Commencement

[Hosted on Koaratos 19, 5119 (7/19/19) by Lylia Rashere]

[Faendryl Enclave, Courtyard - 23520]

Lylia clearly says, "Welcome, all, to the second regional Faendryl Symposium."

Lylia tosses her gloved hand into the air with cheeky abandon, sprinkling the air with the aroma of a bouquet of night-blooming jasmine and winter rose colliding fiercely with the weighty aroma of grave blossom petals tinged with twilight hues.

Lylia says, "When Ambassador Tredohal Hashier Faendryl invited us to Ta'Illistim for the first Symposium, he sparked an idea that has caught fire here in Wehnimer's Landing."

Lylia says, "For centuries, this little town has been a hospitable home to the Faendryl. Now, they have embraced Faendryl leadership. We are a part of it as never before."

Lylia surveys the area.

Lylia smiles quietly to herself.

Lylia purrs, "Cruxophim."

The voice of Cruxophim amicably whispers aloud, "Allo!"

Lylia says, "Hello there."

You hear an unpleasantly wet slurp and faint crunching in the shadows.

Ysharra says, "Hello, pretty."

Xorus says, "Cruxophim is nearly ten percent Faendryl by body weight."

Lylia muses, "Yet we are also and always something apart from the land we share. Something distinct, are we not? What sets us apart..."

You say, "I was just thinking I did not smell him, but I suppose we all heard him."

Lylia thoughtfully taps a finger against her lips.

You hear someone laughing softly nearby.

Speaking to Xorus, Ysharra says, "Oh, I bet he's up to twenty by now."

The voice of Cruxophim affably murmurs, "He's not wrong."

Lylia says, "We have a saying, and its closest translation in Common might be 'Our discipline rules all worlds.' Another word for 'discipline' in this case, a more apt one, might be 'will.'."

Lylia smiles.

Speaking to Xorus, Herel says, ""The other 90 is water? I read that somewhere."

You say, "Probably other people's blood, in this case."

Lylia says, "It is that will that defines us, whether we hail from the heart of New Ta'Faendryl or the far-flung reaches of the Southron Wastes."

Lylia firmly stresses, "Whether we are born of Faendryl blood on our own soil, or whether we have traveled far...and carry something of other places within our veins."

(Lylia gazes meaningfully at a few faces in the assembled crowd.)

Lylia continues, "We have learned through millennia that what is Faendryl inheres not in a single place or time, though we are shaped and sharpened by our experiences."

Lylia places a hand over her heart.

Speaking quietly to Melikor, Ysharra says, "It's like she's speaking directly to me."

Lylia says, "That discipline, that will, dwells here. We can never be parted from this birthright no matter how far we travel, and I -- and others -- believe it belongs also to those who share it even in part."

Lylia whispers something to Ysharra.

Lylia says, "It belongs to us as a people, as much a part of us as the architecture of sinew and bone from which we are formed."

Ysharra grins sheepishly at Lylia.

Lylia says, "We gather, then, to celebrate the exercise of that will, whether through the act of creation in art and fiction, in self-expression, in divination."

Lylia says, "We welcome all of you, Faendryl and non-Faendryl alike, to join us in developing a deep understanding of the past, celebrating our present rise, and gaining a glimpse of the future."

[Lots of fireworks and some dubious balefire]

Dark droplets of blood rain from the grey skies.

Lylia says, "The grounds are open, the ices are cold, and the blood rain has begun to fall. We could hardly have asked for a finer opening."

Lylia says, "You are more than welcome to join me, if you like. We can tour the grounds."

[In the center of the yard, a pair of trees have grown together into a single towering tree,

Over the course of years, a single lor tree has become intertwined with another, their exposed roots growing around broken white stones. The thick roots almost conceal a small dark gap at the base of the trees where they meet. Set to the side of the trees is a small placard with a glassed face.]

Lylia notes, "The tree before you is more accurately two trees, trained to intertwine until they have become one. Lor trees are unusual in that regard, being able to unite in such a fashion."

Lylia says, "It is -- or they are, I suppose -- the largest such trees this far north, and they are a marvel of botany. We are fortunate to have Ysharra tending to them now."

