(2025-02-07) Uldum Sightseeing

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Alaisa, Ben, Bran, Sil, and Velrin meet up in Ramkahen to see the sights. Current events, languages, and mythical creatures are discussed. ~3500 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Sil stretches his arms, looking around the square in the center of Uldum.

Ben is standing nearby, intent on an open notebook in which he is pencilling something. He's frowning absently.

Sil wanders over. "Hey, Ben, sketching something?"

Bran wanders over as well.

Ben looks up, squinting beneath the brim of his hat. He grins at Sil. "Yeah. Yeah, practicin'. How you doin'?"

Velrin strides into the square and takes a quick look around. She seems to be quite pleased that Uldum is relatively warm even this time of year.

Alaisa approaches the four of them. She is dressed in blue, with a blue wide-brimmed hat that seems to be doing a good deal of work.

Sil shrugs. "Doin' alright. Got a little time I guess before the vote, might try to persuade some more people soon."

Ben squints again, tipping his chin up higher. "That's goin' okay? The politics?"

Sil smiles at Bran and then nods a greeting to Alaisa and Velrin. "Yeah, I think so. We're showin' 'em we're good allies." He pauses. "Lot of Cobalt out here today."

Ben, who has been lost beneath the brim of his hat for a while, tips his chin up again and looks around. "Oh, yeah. Hey, y'all." He closes his notebook with the pencil inside.

Sil lifts up a little, and speaks a little louder, for friends to hear. "I was thinking I might look around a little? I don't know if you all've had a chance yet."

"I had to see this place for myself." Alaisa smiles, sticking her hands in her pockets. "I arrived not long ago."

"Hello." Velrin says a bit quietly. She stays put where she is for now.

Ben grins at Bran. "Sir." He looks over at Alaisa. "You learnin' the cat-picture stuff?"

"The hieroglyphs, yes." Alaisa gives Velrin a wave. "Hello, Velrin."

"Esn't it brelliant?" Bran says dreamily, his turquoise eyes sparkling.

"It is literal brilliant." Ben points solemnly upward at the desert sun.

"Yeah, it's a pretty neat place," Sil agrees. "I haven't seen much of the titan stuff, but the tol'vir are… like nothing I've ever met."

"These oases are quite lovely. I'll have to come back to visit in the summer too." Velrin says.

Ben turns his head again, and then finally relents and pushes the hat up on his forehead so he can see beneath its brim. He nods a greeting to Velrin.

"Oh, I bet it'll be hellish hot in summer, way it is now," Sil laughs.

"This is just about the right kind of winter for me," Ben says with a crooked smile.

"Anything to get away from the cold." Vel giggles and inches a little closer.

"And you're Prospector Stillwall, aren't you? I'm Ally, Cobalt's translator." Alaisa holds a hand out for Bran to shake.

Bran enthusiastically pumps Ally's hand.

Alaisa matches Bran's level of handshaking enthusiasm.

"There are these huuuuuge Titan faceleties deep undergroewnd here - Titans only know - literally! - what they're for, but me an' Hazan's lad are gonna find out, aye lad?" Bran grins at Ben.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know y'all ain't met or I would have said. And yessir, we are." Ben nods firmly at Bran and then grins.

"And me and my team are gonna make sure we keep friends with the Ramkahen, meantime," Sil nods firmly. "Oh hey, you all seen the dam yet?"

"I never mind a re-introduction even ef I've met someone," Bran says amiably. "I'm not great with names, ye see."

"I seen it a bit. Doctor Jones landed us there couple weeks back,” Ben says.

"Velrin, Sil, Ben," Alaisa says, gesturing between the three of them.

"Prospector Brannagen Stillwall! Bran's fine."

"I haven't seen much yet. I only just arrived. With all the things I've been hearing about this place it seems prudent that the Watchers have some presence here." Vel comments.

"They've got these neat picture windows," Sil says, making a square in front of him, "So you can see the fish and stuff underwater."

Velrin nods in greeting to Ally.

