[empire] A meeting of bone on bone

[drack]

The veritable village of tents was filled with wrinkled old men and women shuffling about. At your approach they clear a slight path, not stopping, but rather walking around to make way. An old lady with withered skin points towards a tent, informing you "Horc. Ko Adan, Pavvats Hekerin Umbelledon." The tent in question stands tall, perhaps large enough to fit a hundred people comfortably. A soft smoke fills the tent drifting off in scattered wisps, and all upon its outer edges are the bones of creatures both known and unknown. About the entrance is the skeleton of something much resembling a bull, the ribs, hips, and legs parted, cut, and hanging to either side of the entrance, the spine hanging down through the center of it like a large decorative tassel hung for luck. The softest breeze rises through the caves where the tent is erected causing the bones to clap and knock to some cacophonous rhythm. Like most of the tents this one too seems to be made not of one leather or cloth, but of countless scraps, all bound together. Unlike the others however, it sat somewhat apart from the others which seemed to knit closely enough together to almost be as one.

[Rain Dragon]

Aglus Thuidans Leikeis Kaiser stood atop a cliff, surveying the camp before him. His purple 'hair' lay still in the dead air of the caves as he turned to the Haljans behind him. Today, he'd brought three which for any other Haljan may seem too few. One was a particularly large Sär Haljan who did not carry a scythe, yet she was still a full head shorter than Aglus. It was almost comical to see the two together; one tall and delicate the other shorter and well muscled. The other two Haljans were both Griuhna Haljans who would look the same if not for a large scar across one's face. Like the other they were both clearly Zirndar Haljans yet none carried a weapon and the two Griuhna Haljans wielded simple scythes. Aglus wondered if requesting they carry no weapons was wise, especially as he had to carry Ghostfire with him. The sword in question rested in its scabard horizontally at Aglus' lower back, its distinctive handle gleaming eerily in the light. The Haljans were glad they were finally able to master gently guiding the Kathuan Wisps as their light was more pleasant than the bright flickering torchlight they would have otherwise had to use.

Perhaps light would not have been necessary, but the Kaiser arranged it nonetheless out of consideration for the Lorvyn delegation. Their presence was not necessary, but Aglus believed it would be for the best especially if 'activating the tents' meant these people would move soon. He only hoped they would not move somewhere that would cause trouble; they seemed pleasant and had a level of intrigue that many found rather alluring. Aglus clicked his pincers and rearranged the loose strips of cloth which hung around the spikes at his hips. "We are ready." he stated generally as he looked at his ornate scythe. An Aizium likeness of a Luftus Nochenwaurm spiraled down its length, its jaws resting atop the blade. Ornate Feran lettering marked the bearer of the Scythe as a Thuidans, the son of Aipiskaupus Thuidans. He only hoped he could be remembered as a great Kaiser in his own right as his father was.

[drack]

The witches continue to walk about the emissaries. :smalltongue:

[Rain Dragon]

The witches continue to walk about the emissaries. :smalltongue:

((OOC - Heh, sorry they're not there yet, I wanted to introduce my characters and let Kitsanth introduce hers before entering the camp. :smallredface:))

[Kitsanth]

Halja. Despite their long friendship with the Haljans, Niskans had rarely ventured here over the centuries. Part of that was a fear of being deep underground - for the entirety of their long history Niskans had always been a surface dwelling people - but for the most part it was because the Haljans liked their boundaries and the Niskans respected that. And now an invitation had come, to meet with the representatives of another people. Even with the rumours that had been circulating throughout the Commonwealth it was still a most unexpected situation. When the messenger had brought the news to Raykhenbakh it had taken some time to select a senior representative who was able to take a break from their typical duties for an undisclosed length of time. The Grand Prince would have liked to attend himself but the House was still recovering from the unfortunate events two decades ago and so an extended journey into the depths of Halja was not an option for him. In the end a distant cousin had been chosen, one who would hopefully be comfortable below ground. With luck, she had even been at Raykhenbakh and so had been able to set off as soon as the decision had been reached.

Travelling across the Steppe had been easy and upon reaching the Grove of the Sycamore they had engaged a guide, the messenger knew the way of course but a local guide would be of help in avoiding any dangers along the way. After a slightly harrowing journey they reached the newcomer's encampment. The Niskovian representative left most of her guard with their guide, taking only three others with her - a Severtian and two Niskans of mixed heritage - and proceeded to lead the way into the camp.

The Severtian towered over the others and was clearly a bodyguard, even if his only weapon was a metal staff. The Niskans - one male, one female - could have been either guards or aides, it is always hard to be sure with the customary formal gowns they wear. And the grey hint to their skin likely indicated Karranan heritage, which was probably why they had been chosen to accompany the representative. As for the representative herself, well she was interesting. Clearly the daughter of some Karintiyan Matriarch, yet she also wore a Niskan gown. The colours of her overrobe were no help either, for they did not correspond with those of any Niskan House.

"It seems the Haljans are already here," she said, having spotted the Kaiser nearby, "hopefully we have not delayed proceedings too much with our late arrival."

[Rain Dragon]

Halja. Despite their long friendship with the Haljans, Niskans had rarely ventured here over the centuries. Part of that was a fear of being deep underground - for the entirety of their long history Niskans had always been a surface dwelling people - but for the most part it was because the Haljans liked their boundaries and the Niskans respected that. And now an invitation had come, to meet with the representatives of another people. Even with the rumours that had been circulating throughout the Commonwealth it was still a most unexpected situation. When the messenger had brought the news to Raykhenbakh it had taken some time to select a senior representative who was able to take a break from their typical duties for an undisclosed length of time. The Grand Prince would have liked to attend himself but the House was still recovering from the unfortunate events two decades ago and so an extended journey into the depths of Halja was not an option for him. In the end a distant cousin had been chosen, one who would hopefully be comfortable below ground. With luck, she had even been at Raykhenbakh and so had been able to set off as soon as the decision had been reached.

Travelling across the Steppe had been easy and upon reaching the Grove of the Sycamore they had engaged a guide, the messenger knew the way of course but a local guide would be of help in avoiding any dangers along the way. After a slightly harrowing journey they reached the newcomer's encampment. The Niskovian representative left most of her guard with their guide, taking only three others with her - a Severtian and two Niskans of mixed heritage - and proceeded to lead the way into the camp.

The Severtian towered over the others and was clearly a bodyguard, even if his only weapon was a metal staff. The Niskans - one male, one female - could have been either guards or aides, it is always hard to be sure with the customary formal gowns they wear. And the grey hint to their skin likely indicated Karranan heritage, which was probably why they had been chosen to accompany the representative. As for the representative herself, well she was interesting. Clearly the daughter of some Karintiyan Matriarch, yet she also wore a Niskan gown. The colours of her overrobe were no help either, for they did not correspond with those of any Niskan House.

"It seems the Haljans are already here," she said, having spotted the Kaiser nearby, "hopefully we have not delayed proceedings too much with our late arrival."

The Kaiser didn't turn to address the Karranan, "I don't think you are late at all." His companions seemed startled as though they hadn't heard the representative's voice let alone make out any words. "That said, it would be wise to continue now unless you needed something." The Kaiser turned to face the delegation as he spoke, raising an antenna as his vaguely avian face brightened. Though their faces are far more expressive than other Haljans, Muruzaik Haljans also don't smile in the same way humans do. Much of a Haljan's expression to those who have been around them for a time seem to be with their antennae. Aglus' antennae flicked backward once as he noted the representative gown and over-robe. Interesting... he thought as he held an open palm with claws angled toward the camp. "Shall we?"


The veritable village of tents was filled with wrinkled old men and women shuffling about. At your approach they clear a slight path, not stopping, but rather walking around to make way. An old lady with withered skin points towards a tent, informing you "Horc. Ko Adan, Pavvats Hekerin Umbelledon." The tent in question stands tall, perhaps large enough to fit a hundred people comfortably. A soft smoke fills the tent drifting off in scattered wisps, and all upon its outer edges are the bones of creatures both known and unknown. About the entrance is the skeleton of something much resembling a bull, the ribs, hips, and legs parted, cut, and hanging to either side of the entrance, the spine hanging down through the center of it like a large decorative tassel hung for luck. The softest breeze rises through the caves where the tent is erected causing the bones to clap and knock to some cacophonous rhythm. Like most of the tents this one too seems to be made not of one leather or cloth, but of countless scraps, all bound together. Unlike the others however, it sat somewhat apart from the others which seemed to knit closely enough together to almost be as one.

Haljans tend to prefer a larger 'personal space' and in most cases also tend to receive it. Aglus Thuidans Leikeis Kaiser was relaxed, but his three companions seemed alert as they watched the people walk past. When the old lady pointed out the tent, the Kaiser examined it briefly before walking toward it; if he wasn't supposed to then surely one of the people would stop him. His eyes narrowed at the tent as he thought he saw some of the distinctive bones of a... No... They surely wouldn't have...

The Ferans halted outside the tent at a respectful distance; it would not do to simply stroll in especially considering none of them knew what 'Horc. Ko Adan, Pavvats Hekerin Umbelledon.' meant.

[drack]

Through the open tent flaps of woven dark-beadles the pungent incense filled the air, bitter and sour like ginger and lemongrass. Within a dark round of cackling can be heard.
A whispered voice filled with authority and power cuts through the laughter "Dereklankt" Suddenly the laughter dies off as several of the witches glance out the tent towards the emissaries. Someone can be heard rising somewhere removed from view, their footsteps gently patting across the ground, more like the feet of a dancer then those of most witches. A young man with black hair and brown eyes passes into sight, then snapping his fingers the whole of his face bursts into flames. Thick black smoke fills the air reeking of burning flesh with an acidic tinge to it. Bowing elegantly he spins on his heel to reveal his back as his front just as the flames begin to die out on the back of his head. The man appears an elderly man with an elegantly trimmed mustache.

"You'll excuse his bravos performances." An elderly woman with a twig through her hair comments idly in the trade tongue.

Balefully the man glares down at the woman before turning back to their guests. "Please, be welcome to the Tent of Bones, may you unweary your shoulders and feel the magics of the earth whisper underfoot. May you elevate your woes and thoughts in the company of the weary and the presence of the wise. We, the masters of the shrunken world entreat you to join us, the guiding spirits of the coven of old and warped old ones of them all who walk." Smiling with cunning delight the man beckons for the envoys to enter.

A deep mist suffuses the interior to the tent, moist like condensing steam or a gentle morning mist. Power seems to pulse through the air with it pressing in like the stifling air of a crowded room packed with people pressed up against each other. The tent itself however was quite spacious, housing only seven or eight individuals. The two mentioned, an eleven year old girl in yellow green and orange patchwork rags looking down at her lap, a rather anxious looking old man who looked like he wanted to say something but knew not what sat spaced out to the left of the entrance. A wrinkled old woman with eyes that sparkled like pearls as she observed the company, and an old man who looked most gentlemanly despite the fact that he too was dressed in rags waited patiently across from the entrance. To the right was a woman holding what looked like a mutated humanoidal baby carcass, playing with it in her hands as if there was nothing else in the world. Beside the woman with the dead thing, propped up against the fresh corpse of a verwolf was the torso of an elderly woman, her flesh pulpy and stringy where her top was severed, her eyes closed as if in sleep, and her arms loosely wrapped about a shukenloose.

Verwolves are large arachnids with stony bulbous bodies known to chase down anything bigger then a dog through the deeper underground caverns. While the creatures were a deadly prey to hunt and hard to kill, they are generally prized for the tender meats in their legs and often it is considered a sign of fortune to encounter one so long as it doesn't give chase.

Shukenloose, while much smaller, are considered amongst the more deadly threats in the deep-earth, with a feline torso and many-legged centipede-like lower bodies. They stalk their prey jumping across cave walls and clattering across them with remarkable ease. Shukenloose fight with speed, cunning, and a ferocity rarely seen in nature, tearing savagely at their prey with their fanged jaws made for tearing flesh rather then trapping prey. The true danger of Shukenloose however was their number as if one is near it often means a nest of near a hundred ready to fall unto you whilst your attention is distracted by the first.


The old wrinkled woman at the center of the tent motions for their guests to be seated. "Speak freely and of your entrails voice."

The tent is otherwise littered with bone-ornaments hanging from the comb-ceiling overhead, intricate runes formed in bone lace the interior of the tent and several small colorful flames burn giving illumination to its interior.

[Kitsanth]

The Kaiser didn't turn to address the Karranan, "I don't think you are late at all." His companions seemed startled as though they hadn't heard the representative's voice let alone make out any words. "That said, it would be wise to continue now unless you needed something." The Kaiser turned to face the delegation as he spoke, raising an antenna as his vaguely avian face brightened. Though their faces are far more expressive than other Haljans, Muruzaik Haljans also don't smile in the same way humans do. Much of a Haljan's expression to those who have been around them for a time seem to be with their antennae. Aglus' antennae flicked backward once as he noted the representative gown and over-robe. Interesting... he thought as he held an open palm with claws angled toward the camp. "Shall we?"

The Ferans halted outside the tent at a respectful distance; it would not do to simply stroll in especially considering none of them knew what 'Horc. Ko Adan, Pavvats Hekerin Umbelledon.' meant.

The representative declined the offer of a delay, surveying the Kaiser with veiled interest. She had never met one of the Muruzaik before and no portrait had ever managed to really capture the elegance of any Haljan. Accepting his invitation to lead the way she followed him in. A few hand signals had her aides observing their surroundings - it was important that they learn all they could so that her inevitable report to the Grand Prince would be as complete as possible. Soon they reached the tent and as Aglus' had stopped she did as well. If this was the meeting place - which did seem to be the case as it was the sole place they had been directed - it would not do to enter before their hosts were ready for them.

They speak no tongue I have heard before, she mused, not entirely unexpected. Brankica will be most interested in these people for that reason alone.

[drack]

OOC

Above, sorry 'bout that mate. :smallredface:

[Rain Dragon]

Through the open tent flaps of woven dark-beadles the pungent incense filled the air, bitter and sour like ginger and lemongrass. Within a dark round of cackling can be heard.
A whispered voice filled with authority and power cuts through the laughter "Dereklankt" Suddenly the laughter dies off as several of the witches glance out the tent towards the emissaries. Someone can be heard rising somewhere removed from view, their footsteps gently patting across the ground, more like the feet of a dancer then those of most witches. A young man with black hair and brown eyes passes into sight, then snapping his fingers the whole of his face bursts into flames. Thick black smoke fills the air reeking of burning flesh with an acidic tinge to it. Bowing elegantly he spins on his heel to reveal his back as his front just as the flames begin to die out on the back of his head. The man appears an elderly man with an elegantly trimmed mustache.

"You'll excuse his bravos performances." An elderly woman with a twig through her hair comments idly in the trade tongue.

Balefully the man glares down at the woman before turning back to their guests. "Please, be welcome to the Tent of Bones, may you unweary your shoulders and feel the magics of the earth whisper underfoot. May you elevate your woes and thoughts in the company of the weary and the presence of the wise. We, the masters of the shrunken world entreat you to join us, the guiding spirits of the coven of old and warped old ones of them all who walk." Smiling with cunning delight the man beckons for the envoys to enter.

A deep mist suffuses the interior to the tent, moist like condensing steam or a gentle morning mist. Power seems to pulse through the air with it pressing in like the stifling air of a crowded room packed with people pressed up against each other. The tent itself however was quite spacious, housing only seven or eight individuals. The two mentioned, an eleven year old girl in yellow green and orange patchwork rags looking down at her lap, a rather anxious looking old man who looked like he wanted to say something but knew not what sat spaced out to the left of the entrance. A wrinkled old woman with eyes that sparkled like pearls as she observed the company, and an old man who looked most gentlemanly despite the fact that he too was dressed in rags waited patiently across from the entrance. To the right was a woman holding what looked like a mutated humanoidal baby carcass, playing with it in her hands as if there was nothing else in the world. Beside the woman with the dead thing, propped up against the fresh corpse of a verwolf was the torso of an elderly woman, her flesh pulpy and stringy where her top was severed, her eyes closed as if in sleep, and her arms loosely wrapped about a shukenloose.

Verwolves are large arachnids with stony bulbous bodies known to chase down anything bigger then a dog through the deeper underground caverns. While the creatures were a deadly prey to hunt and hard to kill, they are generally prized for the tender meats in their legs and often it is considered a sign of fortune to encounter one so long as it doesn't give chase.

Shukenloose, while much smaller, are considered amongst the more deadly threats in the deep-earth, with a feline torso and many-legged centipede-like lower bodies. They stalk their prey jumping across cave walls and clattering across them with remarkable ease. Shukenloose fight with speed, cunning, and a ferocity rarely seen in nature, tearing savagely at their prey with their fanged jaws made for tearing flesh rather then trapping prey. The true danger of Shukenloose however was their number as if one is near it often means a nest of near a hundred ready to fall unto you whilst your attention is distracted by the first.


The old wrinkled woman at the center of the tent motions for their guests to be seated. "Speak freely and of your entrails voice."

The tent is otherwise littered with bone-ornaments hanging from the comb-ceiling overhead, intricate runes formed in bone lace the interior of the tent and several small colorful flames burn giving illumination to its interior.

It all happened so quickly. The Ferans were initially a little surprised to see a seemingly young human appear. Vahl! the Sär Haljan thought to herself as the man's face burst into flame. The world seemed to move in slow motion as the three Haljans watched the Kaiser stare in horror at the man, frozen for a split second.

Panic. Terror. A bellow, the smell of burning flesh. Aglus was almost too fast to catch as he turned and began to flee, a horrified scream echoed throughout the caves that became more shrill as the three Haljans threw themselves at the Kaiser and pinned him to the ground. They were especially careful not to harm him, which only made it more difficult to keep him still. The roaring of monsters as I ran. It took a while before the Kaiser was still again and the Haljans felt they could safely help him back to his feet. They offered him some wine made from the new 'Ankaika' fruit known in trade as 'deep gorge fruit'. The drink is a deep fuchsia colour and seems to help calm the Kaiser considerably though he still trembled as he stared at the ground a little in front of his pincers. The scarred Griuhna Haljan gently picked up the Kaiser's scythe and returned it to him, holding it with a respect befitting such an item.

((When he was very young, Aglus Thuidans attended the Grand Ball with the Niskan delegation where the King of the Kingdom of the Carmine Sea burst into flames in front of a crowd of people. Aglus panicked and fled, a Cree bellowed and charged at the burning king to carry him out to the sea and almost died in the process, his armour fusing with his flesh. (He would have actually died if not for Mosi). Some of the dragon-blooded people took on their dragon forms and started to argue rather loudly. Some of the Niskan delegation found Aglus among berry bushes too exhausted to have possibly run any further.))

EDIT - The late edits are because I'm only just now writing about deep gorge fruit. :smallredface: Everything is in order now!

[drack]

The gathering in the tent, for the most part ignores the outburst.

"You overdid it." The woman adds sourly.

"No, this here is a man of good taste who can recognize true talent where he sees it!" The old mustached man corrects her.

"Real talent? My piss holds more power then you used. Enough with your elixirs and oils, if you're to show power show Prundakava."

"Did I not?"

"The past is simple, it's the future that serves as a veil."

Looking cross the man opens his mouth as if to reply before noticing that nobody else was talking. Quietly he finds a seat before declaring "The tent of bone waits." almost mechanically as if he used the phrase often.

[Kitsanth]

The light down here was dim even with the addition of several Kathuan Wisps but a lack of light wasn't really an issue for any Karranan. And so the representative was able to pull her aides from the path of the charging Haljan. then walk forward to the tent-flap. Entering before the Kaiser, well it wasn't exactly protocol but he probably needed a little time to collect himself after seeing that.

"Wait here." she said quietly.

Leaving her aides to make quiet observations about their surroundings and the antics of their hosts, the representative walked over to the Kaiser.

"The Grand Ball of 480?" she asked rhetorically once he seemed calmer than before, "Lady Esteri Macari at your service."

[drack]

"I am Horrage Pishpot, a pleasure I hope." The old man grandly introduces himself.

Schlogfa The woman with the twig in her hair adds as if it were an unimportant detail.

The young girl says nothing staring off into space, but the anxious looking elderly man beside her introduces himself as Kirudam, emphasizing his title as "grand master of pasts."

The old woman with pearl-like eyes waits as if for someone to introduce her. If truth were told none of them looked particularly comfortable introducing themselves, as if they were accustomed to either being introduced, or simply known by sight. The gentlemanly man beside her however introduced himself curtly as Tod, after which she added "Shorbaba", her long nose shriveling with distaste.

The woman beside the veritable pile of corpses picks absentmindedly at something on the dead infant's skull as she speaks. "...and I am Zuluthea. We appologize for our scarce number, but the others are... occupied with other tasks." Ignoring The Kaiser for the moment she turns to Lady Esteri Macari. "It is said you are of nearby dirt. The living speak little of you, but the spirits much. Tell we, why have you come to the tent of the bone?"

