Spiritmancy (Ashi) 2

[18:13] Tsunome Taru says, "Can you have a sermon now? I'd like to listen."
[18:13] Azarashi says, "I'd like to join as well."
[18:14] EiraVunde says, "Hmmhs. Ark registers sermon in... Two standard hours, at the graveyard junctions."
[18:14] Adar says, "Jonquil's are quite beautiful, I'd say."
[18:14] Tsunome Taru exclaims, "Okay! I'll just hang around with you 'til then!"
[18:14] Adar says, "It's either that, or Forget me -not-."
[18:40] EiraVunde found themselves back at Memorial City's graveyard junction. It was here that they'd effectively soapboxed for Kabu, Tototl, and Saba in decades past. The little mutant is given some pause when they're standing on the equally-small rock pile that the enormous Nature drake used to lean on.

How times change...

An aging shaman nearby looked up when they recognized EiraVunde, but it seems that whatever sense of grandeur had previously accompanied them has disappeared. Hardly anyone recognized the amalgam's authority anymore - They weren't actually on the main shaman list the last time the State of Agartha's Gehennan chapter was updated. Kinda depressing.

The voice that came out of Ark sounded disturbingly humanoid. Lots of effort is visibly being put into this:

"...I'm aware of the smaller crowds I attract these days, butmy wisdom remains unchanged. I will assume you've no background in the Spirits whatsoever, for the sake of a more 'full' speech."

"Far, far away, nestled in the heart of the Spirit World, lays the Tree of Life. Yggdrasil's roots spread all across the Spirit World and its elemental planes, the homes of most Spirits indirectly intertwined with the birthplace of all Fae."

"It is at the juxtaposition between those elemental planes that the recently deceased Spirits arrive in, and eventually find themselves..."

EiraVunde paused for dramatic effect.

"...Or find themselves lacking."

"Oftentimes the Spirits filter into the elemental planes, and become an element-based Spirit, often referred to simply as Elementals. These Elementals then operate around the connections between the physical realm, and the Spirit onein their respective elemental planes to maintain the world."

"It's why a lot of Tocathian shamans will say that the Spirits are in every part of nature around us. ..And, well, they're not wrong."

"It is imperative for a Spiritmancer to find a sacred grove in one of the main forests all around the continent in order to seek out their first proper interaction with a Spirit. The aspiring Spiritmancer may then offer something up to the Spirit in exchange for their offerings rune. From there on, the Spiritmancer can develop their connection with their patron Spirit in exchange for either a deeper spiritual connection to the world and summon more Spirits... Or a 'boon' or 'blessing', depending on the type of Spirit."

Deep breaths Ark, deep breaths. Your tiny body can't handle speaking this eloquently for too long.

"But there's some inherent risk in looking for these groves, as not all Spirits are inherently positive ones. In fact, if you wandered in the Dreadwoods on purpose, you'd most likely find a Nethradin's grove or a rogue Rift that they're pouring out of."

"A little taste of caution and street smarts are necessary for a Spiritmancer to start up their work, and from there, everything falls into place for them. They can learn to summon Nethradin or Warden-type guardian Spirits, or even entire armies of Spirits at their greatest heights."

Unfortunately, it sounds like their speech is beginning to degrade again.

"...And that, is how most shamans here start down their paths. Any questions?"
(EiraVunde)
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[18:55] Azarashi found himself pleasantly surprised in this tucked away part surrounding the vicinity of the graveyard. The night was quiet, save for the now fading cheers of the Hero's Club chanting about a Blob something-or-other.

The nature magi conjures a veritable vine to sit upon while listening in rapt silence to Ark's disturbingly articulate seminar. The deer actually made a face, but he tried to recompose himself, as to not be rude.

"Spiritmancy! My, I am fortunate to have been so blessed by your lecture, Ark." He nods in standard intervals, like a typewriter taking measure of each paragraph and committing it to memory.

Once his spiel was over, the deer leaned back in his pseudo-seat to soak in all of what was just essentially regurgitated.

"This is all quite insightful. I'm not sure if I have anything to question. Perhaps one thing; would it perhaps we feasible to resurrect a recently deceased? Through the use of rituals, of course."
(Azarashi)
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[18:56] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[19:06] Tsunome gazes around the cemetary as they arrive- she doesn't come back here often, given how out of the way it is most of the time. Taking a seat mid-air with one leg crossed over the other, which dangles beneath her, she readies to listen to Ark's sermon...

