EVENT: The Ogier arrive in the Aiel Waste, making their arrival a rather memorable and noisy experience.
DATE: July 6, 1999
LOGGER: Marith

Open Plain: Sun Ridge Hold, Threefold Land

Unforgiving scrub lands stretch out for miles in all directions in the harsh Aiel Waste. Dark sawtooth mountains line the horizon some distance to the west, spreading out both north and south. To the east all is desolate wasteland, dotted by brush and other scrub. A terrific rock formation rises abruptly out of the earth right here, sharp cliff walls surrounding the large mesa with a jagged ridge cresting the outer edge all the way around it. The ridge catches the rays of the sun and veins of slightly lighter rock formations make it look like the lip is glowing slightly, which is what gives the place its name: Sun Ridge Hold. A cleft has been cut into the northern edge of the huge mesa, descending in a jagged-V strewn about with boulders and smaller spires of rock. The ravine is narrow, and twists slightly, obscuring its inner depths from view.

The scorching afternoon sun beats down from a clear blue sky. The superheated air shimmers in every direction, causing numerous mirages and making the distant mountains seem to tremble at the heat.

The terrible chill at night worsens in this cooler season, and to any but the Aiel, the day seems just as hot. Yet here and there the winter's effects can be seen: fuller spindle grass clinging among the high ledges of the mesa, more tracks of the desert fauna left in the dirt, and the occasional glimpse of desert birds normally not seen.

Nestled into the mesa is a narrow cut leading southward. Through this crack lies the canyon in which Sun Ridge Hold makes their home. Running off to the east from the mesa is what appears to be a faint track, although there is nothing readily visible in that direction for as far as the eye can make out. Large boulders dot the area before the entrance to the canyon.

<There are +views here.>

Erindhra walks out from the Hold Floor.

Rhiadha walks out from the Hold Floor.

A rather large gathering of Ogier come forward, some banging on wooden pots and pans, while others hoop and hollar. It seems rather silly, but then again with Aiel customs as they are, better to be seen and heard, than sneaking up behind one another. All Ogier coming about presently have their faces shown, nothing covered.

The Ogier continue through the Waste, slowly making their way to the Hold. As they proceed, the noise continues - telling the Aiel that they come in peace, not to make war. The Eldest leads the group, with several of the Elders and Watchmen about her. She seems to be one of the few without a pot, using her own voice to make noise.

Shu'Shanna follows the others, she bangs on the pot in hand, ears twitching as she looks around in excitement.

Jhorim, one of the Seia Doon scouts, lopes easily ahead of the Ogier, guiding them through the twisting ravine leading up to Sun Ridge Hold. The noise attracts numerous Aiel, and even gai'shain, who peer from their holds and duties to see. An excited murmuring goes up as non-Aiel visitors can be seen.

Ears twitch back and forth as Marith continues to make her calls. Ogier from behind continue to bang, making more than enough noise to raise the dead. It will not be long before the group reaches the Hold, their long strides easily matching Jhorim's loping pace.

Shu'Shanna ears twitching and eyes wide she contiues to make the noise as they march, the whispers to one near her, "Have you ever seen.....place....before."

The ravine slithers back and forth before suddenly opening into a wide terraced cavern. Aiel of all shapes and sizes mill about, gardens and homes on the floor of the cavern and rising along the sides perched on terraces. Jhorim turns to make a formal bow to the Ogier elder before gesturing with his hand towards a group of women gathered in a line with a small space around them. The noise swells as Aiel join in the noise-making, shouting, yelling and ululating cries piercing the air.

The Eldest steps forward, a female herself - foretold by the long flowing dress bedecked with a variety of flowers and other floral designs running up and down its length. Marith stops her calling and half-bows/half-curtseys in a formal manner, greeting the women respectfully. Her eyes search out the woman who would be the head of the Hold, or seem to be, as her large form pauses after righting itself once more.

A faint echo of the cries carries for a moment as the Aiel cut their cries as the greeting begins with the Aiel Elder approaching the Hold Roofmistress. The roofmistress, bedecked with bulky skirts, shawl and algode blouse stands with a faint smile and a respectful inclination of her head to the treesister. The Aiel are almost breathless as the greeting ritual commences.