"Oh, like the tram?" Ally smiles.

"A whole cevelezation just lost fer all these years… everyone should be here explorin' it if ye ask me," Bran says, unasked.

"Hey, Sil, you found out from any of these tol'virs how come they got these big bipedal statues all over the place? When they… ain't?" Ben looks to Sil.

Sil nods eagerly at Ally, and then draws up at Ben's question. "No one's really said, but I figured something about the titans?"

"I have a theory abou' tha', young Hazan," says Bran. "The statues I mean.” Bran taps his nose and points to Sil.

"Yessir?" Ben pushes his hat back further and scratches his forehead. He looks from Bran to Sil and then nods.

Sil turns to Bran with a grin. "Titans, huh?"

"Their Watchers are bipedal," Ally points out.

"All evidence suggests tha' the titans looked… real peculiarly similar ta humans, just much bigger. So o' course their creations might see tha' as the perfect form."

"But, so, my question is, like — they seen a Titan? The statues supposed to be Titans? Or, like… tol'virs imaginin' Titans looked like them only two legs? Or…?"

"So maybe it's sort of like… a respect thing for them," Sil nods. "I wonder if that's helpin' us diplomatically, that we look like titan forms."

Velrin slowly inches closer into the circle. She eyes Ben once or twice when she thinks he isn't looking.

"Maybe they have? Or maybe their ancestors had…" Sil muses.

"Like, are the statues suppose to be Titans or idealized tol'virs or what, I guess is my question." Ben isn't looking. He is being Academic.

"I'm thinkin' it's Tol'vir imaginin' themselves powerful," says Bran.

Ben nods seriously. "That is where I was kind of leanin'."

"We could always ask," Ally says, gesturing around at Ramkahen.

Bran lowers his voice and leans in a bit. "Though frankly I think havin' four legs plus two arms is more powerful, but dinna tell the Titans I said so."

Sil laughs quietly at Bran. "Yeah, I won't tell 'em."

"I mean. To be frank, sir. Yeah." Ben grins again at Bran.

Sil looks up at Ally. "Think we should? I bet Tahet's around here somewhere, or Prince Nadun."

"Hey, can I ask you somethin', Alaisa? Or — oh, we want to walk around? Down to the dam? I can ask while we walk?" Ben looks around the group.

"Oh, I would love to be introduced to anyone here." Ally nods to Ben. "Yeah, of course. What's up?"

"Sure, yeah, let's walk that way!" Sil nods happily.

"Sure!" Bran says enthusiastically.

"You said you are learnin' the higher glyphs. Can I ask how you start off doin' a thing like that? Is it all, like… context? Or related to other languages you know? Or what?" Ben peers at Ally.

The team ambles by the water, where some small boats are tied up.

"Somethin' real charmin' abou' their wee boats," Bran observes.

"Wee boats," Ben repeats.

Correction: wee boats.

Sil nods. "Almost makes me wonder how they stay afloat in 'em. Then again, they're not stone."

"The first thing I do is usually attempt to find a teacher," Ally explains. "I've only just arrived, I haven't had a chance to ask around just yet."

"Anyone try to lift a tol'vir yet?" Bran says, sotto voce. "Wonder how dense they are… if they're like dwarves, no way those boats'd be safe…"

Sil considers, and then answers Bran, "We did talk about maybe taking one down from Skywall on gryphon-back, but he didn't go for it."

Bran looks intrigued, and takes a few notes.

Ben nods at Ally. "Okay, so, like. You get a teacher, and then — you learnin' the picture-writin' system first? Or the sounds? Like, talkin'? Or what?"

"I've got nae gift fer tongues meself," Bran admits. "I just grew up with Common and Dwarven, so I didna have ta study it really."

"Are you hoping to learn their language?" Vel asks Ben.

"In this case, they seem to speak Common, and the hieroglyphs are simply their written form of language." Ally shrugs. "Unless you've heard them speaking their own language? That wasn't mentioned in any of the newsletters." Ally looks at Ben.

