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 Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:18 pm
THE MITHRAL MOUNTAINS  DESCRIPTION - LOCATION - PEOPLE - CLIMATE FLORA - FAUNA - RESOURCES - MYTH/LORE - HISTORY The Mithral Mountains is the name given to the rugged range along the northern part of the continent of Gaia. These mountains were so named both for the vast amounts of mithril ore mined there and also because of their overall silver-gray coloring when seen from a distance. Description:
The Mithral Mountains consist of a long, jagged range of mountains with low foothills on either side, and a prominent spur of especially rugged mountains rearing up in the very center of the range. It is as if some giant hand reached down and pulled the midpoint of this range of mountains high into the sky and then just left, either not wanting, or forgetting, to finish the rest. The hills on either side of this jagged backbone are low and gently rolling, becoming more rocky near the center. They seem to suddenly end where the massive central mountains climb straight for the clouds. These central mountains also seem to be stacked side by side making it very difficult to find easy routes through them. They are also quite rocky consisting mostly of granite and shale, covered only about halfway up with green skirts of pine trees, coating the more horizontal surfaces, making it precarious for both hunters and prey when the loose rock shifts underfoot.
Along the coast in the centre of the mountains are located the Ravenwing Falls. This landmark, is a massive waterfall plunging several hundred feet that can be seen for many, many miles on end. These falls are still used by adventurers for navigation. Even the massive peaks, like Gray Hood and Archare (to the north), are still used for location and navigation.
On the other hand the foothills are quite different from each other. The south-western foothills are fertile and covered in grasses with many deciduous trees while the northern differ in that there are more conifers and mossy ground cover. The eastern foothills are more randomly arranged, sandy and covered in sturdy reed grasses and low hardy shrubs.
Location:
As stated, the Mithral Mountains are in the northern part of Gaia, reacheable by passing though the Evergray bridge just outside of Akea. Past the moutains, lie the Silvermarshes.
People:
The main people living in these mountains are the dwarves in their cavern cities and human fishermen in the eastern foothills and human farmers and hunters in the western foothills.
The Dwarves
Mitharim ("Metalfolk") are the main dwarven clan in the area, producing a great deal of ore and metal work, as can be seen by their name. The Mithralrotrumerons (Mithralrotrumerons, as the mountains are called in the dwarven tongue) are rich in mithril, naturally, but also in iron, lead, copper, and other industrial ores. The main Mitharim city-cavern, the famous Kor Mithrid, is located somewhere near the source of the river which flows into the sea. It is the oldest dwarven settlement in the world, according to texts. Occasionally a traveller along its banks may see large barges going down to Gambino Isle, laden with ore-bags stamped with the Mitharim runes.
The dwarven settlements Tyr Donian and Tyr Ethran are smaller caverns and only the location of Tyr Donian is commonly known to humans, although the misanthropic behaviour of dwarves along with their retiring nature usually prohibits revealing such information. They are minor settlements and believed to have been established as trading posts, but vast supplies of gold were discovered in Tyr Ethran and a small community developed and its location is lost in the past. So, for the humans' benefit, it seems that only Tyr Donian is exempt from the usual dwarven security features, such as hidden entrances, concealed smoke vents, and reliance on underground springs. Also, the Mitharim of Tyr Donian have considerately cut the tunnel ceiling levels to tall-folk height and provided a number of guest-rooms in their caverns, close enough to the surface to fit out each room with an exterior-facing window! This dwarven clan is on the whole accustomed to extra-racial contact and will be courteous even to elves and gaians should they meet in the trading-caves.
The Humans
The only lasting human fishing village is at Nepris. Nepris is located in Mossy Rocks Cove, its sturdy wood and stone houses strung out along the main north/south road and the mountain pass road which leads west across the Mithrals. Other small seasonal fishing encampments are scattered along the coast, with rock-buttressed shacks huddled into the sand dunes and bony drying racks empty for much of the year.
