< Mini Four | Campaign Logs | New Beginnings 05 >
MINI FIVE - The morning after. A Cranky Skyla, and the Iron Mandarin
ST ::Early the morning after you arrived at the village of Emerald Dragon...::
ST ::The Iron Mandarin's monestary was spartan, but even so, your sleeping quarters were comfortable and your rest was both exceedingly relaxing and quite soothing in most every way. The essence of the place was so perfectly aligned with complex geomancy that even hard pallets and thin cloth seemed like the Empresses' own bed.::
ST ::Merayen was the first to awaken, heading out into the Garden to watch the Sunrise...::
Finnre`Merayen stretched her body under the metal plates that covered it, going through some basic battle techniques to work and warm her muscles
Finnre`Merayen sighs slightly, enjoying the way the sun began to warm her armor and therefore her body.
Skyla yawns, stretching languidly, and rolls over on her pallet, her arm falling on another shape next to her. It takes her a few seconds to realize that it is simply her pack, although her 'blanket' had somehow covered part of it. She rolls back over, and sighs deeply.
Skyla ...All the geomancy in the world can't change the fact she sleeps alone. With an effort, she drags herself out of bed, dresses with clothes from That Pack, and exits, hoping for some time to herself in the gardens.
Finnre`Merayen nods her head as she turns to see Skyla entering the Garden.
Skyla trudges into the garden sleepily, making an effort to smile when she sees Merayen. "'morning Mera. You got up even earlier than me!"
Finnre`Merayen continues to weave and swing her blades in a slow but precise set of motions. She is silent except for the soft swish of her blades. Then she bursts into a flurry of speedy "attacks", which end with her sheathing her blades. "Yes, I enjoy the feeling of the sun upon me as it rises."
Iron`Mandarin exits, at this point, from the bath house -- his emerald skin glistening in the morning light, his dark brown shoulders rough, his long hair sprinkled with flowers. He smiles, lightly, as he notices that the two Solars have awakened... He must have been up for some time, as Merayen hadn't noticed him passing through the garden since she got up to pay respect to the Sunrise.
Skyla sits on a nearby bench and methodically begins to comb out her clean hair, which has turned into something of a tangled mess overnight.
Iron`Mandarin shakes his hair out a bit, it being quite wet from his morning bath.
Iron`Mandarin "So, the Children of the Sun rise. Good morning."
Iron`Mandarin gives the two of you a light bow.
Finnre`Merayen Greetings Salas, and Skyla. How are both of you this morn?
Iron`Mandarin manuevers, lightly, toward the very center of the garden...
Skyla attempts a bow from the bench, but it doesn't work terribly well. "Morning." she grunts.
Finnre`Merayen returns Salas' bow with her own before sitting to feel the breeze that begins to work it's way through the air of the serene garden.
Iron`Mandarin slowly begins a series of elegant and complex katas...
Finnre`Merayen watches the Iron Mandarin work his way through the garden with his katas.
Iron`Mandarin actually started them once he reached the center of the garden, and is mostly stationary ;)
Skyla goes back to fixating on her hair, prying apart the tangles piece by piece with a brush of her own design.
Iron`Mandarin 's actions are very carefully measured, soft and yet very focused, seeming quite intricate and beautiful.
Iron`Mandarin ::Merayen, vaguely, recognizes one small subset of the form -- it is a potent First Age kata, unconnected to any larger style. Exceedingly complicated, any possible for those with masterful command of Essence -- a Martial Arts kata that straightens and clarifies the essence flow through the body, extending life and keeping one young and vital.
Iron`Mandarin It is a form that she once knew, in the dim misty prehistory of the world.::
Finnre`Merayen nods slowly... "That... I understand something of it. That is the secret... and once I knew it as well."
Skyla finds herself moving her brush in time with the kata
Iron`Mandarin "It is the Sevenfold Dragon Renewel Kata," he notes, idly, to Merayen's commend. "A relic of the First Age, known to only a few. Difficult to master, difficult to perform, yet with a bounty beyond many.
Iron`Mandarin Long life, and bountiful health."
Finnre`Merayen I know... I remember it brings extended youth as well as life to the one who performs and masters it.
Iron`Mandarin grins.
