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Post by kaminarinami on Apr 25, 2023 11:43:33 GMT -5
Nami trotted through the hills, foraging in the wild, growing spring. Dew clung to the grass, sparkling in the early sun before turning to a gentle fog as the brim of the sun's radiance shone over the horizon. Picking a few wild mushrooms, the centaur tucked them away into a small woven pouch for later. The sky was alight with a myriad of color, the clouds above diffusing into oranges, golden reds and deep purples. This was why she loved the magic of the Sky, because it was colorful, energetic, and best of all, speedy.
Whistling a tune, she rode over the hills and through the valleys between. Some covered in wild greens, grasses and flowers, others jagged outcroppings of stone. She giggled at the imaginative imagery of a massive earthworm, deep below the surface, churning the earth above until it split open in great furrows to make such hills. Her favorite mental exercise was to come up with outlandish explanations, to see things that could be, but probably aren't, even in the most mundane parts of life. Like the winds she loved to chase over open fields, Nami spent her days improving upon the knowledge and intuition she had.
As the morning was giving way to noon, a shift in the wind perked the centaur from her exercises. There was a storm approaching, and though she couldn't see signs of it yet, she could smell the dampness on the wind. Peculiar to her nose, which had been lavishing in the scents of wildflowers all morning, the scent was amplified. Racing up the hill to it's summit, Nami scanned the area. To the south west, deep grey clouds, heavy and swollen with rains rolled in off the coast. In another hour, it would be where she was, and there was no way of knowing if she could outpace such a force of nature.
Not keen on finding out, she sped off down the hill as a burst of wind ruffled her short hair, and fur. She could feel the static charge tickle across her skin, indicating a storm that would be looking to throw a lot of lightning. It was time to seek shelter, so Nami sped along the ground, the thump of her hoofbeats steadily increasing until she found a comfortable fast cruise. She was searching for a cave, or overhang, or some other feature of this area low to the ground and able to keep her dry.
Spotting what she thought at first to be some kind of odd tree, she turned towards it. This tree was strange, from this distance it looked covered in fuzz and lacking leaves or greenery. Did... it just... move? she thought. Again, the oddity shifted before her eyes. This far away it was difficult to see, but Nami was observing a heap of a Minotaur from a solid distance away. She kept on her path, unsure what to make of the very strange sight.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 25, 2023 20:49:37 GMT -5
Home. It was a word that carried several meanings for the Minotaur who’s life had mostly been spent on dusty roads and under expansive skies. It was only very recently that Shaa had discovered that he had a true homeland. One that sired his father and his fathers father. A land so far away from here and buried deep in his memories, deeper than his very bones. It was were he came from, but it had only been very briefly his home.
Since his abduction and sale to the nomad tribes, home was the ground. His mother was pain. His father was blood and suffering. In only the grisly death of his masters did he find true freedom, but still no place to belong. It was here in the Hills of Braddock that Shaa had spent the lonely years of isolation after his freedom was thrust upon him. It was here in the hills that he learned his Terramancy, where his body and mind were forged and ruled with the will to survive. Here, in these beautiful rolling scenes is where the wanderer was truly born. It’s probably why he came back here to build an underground labyrinth which he could truly call home. While not quite finished yet, it did have a muffin room so it would work for the time being.
But spending too much time underground in the labyrinth was hard. It was comfortable to be sure, but one had to remember to come back to the sun. To smell the brisk air of the sea. To feel the keen grass on your legs. To watch the Centaur run in the….wait a minute. What was a Centaur doing here?
Shaa had a very weird relationship with Centaurs. On the one hand, Minotaur and Centaur were like 2 sides of the same coin. Centaurs more lawful and Minotaur much more Chaotic and violent. Both creatures of the earth. The Volcano and the grassy knoll. Shaa himself had eventually been adopted by a group of Centaurs who taught him writing and language, honed his magic and were the first true family he ever had. Had any of them showed up to visit, he wouldn’t have been surprised, he would have been extatic. But he didn’t recognize this Centaur. And it was coming right towards him.
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Post by kaminarinami on Apr 26, 2023 8:05:12 GMT -5
Slowing to a stop atop a hill adjacent to the minotaur, she wondered why they were out here in the Hills. For a moment, she pranced about the top of the hill, fidgeting with indecision. Should I approach? They don't seem hostile yet but that could easily change. Should I leave? Am I trespassing on their territory? Were they alone or with family to protect? There was only one civil way to find out to her reckoning, and if she wasn't welcomed, she could get away in a flash if need be.
Driving her spear into the soft grass, it's golden haft stood out of the grassy hill like a lightning rod. With her hands now free, she cupped them and shouted across the hills toward the large bull man.
"HELLO THERE!! ARE YA A FRIENDLY SORT? SHOULD I BE LEAVIN' THIS PLACE?" She called out, prepping her spell in case things went south. She hoped they'd be at least somewhat friendly towards her, seeing her unarmed and making no effort to be threatening. One could never tell upon meeting new folks, some were genuine, others sly and full of scheming. Her friend the shaman had taken a great deal of time to get Nami to remember this fact, as she didn't seem to possess the natural mistrust that made folks wary of others until they were shown otherwise.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 26, 2023 8:46:05 GMT -5
By her young face and plucky demeanor, Shaa relaxed a bit. This was no messenger of doom or challenger coming for him. She probably was just lost. Well that all depends, what food have you brought me as an offering? Brahhhh! Shaa raises his hands comically and stamps around like he is a monster defending his tiny hill. After a minute, he puts his hands down and starts laughing hysterically. It occurs to him that he may have been alone too long on this last trip. Yeah kid, it’s fine. I’m just messing around.
Shaa walks over to the young Centaur to get a better look at them. After giving the once over, Shaa is sure that he has no idea who this is. Not for nothing kid but, the Hills of Braddock aren’t exactly a major tourist destination. They are usually a place for monsters, fishermen or people who want to be alone. You’ll forgive me if I notice you don’t look like any that. What are you doing here exactly. Folding his massive hairy arms a bit, he waits for the explanation. Then it occurs to him. Oh, I am Shaa Rhunn by the way. Interim Captain of the fighters Guild, 5 time champion of the fight pits, connoisseur of…baked goods…an stufff. Shaa always felt like a fraud when he talked about himself. He was very famous in certain circles but mostly for beating people up and wrecking things. It was a handy reputation to have as it kept less capable fighters at a distance but it wasn’t really who Shaa was, not really. At least it wasn’t what he always wanted to be. Sure he liked fighting but that never his first choice. What was this person’s deal?
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Post by kaminarinami on Apr 26, 2023 16:12:56 GMT -5
As the minotaur began it's display, she started to cast her spell. Little arcs of electricity popped and crackled across her body as she readied to leave the area. They made no move towards her, almost as if it were all... a bluff... or so the minotaur proclaimed. Cancelling the spell saw her statically charged hair and fur fall back to normal, as she watched the hulk of fur and muscle approach. He explained his position, offered a name and had questions to boot. She reckoned that he was someone who lived in the area, perhaps had for a good deal of time even.
"My name is Nami, I do not have a place I consider home... so I roam where the winds take me. Are you aware of the storm approaching? Higher up in the hills, I could see a great swathe of heavy clouds making their way in from the coast." Stated the centaur, another stiff breeze carrying the distinct smell of approaching rain. She wasn't sure what caused this both ominous and wonderful scent but she loved it just as much as she loved watching the crackling light and sound show that came with heavy storms. Even the fierce gales that spewed out twisters to topple home and tree alike, or the typhoons of the fall season whose girth could swallow entire regions in nature's fury were fascinating to her. This she inherited from her mentor, who'd first introduced the girl to the magic of the Sky as a youngling.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 27, 2023 0:19:28 GMT -5
As someone who spent the vast majority of his time outdoors, rainstorms were more or less just free showers to Shaa. That being said however, showering in front of strangers wasn’t exactly polite. Shaa took a big sniff of the air and could smell the ozone. It’s nice to meet you Nami. The storm? Yes I know it’s coming but they happen all the time. Not exactly anything to worry about. But you aren’t worried are you? You look more …excited? Shaa could feel the electricity in the air making his hair stand on end. Ehhh. Maybe this one is going to be a bit crunchier than normal.
Shaa’s lair was close. The entrance was known only to a handful of people and Shaa wasn’t exactly expecting company. But they needed to take shelter soon and he couldn’t exactly let a fellow wandering soul get unceremoniously deep fried by a lightning bolt. Look. As much as I can appreciate a good rainstorm, this probably isn’t something you want to get caught in. My home is just over there. We can take shelter there until this blows over. Where I live…well..let’s just say I don’t worry about storms that much. Come on. I could use some good karma and leaving a traveler out in a storm is bad juju.
