Noniarise's Garden

Noniarise, she/her, main blog: https://www.tumblr.com/wandering-mage

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

[Continued from here]

"The only thing I can caution you with is treating her as though she is dangerous, or as though this is always inevitable," Mavren said. "You are helping me defy a god of my home, and so too will you, hopefully, defy this so-called fate. It feels hypocritical if you do not do the same for her."

He had become rather fond of Malkonia over their time traveling. She reminded him in many ways of the acolytes who were seeking to join the clergy of the Church of Dusk. He was sure she was capable of great things and great acts of heroism one day.

[noni-loves-you]

"Oh dear..." Noniarise takes a seat at the table. "I never cared for such weighty matters as prophecy. They are frequently less useful than their eminence suggests." Noni takes a drink. "Often they just cause a lot of trouble, and often aren't nearly as solid as some proclaim, and even when they are the future they tell is frequently not the future you thought it was telling. Forbid it comes to pass, but what if the killing is not out of malice but out of mercy or necessity? I think back to the oil that has still left its mark on our lands. What if the 'iron fist' is literal and not figurative?" She pauses. "I don't know whether it is best or not to tell her of it, but if so you must make sure she understands how tricky these prophecies can be, do not trust them to be what you think they are."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

"I have heard enough to know that they should never be believed outright," Menea reassured them both. "Malkonia does not yet have that experience. Most of the issue is going to be trying to explain this to her without her freaking out about it."

Aoidi snorted. "The word 'prophecy' usually makes someone freak out, Menea. Regardless of what comes after it."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

"She may be skittish of it, at first," Mavren agreed with a nod. "I think reminding her of times that were 'prophesied' and yet never came to be would be prudent. If she had more experience, I would offer to bring her to Torrezon and watch the downfall of the one who is trying to bring a 'prophesied' new Age." There was a bit of distaste there. "At the very least, to see us try to overturn it. I am not as familiar with all of the prophecies and oracles of this plane, so I admit I do not know what you could tell her to that end."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

"I'm afraid that now that she's gotten a taste for adventure, she's going to insist on seeing it through," Menea chuckled. She didn't seem particularly worried about that compared to everything else. "Theros does not have similar examples. Until recently, one of our gods seemed to exist solely to make sure that prophecies were followed to the letter. But with the loss of Klothys... There may be hope yet."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

"Knowing what the demons of the Betrayer are capable of..." Mavren shook his head. "The Legion is facing trouble from the fact that we lost so many paladins to the invasion. Inexperience against a veteran of centuries is lethal. Setting that aside, if there is no divine push towards making such things true, then perhaps it is indeed more easily defied." He nodded, then looked to the doorway. "This is something best left aside for now. We can discuss it more later. I am here to see what can be learned from the remaining Champions before I am to return home."

[noni-loves-you]

Noni looks towards Mavren. "Ah yes. I believe you had questions for me?" She gives him a shrewd look. "And don't think we are done talking about your dietary needs."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

[Continued from here]

"The only thing I can caution you with is treating her as though she is dangerous, or as though this is always inevitable," Mavren said. "You are helping me defy a god of my home, and so too will you, hopefully, defy this so-called fate. It feels hypocritical if you do not do the same for her."

He had become rather fond of Malkonia over their time traveling. She reminded him in many ways of the acolytes who were seeking to join the clergy of the Church of Dusk. He was sure she was capable of great things and great acts of heroism one day.

[noni-loves-you]

"Oh dear..." Noniarise takes a seat at the table. "I never cared for such weighty matters as prophecy. They are frequently less useful than their eminence suggests." Noni takes a drink. "Often they just cause a lot of trouble, and often aren't nearly as solid as some proclaim, and even when they are the future they tell is frequently not the future you thought it was telling. Forbid it comes to pass, but what if the killing is not out of malice but out of mercy or necessity? I think back to the oil that has still left its mark on our lands. What if the 'iron fist' is literal and not figurative?" She pauses. "I don't know whether it is best or not to tell her of it, but if so you must make sure she understands how tricky these prophecies can be, do not trust them to be what you think they are."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

[Continued from here]

"I do not require anything, thank you," Mavren said, holding up a hand. "I have a more specialized diet." It was a more polite explanation than the alternative in a land where vampirism didn't exist.

