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Tenken	Often called the City of Temples or the House of Festivals-known simply as Decadence to others-Great Forks is one of the most prosperous and enlightened cities in the Confederation of Rivers. It is known for tolerance, art and culture and is a favored destination for those seeking self-indulgence and hedonism. Spirits and elementals compose a significant part of Great Forks' population, assisting in everything from military matters to bureaucracy and culture. The place positively swarms with godlings, spirits, cults and even some Fair Folk. With the city full of godlings and spirits, cults abound, and the Temple District takes up a full third of the city. Hardly a day in Great Forks is not holy to half a dozen different cults or religions, which usually honor it with parades, music and festivals. The Temple District is one of the most crowded parts of the city. Currently in the East Quarter of the city, Tenken and Iron Reed Scholar have found lodging at an inn. Their rooms are above a tavern, which is not overly lavish and not a complete dive either. The mix of folks imbibing drinks and partaking in the smoking of different exotic substances are varied, seeming to be a mixture of every type of vocation with no particular majority. Four greenmaw elementals stand guard outside of the building's front and back entrances, where signs hang noting the name of the venue - 'The Happy Alpaca Inn & Tavern'.
Iron Reed Scholar	Iron Reed disappeared from the tavern briefly after their arrival, he was gone for an hour or two, but quickly returned. He watches the room, one of his lakeys in tow. He speaks at a quick clip, passing instructions to spread messages through the many channels his Order use to stay in touch. He heads to a table with quick wave of his hand to get the attention of a server as his collegue leaves and Iron Reed awaits Tenken's arrival. He orders himself a drink and a simple stew as he settles where he see the doors and more importantly watch a musician perform, leaning back in his chair as he waits for his order. For once he seems to have chosen against reading. A sign that the performer or patrons are interesing.
Tenken	Great Forks - Decadence - was a city deserving of its names. Since their arrival, Tenken had noted numerous different festivals in the names of various deities all blending together to create an atmosphere of a city-wide carnival at all times. He would seek out his acolytes at some point in the following days, but first would acclimate to his surroundings and get the lay of the land. After setting up in his room, he made his way down the sturdy but worn wooden staircase into the tavern area. He looked around the room, noting the number of patrons currently in the room. He counted 10 tables and about as many booths, and made particular note of two private rooms at the back of the tavern with closed sliding doors and guards posted at the entrances. The establishment seemed to have its own guards, and the only person going in and out of the back rooms was the owner, a woman with wavy chestnut-colored hair and hazel eyes. She was pretty, but also had an edge to her that made one think that she could handle herself. An air of authority surrounded her, and the servers gave her a wide berth - not out of fear but out of respect. Seeing his companion seated across the room, Tenken made his way over and took a seat with his back toward the east wall, which afforded him line of sight to both the front and back entrances and the staircase he just walked down. About 15 patrons shared the same room, and all seemed immersed in their own conversations. "Hey there Reed, how are you settling in?", waving his hand for an ale.
Iron Reed Scholar	Reed shrugs a shoulder to Tenken, as the other man joins him at the table, his expression amused. He motions to the musician. "Great Forks never disappoints, I find the atmosphere to be fun and I've met a few of my friends. I might have time to speak with them more later, but they're keeping busy." He leans forward his forarms resting on the table "What about you? Enjoying your stay in the the city?"
Fudou the Mountain	Long before Fudou actually arrives, his presence can be felt in the form of rumbling seismic impacts that would surely trigger any ability to detect earthquakes and other such disturbances from some distance away. Glasses rattle. Drinks shudder. Tables and plates vibrate and bounce up and down and a massive shadow falls over the entire front entrance of the tavern followed by an absolutely enormous hand reaching through the door, followed by an impossibly gargantuan and muscled arm. Both lift upwards, pressing up against the top of the door frame, creating a loud groaning sound of wood and stone shuddering as the rest of the gargantuan figure begins to emerge forward through the entrance like some sort of mammoth trying to slip through a narrow crevice way to small for it. He emerges without seeming end to him in sight, widening the entry way with a rumble of dust and debris until he stands up to his full height and squeezes his immensity completely into the tavern with a final shaking of the ground and a clamour of astonishment and gasps from onlookers and those nearest to the behemoth. In this fashion, Fudou the Mountain, arrives and judging from the full toothed grin on his features, he seems to have little concern for the damage and disruption he just caused. Instead he begins using his free arm to start casually dusting himself off and flicking away plaster, dirt and debris that has fallen onto the mountain range like masses of his physique..taking a deliberate moment to bask in any stares, gapes and mutters that might be cast his way though he does so by visibly paying more attention to himself then actually bothering to make eye contact with anyone. Great Forks doesn't disappoint, indeed..
