Ruse decided to flare his divine aura, and see if that would do the trick. He wasn't sure it would work, but it was worth checking.

If that method failed, Ruse would then hurl some solid mist at the bronze gong to announce his presence. He was wary of the witch craft bell in case it had some sort of magic tied to it, which is why he chose the gong instead. But first, he'd flare his aura to see if the door recognized his signature.

Ruse felt his power suddenly flare and then die down slowly. Anyone sensitive to the patterns of Divinity that flowed throughout the Realm Supernatural would immediately sense his presence - and, perhaps, his distaste.

The Centrite door opened slowly.

Tdan Bardrov was an ancient man, with long white hair and a gushing beard. His eyes, however, were youthful and sharp. He had pointed teeth and nails, and his body was covered in red paint - covered in primitive pictograms; ancient glyphs, perhaps.

"Roose," he said, slightly mispronouncing Ruse's name. "You have come at last."

Hirsu returned to the Valley of Mist. Without hesitation, he transformed into a colourful bird, with feathers of blue, green and scarlet. He flew into the air, and flew South. He would seek out Tdan Bardrov before attempting any cure on Imbolk.

Ruse looks around a moment, and gives a hmph! After a moment, his gaze falls back to the old man.

"I do say that door there is very distasteful. Did you really think you could keep he who walks in mist from this place, which is within the valley of mist? Or was your little door meant to keep out someone else?"

He rolled his eyes disdainfully, and continued,

"And yes I have come. I have always been here as a potentiality, and now have simply coalesced into an actuality. I have some free time so thought I would some visit."

Ruse's divine presence dies down altogether. Like literally, his divine signature is gone. His form begins to shift, and he changes from a Mistellan god into an unassuming Raccoon - something that would fit perfectly in the cave of a disheveled old man.

The raccoon purred a response.

"Do forgive me for this - there is a younger zealous god that I am sort of looking after and taking under my wing. He should be stopping by to ask you for medicinal advice. When he does, please act as if I am nothing more than an unassuming raccoon that wandered in here. I have watched my young one's progress from afar but would delight in seeing how he interacts with you. Of course, we can talk more in depth after he leaves, and we can talk until he arrives - I am tracking his divinity right now so will know when he is here. He, however, will not have a clue I'm around."

Here is Ruse the Raccoon:


This message was last edited by the player at 17:35, Thu 22 July 2010.

Ruse

"Of course, Lord Roose," said tdan Bardrov, his oldest lips creased into a genuine smile. "I will do as you ask. Forgive me for the door of central matter, but.. there were extenuating circumstances.."

Ruse felt delightfully sinister at assuming the raccoon-form. tdan Bardrov returned into his prayer-chambers. The chanting resumed.

Hirsu

Hirsu soon found the cave of tdan Bardrov. There was a cooking pot and fireplace in the corner, books and paper scattered everywhere, some of the instruments of alchemy and medicine within. The most curious thing, however, was the small, white and black raccoon that had made its home within the cave. A pet, perhaps. It had mischievous, grey-blue eyes tyhat alarmed Hirsu, but he did not sense anything abnormal about the raccoon, except..

Hirsu wondered. There was something so.. strange about the life-patterns of the thing. He could sense it - the raccoon had experienced death and rebirth, and his aura of life was reinforced because of that. A magical raccoon or spirit in disguise?

There was a door, sealed shut, made of a deep blue metal. From within Hirsu could hear soft chanting.

Hirsu wondered about the racoon, but surely it was something he could ask the tdan about in passing, if he was granted an audience.

Hirsu landed on the ground, and immediately transformed back into his humanoid form. He reviewed what he knew of the tdan from his readings, and strode towards the door. He gently inhaled, and knocked politely. He spoke loudly at the door, hoping his voice might carry through to the other side as easily as the chanting did on this side. "Tdan Bardrov? I come on behalf of Lord Roose. Might we speak?"

He intentionally spoke Ruse's name incorrectly, instead using the term Roose which had been featured in Msonus's book.

The raccoon looked at Hirsu with a certain mild curiosity when the man entered the cave. It saw the god of life studying him, at which the raccoon made a few chirps, but then it apparently lost interest and began sifting through some junk in a corner of the cave - exactly like you'd expect from a raccoon.

When Hirsu approached the doors though, the raccoon did look inward after him, curiously, although did not follow. Not physically anyway. This mysterious critter kept to itself.

Ruse and Hirsu

The door opened slowly and with much ostentatious authority. The ancient shaman peered out curiously.

"Forgive me, friend," he said, smiling, "But I do not take students and I am not in the mood for business or guests." He eyed Hirsu curiously, decided something about him. "If you are a messenger and Brother of the Hellwell, please, sit down and make yourself at home. I will be with you shortly. If not, state your business quickly or leave."

Hirsu arched an eyebrow in interest, surprised by this one's insight. This mortal indeed was worthy of his respect. Hirsu spoke politely, but sought to reach the point clearly.

