By now Opalum was almost crouching. From the floor he picked up one of his daggers and tried to thrust it into the champion's leg.
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By now Opalum was almost crouching. From the floor he picked up one of his daggers and tried to thrust it into the champion's leg.
Clouds of Shadow band, Emerald Crown Tent City
Over time the Shikigami noticed a number of animals, all larger and more dangerous looking than others of their kind, would gather in small groups. The species kept apart, as naturally, but they didn't seem intent on interacting with eachother, as predator or prey. This went on as boars and wolves would sit stand there, watching them, not 20 feet away, before loping or stomping off. Every time they got a little closer, and something other than animal instinct burned in their eyes.
Cloud of Shadow Band: Tent City-Emerald Crown
The animal sightings surely had given rise in the camps. Their nature far different then those on the main land. As leader Ru’tai went out into the forest armed only with a simple weapon and sat. Waiting.
Opalum managed to parry the stab, but had been half-blinded by the sand. He leapt like a great snake from the ground, attacking with his dagger where he was sure the champion's throat was whilst launching a flurry of kicks at the chest of the opponent.
The champion withdrew and waited for his opponent to get back up, then threw up a mirror image, creating eight copies of himself.
Cloud of Shadow Band, Tent City, Emerald Crown
In the odd forest, which seemed to have trees living together which would not naturally do so, trees from every corner of the globe, Ru'tai heard rustling. After some time a pair of eyes seemed to gleam red from the darkness, before a creature paced out of the shadows. It was a massive tiger, it's coat striped with orange, red, and black. It paced forward, until it was only about five feet in front of Ru'tai. Amazingly, it began to change, it's bones practically re-arranging. It shifted until it stood on tall on two feet, two powerful paws now had prehensile thumbs. The creature spoke in the common tongue. "Who are you, and why have you come to our lands?"
Opalum, the midnight carnival
Opalum, no longer blind, jumped up and saw the images. Cursing mildly, he threw the dagger at one and leapt at another, slashing at it with his sickles, hoping his gut instinct was correct.
Ru'tai: Emerald Crown
Ru'Tai bows low, speaking in the common tongue as well
"I am Ru'Tai, retrainer of the Amun Dynast. Your form is unknown to us."
As to why I am here. I represent the Shikigami Nation, and come seeking trade and knowledge. We hold a gift at our main camp for you, a rare and beautiful gem found only in the depths of our native forests."
Opalum tried to dive out of the way of the attack. But it landed a solid blow against the chest. Opalum was in pain, but he ignored it.
With a sudden bolt of strength and adrenaline he counter attacked the champion, trying to simultaneously grapple the champion and slash his throat with the sickle.
Whilst the attack was mostly wide Opalum managed to grab the masked individual by the lower leg, hauling him to the ground and causing him to drop a knife.
Emerald Crown Tent City
"Your form is unknown to us as well. I come to represent Ra'mir Republic, the Seat of Civilization. We would gladly accept your gift, though we would have to known what trade you can offer us. The Council of Nine must also approve of any dealings between us..."
Opalum, the midnight carnival
Opalum grabbed the weapon from the floor. And felt pain. The chest wound was worse than he thought.
Again, he ignored it and slashed at the champion.
The weapon came down with more force than Opalum intended and embaded itself firmly in the ground just left of the masked figure's arm. The masked figure kicked out at Opalum's arm, trying to break the grip.
To Opalum's horror, the masked figure's kick broke a lot more than the grip. Both heard a crack as Opalum's hand shattered against his weapon. Opalum ignored the pain once again, and with his good hand he tried to attack with his sickle.
The masked figure hauled himself up and spoke, his voice was strange and echoy. "Yeild?"
Opalum, choking in pain, gave a simple nod to his opponent, muttering "You fought well". Entertaining the audience was all well and good, but he knew when he was beaten.
The Masked champion picked up Opalum and helped him to the edge of the arena. He directed him to his master and as they parted handed him a pendant, winking as he did so.
Opalum walked away to sit where he had previously sat to watch the first match. He looked briefly at the pendant in his good hand, before just waiting for the next match.
The pendant is a piece of amber with a five leafed clover trapped in it on a silver chain.
The masked figure cannot be seen any more.
Jesharad, the Midnight Carnival
Tapping his lips in thought, Jesharad goes on to say. "Disregarding answers that offer a solution outside of the materials contained within the riddle, or discrepancies based on how one's power works... I believe the answer to be that the horse traveled for some part of its journey in a circle. In turning in a circle, one side of the horse has to move farther than the other in order to complete the turn. Thus, the horse's left side traveled farther then its right, as it moved in a clockwise circle for at least some of its journey. A masterful riddle, and even if I am false I thank you for this illuminating opportunity."