It is not a kind or easy life, fishing the sea, and the people you encounter will be hard, honed, and practical. They tend to be blunt of speech, dealing their words out like their coins, sparingly but with a solid ring. Despite their limited diet and spartan living conditions, they will be hospitable to travellers. Ale is plentiful, mostly of dwarven brewing, and both fish and flesh may usually be found at a meal, but grains and greens do not flourish in the salty, windy climate and are sought after in the trading, or are always a welcome host gift.
Climate:
The weather for these mountains varies widely throughout the seasons. In spring the western slopes will have a gentle rain during most of the season and the streams will start to rise as the snow melts on the many peaks. The central peaks themselves (like the Chalbern and Archare) may still have snowstorms but the snow pack is starting to melt as the air warms. The eastern slopes will also get gentle rain but not as much and there is a constant breeze coming from the sea. In summer the eastern foothills are usually hot with the sun beating down and the only relief coming with the evening breeze off the sea. The central peaks will many times have black clouds encircling them and there can be seen many flashes of lightning. If one climbs to the foothills, one may hear the roaring dialog of thunder as it echoes back and forth among the peaks and valleys. The area is usually warm in the day but cools rapidly at night.
The western foothills are warm most of the summer and the swollen streams and rivers start to recede as summer progresses. Rain will fall but it is not for long or very heavily. Autumn throughout the whole mountain range is usually clear with the days warm and the nights starting to get colder. It is now when more snow starts to appear on the central peaks. Winter brings heavy snow to the central peaks that are often raging walls of white fury lasting for days. The few passes through these mountains are snowed in and travellers foolhardy enough to attempt them usually fall prey to drifts, slides, avalanches, or sudden blizzards.
A cold drizzling rain accompanied by low gray clouds that last for weeks can be found on the western slopes. Often sleet and snow accompany these rains, especially in the northern areas where they can cover the ground for days at a time. While the eastern slopes will have heavy rains, winds and high gray skies, it is the winter storms that come howling off the sea that are most remembered. Sometimes these winds come screaming in bent only on destruction, lashing and snarling at anything foolish enough to stand it their way. These winds drive before them roaring pounding waves that eat at the feet of these mountains while slashing rain and pellets of hail swirl through the pines on the slopes.
Flora:
Pines are the prevalent tree in the Mithrals, ranging from the tall sahnrix pine to the halfling juniper. Mosses, ferns, and scrub willow make up much of the undergrowth, enjoying the moist climate and giving the area a rich green hue. But there are a variety of other plants and flowers to be found here, if one is sharp-eyed. A wild version of the colourful "Little Fire" sunflower grows well on the western side of the Mithrals, its yellow-rayed petals starring out from the black, seedy centre. Both sentient beings and beasts enjoy the nutty morsels hidden inside its seeds, but fortunately there are always enough shed to replenish the plant in its wild state! Redberries and waterberries can also be found wild, usually in the foothills close to a stream or spring. Odea moss has been reported found in the northwestern area of the range, but it would be considered a rarity rather than a regular feature of the local flora. The oddly-named nose mushroom is often found in the shadow of the pines, as are a number of sporing ferns and lichens. The huge, meaty sulcho mushrooms flourish in the rainshadowed side of the Mithrals.
Fauna:
Along with the usual deer, rabbits, and coneys, one may see goats dancing light-foot on the steep granite slopes, or the lovely but unpredictable capricus rams and does. Tarep (rock rabbits) prefer the sunnier western side of the Mithrals, and have their burrows all through the grassy foothills there. Ravens and crows and other corvids seem to thrive here, nesting in the dense pines and riding the wind spirals high above the Mithrals' peaks. Their harsh caws are a constant feature of the area, and their black feathers are braided into many a hunter's vest or hair. Some common grey wolves have packs here and there in the range, their territories carefully demarcated, and their howls sound as if the mountains themselves have voices, deep and plaintive. A few of the molish Mogliar have been spotted by hunters on occasion, but it is doubtful that the digging beasts have a colony within the range, the rocky landscape being unfriendly to their clawed-out tunnels.
The noisy kuatu is also often heard as it chatters incessantly to intruders to its area or the friendly calls to each other. These reddish brown and blacked striped rodents can be seen leaping from pine tree to pine tree gathering the seeds out of the cones, its long fluffy tail serving as a balance.
As for birds: Banded ricau are also an important part of the Mithral fauna. Finally the golden-trimmed tor�n may be spotted circling the updrafts around the larger peaks, its shimmering golden head and wingtips clearly distinguishing it from the other types of eagles that are found in the vicinity, or stooping with great talons outstretched for its favorite snack, the promiscuously-breeding little gray and white surica rodents that make their tunnels among the rocks and grassy hills or hiding among the mossy rocks.
Natural Resources:
The area of the Mithral Mountains is both spectacularly bleak, and marvelously rich. The soaring, stark peaks of the mountains themselves from a distance hide the wide variety of wildlife and vegetation in the area. The low, rolling foothills are covered with ferns and brush, while around the knees of the mountains pine trees form a verdant skirt and a habitat for many beasts. The Ravenwing Falls, is a massive waterfall plunging several hundred peds from the mountain crest to its cauldron pool below. The deep, dark pool ringed by fir and pine is a haunt of both the great aurium-eyed trout and the same, tiny, silvery mithanjor that crowd the Olantani River and the lesser streams and springs of the mountains. Ravenwing Pool is a day�s walk from the little human fishing village of Nepris, on the east coast.
In terms of natural resources, the Mithrals have a wide range of plants: pine, sahnrix, juniper, willow, moss and fern form the forests, and sunflowers, redberries, waterberries, and mushrooms all grow wild on the foothills.
Deer, hynde goats, capricus, rock tarep, coneys, tiny surica rodents, the tree-dwelling kuatu, and grey wolves roam the range of mountains freely, most providing meat to the hunters of the Mitharim. Ravens, crows, banded ricau and the great golden toran eagles have their nests in the pines.
Copper, iron, lead, fyrite, herne, ithildin, and gold are all to be found here. Some small silver and aurium veins have been discovered but never in great quantities, while the vast mithril deposits that gave the mountains their names have long since been mined to naught. In fact, mithril is no longer excavated anywhere on the continent, and artifacts made of the bright metal are correspondingly ever more precious.
History:
There have been dwarves living in these mountains for centuries, and early on a lucrative trade in mithril dominated this area. This trade brought the development of the Mithral Route between Gambino and the dwarven city Tyr Ethran. Although this route traveled further north, passing by Tyr Donion, these dwarves chose to do their trading using the river. They mainly traded with Gambino and sometimes down to Barton. The land route was mostly used but ships would still arrive along the coast for trading. The main trading destination would be the area around Kor Mithrid because it was easy to locate the general area by the Ravenwing Falls.
Most trade takes place at Tyr Donion, and at little fishing villages such as Nepris. The locations of these places are well-known to any merchant who wishes to increase his stock of dwarven ale, iron/lead/copper/gold ingots of a highly-refined purity, or even the addictively crunchy tavern snack known as sunseeds. Of course, many products from the sea are also traded here as well.
The fishing villages claim that their families have been there for over ten generations.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 8:08 am
"Grr." Said the bear in sumo undies. The other two nodded in agreement and helped Reiko to his feet.
"Grar." "Grr." "Gruu." "Grrrow." All of them kept going on and on with growling to Reiko as if he could understand them. It just sounded like a bunch of angry animal noises to Reiko.
"Alright.. look, this conversation has been really interesting and all but I gotta get going." Reiko scratched his head and looked at the bears. They seemed to be looking slightly behind him to the left. Then the bear in the muay thai like get-up pointed as if telling Reiko to look in that direction. Of course, Reiko didn't want to be left out so her turned his head around enough to see in the direction.
But that was a mistake. All Reiko could say was "what?" and then BAM.. The bear with the eye patch gave him a kick to the nuts with his big hairy leg.
Reiko gasped for air as he began to crouch over but just as he started to, the Thai boxing bear unleashed a three hit combo with punch to Reiko's face that knocked him back upright, then another one to the stomach to put him back to bending over... then he was given an... axe kick?! to the back of the neck! that sent him to the ground.
Lying face down on the ground was enough.. hopefully it was over. But no, it wasn't, Reiko heard a "DOSKOI!" and his body felt like someone had dropped a mountain on it. Apparently the Sumo bear launched high into the air and slammed his a** down onto Reiko's back. Now it was over.
Suddenly the bears began laughing and talking. No no, not the grr stuff. More like..
"Where's your stun baton now? Huh?! Were you gonna try to torture us in a new way?" The Mthai bear laughed.
"W-what on earth are you talking about?!" Reiko grunted.
He felt the top half of his gi being taken off, his wooden sandals, and then heard a woman's voice.
"What... I was naked." She said to the bears. "Don't play stupid with us. You've got a lot of nerve coming back here after what you did..."
"... Que?" Replied Reiko.. ever the joker...
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 1:32 am
"... And that's the whole story."
Reiko watched two of the bears on the ground while he waited for a response but then continued to talk anyway.
"Even if you are Pupu students... I guess I can't fault you for not knowing. You being in seclusion and all."
"Haha, that's quite the story... I just wish you didn't throw us off by letting yourself get beaten so badly." The sumo bear spoke up.
"Well I've been training for a very long time. In fact, I had no idea there were other students... I am just now beginning to want to equal Nekki-sensei."
"Us too!" The girl perked up. "We might've been ready for you if that other Reiko hadn't come. That set us back a lot, most of our time was spent healing, even though we became bears to excell in that."
She gave Reiko a thumbs up and suddenly bears ears popped up out of her head.
".... neat... anyway I've got to get going."
"Wait! Be sure to remember us! You exist, we exist, and Sakagami exists... there are probably more sects."
"Ohh? Then what is your sect to be called?"
The bear laughed and in a great showy display, the kind of thing that Reiko could relate to... and instantly picked up on what he was going to do and mimiced him.. swing, swing... CLASP.. two hands came together and gripped like some sort of arm wrestling pose.
It wasnt a furry hand that clasped his in what would soon become something of traditional greeting.
"You can call us the >:3 sect!"
Reiko smiled and replied. "You must be the strongest here..." he laughed at the girl "then you can call me the >=| sect. It was great meeting you!"
He started off walking, having no idea where he was going.. but he was going to find his way somewhere. Civilization, seclusion, whatever would make him stronger.
The girl bopped the Sumo bear on the head to cheer him up and then began laughing with him
"Try heading south! That's the direction you came from!"
Reiko waved, barely visible in the distance by now... and that was that..
Pupus anonymous! Sect >:3 confirmed! Sect >=| established! HEADING SOUTH! GO REIKO GO!
( oh no! Reiko never got the top of his gi back! )
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:55 am
A great distance from where Reiko had landed, and had his little adventure with the talking Pupu bears, at the foot of the mountains, stood a great far eastern styled pagoda.
Towering high into the sky above the trees below, if offered a great view of the mountain itself in it's entirety, especially from the top. And at the top, in the moonlight, stood a lone figure.
Dressed in a dark gray karate gi, and some sort of elaborate stylized neko mask, the figure stood with arms crossed, surveying the sloping mountain side below. A single white eye opened on one side of the mask, seeming to almost glow in the darkness.
Whether Reiko knew it or not, he was being watched.
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:24 pm
High up in the lofty reaches of the Mithral Mountains there was constructed a great temple. This large and formidable structure had weathered much during its centuries of existence, but showed no sign of falter. Shouyin lay in the back of the cart as it slowly trudged its way across the old and almost forgotten paths that traced the way to this mighty building, drifting in and out of a weary sleep. One monk sat beside him, bouncing along with the goods, attending somewhat to his most obvious wound.
Shouyin's watery eyes fell upon the monk, taking in his solemn features. Nothing of special note, just a man. Struggling with the pain that assaulted him from all direction he turned to look at the center of the monk's attention. You know when you have those vivid dreams about things happening, and it turns out it wasn't a dream, and it did happen? Well, that's what our good fellow was now going through, so he passed out, once again.
...
He woke on top of a thin mattress on the floor, in a shadowy candle-lit room. His clothes had been removed and replaced with loose white pants, tied at the ankles upon further inspection, and bandages across his chest. Shyly, he raised his left arm, pressing the fingers down timidly where his right had once connected to the rest of his body. Definitely gone. Pulling himself up to his feet with many the grunt, he slid his feet into the two wooden sandals that lay waiting for him, and, leaving his swords behind, exited the room slowly, limping along.
The hallways were wide, comfortable even, and seemed to point in the direction of whatever you wanted to find, without the common aid of sign. Not long into his little journey Shouyin came to realize the sound of chanting that was quickly growing louder, and that it was damn cold. He stopped in front of a tall sliding door, behind which he believed to be the source of these two things. He pulled it open.
"WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA ******** WITH!"
Behind the door stood dozens of what he thought to be monks, all dressed in black training gis with the golden eagle on the back. Most were in the center, standing in wide horse stances, thrusting punches to the beat of their own chanting. Others were off to the side, practicing, training, and sparring against one another. A few were engaged in all-out steel blade combat, flying at one another, the fire of martial artists prepared to kill bright in their eyes. Thus did Shouyin get his first glimpse of these monks in their natural element, and he was psyched.
"WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA ******** WITH!"  Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta ******** With
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 11:10 am
A hand came to rest on Shouyin's left shoulder. Surprised, he turned swiftly counter-clockwise and met the face that belonged to this hand. He was black, with a long face and thin beard and moustache. Thick plastic rimmed glasses rested in front of two dark eyes. He wore the basic black robes with a black beanie pulled over his head. He seemed to speak in the same cryptic manner as the other two monks.
"The grand ultimate supreme, no extremedies
We use Tai Chi to deflect off our enemy
Five poisons, from the Clan there's no Remedy
We dispell the smell of wickedness in our vicinity."
He pointed back to the training monks. They were all gone, a cloud of dust lying in their wake. Shouyin looked back, but the man was gone as well. He ran/limped out into the middle of the grounds, looking every each way, but still finding nothing. Suddenly, the man with the glasses' voice rang out in the emptiness.
"Things of beings is unseen by men
in shapes and form, never been dreamed by men
The word of God, always intervene with sin
From insight, my inner-light beams within
Pin-point focus, move silently un-noticed
When you attack, I fall back in the wind like the lotus."
Turning once again Shouyin came face to face with the man and his glasses. He dashed at Shouyin with a variety of blows. Swift crane strikes to his shoulders, palm heels to the stomach, spear attacks to the eyes and throat. He came at him, quick and relentless. With one arm Shouyin could barely keep up, stopping the most deadly strikes with his stone at the last moments. His right foot tripped over his left and he fell to the ground, the man advancing on him.
"I am, the RZA. Welcome, to the Wu-Tang Clan."
RZA feat. Beretta 9, Cilvaringz, Feathers - Birth of a Prince: Chi Kung
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:34 pm
Shouyin was perched atop a rock, to the top right of the Wu-Tang Temple. The trickle of a small mountain stream his only company. Left palm pressed against the cold hard surface, feet held high in the air, straight above his head. He'd spoken with the RZA for a good half an hour, though most of it and been arcane and confusing. The jist of it all had been Shouyin was allowed to stay at the temple for as long as he wished, and even seek tutelage under RZA and Ghostface, master of the Wu-Tang sword.
