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Ribbon Prancer
a76809
>>204280
I did not leave my prior clan, I was cast out. When the chieftain came to me, begging for his son to be healed, already having proven himself weak, no true leader, I rejected him, and let his son die so that I could continue healing the warriors of the clan, rather than the spoiled whelp the weakling leader muled for. And for my choice, I was forced to leave, and wander the mountains alone, which brought me, eventually, to the Drazken clan. Compared to my prior leader, Lorgk has demonstrated an admirable mindset: The well-being of the clan, above all else. This simple maxim seems to guide his every action, and I respect him for it. Mingsk is more egotistical, prone to looking to improving his own standing, but has no compunction with putting in the effort, the work needed to do so, and labors to improve himself through his own actions, his own choices. I can hardly fault him for such behavior.
>>204284
The one known as Goran The Magic Eater is known to me. Premen centuries old, able to prolong life, gain great size, by feasting on magic, body ablates it's force, mouth can consume it, fuel further growth, more strength. Able to 'smell' magic, hunt it like a fleeing prey, from miles distant, and hunger ever drives this one to seek more magic. ...Apprentice Ulzrick would likely be appetizing to Goran, and has proven an apt pupil... but concern exists, over wholeness of body: None can command Soul Dreaming, without some form of price, crippled limbs, broken body.... or broken mind. As training progresses, Ulzrick has spoken to self aloud more than once, and such instances will increase, if training persists: The price of mastering Souldreaming is making malady worse, and for those whom have a curse of the mind... this can end in a manner even I must pity. The one who serves Chieftain Mordre directly, the human Arkus, babbles like a child, but has a keen mind, and pushes hard, driven to learn, as swiftly as possible: For this alone I would call him worthy of respect, even if found personally irritating. Then, at some seventy years of age, it is found many of the younger ones are deemed irritating.
>>204254
>>204271
>>204274
>>204276
>>204283
>>204284
>>204374
"Indeed. Events in the southern lands provided potent distractions, and had to be dealt with before help could be sent. Many in those lands far stronger than was thought possible, even if many more proved soft and weak. Mordre moves now to aid with the suitors he claimed as his cadre, as well as warriors Oggroth The Mountain, Ugrokk the Tall. However, limited by their speed, in terms of how swiftly arrival shall occur. Two southerners, Bang and Keddic, have been sent ahead, should be here to help with defenses, will arrive in three to four days, wearing cloaks of blood. Both are capable warriors. Chieftain Mordre and his warriors, perhaps a week, maybe more for their own arrival, complete with more arms to bring to bear on threats. You received the weapons sent earlier, yes?"
>"It is so. The.... iron tubes, the... hand-cans-"
"Hand-Cannons."
>"The Hand-cannons have been used, their function is now known. These warriors in red, garbed in blood, what makes them strong?"
"One seems unable to take conventional harm, body repairing itself, and able to strike with force to crack stone, shatter bone, warp metal, no challenge to great to avoid head on contest."
>"The other?"
"Swordsmen, blood harder than bronze, a weapon in itself, armed with potent blades."
>"The weapons brought?"
"Five-tens more of hand-cannons, weapons that can change size for concealment with wicked edges, The means to hurl lightning at foes, cloaks to make blood a means to reflect harm back upon the attacker, strange spears... many weapons, all in the possession of the slower group."
>"Mmm..."
"Orders from Chieftain Mordre, to warn Drazken Clan of threat in the area."
>"Speak of this threat."
"A metal warrior, smaller than the metal chieftain, but deadly swift, able to feast on magic with whole form, armed with potent blades: A warrior by the name of Dulu, once made of flesh, carrying Premen blood, but slain by Mordre and re-housed in this form of metal, far more potent than before."
>"...Recommended approach?"
"Avoid magic, as in feasting gains immediate strength of arms, Mordre brings weapons that should prove useful against such a foe."
>"Mmm..."
"Speak more on the mines, what issue is it that assails the clan?"
>"Miners kept going, desire for more goods great, to make clan strong swiftly, but went too deep, and found... creatures. Each seemed different, a form of chaos, madness, seeking bloodshed, largely bipedal, but refusing speech. Potent foes, and enough we sealed the cave. No effort has been made to breach the seal, it is thought the creatures do not seek exit to the world above... or cannot seek it on their own. Information is limited, this is all that is known."
"And Godorukk? The Gorkin Clan? What aims exist there?"
>"Yetis that stole land from ancestors paied tribute, in metal and gems, to Goran, to exist peacefully, not resisting the old wretch's grasp. With them gone, and word of mine's prosperity finally reaching Goran, tribute is sought from us, in the same form. It is good, in this respect, that mines collapsed, as no intention exists of paying the tribute: The yetis could not flourish even with decades to their use, from the greatness of the tribute desired. Such is the death of growth. Would rather fight, resist, prove own worth, than bow and cower before one such as Goran... and a desire exists to face the legendary warrior, the destroyer of lore. Win or die, tales would be spread, of bold resistance, and to win... the clan would live in legend for centuries, and gain prestige and power alike."
"There is a reason Goran has ruled for so long."
>"Aye. Powerful, no denying this truth, but even the mighty may fall."
"...On subject of Gorkin clan..."
>"Hm?"
"Could tribute be paid, for short term?"
>"Aye..."
"Perhaps payment should be given, to buy time for Mordre's arrival, for pair of warriors, for weapons... and see how things stand then, to face down Goran with Chieftain Mordre here."
>"...It is something to consider, but would be preferred that an alternative be found. Such an act, while recognized as cunning... it sits ill with warrior blood."
"So it does. ...Ah, a thought."
>"Hm?"
"Chieftain Mordre maintains a ruse in the lowlands, as all would deem him foe should he not: Among those laboring under this false belief are the two warriors coming here."
>"...The nature of this false belief?"
"That Chieftain Mordre is not self-willed, instead a false body, controlled from afar by an aged shaman."
>"..Your view on this?"
"...It is suggested that the ruse be maintained where necessary, partly for the strength of the warriors, and partly due to use Mordre serves to the clan."
>"Your words are wise, old one. I shall heed them, and insure that none betray the chieftain Mordre's secret."
>>204336
>>204348
>>204252
The degree of what may be brought from dream to reality is limited only by will, imagination, by scope of dreams... but trying to mold something too great rebounds, sending Souldreamers form into the dreams, never to return. strong legs, strong arms, a body free of frailty, this is simple to imagine, with years of experience, something easily maintained. Wings could be possible, flight possible, but new, alien, difficult to maintain: Energy would be sapped more swiftly, as if healing without pause. To craft something wholly new, something that never existed, has no base, is hardest of all, the greatest act known of being making weapons drawn from the mind, frequently taking the dreamer's life in the process, sending them back to the Dream as payment for making something wholly dream completely real. The few that succeeded, and remained real, avoided the death of sinking forevermore into the dream, were those with iron will, with a clear focus on what was desired.
[This translates to: If you want Jojo to flat out Dream something real, it becomes more likely to succeed the more people that draw a picture of what is desired, complete with descriptions of all pertinent details. This only goes so far, so do not expect Jojo to just dream a golem into existence: An enchanted weapon, or a piece of armor, however, could be possible... note the COULD. This also does not guarantee success would not cast Jojo to the dreams anyway, so... be cautious with this possible use of his powers.]
I consider the state of affairs here in Mordreden, with the sun already rising to it's zenith overhead, and wonder:
What should I do?
Should I advise Lorgk to accede to Godorukk's demands for tribute, or do I have an alternative plan?
Should I speak with Mingsk and the rest of the Drazken shaman on some subject?
Or should I do something else?
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