Khazad Komfort Fhood

Log Info

• Title: Khazad Komfort Fhood
• Emitter: Elleandra
• Characters: Elleandra, Cryosanthia, Pelka
• Place: H05: Redridge Mountains
• Time: Thursday, March 12, 2020, 9:56 PM
• Summary: Elleandra has ventured into the Redridge Mountains to visit the Khazad mines there, and get some comfort food for Asmli. She has brought Cryosanthia along for conversation and heavy lifting. The two discuss their relative comfort with the wild verses the city. The conversation also turns to Elly's romantic interest in the Veyshan fishing village, how they met, and the dowry required. Cryo admits she finds the concept distasteful and too close to slavery for her. They are interrupted by Pelka, an Egalrin, who alights on their path. He leaves when Cryo makes some jokes about the mine being full of food. Elly's story continues, and the two successfully obtain supplies to make Asmli's recovery more pleasant.

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The Redridge arcs high above the landscape. Towards the south, the Shining City itself is built into them. This far north, the co-forces of the Hunter and Earth Mother hold firmer sway. Along this mountainous wilderness are tucked small communities--areas the khazad had settled long ago and simply "dug in." Of late, the egalrin have also made themselves known, and their woven nests can be seen here and there.

A number of goat-paths crisscross this section of the Redridge, and though steep, the area is explorable given a little determination. Below and towards the west, the great Tornmawr glitters, its well-known ferry ready to assist travelers in their crossing. Beyond its shores, the landscape turns greener, and trees fill the spaces the mountains leave behind.

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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing, in Order  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Elleandra    5'4"     108 Lb     Wild Elf          Female    Blue-haired, green-eyes, Sylvanori in green leather.
Cryosanthia  6'7"     245 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, lithe white lizardgirl with tattoos.
Pelka        5'8"     140 Lb     Eaglefolk         Male      Egalrin Artificer, dark and brooding. skree.
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Elleandra has a few defining traits. The most obvious being her hair, and her tendency to play with it. The next is her desire to help people, usually in ways involving food. The lesser known thing is that secretly, this long-alone wanderer hates going anywhere by herself. Plus she has a need of muscle. "I know I've told you this already, but I'm so grateful you are willing to come with me! I don't know what I'd do without you! I'd probably get lost." Says the woman who has basically circumnavigated the continent.

Cryosanthia had returned Alexandria and the Fernwood Pub to find the other two servers were doing quite fine, there wasn't much table demand, and she might as well do something else. That something else became walking along with Elleandra with a large backpack that was going to fill up with food. She's been to the Redridge Mountains a few times, which hopefully will be enough familiarity. "So, where were we going again? Stoneworks Calzones? I know who owns that. I'm supposed to make friends with her niece."

"I need to find some good, traditional khazad food," says Elleandra confidently. "And we'll need some ale, of course. Asmli likes his ale." She laughs in amusement and taps her lip as she walks, thinking aloud, "Khazad seem to all love ale, though... I should try to cook using that. I bet it reduces into something marvelous." In the warmth of the sunlight the light breeze bothers her not in the least, and there's a difference in the way she moves outside the city. She's more natural here, less stiff. "What are calzones?" she asks abruptly.

"I'm not sure." Cryosanthia says, following along. Her movements seem about the same, if anything a little more reserved. She's always looking around and the purpose behind it seems to be more than sight-seeing. "I think it's a pastry, filled with meats and cheese, possibly other things, and baked so hard it's possible to drop it down a mine-shaft without it bursting at the bottom."

"Khazad food confuses me. Some of it seems to be made from cloth. At least, I think it is. Khogh Dorahl owns the Stoneworks. She's a Khazad. Where were you hoping to get the traditional food from?"

"That's unusual," replies Elleandra. "And it sounds a touch unpleasant, honestly. If it's that hard how does one eat it? Maybe with a pick axe." She giggles at the thought, then makes a mental note to ask Asmli about that. "My plan is to talk to the khazad at the mine and see what they eat here. Besides calzones. I don't think I could make something quite so hard. Cheese and meat. That's a good, heavy meal for a stout people."

