shatterverse | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Nhim has been making her way south from Nebraska-she'd rather head north towards her preferred climate, truth be told...but she also knows that food is more likely to be plentiful-not to mention easier to catch-towards the south, and right now, her stomach is the most pressing matter on her mind. Of course, there's still matter of finding a cave or the like that she can't get stuck in to make into a lair, and then outfitting it with a new hoard. For now, though? It's all about food.

She peers down at the landscape, her ears pricking forward as she spots an group of cattle wandering along. The dragon goes into a dive and easily slams into one as the rest of the herd flees, then, after a moment of covering her kill with her wings and looking around-old habits die hard-begins to eat. Despite being a ravenous giant carnivore, she'd actually welcome company. She hasn't run into many things that talk thus far.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Are all your titles related to flesh-colour?"

"Not always. Sometimes they relate to territories owned, or deeds, or characteristics. My brother, for example, is Issolt the Watcher."

It's a title Oliver can relate to.

As he glances back to check on his horse, he says, "Godsworn have nothing so elaborate. We are all brothers among ourselves, Godsworn to the rest of the world."

Nhim's jaws gape slightly. "We dragons are fond of our titles and rankings, particularly when young. Once you've reached my age-dinner and a pleasant nap are generally of more interest."

Oliver smiles. "On that point you have my wholehearted agreement."

"I take it then that your adventuring days are largely over then as well?"

With a small, rueful smile, "Hardly adventures and hardly done. The Lord's work never is."

"You can't leave due to age? I was forced out somewhat earlier by my injury, but by my age? Most dragons have retired from adventuring. And most humans retire long before then."

"Oh, the older we get the more we retreat from actual combat, but the less physical duties of shepherding souls remain. I, however, am still fit for active duty."

"Ah. I can understand the less physical duties-that would be what my job of late had been, in my world."

"Oh?"

She nods. "Before I found myself here? I largely found myself giving advise and the occasional useful trinket or artifact to young adventurers, or talking with someone who had come to see me about times past."

"I am sure your help was greatly appreciated by them," Oliver compliments.

"Likely some more combat-oriented residents of the farm will attempt to scour the land of harmful creatures - or there is the rumour to that effect. I suppose that might be adventuring, as you term it."

"You'll need a party, then. Likely at least one warrior of some type another, a magic user, a thief, a healer, possibly some sort adorable animal sidekick to keep morale up or help with any escaping.."

"No doubt we have all of those," Oliver replies wryly. He forces a smile off his face. "I shall pass the observation on to the organizer at the farm. Have you any other advice?"

Fortunately, Oliver is quite practiced at looking serious, and for once it serves him well.

Nhim tilts her head to the side, thinking. "Well...first of all, never trust a rat, lizard, or fish-man. Remember anyone you find in the dark corner of a pub, looking mysterious, is likely to be someone you'll eventually owe your life to. And avoid any item that may have a spell on it, unless you know its history well or saw its creation yourself."

Oliver slots the information away. This time he's serious for another reason entirely.

"I will certainly distrust rat, lizard and fish-men - as in my world men who can assume those forms are demons that walk in human flesh," he replies.

"Really? In my world, they generally serve dark gods, practice sacrifice, and the like. Or simply spread disease and steal, in the case of rat-men-the fish and lizard-men are far more dangerous."

"There is some evidence that 'skins worship greater demons than themselves, but for the most part 'skins spread fear, sickness, and madness among people.

"There are some lizard-men in the colonies - chameleon-skins and anaconda-skins are the few I know of. By all accounts, difficult creatures to bring down."

"Interesting. I can't say what your chances of meeting anything from my world are, though-things are familiar here, yet different. But I'll watch for your skin-creatures."

"Thank you, Nhim."

Oliver thinks a moment. "The area outside of Kansas is notoriously full of dangerous creatures. I would be wary as you make that flight, and I wish you the best of luck finding a cave that suits you."

He touches the white flame tattoo on his forehead, a gesture which implies 'I'll pray for it'.

Nhim nods, stretching her wings out as she does so. "Whatever I find will be dealt with, in one way or another. But thank you."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only