Seraphina Swann Character in Terrakh | World Anvil

Seraphina Swann

Saia ("Sister") Seraphina Swann (a.k.a. Brännkvinna)

Saia Seraphina Lady Swann, Sister of the Dréama and paternal cousin the Viceroy of Swannport has returned home for a brief time before beginning her wanderings as mandated by her order. She has studied lore, music, language, and the arts of persuasion, passion, and human motivations.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

5'10" 134 lbs Lean and athletic from years of training

Body Features

Tall and thin Bronze skin Medium-small bust Long legs

Facial Features

Deep brown eyes that reflect amber Beauty mark on left cheek

Identifying Characteristics

Platinum blonde hair, almost white - rare for a Duskhan but common for a Dréama Classic Duskhan bearing.

Apparel & Accessories

Upper class dress Often wears red, bronze, and gold.

Relationships

Scion of a noble family and a secretive sisterhood of bards called the Dréama. Having completed her twelve-year training, she's returned home for a funeral and a short stay before beginning the Faering (The Wandering).

View Character Profile
Alignment
Lawful Neutral (Good)
Age
24
Date of Birth
Threma 1, 599
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Amber-Brown
Hair
Platinum (almost white)
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Bronze
Height
5' 10"
Weight
134 lbs
Related Plots
Ruled Locations

Status Letter to the Viceroy

To the beloved and excellent Lord Julius Swann, Viceroy of Southern Fieras; Seraphina, daughter of Lord Marcus Swann and Lady Serina Swann, and by your grace, Margrave of Livania after our late and glorious ancestor, we send greetings and the bond of friendship.   Right worshipful and my most entirely beloved cousin, in the most humble manner I recommend me unto your good leadership, beseeching you daily and nightly of your familial blessing, ever-more desiring to hear of your welfare and prosperity, the which I pray to the Three to continue and increase to your heart's desire; and if it liked your good heart to hear of me and how I do, at the making of this letter I was in good health of mind and body, thanked be the Three, and blessed in them in skill, song, and the craft.   In the short time since last we were last in each other's company, the settlement of River's End has continued apace. As no doubt you know from our diplomatic correspondence, the situation with the Minari leader Maelgwn has stabilized. He leads a loose confederation of Minari tribes that has arisen in the name of honorable self-defense of Minari homes and families. While he sees us with suspicion, he and his so far do not see us as an enemy. In fact, my dear cousin and most excellent lord, I am disposed to think we have a shared enemy in the hobgoblins and others emerging from the mountain heights. Building on helping his people and avenging the deaths of the villagers would be in everyone's interest.   Personally I am thriving here; however in the few weeks that have passed, I've found I've missed my mother and your noble company, your advice, and our games of chess. Yet I and my fellows are resolute and will continue our efforts with verve, and with the grace of the Three, with greater successes. I thank you my lord, and give credit and due appreciation and deference toward the support you've shown to my forging a new path, both in life and in honor, than that of my mother and hers. I remember your words of the paths I may follow. I could have taken the easy path, followed that of my mother, or married an up and coming lord or gentleman. Inspired by you, when the time is right to continue our family line, I will settle for only the most honorable match that brings glory to myself, my orders, my family, and to you, dear cousin - to who's grace and mentorship I owe everything.   So humbly craving the continuance of your honorable favor towards me, and the eternal establishment of your happiness, I humbly take leave. Love me, as I love you, and think upon my mother and brother, as they think upon you.     Yours most humbly affectionate Sera.   Lady Livania, the Margrave Seraphina of Swann

A Campfire Chat

The first day out the caravan from Swannport had made excellent progress, traveling nearly twenty miles before they stopped for the night. However, the roads to the west faded to cart tracks and then to nothing at all by mid morning the next day. The lack of roads meant that scouts had to blaze the trail as they went, pick ways around pitfalls rocks too big for wagons to traverse, and to avoid muddy stretches that would mire the wagons to a standstill. Even then, they had still spent four hours shoving wagons through a very shallow ford that had three feet of muddy silt -- and that was at the best crossing point.   Everyone was exhausted by the end of the day. They had to stop on rocky, uncomfortable ground so most were intending to sleep in wagons, which made for an uncomfortably wet, cool night filled with insects that would have normally be repelled by campfire smoke.   Matilda had opted to sit at the campfire. She'd made hot water and was now enjoying a bit of a tin cup of tea. She looked up as Seraphina approached as she went from camp to camp, and smiled. "Welcome, Initiate," she gently teased. Initiate was of course the title Seraphina had earned recently from the Covenant of High Sorcery in Swannport, but it was probably the least of all her titles.   "Greetings Teacher," she replied. "May I join your fire?"   "Of course," she said with a smile. Travel today had been hard for everyone, and Matilda was no exception. Her blue-black locks were stringy and matted from humidity and sweat, her face streaked with mud. Prestidigitation, after all, was fine for cleaning a small thing, but people were much too big for such petty magics; they would remain feeling filthy until they had a chance to bathe.   "I'm looking forward to arrival. We have big plans for the palisade and some temporary lodgings. Tents will have to do for now, but hopefully it will be enough of a respite. We'll have a keep eventually. An inn. A general store. All the trappings of frontier life!" The last was a light joke. It would be awhile before any sense of normalcy set in.   Seraphina noted, "Barring that, any ideas how to clean ourselves up from this loveliness?"   "I plan on jumping in the river within the hour of our arrival," Matilda chuckled. Smiling, she added, "I imagine you might be looking back at your purification ritual as less an inconvenient requirement of initiation, and more a very pleasing bath compared to this!"   "Oh I didn't mind it. I'm not at all shy about such things. Ceremony, ritual, processes, are all of interest to me," she noted. "A relaxing bath would be nice though."   "If I had a good, clean source I'd fill a tub, but somehow I have the feeling that even if we dug a shallow well, it would only fill with mud. Anyway, a stronger-flowing river will cure these ills."   She smiled. "I'm glad you endured the Covenant's little initiation ceremony, though. As inconvenient as it might have been in light of all the necessary preparations that needed to be done ahead of this journey, it means something that you took time for it. The Covenant will look after its own, although it seems you might not need such protections anymore. On the other hand, they are a great resource to refer to when it comes to finding new ways to combine and bend sorcery to new applications."   "I feel I'll need their help, and yours, as I learn more. It is interesting, I feel myself growing in so many ways since that night by the sea. I used to be able to bend light a bit to disguise myself, but it always failed me. This morning I tried again - you know, to secretly walk among the people and hear them without all the pretense - and I think I almost disappeared. But I could sense the magic somehow." (edited)   "It felt electric, like so much of my magic," she added.   "That's a useful ability, for certain. That happened just recently?" asked Matilda.   "Yes. Other things as well. It is like I'm changing faster than I thought. Nothing bad so far, but still," she replied.   "Archmage Thorburn said something I thought was a little bit strange the other day, but maybe it makes more sense now. He said that all power was a matter of channeling but that it came from three sources. One is internal, such as that performed by bards and sorcerers. A second source comes from greater beings, be they divine, fey, demonic, or other. But a third source he said comes from people; their love, faith, and support. I thought he meant political power. But maybe it's more than that," Matilda pondered   "It is. Funny enough those are like the three pillars of the Dréama. My bardic lodge. The song within, the song without, and the song beyond. The music that is the sinews of magic and therefore creation," Seraphina said. "One must learn to tap each reservoir of power to achieve one's goals," she added.   "Have you ever heard the tale of the Dream of a Thousand Cats?" Seraphina asked   "No, I can't say I have. Want some tea?"   "Yes please," she said pulling out a small porcelain cup and saucer from her bag.   Seraphina began to tell the tale. "Legend of an ancient immortal Mother Cat who roams the cities of Duskh and preaches to the strays and house cats of the alleyways a dream she has. The Cat says that once, long ago it was not the two-legged ones who ruled the waking world, but cats. They were the masters and we the pets (and sometimes prey.)"   "But then one day in ancient ages past, a mankin who wished not longer to be prey, realized that if a thousand of his people would sing the same song to the gods in their dreams. On the same night, in the same way, uniting their voices in dreamland, they they could change the world."   "It took time, but one by one they began dreaming the same dream. Singing the same song. Until a thousand nighttime journeys made the gods weep, and then they heard us, and no longer were the cats our masters. They preyed now on vermin, and served us."   "The Mother Cat knows this. She alone remembers how it once was. So she tells her tale to kittens and cats everywhere. Most ignore her, for the life of many cats is plush for we rarely hunt them as they hunted us. But someday, there will be a dream of thousand cats. And they will sing the same song together in thousand nighttimes. And the gods will weep once more - and the world will change once again."   "So treat your cats with the kindness they would rarely give us, so they dream of mice and balls of string, and never again be our masters but instead our pets."   She added with a laugh, "The full story is much longer, but that is the short version. The subtext of the story though is that people have power is so many ways. Life itself has power. Love itself is so very powerful," she added.   Matilda chuckled, amused with the story. "Hm. Well I certainly hope I never end up a pet of a Cat master. I've seen how they play with things! "But the point is taken. When people work together, there is power."   Seraphina nodded, “And when they dream together, there if change.” She added, “Our lives our changing. You now have big responsibilities. We all do. But," she said, changing the subject slightly. "What is next in my practicing?"   "That depends on you. If you work to grow your potential with sorcery, you'll gain power and flexibility other bards don't have. If you dedicate yourself to it, you may be able to replicate feats of magic developed by Arch-sorcerers. So, what's next is up to you."   "I tend to overplan. Uncertainty is not my happy place," Seraphina answered. "So many possibilities."   Matilda hummed. “I don’t see anything wrong with having a plan.” She paused. “What’s your plan? As far as sorcery?”   “Right now? Learn what I can, especially how to manipulate magic, sculpt and shape it. Perhaps, try to sculpt my spellsongs, if that is possible. There is a point when I’ll need to make a decision though. But I believe I have time to explore a bit.”   "Well, you already know what I'd choose," Matilda said with a wide smile." She filled Seraphina's cup with tea. "It's hot. We're hot. But trust me, you'll feel better after you drink it."   Seraphina drank the tea and responded favorably to the tea. “I hadn’t imagined! This is good.”   "It should be," she said with a grin. "It's a healing potion. Sort of. Granted, its potency was to expire soon, but nonetheless, it should be refreshing. I like it heated and infused with hot water, simply for the flavor of it."   She reached into her pack, which lay on the ground between her feet. "Here, look." She brought out a glass flask. She shook it a little and Seraphina could see a few bubbles form. It was of a strange green color that seemed to pick up the light from the fire (flourescent). "As long as there are bubbles, it's potent and works as well as a healing potion. Once the bubbles are gone, the potency is too weak to be much help. It still tastes nice, even diluted in a cup of hot water. And better yet, when in places you must boil the water before drinking it - such as the jungle or rain forest - it removes that flat taste water gets when it's heated a while."   Seraphina’s eye’s flickered briefly and turned golden while looking at the tea. She said, “I can see it. I can’t tell what kind of magic, but I can see it in the cup.”   Matilda chuckled. "A very temporary kind, if any. Maybe even just because I've made it and I tend to shed magic like a cat sheds hair. These potions I brew are made entirely with just your standard herbalist kit. I haven't purposely put any magic in it, although I suppose if I did they would last a lot longer. But, that would take time and resources I don't have right now."   Seraphina nodded and drank more tea. "I need to figure out how to master magic. I see it, I think, around me here and there, but I don't know what I'm seeing."   "The truest path for that lies entirely within the purview of sorcery." Of course she would say that, and believe, it too. "Only through sorcery can you understand magic so well that you can manipulate the very structure of magic itself to bend beyond the rules that define any spell. True understanding can never be explained, of course. It's something you feel and perceive, and nothing written can describe it in such way that it can be clearly communicated to another. Other forms of magic, such as witchcraft and druidism, as well as various diving and so-called 'natural' magics, are channeled from other powers, other sources. Without the understanding of sorcery, the spellcaster can only mimic what they have been given, drawing upon resources not fully their own. Bardic magic is closer, but relies on casting spells by rote instead of by feeling the magic. Alchemistry is similar. Clearly, every tradition is going to be most enthusiastic about their own way of doing things, and Matilda really believed in her own. It would be an uphill battle to try to believe otherwise, since sorcery was the only form of magic she truly understood.   Seraphina nodded, "I think there is more to spellsongs than you know, but I think that through sorcery I may be able to feel the underlying magic of the songs and wordplay as well. I feel that there is more on the edge of my understanding. I'm unsure how to apply this feeling but I can cast more now without tiring myself as fast as before."   Matilda nodded. "Then you already know, or at least feel a hint of the potential. Through sorcery, limits can be far exceeded. The greatest practitioners can accomplish literally anything they can imagine, though the price for doing so must always be paid."   "Price?" the young n0ble asked.   "Sure! You pay it yourself every time you cast anything, be it bardic or sorcerer magic. As you grow stronger, you'll be able to channel greater magics, pay higher costs. Ultimately, should you open the pathways to the most powerful magic, the price for doing so may be higher. You might have to find magical things to help power or direct spells. The most powerful magic of all, of course, is available only to dedicated sorcerers with years of experience. But even they must pay a heavy price to cast this magic."   Seraphina nodded, “The casting is less important than the understanding, though it is addictive. The power that is. I also feel more powerful with the riddles and songs of Dréama than I did before. Might I ask, how did you learn you had potential in sorcery?” (edited)   "I'm not exactly sure," Matilda admitted. "I've been able to do some of my cantrips since I was a child. Both my parents had magic."   “I wasn’t taught even the simplest riddles, I suppose what you’d call a cantrip, until I had completed my first seven years of study. I dimly remember my mother using some magic, but she was very conservative with it, except in performance or assisting with my father or uncle. Back in the day that is.”   "Your mother assists the Viceroy?" asked Matilda.   “From time to time,” Seraphina answered. “She is an expert in the Voice. I can use it to command and charm. I can hurt or startle. I can even cast my voice to others I can see, and I can hear their whispers on the wind when they reply. But my mother, like all Dréama, and even many other traditions of spellsingers, can send her voice overseas or further. It is quite helpful, though limited.”   She added, “My father is…was… the Viceroy’s uncle and a member of Court.”   "I can see how that is useful," Matilda stated. "I heard bards can sing the soul back into the recently deceased, even. With help from some magicite, of course."   Seraphina nodded, “I believe it is true. Though I cannot, nor have I witnessed it. Nor my mother…I think. I really do not know. But as my understanding increases and I learn the voices of the gods then perhaps some day. I cannot speak for other traditions if they can or cannot.”   Seraphina asked, “Have you seen or used magicite?”   Matilda shook her head. "Seen, yes. But not used. That stuff is rare and expensive."   “Indeed,” she noted. “Someday we should get our hands on some. Just in case.” Seraphina paused and asked another question, “Earlier, when you were mentioning baths, it reminded me of something I wanted to ask. In the ritual. What was the underlying meaning of the purification? Is it a local thing or do all Sorcerer’s Guilds do so?”   “I ask because it isn’t the first initiation I’ve been through,” Seraphina added. “But the first like that.”   "You know, the whole cleansing thing. The idea was to welcome you to your new path as a sorcerer, though it sounds like you won't be walking that path anyway. But, I'm curious. Why were you asking about magicite?"   “Honestly, I haven’t made a decision yet,” Seraphina said. “I may walk both, one, or neither. I have some more exploration to do first and I do value your advice, help, and deeply appreciate the welcome.”   “As for the magicite, well, I’m interested in studying how it might be used,” she added. “And, you reminded me that maybe I could learn to breath life into another.”   Matilda said, "I think there are certainly holy knights that can do it, but... either no one in Swannport can, or possibly more likely -- they won't. But it would not surprise me at all if someone at the Archives can do it. Pretty sure they can. Although I wonder at the end result. Would the deceased return with new magitech tubes sticking out of them and some kind of steam-powered engine running their heart? Would they retain the pallor of death? Well, anyway, sorcery can do it, too, so they say. One thing is certain, though. The gods are not moved to do it. I don't know it, but I bet Esyllt knows the whys of it."   Seraphina nodded with a smile, “I bet she does. Are you religious?”   "Nope, not really. I mean, I don't doubt the gods existence or anything. In fact, I'm certain there are a lot more actual gods than just the three venerated throughout the Duskhan Empire. But none of them seem.... you know. Hands-on, so to speak. And, those priests that seem to have been empowered by a god and wields actual divine magic don't seem overly, um... miraculous, you know? More like someone borrowing someone else's sorcery. That's just my opinion anyway."   “I wouldn’t want them to be hands on. This is our test, our world. They help through sign, symbol, sound, and trust. Trust in us to explore and come to understand this wonderful creation,” Seraphina said with a naturalistic reverence. Adding with a laugh she said, “But my friend, though I may be devout, and every day is a joyous mystery, I am not dogmatic or particularly orthodox. I feel that the music of creation takes many forms, our sorcery is one of them. I’m gladdened that we have the opportunity to learn and understand this magic. That’s why I believe.”   Matilda nodded, then found she'd finished her tea. "Well, tomorrow is another long march. We should get some rest so we can start fresh."   “Very well,” she said. “I’m going to stargaze for a bit then. I’ll take care of the fire.”   She then used her newfound magic to quench the fire and then walked the perimeter to watch stars before returning to her tent for sleep and precious rest before the morrow.