Ben glances at Velrin. "I am just curious about readin' it. Like, in tombs and monuments and all. Also I never learned no foreign languages, so I dunno how you do it."

"I bet Tahet or Prince Nadun would be willing to help, seeing as we saved their lives and all," Sil suggests. "Or Itesh, maybe."

"I find that learning the grammar and structure first helps a lot. That's what I did when I learned Common and Thalassian."

"I can say, like, 'hi' in a couple of languages, an' that's all." Ben shrugs. He definitely cannot say 'hi' in any languages, no matter what he thinks.

"And then you like… learn a bunch of words, once you've got the grammar?" Sil asks.

Ben peers at Velrin. "How d'you… learn grammar if you ain't learned words to put grammar on yet?"

"Sort of." Velrin says, "At that point it's easier to learn as you go."

"Like, grammar is for words, yeah? It ain't exist in a linguistic vacuum," Ben asks.

"I reckon she means, grammar with example-words," Bran suggests.

"Well you need to learn some words first of course. But I don't think it's as important in the beginning." Vel answers.

Bran taps his nose and points at Velrin.

"Oh, these here are like their orchards," Sil smiles, as they walk into an area with trees. "Watch out for pygmies."

"In this case, the hieroglyphs seem to correspond directly to meanings rather than sounds." Ally shrugs. "Which means there are more symbols to learn. I haven't had enough exposure to determine whether there are commonalities or not."

Ben considers this, frowning. Ben looks back at Ally. "You reckon they are relate pretty close to Titan runes or they have diverged a bunch or what?"

"Oh those glyphs we saw? Nothin' like Titan runes really," Bran says.

Ben nods. "Innerestin'. They been keepin' so much else Titan stuff around, I wasn't sure."

"I mean unless each of them represents a Titan rune? But they sure dinna look like 'em," Bran adds.

Ally nods to Bran.

"Are titan runs like, less pictures?" Sil asks. "I remember there bein' runes in Northrend, but those were different."

"Aye, those we saw in Northrend are examples. They're a bit more… hm, wot's the word…"
"Abstract?" Bran decides.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be able to guess like an object or anything they were meant to be." Sil nods. "Oh, and here's the dam."

"I've studied the Titan runes fer several years but I'm still only graspin' the basics. The writin' system isn't anythin' like Common or Dwarven," Bran comments.

"Maybe the tol'virs got different — not, like, hands but, like, motor? Control? So they got to make the runes into stuff that works for them to write," Ben hypothesizes. He doesn't seem to have noticed they've entered the dam.

They have actually entered the dam. It is very solid stone with an interior walkway. The stairs are covered with symbols and windows line the walls.

Alaisa looks at the symbols on the stone as they walk down the steps.

Velrin takes in the sight, eyes wide.

"An' some folks just use writin' fer different thengs," Bran points out. "Ef yer writin' ta record history, yer needs are different than ef it's mostly fer trade, fer example."

"See? Picture windows!" Sil grins, as they walk through. "Fanciest dam I ever saw."

"Wow… It's almost like an aquarium here too…" Vel comments.

"Also ef yer expectin' ta be chiselin' on stone versus ink on paper…" Bran continues, then stops to sketch something.

Ally looks around the dam with interest.

Ben nods with interest at Bran. "Yeah. I guess I ain't — yeah." The brim of his hat flops down again. He pushes it up and only then seems to realize they're in the dam. "Oh, !@#$. Fishes."

Sil nods, tilting his head toward Velrin. "Like an aquarium."

Alaisa looks at the priests in their fancy headdresses curiously, but doesn't interrupt them.

"I think the water's important to 'em, culturally?" Sil suggests. "At least, the high priest said he couldn't have visions when it was polluted."

"That makes sense. Any water would be precious in a desert." Vel nods.

"Sounds more shamany than priesty," Bran observes, still sketching.

Ben moves off to one side so he can look over at the priests' faces discreetly. Well, Ben-discreetly.