Shaa motions to Nami to follow him into a narrow ravine. The walls of the ravine were carefully curated but kept a natural feel to them. At the end of the ravine, was a large circular boulder. As Shaa approached the boulder, he smiled. You are lucky. I built my home Minotaur size so you shouldn’t have any issues. Thunder started to roll in the clouds above. As it did, a strong wind starts blowing around the brush. Shaa puts his shoulder up to the boulder and pushes hard. The boulder slowly starts to roll away from Shaa’s Labyrinth. Don’t bother wiping your feet. All te floors are dirt. Lol.
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Post by kaminarinami on Apr 27, 2023 9:40:44 GMT -5
She followed the minotaur, calling her spear to her side as they left the hill. The storm was picking up it's pace, she could sense the shift in the winds as they began their torrent above. As the boulder leading to the man's home slid out of the way, she felt the first droplets on her face and fur. Quickly dipping inside, it took her a good few moments to adjust to the lack of sunlight. Despite being fairly well lit, it still was dimmer and of a very different quality than the outdoors.
"Thank you for inviting me into your home Shaa Rhunn. I do hope I'm not imposing upon you in any way. I wouldn't have minded weathering the storm, but it does seem to be a particularly strong one rolling in." Nami commented, then moved aside so Shaa could pass. She followed him deeper into the cavernous place he called his home, unsure what might happen next. Outside, she could here the wind howling, and rain begin to pummel the massive boulder. A clap of thunder rolled through the hills, followed by several more as the pair moved through the twisting corridors. She was lost by the third or fourth turn, and hoped this encounter wouldn't see her trapped in this place... already a great deal of dread at the idea was washing over her. She fidgeted as they walked, clutching the haft of her spear for comfort and trying not to let the maze of underground corridors cause her to panic and dart off into the dim stony passages.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 27, 2023 16:28:17 GMT -5
As Shaa led the way down the dimly lit tunnels and passages, a thought occurred to him. Sure sure, it’s no problem at all. No use in creating a bunch of stuff if you can’t show it off once in awhile right? Umm can you even see it? As it happens, Shaa was able to see in the darkest caves. As such, unless he had company, he preferred keeping the lights low for all the minor creatures that lived here. Uh no, of course not. My bad. I forget sometimes. Here, let me help you out a bit.
Shaa walked over and pulled an unlit torch from a sconce on the wall. He kept them there for guests just in case. With a quick breath on the top of the torch, it immediately bursts into flame, lighting the tunnel around them. He smiles, satisfied with his handiwork and hands the torch over Nami. There you go. Just let me know if you need a fresh one but that one should last a bit. This way. Shaa gives a quick jerking motion with his head down a branching tunnel. Down the tunnel, the smell of stew could be detected wafting through the air. Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour. We’ll start in the kitchen. The stew and bread should be just about ready. As they walked down the hall, a small creature skittered across the floor. Don’t mind those guys. This place is more alive than someone might give it credit for. Just don’t step heavy.
Flame Breath
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Post by kaminarinami on Apr 28, 2023 10:40:23 GMT -5
Torch in one hand, spear in the other, Nami followed Shaa deeper into the maze of tunnels. She tread carefully, not wanting to upset the creatures as they moved through the cave-like system. Not one to usually go underground, and feeling awkward about the limited space to move around, she kept having to fight off the instinctual urge to make a mad dash outside. How would she even find her way back? Getting lost down here was the last thing the centaur cared for, so she gripped the torch, shifted her spear into a comfortable position and did her best to push the feeling aside.
"Do ya live down here all by yerself Shaa?" She asked, marveling at the way her voice echoed through the passages. Curiosity often proved the best distraction for her in unusual situations, so Nami began trying to come up with more questions to ask. Another critter hopped from the wall, ran across her back for a fraction of a second, and jumped across to the other side. She let out a startled yelp, looking at the odd spider. It was very different from the spiders she encountered above, it's carapace a ghostly white and it's forward eyes shying away from the torchlight. It skittered into a shadowy hole as a shiver ran through the centaur.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 28, 2023 14:30:08 GMT -5
Shaa chuckled a bit. Well sort of. Honestly I’m more like you. Most of the time I’m out on the road or in the barracks in the fighters guild. I use this place when I need a break, or store something or just to get away for awhile. I have some friends that drop by now and then but I am the only one here permanently. Shaa turns into a medium sized room with a wooden table, thick chairs and a pantry. I’d tell you to take a seat but that won’t exactly work lol.