[Rain Dragon]

The three Ferans who accompanied the Kaiser stood outside the strange tent adorned with bones, amazed at the Witches and not in a good way.
"If these people are wanderers who became lost in time as Sinths says, their reality was likely very different to our own." the Sär Haljan noted quietly in trade language for the benefit of any Lorvyn representatives nearby who did not speak Haljan, a frustrated buzz making its way into her voice. "Else they'd know more about how people are here. I'd think Aglus Thuidans Leikeis Kaiser's reaction unmistakable to most."
The scarred Griuhna Haljan's antennae quivered lightly, "But the other one seems to have strange views on time. If they travelled across realities then how can they not know the past and future are so interconnected that making such a sweeping statement is dubious at best?"
The Sär Haljan remained silent a moment, uncertain of an answer. The Griuhna Haljan with no scar raised an antenna, "These people are in a restricted area. Aglus will sort everything out. Already Haljans have joined them. If we don't find out what we need to know now, they-"
"What? Who?"
"I heard from the Kvista of my only son. Some of his people left to join them a bit over two years ago."

The Kaiser took a deep breath in through his mouth and out through his nose as he closed his eyes and savoured the wine a little longer. His mates seemed to be in a fierce discussion over something or other. The Lorvyn representative's words pierced through the Kaiser's meditation. "Thank you, Lady Estari Macari. I shall be fine, though if they have a habit of... this sort of thing..." Aglus winced lightly before changing the subject. "We are ready to enter now, if you would join us. The other Haljans shall enter as well as it seems you have brought guards."

[Kitsanth]

Watching Lady Esteri leave the tent, it was hard for her aides not to feel somewhat bereft. Neither had the training or authority for these sorts of negotiations without a senior representative present. Nethertheless they were here now and it fell to them to explain the situation somewhat.
One silent argument later and the male aide stepped forward.

"Lady Esteri should return shortly," he said.

Meanwhile, just outside Esteri was finishing up her conversation with the Kaiser.

"You are well now?" she asked unnecessarily. From here they were easily able to hear their hosts talking. It seemed they were becoming somewhat impatient to get on with things.

Esteri considered the tent carefully. "It would be best to not keep them waiting," she agreed.

And with that she entered the tent alongside the Kaiser, just in time to hear the last of their introductions.

[drack]

OOC
Whoops, I had assumed from...

And so the representative was able to pull her aides from the path of the charging Haljan. then walk forward to the tent-flap.
That the representative had entered, and that by...


Leaving her aides to make quiet observations about their surroundings and the antics of their hosts, the representative walked over to the Kaiser.
That the kaiser was there as well. :smallconfused:

"Lady Esteri Macari at your service."
Which is why I figured a general introduction ought to be met in kind.



And with that she entered the tent alongside the Kaiser, just in time to hear the last of their introductions.

...which seems to be incorrect on all three accounts. :smallredface:

You'll bear with me, I'm ill accustomed to the rate of play as I tend to GM games where players always want a reply, and even when I've played lords of creation or fields of blood I've found folks trying to cram more activities into less posts to keep up with the rate of the game, so I hope you'll bear with me as I acclimate. :smallsmile:

In any case I suppose I'll leave it as is for simplicity's sake. Which leaves them asking after Lady Macari's intents. :smallsmile:

[Rain Dragon]

The Kaiser entered the tent of bones with dignity, his scythe held so the blade curved over his head. The other Haljans entered a respectable distance behind the Kaiser and the representatives of Lorvyn, the two Griuhna Haljans holding their scythes as the Kaiser did but ensuring their blades were pointed away from the Sär Haljan who walked between them. The Haljans did not seem outwardly bothered by the tent's contents until their eyes rested upon the witch who was playing with what seemed to be a humanoid infant's carcass. The Kaiser made a point not to comment yet as now was clearly not the time and the other Haljans followed suit. The Kaiser stood where the old lady seemed to be motioning for them to stand with the other Haljans standing around and slightly behind him.

The statement to 'speak freely and of your entrails voice' was strange to the Haljans, but the moment passed as the witches introduced themselves. The Kaiser's antennae twitched once at mention of important witches busy with other things rather than meeting with them. So there are more to fill such a large tent. What could they be doing, then, that is so important? Perhaps they do not realise the importance of my coming here? he thought to himself, though the latter was unlikely. Just as he was to request a meeting on neutral ground with these people, an invitation was extended to Sinths Thuidans Waithja Sokan Talzjands Eorl to meet with them in their bone tent. Strangely, this invitation was extended to the other Eorls of Fera. Though it was dangerous to come to an unknown nation with unknown motives, the Kaiser felt he had to come personally to sort this out as soon as possible. If anything drastic were to happen to him, the next Kaiser of Fera will draw Ghostfire from the Great Tree's roots and war would ensue.

As the witch ignored him and addressed Lady Macari, the Kaiser resisted clicking his pincers. It would seem that either the witches have no concept of manners or they thought very little of him. Either possibility did not bode well and though the Haljans had not had a chance to introduce themselves as yet, it would not do to interrupt Lady Macari.

* Jion throws his hands in the air and laughs awkwardly *

It is why I PM'd you! I did not know the misunderstanding continued! Don't worry about rushing your posts then, and feel free to take the time to ask as many questions as you need (within reason).

[Kitsanth]

Nearby dirt? They must mean foreign land, Esteri concluded.

Given that she had been directly addressed and unsure as to whether or not their hosts had heard her introduce herself to the Kaiser whilst they had been outside, for all that these witches seemed to have impressive hearing...

"I am Lady Esteri Macari, here as representative of the Niskovian Crown." she stated, "My apologies if the introduction is redundant."

She took a seat and one of her aides handed a notepad to her - detailed upon it were the names of the delegates that had introduced themselves thus far, along with a few details of their observations thus far. Esteri glanced at it briefly.

"Zuluthea was it?" she asked, "Your spirits are correct. My people live above ground. As for why I have come, the Kaiser requested the presence of an observer from the Commonwealth. And so I am here."

"I trust that this will not be an issue?"

[drack]

OOC

Well, I'm not so much rushing the posts themselves as the events that transpire within them. :smallsmile:

Zuluthea grins knowingly, but as she begins to open her mouth Shorbaba speaks up, her voice like soft yet with a sharp bite to it like waves near the shore. "Of course not dear, speak from your entrails, not your left hip... or..." The woman thinks for a moment before continuing. "Of your mind, not your standing. The bone tent is a place of... Koff..." Catching herself she thinks a moment before finishing "... truth, unveiling, and decision making. That goes for all." Her gaze sweeps over all the existing witches and the new arrivals as if to emphasize that it held for all.

Schlogfa looks like she wants to say otherwise, glancing at Zuluthea and her pile of corpses, but holds her tongue none the less, pulling a handfull of moldy brown moss from her pocket and rubbing it into itself as if to break up the fibers in it.

[Rain Dragon]

"I am Aglus Thuidans Leikeis Kaiser, Kaiser of Fera which includes Halja where we are currently." Aglus Thuidans Leikeis Kaiser states simply. Noting these people seem to have set some rules, he introduces the other three Haljans as well. "This is Scratch." he points to the larger Haljan to his right with no coloured markings or scythe. Pointing to the Griuhna Haljan with a scar across her face he introduces her as 'Beitrast Jöro'. The other Griuhna Haljan who stood to his left is introduced as 'Kareis Zjardei'.

Unwilling to remain for very long lest more complications arise Aglus queries generally of the witches, "Why did you invite us here?"

[drack]

Kirudam the Grand Master of Pasts takes this chance to speak up. It has been some small time that we have shared your soils with you, and it so happens that before our isolation, in a time few care to remember, problems arose. I assume you've heard the story of how The Ancient Coven came to be? Of how the Sons and Daughters of witchcraft not only abused their gifts wildly about the world, but of how The Ancient Coven was made as the sol coven of witches to keep witches as a whole contained and controlled under our wise leadership. While this was primarily done to restrain witches from selfishly furthering their own agendas and raging out of control with their magics, it would be irresponsible of us not to try our best to smooth over what rough edges we each might have formed in each others company. We have learned much of your tongue yet your minds are alien. Do you not agree? Speak freely and may your entrails spill forth. Kirudam watches through narrowed eyes, his focus all upon his guests, not once doubting the firm resolve of his tongue.

Shlogfa however looks less convinced, and corrects "May the yoke of your minds and hearts be shared that all might benefit."

"For instance..." Shorbaba begins "Your people have unvaried diet refusing to eat rocks, your people do not follow your leadership raiding and revolting, and your people are segregated by gender and birth. Try as we might, we cannot fathom why it is you choose to live this way. Our intent is to bring such arguments to open air and share our reasons and feel out our disagreements so that thoughts of Haljan-slaying, and more primarily to our sight, witch-slaying can be left far from each other, and so that peace and alliance of hearts can be reached to better allow our peoples prosperity."

[Rain Dragon]

The Haljans' antennae twitch before lying back. Aglus responds to the query, "Our bodies simply do not digest rocks, just as plants will make us ill, certain insects, venom. This is not something that is a choice for Haljans and it seems odd to me that a people that surrounds themselves in bones would not realise creatures cannot choose what they can and cannot eat. It disturbs me then, that reports of a few years ago claim your people have been luring Haljans to your camp. Our people joining yours of their own free will is one thing, but to actively entice them to join you is another especially as you claim you do not understand our people."

"There are over four million Ferans. The Kaiser and Feran Council work hard to maintain order. To expect perfection of even a nation of one thousandth that size is madness." Scratch added.

Aglus nodded awkwardly; the more human gesture still foreign to him, "For the most part our people are good. It is unfair and bold to claim they raid and revolt on the whole when it is but a few. It is also revealing that you believe our society segregated by sex, whereas this is for the most part no longer the case. Gulth Thuidans 「may he be at peace in Taknys and return to us soon」 spent a large portion of his lifetime attempting to unify the sexes and eliminate discrimination. This is not something that happens overnight, however, so you may be seeing some remnants of the past but again it seems unfair to judge over four million Ferans on the acts of a few."

"Haljans being separated by birth is not as strict as it could be seen from the outside, especially from a species where male and female are capable of most of the same things. Haljans however, are more like ants or bees. In a simplified example of ants, there is the queen ant whose role is to lay hundreds of eggs. There are worker ants whose role is to gather food and build a home. Try as they might however, the worker ants simply don't have the ability to lay any eggs that would hatch even if they wanted to. The queen ant is similarly incapable of efficiently carrying out the worker ant's tasks due to her body designed solely to lay eggs. Together, however, the worker and the queen ant create a harmonious society. Even then, were a Sokjaun Haljan to burn with an undying passion to become a warrior, they could do so if they so desired though it would take much time and effort both physically and mentally to train themselves to be able to match the abilities of a Zirndar Haljan." Beitrast tried to explain.