He found himself a seat, though realized that sitting with his wings was a bit awkward. He'd have to get a few things adjusted when he returned home. If there was a home to return to. He shook his head of the thought.

[noni-loves-you]

Noni, looks over at Mavren concerned. "Well that won't do, will it? What does your diet require, and we can see about fetching it. You are my guest, it is only right that I see your basic needs are accommodated." She gives him a warm smile. "It's no trouble, I assure you."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

"I have already fed enough, but I appreciate the offer," Mavren said, dipping his head. Even if he did tell her, he would rather not deal with the explanation of how he is meant to take donations. The various bandits and other n'er-do-wells they had encountered on the roads had been plentiful enough to keep him satiated. "I do thank you for your hospitality. You are quite kind."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Aoidi snickered. "Wrong answer, Mavren, now she's gonna fret even more over you."

Malkonia leaned over and whispered something to Menea. Menea nodded, and Malkonia headed out of the building for a moment. Menea's shoulders slumped once her niece was gone, and she let out a very stressed sigh.

That sigh made Aoidi tense up. "Uh, Menea? You good?" she checked.

"Yes, I am. Malkonia is fine, she's off to let nature take its course." Menea's serpents did not seem any more relaxed than she was. "I've just been...thinking."

[noni-loves-you]

"Well, now, you may be sated, for now, but I am your host. I need to make sure you are well taken care of while you rest from your travels and learn what you have come here to learn." Noni pauses as she considers the situation. "In fact, let this be your first lesson: learning to accept help and hospitality from others. Meeting your needs is not a burden, but an honor of taking care of our guests." Noni's eyes catch and hold Mavren's gaze. "And you wouldn't want to be a bad guest, would you? Let us take care of things. Set down your burden for a while, and relax."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

[Continued from here]

"I do not require anything, thank you," Mavren said, holding up a hand. "I have a more specialized diet." It was a more polite explanation than the alternative in a land where vampirism didn't exist.

He found himself a seat, though realized that sitting with his wings was a bit awkward. He'd have to get a few things adjusted when he returned home. If there was a home to return to. He shook his head of the thought.

[noni-loves-you]

Noni, looks over at Mavren concerned. "Well that won't do, will it? What does your diet require, and we can see about fetching it. You are my guest, it is only right that I see your basic needs are accommodated." She gives him a warm smile. "It's no trouble, I assure you."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

[Continued from here]

Mavren looked around the grove with a curious eye. It was incredibly verdant and green, which he supposed he should've expected, but it also felt... welcoming. Warm, in a sense. It was a sight he realized he felt a pang of despair over, knowing it was one he would not share. But he had accepted that. This was a sacrifice for a reason, after all.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Menea took a deep breath, completely relaxed. The ancient gorgon seemed at peace, vastly different from her niece's current state. "It's even more comfortable than the last time I came by," she noted.

Aoidi stretched and flared her wings behind her. "Agreed! I should ask Kruphix to let me swing by Setessa more during my work, it's been way too long since I was last here."

Malkonia looked around but stayed quiet. It was homely, sure, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't a place she should stay near for long. But she kept those thoughts to herself now.

Akesis the snorse, meanwhile, followed his nose and trotted over to the home to begin begging for snackies.

[noni-loves-you]

Ianthe walks up to the door and opens it, calling inside, "Noni dear, I'm back!"

In a flurry of leaves a dryad with flowers in her hair throws her arms around the taller woman's neck, pulling her down into a kiss. "My love! You're back early, did something happen?"

Ianthe pulls herself back, if a bit reluctantly, hands holding the dryad's shoulders. "Noni, I brought you our guests."

