Hummingbird Quest

An iridescent white hummingbird buzzes in from the down.

Darting off to the north, an iridescent white hummingbird flits away.

An iridescent white hummingbird buzzes in from the north.

Darting off to the down, an iridescent white hummingbird flits away.

An iridescent white hummingbird buzzes in from the down.

Nalurei follows the hummingbird in, brandishing a piece of paper and a quill. "Hold -still-!"

Darting off to the north, an iridescent white hummingbird flits away.

Silent motes of light like those of the Pool of Stars drift through the city, lighting up their
surroundings.

Nalurei mutters discontentedly.

You blink.

You sense the sweeping gaze of Esei looking upon you.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Do you need a sketch of the hummingbird?"

At Syrinx Square, crossing with Nautilus Pompilus. (road).
Still, grey mists cover the ground here, indicating a shield shrine of Darvellan nearby. This location
is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. One or two light fluffy clouds drift lazily through the
sky. The tower blocks end abruptly here, as a broad crossroads opens out into the magnificent
eclecticism of Syrinx Square. Crossing the lower spiral of Nautilus Pompilus, it stands at the apex of
the artisans quarter and the administrative centres, encompassing both the formal grandeur and the
relaxed eclecticism of the two combined. Around spiralling pillars and statues, the square is coloured
by an impromptu market for those artisans who are looking to sell their recent creations to make a
little money. The railings which surround the fruit trees are used as tiny galleries, and portable
wooden stalls are hastily assembled offering the various crafted items of the vendors. At the centre of
the square are circular stone tables surrounded by benches, used for intellectual conversation, al
fresco dining, and the occassional game of chance. A grand fountain miraculously illuminates the
surrounding area. A statue of Meleris stands here, memorializing his noble spirit. Nalurei balances
upon a curled tail, her upper half that of a merian woman.
You see exits leading north, east, west, and down (open door).

Staring after the hummingbird, Nalurei says, "I wanted to practice sketching something a little
different, and thought a bird would be different, but they don't stop! And I can't lure them the way I
can a fish."

A deathly cold wind sweeps through, causing your very breath to begin to freeze as Misericorde enters
from the east.

Warmth returns to your extremities as Misericorde glides out to the down, a chill wind leaving frost in
her wake.

A deathly cold wind sweeps through, causing your very breath to begin to freeze as Misericorde enters
from the down.

Warmth returns to your extremities as Misericorde glides out to the north, a chill wind leaving frost
in her wake.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Well, no. Hummingbirds don't eat the same kinds
of things that fish do. They like flowers."

An iridescent white hummingbird buzzes in from the north.

Darting off to the down, an iridescent white hummingbird flits away.

"They're so tiny though!" Nalurei's gaze follows the hummingbird as it flits passed again. "How would
they eat a flower? Do they just take their time with it?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "No, no, they drink the nectar!"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "That's why they flit around so much. Most
flowers don't have a lot of nectar, so they have to go from flower to flower to get enough to eat."

An iridescent white hummingbird buzzes in from the down.

Darting off to the down, an iridescent white hummingbird flits away.

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a
brief moment.

Thoughtfully, Nalurei says, "So even if I had a flower, it probably still would not hold still for me."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "It might, I suppose. They're capricious little
things. Though you might have more luck with the really odd ones."

An iridescent white hummingbird buzzes in from the down.

Darting off to the north, an iridescent white hummingbird flits away.

Nalurei says, "The really odd ones?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Oh, there's a hummingbird made of elemental
water, and I think one made entirely of light."

Caohite arrives, following Knorrith, Humble Avower.
Knorrith arrives from the north.

Knorrith, Humble Avower says to you, "The gambling hall is in the hotel, yes?"

You nod your head emphatically.

Caohite flashes you a joyous smile.

Wyrden Idolater Caohite Inseira, Umbrated Ivory says, "Hello again."

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "Ok so I just went the wrong place there."

Knorrith's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "Not totally crazy."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Upstairs."

Knorrith's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Thoughtfully, Nalurei says, "Odd... yess..."

Knorrith tilts his head curiously.

Caohite looks up at Nalurei curiously.

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "Odd?"

Seagulls wheel far overhead, letting out harsh squawks as they fly over.

Nalurei blinks, seemingly aware of the company "Ah... not you! Hummingbirds."

Comprehension flashes across Knorrith's face.

The corners of Knorrith's mouth turn up as he grins mischeviously.

Wyrden Idolater Caohite Inseira, Umbrated Ivory says, "They are terribly odd things."

