Thunder and Lightning very frightening me!
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Spoiler
Khunbish Avagnar: A youngish looking midlander is standing near one of the torches. He fidgets a little bit while waiting, he's dressed no differently than any of the other fisherman.
Artoria Aldsan: "Were you the one to put out the leve request?"
Khunbish Avagnar: The midlander nods his head to both of them, "Y-yes, I am Akio. Are you adventurers responding to the leve request?"
Anstarra Silverain 's tail is swishing as she looks around, seeming rather distracted.. or maybe a bit drunk? She licks her lips and takes a deep breath, then laughs. "Smells like fish.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Mrr.. yes, leve, that's why we're here..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Just got here, only to leve~"
Anstarra Silverain laughs.
Artoria Aldsan glances over at Anstarra a bit apprehensively. "Where is this Sage you wanted to see?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Er yes? this is a fishing village... We're in an odd situation and I'm hoping to bring advice from the Sage to the next village council." he motions towards Namai, "There is a mountain in Namai the Sage lives on but the tigers have been rampant since Doma fell."
Artoria Aldsan frowns ever so slightly, a hand raising to her side. "Tigers, hm? Well.... it shouldn't be an issue."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Tigers!"
Anstarra Silverain looks at you in surprise.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Those are like.. big coeurls.. I've seen one! Once."
★Anstarra Silverain: "But they don't have tentacle whiskers.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "So really they're more like. Um. Wolves? Just rawr and bite and claw."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Bap'em on the nose and they'll behave~"
Anstarra Silverain nods.
Khunbish Avagnar: "Tentacle...whiskers?... No they are bigger than a man, strong and vicious." he blinks at Anstarra, "I must have gotten the right people if you're that confident and experienced."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Absolutely!"
Anstarra Silverain encourages you to ready for battle.
Artoria Aldsan sighs softly and looks back towards the man. "Then, please lead the way."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Yis."
S'imba Tia shows up late cause he got caught up in the Azim Steppe.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh!"
Anstarra Silverain waves to S'imba Tia.
★Anstarra Silverain: "S'iiiimbaaaa~"
â—S'imba Tia: "Oh hey An!"
Anstarra Silverain beams at S'imba Tia.
★Anstarra Silverain: "We're hunting tigers today!"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio blinks back at S'imba, "Oh no no I um... they'll probably be in the way of getting to the Sage..."
â—S'imba Tia: "Oh good, Khun wanted me to kill one of those"
★Anstarra Silverain: "We're discouraging tigers from mauling this guy through probably violent means!"
Anstarra Silverain points at you.
Anstarra Silverain points at the normal-looking fisherman guy.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Tigers are big. They're like coeurls. But without the tentacles. OH! Wait, bears! They're more like bears, than like wolves."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Big fast chompy mauly death kitties."
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio nods slightly, "Y-yea..." he's looking nervous, "S-shall we get going?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Sure! Lead on, fearless leader!"
Anstarra Silverain beams with delight at you.
Artoria Aldsan waits for the hyur to not be looking to bap Anstarra's nose. "All I need to do to make you behave, right?"
Anstarra Silverain looks at Artoria Aldsan in shock!
Khunbish Avagnar: "Alright... So um...th-this way!" and he takes the lead.
Anstarra Silverain breathes in deeply, tail bobbing this way and that in fuzzy-headed cheer. "Mmh! Those blossoms smell so nice.. they really do grow out here, in the wild..."
S'imba Tia gives a groan, looking fairly exhausted and pale.
Artoria Aldsan: "A bit of hiking too much for you?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Wassamatter S'imbu?" She grins. "Not eating enough?"
Khunbish Avagnar: The weather is at least pleasant as the group walks south of Isari, and through the tunnel to Yanxia proper. Akio motions and makes towards a sheer looking wall of stone rising above the bamboo trees.
â—S'imba Tia: "No...just under the weather after a run in with a piss poor healer." He said shaking his head.
Anstarra Silverain follows along, trotting up to their guide and draping a companionable arm over his shoulder. "Ever been out adventuring? Had to fight any scary fish?"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio shrinks a bit at S'imba's treatment, "Ah no, up until recently we weren't exactly allowed to go adventuring, edicts of our governor Yotsuya."
â—S'imba Tia: "Wow...that guy sounds like an asshole."
Khunbish Avagnar: "She was very awful, kept us under heel, some literally."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Ohh.. I heard some stories about her, back in Shirogane. Sounds like a bitch.. ah, but you're rid of her, yes?" She beams, ruffling the young man's hair. "So, what do you want to ask this Sage guy anyway? And what makes him so special that you gotta go all the way out here?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Not that I mind.. it's really pretty, almost romantic~" Her tail swishes.
Khunbish Avagnar: "Oh the Sage Raijin, many say he's lived forever and seen the rise and fall of many kingdoms. There is concerns of whether Isari should become part of Doma, be independent or join the Confederacy... I was hoping wisdom from the Sage would end the arguing at council."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Isari.. that's your village, right? And the Confederacy is those pirates.. hmm! Tricky. Maybe those pirates should join Doma, everyone'd be happy.. they could probably use a formal navy anyway.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "They wouldn't be able to get their Ruby Tithe anymore from Doma, Hingashi, and anyone else that passes through the ruby sea."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Pirates make good sailors.. and soldiers.. long as you don't let 'em get TOO rules-heavy." Her expression darkens for a moment, then it's gone, like a cloud before the sun. "Right.. but they wouldn't need it. Could become privateers against Garlemald.. gonna have to anyway. Those guys'll be back. Confederacy doesn't wanna get sunk on its own, gonna need friends.."
â—S'imba Tia: "Pirates huh?" He said tilting his head. "I doubt that they would care what some old guy thinks..."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Isari isn't, we fish."
