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.
tookforgranite: into this mess. I gotta get myself out. Plus, don't you only need one kidney? (And I just want you to know I got myself)

[personal profile] tookforgranite 2016-12-03 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
It'd be a damn lie if you tried to say that. [Because everyone should be in agreement that she's cute!!]

Huh...you guys classify yourselves by your blood? What the hell kind of blood would a "Moonblood" have?

[Warmblood she gets, kinda. Because aren't reptiles cold blooded? Clearly it'd just be the opposite of that.]
impheired: but i've also decided i don't give a fuck (neutral ♚ i've decided it's a bad thing)

it's all good! i'm fine with backtags

[personal profile] impheired 2016-12-03 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Fuyuhiko watches the smaller dragon curiously as she squirms and eventually settles herself. Cute. Why are all these baby dragons so cute this place is illegal.]

Ah... [Fuyuhiko was a little bit curious as to why he was wearing bandages, but that pretty much confirms his suspicions right there. If he can't tell time, he must be blind. Perhaps recently, if he needs to wrap a bandage around his eyes like that. But he's not about to ask.] Yeah, I can imagine it'd be hard to tell if you can't see. They need something like a clock tower up here. That'd help everybody out. You can't always see the sky in those caves either.
impheired: better when people don’t know what you’re up to. (talk ♚ i realized that life is so much)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-12-03 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
She's just gotta figure out how to coordinate them all at once. Easier said than done, but I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually.

[His eyes flick back over to his own dragon, who is now watching Ultima and the grifflings curiously. After a few minutes, he toddles over there and starts hopping up and down, chirruping happily, while the grifflings do their flapping demonstrations. Is he trying to help? Is he trying to fly himself? Maybe both, but that would be a little silly considering he doesn't have any wings...]

Unless a pack of six winged monsters decide to come visit next week.

[That'd be helpful, probably.]
Edited 2016-12-03 22:57 (UTC)
highstandards: (I just realized. I have no ears.)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-12-03 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
The intensity was so smoldering, that Papyrus was almost starting to worry for the hunters' well being. He thought they just needed to work out their frustration, but maybe this shouldn't escalate any longer...

"YES, PERHAPS IT'S BEST IF YOU LEAVE," he said in case the hunters didn't hear Dust, "WE DON'T ANYONE TO GET HURT, AFTER ALL."

One hunter spat on the ground before they all retreated, leaving some choice words as goodbye. If Papyrus had ears, they'd be ringing, but since he didn't he just watched and waved them goodbye.

"WELL. THAT COULD'VE GONE SMOOTHER, BUT I THINK IT WASN'T SO BAD, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED!"
impheired: me look like im always in a bad mood, which is convenient because it’s usually true (neutral ♚ my neutral expression makes)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-12-03 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Choice is real and it's the greatest power a person can possess. He smirks in an amused sort of way, humming affirmatively at Sync's considerations. Maybe's a step in the right direction.]

[His attention is then drawn to Gale as she bats at the little balls of light. It's cute, really. Even if he still isn't crazy about all this crazy hocus pocus bullshit.]

[And then something seems to dawn on him, and his gaze shifts back to her scion.]


Names Kuzuryu Fuyuhiko, by the way. Shoulda introduced myself properly from the beginning, considering I had your name already.
wingedman: (14)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-12-04 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, but dragon babies obviously need care. They don't come out of the egg ready to hunt. Or fly, if that's something they do." While pretty much all the dragons he's seen have had wings, they vary enough that he's open to the idea that some probably don't.

"Of everything, huh?" Sam looks a little dubious. "You got another name, or just Doctor?"
wingedman: (19)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-12-04 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
So you come from a world full of superheroes?

[Sam laughs a little, shaking his head.]

Figures. I kinda do the hero thing back home, but I don't have any powers. I had a pair of jet-powered wings, but...not here, obviously.
wingedman: (17)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-12-04 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
"That's what I'm thinking. Just haven't figured out what yet." He'd thought about a bow, but it seemed too much like Hawkeye - wrong bird. Sam was more of a ranged kind of guy, but he was also willing to adapt to the situation, if it was necessary.
cryogenics: (☣ Why won't you tell me.)