Mayor Lylia's group just wandered over from a pathway.

[Faendryl Enclave, Garden – 23524]

Lylia says, "By all means, sample the teas and ices."

Speaking to Ysharra, Alisaire asks, "Do you tend to the topiaries, as well?"

Lylia adds, "And the blackberries."

Ysharra says, "In some ways they're similar to banyan trees, I have had some success with them in Vipershroud. So I had enough experience to draw on."

Speaking to Alisaire, Ysharra says, "I cannot take credit for them, we have some staff with whimsical natures."

Speaking to Alisaire, Ysharra says, "I tend to let things go too wild for topiaries."

(Lylia unbuttons her glove and trails her fingers in the pool for a moment, leaving trails of darkness where the blood rain has mingled with the pool's clearer waters.)

Ysharra says, "Mm, the ices have returned. How nice on a summer evening."

Ysharra says, "This place gets so muggy, and the canopy compared to the swamp is lacking."

Speaking wryly to Cruxophim, Alisaire says, "I suppose this means I have a dark storm about me now."

Lylia explains, "Bringing forth verdant growth in inhospitable land is something we are rather proud of doing, particularly those with Agrestis family roots."

Speaking in Faendryl, Nadier says, "I do not do well with plants. Watering them seems frivolous. But I am more used to the desert where water is precious."

Lylia offhandedly remarks, "Most of the ices are good, but personally, I find the vanilla ice rather bland. It tastes like so many other things that are better than it somehow."

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "We were exiled, and then, in time, we remade it into a home. The jewel of Southern Elanith."

Lylia says, "I like to think we have set another small gem here in the north."

Lylia says, "Perhaps one that will be joined in time by others."

Lylia smiles quietly to herself.

Ysharra says, "I'll agree with all that, save this being "the north"."

Mayor Lylia's group just went through a large ornate door.

[Alabaster Spire, Foyer - 23521]

Lylia attends to her wrap, making the wrap as presentable as possible.

(Lylia shakes moisture from her lace wrap and brushes droplets of it from her veil.)

Lylia turns around.

Lylia says, "You will notice art throughout the Spire. These pieces are part of Ambassador Tredohal's collection, and we are gratified to showcase it again."

Lylia says, "I may offer a lecture on that later, or perhaps Silvean might, if he arrives in time."

Ysharra says, "We're hoping the ambassador may be here for some of the week-end. Surprised us last year."

Speaking softly to Nadier, Avior says, "You must forgive me, I am afraid that not beinig raised in a Faendryl house, my command of the language is not as good as it could be."

Xorus says, "The Ambassador has good taste."

Speaking in Faendryl, Nadier says, "That is unfortunate. I would be glad to instruct you."

Speaking in Elven, Nadier says, "That is unfortunate. I would be glad to instruct you."

Lylia says, "We speak with many accents, but in many ways with one voice."

Lylia inclines her head.

Nadier accepts Avior's dark spiced tea.

Speaking to Avior, Ysharra says, "I was also not raised in the city. I have had Faendryl drilled in my head successfully, but I still struggle with some tenses."

Mayor Lylia's group just climbed up a white marble stairway.

[Alabaster Spire, Lounge – 24046]

Lylia says, "Most of you recognize our lounge, I believe."

Speaking to Avior, Ysharra says, "I prefer, at least for this weekend, to use Common. After all, we are trying educate our guests."

Durakar says, "A great place to play darts while resting."

Chemaine quietly says, "So lovely."

You say, "Barely, without Gavrien and Nazarr in front of the dartboard."

Alisaire mildly says, "Lovely painting."

Speaking to Durakar, Ysharra says, "I wish Gavrien was here, he could show you one of his many darts trophies he's won at that board."

Lylia says, "I know. It hardly feels like our lounge without Gavrien holding up the bar or peppering the dartboard with spiny murder."

Ysharra asks, "He's up to...three, four?"

Speaking to Alisaire, Lylia says, "That is one of my favorites."

Alisaire says, "I can see why."