Artoria Aldsan: "They've been shown just how fragile their Ruby Tithe is already. Though, I imagine they have their sense of being independent from Doma a bit too firmly ingrained."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Mmm.. little fishing village, caught between pressures~ Hee!" She laughs. "Wonder what this Sage will say!"
â—S'imba Tia: "They'd need a bigger incentive than whatever they make off a toll."
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio pauses and motions to where a tiger was curled up, "Ah...knew it... um... the path up to the sage starts where that tiger sleeps."
★Anstarra Silverain: "The fun thing bout wise sages is that.. people listen to 'em." She nods wisely at S'imba. "Even if they wouldn't normally. Cuz it's like.. you can accept bad medicine when it comes from a doc-oh!"
Artoria Aldsan: "Well... perhaps we can sneak by and avoid disturbing it."
S'imba Tia reaches down and picks up a rock as he stares at the tiger.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Kitty kitty..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Man it's big.. I wanna ride it."
S'imba Tia dropped the rock at that suggestion and started to sneak closer to it.
Anstarra Silverain beams with delight.
Artoria Aldsan baps An's nose.
Anstarra Silverain looks at Artoria Aldsan in surprise.
Anstarra Silverain 's tail swishes, a wide grin on her face as S'imba starts sneaking toward the huge kitty. She flexes her knees slightly, lowering herself like she's getting ready to jump, or pounce..
Artoria Aldsan: "Focus, Anstarra. There's no need to wake the thing. Let's just move past."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Orrrr we can wake it. I suck at sneaking. It probably hears us already..."
Artoria Aldsan: "Behave. We're here to get this man safely up the mountain."
★Anstarra Silverain: "It'll be saaafer once the.. I mean S'imba's sneaking up on it to climb on anyway, bet you anything."
★Anstarra Silverain: "You know, I had a boyfriend.. boss.. colleague whose last name was Tigre, once. His previous girlfriend called him Tiger.. I probably did a few times too.."
Artoria Aldsan: "Mm, well, I suppose with a name like that, it's bound to happen."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Yis~ He was a pugilist, very physical.. had a good body.. this one time, near Behemoth's Domain in Coerthas, he pulled my pants down and.. well, he wanted to bait a behemoth, and I'd mentioned that wild animals, and my scent.."
Artoria Aldsan sighs and draws her blade, seeing where this is likely to end up. She closes her eyes for a moment and golden aether lights up along its edge.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Chased us all the way back to Whitebrim, pantsless in my case.."
Artoria Aldsan: "Somehow, I shouldn't be surprised that you draw wild animals, Anstarra."
Anstarra Silverain laughs softly, tail swishing…
Artoria Aldsan gives An a sideways glance, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, perhaps we can find time to experiment with that once we are finished here."
Anstarra Silverain winks at the other girl, tail curling a bit more. "Mrr.. try not to get more injured.." she teases, and wiggles her butt, before looking back to the tiger just in time to see S'imba...
S'imba Tia swishes his tail, eyes fixed on the tiger. His heart pounded in his chest as he prepared to show off what all that Xaela training had done. He jumps up and grabs a branch of the tree and swings himself plopping down onto the big kitty's back.
Artoria Aldsan sighs and shakes her head. Time to watch S'imba get mauled.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Woo!"
Anstarra Silverain lets out a cheer.
Anstarra Silverain grins fiercely as she sees S'imba jump on, cheering him.. and is already lunging forward, legs a blur as she charges, and then jumps into the air, legs extended, flipping, twisting... and landing perfectly astride the suddenly-pissed-off beast's neck! She howls in excitement as it roars, gripping with her powerful legs, while twirlin her lance, getting ready to fend off some enthusiastic mauling.
Artoria Aldsan lets out a long suffering sigh as both the cats mount a cat. Shaking her head, she brings her sword around, and firms her stance, readying herself should the tiger charge.
Khunbish Avagnar: The tiger roars and starts trashing about reaching up and attempting to claw at Anstarra.
Anstarra Silverain grins savagely as the poor gigantic fierce creature lunges at the crazy girl on her neck. She lifts her spear one-handed in a parry, using her leverage on the tiger's throat to twist its shoulders and foul its claws on her lance. "Meow meow angry cat!"
Khunbish Avagnar: The tiger slumps over dead, letting out a huffing breath. This close, S'imba and Anstarra can see that the fur was patching in places, might be an old tiger.
Artoria Aldsan settles her sword over her shoulder and shakes her head. "Well, I won't say the pair of you aren't efficient at the very least."
â—S'imba Tia: "WITNESS ME!!" He shouts out, since An was in front of him he couldn't exactly swing a giant sword. Instead he pulls back his left fist and delivers a powerful punch to the base of it's neck, just below An's ass. Hitting it like his hand was made of solid rock there was a loud snap as he severed the spine at the cervical spine and cut off it's ability to even breath. Dropping the tiger dead.
Khunbish Avagnar: With the fight over Akio steps around Artoria, "Alright... back up this way..." he motions towards a hidden set of stairs cut into the side of the mountain. He starts up it them.
Anstarra Silverain growls in excitement as she looks over her shoulder with S'imba's shout, then hitches her hips forward just as he shouts in order to get out of the way of the fierce strike. She arches a bit as she feels the massive beast crumple under the blow, tail lashing into a curl as she feels its life drain out, between her thighs.. before rolling off, as it crumples. "Mmmm... not bad, S'imba... not bad."
â—S'imba Tia: "Well that is why I am the Umbral Warlord of the Falling Stars." He said with a grin dusting himself off.
Khunbish Avagnar: At the top of the steps was a small caldera, cherry trees, small islands, ponds and a small house, upon the porch of the house was a bald man appearing to be meditating.
Artoria Aldsan narrows her eyes at S'imba's boast, though, she continues following the guide without comment.
Anstarra Silverain beams at S'imba, slapping his ass as she passes by, heading up the stairs. "Umbral Warlord, hmm? Like the Warlord after a Calamity? I can see that happening..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "This is pretty..."
