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.
fifthreplacement: (Watching)

[personal profile] fifthreplacement 2016-11-26 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
[He slows once they're a short distance away, enough that Gale is confident leaping from Chiaki's shoulder back to Sync's. Her chittering almost sounds scolding, though Sync ignores it]

If you want. I don't need anything though.
fifthreplacement: (Watching)

[personal profile] fifthreplacement 2016-11-26 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
[He makes an amused sound at that. Someone's cooking he probably should be careful around, huh. He'll remember that]

I've begun to realise that. I've told her I don't want or need friends, and still she's...herself.

[Sync can only shrug. He doesn't get it, why she's bothering to try when he clearly doesn't want anything to do with it. It's...nice...having someone to talk to, admittedly, but...they're not friends. Not really. He doesn't even really understand what the word means]
mithrarin: (hold onto your hat)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2016-11-26 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Neither the Hunters nor Dust had gone for weapons yet. But that seemed to be the taunt that provoked them past words and into action. The three of them advanced -- on Sync first, the one on the lead reaching out to grab the boy so the other two could roundly pummel him.
mithrarin: (whoa hold on)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2016-11-26 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)
They took it sincerely. Perhaps more relevantly, they took it in the way they wanted to hear. Two of the Hunters stepped forward, one reaching out to grab Papyrus so the other could pummel him, while the third moved forward to get in Dust's face. Ruh-roh.
highstandards: (your cool friend)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-11-26 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
She's just over a week old. [Finally, he manages to pry the bone out of the dragon's jaws, and she squawks in protest.] From what I can tell, she prefers to eat eggs and fruit, so I think she's just misbehaving right now! Maybe I should get her some toy to chew on.
highstandards: (I just realized. I have no ears.)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-11-26 08:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Papyrus rubs his skull where she knocked on. Used to much more aggressive noogies, he isn't bothered by the lack of manners, but he IS confused.]

Human, I think you have the wrong impression. While I AM made of magic, I'm not controlled by anyone! And - [he lets out a small sigh] I regret to say that I haven't even made it to being a mascot yet.
perfectstrike: i was thinking about something else (not listening)

[personal profile] perfectstrike 2016-11-26 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[With the eggs out of her arms, Peko leans down to catch her dragon as she half-jumps, half-flies up. She can't fly very long or very high just yet, but that doesn't stop her from trying!!

The older girl grunts softly as Tomoe scrambles her way up Peko's arm, latching with her claws to perch herself happily atop her shoulder with a victorious trill. She did it. She's so tall.]


It is no trouble. Tomoe has wanted to see him as well, haven't you? Young master Fuyuhiko, that is.

[Peko gets a blank stare until she mentions the elder Kuzuryu by name, then there's another chirping trill of excitement as the dragon bobs her head in something almost like a nod, to which Peko nods in return to reinforce that gesture.]
perfectstrike: (pained)

[personal profile] perfectstrike 2016-11-26 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, the Griffling certainly doesn't seem to be afraid of Ruri or her dragon. They're practically a welcome sight after that bizarre smile Peko had been attempting.

Rather than move toward the silver-haired young woman, the Griffling darts ahead to hide behind Ruri herself, unconvinced that it won't be eaten as a meal.]


...It's quite alright. I appreciate your assistance, but I am afraid fluffy animals have always been frightened of me.

[Peko's "smile" fades into a solemn expression much more suited to her face than the Joker-esque grin she'd been wearing before as she pushes herself to her feet.]
perfectstrike: (turn)

[personal profile] perfectstrike 2016-11-26 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, she's been picked up? Is she supposed to be alarmed? The little dragon doesn't seem to have much concept of stranger danger, instead rubbing the side of her whiskered snout against Raidou's fingers as if to ask him to pet her.

Then her little baby-bird-like wings stretch out as she lets out an excited trill at the sight of a young woman wearing her silver hair in ribboned braids, clearly trying to get her attention.]


