Paw
Junior Member
Level 16 Tabaxi Monk - Way of the Open Hand
Posts: 92 
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Post by Paw on Jun 5, 2019 22:16:53 GMT
On the main pier of the Old Port, Paw sits cross-legged with some among her closest friends in Port Ffirst and enjoys the last rays of a warm Spring sun.
“Do you remember when I told you that - weirdly as it might sound - being killed and brought back from the dead by Vuska, the shaman, might have been the best thing to happen to me in a very long time? For a while I really believed that floating on that endless river had helped me regain my balance and refocus my Ki.”
“Not anymore. You’ve seen me with the Draw priestess and in the arena in Kundar, have you not? Then there was Samantha’s tower. I did put some of you at risk with my recklessness there. Would you say I did not? More and more I lose myself in a fight, and that is not the Way.”
“But it’s not just that. I told you that Vuska reminded me of my life debt in my dreams. What I didn’t tell you is that my dreams had been visited many times before that. Before arriving in Kantas, another entity had challenged me to find them: ‘so they could finally see me’. I neither believed those visions, not trusted that entity to truly exist outside of my mind. However, the events put me in search of them, all the way here from my native island of Machukara.
Now Karlessa says she can possibly help me in my quest, but I need to find something for her first: the missing piece of an artefact. And this is why I am looking to form a party as we speak…”
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Paw
Junior Member
Level 16 Tabaxi Monk - Way of the Open Hand
Posts: 92
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Post by Paw on Jun 30, 2019 13:07:03 GMT
In Old Port, Paw gazes out into the sea, looking at the warm sun setting up while surrounded by a group of adventurers. Some of them look worse for wear.
“It was quite the battle we had yesterday, was it not! That place made my fur stand on end. Colourless and dreadful. Hopeless like the spirits we fought, I say. Thank you all for the help you gave me. Karlessa is now busy with the artefact that we brought back for her, but she has promised to help me. We shall see. I know I’ve been very secretive about my intentions, but now that I’ve made up my mind, I realise I would like to let you know more about them. I would not want to just disappear one day without an explanation.” With a sly smile and a knowing look Paw adds: “Do not worry, I shall be brief and let you all have your well-earned rest.”
“The entity I told you about started visiting my thoughts back in Machukara while I was learning the Way of Enlightenment. They called themselves Cat Lord. ‘Come to a new land and find us, so that we can see you’ they said. Initially, they manifested as a growling, low voice. Later as a gigantic black muzzle with glowing red and yellow eyes, sharp fangs, and a sardonic smile. To me, they were just a manifestation of my fears, something to beat with deeper meditations and harder training.”
“Then my sister Silver started having similar visions. She was a young kannushi devoted to Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto - the Moon kami that is. She convinced herself that Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto was talking to her. And so she left, looking for them. I should have insisted maybe, be more convincing, but that is not the Way. The Way is to let go.”
“It was all for nothing anyway. Few months later training had become impossible, the visions more frequent, and the worry for Silver more pressing. That was a year and a half ago. I decided to go west to find her. I was still convinced the Cat Lord was not real, but when I reached the Sword Coast and heard of Kantas, I did start doubting myself somewhat.”
“And here we are, the visions are back, my balance disturbed, and meditation led to a trance I barely escaped from. Karlessa seems to know about many things, I decided to tell her my story and the price for her help was this quest, to be paid in advance. Hopefully she will have more information for me soon. I also want to see if she can help locate my sister directly.” Paw caresses the ribbon tied to her quarterstaff. “In truth, maybe I should not, and do not want to find her just to appease myself, but I will follow my instinct and risk it, Way notwithstanding.”
“Well, this is it. I am on a hunt, now you know. It might take me away, but now I hope you will not feel betrayed, if that happens. More fish anyone?”
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Post by Ser Baine Cinderwood 🔥🌼 on Jun 30, 2019 18:17:51 GMT
“Well, this is it. I am on a hunt, now you know. It might take me away, but now I hope you will not feel betrayed, if that happens. More fish anyone?” Baine looks longingly at the offered food before putting a hand to his objecting stomach. "I reckon I might have had too many already. They were dead nice tho, cheers." He burps carefully into his hand. Looks relieved. "I'm looking for someone too," he says, only hesitating slightly before adding, "my mum." He looks unusually serious as he looks at Paw. "This sister, what did you say her name was? Gold? Silver? Is she your sister-sister or like your-" he gestures wildly with his hands to indicate hand-to-hand combat, "like your Monk Sister?" |
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Paw
Junior Member
Level 16 Tabaxi Monk - Way of the Open Hand
Posts: 92
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Post by Paw on Jul 1, 2019 15:51:52 GMT
"Well, I am glad you... liked it, Baine?"