Tenken	In response to Tenken's wave, a nymph employed by the Happy Alpaca saunters over with an ale and sets it at the table. She is petite, standing only about 5'2" with a light frame. While showing respect to all patrons, the server shows particular deference to Tenken as she takes note that Tenken has standing in the Heavenly bureaucracy - this is due to the starmetal artifacts that grace his frame. She sets the ale down, smiling with a twinkle of curiosity in her aqua blue eyes, when the ale in the mug starts to ripple. The arrival of the giant was heard and felt long before his physical body entered the establishment, and when he squeezed his way through the door the nympth hops to stand behind Tenken out of instinct. One of the sliding doors at the back of the room opens quickly, as the owner walks out, eyes narrowed at the behemoth brushing dust onto the floor. Behind her in the private room is a table at which 3 men sit on floor cushions, dressed in garb strikingly similar to the clothing that Iron Reed wears. Tenken notes this, and taps Reed on the shoulder, nodding his head subtly toward the back room. Then he shifts his gaze back to the giant and watches interestedly as this scene was even more interesting than the in-house entertainers. The owner remains silent for the moment, but a glint in her eye reveals to those that are perceptive toward hidden sorceries that she is communicating with someone or something in a clandestine manner.
Iron Reed Scholar	Iron Reed's attention takes in the giant of a man as he enters, for a moment the large man has Iron Reed's attention. Then as he settles the shaking of drinks and seating down he spots the group of men in robes a lot like his and more tellingly the owner begins to activate her sorceous working. He returns the nod to Tenken as he motions to the backroom. He sighs quietly as he checks on the Elementals, trying to get a grip on what they're up to. "It seems we may not need to go out looking for excitement this evening."
Fudou the Mountain	The goliath finally moves again, raising an arm that looks like it has a herd of yeddim stuffed underneath it and revealing it to be wrapped in a series of binding chains. He holds it aloft, still grinning and eyes flashing behind a pair of silver rimmed spectacles that sit on his broad nose, in stark contrast to his freakish muscled presence. "Greetings, weak and frail ones! I came to Great Forks to find some entertainment in your arena's and barracks but it seems that nobody is biting! So maybe some brave soul in here might be willing to entertain me." He swivels at the waist, turning from side to side to grant everyone full view of his over the top form ..and then he flexes, slowly bending his arm and causing a bicep that is seemingly the size of some wagons, to balloon in size. A person sized boulder cragging to life beneath his hair tanned flesh, straining and and shattering the chains like so much twine. The bicep continues to grow, casting shadow over those nearest to the brute as he continues, "Well? Hmm? No?" He continues turning from side to side and then makes a big sweeping gesture towards the owner, as her ire was hardly missed, "Aaaah! I see I have ruffled some feathers! Tsk. I'm livening the place up!" That declared, the boorish brute begins stepping forward. Again the quakes rumbling with his steps, an indication of the pure pressure he places on the ground beneath him..and seemingly around him as the crowds part like water letting a boulder roll through. His general direction takes him towards Tenken and Scholar but his gaze has yet to fall on them ..just yet.
Iron Reed Scholar	Moving through crowd to much less attention than the gargantuan Fudou, is a young member of Reed's entourage, normally the quick almost panicked way he slips through the room would get him a share of attention, but it's hardly noteworthy at present, he stops at Reed's side, leaning in to speak in a whisper. Reed had seemed interested in the going ons, he'd been about to say something when he's interrupted. He nods to the messenger as he rises, his expression concerned for a moment then he's looking to Tenken. "I'm afraid I need to going and check on my friends. It seems they may have run into some difficulties, with a little luck I shall be able ot clear it up for them." He nods to the other man before moving to slip out of the room, a quick glance to the owner as he goes.
