[h1]The First Parade - 5[/h1] [h2]Featuring: Susa, Lakshmi, Chroma[/h2] [hider=Kingdomship is for LOSERS edition] -The squad travels east, into the lands of the Vascgone family. -We meet Marel vascogne again, now a powerful trader -Marel could have a nice life and a lot of servants, but there is a problem: During all her life she mocked kings for spending too much of jewels and tapestry, now her children are as bad as that. -Also, since she has a lot of servants, she thinks they will turn into kings or some shit -The Parade confirms that -Then she and Susa become BFFs -And Salassar gets punched -And she gets this SUPER COOL jewel that makes her family HEROIC 1 Might spent to create a hero, the jewel, not the tradeswoman. [/hider] [hider=Khookie and Might Summary] Susa: 24 Kh +5 29 Kh Chroma: 12 Kh +5 17 Kh Lakshmi +5 times that Lif needs to count those damn Khookies The Griffin Creation post +5 5 Kh Ilunabar’s might: 23 Might -1 to create a hero 22 Might [/hider] [img]http://i.imgur.com/iKWFrfq.png[/img] A king who rules the land, armies willing to die for him, countless servants under his command, a glinting crow, a luxurious palace, the best food served to him, the best art dedicated to him. Stories told that such life was the fruit born from power. Yet... Marel never felt complete when she saw herself in another dream of unlimited power. She sat in her little throne in the pathetic box made of varied rocks, wearing all sorts of useless jewelry and pretending that somehow she ruled over horizons. Those were not nightmares for sure, they were clearly dreams, probably the natural endpoint of her quest for power. Even so... [hr] It had been a while since the group had left the village of Susa, the meeting with Gerrik had changed the schedule of the journey, but Salassar firmly believed arriving back at Alefpriel a few days late wouldn't be of much consequence. Now they were going straight into one of the hearts of Human culture. The Vascogne had a strong control over a considerable amount of land, however, there was little centralization or formalization of power, instead, one could easily call the area an "influence zone". The Parade expected this to change once agriculture developed further. Surely, if left unchecked, the Vascogne family would establish themselves as kings in the region, and considering their historic of the masterful use of weapons, trade, and persuasion, they could expand their claim over all Mesathalassa in less than two centuries. Stories of such magnificent rulers had been told, and would be told again. In fact, it had been told too many times, and Ilunabar saw in the Vascogne the potential to tell another tale, one which was not about noble kings, high walls and countless soldiers under the same banner. However, such path was as delicate as an orchid, such was the price of rarity and distinguishment. The ability to do such sensitive tasks was one of the reasons why Ilunabar had created the Grand Parade in the first place. In fact, the main point of this first journey was to test Marel Vascogne and, should she showcase the expected potential, to deliver her a certain relic. [hr] The typically sub-tropical climate of Mesathalassa slowly gave away to colder plateaus. The only one who noticed the oddity of such change was Chroma, who understood that this didn't make much sense geography wise. What she didn't know was that the Darkened Spire, region to the northeast of there, actually caused some anomalies, including the colder and cloudy climate of the western shore of the land strip. Even so, it wasn't a very cold region, but the contrast with the jungles of the center was steep. The flora wasn't the typical temperate one either, instead, it was composed of adapted or just outright resistant sub-tropical trees and unique pine trees, like the araucaria. [color=ffa04f]"It has been a while since I last visited this land."[/color] She didn't want to imagine exactly how long. [color=ffa04f]"Is Marel still crazy enough to live by the seashore?"