greatbeasts: (Default)
The Great Beastly Mods ([personal profile] greatbeasts) wrote in [community profile] dragoncalled2016-11-14 08:09 pm
Entry tags:

Event Start: Renzu's Flock; Predator or Pray


There's a commotion by the ocean.
At dusk, a strange and unsteadily honored tradition begins to cause unrest within the city. It's nearing the end of a trade season, and the approach of winter brings with it a tenuous and uncomfortable truce of necessity. A small trading group of Beast Hunters dock their ships at Outer Nuren's pier, just within Dragon Bay. They have brought with them hides, trinkets, meat, fish, rare plants, magical items and caged common creatures from the wildlands beyond the city's walls. In turn, they seek fabric, clothing, lumber, weaponry, armor and food from Nuren's harvests. Most of the Beast Hunters have come to trade their goods, while others are there to relax for a week in the seedier Outer Nuren, where the citizens are less likely to bother them and they can pick their fights and conversations with little concern for the preaching of the devout or the judgement of the sheltered citizens in the city proper.

Beast Hunters are fond of tavern brawls and games of chance, though their regard for a scion's dragon, or any magical creatures, is visibly and openly one of disgust and discomfort. Despite this, many of the traveling traders enjoy sharing stories and will pass on tales of the fearsome and dangerous creatures they proudly boast to have killed or survived encounters with. There is open distrust or curiosity toward the scions and their worlds, but in general the Beast Hunters are a far more survivalist group of Remnants with a scattering of Touched. They're grim, rough around the edges and quick to violence and anger, but a bit of gold, flattery, charm or gambling can soothe most tempers.

For a few gold, a scion skilled at games of dice, chance, or drinking competitions might find a profit in Outer Nuren throughout the week, and curious souls could learn more about the world beyond the city walls. Including its dangers and potential treasures, stories of the Wastewalkers or wild magical creatures and lands, and boastful accounts of survival against horrible odds.

The Beast Hunters have a low opinion of the city citizens, calling them soft and worthless creatures who lean too heavily on their faith and security. Likewise, the citizens of Nuren have low opinions of the Beast Hunter's, calling them dangerous cut-throats and warning that they will gladly stab you in the back or poison your drink for a single gold coin or to steal the young and vulnerable dragons from their scions. Open scorn from both sides is apparent while the Beast Hunters linger in Outer Nuren, with fights both physical and magical breaking out. While the citizens may not venture far beyond Nuren's walls, they are practiced magic users and skilled fighters, albeit a bit less prone to fighting dirty.

By the end of the week, the Beast Hunters will have sold their goods, and will pack up their ships and leave, refusing passage to scions and citizens alike. Only Beast Hunters may sail aboard their vessels, and any stowaways will be thrown to the sea serpents and sharks.
Strange magical feats in the streets.
In stark contrast to the rough and rowdy Beast Hunters, another group has grown active in Upper Nuren, becoming very visible during the week. A group of Scholars of Renzu have returned to the city from a trip to Renzu's temple, and bring back with them more of the great Griffin's teachings and knowledge.

Throughout the week, the scholars try to get involved with the Scions. They offer to help the Scions understand and learn what their elemental alignment is, and how to use the ability they and their dragon now share. Several of the scholars hold daily 'classes' in the squares of Upper Nuren. Displays of elemental ability occur in the squares, along with discussions on how the different elements relate to and interact with one another.

In the evenings, the Lorekeepers of the group tell tales to small gatherings of young citizens and any interested Scions, teaching them about Renzu and occasionally delving into tales of Chelba, Benra, Mouros, and Lysheu.

A few scholars with powerful shield and healing magic offer to help Scions practice their magic, so that they can learn how to use their new abilities, and learn what to expect if their dragon decides to use their magic as well.

At the end of the week, when the Beast Hunters have sailed away, the scholars will still be present, but less visibly active away from the smaller temple of Renzu within the city.
And a fine feathered friend around every bend.
Osaaru's sparsely filled streets have begun to fill in with the sounds of life. Excited citizens, exploring scions and intrepid young dragons have to learn to live with one another in the city. The adjustment is easier for some than it is for others. None understand this better than the Great Griffin.

Renzu, the Great Griffin and Guardian of Knowledge, is a prominent and active guardian, revered and respected by a large portion of Nuren's population. The wisdom of the Great Beast is spoken of by any Scholar, Mage or devout citizen who mentions either of the Great Griffin's names. Though largely viewed as a gentle guide and known to be the Observer who watches over the city, there are occasions where the Great Beast takes a more direct approach.

