Court of the Fallen
[Mini Event] Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Printable Version

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Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Jigano - 01-23-2020

There had been a slow but steady influx of Outlanders over the past seasons, and now that the portal was open to Halo and Torchline there were even more new arrivals coming through to trade or just explore a region cut off for hundreds of years. The Loreseekers had been gathering information and sharing it with individuals who came asking but how many didn’t reach out to them? How many of the Grounds’s dangers were encountered by the unsuspecting, because they hadn’t had a chance to learn in advance what to look out for?

He had spent too much time trying to be a hero and not enough being a scholar and a bard, but it was a calling he was more than happy to pick up again. Normally such a class would have been held in the Temple, but until it was fixed they would make do with what they had. Chairs and tables were collected from around the library, and the cleared area by the repaired wall was cleaned and made ready for those who would attend. Some breads and meats had been procured in the Settlement, and earth magic had provided for fresh fruits and vegetables to create a nice sideboard for those who arrived hungry. Paper and pencils had also been set out for those who wished to take notes, and a stack of oversized papers on stiff-backed boards - posters, really - rested at the foot of an easel at the front of the little makeshift classroom.

Dressed neatly and with his hair pulled back in a sleek tail, Jigano waited at the front to greet those who filtered in as the sun faded and the carefully-shielded lanterns set around the cleared space began to provide a cheerful, steady light. Once it looked like most of those who intended to arrive had come, he cleared his throat and stepped to the center, nodding around to greet those who had made the trip.

”Thank you all for coming,” he began, smiling warmly to those he knew, and the Loreseekers who had opted to come – either to learn, or to add their own knowledge to what would be presented. ”Tonight I’ll be providing a brief look into some of the more unusual plants and animals that can be found in the Hollowed Grounds and beyond. Many of them can be dangerous to those unfamiliar with them, but knowing how to recognize them so you can avoid them may save you quite a bit of grief – or even your life.” His lips quirked at the dramatic phrasing, but he nodded to those Naturals who attended, or those who had been there for several seasons. ”Though I’ll be providing the initial descriptions, I do want this to be as much a discussion as a presentation. If you have more information on a topic, please share it, so we can pool our knowledge and learn more together.”



This is a mini-event to learn about the Flora and Fauna of the Hollowed Grounds (and neighbors), hosted by the Loreseekers! All are encouraged to attend, especially newer Outlanders. New rounds (i.e. topics) will be posted every 3-4 days, but characters can discuss the current topic without limit until the next round goes up. To prevent too much timey-wimey, please try to focus discussion in posts to the current topic as much as possible.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Samuel - 01-23-2020

Sam's face was flat, none of his usual anxiety or nervous smiles at all as he came in to sit at the back of the Atheneum, hoping that the teachings might distract his mind from all of his recent tragedies. The only way he knew to distract himself properly was to plunge into his work, after all - it had been what he'd done at 17 when he'd left his fathers grasp and realised just how ruined he was - it would be how he recovered this time too.

Not that he needed any help on identifying the local Fauna and Flora, but he wanted to do more work for the Loreseekers, and showing his face to build back up a good relationship with Jigano was a good start. Not moving to pick up a pencil he stared ahead of himself and waited for it to start.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Maea - 01-23-2020

Always eager to participate in the activities of the guild, Maea immediately made time for this lecture when she saw the pinned notice. Arriving well on time, she came prepared with notebook, pens and her own scribbled observations based on experiences during her life within the Hollowed Grounds.

But though she was born and raised here, she was still eager to hear what Jigano's take on her homeland was. His outlander eyes provided a fresh view on things she already took for granted, not to mention the fact that he was far more intelligent than herself. The curious, inquisitive kind of person who asked questions no others thought to consider, and went after the answers without hesitating.

Smiling in friendly recognition of Sam as he arrived, the girl had placed herself closer to the front and settled in. To listen and learn, and better understand herself alongside the world.

Besides. It was always fun to listen to the bard. His enjoyment of the spotlight and his own voice was amusing, and she was ready for a good time as much as a lesson.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Libbs - 01-24-2020

As promised, Libbs did indeed show up. Late, but there. "Sorry!" she squeaked, as she slid into a desk, quickly scrambling to prep herself.

