Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:26:46 PM)
(This user has entered Romania) (IP = 24.15.241.228)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 8:27:53 PM)
(okay, listen up. :-) We're back dating this scene four days to SATURDAY - because it'll explain your absence if you were on your way home to the states, yes....)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:28:01 PM)
(okey dokey)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:28:50 PM)
(And I haven't made any great interactions that would have required him to flaunt his rank, so all is well and right with the world :-D)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 8:30:07 PM)
*Romania, Aarron was back for a specific purpose. The countryside was painted in red and ochre and burnt orange and faded yellow and browns, fall was dramatic here, to be certain, a gorgeous ending to the summer was afoot. The castle where Dalton's family line dwelt was an imposing silhouette on the mountainside as Aarron came up the road in a rented Puegot with an anemic engine but perfectly acceptable handling and milage with gas at 7 bucks a gallon....*
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:33:48 PM)
*driving the little car was almost an excercise in futility as he had never actually take the time to get a driver's liscense but since running about in his lupus form probably would not have served at this point he was thankful for the many tv shows he had watched when he was younger and all they had taught him of driving as the little engine wheezed it's way up to Count Dracula's family home* We really need to get some places with some sunlight. *a mild smirk playing across his lips at his own cleverness*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 8:35:43 PM)
*Well, to be fair, it wasn't sunny anywhere in Eastern Europe today for the most part... but it was pretty. He pulled into the little courtyard and before he was even out of the car a burly Ahroun named Yuri was walking up to see who the hell was showing up... and he smirked when he saw Aarron - one of the Americans... oh well.* Vhat you here for?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:37:52 PM)
*he squeezed his way out of the little car and slammed the door as he stretched a bit and offered a slight smile to Yuri* I came to see a man about a challenge, though I think I should get Fostern for making it here in that sardine can of a car.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 8:39:49 PM)
*He laughed* You no like French Car? Sokay. I hate French too. *he chucked Aarron on the shoulder* You come see who about challenge?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:41:48 PM)
I seriously don't think the French were thinkin about guys of our stature when they made these things. *he smirked at the heavy handed slap to the shoulder* I'm here to see Raven's Voice-rhya.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 8:42:49 PM)
No, dey vere not. *he turned and started walking toward the battlements and the old stables* Come. I take you. You are friend of dalton, you are velcome. What rank you try for now American? *he said this like it was a good thing though, no malice.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:46:16 PM)
*he nodded and followed after him, his eyes scanning the castle regardless as he heard the familiar sound of wings above him and smirked a bit at the thought of his brother Crow watching over him in this moment* Fostern. I woulda challenged someone in America, but I prefer to leave these things in tribe and our Tribal Alpha has her hands full with things there. Besides, seein the boss come back here made me want to get a taste of what it would be like to challenge here.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 8:49:16 PM)
Your tribal alpha huh? I know of her. She has allies, but she has enemies. is hard place she walks in. *he opened the stable door and thrust it aside with no adieu, and anounced loudly* Raven's Voice Rhya! American is here to challenge for Fostern! *Raven's Voice looked up, he was working at an anvil, making some kind of steel and iron Cuirasse, and he said something in Romanian, then in English* For christ's sake YURI! Must you slam open the door every time?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:51:56 PM)
*he smirked a bit as it seemed mildly reminiscent of his wild entrances into Dalton's home, suppose every Fortman needed one like him to keep 'em on their toes. He wasted no time now as Yuri brought him in and stepped forward* Raven's Voice-rhya. I, Stops the Blood, Cliath of the Nation, Crescent Moon of the Shadow Lords and Beta of the Storm Crow's officially challenge you for my rank of Fostern.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 8:54:27 PM)
8Raven's Voice set the formed steel and iron and leather work on the anvil where it could cool and set aside his hammer, then walked over and examined Aarron* You know, it could be construed as an act outside your home sept, coming here to challenge someone so far away for rank. If anyone even realizes when and how you went about it. Do tell me, Stops-the-Blood... what ulterior motives do you have for this rank challenge? Not that it will affect anything, but I am curious>?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 8:59:13 PM)