Noniarise pulls her gaze away from her wife's eyes to finally take in the gathered party. "Oh! Ah! Aoidi! Menea!" She runs out to the group with a smile and arms outstretched, pulling the closest, Aoidi, into a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again!" The nymph moves her hug onto Menea next. "You're just in time, I just got done baking some sweet acorn bread!" Noni releases Menea and looks to Mavren. "I don't know you yet, but welcome! I'm Noniarise." She throws her arms around Mavren and pulls him into a hug. Then her eyes brighten. "And back there, oh! You must be Malkonia!" She rushes back to pull the presently shy gorgon into a big hug. "It's so good to finally meet you!"

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Mavren looks -- and feels -- as though he had just been stunned by someone bowling him over with a shield. Well, she was certainly friendly enough.

"I am Mavren. I am a pilgrim in these lands. I came to speak with you in order to learn more about your practices and see what I can learn from your god and practices," he said as the dryad went to hug Malkonia. "Menea has been guiding me throughout your plane. I've already spoken with some of the other Champions and have been given their wisdom."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Menea and Aoidi did not hesitate to hug back when Noni gave them a hug. Malkonia squeaked quietly but hugged back after a moment of processing. "N-nice to meet you too," she said, looking a few shades darker in the cheeks and feeling awfully bashful. Aoidi snickered until Menea gave her a look.

"The trip has been...interesting thus far," Menea said, avoiding mentioning how many times she had to follow Mavren because he smelled bandits or cultists and darted off. She was still considering acquiring a child leash when they made it to Meletis but kept that to herself. "I believe Mavren could greatly benefit from speaking with you, Noni."

[noni-loves-you]

Noni nods, "Of course, but please, come in! I'll go get the bread. Ianthe, sweetheart, could you get our guests something to drink?" Ianthe smiles and nods. Noni begins shooing her newfound guests inside. "Please, make yourselves at home, and if you need anything, please ask. Rest, enjoy yourselves, I'll be right back." She dashes off in the direction of the smell of fresh bread.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Menea stayed more or less outside with Akesis, mostly because she had too much tail to reasonably fit inside, but she did stay at the doorway. Aoidi and Malkonia, who did not have that problem, joined Noni and Ianthe inside. Menea handed off the two amphoras of honey that she had brought for Noni to Ianthe.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Mavren walked inside, feeling a little awkward and bringing his wings in a bit closer to himself.

"She's quite friendly," Mavren remarked quietly. It felt a little strange, but it was not something that was entirely unwelcome. The hospitality of this plane was still something to get used to, but he had learned to accept things without much fuss by this point.

[noni-loves-you]

Noni comes back in with a large platter of fragrant acorn bread and strawberries. "So, Mavren, you wanted to speak with me about things—" she begins asking as she places the platter on the table, before interrupting herself. "Where's Menea? Menea! Don't make me drag your slinky ass in here, you know I will! Get in here and have some bread!"

Ianthe lets out an amused chuckle as her wife storms out the door. Setting out some cups, she asks, "Any preferences on drink?"

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

[Continued from here]

Mavren looked around the grove with a curious eye. It was incredibly verdant and green, which he supposed he should've expected, but it also felt... welcoming. Warm, in a sense. It was a sight he realized he felt a pang of despair over, knowing it was one he would not share. But he had accepted that. This was a sacrifice for a reason, after all.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Menea took a deep breath, completely relaxed. The ancient gorgon seemed at peace, vastly different from her niece's current state. "It's even more comfortable than the last time I came by," she noted.

Aoidi stretched and flared her wings behind her. "Agreed! I should ask Kruphix to let me swing by Setessa more during my work, it's been way too long since I was last here."

Malkonia looked around but stayed quiet. It was homely, sure, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't a place she should stay near for long. But she kept those thoughts to herself now.

Akesis the snorse, meanwhile, followed his nose and trotted over to the home to begin begging for snackies.

[noni-loves-you]

Ianthe walks up to the door and opens it, calling inside, "Noni dear, I'm back!"

In a flurry of leaves a dryad with flowers in her hair throws her arms around the taller woman's neck, pulling her down into a kiss. "My love! You're back early, did something happen?"

