Difference between revisions of "Porcelain Child/SessionEleven"

Latest revision as of 13:27, 18 February 2005

On the streets of Noble..
<onine> It's evening now in Noble, Anona and Epheri have just walked out of the Tepet manse, Epheri looking shocked and confused, Anona, a little different.
<onine> The meeting with Krennell went well. At least it kind of went well. Headway was made, and the knowledge that there was definitely more at foot with the old Dragonblood's involvement in the auction has become immediately apparent. Exactly *why
* however has been left to mystery.
<onine> Epheri is unaware of Krennell's whispered warning, and is also blind to the fact that there was someone ELSE speaking to Krennell just moments before the pair of you.
<onine> The guards nod in respect as you cross the bridge. The essence powered lights are starting to glow in the manse, and some colored ones are set up outside to make the gardens look even more impressive at night.
<onine> Epheri waits a good distance before finally talking.
<onine> "Okay! What was all that about?!"
<Anona> "I don't know, Epheri. At least, I know I don't know."
<onine> "What is my father in to?" She says then falls silent.
<Anona> "He was speaking to someone before I went in. I think perhaps they were still around; he didn't want to talk about it where others could overhear."
<onine> "Oh." She says a little sheepish. "Now what?"
<Anona> "We know he *was
* trying to buy that sword-hilt, but he doesn't want anyone to know. And we know that Kain Starflower *is
* the sub-prefect. I expect Diamandus will find that confirmation interesting; it means we've been fooled."
<onine> "But for what reason? It's just an old piece of sword." Epheri says frustrated
<onine> "Which reminds me, you seemed to be pretty damn interested in it yourself Anona."
<Anona> "I've seen it before. I don't remember WHERE, exactly, but perhaps my parents once owned it, or something. I'm sure the auctioneer's prattle of it being 'found in the forests of the East' was just that. Prattle."
<Anona> "Plus, the Anathema swore she'd kill us all with it; if she thought it was something special, we have to remain open to the possibility."
<onine> "Maybe she's going to take over creation and enslave us all like they did before." She theorizes
<Anona> "Oh, I'm sure that's the long-term plan. But the demon works through a mortal body, and often it's what the mortal wants that influences what it does, at least at first..."
<onine> "Finding out what it wants may be the first step to catching it? Or we could follow that walking disaster area, Alphaeios. He's probably still hot on its heels."
<Anona> "Possibly, possibly. I think we should discuss this with the magistrate and the others first, though." Anona quickens her pace.
<onine> "Right!" She quickens to catch up with you.

In Vana's Room...
* Vana looks glumly at the pile of jade finery stacked near her gear.
* Magpie, bored, pops up into her room. "Vaanna. I'm bored. Why couldn't I go to the fire?"
<Vana> "You've had enough excitement to last you the rest of your life, I think."
* Magpie perches glumly on Vana's bed. "I have -not-. And anyway, I could've ...I could've..."
* Vana pauses in her packing and raises her eyebrows expectantly.
* Magpie 's voice trails off, as she tries to imagine what she could've done.
<Magpie> "I could've done something! But Tara said I'd be a bother. A bother!" Magpie crosses her arms over her chest indignantly.
<Vana> "You are quite mean to her at times." Vana points at her accusingly.
<onine> She said something about danger too, but it looks like Magpie is careful to edit Tara's quote as she sees fit.
<Magpie> "-Mean-? Mean! I'm never mean! I -like- Tara!"

<Vana> "You keep stealing her tools. And you never listen to her." She wanders over and sits down heavily.

<Magpie> "It's -Crow- that steals her tools. And I do too listen to her." Magpie nods in satisfaction, deeming that indisputable.
<Vana> "Yeah, you just don't ever pay attention. Have you had a bath since we dunked you last time?"
* Magpie eyes her a bit warily. "Nooo...but...Tara hasn't even brought it up." This is Tactics. or perhaps Strategy. Be enough of a pain the first time, and you never have to do it again.
* Vana taps her chin, mock-thoughtfully. "Maybe I should remind her..."
<Magpie> "Vana!"
* Magpie looks at her in undisguised horror.
<Magpie> "Anyway..." Magpie switches to wheedle mode. "I need more fighting lessons." She hopes down off the bed. "I lost the wooden knife. The fairy took it."
<Vana> "So I heard. Don't worry, I can make you another."
* Magpie smiles. "Good. Can I have a lesson now?"
<Vana> "Only if you have a bath afterwards without Tara telling you to."

* Magpie hesitates.

<Magpie> That's weaseable, she decides. "Sure!"
* Vana gives her a suspicious look for her hesitation, then nods. "Good. Now?"
<Magpie> "Of -course- now!"
<Vana> "Come on, then." She hops off the bed herself and heads downstairs.
* Magpie follows after.
* Vana wanders out into the courtyard, and under a tree. "We might as well just focus on the unarmed stuff, this time, since you're weaponless." She draws her daiklaive.
* Magpie goes 'Ulp!'
<onine> Diamandus and Ujiro are in the courtyard, unless you're choosing a different spot.

* Vana smiles. "First mistake. Don't show fear."

* Magpie nods. Her eyes still fixed on the daiklaive.
<Magpie> She wondered why Vana got a daiklaive for 'unarmed stuff' and she didn't.
<Vana> "A lot of this is similar to what I showed you with the knife. Get in close, so they can't swing properly. The rest is just being careful that they don't club you over the head when you do."
* Magpie nods- and darts in to try to give Vana a soft tap somewhere vital-looking.
* Vana clubs her over the head. Gently, though.
<onine> It makes an amusin *thock* sound.
* Magpie goes "Ow!" and rubs her head.
* Vana grins. "Nice try. You've got the idea, though; try and get them when they aren't ready. A good kick somewhere and you're home free."
* Magpie nods. "Are you going to hit my on the head if I try again?" she asks warily.
<Vana> "Mmm, maybe. You'll just have to find out."
* Magpie makes another pass, ducking and rolling past Vana at about the time she estimated the daikliave would be making a *thock* pass.
* Vana taps her in the ribs. "Close. Try again."
<Magpie> Panting, Magpie narrows her eyes, and rushes at Vana again.
* Vana does... something, and Magpie ends up held in mid-air by the flat of Vana's blade, stopped halfway through her fall. "Almost."
<Magpie> "You're going to say that a lot," Magpie guesses, dangling.
<Vana> "Yep. It's better than whacking you in the head, isn't it?" She grins, and lets the girl loose.
* Magpie continues to make attacks, and at a guess, ends up dangling after every one.
<Vana> Pretty much. Though she does make a little success, in that she manages to grab Vana's shirt once.

* Magpie gloats after that one, earning herself another *thock!*

<onine> Magpie, the next *thock* is answered with laughter from nearby.

<onine> Over on the nearby street, Ujiro is laughing at your predicament while supporting himself against his sword as if it were a lamp post or walking stick.

<onine> "Try harder little warrior, you will get it!"

* Magpie looks around wildly. She scowls blackly when she spots Ujiro. This is just what she had been afraid of. She makes frantic shooing motions, and then, with great dignity, turns back to Vana

* Vana smiles. "Don't mind him. You'll need to learn to block that sort of thing out."
<onine> "Oh no no! You take it too seriously!" He says walking over. "You play games, yes?"
* Magpie mutters something to her toes which sounds like "He's tell *mumble*, and they'll laugh."
* Magpie looks up at that. And then rushes forward at Ujiro in the weaving attack pattern she'd been practicing with Vana.

<onine> He... does the same.  He runs at you roaring a battle cry.

* Magpie veers off, extending her leg to trip him.

