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Tepet Makara	In one of the bars of Great Forks, a "Prince Of The Earth" takes a visit to try out their beer and other beverages. He wears a grey kimono with the Tepet mons as he left his armor back in his Greyfalls apartment. Once he sits near a counter, he orders something to the bartender. "One pint please" He gives a nod while giving the correct amount of cash in the table. Meanwhile he brings out a map in his pocket of what seems to be Creation. There are markings in the map signifying ports in the East that leads to the West.
Ignis	The arrival of a certain Prince of the Earth doesn't go without notice despite his dress. A certain incident in the arena had set the rumor mill on fire. Given that Great Forks isn't exactly home to heavy Dynast presense for innumerable reasons, certain events can stand out. The apparence fo one of the famed Lunar Exalted fleeing from one such person is among them and so some whispers occur when recognition takes place among some of the patrons who were also arena goers. The COngregation of VIctory is no small event, after all, with many far and wide attending. It's hard for eye catching events to escape discussion. Ignis, for his part, was not present when that took place though he heard much of it later. So when Makara arrives he pays him no mind at first, instead staying in his own booth not far from where the man sits. His own table has maps sprawled out on it and a young woman of fiery red hair sits with him. The two seem to be haggling over some business or another. His sword leans up against the wall near him, wrapped carefully and tightly and sheathed in an ornate scabbard that hides its qualities. "The tip about he Necropolis was a bust but I did find a cemetary and a necromancer. I'd say your map needs some work, Lucia." "And your abiltiy to grease palms with money needs some as well, Ignis." "Fine fine. I'll make sure you get what you need and we'll try again.." Ignis drifts his attention towards the PRince of the Earth and he mmms, "We're in the presence of some authority if my ears are hearing correctly. We'll finish thi another time..."
Tepet Makara	Once the false prince Of The earth sees a familiar face he met back in the Hundred Kingdoms, he stares at him with some interest. He tries to find an excuse to interact with him. "Does anyone know some good ports leading to the West? I know Chiaroscuro has one but it's too far south for me" He inquires to those nearby but mostly to draw someone's attention. "Most ports in Great Forks only handles ships capable of traversing rivers but not the great Western seas"
Ignis	The girl takes her leave, gathering up some of the maps but leaving others with Ignis. The ones remaining detail The Hundred Kingdoms, such as they were last mapped...meaning that they are all but useless given the changing landscape of those lands politically and sometimes even geographically. Still, the odd question from the dynast does get his attention. He has no real reason to respond though. Dynastic attention isn't something he's in the market for, even here with the freedom of 'open carry' that Great Forks allows, so to speak. But he is curious and he reaches up and folds his hands, resting his elbows onto the tale and his face into his hands briefly just under his nose as he considers Makara. Then: "The western shores are far from here, Great Prince but certainly your cousins in Lookshy may be of assistance. But I wouldn't discount the ships of Great FOrks or other locations such as NExus. The Yellow River is a sea unto itself in places due to its great width. A ship that can manage those waters can no doubt manage the seas beyond... But I am no master of sailing so seeking more information from the docks themselves may be in order for you..."
Tepet Makara	"I'm surprised that the ships in the port of Great Forks can survive such waters since I heard the storms caused by some gods in there can be nasty. I've only been in the West twice, one when I was a child as I visited my father's cadet house in a satrapy near An-Teng while I was temporarily assigned to the Caul....even for a month." He shows some dissatisfaction that his time in the holy Caul was too brief. "I'll visit the ports to see if they have any ships going to the Caul. But for now I'm too preoccupied thanks to my position while trying to find that fox anathema but if it's still a dud, she might have got out of Great Forks"
Ignis	"That's quite a story." says Ignis, sounding mildly amused. He certainly didn't ask to know all of that but he can't be annoyed that the Dynast' so easily voluntered that information. A sort of mischief dances in his eyes at discussion of the recent anathema. "Well for one, the storms of the river gods are not to be lightly dismissed. As said, The Yellow River is mighty and vast and so are their gods. But I've not been to the west so don't take my word for it. Just remember you sit not by some idle river but one who would take days upon days to cross its width at the widest." He leans back and says, "Forgive my saying but you do undrestand that hunting an...anathema....in a city like this is no easy task. THey are not unwelcome here as they may be elsewhere and you stand with very little resources or support. What will you do when you find it? I understand they are fearsome opponents...such to fell whole armies single handily.. Perhaps if we were on the Isle but...we're not are we..." His words prod and needle, perhaps, but such is his intent.