As evening descends, a distant chime begins to fill the air. The darker the sky grows, the more the melody seems to grow, always faint but with new melodies whispering and intertwining their way through the winds that sweep as gentle breezes through the city streets and alleyways. The distant sounds create a melody of wind chimes accompanied by a faint song that seems to resemble the soft music of wind instruments. It fills the air for a week, always faint but present, and all who hear it are likely to feel a calming, peaceful emotion settle over them, that comes and goes over time.

With the winds and music, a flock of Griffins and Grifflings have entered the city, taking perches on buildings and walls. They play with or assist the citizens of Nuren and any scions who do not attempt to attack them. Grifflings race across rooftops in playful games of tag and chase, or engage young dragons in tag or hide and seek to sharpen their hunting skills. Griffins, some larger than lions in size, stroll through the streets, lending their backs to the pulling of wagons, or their wings to the creation of helpful currents.

With some dragons nearing an age of testing their wings, and other young hatchlings beginning to fill the city, Renzu decided to take the young creatures and their scions under wing and give them a first lesson in their new lives. Renzu's flock are there to help the young dragons with their first steps toward flight. Throughout the week they can be seen acrobatically soaring through the skies above Nuren or creating small controlled winds and gusts to lift young dragons and their scions into the air.

Gently approaching a Griffin may even see the creature allowing citizens or scions to ride on their backs, provided the person in question is respectful. Their powerful wings and large forms allow them to carry scions and their young dragons, or up to two people, on their backs. While they may be unable to ferry about larger creatures, they will gladly assist others where possible.

The citizens of Nuren caution against injuring or threatening Renzu's flock. Most will insist they are gentle and harmless creatures as long as no harm is done to them. Injuring or killing a Griffin or Griffling is severely frowned upon by the citizens, though a Beast Hunter or two might be willing to pay a high price for one. Any harm or threat scatters the flock, making them distrustful and even aggressive toward the attacking or threatening party. From then on, the Griffins and Grifflings will not allow the scion in question to approach them or others of the flock.

At the end of the week, Renzu's flock take wing, returning to the mountains they came from and leaving only a few scattered Grifflings playing in buildings and on the streets. With them goes the music, fading away on the gentle winds.
Notes
Please direct all questions to the Q&A on the plotting post.

Additionally there is a post on the OOC community for talking about upcoming wishes in the Tide of Wishes Here.

You are welcome to use this post to toss out open or closed starters and tag around, or to make your own posts within the community. Another post will go up for the Tide of Wishes, soon. In the meantime, there is an OOC post for you to leave your character's wishes, if you so choose, or to discuss them with others.
yuruse: (robes)

[personal profile] yuruse 2016-11-22 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
Sorry. It's hard to say I'm doing perfectly well when it's obvious that I'm not.

[He straightens where he sits, dark eyes squinting only a moment as he takes in her general silhouette. The dragon shifts in its harness, sticking its head out over the edge. Its own eyes aren't visible beneath downy fluff.]

But I'll have to turn down the offer, thank you. For now, I'd rather handle this task alone.
thetenthstorm: (may I know who's hand I'm in)

[personal profile] thetenthstorm 2016-11-22 07:29 am (UTC)(link)
"It's magnificent out there," he says, light in his eyes. "The expanse of... everything. I hope your world gets there, someday. Out into the stars."

He sounds wistful. He's grounded here, for an undetermined amount of time. He hopes it doesn't come anything close to his exile on Earth in his early life. Surely it shouldn't take that long to fix up the imbalance of Osaaru?
capital_asset: (This seems dubious.)

[personal profile] capital_asset 2016-11-22 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
Raidou thinks about the Akarana Corridor, and some of the lost souls trapped there. "I think we're probably supposed to," he replies, "but my timeline is... abnormal... and I'm not sure how that might affect things."
lullabytes: 415088 @ pixiv (TARGET ► considerations)

[personal profile] lullabytes 2016-11-22 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
Then suggesting you visit a priest of the tides probably wouldn't be a welcome suggestion, either...

[ since they absolutely would have better healing magic, but if it has to be a thing he does alone... ]

But, in that case there's nothing for me to do but say "take care", right?
lullabytes: 743012 @ pixiv (GLANCE ► over shoulder what up)

[personal profile] lullabytes 2016-11-22 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
Mostly the water sort of soothes whatever's injured and starts to heal it...I suppose it might make sense to people born here, if you want some kind of scientific explanation?

[ chiaki hasn't actually worried about that too much. it's a game. who cares? ]

...Mad science, though?
thetenthstorm: (you explained the infinite)

[personal profile] thetenthstorm 2016-11-22 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
"...What do you mean by 'abnormal'?" he asks, his shoulders tensing. He doesn't like how that sounds at all.
lullabytes: official game sprite (CONSIDER ► let me see)

[personal profile] lullabytes 2016-11-22 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe we can get the griffins to help out with a wind gust like they did for Landia. I mean...she didn't appreciate it, but Sky might...

