Welcome to the everyday lives of the people of Violem. A short collection of pieces written for the purpose of getting back into writing as well as exploring the world from different perspectives. So please enjoy this first volume :)
Stock check at the Collector’s Treasury:
With the stone walls rumbling behind as she steps further into the room. The small figure calmly ties back her long dark hair and reaches into the bag for the leather journal she always carries. With two brass buckles keeping the pages neatly compact, undone with the snap of her fingers. Subtle, wordless magic. Nothing special but always makes the little things just a little more exciting. On the inner cover lies a pocket folded from dry papyrus paper, perfectly keeping her quill from coming loose. A delicate single feather of a baby peacock with a silver nib firmly slotted onto the end. After adjusting her wire framed glasses, the business looking lady raises her hand, extends her fingers and animates the quill. Allowing the peacock feather to softly sway into the air and perch itself on the paper, ready to write.
One step, then another, then another. Echoes of heels spread down the lit stone corridor. And as the lady walks by, alcoves light up. Spotlighting various trinkets, items and totems, each on their own plinth. Some big, others the size of your palm. Oozing with enchanted energy drifting into the cool breezeless air. With item that is passed, the sound of scratching is heard, along with a quiet murmur. The woman, naming and greeting every object she passes. A process she is far too comfortable with, not even needing to inspect items closely to name them.
‘Donjon’s shundering sphere. Gambler’s blade. Mirror shard of Ferrelwood. Three eye storms.’
Unfazed by the sheer magic power of these objects, the woman dressed in business attire continues down the corridor, turning left, right and right again. Soon reaching the end of the winding tunnel to find the latest item brought in by the relic hunters hired by her boss. She reaches the alcove, and it illuminates with a warm amber glow. With a purer white light beaming down onto a dull burgundy coloured garnet. The lady turns to face the item, adjusts her wire frames and inspects the item with intent. Noticing one outer edge smoothed over as if it once sat in some form of necklace. The other side, jagged and rough, sharp enough to break skin if not too careful. Although its size was comparable to the size of gold coin, an invisible force pulsed inside the jewel. Beating slowly, breathing in a deep slumber. A powerful entity hid inside. That much, the woman could decipher. But was unsure of what exactly the power was. She turned her attention to her journal, plucked the floating quill from the air and began flicking through pages to find her notes on this latest item.
Scanning the reports before circling a title written down.
Fi-Ka-Rah
Flicking back towards the start of the journal, the business woman wets the nib of the her quill and begins adding a new entry onto her list.
'An amulet shard of Fi-Ka-Rah’. She personally ticks the item off her list and snaps the journal shut. Placing the book and quill back into her bag and letting out a sigh of relief as she lets down her hair once more. She returns back the entrance of this corridor of exhibits and knocks on the thick stone wall. Waiting patiently for the guards outside to use their elemental magic to rip the wall apart so she can continue with the rest of her daily duties.
Elsgard Local News
Good evening and welcome to Enlightening
Elsgard, awarded as the best news agency of the year for a second year in a row. On tonight’s agenda, the number of
Nikkan outbreaks is finally on the fall after the past few weeks of intense mayor campaigns, disaster striking the central sky rail and a unexpected visit from creatures from another realm.
Wanderling jamboree is celebrating its third night of festivities with a collaboration to bring a comedic play in the main square for all to enjoy. And the latest negotiations between the council of coin and
Drovvin blacksmiths are in full swing. With the main topic of conversation surrounding prices of exports of brass machinery parts for the tinkering district.
The creatures known as Nikkan are spirits from a world not like ours, drawn to unpredictable behaviour in a localised area. Only capable of possessing inanimate wooden objects, turning them into vessels for them to spread even more chaos. Over the past few weeks outbreaks of wooden wizardry has been at an all time high, causing disturbances in homes and businesses across the city. Although there has been no fatal injuries, there has been several minor injuries which has led to a shortage in standard healing potions. With people resorting to off brand elixirs and abnormal reactions. One civilian described using these potions as curing his ailments but growing a tail, our reporter was unable to see this tail and concerned where it could be hiding. Yet despite all the shenanigans, we are happy announce you no longer have to lock away your cutlery and crockery, your garden tool handles are safe to use after curfew and the
Cart N Cart'scoffin services will resume to normal service as of tomorrow. Talking to the people of Elsgard, the general public are thrilled about the news and will sleep easy knowing the cucked chair in the corner of the room will not suffocate them in the middle of the night.
