Guillermo
Griffon Rider
Posts: 12
Profession: Mapmaker and Swordsman
Affiliation: Society of Cartographers and Topologists
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Guillermo
OoC Alias: Gui
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Post by Guillermo on Jul 12, 2016 10:55:31 GMT -6
It was early morning, and the clouds had only just begun to break apart under the pressure of the orange sun, wedging its way upward and heaving the dense morning fog aside like the prow of a boat slices through the ocean waves. Not a sound disturbed the stillness of dawn save the wingbeats of a large Griffon, tawny-coated and lithely built, carrying its rider through the motionless and sticky air. All was still, and all was calm.
Then as if by hidden command, unknowable and indiscernible to the human and his mount, the world burst forth into sudden flame and cacophony as the sun moved a fraction higher. The warming rays dazzled the land below, illuminating the foothills and peaks of Thria and the forests and plains between them, and all of life seemed to burst forth in song, with chirps and barks, growls and flutters. It was a truly marvelous sight, and the Rider smiled as he soared onward toward a thriving town, a blight upon the natural horizon, but a welcome sight for his flight-sore eyes.
His approach began to become more steep, as small motions of his feet spurred the Griffon into a sharp bank and a gradually increasing downward trajectory. Lowering his head, the man allowed his grin to widen as the two hurtled downward, moving like an arrow from a longbow as they plummeted towards the outskirts of town. At what seemed to be the last moment, Rider and mount banked once again, and the two skidded to a halt in what appeared to be a slightly more graceful rendition of a plow being thrown by a tornado. Indeed, there were long furrows in the grass from the Griffon’s claws, deep and narrow.
The Rider dismounted, alighting upon the ground in a much more elegant fashion, like one who had been riding horses for quite a while – a quick swivel, a jump, and a landing stuck perfectly, evidencing years of practice with wingless mounts. The man checked his equipment: armor shined well, hair in order, sword firmly in place upon his back. With a nod to his mount, and a brief word, the two set off through the gates, eliciting wide-eyed and confused stares from the guards, who had doubtless never seen a Griffon walking docilely upon cobblestone before. She snorted, once, as a child ran up, doubtlessly dared by peers, and poked at her long tail, but another word from the tall man and she sniffed, paying the child no more mind.
The two approached the central square, and the Rider strode forward, looking around with a slightly befuddled look upon his face. He had expected a much more… organized situation, but the bustling market seemed to offer few clues as to where he should search for employment – not really for the money, as he had plenty, but for the chance to honor and assist maidens in unfortunate situations. The pursuit of love was his calling, and he desired nothing more than to impress the ladies with his skill, charm, and tact. But this, this would not do – he could make neither heads nor tails of this scene. Where did adventurers go to receive their quests? Churches, was it? Bars? Or was it bubbling fountains? Stables? Could it be the shops, or perhaps the coffers? There needed to be better labeling in this town, that was certain.
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Lynessa
Manakete
"I am glad Ilia doesn't have summer..."
Posts: 92
Profession: Tavern owner, housewife
Affinity: Ice
Dragon Element: Ice
OoC Alias: Mana
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Post by Lynessa on Jul 15, 2016 16:07:46 GMT -6
While it didn't bother her at all, seeing someone and his griffon walking casually in the crowded central square intrigued Lynessa. Sometimes people brought their mounts with them into the city but it was quite rare for war beasts like wyverns or griffons to walk in the center of the city. She just hoped no one would be foolish enough to provoke the winged-beast. Sure, the rider was here and he looked more than capable of handling his partner but it would be better to avoid trouble. Lets just hope those kids would't pluck the griffon's feather or worse.
Lynessa stared at the pair for a few seconds before she then switched her attention back to the gem merchant. She still couldn't decide which one better...was it the red one or the emerald one??? It wasn't the time to be distracted by a griffon. "I wonder which color Mary will like better...?" she mumbled to herself choosing a souvenir for her friend. The dragoness had been in Thria for the last few days buying some gems to be sold in her inn. Selling these gems had been quite profitable business lately in her village in Ilia, mostly bought by travelers or soldiers from nearby military base, so she had decided to bring home a lot of gems to make profit. In her hand was basket with a few colorful gems she had already purchased inside. "I am taking the emerald one, maam. Yes, the one in the right corner next to the black diamond," she said to the merchant. They then continued with negotiating, which was quite intense as both women couldn't agree with the price, at least until Lynessa's persuasion finally won the merchant.
