Episode 01 | Windshell

Windshell activates.

EXT. OUTDOORS IN A FOREST – DAY

Raka:(growls) I will KILL you, you filthy little-

Lyn:Woa, calm down, Raka!

Malaki:Try it, featherduster!

Lyn:Hey! Come on, stop it! Down, boys and girls, or you’re not getting any treats!

Raka:(growling) Step aside, Lyn!

Lyn:Not if you’re going to hurt my Mala-Puppy!

Malaki:It’s MALAKI!

Raka:Didn’t you see what he did to those Spirits?!

Malaki:Pesky Vaer, they got what they deserved!

Raka:(growls) I swear by Lyura, if I find a way to permanently remove both your äthwar, I will-

Lyn:No, Raka! Stop! No touching his Edgars!

Windshell deactivates.

INT. AURILS STUDY – DAY

Auril is flustered- he accidentally put the wrong recording into the apparatus that he uses to play back windshell recordings.

Auril:Oh crap-

Yosha:What was…

Auril:My bad. Don’t- you don’t need to transcribe that one.

Yosha:Too late.

Auril:(impressed) You’re quick.

He opens up a drawer on the wooden apparatus, which contains a glass-sphere mounted in a cushioned mold. He takes out the one they just listened to and drops it in a small box that contains the scrapped recordings. Then he fumbles for the correct recording sphere in his carefully labeled collection.

Auril:Anyway, apparently I neglected to sort this one out. I keep the useless ones in this box, so if you ever come across one, just… put it in here.

Yosha:How do I know which ones you consider useless?

Auril:Those that have no value for the documentation of Raka’s work as a patcher or the development of the windshell are useless. Fun, sometimes, but useless.

Yosha:Alright.

Auril:I think… yes, this one should be the first one. I think I already recorded the references at the end of it… let’s see…

Auril places the glass-sphere in the apparatus and slides the drawer shut.

Windshell activates.

The Windshell is always the POV object. Change of perspective is indicated through handing over the windshell to another.

Auril has the windshell. He stands a respectable distance away from Eþiovar and Raka.

INT. UNIVERSITY OF KÆRÛN, STUDY – DAY

The University is an old building of stone, wood and plaster. Eþiovar and Raka stand in a study, lined with rows of shelves, stored with Old books. Open books and notes clutter on the massive wooden table they lean over.

Auril enters through an old wooden door and scurries down the five stone steps to the ante-room of the Study. Hiding the Windshell in his tunic, he listens for the right moment to enter, before joining them.
Recording activates halfway through Eþiovar’s speech.

Auril:(relieved, muttering to himself) Great, it works…

Eþiovar: We don’t know the extent of the tangleweave yet. The messenger asking for support arrived last night.

Raka:Where is it?

Eþiovar:In the south-west, near Wyvelyn (wi-ve-lin) – at the foot of mount Skundr, if you know the area.

Raka:I heard of the Skundr, but I’ve never been there. Do we know anything about it’s spread yet?

Eþiovar shuffles through her papers.

Eþiovar:Ah… Only a rough estimate… You know how it is with eyewitnesses for things no one can see. Hm. I don’t think there’s a map here.
(calling out) Auril (Ao-reel)?

Awkwardly shuffling, Auril hushes through the doorframe that separates the ante-room from the study.

Auril:(caught off guard) Y-Yes, Akasar Eþiovar (eh-THEE-oh-var).

Eþiovar:Ah. Do us the favor and fetch Raka a copy of maps of the Skundr and surrounding areas.

Auril:(nervous) Already done. Here…

Auril hands over several rustling piece of paper.

Eþiovar:(with a bit of condescending irony) Hm. How forthcoming of you. Now let’s see… Ah yes. See, Raka, that messenger said he was from about here- on the east side of the Skundr. We can assume this as one corner. There were reports of refugees coming from further uphill who appear to have had contact with spirits, though nothing is confirmed yet. We’re probably safe to assume the tangleweave spreads from here to the peak.