"There are Kvista of Haljans who do not use the caste system at all. They are rare, however, and usually still bear many similarities to it nonetheless. If it works, then who am I to force them to conform to it? Forcing ourselves to conform to ideas which simply do not work for us was a large part of the problem the castes are there to resolve." Aglus adds. His face remains neutral as he asks, "If you consider our physical state of being to be disagreements between your people and mine, then I wonder why you are here?"

[drack]

"It is not your peoples, but your culture of which we understand little. For time untold we've roamed the path of stone finding many creatures as you say, constrained by their Krun, their being, or bodies. Shorbaba is of an elder age, a Daughter of Witchcraft, a land of... different powers." While she didn't say it outright, it was plain for any who knew the political dynamic that she had her doubts. Shorbaba was known to be of the first generation of witches made through the craft rather then heritage, and the power that came with it was widely respected among the witches. There were however no seas or oceans beneath the rock, so time and again Shorbaba's powers were oft doubted and questioned. Not outright, such would not only be disrespectful, but openly invite conflict, but it filled the air none the less. "It is often believed within the witches that enlightenment can free one of such physical constraints over time, though for some this time is longer then others. There are so many things your peoples have that never before have we seen, so it is surprising to we who have for ages had only each other that you might lack such things."

"Take for instance this." Kirudam the Grand Master of Pasts intergects, producing an old copy of Skrift


[SOILER=Skrift - the Feran Newspaper]
Traditionalist Riots Break out in Halja
17 Era of Air 6, Höriths-Frius Mena, Umbrenag 3 (542 CC)

Despite waning numbers and power, the Traditionalists of Halja continue to be a nuisance. However, where once they commanded enough to rival our Army they now are a small group who nonetheless remain a thorn in Fera's side. Recently the Traditionalist cause has become a more real issue. Rather than protesting, underhanded dealings or generally tolerable misbehaviour this time the Traditionalists slandered Aglus Thuidans Leikeis Kaiser's name and insulted all of the Muruzaik Haljan people. Such disgraceful and malicious behaviour against their own country cannot be tolerated.

"What is this material? It strikes we that this is truly an ingenious device to tether knowledge to materials, and to do so as effectively as this. Why the closest equivalent might be the skin-books themselves, which are written by weaving patterns of magics into sacred flesh. How ever did such a thing come to be?"


Zuluthea looks upon the paper with worry in her eyes. "The histories of your peoples differ greatly from ours and that you have not been so scared by the openness of knowledge as we have. Perhaps that is why it must seem to you that all knowledge within the coven is a jealously guarded secret as it does to us that you are so open with all. Having spoken both with your and our ancestors I cannot pretend to know whether your or our people will be made more accursed by such beliefs, but it is as it is and only time herself will know."

"I confess, I am astounded that such topics would be so openly advertized." Tod adds curiously.

"Perhaps..." Horrage Pishpot suggests "...this is why you imagine we are actively recruiting your people into the coven?" his tone inquisitive, he strokes his mustache as if wondering to himself, but as he speaks he turns his eyes to the Haljan. "You'll excuse that my mind's been stuck upon the topic since it was announced. Many among our number have readily shared the harmless knowledge of herbs and oils, even on occasion the making of simpler charms such as those to devour the terrors of the night which can only enter this world through the dreams of young children who are not yet fully developed physically speaking. Some are left curious, wondering of more and of the grander mysteries of the world. Some are even consumed from the heart through the soul with wonder and longing for the mysteries which are kept only within the potions tent and never revealed to anybody with less wisdom then the aged ones. It is only natural that they might wonder, among the witches at least, knowledge is considered the only true sustenance of the world without which all would cease to exist. The knowledge of the stone that it is hard and of all that touch it to keep it from wondering if that hardness is even truth, the flowing of water, and the finality of that endless gnawing insanity of one who has not sensed anything for years at a time. Several witches once believed the inverse and drove themselves to insanity only to shrivel and die, ending their own existence such was their misery. I will leave the details of that occurrence to Kirudam if you find yourselves interested and with time in excess at a later time. In any case the restriction of these knowledge and the freedoms that might go with them is the unifying belief of The Ancient Coven, some would even argue that it is the only tenement and law amongst our peoples. It is, I hope, not surprising then that we are unwilling to share such knowledge with outsiders." Horrage pauses for a moment as if contemplating how to continue.

"I hope however that our beliefs are not interpreted as miserly, that is... not our intent. We do not want to horde knowledge to prevent its flow, but we know well the dire consequences it might cause if left to roam free through the world..."
"...like the rolling balls of fuscia lightening in the land of Grandon." Kirudam interjects.
Nodding Horrage Pishpot continues "...so we openly accept those who might wish to join the coven so that they might learn without such uncontrolled acts of the craft. Perhaps what we thought innocent instruction in such crafts is inappropriate or disruptive to your society? perhaps you would rather we not share such things with your peoples? The last thing I'd wish to do would be to cause unrest with simple tricks such as these." This from the man who had moments before begun the meeting by reviving a traumatic incident form the past with one such "simple trick." All the same his jagged smile had finally begun to fade. Perhaps he truly was sincere.

"As for your retention of tradition, it is not our place to criticize, truly there are many traditions of the witches of old still held sacred within the Coven, if your political-sexual dynamics are a touchy sensitive topic we will leave them to your will." Shlogfa reassures them.

Still looking with surprise upon the Skrift Tod adds "I still cannot see why it is they would openly flaunt such division of beliefs only then to say that their acts should not be judged by the few they push to the fore of everyone's focus."

"Their ways are their own as are ours Tod, if it causes disruption in the ichor of their fluids to speak of it we will respect that."

"Even within a tent of bone?" Schlogfa asks skeptically.

"Within the bone and the broth." Tod replies affirmatively.

As they speak it the witches seem to grow more accustomed to the common trade tongue, their words flowing more smoothly and their awkward grammars growing scarcer still.

[Rain Dragon]

So, definitely Kitsanth's turn.

Also, I'd like to note this is not going well IC in case you didn't notice. I'd rather be transparent OOC.

Furthermore, however your people want to dress it you did actively recruit last round (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=19392953&postcount=1087) and I'd rather it not be handwaved as more passive recruitment, just in case that is your intent. On rereading of your action, it seems to have been, but you never asked if this would be likely or okay so I would have to assume it isn't.

You don't have to hurry to respond to every post. It would also avoid the issue of conversation moving past one or the other of us unless large amounts of back-tracking and/or time bubbles are used.

You mentioned a story about how the Coven came to be earlier, but I see nothing about it in your Lands post anywhere. So, my people don't know about it though your people have been hanging out in Halja for around 5 years, or is it in your actions post or something?

Any objections to the Haljans hypothetically pointing out other articles from the 17-A6/23/U3 issue of the Skrift? I can't jam everything into my IC post, so there are very likely to be other articles to talk about. (That said, I don't want to exclude Kitsanth's people by responding immediately so the question may be irrelevant.)

[drack]

OOC

Kitsanth: sure

Going well: Perhaps. Admittedly I made my people less socially apt as somewhat of weakness for them, and somewhat for flavor. That said I'm not really gonna draw an opinion on good or bad until everything lands as it may. :smallsmile: Chances are it'll go back and forth for a bit before I draw an oppinion.

Recruiting: Indeed. It is active, and above I fluffed it as an active action no matter how innocent it may seem. In my IC post there I sort of glossed over the "how".

Hurrying and time: I suppose. Still adjusting if truth be told. I've been taking my time typing them (well going at a comfortable rate for me), but I do tend to find topics get glossed over and lost when only one is addressed. All the same, I suppose I'll endeavor to do so in the future. :smallconfused:

Story of how the coven came to be: This was in that packet of info I was passing to my host&GM this round, adjacent nations next round, and into my lands post the round after that.

Skrift: go for it.

[Rain Dragon]

There's no Hurry - I meant more that you have close to half of the total posts of RP in this thread which has meant either Kitsanth or I have been left with our characters unable to reasonably do things because the RP has moved along already.

The Info - I see, I have it now. So, is it safe to presume the effects on the land of 'the Mystical Dance of Moving' are quite obvious? The Ferans would be very concerned about it, especially in Halja.

[Kitsanth]

Esteri had stated that her purpose here was to observe and so for a time she did just that. And it seemed that after a time they had forgotten she was even here - they had gotten so caught up in their discussion - even with the scratch of pen on paper, a sign that her aides were taking careful notes of all that was said.
She considered the statements of these Witches' carefully. They assume that stories of their people have permeated throughout the Commonwealth. And from what she had seen so far... all appearances indicated that they had learned very little of the people in whose lands they now dwelt, let along anything of peoples whom lived farther away.
Something of their intent here had to be lost in translation, they claimed to desire plain speaking of their guests and yet they themselves were incredibly verbose. Esteri made a note to have a linguist sent to all future discussions with these Witches.

At last, a seeming break in discussion. "If I may interject?" Esteri asked, then continued without waiting for a response, "You wish to understand our cultures yes? Then perhaps I can help as it seems you have only a basic understanding of Niskovian history. Or you would not be making some of the claims you are."

"Some 80 generations ago my father's ancestors fled the fall of a vast Empire. Eventually coming to make their home in the lands above us. It was a dangerous time for the Empire had maintained it's domination over many lands through magickal might and the oppressed sought to erase all trace of their oppressors. Not long after settling on the Steppe it was decided that the magicks inherent to our peoples should be bound, both to protect us from any who would seek vengeance and to prevent a recurrence of the many atrocities committed by the Lords of that time."
"Admittedly this is not the history that is taught in our schools to the common people. But what transpired almost 3000 years past has little bearing on their lives today... And the Nobility exists to be a shield for the common people for this reason."

Detailing all intricacies of Niskovian history and culture? Ludicrous. A century and a half on the world stage and most still saw Niskovia as that small state with the obscure culture and nigh-unpronounceable language. If she was to attempt explanations like that they would all still be here a month later.
Silently she cursed the fact that she had been sent, this type of situation was exactly the reason House Nisakovich had held power for over one thousand years - none of the other Houses wished to experience the headaches that came with interacting with outsiders.

And as I am constantly reminded, my father was Nisakovich. I only survived the purge because I do not bear that name, she thought bitterly.

All she said aloud was, "So we have reason to keep close our secrets. And that reason is generations of fear, fear that all we have built will be for nothing."