In other news, the Wanderling jamboree has made its way to Elsgard. A collection of several nomadic tribes settling throughout the city streets and offering entertainment for all to enjoy. From hypnotising performances of dancers to elemental spectacles exploding in the skies above. Stages are pop up market stalls are scattered throughout the city, allowing the outsiders to sell trinkets from far away lands in return for mechanical products and inventions which our city is known for. All at a fair price, of course. But the fun does not stop there, for tonight the main event of the jamboree is due. Set in the main square of the city, not one, not two, but three clans have joined forces to showcase a re-enactment of
Swiftan's race. It is reported it will take the crowds breath away, giving them the same thrills as the original
Acuran. Crowds have already started gathering waiting for the performance. So if you’re planning to get anywhere quick tonight, maybe avoid the central district.
Finally, the council of coin are continuing to talk with the blacksmiths of Drovvin about the trading costs of brass throughout the city. The talks came to light when the demand of brass in mechanical constructions increased again at the start of this year. The current supplies from plateau miners is not enough, according to tinkerers and craft workers in the tinkering district. We spoke to one woman who said the following, “We work our hands to the bone to make all these tools and machines. It’s not cheap and its not as easy as poofing metal out of thin air, we need materials and we need them now.” The overwhelming consensus of the district led the council to search elsewhere for raw materials. Striking up conversations with one of Cytal’s largest mining industry, the blacksmiths of Drovvin. Although the prices compared to other suppliers is high, the quality and quantity is nothing to be ignored. Reports from inside the meeting rooms say that both groups have been back and forth with prices and time scales of production and transportation. They even described the blacksmiths as quite giddy amongst the process. It is expected that the final deal will be announced tomorrow afternoon, with many in the district eagerly awaiting results.
That’s it for this evenings instalment of Enlightening Elsgard, we hope to see you again same time tomorrow. Until then stay safe and goodbye.
Wanted. Sallienne Richook. Sorceress. Blonde, darker skin than average., Glossy yellow eyes. 5ft 11 inches. Medium build. Last seen wearing leather armour and oversized garments. Suspected member of the
Web of Kikullu. Wanted for the crime of stolen personal property of two households as well as the following charge. Suspected tampering of patrol parties on the edges of the Great Forest, sharing secrets with named enemies of the city and associated with the break in of the local barracks. Not armed by considered extremely dangerous. Witnessed to be experienced in hand-to-hand combat.
Association with the Web creates multiple assumptions. One, highly skilled in the art of blending into crowds. Agility skills beyond the average warrior and extensive knowledge of city layout to allow for quick and easy escape routes. Last seen four days ago in Argyle Avenue. Attempted to be apprehended by local Alliance Guard to no avail. Witnesses on the scene described her movement as rapid and too quick to process with a single glance. No civilians were harmed during the pursuit. No guards or patrol units were harmed during the pursuit. No personal property was reported stolen during the time of apprehension.
Follow up reports indicate towards property stolen from residential homes near the site where the incident began. Two homes broken into with no clear indication of a break in, but missing items described as such. One silver necklace with a spider eye centrepiece. One silver bracelet with no gemstones. Two silver rings, one engraved with an ancient rune and another engraved with a family mantra. All property stolen considered to be heirlooms and the target of the robbery. No suspected accomplices at time of report but investigations are under review.
Guards at The Auction House
The two guards at the end of the corridor take a seat by the door. A solid ash wood entrance braced with slightly rusting iron studs and triangular hinges bolted into the frame and door edge. With a brass lock and an invisible arcane sigil that only allows the correct key to turn inside the lock. Two copies of the key exit, one hanging off the belt of the chief security guard of the auction house. And the other on the table between the guards. Along with a couple of glasses, half a bottle of water, a burning candle and tattered playing cards that have been used numerous times.
Sitting at the end of this corridor, guarding the secrets behind the locked door is considered as one of the more uninteresting jobs at the auction house. But one that is very important, according to the owner Sy-Lu. Despite the severity of guarding, most of the workers often find themselves twiddling their thumbs and so resort to games of cards and conversations about life to pass the time.
Got any fives?
Go fish
Mmm, what ya think is in there then?
Dunno, don’t care. Got at any threes?
Really? Never thought about it? That seems hard to believe.
Why would I care what’s inside? Threes?
Oh here ya go. Well, its not like there’s much else to do down here.
