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- Dec 26, 2022
The story so far, Part 1:
Post by: Carly on November 25, 2022, 09:37:22 pm
The land of the free nations had had a dramatic history. The kingdoms of Shu Han, Ravka, Fjerda, Novyi Zem were constantly distrustful of each other or at times all-out hostile.
Many wars between the nations had lasted generations, and as such the populations learned that peace likely was only temporary, but in recent memory peace was the case. Although skirmishes did occur on boarders, and royalty of each nation did indeed snub the others more often than not, no full scale wars between these nations had occured for decades. It was an uneasy time at first, with every nation expecting it to be some trick and a surprise attack from the others to happen any day, but as the years past and trade between the nations flourished, the people and the ruling castes had began to spend their efforts in more civilian projects instead of preparing for war.
Armies still existed of course, and there were monster uprisings to supress after all, but it was currently a golden age as far a the land of free nations was concerned. As golden as it has been in known history anyway. Due to this thankful time of prosparity, new buildings were made and more money had been streamed to the unfortunate, and as such some long standing social issues could be finally addressed by buerocrats and nobles alike.
Nobyi Zem was mainly a port nation that specialised in fishing, and had a growing pearl and whaling trade. Whale oil for lanterrns from Novyi was highly sought after, one ounce burning for three times as long as whale oil from elsewhere, and it burned almost without smoke or fumes, making it highly prized by scholars and accademics as well as any who read or worked at all hours of the night.
Ravka was the nation of the elves, but also had a informal population of fairies who's numbers none could guess. They excelled at creating musical intruments and all things wooden. Their bows were second to none, and their archers unparallelled. Fairies were mainly enigmatic, and although they had powers none understood, it wasn't true magic but based on something that related to responces to certain behavior or actions of another and were powers that couldn't be called on at will. Typically they were known for curses more than anything else, but they also seemed to be linked to a realm different to the world and had knowledge none could explain. They traded mainly in secrets and information. The best spies were fairies from Ravka - for several reasons. They mainly had a neutral relationship with the elves that dominated their kingdom, the elves learning to only deal with them when the need was great.
FJerda was the land of the dwarves, and had incredible deposits of ores of different varieties that was traded at prices that mostly only the rich could afford. Their smiths and masons were masters of their art, and many were hired to create statues or works of art for other nations. Although technically one could get iron or steel in most places, only the best steel or worked metal goods were from Fjerda. To lay claim to their works, an embossed mountain often was seen on the bottom of their goods.
Shu Han was the traditional land of the humans and the bread basket for the free kingdoms. Although they also colenised Novyi Zem several hundred years ago, no place had larger populations or as a diverse culture as Shu Han. Grain of all kinds was produced in abundance in the kingdom, and massive stockpiles of it was stored underground in each of their fortified towns, making it possible for most towns to last out sieges for decades. Grain also was their prime export. Although nowdays many of this nation had begun growing more fruit due to a breakthrough in being able to dry fruit so it would keep and be sold far away or stored for long periods of time without rotting or spoiling. Recently the dried fruit trade had been making a fortune, while fresh fruit was abundant and cheap in almost all places in Shu Han. Due to several reasons the cuisine of Shu Han was never dull or never barren, a point of national pride.
Lastly Keroh, a spiritual centre that had a large population of monks of different faiths. It was also the training centre of almost all the magi of the Free Kingdoms. All magi were futanari, or futas as some called them. Meaning they were women with magical male genitalia that could change in size, shape and texture to be exactly what their female lovers most desired. It was also true that depending on what sexual positions they conceived offspring with their lovers, or if another magi was also involved in the act - would direct what sort of magi would be born from the union.
There were many difference between magi and the normal populus. They were also incredibly beautiful women and didn't age after thirty years and could heal perfectly without blemish, deformity or scaring. They also had no deformity of any kind due to their linage or bloodlines, and they had no body hair other than their head of hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. They had no body scent of any kind. They also had bodies without an ounce of fat, which was lithe and subtle regardless of their lifestyle.
Their were several types of Futa or magi, and they could only be born from one or more magi coupling with a women of perfect blood - not royal blood necessarily, but blood that implies how well formed their bodies and minds are.
All magi were historically only sexually attracted to perfection in women, and although they could be as romantic as anyone else, their offspring were so sought after by the heads of state they were never encouraged to marry, and directed to impregnate as many suitable women as possible. Such pregnancies were a boon to the women who expected to be a mother of a magi, for not only were magi highly respected but their immediate blood relatives including their mothers were too. Direct blood relations with a magi had their own noble title - called "Galantha" a term and title adopted in all the free kingdoms. All Galantha were be able to live opulently and have all their expenses paid for by the royalty of the nation they lived in for their entire lives. Each kingdom didn't agree to much, but all agreed to have Galantha immediately granted noble titles, estates, servants and a position for one of their family to be on the ruling council if they desired. Although they were not made royalty, they were only one step below it culture wise everywhere, and traditionally wore golden robes as a mark of high noble station recognisable in all the free kingdoms.
Those that were Magi or Futa could easily demonstrate their uniqueness to others if they cared to, as all of their kind had magic abilities that were overt, but because they were so revered it became tradition they wore gold jewellery in their hair or on their head - such jewellery reserved for identifying magi were known as Skain Skain could be as simple as a gold coloured silk ribbon, to tiara's, to elaborate head pieces that were works of art themselves.
The traditions surrounding the magi, and their direct blood family, the Galantha, was so thoroughly embedded in all the free kingdoms culture that it became tradition for gold only to be able to be worn by such families, and not others, not even royalty no matter the nation. It also became a serious offence to wear gold in any way if not related to a magi directly. So too, over time, nobility everywhere became dominated by magi and their families. Although not a perfect system of deducing nobility, nobility formed this way was more or less workable and over time Galantha became associated with integrity and fairness, and respect for them grew in the hearts of the common populous.
Magi or futa were trained at Keroh, even if their families belonged to other nations. It was agreed by all the free kingdoms, that Keroh would serve all nations in the regards to training magi and loaning them to other nations, and all magi made to have a lifelong service to the crown starting immediately after they had mastered their individual talents. Something that occured typically at twenty years of age or there abouts. Training for futa or magi started at the age of ten and generally went on for ten years in the temples of Keroh dedicated to their particular needs. Usually they were trained by magi simular to themselves but with considerable experience but occasionally masters of arms and the likes were hired to either teach differnt forms and styles, or teach defences against them.
All futa were magi, and all magi futa, and very magically talented in at least some regard. Although none were entirely sure all the kinds of possible magi, there were seveal common classes.
First the clerics, the most common. These could heal wounds and cure diseases and the likes, and even remove curses. They could even reverse aging on the elderly, and it was even possible for them to regrow others limbs or remove defects of a family bloodline.
The second common class of magi were the mages, they could perform the greatest array of feats, from disappearing and appearing close by in a blink of an eye. True far-distance teleportation. Teleportation of themselves as well as others, and even the creation of portals - permanent gateways linking two distant locations through a rift in reality that anyone or anything could use. Although in order to create permanent effects certain special types of rare materials were required, but Teleportation and gateways were not the limits of their abilities by any means, but were the ones mages were most known for.
There was some grey area between magi that were clerics and magi that were mages however, as typically most mages had at least some ability to heal themselves and others, and clerics had at least some abilities common to mages. Their was a lot of variation between individuals and no one cleric or mage was like another.
The third most common magi were the chi-warriors. Magi that had mastered the magic of chi in their bodies and minds - giving them superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, coordination, grace and awareness. They quickly became true masters of weapons when trained in, and although they didn't have healing talents comparable to a cleric magi, they could channel chi to at least heal themselves, as well as being able to make devastating attacks with even their bare hands and feet if they had time to channel chi to do so. Some were rumoured to even be able to shatter solid blocks of granite with an open hand strike if they had enough time to prepare.
Keroh was deemed a sacred place to all the free kingdoms, being the traditional training ground of magi, and also the spiritual centre of several religions. It certainly was beautiful enough to pass as one by most peoples standards. Currently less than one hundred magi were known to be alive in the free kingdoms, but half of them were either training new magi or apprentice magi themselves. This left few available to service the crowns desires. Mostly due to the presence of magi, monster surges and monster threats were all but eliminated in Keroh, but that was certainly not the case in other lands of the free kingdoms. Kingdoms that were always requesting Keroh to loan them the services of magi.
The other lands had their own armies and weapon masters and the likes, but there was always a risk that sending them to fight would lead to their deaths. For truly dangerous missions, especially monsters or criminals that were exceptionally powerful or well established, Keroh trained Magi were the answer. Indeed Keroh Queens had been loaning their magi to other lands since the land was founded. Huge amounts of gold were traded between royalty of Keroh and other nations for even a month service of a magi. Much more if more than one was requested - and indeed it was the trend, as as powerful as the magi were alone, they were much more effective when in a team of two or more magi. So much so it became custom for magi to pair up and work as a duo when they were on missions in other lands. Such teams of two magi all the lands called "Raka".
It was the very day Arya was due to be sent abroad as a trained magi - today being the last day of her apprenticeship. At the age of twenty she was as fine a pupil as her masters could hope for, and had passed all the formal tests as early in her life as it as possible to do so. She was truly gifted, all her masters were incredibly proud of her. Her magi class - Chi-warrior. Her favourite specialty - swords.
Arya Moonglow's mother was from Shu Han, indeed most but not all magi families were. Her family was exceptionally proud of her and indeed blessed themselves to be related to her. Arya shared the raven coloured hair and fair skin and blue eyes of her mother and like her mother, she was tall and lithe, and subtle in physique. All her physical features exquisitely perfect. All magi could say the same though.
All nations other than the dwarfs of FJerda had magi related nobility. Something the dwarves were a little bitter about, but give them ale and they would be thinking of something else soon enough.
Ayra had just finished her demonstration of her final sword kata in the temple of Zess to her masters and was sheathing the long blade silently. The temple of Zess was a Chi-warriors most formal building, and used for graduation ceremonies of all Chi-warriors. She had been told the day before she would be partnered with a mage magi to form her Raka. To a individual as talented with magic and sorcery as Arya was talented at the martial arts. A student her peer in talent and dedication. A magi called Thalia.
Apparently there was rumour of demons rising in other lands. Arya thought that was just rumour and couldn't be true, for surely demons were all wiped out long ago. But rumours in Keroh were often based on truth. It was to address these demons a new Raka was needed.
Today she would know, and meet her peer Thalia for the first time. Questing together as true magi both.
To formalise Arya's graduation there would not be words, but the masters would leave a single gold ring on a pedistal. If one wasn't there when she finished her final kata, it would mean at least another year or training before she graduated. If one was there it means she had passed and could begin to serve the lands needs as a full magi.
