Quote from Ravnodaus >>

As she spoke, Avery's attention was caught by the young woman nearby, particularly the symbol of Delmar displayed across her chest. Intrigued, he decided to engage in conversation.

"Excuse me," Avery said, gesturing towards the symbol. "I couldn't help but notice the symbol. Are you a follower?" He smiled warmly, maintaining a respectful distance. "I'm Avery, by the way. It's always fascinating to see the variety of travelers and stories in a place like this."

As Avery conversed with the woman, he deftly stashed his bag of beans into his pack, ensuring it was secure. Simultaneously, he fussed about with his equipment, adjusting straps and checking pockets, all the while maintaining a fluid conversational pace.

Gwen turns towards the young man approaching her with a pleasant smile. "I am indeed." She reaches up to absentmindedly run her hand across the symbol before extending her hand in greeting to Avery. "It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Avery. My name is Gwendallyn." She seems to catch herself before smiling and laughing lightly. "Well, Gwen, really. Gwendallyn is quite the mouthful isn't it? I agree, seeing so many different people all gathered here invokes a certain type of response, does it not? What brings you all this way, Avery?"

The elf smiles, and her eyes seem to sparkle in the violet light of the Star Crystals. "Hel natari ora meli filimar," she says. "Thank you for the gift, little one. From a friend, you say? Have I friends in these parts?" She accepts the bag of beans with her free hand, still holding the censer curling smoke with the other. She hears the bustle of the crowd start to move down the tunnel, far off, and, turns to look. The fresh, cold air drifts faintly over her, sending the smoke from her censer wafting high up and back into the tunnel.

"I have.. had.. many Elf friends," Jak replies a little sadly. "If you too are far from home then yes, you may count me a friend, mel Elien. For friendship goes beyond the soil upon which you were born, I believe. You are kin to my friends, though distant kin you may be, and that makes you a friend also."  He stops speaking abruptly, seemingly surprised by his flow of conversation - which had taken a turn he was not expecting.  He blinks a couple of times as his eyes well up.

"I am always to be found in North Guard, if you ever need me. Send word via Administrator Allivarryn."  Once again "Goodbye" seems to be too much for him to manage and with a gulp he darts away along the passage, weaving through the slowly moving crowd with skill before vanishing from view. (Lumaris can make a History roll for some insight into Jak)

"Then your friendship I welcome, and thank you for," the elf says, bowing to the young lad. "Mel uliel bey Lumaris dthe Rienmarien." She lifts her head again to see the tears welling up in his eyes, and, reaching somewhere under her cloak again, she produces a candle. Touching forefinger to thumb and with the same whispered prayer with which she lit the incense, the candle's wick sparks into a little flame. Lumaris hands the lit candle to the urchin lad. "And a token of my friendship, as well. May Oriellen watch over your ways."

She smiles watching him dart away, and then turns again to face the line that has slowly begun to move, the smoking censer still held in her hand.

History: 13 (rolled in game log)

Avery returned Gwen's pleasant smile with one of his own, his eyes briefly flickering to the symbol before meeting hers again. "Ah, the age-old dilemma of long names," he chuckled, nodding in agreement, "Gwen, a pleasure indeed," he said, shaking her hand firmly.

"As for what brings me this way, well..." Avery replied with a playful twinkle in his eye. "The thirst for knowledge, a touch of wanderlust, and perhaps a sprinkle of curiosity for good measure. That and I suddenly have a bit of free time after my college decided that I had been... *ahem*... 'exploring unsanctioned arcane pursuits,'" he added with a grin. "Figured it was time to trade the dusty tomes for a taste of real adventure. And what about you, Gwen? What's your story?"

Gwen's laugh is pleasant and good natured. "Sounds like you're quite the troublemaker, Avery." Her lips turn upward slightly into a half-smiled smirk. "A bit of the same, wanderlust somewhat, but also... I'm looking for something. Certain followers of Delmar believe that he has a treasure hidden in the world and those who are worthy enough will find it to share it with the rest of the world. Of course, with a bit of personal gain to go along with that." She winks conspiratorially at this. "What better place to find something like that than these new lands of untold riches and resources?"

(Lumaris' History check: The behaviour of Jak gives Lumaris some pause for thought.  It is not terribly common for non-elvenkind to use the formal greeting, nor the habitual use of "three blessings" which is an invocation to the three druidic gods of Rhellanus, Shelba and Lunarrien. "mel Elien" (my Lady) is a term used more in polite Elven society than outside of it. All of which, in combination with some oblique references he made, suggests that Jak has spent some considerable time in Elven society - which does not chime with his evident age. UNLESS, he is a Gnome and not a child at all.  Except Gnomes are characters from tales told to elf children.  They are always friendly characters, like benign woodland spirits who befriend and aid elven children in their formative years. Lumaris would never have dreamed that they could actually exist - yet on reflection his manner and appearance would seem to match.)