Iron`Mandarin "Youth, not as much, as you can see. The Empress was said to be a master of its mysteries, but she obviously knew powerful methods beyond it, for she was said to be youthful and beautiful as well."
Finnre`Merayen blushes under her armor, knowing that Salas likely knew all of this better than she... even with some sort of memories.
Iron`Mandarin continues to perform the complicated and careful manuevers of the kata.
Iron`Mandarin has a certain appeal to him, but he is most certainly not young.
Finnre`Merayen nods, "Yet something of my... memories of the techniques says that it can keep youth... or at least is the begining mystery to such a technique."
Iron`Mandarin "Maybe my mastery is not sufficient,"
Skyla "Maybe you didn't start it when you were young enough."
Iron`Mandarin doesn't falter in his kata, regardless.
Iron`Mandarin "This is true; I only discovered it 60 years ago."
Finnre`Merayen Forgive me if I upset you... I am just saying what I seem to remember of it.
Iron`Mandarin grins slightly, as his arms and hands make the proper flowing motions...
Iron`Mandarin "You need not worry yourself over me, I am content,"
Iron`Mandarin "I practice the kata for its beauty and its intricate patterns, more than its effects."
Iron`Mandarin "Though living longer is certainly not without its appeal."
Finnre`Merayen smiles beneith her mask. "Beauty is its own reward, but the chance to live longer and master more techniques must certainly appeal to you."
Finnre`Merayen waves her hand through the garden, "This place need only be seen to understand the reward that beauty gives on it's own."
Skyla contemplates beauty as she slowly braids her hair again, but not that of any currently present.
Iron`Mandarin "It is the singular focus of my existance," he notes, quite seriously. "The Martial Arts hold wonders and mysteries beyond ken; more than I could ever discover in the small sum of years available to me."
Iron`Mandarin "And what of you, sunchild? What dream pulls at your heart?"
Finnre`Merayen A land filled with the beauty that is peace. A place where people, like those of Nulam, need not fear the attacks of demons, Brightmane, nor the fae. Perhaps even all the world. Where they don't need to do battle for land or resources.
Finnre`Merayen A place where the people understand and care for better ways... able to fight, but choosing not to.
Iron`Mandarin smiles softly, as he continues to perform the kata, balancing on one foot... He finds the idea appealing, of course.
Skyla "I'd like that too... but I don't think it will ever happen. Creation has too many...people... for peace to truly happen."
Iron`Mandarin "It is a fine dream, however. What of you? Have you a dream that burns in your heart?"
Finnre`Merayen Such is why people like us will not be able to ever truely enjoy it's bounty, as we must work to keep the peace.
Iron`Mandarin regards Skyla, idly, while he slices through the air with graceful pirouttes and careful gestures...
Skyla sighs and lies back on the bench, staring up at the sky. Then turns to face him, propping herself up on one elbow. "Me? My greatest dream is to destroy slavery. It poisons this world. People shouldn't be allowed to profit on the backs of others. They shouldn't be able to steal people's lives, and break them."
Finnre`Merayen nods slowly.
Iron`Mandarin "I see that it is true," he says, slightly amused. "The Children of the Sun have dreams as vibrant as the Sun."
Finnre`Merayen Yay!
Skyla flops back onto her back and resumes her contemplation of the sky. "I haven't figured out how to do it yet, though."
Iron`Mandarin "It is like mastering a Martial Art," he notes. "Start with the first simple steps, working your way up to the form you desire, and then spread as you will into the higher masteries."
Iron`Mandarin finishes his kata, sitting himself onto the ground, resting on his knees.
Skyla "How would you start?"
Iron`Mandarin "It is certainly a large question; a complicated style. Yet, as in most things, it ultimately settles down into two quick approaches. Attack the supply, or the demand."
Iron`Mandarin "Many complicated things can be reduced to two simple choices."
Skyla "But they both cover the whole of the world."
Finnre`Merayen nods. "The obvious place to attempt to start would be Nexus... the law of freedom is practically a legend."
Iron`Mandarin "Aaah, then we fall back to my first bit of advice -- start with the simple steps."
Iron`Mandarin "Master them, and then work your way up to the more complicated manuevers."
Iron`Mandarin "Eliminate slavery first, say, in the Hundred Kingdoms...or, yes, Nexus."
