Grandma
Widely Known
Imperial Vizier of Isra
Roleplay posts: 1,017
Age: 90
Physical Description: ---------------------------------------------------------
An elderly and frail looking woman with white wispy hair. However, despite being old, her back is not bent by age nor are her eyes clouded by it.
Clothes and Equipment: ---------------------------------------------------------
She wears a deep purple robe that has sleeves that extend far beyond her hands. Her hands are covered with fine gloves of black silk and she wears one ring on each, one having a purple stone set in it and the other a piece of onyx. Carrying an ornate cane of orellium, Grandma can use it to increase her magical channeling as well as assist in deflecting others spells with it. The cane itself is black and covered in numerous ornate, but tiny runes. The cap on the cane is a purplish colored gem. On her wrist is a silver bracelet with a ruby in it that Grandma uses for telepathic communication with others in its network.
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Registered: Sept 12, 2015 8:27:42 GMT -8
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Post by Grandma on May 24, 2019 21:39:41 GMT -8
Grandma murmured agreement at Zu Fu’s mention of things moving too quickly. While she was personally used to working in the hectic environment that was the Isran government, she had reasons for her frequent trips outside just her lust for knowledge. There was a certain peace she felt while venturing into the unknown. It satisfied a thirst for her that not even the acquisition of knowledge could quench.
“Don’t worry, I certainly won’t be asking you to go out of your way to show me misfortune. As you say, we shall run into some whether we look for it or not. Still, I am impressed with how relatively peaceful Kiyonai seems compared to other places I have traveled. The horrors of Helmfirth and sacking of Medan, such things were truly terrible to behold.” Grandma’s gaze became distant for a second before refocusing on Zu Fu. “I hope Tawakoshi’s future won’t hold such tragedy.”
It was rather impressive how quickly Zu Fu could put a smile on his face. He had what Grandma considered an almost childlike enthusiasm, taking pleasure in the small things. There were few even one-fifth of his age who could hold such an optimistic outlook, many becoming jaded and hardened by the hardships of life. But that was not the case for Zu Fu…
Taking the offered berries, Grandma briefly sniffed at them before popping them in his mouth. “I must admit, the taste of these berries would put many a farmer to shame. On the matter of maps, I heartily agree with you. If my travels have taught me anything, it’s that you never know what you’ll stumble across, regardless of what the map might say.” Letting out a slight chuckle, Grandma deftly collected a few more handfuls of berries which she placed in her bag. “I shall see if I can perhaps use these in a drink for us when we rest for the night.”
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Zu Fu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 72 
Age: 102
Physical Description: Zu Fu is wrinkled and whether bitten and through his rigorous dedication to nature's magic his hair has scattered too. His elevated age is of course apparent, but apart from that his physical shape is like that of one half his age.
Clothes and Equipment: Zu Fu is wearing simple clothes and his beaded necklace.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Jan 17, 2018 13:06:10 GMT -8
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Post by Zu Fu on May 26, 2019 2:12:16 GMT -8
Zu Fu nodded quietly at Grandma seemingly being able to read his intentions well.
"There are no places without misfortune, it would be like a trying to grow crops without fertilizer. Bad things makes humans want to bring out the best in themselves - although not all heroes do the right thing." Zu Fu commented. "Let's remember that when we're passing into Jeoncho." he said and smiled
"Kiyonai is rather fortunate to have had such daimyos ruling it and seeing to its best interests. Life in Tokhung is a hard life under the cruel rule of the Omaharu and now with a new war lord calling herself The Iron Crane. In Jeoncho people have lived in fear of persecution for so long that they don't remember what life without it was like." Zu Fu told Grandma. "But at the same time Jeoncho is the spiritual center of Tawakoshi and its citizen are keenly aware of their relationship to nature. And in Tokhung the place breeds strong warriors that place honor and determination above petty squabbles." Zu Fu explaining the two sided stories of each place.
"In Tawakoshi we have many factors that contribute to balancing the lands - and I am only a small wheel in the grand scheme. Many countries, like I suppose Helmfirth or Katashima, were not as fortunate as to develop a balance and are thus currently in a state of chaos." Zu Fu explained taking a deep breath. "Hoping is not enough though, and that is why I am taking this trip." he said determined.
