Mazilyn/Logs/Truffenyi Travels
Truffenyi's Travels Journal
Mer'Kresh
[Caress-of-the-Moons Manor, Hall]
An unusual copper and bronze sculpture consisting of crescent moon shapes bobs silently at the base of some wide steps. Surrounding the metal moons on all sides, the walls are covered with a painted depiction of Moon Mages in various stages of stargazing. The three moons -- Xibar, Katamba and Yavash -- smile down upon the watching mages from their locations high in the painted sky. You also see a sunset-hued papillon puppy, an ornate table with a couple of things on it and the silvery-white shard Besoge.
(Mazilyn sketches her Truffenyi doll smirking as her sunset-hued papillon puppy tries to climb up the Grazhir shard)(Mazilyn sketches her Truffenyi doll smirking as her sunset-hued papillon puppy tries to climb up the Grazhir shard)
[Carillon, Garden]
LOOK GOOSE: A small footbridge spanning an ornamental brook interrupts the winding flow of the flagstone path. Roses mingling with honeysuckle climb the bridge's posts and stretch across its handrails. Tangled vines grow along the banks of the stream and knee-high shrub parterres filled with flowers border the path. As the path curves, the carillon can be seen rising to the north east. You also see a snowy white goose that appears rather calm.
By far the largest goose you've ever seen, this proud gander waddles around majestically, weaving from side to side while pecking at the ground. He wears a collar of woven yellow and green seagrass with a tiny charm dangling from the silver buckle. Known as "King" to the locals, he has feathers as white as fresh fallen snow, some the size of a small child's hand. His large flat bill, the color of summer squash, looks strong and you know instinctively that messing with this goose would be a big mistake.
(Mazilyn sketches her Truffenyi doll in a slight nod, acknowledging King, the goose)
[The Sweet Life Candy Shoppe, Salesroom]
White paint covers the room from floor to ceiling, providing a blank canvas for the decorative exhibits of candy placed throughout the shop. Strategically placed near the front window, a glass case filled with colorful, novelty candies works as free advertising to lure in customers from the street. A long counter displaying an abundance of gourmet chocolates fills the space along one wall and across from it a table holds containers for sale so shoppers can make their own gifts for friends. You also see a sunset-hued papillon puppy and a curtained arch.
(Mazilyn sketches her sunset-hued papillon puppy and Truffenyi doll as they sift through the candy bins. Each filling a sach full of goodies with glee)
[Wharf End, Mer'Kresh]
Through the gaps in the heavy wood planks, one can easily see the waters of Torbis Sanhalas lapping noisily at the pilings. Although most of the surface of the wharf is covered by a wide assortment of boxes, barrels and shipping goods, there is little that would stop a dropped coin or trinket from vanishing through the slats and sinking into a watery grave. You also see The Jolas, the Reshalian Revenge, the Stranger Ranger, the Twilight's Journey, the Bloody Sabre, the Nightblade's Claw, a slate board and an ebony slate.
(Mazilyn sketches the dock with her Truffenyi doll sitting on a crate, Mer'Kresh's busy streets bustling behind him)
Throne City
[Imperial Palace, Zohkhalo Hall]
Displayed upon a platform of dark night-blue lapis, a huge marble throne fills the center of the room, its intricate carvings and faintly glowing runes brought to life in the flickering light of the crystalline chandelier that is suspended from the polished granite ceiling. You also see a marble arch leading to the conference chambers and a purple scroll.
(Mazilyn sits her Truffenyi doll in front of the throne but sketches him sitting in the middle of the giant throne, surveying the realm with a discerning but kind eye)
[Museum of Imperial History, First Floor Foyer]
On either side of the entrance, the walls are filled with restored tile mosaics depicting life in Imperial times. The hues of blue, gold, and green, all framed by lustrous white marble, extend from the floor to nearly the ceiling, a sharp contrast to the otherwise beautiful yet unadorned museum walls. A few ivory-colored stone benches give rest for the weary, allowing them a relaxing pause after a day of exhibit browsing. You also see a polished marble sign and some massive bronze doors.
