Bittersweet reunion

Sadie

I was really, greatly touched by this interaction 
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A hush corner overlooking forest.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A small wooden sign hangs

against the wall. Set upon a thin pedestal of pale stone, the Dormant Eye of Imprinted Legacy gleams 

with the earthen traces of long-held memories. A pixie hovers in the air, fluttering about on tiny 

wings.

You see exits leading southwest and northwest.

A wry smile spreads across your face.

His hooves stamping the ground with a click-clack, Laka Truehoof trots in from the southwest.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southwest.

You peer about yourself unscrupulously.

sw

Southeastern hall.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Leaning against a marble

pedestal, a long, stout broom of ancient ash rests here. The young centaur Laka stands here, his 

attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

You greet Laka Truehoof with a sincere smile.

Laka Truehoof pauses and turns to face you.

A wide smile curling across his face, Laka Truehoof says, "Hello, Sadie. How can I help you?"

You say to Laka Truehoof, "You've grown up, Laka."

You say, "How are you, Laka?"

Humming a melodic tune, Laka Truehoof smiles widely, his lips curling in a happy curve. "You know? I

am doing grand! Today is a new day and it is a lovely one!"

You flash Laka Truehoof a joyous smile.

Laka Truehoof says, "Yes, yes I have."

You say, "Don't you miss your mother, Poloma?"

You lean on a pixie seeking consolation.

"Bleh," a pixie says to you, as he rolls his eyes in disgust.

Laka Truehoof says, "My work is now here, in the Woodbine Lyceum."

Laka Truehoof says, "I learn from Cataka the lore of the Serenwilde."

You say, "It's so big here. Sadie remembers when it was just a small library."

You say, "Do you know what happened to Master Osierti?"

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southwest.

sw

Before a wide window.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A black slate circle is

set into the floor here, its flat surface etched with a pentacle. The young centaur Laka stands here,

his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast and northwest.

Laka Truehoof says, "He... died."

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northwest.

nw

Southwestern hall.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A chalice of beaten

silver and white pearls stands upon a marble block in the middle of the area. The young centaur Laka 

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

You cannot follow Laka Truehoof.

You crease your brow in a frown.

You say, "Sadie heard that he has a cairn somewhere, but nothing about what happened."

You ask, "What about that sign for the Shofangi? Do you know anything about that?"

The sharp fragrance of oak and moonhart wood rises in the air, wafting from the paneled walls.

Laka Truehoof looks somber, lowering his head. "I'm not sure I wish to talk about his death. But the

commune's news notes it. As well as the public newboards."

The sound of footsteps echoes through the halls, slowly fading away.

Comprehension flashes across your face.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southeast.

se

Before a wide window.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A black slate circle is

set into the floor here, its flat surface etched with a pentacle. The young centaur Laka stands here,

his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast and northwest.

You say, "There's a lot to wade through...Sadie will look harder."

You say to Laka Truehoof, "Where are your siblings?"

Laka Truehoof glances askance.

You tilt your head curiously.

Laka Truehoof says, "Toma is with Tokota, learning to read the stars."

Laka Truehoof says, "Kota is gone."

You frown and say, "What happened to Kota?"

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northwest.

nw

Southwestern hall.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A chalice of beaten

silver and white pearls stands upon a marble block in the middle of the area. The young centaur Laka 

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southwest.

sw

Tranquil hallway.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A shrine to Mother Moon

hovers here, its milky effulgence lighting the area. The young centaur Laka stands here, his 

attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast and southwest.

Looking uncomfortable as he speaks, Laka Truehoof murmurs, "He slew Master Eurytus while he was

possessed by the spirit of Delosidir. And then, he ran away. We haven't seen him since." He looks 

away, voice quavering. "Cataka tells me to focus on what I do know and can know, instead of what may 

have happened."

You crease your brow in a frown.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northeast.

ne

Southwestern hall.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A chalice of beaten

silver and white pearls stands upon a marble block in the middle of the area. The young centaur Laka 

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

The sound of voices can be heard drifting through the halls.

You have emoted: Sadie embraces Laka tenderly.

You say to Laka Truehoof, "Sadie is glad you are here. Perhaps Sadie will come keep you company

sometimes."

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

Laka Truehoof says, "I would like that. I do know a some about all the items here."

You say, "Some of the Serenwilders seem so young and foreign to Sadie now. It's peaceful here,

though."

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northeast.

ne

The Halls of History.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. The young centaur Laka

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest, up, down, and in.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the down.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trods in from the floor below.

Laka Truehoof says, "The Dormant Eye still works for the Shofangi who know the words."

Laka Truehoof says, "That is what the sign is for."

Comprehension flashes across your face.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southwest.

The spires of Hallifax crackle with energy as it flows out of the generators and throughout the city.

sw

Southwestern hall.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A chalice of beaten

silver and white pearls stands upon a marble block in the middle of the area. The young centaur Laka 

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

With a hide of chestnut speckled with black spots, Laka Truehoof is a strapping, young centaur with

muscled flanks and a slight paunch to his stomach. Sturdy legs yield to a lean back and reddish, 

braided tail, while covering his soft chest is a thin, green tunic of embroidered vines. Large, wide-

set eyes of bright blue pinch an aquiline nose that boasts countless freckles, and framing his 

handsome face is a long stream of reddish-brown hair. There is something about Laka's demeanor that 

is calm and collected, as evidenced by his peaceful mien that is absorbed by the book in his hands.

