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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 21:39:28 GMT -5
((Disclaimer: representations of areas are subject to change following final compliance review of the powers that be. Enjoy the sneak peak of one of the many things to come.  ))
The night is young and the moon full. A drunken local stumbles out of the Regal Griffin Inn... you easily sidestep the commoner, briskly making your way down the town's road to its south gate.
Past the clucking chickens of a farmhouse and further yet still... a brief nod to the Cormite border guards as you leave the kingdom to enter no man's land... a cool breeze rises off the river whilst crossing the Bridge of Fallen Men.
The wood... is quiet and the road empty. Delay not, and keep to the path, one never knows what awaits you in the underbrush. A hooting owl.... and then a snapped twig!
Look this way... that way... nothing. Hurry on then.
...
...
Finally. The sight of a moving flame... closer. A guardsman of Proskur, the independent city-state just outside Cormyr's borders.
"Late arrival are yeh? Go on then, get on in and mind the merchant council's decree."
Passing the Proskuran, and entering the city proper, he shouts to stay for their beets festival in the coming day.
A sigh. Your business tonight has very little to do with beets, even less with Proskur.
Your business tonight... is with the Enclave at Proskur.
The trade district of the city is certainly different during the night when compared to the day. Some shuffling, some mumbles, shops are closing.
You walk Proskur's winding road, following a high wall within the city, traveling further west within.
The sound of the stream below plays in the background as the crickets and froglings sing their evening lullaby.
Finally.
The Thayan Enclave's west gate, really the only entrance for public and merchants alike. Who are you then to take this entrance? Perhaps one, perhaps the other, perhaps both.... or perhaps neither. Go on in dear traveler, but be mindful as you left Cormyr long before you past the Bridge of Fallen Men.
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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 21:44:32 GMT -5
Through the west gate, onto the rampart... the Enclave opens before you.
Mind your step then, the mix of cobble and mud has been worn by many a wagon wheel come to trade.
To the left, the humble Standing Stone Inn, one of the few buildings within the Enclave original to Proskur.
Before you are lines of shop that dot a rocky outcrop, closed this evening hour.
What now then... the faint smell... of home cooking? One cannot help but follow it, your nose leads you to the right.
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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 21:51:48 GMT -5
"Come out of the cold won't you? You poor dear." An older woman calls, her inexpensive and all-around pleasant restaurant seems welcoming. "Bor, get that water boiling, spiced mull for this one."
Mother Sivarra's Kitchen... her reputation does not disappoint. She bore the same features of the Proskuran guardsman, perhaps relatives? Certainly no Thayan... or Rashemi for that matter.
A bowl of mushroom broth soup and a mug of the mulled wine... a perfect eve. Perhaps, this is what home feels like?
The staff seem to not ask too many questions, interesting.
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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 21:58:04 GMT -5
You still have time. What to do while you wait? Perhaps a walk around...
Leaving some acceptable currency on the wood counter, you rise and make way to the southeast corner of the Enclave.
So... this is the famed Priador Emporium? The smell of exotic goods are notable. What wonders lie within its closed doors?
Someone above a now closed shop blows out a candle in their room, then closing the shutters.
A quick look at some of the signs... bookbinding... jewelry... curio...
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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 22:02:47 GMT -5
What to do then if one can't spend one's... well earned... coin?
Wood in the distance, within the Enclave?
Past the narrow road and alleyways of the Emporium... there is green.
Thick wood rise from the ground, the sound of their leaves audibly dance to the evening breeze.
Past a park bench, a handsome visage of stone rises to meet the trees as if to rival the height of the canopy.
Handsome, Mulan features. This might be a romantic spot if you weren't alone tonight.
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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 22:09:54 GMT -5
But you are alone. Why are you wasting your time here... no not late... you still have time.
Past the tailored park, almost hidden by the canopy and thick roots, is a place seemingly public and yet... not for the public or foreign.
A round building seems to glow with otherworldly light, from the distance one makes out what appears to be a hall of shrines within.
Past that still... a building of opulence. Seemingly well guarded, and well warded. What manner of wizards reside within and call this place home one wonders... though perhaps the answer is obvious.
The light shining out through the tracery of the windows seem... unnatural.
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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 22:16:22 GMT -5
Something seems to... turn your attention away.
Following that, the scent of burnt embers draws your nose... and you... to the north.
Here the floor is hard cobble, the sound of each step echoing in the evening.
Dark smoke creates a fine haze in the immediate area, not thick enough to mask an imposing structure that rises to meet onlookers, and easily dwarfing the hall of shrines from prior.
The temple guards of Kossuth have a keen eye as they look down from their perch.
Before the arrival of the Thayans at Proskur, this site was home to Proskur's temple of Waukeen. Rumor has it that the Temple of the Fire Lord covers her secret and vast treasure.... then again... these are just rumors... right?
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Post by DOT on Mar 16, 2022 22:24:23 GMT -5
The heat escapes the temple, what lies within? Perhaps another time. You have an appointment after all.
So a quick walk past the rising columns of the Fire Lord's abode, through the square... one cannot miss, the massive tower of Khazark Chathin Zurn.
More importantly is the place of your meeting in its shadow.
The Thayan Embassy.
Just on time. Finally.
...
Unfortunately...
it is now you slowly realize, Cormyr's business with the Thayan Enclave is within Cormyr in the city of Marsember. You... are at Proskur's Thayan Enclave. As in the independent city-state of Proskur. Wrong Enclave.
Well buttons and barndoors. What are you to do now?
((stay tuned for Better Red than Dead - Expansion 2 of 2))
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))