Ordinarily she would not be so forthcoming with the dark secrets of Niskovian history... but if these people were soon to venture into Principality lands they would have to understand just what blatant use of magicks meant in that place. Still it was good to know that the honoured dead were not entirely forthcoming with strangers, even strangers that could alleviate the tedium of their limbo existence.

[drack]

OOC
no hurry: Ah, I've got ya, I'll try to give it some more time then. Truth is my activity comes in fits and bursts these days. Some times I don't get on for a week, some times I've got a day or two. :smallsmile: Means I get to catch up all my games every so often and answer questions, but I get you.

On a similar note, what happens if a thread for the negotiations of something leaks into the next round and perhaps even into the round after that?

Info: Yes, though considering the scale of regions I imagine it's a rather minor impact on the region as a whole, and it's not like they salt the land or anything, plants and animals directly adjacent to their path are likely to re-propagate to refill the area considering their close proximity likely makes them similar biomes if not the same. For most things I'd imagine this should only take a year or two, maybe less.

[Rain Dragon]

Leaking Negotiations - It usually doesn't take that long and I usually like to catch people and just sort it out OOC if it gets to midweek on the week of round close. If you're likely to disappear randomly though, this could be a real problem especially considering rounds last for five IC years and your people were already in Halja for the five before. If something's up, it would seem very strange for Fera to try to do anything about it IC after an entire decade, so I hope you don't disappear without warning for a week.

Impact - It might also be good to keep in mind that Halja's ecosystem being so far underground and away from natural sunlight is far more fragile than say, a rainforest. I had a huge paragraph of maths and logic here, but I can't simplify it or word it politely. The Ferans aren't nomads by the rules, but they don't hang out in huge cities or villages either. They care for the land that cares for them and your people's actions would surely be noticeable somewhere locally by the end of this round and the news would surely spread; and that's rounding in your favour.

[drack]

OOCLeaking negotiations: nah, it's usually only a half week, and sometimes I can squeeze a post in, but it certainly feels like the same level of activity as posting within minuets of each post on a quiet day. My concern however is more with regards to that there's a long path in feeling out and smoothing cultural differences and finding proper compromise. Sure, OOC I know your stance, you know mine, and it seems we agree just fine, but IC we hold slightly different stances and that itself should probably be given room to play out. Especially since we've gone to such lengths to forge our own unique entire nations from the ground up. I would not be opposed to it leaking over or even being over several meetings, but I tend to enjoy the realistic nature of not seeking out OOC what one does not yet know IC. Silly perhaps, but it keeps one from going all omniscient god on everyone (which gets old fast.)

Taking turns: By the way, feel free to chip in IC, you're right, I have been every other post including the one before the last. :smalltongue: Plus, I intentionally have enough characters to uphold multiple conversations as do we all, so no need to hold back. :smallsmile:

The language of the witches and how these linguistics effect how/what they say: Admittedly I've been contemplating when/how I want to popularize that knowledge. I'm favoring shortly after the next time they move to a new region. :smallsmile:

Impact: True, my mind had wondered to classic above ground ecosystems. In a cave however spores do still spread, and animals do yet live with the ecosystem and split off to spread as a natural part of their population growth. Yes it would be noticeable, but no I don't think it would be detrimental or take too terribly long to reverse on its own. One might wonder how this can sustain the witches, though they have been known to eat things that might otherwise be inedible as part of their craft, melting rocks in their cauldrons or boiling liquids over them to draw out certain elements or even grinding them down. Soils and dirts in many cultures hold great significance IRL so I figured I'd incorporate it, though it is far from the heart of their diet. Mind you, the Mystical Dance of Moving is not performed when the camp sits stagnant in a region, so it's not as if they're continuously roving through the caves taking everything in their path for decades on end.

[Rain Dragon]

One issue is over the past round or two and keeping in mind the information you sent me was not in the Lands post, I had incomplete information. If I knew everything I know now about the witches I would honestly have not recommended Fera as a starting place as it is not likely to go over too well and already the witches have made a rather poor impression. The IC stances are vastly more different from my perspective than yours and it really feels like I suck when I admit the witches and Fera would not get along well after seeming so accommodating only a few weeks ago. From my perspective it doesn't feel like a compromise is even going to be possible at the moment as things are just getting worse and worse.

I will readily admit that due to IRL cultural differences, I very likely did not understand what you meant by witches which really hasn't helped.

Omniscience to an extent is fine to avoid, but as I said before you can't retcon things that occurred in previous rounds and your nation would have been in contact with mine a decade as of this weekend. That is a very long time. Besides which it is very difficult to collaborate well in world-building when an overall idea is going to take longer than a fortnight but the IC timespan doesn't make sense on a longer term. If we stopped RP entirely right now and everyone said farewell, I don't think either the Ferans or the Niskovian representatives are left with a good impression and would be far more likely to act now rather than later.

I'm going to write an IC response at some point yes, but at the same time having multiple conversations at the same time exacerbates the issue I brought up just now and isn't a solution at all.

My point is not that the effect is not reversible, it is that it is morally objectionable to the Ferans and that chances are very high it would have been noticed somewhere if not by now then soon.

--EDIT--

"Culture and people go hand in hand. As Lady Esteri Macari says the Niskans' experiences have been quite different to yours as have ours. However, though we are different we do not claim others' ways to be as a result of 'constraints' so casually in conversation especially after admission that you know little of our culture." Aglus Thuidans spoke calmly though his face was serious and disapproving of the witches' behaviour, "It seems to me rather odd that you would hold to your secrecy but then ask of me details of the Skrift. If you looked through the issue you can see for yourself this is but one thing among many others." Aglus pauses as he gives them a chance to do so and notes the copy they had was not only rather old, but that they could read it. "New Airships in Fjarskad. Auf-Graundas' Mysteries. New Colonies in Zente. Why then, did you choose this article if your point was of knowledge with no context? Your people believe in seeking enlightenment yet by your own admission fear sharing your knowledge with others due to a difference in history. Why then would it be so hard to believe that with our different history, our different ways arose? As you can see, the Skrift are tales of large events in Fera. To share knowledge for the benefit of others, to provide hope and warnings for our people, to help Ferans who read it feel they are a part of Fera rather than apart from it." The Kaiser ignores the strange comment that they had spoken with his ancestors. Indeed, if they had and they had spoken with the spirits of the Niskans than a large part of this meeting was a farce; it would seem these people were more interested in talking around questions and cloaking themselves in secrecy than providing answers.

At Horrage's speech the Kaiser's three companions raised their tails slightly and resisted readying their pincers. The Kaiser himself displays self control and replies, "To lure a fish, one might use bait and a hook. In your explanation, the promise of knowledge is clearly the bait which as you say is quite alluring to the curious. My people are indeed a curious people; whether you were aware of this or not, you seem to be now. Perhaps your theory would hold more water were it not for the reports over the past five years that between five and eight thousand Haljans openly left their Kvista to join your people and a further two to six thousand are plain missing. At some point you would have realised the effect you were having, yet you continued regardless. To feign such ignorance after claiming your people seek enlightenment is insulting both to my intelligence and my people." Aglus nods toward Lady Esteri Macari, "As with the Niskans our people have had their hardships over time. It was not many generations ago that the Haljans were not free and within the lifetime of the generation that came before mine vicious foreign raiders plagued much of Fera until we were forced to close our borders. You answered part of my previous question 'If you consider our physical state of being to be disagreements between your people and mine, then I wonder why you are here?' but whether through misunderstanding or deliberate ignorance you missed answering the rest. Why are you here? Furthermore, what of the Haljans who you admit joined your people?"

Shlofga's reassurances seemed to have little effect, though the Haljans conceded that while not a sensitive topic Haljan society seemed beyond these people. A fact which was made all the more strange by the number of Haljans which had joined them. The following conversation only served to further solidify the Haljans' doubts of these people. Scratch noted, "The Skrift is a Feran thing for Ferans. It's not for everyone. It doesn't sound like you know who the Traditionalists are either."

[drack]

OOC

IRL cultural differences: Yup, I know the roles "witches" have played in history and those they do still today, but reality does not entail only what is fact, but also what is perceived, and over the centuries witches have gotten many a bad rep. Many a good rep too, but I figured to include the bad in there in honer of the dark romance of the mythical figures as well. *shrugs* It's actually very interesting if you ask me, but I do indeed understand how widely other interpretations of what a witch might be may very, and it is not particularly that of my culture that I chose to play. :smallsmile:

Indeed, improper OOC/IC time synchronization is bad, that's why I had formerly assumed it might have been better to move quickly. All the same, I suppose I could see it working either way so I'm content to post slower. If it does leak over perhaps it will be as a new meeting/discussion, or perhaps it will only be a bit. Perhaps you'll have ushered the witches out and it will just be a retroactive ending, or perhaps IC the debate itself stretches out through multiple meetings because of other duties requiring more immediate attention. I don't pretend to know how it'll go down or if it will at all, just trying to see if there's a precedent if it does or if it's up to us to exercise one of the countless ways to go about it. :smallsmile:
At the moment I've come into a bit of time however, so I may as well post. :smalltongue:


The witches exchange glances of confusion and surprise before at last Tod chuckles, a deep and almost painfully sharp, yet all the same melodic sound. "I fear you mistake our meaning. It is not that your society itself is limited, in fact it amazes us that it is so... free." He says the word with a sense of awe and wonder as if looking out upon something immense and breathtakingly beautiful. Longing flickers through the eyes of the other witches before fading once more. "Lady Esteri, while I fear it was that my people were the oppressors rather then the oppressed when it came to the use of our magics, we too were driven to... 'bind' them. It was a decision made by one far... wiser... then the rest." At this the witches exchange glances of worry and scorn, glancing once more at Zuluthea and her corpses before again looking away. "...and that decision has served us well. Still are we alive, and few enemies have we made by our existence. There is always however a price. Our powers stem from knowledge, and knowledge cannot be bound or trapped. It can be forgotten, but one is as one is for the knowledge they hold, for the experiences they have survived, and for all that they have been. Even now we are all different then we were when we entered this tent for we have new knowledge, have thought new thoughts and shared these experiences. To forget would be to kill us, to kill all of us and make then new people. Freed perhaps from the knowledge of the world, but we would no more be who we are. So it was not our powers that were bound, but us ourselves, into a coven as old as our time. I choose that article because from our disciplined outlook where restraint and unity are a matter of death and loss it is so... foreign, and as we are here to speak openly of our differences something foreign was appropriate to open the path. Admittedly I know not of new airships either, but I do not even know of old airships so I didn't expect I could talk intelligibly of them. Gently Tod readjusted his sitting position. He was unaccustomed to talking at such length, but it seemed necessary no matter how it might be taken. It is not he noted to himself likely they will take well to the thought that our society as a whole is so constrained if they are already raising concerns over their peoples willfully joining ours in that same confinement. Still, it seemed necessary to say.