Xorus says, "I will be speaking in the contemporary common tongue, though I considered Kannalan and Tehir."

Speaking softly to Ysharra, Avior says, "Father insisted that we speak first in common, then we had to learn the various other languages of persons we did business with, dark elves seldom sought out fathers 'special' skills."

Lylia says, "We have some fine art in the library, too, and we are quite proud of our latest addition there as well."

Lylia teases, "Show-off."

Chemaine quietly asks, "Did i miss the fishin' pond?"

Mayor Lylia's group just went through an arboreal alabaster-set archway.

[Alabaster Spire, Library – 16148]

Lylia says, "We have a pond, yes, but...well, the fish are fat and lazy. Hardly sporting."

Zolis deeply says, "From eating all the bo...er...food."

Speaking to Raelee, Lylia says, "I believe you would prefer this to the lounge at any rate, Magister."

Speaking to Lylia, Raelee says, "Correct."

Speaking softly to Ysharra, Avior says, "My brothers helped immensely as well since I was only an infant when rescued and they were all grown."

Speaking to Raelee, Lylia says, "I hardly need to be an Igaeshian reader to know that."

Ravinder says, "I dwell here often myself."

Shinann distractedly says, "Excuse me, please..."

Shinann just went through an arboreal alabaster-set archway.

Speaking to Ravinder, Lylia says, "The divan remembers your favorite position well, I think."

Lylia says, "Just as the other one does for me. I think it is starting to develop a Lylia-shaped divot."

Lylia lightly says, "Lucky it."

Ravinder says, "As well it should."

Mayor Lylia's group just climbed a short flight of steps.

[Alabaster Spire, Training Hall - 24048]

(Lylia turns in a slow circle, her arms outstretched.)

Lylia says, "Training for combat and miniatures, among other manner of practice."

Durakar says, "I spent a lot of my time here."

Lylia explains, "Japhrimel, our founder, is also particularly fond of miniature battles."

Speaking to Durakar, Ysharra says, "My favorite is the top of the spire. The observatory and the orrery."

Lylia remarks, "I should probably spend more time here than I do."

Durakar says, "He is, helped me to convince him to add these to this training room."

Lylia says, "Speaking of which..."

Mayor Lylia's group just climbed up a ladder.

[Alabaster Spire, Solarium – 24049]

Speaking to Shaelethe, Lylia says, "I can never decide if I prefer the cherry ice or the pomegranate. Sometimes I stir them both together. Decadent."

Chemaine quietly exclaims, "Oh!"

Speaking to Cruxophim, Ysharra asks, "Find anything heavenly?"

Lylia leans on Ysharra, giving her a companionable grin.

Speaking to Lylia, Shaelethe says, "The cherry is quite delicious on its own."

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "That scent definitely is."

Speaking smoothly to Ysharra, Cruxophim suggests, "You."

Lylia says, "I shall take us back to the foyer and then disappear into the library for a bit."

Lylia says, "And there are some places I have not shown you yet...but we must keep some mysteries, after all."

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra says, "That's right, your reading is soon."

Mayor Lylia's group just climbed down a white marble stairway.

[Alabaster Spire, Foyer - 23521]

Speaking in Elven, Nadier asks, "Very sweet, yes?"

Speaking to Lylia, Ysharra asks, "I believe my youngest will be in attendance, and Zolis here...did he get his demon set loose?"

Lylia says, "No. Zolis' demon has decided to be miserably stubborn."

Zolis deeply says, "That demon likes his bottle."

Lylia sets her mouth in a thin line of disapproval.

Speaking softly to Nadier, Avior says, "I now understand why you did not care for it."

Zolis deeply says, "I asked a complex question."

Lylia says, "I could blame you, Zolis, for being too hospitable."

Speaking quietly to Lylia, Chemaine says, "Thank you for the tour and fireworks display."

Speaking to Chemaine, Lylia says, "It was our pleasure."

Tsarmina says, "Yes, thank you. I enjoyed the tour."

Lylia says, "The pleasure is mine. Well, ours, to be more accurate. We are rightly proud of our Spire and enjoy showing it off a bit."