Journey to Livania

As the initial scouting of the colony began to bear fruit, Seraphina took the opportunity to get some time with Esyllt and discuss the future. Jak, Matilde, and Rithari were focused on the Duskhan Rangers. That left organizing the colony to Seraphina and Esyllt.   The wagon train from Swannport consisted of a dozen families. The first of hopefully many, it symbolized the hope to settle new lands and open new economic opportunities. It was guarded by the new volunteer force that had signed up to protect the new settlement. Scouts were already far ahead, scouring the wild country for dangers.   Esyllt rode in the lead wagon, because where else would she be? Seraphina was with her, seated next to her in fact. It seemed they would have plenty of time to chat.   “This is still such a whirlwind,” Seraphina confessed. “Four months ago I was in the Imperial City at the Great Lodge. Now we are starting a new colony. The parallels of my grandmother’s journey withstanding, I think this opportunity is a gift.”   "It is," Esyllt said. In her usual serious manner, she added, "It's also an immense responsibility. All these people are counting on us to keep them safe and help them found a new life. They know it will be hard. It's our task to make certain they can concentrate on building homes, community and business in peace. As hard as it will be for them, I think it will be just as hard for us."   “True,” Seraphina said in an agreeing tone. “The others are focused on rebuilding the old adventurer’s guild. I could use their help, but these were the cards we played. I didn’t expect my cousin to call my bluff.”   She smiled a bit, “I’m not quite used to getting everything I ask for. But, I do want to make sure these people get what they need. Peace, growth, trade, and a good life. I need you for the safety part, and to advise me.”   "I'll do my best. But I think we are all very new to this," Esyllt said cautiously. "I did some reading in the Archives before we left. We should remember Robert's Folley. It seems Strathfort is the only settlement that has survived in Minari territory, and that is little more than a trading post. And we aren't the first to take settlers into the jungle in an attempt to build something there."   Seraphina nodded, “True, but you and I have something they did not.”   “We have their mistakes to learn from,” she added. “There is also you and me. You are born of the Minari. I studied them and spent time with them at Strathport, and on top of that I’m not pure Duskhan. Some of my blood is of this land.”   "I can't hide what I am or I would. They might see me as a traitor. You could avoid that label if you hide, or at least don't mention whatever blood connection you have to this land. Minari believe they survive today, having been cast down from their cities by the raging Eye of the Cyclops and fume-spewing Mount Kilrin, because they chose never to rebuild. Now the people of Duskh, in their eye, come to repeat those mistakes and anger the gods. It may be easier to convince them their traditions are wrong, if you do not also have to defend yourself from labels. "On the other hand, I haven't spoken to other Minari since I was a child. What do I know of what they think anymore?"   Seraphina said, “We learn. It is the only way. Then build bridges.”   "What do we do if the Minari refuse to allow settlement? What if some consider the area you wanted as their homeland, or some sacred space?"   “Its possible, but we are not that far from Swannport and none of the scouts found anything there - at least so far. The whole situation with the false attack is what bothers me the most. It seems like an obvious ploy to blame us. We need to follow up quickly on that.”   "The scouting the Duskharn Rangers are to have begun isn't finished yet. They should be before we arrive, but we'll know more soon enough. "We do know someone doesn't want us there, and they're willing to spill blood to make a point of it."   “But didn’t that happen before my cousin’s announcement?” she asked. “I think they don’t want Duskh at all here.”   Esyllt looked at Seraphina thoughtfully. "Maybe it did. Maybe it had been intended to stir them into a rage to try to wipe out Strathfort and end Swann's last outpost in Minari territory. Still, that sure makes our jobs here more difficult."   “More the challenge,” Seraphina said with a confident tone. “But why haven’t they? Maybe they are not stupid savages as so many say. I’ve met them. I was much younger, but those I met seemed intelligent, thoughtful, and deeply spiritual. I think those are the connections we need to make. I think they are confused about this as much as we are. But there will be tension. We need to at least diffuse that, and fast.”   “We also speak the language. Maybe that will help reduce misunderstanding? At least I hope,” she added.   "Maybe. Or maybe they are still organizing a response. Minari live in individual tribes -- they aren't a united group. If they did unite, they might be a real threat..." said Esyllt.   “We don’t know enough. My cousin sent the word out and people came. These people. I think I would have rather gone a bit slower, but we are committed to the path. What do you think happened with that massacre?” asked Seraphina.   "I think the Minari aren't fools. I think their first inclination would be to band together, hunt down and destroy whoever did that. The tribes don't waste much love on one another, but they'll stand together when someone else threatens them. They are expert trackers and very brave warriors. They aren't afraid to die and they deal very harshly with those that trespass against them.   Esyllt replied, "The question in my mind is, are they angry enough with Duskhans to use this attack as an excuse to take their anger out on them? Or will they rather hunt down whoever really did it? The Duskhans have been here one hundred fifty six years. Although things have never been cordial between Duskh and Minari there has been relative peace. So, who stands to gain if Duskh and Minari war?" She shook her head in wonder.   Seraphina said, “Oh, I don’t know…maybe an evil Lantican sorceress?”   She added, “I don’t think the Empire will invest more in this place until we can make a difference and expand. If not, they may turn their attention elsewhere and abandon my family’s endeavors in Fierias.”   Seraphina smiled, "So we choose not to fail. We choose to succeed."   Esyllt thought that over. "Expand or die? Is that the imperial imperative now?"   Seraphina replied, "I don't think that's all of it, but from the beginning my cousin believes that some kind of rapprochement with the Minari, be it mutual defense, trade, cooperation, or maybe some shared goals would speak to that expansion. It isn't so much about control and exploitation, but trade and growth for both parties. If it wasn't, then conquest would be the approach. But no Imperial armies have marched through this land and brought order though the sword. They wish another approach, and my cousin believes that we, between the Livanian Court and the Duskhan Rangers, can pave the way where Robert failed."   Esyllt nodded. "I like the approach. I think that offering them something in exchange for what we need is the right path, one that will cause the least harm to life."   Esyllt did have another worry on her mind. "Not everyone might think the same way. There are others that I think will offer you assistance in founding Livania that don't believe in such a peaceful tactic, particularly the Holy Order of Kord's Wrath. I believe their offer might be delayed somewhat as they were deployed north toward Kilrin at the request of the Viceroy just before the announcement of the formation of Livania."   “No doubt dealing with the issues up there,” Seraphina replied. “We cannot begin with war, and my cousin explicitly recommended treating with the locals by learning who they are and how they live. Not conquest. That said, you and I both know that goblins have been seen and did attack innocents.”   Esyllt said, "We gave them quite the bloody nose, I think. But I feel like they were awfully bold to be a lone tribe. There must be more."   Seraphia noted, “One of the things we need to do is to catalogue the wild. The villages, the movements, the trade - if any, the rumors, and more. The success of this endeavor in many ways is in creating the Great West Road from Swannport through the Westwald and on to Rathport. We do this, then perhaps we succeed partially. But true success is turning the route into a magnet of trade for the Minari, the Duskhans, and the other peoples surrounding it.”   "Time will show us the way," Esyllt murmured to herself. But she nodded quietly in support of Seraphina's vision."   Seraphina then said, “My friend, what attracts you to this project?”   She gave Seraphina a long, sideways look. "I'm afraid if I tell you, you'll think less of me."   Seraphina smiled a welcoming smile, “Now I have to know. Please. You do me me honor by your words and doubly so by sharing them.”   "I follow the will of Ilana as best I can, and as best I can interpret. I don't think she has much interest in the stone and stucco of Swannport. I think she wants me out here, back in the rainforest and jungles," Esyllt said.   “Why would I think less of you for that?” Seraphina asked. “We go where the gods, our hearts, and duty takes us. We are not so different you and I.”   "Because my choice is based on a hunch and feeling, not for building home or fortune," Esyllt posited.   "Do you think home and fortune is my motivation?" Seraphina asked.   Esyllt replied, "For the people that are following us out there, yes. That's why they are coming, and they are looking to you to help them achieve those things."   “And it is important for them to believe. And while I care about and are desirous of these things, this is but one step of a higher calling,” Seraphina said.   "You've been asked to do something more important?" Esyllt looked puzzled.   Seraphina laughed, “I’m in my early 20s. Yes, I have many goals that are more important in the long run - some personal I suppose, but others innate in who I am. Regardless, the most important right now is them,” she said while gesturing with her eyes toward the caravan. “But I want to use this time and these experiences to learn as well. Sing and teach the people. Guide them from history. Learn their songs and the songs and tales of the Minari, weaving new tales as well. My kind seek to grow in blood and song until we can reach up to the heavens with the perfect song. I must always keep that in mind as a higher calling.”   She added, “It is the soul of my being and my first calling. But there are many routes to it. Fortune has painted this route and we must take it with grace and humility.” (edited)   "I still don't understand," Esyllt confessed. "What does it mean to grow in blood and song?"   Seraphina explained, "You mentioned that your were surprised I was devout. That I was more religious that I let one. To the Dréama, our pursuit of song, speech, and sound is a kind of prayer. And it must be such if we are to someday learn the song of the Gods themselves," Seraphina said. "We believe that in creation there was music. That music is the root of magic and life, and we've been studying it for untold centuries. As I grow, my lodge grows as well."   "Is that what you call your blood and song?" Esyllt asked.   "Yes," Seraphina noted. "Mostly. But that perhaps is for another day. What matters is we are both united in this task along with our colleagues who will head up the Rangers."   Esyllt nodded. She gazed toward the horizon before them that was broken with hills and mountains, colored by dense forest. She wasn't hard to read. She was thinking that succeed or fail, her path lay there.   Seraphina let Esyllt dwell in her thoughts for awhile before saying, “It is beautiful isn’t it. This land. When I first started training under my mother, 18-19 years ago, she taught me a song about this land. Would you like me to sing it?”   Esyllt smiled and nodded. "If you would like to."   Seraphina sung.

