dragoncalled | Event Start: Renzu's Flock; Predator or Pray

Entry tags:

!event

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.

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[Fuyuhiko continues to gently rattle the cup at the dragon, just loudly enough for her to hear to clinking dice, but not so loudly that Sync needs to raise his voice to be heard over it. As much as he wants to entertain the dragon, he IS trying to have a conversation.]

Heh, can't really blame her for being curious though, I mean...what kid isn't? How else is she gonna learn if she doesn't investigate shit? [Rattle, rattle, ratt-- wait. Fuyuhiko suddenly stops shaking the cup, looking up at Sync and quirking a brow.] Oi...what'd you say her name was?

[He'd only been halfway listening at the time, but now that he thinks about it...he's pretty sure he's heard the name "Gale" before. Assuming that's actually what Sync said. Maybe Fuyuhiko had misheard. Maybe he said "Hail".]

I suppose so, but it wouldn't hurt her to learn a little bit of discipline and restraint.

[Sync doesn't really seem all that bothered by her lack of it, despite his words. He's fairly sure that if it was really needed due to a truly bad situation, Gale would listen to him.

When the cup stops rattling, Gale head-tilts at it, making a curious sound, before trying to stretch herself up to peer inside it. She hadn't quite connected that the dice was what was making it rattle and wanted to find out]

Her name's Gale. Figured it'd be an alright name for a wind element dragon. [A little awkward, but he was still content with the name he'd come up with]

[He tilts the cup down a little so that Gale will have an easier time looking inside, giving it another soft rattle as he does so.]

I see, I guess that's pretty fitting. [Predictable, sure, but simple and straight to the point. The dragon's name isn't what he was most curious about, however.] Your name wouldn't happen to be Sync then, would it?

[So that's what's making it rattle! Gale lets out a happy croon at figuring it out, bopping her head like a happy bird at the rattling]

Yeah, that'd be me. [He gives Fuyuhiko a curious look] Who told you?

[Fuyuhiko can't help but chuckle a little, reaching over to scratch the dragon's head. You did it. Way to go! You solved the mystery of the rattling cup.]

Nanami Chiaki. She's a former classmate of mine from back home. [He sets the cup down on the table, turning to face Sync more head-on and inclining his head in a short, stiff bow.] I'd like to thank you for helping her out while she was here alone that first month.

[Gale approves of head scratches, all the pleased with herself]

Ah, Chiaki... [The bow is strange, but the thanks is probably what throws him off the most. Sync is not used to people actually thanking him, looking surprised] You don't have to thank me. Pretty sure she tried to help me more than I did her.

[He shakes his head.]

I'm not surprised to hear that, that's just the kind of person Nanami is. But even so...you didn't have to help her, and so you have my thanks; since I couldn't be here to do that for her myself.

[Which he knows isn't his fault, but he's still a little disappointed in himself, all the same. He owes Chiaki so much at this point...]

And as I'm sure you noticed, she's...not exactly the best at taking care of herself.

[Sync rests his head on a hand, a little unsure about all this. He really doesn't feel like he's done that much worth thanks. Things are weird here]

She does have a habit of falling asleep randomly, I've noticed. But she managed well enough, I really didn't do that much. I'm not that sort of person.

[Gale looks over at him at that, making a curious sound and padding back to her scion's side. He pats her idly] She's the weird one trying to make friends with me, not the other way around.

She also forgets to eat and can't cook for shit, so...trust me, even if it didn't seem like much, it helped.

[Accept his thanks, dammit. Though god is he ever having some flashbacks here. Flashbacks that are kind of giving him so secondhand embarrassment. Had he sound like this, back in the days before Chiaki had united their class?]

Y'know, though...the more you say shit like that, the more persistent she's gonna get about making friends. You're not wrong about her being weird that way. [He shakes his head a little.] It's just how she is.

[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]

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.

Tch. Annoying...

[Part of him is genuinely annoyed by it, but...at the same time he really doesn't mind too much]

I don't even know what it means to have friends. No one on Auldrant gave a damn about me.

[Fuyuhiko gives another little chuckle.]

Guess it's a good thing this isn't Auldrant then, isn't it? May as well learn, so long as you're stuck here, you know what I mean? Besides, you're way better off with allies in a situation like this.

[He frowns a little, almost seemingly to be debating saying something. He doesn't really trust Fuyuhiko, but if he's a friend of Chiaki's...hn]

It's not that simple. Allies I can understand, but friends... [Sync shakes his head a little. May as well explain some] Interacting with people at all like this is something I have never done. Ever. I was created as a tool, and a weapon. This is entirely new to me.

[And Sync hates new things for how damn awkward they always end up making him feel]

[Fuyuhiko is nothing if not used t not being trusted by people. Just comes with the territory when you're a yakuza. So he hardly seems bothered by any frowns or suspicion on Sync's part.]

[At the mention of being a tool and a weapon, however, he raises a brow. And there's a spark of understanding visible in his eye. Boy if this isn't bringing back memories...]

[He sighs, leaning back in his chair a little and folding his arms over his chest.]

This is gonna sound weird coming from a guy you just met, I'm sure, but...just because that's how you were born, doesn't mean things have to stay that way. People aren't meant to be tools, and that's not just naive optimism talking here. Trust me, I know that shit happens every day and it's not the sorta mentality you can just change overnight. Or even in a week or a month.

[There's something about his tone that makes it obvious he's speaking from personal experience, though he doesn't exactly seem keen on sharing details.]

But it's complete and utter bullshit, believe me. You're you're own damn person. You just gotta figure out what kind of person you are and go from there.

[You better cherish the advice he's sharing with you here, bucko. It's not every day that he imparts pearls of wisdom like this. If you weren't Chiaki's friend and if you didn't remind him of Peko so much, he probably wouldn't bother!]

Anyway, friends and allies really aren't so different when you get right down to it. Friends are just slightly more annoying allies that support you regardless of whether or not they get anything in return.

[Fuyuhiko doesn't seem to want to share details, and Sync can understand that, simply listening. He can tell that the other is speaking from some sort of experience, and that's enough to make him actually listen]

Heh. It's not that weird, most people here seem to be thinking something similar. Call me curious though. Does that still apply when you're not a person? I'm not human like most.

[He doesn't explain in words, instead lifting a hand to the hair by his face, snapping a single strand from it. The hair suddenly glows and disappears into a small puff of light motes. Gale squeaks and attempts to snap at them before they vanish]

[Fuyuhiko quirks an eyebrow curiously, watching the strand of hair with a slightly bewildered expression. He's really not sure what that's all about, but it's true: that's definitely not something normal humans can do.]

[After a few minutes, he shrugs.]

What's it matter if you're not technically human? You're still a living thing capable of conscious thought, aren't you? You've got the ability to make your own choices, may as well exercise that right.

[Barely even a month ago, he probably would have had a very different answer to that question. Where he's from, there really aren't non-humans, other than animals. But then Chiaki and the Neo World Program happened. It's given him a new perspective. In more ways than one.]

[He makes an amused sound at that, glancing away. Choice. He's never made a choice in his life that was his own. Everything was what people had wanted for him. Even here it was being a Scion like everyone wanted. Choice was an illusion]

Maybe. I'm alive for now, but choosing what to do with that...maybe.

[Seeing Gale put out about the lack of little lights to chase around, he idly concentrates and makes some little light balls for her to bat around and play with. It keeps her distracted at least]

[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.

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Event Start: Renzu's Flock; Predator or Pray

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