"Thank you for speaking to me. I came for three things. For myself, I would like to learn more about the hashkahash paths, and the proper respect for the powers. For Rhoos, or Ruse, as I know him, I need to speak with you on their subject, as well as your experience with the one called Msonus. For another, I wish to ask if you know of the Smoker of the Sacred Herbs, of Zernika."

The raccoon chirps a bit, but otherwise continues to rifle innocently through some stuff in a corner of the cave.

Ruse and Hirsu

"If you know the name, tdan Bardrov, and of my teachings regarding the hashkahash," said the old sage, "Then you must know that I am not taking students. However, if you are not here to learn my blood-paid secrets.." he shrugged, entered the main room, closing the blue door behind him. His eyes glanced quickly, respectfully, towards the raccoon. Hirsu found a full glimpse of the shaman: with snow white hair and a magnificent beard of similar colour, penetrating, youthful eyes and pointed nails and teeth he looked at once terribly menacing and almost like an elderly grandfather. His life force was incredibly strong, and the threads he held were very long - he was at least a thousand years old. His body was covered in reddened paint drawn in all manner of sigilry.

"As for Msonus.. complicated. That is a complicated scenario. I don't doubt you'd already have much of your answer if you were properly informed. The same with Lord Roose. I can say, however.." He smiled. "That the smoker of the secret herbs was a good friend of mine. By your manner and your reference to my dear colleague, I ascertain you to be the life-deity, Hirsu."

Bardriov momentarily caught the raccoon's eyes, which twinkled mischievously in the light, like willow wisps dancing in the mist. However, the Raccoon then chirped and went back about its business snooping around and generally just being all Raccoon-ish.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Thu 29 July 2010.

Hirsu nodded in recognition. "Indeed, that is the case. I am not here to petition to become a student, but more to request an interview, of a sort. But before I get to that, I will share my more pertinent news.

"The Smoker is passed from this life. He chose to aid me traverse the realm of Rivers, and was punished by an Ahemait for doing so. After I completed the journey, I found his spirit on the other side, and released him from the Ahemait's punishment, to seek out his final fate. He was a good person, and I grieve his loss, but find solace in that he is free. I hope you can forgive me the loss of your friend."

Hirsu clasped his fist in one hand in front of his chest, and made a short bow of contrition and shared sorrow.

Ruse and Hirsu


"Ah." The shaman's expression turned to one of pain and sorrow - and of regret. "I am.. troubled by his passing. I was always telling him that his dalliances with the Rivers of Death would doom him.. you have nothing to apologise for." He gestured towards one of the scattered wooden seats. "Please, take a seat. Do you drink tea, or smoke herbs?"

The raccoon eyed the tobacco stores and other herbs curiosly, but then returned to its mischief.

Hirsu pulled out his pipe. "I smoke, and thank you for your hospitality. I only began my apprenticeship, so it would be best if we kept the herbs simple, to avoid any insult." He sat on the bench, and watched the old man with respect. If the tdan chose to try to hide something from him, Hirsu chose not to look too hard. He would not pry at the man's secrets any more than he had to.

"I will likely continue to explore the sacred ways under the tutelage of Xca, after I have completed my task for Lord Roose. But before I explain that subject in more detail, there is another thing I am curious about. You knew of the Smoker's training, of his ability to reach the Rivers. Do you know who the purple-hooded mystic who taught him was?"

Ruse and Hirsu

"Ahah," said tdan Bardrov. "You are well-begun, friend. A pipe of your own carving. Yes, impressive. Lends weight to a story I had already felt was quite truthful. Nevertheless.." He took a small package from under one of the chairs, opened it, placed a small amount of the greasy-black herbs contained within into his own pipe and the remainder, a smaller portion, into his guests. "This herbal mix is one of the Smoker's very own creations.. the initiation it brings is slow, yet profound. Do you need a match?"

He lit Hirsu's pipe, and then his own.

"The purple-hooded mystic.." He smiled. Grinned. His face was alight with the joy of intrigue. "Yes. Do not try to hide, friend. I know that you are aware of the teachings of Msonus. One as bright as yourself.. could not have helped but study the texts. Done the homework. You and I both know the answer."

Hirsu smiled, and nodded. "Thank you. And while I had my suspicions, confirmation is helpful."

Hirsu inhaled smoke from the pipe, and exhaled smoothly, letting the smoke pass into him and out of him calmly. He took a moment to savour the taste before speaking once more. "How has life been here, since Ruse arrived? Have you met with him yet?"

The Raccoon eyes a trinket at the other side of the chamber it's in, and scuttles on over to play with the shiny.

Ruse and Hirsu

Tdan Bardrov frowned. "I respect you, Hirsu, friend of the smoker of secret herbs," he said. "I cannot lie to a friend of my own - especially a friend who has seen the Rivers and fallen in them. I met with Lord Roose for the first time only moments before you arrived. He told me to keep this secret, but he is that raccoon," he pointed to the raccoon in question, "And he has been listening to our conversation."

He looked to the raccoon. "I apologize, friend Roose, but I cannot lie. Not to this man."

