Lothar was uncertain if @Kazimir's response was intended to be a jab at the Starke's older age, or something else. He grumbled between clattering teeth, wanting for nothing more but s tiny shred of warmth. He envied the bear-like man for his thick pelt. "No, it seems I will not," as more of them began to flood he knew that his peace and quiet was already gone.

@Cicada's familiar face slipped past the opening, immediately lighting up with recognition at Lothar's presence. She settled near him, placing her bag on the ground. He peered from underneath his brows at the girl. "Bad day," it really was. Her suggestion to use some blanket was like a sliver of light. "Don't mind if I do." he took up the offer, uncurling from his spot to dig through the bag and pull out the rather sizeable blanket, tossing it over his shivering body. After a minute he began to feel warmer and far cozier.

Now he watched as more lions arrived. First, a pale woman with distinct pinkish features, announced that Maua blessed them all. "Who?" He asked loudly, his voice sharp and offensive. Still, beneath the surface, he genuinely wondered who the hell this deity was. @Ophelia, as she introduces herself, asks how they got here. "Oh, y'know, just having a stroll in this wonderful weather." He smirked. Maybe Cicada shouldn't have given him the blanket - now with his strength back he could continue being a total asshole to everyone present.

@Reynir was seemingly Kazimir's buddy, because the two were having some sort of banter talking about Vellen. Another deity? How many gods did these people believe in? A single ear flickered, having nothing better to do than to eavesdrop on the two mens' exchange. Vellen. Sea. Interesting.

He spared a glance to @Kazimir, wondering if - for a second - that the voice he hears comes from him. But it does not. It is a faint voice, that comes from further back in the shelter; Mordecai would turn, making out the shape of @Lothar in the shadows after a moment or two of staring. He seems a little disgruntled. No surprise, really. Mordecai would simply disregard the comment and turn back to the entrance, watching @Cicada approach out of the cold. She was a young thing, but seemed to be well prepared. The grey brute slid his attention down to her satchel, and then back up to her youthful expression. "Very kind, young Sister. We are blessed to have you among us." He was no healer, after all - and in conditions like this one of her skillset could come in handy. Another lioness came - older, this time - and spoke of.... Ah. "I have heard of this Maua before." He kept his expression neutral as he regarded @Ophelia, despite wishing to thrust her back into the cold to make her repent for her blasphemy. Perhaps, if it had just been the two of them, he would have. But a smart man knows when he is outnumbered. Next time, perhaps. "Through divine blessing," he rumbled in response to the native's query, staring back out into the blizzard with a reproachful expression. "Though I wish it had kept me at home to begin with. No matter." Curse his curiousity. He glance to @Reynir as he entered the shelter, nodding a brief acknowledgement, before shifting his attention back to @Kazimir as he spoke. And then to @Reynir, as he spoke of a.... "Vellen? What is this Vellen you speak of, Brother?" It seemed all of these poor souls needed an education. Needed salvation. TICKETS: +1 - Make a BWP-related post. +2 - Study one of the natural phenomena occurring. +2 - Analyse the changes being made to the land. +5 - Complete a BWP-related thread (with 10+ posts). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Lothar). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Kazimir). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Cicada). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Ophelia). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Reynir). +5 - Complete a thread with a player you've never threaded with (Sammiie). +5 - Complete a thread with a player you've never threaded with (Rabbit). TRADE EXP: +15 - BWP-related exp.

code by irish

Cicada was pleased that @Lothar would accept her offer, knowing full well that many older males had a certain stubborn pride when it came to appearing strong in the presence of others, even if it meant they would sooner freeze to death than be seen with a blanket. This lion did not seem to have that issue, meaning she didn't have to insist.

As none spoke of needing herbs or food, the rest would remain within her pack. She would settle as comfortably as she could, watching the outside restlessly. It seemed to be calming down a bit, but she was intrigued by the topic of conversation being had.

It would be the small dormouse that would serve to guide her from this place, moving swiftly towards the cave entrance. Cicada would move after him as he went, worried about him going off on his own and about one of these lions instinctively swatting at him as he scurried on by. Was it time to go? Was her guiding spirit using him to tell her? "You may keep that hide sir, I have others." She said to @Lothar on her way out. The worst of the storm had passed, and with Shu returned to his perch on her back, she would make a brisk exit.

-exit Cicada-

🎫 +5 - Complete a BWP-related thread (with 10+ posts)
🎫 +1 - Make a BWP-related post x3

image by moogle/code by saph

Idle conversation erupted around them, and Reynir's ears flicked in different directions, listening to those that spoke about other deities and faiths. Even though Reynir was a firm believer in Vellen, he did not knock other lions' faith and religion. In fact, he was rather curious about it, and tuned in to the conversation to hear more about this Maua.

