Kresh stands before the Library. *I must grow more in mind* he thought to himself. Kresh slams his fist on the front door. He can not help but appreciate the strength of this door. *Never have i thought i could solve all my problems with my axe* Kresh came here without his axe or other blades he carried, and hoped he wouldn't need them.*Oh great bear give me the strength to control this beast within* Kresh prayed to his god.
Kreshs eyes Weylyn *Food* the beast called to Kresh. Kresh grabbed Weylyn shirt as his arm transforms into that of a bear. His claws tears into Weylyns shirt as Kreshs eyes turn from blue to a black. Kresh lifts Weylyn in the air, and pulls back the other hand as it to changes into a bear claw. Kresh shakes his head, eyes change back blue as Kresh grabbed the arm holding Weylyn [Maim]. As Kresh breaks his own arm Weylyn is dropped back to his feet. "GET RUNE!!!!!" Kresh yelled.
Garen was halfway down the stairs when he saw Kresh break gis own arm. 'He is gaining more control over the beast. This is progress.', Garen thought. He sprinted towards the ulf and put himself between the two. "Easy Big Guy, it's me. Uordeq meat tastes sour you know. Do we need to take this outside? There are a lot of rare books we don't want damaged." With a look of his dark eyes Garen tried to convey a friendly tone to ease the beast into submission. There was no need for violence.
Garen quickly took off his ironweave robe and bound Kresh's massive arms behind his back. "This material may not bind you for long, but it will give me more time to react should I need to", Garen said. The duskling then reached to his tool belt and pulled out the appropriate apparatus." I can fix [repair] your Shirt if you would like sir...I'm sorry I do not believe we have been formally introduced. My name is Garen Veniir", Garen then looked at Kresh again, "Do not hang your head so my friend. It was not you I saw attack the ulf but the beast that haunts you."
Althena, who had been on the steps leading upwards into the tower, hears the violence from the entryway. Glancing upwards, she decides her chores above can wait and rushes back, grabbing her mace as she races through to the door. She is shocked to find Weylyn staggering, and equally appalled as she realizes that Kresh is near fury. Rushing to her ulf friend's side, she quickly releases a healling spell over him, glaring over at Kresh and Garen. "There is no violence in the tower!" she hisses as she completes the healing spell upon Weylyn. "What is wrong with you, Kresh?"
Weylyn was completely unprepared as Kresh lashed out and lifted the wide eyed ulf off his feet with a loud yelp. The were-bear's claws digging into his tunic. Then he was even more surprised and confused when Kresh broke his own arm dropping him back to his feet. This didn't stop him from jumping back to partially hide behind one of the bookshelves his ears laid back against his skull wearriedly.
While watching Kresh and Garen talk he composed himself before calling out in a loud voice. "Rune-san! We have a situation at the front door..." He yelled never taking is eyes off Kresh "Althena-San, you had best come as well!" he continued as Garen walked over to where he was peeking around the bookshelf. He wasn't hurt but the Blood Bear chieftan was acting strange and he had a broken arm, he and the docents took hospitality very seriously.
He glanced at Garen with a nod before turning his attention almost immediantly back to Kresh "I'm Weylyn." he said not in the state to make a formal introduction at the moment. "What's wrong with Kresh-san? I know he's often like that in combat... but I've never seen him lash out at random like that.... what did I do?" he asked confused.
"Kresh is a were beast now, that much is clear. I was there when he first turned and he attacked the mau Shrayvar in a similar fashion. I believe it is ferals that that cause the beast to...hunger. But you did nothing wrong and I will compensate whatever you need for damages.", Garen said to Weylyn.
The ulf nodded to Althena. "My thanks Althena-san." He said appreciatively as Garen explained the situation. Upon hearing the full story Weylyn looked at kresh with an odd mixture of worry and sympathy. He shook his head "It was... A shock. However no true harm was caused...besides... I'm well used to my family having the occasional difficulty controlling there instincts." He said before hesitantly leaving the relative safety of the bookshelves with visible effort. Though his posture especially to one used to reading his tail and ear movements could tell he was still a little worried.
