Thanksmasnewyearskwanzakkah 2016

[5a Violista]

[Central Square]
Balcony near the Top of the Giant Spruce

"A goldsmith does sound profitable," she agrees.

Harley twists her body towards Cherie and away from the view, now. The way she sits on the rail is very much like riding a horse sidesaddle. She stares for a few seconds, as if she's judging the other woman's musculature or something like that.

"What's the largest monster you've taken down?" she asks. It's much more interesting than asking about the biggest thing she had to fetch. "The biggest one I've killed recently was a dragon, which was hanging out around the top of an old tower."

Of course, she had help from someone else. Plus, dragons aren't nearly as terrifying as something like a Nundu or Living Shroud or the Caoránach something like that. If she had run into one of those, that would be horrible.

[Devixer]

Central Square
Balcony near the Top of the Giant Spruce

Cherie's build is pretty well-hidden by those robe's she's wearing. Really, the only things obvious about her are her height (or lack thereof,) and the cat ears and tail. But, anyone who's survived the Nexus knows that appearance is the least telling aspect of a person.

While Harley stares, Cherie stares right back, a soft smile present on her face. Really, she hasn't stopped smiling since she introduced herself. "The largest one? Honestly, I can't recall. Definitely a Primal, but so many of those are so much larger than you. I've destroyed dragons, too, but not on my own." She had yet to meet any monsters in the Nexus, but she was sure that would change before long. "What sort of dragon would hang around a human structure like a tower?"

[Reinholdt]

[Observation Deck]

I'm not sure Reinholdt could handle the mental strain of another positive emotional exchange, so he takes the opportunity to slink away into the night.

[Throne Room]

"A much safer, happier life I'd say." Risk and danger are far too overrated in Leah's eyes. Especially in the Nexus where so many seem to feed off the thrill of flirting with death. "Besides walking is good for you and a horse is far better company."

[Fenric]

[Throne Room - Brinika]

"He's a wolfen," Brinika corrects. "He's my uncle because he had a baby with my aunt Reelshka. And then he's got a brother, Waterstrider, so he's my uncle too. And he's married to Renetta, so she's my aunt."

Myobi smiles

Oh, I see.

Fortunately, knowing absolutely nothing about the Warcraft universe isn't a hindrance when you are the Messenger of a powerful goddess: Myobi quietly taps into her own divine sources to find out what exactly a "wolfen" even is. It's certainly not flashy, but likely noticeable if you are sensitive to such things.

[Zefir]

Alice smiles, like she knew a secret. And then sort of ruins the image by taking a drink of hot chocolate. "I'm part of VIGIL, and we met there just after the new base arrived. But that's okay; people usually don't remember me."

[Giant Spruce]

Well, her player can't remember. I just know she met Andy at GloG.

"Hmm, that is strange. Your appereance is something that should keep in mind. I don't think I have seen any other centaur like person then you."

[Morty]

[Throne Room - Brinika]

"Yeah, and Pathfinder and Reelshka's baby is my cousin Tuskfang. He's a woblin, and he's really cute," Brinika says.

Wolfen don't come from the Warcraft setting. They're a creation of the player UncleWolf, and a shamanistic society of humanoid wolves.

[Throne Room - Fayyaad]

"It sounds like you're familiar with the adventuring lifestyle yourself," Fayyaad says.

[Park]

The wolf turns around sharply and sniffs at the werewolves. She's never seen wolves turn into people before.

[Recaiden]

[Giant Spruce]

Well, her player can't remember. I just know she met Andy at GloG.

"Hmm, that is strange. Your appereance is something that should keep in mind. I don't think I have seen any other centaur like person then you."

Yep, when Alice and Quin dropped off Israfel.

"Oh good. It is nice not to be forgotten."
Alice says, nodding.
"Even if it is odd to hear you say that. I see people like you all the time! We're just not that common."

"Could you tell me about Deus Mechanicus?"

[Artemis97]

[Park]

The werewolves smell of a mix of wolf and human, and the same ocean, grass, and deep forest as the white wolf. At her surprise, the white alpha seems to chuckle and looks quite amused.

[Fenric]

[Throne Room - Brinika]

"Yeah, and Pathfinder and Reelshka's baby is my cousin Tuskfang. He's a woblin, and he's really cute," Brinika says.

Wolfen don't come from the Warcraft setting. They're a creation of the player UncleWolf, and a shamanistic society of humanoid wolves.

Ah... so I'm back to knowing almost nothing, then

Myobi nods

That sounds like quite a happy family. My granddaughter lives here in Inside with her husband, but they have no children yet.