Shorbaba, while halted by the gravity of the topic, acted to seize upon the opportunity to talk of the seas as soon as she could respectably manage. "Fish, yes, I recall them well." The transition sounded abrupt and a little off topic even to her, so she quickly moved along. "A fish however needs only the bate to be lured, not a hook. Once lured a fish can then choose whence to swim, even if this is into a smaller enclave from which retreat might be cut off at the changing of the tide and..."

Something moves in the pile of corpses and the eleven year old girl makes a soft clucking sound glaring at Shorbaba, and Shorbaba trails off to glare back silently. As the silence begins to lapse Shorbaba looks away, turning her attention to the mound of corpses. With painful slowness the bisected witch opens her eyes, eyes filled with age and sorrow which take in all the figures in the tent. Pushing up against the ground gently the old witch readjusts herself against the Verwolf, her mouth smacking slowly with the sound of glue tearing. "Fallen leaf." She wipers affectionately in a voice that brought with it the swirling powers of the mist that still hung in the tent. As she shifted a dark tar-like ichor seeped from her pulpy lower end, but to her benefit she neither cringed nor groaned as the old wound reopened. "Nocknicht Wissyor Forloss. Krinder Wissyor." She pronounces the words slowly, careful not to give into the pain of breathing, yet still each word hung in the air, ringing silently.

With almost playful delight the little girl covered her own eyes turning about the tent before pointing to Kirudam.

Nodding in the direction of the girl Kirudam begins to explain"It is a thing she does..." before trailing off. Exhaling slowly Kirudam takes a breath like one approaching an unpalatable task. "She says that we will cede the issue, that if you so choose we will cease to instruct any new Haljan in our craft. While I fear I cannot bring myself to see it as an act of trapping nor of luring we will accept her words. I have always seen the knowledge that is here as something more to be seen in the world, much like how one might spend their days examining the shells of snails to discover every mystery to be found within, only ever more expansive. While our past cautions me against spreading such knowledge far and wide I cannot but hope that any whom I meet might have the choice themselves to learn of such things or not as they choose. For every one who has agreed to learn the craft of the witch I have seen four who declined, returning to their lands with new found knowledge in herb lore or the flows of 'the energies thee' through the bodies of all life. I fear I do not see the danger, but again, if you do we will heed her words."

Grimacing as if swallowing a bitter pill Kirudam continues "As for why we're here, she says it's that we of the bone tent are children who must once more learn." He allows the words to sink in before continuing. "She believes the world will once more reject us, and that we will spell our own doom once again. It was Oma Klinder after all who convinced we of the bone tent to rise to the surface. It has been great much time since we have met another peoples of knowledge and thought in our travels. Oma Klinder and we collectively decided to walk higher earth and meet your peoples to know that which for so long as been unknown. So see the lives of others and how greatly the movements of the tides have changed. Korkathra wished once more to have fledgelings to teach, and Shorbaba wishes once more to stare out over the vast and unending waters. We all have reason, but each may lack true meaning as they blend to form but a base desire to know that which might be."

[Rain Dragon]

The Haljans tensed slightly before relaxing at Tod's strange words and behaviour. On the one hand, the witches seemed to have been pointing out faults in Feran society where presumably the witches didn't suffer the same but on the other, for a being to be so captivated by a cincept as simple to them as the Skrift caused the Kaiser's companions pause. They shared a look with the Kaiser who still seemed tense. The witches nonetheless were askig them questions they could easily have found answers for among he thousands that had joined their number. So then, what of those Haljans?

As the moment passes, conversation changes to the matter of magic once more. While most magics were typically difficult for Haljans for a reason yet unknown, the people of the Sovereign Principality of Niskovia had more experience with such matters. Perhaps for now it is for the best... and it seems some of those who yearn for magic have found it, but at what cost? As the Kaiser thought on the witches words, he couldn't help but notice the one who was toying with what seemed uncomfortably similar to a humanoid infant corpse. It perhaps didn't help that the witches glanced in her direction either.

When it was pointed out how foreign the concept was to the Witches Aglus points out, "When dealing with a nation of over four million people, it is nigh impossible to maintain unity and restraint. Someone, somewhere will have difference of opinion or belief and the line between this someone being a prodigy and a peril is forever blurred. As I said before, it was not so long ago that Haljans were slaves. Freedom and open mindedness is therefore an integral part of our culture and to an extent it harms none. As stated in the article however, the dissidents in Halja revealed themselves to be a peril to us. If their harmful beliefs were to spread once more then Haljan would likely turn on each other and the unity we have been fighting for would be lost." Aglus holds his hand palm downward with claws angled at the Skrift, "It is reassuring to note those who would disrupt Fera's efficiency are few. If allowed to spread, rumours may make it seem there are more than there really are. Who knows what then? Will Haljans feel pressured to conform to this racism? Will fights break out due to panic? Whatever the case, the people of Halja defended themselves from the threat within with the final member of the group leaving us a year ago."

At the response to the fish analogy, the Kaiser seems rather exasperated if not openly irritated but a shift in the atmosphere brought his attention to the pile of what he thought were freshly dead animals. They just moved. The Haljans raised their tails and opened their pincers, clearly ill at ease. These people have no concept of... If they have ever interacted with anyone else I will be shocked. If they have buried the living in the dead...

The old witch who seemed close to dead herself interrupted his thoughts. Being a surgeon, Aglus found it difficult not to offer assistance to the witch who seemed strangely calm for someone who'd reopened an old wound. Perhaps for them this was normal or even necessary else surely the wound would be properly treated so it may heal fully.

It was clear something had passed between the witches and so Aglus tried to expand on what had been said before and ask as simply as possible the underlying question to many of his others, "To continue with the fishing analogy, if you take away the hook then it isn't as dangerous. Fera has its own doctors and shamans, yet not all necessarily know of or fully understand this. If there truly is no danger for my people in joining yours then I see no immediate issue. This is not so clear, however. What of the Haljans that have joined you? Numbering in their thousands and having been here some years it seems very strange that you asked some of the questions you did of us. As the Kaiser of Fera but also a fellow Haljan, I am naturally concerned for my people. The equivalent of a small Kvista have disappeared and your people seem to be at the heart of it and as yet we know nothing of how these Haljans fare. I hope you can understand this."

Aglus listened thoughtfully. After a moment recalling all of the pertinent details he responds, "Sinths noted your origins to be vague but that you came from the depths beyond which we cannot go. He also noted it seems your people may have come from another time, reality or both but that this was unclear and he could not inquire further at the time. Ah, also..." Aglus pauses before suggesting, "As you have pointed out, Fera is not perfect nor safe for a defenseless people. I trust that you are not and will wish to gather that which you need to defend yourselves, but if you come to a point where you pose a threat to our nation we must ask you to leave."

The Haljans still had not calmed and Aglus hadn't managed to bring up an issue that had been present since they had entered. He stated bluntly, "Could we continue this discussion in fresher air, away from all of the death?" The Kaiser looked pointedly at the woman who held arguably the most disturbing corpse in the tent. Indeed, the incense that had been assailing the Haljans' acute sense of smell was beginning to make them feel ill.

Ah wait, I get what you mean now, maybe. RP can extend beyond the round easily though it rarwly does in practise. As for negotiations which would need action within the five year timespan, if I've run out of time to RP before, it's sorted out OOC so the agreement can go into the actions post and the RP can continue however it makes sense. All your suggestions seem valid.

I saw you snipped the part where green shoots from stones and decays into dirt. I wonder, is it possible in the future because if this ability means your people can give the land a leg up on regrowth then that would quell Feran environmental concerns I'd think.

Snipping it means I don't have to section my post into times. Also, the witches to an extent stepped around how the Haljans who joined them are, but I don't think Aglus would become confrontational at this point. Probably a little exasperated is all.

After I respond, possibly best to check if Kitsanth wants to respond as well.

[drack]

OOC

Extended: cool

Snipped: Just put it on my comp for the next post to keep with flow in the game rather then having everything jump around such as with the time segmenting you mentioned.

Hostilities: Like I say, these sorts of political bits go back and forth, surely within a few turns you'll be considering killing us all again. :smalltongue: I try not to suppose.

[Rain Dragon]

Come now, a little back and forth is fine but genocide is both far too extreme and would be extremely difficult for these people. Ha.

Also, there's only three rounds after this one that the witches can stay in Halja without losing population anyway. XP

[drack]

OOC

Nonsense, get that monstrous reputation out there. :smalltongue:

Yeah, and lets face it, I ought to go see the world at some point ay? :smalltongue:

Afraid they're being more earnest about the missing Haljan then you might think though. :smallwink:

I'll let Kits get a word in first though.

[Rain Dragon]

OOC
Afraid they're being more earnest about the missing Haljan then you might think though. :smallwink:


Whatcha mean by that? I haven't seen mention of missing Haljans directly as they keep talking about knowledge being dangerous for them and that Haljans wandered in willingly, it's tooootally not their fault.

The Haljans magic is very difficult for them because it's linked to story elements I haven't developed yet which are unrelated to them being able to join your people. In fact, it's more of a reason to! Magic was strictly forbidden for a good portion of the start of this game, so I've yet to develop my plans.

[drack]

OOC

Why, how would you expect them to have taken your people? Kicking and screaming in the night as they're stolen from their cribs? Everyone sees things differently. To you they are luring them away, to them they are allowing them more freedom yet by offering them to choose how to live their lives and making the knowledge of that choice apparent. Surely it's not unimaginable that both remain valid interpretations of the same action. What would you have, them forsake their own viewpoints and adopt yours else be lairs or squirrelish weasels? :smalltongue:
Edit: sorry, that last bit of this part is rhetoric. :smalltongue:

Ah, that makes sense, and the kaiser is right that the witches do give up much for their craft, though they are rather open about that. It also seems you're not entirely unjustified in fearing the consequences of magic considering all the historic downfalls it has caused. It seems like nearly every nation's got a story of magic with a tragic end. :smallcool:

[Rain Dragon]

Haha, no, but the witches were surely aware of their effect! I have lured my pet bird (when he was still here) to the front of his cage so I am not invading his space when I get him out of the cage and being bitten. This is by no means a bad thing. But of course, the Kaiser doesn't know this is or isn't a bad thing yet. Sorry if there was a misunderstanding there. The Kaiser just needs reassurance that the witches aren't attracting Haljans to mistreat them. I don't think from the witches' perspective they're mistreating them and if they really are then how would the Ferans ever know?