Swift came running from around another bookshelf stopping to observe the situation. "Are you alright Weylyn?" The Ixifar stood in the center of the entry way , his arms relaxed at his sides ready to blow there were-bear out the door if needed. "The tower has been busy this week."
"Would you care for some tea to calm yourself Kresh? Master Rune is speaking to our other guest upstairs."
Shrayvar, who was still downstairs, quickly concealed himself behind a bookshelf when he heard Weyln say Kresh's name. *Hide* He gripped his pendant of dreams tightly as he cocked his ears to listen. Imagine, having to avoid a blood brother in such a way! It was unthinkable. He held his breath as he listened to the encounter between Kresh, Weyln, and Garen. Shrayvar had hoped that Garen was wrong when he first said Ferals caused Kresh to lose control, but the proof was right there in the libary. Ironic that Kresh had shown up when Shrayvar had come to the library to learn more about werebeasts. It was just as well. Shrayvar couldn't read very well anyway.
((cross-posted from "Finding the Shriss"))
((Crosspost "finding the shriss"))
after finishing his gourd a bit more Peleus gathered himself from the rooftop and made his way down the steps to the central route. Upon taking the first step slipping on a rock Peleus tumbled down the steps. Landing face first on the ground level with the loud thud. Muffled words could be heard echoing through the halls "Dammit". With the mighty breath, Peleus exhaled pushing himself to his feet. [push 10, tumble]
As he gazed around the room more confused than ever. Peleus turned to the others, "Should I even bother asking? " taking another sip from the gourd.
Althena steps away from Weylyn, eyes, full of worry and concern, are fixed upon Kresh as Garen explains what has happened. "This was the night of the bear attack?" she asks, shaking her head, her voice full of remorse. "I am very sorry, Kresh. There should have been more that I could have done."
"I don't think there was anything that anyone could do. I had every healer in the Blood Bears attempt to heal the wound but nothing worked. Goose placed a claw infused with Prime enerjy on the wound though, but that did nothing but make it worse", Garen said, putting the finishing touches on the knot. "But I believe there is hope that my brother can channel the beast into a force for good. That is why he is here this day, to learn"
Althena tilts her head, frowning as she continues to watch Kresh and listens to Garen. "Does he really need to be restrained like that?" Then she shakes her head; she is certain the duskling knows what he is doing. "Very well. But, we cannot remain in the foyer; let us at least take him into library common room. Rune is busy with another guest, but I am certain it will notice the commotion and make its appearance. Or," she gestures toward Weylyn and Swift. "I am certain our resident scholars can begin to research this newest dilemna."
Noticing how standoffish everyone is toward Kresh. Peleus approaches the human examining him. While examining him he catches a brief scent. Being an air elemental smells something off about him in the breeze. "You smell diffrent then usual... Did you get a new animal pelt?"
Garen laughed at that. "That is not far from the truth! Kresh in fact is a were bear now. And he is still getting used to controling his urges, but I believe that he is making progress towards controlling it. In fact a thought occurs, being a monk could you perhaps teach my brother how to meditate?"
"I can give it a shot but it will take time to calm his inner storm. I advise he travel the the monastery of ascending step in Broma. That's where I was raised and learned to calm my inner storm. If he's willing to make the journey they can help, if not I'll do what I can."
Poppy loudly states as she flutters into the tower landing in the door way "Ruunnnnnnneee, I need you help fin-" "Ummm" She said as she stared at the scene laid out before her. "Ummmmmmmmm do I need to come back another time? " she said disappointingly as she tried to quickly survey the surroundings. "If you guys are to busy with ummm whatever this is." she said making a circular hand motion.
Amidst the gathered adventurers, a portal opens and births the golem Rune. "This one is here. What do you..." Rune pauses as it sees the damaged bloodbear surrounded by his kin, "...need, of this one. Kresh, who has harmed you? This one thought it had caused peace between your guild and others."
Kresh looks up at Rune "Peace would be great but it seems like the people of this land take rumors over facts, without so much as a second thought." Kresh looks at his broken arm. *These people are just food....... why do we even bother talking to them, they will put us in chains brother* the beast whispered in his head. Kresh shakes his head and suppresses the beast back down. "Rune, i must find a way to keep my rage..... MY RAGE, not something else." "As for my.... weakness earlier today, you have my word i am TRYING to control this, and i am sorry for my outburst"
After hearing the muffled yelling downstairs and noticing the hasty departing of those helping her, Siska, mildly pissed, decides to crawl back into the library common through and exterior window. The corner of the library she crawls into is bathed in shadows and only her glowing eyes can been seen. She sits silent and still on the top of the tallest bookshelf, safely out of any harm's way, and watches as things transpire below her. "I must watch closely and wait." She whispers to herself.
Smiling gently, Althena steps forward. "Clear your mind, Kresh." She raises her hands, gently placing them upon the human's injured limb. "By Avaren's Blessings," [*heal 10*] "May Her Cleansing Fires burn away the darkness." [*heal 10*] Althena does not move, watching to make certain the healing fixes the injury, hoping that Kresh's inner struggles ease to allow it. "I'm am certain Weylyn can forgive you."
Weylyn nodded at Althena who he was vaguely hiding behind. "It was a shock Kresh-san... but you did stop yourself before actually hurting me." He said a consolitory manner. "Besides. Fighting one's instincts is possibly the hardest of battles... especially when one hasn't grown with them and they are trust upon you." His tone was still weary but there was sympathy in his face.
Upon reaching the 4th floor of the tower, Swift enters the greenhouse cautiously. His encounter with the lizardfolk had still shaken him. It shouldn't have, he thought. I was completely calm with Kresh. Why with this creature?
The ixifar went to the second of the long row of plant beds were Wolf's Bane grew. Rune has long tended the greenhouse this year from his foraging, and the results were starting to show. Swift cut five leaves from some of the Wolf's Bane stalks.
I almost lost control over my channeling of the Maelstrom. His feathers shuddered at the thought. Swift had heard of the black feathered ixifar and the temptations of the destructive power of the Maelstrom. Many had gone mad, no longer seeing the morality of the world. I must make some sort of peace with this Shriss; if not for myself then those around me.
The tall ixifar swept off downstairs with his attempted treatment for Kresh in hand.
Kresh seemed to have regained control, so far as Shrayvar could tell. Would appearing now be safe, or would it cause Kresh to lose it again? Shrayvar considered the worse case scenerio. If Kresh attacked, he only had one arm anyway. There was more than enough people present to stop him, and if by some miracle that wasn't enough Shrayvar could always use his Pendant. He stepped out from behind the bookcase and into view.
"Quite so, " he said with a nod towards Weylyn. "We ferals have a natural killer instinct. It's no exageration to say that we're part animal. Much like how you are now, Kresh. Perhaps the techniques that we use to stay civil can be of help to you."
"Ah yes Rune, I was hoping you or one of your docents could help me find information on locating something...." She said trailing off again still watching the situation unfold, she made way through the crowd of people to Kresh placing a firm hand on where the arm was she say "Through my words let you be remade." [renew limb] As she finished her chant sickening sounds could be heard as the limb reformed itself. Poppy looking up is met with the sight of Swift instantly recognizing what he is holding"woah woah, now wait a minute. I know that seems like a really good idea, but I would suggest agianst." "I mean what next are you going to do purge and prime?." She said laughing shaking her head.
As Shrayvar enters the room Kresh looks up at him *Look at that young flesh..... it would taste sweeter then deer brother, and there is another smell in the air..... a shriss....... we have never tasted the flesh of one of them.....* the beast whispers him Kreshs mind. "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Kresh yells. Kreshs finger nail grow into talons and Kreshs eyes begin to turn black. Kresh bashes his face into the floor and Knocks himself out.
Weylyn looked surprised as Shrayvar appeared as well. He thought about what the mau said for a moment. "W could offer to try... but my instincts are screaming at me to flee... I'm not sure how much help-" He cut off when kresh yelled. He jumped back behind a bookcase and looked out just in time to see him knock himself out. "Umm... Rune-san... it might help if Shrayvar-san and myself are not here when Kresh-san awakens. You will be able to help more effectively without our very presence causing aggitation." He offered "Shrayvar-san. There is a shriss upstairs looking for information on her people. If the best of the docents are here to help your chieftain would you be willing to help me so we shall be out of their way?" He asked.
"Well I guess that solves the problem for now." Peleus joked. "Maybe I should get a hold of him while he's out." Peleus walks over to the still body of Kresh. [Pin 2]
"Now then what are we going to do with him. I can't simply hold him forever."
Noticing a sent on the breeze Peleus turns to the bookshelf and looks up. "You can come out now. " [Seek]
The remains of the afternoon sun began to sink as Swift came down the stairway. Seeing the crowd now gathered inside made the ixifar raise an eyebrow. The sudden change in Kresh brought pause Swift, but his decision was made. "At least this will make things easier.", he said.
Breaking each leaf of Wolf's Bane, the ixifar pushed his way through the crowd. He stuffed the broken leaves into Kresh's cheeks. "My Avaren have mercy upon your suffering. My your mind be yours again.', said Swift invoking the immortals' name.
Hearing the fox-like creature's words Siska drops noiselessly to the floor behind the small group of people gathered around the uncontious commoner. "My fellow ferrrals, what this one says is sound judgement." she points to Weylyn and continues in her soft, exotic voice. "Let us rrremove ourselves frrrom the arrrea beforrre this man awakens. We arrrre not an asset herrrre." Siska moves to the stairs and turns to see if the other ferals follow her lead.
((moving to finding the shriss))
Weylyn looked at Peleus and directed his gaze towards the ceiling. He couldn't see anyone up there but he did hear a soft hiss. He wasn't sure but since the only person he didn't see that was known to be around was the shriss. Then she dropped down into view he nodded to her her and followed pausing to tell the mau. "This way if you wish to join us, Shrayvar-san." He offered before wandering upstairs with the other feral
((Moving to finding shriss))
"It would be best if you heded Weylyn's advice Siska", Garen said as he finished the knot. "You to Shrayvar. If Kresh fully turns I can hold him off, but not for long. Swift, I thank you for the herbs, I hope they were not being saved for anything." Garen sits down next to his friend and places his hand on the uninjured shoulder. "You can do this brother, you have the strength. Fight it."
Shrayvar looked alarmed when Poppy moved to heal Kresh's arm. "Now hold on a—" he started to say before Kresh yelled out and partially transformed before knocking himself out. Shrayvar looked down at him. The danger had passed, but the heat of the moment did not leave so easily. Of all the people to bitten by a were-bear, why did it have to Kresh? It was completely unfair. If there was some purpose to it, Shrayvar wasn't in the mood to hear it. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He needed something to distract him before he did something he might regret. "Ye—yes. Of course," he said in response to Weylyn. He merely nodded in response to Siska. Not an asset indeed. He followed them both up the stairs, glancing back at Garen and Kresh one more time before he disappeared from sight.
((Jumping back to "Finding the Shriss"))
Althena had jumped back as Kresh thrashed about and knocked himself out. She offered a frown at the feral, nodding as they departed the scene. She reaches over and grasps Swift's wrist, pulling his hand away before he could shove more of the wolf's bane into Kresh's mouth. "Swift, please leave the healing to those of us with experience," she says. "Wolf's bane being an antidote, while true in some cases, can more often than not lead to death." She kneels beside Kresh's unconscious body, placing a hand to the human's forehead. "Garen, can you shift him around a bit? Make him more comfortable?" She glances over at the duskling. "He may be too heavy for us to try and move, unless we can get Rune to move him into one of the unoccupied chambers?" She looks over at the construct. "Peleus, move his feet there, will you?"
"Agreed. It is dificult but I have dragged him before with the help of others. I'm sure Peleus and I can manage. Is there any way we can get a pillow or cushion for his head?", Garen said, pulling Kresh into a lying down position. "I think it will be a bit sore when he comes to"
Poppy sighs as Swift disregards her statement and goes ahead to feed the bloodbear wolfs bane. "Thank, you Athena. " She mutters softly as the other docent interferes to correctly inform him. "If you need to move him from chambers I can, I am quiet strong despite my looks.." the fae said chirped. "Mhmm his head? yes a bit but no more rough then a hangover after a long night of drinking"
Althena glances up. "Thank you, Poppy. Sometimes two voices are needed." Althena rises, looking at the others. "We can set him in the chamber that was designated for my use," she shrugs her shoulders as she tilts her head slightly. "I don't use it very much. Kresh may not appreciate how soft it is in there, but I doubt he will complain."
"Althena can you do something about that big knot on his head?"
Peleus adjusts Kreshs legs making sure he's comfortable but still challenged if he trys to get up.
"So I have an idea... If we have a spare room available we can hold him in, while there I work with him on calming his inner storm.... But I can't make any promises. He has to be able to make the choice himself. I can't force him to do anything. "
"Let's get him into a room first, Pel," she responds. "And I will do what healing I can. I also need to do a little research in my notes. Like many in Jastrey, I have some experience with lycanthropy. But, I will admit, I have never seen it cured," she frowns as she speaks, watching as the others prepare to move the huge human. "But, perhaps with the aid of Avaren, I may be strong enough. If not..." she lets her words trail off; she is not willing to decide Kresh's fate at this time.
"Alright then to Athena's chamber it is." The fae chirped as she shifted into a beast like form that seemed to be a hybrid of fae and penguin. She grabbed kresh scoping him up into her arms almost effortlessly. [strength 1]. "That may help, Peleus. He has to learn to tame the beast while still satisfying it at times" "I faced a similar problem with my own change." she said in a sympathetic tone toward the bear
As Althena leads the group to the chambers, she glances back, a small smile upon her face. It is obvious Kresh has many friends. She hopes that they will be able to offer him strength as he continues with his current trials. They arrive at her door, and she opens it, revealing a fairly decent sized chamber. A bed sets to the side, covered in down comforters and pillows. The room is airy and bright, and she indicates to the others to set him down. She then steps away, to her desk, and pulls forth a white, leather-bound book, settles down and begins to flip through the well-worn, handwritten pages.
Althena glances up briefly at the fey and then looks back to the book. "During my time serving at the shrine to Istensia, I often had duty as a field medic." She frowns slightly at the memory. "Magical healing does not always work. I am hoping that I may have written something down during my service that may help..." she trails off as she continues her searching through her notes. "Mayhaps someone can locate Rune. I am certain the Library's catalog is far more extensive..." her voice stops now as she is absorbed in her study.
"I believe I have done all that I can for him at the present. I will take my leave now and leave him in the capable hands of the docents. I am going to go inform the rest of my family that Kresh will be staying in the library for the foreseeable future. I cannot thank all of you enough for your patience and understansing", Garen said as he gathered up his things to leave for the forrest. The uordeq then took on a grave tone. "If he gets to be to much of a danger to the residents of the library or himself, send for me and the elf named Falco. We will do what needs to be done, though immortals willing it will not come to that"
Yet another commotion within the tower captures the Ixifar's attention, and she raises her head from her manuscript. She had not noticed Garen's departure, and turns to look over at Kresh's still prone figure. Rising, she says to Poppy, "Please see to Kresh, should he awaken. He is welcome to use this chamber for however long he needs. I shall return when I am able."
With these words, crypically spoken, Althena leaves the room.
Kresh wakes up. The voice in his head is no longer as loud as it was before. "Where am I? Tell me I didnt kill anyone. I came here to learn and study what I am becoming and how to better myself as a warrior, not as a monster." Kresh hangs his head down...... *This beast will put my family in danger I must control it* he thought to himself. Kresh looks up at Althena."Will you teach me?"
Althena reaches her door, and hears Kresh's voice, softer than she has ever heard it, through her door. Concerned, she opens the door to find Kresh staring over at her. Taking a breath, she steps toward the human, gazing down at him. "You can learn to control it, or I can help you with removing the curse that has touched your body and stained your soul. Which shall it be?" She speaks in a strong voice, her eyes full of sympathy and resolve.
"No, you did not kill anyone" Poppy nods at what Athena said. "Yes, if this gift you want to keep you have to learn control. It may be useful for you to seek out the were beast that changed you he may have some useful information about the strain you have gained." She pauses for amount before continuing. "If you seek a cure I am not sure were to direct you, I have never heard of a person un-becoming a werebeast"
Noticing the calm in the room Peleus lets go of Kresh and sits down on the floor next to the bed. Popping open his gourd taking several sips, adjusting himself into a meditation position. Looking to full recharge himself in case another out burst should occur. Sitting silently and listing to everything around him.
Rune, seemingly content to see the docents work until now, emits; "Oddly enough, the tower is already equipped to handle dangerious creatures. The bottom level contrians a dungeon. However, as a favor, this one will see that some of said equipment is brought to this level. You, Kresh, are only part beast, and will be treated as such. We will need a Bloodbear with a significant amount of sway in your guild to stay with you at all times while you are studied and possibly cured." The golem falls quiet for a moment, but contiues. "This one believes you should attempt to embrace your newfound power, opposed to accepting defeat and letting it rule over you. Many of the mages here can offer such advice. Not all power is welcomed at first."
Rune, seemingly content to see the docents work until now, emits; "Oddly enough, the tower is already equipped to handle dangerious creatures. The bottom level contrians a dungeon. However, as a favor, this one will see that some of said equipment is brought to this level. You, Kresh, are only part beast, and will be treated as such. We will need a Bloodbear with a significant amount of sway in your guild to stay with you at all times while you are studied and possibly cured." The golem falls quiet for a moment, but contiues. "This one believes you should attempt to embrace your newfound power, opposed to accepting defeat and letting it rule over you. Many of the mages here can offer such advice. Not all power is welcomed at first."
"I seek to control this beast. As for the beast that turned me...... it no longer draws breath" Kresh holds up the claws of the werebeast. "It attacked me in the night and I killed it." Kresh then looks at the monk. Kresh sits down next to him "teach me how to do these things"
Althena watches as Kresh settles himself beside Peleus, turning the human's words over in her mind. She stands, deep in thought, for several minutes, and then responds. "If you wish to learn to control this curse, then I shall also help as I am able." She smiles slightly at the monk. "Peleus' disciplines will be of a great resource for you. Also, you will need a quiet place, whether to meditate, offer up prayers, or simply be alone during those times when the rage is too much for you." She tilts her head slightly. "I have built a shrine to Avaren, my new Patron. As her First Disciple, I offer the sanctuary it provides for your healing and peace of mind." She steps forward one step, eyes suddenly hard as she continues. "I hope you do learn to control this curse, Kresh. I will always offer my healing skills - and friendship - as you need. But, know now, that I shall also watch out for you, too, watchful that this curse does not overwhelm you."
"Peleus.... as much as i would love to stay here i have a feeling my brothers are in need of me... I would like to be able to call for you if i need you...... my friend." Kresh stands up and walks out the door. Before leaving he turns to Althena. "I can understand if you don't trust the beast.. nor do I... if i ever become a danger to the town or any of you......" Kresh looks down and his claws were human hands once were. "please kill me". Kresh leaves the library and heads off into the woods......
The door opened and Weylyn opened it. "Hello-" he started before cutting off in surprise. The individual before him was not one he was expecting but he was relatively well known to the ulf, have fought beside the loud man several times in the past months, causing him to break into a smile "Kresh-san. A pleasure to see you." He held the door open for the commoner and stood to the side so he could pass "What can I do for you today." he continued warmly.