Arya didn't need to look up to see if she had the ring, she knew it was there - all her katas forms were perfect, but looked up anyway. Indeed a single gold ring was present. The masters having left the room silently after placing it. No doubt talking of her prowess to each other or of the years of her intensive training.
Arya walked to the pedestal and donned the ring on her left hand. The ring wasn't just gold but enchanted by mage magis to be able to magically hold incredible amounts of objects in a magical dimension. A ring that when populated with supplies or goods would weigh as much as if it was empty - simply that of a ring its size. Filling the ring with any object could be done by touch while willing it, and willing a specific object out of the ring was just as easy. Thus removing the need for pouches, satchels, bags, saddle-bags, back-packs and the likes. All magi got one when they graduated. There were highly prized and rumoured to take two months to make by two mage magi, the financial cost of the rare materials that were used up enchanting the thing, unspoken. The art of making them reserved to only the elder magi, for traditional reasons more than anything else.
The rings were called "Renki Rings" and they gave a magi dignity - as none with their talents wanted to try and save others while wearing a heavy back pack or weighted down with a dozen heavy pouches on their belt. Only magi had such rings. Not even royalty had them - although they certainly did desire them.
Her her first act being a true magi Chi-warrior would be to leave the temple of Zess and go to the armoury and take her pick of masterfully crafted weapons to store in her Renki Ring. Something Arya was indeed looking forward to... Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
Post by: imjessme on December 03, 2022, 01:23:19 am Wind whistled through passages and tunnels, allegedly impossible in the subterranean caverns. Rumor had it that the wind was not wind at all, but the restless spirits of those gone before, brushing past, gently touching, light as air. Others claimed that the breeze was caused by the natural flow of magical energies, concentrated in this holiest of places. Still others rejected both fanciful theories, instead presuming that tunnels, either natural or human-made, connected the underground chambers to the surface, allowing fresh air to circulate. In fact, the truth, was that the wind was a combination of all three.
The only sound was of the wind, now a gentle breeze that brought warm early-summer air that moderately raised the temperature, making the tunnels a little more comfortable. Thalia was grateful for the warmer air against her bare skin, keeping her at least somewhat comfortable. As was tradition, of course, she strode through the winding tunnels entirely nude.
As familiar as Thalia had become with the Temple of Gilea, she had never been to this part. No one had, or rather, no one she knew had. These tunnels led to the deepest part of the underground complex, guarded by massive oak and steel doors, not to mention more than a few grim-faced guards. An aspirant was only allowed through the doors once she had taken the last of her tests, and was required to go alone, to allow her time to reflect on her training and the lessons she had learned over the last decade. They went nude as a reminder, a symbol, of their connection with the earth and its elemental powers. That part, at least, wasn't unusual to Thalia. Aspirants, during the final two or three years of their training, were required to wear very little, often just a small cloth pouch, large enough only to contain their genitals, held in place with thin string, and even that garment existed only out of practicality. Having one's cock bobbing back and forth with each step was distracting, to say the least. Suggestions had been made that perhaps it would be a good idea to wrap, or otherwise contain, the aspirants' breasts, for the same reason, but it was decided that such coverings would conceal too much, would create too much of a barrier between nature and bare skin. It was simply a hardship they, and Thalia, had learned to live with.
Now, however, she wore not even the pouch, and every bit of her wobbled with each step. She wasn't overly-endowed, neither breasts nor cock, at least not at the moment, but as was true with all of her kind, that endowment was still on the larger end when compared to either of the other genders. It was as though the gods themselves had decreed that they, the rare futas of the world, regardless of their profession and choices in life, were always and forever destined to be creatures of sex, and of reproduction.
As she walked, Thalia began to notice a low, barely-audible humming, or droning. Truthfully, she may have been hearing it for several minutes, without noticing, the noise slowly creeping into her awareness until she was unable to ignore it. It was coming from ahead, she decided, then realized the obviousness of her conclusion. Was it coming from the Ritual Chamber? It had to be. As far as she knew, that was all that lay ahead. After another minute, a dim glow appeared, somewhere farther down the tunnel. It, and the hum, swelled as she approached, now sure that she was both seeing, and hearing, her destination.
Soon, the tunnel opened, the walls quickly receding to either side, forming a massive underground chamber. Thalia looked up first, astonished to find the ceiling several dozen feet above her head, the dome disappearing into shadows. When she peered down, she saw the pit: a massive chasm, impossibly deep, gaping before her, several feet away. Rumor had it that, before, in the more savage days (though some would call them more "pure", rather than "savage"), an aspirant who failed her final tests, either for the first time, or after three attempts (it depended on who was telling the story), was expected to toss herself into the pit, voluntarily ending her life, and sparing the others from having to clean up. That, of course, was not the rule now, and truth be told, could very well simply be a story, invented by the older aspirants to scare the younglings, or by the instructors to keep the aspirants in line. Probably both.
"Thalia of Grendor," came a voice, echoing slightly, though not nearly as much as the vast chamber suggested. "Step forward, and kneel." Thalia knew the voice, had heard it for years, though only occasionally. The Head Instructor herself was conducting her evaluation. Was that normal? And she had used that stupid "of Grendor" surname that wasn't a surname at all. Thalia hated it, but then, what else were they supposed to call her? It wasn't as though she'd had a surname when she first arrived at the Academy.
Hesitating only a moment, a few seconds, Thalia stepped forward, closer to the edge, until she could lean forward enough to peer over and into the infinite blackness below. Her stomach did a quick flip, and suddenly the rumors seemed all-too possible. She took a step back, giving herself a good bit of space between her toes and the edge, then slowly lowered herself to the polished stone floor, kneeling, resting her butt on her heels. She waited. There were no words, no sound except for that low hum. It seemed to come from everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. The constant noise began to... she pictured it as a kind of vibration in her head which, she realized, was exactly what sound was. This was different though. This was like she had touched one of those galvanic batterons that the technocrats like to play with. Or so she'd heard anyway. It made her teeth want to clench shut.
"Thalia of Grendor," the voice of the Head Instructor said, repeating her full name, "You have been tested, and you have been judged. The Council of Elders has deliberated. Against my better judgement, the decision has been made to finalize your training. You will join the ranks of the Kal-Mara, and be paired with another to form a Raka, and sent out into the world to better it, and to contribute to the population of our kind."
Thalia's heart swelled. She sucked in a breath, realizing that she hadn't been breathing for several seconds. Her gasp of relief was apparently louder than she'd intended, as the Head Instructor seemed to address it.
"Do not revel in this decision, Thalia of Grendor. As I said, it was made against my judgement. You have shown remarkable skill and impressive power. However, you do not demonstrate the wisdom to use either. Do not mistake my meaning: you are intelligent, but you are brash. You are impulsive and quick to anger. Your emotions rule you, and that will shape and taint your magic." There was a pause, probably to let the warning sink in. Thalia gritted her teeth, partly at the indignity of the insults, and partly because they were true.
"With that said," the Head Instructor went on, "you nonetheless have been accepted into our order. You are no longer an Aspirant, and are hereby granted the title Initiate." Thalia noticed footsteps behind her, the kind that could only be made by bare feet on solid rock. "You are hereby frocked, and made one of us." As this was said, a robe of black material, something that felt as soft as silk, but as heavy as wool, was draped over her shoulders. "Accept too this token; a representation of our best wishes for you and your journey."
From behind her, another young woman, an aspirant, stepped around. The girl looked a few years younger than Thalia herself, maybe in her seventh or eighth year. She, too, wore the traditional ceremonial garb, which is to say nothing. Her blonde hair fell below her shoulders, and blue eyes glinted in the dim lighting. Like all of the others, her breasts were ample without being overly large, and her cock and balls, which would be large on a man, were, for the moment, rather average for her peculiar gender. She bore no erection, a common malady that afflicted those of her age, and instead, her genitalia simply dangled and swayed with her movements.
As Thalia watched, the aspirant held out a gold ring. Thalia raised her right hand, held it out rather than grasp the ring, and allowed the girl to slip it onto her third finger. Thalia brought her hand back, close to her face, examining the ring. Rather than a single band, it consisted of over a dozen fine strands, braided together in a complex pattern. This was her Renki, the gift given to all Magi upon their graduation. The style itself was unique to the Kal-Mara.
"Go now," the Head Instructor was saying, as the aspirant moved to the side. "Go to the Grand Hall at the center of Keroh. Enter through the Door of Sorrows, and speak the name of your Rakala, your companion. You will be led to her." There was another brief pause, and then, "Good luck, Thalia of Grendor. You will need it."
As Thalia emerged from the unassuming hollow that eventually led to the massive underground complex, she blinked, then squinted. Kal-Mara aspirants were certainly allowed up to the surface, but still spent most of their time in dim tunnels. She held a pale hand up to the sun, shading her eyes and shutting them until her vision could adjust. After a minute, she dared to look again, opening bright violet eyes to the world. Green grass swayed in the gentle breeze, and the perfume of wildflowers filled her nostrils. The sun was warm on her skin, even through the heavy cloak she had received only hours before. There was very little beneath it, save for a set of modesty garments. Most people, other magi included, were rarely comfortable with the nudity that the Kal-Mara embraced. For the sake of better public relations, the magi of that order put up with covering themselves. Come to think of it, that would need to be one of her first stops, after meeting with her Rakala.
With that thought in mind, Thalia set out, immediately thankful for the sandals she now wore, meager as they were. Years of being barefooted had toughened the soles of her feet, but even they were not prepared for the sharp rocks that littered the path down from the hills and into the city proper. While they would work for now, she doubted if they would hold up for very long. Another provision she would need to obtain.
The Door of Sorrows was actually quite a bit smaller than Thalia had assumed, standing not much higher than any normal chamber door, and without decoration. Instead, wooden boards, banded together with steel or, more likely, iron, swung open on hinges that squealed. That was a surprise too: the door wasn't even locked. Beyond was a small chamber, no more than a dozen feet across in both directions, though constructed of what appeared to be fine marble, in stark contrast to the door. Thalia turned to shut it, only to find an ornate, intricately-carved surface, apparently constructed of a single, solid slab of some kind of hardwood. The scene in the center depicted magi, one of each of the major classes, in pitched battle with a kind of scaly, clawed monster. With only the gentlest of pushes, the heavy door swung shut with a thunk.
"Hello," came a soft, gentle, genial voice from behind her. Thalia spun, not expecting anyone to have been nearby, let alone in the room with her. However, she found herself in the company of a rather small, rather old, rather balding man, wearing the simple brown robes of a mid-level functionary. He hunched slightly, likely due to his age, which had the effect of aiming the top of his smooth head directly at her. He had to strain to meet her eyes, something Thalia found incredibly embarrassing. "Ah, I see you wear a Skain," he said, smiling politely and gesturing toward Thalia's head. Thalia touched the side of her head gently, self-consciously, feeling the gold strands threaded through her dark chestnut hair. "You are one of the magi then? A Kal-Mara? Here to meet your Rakala?"
Thalia nodded. "Yes. Her name is..." She hesitated. Remembering names was never one of Thalia's talents. "Arya...? Arya Moon...blood? No. Moon...shadow... no... Moon...glow. Moonglow."
"Arya Moonglow," the man repeated, not quite a question, not exactly a statement. "Mm-yes, yes," he agreed with a nod, as though needing to confirm the name himself. "Yes, this way please." Without waiting, he turned and ducked around a corner that Thalia swore wasn't there a moment ago.
He took her through narrow hallways, grand ballrooms, past high balconies, and through a tunnel made entirely of glass, that seemed to pass along the bottom of a river. She watched fish of all shapes and sizes swim past the transparent walls, and thought she saw, in the vague gloom a few feet away, something with more than a few tentacles, each equipped with little suction cups.
"Here we are," he finally proclaimed, opening the door to what turned out to be a small-ish, though well-appointed sitting room. He gestured toward a wooden chair, richly upholstered in fine red material, sitting next to a table, across from its identical counterpart. Both chairs faced a large, though unlit, fireplace. "Why don't you have a seat, and I'll go get Arya for you?" While his words were kind, inviting, Thalia could tell that anything else wasn't an option. She was to sit, and to wait.
"Sure," she agreed, still unsure of the whole situation, but... willing to go along, for now.
"Good," the man said with a grin and a nod. He rubbed his hands together then, one over the other, before turning and leaving. Thalia sat in the suggested chair, only then realizing just how tired her legs were from her walk. With a heavy breath, she relaxed, enough that she began to slouch in the chair. That was fine though, she didn't care.
It was cold in the room, she started to notice, which made no sense considering summer was just starting. Still, the chill in the room began to permeate even her thick cloak, and it was starting to become uncomfortable. She glanced at the fireplace, then pulled her lips into a tight, thin line. Might as well, she decided, then raised her hand no more than shoulder height, twiddled her fingers in a technically meaningless gesture, then watched as a flame lept from the stacked logs. In only a few minutes, the other logs had caught, and already she was feeling the comforting warmth.
"At least it'll be cozy," she said out loud. Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
Post by: Carly on December 05, 2022, 11:14:53 pm
(https://media.istockphoto.com/id/11...=xrA7MEIVfUrn9OPvoQ4xR0fVMnJ29uAKtiS7DP5RoSk=)
Arya Moonglow wore the Chi-warrior attire, made of Sal-silk. For the moment though, she had changed her elaborate Skain she had when she was being tested, to one that as a simple gold-silk ribbon to keep her hair tied back in a low pony tail.
Sal-Silk was as the traditional material for all magi for several reasons. It was extremely subtle, and was a pleasure to wear. It more or less was immune to wear and stains and didn't tear or catch easily. Lastly it was effectively immune to acid and fire for reasons no sages who studied the material knew. It had a natural deep rich black hue which couldn't be bleached, it kept is colour even when continually exposed to the sun, nor did the colour fade with time. Although not strictly true always in history, Sal-silk was only effectively reserved for magi and royalty due to how incredibly difficult it was to obtain. Only certain fairies of Ravka had been able to go near the strange moths that made the silk deep in their forest, as the moths were very dangerous to all other races and could leave severe magical acid-fire burns by the briefest touch that were incredibly painful and scarred horribly. How the fairies avoided such a fate harvesting the rare silk was a mystery they chose not to reveal. What they requested for the precious raw silk was generally information of the strangest regards that only the truly powerful had the means to acquire.
Arya's standard Chi-Warrior attire was called an Als, (https://c4.wallpaperflare.com/wallp...arrior-woman-warrior-hd-wallpaper-preview.jpg) which served most practical functions and was a simple covering over her breasts, as well as a separate split leg skirt, leaving her arms, shoulders, lower legs, stomach and her back bare. This was accompanied by hard-leather laced sandals of a matching colour. Chi-warriors though never wore underwear covering their loins, it was deemed a skirt was enough. Chi-warriors could very efficiently and easily channel mana to keep them cool in summer or warm in winter. And like all magi, Chi-warriors could maintain weak a mana barrier around their body which didn't effect most things, but was perfect for repelling simple vermin like mosquitoes and flies and the likes, also magi's skin didn't burn in the sun. So all things considered, there wasn't any need for Chi-warriors to have different clothing for different seasons. Many did anyway as they realised some they met could sometimes feel cold just looking at them wearing such revealing clothing on a cold winters day. Arya however, was so used to the Als, the thought of wearing anything different didn't occur to her. If it rained though and she was outside, she would simply wear her hooded rain proof robe over them.
The Renki Ring she was given was already full of general supplies before it was given to her, and before she entered the armoury she used her will to check its contents so she could familiarise what she had. Sure enough as expected there was:
A full steel weapon-oil flask and cleaning cloth and sharpening stone edged-weapon maintaince kit, a bedroll and many-layered silk blanket, black-steel cooking utensils, black-steel mess kit, assorted full steel flasks of hair-cleaning oils, three large cakes of unscented soap, a small steel hand-mirror, hair brush and nail-care vanity kit, a stack of Nefroom Reeds (Which were rigid light-green coloured reeds about the thickness and length of ones little finger, and grew native to the forests of Ravka. They made a special white foam on contact with saliva - which was a substance perfect for cleaning one's teeth. A Nefroom Reed was only meant to be used once before being disposed of. The taste and scent of using one was nearly identical to a lemon), flint-and-steel kit for lighting fires, a bulls-eye lantern and five full lantern oil skins, a 100 foot-long silk rope and mallet and pinions climbing kit, 5 full leather water-skins, large sacks of dried fruit, assorted nuts and jerky, several wheels of cheese and about ten loaves of hard-bread. There were also an oil-treated rainproof hooded Sal-Silk robe and two additional spare sets of Als with matching sandals, all of which custom tailored to Arya's measurements. It also had her elaborate, bejewelled, gold Skain, which she would wear only for formal occasions or when she was with royalty.
The third last item in her standard equipment was a large fold out map of the free kingdoms of excellent quality and wax coated for it to resist the elements and be able to manage frequent use with minimal wear.
The second last item was a book titled "A Sages Guide to the Free Kingdom's Beasts" which was a book on monsters known to exist in different lands. There were vivid hand drawn illustrations and detailed descriptions, their strengths, weaknesses and any strange abilities they had, as well as their habits and lifestyles were all written down. This book was not to be trusted though, as all were told that exceptions to what was known were frequently encountered. Still any knowledge, even if partially accurate was better than knowing nothing.
The last item was a small booklet called "The Intimate Art of the Magi" that explained the different sexual positions required to make a magi offspring of different types when coupling with suitable women, details of the culture expectations and practices of different places when intending to do so, and also explanations of different sexual positions between magi of the same Raka and the effects they had on each other as well as any watching. It was a book Arya desperately wanted to read, but now wasn't the time.
It was rumoured that mages and clerics had additional sacks in their supplies packed with stranger items that related to their specific abilities, especially due to mages ability to magically enchant objects, and clerics ability to create magical healing potions, salves and balms, but as with all rumours in the chi-warrior sisterhood had about the other types of magi - nothing about them did Arya really knew for certain
To some who would wonder why pouches of currency wasn't included in the supplies of magi, magi always being on incredibly dangerous and vital missions to benefit the kingdoms as a whole, it was simply expected others they meet to provide all they needed when they were away. If one were to have to house them and manage their necessities for a long period or have to give up a horse or anything of considerable value, or perform extensive service to a magi that needed it, they were encouraged to write to the masters of Keroh of their hardship, to later be financially compensated three times their losses worth within the month. This tradition was always followed by all parties and was very practical, for it ensured that the populous as a general rule would give their best to help magi, and it ensured that the presence of magi were well received generally, and their needs addressed promptly. Besides it was a common phrase that "Masters of Keroh are wealthier than the Gods", so they could afford to be nice to everyone.
The cost of supplying magi with needs they didn't manage themselves was generally a mute point though as the magi often were invited to stay in palaces of royalty when in cities, or in the most opulent locale possible that was close by as esteemed guests, as it was deemed an honour to house them and provide all they desired, an honour which the ruling families would be first to offer. Magi' not accepting the ruling families hospitality without VERY good reason was deemed the height of shame for a ruling family - as others would assume the magi would only do so if the ruling family was untrustworthy or corrupt. This generally meant that the lower classes never really had much to do with magi unless being requested to reveal more about certain monster attacks they knew of.
The only thing left to do before meeting Arya's Rakala was to collect her choice of weapons from the armoury. She had dreamed of this moment for a while, as only grand-master-smiths provided for the Chi-warriors, and thus every weapon in the armoury was of exceptional quality. Still Arya didn't have to linger, she had known what she would choose ages go. Arya ignored the maces, for she could channel chi-mana to strike with her bare hands to provide crushing blows if required. But swords and daggers on the other hand were defiantly going to be taken by the young magi.
Arya quickly selected five master-forged swords, three melee daggers, and a dozen throwing daggers, a quarterstaff, two spears, as well as a sturdy composite bow and two large leather quivers full of black-feather-fletched arrows. She paused for a while before selecting a double handed axe and a hatchet also - for luck. They already came with their own sheaths and body belts and straps, but could be immediately equipped directly from the Renki Ring, and similarly returned in a moment, which was what Arya intended to do for most of her weapons. After she took the weapons from their mount hanging's on the wall, she stored them in her Renki Ring without pause. She did however enjoy the familiar feel of a sheathed sword on her left hip though and a sheathed dagger on her right, unless she was in a place guaranteed to be safe. So, for the moment, her ceremonial sword and dagger used in her graduation ritual were both in their sheaths hanging from her belt.
Some often wondered why Chi-warriors never used armour or a shield, the reason was that after a certain point of mastery over ones body, especially if one had Chi-warrior techniques mastered, it was much more practical to EVADE attacks than to resist them. Being inhumanely fast and exceptionally mobile, flexible and coordinated was a Chi-warriors prime strength. Armor and shields would only hinder that.
Arya now had her Renki Ring stored with everything she could want, at least for the moment. Just using her supplies in her Renki Ring, she could live without hunting, foraging or requesting food from another for a month if she had to, and could be needless of a fresh water source for about three days in comfort, perhaps double that if she was frugal with her water skins.
Arya's acute awareness noticed someone approaching, and she stood ready to receive them. A while later a old balding man and mid-level functionary, judging from his brown robes, simply nodded to her and began walking back the way he came. Arya was expected to follow - for the man would lead her to where her Rakala was. Those in brown robes were selected due to their excellent memory. They knew everyone on the island almost, and never forgot a face. They knew peoples habits and routines and where they most likely would be at different times. All useful traits to have for the tasks typically assigned to them.