Tenken	Tenken nods in response to Reed's announcement, and ponders what could have drawn him away. He wonders about the coincidence of 3 order members being in the back room of this particular establishment within a day after arrival. The possibility that Reed and Tenken had been under surveillance is disconcerting, as was the realization that if this wasnt a coincidence, the Order must have quite a robust network within the city already. Turning back to look at the flexing giant that had sauntered through the door, Tenken looks on with interest wondering if there really were humans that looked like that. In a city of godlings, gods, spirits, fair folk, and even champions of gods that had received exigence, the giant was a curiosity but not an impossibility. In response to the newcomer's challenge, the room was fairly quiet, until the stillness was broken by a chair scraping back and then falling over. Another man stood to his full height, and while not quite as tall as the newcomer, stood a respectable 6'8" with a stocky frame with a torso like a barrel. "Oi young buck, you're in my sun!" Fudou's huge frame had blocked the rays of sunshine that were previously reaching the table other large man. "Name's Gardo.." he says as he picks up his pint and chugs it, slamming it down and walking towards Fudou. Stopping a few feet from him, Gardo tucks his thumbs into his leather belt, which was holding up worn brown pants and cinching it to a tunic. He let out a monstrous belch, grinning and exposing a missing front tooth. Ale dripped from his full black beard, and other patrons began to move away from the two. *beeeeellllllllllch* "Like I said, name's Gardo, and you're doing a great job of pissing me off." The toothless grin persists, and tension grows thick as its uncertain whether the two will clash or find some other resolution.
Fudou the Mountain	"I am called Fudou! Well among other names. But that's the most important one for right now." responds the giant while grinning very large at the approach of Gardo. The man is either very brave, very powerful, or very drunk..or all of the above. Given the stunts Fudou has just pulled..the fact that Gardo is daring to stand up to him is..noteworthy. Fudou is no fool..but he's also not one known for temperance, especially when he's already gone through so much trouble to rile things up abit. He takes a moment to look over the room and then shrugs lightly, rolling his monstrous shoulders and producing a sound like leather stretching and creaking as his sinews shift, push and pull like animals fighting for room beneath his rugged flesh. "Well then..so sorry Gardo. But..er..I am abit tired after that entrance and am afraid I cannot move! Perhaps you will have to move me.." He gestures, flippantly indicating the sunlight as it rests across his towering frame, "In order for the sun to shine once again. You..can move me, can't you Gardo?"
Tenken	Gardo's eyes narrow slightly at the taunt, then lets out a great guffaw. "Bahaha, interesting." Spotting an abandoned ale mug at the table to his right, he grabs it and chugs it as well. Someone from the crowd yells, "Arm wrestle! Loser buys the next round for the house!" Gardo gulps down the ale, and noting its empty state thinks... "Pretty damn good idea!" He sweeps his arm across the table brushing empty mugs and silverware off of the table, taking a seat in a chair much too small for his frame, and setting his elbow in place with his open palm ready to arm wrestle. Whoever had shouted suggesting the arm wrestling had potentially defused a volatile situation, bringing it below the level of an open brawl but also providing entertainment for the other guests so they wouldnt get involved themselves. Tenken grins, though he notices that the tavern owner, Bella, had realized it was him. Soon, the crowd began clamoring and bets were being taken, as one of the nymphs with a particularly skimpy outfit pulled out a book and began recording the bets. The odds were in the newcomer's favor, but about a third of the house was betting on Gardo it seemed.
Fudou the Mountain	Fudou the Mountain's gaze flickers across the room as the noise and clamor begins. He locks his gaze right onto Tenken and quirks his lips abit, pursing them ever so slightly. He seems .. -mildly- perturbed. Annoyed even. It seems he wanted Gardo to take the bait and the distraction with the call for the arm wrestling has moved the tension in a direction that he was not anticipating..or actively trying to create. Alas..it is to late now and he grins and slips back into his more boorish brutish mindset - gesturing at Gardo with a look that is incredolous, "Are you serious? My pinky finger is bigger then your forarm!" -Perhaps- an exagerration but not far from one as Fudou is not merely 'tall' but looks like he eats herds of Yeddim and Earth Elementals every morning before beginning a workout. A wall of sinew. "Very well, very well. Perhaps you've..some intention on surprising me! After all you can't possibly be so stupid as to lack the means to manage yourself if you are so willing to challenge me. Right?? Not with so many betting on you. Make this interesting, Gardo!" With that, the huge man turns, and begins stepping heavily towards the table being prepared for him and the other stout man.
Tenken	Tenken takes note of Fudou's gaze, grinning with a slight mischievious flash in his eyes. As the table finishes being prepped, part of which involved apparently bolting the table legs to the floor and using the thickest furniture available, Bella the tavern owner cuts off her communication with her summoned group of elementals. As the potential of violence seems to defuse a bit as the desire for gambling and feats of strength takes the place of bloodlust, the greenmaw and elite guards that were prepared to storm the room stand down. As Great Forks is a city of gods and exigents and beings of great and unique power, there is occasionally a need to break up intense violence. The city is uniquely prepared for the challenge, and its proximity to a shadowland also necessiates decent military power. It is enough to give the realm pause, and is usually enough to neutralize any situations that arise. With the stage set, Gardo takes off his overshirt, revealing a loose-fitting tanktob and arms that have bulging muscles and veins crisscrossing the surface. He grins, appearing suddenly to be less drunk as he prepares to begin. His mannerisms shift so much that he seems to have an almost entirely different persona. His eyes gleam with purpose and he refrains from any forms of verbal taunts.