Zu Fu chuckled a little as Grandma suggested making a drink for them.
"This is why I don't understand the people who are not willing to share!" his good spirits returning as they set their course towards the border. It would however not be before after a week or so, they would reach the border and this evening they would camp under the night sky.
"I have brought a bit of bread..!" he said enthusiastically rummaging through his backpack bringing out a varied quantity of apples, mushrooms and vegetables preparing them and putting them all in a pot as he gazed at Grandma. "Can you make a fire? Because then we're having soup!" Zu Fu said and went down to the small stream close by the little grove they had found returning back with the pot half way filled with water.
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Grandma
Widely Known
Imperial Vizier of Isra
Roleplay posts: 1,017
Age: 90
Physical Description: ---------------------------------------------------------
An elderly and frail looking woman with white wispy hair. However, despite being old, her back is not bent by age nor are her eyes clouded by it.
Clothes and Equipment: ---------------------------------------------------------
She wears a deep purple robe that has sleeves that extend far beyond her hands. Her hands are covered with fine gloves of black silk and she wears one ring on each, one having a purple stone set in it and the other a piece of onyx. Carrying an ornate cane of orellium, Grandma can use it to increase her magical channeling as well as assist in deflecting others spells with it. The cane itself is black and covered in numerous ornate, but tiny runes. The cap on the cane is a purplish colored gem. On her wrist is a silver bracelet with a ruby in it that Grandma uses for telepathic communication with others in its network.
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Registered: Sept 12, 2015 8:27:42 GMT -8
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Post by Grandma on May 26, 2019 23:15:45 GMT -8
Listening intently, Grandma continued to soak up Zu Fu’s words like a sponge. She was extremely fortunate to have gotten a guide with such knowledge of Tawakoshi. This was a recurring thought, but it was recurring for good reason. While she still wished to find some scrolls about the history of Tawakoshi Zu Fu was certainly fulfilling her present desires for knowledge.
“Jeoncho is the spiritual center of Tawakoshi? That is a bit surprising to me after hearing how you’ve spoken of it before. If I understand correctly, Jeoncho is the territory most oppressed by the Shogun… If even in such an unfortunate state they are the “spiritual center” of Tawakoshi I imagine their connection to nature would grow even stronger if they were freed from the Shogun’s rule?”
She needed to learn more of the spirits that inhabited this land, they were one of her primary interest after all. The magic they possessed was different than the usual type she encountered in the Overworld. It reminded her in some ways of the encounter she had with that Djinn from Sakand…
“I think you perhaps sell yourself short, Master Zu Fu.” While her tone held a hint of playfulness, her gaze studied the old man keenly for a moment before she continued.
“While I still have countless places to go and people to meet here in Tawakoshi, I get the feeling the part you play is bigger than you let on. Perhaps my intuition is off on this matter. Regardless, your humbleness is admirable.”
The week of travel passed quickly for Grandma, her time spent either conversing with Zu Fu or studying the landscape around them. It had been but a blink of an eye for her, but yet here they were, already approaching the border.
“Surely. Making a fire is the least I can do given you already have the ingredients in hand.”
Given there was no one else near them, Grandma didn’t feel the need to conceal her magic. Of course, there was also a part of her that was curious to see if Zu Fu would have any reaction to such use of magic. She had a feeling he rarely used magic for things as mundane as starting a fire.
Turning her attention to a nearby patch of ground only a small distance from the road, one of the rings on her hand began to faintly gleam in the darkness of the night. A handful of twigs and branches lifted themselves from the ground and flew through the air to clatter on top of each other in a surprisingly tidy fashion. Next, as if by an invisible hand, a shallow circular ditch was dug around the sticks. Finally, the twigs and branches began to give off smoke before suddenly bursting into flame. Letting out a slight yawn, Grandma took a seat on the ground near the newly created fire while she waited for Zu Fu to return with the soup pot.
