“There! That should do it.” “Oh, bless you, Kaer Mirh, bless you! Oli, say thank you to the kind druid.” A boy, barely aged seven by the looks of it, stared down at the leg which, merely minutes ago, had been thoroughly broken under the debris of a collapsed mud hut. Now, it was splinted and healing, thanks to the aid of the white-robed, middle-aged man kneeling beside him and his mother with a warm smile. “Th-thank you, Kaer Mirh,” he repeated after his mother and the druid nodded. “Oh, it was nothing, my son - just make sure it won’t happen again, alright? Next time, I might not be around anymore,” the druid replied and stood up. The boy’s mother dusted off her son’s tunic and helped him to his feet, the boy wincing as he planted his sore foot on the ground. “Oh, must you leave, kind druid? You’ve done so much for us here - the fruits have never been plumper; the grains, never been larger. We hardly know what we’ll do without your aid.” The rest of the villagers, who had been eyeing the druid’s craft in a circle around them, all nodded and voiced their agreement. “Even the wolves don’t come for our goats in the night! How do you do it, kind druid? How?” Kaer Mirh turned to the crowd, brandishing his long branch of a walking stick, upon which crown began to grow small flowers and scented leaves. The crowd gasped in awe at the display and clapped. Kaer Mirh bowed humbly. “My magic is given by divine mandate, villagers of Lallybroch - it is merely a trade for mortal piety. Remember to be true to the gods and the land - if you treat nature as you would treat your fellow man, the land will reward your compassion with bounties unlike that which you’ve ever seen. After all - that is all I did.” He pointed to a forest border just south of the village. “The wolves attack your sheep for many reasons, friend - primarily, perhaps, because the hunters in your village hunt their ancestral grounds free of game.” He tapped the shell of his ear. “I hear them singing about it in the night - how empty their bellies are; how their teeth miss the taste of deer like that which their parents are.” “But, but we need the deer to survive!” came another voice. Kaer Mirh nodded slowly. “Oh yes, oh yes, I can understand why you would think so - when winter comes, you fear your larders will empty, so you stock up as much as you can. But I have kept close watch over your larders this past week - much of what you harvest, goes to waste - and when it comes to waste, much is already too much.” He shrugged. “I have made a deal with the wolves: They will no longer harm your goats if your hunters stay out of their woods for the rest of the year. That will allow the deer to return and rebuild the balance.” “W-wait, what?” That was a voice Kaer Mirh recognised: There came rumbling a large, perhaps slightly too wide, man with mighty blonde horseshoe mustache complementing an otherwise rather well-shaven face. It was chief Vraendol, and his face had taken on a terribly red colour. Kaer Mirh nodded his greetings. “Good afternoon, chieftain - what, pray tell, has you--” “Don’t play coy with me, druid - you mean to say you made a deal with, with animals without consulting us first?” he exclaimed with a fat finger thrusted in the druid’s face. Kaer Mirh nodded. “Absolutely, chieftain. The -wolves- were quite satisfied with the arrangement, too.” “Oh, I’m sure they were, I’m sure they were - and what will out hunters do then, hmm? What will become of us when winter comes and our larders are short on meats, huh? What then, druid?” Kaer Mirh nodded his head from side to side in a lethargic manner. The crowd had slowly begun to move away from the druid and behind their chieftain, who crossed his arms sternly across his chest. Eventually, the druid shrugged. “If you killed a stag tomorrow and brought it to the village, its meat, even when dried, would not last until winter. The plants are still growing and ripening as though it was spring. However, that stag could prove vital for the wolfmothers so they last until this winter’s rut. Kill that stag, and the wolfmothers will take your goats instead, which, in my humble opinion, would bereave you of more than some dry meat shanks.” He turned to the hunters, whose earlier awed expressions had turned to bitter scowls. “Let the hunters work the fields or gather the woods’ bounty instead - the more you harvest, the