Now that she was done shopping, Lynessa wondered if she should head back to Ilia as soon as possible or stay in the city for a night. She didn't really have anything left to do and staying longer in the market would be a bad idea considering how those interesting merchandises might tempt her to spend her money unwisely. "Oh well, I guess I am gonna just take a rest in that bench and read a book. My legs are sore after walking for hours..." she thought as she seated on a bench near a fountain. Her initial intention was to enjoy her favorite book but then the dragoness realized that the griffon and the rider was still there. From his look, it seemed he was searching for something. Maybe he wasn't from around here and got lost? Realizing that she was staring, Lynessa looked away from the pair and pulled out a book from her basket then started reading.
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Guillermo
Griffon Rider
Posts: 12
Profession: Mapmaker and Swordsman
Affiliation: Society of Cartographers and Topologists
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Guillermo
OoC Alias: Gui
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Post by Guillermo on Jul 20, 2016 13:04:47 GMT -6
Guillermo stared around for a little while longer, his gaze drifting as he attempted to find exactly where swordsmen went to become hired swords. He was sure that there were profitable opportunities in multiple places, but he wanted not only a job that paid well, but also a chance to meet beautiful maidens and enhance his heroic stature. Indeed, he sought to expand his family name and send tales of his valor and chivalry to the corners of the known world.
As his gaze moved across the clumps of people, moving like river water around the rocks of the merchants, he noticed an unusual pair of eyes observing him. Their owner was a young woman, probably mid-twenties, with an exotic, oriental look about her. The Rider’s first instinct told him Taguel – the race of mysterious shapeshifters who were indigenous to Vinland, who could draw from their connection to the animals of the land to become like them. He held her gaze briefly, before she looked down at a book. He furrowed his brows, looking at her profile, and noticing her ears were slightly pointed. Another sign of the Taguel.
Intrigued, Gui decided to approach her, and as he slowly strolled over, he thought through how best to broach the topic of her identity without being rude. The Taguel had unusual customs, and he had been awkward in his other meeting with their kind. He wished to avoid any possible misunderstandings or gaffes on his part, and hoped she would realize that not all humans were uncouth buffoons.
She had noticed him, undoubtedly because Griffons were native to Vinland. The presence of one with him thereby linked him to Vinland, but also excluded him from the Taguel in her mind because the natives did not need to tame beasts as partners – they could simply draw out their own power. So therefore she knew he was a human, who had come to her native land, and left with one of the fierce wild predators that ruled the skies of Vinland. Guillermo finished his thoughts as he arrived in front of the reading woman, and gave a deep bow, remaining standing afterward.
"Good morning, ma’am. I am Guillermo del Edificio de Barro secado al Sol, cartographer, explorer, and Griffon Rider. You drew my attention; I noticed your gaze alight on Elegancia. I do not believe we have met before; have you been long on Elibe’s soil?"
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Lynessa
Manakete
"I am glad Ilia doesn't have summer..."
Posts: 92
Profession: Tavern owner, housewife
Affinity: Ice
Dragon Element: Ice
OoC Alias: Mana
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Post by Lynessa on Jul 22, 2016 14:10:18 GMT -6
So he had caught her staring at his winged-beast. Lynessa sighed as she looked up and met Guillermo's gaze. She saw a man, who seemed to be one of those gentleman with good manner. The violet-haired woman found his polite greeting amusing, she couldn't remember anyone giving deep bow to her like him. Raising her hand to her lips to hold her chuckling, the dragoness then put her book to the side and paid more attention to Guillermo. It would be nice and satisfying to read a few more chapters and ignore the man but that would be rude. Besides, she had no reason to refuse having a friendly chat with his charming stranger. Lynessa thought that she could chat with him for a few minutes and let things play out by itself. It might lead to fun conversation or a new friendship if everything went well, after all.
His question was pretty weird... Lynessa's frowned as she pondered his question about her life in Elibe. She had spent all her life in this land and even lived in two different eras, but she couldn't tell him that...well maybe she could but some details should be left out. For some reason, the charming rider seemed to think that she came from different place.
"Good morning, Guillermo... I am sorry if that isn't what I should call you but you have a pretty long name and it's quite difficult for me to say it." Lynessa began with greeting the Griffon Rider with a light bow and polite tone. "I apologize for staring. I hope it didn't offend you," she added. Her hand moved up and rubbed the back of her neck as she continued speaking, this time looking a bit embarrassed, "Well, a big and unfamiliar beast like her walking in the city piqued my interest so I might have unconsciously looked at her...probably too long. Elegancia, isn't it? That's quite a beautiful name."
"Maybe because we have never met?" she replied jokingly but keeping her calm expression. "I am Lynessa Heartwater. Actually, I have been in Elibe since I was born so I don't understand your question. Is there a reason why you ask that question? Is there something in my look that make me look weird or something?" Lynessa wondered if he implied that she was from Vinland, the new land that had been found in the north.