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Zu Fu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 72
Age: 102
Physical Description: Zu Fu is wrinkled and whether bitten and through his rigorous dedication to nature's magic his hair has scattered too. His elevated age is of course apparent, but apart from that his physical shape is like that of one half his age.
Clothes and Equipment: Zu Fu is wearing simple clothes and his beaded necklace.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Jan 17, 2018 13:06:10 GMT -8
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Post by Zu Fu on May 29, 2019 10:16:14 GMT -8
Zu Fu nodded as if this was in the realm of 'need to know' information - but conceded she would find out sooner or later if deciding to follow him to the end.
"The Xianhai temple in Jeoncho is where the Golden Dragon sleeps - the Fifth of the Four, the center." Zu Fu said slightly cryptic. "Jeoncho has been quite oppressed but the people there still remember where they come from and the influence of the spirits is strong - both because of the Golden Dragon but also because the emperor resides there." he explained and could hardly contain his enthusiasm for the subject.
"The shogun may have ruled over things as armies and possesses monetary power, but in these times the spiritual powers proceed to work from deeper reaches until the time is right where change will bloom - which is now - and it is very exciting!" Zu Fu continued with a wide smile.
Zu Fu laughed wholeheartedly as Grandma suggested that he sold himself short.
"Really I don't! My work is superficial at best here! All the spirits aiding the hearts of the humans and guiding the wills of the animal kingdom have laid a foundation so vast I can't even begin to imagine it - and without that I could not accomplish a fraction of what I intend to." he said driving himself forwards with the eager of a man half his age. "Still your wisdom is well attuned because in mortal eyes I would certainly seem important wouldn't I? After all quite vast magic floats through me although it is but a speck of what has been already placed by others and for me to use." he added and nodded at Grandma.
Seeing Grandma arrange the logs and get a fire going had Zu Fu chuckling and he proceeded to place the pot over the fire starting to stir it gently.
"Well we can just as well help each other can't we?" he asked and give her a studious look. "I am not the only one here who might be a little bit beyond what I look like am I?" Zu Fu asked, his question kind but intention unwavering and fearless.
"There is so much I have yet to learn about this world, but when I judge others it is first and foremost on the small things. Such innate control with magic is not something you'd learn in just one life time." Zu Fu dipping a spoon into the soup tasting it and pouring a bit of salt into it. "Still needs a bit more..." he interjected to himself before gazing at Grandma again. "The presence of the spirits here help me more than you know, their thousands upon thousands of years of experience is something they relay to me when I need it. By myself I would be but an apprentice sorcerer. So therefore I wonder how many centuries - or millennia - you have been studying your craft?" Zu Fu's words polite but at the same time clear in the way that he was very well aware that Grandma's was hardly showing her true colors.
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Grandma
Widely Known
Imperial Vizier of Isra
Roleplay posts: 1,017
Age: 90
Physical Description: ---------------------------------------------------------
An elderly and frail looking woman with white wispy hair. However, despite being old, her back is not bent by age nor are her eyes clouded by it.
Clothes and Equipment: ---------------------------------------------------------
She wears a deep purple robe that has sleeves that extend far beyond her hands. Her hands are covered with fine gloves of black silk and she wears one ring on each, one having a purple stone set in it and the other a piece of onyx. Carrying an ornate cane of orellium, Grandma can use it to increase her magical channeling as well as assist in deflecting others spells with it. The cane itself is black and covered in numerous ornate, but tiny runes. The cap on the cane is a purplish colored gem. On her wrist is a silver bracelet with a ruby in it that Grandma uses for telepathic communication with others in its network.
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Registered: Sept 12, 2015 8:27:42 GMT -8
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Post by Grandma on Jun 3, 2019 22:50:07 GMT -8
Raising one eyebrow at Zu Fu’s reaction to her use of magic, Grandma was slightly puzzled by his reaction to it. It certainly wasn’t an impressive display, and given the magic that coursed through Zu Fu even if magic was a rarer sight here in Tawakoshi such tricks weren’t something Grandma would expect to impress the sage. Perhaps she had been slightly too casual when performing the spells, she would have to keep that in mind for the future. Zu Fu was quite sharp and it wouldn’t do to show her full hand at this point in their journey.
