[Riverhaven, Stone Bridge]
The lanes outside the eastern gate of Riverhaven are crowded with the bustle of street peddlers and merchant wagons coming and going in a great rush to sell their wares. Beggars line the paved road, aware that the more influential and wealthy folks use this gate. They hover, hands extended, hoping that a moment of kindness and charity might befall them. A stone bridge that once provided passage across the river is now little more than a crumbling stone pier used by some local fishermen. You also see a boggy path along a river.
Also here: Anarchist Zhirrisk and Inquisitor Whiteburn who is emanating a malevolent holy aura.
Obvious paths: northeast.
>
Zhirrisk slinks back and forth, like a restless predator on the prowl.
>
Whiteburn says, "The Faldesu inlet..."
>
Whiteburn grows quiet, an intense look of introspection overtaking her features as her tail lowers slightly and stretches into stillness.
>
Zhirrisk loudly asks, "Right here?"
>
Zhirrisk angles his ears forward in curiosity.
>
Zhirrisk glances up at the sky.
>
Whiteburn says, "Perhaps..."
>
Zhirrisk nibbles his lip thoughtfully.
>
Whiteburn says, "Everyone will see it, coming to and from Riverhaven..."
>
Zhirrisk nods.
>
Whiteburn says, "Easily available to the people... that is good."
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "In the midst of all these merchants..."
>
Zhirrisk loudly exclaims, "Right...!"
>
Zhirrisk kneels down.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "...we need wood."
>
Zhirrisk frowns.
>
Zhirrisk gets a book of apprentice shaping instructions from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Eighten pieces of lumber..."
>
Zhirrisk stands up.
>
Zhirrisk inhales a great swallow of air.
>
Whiteburn says, "I... only have blocks fit for carving small beads..."
>
Zhirrisk fidgets nervously.
>
Zhirrisk rubs his crystal ring.
>
Whiteburn gazes up at the sky.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "I suppose I could just BUY some..."
>
Whiteburn says, "That would likely be the most efficient way to proceed."
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "It's just not very, ah... I was hoping for some special wood of some kind..."
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Well, I'll make one...! And we'll see..."
>
Zhirrisk nods.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "I'll be back."
>
Zhirrisk puts his book in his journey pack.
>
Anarchist Zhirrisk went through the east gate.
>
Anarchist Zhirrisk came through the east gate.
>
Whiteburn says, "Perhaps you are correct."
>
Whiteburn says, "Maybe it would be... proper to wait."
>
Zhirrisk tilts his head, clearly curious about something.
>
Zhirrisk nibbles his lip thoughtfully.
>
Whiteburn says, "Until we can find something clearly suitable..."
>
Whiteburn says, "Drogor must have only the best."
>
Zhirrisk loudly exclaims, "Pine's pretty good!"
>
Zhirrisk shakes his pine lumber!
>
Whiteburn says, "Well... very well, then."
>
Zhirrisk inhales a great swallow of air.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "We'll see."
>
Zhirrisk gets a book of apprentice shaping instructions from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk stares intently at his table instructions.
>
Zhirrisk puts his book in his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk gets a metal drawknife from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk begins to carefully examine a metal drawknife.
>
Zhirrisk analyzes every minute detail of the iron drawknife while smiling to himself.
>
The sun sinks below the horizon, turning the clear sky a thousand shades of ever-deepening blue as the day fades into night.
>
Zhirrisk puts his drawknife in his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk gets a carving knife from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk beams!
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Here we go..."
>
Zhirrisk hums happily to himself.
>
Whiteburn gazes at Zhirrisk.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "It must at least LOOK like driftwood.."
>
Zhirrisk gets a short oak pole from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk places his pole with his low table and begins to make careful measurements and markings on both pieces.
>
Zhirrisk gets a short oak pole from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk places his pole with his low table and begins to make careful measurements and markings on both pieces.
>
Zhirrisk gets a short oak pole from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk places his pole with his low table and begins to make careful measurements and markings on both pieces.
>
Zhirrisk gets a short oak pole from inside his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk places his pole with his low table and begins to make careful measurements and markings on both pieces.
>
Zhirrisk picks up a carving knife.
>
Whiteburn says, "It should be off the path somewhat... so that orcs or goblins or renegades or whatnot do not trample it when they invade the city."
>
Zhirrisk frowns.
>
Zhirrisk nods.
>
Zhirrisk loudly asks, "At the edge of the broken bridge, perhaps?"
>
Whiteburn nods.
>
Zhirrisk makes a wheezing sound.
>
Zhirrisk beams!
>
Zhirrisk kneels down.
>
You get an odd feeling that someone is watching you. It quickly passes.
>
You happen to sense a Yavash moonbeam moving into the area.
>
Zhirrisk drops a low pine table.
>
Zhirrisk waves.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Skaen, hallo."
>
Zhirrisk stands up.
>
Whiteburn's tail cautiously lifts into a kind of "U" shape.
>
(Zhirrisk pushes the horribly-mutilated table closer to the edge of the broken bridge.)
>
In a blazing fountain of red-gold sparks, a red Moongate blazes into life.
>
You notice Sevona peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Zhirrisk puts his knife in his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk's ears stand up proudly for a moment.
>
Zhirrisk peers through the Moongate.
>
You notice Pfanston peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Whiteburn kneels down.
>
Whiteburn stares intently at a low pine table, her entire posture taking on an abrupt stillness.
>
Whiteburn says, "It is a little... ah... well. It is heartfelt."
>
You notice Aralicia peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
You notice Pfanston peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Whiteburn makes a grunting noise.

