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Post by Admin on Oct 20, 2022 17:16:07 GMT
"They say there is a way by land, but no one has ever found it. 'All miles and none,' a poet once said. With any luck, Rinaldo will also take off the poet's heads."
"The lad is being a little enthusiastic in support of our new King and overly critical of artists. I'm sure Rinaldo will grow to be no different than the rest and better than his mother, Queen Jasra."
Hours later, the wagon arrives at the gloomy gates of Jidrash. Guards pay them scant attention as they ride into the city. A medieval place of low stone and wood buildings, with only the castle and Church of the Unicorn rising above two stories. The streets are busy despite the rain, and the markets are full of produce, though Dante can tell that the abundance will soon end as the fields he passed are flooded and rotting. The harbour is filled with ships at anchor, and the seas beyond the breakwater are angry.
Rinaldo's green and gold phoenix banners hang from most buildings. Overheard conversations inform him that the King also spends time in Amber in command of the famous Arden Rangers.
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Post by Dante on Oct 21, 2022 16:31:09 GMT
All miles and none? That gets his attention. There was something similar to that he had managed to successfully translate back in the crystal castle.
Curious, he continues to listen and nods, making a note of the names to inquire upon later once they had arrived.
Upon seeing the city, although this wouldn't be the first time that he'd seen a city in such a poor state in their technological level, he still finds himself impressed by the castle, though disappointed that it isn't the one that appeared in his dreams, but what does get his attention is the Church of the Unicorn. This was the first time that he could recall that he'd found something that matched even passingly to the symbol he had found in the crystal castle and had adopted as his personal insignia.
Tearing his eyes back to his surroundings once again he notes the banners and conversations as well as the look of the seas beyond the port...no wonder so many are in so foul a mood. He wonders...Concentrating in the direction of the sea, can he sense any sort of mystical or unusual energy at play that could be causing the weather to act this way? While he never picked up the skill himself, he dealt with enough technomages back home to know what to feel for to determine the presence of magic.
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Post by Admin on Oct 23, 2022 19:31:59 GMT
He has no luck in detecting any serious magic in the place. While there are small signs of minor spells in areas, none are powerful enough to dramatically affect the world by modifying the environment.
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Post by Dante on Oct 24, 2022 14:08:54 GMT
He is both relieved and a bit saddened by this revelation. He then hopes that it breaks soon, for the sake of these sailors and merchants. One of these days perhaps he would look into studying magic, but that was always something that took a back seat to his research.
Speaking of, now that that has been confirmed, he will head over to this Church of the Unicorn to investigate it, curious to see what sort of services are held and what sort of knowledge may be made available inside. If nothing else, to see how whatever clergy that served here treated travelers.
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Post by Admin on Oct 24, 2022 16:39:54 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/PTPGL99/nun~png The church is massive in the middle of a large complex of shrines, dormitories, kitchens and other lesser buildings. It is like a small city in the middle of a larger one. The castle across the way is also a part of a smaller city of its own. The recent coronation of King Rinaldo and Queen Coral required massive effort in repairing, cleaning and polishing the church buildings, exterior and interior. Dante smells the powerful intense as he enters the building and sees a gigantic statue of the Unicorn behind the altar. Priests and priestesses walk to and fro silently in their green and white robes. An acolyte comes to him and asks: "Greeting traveller. I am sorry, but there are no services today. Unless you have a great need and a suitable donation in memory of your lost loved one."
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Post by Dante on Oct 24, 2022 21:28:42 GMT
Dante is so bewildered and in quiet awe if the place, taking in every detail that he doesn't at first acknowledge the acolyte. When he does notice him though Dante smiles apologetically "Oh! Sorry, I've come a long way and was distracted by the temple's beauty. I thank you but I didn't come for services. You see I'm...a historian, and I was hoping to study writings, perhaps the faith as well as its history? I can pay in donations or am willing to work if you've a need in exchange for what I seek"
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Post by Admin on Oct 26, 2022 5:09:47 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/PTPGL99/nun~png "The book of the Unicorn is always available for the pilgrim who wishes to view it. Be sure to remove all weapons before entering the church, and then I can show you our library." she says. They cross the pews, exit through a side door and after a short walk along a passageway, come to a small library. There are four books, four tables and four chairs, and all the books are The Book Of the Unicorn. The clergy here are not interested in being widely read. "Take any seat you like and read for as long as you like. Servants will be sure to keep the candles lit." she says before leaving.