Feeling much more secure, Arya's thoughts drifted as she followed the man, making her way out of the armoury towards the room where her Rakala was likely waiting. What did she know of her Rakala ? Well Arya knew she was a mage, and an exceptionally talented one, at least magically, more than any other of the current generation at the very least if what her masters had told her was true. Her true ability however would only be able to be known by being tested on missions like what was in stall for their Raka today.
Arya Moonglow knew her name was Thalia of Grendor. If Arya recalled the term correctly Grendor meant "of now-where". Very strange. How is it that Thalia was an orphan ? Surely her parents would be very proud of her and would want themselves and their family to enjoy the titles and benefits of being nobles just like any other magi family. Were they criminals ? Where they fairies of the unseelie court ? Did they have a dark mystery they wanted to keep hidden ? Arya wanted to pry but thought that likely would be the worst thing she could do when meeting her Rakala for the first time. There was a good chance that Thalia didn't know herself. Even if she did, there is a good chance she would want the truth to be kept to herself and not even trust her Rakala with it.
Arya had wondered a lot about what her Rakala would be like, and mages were by far the most mysterious of them all. Rumours about them ranged from one extreme to another, and if even a fraction of them were true they could be very different to the Chi-warrior women Arya had spent the last decade with. Sure Arya had trained with some mages in battle forms, but that didn't leave any opportunity to inquire about their life. They were as deep a mystery to Arya as they were to a typical peasant of Nobyi Zem.
Arya walked through the halls towards her destination following the man, and spied one of the domesticated cats staring at Arya as she made towards the room reserved for them both to meet. Cats were quite a common presence in Keroh, especially in the temples and although not sacred animals to the main faiths, it was strictly forbidden to harm them in any way, regardless of what mood one was in or what antics the cat had done. This rule applied even to magi, and failure to follow this custom was met with strict repercussions.
When both Arya and the man were outside a particular door, the man nodded to her silently and strode away. So this was it. Arya opened the door and gracefully strolled into an opulent sitting room before closing the door behind her. She was immediately impressed by an incredibly beautiful woman lounging in a wooden chair overlooking a lit fireplace.
She saw her Rakala at last - and Arya was not disappointed. Thalia was even more beautiful than Arya imagined. She was wearing a Skain and Renki Ring, as expected, and a cloak over black robes often donned by mages. It made sense for their to be a lit fire as the room was chilly even with a fire going which meant Thalia had not been waiting long. The start of summer was often that way in Keroh. Could mages regulate their body temperature in a similar way Chi-warriors did ? Arya didn't know, likely they could, for their talents in magic were second to none, but if that was the case Thalia didn't seem to want to do it at least for the moment. Perhaps she just liked lit fire places. Perhaps for novelty sake Thalia didn't care to use magic to keep her body warm but was humouring herself to use means common people did.
Arya bowed her and clasped her hands together formally and spoke "Greetings Initiate Thalia of Grendor. Congratulations on your graduation. I am Arya Moonglow, Chi-warrior, graduated Initiate magi as of today. It is an honour and a pleasure to be assigned your Rakala as I am sure you are talented as you are beautiful, a rare gem, and I hope to prove your equal with in all ways possible or at least strive to be. Its my duty and honour to journey into danger with you as long as I live and protect you from harm. It is also an honour to be perhaps considered your lover also if you deem me acceptable, for reasons of tradition, necessity as well as pleasure." It was the typical speech a Chi-warrior Rakala would say to a mage Rakala when meeting for the first time, but Arya meant every word.
Arya then willed her sword and dagger into her Renki Ring with a touch and moved to sit on the chair beside Thalia. Strange. All other mages Arya met made Arya feel anxious, thinking they could see inside Arya's soul at a simple glance. Arya had been nervous when thinking of trying to make a good lasting first impression with her Rakala, but for some reason Thalia made Arya feel tranquil. Was it a magic ability she had ? Arya assumed so. But first things first. Thalia deserved to know more of Arya, even if she couldn't or wouldn't reveal the same about her own family.
"The Moonglow family were middle class dairy farmers and makers of cheese in Shu Han for as long as we have records for before they became Galantha due to my human mother Asja Moonglow meeting both my magi mothers, Casseen Goldleaf, and Luna De'Lrin."
Even though one or more magi used their penis to create offspring with a human mother, it was generally considered rude to call magi fathers, it was accepted that magi simply had multiple mothers. The magi offspring's surname and family identity was always that of their human mother, due to being raised by her for the first ten years of their life. Also typically it was only the humans mothers side of a magi parents that had much spare time for them afterwards.
"The cheese the Moonglow family used to make originally was from goats milk only but was well received by most. My family got is name when a mayor of a village claimed wheels of our cheese glowed at night when under the light of the full moon. Although it is a harmless urban myth and not based on fact, it became a well known rumour and thus the name stuck with my family nevertheless ever since.
When the Moonglow family became Galantha nobles of Shu Han, they were given estates in the north of the capital, just below the mountains, which always had plenty of rainfall and sunshine, as well as extremely fertile soil that also drained well - which is great for growing all sorts of crops - but also perfect for growing grass for dairy production. My family quickly put the land to good use in the way they knew best. They now own hundreds of dairy cows and just as many goats to supply a range of cheeses for local consumption as well as export to other lands. They also supply goats milk an cows milk to the surrounding villages. Recently we have started shipping cheese to the dwarves of FJerda - and it was an unparalleled success ! We received profits far beyond what we get from selling cheese elsewhere, allowing us to provide all our milk at cost merely for the goodwill with all the villagers that live close by. Unlike other noble families who's estates income is based on other things, our families wealth is entirely dependant on the weather though. But so far its served us very well. We are not the richest nobles in Shun Han by a long shot, but we are among the most wealthy for how long our family has held their estates.
The Moonglow family signet is two circles, one large and one half the size with a gap in between, the larger circle is meant to represent the sun, the smaller one the moon, and is embossed on all our dairy product's packaging. All my family other than myself wear a gold ring embossed with that signet, mainly for waxing-sealing-letters, but also as a point of pride.
If you accept the fact that we may mother Chi-warrior offspring, it means you will be formally part of my family. Something all my family would be honoured to happen - which is my hope too. Asja, my human mother, is dying to meet you and often insists in her letters to me that we both stay at my families estates whenever possible so she can know you in person. I think she has dreamt about what you may be like more than even I have !"
Arya smiled then suddenly felt self conscious before looking to the fire, she caught herself rambling due to how entrancing her Rakala was to stare at. Did she really just say that ? Talk of making Chi-warrior babies and being part of the Moonglow family already ? Oh well, so goes the dignity of being a talented Chi-warrior and noble also.
Arya expected Thalia to laugh. But as much as Arya blushed and second guessed herself, that feeling of tranquillity pervaded soon afterwards. It wouldn't be long now until one of the masters would ensure the letter of their initial mission was given to them. Then Arya would know if the demon rumour was true or just a false rumour. Still it didn't leave much time for Arya and Thalia to get to know each other first before things became serious. There was the ship journey to whatever land they were to go to though, they could always talk more then.
Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
Post by: imjessme on December 11, 2022, 11:02:45 pm How to meet your life partner? That was the question that occupied Thalia of Grendor as she waited, sitting before a now-roaring fire in a chair far more padded than even her bed had been at the academy. How to present herself to the person who would become her companion, her life partner, her friend, her lover? They would, time and time again, put their lives into each other's hands, and build a bond of trust stronger than any other. All Rakas were chosen carefully, painstakingly, and none had ever failed, or so went the official line at least. Even if one or two actually had split up at one point, the failure of a Raka was remarkably rare, to the point that none could recall it happening in living memory. Thalia wasn't sure if she should take that as reassurance that the meeting, and the partnership, would go well, or more as pressure to ensure that it did. If anything, this was quite a bit, she thought, analogous to the arranged marriages still practiced by some of the more "traditional" nations and regions: there was no expectation of love, necessarily, but certainly one of loyalty, of duty to each other. It was... a lot, to say the least.
Thalia's reaction, her defense mechanism against such charged, high-expectation situations was to affect a kind of aloof disdain, bordering on crass and coming very close to rude. It allowed her to absorb the seriousness of the situation in little, manageable bites that were more easily digestible. As such, by the time the functionary returned to the room, opening the door and gesturing for someone else to proceed in before him, Thalia had positioned herself more across the chair, one leg over the arm rest, the other stretched out, heel propped on the floor.
The woman, girl, warrior, person... whatever word worked best... who entered was... not what Thalia expected. She was, in a word, breathtaking, in Thalia's case literally so: as she caught the first glimpse of her Rakala, she sucked in a breath, and was unable to let it go for several moments. Arya was beyond beautiful, far past gorgeous, and into a realm of unearthly, ethereal form that Thalia's mind couldn't quite grasp at first. This... was not enough, not yet, to entirely change Thalia's mood, but it went a long way.
What finally did change her mind, what eventually, but firmly, convinced the mage of this arranged pairing, was Arya's frank sincerity. The greeting was formal, stilted, and from any other set of lips, would have come off as perfunctory. Not from Arya though. She meant every word, every compliment, every admiration. Goddess, she was so real that Thalia couldn't possibly maintain her aloof disdain for the whole setup. Even when Arya went on about making children, possibly together, and about meeting her mother, Thalia sensed nothing but honest sincerity.
"Let's... get there when we get there," were the first words Thalia spoke to her Rakala. Not an auspicious start, nothing as grand as Arya's introductions, but, to her mind at least, necessary. "First... would you sit?" She gestured to the other chair, separated from her own by only a small wooden table. "It's... I'm..." Thalia sucked in a breath, letting her shoulders rise, then slump as she let it out in a large huff. "I'm not good with the formal stuff, alright? Sorry. I'm... very pleased to meet you though, and... thanks for sharing your background and all of that about your family. I would do the same but um... well... I'm 'from Gondor', you've probably heard so..." Her eyes slunk over to the fire.
"I'll uh... tell you what I can about myself though. I just graduated. I'm a mage... um... obviously. I specialize in the Yoneth form, so lots of fire and things blowing up. I can light a fire by thinking about it." She gestured to the fireplace. "Well... almost, anyway." She left out the other form she knew, the one she excelled at even more than Yoneth, the one they didn't teach at the academy. "I can heal a little bit as well. Mostly myself, but with some time, some effort, and usually some ingredients, I can heal most wounds." Again, that was mostly true, and really an under-exaggeration. Related to that other form, Thalia could heal damned-near anything, at least within reason. It might kill her in the process, but she could do it.
Wanting to change the subject before she got too close to things she shouldn't and couldn't speak about, Thalia moved on to the mission ahead of them. "Did anyone tell you anything... about where we're going? What we're doing? I've heard that they're fairly tight-lipped about that stuff until right before a Raka leaves." Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
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Play-By-Post: Non-Consensual Human => NC: Human-Freeform Solos => Topic started by: Carly on November 25, 2022, 09:37:22 pm
Title: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)Post by: Carly on November 25, 2022, 09:37:22 pm
The land of the free nations had had a dramatic history. The kingdoms of Shu Han, Ravka, Fjerda, Novyi Zem were constantly distrustful of each other or at times all-out hostile.