â—S'imba Tia: "Well since I'm not really a sun cat I figured making a reference of my moonyness would be awesome." He said with a wiggle of his ears as he surveyed the area.
S'imba Tia motions joyfully to Anstarra Silverain.
Anstarra Silverain pads up alongside Akio, leaning in with a stage whisper. "Is that the Sage?"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio nods his head, "Yes that is Sage Raijin." he picks up his pace and then stops in a bow before him, "Great Sage, I have come to ask a boon of a question."
Anstarra Silverain perks up her tail, letting Akio do his thing. Partly daydreaming about more action on the way down, though she does study the Sage with detached curiosity..
â—S'imba Tia: "Fifty gil he makes us preform some great trial...and that we just killed his pet tiger..." He whispered under his breath.
Anstarra Silverain covers her mouth to stifle a laugh.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Noooo that'd be awful! Shoosh you!"
Artoria Aldsan: "Don't worry, Anstarra. We can lay the blame entirely on the 'Warlord' here."
Khunbish Avagnar: The sage chuckles a little bit, "No, we do not keep pet tigers here. We do have finches and hawks that visit frequently, often the second for the first." the man then nods his head towards Akio, "You come about Isari." The Sage reaches into his sleeve and pulls out three scrolls, "There are three groups I have already heard, give this scroll to each and they will know how to proceed."
â—S'imba Tia: "Don't worry...I'm usually who gets blamed." He shrugged before turning to the man and giving a huge sigh of relief. It would have been awful to have killed a lonely old man's kitty.
Anstarra Silverain feels relief, then raises her brows, impressed. "Oh wow, maybe he really is a Sage. We didn't even have to ask, he already had the answer... and was smart enough to just sit and relax while we went through the trouble of marauding through the tiger-littered landscape.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Maybe I should ask a question, too.. like what to get Nihka for Starlight.."
Anstarra Silverain gazes upon you in deep reflection.
â—S'imba Tia: "Do you read minds?"
Khunbish Avagnar: There was a slight smile, "Mayhaps, flowers and a meal. Word tells me Miqo'te like freshly dressed and killed meat." he laughs a bit, "In the case of Isari, it was only a matter of time, rumors and word travels faster than one expects." the man then tilts his head towards S'imba, "Do you want me to?"
Anstarra Silverain motions joyfully to you.
â—S'imba Tia: "NO!"
S'imba Tia disagrees vehemently with you.
Anstarra Silverain laughs at S'imba Tia.
Anstarra Silverain points at you.
★Anstarra Silverain: "I like this guy. Can we keep him?" She grins.
â—S'imba Tia: "Stay out of my head...read An's it's full of smut and naked ladies."
Khunbish Avagnar: The man motions to Akio, "One of the groundskeepers will meet you at the stairs and ensure your safe arrival back home in Isari. I am certain these three have questions for me."
★Anstarra Silverain: "And men, too~"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio blinks and nods his head before retreating as instructed, leaving the three, and the sage.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Wait, what? We really get questions?" She suddenly looks nervous. "Dang, if I'd known I woulda prepared something smart, rather than getting all drugged out on wildflowers.."
â—S'imba Tia: "Lavender..."
â—S'imba Tia: "I knew it."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Some other things, too.. aster and some dark root and.. look, it's -medicinal-."
Artoria Aldsan tilts her head slightly, glancing at the other two in her party before looking back at the old man. "He named you Raijin. That would be something like, 'God of Lightning,' would it not?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "I had to lick all over Artoria and I didn't know how much I'd need, and turns out you're not supposed to swallow.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Lightning?"
Anstarra Silverain discreetly takes a step back.
Khunbish Avagnar: The sage nods his head, "Yes, indeed, or to be more precise, I am the Sage Raijin in training. The Sage himself said someone who had been near one or more of his siblings was arriving."
Artoria Aldsan 's lips thin for a moment. "The forty second.... but the same person each time? Or does your possession differ from your siblings?"
Anstarra Silverain points.
★Anstarra Silverain: "That!"
â—S'imba Tia: "NO READING MY MIND!" He said covering his head, clearly paranoid.
★Anstarra Silverain: "WOW."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Lightning! Guy, like, um, ice guy!"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Azeyma's tits! I didn't see this coming.. are we gonna have to fight you too?"
Khunbish Avagnar: Raijin shakes his head, "Oh no, our possessions are all the same." he motions towards the bald man, "He is my apprentice, and will be Sage Raijin the fourty third."
â—S'imba Tia: "I'm confused."
★Anstarra Silverain: "And.. he knows what's gonna happen?" She pauses. "Okay I have a question. What happens? Is he still gonna be alive in there?"
Khunbish Avagnar: The bald sage nods his head as he scoots off to the side a bit, "When the fourty second sage passes, I will accept his crown, his knowledge, wisdom, and personality will all be conferred onto me, I will exist as witness, but be unable to act or control."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Damn, he answered my question just as I asked it. Freaking Sages."
Anstarra Silverain claps for you.
â—S'imba Tia: "Doman's are weird...that just sounds like a miserable existence."
★Anstarra Silverain: "I think it's a religious thing."
â—S'imba Tia: "Like Ishgard...my point still stands."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Being a part of a greater whole, being in touch with deep wisdom and understanding... a lifetime of study finally rewarded with a sort of immortality. Living on, part of something greater."
★Anstarra Silverain: "I mean, think of the relief.. not having to be responsible for anything anymore.. and finally understanding.. a lot."
Khunbish Avagnar: "It is little different than I am now" the man speaks." he presses his hands down on the ground and pushes up, from the knees down missing. Also of note, he has yet to open his eyes once.
Anstarra Silverain looks stumped.
★Anstarra Silverain: "I can think of worse fates."
