HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES
Jaegon goes to Ista with a group of friends, on a mission: to buy the extremely pregnant Siara something she can't get at Igen, to remind her that people love her, not just the coming baby.
Grego, after waiting a moment or two, steps into the hatching grounds.
"This way," he says rather unnecessarily.
Grego walks into the Hatching Grounds through one of the large entrances.
You walk in through one of the large entrances to the hatching grounds,
your eyes adjusting slowly to the dimness within.
Hatching Entrance
You stand at the entrance to the Hatching Grounds. Before you the cavern
spreads out to the north and east. It is enormous to say the least, and
the gentle breeze blowing in through the entrance behind you, to the
southwest accentuates its size. Spreading around the back side of the
grounds itself are the Galleries, where guests can sit and watch the
action and quietly cheer candidates on. Below that is the black sand
itself, where the candidates stand.
Twin arches lead out into the expanse of the bowl. Ledges overhead
provide space for winged creatures, and a set of stone seats begin nearby.
Contents:
Grego
Obvious exits:
Main Seating Hatching Sands Bowl
A'wyn walks in from the bowl.
Elen walks in from the bowl.
A'wyn sighs, "Reminds me so much of my own hatching.."
Jaegon looks around. "I forgot the sands here were black."
A'wyn glances to Jaegon and nods, "Forgot that too..."
Looking out onto the sands, you can feel as if you were almost there.
What you think you see is...
Hatching Sands(#1296RAas$)
The black sand beneath your feet reminds you of standing on a beach at
midday. Heat from the sands pentrates to your feet, making you
uncomfortable. This huge cavern arcs over your head in black matte rock,
while the tiers of the Galleries provide seating for spectators. A
glorious array of eggs lie spread across the heated obsidian-glimmering
sands of the Istan Hatching grounds. Scattered on the midnight-dark
grains like jewels across velvet or the bright speckles of stars in the
evening sky, eggs glimmer in all hues: brightly-colored violets are
mounded about by sand, mixing with vermilion, viridian, pastel shades
with delicate traceries of designs. The most prominent of these is the
richly gleaming luminescence of a solitary golden egg, taking the pride
of place among the clutch, and cradled protectively by Phediath.
(Type 'view eggs' to see a list of visible eggs.)
Besides the span of the galleries to the south, one can head over towards
the entrance to the hatching grounds, or into one of the Queen's tunnels
to the southeast and southwest.
Contents:
Solarith(#8900Jaeps$)
Phediath
Obvious exits:
Dragon Ledges Main Entrance Southeast Tunnel Southwest Passage
Elen climbs up a flight of stairs into the galleries.
Grego climbs up a flight of stairs into the galleries.
You climb some stairs into the galleries.
Hatching Galleries -- Ista Weyr(#1300RDIJs$)
The galleries provide more than adequate seating for guests who have been
invited to watch a hatching. There are ten tiers, that arch in a
semi-circle from the southwest to west side of the black stone cavern.
Stairs lead down to the entrances, which are visible beyond the large
gaping opening leading to the Senior Queen's Weyr. You have a view of the
Hatching Sands as well as a clear view of the ledges up above you.
The people here are Elen, and Grego.
Scattered among the smaller perches are firelizards, including Shiva.
Stairs to the southwest lead out to the Hatching Grounds entrance. Type
'view' to see the Sands.
A'wyn climbs up some stairs into the seats.
Grego gestures towards the eggs, with a quick grin. "There they are." He
adds, to save the guests some counting, "Thirty-four of them."
A'wyn blinks, "SHIVA!" A'wyn looks dark surprised. "By the first
egg...What are you doing here?"
Shiva just warbles curiously, as if he did nothing wrong.
Jaegon bows deeply to Phediath and Solarith. "Congratulations! What a
flight for such a clutch!" His voice is admiring.
A'wyn smiles at Jaegon then looks to Grego, "Which one is your favorite?"
Grego indicates a particularly flashy green and red egg. "That'n. But all
of them are neat. I didn't know there'd be such variety!"
A'wyn grins, "My Asaleth came out of my favorite egg. Maybe yours will
too."
You look out.
The black sand beneath your feet reminds you of standing on a beach at
midday. Heat from the sands pentrates to your feet, making you
uncomfortable. This huge cavern arcs over your head in black matte rock,
while the tiers of the Galleries provide seating for spectators. A
glorious array of eggs lie spread across the heated obsidian-glimmering
sands of the Istan Hatching grounds. Scattered on the midnight-dark
grains like jewels across velvet or the bright speckles of stars in the
evening sky, eggs glimmer in all hues: brightly-colored violets are
mounded about by sand, mixing with vermilion, viridian, pastel shades
with delicate traceries of designs. The most prominent of these is the
richly gleaming luminescence of a solitary golden egg, taking the pride
of place among the clutch, and cradled protectively by Phediath.
(Type 'view eggs' to see a list of visible eggs.)