(Mazilyn sketches her Truffenyi doll admiring the art as the Tour Guide drones on about the historic values of the paint used)
[Maginius Kaentao Maous, Spell Library]
Tall, elegant columns carved like intermingled two-headed serpents rise to the ceiling, which itself is a dizzying distance above. Circular shelves contain thousands upon thousands of books, most of which are off-limits to the casual browser. Scribes constantly scurry here and there, cataloging and arranging the contents. Near the entrance is a red velvet partition, where those visitors interested in viewing books up close have to register. You also see an elegant rosewood sign and the Archmagus Fleintoore.
(Mazilyn sketches her Truffenyi doll engaged in discorse with the Archmagus Fleintoore about which book from the catalog he should check out)
[Old Throne City, Shakoepi Bridge]
A wall of crates lines the stone railing of the bridge, reducing the expansive view southward to one of occasional unobstructed glimpses. This bridge, whatever its original purpose, is now used as a way station for cargo and deliveries into Throne City. All things passing through the gates of the city are subject to inspection, whether they be man, beast or mineral, and as such, those inanimate things that can not hurry their journey inside wait the longest. You also see a marble gate and a muddy slope leading down one side of the bridge.
(Mazilyn makes a sketch of her Truffenyi doll in front of the large portcullis is held over the gate by several heavy chains, ready to be dropped at a moment's notice in times of conflict.)
Ratha
[Pokekehekepi olpo'staho]
Gleaming golden sand stretches out, seemingly endless under the glaring light of the daytime sun.
(Mazilyn makes a sketch of her Truffenyi doll building a sandcastle as the Retan Dolomars look on menacingly)
[Truffenyi's Green]
A large common green stretches out over most of the northeastern section of the tier. The grassy area is an excellent spot for athletic activities, for a meal on the soft grass, or contemplating the sky above. The western edge of the field backs on to the temples of Chadatru and Glythtide, and a fountain dedicated to Truffenyi stands to the east near the intersection of the eastern-most road and East Palace Drive. You also see a large wicker herb basket, a trash receptacle, some wooden benches and a simple wooden picnic table covered in gingham with several things on it.
(Mazilyn looks around at all the temples and does a sketch of her Truffenyi doll standing in his Green, the animal aspects of all the other immortal temples present are lined up to greet him)
[The Sewers, Beneath the Drain]
The sewer drop under the grating is a small, tile-lined room. Rainwater from the street above flows into it and exits through a big bronze valve that seems oversized for that purpose. You also see a narrow passage beside the valve.
(Mazilyn makes a sketch of her Truffenyi doll riding on top of one of the Kra'hei Hatchlings with a clearly lost look on his face)
[Ratha, Bazaar]
Roiling with festive chaos, the walkways of this multicultural bazaar are lined with colorful pennants, and crowded with milling shoppers from every corner of Elanthia. Music, laughter, strange dialects and foreign tongues fill the air as merchants strike deals on everything from the finest raiment and precious gems to the most mundane of household staples. Packs of impatient children stop to gaze hungrily at the latest in edible delicacies on display.
(Mazilyn makes a sketch of her Truffenyi doll shopping and investigating all the stalls)
[Kygar's Pub, Courtyard]
Feathery ferns and seasonal flowers grow abundantly in beds that circle the courtyard, surrounding numerous tables, each with its own canvas umbrella to shelter customers from inclement weather. A half dozen tall torchieres are imbedded in the ground giving off light and warmth. Bowls of crunchy popped corn, a longtime tradition of Kygar's Pub, sit on each table. You also see a shadowy black wolf-hound puppy baring menacingly diminutive canine teeth, a sunset-hued papillon puppy, a small plump cat, a black and white cat and a sturdy oak beam with a two-colored dartboard on it.
(Mazilyn makes a sketch of the Truffenyi doll playing in the courtyard with all the animals. Pub goers laughing in the background as someone fails miserably at darts)
[Neh Dock, Port of Ratha]
Wide and well-built, this dock was made to accommodate the heavy caravans that pass over it daily. Workers load and unload ships in an almost endless flurry of activity. You also see the Reshalian Revenge, the Reshal Queen, an ebony slate and the Kree'la's schedule.
