Buda & Pest

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*Again, that sigh-like sound. The spirit moves in perfect harmony with Sablepaw, as if cuddling up against her without actually touching her. So elegant. So beautiful. Such a charming presence.
Meanwhile, the gafflings are starting to get numerous around White Raven. Not only they're blocking the better part of his sight, they're also making these strange noises, as if trying to whisper something in the language Sablepaw is using right now.
A language he doesn't understand...*

Perception + Alertness, please.

-/Spi/ You have no idea how delightful your words are to the true servants of Gaia... Sablepaw. We've suffered so long from these... these web-bringers. And their harbingers on two legs. Their evil knows no bounds.
Some of them are not even confined to the physical world.
Some of them bring their unholy blight directly into the spirit world.
Some of them spread lies and deceit... some of them exploit the guise of a righteous Garou to gain the trust of spirits and gain access to sacred lands. Some of them would smile at you and tell you they're friends, only to make you do unspeakable horrors, stab you in the back and turn this world into what it is becoming...
A Twoleg-World.

*Sharp, tense pause.*

-/Spi/ Some of them are right here, young Sablepaw. From the Tribe of Treachery. You ask me now what you can do for me, for us, for Luna, for Gaia... in exchange for my help. And so, I shall answer.

*The spirit turns now... very slowly, in the direction of White Raven. Its tone emits the exact same sorrowful mysticism.
And it exhales its final words.*

-/Spi/ Kill him.
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[Sablepaw]

*As I listen to the sorrowful speech of the brilliant Spirit I become more and more mournful; White Raven can clearly sense my grief - it's definitely not a reflection of disappointment or failure with the Spirit whom I seem to have a passionate common ground with. I howl again, this time in pain...*

<Twolegs...! Wherever they build their Hives, those alien looking Spider-things appear...>

*Then I come closer to the Moonray Jaggling almost as if I was affectionately comforting her.*

- /Spi/ My quest, Griffin's Prophecy... if I ever manage to fulfill it along with my Duty, Those Who Bring The Webs and Blight will perish soon so Earth and Moon may breathe again in their glory. I shall teach those of my kind who have forgotten the past to remember how things used to be and how they should be again . But until then... how can I help you? How can I make you dance joyfully like your Lune-pups? Should I slay as many of those spiders over the River as I can? Should I tear their webs apart?
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*The Lune hovers there, nearly motionless, listening to Sablepaw's words. In the meantime, the lesser lunar spirits continue the frolicking of their own, some of them approaching White Raven, teasingly dancing around his face, their glittering impairing his vision time to time again.
The magic of the Theurge.*

-/Spi/ Once... this was a joyful and plentiful land. Strong in the Wyld and its blessings, rich in essence and energy. Many Moon-Children roamed the Earthly Realm beyond. Proud and strong and powerful, well-aware of their duties.

*A strange, distant sound can be heard on the other side of the river, echoing through the Umbra for a moment. Perhaps a cry, but neither Garou have ever heard anything like it, though it didn't sound animalistic in origin.
The spirit makes a slight turn, before returning its attention to Sablepaw, as if it were nothing.*

-/Spi/ Then the Spiders came and the webs started to be woven, forcing the Wyld back. Less and less became your kind and less and less they adhered to the Old Ways.

*Another disappointed pause.*

-/Spi/ Now... it's a whole different world here. On both sides. But some of us remember. Some of us still do...
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[Sablepaw]

*Cub-like awe, curiosity mixes with pride and a vigorous sense of duty in my scent when the glittering Gafflings and the brilliant, radiant Moon Spirit arrive. Surrounded by the shimmering wonders I can't resist my own playfulness and I leap into the air joyfully, frolicking with them - which they surely find amusing but which White Raven may find funny, hilarious or even pathetic to look at. I finally settle right next to the silvery ribbon of soft light - I'm a bit more serious as I speak but I don't try to suppress my instincts either - every wolf, from pup to oldfur, from the lowliest to the mightiest pack-father has a good chunk of playfulness - why should I be the exception, especially in these dire times?*

- /Spi/ Greetings to the ever graceful ray of Moonlight and to her joyous, glittering litter! My howl is to please you and the ever-shifting Mother of skies and will be heard by all of your kin until the very day I die. I follow the Prophecy given to me by Griffin and at least for a while, so does my new companion, White Raven of Shadow Lords. We need to get to the other side of this roaring, huge, icy river and can't afford to wait until thaw, nor can we risk to be dragged under and get drowned by the ferocious torrents. Old Wolf of the Woods told me that we may run your Moon-Paths and the Arch of soft, silvery light which only Spirits of the Moon may create, tricking even distances. If you do that to help us get to the other side, I'll be grateful and I'll grant your wishes in the Earthly Lands as well if there's something I can do for you. But why is your voice so filled up with sorrow? How can I help you, most beautiful of all Spirits?

