[Orb] GHB 2, Afternoon.

[shadow_sage]

[Liara appears in the orb, looking somewhat distant. Her face doesn't convey a lot of feeling as she speaks, nor does her voice.]

The people here are rather welcoming to, well, heroes, as well. Somewhat less enthusiastically, perhaps, than in Schwanheim. Most of the boats here are owned by fishermen, or so everyone assures me, but I can't say that it is surprising.

[She shrugs.]

It may take time to learn anything about any lands this Kingdom trades with, or has traded with in the past, but if I find anything important, I'll let you know.

Loki, I'll ask about the date around here, perhaps the locals will prove less reluctant to recall their past. Giles, I'm going to try and sketch a basic map of the town, and I'll record anything I think might be helpful for visitors. When I return to the capital, I'll drop off a copy.

Bakura, I forgot to ask you before I left, but there is a small list of items on the desk in my room. Some might not be available, but if we could get most of them, at least, I might be able to learn a little bit about the thorns.

That's all I can think of, for now. I intend to remain here for several days, at least, but I will try to keep this near to hand, in case anyone has need of me.

Comments

[consultmybooks]

Interesting. I suppose I thought, far from the castle, we might be less known.

So, um, they actually know you as "heroes", then? [It's not just this place, that's completely insane, in that regard?]

Oh and, um, thank you for the map, by the way. Sorry, I probably should have reminded you before you left.

[shadow_sage]

It's not really that far. And I haven't been handed everything without question, by any means. I think they live under the same crown, so it's not hard to imagine similarities.

It's not a problem. Details are a large part of my job, after all. And we're all stuck here, anyway. Might as well help each other out.

[consultmybooks]

Do they? I wonder why they aren't mentioned more often, then.

[He heaves a sigh - the last few days have been tiring, and quite simply insane.] And, um, here I thought we'd found a place where people might act halfway sanely.

...well, um, in turn, I think I've learned a few new things about the area near here. I'll pass it along, when I've, um, collected my thoughts together.

[shadow_sage]

Probably why most people on Thessia rarely speak of Illium to strangers; the capital is more important than anything else, and one's home is more notable than somewhere else. And given the oddities of the local population, even for humans, it's not strange at all.

[She smiles at the little joke, though mostly to herself.]

I'm afraid we're likely to have plenty of time. Whenever you feel composed, we may speak at length.

You were near to the sea recently, weren't you? Did you notice anything I should ask about?

[consultmybooks]

Actually, um, I suppose it's more what I didn't see. I've heard all about how there are supposed to be, um, mermaids and s-sea monsters. Never saw one, though. Probably didn't go out quite far enough.

While I'm certainly not suggesting that either of you put yourself in danger, mermaids and sea monsters are supposed to be local phenomena. I've heard enough people mention it that I'm fairly certain it's actually true, and, um, not just another rumor.

[shadow_sage]

Hmm. I'm hoping to talk a boat to take us down the coast. Take me, at least. I'll ask about sightings, locations. For the mermaids, at least. Not sure I want to meet a sea-monster in a tiny, wooden boat.

I'm also going to ask after any traders in the area. I've heard people talk of a kingdom across the sea, or on an island in it, or something. Perhaps we might find some kind of aid, there, if this land continues to be...well, you've been here longer than I have.

Goddess, trying to learn anything about this world seems nearly impossible some days.