Laka Truehoof is quite powerful.

You laughingly say to Laka Truehoof, "You sure have grown up handsome."

Laka Truehoof looks uncomfortable and clears his throat. "Uh. Thank you. I think."

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southeast.

se

Before a wide window.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A black slate circle is

set into the floor here, its flat surface etched with a pentacle. The young centaur Laka stands here,

his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast and northwest.

Your eyes sparkle with amusement.

You chew on your lip thoughtfully.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northeast.

ne

Southeastern hall.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Leaning against a marble

pedestal, a long, stout broom of ancient ash rests here. The young centaur Laka stands here, his 

attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

You say to Laka Truehoof, "Why do you move about so much?"

The staff of this broom is carved from ancient ash. The strong, straight-grained wood glows softly

with the lustre of age. Birch twigs have been bound to its crown for its bristles. Fresh herbs tied 

to the bristles give off a sweet, pungent aroma. Perhaps seven feet tall, it is too large and heavy 

for conventional use, and obviously meant for more ceremonial purposes.

It weighs about 15 pounds.

It has the following aliases: broom.

You perk your ears up as an errant topic catches your interest.

Laka Truehoof says, "Well, I need to make sure all the artifacts are safe."

You say, "What is this broom for?"

You look to Laka Truehoof and comprehension flashes across your face.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southeast.

se

Echoing hallway.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Four long chimes,

decorated with images of the seasons, sway gently, hanging from a beam above. The young centaur Laka 

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading southeast and northwest.

Hanging overhead from one of the thickest boughs on lengths of strong, sturdy rope, are four large

silvery chimes, swaying slightly with the shifting of the tree and platform. Engraved upon the 

chimes are simple, iconic images, etched and edged in silver, depicting the turning of the seasons. 

The first and smallest chime shows a small sprout pushing its way up through the soil; on the second 

chime, the same sprout can be seen blossoming into a flower. The third chime shows a seed cast to 

the wind from that flower, while on the fourth and largest chime, the seed lies slumbering on the 

ground as a blanket of snowflakes begins to gather over it.

It weighs about 1875 pounds.

It has the following aliases: chimes.

You say, "These chimes look like they belonged to the Spiritsingers."

Laka Truehoof nods his head emphatically.

The sound of voices can be heard drifting through the halls.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southeast.

se

An alcove of powerful resonances.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A elegant display case

sits here, holding the relics of Guild Champions of old. The young centaur Laka stands here, his 

attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see a single exit leading northwest.

This display case has lovingly made. It is crafted from a soft, silvery wood run through with whorls

of pale browns and reds, given a glossy finish by a fragrant pine varnish. The shaped wood curves 

and swoops so there are hardly any sharp angles to the case's frame. Bright, transparent crystal 

makes up the display window, domed over the top of the case and down its sides. A soft, emerald 

velvet lines the cushioned interior upon which precious relics of the Guild Champions of old are 

held: The Silver Orb of Ellindel, The Sacred Torc of Hart's Renewal, The Argentine Bracers of 

Trialante, The Emerald Sash of Harmony, and The Horned Helm of the Moonhart.

It weighs about 100 pounds.

It has the following aliases: case, display.

This sash is a broad swath of emerald green silk, which wraps three times around the waist and once

over each shoulder in crossed diagonals. The exquisite weave feels as cool and flowing as stream 

water. Upon the right shoulder, a U-shaped bull horn emblem is embroidered in gold thread, while the 

left shoulder bears the emblem of shofa blades, two intersecting crescents. The seal of Queen 

Zenobia is stamped in golden wax at the waist, scintillating with emerald sparks of the same magics 

that strengthen the wearer's body.

Laka Truehoof says, "I move about to make sure the artifacts are safe. Anyone can also ask me about

artifacts when I'm in a location with one."

Wistfully, you say, "Ah, Sadie once held this sash."

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

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northwest.

nw

Echoing hallway.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Four long chimes,

decorated with images of the seasons, sway gently, hanging from a beam above. The young centaur Laka 

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading southeast and northwest.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the southeast.

se

An alcove of powerful resonances.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. A elegant display case

sits here, holding the relics of Guild Champions of old. The young centaur Laka stands here, his 

attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see a single exit leading northwest.

You give a blue-petaled Olwen's Kiss to Laka Truehoof.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northwest.

nw

Echoing hallway.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Four long chimes,

decorated with images of the seasons, sway gently, hanging from a beam above. The young centaur Laka 

stands here, his attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading southeast and northwest.

You say, "Sadie found that when roaming the forest. It will look good on you."

You grin mischievously at Laka Truehoof.

You hug Laka Truehoof compassionately.

Smiling, Laka Truehoof says, "Thank you."

You say, "Sadie will leave you for now, but it was wonderful to talk to you."

You say to Laka Truehoof, "See you again soon?"

Laka Truehoof says, "I will be here."

You beam broadly.

Rearing up briefly, Laka Truehoof changes course and trots off toward the northwest.

nw

Southeastern hall.

Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Leaning against a marble

pedestal, a long, stout broom of ancient ash rests here. The young centaur Laka stands here, his 

attention consumed by the book in his hands.

You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

You say, "Take care, wonderful Mr Laka."

You bow respectfully to Laka Truehoof.