Sahaegin's Tale of Lumnis and the Halflings
Lumnis Symbol Art by Lady Everglynn
Brandiwine
Sahaegin's Tale
of Lumnis and the Halflings
from the archives of Lady Iscikella Zinnonn
Today is Day of the Huntress, day 6 of the month Imaerasta in the year 5102. It is 11:45 by the elven time standard.
[Luukos Chapel]
The rounded chamber walls reflect a faint emerald shade from moonlight passing through tinted skylights in fragmented beams. The light imbues the room with an unearthly emerald glow. An altar of black ora is positioned below, in the precise center of the room, and its base is wreathed in wisps of haze drifting down from the frozen architecture. Spread out across the ceiling's arc is a carved serpent, its wingspan enormous and its languid coils resonating a quiet sense of malice.
Obvious exits: out.
look altar
Stylized serpents form the four edges of the altar, their tapered black bodies slithering upwards while their dark emerald eyes stare fixedly outwards. Upon the uppermost face of the altar are deep engravings, the chiseled lines forming a large symbol of Luukos overlaying the pure blackness of the altar's surface. An oxidized copper plaque is fixed at the front of the base.
You feel an urge to find the altar of your lady.
[Hall of the Mind]
The two halves of this room have been covered--ceiling, walls, and floor--with black granite and grey marble. Meeting seamlessly in the middle, the two kinds of stone have been carved into gently sloping, crenulated curves. Set against the backdrop of a bas-relief carving in the grey northern wall is an altar of misty white vaalin, while an altar of snowflake obsidian lies at the foot of the granite southern wall. You also see some silver coins.
Also in the room: Duvalle who is seated, Sahaegin who is seated
Obvious exits: south, up.
You kneel down.
Sahaegin says, "So.. in the oldest of days..."
You serenely say, "Something..."
You serenely say, "...drew me."
Duvalle turns to face you.
Sahaegin says, "There was the lady..."
Sahaegin says, "She was lovely and wise and knew all that she encountered."
You reach out and touch a vaalin altar.
Sahaegin smiles at you.
Duvalle leans back.
You blink.
Duvalle relaxes visibly.
You serenely say, "I felt an urge to come here."
You serenely say, "Was very strange."
You reach out and touch a vaalin altar.
look vaalin altar
The simple design of this altar highlights the beauty of the material from which it was crafted. The lustrous white surface of the metal swims with opalescent swirls, as if the altar were made of moonlit mist. On top of the altar is a pattern of five conjoined circles wrought of red, blue, black, green, and white glaes. Over these lies a golden scroll, partially unrolled to reveal its knowledge. Fixed to the front of the altar is an imflass plaque.
Duvalle smiles at you.
Sahaegin says, "She wandered the lands, observing the new races that inhabited the beautiful land"
You sit up.
You cock your head at Sahaegin.
You see Sahaegin Dughn the Bard Laureate.
She appears to be a Mhoragian Halfling.
She appears to be wizened with age and shorter than average. She has silver-flecked eyes and ruddy skin. She has very long, very long silver hair worn in a single braid. She has an upturned nose and deep laugh lines.
She is in good shape.
She is holding a twisted carved walking staff in her left hand.
She is wearing a light grey woolen cloak, a leather tunic with faint embroidery worked around the neck and across the shoulders, some soft beaded leather moccasins, a suede satchel, a quilled leather sheath, and a crystal amulet.
You smile at Sahaegin.
Sahaegin says, "She was other, yet she understood the Elves like they were kin"
Sahaegin leans back.
You serenely say, "Ah..."
High Lady Kadesha just arrived.
Sahaegin says, "Well, Lumnis was not of the elves, and she wondered just how she would explain her love for them"
You nod to Sahaegin.
Kadesha curtsies to you.
Aranrhod just arrived.
Kadesha curtsies to Duvalle.
Kadesha curtsies to Sahaegin.
You whisper quietly to Kadesha, "Sit and listen."
Kadesha sits down.
Duvalle smiles at Kadesha.
Duvalle says, "Please join us."
You whisper quietly to Aranrhod, "Sit and listen."
Kadesha smiles at Duvalle.
You serenely say, "Aye, please."
You nod.
Sahaegin says, "She spent time with her love and thought, 'How do I explain this love for the Elven races..."
Aranrhod sits down.
You ask, "And had she a thought?"
Sahaegin says, "For a long time she hid her regard for them. She spent time, observing their progress, their art, their music..."
