Jancis

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[align=center]Jancis beams a smile at Ciel, "Lady, please after these humble follower's words, will you share your voice with us alll?"[/align] [align=center] Ciel Wulfe gives Jonathan's hand a squeeze and then moves up. "Take the show, Ciel!"[/align] [align=center][/align] [align=center] "Hello again, my friends! As I look around there are more and more new faces each time we gather for one of these. Pray enjoy the Celebration."[/align] [align=center]"There are countless tales, told and written, in which the gods have left us with something important whether we knew it at the time or not. Gifts, lessons, sometimes these things are what they are, and sometimes the two are one and the same. Some of these things might have been born out of a sense of responsibility, while at other times, they were opportunities which came out of boredom, for even the gods become restless now and then."[/align] [align=center]"There was such a time when Thaliak looked around his massive library, which was also his home, and stood up from the desk at which he had sat hunched for aeons as he scribed down all he knew. And as the god of knowledge, that truly can take a while. He made his way through the labyrinth of tomes, and peered out a narrow window, past the heavenly gardens which sprawled outside, and into the world of mankind."[/align] [align=center]"He beheld the countless lives spread across many lands and nations, and while things remained relatively stable for the most part, he saw how fights broke out from time to time. Where borders met and resources ran thin, people clashed. Sometimes these fights were over far more petty things, such as wanting several heads of buffalo from a neighbor's herd, or even a sister's platinum dinnerware set."[/align] [align=center]"Thaliak saw clearly that people would fight each other simply because one had something the other wanted. Some had more than others, and the ones who had more would often push back and oppress those who did not. He sat back down at his desk and sank into deep thought, stroking his beard as he did so. A lesson was needed, and badly. He soon set to work collecting pieces from his library, heaping numerous tomes into one corner. He laid bare every shelf, packed all of the tomes into a sack, and set out into the world."[/align] [align=center]"And just how does one carry such a sack when it is filled to brimming with all the world's knowledge?"[/align] [align=center]"Well, he -is- a god, after all. Let's not over think it."[/align] [align=center]"Thaliak traveled to each of the nations and left them with an equal portion of each of his tomes as a test. If the mortals believed each nation having an equal portion was good enough, would they spare each other further conflict? Or would the realization that each portion taught something different prompt them to further confrontation?"[/align] [align=center]"Now, just as the gods can become restless, too, they may become sidetracked, but even these diversions are not without some importance. He soon remembered that spending much time among mankind made him hungry, and so he stopped for lunch somewhere in the Highlands and asked only for a dish of fresh fruit and a cup of tea. A young maid fulfilled this request, and Thaliak stared curiously at what was placed in front of him."[/align] [align=center]"'Milady?'" He asked tentatively. "'Pray, could you tell me, but what is this red fruit? In all my years, never have I seen this in a fruit salad.'"[/align] [align=center]"The maid seemed stunned, dare I say even -offended-, at her guest's seeming lack of knowledge. "'Why, that would be a tomato. It -is- a fruit, you see,'" the girl scoffed.[/align] [align=center]"Thaliak smiled at the maid and ate around the tomato, saving it for last. "'You are correct in that knowledge, dear child, however... wisdom is knowing this does not mingle well with other fruits.' Somehow this only seemed to offend the maid further, and she went off to tend to her other duties, and left Thaliak to finish his meal in silence."[/align] [align=center][/align] [align=center]"Once he was finished, he looked around for the maid and couldn't find her. He shrugged to himself and left three fresh sprigs of rosemary on the table as payment, and then he took up the sack of tomes and moved on."[/align] [align=center]"It took an entire fortnight to deliver all the tomes to each of the nations, and once the sack was blissfully empty, Thaliak retired to his chambers to wait and watch again from his window. Time passed and not much changed. As expected the mortals did indeed clash, not for how much the others had, but for the variety of what they were given. Knowledge is power, and whoever possessed all of it would surely have power to not just fix all of the problems and ills of the world, but ruler-ship over all things."[/align] [align=center]"As the mortals warred with each other and the tomes were stolen by the stronger armies, Thaliak's library slowly restored itself. The same ones he had gifted to the mortals reappeared on his empty shelves while, in the world below, as the tomes were brought together they seemed to vanish as they merge together into a -single- tome which only grew larger and heavier with each one the soldiers claimed from neighboring lands. Eventually, only one of the nations succeeded in bringing all of them together. At last... all of the world's knowledge in one place, where it belonged."[/align] [align=center]"Thaliak looked around at his now full library and nodded. He ventured forth once more, this time to the nation which had proven victorious, and approached its leaders just as they opened the gigantic tome and found..."[/align] [align=center]♣♣♣[/align] [align=center]"...Nothing! Thousands upon thousands of pages, all of them devoid of a single drop of ink or smear of charcoal."[/align] [align=center]"'What manner of sorcery have you played upon us?!' they cried, pointing fingers at the old, bearded scholar."[/align] [align=center]"Calmly, Thaliak swept a hand toward the blank pages which caused more of them to turn without ever touching any of them. 'No sorcery, child, but a gift nonetheless, as I had given to all the lands. In trying to possess all they had, you have instead received the gift of wisdom, for no one man, nor one nation, can possess all the world's knowledge.'[/align] [align=center]'For all the knowledge in the world is worth less than nothing if it is not used for the sake of all who dwell herein.'"[/align] [align=center]Ciel finishes her tale and sweeps a bow. [/align]

