Displaced Shado-Pan Master

I am Master Snowdrift, Master of the Blackguard Discipline of the Shado-Pan. No doubt you have many questions; hopefully these are of the reasonable variety. I am independent of group or affiliation.

[mastersnowdrift]

I’m not going to lie. It’s pretty disheartening to see that in the year since I left, there’s been no desire whatsoever by...well, anyone to interact with me on this account. No notes. No nothing. I’ve just let the blog gather dust, cause that seems it’s all its good for.

While I do have good memories, I don’t like the way things ended and...frankly, I don’t have to. No reason to do so.

I’m pretty disappointed in a lot of folks. While I know leaving my old community was a good way of cutting off a lot of folks, it’s still very saddening to see not one person lift a finger in that time since I left my old community. No notes. No nothing. It’s like there was an unspoken agreement that I wouldn’t be seen or spoken to again.

And while there’s the one part of my mind that says ‘oh that wasn’t the case, people have busy lives’, there’s another that says ‘the fact that no one has said but two words to you and you’ve had to initiate ALL the conversations since leaving is evidence enough’.

I guess I’ll see you folks later.

[mastersnowdrift]

I live.

Though It’s been a long time since my last post, I still live.

Replies are gone. I have no idea how one threads any more with the ‘no edits for reblogs’ “feature” staff thrust on us.

And...if you’re out there, and you’re reading this...thank you. For reading this.

Most of my time is devoted to IRL pursuits. Work and the like.

And if you’re out there and you want to talk...know that my inbox, while dusty, is still open. And that we have IM’s that you can hit me up on!

[pullingonthestrings-blog]

My muse went missing and you decided to go find them. You soon find yourself in a strange place. In the middle of the room is my muse, but they seem... Different.

Send “Shadow of true self” to see the shadow of my muse’s true self.

This means they will act like how they truly feel inside, or who they want to be, or their insecurities. Go ahead and go wild with this!

[pullingonthestrings-blog]

[mastersnowdrift]

Evening Arrival (Ireul)

[mastersnowdrift]

“The rumors may pale in comparison to what I have to say as one who witnessed our…” He searched for the proper word, but did not find it for a while. “To say that was a debacle is putting it kindly.” The Shado-Pan Blackguard Master pursed his lips. “But even in our darkest hour, there were those who stood to try and make matters right. There always must be.”

Snowdrift closed his eyes a moment, the reply that leapt to his tongue silencing there. There was only so much he could do to assure Ireul that all would be well. One thing he would not do was allow the priest to think he didn’t stand a chance. “You survived the Trial of the Red Blossoms.” Snowdrift spoke softly yet sternly to Ireul. “You will survive the Rite of Return. You have my complete faith in that regard.” He squeezed Ireul’s paws, as if to make that point clear.

He then smiled as he was led into the kitchen. “I trust in your skills to satiate my grumbling gut.” He murmured, gently rubbing Ireul on the side of his own stomach. “Your grandmother passed her wisdom on to you. Which is good…it would be a shame if you were skinny.” Wan said this in a teasing tone. “What sort of woman do you remember her being, Ireul? Did she encourage you to take the Trial?”

[stahldrauf]

“I have proven myself capable of that, in the least.” The joke was half-genuine, but there was a queer flatness to his tone that indicated that he was far from reassured. In reality, though, he preferred to go in worried. Worry and concern kept ones attention to the finer details sharp. Complacency was what had got him found out in Krasarang, after all.  As the two moved into the kitchen, the warm smile returned to his face. How could it not, with such fine cuisine in his near future?

“Suyin had quite the hand in raising me.” Moving towards a large bag on the table, he began to pull the drawstring free. “Both my mother and father worked hard to support myself, my siblings, and help out the town. As she specialized in medicine, she had more free time than either of my parents.” As the pack was opened, several savory, delicious aromas filled the room. “Before I discovered my connection to the Light, she taught me how to bind wounds and prepare salves.”  Pulling several large bowls free from the pack, his paws gingerly sat them atop of the table. “There should be utensils and the like in the cabinets over there.”

