He couldn't help but wince as Libbs grew visibly dejected at his side, even though Isuma cuddled up against her and purred mightily to try and cheer her up. The little gryphon didn't understand why her new friend was so sad, but she was happy to let Libbs scratch and pet her if it made the young woman feel better. "There are many," Jigano assured her gently, offering her a small, encouraging smile. "Including myself. I've only been here for a year and a half, since I fell through a portal on my world." Her next question was less easy, but he took a deep breath and nodded.
"Well, let's get you to the Settlement first. We'll find you a safe place to stay while you get your feet under you, and in the meantime you can learn as much about this place as you can, and try to regain the memories of your old world. What you did there, if you worked a trade that could help you here... that sort of thing." The tools he could see poking out of her kit were fascinating; some simple and identifiable but others - like what she'd showed him earlier - not.
Isuma happily obliged the silent request for a hug, rubbing her soft cheek against Libbs' face as she rumbled like a little engine at the scritching, and Jigano smiled softly at them both. "I'd be happy to teach you what I can," he said softly. "I have a Guild here, a group of like-minded people, called the Loreseekers. We're always asking questions and learning new things to trade and share with others. When you have questions, you can always come find us. We're in the basement of the big building with the domed roof, the one filled with books. Once you see the Sanctuary you'll recognize it." Isuma chirped agreement that she'd be up for adventures with Libb, and for making new friends!
The bard nodded agreement with the young woman's determined attitude, his smile widening as Isuma wriggled, trying to free herself enough to stand up in Libbs' hands and place gentle talons on the girl's shoulder so she could give the human a gentle headbutt. "Maybe!" he agreed. "This is like a new start. A chance to make new friends and become... well, whatever you want to be." Perhaps literally, if she chose to Attune.
The last question was the most open-ended and the one that earned a wry chuckle. "Well, it's not much to look at, I'm afraid. This place has seen a tough few centuries. The Settlement was once much larger, but the population has... dwindled, and so large areas of it lie in ruins. But there is a bustling market district with the local artisans, many homes in the area called the Domiciles, and the Sanctuary which..." He paused for a moment, remembering the too-recent destruction of the Temple. "Which holds the Atheneum and Infirmary, if you need medical attention. Money isn't used here, but rather a system of barter. You can trade in objects you make, food you hunt or collect, skills you can offer... or even just future favors or manual labor like chopping wood or washing dishes."
"Well, let's get you to the Settlement first. We'll find you a safe place to stay while you get your feet under you, and in the meantime you can learn as much about this place as you can, and try to regain the memories of your old world. What you did there, if you worked a trade that could help you here... that sort of thing." The tools he could see poking out of her kit were fascinating; some simple and identifiable but others - like what she'd showed him earlier - not.
Isuma happily obliged the silent request for a hug, rubbing her soft cheek against Libbs' face as she rumbled like a little engine at the scritching, and Jigano smiled softly at them both. "I'd be happy to teach you what I can," he said softly. "I have a Guild here, a group of like-minded people, called the Loreseekers. We're always asking questions and learning new things to trade and share with others. When you have questions, you can always come find us. We're in the basement of the big building with the domed roof, the one filled with books. Once you see the Sanctuary you'll recognize it." Isuma chirped agreement that she'd be up for adventures with Libb, and for making new friends!
The bard nodded agreement with the young woman's determined attitude, his smile widening as Isuma wriggled, trying to free herself enough to stand up in Libbs' hands and place gentle talons on the girl's shoulder so she could give the human a gentle headbutt. "Maybe!" he agreed. "This is like a new start. A chance to make new friends and become... well, whatever you want to be." Perhaps literally, if she chose to Attune.
The last question was the most open-ended and the one that earned a wry chuckle. "Well, it's not much to look at, I'm afraid. This place has seen a tough few centuries. The Settlement was once much larger, but the population has... dwindled, and so large areas of it lie in ruins. But there is a bustling market district with the local artisans, many homes in the area called the Domiciles, and the Sanctuary which..." He paused for a moment, remembering the too-recent destruction of the Temple. "Which holds the Atheneum and Infirmary, if you need medical attention. Money isn't used here, but rather a system of barter. You can trade in objects you make, food you hunt or collect, skills you can offer... or even just future favors or manual labor like chopping wood or washing dishes."