more goats you can feed through the winter. I, for one, prefer milk over blood.” “Hah! A milkdrinker, I see!” the chieftain taunted. The hunters snickered. “And what makes you think we’ll keep your little deal after you’ve moved on, hmm?” “Oh, I’m certain the second I’m past the horizon, your hunters will be out there looking for the largest, fattest stag there ever was - and that’ll be your choice to do. Just keep in mind that the World Song can be heard by many more, and those who break oaths have more to fear than wolves in the night, my friend.” “The oath isn’t ours to break,” the chieftain hissed back. Kaer Mirh sighed. “Very well, good chieftain.” With that, the druid knelt down to retrieve his back of herbal remedies and equipment, which he had left on the ground after helping little Oli. He turned back to the villagers and bowed. “I thank you for your hospitality this week. May the Eight forever hold you in their favour.” With that, he turned away once more and set course northwards. “Thank you so much for your help!” one of the children, little Oli, most likely, burst out. The chieftain could be heard scolding him, but only briefly before another, this one a girl, joined in: “Thanks, kind druid!” Before long, many of the villagers ignored their chieftain’s orders to pipe down, shouting their appreciation for the druid’s help. Kaer Mirh didn’t turn back, but under a long, greying brown beard, a smile shone through despite his neutral appearance. [hr] Gibbou had taken a moment to leave Genesis with Oraelia while she strolled around the Antiquity for a moment. Its facades were cold and a little too bright for her liking, but at least there were plenty of corners and crevices where shade was plentiful. She would occasionally settle down by one of these corners, pondering the state of mortality below. That was when she heard it: [centre][i]Sweetest Lady on the Moon, ‘Tis I, your admirer - I for none but you will swoon, For you, no love is higher Source of lighting in the night, I reach with wanting in my heart. Insolent, my wish be might, My song, say sorry, will, for start. Darkness hugs my every turn - I have no shelter yet. I rest tonight in moss and ferns - Can sleep be granted without threat? Lady Moon, you are perfect, For you, my song’ll never end. Please, oh Gibbou, come protect This humble druid’s life, defend. [/i][/centre] There was a pause in the song, through which Gibbou was uncertain of what had happened to the singer. She knew this voice well, for he had sung for her before - she conjured forth an image of the mortal, a white-robed man halfway through life, lying comfortably in the moss in the woods staring at the sky. Her heart jumped a little and she couldn’t help but smile - he looked so happy despite there being no roof above his head. From what she could see, his eyelids quickly grew heavier and heavier as he rolled onto his side. [centre][i] Wond’rous Gibbou, be with me As I rest… I’ll... [/i][/centre] The rest of the verse seemed to be snoring, but Gibbou had already heard what she needed. The joy of such pious mortals - mortals like this, well… She didn’t know his name, actually, but she knew most things about him regardless! The spitting image of the druid she had imagined all those years ago! She had to tell someone - anyone! Mortals like him needed to be taken care of by the gods, so that they may spread and multiply! She saw a portal open itself in the distance and walked towards it. As she stepped through the portal, she immediately found herself standing upon what seemed to be an island made out of clouds, floating in the midst of an endless blue sky. She was standing on a cobblestone path, which led to a rather large and imposing fortress of black stone. [color=violet]“Gibbou? Is that you?”[/color] Cadien’s voice spoke in her head. Just then, the sky suddenly darkened, as if transitioning from day to dusk - although there was no sun to be seen. This was not her doing; it was almost as if Cadien was trying to make his realm more welcoming to her. [color=violet]“Come in, come in! I’m in the keep!”[/color] The moon goddess admired the surroundings as she skipped along the cobblestone path until she reached the fortress gates, taking in the sights in the shadow of the dark sky with glee. [colour=lightblue]“I love what you’ve done with the place!”