Many wars between the nations had lasted generations, and as such the populations learned that peace likely was only temporary, but in recent memory peace was the case. Although skirmishes did occur on boarders, and royalty of each nation did indeed snub the others more often than not, no full scale wars between these nations had occured for decades. It was an uneasy time at first, with every nation expecting it to be some trick and a surprise attack from the others to happen any day, but as the years past and trade between the nations flourished, the people and the ruling castes had began to spend their efforts in more civilian projects instead of preparing for war.
Armies still existed of course, and there were monster uprisings to supress after all, but it was currently a golden age as far a the land of free nations was concerned. As golden as it has been in known history anyway. Due to this thankful time of prosparity, new buildings were made and more money had been streamed to the unfortunate, and as such some long standing social issues could be finally addressed by buerocrats and nobles alike.
Nobyi Zem was mainly a port nation that specialised in fishing, and had a growing pearl and whaling trade. Whale oil for lanterrns from Novyi was highly sought after, one ounce burning for three times as long as whale oil from elsewhere, and it burned almost without smoke or fumes, making it highly prized by scholars and accademics as well as any who read or worked at all hours of the night.
Ravka was the nation of the elves, but also had a informal population of fairies who's numbers none could guess. They excelled at creating musical intruments and all things wooden. Their bows were second to none, and their archers unparallelled. Fairies were mainly enigmatic, and although they had powers none understood, it wasn't true magic but based on something that related to responces to certain behavior or actions of another and were powers that couldn't be called on at will. Typically they were known for curses more than anything else, but they also seemed to be linked to a realm different to the world and had knowledge none could explain. They traded mainly in secrets and information. The best spies were fairies from Ravka - for several reasons. They mainly had a neutral relationship with the elves that dominated their kingdom, the elves learning to only deal with them when the need was great.
FJerda was the land of the dwarves, and had incredible deposits of ores of different varieties that was traded at prices that mostly only the rich could afford. Their smiths and masons were masters of their art, and many were hired to create statues or works of art for other nations. Although technically one could get iron or steel in most places, only the best steel or worked metal goods were from Fjerda. To lay claim to their works, an embossed mountain often was seen on the bottom of their goods.
Shu Han was the traditional land of the humans and the bread basket for the free kingdoms. Although they also colenised Novyi Zem several hundred years ago, no place had larger populations or as a diverse culture as Shu Han. Grain of all kinds was produced in abundance in the kingdom, and massive stockpiles of it was stored underground in each of their fortified towns, making it possible for most towns to last out sieges for decades. Grain also was their prime export. Although nowdays many of this nation had begun growing more fruit due to a breakthrough in being able to dry fruit so it would keep and be sold far away or stored for long periods of time without rotting or spoiling. Recently the dried fruit trade had been making a fortune, while fresh fruit was abundant and cheap in almost all places in Shu Han. Due to several reasons the cuisine of Shu Han was never dull or never barren, a point of national pride.
Lastly Keroh, a spiritual centre that had a large population of monks of different faiths. It was also the training centre of almost all the magi of the Free Kingdoms. All magi were futanari, or futas as some called them. Meaning they were women with magical male genitalia that could change in size, shape and texture to be exactly what their female lovers most desired. It was also true that depending on what sexual positions they conceived offspring with their lovers, or if another magi was also involved in the act - would direct what sort of magi would be born from the union.
There were many difference between magi and the normal populus. They were also incredibly beautiful women and didn't age after thirty years and could heal perfectly without blemish, deformity or scaring. They also had no deformity of any kind due to their linage or bloodlines, and they had no body hair other than their head of hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. They had no body scent of any kind. They also had bodies without an ounce of fat, which was lithe and subtle regardless of their lifestyle.
Their were several types of Futa or magi, and they could only be born from one or more magi coupling with a women of perfect blood - not royal blood necessarily, but blood that implies how well formed their bodies and minds are.
All magi were historically only sexually attracted to perfection in women, and although they could be as romantic as anyone else, their offspring were so sought after by the heads of state they were never encouraged to marry, and directed to impregnate as many suitable women as possible. Such pregnancies were a boon to the women who expected to be a mother of a magi, for not only were magi highly respected but their immediate blood relatives including their mothers were too. Direct blood relations with a magi had their own noble title - called "Galantha" a term and title adopted in all the free kingdoms. All Galantha were be able to live opulently and have all their expenses paid for by the royalty of the nation they lived in for their entire lives. Each kingdom didn't agree to much, but all agreed to have Galantha immediately granted noble titles, estates, servants and a position for one of their family to be on the ruling council if they desired. Although they were not made royalty, they were only one step below it culture wise everywhere, and traditionally wore golden robes as a mark of high noble station recognisable in all the free kingdoms.
Those that were Magi or Futa could easily demonstrate their uniqueness to others if they cared to, as all of their kind had magic abilities that were overt, but because they were so revered it became tradition they wore gold jewellery in their hair or on their head - such jewellery reserved for identifying magi were known as Skain Skain could be as simple as a gold coloured silk ribbon, to tiara's, to elaborate head pieces that were works of art themselves.
The traditions surrounding the magi, and their direct blood family, the Galantha, was so thoroughly embedded in all the free kingdoms culture that it became tradition for gold only to be able to be worn by such families, and not others, not even royalty no matter the nation. It also became a serious offence to wear gold in any way if not related to a magi directly. So too, over time, nobility everywhere became dominated by magi and their families. Although not a perfect system of deducing nobility, nobility formed this way was more or less workable and over time Galantha became associated with integrity and fairness, and respect for them grew in the hearts of the common populous.
Magi or futa were trained at Keroh, even if their families belonged to other nations. It was agreed by all the free kingdoms, that Keroh would serve all nations in the regards to training magi and loaning them to other nations, and all magi made to have a lifelong service to the crown starting immediately after they had mastered their individual talents. Something that occured typically at twenty years of age or there abouts. Training for futa or magi started at the age of ten and generally went on for ten years in the temples of Keroh dedicated to their particular needs. Usually they were trained by magi simular to themselves but with considerable experience but occasionally masters of arms and the likes were hired to either teach differnt forms and styles, or teach defences against them.
All futa were magi, and all magi futa, and very magically talented in at least some regard. Although none were entirely sure all the kinds of possible magi, there were seveal common classes.
First the clerics, the most common. These could heal wounds and cure diseases and the likes, and even remove curses. They could even reverse aging on the elderly, and it was even possible for them to regrow others limbs or remove defects of a family bloodline.
The second common class of magi were the mages, they could perform the greatest array of feats, from disappearing and appearing close by in a blink of an eye. True far-distance teleportation. Teleportation of themselves as well as others, and even the creation of portals - permanent gateways linking two distant locations through a rift in reality that anyone or anything could use. Although in order to create permanent effects certain special types of rare materials were required, but Teleportation and gateways were not the limits of their abilities by any means, but were the ones mages were most known for.
There was some grey area between magi that were clerics and magi that were mages however, as typically most mages had at least some ability to heal themselves and others, and clerics had at least some abilities common to mages. Their was a lot of variation between individuals and no one cleric or mage was like another.
The third most common magi were the chi-warriors. Magi that had mastered the magic of chi in their bodies and minds - giving them superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, coordination, grace and awareness. They quickly became true masters of weapons when trained in, and although they didn't have healing talents comparable to a cleric magi, they could channel chi to at least heal themselves, as well as being able to make devastating attacks with even their bare hands and feet if they had time to channel chi to do so. Some were rumoured to even be able to shatter solid blocks of granite with an open hand strike if they had enough time to prepare.
Keroh was deemed a sacred place to all the free kingdoms, being the traditional training ground of magi, and also the spiritual centre of several religions. It certainly was beautiful enough to pass as one by most peoples standards. Currently less than one hundred magi were known to be alive in the free kingdoms, but half of them were either training new magi or apprentice magi themselves. This left few available to service the crowns desires. Mostly due to the presence of magi, monster surges and monster threats were all but eliminated in Keroh, but that was certainly not the case in other lands of the free kingdoms. Kingdoms that were always requesting Keroh to loan them the services of magi.
The other lands had their own armies and weapon masters and the likes, but there was always a risk that sending them to fight would lead to their deaths. For truly dangerous missions, especially monsters or criminals that were exceptionally powerful or well established, Keroh trained Magi were the answer. Indeed Keroh Queens had been loaning their magi to other lands since the land was founded. Huge amounts of gold were traded between royalty of Keroh and other nations for even a month service of a magi. Much more if more than one was requested - and indeed it was the trend, as as powerful as the magi were alone, they were much more effective when in a team of two or more magi. So much so it became custom for magi to pair up and work as a duo when they were on missions in other lands. Such teams of two magi all the lands called "Raka".
It was the very day Arya was due to be sent abroad as a trained magi - today being the last day of her apprenticeship. At the age of twenty she was as fine a pupil as her masters could hope for, and had passed all the formal tests as early in her life as it as possible to do so. She was truly gifted, all her masters were incredibly proud of her. Her magi class - Chi-warrior. Her favourite specialty - swords.
Arya Moonglow's mother was from Shu Han, indeed most but not all magi families were. Her family was exceptionally proud of her and indeed blessed themselves to be related to her. Arya shared the raven coloured hair and fair skin and blue eyes of her mother and like her mother, she was tall and lithe, and subtle in physique. All her physical features exquisitely perfect. All magi could say the same though.
All nations other than the dwarfs of FJerda had magi related nobility. Something the dwarves were a little bitter about, but give them ale and they would be thinking of something else soon enough.
Ayra had just finished her demonstration of her final sword kata in the temple of Zess to her masters and was sheathing the long blade silently. The temple of Zess was a Chi-warriors most formal building, and used for graduation ceremonies of all Chi-warriors. She had been told the day before she would be partnered with a mage magi to form her Raka. To a individual as talented with magic and sorcery as Arya was talented at the martial arts. A student her peer in talent and dedication. A magi called Thalia.
Apparently there was rumour of demons rising in other lands. Arya thought that was just rumour and couldn't be true, for surely demons were all wiped out long ago. But rumours in Keroh were often based on truth. It was to address these demons a new Raka was needed.
Today she would know, and meet her peer Thalia for the first time. Questing together as true magi both.
To formalise Arya's graduation there would not be words, but the masters would leave a single gold ring on a pedistal. If one wasn't there when she finished her final kata, it would mean at least another year or training before she graduated. If one was there it means she had passed and could begin to serve the lands needs as a full magi.
