PrinceAlexus

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Syraeia Leela “Sy-a” Inn Keeper

Gloom Haven _ “The eye of the Beholder.”

Open for Business

Syraeia just let herself be held and did not remember the last time someone willingly held her out of kindness. The warmth in her heart that was so dulled and dampened sparked a little, there was a little hope and feeling things might not be so bad. He was much taller than she was, heavier and larger in multiple ways than the slight woman.

She did not speak but rested against him and returned the gesture, tears dripping from her eye and a smile though it was a fragile one. “some things are hard to open, i had to carry on, one foot at a time. I not even sure how I made it out of the borderlands” That time was a rather vague patch of memory, survival, nothing was too low, just had to make it to the kingdom's borders.

“Give me time” She said with a soft tone, her life was more stable, with her body healing, maybe her mind would begin to become stronger and process the horrors of the past. “Long as they do not mind working for a well, me. I will not force them if they are not comfortable or willing. Some have good reasons to fear my kin.” Syraeia gestured to her own singular large eye, ears and the cursed rebirth that had left her a blightborn. She hoped both would be of an open mind but if one of them was and the other could not handle it, was better than none at all. The two children probably had a harder life than they should have though and likely had faced worse than Syraeia, but you did not know what horror they had met in their young lives.

Noticing more people, things were waking up and there were tables not making coins that would be rectified. “Money to be made, lady not get nice cloaks being idle back here.” She tried to lighten the mood and pulled her hood back into place, you could tell she was a blightborn from the front but the side or behind looked like any other woman unturned.

An amazonian woman repeated her requests clad in armour with a symbol that she did not recognise totally, but knew it was important in Lunaris. The other two seemed to be older men, armoured too and bearded with higher quality armour and chainmail etc. “I need to see to tables but i'll serve you once I find out what the lady wants” She said politely, though a little hesitant of the armed soldiers due to their reputation. They did not look like regular Lunaris soldiers.

More akin to those they saw on the roads, keeps and the ones that escorted and interacted with highly ranked nobles or the most wealthy.

Reaching the lady moving through the Inn and throwing another log and another on the large fire pit that burned, the brightness was not most comfortable but they needed warmth and light did her customers. Syraeia was more practically dressed in a hooded cloak over more practical clothes with boots and a treat to herself she had insisted on taking a small base metal charm of a decorated smith's Hammer rested around her neck on leather cords. “Hello, my name is Syraeia, this my Inn, Food, Drink? We have a spiced stew, ale, wines and a few rarer items in stock.” Eyeing her up that she looked like had more money than the labourers and builders.

The red eyes… well Syraeia knew exactly what those meant, but also knew the price that those took on you, your life and your soul. Letting her hood slip a little to expose her cyclopiam features to the woman alone and giving a small nod of attention. “My best guest room is available still, this is a safe place for our kind” Adding that barely as a whisper to the woman.

“Now, would you like to start with wine, ale or something more exotic” Syraeia said deliberately louder projecting her voice. “The salted venison is fresh in, and of quite refined quality.” She said, more confident than she felt at times, but coins… she had been poor, she had been destitute. She would not be, and would run a successful Inn.

Syraeia looked around the Inn and saw potential growing in the evening. Even with the soldiers, they tended to be good drinkers. It was going to be hard work but a little closer to her goals, unlike Sunni she did not hoard like an obsessed Squirrel gathering up nuts by the mountain.

However reborn, some things did not change and her mother had always made the best of their poor income. They never starved or looked raggedy. They still had pride.

Syraeia forgot about replying to the letter the Princes man had left, that topic was too raw for her to face before a busy work day, she needed her head in the game.

Then… she should not have thought that as the Prince came in! The Inn went silent as the Royal couple and she paused giving a respectful nod. “Welcome to the eye of the Beholder Your Highness”. She was a little annoyed though that the timing had broken her flow to get a potential double of room rental and a customer who probably had gold...

…

The Prince came in, Princess at his side commanding and carrying his title as it almost was a formal sceptre and symbols of power. His posture, his voice and just carried the authority and weight of his family.

Daphne looked up from the bar and glanced over, deciding that the situation had gone to shit, even deeper shit than the last day had gone. This did not seem to be working out.
“Boss?” She glanced to Coswain and Hector who nodded and stood up from the table they were discussing plans given they were in a town that under construction.

