The twinkling lights of countless constellations flare visibly within the skies, heralding the arrival of the Navigator.
You see Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian shout, "Greetin's, Lord Darvellan!"
The divine voice of Darvellan, the Navigator reverberates powerfully, "Greetings indeed, shard."
A flare of light precedes an explosion of stars, revealing Darvellan in their midst.
Bandeon bows respectfully to Darvellan.
You press your palms together over your heart and bow humbly to Darvellan while chanting a harmonic mantra. Darvellan's eyes light up with profound peace.
You say, "Greetings, Lord Navigator."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Greetin's, Lord Darvellan."
You smile and say, "It is an honour to meet You. To what may we owe this pleasure?"
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "Greetings indeed, shards."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "The tour I was being given was not completed last I was here."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Ah! Then we should certainly finish it."
You nod your head emphatically.
Bandeon's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "From wha' I understand, ye made it nae farther than the Cantors?"
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "And the Cathedral where you worship the half-formed, after that."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Alrigh'. So... the cathedral..."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "I suppose the park would be another good place ta show Ye."
Beneath the Archway of Celestial Remembrance. (City of New Celest)
The air is filled with motes of light emanating from a healing shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Lush greenery surrounds you suddenly, overwhelming the senses briefly. Loamy soil, rich plants and alabaster sculptures erupt from the grounds in the distance, the curving marble path twisting out of sight to the northeast. Much of the gardens from here can be seen to varying degrees, due to the terraced nature of the gardens - most immediately, the warm, inviting sands of the terraces to the south draw the passerby towards them, while eastwards the lush plant-life half-obscures angelic sculptures and barely obfuscates a calling, alluring psalm. Above, the Archway of Celestial Remembrance glistens in a resplendent beauty, its white-wood trellis base decorated in a flush of delicate white plumes, the gifts of angels that had, long ago, crossed beneath it. A glistening plaque of marble and coral has been affixed to one wall, just inside the Gardens. Darvellan, the Navigator stands here, surrounded by a mist of twinkling starlight. He wields an eloquent silver rapier in His left hand. Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian is here.
You see exits leading northeast, south, and west.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "This be one o' the gardens in the city. This one in particular 'as a lot o' very fine sculpture."
Bandeon looks about himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
A section in the water gardens with arcing streams. (City of New Celest)
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. This terrace, just two wooden steps higher than the terrace to the south, is covered with the same white marble featured in the rest of the gardens. Yet, the marble ground is broken up by large, curved holes in the ground, as if segments of thick concentric circles of different sizes were haphazardly cut out. From these gaps in the marble spout out graceful arcs of water, some as thick as a merian arm, others seemingly as fine as thread, rising up to varying heights as tall as an average human. The arcs connect different openings in the marble, and the sheer number of such arcs form a complex network of water on this terrace. Through the holes in the marble, a large body of water is seen as the source and recipient of these graceful liquid bows, and the thinness of the marble ground suggests that it is all suspended on top of the water. At the centre of it all is a carefully sculpted statue of one of the manifestations of the might of elemental Waters. The continual splashing here is on the verge of being a dull roar, while the movement of air carries the feeling and scent of the dampness of water. Twisting about herself in marble eddies, Kintyre, Lady of the Rip Tide towers here in pale
resplendence.
You see a single exit leading south.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Some o' the Tide Lords."
Bandeon's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.
Bandeon looks about himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "You shards of Meridian seem fond of sculptures and statues in your city."
Feren enters from the south, emanating an aura of immense power.
Feren bows respectfully to Darvellan.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Well, I'm a shard o' Orclachmar..."
Feren McCloud says, "Rare shards indeed, those."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "Indeed you are, but you fit in rather well with Meridian's shards."
Feren flashes Bandeon a joyous smile.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "I've been in this city fer close ta three centuries, Lord."
You say, "The statues serve to protect the city as well as memorialise those notable members of Celest."
