Day 117 :: After the Core Hunt [open]

[bastionpc]

Who: everyone, get in here
Open: Open
When: late in the day on Day 117
Where: all around the Bastion
What: There is a new building in the Bastion, and all the buildings now have power
Format: action
Warnings: some of the PCs are a bit broken

[Once again, it was a difficult hunt for the core. Though there was less physical damage this time, the mental damage is very apparent: four residents of the Bastion come back in far worse shape than they left in, and many others are possibly affected as well.

But not all is bad. With the return of a core, new life springs into the Bastion. All around, lights flicker into existence. Light fixtures and electrical sockets spring out of walls and ceilings. Stoves change to become more modern, and refrigerators suddenly appear in all of the apartments.

There is now free, unlimited electricity in the Bastion.

In addition, a new building springs up on the southern side of the Bastion. This apartment building is eight stories tall, and contains both a laundry room and several three-bedroom apartments. While the first apartment building is by no means full, this gives everyone more places to choose to live.]

Comments

[wayofvoice]

I do not mean in a literal sense, Vokunsumah.

[blackblooded]

[The dragon might not have meant it in a literal sense, but Ragnarok has always been the weapon, and Crona has always been the meister. Lady Medusa just needed a vessel for the Black Blood, and because Crona was her child, Crona was readily available.

The witch never expected resistance from Crona every step of the way, and so Medusa had wasted time trying to break Crona down in order to let the real weapon take control.

Crona does not want to be a weapon.]

... what does that word mean?

[wayofvoice]

Vokunsumah? Ah, it is two words together. Dragon names are often similar, made of many different parts. Paarthurnax, together, means "Ambition Tyranny Cruelty", as an example.

[Once upon a time, it had been a very fitting name.]

Vokun means shadow, as sumah means whisper. You are quiet, so it suits you.

[blackblooded]

.... Ragnarok screams. [Crona considers this idea, shadow whisper.]

Your name isn't.... I-I mean... It doesn't fit.

[wayofvoice]

[A pair of bright inhuman eyes simply stares at Crona for a moment.]

How I am now is not how I was when I was given this name .

[blackblooded]

Did you ever want to change it?

[wayofvoice]

A dovah cannot change its name. It is a part of us. There is no escaping it.

[blackblooded]

.... Lady Medusa said Crona means darkness. Crona means darkness and Ragnarok means the end of the world.

The names of things are important. But if you change... you should be able to change your name if you change who you are.

[wayofvoice]

Why not change the meaning instead of the name? There is no bad meaning in darkness- it is as natural as water or air.

[blackblooded]

It... it's not a bad name. Mine isn't.

Ragnarok's is....

[wayofvoice]

I would not say that. My brother had a similar title- World Eater. It did not make him evil.

[Dragons are just... naturally douchebags. Paarthurnax wisely decides now is not the time and place for that explanation.]

All things come to an end. Even worlds. They live out their existence, just as we do ours.

[blackblooded]

Our world isn't ready for that yet. Maka and everyone just saved it. It's not ready to end.

[wayofvoice]

I imagine many have said that of many young lives that did not live out their full potential.

[This probably isn't reassuring. Paarthurnax decides for a different approach, for now, since the event is still fresh.]

Do you still care for the tales where I am from?

[blackblooded]

... do you want to tell me one?

[wayofvoice]

I do not mind the spread of knowledge. In fact, I encourage it.

So greh, yes, I would want to.

[blackblooded]

[The wings flicker out, blood seeping back into Crona's skin.]

I... I'd like to hear them. I don't know many stories.

[wayofvoice]

I have heard many. Il mii koraav... Ah.

[Paarthurnax makes himself comfortable while staying close.]

There is an old Skaal legend of a boy who went on a journey to bring back the gifts their God gave to their people. Would that interest you?

[blackblooded]

[Crona would very much like to hear this story. But...

The meister fidgets.]

C-c-c-can I.... sit by you?

[wayofvoice]

[A small nod of his large head.]

Greh, if you desire.

