Mendira/Performances/The Tale of the First Ten'ra Agalith

Real Date	2021-05-19
Game Date	438-03-14
Event	Story Time With The Troupe
Point of View Character	Mendira

[Half Pint, Bards' Corner]
In sharp contrast to the Main Saloon and more boisterous reaches of The Half Pint, this quiet chamber is softly lit and tastefully decorated with antique tapestries depicting famed minstrels and legendary troubadours from the annals of Elanthia. The room itself has no tables and chairs, but rather a recessed wooden seating pit with overstuffed cushions scattered about the floor. At the far end is a raised platform with a lectern, a low ottoman and a music stand. You also see a fluffy coal-black Ilithic kitten wearing silverweave armor, a blue-eyed ebony kitten, a runt-sized pink warthog, a red-eyed white rat, a box of gifts bearing the crest of the Tavern Troupe Performing Order, a Tavern Troupe refreshment cart with several things on it, a dimly lit arch and a small dance floor.
Also here: Heartbreaker Nukite, Brevet Commander Souv, Knight Betlind who is sitting, Scholar Taliciah, Langen Esturi Nilme who is sitting, Pub Crawler Useff who is sitting, Outrider Chrysagon who is shining with a dark golden glow, Bladesinger Hoshii who is sitting, Transcendent Ranger Kamisama, Tyali who is sitting, Inspiration Iryta who is sitting, Ylixia who is sitting, Zoriala, Healer Korya who is sitting, Empath Kethrai who is sitting, Stray Stelling who is sitting, Dancer Vixonia who is sitting, Star-Crossed Tiarmo who is sitting, Cranky Teacher Blysse who is sitting and Aerialist Emyrose who is sitting.
Obvious exits: none.

You are Dancer Mendira Huns of Zaldi Taipa, an Elf.
You have pointed ears and large expressive faded lilac eyes.  Your dark brown hair is hip length and silky, and is worn loose, tucked behind your ears.  You have warm caramel-hued skin and a sylphlike figure.
You are statuesque for an Elf.
A herd of itty bitty bronze bovines cavorting around an aurora tourmaline sun float lazily around your right arm, glowing with a lustrous sheen against your skin.
You are an adult.
You have several interlocking rings of green jade that pierce the flesh to follow along your right eyebrow, each notched in even intervals and rubbed with indigo.
Your shoulder has a tattoo of a brightly colored songbird darting through a cascade of musical notes.
You are in good shape.

You are holding a goblet of Bardic blue wine in your left hand.
You are wearing a soft silk bodice clasped with alexandrites linked in fine silver, a diaphanous skirt of layered gossamer lined with soft lavender silk and some elaborate toe bells shaped like lilies and tulips.

Emyrose exclaims, "And for our next story teller, please welcome Mendira!"

Emyrose gestures at you.

Iryta looks at you and applauds!

Nilme looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

Tiarmo looks at you and applauds!

Vixonia lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for you!

Taliciah looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

You clear your throat.

Stelling looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

Useff looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

Tyali smiles.

Hoshii rummages through a deep emerald silk haversack adorned with an onyx crescent but it's clear she hasn't a clue if what she is looking for is there.

You blush slightly, the tips of your ears flushing with warmth.

You say, "I would like to tell a tale I once read while exploring a library in the Great Tower of Shard."

Betlind ponders.

Chrysagon just found a sturdy storyteller's cushion with reinforced seams in a box of gifts bearing the crest of the Tavern Troupe Performing Order!

Korya gets a gooey thick honey doughnut from inside her meshor fox.

You smile.

Emyrose leans forward and rests her chin in her hand and directs a thoughtful expression at you.

(Mendira takes a seat near the front of the room. She pauses to breathe quietly for a moment, seemingly settling her nerves before she begins.)

You say, "Once upon a time, a very long time ago indeed, there lived a young cleric named Serillyn."

Vixonia beams at you! What a warm feeling!

You say, "Serillyn lived with her younger brother Davroc in the days when Shard had just been founded. They joined the people of the city, busily building their lives." She tucks a loose strand of hair behind a pointed ear before clasping her hands at her lap. She continues on with her tale. "There, in the sheltering shadow of the Dragon Spine Mountains and cradled by the Lake of Tears, the cityfolk prospered, bustling about their daily business."