Fudou the Mountain	Ah..but here be one of -The- Chosen. Not a mere Exigent with a singular purpose and certainly no egg of The Realm.. at least that's how Fudou sees it. He's not exactly known among his kind for subtelty or 'balanced' thinking..but he seems unperturbed or worried at the sight of Great Forks finest.. Either that or at least he keeps a good game face. After all it's not like he's about to let them know he is a celestial. Even he's got to hold some cards close to his chest. Though to watch him in action, one wonders if subtle is even in his vocabulary. He to slips off his outer wear which..isn't much honestly given his huge size. His great coat is sleeveless and tattered as if he lost a wrestling match with a River Dragon. The rest of his absurd body is exposed to view and he lifts both of his colossal arms upwards, turning his fists outwards in a titanic display of his immensity. An audible creaking rumble resounds as his muscles inflate obscenely and creak towards stupendous proportions, even bristling the massive carpet of hair on the center of his ballooning pectorals. The flex actually sending a shockwave rippling out away from him. He's completely aware of how outrageous his immensity is and he seems to revel in it. That done bring sboth arms infront of him, crossing them over a few times as if pantomining a bear hug and seemingly pumping himself up even -larger-...and then he sits and drops his hulking figure down onto the reinforced seat.
Tenken	Gardo's eyes still gleam, and in response to Fudou's warm-up his will and purpose seems to sharpen even more. As Fudou flexes his absurdly powerful frame, a number of spectators gasp. A few of the women are notably nervous while some others appear to blush, to the disdain of their husbands. Many of the men that were cheering grow quiet, a stark contrast from the clamoring noise of the bets being placed. A stillness has fallen over the tavern, a calm before the storm, a pause before the clash of titans. Gardo holds out his hand to grip Fudou's, "You ready, young buck?".
Fudou the Mountain	"Come now, how old do you think I am!" exclaims Fudou, sounding amused but a hint of being perturbed in there. He's no 'young buck' per se..but in the back of his mind the fact that this is Great Forks means..he could very well -be- a young one compared to the person before him. He's enough wits about him to consider several possiblities here but he's all in now..and not about to be humiliated. Well..are you going to do something or just stare into my pretty eyes?"
Tenken	"They sure are pretty, but that has no bearing in this!" Gardo exclaims, and he claps his hands together which unexpectedly produces a sharp crack which leaves a ringing in the ears of nearly all in the tavern. Bella shakes her head, as she isn't pleased that her husband, a chosen champion of one of the local deities begins to go a bit over the top in order to not let his opponent roll over him. Gardo and Bella had both been told via sorcerous working linking their thoughts with the elementals that a measure of the wind when Fudou walked in revealed that he was something other than normal... As the two grip hands, the table creaks and groans before any force is even exerted, and the spiritual energy inside of Gardo is converted into pressure, and the few spectators close by that didn't move back far enough get shaky on their feet and drop to a knee breathing heavily.
Fudou the Mountain	"I knew you weren't stupid. Just stubborn and unable to know when you're in over your head!" Fudou's retort is said through grinned and gritted teeth as, once the signal is given, he immediately goes to town. There is a tyrant in him. An intention to not only win but to win with such overwhelming force and display of strength and immensity that his own personal value and reputation can't help but be elevated and perhaps scar the locals with a touch of fear as well. Even this Gardo who is clearly more then he has let on..but certainly not beyond the purview of a Chosen determined to leave his mark in his field of expertise. Such is Fudou's reasoning at least... It is reasoning enough for his body to act as his sinews bulge and pile muscle ontop of muscle in a display that is not meant for intimidation any longer but for pure usage. Strength to wield a sequioa like a child's bat surges visibly into his limbs and ripples and resounds outward into the area producing a sudden quake from the transferrence of force and just when it seems he can't get any bigger and pumped..he does continuing to pile on excessive force while grinning and seeming as if, by his facial features, he's barely trying. However he's.again..no fool. To reveal -what- he is would be foolish and despite his overt nature, not really the way of his kind. Not when mischief making and trickery still lies at the root of the mind of so many shapeshifters. So for all his force he dips into his personal essence alone.