She had a bag, and her own notebooks and such, looking a bit out of place against the scholarly sorts. While she definitely did make an effort to look decent today, she seemed to look a little ashy in certain areas of her skin, a little bit of a black smudge on her left cheek. A mishap in one of the forges had led to an adventure prior to her arrival. She hoped no one would mind TOO much!

She recognized Jigano, of course. She also recognized Maea, her eyes lighting up briefly. And then, of course, the mysterious third. Huh. She hadn't seen him before.

Still, she continued. She sat down, head on her hands, comfy, ready to go.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Quanil - 01-24-2020

Quanil was sitting off to one side, but near the front. They wouldn't miss this for the world, even though they'd been born and raised in the Hollowed Grounds and worked the soil with their family. Well... more like "talked with the things that came out of the soil, even though everyone thought them mad for it."

They'd be especially interested to hear if the provost had any good warning signs for landsharks. Landsharks gave Kedran nightmares, and bringing them up made Mom shush them, as if just talking about them would summon them. I've yet to see, hear, or smell a subject that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about, they groused at the memory of their overprotective and skittish mother.

Still, for now, they were just happy to be here in a more-or-less semi-official Loreseeker capacity. They had sheets of paper and a pencil in front of them, poised and ready to take notes on absolutely everything. Maybe I can present some of the findings to my parents, and they'll see the good that can come of being a Loreseeker! As like for seed ghosts to fly out their father's arse, but it was worth a shot.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Aonghas - 01-27-2020

In his short time in the Hollowed Grounds Aonghas had encountered very few things that had the will or capability to bring about his demise. Well, as far as he knew. However when he heard about this workshop he had more than a passing interest due to lacking any preparedness before and after portalling into Caido.

He made his way into the library and greeted Jigano cordially before picking up a pencil and paper, and heading off to find a seat. Positioning himself near-ish to the front, Aonghas found himself somewhere in the vicinity between Maea and Quanil. There wasn’t much he would be able to verbally add to this he was sure but was quite content to sit and take notes.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Jigano - 01-28-2020

It was a smaller group than he'd hoped for, to be sure, but there was a strong core of Loreseekers present, and at least Libbs and Aonghas would benefit from learning about the world they had found themselves in so recently. With luck they'd learn to avoid some of the dangers without having to stumble into them the hard way! And people could still come in late, after all, so Jigano didn't give up hope as he looked around those gathered a final time before clearing his throat and deciding where to begin.

"Since we're in the Atheneum at the moment, beginning with the potential hazards closest to hand seems like a good place to start." His smile turned a little crooked as he looked to Sam, tilting his head in acknowledgment of the Loreseeker who had encountered the coming Fauna with the Provost, back at the Guild's dawn. "Though closing the hole in the building has kept most of the wilder elements outside once more, this building does have two natural inhabitants. The first we'll talk about are the Sentient Books." He grinned wryly as he held up a slim tome, utterly innocent-looking, with a faded blue cover. "They're well-camouflaged in here since on the outside they look like normal books. The main difference is that Sentient Books can move, and they are ambush hunters." He flipped the book open to show that it was harmless, but arched a warning brow. "If this had been a real Sentient Book, opening it would have shifted me inside it. Some of them are clever enough to tip themselves over so that they fall open, and can draw in those nearby." He closed it gently, setting it on the table. "For the most part they aren't dangerous; as many as three people can be drawn into one, where they will assume the roles of characters within the book and can play out the story inscribed within. There's a bit of room to shift the story's details, but generally it's a fairly straightforward experience, and all you lose is a bit of time. If you're killed within the book, you simply reappear outside it, unharmed and back to normal." He paused, tapping a warning finger against the cover of the book he'd just set down.

"There are, of course, exceptions, as we've discovered. Some books hold hazards that can trap or imprison you. If you're thrown in jail or turned to stone by a Gorgon or basilisk, you can be trapped in the book, not dead enough to be ejected but unable to continue the story, stuck until someone else comes along and is able to go through the story to its conclusion." People had disappeared for years at a time in the book Jigano had first led Sam, Remi, Isla, and Kalt into 'defeating.'