“Only a little more than I appear, Zu Fu. There are countless others who can perform parlor tricks such as this. As I’m sure you’re well aware, outside Tawakoshi magic is far more commonly used and you will run into much magic far more impressive than what I can muster. Of course, I am rather adept at little spells like this, I should be given my age.”
Letting out a slight chuckle at the reference to her age, Grandma scooted herself slightly closer to the fire, taking a sniff at the soup pot. While what she said wasn’t entirely true, it wasn’t entirely false either. In her current state, she didn’t consider herself capable of mustering particularly potent magic, by her standards at least.
“You gain knowledge from the spirits in Tawakoshi? I have heard of such people during my many travels, but this is perhaps the first time I’ve met someone who gains knowledge in such a fashion. I can hardly grasp what it would be like to have the knowledge of so many spirits bestow their knowledge and experience upon you… It must be difficult at times to take in experience from so many separate sources.”
Pausing as Zu Fu asked how long she had been studying her craft, she regarded him in silence for a moment while contemplating a reply.
“I have been wandering the Overworld for around half a millennium. Given how long I have been working at my craft for, my results aren’t particularly impressive. If you ever come to visit Isra I think you will be quite surprised at the skill some of our young prodigies possess. Only a fraction of the age and experience me and you have yet the innate magic they possess… I hope one day you shall be able to witness it first hand.”
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Zu Fu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 72
Age: 102
Physical Description: Zu Fu is wrinkled and whether bitten and through his rigorous dedication to nature's magic his hair has scattered too. His elevated age is of course apparent, but apart from that his physical shape is like that of one half his age.
Clothes and Equipment: Zu Fu is wearing simple clothes and his beaded necklace.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Jan 17, 2018 13:06:10 GMT -8
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Post by Zu Fu on Jun 5, 2019 6:03:43 GMT -8
"A parlour trick? What a funny name for that." Zu Fu chuckled. "... and there are far more people who can't do anything that even resembles that. I find that it is not always the most flashy acts that are the most useful either." Zu Fu commented listening intently to her next one.
"Yes... it is difficult sometimes and hard on the mind and body - but that is why I smile and laugh so much, that is the only cure!" he said flashing a wide grin. "But I do not 'get' their experience as to use magic myself, I am bonding with these spirits as to have them aid me in doing so." Zu Fu said and he raised his index and middle finger into the air above his head starting a downward spiraling movement where fire ignited before fazing into water and wind and... in the end with a smull 'puff' it vanished again as if it hadn't been there to start with.
"This may look like my own magic, but that would be a mistake to think that. Instead I connect with the local spirits of wind, water and fire and aid me in this creation. To do it with the immediacy like this is what takes the most practice." he explained as he suddenly made big eyes. "There..! The soup is ready!" the old man starting to pour the soup in a bowl handing it to Grandma before getting some himself.
"For some creatures five hundred years isn't much, but for someone carrying the physical body of a human being, it certainly is." Zu Fu said curiously though his statement was not as much a question as merely making Grandma aware that he knew her not to be human.
"Haha yes..! Indeed young prodigies will persist to bewilder us more experienced seniors with their will and perseverance to go beyond what even we can do - it's quite exciting!" Zu Fu said with a warm smile. "I have yet to find an apprentice though, but perhaps in time one will show that I can teach." he added. "How about you? Will you look for an apprentice or is your work poorly cut out for that?" Zu Fu asked while enjoying the soup and the company.
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Grandma
Widely Known
Imperial Vizier of Isra
Roleplay posts: 1,017
Age: 90
Physical Description: ---------------------------------------------------------
An elderly and frail looking woman with white wispy hair. However, despite being old, her back is not bent by age nor are her eyes clouded by it.
