03-04-2015, 06:51 PM
In Game Name (IGN): RagingLunacy
How did you find us?: Previous member~
About You: A familiar waffle from Belgianland and stuff, soon to be 24 and just your run of the mill workperson.
Actually most people already know me well enough, (un)fortunately...?
Name: Jie Minwu-Jeweler
Gender: Male
Race: Mesalian
Age: 16
Birthday: 23rd of each uneven month
Appearance:
Personality:
Skills/Knowledge:
Production:
Combat:
Languages:
Notable belongings:
Backstory:
Birth & Early years in Ravenna
Late Ravenna & Famine
The Journey
Alroc
Post Alroc
A new adventure
---
How did you find us?: Previous member~
About You: A familiar waffle from Belgianland and stuff, soon to be 24 and just your run of the mill workperson.
Actually most people already know me well enough, (un)fortunately...?
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Name: Jie Minwu-Jeweler
Gender: Male
Race: Mesalian
Age: 16
Birthday: 23rd of each uneven month
Appearance:
![[+]](/images/collapse_collapsed.png "[+]")
Spoiler
Eye Color:
Mantis Green
Hair Color:
Black
Hair Style:
Middle-length and kept loose.
Facial Features:
As he has grown, Jie seems to have certainly taken more after his mother.
He doesn't have the same prominently 'manly' face as his father, his features and facial structure a bit softer and more reminiscent of Dusken.
Body Type:
Despite keeping a slender build, Jie has gotten a nice build-up of muscle in his body at the present, with some of the muscle build-up being visible on his body as well.
This results in Jie looking fit and well-trained for his age, even if the slenderness of his frame might be mistaken as him being frailer and weaker than he actually is.
Unlike his father's body, which is more bulky, Jie's also seems more honed to favor agility and swiftness over mere brute force.
Clothing:
-A dark red, sleeveless 'Gi' with golden/yellow lining and trim that hangs a bit more loose and open than it should be.
On the back of the Gi is a golden/yellow swirl that ignites into a flame.
-Black, loose trousers that reach down to the feet but appear to be bound tight right before actually reaching the end.
-Footwear appear to be a more sturdy and reinforced variation of shoes/slippers commonly used by monks and martial artists, these being more designed for travelling and varied terrain.
-Jie's lower arms, hands as well as his lower legs and feet seem to be wrapped/bandaged, though the latter aren't as visible as the former.
Mantis Green
Hair Color:
Black
Hair Style:
Middle-length and kept loose.
Facial Features:
As he has grown, Jie seems to have certainly taken more after his mother.
He doesn't have the same prominently 'manly' face as his father, his features and facial structure a bit softer and more reminiscent of Dusken.
Body Type:
Despite keeping a slender build, Jie has gotten a nice build-up of muscle in his body at the present, with some of the muscle build-up being visible on his body as well.
This results in Jie looking fit and well-trained for his age, even if the slenderness of his frame might be mistaken as him being frailer and weaker than he actually is.
Unlike his father's body, which is more bulky, Jie's also seems more honed to favor agility and swiftness over mere brute force.
Clothing:
-A dark red, sleeveless 'Gi' with golden/yellow lining and trim that hangs a bit more loose and open than it should be.
On the back of the Gi is a golden/yellow swirl that ignites into a flame.
-Black, loose trousers that reach down to the feet but appear to be bound tight right before actually reaching the end.
-Footwear appear to be a more sturdy and reinforced variation of shoes/slippers commonly used by monks and martial artists, these being more designed for travelling and varied terrain.
-Jie's lower arms, hands as well as his lower legs and feet seem to be wrapped/bandaged, though the latter aren't as visible as the former.
Personality:
Jie has kept most of his cheerful and energetic nature from his earlier years. He tends to be optimistic and sometimes might still underestimate certain lesser situations. He is by no means clueless though, usually noticing people's emotional shifts rather easily and he has shown to be capable at taking things serious when needed.
In general though, Jie remains (for better or worse) a sunshine where-ever he is, now joined by an adventurous and confident spirit.
He certainly doesn't mind showing off what he is now capable of from time to time as well.
In general though, Jie remains (for better or worse) a sunshine where-ever he is, now joined by an adventurous and confident spirit.
He certainly doesn't mind showing off what he is now capable of from time to time as well.
Skills/Knowledge:
Production:
Cooking (Basic): Competent
Cooking (Advanced): Novice
Tea-brewing: Competent
While Jie was an eager student with his father's earlier cooking sessions, he never really had any interest to elaborate and advance in his capabilities as a cook.
He is by all means still a good cook, knowing and performing the basics quite well, but did not went far with any advanced recipes, leaving his experience with them minimal in the end.
Jie's efforts at being at least competent at tea-brewing amusingly enough stems from his own preference to drinking tea, and thus how to prepare it himself as well.
Herbalism (Complementing Cooking & Tea Brewing): Apprentice
Jie was taught mainly about spices and which plants and herbs to definitely not use for cooking or tea, nothing elaborate was ever taught about medicinal herbs or the effects of plants besides the basic 'poisonous & safe' for most part. Tea-related knowledge of plants was included at the times when Lyrxi himself prepared tea in the past, but became noticably better later on as Jie gained a liking to drinking tea often, and thus also the preparation of it.
