LadyAnnaLee

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

This time Darin stayed close to Ridahne. She didn’t feel a need to go somewhere specific. She just got the sense that The Seed wanted to see all that It could. Well, see was the wrong word. It was more like know. The Seed wanted to know all that It could. As such The Seed-Bearer followed their traveling companion closely as they went up ladders and across bridges. Darin was shocked into stillness at her first sight of the market. It was busy. She had never seen anything so busy. A few people bumped into her and that got her moving again with a few bows of apology. She got a few odd looks, so she figured she didn’t do it quite right. Still no one look offended so she assumed she hadn’t messed up too badly.

Darin quickly hurried back to Ridhane to listen to the Azurei point out interesting types of food, but she kept getting distracted to stand and just look around. There were so many smells and so many sights and so many sounds. It was more than just a little bit overwhelming. Darin found herself, not for the first time, wishing she could go home. It was much more peaceful there. Then she would shake her head and rush to catch up with Ridahne. She would take her share of the load only for the market to overwhelm her again to lock her back into place. She knew she had to be drawing stares, but she simply didn’t care. Darin just didn’t know how to process everything

Finally, she got to sit down. The human took the small cup that Ridahne pushed into her hands with a small sense of wariness. The air around the whole stall smelled slightly bitter, and bitter had never been one of her favorite flavors. She had a fondness for sweet things though she didn’t get a chance to indulge her sweet tooth often. Still Darin did her best to refrain from wrinkling her nose at the smell of the beverage and even tried a decent sized swallow. That time her nose did wrinkle. This coffee, as Ridahne called it, was not her favorite at all.

She placed the cup back on the table and pushed it towards the Azurei, “You can have the rest of mine if you want it.”

Though the drink had been warm and that was nice. It was slightly chilly underneath the canopy of the trees. Even that small swallow had done something to fight the chill. Suddenly Darin found herself wanting spiced milk, but she had no idea where to get it, or even if she could only get the supplies to make it, where to make it. The human didn’t even know if it was something people in this part of Astra would know about or if she would have to describe it. It didn’t help that spiced milk had no real recipe. It usually depended on what spices were available. Still Darin found herself craving, what to her was, the simple mixture of warm milk, honey, and various spices. Of course, she mainly just wanted to be warm.

She found herself looking up at the canopy above the market and the entire city, “Tell me Ridahne, what would the Eluri of Lihaelen think if I started climbing these trees?”

To be honest Darin wasn’t sure she cared what people thought. She was just suddenly struck by a desire to see the top of the canopy. That desire didn’t come from The Seed. It was all her. That was the only reason why she didn’t just go for it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to cause an upset just yet. She just felt crowded and pressed upon. She hadn’t seen proper sun for a while as they traveled deeper and deeper into the forest. She couldn’t begrudge the journey. She would have had to come here sooner or later. She just wasn’t sure how much long she could take the lack of the sun AND the crowds AND all the newness without any familiar source of comfort. She had always been good at climbing tree. She wasn’t sure how easy it would be to get to the top, but she just desperately wanted to see the sun. She would get Ridahne’s opinion and then she might ignore it anyways. Everything up to this point may had been new, but it also had some sort of familiarity. This was completely new. Darin could feel the tension and panic crawling underneath her skin. She needed to do something quickly or she might wind up try to dig it out with her finger nails.

The Curse of Strahd Von Zarovich

It's not fancy or anything but here she is!

Maggie Gamble

Name: Maggie Gamble
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Race: Human

Appearance: Maggie is short, 5 foot 2, petite, and weighs at most 110 pounds. She has tightly wound red curls that she typical wears in a tightly coiled bun at the nape of her neck. Stray curls are constantly escape so she constantly pins them back. The result is a head full of hair pins. When allowed to hang loose her hair hangs to just bellow her shoulder blades. She has at least three quills stinking out of the bun at all time. Her round sapphire blue eyes are hidden behind glasses with lenses made of grey colored glass and frames made of a gold colored metal. When traveling she wears dark brown traveling skirt that hits her mid calves and sturdy brown boots that come up to her knees. She also favors a black wool coat that come to her mid-thigh with a high collar that is double breasted. The six buttons match her glasses. It also has a hood. Underneath she wears elbow length fingerless gloves and a thin long-sleeved shirt. The shirt is light grey cotton while the gloves are black wool. Maggie is not classically pretty, has a lack of curves, and has a bad habit of scowling.

