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]

Thank you.

As I understand it, you Starfallen are in a similar situation, aren't you?

At least as much as you've come here and don't have a way back.

[lowercase_dragon]

Yeah, weirdly enough, this isn't the first time for some of us. Like me. But hey, this time everyone's a lot nicer and it isn't a giant prison! Plus, y'know, actual food and even private rooms!

But we got out of that one, well get out of this one. And so will you! There's plenty of reasons to have hope.

[dm_screen]

The people here seem to have put some of that hope in all of you Starfallen. Or at least, those mages that run the observatory do.

But, as you've written, this isn't the worst place to have an extended stay, however [...] accidental it may be.

[lowercase_dragon]

Well, the world got all splinter-ey, we showed up eating pavement around a similar time, it's not a very difficult leap to make thinking it might be related. And hey, even if we're not, it's a great excuse to try and help out anyway!

Self-fulfilling prophecies are fun. Speaking of helping out, could you tell me more about the whole 'wild warrior' thing? It seems like my kinda fighting style!

[dm_screen]

Wild warrior?

[...]

If you mean the ones that don't fight barehanded, There's two different disciplines there.

[Another, longer pause.]

What part of the idea appeals to you?

[lowercase_dragon]

To be honest, it's weird not to have my powers anymore? I'm trying to sort of piece similar things together a bit, but uhh... I've never really worn armor to a fight, the scales have always kind of just been enough. That's just the surface level, though. The Horned Knights are very about the wilderness. We could weave living plants and speak with animals, turn into mist and protect people from bad influences. You ever hear about irresponsible or grudge-having fey? They did not mess with people when we were around.

Really though, I grew up in the wilderness, and it's part of me. I've spent most of my life outside towns or cities, around druids and other monsters, and it's weird thinking that I'm going to be here for a long time without it. So, I guess the biggest part is that it's familiar, and different from all the other ones. Don't get me wrong, wearing a suit everywhere's kind of fun, but I sort of feel like most people here have a different background more used to fancy houses and other stuff like that than I do.

[dm_screen]

I know what you mean. I live outside of Concord for a reason. Something just doesn't feel right to me about how dense and

cloistered it gets.

All of the traditional disciplines of my people would fit well in that sort of life, though.

[lowercase_dragon]

Oh, yeah? I know about one of them from my kobold friend, but ṱh[...]eŷ use their fists instead of weapons. I'm not really that great with punching things. I can use my claws, and I can use all sorts of blades and pointy objects, though. That give you any ideas?

Either way, I'm pretty into the traditional disciplines of your people. What else do your people have that's interesting? Mine did demon summoning!

[dm_screen]

[Oh dear.]

When people embrace the wilderness, people tend to find one of two things inside themselves. Some people find tranquility and focus, and some find

[...]

something very different.

The latter make more use of weapons, for one, so if you'd want to keep doing that you may want to go that route.

[lowercase_dragon]

Hmm, hard to tell! Tranquility is pretty important, but that's not the only thing that is. You have to express the scarier emotions, too. They're there for a reason, and I do sometimes like using weapons.

By the way, are you part of the wilderness? Because I'd totally embrace you.

[dm_screen]

[...all this from his words on a page?]

Well [...] what extreme emotions would you want to express?

[lowercase_dragon]

[Words can be cute! They're indicative of who's writing them!]

Well, all of them, if they'd be helpful. I imagine anger and rage and that kind of thing would probably be the most applicable to useful violence. Which is sort of why we have them in the first place, right?

To be honest, though? I'd say the most extreme emotions I have are more like joy and appreciation and stuff like that. I dunno, do you have anything that can weaponize enthusiasm?

[dm_screen]

[The next part is written laboriously.]

For some definitions of enthusiasm, yes.

[lowercase_dragon]

Wait, really?? That sounds great! Teach me your ways, o' mighty wilderness wanderer!

[...Is he ok? That writing got slower.]

[dm_screen]

To be honest with you, those aren't my ways. The ways of my people, perhaps, but not mine.

Though I could still tell you a little about being a Blackfury if you wouldn't mind hearing it secondhand.

[lowercase_dragon]

Blackfury, huh? From the name, they sound sort of vicious. Well, sure, I don't mind hearing things secondhand! What are they like?

[dm_screen]

Vicious puts it lightly. They become an incarnation of one's own fury, excitement, instinct, and lust.

It's said that they find [...] ecstasy in the act of fighting. It makes them all the more unyielding and difficult to stop.

[lowercase_dragon]

Wow, all that? They sound a bit unstable, but I guess you could put it to good use if you're going to be like that already.

Do they tend to come with collars and leashes? Because I just get the impression someone else should be looking after them if they let their emotions go that wild!

[dm_screen]

I think anyone attempting to put a leash or a collar on a Blackfury would end up [...] regretting it. If they live to do so.

Those with restraint are more prone to becoming some sort of ascetic or another, like the monk.

[lowercase_dragon]

I'm not sure I could handle Cecil's interests, but hey, maybe I'll give it a shot after all! Unless the Blackfurys really manage to capture my exubernace.

We'll see! Either way, I'd love to chew the fat some more on the topic later! Are you just always hanging out in your tent?

[dm_screen]

If you want to chew the fat then

[...After a pause for thought, he crosses it out.]

Not always, but it's where you have the best chance of running into me.

1/2

[lowercase_dragon]

Then I'm bringing you dinner if you want! You like steamed buns? Vegetables and steam and buns? We've got a whole lot and I can't possibly eat this much.

2/2

[lowercase_dragon]

Every single person in our house is tiny.

I can't overstate how much we have overshopped.

[dm_screen]

That's a generous offer, but I'm seldom for want of food. I do my own hunting, after all.

But if you have any other questions, you know where to find me and can always write me here. I know there's a lot to cover with this sort of thing.

[lowercase_dragon]

Uuuugh fine I'll figure out something else to do with all this food. It sounds like you prefer the meats anyway, I'm more "gatherer" than "hunter".

Sounds good though, I'll let you know if I have any more questions, and I definitely will~~!

[She's drawn all the flourishes over the text. It's too bad she isn't great at spelling!]