Versian City Gates (Vers, PCs post here first to enter)

[Fish Stick]

Originally, Vers, the tiny Arcane village situated deep in the corner of Sherian, was safely nestled between the rolling grass of the Sherian foothills and the sand beaches of the province's eastern coast. The city's walls seemed to have been built with the sole intention of keeping the rest of Telath out, creating their own little universe amongst the contrasting mountain ranges and seas. Vers had been built securely in the hold of its natural barriers, happily surviving in a world without time while the Empire swirled on without them. The walls weren't entirely imposing, but had the character of the sturdiness of many eras, aged into a grander state by the maturity of time and the changing of seasons. Often, particularly during the warm months, the grassy plains extended straight to the Versian walls, brushing up against the rough granite stone that marked out the rough boundary of the town. Small wildflowers popped their heads through the loose strands of grass as they reached for the sunlight above, shivering as gentle breezes blew through their petals. A few insects often enjoyed surprising visitors to the city's gates, finding their ways into folded clothing or uncovered skin. The few sporadic trees that broke up the green monotony were aged and yellowed, as if they had seen the very first foundations of Vers being built and still remained as sentinels to a time gone past.

The Planar Shift, a mysterious Arcane phenomena that had rushed the mageocracy of a town from one hilltop to another meters away and a good distance more inland, hadn't caused great structural damage to the curving, winding gray stone wall, but did succeed in confusing a few travellers to Vers' actual location. The present guards manning the twenty-five foot high structure were kept on high alert for a lost traveller. Their eyes remained ever fixed on the horizon, intent upon catching whatever pilgrim who wandered before the moss-covered walls' shadow, whether in sight of the new location of the Versian gates or wandering in its previous location. The wall itself varied in thickness, but was never thinner than ten feet. The stones were old, worn and covered in spots with scraggly ivy. At specific points, the stone boundary had strong towers and heavy doors built into it, lending places of defense for the small smattering of mostly-human guards manning the walls in their forest-green uniforms. Almost all Versian militia carried spears and short-swords, but a quarterstaff was not an unusual choice either. A few crossbow-tips glittered in the sunlight from atop the wall itself, warning away any possible stranger from encroaching on Versian land. Of course, the true strength of the Versian City Guard didn't rely on the obvious presentation of their weapons, but rather their deep-rooted Arcana, enabling them to turn away undesirables on many an occasion. Few knew the true arsenals of potential damage the Versian Guards wielded, but, if any possibility of danger reared its ugly head, it was certain to be extinguished without a moment's delay.

Depending on the time of the brightening, either Waldoff or Drinnie the talkative Gnome manned the front gates, ready to accept Visas and strangers into the Versian fold. For a long time, Waldoff had been the sole greeter; Drinnie had never been one for gate duty. Although the gnome would never admit it, his fear was rooted mainly in his self-consciousness of his tiny size. Drinnie had known full-well that he didn't cut the most indimidating figure on the skyline. Many a troublemaker would ignore the warnings spouted by the tiny creature, despite his well-versed knowledge of Arcana and his more than eager temperment. His adversion to gate duty had changed, however, early one winter. Drinnie had arrived for work atop a roughly humanoid assemblage of stone, earning him a place of respect both in the minds of his co-workers and his own self-esteem, giving the tiny creature the confidence he desperately needed to perform his job well. The created walking hunk of rock was in no way specifically detailed; it had little in the way of facial features, and the spear at its side was simply an extension of its arm carved from the same chunk of stone. Regardless of its shortcomings, Drinnie was very proud of his makeshift golem-creation, and the results had served their purpose, earning him the right to handle the Versian gates with efficiency.

Drinnie could still remember that morning even now, and never ceased to relate the tale to a listening ear, and sometimes even to the more reluctant ears. Rallus, the stuffy, pompous Elf who often managed to hold the motely Gate Guard crew together, had been on the portcullis winch when Drinnie first arrived with his masterpiece. Needless to say, once Rallus caught sight of the Gnomish guard's head up over the golem’s shoulder, the Elf was in as much shock as Drinnie had ever seen on a mortal face. No one had expected such creativity and ingenuity out of a creature everyone thought talked more than he actually thought. The success of Drinnie's golem had, however, forever eerned the respect of his peers and solidified his place amongst the elite of the Versian Guard. At times, even Rallus admitted a bit of envy over Drinnie's fine work, but the Elf would be loathe to admit it and more often denied then fact than admired the stone mechanism from afar.

