@Hair @Sarky @Ragoza @Sideris @FuzzMonster
As the four Exalts leave Smiley's and head over to the Great Hearth, they are greeted at the gate by a tall, slender young man with brown skin and hair the colour of grass. He inclines his head respectfully as you approach; if the addition of Wei Lwyn and Maatre to the expected party has surprised him he doesn't show it. He is dressed in fine, elegant clothes in a traditional Lastlander style, though the materials look imported. "Calm seas, my friends. I am Banoron Selt, Lesanda's son. I've been asked to greet you here and bring you to see Mother by the Hearthfire."
He nods to the guards who open the compound gates, and you are escorted inside. Selt walks ahead of you, chatting amiably about nothing in particular, as he leads you inside. Inside the Great Hearth, the building is a maze of corridors and rooms, bustling with activity. A number of the people you pass are clearly Dragon-Blooded, though most are mortal clan members or hired servants. One, a striking young woman with amber eyes, almost bowls Wei over while carrying a pile of fresh laundry, and apologises profusely before running off, Selt watching her go in annoyance. "Apologies, my friend. You just can't get the help, you know?" He is still lamenting the total inadequacy of the new hires on the waiting staff when he leads you into the centre of the building.
Unlike the Sorelt Hearth on Seppish, the Great Banoron Hearth is open to the sky - a five-story circular room with an open roof, with the higher floors all having open viewing mezzanines overlooking the Hearthfire all around - though no-one is on them and you can't see any doors that would grant access. The hardwood floor that makes up much of the rest of the building gives way to cold, rough paving stones that are arranged in an eye-catching spiral pattern. Abyss' Black Reach is here, leaning against a wall near the door and reading a Shogunate-era book on small-unit tactics. Otherwise the Hearth itself seems unusually clear, a large bonfire burning smokelessly in the centre of the room on a raised stone dais. The dais and walls are intricately carved with images of the Sundering, showing the
Ríastrad of Bann and her facing down dozens of traitor Gentes, a pile of corpses around her feet. Selt withdraws, waving a friendly goodbye as he leaves you alone with The Banoron. The sunlight streams down through the opening in the roof oddly, rippling on the walls and floor and giving a slight sense of being underwater.
Lesanda barefoot and simply-dressed as ever. She is facing away from you, staring into the crackling flames. You can't see her face, but her stance is pensive.
"Afternoon, girls. I see you've made some new friends, Yvara. Do you trust them?"