[center][hider][img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/divinus-mk4/images/c/c9/Logo.png[/img][/hider] [h2]Tiamat[/h2][/center][hr] The world around Tiamat hurled violently as the portal launched her; swirls of color and burned afterimages of turmoil flying by in the breach of dimensions, divine and mundane. Had it not been for her divine constitution, such a display would have driven her mad and scattered her body in a hundred thousand particles of dust, floating between the dimensions. Then, she spotted the first coherent light. The end of the portal, Galbar. Tiamat was spat out unceremoniously. Without so much as a flash of light, she was launched through the air, coming to land in a shallow bog of mud and stagnant water facefirst. Behind her, the portal vanished. In the distance, some shouts -- someone must have heard her land. Sitting up in the mud, she sensed them, divine sight peering upon them. She drew in her second set of arms, crossing them as their sleeves melded into her silken robes. From the air, she wove an ornate scarf, wrapping it about her head, only her horns sticking out. Then, an ivory mask, flat as her soon-to-be visitors. She mounted it upon the front of her head, tucking it into the hood. White gloves formed to cover up her metallic hands. Then, determined to be dignified before the first mortals she would ever see, she stepped out of the bog and onto flat ground. Mud slicked off her clothes, leaving them as clean as could be. From the dense tree line came three masked figures, wearing long red robes and each wielding long spears and swords, the head of this group bore an intricate mask divided into four different colors, green, blue, black, and purple, their sword was drawn but upon seeing the fallen form of Tiamat, they lowered it. “We heard some commotion, are you alright?” They spoke, their two companions looked around the area, seeing if there was any more people. Tiamat looked them over, picking up their language and responding, “I’m alright; I believe I must have scared an animal, and it jumped into the water.” The head figure seemed to accept this, sheathing his sword upon his hip, he bowed as he continued to speak “Kinoshita Tanehira, what brings you to our neck of the swamps traveler?” the two others returned to Tenehira’s side, planting their spears into the ground, it was then when Tiamat noticed they all wore intricate bronze armor and were regal in their dress, their robes being of a fine silk make. She stood up straight, saying back, “Tiamat. I’m not familiar with this land; perhaps it is unladylike to be lost, but I must profess that is the case.” Tanehira chuckled “nonsense, the isles can be a bit of a problem to navigate, and if you are lost, our city is not a far distance away, if you wish to accompany us on our return there.” She nodded, answering, “I would appreciate that. I am not well-suited for the swamps. Lead the way, sir Tanehira.” “Of course.” With that he turned and headed deeper into the dense forest. [hr] After a long walk, the group eventually found themselves upon a winding dirt road, eventually leading them to a set of mighty gates, carved from the dark wood that came from the swampy forests beyond, at the front of the gate stood two more masked figures, wielding similar spears and armor to the others. “Hail Prince Kinoshita!” One guard spoke, rapping on the gate to signal it to open, which it slowly did. Revealing the city beyond, beautiful buildings of wooden make, most sitting upon tall stilts to avoid the swamp and flooding that occasionally happened. Tanehira turned towards Tiamat. “Welcome to Tategawa, capital of the mighty Kinoshita Clan.” Tiamat peered through the gate at the city beyond, turning to Kinoshita as she responded with a slight curtsy, “A magnificent capital, indeed. Your clan is the most impressive I have ever seen, Prince Kinoshita. I thank you for bringing me here -- I would not have found it through the bogs otherwise.” She then looked beyond the prince to the city beyond, asking, “You have taken me thus far. Though it may not befit a prince, I would greatly appreciate if you would be willing to grant me a tour of your capital.” “Of course! I'm sure you’ll find my clan takes great pride in its city and construction and please, call me Tanehira, Im technically not even the heir to the clan,” He chuckled, his two guards joining him, “but that is for another time, for now, if you’ll follow me, we’ll start with the grand temple.” The prince led Tiamat through the city roads, detailing small things here and there, the occasional shop or house of a prominent family or people he knew personally, the exact height of each stilt, something his father had instituted, and various other items. Eventually they came upon a massive building, in the front stood a mighty gate with two poles and and another more triangular piece of wood at the top. The building itself had a mighty pointed ceiling and held several roof-like flats surrounding a portion below it, it seemed to be built of thin wood and was coloured a bright red. “This! Is the Grand Temple, built by my father shortly after his ascension to Daimyo of our clan, it holds the largest collection of images and statues for the gods across the isles and is what put us upon the map.” He turned towards Tiamat, obviously looking for a sense of approval. His talk of the history of the building seemed to have an air of happiness and pride to it. Though even at the best of times, Tiamat was not built to be easily readable, she did her best to show her approval. With a clear tinge of interest, she asked, “I have not seen a construction so colorful before. I simply must learn how you managed such vivid and vibrant coloration. What gods are worshipped within?” “The colour is a clan secret currently, as for gods, why, the four gods of course! Yamatu, our creator, Akwael, god of magic, Aritafek, god of construction and our clan’s patron god, and Kalaru, god of the ocean and the moon, why do you ask?” She spoke, still transfixed by the temple, not looking at the Prince as she answered, “I am afraid I am not familiar with the isles. I am most familiar with the electric barons of the sky, whom worship the constant. Have