Take Me to Your Leader

From Village Without Water wrote:

I back out of the tavern with the two young maidens of the Peeps and tell them to take me to the well as some of the patrons from the tavern leave to inform the town and others to follow us to the well. I figure I should let a crowd gather as this should be great for public relations between Caotang and Mandira. Once there is a large enough crowd around the well, I place my hand over the empty well. Silence falls over the area, "By command of the Krodha ki Yaksa, let the well fill again." {Grand Dispel used} Nothing would happen for a moment then suddenly, those around the well would hear water and those closest would begin to see water returning and filling up the well. I smile at the sight and nod to those around me who are rejoicing at seeing the water return to the well for the first time in ten years. I turn to Lebecca and speak, "It would be wise for your family to relocate. Mortals do not forgive easily... especially not ten years worth of deception." She looks at me and isn't sure to what to say or think. On one hand, she feels betrayed by her family b/c they kept her in the dark all this time, but she also feels used by me. It was a necessary deed to be done. Besides, the people of Caotang are rejoicing happily and I hope that they are not gluttonous unless this well flows near endlessly.

I watch as the townspeople are so elated at the return of their water. I figure I should stick around and see if the Village Leader shows up. This would definitely be one way to create good relations with a village. Restore magic to their land. In the meantime, I shake hands with the humans and receive their praises. This is strange, I am actually happy that I was able to help them. I must be growing soft in this realm so scarce of demons.

91 words

OOC: It's Mukhya (currently called Krodha; he's the only one in the Past Realm ^_^) and it would be a late dinner.

When the man emerges, I turn to his voice and nod into a formal bow. "You and the people of Caotang are most welcome. I am pleased that I could help. If Mandira were to lose such a vital asset, I would do everything in my power to correct it and swiftly." He offers an invitation to dinner, which I graciously accept.

Once the party grows, a smile makes it way to my face. "I would be honored to feast with you, Elder. You don't look old enough to be called the 'Elder'. Do you not hold lordship over this village?" My steps are kept in stride with his as the music and dancing kicks into full swing.

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When he introduces himself, I realize that in the excitement of the night, we skipped introductions. "I am honored, Hiroto Itsuki. I am called Krodha. Mandira is an island to the northwest of Tara Mura, so it is understandable that you have not heard of us. We are quite a distance away. I was actually just here on vacation and visiting some old friends and while we were talking, they reminded me of the Festival coming up and Caotang's plight. Fortune smiled on us." Looking around the interior of this house, I nod approvingly. This is rather nice. Not too lavish or anything, but definitely meant for socializing and mixing with proper crowds. This might be the sort of setup that I need to really make some moves for Mandira. Caotang is surrounded by forests, so if a trade agreement can be worked out, then I will certainly be in business to have the lumber I need to speed up repairs and construction for the outpost on Mandira.

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OOC: It's Krodha, not Psyre. Jeez!

Sitting down on a pillow at the hookah table, I smile at Hiroto when offered to smoke to smile, but respectfully refuse. I don't smoke as the act does nothing for me. It must have something to do with the biology of a spirit compared to a human. Responding to Hiroto, I speak, "My favorite wine is local to Mandira, but I enjoy tropical wine with smooth, sweet tastes to them. My palette does not discriminate between red and white, only in the taste. Worry not about repayment, Hiroto. It is an act of good will. I would like to extend more good will between Mandira and Caotang. Let us establish trade between our villages. Caotang is surrounded by forests meaning easy access to lumber. Your clothing and vegetable crops are also commodities that are of benefit to Mandira. From our end, we can provide stone both for construction and gemstones for jewelry. We also have herbal teas, nectars, and elixirs to aid your medics in their works. Should you ever have problems with bandits or brigands, Mandira can also provide trained mercenaries to aid you in defense or in an offensive campaign against such ruffians."

As soon as the wine arrived, I would offer a toast, "To peace, prosperity, friendship, and the Restoration of the Well of Caotang!"