Lying scattered about the dark sands, you see:
1 Yellow Brick
2 Prunes and Prisms
3 Silent Wind
4 Blazing Defiance
5 Shimmery Silver
6 Spell-bound Beauty
7 Ancient Cunning
8 Magnificent Host
9 Blithe Felicity
10 Sandy Scarred
11 Crimson Pool
12 Shabby Velveteen
13 Putrid Earth
14 Shattered Serenity
15 Rope Burn
16 Chambers of the Sea
17 Closing Circle
18 Snow-Decked Forest
19 Mirthful Elegance
20 Elemental Mists
21 Alchemical Fire
22 Knowledge Hungry
23 Melancholy Midnight
24 Red-White Whiskered
25 Deceptively Plain
26 Cursed Landscape
27 Byzantine Opulence
28 Before and After Midnight
29 Scholarly Pride
30 Frightful Mouth
31 Swans and Eagles
32 Large Plain White
33 Childhood Mysteries
34 Raven-Black
(Type 'view egg <#>' to see that egg and its credits.)
Childhood Mysteries
Its red-flecked surface dancing with unspent energy, this egg
fulfills with a visual vow the many promises of youth. Flittering dots
abound across the bright green landscape of the hardening oval in utter
abandon, ready to shoot onward and through the sky, declaring in
victorious tones how easy 'tis to up and fly. The erratic spirit of this
shell's coloring encompasses all the joy of childhood games before it
inevitably becomes a casualty of age and worry, faced with the imminence
of its hatching.
For awhile, at least, its exuberance will surely stand unmarred,
uncracked, and unabashed upon the Sands.
Credited to Madelynda and inspired by the title character of _Peter Pan_
by J. M. Barrie.
Grego stands rather uncertainly, half-moving towards a seat, then flashes
a returning grin to A'wyn. "I hope so. Though I guess I'd be glad if
he--or she--came out of any egg."
Blazing Defiance
Flaming oranges and scarlets twine along the shell of this egg,
lending a brilliant backdrop for the velvety emerald swath that covers
one side from base to middle. Surmounting this verdant splash of color is
an oval of the purest alabaster, surrounded by apparently wind-whipped
swirls and curls of chocolate brown. The image seems to coalesce into the
form of a stately yet defiant lady, her shadowy fist raised to a fiery
sun setting onto the shell's far curve. The fact that this egg lies
somewhat separate from the rest only accentuates its aloofness and
dignity.
Credited to T'saren and inspired by Scarlet O'Hara of _Gone with the
Wind_ by Margaret Mitchell.
Ancient Cunning
This egg has a slight flaw in its character. The shell seems
ancient and wrinkled, its smooth finish given the illusion of age by the
striated, weathered tan which provides its hue. Surprisingly bright
flashes of color flicker here and there across the egg, however--pools of
cunning bright-eye black, flickers of precious jade and pearl, the golden
splash of impure coins adulterated with copper. Overall, the egg presents
itself as enwrapped by a crafty, antique philosopher and rogue.
Credited to Merellia and inspired by "My surname is Li and my personal
name is Kao, and I have a slight flaw in my character" from _Bridge of
Birds: A Novel of Ancient China that Never Was_ by Barry Hughart.
A'wyn grins, "That was my idea too."
Blithe Felicity
Frightfully bright red adorns the surface of this egg, its warm
lustre crying out for attention; and yet the egg itself tilts slightly
backward, pulled toward the lyrical allure of black sand. Mischievously
winking specks of grey, like sparkles in a maiden's eye, dance through
loosely-plaited, braided swirls. Dark splotches of troubling color haunt
the surface, but are chased away beyond the curve by gleeful, laughing
yellow.
Credited to Phaedra and inspired by the heroine of the _Anne of Green
Gables_ series by L. M. Montgomery.
Sandy Scarred
The dry heat of Igen manifests visibly across the landscape of
this egg. Sand-colored, the shade of a mainland hold beach rather than
Ista's black sand, it is almost uniform in hue--almost, that is, since
two sets of pale white lines run along the beige oval on each side, as if
a wild feline had gained access to the Sands and lost its temper, slashing
with violent claws permanent scars upon the surface. The injured egg is,
nevertheless, relatively large and stands slightly away from the rest of
the clutch.
Credited to Lusani and inspired by the Sandtiger of _Sword-Dancer_ by
Jennifer Roberson.
Jaegon points out. "That one looks like Igen's sands."
Grego's gaze rests on A'wyn for a moment, though it can't be discerned
whether thoughtfulness or envy are present. As Jaegon points, though, he
turns back to the sands, glancing at the egg in question. "That it does,"
he agrees, with a chuckle. "Can the queens have any say on what the eggs
look like, do you know?" The question is asked to the Igenites in general.
You say "Mother never said she could."
A'wyn shakes his head, "Nope. It just..happens. And _fast_."
Grego turns to Jaegon, then. "Mother?" he inquires. "Uh. Who's your
mother?"
A'wyn snorts at Jaegon, "A goldrider's son."
Elen winks to Jaegon. "Not a bad thing to be huh?"
You say "My mother is Jaela, she's junior weyrwoman at Igen."
Jaegon looks at Elen. "It has its moments." Then he grins and winks.
Elen chuckles. "Jaela...well she is a character...a real character."
A'wyn sighs wistfully and looks to Elen, "It seems like it was just
yesterday when I looked into his eyes, Elen...is it always like this?"
