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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 5, 2023 12:35:53 GMT -5
The road to personal serenity and connecting with his inner self had been a long one for Shaa. Sure, he loved to hit things but he had always found something lacking in wanton destruction. He needed meaning, purpose. As he grew in the ways of the monk and connected with his inner soul, he was surprised by what he found. He found that, deep inside, really deep down, even his inner soul wanted to punch things. When he accepted that, he was able to find inner peace, and punch things even harder than before.
He was not the only one on that path. During his training, he had run into a former travel companion Vikram the swordsman, with whom he had beat up a family of displacer beasts awhile back. Apparently his soul was all about slicing and dicing things. As a bare handed fighter, Shaa didn’t typically go in for that kind of stuff but he could at the very least respect the skill in it. In their discussions, they had heard of an ancient monk training ground in the world crown and decided to travel the treacherous road together to check it out. Perhaps there was something more that they could learn.
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Post by Vikram on Jan 6, 2023 19:57:55 GMT -5
"You know, It might be time to invest in some warmer clothes. This is now the second time I have found myself at this altitude in naught but robes. Not all of us have a coating of fur, at least the insulating kind." The steps carved into the stone of the mountain have been long eroded by both wind and ice, making them smooth and slippery. Vikram has had to catch himself from falling several times just on the last leg of their journey. Shaa seemed to be doing quite a bit better, he found himself wondering how hooves could be so well adapted for steep terrain. His journey here had largely been precipitated by a pyrrhic victory at the arena in Gazablaak. Even though the wounds would be completely healed by the celestial presence in his mind, He could still feel the arrowshafts, poking out of him. Like they were all still there. Training had always been a good way to clear his mind and start fresh.
Shaa was a bit more of a brawler than himself, but there was much to be learned about a reliance on ones own strength and creativity than one would imagine first meeting him. Vikram pondered the possibilities as they climbed the chilly steps. The wind howled up above, and he only hoped that they would reach their destination soon.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 8, 2023 2:42:16 GMT -5
I hear that! Shaa said as they tromped up the icy slopes. I have some Minotaur friends that live up here and all of their coats are so long, they look like angry Woolfuls! Don’t try and pet them though, that would go very badly. Talking helped Shaa feel better about the bitter cold. He was sure footed enough, and his dense nature kept the warmth in. Even so, he could really go for some hot coco right now.
Can you see this in the snow? Shaa asks loudly over the howling winds. There are stone steps here. Carved by hand. We have to be getting close now. I can feel it in my bones….or that could be frost bite too. It’s hard to tell. Either way, the stone steps go this way. Shaa points to a path further up the mountain. As the wind dies down, they can see some simple arch pagodas on the path. Surely this was a good sign.
As they start up the path, they can hear a loud roar in the distance. Probably just some wind. Shaa says unconvinced. We need to hurry, I don’t want to get caught out here in the dark.
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Post by Vikram on Jan 14, 2023 10:23:06 GMT -5
The pair further ascended the steps. Each hundred feet or so was marked with a makeshift stone cairn ornately decorated with multicolor flags, to help them stand out in the wind and snow. Hopefully this journey would be worthwhile, and Vikram would never have to ascend a mountain again. Two or three cairns upward and another roar could be heard reverberating among the stony cliffs, this time echoing even above the winds that surrounded them. "Ok, that was definitely not wind. It sounds similar to a creature I had faced once on this same mountain range, a mountain of fur and muscle. Do you see anything?" Vikram wished for Maude, his tracking skills would come in handy at the moment. Though, if he remembers correctly, riding the minotaur through the jungle proved that the man could certainly hold his own when it came to hunting things down. Luckily, this time there were no innocents to marr the battlefield, allowing the pair to truly flex their martial might. There was a certain technique that Vikram had developed that would serve multiple purposes in this climate. Both maiming a dangerous threat, and potentially warming his terribly chilly fingers.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 14, 2023 23:07:30 GMT -5
Shaa looked over at Vikram. No, I don’t see anything out there. Just snow and path. Looking at Vikram’s face, he could guess what he was thinking. Don’t worry about it man, we won’t get lost. I’m a Minotaur. I can see in the dark, have a natural sense of direction and really really want to get out of this snow. We’ll be fine…we just need to keep going…that way.