Three bowls, in total, were pulled out and placed on the wooden surface. The first two were sat down normally. The third was almost reverent in his care, a long sigh punctuating his silence. “She was kind, yet determined. We were never scolded–when we needed to be disciplined, she talked to us as if we were adults, making sure we understood what we did wrong and what to do to make it right. When the time came for the Trial, she pushed me to do what makes me happy.” The third bowl had it’s lid lifted from it; beneath it was a giant helping of rice pudding, the aroma of which was most enticing. “And when I passed? She was so proud.”

[mastersnowdrift]

The utensils gathered, Snowdrift sat at the table just as Ireul unveiled what he had in the bowls. The smells alone were enough to make the older monk’s mouth water, and he hastily took a large serving of the rice pudding for himself. Despite this...the solemn tone of Ireul’s words demanded respect, not Snowdrift tucking into the food immediately. The old warrior monk nodded as his lover spoke. 

Once Ireul had finished, Wan’s eyebrows furled in concern. “I can imagine. It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood. And a grandmother who was well-prepared to help.” He held out a paw to Ireul. “My grandparents had the far larger share of my childhood than my parents. Though...considering my mother was an Omnia mage and my father was the last Blackguard Master, I suppose that explains it. It’s even more difficult to go back under those responsibilities.”

He then took his first bite and smiled appreciatively. “Magnificent.” He murmured, before taking another, then another. “I might have to see what I can do to come to Binan in the future. It would...be a nice place to settle.” Wan closed his eyes.

Settling was -not- something easily done in the Shado-Pan. Wan Snowdrift was approaching seventy, and was no younger than the last time he’d seen Ireul...but vitality was still there. His responsibilities, too. After Zhen’s death, he had to name both a Shado-Master and his alternate.

Oh, but such thoughts were hardly the sort of discussion to be had at the dinner table. Mental or otherwise.  He cleared his throat. “But maybe we should try some place further north. I know it sounds strange, but family can be aggravating. You might not desire to have them so close at hand.”

[mastersnowdrift]

The Path to Respect Lies in Violence (Aftermath)

There were no words he could use to describe what he saw when the Sha of Violence faded into dust, leaving behind a handful of scattered, scarred pieces of equipment and weapons...implements that had been directed at it, only to be swept up by the Sha in its fury. 

No, he could describe weapons easily enough.

What silenced him, what brought tears to his eyes, were the six Shado-Pan Watchers who had tried desperately to cage the Sha of Violence once more - fighting to their last breath, their efforts barely putting a dent in it.

He knew all of their names.

Song-zar. Feng the Boisterous. Kaoxiang Swiftstriker. Halanae Yon. Braxai Ironpaw. Azar the Vigilant.

It was his responsibility to prepare them for what would come. For the horrors the Sha could bring to the world of the living. And yet...

And yet they were no more.

Or so he had thought.

Silence your emotions, and find peace.

It was an old treatise, one recited to junior monks of the Shado-Pan for almost a thousand years now. Yet...looking on the bodies of the fallen, the one thing that came to Snowdrift’s mind was how utterly useless such a statement was.

Silence your emotions, and find peace?

If only that was true.

An even taller task rested ahead of those who had come here in their aid. Bandages were administered, spells given to relieve exhaustion, prepare them for the next fight...

A flicker of light stole Snowdrift’s attention from them. He didn’t remember their names - only that they were here to do something that needed to be done. That was what mattered now.

The flicker had come from one of the fallen Shado-Pan. It was joined by another, then another...until all six bodies seemed to glow. Then...as the Sha finally seethed away, the six fallen Shado-Pan seemed to find form.

Snowdrift’s heart seemed to stop. No...I know what this is...

The flickering forms of six Shado-Pan stood as the outsiders headed off to their next task. Was it only Snowdrift who could see them?

Thank you.

Song-zar’s voice reached his ears, clearer now than it ever had been in life. The six Shado-Pan spirits surrounded him...and then each rested a hand to his shoulders.

Do not blame yourself for this, teacher. We did as you had taught us. And if there is one lesson you impressed into us...it is that you can do everything right and still lose.

Thanks to you...thanks to those who stopped Violence in its tracks...now we are at peace.

Farewell.

Great wracking sobs shook the heavy Blackguard Master as the spirits of the fallen spoke to him. Then...the flickering light forms faded. His eyes still bleary with tears, Snowdrift furiously wiped at them with one paw.

“...no one will ever be able to harm you again.” Snowdrift’s voice broke twice, but he managed the words. Barely.

