Work Text:
Elyre Bates
Pronouns: She/Her
Specialization: Scientist
Value: Knowledge
Disposition: Curious
Background
The land I came from was advanced, yet gloomy. I decided to leave because my company asked me to take on this expedition, but I left behind an unresolved problem.
Characteristics
Features: Many body piercings and an exotic hair color (teal).
Appearance: Elaborate jewelry and an immaculately clean white and gold gown.
Ending Resources
Reputation: 0
Coin: 2
Food: 15
Wares (max 5): 2
Ending Wounds
- Snake bites
Ending Items
- Deck of oracle cards (fortune device)
- Map of the Numeredon Region
Jokers
Red:
Black:
Elyre's Journal
Opening Scene
My voyage to this new land was by way of a magical guide named Lusctelle Stormjoy. The journey was peaceful, and I grew rather close with Lusctelle. I was intrigued by the lantern-hung staff that they never let out of their eyesight and which never seemed to go out, even without refueling. Lusctelle just smiled and said it was magic, when I asked.
10 ♦️ — Emergate
When I arrived at Emergate, I was met with people weary in both body and mind. They were suspicious of me at first, but apparently some knew Lusctelle and so I was allowed to remain. Curious about the large amount of debris around, I asked if something had happened and learned they recently had been attacked by a pair of rampaging beasts. Some of the townfolk showed me what was left of it — of one of the beasts. They call it a Gethni’in. They suspected the attack was set up by a nearby tribe they dislike. Archers from the high walls were able to repel the remaining Gethni’in after taking one down.
Converse. Restock (+1 ware).
8 ♣️ — Scosmouth
My travel time to Scosmouth brought clear weather, but it was quite chilly. When I arrived at the town’s gate, I was required to pay a toll to enter. Unfortunate, but a good thing I had the coin with which to pay it.
The entry gate seems to be the only place in Scosmouth with a set price on something, though. The town thrives on bartering and haggling just about everything. I was able to get some rare oils for basically nothing, and I know I’ll be able to sell it for at least twice what I paid! Regardless of how it works — the system does seem to work well for them — I’ll be glad to not have to haggle over everything, even if it costs a bit more. Scosmouth seems a prosperous place, after all.
Sell (3 wares for 9 coins). Shop: (K♦️), 4♦️, 3♥️. Sleep.
3 ♠️ — Dreaming Copse
As I set out from Scosmouth to a copse of trees I saw in the distance to the northwest, it was clear, but humid. I was about three-quarters of the way there when I came across a juvenile Githni’in. The thing got me with its horn a couple times, lacerating my arm and hand; thankfully, not too badly, though. I closed it away by shaking my bangles a lot.
The Dreaming Copse is temperate and autumnal, and there are so many animals living in the trees above me! I can scarcely go more than two steps before I spot another animal. So far, the seasons haven’t seemed to have shifted — it’s just been the one, I think — but I can’t wait to find out what the weather will be like during the rest of the year.
Hunt. Camp.
A ♠️ — T’orin Fissure
Well, the dreary weather is here. I hope it doesn’t last, but I don’t know if I’ll get my wish, since the weather patterns still are an unknown. While I traveled through the Dreaming Copse, I was able to gather some twisted roots that are, surprisingly, quite sweet. It was an unforeseen, but most welcome, development.
As I left the copse, I almost walked right into a deep fissure and fell to my death. The fact that I ended up with a concussion, though, is my own fault. My curiosity got the best of me and I started poking around and slopped, hitting my head. From what I can tell, this fissure was created by an earthquake. I witnessed some kind of steam or miasma come up from it; I suspect it’s deeper than I realize. I did have a bit of good fortune, though! While poking around, I found a satchel that had a map of the Numeredon Region of this land in it. A good quality map, too!
Hunt (+5 food). Camp.
6 ♠️ — Yelonscar
My concussion and the lacerations that still haven’t healed fully affected me more than I thought they would. I found myself wandering in random directions or staring off into the distance for long periods of time without realizing it several times. It made my journey take longer and I had to consume more of my rations than planned.
Yelonscar is a city that protects its independence fiercely. Everyone who enters the city — even residents who had been away for a length of time — must go through an intense interview process before they’re allowed into the city proper. The people are that cautious about negative influences! Honestly, as much of a pain as the interviews were, I can respect their process and the reason for it.
Heal (lacerations). Restock (+1 ware).
8 ♦️ — Loch Magval
I left Yelonscar with my lacerations treated; the concussion, they said, will just take time to heal. I traveled due west, toward what I thought might be the ocean, only to find a ferry and be told the body of water before me was the lands great lake — Loch Magval. The ferry had a toll I gladly paid for them to take me across the lake. That leg of my journey took almost a whole day.
