Azukai
Zuki
The rise of the morning sun came with an unnerving disturbance that rippled across Genroi. For most long term residents, the bone-chilling shrieks of Omen Speakers were common enough that they had grown numb to their cries. The same, however, could not be said for anyone else, whose experience with these creatures were either minimal, or whose mental fortitude was weak against dread. "Remind me, Vin. Whose bright idea was it to send Omen Speakers at the crack of bloody dawn?" Sylvia uttered in a fear-stricken tone; her gaze focused on the ominous birds that soared in every which direction away from their roost. The man, known as Vin, only chuckled in response to his companion's agitation, knowing full well that he, himself, was the cause of her and everyone else's terror.
"Keep it up and you'll attract one." Sure enough, a blood-curdling shriek was heard directly above their heads, as a ginormous bird began its circling descent towards Sylvia. Omen Speakers had more than just a terrifying call. With a wing span that stretched nearly twenty four feet and a body that stood as high as the average adult, Omen Speakers were one of the largest avian species to soar across El'yssi's skies. With a loud thud, a cloud of debris was stirred into the air as the bird collided against the dusty ground and began eyeing Sylvia with a sinister gaze. The bird was grotesque in every which way. Patches of feather and skin were sloughing off its body, while oozing pus seeped from its festering wounds filled with crawling, vomit-inducing life. Sylvia grunted in disgust; however, she still reached forward and began petting the top of the bird's head, doing her best to ignore the revolting wetness that began to coat her hand. In an instant, the waves of dread emanating from the bird's body dissipated away, as did the horror of its figure. In its place was an ordinary avian body, coated in black feathers and happily squawking at her and Vin. "Just because their demeanor scares me, doesn't mean I don't know how to handle myself around one." She announced in a chiding tone which again made Vin laugh. "A cruel test you have placed upon our hopeful Seekers, however. Fail to placate the Omen Speaker, and they will never receive the location of the Selection, nor would they receive the emblem to even qualify in the first place." She gave the bird a hard smack against its wing, then watched as it burst into the air and returned to its roost.
Genroi was a magnificent city-state, not only because of its unparalleled architecture and technology borrowed from the Synthian, but also because of its vast nature preserves that acted as conservation grounds for the Tamers and Alchemists of the Guild. The Roost was one of these grounds--specifically for endangered species of avians and other flight-gifted creatures--which existed along the hills that surrounded the outskirts of the city. Because of its elevated location, the Roost provided a jaw-dropping view down into the valley where the city laid adjacent to the Southern Okino Ocean. Even though the sun had only begun its ascent, numerous merchant ships were visible on the horizon, some of them returning to the homes abroad, while others brought fresh goods for the bustling Guild marketplace.
A small sigh escaped Sylvia's lips as she plopped onto the ground, unfazed by the grass and dirt which marred the underside of her pearly silken dress. Immediately, she closed her eyes, leaned backwards, and began resting her upper body against Vin's legs. "Why did you bring me here?"
Vin, who was unfazed by the sudden interaction, continued to gaze towards the ocean horizon with a small smile on his face. "I may have been absent for the last five years, but that doesn't mean I've grown ignorant to the mainland. It isn't a mere coincidence that the great Rosenwald, herself, has summoned me of all people to oversee the growth of new Seekers. So tell me, Sylvie. Why did you bring me here?"
This time it was Sylvia's turn to chuckle. She leaned her head back as far as it would go and gazed up towards Vin with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Vit du, du svarinc zenath upp va..."
Reward: Seeker Emblem and a Map to the Trials
Omen Speaker: Omen Speakers are a rare avian species that only appear as a harbinger of something to come. They are native to the swamps of Afevresi. Because of their natural dread guise and blood-curdling screech, they have been considered a poor omen throughout El'yssian history. As such, they were hunted into near extinction by the Synthian people. In the present, they are considered a protected species under the Guild's conservation program and have shown great promise as messenger birds. To the unaware, they are considered a dangerous species under guise, due to their fear aura, grotesque appearance, enormous size, and seemingly aggressive temperament; however, such behavior is nothing more than a facade. Once the guise is broken, an Omen Speaker is a calm, intelligent bird that becomes quite affectionate with its Tamer.
"Keep it up and you'll attract one." Sure enough, a blood-curdling shriek was heard directly above their heads, as a ginormous bird began its circling descent towards Sylvia. Omen Speakers had more than just a terrifying call. With a wing span that stretched nearly twenty four feet and a body that stood as high as the average adult, Omen Speakers were one of the largest avian species to soar across El'yssi's skies. With a loud thud, a cloud of debris was stirred into the air as the bird collided against the dusty ground and began eyeing Sylvia with a sinister gaze. The bird was grotesque in every which way. Patches of feather and skin were sloughing off its body, while oozing pus seeped from its festering wounds filled with crawling, vomit-inducing life. Sylvia grunted in disgust; however, she still reached forward and began petting the top of the bird's head, doing her best to ignore the revolting wetness that began to coat her hand. In an instant, the waves of dread emanating from the bird's body dissipated away, as did the horror of its figure. In its place was an ordinary avian body, coated in black feathers and happily squawking at her and Vin. "Just because their demeanor scares me, doesn't mean I don't know how to handle myself around one." She announced in a chiding tone which again made Vin laugh. "A cruel test you have placed upon our hopeful Seekers, however. Fail to placate the Omen Speaker, and they will never receive the location of the Selection, nor would they receive the emblem to even qualify in the first place." She gave the bird a hard smack against its wing, then watched as it burst into the air and returned to its roost.
Genroi was a magnificent city-state, not only because of its unparalleled architecture and technology borrowed from the Synthian, but also because of its vast nature preserves that acted as conservation grounds for the Tamers and Alchemists of the Guild. The Roost was one of these grounds--specifically for endangered species of avians and other flight-gifted creatures--which existed along the hills that surrounded the outskirts of the city. Because of its elevated location, the Roost provided a jaw-dropping view down into the valley where the city laid adjacent to the Southern Okino Ocean. Even though the sun had only begun its ascent, numerous merchant ships were visible on the horizon, some of them returning to the homes abroad, while others brought fresh goods for the bustling Guild marketplace.
A small sigh escaped Sylvia's lips as she plopped onto the ground, unfazed by the grass and dirt which marred the underside of her pearly silken dress. Immediately, she closed her eyes, leaned backwards, and began resting her upper body against Vin's legs. "Why did you bring me here?"
Vin, who was unfazed by the sudden interaction, continued to gaze towards the ocean horizon with a small smile on his face. "I may have been absent for the last five years, but that doesn't mean I've grown ignorant to the mainland. It isn't a mere coincidence that the great Rosenwald, herself, has summoned me of all people to oversee the growth of new Seekers. So tell me, Sylvie. Why did you bring me here?"
This time it was Sylvia's turn to chuckle. She leaned her head back as far as it would go and gazed up towards Vin with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Vit du, du svarinc zenath upp va..."
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Quest: Your character will have an encounter with the chosen messenger of the Guild, an Omen Speaker. You must subdue the Omen Speaker's guise in order to claim your right at the Seeker Trial.
Reward: Seeker Emblem and a Map to the Trials
Beast Compendium Entry
Omen Speaker: Omen Speakers are a rare avian species that only appear as a harbinger of something to come. They are native to the swamps of Afevresi. Because of their natural dread guise and blood-curdling screech, they have been considered a poor omen throughout El'yssian history. As such, they were hunted into near extinction by the Synthian people. In the present, they are considered a protected species under the Guild's conservation program and have shown great promise as messenger birds. To the unaware, they are considered a dangerous species under guise, due to their fear aura, grotesque appearance, enormous size, and seemingly aggressive temperament; however, such behavior is nothing more than a facade. Once the guise is broken, an Omen Speaker is a calm, intelligent bird that becomes quite affectionate with its Tamer.
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