[Entrance] The Docks

[Caffeine]

The Ariosian Docks Entrance to the Island

Even since the islands were reopened to the mainlanders things haven’t been the same at the docks. It had always been rare to see the island bustling with people. Besides the lone boathouse on the shore and the docks themselves there wasn’t much else to see. Pehaps the odd citizen would be on the docks, or if visitors were lucky they might see people getting the trade ships ready further down the docks. Despite the wood that Arios had at their disposal the dock was made of, soft, smooth, glossy stone. This would seem odd to the average visitor, even to most of the Ariosians it was strange, but they had always been this way. There was never any real schedule for the ferries to operate, so the island of Arios ensured that there would be enough space of the docks for up the three of them to have their own pier. The other most pier would be able to fit in a fourth if it was absolutely needed, though in these cases it was more common for the trade boat to move from the docks and let the other boat come in, or for the boat to delay coming in by giving an impromptu tour along the shore lines. However either of these were rare occurrences. On the opposite end of the docks were the smaller piers reserved for personal boats. A sign at the end of those docks reads "See the dock house for dock fees" There were two more piers off to the right hand side of the dock so that trade boats wouldn’t disturb the people coming to the islands. There was nothing overly special about this pier except that it was wider than the others so they could carry their big goods, often time large pieces of lumber, large crates and barrels of many kinds. Once visitors would come off of the boats they would feel all energy return to them. If they were seasick they would feel leveled out and better almost as soon as their feet touched the soil. It was unexplainable, even by the people of Arios. They would feel refreshed physically and emotionally they would feel their troubles lighten around them. After enough time a person may grow to feel their former main-land problems leave them entirely. This would, of course, lead to trouble sometimes when and if the visitor returned to the mainland and their worries hadn't come back before they met someone involved in the problem in the first place. One thing that most visitors notice almost immediately is that there were no guards there to watch them. There were no gates or people to check their visas, only the guard house stood there. There was no need to go to the guard house but it was there for those that may want to. It was just as easy to continue down the path right beside it and head through the woods and into town. There were four places one could go after leaving the docks essentially. They could go to the beach, the dock house, follow the path, or into the woods. Following the path was time consuming, yet it seemed as though the time meant nothing. The sun and the rain often danced together over the path falling lightly on those who travelled it. It wasn't often that it rained heavily in the forest path. The walk seemed magical, all sound musical and enchanted. Every step taken regained the person’s energy. Nobody ever got tired of walking, or tired at all for that matter. The journey was usually always uneventful besides passing the occasional person on the trail or talking with whoever you came with. It took a candle mark before someone traveling at an average (human) speed would see the small village in a clearing. The first thing that catches everybody’s eye is a strange building that is clearly made out of the same material as the dock house, even from a distance. It takes another quarter of a candle mark before one will arrive at the city after seeing it. Those that wished to enter the woods would feel compelled to stay out of it, at least in this area of Arios. It was as if a subtle hint was given to the person attempting to go into the woods to follow the path to the town. This was true for the entire journey up the path as well. It wasn’t un-fightable, but for most unexpected and believed to be the idea of the person who was heading for the woods. Those who opted to go to the beach would feel the song of the sea as they walked on the sand. The gentle splash of waves causes water to constantly be in the air creating small rainbows here and there to the viewer. The beach was a place full of eventless things but it always seemed to be the ultimate place of relaxation, almost as though it was a scene from a dream. The dock house was a small stone building with a sign that read “Dock House” on it (Here)

This can be self moded unless you plan to do something strange and unusual. All races are accepted on Arios and no visas are required as proof of identity. If you plan to do anything but get off of the boat please create a new thread unless it is the dock house, in which case go to the link above.

Secrets : Originally written by Prism, edited and re-written by Caffeine.

[Reinus Narcisse]

Time StampThe Month of Pontius, in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

Reinus scratched his head. He was back home...from wherever he went. Where did he go anyways? He...went to find...somebody. He shrugged. It wasn't important to know all the details and he doubt he could anyways.