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Guillermo
Griffon Rider
Posts: 12
Profession: Mapmaker and Swordsman
Affiliation: Society of Cartographers and Topologists
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Guillermo
OoC Alias: Gui
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Post by Guillermo on Jul 22, 2016 22:33:50 GMT -6
The Rider smiled, shaking his head at the woman's polite reply.
"No, no, it is I who should apologize. I did not to interrupt your reading, and you have given me no offense at all. I pray I have not offended you."
As she spoke further, the Rider realized that he had made a mistake. His color quickly rose, his cheeks turning rose-pink and his eyes widening as he again bowed, this time of embarrassment. He had assumed from her appearance that she was Taguel, and, if she could be believed, she was not Taguel. That was indeed quite the gaffe.
"I do apologize! I have been grossly mistaken. You see, as a cartographer I traveled to the newly-found island of Vinland. Upon that majestic new land's foreign shores I found many unusual sights, such as Elegancia. But the natives struck me the most, with their self-sufficiency and their remarkable adaptation to their environment. Your features, I must admit, caused me to incorrectly assume that you hailed from Vinland's shores. I have not seen their like on Elibe ever before, though again I must admit that I have not met every tribe or group on this vast land. I must beg your pardon again, Lynessa Heartwater."
Guillermo shook his head once more in disbelief and frustration, before continuing.
"If I may, might I ask your tribe? I am interested to learn where such exotic beauty developed. It struck me even from afar, and I believe that it is merely the surface layer of what so far appears to be a most charming and graceful young woman. It is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance, even if I've been quite the fool by assuming your heritage. I do apologize once more!"
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Lynessa
Manakete
"I am glad Ilia doesn't have summer..."
Posts: 92
Profession: Tavern owner, housewife
Affinity: Ice
Dragon Element: Ice
OoC Alias: Mana
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Post by Lynessa on Jul 24, 2016 1:40:22 GMT -6
Guillermo's reaction surprised Lynessa, who soon found herself at lost about what to do. He had bowed for the second time and continued by apologizing again so she was a bit impressed by his well etiquette, despite actually thinking that it was too much for her to handle. Most of her friends had more crude and carefree demeanor so she wasn't used handling someone like Guillermo. Taking a step back unconsciously, she put her hand on her chest and said, "No no...don't worry about that. It's just a small mistake, after all, so no need to feel bad about it." Well, at least it was just simple misunderstanding. She felt greatly relieved now that the meaning of his question wasn't what she had suspected. So it was true...he was talking about Vinland when he had asked her. Lynessa herself hadn't had any experience setting foot in the newly discovered land or meeting any of those Taguel races but she had heard a few rumors about the place and its unique race. However, being mistaken as one of the Taguel was quite amusing for the violet-haired woman.
Lynessa almost showed her surprised expression for the second time when Guillermo mentioned about the similarity in her appearance with those Taguels. She listened until the man finished speaking. It seemed her human form somehow shared some similarities with the natives of Vinland. She shouldn't look too different from normal human but her human form always had some flaws that made her look a bit different, although they were actually only minor differences like the shape of her ears or her eyes. Guillermo should be quite attentive to notice these things. Lynessa had amused smile as she listened to his explanation.
It was hard to tell if he was flattering her or he was simply speaking honestly. Exotic beauty? Lynessa herself never considered herself exotic or beautiful although her friends often called her that. "Ah, just Lynessa is enough." She then rolled her eyes as she thought how how to reply to his question. She didn't belong to any tribe, at least no as a human, but she couldn't just tell him that she came from an ice dragon tribe, right? "I am an Ilian...and we usually don't use the word "tribe"...that sounds more like Sacaen culture. There was a time when I traveled the mountains without settling in but now I live in a small village deep in Ilia mountains with my family. Well, if you are wondering...I am originally from a clan, or tribe if that's how you call it, but I would prefer not to talk about it."
"It seems you have traveled a lot, Guillermo. I would love to visit this Vinland someday but for now I can't. I still have a lot of things to do here before I make a long journey across the sea," she said. There was a bit disappointment in her tone when she mentioned how she wasn't ready for a voyage toward Vinland. "So...I assume you have visited almost all the places in this continent. Have any stories to share? I am always interested to stories about interesting adventures," she added. For some reason, she began to enjoy the conversation.