Artoria Aldsan closes her eyes for a moment. "It is a more acceptable arrangement than Jotun's and something they choose willingly. I will not speak against it."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh.."
Anstarra Silverain winces as she sees his crippled state.
Khunbish Avagnar: Raijin nods his head slightly, "I only take the lame, the crippled as my apprentices, those who would still benefit from my presence, it is Marid who taught me this way at first. I used to once be like Shaitan." he smiles, "Now questions."
★Anstarra Silverain: "W-well, um." She frowns, fiddling with her tail. "Have.. um, Raijin. Have you been.. active.. a while? I understand your siblings, uh, Marid? And maybe Jotun.. were sleeping a lot..."
Khunbish Avagnar: "I have been awake since before Allag fell to a ruin it created upon itself." he says, ancient face wrinkling in a smile, "Jotun yes, and Marid... Efreeti, Marid, Djinn, my other siblings. Is there much you wish to know?"
â—S'imba Tia: "Wait...you're like that water girl...."
Artoria Aldsan: "Shaitan has taken it upon himself to 'cleanse' the world. How do we stop him? Jotun implied that even if we defeat the body he currently inhabits, he could simply move to another."
Khunbish Avagnar: There was a silence from Raijin before he motions the sage away. The bald man lifts himself and bows before departing into the house. Raijin then turns his attention back to the group, "Shaitan harbors great hatred, as to how to destroy these vessels... I have tried, many many times to do so... If there is any way to destroy them they lay within the ruins of Allag. Which has not been wisdom I have thought to seek out."
â—S'imba Tia: "Guess this is another thing we'll need to go to assland for..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Allag.. um, that covered the whole world. Do you have suggestions on where to start digging?"
Artoria Aldsan: ".... If the vessel is destroyed, will you be freed? No longer having to take the bodies of others for yourself?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "We were originally in a place in the continent of Eorzea." there was silence, "We will either be freed, or destroyed. Our aether unless eliminated may move on to rejoin the elements...or to the world itself."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Hang on, I want to make sure I'm getting the terminology right.. when you say 'vessels' what do you mean?"
S'imba Tia nods to An, he was just about to ask the same thing.
Khunbish Avagnar: Raijin taps the crown on his head, "It is this that I actually exist within, this is my body, some could call it... parasitic... Some, yes, others like Marid and I have chosen to let people take us only willingly."
Artoria Aldsan: "Have you ever attempted to take control of something... inhuman? An animal or a machine?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Ooh, good question.. we could stick them in mammets.. if that works."
★Anstarra Silverain: "I mean. You know. To keep from having to devour people.. those who don't want to.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Animal minds are to simplistic that we cannot do more than... suggest... much like one who owns a cat. Beast tribes, I do not understand, it is like things do not settle right and thus we cannot connect."
â—S'imba Tia: "Right let the bad one take possession of some massive Garlean mech to rain destruction down on all mortals."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Machines have no natural mind."
Artoria Aldsan: "I had hoped that mammet cores were sufficiently advanced to allow such, but... It is rather troublesome."
â—S'imba Tia: "Just going to havve to visit some Allagan ruins I guess."
★Anstarra Silverain: "For one, yeah..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Could Shaitan not be convinced to.. not be an asshole?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Or find someone knowledgeable in them." Raijin smiles warmly, "I remember little but the pain, and the endless line of people they would attach me too."
★Anstarra Silverain: "So.. the Allagans attached you to people.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Yes, we were attached, to be weapons, initially everyone died until at least I learned to not overwhelm their minds."
S'imba Tia just stares, most of this was over his head. "Well...know any good places to look in Allagan ruins?"
Khunbish Avagnar: There was a shake of his head, "I do not, but the world provides often enough, I must rest so if there is any other questions, let me know now."
Anstarra Silverain tilts her head curiously. "You have to rest? Why? Is your body tiring out? We need to know these sorts of things if we're gonna face Shaitan.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Or.. are the other ones jerks? Djinn and Efreeti? I don't know them."
Khunbish Avagnar: "This body, Yakito is nearing his ninetieth year."
Artoria Aldsan: I do not know Efreeti, but Djinn seemed agreeable. At least, that was before a certain pair of Ishgardian dragoons attacked him. I can't say that it still holds true."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Hmmm..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Do you know WHERE they are? Your siblings?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "All are over in Eorzea for now, but I cannot tell you where specifically."
â—S'imba Tia: "Hmm..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Very well.. oh! Um. Can we come back later maybe? If we think of other questions.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Ah, and one more thing.. is there any way to protect ourselves? From possession? If we have to kick Shaitan's butt? Or anyone else's..?"
â—S'imba Tia: "I dare them to try." He grumbles discontently.
Khunbish Avagnar: "Of course, you are welcome to return to ask questions." there was a moment of pause, "If we possess someone, and are removed, we cannot repossess them."
Anstarra Silverain blinks. "You can be removed without killing them?"
Artoria Aldsan: "....If someone is possessed by one of you and then removed, can the others not possess them again either? Or is it unique to each of you?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Unique to each of us, it is possible for all of us to possess one body as well."
Artoria Aldsan: "What happens then? Do you vie for control of the body?"
Anstarra Silverain raises her brows. "Could you ALL be in a SINGLE body? At the same time?"
â—S'imba Tia: "That seems complicated..."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Not entirely, one controls, the rest are left as witness."
Artoria Aldsan: "How is it determined which is left in control?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Which mind is stronger."
★Anstarra Silverain: "And who has the strongest mind?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Alright.. we'll return sometime. Hopefully.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "We don't know who among us does, it has only happened once and Shaitan has never been the same."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "That sounds like a story.. but, ah, we can let you rest now. We can come back.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Appreciated, and Jotun would know the story better."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh? Hmm.. maybe will pay him a visit. He seemed to like us, after we sparred with him..."
Khunbish Avagnar: A youngish looking midlander is standing near one of the torches. He fidgets a little bit while waiting, he's dressed no differently than any of the other fisherman.
