Scent of Roses

(Sowers): Elexia says, "Well met, Sowers of the Last Seed!"

(Sowers): You say, "Good morning, Oracular!"

You squeeze a wooden songbird gently and watch it take flight in search of Elexia amidst joyous chirping.

(Sowers): Eol (from the Astral Plane) says, "Well met, Oracular!"

A wooden songbird flits in happily.
A wooden songbird raises its voice in song at you.
A wooden songbird chirps joyously before flying away.

You smile softly.

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "How have you been, sister mine?"

-l
Where trees grow through ancient remains.
Thick dreamy cotton clouds are spread across the firmament. The aged trees spread their roots above broken pieces of stone, perhaps once part of some other structure. Where the white stone still shows through the fallen leaves and dirt, it appears to have been exquisitely carved, pillars and fluting shaped into delicate sprays of feathers and flowers. However time has worn even these down, and now the stones are cracked and chipped. A clump of golden, four-leaf clovers sway in the breeze here. A birch sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. Reaching up as high as the eye can see looms the awesome presence of a living totem. Hovering several feet in the air is a fae on a flying sleigh decorated with mistletoe and holly.
You see exits leading north, northeast, southeast, and northwest.

The horizon glows with burnished shades of orange and red, heralding the imminent arrival of Father Sun upon the rim of the world.

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "Oh, sister!" There is a sound of surprise in her voice, despite the ordinary nature of your question. There is a pause for a moment before she returns with, "I... well! It's all well, yes, I've kept busy... Redesigned a few costumes, began preparing for that design contest I mentioned. Yes, wonderful, all wonderful. What of yourself? I am sure you must be busy!""

You have emoted: Lief lightly kicks her feet as she listens to something unheard, her antlered head cocked to one side.

You think to yourself: She sounds like me when I am not well...

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "Have you been well? Did you want to talk about... about what happened? Are you feeling better? Oh dear, I'm rambling, haha! So much going on..." The words come rapidly, accompanied by a chuckle tinged with anxiety."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "...I think that keeping one's mind busy is the very best way to cope with trouble." The words are soft upon the aethers, understanding, and yet also filled with steady warmth. "Please do not worry about my own troubles. I am seeing to them. Do forgive me if I'm wrong, and it's okay if you don't want to talk about it -- but are you telling me the full truth?"

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "You truly are wonderful?"

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "Mmm..." There is a thoughtful, hesitant sound followed by yet another pause. Then, in answer to your question, she poses another, "Sister... What dealings have you had with the One known as the Lady of Roses? What do you know of Her?"

Glorious rays of morning light burst forth from Father Sun's crown as it peeks over the world's edge, announcing a bright and shining new dawn.

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "She... She came to visit me. Before the very Moonhart Tree which sits in the heart of the Wood, no less." A mixture of confusion, tension, and stress dances about her words."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "...did She bid you do anything for Her?"

The smell of wildflowers wafts past your nose.

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "N-Not in a manner of speaking, no... But... she asked me a question."

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "She asked if I would do anything for the Lady Lisaera."

You have emoted: Lief exhales slowly, releasing a caged breath she'd been holding.

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I...wonder..."

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "I told her I would. She... She commended me, for my loyalty in accompanying you into the Wood. To my Silver Goddess."

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "And then, She gave me a favour with her essence. The Wyrden flames... I can't seem to make them part, no matter how I try to extinguish them."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I see." Faint bewilderment creeps into your sister's words, a sense which lingers upon the aethers until her attention sharpens. "Oh. Dear Elexia, Her favour? You've the scent of roses about you?"

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "Wherever I tread by foot or wing, aye."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I've walked thusly twice in my life." She sounds faint, as though remembering. "Sister, though they smell sweet - though they are intoxicating - though you might sense those fires bolstering you no matter how strange they make you feel - Her touch will not affect you unless you allow it to."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I do not know much of Her, save what I have meditated upon - save what I have considered when considering the Wyrd, and when considering Nocht, and when considering Raven-Now-Crow."

The sun reaches the zenith of the firmament, pausing in his quest to allow the land to bask in his shining golden rays.

A small red squirrel scampers out to the north.

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I can tell you what I have considered, but...I think it best for you to reach answers for yourself. Prove that your loyalty is worth commending when you question, and you arrive at the same answers you held before She raised it."