<onine> He does indeed trip, sprawling to the ground laughing with excitement. Vana sees however that he appears to have staged his own defeat, the law of mass pretty much prohibits someone of Magpie's weight downing one of Ujiro's... mass in that manner.
<onine> "Oh no!" He wails. "I am defeated!"
* Magpie doesn't notice. She collapses in a fit of giggles.
* Vana grins at them both. "Maybe I should be teaching -you-, Ujiro."
<onine> "Fun?" he asks Magpie
<Magpie> "Yes! Very fun," she agrees, through her laughter.
<onine> He stands. "You don’t fear what you play with! And Ujiro mightily plays with death!"
<onine> He flexes his arms, showing off.
<onine> "Don’t forget, when you defeat something, show it how strong you are! Like so!"
* Magpie stands and mimics him- though her arms, bony as they are, reveal no evidence of muscles whatsoever.
<onine> "Very good!"
* Magpie looks at him with a trace of suspicion. "Are you -sure- you're a warrior?"
<onine> "Ujiro is supremely talented in the arts of war!"
* Vana watches the conversation with considerable amusement.
<Magpie> "Oh. Okay." Generously, she offers, "Do you want to practice with me?"
<onine> He takes on a solemn expression and bows. "Ujiro is honoured!"
<onine> He does turn to you too Vana. "Ujiro is wise and great, but can always learn more."
<Vana> "You're welcome to join us, then."
<onine> "Mm!" he nods and steps back outside the 'circle'
* Magpie shifts her attention back to Vana..."Now what?"
<Vana> "Try again, of course." She hefts her sword.
* Magpie continues her practice- occasionally attempting to use Ujiro as shield and/or obstacle.
* Vana deftly thwocks her each time, without so much as ruffling Ujiro's clothes. Her commentary is a near constant "Close. Almost. Just about... nearly."
* Magpie glumy decides, as she pants and sweats and trips her way through the exercises, that she was going to be hearing that litany for -years-.
<onine> You find that Ujiro is actually surprisingly good, and you think he could be an excellent mortal warrior if only he stopped treating it like a game.
* Vana catches Magpie one last time, then lets her stand. "That's enough for today. You're doing well."
<onine> "Victory! Hahaha!" Ujiro struts
<onine> "Another day of learning is behind, and everyone grows stronger."
<Magpie> She nods, and begins taking deep, gasping breaths. "Now...I ...need...to take....a bath." she gets out. She takes off at a weary trot in the direction of the docks...
* Vana looks at her suspiciously again, but decides not to ask.
<onine> "You'll wash off your warrior sweat!" Ujiro calls after her.
<onine> "Children!" He grins at Vana
* Vana pokes the grubby man in the ribs slightly, but smiles back. "You could do with a bath too, you know."
<onine> "Kah!? How can you say that! It hurts Ujiro to the core!" He laughs some more. "Don’t be eaten now!"
* Vana waits until the girl is out of earshot. "You're good, Ujiro... where did you learn to fight like that?"
<onine> "I learn." He says, his voice strangely serious, then starts laughing again as normal. "Ujiro teaches himself!"
<Vana> "Hmm. Maybe."

