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Post by The Storyteller on Jan 19, 2015 22:57:53 GMT
The township of Brightsprings, so called for its vast reservoirs and the relative stability it brought its populace, had a thriving populace of approximately 5,000 drow. The Eldest, Mar'samah, was pushing 300, but still managed the day-to-day affairs of the town with a certain spritely grace obscured by the wrinkles on her face. With the death of her husband a century earlier, she had taken on a string of younger lovers through the decades. One of them, a young artist whose hands were more skilled than his actual talent required, told her several wild tales of the land above Brightsprings, an old human kingdom whose name had been lost to the Long Storm and where the great spirits were no longer mad with outrage at the sins of the Firstborn.
Mar'samah, as opportunistic as she was old, started offering patronage to certain 'explorers' interested in making their mark on the surface. She began holding 'conventions' for those historians, prospectors, and other interested parties who might wish to discuss, and perhaps even see the surface. Brightsprings became famous as poets and great warriors gathered there, curious about this 'Kingdom of Light and Peace' above. The first expedition never returned, but the second expedition, funded and supplied by Mar'samah's coffers, did, displaying old 'treasures' of the surface, such as steel plates and tattered books from old houses. More importantly, they spoke of the sun's rays, bright and wondrous. Noone in Brightsprings, or even most of the Hollow Earth, could truly envision the concept of 'day'. To the drow, the poor and dispossesed, the ambitious and hearty, it sounded like a child's dream.
The third expedition promises to make that dream come true...
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Jan 19, 2015 23:17:48 GMT
Zephyren Adaan Harampher, former heir to House Zepheyren's long line, son of Zephyren Haram, and semi-veteren of exploring the surface stared at the objects in his hands, a steeled determination burning in his eyes as he weighed the choice ahead carefully.
"Equestrian Mages and Griffon Knights: A tale of theoretical realm-gazing..." He said as he looked towards one of the books in his hand, glancing towards the other, "Those That Came About: A Catalyst in the Aether...", both books were lengthy and would make enjoyable reads to pass the time, but he could only take one. It had been a couple of months since he began preparations for his next journey, having the necessary traveling bags packed with what he'd need whenever he found enough time to start packing. He'd made a note to pack the essentials first, and that left only the optional, which led him to this predicament now.
"Surely this shouldn't be this hard..." He mummered to himself as he weighed both books in his hands, "And yet..." He said as he bit his lower lip a bit, it was. It so very much was despite everything. Why was it so hard? It was just picking a book for goodness sakes. Slowly his eyes opened as a thought came to him, which quickly turned into a scowl.
"Right then. No more delays..." He said to himself as he closed his eyes and tossed both books towards the small bed in his soon to be left behind quarters. He walked over, eyes still closed, and felt on the bed until he grasped a book in his hands, then marched towards where his bags were and stuffed it in, all with his eyes still closed.
"It'll be a surprise then. Certainly more exciting not knowing which it'll be." He said with a small pained smile on his face. He was nervous, and his nerves were playing tricks upon his mind. Making small things into bigger issues as he let his worry get the better of him. But he wasn't about to let his mind have all the fun running away with itself. He knew he needed to go, even if he didn't want to.
And so with that new resolve in mind, Adaan hefted the bag onto his back, shifting the weight as he felt the familiar pressure press onto his shoulders with a sigh. He turned to leave, heading to the door in silence as he didn't look back to his bed. He still needed to get the rest of his gear from Lady Mar'samah, and spirits knew she'd most likely she'd be selling her goods at the best of prices for herself.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jan 19, 2015 23:37:10 GMT
Brightsprings was alive today, every flame lit in honor of the explorer's bravery and success. Zephyren Adaan regularly found himself approached by strangers, whispering prayers for his success and wishing him a safe voyage. At least two women looked at Zephyren with an expression that could only promise carnal pleasure before his trip. Zephyren had been wealthy once, but he had never been famous before, not in this way his parents could never have dreamed of. They had yet to send missives to him, but they surely knew of his accomplishments.