Reynir wasn't particularly prepared when a dark-maned lion (@Mordecai) directed a question at him, but he would answer the man regardless. "Vellen is a god that the lions of my family, the Sigrun, revere. He lives in the sea and wields lightning to smite those who must be punished. He is not kind, by any means, and its best to stay on his good side. However, he has the power to make great things happen for his followers if they remain true and loyal." He explained the best he could to an outsider, who he did not expect to understand why any lion would worship a god who preferred to punish more than reward.

"My family believes that it is Vellen's wrath that caused these weather phenomena all over the island... and we are doing everything in our power to appease him so he stops." He conveniently left out the reasons why such a god would want to punish a whole island of lions; how the Sigrun had forsaken the god over quite a long period of time.

Though, Reynir didn't expect an outsider to understand any of that anyway. The fluffy male crossed his paws and settled into a position he'd lay into long-term as he watched the peculiar-colored woman and her mouse brave the rest of the storm.

/exit via fade (securing my exit, but if I'm able + if anyone needs, I can throw up another reply!)


BWP Tix
+1 Make a BWP-related post
+5 Complete a BWP-related thread
+5 Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with before (Mordecai)
+10 Complete a thread with a player you've never threaded with before (Rhaps)

code | image

His expression borders on sheepish as more and more come to linger, shooting @Lothar a wry smile. Well. He'd get the den back eventually, at least. Folded ears tip curiously as the others speak of their gods -- the dark pelted man with the curiously soft voice speaks of blessings. A right blessing to end up in a cave, Kazimir thinks. The spirits go quiet as @Mordecai speaks and kaz finds it strange; unsettlingly. Much the way that the man himself makes him feel.

The conversation switches then, mentioning a maua ( briefly, and with far less information than he'd like ) and vellen. This is where kazimir perks up, listening to intently to @reynir as he explains. An intriguing concept, and it seemed to fit the fluffy man. There's a heavy weight on his tongue in the growing silence, an itch under his skin to explain his own spirits. They were not gods like these were, but they were guiding lights nonetheless. He opens his mouth but then pauses, stopping himself. It feels like.... too much. Too soon. Not when he can still feel the teal flames, the chains tightening.

Not yet, he promises the whispers in his ears.

( soon. )

The others settle in and kazimir follows, resting against the cold. Once the storm broke they would be on their way; until then, his ears are keen and quiet. Inwardly, he reaches out to the spirits -- quiet prayer an interal mantra. Asking for their patience here, and their aid. Let the storm break, and let it break soon

Exit

code; background; art;

ophelia's muscles continue to tense against the harsh winds that seem to be pushing into the small crevice they had found for shelter. whilst it was not ideal, the ivory lioness was thankful that there were so many bodies in her presence to radiate heat enough to keep her warm. for now, at least. sea foam eyes dart from one lion to another, until the voice of @reynir seemed to reach her ears first. she smiled at his comment. certainly, she breathed, thankful that at least he was being humorous about the situation. i suppose it could be worse, right? she asked, almost naively, as her crown looked behind her to the entrance as the blizzard seemed to thicken.

it is @Kazimir who speaks up next, and ophelia frowns as she realizes that she too did not realize the storm was upon her until it was too late. you're right, it was rather unanticipated. she comments, wondering what it was this particular group of lions had done to upset maua so much, and why she had been so caught up in it. had she not been a loyal servant to the deity? such whimsical questions would need to be saved for later, however.

the voice of @Lothar caught her attention next and she smiles at his comment. maua, they are a deity that many natives believe in. ophelia begins to explain, careful not to give too much away, for she knew there were believers out there who did not believe in the graceful ways of the lion. the pink-tipped lioness chuckles, though, at his next comment. a wonderful day for it, too. she grins, before falling silent as idle chit-chat seemed to fill the cave. it is the voice of reynir that fills it next, talking about his god 'vellen', and how his family served them with such devotion. your god doesn't seem particularly... nice, does he? she asks, a frown forming on her features. she didn't understand how someone so harsh could be worshipped, but each to their own, she guessed.