Raka:What distance is that?

Eþiovar:Hm, (frustrated) This map doesn’t have a scale, it could be-

Auril:(nervous, clearing throat in the background and awkwardly shuffling his feet) Excuse me, Akasar Eþio-

Eþiovar:(impatient) What, Auril? This is a serious briefing. And this map doesn’t have a scale, get us one that does-

Auril:(nervous) There… was another message that came in just a few moments ago. Akasar Lata sent me up to-

Eþiovar:Does it have anything to do with this Tangleweave?

Auril:(taken aback by the interruption) I-it does. The message came from the west of the mountain.

Eþiovar:Well, what does it say?

Auril:(nervous) There… There’ve been more reports that indicate the tangleweave stretches out on the west as well.

Raka:Across both sides of the mountain… What distance are we talking about?

Auril:(rambling) I tried to find a map with a scale, but there weren’t any, so I cross-reference what we knew with journals, and-

Raka:(impatient) How long, Auril.

Auril:I couldn’t exactly tell the distance from the reports alone, but one journal indicates it took roughly 35 to 40 days on foot to cross the Skundr from one to the other side.

(pause)

Raka:(growls)

Eþiovar:That’s not good… A tangleweave that large can potentially disrupt the magic-balance in the whole south.

Raka:Or the whole of Zäa, if we’re unlucky. I’ll leave tonight.

Eþiovar:Ask the stables for the quickest Krekou they can give you, tell them the tangleweave on the Skundr is of utmost urgency.

Auril:Excuse my interference, Akasar-

Eþiovar:(impatient, a bit annoyed) What?

Raka:(eyerolling) Ts- Auril…

Auril:(apologetic) Even with the quickest Krekou it will take her 2 to 3 days to reach the Skundr from here, if she didn’t stop for rest. As far as we know the tangleweave occurred a bit over a week ago. Wouldn’t this justify the use of the Watergates? There is one in Aureolyn (ao-re-o-lin) that connects-

Eþiovar:(infuriated) Pah, Watergates! Those are exactly the reason tangleweaves happen in the first place!

Raka:(groans) Not this again…

Auril:Akasar, I’m sure Raka knows how get through a Watergate without disrupting the magic-balance-

Eþiovar:That is NOT my point, Auril- (exasperated) Of course you wouldn’t understand, you’re an almirian… The fact that some scrawny water-mage thought of creating those and then decided to monetize their use is simply- (strangled noise) And it’s the OTHER people that use them that cause disruptions, of course Raka wouldn’t-
(annoyed) Oh you know my standpoint on this matter already!

Auril:I- I know, but with this large a tangleweave the entire south including Kærûn (Kay-roon) is in danger of being affected. The use of a Watergate would be justified.

Eþiovar:(dismissive) Oh, take a Watergate if you must, Raka, but if you do, make sure I won’t hear of it! Just take care of the issue as soon as possible!
Now excuse me, I will make sure that you will receive provisions for your travels.

Eþiovar storms out the room with a grace that only an elderly, plump matron could manage, the cane that supports her clacks rhythmically on the stone floor, in tune with her overly long foot claws. She heaves herself up the five stone steps at the entry of the Study.

Raka collects some utensils from the table – some writing utensils and some books. Neatly folding the map, she opens a book and deposits it between the cover and the sheets, then throws everything into her bag.

Auril:(apologetic) Well I do see her point, but this seems urgent…

Raka:(distracted) It was good that you suggested it. But you know her standpoint on newer technologies.

Auril:(sighs) All too well.

Raka:Are you coming with me?

Auril:To the Skundr? I’m a Dezaareus, Raka, we live in the desert! I’d freeze to death before you even made your first stop-

Raka:Not to the Skundr- to the stables!

Auril:Oh! Yes, of course!

Raka throws the backpack over her shoulder and marches toward the ante-room, her nails clacking viciously on the stone floor. Auril scurries awkwardly behind her, the sound of his sandals on each step sounding almost out of place, as he tries to keep up with Raka’s steady march.

Auril:I wanted to speak to you anyway, I… have a favor to ask.

Raka:(sighs) I should’ve known. Another one of your inventions?

Auril:Well… sort of. Here.

Auril halts for a moment to pull the Windshell from under his robes, then pulls it’s strap over his head. Raka halts, a foot on the first of the five stone steps that lead out of the study. Auril hands the windshell to Raka.

She examines it critically.

Raka:What’s it? A snail shell – with a sphere embedded, I assume? Is this a music shell?

Raka becomes the POV at this point. Mustering the small shell, she turns away from Auril to climb the remaining four stone steps, then shoulders the heavy wooden door open to exit the study. Auril hurries behind her, breathless, as he tries to stay next to her.

Auril:Something similar. A new project.

Raka:What does it do?

Auril:It senses disturbances on the Aetherweb. They activate it, causing it to give off a warning sound.

Raka:By disturbances you mean spirits?

Behind them, the wooden door falls shut. They hurry through the old halls of the university, greeted by respectful silence.

Auril:Spirits, spoken Runes, erratic tugging on the Aetherweb… Anything that causes ripples on the weave will set it off. Could you take it with you? I think it might be useful on your mission.

Raka:… And why do you think I need this?

Auril:Well… the warning signal isn’t it’s main function. When you hear the sound, it starts to pick up the sounds around you.

Raka:Like a music shell.

Auril:(hesitant) Yes, but instead of recording music and storing the sounds, it will… “transfer” the sounds to me.

Raka:So you have a… ‘receptor’ that’s connected to this?

Auril:Yes exactly. And THAT one acts as the actual recording shell-

Raka:So it’s a long-distance music shell.

Auril:That’s very simply put – but yes, you could call it that.

Raka:Why do you want me to take this? Other than that warning sound I don’t see much use for it. I don’t plan on singing anything record-worthy to spirits.

They pass through a narrow balcony that opens up to an atrium. Students sit in the lush gardens, immersed in eager discussions of their study subjects, or chatting and laughing.

Beyond the walls of the university there is the busy chattering of a lively marketplace. In the distance, a bell strikes five.

Auril:(with a tad desperation, wanting to convince her of the usefulness of his invention) No-no-no, Raka, dear, you have to see the bigger picture! This shell will not just record music, it will pick up anything that happens around it. What you or the spirits say, how you speak with them. Which Runes you use to summon or bind them– you’re the most skilled Patcher in Kærûn, if we record how YOU handle situations, other students can learn from you through these recordings!

Raka:Really Auril, I think a Patchers work is way too complex to learn from… recordings. And besides, anything I know can be read up on in the books I learned from or the journals I write. New students even get to experience a simulated tangleweave first hand in the practical courses, they don’t need this!

Auril:Of course, but we can’t tear open a new hole into the aetherweb every year!
Look, these “Windshells” would be more like… an upgrade to books and journals. They don’t hide your trial and error, yet document anything you do in order to banish the spirits!

They re-enter the enclosed space of the inner halls and take a turn for the entrance hall.

Raka:I don’t BANISH spirits Auril, I’m FIXING the tangleweave! I’m trying to impress the gods, and I don’t think banishing their maintenance-workers will particularly impress them.

Auril:(More pleading) L-look, these shells are just a test for now. The magistrate still has to approve of them, but in order to demonstrate my concept I need some genuine material to convince them, ideally recordings from a field test-

Raka:(groans) So you’re asking me to be your test subject.

Auril:N-no, you’d be more like… a pioneer!

Raka:It doesn’t matter what YOU call it.

Auril:The shell can also help out with keeping track of your travels, verify your journal entries, maybe even replace your journals all together.

Raka:You know I like to write those by hand. I don’t even use the… those pens that write spoken words on paper?