He was off the boat in a few minutes and was finally on land. Fortunately, Arios did not require a visa because he would have forgotten to show his.

[Malvoitre]

TS: End of Melora, Era Xv PF

He remembered the old legends from his time in Olympia. An island existed, people said, an emerald jewel where forest lived wild and fierce and where people never slept. A lack of dreams and an ever growing forest to explore appealed to the little sprite. His nights were restless anyway and a blanket of fog had claimed his home. So he had resigned himself to yet again travel from his Silrosian forest home.

The warm air of Eunesia was familiar to him and th sprite realized how much he had missed the islands, their shores covered with the heady smell of ocean spray. The steady rock of a ship beneath his feet also comforted him as the mainland ferry pulled into Arios' diminutive docks. It was a small town, he remembered, home to a smattering of sleepless races.

A sudden swirl of energy coursed through his body as he landed gingerly on the shore. He felt invigorated, refreshed, as if his long journey north had never happened. The island's strange power rushed through him, causing Uriel to smile despite himself. He suddenly had so much energy. Now all he needed were tasks to fill his idle hands.

Yes, he would like it here. Perhaps soon he would call it home.

[Aydyn Blair]

The Fourth Cycle of Cryxatum
in the Season of Spring

Aydyn was glad to be off the ferry. She glanced behind her at the floating wood that had been pieced together to create the device that brought them from the mainland and out to the island. It was not that she got seasick, because she didn't, but rather that the sea made her a little queasy and nervous on the inside. She preferred solid ground, hard-packed soil and the scent of the trees to the sharp tang of the sea all around her.

That and a child of one and a half ordinances was somewhat of a burden on a boat. Particularly when that child seemed to have inherited her father's tendency to get sick when the ground was no longer sturdy under them. She sighed and looked down at her shirt. It was a white shirt and Aydyn already knew there would be a slight stain at her shoulder. But it was nothing knew--she had grown accustomed to spit-up over the long months since she'd become a mother.

The wagon that Aydyn had convinced the ferryman to take on rattled off the ferry at last and Aydyn smiled her thanks at the man who handed her Solstice's reins. She pat the sleek, glossy brown neck and murmured a quick word of encouragement before settling Noah in the bed of the wagon with the rest of her belongings. She ignored the fussing that it resulted in and simply proceeded to guide the horse and wagon towards the woods ahead of her. She'd been warned that the paths were a bit tight for a wagon, but Aydyn had no wish to be parted from the horse and her belongings--which Aydyn could never carry all on her own.

She frowned as she surveyed the options--a path, the beach, the woods, the dockhouse. She needed, presumably to head down the path. With a wagon she knew it would be difficult, but when you traveled with four cats, a toddling child, and all your personal possessions--which weren't much, she admitted--your options were fairly limited.

So Aydyn set off for the path, well-prepared to play with the wagon as the going got narrow.

[Lirael Galanodel]

whoops! wrong character!

[Ashandra]

Aperitus, Spring, Late Evening

As she stepped up onto the dock, Ashandra gave her cheeks one last brush over, breath hitching with the threat of more tears before steadying once again.

Though her tears seemed to have dried up, the pain in her heart was now accompanied by one in her stomach that had nothing to do with food. Grimacing, she settled herself down on the dock to wait for another boat to take her to the mainland; she had very nearly been able to walk the entire way hear on the uncovered seabed from Ieffreon, though she had been forced to swim the last bit.

But there had been no boat available, and she had done what she had to do. She had to get away from Ieffreon!

Perhaps it would have been easier if her reasons were more readily available, if it had been a physical ailment instead of a mental one. Then, at least, she might have been able to stay ...

No. It was best that she leave, and leave quietly at that. The University would be displeased, she knew, but there was no helping it. This was the way things had to be. At least she hadn't paid for any new classes recently ...

Settling herself down for a long wait, Ashandra braced her hands behind herself, staring up at the sky and letting her eyes fall closed as she enjoyed the soft touch of the night wind, smiling slightly.