The Star Ruby.

Below is the entry Peri made in her notebook after the clan stumbled upon an interesting find in the sugar fields

Fredas. 4th of Frostfall 2E 582
The moon sugar fields of S'renja yielded a bit more than just crops. The clan was set to restore the overgrown field to prepare it for use again. It started off normally enough, members of the clan digging, raking and weeding, a hefty serving of beefcake provided by the shirtless men of the clan, and Hunts-with-Magic working hard at hardly working. Guard Captain Kade's shovel struck a solid object in the soil. Enlisting the help of Ser Krynger and Bbigeargo, Guard Captain Kade unearthed a large, rusty iron box. With a flourish of style and grace, Korvos delivered a powerful downward kick to the lid of the box exposing the contents within. A body and box in a box! This Khajiit in the box seems to have suffered the gruesome fate of being buried alive holding an intricate puzzle box. The ever honorable, if not a bit fanatic, Ser Krynger suggested the body be left alone and reburied immediately. The rest of the clan, who often let curiosity get the better of them, decided to proceed with an examination of the body and and puzzle box. (Though let it be said, the body was given a proper burial shortly after in the actual cemetery at S'renja, we are not savages, after all. Bbigeargo and the ever resourceful/troublemaking Dwemer spider Spark managed to pop the box open. Inside that box was placed a large spherical ruby. Peri being knowledgeable in all things gem and rock based, was given the opportunity to examine it. It turns out it is not just any ruby, but a star ruby. The light hitting it causes a six pointed starburst to appear within the gemstone. Such a ruby is very rare and valuable, very unusual for such to thing to be buried in such an odd way. It is not in its natural state, it must have been cut and polished by a lapidary, Bbigeargo suggests some records of it may exist somewhere in Rawl'ka. He as also suggested that perhaps a message may be hidden in the gem somehow so Peri will also be examining the stone further under a gypsum lens to change how the light reacts with the stone in addition to by candle light, sun light, and moon light. Bbigeargo will be searching for the proper lenses required as the best ones to be found are likely Dwemer make. Who knows what secrets lie hidden within this sparkling gem. Peri would love to have such a specimen for her collection, it will probably end up blowing up or something, much like most things around here.

the actual sketch from Peri's notebook
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Just realized Peri was the first person to touch that ruby, sure hope that doesn't come back to haunt her.

((If you would like to be subject to any hauntings, let me know. ^-^ ))

((I bet Spark's mechanical nature would have protected him.))

((It does! No matter how lifelike Spark is, he's still a goofy bucket of bolts. A ghost would attach herself to someone living to find closure on what happened to her -- in this case, it's everyone who's touched the ruby, Peri included.))

((I know bbigeargo handled the box, but then handed it to spark to open. Spark then decided to challenge himself to a juggling contest before Peri wrecked his fun by taking it from him ))

Tirdas. 8th of Frostfall 2E 582
It is strange, the ruby remains on Peri's mind. When she shuts her eyes she sees the gleaming star within the deep red sphere dancing faintly in the darkness. This one supposes it's normal for such an unusual occurrence, as unearthing a body with a hidden gem to be so difficult to shake. Perhaps when the investigation concludes, Peri will be able to secure it for her collection. She has informed Kade she is prepared to further examine the stone and awaits a response. For now Peri is off the new sugar fields, she feels calling to them It has been long since she took the time to care for even a garden, this has been a welcome change from guard duty.

Middas. 8th of Frostfall 2E 582
An odd occurence, Peri was talking with Bbigeargo and the goblin in the tavern. The last thing Peri remembers is the discussion had become about the sugar fields and gemstones. The next thing Peri knows she is waking up in the fields, Bbigeargo and the goblin gathered around her. She knows she went into the tavern to sit afterwards, but it is all a bit fuzzy still. This one has been spending a lot time in those fields. Perhaps she needs a break...

Turdas. 9th of Frostfall 2E 582.
It happened again. Peri went to sleep and when she awoke she was looking up from the ground of the fields at Ser Krynger. The good Ser escorted Peri back to her home. The details are hazy. Sleepwalking he suggested. Must be it. Peri has been working too hard perhaps. Later when she tried to take her post as guard, she told Afer, Sarena, and Sabirr about Peri's recent issues. Afer insisted on taking Peri's shift. A good friend that one is. Sarena and Afer managed to convince this one to allow it. Hopefully tonight's sleep will find Peri still in her bed in the morning. That ruby always on her mind. She must have it for her collection, but how to convince Kade. Not important right now. Now it is time for rest.

10th - 13th of Frostfall 2E 582.

Perhaps some respite. Bbigeargo has whisked Peri away on a trip to get her out of the town for a bit. A boat trip, leaving from Mistral in Khenarthii's Roost and sailing to Skywatch, Auridon. We arrived into Mistral with enough time to enjoy a wonderful seafood meal at the local tavern. Mudcrab legs, messy but delicious. We boarded the ship as the sun began to set. Peri stood watching the sun set over the sea as Bbigeargo stood behind her, arms wrapped around her. The warm light and the cool, salty breeze washed over Peri, giving her a sense of calm that had been missing since that discovery in the sugar fields. We watched as the ship went under way and cuddled up as the sun dipped below the horizon, sky lighting up with a beautiful transition of color to the horizon: yellows, oranges, a hint of green at the very top, and a deep, almost jewel like red right where sky met sea. It began to cool as the ship moved further from the Roost, and we retreated to our quarters below deck. A cozy room, mostly taken up by the bed, awash in a dim yellow light from the shifting lanterns. The rocking motion of the waves caused all shadows in the room to dance about the walls as the lanterns shook. A night to enjoy, away from the troubles of the world. And we have all night, arrival in Skywatch would not be until afternoon of the next day.

The winds had slowed during the trip and we arrived to Skywatch under starlight. The hustle and bustle had died down for the evening, and Peri and Bbigeargo found themselves walking through a peaceful city, most had people had already gone home or to a tavern for the evening. We found ourselves on the beach, walking away from town. The way was lit by the moons, as we made our way down the beach. The most chivalrous Bbigeargo carried Peri across a slightly submerged sandbar crossing an estuary to reach the beach that lay on the other side of a peninsula. We found a secluded stretch of white sand and calm sea and looked out back toward the sea, the moonlight sparkling on the small waves. Though we did not bring our bathing attire, that did not stop us from taking a swim in the warm waters off of Auridon. We must have stirred up some sort of plankton as we swam, for and eery green-blue light began to shine from the waters around us. Lights shining from below and above... it was like swimming in a sea of stars... We retreated to shore and found a place for a bedroll, partially under a tree. Peri looked up into the sky as she laid down. Of the the north, the dim city glow of Skywatch, to the west, the moons hanging over the horizon casting a their glow over the sea and beach. And above, the stars, ever shining, twinkling with the disturbances in the atmosphere. As Peri lay next to Bbigeargo, purring as he sleeps, she knows, that after many years she has found love again. For all the troubles of S'Renja, it is their that this one has found happiness and home again. A shooting star just streaked across the sky, Peri has made her wish. The streak ended at a star a little brighter than those around it. Strange, it almost appears that the star has a faint shape.... six points... must be trick of the air or stray cloud. It matters not, this one needs rest, that's what everyone has been saying at least, so rest is what she shall get......