Ice Titan's Might, Chapter 1: Rumblings in the Mountain
"Well met, travelers! Keep yer fingers and extremities under wraps, 'lest Auril bite them off! Mind yer tempers, and you'll be most welcome here! Brought goods to sell? The Flint Row market lies straight ahead! Craving a warm drink? May I recommend a drop of Chestnut Cider, sold only at the Jolly Beard Tavern, located on yer right as you enter the market square?! Winter's blessin' to ye all!"
Most everyone who finds themselves at the southern gate of Tynesvar has heard that speech, whether for the first time as a newcomer or for the thousandth time as a local. Aubrek, the bright and excitable face of the guards, shouts that greeting at everyone who passes through the opened drawbridge and into the walled city proper. It's not a terribly large city, its resident population being a bit less than a thousand strong and seeing a respectable amount of foot traffic from its location at the edge of the hinterlands; still, compared to the other settlements nestled in the nooks and crannies of the Ganater Mountains, it was one of the larger ones.
Not beholden to the law of any kingdom or empire, the jarls of each nearby walled settlement worked together in a sort of business relationship, to benefit mutual prosperity and protection from the dangers that plagued the surrounding wilds. Out here, they relied only on themselves and not on gods -- though many worshippers of less popular faiths found sanctuary and asylum in this kingless land.
For many people, the southern gate of Tynesvar was a new beginning. Either they were leaving the artic northern half of the continent of Ostenhor for its more temperate southern half or they were entering it, for whatever motives they held within themselves.
Alder:
The chilly climate is nothing unusual to Alder, having lived in the northern region for most of his formative years (and perhaps beyond). Still, he wasn't quite fond of the so-called cities around the area -- specifically, their filthy heathen worship of lesser 'deities' and false idols. In that regard, he felt much more at home in the temperate region to the south, whose old and storied kingdoms worshipped Oen as the supreme being that He was.
Regardless of the savage ways of the people up here, Alder knew there was potential to be uncovered: the ruins of Ostoria, the ancient empire of Oen's Firstborn! The Golden Testament (which he knew by heart) said that at the time of Ostoria's existence, Oen himself walked the land and bestowed His blessing upon the world of Aeyvis. If that was true (and of course it was), then there would surely be great artifacts containing His radiance within the rubble of the giant's civilization. And if there were, he would be the one to find it.
Puck:
Puck is a long way away from Garza, having traveled across the continent of Achar'ii to its west coast and taken a several weeks' voyage across the Cremir Ocean to end up in this unfamiliar land. It was also weird for him to see his breath mist in front of him -- 'cold' isn't really a word that exists back where he's from. But unfamiliar is great, when he was bored with the familiar sights and sounds, the same crowds and cheers. He was here for something fresh, something exciting -- and this was surely the place to start his search for new challenges and new audiences.
Along the way up the roads north, he ran into some commoners moving in the opposite direction, saying something about giants attacking up north or whatever. (He thanked them for the advice and picked up the pace -- wouldn't want to miss out on the action, after all.) Unfortunately, his arrival at the gates of Tynesvar was slightly poor timing -- it was late enough that most of the interesting people in the tavern of Puck's choice were either drunk out of coherency or passed out cold (or both). But today was a new day, and there was a new and exciting town to see!
Austin and A.W.E.:
Gosh darn it. How did it come to this?
Well, they kind of knew how. Austin and A.W.E. had been hanging out in their usual spot on the Shrewsneau River, just outside of the walls of Tynesvar, when the young teenager thought he saw something interesting in the distance and went to go look at it. He turned his back for one minute (at least, that's what it felt like for him) and then suddenly he heard someone shout from the direction where he had left A.W.E.. Looking back he saw two guards wrestle the robot down and tie him up, before tossing him in a nearby cart and setting off while mumbling things about 'research' and 'payday'. Which leads to the current moment, as Austin followed them into the city proper to get his friend back.