A Decision to Make

Saia Daria,   My cousin, the Viceroy, has offered us the opportunity to take on rulership of the area between here and Strathfort, or helping bring order to the Glittergem mines, or perhaps founding our own Guild here in the city. The opportunities are a real surprise. Below is a report of the mission we did recently. I'm seeking your advice. Step out of the city north or south, or leverage our reputation in the City to build here.   I await your thoughts...   Seraphina (Brannkvinna)   Addendum...   We could also try to create a link between here and Edgerton in the west, building a civilized way. Thoughts/

On the Ship from the Monster Hunt

As Swannport appeared on the horizon, Matilda could see Seraphina up near the prow of the ship - as far as they would let her anyway. Sitting on a capstan and looking out past the rigging.   It seemed Matilda was in fact earning their passage. She had in her hands a strange, brass instrument and that familiar book tucked under her arm. Today both the moons were visible and hung low in the sky, despite the presence of the sun all day. She seemed to be studying them, taking some kind of measurement and referring to the book as the fishing boat continued to make its way toward Swannport.   Seraphina drifted a whispered message to Matilda. “What are you doing? Seems interesting. “   Matilda glanced Seraphina's way, smiled, and walked over. "Navigation! Bobby is feeling a little under the weather and asked me to check his heading for him. With these instruments, and knowing the date and general time of day, I can verify our heading with some degree of accuracy. Navigation can be a bit tricky! And so skill in doing so is very valuable on any ship that goes to sea far enough to lose sight of land."   She added, "So, what has drawn you here?"   Seraphina replied, “Just looking at the town. I can see the towers of sorcery in the distance I think. Just thinking that it was only a few months ago that I returned here for a funeral…and how so much has happened.”   "Hm," Matilda considered. "Might be masts of the Tall Ships you are seeing. We should still be at least thirty leagues out, by my measurements." She opened her book again to double-check. The pages to which she opened were covered with scrolling artwork that looked like it might be a map, perhaps. There might a trick to reading it. "Yes, thirty-one leagues." She closed the book and looked toward Seraphina. "I'm sorry. Was someone close?"   “My father,” Seraphina said.   "I'm very sorry. How is your mother?"   “She’s mourning still. Taking care of my younger brother and now heading the household and my father’s affairs. I think she’ll stay at least until he’s grown. The earthquake recently killed one of our household as well. Its been a hard few months.”   Seraphina let a single tear drop. “Her name was Nora. I blame that Lantican for her death. My father…well he was old. A life well-lived.” D   Matilda frowned, put an arm around Seraphina in a show of support and sympathy. "I wish I knew why the earthquake happened at all. It seems like such a senseless, random thing. Why would a fire elf come here, apparently alone, and risk everything? Could she really be so arrogant and convinced of her power that she could survive retaliation?"   Seraphina shook her head, “I don’t know either. So much death and suffering, daring us to go after her. I don’t understand why either.” She added, “She could have killed us the first time we encountered her. She didn’t. She uses these poor wretches to…” A thought crossed her mind. Matilda could tell as Seraphina wasn’t hiding it.   "To what?" she asked, her curiosity biting the hook Seraphina dangled.   “Its bugged me why she’s using these creatures. Maybe, that’s all she has. Maybe, like me, she’s on a wandering of her own. A test, either of her self or a theory that we might be vulnerable. But she is otherwise alone.”   "I suppose one wonders if she will remain so, or if she is preparing the way for something."   "That's the problem. Is this a lone actor or part of a play to which she is but the opening act," Seraphina noted. "It feels she's goading us into a trap. Us being the city or perhaps champions she can kill off one-by-one. But still, she could have killed me easily at our first encounter. Maybe I'm just the understudy. She may be after the primadonnas."   Seraphina sighed, "I don't think we are who she is after. I fear it is our leaders or the bravest of us."   "If she is establishing some kind of power base, then I suppose she might be trying to acquire staff, guards, warriors that are competent, and trying to get them trained enough to be useful to her. That would make your team her unwitting instructional tool for her own team, though, and that's rather cynical. Let's just assume she underestimated your team when she first met you!"   "Or we were overconfident and she didn't call our bluff," Seraphina joked.   "Either way, I think your team had a solid win in that first encounter." Matilda watched the waves in front of the ship where a pod of dolphins had appeared to lead the way. "So, have you thought any more on whether you will pursue your new sorcerous abilities, or continue on your path toward spellsinging?"   "Why not both? I'll always be a Dréama. It is a sisterhood I have devoted my life to. But, what skill I learn in my portfolio is up to me. I think sorcery is something I must explore further."   She added, “And my mentor agrees. What’s next to prepare for the covenant?” (edited)   "Since you haven't family in the Covenant already, it falls to someone else to sponsor you for membership. But as I mentioned before, I'm happy to do that for you. I'll speak with Archmage Thorburn on your behalf. Based on my recommendation, he'll -- oh and never call him a she, okay? always a him -- he'll probably ask the Tower of Dragons to admit you. This might take a week or so, depending on where people are. Sorcerers adventure a lot. And then you'll probably get an official mentor!"   Seraphina nodded, “Good, that would be helpful. And…thank you for the sponsorship. Might I ask, why couldn’t you mentor me?” She paused and then added, “What’s this he vs she situation with Thorburn?”   "First question - because I haven't been assigned to be . Maybe I will! I don't know. Second question - the Archmage was born a woman, but prefers to life his life as a man."   "He doesn't like to be reminded of that fact. Even if he does look a bit feminine for a man... I did NOT say that, though."   Seraphina nodded, “Men do have a lot of advantages in Duskhan society. It isn’t the first tale I’ve heard of such, though first I would have met in real life.   She looked back, “Wait, is he really a he or is he actually a she? Does he sound feminine?”   "Uh... yeah a bit. It's fairly obvious to most people after a few minutes of conversation. But he cuts his hair short and wears mens clothes. And, if you misspeak and call him a her, they say the Archmage never forgets."   “It takes all kinds. I’ll remember. Now, what do I need to do? How do I impress with those who might wield such wonders?”   "All there is for you to do is wait, honestly. You'll be contacted when it's time." She smiled. "Patience."   Seraphina smiled, “I’ve spent a dozen years learning the ways of the Dréama. Eight years before that with tutors from age 4. I can be patient.”