As she marches on, she curves her path towards the mines, clearly having a decent idea of where she is going. "You seem to be looking around a lot. Are you not comfortable in the wild places?"

Cryo nods, "I think with a pick axe. The mine would be a good place to start."

The question makes her tail swish. "I'm not comfortable here. The last visit, several people appeared out of no where saying 'oh, thought you were a bandit, they appear out of no where'. Poc has been talking about the Red Capes that attacked and robbed him in the wilderness, although I believe it was more forested, and there have been a couple people, that seem to be stalking me and like suddenly appearing as well. It has made me jumpy when I'm in unfamiliar places."

"Well, maybe we should get more familiar," suggests Elleandra. She pauses and closes her eyes suddenly. "Listen and you will hear.. let's see.. five types of birds? Oh, there's a sixth.." She laughs and spins with her arms spread wide, her eyes still shut, "And.. the wind smells so clean today." A few seconds later and she opens her eyes, suddenly still. "I see squirrels, and there's a fox out there trying to sneak up on a hare.. no signs of any bandits, though!"

"I see the fox." Cryo says, looking around, "And the squirrel. You prefer being out of the city? The air is nice, I will agree. I do not see any bandits either, but I am terrible at spotting things." Except when she isn't.

Despite her best attempts, the sith-makar seems unable to fully relax, her movements more predatory than casual and she continually looks behind as well.

"I have spent almost my entire life in places a lot more wild than this," replies Elleandra. "Of all the things I've seen, natural wonders have been the most beautiful," she explains. "The Vast alone has so many amazing landscapes, broken and lovely in their own way. The shores of the south, near the Charn Colonies are breath taking with the sun and waves. The Roof of the World, with its vast peaks and water falls so tall they never touch the ground.. and the most lovely of all in a little town on the southern borders of Veyshan." The last, curiously, brings the slightest tinge of pink to her cheeks.

"Well, this one knows there is more than waterfalls in the little town of the southern borders of Veyshan that draws you." Cryo laughs, finally getting a little bounce to her step. "You make the other places sound wonderful. Ezil has oft spoken of the Vast, though his view of it has been less favourable. You should come see Am'shere some time, the sights there are fantastic. I've not seen much else. Not much else. I hope Merek manages to deliver your letter and it finds its target."

The little teasing makes her cheeks blaze red. "Yes, yes there is," she admits faintly. She hesistates on the matter for a moment and clears her throat unnecessarily. "In any case, I would like to see Am'shere. I've never been there. What's it like?" Her rather feeble attempt to steer the conversation away doesn't seem to reduce her blushing, and she even stumbles as she thinks a lot more about that letter and its destination.

"Am'shere is jungle. It is humid and very hot most of the year. The trees are close together, in places it is all shade. There are layers, what is found at ground level is different from up in the trees, and the canopy has its own denizens as well. There are swamps, vines, margroves, slow moving rivers. In places, not so dense, and one section is quite open and used for racing riding lizards." Cryosanthia explains, looking happily off in the distance and reminescing.

"Many, many kinds of insects. Mammals too, but a lot of them have shells. The cities are very solid, not like Alexandria's buildings. There are waterfalls, and muds."

Elleandra laughs in delight at the explanation, her hands clapping together, which sends a wary lynx darting off. "It sounds magnificent! It would be great fun to explore that place. I rather enjoy picking my way through swamps and learning about new plants and animals. And I bet your people have a whole unique array of foods and drinks to try."

She picks an easier path, making the way towards the mines. "This appears to be the right way," Elly says to Cryo. "I hope they don't mind sharing some tips. I know he'll heal better with some of his own people's food."

Cryosanthia nods, "Yes, there is a wide variety. Many of the plants and animals are dangerous, and there are diseases, you would want to make sure you have decent armour and some protective spells."