Grego nods just a bit. "Okay. Jaela." Then he pauses, lips quirking into
a grin. "All right, I know who your mother is, but I didn't quite catch
your name, and 'Jaela's son' doesn't strike me as a particularly nice
form of address."
Jaegon grins. "Jaegon, sorry. I guess I introduced myself before you came
out."
Elen chuckles at Wyn. "In a word...yes! Though it gets a little less so
with time."
Grego murmurs a "Well met," adding, "I'm Grego. Could you tell me who the
others are, or should I interrupt their talking?" His eyes gleam with a
hint of mischief.
You say "That's Elen, and the other is A'wyn. They don't bite."
A'wyn grins at Grego, "You make me sound like I'm some old uncle. I'm
A'wyn."
Grego murmurs to Jaegon, "Well, you never can tell, with riders." And
then he pauses. "Uh, not to say anything about your mother, of course."
He closes his mouth, contenting himself with nods to A'wyn and Elen.
"Still Grego," he adds.
A'wyn grins, "What was your Search like, Grego?"
Jaegon leand on the tier and gazes over the sand.
Grego says succinctly, "Wet." He laughs, then quickly modulates the sound
as it echoes somewhat. "Sooth likes to slobber, I guess. And he didn't
want to let me go to get my stuff."
A'wyn laughs loudly, "That sounds a lot like mine!"
Elen senses "Jaegon's shoulders are getting a bit tight."
A'wyn blinks and glances to Elen, "I keep forgetting you were there with
Kineth when it happened." he grins at Elen and oddly goes to hug her. He
releases the Bluerider and sits back down.
Grego's gaze flickers between weyrling and bluerider. "Maybe slobber's an
integral thing in Search, or something. I just know that I'm glad I'd not
spilled anything on my tunic, beforehand."
Elen smiles at Wyn softly. "Hey....how can you forget me huh?" She
teases.
You sense Elen raises one brow,
A'wyn smiles at Elen, "Well I can't really, you're always just behind me
watching me." he ducks, grinning.
Grego takes advantage of the riders' chatter to peer towards the eggs,
thumbs tucked into his belt.
Elen hits a plam to her head. "Oh now there was I thinking I am doing my
job!" She gives Jaegon a soft smile before she too looks at the eggs.
Jaegon doesn't seem to notice the chatter as he looks out at the
half-buried eggs.
Elen smiles again at Jaegon. "Still seems strange does it not?"
Jaegon looks up. "Sorry, were you talking to me?"
Elen nods to jaegon. "I was indeed, musing on how the eggs are always,
well so different no matter how many times you see them."
Grego glances back to the riders. "I should probably get back to my
chores," he says, somehow managing not to jump with joy at the prospect.
"Unless you'd like to take some refreshment in the living cavern?"
Grego adds, with an innocent grin, "I'd almost -have- to come help with
the serving, if you did that."
A'wyn grins, "That'd be great."
Jaegon chuckles. "Every time! I've been going to Hatchings since I can
remember..." he breaks off to grin at Grego. "Seems you were assigned to
be our guide, candidate. I'd hate to see you wander off and leave us
helpless in a strange weyr!"
A'wyn glances at Elen, "Or do we have to leave?"
Grego gives Jaegon a delighted grin. "You know, you're right. I mean, you
might somehow wander off and get lost, and then I'd have that on my
conscience. I'd hate for that to happen."
Elen smiles at Grego warmly. "Well, if you can take the time and trouble
I would love to go to the cavern." She winsk to A'wyn.
A'wyn beams, "Good."
You say "You just KNOW I have no sense of direction! Really! I might wind
up lost in the inner tunnels!"
Jaegon is grinning widely.
Grego nods seriously to Jaegon, though he can't quite control the
twitching of his lips. "Well, I'll just have to stay with you until you
leave--or were you wanting to go with the bluerider to the living
cavern?" He glances inquiringly at A'wyn, too.
Elen shakes her head. "How come I get all the good young men huh?"
Sheteases.
A'wyn grins, "I just want to go to the living cavern." he stands
Elen gets ready to follow Grego.
Grego, after glancing at Jaegon to assure himself that the other is all
right with the change of scene, heads towards the exit. "Right this way.
Not that you could miss it."
Jaegon stands. "I could eat," he admits. He waves to the proud dragon
parents again and follows Grego.
Elen walks in from the bowl.
A'wyn walks in from the bowl.
A'wyn blinks as he gets used to the light in the living cavern and
smiles, nodding to everyone.
Dorn glances up at all the new arrivals and waves a hello to them.
Elen wanders in an looks about a bit. Then, seeing as she spots a more
than familiar face she beams and almost runs over. "Bronia!"
Kaci blinks at all the newcomers, and gets to her feet automatically.
"Afternoon. Anything I can get for you all?"
Grego, looking just a bit smug, dashes off a salute to the riders present
before inquiring of the Igenites, "What can I get for you?" As Elen
apparently recognizes one of the riders, he pauses.
Dorn snorts softly and rises to his feet, forgetting who he is for a
moment. "Aye, same here, if ye need anythin...oh, hello Elen" he says
with a smile as he recognizes the rider from Igen.