[/color] Most humans distrusted the sea due to the events that took place thanks to Toun. The groups close to where Cornerstone formed were immediately killed, however, the ones in the borders of the god's terraforming had the time to escape the massive flooding that took place. Such traumatic experience made floods and the ocean a common theme for terror stories from Xerxes to Mesathalassa. Susa's question was eventually answered when they reached the cliffy western shoreline and the main Vascogne tradepost came into view. It wasn't impressive, not different at all from any other sort of wooden hovel one would find in other human villages. Yet the one who lived there was of one of the most recognizable families of all the land strip. [hr] They were received by the merchant family as if they were a delegation from one of the nearby tribes or cities. They did look more like a group of vagrants at this point, but the variety of species, among others factors, tipped the Vascogne that they were somewhat exceptional. Marel Vascogne received them herself and she made sure to serve them with the best hospitability she could provide. She immediately noticed a familiar face among the crew, the only human one no less. "Why, you remind me of a certain girl I met once," she said, as Susa had noticed before, time had been kind to her, but everyone else aged normal, Marel's hair was even starting to turn gray. "Are you perhaps a daughter of a huntress called Susa?" [color=ffa04f]"No, I am Susa."[/color] she said bluntly, with Marel, the quicker you got things cleared out the easier it was. "Ah, that makes more sense. I could not imagine you becoming a family woman, ever." The tone went immediately from cordial to casual when Susa revealed herself, clearly, the two had a past together "But tell me, why are you still so soft faced despite the age? Is staying all time in the woods truly that good for your skin?" she jested [color=ffa04f]"Eh, a gift of the gods I guess. As you can see, I am now traveling with some different people"[/color] The trader looked at the other three with a reserved grin in her face "Yeah. Different, that is a word that describes it very well." she rested on her chair and stretched her arms up before slapping them on the table. "So, might I ask the why of this visit?" [i]"I am Salassar of the grand parade, a group that worships the goddess Ilunabar. Our mission is to spread beauty across the land and..."[/i]~ "So, like Teknall's Chippers. Humm, one would expect more originality from the lady master of all that is novel." [i]"Excuse me ma'am?"[/i] "Not really complaining. Tools are good for business and good for the future, but at times also scary, as a hammer to the head can hurt quite a lot. Gems, flowers, wine, and all the Ilunabar blessed stuff, however? Completely useless, yet people will sell their children for them." She pointed to a window where the vision of servants working on an orchard could be seen. "So, welcome, welcome, do bring the prettiness..." Marel deliberated for a few seconds, taking notice of the guests' faces. "Humm, the servant thing makes me sound lazy. Most servant owners are in fact lethargic. Even my sons, despite the good blood, become a little self-righteous when they can order people around." It was hard for her not to express her dissatisfaction with her children recently, soon, they would take over her business, and her view of it was not the most optimistic. The gray hair did bring a sense of mortality, Susa showing up with her perfectly brown hair felt like salt in the wound. [color=ffbfee]"Well, you can free them, no?"[/color] "They are as free as they can be girl, and I provide them the best of the opportunities. Do not confuse things, I said others are inactive, but the only reason why I have servants is because I am a very busy woman, with a long queue of activities more important and profitable than gathering fruits." There was a moment of silence in the room in which only the sound of the crashing waves, the seagulls and the servants could be faintly heard. Lakshmi decided to heal that by restarting the conversation [color=6A5ACD]"S-So mi-iss Ma-ma-r-rel..."[/color] "Thanks a lot for the initiative, but your stuttering is getting on my nerves..." She sighed "Just, what you people exactly want with me?" [i]"Nothing, you actions are in perfect harmony with what we want, so we will just share with you the same goods we have been sharing with all towns in our path."[/i] "Hmm? And what harmony is that?" [i]"Just harmony, the balance between things. Your acts keep this region functional and will lead it to a safer future for everyone."[/i] "Harmony huh? I do not get what you are trying to express with that. But I take I'm expected to continue on my path of resource accumulation until this becomes a center of human life like the kingdoms down the coast." [i]"Well, actually, I think the path you take doesn't matter anymore, your actions will lead to that, so don't feel pressured or anything, the balance of all things..."