[McBish]

Market Street

A lone figure moves against the crowds traveling from stall to stall. Wearing a hooded black velvet cloak with red lining Cait is looking a bit out of sorts. Her skin looks paler than usual and she is seems to be sniffling into a handkerchief. It probably doesn't help that she keeps taking nips of something out of a flask. She seems I'll at ease in the crowd finding little alcoves to stand out of the way in. Then restlessly she moves back into the crowd finding a new nook to stand in.

[Artemis97]

[Markest Street]

Cait will be assaulted by sights, sounds, and smells on the Markest Street. Dozens and dozens of stalls were selling food and goods. Silks scarves, necklaces made from semi-precious stones, street food of all sorts. On one corner, near one of the ice sculptures, a trio of gnomes have set up as a band and were playing various Christmas tunes.

[Morty]

[Throne Room - Brinika]

Brinika's ears twitch, and the right one tilts downwards.

"You look pretty young to be a grandmother."

[Park]

The wolf's tail wags nervously. Why did those wolves turn into people? Are they wolves, or people?

[Artemis97]

[Park]

"We are werewolves. Lycanthropes. Skinchangers." The alpha wolf speaks to her in Canine.

[McBish]

Market Street

Cait stops stops at the stall with silk scarves. One ungloved hand reaching out of her cloak to touch them. A powerful sneeze makes her turn away from the booth and she moves away back through the crowd. The smells of the food cause her stomach to rumble, though she isn't sure if it is from distress or hunger. She pauses in front of the ice sculpture with the band, seeming to pay more attention to the sculpture than the music.

She shakes her head and starts to move with the crowd again. She knows she is being foolish, that she should be somewhere getting some rest. Going to winter festivals is no way to get over being sick. But being cooped up was driving her crazier. She just needed some fresh air she told herself. But that air was freezing, still she wasn't ready to head back to her hotel just yet. So she heads inside entering the throne room.

She slips inside but keeps her hood up on her cloak. She figures the drow would be used to dark cloaked figures in their halls. Also she figures being sick three days she has probably looked better. Better to be seen as mysterious than as a mess. She moves around the edge of the room before finding a comfortable bit of wall to lean on. She turns like she is watching the dancers, but under the hood of her cloak she closes her eyes and takes deep breaths.

[Zefir]

Yep, when Alice and Quin dropped off Israfel.

"Oh good. It is nice not to be forgotten."
Alice says, nodding.
"Even if it is odd to hear you say that. I see people like you all the time! We're just not that common."

"Could you tell me about Deus Mechanicus?"

[Giant Spruce]

Mia wonders a bit about Alice words. Sure, humans aren't rare around here, but centaur like creatures, especially with something else then a horse lower body IS rare.

"Well, he is the god of all machines. All inventions we have is just a present from him to us." she starts. Then she focus on the stairs, changing her breath to take the effort easier.

[Deathkeeper]

[Santa's Throne]

Tuskfang squirms a little in Santa Krayger's lap.

"Umm... I wanna something to search fer treasure with! Brinika hides stuff, and I find it!"

Santa's Throne

Santa-Krayger smiles and takes a box out of his bag, advertising Super Sniffer(TM) Canine Metal Detector! Walks on its own! Can't have a toddler trying to lug around a normal metal detector.
"Here you go, little guy."

Leah looks at Mist blankly, completely bewildered. A game, in the past...with surfing? Is that what that means? She presses her eyes closed for a moment, asking Message, who likewise has no idea.
"It seems like their loss?" She offers hesitantly.
"Back on family, how is your grandmother?"


Sarina might do well to take the advice of another spider, you know.

Gardens

Mist waves his hand. "Gramma Sora's tough as nails. I'd never know if she was anything but fine. She's not exactly chatty. She seems to be happy, though." he says, pondering while he looks at the sky.

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

"Your own crown? Has she decided to pass some power on to you?" Arduliara asks.

Palace- Throne Room

Sarina smiles. "Well, yeah. I said other princesses, didn't I? Even if being one mostly means learning to weave well and using odd time magic that I'm still learning the ropes of." she admits with a shrug.

[Morty]

[Park]

The wolf isn't intelligent, strictly speaking, but she's smart for an animal. So she gets the gist of it. Are they people first and animals second?

[Santa's Throne]

Tuskfang gasps and squeaks. He's got no idea what it is, but it looks like a metal dog that will help him find treasure!

"Fanks, Santa!"

He makes sure to give Santa Krayger as big a hug as his tiny frame can manage, before scurrying off to show the present to his parents. He can't wait to show it to Cern and Gwydion, too.

[Artemis97]

[Throne Room]

Arduliara seems surprised. "It takes more than that to be a princess, I think."

An armed drow dressed in black leather, House Xar'Cha's sigil on his shoulder, approaches Cait. "Are you alright, Miss?" He asks, gently.

