6/11 Spirit Lesson for Dryads (MS)

[17:08] Ilui Elisheva exclaims, "Miss Ohtli..!"
[17:08] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Hm? Hello."
[17:08] Ilui Elisheva says, "It's time."
[17:09] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "For?"
[17:09] Ilui Elisheva says, ".. For you to teach us three about Gehenna."
[17:09] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Am I late for somethin- ah."
[17:09] Yasuie asks, "Can I learn about Gehenna too?"
[17:10] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "I don't see why not. But what did you wish to know?"
[17:10] Celestine Elisheva exclaims, "Err- Culture!"
[17:10] Ilui Elisheva says, "Culture, and the spirits.."
[17:10] Ilui Elisheva exclaims, "Stuff like that!"
[17:11] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "Ah, well, let me find a seat then. And you all can gather around, hm?"
[17:11] Ohtli wanders over to seat herself on a plinth, gesturing for the younglings to gather 'round for story time.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[17:11] Ilui Elisheva exclaims, "Okay..!"
[17:11] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Did you have any questions about the culture in particular? It would help to have a place to start."
[17:11] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "Certainly you have specific questions, yes?"
[17:11] Ilui plops down to sit cross-legged on the grass.
(Ilui Elisheva)
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[17:11] Yasuie exclaims, "I wanna learn about the culture of your dragon tribe!"
[17:11] Celestine Elisheva says, "..Hm."
[17:11] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Gehenna has a broad spectrum of tribes and traditions too. Great and small."
[17:11] Ilui Elisheva asks, "Mn, well, what does it mean to be Gehennan..?"
[17:12] Amalka Tval exclaims, "And they're all violent!"
[17:12] Ilui Elisheva says, "--"
[17:12] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "--Not -all- are violent."
[17:12] Ohtli squints at Amalka.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[17:12] Alesia is definitely half-hiding behind Celeste.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[17:12] Amalka laughs like a maniac from her own grassy seat.
(Amalka Tval)
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[17:12] Celestine Elisheva says, "Should teach about the Lo-.. Lop.. Lopoc- Forgot the name."
[17:12] Amalka Tval says, "--aha... sorry."
[17:12] Tahldrig says, "I'm Gehennan.. I'm not violent.."
[17:13] Amalka Tval says, "That's because you live in Levengard."
[17:13] Tahldrig says, "No, I stay in Levengard for the schooling. my home is still in Gehenna."
[17:13] Amalka Tval asks, "Ah, also: I believe you're talking about the Dryad tribe. Lopochtli?"
[17:13] Celestine nods.
(Celestine Elisheva)
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[17:14] Amalka Tval says, "Anyway. I'll leave the rest to Ohtli. Cough."
[17:15] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "They are not the only dryad tribe, but they are the tribe that has many."
[17:15] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Tribe Tocath was the first, if I recall the stories right."
[17:16] Ilui Elisheva asks, "Hm, hm.. So what are Dryads supposed to do in Gehenna?"
[17:16] Scout says, "Plant trees."
[17:16] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "-Tsk. No."
[17:16] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "The dryads are meant to appease and commune with the spirits."
[17:17] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "...Though many over time have lost their way. It is a common thing."
[17:17] Keitaro exclaims, "Hey, Baal!"
[17:17] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "You see, after the Divine Wars the spirits were left wounded. They needed sacrifices in order to remain whole."
[17:17] Celestine Elisheva asks, "Divine.. war?"
[17:17] Ilui Elisheva says, "Wh--"
[17:17] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "If they didn't, then they became wraiths- dreadful beasts that know nothing but hunger and ruin."
[17:17] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "The Divine War, yes. That's what they called it."
[17:17] Celestine Elisheva exclaims, "Think I fought a wraith once..!"
[17:18] Scout says, "A wraith, huh...? sounds like my father."
[17:18] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "They are dangerous things, and you should be wary of them. Though even wraiths can be fixed and made whole again. Not easily."
[17:18] Finds it that apparently Baal is half asleep, maybe; he overhears the conversation about history, and also spots Ilui. Shifting over, the Drakanite goes to listen to the small history lesson.
(Keitaro)
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[17:19] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "The Divine War came to Gehenna when Azrael called the Chieftains of the tribes to follow him. They refused, and so he struck them with a curse. "
[17:20] Ilui Elisheva asks, ".. A curse?"
[17:20] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "He cursed them with undeath and ruined the land in this war. It hasn't fully healed to this day, which is why we must sacrifice to the spirits."
[17:20] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Valmasia doesn't see undeath as a curse, but the people of Gehenna do."
