Atayr - Western Gate

[Aesha]

The great walls of Abestat tower into the sky from a distance along the road to the trade city. Being set upon a hill only increases the looming towers of the once proud city of Lux. Little dark specks upon the wall tops indicate that guardsmen were on duty, keeping the city safe from any force desiring to invade. Between the twin towers of the city walls stood the huge cast iron gates of Abestat, thrust open, welcoming tradesmen, mercenaries, adventurers and travellers alike. The wide cobbled road leading up to the trade city was rarely ever less than crowded with visitors and departees.

A few of the city's guardsmen pace back and forwards between the throngs of hopefuls obtaining entry into the city, occasionally poking at wagons full of produce of giving a suspicious looking character the once over. Standing to one side of the iron gates, however, was the last port of call for anyone wanting to enter Abestat.

He stood in a guardsman's street uniform, decked in light chainmail, black trousers and boots, with a shortsword slung at his side. The Human guard was currently standing to attention, but a look in his face suggested that he would much rather be elsewhere. The man was in his middle ages, judging by his hair, which was greying and thinning a little. His face had its share of wrinkles, certainly, though was free of scars or anything else depicting a life of battle. Whenever a traveller approached the black iron gates he gave a nod, not friendly, but not exactly unfriendly, either, before holding out a hand, expecting to be handed documents of identification.

"Welcome to Abestat. Your Imperial Visa, please."

Don't forget to timestamp your post! Lichen's Guide/The Kalendryan System/The Current Season

[Phoebe Verges]

Cycle two, Immanis, Spring of Era XI

She had been told by a passing halfling that Abestat was a great place for shopping. “Oh yeah,” he’d said, “no matter what you are looking for, you can get it in Abestat. Lovely place! I got these boots from there.” At the time Phoebe had stared rather blankly at the diminutive fellow’s smart leather boots, wondering what he would do if she took out one of daggers and tried stabbing him. It was an idle thought of course, with no intention to follow up the daydream. One can’t be held responsible for one’s thoughts after all – just one’s actions. But the fact remained that each encounter with a halfling so far had contributed to lowering her opinion of that race. First misdirected to Vortex, then told lies about the joys of beaches – their track record wasn’t good. Third time lucky? Well she would find out soon.

Abestat had been a short hike from Port Constantine compared to the trek from Arium and with a mind to stay for a few brightenings, Phoebe strolled up the hill to the gates, her leather satchel which held her worldly belongings slung over her shoulder and bouncing off her trim butt. Her heavy old boots stepped along the cobbled way, the tops obscured by the mannish grey trousers which had been turned up at hem to fit better. She was short and rather childish in figure, appearing to the eye to be in that awkward state between girl and woman, although it was hard to tell as she was swamped by an over-sized green shirt and grey coat that reached her hips. The coat flapped open though, the warmth of the spring season allowing a loosening of clothes. Shoulder length jet-black hair was swept off her face and the points of her ears peeped through the dark mane. She surveyed the twin towers which straddled the open gates, her large violet eyes drawn to the guard, whom she approached.

“Visa? Oh yes,” she muttered, unbuckling the satchel flap and digging into its contents to find her identification papers. The parchment was found and handed to the guard, a little grease stained and crumpled. “Nice brightening isn’t it,” she continued with a smile. “Can you tell me where an inn is?”

[Faust D'Rinishad]

Late in the Fifth Cycle of Immanis, Spring of Era XI

The cadenced resonations of looming footsteps could be heard filtering through the air. They were shortly followed by the rustling of a figure's ebony cloak as it billowed haphazardly behind him in the stray wisps of the early spring's wind. Faust D'Rinishad waded through the sunlight diligently and without the traditional face piece that would have shielded his visage from the three revolving spheres of Telath. He had not only disregarded the usage of his conventional mask to veil his sensitive ebony skin from the trickling light, but to reveal the nature of the one behind the guise; a dark elf. The Vysstichi Prince of Har'oloth held his head high as the towering gates of Abestat emerged into view from his emerging position before the realm's entrance. He feared not the prejudice nor discrimination that had equated in his departure from Medonia, and nor would he conceal his identity every again. Not to mention, there were no surreptitious intentions about the dark elf this brightening as for once he was trekking into a city free of the devious designs and schemes that he'd fabricated so many times before. In fact, it was quite unusual for him even now to know that his presence within Abestat was for legal nature.