[/colour] she praised as she entered. She found herself standing in a grassy courtyard, the path continuing onward past two fountains of pure sparkling water, and leading into the fortress’s main building. She went over to one of the fountains and marveled at the fizziness of its water. [colour=lightblue]“Is this mineral water?”[/colour] [color=violet]“Pure water,”[/color] Cadien answered in her mind. [color=violet]“The sparkling is purely a visual effect, meant to make it more pleasing to the eye.”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Oh,”[/colour] cooed Gibbou in a somewhat let-down manner. [colour=lightblue]“Anyway, Cadien, I’ve caught something and I just -had- to tell somebody. See, there’s this druid…”[/colour] [color=violet]“A druid? I think I’ve heard that term before. Remind me, what are they?”[/color] Gibbou stepped inside the palace, a cup of sparkling normal water in her hand. [colour=lightblue]“Well, see, druidism is this type of magic my sister and I thought up to help mortals protect themselves without our help, and-- Oh, sister, what are these?!”[/colour] She gaped and looked at the statues all around. Standing in the hallway, on either side of the velvety purple carpet, were anatomically correct statues of every single one of Galbar’s species; one for each gender, and in its idealized form. All of them were anatomically correct, and none of them were clothed. The statue of the Female Night Elf in particular happened to look very similar to Gibbou. [color=violet]“Oh, those? I sculpted them over the years. What do you think?”[/color] Gibbou approached the Night Elves and looked them up and down through her fingers, plum-like cheeks flushing in hiding. She cleared her through unnecessarily thoroughly and swallowed before answering. [colour=lightblue]“Uh-uhm… They’re, uh… Wow.”[/colour] She sniffed once and pinched the bridge of her nose. [colour=lightblue]“They’re nice - really nice, ahem.”[/colour] [color=violet]“I’m glad you think so! Anyhow, I’m in the next room. Sorry for not coming out to meet you; I wanted to get an honest reaction to what I’ve done with the place.”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“It’s fine!”[/colour] she replied with a cracking voice. She corrected herself: [colour=lightblue]“It’s fine. I’ll be right there.”[/colour] She moved into the other room while burbling bubbles into her cup timidly. The doors to the next room opened on their own accord, and led into a vast open chamber that was unfurnished saved for a marble throne at the very end, a golden chandelier on the ceiling, and several side doors leading off to different rooms. Cadien was seated on the throne, though unlike any other time she saw him, this time he was actually clothed. He was a clad in a set of shining golden armour, with muscles engraved on the chestplate. Upon his brow sat a golden circlet studded with amethysts, and on his back was a vibrant violet cape, which matched the colour of eyes. Cadien rose to his feet and clapped his gauntleted hands together. [color=violet]“So!”[/color] he said, as she stepped into the room. [color=violet]“What do you think of my new look?”[/color] Gibbou squinted somewhat. [colour=lightblue]“It’s bright. A, a nice shade of it, though - since, y’know, it’s shady out.”[/colour] She prodded her fingers together. [colour=lightblue]“It suits you.”[/colour] [color=violet]“Oh, I see,”[/color] Cadien said, as realization dawned. He snapped his fingers, and the gold turned to black. [color=violet]“Is that better?”[/color] Without awaiting a response, he stepped forward and waved his hand. Two comfortable-looking armchairs materialized in the center of the room. Cadien sat down on one, and waited for Gibbou to take her seat on the other, which she did. Gibbou’s squint turned to a frown. [colour=lightblue]“Don’t get me wrong, but black isn’t, isn’t really your colour. You’re so bright and, and, and awesome - gold’s more your thing, y’know.”[/colour] She punctuated the sentence with the sheepish suck of a tooth. [colour=lightblue]“Sssssooo… Right, druidism! You wanted a reminder?”[/colour] Cadien nodded, as his armour once more morphed back into its familiar gold. [color=violet]“Yes. I’ve heard about this form of magic before, but I don’t know the specifics. Could you tell me more?”