Wyrden Idolater Caohite Inseira, Umbrated Ivory says to you, "Even if they are not stars."

Caohite gives you the once-over, eyeing you suspiciously.

Knorrith, Humble Avower asks, "What's wrong with the hummingbirds?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "They're hard to sketch."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Because they go ZOOM."

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "Oh."

Wyrden Idolater Caohite Inseira, Umbrated Ivory says, "When I was very, very small, he told me of his
meeting with a Star. And that when they die, they become the hummingbirds."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

Seagulls wheel far overhead, letting out harsh squawks as they fly over.

Knorrith ponders Caohite thoughtfully, looking her up and down.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "... I think one of us got really confused with
that conversation."

Wyrden Idolater Caohite Inseira, Umbrated Ivory says, "Oh likely."

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "I think it was me."

Knorrith utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Wyrden Idolater Caohite Inseira, Umbrated Ivory says to you, "But a treasured novicehood memory none
the less."

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "I'm sorry, did we interrupt a conversation?"

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a
brief moment.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "A little, but I think we're going to look for
the elemental water hummingbird to see if we have any luck getting it to sit still enough for a
sketch."

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "My apologies."

Comprehension flashes across Caohite's face.

With a flourish of his arm, Knorrith bows deeply.

Caohite curtseys gracefully before Nalurei.

Nalurei beams broadly.

Nalurei begins to follow you.

Knorrith, Humble Avower says, "Be well."

Nalurei exclaims, "I am curious about this star... hummingbird story now though!"

Knorrith's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Let's see, I think it lives on the walls...?"

Nalurei begins to follow you.

Ready for a new adventure, you point boldly towards the horizon and declare in a proud tone, "Onward!"

**QUESTING FOR HUMMINGBIRD**

Guardhouse at Strombus Gigas Tower.
A continuous flow of protective energies radiates from a shield shrine of Weiwae nearby. This location
is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. A translucent, elemental hummingbird made of water hovers
here with aquatic grace.

"Ahah!" you exclaim triumphantly.

Made of water held together in an impossibly cohesive manner, this tiny avian is a sight to behold. It
is entirely translucent, save for marbled white ice which makes up its beak and tiny feet, as well as a
few frozen patternings on its wings. The small hummingbird flies as any other would, somehow, and
merrily goes about its business of seeking flowers.
A translucent hummingbird made of water looks relatively helpless.
He weighs 12 ounce(s).
You cannot see what a translucent hummingbird made of water is holding.
It has the following aliases: hummingbird, bird.

You pat a translucent hummingbird made of water in a friendly manner.
A translucent hummingbird made of water flits about happily.

"Oooooooooh!" Nalurei says to a translucent hummingbird made of water, eyes wide with wonder.

Singing drifts in from outside, faintly muffled.

Leaning close to inspect the hummingbird, Nalurei says to you, "Do you know how it came to be?"

You shake your head.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "I think it might be older than I am."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Or it might not be, and I just wasn't paying
attention."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say to a translucent hummingbird made of water,
"You're a lot calmer than your iridescent white relative."

Singing drifts in from outside, faintly muffled.

Brilliant flares of colour fill the firmament as spires of crystal rise up on the horizon, the rays of
sunlight reflecting from them freezing time in place as they paint your surroundings in a spectacular
palette. Time jumps as light refracts and moves over your surroundings with the arrival of an
Immaculate Timequake.

Nalurei's hand holding the parchment partially unweaves itself, reshaping into a firm surface that
holds the piece of parchment. With the other hand, she begins to sketch, light lines that capture
something of the hummingbird's energy.

The Mantle of Starlight flows gently against your form, twinkling stars shifting across its surface as
the starry infinity continues its eternal motion.

Knorrith tells you, "You find your hummingbird?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Knorrith, Humble Avower, "Yep!"

Knorrith tells you, "Ah good."


Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say to a translucent hummingbird made of water, "Thank
you for sitting still like this. You are very polite."

You sense the sweeping gaze of Gurashi looking upon you.

Esei has been blasted to death by Uzriel's boulder.
You see the death occur at a frosted diamond stairway.  (?)

Nalurei moves around the hummingbird, examining and sketching from several angles. "Yes, thank you."
She agrees. "Do you think the other odd one you mentioned would be as obliging?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "It might? I think it lingers on the wall near
the lighthouse."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "... or where the lighthouse used to be. It's not
a lighthouse anymore."

Muffled laughter echoes from somewhere outside.