"Here, I made tea, have some, it will help. It is not what I was used to drinking at my temple, but I am getting used to this fermented leaves - as the merchants call them in the Sword Coast. I brought some fresh, green leaves with me when I left, but I run out.
"You know, I am glad I was required to give up my love of them" Paw gets very close to Baine. "Even a small loss like this can help you look inside yourself" She puts her left paw in front of Baine's heart, almost touching it. "Maybe there is some confort for you in this? I don't presume to know though, I cannot live your experiences, I am afraid."
With a sudden half-jump and a smile, Paw adds "but Karlessa has asked Ernetta to locate Silver for me, maybe she could do the same for your mother? She needed something of her. Luckily I had a ribbon from her miko dress. She used to wear it before she was ordained."
"Oh, but you asked me a question about Silver!" Paw quickly punches the air and chuckles "She is my sister-sister. Silver-eyes-in-the-night is her name."
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Post by Ser Baine Cinderwood 🔥🌼 on Jul 1, 2019 18:44:55 GMT
Baine takes a careful sip of the tea and tries, very poorly, to hide his grimace.
"Fermented yeah? Wassat mean, like.. rotten?"
He casts about for a subject to distract Paw and her piercing gaze from the cup of tea he's trying to pour out behind his back.
"Karlessa? Ernetta? They're gonna find Silver for you? Do you think they could find someone without like.. a ribbon? Have they tried yet? Do you know where to start looking?"
He pauses briefly.
"And why do all Tabaxi have such cool as shit names?"
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Guido
Dungeon Master 
Posts: 171
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Post by Guido on Jul 2, 2019 12:08:53 GMT
Paw stares at Baine for a long second, her ears moving slightly forward, towards him. But then she looks down at the empty cup in his hands, gives a half-smile, and says "well, I am so glad you liked it, please, have some more" as she pours another cup for him, full to the brim.
"Yes, they say fermented, but it is withered in truth. It is quite an ingenious way to preserve the leaves for much longer, it seems. It changes the taste too though, as you can clearly tell."
"But about Ernetta, I do not think she has completed the search yet, but I will go to her and ask, if I do not receive word soon. I need to see where the help Karlessa has promised will lead me first. Maybe we could go together later and ask Ernetta what she can do for you. In any case, I think you should look for guidance in your search. But please, search inside of yourself at least as much as you do outside. If my nonsense makes sense to you at all, that is. Sometimes I does not to me either!" She chuckles and brings her white paw to her mouth.
"I will go looking for Karlessa at her shop now, Baine. Farewell!" Paw bows and leave.
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Guido
Dungeon Master
Posts: 171
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Post by Guido on Jul 2, 2019 12:17:02 GMT
Continues from thekantasexpanse.boards.net/thread/655/central-gaze-stone-02-levels?page=2
Authors: Nuno, Guido, JaimeIn Daring Heights, inside Taffeta’s home. “... and I kept going back every morning for a few days. Finally Karlessa was ready to help. She recruited Enrietta to try and locate Silver. You know, sometimes I doubt my sister’s existence too! Like I doubt the Cat Lord. Their existence outside of my consciousness, I mean.” "Well now," smiles Taffeta, "I've two sisters and a brother, and I don't reckon a sibling is something a person just imagines! Why, if I'd made them up, they'd have been a deal less troublesome. As for cat lords…" She sips her tea. "That I don't know about. But I've seen stranger things in this world, and I've surely seen people with minds a deal less sound than yours, Paw. It sounds to me like you're on the right track."“Anyway I talked about myself enough. I like the pie very much and this tea. Are these leaves from Kantas?" Paw looks down at the rather small cup she is carefully holding with both her long paws. "You know, I'm not sure where they're grown. I get them from the Cliffords' shop! I can ask Cala next time I see her if you like. But listen, you talk about yourself as much as you want." "What was that you said to Tugark about your temperament? Do you struggle to keep your balance? I think you would become quite the monk at the Rock Cliff Waves temple!" She chirrups as her ears perk up. The halfling laughs. "Oh my, that's a grand invitation! Me, a monk! What a thought. And what about Nerry and the girls, would they come too?" Still chuckling at the idea, she shakes her head. "Thank you, but… Well, let's say 'not for now'. But you were saying you thought you might get more information about your sister from… who was it again?" "Karlessa, right. She gave me some books to read. She thinks what is in them can help me. I read them, Taffeta, I read them well! And still I have more questions than answers. That is why I came to Daring Heights. For answers. Maybe you can find some meaning into the stories these books tell?” A