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Realms: Oloth Logs

Trading Stories

Dakini strolls in, a book under her arm, and looks around. She nods to the absorbed Kern, then quietly orders a goblet of honey mead from Talabrina.

Kern sits in front of the hearth, staring into the roaring flames. He has a white cat in his lap, with he appears to be petting fondly.

Dakini settles comfortably on one of the sofas by the fire, putting her booted feet up on a chair she hooks over into place. She sets the book next to her, sips quietly from her goblet, then sighs and relaxes a bit.

Dakini says, "Good eve, Sir Kern."

    Wandering Path - Taproom
    This place doesn't look nearly as bad as it did from the outside. In fact, it's quite nice. The room is very dark and has been made to look like a cave. There is a large fireplace on one wall, filling the room with flickering light and providing the only source of warmth outside of the kitchen. There are tables scattered around the room, seemingly in random order, and a fairly large bar at one end. All of the tables and the bar are made of dark wood, most likely ebony and are deeply scored and marked with use. On each of the tables and scattered around the walls are lanterns lit with magical faerie fire, blue on the tables and green on the walls. A section of the room, in front of the fireplace, has been cleared out and a number of couches have been set up. There are stairs, leading up and a doorway that leads to the back rooms. There is a guard posted by the doorway and no one seems to be getting in without his permission.
    There is a sign hanging above the bar. It reads simply: Assholes will not be tolerated, they will be shot and fed to the Rothe herd. Thank you --The Management.

    You see before you a human male in his mid-twenties. He appears to be moderately attractive, with his jet-black hair worn long in the back and cropped close, his piercing green eyes, and chiselled facial features. His lips seem to naturally turn up into a smile as he returns your gaze unblinkingly. His body well toned under his garments, though favoring a wiry build over larger muscles.
    He is currently wearing a fine suit of elven chainmail, reaching down to his ankles on the bottom, and his elbows on the top. Over that, he wears a golden long-tunic emblazoned with a multi-colored vortex. He has a black leather belt cinching the tunic, adorned with several belt pouches, a longsword in its scabbard, and what looks to be a speed-holster for an ebony wand. He stands comfortably in red leather highboots, and golden bracers protecting his wrists. Last to catch your eye is the new ring which sits on his left middle finger: a silver band set with a rogue stone, denoted by its chaotic swirling colors. It seems to glisten in the light as your eyes move back to his face, and he nods, murmuring a quiet 'well met' to you.

    Dakini grins lazily at you from behind the reflective blue-green shades which hide her eyes. Her hair is long and tousled, a bright, red-gold mane that occasionally hides her small pointed ears. She's a tall, slender, strong woman, with small but callused hands, and well-muscled forearms.
    She wears a soft, comfortably loose, ivory silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Over that is a sturdy, quilted, sleeveless tunic of dark indigo blue embroidered with intertwined silvery stars and ivory-gold unicorns. It is belted off snugly with a wide, well-worn leather belt. On her right hip, tied down about the right thigh, rides a holstered flechette pistol. On her left hangs a decorated and runically embossed scabbard with the plain, worn-leather-and-wire wrapped pommel of a short sword protruding from it. Sturdy, worn dueling gloves are tucked into the back of the belt, mostly hiding a cross-holstered dagger.
    Slung over one shoulder is her battered, padded leather airwoman's jacket, heavily decorated on the back with a rabidly snarling, eight-limbed, winged beast, and numerous other colorful decorations on shoulders, arms, and front. Her long legs are fitted with snug breeches, and her knee-high, well-used black leather boots and jacket smell pleasingly of years of quality leather care.

Kern blinks, as if startled by the sound, and turns to look. He relaxes as he sees who it is. "Good eve, milady...Dakiki, was it?"

The cat lazily opens his eyes to regard the woman briefly, and then closes them again.

Dakini nods lazily over the edge of the goblet, her own eyes hidden, "Indeed... although sans Hati tonight."

Kern says, "Hati?"

Dakini grins, "Actually... Dakini, although I'll assume that was an accident of memory. Ja, Hati is my wolfen companion."

Kern considers, and then, his face twitches briefly. "Ah yes...your wolf companion."

Dakini raises a mildly curious eyebrow at the facial twitch, "You have crossed paths with Hati previously?"

Kern says, "Not since our original meeting, no."

Kern says, "He is quite....large."

Dakini mmms softly, sipping her drink, then with the same mild curiosity inquires, "You seem... disturbed by him? Or am I reading this incorrectly?"

Kern turns his gaze to rest on Dakini thoughtfully. After a moment, he replies. "Not so much him directly, as what he...represents."

Dakini looks more curious now, "What does he represent to you?"