You think to yourself: I hope that she does...

You think to yourself: No - she will, I am certain of it.

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "I know you are right - that the Wyrd may cloak my spark, but will not penetrate within..." Her voice grows quieter, but steadier. "But seeing how the Night has so affected our kin in the Glomdoring, it feels... uneasy to me. But, even so, I shall endeavor to seek after the Silver Truth and stand firm." Her presence over the aetherways still to listen to you once more, and this time her voice resounds more boldly. "Wise words, sister. Wise indeed. I shall remember to dance upon the cycles of life, to be one with the changes thereof.""

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I think of the story Esei told, of the person who betrayed the Tree. Though this individual seemed extraordinarily weak to me, I think it shows we all have a darkness within us. I think that is natural - as the teachings of Hart show us."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I think..." Her words grow quieter. "I think it's important to learn what that darkness is. If we have fears, to put a name to it. If we desire something, to know and understand just why we do. If we don't...our natural darknesses are the prey the shadows of Glomdoring feast upon."

You have emoted: Lief's gaze lowers to a luminous peacock feather spread across her lap. Her fingertips gently caress its rippling colors as she remains distant, attentive to something not immediately evident.

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "I missed Esei's telling, regrettably, but aye. We've all shadows within, places of weakness, for there can be no light without it. And there are some weaknesses within me of which I am all too aware, but others still must lurk where I cannot see. I should meditate upon this, that I not be subsumed by the dark in a time of frailty. Thank you, Awanydd-sister, for your counsel."

The smell of wildflowers wafts past your nose.

Shadows grow longer in anticipation for the return of their dark mistress as Father Sun's chase brings him closer to the world's edge.

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "I know the Silver Goddess is your light, but we have something inscribed upon a plaque on a grave in Kiunid Vruna. It reminds you that hope is a light, and all you need to defeat the darkness is the smallest candleflame flicker of it."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "You needn't worry - you have yourself, and you have me, and you have Her!"

As the sun passes below the horizon's edge, Mother Night unveils her terrible, shadowy beauty, spreading darkness across the land.

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "I should like to visit this grave... I shall endeavor to become the person that I am needed to be. One truly able to go beyond worries and fears."

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "I am ever-grateful to have you by my side in this, sister. As you always have been."

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "Say the word, and I will show you to it."

You think to yourself: Goodness...is it selfish of me to be glad that someone else understands just what I've gone through?

You think to yourself: Even if it's my very sister who is troubled?

You have emoted: Lief bows her antlered head lower, her teeth biting against the inside of her bottom lip.

Across the heavens, the stars and moon challenge night's dark reign, revealing familiar constellations that tell the tales of myth and legend.

The howl of a distant wolf momentarily silences the crickets.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 14th of Vestian, 549 years after the Coming of Estarra.

The bright, bell-like voice of Elexia rings in your ear, "If you had a moment, sister mine, I would like for you to lead the way to this burial place."

You lift a hand languidly and send a moonbeam to Elexia.
You gently rise into the air and dance along a moonbeam to Elexia.
Cherry woods.
Soothing shades of blue light shimmer through the air, cast from a healing shrine of Maylea nearby. One or two light fluffy clouds drift lazily through the sky. Several large cherry trees have grown here peacefully for many years, and have now matured entirely. Covering the ground is an untold amount of cherry pulp, stones and leaves, all of different shape, colour, size, and age. The air here smells old, and leaves a thick taste in the mouth. An oak sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. Reaching up as high as the eye can see looms the awesome presence of a living totem. The regal form of a Lady of Moonlight stands here, gleaming streamers of white fabric surrounding the graceful figure.
You see exits leading northeast, south, and west.

Millien arrives from the northeast.

Quietly, you say to Elexia, "Of course."

Millien hugs you compassionately.

Millien hugs Elexia compassionately.

Millien leaves to the northeast.

Elexia clasps her hands together and dips in a formal bow to you, an Oracular to an Awanydd. Her face smiles softly upon seeing you, before returning to a slight frown as she bobs her head once more and flutters behind you to follow.

Elexia begins to follow you.