”Good, innit?” Drinnie had said, filled with pride as he showed off the golem's range of movement to any who were moving around the Guardhouse. ”I finally managed to activate it this afternoon. Seems to be nuthin' wrong wid' it." A few of the more skeptical guards originally accused Drinnie of stealing it from some master teacher at the Imaden, but time had shown that only the Gnome's sense of humor and personality could have created such a quirky creature. The golem was far from perfect, but it did have its benefits, one being the expediency of travel for the short-legged gnome. It hadn't turned into a rampaging monster, and, although some would refuse to admit such a thing, the golem had helped everyone in one way or another in their daily tasks along the wall. And so far, nothing much had gone wrong with it at all. A good sign, all considering.

With the watch cycling between Drinnie and Waldoff posted outside, and Statler or Rallus working the crank, new arrivals could always expect to be given admittance to the town fairly promptly; assuming that was, their credentials passed muster. And so came the standard question to all who arrived at the gates, heralded or unheralded; "Righto, you'll be wantin' in, yes? Out with the Visa, then."

OOC: All New PCs: Please note that the city of Vers has shifted from its original position and will not be in the expected place according to maps or memory from before Autumn of Era IX, Post-Fractum. Please RP accordingly.

You may storytell and assume passage through the gates if you are not Faery. PM a GM if your PC is a member of aforementioned race.

Collectively written by Kenaz, Spectre, Tatercake and Charybdis.

[Carly Jr'ana]

Autumn, Beginning of Junctior, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

The 'City' of Vers, home of the true beating arcanic heart of the Empire. Home to one of Carly's two loves in life, magic and gold. With her birthing day just passed, and her recent growth spurt, a genetic gift from her nymph grandmother no doubt, she was beginning to see herself physically as an adult. Despite what contemporary land elves might like to think.

As a present to herself, for she was massing gold in large sums these days, she began the journey to Vers to seek a promotion to Master Ikomancer. Unlike with another sphere's journeyman, she had no masterpiece. Such things were not done by her kind, instead she came with her experience and her faith in herself. She had delved into her own mind and become more familiar, soon she would seek out Rosalinda.

For now she had the gate guards to deal with, she walked right up to the gates and grinned in the face of the gnome on his golem, remembering him from a number of eras ago. "Vedui there Drinnie, we're down one sun but you're still on the gates?" She chuckled to herself as she took out her visa and gave the gnome a wink.

[Galdor Feiniel]

The Month Junctior, in the Season of Autumn, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

Galdor had arrived worn down from his travels from Archadoon, his cloak and tunic dusty from the long walk. While in Archadoon he overheard some people talking of a new School of Arcana. Eager to find out more he moved closer to them. He only heard a hint of what they said Vers School of Arcana. He only hoped this was the right location.

Removing the visa from his pouch he got it ready to present to this gnome, letting his hood down to reveal his blonde hair and pointed ears, "Serale, and good day." he said presenting the visa. "Perhaps you can be of assistance and direct me to the direction of the Vers School of Arcana?"

Galdor was prepared to be discouraged, as this was the way for him for so many years. The same questions flowed through his mind as they did back in Archadoon 'Can this be done? Am I ready for this? What can I expect?' as he waited for the gnomes reply.

[Fish Stick]

Carly

It has been some time, and the Vers School of Arcana had finally reopened. As Carly approached the gates, Drinnie looked down from his large stone Golem, and then said, "My my, if it isn't our little Ikomancer, come to return to us again! How do you like my golem? I've added a few parts to it as you might be able to see..." He smiled, and then pointed to the newly added makeshift stone sword that was on the arm opposing the one with the spear.

As she handed over her Visa, Drinnie ran down one of the arms of the golem, and lifted it from her hands to check it. "Here ya are my dear, head on in!" he said, a smile crossing the little gnome's face as the gates opened allowing Carly entrance to them.

Galdor

Yawning, Drinnie had been semi sleeping when Galdor arrived at the gates. His golem shifted under him, and he looked down to see Galdor standing there. Running down the arm of the golem, Drinnie examined Galdor's Visa, and then looked at him and said, "The Facultie Arcana is located over there!" The gates opened, allowing Galdor entrance to Vers. My my, the school of Arcana's reopening has certainly started to draw people into our city once more, the gnome thought as Galdor was permitted to enter Vers...

[Lyssoryl]

A small hooded figure approached the gate of Vers. As it got nearer, it's pace slowed. About 30 steps from the gate, the figure threw back it's hood, revealing a young female halfling face, surrounded by an unruly tumble of blonde hair. She gazed in wonder at the gate a moment, then approached.