[blackblooded]

[Crona very cautiously moves to sit next to the dragon, leaning against his side.]

[wayofvoice]

[Paarthurnax waits until Crona is still before his deep voice rumbles out.]

The first thing one must know is that the Skaal were not like the others of Taazokaan. In one way or another, from Khajit to Bosmer to Nord, they people of that world worship the Nine Divines. The Skaal, however, were vorpaal, different. They praised only one deity, one whom they called the All-Maker. Similar to the Nine Divines and the Daedric Princes, the All-Maker had a foe who wished to undo all.

The Skaal called it the Adversary, prudaav for, and it would also be known as Thartaag the World-Devourer.

[For a brief moment, Paarthurnax sounds faintly amused. Don't mind him. He's just thinking of someone he once knew.]

The Adversary was a powerful creature, able to take the shape of creatures and forces of nature. A very long time ago, when the Skaal were new and the All-Maker provided them with all they would need, the Adversary took possession of a man, or perhaps simply his form. It is never said. That creature was known as the Greedy Man to the Skaal from that point on.

[A pause.]

Los shur rem volaan, Vokunsumah? Does this make sense to you?

[He doesn't want to rush, after all.]

[blackblooded]

[Crona considers, listens, tries to understand a world so very different from the meister's home.]

We have eight gods, but most people don't worship them.

... what happened to the Greedy Man?

[wayofvoice]

That is the nature of some gods. Existence does not always require attention.

[But back to the story. Paarthurnax takes a breath.]

He lived amongst the Skaal for a very long time. They were too used to living in the comforts of their god, and had forgotten, perhaps willfully, the existence of the Adversary. They paid no mind to the Greedy Man and did not see him for what he truly was.

However, one day, things changed. The strength left their kendov, their warriors. Their shaman could no longer control beasts. Drought came, no water and no food for them to eat, and the sun was harsh with no wind to cool them. They believed their All-Maker to have left them, displeased in some manner. That is when the Greedy Man revealed himself. Rok fun niin daar, he told them this-

[Another pause. It's been a long time since he's read the tale, let alone recited it to anyone. He wants to remember the exact wording.]

"You of the Skaal have grown fat and lazy. I have stolen the gifts of your All-Maker. I have stolen the Oceans, so you will forever know thirst. I have stolen the Lands and the Trees and the Sun, so your crops will wither and die. I have stolen the Beasts, so you will go hungry. And I have stolen the Winds, so you will live without the Spirit of the All-Maker. And until one of you can reclaim these gifts, the Skaal will live in misery and despair. For I am the Greedy Man, and that is my nature."

[Paarthurnax gives a slight nod as he finishes, almost understanding.]

The Greedy Man then vanished. However, neither Elder, Warrior, or Shaman would go after him, although they all knew that someone must.

[blackblooded]

[The meister listens. Crona's not sure what the point of the story is.]

That.... that was... wasn't it right of him? If they forgot him, if they forgot that they had an enemy, he should have reminded them. If you forget you're in a war, you shouldn't be surprised when you're attacked.

They were lazy and they forgot they had an enemy. That shouldn't happen.

[wayofvoice]

[An amused huff of air puffs out from Paarthurnax's nostrils.]

They should not have. Zu'u krolur. However, as far as races went, they were still very young, and very foolish despite what they may have thought.

Still, mortal races can be... persistent, if nothing else. One of them would go towards danger, preferring it to starvation or worse. The Warrior would not go, saying that the Greedy Man may come back, and his sword would be needed. The Elder could not go, for the people needed him to lead them. The Shaman claimed the people needed his wisdom, and was the only one who could read portents.

It was one young man who was known as Aevar Stone-Singer who offered up his hand, too young to have a role amongst the Skaal but fleet of foot and strong of arm regardless. While the others of his people laughed at him, he declared that because he held no title- no sword like a warrior, no unique skills like the Elder and Shaman- he was best to go. By the young Skaal's own words, he would not be missed if he were lost.

The rest of his people could not disagree with such a statement, and so he went the next morning to search for the gifts their All-Maker had granted them. You recall them all?