He pulls out some warm fresh bread from the oven and places it on a cutting board on the table. He pulls two wooden bowls out of a cupboard and spoons some stew into both from a cauldron over an open flame in the corner. Placing the bowls of stew on the table with some spoons, Shaa takes a knife and cuts the warm bread into thick slices. He finishes up by drawing some water from a container and placing two cups on the table with a couple extra candles.
You can put thorch in the sconce over there, we should have enough light. Please have some stew and bread. I grew the vegetables myself with some spice…from here and there. Shaa gets a thought and returns quickly to the pantry to grab a glass jar full of some sort of fruit preserve. For the bread if you like. My mentor Darius, he’s a Centaur like you, bread and jam is his favorite. He’d never admit that of course. Shaa settled into one of the sturdy wooden chairs and started to work on his stew. So tell me he asked between mouthfuls what brought your wanderings all the way down here?
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Post by kaminarinami on Apr 28, 2023 15:02:37 GMT -5
She walked over to the metal rings sticking from the masonry, slotting the torch in and propping it against the wall. After returning to the table, she spread some of the wonderfully fragrant jam on her bread and took a bite. The soft warmth of the bread with the fruity sweetness of the jam was superb, and she savored the complex flavor for a moment before responding.
"Chasin' storms... the way me own mentor taught me to." Thinking about said mentor triggered a memory. A passage from one of the books they'd left behind of a tall tale she thought fanciful by all measures, and a bull man with a powerful build and gentle soul... it couldn't be....
"In fact, ya might even have crossed paths yerself with said mentor..." She studied Shaa's features closely for the first time, between bites of the warm stew. The spices were a bit strong for what she usually ate, but not unpleasant. The vegetables had a rich flavor and the broth was complex. Shaa was a fine cook, and she wondered what other skills he possessed.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 30, 2023 0:33:05 GMT -5
Shaa dipped a piece of his bread into his stew and smiled. So this Centaur was a storm lover after all. They weren’t the first one that Shaa had ever met and probably wouldn’t be the last. But that was ok, to each their own. As it happened, Shaa’s recent entry into elementalism meant that he would have to learn more about that world. As a former Terramancer, a year ago that would have been unthinkable. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to get his hooves wet. I have been on the road for so long, I’m pretty sure that I have run into everyone in Charon at some point. What is his name?
There was something about sitting here sharing a meal with a Centaur that made Shaa surprisingly nostalgic. There were so many nights that he had sat around the fire, eating, talking about the world. He was so much older now, had seen so much more of the world itself. Now here was a Centaur starting their own adventure. How the world turned. For a moment, he missed his own mentor. He took another bite of stew and let the liquid slide slowly down his throat, warming him from the inside out. The rain could be heard in the distance mixed with the the sound of the bubbling pot on the fire.
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Post by kaminarinami on Apr 30, 2023 2:18:14 GMT -5
"Kosoku was my mentor's name, though most knew them as Socket. I'm not sure the idea of he or she applies to constructs, but they were quite... unique. According to a passage from one of their journals, you've crossed paths... something about a leviathan, and a sea goblin... it's been a while since I was looking for information about how they pursued growing their magical talent, but it was a memorable story either way.... so, the story is at least based in truth?" She pondered the question for a moment, then clarified.
"Not that I know Socket or yerself to spin tall tales, obviously... but something another traveler once said was 'wizards like to hide knowledge in stories, particularly in ones that sound outlandish... throws off the reader as it were'. Nami finished, then ate the last of her soup and jam coated bread. Sipping the cool, clean water to chase it down, she felt refreshed by the warm, hearty meal. Shaa had been a pleasant host, which was quite an experience unto itself to the centaur. She sat reminiscing, hearing the tinny, buzzing voice of her mentor scold the girl when she threw a tantrum or tried something that was dangerous. While she'd not seen Socket since her teen years, Nami did get word about their recent retirement and departure from Charon. She hoped the best for her mentor in their next world, and wondered how fascinating an existence that might be.
