Woodruff Manor

[Yarrow]

Timestamp: Junctior, Brighting 4, 1st cycle in the Season of Autumn, of Era I of the Celestine Mandate Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad

Bloom barked happily as they reached the outside section of the Synesi Plateia. This area was more 'upscale' then the other homes Yarrow had lived in. It was a vast improvement from the barracks she had lived in for about a pattern and Bloom agreed with her.

Oh...this is the one! Yarrow exclaimed as she glanced down at the deed of the house and then up at her home. She was happy to note a large tree in the front yard. It would be nice for shade in the warmer parts of the climate.

The garden must be in the back. She thought to herself as she entered the front yard and climbed up the front steps. With the key she opened up the house and a musty smell met her. Yarrow sneezed and shook her head as her eyes began to water. I think we should leave this open to let it air, right boy? Bloom barked and from her other shoulder her Sparrow chirped happily.

Lets take a look.

The house had four rooms, as she had wanted. The small garden was in the back as she had expected, but it was in great need of some help.

The first room she saw was the biggest. It was obviously a living room. The furniture contained a lot of dust bunnies, but it was nothing that a loving hand would be able to take care of. There were two doors that branched off this room, but they were closed. Yarrow went through the doorway that had no door. This room had a large fireplace and a kitchen-like arrangement. This was the room where she quickly stored her cooking supplies she had collected over the patterns. Then she moved on to the other two rooms she had yet to explore.

The door that was closest to the kitchen was a bedroom with a lovely double bed, an old run down writing desk and a chair. Bloom made himself comfortable on the bed.

Okay...okay...I get the point...your royal highness. You can have this room if the other room is a bedroom, okay boy? He barked a response and Yarrow went on to the next room. This would be her own bedroom. It was larger then the first, but the bed was the same size. There was a little closet for the very little clothing that Yarrow owned. I am home...welcome to Woodruff Manor. She said to no one in particular. Then she fell on to the bed with a girlish laugh.

[Yarrow]

Timestamp: Solaria, 1st Cycle of 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.

Yarrow yawned as she came up to her house. It had been another long day at work and all she wanted was to come home and sleep, but there was no sleep for the over achievers. Still have to feed the animals and... The list of what she had to do seemed endless as she opened the door to her home. Out came Bloom, tail and all. He looked happy to see her. At least someone is! Yarrow said with a laugh. Already her spirits were picking up. And how was your day, boy? She asked him.

[Yarrow]

Timestamp: The Month of Cryxatum in the Season of Summer, of Era II of the Celestine Mandate. Fisrt Cycle, Dianara.

Yarrow smiled at her dog's happy bark and let him come out into the yard. Bloom barked happily and bounced around and immediatly went to the large tree to pee on it. Silly boy! She told him and sat down in the shade. It was so hot...the heat was amazingly intense. She drew a hand across her forehead and remembered what her teacher had told her. She had to practice.

Boy I am going to be working some magic, okay? Bloom was too busy with marking his territory to responde and so Yarrow took a deep breath and began.

[Yarrow]

The dog sniffed and turned to watch in horor as his master's skin turned to bark. It was no surprise that this spell was called "Bark Skin". The spell thickened her skin and causes it to break out into wood so that it provided an armor and defense in combat. The duration of this spell is based largely upon the skill and experience with it. She had learned it awhile ago and had used it during battle once, but she found that it was hard to move and fight at the same time.

Yarrow let the spell drop and took a breath and began to meditate, to make sure she didn't over exert herself. Then she heard Bloom 's whine. Fear seemed to stir at his mind. He had no idea what had just happened to his master and friend and didn't like it one bit. Yarrow smiled for this would be the perfect time to practice another spell..."Befriend Animal". Druids are able to call upon the spirits of warmth and reassurance to dispel fear and distrust in animals, immediately gaining their friendship and affection. Since Bloom already trusted her and knew her the spell only really helped by getting rid of the fear that Bloom had. She watched him lay down and she smiled. She had practiced two spells with her teacher and two here that meant that there were only six more spells to practice.

But I am not up to it yet. She told the dog next to her. She didn't want to wear her energy out in case she was needed to defend someone. It was always her job to be alert even in the best parts of town...like here.

[Yarrow]

Yarrow sighed, stood and stretched. She could feel her legs begin to wobble and was lucky that the tree was so close by. She grabbed the tree to stabilize herself. The moment passed and she frowned. She had over done herself today. She knew better, but had done so anyway. Yarrow sighed, nodded her head and turned to the house where she would find her bed and sleep. Sleep would be a good thing...

Timestamp: The Month of Cryxatum in the Season of Summer, of Era II of the Celestine Mandate. Fisrt Cycle, Ioannolia. Early hours.

Yarrow stretched at the front door. It was too early to be up and about, but her stomach growled and her tummy waited for no one it seemed. So instead, Yarrow found herself up and about. She half wondered where she should go and eat. She could go get a free meal at the mess hall that wasn't the best or she could go get some real food that would cost something. She didn't have to worry about cost at the moment because she had plenty of crowns to go by. Yarrow decided to go get some real food. She was soon out of sight of her locked up house.

[Yarrow]

Timestamp: A few brightings later

The rock skin that she had learned from her teacher was coming naturally now. She had taken to practicing every moment she could and the work was finally paying off. Yarrow sat that day underneath her tree and meditated, trying to renew her strength once more.

She took in deep breaths...in and out...in and out...in and out...then she let out a deep sigh. Then she tried her rock skin again. Someone clapped and her eyes shot open. Jaden sat very still watching her.

"Where...how..."
"Are you ready to continue your studies?"
"Of course."
"You are coming along very nicely. I see that you have been practicing the rock skin." It wasn't a question, but Yarrow answered by nodding her head yes. Jaden nodded as well.
"Jaden...I was thinking about going on an adventure...I don't know how long I will be gone or...anything, but I just wanted to let you know that."
"I understand the way the military works..."
"Oh it won't be for the military..."
"Is the military life getting dull for you?" Yarrow smiled for she had just asked someone the same answer. He had answered no, but what could she say?
"I don't know what to think anymore."
"I see. Well I might as well give you a few more spells to practice on your way then. Maybe they will come in handy..." So they began another lesson that was more vigorous then the last one.

Yarrow learned how to "Entwine" a person with plants. She learned how to "Purify" food or drink that might be rotten or even posionious. The last one Jaden taught her was a spell called "Obscurement". This was a spell that used plants to hide the user's whereabouts. It might be useful.

"I am not very good at this it seems..."
"That is why you need to practice long and well. Being a Druid takes time to do and takes patience to learn them. You will learn to be a good Druid if you take time to practice." Yarrow nodded her head sleepily and watched her teacher get up. He looked more tired...even she felt well rested compared to his looks.
"I will see you when you get back then." Yarrow nodded.

[Yarrow]

Timestamp: Before Vincent's Adventure

Chestnut had never seen her house before because he lived at the stable in the military district. If she had to she would build a stable in the backyard, but it wasn't a thing that had to be done. She tied him to the tree (not that she needed to) and started to pack up things that she had hardly used more than once...

Bed roll, tent, flint, tinder, waterskin, lantern, oil, walking cane, brass fork, brass knife, 2 waterhorns, shaving kit, 20 ft of rope and the things she had recently bought at the Market Square from Jack. Most fit inside her backpack (except for the walking cane of course).

Then she went inside and looked at her clothing. Sadly she wouldn't be wearing her uniform. The uniform, she took off. She had become so used to wearing it and all... Instead she put on the travel clothing she had used once upon a time. Brown Linen trousers and a matching linen blouse. Over her blouse she made sure that her iron ringmail tunic. She always wore the ringmail, even on the hottest day. There was no telling when you might need it.

Yarrow hesitated when she found her old dress, blouse and her grey worn cape. It took her only a moment and then she was putting them in the pile to take out to her packs.

"Last...but not least..." Her stash of weapons. She didn't know how many she would need, but she would bring them all. Just in case... She told herself.

Her small hand axe was a given along with her favorite blade (an elven longsword with a dragon on it's hilt). Then Yarrow hid her Cossack and Thrusting Dagger up her sleeves and glanced at the shield. That would have to come last. The Elven longbow (66") was strapped to her back along with the quiver and a bundle of arrows.

"Hmm..." Her quarterstaff was the only other weapon she hesitated with. The quaterstaff was lovelt with a design that matched the longbow. Vines creeped up the beautiful wood. It was more for show then anything...but...it was a weapon and she didn't know she she would need it. Yarrow shrugged, not knowing what to do. "Okay... I'll bring the quarterstaff and leave the walking cane. I have enough to carry as it is."

She glanced around her room once more. Missing anything? She saw nothing. "Come on boys!" She called to her animals and they were at her heel and shoulder as soon as the words left her mouth. It was time to go. At the front door she looked one more time at her home and then locked it. She'd see it all again soon...she hoped.

"Okay...can't leave everyone waiting." She finished with her packs and climbed on top of her mount. The four of them made a strange sight. Yarrow was covered in what looked like every weapon known to man. The sparrow on her shoulder seemed out of place. Bloom was happily sniffing here and there and Chestnut pranced about like a showhorse. They were some show.

[Yarrow]

Timestamp: Sometime after Vincent's Adventure.

If anyone wandered up the path to her house they could easily find Captain Yarrow Woodruff if she were home. This day at this time, she was home.


ooc: if you are interested in joing the Abestat military please post here! Thank you.