Barony of Astral Seas

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Barony of Astral Seas Places of Interest Lion's Reach Freehold xxxxxThe noble is the land and the land is the noble. There is no truer case of this than Lion's Reach with Count Leras and Countess Ionae. The balefire was uniquely birthed from them, formed from their essences, and in tune with their souls. Little happens here that they are not aware of and the freehold itself says much about the Fiona nobles. xxxxxHolidays and festivities are usually held at Lion's Reach. All official court functions of the County are held at Lion's Reach freehold, in Pride's Court. The County Seat Fief of: Count Leras and Countess Ionae Glamour Produced: 10 per Night Court Affiliation: Neutral House Affiliation: Fiona Chimerical Defenders: Stone Spartan Soldiers / Leviathan Creatures Chimerical Attendants: Stone Nymph Statues Chief Export: Steeds Colors: Black, Silver, Red Blazon: Silver and onyx lions sitting shoulder to shoulder against a crimson field. Dreamer's Embrace Tavern The Dreamer's Embrace Tavern within the Lion's Reach freehold has a variety of bubble rooms and suites that spawn to life for those to rest in within the warmth of the balefire. Hospitality granted usually results in a bubble room and all members of the County are welcome to rest therein. A variety of food and drink is available in the tavern. The food is prepared from the kitchen and the alcoholic beverages are prepared by the octopus bartender. He does not speak, but has an uncanny accuracy with his drink choices. His arms reach through the membranous portals for the actual serving of alcohol, for he exists outside in the waters, but all beverages have a hint of sea salt upon the rim as a result. Specialty Chimerical Drinks Numerous drinks prepared in the Dreamer's Embrace have additional hallucinogenic or narcotic properties, specifically with the additions of sea life in them. The bartender only serves these on request and he will never serve to the unaware, or serve enough to be deadly. Crimson and Silver This is a crimson liquor with a silver bristleworm within that has the actual drug effect in it. A double silver or triple silver (the max) are merely additional bristleworms added to the mix. Rarely can one remain in public long after consumption. Twin Fighting Minnows The base of this drink is a pretty turquoise in color, although variations exist. Sometimes a swirl exists in the middle as though a tornado and this is the more potent version of the drink. Two rainbow minnows, tiny in small, battle to their deaths within the drink. Scales get ripped out, spots of blood start to appear to lend even more bite. The longer the fish fight, the sharper the drink becomes. Sunlight and Sparkles A sickeningly sweet drink that lacks any creature within. Excessive consumption of this drink however leads to one of the worst hangovers that can be. Pungent Purple The base of this drink is a Purple People Eater. A thick, toxic-looking purple drink with gelatinous gobs of blood. The pungent purple has been allowed to sit, then squirts of the bartender's own ink have been added to spike it further. The Coral Harbor xxxxxThe freehold features an exquisite coral harbor that is typically busy with both trade ships as well as fishermen (although it is not a primary export, some of the more unique fish specimens catch a fair price in bulk). Though there are privately owned merchant vessels that travel in and out, the County itself presently has one single ship that is set for its defense. This is the grand HMS Aurora, constructed by Aisling Foster. Rumor has it that the seafaring Eshu, Naledi, is set to take command of the present and future naval forces. xxxxxWith the group of nearby islands, including Lodestone Island, being potentially part of the County of Lion's Reach (there is a dispute with Count Belan concerning who the land actually belong to) the harbor as well as naval forces are of utmost importance. The Leviathans Secerayne Oloodrae Vaerenth Numerous Leviathans exist around Lion's Reach, both protecting the castle as well as attacking at times. Some come and go, some are young and one might daresay cute, others are deadly. Three amongst them however have personalities that stand out and are usually visible from somewhere within the glass castle or from the air bridge. These are Secerayne, Oloodrae, and Vaerenth. Secerayne Although most of the time Secerayne is content underneath the waters, she sometimes causes trouble at the air bridge. Though she is fearsome and frightening, she has never actually harmed any that she has targeted. This may or may not change in the future and it is recommended to give her a wide berth if she is near. Her play could always turn deadly. Oloodrae Oloodrae appears to enjoy the waters near the Dreamer's Embrace the most. This is likely due to the fact that there are a variety of empty glasses, or almost empty glasses, thrown through the membranous portals there. Oloodrae enjoys inhaling them although it is