Diehard243

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

@Raindeer I have posted. I give no excuses as to why I have not posted in this month otherwise, though I do extend apology for not being more active.

@Aweirdgamer

The talk of AI does raise my interest, especially when the uses for peaceful kinds depending on function could create ripples in the world of jobs and effect what would become obsolete for human workers, I am sure. I look forward to whatever demo you present.

@Nerevarine One hopes you grow back in strength. I will wait and protect the Arsuron trader amoung the Soruli in the meantime.

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

@Raindeer

The 23 Ashen & The Stations of Learning

"Those birds moving with the large sticks. Find out how they made those and how to use them. Do the same with the ones that create patterns with the leaves. Could be useful. Get to it. The rest of you can relax for now."

The hounds looked among one another and growled back and forth about whom would go where. Four hounds lumbered over towards the stick-moving birds and two towards the leaf-patterning ones, grumbling over being taken away from the grooming, but not loud enough for the Alpha to hear. Which was not necessary as the Alpha had already redirected his attention towards the bird that offered him fruit. He took the fruit gently out of her hand and very gently head butted her side as a thank you.

The Stick Wielders

Those that approached the Soruli with their finely cut staffs ended up seeing an eventually pausing of the flowing movements. Heads turned so that their eyes of stars could take them in. One, seemingly younger than the others from its stature and build, moves to jam the end of their staff into a softer patch of dirt so it stands on its own, then extends both arms toward the four legged kin face wanting to cuddle into their fur patches.

Were the Ashen to continue watching first rather than attempt communication to learn the making of the weapons, the Soruli left would begin practicing their dance again, not without some slowed down movements to help the Ashen take in the information.

Afterwards, sticks would be given to two of the four that approached and their forms made to face each other as Soruli stood parallel and motioned them to mimic the movements.

The other two of the four would be shown which trees provided the best wood and how to carve the staff for better usage of the individual.

The Leaf Weavers

The drum players were so close to the weavers that one could feel the beats in their chest. The Ashen pair that joined the Soruli that weaved immediately ended up the recipients of gentle coos and little petting sessions as the weavers went on and on with their work. The one mimicking their motions would be given a length of cut leaf to begin making a pattern with, an especially mothering Soruli starting a new weaving project to show them from the beginning how the leaves were cut and how to begin a pattern to completion.

The Groomed

The building bond led some Soruli to roll their Ashen over to rub bellies and cuddle them. As some were licked, the taste of the colorful pastes and dust on their pale skin made them taste sweet aside from simply smelling so. Some would burst into chirping giggles and end up upon the ground with their hands patting at the Ashen's body.

A few adventurous ones gave the Ashen licks in return, quickly regretting the decision as fur got into their mouths.

Mica observed all this, letting out a little whistle sound as she continued her attention upon the Alpha, much less love-dovey about the whole affair. So bored she begins letting out a sigh, she observes the alpha's size and fur, looking him in the face as she moves to sit on his back, wanting to be in a something semi-comfortable position rather than stand the whole time or sit beneath him.

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

The Ashen & The Soruli: Grooming Friendship

@Raindeer

The Alpha grew more "gentle" with his sniffing of the female when her sounds of discontent were released, but not before fully taking in her scent and memorizing it.

The hounds happily followed their friends and continued their purring the entire way, growing even more intense upon being given food or affection in form of petting, which was returned with gentle headbutting and licking of hands.

As sounds of unknown origin came closer they grew somewhat cautious and their purring stopped as they tried to figure out what creature it came from, but kept following the birds out of curiosity.

A clearing opened up before them, which was filled with more birds and massive tree. They looked at the tree in awe looked at what the birds were doing, intrigued by their actions.

@Raindeer

Soruli visible under the massive tree were engulfed with different activities. Some were weaving patters with thinly cut leaves and flowers, others rested upon their backs and patted upon drums absent-mindedly as they gazed to the sky between the spaces of the leaves above.

