What makes a good Chieftain?

[15:05] Sugarboy says, "Actually Saba, follow me, we need to talk. "
[15:05] Saba says, "Huh? Okay."
[15:06] Saba says, "Spirits the chicken coops are still here."
[15:17] He had been there for a good couple minutes hugging his daughter, Saba had said hello, but no one was chasing the Chieftain down for chores or issues. There was something on his mind and he needed to speak to Saba, so they'd begin making their way to the beach.

Sugarboy was rather quiet as they made their way, a smile on his face all the while as he began walking directly into the fucking ocean.

Though what he was doing became clearly evident, the waves that crashed towards him would stop in their place, the water backing up and stacking ontop of itself until what looks like a doorway had formed, the water parting to create a hallway along the ocean's floor.

Without breaking his stride he'd walk a few steps in before turning to Saba, "Coming along?" It was that usual eccentric smile the old man had, it was softer, more sincere.
(Sugarboy)
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[15:28] The blacksmith raised an eyebrow at Sugarboy's initial request to follow him. Of course he could never say no to the eccentric chieftain, but he was rather curious as to what the older man wanted to speak to him about. Seeing as the chieftain opted to remain silent as they walked, Saba would do the same, his usual smile still plastered against his face.

Wait... WAIT, did Sugarboy just walk directly into the fucking ocean? The warrior tilted his head to the side as he watched his friend literally part the Ocean, creating a hallway for the fire mage to walk through the sea.

"Of course." He'd say with a simple nod, as he made his way through said hallway and onto the secluded island. It was pleasant here. If his smile could get any wider it would have, the view from this island was simply breathtaking. Green hues moved from the ocean, and onto his mentor, friend, and Chieftain.

"So, what can I do for you, Sugarboy?"
(Saba)
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[15:38] It truly was a breath taking view as Sugarboy walked them the small island, but this wasn't where they were stopping, they'd continue walking further into the ocean until Sugarboy would open up a large dome for them.

Beneath the waves, it looked as if the Moon and stars were dancing as they swayed back and forth. The chieftain had walked them near a coral reef that even in the thick of night displayed vibrant colors, full of life as fish and other critters swam around the dome created around them.

"Mmm, yes, this'll do." He'd say with a smile as the hallway behind them flooded, leaving them alone together on the sea floor.

With that, he'd turn to Saba. "I've been keeping my eye on you, Saba, ever since I mentioned passing my throne on to you, and you have not disappointed. I've been seeing you step up more, taking the lead on many things, going out of your way and speaking with Ohtli, learning everything you can." He'd pause, placing his hands behind his back as he turned to look back to the reef.

"I haven't done as well of a job of grooming you as I would like.. However.. I wanted to share with you what I thought a good Chieftain should be... Though, perhaps I should ask you that first- what qualities should a good Chieftain have?"
(Sugarboy)
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[15:56] Wait, they weren't stopping at this island? Saba's head somehow managed to tilt further to the side, as he followed Sugarboy deeper, and deeper into the ocean. In all honesty water wasn't something the fire mage was all that comfortable with, seeing as it kiiinda restricted his magic, but this?

This was breathtaking

Saba's jaw opened up as if he was going to comment on the beauty of the ocean, and the stars above him, yet no words come out. He couldn't think of any words that could do this view justice. He was simply speechless.

Once more his green hues would move from the spectacular of view of the ocean, and onto the almost equally spectacular view of his chieftain.... Y'know, that sounded a bit weird, buuuut! IT wasn't wrong! Anyways, he'd simply remain silent as the Chieftain of Ezmara spoke, opting to silently nod his head along as they spoke. So y'know, normal Saba stuff. Until eventually Sugarboy asks the all too important question.

What qualities should a good Chieftain have.

A simple question, yet a very important one nonetheless, Saba silently brought his nyeshk grieves up to his chin, as he pondered the question for a moment, before speaking up.

"Let's see... A good chieftain needs to be wise, years beyond their years. Patient, so that they never rush into a conflict. Confident, because if you don't believe in yourself, why should the people that follow you?" He'd pause for as he inhaled some of the deep sea air! "Let's see... Being Just, never punishing those who don't deserve it, while being firm with those who'd break the laws."

"One must also be kind to your allies, and your people, all while being confident, and cautious while dealing with one's enemies. Yet, one should never needlessly slaughter innocents, or someone who's simply defending their country, always give them a chance to change for the better, and if that fails? Then, and only then, should I life be taken." That was something he learned from Tototl.