At the inn…
<onine> Meanwhile, back at the inn, the feeling of being had seems to be in full swing, especially after the torching of the administration sector of Noble.
<onine> The Magistrate is considering getting ready to move in the direction of Tuchara, the main usable lead that you all have.
<onine> He's gotten you to start your packing, slowly though, in case Anona and Epheri made a breakthrough.
<onine> Diamandus is outside caligraphing something and oddly having a conversation with Ujiro, leaving the lot of you to your own devices at least for now.
<Anona> Seeing Diamandus is busy, Anona approaches Yengo. "I think we've found out something interesting."
* Yengo looks up from the table where he's packing away his things. "Oh?"
<onine> Tara takes something out of your bag and repacks it more effectively, offering a meek smile that seems to say "How did you survive in the legions with such poor packing skills".
<Anona> "The first: Krennell confirmed that Kain Starflower is, in fact, the sub-prefect. He isn't very familiar with the administration so I couldn't get a solid description, but it looks like we've been fooled there."
* Yengo nods, still fumbling with the packing. "We discovered the same thing. Unfortunately, the imposter is nowhere to be found, and he burned the evidence, along with the administrative building..." He sighs.
<Anona> "Really? Damn. Somebody's going to great lengths to jerk us around."
<onine> "Getting rid of the old government." Epheri says. "Father said something about Tepet Juno being in charge of things around here now."
<Yengo> "Seems so. Find out anything else?"
<Anona> "Yes... which brings me to the second point. Krennell was definitely the one trying to buy this 'Irezua' hilt. He denied it loudly, but whispered to me that he couldn't talk now, he was not alone. Interesting, hmm?"
<Yengo> "Very interesting..." he scratches his beard. "But it doesn't get us much closer. I wonder what he meant by not being alone... didn't you see anyone?"
<Anona> "He was talking to someone before I... ah... barged in. I think they took a moment to hide, because I saw no one come out."
<onine> "I didn't" Epheri answers and looks at Anona who was convinced another was there.
<Anona> "Plus, like I said, *Krennell
* seemed to think we weren't alone."
<onine> Epheri sighs. "This is just a nightmare!"
<Yengo> "Well... was he nervous, or just being discreet?" He realizes the question is rude, but it's something that needs to be answered.
<Anona> "He sounded nervous. Well, nervous for HIM."
* Yengo sighs. "I have no idea. You both know him far better than I do..." Could be an old enemy of Krennell's, or something new, or just a trick, he thinks.
<Anona> "Still, I think I covered well for anyone who was listening. And half the town thinks I'm crazy anyway."
<onine> Epheri snorts
<Yengo> "Good to know. Well, the first part, anyway. We may need you to keep an eye on him in the future. I'm not sure what our next move should be, we don't have many leads..." He sighs again and returns to packing.
<Anona> "So what are you packing for?"
<onine> "We are leaving." Tara answers quietly.
<Yengo> "Yes, as soon as everyone is ready. I guess you two had better start packing again." Personally, he'd only gotten about half his things unpacked from LAST time...
<Anona> "But where are we going? What did you find?"
<Yengo> "The armor Vana found among the bandit leaders seems to have been made in Tuchara... it's a slim lead, but one of the few we have. It's either that or go looking for Starflower, but there's no certainty he knows anything beyond what he told us the first time we met him."
<onine> "Chances are.." Epheri says. "He's at the bottom of the bay."
* Anona hmmphs. "You're probably right, Epheri..."
<Yengo> "That's also a possibility."
<onine> "Well, Juno is in charge of the Foothills, and, well... father said 'don’t get involved.' So, its a morbid, but fair assumption."
<Anona> "That's the way the Houses play their games... and I guess we need to pack too."
* Anona realizes this may seem like a non sequitur. "Because I *do
* intend to get involved."
<onine> "We can also," The magistrate says from the door, with Ujiro in tow. "See if we can find out about where that hilt may have came from, the Ledaal stronghold IS the Arjuf Dominion after all."
* Anona looks up with a start. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were finished, sir."
<onine> "Quite alright, merely adding this incident to my 'report.'"
<onine> If you remember anything about the Magistrates, its that they record all of their deeds, and then report them to the Magistracy every five years.
<Anona> "If there's anyone to report to...
* Yengo wonders what sort of footnote he'll make. "Too true. With the Empress gone, there's nothing to stop the Houses from tearing each other to pieces, even if we ignore the Anathema. Guess all we can do is try to make some kind of difference."
<onine> "Indeed." The Magistrate murmurs a little sorrowful. "So Krennell is involved too, but doesn't wish for his involvement to get out. A silent partner?"
<onine> As far as you know Diamandus was outside the whole time, he must have been eavesdropping on the conversation.
<Anona> "Perhaps. So, as interested parties, we have Juno, Krennell, the Anathema..."
<onine> The Magistrate nods.