Auril:You mean Scribers?

Raka:Yes those.

Auril:See, you write journals after the fact whether you write by hand or with Scribers. You note down events in wrong order or forget things… and I know how much you hate forgetting things, so this can help you keep track of real events AS they happen. They help preserve the moment better than memories!

Raka:(defensive) My memory is great.

Raka turns away and takes the steps down to the entry hall. A small gathering of students busily enters and exits through the entry gate at its foot.

Yosha:Ah- Good evening, Akasar Auril!

Auril:Ah, Yosha. Good evening!

Students: Good evening.

Auril:Done with your studies yet?

Student:Evening class.

Auril:Ah.

Yosha:(shy yet giddy) Oh- and Akasar Raka…

Raka:(dismissive) Yes, Fæhu. Come on, Auril, I don’t have-

Yosha:(nervous) Your feathers look good today!

Raka:(uncertain) My… Um, Thanks.

Yosha:(embarrassed) I- got to go, see you!

Yosha runs down the hallway.

Raka:(sighs) She’s an odd one, isn’t she?

Auril:(laughs) Only when you’re around. Anyway, I promise you, other than the warning signal when it activates it won’t be much of a bother to you. You can just hang it around your neck and forget about it!

Raka:Sure, and you can stalk me more effectively with that LEASH around my neck. You can even listen in when I go to bed with people, wouldn’t that be utterly convenient to you?

Auril:Oh come on Raka, you know I haven’t stalked you since we graduated. Besides, the shell contains a node to the wind-web. And if anyone knows how to tether off a wind-web, it’s you.

Raka:The gods know I do.

Auril:A-and these shells could actually get you one step closer to impressing the gods, you know?

Raka:How so?

They make their way through the entrance gate, out into the open. They take the last three granite steps, passing by some chatting students. They stride across the hard, frequently-treaded soil toward the stables.

Auril:Just imagine it! Not only will my invention be a milestone, but the first ever windshells will have recordings of your work, the greatest Patcher of Kærûn! Generations of future students will be able to learn from your journey! You’ll become a legend! The gods are bound to hear of you eventually!

Raka:(sighs) Just give me that damned thing.

Auril:Hah! I knew that last one would get you!

Raka:Oh shut up. You’ll owe me for this!

Auril:Of course! You know what? When you get back I’ll cook for you- I’ll indulge you! How about an almirian dish with mushrooms from Bäkkos (BEK-kos)? I’m sure I can conjure something up you haven’t tried yet.

Raka:(smug) Exotic! Now that sounds like something to come back to.

Auril:(excited) It’s a deal then!

They pass by the first Krekou, big, bad tempered, bi-pedal birds with muscular legs and onyx-hard Talons. They scratch the ground in an instinctive attempt to search for earthworms. Their cooing and croaking fills the air.

Raka:(calling out) Cerafaïn?

Cerafaïn:Ah, Raka. What ya need?

Raka:Quickest Krekou you have. And an escort. I’m taking it through a watergate to Aureolyn, then out to the Foot of the Skundr, I need someone to bring it back here once I arrived.

Cerafaïn:You’ll cross the Skundr on foot?

Raka:Well, unless you managed to breed Krekou that can withstand cold climates.

Cerafaïn:(laughs) Don’t be silly, Krekou are made for the plains, completely useless in mountainous areas. Anyway, I’ll make sure you have two Krekou and an escort ready in the morning.

Raka:No, we need to leave today.

Cerafaïn:Today?! Fiyar’ta. (fee-yar-ta, said like ‘damn’)

Raka:There’s a big tangleweave up on the mountain that needs to be fixed as quickly as possible.

Cerafaïn:(sighs) Alright, alright. You’ll have it within the hour.

Raka:Great.

Raka makes a turn away from the stables and strides to the university’s housing facilities.

Auril:Where are we going now?

Raka:My quarters, I’ll pack a few more things and spare clothes.