None seemed to be very active physically aside from a few pairs of Soruli, dancing about with staffs of wood spinning about them as if they were extensions of their body. (And perhaps one or two who are pulled into the brush behind the tree for other kinds of dancing.)

Little kin, tiny Soruli letting out chirps and repeated phrases, peeked around the bodies of caretakers as all the Ashen Hounds were led to the eastern side of the Soruli clearing to rest upon mats of thick leaves within the shade as purring masses of fur and scale.

Ima, Mica and Cor looks to the sheer number that followed them, Cor in particular letting out an impressed whistle before Ima turned to wave over assistance from the varying Soruli unoccupied. Little kin were kept with their caretakers, all others helped in this greeting of Ashen to the Soruli world.

The sweet smelling pastes were brought as varying Ashen marks and scars were examined to soothe them, twigs and mud brushed out of the fur and pulled from scales.

The Alpha sat down and held his eyes locked at the dark female, only having looked at the tree and the surrounding birds for a short time.

When grooming and petting was once more started, he gently nudged the female in an attempt to keep her focused on him. The purring was once more growing louder among the hounds.

Mica holds back a trill of annoyance as she feels the leader nudge her, right eye only conveying the smallest twitch before she turns her head to look over at him, eyes connecting with his own as she offers a fruit- her other hand propped upon her hip.

She mutters something about "needy" amid her directions to Soruli waiting to help about the fruit the Ashen enjoy most, gesturing to the remains of the one just fed to the Leader.

~~~

The Soruli & The Arsuron Traders: The Travel's Beginning

@Nerevarine

"If you are coming with us, I must warn you that our land is not as kind or forgiving as yours." Anjar conveyed over to Naho. "It is a harsh land, and death can come at any time." Though Anjar would make sure she was protected by his scouts, he knew that a creature raised in this kind of a land would have a hard time adjusting to the Arsuronic way of life.

Naho sits in contemplation for a short time, raising her head as she gives a nod of confidence, drawing to convey:

"The lands may be just as dangerous in different ways. Teach me what you must as we travel there."

Bowing her head to Anjar, calls and chirping of her decision ripple through the Soruli gathered, some immediately moving to help provide her with supplies for the trip. Fruits, nuts, healing pastes and more than a few large nuts filled with the supplies needed for grinding their dusts were provided to her just in case.

Most items ended up tied around her waste with some form of vine inside of their egg-shaped containers the smallest ones tied to the top of a staff just a bit taller than her frame. A small drum was tucked under one of her arms.

The pounding of other drums played heartbeat again as the masses assisted with preparations where they could and see the travelers off.

The rainbows that existed with the Soruli and their various shades of fur and feather shifted as many lifted their arms to wave as the canoes were carried off, some climbing into the trees and following from branch to branch until they could no longer.

One could easily notice the trader left behind amongst them all, his skin and features making him stand out in another fashion against the vibrantly accentuated grey bodies of the Soruli around him. He was either carried or allowed to walk with supervision to watch the departure.

When he was sure that everyone was back in their canoe, Anjar took the Soruli into his own and began the return to Lotus Colony. The return was easier than the departure, the river flowing downhill and taking them back home with the current.

Observing how the traders entered and how they settled themselves, Naho carefully adjusts herself within her space on Anjar's canoe, the fear of falling out and into the water making her voice the primary means of returning the cheering and well wishes.

As family and familiarity grew out of sight, as the heartbeat of drums grew further and further from her, she held her staff closer to her form. Her gaze lowers to the passing waters then to examine the canoe itself in wonder of its creation, noting what she could of its materials.

'This is like land upon water.' She lets out a soft happy chirp as she thinks of it that way her gaze rising to Anjar's back, then toward the other traders within their own canoes.

She wondered of her first lessons in their ways, of the sounds they'd use to convey ideas as she ran her talons through her wild mane of bright red.

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

The Ashen & The Soruli

The Alpha followed the gentle guidance and laid down, allowing further grooming with continued purring.

The surrounding hounds that received grooming joined in the purring, slowly forming a choir loud enough to overpower the surrounding sounds of the rainforest.

They followed the lead of their newfound friends, the Alpha sticking close behind the bird with black fur, gently brushing his nose against her feathers, taking in her scent.

@Raindeer

Mica made a soft sound of discontent in the back of her throat as the leader of the purring creatures began sniffing at her, her light blue eyes giving looks toward Cor's tall white frame next to her as she steps over a log that is fallen along the path.

"Why does he sniff me so much?" She ponders aloud, letting out some low cawing sounds.

Cor makes a cheery laughing sound, his eyes curved upward, "Perhaps he enjoys the smell of darker hair." He gestures to his own white furred body and Ima's cream one as they follow him.

Another sniff from the large creature behind her, taking in the subtle scent of berries clinging to her fur from her earlier gathering. Thankfully none of the following pack see the look of annoyance that crosses her face for a moment before Cor reaches over to touch her arm, softening the expression.

"He does not bite." Cor noted, his hand pulling away from her arm after a moment of cooing to her, "I know you do though."

Mica makes a tiny squawk of surprise as he says that causes Ima's clucking chuckles ahead of them, her taloned finger moving to poke at Cor's pale side. "You are the one that cuddles and constricts like vine upon wood when we sleep."

Ima keeps his dark eyes of blue focused on the path ahead and the potential dangers that may arise, commenting with calm clucks. "You both use my body to rest your own upon regardless. Aside from weight, I do not complain."

The conversation lulls into a casual kind, almost treating the hounds following them like little-kin they are leading along. Stopping to occasionally pick fruit to feed them or pet one or another as they walk.

The thrumming of drums is soon heard, a heartbeat running on its own time through the rainforest.

A clearing could possibly be seen coming into view beyond the trees, filled with the colors of the different Soruli and their activities at the base of some massive tree.

Ima turns, raising his hands to halt the following clan-members and gives a few soft chirps toward Mica and Cor.

"I will go and inform the rest of their arrival and how they should be handled. All who are not occupied may be extra help in caring of these new friends."

Cor and Mica nod their heads in unison, turning to begin the distraction of petting and grooming again until he returned.

~~~

The Soruli & The Arsuron Traders: The Exchange.

@Nerevarine

As she watches this bone shape and become a mask, she tilts her head here and there, sitting beside Anjar and retrieving fruits and water for him in case he desired any.

Other Soruli assemble to watch the task as time passes, engrossed despite the efforts being so long in time.

There are moments where Naho makes drawings to convey questions, "What is your name? What do you call eyes? What do you call mouths? What do you call fur and feather?"

As the hours reach completion, Naho raises her hands to rest her taloned fingertips against her cheeks, her eyes curving upward in surprise as her face is mirrored in the white bone.

She lets out a happy chirping noise, immediately holding up the mask to her "ever-smiling" face in excitement. Gently resting the copper knife aside (after marveling at its odd beauty) she shuffles herself closer to hug, yes hug, Anjar with her free arm as she practically glows with happiness.

The Soruli watching cheer and applaud as they look at the mask, in awe.

The traders that awaken find themselves laying with at least one or two Soruli, their warm soft furred regions providing a type of comfortable rest though surprisingly intimate positions. Everything smelled pleasantly of fruits or flowers and their hair seemed to be cleaned to the point of luscious shine. The skin potentially hardened by travel somehow softer from pastes rubbed and rubbed into their skin and their muscles fluid after the relaxation.

The angered trader ended up having three to four Soruli around him, cooing and continuing to massage and ensure the jabbing and prodding marks left were not to be infected. Even getting him something if he merely gestured to it.

Enough of the bone was taken to make five masks aside from the one made for Naho and each trader given a small nut that held a another coated nut inside, a smaller dosage that would be just as intense as the one tried prior, though lessened- for the sake of their safety- so that it lasted for two hours rather than four.

"You can keep that one," Anjar wrote, pointing at the previously prodded and stabbed scout. "But who will you send with us?"

Naho holds her mask to her chest, pondering his question in turn before looking to all the Soruli walking around. Someone who could be comfortable leaving. Someone without little kin to care for.

She tilts her head, drawing a picture to explain her added thoughts.

"The one that stays may go back home, carrying knowledge and friendship. More may stay and go as time goes on."

"If he is to stay and carry knowledge back..." She considers something, looking down to her crafted mask before nodding her head, finally adding. "I will go with you to stay and carry knowledge back."

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

@Nerevarine
I thought this would be best to be questioned here, but if there are any notes you'd want private, do simply respond in PM.

Concerning the Arsuron Pantheon,

Assuming the initial traders in Soruli Territory stay as long as needed to allow the Soruli to learn their tongue, the closest the Soruli have to religion would be the beliefs regarding maintaining a spectrum of acceptance/respect for all things and their belief of the Sky-Eyes.

Thus here are my questions:

+ How would you say your traders would convey the ideals to the Soruli or other races they interact with?

+ Do you forsee any issues with the Soruli beliefs versus the Arsuron?

+ Would it be seen as a good omen for them to be given 60 of something as it is Fiyam's number?

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

@Raindeer

The Trio & The Alpha & The Clan Mates

The Alpha leaned into the massage and grooming from the bird, gently scratching the bird's back in an attempt to return the favor.

Cor lets out a happy tweet, the danger of these sharp claws that could so easily pierce his flesh treated with subtle caution. His taloned hands move to guide the Alpha's body to lay down as the grooming continued, fingers working at double speed to do what they could.

Ima and Mica meanwhile started dividing attention between two of these beasts at a time, slowly making their way through almost a quarter of those present before an almost unconscious decision occurs.

The trio begins leading the hounds toward The Home Tree and its ever beating heart of drums.

@Nerevarine

Arsuron Traders in The Soruli Territory

Naho tilted her head in confusion as she watched Anjar approach the individuals, moving a step or so behind him for a moment before she pauses.

As he pulls out the tool, her eyes squint, but as he jabs his fellow trader, her eyes widen. The Soruli overlooking the drugs-making makes a small gasping sound, taloned fingers raising to their mouth. Immediately after Anjar's prodding comes to an end, this Soruli starts using some other combinations items upon the mat to create a small amount of light pastes, spreading them on the areas prodded.

Shifting her gaze from this to Anjar as he draws, she looks to the picture, mind processing this request.

'A sharing of the powders...' She taps her chin, head tilting side to side before she gazes at his face. She squints a little, leaning herself to gaze at his mask in wonder before reaching up to gently tap at it with a fingertip before pausing her hand.

She takes up a stick and draws in the dirt a return message meaning: <"Masks for some dust.">

Her eyes glance toward the Arsuron now all lazing in their reaction to the natural concoction before adding something that seems to suggest that at least one Soruli and one Arsuron remain with either group.

Amid their stay, as long as it may become, the Arsuron seemed to be treated like dear family lost and found again. Their more rigid manners were curious, their masked faces mysterious, but their presence welcomed warmly.

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

@Raindeer

The Trio, The Alpha & The Clan Mates.

Cor bobs his head in return to the dominant male's, his expression slowly brightening as he heard the purring continuing.

A giggle-like chirp exits the pale Soruli as he begins using his talons to groom the fur of the Ashen Hound leader amid the massaging, picking out any sticks or matted dirt.

He nuzzles the muzzle of the leader as his head is prodded, giving a little "thumbs up" to Ima and Maho before his talons lower to try rubbing the Alpha's belly in an act seen to be pleasing to some of the smaller animals the Soruli encountered.

Ima and Mica look at each other, both definitely concerned but moving to start giving similar grooming to the two females they initially fed fruits to in an example to all the rest that watched on.

"We have to call others with this many to care for." Mica notes in a half-chirp.

Ima lets out a little coo as he begins using both hands to actively scratch and groom the female he gave a fruit to, "We shall. Let them come to us first though, we do not wish to seem threatening."

At that, Mica looks to her fellow mate with question, letting out a trill of long tweets that's almost a groan as she gives a little scratch behind the ear of her female. "Really. We seem most threatening to these beings, Ima."

"No fighting!" Cor chirps from his position, attempting to both cuddle and scratch the Alpha's fur.

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

@Nerevarine & @Raindeer

One must address first their absence. Apologies.

There is hope that we may continue our interactions with less hiccups in the future.

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

Arsuron Explorers in Soruli Territory

The 6 explorers were caught off guard by the sudden arrival of the Soruli. Taking a look at the options before them, 5 of the explorers decided to take turns at the different stations; induldging in what the Soruli had to offer. While the others were taking part in the activities; the leader, a man named Anjar, watched from the sides, observing his subordinates. In particular he was interested in the effects the powder had on one of them.

@Nerevarine

Naho, staying by the side of Anjar, as she seemed to quell the caution of the five Soruli by explaining the circumstances. Her light tweeting sounds and gentle sing-song accompanied by active body movements to act things out. At the end of her display the five Soruli made varying sounds of awe understanding, looking to the five explorers that would be their partners for the evening.

Each stepped forward, guiding their new Asuron friend to a place on the mat of leaves. Three sitting, two standing.

Food Sampling

The first had a small pile of fruits, berries and nuts separated by colors and sizes.

This Soruli presented select pieces from any collection after a quick inspection, gesturing for the Asuron to nibble, chew or bite it down. Were they to eat the fruits and berries flavors would explode within their mouth, some pleasant and sweet, other wild and tangy. Each selection given seemed to compliment the last. The nuts acted as palette cleansers and added bits of tame snacking between.

Dance-Testing

The second Soruli stood close to their partner, making a motion with different body parts to the beat of the drums that pervaded the area. After a few moments of letting the Arsuron attempt to replicate or create their own movements, the Soruli flowed into a dancing semi-mirroring them, hoping to ease them into greater comfort with the activity before introducing anything else.

Staff-Play

The third Soruli stood across from their partner as well, staff in hand. They begin movements in slow motion, first extending the staff as if it were an extension of and arm, then demonstrating movements possible around the body with it. Like a dance, but much more focused than feeling, the Soruli gave encouraging cheers and minor adjustments to the position the Arsuron took.

Massage

The forth Soruli handled the massages, using the soft pads of their taloned fingers to work out the tensed muscles and rub colorful pastes into the skin to both relax and give a favorable scent of fruits and flowers over the Arsuron's natural scent.

Hands worked from the top of the head downward, moving aside hair that could be in the way before fingers worked the neck, shoulders, arms, torso and legs into sweet relaxation. After this full body massage was completed, the hair on the body is groomed, picking out any plant matter or dirt with gentle brushing of the talons.

The Dust

The last and final Soruli partner seemed to be taking varying selections of nuts and berries, vividly colored and crushing them with a rounded rock into the empty shell of a nut. A dust the color of a pale violet stood out starkly against the grey skin of the Soruli's palm as they tested its fineness and then proceeded to wet a small nut in a bowl before rolling it in the dust so that a thick layer could be upon it.

Two of these pale-dusted nuts were made, one given to the Arsuron partner and the other held in the Soruli's palm.

Lifting their fingers the dust-maker gave a countdown: Three. Two. One. They popped the nut into their mouth, chewing on it for a few moments.

The mouth was coated in something that tasted like nothing and everything. The eyes became half-lidded with enjoyment or widened with new flowing energy. The world around grew more vibrant and color and it was as if the world changed to another in the next few moments in calm reflection.

Colors shifting from one to many. The feeling of warmth and of textures increased. Any pains that existed ease away from the mind.

~~~

Naho observed as the rotation occurred as she stood aside Anjar, attempting to read his body-language to see what his opinions were.

(A PM may be sent to help confirm Arsuron/Soruli reactions. I do apologize if I did too much in one post.)
~~~

@Raindeer

The Trio, The Alpha & The Clan Mates.

Cor gave happy trills of enjoyment as the male patted his head, Ima and Mica moving to give more fruits to the females and gently begin attempts at brushing their exposed fur with taloned fingers.

All motions freeze as they hear the growl, Cor moves to hide in the fur of the male, whilst Ima and Maho tried to lower their heads along with the females, hoping to not disrespect the new dominant male that appears.

Cor watched, face half hidden in the fur of his male-friend before gently releasing them as the new dominant leader showed a shift in body language. Cor extended himself to the full height of 6'6 then slowly bowed himself in greeting to the Alpha and his clan mates.

As he rose, he turned his head to tweet over his shoulder to Ima and Mica, who moved to bring forth red fruits to each of the clan-mates as Cor himself brought the largest to the Alpha, his eyes watching the various scars across the Alpha's frame.

They seemed to misinterpret the gesture as a "Give food to us all".

Cor, after giving the fruit, moves to reveal the orange paste again, taking some upon his finger pads as he reaches forward to rub them into the Alpha's many scars each with gentle messaging motions.

Civilization Roleplay: Rise of Races (The Tribes of Nova Mondial Want You!)

Arsuron Explorers in Soruli Territory
The Six were mystified and enthralled by the colorful and vibrant life of this tree. They turned to Naho and all smiled, as much was visible under their masks anyways. They were tempted to walk around, explore and get lost in this place, but they were stopped by the leader of the troop, who was more concerned with how they were going to communicate with these people. The leader of the troop took out a piece of paper and began drawing crude pictures on in. When he showed it to Naho, it would show what appeared to be two figures trading, and below it were pictures drawn of what the Arsuron had to offer. He hoped that it would be enough for the birds to understand and for some kind of communication method to develop.

@Nerevarine

Naho's eyes curved upward as she noted some warmth coming from The Six, the tiny visible portions of their expressions or their body language reminding her of her people's. She took a step toward them to attempt pulling them along into the wild order of the Soruli world, but ended up meeting the leader half-way in his motion to stop his group and begin... drawing?

Like some did with sticks in soft dirt, this being of pointed ears and odd expression began drawing upon...

Her blazing red head tilted and stared at what he was drawing on from multiple angles, what he was drawing with. The closest thing she could think of was a leaf with their pastes upon it. Perhaps this is a special leaf from their kind's lands. Perhaps what this pointy eared draws with is a special stick just for this. A game of sharing?

She let out a happy humming-trill as she recognized some things, others not at all. Her head tilted upward to take in the leader's "face" and she nodded happily.

Yet certainly, getting all the things for this game of sharing would take time. The Six Pointy Eared had already traveled this far, been so patient in their following. She looked them each up and down in turn and then turned to take up a small stick from the ground to draw in the dirt before them all.

She drew little figures that resembled her ever smiling face and wild manes of hair. Then little figures that resembled their pointed ears and masked faces, looking back at them for reference.

The pictures showed five of the six sitting with five Soruli, each doing a different activity as example for what they could do.

Eating, dancing, staff-play, were notable, but then there were two that were... odd. One seemed to have a Soruli much closer to the pointy eared in what looked like a hug, another looked like both the Soruli and pointy eared were with waves around them creating crudely pretty patterns.

Naho looked up to the leader of The Six Pointy Eared, pointing the stick to him as she drew one last doodle in the dirt of him. She drew another Soruli and pointed at herself. Holding hands, the two figures seemed to watch the activities of the other five as they had items piled behind them.

After reviewing her work, Naho rested the stick upon the ground, turning to them all again before offering her hand to the leader and pointing to a mat of leaves where, as if by magic, five adult Soruli of varying size and colors were sitting with each other.