<Anona> "... I suppose, for completeness, I should include myself, too. I did bid in the auction, after all, and chase down the middle-man."
<onine> "A middleman apparently working for Krennell."
<Anona> "Yeah. And whom the Anathema killed. We just keep going in circles..."
<Yengo> "Staying here won't do us much good. No place to go but forward, I guess." He finishes packing and, despite a chiding glance from Tara, buckles his pack shut.
<Anona> "I agree." Anona moves to pack her own possessions.
<onine> "Yes... Anona. Before we leave in the morning, see if you can lean on Krennell some more, squeeze that information from him."
<Anona> "I tried what I could. I implied that he was under suspicion... but nothing could budge him. Still, maybe I can arrange something private tomorrow."
<onine> "Good, do so." he says. "In the mean time, best pack your things you two."
* Anona heads off to do so.
<onine> In the mean time Yengo, you Tara and Ujiro are left in the main room of the inn. Tara and Ujiro seem to get along fairly well despite Ujiro's...strangeness.
<onine> Tara makes some soup in the kitchen, and Ujiro seats himself opposite you with a childish grin.
<onine> "So where do we go next?" He asks.
<Yengo> "We're off to Tuchara to find out about the armor Vana found."
<onine> "Ohhh yes! Uh... wait... " He looks a little apprehensive. "Tuchara?"
<Yengo> "Yes... is there a problem?" He lifts an eyebrow.
<onine> "Er. No. Ujiro sees no problem." He clearly does.
<Yengo> "Well, that's good..." Yengo's eyes narrow slightly. He likes the man well enough, strange as he is, but he likes to know every danger that's coming. "Because if there was, it would be a really good idea to tell us now instead of setting us up for a surprise later."
<onine> Ujiro doesn't get a chance to answer, both of you are interrupted by a small figure that flies in through the window. It looks to be a small, long bodied frog with little white wings. It flutters in and lands on the table in front of you Yengo.
* Yengo jerks back from the thing. "What the-?"
<onine> "Greetings. Yengo?" it says
<Yengo> "Y-yes...?"
<onine> "Splendid, I have a message for you from Siaka. It is not a private message. Do you wish to hear it?" It asks.
* Yengo looks from the kitchen where Tara is to Ujiro, back to the frog. "..um... sure, of course."
<onine> "Ahem...." It takes on a different posture, then talks in Siaka's familiar voice. "Okay uh... now?" She says in the Age of Sorrows equivalent to 'Is this thing on?'
<Yengo> "Yes..." He might have seen stranger, but seldom quite so unexpectedly.
<onine> "Greetings Yengo, from the caravan, I hope that you and Tara are faring well in the Realm - Master Cenotaph sends his greetings. I was hoping that you would be able to do me a small favor if you could regarding the area where you found me after the attack...."
<onine> "...Master Cenotaph has graciously allowed me some time to go and study the properties of the area, but I've met upon some problems, namely, I cannot seem to find it again."
<Yengo> "We're well." He decides not to share the details and conspiracy theories for now. "I'd like to help if I can. I'm not sure I could find the place again either, though. We just stumbled upon you, after all."
<onine> "If you and Tara kept a map, or had a rough idea of where you were, it would be most appreciated. If you could mark the spot on a...er... lets say a RY 755 cartographic public map of the particular area, that would help me a lot."
<onine> The voice continues on unabated. It becomes apparent that it is a recorded message. Ujiro looks at you strangely.
* Yengo shrugs as if to say "like I know how talking flying message-frogs work." And continues to listen to the message.
<onine> "Sending the message from the guild outpost in Arjuf will see it sent to Master Cenotaph's caravan. Uh, thank you, and good luck. Finished? Okay goo-"
<onine> The frog stops talking and takes wing without saying anything else and flies out the window.
<onine> Tara is standing at the doorway with a tray of soup bowls and a startled look on her face.
<onine> "I did just see a talking frog didn't I?"
* Yengo watches it go. "Wonder why they're curious about that... could it be those lights..." he turns as Tara comes in. "I'm afraid you did. A message from the caravan... they want me to mark the area where we found the wrecked wagon."
<onine> "Oh..." she says, setting down soup for the three of you.
<onine> "Lights?" Ujiro asks curiously.
<Yengo> "Thanks, Tara," He takes a spoonful of soup as he ponders just how much to tell Ujiro. "Yes, little colored lights that fly... Tara and I stumbled across them in the Threshold. They may have some connection to that thing we fought in the woods." He shrugs. "Or maybe not, I never attended the Heptagram."
<onine> Ujiro rubs his stubble and slurps some soup.
<onine> "You are worried?"
<Yengo> "A little. I don't like things I can't understand. Still..." he addresses the last remark to Tara. "It won't hurt to help Siaka and the others. They were good to us, and they just might uncover something that could help us, too."
<onine> She smiles. "I agree, they did put up with us for quite a while."
* Yengo sighs. "Maybe we should've stayed there..." He's silent for a moment. "But we're doing something here, too. Making a difference, however small. I just wish it didn't feel like we were chasing our own tails."