"Maybe their high priest is a shaman?" Sil shrugs. "Languages, you know. Things get garbled.It wasn't all that clear to us, either, where his visions were comin' from. But he said the water, so."

"Water's a traditional scrying medium," Ally murmurs, looking out the window. Is she seeing any visions herself? Definitely not. Just plants.

"Definitely not an area of expertise fer me," Bran admits. He finishes his sketch and shuts the book, tucking it away fo rnow.

Ben watches Ally for a minute and then asks in a whisper, "Are you seein' any visions yourself?"

"No," Ally whispers back. "I don't think the glass is enchanted - I think it's a matter of talent on the part of the priests."

"We're all hoping the water says to oppose Deathwing," Sil says conversationally. "But if it's up to the water it probably will? I mean, Neptulon was on our side, mostly."

"Mostly," Ben says.

"There's a bit of town on the other side," Sil offers. "If we'd like to circle around."

"Oh, sure, more town, yeah," Ben agrees.

Ally nods to Sil. "Sure."

They head out of the dam, wandering a path by the water towards more of the town.

"Also it stands ta reason tha' water would nae be a fan of a theng flyin' around settin' stuff on fire," Bran observes.

Sil nods at Bran. "Seems reasonable to me."

"It seems like it would've been pretty idyllic out here," Sil observes. "Till Deathwing, of course."

Bran nods dreamily. Bran sort of seems to have a crush on this entire area.

"Warm year-round, lots of shade to rest in," Sil nods at a little awning as they pass.

Alaisa opens a flask and drinks from it once they get outside.

"I'd love to stay here with Ven and go fishing and swimming sometime." Vel says fondly.

"And so much green plants in these oasis areas," Sil says, looking at the grass and palms. "Yeah? Seems like it'd be a great vacation place."

"Wonder wha' kinda fesh they have here…" Bran strokes his beard thoughtfully.

Ally looks over at a wasp about the size of Bran.

"Dunno, I haven't tried fishing yet," Sil says, looking pondering at the water. "There were pretty big snakes in there, but we cleared 'em out. Should just be fish now."

"Only one way to find out." Vel winks at Bran.

"Dive in and grab with both hands?" Bran suggests with a wink back at Velrin.

Sil laughs.

Vel giggles.

They move over towards a bazaar area, with a variety of vendors and stalls.

"Oh, here's their market!" Sil looks around at the bright stalls.

"Oh, damn." Ben moves in to consider some pottery figurines.

Alaisa goes to look at some woven mats.

Velrin looks to see what sorts of herbs and other alchemy equipment they have. Also weapons. She's defenitely eyeing up the weapons.

"Excuse me," Ally asks the vendor politely. "Do these designs have meaning or are they just ornamental?"

The vendor, Mosegi, looks over at Ally. "They have meaning, young lady. The mats are woven with a pattern that indicates what the buyer wants to impart to a room."

"Neat!" says Bran, and takes notes.

Ben contemplates a bronze falcon figurine.

Mosegi points to one mat. "This one indicates harmony, for instance."

Velrin admires the design.

Alaisa smiles. "I'm Ally. I'm very curious about your writing, do you mind if I come back later to chat?" she asks the rug vendor Mosegi.

"Not at all," Mosegi says. "I would be delighted to share what I can with you outlanders. You have done so much… with the Orsis survivors, and our own people."

"Oh, thank you!" Ally grins.

"I'm fascinated by the obvious centrality of ram images when there dinna seem ta be any actual rams in this part o' the world whatsoever." Bran gazes with fondness at a golden ram statuette.

The statue vendor, Chuma, looks surprised. "You've seen a creature like that?"

Ben eyes the vendor with surprise of his own. "You… ain't?"

Chuma eyes Ben. "I've only ever seen the statues. Are they common where you're from?"

"Yeah. Yessir. I mean, more where he's from." Ben nods to Bran.

Chuma looks between the tall and the short man curiously. "I would like to see these rams, in the future."