Artoria Aldsan: "Were you the one to put out the leve request?"
Khunbish Avagnar: The midlander nods his head to both of them, "Y-yes, I am Akio. Are you adventurers responding to the leve request?"
Anstarra Silverain 's tail is swishing as she looks around, seeming rather distracted.. or maybe a bit drunk? She licks her lips and takes a deep breath, then laughs. "Smells like fish.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Mrr.. yes, leve, that's why we're here..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Just got here, only to leve~"
Anstarra Silverain laughs.
Artoria Aldsan glances over at Anstarra a bit apprehensively. "Where is this Sage you wanted to see?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Er yes? this is a fishing village... We're in an odd situation and I'm hoping to bring advice from the Sage to the next village council." he motions towards Namai, "There is a mountain in Namai the Sage lives on but the tigers have been rampant since Doma fell."
Artoria Aldsan frowns ever so slightly, a hand raising to her side. "Tigers, hm? Well.... it shouldn't be an issue."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Tigers!"
Anstarra Silverain looks at you in surprise.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Those are like.. big coeurls.. I've seen one! Once."
★Anstarra Silverain: "But they don't have tentacle whiskers.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "So really they're more like. Um. Wolves? Just rawr and bite and claw."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Bap'em on the nose and they'll behave~"
Anstarra Silverain nods.
Khunbish Avagnar: "Tentacle...whiskers?... No they are bigger than a man, strong and vicious." he blinks at Anstarra, "I must have gotten the right people if you're that confident and experienced."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Absolutely!"
Anstarra Silverain encourages you to ready for battle.
Artoria Aldsan sighs softly and looks back towards the man. "Then, please lead the way."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Yis."
S'imba Tia shows up late cause he got caught up in the Azim Steppe.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh!"
Anstarra Silverain waves to S'imba Tia.
★Anstarra Silverain: "S'iiiimbaaaa~"
â—S'imba Tia: "Oh hey An!"
Anstarra Silverain beams at S'imba Tia.
★Anstarra Silverain: "We're hunting tigers today!"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio blinks back at S'imba, "Oh no no I um... they'll probably be in the way of getting to the Sage..."
â—S'imba Tia: "Oh good, Khun wanted me to kill one of those"
★Anstarra Silverain: "We're discouraging tigers from mauling this guy through probably violent means!"
Anstarra Silverain points at you.
Anstarra Silverain points at the normal-looking fisherman guy.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Tigers are big. They're like coeurls. But without the tentacles. OH! Wait, bears! They're more like bears, than like wolves."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Big fast chompy mauly death kitties."
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio nods slightly, "Y-yea..." he's looking nervous, "S-shall we get going?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Sure! Lead on, fearless leader!"
Anstarra Silverain beams with delight at you.
Artoria Aldsan waits for the hyur to not be looking to bap Anstarra's nose. "All I need to do to make you behave, right?"
Anstarra Silverain looks at Artoria Aldsan in shock!
Khunbish Avagnar: "Alright... So um...th-this way!" and he takes the lead.
Anstarra Silverain breathes in deeply, tail bobbing this way and that in fuzzy-headed cheer. "Mmh! Those blossoms smell so nice.. they really do grow out here, in the wild..."
S'imba Tia gives a groan, looking fairly exhausted and pale.
Artoria Aldsan: "A bit of hiking too much for you?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Wassamatter S'imbu?" She grins. "Not eating enough?"
Khunbish Avagnar: The weather is at least pleasant as the group walks south of Isari, and through the tunnel to Yanxia proper. Akio motions and makes towards a sheer looking wall of stone rising above the bamboo trees.
â—S'imba Tia: "No...just under the weather after a run in with a piss poor healer." He said shaking his head.
Anstarra Silverain follows along, trotting up to their guide and draping a companionable arm over his shoulder. "Ever been out adventuring? Had to fight any scary fish?"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio shrinks a bit at S'imba's treatment, "Ah no, up until recently we weren't exactly allowed to go adventuring, edicts of our governor Yotsuya."
â—S'imba Tia: "Wow...that guy sounds like an asshole."
Khunbish Avagnar: "She was very awful, kept us under heel, some literally."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Ohh.. I heard some stories about her, back in Shirogane. Sounds like a bitch.. ah, but you're rid of her, yes?" She beams, ruffling the young man's hair. "So, what do you want to ask this Sage guy anyway? And what makes him so special that you gotta go all the way out here?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Not that I mind.. it's really pretty, almost romantic~" Her tail swishes.
Khunbish Avagnar: "Oh the Sage Raijin, many say he's lived forever and seen the rise and fall of many kingdoms. There is concerns of whether Isari should become part of Doma, be independent or join the Confederacy... I was hoping wisdom from the Sage would end the arguing at council."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Isari.. that's your village, right? And the Confederacy is those pirates.. hmm! Tricky. Maybe those pirates should join Doma, everyone'd be happy.. they could probably use a formal navy anyway.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "They wouldn't be able to get their Ruby Tithe anymore from Doma, Hingashi, and anyone else that passes through the ruby sea."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Pirates make good sailors.. and soldiers.. long as you don't let 'em get TOO rules-heavy." Her expression darkens for a moment, then it's gone, like a cloud before the sun. "Right.. but they wouldn't need it. Could become privateers against Garlemald.. gonna have to anyway. Those guys'll be back. Confederacy doesn't wanna get sunk on its own, gonna need friends.."
â—S'imba Tia: "Pirates huh?" He said tilting his head. "I doubt that they would care what some old guy thinks..."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Isari isn't, we fish."
Artoria Aldsan: "They've been shown just how fragile their Ruby Tithe is already. Though, I imagine they have their sense of being independent from Doma a bit too firmly ingrained."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Mmm.. little fishing village, caught between pressures~ Hee!" She laughs. "Wonder what this Sage will say!"