Part of the reason it took so long was because people from the Numeredon Region meet with those from the Zaloress Region on Loch Magval. Apparently, it’s neutral territory, unclaimed by either regions’ high leaders. Myself and a few other lucky passengers were able to witness the annual signing of a “Peaceful Use” treaty where Loch Magval is reaffirmed as neutral territory equally accessible to the people of both regions, provided neither over-utilizes the lake’s resources. I even got to sign the document as an impartial third-party witness! Some of the other passengers on the ferry were grumpy about the wait, but I say they can bugger off.
Hunt (+6 food). Camp.
8 ♠️ — Farwatch
It turns out the ferry wasn’t the only toll I had to pay this leg of my journey. Entering into the port in the Zaloress Region, I had to pay another toll. I’m running dangerously low on funds right now. Hopefully I can get some cheap items here and resell them for a profit in a bigger town or city.
Farwatch is, as it turns out, a military barracks housing a small army. I’ve been told they report to Parick Zaloress, high king of the Zaloress Region. They were there watching the region’s border along Loch Magval.
Restock (+1 ware). Sleep (lose 1 food, +1 extra die).
7 ♥️ — Ravensfell
The day I left Farwatch didn’t go well at all. My gown was dirtied and I reacted… poorly. I was incredibly upset and snapped at the person who had splashed mud on me. I did apologize, but the offense was already taken because, apparently, being dirty in some fashion shows a hard worker. As clean as my clothes always are, apparently no one thought I worked at anything!
Ravensfell was a little less than two days walk from Farwatch, and I arrived late in the afternoon. I knew immediately that something else was off again, just based on the looks and whispers people gave me the moment I approached the gates. Ravensfell is a city of rules and strict etiquette. Part of the etiquette is that the majority of one’s out fit must be a dark fabric — something my pristine white and gold gown is definitely not. I would change, but all my clothing are lighter in color, and I’m basically out of coin right now. I’ll see if I can sell the wares I have, rest a night and day and move on to a new destination quickly.
Restock (+1 ware). Sell (2 wares for 2 coins).
10 ♣️ — World Rise
I traveled east toward a mountain nearby, doing my best to ignore the storm I could see coming in the distance. It arrived just as I reached the base of the mountain and an out cropping of caves. I took shelter in the nearest cave, only to be attacked by its residents — snakes. There were at least eight that I counted, and I was bitten three times, as best I can tell. Thankfully, the snakes don’t seem to have been poisonous; I just have to watch out for infection. As it was, I fled that cave and took shelter in one about 100 feet away. Thankfully, it was empty.
As I began my ascent of World Rise, I could tell the mountain was hewn and strong. I also discovered the stone is embellished with elaborate carvings telling an epic tale of the creation of this land. According to the carvings, World Rise was the first part of this land to rise from the ocean that covers most of the rest of the world. As water ran down from the mountain’s peak, the inhabitants and creatures of the land were washed from the rock of World Rise.
Hunt (+1 food). Camp.
Q ♦️ — The Athenaeum
The story carved into World Rise continued down the other side of the mountain and I continued reading it as I descended. Near the end of the story, there was mention of something interesting — a location I’ll have to try to find at some point later on. For now, though, I need to find a settlement where I can get some healing.
I stopped for the night and, when I woke, there was a temple not 500 feet away that was NOT there the night before. I knew it was unwise to go inside, but I couldn’t resist. Turns out, it’s a library of some sort. The scholars who reside within are eyeless and display what I can only describe as a hive-mind connection. They said the library is called The Athenaeum and, as I’d no doubt already noticed, it’s a mystical place of great power that moves about the land. The Athenaeum is revered by the people of this land and it’s considered a great blessing to get the chance to walk its aisles of books. As for HOW The Athenaeum moves, the scholars just shrugged and said, “Magic,” when I asked. No on seemed to know the details, or, if they do, they aren’t sharing. Pity.
Hunt (+5 food). Camp.
Q ♣️ — Sunridge
I spent several days within The Athenaeum reading all I could in the time I had, and learned much in the process. I learned of yet another point of interest far to the northeast of where we currently are. I’m not sure I’ll make it there, but one can hope. The time eventually came for me to leave, and I bid the scholars farewell before setting out again. The weather as I traveled around the forest’s edge in search of a settlement was clear, but cold. I hope I find a place to get some healing soon.
About three days walk from The Athenaeum, I heard something. It sounded like loud and boisterous chatter, and it was coming from over a tall hill. As I crested the hill, I was amazed to see the other side of the hill — and the hills nearby — had steps carved into them, and each step was full of crops. Large, muscular farmers were all over, tending to the crops. When they caught sight of me, I was greeted warmly, albeit loudly. I was welcomed into the community’s mead hall, given a hardy meal, tended to by a healer and invited to stay for as long as I needed to rest and heal. I learned the people of this settlement regard the soil with reverence, which made a lot of sense, given they’re farmers and just how productive the land is for them.
Heal. Restock (+1 ware).