A Monster Hunt

Dear Daria,   I've consulted with most of my troupe and so far they show no signs of the drust affecting them. Sir Esyllt will be telling Jak. Only I and he descended into the crater. I do pray to the Three that he will be okay. Right now he deeply concerned about a disaster that happened several nights ago with some kind of balloon that was delivering mail. Apparently we will be helping investigate, perhaps even this morning if the drover of this contraption recovers.   Meanwhile myself, my new sorcerer friend Matilda Stillwater, and Rithari went hunting for a monster up towards Attewood. Apparently some cat-like beast that expelled heat like lava was terrorizing the locals and sending the forest industry running for shelter. Another group had already tried and failed. I'm happy to report that we succeeded. And for once, not one of us were knocked out.   We recovered an ancient spear that was magical. Likely owned by one of the past adventurers who fought it and failed. There were many other weapons as well, but most had succumbed to the heat. You see, this beast absorbed hand weapons. Ironically, not one of us was a hand-to-hand combatant. While it wasn't easy, we did succeed brilliantly. I feel pity for the beast, warped by the miasma, but we can't allow our people to be wholesale slaughtered. In truth, I suspect that the same Lantican sorceress is behind this.   I feel we may have to go after her sooner rather than later and I'm unsure if we are ready.   In the end we made our way back to Swannport. We were briefly waylaid by some bandits, but other than a minor wound we drove them off. Matilda the sorceress in fact was key to that. She intends to introduce me to their covenant here in the coming days.   After returning and after due consideration, I turned over the spear and story of saving the Attewater village's livelihood to my cousin Julius' chancellor. They kindly paid a thousand gold which I divided among us three. To be honest, I almost wanted it to be a trophy as it had some unique abilities such as giving confidence and helping warn in battle. But not one of us really know how to use it effectively and those who do, use other weapons. So having in the hands of my cousin's people means that experts can determine who best can use it.   Now I rest. In the meantime I picked up an orichalcum dagger that can be used to focus magic and in theory can become magical itself. Any ideas?   With faith,   Seraphina

An Inner Energy

Seraphina was still restless. It was evening, she had been drinking a bit but not so much so she was unclear of mind. Tomorrow they had a mission of some kind, but she felt unready. Rarely had a dream disrupted her rest so much. She had sent a letter and calling card to Matilda earlier describing the situation and also wrote to her local mentor Daria. Matilda was the sorcerer who had advised her the other day about the Lantican elf sorcerer. Maybe the sorcerer had done something and was haunting her dreams, maybe not, but it would be good to get some advice and forge a friendship in any event.   An hour or so later, shortly before 11 pm, a page arrived at Seraphina's home bearing a message. It wasn't young Dicky, but a little older teenage boy who wore robes with what looked like embroidered bolts of lightning. He bore a sealed envelope, and the servant that answered the door stated he would deliver the message to no one but Seraphina because he had to verify delivery.   “I am Lady Swann,” Seraphina said to the boy.   The boy looked at her, nodded, then handed her an envelop with a simple wax seal with the imprint of the letter M. "This is from Miss Matilda, a response to something you sent, I believe. She wanted me to be sure you got this letter personally." He smiled. "She's particular," he said with a wink to show he was a little amused by the requirement but didn't think it was out of the ordinary, at least for Miss Matilda.   “All right. Thank you,” Seraphina said. “For your trouble,” she added, handing him a silver piece. She then unsealed the letter and read its contents. The letter began with the usual formal greetings, but then, beneath the salutation, it read: I know you must be tired, and growing more-so by the day but I must ask you to please meet me near the lighthouse out on the peninsula across the bay. Forgive the inconvenience and lengthy walk, but I must advise you to come alone. Until we understand exactly what has happened, I think it is wise to be careful, because it is possible something may have changed you, and that something is dangerous. I hope that I am wrong, and am being overly cautious. If I'm right, then I think you cannot afford to ignore this and assume that you will sleep again when you are tired enough. I will try to explain better in person. The letter was signed Matilda Stillwater.   Folding the letter closed and putting it away on her person, she said to her ladies maid, “Ellie, I’ll going out again tonight. Do not stay up for me. I have the key.” With that she grabbed a cloak and departed into the night.   It was a long, dark walk out to the end of the peninsula, and it was necessary to dodge more than one calculating stare on the way. But somehow the bard managed to make it all the way down Sailor Row without being accosted with questions or by thieves, and then onto the rocky peninsula itself. The lighthouse was a final beacon, the gateway ships could use to make their way safely around the sea-break that protected the harbor and take shelter. Inside, relatively calm water could be found and it was a haven for fish to reproduce. As such, it was against the law to fish inside the bay itself, since that could ultimately damage the population of larger fish at sea. Outside, the surf continuously beat against the broken teeth of the granite peninsula, piling sand here and there to form small beaches amid the roar of the wind-whipped sea striking stone.   There, dimly outlined by the lighthouse behind her, was a robed female figure. Seraphina's eyes weren't accustomed to the thick blanket of night provided by the heavy, rain-filled clouds overhead, and she could not identify with certainty who it was in front of her. Fortunately, she didn't have to. A voice, raised enough to be heard over wind and surf, sounded like Matilda's. "I'm glad you made it out here!" she said. "I know its late."   "I cannot sleep anyway," Seraphina replied.   "And that concern is precisely why we have this odd meeting time and place. Come on," she urged as she waved Seraphina to follow her down a path toward a secluded little beach space nestled amid tide pools and boulders. This was the ocean-facing side, so it offered privacy from any view from the city. Here it was easy to feel like they were in a remote, natural location, but for the glaring eye of the lighthouse above them.   “I’ve never been here,” Seraphina noted.   "It's not easy finding a place that's out of sight of anyone in the city. And at night, ships at see might not see, either," remarked Matilda   Seraphina then asked, "So, you know what is happening? Please, I'm all ears."   "I have a hunch," Matilde replied. "Were you caught out in something like a fog recently, or a place where an unusually thig fog might have been?"   "You mean miasma?" the young noble asked. "Not directly, but we witnessed it seeping into a large crater. It was a near-run thing getting out."   "So you are familiar with the term." She nodded. "Seeping into infers it may have been doing so for some amount of time. Are you certain you were never within the bounds of this miasma as it was when it first appeared? In other words, imagine a normal fog that's rolled inland, but is now settling into the low places and disappearing. Could you have been in the area this Miasma occupied prior to it settling into that crater?"   "Possibly. Given what we know now, it likely had such in the crater in some form. However, a body we found within hadn't been reduced," she said.   "Miasma doesn't usually react to non-living materials. He may have been dead before it arrived. If the Miasma reacted with him still alive, and he didn't survive the experience, only then would his body have been reduced to ash as the uncontrolled 'wildfire' of magic burned him from within.   "Your symptoms match what is normal for the emergence of powers of sorcery. Normally, this happens when a person is much younger than you, if it is an inherited trait. But it's not unheard of for sorcerous powers to be unlocked by the Miasma itself. When unleashed in this way, your actual heritage has no influence over the power the Miasma grants -- or in some cases, the curse.   "If my hypothesis is correct, then you are fortunate firstly in that you survived exposure to one of Miasma's by-products. That being, drust. This substance is essentially Miasma concentrated into a solid. Like fog becoming mist becoming droplets of water. Only in this case, drust more resembles ash. You could have breathed it in, touched it, or it might have been stirred up by someone disturbing the soil in an affected place."   Seraphina might have recalled memory of members of her team exploring the bottom of that crater.   "Whatever the case, instead of bringing ill effects, it has brought you a blessing instead -- this time. Subsequent exposures to Miasma or drust in the future will be even more dangerous for you. Our bodies can take only so much magical influence before they break down. Your sorcerous heritage is already hinted by what was in your dreams, I think. Why you see what you see, is still a mystery. Cases like yours are rare, but what I think has happened is that the Miasma has connected and tuned your aetheric aura to that of a very powerful, intensely magic creature of a bygone era. I haven't any way to prove my ideas here, but I think it's possible that it's obeying some powerful will, perhaps the will of the land -- the Mother Goddess herself -- to bring forth a magical heritage that has been lost to this world.   "I'm proposing that you are manifesting a connection to a long-dead draconic bloodline due to exposure to miasma, or drust," the young sorceress said.   Matilda grinned gleefully, adding, "Isn't that amazing?! Oh, I would like to study you and write a book about your current and future experiences, if you don't mind!" She was getting ahead of herself, as she hadn't yet explained how all this could help Seraphina be able to sleep again. But her excitement had already sidetracked her.   Seraphina nodded knowingly and with understanding. "Yes, I would be possibly open to that; however, how might I get some sleep? Sorry to be practical. I am fascinated by an ancient connection, though it must be very ancient as neither my mother or my father's lines have any connection to dragons. At least as far as records go - my mother's family is somewhat an unknown beyond a few generations. What are the long-term effects? Good and bad. If you will." She was visibly curious and underneath very concerned. Though she hid that with a touch of enthusiasm.   "Well, no. The Miasma does as it does. It will ignore any hereditary connections and forge a new one, I believe. The long term effect is that you will always have the potential to grow in power as a sorcerer." She grinned. "As I said, you are fortunate!"   "Now, yes the matter of sleeplessness is quite serious. I have even heard of hapless souls awakening their potential for sorcery but never understanding what it was, and so actually died of sleep deprivation!" She shook her head sadly. "We do try to be vigilant about such matters and work with the Temple of the Three to try to identify people newly awakened before it's too late. But, most sorcerers inherit their aptitude, and so are made aware of this by their parents. "Which brings us back around to your first concern, and the reason we are way out here instead of at some comfortable tavern at a reasonable time of day. You see, what's happening to you is that you are building up sorcerous energy with no way to express it! You are literally bursting at the seams with magical power!" She grinned. "Ah, the first time is such a beautiful moment. Relief, release, the new flow of energies through your body..."   She made it sound as if Seraphina it was orgasmic. Maybe it was... if she'd only get to the point.   "To achieve this, you must focus. Most sorcerers have some little magic that allows them express it in a raw, unfiltered state. A cantrip, we call it, but to really unleash you need to concentrate on raw, elemental power. And don't aim it at me, but out to sea. Whatever magics you can unleash will, with time and effort, be unlocked this way. So don't give up after the first failed try, keep working at it! Imagine how it felt in your dream, and let instinct guide you."   She looked intrigued if a little skeptical, "You do know that I'm a sister of the Dréama? Maybe you don't know, but we manipulate sound, song, and suggestion to create magic. I'm guessing this is far different. Or maybe related? We do use our passions to make words and songs."   "Oh, a spellsinger?" It wasn't exactly slang term, but more a romantic term for bardic magics, borrowed from rumored elven traditions. It may be that she did inherit a little culture as well as genetics from her elf-blood heritage.   "That might give you a leg up, so to speak, in being able to release the magic building inside you. But, that magic is still quite different from what you are used to, especially if you decide to explore your full potential. You'll find it possible to bend nature of your own spells and manipulate them to suit your own style. For example, one of my most effective and dangerous spells is fireball. However, I'm not attuned to that element -- cold is what I favor. But I can not only transmute that fireball into a frostball, but because it then becomes a spell in tune with my nature, I can cause it to be massively more effective and powerful than a normal fireball. And I down burn down a forest as a side effect. Bonus!" She chuckled. But what she was saying really was phenomenal. By her description, she was saying she could change the fundamental nature of otherwise well known and established magic. And that Seraphina could, as well. Potentially.   "But I'm jumping ahead again." She smiled, and her confidence was contagious. She seemed certain Seraphina could do this, even if this seemed like an impossibly strange task. The magic Matilda spoke of didn't come woven by word or song or sound at all. She was suggesting there was a new font of magic that had awakened within Seraphina and that she must learn to tap this entirely new kind. "First, concentrate. Think about your dream. Think about what calls to you. Draw it in and then ... release! Preferably out there over the ocean."   “Very well,” she said. Looking at Matilda briefly, Seraphina closed her eyes and concentrated on the most vivid parts of the dream from during the massage. It called her to fly, to move through the air, to push though. First there was nothing…then her arm hair stood on-end and she felt tingles of electricity. Then with a rush, electricity shocked her, while a light wind blew ahead carrying several loose rocks and seashells aloft and away from her feet.   “That was…interesting,” she said with a touch of disappointment.   Matilda's eyes were glowing with a low, white light as she watched Seraphina. "Aha! that's elemental air! Very good! Now, what else? What comes next, Seraphina? Who are you? What are you? You have a thread that ties you to power. Now pull it and see what comes next!"   She concentrated again. Feeling a buildup of energy she first felt the electricity like before, but this time she held it back briefly and the released. A shower of electrical arcs lit up the air in front of them, lighting the area with a blue-white light up to bit of arms length. When it stopped and the ozone smell descended upon them, Seraphina laughed. “That was fun!”   Matilda was thrilled, especially because she was not in front of that. She cheered and applauded the effort. "Perfect! Wonderful! Should you unlock your true potential as a sorcerer, the possibilities will be endless. How do you feel?"   She breathed in and out as the electricity continued to arc a little. "That...that shouldn't have happened. Wow."   Matilda still had her own spell running, whatever it was. Her eyes still lit with that eerie, soft white glow, she nodded. "You may find more powers appear in time. But only if you call to it.   "Imagine! You are the first of a brand new bloodline of sorcery! It is a blessing from the land itself that you were gifted and not harmed. I beg that you don't waste this opportunity. The Towers can help you, and I would love the opportunity to help, as well. I could instruct you in the mysteries of Arcana, provide access to arcane languages you could learn, and help you to learn ritual magics, as well, which can greatly extend what you can do with it."   Seraphina tried to draw even more power. “I could get used to this.”   Her eyes began to glow white with power as she channeled more energy. Upon release the lightning was more powerful, rippling for a minute like a dynamo arcing power to and fro. She began laughing out loud, “Hah ha ha ha!” as she intermittently sent charges down range. After a minute it stopped and she was breathing hard. “More.”   "Let's give you some targets, and then see what else you might be able to do. Most spells, you might find, aren't destructive but also helpful. Watch." She extended a hand and murmured a few words that sounded like dragon-speech and chunks of ice formed some thirty feet out into the surf. She gave them a push out to see so they'd float and bob in the waves to give Seraphina something to aim at.   Seraphina let loose with the lightning as it arced to one target and over a brief few seconds annihilated it. “I can’t seem to keep on target, but the magic just keeps flowing.” She paused and the arc ended. She then tried to destroy the next one, which after several tries dutifully disintegrated, but as its remnants pushed more that 30 feet out they fell out of range.   "Excellent response within thirty feet, it seems," Matilda judged. "That one should deliver a nasty surprise for those that try to get too close to you, and bright enough to draw the attention of allies that can support you." She formed another hunk of ice and set it floating. "How does that feel? Do you sense that kind of magic drains your power a bit? Or is it something you feel you could do all day long?"   "I can casually make the electricity but it is really only a few feet. When I physically try to push it out, it does tire me out somewhat. Even more so what I push put more of myself. Similar when I use my voice to shatter and shock. I did try to will the lightning out using my mind. I felt something happen, but didn't see any result," she said.   "Hm. That would be the enchantment effect I saw, then," she mused. "Perhaps a mental shock of some kind? That represents a pretty good range of uses from your new bloodline. Better than my own, I'd say! I have some magical detection and countermagic, but mostly I otherwise just freeze things." Seraphina might sense Matilda was being a little bit modest, but generally correct in her self-assessment.   "Countermagic? I've heard of that. Tell me more," Seraphina asked.   "Mm? Oh! Yes well detection is just part of the more esoteric field that encompasses detection, protection from and manipulation of magic. "I've learned to essentially 'freeze' a spell in progress in order to prevent its completion. For example, if I see someone about to blast me with a fireball, I can freeze the casting and make it stop. I can also disrupt magic in progress. For example let's say someone uses a spell to breath poison case and they maintain it with concentration. Well, I can freeze and shatter part of the magical pattern that makes the spell work, thus dispelling the effect. "This insight has allowed me further breakthroughs!" she said excitedly. "I'm able now to identify parts of spells I know and replace them. For example, I can make a spell that normally causes destructive fire damage do cold instead. Or poison. Or a massive burst of electrical damage. Or a bone-shattering boom. But my affinity to cold and freezing makes me especially effective when I use cold-related effects. Also, I can make any spell more powerful now as well, by changing subtle parts of the spell as I cast it. Often, very substantially so."   "Interesting. To be honest, while worried about other magics, it is the odd axe, spear, or sword that causes me the most concern. I can, with high-frequency sound, heat up metal, but I can't literally stop the spear. I wonder if that is possible."   "Oh! Yes that's very possible. Everyone has their own way of managing such a thing. For myself, making things 'cold' is like sucking the energy out of things. Like snuffing a fire with snow. So, the way I do it is by throwing up a temporary field that slows down things coming at me that could harm me, enabling me to more easily get out of the way. You seem to be attuned to lightning. That's more like... adding energy to things instead. I would suggest that the kind of defense you are looking for can be achieved by using your affinity to lightning to actually add energy to incoming harm, but in a different direction! In other words, you might be able to use your powers to redirect a potential attack so that it misses you instead."   Seraphina then had an idea. She pulled out a small knife and began silently channelling electricity from her hand into it, building up a charge. As she began to pull back to throw and aimed for one of the ice chunks far out…the knife flew out over 30 yards (way further than she could possibly throw it) and blew up the ice chunk. “Damn. I liked that knife,” she said as she felt tired. “That was hard. But I think I still have something in me. How about you throw some ice at me - something that won’t kill me please. Let’s test your deflection theory.”   Matilda took a few steps closer to the waves lapping at the beach, and held her hand out. A tendril rose, freezing as it did so, and formed a ball that she caught in her hand. "Don't worry, I won't throw it hard. Ready?"   “Yes,” she said. “Go ahead” After hefting the the iceball, she gave it a toss. It was a lob, not meant to injure if the spell didn't work, but would probably leave a bit of a bruise unless Seraphina was able to defend herself. Seraphina instinctively sidestepped the iceball, failing to use magic. "Apologies, try again. Harder this time. I can take a little bruising."   She shrugged, smiling. "As you wish." This time she made one in the shape of a blunt dagger. It was too fragile to do any worse than hit like a piece of porous stone, but at least it would fly correctly. She held it like an expert, too. She did have some skill with throwing at least simple things. After lining Seraphina up, she gave it her best toss!   Seraphina was not an athlete. Anything she learned there was through observation and personal practice, not training. She dodged as much as she could, but in-slow-motion in her perception she knew she would get hit. Pride perhaps, more than anything, brought her hands up to block the icy object as she whispered something in language she did not know.   The dagger deflected off the electrical burst, then off her shoulder, and then harmlessly to the ground. She was unhurt. "Was that what you were expecting?"   "Maybe! Were you able to do that before?"   “No,” she said, “Though my abilities with sound have been growing too, I think this is something new.” Matilda could see something like a shimmer effect around Seraphina that faded within a few seconds.   Seraphina continued to play a bit, practicing arcing lightning between her hands and eventually creating a sustainable glow on a nearby rock that kept glowing. “Its not fading. Um, what can we do here?”   Matilda stared at it. "Hm. I don't know. Some kind of transmutation magic is affecting it. I'm sure it's something you are doing, but... what?" she mused. "Can you make it explode, or move, or both? Or turn it into something else?"   “Nope. I haven't a clue. It’s bright though,” Seraphina said. “I can read with it. Maybe I can just will it away like my voice skills?” Nothing happened. “I think that might glow forever,” she joked.   She sat on a nearby rock and made a gesture for Matilda to do the same if she wished. “So this usually happens to children. I suppose I am an anomaly.” She laughed out loud. “So, what now?”