Fudou the Mountain	Well that could have gone better. For all his bravado, boasting and intimidation.. it seems that there is a combo of his opponent truly being more then he had anticipated -and- ... sheer bad luck. It seems he boasted abit to much and his 'poker' face breaks abit as his expression shifts from intimidatingly non chalant to visible consternation that nearly causes him to lose his initial momentum. But he recovers quickly enough..if -barely-..and it enables him to push back against his opponent though hardly with the tyrannical violence he first intended.
Tenken	Gardo forces essence through the palm of his hand and braces his boots on the floor, which creaks and groans under the titanic shifting of weight above centered on the two gripped hands. Gardo's arm lowers towards the table, but the resistance he puts forth is commendable. His fingers dig into Fudou's hand, as he grits his teeth, and surges for an attempted comeback. The onlookers begin to get rowdy again, as the crowd is drawn in by the clash of these two giants in a true clash of strength. Many had expected the contest to be one-sided, some with knowledge of Gardo's exploits had expected a rout in his favor. Others had based their bets on Fudou's gargantuan physique. In a closer contest than expected, one in which perhaps fate has intervened thus far, the titans duke it out for another round.
Fudou the Mountain	"Hrrnnnngh!!!" Fudou digs in, rumbling deep into himself out of a combo of broken pride and a slow boiling fury at both himself and Gardo. The ground cracks under him, his body swells once again and he leans his full weight into the brutal steel bending and boulder grinding contest of strength. He spares no effort or time for a taunt. This time there is just brute force and a sudden overwhelming need to recapture what he lost with that prior slip up. His brow furrows and his lips curl into a visible snarl. Bigger, bigger, bigger and stronger. At the same time he wars with his own temperance. Many are the tools he's ignoring that would certainly smash this, seeming, godling, into a crater into the ground..but such is the price of attempted subterfuge. Maybe next time he'll have to say screw subterfuge. Down his arm comes, crashing with the weight of a landslide upon Gardo's.
Fudou the Mountain	And it's with the weight of a landslide that Fudou finally regains some bearing and crashes his full strength down upon Gardo. A thunderous *TOOM* resounds as his arm presses all the way down with force to fling Gardo upwards if he can manage it do so and also damage the floor of the tavern as he leans into it thunderously. His body's physique erupting like a herd of oxen and muscled yeddim fighting for space under his skin. "Hrragh! GOTCHA!" he roars, all to pleased with himself for recovering from what would have been a very tragic and unfortunante loss. And yet at the same time that was more then he anticipated.. "You kept it interesting, alright! Interesting indeed!"
Tenken	Gardo reels as the Fudou's arm crashes down to the table on his own, and lets out an unexpected guffaw. "Well damn! Guess thats drinks on me!" He waves over the serving nymph to bring drinks and he slides a mug across the table. "This is my tavern I run with my wife, Bella" he gestures towards a disapproving Bella across the bar. "Youre welcome to drinks on the house, and if you need a place to stay when in Great Forks, come back and see us." He massages his arm, and grins showing his missing front tooth again. Shaking his head, he says "Its not every day I get to test... well..." his voice trails off and touches a finger to his nose, indicating that he won't delve any further nor speak of the matter. Great forks was a place known for tolerance, and these tavern owners in particular live up to the name. Unbeknownst to most, they were involved in harboring fugitives fleeing from the Hunt, as well as occasionally working as contacts for different organizations of celestials.
Fudou the Mountain	"Hmmm.." Fudou had resolved some time ago to play 'the bad guy'. The 'bandit'. 'The Ogre' so to speak.. But Gardo is making it hard, very hard. He grouses abit, flexing his huge hands and then finally lets out a sigh and rumbles, "Strong. You are -very- strong. Hmm.. is it possible I -could- have lost..?" He listens as Gardo speaks and then touches his nose and Fudou is forced to chuckle now. "You.." he finally concludes while pointing a finger at Gardo, "..Godblood? Or something abit more..?" he grins now, slowly.. mischief dancing in his eyes, "I can find out in my own way and in my own time. Here.. I don't need your drink. I will..fix your door for you. How is that? Fair enough?" He slaps both of his massive palms on the table infront of him and then slowly rises.
Tenken	Gardo grins that toothless smile, and notes that although Fudou is a bit rough around the edges that there is some good in there. Responding to the question, he chuckles and says "Well, perhaps something more, sometimes less. Depends on the circumstances!" This aligns with his previous mannerisms and the distinct and sharp switch in personality exhibited earlier. Not pushing it any further, he claps the titan on the shoulder and says "Well im going to go numb these achey joints with some ale and ice, and as I said if you ever need anything come on back. Door's open."