"Oh, and I feel as if I should say this, a chieftain needs to be strong, so they can protect the people following them." Right, that's all he had to say. Green hues would continue to rest on his mentor as he awaited his response.
(Saba)
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[16:19] His smile would grow immensely in warmth as he turned towards his budding successor, nodding as he nailed many points he wanted to touch on. The air around them would actually raise in temperature a bit, making it a bit more cozy in their little bubble.

"Aye, everyone thinks a Chieftain should have strength, and they should. You lead your warriors into battle, and fight and bleed by their side. It strengthens the bond between our people, it's what makes us closer than family. Though it is hardly the most important trait, and I'm happy to see you realize that."

He could remember when Strength was the only thing that mattered for Chieftain, no other skills were needed so long as you could beat everyone into following you. However, that is not how one earned the trust of their people.

getting lost in thought, he'd actually begin to laugh. It started as a light chuckle, bursting out into a loud uproar. Saba had quite literally taken the words out of his mouth, and that just filled him with so much more pride in the boy.

"I'm not sure if I've told you what I've wanted for this continent, what I've wanted for it.. It was something I worked for in my youth, and gave up on, however I realized we're getting quite close to achieving that, in fact, peace on Agartha. Our alliance with Levengard, and Huangzhou was the best step to that.. Take out Dawn, find out what the Briars want from us, either take them out or come to some form of agreement.. This is what I wanted to leave you with, and all you had to do was maintain that peace." A deep sigh soon followed.

"However, I fear that is nothing but a pipe dream.. I'm getting old, and I still have a long list of things I need to do.. Tih taking Atl honestly fucks us, if I'm being frank... I wanted to get your thoughts on it."
(Sugarboy)
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[16:33] Saba finds himself nodding his head along as the Chieftain speaks. For once though, he actually chimes in! "Strength is important, but it's not nearly as important as the rest of them, that's why I saved it for last." As he spoke he folded his arms across his chest, as he glanced over at his now chuckling friend.

He wasn't really sure why the chieftain was laughing, but boy if that laugh wasn't contiguous! Saba leaned his head back as a hearty laugh escaped from his lips, and if anyone was familiar with a certain commander of Dawn's Legions, the laughter would sound eerily similar to his.

Though as Sugarboy picked back up again, Saba's laughter slowly began to fade away, but the smile that rested on his face remained. Truly Sugarboy was doing his best to look out for him, which he appreciated immensely. "It's was, and still is a wonderful dream, Sugarboy, one that's still possible to achieve."

Ah, there it was, the recent events regarding Tih, he figured this was going to come up eventually. He'd sigh, as his green eyes moved away from Sugarboy and towards the stars above.

"Honestly? It's more than likely a bad thing, but... That's not to say that I don't have respect for Tih, I do. He's a worthy warriors, and by all right he'd make a fine Chieftain." He'd pause for a moment as he chose his next words carefully. "IF we were in a time of war, which sadly, we are. In all honesty, I'd have preferred it if Kabu was made chieftain of Atl, but we don't always get to chose the cards we're dealt, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't at the very least attempt to try and play the hand... If that makes sense.

Another sigh escapes from his lips as he glances over at Sugarboy. "Though him being chieftain makes things rather difficult, but I'm sure we'll manage. Gehenna's been through worse. Perhaps that wasn't the best answer to give, but by Huatl was it the only answer he had.
(Saba)
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[16:51]
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[17:11] Oh Sugarboy certainly recognized that laugh, he was quite familiar with it as he often had that Bald Bastard rolling during their long nights of drinking- and the Chief used bastard in only the most endearing way.

Though as it often did these days, nothing good could last long, though Saba was much more optimistic about the future than this old man- which was a very good thing.

"Levengard has accepted out demons- Except for Tih. I also don't know of a precedent where a Demon has become Chieftain, it certainly looks quite poor for us, I know Ahmir will be poking his head around trying to take his cut. Ashalle will likely follow, and Levengard might back them up now that Tih is Chieftain, just because of his ties to the void." As he spoke, he came to a realization, he knew the briars would come knocking sooner or later, but they had assumed Leven would stay out of it. Not with a void demon in charge.

A deeper, almost angry sigh soon follows as he reaches into his breastplate and pulls out a fancy, metal case for his joints. Taking one, he offers another to Saba before lighting his own. A deep drag as he looks around the bubble.

You could just tell what he was thinking by looking at his face. "I bet we could hot box this bubble real nice." Though with a shake of his head he had to get back on subject.

"Something in particular, that worries me is a comment, Tih made. He said he had never seen Agartha in such a poor state, however, Tototl and I believe this is the best Agartha has been in decades.. Tih speaks of change coming, and I want to have faith in him, but he's really mucking things up. Fighting Taiga, Ark, Kabu, and drawing A lot of attention to us." A long pull with an exhale, a fleeting thought returning to him.

