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Toward the Great Library (West)
The westward path to the Great Library of Keraunos passes through what was once one of the capital’s wealthier neighborhoods. The streets have an air of abandoned beauty. Colorful floral mosaics edged with small golden tiles adorn the sidewalk and greenery spills forth from untended gardens. In the waning daylight a soft, warm glow emanates from crystals within tall glass streetlamps. The distant spires of the palace complex are visible on a hill to the north, its stained glass glittering with the sinking sun. To the west you can see the Great Library. Though its design isn’t as large or elaborate as the palace complex, it bears the same skilled and careful craftsmanship in the botanical motifs carved into its stone and the semi-circular façade divided into three large, pointed arches. Its bronze and glass doors are adorned with images of snake-like animals with vibrant blue and purple scales and flanked by tall, dark stained glass windows. Tall, wrought metal lampposts stand on either side of the door, each bearing a hanging, multicolored lantern in the shape of a many-pointed star.

Toward the Capital Docks (East)
The walk toward the Keraunos Capital Docks follows a path toward the southeast, passing through what was once a row of small shops. Though their designs are by necessity much simpler than those of the wealthier areas of town, many of them bear less complex carved designs on their narrow pillars and a few have simple colorful stained glass in their window frames. Eventually the street curves downward toward the water. A stone guardrail, crumbling in sections, edges the ramp which offers sweeping views of Keraunos Bay and the rocky islands in the deep blue water. On the largest of these islands stands a tall, pale tower with a beacon at its apex. The cool spray of the water intensifies as visitors reach the bottom. Tiny crabs with sparkling shells scurry among the scrubby vegetation at the sandy base. On the western edge, weathered stone and wooden boathouses flanked by docks and the bobbing forms of small boats as they begin to reemerge from their watery graves. Ancient market stalls line the eastern edge. Sand has long since invaded most of these once bustling docks, with local fauna taking the place of ancient mariners and merchants.

Toward the Tower of Aniketos (South)
The southern path toward the Tower of Aniketos crosses the river Naiara via a large bridge of carved white stone that arcs gracefully over the deep blue-green water. Slender balusters form the railings that line the wide road. Slightly raised footpaths separate the visitors from the wheel-worn stones in its center. Pale purple lanterns punctuate the railings, their shapes reminiscent of buds just beginning to open. Upon reaching the other side, characters find themselves in what appears to be a residential neighborhood. The presence of a number of what appear to be barracks and the uniformity of the houses mark the area as the likely home for the Tempestine military and associated workers. To the south, the monumental walls of the ancient city come into focus, massive bronze gate marking each entry point. The Tower of Aniketos itself stands at the end of an uphill road. Standing on a sheer cliff, the weathered fortress remains imposing. The architecture is markedly different from the rest of the city, dense and heavy, its design less refined but arguably more imposing.

Toward the Guildhalls (North)
The northward path toward the Keraunos guildhalls passes through what was once a mercantile district. Shopfronts display the remains of their wares, and the occasional crumbling wall reveals the inner workings of ancient workshops and kitchens. Many of the buildings seem to have living quarters above or behind whichever business they house. Though the presence of so many workshops makes it clear that the priority of this area of the city was production and commerce, the numerous parks and gardens indicate that leisure also played an important role here, as does the significant number of what appear to be restaurants and taverns.

Trees line much of the road, and as visitors get to the guildhall, they may notice that the buildings grow more ostentatious, the trees grow larger, and strings of small, colorful lanterns hang from their branches until they reach a large plaza surrounded by tall, ornate buildings. Each bears an emblem which sits proudly above elaborately designed doors. It is clear that whichever guilds called this place home, they wanted to ensure that their wealth and power were immediately recognizable, even after centuries of neglect.

It was not a surprise when Joy manifested a magical guide and assistant. This seemed like the universe doing what it ought to do, and supplying her with what she wanted when she wanted it. The fact that it came in the form of a hilarious sparkly chicken was an additional bonus, and while Joy sometimes grit her teeth at all the damn Whimsy, today she was feeling indulgent of it and just about everything else.

"Hello, darling," she sang out to the chicken. "Give me a hand, will you? Or a beak, or whatever." But she hadn't even managed to get the request out before Hildegard was of her own accord leading her attention to the beautiful figurehead of an old boat, which Joy paused to admire. It reminded her, a bit, of the Garde - the dragonflies and the boats and the serene green-speckled water - and so it was not surprising when she opened the bag and found within it something not only to her taste, but that seemed like it would have been at home there as well.

She would have to ask Tempesti, later, if the figure depicted anyone specific. But it was enough for now to have found something that appeared to be a celebration of a beautiful woman - the sort of celebration Joy, as a beautiful woman herself, could always get behind.

With a squawk, a bizarre entity materializes in a shower of sparkles. The creature resembles something like an unholy chicken with fearsome eyes and lovely fairy wings. Turning her head toward you, she pecks around a bit before drawing your attention to an overturned cup on the bar of what appears to be an outdoor seating area for an ancient tavern.

Examination turns up a brightly colored bag. As you pick it up, you bump the cup softly.

The sound startles a small, weasel-like animal with soft fur in a gradient of purples and oranges. With what appears to be a judgmental glare, it scurries into the open doorway and vanishes into the shadows.

Upon opening the bag Maus will find a small, round stained glass box with a colorful floral motif.

What appears to be the outdoor dining area of an ancient restaurant sits on the western side of the road. With a burst of colorful glitter and an inquisitive squawk, Hildegard the Horrible Fairy Chicken appears on one of the far tables before hopping onto one of its chairs.Beside her, you spot a brightly colored bag.


Upon opening the bag, Alekto will find a colorful stained glass pendant in the form of a firefly-like insect with a crystal abdomen.

As you walk down the cobbled street, your foot bumps a loose stone out of place just outside of an overgrown garden. In the space beneath you find a brightly colored bag.

Upon opening the bag, you find a colorful plique-à-jour brooch in the shape of an iridescent dragonfly-like insect in shades of green and purple.

Strings of colorful lights hang between several of the trees lining the main road. Hanging from one of them you find a brightly colored bag. If you look up, you see a small bird with metallic blue feathers, a green plume on its head, and beady bright orange eyes watching you from the upper branches.

Upon opening the bag, you may be surprised to find a small figurine delicately carved out of polished wood to resemble a curious looking bird with a large plume on its head. It is painstakingly painted in shades of metallic green and blue. The live bird lets out a squawk, perhaps offering an opinion on its wooden counterpart.

Character: Blarney
Direction: South