*he blinked a bit as a look of genuine confussion crossed his face* I don't think I get yer question. I ain't all that fond of the folks at the Sept I'm around and all, if that's what you're asking and alot of them ain't all that fond of me. I tend to say shit when I shouldn't. So, I guess I just figured it would be better to come out here and ask for a challenge. Then I could get a right proper Shadow Lord challenge. I don't really have any other motive than I thought it would be kind of a cool idea. I might even come back for Adren when the time comes. *he offered a bit of a grin at the thought of him being an Adren, a concept that seemed rather amusing to him apparently*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:04:30 PM)
That, is precisely whaT I meant. Why the change of venue. *he took off the leather apron off and hung it on the wall* I do indeed have a very special challenge for you, master St. James, if you are willing to undergo it? Tell me... what do you know of the history of Europe?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:05:51 PM)
*he shrugged again* Seemed like the thing to do in the moment. I didn't really think it through. And I know there were knights... and uh, the Crusades... umm, oh, King Arthur, he was from here, wasn't he? Dragons? I didn't really make it through a lot of school.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:09:31 PM)
Dragons? Don't know, who can say anything about that myth, but there's stories a plenty. Did you know that there were once wild prides of Lions in Europe? roaming freely? The roman's used to hunt them extensively.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:11:13 PM)
No shit? *he rubbed the back of his head lightly as he tried to imagine such a thing in a climate such as this* Don't seem like they would do well round here. But I suppose, all things considered it wouldn't be too hard to imagine. I mean, the movies with the Roman's always had lions eatin guys. So they had to get 'em from somewhere, right?
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:12:23 PM)
Rome was in italy, not exactly Africa. It was a slightly different species than what you would find in sub saharan Africa, but it was no doubt a Lion. Did you know that Garou used to take the Spirit of Lion as a totem here? Long ago?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:15:05 PM)
*he smirked a bit, but it was sort of a sad smirk* Yeah, I knew that part. Totem of the White Howlers if I remember correct. Ain't all that popular these days but I've heard of a few out there willin to give him a chance.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:17:32 PM)
*he fixed Aarron with a smirk* Yes. The Howlers. But did you know that there are gifts lost to us that Lion used to teach?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:21:08 PM)
*he looked at him quietly for a moment and slowly nodded his head* I'd heard about such things as lost gifts but never specifically anything from Lion. And are you speaking to our tribe specifically or the nation as a whole?
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:21:54 PM)
*He smirked and led Aarron out of the stable and toward the house* OUR tribe. Something that's been lost to us for a long time. Come with me, I'm going to show you something Mr. St. james. Something wonderful.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:23:35 PM)
*he followed after him, not sure exactly what was going on here but, he'd roll with it. Learning a new gift or a bit of Lore about the tribe was always welcome and he certainly wasn't going to pass on the chance, dumb as he might be, to stuff some more spiritual or tribal knowledge into his head*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:24:18 PM)
*he led Aarron up into the library, a huge room, but instead of the books on the shelves he went to a window seat and pulled up a slate under a cushion revealing a hidden space from which he withdrew a thick leather bound book, easily 30 pounds and as lare as most posters, and took this to a table. It was locked* Within these pages are some very old writings. This leather? it's human skin. It used to be very common to bind books of import in human skin.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:27:49 PM)
*as they entered the library his gaze went upwards and across the massive collection of books as a grin spread across his face at all the knowledge that sat before him at the very moment. He had never been much for book learning but it still impressed him and as they human skin bound book came out his eyes practically glittered with excitement as his grin cracked into a smile, simply imagining the secrets and lost knowledge and lore it quite possibly held* And within those writings are these gifts, long since lost, taught to us by Lion?
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:29:15 PM)
*Raven's Voice unlocked the book, because it had a heavy and antique lock on the cover, and he carefully unfolded the codex. It was vellum pages, made from lambskin, and heavy. Each page was unembellished, because every page, every word, every mark was made in garou glyph. Many of them were so old they were a mystery to Aarron....*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:29:39 PM)
One of the gifts lost I THINK I have decoded in this text....