"I really do hope this is Vers, otherwise I am tragically lost and footsore into the bargain."

She displayed her visa, which was all in order, and after explaining that she was here to attend the school of Arcana, moved quietly into the city.

[Xyltha Thanole]

5 Junctior, Autumn, Era II, PF XIV

The sorry looking figure of an elf limped within view of the ancient city walls of Vers. A few brightenings of munching on the occasional berries and wild plants did little of elevate his mood, and the unremitting bites and itches of insects who forever inhabited near the coast only served to worsen it. His legs throbbed with aching pain, bruised and battered.

All these annoyances melted away, once his tired bloodshot eyes rested on the entrance of his destination. At long last! Continuing his antalgic gait up to the gates, he was met by the guards, with the customary demand for visa inspection. With subsequent presentation of the required documentations, he was let through without much hassle.

[Maylu]

Maylu walks along and sighs as she looks around blankless. "were am I!? Please dont tell me im lost..-AGAIN!" she sighs again and sits down.

[Steve]

Maylu
One of the Guards taps Maylu's sigr with his foot and says, "You just hold up up here and tell us what you're up to. Stay down there just the way you are."

[Carly Jr'ana]

Brightening 1, Cycle 1, Month of Kalendryas, in the Season of Winter,
Era I of the Celestine Mandate,

Era XV Post Fractum

There were rumours on the wind, forces were mustering in the province of the Sherian and Carly was sitting in Vers doing not much more then honing her craft. Her business senses tingled, with so many Imperial troops in one place they were surely pressed for food. She could scale up the number of fish originating from her business and make a steady profit at the same time, not to mention volunteer her skills for a price.

Carly left the main town of Vers and headed for the ocean, where what little port business was conducted. From there she would take whatever available boats there were to Taralon, the local capital. Luckily, she was a lucky elf, and hitching a ride never presented much of a problem. She'd even made sure to sketch out a sigil on the very idea before setting forth...

[Maylu]

Maylu stop and looks up at the man as she blinked "please dont hurt me or take me away,its the last thing I need at this moment...." she says while sitting there frightend but then lost...still.

[Fish Stick]

"Why would we hurt you or take you away?" asked one of the guards, curious as to why Maylu was so frightened.

[Maylu]

Maylu still blinks "I donno cus I usially get poked and beaten so just a wonder" maylu nods some as she trys to stay cawm.

[Fish Stick]

"Well, that's not good... would you like to come into the city?" asked the guard. "If so, we'll need to see your Imperial Visa..."

[Erenthril Mael'tharias]

Third Cycle of Kalendryas, Season of Winter, Era XV
Candlemark 1200 – High Noon

The Elementalist stepped out of the Essence Portal just beyond the hillside and a distance from the city’s gates, not feeling the particular desire to attract the unnecessary attention to himself or his person as he rummaged through his pockets and located his Imperial Visa.

Syl’rosyian to the bone, the Elflord was dressed in a black silk jacket marking the presence of winter, despite the Inner Radiance spell that kept the Archmage warm and without the worry of catching a chill in the cool crisp breeze. Aforementioned black jacket was adorned with silver buttons up the front concealing a white linen long-sleeve shirt and a pair of black pants. A leather knapsack lounged languidly, hanging from his right shoulder filled with a tome of history and crust of bread – in addition to a few wafer crackers and a small block of cheese he’d purchased before setting out this morning.

Approaching the gates, the Elementalist smiled at the guard and handed him his Visa, before glancing up at the cerulean blue skies and the radiant warm rays of sun beaming down upon his tanning face. “Beautiful brightening, wouldn’t you say?” he asked, returning his gaze to the guard.

[Fish Stick]

As the Elementalist appeared out of the Essense Portal, small little animals scattered into the hillside having no clue as to what had just happened. The guards at the gate did not know either, until they saw a Syl'rosyian Elflord approaching them in a suit. They themselves were adorned in heavy fur coats to keep from catching cold, as their methods were not quite as good as the archmages. Smiling, the gnome slid down the arm of the golem, and in his little fur coat held out his hand to say, "Why yes it is my good elf person. A bit chilly, but fairly decent i might say. Aren't you at all cold without any form of heavy clothing? i'd offer you mine, but unfortunately it is not exactly your size... What can the guards of the Versian Gates do for you... and do you have an Imperial Visa?"