You scratch your head in confusion.

Nalurei begins to follow you.

You nod your head emphatically.

**HUMMINGBIRD QUEST 2.0**

Guardhouse of the Northern Voluta Diadema Tower.
A hazy, blood-red mist covers the ground here, indicating a war shrine of Darvellan nearby. This
location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Shimmering as it moves, a golden hummingbird
busily zips about.

Wings beating so fast that they appear as a glittering blur, this tiny bird spends most of its time
aloft. It is very fast, zipping in all directions, and even has the ability to hover perfectly in the
air. This particular hummingbird is a deep, burnished gold with faint patterns of white and lighter
yellow speckled across its miniscule feathers.
A flashy golden hummingbird looks relatively helpless.
He weighs 12 ounce(s).
You cannot see what a flashy golden hummingbird is holding.
It has the following aliases: hummingbird, bird.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "No, not this one..."

**HUMMINGBIRD QUEST 3: THE SEARCH FOR BIRD**

A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with
shallow, crystal clear water. One or two light fluffy clouds drift lazily through the sky. Shining with
every movement, a platinum hummingbird hovers about. A statue of a brilliant platinum hummingbird
stands here, memorialising his noble spirit.
You see exits leading south and up (open door).

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "... or this one..."

**HUMMINGBIRD QUEST 4: THE REHUMMENING**

At the bottom of Tonna Olearium Tower.
A rhythmic thrumming saturates the area, drawing attention to a war shrine of Terentia nearby. This
location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. One or two light fluffy clouds drift lazily
through the sky. A statue of a tiny pug puppy stands here, memorialising her noble spirit.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Apparently I don't know where it lingers at all!
But I'm sure there's a hummingbird made of light here SOMEWHERE..."

**HUMMINGBIRD QUEST 5: THIS TOOK A LOT LONGER THAN I'M MAKING IT LOOK, TRUST ME**

A faint, bubbly chirp announces the arrival of a hummingbird made of water from the down.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say to a translucent hummingbird made of water, "Do
you know where the hummingbird made of light is?"

Scattering a few drops of water about as it buzzes past, an elemental hummingbird flies to the down.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "... I'm going to take that as a no."

**HUMMINGBIRD QUEST VI: NUMERAL SWITCH**

Conjunction of Nautilus Pompilus and middle Whelk. (road).
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with
shallow, crystal clear water. There is a moderate breeze here. An ornately carved marble fountain
stands here, bubbling with fresh water. A statue of Shakiniel stands here, memorializing her noble
spirit. A pious merian walks the streets of New Celest, a hopeful smile upon his lips.
You see exits leading east, south, west, and down.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

"Ahah!" you exclaim triumphantly.

"Ahah!" Nalurei exclaims triumphantly.

Off to see more of the city, a pious merian leaves to the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Apparently not as agreeable."

Lower Whelk through the non-merian quarter. (road).
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with
shallow, crystal clear water. It is warm and quite pleasant. A statue of an empyreal ryujin stands
here, memorialising her noble spirit. A pious merian walks the streets of New Celest, a hopeful smile
upon his lips.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the north.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the north.

Lower Whelk through the non-merian quarter. (road).
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with
shallow, crystal clear water. There is a moderate breeze here. A statue of an empyreal ryujin stands
here, memorialising her noble spirit. Composed of light, a hummingbird on wing glows brightly before
you.

A small collection of living light, this glowing hummingbird floats in the air, its glittering wings
but a blur. It brightens and dims as things catch its attention, zipping busily about with a faint and
electric buzz of a sound. With faint and prismatic shimmers of other colours along its wings and body,
it appears to be covered in barely perceptible, constantly shifting, rainbow patterns.
A glowing hummingbird of light looks relatively helpless.
He weighs 12 ounce(s).
You cannot see what a glowing hummingbird of light is holding.
It has the following aliases: hummingbird, bird.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "... it looks a little like Zanthasiel,
actually."

Nalurei says, "Oh dear, not obliging at all. Although he reminds me a little of ... Zanthasiel?"

You drop Zanthasiel, the Rainbow Glory.

Zanthasiel, the Rainbow Glory obediently falls into line behind you.

You pat Zanthasiel, the Rainbow Glory in a friendly manner.

A group of iridescent bubbles silently floats past on a sea breeze.

Nalurei exclaims to Zanthasiel, the Rainbow Glory, "Oh! There you are, hello!"

(Order): Aknarin says, "Thank You, Lady Sculptor!"