"Er, well, they are the primary mounts o' my people. I can… go get mine, if ye wish."

"Yeah, reckon we could get — yeah!" Ben grins at Bran.

Bran grins and obligingly sprints off.

"They are… I do not reckon they would do so good in this climate, though," Ben tells the tol'vir seriously. "They are pretty shaggy. Like, wool?"

Ally watches Bran run off with a faint smile.

Chuma looks over and nods. "Yes, we have sensible fur, and you all have the good sense to be born with no fur at all. It must be very comfortable for you here."

A little while later, Bran rides up on a magnificent white ram. Some may recognize this ram; its name is Brann. With two n's, so it's not confusing.

Chuma gasps. Several other vendors gasp as well. A real live ram!

The two tol'vir in conversation between the stalls stop and gape too.

Bran dismounts and leads it around so they can touch it.

"That is… truly amazing," Chuma says, staring at it as if trying to memorize every detail.

"MLEH," says the ram.

"Little guy's got to drink a lot of water here, I'd guess," Sil observes.

"So if you don't have 'em, does the, like, horns an' stuff mean somethin' in your symboli…sms? Like, religious or somethin'?" Ben asks politely.

Alaisa gestures to the ram like she's showing it off.

"Is it very ancient?" asks one of the nearby tol'vir citizens in awe.

The statue vendor shrugs helplessly. "It's just something we've seen in ancient pictograms. It became a popular form for decoration. I assumed it was a mythical creature."

"He's only about five years old," says Bran. "Mleh," says Brann.

Sil laughs, but good-naturedly.

The citizen gapes some more.

"I think you're gonna be popular around here, Bran," Sil grins.

"They are, like. Farm animals, where we is from?" Ben says. "And beasts of burdens and mountin'." Ben nods toward Bran.

"I'd let ye ride him, but yer not exactly shaped fer it," Bran observes to the awed citizen.

Sil raises his hands, his face looking puzzled, as he tries to figure out how a tol'vir would ride something…

Ally grins. "They're fairly common in alpine regions of the world."

"Farm animals," another citizen whispers. "Imagine!"

"Mleh," says Brann, possibly pining for the pines.

"This is a good day," Chuma says, his eyes bright with awe.

"Hey!" Bran's face lights up like he just got an idea. "I'm gonna see if the keng wants ta see 'im!" Bran mounts back up.

Ben grins at Bran. "Oh, that's a good idea."

"Oh yeah!" Sil grins. "I bet he'll love that."

"See ye soon!" Bran calls back cheerfully as he rides away.

Ally laughs and waves to Bran.

Ben turns back to Chuma. "How much for one of them falcons?"

"For you?" Chuma considers. "How about 50 silver."

"How abou—" Ben pauses and considers their role here and the awed looks of the tol'vir. He decides not to haggle any further. "Done. Great. Thanks!"

The vendor bags up the falcon statue and hands it over to Ben.

"Thank you, sir." Ben accepts the bagged falcon statue like it is an Oscar Award.

Sil turns to Alaisa, "I can introduce you to Tahet later, too? We just saved him from certain death a few days ago, so I bet he'll be happy to talk language."

"Sounds great." Ally smiles.

"I am gonna take this home," Ben tells the others, "an' write down some more notes."

"See you later, Ben," Sil nods.

"Bye, y'all. Stay hydrate." Ben waves.

Alaisa waves to him.

Vel takes a deep breath.

"Think you'll stick around a while?" Sil asks Vel with a smile.

"I think so. With all I've heard about this place I think it's for the best that the Watchers have a presence here." Vel says. "We need to make sure that we keep any more potential threats to Azeroth in check."

Sil nods agreeably. "Then take care - make sure you drink lots of water, and stay out of sandstorms. Alaisa, should we go find Tahet?"

"Sure." Ally drinks more water.

Sil takes a sip of his own, and turns back towards the Ramkahen village center.

"I will. And thank you." Velrin nods.