-l elexia
She is a nimble faeling ancestral demigoddess and reaches about one and a half feet in height. Her skin is pale as the luminescent moon, almost shining in its luster. Atop her head sits a fountain of silky night-hued hair. The locks flows through an amethyst-encrusted ribbon on the back of her head before cascading like a waterfall down to her waist. Beneath the ebony tresses sits a heart-shaped face dominated by a pair of striking violet eyes. Long ears tapered to a fine point poke out through her sable hair on either side of her head. Fluttering with sunset bursts of purple and crimson, a pair of delicate butterfly wings sprout from her shoulders. When fanned to their fullest, the wings overtake her outstretched arms in their size. Her frame is slender and petite, with svelte legs ending in dainty little feet. Whether walking or flying, she glides about with energetic and almost erratic movements. Wyrden flames flicker across her form like a shadowy cloak, the sweet scent of roses trailing in her wake.

Her sheer, sable hair is smooth and glossy, with long, even bangs. Her hair falls nearly to her waist in a silky curtain, perfectly straight and even.
She is wearing:
a storm glass amulet atop her dress
a fur-lined mantle of frost about her shoulders
feminine azure robes adorned with violet leaves about her petite frame
a translucent emerald ring of intricately etched winds
mechanical lace gloves secured tightly
a tiny brown acorn hat perched atop her head
a rainbow flower brooch perched above her right breast
the Flame of dae'Seren bound to her upper right arm by its chain.

You have emoted: Lief wings a little circle about Elexia, her fingertips trailing through the flickering wyrden flames which cloak her. Her expression is unreadable, until she focuses her gray eyes upon Elexia's own gaze, and she smiles reassuringly.

You think to yourself: This cannot touch her if she doesn't allow it to.

Distance to 'deepening waters': 23 Steps.
Path: w, nw, n, w, w, nw, w, w, sw, w, sw, sw, w, w, w, n, n, u, n, nw, d, ne, s
You start speedwalking.

You speedwalk south to deepening waters.
You have reached your destination.
Deepening waters.
The area is bathed with silver light as a robust defensive aura suffuses the air due to a shield shrine of Lisaera nearby. It is quite cool. Hidden by masses of sweetgrass and heath, this section of the pond is broad and deep, a faint current stirring the pristine surface of the water. The strange world reflected in the pond bears little semblance to the realm above, sometimes seeming a different place entirely. Some trick of sun and moonlight plays across the waters, refracting in a prismatic rainbow that casts the bare shoreline in hues of shifting colour. Even the few grouse and frogs that hide within the reeds and drink of the waters are oddly quiet and serene, affected by the power of this place. The surface of a small pond here sparkles serenely with many shifting colours. The regal form of a Lady of Moonlight stands here, gleaming streamers of white fabric surrounding the graceful figure.
You see exits leading north and through a small pond.

You step into the waters of the pond and a warmth pervades your being, embracing you gently as you feel yourself drawn into the pond and taken swiftly elsewhere.
Elexia has left the area.
Elexia follows you ether.
The Garden of Earthly Delights.
Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Fed by a pure, underground spring, a small pond takes up the centre of the gardens. Delicate white fish swim in the crystal waters and around the base of lotus blossoms that float upon the pristine surface. Around the pond, silvery grasses and other white flowers create a space of intricate serenity and beauty. Some paces further on, the grasses become vibrant green and low rosebushes blossom in yellow and orange as colours come into vivid relief. Beyond this multihued boundary, nothing grows at all, leaving only black sand smoldering here and there, or glowing red with some unseen heat. This unsettling vision only serves to augment the protective calm provided by the garden itself. A blood-splattered stone, worn smooth by the flow of a river, lies here. Balanced upon its legs and tailfeathers, a midnight blue peacock origami stands here.
You see exits leading southeast, southwest, and through a small pond.

You reach out and touch a smooth, blood-splattered stone.
Chillingly, you see a figure kneeling before the dark presence of the Lord Nocht, bowing a head that bears the mark of the Serene Goddess.

You have emoted: Lief jerks her hand back from a smooth, blood-splattered stone, her brow furrowing. With a murmur and a shake of her head, she seems to recognize where she is after a moment, and she focuses. "The grave of our Lady's beloved Gabriella lies within Kiunid Vruna. We'll go there now."