"Oi, coming through!" The driver of the cart, a short and stout dwarven male bundled up best he can, calls out as the cart rumbles through the cobblestone streets. A roughspun sheet had been tossed over its current occupant, currently laying on his side, but the metal man calculated that neither of these were the most forthcoming concern at the moment. His primary objective was to get out of the ropes tying him up and to get back to Austin, in whatever order that could be accomplished.
"Gonna have to run faster than that, squirt." A familar black owl perches lazily on Austin's shoulder, his neck craning around at the sights of the city while his 'master' tries to catch up with the cart in vain. Vincent probably could fly up into the air and figure out where the cart was going, but he hasn't been told to yet. Either way, the cart with Austin's mechanical friend was starting to blend into the scenery and he most definitely did not want that.
Mei-Lynn:
The colder temperatures of Ostenhor were tolerable enough, but it was only after spending a night in the frigid city that Mei-Lynn truly began to long for the tropical climate of Toraya. Alas, her home continent and home nation were far below her now, nearly half the world away -- so the frigid cold of the north would have to suffice for now. There were many things to be done in the city while they were here -- buying supplies, finding ways to make coin, plotting out a course for their next destination (or perhaps staying for a bit longer, depending on their circumstances) -- and there was only so much daylight to go around in the current season.
As she gets ready for the day (shivering a bit, in the absence of a hearth) she looks over to her travelling companion who seems to have slept in a bit.
Regalia:
Sometimes Regalia has dreams, about her travels or her past or simply about whatever thoughts had been brewing in her head as she dozed off. Last night had not been one of those nights, having arrived with Mei-Lynn late into the evening low on supplies. They had been between cities for quite some time, so settling into a room instead of camping beneath the stars was a welcome respite. But through the comforting quiet of a long-awaited sleep, a familiar and intimate voice rings through the silence for but a moment.
"Curious. There's something in the air today."
Without further elaboration she eventually comes to consciousness, the slightest hint of frost sprinkled atop the bedsheets wrapped around her. It looks like it might have snowed last night.
"Well met, travelers! Keep yer fingers and extremities under wraps, 'lest Auril bite them off! Mind yer tempers, and you'll be most welcome here! Brought goods to sell? The Flint Row market lies straight ahead! Craving a warm drink? May I recommend a drop of Chestnut Cider, sold only at the Jolly Beard Tavern, located on yer right as you enter the market square?! Winter's blessin' to ye all!"
Most everyone who finds themselves at the southern gate of Tynesvar has heard that speech, whether for the first time as a newcomer or for the thousandth time as a local. Aubrek, the bright and excitable face of the guards, shouts that greeting at everyone who passes through the opened drawbridge and into the walled city proper. It's not a terribly large city, its resident population being a bit less than a thousand strong and seeing a respectable amount of foot traffic from its location at the edge of the hinterlands; still, compared to the other settlements nestled in the nooks and crannies of the Ganater Mountains, it was one of the larger ones.
Not beholden to the law of any kingdom or empire, the jarls of each nearby walled settlement worked together in a sort of business relationship, to benefit mutual prosperity and protection from the dangers that plagued the surrounding wilds. Out here, they relied only on themselves and not on gods -- though many worshippers of less popular faiths found sanctuary and asylum in this kingless land.
For many people, the southern gate of Tynesvar was a new beginning. Either they were leaving the artic northern half of the continent of Ostenhor for its more temperate southern half or they were entering it, for whatever motives they held within themselves.
Alder:
The chilly climate is nothing unusual to Alder, having lived in the northern region for most of his formative years (and perhaps beyond). Still, he wasn't quite fond of the so-called cities around the area -- specifically, their filthy heathen worship of lesser 'deities' and false idols. In that regard, he felt much more at home in the temperate region to the south, whose old and storied kingdoms worshipped Oen as the supreme being that He was.
