You see Missoni Sabretache Faendryl the Witch.
She appears to be a Dark Elf.
She is shorter than average and has a fragile, slender frame. She appears to have come of age. She has long-lashed chimerical viridian eyes and richly toned, olive brown skin. She has waist-length, glossy black hair contained by a dark-hued tatted lace caul scattered with glaesine crystal droplets. She has a pinched face, a sharp and severe nose and a prominent collarbone marked by a tiny mole. Her pointed chin and delicate bone structure contribute to the waifish appearance of her visage. She has scintillating prismatic lacquer brushed onto her neatly kempt fingernails.
She has an oval blood red eye tattoo on her neck, some inked whorls of mist on her arm, an eight-tined star tattooed in lapis ink on the top of her right hand, and a winged lark-shaped mark on her leg.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a multitude of twinkling arathiel beads draped like starlight across the collarbone, an off-shoulder pewter bourde gown trailing shimmering flounces of fuliginous taffeta, a silver-framed bracelet inset with skyglass panels, a lor signet ring, and a pair of night-hued tulle lace shoes lofted on nacreous glass heels.
Missoni smiles warmly, taking a few paces toward those gathered. Her skirts rustle lightly in the early autumn night.
Missoni begins, "I am so happy to be able to share with you more about a lesser known aspect of Faendryl culture: glasswork."
Missoni curiously asks, "How many of you are currently carrying or wearing something made of glass? May I see a show of hands?"
[much hand-raising commences]
Akonite says, "I think all of us, likely."
Missoni nods approvingly.
Speaking to Anstara, Missoni asks, "Would you mind sharing what you have?"
Anstara removes a small oak-framed mirror from in his black leather backpack.
The silvered arctic fox scampers about and pants with wriggling excitement, springing closer to you and then darting away in a gracefully exuberant game of one-sided tag.
Anstara shows Missoni his oak-framed mirror.
Missoni approvingly exclaims, "Ah, yes!"
Speaking to Anstara, Missoni says, "Quite practical."
Anstara says, "Gotta make sure I look good."
Missoni says, "So we see, glass as a material is prevalent in our daily lives. We may wear it." She pauses to brush her fingertips across the luminous arathiel beads resting at her collarbone. "We may even drink from it, or use it in our home to let the light in and keep the chill out. Thus, many cultures have developed processes aimed toward making beautiful, practical, and coveted works of glass."
The dog cocks its head to one side and raises its muzzle up into the air, sniffing anxiously. After a moment, the fur of its ruff bristles, and it begins to growl at the shadows.
Missoni explains, "Faendryl have developed a type of glasswork called vaelfyren that utilizes the heat from balefire to manipulate the glass, a process that has become known as baleglazing."
Missoni says, "I would like to share with you the cultural importance of this process and some examples of it, so I will first provide some general background on Faendryl art and the history of glasswork in our culture."
Missoni continues, "Then, I will discuss vaelfyren as an intersection of glasswork and sorcery, as well as the process involved in its creation."
Missoni says, "I will conclude with a brief example of my own interpretation of the process, which utilizes found sea glass. Sea glass is a material that, as you might expect, is not in large supply in New Ta'Faendryl."
Missoni grins wryly.
(Missoni takes a small sip of champagne, clearing her throat lightly in the silence.)
Xorus whispers, "You have as much sea glass as you want, if you sink enough Ashrim ships."
The dog wanders over to Xorus and sniffs at him suspiciously for a moment.
Missoni cheerfully states, "Firstly, then, some general background on Faendryl art."
Missoni notes, "I will not be delving into some of the larger movements in painting and sculpture as part of this discussion for the sake of brevity. Rather, I will focus on events and circumstances that lead to the development of vaelfyren."
Akonite removes a contoured ivory glass ampoule shrouded in gauzy silk from in her courier bag.
Akonite indicates her ivory glass ampoule with a smile.
Missoni says, "We can trace the importance of found art in Faendryl culture to the time of our departure from the Elven Empire."
A multitude of barely audible whispers reach your ears, promising knowledge and power for anyone who calls upon them. After a few moments of cajoling, the sourceless whispers fade to silence one by one.
(Missoni clasps her hands behind her back and takes a few steps toward the right side of the benches, nodding solemnly in Akonite'ss direction.)
Missoni explains, "Those first years in the caves of Maelshyve were sparse, and that scarcity influences us even today, from the prevalence of bats and insects used in Faendryl cuisine..." She pauses to nod slightly at Nazarr. "...to the practice of self-expression using unusual objects, the repurposed and the reused."
Missoni says, "Archaeologist Eveilir Waldshyn Faendryl writes of the evidence of continuing artistic practice found in caves."
Missoni removes a painted ecru leather volume from on a rose-etched silver music stand.
The smell of acrid ink fills the air as Missoni opens her ecru leather volume.
Missoni notes, "The translation from the original Faendryl is mine."
