[center][i]Emissaries in Sancta Civitas[/i][/center]
When a druid entered Sancta Civitas, all Eloxochitli knew instantly that something had changed. As if a bead of nothingness entered the elsewise filled city. He wasn’t hard to track down, though the Itztli kept a safe distance as they observed the strange goblin that had entered the city. He didn’t look like he originated from Sancta Civitas. Yet he didn’t look like danger either. He just smiled, bought some food and then went to a local gathering hole where he apparently just told stories of faraway lands. Normal visitors of the hole just listened, smiled and laughed but the Itztli remembered every word the stranger said. So they could recite it to the Mantarin scribes later. When the time was right, they asked the druid if they could ask him some questions.

The druid, thankfully, accepted and was escorted to The Library. Where a room had been prepared. He was asked to sit on a chair in the middle of the room, standing on an elevated podium so everyone could hear and see him. He refused though and just sat cross-legged on the podium before the chair. Mantarin scribes were asked to take note of literally every word he said or almost said. For the stranger was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Then the endless flow of questions came. Who he was, what his name was, where he came from. Some questions the druid preferred not to answer and the Eloxochitl didn’t push it. He wanted the goblin to be as comfortable as possible.

Then the subject turned to the stories of his travels. The Itztli assumed most of it had to be fake. Yet his detailed knowledge of the other islands of Mydia changed that opinion quickly. The Eloxochitl was only interested in the local magical customs but the Mantarin scribes were becoming very interested now. They even took the questioning over for a moment. The goblin druid was happy to answer their questions about the surrounding islands as well. In fact, he even shared some crude maps he managed to draw. Which were swiftly copied by the talented scribes.

One word kept popping up though. ‘Hir’. It wasn’t the source. As the Eloxochitl understood it, it was a key of sorts. Something that allowed him to grow the grass and read the stars. Apparently it did come with a whole row of duties and demands. In fact, apparently sitting there and answering questions as part of his duties: to help everyone he meets. The Emissaries were a uniquely curious bunch. Because every act of magic must have been impossible for the druid. Yet he talked about growing plants for animals to feed on so they wouldn’t starve in the winter. Eventually, the request came to see some of these powers and then the druid completely blocked up. He said that needless, useless usage of druidic powers completely wrong and forbidden. It should always help someone or something. The questions changed then: when would he bless something else again?

Luckily for them, the druid had plans to bless a few fields outside the city tomorrow. This was deemed acceptable by the Eloxochitl who made sure he would be up early enough in the morning to witness these so-called favors.

Then the last question came. It was, perhaps, the strangest one for the druid, who still happily obliged. They went back to the large, main hall of The Library. Where the Vessels floated high up in the air and ask the druid to think of one of the acts he performed. Instantly a Vessel shot off towards the druid and coated both his tiny, goblin hands. The only thing the druid could describe it as was a wet feeling. The Eloxochitl accompanying him ushered him towards one of the side rooms where just flat, solitary walls stood like bookcases. The druid touched one of the walls and the Vessel coating his hands instantly attached itself to the wall. It spread out, covering the whole side of the wall in glimmering light, before fading and leaving behind a vast painting.

It was now the druid’s time for amazement, as he recognized what the mural depicted: the first time he drank from the Hir. He had traveled across Mydia, on board of ships to jump from island to island in search of it. Deep inside he had battled with himself, trying to confront himself with the idea that he might never find the sacred horn. Yet one night he encountered a real druid, who had drunk from the horn and felt the embrace of the gods. He too was of a wanderer sort and told him to look at it from a different point. He should be happy that he could help so many people even without the gods their power. Once he accepted that, life became easier. He tended to the wounded and the weak, hoping he would find the Hir but fully realizing and accepting that he might never succeed in that mission. Until he did find the Hir and drank from it. That was the end of what the Mural had depicted.

The Eloxochitl was perhaps as confused and surprised as the druid.
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The compound the Emissaries had made was located closer to The Library than the western wall. It was quite a large building, to still very small compared with local palaces and temples. It housed all the Emissaries and their things. The Itztli slept on simple beds made of straw. While the Eloxochitli slept in small, shallow baths that fit exactly one of them. Below the compound, there was a rather large cave that was being filled with yellow and white gold they Emissaries were slowly but surely hoarding. So far only a few nuggets were places there. Deeper in the artificial cave you could find another cave with a carved pool in the middle of it. In the corners, Itztli eggs rested and in the pool round, Eloxochitli eggs laid submerged. A flame was kept lit in a brazier to keep the whole cave warm.

The Itztli were currently mostly working near one of the western gates, where they also lived with some Mantarin. It hadn’t taken long to convince the Sancta Civitas bureaucrats that massive granaries would have to be build so all the produce could be stored there. Once the plans, designed by the Emissaries and the city’s architects together, were accepted, the building began. Deep pits were dug into the ground. Entire trees were carried through the gatehouse. From them huge beams were chopped and placed into the ground. Meanwhile, pottery workshops sprouted up around the granary. Producing more and more amphoras and pithoi to fill with goods. The granary began taking shape as a structure elevated up from the ground. The main barn-like doors were large enough for two carts side by side to move inside. The entire first floor was left empty With ramps going upwards on both sides. The first floor held hundreds and hundreds of little sections separated by thin walls. Each ready to be filled with the pottery containing various amounts of food to be gently rolled down the ramp down. More ramps climbed upwards. Going to the floors upwards. Where hexagonal sections were already being made with natural wax from the Vespians. The upper sections would look more and more like full hives.

Meanwhile, in the compound, several Eloxochitli was diligently at work crafting the small, wooden eagle statuettes. Each piece would be carved from a single piece of rowan wood and each feather on the eagle would bear a unique rune. Which would bind the winds and push them forward. The statuettes were intended to be gifts for Kallak’s ships he would create. When placed upon the stern of the ship and activated, the bound winds would be blown into the sails. Ensuring swift travels. The statuettes could work for days on end, lest they would catch fire but it would still be a valuable tool. 

And so many more projects gained shape. Several of the Emissaries had continued their teaching of magic to those chosen worthy enough by the Sancta Civitas bureaucracy. The Eloxochitl teaching spells cared little for the mechanics behind the choosing of their students. Meanwhile, a handful of Itztli were training some truly courageous goblins in the sorcerous arts. Finally, two Eloxochitli were doing nothing but imbuing the Vessels of The Library with their magical knowledge and storing away the result. Several rooms had already been completely filled with clay tablets.

[hider=Summary]A druid of the Circle of Guiding Lights entered Sancta Civitas. Emissaries instantly know something’s up and ask him if they can ask him some questions. He accepts and the questions are asked in The Library. Where the druid happily obliges but refuses to actually showcase any powers. Then they implore him to try and fill a vessel, which he does. The result is a mural of him drinking from the Hir. The knowledge of how to become a druid of the Guiding Lights has now been eternalized.

Meanwhile the Itztli builders are helping to build a very large granary/hive near one of the western gates. So plenty of produce can be stored there.

And finally the Eloxochitli are crafting small statuettes of eagles with runes on them. These eagles, when activated, would push the wind forward. They are intended to be put on the stern of ships so when the wind is weak, these statuettes can be used to push the ship forward still. Also, several Itztli and Eloxochitli are teaching magic and are filling the library with their own spells.[/hider]

[hider=Prestige]
Post Length: 7.6K words
+ 4 Prestige >> Sancta Civitas
+ 4 Prestige >> The Emissaries
+ 4 Prestige >> Circle of the Guiding Light
- 5 Prestige: Improving an existing settlement >> The Emissaries
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