Favored Alignment Major and Minor Focuses: Maggie tends to be Good Neutral. She will follow laws and rules until she no longer thinks they are ethical of moral or they prevent her from helping others. Then she completely ignores them. She will also cheat at cards for no other reason than she thinks it’s fun to cheat and not get caught.

Favored Class Archetype Major and Minor Focuses: Divine Arcane. Maggie’s magic is innate, but without study she would be unable to control it.

Equipment: Maggie has a half used writing kit, q walking stick that she also uses to hit people with, a tent, a bed roll, a blanket, basic camping crockery, a set of utensils, a small but sharp dagger that she hides in her left boot, a set of trapping gear, a basic first aid kit, a water skin, a flint and striker, a small pouch of gold, silver, and cooper coins, a simple sewing kit, a change of socks, a few well read books on magical theory, a bad to carry all her stuff, and four decks of cards. Three of these decks are practically identical though they are in various states of use. Maggie keeps them wrapped in string. One of them has the backs marked, but only she knows how. These three decks are made of sturdy paper. The fourth deck in not keep in her bag. Rather it is kept in a box designed for it on her upper right arm. Whether she is wearing her coat or not this box it on outside. The Cards are made of thin metal and have nothing on the backs at all. While the other three decks of cards are traditionally colored the symbols of the metal deck are simply etched into cards. The metal deck is also slightly large than the other three. The three are for playing and gambling. The metal deck is for magic.

Signature Techniques: Maggie’s magic is based on the four elements and she channels it though her metal cards. Each suit is a different element and each card is a different spell. There is a level of unpredictably to Maggie’s magic that both exasperates and excites her. When she goes to cast her magic, she can only draw five cards, or one hand, at a time. As her magic shuffles her cards in a manner that is beyond her control each hand is completely random. Then she can either use each of those cards as a separate attack or combine them to create unpredictable results. There are rules to how she can combine cards. Below is a list of the 52 basic spells as well as what the elements can combine into.

Cards

Spades-Air
Ace – A low level air burst cast towards a target
Two – A mid-level air burst cast towards a target
Three – A high level air burst cast towards a target
Four – A target is surrounded by a weak whirlwind that can easily be blown away
Five – A target is surrounded by a vortex of wind that can be past though if one grits their teeth
Six – A target is surrounded by a practical tornado that is near impossible to pass through
Seven – A single whip of air that can make contact with a target three times before blowing away
Eight – A pair of air whips that can make contact with a target three times each before blowing away
Nine – A single whip of air that can make contact with a target six times before blowing away
Ten – A pair of air whips that can make contact with a target six times each before blowing away
Jack – Summons a lesser air elemental that tends to be nearly neurotic.
Queen – Summons an air elemental that tends to be fatalistically fiendish
King – Summons a greater air elemental that tends to be simply sadistic

Hearts-Fire
Ace – A low level fireball cast towards a target
Two – A mid-level fireball cast towards a target
Three – A high level fireball cast towards a target
Four – A target is surrounded by a ring of fire that can easily be stepped over
Five – A target is surrounded by a ring of fire about three feet high
Six – A target is surrounded by a ring of fire about six feet tall
Seven – A single blade of fire that can make contact with a target three times before extinguishing
Eight – A pair of fire blades that can make contact with a target three times each before extinguishing
Nine – A single blade of fire that can make contact with a target six times before extinguishing
Ten – A pair of fire blades that can make contact with a target six times each before extinguishing
Jack – Summons a lesser fire elemental that tends to be mainly mischievous
Queen – Summons a fire elemental that tends to be determinedly direct
King – Summons a greater fire elemental that tends to be explosively excitable

Diamonds-Water
Ace – A low level waterspout cast towards a target
Two – A mid-level waterspout cast towards a target
Three – A high level waterspout cast towards a target
Four – A target is surrounded by a shallow puddle that can easily be walked over
Five – A target is surrounded by a deeper puddle that requires wading to get across
Six – A target is surrounded by a deep pool that requires swimming to get across
Seven – A single shield of water that can take a hit three times before evaporating away
Eight – A pair of water shields that can take a hit three times each before evaporating away
Nine – A single shield of water that can take a hit six times before evaporating away
Ten – A pair of water shields that can take a hit six times each before evaporating away
Jack – Summons a lesser water elemental that tends to be favorable feisty
Queen – Summons a water elemental that tends to be tolerably testy
King – Summons a greater water elemental that tends to be bearably brutal