[personal profile] cryogenics 2016-12-04 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
He didn't know Natasha very well, especially not with all of the gaps in his memory, so he couldn't say if that sounded like the kind of thing she would do or not.

Nothing sounded very strange until Sam mentioned another him. A second Bucky. Bucky squared. "There's-" nope, he wasn't buying it. How was he supposed to? But he didn't think Sam would lie to him about this--would he? "Another me. Are you sure?"
wingedman: (Default)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-12-04 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
"He's not exactly the same," Sam explained. "He looks older, and his hair is short." And he didn't have the general air of being a murderous hobo about him. "He said he was younger than Steve, and that he was an Army brat growing up - not from Brooklyn. Anything else, you'd have to ask him; I didn't exactly ask him for his life story. But it's definitely him. You. ...you know what I mean."
tsuyuirihero: (:])

[personal profile] tsuyuirihero 2016-12-04 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
More or less! [She chuckles herself, but continues smiling.] Quirks vary; not all of them are really super, so there's actually a lot of heroes with things like jet-wings. There's an entire division of schooling for the people who want to train to build and invent those kinds of devices.
petrifiedshadow: (007)

[personal profile] petrifiedshadow 2016-12-04 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
That's true about the caves. The cave I grew up in only had one place where you could see the sky, so other than the schedule the Talon's of Peace set for us, you wouldn't know unless you were in that one section.

[ He tilted his head towards the other scion, clearly interested in his suggestion. ]

But what's a clock tower? How would that help.
petrifiedshadow: (012)

[personal profile] petrifiedshadow 2016-12-04 08:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Glory?!"

Thank goodness. Between the three of them they should be able to take down a handful of scavengers. Frostwhistle echoed his relief with a sharp trill of her own.

He slid off Tsunami, but as he did so his claws snagged on something. Another net. He'd been wondering why Tsunami hadn't taken to the air by now. He felt around quickly, grabbing as much of the net as he could and yanking it off. It wasn't so much a dramatic flourish as it was him falling back, the weight of the net coming down on him instead. Between the one already on his wings, it was pretty difficult to move, but having Tsunami free to fight the scavengers was a much higher priority right now.
cryogenics: (☣ Why won't you tell me.)

[personal profile] cryogenics 2016-12-04 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
He eats your clothes? [That sounded kind of horrifying. Not just for the fact that you'd have to constantly buy new clothes, but imagining a living thing digesting clothes. That didn't sound very healthy.]

I guess in comparison it's not so bad when Shapka bites my hair to wake me up.
lyrical_nightingale: (smileyyy)

[personal profile] lyrical_nightingale 2016-12-04 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
When he feels like it. [She nudges him with her boot and Obsidian playfully bops her back with his little, nubby horns. Terrifying as it may be, Ruri doesn't seem bothered, treating it more like an endearing quirk than a literal hazard from her small abomination] Obsidian eats basically anything and everything. He likes meat and sweets though, so I make sure I always have some snacks he'll prefer before I go to bed. It's a lot easier that way.

It's not so bad. He'll always let me sleep in at least. I stay with my brother in the caves, so Obsidian tends to bother Ultima before he pesters me in the mornings.
mithrarin: (frown)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2016-12-04 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"...Didn't get that apology." Which Dust wouldn't have cared about if it was against him, but he felt a certain fierce protectiveness towards his dragon which extended past his normal attitudes.

Still, satisfied that the Hunters had gone, Dust spun his sword into a reverse grip at his side. "Thanks for helping."
mithrarin: (smile)

[personal profile] mithrarin 2016-12-04 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Spears? They're versatile -- throw them or fight with them, or spin them." Not the most elegant weapon, but Dust was working in a vacuum here.
highstandards: (your cool friend)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-12-04 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Helvetica rubs her head against Fuyuhiko's hand, trilling happily and coiling her tail around his arm.

