cherryvalefarm

[cherryvalefarm]

Tuesday, Spring 2, Year 1, Cherryvale Farm, Mistria

Well, my second day in Mistria came to an interesting start. I woke to the sound of thwacks from hand-axe chopping an oak tree. Lord Eiland was attempting to expose the ancient stonework that I noticed from yesterday through brute strength. He wasn't doing a great job at it. I was interested in what lie behind the tree, so I offered and got the tree chopped away to expose a statue of a dragon. It was in multiple pieces, but Lord Eiland and I managed to put it back together with some preservation gluey tac. He mentioned that the figure depicted was a some kind of mythological guardian dragon named Caldarus. The statue had a striking presence to it, I didn't want to look at it too long. Eiland mentioned Mistria's Historical Society to me, and I wasn't opposed joining - I'd done my fair share of preservation and research when I worked in the city's archives, although Eiland's methods were far more hands on than I was use to. Maybe he just wanted me involved in case I turned something else up as I expanded the farm .

I had a personal letter inviting me to speak to the museum curator, Errol. I hadn't stepped foot in the museum yet, so I was keen. First, I tended the few crops I had and cleared some rotted out trees from beside the tree and cottage (Lord Eiland let me keep the axe he was using. It's a near dull, rusty thing like my other tools, but it's something for now.) I spent the next hour or so clearing brush from the farm, and then I cleaned myself in the river that borders the east of my property. It would do fine for now until I could get plumbing installed, or at least until I could cough up the tesserae and stand to face Juniper at the bath house again. Hopefully, either of those would come sooner than winter.

I took some harvested plants in my pack, maybe someone would be interested in them and I was saving a flower for Celine, as thank you for the farming supplies to start me off. When I went into town, I caught Lady Adeline scrawling away near the request board, I could never accuse her of being undiligent in her duties. She mentioned that everyone in town is welcoming and are all excited to have me. I didn't mention my interactions with the blacksmith or Juniper, but I wonder if I should've. I saw a couple postings on the board, one by one of the children for an oyster pearl (maybe the fisherwoman would fulfill it) and another from Olric that offered a pickaxe in return for undisclosed favor. Wearily, I took down Olric's posting for myself, but first I ate at the Inn and visited Errol at the museum. While eating, it dawned on me that the Inn might be named Sleeping Dragon after the guardian dragon myth. I didn't get the chance to confirm that with the innkeepers, but it was an interesting thought.

Along the way to the museum, the innkeeper's younger children, Maple and Luc, came upon while I was picking some wild berries. They're adorable and very polite, accepting some of the berries I offered them even though they didn't seem to like them. Maybe I would see about doing Maple's request - I'm not sure when I would be near the water, but I could ask Terithia to keep an eye out.

When I arrived at the museum, I talked with Errol for awhile and he filled me in on how new the museum was. In my estimation, Lady Adeline and Lord Eiland are determined to use the Museum as a tourism draw. It makes good sense to me, it might benefit Mistria as they rebuild. It was to be a natural and historic museum, Errol wanted flora and insect specimens in addition to artifacts. He even offered me an upfront stipend for my agreement to survey. I left some samples of dandelions, peat, and sod that I had on hand. I'll see what else I can come across - if the statue on the farm indicates anything, I would be stumbling upon artifacts every few steps.

A little while later, I met up with Olric about his posting for the pickaxe and he invited me inside the Blacksmith shop, I learned he was a miner prior to the earthquake and that Errol was the Mine Foreman. It put things into perspective. March ran into us and I tried to be civil, but he suggested I was getting a handout from his brother. I ran into March again, he said I was getting a handout from his brother. Olric took me aside and ask that I give his brother a chance, apparently March doesn't have many friends here. I can't imagine why! Olric seems like an upstanding guy, but it was a big ask.

I went to lunch at the Inn, got a fish lunch. I talked a little with Adeline, Reina, and Celine's mother, who suggested to me to keep an eye on her daughter since I live so close. I'll consider that since I like Celine thus far, but far too many of the townspeople were asking me to care for their relatives.

I ended up joining Eiland in his study at the Manor House. After he chatted me up about how easy it is to find artifacts here, I read up some of an Aldarian history text he had. It mentioned how fractured Alda tribes united to found the kingdom of Aldaria. I left soon after before Eiland would feel inclined to ask me to stay for dinner, I needed some time to myself after the last couple days running around and meeting so many new people. I made it home before sunset, I rearranged some furniture, placing a rug by the entry and moved the dining table closer to the fireplace and I started up a small fire. I ended up with some the wild berries as my dinner and I turned in early.

[cherryvalefarm]

Spring 1, Year 1, Cherryvale Farm, Mistria

I made it to Mistria. The bridge from Eastern road was destroyed, the Earthquake hit everything hard. I met a helpful merchant named Balor who traveled with me the rest of the way to Mistria, we arrived late in the evening. The plot of land was overgrown and definitely needs work, but there is a small cottage and room to grow. The royal posting at the Adventurer's Guild wasn't too good to be true it seems.

I talked with Lady Adeline and Lord Eiland for a time, they were both kind and informative. The Lady even offered me a vegetable soup-I didn't have the heart nor the full stomach to pass up the offer (my pickiness aside—I imagine I will be consigned to soups for awhile).

I went to bed and rose early, about 6 o'clock. I was greeted by a villager, Celine, and offered supplies, including turnip and tulip seeds. I also met Hayden, my apparent neighbor to the South who runs a place called Sweetwater Farm. The two ran me up to speed and it was genuinely nice to be greeted so warmly, this is the folksy charm that you don't get in the Capitol.

I spent the morning tilling and seeding the field until around midday. I changed my clothes and went into town. I ran into Lady Adeline again, and she showed me the town's request board - I imagine everyone will be needing quite a bit of help. Despite the earthquake, the main city area seems to have held up quite well, but outlying areas have fallen rocks, broken staircases, and other debris.

On a lighter note, Lady Adeline tasked me with meeting the townspeople, and even paid me for it, and I met everyone throughout the day. I checked out the General Store run by Celine's parents, the Bathhouse, and the Inn. Many have been welcoming and kind to me, especially the Innkeepers, Hemlock, Josephine, and their daughter, Reina. It wasn't all great today. A couple of the townspeople were rude to me, the blacksmith especially, and I got turned away at the door by Juniper since I didn't have the money for the bathhouse. Embarrassing, but I suppose I get it - she runs a business and the charity stops somewhere. I tried not to take it personally, nor let it ruin my day. I spent the rest of the day foraging the outskirts, near the Eastern road and west toward some ruins. The area reminded me of a column or statue that was tucked away in corner of the property, overgrown by nature. Lord Eiland mentioned in passing how Mistria is a prime spot for archaeological digs and I saw they have a local museum. It makes me curious how many artifacts the museum in the Capitol were from this area. I noticed some I'll have to remember to ask Lord Eiland for details when I'm more settled.

It'll be interesting to see how things turn out here.