â—S'imba Tia: "They'd need a bigger incentive than whatever they make off a toll."
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio pauses and motions to where a tiger was curled up, "Ah...knew it... um... the path up to the sage starts where that tiger sleeps."
★Anstarra Silverain: "The fun thing bout wise sages is that.. people listen to 'em." She nods wisely at S'imba. "Even if they wouldn't normally. Cuz it's like.. you can accept bad medicine when it comes from a doc-oh!"
Artoria Aldsan: "Well... perhaps we can sneak by and avoid disturbing it."
S'imba Tia reaches down and picks up a rock as he stares at the tiger.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Kitty kitty..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Man it's big.. I wanna ride it."
S'imba Tia dropped the rock at that suggestion and started to sneak closer to it.
Anstarra Silverain beams with delight.
Artoria Aldsan baps An's nose.
Anstarra Silverain looks at Artoria Aldsan in surprise.
Anstarra Silverain 's tail swishes, a wide grin on her face as S'imba starts sneaking toward the huge kitty. She flexes her knees slightly, lowering herself like she's getting ready to jump, or pounce..
Artoria Aldsan: "Focus, Anstarra. There's no need to wake the thing. Let's just move past."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Orrrr we can wake it. I suck at sneaking. It probably hears us already..."
Artoria Aldsan: "Behave. We're here to get this man safely up the mountain."
★Anstarra Silverain: "It'll be saaafer once the.. I mean S'imba's sneaking up on it to climb on anyway, bet you anything."
★Anstarra Silverain: "You know, I had a boyfriend.. boss.. colleague whose last name was Tigre, once. His previous girlfriend called him Tiger.. I probably did a few times too.."
Artoria Aldsan: "Mm, well, I suppose with a name like that, it's bound to happen."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Yis~ He was a pugilist, very physical.. had a good body.. this one time, near Behemoth's Domain in Coerthas, he pulled my pants down and.. well, he wanted to bait a behemoth, and I'd mentioned that wild animals, and my scent.."
Artoria Aldsan sighs and draws her blade, seeing where this is likely to end up. She closes her eyes for a moment and golden aether lights up along its edge.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Chased us all the way back to Whitebrim, pantsless in my case.."
Artoria Aldsan: "Somehow, I shouldn't be surprised that you draw wild animals, Anstarra."
Anstarra Silverain laughs softly, tail swishing…
Artoria Aldsan gives An a sideways glance, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, perhaps we can find time to experiment with that once we are finished here."
Anstarra Silverain winks at the other girl, tail curling a bit more. "Mrr.. try not to get more injured.." she teases, and wiggles her butt, before looking back to the tiger just in time to see S'imba...
S'imba Tia swishes his tail, eyes fixed on the tiger. His heart pounded in his chest as he prepared to show off what all that Xaela training had done. He jumps up and grabs a branch of the tree and swings himself plopping down onto the big kitty's back.
Artoria Aldsan sighs and shakes her head. Time to watch S'imba get mauled.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Woo!"
Anstarra Silverain lets out a cheer.
Anstarra Silverain grins fiercely as she sees S'imba jump on, cheering him.. and is already lunging forward, legs a blur as she charges, and then jumps into the air, legs extended, flipping, twisting... and landing perfectly astride the suddenly-pissed-off beast's neck! She howls in excitement as it roars, gripping with her powerful legs, while twirlin her lance, getting ready to fend off some enthusiastic mauling.
Artoria Aldsan lets out a long suffering sigh as both the cats mount a cat. Shaking her head, she brings her sword around, and firms her stance, readying herself should the tiger charge.
Khunbish Avagnar: The tiger roars and starts trashing about reaching up and attempting to claw at Anstarra.
Anstarra Silverain grins savagely as the poor gigantic fierce creature lunges at the crazy girl on her neck. She lifts her spear one-handed in a parry, using her leverage on the tiger's throat to twist its shoulders and foul its claws on her lance. "Meow meow angry cat!"
Khunbish Avagnar: The tiger slumps over dead, letting out a huffing breath. This close, S'imba and Anstarra can see that the fur was patching in places, might be an old tiger.
Artoria Aldsan settles her sword over her shoulder and shakes her head. "Well, I won't say the pair of you aren't efficient at the very least."
â—S'imba Tia: "WITNESS ME!!" He shouts out, since An was in front of him he couldn't exactly swing a giant sword. Instead he pulls back his left fist and delivers a powerful punch to the base of it's neck, just below An's ass. Hitting it like his hand was made of solid rock there was a loud snap as he severed the spine at the cervical spine and cut off it's ability to even breath. Dropping the tiger dead.
Khunbish Avagnar: With the fight over Akio steps around Artoria, "Alright... back up this way..." he motions towards a hidden set of stairs cut into the side of the mountain. He starts up it them.
Anstarra Silverain growls in excitement as she looks over her shoulder with S'imba's shout, then hitches her hips forward just as he shouts in order to get out of the way of the fierce strike. She arches a bit as she feels the massive beast crumple under the blow, tail lashing into a curl as she feels its life drain out, between her thighs.. before rolling off, as it crumples. "Mmmm... not bad, S'imba... not bad."
â—S'imba Tia: "Well that is why I am the Umbral Warlord of the Falling Stars." He said with a grin dusting himself off.
Khunbish Avagnar: At the top of the steps was a small caldera, cherry trees, small islands, ponds and a small house, upon the porch of the house was a bald man appearing to be meditating.
Artoria Aldsan narrows her eyes at S'imba's boast, though, she continues following the guide without comment.
Anstarra Silverain beams at S'imba, slapping his ass as she passes by, heading up the stairs. "Umbral Warlord, hmm? Like the Warlord after a Calamity? I can see that happening..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "This is pretty..."
â—S'imba Tia: "Well since I'm not really a sun cat I figured making a reference of my moonyness would be awesome." He said with a wiggle of his ears as he surveyed the area.