slightly dubious expression crosses Taffeta's round face but she waits and listens attentively. “None of the books mentions a Cat Lord by name. The oldest is a collection of stories from Wa. It describes a great mining tragedy at the foothills of the Rolling Storm mountain range, where hundreds of miners were found dead inside a caved-in mine shaft, inexplicably covered in hundreds of slashing wounds. To date one of the greatest mysteries of the Tsukishima island. The other two are just modern books written in the Sword Coast. One references several tall mountains in the various islands of Wa. Some of them home to warrior monks that master the sword as well as hand-to-hand combat and follow the strictest codes to reach Balance. One is a children’s book, Taffeta! It recounts the story of a small cat who lived in a land far, far away inside a temple surrounded by clouds on the slopes of a tall mountain...” Paw starts reciting parts straight from the book “...where stone and clouds meet. The cat started following a warrior monk named Jin-woon on his daily routine since he used to give him food. Jin-woon and the cat became inseparable and the cat slowly learned how to mimic Jin-woon’s training sequences, to speak, and even to think like a warrior monk.” “Over the years however the clouds lifted, raising up along the mountain. Greedy men were mining its heart. The farther up the clouds lifted, the weaker the cat grew and the fewer things he could remember from his training with Jin-woon. Until one day he was a normal cat again.” “Jin-woon went to meet the greedy men and pleaded with them to stop mining because his cat was suffering. They mocked him. He left defeated, but peacefully. The warrior monks learned to live without the clouds and the clouds forgot about the warrior monks. The cat however kept staring at the clouds, so Jin-woon decided to climb further up into the mountain to reach them. He took perilous paths filled with strange and dangerous creatures, defeating them along the way, always keeping the cat safe. When they reached the clouds, Jin-woon put the cat down and spoke to him: ‘Here we are, my cat friend. You are home. Please speak to me, I do miss our conversations.’ But the cat did not speak and stared down at the stony base of the mountain.” “Frustration and confusion overcame Jin-woon. He picked up his cat and run all the way down to the greedy men. This time they did not just mock him, they became aggressive. And Jin-woon unsheeted the heirloom sword at his side - the Green Wind. He forsook his training and slaughtered them all.” Paw pauses to bring the cup close to her mouth, takes a sip with her tongue, and continues to recite. “Among tens of corpses, soaked in blood, Jin-woon stood in silence, at peace. He felt the air pressure drop as the heart of the mountain started regenerating. The clouds also started descending back toward the stony foothills of the mountain. And then Jin-woon wept, tears down his face wiping away his blood-soaked cheeks. It was at that point that frail voice echoed from the wooden carrier satchel on his back. The cat spoke once more: ‘Balance, Jin-woon! Morals are clouded, only balance is clear!’” “This is how the story ends. Why do you think Karlessa found these books relevant? I came to Daring Heights to ask Aurelia and Rholor this question as well, but then I saw that message from this Duchess. Does it not seem strange to you that she mentions a Tabaxi artefact just now? I have barely met other Tabaxi since I am in Kantas, and nothing points in the direction of powerful artefacts. Anyway, I apologise for all these questions, I am shaken, and that is not the Way” "Goodness!" exclaims Taffeta faintly. "Well, I don't know what to make of all that. Do you think the cat from the story could be the Cat Lord? But there's nothing about an artefact, anyway…" “What about the Green Wind, Taffeta?” "Oh! Could it be…? Well, I see now why you want to find out! I don't trust this Duchess any more than I can throw her, but it sounds like you need to get a look at this thing she's talking of, and for certain I'll help you do it."
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Guido
Dungeon Master
Posts: 171
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Post by Guido on Jul 2, 2019 13:18:30 GMT
Authors: Nuno, Guido
In Daring Heights, at the Temple of Selune.
Rholor parses the books as Paw tells him her story. "I don't know if these stories are connected to this Cat Lord you speak of. There's one way to know though. If you can bring me 250GP worth of incense, I could perform a ritual."
"Is there a purveyor of incense in Daring Heights, Rholor?" He points with his hand vaguely in a direction outside the temple "Yes, you need to go..." Paw darts off.
She is back minutes later with a large burlap sack smelling of incense. "Here it is, Rholor, thank you"
In a small room, Rholor prepares the ritual, puts four ivory strips onto of the huge pile of incense, sits down, and starts concentrating. The temperature in the room raises as the ivory strips start overheating and burning away the incense. Incense smoke fills the room. Paw's whiskers tremble. "This reminds me of home, Rholor".