[align=center][/align] [align=center]The sky stayed crisp and clear as the progression of pilgrims made it to Rathefrost, the shimmering grace of the crystallized tree and ground lighting up the area like a magical stage.[/align] [align=center]Against the faint glow the performers stood, everyone else resting amongst the few plants that survived in the harsh land.[/align] [align=center]"Be it we have many people who are gifted in the ways of words and verse. This being a special night for me, I would share some before they begin."[/align] [align=center][/align] [align=center] "A wise man said that 'The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.' So, in turn, I shall give that today. This night holds great value to me for the closeness I feel to the Scholar."[/align] [align=center]"In my youth, I was isolated and knew very little. I built off of that, bit by bit, finding new ways to understand what I did know. In turn, I discovered new things and accepted them. I found something that could not be taken away from me. So I gathered it, gathered all I could. I found and understood that I was not alone. That my dreams and ideas had worth. That I could change." "That within my heart, I found the courage to learn and discover, to open my horizons and find new possibilities ahead of me. And I was set free." "That one small opportunity has given me wings that I might know you, know what family is, know what love could be. In all of it I have found out a shining thought for everything I come to see and know. Life is simple and deep." Jancis repeats, "Simple and deep." She beams a smile at the crowd, her eyes shining. "I have a short story. There was a boy sailing down a river. And it was fun." She laughs a bit at the blunt statement, "It was playful and he enjoyed it. He looked around him and saw life, watched as plants grow, watched animals flourish." "And this went on, the river turned and bent, days and nights passed. Winter brought frost and he saw something different. He saw plants wither, animals pass on. He reached out to them, to do more than look from afar. In doing so, he scrapped his hand upon the bank of the river. It hurt." "And then he knew pain, which is a hard thing to know. And he cried; he drifted with the current and struggled to understand what he saw, what he had felt. As the pain began to lessen the realization came, he understood he was not a boy. He was a drop of water."[/align] [align=center][/align] [align=center] Jancis brings her fingers close together. "A drop of water in the river. One of many. He went down to the riverbed and looked up, and saw everyone who had held him up to learn the world. Their massive power to bend and shape the land, to smooth out the juts and obstacles, to find path through and around hardships. To nourish the ground and all that lived on it. To bring along the memories of those drops that flowed no longer." "To pass on and hold up new drops that they could see and come to understand." "He now was one to chose paths, made choices and moved the current. He touched the land and made his own marks, he touched others and gave them what he knew. Over the years and river-bends he was ready to soak into the earth and learn something new." "And then he looked back. And behind him was nothing." Jancis says with emotion, "He looked side to side, and there was everything." “You are not just the age you are. You are all the ages you ever have been!” "Like the river, you are vast. You will find a way around and over obstacles, smoothing out the rough patches and growing in strength. Other rivers will join and never truly leave. All you have done is there with you. Learn from it, understand it. Share it." Jancis smiles at everyone, "Pray keep that in your heart as you look to the top of your river, that you see the shining triumph of being simple and deep." "Thank you."[/align]