I think mine won't and the Aeromancers (yeah, that name...) in Seaborne Confederacy are still fine! Uh but... magic has caused quite some trouble ingame too. The Carmine King I mentioned earlier was set on fire coz of magic, at one of the earliest Grand Balls there was a massive magical explosion, some cults have popped up and misused magic...

Just OOC, as I hink you might be able to tell, I have frequently shot myself in the foot for the sake of something IC I think of as cool. Even if magic turns out horribly for Fera, IC they've been isolationist and as long as they don't tick off Niskovia why would a curious race know to stay away?

[drack]

OOC
Just making sure. :smalltongue:

I dunno, I wouldn't really assume anyone would be safe from it. Then again I'm also taking from your most mystically inclined. :smalltongue: That gonna set you back?

Anywho, I can associate OOC. As much as op and such may be fun the truth is that there's no point unless you've got a cool concept, cool characters, and a delectably fluffed nation. :smallbiggrin:

[Rain Dragon]

Safe is not guaranteed no, but a tragic end is the other end of the scale, really.

Can't answer; spoilers!

It's just been pointed out to me that I missed the pile of dead... stuff... moving.
Is it alright to edit my post?

Also, are any of them corpses of sapient beings? (Like, humans, Niskans, elves, etc.)

[drack]

OOC

Pile of dead stuff has three things in it, the big stone spider, the bisected witch, and the thing in her arms. The movement was her. :smallsmile: Forgot that when I remove her moving about doing stuff it makes that bit a bit more creepy dead things and a little less about her. :smalltongue: Feel free to though if you'd like.

Ooh, spoilers. Good to know there's always developments in the works. :smallbiggrin:

[Kitsanth]

Sorry for the very late non-response but I seem to have picked up a persistent migraine which is not helping. As I don't want to hold things up the next thing Esteri was going to say would have been along the lines of pointing out what she perceives as the Witches' lack of respect for the dead and a few details about the Niskan lack of afterlife. She would also have agreed with the Kaiser's request to move outside and possibly even have left without waiting for any confirmation from their hosts. As these surroundings are disturbing to her even with all the training she has had with respecting the cultures of others and such. Feel free to carry on without me.

[drack]

"Our origins, yes. Well I'm sure you'll understand that wondering the caves has left us without the knowledge of where we are now, but I suppose it would not be untrue to say we come from the distant path. Only, that the shortest way to get from the past to the future is to wait, and wonder we did until the present had caught up from the past." Kirudam smiled as if that clarified everything, but then somewhat unconvinced he adds "Do you find it clearer?"

The bisected witch slowly works her jaw as the lady exits the tent. "We will go then to airs fresher, but where then is that?" The woman pauses, taking several strangled breath as if she had exhausted her own with that question. "How though..." She begins before cutting herself off which a sharp harsh cough. Again she begins, drawing herself up what little she can missing her bottom half as she is. "How though does one get away from death..." Stopping she swallows hard, taking another labored breath. "...from death but through it?" Bitterly she smiles at that before asking "Where would you have us talk?"

After it gradually becomes apparent that their guests merely wish to speak outside the heavy incense of the tent, and for the shukenloose and infant skeleton to be left within, the witches agree, clearly having expected something else entirely. As the corpses are set in a pile of three, the legs of the verwolf are offered and turn out to be quite fresh. Both Tod and Shorbaba assist the bisected witch who wraps an arm over their necks as they cross arms over her midsection to hold her better, their long nails curving about her midriff are held back just far enough that they don't skewer her. Carried out thusly the bisected witch leaves a thin trail of the dark ichor on the ground below from her reopened wound. She is then gently placed on the ground once more as Tod moves behind her, his hands on her shoulders to hold her up with no verwolf corpse to support her. The other witches however simply walk out. Out in the streets many of the witches that pass look on at the gathering with curiosity, and generally with wonder as they catch sight of the bisected woman.

The aged witch grimaces as she's set down, pressing a hand against her reopened wound to stem the flow. "Ferakinda. Korkathka." Loosely she waves towards zuluthea with her free hand, and the witch runs off without a moment's thought.

By way of explanation Shorbaba adds "She has sent her for Korkathka who can speak best of the children of Fera, for she is the herder of the fledgelings, teacher of the young, and, quite frankly, the one who's been most overjoyed to have someone to teach once more. For the time being I will attempt to address your concerns. As for why then we aren't as knowledgeable as you might expect of your culture, it is a taboo of sorts to ask another witch, particularly a fledgeling witch, of his or her past. It is acknowledged that in taking them in we are not bartering, trading, or stealing their knowledge, but giving them our own, so time spent with them in particular should be spent teaching rather then learning. We of the bone tent also come of different roles of life. It is mine to know the storms so I tell the more experienced witches of the seas and the skies which I had feared forever lost to our peoples. Schlogfa is the eldest and most experienced of our gatherers and spends her time when not here gathering herbs and anything else that may be needed. Tod Tote, death of death, is our most accomplished healer handling those ills who's cures are most elusive. Zuluthea is the speaker of the dead, and spends more time then not, whispering with that which is not alive." At each she looks at them when speaking, except Zuluthea who is not present, but now she looks to the eleven year old as she moves to take a seat beside the bisected witch. "The Fallen Leaf of the Seventh Veil is... gifted, but I fear I know your tongue too little to put it to words." Turning her attention to the bisected witch she concludes "...and Zeralda, Great Grandmother of the Witches serves to lead our people, reminding us of what must be done to survive as she herself has. You can see then why it is that we have yet to learn things your people deem important, but there is also so much new and of equal import to be learned by those who do. We witches are gifted of tongues and were sure to learn that first, but from there much is equal and all will choose which knowledge is then to them greater."

"You'll forgive my my bluntness..." Horrage replies skeptically "... but a threat to your nation? I fear the witch have been and ever may remain a threat to all in the eyes of some, but then, don't such things depend more upon relation then power?"

OOC

I'll wait to speak on respect for the dead until Kits has a chance to post, as I would not presume to know how she/he would choose to approach the topic.

[Rain Dragon]

"Yes." the Kaiser answered simply. The witches could not possibly have wandered these caves without the Haljans' noticing. Therefore, as they waited the witches were surely wandering other caves. "Then, you are foreigners trespassing upon lands we have pledged to protect from sapient species other than ourselves. The laws classifying this as a restricted area within Fera have good reasoning behind them due to a history of over two centuries. We must ask you to leave Halja and return to the caves you wandered before or you may have passage to the surface if the way back is impossible as there is nowhere else to go from here. You shall have to speak with the people of the Niskovian Steppe if you wish to remain in their lands for long. If you refuse to leave we shall have to take action."

The Kaiser's companions nibbled on the food as they gratefully left the incense filled tent behind and the corpse that so resembled a young Niskan. Such an act in front of those allied closely to a nation with a human populace let alone representatives of such a nation only spoke to the witches' inexperience in the world. Whether out of a lack of respect or a lack of thought, the Haljans tried not to think of. They all shared a look with Scratch who had recently laid an egg and was the most likely to think thoughts best left unthought. Thankfully, when a Haljan dies they turn to stone before crumbling to dust light enough to float away on the lightest of breezes. However, with their overt use and discussion of magic it is possible that if the witches so desired they could possibly prevent this from occurring. Would a Haljan reincarnate if their body were left whole? The combination of fresh air and hunger did little for the Haljans' appetites yet they chewed on the food out of politeness nonetheless. It wasn't as tasty for them as the legs of a Vefnaub Spinne, but certainly good enough that their hesitation seemed odd to the Kaiser.

Seems odd putting a spoilerbox here, but the Ferans speak Haljan and I thought the witches were speaking in the Trade Togue as mentioned in post 7. I didn't mention it when you had an excerpt of the Skrift because it's old enough to have come from the foreigner who went into Halja. That said, though most Ferans learn their local dialect of Haljan and Niskan, relatively few of them speak Trade especially in Halja which is further away from trading hubs and remains closed to foreigners.

The Kaiser was beginning to dislike this man who seemed to think less than he spoke, let alone... No. Aglus closed his eyes a moment before responding with only a few traces of an impatient buzz in his voice, "I didn't say otherwise. There are more factors to whether your people pose a threat to mine and relation is not entirely visible. Did you intend to train your army here before leaving?" The Kaiser's question hinted at his belief that the witches seemed content to do whatever they wished unless explicitly told otherwise; all the more reason for them to leave as this was the most dangerous type of foreigner.

Unless your people are going to discuss leaving in peace, do you mind if the Kaiser brings up the moving rite thing in the form of a report of a small 10 km square patch of empty land?

[Kitsanth]

It felt good to be out of that stuffy tent. The atmosphere within had felt oppressive and the decor had left much to be desired. Declining the offer of verwolf meat she directed her aides to assemble a collapsible stool for her to sit upon. Where exactly her aides had been keeping such a thing was a mystery to all those watching, for they carried with them no packs.

Seating herself, Esteri turned her attentions to the conversation once more. She was coming to believe that there was little to be learned from their words. These Witches seemed to delight in the speaking of riddles, that they were spoken in Trade made it all the more difficult. Mistranslations between Trade and Niskan had somehow become more common over the last century, not less as one might expect.
It seemed the discussion had once more turned to matters that concerned Fera. However one of the points raised by the Kaiser would need clarification.

"If it is your wish to leave Halja for the Steppe then there are accommodations that will have to be made on both sides," Lady Esteri said, "The veil between life and death is thin there. Trade tongue does not quite carry the connotations to properly explain," she sighed, "This has proven an issue in the past and veil is not an entirely accurate word even."

Issue did not quite cover it, it was likely that relations between House Nisakovich and the Doctrine of Frost hierarchy would always be tense.

"We, that is to say Niskans to be more precise, do not die in the same manner that the majority of mortals seems to. There is no afterlife waiting for us and so our spirits roam without tethers until they are reborn." Esteri was visibly uncomfortable by this point. "For this reason you will have to cremate all of your dead. The potential consequences if you do not are almost entirely unpleasant for all involved."

Esteri herself had a good chance of entering into some form of Eternal Rest when she inevitably passed, most of her heritage being Karranan. The subject was still not a pleasant one. But really, who wanted to contemplate the idea that they may one day be forced to spend a century or more as a spirit able to see the world yet unable to interact with it? The only blessing that had come with the destruction of the Niskan afterlife was that very few ever remembered their past lives when they were reborn.