A'wyn grins, "Another Candidate I presume. Redfruit juice if you have it,
please?" he asks politely and goes to a seat roughly in the same position
his chair at Igen is.
Jaegon grins and says to Grego "Just water, thanks."
Bronia eyes Grego for a second with a raised eyebrow, then struggles to
her feet. "Heya big sister." She goes over to hug Elen.
A'wyn nods to Lusani politely, "Igen's duty, Bluerider,"
Caryn watches all the activity
Lusani looks over at the newcomers and smiles, "Ista's duties to Igen and
your Queens..." she replies to A'wyn. "Nice to see all of you here. I'm
Lusani."
Elen stands back a little. "Uhoh....me thinks you are a little bit bigger
dear." She winks.
Kaci chuckles, moving to fetch the juice for the rider. "Just like being
home again. Juice, juice, juice..." She pours a tall glass for A'wyn and
sets it before him with a flourish before returning to her seat.
Grego flickering a grin as he hears Kaci ask the same question that he
did, suggests to her, "I'll get the water, if you get the juice?"
A'wyn grins at Lusani and nods to her happily, "Well met, I'm A'wyn."
Standing about 5'8, Bronia's long legs and athletic build make her appear
taller. She has fair skin and large, grey-green eyes that seem to change
colour with the light or her mood. Her dark red-brown hair is
closecropped halfway up her ear, giving her face a boyish appearence -
every so often she reaches up absentmindedly to push back the now missing
long locks she once possessed.
Her long legs are enclosed in black wherhide breeches with a loose tunic
over them, as she turns towards you the curve of a belly below the tunic
indicates her pregnancy. Over the tunic she wears a wherhide flying
jacket dyed rust brown with a Wingleader's knot of Ista Weyr - orange and
black with a brown strand denoting the colour of her lifemate. Below the
knot is the patch of Big Bay wing, but sewn to her cuff, half hidden is
the patch of Belior Wing, the wing she was promoted from. She appears
slightly older than her actual age of 22 Turns, 10 months, and 27 days -
a combination of her looks and her confident friendly manner
Caryn decides that the juice looks really good....and gets up to get
herself some.
Bronia snorts. "That's right Elen. Mock the afflicted, why don't you?"
but she's smiling. "And what brings you here? Being nosy about the
clutch?"
Dorn smiles and with a little shrug, seeing the others beat him to
serving anyone, takes a seat back at the table again.
Jaegon mutters to himself, "... soounds just..."
You mutter to yourself, "Golden Faranth, she sounds just like Siara."
Elen smiles. "Hey come one...you have yet to meet my affliction!" She
laughs. "Oh that and wanting to get some weyrlings out and about."
Lusani takes a sip from her glass of juice and grins, "Nicee to meet you.
And how are things at Igen?"
You say "Grego, when can you direct me to Dorn?"
Caryn returns to a chair with her juice.
Kaci blinks at Jaegon, her eyes flicking involuntarily toward Dorn.
Dorn glances over towards Jaegon, then over towards Grego with a puzzled
look on his face. "I be Dorn sir."
Grego, bringing the water over to Jaegon, looks a little puzzled as he
indicates his fellow Candidate. "He's right over there."
Jaegon looks over, blinks a little, and then grins hugely. "DORN! When
Sia said Dorn, I didn't realize she meant you! How are you?"
Bronia eyes A'wyn for a second and then turns back to Elen. "This the
Weyrling in question? Igen dispensed with them having to salute other
riders or is this one just forgetful?"
A'wyn smiles, "Things are wonderful, we should be graduating soon I
believe." he glances at Elen curiously, as if trying to make a point. He
grins back at Lusani, "How are things here?"
Elen groans a little. "Yes....that is the one in question." She peeeeeers
at Wyn.
A'wyn blinks as he glances to Bronia, then peers at Elen, "Have you been
talking to people about me behind my back, Elen-ma'am?"
Jaegon crosses the cavern to Dorn and holds out his hand to be clasped.
Dorn smirks a little at the man. and nods. "I'm just fine thanks. And how
you, and Siara? It's been quite a while."
Lusani watches the conversation, grinning at Dorn's reunion with a friend
of his as well as at A'wyn's announcement. "That's great to hear! Things
are going really well here-if busy, what with Search and all."
Dorn grins and takes Jaegon's hand, shaking it vigorously.
You say "Siara sent greetings. She's very pregnant and can't ride yet,
and we're all watching Ranth to see when she's due to birth. Hopefully
tonight, the way she's complaining."
A'wyn nods, "Aye, things are often busy when Search happens. How many
Candidates does Ista have so far?"
Grego, seeing the riders' chatter, gets his own juice and has a seat,
though he prudently picks a chair near a broom, so he can pick it up and
assume a semblance of industry if necessary.
Elen shakes her head. "I think Bronia was asking for a salute there Wyn?"
Bronia raises the /other/ eyebrow as well. "You've got a Weyrling knot,
young man, I drew the inference." One foot taps the ground lightly.
A'wyn blinks and stands straighter, saluting Bronia crisply, bronzer
style, and bows his head politely, "Sorry ma'am."