All three stood quickly with a surprised expression but soon schooled themselves to a calm expression and a parade rest stance. “your highness.” Replying politely with a nod of the head. “Princess Octavia” to their lord's daughter.

Hector gave a nod and kept a subtle gesture giving Daphne a little more confidence, he understood why she was somewhat upset and frustrated, she wanted to achieve her Knighthood and a failed mission to the Princess own household would dog her career for years. “Lord Castelian Coswain, Master Warmsith Hector, I am Daphnne, Lord Coswains senior squire.” She said politely and smoothly, doing any introduction if needed.

She was well trained, just was still not used to working with Lords and Royalty. Squires tended to not be deployed like this but the guard was pushed thin. “Your Highness.” Coswain said smoothly with a little charm and an easy confidence of experience of 20 years service. “We would be most grateful of Accommodations and your hospitality. As for time, I fear if this winter closes the passes as they say in Lunaris scholoral academy. Regardless of my wishes we will have to wait till the snow melts. The lower passes below Vindacus like the Royale Secundi may stay open but are prone to avalanche and collapse further up in the peaks during a harsh winter.”

He paused with a voice of a confident yet respectful tone, calm and without a waiver projecting his voice clearly yet without any hint of a shout. “We will help where we are able to serve in what we can, we are able hunters, and enhance your guardianship of this land. A deep Winter can be a Harsh and dangerous time in Lunaris my Prince. There is strength in fellowship and fidelity around the hearth.” He finished with an almost actor's end, bringing it to a close with a strong ending and tone of voice.

He saw that the Prince and Princess, well it seemed they presented a united front, maybe the talk of them being worlds at the wedding, was no longer correct.

...

MENTIONS

@The Muse
@The Savant
@amorphical

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@amorphical

Il remember to include you in my next post at the tavern.
Thr mysterious lady in furs.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@PrinceAlexus

If that was a question at me then no, I dont have discord.
If that was a statement then... 0.o wow! Thats a lot of people!

@amorphical

a statement, it was a fun few hours for them lol

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Sorry i made a OOC in character build by accident. QQ

@BeastofDestiny Mordu! XD

@amorphical

Your not the person in a discord I'm in, they managed to tag 12'000 people in somthing.

And got so...so many replies.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Royal Guard of Lunaris

Dawn Haven

&

𝕆𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕒 𝕃𝕦𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕚-𝔸𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕠𝕤

A Collaboration:

The Hall and Royal lodge they had to reach was hard to miss as the largest and most appointed of those in the settlement. Following the road you just had to look where the biggest building was passing an Inn that looked promising, market and rather extensive signs of construction going on. The sounds of men hauling on ropes, the chop of hatchets and hammer of the forge as blacksmith was lit by orange fire and glowing slowly cooling steel on a rack.

“Seen quieter siege camps” Hector gave a look from atop the cart as he threaded it past a waiting load of timber that had been cut and was destined for a roof or some kind of internal framing most likely. The pair of horses behaved well even with the place being a busy environment.

“Alot of gold invested, Prince meant to have a lot of sway in his home land.” Coswain said as he trotted his horse down the street realising exactly how much pull he had when you saw what was months of work from absolutely nothing, this place was a virgin ground next to a lake and they had laid everything from roads upwards. “Make way, behind you” He called to someone who had not noticed then, horses could be unpredictable at best especially in unpredictable places, would make a bad introduction to hurt someone just entering the place.

Daphne looked back at the string of carriages, one of them was unusual, back with some strange material plastered on it, heavy things of the size of the horses and wheels that pulled and rested on. Following up the rear glad to let the others clear the path ahead she pulled her reins tighter to keep control as her less experienced mount was a little skittish with all the new activities around her. “Easy, easy. Calm down, we safe” Stroking the powerful neck of her mind and soothing it as she rode, the animals mood beginning to settle after several reputations of the words and action.

…

“We request an audience with the Princess. We bear messages, gifts and have come from the Capital of Lunaris. Kurios Casteillan, Adonis Cowain, Master Warsmith Hector Honoured as “Stone Breaker” and my Senior Squire Daphne Athenus. ” Coswain said formally showing their sealed documents with the Royal seal, the Lord Marshals and his own rank stamped in wax. A large wooden box, a smaller sealed box of letters both with wax and paper tamper marks intact though ink a little smudged from the rain. His own Honour hame was likely known to those who had been in Royal service but did not use it unless he had to, his friend he honoured as an undisputed Master of his arts, he was not an “Officer” as such.