The white-scale sith nods as Elleandra picks out the path to the mines. "So, how often have you been to Veyshan? This one thinks there is a story to be told there too."

A shadow flits across the ground. It is winged and moves fast, and if one looks up at the right time a huge flying shape is silhouetted against the full moon. Suddenly the shape tucks in it's wings and moves to dive!...but almost as suddenly the wings spread again and it slows to a controlled descent, then touches down lightly alongside the path. "Hello," Pelka raises a taloned hand in greeting.

The question catches Elly off-guard, which means she nearly trips again. "I was there just once," she admits. "But I was there longer than any other place." She looks around warily before adding, "You know, my mother told me I should be very careful about staying too long in one place. She said I was meant to wander, like the moon across the sky." She doesn't blush this time, "But perhaps in some cases the moon must stand still for a time. You see, when I was there waiting near the well, I saw-aaaah!" She jumps at the entrance of Pelka, going from whatever she was about to say to a rather abrupt greeting. "Hello to you, as well," she says, her voice going from surprised to friendly in the space of those few words.

The sith-makar is likewise startled into an offensive stance, her arms up, claws ready. A moment passes and they disappear, turning back into hands. Her words are cautious, a reserved greeting. "Hello. This one is Cryosanthia, a Speaker of the Sith-Makar. You are...?"

Pelka's eyes are large and round. They grow a bit wider at the sight of the claws before returning to their normal when they disappear - it could be either interest or surprise. Or perhaps both. "My name is Pelka," he offers. He looks at the path and then turns and tilts his head back to look up towards the sky. "Nice weather," he continues. "Better than it's been lately. But I wasn't expecting to see people out and about."

Elleandra remembers herself and dips into a polite curtsey. Well, as much as she can in these clothes. "I am Elleandra, or Elly, if you prefer. I know I do. It is fine weather today!" Indeed, with the sun bright in the skin and the breeze just right, it's as fine as day as there's been, in her opinion. "Do you live out here, Pelka?"

"My apologies," Cryosanthia says, standing more neutrally and executing a brief curtsey as well, "I find myself anxious and startled by sudden appearances of late. It is a nice day for a stroll and good company is always appreciated. Are you of the Aerie near Alexandria, or from further away?"

Pelka bobs his head in a rough approximation of a nod. First to Elleandra and then to Cryosanthia. "Yes, I live at the Aerie. All the Egalrin I know live there," he continues. "Or at least nearby." He glances at a few of the surrounding mountaintops. "I like the city, but I couldn't imagine sleeping there. It's so loud, even at night!"

Elleandra nods to that, "I agree, sleeping in the city is very difficult. It's so odd, having walls all around and nothing open to the air." She studies Pelka with interest, having little exposure to his people. "We are on our way to the mines so I can ask some dwarves about their traditional food. I'm trying to take care of a friend who was badly injured. Some home cooking should be just the thing for him, but I am not an expert on his people's food."

"I have met two Egalrin, not of the Aerie. I've not seen any stay overnight in the city. It's quieter, inside the buildings, if you get right inside them." The white-scale sith says, staying beside Elleandra, "The gobbers and gnomes seem to never sleep, so one should avoid their areas, this is true. And yes, we are on a misison to get food."

She looks over at the wild elf, "I've not had any issues sleeping in the city, I've slept as well there as at Mictlan."

Pelka says, "Ahh...if you sleep -inside- the buildings. I suppose that's what most citizens do, isn't it?" He shrugs. "I kept trying to sleep on top of them." Then he hurries on, "Ah, getting food, eh? From the mines? That, ah...that's an interesting place to look. You see, the miners and traders aren't known for their food."

Elleandra nods thoughtfully, but replies "Yett for those who associate the mines with having a meaingful life, the food of a miner has great meaning. And so I will study what they eat, and then know how to make it. Hopefully. I have seen many kinds of cooking, but it is certainly possible I will only be able to make some kind of impression of it. I will of course do my best." The mine being not much farther to go, she looks ahead with an excited expression. "But I will not know until I see."