potential exp:
+15 bwp exit (2/3)
+10 cast a curse or blessing on a character/group (1/2)
+5 preach your beliefs to someone
+5 meditate or pray on your own or with someone else (1/2)
+5 learn about someone else’s beliefs (1/2)

potential tickets:
+1 - Make a BWP-related post (1)
+2 - Study one of the natural phenomena occurring (1)
+2 - Pray to a god or deity for guidance (1)
+2 - Analyze the changes being made to the land (1)
+5 - Complete a BWP-related thread (with 10+ posts) (1)
+5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with before (3)
+10 - Complete a thread with a member you've never threaded with before (2: rabbit & moogle)

table by ferus, art by ale-tie

As @Reynir began to speak, Mordecai remained silent. It could be perceived as attentive listening, sure - especially given the fact his attention remained transfixed on the young grey-pelted male all the while - but there was a certain eerie stillness to it. An intensity that may well belay his doubt.... Doubt, in fact, was probably a mild way to put it. To be stuck here, in this place, and be subjected to such blasphemy. "I see." As @Ophelia spoke he turned to her, lip curling into the ghost of a smile. "Gods can be angry things, Sister. All we can do is serve to appease them. I have dedicated my whole life to appease my Divine Father. He is just and forgiving - all he wishes is for his disciples to help others see the way. The true way." He smiled again - wider, this time. "Putting my trust and faith in Him has served me well so far." He turned away, then, convinced that this time - in the middle of a snowstorm - and this place - surrounded by these heretics - was not the right time to preach the rest of his cause. If they wished to know more, they would ask him. If they were deserving of salvation, their paths would cross again soon. And so he held his tongue, waiting - a little impatiently - for the bad weather to pass. During some of that time he would take silent respite in prayer, hopeful that his intercessions might grant him clear passage for the way home. One - the young healer - made a break for it, and upon her leaving he decided that now that the worst of it seemed to be over he would do the same. EXIT TICKETS: +1 - Make a BWP-related post. +2 - Study one of the natural phenomena occurring. +2 - Analyse the changes being made to the land. +2 - Pray to a God or Deity for guidance. +5 - Complete a BWP-related thread (with 10+ posts). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Lothar). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Kazimir). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Cicada). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Ophelia). +5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with (Reynir). +5 - Complete a thread with a player you've never threaded with (Sammiie). +5 - Complete a thread with a player you've never threaded with (Rabbit). TRADE EXP: +15 - BWP-related exp. +5 - Preach your beliefs to someone.

code by irish

there was something about @Mordecai that interested ophelia, if she were being truthful. perhaps it was his intense stare, or his ability to hold a room, or the way he spoke. whatever it was, ophelia found herself drawn to him a little bit too much. so when he spoke, her ears cupped forward, and she listened to what he had to say.

when he finished, though, ophelia found herself confused. she knew maua had sprites, but this divine father that he spoke of... she had not come across this before. but alas: she knew everyone had their own beliefs and faiths. whatever serves you well, i suppose, she comments, as he turns to leave. i wish you good blessings, though. all of you - she remarks, looking around at those left in the shelter. may maua serve you and protect you.

and as she looked behind her, it seemed as though the snow were beginning to cease. so with a polite dip of her head, ophelia too left to be on her merry and faithful way.

exit

potential exp:
+15 bwp exp (3/3)
+10 cast a curse or blessing on a character/group (2/2)
+5 meditate or pray on your own or with someone else (2/2)
+5 learn about someone else’s beliefs (2/2)

potential tickets:
+1 - Make a BWP-related post (1)
+2 - Study one of the natural phenomena occurring (1)
+2 - Pray to a god or deity for guidance (1)
+2 - Analyze the changes being made to the land (1)
+5 - Complete a BWP-related thread (with 10+ posts) (1)
+5 - Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with before (3)
+10 - Complete a thread with a member you've never threaded with before (2: rabbit & moogle)

table by ferus, art by ale-tie

It seems like Lothar had ended up in a literal freakshow. Talk of deities lit up the room, with Mordecai calling them brothers and sisters. Unbeknownst to the Starke man, he was very much part of the freakshow. To him, though, they all seemed like a bunch of crazy people.

Maua. The deity of natives. Ophelia was evidently lacking in humor because she didn't even react to his joke. What a boring bunch! Can't a man get some entertainment around here?

Vellen. God of the sea and some Sigrun bunch. This land seemed to be plentiful with beliefs. In Lothar's opinion, they were the same thing but wearing different masks.

Cicada began to retreat to the sidelines, and he wouldn't have noticed her disappearance led by a small creature if she hadn't spoken to him. "You're a literal angel," His eyes sparked mischievously as the adolescent left. Maybe it was time to get the hell out of here? He stood up, slipping out of the cave. The weather had seemingly calmed down enough for him to get back to the Mire.

exit