Whiteburn stands up.
>
Whiteburn glances up at the sky.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "It's my second one! I think it's great."
>
Apostle Korutu came through the east gate.
>
Korutu peers through the Moongate.
>
Zhirrisk pats a low pine table.
>
A red Moongate collapses in on itself.
>
Korutu says, "Whats going on here."
>
Atazai just arrived.
>
Whiteburn says, "Night has shown its face to us... so the time is right for a ceremony of the Dark Gods."
>
Zhirrisk scratches one ear, looking bemused.
>
Atazai holds her hand out towards Korutu for a highfive.
>
Atazai nods politely.
>
Korutu and Atazai highfive each other.
>
Zhirrisk gives a courteous nod and tips his helm politely.
>
Whiteburn kneels down.
>
Whiteburn gets some holy water from inside a dull silver bottle embedded with a trio of scarlet glass eyes.
>
Atazai whispers something to Korutu.
>
Zhirrisk gets a bucket of fresh chum from inside a driftwood toy box shaped like a sea turtle labeled "Rawr Sharks".
>
In a blazing fountain of red-gold sparks, a red Moongate blazes into life.
>
You notice Sevona peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
You notice Sepherus peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
You notice Pfanston peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Korutu says, "So this is pretty lame."
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Wait for it..."
>
Steelstorm Sepherus came through a red Moongate.
>
Atazai whispers something to Korutu.
>
Sepherus takes a bite of the sandwich.
>
Atazai just tried to take Sepherus's hand, but he politely pulled away.
>
Atazai reaches over and holds hands with Korutu.
>
Sepherus steps towards Atazai to join her but Atazai steps away.
>
Atazai just tried to take Sepherus's hand, but he politely pulled away.
>
Korutu laughs!
>
Atazai gulps.
>
Sepherus nods.
>
Sepherus grins.
>
You notice Qij peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Atazai reaches over and holds hands with Sepherus.
>
Gallant Qij came through a red Moongate.
>
Qij says, "Oh hi."
>
You notice Pfanston peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Zhirrisk inhales a great swallow of air.
>
Korutu wraps his arms around Qij, giving Qij a great big bear hug!
>
Qij lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Korutu!
>
Atazai serenely gazes right through Qij, as if he does not exist.
>
A red Moongate collapses in on itself.
>
Sepherus asks, "There something interesting going on here?"
>
Qij says, "Why are we up here."
>
Qij stands near Sepherus.
>
Whiteburn chants in a soprano voice:

"Mighty One, Lord of Storms, Great Drogor, God-King of sunken ships and drowner of heretics!
Bestow your Divine Blessing upon this land...so that it may be yours.
The people will look upon and know that Your power is absolute
Grace this land with Your presence always, and may we always feel your gaze upon us."