Iron`Mandarin "Or even in your home, what is it? Nulam?"
Finnre`Merayen The thing to remember is that any attempt to eliminate slavery will encounter quite a bit of difficulty. I doubt the Guild will sit there while a threat to their power grows. We should start small.
Skyla "Hmmm... well all the slaves are freed once they've earned their way in Nulam. It's a step in the right direction."
Iron`Mandarin "And building a land of peace would not? Especially here? I fear your dream would be harder to achieve, in this Age," he notes, lightly, to Merayen...
Finnre`Merayen And yes, Nulam... there is an interesting question... but would they have chosen to be in Nulam if they had the chance?
Skyla "I don't know... but I know it's a lot better than anywhere else they could have ended up."
Iron`Mandarin shrugs.
Iron`Mandarin "In any event; perhaps my suggestion was out of place."
Finnre`Merayen nods. "I fought in Madaan. I know of the difficulties. But, the forces of war are slightly less... united than the Guild."
Iron`Mandarin "I go back to what I said before -- the supply, such as the markets in Nevin, or the demand... Which would naturally be the White Citadel, near Draven?"
Skyla "No, it gave me something to think about. I hadn't thought about how to start."
Iron`Mandarin "A victory in either place could cripple the slave trade in this region."
Skyla scowls, "The White Citadel... yeah... we should start there."
Finnre`Merayen "Yes, but how would you have viewed Jhord if he had forced you to stay with him, rather than let you stay? You had the choice, the others have not."
Iron`Mandarin rises, slowly.
Iron`Mandarin "In any event,"
Iron`Mandarin bows, lightly.
Finnre`Merayen "Slavery is the removal of choice, first and foremost. It matters not if you end up in a pleasant place or not as far as choice.
Finnre`Merayen stands and bows to Salas
Iron`Mandarin "I should best leave you be -- I imagine you have preparations to make."
Skyla grunts at Merayen. "Bye Salas. Thanks."
Iron`Mandarin "You are welcome."
Iron`Mandarin smiles, and ponders..
Finnre`Merayen Thank you for the discussion, Salas.
Iron`Mandarin "I will make you an offer; I find both of your dreams quite worthy. After you conclude matters with the Lunar Anathema," he notes, "return by this method. I will have one of my Disciples return with you, to assist you in your endeavors and train your people in the Martial Arts."
Jackal leaves his room with a yawn, heading for the garden.
Skyla smiles, and stands, giving him a deep bow. "Thank you very much. It is a great gift."
Iron`Mandarin says that, and makes his way out of the Garden.
Iron`Mandarin --
Finnre`Merayen bows again to the Iron Mandarin. "Thank you, we are honored."
Jackal walks into the garden with a cup of water and sits on a bench. Certainly a pleasant way to start the day."
Skyla flops back onto her bench, "mmhmm."
Finnre`Merayen Well then. Let's figure out how we're going to accomplish our goals. Greetings Jackal
Jackal "Goals? More long term plans for the common man?" He smirks.
Finnre`Merayen I suggest we bring peace to the region first... the Guild makes money off of war.
Skyla "Sure... but to do that we'll have to make war."
Finnre`Merayen After Brightmane, I suggest we visit Niloga. I have no doubt that she is devouring slaves in her fortress. In one swift move, we could affect both of our dreams.
Jackal "That seems a far off place...I don't know if we should leave the town undefended for that long."
Finnre`Merayen The Iron Mandarin has said that he will send a disciple along to help train the people of Nulam to protect themselves.
Skyla brightens, "I think that would be excellent."
Finnre`Merayen Then the question is... what will we do with Niloga? She needs to be punished, but will she change her ways?
Skyla "She's a Fae." she says flatly. "They EAT DREAMS. That's like telling one of us to stop eating food."
Finnre`Merayen Then how did they survive during the age when our kind ruled? They were... far more powerful than we are. And our ability is great already. I have no doubt the fae did not raid human settlements without grave reprecussions.
Jackal "All I know is that i'd rather not deal wit the fae if I can help it. They aren't sane."
Jackal "If we kill them, fine. But the less we talk to them the better."
Skyla "I don't know. Maybe there weren't as many of them before."
Finnre`Merayen I think there is more of them than we could kill easily... there is likely as many as there are demons in that vale.
