundary of Yuriqen."

Sahaegin says, "The Sylvans became regular guests among the settlement of gers, and much lore was traded as well as wares exchanged."

Sahaegin says, "The Paradis made the Sylvans honorary members of the Order of the Mare, a great honor indeed, although the Sylvans had little knowledge of horses."

Sahaegin says, "And in return, they were made honorary members of some sort of Sylvan order they could not pronounce, but one they dubbed the Order of the Wolf since that seemed to be its symbol."

Sahaegin says, "Finally, the Paradis decided they were cured of their malaise of sadness and declared they would journey on to the north, since north to the halflings, was synonymous with home."

Sahaegin says, "They celebrated a last feast with their friends, and struck the gers the following morning."

Sahaegin says, "Traveling with the halflings to the edge of the Silver Veil, the Sylvans served a double objective of spending a last few days with their enjoyable little acquaintances as well as insuring that they would not have to kill them after all for venturing too close to Yuriqen."

Sahaegin says, "One of the Sylvans, a woman called Kaithaire Si'Lariel surprised everyone by her declaration that the halflings were too interesting to leave, and determined to journey on with them to learn more of their history and culture."

Sahaegin says, "Among the Paradis, it was an amusing belief that the lovely Kaithaire was interested in learning culture most specifically pertaining to a certain handsome young halfling by the name of Rasance Delibbe."

Sahaegin says, "The trail north was an easy journey, passing through pleasant rolling hills and gentle valleys."

Sahaegin says, "Here and there, the Paradis saw beasts in the distance that would have been hostile had the halflings been closer."

Sahaegin says, "However, the children were already fairly skillful at some interesting little magic spells the Sylvans had taught them, and any beasts that came closer than the Truefolk wished were frightened away by their conjures"

Sahaegin says, "The adults were, at first, unsure about this magic, but once they perceived how useful it was, they encouraged the children to practice what they had been taught."

Sahaegin says, "Kaithaire volunteered to continue their instruction, since she happened to be a very gifted wizard and this suggestion was received with a great deal of encouragement."

Sahaegin says, "Finally, after spending the winter camped near a misty lake, the Paradis halflings again returned to the northern road and at last, reached a lush pine forest"

Sahaegin says, "The air was cold and crisp and promised brilliant summer days and winters blessed with deep drifts of snow."

Sahaegin says, "Game was so bountiful, the halflings boasted they had merely to tip over the cook pots and allow dinner to hop in."

Sahaegin says, "They decided they had at last arrived at a proper place to make a home. The occasion was celebrated by a feast, which did double duty for a hand-fasting party to celebrate the union of Rasance and Kaithaire."

Sahaegin says, "The halflings dwelt for a time in their gers, but as the years wore away the felt, they erected wooden cabins."

Sahaegin says, "In time, the settlement was moved some leagues to the Southwest, and a town gradually rose out of the rag-tag collection of cabins and lean-tos"

Sahaegin says, "That village now lies, buried beneath the glacier, outside the North Gate of Icemule Trace."

Sahaegin says, "I have a last few comments.. for those who wish to know about our gers."

Sahaegin says, "You see about you a ger"

[Storytelling Ger] The ground beneath this spacious ger is covered with thick, Malghavan woolen carpets to provide some relief from sitting on the frozen ground. Brightly colored lanterns dangle from the rafters, casting a cheerful light over those who assemble here. Obvious exit: out.

Sahaegin says, "The khana, or walls. The walls are criss-crossed lattices that open out or fold flat. Most of the halflings build two sections of khana and lace them together as part of setting the ger up."

Sahaegin says, "The doorframe. The ends of the khana are attached to the doorframe in some fashion, usually tied."

Sahaegin says, "The roof ring or "Eye of the Father". This goes in the center and has slots for rafters to fit into. The fit is tight to prevent the ring from twisting. Once the ring is in place, no center supports are needed."

Sahaegin says, "The belly bands. Two bands are wrapped around the outside of the khana to prevent the rafters, which are pushing down, from pressing the khana farther open. One band goes around at the top and one midway up the wall."

Sahaegin says, "There are additional pieces, notably the felt and the rope or leather thongs that hold the felt walls up, but they are not structural"

Sahaegin says, "And that is my tale."