Shaa started up a path as the snow and the wind whipped around them and no sign of whatever was causing the mysterious howling. Shaa could feel his own fur getting crunchy from the cold. As they pass over a rise, Shaa can see what looks like the top of a tall roof. Hey, I think we have found it. Follow me. He picked up the pace a bit and the building came more and more into view. A large pagoda emerged in front of them. It looked old but well maintained. The entrance was lined with lit torches and a large wooden gate. There don’t seem to be any locks or latches so Shaa presses on the door and it swings wide.
Passing through the gate, they find themselves in a large courtyard. It’s lined out with patterns obviously designed for martial training. Shaa notices that since passing through the gate, there was no snow and the general atmosphere had gotten noticeably warmer. Perhaps some kind of enchantment? Then comes a voice from the pagoda. Greetings travelers, welcome.
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Post by Vikram on Jan 16, 2023 20:30:54 GMT -5
A thickly furred Cat-Man sat cross-legged on the ground at the center of the pagoda. His eyes were closed, and his manner calm as the pair entered the area, Vikram fluttered out his robe and kicked his shoes of snow. It would seem that most snow dwelling creatures packed on alot of insulation, as this cat-man was about the same size as Vikram. Covered in gray fur with darker stripped markings, he wore a thin flowy white robe and motioned the two further inside. "Welcome, to the Sanctum Nivalis. Shaa Rhunn, Vikram al-Bura, please make yourself at home" He purred, the vibrato of his voice filling the room and providing a sense of calm and comfort. "I am Monk Pallas""Pleasure to make your acquaintance!" He sat, leaning his pack against the wall and coming to a similar position as the monk before him. This monastary, or sanctum as the cat had called it, was quite isolated. Vikram had several questions about the survivability of not having ready access to food or provisions, but kept them largely to himself. And how did he already know their names? Perhaps it was a mixture of exhaustion and the elevation, but alot of the guard that Vikram normally kept around strangers living in isolated places was lowered significantly.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 16, 2023 23:25:08 GMT -5
Shaa stared at the cat monk with a blank look on his face. This was either going to be a good guy or the monologue prior to something horrible coming out. Knowing His own luck, some sort of two headed owl bear was about to make an appearance. After several minutes of staring at each other and no two headed monster, Shaa relaxed a bit. The cat monk seemed pretty serine considering the harsh environment.
We have been waiting for both of you for a long time. Monk Pallas continued. You may think your journey here was happenstance, but you are mistaken. All who follow the path of the monk will eventually find their way here. We are all connected. The walls of the physical realm do not apply to us. As you progress, concepts such as light and dark, far and close, large and small will be revealed to be parts of a greater whole.
Shaa looks over at Vikram and whispered. I think this cat is 3 noodles short of a casserole…. The monk ignored the comment and continued. I don’t expect you to understand. I was like you once. Myopic, distant, lost. But we will help you understand. Surely, you have learned things based on your new connections to the soul. A new insight perhaps?
Cat guy had him there. It was about a month ago when Shaa had gotten into a particularly nasty fight with a lizard man who basically hated everything. During the fight, something odd had happened to him. The world had slowed down and he could see the energy in his enemies body, like a giant network of lights running from his head all the way down to his clawed feet. Then an idea came to him. He could see where the light tree connected. What if he broke those connections? What if he hit them right in those spots? And so he did. It took several strikes, but sure enough, down went the lizard man. Ever since then, he could see everyone’s trees. It took a minute, but when he really tried, he could see the electric impulses in everyone. Is this what cat guy meant?
Vikram. He’s right. I know things now because of my training that wasn’t IN my training. How about you?
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Post by Vikram on Jan 17, 2023 9:25:15 GMT -5
Vikram nodded back at Shaa with a skeptical eyebrow raised. All this light and dark, far and close, greater whole stuff was sounding awfully close to magic for his liking, but he shrugged and considered the prompt.
There was certainly insights into combat that have revealed themselves to him recently. With the right concentration, it was as though he could visualize the seperation of objects, each being constructed of several slices layered upon each other. He could visualize the points at which to cleave each entity with minimal effort, as though the blade sliding into it a sheath custom made for the purpose. Even the air through which Vikram sliced was made of these, small gaps between so infinitesimally small as to be unimaginable. The air of which when sliced through generated heat like it were a nomad crafting fire with sticks."To be sure, there are new lenses through which I have found to observe the world around me.""Lenses, training, paths. Each a part of the greater whole. Discovering new was to examine your surroundings in their true totality is the path that leads to true enlightenment. Years I have spent, contemplating the veil that surrounds us, each new perspective puling the curtain back just that much more. Perhaps, you could demonstrate these insights, and we may all grow together." With that, Pallas outstretched a paw. A force emanated from it and but a moment later a gong could be heard echoing from the courtyard.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 18, 2023 9:50:01 GMT -5
As the gong rang, two more monk acolytes come running into the courtyard. Thank you for joining us my brothers. Shaa, Vikram, our students here have graciously volunteered to be practice for today. They are both highly skilled so don’t worry about injuring them too badly. If you would, please demonstrate your insight. It wasn’t very often that Shaa got a free invitation to hit someone. As a matter of fact, he usually got in trouble for that kind of thing.
Shaa walks up the first warrior. He is an elf of some kind in his Kate thirties. Of course he was an elf which meant he was probably 200 years old or something. Shaa wondered how long that he had been here. Greetings my friend. We don’t get a lot of visitors up here so your arrival has been much heralded. Thanks glad to be here. Shaa said to the surprisingly chipper elf. Please, demonstrate your insight.
Shaa looked at the slender elf and second guessed himself. Ummm ok, if you say so. Shaa looked at the elf, using the lens of his soul. Sure enough, the tree of energy could be seen in the elf’s body. Ok, so using your soul to look, not your eyes, you can see a network of energy flowing. At some of the parts there are junctions, like here, here and here. Shaa points to the parts where the energy crosses over itself. Now think of it like carrying a giant stack of plates, like taller than your head. To balance them, you have to not make big adjustments but lots of really tiny adjustments right? If you hit him in these junctions, it throws off his energy balance. If you hit him hard enough, he can’t make adjustments like with the plates and he will eventually fall like the plates. It won’t work with just one hit, but by the third hit, the imbalance will be out of control and he’ll fall, no matter how big he is.
Shaa puts two fingers together and jams them into the first junction. Ughh I fell woozy…but still ok. Shaa jabs the second junction mmmm now I’m dizzy…and I want to throw up. The elf is wobbling and has a queezy look on his face. Shaa comes around with the final two fingered jab and the monk falls flat on his butt. Ohhh, I do not feel good….thank you brother…Shaa feels a tad bit guilty and helps the elf to his feet. He leans against him for balance.
Like a stack of plates…There is a lesson here in the dangers of rigidity. Thank you master Shaa. Vikram, would you care to share your insights as well?