Regardless of the savage ways of the people up here, Alder knew there was potential to be uncovered: the ruins of Ostoria, the ancient empire of Oen's Firstborn! The Golden Testament (which he knew by heart) said that at the time of Ostoria's existence, Oen himself walked the land and bestowed His blessing upon the world of Aeyvis. If that was true (and of course it was), then there would surely be great artifacts containing His radiance within the rubble of the giant's civilization. And if there were, he would be the one to find it.
Puck:
Puck is a long way away from Garza, having traveled across the continent of Achar'ii to its west coast and taken a several weeks' voyage across the Cremir Ocean to end up in this unfamiliar land. It was also weird for him to see his breath mist in front of him -- 'cold' isn't really a word that exists back where he's from. But unfamiliar is great, when he was bored with the familiar sights and sounds, the same crowds and cheers. He was here for something fresh, something exciting -- and this was surely the place to start his search for new challenges and new audiences.
Along the way up the roads north, he ran into some commoners moving in the opposite direction, saying something about giants attacking up north or whatever. (He thanked them for the advice and picked up the pace -- wouldn't want to miss out on the action, after all.) Unfortunately, his arrival at the gates of Tynesvar was slightly poor timing -- it was late enough that most of the interesting people in the tavern of Puck's choice were either drunk out of coherency or passed out cold (or both). But today was a new day, and there was a new and exciting town to see!
Austin and A.W.E.:
Gosh darn it. How did it come to this?
Well, they kind of knew how. Austin and A.W.E. had been hanging out in their usual spot on the Shrewsneau River, just outside of the walls of Tynesvar, when the young teenager thought he saw something interesting in the distance and went to go look at it. He turned his back for one minute (at least, that's what it felt like for him) and then suddenly he heard someone shout from the direction where he had left A.W.E.. Looking back he saw two guards wrestle the robot down and tie him up, before tossing him in a nearby cart and setting off while mumbling things about 'research' and 'payday'. Which leads to the current moment, as Austin followed them into the city proper to get his friend back.
"Oi, coming through!" The driver of the cart, a short and stout dwarven male bundled up best he can, calls out as the cart rumbles through the cobblestone streets. A roughspun sheet had been tossed over its current occupant, currently laying on his side, but the metal man calculated that neither of these were the most forthcoming concern at the moment. His primary objective was to get out of the ropes tying him up and to get back to Austin, in whatever order that could be accomplished.
"Gonna have to run faster than that, squirt." A familar black owl perches lazily on Austin's shoulder, his neck craning around at the sights of the city while his 'master' tries to catch up with the cart in vain. Vincent probably could fly up into the air and figure out where the cart was going, but he hasn't been told to yet. Either way, the cart with Austin's mechanical friend was starting to blend into the scenery and he most definitely did not want that.
Mei-Lynn:
The colder temperatures of Ostenhor were tolerable enough, but it was only after spending a night in the frigid city that Mei-Lynn truly began to long for the tropical climate of Toraya. Alas, her home continent and home nation were far below her now, nearly half the world away -- so the frigid cold of the north would have to suffice for now. There were many things to be done in the city while they were here -- buying supplies, finding ways to make coin, plotting out a course for their next destination (or perhaps staying for a bit longer, depending on their circumstances) -- and there was only so much daylight to go around in the current season.
As she gets ready for the day (shivering a bit, in the absence of a hearth) she looks over to her travelling companion who seems to have slept in a bit.
Regalia:
Sometimes Regalia has dreams, about her travels or her past or simply about whatever thoughts had been brewing in her head as she dozed off. Last night had not been one of those nights, having arrived with Mei-Lynn late into the evening low on supplies. They had been between cities for quite some time, so settling into a room instead of camping beneath the stars was a welcome respite. But through the comforting quiet of a long-awaited sleep, a familiar and intimate voice rings through the silence for but a moment.
"Curious. There's something in the air today."
Without further elaboration she eventually comes to consciousness, the slightest hint of frost sprinkled atop the bedsheets wrapped around her. It looks like it might have snowed last night.
