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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 0:52:17 GMT
Cian enjoys discussing his beliefs with those that seem receptive. He will continue to seek opportunities to discuss the merits of chaos. He also is curious about the nature of the "Mark" that Kha spoke of. Apparently it's something that can be ascertained by others. In order to walk untroubled through the days ahead he needs to figure out the nature of this mark and some method to hide it. Something comes back to him about a spell connected with tattoos.
He also muses about how Kha said "except for the Mark on you I would slay you here." Is it possible that Kha was afraid and using rage to mask his fear?
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Post by Diocles on Jan 6, 2021 1:38:15 GMT
The Tattooing
As you ponder Kha's actions, you come to the conclusion that he was afraid, but that you bear a mystical mark is undeniable. You are aware that this is going to give you no end of grief in the ensuing nights as you meet more religious men and women in your journeys. And then you think the riots you've caused, how you've been the anonymous center at the heart of that chaos, and you realize that you need to be the same way in all circumstances. Present, active, yet not drawing undue attention to yourself. You need to mask yourself.
As you are walking about the town, you see Zenji moving here and there, going about their business, wrapped in furs and whatnot, but then you see a most peculiar person: a tall Tuhlen man, his face a tattooed mask. The Tuhlen and the Kindor are the only two peoples who ink themselves, and here is a man whose face displays excellent work.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 2:08:01 GMT
Turning on the charm, I approach the Tuhlen: "Greetings friend, how are you weathering the darkness?"
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Post by Diocles on Jan 6, 2021 2:18:30 GMT
The Tuhlen freezes in his tracks and shivers as he stares at you. "Funny you use that word, for I am a jungle man stranded in what is now a frozen waste." He glances at your red hair. "But you're used to this, right?"
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 2:37:18 GMT
“More than you are to be sure. But it is the darkness that really unnerves me. Tell me about your tattoos. They are beautiful work.”
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Post by Diocles on Jan 6, 2021 2:41:45 GMT
The broad-shouldered fur-draped Tuhlen takes a step back. "Who are you?"
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 2:45:28 GMT
“My name is Cian, a humble traveler who’s journey has been interrupted. And your name friend?”
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Post by Diocles on Jan 6, 2021 2:51:01 GMT
"Muluc," he says warily. "So you're stuck here, too? Yes. Clearly you belong in the desert as much as a jellyfish."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 3:17:50 GMT
“And you belong in the dark and cold as much.” I look away musing. “Well, I can do little about the cold, but the dark . . .” I pull a coin out of my pocket and cast continual light on it, shielding the side facing his eyes so as not to blind him. “Perhaps I can help you with that.” I hand him the coin.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 6, 2021 3:27:33 GMT
Muluc takes the coin with some reluctance, and he tests it like it's a serpent ready to bite him. When he feels it's not hot, he takes the coin. "Thanks. But why? I'm a stranger to you." He puts the coin in his pocket, looking around to see if anyone noticed the exchange.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 10:31:38 GMT
“We are strangers to one another and that’s exactly why. I know how all of this” gesturing to the darkness “is affecting you and I want to help. I’m afraid if we all don’t begin looking out for one another that none of us will survive.”
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Post by Diocles on Jan 6, 2021 10:47:31 GMT
Muluc stares at you. "A strange gift from a stranger in these strange times. Let me buy you a drink?" He gestures toward a tavern standing hard by with a bright lantern swinging outside its front door in the gentle night breeze. Freezing but gentle.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 12:40:31 GMT
"I would very much appreciate that." I smile. "But only if you tell me about your homeland and memories of hot bright days." I will angle to get him to tell me about the significance and history of tattoos, or at least as much as he knows, and the story behind his own.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 6, 2021 13:15:14 GMT
Over shared mugs of Zenji honey beer, you and Muluc swap stories, and he tells you, since you ask again about his tattoos, that he served in the temple of Nenetl when he was a boy, and it was there that he learned how to ink. "My skill is how I won my freedom, and I made sure never to be around a temple again, lest I get re-captured and put back to work. So I travel here and there, selling my skill."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Jan 6, 2021 14:06:25 GMT
"I can understand your aversion to temples. I have had my share of bad experiences with the so-called 'holy men' of various gods. Grasping and vainglorious the lot of them." Looking at the ink on his face: "Do the designs of your tattoos have specific meaning?" I'm inclined to ask him if he would tattoo me but am wondering if I somehow need to prepare the ink and/or the design the tattoo in a specific way first.
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