The crowd moves slowly forward.  Eventually it can be seen that each member is stopping by a desk where a heavily cloaked gentleman questions them briefly, accepts some coin, hands over something in exchange then waves them on.  This must be Administrator Talvar.  When it is your turn to step forward, he speaks without looking up, a quill in his hand remains poised above a roll of parchment. "“Be’t starn’t sea-tay or gayarn bayorn?” The accent is heavy and the words tumble out quickly, presenting something of a problem for any unfamiliar with the local dialect - though out of politeness, one can attempt to guess the meaning! 

Ren will use the answers of those before her to guess the meaning. Or at least an acceptable answer.

It is hard to catch full conversations.  One person says "bayorn", after which coin is paid. Another says "stain't sea-tay" which seems to avoid the need for coin. Their pronunciation of this last sounds a little like "city".

Starting to get worried, Rin quietly asks those near her, "What's he's asking? I can't make it out."

Avery repeats, loudly, "Am I staying in the city or going beyond?" and laughs, "Both of course!"

"Ah! Both. Well then, be't you Boot, Sword, Staff or Shovel?" Understandably,  this generates a politely confused look and the administrator glowers at one of the guards in a "latrine duty for you" kind of way. He's explained this far too many times and has decided to delegate.

The Guard steps forward smartly.

"We keep a census of all who travel beyond, " he explains "and the purpose of their travel. Boot for exploration, Sword for sell-sword, guard duty or similar,  Staff for scholarly,  religious or arcane purposes and Shovel for mining or agricultural work."  He then steps back.

Avery mulls that over a bit. "Must I pick only one?" he asks and then without leaving room for a response, "fine, Staff it is. I know a little about everything! Though might be a bit of a boot or a sword if I get bored. You know?"

Talvar sighs humourlessly and passes over a small metal disc. On one side is an embossed staff,  on the other is the number 896.

"Sign here," He instructs, pointing to the ledger. To where he has just entered Staff 896. "If you want us to contact anyone in the event of your death, make sure we can read it and provide details."

He looks up at the next in line. "Boot, Staff, Sword or Shovel?"

Finally understanding, Rin answers,"Staff" since she's here primarily to train her magic. Some of the others applied as well, such boot for exploration, but from how Talvar was reacting to the previous person in line, Rin guessed he just wanted short quick answers so he could go on the the next person quickly.

She signs when asked to do so, and fills in contact information for the wizard who had taken her in.

Gwen steps up to the guard and ponders a moment at the choices presented to her after she finally states. "Staff, I suppose?" She glances at her proudly displayed symbol of Delmar. She signs her name in a very neat, flowing script and pauses over the notification portion before inscribing a name and city in which said person could be located. 

Eyes lifted again to the Star Crystals, their purple light beginning to fade against the white daylight creeping in through the Underpassage's end, Lumaris murmurs a few prayers, perhaps to pass the time, perhaps to salute the mystery of the strange lad she's just encountered. She has thought little of Gnomes in many years, but the wistful feeling that the incense had brought over Jak's face is mirrored in the elf's recalling the kindly tales of her long-ago childhood. There are many things beyond what I have seen, or even imagined, but humbly I go to see them all, knowing that what I have seen does not define what could be.

As her turn comes to the table, she turns one long ear to try and decipher the accent, but then nods. "Beyond I will go," she says, "under the sign of the Staff." She takes the pen to sign her name, and, if bidden, also, a name and city for report of death...

Two more circles embossed with a staff are handed across. Rin gets Staff 897, but Gwen gets Staff 56. This disc appears to have been crumpled then beaten back flat and is slightly corroded.

"A returned Disc!" Talvar says by way of explanation. "May Zolth grant you better fortune than the last bearer."  He gazes at Gwen speculatively for a moment then turns his attention to the next person in the line, waving Gwen and the others through. "Three staffs!" he mutters under his breath when he thinks they are out of earshot (which they are not). "Gods save us!"

It is at this point that he realises that the next person in the line is an elf - a race somewhat known for their acute hearing. They are also known for being scholars, wizards or clerics (among other things) - which suggests that another staff token may be forthcoming.  He flushes crimson and mumbles "Sword, Boot, Shovel or... Staff?"

"Staff, my friend," the elf says, with a smile, and extends a hand from under her cloak with the required coin...