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:31:21 PM)
*he almost reached out to stop him from turning the page as the glyphs he couldn't recognize rolled across his gaze but he stopped himself short, keeping his thoughts and desires for the book internal though his gaze spoke volumes of his unbridled desire to get his hands on this book and pour through it for the mysteries it might hold*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:39:50 PM)
*Raven's Voice caught the subtle body language, and looked at Aarron* yes. it's old. I puzzle over the contents often. *He turned to a marked page. On it there were several columns of glyphs, at first glance it almost looked like the vertical writing of japan or China. But it was all glyphs, carefully drawn, Aarron pointed to one column and began to read* Stands Last - it says - was a powerful Ahroun of the Shadow Lords, but he was known among the people for his violent and short temper and for his brutal ways when spoken against. yet, he had to lead them - for there was a great foe rising. Thus did he learn the gift of the *he looked at Aarron* I *think* this glyph translates to "Aura of Nobility" but I'm not sure. it could be Glow or look and nobility could also be glory or beauty. BUT, *he pointed* This glyph here definately is an old shadow Lord glyph for "Lion Totem." or "Lion Spirit."
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:44:51 PM)
*he thought on it for a moment, looking over the passage that had been read to him, his eyes following the glyph's all the way down the page and to where RV was point, his smile having never faded* Lion is a totem of Respect and is most notable for his adherance to tradition. So I would guess that nobility would probably be more apt than glory or beauty. I can guess that you probably want me to ask Lion about this gift and see if he would impart this lost knowledge to us again? Right?
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:46:26 PM)
I do. My challenge to you is to go find the totem, and it may be a bear, because this is an extinct lion totem... you may even have to go to Pangea, but I doubt it... but go out and find that totem and see if you can return with the gift. If the totem can not be found, you are to come back with what the gift did and find out if there is any other totem or spirit that can teach us.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:48:47 PM)
Am I prohibited from calling Lion too me to seek the information? *he figured it would be safer to ask in the case of his challenge, testing the waters of how difficult RV wanted to make this for him, his body was tingling from the possibility that he would get to uncover this ancient lore*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:49:39 PM)
No, no, you can do so, but it's going to be hard. That's a long suffering totem who's tribe is fallen - even with rituals, it's calling something that may not BE where we expect him... I've never even seen a spirit of a European Lion.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:51:24 PM)
*he nodded his head lightly as he thought it over carefully* Is there a place that would be considered safe to do such a thing? Somewhere that I won't be disturbed and where it will be far enough from the territory of other Garou so as not to pose a threat to their lands should he turn out to be less than the noble spirit we are hoping for?
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:51:40 PM)
(one sec, phone.)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:51:46 PM)
(np)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:54:27 PM)
(back.) Honestly? I don't know. Here? You can try it among the trees and forests, but I don't know where you will get an answer. My suggestion is to do some more research on the European Lion - maybe there's a skeleton in a museum somewhere or a specimen on display from some bog... I haven't looked into them past knowing they once roamed these valleys and plains.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 9:58:14 PM)
*he nodded his head lightly at that* Well, it certainly would help to know a little about it's diet at least, if there is any of that kind of information. I'd hate to have to call it up and have only me to snack on. That probably wouldn't end well. So, where is this museum and please tell me it's in English, or at least has English translations.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 9:59:46 PM)
I don't know, that's what I'm saying, *maybe* there's something somewhere in a museum. I haven't had the time to dig into this. You're going to get a challenge, but I'm going to get the insight into my little side project that I have been too busy to look into.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:06:01 PM)
*he thought on it for a moment and then smiled* Well, I guess I should go with my best research tool then. Trail and error.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:08:13 PM)
*Raven's Voice shrugged* You can take whatever path you want, you are a Shadow Lord, I expect you to be resourceful and tenacious and find this thing for me. *He flipped a few pages through the book carefully - it was very old - and stopped on another page where there was a great spiral glyph in the middle of the page, and a great many convoluted and complex glyphs around it.* I have no earthly idea what this page says. Only that it has dire warnings about the "Great Black Spiral" we know what that is... but the rest? 8he gestured* Gibberish and confusion and obfuscated meanings.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:11:09 PM)
*he paused as he was about to turn away and his gaze went instantly to what was on the page as he leaned in close to get a good look at it, the gibberish on the page probably meaning less to him than it did to RV* How do you know it's about the Great Black Spiral?