Its Seems the Report of My Escape from the Miasma Was Premature

[Writing in Daria's Book]   Saia Daria,   It seems that I did indeed has a chance encounter with the drust from the crater I written you about. Likely on my hands as I pulled myself out of the crater. The last few days I have not been able to sleep and with the help of a new found friend, Matilde, a sorcerer, I have found out why. It seems that the drust has brought forth an ancient, once diluted strain of draconic blood. I'm thinking likely in my mother's most ancient bloodline. As such I have expressed an inner energy, somewhat like lightning. We practiced earlier this evening away from prying eyes. I've found that I can produce this energy constantly with little effort. A mere whisper of sounds that I do not understand and a casual gesture. With enough energy I can charge an object and send it flying over 30 yards away. Similarly I can wrap myself temporarily with the energy, which seems to deflect blows. At least somewhat. Lastly, I arced the lightning between two hands and lit up the area. I must confess this magic gave me feelings of emotional release not unlike my allurement training if I may be base, or the feelings of when I first used the Dréama voice. It is seductive in and of itself.   Miss Maltida, who is a few years my junior, has offered to teach me how to control this. As our goal is knowledge, stories, and influence, I cannot see why associating with the sorcerers could be bad. I am already associated indirectly with my cousin's administration, the Adventurer's guild, the Archives, and more. I don't know where this power will lead me, but I think I should explore it.   I kindly ask your advice.   Seraphina

Odd Dreams

[ A sealed letter delivered to the sorcerer Matilde ]   Dear Matilde,   Thank you again for spending the evening over dinner. Your insight and advice on the situation to which we discussed was quite helpful and we intend to follow it. In fact, likely we are to engage in another adventure entirely for now. The details are fuzzy, though I shall learn come the next morning. Regardless, I do appreciate your point of view and I thank you for sharing your wisdom.   As a slight aside, I am wondering if the wine we had is the culprit of an odd feeling I've had of late. Likely not, but to be candid I could not sleep after our meal. Even now as I write this, I fear I may not be able to, though I do feel somewhat better now. But, this restlessness has come with a dream. The same dream over and over. I find myself falling over a land I do not recognize. Plunging toward the ground before a great stone city and awakening before striking it. Recently I've managed to press past the fall and saw myself flying over the city. Mankin are below, waving at me. The stone city is vivid and full of strange chthonic edifices I have never seen before or read about in stories.   I tell you about this because it is outside my experiences. I've studied over three hundred difficult metres and memorized the 250 great stories and another hundred or more secondary stories from histories, poetry, and prose. In none of them was what I saw. At least not as written. So, I doubt I could have imagined them. Your order holds ancient knowledge and I fear that something odd is happening. In your stories that I do not know, have you heard of such? I've included a drawing of what I recently saw. I would humbly wish you thoughts on this and your discretion if possible.   Sincerely,   Lady Seraphina Swann, Dréama

The Trap Laid Bare

Saia Daria,   We questioned the goblin boss. He knows nothing of miasma or drust, but he did indicate where the spellcaster is. The problem is that the spellcaster, which we believe is the same one, a Lantican woman, who we encountered some weeks ago. This tracks with your description. I'm no sorcerer, but further investigation seems to indicate that that earthquake was done using that poor Minyan mankin who's heart was removed as a sacrifice. I remember that spells like that might affect a few hundred yards, but not tens of miles. The sorcerer must have used up some great power to do this. And, it obviously wants us to find it. And find it soon. Part of me wants to take the bait, but the wiser course may be to watch and learn.   We've returned to Swannport and reported our findings to the Archive. As far as I can tell none of us have had any reaction to miasma or drust, nor do I think we had any exposure save for what we witnessed. That being said, I really can't sleep this evening. I find myself falling in my dreams above a great stone city and I do not understand it. Maybe I'm just exhausted, but I don't feel such. I feel energized almost, but like one feels after a long night at a dance. You should be tired. You are tired really. But you carry on because the energy of others propels you.   I'll sleep it off I hope. In the meantime I think I've made a friend in the Sorcerer's Guild. A elf-blooded mankin named Matilde. She told me a good amount about elves and their habits and may be a resource to learn more about the magic used by the Lantican.   Best regards,   Seraphina

Goblin's Defeated but Mystery Remains

[In Daria's Book]   Saia Daria,   Just to update you. We've defeated the goblin camp and captured their leader. It was a near-run thing, but better than may of our fights - only one of us was knocked out of the fight, albeit briefly. We intend to question the goblin, boss I suppose. We are certain they raided the mankin family as slaves and they handed the father of the family to someone who cast the magics we described. We rest now, but soon we intend to begin the questioning. Any guidance would be of help.   You see, we think whomever did this directed the quake toward my city. This goblin-boss is complicit in many deaths, but he is but a tool. I cannot believe he did the magics himself. Maybe I'm wrong, but he was too easy to take down. I surmise that he was hired and paid to do this or perhaps forced to do so but a stronger enemy.   Thank you in advance and thank you for agreeing to investigate the magics I descibed earlier.   Regards,   Brännkvinna