Feren McCloud says, "That for mortals is a very long time, Lord."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "I was the firs' champion o' the Paladins... I guess tha' much time aroond merians gets ye thinkin' like 'em, somewhat."
Bandeon's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "Indeed, I can see how that could be."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "But, on ta the Star Palace!"
Vaulted hallway within the Star Palace. (City of New Celest)
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. This long, thin hall leads the length of
the building and is forested by rows of beautifully carved wooden beams, which lead into buttresses.
Dozens of doors open to offices with small signs on their doors indicating various municipal clerks
that tend to taxes, housing permits, marriage records, licenses, and all manner of bureaucratic
paper pushing. At the end of the hallway, opposite the great wooden doors, rises a double set of
stairs winding up and around the left and right sides of a fountain, to a second storey loft of
large rooms visible through glass walls.
You see exits leading southwest and out.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "This be the Star Palace, seat o' the governemt."
Bandeon looks about himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "I guess ye could it's where oor First Circle meets."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "Ah, of course. A fine place it is for meetings."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Aye, it be a fine construction."
The Celestial Sea Ballroom. (City of New Celest)
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. This grandiose ballroom is wreathed in pearlescent walls that soar high overhead to support a resplendent, glass-tiled dome panelled with crystal-clear windows, allowing an unobstructed view of Celest's empyrean skies. A ring of five slender, glistening coral columns upholds the dome overhead, sculpted into the silhouettes of the Holy Supernals of Celestia, offering blessings upon all who pass beneath their auspices. Limned in silver, several clerestory windows of stained glass line the upper walls, portraying the luminous figures of seraphic angels, towering archangels, radiant devas, and rosy cherubs outlined against sunny azure skies. Nine lively fountains of cascading tiers, each sculpted as a representation of the seaside city's beacons, lie close to the walls in fanciful sprays and tricklings of crystalline water; inset with polished sea glass, the raised edges of their basins provide a comfortable place for ball-goers to rest and converse. The dance floor is wrought of milky alabaster, inlaid with beautiful, translucent panels of pale green sea glass that create a many-rayed replica of the Star of Celest. Through the panels, the rippling Inner Sea waters can be seen, the silvered and golden flickers of fish and other marine creatures flashing in and out of sight as they traverse a colourful underwater garden, filled with sea anemone, coral, and seaweed beds. An elegant chandelier of mother-of-pearl hangs suspended from the centre of the room, dripping in nacreous tiers of light.
You see a single exit leading northwest.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "This be oor Ballroom."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Lady Carakhan was actually verra involved in its design."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "I thought it seemed exceedingly beautiful..."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "How often does She dance here?"
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Well... She's nae got legs, anymore..."
You glance askance.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "But we' ave a large festival 'ere, e'ery few years."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "Ah, yes, I saw the statue, but there are ways around that, I am sure."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Aye, I am sure. Ta tell the truth, Lord, me wife was runnin' the last ball, an' I was a bit befuddled meself."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "Your wife being...?"
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Eccle... Eclle... Meliana McCloud. Cannae e'er pronounce the blasted title."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "Ah, another McCloud."
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "She be the guildmaster o' the Celestines, as well as the heid o' Lady Carakhan's order."
Bandeon chuckles long and heartily.
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "A fine family, if the shard Feren here is any example."
Feren beams broadly.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Aye, m'lord. Ye cannae throw a rock in this city withoot hittin' one o' us."
The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.
The soft lambency of passing hummingbirds filters in from outside, shedding light on a dark night.
Lord General Bandeon Culhain, Light's Guardian says, "Perhaps Ye would like ta see oor harbor?"
Feren McCloud says, "The hummingbirds seem especially active today."
Darvellan, the Navigator says, "A harbour? Of course."
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Little chance of it, but imagine if he had said, "Perhaps I've made a mistake." and went elsewhere.
I become a wave when I walk, they probably washed away for good this time.
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