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:11:38 PM)
*Raven's Voice laughed and tapped the spiral glyph in the middle of the page* this glyph.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:12:47 PM)
Well, yes, that's the Glyph for the Black Spiral, but how do you know it's the "Great" one. Or is it the size and the placement? *he continued eyeing the glyph's intently like staring at them would give him a better idea of what exactly he was reading*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:14:19 PM)
Size, placement, and notice the changes and exxagerations here and here... *he pointed out several small, but important details.*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:16:37 PM)
*He sighed and flipped through some of the pages. Some of them were borderline ledgible, a few were damaged by fire or water or age, some where flat indecipherable, and a very few were archaic but ledgible and understandable.*
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:17:46 PM)
*he was finally forced to tear himself away from the page when RV turned a few more pages* And you're sure the rest of those were glyph's of the Nation? They didn't look like anything I've ever seen before. And I couldn't make heads or tails of 'em.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:18:44 PM)
*he nodded and flipped to one page in particular* This one is very interesting, it's not of the nation, but it looks like it must be something....* The glyphs were definately not garou, smooth, slender lines, loops, whorls....*
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:20:22 PM)
*he scratched the top of his head lightly as he looked it over, one more curiousity to poke his nose into. He ran a finger over one of the glyphs on the page as he commited it too memory through the tactile sensation, just one would hopefully be enough to ask the spirits about and maybe get an idea of where one could find greater information on them*
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:21:27 PM)
(brb, I am needed to assist with something)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:22:02 PM)
*raven's Voice closed the ancient codex and locked it.* There's a whole lot of mysteries in here. most of them passed down through family and families of the Shadow Lords. A whole lot of mystery.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:25:10 PM)
*he watched as the codex was closed and locked and let out a slight nod at the mention of family* I'm sure the boss'll be happy to recieve it when it's his time. He's gotta head for thinkin an all. Might give 'im somethin to do when he's old and crochity.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:26:14 PM)
He's a Philodox. *he glanced at Aarron* some of the secrets in here are for Theurges. Some for galliards. *he took the book back to it's hiding hole. Who knew how much stuff like that was hidden around here.*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:27:07 PM)
so. You have your challenge and a task set before you. Have you anything else to ask me?
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:28:08 PM)
Ya wouldn't mind if I leave that little pill box of a car with ya would ya? I'd just as soon take the Umbra back to the states. Might take me a bit longer, but then I won't have to stuff myself into that thing again.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:29:17 PM)
*he laughed* I'll get Yuri to take it back. just watching him fold himself up into it will be worth it.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:29:59 PM)
*he chuckled* Oh good. I hear he loves the French.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:33:42 PM)
*he laughed and turned to head back outside* Yeah. he *dispises* the French. Long story. Something about an old girlfriend, I haven't got the details, not all of them anyway, out of yuri yet.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:34:31 PM)
*he grinned and followed him outside* I suppose I should be on my way then. Don't wanna be here to be blamed when he finds out he gets to drive the pillbox. If you'll excuse me Raven's Voice-rhya.
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:35:35 PM)
*Raven's Voice nodded* Good luck. Bring me back something lost.
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:36:17 PM)
Hopefully it won't be my body parts. *he offered the last one with a massive grin before stepping sideways into the Umbra*
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:37:20 PM)
*raven's Voice chuckled, and went back to his work.... (make sure you let your pack mates know what the challenge is.)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:37:50 PM)
(I will do, and I sent you a roll with the questions I would ask Lion and the offering made)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:39:21 PM)
(Excellent. I am thinking Thursday? Is that a good day for you?)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:39:41 PM)
(sorry it's taken so long to get rolling on this by the way.)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:39:47 PM)
(No worries)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:39:57 PM)
(And yes, this Thurs should be fine.)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:40:21 PM)
(excellllent. Gives me a little time to get organized.)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:40:40 PM)
(And is it safe to assume Pangea? So I can tell the pack we're goin for a little journey?
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:45:39 PM)
(Well, it's not *official* but that's where I intend to lead it unless you find a suitable alternative route.)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:46:57 PM)
(Alrighty. Short of finding one of these ancient spirits still hiding out in Europe somewhere, I think that's more likely than not where this would head. Ok, I'll let ya focus on yer other scene and I'll catch ya on Thursday.)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:47:38 PM)
(Thank you and I hope you enjoyed. Sorry I was a bit slow.)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:47:49 PM)
(You were more than fast enough :) )
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:47:56 PM)
(Catch ya later)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:49:12 PM)
(Thanks dude. See you thursday.)
Raven's Voice (Oct 24, 2011 10:49:28 PM)
(This user has moved to OOC Room) (IP = 64.19.251.196)
Aarron St. James (Oct 24, 2011 10:51:05 PM)
(This user has left DigiChat) (IP = 24.15.241.228)