Ianthe pulls herself back, if a bit reluctantly, hands holding the dryad's shoulders. "Noni, I brought you our guests."

Noniarise pulls her gaze away from her wife's eyes to finally take in the gathered party. "Oh! Ah! Aoidi! Menea!" She runs out to the group with a smile and arms outstretched, pulling the closest, Aoidi, into a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again!" The nymph moves her hug onto Menea next. "You're just in time, I just got done baking some sweet acorn bread!" Noni releases Menea and looks to Mavren. "I don't know you yet, but welcome! I'm Noniarise." She throws her arms around Mavren and pulls him into a hug. Then her eyes brighten. "And back there, oh! You must be Malkonia!" She rushes back to pull the presently shy gorgon into a big hug. "It's so good to finally meet you!"

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Mavren looks -- and feels -- as though he had just been stunned by someone bowling him over with a shield. Well, she was certainly friendly enough.

"I am Mavren. I am a pilgrim in these lands. I came to speak with you in order to learn more about your practices and see what I can learn from your god and practices," he said as the dryad went to hug Malkonia. "Menea has been guiding me throughout your plane. I've already spoken with some of the other Champions and have been given their wisdom."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Menea and Aoidi did not hesitate to hug back when Noni gave them a hug. Malkonia squeaked quietly but hugged back after a moment of processing. "N-nice to meet you too," she said, looking a few shades darker in the cheeks and feeling awfully bashful. Aoidi snickered until Menea gave her a look.

"The trip has been...interesting thus far," Menea said, avoiding mentioning how many times she had to follow Mavren because he smelled bandits or cultists and darted off. She was still considering acquiring a child leash when they made it to Meletis but kept that to herself. "I believe Mavren could greatly benefit from speaking with you, Noni."

[noni-loves-you]

Noni nods, "Of course, but please, come in! I'll go get the bread. Ianthe, sweetheart, could you get our guests something to drink?" Ianthe smiles and nods. Noni begins shooing her newfound guests inside. "Please, make yourselves at home, and if you need anything, please ask. Rest, enjoy yourselves, I'll be right back." She dashes off in the direction of the smell of fresh bread.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

[Continued from here]

Mavren looked around the grove with a curious eye. It was incredibly verdant and green, which he supposed he should've expected, but it also felt... welcoming. Warm, in a sense. It was a sight he realized he felt a pang of despair over, knowing it was one he would not share. But he had accepted that. This was a sacrifice for a reason, after all.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Menea took a deep breath, completely relaxed. The ancient gorgon seemed at peace, vastly different from her niece's current state. "It's even more comfortable than the last time I came by," she noted.

Aoidi stretched and flared her wings behind her. "Agreed! I should ask Kruphix to let me swing by Setessa more during my work, it's been way too long since I was last here."

Malkonia looked around but stayed quiet. It was homely, sure, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't a place she should stay near for long. But she kept those thoughts to herself now.

Akesis the snorse, meanwhile, followed his nose and trotted over to the home to begin begging for snackies.

[noni-loves-you]

Ianthe walks up to the door and opens it, calling inside, "Noni dear, I'm back!"

In a flurry of leaves a dryad with flowers in her hair throws her arms around the taller woman's neck, pulling her down into a kiss. "My love! You're back early, did something happen?"

Ianthe pulls herself back, if a bit reluctantly, hands holding the dryad's shoulders. "Noni, I brought you our guests."

Noniarise pulls her gaze away from her wife's eyes to finally take in the gathered party. "Oh! Ah! Aoidi! Menea!" She runs out to the group with a smile and arms outstretched, pulling the closest, Aoidi, into a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again!" The nymph moves her hug onto Menea next. "You're just in time, I just got done baking some sweet acorn bread!" Noni releases Menea and looks to Mavren. "I don't know you yet, but welcome! I'm Noniarise." She throws her arms around Mavren and pulls him into a hug. Then her eyes brighten. "And back there, oh! You must be Malkonia!" She rushes back to pull the presently shy gorgon into a big hug. "It's so good to finally meet you!"

