Post by The Radiant Dawn on Jun 29, 2014 20:11:05 GMT -5
Leona had been expecting that question for quite some time already. It was the part of Rakkor culture that seemed to fascinate everyone the most, the fact that everyone was trained to be a solider long before they would even be considered military age in almost any other part of the continent. She remembered practically every single detail. Her first day in the agoge, the training and education mandated for every Rakkor, came to mind. "Seven." Leona anticipated the air to still after the word left her lips. It had shocked most people she had told. She imagined the effect would be the same.
Post by The Iron Ambassador on Jul 2, 2014 8:23:00 GMT -5
Poppy glances over to the King and the champions around him from her seat. Solari, Shyvana, Luxanna. The fierceness of a dragon with the brightness of the Crownguard prodigy, both mentally and magically. Was Jarvan trying to show Leona that Demacia offered both strength and ferocity, as well as magical prowess with light similar to her own? That could go both ways.
She turns her head over to the rest of the banquet, noticing the surprised and perhaps even somewhat disgusted looks coming from the nobles. Her outfit no doubt. One would expect them to learn what kind of person Poppy was in the years she had spent in Demacia, but some never learn, or never choose to accept it. Sighing, she ignores the glares and simply leans her elbows against the table, listening to the chatter all around, waiting for the banquet to either end, or for her presence to be required by Jarvan.
Post by The Lady of Luminosity on Jul 4, 2014 1:26:04 GMT -5
Lux was silent as Leona and Shyvana spoke, listening to the conversation with interest. Obviously combat wasn't something of her interest in terms of dueling and the like, but to hear two warriors - three, if you counted Jarvan who had initiated the talking - discuss something that was a part of who they were was always of note. Movement caught the woman's eye and Lux glanced over to see Poppy enter the room. The outfit was one that somewhat startled the mage - but then, as she thought about it, Lux realised that she'd never seen the yordle in anything but practical gear. After a moment she shrugged - Poppy had Champion ties rather than noble ones to this event, and obviously had chosen to dress her way. No doubt she had enough nobles squinting at her without the girl to the same-
"A drink, my lady?" Another manservant interrupted Lux's concentration with a tray. The goblets this time bore juice or water. After a moment the mage selected a juice, nodding her thanks to the man as he slid back through the crowd with the ease of long practice. That done, Lux turned her attention back to the conversation at hand.
"So young?" she inquired. "Is the way of the Rakkor so tied to combat? Although to be fair, from childhood many of us are enrolled in schools and education - perhaps that is the same for you, but with different activities of course."
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Jul 4, 2014 1:52:29 GMT -5
Leona's eyes passed over to Lux as she responded. The conclusion she drew was valid, almost startlingly so. Many with whom she had already spoken had not drawn the conclusions and comparisons she had. "The way of the Rakkor is combat." Leona replied, pausing briefly. "The primary focus of the agoge is to train soldiers, but also to give the young ones skills needed later in life, things such as reading, writing, subjects that you would find taught in a school here, I imagine, so you are very much correct in drawing such a comparison." Leona paused again, an absent look in her eyes indicative of her recalling memories. "However, even by standards of military training it is harsh. I do not think anything which can even compare exists on the continent, judging by what I have witnessed." The physical scars Leona still bore were a testament to its brutality. The agoge had made her a soldier of greater caliber than military veterans by the time she was barely an adult, but at what cost? She never truly knew, for she had experienced but one childhood, and knew none other.
Post by The Grand Duelist on Jul 7, 2014 4:59:45 GMT -5
Fiora turned away from the King Jarvan's company as she took a sip from a goblet brimming with expensive wine offered by a servant. No doubt they were engaged in some frivolous game of words, if the Laurent's past meetings with nobility had taught her anything. But the Solari did not seem to be the type to play such games--they seemed too straight forward for that. Fiora could not decide if she liked that or not.
Her eyes fell on Poppy once more. Although she knew little of the Iron Ambassador, Fiora could see that the yordle had one eye on the conversation at hand like everyone else. Their eyes met for a brief second and Fiora gave a curt nod, making her way towards Poppy. As she got closer, she obscured Poppy's view of the group, demanding full attention. Flashing a mischievous smile once she caught the yordle's eye again, Fiora leaned slightly to the side, looking over her shoulder.
"What does Jarvan zink he'll accomplish by bringing zee half-dragon into zee conversation?" she thought aloud, pursing her lips. "I should hardly think he intends to impress the Solari with her. Zey must 'ave some dragons on zeir mountains somewhere; seeing her aligned wiz us will hardly draw them into an alliance."
Post by The Iron Ambassador on Jul 8, 2014 6:19:27 GMT -5
Poppy looks at Fiora, sighing mentally at Duelist's grin. Hopefully, she would remembe to keep her ego in line for once.
Only reason I can think of, is the King trying to show the Solari that Demacia has the strength and skill to keep up with them. Shyvana represents the raw power and loyalty that Demacia has, while Luxanna shows how skilled Demacians can be, as well as smart. Her magic being based on light probably doesn't hurt either.
She looks away from Fiora for a moment, back towards the Solari and Jarvan.
From what my father told me when I was a child... I understand that Dragons tend to be solitary creatures, staying away from humans and other creatures as they mostly have a deep hatred for them. A dragon living near the mountain of the Rakkor would either not have been found yet, or knows better than to attack them.
Post by The Half-Dragon on Jul 11, 2014 6:06:45 GMT -5
Shyvana looked at Jarvan as he spoke to Leona once more and asked what age they began training how to fight, Shyvana remembered that her father had told her that they began at a very young age, but she couldn't remember what age he had said to her. That is until Leona replied with the age of Seven, which explained a few things to Shyvana. Leona had been trained to fight since she was seven whilst Shyvana herself had gotten a basic training from her father and began to train in the Demacian army at the age of eighteen.
"I can't say I know a whole lot about different styles of growing up, as I grew up on the run, but I do have a question for you, Leona. My Father told me that you, the Rakkor, didn't take too kind on strangers coming up your mountain." Shyvana said and tilted her head slightly.
"Of course it might be a long time ago, as he was around a few hundred years old, but I wondered if that's still true."
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Jul 11, 2014 19:01:01 GMT -5
Leona was interested as to how a Shyvana's father, a dragon, knew so much about the Rakkor. She had only seen dragons rarely, even from the highest peak on the continent that was her home, and none had even so much as attempted any form of contact. It was odd how such a creature, regardless of how old or intelligent he was, had gathered the knowledge he had. That was something she might inquire of in the future. "Yes, that is correct. Anyone who is not of the Rakkor or not welcome is sent away. Visitors are extremely rare, and only stay briefly, especially if they do not seek the Solari on the peak of the mountain." Leona replied, facing Shyvana.
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jul 11, 2014 23:58:04 GMT -5
"Your culture is insular, yet your faith calls you to demonstrate the glory of sun to others, does it not?" Jarvan IV was content to let their line of questioning continue, as long as no offense seemed taken by Leona and her comrades. They seemed content to let her speak on their behalf. He eyed the pair's stoic accompaniment of their emissary, and was pleased to notice Poppy standing nearby.
He had wanted her here. Her calm demeanor, the working alliance with Bandle city she represented, and even her choice of dress for the occasion might go a long way toward making the Solari comfortable. The current group being what it was, he simply nodded toward her when her eyes caught his. A small victory perhaps, soon but not now.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Jul 12, 2014 0:24:31 GMT -5
The first misconception. Leona had expected more, and earlier, but it was only inevitable that one would come up, and she would promptly address it. "It does not. We have no missionaries, but any foreigner who wishes to join our ranks is welcomed to, although few are so inclined. We are predominantly Rakkor." Leona was saddened, somewhat, by the last fact. They no doubt seemed strange, even hostile to outsiders. The few foreigners they had among their ranks were valuable indeed to Leona, a reminder that it is simply impossible to believe that all those who are not of Rakkor blood are fearful of everyone on the mountain, that there were some in the world who did not hate them.
Leona's companions seemed to consistently have no input, or, more likely, simply kept to themselves, as was the norm for them. They stood, outwardly appearing slightly relaxed, their hands held behind their backs and their muscles allowed to relax. Their eyes remained ever vigilant, however, a reminder of their sworn duty to the one they had followed all the way here, to a strange city in a land away from home. It did not matter why they were there. What mattered was their oath.
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jul 14, 2014 0:09:18 GMT -5
That explanation was entirely unexpected, though it brought to light another question. The size of the group belonging to the Solari was entirely unknown to him. How they chose their members or what ceremonies they observed was entirely a mystery. He chose a less demanding question, considering the time and company. He had no desire to interrogate his guest.
"I see, though I am surprised. Most who worship their gods also feel called to share their faith. Perhaps the sun expects those worthy of it to simply find their own way. I understand that the Rakkor wholly value the guidance of the Solari, yet they do not count themselves among you. What separates one of the Rakkor from the Solari? Is there another rite of passage?"
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Jul 14, 2014 0:25:18 GMT -5
Leona was beginning to wonder more and more where all those present received their information from. It was not poor, at least compared to the typical level of knowledge one would have of the Rakkor, but it seemed that they had acquired certain details of life on the mountain from somewhere. "It is a simple matter of allegiance. The loyalty of the Rakkor and the Solari lie in different places, although they are not far separated. There is no trying rite of passage to simply join ranks with the Solari, although to join ranks with certain orders of the Solari there are some which are brutally trying." Leona paused, and before Jarvan would have the time to pose another question, she decided it was her turn to receive answers. "Where is it you receive this information from?"
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jul 14, 2014 0:48:06 GMT -5
Her question was yet another surprise, and he took a moment to consider what information she was asking about. Surely it was common knowledge.
"We know from our visitation on Mount Targon and the word of others who have been there that the Solari and the Rakkor are divided, that the Solari occupy a higher physical position on the mountain, and that the Rakkor show a level of respect to the Solari that can only be accompanied by a hint deference."
He gauged her reaction to each of his facts, though her face was sparing with emotion. Perhaps she though their world on the mountaintop to be a more private place than he perceived it to be. Yes, there was nothing to be said of the details of their day-to-day lives and beliefs, but some truth could be gleaned from even the most basic interactions between their people. It always served to be watchful.
Post by The Radiant Dawn on Jul 14, 2014 1:20:18 GMT -5
To be honest, she had expected a more impressive answer. He was not very forthcoming with his source of information, however, having only limited himself to the exact piece of information he had asked her about, and not the wider spectrum Leona had hoped for. Her face still maintaining the same expression, she replied. "Few come to the mountain, although I wonder what they had thought, or how it was they were allowed entry. I am, sometimes, less informed that I would like."
Post by Exemplar of Demacia on Jul 14, 2014 22:36:14 GMT -5
Hers was a measured response, but it spoke volumes. It was not surprising that in a society so tightly kept she should feel uncomfortable with the thought that strangers might break that isolation. A fear of the unknown Jarvan IV noted, the fear of the outside world coming in.
"The fact that such lucky people were so difficult to find proves your point. I wanted to learn as much as I could about your people before I invited you here. The administration at the Institute of War was as helpful as I could have hoped in that respect. Your people are still quite unknown in the world at large. Perhaps that might change in future. For now, I hope that you enjoy visiting our city. I'm sure you must have curiosities of your own."
Welcome to Maelstrom, Original Characters, Summoners and Champions alike. We are a divergent setting roleplay forum for the ever-popular MOBA by Riot, League of Legends. This means we are based in Riot canon, but your characters' actions can have a real, lasting impact on the world. Together, the Maelstrom community endeavors to bring the League of Legends setting and characters to life through collaborative storytelling and meaningful development. We welcome you along for the ride.
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