Tomoe...?

[Peko turns, and then there's a beat where she takes in the situation -- her dragon, appearing to call for assistance, in the hands of a stranger -- and immediately draws the wrong conclusion. She grabs that wooden sword she'd had her eye on and holds it ready, red eyes glinting with a calm rage.]

Release my dragon immediately. I do not want to hurt you.

[--Is. What she says. But the look in her eye implies something entirely different.]
capital_asset: (Unsure)

[personal profile] capital_asset 2016-11-26 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[And this is exactly the sort of reaction he'd been worried about in the first place. Raidou really hopes this doesn't get messy.]

Would you prefer that I set her down or hand her directly to you?
impheired: am i looking at that tree? am i looking at your dick? who knows! (talk ♚ i love sunglasses.)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-11-26 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Fuyuhiko shrugs.]

Fair enough. And now you know. Most of the time, humans looking this similar means they're related. [A beat.] Assuming they come from the same world, of course.

[As far as he knows, you can't be inter-dimensionally related to someone...]
impheired: night without me having to cuss out a foreigner. the streak continues. (happy ♚ it just wouldn't be a thursday)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-11-26 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh, she doesn't believe shit like that. Wasted so much time telling her the same damn thing.

[Granted, he was lying to everyone with that statement. Deep down, he'd always wanted friends but for so many stupid reasons had convinced himself he didn't need them or couldn't have them.]

Take it from me, you're better off just going with it. As far as friends go, Nanami's not a bad one to have.
impheired: to reproduce. the world doesn't need my sarcastic asshole demon spawn in child form. (sigh ♚ i should not be allowed)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-11-26 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
That's assuming the priests even know what these Beasts plans are. Wouldn't be surprised if most of them don't. That's usually how this shit goes, isn't it? But I guess it couldn't hurt to ask. Better than nothing.

[What is patience, can he use it as a weapon?]
impheired: a car won (shock ♚ just saw a bird v squirrel fight)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-11-26 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[The white dragon chirrups encouragingly, taking a seat on the ground and watching the two run around in eights/circles. You can do it, little sis. Go get her! Hopefully this doesn't turn into spin-stuck 2.0...]

Damn...really? [For his part, Fuyuhiko still looks floored. This is unbelievable. A real live historical figure. How badass is this? So badass.] I...wow.

[Just wow. Give him a couple minutes to process here. There are MORE historical figures running around. This is a thing. This is his reality now.]
tookforgranite: unlocked around my family than I am of dying. (I’m more afraid of leaving my phone)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-11-26 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
A-ah...

[Dammit of course Tomoe wants to see him. Why can't you be a good dragon and work with her here? She's trying not to get in trouble!]

Well...then we can go now...if you wanna grab some...

[She's at a loss of what to do here. Because she wants to patch him up before he puts on a new shirt and it's too late, so any more avoidance tactics might take too long. And Peko would probably find out eventually if he's walking around with bandages on him...dammiiiiit.]

Then do you have any disinfectant too? Could probably use that.
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 2016-11-26 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's a snort of laughter at that as she steps back.]

Cute, but you have to be controlled by someone.

[And then she starts looking around, as if expecting a scholar or mage or something to pop out.]

Come on now, you can't convince me this guy is real. He's a skeleton. Skeletons can't walk around and talk so you can stop dicking around with me.

[Sorry Papyrus...give her a minute. Once nobody steps out she'll figure it out.]
impheired: who drunkenly chipped his teeth on the sidewalk (unsure ♚ wise words from the guy)

you're fine! i'm chill with backtags and i had family over the weekend anyway

[personal profile] impheired 2016-11-26 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"So I see..." He guesses it can be excused...since she's a baby and all. She'll get better at the listening thing when she's a little older, right? That's how this works?

