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Chapter: Chapter 2. Sightseeing

  • Wooaahh… Mirabel lets out as she glances at the display. The stall has beautifully displayed different coloured and shaped gemstones, resting on purple velvet. Citrine, verdanite, amethyst, fire quartz, and azulite, all neatly organized into a pentagonal shape. "Don't be shy! I judge not whether you're a mage or a witch. I will leave that judgement to the all mighty God of Law Waltari, ha!” Utu, the hume salesman says as Mirabel’s eyes are locked on the gems. All of them pristine in every detail. Their colours magnificent and all of them are cut like they were the royal gems. 'All magic begins with a Spark, but to truly mold the essence of cosmos, you need magestones. Those are the catalysts aether is channelled through. ‘Purest gems are the strongest and last the longest, and while these stones were cheaper impure ones, they too were worth more than a month’s salary. And as you might already know, each school of magic is best cast through a magestone of a proper quality.' School of Reflection: ‘Magic imbuing light and the fate woven into the stars through gems like Citrine (impure) and Sun Beryl (pure)’; School of Antiquity: ‘Magic unearthing and mending what once was through gems like Verdanite (impure) and Emerald (pure)’; School of Cognizance: ‘Magic manipulating the senses and mind through gems like Amethyst (impure) and Staranite (pure)’; School of Shaping: ‘Magic reshaping and manipulating physical material through gemstones like Fire Quartz and Ruby’; School of Flow: ‘Magic commanding energy and force through gems like Lazulite (impure) and Sapphire (pure)’. Mirabel sighs and shifts her attention to pouches on the far side of the table. ‘While there are some other types of catalysts, the most common of them is quartz. Quartz is a universal catalyst, and it gets most jobs done. Rather poorly might I add but hey, it was something even I could afford. Well, just dust to be more precise.’

    Home Cauldron Page 28

    Apr 10, 2025

  • “I’ll go looking for some exotic herbs. I’ll catch up with you at the foot of the Old Rowan when I’m done!” Erika says. “Alright, sounds great! See you soon!” Mirabel replies as Erika fades into a crowd of people. The market is like nothing Mirabel had seen before. Stalls, people, common and exotic goods of all kinds. Delicious smells of fresh bakery goods, shiny metal swords and knick-knacks, vibrant cloths of all colors and designs. “I had never seen so many people in my life. So many things to try. So many things to see. It was almost overwhelming. But there was one thing I was really after”, the text boxes read. As she strolls past the tents and stalls, a voice yells at her from a caravan: “You there! I can spot a spark wielder from a mile away!” the voice of a man yells. She looks to the lavishly decorated purple caravan. “Welcome young ferin miss!” the human with dark complexion dressed in a flamboyant purple and blue suit yells from behind the counter. “Looking to buy some of Utu’s exquisite magestones?” he asks as the shine of a beautifully cut red quartz piece shines against the sunshine.

    Home Cauldron Page 27

    Jan 23, 2025

  • Erika smiles. ”Well anyways, we’re here!” she says. “Welcome to Rowanill Mirabel!” Mirabel gasps, her eyes widening and ears spiking up in excitement. The grand rowan tree stands tall in the middle of the square, twisted around its own trunk, stretching out its branches and berries to the far side of the market. The wooden buildings framing the grand rowan tree are decorated with carefully crafted red painted timber frames and their mismatched walls are raised upon crumbled stone bases. The yard is filled with stalls and wagons with tarps all in plentiful and lively colors. People are wandering around and spending time conversing, perusing the varied collection of goods for sale, or simply just enjoying the warmth of the late summer morning.

    Home Cauldron Page 26

    Dec 05, 2024

  • ”So Mirabel, have you ever been to Rowanill before?” Erika asks and glances over to Mirabel. “No, never. I have to say I’m quite excited!” Mirabel responds gleefully. “Well, you’re in luck then as the caravan market just so happens to be in the town today!” Erika responds with a smile. “Lots of travelers come here often?” Mirabel asks. Erika lowers her gaze, and her voice shifts into a subtle but still noticeable solemn tone: “Well, not as many as I heard used to. The thick woods make travel difficult and risky for large caravans. But I think many still avoid the place because of its, well, history.” The two women approach the town gates. Beautifully crafted rich woodwork embellishes the stone structures. Bright red trims with splashes of white paint frame the gate and the 10-meter stone watchtower. But despite the quality of the tower, its brother lies crumbled, barely holding the gate together and it too only barely held together by makeshift scaffolding. Two guards stand under the gate in colors similar to the trimmed gate bridge and inside the gates, a stableboy is harnessing a three horned kaurin stallion ready for travel. There is a text box which reads: “At the time I didn’t know of the events that took place in Rowanill during the Avelonian civil war, though it was clear from the first glance that even decades later the place hadn’t fully let go of that night.”

    Home Cauldron Page 25

    Nov 21, 2024

  • Mirabel and Erika are walking on a quiet forest path. In front of a large old oak is a sun scorched post with a sign that reads Rowanill. ”So Erika, how long have you lived here?” Mirabel asks. “Around four years. My mentor had a summer retreat here which he sold to me after my apprenticeship”, Erika responds. “I take it you are not around these parts then?” Mirabel adds in which Erika responds “No, I’m from Vinen.” Mirabel’s ears zap up in excitement and her eyes glow up. “No way! Across the sea?” she shouts. “I’ve always wanted to see the golden prairies, the endless vineyards, the coastal cities! It all must be amazing!” she says enthusiastically before her excitement fades. “But why would you come here out of all places? It’s not like Avelon is a great place for witches.” Mirabel then asks. Erika smiles. “Oh, Vinen is lovely in its own way for sure! But when I came here for the first time, I just fell in love with this place. There is just something about the atmosphere, the seasons, all this!” she says and gestures around her. The old stone bridge crosses a blue stream and all around them greenery new and old surrounding them in multitude, all bathing in the golden rays of sunrise.

    Home Cauldron Page 24

    Nov 14, 2024

  • Mirabel snaps out of her thoughts with a tear dripping down her cheeks as she looks towards the sound. She smiles and wipes away the tears. “Coming!” she yells. Mirabel opens the door, the soft morning light illuminating her and her nightgown, one barely posed in a way to cover her body. “Good morning, Erika!” she says as she sees her friend waiting for her. “Good morning, Mirabel” Erika responds, her emerald locks glistening in the light. “Are you ready to g- I- ummm…” she says, but her words get tangled up as she sees Mirabel. She shyly looks away. “Sorry I didn’t realize you were still getting dressed!” she says. Mirabel’s head tilts. “Still getting dressed? What do you me-“ she says in a confused tone but as she looks down on her apparel, it is not her usual robes but her nightgown. She screams in embarrassment and slams the door behind her. “Oh my god I’m sorry be right back!” she yells. Erika chuckles “Heh, no rush! I’ll wait here.”

    Home Cauldron Page 23

    Oct 31, 2024

  • Home Cauldron Page 22

    Oct 24, 2024

  • Home Cauldron Page 21

    Oct 17, 2024

  • Home Cauldron Page 20

    Oct 10, 2024

  • Home Cauldron Page 18

    Sep 26, 2024

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