Outside, a series of lightning strikes struck. The rolling thunder that resulted sounded like a barrage from military mages during a great siege. It startled Nami a bit but made her grin, wanting nothing more than to sprint out of the ravine and chase the storm til it sputtered out either deeper inland or against higher elevations it was too heavy to clear. It had become her favorite hobby, and given her insight into the forces at work when working with Sky magic.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on May 1, 2023 19:57:09 GMT -5
When Shaa hears the name, he chokes and stew nearly comes out of his snout. Wait wait, your telling me that your mentor was SOCKET?!? Shaa indeed knew the name very well. Spending an extended period of time inside a giant fish with a golem from outer space was not something that was easily forgotten. As it happened, Shaa very rarely spoke of it as he doubted even he most trusted companions would believe it. They probably would have just chalked it up to a raucous night of binge drinking and taken him for a fool. It was nice to have someone who could hear the story.
Shaa composed himself somewhat and continued. Well I’m not exactly sure how Socket would have relayed the tale, it wasn’t exactly the most colorful of beings that I have ever met. But, for their part, it was a reliable companion and a wonder of engineering….whoever made him..her…them? Shaa thought back to the incident and wondered how the little fish goblin was doing. Short version is I was fishing with friends when we were eaten by a massive fish. The fish was so large, it had an entire civilization living inside it. That’s where I met Socket. We worked together to escape, which we did. Then we fought a slightly smaller, yet still giant squid thing. Beat up some Merfolk. Good times. Shaa took another sip of water and cleaned up the dishes. I’m glad to hear that Socket got home or wherever and made some friends on the way.
Now that lunch is over, let’s continue the tour shall we? Shaa again picked the still burning torch from the wall and handed it over. Next up is the storage room. I know it doesn’t sound exciting but it actually has tunnels that lead to every other room in the labyrinth. And some TO CERTAIN DOOOOOM! Shaa starts laughing maniacally. Ahhh I’m just kidding. The labyrinth hasn’t killed anybody….yet. Shaa gives Nami a playful wink and walks down a broad tunnel that seems to go on for awhile.
Soon the find themselves in a large cavern with Stalagmites lining the floor. The center of the cavern is filled with various boxes and items. The walls have several tunnels leading to other places in the maze. The cavern is cool and surprisingly dry for all the signs of natural formations around.
Welcome to the storage room. I keep all of the keepsakes from my adventures here as well as general goods for the other rooms in the maze. If you ever get lost, just keep walking and you will end up back here. Shaa walks up to one of the tunnels and marks a big X next to it. If you need to get out, just follow this tunnel. When you leave I’ll erase the X…you know for aesthetic. Shaa walks over to a large crate and fishes out a tooth the size of a shot glass. Hmmm here we go. Shaa tosses the tooth over for closer examination. Found that near an acid pit inside the fish. Socket swung around that thing like one of those cave spider things. Very agile. Shaa looked around at a life time close calls and faded memories. Sometimes he couldn’t believe he had survived this long.
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Post by kaminarinami on May 1, 2023 22:04:48 GMT -5
The centaur chuckled at Shaa's reaction, and was even more amused by his theatrics about the twisting corridors of his home. She took the torch and followed along, marveling at the sheer extent of stuff packed into the stores. She held the light up as high as was comfortable, examining the walls and their assortment of trinkets and trophies. She had to set her spear against a crate of goods when Shaa tossed her the tooth, but she caught it at the last instant. Turning it over in her hands, it seemed like something altogether alien and bizarre. She had little experience with the sea, barely had visited the coasts of places since they were often densely populated and frequently traveled.
"Amazin', the pair of ya were inside it's belly, along with a town of folk?! That fish must have put even the oldest of dragons and biggest of basilisks to shame on size alone." She said, both in awe and excitement at the prospect. She listened to Shaa's explanation about navigating the tunnels, nodding her understanding as his explanation finished. Carefully Nami returned the tooth to the minotaur, looking almost enraptured by it's very existence. She pranced about for a moment, giddy and giggling, thinking of how fun it must be to run around inside the belly of some gargantuan creature that swam the oceans.
"Yer home is pretty incredible Shaa, and while I've only read the story, that adventure must make the best campfire story when you're travelin'." She said, ready to continue the grand tour.
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