Brightsprings Manor, a large granite hill shaped into a house by earth runes, was easily the largest residence in the cavern. The air inside was reputedly the cleanest too, and the fires the warmest. Lady Mar'samah could afford the finest runes to keep her comfortable. Adaan was greeted by her manservant, a Firstborn whose skin was marked in more runes than the young drow could recognize.
"Follow me, Master Harampher. Lady Mar'samah will meet with you in her personal chambers."
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Jan 23, 2015 19:34:09 GMT
Adaan had found his eyes traveling on the manservants skin, the intricate detail of the inscriptions distracting him for a moment. He gave a bow of his head to the man and a calm smile.
"Of course. I wouldn't dream of keeping lady Mar'samah waiting..." He said politely as he followed the manservant, wondering what it was she would want with him? She was funding the expedition, but he wasn't the leader, at least not in his mind, of this party. To Adaan, he wasn't important as to warrant a private meeting, esepically in her personal chambers of this massive structure. Indeed, the more adaan looked to brightsprings manor, the more he wondered about all the space and rooms it could have.
Could someone even find a use for so much space? It seemed unlikely to him, even as far as extravagance went in showing off status. Adaan blinked and rubbed his temples, trying to clear the rapid succession of thoughts and focus instead at the task at hand. He was meeting with the backer of this expedition, and he would need to be on his best behavior to make sure he didn't do anything to jeopardize that.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jan 23, 2015 19:59:40 GMT
Her intentions became painfully obvious as he was ushered into her room. Mar'samah was no longer in her prime, but she still filled out the silk robe just fine. "Hello, Adaan. I hope you like Burrow's Best." She was pouring him a mug of mead that must have been transported here at great exoense from one of the larger townships. Only the wealthiest had access to the live bees required to produce the honey for mead. Most in the Hollow Earth found themselves fermenting mushrooms or basic sugar for their alcohol. "I don't know how much alcohol was found in your household."
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Jan 23, 2015 20:27:41 GMT
"Thank your for your hospitality, Lady Mar'samah..." Adaan said, giving a gentleman's bow to the aging elf before accepting the mug she'd offered, blushing a bit as he rose from his bow and happened to glace to her in her silk robe. He had to admit, despite her age, she did appear quite nice.
He caught a wiff of the drink and paused, surprised at how mellow and sweet it smelled compared to the more harsher drinks he'd come across, all 2 of them. "My family didn't permit alcohol say for social occasions. They thought it might impede on longevity in some way..." Adaan said as he looked to Mar'samah with a smile.
"This is obviously quite an exquisite drink I've been offered. Would you mind me asking what it is? My experience with such drinks is limited, and I've never seen one like this before..." He said, sounding fascinated by the mugs content the more he looked at its golden/amber color.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jan 23, 2015 20:41:45 GMT
"It's mead, cultivated from the few bees our ancestors thought to preserve during the Great Storm. I'm afraid my own grandfather was concerned with arcane knowledge than any sort of creature comforts. He was a bit of a fool, considering he died trying to utilize some silly Secondborn spell." She sighed at the memory. "Still... he at least had the foresight we would need to expand past our roots, if we're ever to... escape this prison." She crooked a smile. "Come sit with me. I'd like to discuss... expansions."
She lead him to a very small table near a window, where he could see town's lights. Sitting so close, he could smell what must have been a faint perfume.
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Jan 23, 2015 21:44:35 GMT
Hearing Mar'samah reminisce about her past made adaan feel a bit more comfortable as he walked over towards the small table, taking a seat next to her as he couldn't help but blush a bit, glancing out towards the window and the lights of the town.
"This is quite the lovely view, Lady Mar'samah..." He said as he looked out towards the lights, seemingly lost in thought as he took a sip of the mead, blinking in surprise at the sweet flavor. The bitter taste of fermentation was almost completely masked, and it went down smoothly as he took a sip. It was better then the near gagging burning he'd felt when he'd had fermented moss-shine. "Almost as lovely as this drink...I think I like this honey stuff." he said absentmindedly as he looked towards Mar'samah once more.
