camlin

Dragon School

With Mr. Lindhall out of the way, you can go into as much or as little detail as you want with the rest of Ellie's clothing purchases, and maybe start browsing other things too if you want. Then Lindhall and the boy (who's one of the new students btw) will show up, you'll be introduced, and the guided purchases can continue while the boy browses for clothes. Sound good?

I also want you to know that I'm trying to write my replies so that we only see into Ellie-Mai's head, for the time being. She's the only important character here right now, for all that I hope to make Lindhall memorable, and stories tend to read better when they only stick to the main characters' thoughts or the most important thoughts of others. So basically I'm trying to describe only what Ellie can see, hear, and perceive until someone else's thoughts are important enough to share. Are you okay with that approach? I should still be able to keep most of my posts nice and long, or at least medium-length.

The above note is in reference to this post.

Dragon School

The shopkeeper was smiling softly at his customer as she spun to see the robe. "A perfect fit indeed," he agreed, already picking out two more of the robes and belts. He gave her the price of the robes—a more than reasonable sum—to ensure they were her final choice. Then he led her to the racks of under-robes. Most boasted long, fitted sleeves, meant to peek out from under the more billowy sleeves of the outer robe. Though some were also fitted at the shoulders and collar, all were quite loose from the collarbone down. A tailor's mannequin was dressed to illustrate how a belt or sash tied about the middle could be used to give the loose clothing some shape. All of the necklines were very conservative, some round and others square, and still more had curious collars which buttoned up to a band around the neck. ((Google image search band collars or mandarin collars for clarification.))

The bell above the shop door indicated another customer had arrived. Lindhall turned and called out to the new arrival that he'd be along in just a moment. The customer, a boy or young man from the sound of his voice, called back for the shopkeeper to take his time.

Lindhall returned his attention to Ellie. "Will you be alright browsing on your own for a few minutes?" he asked politely. "The curtained areas there and there," he said, pointing, "are for changing should you wish to try any of these on. And if you finish here before I come back, the boots and gloves are in that corner, there." He pointed once more and waited to see if she needed anything else before attending to the newcomer.

Dragon School

Lindhall merely smiled at the girl's rapid list, his eyes crinkling at the corners once more. "Excellent," he proclaimed. "We have robes and such over this way. I don't carry much in the way of gloves or boots, just a few standard styles. But I have spells I can use to resize and recolor them as needed, for no extra charge. The robes, hat, and cloak will all be simple enough, of course. I recommend wool—Kinnealle is a far cry from Asnye, but it's in the mountains. It'll get right cold there, mark my words, and I've no idea when you'll learn warming charms. Ah, here we are!"

As he spoke, he led Ellie through the warren of objects for sale. The passed brightly-dyed pouches of suede and felt, clusters of staves and walking sticks, and a vast collection of candles—both large and small, plain and shaped, in every color and scent a person could wish for. Finally, they emerged into a somewhat more open section of the store against one wall. Here one could find hats, gloves, belts, scarves, sashes, cloaks, and robes. Especially robes. They came in wool, cotton, linen, suede, leather, silk, velvet, and more. Under-robes, over-robes, simple robes, robes with intricate embroidery, and even a few that appeared to be normal bathrobes.

The man went straight for a row of black robes, made of wool as he'd recommended, and held one of the garments out for her. "Would you care to try this one on for size? You can just pull it on over your dress. It can be worn over everyday clothes, or we have under-robes you can choose from. You see, regular robes open in front, so it's best to wear something underneath, even if you plan to wear it closed."

The garment offered to Ellie was plain, just as the uniform dictated. The fit was loose, the sleeves wide, and the front had no buttons, clasps, or laces. Apparently, it was meant to be tied closed with the belt of black wool that Lindhall also grabbed and held out to her.

Dragon School

She was met by the sound of a tinkling bell above the door and a comfortable warmth, radiating gently from every corner despite the lack of hearth and fire. Poignant scents wafted toward her with the warm air—a hint of smoke from burning white sage, a medley of dried herbs and flowers, and just a trace of dust.

The variety of items for sale was astonishing; though spacious, the front room was cramped with shelves and displays of arcane books, assorted crystals and stones, mysterious figurines and symbols, an unusual selection of jewelry, mirrors of all sizes, sticks of incense, and even more objects she couldn't yet see from this angle. The shopkeeper's counter was currently abandoned, but a shout of "One moment!" from the back alerted her to his presence.