Forced Instability (monk skill)
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Post by Vikram on Jan 18, 2023 18:20:53 GMT -5
Vikram sat in awe at the demonstration of insight and control that the immense minotaur displayed. Looking at him at the surface level, it was clear he was a man of great power and stature, but that was only looking with your eyes. He focused deep down, and allowed his soul to view the man, and by the time the monk stands up from his fall, Vikram sees it. Thick rivers of energy coursed through Shaa's body, intertwining and weaving through his core and out to his limbs. He could see the ways through which energy was distributed to connect with the monk, and even the ways that it settled through his legs to keep Shaa standing steadily. And with a blink, it was gone, incredible. It was as though a child had been given glasses and could now see that tree's were not just shapes, but millions of leaves all coordinating to create the whole. "Ah, yes of course. My insights... right." Vikram pulled himself up off the mat he sat upon, approaching the monk. "This is not something I would demonstrate on you, luckily. Here, hold this." He said, hefting an ancient iron vase into the Acolytes hand. "Hold still okay? Alright. So, looking at this vase, it looks pretty sturdy right? If I took a knife and tried to slice it, it would just bounce right off. But if you imagine it to be a cake, or a pastry made of millions of layers instead of one solid piece, the key to my technique becomes apparent." He took a step back, grasping the scimitar in its silken sheath, and concentrating. "find the icing in the cake, and as soon as you can visualize it, slide your blade between and sever!" He whipped out, flames trailing the blade and bisecting the vase with a single movement. The top slowly slide down to the floor with a loud clatter, the edges of cut glowing red hot. The acolyte bowed, placing the rest of the vase on the ground, Vikram walked to place a hand on his shoulder. "Easy, right? I speak of no great secrets here, and I must thank you for your assistance. Society..." He lost his train of thought as Monk Pallas brought his paws together for a resonant clap, drawing his attention. Vikram withdrew a letter from the Acolytes rear pouch during the moment of distraction, sliding it into the back of his turban. "Wonderful"
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 18, 2023 21:58:02 GMT -5
Shaa watched, impressed by the display of speed and agility with a weapon. He didn’t own any weapons himself per se, but seeing this made him consider picking one up as a sneaky attack in the future. Shaa whistles low. Dang Vikram. I would hate to be on the other end of that one. I am going to have to squirrel that one away in my brain just in case. The elder cat monk agreed.
Indeed, we have all been edified today. With the knowledge that you both have acquired, it is our hope that you use this to bring peace and balance to all of the places that you may find yourself. But. There is no use in knowledge without true application. Do doubt, you heard a beast on your way here.
Shaa wasn’t planning on bringing it up but the howls in the wind were still clawing at the back of his mind. Yes we thought we heard something but didn’t see anything. The monk cat closed its eyes. The beast is here for you. It could feel your presence just as we could. It’s eyes are open but all it can see….is death. When you leave here, no doubt it will sense you and test what you have learned. Only in your true acceptance will you survive. Greaaatt.
But there is still time for that. Please, come in and rest. You must prepare yourself for your return to the world. Come. As the cat entered the pagoda, Shaa followed him, the smell of warm food inviting them inside.
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Post by Vikram on Jan 20, 2023 19:28:10 GMT -5
The spread before them was quite impressive, at least for what Vikram had assumed would be available halfway up one of the tallest mountains in the world. Pita Pastries, Catnip Casseroles, Snow Shallots, Bargain Beans, and even a nice Cinnamini Curry. He sat himself at the low table on one of the embroidered pillows. Several acolytes sat about, quietly eating and muttering amongst themselves. Monk Pallas sat nearby, quietly nibbling on a Pita. He took a moment to read the letter obtained quietly moments earlier. It was mostly small monk gossip about goings-on around the monastary, and certain proclivities of the head monk to sneak catnip into other dishes when others are not looking. Vikram frowned, taking a small piece of charcoal to make a small edit, before folding the letter back and placing it in the rear wrap of the Acolyte sitting nearest him. Without a fuss, he pulled together a plate and relaxed. "Shaa, I must say. You continue to surprise me to this day. Forgive me, but I would have never expected one such as yourself to have such insight into the ways of the spirit. You have humbled me, and I must thank you for a new perspective on this world."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 21, 2023 2:06:37 GMT -5
Shaa laughed to himself a bit. Thank you , but you give me way too much credit. You are amazing with that sword, swish Shaka! Shaa got a wistful look in his eyes and stared off into the distance. I was not always the paragon of soulful insight that you see before you. He held the look for a minute before bursting out in laughter. Haha ahhh sorry I just couldn’t do it. Wiping a tear from his eye, he continued.
Seriously though, as a Minotaur, I have always had “anger” issues. I would get into stupid fights over…so many things. Then a friend of mine died in a bar fight of all things. A bar fight. After the funeral, I took a hard look at myself and asked” What’s it all for? Why am I fighting?” So, picked up some books, met some people. Soon enough, I was on the path to personal growth and enlightenment. Learned how to breathe right, ate more hummus. It was all ver cathartic.