"I own nothing of greater value to give you." It took a few minutes to comprehend the questions and requests. It wasn't the mindset she had; at least. "I am. Ah, is a good question; I know who I want to be. My first solid memories are learning. I was trained to learn and survive; that was my role. I am no tool," she stressed that point, "but I was made into one. For many Turns I accepted that lie." Digging into her robe, she pulled out a very old map. The corners had long since rubbed soft and many of the crease folds had been done so many times the parchment broke apart. Carefully, she unfolded and pieced it together. It was an old crude map of the Shroud covered in marks, erase marks, and new marks layered; most of the activity in the northeastern corner. "I believe I spent most of my life up here. There were many caverns and keep hollowing trees to live in. Could see the snow of the northern reaches in the thinning winters, but was almost rare to see the sun through the thick canopy of the Twelveswood. It was two others and myself. Here I kept them safe and they taught me how to keep myself safe. Life for life. They would leave time-to-time and eventually needed me to be in town and I began to realize how vast the world was. Began to question what kind of tool I was; asking freely brought a great punishment." While she was easily answering, it wouldn't be hard to see the pain in her eyes as the words held more vivid pictures for her. She took a breath to calm down and continue. "So I began to write down things. Anywhere. Everywhere. In books on pages. On trees into the bark, on stones high up. I would find them again and cling to those memories, even those few words held many more within their script. Thaliak saved me; gave me a small opportunity to know I was not alone, I was no tool. I could do more than simply survive. I can thrive and feel and experience life and support others to experience their own. I am far more than any tool. I have one book that every word meant far more to me than the simple story within. So I took her name as my own, that I could be Jancis and fly to unknown lands and make life better and escape the cage of constructed life." "They saw that, she far earlier than he. The moon falling changed things; I would not dare say for my favor, but it sped along my liberation. Would I have ever felt truly the lack of care to protect them from the woodwrath mayhaps sooner... boldy say I am glad that never came. For my part, at least." Jancis murmured quietly after a minute, “No guilt is forgotten so long as the conscience still knows of it.” Her attention focused back on him. To gain trust was to give it first, and she had amples amounts to give, but she understood a bit more on this self-imposed exile. Every memory one of pain, a confusion of guilt and responsibility with no reward or goal beyond it. Still he fought on, still he answered her. "Is hard because guilt is so loud to those of good heart. I am sure the other memories lie within, Master Franz, if not for these other weights that drown out their words. Are like those birds that roam the Shroud, when attacked their neck plumage fluffs." She demonstrated with her hands, fanning them out with grand display. "Shall always appear bigger than they truly are?"

Wha... When was this and why didn't John know about it? John: *blinks at his player* Because you were sick and also working this week? But in all seriousness when did this take place. I could see his mother sending him to something like this. I'm off tomorrow (Sat), so I hope to get a chance to get some RP in on John and Kestlona then. Sorry it was a FC Friends/Family kind of thing; was not advertised.

[align=center][/align] [align=center]In the warm evening as the sun set, pilgrims came from far and wide to gather in the last gathering at the frontier of the corrupted land of Mor Dhona. Over the crowd of pilgrims, a hand bell rings. "Welcome pilgrims!" [/align] [align=center] "I am beyond honored this eve to welcome you all upon this pilgrimage to the stone of The Scholar, Thaliak. Thank you all for coming."[/align] [align=center]"Being here, taking such time of your own to be a part of this occasion shows, is a great gift. To show eagerness to learn, to celebrate in the pursuit of knowledge, to find out truth, seek out wisdom, and expand our own boundaries."[/align] [align=center]"As we walk, would ask you all think about those who have taught you, mentors, those who have made a difference in life to broaden horizons. That every step you take, their lessons and trials, make an impact where you are and what you do."[/align] [align=center]Jancis Milburga rings the hand bell high over her head, starting the pilgrimage.[/align] [align=center][/align] [align=center]"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."[/align] [align=center]"A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers."[/align] [align=center]"If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability."[/align] [align=center]“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” [/align] [align=center]"Wisdom outweighs any wealth."[/align] [align=center][/align] [align=center] [/align] [align=center]Guards scouted ahead, waving on and ensuring the quiet animals and small lightning spirits caused no threat. The terrain was rough, rocky, watery, and full of chaotic aether. Many wore protective items to ward off the onslaught of aether, others simply dealt with it.[/align] [align=center]Soon enough, they arrived at the venue, the cliff-side named Rathefrost, before a crystallized tree and the grand stone of Thaliak.[/align]

A scene from the medical gathering! Yay for L'aenoh being the demonstration patient.