you heard of them? I am unsure if they have ever elected to leave the mainland.” The prince shook his head “I am not familiar with them no, I doubt any of our people are, we tend to stick with the four, as they impact the most in our lives.” He looked at the temple and its form, once more turning to Tiamat “You come from the mainland then?” She finally turned from the temple, returning the gaze of her mask to Kinoshita as she continued, “Indeed. I am not from any one civilization, simply a wanderer. I have been to the sun plains, the anchors of the world and the airy fortress of the lord-regent who rules them -- made of stone and brick, yet floats as a feather, and the gardens southward. I’ve been through the seas of Kalaru and beheld its wonders, seen its reefs and its deeps. I have even been witness to the mana-islands of Akwael’s creation.” She continued, “Now I have wandered here, to your isles, across the seas.” Tanehira looked, thoroughly impressed, he stood there silent for a moment. “My my, that is, an impressive collection of travels, perhaps, once our tour has finished, you would like to join me to the palace? I'm sure my father would love to hear about your tales, and he would be more than happy to feed and let you rest with us.” She gave a slight curtsy once again, saying, “It would be an honor, sir Kinoshita. I would be in your debt.” “Well then, let us continue the tour.” With that he led Tiamat once more down the winding roads of the city. He brought her to the various lesser temples situated throughout the city, the hall of artistry where some of the finest art of the clan was placed, down to the docks where the flags and symbols of various other clans could be seen, and even to the various outer regions of the city, where the poorer citizens lived, but where the mighty architecture of the clan could still be seen. Eventually, he led her to another massive building, one while of similar design of the grand temple, was more wide and seemed to be designed in a more regal or defendable way. In front of it was a mighty garden full of various plants from the isles, within Tiamat could see various guards and other reshut, all of an incredibly regal make, two more guards stood in front of the path leading to the palace, they bowed as the prince arrived. “Prince Kinoshita, your father is inside.” “Thank you Nasu,” He turned around to Tiamat, “Follow me, ignore if they stare at you, outsiders are rare in the palace.” He led her into the palace, inside was even more regal than its outer form, mighty silk curtains, beautiful artwork, and displays of wealth were constant. Eventually they found themselves in a massive chamber, low tables and various silk pillows within, at the far end was a large pedestal, with its own table, at which sat an incredibly regal reshut, his red robes made of fine silk and a large horn like crown sitting just above his mask, upon which displayed the symbol of the Kinoshita alongside another one. Tanehira bowed “Greetings father.” The Daimyo bowed in return “I am glad you have returned from your endeavor son, and who is this you have brought?” He gestured to Tiamat, obviously hoping she would answer herself. Tiamat bowed in turn, speaking reverently as she addressed the daimyo, “It is an honor to be in your presence. I am Tiamat, a wanderer from lands far. Your son, honorable as he is, rescued me from the grips of the swamps that confused my direction. I am in the debt of the Kinoshita clan.” The Daimyo chuckled with a hearty laugh “Ah yes, he tends to do that, his incursions into the swamp bring us many a wanderer or lost person, come, sit,” He gestured to some cushions across from him “I am always interested in hearing tales from beyond my city.” Tanehira bowed “If you shall excuse me father, I shall leave you with Tiamat for now, I wish to go about some tasks.” “Of course my son.” The Daimyo waved, allowing him to exit, once more turning towards Tiamat. She emerged from her bow, taking a place on a cushion across from the Daimyo. She followed with, “It would be my honor to regale my tales. I come from the mainland, and have seen a many great deal. Any questions you may have, I am prepared to answer.” The Daimyo thought for a brief moment, stroking his mask, “Well, I guess my first question would be, what are the people like? Are they friendly?” Tiamat paused for a moment, thinking, before answering, “The peoples of the mainland are a great many deal numerous and unique. There exists, side-by-side, cultures both welcoming and ruinous. Despoilers and enlightened lands of progress in equal numbers. There was only one land in particular I stayed in long enough to grant a good many details of -- the electric barons of the sky and the throat of the world.” “I see, and who are these, electric barons?” The Daimyo leaned forward, obviously interested in what the traveler had to say. Tiamat continued, looking slightly downwards in respect to the Daimyo, “The electric barons are alien, unlike any other creature of the mainland. Their domain is that of the clouds, and they care little for the surface we walk upon.” She paused, before launching into further explanation, “They are principally gravity and lightning. A hundred thousand bolts of lightning make up their thought, held in place and controlled by a well of gravity that overrides the force that holds us to the ground. To near one is to know what it is like to float.” Then, she spoke of their politics, “Their culture is one of both progress and battle, though they do not fight with sword and shield. From a wondrous castle made of stone and brick, that floats as though a feather, their lord-regent rules. It is said he was enthroned by that which he worships, the personification of the constant itself. He knows the gods and was witness to their walk upon the land in the time before.” Another pause, to let things sink in, “From his castle, he rules over a great deal many baronies, which exist above our terrestrial civilization. Their royalty is that of intrigue, and though warfare between one another is strictly prohibited, a cowl and a knife in the back sees their advancement. It is said that the lord-regent rules only by his worthiness, that it is only him who can