*I only pay attention to the scents of White Raven - I can't turn away from this beauty I managed to call. Her mood affects me greatly and as she becomes sad so do I, reflecting her feelings instinctively*
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*As dusk gradually turns into the night and Luna begins her silvery ascent, so do her associated spirits grow more and more active. The great, elongated howl of Sablepaw is like a wakeup call, her charismatic, auspicious presence makes them flock to her like a swarm of magical butterflies. The elemental spirits inside the giant, practically horrifying river do fight a titanic struggle as icebergs and torrents far larger than in the physical world aim to subdue their opponents as they flow along at astonishing speed.

Meanwhile, White Raven arrives, having taken a bit longer than the wolf-born shaman who's presently at a double advantage. Not to worry. He'll have more than enough opportunities to get back at her. He also manages to hide his initial surprise at the howl's intensity that awaits him, and at the fact this "Cub" is handling powerful spirits like a Genovese juggler does fire.
If only the poor horse could be transported somehow. Hopefully, she'll live to see the next spring.

The air grows tenser and tenser around Sablepaw. Small, glittering gafflings dive in like shooting stars, playfully surrounding her, almost as if providing some sort of an atmosphere. The entire Penumbra resonates with her beautiful song and respectful plea. It doesn't take long before it also attracts the presence of a Lune spirit - a brilliant, silvery ribbon of light, surrounded by a majestic, dark blue aura.
It just flows there, from above the water, patiently listening to the howl and stopping in front of and above Sablepaw. When she is finished, its graceful spiritual words can be heard echoing slightly around them.*

-/Spi/ Your voice is beautiful, Child of the Moon. We thank you for the rare delight it caused us. Your kind... is far rarer here than it used to be.

*It pauses. It utters a sorrowful, sigh-like sound.*

-/Spi/ Tell me of that, with which you require our aid...
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[Inu]

[Sablepaw]

- /Gar/ False Prophet? What's a "scam"? Something untrue? But Great Spirits are wise and know who to share their Prophecy with. Ignoring a warning is foolish. Our Great Spirits must be trusted. Or do you mean they mistrust the Prophet? Considering her a Traitor? A prophet of my kind? A Red Talon?

*I let out a deeply insulted growl of scorn but not brimming with overt aggression this time.

- /Gar/ You have no Pack then. Packs are Wolves and Garou you run and live and share a Territory with. Abandoning them for whole Moon cycles means you have no Pack. Not now at least. It's just you and me then, loners.

*It'll be clear to White Raven how I'm still prone to "think" like a Wolf and the fact his human-like smirk is disregarded by me maybe deepens this impression - after all, wolves tend to ignore things they don't understand but don't consider a threat or a meal. And I'm way to easy to slip into my former wolf-life instantaneously.
I sniff at the snow and the soil underneath it and start treading toward a puddle or a shiny plate of ice.*

- /Gar/ Here. Follow me then. We'll transcend the Barriers and roam the Spirit Lands where we'll understand how to get through the River where Ice and Torrents hunt each other. And you can answer my questions as well if you can recollect them.