[17:20] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "It upsets the balance."
[17:20] Yasuie asks, "What do we give to them?"
[17:20] Yasuie says, "The spirits I mean"
[17:20] Celestine Elisheva exclaims, "Sacrifice!"
[17:20] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Sacrifice can come in many forms. Oftentimes the most potent? It's life or blood."
[17:21] Alesia Elisheva says, "...blood is..."
[17:21] Tahldrig asks, "What if you sacrifice an undead?"
[17:21] Ilui nods towards Keitaro.
(Ilui Elisheva)
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[17:21] Ilui Elisheva asks, "-- Life..???"
[17:21] Ilui Elisheva says, "Uhhhhhhh.."
[17:21] Yasuie exclaims, "Living sacrifice!"
[17:21] Keitaro says, "Hm..."
[17:21] Celestine Elisheva says, "Cleansed the lake with blood before.."
[17:21] Yasuie asks, "Like me or you?"
[17:21] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Typically. It is not the only way."
[17:21] Alesia Elisheva says, "...oh...right...you sacrificed...blood..."
[17:21] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Cleansing with blood is how I've always done things, yes."
[17:22] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Blood is life and holds great meaning."
[17:22] Yasuie exclaims, "It what empowers me!"
[17:22] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "And in magic, meaning holds energy. That is why sacrifice mustn't always be life."
[17:22] Yasuie exclaims, "I use blood magic daily!"
[17:22] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "It is, however, one of the most potent."
[17:22] Alesia Elisheva whispers: ...is...is breath a good sacrifice...?
[17:22] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Hm. That depends on what it is being sacrificed to, and for what purpose."
[17:22] Alesia nods very slightly. Is still hiding behind Celeste.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[17:22] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "A spirit of Wind, or Quetzalcoatl Herself might appreciate such an offering. But intent and importance are key."
[17:23] Tahldrig asks, "Miss Ohtli, is it possible to sacrifice an undead? Or their soul to the spirits?"
[17:23] Tahldrig asks, "Since they're.. not exactly living?"
[17:23] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "It is. They still have a soul, and their death still holds meaning."
[17:23] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I actually took part in a ritual once that used them and their masters as fuel."
[17:23] Yasuie asks, "Were the spirits apeased?"
[17:23] Tahldrig says, "So it's less of a sacrifice of life, and more of a sacrifice of potential."
[17:24] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Potential and meaning, yes."
[17:24] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "But life holds -great- meaning to many."
[17:24] Celestine Elisheva asks, "..What kind of life.. should be sacrificed?"
[17:24] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Ideally...I personally do not like to offer lives if it can be helped. Instead I offer my own blood."
[17:25] Yasuie says, "What if I gave the spirits like"
[17:25] Alesia Elisheva whispers: ...I don't...think anything /should/ be sacrificed...it just...is...
[17:25] Yasuie asks, "A arm or a eye?"
[17:25] Yasuie asks, "Would that count?"
[17:25] Scout says, "The lives of the young are of great value."
[17:25] Keitaro says, "Um..."
[17:25] Keitaro asks, "Well... arm or eye is intent?"
[17:25] Ohtli purses her lips and squints at Scout.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[17:26] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "...I do not condone -those- kinds of sacrifices."
[17:26] Scout gives her a nice big smile.
(Scout)
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[17:26] Yasuie asks, "Childern or body parts?"
[17:26] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "You can offer limbs to the spirits, yes. "
[17:26] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I have done so before too. Not that you can tell."
[17:27] Yasuie says, "Wait"
[17:27] Yasuie asks, "Did you give up one of your limbs?"
[17:27] Scout says, "Don't worry Lady Ohtli, if you ever have to do it, you can sacrifice me."
[17:27] Ilui Elisheva says, "-- Mn..! So what do you do if, uh.."
[17:27] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "That would be a dire sacrifice I never wish to make."
[17:27] Ilui Elisheva says, ".. If people aren'"
[17:27] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I did, Yasuie."
[17:27] Ilui Elisheva asks, "-- Aren't sacrificing to the spirits somewhere? Do you just.. Give blood and make it all better?"
[17:27] Keitaro gives a large squuuuuuuuuint to the whole sacrificing talk. He might want to be a hero, but he isn't feeling it, and somewhat shudders. Yikes.
(Keitaro)
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[17:28] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "My connection to the spirits is strong. That is typically what I do, yes."
[17:28] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "That is...a simplified version."
[17:28] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "But effectively, yes."
[17:29] The Drakan rolls up the sleeves of her coat, one by one. She balls her clawed hands into fists and shows the undersides of her opal-scaled arms. They're thick with long, ropy scars.