>
Whiteburn sprinkles some holy water on a low pine table.
>
Whiteburn runs her fingers along her shark pin and mutters to herself.
>
Zhirrisk's tail twitches, a mischievous look on his face.
>
Zhirrisk kneels down.
>
Atazai nods.
>
Sepherus grins.
>
Qij whispers something to Korutu.
>
Whiteburn chants in a soprano voice:

"Water from the ocean, sanctified by Your will!
Upon this humble altar, Lord, may it become as sacrosanct as Thy pure ocean.
Let us always remember the glory of the sea and of deep waters
Though we look upon the river... it is Your domain as well."

In a blazing fountain of red-gold sparks, a red Moongate blazes into life.
>
Social Butterfly Jessalyne came through the east gate.
>
Qij peers through the Moongate.
>
Qij gasps at Jessalyne!
>
Atazai reaches over and holds hands with Jessalyne.
>
Zhirrisk growls ferociously!
>
Whiteburn fixes Jessalyne with a cold, reptilian stare.
>
You notice Dianelle peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Jessalyne slowly says, "Huh."
>
Jessalyne peers through the Moongate.
>
You notice Kelneth peering through the other side of the Moongate.
>
Medicine Woman Dianelle's group came through a red Moongate.
>
A red Moongate collapses in on itself.
>
Jessalyne looks thoughtful for a moment, then shrugs.
>
Sepherus chuckles.
>
Korutu ponders.
>
Atazai leans on Dianelle.
>
Atazai gives Dianelle a smooch.
>
Whiteburn chants in a soprano voice:

"May those who seek to disturb the sanctity of this blessed shrine be struck down!
May their death cries echo for eternity, as they fall ever onward into the spiral of damnation!"

>
Whiteburn leaps to her feet!
>
Zhirrisk stands up.
>
Korutu ponders.
>
Dianelle grins impishly at Atazai.
>
Atazai frowns.
>
Whiteburn searches around for a moment.
>
Whiteburn throws her head back and howls!
>
Dianelle rests her hand on Whiteburn's arm with a soft smile.
>
Whiteburn snarls.
>
Zhirrisk searches around for a moment.
>
Atazai scratches her head.
>
Zhirrisk grumbles.
>
Sepherus takes a bite of the sandwich.
>
Korutu ponders.
>
Zhirrisk loudly asks Whiteburn, "Is it ready?"
>
Korutu says, "Maybe if you offer up a sea food platter."
>
Zhirrisk holds a bucket of fresh chum high into the air for all to see.
>
Sepherus gets a zucchini sandwich decorated with a zephyr-shaped image from inside his spidersilk rucksack.
>
Whiteburn chants in a soprano voice:

"Let all those who come in search of knowledge, and who seek to offer blessings be answered.
And may every citizen of Therengia know that these are the days of Drogor, and that His power is absolute."