*Crouching down to the surface and letting my gaze being drawn to the reflection I push myself through the spiderweb woven walls parting the Lands and finally emerge on the other side. Where I - aloof and with an obscure stare just like most of us marked by the Crescent of the Moon - taste the air for scents again and turn my head towards the soft ambience light of the ever invisible setting sun. I greet Moon Mother, the ever-present Friend of Wolves and Garou alike with a crude, respectful howl...*

//Int (3) + Cosmology (1)

Dobás:

Eredeti dobás sorozat: 4d10 Rögzített 10-Sided Dice Results: 5, 9, 6, 9 (Total = 29)

*And as my howl fades away after the Greeting Rite a new spark seems to fill my eyes. I sniff in the direction of White Raven but something other occupies my mind... a memory...*

<The Moon stretching out, arching like a rainbow... and wolves may run on them...>

*I passionately leap close to the river; close enough to see the Umbral Full Moon casting a shiny, silvery, rippling bridge on the River with roaring Clash of Spirits. I listen to the grunts and chants and warsongs of the Element Spirits but I focus on the silvery ripples and then turn my muzzle up to the Moon again at where my eyes remain fixed for several minutes; if White Raven tries to interact with me he'll quickly find it's futile unless he plans to harm me. Then I let out a hearty, loud howl but this time on the tongue of the Spirits. It's more than just a "howl" but a song to please and call the servants of Great Moon repeated over and over again.*

- /Spi/ Children of the nocturnal Light, come to me, come to Sablepaw! Children of Luna, come to me and help Sablepaw! Children of the ever-shifting beautiful Moon, Come to me and give your aid to Sablepaw...

*I have no sense of time right now but my trance-like repetition of this weird howl might be very, very long - I want to please the Spirits I call.... with all my determination*

Wits (3) + Rituals (2)
- 1 willpower

Dobás:

Eredeti dobás sorozat: 5d10 Rögzített 10-Sided Dice Results: 7, 4, 7, 3, 8 (Total = 29)

_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Inu]

*My snarl was an instinct, but it was also a mistake and I'm glad it wasn't a fatal one. I have to be more careful with body language. I'm not used to it enough and might lead to a bloody misunderstanding. I become more tense, I control all my moves and wince, but I don't look away. I can't let that happen. Not with her.*

- /Gar/ There are false prophets and its hard to tell what is true and what is scam. And it's easier to ignore bad news until its too late. - *I smile a little but strictly with closed mouth. I won't snarl again! After the break I become serious again and continue* - But I believe in it. We have to find out what is the warning. And about my pack... well, they are far away. I haven't met them since... a few moon cycles. What you can sense now is a pack I met on the way here a few days ago. But I can't call them here. Everyone follows their own destiny. This is ours and not theirs.

<My tribe, humans, corruption... You really are curious.>

- /Gar/ You have so many questions. - *I'm still fighting with a smile. At the first time since we met, she really acts like a cub. And I like it.* - I can't answer them all. Nobody can. But we can talk about them on the way. - *Somehow I have to stop the eye contact without losing the dominance fight.* - Lead me, and I share with you my opinions.

*My "words" are gentle, it's not a command. I'm still looking into her eyes, with a half smile and curiously waiting for her reactions.*

[Sablepaw]

*When White Raven starts snarling I instinctively return the gesture of aggression growling viciously, ready to maul and bite if he attacks me but I quickly realize it's something about the Prophecy he was reacting to and I flatten my hackles and cool down a bit as soon as he he starts speaking about his Quest. I eye him further but I don't jump at the provocation.*

<He's of the Invisible Moon so he's meant to act strange and provoking I guess. Of all of Moon's faces it's the role of the No-Moons I can understand the least...>

*His words and the words of my unknown Tribe-mate raise my interest but I can't puzzle it out.*

<Why didn't Eyes-of-Fire tell me about that great Prophet? I'd love to meet her!>

- /Gar/ I haven't heard about Songs of Shadows or about her Prophecy. She must have foretold it to the Shadow Lords because the Prophecy is yours to uncover. I can't understand it. I can't even understand most of the visions and horrifying dreams given to me either. But Spirits show Prophecies for a reason. Yours sounds like a warning. Why would anyone discard it and what's this about "not believing"? You are definitely wiser than most for following your destiny. And what about your pack? Their scent can still be smelled on your pelt so they're not so far away... given they're your Garou pack and not Wolves. If they're Garou you should call them.