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

The fact that the trip was shorter than it was supposed to be was not lost on the two Champions. Aoidi herself had taken to giving more offerings to Kruphix as they moved, and even now, her whole being seemed...infused with divinity in a way it usually wasn't. As though she were constantly and ambiently channeling Kruphix's power. Malkonia and Akesis the snorse were staring at the city, though it was a lot easier to see Malkonia's apprehension than figure out what was going through the snorse's head.

Menea seemed more at ease as they approached Setessa. "Setessa is a bit...different from Akros," she explained to Mavren as they approached. "While both cities do not welcome outsiders, Setessa is more friendly towards nonhuman outsiders than to human men from other cities. Additionally, abandoned children from all over Theros are brought back here to be raised, as Karametra is also the god of orphans. But when they become adults, the people of Setessa take on different roles. You'll notice as we get closer that there are few men, and the ones who do live here stay near the edge of the city." She gestured towards the ring of trees around the city that then led to the Nessian woods. "However, we won't be going into the city proper, as Karametra's Champion is a nymph. Her tree is this way."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Mavren followed her indication on where to go, a thoughtful frown on his face. There were certain places in which men or women could not go in Torrezon. The concept was not unfamiliar to him. However, it had never truly been placed at such a scale as to encompass and entire village or city. For a goddess of family, it left him wondering.

"Are all men given the expectation of living outside of the city proper?" he asked. "Or do they simply... wander elsewhere?"

[noni-loves-you]

"Menea? Aoidi?" a tall, muscled woman with a grin on her face approaches the odd band. Ianthe has a short bow on her back and carrying an array of pelts over her shoulder. "It's been too long! What brings you back to Setessa? Coming to see Noni, I assume." Her eyes move to assess Mavren, taking in his wings and pale skin in look of assessment. "I don't believe I have met this one, he a patient of yours, Menea?" Ianthe extends her arm to Mavren, "Name's Ianthe."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

"Greetings to you, Ianthe," Menea said with a small bow. Malkonia had hidden behind her, so she gently scoot her niece around to say hi as well. "Yes, we've come to see Noniarise. This is my niece, Malkonia, the one I've spoken of often, and this is Mavren, who...yes, is a patient of mine, in a way. At least until Aoidi helps him make more headway with flight practice. Malkonia, Mavren, this is Ianthe, Noniarise's wife."

Malkonia waved and kept her gaze on the ground, not out of a concern of petrification but more out of shyness.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

"I think the term 'pilgrim' may be a little more fitting," Mavren said, offering a short bow. "I am looking to speak with your wife in regards to matters of faith. I have been visiting each of the Champions in order to learn something of them." He saw how shy Malkonia was and quietly wondered to himself about it. "Is she present or is she elsewhere?"

[noni-loves-you]

"She should be at home, I was just taking some pelts into the market." Ianthe gives Mavren a big clap on the back, awkwardly due to the wings, the force of it pushing him forward a bit. "But I can do that any day! Today, we have guests! Come on, I'll show you the way."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

Menea smiled. "Thank you so much, Ianthe." She gestured for the human woman to lead the way.

Malkonia tugged her veil down over her head a little more, as if it would hide her. She hadn't been this nervous in Akros despite it being more dangerous, but there was something about Setessa that set off her (admittedly still new and untested) sense for danger. She stayed close to Menea as they followed Ianthe.

Aoidi fluffed up her wings and smoothed the feathers back down, every movement leaving an afterimage for a few seconds thanks to Kruphix's power. She seemed...distracted as well. She had spoken to her twin Hylla before the party left Akros, but had not said much of what the two discussed.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Mavren stumbled a half-step forward, slightly disgruntled, but he quickly smothered it. "Yes, thank you," he said, holding his wings a bit closer. He noticed Malkonia's shyness and moved a bit closer to her. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly. "You look like you're trying to hide yourself."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

"...I don't like it here," Malkonia finally whispered, trying to make sure no one other than Mavren heard her. "It feels...strange. Too close yet too different from the northern forests on Skathos. Like... Skathos was Grandmother Pharika's domain, but this area definitely isn't, and it feels like I'm...intruding? I guess?"