"Those certainly sound like children's stories! I'd even say they're too unrealistic to properly scare anyone!" Papyrus scoffs a little, amused. Biting people's heads off? Bones that come from HUMANS? Ridiculous!

"Yes, there was a big war between monsters and humans, and the humans sealed us under a barrier. And only humans can break it."
highstandards: (your cool friend)

[personal profile] highstandards 2016-12-04 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"No problem!" Papyrus grinned, even more so than usual. "I didn't want anyone to do something they'd regret later."

He looked back. The hunters already disappeared down the street.

"It's a shame you didn't get your apology, but perhaps they'll seek you out when they cool off!" He could hope. "In any case, your dragon doesn't seem too upset."
impheired: where is the sex going? does it even have a license (unsure ♚ what is a sex drive?)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-12-05 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Fuyuhiko also looks confused and maybe slightly curious about just what a "Moonblood" is. But since Natsumi beat him to actually asking, he opts to just sit back and wait for an answer.]
wingedman: (50)

[personal profile] wingedman 2016-12-05 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
Sam hummed thoughtfully. "I mean, the biggest problem with any weapon is finding someone to teach me. And, well- swords don't seem like my kinda thing."
impheired: at my worst, then leave because i don't have a best. i'm always awful. (talk ♚ if you can't handle me)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-12-05 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Fuyuhiko seems ever so slightly uncomfortable when Natsumi mentions that he's going to take over the clan one day. But that discomfort doesn't last long, since he doesn't want his sister to notice it. But he can't help but feel a little guilty that he still hasn't told her the truth. That for a while, he DID run the clan. It wasn't exactly the proudest time of his life, after all.]

[So he just kind of nods, giving an affirmative sort of hum and folding his arms over his chest.]


Basically, we're involved in lots of different business practices some of which aren't exactly as honest as they could be. Gambling, blackmail, drugs and weapons dealing...some clans deal in prostitution, but luckily the Kuzuryus have a little more class than that. But we do our share of honest work too. Clans tend to be pretty rich, and we put some of that wealth towards bettering our communities. Stuff like recovery from natural disasters. But even so, the yakuza world's a pretty harsh one, there's all sorts of skills you need if you expect to survive it.

[He unfolds his arms, leaning forward onto his knees and clasping his hands together.]

We're kinda in a similar position to you here, though. We've still got all the skills our upbringing taught us, sure, but it's not like our titles and position mean a whole lot without the rest of the clan here.

[Something he'd considered telling GLory back when they first met but...somehow "former yakuza heir/boss" didn't seem like much in comparison to "dragon queen". Plus, his position is kind of complicated now.]
impheired: his window and i was sitting in the grass with blood everywhere talking to a dog. (shock ♚ he said he looked out)

[personal profile] impheired 2016-12-05 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
[For a few moments, Fuyuhiko just sits there, seemingly dumbfounded to be hearing these names. Wow. Well, he knows what he needs to do now. He's gotta go find these two and talk to them.]

[Give him a minute here, guys. He needs to finish processing all this time bullshit. And the fact that this is a never-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Meeting historical figures is normally impossible, after all.]

[When his sister plops herself onto the ground, Kougetsuren gets back to his feet and pads over to her. He leans down, bumping his face gently against hers. Are you alright? You didn't hurt yourself when you fell down, did you?]
enthraller: (68)

[personal profile] enthraller 2016-12-05 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
A bit of rational fear is good. It breeds caution.

[Saralegui you hypocritical ass, don't talk up "rational fear" like you make use of it yourself.]

I imagine they should grow out if it eventually. It's understandable to be a bit panicky when everything is so much bigger than you, isn't it?
enthraller: (68)

[personal profile] enthraller 2016-12-05 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, there's an idea. And certainly one that appears to the thrillseeker in him -- calculated risk is his forte, though he typically works on a grander scale.]

Of a sort. Never before with money, though. [As if that doesn't sound questionable, but Saralegui carried on with an innocently hesitant expression.] But I don't know any of this world's games yet.

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