Arya didn't need to look up to see if she had the ring, she knew it was there - all her katas forms were perfect, but looked up anyway. Indeed a single gold ring was present. The masters having left the room silently after placing it. No doubt talking of her prowess to each other or of the years of her intensive training.
Arya walked to the pedestal and donned the ring on her left hand. The ring wasn't just gold but enchanted by mage magis to be able to magically hold incredible amounts of objects in a magical dimension. A ring that when populated with supplies or goods would weigh as much as if it was empty - simply that of a ring its size. Filling the ring with any object could be done by touch while willing it, and willing a specific object out of the ring was just as easy. Thus removing the need for pouches, satchels, bags, saddle-bags, back-packs and the likes. All magi got one when they graduated. There were highly prized and rumoured to take two months to make by two mage magi, the financial cost of the rare materials that were used up enchanting the thing, unspoken. The art of making them reserved to only the elder magi, for traditional reasons more than anything else.
The rings were called "Renki Rings" and they gave a magi dignity - as none with their talents wanted to try and save others while wearing a heavy back pack or weighted down with a dozen heavy pouches on their belt. Only magi had such rings. Not even royalty had them - although they certainly did desire them.
Her her first act being a true magi Chi-warrior would be to leave the temple of Zess and go to the armoury and take her pick of masterfully crafted weapons to store in her Renki Ring. Something Arya was indeed looking forward to... Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
Post by: imjessme on December 03, 2022, 01:23:19 am Wind whistled through passages and tunnels, allegedly impossible in the subterranean caverns. Rumor had it that the wind was not wind at all, but the restless spirits of those gone before, brushing past, gently touching, light as air. Others claimed that the breeze was caused by the natural flow of magical energies, concentrated in this holiest of places. Still others rejected both fanciful theories, instead presuming that tunnels, either natural or human-made, connected the underground chambers to the surface, allowing fresh air to circulate. In fact, the truth, was that the wind was a combination of all three.
The only sound was of the wind, now a gentle breeze that brought warm early-summer air that moderately raised the temperature, making the tunnels a little more comfortable. Thalia was grateful for the warmer air against her bare skin, keeping her at least somewhat comfortable. As was tradition, of course, she strode through the winding tunnels entirely nude.
As familiar as Thalia had become with the Temple of Gilea, she had never been to this part. No one had, or rather, no one she knew had. These tunnels led to the deepest part of the underground complex, guarded by massive oak and steel doors, not to mention more than a few grim-faced guards. An aspirant was only allowed through the doors once she had taken the last of her tests, and was required to go alone, to allow her time to reflect on her training and the lessons she had learned over the last decade. They went nude as a reminder, a symbol, of their connection with the earth and its elemental powers. That part, at least, wasn't unusual to Thalia. Aspirants, during the final two or three years of their training, were required to wear very little, often just a small cloth pouch, large enough only to contain their genitals, held in place with thin string, and even that garment existed only out of practicality. Having one's cock bobbing back and forth with each step was distracting, to say the least. Suggestions had been made that perhaps it would be a good idea to wrap, or otherwise contain, the aspirants' breasts, for the same reason, but it was decided that such coverings would conceal too much, would create too much of a barrier between nature and bare skin. It was simply a hardship they, and Thalia, had learned to live with.
Now, however, she wore not even the pouch, and every bit of her wobbled with each step. She wasn't overly-endowed, neither breasts nor cock, at least not at the moment, but as was true with all of her kind, that endowment was still on the larger end when compared to either of the other genders. It was as though the gods themselves had decreed that they, the rare futas of the world, regardless of their profession and choices in life, were always and forever destined to be creatures of sex, and of reproduction.
As she walked, Thalia began to notice a low, barely-audible humming, or droning. Truthfully, she may have been hearing it for several minutes, without noticing, the noise slowly creeping into her awareness until she was unable to ignore it. It was coming from ahead, she decided, then realized the obviousness of her conclusion. Was it coming from the Ritual Chamber? It had to be. As far as she knew, that was all that lay ahead. After another minute, a dim glow appeared, somewhere farther down the tunnel. It, and the hum, swelled as she approached, now sure that she was both seeing, and hearing, her destination.
Soon, the tunnel opened, the walls quickly receding to either side, forming a massive underground chamber. Thalia looked up first, astonished to find the ceiling several dozen feet above her head, the dome disappearing into shadows. When she peered down, she saw the pit: a massive chasm, impossibly deep, gaping before her, several feet away. Rumor had it that, before, in the more savage days (though some would call them more "pure", rather than "savage"), an aspirant who failed her final tests, either for the first time, or after three attempts (it depended on who was telling the story), was expected to toss herself into the pit, voluntarily ending her life, and sparing the others from having to clean up. That, of course, was not the rule now, and truth be told, could very well simply be a story, invented by the older aspirants to scare the younglings, or by the instructors to keep the aspirants in line. Probably both.
"Thalia of Grendor," came a voice, echoing slightly, though not nearly as much as the vast chamber suggested. "Step forward, and kneel." Thalia knew the voice, had heard it for years, though only occasionally. The Head Instructor herself was conducting her evaluation. Was that normal? And she had used that stupid "of Grendor" surname that wasn't a surname at all. Thalia hated it, but then, what else were they supposed to call her? It wasn't as though she'd had a surname when she first arrived at the Academy.
Hesitating only a moment, a few seconds, Thalia stepped forward, closer to the edge, until she could lean forward enough to peer over and into the infinite blackness below. Her stomach did a quick flip, and suddenly the rumors seemed all-too possible. She took a step back, giving herself a good bit of space between her toes and the edge, then slowly lowered herself to the polished stone floor, kneeling, resting her butt on her heels. She waited. There were no words, no sound except for that low hum. It seemed to come from everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. The constant noise began to... she pictured it as a kind of vibration in her head which, she realized, was exactly what sound was. This was different though. This was like she had touched one of those galvanic batterons that the technocrats like to play with. Or so she'd heard anyway. It made her teeth want to clench shut.
"Thalia of Grendor," the voice of the Head Instructor said, repeating her full name, "You have been tested, and you have been judged. The Council of Elders has deliberated. Against my better judgement, the decision has been made to finalize your training. You will join the ranks of the Kal-Mara, and be paired with another to form a Raka, and sent out into the world to better it, and to contribute to the population of our kind."
Thalia's heart swelled. She sucked in a breath, realizing that she hadn't been breathing for several seconds. Her gasp of relief was apparently louder than she'd intended, as the Head Instructor seemed to address it.
"Do not revel in this decision, Thalia of Grendor. As I said, it was made against my judgement. You have shown remarkable skill and impressive power. However, you do not demonstrate the wisdom to use either. Do not mistake my meaning: you are intelligent, but you are brash. You are impulsive and quick to anger. Your emotions rule you, and that will shape and taint your magic." There was a pause, probably to let the warning sink in. Thalia gritted her teeth, partly at the indignity of the insults, and partly because they were true.
"With that said," the Head Instructor went on, "you nonetheless have been accepted into our order. You are no longer an Aspirant, and are hereby granted the title Initiate." Thalia noticed footsteps behind her, the kind that could only be made by bare feet on solid rock. "You are hereby frocked, and made one of us." As this was said, a robe of black material, something that felt as soft as silk, but as heavy as wool, was draped over her shoulders. "Accept too this token; a representation of our best wishes for you and your journey."
From behind her, another young woman, an aspirant, stepped around. The girl looked a few years younger than Thalia herself, maybe in her seventh or eighth year. She, too, wore the traditional ceremonial garb, which is to say nothing. Her blonde hair fell below her shoulders, and blue eyes glinted in the dim lighting. Like all of the others, her breasts were ample without being overly large, and her cock and balls, which would be large on a man, were, for the moment, rather average for her peculiar gender. She bore no erection, a common malady that afflicted those of her age, and instead, her genitalia simply dangled and swayed with her movements.
As Thalia watched, the aspirant held out a gold ring. Thalia raised her right hand, held it out rather than grasp the ring, and allowed the girl to slip it onto her third finger. Thalia brought her hand back, close to her face, examining the ring. Rather than a single band, it consisted of over a dozen fine strands, braided together in a complex pattern. This was her Renki, the gift given to all Magi upon their graduation. The style itself was unique to the Kal-Mara.
"Go now," the Head Instructor was saying, as the aspirant moved to the side. "Go to the Grand Hall at the center of Keroh. Enter through the Door of Sorrows, and speak the name of your Rakala, your companion. You will be led to her." There was another brief pause, and then, "Good luck, Thalia of Grendor. You will need it."
As Thalia emerged from the unassuming hollow that eventually led to the massive underground complex, she blinked, then squinted. Kal-Mara aspirants were certainly allowed up to the surface, but still spent most of their time in dim tunnels. She held a pale hand up to the sun, shading her eyes and shutting them until her vision could adjust. After a minute, she dared to look again, opening bright violet eyes to the world. Green grass swayed in the gentle breeze, and the perfume of wildflowers filled her nostrils. The sun was warm on her skin, even through the heavy cloak she had received only hours before. There was very little beneath it, save for a set of modesty garments. Most people, other magi included, were rarely comfortable with the nudity that the Kal-Mara embraced. For the sake of better public relations, the magi of that order put up with covering themselves. Come to think of it, that would need to be one of her first stops, after meeting with her Rakala.
With that thought in mind, Thalia set out, immediately thankful for the sandals she now wore, meager as they were. Years of being barefooted had toughened the soles of her feet, but even they were not prepared for the sharp rocks that littered the path down from the hills and into the city proper. While they would work for now, she doubted if they would hold up for very long. Another provision she would need to obtain.
The Door of Sorrows was actually quite a bit smaller than Thalia had assumed, standing not much higher than any normal chamber door, and without decoration. Instead, wooden boards, banded together with steel or, more likely, iron, swung open on hinges that squealed. That was a surprise too: the door wasn't even locked. Beyond was a small chamber, no more than a dozen feet across in both directions, though constructed of what appeared to be fine marble, in stark contrast to the door. Thalia turned to shut it, only to find an ornate, intricately-carved surface, apparently constructed of a single, solid slab of some kind of hardwood. The scene in the center depicted magi, one of each of the major classes, in pitched battle with a kind of scaly, clawed monster. With only the gentlest of pushes, the heavy door swung shut with a thunk.
"Hello," came a soft, gentle, genial voice from behind her. Thalia spun, not expecting anyone to have been nearby, let alone in the room with her. However, she found herself in the company of a rather small, rather old, rather balding man, wearing the simple brown robes of a mid-level functionary. He hunched slightly, likely due to his age, which had the effect of aiming the top of his smooth head directly at her. He had to strain to meet her eyes, something Thalia found incredibly embarrassing. "Ah, I see you wear a Skain," he said, smiling politely and gesturing toward Thalia's head. Thalia touched the side of her head gently, self-consciously, feeling the gold strands threaded through her dark chestnut hair. "You are one of the magi then? A Kal-Mara? Here to meet your Rakala?"
