Verdant Castle

Observer: It feels a bit odd to enter the Verdant Castle so freely. Sure, everyone says Queen Iola is the most welcoming Royal of all the nations, but it really felt like you wouldn’t be allowed in with how heavy the guard was and all the rumors you’ve been hearing…

Observer: It’s too bad no one put signs directing the way. You woke up with a strange feeling you needed to visit though, and it seems to move your feet onwards.

Observer: It’s hard to tell why you open the door that you do. It lets you into a pleasant corridor with some statues, and - is that Queen Iola standing?

Iola: “Oh, welcome to the Castle! Did it take you long to find me? …dreams can be… disconcerting sometimes.”

Observer: You nod as though you understand what she means and manage some sort of answer. She smiles at you, and steps aside to show you a shelf with some items, most prominently a box, which she offers to you.

Iola: “This is for you. These others… My… dreams said I should… prepare things for those with… Mother’s blessing, so I have. You should try visiting her memorial, I think. It’s not far from here, if you’d like to go there.”

Observer: She gives you some directions along with the box, leaving you just as perplexed and confused as you felt when you first entered the castle.

Observer: Well, maybe it would be best to check out this memorial - you can’t quite tell what the shelves hold yet, but anything a Queen would offer has to be valuable, right?

Abella's Boutique

Observer: A bell rings above you as you enter a cute and warm shop. A red Dextroluma looks up from a display, a radiant smile on her lips.

Abella: “Welcome to my boutique! Is there anything in particular you’re looking to get today?”

Observer: Looking around the store, you can see quite the mix of options, from casual clothing to more formal gowns meant for special occasions. Still, you do have a thought in mind, which you tell her.

Abella: “Oh, that sounds perfect for you, let me just get that down for you to try it on!”

Observer: You watch her bustle off, excited to try on and hopefully buy the outfit you were eyeing.

Crystal Casino

Observer: The Crystal Casino seems vast and overwhelming as you wander it, sneaking peeks at the various tables in the rooms you pass.

Observer: There’s a dizzying array of games both from Aerius itself and borrowed from the other species that Dextroluma have met. It’s hard to choose what to play first.

Queen Ashe: “Oh dear, you look as though you’ve gotten a bit lost.”

Observer: You blink in surprise as you recognize the Crystal Queens and their entourage, looking back down the hall you came from in confusion. Was that actually a private door you entered by mistake, or…?

Queen Diana: “First time at the casino and you can’t choose what to play? It happens all the time. Our most popular games are dice games, Crystal Hold ‘em, and the Crystal Roulette - maybe try sticking to those for now till it feels more familiar.”

Queen Ashe: “Just be careful not to spend more than you can afford - or do, I’m told it can be fun.”

Observer: Did… the Crystal Queen just wink at you? …are you being teased by a Royal?

Queen Diana: “Well, if you lose all your crystals then maybe you’ll have learned some valuable lessons for how to get better at gambling. As the kids say, git gud.”

Observer: You watch the Queens walk away laughing, baffled. Guess it’s… time to… git gud…? You shake your head as you head back the way you had come, out to the proper casino floor.

Aerius Archives

Observer: The Royal Archive seems still and quiet as you enter. It’s well cared for, though you can’t see anyone right away as you approach the counter of the empty waiting room.

Nepra: “Welcome to the Royal Archives. Do you need a new registration form?”

Observer: Her quiet voice startles you a second, but now you spot her, rising from a desk near the wall behind the counter. She approaches the counter, waiting for your nod before she begins to collect several papers from the counter.

Nepra: “You may sit in the waiting area to fill these out. Let me know if you have any difficulties with the forms, otherwise I shall review them once they are complete.”

Observer: Well, it seems she isn’t the most talkative… Guess it’s time to get to the paperwork, then.

Enchanted Elixirs

Observer: Strange scents and colors of smoke drift through the door as you enter Enchanted Elixirs. The room seems as magical as the elixirs sold here are said to be… but where is the shopkeep? As you browse, there is no sign of them.

Mysterious Shopkeep: “Oh, I see you’ve found what you needed already.”

Observer: You look around, startled - your hand hadn’t even closed on the bottle you were considering checking the price of - how did…? Their face is veiled so you can’t quite tell what their expression is, but you hear the smile in their voice as they speak.

Mysterious Shopkeep: “I sometimes just know these things, don’t worry. Still, feel free to continue browsing and let me know when you’re ready to purchase that.”