The grizzled veteran nodded at the gesture, he looked more worn and battered than his brother in everything but blood, they had shed it together however many times in Royal service from far north to border skirmish, siege and more. “Stay with us Daphne, just follow our lead.” He in a gesture of support placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, noting the look of panic as she had never been among the Royal family like this, it was a rare honour for a squire to be placed on such duties.

“Thankyou” Daphne calmed down, she had handled her training, her protocol and all manner of things, but that did not prepare you to face the reality of a situation. “See those to the Princess’s rooms please” She said, glancing at the boxes as the other two did not let her be the passive role and expected her to act like the knight she was training to become. It was both hard but also honoured the trust they placed in her.

…

“My Princess, The Royal guard is here including a Lord Castelian, they have your Lord Father seal, and the Lord Marshal of the Royal Guards. They request your audience your highness” A young man in a smart uniform came up to her in a respectful but also hurry, deciding that keeping them waiting would not be best. Giving her and her aid a bow after he had filled her in on the details he had been given.

He backed off as Three armoured figures came into view, two muscular older men with grey in their beards and a younger woman who was tall but in shape for speed rather than brute force more unsure of herself. Each had all their chains of rank and office visible and paused giving her a bow as the most senior spoke. “My Princess 𝕆𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕒, We live to serve, We are at your command, to live and die in your service if so it be, THis is our Oath to you.”

When she was approached by the young man, she smiled, though her smile faded when she heard what he had to say. Her father was sending guards to Dawnhaven? Why? Was something going on? It was odd that there had been no knights, royal guards, or Lords in this land for months until this announcement. It caused anxiety and anger to bubble up. Was something going on that her father wasn’t telling her about? “I appreciat the the announcement,” she gestured for him to lead the way to where this group with her father’s seal was. She had to at least entertain them for a few minutes but she rather go find Prince Flynn and bother him.

Then she noticed the armoured individuals and her smile stayed on her face. Seeing the trio caused a mixture of emotions to run through her yet none of them showed on her face. “Thank you for your oath,” she appreciated the oath and the service but why where they here? Octavia rocked on her heels a little, “Why have you been sent to serve me? Is there any particular reason?” she was curious if they even knew why they were here.

The trio looked across from each other having assumed they would have been expected, Gloomhaven lay close to the blight? Had Lunaris really been unable to spare protection for the people here? Their own Princess?

Coswain paused unsure now himself but tried to not let it show. “My Lady. The Valor keeps established on Vindacus mountains already getting cold, we fear the passes may be closed this year.

Your safety was a concern as well as this vital settlement, we were sent here to join your household. The Royal Guard and Army are as you well know, stretched at present… We do not expect to be reinforced.” He was uncomfortable admitting their weakness, the winter, the bandits, blight, and more where pulling them more directions and like butter over too little bread. They were trying their hardest but could not be everywhere. He tried to be respectfully frank and honest with her about the situation at present and the problems in Lunaris.

His discomfort at the idea was clear, both he and Hector had served in better times, they could have spared a Paladin detachment and more. The King had them committed elsewhere to more pressing roles. However he would not lie to her about things back home.

“Your Highness, we have travelled recently and can inform you as best we able.” Daphne said obviously new to this, they did not know how many messages, or if any messengers had failed to make it to Gloomhaven.

Octavia’s face sprung with a redness, she was frustrated, since her last letter to her parents was not asking for guards or knights — she requested individuals that could help her prepare by sewing, knitting, or the like. Maybe she added if they could help build Dawnhaven. “I do apologise for my crudeness, though we do not need knights. We need individuals that can help us prepare for the winter. We do not need physical reinforcements here. We need helpful skills or people will die from the cold!” When she raised her voice she covered her mouth in instant regret. She wasn’t mad at the trio standing in front of her but frustrated that her parents took her letter with such a grain of sand that they sent bulky muscle heads instead of anything useful. No, they were useful. Just not in the way she or the town needed.

She began to rub her temples, “I am sorry. I-I didn’t mean to raise my voice at you three. It is not your fault,” she closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply. Attempting to calm herself and focus. With how things were going and communication between her parents and her — Octavia was feeling like she was a black sheep of the family. Something they finally were able to get rid of. It hurt. She knew their lives were busy but she thought they would at least help her a little more than what they have done.