Clothes and Equipment: ---------------------------------------------------------
She wears a deep purple robe that has sleeves that extend far beyond her hands. Her hands are covered with fine gloves of black silk and she wears one ring on each, one having a purple stone set in it and the other a piece of onyx. Carrying an ornate cane of orellium, Grandma can use it to increase her magical channeling as well as assist in deflecting others spells with it. The cane itself is black and covered in numerous ornate, but tiny runes. The cap on the cane is a purplish colored gem. On her wrist is a silver bracelet with a ruby in it that Grandma uses for telepathic communication with others in its network.
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Registered: Sept 12, 2015 8:27:42 GMT -8
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Post by Grandma on Jun 5, 2019 21:31:29 GMT -8
Although her expression didn’t change, Zu Fu’s explanation of how he worked with the spirits was a tidbit that Grandma found most interesting. She had been assuming his power came from controlling the spirits by force, but it sounded as if it was more of a mutual bond. It truly wasn’t that surprising when she gave the matter some thought and took Zu Fu’s demeanor into consideration. Her own philosophy on the matter had blinded her to other possibilities. She needed to avoid such oversights in the future.
“Communing with a wide array of spirits and remaining in good favor with all of them… If you don’t mind me saying, you walk a rather thin rope, Master Zu Fu. You are certainly willing to put more trust in others than I.” Her final words held a hint of seriousness in them, her gray eyes gazing off into the fires flames for a moment that lasted longer than it had any right to.
Letting out a laugh at Zu Fu’s enthusiasm at the soup being ready, Grandma graciously accepted the proffered bowl. Raising the bowl to her lips, she blew on it several times.
“There are humans who can live a rather long time with the aid of certain magics. I would say you are an example but I am unsure if it is the magic so much as your lifestyle.” For the present, Grandma decided to not comment on her true nature. After all, even when she did offer up her “true nature” it was little more a tidbit to keep the curious satisfied.
“I’m surprised you haven’t ever had an apprentice, Zu Fu. You seem to me like the type who would excel at teaching—should you find a worthy pupil that is. As for me, I also have never really had an ‘apprentice’ so to speak. I’ve bestowed knowledge upon others, but taking on an apprentice requires a lot more work than that.”
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Zu Fu
Committed
Roleplay posts: 72
Age: 102
Physical Description: Zu Fu is wrinkled and whether bitten and through his rigorous dedication to nature's magic his hair has scattered too. His elevated age is of course apparent, but apart from that his physical shape is like that of one half his age.
Clothes and Equipment: Zu Fu is wearing simple clothes and his beaded necklace.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Jan 17, 2018 13:06:10 GMT -8
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Post by Zu Fu on Jun 10, 2019 2:27:12 GMT -8
"I am definitely walking a thin rope, as you say, but such is trust. However not all spirits have very strong wills, some just serve whoever interacts or asks it of them - neutral spirits." Zu Fu explained briefly. "It is however hard to explain the more intricate detail to people that do not practice it as I do - but I must stress that keeping the good favors of strong willed spirits is a far less demanding task than keeping the good favors of men." he smiled. "Well... I have asked myself the same thing, but it is probably a combination of the two. The healing and restoring powers of some of the spirits I commune with help too, but is sometimes cancelled out by the more malign spirits I have to contend with too - they can be literally life sapping." Zu Fu explained openly. "I had one apprentice a few years ago..." he said and counted his fingers. "Well 'a few' being about fifty I think, but she chose another path instead." he said before emptying his bowl of soup. "It's probably about time to take a nap don't you think?" he smiled, and if Grandma agreed he'd conjure a small spiral of water to put out the flames and wish her a good night. As the elderly pair woke up the next day the weather would be perfect for grazing the road with their walking sticks once again and doing such the next few days they would most likely mean they had plenty of time to talk about all sorts of things and a couple of weeks would pass where they visited shrines, cities and scaled hills and valleys before reaching the border to Jeoncho. "There we have it, the big fortress Kasen no Tochi which stands as a barrier between Jeoncho, the Shogun's land, and Kiyonai, the land of Hizashi Genji. Although in theory Genji is supposed to be obedient to the shogun but many things point in the opposite direction." Zu Fu explained as they neared the border post where solemn guards stood and watched vigilantly and searched a few peasants' carts as they sought to cross the border. [Exit Kasen no Tochi] |
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