God, he hopes this is how it works. But it's not like he can really say one way or the other, considering he's still the proud parent of an unhatched egg. He gives her a confused look in response to the confused noises. Sorry, he doesn't speak dragon so he's not sure what your problem is, little lady! He even asks her 'what?' a few times, while gently brushing her soft scales with his fingertips. Though, obviously, he doesn't expect an answer.

"Heh, lucky for you, that's exactly where I was headed. And it's not 'human', it's Kuzuryu Fuyuhiko."
wingedman: (24)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-11-27 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Beanbags. [Sam grins at the idea.] Maybe I'll make some of those up. And I'll need something soft so Addie can practice, too.

[Although the tiny fluffball with him is going to need something much smaller than beanbags; she looks like she'd be bowled head over tail if one hit her, no matter how soft.]

...a quirk?

[Because of course he totally ignored the rest of that in favor of latching onto the unfamiliar term.]
wingedman: (21)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-11-27 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Like an actual shield?" There was a certain tone of amusement in his voice as well - mostly because he was thinking about carrying a shield, which was obviously more Steve's thing than his.
wingedman: (46)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-11-27 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Addie still wasn't very good at climbing, and it was a long way from Sam's shoulder to the ground; when she perched up there, he had to pick her up and set her down. Which was what he did now, setting her down next to Shapka. Addie trilled happily at the other dragon as she circled around her to get a better look; Shapka was probably twice her size, but most of the other dragons seemed to be bigger than she was. He wondered if he'd somehow ended up with the runt of the not-really litter (not that he minded; he still loved Addie anyway).

"It's weird, isn't it? Being able to feel them in your head." Maybe that was how the other version of him communicated with birds. Speaking of which-

"Did. Uh. Did Steve tell you about the other people?"
anotheroldsoldier: (talking over beer)

[personal profile] anotheroldsoldier 2016-11-27 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Then you've got a head start on some of us. [He says with a slight shrug, watching a little curiously.] 'Drawing from a pool of energy' practically sounds like gibberish where I'm from.
anotheroldsoldier: (occasionally cute art tho)

[personal profile] anotheroldsoldier 2016-11-27 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"In my limited experience-" Which almost entirely comes from Luke and Jessica's baby, Danielle. "-dragons are definitely quieter than babies. Probably sturdier, too." He had been kind of afraid to so much as hold Dani, what with the metal arm and all.

"Yeah, as well as anybody can, considering. We should probably trade addresses. Do cave-apartments have addresses?" That's probably something to find out.

Becca squawks when she's headbutted, hopping once in what is probably excitement and then making a pleased noise, nudging at the other dragon with her snout. Bucky just watches it with a slight smile.

"Becca's friendly enough with Koschei and Nightlight, I'm still waiting to see if it's how she is or if it's some kind of emotional transference."
anotheroldsoldier: (ugh stfu)

[personal profile] anotheroldsoldier 2016-11-27 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I wonder too. [He ducks another blow from a thick fist, and plants a foot in the man's belly to shove him backward over a table. When their gazes meet over the rabble, he gets the signal just fine - time to go. Bucky curls his body slightly inward and throws another punch to get a man out of the way between him and the door, and ends up taking a boot to the side for his efforts to protect his dragon.

No wonder Natasha is pissed at him. This did not go as planned.]
anotheroldsoldier: (hrmmm)

[personal profile] anotheroldsoldier 2016-11-27 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Keeping it warm does seem to help. [That's the extent of his helpful input, really. Becca hatched within a few days, and he's still a little bit convinced that it was because of his joy at seeing Natasha alive.]

How the hell did you manage to resist that long? It was- overwhelming. The urge.
lyrical_nightingale: (smileyyy)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-11-27 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm in the presence of royalty, I see. [Ruri smiles sincerely though and Obsidian tilts his head as he looks at Toyotama-hime. He looks positively delighted when he sees her sharp teeth and he grins over to her, his own tail wagging in excitement.]

Would she be up for some training too? Or will she be sitting out for now since she just woke up?

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