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Right, so - like I was saying before - it’s a form of magic that allows mortals to perform miracles in our names in return for their pious behaviour and the spreading of such behaviour to the masses. It’s unlocked using this horn that me and a bunch’a others made, called [i]Hir[/i], which, uh, must’a been circulating a lot around the world, for the druids are praying away like they’ve realised the gods are coming back.”[/colour] She tapped her chin. [colour=lightblue]“Actually, that’s exactly what I came to talk to you about - the most pious of the druids!”[/colour] [color=violet]“And who would that be?”[/color] Cadien raised an eyebrow. [colour=lightblue]“... Okay, so I might not know him by name, buuut he’s a great guy - just making life for mortalkind around Toraan so, so swell! That’s why - hear me out - that’s why I think we should give him our blessing; y’know, so he can gather like-minded druids and form some kind of organisation and spread that wonderous piety all throughout the land!”[/colour] [color=violet]“Really? What sort of blessing did you have in mind, then?”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Something… Something that’ll help them stay on the road in peace. People often depend on these druids to come heal their wounded, treat their sick, help the crops. I feel like we ought to help them do that job to the best of their abilities. Let them sleep in peace at night so they can move further on the road the next day; give them perhaps an aura to ward off brigands and beasts seeking an easy meal? Hmm?”[/colour] She winked at Cadien. [colour=lightblue]“Something like a perfect smile?”[/colour] Cadien replied with just such a smile. [color=violet]“Mmm yes, I see. I’m not sure what a smile will do to deter cannibalistic brigands, but I suppose it won’t hurt. Mayhaps I could also increase their strength, or their stamina. There’s an idea.”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Stamina, perhaps, so they at least can outrun threats. I’d rather not turn my precious druids into fighters, Cadien,”[/colour] mumbled the moon goddess. [colour=lightblue]“But, uh, yeah, sounds good?”[/colour] [color=violet]“Sure! You did tell me how to create that moon, so I suppose I do owe you something. Hmm… I never did get to ask your opinion on that purple moon, actually. Did you like it?”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“It’s, uh…”[/colour] She hummed. [colour=lightblue]“It reminds me of you. Really, uh, stands out in the night sky. Anyway,”[/colour] she cleared her throat and brought up an image of the druid in question, who seemed to currently be journeying over a hill along with a colleague, a human woman dressed in the same white robes. [colour=lightblue]“Shall we get to it?”[/colour] [color=violet]“Very well,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“You start, and I shall follow your example.”[/color] Gibbou nodded and drew some bright circles in the air with moonlight, filling in the spaces between the circles with runes. [colour=lightblue]“All druids who follow this man, wherever you may be on the world below…”[/colour] In the image, the cloud cover seemed to darken over the pair, and the mortals looked around with puzzled expressions. [colour=lightblue]“... I hereby name you the Circle of the Long Stride, and yours shall be a unit devoted to helping villages all throughout the land.”[/colour] In the image, flashes indicated the presence of thunder. [colour=lightblue]“You will found a moot to meet once every year - there, you will lay your routes for which villages you are to aid every season. Go out - spread the good words of druidism to every corner of Galbar. For this, no beast, brigand nor bereavement shall befall you after nightfall - your every evening shall pass without issue. This is my blessing to you, Circle of the Long Stride…”[/colour] With that, Gibbou passed the circle on to Cadien. Cadien accepted the circle with a nod. [color=violet]“To the Circle of the Long Stride,”[/color] he said, in a serious tone. [color=violet]“To help you carry out these duties, I, Cadien, give you a blessing. I give you the gift of endurance. You will tire less quickly whilst walking or running, and you will be more resistant to any sicknesses you encounter in your travels.”[/color] Then, Cadien’s lips curled into a grin. [color=violet]“I also bless you with perfect smiles. Never again shall your teeth rot or decay.”