Troubling Dark Magics, Goblins, and Miasma

[In Daria's Book]   To Saia Daria, I send greetings and a question,   My sister, we have encountered a strange set of events that I ask your guidance on. As you may know, an earthquake hit Swannport and the surrounding area. We have been asked to investigate this. In our short days of travels we've come upon a tragic sight. A rift in the earth seems to be in the epicenter of the quake. Indeed at the bottom of it, a man lies sacrificed. The decay seems to match the timing of the quake. His heart was removed from his chest. All around are various paraphernalia and symbology. In fact, what could be a summoning circle as I've heard of them or perhaps even something else. Regardless I will describe on the next page everything I've seen, the placement, and the particulars of the symbols used.   It should be noted the miasma seeped from the in the rift. We avoided it, thank the Three.   The man was a local Minari native. He and his family were taken by goblins who no doubt delivered the man to whomever did this. Jak, our collector, skillfully deceived the goblins holding the rest of the family. They are safe, alongside the young daughter whom we found fleeing though the woods some days earlier. We encountered several powerful wolves under the goblin's control, and while defeating them, we intend to go back to capture and question one of the goblins. For now we rest.   <Seraphina Describes all the remains from the rift>   We don't know what we are up against, but we theorize the goblins do - at least after a fashion. Any help you might give on the type of magics that would cause such a disturbance and would require sacrifice of such barbarity.   Your gracious sister,   Brännkvinna

A New Team and Mentor

Dear Mother Morgant,   I am honored to write you this day to acknowledge the arrival of Saia Daria. She contacted me after a successful investigation of the theft I had been speaking about. I will send in a follow-on letter with details, but let me say that I am honored that you and the Kindly Mothers find me worthy of a mentor like Daria. My teacher, your lessons are already bearing fruit.   I am building relationships with a local inn, called the Silver Swan, where I was able to perform Coriander as well as an early version of a tale of our first adventure together as a team. I have also helped mother in the legal and advocate fields, though my cousin believes in me finding my own way. He doesn't necessarily like the way I'm doing it, but unlike my mother, a pairing is not the direction the Wandering is taking me so far. But, he has given some support in the form of Esyllt. He made me aware of her and so far we have worked well together.   I keep saying 'we' without defining them. I shall correct that oversight.   I am part of an informal group of Archive Investigators. Informal insomuch that three of us are not such. I've described myself as a gifted amateur only. A gentlelady adventurer, like in the Tales of Alexandria or the Journey of Arcadia Frost. I know, they are more recent stories, and are more fiction than history, legend, or myth. But they are modern myths. I intend to create my own with these people.   The first is Sir Esyllt. She was an orphaned member of a Minari tribe, taken in by a priest from the Temple of the Three, raised, and trained to become a paladin of Ilana, a Holy Knight of the Order of Ilana's Gift. Our first adventure was enough to get her knighted. My cousin, the Viceroy, heard good things about her and I see that she is full of potential. I intend to stick close to her and get to know her better. In fact, she only recenty learned I speak her tongue. I see us seeing eye-to-eye on many things, but not all. He trust is very important to me. As is her shield.   The next is Jak. He is the one who brought us together. He is a mid-height, charming, rogue. Elf-blooded I believe. And he is the reason we are together. He is an Collector for the local Archives and seems to be under the watchful eye of the local senior Librarian Ogarth. He takes risks certainly, but so do I once I measure them. I'm uncertain if he measures. That said he's overall been effective. And frankly cute too. I'm sure all the ladies at the, shall we say, 'house of joy' he stays at keep him busy. In truth, he may be a perfect gentleman. I have no reason to doubt that given his behavior so far. I think he simply is trying to rise out of the gutter. Through fame and success - I think he can. Though there is something dark and mysterious about him. His past is a mystery. I look forward to learning more.   The last is Rithari. She is a wood elf. Perhaps a ranger of some kind. She's called herself a hunter and while I'm uncertain how good she is at the bow, she does track prey effectively. She's fairly quiet but willing to put herself out there, like when we first met - volunteering to join us, and in various melees we've had with creatures from the lowly to the most wicked she's be uncommonly brave - or foolhardy. But I have been accused of that too. That all said, I see a deep intelligence behind her eyes. She knows so much we cannot know. I intend to learn her tongue to round out my languages and maybe she might teach me some. I have yet to ask. I do believe she has elven magic of some kind. But what, I cannot say.   That is all for now. I'll begin my communications with Saia Daria forthwith.   In gracious thankfulness,   Saia Brännkvinna "Seraphina" Swann    

A Riverside Ruckus

Dear Mother Morgant,   The Gods are quite mysterious, but they teach lessons to us all in their own time. These last two days I've been clever, persuasive, classy, cheerful, helpful, and complimentary. I've also been lost, frightened, burned, panicked, pained, and, well...punctured. Several times. Once from our own archer. And I was the second one. I've also been brave or foolish. Maybe a little of both. But I live and I've learned well some hard lessons. The scars will heal, dresses will be mended, and mistakes forgiven.   We ended up interrogating the goblin, Oh, yes. I forgot to mention it. The thieves were goblins. I'd never seen one before save for those in the ancient stories and children's books. The reality is most vile at first appearance, but I feel that under the surface they are not evil. Just easily led, intimidated, and fatalistic. Simply trying to survive in the only way they know how. Which unfortunately is to prey on others.   That said, I believe there is a goblin nest around town where these three were recruited. I intend to inform the authorities about that. Indeed they are most loathsome, but we spared its life for information. We recovered what it had stolen. And then Jak let him go. Meanwhile the Novitiate Esyllt and I returned the stolen merchandise to its owner with the caveat that they keep the recovery secret for a couple of days. You see, the goblin was hired by an outsider. An elf we thought. The next day we followed its instructions to find this elf. Your gifts allowed me to see its heart and it both feared us and its employer. I understood its fear of us, but only later did I truly understood what made it fear its employer.   As an aside, I got a chance to practice Minyan with Esyllt. Tell Mother Alice that I thank her again for the opportunity to learn about the Minyan people and languages. My cousin the Viceroy has an interest in Esyllt and in forging relations with them. This might be something I was born to do. We'll see.   The next day we made our way outside the city to follow the path the goblin provided, led by our elven archer, Rathani. She expertly led us to the rendezvous through a few trials and errors (goblin directions are not precise), but I think I learned a bit watching her and helped a little. We did get waylaid by an angry goat, but that is for another time. By evening we were only a few miles from our quarry. We camped the night and tried to stay warm and dry in the rain. My magic helped here somewhat.   It was on the trail that following morning alongside the river when it all made sense. I cannot go into the details here, not yet, but suffice to say the stolen object was one commemorating the destruction of the Lantican Armada. We were facing one of the Ancient Enemy. I must confess I froze in panic. Esyllt made me strong. She didn't see scared at all. Nor were the others, though Jak I think felt my fear and hesitation but didn't understand it. If he had, I imagine he would have turned and walked away. I almost did. Instead I chose to let the Gods decide.   Soon enough we spotted the elf and indeed it was the Enemy. A sorceress most vile. We talked over a number of options and eventually decided to use guile and a certain legerdemain. Jak snuck above the villain's redoubt while I impersonated the goblin by calling on the power of a mirage of light and sound. I believe the disguise worked until the filthy thaumaturge questioned me in the goblin's language and the jig was up. I should have then run.   I didn't.   She called me out. I knew we were likely severely outclassed and likely would fall if I ran or stayed. There is an old saying, if the fall is the only thing, how you fall matters. I would fall well. I stood up to her and then called her out. She commanded me to sit, I refused. I commanded her to surrender. She refused and then cast a spell on me. The training in will power proved prescient, and I survived. I tipped my hand that I wasn't alone. She believed me and like the coward she and all her wicked kind are - or seem to be - she fled into thin air. But she left her minions to fight on. A mankin of my father's people who cast magic and several tiny dragon-men. One of which was quite formidable. I must also report that there must be a pack of these things around.   Jak attacked. Leaping from above upon one of the dragon men, killing it.   And it was on. The fight went so fast. Arrows and blades flashing. I am no fighter, but I held my own for a time. Then it happened. The sorcerer. He spewed flame at us, wounding Jak and searing my shoulder. The little dragon men died in the backdraft. One of Rathani's arrows hit true on him and I took the chance with the Voice, disrupting his mind to madness and leaving him dead. Through the fiery torrent the remaining dragon creature, one who bore a shield, leaped through and ran me through in the belly with a spear.   It was odd Mother. I'd had a burn in my life. I'd been stabbed. I was stabbed in the abdomen. Yet it felt like nothing but pressure in the beginning. When I noticed I had blood dripping from my hands as then tries to pull the blade out. My blood, I became upset which was really a feeling that trumped any pain I felt at the time. After a couple of moments I began to feel a pain that didn't even allow for me to cry. I almost laughed, thinking back to the absurdities of stagecraft duels. I screamed at the beast and it hesitated, missing with its further strikes.   Then Jak, like some hero of legend, threw himself into the fray and attacked it. I crumpled to one knee. I heard an arrow hit Jak and he fell. Were we surrounded? They must have had others. But it was a miss. Such is the danger of combat and we are all so very green. Despite that, I yelled the Words back to Esyllt, inspiring an attack, but another wayward arrow of Rathari's struck my shoulder. As I tumbled to the ground, I felt nothing. The pain was replaced with shock. I think I laughed then. But not long as darkness crept over me and I lost consciousness for a moment.   Still. I fell well. I suppose that was something.

An Unusual First Day

Dear Mother Morgant,   After gaining the reluctant endorsement of my plans with my mother and my cousin the Viceroy, I decided to go down to the Adventurer's Guild at my first opportunity. I walked in with a bit of wonderment as I'd never been in such a place. Soon enough several denizens looked at me as not a possible colleague, but as an employer. But as fate would have it, Sir Esyllt, my quarry of sorts, was there also looking to join some enterprise.   As we began talking a tall and handsome elf-blooded man approached us. He was well-mannered and introduced himself as Jak, a Collector of the Archives. He asked us if we would be interested in joining him on a task for the Archives. Before we could agree, another person, a female elf from outside the city named Rathari asked to join us. She was an archer of some kind and soon enough we learned she was also a tracker and fighter. Jak led us first to dinner where he paid for us. Quite kind that was. Then after agreeing to his offer, we met with Chief Librarian Ogarth, who provided us more details.   I can't go into the details of the actual mission. Suffice to say we were investigating a theft of some...political sensitivity. Not to mention an innocent mistake that compounded a fiendish series of thefts by some strange ruffians. During it all I came to trust the instincts of my, well, crew. Though I might say we could become fast friends. Each had skills that together created a sense of camaraderie.   Kindly Mother, I confess I found myself in a dilemma. I discovered that one of the help had failed in their duty and left a window unlocked. Now, it still could have been magic or a skilled thief, but this person was beside themselves in despair. You never know where loyalty comes from, so I reluctantly decided to balance helping our party with an innocent's life. Taking a chance I used hinting and innuendo to convey the information our crew needed without exposing the source directly. It was not easy, and Jak for one disagreed, but he understood and trusted my decision. I appreciate that. Now, the greater good is served, a gentle soul isn't fired and left destitute, and we've made progress on our task.   Here is where things get a little disgusting. We ended up following the thieves into a sewer system. I'm not above this, but I must be frank, I wasn't equipped to do so. I did my best to encourage the crew as we followed Rathari. Both Esyllt and myself are not sneaky, and despite Jak and Rathari's best efforts, we brought first rats and then some kind of loathsome crawlers upon us. While dispatched by magic and blades, it was disturbing to say the least. That said, I am thrilled by it and am learning so much so fast. They too are learning of my magic and my use of the arts the Dréama have taught me.   Eventually, after passing though some devious traps expertly disarmed by Jak - I have every confidence in his skills here - we encountered whom we believe were the thieves. I warned them they should surrender and avoid death and wounds. They refused. Unfortunately for them we were their match, but it was a near-run thing. Despite their bravery, both Rathari and Esyllt were shot or cut down by these green fiends. Though they gave good measure. Jak eventually took down the penultimate burglar, with the last wretch surrendering. I did my part in using the magic of the voice to hurt them as well as gave aid and comfort to my comrades who had fell. I wanted to deliver justice to the lone prisoner, but chose instead to let him live.   You see, the mission is not yet over and we have questions to ask. I'm good at that.   Saia Seraphina Swann