>
Sepherus offers Korutu a zucchini sandwich decorated with a zephyr-shaped image.
>
Korutu accepts Sepherus's zucchini sandwich.
>
Korutu gets a gleaming metallic-red cinder beast with glittering onyx claws from inside his traveler's pack.
>
Whiteburn gazes up at the sky.
>
Korutu points his cinder beast at a zucchini sandwich decorated with a zephyr-shaped image, and a fiery flame shoots out, making the a zucchini sandwich decorated with a zephyr-shaped image steam from the heat.
>
Korutu puts his beast in his traveler's pack.
>
Korutu takes a bite of the sandwich.
>
Sepherus says, "Its a sammich."
>
Korutu nods.
>
Sepherus grins.
>
Whiteburn nods to Zhirrisk.
>
Sepherus says, "Not the best though."
>
Zhirrisk inhales a great swallow of air.
>
Atazai gets a shallow grey box from inside her waterproof bag.
>
Atazai offers Korutu a shallow grey box.
>
Zhirrisk kneels down.
>
Korutu takes a bite of the sandwich.
>
Korutu accepts Atazai's grey box.
>
Korutu moves a zucchini sandwich decorated with a zephyr-shaped image to his left hand.
Korutu moves a shallow grey box to his right hand.
>
Zhirrisk's ears straighten up smartly, a look of pride on his face.
>
Korutu grins.
>
Korutu puts his sandwich in his metal lunchbox.
>
Korutu ponders.
>
Qij carefully detaches a neatly trimmed fake mustache and beard from his face.
>
Atazai says, "You can smear on the altar maybe."
>
Qij offers Atazai a neatly trimmed fake mustache and beard.
>
Atazai says, "Once it's good."
>
Atazai serenely gazes right through Qij, as if he does not exist.
>
(Zhirrisk shuffles toward the table and dumps some chum from his bucket onto it. With a solemn prayer, he spreads the fish-goop around until the surface of the table is completely smeared in it.)
>
Korutu asks, "Is the table the alter?"
>
Sepherus kneels down and begins to pray.
>
Korutu says, "I am confused."
>
Sepherus stands up.
>
Atazai says, "Oh."
>
Zhirrisk trills softly to himself.
>
Sepherus grins.
>
Zhirrisk continues praying fervently.
>
Whiteburn runs her fingers along her shark pin and mutters to herself.
>
Qij dances about with his mustache and beard.
>
Zhirrisk puts his chum in a mist grey journey pack.
>
Qij dances about with his mustache and beard.
>
Atazai accepts Qij's mustache and beard.
>
Atazai drops a neatly trimmed fake mustache and beard.
>
Qij says, "It's neatly trimmed."
>
Atazai folds her arms across her chest.
>
Qij nods to Atazai.
>
Korutu says, "I got a buncha sapphires from killing those sharks that one time."
>
Korutu offers Atazai a shallow grey box.
>
Atazai accepts Korutu's grey box.
>
Sepherus grins.
>
Atazai puts her box in her waterproof bag.
>
Zhirrisk pulls his face down into his lap, fists clenched at his sides.
>
Zhirrisk inhales a great swallow of air.
>
Whiteburn stares intently at a low pine table, her entire posture taking on an abrupt stillness.
>
Zhirrisk stands up.
>
Zhirrisk's ears sag slightly in relaxation, a contented smile on his face.
>
Whiteburn kneels down.
>
Zhirrisk throws his head back and howls!
>