Kern continues to stroke his cat, which purrrs contentedly. "I would rather not go into details. Let's just say I see in him something I see in me...something I wish wasn't there."

Kern scritches the head of the blue cat in his lap.

Dakini quietly watches the man with the cat for a few moments, then says softly, "Hati is a loyal, brave, strong, and trustworthy person. He and I have saved each others' life on more than one occasion. I'd be quite curious to hear what it is you see in him that you'd rather not see in yourself... especially since such strengths and virtues are usually considered warrior traits, and you style yourself a knight."

Kern chuckles. "it is not a case of styling, lady. I was given the title and rank due to my...reputation. The Knights of the Vortex are a relatively new order."

Dakini shrugs calmly, "As you wish. That does not answer my question, however."

Kern smiles wryly, nodding assent of being caught in tying to deflect the question. "Let me ask this. You call him loyal, brave and strong...but he is still a wolf, yes?"

Dakini says, "No, actually he's Lythari. Why do you ask?"

Kern ahs and nods. "Interesting. That I did not know. But even the Lythari are merely half-elves and half wolves, yes?"

Dakini says, "'Merely'? I'm not sure where you're going with this?"

Kern says, "I mean no insult, my lady. But..seeing as I am ignorant of the matter, is instinct as much a part of his nature as his elven intelligence?""

Dakini raises an amused eyebrow again, "Well now... I suppose you could inquire of the Olothi governor's lady as easily as of Hati... as to whether they're driven by instinct. I myself don't know... I don't tend to differentiate sapients in a self-created hierarchy of instinct as opposed to intelligence." She grins, "What are you driving towards here? I'm quite curious now."

The short-haired cat glances up at Kern curiously. Kern pats his head again comfortingly as he cradles the crimson cat deeper into his lap.

Kern purses his lips. "It is wolven instinct that has brought me trouble in my past...and it is something that I wish I could be rid of."

Dakini smiles, "Instinct is an evolu- er... hm. Does the concept of evolution exist here?"

Kern says, "On Oloth? Hard to say. I don't travel much beyond Arcana. On my home planet....I don't know. The Gods are prevalent there, but I don't know who made most of them, as most of the species actually came from other parts of the multiverse."

Kern says, "Toril is a....well, I wouldn't say haven, but rather a mishmash of peoples and pantheons. "

Dakini nods, "All right then, it's not really necessary to use evolution. Basically instinct is a useful mental shorthand... that's all. I'm not sure why you'd wish to be rid of it. It's like knowledge... knowledge in and of itself isn't evil, although how it's used can be." She grins, "Make sense?"

Kern says, "There is a saying...a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. But more importantly, I feel that were I fully human...I might not have done some of those things which I regret most. You know, perhaps Lythari are more controlled than normal wolves. Bronwyn certainly didn't understand till it was nearly too late just how savage I could become."

The ivy-green furred cat snorts and rubs his head irritatedly against Kern's hand. Kern supplies more pets.

Dakini smiles lazily as she sips her drink, then murmurs casually, "Instinct in an intelligent, thinking being is a suggestion... not a command. Furthermore, training can override instinct. It's easily proveable."

Dakini adds, "I'm a casual student and trainer of the sapient, as well as animal, mind."

Kern says, "oh, I am not saying it causes me *that* much trouble. But pushed to a limit, my mind retreats and leaves only instinct."

Dakini nods, "Sounds like you need more training... or a trusted alpha."

Kern says, "In humans, this is usually not a problem...most do not have such a mental duality."

Kern blinks, and looks at Dakini curiously. "Trusted alpha?"

Dakini shakes her head, "Actually they do... but many do not realize it. There's the conscious mind, and the non-conscious mind. Culture can be defined, in fact, as the training we undergo so that we do not simply kill each other."

Kern says, "You mean...sumbit myself to some sort of pack authority?"

Dakini nods, "Indeed. I am Hati's alpha, for example. If you had a trusted leader, then in your times of rage that trusted voice of command -- or scent, or whatever..." She laughs at Kern's words, "Ah, you young warriors! So quick to bristle at the faintest hint of not being able to do anything you want!" She grins to take any sting out of her words.

Kern actually manages to blush. "That's not what I meant. It's just..."

Dakini tchs amusedly, running a finger lazily around the rim of her goblet, "To submit to trusted authority, to be part of a well-trained and powerful team, to support others and be supported by them... that used to be an honor. What happened, I wonder? This is what... the 4th or 5th culture I've been to where 'submit' has become a dirty word."

Dakini says, "Along with 'serve.'"

Kern rolls his eyes. "You're putting words in my mouth. In point of fact, I extremely dislike being a leader. But, as the Admiral is gone, that is the role I find myself in..."

Kern says, "If I find a man or woman worth following...one I respect, then serving him has no distaste involved."

Dakini says, "On the contrary, I merely muse on my amateur cultural and behavioral observations."

Kern says, "it is only the notion of being subservient to one who is not worthy that I bristle at."

Dakini says softly, "Why do you lead, Sir Kern?" She slides her shades up so she can observe the young man more closely... her demeanor is curious again, "How do you determine worthiness?"

Kern says, "Mmm. Two complex questions."

In the firelight her eyes glow a lambent emerald, like a cat's.

Kern absently pics up his own cat, who gives a small meow of protest, but settles back down when he places the cat on some pillows close to the hearth...his orange fur a contrast against the licking flames.

Kern says, "I lead because there are no others I trust to do as good a job as I can, dispite my taste for the job. The Arcana Mages Guild, in particular, has a much divided council of elders...and I find myself worried because I do not want to take up *that* mantle, but I have yet to find one who has the qualities necessary to be Guildmaster instead of me."

Dakini smiles, "Perhaps a widely diverse set of opinions is a good thing sometimes, no?"

Kern says, "It is not simply that, Dakini. With a combination of drow, elves, and humans...there is racial discord. There is discord of alignment. There are political power plays and background scheming...even assasination attempts."

Dakini says, "There is that even when the Admiral is present."

Dakini adds dryly, "It's not like Admiral Rennyn Aerlothi's appearance will put all to rest, after all."

Kern says, "They would be willing to accept *me* merely because of my status as a hero...to keep a cool head and my eyes on the goal."

Dakini says, "They being...?"

Kern says, "No, that will only help cull the current upsurge of crime."

Kern says, "But the old Guildmaster was killed in an attack."

Kern says, "They being the Circle of Elders."

Dakini says, "Guildmaster of what? The Mages' Guild? I take it the Circle of Elders runs the Mages' Guild?"

Kern says, "At the moment, yes. And yes, I mean the Guildmaster of the Mage's Guild."

Dakini says, "Ah, magic wielders... always a flighty group." She smiles, "So... why, pray tell, should they follow you?"

Kern says, "My reputation. I have a certain....eminence on Arcana. Not to be egotistical...some have greatness thrust upon them."

Kern smiles sheepishly as he swivels back to face Dakini.

Dakini chuckles softly as she sips her drink, "How... fortunate for you then, eh?"

Kern says, "Yeah, right. SOme days, I would much rather be a scholar at home in Candlekeep or something. I've had my fill of Glorious Destinies..."

Kern says, "But then, I don't really have much of a choice, either."

Dakini smiles quietly, "Actually, it's been my experience that destiny may shove... but the determined can shove right back if necessary... and make their destiny their own."

Kern shakes his head. "Free will only goes so far, Dakini...and that's not even counting the Gods, who are as much bystanders in somethings as mortals. The Comsos herself has a purpose...and what she wills always comes to pass, one way or another. Why else to do think some Prophecies are worded so loosely? ;)"

Kern says, "Of course, most people are beyond the eyes of the Cosmos...but I, unfortunately, am not. It is *because* of my nature that it is thus."

Dakini murmurs dryly, "So that any occurrence can be made to fit them, would be my suspicion. Prophecy, like other iconic meditative devices, taps into cultural paradigms of a strictly symbolic nature, freely interpretable by the individual to her own purposes or needs. On the other hand, I've not lived in a strictly magical realm for any length of time... but so far logic seems to be holding well enough."

Kern smiles. "I will not belabor the point further then, and just let this realm speak for itself."

Dakini nods and sighs softly, "We have, unfortunately, drifted far from our original point of conversation. So... you feel your instincts are a detriment. A pity... instinct, like intellect, is a tool, not a taskmaster... and it would seem easy enough, if you so wanted it, for you to use your instinct to your benefit."

Kern's eyes briefly flash fire. *Real* fire, if tinged with rainbow colors as opposed to the normal hues of red and orange. "My instincts have made me a sadistic killer. I want no part of anything that would turn me into that."

Dakini watches the young man, then sighs, slides her shades back into place, and shrugs expressively, "As you will."

Dakini adds quietly, "Good luck leading..."

Kern turns to look back into the fire, sighing.

Dakini sips her drink for a few moments, thinking... then shakes her head, "That doesn't make sense. Wolves are not sadistic killers. They are highly efficient, swift killers... but they don't torture. Where do these instincts you so fear come from?"

The cat raises a paws and licks it, cleaning his face for several seconds. Then it looks up at Kern...strangely enough, it has no color now, but instead is almost...translucent. "You're being a stubborn idiot again, you know."

Dakini grins quietly.

Kern blinks, and then looks down. "Shut up cat."

Dakini nods politely to the cat, "Good eve, and well met. I hight Dakini Stardancer, most recently Valkyrior of Midgaard."

The cat sniffs. "Like you could make me."

The cat gets up and bobs its head in almost a nod. "I am...Prism. I'm what you might call a 'familiar' to this lout."

Kern groans, but doesn't argue.

Dakini nods, "So I'd gathered, Prism."

Dakini asks curiously, "So... how do you see his 'instincts'? Do you feel them at all?"

Prism walks over and hops up onto Dakini's couch, sitting between her legs. "You should listen to what she says, Kern. She's right about wolves not being sadistic, and about the possible benefit of training. Perhaps what you fear as your dark side is not come from your wolven side at all, but only manifests as part of it." Prism turns to look at Dakini then. "I personally wouldn't know. I may look like a cat, but I am not precisely a normal one...and, I'm also new to the...'job' as it were. But as his 'Prism', it *is* my duty to help him see things more clearly."

Dakini puts out a hand as if to rub Prism's ears, but politely pauses long enough for the cat to shake his head if he'd prefer not to be touched.

Kern still looks irritated, but is listening as he folds his arms against his chest.

Prism purrrrs and rubs his head against Dakini's hand. "oooh, yes. More please."

Kern rolls his eyes and chuckles in spite of himself. "Right. You're not a cat."

Dakini nods thoughtfully, "As someone who's trained both efficient predatory pack animals... and animals that are naturally vicious as an evolutionary trait... I'd have to say that instinct is both controllable, and not necessarily a bad thing." She grins, lazily scritching the pretty cat's ears, "Charming hedonist... you and Hati both. Where was I... ah, yes. The problem with instinct is when you try to battle it, rather than turning it... to your needs. Does that make sense, Sir Kern?"

Kern scratches his chin. "Maybe."

"Ooooh! You already got a maybe out of him!" says Prism. "Either you're very convincing, or Kern is getting less boneheaded."

Dakini hms... then chuckles at Prism, "Be nice, dear... change isn't easy for anyone." She continues scritching as she considers, "Well, let's see if I can explain better. You have horses in Toril, yes? I trained horses for a while, and got a reputation as being able to handle the bad ones... mostly because I realized that they weren't usually bad... so much as frightened by something."

Kern blinks and sits back down. "Really?"

Dakini says, "One instance... a young mare who wouldn't walk past a particular piece of road. It was a windy day, and a bit of something flappy and noisy was caught on the tree and spooking her. The ordinary response is to beat the horse and scare it so badly that it is more frightened of you than of what you want it to walk past... to force your will upon it."

Prism purrs loudly and settles down into a warm, red, catball.

Kern says, "One might say that's not fair to the horse...but you make a good point."

Kern says, "I take it you are implying that's the wrong thing to do, though."

Dakini says, "However, I knew it wasn't nastiness or viciousness that was causing the young mare to behave so... it was fear. So... I turned her around so she couldn't see the scary thing... but she could see all her trail companions being ridden home, leaving her behind." She grins, "And... I backed her past the flappy thing. She couldn't see it, and I knew her instint was to not be left alone... so I used her instincts to get her to overcome her fear."

Kern says, "Hmm."

Dakini smiles, sipping her drink with her free hand. She obviously knows cats well enough, since she's continued gently stroking the relaxed prismatic furball on her lap.

Dakini says, "Does that help explain it somewhat?"

Prism closes his eyes, convinced his work is done for now and just enjoys himself.

Kern says, "I think so. But maybe Prism is more right in this matter. Perhaps it is not instinct at all, but some darker - wholely human - side."

Kern says, "it's just that every time I have lost control, it is Kern the Wolf that emerges."

Dakini nods, "That's also quite possible. I will point out that on occasion it's been Hati's pragmatic wolfishness that has taught me more kindness, when hunting, than many of the human hunters I've traveled with on occasion." She sighs, "I don't understand people that can leave a wounded animal behind... simply because it's 'too much bother' to finish the job cleanly."

Dakini says, "Perhaps that's because human emotion assigns that mental state to that physical shape -- as being better suited to enable it to pursue its bloodthirsty goals?"

Kern grimaces, leaning back into the chair, having the side effect of casting his face partly in shadow. "Perhaps..."

Dakini smiles, "Perhaps with time you'll be able to tell." With that comment she turns her gaze into the fire, like the cat and the mage are doing... and a companionable silence falls over the room.

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Last modified: 2001-Mar-24 21:20:14

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