Elexia follows closely behind you, the Wyrden flames whipping about her form wildly as the two of you fly into the Garden. As you stop, she gives you room to investigate the stone from afar. She casts a pensive look at her shoulder, then blinks, shaking her head as you speak to her. "Oh, of course," she says suddenly. She nods a little too quickly, offering a smile.

You have emoted: Lief's gaze lingers on Elexia for a moment longer, and then she nods her antlered head, winging through the gardens.

[Movement]

Tendrils of fading colour.
Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Surrounded by nothing more than blackness, only a few tentative stripes of contrasting blue and red make up a narrow pathway into nothing. Like brushstrokes, the colours fade artfully into nothing at all, leaving one suspended over a panoramic view of aetherspace. A few motes of glimmering white drift through the air, leaving trails behind them. Bell-like flowers swaying in the breeze, a tall cananga tree stands here in defiance of the encroaching shadows.
You see a single exit leading east.

Looking around in bewilderment at the darkness about you both, Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon says, "Is this Your Lady's own Domain?"

You have emoted: Eventually, Lief leads the way into this strangely dark place within Kiunid Vruna - a place surrounded by nothingness, save for a few strokes of artfully-painted light and, of course, a tall, blooming cananga tree standing proud. She hovers beneath the branches of the bright tree and watches Elexia closely, nodding to Elexia's question. "It is. This is Kiunid Vruna - Serenity Itself in the language of the fae."

Glorious rays of morning light burst forth from Father Sun's crown as it peeks over the world's edge, announcing a bright and shining new dawn.

-p tree
A thin silvery trunk stretches up from the end of the pathway here, surging its verdant green canopy high into the darkness. Its evergreen leaves are smooth and glossy, edged with a waxy point, and have grown into a naturally round formation. From its dark branches, delicate yellow flowers dangle. They hang upside down like bells, but their six lemon-hued petals are slightly splayed to reveal the golden heart of the flower. A soft, floral fragrance fills the air around them, the uplifting scent driving away the shadows of the mind. At the base of the tree a small plaque has been placed, wreathed in prismatic light.
It weighs about 875 pounds.
It has the following aliases: tree.

As she hears your answer, Elexia nods absently. Her eyes stare out wistfully at the swirls of fading colours glimmering in the deep dark of aetherspace. As if from a dream, she shakes her head lightly and joins you underneath the branches of the cananga tree. "It's beautiful," she whispers. Her words were simple, but dripping with sincere awe at the minimalist display of the Realm. "Very different than the Weald..." Her pointed ears twitch as she notices the plaque affixed to the tree's base.

Elexia runs her violet eyes slowly over the plaque's writing. Once, then twice, and finally a third time. Her lips move silently as she repeats the simple mantra.

You have emoted: Lief's hand reaches out to touch one waxy green leaf draping from a tall, blooming cananga tree's canopy. "Her realm is varied and lovely, but the quiet here is one of my favourite places to retreat to," she says quietly, her voice unassuming and undemanding - almost as though spoken for her own self and not for her sister.

-read tree
You read what is written on a tall, blooming cananga tree:
For the shadows to win, they must consume all other things. Hope need only be a tiny spark, a blossoming gleam in the darkness, and it has triumphed.

The sun reaches the zenith of the firmament, pausing in his quest to allow the land to bask in his shining golden rays.

After she has read the plaque thrice, Elexia lifts her eyes up the tree's argent trunk to its evergreen leaves. Her sunset wins carry her higher as she extends a hand to delicately grasp one of them and gently rub her thumb over it. Her eyes then close as she takes a slow, even breath. The natural, floral fragrance of the air here struggles against the overpowering scent of roses which clings to the faeling's form. As she holds the leaf gently with one hand, her other drifts to her storm glass amulet as she murmurs. "And even if darkness does reign, and the New Moon's face becomes manifest, there will always be a Crescent to come." She speaks lowly, little more than a whisper.

You have emoted: Lief clasps her hands together before herself, bobbing and drifting in the air as she studies Elexia. "I want to ask you a question the Lady of the Summer Song didn't ask," she murmurs, her voice carrying a natural lilt with the inquisitiveness behind her words.

A dryad slips in from the east, flowering kudzu coiled around her lithe body.

