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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. |
u know the one
[Alas, this was not to be. And so, despite his best efforts to stay away from magic class, Fuyuhiko finds himself being taken back to school by his sweetest classmate. Why can he never tell her no???]
Don't be ridiculous, we're definitely not rivals. [Yeah, he...he definitely wasn't expecting that. Chiaki is one of the very last people he'd view as a rival. She is a TRUSTED COMPANION. A BELOVED TEAMMATE. NAKAMA CLASSMATE. A Good Friend.] Ugh, but see? This is why I didn't want to bother with this shit. It's unnecessarily complicated.
WHAT IF I DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[ not that she seems too put out, since she fucking Loves video game stuff like this?? TYPE ADVANTAGES? SPECIAL MOVES??? SHE IS THE POKEMON??? she's there. unlike people who don't like the supernatural at all, her reaction is wildly different... ]
But isn't it cool? Since you're a fire elementalist, that means if you learn the right spells, your dragon can learn to breathe fire, or get fire claw talon weapons! You can teach him Fire Fang, or Fire Spin, or lots of things!
WELL THEN I GUESS YOU'RE S.O.L AND YOU WON'T HAVE A THREAD WITH THE GRUMPY KAZOO
[Fuyuhiko's dragon, who has draped himself around his scion's shoulders for a quick nap, lifts his head at that last bit. He gives Chiaki an inquisitive squeak, overly-large ears perking up. Yes he is here, hello, he heard you talking about him! Why are you talking about him?]
...the hell is Fire Spin? [That can't be the name of an actual spell, that sounds so lame. He guesses fire claw talons would be pretty cool though.] Is that actually a spell or are you talking about a video game again?
RUDE
[ is she making a comment about his temper...it's hard to say, since it's chiaki. she smiles at fuyuhiko's dragon, holding out a hand towards him. ]
Hm, it is a video game, but I can't be sure it's not a spell here. I met a girl with my element who was making weapons from water, you know. Since a lot of the basic spells seem to be consistent across the elements with the usual differences, that means there's probably a fire spell to make weapons out of fire. And any spell you learn, your dragon learns, too...monkey see, monkey do...? So, you have to level up to get your partner to level up, you know?
no subject
Okay, well...I guess I can't really argue that. I'd say I'm more of a metal guy, personally, but I guess fire's also pretty fitting. [Of course he'd say he's metal, because the typical metal traits are more ideal to him but...even he can't deny that he's got a lot of the "fire in excess" traits, too. Because we were totally talking Chinese elements here, right? Of course we are.] But just because it's fitting for me, doesn't mean it's not a coincidence. I mean...I dunno that I'd pick water for you.
[He...guesses he can sort of see it? But it definitely wouldn't be his first choice. Though he tries his hardest not to look excited at the prospect of magic weapons, there's the slightest glint of interest in his eye when she mentions it. Flaming weapons would be pretty cool, he guesses...even if it's magic. But soon enough, he's folding his arms and looking irritable and defiant as ever.]
But it'd be a lot easier if he could just learn it on his own. I mean...I'd imagine dragons would be better at this shit anyway.
no subject
[ sort her in to a hogwarts house, kazoo. it's like the ultimate sign of friendship? what is her pokemon type????? don't just mention you wouldn't pick water and then proceed not to pick something for her?
also chiaki starts gently petting fuyuhiko's dragon, scritching at the soft face scales. she's getting better at the whole touching animals things after a month and change! level up. ]
Even if it'd be easier, that's not how it works here, and anyway...it's probably best if we all learn how to defend ourselves. I'm not saying you don't know that already, because I assume you do, but...we need to learn to defend ourselves against people who use magic. The native creatures and people of this world don't really have qualms about using it.
1/2
[So, he puts it off for now, instead sighing in defeat and putting up his hands.]
Yeah, I guess you're right. If some magic monster wizard can go around shooting lightning out of his fingers, a knife's not gonna do me much good, is it?
[Will he be happy about learning it? Of course not. But will he do it anyway? Reluctantly.]
no subject
...wood.
[The element he would pick. Which is not actually an option here but did you really think he knows all the different Osaaru elements? Of course he doesn't. He sounds a little sheepish as he says it, and he's definitely not meeting Chiaki's eye but hey, he answered. Are you happy now???]