Observer: You’re strongly tempted to buy absolutely anything but that, but… you did want it… Well, you can take some more time browsing to decide if you’re going to be contrary for the sake of being contrary or not. …where did that shopkeep vanish off to already?

Rodeo Ruff Pets

Observer: You step into a shop that smells warm and inviting. Tanks line one wall for aquatic pets, while eggs are nestled in warming boxes on another wall, and still other walls appear to be in progress. The shopkeep has his back to you.

Boone: “Well, you’re a mighty fine jelluxi, sir, I reckon you’re going to find a home fast.”

Observer: You see a jelluxi fluttering from its tank to land on his shoulder and nuzzle into his face. Then, the shopkeep turns to you, and nods a greeting.

Boone: “Welcome to Rodeo Ruff, let me know if you see any pets you want. Still getting everything built out for more. Anything in particular you’re lookin’ for?”

Observer: Boone seems a bit reserved but otherwise friendly as you discuss potential pets, including some he’s looking at getting in the future. Even if he doesn’t have what you’re seeking now, it seems like a good shop to visit often.

Decore Galore

Observer: The wall before you is covered in art, picture frames, fun jewelry, and more - it looks like this shop owner loves to make just about anything and everything.

Serena: “Oh hello! Welcome to Decore Galore, where we sell decoration for you to dexorate with!”

Observer: You groan at the pun, and she gives a cheeky laugh as she stands up from behind the counter, where it looks like she was working on making a bracelet.

Serena: “Is there anything you’re looking for in particular, or just here to admire?”

Observer: You let her know the answer and she smiles cheerfully at you.

Serena: “That’s definitely fun! Let me know if you need any help fin-ding what you’re looking for!”

Trash Kingdom

Observer: You aren’t sure how you detoured into this network of alleyways, but the further you get into it, the more perturbed you are. Has a sanitation worker ever come down this way?

Observer: Seriously, it feels like there’s hundreds of trash cans back here, and untold thousands of trash bags. That… might be an exaggeration, honestly, but it is how it feels.

Observer: As you pass a large dumpster, it creaks and you jump, startled.

Hand Holding Sign: “TRASH KINGDOM WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS SOON.”

Observer: There seems to be an arrow pointing the way to an exit you hadn’t seen.

Observer: Glancing dubiously between it and the hand, you decide it is best to follow and call out a cautious thank you as you hurry away, both afraid and curious of what you might find when the Trash Kingdom is opened…

Pay Respects

Observer: The memorial to Queen Deja stands before you, a melancholic feeling in the air.

Observer: It seems like a well-loved and peaceful place for reflection and to pay respects to the former Queen and her ruined dreams - there are benches and chairs where you could sit in comfortable contemplation, and a carpeted area where you could kneel before her statue.

Observer: At the base of the statue it appears as though others have left offerings to the departed Queen. Rumors say that paying your respects to her can earn you magical blessings.

Observer: Would you like to step closer to pay your respects in some fashion - or perhaps examine some of the offerings with the closer vantage point?

Nero's Wheel of Fortune

Observer: The scene is a bit surreal, as you gaze upon King Nero and Queen Iola, who stand eagerly waiting to spin a shining wheel for you.

King Nero: “If you’re truly fortunate, you’ll win this delicious bowl of soup my wife has made!”

Observer: His smile seems strained. You understand why, as you look over to Queen Iola and observe the steam from her soup forming an ominous skull. That feels like a warning from Aerius itself…

Queen Iola: “I hope you’ll get to try it! Nero always says he loves it, so I’m sure you will too! Don’t worry, it won’t go to waste if you don’t win it though - most days, Nero’s the lucky one. It was so sweet of him to set this up so other Dextroluma could try it too!”

Oasis Fountain

Observer: The warmth of day is hot on your skin as you stand in the main square of Purgatorio, gazing at the magnificent fountain before you.

Observer: Other Dextroluma seem to be tossing crystals into the fountain - and you think you even see a child toss a toy into it. It seems as though many other visitors to the square are making wishes in the fountain.

Observer: You draw closer to make your own wish, drawing a crystal out of your own pouch to toss it into the fountain in hopes of your own wish being heard, although the glittering piles of crystals in the fountain certainly catch your eye as well.

Observer: But no - you’re just here to make a wish for today, not to risk bad luck.

Observer: Closing your eyes, you think of your wish, and flip the crystal into the water with a ‘plink’.