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.
lyrical_nightingale: (smileyyy)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-11-23 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[There are only few instances where healing can be a bad thing.] Yeah... Though as you can guess, mine fails occasionally. [She gives a joking laugh, but Obsidian shies his head behind Ruri's leg, a little ashamed.]

I said that's my fault, Obsidian. Not yours. I just need to practice my shields more.
mithrarin: (look away)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2016-11-23 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
You know what they say about assuming. Especially judging appearances of humans... since I've only known your kind for a month now. [And he's still getting used to them, with their lack of fur and tails or scales or any such thing.] Better to risk a dumb question than an offensive one.
hakanai: (Covered * Vague amusement)

[personal profile] hakanai 2016-11-23 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
No. [He snorts, amused.] I am sure there are better people she could have chosen to pretend I was, were that true.

[He glances over to check on Tsubaki for a moment; she's looking pleased with the responses to what she's doing and begins to run around in a figure of eight. Ha. Show-off. Yoshitsugu looks back at the other two scions and crosses his arms. It feels like this isn't going to be the last time someone is surprised at who he is.]

There are others of my era here. I am not unusual.

[Maybe he'll drag Takatora along for a round of 'is it really you' next time.]
yuruse: (with hat)

[personal profile] yuruse 2016-11-23 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
That's something I've heard quite a lot of so far, I'm afraid.

[He's accepted some help. He's seen a doctor. But any wounds that normal healing magic might be able to heal have already been taken care of. His illness is another mess entirely and he'd rather not give out details to any more people than necessary. Too many people have an inkling already.]

Not to say that I don't appreciate it.
yuruse: (hair tug)

[personal profile] yuruse 2016-11-23 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[The ninja clears his throat, wiping at the corners of his mouth with his thumb and then checking his hands to see how much blood there is. It's not as bad as it could be.

A moment to relax will definitely help, so he's grateful for that.]


Thank you for bringing me out.
tookforgranite: loud! I just wanna suffocate him, sleep, and deal with the body when I wake up (I'm so sleepy and he's snoring super)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-23 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[Taking the eggs is no problem, and Natsumi is more than willing to do so! They're cradled carefully in her arms, even as she tenses up a little with an answer like that. Nope, play it cool Natsumi. You got this.]

Aw come on now, we can do it! You know oniichan doesn't like it when you do everything for him anyway, Peko-chan. I can just take some and bring 'em back to him. Super easy!
tookforgranite: Minimal casualties. (On way back. With a shopping cart.)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-23 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
That's alright! Gave me a chance to introduce my oniichan to you. [One of her favorite things to do. Even if he had assumed though she would have taken that opportunity so really he couldn't have gone wrong with her either way.]

So you've really only known humans for a month?
tookforgranite: Minimal casualties. (On way back. With a shopping cart.)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-24 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
Come on oniichan I would have picked a better prank if I was trying to fool you.

[Give her some credit here. But then she turns to Yoshitsugu.]

Are there? I want to meet them too!

[She's not as much of a history nerd as her brother is, but that doesn't mean this isn't So Cool. This is so cool?

Running around in a figure eight though, she wants to try that! The black dragon eventually gets herself to stop and watches the other before...doing her best to follow her lead. Really she's just walking in a bigger circle but she's trying. And she's enjoying herself?? That's what counts right? Big brother, big brother, look at her go! Listen to those happy little squeaks.]
wingedman: (68)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-11-24 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Cute," Sam chuckled. There didn't seem to be any real naming scheme for the dragons; people just called them what they felt like. He'd picked Addie because he liked the name. If Bucky wanted to name his dragon after a hat, that was fine by him.

He relaxed a little when Shapka greeted Addie enthusiastically; he didn't know how the other dragon might take to his. "Looks like you've made a friend, huh?" He glanced down at her, then grinned up at Bucky. "Wanna set 'em down? They can get to know each other better." And if they were going to be working together, it was good for their dragons to get along from an early age, he figured.

"Haven't heard her cry yet." He shrugged. "She mostly makes kinda birdy noises. She'll let me know when she wants something, though." Usually by crawling up to his ear in the middle of the night and chirping at the top of her very small lungs.
wingedman: (24)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-11-24 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, and why would the parents give 'em up?" Sam shakes his head. "Doesn't make sense. "They obviously impress on the first thing they see, like birds, and they need caregivers. They can't be independent from a young age."

Not to mention the whole "oh, hey, you bonded with a dragon, now both of you can use magic" thing. That's just way too out there.

"What kind of doctor are you? Some kinda vet or something?"
wingedman: (63)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-11-24 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Not yet, anyway." He chuckles ruefully, shaking his head. "She thinks every other dragon she meets is a new friend." And thankfully, none of them have been hostile towards her, but he knows there's a first time for everything.

She's steady enough on her small, scaly legs - she's at least developed some coordination in the two weeks since she's hatched - and she does her best to crane her head up to meet the larger dragon's, letting out a happy chirping noise.
lyrical_nightingale: (a little confused and upset)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-11-24 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Thankfully there's one not too far away, and Ruri helps the man sit down. Obsidian runs up and jumps on the arm of the bench, peering over, looking as concerned as a small terror can.]

It's not a problem, sir. I'm just glad I could help. Can I get you anything? Water?
redrooms: (014)

[personal profile] redrooms 2016-11-24 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
I wonder why.

[The next one to come at her gets a punch to the jaw, and she wrinkles her nose. What she wouldn't give for her gauntlets right now.