“I’m sorry to leave you in such a hurry, but I need to find Prince Flynn. If you want to be useful, maybe go to the inn and figure out who needs help. I know construction is happening around Dawnhaven. You three are muscular and muscles are needed for construction. My apologies. I will be with you later,” Octavia was trying to hold onto her level-headed energy at the moment but she was having such a difficult time doing so.

The breakdown in communications between the settlement and the Lunaris capital made them want to groan but held their bearing and refrained from reacting, there would be sharp words held over an al at the Inn it seemed. It would have to be a very very careful balance sandwiched between two rival royals, The Princess and the King…”We will try our best to help your Highness, Hector is a man of many talents.”

“I can try my Princess” Hector said with a tone that was respectful but was somewhat unsure having been thrown into the middle of a family argument.

Giving her a respectful bow they all had the same thought that their lives just got more complicated, but returning home was not an option, they would upset someone powerful and their only plan was to ride out the situation and try to make the best of it all. The Inn had ale, food and maybe they could make a plan and at the very least be fed and watered.

…

Leaving the Hall they made their way back to the Inn they passed, maybe they could enquire about room or finding some place to rent too. The heavy door got pushed open into the Inn and found a table near the bar and the fire pit to warm up. “Inn keep? Can you bring food and ales for three hungry travellers, also Construction? The Princess sent us down here?” Daphne called over to see figures behind the bar. Daphne just sighed at the whole situation closing her eyes and resting head in hands, her first truly serious trust turning into a pile of dung.

“Don't forget to ask if they know anywhere we can rent, or land… guess I'm a master builder.” Hector said as Daphne just gave him a gesture back from her point but followed with an affirmative.

“Wine too” Coswain added, he needed a drink to work this mess out and try and find a path of least resistance. He looked around and saw a hooded lady in a thick Cloak, two young lads happily demolishing a meal and he chuckled, they had pitchers of ale, learning the hard way like all young men must if needed. Least the food smelled like it should be far better than their preserved rations they packed on the cart!

Their heavy Lunarian gear shed from travel, the armour glittered in the fire as they cast off gloves, cloaks and such enjoying the warmth of the fire. Now to work out something from this mess.

“Got it oh olden ones” Daphne stayed by the bar wondering if this whole confusion would cost her the knighthood she had worked to achieve.

MENTIONS:
@amorphical
@PrinceAlexus
@The Savant

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@PrinceAlexus thanks i just wanted to double check for my next post. ^^

@amorphical

If you need any reference images, I have them linked in then CS section.

Ban the User Above You

Banned. Birds are not that colour.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The tavern is in dawnhaven yes?
@PrinceAlexus

@amorphical

The eye of the Beholder, yes.
Its in the settlement.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@amorphical

You did good :)

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Syraeia Leela “Sy-a” Inn Keeper

Dawn Haven _ “The eye of the Beholder.”

Open for Business

Syraeia Leela was watching the front taking glances towards the kitchen where she was warming up a large metal pot of stew, thick and hearty with some spices, she turned back to chop some onions with a little garlic. Her senses were enhanced by her change and that kind of made cooking easier. A few minutes later the stew was smelling much better and more like the food she smelt at the castle banquets as a child celebrating large events in the borderlands.

Her rather obvious change, the rather eye in the room as it were, also gave her a wide range of vision and clarity meaning she caught the two comers rapidly coming in almost instantly as they did. That had caused her almost constant pain until her mind and body adapted, now she was very hard to catch unawares.

Holding herself back, the mass of the persons spread her need to “feed” as such over a larger group, subtlety, she had yet to truly push or understand her abilities though. Her needs were relatively low and could go unnoticed for now.

“Try the new batch of salted venison, next to tunerac. Hard work, needs a good meal” Her lack of formal education was ever present and not something she could help. Sunni had come in and was helping himself to a meal but the two young lads were talking with excitement…and had also trekked a bunch of mud into the Inn. She gave Sunni a smile and turned to deal with the table.

Pulling her hood up abit more she moved over to the two young men, they looked very muddy, tired though proud of themselves too and from memory they seemed polite enough. “Welcome to the eye, what you having. But I draw the line at the wines.” She said the young men were growing up but not quite ready for that yet especially as she might have to clean up the floor afterwards.

