As the Bluebird Flies – Icemule Mystery Deepens
Posted23 January 2018
Last Updated On20 September 2018
ByNewsby
There’s a bluebird passing through Town Center in Icemule that leaves a message with a shivering figure in an ice cave. Someone … is coming.
http://bit.ly/2DyiiV1
Category: Towns
Topic: Icemule Trace
Date: 01/20/2018 10:43 PM CST
From: TWILSON
Subj: A bluebird passes through Town Center…
>Speaking softly to Jalodg, Dirvy says, “I will meet you outside.”
Jalodg walks out of an iron-trimmed fieldstone cottage.
>Speaking softly to Jalodg, Dirvy asks, “Call your friend?”
>Speaking in Guildspeak, Jalodg melodically exclaims something you don’t understand.
Jalodg spots and points to an approaching bluebird.
Jalodg holds out his arm and the bluebird perches upon his wrist.
Jalodg pets the bluebird.
Dirvy holds out her hand towards the bluebird, who flits onto her fingertip with tiny, cold feet.
Jalodg beams happily at Dirvy!
Dirvy leans close to the bluebird, speaking softly, “Will you find my friend for me?” Leaning closer, she whispers softly to the bluebird, who chirps at her in response.
>Speaking melodically to Dirvy, Jalodg says, “I already asked it to helps you on your very importants mission.”
Dirvy nods at Jalodg.
Jalodg beams happily at Dirvy!
>Speaking softly to Jalodg, Dirvy says, “He told me.”
Dirvy smiles at Jalodg.
>Speaking melodically to Dirvy, Jalodg says, “Our friendy is at our service.”
Jalodg lets out a cheer!
Dirvy lifts her hand and the bluebird takes off with a flutter towards Pinefar.
Dirvy exhales.
Jalodg agrees with Dirvy.
>Dirvy softly says, “Well, hopefully he finds him and we either hear from him or see him soon.”
Brokkrsten nods.
>Speaking melodically to Dirvy, Jalodg says, “Me toos.”
>Brokkrsten says, “We shall see.”
>Jalodg agrees with Brokkrsten.
Lady Dirvy Britbane
Matriarch of the Britbane Family
Executrix of House Sovyn
Elder Sentinel Advisor of The Order of the Sphere and Scythe
Chairwoman of I.C.I.C.L.E.
Date: 01/22/2018 08:29 PM CST
From: GS4-NECIOS
Subj: Re: A bluebird passes through Town Center…
A shivering figure crouches in the cold cavernous cave of ice, burning the last of the wood he has managed to salvage. His feet, raw from running for so long in the ice and snow, shriek as if he were standing on the glowing orange embers before him. He dares not venture out for more wood, as the shadows stalk him now. He hears their taunting day and night, though he can no longer tell which whispers are just in his head. Pulling his coat taught around him, his breath hangs in the air, and he wonders again to himself how a halfling could stray so far from such a noble intent.
A familiar chirping sound enters his mind, and for a split second, he dismisses it as another echoed hallucination. But the chirping continues. Slowly, he raises his head, a glimmer of hope shining in his bleary eyes, eyes to a soul that has known only fear, burden, and anguish these past few weeks. He cringes as he manages to stand upright and investigate the source of this unexpected aural intrusion. Slowly he makes his way to a small hole that provides fresh air to his hiding place, and peeks through, his sight barely adjusting to what little light squeezes its way through.
There it is, a tiny creature, feathers sparkling in brilliant blues against the setting sun. The diminutive bird cocks its head comically and hops backwards twice as if to say, “Follow me!”
The figure cracks a smile, a sudden warmth bursting outward from his heart. Taking a tart crumb from his ice-encrusted coat pocket, he pokes it through the tiny hole with his finger, a metaphorical offering of peace in his mind. With the most delicate flutter of wings, the bluebird gracefully maneuvers downward and grabs the crumb. As it flits by the tiny hole, the halfling whispers: “I will come. Tell them I will come.”