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Post by Dante on Oct 26, 2022 6:37:39 GMT
Dante does as instructed and unbelts his trusty basket hilted rapier and surrenders it to allow him entry into the church proper. Following the acolyte he continues to take in the sights of the church; it's architecture as much of a fascination for him as is its artistic decore.
Reaching the humble library he thanks the acolyte before taking off his pack and rain heavy coat, hanging it to dry while he sits at one of the tables and begins reading.
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Post by Admin on Oct 28, 2022 1:29:56 GMT
The book tells of the Abyss, a place of endless creation, the foul Courts of Chaos, where beautiful creation is twisted into evil forms and thoughts. This goes on for many, many boring chapters. Then there is a near-endless list of begat this and begat him and begat her and so on and so on, snakes and eyes and smoke and mirrors, swords, cups, staves, and pentacles—the usual mystical mumbo-jumbo.
It settles down later on a hero rises from the depths. Not just any hero but a unicorn who fights the serpent and partially blinds it. The unicorn runs off with a snake eye impaled on its horn. Many chapters of the unicorn wandering the formless expanse of weird shadowy forms until it comes to the lone rebel wizard from the Courts of Chaos, one who wishes to fight evil and destroy tyranny, who transforms the bloody eye into a precious jewel,, the inner light of which transforms the formless everything into worlds of substance and goodness.
Not content with that, he forms a mountain and castle where he dwells with many wives and dozens of children. There are then many, many more chapters involving the children fighting demons when they aren't fighting each other. Some die by the sword, some fall off great walls, and some are transformed into undead who stalk the land, devouring children who do not pay attention in mass on Oberonsday. A prophet comes with paints and forms new creations with art alone.
Like all religious texts, it ends with a fantasy war where the world is destroyed; the King dies dragging a great evil back into the Abyss, and the least of his children becomes the new King, ready to start the cycle all over again.
All in all a good tale poorly told. Many inconsistencies and gaps in plot and logic, far too many 'thou's and 'thee's, and having the most diminutive, weakest child becoming King is a bit on the nose.
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Post by Dante on Oct 28, 2022 14:49:59 GMT
He takes special care with the book, though it appears to be little more than the typical religious propaganda that he has seen many a culture craft in the hopes of influencing the masses, whether it be morally guiding them to a better code of behavior or controlling them spiritually...Though the acknowledgement of traveling to other worlds intrigues him, and makes it a point to write down any names that are mentioned of figures written about in the book. Perhaps these people yet live and if he could find them, learn more from them.
He will also flip through the book again, looking for any symbols like heraldry, looking for any that bare even a passing resemblance to the crest of the alicorn he found back in the Nexus and adopted as his own.
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Post by Admin on Oct 29, 2022 20:45:25 GMT
The only symbols of interest are the white unicorn on green background, prominently displayed in the church and about the city, and the one-eyed snake in a tree with a book among the branches. There is no clue as to how a snake could turn the book's pages.
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Post by Dante on Oct 31, 2022 20:14:09 GMT
Well...that's unfortunate but it at least proves somewhat informative.
Well, perhaps he can question some more learned people but for the time being, better see about finding a place to rest.
If they use a specific currency he will see about exchanging what he has access to for it, otherwise he will pay for comfortable lodging if available.
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Post by Admin on Nov 2, 2022 4:56:25 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/qMBZm3j/Anna-Mae~jpg He finds a place in the city not far from the castle and church. The Ram's Run has comfortable rooms and a good lounge. In the lounge, while eating his meal, a woman sidles up to him at the bar. "Hello, stranger. Buy a girl a drink?" she asks by way of introduction.
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Post by Dante on Nov 2, 2022 12:22:58 GMT
He looks up from his small sketch pad that he was drawing in while nibbling on his meal, looking a little embarrassed for not having noticed her before now "hm? Oh, you mean me?" he says in genuine confusion, not being used to people approaching him as she has. "Please, have a seat and um..." he waves for the bartender and once he has his attention looks back at her "a refill for me and whatever the young lady would like..." he says trying to not be rude to either her or the bartender...cultural differences can be a pain sometimes...especially when you yourself don't know all of them.
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Post by Admin on Nov 5, 2022 5:05:22 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/qMBZm3j/Anna-Mae~jpg "Thank you," she says to Dante. Then to the bartender: "I'll take a brandy. Since my new friend here looks well set up, make it the most expensive you have."After the first pleasant sip, she looks at his sketch pad. "An artist, I see. Mind if I take a look at your work?"
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