Tepet Makara	As Ignis observes the dynast, there are reptilian scales in the back of his neck. "Anathema are a threat no matter what city they are, even if they do not adhere to the Immaculate Order. I must be vigilant when it comes to their presence especially as the silver anathema can be everywhere" He says like a zealous Immaculate fanatic but he notices there is a hint of sarcasm beneath it. "When I was in the North, these Silver anathema are like hunger spirits that possess those that have fallen to despair as I heard a single story about it" "They become twisted and corrupted by the spirit within. Monsters hiding in human skin." He says the exaggerated interpretations of such anathema told by Immaculate fables.
Ignis	The blond man freezes. He blinks a few times before attempting to cover up whatever surprised him and he leans forward and then looks down at his maps as if studying them...perhaps a little to hard. Finally he looks up again and his smile returns. "Well I certainly don't intend to argue with you. If your lifes calling is to pursue the anathema then far be it for me to attempt to speak above my station. I'm simply pointing out the challenges.." AFter all, attempting to engage with a dynast in a debate over these matters would certainly lead to an ill end for a mortal, no matter where they are. "I may have spotted somethign on my maps that can aid you in your attempts to get to the west. Will you come take a look?" asks Ignis.
Tepet Makara	"Well I certainly do like challenges even if in places where the Wyld Hunt is enforced" Makara responds but then his curiosity is peaked regarding the maps. "Are you a traveler yourself judging from the maps? Fine, I'll take a look
Ignis	"I am." answers Ignis. "Actually I understate. I inherited the business of a Scavenger Lord. He was my adopted father you see...and so I was raised in his ways and after he passed much of business passed to me. I arranged to have others manage it to sate my own wander lust but I use its resources to investigate the mysteries of the ancient past...." Ignis' map shows the One Hundred Kingdoms and Great Forks but not the west. "Mm...I though I saw a port along the river you might be interested in but I must be mistaken. Ah yes, that's right.." His hand moves over the Hundred Kingdoms, "There was a road here somewhere but I think use of it has been disrupted of late. I heard there was rumor of a necromancer of some power..an anthema seeking to raise the armies of the dead to raze the border villages along the Hundred kindgoms outskirts. They call him Demon-Dragon Tyrant... Feared even by his fellows of the Silver Pact for his power." He flicker his gaze back to Makara. "Pehaps instead of going west you might investigate this before it's too late?"
Tepet Makara	There is a slight chuckle once he listens to the story about this "Demon Dragon Tyrant" anathema as the Scavenger lord points out in the map but then he retains his princely composure. "That sure is a terrible anathema and I've heard about him before although the locals got the name wrong but it fits. I heard about this monster during my time in the North campaign against the Bull" "He was once a pious and devoted legionnaire to the Immaculate Order and his house. But as his legion was defeated, the rest of his comrades died of hunger and the cold" He recalls the "Urban legend" he mentioned earlier "He survived but his hunger and will to live persisted....to the point a silver hunger spirit overtook his body and became a Beast Drowned In Futile Blood"
Ignis	"How interesting...." says Ignis, his meaning plain as he looks at the 'Dynast'. "It sounds like....he was a survivor and something or someone...saw something in him and he became something else because nobody else there could..." He toes the line, not wanting to be too obvious considering other potential listeners but his meaning, again, should be plain. "So he turns to necromancy to...what..I wonder. Vengeance? Rulership? He shuns his comrades or at least hasn't had experience with them... Certainly together they would be more of a force then apart..."
Tepet Makara	"I wonder that myself on why he turned to such foul arts. Although sorcery is looked down upon in the Realm, necromancy would make a demon summoning sorcerer look innocent by comparison." Makara takes a sip of the beer he ordered and continued with his tale. "I also hear rumors that he went back to his family in the Blessed Isle as if he was normal. Such a terrifying possibility that such silver demons can live hidden amongst humanity undetected. To think these anathema have double lives as they can be a devout Immaculate by day....or anathema tyrants at night" "It could be anyone, someone you know, some eavesdroppers in this bar...." His tone is hushed this time in case of listeners "....or me"
Ignis	The adventurer doesn't seem particularly disturbed by this. "Yes but of course, I must remind you, good sir, that the Immaculate Faith is not as strong throughout Creation as it once was and in some places, such as here, you are not necessarily the majority opinion. In that I suppose it's possible that there are truths to be uncovered behind all rumors should one be willing to investigate it and learn about those involved. I imagine you would have to be quite guarded but a little knowledge can go a long ways.." Ignis tone is even yet thoughtful. "...Besides...we can't go through our lives worrying about if we are speaking with an exalted in disguise, now can we? Certainly the tournament organizers don't have a worry about that. At least so I assume."
