dragoncalled | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The distressed squeaks of his sister pull the white dragon's attention away from Skyship for a moment. He gives a slightly distressed squawk and moves around to her side, lowering his head and nudging at her in an attempt to get her upright again. Please hold, bigger cousin, they're having some technical difficulties and need a minute before they can get back to you. Unless you want to lend them a claw here, because with as uncoordinated as these little ones are, chances are they'll wind up in a noodle-y heap here in a minute.]

[Fuyuhiko nods.]

Mmm, same here. Yours is definitely one of the calmest ones I've seen so far.

He's... steady. But when he wants to do something, there's no stopping him. [Skyship is his own set of challenges, as strong-willed and determined as his Scion. ]

[Speaking of Skyship, the dragon shifts his weight to his back legs, then rears slightly so he can pick up the two little dragons and set them right. The big guy is surprisingly gentle and delicate about the process. If the two think that Sky is a very decent and wise dragon, well... that's because Sky learned, over the course of his two very hungry weeks, that not being careful with his teeth or his claws or his wings or his tail or his strength in general usually resulted in his Scion clutching parts of his body and hissing in pain, rather than stuffing more food down his gullet.]

I think he feels like he's older and smarter than all the other dragons he meets because he's bigger.

I guess at least in this case he's right. Sounds like it's fun to deal with with scions who have older dragons though.

[That sarcastic sort of fun that probably isn't very fun at all.

And thank you kind, big dragon! Once back on her feet, she squeaks happily up at him a little, grateful for his help. And of course her brother gets some appreciative squeaking as well. She never would have gotten up again without you two. Never. She would have been stuck there forever and ever!!! Maybe this Skyship dragon isn't someone to be wary of after all...]

[The white dragon squeaks happily at Skyship as well, then turns to lick his sister's cheek a few times. He's very glad you're upright again, too. Now let's try and keep it that way, huh?]

[Fuyuhiko gives a quiet chuff of laughter, shaking his head a little as he corrects his sister:]

Definitely right, in this case.

[Even if he's basically implying that their dragons aren't all that bright, it's clear that he means it affectionately. After all, they're basically newborns. Of course they're not going to be all that smart.]

[The way they sound, and act... At the same time as Dust withdraws, just a little, into himself, he has to ask.]

You two knew each other... before here, I'm taking it.

[Well. Okay. He didn't really ask, because he couldn't imagine he was wrong.]

[Natsumi doesn't notice the withdrawing at all, instead grinning bright at that question. Sorry Dust...]

Yup!

[She easily shifts to wrap her arms around Fuyuhiko's shoulders, looking pretty proud and smug.]

We didn't just know each other, we're siblings! I'm Kuzuryu Natsumi, and this is my big brother, Kuzuryu Fuyuhiko!

[Fuyuhiko smirks crookedly. THough, he too, looks pretty proud.]

You oughta try lifting your hat up for a better look. Pretty damn hard to miss the family resemblance.

[It's true, save for the eyepatch and the splash of freckles over the bridge of his nose, Fuyuhiko is one wig away from being identical to his sister. One of their parents apparently had some stupidly strong genes.]

You know what they say about assuming. Especially judging appearances of humans... since I've only known your kind for a month now. [And he's still getting used to them, with their lack of fur and tails or scales or any such thing.] Better to risk a dumb question than an offensive one.

That's alright! Gave me a chance to introduce my oniichan to you. [One of her favorite things to do. Even if he had assumed though she would have taken that opportunity so really he couldn't have gone wrong with her either way.]

So you've really only known humans for a month?

[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...]

We didn't have any in Falana. And what makes humans look similar isn't what I'm used to. You all have very similar ears, for example. [Warmbloods had a much wider variety of those, of course. And that's just one difference.]

[At that comment she can't help but lift her hands up to her ears, touching the shells a little before looking over at Fuyuhiko's. Well of course they have similar ears - they really could be twins after all - but she's trying to imagine what it'd be like if they were different...]

...I like our ears. I think they're cute. It'd be too weird if they were different.

Edited 2016-11-30 00:24 (UTC)

[Fuyuhiko quirks a brow.]

So what makes...whatever you are [Not the politest way he could have put it but he's doesn't have the slightest clue what Dust is.] similar, then?

I'm not here to say anyone's not cute. [He can't help but be faintly amused by the comment, even if he did have to wonder how much utility their ears actually had. They didn't seem to have any trouble hearing, but didn't their positions make it harder to hear sounds to one side? For just one thought.]

[It raises questions.]

A Warmblood. We all have fur, for example. Whereas the Moonbloods, in Falana, had scales. Just as one big generalization.

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.]

[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.]

And you call yourselves human even though half of you are women. Don't read too much into the names. They're just... an excuse to think of people as different, and hate them for it.

[Really, what HAD driven Gaius's war of aggression? Fear? Hatred? It didn't matter, not really...]

Event Start: Renzu's Flock; Predator or Pray

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject