middaeg | [Semi-Closed] April Catch-All

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[Semi-Closed] April Catch-All | Great Tree Moon

Who: Lorenz + Plotted CR (with Open Prompts)
When: April Full Moon, Event and After
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Full Moon + A Quest + Memories and whatever else comes up
Warnings: General. He's a Shady Faun, so proceed with caution. TBA as threads occur

Full Moon

[A recent spar with Felix had revealed to Lorenz one factor that he had not anticipated with his monster transformation: that he could run. He had seen Judar do so, but witnessing it and experiencing the sheer power of his new legs for himself were so drastically different that using the extra force in a friendly test with Felix had surprised the both of them.

Pleasantly so.

Energized by the radiance of the waxing moons, Lorenz found himself unable to sit still. All but vibrating with the excess in energy he found himself with, he briefly found his thoughts straying to his friends at home. Was this how Raphael felt when he got into the moment and started hauling everything from the day's grocery shopping to random desks he found streetside around as if they weighed no more than kittens? Was this what Claude felt when he stayed up into the deepest parts of the night, working feverishly on his schemes or stealing out to visit his Wyvern while the rest of the world slept?

He didn't know. He didn't care.

Racing in his giddiness, Lorenz once more found himself at the docks and staring out at the water.

...He wondered how well his new form took to swimming?]

Plantagorium

[Lorenz could easily respect a man's desire to start a rooftop garden. With his still nacent plant magic, he understood that drive well-- but this man's efforts left Lorenz rather... disappointed.

Afterall, anyone who failed that badly with seedlings had a talent that Lorenz didn't want to understand.

Packing his bag and grabbing a sturdy stick, Lorenz prepared himself to set out over the Wall briefly to find something sturdier for the poor man. A sapling, perhaps. Trees were far sturdier than delicate herbs like basil and mint. Even aromatics like lavender, rosemary, and garlic fared better than anything whose name referenced a 'balm' in any way, and Lorenz had a general idea of what he was looking for.

Feel free to catch him in the shops, gathering some last minute supplies (like appropriate hoof coverings), or on his way out of the gate.]

Wildcard

[Don't like a prompt? Make one up! HMU on Plurk at

woodrift with questions or plotting requests. Close toplevels with previously plotted CR for the event will be coming as I get organized.]

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[Congratulations, Lorentz! You are to witness a rare sight. Embarrassed Iskandar. He turns to the source of the sound with a wide grin scratching the back of his neck. Errr...]

I... well, I know.

[Iskandar grin widens. Someone is looking really good today.]

Aren't we all at some age?

[He had some not exactly the brightest ideas himself. Though those usually involved feats of bravery not wit, that too often crossed the line between actually courageous and horribly stupid. All to prove to his father he's not useless.]

Who would have thought indeed.

[Iskandar nods with a solemn expression that bursts into laughter.]

What were you exactly trying to achieve by this?

I was trying to save a vinter in my father's territories from having their reputation ruined.

[Lorenz said with a sigh, casting the towering man a look of amusement.]

I wasn't successful-- the cargo of wine was intercepted on the way to Derdriu for a summit of the Round Table. That is, the name we call my country's ruling council. It was unfortunately the first of many attempts after the late Duke Riegan's life... though I'm sure you'll be gladdened to know that the Duke himself passed away of natural causes.

[Clacking a hoof impatiently on the wooden floor beneath them, Lorenz glanced out the window at the brilliantly bright day. Fields of grain crops could be seen in the distance, broken up by the occassional path, waterway, or stand of trees.

It was rather idyllic to see.]

Come, there's nothing much of import to see here. My life has been relatively uneventful compared to some others from my world. Not to say that it was easy... but I am nothing more nor less than the person I was raised to be.

Then it was a noble endeavour. Even if it failed.

[It may surprise Lorenz but Iskandar is deadly serious. A man's reputation can be his life. Or death. It is no trifling matter. To help one uphold it, even if the attempt is not successful, is a good deed. The intention will be remembered even in the absence of results.]

Perhaps. Yet here I am, still curious who exactly that person is.

[Lorenz smiled up at the man, unbothered and undeterred by the immense difference between the presentation the two of them made on this stage. There were few as tall as this King in Lorenz's experience-- and fewer still who managed to look regal while wearing the battle armor of a cavalry rider]

What is it that you would like to know, sir?

[He asked, a smoothe, gentlemanly smile on his face.]

I am curious about you as well. People who speak so candidly and with such conviction are rare where I hail from. Such people are regarded as fools-- or dangerous upstarts.

Anything and everything, your plans, your dreams. What were you trying to achieve in life?

[He has the greatest love for stories of great deeds, heroic quests, far travels and epic adventures but not only. He finds all people infinitely fascinating. Especially those that are different from him. He always had.]

I have been called both and worse. Pleasant it is not, yet if all agreed with me and praised my deeds I would have worried I am not acting bold enough.

[Iskandar grins. While he'd try his best to have a good name among people, it was guaranteed he'd have enemies. And one's enemies never speak kindly of them.]

When what one plans is to take down an empire, it is unrealistic not to expect opposition.

Taking down an empire, hm?

[That was a familiar refrain-- one that piqued Lorenz's interest, and had him regarding the towering man with a renewed interest. Turning, he motioned for Iskandar to follow.]

Walk with me. This here is wholly unimportant-- but I do know where the wine is kept at this manor. We have much to discuss.

Gladly.

[Iskandar grins as he follows Lorenz. He doesn't need much encouragement to talk about his adventures.]

Rarely, if ever, would I say no to wine and conversation.

Good, because it seems we have something in common,

[Lorenz said airily, leading Iskandar down toward the far side of the manor, toward the rear of the property. He cast the man a sly, knowing smile.]

That being: the business of going to war with an empire.

That so?

[For that Lorenz gets a wide grin in response.]

Do tell what empire you have in mind?

[Beware, you have unleashed a beast. Tapping into Iskandar's desire for conquest in a dangerous sport.]

Not one you've heard of, I'm sure.

[He smiled teasingly.]

But, since the Emperor of that empire is here in Aefenglom and we've had a chance to speak, I find that I am agreeing with her ultimate goal. The Adrestrian Empire waging war with the Liecester Alliance was collateral, unfortunately.

...Our dear Emperor is ultimately plotting to overthrow the church. While she has succeeded with that goal in her memory, I find that I am still in the middle of that conflict.

And, I wish there was a way to retain our memories of this realm when we return to our own. The deeds that have been committed under the guidance of the Church are nothing short of heinous, but are hidden from the entirety of our society. Now that I know, I do not think I can rest easily in my soul even if my memories of this realm are taken upon my inevitable return home.

Indeed, I had not.

[This is not something he gave much thought. Actually, he tried to ignore the issue altogether with the hope it would never come to pass. He may not like magic but he very much likes being alive.]

Well, I had arrived here with my horse and all my belongings in the saddle-bags so maybe if you have written down the memories of your time here they will likewise transfer with you back to your home.

[Doesn't have to be twelve tomes of adventures of one Lorenz Hellman Gloucester. Though no doubt it could have been quite a read.]

I gather this Church you speak of is some kind of organisation. Wouldn't exposing their evil deeds be enough for your ruler to take action?

[That might seem like an oversimplification but knows too little to suggest anything else.]

That is a good thought, but is there ultimately anything we can say for certain about the mirrors?

[He looked up, questions in his eyes. There were few people he had taken the chance to speak of these matters with, and of the few it was largely people from his own realm-- they had been too busy sharing details of their differing histories and cementing truces to do much planning for the future.]

But it is something I will look into-- although I am certain that the young Duke at the head of the Alliance knows some of this matter already.

...Likely, he feels that the scope of it is too large for him to take. He was born outside of the continent, and was raised within a different culture that has different values and norms. He professes himself an 'outsider', and seems more focused on opening the continent to the outside rather than taking on the church which has dominated our culture for millennia.

The Coven is studying them for all I know but honestly, I never had much interest in them.

[Not because he's not curious. He is. Mainly because he doesn't want to risk reversing the process that brought him here. He's rather content of his current situation.]

Well, he might have other priorities and I would not blame him for it.

[There's only so much of the very foundation of a nation one can shake at once before it disintegrates altogether.]

For him alone, it might be, but if he had allies maybe he'd be more receptive.

[Iskandar scratches his chin. That or ... Hm, from what Lorenz says he understands that his ruler, this Duke, is young. He might have ideas but simply lack experience.]

Then don't just go to him with a problem. Define it, gather evidence, plan solutions and then go to him. If you could show him how continued existence of this Church organization threatens his plans for opening your country, that would be perfect. If you could convince him that what you are proposing is not only in his interest but failing to do what you suggest puts his vision in danger, you're done. As long as you can make what you want a part of his vision, you won't have to ask.

Sir... that is a good point.

[One that had Lorenz thinking as he led them into the cellar, lit only by the flames of lanterns upon the walls. As they stepped down into the cool shadows and stone flooring below the main house, Lorenz guided Iskandar along to reveal...

A wine cellar.]

Truthfully, we both are so wary of trust that we have spent much of the last six years at odds in some manner. I see that he truly does have the capacity to govern, and govern well... but my father sought this very position for himself.

[A sigh.]

For a country that professes ourselves to be an Alliance, we are not very good allies to each other. I wish to rectify that as well, but it's going to be a steep path.

In the meanwhile...

This particular vintner was famed for the red wines produced here. Do you have a favorite?

[A wine cellar? Iskandar's eyes light up when he recognizes the structure. Aefenglom is not much of a wine city. Iskandar suspects it too has its reasons in the presence of the disease all around the city. A vineyard can only produce grapes. You can make all kinds of food from wheat in addition to making beer. If one has to choose where to allocate limited resources, the option more versatile wins. There simply is nothing left for frivolities.]

Trust in any court matters is a precious and dangerous thing. [It can as fast elevate you as it can bring you to ruin. Discerning who to trust and to what extent is a fiendishly difficult task and Iskandar does not envy Lorenz.] I see why you might be conflicted, loyalty to one's father is a noble thing, but ask yourself this question: is that what you wish? I see that you have ambition. That's good. But do you want to stay in your father's shadow or do you want to surpass him?

[He knows what he did. But the subject changes to wine and Iskandar grins.]

I doubt you'd ever heard of my favourite but it is red wine. The Corinthians make it and it is excellent.

I know not who the Corinthians are-- but doubtless we can find something comparable. [Lorenz spoke, already guiding Iskandar down the walls of bottles.] The rich earth of these lands yields excellent fruit of all kinds.

But... your question. [He glanced up, brows furrowed in a reflection of his own thoughts.] You're not the first to suggest these things-- and I am more than well aware that my father is so willing to use me as a pawn that he would even risk my death.

[A fate which, while it never unfolded in his own history, was something that some of his fellow denizens of Fodlan had to witness first hand.]

...With that said, I do wish to surpass him. For the moment I am playing my role and lying in wait, but I do not support his ideas or actions.

There are better methods to build up a community, ones that do not involve putting innocent merchants in harm's way on their travels.

That this very often the case with powerful people. They treat their children as yet another asset to utilize.

[Iskandar doesn't have to look far. His own parents and their power games were the best examples. He'd be hard-pressed to answer if he really thinks that's a bad thing.]

You do well by waiting. It's important to build one's own strength first before putting it to the test. [He smiles.] and I see you're approaching the problem from the right side. No ruler can ever act without the support of his people. No matter how mighty he'd think himself to be. Discontent begets rebellion and rebellions always give opportunities for action to one's enemies.

Indeed. And, if there is a revolt? Clearly it is warranted.

[Finding a bold red among the racks, Lorenz withdrew it from it's spot and studied the label for a moment before passing it off to the conquering king for approval.]

My hope is that we can remove the reasons that the working class would have to rebel and foster more cooperation. Although my country follows no Emperor or King, it isn't without flaw. The only concept uniting all of us is this singular determination.

Our grandfathers and their grandfathers turned their backs on the Kingdom and the Empire where their ancestral homes were. We may not have much in common, but we have this.

Ideally, this is enough... but nothing in either world matches the ideal, does it?

[He let out a tired chuckle, wearied and embittered but still hopeful.]

I need not be the Duke at the head of our Round Table in order to foster this. I merely need to wait for my father to step down and pass the title of Count to me... or grasp it by force if he proves to be too dangerous to our plans.

[Iskandar nods in approval of the wine choice but then laughs when Lorenz extolls the virtues of rebellion.]

Well, you would need stronger arguments to get me to praise a rebellion or say that a king is not needed. I have seen, and fought, too many in my lifetime to be uncritical of them. Too many times not the will of the rebelling tribe was behind it but an outside influence. It was a favourite tactic of the Persians to instil enmity between Greek cities and send them to battle each other so they would never even think about allying against them instead.

[Iskandar pauses. No king, no emperor but they have a duke instead. Isn't it a difference in title only then?]

And I have little love for the rule of the crowd. The mob's minds can be too easily manipulated. Way too often all it takes is one skilled orator.

[Is he salty about the Thebes betrayal a whole two thousand years later? Yes, he is. He'd never stop hating Demosthenes for turning the Macedonian's most beloved allies against them.]

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[Semi-Closed] April Catch-All | Great Tree Moon

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