SOLACE
The Virtual Tour
“Hey look, Mai-chan... new friends. I wonder if they’re looking for adventures, maybe we can tell them about the time my Uncle Trapspringer went on his adventure... ”
A young mischievous kender races between your legs, tugging at your pants leg until you finally stop to make sure you’ve still got all your things.
“I haven’t seen you before... maybe you came to let me join your adventure... I know just the place. I’m Blinkenraster Noodletoss Rubinsplinter III pleased to meet you… call me Blink”
Before you can say anything, he’s dragging you towards a booth near the entrance to the city. A young elf girl is waiting there, smiling pleasantly.
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Just ignore the kender. Welcome to Solace. Looks like you’re new, so you’ve come to the right place. This is the Welcome Center and Office of Tourism. I, Mai-chan, your trusty tour-guide will personally show you around this exciting city called Solace. It’s a place of wizards and warriors, heroes and villains, adventure and excitement, you name it... we’ve got it.”
“Hey... I didn’t know we had any magical merry go
rounds!” the kender interjects. “Or
dragons... have you ever seen a dragon, Mai-chan?
My uncle Tas once rode on a dragon… Maybe there’s a dragon around
here... let’s go find it!”
“Actually, he’s right over there... near the tower,” Mai-chan says to the kender, pointing vaguely. As he runs off to check things out, she grins wickedly. “Sorry about that... we’ll start with the history lesson.”
“Founded on the shores of Lake Crystalmir, amidst the great Vallenwood forest, Solace was only twenty years ago a rather insignificant town in the Seeker Lands. The exploits of the Heroes of the Lance quickly changed the town’s reputation, and in the last two decades, Solace town has grown into a small city, one of great importance. The old town itself still rests within the tall vallenwoods, and most of the old buildings and homes and built within the branches themselves, connected by two levels of bridges, and many stairs and ladders. The newer portions of the city have been built at ground level, and line the well shaded avenues and streets. While the forest provides ample protection for the city, its new found strategic importance has led to the erection of a wall surrounding the main road entrances.”
“Our first stop is the center square of Solace, where one may find the city marketplace, lined with various shops. One can find most common items that they need around here: supplies, spell components, and fine weapons and armor from the finest smiths in the land.”
“Located on the western end of the square is the legendary “Inn of the Last Home”, resting snuggly between the branches of the Vallenwood. Owned and operated by two of the legendary Heroes, Caramon and Tika Majere, it is here that one may find the latest gossip, as well as the best food and drink in the city. We recommend the spiced potatoes (Otik’s famous recipe). Everyone who mentions us gets a 10% discount.”
“Leaving the inn after a hearty meal, we next approach the grand building on the northern side of the town square. Constructed of formidable gray stone, the building seems to be one of great importance. To those who represent justice and right in the world, it is… or was.”
The sign hanging above the door states the message simply “Protectors Guild”, though the doors and windows have been boarded up.
“Founded by Kelek Uth Wistan, Knight of the Rose, the Protectors Guild was a place for all good hearted men and women to dedicate themselves to the just cause. However, it was recently closed down due to minor technicalities in the cities new ‘defense contract…’ We’ll get back to that.”
As you cross the square, one can see the Town Council offices, garrison, and jail. Your tour guide is quick to divert you in the opposite direction, perhaps because of her less than valid tour guide license. Two guards stand outside the jail, tossing each of you a stern look as you pass.
“One might wonder why there is such a need for so many guards in a nice little place like Solace... follow me, and you may just find out. We’ll just head down this side road. There.” A building rests at the end of this alleyway, well hidden in the shadows. It’s midday, but no one is around. “The rumors are that this is the ‘Thieves Guild’ of Solace, though if the title was true, I’m sure the Protectors would have closed them down by now. The association’s rumored leader is the mysterious rogue Maren Sterling. He claims to be the world’s greatest swordsman, and I don’t know if that’s true, but he sure is quite handsome... and I know a few other things he’s great at. Oops. A few words of advice: don’t go there unless you’re looking for trouble. Let’s get going.”
“Oh... here’s a nice place. See that quaint little building on the left. There, ladies and gentlemen, is the ‘Bards Guild’ of Solace. Things have been quiet lately, but in the past it has been host to many famous musicians and artists, even hosting the great Yellow Belmont prior to her retirement. The guild leader, Lady Evelwyn, has been preoccupied for quite some time, but we can only hope that the guild will soon reopen to fill our hearts with song once again.”
Heading back down Main Street, you pass a fellow in red robes, who nods a greeting without any expression or words. “You’ve probably noticed quite a few of these robed fellows around, and with good reason. Solace has grown to become the pivotal place of residence for many of Krynn’s great Wizards of High Sorcery as well as their eager students and apprentices. Climbing up to the observatory within the branches of the highest vallenwoods, we’re now in the best spot to point the great towers out. To the southeast, against the backdrop of the mountains, a red stone tower can be seen. Here reside the Red robed magi. To the west, by the shores of the placid Crystalmir lake, one can see the beautiful white marble of the White mages tower. To the south, you may be able to see through the fog to find the Black tower, but it is probably best that you don’t know where it is. Rumor has it that, when necessary, the great Conclave tower appears on an island within the lake. One never truly know what these wizards are up to, as they wage their struggles for the future of this world.”
“Why don’t we skip all the intriguing details and head to some place more peaceful? The “Temple of Paladine” is just the spot, located on many acres near the shores of our beautiful lake. The gardens are some of the most well tended to anywhere, and a warmth pervades the air, even in the chill of winter. Since the return of the true gods to our world, the clerics of Paladine have done much good for this fair city, and for that we will be forever welcome.”
“Directly north one finds the Temple of Gilean, recently constructed by the Lady Catherine… as you can see it provides a sense of balance that this city is sorely needing in this day.”
“I was once told that a temple to the Dark Queen, Takhisis, was built only two
years ago in the dark woods to the south. My
advise is for any of you to travel in those woods with caution, since you can
never be too careful. Even our
brave Protectors stay clear of that area. One
can only imagine what horrors await...”
“But I digress. Along the other streets and avenues are many residences of the citizens of Solace. The finer houses are owned by the businessmen and council members. Outside of the city you’ll find a few estates, some quite impressive, though most of the owners are rather reclusive. North of the city proper lie many miles of farmland, occupied by the hardworking commoners of our fair city. Times have been tough in the past few years, but as always, the people of Solace persevere.”
“Well, that’s about it... feel free to explore the city, and get acquainted with its fine establishments and finer citizens. Thanks for choosing Solace Tours... it was our pleasure to serve you. Don’t forget to tip!”
Suddenly, a great shadow appears overhead... and one can look up to see a magnificent golden dragon soaring overhead.
“Look, Mai-chan... I found the dragon,” the kender’s voice exclaims from nearby. He appears beside you, poking you as he points towards it.
“It was a lot of fun... maybe next time we’ll get to ride on it... wouldn’t that be great?” Thoroughly impressed, you tip the girl and her kender friend very well, though once you leave you think he’s already taken some assorted trinkets off your person.
“That was great, Mai-chan! Let’s do it again...” the kender is exclaiming as you’re walking away. He runs around in circles with his arms extended, pretending as if he was a dragon.
“Maybe tommorow, Blink,” Mai-chan says with a wink, walking back to her booth. Inside she hands some of her coins to the red mage hiding quietly in the shadows. “Next time make the dragon bigger... it gets ‘em every time.”
-Mai-chan and Blink, The Office of Tourism
MAP will be added as soon as it is complete. Patience grasshopper.....