Now here he was, contemplating said subjects. The problem was this arm of his, or more precise, the lack there of. A monk had politely obliged to a quick spar, but stone or not, Shouyin was no one handed fighter. Something had to be done. Stone began to push its way through the bandages around Shouyin's right shoulder. Extending outward it formed a cylinder, of equal length to his left arm. Slowly, it began to spread outwards, rounding into makeshift muscles. At the end, fingers began to take shape, even the old tattoos were recreated.
He got to his feet, testing the joints in this new arm and hand. Lines of the stone had spread out across his chest, holding the arm to his torso tightly. It was a giant effort trying to move it, and all of it hurt terribly. The stump had healed up almost all the way, but spikes of stone needed to stab into it and hook on, keeping everything in place. It also took a fair amount of concentration to hold together. He worried that it could simply fall apart while he slept, already parts were starting to become brittle and harden, or melt away. Testing the fingers, he formed a tight fist, almost feeling the ghosts of his old fingers following it, the lost nerves ringing out with furious pain.
Well, Shouyin had a new arm, but every moment spent with it was agonizing, and it moved so slowly a snail could beat him up. The appendage gently fell to his side and he began walking towards the temple. He could practice moving the arm by trying to swing it in time with his left as he walked. That, and training would have to do, but for now, he was hungry. REALLY HUNGRY.
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 12:08 am
A pair of chopsticks in hand, Shouyin struggled to bring the noodles and pieces of pork on the plate to his mouth. The chef, a man named Raekwon, was a round-faced fellow, also black, with a thin layer of black hair and moustache and beard similar to the RZA's. He seemed too busy speaking to himself in that Wu-Tang dialogue to do anything but listen to Shouyin's request and cook it. One had to admit, the code was catchy, made you want to bob your head.
"I watch my back like I'm locked down, hardcore
Hittin sound, watch me act bugged, and tear it down
A literate type a*****e, songs goin gold, no doubt
and you watch a corny n**** fold."
The sticks slipped out of his grasp once again, the noodles falling back into the sauce. Shouyin was mainly right-handed, and despite his mild ambidexterity it wasn't enough to handle chopsticks. Painstakingly, he attempted to raise his right arm. Finally resting it on the table he tried fitting the sticks into his fingers with his left, but it was all to no avail. So, Shouyin settled with stabbing the pork with the ends of the chopsticks and picking the noodles up with his fingers. Suddenly, a knife decided to wedge itself just to the left of Shouyin's plate. Distressed, Shouyin looked up to the source, and saw Raekwon the Chef staring at him with furious eyes.
"I wait for one to act up
Now I got him backed up
Gun to his neck now, react what?
And that's one in the chamber
Wu-Tang banger, 36 styles of danger."
Unlike his previous encounters with the dialect, actions for once spoke louder than those dramatic words. The knife was much more effective at proving Raekwon's point. Shouyin held the chopsticks properly now and continued to fumble along. He was able to pick up thicker noodles and chunky bits of pork. Looking back slightly impressed with himself Shouyin was greeted with a similar expression from the Chef.
"Now ya act convinced, I guess it makes sense
Wu-Tang, yo sewwwwwwwww, represent."
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Bring Da Ruckus
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:11 pm
Shouyin's ability with the rock arm and been improving. The RZA had taught him some techniques to deal with the phantom pain and improve maintaining the concentration required to hold the arm together. Despite this, he'd still been forced to work through fighting with one hand. One good thing had come out of him staying with the Clan, his skills were improving extensively. He'd evolved once after the fight with Reiko, and could feel the final transformations taking hold inside him. The one-armed training had helped increase his foot speed, since they were the first line of attack considering the time it took to block, then strike with one arm against someone with two.
And he'd only been there for a few days. Standing in front of a rather massive wooden strike block he practiced slow, hard punches with his right arm. Every blow splintered the edges of the block, creating large indents. Strength was an odd concept when your arm possessed no muscles, only willpower, and a bit of ancient magic.