Auril:Right. Make sure you pack something warm, the Skundr is supposed to be quite cold.

Raka:So I’ve heard. Are you good on imbued threads? I might be gone for a while.

Auril:Oh, I’m all stocked up on yours, it’s your counterbalances that I keep running short on.

Raka:You need to meet new people…

Auril:(laughs) I know some, but there aren’t many people with earth or wind äthwars.

Raka:They’re not as practical as water or fire.

Auril:I can think of several situations where a wind-äthwar would come in handy in the desert. And… I do have a higher consumption of wind-enchantments on my inventions. Speaking of which, one more on the windshell… I’m still working on the enchantment. One of the things on my to-do list is… trying to make communication possible both ways – y’know, so we could actually speak to each other long distance. (sheepish) Y-You could ask me to do researches for you when you need it!

Raka:How long till you to figure that out?

Auril:Still working on it… Not sure if I can manage to get that to work before you’re done patching, to be honest. You tend to be rather quick.

Raka:Well, if I need to cross the entire Skundr on Foot to find the right Væron to talk to, I’ll be gone for around 35-40 days.

Auril:Don’t get your hopes up, though. The enchantments appear to be more intricate than I originally thought.

Raka:(sigh) Fine. Just don’t get too intrusive if you figure it out and we’re good.

Auril:This is a field test for now, so I expect it might behave… unexpectedly on occasion. Don’t worry about that, I’ll brush out the nicks as we go.

Raka:Can you do that from that distance?

Auril:Some things, not everything. If you notice anything odd or have any ideas that would make this thing more useful to you or your work, you can let me know when the thing is on. Just speak to it as if it was me, alright?

Raka:(sighs) Sure. I’ll give it a try. Is this thing transmitting right now? I can sense ripples on the wind-web.

Auril:(in realization) Oh. Oh Yea, I turned it on before I entered the study. Wanted to make sure it works properly. Wouldn’t want to hand you broken goods, y’know? You won’t be able to activate it yourself, but using your elements as counterbalance you should be able to tether it off-

Raka:Redundant, Auril.

Auril:(hastily) But yea, who am I telling this.

Raka:I got this.

Windshell deactivates.

CREDITS

INT. – AURILS STUDY – DAY

Auril rushed into the room just shortly before adding the credits. He is exhilarated by the fact that Raka agreed to taking the Windshell, and the fact that the first test transmission apparently got recorded flawlessly. He catches his breath after a few sentences.

Auril:(huffing) Okay, that worked well… That was… ‘recorded’ about 15 fragments ago. First Test-run went well… Yep, Transmission worked flawlessly. Voices and environment seem to have come through clear. No Runes had been used in it’s vicinity yet, nor are there any Spirits on campus, so how the Windshell will react to those remains to be seen.
The Date is… let’s see…
Aþæanuka (ah-THEY-ah-nook-ah) on the 95th day of Bäkkos (BEK-kos), 5th year of the Vær (Veyr) in the 101st generation.
Vocal enchantments were woven by Kessi Riliniki, Eythor Vidarsson, Carollyn Monterola, Travis Vengroff, Hem Cleveland, Lani Minella and Austin Beach.
Music-Shells provided by Fuimadane (fooi-ma-done), yes I listen to ambientic music sometimes when I work.
Audio-Enhancements by Sarah Buchynski.
Written and Produced by Kessi Riliniki.
Note to self: Work on two-way communication.
If anyone listening to this from the archives has any suggestions on refining the enchantments to make that possible, you can send me messages to “Auril”, AT-Rune, Trilunis dot com. Or you can send me bird-chirps using the AT-Rune “Trilunis”. You can also leave a message on that Book with the Face on it – those who’ve been to the archive will know the one. Just look for the Page titled “Trilunis” and press your thumb on the seal to open it.
Alright, looks like all I can do now is wait for the next recording to come in. Let’s hope the enchantments work at that range…