(Mazilyn makes a quick sketch of the 3rd and 4th tiers of Ratha as her Truffenyi doll stares in wonder at the construction)
Aesry
[The Reshalian Revenge, Quarterdeck]
In the middle of the quarterdeck is the ship's wheel mounted on a slightly higher platform. Shrouds, running from mast to cleats on the bulwark, are run overhead along with sheets from the ship's rigging. You also see a shadowy black wolf-hound puppy baring menacingly diminutive canine teeth, a sunset-hued papillon puppy, Pilot Vashboaz, a large spoked wheel, the ship's bell, the spanker mast, the lower spanker, a hatch, the upper spanker and the gaff topsail.
(Mazilyn makes a sketch of two exhausted puppies, the shadowy black wolf-hound puppy baring menacingly diminutive canine teeth flopped on its side with the sunset-hued papillon puppy's head resting on his tummy. The Truffenyi doll is smothered underneath the puppy pile as the massive amount of basalt stairs recedes into the distance)
[Aesry Surlaenis'a, On the Bridge]
The bridge arcs high above the pond, providing an excellent view of the outer cemetery. Below, the pond water is almost crystal clear, clear enough to view the fish swimming within. A row of majestic oak trees line either side of the trail that leads deeper into the cemetery, while a bed of freshly planted daisies and daffodils line the path back to the gate.
(Mazilyn sketches her Truffenyi doll gazing across the rows and rows of gravestones, the old church in the backgound gives the Necropolis an uneasy feeling and the puppies try to drag Truffenyi back towards town)
[Joirin's Puzzles]
Colorful baskets painted in every shade of the rainbow hang from the rafters, holding wood and other supplies for the puzzle maker. The wicker and rattan containers provide a sharp contrast to the stark white paper walls of the shop itself. A gilt-edged black leather catalog rests atop a fringed red silk shawl which has been draped over the counter. You also see a wooden door leading to the shop's back room and Joirin.
(Mazilyn sets her Truffenyi doll amidst all the toys and puzzles and magic tricks and makes a sketch series of him waving the Ebonwood Wand around in his Black Silk Hat)
[Pier, Northwest Shore of Cha'walkas]
The dark wood of the pier glistens with slick wetness. Waves churn underneath as the lake sloshes against unseen rocks, and the cloudy mist drifts to hover low against the surface of the water. The temple built upon a small rocky island in the center of the lake is visible above the lingering fog. You also see a weathered currach.
(Mazilyn makes a quick sketch of her Truffenyi doll admiring the Eluned temple as the rain falls into the surrounding lake, an Eluned Promise blossom is predominantly featured in the shore line)
[Aesry Surlaenis'a, Shadaer]
Weathered by the sun and the salty sea air, the wooden pier stretches to the south. Ships of all types anchor for the night, though some small boats fish near the dangerous shoals at the harbor mouth. You also see the Reshalian Revenge, a wooden ladder, the Lybadel's schedule and an ebony slate.
(Mazilyn makes sketch of the puppies and Truffenyi staring up at the stairs in abject horror but also minor admiration for how civilization delt with the mountainous regions)
Boat
[The Reshalian Revenge, Bow]
The bowsprit stretches forward from the ship where the starboard and port gunnels meet. An iron-banded oak capstan is bolted securely to the deck for use in hauling up the anchor, setting the shrouds, or any other work where great purchases are required. You also see a hatch, the flying jib, the fore topsail, the fore course and the fore mast.
(Mazilyn sketches her Truffenyi doll looking out across the open waters, the lights of Crossings and the Clans all visible along the shore. She adds a little dolphin waving its fin at the boat)
(Mazilyn makes a quick sketch of her Truffenyi doll looking out the porthole, a sunset-hued papillon puppy on his left and a shadowy black wolf-hound puppy baring menacingly diminutive canine teeth on the right)
[The Reshalian Revenge, Quarterdeck]
In the middle of the quarterdeck is the ship's wheel mounted on a slightly higher platform. Shrouds, running from mast to cleats on the bulwark, are run overhead along with sheets from the ship's rigging. You also see a sunset-hued papillon puppy, Pilot Vashboaz, a large spoked wheel, the ship's bell, the spanker mast, the lower spanker, a hatch, the upper spanker and the gaff topsail.