"The second creature to be wary of within the Atheneum are the Paper Wasps. They're book-killers; black-and-white insects about the size of a fist." He held his clenched fist up in demonstration. "They have a nasty sting that can cause fevers and migraines. The queens are larger, more colorful, and more dangerous. They lay eggs in books and those eggs feed on the pages, absorbing them into the growing larvae inside. When the pages are gone, they use the covers to build their hives. They're a dangerous pest, and one we try to keep cleaned out of the Atheneum, though they can be dormant for decades so they're hard to find."

He finally stopped his flow of words to look around and grin ruefully. "Any comments, additions, corrections, or questions so far?"


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Libbs - 01-28-2020

Libb's hand shot up instantly.

She would wave her hand enthusiastically, waving back and forth. Once called upon, she would have asked her questions.

"Who made the Sentient Books? How? Do they reproduce? Or are there certain ones that had been logged or catalogued?" was the first batch. Oh, but she wasn't done yet. In fact, the train was just getting started. From there, Libbs did ask a lot of questions. But they ended up pouring out of her mouth so quickly, that they were very hard to discern! (Which is why I'm not typing them out..) Eventually, she inhaled one large breath of air, and placed her hand down, looking around the room.

A bit of self consciousness ate at the fringes of her mind. Perhaps she probably should have asked just.. one question at a time. "Uh.." she chuckled nervously. "I'll uh.. just um.. Sorry!" she glanced around.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Tarasha - 01-28-2020

I am late again, an unintentional habit that I really have to focus on breaking sooner rather than later. But, for now, late is better than not arriving at all, a phrase I repeat to myself as I follow the limit of voices through the Atheneum, my bare feet sounding too loud against the floor, but still quieter than the buzz of my wings.

As I join the group properly, I pause to take a piece of fruit, then settle down near the back, listening to the warnings and explanations Jigano outlines. When he is done speaking, I take the cha was to bite into my apple, about to raise my hand and ask a question when someone else does it for me. Where did the bike come from?


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Quanil - 01-28-2020

SENTIENT BOOKS. They wrote that down and eagerly looked to the one in the provost's hand... and were more than a little disappointed that it turned out to be a normal book. They'd also thought that the term meant the books would talk to you, tell you the story; that would have been pretty neat. Still, they didn't think they'd mind being sucked into a sentient book. It sounded like a fun way to spend an afternoon, honestly, provided one didn't end up stuck there, as the provost had warned.

The paper wasps though... those horrified Quanil. They dutifully wrote down everything the provost said about them, and drew a little 'ew' face next to the entry. Book killers?! BOOK KILLERS?!

Once Libbs's questions - and very interesting ones, they thought! - were answered, Quanil raised their hand. Their question, when they were called upon, was simple and uncharacteristically grim in tone for the usually chipper and excitable Seeker-in-training:

"How do you kill paper wasps?"

Because they would not stand for this "book killing" nonsense. Oh no. No, no, no.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Aonghas - 01-28-2020

When Jigano opened up the floor for questions and comments Aonghas had raised his hand. However Libbs’ fervent curiosity had touched on the more intriguing of his own queries so he lowered his hand again. He gave Libbs a grin in response to her slightly abashed manner following her enthusiasm.

[say]”Are there any tells in the Sentient Books that could help identify them before you are uh… swallowed by them?”[/say] Aonghas took his opportunity to speak when there was pause in the room.

The Paper Wasps indeed sounded quite horrific, if only by description of size alone. He cast a quick glance to Quanil however before asking another question, not entirely content with extermination as the only option.  [say]”Aside from killing them, do we have any other known deterrents?”[/say]


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Maea - 01-28-2020

There were more familiar faces than strangers, and for all that it defeated the purpose of the class, the pale haired young girl was more comfortable like this. Maea was content to lean back for now, simply noting down what Jigano told them to reinforce and better summarize the things she'd already written on her papers. Most of it was familiar, some was not, but he had a way of explaining things that clarified and made it easier to remember.

