This is for Xen/Murphy, myself, and any WPLs that have my permission to post.
Anyone else that posts will be forced to play seven minutes in heaven with this guy.
Xen turned to see a young woman with brunette braids standing in front of what appeared to be a giant, rotting saproling. She was speaking with a rather irate man running what appeared to be a booth set up to sell meat.
"Look, we don't want any trouble, and like I told you, I need the big guy here to carry the cows back with me to Svogthos."
"I don't care. It smells, and it needs to go away NOW!"
"Then just take my coin, let us gather up the cows, and we'll be on our way"
Xen frowned and couldn't help but interject as he approached the shop keeper saying, "Can't you see that is what she wants to do. You're only delaying herself and potentially hurting your own business by drawing attention to this little scene. Let her pay for the cows and take them away so people don't assume you're getting feed from one that has death as company."
Xen frowned at the man trying to judge how much of a fit he was going to put up.
The woman sighed audibly. "Alright, fine. I knew I should have mentioned who'd be taking the cows for me. Can you at least give me back the coin I've already given you?"
"No. You've cost me enough money as it is dragging that...thing near my shop. I'm keeping that coin as damages."
Anger started to rise in Xen as he glared at the shop keeper saying, "So you are admitting to breaking a lawful deal bound by an exchange of coins? I can think of several guilds that will not take kindly to that."
Xen raises his right hand and starts counting of his fingers one by one saying, "Let's see there's the Orzhov that are the heart of guaranteeing deals. I'm sure it can't be good for your business if they cut off any lending of coins. Then there are the Boros who enforce the laws. Seeing as you have not gone through any of the guilds and are exercising your own will here which is basically stealing coins at this point since you are breaking a previously agreed upon deal. Yeah they would have to arrest you based off of those charges until you could be processed through an Azorious court. Ah that's right, then there are the Azorious. Right now you are breaking the law by stealing her gold so that's theft."
Xen looked at the man with an expression on his face that said 'What are you? Stupid?' but decided to say, "So should the guilds get involved you're looking at potential lending from the Orzhov being cut off. The Boros coming to your shop here to create another scene under accusation of breaking a deal and theft. Then of course your business will either come to a close or be run by a relative while you are held for processing in the Azorious courts. Of course there's the cost of getting someone to represent you, which will undoubtedly cost you more than the deal on these cows. Then should you choose to really push the matter and follow through to the courts you will be down quite a bit of coins. That will probably force you into needing to acquire goods for your livestock with coins you may not have due to the courts. Then we come back to the Orzhov who are the money lenders. Yeah, they might lend you the coins you need at that point, but at what cost? Your soul in a binding contract perhaps? You would have already broken one deal by that point..."
Xen let the words hang in the air to give the man a chance to think about all that was happening because he was being a stubborn jack ass. Then shaking his head in disappointment Xen said, "Now, how about you hand over the cows that are rightfully due to this woman so this scene can be over with. Or do you really want this to unfold as I've just predicted with words spreading throughout the district and city about your dubious practices?"
Xen looks from the woman to the Boros guard before nodding his head saying, "Yes, this man is refusing to follow through on his deal with this woman simply because he is biased towards her companion that was going to carry the cattle for her. After refusing to complete the deal he started shouting that she needs to leave. She decided she would take her coin elsewhere since this man was refusing to complete the deal. As such she requested her coin back which he is now refusing to return after choosing to break the deal."
The Boros soldier turned to the vendor. "Is this true, sir?"
"Of course not! These fiends are trying to haggle me out of my money."
"Sir, if I have two conflicting reports, it is my duty to call upon and Azorius justicar to read the minds of everyone present to determine who is telling the truth. Will I be forced to do so?
The man's face turned from a deep shade of red to pale, and then back to red before shouting, "Justicars? Bah, fine, take yer damned gold!" He threw the pouch away from his booth, and gold scattered everywhere. "You damned guilded bastards think you're so far above us common folk, but we're the ones who keep this city from sinking into its sewers!"
Xen shook his head in disbelief at the man's actions and blatant prejudice for something he did not understand. After thanking the Boros guard, Xen turned to the elf and helped her pick up her coins saying, "Some people are unbelievable."
Handing over the coins he found he asked, "Are these all of the ones he owed you?"
The young lady grinned a bit as Xen handed the coins over to her. "Why yes, I think they're all here. Tell me, what's your name, stranger? My name is Anna."
The hulking corpse grunted at her. "Oh, and this is Sprout. He's...kind of an attention whore." The shambling mass did what may have been a smile and let out of satisfied sigh.
Completely ignoring the man that had caused a scene, Xen reached out to the rather large saproling-like creature and pat it on the side saying, "And you are the second creature I have met named Sprout."