The bluebird flutters away, chirping cheerfully. Unable to bear his own weight any longer, the figure slumps to the frozen ground in agonized exhaustion again, resting fitfully and rallying his resolve for the journey home…
GameMaster Necios
Overlord of Icemule Trace
Champion of subject/verb agreement
Honorary BADNAME committee chair
Annanasi says, “The symbol of the Arkati Necios is a cuddly teddy bear on a field of pink.”
Date: 01/22/2018 09:16 PM CST
From: OUTZENB1
Subj: Re: A bluebird passes through Town Center…
Messenger birds should be ‘a thing’ in Gemstone IV. ‘Nuff said. đ
Sothog’s player
Date: 01/23/2018 12:29 AM CST
From: LUXELLE
Subj: Re: A bluebird passes through Town Center…
>Messenger birds should be ‘a thing’ in Gemstone IV.
Er, They are! Whisper to your bird or hawk charm and it will bear a message to the one you specify.
—
Rohese: “… the TownCrier (tune in if you havenât, itâs without doubt the best thing to ever happen on LNet)”
;tune towncrier
TownCrier News Submission link: http://bit.ly/TownCrierNews
TownCrier News Dailies via Email: http://bit.ly/2ivAJfw
Date: 01/23/2018 01:27 AM CST
From: ROBLAR
Subj: Re: A bluebird passes through Town Center…
And if a ranger, bird companions can carry notes.
Date: 01/23/2018 03:55 AM CST
From: PLAYERDEUCE
Subj: Re: A bluebird passes through Town Center…
Yay! He’s eating tarts again!
This, of course, assumes one has such a charm… where does one get one of these?
Sothog’s player
Dove and hawk “whisper charms” have been available for special things. They were part of the SimuCon goodie bag last year and the year before, and I am not sure when else they happened.
You will want to save up for them, players sell them from time to time. Ask on the Merchant channel to see if someone has one! They sell for 8-15milion silvers.
Or check the usual sources of item sales!
—
Rohese: “… the TownCrier (tune in if you havenât, itâs without doubt the best thing to ever happen on LNet)”
;tune towncrier
TownCrier News Submission link: http://bit.ly/TownCrierNews
TownCrier News Dailies via Email: http://bit.ly/2ivAJfw
[Deep Freeze, Cave of Ice]
Tiny rivulets of water trickle slowly down a multitude of stalactites and drip noisily onto the stalagmites rising from the frozen ground. There are jagged shards of ice everywhere that crunch loudly beneath your feet as you explore this icy chamber. You see a farmer’s satchel and some farm tools strewn about the icy floor.
Jalodg Calahann, the Greensgair Grove Protector, idly chews on the end of a blade of tundra grass while he diligently digs into the floor with an ice pick! His farmer’s hat shields his head from the water dripping overhead while seemingly blocking his gaze to the surroundings. He happily cycles through various Gnomish songs, animal sounds and imitations to keep any trace of tedium at bay. A tidal bobcat lays quietly and cleans her paws. She occasionally traces her companion’s movements with her keen and majestic eyes.
Suddenly, a chirp accompanied by the sound of flapping wings echo off the vast walls of the icy cave. A smiling Jalodg turns his head towards his companion who’s attention is firmly placed to the east. âPepper! Who’s that??â, asks Jalodg. A bluebird swifty swoops towards Jalodg and at the last moment banks left to gracefully perch onto a shard of jagged ice. Jalodg delightedly walks over to the bluebird facing it at eye-level.