Don't be sorry! *downloads the album* There are so many to look at, and with other storyarcs Jancis is participating with, I am still editing screenshots so I realize they're nearly a week belated from the event from myself. Thank you so much. Honestly because Jancis is in the front of the progression and cant' really leave these angles are something I can't get. I love the tree against the dark sky. :lol: This weekend I should have logs up and started and put out more at a time.

Jancis gave him a curious look. "Did not darken it for me. I like knowing more about you." Her reply was not apologetic or comforting. She stated a fact, eyes going back to the spiced squash and nuts she had gotten more of. She had commented lightly about not being sure about Lady Aya's time in Ishgard and wanting to find out some time next in Ul'dah, or "the Jewel", if the Quicksand wasn't too busy. But now they were talking about Franz; with his dark sad expression consuming what small reprieve he had mustered. Was it he longed for ignorance for fear of knowing something painful? That was the view on life to be out of the way? He needed time to recover. Recovery and helping him was beyond all other curiosity. He was not a matter of interest for the sake of knowing; he was a man of good heart and a person that needed to be treated as such. He was not a tool, that point rang in her mind with all too familiar a connection. In the depths of the Shroud, she had been trained for something that was not human. She was a utensil for survival and nothing more. The reaches of pain wracking from her heart at such memory was quelled by a calming breath. She looked back at him with an empathetic gaze and a small sad smile. "In youth," she phrased carefully, "I tried to remember things. I had thought, mayhaps, there was something in my mind that would give me some kind of purpose. For many Turns there was none. Least I believe it is Turns for what I did keep. After a time I did write down what I could, anywhere. Reminders with the bark and upon the stones I would climb. When I was ready, it did help piece together much. Once I realized and remembered, then I was able to pull free and pick my own life." "It is important to rest, though, Master Franz. Is said 'Life is easier with eyes closed' and all must needs shut their eyes to rest. Tell me what you would like to talk about, then. And do."

What staff is that, if you don't mind my asking? Ifrit HM WHM staff. It lights up when you use it! This shot kind of highlights the plant on it.

Or admit to any of them. "Oscare? ... ah..." Oscare:

"Yes, yes. Thank you kindly." The gratitude went to the server as Jancis picked up the edges of the cloth 'game-board' and moved it to the far side of the table. Her smile returned to the servers as the platters were put down, family style, trying to show how much she appreciated their help. She didn't wait for Franz to start, quickly taking her own scoops of food from each type. Just one spoonful. It wasn't for the reason to only nibble or eat like a bird. She was truly hungry after making haste once receiving his letter to meet him here; the past days required a lot of food for the amount of walking and energy used. But if he was waiting for her to prepare a plate, then she wanted to do it with haste so he could prepare his too knowing she was taken care of. Besides, it's not like he could eat the rest, right? His concern for her and others was very apparent. She had realized it with his sour cold words last the met. It took her far too long to realize the ploy; and by then they had both departed. But that was the past with other pains. Here they were in a warm place with warm food, the elements serene at present. "Is nice of them to serve us here. I did learn how to interact with others in Gridania bringing out food." She commented, waiting for his plate to fill before she started to eat. "Lady Aya spoke of her staying here in the past. Was a guard at the northern border of the Hedge, I believe she mentioned singing and doing odd jobs here when that was done." Her small chitchat continued between quiet breaks of eating. Drifting from talking about Aya, she spoke about figuring out how to make apple tarts in a skillet for Lady Leanne and a little gambling game they had played, the people at the pilgrimage and the stories, working with flower pressing and finding the early spring blossoms, and reading about a mysterious ink that would bring senses to life when written with. "Will be worth trying, even if the snails are poisonous to make the ink. Dare think I can handle them, even if I have to build up some resilience to the toxin." Jancis kept looking at Franz as she spoke, trying to be open about her thoughts and ideas. But she didn't want to just yak away. Halfway through her plate, she reached over to get some of the remaining food and asked, "I have thought about what you said before; about having books. Are any your own? Things you have written down?" Her intention wasn't just polite conversation. He had spoken about lost memories before. Forgetting about Edda and staring at her. Did he write down things in case they'd slip away. Even if her curiosity was unfounded, it would be nice to know more and she waited politely attentive for his answer.