Thalia nodded. "Yes. Her name is..." She hesitated. Remembering names was never one of Thalia's talents. "Arya...? Arya Moon...blood? No. Moon...shadow... no... Moon...glow. Moonglow."
"Arya Moonglow," the man repeated, not quite a question, not exactly a statement. "Mm-yes, yes," he agreed with a nod, as though needing to confirm the name himself. "Yes, this way please." Without waiting, he turned and ducked around a corner that Thalia swore wasn't there a moment ago.
He took her through narrow hallways, grand ballrooms, past high balconies, and through a tunnel made entirely of glass, that seemed to pass along the bottom of a river. She watched fish of all shapes and sizes swim past the transparent walls, and thought she saw, in the vague gloom a few feet away, something with more than a few tentacles, each equipped with little suction cups.
"Here we are," he finally proclaimed, opening the door to what turned out to be a small-ish, though well-appointed sitting room. He gestured toward a wooden chair, richly upholstered in fine red material, sitting next to a table, across from its identical counterpart. Both chairs faced a large, though unlit, fireplace. "Why don't you have a seat, and I'll go get Arya for you?" While his words were kind, inviting, Thalia could tell that anything else wasn't an option. She was to sit, and to wait.
"Sure," she agreed, still unsure of the whole situation, but... willing to go along, for now.
"Good," the man said with a grin and a nod. He rubbed his hands together then, one over the other, before turning and leaving. Thalia sat in the suggested chair, only then realizing just how tired her legs were from her walk. With a heavy breath, she relaxed, enough that she began to slouch in the chair. That was fine though, she didn't care.
It was cold in the room, she started to notice, which made no sense considering summer was just starting. Still, the chill in the room began to permeate even her thick cloak, and it was starting to become uncomfortable. She glanced at the fireplace, then pulled her lips into a tight, thin line. Might as well, she decided, then raised her hand no more than shoulder height, twiddled her fingers in a technically meaningless gesture, then watched as a flame lept from the stacked logs. In only a few minutes, the other logs had caught, and already she was feeling the comforting warmth.
"At least it'll be cozy," she said out loud. Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
Post by: Carly on December 05, 2022, 11:14:53 pm
(https://media.istockphoto.com/id/11...=xrA7MEIVfUrn9OPvoQ4xR0fVMnJ29uAKtiS7DP5RoSk=)
Arya Moonglow wore the Chi-warrior attire, made of Sal-silk. For the moment though, she had changed her elaborate Skain she had when she was being tested, to one that as a simple gold-silk ribbon to keep her hair tied back in a low pony tail.
Sal-Silk was as the traditional material for all magi for several reasons. It was extremely subtle, and was a pleasure to wear. It more or less was immune to wear and stains and didn't tear or catch easily. Lastly it was effectively immune to acid and fire for reasons no sages who studied the material knew. It had a natural deep rich black hue which couldn't be bleached, it kept is colour even when continually exposed to the sun, nor did the colour fade with time. Although not strictly true always in history, Sal-silk was only effectively reserved for magi and royalty due to how incredibly difficult it was to obtain. Only certain fairies of Ravka had been able to go near the strange moths that made the silk deep in their forest, as the moths were very dangerous to all other races and could leave severe magical acid-fire burns by the briefest touch that were incredibly painful and scarred horribly. How the fairies avoided such a fate harvesting the rare silk was a mystery they chose not to reveal. What they requested for the precious raw silk was generally information of the strangest regards that only the truly powerful had the means to acquire.
Arya's standard Chi-Warrior attire was called an Als, (https://c4.wallpaperflare.com/wallp...arrior-woman-warrior-hd-wallpaper-preview.jpg) which served most practical functions and was a simple covering over her breasts, as well as a separate split leg skirt, leaving her arms, shoulders, lower legs, stomach and her back bare. This was accompanied by hard-leather laced sandals of a matching colour. Chi-warriors though never wore underwear covering their loins, it was deemed a skirt was enough. Chi-warriors could very efficiently and easily channel mana to keep them cool in summer or warm in winter. And like all magi, Chi-warriors could maintain weak a mana barrier around their body which didn't effect most things, but was perfect for repelling simple vermin like mosquitoes and flies and the likes, also magi's skin didn't burn in the sun. So all things considered, there wasn't any need for Chi-warriors to have different clothing for different seasons. Many did anyway as they realised some they met could sometimes feel cold just looking at them wearing such revealing clothing on a cold winters day. Arya however, was so used to the Als, the thought of wearing anything different didn't occur to her. If it rained though and she was outside, she would simply wear her hooded rain proof robe over them.
The Renki Ring she was given was already full of general supplies before it was given to her, and before she entered the armoury she used her will to check its contents so she could familiarise what she had. Sure enough as expected there was:
A full steel weapon-oil flask and cleaning cloth and sharpening stone edged-weapon maintaince kit, a bedroll and many-layered silk blanket, black-steel cooking utensils, black-steel mess kit, assorted full steel flasks of hair-cleaning oils, three large cakes of unscented soap, a small steel hand-mirror, hair brush and nail-care vanity kit, a stack of Nefroom Reeds (Which were rigid light-green coloured reeds about the thickness and length of ones little finger, and grew native to the forests of Ravka. They made a special white foam on contact with saliva - which was a substance perfect for cleaning one's teeth. A Nefroom Reed was only meant to be used once before being disposed of. The taste and scent of using one was nearly identical to a lemon), flint-and-steel kit for lighting fires, a bulls-eye lantern and five full lantern oil skins, a 100 foot-long silk rope and mallet and pinions climbing kit, 5 full leather water-skins, large sacks of dried fruit, assorted nuts and jerky, several wheels of cheese and about ten loaves of hard-bread. There were also an oil-treated rainproof hooded Sal-Silk robe and two additional spare sets of Als with matching sandals, all of which custom tailored to Arya's measurements. It also had her elaborate, bejewelled, gold Skain, which she would wear only for formal occasions or when she was with royalty.
The third last item in her standard equipment was a large fold out map of the free kingdoms of excellent quality and wax coated for it to resist the elements and be able to manage frequent use with minimal wear.
The second last item was a book titled "A Sages Guide to the Free Kingdom's Beasts" which was a book on monsters known to exist in different lands. There were vivid hand drawn illustrations and detailed descriptions, their strengths, weaknesses and any strange abilities they had, as well as their habits and lifestyles were all written down. This book was not to be trusted though, as all were told that exceptions to what was known were frequently encountered. Still any knowledge, even if partially accurate was better than knowing nothing.
The last item was a small booklet called "The Intimate Art of the Magi" that explained the different sexual positions required to make a magi offspring of different types when coupling with suitable women, details of the culture expectations and practices of different places when intending to do so, and also explanations of different sexual positions between magi of the same Raka and the effects they had on each other as well as any watching. It was a book Arya desperately wanted to read, but now wasn't the time.
It was rumoured that mages and clerics had additional sacks in their supplies packed with stranger items that related to their specific abilities, especially due to mages ability to magically enchant objects, and clerics ability to create magical healing potions, salves and balms, but as with all rumours in the chi-warrior sisterhood had about the other types of magi - nothing about them did Arya really knew for certain
To some who would wonder why pouches of currency wasn't included in the supplies of magi, magi always being on incredibly dangerous and vital missions to benefit the kingdoms as a whole, it was simply expected others they meet to provide all they needed when they were away. If one were to have to house them and manage their necessities for a long period or have to give up a horse or anything of considerable value, or perform extensive service to a magi that needed it, they were encouraged to write to the masters of Keroh of their hardship, to later be financially compensated three times their losses worth within the month. This tradition was always followed by all parties and was very practical, for it ensured that the populous as a general rule would give their best to help magi, and it ensured that the presence of magi were well received generally, and their needs addressed promptly. Besides it was a common phrase that "Masters of Keroh are wealthier than the Gods", so they could afford to be nice to everyone.
The cost of supplying magi with needs they didn't manage themselves was generally a mute point though as the magi often were invited to stay in palaces of royalty when in cities, or in the most opulent locale possible that was close by as esteemed guests, as it was deemed an honour to house them and provide all they desired, an honour which the ruling families would be first to offer. Magi' not accepting the ruling families hospitality without VERY good reason was deemed the height of shame for a ruling family - as others would assume the magi would only do so if the ruling family was untrustworthy or corrupt. This generally meant that the lower classes never really had much to do with magi unless being requested to reveal more about certain monster attacks they knew of.
The only thing left to do before meeting Arya's Rakala was to collect her choice of weapons from the armoury. She had dreamed of this moment for a while, as only grand-master-smiths provided for the Chi-warriors, and thus every weapon in the armoury was of exceptional quality. Still Arya didn't have to linger, she had known what she would choose ages go. Arya ignored the maces, for she could channel chi-mana to strike with her bare hands to provide crushing blows if required. But swords and daggers on the other hand were defiantly going to be taken by the young magi.
Arya quickly selected five master-forged swords, three melee daggers, and a dozen throwing daggers, a quarterstaff, two spears, as well as a sturdy composite bow and two large leather quivers full of black-feather-fletched arrows. She paused for a while before selecting a double handed axe and a hatchet also - for luck. They already came with their own sheaths and body belts and straps, but could be immediately equipped directly from the Renki Ring, and similarly returned in a moment, which was what Arya intended to do for most of her weapons. After she took the weapons from their mount hanging's on the wall, she stored them in her Renki Ring without pause. She did however enjoy the familiar feel of a sheathed sword on her left hip though and a sheathed dagger on her right, unless she was in a place guaranteed to be safe. So, for the moment, her ceremonial sword and dagger used in her graduation ritual were both in their sheaths hanging from her belt.
Some often wondered why Chi-warriors never used armour or a shield, the reason was that after a certain point of mastery over ones body, especially if one had Chi-warrior techniques mastered, it was much more practical to EVADE attacks than to resist them. Being inhumanely fast and exceptionally mobile, flexible and coordinated was a Chi-warriors prime strength. Armor and shields would only hinder that.
Arya now had her Renki Ring stored with everything she could want, at least for the moment. Just using her supplies in her Renki Ring, she could live without hunting, foraging or requesting food from another for a month if she had to, and could be needless of a fresh water source for about three days in comfort, perhaps double that if she was frugal with her water skins.
Arya's acute awareness noticed someone approaching, and she stood ready to receive them. A while later a old balding man and mid-level functionary, judging from his brown robes, simply nodded to her and began walking back the way he came. Arya was expected to follow - for the man would lead her to where her Rakala was. Those in brown robes were selected due to their excellent memory. They knew everyone on the island almost, and never forgot a face. They knew peoples habits and routines and where they most likely would be at different times. All useful traits to have for the tasks typically assigned to them.