Dorn rolls his eyes. "Oy well I hope for everyone's sake the babe comes
out soon. When ye get back tell her our date still stands" he says with a
grin.
Elen chuckles. "Great, bring em here and they show me yp..whatis a girl
to do!"
Grego takes note of A'wyn's salute, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Lal'd
like him," he murmurs, to nobody in particular.
You say "I'll be sure to. She was so disappointed to not be able to come.
Maybe you could pen her a message?"
A'wyn tilts his head, "Lal? Interesting name. Who is she?" he asks
bluntly.
Lusani looks over at Grego, laughing, "Yeah, I bet she would. We'll have
to introduce them or something." At the question, she hmmms and thinks.
"Faranth, at least twenty or so, I think. More coming in all the time.
Dorn nods his head. "Aye, I'll do that" he says with a smile as he
dissapears for a few moments, returning with a fresh hide and grins over
towards Grego. "Found an extra piece" he whispers as he scribbles down a
message of love and luck for the rider before handing it over towards
Jaegon. "There ye are, and I do want to come visit. I've just got to see
this kiddie once it's born and all."
Bronia nods and returns the salute. "Much better." The stern expression
softens a little and she turns back to Elen. "Well, you could always try
what Lyree did to me when I was slow saluting and shovethem back on
barracks mucking duty for the younger weyrlings till their memory
improves." It's not quite clear whther she's joking or not.
Jason enters from the narrow corridor.
Elen shakes her head, "Bronia! You were always as bad...thing is I am
hoping this is just excitement....plese let it be that."
Grego flickers a quick grin to Dorn as he hears the mutter. "I'll have to
get some for m'self." He hears Bronia's words, and winces a bit. "Huh. I
guess I was lucky Lal only pushed me in the cavern." One hand lifts to
greet Jason.
Jaegon rolls the hide and puts it away in his belt pouch. "You know Sia
pretty well, right?"
A'wyn raises a brow at Lusani and Grego and shrugs, "Sounds like the
Weyr's getting awfully busy then, with at least twenty.."
Kaci waves to Jason cheerfully. "Good afternoon, sir!" She grins. "You up
for another meal?"
Dorn snorts softly. "Aye, pretty well. We talked an aweful lot while I
was up at Igen. How come?"
Jason walks into the cavern, ssh'ing his flits, "Go find something to
eat, you three. Go hunt!" he says, shaking them from his vest.
Night flies out of the cavern.
Bronia snickers softly. "By the time Couranth was flying as a weyrling it
was a reflex. If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't, salute it anyway.
When I found myself saluting the doorpost I'd just walked into I came to
the conclusion I was taking it a little too far."
Fire flies out of the cavern.
Jay flies out of the cavern.
You say "Well, everyone's making a big deal over the baby, but no one's
making a big deal over her, herself. So I'm looking for a gift for her of
some kind, from me and Kyleri and some of the others. Maybe you can help
me find something?"
Elen laughs! "My, my...I am glad I never got that bad, though I did find
myself calling K'tel sir today. He was not that amused."
Dorn nods his head with a smile. "Aye, sure I'll help ye. O course ye
know there is a perfume shop in here, though I dunno if Minara has it all
set up yet, but we can take a look."
Kyleri walks in from the bowl.
You say "Perfume'd be wonderful. It's be a great way to lift her
spirits."
Kyleri strolls in fron the bowl. "She's not itchy anymore," she reports
to her fellow Igenites.
A'wyn smiles to Kyleri and sips his juice quietly. "Asaleth just got an
oiling, so I don't think I'll have to worry about it just yet."
Dorn nods his head, thinking for a moment. "Aye well, I'll show all o ye
a bit later the way to it."
Grego snaps his fingers at the mention of Minara's shop. "I still haven't
found her," he mumbles. "Got to talk to her."
Lusani looks over at Kyleri, waving and finishing her lunch. "This is
good to hear." she replies. "Itchy dragons are never a good thing."
Elen waves to Kyleri. "Hey, how l;ong have we got till we ahv4e to take
this lot home?"
Kyleri grins. "Wait until he tells you he's itchy just to get attention,
A'wyn." She smiles around the room.
Dorn finished the last of his redfruit and hops to his feet. "Well we can
always go take a look now if ye really want ta get a good look at all o
the merchandise" he says with a grin as he waves all who want to go to
the perfume shop to follow him.
You say "Kyleri, Elen, I'm taking care of the you-know-what for
you-know-who."
A'wyn laughs softly at Kyleri, and grumps at Elen, "Do we have to go?
Can't Kyleri just teach us about mating flights here?" Or...maybe even
give us first hand experience?" he asks boldly.
Jaegon follows Dorn cheerfully.
Dorn walks down the corridor.
A'wyn raises a brow at Jaegon, "Huh?"
Kyleri chuckles. "Well, if Perith were due to rise..."
Ista Weyr Living Cavern(#1100RJMs$)
The hot midday sun shines into the living cavern here through the bowl
entrance, on the northwestern wall. This huge cavern is filled with
tables, and an occasional rider here or there for the midday meal. Four
large hearths line the northern wall, all actively preparing for the
evening meal, leaving the cavern uncomfortably warm. To the west, a large
tunnel leads out of the cavern, connecting it with the rest of the lower
caverns.