Anna smiled. "Yes, the Golgari harvesters aren't exactly know for their originality when naming our saprolings. Still, each one is unique, and my Sprout is quite a little helper."
The hulking mass of rotting plant let out a happy grunt.
Xen looked back at Anna and smiled saying, "Sorry, that's a loaded question for me. Let's just start with the Golgari's philosophy concerning magic and the world."
Anna smiled, "The Golgari are all about the great cycle. Life, death, unlife. We are facinated by and are masters of every facet of the cycle. Why do you ask?"
Xen thinks for a moment trying to find the best way to answer her question. Finally he shrugs saying, "I'm a student of the mana. I've mastered the forests and have become proficient in the plains. For awhile I have been wanting to learn another of the five aspects of mana. I thought I was going to study the islands next but things have changed. There are people depending on me and a person who is stronger than I am on my own."
Xen thinks back to his encounter with Oona and how he was always supporting yet never attacking. He knew he was strong but at the same he knew he would never beat Oona if he didn't have support.
"We defeated her by standing united together, a trait I've grown fond of from the plains. Yet, there is this feeling inside of me that I have trouble expressing." Xen paused for a moment before continuing. "The forests and plains already give me powerful control over the life cycle. But I know that death is a critical component to the process. I feel incomplete... Limited."
Xen looked at Sprout trailing just behind them and then back to Anna saying, "That's why I am interested in the Golgari. I need to learn more about mana and the five colors. The Selesnya showed me many truths but at the same time they painted the other three colors of mana in a negative light."
Xen struggled for a moment with a thought until he finally admitted, "They're strong and wise but they blind themselves. I cannot afford to let someone else hamper my path. I've already seen the consequences of bending to another's will with limited understanding. I wont let it happen again."
Xen focused on the point where he allowed Oona to take the mirror, and the disaster that followed. Shaking the memory from his sight Xen apologized saying, "Forgive me, I've been through some difficult trials recently..."
Sighing Xen looked back to Anna asking, "Does the Golgari even accept members of other guilds into their fold? It would be a shame to miss out on what they could teach me..."
Anna nodded. "I'll admit, being in another guild doesn't work well for you, especially with the Conclave. The Conclave is so...focused on creation that it blinds them that all of the good they create will one day either corrupt and wilt or die. The Golgari are always aware of the cycle, and respect its inevitability. We also work to harness it, and provide a balance to the world around us. The Golgari are more of a secluded guild than the rest. We enjoy keeping to ourselves and honing our craft. We have the means to sustain ourselves, but otherwise we focus on our work."
A slight bit of color found its way into Anna's pale cheeks. "Listen to me, I am rambling. You'll be able to find whatever you need among the Golgari. We are at our core gardeners and scientists. But I warn you, if you seek our company, you will be met with distrust and skepticism. It is simply the way things work when you live the cloistered, hermit life of a Golgari."
"I'm always willing to learn and earn trust." insisted Xen. "If they will give me a chance I am sure I will surprise them. My magic already works towards creating a sustained balance during combat. And I understand there's more to the planes than just creating life. Everything ties into each other. All of the manas work together to compliment and drive each other."
Xen smiled saying, "But I am a student first. If I can find a member of the Golgari willing to train me in your ways then I vow to follow that training without preconceptions. I cannot truly learn if I blind myself to the teachings before they even start."
Xen looked into Anna's eyes and pleaded, "Do you know someone in your guild that will at least think about taking me on as their apprentice?"
Anyone else that posts will be forced to play seven minutes in heaven with this guy.
Xen turned to see a young woman with brunette braids standing in front of what appeared to be a giant, rotting saproling. She was speaking with a rather irate man running what appeared to be a booth set up to sell meat.
"Look, we don't want any trouble, and like I told you, I need the big guy here to carry the cows back with me to Svogthos."
"I don't care. It smells, and it needs to go away NOW!"
"Then just take my coin, let us gather up the cows, and we'll be on our way"
"I. Said. NOW!"
Xen frowned at the man trying to judge how much of a fit he was going to put up.
The woman sighed audibly. "Alright, fine. I knew I should have mentioned who'd be taking the cows for me. Can you at least give me back the coin I've already given you?"
"No. You've cost me enough money as it is dragging that...thing near my shop. I'm keeping that coin as damages."
Xen raises his right hand and starts counting of his fingers one by one saying, "Let's see there's the Orzhov that are the heart of guaranteeing deals. I'm sure it can't be good for your business if they cut off any lending of coins. Then there are the Boros who enforce the laws. Seeing as you have not gone through any of the guilds and are exercising your own will here which is basically stealing coins at this point since you are breaking a previously agreed upon deal. Yeah they would have to arrest you based off of those charges until you could be processed through an Azorious court. Ah that's right, then there are the Azorious. Right now you are breaking the law by stealing her gold so that's theft."
Xen looked at the man with an expression on his face that said 'What are you? Stupid?' but decided to say, "So should the guilds get involved you're looking at potential lending from the Orzhov being cut off. The Boros coming to your shop here to create another scene under accusation of breaking a deal and theft. Then of course your business will either come to a close or be run by a relative while you are held for processing in the Azorious courts. Of course there's the cost of getting someone to represent you, which will undoubtedly cost you more than the deal on these cows. Then should you choose to really push the matter and follow through to the courts you will be down quite a bit of coins. That will probably force you into needing to acquire goods for your livestock with coins you may not have due to the courts. Then we come back to the Orzhov who are the money lenders. Yeah, they might lend you the coins you need at that point, but at what cost? Your soul in a binding contract perhaps? You would have already broken one deal by that point..."
Xen let the words hang in the air to give the man a chance to think about all that was happening because he was being a stubborn jack ass. Then shaking his head in disappointment Xen said, "Now, how about you hand over the cows that are rightfully due to this woman so this scene can be over with. Or do you really want this to unfold as I've just predicted with words spreading throughout the district and city about your dubious practices?"
Xen could feel a soft, delicate hand touch his shoulder.
"Please ignore him. You won't gain anything from arguing with this man, and there are more than one ways to procure cattle in this city."
Then looking back to the man he said, "Tell what kind of clients do you get shopping here?"
A soldier in shining silver armor with a Red Fist superimposed over the image of a sun walked around the corner. "Is there a problem here?"
"Of course not! These fiends are trying to haggle me out of my money."
"Sir, if I have two conflicting reports, it is my duty to call upon and Azorius justicar to read the minds of everyone present to determine who is telling the truth. Will I be forced to do so?
The man's face turned from a deep shade of red to pale, and then back to red before shouting, "Justicars? Bah, fine, take yer damned gold!" He threw the pouch away from his booth, and gold scattered everywhere. "You damned guilded bastards think you're so far above us common folk, but we're the ones who keep this city from sinking into its sewers!"
Handing over the coins he found he asked, "Are these all of the ones he owed you?"
The hulking corpse grunted at her. "Oh, and this is Sprout. He's...kind of an attention whore." The shambling mass did what may have been a smile and let out of satisfied sigh.
Completely ignoring the man that had caused a scene, Xen reached out to the rather large saproling-like creature and pat it on the side saying, "And you are the second creature I have met named Sprout."
The hulking mass of rotting plant let out a happy grunt.
Xen glances at the furious man and then back to Anna saying, "Perhaps we should move on to your other option for cattle."
She began walking down the street. Sprout did a pretty decent job of not getting in anyone's way as he followed the two mages.
Xen looked back at Anna and smiled saying, "Sorry, that's a loaded question for me. Let's just start with the Golgari's philosophy concerning magic and the world."
Xen thinks back to his encounter with Oona and how he was always supporting yet never attacking. He knew he was strong but at the same he knew he would never beat Oona if he didn't have support.
"We defeated her by standing united together, a trait I've grown fond of from the plains. Yet, there is this feeling inside of me that I have trouble expressing." Xen paused for a moment before continuing. "The forests and plains already give me powerful control over the life cycle. But I know that death is a critical component to the process. I feel incomplete... Limited."
Xen looked at Sprout trailing just behind them and then back to Anna saying, "That's why I am interested in the Golgari. I need to learn more about mana and the five colors. The Selesnya showed me many truths but at the same time they painted the other three colors of mana in a negative light."
Xen struggled for a moment with a thought until he finally admitted, "They're strong and wise but they blind themselves. I cannot afford to let someone else hamper my path. I've already seen the consequences of bending to another's will with limited understanding. I wont let it happen again."
Xen focused on the point where he allowed Oona to take the mirror, and the disaster that followed. Shaking the memory from his sight Xen apologized saying, "Forgive me, I've been through some difficult trials recently..."
Sighing Xen looked back to Anna asking, "Does the Golgari even accept members of other guilds into their fold? It would be a shame to miss out on what they could teach me..."
A slight bit of color found its way into Anna's pale cheeks. "Listen to me, I am rambling. You'll be able to find whatever you need among the Golgari. We are at our core gardeners and scientists. But I warn you, if you seek our company, you will be met with distrust and skepticism. It is simply the way things work when you live the cloistered, hermit life of a Golgari."
Xen smiled saying, "But I am a student first. If I can find a member of the Golgari willing to train me in your ways then I vow to follow that training without preconceptions. I cannot truly learn if I blind myself to the teachings before they even start."
Xen looked into Anna's eyes and pleaded, "Do you know someone in your guild that will at least think about taking me on as their apprentice?"
She turned and looked down the street before saying, "I may even be willing to do so."