[ and if he just got a head start... ]
capital_asset: (Unsure)

[personal profile] capital_asset 2016-11-22 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
Raidou wonders if he should have refrained from mentioning it. "I don't know what the actual point of divergence was, but so far the Taisho Period has lasted for five years longer than it apparently should. There is, or was, a group that sent an agent to repair it, but the agent in question is Grigori Rasputin, and he seemed content to do absolutely nothing, which is presumably why it was still Taisho 20 when - when I was brought here."
cryogenics: (☣ Science.)

[personal profile] cryogenics 2016-11-22 08:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah. It's a Russian fur hat." He didn't know how creative or good of a name that was for a living creature, but he'd already seen her love for climbing on his head. It seemed to be equal to her love for chewing on his hair.

Shapka moved closer, little claws digging into Bucky's shirt to stop herself from tumbling forward as she got as close as she possibly could to Addie without climbing onto Sam. She sniffed as much of Addie as she could, and trilled when she was headbutted, bumping her head against Addie's in response. And tried to lick her nose.

"So they're like babies. Human babies." Eat, sleep, wear themselves out, repeat. "At least they don't cry." He paused for a moment. "She doesn't cry, does she?"
highstandards: (your cool friend)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-11-22 11:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Papyrus glances down at the bundle of dragons and decides that Helvetica isn't misbahving too badly. If he and Chiaki are friends, their dragons should be friends, too!]

I do! The scholars helped me find out. It's light, and our special ability is supposed to be "healing".
highstandards: (AARRRGH!)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-11-22 11:27 am (UTC)(link)
Missing - THAT'S RIDICULOUS!

[He's shocked by such wild accusations!]

I'm making the utmost effort to provide her with a varied, healthy diet! A dragon whose scion is a skeleton can't feed on bones – that's almost CANNIBALISM!!
revolutionfalcon: (stopping to think for once)

[personal profile] revolutionfalcon 2016-11-22 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
You might meet Ruri first, she's more sociable than I am. [The best way to describe his tone in saying that is probably that of someone explaining a behaviour they've only had described to them. That might not be true, but it's been so long since Shun's tried to be sociable that the concept might as well be alien when people aren't directly acting that way towards him.]

It would probably do her good as well. This is the kind of opportunity she hasn't had in a long time, so I'm sure she'll be glad to meet more people.

[That's a little more fondly spoken than what he said before, but the moment vanishes quickly enough, and Shun looks over to the grifflings and Ultima with a much drier look in his eye. Ultima is a little cautious about the head pets, but takes them gracefully enough as the grifflings move aside to let Shun crouch down to attempt getting his dragon upright. In a motion more calculated than the result probably warrants, Shun rubs his hand under the join of her wings to the body, and Ultima curls to that side like a human being poked in the armpit might. Apparently this isn't the first time they've done it, though, because Ultima comes out of the curl by rolling over and back onto her feet, bumping her head against Shun's with a faintly grumpy noise. Shun, for his part, answers that with a fold of the arms and a stare right back.]

Don't waste the opportunity. Those wings are going to make flying harder for you than others.
mithrarin: (hold onto your hat)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2016-11-22 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
...They tried. [And poor Sky looks so piteous at this point it's nigh-impossible to not feel sorry for him. He just wants to fly...]
lyrical_nightingale: (smileyyy)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-11-22 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well Ruri and Obsidian both fail to notice the 'cute' oddity that was their small gesture of gratitude and Ruri smiles when she straightens herself.]

I know what you mean. Magic isn't a thing where I'm from, so the fact I can shift the winds to my will is really strange.
lyrical_nightingale: (fight me)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-11-22 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Devastating, yes, and I understand any fear that they may have but it's no reason to throw stones as they did. It's not right.

[And she will fight anyone else who says otherwise. They make it outside and Ruri tries to find a bench he can rest on first. It'd be better to take him home straight away, but this was easier, especially when he was so out of breath.]
capital_asset: (Sunrise)

[personal profile] capital_asset 2016-11-22 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Magic exists in my world, but normally I'm not the one to use it. It's strange to be able to do so whenever I want.

[Even if it is "just" a healing spell. Raidou suspects that will be seeing a lot of use outside of the city, and possibly even inside it.]
highstandards: (is that a crossword?)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-11-22 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
["Skeletons are cool". Finally, someone says it! Everyone here was in awe of him and his brother, but so few people actually put that feeling into words.

As pleased as Papyrus is, though, the other things she said don't really work out. He tilts his skull in confusion.]


