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]

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.