Rholor then whispers: "Cat Lord..." and the incense starts burning faster. Clouds of smoke form shapes and scenes in mid-air. Paw looks but cannot make sense on them.
After 10 minutes the incense is all spent. Paw opens a window to let the smoke clear.
"Okay. It's done. I don't have much about this Cat Lord of yours, but I can confirm that the stories in those books are correct. At least in part. It seems they are originally from Wa and associated with a big tragedy that happened there involving elementalists, not miners. I also learnt a long-lost story from Wa about heroes of old who fought an army trying to open portals to the elemental planes. I don't know that their goal was, but the army's general was captured and locked away by those heroes in an inaccessible location. I believe this general might be your Cat Lord. But there is more. The heroes in the story were known to live by a very strict code. They valued balance above all else, and were willing to sacrifice everything to maintain it. They did not resort to violence unnecessarily, at least. This is what was said of them."
"But these stories are old, there is nothing recent that comes up from beyond the astral cloth, This is all the information I could learn. Who is this creature? Is it somehow connected to Kantas? Should we be worried Paw?"
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Paw
Junior Member
Level 16 Tabaxi Monk - Way of the Open Hand
Posts: 92
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Post by Paw on Jul 7, 2019 17:43:59 GMT
As a Session Write up for The Gaze Stone
In Daring Heigths, at the Menagerie Club.
Why is this Frederick asking me about artefacts "around here”? I did not hear of any here in Daring Height at least, so better to say nothing at all. I am glad Baine has left Frankie at the compound, he seems so defenceless still. Why is the Duchess so accommodating? She is willing to pay us to spy on this merchant and pose as bodyguards, she is worried the artefact might be a danger, but she is fine with me assessing it and even possibly keeping it. I sense danger. I need to acquire more information. 'How do they even know that the artefact is Tabaxi?' … The island of Paicai! How? Why was an archaeological expedition there of all places? And to unearth an artefact that shows up in Kantas - and specifically in Daring Heights - just days after I discover information about ancient events from Wa! Paicai! What a dreadful island it was!! Paw, you need to find your balance. You need to keep yourself on the Path! Minutes later, at the Four Fair Winds Hotel.
Why does that girl keep looking at me? 'Hello, have we met before?' … Two Tabaxi in Daring Heights, one with a slightly curved sword. I bet it was a katana. Walking with a purpose. I sense immediate danger. We need to find them, we need to act. Now! Why are they wasting time with that man?! Paw steady yourself, savour the hot tea, slowly, very slowly. Recite the Heart Sutra. You can catch up with the others later. And why did you wiggle your tail at that girl?! Bow on your way out. Minutes later, outside the abandoned Macadam warehouse.
Smell?! Why did you sniff, Paw? Because they asked?! Is this what you learnt? But this smell, this smell brings me back. I am afraid now. What is that? Run, Paw, grab that boy! I can smell his fear too. So sweet. I like it. Why is Taffeta getting involved? I have him now. Paw! You are lost, step away! Look at those bodies instead. Those wounds. A katana. So there they are. Steady yourself, Paw. Just peer around the corner, learn their weaknesses. Tell the others. Who is that? That sphere… those colours … "I've heard of your prowess. Let's dance!" "I am Defiant Flame. I let the beast take me. So should you." I will rip you to pieces for this. "Paw, you're scaring me" "This is Cat Lord shit, you need to snap out of it!" Paw, do not give in! These are your friends. This is your enemy. None of them are prey. Kneel. Recite. When there is one without a second, there is no choice. What an awakening! I have no choice, I am free!"the Cat Lord's fucking real, Paw!" Baine, all is one. All is real. 'Maybe it really is, Baine' 'Thank you, Baine, thank you Pieni. Your words reached me. Thank you all for your help.' 'Tugark, may I look at that sphere?’ I does not… It is now not... like before. Defiant Flame might know. Rholor might help. A few minutes later, at the Temple of Selune.
"Paw are you fucking okay?" I am not, Pieni. "I am shaken, but time and meditation will help, Pieni" I am not.
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Paw
Junior Member
Level 16 Tabaxi Monk - Way of the Open Hand
Posts: 92
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Post by Paw on Mar 2, 2020 13:01:58 GMT
It is late afternoon when Paw arrives at Rowan's Glade. Sho follows as closely as she can.
'I came as soon as Oriloki-san contacted me, Taffeta. Please, do tell me what you need of me'
Taffeta fills her in on the recent events, but also doesn’t forget to ask her what she has been up to.