Hirsu glanced at the raccoon, and smiled. "I see. Thank you for revealing that truth to me, and I do not blame you for keeping it as long as you did, now would I have if you had continued to keep it. But it was a kindness to tell me. Ruse, it's your realm, you may reveal yourself or not, as you wish."

Hirsu took another puff of the pipe. He focused on the tdan, knowing that Ruse wasn't particularly important to the conversation at this point. "Well, since the conversation just got awkward anyways, I need to talk to you about something taboo and undesirable, but must be discussed. I fear there is a tjano in the valley, one who did not die in the calamity that previously befell it. From the readings, I know of only one cure, and that is death. Lord Ruse would like me to find another way. Do you know of any?"

((OOC: Note to self - slap around Bardrov later. :P ))

The raccoon looked curiously at Hirsu, although remained quiet.

Then, shortly after, a soft yet regal voice echoed across the cavern. It did not emanate from the raccoon, instead coming from the air all around Hirsu and bardrov.

"Oh ho ho ho. Not quite - I am over here. Bardrov, you are easily swayed by the herbs...too easily. It is unwise for anyone - even one such as yourself - to whisper the secrets of the lords of mists."

A man then stepped out of the shadows at the side of the cave, in a dark corner. It was Ruse. With a whistle, the Raccoon ran from its pile of trinkets and jumped into Ruse's arms. It rested there, like a cat.

"Sorry to make this awkward, Hirsu. I had initially came to visit Bardrov just because I had some free time on my hands on this manifestation, but then you popped in - which is fine by the way you have a job to do. I didn't want to bias your mission with my presence, so hid myself from you. But witht hat said, do inquire less about the herbs and more about your mission."

Ruse gave him a sassy and whimsical twinkle of the eye as he looked on quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Wed 11 Aug 2010.

Ruse and Hirsu

Hirsu enjoyed the herbal mix. He felt a smooth, peaceful buzz come over him, a light high that seemed to enhance his senses while lifting him ever-so-slightly off of the ground.

"Tjano.." said tdan Bardrov, his eyes wide with fear. "Shapeshifter. Beast that walks among men. Lycanthrope.." Suddenly, his voice shook with anger. "The fool! I denied his request for apprenticeship because I could see, within his soul, the need for murder, the need to worship death and decay.." He spat. "Bah. And now he has damned himself by meddling with forces beyond his ken. This is.." A shake of the head. "Fool, ludicrous fool.."

Then, of course, Ruse spoke and appeared.

"I.. forgive me," said tdan Bardrov. "Again, I beg your forgiveness. You are Lord of this place.. but you understand that a guest has his own laws that must be followed."

He looked pensive.

"The tjano-curse will spread. It is lycanthropy of the darkest sort. There is only one cure, beyond death - a particular form of stone unknown in these lands. Witch's stone. It has the potential to bring about the magical genius in a person.. to bring transcendence. And, it is said, to cure one of their mystical transgressions. If you can find this witch's stone.. all may be forgiven, and healed."

Ruse sighed. He knew that it was not safe for him to attempt to drive the lycanthropy out with his own magic, what with his magicancer and wild magic and all.

He looked at Bardrov, and merely gave a "hmph!" before turning back to Hirsu.

"Hmmm...I'd drive the curse out myself, but this is your mission, not mine. Plus, the Conclave is looking forward to your report. I could personally acquire some myself, but due to various regional and political circumstances I cannot. Not yet, anyway."

That would change, of course, once Ruse became Kaiyaash, or better yet a dual-titled kiyaash. The shage would willingly follow him (and some even worship him as the sun), but for now, it would be a death sentence to Hirsu to send him in there. So Ruse would remain quiet and conceal this information, so as to not tempt the poor life god to his doom.

"Hirsu, I have another idea of where you can get witchstone. It may be dangerous, but it could also be very exciting as well as offer you an opportunity to skirt the law a bit. As a high lord, I reserve the right to waive certain laws for a time. You can check the conclave markets for witchstone, but the city of Niborkerese might actually have some at a much cheaper price. Of course, the problem is that it is illegal, but it is within my power to get you temporary clearance."

He grinned, and asked,

"That is, unless you have a better idea of how to get some?"

Hirsu felt the tdan's fear and anger at the tjano, letting the emotions wash over him. He digested the words, letting the words form their own associations inside his mind. Death, decay, poison, corruption, vileness, evil, horror, spreading. The tjano would need to be isolated, restrained, stopped.

Hirsu idly watched Ruse's misdirection without comment.

Hirsu focused on the tdan for now. He inhaled through his pipe, and exhaled slowly. "Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and for your friendship, tdan. I know the topic of the tjano is a difficult one. I will do what I can to cure him, but I will foremost not let the infection spread."

Hirsu turned his attention to Ruse, his eyes shifting between the racoon and the god. He chuckled. "I hope it's not also illegal to consider your offer, Lord Ruse." He became more serious once more. "If you think it wise, I would happily seek out the stone in alternative markets. While I do so, however, it might be best if we isolate the tjano. Also, if you happen to have the ability, making sure the mists do not obscure the sun for some time would be beneficial."

Hirsu took another inhalation from his pipe, allowing the smoke to lift him a little higher from the ground.