Sightseeing Kugane's markets

Born to a wealthy traveling merchant, Sylvanae knew little discomfort and strife throughout her younger years. Her parents treasured her above all else, and she returned that love.

Since they never settled in one place and instead saw much of the civilised world, young Sylvanae never truly made lasting friends. Her best friends were her parents and those she confided in were various animals and critters. Through this and her mother's love for gardening did she develop a deep respect for nature as she grew and matured. The sights of the world are something she will always remember and long for, however.

While she idolised her father and the way he coaxed all his clientele into favourable deals, it was her mother's skill in professional massaging and later-taught herbalism she would end up persuing as her chosen profession once she inevitably parted ways to try and make a life of her own.

Much like her youth, Sylvanae ended up wanting to travel all over the known world. Though she did end up finding a place to settle and always return to in Gridania, her profession fortunately requires her to travel to various regions and cities for the necessary herbs and flowers.

On one fateful day however did her ears catch desperate croaks from the midst of a buzzing swarm. A bipedal amphibian wildly swinging his wooden cane at oversized gnats with little success. After little hesitation Sylvanae began to fling rocks at those flying pests, yelling at them to "buzz off!" The young woman would then extend a hand toward the frightened little toad, not yet knowing the deep bond the two would nourish together.

Oversized pests bullying a defenseless toad

Nearby Black Brush Station for some respite

As the two inevitably traveled together and Sylvanae came to understand his croak-speak, she would soon learn of his origins. Many like himself hail from deep Dravania where an old crone enchants common toads for simple servitude. Poroggo, they call these toads. Poro―as Sylvanae came to affectionately call him―is one of many who were let go. Now he only wishes to explore the wider world without the fear of being predated on. Something he can do with the Hyur in tow.

The pair tend to catch stares due to her tendency to converse with a bipedal toad with nary a care of what others think. Though every now and then a rightfully curious soul will strike up a conversation with her thanks to the little guy, often ending up as a friend she can occasionally see, perhaps receiving a demonstration of her skills as a masseuse free of charge, or even something more intimate before hitting the road again the next day. Avert thine eyes, Poro.

While it was her father's work she practically worshipped and his boots she intended to follow, it was instead her mother's shoes she hopped into in the end. Even so, she puts much she learned from her merchanting father into practice when acquiring things she can't feasibly get in the wild herself.

Once she is back home in Gridania from her travels, she takes a moment to rest before popping open one of various vintage wines fondly purchased on her journeys and then take a breath. Soon after, she'll begin putting the ingredients she acquired to use. Creating massaging oils out of various nuts and seeds, and infusing them with herbs for beneficial properties and flower petals for a variety of delightful scents.

Not long after, her repeat clientele will usually find her again for one of those heavenly, muscle-relaxing and invigorating massages. They tend to look and feel positively glowing after leaving her apartment and almost always return for another round.

A warm apartment for work and relaxation both