Ears flicker back and forth, taking in the sounds about her. Marith looks about briefly, then spies the Roofmistress. A small smile, which appears as a large grin to the humans, graces the Eldest's lips. She does not move forward any further, not wishing to overstep herself. About her is a rather large gathering of Ogier from the Stedding Maotai. She starts the traditional ceremony, speaking in a loud and clear voice, which carries with little difficulty over those within the Hold, "Roofmistress, I ask leave to enter your Hold." She speaks as one 'leader' to another.

Rhiadha pelts toward the entrance belatedly, hoping she hasn't missed anything. Moving through the crowd, she ducks between the tall forms of adults, to claim a place at the front with a grand view. Blue-green eyes wide, she gazes around at the Ogier, of whom the shortest is taller than any Aiel.

Stepping forward ahead of the assembled women -- likely other roofmistresses and Wise Ones of the sept in attendance -- the roofmistress' brow rises fractionally at the usage, but acknowledges the request as a properly given one. Lifting her voice for all the clan to hear, she responds, "You have my leave, treesister." Short and to the point; very Aiel. With a welcoming smile, she gestures to a small group of attendant gai'shain, who move forward meekly, bearing small cups of water for the Elder. Small for Ogier, at any rate, even as the gai'shain holds it in both hands. The roofmistress approaches, also bearing a cup of water.

Holding the cup up slightly, the roofmistress inclines her head (or rather, glances up with her head), and lifts the water to her lips, sipping lightly. The sharing of water ceremony.

Gently, delicately, Marith reaches out her hand to take the offered cup. It seems dwarfed in her fingers, hardly able to get a good grasp of it. She lifts if to her lips and sips at the cool liquid, never once taking her eyes from the Roofmistress, gladly accepting the water offered, "My thanks, roofmistress." She manages to mumble more softly than before, though still clear enough for all around to hear, as Ogier voices oft are.

Shu'Shanna tilts her head, watching the ceremony in silence.

As it becomes clear that the Elder has taken of the water offered, the Aiel rouse a cheer, an informal addition to such welcoming ceremonies. Spears are rattled against buckler shields by the warriors and the rest make noise as they can. The roofmistress is quickly surrounded by various other women of the sept and they quickly become informal, greeting the Ogier respectfully and with great curiosity. Waving forward the restof the Elder's party, Aiel mingle, ever so slowly moving towards the Roofmistress' roof.

The Eldest grins warmly at the Roofmistress, and then the other Aiel as the Ogier are accepted into their abode. She walks toward the woman, still appearing rather formal, "The Blessing of the Light and Stillness upon you." She offers her own traditional greeting, from Ogier to friend. "Watersister."

Shu'Shanna moves a bit around the others, her ears twitch and excitment shows in her eyes as she watches the others.

The Roofmistress discards much of the formality of the greeting and accepts the Ogier's invocation of a blessing. "And may you always find water and shade, treesister. Please, come beneath my roof. I know many of my people here are excited with your visit, so come as you will."

Erindhra mingles with the rest of the Aiel, gazing upon the forms of these fabled people with her own eyes for the first time. While the Roofmistress speaks with the Elder leader, the Wise One instead approaches one of the other Ogier accompanying, a younger-looking female Ogier. "I see you," she greets in that Aiel manner. "I am Erindhra, Wise One of the Broken Spire sept of the Shaard."

Marith turns about and nods to the other Ogier with her, signally she is off with the roofmistress. The others start to mingle about and do what is proper for their stay. One seems to trail after the Eldest, but after a sharp look in his direction he backs away - Gabriel is always attempting to look after her back, even when not needed. "Again, my thanks, Roofmistress." Marith murmurs quietly, "I am certain there is much to be discussed."

Shu'Shanna watches the Eldest leave and turns to the woman, curtseys her ears twitch, "I am Shu'Shanna the Sora'har of our village, I am pleased to meet you." she is a bit nervous not having much contact with humans.

Shu'Shanna nods, her ears twitching excitedly, "Yes Erindhra, I do not travel much away from the Stedding but the Eldest saw fit to have me join her on this journey and I am happy I did."