Clubs-earth
Ace – A small rock cast towards a target
Two – A medium sized rock cast towards a target
Three – A large rock cast towards a target
Four – A target is surrounded by a chasm in the ground that can be easily hopped over
Five – A target is surrounded by a chasm in the ground about three feet wide
Six – A target is surrounded by a chasm in the ground about six feet wide
Seven – A single gauntlet of earth that can make contact with a target three times before crumbling away
Eight – A pair of earth gauntlets that can make contact with a target three times before crumbling way
Nine – A single gauntlet of earth that can make contact with a target three times before crumbling away
Ten – A pair of earth gauntlets that can make contact with a target six times before crumbling way
Jack – Summons a lesser earth elemental that tends to be hopelessly horrid
Queen – Summons an earth elemental that tends to be vaguely violent
King – Summons a greater earth elemental that tends to be terribly tyrannical

Air/Water – Ice
Air/Fire – Lightning
Air/Earth – Dust
Water/Fire – Steam
Water/Earth – Ooze
Fire/Earth – Magma
Air/Water/Fire – Lightning Storm
Air/Water/Earth – Ice Storm
Air/Fire/Earth – Ash Smog
Water/Fire/Earth – Molten Runoff
Air/Water/Fire/Earth – Magic

History: Maggie was raised solely by a good father on account that her mother got sick and never got better when Maggie was five. Though he was never quite sure how to communicate with his lone child he did his best to show her his love for her and teach her to help others as best she could. He taught her to read and write as well as how to do sums. He also taught her how to play and cheat at cards. He was a good father and a decent man. He was not perfect, and he could only really be described as a traveling vagabond. He did not take money from those who could not afford to lose it, but gambling was how he earned a living and it was how he taught his Maggie to survive. It was why he took the name Gamble. One day his cheating caught up with him and Maggie had to run hard and fast to avoid the came fate. She was fourteen. When she finally stopped running, she was in a land she did not know, but the card games were mostly the same. She used the skills she had learned at her father’s knee, and she survived. Then when she was sixteen odd things started to happen around her. Water wouldn’t stick to her as she waded though rivers though it would soak and freeze the man who kept touching her when she did not want him to. Candles would ignite by themselves in her presences. In her anger rocks would fly at those she despised. Winds would collect her fallen things without her touching them. At sixteen and a half she was willing to try doing these things on purpose. At seventeen she lost control and the pure magic leveled the camp of bandits that had taken her to sell her. She was the only survivor. A mage who had been traveling nearby was intrigued by the display. He arrived just in time to see Maggie fall unconscious. He collected her and took her to his school for magic where she struggled to learn control. At 20, after much testing, it was discovered that not only Maggie’s based on the elemental planes it was also based on randomness and statistics. That meant what happened with the bandits would, sooner or later, happen again. In her despair Maggie hightailed it to the nearest bar, got fabulously drunk, and still managed to outplay everyone there at cards. It was there that she realized that her power was almost like cards. There were four elements like there were four suits. Cards were based both on random luck and statistical probability. Yet, Maggie had learned to control of that. It was one of her life’s greatest joys. Maybe she could find a way to combine it with her magic to make magic one of her life’s joys as well. It took a lot of study, several trips to the elemental planes, and a lot of trial and error. Finally, by the time she was 23 she had crafted her metal deck. By allowing for some randomness Maggie had enough control to only hurt and/or kill people when she wanted to. Finally, she could claim mastery of her magic and was released from the school. She took to traveling the land just because that was the way she grew up. Those six years trapped in one place had been practical hell for the gambler filled with wanderlust. For four years she has traveled where she would, learned what she should, and experienced life as best she could. She pays her way with cards and by selling small magical favors. She not particularly looking for adventures, but she can hardly say no when she stumbles into one. She also is a sucker for a sob story and does her best to help people when she can.

Random: Maggie will not swear, but she will use proxies. I.e. “Darn!” “Flippity! Flipflip!” and “Aw heck no!” She also has a fondness for sweets. She loves to smell things and her nose will wrinkle if she smells things she dislikes.

The Curse of Strahd Von Zarovich

I have an idea for a character, but I have very little combat role-playing experience. I really want to make sure she's balanced. Do you mind if I drop you a PM to discuss it?

@ReedeThe23rd

The Curse of Strahd Von Zarovich - A statless take on a D&D classic(NO D&D Experience required!)