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

"You think you are intruding?" Mavren echoed. "Malkonia, I am from a far distant plane wandering into a city that apparently does not take quite kindly to human men. I am not a human, but I have been routinely confused as such. You have the benefit of at least belonging to this plane. I also see things that remind me of my home as I have been traveling. But take it less as a sign of your not-belonging and moreso a sign of the strange interconnectedness of your plane. And besides, perhaps your god did have a hand in its shaping somehow, and that is why you are recognizing parts of it."

[noni-loves-you]

Ianthe leads pilgrims down a winding but well trod path into the forest, eventually breaking out into a large clearing dominated by a massive oak tree beside a creek. Next to the tree is a house of wood and stone that reaches up into the boughs of the oak, the scent of fresh baking drifting from within. Surrounding the path and the tree is an extensive garden with a dazzling array of plants and flowers. And in the twisting garden paths run several children of various ages, shouting and playing a game.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

The fact that the trip was shorter than it was supposed to be was not lost on the two Champions. Aoidi herself had taken to giving more offerings to Kruphix as they moved, and even now, her whole being seemed...infused with divinity in a way it usually wasn't. As though she were constantly and ambiently channeling Kruphix's power. Malkonia and Akesis the snorse were staring at the city, though it was a lot easier to see Malkonia's apprehension than figure out what was going through the snorse's head.

Menea seemed more at ease as they approached Setessa. "Setessa is a bit...different from Akros," she explained to Mavren as they approached. "While both cities do not welcome outsiders, Setessa is more friendly towards nonhuman outsiders than to human men from other cities. Additionally, abandoned children from all over Theros are brought back here to be raised, as Karametra is also the god of orphans. But when they become adults, the people of Setessa take on different roles. You'll notice as we get closer that there are few men, and the ones who do live here stay near the edge of the city." She gestured towards the ring of trees around the city that then led to the Nessian woods. "However, we won't be going into the city proper, as Karametra's Champion is a nymph. Her tree is this way."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Mavren followed her indication on where to go, a thoughtful frown on his face. There were certain places in which men or women could not go in Torrezon. The concept was not unfamiliar to him. However, it had never truly been placed at such a scale as to encompass and entire village or city. For a goddess of family, it left him wondering.

"Are all men given the expectation of living outside of the city proper?" he asked. "Or do they simply... wander elsewhere?"

[noni-loves-you]

"Menea? Aoidi?" a tall, muscled woman with a grin on her face approaches the odd band. Ianthe has a short bow on her back and carrying an array of pelts over her shoulder. "It's been too long! What brings you back to Setessa? Coming to see Noni, I assume." Her eyes move to assess Mavren, taking in his wings and pale skin in look of assessment. "I don't believe I have met this one, he a patient of yours, Menea?" Ianthe extends her arm to Mavren, "Name's Ianthe."

[menea-the-pharmakon]

"Greetings to you, Ianthe," Menea said with a small bow. Malkonia had hidden behind her, so she gently scoot her niece around to say hi as well. "Yes, we've come to see Noniarise. This is my niece, Malkonia, the one I've spoken of often, and this is Mavren, who...yes, is a patient of mine, in a way. At least until Aoidi helps him make more headway with flight practice. Malkonia, Mavren, this is Ianthe, Noniarise's wife."

Malkonia waved and kept her gaze on the ground, not out of a concern of petrification but more out of shyness.

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

"I think the term 'pilgrim' may be a little more fitting," Mavren said, offering a short bow. "I am looking to speak with your wife in regards to matters of faith. I have been visiting each of the Champions in order to learn something of them." He saw how shy Malkonia was and quietly wondered to himself about it. "Is she present or is she elsewhere?"

