The Great Beastly Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
greatbeasts) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
dragoncalled2016-11-14 08:09 pm
greatbeasts) wrote in 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. |
Itachi Uchiha | ota, wmf
[Itachi isn't necessarily a proficient gambler, it's just that he's better at reading people than most. His job at the inn gets him a fair allowance, but a little extra coin can't hurt - especially since he doesn't intend to remain at that job permanently. Gambling with the beast hunters also allows him to converse with them, gathering information he might need for later.
They're skeptical of him , of course, him being what he is, but his sickly condition makes him seem harmless and easy to beat. The key is to lose enough to make them amiable and win enough to make a profit. Doing nothing but beating them round after round will only make them more hostile. He needs them to feel comfortable with him, to congratulate him for his victories and laugh at his failures, while keeping enough distance that they don't start to regard him as a friend. Though given the circumstances, that last part is simple.
His purse a little heavier than it had been when he arrived, he prepares to leave. The goodbyes are short and sweet on both ends. As timing would have it, though, his illness chooses that moment to catch up with him and he's unable to repress a coughing fit, forced to lean against a wall as it doubles him over.
There are uncomfortable mutterings from the beast hunters behind him.]
Oi, is he that sick? Is it contagious?
Someone get him away from the rest of us.
I'm not touching him.
If he dies he won't need his wallet, right?
What, you want to risk catching something off it?
Just get him out of here!
[The first rock hits him square in the back as he starts to stumble his way away from the group.]
b) magical training
[Staying away from the beast hunters seems like a better idea for now, and those who've appeared to teach the scions in the ways of magic are (hopefully) less likely to run him off if he suffers a moment of weakness. So Itachi spends a lot more of his time learning about what he can do now thanks to his dragon.
Finding out his proficiency involves healing makes the whole situation seem a lot more ironic.
He doesn't want to potentially scare off patrons to the establishment he works at, so instead he practices outside the temple. The ninja sits cross-legged on the ground, his baby dragon tucked safely in a harness over his chest. He holds a hand near his throat, a bright light filling the space between.
This won't fix the underlying problem, but it might at least relieve him of some of the damage.]
a
But when she hears the mutterings from a table or two across, she looks over to see the man coughing away and the men making such dark comments. It angers her, especially when she sees the rock hit, and she abandons the story she was listening to to go and help.]
Scccrreeekkk... [The baby dragon at her heels snarl at the men as Ruri bustles over, trying to get them to stay back. His scion goes to Itachi and places a hand on his back, trying to offer reassurance.]
Are you alright, sir? Do you need a doctor? Medicine?
no subject
They back off with a mutter of "Just get him out of here."
Itachi, meanwhile, wipes blood from his mouth with the back of one hand, quickly straitening himself. He shakes his head.]
No.
[That one word is in answer to all three of her questions.]
I was about to leave anyway. I could use the fresh air.
no subject
What horrid men. Unbelievable.
no subject
[And lack of ninja techniques.]
We scions add a new... level of uncertainty as well. Thankfully I'm not contagious.
[His words get quieter as they move. He needs to talk less and breathe more. This is a sorry state he's in, and he still doesn't understand why anyone would want to revive him in it.]
no subject
[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.]
no subject
A moment to relax will definitely help, so he's grateful for that.]
Thank you for bringing me out.
no subject
It's not a problem, sir. I'm just glad I could help. Can I get you anything? Water?
b, magical training
it could be a sore throat, and it's not like she's going to be any more skilled than he is, but - ]
...Are you all right?
no subject
[Which he shouldn't be, given that he technically died twice before his arrival here, but if his time's not up then it isn't up. He turns to her, lowering his hand as the glow fades away.
He's starting small. Working on his chest seems like it would be more complicated and this level of magic will never get rid of the illness itself. The best he can do now is slow its advancement.]
Don't be concerned.
no subject
[ at least, it definitely makes it hard for chiaki not to be concerned. but she's a therapy ai. she's kind of bound to be concerned about this kind of thing. ]
...I have healing magic, too, if you think two working in tandem might make it more effective?
no subject
[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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
[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.
b
Becca has shown no inclination to try out her magic yet, and Bucky wonders if that's because she's still so young or because he regards the entire future event with a sort of apprehension.
Passing by the temple, a hand cupped beneath the lump in his clothes to support his hatchling, someone on the ground out front catches his attention - or, really, the glow from his hand catches his attention.]
I guess you're takin' to this magic thing alright.
no subject
With just the one skill right now it's easy to focus. I'm used to drawing from a pool of energy.
[He'd never practiced healing skills as a ninja. Each team only needed one healer at best and he'd never judged it the best use of his talents. It wouldn't let him be in the position that would have the most impact.
Maybe here things will be different and it's now exactly what he needs.]
no subject