Chess

Seraphina calmly moved her bishop into position. “Your move my lord.” In the months since her return Seraphina had settled in to court life, including her weekly game with her elder cousin. His Excellency Lord Julius Swann. She was getting better, but so far, he’d won every game.   Julius quickly moved his knight in position to threaten the bishop. He played conservatively this time, protecting even his knight with a pair of pawns, and perhaps daring her to probe his defenses. "Feeling aggressive today, Seraphina?" he asked.   She studied the board and his face, trying glean what his plan was. Seraphina positioned her rook carefully, ready to take advantage should he take the bishop. “My lord, one must take risks to learn,” she said with a smile.   "It seems to me, you've done a great deal of learning already, at the Imperial City," he said with a smile. "Did you like it?" He advanced a pawn, preparing a route to expand on the other half of the board. Distraction? Feint? His plan was murky at this stage.   He’s planning something. Always planning. “Yes my lord. The Dréama Lodge has grown to be amongst the most prestigious centers of musical and rhetorical training my lord. Sadly I didn’t get to see much of the city itself outside courts, theaters, and the odd trip to the Forum. I did travel though to other Lodges. And the races…just once.” She moved her bishop to potentially threaten the king in two moves, blocking that row my her rook.   Seraphina added, “My lord. I did see a debate in the Senate once. Nothing weighty, but enlightening. The Forum often has various philosophers and experts each with their own point of view. I wish I had had more time to study them.”   He moved another knight, blocking her intention. "Is politics truly where your interest lies?"   “My lord I have not decided. But I do know I need to discover and learn more. I love theatre, poetry, and acting. Perhaps someday I will built my own theatre here. I also love rhetoric and making a case, so politics is also a possibility, like mother. Some of the most the most famous Dréama used their wanderings to gain experience in the wide world. Experience to back up my education. I’ve actually considered making an unusual move.”   She carefully saw his defensive play. She moved a pawn to either threaten his piece or force it to move.   He let it threaten, and instead chose to slide his rook across the board. A move to take his knight would expose her own rook to a chain of counterattacks that would strip her of first a rook, then a bishop, and then a knight, though at the end he might lose that rook to her queen. A very good sacrifice for him, if she chose to take the bait.   "The thing about education is that it cannot account for everything. Life doesn't stay within the bound of the board, nor even will it always play by the rules of the game. Yet it remains the best way to prepare one for the world. "However, there are ways to gain experience without risking everything." He gestured to the board. "Some obsess with this game, seeing everything in terms of a certain set of rules. Within those boundaries, they might be masters. But change the landscape and... they fall flat."   "My son has a head for this game," he said as he gestured to the board. "But he doesn't adapt well to the real world." It was a little surprising to hear that from Julius. By all accounts, the younger Swann was making a name for himself at the Swannport Archive. It was said he brought wonders to the battlefield -- not that there was an immediate need for it.   “Then my lord,” she said with a smile, “would you like to know what I’m considering?” She knew he wouldn’t like it. She also knew he was much better at this game than she, though she was no slouch though he used strategy and she a form of deception. Maybe, just maybe…   She reached to take the knight, but subtly hesitated. She drew her hand back. Something was wrong but she couldn’t see it right away. He should think her hesitation was weakness. Instead, she castled. Bringing in another rook to back up her first. If anything, he might wonder what she was doing and give away his plan. (edited)   He looked up from the board. "It sounds like you want to tell me." He raised an eyebrow and waited so that he could give it attention.   She nodded, “It would be proper my lord. Can you tell me about the Adventurer’s Guild. I should like to leverage them in my studies and in gaining experiences. As you say, education cannot account for everything.”   He sighed. "To some, the Fieras Adventurers Guild is a haven for bandits and ruffians. Looters. Seekers of fame. To others, they are sharp-eyed investigators, tools to use against forces of evil. But to everyone, they are dangerous. Even to themselves. Why would you want to associate with them, except to throw yourself in harms way for a little extra gold?"   She weighed her words carefully. “My lord, is it not true that we are not born to greatness, but to be great one must build merit and reputation through accomplishments? A noble name isn’t enough. I’m a Swann, but I’m no warrior, but I can see the human heart and, given experience, may be able to do much to aid those seeking knowledge or even at first apprehending criminals.”   She added, “I do possess some skills that may aid in these endeavors. And when not doing that, I could lend my skills to helping our family and other nobles and guilds like mother does.”   He seemed prepared to answer this response. "Have you considered more traditional routes to success and power? In Swannport, I'm sure you know that the assembly is made of the GuildMasters of the various guilds across the city. With your skills you might excel in management. Or better yet, if you wish a true challenge for you, you could establish a guild where there is none as yet.   "You could form a guild of performers. Actors, musicians, and other performers currently lack the protections, benefits and representation that a guild provides. Gather them, unite them, and then convince the other guilds of the city to recognize your guild." What he was saying was not easy, nor something that could be achieved quickly. "If you could get the other guilds to recognize yours as a guild as well, you'd have a seat of your own in the Assembly."   Experience informed Seraphina that such a task would be a lot like herding cats. Most performers moved a round a lot, city to city, town to town, catching whatever festivals they could. She would have to establish a network that spanned all the colonies of Duskh, just as the Adventurers Guild of Fieras had done. That was no part time job, but an entire career.   Still, he wasn't wrong. If she were successful, it would earn her a seat in the Assembly. From there it was a step, possibly a difficult one that took years, to then lead the Assembly. Then, with time and experience, she could even make it onto a short list of candidates when the Viceroy next decided to choose a new Senator to send to the Imperial City.   “I agree my lord. I think my mother, my teachers, and the Dréama elders would also agree with you. And it is within my skills I think. I could slowly build up my reputation. But…,” she paused.   “I could in theory jump start that reputation, building wealth and influence enough to have people come to me and not the other way around. It is risky I admit. But life is risk. Most Saia wouldn’t. They’d find a patron or a lover and build up from there. I’m less patient. Nothing great comes without risk.”   She added, “And my lord, if I didn’t, I think I’d regret I hadn’t done so. And…I want to earn your respect. It is important to me.”   He frowned, but looked thoughtful. "Have you discussed this course with your mother?"   “Once. She agrees with you, but did not say no. My teacher, my lord, thinks I can do more. She says I have great potential and author my own story. My own myth. Humbly, my lord, I’d like to see if that is possible. To excel, gain prestige, and respect from my actions. Even if they seem foolhardy at this time.”   "Where do you see this take you in five years?" he asked. He seemed honestly curious and wasn't trying to be critical.   “The Mistress of the House of Bards, my lord. To do so, I must build up contacts in many places, build up a reputation worthy of a Swann who raised me and of the Dréama who taught me. In five years I hope to be ready to build the first amphitheater, having gathered sponsors and patrons to realize that dream. Your dream for me and my dream are not dissimilar, my lord,” she confessed. “But I may be able to do this faster and bring glory to our name. In my way, of course.”   "All right. So, you've set this goal for yourself and have decided that working with the Adventurers Guild will be the way to get you going in that direction. You'll need to support yourself, and there will be risks and dangers in far greater supply than any other profession. Adventurers often end up acting as investigators and troubleshooters in situations that are just too dangerous for other people to handle. How will you handle dangerous challenges?"   She nodded, “I don’t intend to go alone. I hope to join up with some like-minded people. I can use a blade, though that isn’t my strength, my lord. Truth is I am proficient in some magic. Magic of sound and music. I can taunt, persuade, encourage, and more. I can also, my lord, weave music that shapes a story around me, letting me play a character such that I may learn more of my quarry.”   She added, “And, when not adventuring, mother has agreed to help me get work with the Assembly as a junior advisor, advocate, and rhetorician. But I’d also look to entertain, as Saia do, for the powerful for the right price. Conversation and song.”   “All of which, my lord, will help build influence, intuition, investigation skills, and contacts, making me more valuable to my team, and by extension, to you. My lord.”   "You sound to me like you are more adept in moving through high society, not dismal caves and dark forests hunting down beasts warped by miasma, uncovering bandit camps, or retrieving stolen items. But very well, if you insist on trying anyway, I won't stop you. But at least let me help you help yourself." He sat back in his chair and thought for a moment. "And just maybe, you could do something that is of benefit to this province as well," he mused.   She smiled broadly and then said, “My thanks my lord! What so ever do you have in mind?”   "Minari tribes still remain resistant to settlement or Duskhan expansion, yet they still possess the most strategically important lands. Relations have never fully recovered since the unfortunate first contact. They will trade from time to time, although they do not welcome us. But there may be an opportunity to show them our kind and theirs can coexist very successfully.   "Father Bernard brought it to my attention that some years ago he had opportunity to take in a Minari orphan. Nigh wild, she nonetheless took to the life offered by the Temple.   "You may not be aware, but our kindly Father Bernard also guides the Holy Order of Ilana's Gift at the Temple of the Three here. What's more, that young girl has taken up the morning star in service to Ilana and was accepted as a novitiate to the Order. I'm going to suggest to him that pairing her with you could be good for everyone involved -- especially if that doting old man's boasts about her are even half true. I swear he spoils the girl..."   He shook his head. "Anyway, it's not easy to convince a hostile people to forgive and forget. But if you can help forge our novitiate into a successful example of what we can forge together, it could go along way toward mending old rifts."   She nodded, “Yes my lord. You may not know, but I speak Minari and know something of their history. I would partner with her and make her a success in that light. Your will be done.” She smiled at the opportunity before her. A Minari holy novitiate! A peace mission! Adventure. Yes, she’d do this.   She paused and then added, “I respect Father Bernard. His kind words at my father’s wake were welcomed. May I ask my lord, what do they know of me?” She joked, “Perhaps they think I was spoiled?” (edited)   "Father Bernard? Or do you mean the girl?" he asked.   “Oh, either my lord. I must be a mystery to them if they know of me at all,” she replied.   "I don't know what she may or may not know. All I have is the impression Father Bernard dotes on her too much. The priest would know who you are, but likely not what you've been doing. I'll have Father Bernard advise her to share her... gifts with the Adventurers Guild. I'd rather her be unaware of our intention. She isn't like the other novitiates." He spoke of the way she looked. An armored Minari novitiate would stand out like the bright red berries in a patch of nightshade. Just getting her accepted around town might be a challenge. "I think it's time to get her out from under Bernard's watchful eye.   "Let things develop naturally if you can, but keep the goal in sight." He leaned back, apparently having lost interest in the game. "I need to prepare to go to sea. I'll return in two weeks." As he climbed to his feet, he said, "I look forward to seeing your progress in that time. Good luck."   She turned down her king. "Duty calls my lord. Anyway, you would have won in five moves. I thank you for the conversation, the game, and your best wishes." She rose and formally curtsied to her lord. "Until your successful return. I will keep my eyes out for her."