[noni-loves-you]

"She should be at home, I was just taking some pelts into the market." Ianthe gives Mavren a big clap on the back, awkwardly due to the wings, the force of it pushing him forward a bit. "But I can do that any day! Today, we have guests! Come on, I'll show you the way."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

The fact that the trip was shorter than it was supposed to be was not lost on the two Champions. Aoidi herself had taken to giving more offerings to Kruphix as they moved, and even now, her whole being seemed...infused with divinity in a way it usually wasn't. As though she were constantly and ambiently channeling Kruphix's power. Malkonia and Akesis the snorse were staring at the city, though it was a lot easier to see Malkonia's apprehension than figure out what was going through the snorse's head.

Menea seemed more at ease as they approached Setessa. "Setessa is a bit...different from Akros," she explained to Mavren as they approached. "While both cities do not welcome outsiders, Setessa is more friendly towards nonhuman outsiders than to human men from other cities. Additionally, abandoned children from all over Theros are brought back here to be raised, as Karametra is also the god of orphans. But when they become adults, the people of Setessa take on different roles. You'll notice as we get closer that there are few men, and the ones who do live here stay near the edge of the city." She gestured towards the ring of trees around the city that then led to the Nessian woods. "However, we won't be going into the city proper, as Karametra's Champion is a nymph. Her tree is this way."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Mavren followed her indication on where to go, a thoughtful frown on his face. There were certain places in which men or women could not go in Torrezon. The concept was not unfamiliar to him. However, it had never truly been placed at such a scale as to encompass and entire village or city. For a goddess of family, it left him wondering.

"Are all men given the expectation of living outside of the city proper?" he asked. "Or do they simply... wander elsewhere?"

[noni-loves-you]

"Menea? Aoidi?" a tall, muscled woman with a grin on her face approaches the odd band. Ianthe has a short bow on her back and carrying an array of pelts over her shoulder. "It's been too long! What brings you back to Setessa? Coming to see Noni, I assume." Her eyes move to assess Mavren, taking in his wings and pale skin in look of assessment. "I don't believe I have met this one, he a patient of yours, Menea?" Ianthe extends her arm to Mavren, "Name's Ianthe."

[dusk-legion-diplomacy]

Teachings of Home

The time it took to go from Akros to Setessa went by far quicker than Mavren had anticipated. There were only two other Champions that he had to meet with now. The next was the Champion of Karametra, their god of family and of community.

As they traveled, his mind felt a little less burdened by the nervous spiraling that usually consumed it. Having taken the time to mourn what was and could have been had... helped. He felt a bit more at ease. Now he had the wisdom of two gods to keep carrying forward, and he was ready for the third and fourth.

Of course, Menea and her wisdom as acting Champion of Pharika and Aoidi of Kruphix was also with him, but those were lessons and teachings he felt he was more continually trialed with, rather than schooled in brief.

Setessa lay before them by morning. Mavren wasn't holding his wings as close as before. "Where do we find her?" he asked Menea.

[menea-the-pharmakon]

The fact that the trip was shorter than it was supposed to be was not lost on the two Champions. Aoidi herself had taken to giving more offerings to Kruphix as they moved, and even now, her whole being seemed...infused with divinity in a way it usually wasn't. As though she were constantly and ambiently channeling Kruphix's power. Malkonia and Akesis the snorse were staring at the city, though it was a lot easier to see Malkonia's apprehension than figure out what was going through the snorse's head.

Menea seemed more at ease as they approached Setessa. "Setessa is a bit...different from Akros," she explained to Mavren as they approached. "While both cities do not welcome outsiders, Setessa is more friendly towards nonhuman outsiders than to human men from other cities. Additionally, abandoned children from all over Theros are brought back here to be raised, as Karametra is also the god of orphans. But when they become adults, the people of Setessa take on different roles. You'll notice as we get closer that there are few men, and the ones who do live here stay near the edge of the city." She gestured towards the ring of trees around the city that then led to the Nessian woods. "However, we won't be going into the city proper, as Karametra's Champion is a nymph. Her tree is this way."