Missoni reads, "We found discarded tools such as the carved handles of paintbrushes and materials such as ground stone and insects for pigment in the former living quarters. These tools were often stored near survival necessities such as weapons and cookery, suggesting that they were held in similar esteem by their owners."
Missoni continues, "Further, some painted stone tablets from this era have survived in the care of the Basilica that provide yet more insight into our Faendryl ancestors."
Missoni says, "Paper was likely carefully rationed and more prone to changes in the environment." She thumbs the vellum pages in her book thoughtfully. "Heartier mediums like stone were sometimes favored for creating art and even for writing important documents at that time, despite their seeming unwieldiness."
Missoni snaps her ecru leather volume shut with a puff of dust.
Missoni remarks, "We do what we must."
Missoni winks at you.
Missoni put a painted ecru leather volume on a rose-etched silver music stand.
You nod in agreement at Missoni.
Missoni says, "Artwork using pigment and stone often accounts for the medium by creatively employing the natural occlusions, edges, and other formations of the stone as part of the piece itself."
Missoni states, "In the stone painting Beyond the Veil by an unknown artist, for example, a complex geometric pattern is painted around a fissure formed at the center of the stone tablet. The piece can then be hung to place a person of object in its center."
(Missoni holds her hands together in front of her face, thumbs and forefingers touching so she is peering through a circle at those gathered.)
Missoni says, "Art historians see Beyond the Veil as a comment on extraplanar travel. The precise geometry clearly resembles a planar rift, but the subject at the work's center shifts based on both the display location and the viewer's perspective."
(Missoni slowly pans the audience with her hands, pausing on Lahanna to give her a brief wink before dropping them to her sides.)
Missoni adds, "Glass, of course, is naturally occurring like stone, though there are some processes developed for turning sand into glass."
Missoni says, "At its most basic, glass is created when lightning strikes the sand, heating and fusing it."
Missoni thoughtfully says, "If you have visited the Sea of Fire you may be familiar with the phenomenon. It is known there as lightning glass and is used in all manner of adornment."
(Missoni allows the lantern's light to shine through her lightning glass before setting it down again.)
Ysharra says, "The zealots out there won't ransack themselves."
Anstara says, "Is that similar to when I hit stone walls with a fireball and it turns all smooth? I didn't realize that was glass."
Speaking to Missoni, Kiyna says, "I've the same shard, I believe."
Missoni says, "Glass was, therefore, in supply in the desert during those early years in the caves, and archaeologists have found glass jewelry and artifacts among works of art created with stone and pigment."
Speaking to Anstara, Akonite says, "Do you smash someone into it? Could just be a little blood polish."
Speaking to Kiyna, Missoni remarks, "They are quite common in the right locale."
Missoni warmly says, "Because they are easier to transport than stone, there are also some examples passed down by families as we established the New City."
Missoni says, "And this brings us to my second major point, the intersection of art and sorcery."
(Missoni pauses to take another sip of champagne, letting her words hang in the air for a moment.)
Missoni observes, "I am sure many here have heard sorcery called an 'art.' Perhaps we may see another show of hands?"
[hand-raising intensifies]
Speaking to Missoni, Akonite exclaims, "I knew this would be a grand lecture. It is!"
Speaking amusedly to Akonite, Missoni says, "It could go completely wrong from here on."
Missoni says, "Those who practice sorcery do often deem it an art. Likewise, sorcery is regarded as an art throughout much of Faendryl culture, to the extent that Faendryl often refer to it as *The* Art."
Missoni says, "It only follows, then, that the art of sorcery would find its way into the practice of the fine arts--into the development of techniques for sculpture, painting, and performance."
Missoni says, "One such example is in the process known as baleglazing, which produces a unique type of glass known as baleglass or vaelfyren."
Missoni says, "Many forms of glasswork involve glassblowing: reheating the glass, turning it to molten, and then reshaping it by exhaling into a slim metal pipe."
Missoni slowly empties her lungs.
With an imperious flick of its plume-like tail, a large black cat saunters in and pauses to regard its surroundings with a narrow-eyed gaze. Having seen nothing that merits its immediate attention, the black cat moves on.
The dog hovers protectively by Missoni's side, baring its teeth at nothing in particular.
Missoni glances away.
Missoni murmurs, "Well, it is hard to hold a cat's attention."
Missoni explains, "Baleglazing works on the same principle. The difference is that the sorcerer manipulates the heat source, balefire, magically and therefore has more control over it." She pauses to take a few steps amidst the row of benches, weaving between them. "Using this technique, the sorcerer forms the glass around and even within the fire."
Missoni excitedly says, "The result is that complicated shapes are far more possible, and different colors of glass may be melted and fused together more easily." She begins talking animatedly with her hands as she continues making her way around the benches. "The extreme heat and pattern of the flame lends a unique, almost liquified swirl to the final product."