Meeting a dryad wreathed in flowering kudzu's eyes, you rest your hand over your heart in greeting, sensing the link between your kindred spirits as a prismatic array of colour shimmers through your vision.
A dryad wreathed in flowering kudzu turns a dazzling smile upon you, recognition in her shifting eyes.

Turning her colourful eyes away, a dryad wreathed in flowering kudzu leaves to the east.

Elexia's eyes snap open, her meditation ending as she releases the leaf and turns to you. Her other hand still lingers on her storm glass amulet. "Ask me anything, sister mine," she says with an earnest nod and a fond smile.

You have emoted: "Why does the Silver Goddess have your loyalty?" Lief asks the question with open guilelessness, her head tilted. An occasional yellow petal drifts away from her antlers, dancing in the air about her before dissipating into motes of essence.

Continuing the hunt for his dark mate, Father Sun presses forward in his journey, lowering himself in the sky yet still casting even, full light upon the land.

Your question causes Elexia's smile to become softer. A nostalgic look fills her eyes as they fall to her storm glass amulet. She balances the ornament in her palm as she softly replies, "There have been many times in my years, since I was a sapling Rootweir, that I have dwelt in fear." She brings her other hand over the amulet's face, laying a finger upon its surface as silvery mist swirls within to meet her touch. "Sometimes, my fear would be for things without. For plagues, or the strife of war. Other times, I would quake because of matters within. Struggles, to know my place, know who I really was. There were times I would latch on to something, then another thing, then another, and..." Her voice trails off. "I would try to balance myself on unstable, ever-changing foundations."

Shadows grow longer in anticipation for the return of their dark mistress as Father Sun's chase brings him closer to the world's edge.

You have emoted: As Lief listens, she is quiet save for the constant hum of her dragonfly wings keeping her aloft. Her hands clasp together over her kimono-robed lap, their calloused fingers folding together gently.

Elexia falls silent for a few moments as she considers the amulet in her palm. Then, her eyes flick up to you. "In those days, I would meditate underneath the silver light of the Daughter Moon. On Her changing face, how She so fluidly embodied so many different selves." Her smile grows a little wider. "Sometimes, yes, She would grow weak... Even disappear to the mortal's eye. But then, without fail, She would find renewal with the turning of time's Wheel. This is what my Lady teaches... That change is essential, that all things will pass with time... But all things will come again. And the new life that is born, though different, will carry in it the echoes of the old." Her posture straightens a little more. "I endeavor, by following Her teachings, to dance upon the cycles of change as She would have me. To no longer try to find unstable mooring in the flow of time, but to rather embrace change. Both changes without, and also changes within."

As the sun passes below the horizon's edge, Mother Night unveils her terrible, shadowy beauty, spreading darkness across the land.

With a fond smile, Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon says, "Of course, even when Change is frightening, illogical... It is not without any guidance. She is there for us, and Her Daughter ever-watches from the sky above. Even when Her face is hidden."

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "Miss Lief miss Lief Miss Lief Miss Lief."

You tell Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe, "Gurashi, hello!"

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "**Your mind is filled with a pleasant, chittering thrum**."

Across the heavens, the stars and moon challenge night's dark reign, revealing familiar constellations that tell the tales of myth and legend.

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "Are going to be busy in the year 553?"

You have emoted: Lief's smile eventually mirrors Elexia's own, and she bows her antlered head in acknowledgement and gratitude. "May these truths pierce the darkness of the wyrden flames which haunt you, sister mine. May you remember that you are never, ever alone, even in the darkest of nights."

You tell Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe, "Oh, goodness! That is quite some time away. I haven't a clue what my plans will be, but why do you ask?"

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "Hallifax is having its third sentinel celebration that year and am allowed to come and am allowed to bring a plus one so will you be my plus one."

You tell Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe, "Oh - oh goodness! You would like to invite me and not Duethielle?"

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "**The happy buzzing halts all at once. A resounding silence**."

Elexia mimics your gesture, bobbing her head in reply as she chimes, "Aye. I am never alone... And neither are you, though I suspect you need less assurance of that than I." A hint of sheepishness shows in her smile. "After all, as you say, your Lady will always be with you... And I will be, too."

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "**Slow, high pitched panicked whistling*."

You tell Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe, "I would be so very happy and honored to attend with you, Gurashi! But I think there is a very good chance I shall attend regardless - Hallifax was very supportive during the Spring Festival, and I have always found their celebrations neat and orderly and welcoming."