Clack, clack...a monk approached Shouyin from behind. Except, he wasn't dressed in the traditional black robes and golden eagle. He wore dark blue pants, exactly like his own, and the wooden sandals that made that clack sound. He was thin, with a long face. The Genius, master of the art of shadowboxing, the RZA had told the half-golem about him. The man who'd chosen the name of GZA.
"I see you using an old style, I wondered where you had learned it from.
...
Heh, by the Gods, will you show me?
You come here, since you're so interested,
Fight me!"
GZA flew at Shouyin, arms out to the sides, hands open, clawed. He hadn't had the chance to see the mighty shadowboxing in action, only heard rumours of its nature. Something about it being useless at noon, and invincible during a moonless night. His opponent struck first with an overhead axe kick. Shouyin's right arm raised, the foot banging against it, an abnormally loud -PANG- ringing out...and GZA was gone.
"Special Techinques of Shadowboxing! Fifty-two fatal strikes! ONE!"
The voice came, unexpectedly, from behind Shouyin. And along with it, a sharp pain to his side. He swung his right arm back, attempting to smack GZA in the right side of his head, or torso, but was only greeted with the same loud pang as before.
"TWO!"
Another blow, palm-heel, directly under Shouyin's jaw. This process continued, Shouyin attacking with rough blows, GZA defending, the pang, and another strike. After eight Shouyin knew he couldn't go on like this. The Genius had mentioned fifty-two strikes, so he must be forced to follow some pattern during the technique to achieve fatality, simply because Shouyin knew the man could kill him in substantially fewer blows than that.
Shadowboxing...it would have to be something with their shadows. He'd have to let GZA hit him one more time. He was to the side of him now, so Shouyin flung out his right leg in a side kick, purposely letting his left arm stick out slightly to the side as well. -PANG- GZA disappeared in a cloud of dust and Shouyin watched their shadows ripple. Squinting his eyes as a new source of light generated out of the tip of the shadow his left arm cast he watched the Genius appear. And Shouyin's right arm smacked him right 'cross the face. GZA smiled, spitting a wad of blood and spit out of his mouth.
"Good, then you'll learn the skill of Shaolin, the secret technique of Shadowboxing."
The Genius - Liquid Swords: Duel of the Iron Mic & Shadowboxin'
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:52 pm
Shouyin had had a more than healthy stay at the Wu-Tang Temple and it was time to take his leave. Anyways, he had something important to do. That cell phone didn't do anything up here in the Mountains, and he longed to speak to Kantella again. He'd gained more than a lifetime's worth of knowledge with the Clan, and it was time to implement the abilities. As Ghostface Killah's fourth student he'd learnt the way of the Wu-Tang sword. The great master RZA had gifted him with extensive knowledge in Wu-Tang Kung Fu and relaxation techniques to help him with the pains in his right arm. And last, but certainly not least, the Genius, GZA, had granted him with the secret knowledge of his personal technique: Shaolin Shadowboxing. It was time to go.
Rock arm placed comfortably behind his back he entered the main hall of the Temple. His acquaintances, peers, and masters all stood proud in front of him and to his sides. Before he left he was to be made an official member of the Clan, although Shouyin wasn't sure if he wanted that. He wore those baggy white, ankle-tied pants and wooden sandals, katana and the Shiranai tied at his waist. Master RZA was before him, Ghostface to his right a pot of hot coals and metal pole to his left. Approaching, the RZA lifted the metal pole out, revealing a giant brand of the outline of the golden eagle.
"Yo, it's born, young Lord, raise your swords.
Hailin' from the slums of Shaolin, golden claw, talon twirl
And one swirl of the fatal sword splits your Island
Wu Killa Bees' stingers back on the swarm again
BZZZZZZ, the alarm again, six direction weapon deflectin
Bones connect like opposite sides of magnets
Steel fragments bein chipped off a slingin sword slash."
