Greetings, adventurer! You are about to begin a memorable
journey in the wilds of Tirialle. The staff of Skyhaven Adoptions
would like to take this opportunity to offer hints and tips to help you in your
quest. Please keep this guide book with you at all times - information in
it could possibly save your life!
You have already been provided with the basic supplies needed to begin your
search. These are listed below.
Amulet - This bears the mark of Skyhaven Keep, and is the most important thing you carry. You should wear this amulet at all times. The majority of Tirialle's resident beings are familiar with the mark and its meaning. They will be more inclined to help you out of difficulties, and even point you to potential adoptees, if they know that you are participating in the Skyhaven Hunt. Also, the amulet has been charged with several useful magical powers, including translation spells and occasional travel-assisting teleportation bursts. These bursts are coordinated with specific locations which have been deemed of "special interest" to seekers. Often, you will find special instructions or signs upon arriving from a teleportation burst, to help orient you in your new location. The amulet can, to a certain degree, protect you from danger, and will not let you enter a place of excessive risk. You will be relieved to know that the amulet also tracks your energy levels. Should you be incapacitated or killed in your quest, the amulet will automatically transport your body to Skyhaven Keep for medical attention or proper burial procedures.
Food and Water - You have been provided with a skin of water and some trailbread, a common traveler's food in Tirialle. This should last for a couple days, by which time you will either have finished your adventures or found a town in which to restock. You may safely refill your waterskin from most springs and streams - waterborne illnesses are not the problem here as they are in some worlds. Though you will probably find berries and fruits along the way, it is not a good idea to eat them if you don't know what they are. Even safe foods like apples or strawberries are sometimes watered by cursed springs or inhabited by mean-tempered spirits.
Knife - This knife is for use as a tool. It is too small to be much use as a weapon, especially against most beasts in the wilderness. The steel has been cast by dwarves, and will hold an edge almost indefinitely. Just keep it as dry as possible, and it should serve you well.
Rope - You never know when you will need a good length of rope. This rope was woven by masters in the East Realm, and has some small enchantment upon it. It will hold any knot you tie, and release any knot without tangling. It is also highly resistant to wear and tear, and despite its size it will hold a great deal of weight.
Cloak - Should you encounter inclement weather, this cloak has been provided for your protection. It is waterproof, stain-resistant and makes a great blanket roll for sleeping outdoors.
Money -You start the hunt with five golden eagles, ten silver rams and twenty-five copper scales. These coins are Midrealm currency, which is accepted in most places you will come across. In Midrealm coinage, fifty scales equal one ram, and ten rams equal one eagle. To give a scale of reference, a few scales can purchase a small meal, while one ram is usually enough to buy a night in a decent inn, complete with dinner and a bath. One eagle is enough, commonly, to purchase a cheap pack animal. It is up to you to decide how best to use your money. Be careful not to spend it all in one place!
Tirialle is a vast and varied landscape. Obviously, you
are not expected to traverse every part of it, nor can you take home every
living thing you find. The Skyhaven amulet has been charged with spells
designed to help guide you in your choices and navigation. You will find
that you are unable to take beings or creatures who have not been identified by
the amulet's spells as adoptable. Likewise, you may find your choices of
where to go and what to do somewhat limited by the amulet's guiding powers. This is for
your own protection, and to help ensure that your experience is both as
interesting and as safe as possible.
You may find it advantageous to draw a map of your explorations. To help
you in this endeavor, the Hunt is color-coded. When the colors of the area
change, you are in a new location and may wish to move to a separate area of
your map - this will help if you keep running off the edge of the paper or
running over yourself.
Usually, one can map Tirialle using a simple grid, but some areas may get
tricky. Mapping is important should you wish to avoid becoming lost! (Even
if you do not wish to map your explorations, you will still benefit from taking
notes now and again as you travel.)
One of the side-effects to being marked as a seeker in the Skyhaven Hunt is that
you may be called upon to assist residents from time to time. Usually,
there will be a relatively simple spell to contend with, a game to play, or
riddle to solve. Instructions will be provided for each - solving
them usually involves finding a special word. You will be rewarded for
completing such tasks, sometimes by finding a special creature and
sometimes by being permitted to explore new areas. There are also a few
places where the way is poorly marked, or the amulet's navigation magic (which
usually tells you at all times which direction you are headed) is interfered
with. Crossing through these mazelike portions of the map often yields
rewards.
It is generally wise to treat all beings with respect. Tempting as it may
be resort to less civilized behavior, visitors should keep in mind
that many of Tirialle's residents are gifted in the arts of magic and
combat. It is never a good idea to judge a being by their outward
appearance, and that stubborn little dwarf you want to push out of your way may
very well be a sorcerous giant in disguise.
When you meet with a particularly hard-won victory, you will be given a chance
to sign the Hunt Scrolls. There is also a place to sign the Scrolls at the
beginning of the Skyhaven Hunt. Please remember that many reading these
scrolls are just starting out on their adventures, or may not have explored the
entire Hunt area. Please do not spoil
their fun by revealing answers to riddles or the locations of creatures in your
entries! Any entry with hunt-spoiling information will be removed as soon
as the Master Dreamer finds it, and she checks the scrolls often. You may sign as often as you wish.