[Park]

"Most are people first, but some are more attuned to their animal side. My son, for example, was born to this. He is comfortable in either form." The white wolf explains.

[ThePhantom]

[Throne Room]

A man wearing a red trenchcoat lined with white fur, escorted by a short man in a pink jacket, enters the palace of Xar’Cha. The pair stands for a moment at the entrance, then make their way to the throne room following other guests.

"I never had the opportunity to visit here before, Archibald. I believe they hadn't entered in the city in such numbers before I left."

"Well then sire, we will both have a chance to learn then."

[Artemis97]

[Throne Room]

Sornnolu Xar'Cha enters behind the two men. Having overheard them, he says. "Then please allow me to welcome you to Delmah Phor and my family's palace."

[ThePhantom]

[Throne Room]

The two men turn and the shorter one bows, while the one in the tenchcoat nods his head.

"Ah, then I give thanks for your family's kindness. My name is Archibald Ferrohand, ambassador of the Stormy Isles, and this is" "Just Gordon, thank you for letting us into your home."

[Artemis97]

[Throne Room]

"I am Sornnolu Xar'Cha of House Xabaresh Chaeron, the eighth House of Menzoberranzan. I am the administrative leader here in Delmah Phor." The drow introduces himself. He wore simple robes of deep blue, lined in gold. His hair was yellow-white, his eyes amber, and his skin a deep dusky brown. He carried a staff of light purple mushroom wood in one hand. Festively, some holly had been twined around its top.

"You must forgive me, I have not heard of the Stormy Isles. Where are they located?"

[McBish]

[Throne Room]

An armed drow dressed in black leather, House Xar'Cha's sigil on his shoulder, approaches Cait. "Are you alright, Miss?" He asks, gently.

Cait stands up straighter no longer leaning on the wall. "Fine I am fine. I was just looking to get out of the cold." Her nose is red from being blown, but there is the slight chance the drow can smell the whiskey on her breath. She doesn't seem drunk, her fine cloak hides and shivering she is doing. Her voice is firm and full of authority. "I actually think I might be coming down with something, but I didn't want to miss the festivities."

[ThePhantom]

[Throne Room]

Archibald smiles at the chance to tell about his home.

"The Stormy Isles are off to the west of the city of Inside, about a two days journal away, through distance in the Nexus is a strange thing. They are a collection of five large islands with a number of smaller ones nearby."

As Archibald explains Gordon partly turns his attention to the decorations of the room.

[Artemis97]

[Throne Room]

"Would you like to come to the sitting room, for some coffee?" The drow asks Cait. "It's quieter, and there's a fire to warm yourself by."

* * *

"What sort of islands are they?" Sornnolu asks next. "Tropical? My family owns a small island back in Faerun." Owns. Conquered. Something like that.

Gordon will find the room looking very much like it was described here.

[ThePhantom]

[Throne Room]

"Somewhat. One of them is an active volcano, while another is a strange crystal place. The others fit more with that line."

In the meanwhile Gordon takes a glass from within his tenchcoat, filled with a red liquid and takes a sip from it.

[Artemis97]

[Throne Room]

"Amazing." Sornnolu says. "The land must be very fertile there. Do the crystals have any interesting properties?"

He notices Gordon drinking something from his coat, but politely says nothing about it. Perhaps he just didn't trust drinks from the drow, even though it would cause the worst of scandals for someone to be murdered at a public event like this.

[ThePhantom]

[Throne Room]

"Some parts are much more fertile than others. As for the crystals, they are clearly magical, as they cause that whole island to shift and move. There might be other properties but that one makes its hard to explore the island safely, we do unfortunately have a monster problem. Its a limit on how much exploring of the islands we can do."

"The ones that were safely collected do show fine promise as magical focuses. There were some that were not safely collected through, and they had to be returned to Sares."

Gordon is still focusing on the room's decor, but he is paying attention to the conservation.

[Reinholdt]

[Throne Room - Fayyaad]

"It sounds like you're familiar with the adventuring lifestyle yourself," Fayyaad says.

[Throne Room]

"A misconception I'm afraid," Leah states with a shake of her head. "I'm familiar with riding horses and long walks on the beach, but any adventuring knowledge I have is purely second hand. It is not something I personally wish to get involved in." Adventuring is icky and dangerous.

[McBish]

[Throne Room]

"Would you like to come to the sitting room, for some coffee?" The drow asks Cait. "It's quieter, and there's a fire to warm yourself by."

[Throne Room>>Sitting Room]

"Yes that sounds lovely actually. Please lead the way."

Cait will follow him doing her best to put on a air of authoritative calmness as she walks. That is probably ruined by the loud undignified sneeze she has halfway there followed by some light sniffling.