Aldoursaea: A Journey Within

Chapter IV: Serriah Lutt: Charmer or Conwoman?

'Serriah Luth' is a lass who could easily slip between the crowded streets of the city and leave everyone she passed wondering if they'd just been charmed—or maybe conned.

Stands at five wand lengths and two embers and bears in four oreloads shy of one 'adultload'. Clad in a dress of light, reddish hues, which balanced elegance with purpose, she carried herself with a poise that may partially reflected her true self. High-heeled boots added a few inches to her stature, giving off her presence an edge that her natural alone couldn't, and there was something in the way she moved that suggested confidence, even if it was partly an act.

Behind the practiced veneer was the quiet sting of insecurities formed in childhood, when bullying had left her self-worth bruise, shattered even. Serriah had learned young to conceal that self-doubt, crafting an armor of poise and sharp wit that left no room for anyone to see through to the softer person underneath.

Her parents, skilled tailors commissioned by the Illuminaran Military, had an eye for detail, evident in the way he crafted her clothes for style and function. Her uncle, the city's military commissioned weaponsmith, ensured her dagger and needle sword, strapped discreetly to her hips—elegant yet fatal. With their support, she had grown up observing the inner workings of city life, listening from the sidelines as nobles, travelers, soldiers and common folk shared stories as they order their clothes or weapons to her family, learning the art of navigating compromises, egos, rank, and subtle rivalries.

Despite her tailoring and weaponry-connected upbringing, Serriah's true skill was her 'elderglint' – she is a 'toungesmith', which she wielded with a finesse that could leave her adversaries more disoriented than any blade. She had a knack for coaxing laughter from even the grimmest figures and for charming wary townsfolk. Her voice held a warmth that drew people in, whether they were friends, strangers, or even the occasional rogue bandit, many of whom she talked into surrendering stolen goods. On the rare occasions when she found herself surrounded by shady characters, she managed to disarm them with her words alone, convincing them to part with high-value items for nothing more than a few copper coins, leaving them stunned and uncertain. It was a kind of game to Serriah, but one that always brought a thrill; she knew the bandits were too embarrassed by their own gullibility to seek revenge.

Yet, even as she crafted this confident persona, Serriah couldn't help but feel hollow beneath it. Her family had always been encouraging, perhaps overly so, and she sometimes felt their support was rooted in their belief that she struggled to connect with others. This quiet doubt gnawed at her, even as she played the role of a poised, unflappable young woman. She would tell herself she didn't care that she was as confident as she appeared, but on the lonelier nights, the weight of the mask she wore pressed heavy on her.

When she walked through the market or crossed paths with customers from her father's connections, Serriah noticed the glances, the smirks of admiration and envy. She carried herself with the ease of someone who belonged, and yet the sense of being an outsider, of not quite fitting into the role others saw in her, lingered. Her charm was effortless, a trait she had honed so well that sometimes she even believed it herself. But in her heart, she knew she was still that quiet girl, the one who'd learned to observe and anticipate the moves of others as a defense against the world that had once left her feeling vulnerable and shunned.

Even as she walked through the city streets now, she felt a strange anticipation stirring. For now, she was content to remain within the city walls, unaware of the adventures beyond them that would one day pull her out into a world far more challenging and exhilarating than any market exchange or game of wits she had yet encountered.

After a long day on the road, Arch finally arrived at the moonlap city gates of Illuminara, tired but resolute. Flashing his explorer's pendant to the guards, he entered without issue and made his way directly toward the tailor and weaponsmith shops Sergeant Barkhold had recommended, eager to retrieve his new attire and weapons before checking in with the Expedition Headquarters.