[/i] "Stop saying that. It doesn't mean anything. Let's just change this topic to better things, those gifts..." The travelers explained to Marel the things they were bringing. Along with the cultural wares of the eastern coast of the region, there were also materials for farming and bread making, as well as some artistic materials like musical instruments and precious gems. The sun had set by the time everything had been explained and properly gifted, so as it was habitual, the Vascogne permitted the travelers to stay. [hr] Marel couldn't wash off the feeling that the visit was odd, but at the moment her mind was already worried enough about her current situation. As usual, she decided to go to a grotto nearby the warehouse, however, to her surprise there was a familiar face bathing at the place already. "Excuse me miss huntress, but you are in my bathroom." [color=ffa04f]"Ah, I knew your house did hide some nice big rooms, I like this one, did you make it yourself?"[/color] she jested, faking amazement as she looked at the cavern walls.[color=ffa04f]"But really, your house is really small no?"[/color] "Aren't you too old to be such a brat?" she sighed "And I would love to have a bigger house, but it seems the nicer my things get, the worse my children become". [color=ffa04f]"Oh?"[/color] the huntress swam to the shore of the lake so she could get closer to the trader [color=ffa04f]"Let me guess, they are not following your ideals?"[/color] The trader raised an eyebrow "Yes. How did you guess?" [color=ffa04f]"Outside of it being something almost all parents say, including our own?"[/color] she chuckled [color=ffa04f]"Just something that happened to me recently, I believe you probably noticed the hun..."[/color] "Ah yes. The hunters! I did find it odd, they talked a lot about you but didn't act like you at all. I guess, with my children, it is the same thing." [color=ffa04f]"What is it? You seemed quite bothered when we talked about servants and once again when we talked about farming."[/color] Marel questioned herself since when were the two became so intimate. As far as she knew Susa was just an acquaintance, yet there she was, asking the most personal questions. It could be a trap of sorts, on the other side, a familiar face from ages past was quite welcoming, especially of a vagrant like Susa. "You remember when you talked about how you liked to travel but did not care much about the destination?" [color=ffa04f]"And then you called me a complete idiot, yes. I'm a bitter person, you know that."[/color] "Sorry, that was surely not the cause of your idiocy. In fact, now I identify with you a bit. I like to trade and to make up schemes and most of that, but now what I am here, sitting on a lot of resources, it just feels... meaningless." [color=ffa04f]"Aha. And it is worse no? I remember you mocking a tribal chief, who once was a fierce warrior, but now was lazy, you are fearing that your family will turn into that, a bunch of fat kings sitting on the structure you built, leeching on the servants you trained."[/color] "And worse, slowly losing the structure to people who are like me, and they will enjoy being exploited, look at this beautiful crown, look at these extravagant tapestries, they will say." Susa did her best not to laugh, but in the end, she couldn't resist. "Oh poor exploiter, realizing her heritage will be tricked away by the same tricks that built it in the first place." The merchants took it better than she expected "Well, yeah. It is not really a moral issue, I'm just disappointed." she took a deep breath, taking a moment to appreciate the revitalizing airs of the natural grotto. "But I will have to live with it, I should just be happy that I managed to come so far." [color=ffa04f]"Yes, that is a reasonable and natural conclusion to that thought.[/color] Susa jumped out of the water and walked to the side of Marel, whispering to her ears [color=ffa04f]"But, if your destiny was to arrive at a natural conclusion, then why in the Jvanic depths would a godsent pilgrimage be at your home?"[/color] "Did you just..." the merchant tilted her head [color=ffa04f]"Anything for a friend."[/color] "Then I'm glad we became friends today" Susa immediately gasped [color=ffa04f]"What? I always considered you a sisterly figure since our first meeting."[/color] Marel's typical grin was cast away by sudden surprise "Oh crap, I didn't mean to..." Susa immediately grinned [color=ffa04f]"Just kidding, I found you annoying at day one. I never saw you shocked before, this will work as the payment for that delightful piece of information I shared. Tomorrow Salassar will talk with you again, so stay attent."