There was an answering kraa and the flapping of wings, and a curious bird alighted atop a nearby shelf, peering at her with one of its bright red eyes. From its shape and size it seemed to be a raven, but its feathers were white as the snow that blanketed Asnye. Apparently approving of the customer, it croaked once more and flapped over to the jewelry, where it playfully pecked at a particularly shiny bauble.

"I see that, Master Frostwing," came a chiding voice. A man, presumably the shopkeeper, stepped out from the backroom, wiping his hands on his robe and raising an eyebrow at the bird. "I know where you keep your nest. I'll just restock whatever you pilfer, so don't bother."

The bird merely cocked its head at the man and resettled its wings.

The shopkeeper then turned his attention to his newest customer. His pale gray eyes were crinkled at the corners in amusement, and laugh lines creased his face. He appeared to be in his late fifties, wearing work robes of somber gray and navy. His hair, though still golden-brown in places, had gone mostly gray and wispy.

"Good morning, dear. What can I...ah. But of course. You'll be needing your equipment for Kinealle." He nodded knowingly and tapped his temple. "You're the right age for it, and it's September first today. I had two of you'n come in yesterday. I suppose I'll be getting a fourth within the hour. Come, then. The name's Reed Lindhall. What shall we start with, then?" He spoke quickly but clearly, those pale eyes of his piercing as he observed the girl.

Dragon School

Sure, sounds good! :3 And yes, I shall carefully craft the shop and shopkeeper. I don't want to steal quite so blatantly from Harry Potter this time.

Word association Game!

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Dragon School

NPC Tracker

In order of appearance:
Reed Lindhall, shopkeeper in Whitecrest

When the Dragon War Came

NPC Tracker

In order of appearance:
Rolf, one of Elyde's Dragon Hunter friends

When the Dragon War Came

Elyde Lorcan

Female Lead

Elyde Lorcan | Ranger

Name: Elyde Lorcan

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Class: Ranger

Alignment: Neutral Good (bordering on Lawful Good)

Magic: Basic first-aid healing, simple light conjuration

Occupation: Dragon Hunter

Personality: Efficient, self-assured, and determined, Elyde Lorcan is a woman with goals. She knows what she needs to do to achieve her goals, and she strides towards them without pause. She mostly lives her firm exterior, but sometimes a softer side will emerge, particularly towards children and animals. Injustice and cruelty towards the innocent will earn her ire much more quickly than any punch or insult thrown her way. She finds peace and solace in the open wilderness, rather than in the people around her.

Image

Appearance: Taller and more muscled than the average woman, Elyde prides herself in keeping her warrior's body fit. She has a determined cast to her brows and eyes, high cheekbones, and a solid jaw. Her eyes are gray; her ash-blond hair is shoulder length and usually worn loose, but a leather helm keeps it out of her face when she goes into battle. She wears leather armor and a breastplate, the metal intentionally made dull so as to not catch the light. She is never without her dual short swords at her sides or her composite bow across her back, all of which are spelled to be resistant to weathering.

History: When Elyde was eight, her village was attacked and destroyed by a dragon. Sheer chance left her the sole survivor, and she slowly made her way alone to the nearest town, twenty miles away. There she was taken in by an elderly couple and raised. Determined to never be a victim again, she fell in with the few soldiers posted there, learning the art of bow and sword.

At fourteen years of age, she left her adoptive family to receive formal training in the city. She was recruited by scouts rather than soldiers, as her talents lay more in agility and wilderness craft than in force and city structure. At eighteen, her talents had grown impressive enough to earn her a spot in an elite group of dragon hunters, the finest warriors in all the lands.

Now she hunts the dragons who killed her family and slaughtered her village, and there could be no greater calling in her life.

Dragon School

KINEALLE

SCHOOL OF MAGECRAFT

Dear Miss Ellie-Mai,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Kinealle School of Magecraft. Please find enclosed a list of necessary equipment.

We request that you present yourself outside the southern gate of the city of Whitecrest, Asnye by eleven o'clock in the morning on the first of September for transport to Kinealle. Please dress warmly. Luggage should not exceed forty pounds.

If required, reimbursement for the cost of equipment and travel will be available upon your departure, up to the amount of five gold nobles.

Yours sincerely,

Whilma Hare

Whilma Hare
Mage of Kinealle;
Assistant to the Head Mage

KINEALLE

SCHOOL OF MAGECRAFT

UNIFORM

Incoming students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (leather)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
5. One pair of boots (black leather)

Students are also expected to bring eight days worth of appropriate undergarments, as servants will wash students' clothes only once per week. All clothes should carry name tags.

EQUIPMENT

1 magical focus (wand, athame, or similar)
1 cauldron (pewter, 12-inch diameter)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 set glass stirrers
1 set brass scales