Why the Silver Hair?

All Dréama who are chosen for the Saia path eventually have their hair bleach out to a silver color. In Fieras, this was never an issue, but in Duskhan lands we stand out. So we embrace it. Now there are many rumors to why the hair turns white. Some say because it shows premature wisdom. Some say because our arts are secret witchcraft of the Minari from before the fall. Or of some kind of pact. But many find it strange and alluring. We don't tell others the truth. Usually we say it is the symbol of completed training. It is not.   In reality it is a side effect and a symbol of our devotion. We Saia drink an elixir over our training years that heightens our influence by changing our voice to reach unheard of vocal ranges - with a side effect of making us barren for a time. The renown of the Dréama makes the powerful believe that to make a pairing with a Saia to be socially advantageous, which the Sisterhood uses to gain allies, influence, and slowly…power. No Saia can ever marry (normally – there are exceptions) and only can be concubines, lent to the powerful by the Motherhood in exchange for favors (an individual Sister may refuse and they maybe choosy about this and the ‘Lending’ may simply be for entertainment only, companionship, and not necessarily sexual in nature.) 

They may have children only by permission, when they take a curative that suspends the effects for a time. Privately the Sisterhood is somewhat more selfish. They avoid direct power and instead leverage their influence through charisma, position, and subtle manipulation as encouraged by the Kindly Mothers. 

The end goal is to unravel Thal’s Enigma, a theory that says that magical power is rooted in its Voice, with their goal to someday reach a perfect harmony, literally, with the world allowing them to ascend to a pure existence. The hair color symbolizes that purity.

The Honored and Kindly Mother

"Saia Brännkvinna," the Kindly Mother said. "Are you prepared for your journey?" That's what she asked me. Twelve years in study, training at her side and that of others both here and elsewhere. I was scared. "Everything is packed Mother." She said, "But are you ready?"   The Mother, known as Morgant, who I knew as well as my own mother Sabina – or perhaps more – sensing my hidden hesitation said to me then, "Bränni, I know you are nervous about the emotions of others and desires as you leave this place. But I've seen you do wondrous things and I know you have discipline. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you. In one lifetime a woman knows many pleasures: a mother’s smile in waking hours, a young man's intimate, searing touch, and the laughter of grandchildren in the twilight years. To fully deny these in ourselves is to deny that which makes us one with music of life and the universe. We are not statues or cloistered hermits."   "Shall we then seek to satisfy these needs? Are we not told to avoid love and entanglements?" I asked.   She answered, "Only acknowledge them and satisfaction will follow. To suppress a truth is to give it force beyond endurance. You must be measured. Love, friendship, loyalty. These are all good things. Lust, rivalry, betrayal. These are said to be bad things. But in reality each is of their measure and must be weighed against your search for truth and unravelling the Enigma. Only from experience can you being to understand the songs that bind us. Should you have such a strong love, that you lose yourself? Should you have a desire for revenge that would destroy your allies? Should you be so loyal to others than the Dréama that you betray your oath?"   "No," I said to her. "So how will I know if I am ready? What is is that I fear seeing my family again?"   She answered, "The world that you will live in is mysterious, exciting, unknown. What you fear is uncertainty and failure. This place is older, familiar, and calm. It has been the center of your world. Remember when you came here, a tiny thing who cried all night. Yet you learned a new world. There are so many worlds to learn. And we are but wanderers in those worlds. You are my best student but yet are humble. Remember that. Do not see yourself as the center of the universe as wise and good and beautiful. Seek rather wisdom, goodness and beauty that you may honor them everywhere and being your journey of enlightenment. Then return and teach us."   "I shall do so and obey the Way and the Craft," I answered.   "As you shall in all things," she answered...

The Lodges of the Dréama

The Dréama are an ancient order of bards dedicated to understanding the mysteries of sound, magic, and action. Gifted musicians and singers, the charismatic Dréama Saia are all followers of Three, but especially Thon. They believe that music is the core of magic and it is the language of the gods. Understanding sound, music, speech, they can influence others, break bones, heal, inspire, or break their enemies. The continually seek to understand music, magic, and an enigma, a question only known but to their Kindly Mothers, the secretive leadership of the Dréama.   They are colloquially called by many names. Most, especially in Fieras, call them the Dréama. The Sisters of Harmony is sometimes used in the Imperial East. As is the more general term 'Bard'. Here in Fieras female bards of a druidic bent were called the 'Faíthe' as opposed to the more common male bards 'Fili' whom they derived from long ago. All Dréama are Faíthe, but not all Faíthe are Dréama. Though they may study with them, they do not know their spellsongs which are practiced exclusively by the elite Saia class. Similarly the Duskhans have an oratory tradition which manifests in several forms, but few display similar magical abilities with sound. Few but it is not unknown. The Dréama see these traditions as sundered from the truth of the enigma and seeks a shared future, when possible.   In a secret location in Fieras, the High Lodge was founded untold years ago, where the daughters of druids and chiefs, selected by the Kindly Mothers, or birthed by Saias sent into the tribes and nations, were trained in the arts of persuasion, song, dance, and performance. A few of them would become Saia, meaning, one who knew the magic of song and sound. Other remote lodges were established in the few places the Dréama gathered. There were always a small group, with the Saia being more rare.   A hundred years ago, the first Saia arrived in the Imperial City with returning explorers. Since then, the Dréama tradition has grown substantially there, establishing a Lodge and offering schooling to the powerful, while searching for ideal magical blood to pair with and produce offspring who could someday find the answer to the Enigma. They also would recruit talented blood from the Duskhans themselves. Publicly they are see as a very elite group of bards, selectively choosing the best of the best to apprentice and join their ranks. They play great theaters and sing before the nobility, advise them, and in many occasions serve as emissaries, advocates, and even diplomats. It is a great honor for one to choose to sing at a lowly tavern or inn, which is rare at best. They often travel to gather and preserve stories, as well as follow heroes in their quests to both inspire and be inspired.  

Many Names

I have a secret name. Only my birthmother and the Kindly Mothers know it. I know it as well. It is a name that was given to me when I completed my training. I honor it as my true name more any other because I earned it.   I have other names as well. My father named me Seraphina. He almost named me Sara. My mother suggested the compromise as my great-grandmother once was named this back in the Old Country. It means the Fiery One. I had copper-toned hair back then with fiery eyes. I loved my father in those days. He was a good man, but much older than my mother. He was of good blood and joining his family as a concubine was a strategic decision by the Dréama. He knew it too. But we are highly desired and mother, one of the greatest actresses of the stage in the Capital, was a catch. The price was money, influence, and me. That name honors him.   To the Minari, I am called Brandende or merely Dendi in the diminutive. I've studied much of their music and tales. To the Sarian people I am called Brännkvinna, which was my most common name with the Sisters. I know many of their stories, just like the Druids - or so I'm told. I like all my names. Those names honor my teachers and my ancestors. But, a name is hollow without a reputation. I must make a name for myself.  

Homecoming

My father is dead.   It had been nearly twelve years since I've set foot in Swannport. While I've written to my father and seen him from time to time, I didn't know he was ill. No one did. The Kindly Mothers of the Dréama gave me leave to return for his funeral. We don't mourn in the Sisterhood. My father's song is still being played. His voice echoes in eternity. For we are all song, all eternal, all magic. In a way, I envy him. Yet I do miss him as a child who looked up to him every day and never was able to grow up in his presence. Such is fate of my kind. But the Enigma cannot be solved though nostalgia or sympathy. It takes work.   Mother met me at city gates and brought me to the wake where I was to sing a requiem in his honor. My cousin was now the ruler of Swannport and I was still, legally, a Swann, so he was there all grown up. The Dréama is looked upon well by his family, and in the City, unlike some other local traditions like our ancient friends the Druids, who are held under suspicion. Indeed, as members of our calling have dispersed on the Wandering, they have been welcomed wherever they go – usually – including across the sea. Someday I hope to go there. Heh he. I digress.   I sang the requiem in his memory and brought both joy and tears to family, friends, and guests. They probably thought I loved him more than I do. Love. Mother I think loved him after a fashion, though she was only a concubine to some. A trophy willingly contracted to be a companion, friend, lover, and producer of two children. My younger brother Shaun, and myself.   The Dréama are not about love though, at least not on the surface.   You see, the emotion of unbridled romantic love is intensely distrusted by us Dréama. We are not immune to it, indeed Thon (as my father's people call it) is central to all we do, but it tends to get in the way. That feeling is considered a source of disorder, confusion, chaos and was credited with some of the larger failures of individual Sisters, not to mention being the devourer of both peasants and kings. Thus, as a preventative measure, I was taught from early childhood to be suspicious of love, to understand that in its many manifestations the emotion is overpowering and that it breaks discipline and our goals. We do not therefore marry. Lovers are fine. Service is fine. But all emotion goes to the Dréama, the Gods, and to Our Craft. That is where we apply our love.   Where was I?   Oh, the requiem. My mother is well known as a singer and bard. I'm expected to follow in her footsteps, musically at least, in the theaters and music-houses. Indeed, I was asked to perform The Dance of the Three and The Sad Lady of the High Moor soon after the funeral. I wanted to decline, but mother insisted. Sometimes I prefer singing to the common folk, like the tribes I've known and met over the years. Perhaps I do both? But nevertheless soon I must begin the Wandering. The funeral, though sad, is the beginning of that, until the Kindly Mothers choose another path for me so I might get closer to the Enigma.   What is that you ask?   The Enigma is the ultimate question of magic and sound. You see, we believe that sound, music, and harmony are part and parcel of magic and magic is the expression of the Song of the Gods and thus Creation. To know music, the right music, is to begin to understand the voice of the Three. With music we make magic. With music we will change the world. Such it shall be Sung, such it shall be Done. That is the Way of the Dréama. The frustrating question is that nobody has figured the Enigma out. Generations have gone by and we have made progress. But not enough. So the Wandering began a hundred years ago. We learned the music of new places and create the perfect singers though careful choices of partners and members. Someday someone will sing the Perfect Song, and unlock the secret of Creation itself.   We don't tend to talk about that though...   Enough blathering. I'm probably boring you. Hah! For now I have a leg up from the Dréama's reputation, my cousin's name, and more. But I can't do this alone. Opportunity will arrive, I just need to recognize it and be ready. I've been practicing. The practices and rituals of the Dréama Craft and Way are meant to sharpen the body while enhancing a sense of control. I do them every day. Referring back to love, the mind must be its own master, desires never exceeding too far the grasp and capabilities of the desirer. Our practices also include fighting disciplines meant to let Sisters like me defend themselves while at the same time giving me confidence. In truth, as the Dréama say, we each control our own reality, to the degree that what we perceive and experience is shaped by our own preconceptions and expectations. Our way is far more profound than this simple truism, in that a mistress of sound and song is able to make herself behave in accordance with this idea and have others do so as well. My...contribution...to any group is my voice and what comes with it.   Now, who are the lucky people whom I might wander with? Or do I go it alone? Home is rather boring.
    Some artwork © Grim Press, used with permission. All rights reserved. Artist: Bob Greyvenstein
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World
Terrakh
Category
The Protagonists / PCs in Swannport Campaign
Author
SilenceKit
Publication Date
28 Mar, 2021
Creation Date
28 Mar, 2021
Last Update Date
10 May, 2022
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