That’s exactly how I like it. Get paid to sit down, not bothered by anyone and keeps me away from the misses.
Must ‘ave thought ‘bout it once or twice
Nope
How long you worked here now?
Before you? Must be years at this point, nice and simple. You turn by the way
Erm… got any fives?
You already asked me that, no
Oh yeah… So you’re tellin’ me in all the time you been here you never wondered what’s inside?
I don’t get paid to think, I get paid to guard and so do you
You ever been inside?
Well, I went in with Jericho few months back. Must have been a few weeks before you started I reckon. Got any nines?
You went in? So ya know exactly what’s in there then. Erm, no nines.
Hang on, I said I went in, never said I knew what’s in there. Me and Jericho had to take out some old painting and a couple loose scrolls for the boss. Next day, the guys on the night shift told us they had to lug something heavy in. Complaining about back problems and what not.
Somethin’ heavy? Was it just the two of them?
I never asked kid, didn’t think much about it. You know what they’re like. Always complaining. Probably just an empty chest or something.
Can’t be empty, this is for the important stuff. Boss said so.
Rubbish, don’t listen to everything old fins has to say
Then why are we guarding an empty room? Under the building with a magic lock on it.
Could just be hiding something from his misses. You know, his right hand woman.
They’re not dating? Are they?
Why, you wanting to shoot your shot?
What? No. That lady is terrifying, reckon she could kill a man with a look.
Yeah, I can believe that. But old fins might be into that sort of thing.
Mmm, think he would be more bruised if that were case
Oh why you have to say that?
Me? You’re the one who brought her up. I’m just thinking out loud
Your thoughts are far too loud, honestly there’s no hope for your generation.
The conversation between the two guards continues on for the next half an hour so outside the locked door. Down the corridor underneath the auction house. A location where no outsider is suppose to know about. But that doesn’t hold true, for an individual dressed in tight garments is preparing down the street. Waiting for her chance to sneak in and enter the secret room. For rumours have spoken of the auction house finally storing an item worth stealing. Something that shouldn’t be possible in the present. A relic from times gone by.
Uwoll market Thief
Ah, the markets of Uwoll. Big, vast, easy target really. But hey, what’s a guy to do in a pinch. So-Run needs that quota by the end of the week. And everyone knows, nothing sells faster than the tat at this place.
Sure, people come here and think its all wonderful. Ooo, magical item this and enchanted item that. Of course the no mags find this stuff exciting. Starved behind those walls of anything fun. No magic allowed at all! Seriously? If the plains of Hell exist, its back garden must be hidden in there between the countless fields of wheat and potatoes. Not my style.
But like I said, times are tough. More guards on the roads round the craters. Even more Creed knocking around looking for a good shakedown. And if they caught me, well. They’d have a festival in my honour. Even the safehouses are getting harder and harder to get to. With all this noise round entrances. Even heard Marcelli talk about one of us sellin out locations. Scum. If you cant trust your fellow swines and thieves, what’s even the point. It’s a cruel world for people like me. gifted with light fingers and a finesse for deception. Yet, somehow that’s seen as wrong. Well if its so wrong, why did the gods make it so easy? Divine intervention at its finest. Must had to have given me a handicap. Cause if they didn’t, I’d be ruling somewhere like,
Norpelda by now.
Instead, I’m here on the ground. Wandering past the dozens and dozens of wooden shacks with merchants practically begging me to steal their stuff. Only one person looking over this bread, not anymore. A lady shouting to try on this embroidered scarf, don’t mind if I do. Oh look, a bargain over here. Steal one, get the other free. Another knife for the collection, make sure I don’t poke myself again like last time. I really should line my pockets with more sheathing material, not the point. Focus. Huh, now that looks rather interesting.
Hmm, a crusty old vase. Now why would someone try sell that off? An ugly vase as well. Wait a minute, really? That price? For that? that doesn’t seem right. What’s your angle old man? Huh, this is really eating into my daylight here but… Oh curse the gods and my stupid intrigue.
The thief swiftly and silently weaved around the crowds towards the vase resting patiently on the table. Nestled between larger pottery offset to the right, a tricky item to move undetected. With a little handwritten note tied around the lip signalling its price of a mere 25 copper pieces. By all standards an ordinary vase, with visual cues of aging, cracks and dried up clumps sat inside. Yet despite its mundane appearance, the fascination of something so dull in a crowd of glistening garments, magic tingling trinkets and shimmering swords and shields made it somewhat admirable to the thief.
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