The Encephaloan Lands
And so it came to be with the fruitful meeting of three races that a new partnership was formed between the Encephaloans and the Shikigami. The lands of the Encephaloans were now open to Shikigami incoming from the main continent, and the opportunity for trade and established outposts in Encephaloan towns was there as well.
The Shikigami were to discover that the Encephaloan towns were all organized around a central library, often a research center as well, but always staffed. The town itself radiated out from the library, and it seemed that the majority of non agricultural jobs and opportunities opened from the library, from printers to writers to researchers. Each library and town was meticulously divided into branches.
The main library, from which had a copy of almost all the books present in the other libraries, as well as the most massive research facilities of any town, was in the only true city that the Encephaloans had, called Alexandria. This city was placed in the exact center of the continent, amongst a crossroad of rivers. The rivers themselves often served as roads, with houses built amongst the riverbanks. Many were often floated on the rivers, for example an entire wing of the library was suspended over a river, with certain rooms located under the water as well.
The mountainous regions were the only true treacherous regions of the continent, from landslides and avalanches to the few instances of predators that could be found. However, a wealth of minerals and other sorts of goods abounded in the mountains, a seeming endless amount of metals, crystals, and other goods that occupy all parties for many thousands of years.
The Shikigami would also find the Encephaloans a deeply individualistic race, and come to realize that they should almost never bring preconceptions with them to the bargaining table, as the only truly common trait is the thirst for knowledge.
The leaders of the nation would be recognized as the heads of the libraries and research divisions, though often such individuals would be far less sedentary than would be expected for someone whose vocation is in books and tomes.
Of the third race present, they are welcome, but it remains to be seen how they interact with the life of the others yet.
Cryala, the Way Between
"Quite right, he went in a clockwise circle for his journey, thus walking 30 miles upon his right and 31 upon his left. I see that your wit matches your purview."
Ru'tai: Emerald Crown
Ru'Tai bowed deeply
"Please, I would be honored to follow you to their holdings. Nine is a very fortunate number. Surely they are your leaders?"
Raging Waves Band Settlement:The Encephaloan Lands
The Dynasts of the Raging Waves Band swiftly adapted to the culture and land of the Encephaloan lands. In a matter of weeks through the cities stalls of forgien food and clothing began to spring up. Stalls become resturants and shops, and the Shikigami swiflt intagrated their unqiue styles and culture into the cities, creating in each a small thriving family oriented neighborhood.
And in the mountains the Shikigami showed their new friends the methods to avoid the incliment weather and rock slides.
And as a show of friendship and community, in the largest of all the Encephaloan cities, a massive landing rig was built, a small fee for transport put in place. The air ways were now open in the Encephaloan region.
Swiftly, minerals, clothing and grain were shipped back to Tenki over the lands via the air ways.
Yen: The Midnight Carnival
Yen frowned slightly. His champion had lost, but the amusement it had provided was surely enough to clear him of any rage the Grinning Lord might have had. Even if it was a rare emotion for him. He then leaned down, noting the vacant nature of his viewing box
"You did better then expected. Fear not. If you feel rage or anger for your loss. I can help you find a way to even the odds."
Emerald Crown, Tent City
They lead the Ra'mir. Each represents one of the islands we rule. There is a ruler for each island, and they all pay homage to the Council of Nine. Come, I will lead you to our Capital, the Crown Jewel. With that he waits to see if Rui'Ta is following, and if so, walks off in a seemingly arbitrary direction of the forest.
Ru'Tai: The Emerald Crown
Ru'Tai did in fact follow, keeping even step even in the unknown and, to her, uncharted forests.
"Might I aks what your kind use in the way of spices and food my good guide?"
Niam Sa: Tent City in Iuro
Niam bows deeply
"Forgive me. I seek trade and knowledge as stated. We are merchants and traders by nature, and seek to trade what we have to offer and teach, for what your land has to offer and teach us."
Emerald Crown, Forests
Walking calmly through the forest, Ru'Tai's guide takes notice of a number of forms, likely his guards, moving through the forest, their movement imperceptible to a newcomer, and impossible to tell apart from the other animals of the grand forest. We eat what animals there are to eat in this forest, and we use what herbs we can find that we find work. Why do you ask?
Ru'Tai: In transit
Ru'Tai gives a slight chuckle
"We have great stores of spices pulled from all over the world to trade, as well as rare and exotic meats. As well as metals and gems from far flung locations. We are traders and nomads by nature you see. I am here merely to learn what it is you require most, and aid your grand nation in gaining it."