And is definitely a little surprised at the sudden articulation in Ark's voice. She hasn't heard him speak like that since she was a young, young child.

It brings a very wide smile to her face, as she listens to the demon speak.

The scaled kitsune has, after a couple sentences, begun to write in the air in runes- what Ark might recognize as her taking temporary notes. They fade moments after, but she is definitely writing the stuff down.

Once the long, long lecture- that, she's actually really happy she helped convince Ark to do, this answered some of her questions about spirits she had wanted to ask Keitaro.

Then Keitaro died.

When the little, yet still big,and grand demon finishes- mayhaps not big and grand in stature, but in knowledge, and presence?

Absolutely. She believes so.

Even though the speech is deteriorating towards the end, when asked for questions, the kitsune lowers herself to the ground, and bows deeply to Ark, palms pressed together.

Rising, she speaks.

"I may have some in the future, but for now, I have none.

Thank you very much for teachin' us, Arkgvunde. It is greatly appreciated. Some of the questions I wished to ask Keitaro have been answered, now. So I ma thankful. Very, very thankful."

That said, her smile thinned a little at the end of her words- evidently, still hurt by Keitaro's passing.
(Tsunome Taru)
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[19:07] Azarashi says, "You're a real friend, Ark. Your knowledge is impeccable and eternal."
[19:07] EiraVunde says, "...A true 'revival' isn'ts normally possible for Spirits."
[19:12] EiraVunde's speech went back to more-or-less what they were before. Aware, but broken. It hopped off the little pile of rocks, and started circling their two spectators while it talked.

Talked in air quotes - It's back to being moderately jumbled and broken.

"The only persons to be a Spirit and properly comes back in a full body, is the Archon Tragedy, the currents Demon Queen in the Worldscape. ...nobody knows hows."

They looked Tsunome up and down when Keitaro is mentioned, but refused to comment on the Shenlong Drakan. Too many mixed opinions to give her a concrete remark, especially while their vocabulary is this terrible.

"...Ark tries to do these every days, but nobody really visits this spot unless is on way to a funeral.."
(EiraVunde)
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[19:17] The Voice's passing was truly tragic. That night when their death was announced was one of the most tumultuous he's ever had to experience. Azarashi reactions with a solemn gaze downward--a moment of silence, if you will.

Passing that, there was lots to mull over! The dryad contemplates his next steps, but of course has an ear open for Tsunome.

"It must take an immense--an unthinkable amount of magic to fully realize a spirit to a true body.

Ah. Besides that, anyways. This was pleasant information. I think I'll take it to bed. In addition, Ark. I'd like to offer my services to you as much as I can. To learn from you as well. I'd like to be someone you can rely on, you see." He nods.
(Azarashi)
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[19:18] Tsu kicks back off the ground, and floats in a circle as Ark circles her.

The Archon Tragedy...that name certainly leads one to think of some specific things.

As she's looked up and down, she looks the amalgam up and down, a wry smile on her face, but unaware of his opinions of Keitaro.

Though, she frowns as she hears no one comes to listen to his sermons- they are ridiculously informative.

"I don't usually come back here, but...I think I'd enjoy listenin' to you speak more. I learnt a lot, just now.

So...if I'm 'round when you're doin' one, let me know, yeah? I'll come by and listen. Or we could just chat about stuff, if no one else shows.

I'd like to be there for the person who introduced me to crafts those many years ago."

It's likely Ark has forgotten that- but it was they that first introduced Tsunome to the art of crafting.
(Tsunome Taru)
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[19:21] EiraVunde tilted their head to one side, then rubbed its blobby face with their hand.

...

Oh, right, no hands...

"Ark appreciateses it."

"Usually checks this spot for peoples in Standard Time evening or dinner times."

The mutant assumed that they were understandable enough for that last bit addressed to both of them, before the thing's focus drifted off to stare at one of the nearby obelisks that marked the graveyard road.
(EiraVunde)
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[19:22] Tsunome Taru exclaims, "Gotcha. I'll keep that in mind!"
[19:22] Azarashi says, "Thank you so much Ark."
[19:22] Azarashi says, "Spirits with you."
[19:23] EiraVunde says, "Mmbup."
[19:24] Azarashi says, "Hoh."
[19:24] Azarashi says, "I'll be home."