"Yes!" Cryosanthia says, very enthusiastically, her eyes glittering like soul-less gems as she looks at Elleandra, "We're off to the food mines. Hopefully the miners have pushed down past the custard layer and have found a good pastry vein. I was hoping for some hard Khazad candy, but I understand it's rare in these parts. The Redridge Mountains do give up the occasional Red Velvet cake. I'm told there are great hazards, powdered sugar explosions, as well as the risk of breaking through a crust and dropping into a pocket of chocolate or creme' brule'."

The sith's grin gets even wider, if that is possible, showing off all sorts of sharp teeth, "Although nothing compares to the Sweetiees of the small fishing villages of Veyshan."

Pelka looks between the two travelers. "Well...," he begins slowly. I had no idea mining was so meaningful, but if that's what they do all day," he makes a small gesture at Cryosanthia with one hand, "Then I suppose it makes sense!" He picks up speed and enthusiasm as he speaks. Then he seems to remember himself. "Well don't let me keep you. Pleasure meeting you!" He fans his wings a few times, preparing to take flight once again.

Elleandra is giggling in fits over the first part. Cryo's sense of humor definitely tickles her fancy. "Oh yes, and one must remember that occasionally they strike an under river of syrup. Those are particularly sticky situations to get out of. Or so I've heard."

The giggling is interrupted by the mention of Veyshan, which turns Elly's face the most interesting shade of pink, bordering on red as she blushes. She gives Cryo a look, then turns back politely to Pelka, bowing as he prepares to take to wing. "May the winds bear you in peace," she calls out.

Once he departs, she turns to Cryo. Her voice is fervent as she replies properly, "Kamaria is not just some sweetie. She's.. she's breathtaking. A half-sil maiden so lovely and gentle.." And saying that really gets her blushing.

Cryo blinks, raising her hand to wave farewell as Pelka suddenly departs. Her gaze turns towards Elleandra and she laughs, "You understand! Not only syrup but the terror of the treacle! This one is glad to know my joke wasn't that terrible. They never seem to land with goblinoids, and now Egalrin. Elf and sith and human get them. It was funny, yes? Should I have included more cooking allusions, or types of food? One would think if they share the concept of nests they would understand my humour."

The palescale sith pouts dramatically and sighs, watching the wild elf turn amusing colours. She dips her head shamefully, "this one should not tease. You and Seldan turn the most amazing hues, it is too tempting. Kamaria sounds lovely. This one is jealous that you have a... the word does not translate well I think."

Elly nods to Cryo eagerly, "I thought it was very funny. Perhaps their humor is not the same as ours? I suppose that the Oruch don't laugh, either. I believe they only find people being torn limb-from-limb to be amusing, though."

For some reason, the mention of Kamaria's name leaves Elleandra looking crestfallen. "There is little to be jealous of," she says sadly. In all her time in the city, never has she spoken in that tone of voice. "She is held away from me. Her father will not let me have my desire unless he is appropriately reimbursed. I must.. buy her. For five thousand gold pieces. Her worth is greater than all the gold that is or will ever be, and yet even this small fortune is beyond my ability to gather."

"I don't think they find amusement in that either. Oruchs are hard to understand, never showing weakness and being blunt seems to be their core." Cryo muses. Her tail swishes slowly behind her. She hunches up, "That is not an impossible amount. The..."

The sith-makar falls silent, her hands curling up and releasing as if she's unsure what to do with them. The sides of her mouth twitch, but she remains silent. Finally she stops for a second, places her hands on her hips and arches upwards, facing the sky and exhaling. "What will be, will be," says Elleandra. "It's been a long time, now, since I last saw her. Sometimes I revisit those memories, but.. it is uncomfortable. I just hope she still feels the same. I have not forgotten her. I was hoping the Guild might be a good way to earn the money, but.. it is not going as quickly as I dreamed. I don't quite have the knack for gathering gold."