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Oh, that’ll in handy!”[/colour] Gibbou remarked and looked into the image. The mortals seemed to already be noticing the visible parts of their blessing, pointing at each other faces. Before long, they were both laying themselves down in the grass to praise the gods. Gibbou clapped her hands excitedly as the image disappeared. [colour=lightblue]“Oh, they look so happy! Thank you so much, Cadien!”[/colour] [color=violet]“You’re quite welcome,”[/color] Cadien said with a nod. [color=violet]“Was there anything else you needed assistance with?”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Oh, uh…”[/colour] she drummed her chin thoughtfully. [colour=lightblue]“Can’t, uh… Can’t think of anything at the moment. Oh! Did you manage to replicate my, uh, my soul thing?”[/colour] [color=violet]“I did,”[/color] Cadien nodded, as his smile widened. [color=violet]“My new… avatar, I decided to call it, is wandering Galbar as we speak. As is Qael’s, and Illyd’s. Iternis should be making one soon as well. In fact, as we speak they should already be in the process of informing everyone. You’ve done a great favour for us, Gibbou.”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Oh, pssshhh. It was nothing! Just gotta ask - are yours, uh… They aren’t, y’know…”[/colour] She paused. [colour=lightblue]“They’re loyal, right?”[/colour] [color=violet]“Mine should be,”[/color] Cadien said. [color=violet]“Instead of binding the fragment of my soul to one mortal, I’ve decided to have it move. It changes hosts every few years. If one of these hosts turns against my purpose, it will eventually move on to someone else. Then there’s Illyd’s… he basically just made himself, so I doubt he’ll have too many troubles. I’m not sure about Qael’naath’s - I didn’t ask him for specific details. Anyhow, I have high hopes.”[/color] [colour=lightblue]“Oh, that’s wonderful! Better to try a lot of solutions! After all, mine, uh… Mine didn’t work so well--Anyway! It was really nice of you to help out, Cadien. Will I be seeing you around?”[/colour] She started moving towards the doorway. [color=violet]“You will,”[/color] Cadien confirmed, as he rose to his feet, walked past her, and held the door open for her. [color=violet]“As for your own avatar, Gibbou… I wouldn’t worry too much, if I was you. I think that, eventually, he’ll come to realize that your gift to him far outweighs whatever you took away. Maybe one day he’ll forgive you, or perhaps even be grateful.”[/color] Gibbou stood in the doorway, back facing Cadien. She snickered quietly, but it had a cold politeness to it. [colour=lightblue]“Heh, yeah… Doubt it. See ya around, though, Cades. Was nice hanging out.”[/colour] With that, she made her way towards the realm’s exit portal. [hider=SummaREEEE!] A druid named Kaer Mirh helps people on Galbar, showing just how pious and awesome he is. Gibbou sees how awesome he is, so she goes to Cadien to tell him how awesome she thinks she is. Cadien agrees that this druid is awesome, and together they decide to make the druid and his colleagues on Toraan even more awesome by turning them into a holy order (deets in MP sum). They do so awesomely and then discuss avatars - Cadien says his turned out awesome. Then they part ways. [/hider] [hider=MP Summaree!] Gibbou: 5MP/5DP 2DP - Consecrate Holy Order [b]The Circle of the Long Stride[/b]: A druidic circle primarily based in Northern Toraan. Druidic circles are sects of druidism that have been consecrated into an order. While Druidic circles gain prestige from its membres starring in posts, they must cannot spend said prestige outside of the Circle Moot, which takes place once a year. Receives the following title from Gibbou: [list] [*] Nightveil II: Membres of this holy order can sleep throughout the night in peace without fear of anyone or anything harming them regardless of where they choose to rest. [/list] Gibbou end: 5MP/3DP, ⅘ for Respite portfolio. [b]Cadien:[/b] 5MP/5DP [list] [*] 1DP - grant [i]The Circle of the Long Stride[/i] the “Endurance I” title, giving them increased stamina while travelling, as well as slightly more resistance to disease. [*] 1DP (discounted to 0 via Glamour Portfolio) - to grant [i]The Circle of the Long Stride[/i] the “Shining Smiles I” title, giving them flawless dental hygeine. [/list] [b]Cadien end:[/b] 5MP/4DP [/hider]