uncertain if this is due to favoring the glass or the liquor within. Since he often troubles the bartender, the joke is that he's a lush. Vaerenth There is likely little surprise that Vaerenth, with her draconic influence, favors the Count. She appears almost infatuated with the Sidhe and can often times be found hovering near his current location. She is also the most temperamental of the lot - the first to attack the keep but also the first to defend. Steeds Crossing Ranch xxxxxThe Steeds Crossing Ranch is the home to the number one export of the Barony of Astral Seas and within the County as a whole. Primarily the project of the Countess (though clearly there are many stable hands, chimerical or otherwise at work here), the steeds that come from it are swiftly becoming renown. Many steeds can be purchased at a hefty price, although some lucky members of the County are able to win steeds during holidays or be gifted them for amazing deeds. xxxxxThere are four wings to the stables, each marked with a specific stone sign. These are Feathers and Hooves (primarily equine and avian), Fangs and Fur (bears and wolves, oh my), Scales (reptiles abound), and Paws and Claws (feline and weasel). Each one has a prized specimen that is the highlight of the wing, the offspring of them much sought after. These are as follows: Fangs and Fur: Everian Feathers and Hooves: Gallea Scales: Vion Paws and Claws: Nyx Fangs and Fur Everian Everian does not actually reside in the stables like most of the beasts, but rather is given free run to protect the area. His baleful howling can be heard far at the midnight hours, warning potential looters to keep at bay. Sometimes Everian sires pups, but this is rare. When they come however, they are always quickly chosen by nobles and are said to be exceptionally loyal as both riding companions and guardians. Yes, there is a waiting list. Grim The Count's own companion is a Cu Sith by the name of Grim. A gift given to him by the Countess as an egg, plucked from the wild, the pup is young still and untried but she is likely to be fearsome when older. Whispers are already circulating that she lets out the legendary bay of the Cu Sith, though she is exceptionally friendly to all but pooka. There's no secret that she cannot stand their presence. Feathers and Hooves Gallea This equine mount stands 19 hands, 2.75 inches. He is actually a shapeshifter, changing appearance by mood. There are four forms (all equine) in specific that he takes, some winged and some not. Thus far foals that he has sired have all been diverse, running the gamut no matter the mare that he breeds. There have been some rare gems from him. Samhain: This foal from Gallea was the prize for the 2012 Samhain holiday event that went to Naledi. His looks, as well as the holiday, had something to do with his given name, for there is a ghostly mist about his hooves and the glint of fire in his eyes. His pelt is a midnight black with a spidersilk silver color to his mane and tail. Scales Vion Quick and deadly, one would think one of the wyvern mounts would be the prize of the Scales wing. Not so, it is Vion who takes the honor. The steed is often times beautifully armored, put on display for visiting nobles who cannot believe the creature is reptilian in origin. Many times he is taken out to the mountains to hunt, for it is live prey that must be consumed by him. None can handle him other than his chimerical handler, Zek. It is rumored that Zek was made by the Dreaming simply to keep Vion under control. Aurius A magnificent specimen that has far surpassed any of the wyvern or drake mounts that has come from the Steed's Crossing Ranch. This dragon was from a rare clutch. It is fitting that the best and brightest went to the herald and seer, Cody. He was a personal gift from the Countess herself, under private ownership, and thus is not used for breeding. Paws and Claws Nyx Although not actually part of the stables, the prize feline mount is Nyx and none other than the Countess' own steed. Numerous offers have been made for kittens from her though she has yet to be bred. When, or if, she has kittens they will fetch an incredible price. The Faerie's Library and School xxxxxThe construction of the Faerie Library is already underway. This project of the Count's is not actually placed within the primary fief of the Barony of Astral Seas, but rather is further south within the County. The region surrounding the library however has been annexed to be Barony of Astral Seas land. Placement was key with the library so that neighboring Counties could take advantage of the knowledge. Speculation is that this was an opportunistic move against Count Belan ap Gwydion from the County of the Emerald Dale, as there is no secret of the rivalry there. xxxxxWithin the library there is also talk of a school. The Count has already approached numerous Kithain and Kinain concerning teaching within it. All those who are interested in teaching should approach either Dyson or Alala, as there is yet a coordinator named.