Faust D'Rinishad prided himself at this revelation.

Nonetheless, the beam that flickered across his lips waned shortly as nostalgic thoughts seeped into his mind once more. He distinctly remembered his last moments with Opelya Kitrye-veresi, his cousin, before he had sourly embarked for the city of Abestat. The pair had spent their last candemarks beneath the dense canopy of leaves in which they had formulated their home. The duration had been expended in heated frays and lessons of swordsmanship bestowed upon Opelya by her younger counter part. Her innocent smile and playful chiding repeated profusely within his mind's eye and it was difficult for him to render the images from his mentality. She had been the embodiment of his family and the only one on the face of Telath that might have rooted from a similar blood line as he. Nonetheless, regardless of their relations were authentic or not, Opelya would always be his family. Regardless, this wasn't the source of his concerns. The Baron of House D'Rinishad was far more occupied with the anxiety that harm might befall her while he conducted his own affairs here in Abestat. He wanted nothing more than to rid himself of this foreign land and return home -ironically- to Medonia, city of the light born.

"Faust D'Rinishad." the dark elf snapped out his weathered visa with a dexterous and fluid feint of hand, "I'm arriving from Medonia to tend to some business matters with a company known as the Trade Winds." the Vysstichi Prince allowed the guard's eyes to scan the parchment before sweeping it back nonchalantly into the folds of his cloak, "Would you mind directing me towards their location? I'm rather new to this city and frankly I'd prefer if I didn't get lost. By the way, would you know of any dependable inns down the road? One in which I won't have to worry about double locking my door if you catch my drift." the swordsman yawned for several seconds before muffling the sound out with an upraised palm. His crimson eyes flared in the light as he ran his glance up and down the human, gauging him for any tidbits of worth. The man looked like had just rolled out of bed.

[Caprice]

Nightfall, Cycle Five, Immanis, Spring of Era XI

Letting the gentle spring air caress her face, Caprice stepped timidly forward, her path trodden on with delicate grace and effeminacy. The Esh’lahier effortlessly ran her slight, elegant fingers through her silvery hair, which parted like water in its wake. Even in the faint moonlight, her dimmed features would have easily been described as beautiful, florescent blue eyes glimmered and sloped into a comely nose, and dainty, yet luxurious lips were perfectly placed on her fair, silky face. Nearing the city gates, Caprice automatically reached behind her neck with a subconsciously alluring sweep and pulled the tan hood of her cloak over her silver hair. The grass almost seemed to part as she moved slowly forth, a palpable aura of sublimity radiated from her slender body. From a young age, Caprice was thought to stay off of the main road, especially around cities where lighter factions were held to the highest esteem, and races like Esh’lahier were shunned and even attacked. She was young for an elf, still in her late twenties. High, picturesque cheekbones and a youthful complexion easily identified her juvenility.

There was no mistake, this was Abestat. Marveling at the enormous walls and rustic appeal, Caprice stopped momentarily on the marsh below. She sat, making well sure that the cloak about her covered her features as best she could. The moment her cold fingers touched her face, a flurry of thoughts from the night before suddenly flashed in her mind, and if closely observed, the slightest sight of a tear seemed to well up in her stunning eyes. She forced herself to smile, mouth hidden in the darkness and shadow of her overhanging hood, those days were behind her. Towards her left, she eyed the winding trade road, trodden on by many merchants and travelers that still traversed upon the cobbled path even at this late hour. Collecting herself, she stood again and made for the road, the only entry towards the walled city.

Filing in along with the throngs of men making their way towards the jutting towers and open gate, Caprice did her best to blend in, but the lone, recherché character found the task rather difficult. She did, however, rely on the mass to conceal herself, doing her best to not draw any unwanted attention. Reaching the gate, she pulled back her hood ever so slightly, statuesquely pulled back her hood to let the rays of the moon barely illuminate her face. It had become routine to her by now, the process of slightly slipping off her hood to reveal her appealing face, but not her platinum hair.

“Visas? Right.” Her voice was every bit as soft and pensive as one would have expected of her, though it certainly carried a good deal of charm. Subtly moving her left hand to pull at her cloak, she slid her free hand to reach in for a pile of folded identification papers, which were stained yellow.