"As for why this is so, well that would require an education in Niskan history that I don't feel up to at the moment. Particularly not when the Kaiser has more pressing queries."

Esteri's aides exchanged worried glances. Both were so junior in their positions to not even warrant introductions but their training for their roles had been thorough. It was well known that being so candid with outsiders rarely ended well.

[drack]

Zeralda smirked at the other witches knowing she had won. Still it troubled her. It shouldn't have, these were not her young... but that was what troubled her most. They were.

For years, decades, centuries, they had traveled the cave cut off from all else, and in that time she had strove to teach the malicious, deceitful, power hungry, and cruel witches of your how to survive in the world, how to coexist. To humble themselves and learn a position of weakness rather then strength when dealing with outsiders. To speak earnestly and of the heart so they mightn't twist the hearts of man upon another. To have pride in their magics yet to know restraint that their craft does not become the crutch that weakens their legs. Still she saw now these traits working to their disfavor when mixed with what was to her eyes a giddy childish excitement and the awkwardness of one who has not spoken outside a group for a span of time, only intensified by the great duration they had spent in such isolation.

Even when she was still lost within the dream of thoughts she had known it. Had heard Zuluthea speaking as if the spirits might ever have even thought to have obeyed her every whim, the others all clamoring to speak as if they'd never again have cause to speak with another outside the coven, as if they wanted this world to remember them in all times and always. Of all of them perhaps only Tod and The Fallen Leaf had thought to act at all presentably for one of their power and standing. They projected as much of their own culture to that of the foreigner's as the foreigners had unto theirs. ...and Horrage making a fool of himself before the meeting had even begun...

Over the years she had spoken with precisely two Haljan and from each of which she had learned what she could of these people. One was the first to ask for initiation to the coven, and the other a passer by who had caught sight of her and thought her in need and dying. There was truth to that. Even now she felt her lifesblood flowing from her unto the ground from her ruptured organs, her severed spine cutting some of them anew as she'd been placed outside. She would however live. No, she would not live, but she would survive. The word sounded bitter in her mind. She did not want death, she never had, but as all witches have a gift, a talent that they perform better then all others, hers was to survive. Even as her lifeblood spilled from her, taking with it a portion of her magic into the ground she felt her body producing more, more blood to spill, more flesh to sever, more bone to knit. It was a battle of injury and recovery, and a balance that commanded sway over much of her life these days. To sleep was to walk towards life, and to act was to walk towards death. It hadn't helped that, particularly at the start of her journey, many a witch had challenged her with the crafts she herself had conceived and labored to create.

Even without her crafts she remembered enough of the growth of the old world to understand the new. When she had heard first that these peoples did not own dirt it had seemed doubtful. Even in the old world someone somewhere usually though that dirt was theirs or that of another. Few were the free souls of the road untethered to anything else. The Haljan had well confirmed this. The land belonged no none but could be entered only by few. Still, land which was pledged to be "protected" from all but one group sounded much more like ownership then she had secretly hoped. As soon as one protected their land from all but themselves it was not much a stretch to do with as one might desire, and that itself was nothing but ownership. Throughout her role in the negotiations she had told her witches that they should bow to Haljan whims and customs, to let them be right when the likened the choice of instruction to abduction and the act of its offering as a trapping fish. She had advised they agree to speak in open air rather then within a sacred place of decision making. She had even conformed when they asked Zuluthea to leave the forsaken soul in solitude, and her own spirit tethered doll to be separated from her and left behind. Dimly she wondered if she shouldn't have objected to the notion. She knew that some of the Haljan had quite appreciated the bone charms, but she also knew they were seen more as exotic foreign art then as talismans. Even Esteri, as popper and informative as she'd been, clearly found some of the witch's customs downright appealing. She wondered what it might be to return to the dark quiet of the caves. They had ever been her home and she had come to love them, though admittedly all the moving was the last thing she wanted to think of these days.

As the talks turned to raising armies and of how by the Kaiser's own admission it was as of yet unclear if the witches were viewed as friend or foe, as threat or boon, she pondered. Still, she knew what she must do. While tyrant she could become for the safety of her peoples, locking them beneath the stone once more, she knew she didn't have it in her to torment them so. Internally she cursed herself that this very sentiment was what had first caused this whole predicament.

Grasping harshly at her mangled robe Zeralda tears her garb pulling something from a pocket and dropping it to the ground. Small black balls, each no larger then a rolled up pill bug. The exertion brought with it pain, the pain of limbs unused, but she knew the worst had not yet come. Quivering like a birch branch in a storm she holds her arm over them and the stone below softens almost immediately absorbing the balls. After a minute several small green sprouts rise from the ground, two of which intertwining. As the arm raises slightly higher the bright green color begins to give way into a darker brown as the sprouts flatted against the ground, joining with it as dirt. Heavily her arm falls back to her side as she draws a somewhat strangled breath. The working was not a difficult one, but every time she did magic she felt the magics that kept her alive fighting with the new spell, warring over her energies and she knew neither the expenditure nor the physical effort was particularly good for her. Still, she'd committed her mind, and gathering up her remaining strength she reached down and wordlessly took a handful of the now soft dirt, holding it up towards the Kaiser, clearly straining under the effort. Critically she eyed the Kaiser, gauging his reaction. No doubt the kaiser had thought himself to have been making his stance clear, but she saw how his mind teetered, how he reconsidered his options again and again, how even when he exiled her people with bold simple words he did so with only half his heart, asking if the witches would first raise an army, likely fearing for their survival none the less. Whichever the case the kaiser had threatened to "take action" if they refused, so there was no doubt in her mind that the peoples of Fera would will as they would and have their will done. Internally she marveled that a meeting meant to bond their peoples through cultural exchange had only served to highlight their differences.

"She offers you our dirt." Tod remarks, calmly, despite the intensity in his eyes as he watches over the shoulder of the elder witch.

On sharing dirt

Dirt is shared when witches reside with another and taken when they reside in an otherwise vacant area or one seized by force. While these are largely figurative sayings, sometimes literal action is taken to make the relation formal. The offering of dirt is much like an offering of peace, occupancy, and support. Dirt is then either accepted or declined along with the peace, rights to occupancy, and support offered with it. If accepted the dirt passes on to they who were given dirt, who can either keep the dirt, or give a portion of it back making the pact either formally one sided or formally mutual. It is considered disrespectful to simply drop the dirt, and is often kept in a pocket or the like until one is on their own at which point there's no real set code of conduct and the dirt and it may be done with what one will. Often witches are known to eat the dirt internalizing the good will of another in doing so.


Reaching down with her other hand the elder witch grasped a second fist full of dirt which she extended to Esteri. It was clear that the woman disliked many of their traditions (particularly those involving the dead), but it would be better to learn sooner then later how deep those resentments might lie. Even as she offered dirt, she wondered at the woman's words. After-life, she must have meant death then, the state itself not the transition, but to have no death... Grimly she wondered even if dirt was shared how much her people would need sacrifice to live at peace with the Niskan? Had they meant to burn the dead witches which were normally consumed or made to charms and potions, or did they mean to dispose of all that was made from the dead from their charms of bone to the cloths of their tents? Resolutely she held her arms up offering dirt, first was to see.

[Rain Dragon]

You know, I'm not interested in continuing this.

One too many misinterpretations.
One too many questions unanswered.
One too many posts that are just... huge and move very quickly.

This entire thing is a mess and what's worse is your post feels preplanned.

In this post you've also written about Haljans without necessarily knowing that that is what they're like.

She knew that some of the Haljan had quite appreciated the bone charms, but she also knew they were seen more as exotic foreign art then as talismans.

Please don't PM me about this.
Kitsanth can do whatever.

Yeah. Call it a 'snap'. Whatever.

[drack]

OOC

"One too many misinterpretations.
One too many questions unanswered.
One too many posts that are just... huge and move very quickly."
I'm afraid I agree entirely. :smallfrown:

"This entire thing is a mess and what's worse is your post feels preplanned."
It was not as it happens.

"In this post you've also written about Haljans without necessarily knowing that that is what they're like."
For this however I apologize.

Honestly it seems however that when I post of the witches not knowing I get a reply of "it was strange that after 5-10 years they still didn't know", and if I were to assume then it is in turn a misunderstanding so in turn I don't want to assume and instead become culturally ignorant. Much of it does seem to be that we've both got nations with deep and expansive fluff from traditions to perceptions and that while IC over five years some of this should be understood by the other, we have in fact had 2-4 weeks OOC to break that cultural barrier, and as a result I agree, posts are too big and move too quickly to try and speak through that culture. With both our haste to break through these cultural barriers we've caused these misunderstandings to occur one after the next. Since this in turn causes some questions to be miss-communicated and others longer to RP then to simply state, such as that Korkathka took more then a post's span to fetch. Then add in that we've got multiple points we want addressed within a fortnight and it gets all slower for it. :smallsigh:

[Kitsanth]

ok, I feel that I shouldn't need to say this but apparently I have to point it out...

Esteri has neither telepathy nor awareness of the fourth-wall, as such all she sees is a very creepy old woman offering her a hand of possibly magicked dirt and is rapidly coming to the conclusion that the actions of the Witches are just as obtuse as their words have a tendency to be

but I will make another attempt at having Esteri be diplomatic

Esteri waited for some acknowledgement of her words. She had spoken here this day on subjects that were rarely discussed outside of either the Nobility or the Elders of Kartina Zhizni.

Well this was not the usual reaction one generally received when they went about giving out the more carefully guarded details of Niskan life. Magicks and an offer of dirt... Kazimir would never believe this and he had personally witnessed a handful of renegade Guilderenes destroy much of Palas Caercia.

"I.. do not understand." she admitted, averting her eyes in shame.

The first lesson taught to all who dealt formally with outsiders is that one must never admit to lacking knowledge of their customs; always smile, nod and avoid the question until it can be determined why exactly they hold to their strange preferences. All representatives of the Crown know this.

[drack]

OOC
Sorry about that, it was an attempt to bridge that 5 year IC/OOC gap a bit by pairing some pertinent culture with a post. :smallredface: Sorry to catch you in it kitsanth.

Seeing one party unaware of the custom, Zeralda sets the one handful of dirt down once more, speaking slowly between harsh breaths. "No, I'm sorry to have put you on the spot dear. Feel no shame, there are yet many customs of yours too that we know not. If anything, feel pride for identifying a gap between our peoples to be addressed before it is torn." Zeralda pauses for a moment before cautiously asking "You say we need burn our dead, is that the dead of the witches, the dead held by the witches, or the dead that the witches have worked with out crafts?" At that last part she jingles a bone charm upon her arm and touches her own garb for emphasis.