She shakes it off as best she can, her smile returning. "She would not wish me to be like this. I will be with her again, and you will meet her. And we will all go to Am'shere together."

"This one understands dowries. This one has perused plenty a penury play of hilarious hieress hijinx." Cryo alliterates, attempting to be light on her feet and not quite managing it, "but the asking of one, for real, makes me think of the slavers coming for us. My... This one has a hard time respecting a man who would sell his daughter. This one has half that amount. It is not impossible to get it all. You will be able to see her soon. If she is truly your cihuaa she will be waiting."

"It is no different than slavery, really," agrees Elleandra. "Except in those lands, it is considered such a normal thing. I suppose not so different from Charn, come to think of it." It clearly confuses her. "Regardless, if that is what must be done to have what I most desire in this life, I must do it."

She murmurs snatches of some soft song in the tongue of her absent love. "You know, I don't even know what the song means. But it is the song the ladies since when they are taking water back from the well. It is funny to remember it for so long."

"Charnath is... much worse." Cryo says reluctantly, and nods, "If that is the only path forward, that you must take. Of course, should he ever visit you in Alexandria, the rent might be five thousand gold."

She tilts her head, listening carefully, "That sounds like a nice song, do you know all the words? Is it accompanied by drums, or bells, or strings?"

"He will never see us again," replies Elleandra. "Once he has his gold, he will be satisfied." She shakes her head and lets out a low growl. "He cares nothing for her. He just cares about the money. As for the song, they would sing it without other instruments. They balance water jugs on their heads and take them back. When Kamaria did it, she would sway her hips and sings the song. It was like a spell was being cast."

A bright blush, later, Elly turns herself back to the moment. They have reached the mines and she has the khazad to bother. And so she does, asking as many as are near the surface about what they eat. They start out hesitant, but she has seen a way through this. She brought every khazad's favorite kind of ale to open them up: free! She works very quickly, so Cryo doesn't have to wait long. Then it's a quick jaunt to buy some ingredients from one of the small villages and they are heading back to the city once more, much more encumbered than when they started.

Cryo follows along quietly as Elleander wheels, deals and kajooles. She is a looming white shadow behind the wild elf, quiet and patient. Standing much taller than Elly and the Khazads, it's easy for the sith-makar to be overlooked. Not so much fading into the background as being too big to be a part of things, a leather clad wall that moves out of the way when necessary and doesn't interrupt. She accepts the food passed to her, and packs it carefully in her backpack, willing to take everything she's handed and more with ease. It's only when they're finally alone and on the way back, does she quietly sing the lovelorn song of the water carriers. Although, only if prompted will she put her hips into it, and no spell is cast.

Dramatis Personae

Pelka
Pelka is an Egalrin, an amalgamation of man and bird. His build is lean and graceful in his limbs but becomes more powerful in the shoulders and upper torso. His head features a predatory beak and eyes that face forward. Pelka's hands end in long slender talons while his feet are tipped with broader more sturdy claws. Feathered wings rise above his shoulder from where they start at the shoulder blades. These are normally folded down behind but look to span perhaps 12 feet when spread. The feathers start dark brown but darken in color towards the tips, until they are nearly black. The feathers above his eyes and those set behind his beak are pitch black. On the very top of his head are a few red-tipped feathers almost like a mohawk.
Pelka wears a burnished mail shirt that protects his upper body while leaving his limbs and particularly his wings unencumbered. His legs are covered in leather breaches, slightly loose and held up with a compartment-lined utility belt, with similar bandolier-style belts criss-crossing his chest. Clunky metal boots cover his lower legs while leaving the bottoms and tips of his feet uncovered. Pelka carries a pair of goggles although he wears them around his neck or on his forehead when not flying or adventuring. He also wears a cream-colored scarf around his neck, with just enough slack that he can use the tip to clean his goggles in flight - or if he's leaning over an artifice bench.

