Difference between revisions of "ManseRelay/GemOfIncomparableWellness"

Latest revision as of 01:17, 6 April 2010

The Gem of Incomparable Wellness

This Hearthstone heals all of its wearer's wounds, to the point where he cannot die for so long as he remains attuned to it. It is a level 5 Wood Hearthstone.

The Tree of Life -- Bira

East

It sits, majestically, on the Elemental Pole of Wood, and it is to the Endless Forest as the Imperial Mountain to the Blessed Isle. Inside this impossibly tall tree is an entire city, now lying in abandon. He who manages to arrive at the steps of the Tree of Life, a nearly impossible task worthy of the greatest of Exalts, will still have to contend with the place's guardian goddess, an ancient tree spirit who has sword to protect the Manse and its current owner.

The Oasis of the Fountain of Youth -- Kalisara

South

Deep in the wastes of the Southern desert, travellers may be startled by the sight of a garden growing up from the sand. The outer garden is a maze of plants in lush profusion, and the air is cool and damp. The inner garden, enclosed by a low marble wall, is laid out with geometrical precision, all paths leading to an ornate fountain at the centre. Any being who drinks of the fountain's water is instantly cured of any sickness or injury, and restored to its first youth. However, the inner garden is guarded by four great lions, two always awake while the other two sleep, and they allow only the deserving to drink.

The Cavern of the Sun Mushrooms -- Sparrowhawk

North

In the tunnels deep beneath Gethamane, there are many mysteries. One of them is a section of the tunnel network that the strange inhabitants of the tunnels avoid. The reason seems to be the large, bioluminescent toadstools that grow in them. This is the only natural light found in this deep place. If you follow these mushroom-lit tunnels, then you will come upon the Cavern of the Sun Mushrooms.

The cavern is a huge, domed chamber; over fourty feet high and seventy feet across. Soft, green moss coats every surface - every surface not growing mushrooms, that is. Here the mushrooms are bigger and brighter and more plentiful. There are hundreds of them growing in clusters around the cavern; and they glow with a bright, golden light like that of the sun. They are a unique species; the cavern's magical power makes it possible for them to grow.

One can use a mushroom for a torch, but the light fades a few hours after it is picked. The true wonder of the mushrooms is their curative powers. A broth made from the Sun Mushrooms will cure almost any disease. Even the Great Contagion will succumb to extended treatment.

The mushroom-gods who tend the cavern are friendly and peaceful, but take their job very seriously. They will not allow anyone to take even a single mushroom without their master's consent. Their master has been away for a very long time.

At the center of the cavern, five enormous mushrooms grow in a ring. They are each at least three feet tall and six across. The hearthstone forms at the center of the circle, in a depression in the mossy floor.

Fakharu's Retreat -- Kalisara

West

There dreamy Time lets fall his sickle
And Life the sandals of her fleetness,
And sleek young Joy is no more fickle,
And Love is kindly and deceitless,
And all is over save the murmur and the sweetness.

There we will moor our lonely ship
And wander ever with woven hands,
Murmuring softly, lip to lip,
Along the grass, along the sands - 
Murmuring how far away are all earth's feverish lands.

W. B. Yeats, An Indian Song

Upon one fair isle in the Western ocean time seems to stand still, forever one long and golden summer. The sands are white, and the waves that lap upon them warm and gentle. Beyond the beaches are low hills as green as velvet, thickets blooming with thornless flowers and trees laden with fruit; the birds among them sing melodiously and come to the hand when called. There is here no hostile thing of nature, nothing that will bite or prickle or poison, and a sweet languor lies over the entire island.

In a valley in the centre of the island stands a house, a delicate creation with carved pillars and verandahs, floored in marble. It serves no defensive purpose, for the island is protected by powerful enchantments. Nor is it needed for living in, since there is neither cold nor rain, and the grass makes a soft bed. It exists only for its aesthetic value, and to channel the Essence of the demesne into a hearthstone, growing within a lily in the central courtyard.

Upon this island, no one ages or sickens; save for violence, which could only come from outside, no one will die. Here Fakharu's mortal lover dwells, forever young and beautiful, and he with her when his attention is not demanded elsewhere.

The House of Bamboo and Chrysanthemum -- Quendalon

Center

In the northeast of the Blessed Isle, at the foot of a range of green and pleasant hills, there sprawls a vast garden, five miles on a side, encircled by walls and towers of living wood. Ancient trees blossom and give fruit in every season; beds of azalea and roses frame elegant reflecting pools where black and scarlet fish trace the patterns of their lives. At the center of the garden, a First Age palace of red cedar and ivory opens like a flower to the heavens.

Maintained by the Nine Jade Bureau for the Preservation of Immortal Works at the behest of the Scarlet Empress, the palace brims with a thousand years of artistic treasures: glistening porcelain, graceful calligraphy, and lacquerwork of impossible depth. An elliptical courtyard nestles at the heart of the palace’s labyrinthine halls. There, among thickets of bamboo and beds of scarlet and yellow chrysanthemums, stands a willow tree twisted into the semblance of a slender woman. Some say that this tree was once an Exalt, bound forever into the heart of the Manse by an ancient sorcery. The Hearthstone forms between her cupped hands.

Comments

Would it be considered bad form to post more than one entry? I have two really great ideas, and I don't want to have to choose between them. -- Sparrowhawk

Just go for it. No one's really chomping at the bit to do ManseRelay, so I don't see why we would want to limit participation. Enjoy! - willows

Strangely enough, Kalisara's entry is a lot like my second idea. I'll just go with my first idea then. It was originally made for a character I never got to play. It's a little long-winded, but I think it's cool. -- Sparrowhawk

So, my latest one was even more long-winded, although half that was due to the poem. I like Yeats. Anyway - anyone up for the Central manse? - Kalisara

I just wanted to note that everyone's been doing a great job with ManseRelay. In this theme, Kalisara and Sparrowhawk in particular did excellent work. More please! - Quendalon