[ESL Ch3A] Safeguarding the Danger

[gedren_y]

In the Third Book of the Second Age, the Triuri tells us that there are numerous islands in the far eastern sea upon which can be found 'waters' that provide some measure of regeneration and age retarding effects. Many of these, the Triuri warns, have dangerous costs.

At the time, that revelation spurred on adventurers to find these islands. Only a hand full of were ever found by these epic explorers. All had some danger to the drinking, but the worst was on an island they called Sgian Ghuin.

This happened more than three thousand years ago. During the ensuing millennia, The Truachesh civilization faded from prominence, and eventually passed into obscurity. Some records were lost, and maps not added to the Holy Text were infrequently copied. The exact locations of these known fountains were forgotten.

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Ylsbeth the Starcatcher had studied long and hard to become the youngest High Priestess of the Crahaish neh Triuri. One of her focuses was on the great epics of the Truachesh High Period, and she had spent many nights using what historical records remained to plot her ancestors' travels onto modern charts.

Because of the current major governments' expansion Ylsbeth has again taken to plotting the ancient epics on the new maps of Terraversa Sea.

Recently the circulation of the story about Father Tholeau having found what he called the Fountain of Youth made High Priestess Ylsbeth the Starcatcher worried. She pushed the rest of the Crahaish neh Triuri to mount an expedition, to find and guard the most dangerous of the known 'fountains' from the Truachesh epics.

So that is why the Island Rose was commissioned, and outfitted for a long voyage. And using the ancient accounts, the crew of Triuri faithful, and Ylsbeth herself, have found Sgian Ghuin.

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Here High Priestess Ylsbeth the Starcatcher stands below the ancient Truachesh built archway, which proclaims the dangers of drinking the 'water' found here. It reads, 'Man will die if he does not drink this from the mouth of a woman.'

As Ylsbeth is the only woman on this voyage, any of the crew who wish to brave the water's effects, must drink it from her mouth.

Here it can be seen that the Truachesh archway isn't the only embellishment this place has seen. Another culture, much older and long gone, marked this site as well. Also, it seems that later men have tried to drink without understanding the warning.

Captain Hammish Grei has decided to brave drinking the water from Ylsbeth's mouth.

Ylsbeth takes a small sip herself. Even though she is still quite young, her breasts firmed up from the bit of sag she has had in the past year, her skin softened, the wear on her teeth repaired, and even the mild upset stomach from some stale hardtack went away.

Holding more of the water in her mouth, Ylsbeth steps down, setting the goblet aside. She motions Captain Grei to stand where she had, and absently wonders how much it would change a man twenty years her senior.

Quickly Hammish steps up, and sips from her mouth, open in offering. As he drinks deeper, Ylsbeth kisses him teasingly, then steps back.

The change is near immediate, and Captain Grei now looks to be a barely a man of twenty-five.

Consort Taliesin the Lightbringer celebrates their success. How he got on that ledge, and why, are a tale for another time.

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Here are some empty overview shots.

A good look at the 'water' flowing into the pool.

And a better shot of the pool from above.

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Eight more detail images can be found in this Flickr album.

What do you think?

Edited February 1, 2017 by gedren_y

[TitusV]

Very Nice build, I love the irregular border!