Tiarmo leans on Emyrose.

Tiarmo hums to himself.

Iryta leans forward and rests her chin in her hand and directs a thoughtful expression at you.

Emyrose gently kisses Tiarmo on the cheek.

Nukite pets a blue-eyed ebony kitten. The ebony kitten brings one paw up to its mouth and begins to lick meticulously between its toes.

You say, "Serillyn was a devout follower of the Goddess Eluned. As the city was still quite young, temples had not yet been built. She would often wander to the shore of the lake to commune with her deity. And all was well."

(Korya holds the doughnut low and waves it back and forth until she feels something grabbing on to bite it.)

Korya warily picks up the white rat by the base of its tail, the creature squirming indignantly.

Korya carefully places a red-eyed white rat on her shoulder.

You ominously say, "Or at least all seemed well, for a time."

Hoshii offers Korya some double-fudge brownie.

Korya sniffs the air around her.

Emyrose raises an eyebrow in your direction.

Korya accepts Hoshii's double-fudge brownie.

You say, "Strange things began to plague the city and the mountains."

You frown to herself, her brow furrowing anxiously.

You say, "Hot rain pitted the young streets of Shard. Traders reported wild creatures that ravaged their caravans on their routes. Youngsters disappeared without a trace."

Emyrose blinks at you.

Iryta covers her mouth with her hand.

You emphatically say, "Something was very, very wrong."

Tiarmo chews on his lip, looking deep in concentration.

Nilme frowns.

Korya quietly says, "Ew, hot rain..."

Nukite takes a sip of her ale.

Souv takes a sip of his wine.

You nod at Korya, in complete agreement with her views.

Nukite wipes her mouth.

You say, "The final child to vanish was Serillyn's dear brother. The cleric was beside herself with grief and worry. The boy could not be found."

Taliciah gasps!

You grimace.

Emyrose frowns faintly.

Hoshii quietly says to Korya, "Hot rain is only acceptable indoors, preferably with sweet-smelling soaps."

Vixonia twitches an ear nervously.

Iryta nods at Hoshii, obviously agreeing with her views.

You say, "In desperation, Serillyn went once more to the Lake of Tears. She sat at the edge of the shore for three days." Mendira closes her eyes as if in penance, twining her palms together beseechingly and raising them to her chest. "She prayed, and prayed, and prayed. Rain fell upon her bowed head, and still she sat unmoved, unyielding in her meditation. She became weak with hunger."

Taliciah grins at Hoshii.

Nukite nods at Hoshii, obviously agreeing with her views.

Iryta whispers something to Hoshii.

Taliciah frowns.

Tiarmo quietly says, "This is why you bring snacks, people."

Emyrose chuckles at Tiarmo.

Iryta looks at Tiarmo, obviously trying not to grin, but the dimples in her cheeks give her away.

Hoshii nods emphatically at Tiarmo.

Souv smirks at Tiarmo.

Hoshii takes a bite of the brownie.

You say, "At last, Eluned took pity upon the poor young cleric. A mist rose from the lake, gathering before the weary eyes of the devotee to take the form of an ethereal woman with flowing hair."

(Mendira sits up straight, her arms outstretched and undulating to mimic the watery tresses of the diety.)

Emyrose gazes at you.

You say, "The vision spoke to Serillyn in cool whispers."

Nilme smiles at you.

You recite:

   "Sweet child, your devotion is commendable,
    In this young city with but two small shrines for worship.
    We gods of the Light are forgiving and patient,
    However, other Immortals are not.
    They make their displeasure known to you.
    These are the answers you have sought."

Hoshii frowns.

Taliciah leans forward.

You say, "With that, the mist dissipated. The beautiful figure vanished, as Serillyn looked on breathlessly. And then all was still. The rain had stopped, and the lake was placid."

Souv gets a fluted aubergine glass vase filled with torch ginger blooms from inside his red backpack.

Souv offers Betlind a goblet of Bardic blue wine.

You breathe in slightly.

Souv moves a goblet of Bardic blue wine to his left hand.

Souv moves a fluted aubergine glass vase filled with torch ginger blooms to his right hand.

