Topic: Taking the tour

Jolyon Gardiner

Date: 2009-03-27 16:04 EST
Jolyon had selected the items for his satchel with some thought. He did not mull every article tucked beneath the flap of the leather bag, but he did try to put some foresight into his anticipated needs.

Pencil and paper were absolutely vital. That had taken no consideration at all but to pack in a new thread bound book of blank paper and a pencil — or three. A small book of his own creation that had several major hieroglyphs of nine influential civilizations and their meanings. It was highly unlikely he would find any of them exactly alike, but they might help him in translating any he might come across.

Along with these were a few small vials with their cork stoppers and a slender file and a brush. If possible, he hoped to take a few structural samples, though the tower itself was likely an impossible structure to attempt a sampling, there is no reason to not have them along in case he found something else along the way.

His customary clothes for archaeological site visits were drawn out of the bottom drawer of his bureau. Rubbing the towel against his wet hair once more before tossing it to catch on the upper edge of the doorway, he started to dress. The slacks were a comfortable cotton with several pockets along the legs. He recalled where he had found those, and their long use was evident in some fraying material around two pocket edges. The shirt was a white cotton, button down and button cuffs that were often rolled halfway up his forearm. Belt on, ankle high boots on, and he felt mostly ready.

As he finished dressing, he realized he completely forgot to ask what the weather would be like. "Does he share the same weather or does it have its own? Well, well done, Jolly my man. You've lost your touch, I say." He chastised himself, grabbed the peacoat from where it hung on a coat rack in the foyer of the villa on his way out.

Having some sense enough to drive the curricle into town so he would have it on the way back. He stationed it in a livery and then walked his way to the appropriate portal, which by his instructions was a reasonable walk to get his legs warmed up for a day of touring.

Rena had said to take care of the travel through it, so making sure he had all his gear, it being the one satchel so not terribly trying, nearby he faced the event horizon of the portal and walked through. It was certainly a more comfortable journey than from Markland to Rhydin, but that was not to say he was used to it. He was glad to arrive on the other side completely whole.

Rena A Cronin

Date: 2009-04-18 21:29 EST
Twilight Isle: a place of perpetual twinkling light-the time of day when the sun falls just below the western horizon and the starts are in the eastern sky. A warm breeze is always blowing and the temperature is forever at a constant warm state, that for most duelers (depending on species) a jacket would suffice.

To get on the Isle, one would enter the portal located north of the Inn and exit through a second one stationed a couple of miles north of the lagoon. First timers using the portal are wary: some take great care coming through and step gently onto the sands surrounding it. Others rush through and tumble into the cushioning sands. A path leads duelers and observers to the dueling areas, located to the left of the portal.

Twilight Isle is home to the Arch Mage and four Keepers who reside in Towers which aren't visible to any except the Arch Mage, Keepers and to any the Keeper has given their Key. The Arch Mage, as the title holder is the top magic dueler, lives in the Celestial Tower located in the center of the Isle. The Tower of Earth is on the western end of the Isle, just within sight of the dueling area. The Keeper of Fire inhabits the Tower within the northern volcanic region. The Glades to the east buffer the Tower of Air from the coastline. The lagoon to the south houses the Tower of Water.

On this day one of the air spirits was keeping watch on any activity from the portal, waiting on a visitor. In the meantime, Rena was stacking boxes of candles made the nights before that would be transported to Eless's shop within the next few days. What had started as a relaxing hobby was turning into a relaxing fulltime pursuit. That morning she opened all the windows to allow the breeze coming from the Glades flow through the Tower, bringing with it the scents of the trees which blended with the fragrances of the burning candles that were located here and there. Rena replaced some books she had been reading till the early morning as she passed through the library and out onto the balcony. One of the nice things about occupying a Tower was you could rearrange walls and rooms to suit the Keeper's wishes. Towers also at times had minds of their own, so there was no telling what the dwelling has in mind for her guest. The level of the balcony allowed her to look over the Isle-to her left was Neo's Tower, which they would visit when finished here.

There was a slight whisper to her right and she nodded. Word had arrived that her guest was at the portal. She moved back inside and down, exiting from the lowest level. The path was then taken towards the activity to welcome the archeologist.

Jolyon Gardiner

Date: 2009-04-20 13:26 EST
Jolyon had begun to feel not quite certain of his surroundings nor just where to start when he saw Rena approach. The tight feeling that had started in the pit of his stomach eased away. "Good day, Rena! Or," he looked about, "perhaps I should say good evening. Quite a stirring change, I say." The exciment of the day's prospect of adventure plus all he could possibly learn livened his countenance into a perpetual grin.

A tug on the satchel strap and a jesting smile, "I've come ready to explore. I trust the day is still a good one for the visit. I would not wish to inconvenience you. Oh, I have to say the candles have been a great pleasure." He had burned one the night before, letting memories of home help him find a working rhythm and even pause to remark upon Hamish when he brought a cup of tea how scents and the environment can affect his disposition towards work. "It was very helpful, in fact, in my studies last night."

He looked about, thinking of what he had learned so far of the island, and wondered what all was there around him that he could not see. It was quite like when he had found the gateway in Markland that lead him to Rhydin. There were things to discover just out of sight but not out of reach. "Now, then, best lay the ground rules out before I begin. I have been known to get ahead of myself from time to time. Would rather stay on your good side."