Their bodies were just empty shells, for their spirits had ascended beyond the clouds. Six more Shado-Pan had fallen this day...and others would, unless the Sha of Hatred, which had seized control of Taran Zhu, were stopped in its tracks.

Barely aware of his motions, Snowdrift hefted the heavy bladed staff his father had passed to him from over his shoulders and began moving towards the Grove of Falling Blossoms.

There would be time to grieve later. For now...there was no time to rest.

[mastersnowdrift]

Haven’t done a lot with this guy since my departure. Needed some time to sit back and recuperate Snowdrift’s muse.

That being said, if anyone would like new starters with a Snowdrift who is back to being the supreme grump of the Shado-Pan, like this and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

[maddiebiscuits]

Man someone RPing a half-elf angel-winged demon paladin doesn’t really “hurt” the WoW RP community. People just RP what they want with whom they want and you can snicker at it all you want but you let them have their fun an you have yours and let everyone do their own thing. Making an entire public blog making fun of and “critiquing” character profiles discourages RPers in the community and gatekeeps people in WoW RP from feeling like they can or should try it and make new friends. Like you’re literally making fun of (most likely but not always) kids, like 12-16 year olds who are just trying to have a good time because they’re brand of silly nerd does not match YOUR prestigious “correct” brand of silly nerd.

Make all these “look at these bad MRPs” blogs and try to justify them with saying they’re for “critique” and to better the community by weeding out the “baddies” but be aware you are a jerk. You are not a good person and you will have to deal with that consequence and if you feel you are a good person, consider: just RPing things you like with other people who like those things and have FUN and let everyone else have FUN. You’re ALL nerds.

[mastersnowdrift]

A Heavy Heart ((OOC Notice))

I have made the decision to drop Snowdrift. I don’t know whether this is going to be a temporary thing or a permanent one. With that being said…

I appreciate all of you who have reached out to me the last few months.

This blog, when I first started it, seemed little more than a project. A side character who got perhaps 30 lines of total dialogue, lasting more than a year and a half? I find that pretty damn incredible. I find most of you pretty damn incredible, too.

Yet I can’t. I can’t keep going.

The last couple months have been difficult ones in terms of the time I’ve been able to dedicate to this. Oddly enough, I was probably better at keeping track of stuff at school than I am now, even though I have a job and plenty of hours that are actually free now. Whenever I come home from work, my instinct is to flop over, lie down…and then plug myself into Warcraft.

So yeah. I guess everyone saw that coming.

There are a few things I’d like to say on this, my final post for this blog as a member of Citta-Alveare:

1 – The community has grown so much. I don’t idly say this – some of you have truly impressed me with the depth you have put into your characters and the growth they’ve gone through with you at the helm. You support one another beautifully when it comes to development.

2 – I’m proud to have called so many of you friends.

3 – If you want to write something about my departure, feel free to. Drabble away. Write to your heart’s content. Be fantastic, more than ever.

4 – If you wish to speak with me, I can still be contacted on this blog. I just can’t be used as a reference for Citta threads, heh. I do plan on making this blog independent.

5 – If you wish for me to write your character a personal farewell, please let me know via private message and I’ll do what I can. Some of you have already gotten them. Do what you will with them.

So long, and thanks for all the fried rice, the headcanons, and the willingness to work with me.

-Grant

[reneitheassassin-deactivated201]

Please reblog this if you are a World of Warcraft blog. I would love to find more of them for my OC to interact with.

Please

[lordlastborn]

Come bother my character about...

[mastersnowdrift]

their poor life choices

their questionable life choices

that thing they always try not to talk about

the weather

stuff

[mastersnowdrift]

±

(from a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away)

If they ever visited the Darkmoon Faire, Ireul would spend at least ten minutes trying to get Snowdrift to stop looking at the goblin who issues the flying challenge with a death glare. He wasn’t even in the air ten seconds before he started falling, which isn’t enough time to grab one ring, let alone fifteen.

Snowdrift’s tactical prowess leads him to destroy all of the targets in the tonk challenge so fast that Ireul is left speechless.

They also encounter Darkmoon cotton candy at the faire. Snowdrift is baffled by the fact that something so fluffy could possibly have any substance. Ireul just smiles and buys more.

After seeing a Darkmoon Cub, Snowdrift tries so hard to earn the required number of game tickets to buy one for Ireul...only to learn that Ireul did exactly the same thing for him. The Cub exchange occurs as soon as they’ve purchased them.

I think they would conclude the night with a long hug under the fireworks, then return to wherever it was they had intended to go. The Faire might be nice...but there are more important concerns. Still, it’s important for them to get away and have some time together.

[mastersnowdrift]

± (We need to interact more, sugar.)

(oh, definitely)

After those first dreadful donuts, Snowdrift makes certain to get much, much better ones for Lovino when next they meet. The results are powdery, glazey, and sugary.

Snowdrift makes sure to stop by Lovino’s diner after a particularly packed day at the Studio, and either enjoys a particularly crunchy meal or a tall glass of very, very cold water to help settle his nerves.

Do they become brunch buddies? They become brunch buddies. Snowdrift learns exactly what sort of breakfast food Lovino is acquainted with and learns to love it very quickly.

[mastersnowdrift]

Voiceover - A slower, more melodic Stacker Pentecost.

(from last week)

...oh my.

Idris Elba voicing Snowdrift? Now...that I can definitely support.

[mastersnowdrift]

For the voice meme...I know it probably sounds strange since Snowdrift teeechnically already has a voice in the game but I actually picture your take on Snowdrift as having a kinda softer, more grandfatherly voice.

(from last week)

That definitely makes a lot of sense. He’s definitely a surrogate father to just about his entire discipline, and would make certain any concerns they have are addressed.

[mastersnowdrift]

Redeye Reconnections (CA Closed | Constantine)

| xhellblazing |

It wasn’t until the night had fallen securely on the city that Snowdrift realized just how far from home he was, and that most of his friends were long since off to bed. The train never stopped running here, but given the dearth of passengers, the Shado-Pan warrior monk assumed that it was something like the ‘last train’ of the previous day. The commuters and anyone else who had jobs that began at early hours would likely pack the next one.

It was because the train was so empty that he was able to get two seats. Though he could fit into one, and often had to do so in rush hour, he hated being so cramped. Even if there was someone small who could sit next to him, Snowdrift felt he was always pushing his shoulders or elbows into that person’s face… A ragged breath escaped his lips and his head rested against the cushion. How had he lost track of another day? What had he even done?

The train soon slowed, and stopped. When the doors opened, a handful of passengers, who looked about as tired as Snowdrift was, boarded…as well as a man in a trench coat that Snowdrift very faintly recognized.

Before the man could choose a seat, Snowdrift raised a hand from where he sat. “I know you from somewhere, I think.” The last energy he had went into his voice. “If you remember me…would you like to sit here?” He indicated the open seats next to him.

[mastersnowdrift]

Overlooking a Field of Freight (CA Closed | Vex)

| inquisitorvex |

The dockyards of Sector Five’s harbor were hectic in the hours of the earliest morning. His mind unsettled, Snowdrift left his house and walked here, hoping to clear his mind of the concerns that had kept him up. One of them was that he was feeling disconnected from the place. It was strangely similar to his first few weeks here – he did enough to get by, barely enough to keep the dojo functional…but he was stuck in a shell that was thicker than a turtle’s. 

He found a bench that overlooked the piers, stretching towards the sea, and closed his eyes. In a moment, a puff of air escaped his lips. He had so many people that he knew here, yet he didn’t know if he could talk to them. Another concern…a small one at first, but it had become something larger.

Snowdrift leaned back in his seat and sighed. If his concerns were a bonfire, they would surely light up a good amount of the city with the weight they held in his mind. He took in a long breath and exhaled in a manner much like that of junior monks when they were first learning to meditate. Perhaps the oldest methods were the best ones.

His eyes opened. He could sense he wasn’t alone. Wan’s ears twitched as he made out footfalls; faint though they were, he could only just detect them. Very few pedestrians were out at this hour, and the police didn’t show up much these days, and certainly not near the harbor.

The old monk sat up a little straighter. He could see the silhouette of a person against a tree. “I see someone else couldn’t sleep.” He spoke clearly, not so loud that it would carry a great distance, but loud enough that none of his words would be lost. “Care to join me?” He gestured to the rest of the bench, his palms open to indicate he meant no harm.

[thecatgoddessbast]

What is your voice headcanon of my muse?

Now I’m curious what people think they hear when reading dialogue of my rps.