@ReedeThe23rd

Let me know when you've got a good idea of what species and "powers" will be allowed as well as when you're ready to see character sheets submitted. I make no promises, but I might think of something between now and then.

The Curse of Strahd Von Zarovich - A statless take on a D&D classic(NO D&D Experience required!)

Though I'm leery of group role-plays the story intrigues me. I might be willing but I am a strictly weekend poster for now. That would have to be okay.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Isaac returned Ridahne’s bow with one indicating he was a host welcoming a most welcome guest, “I’m glad you decided to come back to fair Lihaelen.” He indicated Darin, “Your apprentice has been next to no trouble at all. He has been perfectly polite and perfectly willing to learn. It is always a treat to find outsiders willing to learn and young Mr. Lively has been almost overeager and a quick study.” He then continued, “However, you are correct. I am an aide to Councilman Malane and I must return to him as quickly as possible.” He turned his attention back to Darin, “It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Lively. Perhaps we will meet again.”

He bowed to Darin and if Darin remembered correctly it was the type a bow a teacher used towards a student doing well, which was fitting since for a little bit she had been his student for at least a little bit. He then bowed to Ridahne; a bow of equals in two different fields. He said his farewells while he did so. Darin extended her thanks and goodbyes while bowing a bow that meant she was a grateful student. She must have done alright since Mr. Armin just took his leave. He scurried up a nearby ladder and was out of sight before too long. Ridahne and Darin were left alone, and The Seed-Bearer was left to ponder.

So, Goran Malane was a Councilman. When Ridahne had mentioned a Council that wasn’t what Darin had imagined. She had almost imagined a cross between the elders in her little village and the lord of Lively; convince they were right and certain to make sure everyone knew who they were. Councilman Malane had seemed kind to her. She had to wonder if that was because he had a received a vision knowing who she was or if he was kind to all outsiders. Still, if he knew who she was he made no attempt to reveal her or call her out for her lies. He had seemed kind and Mr. Armin had not acted like the request to return a stray outsider to where they belonged was out of the ordinary. The feelings she had gotten from The Seed hadn’t led her wrong once, so she assumed he was a good man. Well her first impression was that she liked both Councilman Malane and Mr. Armin.

She found herself speaking quietly, “I like Councilman Malane. I like Mr. Armin as well. I would like a chance to meet with other members of the Council of the Seven Winds.” She then gave her head a shake before smiling and turning her attention to Ridahne, “Well, where to now Master?” She spoke in Eluri but had used the Azurei word for master or teacher, “Back to the Market?” She laughed lightly, “I promise I’ll try not to get lost this time. I was just pulled away it seems.”

Darin hoped that Ridahne picked up on the fact that she had been wandering because of her duties as The Seed-Bearer. She didn’t want the warrior to think she was just wandering on a whim. Of course, Darin hadn’t even shown Ridahne The Seed, or rather then band that Darin was using to hide The Seed. It wouldn’t surprise the human if the Elf knew it was somewhere under her clothes, but every time Darin had gone to check the band, she had done so away from people with Talbot keeping guard. The Seed-Bearer was confidant RIdahne wouldn’t have gotten close without the horse letting his person know. She was equally confident that Ridahne would have known that Darin was checking on The Seed and wouldn’t have questioned it.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Learning all the bows from Mr. Armin, who’s first name was Isaac, was great fun. There were bows for greeting an equal, greeting someone of a higher rank, or greeting someone of a lower rank. There were bows for a master to an apprentice and apprentice to a master. Children to parents, parents to children, deferring to an equal. Bows for enemies, formal bows, causal bows. It almost seemed like there was an Eluri bow for every occasion and every ranking. Darin couldn’t help but make a comprasion to a human handshake. Mr. Armin found all the bowing, even with its miniscule differences and complexities, to be underwhelming simple. The human had never thought of it before, but she realized that how you shook a person’s hand said just as much as how you spoke to them in greeting. The distance between the two people shaking hands could say just as much as words to a person who knew the language. There were all kinds of factors that were difficult to explain to someone who didn’t grow up learning it.

Suddenly Mr. Armin stopped the lesson, “It just occurred to me. I am supposed to be helping you find your companion, yet I do not know who we are looking for. That will make this quest difficult and while I find I do not mind your company Mr. Lively I cannot spend all day with you.”