"I have been giving blood offerings for ages to appease spirits where I can. It is a common practice among Gehenna, though some here...they do not see blood as we do. You should be careful if that's the route you choose to take.

"Some, like your mother Thera, choose to make offerings of mana instead. It holds greater meaning to them than blood does and works in much the same way."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[17:31] The young Drakanite observes myriad scars upon Ohtli's form. He listens in, and apparently there's a fact that spirits appreciate mana more - while he was inexperienced magi, even he could tell that mana would be much less painful option, even for the purposes of being drained.

It's one thing to be wounded, and completely another to be thoroughly exhausted.

After a bit, he gives the side of his head a scratch and ask.

"Um..."

"Why don't you just... sacrifice mana then, if it's better..?"
(Keitaro)
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[17:33] Knossos Fengari exclaims, "Hey vine-phobia guy!"
[17:34] The little Dryad winces as the woman shows off her arm. A single hand of his moving to rub at his own, as if he could just feel how bad it must have all hurt from just looking at it.

Glancing over his shoulder at Keitaro, his gaze drifted back over towards Ohtli. Curious to see what she had to see.

.. Mana really did seem a whole lot easier.
(Ilui Elisheva)
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[17:34] Tahldrig says, "Because blood likely means more to Ohtli than Mana does. Each offering holds greater strength the more personal it is to the person who offers it. That's my guess anyway, my parents never really told me much about sacrifcing."
[17:34] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Ah. Exactly."
[17:34] Blood sacrifice was one thing, and mana sacrifice was another. Apparently, both held a meaning that was somewhat equal. She'd muse on that for the moment, piecing together her knowledge of both old and new. Celestine was taught from Adsila that her blood was special. Rather than using mana, Celestine resorted to blood for any sacrifice she wanted to make because of that reason.

It was lucky that there weren't any big sacrifices just yet, but it was good to know that mana was also something that could be sacrificed. Perhaps the little lady should go to Thera next? Learn from the one who used mana after speaking to the one who used blood.

"Both work. Getting blood hurts.. Mana makes sense."
(Celestine Elisheva)
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[17:34] Baal asks, "Huh?"
[17:34] Tahldrig says, "Your body restores both blood and mana."
[17:34] Tahldrig shrugs
(Tahldrig)
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[17:35] Baal asks, "What is it?"
[17:37] Blinks a few times...

"What is it?"

He furrowed his brows, looking at him... "Wow that's a horrible way to make a first impression, not even a hi!" He shook his head in almost … disgust?

"Uhm, I dunno just wanted to come talk to you cause uhm, you were funny!"
(Knossos Fengari)
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[17:37] The Drakan smiles thinly, rolling her sleeves back down.

"Mana does hold meaning to me, true, but my blood holds more. If I had a choice? Giving mana would be easier this is true.

"However, sacrifice is not about what is easy. The more difficult, the more meaning, the greater the effect. To do harm to oneself in order to appease a spirit, or to defend another? There are few greater sacrifices in my mind. But to Thera? The mana holds more meaning as opposed to blood. There is no difference on a basic, practical level."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[17:38] Yasuie says, "To be fair Ohtil"
[17:38] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "One is not better than the other."
[17:38] Yasuie says, "I view blood as extremely important"
[17:38] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I feel the same."
[17:38] Yasuie says, "Its in all things and give lifes and takes life"
[17:38] Yasuie exclaims, "I am an aspiring blood after all!"
[17:38] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I carry the blood of the Serpent's blessed too. It is a duty I uphold partly in her honor."
[17:39] Yasuie says, "When I was wounded by the Kaor"
[17:39] Yasuie says, "I used blood of lesser things to mend some of my wounds"
[17:39] Pale and gray eyes had settled upon this boy as he came to approach. Just as a hint of disgust soon washed over the features of this Neries, the attention of Baal was soon to drift in the opposite direction.

"Keitaroooo!" He found himself shouting with a step away from the Neries being taken. Sickly and pale skin, those horns upon his head all gave way to signal that he was bad news.

"This sickly and gray kid is being weiiird!"

He called over towards his companion and rival.
(Baal)
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[17:39] Scout pauses to think. If the things that you found most important were the best sacrifices, then would the sacrifice of an item that held only sentimental value be valid?