'I have been recovering, Taffeta-san, refocusing my Ki. I am getting ready because I think there is still a part to play for me in this lifetime.’
‘Meditation has allowed me to unlock unconscious memories. When I was under the fiend's spell in Wa, I felt the presence of the Cat Lord. I truly did, Taffeta-san. It reached out to me. That is the sign that the Beast is not just a figment of my imagination! It pains me to say as much, but the Cat Lord is not a reality I can reconcile and subsume by meditating. There is something entirely alien about it, unfathomable.'
'It does not matter now, though. You bring grievous news. I pledged my skills to you and your family, Taffeta-san. I shall honour my pledge and protect them with my life. I am duty-bound by my life debt until you choose to release me from it, or I die to repay it.'
Paw goes on her knees and prostate. She presents her quarterstaff to Taffeta held up on her palms.
'Paw, you don't — There's no debt.'
Taffeta takes Paw's forearms and tries to gently pull her up to a standing position again – without very much effect since the kneeling Tabaxi is already as tall as the standing Taffeta.
'We help each other. That's what people do. Or... it's what people should do. But thank you. And I'm... I'm glad you're more sure now about the Cat Lord – I know that's been troubling you for a long time. And, listen: you know we're going there to stop Khingo for good. But if I can... If I can, before I kill it, I'll try to find out what it was doing in that warehouse. If it was anything to do with the Cat Lord. I'll try.'
'Thank you, Taffeta-san. I wish you well.’ says Paw, unmoving.
'I'll talk to Nerry with the magic stones every morning if I can. And... don't talk to the girls about this but... well, you can probably guess anyway. I'm not going to stop until I'm sure they and Nerry and Rose and – and all of you, and everyone is safe from Khingo forever. I don't know how long that will take. I'm not expecting you to guard them for long. If I'm not back in... I don't know. If I'm not back in a tenday, just talk to Nerry and he'll decide what to do. There's plenty of money, he knows where it is. We haven't talked about any plans: if I'm caught, I don't want to know anything. They might have to leave here. If they do, could you help them on the journey, at least a little way? Or – no, don't tell me that either. Just... remind them that I love them all. All the time, always.'
She's choking a bit, her eyes welling up. 'Okay. Thank you. I hope I'll see you soon.'
She leaves.
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Paw
Junior Member
Level 16 Tabaxi Monk - Way of the Open Hand
Posts: 92
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Post by Paw on Aug 25, 2020 12:18:59 GMT
Continues from here“Good morning, Magister Manyvoices, Oriloki-san” “Well, Ms. Quick-White, this is a very unexpected visit… Please, do come in and take a seat. I’m, after all, pleased to see you.” “Once again, Oriloki-san, I am sorry for having spent your name in Waterdeep without your permission. I hope one day I’ll earn your forgiveness” “I’m not holding a grudge, Ms. Quick-White, it’s simply that your actions were reckless and unjustified, and led to blame being put on myself without cause, and this had to be considered…” Paw goes on her knees and bows low to the ground. “Oh well, that is... fine. Fine, thank you. May I ask the reason for your visit today, Ms.Quick-White? You seem to have recovered at last. I am grateful of that.” “I’m here to ask you for a recommendation, so that I can this time visit The Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors without subterfuge and learn more about my Enemy - as you know them. Karlessa and Ernetta have done so much to help me understand, but I think I need the Order to truly see.” “This is even more unexpected than your visit today. Do you remember what some in the Order wished for you, don’t you?” “Yes, I do. I’m willing to take the risk. I have meditated at length on this” “Very well, then, I shall write you that letter; and I will message one that I trust to inform her of this development. But be assured, Ms. Quick-White, if you go down this path there will be some explaining to do to those in the Order that have good intentions, and much to fear from those that don’t.” “I will take the risk. Yashiro Tomosue wanted to visit the library so badly, and my infiltration has created so much concern, there must be something there I can use to find Silver. I need to see what is there for myself” “I see. I take that you will need to be teleported there; have you made your arrangements already, Ms. Quick-White?” “I meditated on that too, Oriloki-san...” ““♫♪♪♫♫!♪♫♪!” “Just one more minute, Sho, then we shall go back outside.” “The last two times I shifted planes and travelled by magic I was found and trapped by the Enemy in their many forms.. I think there is something there I do not quite understand. I will be more cautious though. ” “How will you reach Waterdeep then?” “By sea. And please keep my plans private” “Surely, Ms. Quick-White. But what about those who know you here?” “I have already arranged for a note to reach all my friends here so that they know I am grateful for their help and I will be in touch when I am back to these shores”
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