Duvalle removes some white monir prayer beads from his neck.
Sahaegin says, "Their learning."
Duvalle gently pulls a single prayer bead through his fingers.
Sahaegin smiles.
Sahaegin says, "She fell more deeply in love with them as they progressed"
You smile at Sahaegin.
Sahaegin says, "They were as cherished children"
Sahaegin says, "However.. her time and dwelling was in the mountains of the..."
Lord Arianiss just arrived.
Sahaegin says, "Arkati"
Arianiss turns to give you a quick smooch, and you tilt your head slightly, giving him a warm buss on the lips.
You whisper quietly to Arianiss, "Sit and listen."
You nod to Sahaegin.
Sahaegin says, "There came a time when Lumnis had to stand back from the..."
Arianiss joins your group.
Sahaegin says, "Elves."
Aranrhod leans forward and rests her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Sahaegin says, "They were proud by then... and Koar frowned at their pride."
Kadesha sighs.
You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.
You bite your lip.
Sahaegin says, "However.. while she was journeying from the Elven cities to her dwelling in the Great Mountains..."
Sahaegin says, "She came across the halfling nations."
You smile at Sahaegin.
Sahaegin says, "She was intrigued."
Sahaegin says, "Here was a people, small, yet powerful."
You grin at Duvalle.
You nod to Duvalle.
Sahaegin says, "Here was a people steeped in lore and simple in lifestyle."
You lean forward.
Sahaegin says, "The Lady was intrigued."
You say, "As well she would be."
You flash a wide grin.
Sahaegin says, "She bided for a time, learning their lore, their myths and their lifestyle."
Sahaegin says, "finally, she decided she had to depart, to return to the mountain reaches of her home."
Duvalle smiles.
You sigh softly.
Sahaegin says, "However, before she left, she summoned the small folk to a gathering."
You cock your head at Sahaegin.
Kadesha leans forward.
Sahaegin says, "A feast was prepared.. of course."
You smile at Sahaegin.
Sahaegin says, "There was roasted meats and vegetables. There were pies and a rich spread of fruits."
Aranrhod smiles quietly to herself.
Sahaegin says, "All celebrated the rich table."
Kadesha grins at Aranrhod.
Iscikella smiles appreciatively.
Sahaegin says, "However, before leaving, the Lady called all to listen to her words."
You listen carefully to Sahaegin.
Sahaegin says, "She called the feast to quiet.. and some did protest, but they were quickly subdued"
Sahaegin grins.
(Arianiss snores softly.)
You whisper quietly to Arianiss, "Don't do that."
Arianiss blinks.
Arianiss whispers, "Wha?"
Arianiss peers quizzically at you.
You serenely say, "Don't snore, Arianiss."
You elbow Arianiss in the ribs in a playful sort of way.
Arianiss says, "I wasn't."
Arianiss flails his arms about.
You turn to face Sahaegin.
You lean forward.
Sahaegin says, "The lady addressed the host, saying, "Your forefathers did not foresee you, did not see this town you have built in the wilderness."
You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.
You lean forward.
Aranrhod rubs her chin thoughtfully.
Sahaegin says, "But, you have prevailed."
Sahaegin says, "Your ancesters journeyed away from their homes.."
Sahaegin says, "Knowing as they did, that they were abandoning their heritage."
Sahaegin says, "However, I think we have proved, this night, that they did not do so."
Sahaegin smiles.
Sahaegin says, "I think we have forged the path for them to follow, forged a way back to their home on the steppes."
You ponder.
You lean forward and rest your chin in your hand, a thoughtful expression on your face.
Duvalle smiles at Sahaegin.
Sahaegin says, "so.. with prayer.. I believe we can direct those lost spirits back to the homelands, and back to those they lost years ago."
Sahaegin sighs.
You exclaim, "Oh!"
You clap your hands.
Sahaegin says, "Perhaps I dream too much."
Aranrhod smiles at Sahaegin.
Arianiss says, "I'll pray to Luukos daily to see that they be directed back where they belong."
Arianiss nods.
Arianiss nods.
Sahaegin says, "Please.. remember those lost ones in your prayers."
Kadesha glances at Arianiss.
Sahaegin smiles.
You say, "I think ye nae dream too much."
Duvalle grasps a single bead between his forefinger and thumb,a look of intense devotion on his face.
You smile at Sahaegin.
Sahaegin bows her head.