They need to get out of here, because there's no way Bucky is getting through this fight without Becca getting hurt, so when Natasha catches his eye again, she tips her head towards the door just slightly. They need to fight their way through the crowd, so the next man in her way gets a knee to the solar plexus and then an unceremonious shove to the floor before Natasha steps over him neatly.]
redrooms: (051)

UGH I'm sorry for the late reply! School sort of ate me

[personal profile] redrooms 2016-11-24 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
Natasha has a hell of a lot of practice reading people, although it doesn't take much skill to spot the look on his face when he bursts through the crowd. When he steps forward, he's a bit calmer, but Natasha's eyebrows are raised anyway, her hand still pressed against her dragon's side.

"I think he might like people better than griffins," she replies, voice light. "What about yours?"
redrooms: (036)

[personal profile] redrooms 2016-11-24 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Natasha smiles, head tilting as Koschei settles down again.]

Mine is terrified of the griffins, so I'm not sure yours should be taking tips from him.
capital_asset: (This seems dubious.)

[personal profile] capital_asset 2016-11-24 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Toyotama-hime's response to that is a soft trill. Raidou's noticed that she seems to be soft-spoken in general. "I wonder how many of them are like that. A lot of them are still very young yet..."
capital_asset: (Solemn)

[personal profile] capital_asset 2016-11-24 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[Raidou gives the little dragon a sympathetic look.] Defensive spells are harder to practice in general, I think, because properly testing them requires something to defend from. Healing spells have a similar issue.
lyrical_nightingale: (smileyyy)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-11-25 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
Well we could practice with each other, if you'd like. [Ruri pauses, wondering if her idea was wise before she smiles and nods, trying to tell herself she would be alright.] You can try and attack me and I'll defend, and if there are any injuries, you can heal me or yourself. Even if I don't get slash marks again, there are definitely going to be at least bruises.
capital_asset: (Sunrise)

[personal profile] capital_asset 2016-11-25 08:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Raidou considers this. He's mostly used to fighting with weapons - he'd trained with both sword and gun from the time he was a small child - but he's not incapable of hand to hand, either.]

We could try that... [He glances at Obsidian again. addressing the dragon directly when he next speaks.] Are you going to be all right with that?
lyrical_nightingale: (smileyyy)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-11-25 09:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Obsidian frowns. On one hand, he really does want to protect Ruri, but on the other hand, he can feel how much Ruri does want to practice so she can be able to fight on her own. He looks between the two scions before he gives a low, rumbling sound and sits up. He's fine with that, but no funny business.]

Obsidian probably should practice at some point too, but one thing at a time, neh? [Ruri takes a deep, calming breath.] Thank you so much in advance, mister.
highstandards: (I just realized. I have no ears.)

sorry for the delay!

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-11-25 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The dragon's blue scales are surprisingly soft to touch. She leans into his hand with a happy squawk, then starts sniffing him, making confused little sounds when she traces the egg scent. It smells like another dragon, but they're nowhere to be found!

"She's not very good at warnings," Papyrus says, watching Helvetica's little display with mixed feelings. He's glad she's so confident and that she's met with friendly reactions, but she really needs to learn some discipline! "Or listening, for that matter."

He tries to pry her gently from Fuyuhiko's arm, with little success.

"…shoot. Human, are you by any chance heading to port? She seems… quite fond of you."
highstandards: (your cool friend)

sorry for the delay!

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-11-25 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Unfortunately, Papyrus didn't hear Dust's answer. But it's okay, not everyone could be a master diplomat like him! A master diplomat… who was getting dangerously close to have a sharp object swung at his skull.

"If it's just a brawl you want, that can be arranged," he said, getting hopeful again. He was a bit worried when the hunters talked about making coats out of hides and cutting things, but a brawel was fine. Undyne was very keen on brawls. "Perhaps all you need is some workout to get the anger out of your system."

Undyne did that, too. Papyrus meant it sincerely, but that could easily sound mocking…
cryogenics: (☣ A fallen hero.)

[personal profile] cryogenics 2016-11-25 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[Eventually Shapka stopped squirming and digging her little feet into his chest in an effort to push herself away and let Bucky put her on his shoulder. She curled across the back of his neck, resting her tail on one shoulder and head on the other, a little like a living, breathing fashion accessory.]

Shapka's pretty sturdy. [More than she looked. She looked a little noodly, delicate, and Bucky hadn't stopped worrying about her since she'd hatched.

The Griffling made a cranky sound, turning its head to preen some feathers back into place, but when it was done it went over to sniff at Obsidian before gently headbutting him. No hard feelings, apparently.]


They're a handful.
cryogenics: (☣ A fallen hero.)

[personal profile] cryogenics 2016-11-25 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thanks." He'd been at a loss for what to name Shapka until she'd started curling up on his head after her hatching. If she hadn't started doing that she'd probably just be Dragon or Rogers. But she didn't seem to mind being named after a hat, she probably didn't even know she was, so everything worked out in the end. With names, at least.

"Sure." Even though Shapka was perfectly capable of climbing down herself, Bucky still plucked her off of his shoulder and crouched down to set her on the ground, petting her soft fuzzy back before letting go. "Shapka sounds like a bird a lot, too. Sometimes she purrs." Like a cat. And just like a cat, purring meant she was happy. At least that one had been easy to figure out. Sometimes he was baffled by her and couldn't figure out what she wanted, but they were working on things.
tookforgranite: I'm just vaguely wondering where I am. But not quite concerned enough to do anything about it. (This ceiling is unfamiliar to me...)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-25 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmph, just for that I'm not gonna tell you if I meet her. It'll be a fun surprise.

[Natsumi pulled her hand back as Shun made to help Ultima up and, like her brother, watches the whole endeavor carefully. Not really taking any mental notes like him, but she'll probably remember it. Probably.]

I haven't seen any other dragons at all with six wings...not yet, anyway.

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