Once he was done, she continued to jot down the questions others asked, with space to fill in answers beneath. No doubt the guildmaster would appreciate a written summary of the class later, and Maea was happy to provide. At Libbs' barrage of garbled queries however, she was not able to keep up and had to look up at the woman with a little smile, laughter dancing in her eyes; a bit eager, wasn't she? Such was Libbs though.

"Do the stories in the books remain unchanged after they have been experienced," she asked, holding up her own hand, "or does reaching the end of the storyline somehow affect the tales they tell?"

Maea thought it unlikely - reading a book should not change its contents, after all - but she wanted confirmation on this, if Jigano knew anything about it.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Jigano - 01-29-2020

Jigano was delighted to see so many active participants in the conversation, eyes shining as he smiled around at Loreseekers and others who had chosen to come. Libbs ’s hand went up first, unsurprising to him, and his grin broadened for a moment as he nodded for her to begin. It was actually quite a controlled barrage for her, and he tilted his head as he rearranged the order of his answers in his head. ”No need to apologize; we’re here to answer questions today! We don’t know whether they reproduce or not, or who made them,” he acknowledged first. ”If they were made intentionally, or if they gained sentience spontaneously from soaking up the magic around them, or something else… it’s a question someone should spend more time researching,” he suggested, only half-teasing. ”But yes, we’ve logged and catalogued several. They’re kept down in the Guildhall so they don’t ambush people who don’t want to go for a reading ride that day.”

Quanil was next, studious and determined, and his smile softened as he nodded at them to speak up. He nodded, smile fading a bit towards a more sober mien as he tilted a wry glance to Sam in shared memory of the first encounter with the creatures. ”You can crush them, douse them in water to drown them, or kill them like almost any other kind of insect,” he explained. ”With one exception: don’t try to light them on fire to burn them out. They do burn, but it’s not fast, and they’ll chase you down while they’re on fire, and risk setting everything around you ablaze while they’re at it.” Not that anyone should be wandering around with open flame in the library anyways, right?

Aonghas was as grounded and sensible as ever, and Jigano’s smile returned, wry this time as he gave a small, helpless shrug at the first question. ”None that we’ve found, except that so far they have all been books, not scrolls or soft-bound journals. Other than that, all you can do is hope you see it moving out of the corner of your eye before its able to flip its cover open on you.” He nodded approvingly at the question on the paper wasps, but this time his grin turned to a faint grimace. ”No deterrents that we’ve found yet, aside from a complete lack of books for them to lay their eggs in. Perhaps something could be made, a scent or paste from some plant, but we haven’t found any records of anyone trying before.” He arched a brow in friendly challenge at his friend, wondering if Aonghas would take up that task.

He had wondered when Maea would speak up, her endless curiosity as constant as the stars and as welcome as her notes. Jigano nodded at her question, not an obvious one, but worth asking. ”From the limited ones we’ve experienced so far, no, the endings don’t change. You and I can ‘read’ the same Sentient Book on different days and we’ll both experience the same story. We might do so from the viewpoints of different characters, but the broad strokes of the tale seem to remain the same.”

He went quiet again, waiting to see if there were more questions on this topic before he moved on to the next one.


RE: Nature Red in Thorn and Claw - Quanil - 01-29-2020

Quanil was busily scribbling down the provided answers. Research into the origins of Sentient Books! How fascin-... Oooh, they're kept in the Guildhall! Make a note of that! DEFINITELY write down the ways to kill paper wasps, and they underlined "NO FIRE" thrice to be extra sure of that.

The idea of deterrents settled in their brain. Deter them? Surely they'd just go find another book then, more knowledge to destroy? No, no. Quanil was usually very understanding about the cycle of life and death - you kind of had to be, growing up in and around the Fields - but the very concept of paper wasps appalled them.

They jotted down the last bit of info, from Maea's question about the books - good to know, good to know - but the deterrent idea was still bugging them.

They raised their hand but asked at the same time, without waiting for an acknowledgement, "Let's say we figured out a 'deterrent'," they tried not to sound dismissive of the idea, "for the paper wasps and we managed to safeguard all the books here. Where would they go then?" And then a more horrible idea grabbed hold of them, and their eyes widened. "Could paper wasps infect Sentient Books? What if they destroyed a Sentient Book with someone trapped inside?!"