Ghostface lifted high a Kung Fu blade, traditional weapon of the Wu-Tang. Shouyin knelt down on his knees, accepting the weapon graciously. Where as the two Japanese blades lay tied to the left, Shouyin slid the blade, and it's sheath, into the right, so that he could use it with his left hand.
"Plus the God from Ride saggin in his seat, blastin Wu beats
Tryin to plot his next hit
He took a drag of the eight elements that composed, atmospheric gas
'Bout to let off his sword, and full blast
Kept his mind focused, meditation position half lotus
Abbot's sword novas couldn't match his magnum opus
Deluxe stroke, son move like a ghost
Struck in an instance, unnoticed like a lamp post
Radar sharp precision gunfire, explode
Till his clips unload, it's a samurai code."
The initiation rites completed the RZA moved behind Shouyin with the brand. The half-golem's flesh sizzled, but he refused to push out any stone to null the pain, or cry out and recognize it. Satisfied with the burn, the brand was removed, and replaced in the pot of coals. Shouyin raised slowly, breathing deeply as the burn wore its way into his skin. They all stood, and the black robes were slid over his shoulders. Proud, he reared his head back, staring at the vast ceiling and roared out with all the others.
"So if you want beef then bring the ruckus!
WU-TANG CLAN AIN'T NUTHIN' TA ******** WITH!"
Climbing into a horse-drawn cart, black robes, all swords besides the Wu-Tang blade in the back, he made his way down the Mountains. Shouyin would return again to the Temple to learn more, but he was off again, into the sun.
RZA - Ghost Dog (Soundtrack): Samurai Showdown (Raise Your Swords)
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta ******** With
...fin...
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:35 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:31 am
eek
"Phwee~!"
Juuni's eyes grew wide in astonishment as she opened the package, immediately hoping down off of John's lap, the torn wrapping paper fluttering away on the breeze as she slipped the coat on, purring gently at the warmth it offered before sitting down hard on the floor and pulling off her sneakers to replace them with the boots. Getting up she swung her black cat back pack off her shoulders and deftly forced the small sneakers into it before swinging it back over her shoulders and slipping on the mittens, bending her fingers and smiling as she twirled, enjoying the feeling of the lavender trim on her neck.
4laugh
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:35 am
Amber blinked at the package that Mere handed to her and looked down at the package and then back at him with a look of mild confusion playing over her face. She smiled at Juuni's reaction and carefully opened her own package, trying to make sure as little of the paper excaped as possible.
She admired the coat, gloves and boots before removing her bag and slightly thinner jacket, rolling it up and storing it away before slipping the jacket over her shoulders and pulling its hood up to cover her frosted ears. The warmth was immediately apparent as she quickly removed her boots and replaced them with the ones from the package and then finally put on the gloves, feeling the warmth spread throughout her body as her tail wagged slightly behind her.
Amber was careful to store the jacket and boots in her back pack and turned to smile at John and then Mere
"Thank you very much..."
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:51 am
John picked up the parcel for him, looking it over and turning it around in his hands...before tossing it away to Mere's feet, the parcel skidding to a halt at his boots.
"Thanks but no thanks. I'll be fine." Tomorrow muttered, pushing his sunglasses up to cover his eyes once more.
His clothing and gear was designed and optimized for a warzone, no matter the climate or environment. Not only that, everything that he had on him was specifically for him - even the gloves he wore had been designed with him in mind. He didn not like using forigen gear unless it was nessesary.
Besides...he was Tribal. He'd trained in all sorts of climates to become efficient in any situation.
Not to mention he didn't exactly trust this man...
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Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:53 am
eek
"Oniisama!"
Juuni turned, scooped up the parcel and walked over to her older brother before thumping him as hard as she could with her tiny fist in the only part of his body she could really reach properly, his thigh.
"Dun be so rude!"
The small neko huffed and pouted, holding the package out at John, waggling it upwards towards his hands. She probably looked more comical than intimidating but what the little neko didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
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