[img]http://orig09.deviantart.net/6e5c/f/2017/032/9/d/siphbanner_by_fenixking13-daxh134.png[/img] [@Renny] The first to ask him a question was the young looking warrior to be, Novella? That was the young lads name if the sheet Siph had read earlier was correctly being recalled upon. Siph crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the young man with quiet enthusiasm, his smile hidden under his beard but still noticeable all the same. [b]“Sir Siph, I have a question,”[/b] Novella started. [b]“You’re diamond rank, supposed to be the top-adventure in all the world. I think that’s pretty damn cool and… well, I want to be stronger than you. One day, not today. But hopefully sooner than later. What I’m getting at is… Well…”[/b] The burly mountain man leaned down closer to the excitable young warrior. To someone of his ranking within the guild, let alone 'the world' as this boy seemed to think, it was common for people to call out to their hero. It was one of the many pleasures that other snobby adventurers in the higher ranks often hated. Those fools! To lose sight of their enthusiasm and joy to mere self-esteem. Most of those lot couldn't see past their own steel! Novella had [b]fire[/b] in him. [b]“Right, on with it,”[/b] He inhaled deeply before blowing away his jitters. [b]“Tell me, Siph sir, where do I began my climb to the top? Give me guidance to help me keep myself and everyone alive,”[/b] Siph leaned back and roared with laughter the moment the words flew out of Noves mouth. Barely begun and already he was thinking of the group as a whole! The big Orc and Lycanthrope might not have the heart to ask a few well meaning questions, take advantage of the years compiled within the bruised melon that served as Siphs head, but this one was. Siphs laugh was not a mocking tone, rather the opposite. His good cheer was evident as he leaned forward and 'lightly' clapped Novellas shoulder. Given the empowering magic still flowing in his arms, just that was enough to give enough force on the pat to send the spry fighter back and into a chair, both going down in a heap. Siph winced mid-chuckle and shook both of his arms to cease the glow of strength. [color=ed1c24]"Ah, lad, my apologies. Not often people ask such a forward question! But not you!" [/color] Reaching out, he clasped Nove by his shoulder and hoisted him from the floor with ease and back onto his feet. [color=ed1c24]"Let me start you with a bit of knowledge here." [/color] Fariha edged closer to the great white bear Meesha without fear, of that Siph recognized not only courage but a great deal of reverence in the cautious way she began to extend her hand. Siph turned to the bear and grabbed one of her large paws, the sharp claws had been polished meticulously and etched with markings similar to the ones upon her masters arms, and used the razor fine implements to draw a deep gash across his own hand before turning back to Novella. [color=ed1c24]"You want to keep your new friends alive? Start [b]here[/b]."[/color] The blood had swelled easily from the cut and already was spread across nearly every inch of the big mans imposing hand. Clasping the boys left shoulder, Siph pressed his bloody handprint hard onto the pristine plate above Noves heart and held it there. [color=ed1c24]"Your heart. Courage to stand where you are needed, when you are needed. Honor, for those that came before, and those that will follow after you."[/color] Siph tossed a wink to hint that Novella was now walking in his footsteps, started many years ago. [color=ed1c24]"Lastly.."[/color] Removing his hand from the other mans plate, revealing the handprint keenly for all to see, Siph struck his extended thumb on Noves forehead. A single bloody dot now remained. [color=ed1c24]"Your mind. Intelligence does not mean you are a bookworm or a master mage. It means you can learn from any mistake, prepare for any challenge, and understand your enemies and friends alike. That is how you become strong!"[/color] Wiping off the blood from his own hand on the soft fur lining his pants, Siph showed the relatively clean hand was now free of the cut. The tattoos had a faint green shimmer to them as he regenerated. [color=ed1c24]"A little magic helps here and there too, though!"[/color] Again he stood tall as an oak, hands firmly planted on both his hips, and chuckled. To all the world it seemed as if he was celebrating another tremendous victory. [@Hammerman] Realizing he had stood up one of the group members in favor of the enthusiastic young adventurer to be, he turned to view the first speaker. In a flowing dress of regal design, there stood a beauty if ever there was. A man of passion and enthusiasm himself, Siph dipped into a bow so low his graying beard touched the floor. Nearly 60 years old, some believed he would live forever with a body as strong and flexible as his. Flowing strongly back to his full height, he dipped one knee to the ground and extended the other as he grasped her hand in his own non-bloodied one, a soft kiss placed on the back of his hand. [color=ed1c24]"Forgive my rudeness, beautiful maiden. It was not my intent to offend you. You have my word that this group shall be well looked over." [/color] Again rising to his full height he beamed a bright smile. Who would have guessed that a royal would take up the hunt instead of the shops. Truly a day of learning new things! Even the horrible atrocities lurking about her fine bosom wasn't enough to deter him from admiring her. Though it did put a dampener on his far he would have been willing to court her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [@Rekaigan] Meesha, the eternal, Denmother of the Dire Bears, a creature of legend said to have given birth to the breed of monstrously powerful bears that roam every forest across the planet. Viewing it anywhere but a natural grown forest would be almost criminal. Despite such an endearing history, the elder white bear was still laying upon its side as she waited patiently for it's 'master' to finish. While it may seem like an average beast with similar intelligence, the truth was that this majestic being was more than capable of knowing what was going on. It had memories forged from the twisting nethers it had been created in. A mere replication of the true white legend, Meesha was no less and no greater than the original. It followed Siph Barou by its own will. His words were understood and taken as suggestion, not command. This one had earned the right to bind himself to the Den Mother that day.. Had earned it every day since then, over their long strange journey. A heart of gentle warmth rested in the imposing frame of the Dire Bear. It's head rose from the floor to glance with a single eye at the approaching hand. Intent solely upon that singular grasping hand, so easy it would be to tear it to shreds. A swipe of her claws could kill any mere humanoid with ease. A feat proved on the regular! But there was no hostility here. Her 'master' showed not the slightest unease in his own equally impressive frame. That reason coupled with the sense of respect she felt from the elf was enough. Despite its shaggy appearance, the stains of the world it had walked, the blood her great paws had been soaked in, the white fur was still lush. Softer than any bed in the world, Meeshas coat of luxurious fur was bliss. It wouldn't take long for the softness of the white to entice Fariha. Poor girl might not be able to resist trying to catch a nap right then and there. Meesha wouldn't argue such a thing.