Animatronics? [He's heard that word before. Can't quite remember what it means.] No one "set" me up anywhere - well, except for when I woke up here, I guess - and if I had guests [Which he never had, except Undyne] I'd never entertain them in a shady back alley, but invite them to my house!
tookforgranite: awards or do I have to pick it up or what's the protocol on that shit. (Do they mail horrible human being)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-22 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess at least in this case he's right. Sounds like it's fun to deal with with scions who have older dragons though.

[That sarcastic sort of fun that probably isn't very fun at all.

And thank you kind, big dragon! Once back on her feet, she squeaks happily up at him a little, grateful for his help. And of course her brother gets some appreciative squeaking as well. She never would have gotten up again without you two. Never. She would have been stuck there forever and ever!!! Maybe this Skyship dragon isn't someone to be wary of after all...]
tookforgranite: my vibrator so our parents wouldn't hear it. He's the world's greatest brother swear to god. (He reached into my bag and turned off)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-22 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
So you're definitely the little kid amusement then.

[What other kind of amusement could there be...? But she knocks on his head a little, which is gentle but still probably rude.]

I dunno if "animatronic" is really the right word, since I doubt in this kind of place you'd be any sort of machine. Everything's run by magic - [Gross.] - so...whatever the word for that is. A fun mascot controlled by magic used to entertain people with.
tookforgranite: He asked us for tape. (This dude. Just lost. A finger.)

it's okay!!

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-22 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw, what?

[Wow is she really pouting because you two have already met? He gets a punch in the shoulder before he's allowed to accept her talon.]

Jeez what other dragons have you met already, oniichan? I wanted to be the cool one with dragon friends!

[Once that's done though, she'll move to accept the talon herself with or without his accompanied participation.]

Isn't waiting like this the worst? I'll help and all that but jeez at least tell us what we're gonna have to do. Especially if you expect me to learn magic.
tookforgranite: Kinda like how you have no standards. (I have no morals.)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-22 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's a bit of a smug grin turned in Fuyuhiko's direction after that introduction. You know your history, right big brother? Surely you know who this is. Sorry, Yoshitsugu, if you have to go through a second round of "is it really you????"

The younger dragon watches this display and, after a moment, attempts to mimic it. She doesn't have any wings to stretch out, but she does clumsily turn in a circle in her spot, tail wiggling as she does so. Though she's doing a few circles more than necessary but once you've got momentum going it's hard to stop with such tiny legs.]
tookforgranite: to drink more whiskey than him. I told him to stop being a little bitch. (He told me it wasn't ladylike of me)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-22 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
You guess. [Even precious Chiaki doesn't get to escape teasing from the younger Kuzuryu sibling.]

Well as long as you guess that's how it is, I guess I'll take your word for it.

[And then, turning to the griffin:]

I'm sorry I called you a chicken. Is an eagle more of a compliment? Do you have eagles here?

[It's not answering.]
thedrama: (Yeah I'm listening.)

[personal profile] thedrama 2016-11-23 12:21 am (UTC)(link)


I don't care about the science-y technobabble explanation, I just want some actual logic. But, yeah, after half a decade of working for a mad scientist, I've learned that sometimes there is no logic.
perfectstrike: (500% done)

[personal profile] perfectstrike 2016-11-23 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
[While it is early for the pair of siblings to come back, Peko honestly hadn't thought much of it at hearing their voices, even if she couldn't exactly make out the words. Some kind of argument...? Well, when weren't they arguing? She'd be concerned if there were silence.

Which... comes fairly quickly as she hears one of the two headed toward her room. Peko's just sitting in a makeshift blanket-nest, wiggling her fingers in a kind of reflex-game for her dragon and keeping a careful eye on the two Kuzuryus' eggs.

Or, well, she'd planned on that. Bandages...?

Peko rises smoothly to her feet, cradling both eggs in her arms as her dragon lets out a questioning growl and darts around her feet.]


Bandages, Natsumi-sama...?

[Of course she has them, just like of course she's not going to surrender them without finding out who, exactly, has gotten injured.]
tookforgranite: Have them fight for you, like real males do in nature. (Plus it's a good way to scope out guys.)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-23 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
Uh huh. We don't need many - [Natsumi looks relatively unharmed, maybe a little dirt here and there on her clothes but no injuries, so that 'we' is probably 'Fuyuhiko'.] - just a couple! Just to keep our bathrooms stocked, y'know? It's not like I have healing magic and who'd want to use healing magic anyway when you could go the old fashioned, time tested route!

[Definitely just a precaution. Not at all because something has actually gone down and gotten her brother a little beat up and may or may not be completely her fault. Definitely.

Also hey there little eggies. She's just gonna get right into Peko's personal space so she can rub their shells a little. Hi!!! How are you both are you being good for Auntie Peko? She bets you are!]

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