If you are particularly stuck, or find a mistake in the Hunt, you may contact
the Master Dreamer, either by using the e-mail address provided elsewhere in
Skyhaven Adoptions or by signing the Hunt Scrolls and asking her to contact
you. She will offer help, but she won't give away answers.
Remember, you are expected to work a little to find beings. Not all
creatures or paths are clearly labeled. Explore everything! All
things you see may lead you to a new creature or part of the Hunt. You may
find nothing, or you may find something unexpected!
These beings have been identified as "adoptable" by your amulet's magic, and you may take them home with you should you find them in your travels. The majority are similar to creatures found in Skyhaven Keep (though of fancier coloration), while some are found exclusively in the Hunt. You may find more detailed information on creatures found in Skyhaven Keep in the Official Guide to Skyhaven Creatures, located in the Keep's library.
REMEMBER - The same Rules that apply to Skyhaven's other creatures apply to all aspects of the Skyhaven Hunt, as well! That means no readopting, no editing of images, etc. If you need to review the Rules, go here, and use your browser's Back button to return to the Hunt Guide. Also, do not link back to the middle of the Skyhaven Hunt. This is cheating, and the Master Dreamer occasionally rearranges things to invalidate such links.
Avicorns
Crested Cave Gliders
Chirolupes
Dragons, Horn-Crested
Dragons, Orb
Dragons, Skyhaven
Faeries
Fairy Dragonflies
Griffins
Hippogriffs
Owlgriffs
Tazelwurms
Unicorns
More Creatures To Come!
Miniature Sabercats - A domestic creature, miniature sabercats were bred down from wild saber-toothed felines long ago, and today are well-mannered housepets and show animals. Their color range is wider than normal cats. Miniature sabercats are fairly expensive, mostly an upper-class indulgence, but there may be ways around the price, for the determined seeker.
Fairy Dragonmoths - These are closely related to fairy dragonflies, who are found in the Keep. They look a little like a fairy dragonfly, but have thick manes, feathery antennae, and mothlike wings. Diet and habits are similar to fairy dragonflies, except fairy dragonmoths are somewhat less potent magically. They prefer morning and evening hours, tending to hide in darkest night and brightest day. These bold little creatures can be found in many places and many colors.
Gargoyles - Technically the same species as the Keep gargoyles, the gargoyles found in the Hunt vary in more than just color. Rumor tells of a nest of eggs somewhere in the Hunt...
Griffins, "Fan-Tailed" - Essentially the same as the common "Skyhaven" variety, fan-tailed griffins are somewhat more playful. They are of the Skyhaven species, but belong to a different strain, most easily recognized by having more feathers on their tail.
Riverdrakes - Drakes are smaller, wingless relatives of dragons. They tend to be more territorial and less friendly, but can make good guardians and companions if properly approached and trained. Riverdrakes live in rivers and streams, and are easily identified by their short legs, webbed talons, and prominent dorsal frill. Males stake out territories which are visited by wandering females, who judge a male by the size of the territory and the hoard they've accumulated. Unlike most dragon relations, male riverdrakes rarely gather their hoard in a single space, leaving it scattered throughout their territory (perhaps as an incentive to keep the female around longer, as she assesses his worth, so he can further impress her with songs or feats of strength.) The female leaves after laying her eggs, and it's the male riverdrake's job to hatch and raise the young.
Wyverns - Wyverns are distantly related to dragons, but easily distinguished by only having two legs and two wings. They live largely solitary lives and speak little to outsiders, though some species travel in small family groups. They are said to have beautiful singing voices, possibly touched with Harmony magic. Wyverns have rich oral histories going back hundreds of generations, though they consider most "lesser mortals" unworthy of hearing them. In Tirialle, "wyvern gold" is an old scholarly term for ancient lore and knowledge, as wyverns, being wanderers, have no true hoards; their stories and memories are their treasures, and any outsider granted even a glimpse of those should consider themselves very honored. Wyverns have harsher morals than dragons, owing to their harsher lifestyle. They are fiercely protective of their young and the few outsiders they consider friends, and exact swift punishment on those who attempt to deceive or betray them.
Jewelwings - Three species of jewelwings (swallowtail jewelwing fairy dragonflies, regal jewelwing fairy dragonflies, and jewelwing fairy gryphonflies) are in the Hunt, all found in their larval, or grub, form. They are concentrated in a specific area of the Hunt and may be difficult to locate. More information is provided when you find where they are hiding.
More Hunt-Exclusive Creatures To Come!
Tazelwurms have been sighted in various areas of the Skyhaven Hunt, so keep your eyes peeled.
A couple new sabercat and riverdrake colors have been added.
Feel free to refer back to this manual during your travels. Thank you, and enjoy your adventures in the Skyhaven Hunt!