Several huge tapestries, many of them ancient, are hanging on the stone
walls. One particularly glorious one looks to be a study on the finger
rock. You also see several 'places' to sit.
Contents:
Kyleri
Jason(#11555PJOace)
A'wyn
Elen
Grego
Caryn
Bronia
Lusani
Kaci
Betting Scroll
Sandia
Refreshment Table(#15939C)
Carving Table
Serving Table
Obvious exits:
Hearths area Bowl Lower Caverns
Use '+lhelp' for local help.
You walk down the corridor.
West Cavern
This is an oddly shaped cavern, almost resembling a half-empty wineskin
draped over a man's shoulder. Several baskets of glows sit on crevices,
giving the room ample light. Part of this cavern has been sectioned off
as a quiet recreational area of sorts, with chairs and a notice board.
Several tapestries here can be seen. It's a pleasant respite from the
public bustle of the living cavern to the west.
The cavern runs south, along which you can see many rooms opening out
into the rock. East are more rooms, and the archway to the Living Cavern
to the west.
Contents:
Dorn
Obvious exits:
Residents' Dorms Children's Cavern Living Cavern East Cavern
Dorn walks down the cavern to the east.
You walk down the cavern to the east.
East Cavern
This cavern continues from the rooms curving away to the west, and curls
slightly around to the south-southeast as it heads towards the tunnel
leading to the Weyr's entrance. Open-top glass globes of glows are spaced
between every other curtained door that lines the northern and
southeastern run of the cavern. This busy cavern passes through a
narrowing corridor on its southeastern curve. An archway on the
easternmost side of the southern wall leads out of the Weyr.
The cavern narrows to the southeast. On the northeastern wall, a narrow
archway opens into the Meeting Room, another archway to the south leading
to the Bathing Pools. Nearby, a curtained entrance leads into the
Candidates' Quarters.
Contents:
Dorn
Obvious exits:
Candidates' Quarters Bathing Pools Tunnel Out West Cavern Rooms
Meeting Room
Shast walks in from outside the room.
Dorn grins and points over towards Minara's Herbal Scents. "See that,
there it is. Looks like she's out to lunch or somethin." He turns about
towards Shast for a moment and bellows, "Sir."
Jaegon looks over the perfume bottles. "Hmm..." He looks up and smiles at
Shast. "Igen's duties to Ista, sir!"
Shast nods to Dorn and Jaegon's greetings, "Ista's greetings. I'm Shast,
the Steward of this Weyr. What brings you here?"
Dorn smirks a little as he glances over towards Jaegon. "Shopping for a
lady."
You say "I'm here with Elen, blue Kineth's rider, and Kyleri, green
Pierth's rider, and A'wyn, bronze Asedith's rider, and I'm shopping.
Would you believe it?"
Jaegon grins.
Shast nods, "Well, I hope you find something for your lady..." He trails
off, realizing he hasn't caught the man's name yet.
Jaegon laughs. "And if my head wasn't attached, I'd never use it. I'm
Jaegon, sorry."
Dorn grins and returns to look over in the doorway of the shop to see if
he can spy any bottle that could soothe the rider. He spots one, of a
blue color encased in fine gold wiring. "Hey Jaegon" he says, nudging the
man. "How bout that one?"
You say "Excuse me, sir?" politely to Shast and looks where Dorn's
pointing. "Ooh..that's Ranth's very color. I wonder if the perfume is as
nice?"
Shast laughs, "Right, Jaegon. I know quite a few who don't use their
heads anyway, consider yourself lucky." He looks at Dorn for a momment
ant then into the window they are observing. "Perfume? You should be
careful. Not a good idea to get a lady a perfume she doesn't like."
You say "I'll try not to, trust me. I don't want to have to wear it
myself!"
Dorn nods his head towards Shast. "True aye, but most don't mind if
they're light scents and all. I'm thinkin that one is somethin made with
them little purple flowers, not a strong scent at all. Jaegon, when
Minara get's back I'll have a sniff and if it's nice I'll send it back to
ya with me firelizard?"
You say "That would be great, Dorn. I'd really appreciate it."
Shast says, "You'd have to lend him the marks Jaegon, unless he somehow
came upon a fortune. Candidates don't get payed well I hear." He gives a
lopsided grin.
Dorn nods towards Jaegon and then grins towards Shast. "I've got meself
some savings. Won a spot at Bitra a while back at that opening they had
for The Even Odds."
You say "I'd made plans for that, sir. Dorn, here. I don't know what the
rate is, but this should cover it."
Jaegon presses a few mark pieces into Dorn's hand. "Now don't refuse,
because this is not just from me. It's from a lot of people."
Shast nods smiling, "I'm not one for betting myself. The last time I made
a wager, some two or three turns ago, I lost five marks."
Dorn glances down at the new marks in his hand and smiles. "Dinna worry,
I won't refuse, just add a spot of me own in there and I might even be
able to get it wrapped up all nice and pretty" he says, before turning to
Shast. "Well sir, I started out with an eigth and walked away with four
and a half. Guess it's different for everyone."