“There they are. My name is Caprice, and I am undeserving of a title,” she started, her twinkling eye catching the weathered, middle aged guard’s. “Can you direct me to the nearest inn?”

[Janis Windrough]

EDIT: change of plans

[Joran Durlar]

Edit: Wrong place

[Klue Malinconico]

Aperitus, Summer of Era II, Era XI

An unassuming arrival of two by the pair approaching the gates of Abestat was unlikely, even in the dead of the darkening. Though it was only mid brightening in truth. An attentive eye, or even a lazy one, would likely spot them coming from a ways off, if only for the loud appearance of one. The gelding, trotting with a sort of scrappy arrogance, tossing head included, was a black and white paint of dubious and varied origins. He was so wildly marked that equal parts of color in his mane and tail kept any order at all from his appearance. One blue eye, with only the other brown made him an even more unlikely sight, considering he was a soldier’s mount…but nothing subtle about him. No blending in amongst the fray for this one, or his rider.

The youth atop him was less noticeable by default. Maybe not much. Unkempt red hair of a shade that raised suspicions it might be got from deliberately altering it, but it was as genuine as his gelding’s markings were unruly. A square crowned bowler topped his head to ward off the mid brightening sun so that the brim shaded gray blue eyes on a freckled face, tan trousers with an off-white tunic. Sometime past, that was probably white. Comfortable boots, regiment issued, a long sword draped across his hip…issued by the same, and a large duffle strapped behind his gelding’s saddle. It bounced off balance with every stride no doubt, due to the graceless gait of his mount.

The human was little more than a boy. And by the restless gleam in his eyes, one that looked like he’d been bred to stir up trouble, whether deliberately…or far more often truth said, completely accidental…and hadn’t outgrown the tendency yet. But he was tall and lean, fit from months of training in Frigid River where he was a regiment officer. But for now, he’d managed a leave to travel while he could, and explore an interest the military couldn’t quite satisfy yet. It was why he’d come after all, for the knowledge that the city had to offer, what he wanted to pursue.

And so when the pair approached the gates, he handed down his visa. It identified him as Klue Malinconico. ”S’rale sir,” he said, and tipped the brim in greeting. ”Fine bright’nin’, aye?” He didn’t expect an answer, so much, having taken the guard’s demeanor into account. So when his visa was returned, and any questions were supplied with reasonable, though not necessarily valid answers, he spurred Mime on through the gates of Abestat.

[Aydyn Blair]

Late Afternoon, First Cycle of Imperos
During the season of Summer, Era II

Aydyn had not been traveling too long past half a cycle, having departed from Tirisfal at the end Ioannes. Having no horse, Aydyn was easily wearied, particularly since she carried a wicker basket at the crook of one arm containing her two alikittens. They always seemed light-of-weight to her in the beginning of each brightening, but as the day wore on the basket grew heavier and heavier. Aydyn made infrequent stops just to relieve her arm of the burden. As if that wasn't enough, all of her worldly possessions--which wouldn't be much of a problem if it weren't for the two books she was lugging around--hung from her shoulders in a cloth backpack.

So it was no surprise, as Aydyn trudged up to the gate, that she was near exhaustion.

"Serale," she greeted the guard. A tired smile slid over her face and she fished around in the pockets of her dirtied brown trousers to locate her Visa. Found, she held it out for him, waiting for it be inspected. Aydyn was as unassuming as they came. She was simply clothed in a white blouse, which now donned a layer of dust from the road, and a pair of trousers that hung loosely around her legs. She had pulled her long brown hair out of her face with the help of a simple brown ribbon. The wicker basket hanging from her arm was reminiscent of a picnic utensil and because the two alicats inside were sleeping, it hung still at her elbow. Her only other visible possessions were the knapsack hanging at her back and the small dagger hooked at her waist.

Aydyn was too tired to make conversation, so she quietly stood back while the man looked over her Visa. I need to find an inn. And buy a horse, she thought glumly, thinking of her aching feet and back. Yes, a horse would be a welcome change to long days spent walking from city to city.

Once the guard had given the document a look, he handed it back, and motioned her into the city. Aydyn entered gratefully, eager to find lodging.

[Arabella de Lylles]

Timestamp: The Month of Aperitus, Season of Summer of Era II of the Celestine Mandate. Curren Pattern: Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening; during the Reign of the Known Emperor Valerian Constantius. Paradigm Shift: The Great Schism in the Church of the Faith.