You say, "Serillyn leapt to her feet and rushed to find the Elders of Shard. She relayed the words of her Goddess, chastising them for their shameful lack of respect for the gods. The Elders realized she was correct."

Souv offers Betlind a fluted aubergine glass vase filled with torch ginger blooms.

Betlind declines Souv's offer.

Nukite stretches out a hand imploringly to Souv.

Souv grins at Nukite.

Souv offers Nukite a fluted aubergine glass vase filled with torch ginger blooms.

Stelling takes a sip of his wine.

Emyrose grins wryly at you.

You judiciously say, "The gods had led the people to this place, had helped them prosper. It was only fitting that respect be paid."

Nukite shakes her head.

Souv snickers.

You say, "The Elders called for a special tribute to be made, hoping to make amends with their patron gods. People came from all over the province to pay homage, begging for relief from the wrath of the Dark Immortals. Construction began on two lavish temples which still stand in the city today."

Iryta winces.

Souv offers Nukite a goblet of Bardic blue wine.

Nukite flashes a wide grin.

Nukite accepts Souv's Bardic blue wine.

Raising her Bardic blue wine to Souv, Nukite gives him a toast.

Korya takes a huge mouthful of some double-fudge brownie and gnaws heartily on it.

You say, "Prayers were whispered, incense was burned, hymns were sung, and gifts of mead and harvest were offered with elaborate ritual."

You say, "Finally, the efforts of the people appeased the gods, and the city prospered once more. And our dear young cleric Serillyn was reunited with her brother, to her great joy and relief."

Nukite tugs on her sundress and it stops shimmering.

You smile.

Korya exclaims, "Where was he!"

Hoshii gives a sigh of relief.

Emyrose flashes a wide grin.

Nukite smiles at you.

Nilme nods at Hoshii, obviously agreeing with her views.

Souv puts his vase in his red backpack.

Betlind takes a bite of the tidbits.

You quietly say to Korya, "I surely don't know. I hope none of us should ever find out."

Emyrose nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

Tiarmo says, "Probably with the snacks."

Iryta shudders.

Betlind flashes a wide grin.

Hoshii mutters something into the air about brothers being trouble on feet.

Tiarmo blushes, the tips of his ears turning a deep shade of red.

You say, "To this day, the people of Shard still celebrate that reconciliation in a festival: Ten'ra Agalith, or Heaven Truce."

Iryta rubs her right arm.

Emyrose chuckles at Tiarmo.

Taliciah giggles at Tiarmo.

Iryta smiles at you, revealing the dimples in her cheeks.

(Mendira rises to her feet in a lithe, sweeping movement.)

You curtsy gracefully.

Emyrose looks at you and applauds!

Nilme smiles at you.

Betlind looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

Raising her Katamba-black whiskey to you, Taliciah gives you a toast. Cheers!

Nilme looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

Raising her Katamba-black whiskey to you, Vixonia gives you a toast. Cheers!

Raising his Tavern Troupe coffee to you, Useff gives you a toast. Cheers!

Blysse looks at you and applauds!

Hoshii looks at you and applauds!

Betlind applauds.

Emyrose says to you, "Wonderfully told and a good piece of history for us."

Ylixia applauds.

Raising her Bardic blue wine to you, Nilme gives you a toast. Cheers!

Vixonia lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for you!

Souv applauds.

Chrysagon applauds.

Taliciah says, "I love historical stories."

Tiarmo looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

Nilme nods at Emyrose, obviously agreeing with her views.

Emyrose nods to Taliciah.

Nukite applauds.

Iryta says to you, "I love folktales and history."

You say, "Thank you."

Nilme smiles at you.

Emyrose nods to Iryta.

Korya exclaims, "I think it would be a great story... getting kidnapped by gods until their demands are met!"

You grin.

Kamisama takes a sip of his bourbon.

Tyali smiles.

Hoshii says, "With snacks, apparently."

Emyrose chuckles at Korya.

You giggle at Korya.

Hoshii nods emphatically.

Nukite grins at Korya.

You nod to Hoshii.

Betlind chortles softly at some secret joke.

You say, "Perhaps next time."

You chortle softly at some secret joke.

Tiarmo says to Hoshii, "They're that important."

Tiarmo praises a Tavern Troupe refreshment cart.

Hoshii says, "There is much wisdom to be learned in such stories."