Qij says, "I need to go to crossing."
>
Whiteburn stares blankly into the distance.
>
Gallant Qij went through the east gate.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Surely Drogor will accept sacrifices made in His name here..."
>
Zhirrisk beams at Whiteburn.
>
Whiteburn says to Zhirrisk, "Of course."
>
In a blazing fountain of red-gold sparks, a red Moongate blazes into life.
>
Zhirrisk nods.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Then our task is complete, for now..."
>
Atazai ponders.
>
Korutu peers through the Moongate.
>
Whiteburn stands up.
>
Sepherus ponders.
>
A red Moongate collapses in on itself.
>
Whiteburn says, "It is, indeed."
>
Zhirrisk's ears stand up proudly for a moment.
>
Korutu ponders.
>
Zhirrisk reaches up and moves his visored helm about on his head.
>
Atazai asks, "It's good now?"
>
Korutu taps a low pine table.
>
Korutu picks up a low pine table.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Blessed by Drogor's Chosen herself."
>
Korutu laughs!
>
Zhirrisk nods to Atazai.
>
Zhirrisk frowns at Korutu.
>
Atazai frowns at Korutu.
>
Zhirrisk loudly exclaims, "Put it back...!"
>
Whiteburn glances at Korutu.
>
Sepherus grins.
>
Atazai says, "A blasphemer."
>
Atazai nods.
>
Korutu begins to carefully examine a low pine table.
>
Korutu says, "Pretty light for a table."
>
Whiteburn patiently says to Korutu, "It is just a table. do what you like with it. This area has been sanctified, but if it would make you pleased to draw the ire of the Gods for no reason, then I will let the punishment fall upon your head with pleasure."
>
Korutu ponders.
>
Korutu gets a gleaming metallic-red cinder beast with glittering onyx claws from inside his traveler's pack.
>
Zhirrisk glowers.
>
Korutu drops a low pine table.
>
Atazai chuckles.
>
Whiteburn raises an eyebrow.
>
Korutu moves a gleaming metallic-red cinder beast with glittering onyx claws to his right hand.
>
Korutu puts his beast in his traveler's pack.
>
Zhirrisk breathes very slowly and looks much calmer.
>
(Zhirrisk fastidiously pushes the table back to its rightful spot at the edge of the broken bridge.)
>
Zhirrisk's ears relax for a moment in obvious enjoyment.
>
Sepherus chuckles at Korutu.
>
Korutu analyzes every minute detail of the low table while smiling to himself.
>
Atazai gestures at Korutu.
>
Atazai frowns at Korutu.
>
Sepherus ponders.
>
Atazai says to Dianelle, "I'll sell these minor wounds for three bronze lirums."
>
Atazai nods to Dianelle.
>
Atazai smiles.
>
Dianelle smirks at Atazai.
>
Zhirrisk makes a wheezing sound.
>
Zhirrisk holds his hand up before his mouth and begins to cough, his shoulders shaking. Hope it's not contagious!
>
Dianelle says to Atazai, "Only because it pains me to see you wounded."
>
Zhirrisk shifts his weight.
>
Dianelle gives Atazai some coins.
>
Atazai mumbles a word of general praise.
>
Korutu roots around the area for a moment.
>
Dianelle rests her hand on Atazai's arm with a soft smile.
>
An almost visible connection between Dianelle and Atazai seems to thrum through the air.