Perith(#2896IJaes$)
Mounted on Perith's broad neck, you get a clear view of your
surroundings. Muscles ripple strongly below you as the green moves or
flies.
Contents:
Kyleri
Kyleri grins at Jaegon. "I've got a class to run for the weyrlings, so
I've got to go..."
Jaegon unbuckles himself as you land and gives Perith a caress. "Thank
you, Perith. And thanks, Kyleri. It's in the bag."
Jaegon grins.
Kyleri grins. "Good! See you later, hey?"
Jaegon nods as he slides down. "Have fun with the class."
You slide down Perith's extended foreleg to the ground.
Weyrling Training Field
The long shadows cast by the tall spires above are matched in this area
of the Bowl by a few long scars in the floor of the Bowl - a silent
testimony to a few miscalculated landings. Overhead, the dragons seem to
fly with increased awareness, perhaps because one never knows when a
weyrling will try a new trick in this area of the Bowl. Enough
groundspace for two full wings of dragons stretches from the walls of the
Bowl, making this a perfect area for practice or drills.
To the north, the walls of the Bowl part to make way for the Igen Weyr
Pass, whereas to the west a glint of water betrays the lake's position.
An opening into the bowl walls to the northeast fairly hums with the
murmurs of young riders in training. Straight east a large opening seems
to almost glow, and the hushed atmosphere surrounding it indicates it is
the entrance to the Weyr's Hatching Grounds. A flurry of activity to the
south points one to the main entrance into the inner Weyr. The center of
the Bowl lies to the southwest.
Contents:
Shayne
A'wyn
Asaleth
Asperth
Perith(#2896IJaes$)
Sayra
Tyrinth(#14901Jaeps)
Vilyath(#8013QVaepqs)
Obvious exits:
Stables Igen Weyr Pass Weyrling Barracks Hatching Grounds Center of
Bowl West South
Sayra looks a tad grumpy herself, but waves to the arrivals.
You say "Shayne! Afternoon! You too, Sayra."
Jaegon jogs into the living cavern, waving.
Shayne gives Jaegon a nod. Just a nod. No smile or any sign of interest
in the man.
A'wyn sighs as he shakes the excess water from his jacket, "Why do you
always dive into the lake when you come back from between." he rolls his
eyes at Asaleth,
You head south to the main entrance.
Field outside the Main Entrance
Activity surrounds you as you gaze over the road which runs beneath the
huge cliffs which form the southeastern section of the Igen Weyr Bowl.
The wall opens here in three places... the middle one seems the most busy
although the northernmost one is the largest. The ground under your feet
is solid and rocky, and in the brightest sun it glares uncomfortably.
To the north the road continues, winding its way past the hatching
grounds and barracks to eventually leave the bowl. Cutting across the
bowl to the northwest brings you to the center of the bowl. To the west
lies a green field full of beasts- the Weyr's feeding grounds. The
infirmary weyr opens to the northeast, and the living caverns to the
east.
Contents:
Aisheth
Ranth(#14457Japs)
Pot of Sand
Healers' Herb Garden
Obvious exits:
Guest ledge INFirmary Main Entrance Center of Bowl Feeding Grounds
North
You head into the Igen Weyr Living Cavern.
Igen Weyr Living Cavern(#600RJMQ)
Igen's living cavern is an immense hollow in the volcanic caldera,
stretching up two stories, the light of the glows and the hearth
reflected in the quartz which peppers the swirled sandstone unique to
this region. One hundred feet wide and one hundred and fifty feet long,
the room could, and, as the social center of the weyr, often does, seat
the entire weyr. Tapestries adorn the walls, depicting scenes from Pern's
past. The head table sits upon a raised platform at the far eastern side
of the room, in front of a huge fireplace which is continually burning.
A wide balcony overlooks the cavern, and large tunnels lead west out to
the bowl, and south to the kitchens. A smaller tunnel leads off to the
east, beyond which lay the inner caverns of the Weyr. A small doorway in
the northern wall opens to the infirmary, and a quiet door to the
northeast opens into the Records Room. In the corner one may +view a
plaque.
Tables fill a good portion of the room. One can '+view' them at a glance,
or get '+help places'.
Contents:
Siara
Garrick
Shandra
P'ter
Meal Table
Obvious exits:
Bowl STairs Records Room INFirmary Kitchen Inner Caverns
Jaegon jogs in quickly. "Sia! I have something for you!"
Siara looks up, startled to see the topic of her conversation walk in.
"Oh, you're back!"
Shandra grins, "Well, it's good to collect backrubs that are owed
anyway."
Jaegon nods. "I knew you were here, I saw Ranth ot there." He digs in his
belt pouch, coming up with a scroll. "Here ya are. From Dorn."
Jaegon hands Siara the rolled-up leather.
Siara looks at it curiously and opens it.
Siara looks at the scroll intently, bending her head so that no one will
see her sounding out some of the words.
P'ter suddenly looks into the distance, "Opps, goto go everyone, Aisheth
says I'm needed in the barracks right now!" And with half a salute he
runs off.
