The First Land Herald/450-02-18
| Article Number: 100 |
| Dateline: 450-02-18 |
| MIRAENA AND THE BLUE IRIS BALL On 449-09-39 adventurers first met Miraena, a simple farm girl from a small village with a message to share. She told us tales of visions she believed to be from the Heralds, destruction both past and present, and urged all who would listen to stop the use of sorcery. It was here she began giving out irises and collecting names in return. She camped outside of the west gate of the Crossing for a few days and, figuring out how to use a gwethdesuan, called for adventurers to meet again. More flowers were accepted and some asked if there was any way to help her village. She was given a coat to endure the cold weather and offered the protection of an escort to somewhere warm and safe. She would, eventually, end up staying at Gaethrend's Court. Prior to the ball, Miraena and Asildu met. Intrigued by one another, she shared her theories and Asildu agreed. According to Miraena's later account at the bar of Gaethrend's Court, they had since quickly become great friends with views aligned. Little did we know at the time, we would hardly see them apart from then on. Miraena was found once again observing the flowers in the Solarium of Gaethrend's Court. She spoke fondly of Asildu, calling him a new but dear friend. Miraena recited a prepared speech, encouraging help for the villages and vows of stopping sorcery. Several more would join her this day, Allye and myself being two of them. We set to work preparing a lavish charity ball at Raven's Court in an effort to collect donations to be contributed to the plight of these small villages that typically fall outside our purview as adventurers. As guests arrived, Nilme and Vixonia struck up gentle string music on violin and viol to set the mood. The gala was attended by many familiar faces including Vaerek, Ruea, Phierre, Golameth, Stelling, Elore, Tsisis, Sir Madigan, Saragos, Onara, Briaen, Court Advisor Aaiyaah, Rozalynde, Szarevar, Sayase, Holy Guardian Unaka, Trajan, Karthor, Sir Imroth, Illiya, Leayne, Teavira, Zyros, Medir, Aerilia, Couri, Breath of the Heralds Asildu, Messenger Miraena, Amaci, Sclerotia, Merilwen, Reriyn, Ysindre, Arkalye, Anuril, Nilme, Maraisel, Kentara, Casari, Kethrai, Zersha, Vixonia, Allye and myself. Light blue silk-covered cases were passed out by Dancing Swan Catering Company, containing a selection of carefully curated and color coordinated food and drink. Folks who wanted to show off their blue iris affiliation were handed boutonnieres and corsages crafted from the delicate flower itself. Everything was mellow at first, and we explained the reason behind hosting the ball as a charity event. Approximately ten thousand platinum in various currencies and gems were collected towards the cause of aiding the villages impacted by wild magic. Upon Miraena's instruction they would be sent for her to collect at Gaethrend's Court to help with the rebuilding and repair of these smaller, less wealthy communities. Miraena and Asildu both attended the fete together. Unaka arrived from Harsh's Truffenyi Recital at the Cleric Guild - where attendees reported a vision of a dragon fighting an ox. She brought with her appetite and an interest in meeting the messengers of the Heralds. After introductions and speeches were made, Miraena asked to say a few words that Asildu had helped her prepare. She was graciously offered the floor and began to speak. Clearing her throat, Miraena took a large step forward, her hands clutching a silk-covered case tightly. Miraena said, "Adventurers, first I would like to say thank you for hosting this ball. This is a far more grand thing than I have ever been to in my life, and I will be forever grateful that you have held it in the name of this mission. Our mission, now." She continued, "I am but a farmer, like so many that you have surely met in your travels. I don't have the fanciest of words, or the grandest of appearances, but what I do have is the conviction of this cause. I came to Crossing because my village and the people within it have been struck with disasters unlike we have ever faced. Unfortunately, my village is not unique in this. These events are occuring all across our lands." Unaka nodded to Miraena in agreement with this last statement. Miraena said, "We've seen terrible storms that come out of nowhere, vortexes of light that destroy buildings and injure people, and, as you are aware, even people going missing. Even since my stay in Crossing, I have heard the guards and crowds in the market speaking