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Guillermo
Griffon Rider
Posts: 12
Profession: Mapmaker and Swordsman
Affiliation: Society of Cartographers and Topologists
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Guillermo
OoC Alias: Gui
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Post by Guillermo on Jul 25, 2016 11:04:42 GMT -6
An Ilian! He had met Nova in the Ilian snow, along with the dark-mage, Sashay. But this Ilian was far different from the brusque Fighter from the snowy woods. This one had an unusual look to her, and she had grace, refinement, manners. It refreshed the tall man, and he smiled, enjoying Lynessa's company. It appeared as if he had again used the wrong term, causing him to bow once more. Tribe. He should have known better than to say tribe. Hm, she was originally of a clan? Perhaps he had detected Sacaen in her facial features. That was probably it - the people of Sacae were usually looked down upon, so perhaps she was trying to mask her heritage. Well, it didn't matter much to him. He did not see Sacaen heritage as something to be frowned upon or spit upon. A village deep in the mountains sounded like a mixture of homestyle charm and ridiculously frontier aesthetic. He could not imagine living in constant snow drifts and sheets of ice. It made him cold just imagining it.
Of course, the lady could not travel to Vinland at the moment. It would be both foolish and dangerous, for the only ones bold enough to travel to the land were those with great power, with confidence in their skills with weapons, their survival instincts, and groups to assist them. His mapmaking journey would have been impossible without the rest of the expedition. Simply impossible.
"I wish I could say I have, but in fact my travels have been cut quite short due to my trip to Vinland. As a cartographer, or maker of maps, I was called upon to conduct a preliminary survey of the land and create basic topological maps. The results of our work, while helpful, are nowhere near complete, but I take pride in having assisted others in the task of exploring the new land.
Stories to share... Well, there were some interesting bits he could tell to her. He would start with Ilia.
"Why, of course. Let me tell you of my trip to Ilia.
I had entered an Ilian forest, hoping to come by a town, to see the country, and to become more familiar with the people of Ilia. I met along the way a young lady with an axe, a most peculiar girl. She seemed to think that nothing could touch her. Nova was her name, and she struck me as a strange blend of absolutely foolish and undeniably brave. She was leaving Ilia, for reasons I was not told, and I had turned back on account of the snow and ice freezing inside my armor. It was ridiculously cold. And then we met a young man, wearing dark clothing, who was practicing his black magic. He was entering Ilia, for reasons I was not told, and ones I probably would not comprehend anyway. I don't understand how the Ilian people are so tough and resistant to the cold. It cuts right through me!"
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Lynessa
Manakete
"I am glad Ilia doesn't have summer..."
Posts: 92
Profession: Tavern owner, housewife
Affinity: Ice
Dragon Element: Ice
OoC Alias: Mana
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Post by Lynessa on Jul 27, 2016 14:25:02 GMT -6
Oh yeah Gillermo had mentioned before that he was a cartographer. Lynessa began to show her interest. She thought being called to foreign land to draw map sounded quite exciting...the foreign land was exciting, making map wasn't. Lynessa had lived long enough to travel to most part of Elibe although the dragoness herself would admit that she probably had completed only less than a quarter of this continent secret places. This continent was vast enough, after all. It wouldn't be surprising for its tall mountains and deep forests, maybe even the sea, had many hidden places or lost civilization that had yet been discovered.
"Honestly, I doubt any human can complete it in one life time. I mean...it will be extremely difficult to discover and map every inches of the continent. Aah, sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect your work. That's just my opinion." Lynessa hit her head lightly with her fist as a small punishment, a reminder, for herself. Sometimes she could become quite blunt and it had lead her into some troubles in the past. "It will take a lot of years but I guess it won't be boring at all. Don't give up. Someday your name might be written in history for completing the map of Vinland," she remarked again, smiling. She didn't say that just for being polite. Lynessa really prayed for his success although part of it was because she hoped to use his map someday to travel to the foreign continent.
"Well, I must say that it's the same reason why people in Nabata desert are resistant to heat. We adapt, we have to...." Lynessa rolled her eyes and had a weird expression when she mentioned Nabata. The memory of the incredible heat in the sea of sand still haunted her dream sometimes. That place was definitely her natural enemy. The last time she had gone there, the dragoness had drenched in sweats pretty quick and had suffered extreme dehydration. "Anyway, mead and fur mantle help a lot. If you try to live there for...five months, you will probably get used to it. After you fall sick a few times, probably," she said, chuckling.
"By the way, are you in city for shopping too? As for myself, the reason I come here is for the gems. See? I bought a lot," she said as she showed the gems inside her basket. "They are very beautiful don't you think?" she then asked for his opinion.
It would be nice to chat with this gentleman a bit more but Lynessa had to go. There were some business she needed to take care of. Politely bowing to the man, she said her farewell and left.
(Lyn exits the thread)
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