Free-Form Fantasy

Noname · **Reply #900 on:** May 01, 2010, 02:23:53 AM

"Yeah. Before we leave, I would like to visit the spice market. I don't imagine that wherever we are going will have quite the same tastes as this land, so, if it is alright with you, I'd like to buy a supply of spices, at least, to give me something familiar during the trip, even if it is just one thing." Selene knew how expensive some of these spices were, but she also knew which ones she could afford.

(OOC: No Dune reference intended!)

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #901 on:** May 02, 2010, 02:41:35 AM

"OK then," Shiana replied. "We'll go there. I'll go check on the others if they're ready."

Noname · **Reply #902 on:** May 02, 2010, 03:07:32 AM

"Alright then. I'll be waiting here. Don't hurry on my account, and if you want anything, I'll be glad to show you around. You can buy almost anything you want in Minbenthac, you know." Selene was correct; the markets contained almost anything, including goods which were rarely legal in other lands.

Serris · **Reply #903 on:** May 02, 2010, 10:32:54 PM

The Strutho chuckled. "By the way, they Stygium is ready. It's just being kept warm and ready for use," he said.

"Thanks," Torvin said, eating his oatmeal.

Noname · **Reply #904 on:** May 02, 2010, 10:44:05 PM

"While you two lovebirds were busy doing who-knows-what, there's still a little problem. Have you forgotten about that necromancer? We still need to deal with him!" Alima's voice was high, whiny, and not very nice to listen to, especially when she was mad, but the little kobold had a point.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #905 on:** May 04, 2010, 09:39:09 PM

Shiana first found Youri in his room and Halo soon returned from the stables. Some talk was exchanged as to whether or not Storm Paw wishes to stay longer, which he doesn't seem adamant. The group returned to the senmurv and they soon agreed that Storm Paw could depart early for home. The half-elf quickly wrote a message and placed it in a belt pack strapped to Storm Paw, the only sort of equipment he is comfortable with carrying.

With a quick good-bye, the senmurv took to the turquoise sky, and the others re-entered the inn to pick up Selene...

Noname · **Reply #906 on:** May 04, 2010, 10:07:11 PM

Selene stood up as she saw the rest approach her.

"Are you all ready to go to the market? I'll show you the way. Minbenthac's streets can be kinda confusing, especially in the old city."

Most of Minbenthac was known as the "new" city, in that it was of more recent construction. Most of the streets were lined up in a grid pattern, save for those in the old city, where the streets were chaotic, disorganized, and seemed to go in every which way. Most of the important structures and locations were in the new city, but the old city was home to the spice market that Selene particularly liked.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #907 on:** May 05, 2010, 09:33:26 PM

"We're ready," Shiana replied. "Oh, and Storm Paw departed early for Willowrock. He didn't seem to like sleeping in the stables like a beast of burden."

Noname · **Reply #908 on:** May 05, 2010, 09:43:11 PM

"We'll see him later, I guess. Alright, I'll show you the way. Follow me, and stay close. The streets can be rather tricky." Selene led Shiana and the others through the streets of Minbenthac, being careful to avoid the most crowded intersections. At first it was an easy walk; the city's streets, while mostly covered in sand and smooth stone, were lined up in nice rows. Then, after the greater part of an hour, the streets became narrow, crowded and winding. The buildings on either side of the road took on a decidedly older and plainer look, and instead of stone buildings, houses and shops made of mud-brick and wood were common sites. To top it off, the number of peddlers and vagrants increased to the point that Selene had to take care not to trip over their tails. This was the old city, a reminder of what Minbenthac had once been.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #909 on:** May 05, 2010, 10:38:19 PM

The trio made sure not to lose sight of their guide, whom had almost seemed to quickly melt into the other Dracon faces, had they not had Youri's eyes for recognizing details of individuals. Another trait he had from his creation for certain purposes...

Noname · **Reply #910 on:** May 05, 2010, 10:52:45 PM

Soon, Selene led them to a large plaza in the middle of the Old City. The air was heavy with the smell of exotic spices; clearly this was the market. Setting her claws onto the reddish dirt of the plaza, the young dracon signaled for the others to keep near to her, as one could easily be lost in the crowd.

"Stay close, everyone. This place can be a little rough."

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #911 on:** June 05, 2010, 05:09:28 AM

The trio took Selene's message to meaning, but Youri had less trouble. Anyone accidently colliding with the nimblewright would've felt like they were bumping into a metal pillar...

Noname · **Reply #912 on:** June 05, 2010, 09:12:46 PM

Eventually, the party came to the center of the market, the object of Selene's search. Specifically, they came to a green stall manned by an wizened old dracon male. His eyes widened with recognition when he saw Selene approach.

"Selene! Is that you? Oh my gods, It's been ages! How have you been?"

"Malik! It's so good to see you. I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to you first."

"Leave?! You're going-?! Where are you leaving for?"

"I'm going to study magic abroad with some friends that are with me. I also wanted to buy some of your spices one last time before I depart. Don't worry, I'll be back someday."

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #913 on:** June 16, 2010, 03:47:17 AM

While Selene was talking with her friend, the trio waited patiently. Somehow there was some tiny sense of uncertainty where they are.

Noname · **Reply #914 on:** June 16, 2010, 04:48:39 AM

Selene quickly paid for her spices and rejoined the others.

"Shiana! I've got some spices for the trip. Maybe we can use some of them with dinner, as long as we only use a pinch, 'cause we've got to make it last a long time!"

Truth be told, a pinch was all that most species could handle without the spices burning their tongues. Dracons could eat whole meals covered in that spice, but a human or an elf would find it intolerable in larger quantities.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #915 on:** June 18, 2010, 01:15:17 AM

"That's fine with me," Shiana replied. Halo rarely needs to eat, and Youri needs no nourishment from food.

Halo looked over at Shiana's bowcase and noticed something... "I think your bowstring needs to be replaced."

Shiana immediately drew her bow and examined it. "What the... I only used it in that underground fight! How's that possible?!"

Noname · **Reply #916 on:** June 18, 2010, 03:02:09 AM

"If you need a new bowstring, we can surely find one in the market, although not here. I can show you a place where that can be fixed or replaced. It is not nearly as exotic as this one." Selene knew the city well enough to lead them to where they needed to go.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #917 on:** June 21, 2010, 10:34:04 PM

"OK then," Shiana replied as she puts her bow back in her bow case. "I'm starting to think that the magic from the quiver onto the arrows may have something behind the bowstring breaking apart."

Noname · **Reply #918 on:** June 22, 2010, 11:18:39 PM

Selene was a mage, but her magic was natural and intuitive. The specific workings of her powers were largely unknown to her. All she knew is that her magic worked, and normally, that was enough. At this moment, however, it was a problem.

"I wish I knew if that was the case. I can sense magic in the bow, but I don't know how it is affecting the weapon. In any case, it can be fixed or replaced easily enough."

Serris · **Reply #919 on:** June 23, 2010, 01:37:18 PM

"Alima, that's what I intend to do," Torvin said, finishing his oatmeal. He headed to the smithy. The Strutho followed him.

The smithy was quiet save for the quiet roaring of the fire in the forge. The crucible containing the molten Stygium was sitting in the furnace.

The Strutho got up and fetched a ceramic basin and funnel and placed it on a wooden table. "Alima, Cassia! We're ready for the project!" he called.