Tepet Makara	"Perhaps you are right that there are many mysteries hidden in the Threshold. Enigmas both inward and outward." Makara says to the Scavenger lord but changes topic when it comes to the organizers. His tone is quiet when it comes to this "Ah them, I admittedly made a scene when it came to the anathema in one of the stands. I chased her but not for the reasons you'd think despite me being a prince of the "earth" although I don't know if you know the true nature of this event"
Ignis	The swordsman pauses at that. His hand had been moving over the maps as if intent on beginning to collect them but those words force a freeze and he sets his hand back onto the table and meets Makara's eyes with a light frown touching his face. His eyes flicke from one side to the next as if looking to see who may be nearby and upon determining that they have some privacy...for after all who would dare openly try and eavesdrop on a dynast, he leans in a little more closely. "No.." he says softly, "I havent' heard. I was going to participate but my business was too pressing and so I couldn't commit to being near Great Forks regularly but I have a number of colleagues who are involved. What is this this 'true nature' you speak of?"
Tepet Makara	"the organizers of the Arena event are.....using it to root out any anathema whether they are watchers or contestants. They apparently have a list of suspects they found and not surprised if that vixen was already in the list." But once he hears that he originally wanted to participate, he gives him a hushed warning. "You were lucky not to enter it yet. If they notice something off, they would have put you in said list to snitch you off. They have eyes and ears yet I still don't know their methods."
Ignis	"How did you find this out?" Ignis leans in closer, tone lowering a touch before nodding his head, "I stayed out because I wasn't confident that I"d be able to hide my nature but...." He glances around again, "As I was saying during out 'debate' ... Great Forks welcomes us and so some don't openly hide their abilities or possessions. Raullaur the general wears his gold as he sees fit, for example and his lion men follow him without question. Who knows about this?" He seems reluctant to name drop but it also seems clear to him that they run in similar circles. Still, best to let Makara say what he feels comfortable saying before he confirms it or not. "The Consortium is known far and wide.." he also adds, "...I don't believe a Wyld Hunt has ever been attached to them. Information brokers from the sound of it...but..."
Tepet Makara	Makara is still amused he hasn't figured it out yet or merely pretending to be. "I see we have mutual friends considering your mention of Raul and yes, they were the reason why I found out about this. About me chasing the vixen lunar in the stands.....well she was shape-shifting in public and I had to chase her off so she won't blow my cover. I just warned her not to do that again and is in hiding until all of this is resolved" He then shifts to the topic regarding them being information brokers. "Did you notice anything strange about them?"
Ignis	As far as his identity? He's figured that out indeed but Ignis enjoys dancing around matters but the particulars are clear to him. However of more importance is this matter. "A risky move." he notes. "From what I heard of what happened oou could have simply left her be. Remember you have limits here. If she'd opted to attack you, not knowing who you were or what you were...what then?" Ignis shakes his head, "I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of what you're doing so I hope you are using your best judgement. I thank you for sharing this with me. I haven't actually had opportunity to catch up with the others but I think now I must. It's possible that they have learned more since you were first made aware." After a pause Ignis then shakes his head, "No. I haven't been around the arena it's just...it seems unlikely that direct involvement from the isle would be so....would attempt such subterfuge while also being so plain. This is -not- a small competition. Exigents, Immaculate Monks and more have all participated. It seems likely that this group is acting to gain information on special individuals and sell that information to the highest bidder. Some might even want for that in the name of clout and work and others may want that information to...well...we've already touched on that." Ignis begins to rise, gathering his maps, "I must go. I need to think on this more..."
Tepet Makara	"Sell information to the highest bidder. My suspicions lie on them simply wanting to gain something, possibly glory or money from the Wyld Hunt." He wonders whether his risk back at the arena worked or it was all for naught and worse, compromise him. "I hope I drew their attention since I was hoping they think I am a Wyld Hunt supporter" Since he himself is preoccupied and Ignis is leaving, he properly introduces himself. "My name is Tepet Makara, dragon of the silver lady. This is my true identity although I don't know if I'm merely wearing the husk of my past naive self before my exaltation or I'm still me. Hopefully we meet again, whether in this shape or my form within as the Demon-Dragon Tyrant"
Ignis	"I'm sure we will, Tepet Makara. If nothing else we have mutual contacts. Considering the situation, I can't imagine we won't be drawn together by fate once more." Ignis gives the 'dynast' a bow of his head and then turns, collecting his sword, and makes his way out.