Darin smiled at her own forgetfulness, “Yes! That makes perfect sense. RIdahne Torenzi is an Azurei Eija. I suspect she will be easy to spot.”

Darin saw no reason to lie about Ridahne’s identity the way she had lied about her own. Ridahne’s name and life story were on her face and honestly there was no way of telling who had the necessary skills to read that story. If Ridahne had a problem with that she would have to get over it. Darin didn’t think she would. The whole point of the Ojih was to compel honesty by all who wore it. Darin was glad she didn’t have to be honest to everyone she met. That would make her life very difficult though she could see how being honest all the time lead to its own form of simplicity. Tell too many lies and a person began to lose track of the lies they had told.

Mr. Armin looked around to get his bearings before pointing at a level above them, “You mean like the Eija staring at us from above?”

Darin looked to where he was pointing, “Yes!” Her smiled deepened as she started to wave, “Hello Master Torenzi! I apologize for getting lost.”

Darin didn’t dare call her Ridahne right now. The story was simple. Martin Lively was a boy RIdahne Torenzi took as an apprentice for reasons that were her own. Darin didn’t want to seem to familiar or friendly with someone that was technically her superior; especially in the Eluri culture she found herself in in this city. It seemed very focused on ranking and making sure that the rankings were observed at all times. It seemed unwise to draw too much attention to themselves or to give people a chance to poke holes in their story. It was as simple lie for now, but Darin didn’t want to make it complex if she could help it. That would be begging for trouble.

She pointed at Mr. Armin, “This is Mr. Isaac Armin. He was helping me look for you.” She turned her face and smile to the Eluri, “Thank you for your help.”

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin enjoyed the bath. She enjoyed it far more than she should. She liked being clean. She scrubbed herself until she was raw and red. Then she scrubbed at her hair. She desperately needed a haircut, but she wasn’t sure how to make that happen. She needed short hair to help stay hidden as a boy. She wasn’t sure would be able to pull of the disguise with long hair. She supposed that she could do it herself if she got a pair of scissors. She didn’t have a pair so that option was currently out. Maybe she could find a pair in the market. That would be a worthwhile thing to buy.

Darin changed into a simple green shirt and a pair of dark trousers along with a new pair of socks underneath her one pair of boots. She sighed as she examined them. The soles were wearing impossibly thin and soon her heels and toes would pop out soon. It was all the walking. True she did a lot of riding, but there were times when walking was unavoidable. Maybe she could find a cobbler to resole her boots. The list of things she needed from the market was increasing dramatically and food was the least of it. Darin sighed as she followed after Ridahne. Traveling was more expensive than anyone warned her. She needed to find a way to get more coin. That was not a pleasant thought.

Still it didn’t really matter. Darin was struggling to follow Ridahne and promptly got lost. She had no idea where she was and as she looked around for major landmarks, she felt The Seed Burning against her thigh. It didn’t feel like Mark or the Red Hand. It was more curiosity. The Seed wanted more information about something. It some trial and error but soon Darin was walking in the direction that The Seed wanted her to. She found herself walking across bridges that she couldn’t help stopping and examining. They were fantastic and Darin crossed them with no fear. Soon she traveled down a tree and traveling on the ground. She nodded at the locals as they watched the lone human traveling to who knew where. She wasn’t trying to be rude. She just wanted to find what The Seed was interested in. Of course, she was interested in the city and wasn’t paying attention to where she was going. It was no surprise that she bumped into someone.

She exclaimed in Eluri as she picked herself up, “I’m so sorry! I’ll pay better attention move forward. It’s just the way this city is built.”

A male voice cut her off, “It’s quiet alright young traveler. Lihaelen is indeed built differently then a human like you would be used to. So, your interest is well founded.” He bowed a sort of bow that Darin thought was an Eluri greeting, “I am Goran Malane.”

Darin did her best to copy the hand position and bow, “I am Martin Lively.”

Goran had a kind face that was weathered by age that broke into a smile, “I must say, Your Eluri is fairly impressive for a human thought your accent could use some work.”

Darin found herself smiling in return, “It’s a gift, but like all skill I need practice.”

The well-dressed Eluri laughed lightly before pointing out, “You look a little lost.”

Darin nodded, “Well yes I suppose so, I got separated from my traveling companion while on the way to the market. And now I’m not sure where I am.”