He stretched his legs out a bit and grabbed some berries. After some time and hard self reflection, I changed. And as I changed, I saw the world differently. I saw it for what it was instead of what I could get out of it. That I was a part of something much bigger than myself. I accepted the fact that I….like to beat things up. It gives me purpose. Once I accepted it, I found peace and learned even more ways to beat people up. Peace in violence. Who knew? Grabbing a carrot, he started to chew it loudly.
That was quite beautiful Shaa, thank you for sharing. The cat monk licked his hand. Violence is not evil. Are volcanoes evil? Are hurricanes evil? No of course not. They are extremely violent but that is simply their nature. Not good, bad or indifferent. It is simply what they are. Connecting to the soul is simply accepting what you are.
But I digress. He claps his hands and monks enter and start to clean up. It is time to retire for the night. You must save your strength. You have a long journey tomorrow.
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Post by Vikram on Jan 22, 2023 15:34:07 GMT -5
Morning came as the pair collected their belongings and readied in the Monastery courtyard. Monk Pallas waved them off with a few words of encouragement, as well as a few gongs to signal their departure. The air was crisp and cold as they passed through the gate and back onto the mountain, whatever barrier that kept the climate comfortable now no longer protecting them. Long hollow howls echoed throughout the mountain pass as they began their descent, small amounts of snow descending softly to cover the steps before them.
Vikram remained on guard, his eyes tracking the ridges above them for any sign of intrusive monsters and the such. Small drifts of snow occasionally fell, creating tiny avalanches of snow that had no discernible sources. He gripped his scimitar, muscles tense as he readied for combat, but as minutes passed none came to find him. Until of course, it did. The impact of the Yeti between them sent Vikram tumbling across the pathway, seperated from Shaa by a large hairy monstrosity. He reached back for his sword only to find it missing from it's sheath, looking up to find it impaled in the snow next to Shaa where he had been standing. Shucks, Time to think outside the box.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jan 22, 2023 16:05:13 GMT -5
As they said their goodbyes and headed out, Shaa felt pretty peaceful inside. Aside from walking around in the cold, Shaa had enjoyed his trip to the monastery immensely. They didn’t have to hurry. He got some good food with little hassle and for FREE. Learned some more monk stuff. Met a weird cat guy who was ok as weird cat guys go and not some sort of crazy jerk he would need to beat up. As for Vikram, Vikram took care of his own stuff which is a big plus when it comes to travel companions so that was all good. All and all, it was a win as far as adventures go. And that’s when the Yeti showed up.
Its not often that Shaa gets caught off guard, but he did not see that Yeti coming. He didn’t see it when it knocked Vikram across the road and he didn’t see the fist before it hauled off and belted him hard in the face. Shaa could feel the muscles in his face contract as the Yetis cold hard fist came slamming violently into his snout. Shaa’s eyes roll a bit from the impact but he is brought back to his senses when the Yeti screams in his face. With a shake of his head, Shaa feints to punch him in the face. When the Yeti covers his face with its massive hands, Shaa quickly and brusquely grabs the Yetis nipples and turns them as hard as he can.
The Yeti is shocked at the attack and starts to move backwards. As he does so, Shaa shoved him hard and he tumbles to the ground. The chilly Minotaur walks over to the tree and grabs Vikram’s sword from the snow. The Yeti gets up and Shaa looks at him, frozen blood trickling from his snout. He tried to think back to yesterday. How did Vikram do it so quickly? It was like cutting a cake? Like it was easy as cake? No, the frosting. It was as easy as cutting cake frosting. Dang it! Shaa readies the sword. As the Yeti charges, Shaa breathes deep and tries to flash the sword as fast as he can. It was not fast enough as the Yeti doges and body checks Shaa as he brushes past him and runs right at Vikram.
Vikrams Veracious Velocity - failed
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