Feeling much more secure, Arya's thoughts drifted as she followed the man, making her way out of the armoury towards the room where her Rakala was likely waiting. What did she know of her Rakala ? Well Arya knew she was a mage, and an exceptionally talented one, at least magically, more than any other of the current generation at the very least if what her masters had told her was true. Her true ability however would only be able to be known by being tested on missions like what was in stall for their Raka today.
Arya Moonglow knew her name was Thalia of Grendor. If Arya recalled the term correctly Grendor meant "of now-where". Very strange. How is it that Thalia was an orphan ? Surely her parents would be very proud of her and would want themselves and their family to enjoy the titles and benefits of being nobles just like any other magi family. Were they criminals ? Where they fairies of the unseelie court ? Did they have a dark mystery they wanted to keep hidden ? Arya wanted to pry but thought that likely would be the worst thing she could do when meeting her Rakala for the first time. There was a good chance that Thalia didn't know herself. Even if she did, there is a good chance she would want the truth to be kept to herself and not even trust her Rakala with it.
Arya had wondered a lot about what her Rakala would be like, and mages were by far the most mysterious of them all. Rumours about them ranged from one extreme to another, and if even a fraction of them were true they could be very different to the Chi-warrior women Arya had spent the last decade with. Sure Arya had trained with some mages in battle forms, but that didn't leave any opportunity to inquire about their life. They were as deep a mystery to Arya as they were to a typical peasant of Nobyi Zem.
Arya walked through the halls towards her destination following the man, and spied one of the domesticated cats staring at Arya as she made towards the room reserved for them both to meet. Cats were quite a common presence in Keroh, especially in the temples and although not sacred animals to the main faiths, it was strictly forbidden to harm them in any way, regardless of what mood one was in or what antics the cat had done. This rule applied even to magi, and failure to follow this custom was met with strict repercussions.
When both Arya and the man were outside a particular door, the man nodded to her silently and strode away. So this was it. Arya opened the door and gracefully strolled into an opulent sitting room before closing the door behind her. She was immediately impressed by an incredibly beautiful woman lounging in a wooden chair overlooking a lit fireplace.
She saw her Rakala at last - and Arya was not disappointed. Thalia was even more beautiful than Arya imagined. She was wearing a Skain and Renki Ring, as expected, and a cloak over black robes often donned by mages. It made sense for their to be a lit fire as the room was chilly even with a fire going which meant Thalia had not been waiting long. The start of summer was often that way in Keroh. Could mages regulate their body temperature in a similar way Chi-warriors did ? Arya didn't know, likely they could, for their talents in magic were second to none, but if that was the case Thalia didn't seem to want to do it at least for the moment. Perhaps she just liked lit fire places. Perhaps for novelty sake Thalia didn't care to use magic to keep her body warm but was humouring herself to use means common people did.
Arya bowed her and clasped her hands together formally and spoke "Greetings Initiate Thalia of Grendor. Congratulations on your graduation. I am Arya Moonglow, Chi-warrior, graduated Initiate magi as of today. It is an honour and a pleasure to be assigned your Rakala as I am sure you are talented as you are beautiful, a rare gem, and I hope to prove your equal with in all ways possible or at least strive to be. Its my duty and honour to journey into danger with you as long as I live and protect you from harm. It is also an honour to be perhaps considered your lover also if you deem me acceptable, for reasons of tradition, necessity as well as pleasure." It was the typical speech a Chi-warrior Rakala would say to a mage Rakala when meeting for the first time, but Arya meant every word.
Arya then willed her sword and dagger into her Renki Ring with a touch and moved to sit on the chair beside Thalia. Strange. All other mages Arya met made Arya feel anxious, thinking they could see inside Arya's soul at a simple glance. Arya had been nervous when thinking of trying to make a good lasting first impression with her Rakala, but for some reason Thalia made Arya feel tranquil. Was it a magic ability she had ? Arya assumed so. But first things first. Thalia deserved to know more of Arya, even if she couldn't or wouldn't reveal the same about her own family.
"The Moonglow family were middle class dairy farmers and makers of cheese in Shu Han for as long as we have records for before they became Galantha due to my human mother Asja Moonglow meeting both my magi mothers, Casseen Goldleaf, and Luna De'Lrin."
Even though one or more magi used their penis to create offspring with a human mother, it was generally considered rude to call magi fathers, it was accepted that magi simply had multiple mothers. The magi offspring's surname and family identity was always that of their human mother, due to being raised by her for the first ten years of their life. Also typically it was only the humans mothers side of a magi parents that had much spare time for them afterwards.
"The cheese the Moonglow family used to make originally was from goats milk only but was well received by most. My family got is name when a mayor of a village claimed wheels of our cheese glowed at night when under the light of the full moon. Although it is a harmless urban myth and not based on fact, it became a well known rumour and thus the name stuck with my family nevertheless ever since.
When the Moonglow family became Galantha nobles of Shu Han, they were given estates in the north of the capital, just below the mountains, which always had plenty of rainfall and sunshine, as well as extremely fertile soil that also drained well - which is great for growing all sorts of crops - but also perfect for growing grass for dairy production. My family quickly put the land to good use in the way they knew best. They now own hundreds of dairy cows and just as many goats to supply a range of cheeses for local consumption as well as export to other lands. They also supply goats milk an cows milk to the surrounding villages. Recently we have started shipping cheese to the dwarves of FJerda - and it was an unparalleled success ! We received profits far beyond what we get from selling cheese elsewhere, allowing us to provide all our milk at cost merely for the goodwill with all the villagers that live close by. Unlike other noble families who's estates income is based on other things, our families wealth is entirely dependant on the weather though. But so far its served us very well. We are not the richest nobles in Shun Han by a long shot, but we are among the most wealthy for how long our family has held their estates.
The Moonglow family signet is two circles, one large and one half the size with a gap in between, the larger circle is meant to represent the sun, the smaller one the moon, and is embossed on all our dairy product's packaging. All my family other than myself wear a gold ring embossed with that signet, mainly for waxing-sealing-letters, but also as a point of pride.
If you accept the fact that we may mother Chi-warrior offspring, it means you will be formally part of my family. Something all my family would be honoured to happen - which is my hope too. Asja, my human mother, is dying to meet you and often insists in her letters to me that we both stay at my families estates whenever possible so she can know you in person. I think she has dreamt about what you may be like more than even I have !"
Arya smiled then suddenly felt self conscious before looking to the fire, she caught herself rambling due to how entrancing her Rakala was to stare at. Did she really just say that ? Talk of making Chi-warrior babies and being part of the Moonglow family already ? Oh well, so goes the dignity of being a talented Chi-warrior and noble also.
Arya expected Thalia to laugh. But as much as Arya blushed and second guessed herself, that feeling of tranquillity pervaded soon afterwards. It wouldn't be long now until one of the masters would ensure the letter of their initial mission was given to them. Then Arya would know if the demon rumour was true or just a false rumour. Still it didn't leave much time for Arya and Thalia to get to know each other first before things became serious. There was the ship journey to whatever land they were to go to though, they could always talk more then.
Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
Post by: imjessme on December 11, 2022, 11:02:45 pm How to meet your life partner? That was the question that occupied Thalia of Grendor as she waited, sitting before a now-roaring fire in a chair far more padded than even her bed had been at the academy. How to present herself to the person who would become her companion, her life partner, her friend, her lover? They would, time and time again, put their lives into each other's hands, and build a bond of trust stronger than any other. All Rakas were chosen carefully, painstakingly, and none had ever failed, or so went the official line at least. Even if one or two actually had split up at one point, the failure of a Raka was remarkably rare, to the point that none could recall it happening in living memory. Thalia wasn't sure if she should take that as reassurance that the meeting, and the partnership, would go well, or more as pressure to ensure that it did. If anything, this was quite a bit, she thought, analogous to the arranged marriages still practiced by some of the more "traditional" nations and regions: there was no expectation of love, necessarily, but certainly one of loyalty, of duty to each other. It was... a lot, to say the least.
Thalia's reaction, her defense mechanism against such charged, high-expectation situations was to affect a kind of aloof disdain, bordering on crass and coming very close to rude. It allowed her to absorb the seriousness of the situation in little, manageable bites that were more easily digestible. As such, by the time the functionary returned to the room, opening the door and gesturing for someone else to proceed in before him, Thalia had positioned herself more across the chair, one leg over the arm rest, the other stretched out, heel propped on the floor.
The woman, girl, warrior, person... whatever word worked best... who entered was... not what Thalia expected. She was, in a word, breathtaking, in Thalia's case literally so: as she caught the first glimpse of her Rakala, she sucked in a breath, and was unable to let it go for several moments. Arya was beyond beautiful, far past gorgeous, and into a realm of unearthly, ethereal form that Thalia's mind couldn't quite grasp at first. This... was not enough, not yet, to entirely change Thalia's mood, but it went a long way.
What finally did change her mind, what eventually, but firmly, convinced the mage of this arranged pairing, was Arya's frank sincerity. The greeting was formal, stilted, and from any other set of lips, would have come off as perfunctory. Not from Arya though. She meant every word, every compliment, every admiration. Goddess, she was so real that Thalia couldn't possibly maintain her aloof disdain for the whole setup. Even when Arya went on about making children, possibly together, and about meeting her mother, Thalia sensed nothing but honest sincerity.
"Let's... get there when we get there," were the first words Thalia spoke to her Rakala. Not an auspicious start, nothing as grand as Arya's introductions, but, to her mind at least, necessary. "First... would you sit?" She gestured to the other chair, separated from her own by only a small wooden table. "It's... I'm..." Thalia sucked in a breath, letting her shoulders rise, then slump as she let it out in a large huff. "I'm not good with the formal stuff, alright? Sorry. I'm... very pleased to meet you though, and... thanks for sharing your background and all of that about your family. I would do the same but um... well... I'm 'from Gondor', you've probably heard so..." Her eyes slunk over to the fire.
"I'll uh... tell you what I can about myself though. I just graduated. I'm a mage... um... obviously. I specialize in the Yoneth form, so lots of fire and things blowing up. I can light a fire by thinking about it." She gestured to the fireplace. "Well... almost, anyway." She left out the other form she knew, the one she excelled at even more than Yoneth, the one they didn't teach at the academy. "I can heal a little bit as well. Mostly myself, but with some time, some effort, and usually some ingredients, I can heal most wounds." Again, that was mostly true, and really an under-exaggeration. Related to that other form, Thalia could heal damned-near anything, at least within reason. It might kill her in the process, but she could do it.
Wanting to change the subject before she got too close to things she shouldn't and couldn't speak about, Thalia moved on to the mission ahead of them. "Did anyone tell you anything... about where we're going? What we're doing? I've heard that they're fairly tight-lipped about that stuff until right before a Raka leaves." Title: Re: The Raka (imjessme and Carly)