"Yes, yes that is right." He picked up on it so easily, and despite how Jancis thought it could be a simple way to talk, she was wrong. Instead, her eyes were on the board and wrapped up in the game. Unexpectedly, he played as if he knew the game and she was the one learning. Staring at the board, she would move only to have her pieces taken. It was fun but required concentration and eventually got a corner, she cheered a little to herself. By the end, Franz had over half the board, two-thirds, though she didn't stop trying to put down pieces until there were no more moves. "You win. Dare say you are a natural." Laughing lightly, the board was cleared off and reset though she didn't make the first move. Maybe she had been pressing too much. When everything was survival with no recovery. Had that all Franz done these pasts days? It had been over a moon and was the man quietly crying out for comfort? The questions could wait... at least a little while. This is what she wanted; what she insisted on. That not all wounds were physical. "It is better this way." She said randomly, looking away from the board at him.

"It would have been a futile attempt to leave. Reckless, even." Jancis nodded and followed Franz. That word, 'reckless', was becoming a theme for the night. He had used it first, calling Jancis reckless for being so obvious. She had been asking around Limsa, the dockworkers, the merchants, about a man named Jin'li. It was typical to not get answers on anything important, but the reactions worked out well. Some knew something and didn't want to talk. News from some others and gossip about vagrants going missing was sadly another clue. But Franz was right, her lack of subtle nature made her actions more of a bait; what she didn't fear on one side brought potential harm. She had reversed the word on him afterwards, calling his choice to be isolated reckless. So they were both reckless. At least this way, two reckless people together had a better chance of surviving. Jancis had grown up in the Shroud, the sounds and winds, the stronger awareness of the elements made it familiar ground. But she was watching Franz. She had focused her training on people:heal wounds, look for wounds. Poor man seemed doomed either way. He was walking carefully; he was stressed. As she followed him and sat down at the table, she waited to bring it up. “So what is this game you had mentioned?” "Ah, yes. It is a fun little thing. Is very easy to learn." Opening her satchel, she brought out a tied handkerchief, a grid design stitched into it. Tied within were small flat white river rocks with one side painted black. She spread it out flat in the middle of the table, giving him half of the pieces, and set up the game to start. "The idea is you cover the other." She demonstrated the move by starting. "Because no piece should be alone. Want all the pieces to trust you." she said, half joking, half metaphor. "But each piece is strong in its own way, is it not?"

Jancis matched the key up to the door that was deemed hers, opening the door to the small room. It had a bed, table and chair, and a basin. She felt even more grateful for the room and all of the amenities it had. She had spent some of the platinum coins Edda had given her on attempting to track down information on the one responsible, some on what she carried in her satchel. She sat by the basin, removing her over-robe and taking a cloth proceeded to wash up her hair, face, and coat. The relief in her mind was great that he answered her letter, that he agreed to meet up with her, that his appearance improved, and that she had managed to not get pushed away again. It was a confusing compromise to stay here in the Float than wherever Franz said he was staying, with all his comforts he listed, but it was clearly a very generous offer he gave her. The brief touch on top of his hand gave her more questions. The subtle draw she felt going by her, the discomfort she showed, and the pain that wasn't the normal look she had gotten use to before. There would be time to ask all these questions after they'd eaten. Eating would provide a comfort he needed and, hopefully, make things less awkward than they were now. She had to be strong enough for two right now, she reminded herself, that a hero needed to rest. And could feel a security to be able to. Finishing up, she dressed with her now semi-damped and wiped off robe and kept her belongings with her. Coming back down the stairs she looked at Franz's back. A smile came to her face before she spoke. "Thank you for waiting. I am ready."