“The stew please” one called out and gestured to the back and where Sunni had vanished into the back. “cheese, meat, bread and some of your sweet treats to share please” The second asked, adding a luxury that they could less often have due to imports bringing an expense. Sunni was paying, so the two young men would be happy, fed and for free. They were least respectful.

“I'll bring your stew out too.” She turned to an older man who had arrived before she was ready to serve. Sunni was in the back and smell was..honestly pretty good coming from the kitchen if it followed what it started as. Or maybe it was just her stew as she had to actively distinguish things due to the acuity.

Syraeia chopped off some salted venison, a thick chunk of cheese, some of the fresh bread from the bakers with butter, sausage and other pieces onto a wooden tray for one of the meals turning to pour some thick stew with chunky trenchers of bread. She began to fall into a well practised routine and felt a little bad she ignored Sunni but was running on autopilot.

Thinking what she needed was hard, unused to asking the person who had helped her for help…it felt odd…but she did need help. “Well I can handle bigger stuff, I need some help on the front, take the tankards, pass out full ones and run stuff back to the kitchen so I can have it making coin. Sorry…I'm sorry. It's just been busy later on when everyone wants lunch or so.” She sounded timid still about asking Sunni, he helped her willingly but she was so used to being a lone outcast. "Oh and wipe up that mud" Trying to force some more confidence into her tone.

Pouring two smaller but proper dark man's ales, she smiled. “I'm looking after them.” Her nerves, well she did not call him sir but still, part of her was still little cautious as a blight born was not always treated kindly however much he never had said anything against her. “I am fortunate, many others are not, my home never stood a chance.” She said, blinking a tear from her eye and turning away from him pretending to tally up anything that needed to be restocked in the shelves before the busy time came. It was very different being protected by a kingdom, having access to their resources and the trained and professional guardians.

Syraeia composed herself before balancing the food, drinks and everything to go out . That was one skill she had gained quickly and handed out to the 3 people sitting waiting their meals. 2 bowls, one wooden tray, a smaller tray and two tankards without a pause.

The portions were a little on the generous side but so many hard working men and women, all the construction and labour. The hearty portions had kept people coming back regularly to eat and drink. They needed a proper meal to be able to work and so did their Jobs. So far Sunni had approved, it supposedly built a good reputation and built some words she did not understand yet.

Syraeia walked out checking her hood was in place from a small mirror of glass placed so one could see what was happening in both rooms. “If you need anything, just ask at the bar, we got a fresh shipment recently, salted Venison, some southern wine and cured and spiced Jerky that smells rather good.” She said softly but with confidence, another of Sunni lessons, once you had customers let them know what else they can buy. With a growing efficiency she distributed everything carried across the tables.

Giving a little nod, “gentlemen” she said, giving the boys a glance too, they swelled at the word and the implication. Young men were proud and at a confusing time in their lives. Crossing the Inn she was soon back to the cooking area and wondering what creation Sunni was working on, he had some interesting if perhaps less practical ideas. Closing her eye a second she sighed in enjoyment at the dark, the dark was safe, a place of comfort. Dropping her hood back revealed warm brunette hair tied into an intricate braid down her back with dark wood and a plain stick used to anchor it and keep it from slipping. The gesture moved her senses to their full acuity and ability no longer muted by her hood's cloth and took a number of seconds to adapt.

REFRENCE _ VIKING BRAIDS

“Ahhh” Syraeia vocalised her feeling, her accent was a mix of both kingdoms merged and mutated into a unique form that grew up separately in each of the now many destroyed borderlands settlements, often smaller and independent than ruled by any one man or woman.

Turning to a large account book sat in a safe spot and scribing slowly, cautiously having spent more time than she would admit to anyone teaching herself to write in a now mostly neat looping hand abet slowly. The supply cost she wrote into the column, with notes of the value of stock In another, each letter and number slowly and deliberately formed. “Can you check my tally sometime tonight?” Asking a little more relaxed and calm, almost treating the task like a form of meditation.

Syraeia allowed herself to drop her guard which was genuinely a challenge after scraping a survival for over a year before this, and made small talk, not realising she mentioned how her father who in life was a master blacksmith would have been most upset by some of the goods in the market. She had seen enough growing up to know quality and had been surprisingly fierce about the quality of the kitchen's iron works. Her hand brushed something strapped to her belt, one thing she had refused to sell however starving she was.

Moving the topic on, she started asked about rumours and if anything of note had gone on in town.

@The Savant _ Cyrus ‘Sunni’ Emberan