of even more events that have happened." Unaka replied that she has seen more herself as well. Miraena said, "At one of my most desperate moments, the Heralds graced me with the truth. They sent me a vision. Or really, it was like a thousand visions all at once. In that instant I came to understand that the rampant use of sorcery has been poking holes in our Plane, creating the imbalance that we see today. The Heralds have long been concerned about our use of magic, but the drive of adventurers to push so heavily into sorcery has brought us to this tipping point." At this point Unaka fixed Miraena with a heavy, ponderous stare. Miraena went on, "The Heralds gave this message to both myself and Asildu, this warning, as one last opportunity for us to save ourselves. If we do not take it, the world as we know it will be torn apart. I have seen this a thousandfold." Miraena looked around the room, gazing from one blue iris to another, and folks took out and held the flowers she bestowed upon them. Miraena pled, "Some in this room have pledged to stop, or to not start, the use of sorcery, and for that I am deeply grateful. But many more still think that sorcery is not nearly as dangerous as it seems. To those, I say, look around you. Look on the people who depend on you, on who trust you to keep them safe. Your family, the artisans selling their wares in the market, the farmers in their fields, and the fishers along the river. We commoners can do nothing but sit back and hope for you to take action. I believe in the goodness in each of you, and that you want to do what is right." Unaka stared at our guest speaker for a long moment, gazing down at her with brows slightly drawn as Miraena concluded, "So I ask you to take this pledge. Will you help protect our world by ceasing your use of sorcery? Thank you for listening." Asildu saidto Miraena, "Wonderfully stated. Just as I knew it would be." Asildu smiled and he and Miraena beamed at one another. I noticed Unaka's expressions changing throughout the speech, and offered her a chance to share her thoughts. Unaka shared that she, too, received multiple visions at once, from Truffenyi. She, too, had witnessed these destroyed villages in her travels, stopping to help rebuild. Unaka reinforced that she was compelled to come to us, at the heart of civilization, to guide and protect us. She reminded all of the seriousness of this situation we are facing. Unaka then asked to address Miraena directly. Unaka asked of Miraena, "You said the Heralds gave you a vision. You're sure it was Heralds and not an Immortal?" Miraena nodded at Unaka and replied, "Yes, I could feel it as deeply as my bones that it was from them." The exchange between the two continued: Unaka: You still worship the Immortals? Miraena: Myself and those in my village worshipped the Immortals in our daily lives, as any good village did. However, now that the Heralds have reached out to me, I have dedicated myself to them. Should adventurers cease their use of sorcery, and our world is to stabilize again, I will return to worshiping the Immortals with my whole heart. But for now, it is the Heralds who have given us this opportunity. It is like asking if you want to worship the river while the thunderstorm rages. My attention right now is on the thunderstorm, and once that passes, it will naturally return to the river. Unaka: So you still love Truffenyi, you are just not with him right now? Miraena: I have no reason to forsake the Immortals. But for the time being, I simply look to the Heralds who are guiding me on this mission. Unaka: Hmmm. Asildu: I think you sorely misunderstand what the Heralds are. The Heralds protect this world. But it's not because of us. They don't do it for worship or sacrifices or gifts. Unaka: Why do they do it? Asildu: Because someone has to. Unaka: But, it's a pretty simple question. Do they care about us? Asildu: Do not let her ruin your evening, young Miraena. This is still your party. Unaka: I am not here to ruin anything. I like a party. And it sounds like we're raising coin for the right cause. Asildu: Then there is no need to argue. Let us focus on the cause. After this short but intense conversation, the crowd turned back to revelry and enjoyed the rest of the evening, some dancing the night away. I am happy to report the money sought was raised, and the forlorn festivities an overall success, but sadly Unaka never did get her answer on if the Heralds cared. Until next time, Shaylynne Kendialahle |
| Real Date: Unknown Date |
| Subject(s): Wild Magic |
| Author(s): Shaylynne |