balance the demands of his court.” The Daimyo was silent for quite some time, letting the details sink in “I see, quite the interesting people, but, I feel as if it is unfair to milk you of these tales constantly, so, if you so desire, you may ask questions about my people as well, for each question I ask of course.” She nodded, responding first with, “I greatly appreciate the opportunity,” before following with her question, “on the mainland, the swamp is avoided, and the peoples of the world build only upon the dry ground, where it is firm. I am most curious how your peoples grew to accept the swamp and learnt how to build upon it.” He chuckled “Well, unlike you mainlanders, we had very little choice, most of our isles are covered in swampish forests or are rocky highlands, we merely tried various methods again and again, my grandfather, founder of our clan, was the one who adapted our current method of construction, stilts and slight drainage of the swamps to better establish a foundation, other clans beyond ours use similar methods, though our clan is the best at it.” He pondered a few moments, thinking of his own question “So you say the people of the mainlands are diverse, I can only assume the climate is as well? I am curious as to what the weather is like there.” Tiamat nodded, “Indeed it is. It is most generalized as hot southwards and cold northwards, but there exist notable exceptions. For example, the sunplains, which are beat with an intense heat, though exist in the icy north amongst frozen highlands and vast glaciers. It is said the goddess of the sun walked there, and bathed the land in her countenance, warming it to this day.” She continued, “In the center of the mainland lays the tallest mountains in the world, anchors by which Galbar spins. To its south, a land of plenty, fecund soil and rolling hills, named the Garden. To the world anchor’s west, a vast desert and a sister chain of mountains. To its east, a primeval forest, all its trees merely flowering roots of a vast cyclopean mother-tree that reaches far into the atmosphere in the deep south of the mainland, amongst a vast jungle.” The Daimyo’s eyes could be seen lightening up behind his mask, he took in the descriptions of each area in with great interest “It sounds, quite, interesting, this land sounds like quite the beauty, I do so hope my people will find their way to it someday.” He thought for a long while, before finally remembering he had a guest. “Now of course, your question.” Tiamat looked up to the Daimyo, asking, “Your son has told me your clan is the most powerful on the isles. Of course, that means you are not the sole clan. What other clans lay claim to these isles?” He laughed once more “While I would not call ourselves the most powerful, we are certainly one of the greater clans, we of course lay claim to the western portions of the largest island, Azakua, there are two other great clans, to the north lay the Hashimoto, they are a feisty bunch of warriors but honorable in their conduct, they are as great with weapons and blades as we are with construction and design, to the far east lay the Ohta, traders by nature, they are crafty and can sell you a broken table for the price of an artisan painting, there are several minor clans of course, some vassals of our clan, others vassals of the two other greats, other independent, there are countless." "Now, my last question, what sort of material and power do the people of the mainland hold?" Tiamat answered, watching the Daimyo through her mask, “As with their culture, their power varies. Small city-states who lay claim to only their immediate surroundings coexist with great imperial ventures, who marshal armies that stretch from horizon to horizon. The electric barons, by the provenance of their form, are virtually untouchable by terrestrial hands. Great stone constructions dot the landscape, from vast castles with jade roofs to cities that you could not cross within a day’s time. Others still live humbly, in small wooden huts or within dugouts of dirt and sod.” "It seems these Barons are one of the more mightier forces there, you may have one last question, as I have nothing more to ask of the mainland." Tiamat responded, “The barons are mighty, indeed, but share no interests with us. They need not what we have and do not deign to look upon the ground,” she paused, before continuing with her question, “I suppose my largest question that yet remains is, what do you plan to do with the tales I have spun?” He thought for a while, pondering how to respond "Well my curiosity for the mainland is rather great, my people have never gone past the confines of our isles, I have long wished to make a foray into the mainland, and these tales can be useful as to knowing what exists." Tiamat dipped her head in respect, “Exploration is a respectable goal. I am honored to have assisted you.” He dipped his head in return "As am I to have assisted in helping you learn more, now, would you like to join us for dinner?" She said back, “From my time in the baronies, I am no longer capable of eating, nor do I require it to survive. However, I would still be honored to join you regardless.” [hider=can i get a summary ova hea] Retcon time! Tiamat, instead of going to the colosseum rip-off, is transported directly to galbar, and is unceremoniously dumped into a swamp. Some reshut hear that shit, and come to check things out. Before they arrive, Tiamat dresses herself up to look like a Reshut. Then, she immediately picks up their language with their first words, and she gets them friendly by being nice. They take her to the city of the Kinoshita clan, where it reveals the person who found her is a prince. He gives her a tour, shows her the temple, she learns who the Kinoshita worship, and she tells them a bit about the constant. The prince takes her to the palace, where she meets big daddy daimyo kinoshita. The prince wanders off to do chores. The daimyo swaps questions and answers with Tiamat, where Tiamat bullshits using the stories Enmity told her as a base. She speaks the most about the gravitationals, who are the only civilization she actually knows. The daimyo invites her to dinner, and things are Cool™. No MP/DP spent. [/hider]