Ashvale

What a beautiful city! Somehow they have found a way to live with and amongst nature. No structure is more evident of this than the cathedral.  The cathedral is a gigantic living tree. Everything inside is fashioned from the tree- including fireplaces! It is truly a remarkable sight to behold. It's growth obviously aided by magic, however none would admit this and I was not about to bring it up. Interestingly enough, it seems that there is some sort of magical effect inside the cathedral that blocked my detect magic spell but did not cancel it.
While Salem was fulfilling his Godday duties, Riorden and I explored Ashvale- including its impressive menagerie. The Ashvale Menagerie is quite an arrangement of animals and beasts.  Although the experience of seeing some of these rare animals close up and for the first time was educational and interesting, I cannot say I agree with keeping them in captivity- especially some of the more intelligent beings. However to simply release them would cause mass chaos in the city and I don't think that is the correct way to handle this as of right now. For the moment I will let it lie in the hopes that with time I will come across a proper way to handle this.
I accompanied Riordan to a local orphanage, where he appears to be in the market for a ward. He claims that he wants a torch bearer for our party, but this young lad might prove more useful than simply providing light. At any rate I sympathize with the young man. Losing ones parents is never easy, no matter what the age, and he has to bear the weight of feeling responsible for his abandonment.