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Accepting the rejectance, the village elder opts not to smoke without sharing as it would be considered rude. Instead he advises the women to bring wine instead. The smoking device is retreated as a small table and two glasses are brought in its stead. With a bit of interest, the village elder would take in the words orated by Mukhya with a patient and interested manner of attentiveness. The sells pitch is given, which give the elder something to think about. It was mighty convenient that this man would arrive, perform a miracle and happen to have interests in trade; one could think he might have been the sorcerer who cursed the well in the first place. Not thinking too far into things, the elder sees the surface benefit of the arrangement. The wine comes and the elder thanks the maidens who bring it before raising his glass alongside his guest. After a sip, he pauses and comments, “this is an interesting proposal you have. I am surprised that you too are a leader of a village, and such a seemingly well established one. As mentioned, I would like to see your village; I wouldn’t feel completely comfortable opening trade to a place I’ve never seen before.”

His comment regarding Mandira warrants minor clarification on my end because I did not wish for him to arrive at the outpost expecting to see a grand city and think that we are incapable of supply whatever demand the village fo Caotang may generate. I explain, "Mandira is still young like me yet also growing day by day like its lord. Thankfully, there are key individuals in my village that are quite skilled at herbalism, chemistry, and crafting jewelry. I also have a Treasurer who keeps these affairs in order. I have a good network of trained soldiers for hire who see Mandira is a home for them to hone their skills and still be able to operate their factions. Yes, Hiroto-san, I am young for a Lord, but I have traveled quite a bit and have learned much in my travels. Also, I understand what it takes to lead and to rule. I assure you that my intentions are honorable and meant to be for the prosperity of BOTH of our villages." I take another sip of the wine and address the matter of wanting to see Mandira before agreeing to trade.

Nodding to Hiroto with a smile, I reply, "Whenever you are ready to see it, I will accommodate. Heck, if you are up for it, we could even teleport there. Teleportation would actually be the suggested method of shipment given our natural distance from one another." My smiles deepens with a chuckle at the offer.

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“Ah,” the village elder says with a bit of interest as the term teleportation is used. Magic and those who could do it were an uncommon thing in this time, and the fact that Mukhya spoke so casually about it, lead him to believe that it was something he was accustomed too. Moving the conversation on, Hiroto inquires after a sip, “you say that your village is young, much like yourself. I’m guessing that since you are lord of such a young village, that you were in on its creation. Where did you say you were originally from, Mukhya-san? Is teleportation common where you are from?”

OOC: OMG... Krodha... his name is Krodha. The bio is Mukhya... Char is currently called Krodha.

He is an astute man and quite perceptive. Seeing no reason in lying to the man, I would answer when he is completely finished. The teleportation being commonplace is a question that brings a smile to my face. "Yes and no, Hiroto-san. Mandira is an entire island. Some of the villages were older and some were basically just settlements, but we are in the process of unifying the island under a single banner. After the village of Renrut was destroyed, I freed the villagers and removed one of the warlords that had a strangehold on the north of the island. So my faction of Mandira is young, but it has history in the people united under it. They have some stories of long ago on Mandira of magic being common there, but now, no. My people are used to my abilities that they witness on a regular basis, so it is common to them. Before the well dried up, was magic commonplace here in Caotang?" Once I pose my return question, I take another sip and pick up a piece of fruit to eat.

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“To my knowledge, the only ones gifted with magic are those taught by Merkus himself, so your story comes as quite a surprise to me,” the elder admits, “it must be a very spiritual place, but now I feel I have a greater understanding of where you are coming from. Still, I would enjoy touring your lands, but today is much too sudden. Over the week, we should discuss the particulars about opening trade between our two cities; I’m sure we’ve much to gain from one another. I welcome your heart of collaboration and spirit of friendship. For today let’s focus on celebration and in the coming weeks, business can be attended to.”

Ooc: It's your own fault for being a skitzo... skitzo.

This has been a very interesting trip to Caotang. The Village Elder and I enjoy our evening of joyous celebration and developing this friendship. I took his words as an indicator not to press the issue. It was not a pressing matter that could not wait. I would have Settozai return in my place to handle the matters of commerce. I would remain for the rest of the party and when it was time for everyone to retire, that is when I would take my leave and let the Village Elder know that I am extremely grateful and appreciative of his hospitality. I would also inform Hiroto that I would be returning to Mandira. Once the farewells are concluded, my body would be engulfed in a shimmering light as I vanish from sight.

Before heading home, I had a stop to make to collect my payment for the Peeps job. Once my business with my old ally is complete, it would be time to return home. I had much work to begin.



180/1258
+782 = 2040 EXP
PWC (Lord) = 1258

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