LAR01: Far and Wide

[dm_screen]

[Over the course of a few minutes, seemingly by way of brush, an image is drawn onto a page in the Liber Nuntiorum.]



[A short while later, a new individual's handwriting graces the book's pages.]

I've drawn map of Concord. Mind, the pictures of the landmarks aren't really to scale, but they're in the right locations.

[Another little pause.]

I'm Larus Moon-In-Water, the guy from the Outlands who lives in a tent outside the gates of the South Quarter. I'm sorry I wasn't available for everyone's questions over the last few days, but I was busy making sure I had all of the details right.

[Beat.]

If you do have any questions about what you all call 'Outlanders' I can answer them now if you'd like.

Oh, thank you! This will be really useful. I can move this up to the front of the book so everyone has easy access! -A

[Naturally, that happens a moment later. How she did it is anyone's guess.]

Comments

[dm_screen]

That's weird. Cecil sounds familiar too. Maybe it's one of those names. But you're right, it's something that other people tend to call us. We call ourselves the Ke-Mo.

I don't know anything about ki, but it sounds a lot like chakras. And we actually have two different methods for that sort of thing depending on how you use it.

Learning how to listen to your own body is one of the most important traditions we have.

[nobold]

That it is. Monastic training involves balancing the body and soul, something that one may argue is important to everyone.

But that delves more into theology than the Outlander class. Chakras do sound rather similar and may even share a few practices. Even if it's not exactly what I'm familiar with, it should suffice, so long as I can utilize some of my training. I must admit that the sudden arrival into a new, broken world from




where I was before is a rather sudden change of pace. Still, to choose one direction is better than losing to indecision and classes are a convenient direction.

[dm_screen]

There's an old maxim that you might find useful:

When you arrive at a fork in the road,
take it.


What are you looking to do with chakras, specifically? I could try to narrow it down or something.

[nobold]

Take the fork in the road. I see. I once heard such a path described before: when choosing between light and darkness, the wanderer chose the road to dawn.

But that was the key to its own story rather than this one. I welcome the opportunity to employ my martial arts once again, so while I wish to take on a diverse skillset, I welcome the familiar all the same.

[dm_screen]

[That story sounded a little contrived and nonsensical.]

If you're just looking to put that effort and focus into raw physical blows, then it sounds like you'd be interested in what we also call "Monks". It focuses less on chakras but even I can admit that sometimes all you need is a well-placed punch or two or three.

[nobold]

Ah, so they're called monks here as well. Wonderful. Even if I'm without my usual skillset, I welcome the opportunity all the same. It is how I have always trained my body and soul and many of the other classes choose one or the other. I thank you for the insight, Larus.

I must admit that the talk of chakras also piques my curiosity, but if my time here extends that far, then perhaps I shall see all these classes myself.

[dm_screen]

Then you'll fit right in. Actually I'm now a little curious as to how different or close they might be.

I could still tell you more about our traditions if you're interested, it's no trouble at all. Unless you think the only way to learn is by training in them yourself.

[nobold]

Experience is a great teacher, but it would be unwise to not gather the information I can. Perhaps we can find a middle ground and hint at what to look forward to.

In exchange, I can certainly share with you some of the monastic styles of my world. Particularly, the style I practice.

[dm_screen]

That's a good exchange. However much you know, you can always learn.

I suppose the simplest way I could explain chakras would be that it's the body's force of action and volition. It's what a lot of magic works against, actually. But with a touch, that force can be... bolstered, or even redirected.

But since I don't want to stop you from actually learning firsthand, I'll leave it at that for now.

[nobold]

I appreciate it. The similarities between chakra and ki may be quite numerous, so I welcome the commonalities and the differences all the same.

Perhaps whenever we meet, I can fulfill my end of the agreement. Demonstrations and whatnot. What I can at least say is we used ki to empower ourselves, whether for faster movements or more strikes, but could also alter a target's ki in various ways, typically by briefly stunning them. While I was trained to wield the elements and the power of dragons, I learned to channel my ki through personal effects to wield them as a warrior would a sword.

[dm_screen]

Interesting.

The quick strikes is a technique common among Monks, but disrupting chakras with a stunning touch is something I only ever saw among Mystics. Though neither one specializes in channeling through weapons.

[nobold]

I see. Then Monks and Mystics are two sides of the same coin. In that case, one can't go wrong with either choice.

I will admit channeling ki through weapons and objects is where my own path took me. My pocketwatch is my most precious belonging; it embodies many of my beliefs and shaped me into the kobold I am today.

Unorthodox, certainly, but such is life.

[dm_screen]

A pocketwatch?

[Embodying their beliefs?]




Do you place great importance in

punctuality?

[nobold]

Nothing so literal. For me, pocketwatches were always seen among nobility, so fancy and shimmering as if made of gold. I wanted to be like them, rather, my own idea of a noble. One who prides themselves not on being superior to others, but being superior to their former selves.

But the measurement of time serves its own purpose. People always change through their lives, whether in small or large ways. We may not be able to go back to those previous incarnations of ourselves, but so long as we remember who we were, we can always march forward, hand in hand with time itself.