(Mazilyn sets her Truffenyi doll on the railing and makes a quick sketch of Crossing in the background with the sunset-hued papillon puppy sniffing Truffenyi's foot)
(Mazilyn sketches all the sailors going about their jobs, adjusting sails, pulling ropes, getting hit in the face with sea spray. Her Truffenyi doll is prominently featured directing all the boat activity)
Crossing Part 1
[Near Kaerna Village, A Dark Grove]
Around you grow trees in a circle so even and perfect they warrant suspicion. In the center of the grove is a deep pool, its surface smooth and glassy, undisturbed by the wind. Peering into it, it takes you a moment to realize that your face is not reflected in the pool and another to realize that neither are the trees. In fact, the only thing that can be seen are stars -- thousands and thousands of endless stars, some of which you know you have never seen in the sky above you. You also see some charcoal, an iridescent haversack, an ash grey backpack, a pink-checked cotton cloth with several things on it, a rugged silver backpack, a ditty bag, an ebon-hued backpack, a black obsidian altar with a rough obsidian bowl on it and a dirt path.
(Mazilyn makes a quick sketch of her Truffenyi doll standing in the Dark Grove next to a tree with a strange stone passage way)
[Crystal Cavern]
This tiny cavern inside the stone outcropping is alive with the sparkle of a thousand tiny crystals embedded into every facet of rock. The deep, cool waters of the hidden pool surround you, brushing against your skin and lapping at the base of a polished limestone statue of a dolphin emerging from the water. The pleasant echo of dripping water rolls through the cave. You also see some deeper water.
(Mazilyn does a quick sketch of her Truffenyi doll next to the dolphin statue)
[Berry Knolls, Oak Tree]
Thick branches stretch outward from the trunk of the tree, the crazy quilt of colorful grass and flowers below barely visible between the leaves. The wide, knobby trunk provides an easy climb down to the safety of the ground.
(Mazilyn sets her doll next to the tree trunk and sketches the overarching view of Arthe Dale with Truffenyi in the branches)
[Empaths' Guild, Courtyard Garden]
Open to the sky, this spot is sheltered from the worst of the weather and elements by a rich cedar arbor. In the center of the courtyard, a small fountain, filled with the darting forms of tiny fish, babbles to itself. Several elaborately-carved cedar benches are placed at one edge of the garden, directly across from a cushioned swing hanging from the arbor by wrought iron chains. A riot of seasonal plants compete for the attention of those who pass here, and a whispering willow tree looms overhead as if creating a protective mantle. You also see a frosty observer manifested as an infinitely rolling wave, an ethereal vela'tohr thicket, a broken rune, a silver tea cart with several things on it, a large vela'tohr plant, a marble statue of an elegant Elven woman carrying a shallow basin in her arms, some shallow stone stairs, an Empath renown scroll, a simple covered sideboard with several things on it and a small stone firepit.
You hold a miniature Truffenyi doll dressed in silvery blue robes high into the air for all to see.
(Mazilyn sits her Truffenyi doll on one of the benches and makes a quick sketch of him socializing with the statue in the background)
You dance about with your Truffenyi doll.
Truffenyi Needs To Travel
[Taelbert's Inn, Bar]
Bursts of laughter and excited shouts ring out from a game of dice being played at a corner table. Other tables and chairs are scattered haphazardly through the room, but most of the regulars perch on high stools near the bar. Apparently, the view of the buxom barmaid is more enticing from that angle. You also see a Prydaen villager, a barmaid and the menu. Also here: Sothios who is shrouded in shifting shadows.
You show Sothios your Truffenyi doll.
You say, "I gotta take him on sight seeing tours."
Sothios asks, "To see what?"
You ask, "Maybe with a corresponding bead to offer?"
You say, "I donno."
Sothios peers quizzically at you.
You ask, "Whatever there is to see?"
You say, "Civilization."
You nod.
Sothios grins.
Sothios asks, "Like holy stuff?"
Sothios asks, "Altrs?"
You say, "No."
You say, "Like Truffenyi stuff."
You gesture.
You ask, "Like this bar?"
You say, "I donno."
You say, "Pretty cobblestone would work."
You gaze at Sothios.
Sothios nods to you.
(Mazilyn orders a whiskey and sets her Truffenyi doll on the bar stool like he's drinking the drink. She pulls out a parchment and does a quick sketch and labels it with the location)
You get a shot of Darkstone Whiskey from atop the bar.
You glance at a miniature Truffenyi doll dressed in silvery blue robes.
You take a sip of the Whiskey. Aaaaah...warm and soothing. You finish off the rest of it, and set the shotglass aside.