Jancis PLS. Everyone and their grandma knows Franz would sooner cast Edda into the fires of Mt Doom than look at her, plus he totes has a budding crush on Jancis. He cares about her safety! So cute. :love: Franz does care for Jancis' safety. She is a valued friend. Even if he's been an arse lately. But everyone knows he's trying so hard to get along with Edda. Or maybe he just likes the attention. *visits Asthetician to put the ponytail back on* *equips glasses* x_X tag teamed... going to recover for the night then find a way back onto shore!

*loudly save* :bouncy: GIVE ME THAT! *puts in frame on desk* Eeee Also this http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=7547&pid=161766#pid161766 lalalala~

:blush: No fair, Edda is so going to get over her whole Garlean fear and give him another lease on life. Plus with her fancy aether powers and his... convoluted ones.. Jancis just has some hero-adoration going on! ignorefranz.exe No, no, Jancis... Edda's aether is poison to all who touch her, even filthy Garleans. What he needs is the gentle and patient touch of a real woman, not someone who will shove her foot down his throat every time he looks a bit off. Not unless he's into that sort of thing... What's this? Sure and solid upon the seas into the sunset... :love:

Scenes from an event long ago.

Holy Screenshots, Batman! :!: Those are fantastic and I will be downloading the album when I get home (it's preparing and being sent as a zip file to my email now.) Huge thank you for everyone who showed up. In a matter of minutes there were three people, five people, then boom crowd noise. Big thank you to everyone who came as guards. There's some dialogue I was able to pick up while yelling quotes (and not running into walls) about what is dangerous what is not, which was great to hear. Mikh'a and group from Dauntless Arrelaine Fashonti and the other Harbingers: J'maaira Tuhl Faolan Donne Eduard Harlow Sigrid Jerriksdottir Locke Fairwind Vaerimont Lectoroix Kazumi Kazumiya Everyone else who lent a sword (or bow or axe or catapult) thank you as well. Big thank you to everyone who shared a story and song: Ciel - Ameline - Chuta - Leanne - Oscare - Ojune - Nathan/Vaughn/Lottie Wanted to say one thing that came up is Ojune's story was long and very creative. To just write possible options for the crowd to pick from in an adventure story is amazing. He's shared the entire document with me and it's cute; be nice to share the entire thing with links so people can recreate the choices. :bouncy: It did turn out to be forty minutes long, so going forward those kind of special stories will be either the main event and have fewer performances to keep the time a bit shorter. I think it was well worth trying. I hyped up this event in particular because Thaliak is special to Jancis and it really shows how much work that was put in to make it memorable. Usually at this events I am skimming stories and this time I got to read all of them 'real time' thanks to Ilwe'ran taking all these screenshots and keeping a log of the event. Thanks to everyone who offered to host players in their parties and RP with them. Thanks to Iskierka giving out books and being available for RP after the celebration. And of course, thank you to everyone who came to observe and participate. Whole point of a few people setting up themes and reasons to role play is to come and role play. So thank you to everyone who came. There's 54 pages of logs to short through and a copy of the event will be posted across the following week. Music from the Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt-R5hj_lWM

If anyone cannot make it to Fallgourd in North Shroud and need the aethyrte to Revenant's Toll let me know some time this afternoon. All the finite details are set and I'm really excited for this one. Eeee~:lol:

I had a fun time, too! The added awkwardness between Jana and Jancis was like a little side treat. :blush: Some screenies! Also a bonus! OOC fun!

Pffft it took you forever to find her.

Last details are falling into place! Very excited for Sunday. :lol: Couple notes on the location where we'll end up. Thaliak's stone has a couple of the quest line shots there. Sometimes a level 45 mob will spawn if anyone decides to head up for that. There are RP clothes available if your character needs help with that! Also there's help getting to the starting point and the venue. Excited to see everyone who can attend. [align=center][/align]

Edda :cry: Wow thank you! It's so Jancis :bouncy: I think she will win all the staring contests. Eee... time to put this everywhere :blush: You're so sweet. Thank you