Skyla "But there's ONE we can kill."
Finnre`Merayen In the middle of a Wyld area... I have no doubt there are many more there.
Skyla "What if we're warped by the Wyld? That could be awful."
Finnre`Merayen Fae are not loners... they have slaves, servants, etc...
Finnre`Merayen I... feel that for myself, that will not need be a problem. My gut says that given some time, I could walk there unchanged.
Skyla "I know that's possible... but I don't know how. Maybe those doors will help with that too... Fae are kind of like demons, right?... well maybe not."
Jackal "They die if you stick them in the right spot. That's all I really need to know...damn hobgoblins."
Skyla "Legends say that something is their bane... but I can't remember what it is..."
Finnre`Merayen Hobgoblins are not like I suspect Niloga is... they are as warhounds to warlords...
Jackal "Well i'd say we've come a bit too far in life to be bothered by a better grade of hobgoblin." Grins and sips his water.
Finnre`Merayen I have never fought one, but saw one in battle. They were as a force of nature without control, both beautiful and horrifying.
Jackal "That'll be something to see then...I wonder if they bleed butterflies or some such mad thing."
Finnre`Merayen laughs softly.
Skyla "I'd like to see that."
Finnre`Merayen But, how will we handle her? The problem is the Wyld. I think I may be able to survive, but, I don't know if I could protect any others
Jackal "Well i'll be sure to bring you along when we kick over their nest then." Smirks.
Skyla "Well, it might be worth the risk... Maybe we'll meet someone who can teach us how."
Skyla "I think... I could protect THINGS... but I don't know about people."
Jackal "Well it might be a blow to the guild if the local freehold is destroyed."
Finnre`Merayen Either way, Niloga is a problem, and is likely feeding on Slaves from the guild
Skyla "Well, we should definitely prepare before we go there."
Finnre`Merayen If nothing else, we could examine the area and see what is there. But perhaps only a few of us should go.
Jackal "Misati seems a good canidate."
Finnre`Merayen The question is, "Could she survive the Wyld unchanged?"
Skyla "She's sneaky."
Finnre`Merayen stops to think.
Jackal glances at Merayen.
Finnre`Merayen stands up and looks at them. "Would you two be satisfied if we made an agreement to protect the village for a set amount of time, perhaps even the whole valley."
ST ::It's a pulsing rod of pure white. Pure potential, pure chaos, manifested in a singular shape -- a single possibility -- but holding within it all possibilities. Aeas holds it in her hands; she can feel its power. The Spike. White hot, the formless given form, chaos enslaved to order.::
ST ::Skyla pictures it, for a moment, much like she first saw the Wood Dragon's Eye...::
Finnre`Merayen We probably can't take her on directly. But, we can likely force her to make concessions. We need to buy ourselves time, time to grow, before we crush her threat.
Skyla grows glassy-eyed
ST ::Then it fades. Another wonder of the Ancients.::
Skyla "We could win... if I had The Spike."
Jackal "She would agree to waiting?"
Jackal "...what?"
Skyla "What what?"
Skyla blinks at jackal
Jackal "A spike?"
Finnre`Merayen smiles. "It seems you have another idea... something about a spike?"
Jackal "What's a spike going to do against a monster? Stab her with it?"
Skyla blushes a little, "Oh, did I say that out loud? I guess... it brings order to chaos. The Spike."
Jackal "What, some sort of weapon against the mad?"
Finnre`Merayen listens to Skyla.
Skyla "I'm...not...sure... But maybe I'll have another vision of it. it seemed very very powerful though!"
Jackal "Well I just hope you're the only one who knows about it this time. Wouldn't want another problem like with the eye."
Skyla scowls, "I still hate that bitch, no matter what you say."
Finnre`Merayen That is if the spike still exists. There is no assurance of that.
Skyla "Well, something like that... the fae would all want it destroyed."
Finnre`Merayen nods. "And if they couldn't destroy it, they'd want to at least hold it where no one else could get it."
Jackal "Well sounds like something else we can look for after this brightmane business."
Finnre`Merayen nods. "But perhaps we should get ready."
Skyla "I'm going to make a list.
Finnre`Merayen That's a good idea, Skyla
< Mini Four | Campaign Logs | New Beginnings 05 >
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