Current Time and Location: Late Afternoon, Atayr Gate, Abestat

The summer sun shone down upon the pair as they waited their turn in line to reach the gates. Riding upon a matched set of glossy-coated, night black stallions, the pair would have been even more stunning had they themselves been twins, but that was not the case. They couldn't have been more different from each other.

The first was perhaps the more striking of the two. She rode tall and regal in her saddle as she held the reins of her stallion, called Granite for his steady strength. She was elven, but that is not what made her stand out. What did make her stand out was her very near exact resemblence to her Aunt, the Empress Audrey de Lylles. Her violet-blue eyes took in everything with interest and her raven-dark tresses were set back in a tight braid to prevent them from flying into her delicately beautiful face, but that still didn't keep a few strands from crossing into her eyes.

She was dressed in riding clothes which consisted of leathern breeches, soft linen shirt, leathern jerkin, and a cloak fastened almost carelessly about her shoulders, despite it being rather hot and the middle of summer. Her soft, knee high boots were firmly planted in the stirrups as she reined in Granite next to his brother. Arabella gave her bodyguard, the jagara called Mikisho, a fond glance. The other female had been with her for a few months now and had proven herself invaluable to the young de Lylles. Not only by saving her life more than a few times, but also as a good and trust friend.

Mikisho was dressed in her usually light clothing and wore no cloak. She didn't want to give anyone who attacked any sort of advantage. Proficient in the zinn'ka art of K'tesh and not bad with a knife either, the katta could easily handle most anything that should come their way. Mikisho rode upon the more highly strung of the two horses, Pitch, and it was then that she noticed Arabella's glance and met it with her one icy-blue one of curiosity.

"Ye-es, mistress? Is something wrong?" The jagara asked curiously. And this caused Arabella to smile even more.

"Nay, Mikisho...just hard to believe how far I've come tis all..." Arabella replied, shaking her head. Mikisho, if she had anything else to say, didn't...because the guard at the gates motioned them forwards for their turn. A young man, but not naive, the guardsman seemed slightly bored as he said to the pair:

"Move forward and have your visas ready, ladies. As well as any traveling or diplomatic papers you might need to present." At that, Arabella pulled her visa from her satchel and handed it to the guardsman. He looked at it, blinked, looked at it again and then looked up at her. His brown eyes widened a moment and he started to stammer:

"Your majesty...what are you...?" But Bella cut him off with a sharp gesture and a shake of her head, saying:

"No. I'm not the Empress. I'm her niece, the Lady Arabella de Lylles. And that is my bodyguard, Mikisho. We're simply here to pay a visit to your fair city and nothing more." Arabella gave the man an exhausted smile, and he nodded somewhat in a daze. It wasn't every day a de Lylles came through the gates. Handing back their visas, he told them where they could go to get some refreshments and a few places they might want to see whilst they were there in the city.

Motioning them forwards, the guardsman couldn't help but do a double take as the pair passed onwards through the gates and shook his head, grinning at himself, muttering: "I coulda sworn she was...nah...couldn't be." And the traffic kept flowing, moving, and the summer's day passed on.

[Walen Birch]

Timestamp: The Month of Aperitus, Season of Summer of Era II of the Celestine Mandate. Curren Pattern: Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening; during the Reign of the Known Emperor Valerian Constantius. Paradigm Shift: The Great Schism in the Church of the Faith.

Current Time and Location: Late Afternoon, Atayr Gate, Abestat

Walen had gone and done it again. He had met someone who had a strong attraction to, and now was entrusted with her safety. Every moment he had spent with Arabella in Midpoint had been quite enjoyable. They had quickly come to trust one another and he had been asked to accompany her while she travlled throughout the empire. He could hardly refuse as he enjoyed being in her company. Yet, Arabella had left Midpoint quite suddenly, and Walen had not been available to leave straight away. Regardless, he promised to follow, and had done so the very next brightening.

Now he was approaching the gates of Abestat, trotting lightly atop Spirit, which was to be Ara's destination. He had pushed himself hard late into the day and night to catch up to her, and was certain he was only a few hours behind Arabella and Mikisho. He only hoped he could find her quickly once inside the city.

Walen sighed as he took up position behind the line of travellers desiring to get into Abestat. He hated these moments. Cities tended to make him uncomfortable as it was, but having to be scrutinized everytime he entered was a chore. He certainly had nothing to hide or fear, but that did not mean he had to enjoy the process. Plus, the anticipation of seeing Arabella again made him even more impatient. At last, it was his turn, and he quickly handed the guard his visa.

"Please state the purpose of your visit?" the guard asked gruffly, obviously tired of his duty at the gates.

"I have always desired a visit to your fair city, and the opportunity presented itself to me as I travelled nearby," he responded, keeping his gaze fixed on the guard. "I expect to remain a few brightenings, nothing more, before I continue on my way."

Walen kept his tone cool trying to keep his impatience in check. There was no need to unnecessarily make the guard question him further. The guard nodded, and inspected Walen and the items he had strapped to Spirit. Seeing nothing he found suspicious, he handed the visa back to the human.

"You may enter the city." he said, waving him forward.

Walen nodded and prodded Spirit forward passing beneath the gate and into Abestat.

[Dar en-Bré]

Timestamp: Early Afternoon, The Month of Cryxatum in the Season of Summer, of Era II of the Celestine Mandate Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad. Paradigm Shift: The Great Schism in the Church of the Faith.

A curious sense of elation filled the usually-serious Dar as the great walls of Abestat rose up from the horizon. The emotion did not dissipate near-immediately as it usually did, but only grew stronger as his feet took him closer and closer to the city's gates. A second wind blew new energy into young Dar's body and caused his feet to move faster, his spirit to soar. His new life was about to start; the old one, and his father with it, be damned.

As he approached the gates, he saw that there was a long line of immigrants waiting to get into the city, and took his place in line, unperturbed. This was the last hump in his journey, and he was determined to weather it. A sad hump it is, compared to the road behind me, he thought, still in high spirits. He gradually advanced in line, brimming with enthusiasm at the prospect of finally reaching Abestat. He reached the gate guard without noticing, and it took the guard's loud voice to awaken him from his daydreaming.

"Oh, aye, my papers," said Dar, handing over said documents.

The guard quickly scanned over his visa before saying, "Everything looks good to go here, welcome to Abestat, traveler." Dar nodded his thanks as he took his papers back from the guard's outstretched hand.

"Oh, one question, if you will."

The guard nodded.

"I need to get to the local institute of Arcana, where would that be?" asked Dar. As the guard gave him directions, Dar silently committed them to memory and when the guard was finished, set off to find the place.

[Yarrow]

Timestamp: Timestamp: The Month of Aperitus, Season of Summer of Era II of the Celestine Mandate.

The guards looked up as Yarrow rode up to its gates. "Serale Captain, we heard rumors that you had put in your resignation..." The guard commented and when Yarrow nodded a few muttered.
"You'll be missed you know."
"Thank you. I'll be back, don't you worry. I just need a change. Besides, Abestat has been under control for some time now and I think another city might need my services." Yarrow told them daly. They all nodded.
"Good luck to you then Captain."
"Thank you sir and good luck to you as well." She told them earnestly and then she road out of the city on her horse followed by her dog and a little bird and on her back, a pack filled with everything she owned.

[Sheng Kaldres]

Timestamp: The Season of Winter of Era I of the Pax Imperialis (Current pattern) Era III of the Celestine Mandate (Previous Pattern) Era XII Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening.
Paradigm Shift: Alleria Prime Opens and the new Empire is revealed as Audrey adresses the peoples.

Lines of wagons and soldiers appeared out from the Abestat Military Base and towards the Western Gate. Soon the soldiers were joined by civilians. Some were the family of some of the soldiers, while some were looking to travel to Alleria Prime.

While not commonly known as it was not openly announced, people had came to know of it by the word of mouth and notices regarding the moving of the Provincial Command to Alleria Prime were put up around the Base. Thus, some had prepared to move along with the Army and Lieutenant General Sheng Kaldres had given his permission for his men to let their families accompanied them. And one thing led to another.

A few lingered on for they had known and lived in Abestat for most of their lives, but they had agreed to the terms and asked to follow the army to Alleria Prime. Those in army that did not want to follow have the permission of Lieutenant Kaldres to stay and form part of the Imperial presence in Abestat.

With all said, the Imperial Army Provincial Command for Principality of Prime moved on and onwards to Alleria Prime!