S'imba Tia motions joyfully to Anstarra Silverain.
Anstarra Silverain pads up alongside Akio, leaning in with a stage whisper. "Is that the Sage?"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio nods his head, "Yes that is Sage Raijin." he picks up his pace and then stops in a bow before him, "Great Sage, I have come to ask a boon of a question."
Anstarra Silverain perks up her tail, letting Akio do his thing. Partly daydreaming about more action on the way down, though she does study the Sage with detached curiosity..
â—S'imba Tia: "Fifty gil he makes us preform some great trial...and that we just killed his pet tiger..." He whispered under his breath.
Anstarra Silverain covers her mouth to stifle a laugh.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Noooo that'd be awful! Shoosh you!"
Artoria Aldsan: "Don't worry, Anstarra. We can lay the blame entirely on the 'Warlord' here."
Khunbish Avagnar: The sage chuckles a little bit, "No, we do not keep pet tigers here. We do have finches and hawks that visit frequently, often the second for the first." the man then nods his head towards Akio, "You come about Isari." The Sage reaches into his sleeve and pulls out three scrolls, "There are three groups I have already heard, give this scroll to each and they will know how to proceed."
â—S'imba Tia: "Don't worry...I'm usually who gets blamed." He shrugged before turning to the man and giving a huge sigh of relief. It would have been awful to have killed a lonely old man's kitty.
Anstarra Silverain feels relief, then raises her brows, impressed. "Oh wow, maybe he really is a Sage. We didn't even have to ask, he already had the answer... and was smart enough to just sit and relax while we went through the trouble of marauding through the tiger-littered landscape.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Maybe I should ask a question, too.. like what to get Nihka for Starlight.."
Anstarra Silverain gazes upon you in deep reflection.
â—S'imba Tia: "Do you read minds?"
Khunbish Avagnar: There was a slight smile, "Mayhaps, flowers and a meal. Word tells me Miqo'te like freshly dressed and killed meat." he laughs a bit, "In the case of Isari, it was only a matter of time, rumors and word travels faster than one expects." the man then tilts his head towards S'imba, "Do you want me to?"
Anstarra Silverain motions joyfully to you.
â—S'imba Tia: "NO!"
S'imba Tia disagrees vehemently with you.
Anstarra Silverain laughs at S'imba Tia.
Anstarra Silverain points at you.
★Anstarra Silverain: "I like this guy. Can we keep him?" She grins.
â—S'imba Tia: "Stay out of my head...read An's it's full of smut and naked ladies."
Khunbish Avagnar: The man motions to Akio, "One of the groundskeepers will meet you at the stairs and ensure your safe arrival back home in Isari. I am certain these three have questions for me."
★Anstarra Silverain: "And men, too~"
Khunbish Avagnar: Akio blinks and nods his head before retreating as instructed, leaving the three, and the sage.
★Anstarra Silverain: "Wait, what? We really get questions?" She suddenly looks nervous. "Dang, if I'd known I woulda prepared something smart, rather than getting all drugged out on wildflowers.."
â—S'imba Tia: "Lavender..."
â—S'imba Tia: "I knew it."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Some other things, too.. aster and some dark root and.. look, it's -medicinal-."
Artoria Aldsan tilts her head slightly, glancing at the other two in her party before looking back at the old man. "He named you Raijin. That would be something like, 'God of Lightning,' would it not?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "I had to lick all over Artoria and I didn't know how much I'd need, and turns out you're not supposed to swallow.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Lightning?"
Anstarra Silverain discreetly takes a step back.
Khunbish Avagnar: The sage nods his head, "Yes, indeed, or to be more precise, I am the Sage Raijin in training. The Sage himself said someone who had been near one or more of his siblings was arriving."
Artoria Aldsan 's lips thin for a moment. "The forty second.... but the same person each time? Or does your possession differ from your siblings?"
Anstarra Silverain points.
★Anstarra Silverain: "That!"
â—S'imba Tia: "NO READING MY MIND!" He said covering his head, clearly paranoid.
★Anstarra Silverain: "WOW."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Lightning! Guy, like, um, ice guy!"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Azeyma's tits! I didn't see this coming.. are we gonna have to fight you too?"
Khunbish Avagnar: Raijin shakes his head, "Oh no, our possessions are all the same." he motions towards the bald man, "He is my apprentice, and will be Sage Raijin the fourty third."
â—S'imba Tia: "I'm confused."
★Anstarra Silverain: "And.. he knows what's gonna happen?" She pauses. "Okay I have a question. What happens? Is he still gonna be alive in there?"
Khunbish Avagnar: The bald sage nods his head as he scoots off to the side a bit, "When the fourty second sage passes, I will accept his crown, his knowledge, wisdom, and personality will all be conferred onto me, I will exist as witness, but be unable to act or control."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Damn, he answered my question just as I asked it. Freaking Sages."
Anstarra Silverain claps for you.
â—S'imba Tia: "Doman's are weird...that just sounds like a miserable existence."
★Anstarra Silverain: "I think it's a religious thing."
â—S'imba Tia: "Like Ishgard...my point still stands."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Being a part of a greater whole, being in touch with deep wisdom and understanding... a lifetime of study finally rewarded with a sort of immortality. Living on, part of something greater."
★Anstarra Silverain: "I mean, think of the relief.. not having to be responsible for anything anymore.. and finally understanding.. a lot."
Khunbish Avagnar: "It is little different than I am now" the man speaks." he presses his hands down on the ground and pushes up, from the knees down missing. Also of note, he has yet to open his eyes once.
Anstarra Silverain looks stumped.
★Anstarra Silverain: "I can think of worse fates."
Artoria Aldsan closes her eyes for a moment. "It is a more acceptable arrangement than Jotun's and something they choose willingly. I will not speak against it."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh.."