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "....d..... do think she would go..."

You tell Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe, "...I think she would be very happy to go if you were there, too."

The melodious voice of Gurashi resonates in your mind, "...many thank yous for your letter."

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 15th of Vestian, 549 years after the Coming of Estarra.

You have emoted: Lief's antlered head dips another time in acknowledgement; the gesture brings a translucent crystal bindi into the light, where its myriad prisms shine ever the brighter for the briefest of moments. "You speak truly," she says with a quiet smile, her entire body bobbing lightly in midair. Her hand reaches up to brush against the petals of one cananga flower, and she hesitates. "Gabriella was Avurekhos's mother which makes her, in a manner, family. I wish that I had known her. I think she would understand us very well."

Elexia's gaze follows your hand as you gently caress one of the tree's lemon-hued flowers. She sways lightly in the air, as if to some internal melody as she chimes, "As do I," quietly. She releases her storm glass amulet and folds her hands behind her as she drifts absent-mindedly through the air. "I know she has no-doubt become respun through the Wheel, and come out anew elsewhere... But it would have been wonderful just to meet her. I have heard she was a remarkable woman."

You think to yourself: And she suffered at Nocht's hands, too...

You have emoted: Lief's wistfulness turns to sadness as she sways gently in the air, gazing at the flower and then at all the tree's flowers. Eventually, she pulls herself away and pushes a smile back on her lips once she faces Elexia properly. "She was," she says with confidence. "She had to be."

The horizon glows with burnished shades of orange and red, heralding the imminent arrival of Father Sun upon the rim of the world.

Elexia smiles brightly now as she nods in vigorous agreement. "Aye," comes her simply, but heart-felt reply. "After all, the Lady Serenity only choses the brightest to be Her own Avatar."

You have emoted: Lief touches her hand to her heart, lingering in quiet for a brief moment before flashing Elexia another smile, a deeper smile. "Perhaps She does," she says as she wings a circle about Elexia. "I will return to my meditations soon, sister. Would you like to linger here, or would you like to come back to Serenwilde with me?"

Elexia dips her heart as she chimes, "Let us return, sister".

You nod your head enthusiastically at Elexia.

You reach out and touch a tall, blooming cananga tree.

You hold the Flame of dae'Seren aloft and an emerald light shines forth, revealing a hazy hallway of ancient trees. You walk through the hallway, feeling the ancestral spirits welcome you.
Elexia has left the area.
Elexia follows you ether.
This room has not been mapped.
Halls of the Spirits.
Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Enormous trees with emerald crowns make up the pillars of these great halls, bearing a domed amber ceiling that rests upon the trees' branches. There is an open-air feel, as soft breezes pass through the echoing spaces of the hall, carrying with them the sounds of voices, male and female, young and old. Upon the trees are carven figures of great beasts and brave heroes past, larger than life and solemn in bearing. Blue flames rise from the ground throughout: warm, yet not consuming. They enwreath the halls in their gentle glow, and within the flames, faint figures drift in and out of sight, both gay and sorrowful, bright of eye. In many directions, the branches of the tall trees bend to form archways veiled with flames, beyond which distant planes can be seen.
You see exits leading north, northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest, up, and down.

