Astrum can be seen walking around the edge of the forest. His eyebrows are singed and his face seems to be covered in soot. He is pausing at every tree and peering through a book he carries with him. He posts a sign on each tree and then moves on to the next. Close inspection of the signs reveal that they are inscribed with the names of each of the trees (birch, oak, pine).
Astrum mumbles to himself as he nails up yet another sign, "This should clear up any confusion..."
"Birch you fool! Birch!" Astrum turns to continue in his endless chore but then pauses. He taps his lip twice, then turns around and slaps the angori in the chest. There is now a piece of sticky paper on the angori's shirt with the word, 'Grall,' on it.
Astrum winks. "That way you won't forget it big fella." He proceeds distributing signs.
Grall examines the small piece of paper stuck to his chest. "This is my name. I know my own name, even how to spell it. Being that I know my own name, and assuming that we all know that those are trees, I can only assume that your actions carry a deeper meaning, mage. Members of my tribe do this often."
"In my tribe, when one of our females uproots a large tree and places it over the entrance to her cave, it is usually to express that she is unhappy with her mate and does not wish him to come home until the tree is removed. The male is still, of course, able to drag the tree out of the way and enter his home. However, it is often better to leave and go hunting, rather than face the wrath of an angry mate." Grall pauses, snapping a particularly large icicle off of his left horn and begins nibbling at it absently as he talks. "Also, if an Angori father presents his short-horn with their first spear, it means that he believes they are ready to begin hunting with the adults. Likewise, if one is angry with their short-horn, an Angori will often capture a weak animal and bring it back to the tribe alive, tying it to a post in the center of town. This is to show that the short-horn is to stay home and hunt a weak, tied-up animal, because they are not worthy of a true hunt."
Grall snaps the icicle between his sharp canines. "Of course, while striking another with your fists is often a way for Humans to show anger, we Angori will often do this as a passing gesture, or perhaps for no reason at all." Turning back to Astrum, Grall inquires, "What significance does posting fliers on everything have for you, Human-friend?"
Astrum pauses in his work and listens intently. Upon the end of the angori's story, Astrum breaks into a smile. "Well I never thought I'd meet a savage with a sense of culture or an inquisitive mind. As it is, you have just earned yourself an invitation to the Silverwing town gaurd. I will consult with Garith and Drux shortly."
"As you have asked, I will tell you. I find this town's lack of interest in the names of trees appalling. Why on earth call something by such a boring name when they each have their own personal name? We're surrounded by names and noone knows them. It's an outrage as far as I'm concerned."
Astrum continues muttering to himself about names and whatnot as he ambles off to the next tree. He stops and looks back. "I say boy, don't lose that curiosity. This town is a bit lacking in character. Everyone here is just so boring... Do tell if you'd like a nice duel, I'd be more than willing to go sword to sword with such an inquisitive mind."
Grall smiles at the compliment, puffing out his chest proudly. "Of course! Angori culture is rich and colorful, at least in my tribe. Did you know that my tribe's bloodline descends from demons? It's true. That is why why have such magnificent, upturned horns; much better than those bloody spire-horns and the retched reverse-horns. It is also why each and every one of us, even the women and children, is able to be such a brutal warrior while still maintaining our proud dignity. Any member of my tribe would willingly take on a dragon with his or her bare hands, if the need arose," the Angori boasts, beating his fist against his chest with a loud thump.
"As for dueling, my dead monkey, I must decline. Do not think me a coward though, for I fear nothing and destroy all! It is just that I now live a new life here in Jastrey, and I must not make enemies out of the powerful members of town. I need all the help I can get to destroy that horn-snapper Altasor." Grall's lip curls back in a deep snarl at the thought of his blood-enemy.
"Furthermore, I know little of trees and their proper names. However, since I am considerably taller than one of your race, I will help you post these fliers if you so wish."
Astrum replies, "Well I would be quite honoured if you would kindly allow us to record your race's culture and add it to our library. There can never be enough scrolls as far as I'm concerned."
Astrum continues to listen.
"Well I assure you there would be no enemies made! Just a friendly duel! But perhaps some other time is best. There are a lot of trees to go.."
Astrum hands the angori a stack of notes and a book.
"Use the book to determine which tree is which. Don't mislabel them. All of Orn might fall into chaos if you do."
"I will try my best, friend," promises Grall, as he picks up the book on trees and begins attempting to read it upside down. "As for my culture and my tribe history, I would be more than happy to share with you and your library. If you ask me, every citizen of Jastrey could benefit from learning about one another's cultures, especially mine. Bonekeeper Tribe history is fascinating, do you agree?"
"Well I am sure I would agree, if I but heard a bit of it. I believe we have labeled enough trees for today. At least enough to give everyone the idea. Do come back to the tower and we'll have a word and perhaps begin documentation of your history over a bit of tea."
With that, Astrum begins walking towards the tower, waving his hand for Grall to follow.
Grall Bonekeeper trudges up to Astrum, leaving great big holes in the snow where his boots have made prints as big as an enormous grizzly bear. Tiny icicles hand from his horns, giving him the appearance of an ice demon.
"Hello Astrum. What busies you on this fine, snowy day?" The weather obviously seems to have pleased the Angori, reminding him of his home in the great mountains of another shard where it snowed from mid-Autumn until the beginning of Spring.
"What do those signs say?" Grall squints closely at the pieces of parchment, reading them out loud in a slow, careful voice. "Bi-..bitch.... Oo-ak..and pi-..pin?" The Angori frowns and stands up straight. "Why in Orn would you name the trees such strange names? You monkeys have such abnormal customs."