Speaking in Gnomish, Jalodg exclaims, âHello dear one, you found us! You must have travelled quite a ways!â The bluebird cocks it’s head and responds in a few mild chirps. Jalodg pets the bluebird and leans forward, sniffing the bird. Jalodg responds, âOh yes! You smell of crisp air and a little bit of tart! Did you find someone?â The bluebird engages in a series of chirps, trills, song and finishes with a brisk flapping of its wings. Jalodg resounds,âMarvelous, our mission was a success! We must head back to town to tell everyone. He is coming!!â
Jalodg reaches into his feedbag and offers the bluebird a handful of seed, nuts and dried fruit to which the bird delighted feasts upon. Jalodg quickly gathers his tools, Pepper stands upright, and the bluebird flys a circling pattern over its friends. The group of companions travel off to the east to exit the Ice Cave and head towards Icemule Trace…
Hilytha Meirityn stops near the bank and frowns, as a tiny gnome rushes past her with a tidal bobcat at his heels and a small bluebird flapping furiously to keep up. She watches after them a moment, muttering to herself, “I left Ta’Illistim just to get away from all of this hustle and bustle… people rushing about like the whole place is on fire… improper in public…” Shaking her head, she clutches her purchases tightly, before slowly resuming her trek across the snow.
Still muttering to herself, she pauses near the South gate to check that she has not forgotten anything, when she is hit with a sudden realization. “The gnome.. that bird… I must tell my Lady!” Nearly forgetting the delicate items she carries in some of her packages, she hikes up the hem of her skirts and races across the snow and down the path to Behlayr. Sliding and stumbling along the path, she nearly loses her footing on Modwir Street, as she takes a sharp left onto Maoral Street. Hilytha pauses outside of the iron-trimmed fieldstone cottage to smooth her hair and ensure she appears as proper as possible. Her heart flutters in her chest, making it difficult for her to catch her breath, as she lifts the latch on the rune-carved rosewood door and steps inside of the cottage.
Dirvy calls over her shoulder, without looking up from the letter she is writing, “Hil, is that you?” Hilytha closes the door behind her and moves to the cabinets to put away her purchases, giving her time to catch her breath before answering, “Yes, my Lady.” Dirvy looks over towards her housekeeper, offering her a brief but appreciative smile, before turning her attention to her letter. As she writes, Dirvy says, “Hil, remind me to order more of that chocolate coffee Mister Britbane likes. I believe he said he was running low.”
Hilytha finishes putting the purchases away, then straightens her cotehardie before quietly approaching Dirvy, careful not to startle her. She clears her throat to get Dirvy’s attention, who turns to her with a soft smile, “Were you able to get everything on the list, Hil?” Hilytha returns the smile and nods, “Yes, my Lady, everything on the list.” Dirvy glances at the letter she is writing, then turns back to Hilytha, “Was there anything you needed from me?” Hilytha nods slowly, twisting her fingers in the wool of her overgown to hide her nervousness. With a slight tremor to her voice, she quietly says, “My Lady… there was a gnome in town…” One of Dirvy’s sharply tapered ears twitch, as she quirks an eyebrow in Hilytha’s direction. Dirvy curiously asks, “And have you seen this gnome before, Hil?” Hiltyha nods once, her eyes locked with Dirvy’s, as she softly says, “He had…” Unable to control her excitement any longer, she reaches forward and takes Dirvy’s hands in hers, and gushes, “My Lady, he had a bluebird following him!” Dirvy gasps softly, squeezing Hilytha’s hands firmly. “Oh Hil! And this gnome, how did he appear?” Hilytha smiles at Dirvy as she says, “He was in quite a state, my Lady. He seemed very excited and in a hurry.” Squeezing Hilytha’s hands once more, Dirvy releases them and nods slightly. Hilytha returns to the stove to make Dirvy a cup of tea, noticing her Lady seems paler than normal.
Dirvy sits back against her chair, idly twirling the quill in her hand, her letter momentarily forgotten. She quietly says to herself, “So, he is coming back to Icemule. What am I to do with him once he arrives?”
Lady Dirvy Britbane
Matriarch of the Britbane Family
Executrix of House Sovyn
Elder Sentinel Advisor of The Order of the Sphere and Scythe
Chairwoman of ICICLE