<onine> "Having a purpose is what makes a man." Ujiro nods
* Anona carefully makes her way down the stairs with a couple of bags out in the hall.
<onine> He suddenly stands, hefting the large sword. "It is time for practice!"
<Yengo> "No. Staying true to that purpose is..." he trails off as Anona arrives.
<onine> Ujiro looks back, considering. Then shakes his head to himself and heads out the door.
<Yengo> "Ready, Anona?"
* Anona peeks into the room. "What's with him?"
* Yengo shrugs. "Says he's off to practice."
<Anona> "About as ready as I can be, I expect."
<onine> Epheri stumbles down under her gear and nearly runs into another man that has just entered. Goodness, it appears to be a nice night for messengers. He apologizes profusely for being in Epheri's exalted way, and moves up to the table, bowing low, low low.
<onine> "Exalted sirs and madams! Is there a Tepet Anona present here?"
<Yengo> "Good, good..." He nods.
<Anona> "That's me."
<onine> "Many apologies, I did not know who uh.. ahem!" He opens up the paper with shaking hands. "By the generous order of Tepet Krennell, the remaining items of value of the Luen estate are hereby transferred to the possession of Tepet Greiha Anona, in full, including the land upon which the estate sits!"
<onine> "The estate located in Arjuf also is hereby released to Tepet Anona, provided she ah... um."
<Anona> "Well, that's as much as I expected... eh?"
<onine> The messenger goes red and rolls the sheet up.
<Anona> "Provided she... come now, what's with it?"
<onine> "Er. A misprint ma'am!"
<onine> He tries to edge away
* Anona scowls. "If you won't SAY it, just give me the damned paper."
<onine> "Of course of course! Forgive me!" He kneels with his head down and gives you the note before scampering away.
<Anona> "What was THAT all about, I wonder..." Anona sets to reading the message.
<onine> The note reads as he recited it, "...released to Tepet Anona, provided she does not burn it to the ground."
<onine> It is signed by Tepet Krennell and has his seal.
* Yengo looks on curiously, keeping quiet.
<Anona> "Oh ho ho. Very amusing." Her tone of voice shows she finds it not amusing at all.
<Anona> "Well, Yengo, it appears I'm now the proud owner of a burnt ruin. Plus the estate in Arjuf."
<Yengo> "Guess that's an improvement, at least."
<onine> "How do you feel Anona?" Epheri asks.
<Anona> *shrug* "It's just giving me what's mine by right anyway. And even if the Luen estate is burnt... land's always valuable. Some time down the road I can always rebuild."
* Anona re-reads the note... "... 'other' items of value? I wasn't aware there was anything *left*. Unless that's just a bit of legal formality."
<onine> "Probably. But I think your father had lots of equipment in there as well, I saw it when we were there. Swords and old armor. One previous owner and a little singed of course."
<Anona> "A little fire never hurt metal. It gives me a reason to return tomorrow morning, anyway."
<onine> "Mmm!" Epheri nods.
<Anona> "Well, let's get everything stowed so we can be off bright and early tomorrow. Here's my things, your things... Yengo had his pack... What about Magpie? and Vana?"
<onine> "Hmmm..." Tara says her expression turning to mock dread. "I haven't seen them...Oh no."
<Anona> "not AGAIN. *groan*"
<Yengo> "Well... maybe not..." He had had that talk with her, after all.
* Magpie returns later that day, dripping wet. A tangle of seaweeds hangs from her hair.."I took a bath!" she announces proudly to all and company.
<onine> "Oh." Epheri says in mock delight.
* Vana desperately holds in a laugh.
<Yengo> "Yes... well..." It IS the thought that counts...
<Magpie> "See, Tara?"
<onine> Tara says nothing, but holds up a brick of something white and flower scented.
<Magpie> "What?" Magpie squeaks. "But I _took_ a bath already!"
<onine> "Well don’t blame me when sea fungus starts growing between your toes, in your ears and other hard-to-reach places, hmm?"
<Magpie> "Deal," Magpie agrees, and scoots out of the way into someplace less dangerous...
<onine> "Did you tell her how to use that, Tara?" Epheri asks.
<onine> "No..." Tara concedes. "She'll probably eat it."
<onine> "Ick." Epheri says sticking out her tongue. "More likely she'll give it to that crow and you'll find it back in your bag later."
<onine> Everyone is downstairs, buckling up, and ready to go.
<onine> Which you then do.

The Road to Tuchara
<onine> You set off across the mountain range, but further south than the foothills. You cross through a pass into the valley, and the sight is breathtaking.
<onine> From the mountains you can see the entire valley stretching out before you, covered in lush forests and open plains. To the south of you is the pristine Inland Sea, and to the north you can see the Imperial mountain stretching up like a phenomenal marker into the sky.
<onine> In the far distance nearly hidden by the haze is the mountain range sometimes called the Spine of the Isle, a range the stretches straight south from the Imperial mountain. Over them, is the Arjuf Dominion - and your destination Tuchara
<onine> In the valleys the more astute of vision (ie, the exalts) can see little farming communities, dotted across the landscape.
<onine> The view is lost as you descend back to the floor of the valley and into the forests...