"There's been two things Gehenna has always wanted.. To collect spire shards to heal wraiths and send to the Continent, and to be left alone. You've seen the peace, and harmony we have when we keep to ourselves.. it's important not to lose contact with the outside- but really, we do best when we stick to our own."
(Sugarboy)
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[17:24] "It's not as if the Briar is without... Sin." Saba made sure to put extra emphasis on the last word of that statement. Ohtli had informed the young blacksmith about the rumors of sin magic being used frequently in the Briar, but sadly they were just rumors.

A small sigh escapes from his lips as he glances over at Sugarboy, a quiet chuckle escaping from his lips, as he knows damn well what his glorious chieftain was thinking. They could hot box the shit out of this bubble. The chuckle turned into a sigh, as his eyes moved from Sugarboy, and back to the stars.

Sadly, getting high would have to wait... Well until this conversation was over anyways.

"Aye, this whole situation is.. Iffy, but I believe in us. Gehenna will pull through, as we always have. Then we can focus on what we do best, gathering shards to heal wraiths, and sticking to ourselves."

"Levengard seems reasonable, I'm sure if we talk to them, things will be fine... At least that's the hope." Perhaps he was being far too optimistic about all of this, but spirits, he wanted a brighter future for everyone on this continent.

"Bah, perhaps I'm being far too optimistic." It was then that his attention would be brought towards Tih's comments. Spirits, those were worrisome. "I am... Unsure as to what the great nightmare means, but... " He paused as he slowly shook his head. "But it's rather ominous."
(Saba)
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[17:37] Holding the lit joint in his mouth, he'd turn to Saba and lower his shades with his brows raised. Now that's interesting. Does Gehenna have a problem with sins? Not on paper- actually, on paper, if anyone read the bulletin board, sins were more than welcome here.

Though Levengard? Levengard shouldn't look at them so favorably. It was leverage. A nod following soon there after as he agreed that Gehenna would pull through. Ahmir wanted to be chieftain, they wouldn't become the next Alltale, Deseti, or Crafthold.

"Optimism is good, though you should always train your eye to predict the worst. As Ezmara's chieftain, you're allowed to be more crafty than strong, which is why I believe Tototl chose to put me on it's throne. " Though he'd quirk a brow at the mention of The Great Nightmare, never having heard ofit.

"Aye.. It is.. Well Saba, I'll be straight with ya.. I think you're ready for Chieftain- however, I don't think the timing is right. Tih on Atl is causing a stir, Ahmir had never challenged me for my throne or even mentioned it, though we should probably sit back and see how this settles before I pass it on to you." He had made his decision, buteverything going on right now? The timing was horrible.

"Though, when you do take the throne, I'd like you to focus on mending and affirming relations with Levengard. I'll personally introduce you to Thera and Noel, Reito and Ren-Shi as well. Any other contacts I think could be helpful.. And then, I'll handle Dawn, as my gift to Gehenna.
(Sugarboy)
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[17:48] "Aye, as I see it right now, Levengard is probably our strongest ally. Huang seems to be... Empty since the war, but that'll change eventually, which is why I'll of course do my best to maintain a good relationship with them." He'd say after a bit of deliberation.

"I've... Yet to meet Noel, Thera, Reito, or Ren Shi..." A small sigh escapes from his lips, as he unfolds his arms, letting them move to his side for a moment, before bringing them up, and resting them behind his head. "Well, I've seen most of them, just never had the chance to have a full on conversation with them."

Once again he'd find himself giving a quiet chuckle, spirits they probably didn't even know who he was.

Again his gaze would shift from the stars, and back to his mentor, and friend. "If that's what you think is best, than I don't mind waiting." As he spoke a nyeshk gauntlet moved from the back of his head, and onto Sugarboy's shoulder.

"Thank you Sugarboy." He'd pause for a moment to flash the chieftain a smile. "For everything, you've done more for me, than I probably deserve. I am eternally in your debt." As he finished speaking, he'd gently squeeze the chieftain's shoulder.

"And please, when you do decide to deal with Dawn, be careful, and for the love of Huatl, come home. Gehenna won't be the same without you."
(Saba)
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[17:55] The old man wouldn't hesitate to pull Saba in for a tight hug. A tribemate, a student, a friend, and family. So many aspects blended together within the tribes, making a connection like no other as the two generations came together in the most harmonious way.

"Ah, you 'aven't seen nothing yet.. The me of the past would probably look at me and say 'ya've lost it old man!", I feel like... There's so much more I can do, but time time time." He'd smirk with a shake of his head, gesturing back to the beach as the hallway opened up once again.

"Let's go ahead and head back." He'd say with a hearty chuckle before sauntering out.
(Sugarboy)