[/color] she said, before leaving the grotto. The trader couldn't help but notice how odd it all was, she had changed so much, yet... [hr] "So, you will be leaving today, no? Good chance to propose a deal or show me something interesting," she said as soon as she gathered all the wanderers together for breakfast. Salassar sighed [i]"Ma'am, I already said, we are merely doing simple work. All you have to do is to follow the harmony of things."[/i] "What is this harmony? I understand that there is a balance between things but..." [i]"Harmony, simple concept really. Like water and fire, heat and cold, day and night. You naturally act to counter certain influences on the region, therefore, you are already bringing beauty to it naturally."[/i] "Listen, stop with that. Some stuff burns, some stuff freezes and that means absolutely nothing to this conversation. So stop trying to sell that balance crap to me and tell me if you want me burning, freezing or at a comfortably mild spot." [i]"I saw it in the sense that no matter the path you take, things will balance themselves out. The goddess has a plan for all the possible routes."[/i] Marel took a deep breath. "I see, so, all my actions are accounted for?" [i]"In a sense, yes, such is the harmony of..."[/i] Before the Quara could end his sentence, Marel landed a punch on his face, she was not that strong, but the surprise attack still sent the traveler to the floor. Immediately Lakshmi and Chroma rose from their chairs. [color=ffbfee]"Hey, what the hell are you doing?"[/color] questioned Chroma, Lakshmi was already reading her spear. [i]"Stop."[/i] Salassar stood up again, his nose was bleeding. [i]"Do not hurt her"[/i] The merchant had a smirk on her face. "Yeah, you can't touch me, the goddess needs me to do something. Oh sorry, let me reword it, I'm needed to keep the balance and harmony of all things or some crap like that." "And I can guess what it is. She likes my style of doing things, she knows I am getting old and that my children are not following my example so she wants some sort of deal." [i]"Yes."[/i] "That is super fine. Send her my gratitude when you see her again. But tell me, what is her plan?" [i]"There is this jewel, it has a spirit in it. This being can act as both a tutor and as someone who selects who will be the next successor of your family line... Like a king's crown, you could say.[/i] "Except it actually does something, unlike a crown. But a spirit? Sounds risky. Though I guess she is wise to not make me immortal." [i]"You know, I had a really interesting story set. It would be a cursed jewel with the effect of keeping a bloodline away from any sort of nobility whatsoever and..."[/i] "You need to stop with that, it is seriously embarrassing. You wouldn't survive a single day as a trader with those pitiable tactics." The Quara decided to just ignore the offense and simply grab the relic. It was a simple silver necklace with a purple-red gemstone, inside the jewel there was the figure of a griffin. "Can I put it on now?" [i]"I advise against it, you need to get used to the being in it first, synchronize yourself with it... which you would have already done had you decided to follow my script... But I guess you are too smart for that, no?"[/i] there was clear sarcasm in the last sentence. "Why, thank you." Salassar didn't even bother, at this point he was just tired and all he wanted was to wash the blood out of his face. [i]"So, there, take it. We will be leaving now, thanks for the hospitality."[/i] [hr] Marel decided to pay one last visit to Susa before they left. "Thanks for today." [color=ffa04f]"Sally was getting punched one day or another. He is a nice person, though, you two could be good friends."[/color] "You really changed you know? I would have never imagined you traveling with a religious babble. But it goes beyond that..." [color=ffa04f]"I traveled a lot, I saw some large cities and even larger battles. But hey, didn't you say I was still a brat just yesterday."[/color] "Yes, you are definitely the same person that I met all those seasons ago." [color=ffa04f]"Wait, what? How can one change a lot and still be the same? Isn't that a paradox?"[/color] "Indeed, it is a paradox. And that is why I am worried." [color=ffa04f]"Oh please, just because you saw me bathing it doesn't mean you are now some sort of childhood friend."[/color] "Well, don't listen to me if you want, but I don't think you will avoid this fact for too long. You will go south now, back to your homeland..." [color=ffa04f]"My birthplace was razed by the horde, everyone is probably dead"[/color] Marel deliberated for a few seconds before staring at Susa "Actually..."