Anstarra Silverain winces as she sees his crippled state.
Khunbish Avagnar: Raijin nods his head slightly, "I only take the lame, the crippled as my apprentices, those who would still benefit from my presence, it is Marid who taught me this way at first. I used to once be like Shaitan." he smiles, "Now questions."
★Anstarra Silverain: "W-well, um." She frowns, fiddling with her tail. "Have.. um, Raijin. Have you been.. active.. a while? I understand your siblings, uh, Marid? And maybe Jotun.. were sleeping a lot..."
Khunbish Avagnar: "I have been awake since before Allag fell to a ruin it created upon itself." he says, ancient face wrinkling in a smile, "Jotun yes, and Marid... Efreeti, Marid, Djinn, my other siblings. Is there much you wish to know?"
â—S'imba Tia: "Wait...you're like that water girl...."
Artoria Aldsan: "Shaitan has taken it upon himself to 'cleanse' the world. How do we stop him? Jotun implied that even if we defeat the body he currently inhabits, he could simply move to another."
Khunbish Avagnar: There was a silence from Raijin before he motions the sage away. The bald man lifts himself and bows before departing into the house. Raijin then turns his attention back to the group, "Shaitan harbors great hatred, as to how to destroy these vessels... I have tried, many many times to do so... If there is any way to destroy them they lay within the ruins of Allag. Which has not been wisdom I have thought to seek out."
â—S'imba Tia: "Guess this is another thing we'll need to go to assland for..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Allag.. um, that covered the whole world. Do you have suggestions on where to start digging?"
Artoria Aldsan: ".... If the vessel is destroyed, will you be freed? No longer having to take the bodies of others for yourself?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "We were originally in a place in the continent of Eorzea." there was silence, "We will either be freed, or destroyed. Our aether unless eliminated may move on to rejoin the elements...or to the world itself."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Hang on, I want to make sure I'm getting the terminology right.. when you say 'vessels' what do you mean?"
S'imba Tia nods to An, he was just about to ask the same thing.
Khunbish Avagnar: Raijin taps the crown on his head, "It is this that I actually exist within, this is my body, some could call it... parasitic... Some, yes, others like Marid and I have chosen to let people take us only willingly."
Artoria Aldsan: "Have you ever attempted to take control of something... inhuman? An animal or a machine?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Ooh, good question.. we could stick them in mammets.. if that works."
★Anstarra Silverain: "I mean. You know. To keep from having to devour people.. those who don't want to.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Animal minds are to simplistic that we cannot do more than... suggest... much like one who owns a cat. Beast tribes, I do not understand, it is like things do not settle right and thus we cannot connect."
â—S'imba Tia: "Right let the bad one take possession of some massive Garlean mech to rain destruction down on all mortals."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Machines have no natural mind."
Artoria Aldsan: "I had hoped that mammet cores were sufficiently advanced to allow such, but... It is rather troublesome."
â—S'imba Tia: "Just going to havve to visit some Allagan ruins I guess."
★Anstarra Silverain: "For one, yeah..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Could Shaitan not be convinced to.. not be an asshole?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Or find someone knowledgeable in them." Raijin smiles warmly, "I remember little but the pain, and the endless line of people they would attach me too."
★Anstarra Silverain: "So.. the Allagans attached you to people.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Yes, we were attached, to be weapons, initially everyone died until at least I learned to not overwhelm their minds."
S'imba Tia just stares, most of this was over his head. "Well...know any good places to look in Allagan ruins?"
Khunbish Avagnar: There was a shake of his head, "I do not, but the world provides often enough, I must rest so if there is any other questions, let me know now."
Anstarra Silverain tilts her head curiously. "You have to rest? Why? Is your body tiring out? We need to know these sorts of things if we're gonna face Shaitan.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Or.. are the other ones jerks? Djinn and Efreeti? I don't know them."
Khunbish Avagnar: "This body, Yakito is nearing his ninetieth year."
Artoria Aldsan: I do not know Efreeti, but Djinn seemed agreeable. At least, that was before a certain pair of Ishgardian dragoons attacked him. I can't say that it still holds true."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Hmmm..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Do you know WHERE they are? Your siblings?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "All are over in Eorzea for now, but I cannot tell you where specifically."
â—S'imba Tia: "Hmm..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Very well.. oh! Um. Can we come back later maybe? If we think of other questions.."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Ah, and one more thing.. is there any way to protect ourselves? From possession? If we have to kick Shaitan's butt? Or anyone else's..?"
â—S'imba Tia: "I dare them to try." He grumbles discontently.
Khunbish Avagnar: "Of course, you are welcome to return to ask questions." there was a moment of pause, "If we possess someone, and are removed, we cannot repossess them."
Anstarra Silverain blinks. "You can be removed without killing them?"
Artoria Aldsan: "....If someone is possessed by one of you and then removed, can the others not possess them again either? Or is it unique to each of you?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Unique to each of us, it is possible for all of us to possess one body as well."
Artoria Aldsan: "What happens then? Do you vie for control of the body?"
Anstarra Silverain raises her brows. "Could you ALL be in a SINGLE body? At the same time?"
â—S'imba Tia: "That seems complicated..."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Not entirely, one controls, the rest are left as witness."
Artoria Aldsan: "How is it determined which is left in control?"
Khunbish Avagnar: "Which mind is stronger."
★Anstarra Silverain: "And who has the strongest mind?"
★Anstarra Silverain: "Alright.. we'll return sometime. Hopefully.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "We don't know who among us does, it has only happened once and Shaitan has never been the same."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh..."
★Anstarra Silverain: "That sounds like a story.. but, ah, we can let you rest now. We can come back.."
Khunbish Avagnar: "Appreciated, and Jotun would know the story better."
★Anstarra Silverain: "Oh? Hmm.. maybe will pay him a visit. He seemed to like us, after we sparred with him..."
§{Khunbish Adarkim}§