Atazai shivers briefly as wounds and traces of battle abruptly vanish from her body.

Dianelle exhales slowly as corresponding wounds bloom on her flesh.
>
Dianelle gives Atazai a smooch.
>
Atazai looks at Dianelle and applauds!
>
Dianelle says to Atazai, "Good to see you too."
>
Atazai chortles softly at some secret joke.
>
Atazai asks, "So what do we do now that the goon ruined the party?"
>
Zhirrisk nibbles his lip thoughtfully.
>
Korutu ponders.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "It's not ruined...! The altar is here... it's been sanctified..."
>
Zhirrisk nods.
>
Korutu asks, "Does the river go to the sea?"
>
Whiteburn says, "It was not really a party. It is... rather over, actually."
>
Atazai says, "Well yeah."
>
Korutu picks up a low pine table.
>
Korutu gracefully dives into the Faldesu river.
>
Atazai says, "Oh my."
>
Whiteburn tugs on her shark pin and gazes up at the sky.
>
Atazai says, "Huh."
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "See, we don't need to wait years and years for some lousy Baron to build a cathedral for his wedding that will MAYBE have an altar in it."
>
Zhirrisk scoffs.
>
Apostle Korutu came out of the Faldesu river.
>
Korutu says, "I am sure it will get there sooner or later."
>
Zhirrisk fixes Korutu with an intent, predatory stare.
>
Whiteburn shakes her head at Korutu.
>
Zhirrisk gracefully dives into the Faldesu river.
>
Zhirrisk just came out of the Faldesu river, dragging a low pine table with him.
>
Zhirrisk pants.
>
Zhirrisk gently smacks Korutu across the waist with his tail!
>
Atazai laughs!
>
Korutu says, "Easy there rowdy."
>
Zhirrisk shakes his fist!
>
Zhirrisk pats a low pine table.
>
Atazai says to Korutu, "May that curse curse you to death."
>
Whiteburn says to Korutu, "Perhaps one day you will make a handsome meal for a shark. I think this please the Mighty One greatly."
>
Atazai says, "If it were a curse."
>
Atazai frowns.
>
Medicine Woman Dianelle's group went through the east gate.
>
Atazai says, "Oh."
>
Korutu says, "Eh."
>
Korutu says, "Ill take my chances."
>
Zhirrisk moves over to guard a low pine table.
>
Zhirrisk's body is dripping water everywhere.
>
Zhirrisk growls ferociously!
>
You hear someone making a hissing noise.
>
Whiteburn says, "Yes I can see that."
>
Zhirrisk gestures.
In a blazing fountain of red-gold sparks, a red Moongate blazes into life.
>
Anarchist Zhirrisk went through a red Moongate.
>
Anarchist Zhirrisk came through a red Moongate.
>
You hear someone gasp!
>
Zhirrisk offers Korutu a baked ham sandwich.
>
Zhirrisk loudly says to Korutu, "Take this and leave this place in peace."
>
Whiteburn searches around for a moment.
>
A red Moongate collapses in on itself.
>
Korutu draws his arms together in a sinuous, flowing motion before sounding out a roar of deadly warning.
Zhirrisk fled to the northeast in terror!
>
Whiteburn says, "How irksome."
>
Sepherus fades in for a moment as he gets a grip on a low pine table and prepares to drag it.
A low pine table suddenly slides off. It heads northeast.
>
Korutu laughs!
>
You hear someone chuckling.
>
Atazai frowns.
>
Whiteburn gazes up at the sky.
>
Whiteburn fixes Korutu with a cold, reptilian stare.
>
Anarchist Zhirrisk just arrived.
>
Whiteburn says, "Really, now."
>
Zhirrisk frowns.
>
Zhirrisk drops a low pine table.
>
Zhirrisk puts his sandwich in his journey pack.
>
Zhirrisk shakes his head.
>
Korutu says, "I dont really lie being told what to do."
>
Korutu says, "More flys with honey an all."
>
You hear a voice ask, "But, do you always ell the truth? Even when you lie?"
>
Korutu asks, "I think?"
>
Atazai says, "This has become a bit silly."
>
You hear a voice say, "Good."
>
Zhirrisk nods to Atazai.
>
Zhirrisk gazes at a low pine table.
>
The air shimmers for a moment as Sepherus's spell ends and he becomes visible once more.
>
Sepherus gets a black iron medallion engraved with the Grey Raven Prison crest from inside his spidersilk rucksack.
>
Zhirrisk flicks one ear back as though listening for something.
>
Zhirrisk looks over his shoulder nervously.
>
Sepherus puts his medallion in his spidersilk rucksack.
>
Atazai says, "An interesting idea, though."
>
Atazai nods to Whiteburn.
>
Atazai nods to Zhirrisk.
>
Whiteburn says to Atazai, "Those who tempt the fury of Drogor will feel the shark's bite."
>
Atazai shrugs.
>
Zhirrisk reaches up and moves his visored helm about on his head.
>
Atazai says, "Not exclusivley."
>
Zhirrisk loudly says, "Eventually."
>
Sepherus gets a bottle of sournote whiskey from inside his spidersilk rucksack.
>
Whiteburn says to Atazai, "Always."
>
Sepherus takes a drink of his sournote whiskey. He makes a face similar to that of a pucker fish, and starts massaging his cheeks in an effort to get them unstuck.
>
Zhirrisk angles his body and curls his tail protectively around a low pine table.
>
Sepherus's mouth shrinks down into a tiny O shape.
>
Atazai blinks.
>
Korutu says, "She speaks directly for him."
>
Korutu nods to Atazai.
>
A very strong scent of sour apples drifts from Sepherus.
>
Sepherus says, "I think drogor had something to do with this whiskey."
>
Whiteburn say, "And that is... part of the lesson."
>
Whiteburn seizes one corner of her greatcloak and throws it across her opposite shoulder, then turns upon her heels.
>
Whiteburn struts northeast, leading her group.