Cooking (Advanced): Novice
Tea-brewing: Competent
While Jie was an eager student with his father's earlier cooking sessions, he never really had any interest to elaborate and advance in his capabilities as a cook.
He is by all means still a good cook, knowing and performing the basics quite well, but did not went far with any advanced recipes, leaving his experience with them minimal in the end.
Jie's efforts at being at least competent at tea-brewing amusingly enough stems from his own preference to drinking tea, and thus how to prepare it himself as well.
Herbalism (Complementing Cooking & Tea Brewing): Apprentice
Jie was taught mainly about spices and which plants and herbs to definitely not use for cooking or tea, nothing elaborate was ever taught about medicinal herbs or the effects of plants besides the basic 'poisonous & safe' for most part. Tea-related knowledge of plants was included at the times when Lyrxi himself prepared tea in the past, but became noticably better later on as Jie gained a liking to drinking tea often, and thus also the preparation of it.
Martial Arts: Competent
Jie started training under Lyrxi's tutelage early on in his life, at first disguised through games and playfull sparring. As he grew though, the training intensified to better suit his growth.
Jie kept training, even on his own and even was thought specific fighting styles in Lyrxi's home city as well as from the private tutoring from Lyrxi's old master.
Jie is arguably very close to being counted as an advanced martial artist already, if he keeps up his own periodic training for at least two years or longer.
Weapons (Tonfa): Apprentice
Weapons (Bo-staff): Competent
In reference to the backstory,
'As had become mandatory now for all students, with the recent events and dangers lurking outside the walls, everyone was taught a basic weapon to augment hand-to-hand combat as well as an additional weapon dependant of the school and the student's personal preference. While Jie got into the use of tonfas with relative ease due to their defensive nature, his main interest was the bo-staff, as (in his mind) he liked the idea of having a means of defense that had the extra reach and area of denial but could still be swung swiftly with the right use.'
Jie started training under Lyrxi's tutelage early on in his life, at first disguised through games and playfull sparring. As he grew though, the training intensified to better suit his growth.
Jie kept training, even on his own and even was thought specific fighting styles in Lyrxi's home city as well as from the private tutoring from Lyrxi's old master.
Jie is arguably very close to being counted as an advanced martial artist already, if he keeps up his own periodic training for at least two years or longer.
Weapons (Tonfa): Apprentice
Weapons (Bo-staff): Competent
In reference to the backstory,
'As had become mandatory now for all students, with the recent events and dangers lurking outside the walls, everyone was taught a basic weapon to augment hand-to-hand combat as well as an additional weapon dependant of the school and the student's personal preference. While Jie got into the use of tonfas with relative ease due to their defensive nature, his main interest was the bo-staff, as (in his mind) he liked the idea of having a means of defense that had the extra reach and area of denial but could still be swung swiftly with the right use.'
Xitian Language (Spoken): Adept
Xitian Language (Written): Competent
Jie had several tutors in the Xitian language, most notable were Lady Sidian and his own father. Jie was raised with Xitian as almost a second language while his time spent in Lyrxi's home city allowed him ample use of the language due to the decent presence of Xitians in the population.
Lucin Language (Spoken): Novice
Lucin Language (Written): N/A
Jie managed to badger poor Nerissa enough to teach him some basics in the Lucin language, unfortunately it never got progressed much further than that.
Xitian Language (Written): Competent
Jie had several tutors in the Xitian language, most notable were Lady Sidian and his own father. Jie was raised with Xitian as almost a second language while his time spent in Lyrxi's home city allowed him ample use of the language due to the decent presence of Xitians in the population.
Lucin Language (Spoken): Novice
Lucin Language (Written): N/A
Jie managed to badger poor Nerissa enough to teach him some basics in the Lucin language, unfortunately it never got progressed much further than that.
Notable belongings:
-A traveller's satchel.
-A special bracelet made using obsidian and an Ender Pearl.
-Bandages, mainly used for modest protection while training.
-Two sturdy tonfas, usually tucked behind his belt.
-A well-balanced Bo-staff.
-A (Wood)Carving Knife.
-Several wooden skewers.
-A special bracelet made using obsidian and an Ender Pearl.
-Bandages, mainly used for modest protection while training.
-Two sturdy tonfas, usually tucked behind his belt.
-A well-balanced Bo-staff.
-A (Wood)Carving Knife.
-Several wooden skewers.
Backstory:
Birth & Early years in Ravenna
Jie was born in Ravenna as the healthy little boy of Lyrxi Minwu and Dusken Jeweler. Very early on, Jie was nothing but giggles, smiles and happiness, mainly as a result of loving parents along with a mostly loving community as well. The little boy was a bundle of curiosity pretty early on with hair-tugging, face and nose booping, lots of studying stares and especially a lot of tight baby hugs for almost anyone. Jie showed off his little inventive mind when he skipped crawling by grasping onto furniture instead, effectively 'Furniture-cruising' as his first but awkward movements on his own two little legs.
The other children, especially Lapis, were a common sight for Jie, especially as the little princess had taken up the position as Jie's special big sister and the two would happily play together at many intervals. Aside from that, 'Auntie' Ruru (Arua) and Xemnes were another common sight as Jie loved spending time with his favorite godparents during visit by Lyrxi, Dusken or both parents, usually ending up thoroughly hair-ruffled and tickled. It was not rare for Jie to actively seek out people, especially new faces, to give them hugs either as in his childish mindset those hugs were good things that he wanted to share with everyone. This became also one of the reasons that Jie discovered Caius' pet, Galelio, whom he seemed to bonded with quite well, hugging and playing with the large rodent without any worry.
As Jie grew more, he seemed to have mainly taken on the better traits of both parents, most likely due to a lack of situations that exerted the worse ones. The amount of joy and caring parenting he experienced on a daily basis also might have been a good influence on his budding personality as well. He got more used to both the Mesalian language as well as the Xitian tongue that Lyrxi had been slowly letting the boy get used to and learn from. Jie would end up spending a lot more time with his father at many days when he went to the inn to cook, either ending up playing around or having to do minor efforts to help out his father with the cooking, this mostly by getting specific ingredients for him from the stocks provided that they were accessible for the young child. Once winter had passed, Jie found himself being able to happily play outside regularly and enjoyed helping out with planting herbs in the smaller herb garden at their old cottage. Other times, especially on busy days for his father, Jie would enjoy the loving company of Dusken, either at home or when she took him out to meet people. Regardless of what he was doing or where he was, Jie was always in the company of one or both of his parents.
After Jie reached his 3rd birthday, Lyrxi slowly started with some light, playful variations of training for the youngling, intending to start him off early so the boy could work out more and more as he grew up for mainly his own health and wellbeing once he'd be older. It was soon after though, only a few weeks to a month before his 4th year that Bishop and Lapis' parents had decided to leave again after only having returned for a short time, however this time they were taking their children with them which Jie only found out on the day of their departure itself. Despite how obvious it was to him that his big sister was being partially forced to leave, he could do nothing but watch it happen and give his goodbye, no amount of clinging being able to keep her in Ravenna.
Jie learned the hard way about farewells and losing important people to you, even if they might still return one day, leading to some of the first hard days for the child to move through as he neared his 4th birthday… especially once he would found out about another loss that had occurred in the meantime, the passing of his favorite Capibara, Galelio.
The other children, especially Lapis, were a common sight for Jie, especially as the little princess had taken up the position as Jie's special big sister and the two would happily play together at many intervals. Aside from that, 'Auntie' Ruru (Arua) and Xemnes were another common sight as Jie loved spending time with his favorite godparents during visit by Lyrxi, Dusken or both parents, usually ending up thoroughly hair-ruffled and tickled. It was not rare for Jie to actively seek out people, especially new faces, to give them hugs either as in his childish mindset those hugs were good things that he wanted to share with everyone. This became also one of the reasons that Jie discovered Caius' pet, Galelio, whom he seemed to bonded with quite well, hugging and playing with the large rodent without any worry.
As Jie grew more, he seemed to have mainly taken on the better traits of both parents, most likely due to a lack of situations that exerted the worse ones. The amount of joy and caring parenting he experienced on a daily basis also might have been a good influence on his budding personality as well. He got more used to both the Mesalian language as well as the Xitian tongue that Lyrxi had been slowly letting the boy get used to and learn from. Jie would end up spending a lot more time with his father at many days when he went to the inn to cook, either ending up playing around or having to do minor efforts to help out his father with the cooking, this mostly by getting specific ingredients for him from the stocks provided that they were accessible for the young child. Once winter had passed, Jie found himself being able to happily play outside regularly and enjoyed helping out with planting herbs in the smaller herb garden at their old cottage. Other times, especially on busy days for his father, Jie would enjoy the loving company of Dusken, either at home or when she took him out to meet people. Regardless of what he was doing or where he was, Jie was always in the company of one or both of his parents.
After Jie reached his 3rd birthday, Lyrxi slowly started with some light, playful variations of training for the youngling, intending to start him off early so the boy could work out more and more as he grew up for mainly his own health and wellbeing once he'd be older. It was soon after though, only a few weeks to a month before his 4th year that Bishop and Lapis' parents had decided to leave again after only having returned for a short time, however this time they were taking their children with them which Jie only found out on the day of their departure itself. Despite how obvious it was to him that his big sister was being partially forced to leave, he could do nothing but watch it happen and give his goodbye, no amount of clinging being able to keep her in Ravenna.
Jie learned the hard way about farewells and losing important people to you, even if they might still return one day, leading to some of the first hard days for the child to move through as he neared his 4th birthday… especially once he would found out about another loss that had occurred in the meantime, the passing of his favorite Capibara, Galelio.
Jie spent most of his time with either parent as the day passed.
Time spent with Dusken usually involved helping out with gardening and taking care of herbs,
while Lyrxi tended to try and teach Jie more about cooking while he was either working at the tavern or cooking at home. Most of the time though, Lyrxi trained the little tyke physically, at first through playfull games and other indirect means while falling back more and more on outright serious training sessions as time passed.
Luckily, Jie wasn't the only child in Ravenna, despite Lapis and Bishop leaving with their parents.
He still played around at times with Zaira and later Estelle, but many family visits happened more so to Arua's workplace and home where also her twins resided, Celyn and Fiore.
Jie remained relatively safe and out of reach in terms of the more dramatic and darker events that occurred in Ravenna. While such ignorance can seem to be bliss, Jie was not completely oblivious to the ongoings in the town and even if he did not know or understand 'why', he still noticed emotions shifting to anger, sadness and fear at some of the times.
Still, all Jie could do in those few times, was to act his own cheerful, cute self, as in his mind it had brought plenty a smile on people's face when he was around just beind himself.
Through chance while visiting 'auntie 'Ruru' one day, Jie would end up meeting Nerissa and somehow both of them ended up making an awkward acquaintance that would later lead to an overly curious Jie getting her to teach him some basics on how to speak the Lucin language.
Later, Jie would also meet a Xitian women named "Lady Sidian", who he gained an odd frienship with as well, the woman also ending up as a tutor of sorts for both him and (to a lesser extent) his father on more elaboration in the Xitian language which Jie had been taught as almost a second language from his early days by his father.
Eventually, events that had been going on in the town escalated into the access to the town via boat being blockaded specifically for trade vessels, depriving the town of neccesary goods as well as a more reliable source of food.
Lyrxi was more noticably worried about the state of the town and the survival of the people, which led up to a chance discussion with Arua, who had been worried for a while about her missing husband, especially with her two children having no father figure around.
As a result, Lyrxi's family along with Arua and her twins decided to journey outside of Ravenna in the hopes of finding help and willing traders to solve Ravenna's decreasing food and goods as well as finding a trace of Arua's husband, Xemnes.
Time spent with Dusken usually involved helping out with gardening and taking care of herbs,
while Lyrxi tended to try and teach Jie more about cooking while he was either working at the tavern or cooking at home. Most of the time though, Lyrxi trained the little tyke physically, at first through playfull games and other indirect means while falling back more and more on outright serious training sessions as time passed.
Luckily, Jie wasn't the only child in Ravenna, despite Lapis and Bishop leaving with their parents.
He still played around at times with Zaira and later Estelle, but many family visits happened more so to Arua's workplace and home where also her twins resided, Celyn and Fiore.
Jie remained relatively safe and out of reach in terms of the more dramatic and darker events that occurred in Ravenna. While such ignorance can seem to be bliss, Jie was not completely oblivious to the ongoings in the town and even if he did not know or understand 'why', he still noticed emotions shifting to anger, sadness and fear at some of the times.
Still, all Jie could do in those few times, was to act his own cheerful, cute self, as in his mind it had brought plenty a smile on people's face when he was around just beind himself.
Through chance while visiting 'auntie 'Ruru' one day, Jie would end up meeting Nerissa and somehow both of them ended up making an awkward acquaintance that would later lead to an overly curious Jie getting her to teach him some basics on how to speak the Lucin language.
Later, Jie would also meet a Xitian women named "Lady Sidian", who he gained an odd frienship with as well, the woman also ending up as a tutor of sorts for both him and (to a lesser extent) his father on more elaboration in the Xitian language which Jie had been taught as almost a second language from his early days by his father.
Eventually, events that had been going on in the town escalated into the access to the town via boat being blockaded specifically for trade vessels, depriving the town of neccesary goods as well as a more reliable source of food.
Lyrxi was more noticably worried about the state of the town and the survival of the people, which led up to a chance discussion with Arua, who had been worried for a while about her missing husband, especially with her two children having no father figure around.
As a result, Lyrxi's family along with Arua and her twins decided to journey outside of Ravenna in the hopes of finding help and willing traders to solve Ravenna's decreasing food and goods as well as finding a trace of Arua's husband, Xemnes.
Despite good intentions in their hearts, the journey hasn't been too fruitfull and kind for the family. To Lyrxi, this journey was about helping both friends back at home and one that had already departed. To Jie, this journey felt like a field trip, with the positive and honorable intention of helping friends back in Ravenna.
The trip was taxing at the start due to the limited supply in food that they were able to take with the ongoing famine. Winter, even outside Ravenna, did not make it any easier for them to gether food and they did not have as frequent opportunities to fish as they tried to keep moving to the next village. Once the finally reached their first stop, they were able to trade a bit for more food supplies for their travels.
They made a few stops by what few towns that were along the way to the destination for the delivery Lyrxi had to make. Arua and the twins had left the journey at some point when they had finally found Xemnes again in one of the first towns they visited after leaving Ravenna, having sadly been delayed but not in trouble.
The farewell was hard on poor Jie as he'd lose two of his best friends for the rest of the journey. Though for them and his favorite aunt, he kept up a smile and a positive attitude. The promise to visit them someday would be one that at the very least Jie would intend to keep, though knowing his parents it was hardly a possibility that they wouldn't.
What civilization they found along the way were unfortunately mostly smaller villages or towns that didn't have much excess supplies to spare for Ravenna, nor the people to allow a trade route to be opened and traders or caravans to be safely escorted to the troubled city. Other villages didn't have the kindest of settlers or leadership, either swift to deny help or understanding while some tried to use the situation with offers and implication of exploitation, something Lyrxi for one did not appreciate too much either.
Jie however, found it hard to realize and understand why people weren't... well... nice. The idea of people not wanting to help, let alone shun the request to begin with or try and suggest bad things for his friends in return for help were building up to be a rough awakening of the happy and cheerful times he imagined and played out so many days back at home.
After a while, they reached the area described be Lady Sidian's map, where they had to depend on its guidance to reach their destination.
They had to resort to finding the landmarks the map pointed out for them, which would lead them to the small secluded village where Lady Sidian's brother would reside. The trail was unfortunately more than an animal trail along the forest, though luckily they were found by one of the hunters of the village before they got lost. The hunter finally led them on a straight path to the village.
While treated neutrally at first, the revelation of who exactly Lyrxi was as mentioned by previous letters and the importance of the delivery he had for the brother, lightened the mood quite a bit.
The village was more of a mixture of Mesalians and Xitians who worked together and helped each other out. The people had varying jobs and skills, diverse enough to have the village be self-sustaining without much reliance on anywhere outside their safely hidden boundaries when it came to surviving.
Jie had been a bit more mopey and less enthusiastic since his realization of how bad things were and how bad some people were on top of it. This only made the meeting with the Xitians in the village all the more needed for the youngster as it helped to easily divert his attention to happily playing and chatting away in Xitian language to the younger villagers, a luxury nor consolation he could resort on during the travels.
The family spent a brief time at the village, before they had to continue their trip again, as Ravenna was still in trouble. Sadly enough this village would have been too far to sent supplies, help or make a trade route with Ravenna. They were at least offered some help for their own journey, to lessen the burden and make it easier for them to last with better supplies for the return trip.
Before they could properly leave the village though, they heard rumors from sailors and travelers of issues that had arisen at a certain old city, in regards to something happening to the crew of one of the few vessels that had frequented its docks and as a result now also had abandoned the city entirely. Despite the lack of details or clarity, due to the inaccuracies of it being told in the form of varied rumors, it was still alarming news for the family as they knew well enough that this only had made the situation for Ravenna worse.
Lady Sidian's brother had ensured that they would have plenty of supplies to let them continue their journey and eventually reach Ravenna safely again.
Jie was slightly reluctant to leave some of his newly made friends behind already, but even his young mind realized that his other friends back at home were most likely still waiting as well, giving him enough resolve to bear with the goodbyes.
Thanks to directions they had gotten in the village, they managed to reach a port town to speed up their return trip. At this port, they caught word of a town that was connected relatively 'close' to Ravenna by sea that had suddenly increased considerably in population. With the time that had passed and the trouble Ravenna was in from the start, it was a strong sign... but not confirmed. Though they hardly had traveled far in the forbidden lands as the towns they visited were roughly between Ravenna and the town where Lady Sidian's brother resided, the town was the next destination they'd stop by before they would be returning to Ravenna.
The trip was taxing at the start due to the limited supply in food that they were able to take with the ongoing famine. Winter, even outside Ravenna, did not make it any easier for them to gether food and they did not have as frequent opportunities to fish as they tried to keep moving to the next village. Once the finally reached their first stop, they were able to trade a bit for more food supplies for their travels.
They made a few stops by what few towns that were along the way to the destination for the delivery Lyrxi had to make. Arua and the twins had left the journey at some point when they had finally found Xemnes again in one of the first towns they visited after leaving Ravenna, having sadly been delayed but not in trouble.
The farewell was hard on poor Jie as he'd lose two of his best friends for the rest of the journey. Though for them and his favorite aunt, he kept up a smile and a positive attitude. The promise to visit them someday would be one that at the very least Jie would intend to keep, though knowing his parents it was hardly a possibility that they wouldn't.
What civilization they found along the way were unfortunately mostly smaller villages or towns that didn't have much excess supplies to spare for Ravenna, nor the people to allow a trade route to be opened and traders or caravans to be safely escorted to the troubled city. Other villages didn't have the kindest of settlers or leadership, either swift to deny help or understanding while some tried to use the situation with offers and implication of exploitation, something Lyrxi for one did not appreciate too much either.
Jie however, found it hard to realize and understand why people weren't... well... nice. The idea of people not wanting to help, let alone shun the request to begin with or try and suggest bad things for his friends in return for help were building up to be a rough awakening of the happy and cheerful times he imagined and played out so many days back at home.
After a while, they reached the area described be Lady Sidian's map, where they had to depend on its guidance to reach their destination.
They had to resort to finding the landmarks the map pointed out for them, which would lead them to the small secluded village where Lady Sidian's brother would reside. The trail was unfortunately more than an animal trail along the forest, though luckily they were found by one of the hunters of the village before they got lost. The hunter finally led them on a straight path to the village.
While treated neutrally at first, the revelation of who exactly Lyrxi was as mentioned by previous letters and the importance of the delivery he had for the brother, lightened the mood quite a bit.
The village was more of a mixture of Mesalians and Xitians who worked together and helped each other out. The people had varying jobs and skills, diverse enough to have the village be self-sustaining without much reliance on anywhere outside their safely hidden boundaries when it came to surviving.
Jie had been a bit more mopey and less enthusiastic since his realization of how bad things were and how bad some people were on top of it. This only made the meeting with the Xitians in the village all the more needed for the youngster as it helped to easily divert his attention to happily playing and chatting away in Xitian language to the younger villagers, a luxury nor consolation he could resort on during the travels.
The family spent a brief time at the village, before they had to continue their trip again, as Ravenna was still in trouble. Sadly enough this village would have been too far to sent supplies, help or make a trade route with Ravenna. They were at least offered some help for their own journey, to lessen the burden and make it easier for them to last with better supplies for the return trip.
Before they could properly leave the village though, they heard rumors from sailors and travelers of issues that had arisen at a certain old city, in regards to something happening to the crew of one of the few vessels that had frequented its docks and as a result now also had abandoned the city entirely. Despite the lack of details or clarity, due to the inaccuracies of it being told in the form of varied rumors, it was still alarming news for the family as they knew well enough that this only had made the situation for Ravenna worse.
Lady Sidian's brother had ensured that they would have plenty of supplies to let them continue their journey and eventually reach Ravenna safely again.
Jie was slightly reluctant to leave some of his newly made friends behind already, but even his young mind realized that his other friends back at home were most likely still waiting as well, giving him enough resolve to bear with the goodbyes.
Thanks to directions they had gotten in the village, they managed to reach a port town to speed up their return trip. At this port, they caught word of a town that was connected relatively 'close' to Ravenna by sea that had suddenly increased considerably in population. With the time that had passed and the trouble Ravenna was in from the start, it was a strong sign... but not confirmed. Though they hardly had traveled far in the forbidden lands as the towns they visited were roughly between Ravenna and the town where Lady Sidian's brother resided, the town was the next destination they'd stop by before they would be returning to Ravenna.
Imagine the surprise Jie and his family were in when during their initial stop at Alroc, they were met with many a familiar face. The prospect of finding everyone safe and sound in this dusty, warm town was a welcoming sight after how badly the last journey had went for them.
Unfortunately, not everyone saw the return of Jie's family as a welcome sight, some feeling that they (especially Lyrxi) had abandoned them completely when their support was needed.
Fortunately for Jie himself, he was spared from any dislike or grudges and went back to his usual cheerful ways and daily rituals. For Lyrxi, the situation was a bit tougher though, as he had to regain trust with some while others pretty much would never be as well acquainted with him anymore as before.
Jie continued his training in the far more lively town while still being given the occasional lesson in cooking from Lyrxi at the right times, while time spent with his mother usually resulted in Jie helping her with tending to the garden.
The stay in Alroc wasn't as long as in Ravenna though, as was noticeable by Lyrxi's spirit lessening more and more, even Jie knowing well enough that things were not going as well anymore between his father and some people as before. This eventually led up to Lyrxi deciding with Dusken to leave the town with their son when a message from Lyrxi's mother had the fortune of reaching him. While Jie thought of this as bit another temporary trip at first, it would soon enough have become clear to him that this was a far longer term leave than that.
Unfortunately, not everyone saw the return of Jie's family as a welcome sight, some feeling that they (especially Lyrxi) had abandoned them completely when their support was needed.
Fortunately for Jie himself, he was spared from any dislike or grudges and went back to his usual cheerful ways and daily rituals. For Lyrxi, the situation was a bit tougher though, as he had to regain trust with some while others pretty much would never be as well acquainted with him anymore as before.
Jie continued his training in the far more lively town while still being given the occasional lesson in cooking from Lyrxi at the right times, while time spent with his mother usually resulted in Jie helping her with tending to the garden.
The stay in Alroc wasn't as long as in Ravenna though, as was noticeable by Lyrxi's spirit lessening more and more, even Jie knowing well enough that things were not going as well anymore between his father and some people as before. This eventually led up to Lyrxi deciding with Dusken to leave the town with their son when a message from Lyrxi's mother had the fortune of reaching him. While Jie thought of this as bit another temporary trip at first, it would soon enough have become clear to him that this was a far longer term leave than that.
Due to Alroc being a better outfitted and functioning port town, disembarking back towards Lyrxi's old home took less time than I might have taken otherwise.
Fortunately, the rest of the trip that was taken on foot was not truly eventfull, as Jie's family stuck mostly to travelling together with trade caravans or groups of travellers from time to time to have more safety in numbers. Once they reached the region in which the city resided, it became apparant how much had changed over a good dozen years though.
The effects of the Dusk Portal re-opening had reached even as far as Lyrxi's home.
While the sights were still inciting awe and curiosity in Jie, to Lyrxi the sight was a mixture of relief yet worry.
Many of the farms and their farmland that used to be scattered around the city had become more fortified. Smaller farms had joined together to form larger shared properties while some richer or better organised farms had seemingly taken over or employed the poorer farmers and their land. Rather than your usual barns and farmhouses, most appeared to have become more akin to small outposts and forts with at least a neccesary amount of guards dotted between the fortified farms.
This was no different for the farm Lyrxi's parents used to own, now having been taken over by the neighbours. While weary and less spirited than in years past, the sight of Lyrxi returning was a joy to see, especially with him having his own little family now as well.
Jie didn't have much time acquainting with the people though, as immediately after being told about Lyrxi's mother moving into the city and her whereabouts, Lyrxi took his son and wife to see what state the city itself was in now.
The city was quite a sight in itself, still retaining most of its 'ancient' beauty though it was rather noticeable that the Xitian population of the city no longer acted as secretive and reclusive as to not draw attention to the city from outsiders. Many more guards were present now, of both Mesalian and Xitian origin and the city now counted its share of Lucin refugees as well, though far less in number than either Mesalian or Xitian citizens.
Jie was in awe at the city, not worried at all about what might have occurred or what risks there were outside of the city for everything to need so much defenses and guards now, though it made the city feel less adventurous for him than the previous two places he resided at with his parents.
Once they had reached where Lyrxi's mother lived, the old woman was brought to tears of joy at the safe and sound sight of his son, not to mention that he had his own family now.
Jie enjoyed meeting his grandmother, a kind woman despite the troubled and wary times in the city. She explained how the Lucins had found out years ago about all the Xitians residing in the city and did not pay any heed to the neutral state of the region. While the interactions with the Lucins were very limited and of little danger due to them having been spread to thin near the region anyhow, bandit attacks and small raids on farms became more common, akin to the raid on their family farm before Lyrxi left.
With the Dusk Portal re-opening at some point, and the influx of Xitians with it, some Lucin settlements and towns suffered the same prejudice as the city had, ironically. This resulted in mostly surviving or fleeing Lucins from nearby regions, mostly citizens and peasants, seek out refuge in the city. While both Xitian and Mesalian residents were always wary of the occasional refugees, they learned to accept their presence over time.
Jie's family would end up deciding to stay inside the city, Lyrxi soon enough becoming renowned as a chef while Dusken opened a small business where she would make carvings and jewelry on demand, gaining some popularity due to her unusual designs.
While it was intended for Jie to follow in Lyrxi's footsteps as a cook, it was advised, much to Jie's glee, that he should first elaborate on his training due to his capabilities already as a child of his age. Jie was taken by Lyrxi to his old mentor, the old man having since retired from running his own school in the past, for an introduction and friendly spar. Though the man faked a dislike for Jie's overly friendly and cheerful disposition (which he treated as a lack of respect in a joking manner at times), he noticed that the child had good potential and had been trained well.
Due to technically being born 'under the sign of the fox' in the folklore of the city, Jie got to train at a school based more on swift and defensive combat. As had become mandatory now for all students, with the recent events and dangers lurking outside the walls, everyone was taught a basic weapon to augment hand-to-hand combat as well as an additional weapon dependant of the school and the student's personal preference. While Jie got into the use of tonfas with relative ease due to their defensive nature, his main interest was the bo-staff, as (in his mind) he liked the idea of having a means of defense that had the extra reach and area of denial but could still be swung swiftly with the right use.
Lyrxi's old mentor was still quite interested in Jie's growth as well, and with a little wink and a nudge, promised to privately tutor and spar with him in his free time to help him improve in different ways than the more limited training of the schools themselves. It was from the old master that Jie also learned the proper exploitation of one's pressure points, a topic his father had brought up a few times in the past, but was not skilled enough at himself to teach his son.
Fortunately, the rest of the trip that was taken on foot was not truly eventfull, as Jie's family stuck mostly to travelling together with trade caravans or groups of travellers from time to time to have more safety in numbers. Once they reached the region in which the city resided, it became apparant how much had changed over a good dozen years though.
The effects of the Dusk Portal re-opening had reached even as far as Lyrxi's home.
While the sights were still inciting awe and curiosity in Jie, to Lyrxi the sight was a mixture of relief yet worry.
Many of the farms and their farmland that used to be scattered around the city had become more fortified. Smaller farms had joined together to form larger shared properties while some richer or better organised farms had seemingly taken over or employed the poorer farmers and their land. Rather than your usual barns and farmhouses, most appeared to have become more akin to small outposts and forts with at least a neccesary amount of guards dotted between the fortified farms.
This was no different for the farm Lyrxi's parents used to own, now having been taken over by the neighbours. While weary and less spirited than in years past, the sight of Lyrxi returning was a joy to see, especially with him having his own little family now as well.
Jie didn't have much time acquainting with the people though, as immediately after being told about Lyrxi's mother moving into the city and her whereabouts, Lyrxi took his son and wife to see what state the city itself was in now.
The city was quite a sight in itself, still retaining most of its 'ancient' beauty though it was rather noticeable that the Xitian population of the city no longer acted as secretive and reclusive as to not draw attention to the city from outsiders. Many more guards were present now, of both Mesalian and Xitian origin and the city now counted its share of Lucin refugees as well, though far less in number than either Mesalian or Xitian citizens.
Jie was in awe at the city, not worried at all about what might have occurred or what risks there were outside of the city for everything to need so much defenses and guards now, though it made the city feel less adventurous for him than the previous two places he resided at with his parents.
Once they had reached where Lyrxi's mother lived, the old woman was brought to tears of joy at the safe and sound sight of his son, not to mention that he had his own family now.
Jie enjoyed meeting his grandmother, a kind woman despite the troubled and wary times in the city. She explained how the Lucins had found out years ago about all the Xitians residing in the city and did not pay any heed to the neutral state of the region. While the interactions with the Lucins were very limited and of little danger due to them having been spread to thin near the region anyhow, bandit attacks and small raids on farms became more common, akin to the raid on their family farm before Lyrxi left.
With the Dusk Portal re-opening at some point, and the influx of Xitians with it, some Lucin settlements and towns suffered the same prejudice as the city had, ironically. This resulted in mostly surviving or fleeing Lucins from nearby regions, mostly citizens and peasants, seek out refuge in the city. While both Xitian and Mesalian residents were always wary of the occasional refugees, they learned to accept their presence over time.
Jie's family would end up deciding to stay inside the city, Lyrxi soon enough becoming renowned as a chef while Dusken opened a small business where she would make carvings and jewelry on demand, gaining some popularity due to her unusual designs.
While it was intended for Jie to follow in Lyrxi's footsteps as a cook, it was advised, much to Jie's glee, that he should first elaborate on his training due to his capabilities already as a child of his age. Jie was taken by Lyrxi to his old mentor, the old man having since retired from running his own school in the past, for an introduction and friendly spar. Though the man faked a dislike for Jie's overly friendly and cheerful disposition (which he treated as a lack of respect in a joking manner at times), he noticed that the child had good potential and had been trained well.
Due to technically being born 'under the sign of the fox' in the folklore of the city, Jie got to train at a school based more on swift and defensive combat. As had become mandatory now for all students, with the recent events and dangers lurking outside the walls, everyone was taught a basic weapon to augment hand-to-hand combat as well as an additional weapon dependant of the school and the student's personal preference. While Jie got into the use of tonfas with relative ease due to their defensive nature, his main interest was the bo-staff, as (in his mind) he liked the idea of having a means of defense that had the extra reach and area of denial but could still be swung swiftly with the right use.
Lyrxi's old mentor was still quite interested in Jie's growth as well, and with a little wink and a nudge, promised to privately tutor and spar with him in his free time to help him improve in different ways than the more limited training of the schools themselves. It was from the old master that Jie also learned the proper exploitation of one's pressure points, a topic his father had brought up a few times in the past, but was not skilled enough at himself to teach his son.
Years passed, Jie having grown up into quite a capable bundle of energy and nimbleness as he began his sixteenth cycle. Effectively counted as a 'coming of age' and being judged in the same light as an adult in many ways already, Jie was ready for something different now, something he had not been able to sate for years now. He wanted to have his own adventure, go out into the world and experience it in his own way, letting it shape him further along with his own personal efforts and those of the people that raised him so far.
Ironically, Jie used the same reasoning as his father as partial explanation to his wish to travel, luckily being quite adept at smooth-talking (at least to his own parents) so that by he end of the discussion, he managed to even get his reluctant mother to concede.
Before he left, his mother gave him a little gift for the trip, as well as his coming of age, in the form of a sturdy yet unusual bracelet that was made using both obsidian and the ender pearl he had been given as a keepsake from his father back in Ravenna.
After both parents seeing him off, Jie left with his now-trusty bo-staff and durable tonfa, along with some supplies to get him going. Rather than exploring the regions of the mainland though, Jie already had his sights set on the biggest part of the trip, a return to the lands in which he was born, the Forbidden Lands themselves. The young adventurer headed off with a wide and confident grin, the nearest port town being his first goal to secure a trip to the Forbidden Lands.
The journey overseas was unfortunately enough uneventful, leaving Jie to wonder where his first point of interest would lie once he disembarked. As by fortune for the young, adventurous soul, his curious nature made him swift to catch any rumors floating about.
While the mention of a cursed town would scare of many a superstitious person, it made the town sound all the more interesting to Jie as he swiftly decided to find any trade vessels that were headed in that direction.
The sailors believed him to be a fool, perhaps crazy instead, especially with his unusual dressing style and belongings, but a decent cook was still hard to come by on most travelling vessels.
Thus Jie managed to cleverly secure an free trip to Nightveil, ready to what he hoped was the proper beginning of his own little adventure.
Ironically, Jie used the same reasoning as his father as partial explanation to his wish to travel, luckily being quite adept at smooth-talking (at least to his own parents) so that by he end of the discussion, he managed to even get his reluctant mother to concede.
Before he left, his mother gave him a little gift for the trip, as well as his coming of age, in the form of a sturdy yet unusual bracelet that was made using both obsidian and the ender pearl he had been given as a keepsake from his father back in Ravenna.
After both parents seeing him off, Jie left with his now-trusty bo-staff and durable tonfa, along with some supplies to get him going. Rather than exploring the regions of the mainland though, Jie already had his sights set on the biggest part of the trip, a return to the lands in which he was born, the Forbidden Lands themselves. The young adventurer headed off with a wide and confident grin, the nearest port town being his first goal to secure a trip to the Forbidden Lands.
The journey overseas was unfortunately enough uneventful, leaving Jie to wonder where his first point of interest would lie once he disembarked. As by fortune for the young, adventurous soul, his curious nature made him swift to catch any rumors floating about.
While the mention of a cursed town would scare of many a superstitious person, it made the town sound all the more interesting to Jie as he swiftly decided to find any trade vessels that were headed in that direction.
The sailors believed him to be a fool, perhaps crazy instead, especially with his unusual dressing style and belongings, but a decent cook was still hard to come by on most travelling vessels.
Thus Jie managed to cleverly secure an free trip to Nightveil, ready to what he hoped was the proper beginning of his own little adventure.