Elexia follows you down.
The Moonhart Mother Tree.
The variety of trees that crowd around the Moonhart Mother Tree goes beyond count, elms and alders,beech and cherry, hawthorn and hazel, evergreen and oak, all dwarfed by the magnificence and majesty of the mother tree herself. The grasses and shrubs that grow in the surrounding forest become scarce as they approach the tree, replaced by tiny wildflowers of amethyst-purple and marble-white. The veil to the ethereal plane is particularly thin, and the laughter of pixies and other creatures of the fae tinkle down from the treetops and tickle the ears of those below. The atmosphere itself, although benign and welcoming, also vibrates with a palpable power, sending shivers up the skin. Towering high above is the Moonhart Mother Tree, stretching her enormous branches heavenwards. Gleaming with a silver lambency, a slender tree grows here, its bark and boughs displaying the faces of the dead. There are 3 small screech owls here. An illustrated canvas hangs in the air here, supported by silvery ribbons. Lacking any visible weapon, Adasser, Wolverine's Mask assesses his surroundings with glacial blue eyes. Covered in bone armour, watching you warily, a silver-furred vixen sniffs the air. There are 5 armoured owls here. There are 2 armoured foxes here. There are 7 fierce timberwolves here. Watching you warily, a silver-furred vixen sniffs the air. There are 2 striped badgers here. Soft hues of light illuminate a small shrine situated within a tangle of delicate bluebells. Singing a hauntingly beautiful melody, Miakoda, Maiden of the Moonhart, stands here. Glowing gently with a soft blue light, a delicate dreamcatcher has been permanently hung here. There are 10 frost hags here. There are 5 centaur hunters here. There are 10 kephera nature warders here. A hornbeam sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. Reaching up as high as the eye can see looms the awesome presence of a living totem. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. A pair of glassblade gloves has been carelessly discarded here. A moonstone vial glitters on the ground. Surrounded by domothean death energies, an enormous map of the Catacombs of the Dead stretches across the open air. Its petals glistening with ice, a delicate snoefaasia orchid grows here from a clump of snow. There are 13 bowls of ice cream resembling pristine powder snow here. One thumb tucked into his belt, the ranger Caedir Aormeah lounges here. A young male horse with a black tail stands here, pawing the ground. Spirit-Touched Indrosiril is here, shrouded. He wields an athame dagger in his left hand and a shield of silvered vines in his right hand.
You see exits leading north, south, and through a vined stairway.

Elexia thanks you profusely.

You give Elexia a friendly squeeze.

Elexia embraces you with great ardour.

Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon says to you, "Go well, sister mine."

Elexia smiles softly.

Returning the soft smile, you say to Elexia, "Carry Hope with you."

You tug upon the aether strands around you, searching for one that connects to the Aetherplex Chamber.

You teleport along the aether strands to the Aetherplex Chamber.
The Aetherplex Chamber.
The spherical chamber is formed from a hollow geode comprised of dozens of precious gemstones. Large jagged formations of rubies, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds line the walls and ceiling. The floor has been cut and polished to a brilliant shine, revealing concentric circles of brilliant colours. Upon close examination of the glassy floor, shimmering reflections briefly glide across its smooth surface of wondrous mansions and abodes. A current of electricity continuously runs throughout this mineral wonder, causing tiny sparks to erratically blossom up and down the crystalline formations. Hidden deep within the environment lies a mystic pathway. Shimmering with aetheric energy, a bright glowing portal floats here in midair. Hackles risen, a fierce timberwolf prowls about here. A screech owl is here, surveying the surroundings. There are 2 great brindle mastiffs here. A giant bat hangs here, wings folded about its body and one beady eye open. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system. There is an aetherways portal here.
You see exits leading north (open door), south, out, and through a bright, glowing portal.

You portal to Pavilion.

[Movement]

A grove of efflorescing memory.
Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Awash in creams and watery colours, this grove is redolent with gentle sweetness. Concealing the way into this protected space, a thicket of blackthorn shrubs flowers here with dense, floral lushness. Their thorny branches ward against the casual passer-by, and their soft blossoms scatter like snow when a strong breeze drives through them. Tall beech trees rise above the blackthorns as towering sentries, providing welcome shade with their intertwining canopies. Where light streams through overhead to dapple the earth, patches of wildflowers are illuminated through the fallen petals and viridian ferns. Periwinkle bluebells droop with wistful elegance, bobbing and dancing like chimes whenever disturbed, whilst true blue forget-me-nots dot the spongy floor itself. Nectar-seeking butterflies and pollen-hunting bumblebees are visible as the seasons allow, endlessly flitting from tree to tree and from blossom to blossom. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. A beautiful basket rests here, its blanket spilling leisurely over the sides.
You see a single exit leading northeast.

You have emoted: Lief carefully makes her way into the grove here, pulling a sleeve free from one grasping blackthorn before winging a circle and settling down in a patch of sunlight filtering through canopies above.

You have emoted: Lief draws a luminous peacock feather free from the sash about her robe and cradles it, quiet. Her translucent wings slowly fan behind her before they fold into something more relaxed against her back.

You think to yourself: Is this meant to be an emotional stab, or is it a trap...

You stroke a luminous peacock feather tenderly.

You think to yourself: Shashi...