Elleandra, city clothes
The first ingredient of Elleandra that most notice is her hair, the long wavy locks left to fly free. At its roots, it is a pale blue-gray, like the ocean at dusk. After a few inches, the strands swiftly grow more pale, until they are silver, and then, past her shoulders they darken, their hue eventually settling on a pale aquamarine. Even this shade doesn't last long, growing lighter and returning to silver by the time it passes her waist, finally ending mid-thigh.
A dash of emerald colors her eyes, accentuated by high cheekbones with just a touch of a pale rose to color them. Her lips are somewhat pale, shaded like peach zest and they curl into a natural smile. Her ears, delicate and long, draw to fine points. Those familiar with her kind will easily identify her as Sildanyari.
Elleandra stands an unimposing 5'4" tall. Her waist is slender and her limbs lithe, lightly toned with muscle. Her petal-soft skin is alabaster with more than a touch of amber, hinting at a developing tan. She bears a pale, fluted scar on the back of her left hand and her hands are calloused from many days of toil. Most days, she bears the scent of the wood folded in with a variety of spices.
She wears a diaphonous, silvery dress, the fabric so thin as to be like a fine mist. Under this she wears a snow white tunic. It is clasped over each shoulder with a silver crescent moon. The fabric dips deeply behind her back, leaving much of her skin in view there, and showing a drizzle of pale freckles about her shoulder blades. The hem of the tunic comes just above the knee, leaving a fair expanse of her lean leg in view. On her feet she wears small leather boots that don't cover her ankles.

Elleandra, travelling clothes
The first ingredient of Elleandra that most notice is her finely-braided hair. At its roots, it is a pale blue-gray, like the ocean at dusk. After a few inches, the strands swiftly grow more pale, until they are silver, and then, past her shoulders they darken, their hue eventually settling on a pale aquamarine. Even this shade doesn't last long, growing lighter and returning to silver by the time it passes her waist, finally ending mid-thigh.
A dash of emerald colors her eyes, accentuated by high cheekbones with just a touch of a pale rose to color them. Her lips are somewhat pale, shaded like peach zest and they curl into a natural smile. Her ears, delicate and long, draw to fine points. Those familiar with her kind will easily identify her as Sildanyari.
Elleandra stands an unimposing 5'4" tall. Her waist is slender and her limbs lithe, lightly toned with muscle. Her petal-soft skin is alabaster with a touch of amber, hinting at a developing tan. She bears a pale, fluted scar on the back of her left hand and her hands are calloused from many days of toil. Most days, she bears the scent of the wood folded in with a variety of spices.
She wears a well-fitted dress of green-dyed leather, which covers her decently, the fabric rising in a slight collar as it wraps about her neck, leaving both her shoulders uncovered. This outfit reveals a fair expanse of her back, the skin drizzled with pale freckles about her shoulder blades. The hem of the dress comes only after her knees have been covered, so that only a few inches of her sleek calves are in view before they disappear into a pair of soft leather boots.

Cryosanthia
Cryosanthia is a tall, lithe lizardgirl with flamboyant mannerisms and a flashy style. Her scales are a bright, snow white, complimented by her frills and keratin-scale 'hair' which are the pale blue found in glacial ice. This gleaming tapestry is marred by dark tattoos gouged in her hide, green-black in colouration, which at times have a dark glow. Her snout is long and tapers elegantly. Her legs and tail are likewise graceful, despite being a significant portion of her size and mass. She seems light on her talons and energetic, head glancing quick from side to side. Her eyes are bright and like her frills, the palest of blues with a dramatic slit pupil.
Cryosanthia's clothes are a simple kit of kilted leather armour in white. It is close fitting enough to seem a part of her, but it lacks the lustre of her scales having instead a dull finish. She has sandals that leave her talons free, as well as a hat that is hanging to the back as often as it is on her head. A long blue feather is tucked into the woven band. Finally, she wears a cloak, likewise fashioned from white leather but with a satin interior that matches her eyes. It gleams when the light catches it right. Belted to her hip she has a rapier, a couple of pouches, and a tiny bag on a thong around her long neck.