"What if you sacrifice something that's only valuable to you? Like a family heirloom or something."
(Scout)
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[17:39] Tahldrig whispers something.
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] Tahldrig whispers something.
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "If it holds great meaning to you? Yes."
[17:40] Tahldrig whispers something.
[17:40] Yasuie says, "Really"
[17:40] Scout exclaims, "I ssee!"
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] Tahldrig whispers something.
[17:40] Yasuie asks, "So I could use my grand fathers sword as a sarcife?"
[17:40] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Especially if passed down from generations. Then it has held meaning to many before you as well."
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "You could."
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] Tahldrig whispers something.
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] Tahldrig whispers something.
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] Yasuie says, "Its nothing too special though"
[17:40] Yasuie says, "ITs only mythril..."
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:40] So there was no particularly objectively better method?

This was odd; it was a little challenging for a mind this young to wrap his head around metaphysical entropy, vidare and concepts of spirits as a whole, but he was trying. Still, a while after standing there and thinking, he exclaims.

"Oh... makes sense, I guess."

But then, there's also a call from his friend. He squints and looks around, only to realize that Baal actually woke up by now. He sees Knossos, and then exclaims.

"Hey, Baal!"

"And uh... oh! He's cool! He was there for Thalia when Aurora was mean. He's also friendly."

A little distraction from lesson won't hurt, right?
(Keitaro)
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[17:40] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "If it is special to you and held meaning to you and your kin? Then that meaning holds energy in and of itself."
[17:40] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:41] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "The first sacrifice was the first drayd's son."
[17:41] Ilui Elisheva says, "..."
[17:41] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "To some he might not have held meaning...but to Mezhual?"
[17:41] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "It was something he held highly. His own flesh and blood."
[17:41] Celestine Elisheva says, "Son.."
[17:41] Scout says, "That's insane."
[17:41] Ilui Elisheva asks, "Mezhual..?"
[17:41] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I didn't do this out of malice, but out of love. "
[17:42] Yasuie asks, "Was he blessed at least for it?"
[17:42] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "He was. The first dryad, as I said. He was blessed by the spirit he appeased, Tocath."
[17:42] "Sickly..."

He quirked a brow...

"Yea! I have the plague and you'll die if you don't talk to me... You see! I choose who it spreads to." Nod, nod... But still, did people really think about all this stuff? Racism in modern Agartha was running wild!

"I'm not uhm sick.... My skin is this way because I'm not uhm, human! Like those fish-people have green skin I have white skin... And the horns are just... Horns...!" He wished they were more, but a lot of people thought they were some sort of mark of a demon.
(Knossos Fengari)
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[17:42] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "In return, the spirit protected his people and their city."
[17:43] Ilui Elisheva asks, "S.. So Dryads are a thing because of that sacrifice?"
[17:43] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:43] Knossos Fengari whispers something.
[17:44] Yasuie exclaims, "Darkstar!"
[17:44] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "And his teachings, yes."
[17:44] Knossos Fengari asks, "Yes, Yasuie?"
[17:44] Ilui Elisheva says, ".. Huh."
[17:44] Celestine Elisheva asks, "Every Dryad is part of one big family?"
[17:44] Yasuie exclaims, "I got my first nickname given to me by Nem!"
[17:44] Yasuie exclaims, "BloodBorn!"
[17:44] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Dryads are born uniquely attuned to nature. And no, not all come from the same bloodline."
[17:44] Knossos Fengari exclaims, "Nice!"
[17:45] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "However, you do not need to be a dryad to serve the spirits."
[17:45] Yasuie asks, "Can even I serve the spirits?"
[17:45] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "If you like."
[17:45] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "There are spirits of all kinds."
[17:46] Dothal Adara asks, "Hello there. Would you mind a spar young man?"
[17:46] Knossos Fengari asks, "M-Me?"
[17:46] Dothal Adara says, "Yes. You seem to be one of the stronger ones around here."
[17:46] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Spirits of winds, of storms. Of earth and fire and nature, of course."
[17:46] Knossos Fengari asks, "N-Not really but uhm... Maybe?"
[17:47] Yasuie asks, "Water spirits?"
[17:47] Yasuie says, "I would worship those..."
[17:47] Tahldrig says, "I'd like to watch."
[17:47] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Spirits of the water too, yes."
[17:48] Dothal Adara says, "I mean I can't force you too. If you don't want too that's fine."
[17:48] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "Hm...Do you lot have any other questions?"
[17:48] Celestine Elisheva says, "There is a water spirit in the lake nearby"
[17:48] Ilui Elisheva says, "Mn.."
[17:48] Ilui Elisheva says, "Not right now, no."
[17:48] Yasuie asks, "Can you tell me more about the water spirits?"
[17:48] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "They are...spirits of the water?"
[17:49] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Not much to say other than this."
[17:49] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "But if any of you have other questions, I will be around and about."
[17:49] Tahldrig whispers something.