<Griffin didn't show me other wolves but who knows? The more we are the better our chances become.>

*I'm agitated and excited but I still don't show any signs of submission. I can't place White Raven anywhere in the delicate hierarchy - wearing this form he seems to be of a fine bloodline from Wolves' side and he has a higher Rank but he's also a Twoleg-born abomination from the Omega Moon-phase and the only member of his Tribe I've met was a disguisting Traitor - this controversy makes me feel awkward. And also, he's a male with no other wolves around so I feel less urge to be violently competitive with him although I was taught it's not exactly how things work amongst the Garou.
The Shadow Lord can clearly feel I'm somewhat more comfortable with his presence since he changed into his Wolf-form.*

- /Gar/ As for understanding you, I'll try to. So tell me about your Tribe. The only encounter I had with a Shadow Lord was... brief. What's the purpose of Shadow Lords? And I suppose you know a lot about Twolegs as well since you grew up as one... so why do they hate the Mother so much? Why do they distort the Land and corrupt everything?
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Inu]

*We walk deeper in the forest, I sit down and look at her waiting for her explanaion. I also examine her, but what I really want to find out is her feelings.*

<Anger? Hatred? Arrogance? It's not the first time I talk with a wolf-born, but I could never really understand them. I guess they also don't understand me. I thought she just hates what I am, but echoing the teachings of great spirits is another thing. Still I hate to hear it.>

- /Gar/ Hopefully I will. As you will understand me if you try. - *Altough I don't think that she wants to try it.*

*I listen to the vision in silence and try to imagine it.*

<A city. A dead human killed by its worshippers? A great army. Black cross. War. And leeches. Always leeches!>

*A burst of anger runs through me and I snarl as I hear the prophecy. It is an instinctive reaction but dies fast. If I were in human form I would touch my last scar, but now it only looks like scratching.*

<Might be a Crusade again?>

*When our eyes meet again I stand her gaze for three reasons: she has strange eyes and I enjoy to look in them, I'm the dominant and its my turn to tell a prophecy.*

- /Gar/ I'm sure you have already heard the prophecy I want to understand, because a Red Talon Theurge, Songs of Shadows foretold it to the Shadow Lords. "I saw a hand reach out and grasp the night sky, and I saw each silvery star wink out one by one. Thunder roared and lightning flashed. Black armies gathered in the snowy mountains and threatened all the world with their rage until the moon's light parted the clouds and quieted the very thunder itself. Luna plucked the squirming darkness from the heart of the lightning flash, and twisted it back upon itself, leaving the armies to battle each other. One shadow, however, was late to the gathering and did not fall into the trap. It continued on its way to complete its fellows' mission."

*I wait a little before I continue still looking at her.*

- /Gar/ Few of us believes in it but it's my destiny to understand the song before it would be too late.

[Sablepaw]

*As we enter the forest I examine the wolf my companion became...*

<Black as moonless night. Eyes of winter sky. He's the one.>

*I can feel and smell he doesn't like me although I proudly displayed all traits my kind respects and values.*

- /Gar/ My "view" is not mine but ours. The way Ancestors and great Spirits feel. You'll see. You'll understand.

<...hopefully.>

- /Gar/ Your ability to walk amongst the Enemy unnoticed is going to be needed. Maybe that's why you were chosen. I can't do that.

*I still feel anger and disdain towards his Ancestors but I have to admit this was a wise choice by Griffin. I raise my muzzle towards the circling Crow who babbles again and listen to the meaning of her words through the whispering of the Owl. And then I look into the grey eyes of the tainted-blooded Shadow Lord again.*

- /Gar/ What's the Song to be remembered? Is it about the Quest? The Prophecy... I'll tell you.

*I stop by a dense copse tasting the air and I let my mind be overcome by the vision again. My musky scent fills up with terror, dread and grim determination at the same time as I start to speak my words of the Prophecy.*

- /Gar/ I saw a huge, blighted Twoleg Hive bigger than any I'd seen before. It lies beyond the River, towards Sunset in a valley where the Land is warped and twisted forever, where Nofurs dwell and breed like maggots. I saw the Sign of a Black Cross painted on a white pelt and held high, shaken by the earliest breeze of the forthcoming Spring. The Sign of the dead Twoleg murdered by Twolegs yet worshipped by them.

*I claw the sign into the snow. A longer line and a shorter one... but my haunting gaze remains blurry and cryptic as I let those memories flood me again.*

- /Gar/ I saw an endless stream of Twolegs, enormous packs gathering on horsebacks under the Sign, all dressed in stone-hard fake pelts, all wielding sharpened fake claws and other things destined to draw blood. I heard a deafening sound as Dawn drew near revealing the Dead Ones walking amongst them . Leeches wearing Nofurs' shape with fangs of Predators stealing the blood of the living to fill their own emptiness. I saw one of those leading the packs, holding the Sign with hollow eyes, a Spirit of Spider crawling from his mouth as he spoke and then I heard a Twoleg cry in terror. I saw them all travelling to the Lands of Carnage and Bloodshed. That's where we shall go. We shall find the ones under the Black Sign and we shall follow them to the Lands of Carnage.

*I shudder and shake my fur as if I was trying to shake the vision off my pelt and then I look into the eyes of White Raven with a deep, piercing gaze.*
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*As helpful as ever, Crow continues circling above the duo, largely ignoring any comments they make. On the flip side, there seem to be no other witnesses at all. It rarely bodes well for mere mortals to wander outside the confines of "civilization" after sunset.
Especially these days.
As the duo wanders into the woods, however, the ever-mysterious and sometimes-annoying spirit utters her final words.*

-/Hun/ Caaaaaw! Remember the Song! Rrrremember the Song! You need her and she needs you! Caaaaaaw!!

*The Garou disappear in the forest as the spirit fades into the Umbra. Silence returns to the east shore of the Danube.*
_________________

[Inu]

- /Gar/ It's not your honesty that bothers, but your view about "False-Borns". But it's not your fault, I'm sure you were taught heartily. And I'm sure you also know it well, that the "no-furred shape" is all about walking among them. Since we are quite close to the town it's wise to use that shape. I guess you are proud that you could surprise me in my human form.

<This will be a long and painful journey. Now I know why all my packmates work alone...>

*First I thought that crow addressed me her last sentences, but she would never tell me such things, so... since the storm seems to calm down again, I change to wolf form and start to follow my quick-tempered new guide with a comfortable trot. Of course I look back to Crow if she has anything else to say to me but I don't expect too much.

The Lupus form looks like an average, middle sized black wolf, with the same marks as the crinos, I mean the greyish muzzle and the light grey eyes. There is only one thing you couldn't see before: a scar at his scruff, possibly from a bite.*

- /Gar/ You still haven't told me about your... Our Quest.

[Sablepaw]

*It's time to try the talent of the Owl Who Lives In Teeth; in an instant I focus on the spiritual power of the necklace, rousing its Spirit...*

<Wisest of Birds, ears of the Night... awaken!>

*And as the Owl awakens, filling those teeth with meaning before the voice of the Twoleg-speaking Crow Spirit dies down I can hear the Spirit of Silence, whispering to me...
White Raven might see how the crude necklace becomes ethereal yet more visible even through my mane, swirling with spiritual power only Garou are able to perceive.
My scent of scornful anger suddenly dims as I realize she must have spoken to me... and that I've found the black wolf who appeared in the Prophecy.*

- /Spi/ Thank you, canny Crow. I shall keep on feeding your kin with Twoleg-remains. Tongues must be your favourite if I'm not mistaken.

I turn my head towards White Raven again, this time with a piercing, stern, cryptic yet a bit desperate gaze - and of course these emotions are reflected in my musk as well.*

- /Gar/ Follow me. My Quest is yours as well.

*And confidently I start walking towards the forest I came from; it would be more comfortable to discuss the details with my new companion in a friendlier environment.*

<If Griffin wants me to travel with a Twoleg-born from the Tribe of the Traitor I slew, I shall travel with him.>
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*Crow keeps circling them uninterrupted and apparently carelessly, enjoying herself the luxury of Earthly manifestation. Some time after Sablepaw's spiritual inquiry, she screeches down once more, on the same mocking tone as before.*

-/Hun/ Caaaaaw! Follow your dreams! Follow your dreeeeams! You already know aaaall the answers! Caaaaaw!

*The response comes in the same twoleg-language as before, making it ambiguous whether she replied to White Raven, or Sablepaw. Perhaps if fast enough, the latter can activate her fetish in time to comprehend the words, but this certainly speaks volumes of the bird spirit's high-and-mighty arrogance.
For some reason, she won't stray from the Hun-tongue and the spirits of the place do not seem very eager to present any omens either.*
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