Darin couldn’t very well tell this man that she was wandering the city looking for something The Seed thought was interesting thought she had a feeling she found it. Ever since she bumped into this man The Seed had stopped burning. He felt good, but not in way Darin had ever felt before. Ravi’s goodness was almost divine and untouchable. Ridahne’s goodness had been tempered by having to do things that were necessary but not strictly speaking, good. This man felt like he was going to be good because someone had to be so it was going to be him, and he was going to do the best he could. Darin couldn’t tell how she knew that though. The longer she was The Seed-Bearer the more she seemed to be aware of. It was slightly concerning.

A voice called out, “Councilman Malane! We are late!”

Two younger Eluris rushed up as Goran turned to them, “Yes, so we are.” He pointed at Darin with his whole palm, “My young friend Mr. Lively has found himself lost. Mr. Armin, would you help him find his traveling companion?”

One of the aides bowed a slightly different bow to Darin, “I be honored.”

Darin protested, “That’s not necessary, but you have my thanks regardless.”

The other aide scoffed, “Lihaelen can be confusing and it is not our habit to leave outsiders to wander it alone.”

Darin nodded, “Fair enough.” She bowed to Mr. Malane but was sure she got it wrong, “It was nice to meet you.” Then she turned to aide call Mr. Armin, “I wouldn’t want to waste your time, “Perhaps we should get started yes.”

Mr. Armin nodded, “Yes of course.” He pointed out with his whole hand, “This way.” They started walking and he mentioned you didn’t use the correct bow for Councilman Malane. I can teach you while we walk if you like.”

Darin exclaimed, “Yes please! That would be amazing!”

LadyAnnaLee's Interest Check.

BUMP! A girl can hope right?

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin listened to Ridahne’s answers with a sort of growing awe. It sounded like the Eluri ruled themselves differently than the Azurei and the humans. Not for the first time Darin cursed the lack of information regrading the Sirens. It would be nice to know more about them. Yet she supposed that sooner or later she would find out. There was no real reason why she should worry about it now. Now, she needed to be concerned with learning all she could about the Eluri. That was why she was traveling in Eluri after all. IT was why she was traveling all across Astra.

Darin slid off of Talbot as she thought about just going and demanding to see the Council of The Seven Winds. She supposed that she had a right to do so as The Seed-Bearer, but she was trying to remain discreet. If she wanted to meet the rulers of the Eluri people, and she did want to meet them, she would have to find a way to do so discreectly. For now, she would just focus on meeting regular people. She didn’t think that would be hard to do. They had no real time limit so there was no rush in leaving Eluri. She could take all the time she needed.

Right now, she took a little bit of time to free Talbot of his limited tack and give him a brief brushing before he nudged her to follow Ridahne. The Azurei seemed to be looking for something, but Darin didn’t know what it was. She was more distracted by watching all the people. They all seemed to be in a hurry, and they were all dressed just a little bit differently than the others. She assumed that it was because they had different jobs or maybe it was personal taste. Still there were more people than Darin had expected, and she kept bumping into people and having to apologize. She was apologizing in Eluri. Some responded kindly and some just brushed her off. One man commented that her accent needed work.

It appeared that Ridahne had found them an inn. What criteria she had used to pick this place was beyond Darin, but it looked nice to the human. So, she followed her travelling companion to the little room. Darin just about collapsed from relief at the sight of the little wash basin. It would be nice to get some of the traveling grime off of her. She waited her turn before scrubbing her arms all the way up to pass her elbows and rubbed her face until it was red and raw. She felt so much better. Darin found herself hoping that at some point she would be able to wash her whole body and maybe all of her clothes. She would have to ask later. For now, she wanted to do as Ridahne suggested and explore the city.

She eagerly exclaimed, “We should find a market of some kind. I know how to explore those! Kind of! I know haw to explore the ones that pop up in Lively when the traders get to town.”

Still Darin figured it would be a good way to start. She could start with something she knew and then work out to exploring the libraries and archives Ridhane had mentioned. She had very little money and as soon as the merchants realized she couldn’t but much they would have one of two reactions. They would either ignore her or try to convince her to spend what little money she had with them rather than elsewhere. Darin was okay with that. She didn’t plan to spend what little coin she had on frivolities. She needed it to pay for things like inns and food. Maybe she could find work her in the city for a little bit. It would be nice to have some extra money just to be on the safe side. Though she supposed it depended on how long they were staying. It wasn’t like Darin could put down roots here. The Seed burned against her thigh in agreement with that statement.