Zanthasiel, the Rainbow Glory strikes a pose.

A group of iridescent bubbles silently floats past on a sea breeze.

Wistfully, Nalurei says to Zanthasiel, the Rainbow Glory, "I think you might be a little beyond my
sketching abilities."

Smiling at his surroundings, a pious merian enters from the south.

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

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "She's a bit complex, yes."

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a
brief moment.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Want to continue chasing after that
hummingbird?"

Off to see more of the city, a pious merian leaves to the south.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

With a laugh, Nalurei says, "Yes! Although I am not sure how to convey the light that makes up his
being."

Nalurei ponders the situation.

You have emoted: Tridemon peers at the hummingbird as it zips in and out of the room.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "I think he might be actively teasing us, now."

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

Lower Whelk through the non-merian quarter. (road).
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with
shallow, crystal clear water. It is warm and quite pleasant. A statue of an empyreal ryujin stands
here, memorialising her noble spirit. Composed of light, a hummingbird on wing glows brightly before
you.
You see exits leading north and up.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the up.

Conjunction of Nautilus Pompilus and middle Whelk. (road).
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with
shallow, crystal clear water. There is a moderate breeze here. An ornately carved marble fountain
stands here, bubbling with fresh water. A statue of Shakiniel stands here, memorializing her noble
spirit. Composed of light, a hummingbird on wing glows brightly before you.
You see exits leading east, south, west, and down.

Motes of prismatic light briefly fill the area with a multitude of tiny rainbows.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Nalurei sketches a few scattered lines before the hummingbird makes its departure.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "It's times like this that I'm glad I have a
device for getting sketches of things... though that wouldn't build up any sketching skill."

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the down.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Nalurei blinks incredulously at you.

Smiling at his surroundings, a pious merian enters from the down.

You take a wizzer image box from bright white robes of platinum waves.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "It's a kind of gnomish device, but it's a
shortcut-."

You lift a wizzer image box up and pull the lever. It begins to make a series of clicking and whirring
sounds as a light extends and emits a bright flash at a glowing hummingbird of light. A piece of paper
floats from the front of the camera into your hands.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the up.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "And no substitute for actually learning how to
capture sketches by hand."

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Nalurei blinks rapidly, shaking her head to clear it of the afterimages from the wizzer image box's
flash.

Nalurei cranes her neck around to look at the resulting sketch. "That is impressively lifelike though."

Nalurei ponders the situation.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "I've no idea how it's done."

Soft mewlings betray a kitten crying for its mother somewhere nearby.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Would you like it as a reference?"

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the down.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the down.

Nalurei gazes after hummingbird as it zips in and out, and lets out a sigh. "I would, if you do not
mind giving it to me. It won't be the same, but at least it will stay PUT."

You give a sketch of a glowing hummingbird of light to Nalurei.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the down.

"Thank you." Nalurei says as she tucks the sketch away with the other of the water hummingbird. "It
will be good practice, seeing if I can copy the effects of the light." She frowns thoughtfully. "Do you
ever find it discouraging, that the loud gnome box can capture things just so?"

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a
brief moment.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "A little bit, sometimes. But it's just a
machine, and it'll make the same sketch every time. If you want to focus on some detail or other, doing
it by hand is the way to go."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Like a particularly interesting series of
stripes on a fish."

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the south.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Silent motes of light like those of the Pool of Stars drift through the city, lighting up their
surroundings.


Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a
brief moment.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the down.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Or if something reminds you of something else,
altering the sketch you are doing slightly to make that resemblance more clear."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "It's a tool, a quick and accurate one... but it
has no creativity of its own."

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a
brief moment.

Thoughtfully, Nalurei says, "It can only show what is, not what might be."

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the down.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Indeed."

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the down.

Glowing brightly, a hummingbird made of light zips by from the down.

With a definitive and chiming chirp, a hummingbird made of light zips to the south.

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a
brief moment.

The light spread of cloud overhead fluffs up into sparse cotton bodies.

The sky lightens and stars fade as Father Sun approaches the horizon in his neverending quest to
capture Mother Night.

Inexplicably, a cohesive bubble of water meanders by, small floating drips trailing after it.

After a moment's reflection, Nalurei says to you, "Thank you for chasing hummingbirds around the city
with me! Time to go practice drawing."

You nod your head emphatically.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, you say, "Have fun! Perhaps you'll find a hummingbird-fish
to draw."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

Nalurei exclaims, "Ooo!"

Her method of propulsion unclear, Nalurei glides to the down.