"If I may be so bold...I would like to thank you for this. For all of this..." He said with a sigh, a troubled look crossing his face, "There are few who seem willing to entertain the notion of expeditions to the surface. Fewer still who would fund them. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity..." He said, a passion in his voice as he spoke, and gave a polite bow of his head towards her. He felt indebted to her, even with all the strings attached. The surface was a place of danger and wonder, and he knew who he owed for getting him a chance to see it again.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jan 23, 2015 22:10:56 GMT
"Mmm..." She smiled at the much younger elf. "I appreciate someone who appreciates a favor." She leaned closer, emphasizing her bosom. "Tell me, Adaan... what do you hope to find up there this time?"
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Jan 25, 2015 7:15:50 GMT
"A purpose..." Adaan said as his smile faded somewhat, blinking in surprise at his own words as he spoke. He hadnt meant to say that, the words coming quite close to the truth. "A chance to rediscover some lost artifacts and knowledge. Helping the firstborn as a whole." he said as he tried to elaborate on what hed said.
"It's always been a bit of a dream of mine to see the surface..." he admitted with a blush, squirming in his seat a bit as he spoke, "Even with it being less wondrous then I thought it would be....I wouldn't give it up for anything." he said, determination in his voice at the last part, eyes burning with resolve.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jan 25, 2015 7:26:44 GMT
Mar'samah leaned her head and sighed. "Yes... if I were younger, I'd like to see it myself. Breathe the air... see the sun and clouds... bathe in the ocean..."
She placed her warm hand on Adaan's. "But you know... you'd still need to return... to your new home here in Brightsprings... we're relying on you so much..."
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Jan 29, 2015 4:24:48 GMT
Adaan was silent as he reached down with his other hand, resting it upon Mar'samah's own as he looked into her eyes, "And I wouldn't dare to not come back...not even if the very aether tried to stop me..." He said as he moved his hand aside, raising his grasp slowly as he bowed, bringing her hand up to his lips and planting a soft, gentle kiss upon it.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jan 30, 2015 10:06:26 GMT
Adaan CHA: 12
The older woman blushes, placing her other hand on his cheek. "You use such language... still... the journey is long..." She traced other drow's cheekbones. "I have reacquired the services of Harkon and his men. He'll be with you every step, along with 'Lord' Solus." She spoke the last name with just the slightest hint of distaste. "Everyone wants to grow old so quickly... if they only knew the sacrifices..." She traced the younger man's lips for only a moment, suggesting exactly what she missed most.
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Post by Zephyren Adaan Harampher on Jan 31, 2015 21:30:33 GMT
"As you say, the Journey is long...and I am sure there is much to prepare..." he said as he let her run her finger along his features, looking her in the eyes before he brought a hand of his own to gently caress lady mar'samah, brushing aside a bit of her hair as he let his fingers trace it down along its path, behind her ear and finally leaving at her neck. He smiled as he leaned in a bit closer, warm as he slowly brought a hand around her, "It will all take time, and so I see no reason to rush to it...especially when there is such beauty here to experience already..." He said as he leaned in for a kiss, unsure if the Lady Mar'samah would allow him.
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Post by The Storyteller on Feb 7, 2015 17:45:41 GMT
Adaan STR: 4 Lady Mar'samah STR: 20 She returned the young explorer's kiss only for a tender moment, and then promptly grabbed his *** Adaan woke to the bells signalling morning in the Hollow Earth, in agony and feeling pain in places he never imagined. His back ached from the strains of the night prior and there were scars he hoped would fade in time. There was a light sense of dread as he felt her now delicate fingers grazing his shoulder. "Mmm... that was... marvelous... such a generous lover..." She kissed his ear before getting out of bed. "Stelmar! Bring me my morning regimen!" She began dressing in the robes that made her so much more attractive just a few hours earlier. "On your feet, Adaan! When you're older, you learn to value time much more."
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