Jaegon moves aroud Siara while she reads, and begins to work on her back.
He doesn't try to look at the scroll.
P'ter walks out to the Bowl.
Shandra shakes her head with a grin as P'ter rushes off, and sort of
winks at Garrick, "See what happens when people /don't/ promise not to
rush off?"
Siara looks up and smiles, "He says he's fine, and good luck with the
baby, and he'll come and visit me soon."
Jaegon smiles over at Shandra and Garrick. "Afternoon, you two!" He nods
to Siara. "He was glad to have word from you, you know. He's chafing at
the bit being a candidate."
Garrick grins. "I don't doubt 'e 'ad a good reason. Never known Pete ta
run out on anyone." He chuckles. "But maybe there's a first time for
everythin'."
Siara nods, "All those chores and orders and all. As soon as I can I'll
go see him. I'll make up some errand so that they'll let him off for a
day or soemthing."
Blaze swoops down towards Siara.
Shandra grins, "Well, Aisheth is always a good reason."
Blaze chirrups a little greeting and drops something into Siara's hands.
Jaegon looks down as Siara's belly seems to move of its own. "Afternoon
to you, too, small!" he exclaims.
Shandra watches Siara for a bit and grins, "And what would you have done
if one of your candidates had gone off on an excuse for a whole day?"
Garrick nods. "I figure the big fella's got somethin' ta do with it."
Siara looks at her stomach and grins and the looks at Shandra, replying
pertly. "Oh, I would have scolded them, of course!" She blinks as a
firelizard dives towrds her with a delivery.
Jaegon chuckles. "Now who could THAT be from? I wonder..?" He looks
innocent. Too innocent.
Blaze chirples towards the room as he heads off, having done his good
deed for the day.
Siara looks at the perfume bottle, "It's beautiful! Look - it looks just
like Ranth!"
Siara opens the stopper and sniffs, and smiles approvingly. "Who's
firelizard was that?" she asks, trying to figure out who sent the gift.
Jaegon grins. "Does it matter? It's just for you!"
Garrick looks at where the firelizard was. "Looked like one o' Dorn's. I
don't know for sure, I've only seen his once."
Jaegon looks WAY innocent.
Here before you is a tiny eligant, tear drop shaped bottle. It is made of
a fine cut sapphire and entwined within the coils of golden metal leaves
and vines. The top is adorned with a tiny blue dragon, a minature copy of
Ranth. The scent that emerges from within is that of lilacs, a very light
and delicate smell, worthy of any woman who wears it.
Shandra leans back and grins, "Well there's something to have to dust."
Siara smiles, examining the bottle caerfully, "Well, it's nice to know wo
to thank. I like thanking people well," she says, smiling significantly.
She looks at Shandra, "Oh, I think Lyria's sending someone around to
clean my weyr or something, s o I don't have to."
You say "You know..I think a lot of people would like to give you that.
Not just Dorn."
Jaegon's voice is casual.
Siara looks at Jaegon, finally growing suspicious. "You know!" she
declares. "Tell me!"
Garrick turns toward the kitchen to return his juice glass. "I'd better
be runnin' off, as too darn usual. Nice seein' ya all again."
Jaegon puts one hand to his chest, pausing in his massage. "ME? KNow
something? Oh, come on. I'm the most innocent and naiive resident here!"
Siara waves to Garrick, "See you later."
Shandra sighs lightly, "Lyria. She's too young for that. But I need to
talk to her myself."
Garrick waves over his shoulder as he leaves through the bowl tdoor.
Garrick walks out to the Bowl.
Siara grins at Jaegon, "Oh? Then I'm the most innocent bluerider here!"
Gordeeva ambles out from the inner caverns.
Jaegon keeps a straight face. "I always thought Elen was."
Gordeeva peeks into the room, seeing none of her supervisors, she visibly
relaxes and comes on out. "Hi everyone."
Siara nods thoughtfully, distracted from the mystery of the perfume
bottle for a moment, "Well, that's probably true."
Shandra waves to Gordeeva.
You say "Afternoon Eva!"
Siara waves to Gordeeva, "Hi!" She turns back to Jaegon, "So who's it
from!" she insists.
You say "A mysterious fire lizard, who's it look like it's from?"
Gordeeva blooms into happy smiles. "How are all of you...how is your
little one Siara?"
Siara hmmphs and looks at Jaegon thoughtfully.
Jaegon looks angelic.
Gordeeva smiles to Jaegon. "Hello...I'm new here, so I don't think I have
met you yet. I'm Gordeeva. Everybody around here calls me Deeva though. "
She gets a mug of klah and sits down.
You say "You were pointed out to me."
Shandra chuckles, "Gossip travels fast."
Gordeeva blinks. "I was?" her eyes grow a little wider.
Siara pushes herself out of the chair, holding the perfume bottle
carefully, and goes over to Jaegon, leaning over to kiss him. "Well,
thank you, I think," she says. She waves to Shandra an d Gordeeva, "I'm
going to go lie down for a while."
Jaegon suddenly blinks. "Ah, SHARD it! I was suposed to help feed the
herdbeasts tonight." He nods. "I'll be back!"
HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES