It seemed he had misinterpreted the bard's divine questions so Abasi tried to tone down his answers a little, attempting to be more patient. "It appears to me there is only one God that is on the 'other side', as it were, and the rest seem far more important. If they do not follow the same contract...then I do not see why they should be honoured. Even the lowest slave gets from his master food and a shelter, as he is servicing his house. By living here and tending to their world, we are the God's servants. We are entitled to recognition at least." A B A S I
The birds are mocking me
They call to be heard The birds are mocking me They curse my return |
[SE] Roots Take Hold (Open)
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Undertaker
Age: 36 | Height: 5'8" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 12 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 13 - Luck: 10 - Int:
Played by: lancydulac
Change author: Posts: 297 | Total: 8,707 MP: 0
11-16-2019, 05:34 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
Change author: Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,406 MP: 5250
11-17-2019, 01:05 AM
"Not just one," Jigano murmured, thinking of the creature at the top of the Spire who had been freed by 108's sacrifice, and by something the pale Ascended had said when they had watched the Spire that winter's night a year and more ago. Thinking, too, of how easily the Voice had bound and subdued him in the Spire. "And be careful not to discount the one you do know about. Remember that it took all the Old Gods and all their herald-gods combined to temporarily thwart her, and in barely three centuries she found a way to bring down their barrier and loose herself and her followers into the world once more." What was a mere three centuries, in the life of a world? He had known elves who had lived that long, and he suspected that there were those among the Fae who were nearly that old. Arduinna had been, he was almost certain. Not a human lifespan to be sure, but absolutely a mortal one. "An interesting mindset," he allowed with a flicker of a smile, finding some solace in debating theology; a familiar hobby, once upon a time. "But have you considered that we do not tend their world so much as they suffer our presence upon it? As I understand it, the people of this world were not so much chosen as... accidental. A byproduct of the experiments of the god Rae, who rules over nature and all its myriad possibilities." Or so Safrin's book had indicated, back when he had been in the goddess's good graces - and Amalia's as well. A lifetime ago, it sometimes felt like. Abasi had a point about Ronin and Jigano sighed slightly as he focused on growing the hedges, mixing earth magic with a bit of healing magic so they not only grew, but grew exuberantly. "Ronin was acknowledged by most of the people as the rightful ruler, but... he was one of the first stricken by the Blight. The first, I think. He still did his best to be king throughout his illness, working hard to balance the puppets Zariah and Wessex foisted on us but, yes, it took a cruel toll on him and his family." Did Abasi understand just how vicious a disease the blight had been? A moment later the question was answered and Jigano nodded. "Then perhaps you do understand how difficult it was for him," he said quietly. "But then, the same accusations you level against him go for Zariah as well, do they not? She fucked right off when things got difficult and has been absent for half a year now." And good riddance, his tone seemed to say, satisfaction evident in the curl of his lip as he urged the plants to grow strong and broad and tall. If Abasi hadn't read the notice board or heard about Jigano's brief stint as King, he certainly wasn't going to tell him. Gods least fortunate, he wished it had never happened, and the fewer people who know of it, the better. "Ah, a priest?" Jigano asked, glancing to Abasi thoughtfully and giving an understanding nod. That did explain the unhappiness with gods who didn't answer his prayers promptly. It wouldn't help him when one of them finally did decide to pay attention to him... but it explained it. "The priesthoods here are small and scattered things. Each god has their own niche, and not all of them get along. Safrin and Ludo, for instance, don't seem to get along very well, and neither of them has much respect for Frey." And all of them were capricious and potentially quite dangerous, even to their own worshipers if they answered a prayer on a bad day. "The older Old Gods were absent from the Hollowed Grounds for three hundred years, until only a year ago, so I don't think they even have proper priesthoods here. Perhaps in other places... but here their names were all but forgotten except among the most pious." The Chandrakants came to mind... and Jigano wondered what Amalia was doing that day.
Undertaker
Age: 36 | Height: 5'8" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 12 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 13 - Luck: 10 - Int:
Played by: lancydulac
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11-17-2019, 11:35 AM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
Change author: Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,406 MP: 5250
11-18-2019, 01:30 AM
Jigano was silent a moment, lost in his magic but also in thought as he tried to find a way to describe what had been seen at the top of the Spire that fateful night. Then, too, there was what 108 had told him... "At least one other," he said at last. "And... perhaps more. You seem familiar enough with the gods here to know how the gods of the Ascended came to be, yes?" Abasi's confidence and certainty in how his old religion transferred to this new world made it hard to know how much he truly understood and how much he simply assumed was the same, and Jigano was growing wary of conflating confidence with knowledge. "Perhaps 'tolerate' is a better word for it," Jigano agreed. "Though there is a reason that magic users are called 'Abandoned' after all. They are suffered, at least by Vi and Safrin, even if Ludo and Mort collect their souls like any other, and Rae and Frey seem less bothered by them than the rest. The politics between the gods are not always meant for mortals to understand," he finished softly, thinking of the dream that had called him to Mort's service, and the stone in the pouch at his side. "But if they could smite individuals, and were inclined to do so, they would have long since wiped the Ascended from this world, one by one. So there is far more going on, of a far more complicated nature, than most people realize." "I'm not sure," the bard admitted frankly, "but knowing Ronin and his sense of responsibility, he felt like falling ill and being unable to help for so long was a failing on his part, and that he was no longer fit to lead after letting people down. Or at least, feeling like he let them down. He was... far from the only one," Jigano added quietly, remembering the toll the blight had taken on him and Kiada as well, even after it had been lifted. "But the people here were not the type to need or welcome a ruler. Not for three hundred years. Zariah simply declared herself a queen which... you could do the same right now, with as much right to the title." The white haired man huffed a soft laugh of amusement at the thought. "She decided that her cousin Edrei would be Queen while she wandered off, but though Edrei was Queen in name, she was terrified of her cousin, so effectively she was a puppet. Then she tried to name others as... not equals, but sub-rulers under her. That's how Wessex got her current title. Edrei wanted someone else to do the actual work while she retained the name of Queen to appease her cousin in case Zariah came back. Ronin was the only one chosen to lead because of his experience and the trust people had in him." Jigano sighed, settling back on his heels as he shook the dirt from his hands and looked at the healthy shrubbery that now flourished in front of the deadhouse. "I've heard of monarchies such as that in some countries of my world... but in Numeria you became ruler by right of conquest and strength of arms. It was a nasty business," he admitted with a grimace. "The Black Sovereign was used by his advisors, the Technic League. Drugged and turned into a puppet for them to manipulate until... certain individuals were forced to take a hand in defeating him and helping another take the throne. One of far stronger will and honor, I'm glad to say. She was a far better ruler than he ever was, even before the League got their syringes into him." At the end he had begged Yohgel to kill him and free him from the League's manipulations. Yohgel hadn't hesitated even for a moment, of course. It wasn't her way. "In general? The Attuned, especially those native-born, are beloved of the old gods," Jigano said thoughtfully. "Ronin is invested with Safrin's divine power and likely your best bet. Amalia Chandrakant is called the Shield of Safrin for her great piety as well. Phoebe Steadman serves Frey, and Maea Valair was once seen often with Ludo..." He trailed off with a regretful sigh. "But she fell ill and hasn't been seen for several seasons now. Those others, though, might be your best bet." Of his own ties to Ludo he said nothing, cautious of arrogance and taking the soul-guide's name in vain.
Undertaker
Age: 36 | Height: 5'8" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 12 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 13 - Luck: 10 - Int:
Played by: lancydulac
Change author: Posts: 297 | Total: 8,707 MP: 0
11-18-2019, 08:28 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
Change author: Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,406 MP: 5250
11-18-2019, 09:02 PM
"'Acquired' was the old name for 'Abandoned'," Jigano explained patiently. "Magic-users, in other words. Magic users who sought to challenge the gods themselves... and, to an extent, succeeded. Which is why the old gods aren't very trusting or fond of Abandoned even now. They trusted their worshipers before, and were burned for it. They are least fond of the Ascended who worship the new gods, but their memories are long enough that all Abandoned are somewhat suspect, lest their ambitions lead them down that road once more." He blinked in astonishment as Abasi made leaps in assumptions that made little sense to him based on their conversation, and his brow furrowed as he sat back in shock. "What in the lowest hells are you talking about?" he asked, genuinely confused and no little offended. "You were the one who said that gods could smite people they didn't care for. I was explaining why they don't do that, not on this world. Perhaps it was common on yours but... no, not here." He shook his head in disgust, rising to dust his hands off on his trousers. "And no, I've killed no one, not even among the Ascended." Not for lack of trying with Wessex, though that had been a matter self-defense after she had attacked him and then unleashed a Frost Giant on him. "I count some of their number as friends, even if I disagree with their goddess." The look he had for Abasi's apparent bloodthirstiness was disappointed and distant as he glanced back at the building behind him with a frown. His work was done quietly, not as flashily as Amalia's or Phoebe's, but he would see what words he could drop in a few ears, perhaps, to make it clear that this place had no connection to the gods of Caido or the centuries of burial traditions of such a small community. If he found that Abasi was misrepresenting himself as he seemed so eager to do with Jigano's words, then he would see if stronger steps would need to be taken. "Phoebe has a number of responsibilities," he agreed, turning his attention back to Abasi with the courteous expression back in place, professional and polite to all outward appearances. "As does Amalia. As you might imagine, those with the gods' favor tend to be busy with tasks both mundane and divine. But I wish you the best of luck in your discussions with them."
Undertaker
Age: 36 | Height: 5'8" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 12 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 13 - Luck: 10 - Int:
Played by: lancydulac
Change author: Posts: 297 | Total: 8,707 MP: 0
11-18-2019, 09:41 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
Change author: Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,406 MP: 5250
11-18-2019, 10:08 PM
"No, as long as you don't try to enforce it on anyone else I don't think anyone minds what you call yourself," Jigano agreed easily. "I prefer to use the term 'mage' for those who can use magic. It is... less fraught with historical baggage here." He shrugged lightly, but the next batch of questions that Abasi had asked startled him and raised invisible hackles. He quickly reviewed the conversation they'd had so far, but they'd focused almost entirely on magic users, and spoken only briefly about Ascended. Even then, he'd represented their goddess with more respect than usual, acknowledging her strength and stating her history as he knew it, without much personal embellishment. He'd mentioned the enmity of the old gods towards the new, but hadn't spoken of his own affiliations - though he had openly displayed magic, marking him as another of the Abandoned alongside Abasi. Why the other man would think he was an enemy of the Ascended or had killed them... it left him baffled and no little angry, though he didn't let it show on the surface. The man was quicker to jump to conclusions than Sam! "What makes you think I don't empathize with them?" he asked mildly. "You're the only one to have brought up violence so far, given that the last war here was centuries and generations ago. It's true that the Old Gods are less fond of Ascended than even they are of Abandoned, but even so they have made no direct move to harm them." He was very interested indeed to hear where Abasi had gotten that idea.
Undertaker
Age: 36 | Height: 5'8" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 12 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 13 - Luck: 10 - Int:
Played by: lancydulac
Change author: Posts: 297 | Total: 8,707 MP: 0
11-20-2019, 02:17 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
Change author: Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,406 MP: 5250
11-20-2019, 03:49 PM
Not even an apology for making such a wild statement? Jigano hid his exasperation, retreating to courteous neutrality and a calm, mild voice, though inwardly he felt his annoyance grow. "The Ascended are people," he said with a shrug, focusing on Abasi's question and trying to let his ruffled feathers calm once more. "Some of them chose the Voice because they felt they had no other option... others were tricked or bribed into it. No few outlanders like ourselves arrive in an Ascended body whether they want to be or not. The problem isn't them... or at least, not as a whole. The problem is with individuals who know that they are harming or killing others at her command and do so willingly - even eagerly." Jigano sighed, reaching up to punch the bridge of his nose in an attempt to stop the incipient headache gathering behind his temples. "Wessex told the Fae that she would let the barrierfolk decide whether to continue with her in charge... but it hasn't happened yet. The Fae have said that as long as Wessex rules, no barrierfolk will be allowed in the Greatwood - because Wessex led an invasion to destroy one of the Fae's sacred monuments, an ancient tree said to house the spirit of a goddess, and killed the Fae who had been set to defend it. For now, I'm waiting to see how that turns out." He looked up again, dirt smudged across his face as he gave Abasi a crooked smile. "But either way, I'm just one man. There's not much I can do on my own, and there are many voices that should be heard - more than just the gods, old or new." He looked around at the yard, with its newly-planted trees and hedges already more than half-grown to their full size. "What of you? Do you have any interest in exploring this world through the portals that are opening up against the wishes of the old gods?"
Undertaker
Age: 36 | Height: 5'8" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 12 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 13 - Luck: 10 - Int:
Played by: lancydulac
Change author: Posts: 297 | Total: 8,707 MP: 0
11-21-2019, 10:46 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
Change author: Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,406 MP: 5250 "The Queen is, yes, by her own words and seen with my own eyes," Jigano confirmed grimly. "I don't know exactly how many others, but some are known to me." Names Abasi had not earned, nor given any indication that he could be trusted with them. The compliment earned a gracious nod of acknowledgment but no smile. It didn't seem to be just his otherworld upbringing and bias; there was something strangely off about the man's sense of morality, and Jigano was regretting that he had stopped to offer assistance. He tilted his head curiously at the obsession with Loren from one who had, he thought, arrived so recently, but the Launceleyn man could be charismatic when he wasn't in one of his moods. Then, too, the family had an unnerving habit of collecting and controlling people through various combinations of fear and seduction, and Abasi seemed the type to throw himself eagerly into that mold. Jigano bit back a sigh and instead went to retrieve his books. "Well, it sounds like you have some thinking to do," he said with a shrug. "If I hear of anyone needing help with a burial, I'll let them know about you." At least in passing. "Have a good day." With a short bow he let himself out the walk, passing between the hedges and heading back to his own errands.
Undertaker
Age: 36 | Height: 5'8" | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 12 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 13 - Luck: 10 - Int:
Played by: lancydulac
Change author: Posts: 297 | Total: 8,707 MP: 0
11-22-2019, 09:53 PM
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