Missoni thoughtfully muses, "It is perhaps not coincidental that in the caves of Maelshyve, where water was uncommon, this technique allowed artists to create an ocean-like effect with glass."
(Missoni rounds the back of the benches and moves toward her stand again as she speaks. "I have here an example of my own creation that I presented at Cairnfang Manor's Art Festival in Solhaven.")
Missoni says, "As you can perhaps see, I melted the glass to mimic the hue and texture of the ocean." She reaches out to trace the swirled pattern with her fingertips. "I was also able to imbed several small crystal fish within the glass, inserting them while the glass was liquid and then allowing the sphere to cool around them."
Missoni says, "In keeping with Faendryl tradition, I prefer to work with found materials. In this case, I used sea glass collected on the shores and beaches near my residence in Solhaven."
sJ>look glass
Bits of melted sea glass swirl together to create the translucent shell of a hollow globe which rests on a simple stand of driftwood. Deep lazuline gradates to pale celadon amidst ripples of misty grey, the textured surface and blended colors mimicking the eddies of a heaving sea. While not apparent at first glance, several silvery fish are suspended at the center of the orb. They glint with iridescent hues when light filters through the colored glass, casting dancing prisms on nearby surfaces.
There appears to be something written on it.
sJ>read glass
In the Common language, it reads:
"The Origin of Fishcakes" by Missoni Sabretache Faendryl - Second Place, 5122 Solhaven Grand Art Exhibit
Missoni clearly concludes, "I would like to end with a note on display, and a small demonstration."
Missoni cocks her head at Anstara.
Speaking to Missoni, Hiea asks, "You have a house on the beach?"
Anstara asks, "How do you get the inclusions in without burning yourseslf?"
Speaking to Hiea, Missoni says, "In the Freeport, which is near the beach."
Speaking to Hiea, Perigourd says, "It's more a dark and spooky alleyway."
Speaking to Anstara, Missoni says, "Ah, by manipulating the glass around the fire. I also sometimes use an assistant." She nods gratefully at her dog. "who is not so afraid of fire."
Missoni explains, "Like many glass pieces, baleglass is best displayed near a light source. Light best showcases the structure and color of the glass. If I were the shade the glass..."
Missoni carefully places a tall flute of strawberry champagne on the ground.
Missoni gazes intently at a tall flute of strawberry champagne while appearing to concentrate. Blackness encroaches upon your vision and you notice Missoni's shadow begins to move towards the strawberry champagne. The champagne fades from view as an errant shadow falls into place.
Missoni's shadow begins to split into two pieces, one returning to its position near her, and the other isolated where the strawberry champagne used to be.
Missoni removes an orb of fused sea glass swirled with vert and aquamarine from on a rose-etched silver music stand.
(Missoni holds her sphere within the shadow, blocking much of the ambient light from reaching the piece. The glass seems to lose its luster, the colors appearing muted and less vibrant. The sparkling fish at the center disappear in the darkness.)
Missoni says, "We can see it takes something away from the effect."
Missoni flicks her hand at an errant shadow and its form begins to unravel...
The errant shadow begins to waver and unravel before your eyes. Tendrils of black essence spiral off and disappear into nothingness as the an errant shadow begins to slowly sink into the ground. The surface begins to boil rapidly like hot oil before the last remaining fiber of the an errant shadow vanishes.
Missoni put an orb of fused sea glass swirled with vert and aquamarine on a rose-etched silver music stand.
Missoni says, "In contrast, display in a well-lighted room can bring the colors to life and send striking prismatic displays along the walls. The lightshow is often regarded as a sort of art in itself."
Missoni says, "One tradition that has been documented from our time in Maelshyve is a sort of light show created when vaelfyren is illuminated with balefire. Historians suspect the practice originated thanks to the lack of light in the depths of the caverns. But, even now, some museums display pieces in darkened spaces lit solely by balefire."
Anstara says, "Ethereally beautiful."
Missoni happily agrees, "The effect can be quite breathtaking."
(Missoni opens her palm to reveal a small sphere of greenish-black flame. She holds the flame behind the sphere, allowing it to illuminate the glass. The sphere immediately takes on the light's lurid cast, the blues and greens dancing like a murky lagoon in the moonlight. Amongst the colors, the silvery fish flash, seeming to almost swim in the warm light.)
(Anstara leans forward, their eyes wide with wonder.)
Missoni concludes, "Thank you all ever so much for listening." She closes her hand, extinguishing the greenish flame and the dancing light within the sphere. "Please let me know if I may answer any questions."
Speaking to Missoni, Akonite says, "So the elemental within the magic remains. Lingering and dancing in a riot of color."
Speaking to Akonite, Missoni agrees, "There is still a good bit of the elemental in sorcery."
Ysharra exclaims, "Thank you, Missoni! That was fascinating!"
(Nazarr whispers, "Beautiful.")
Missoni happily says, "Thank you all."