Ancestor studies at the Royal Oak

Early in the morning, almost every day, the short man with almond-shaped eyes and a weird haircut walks in and sits down, on the floor, legs folded underneath him. He often sits by the fire but not always. He then starts whispering in a (very) foreign language, looking very focused.

To anyone who might happen to spend more than a few seconds looking at him, or who might ask him straight what he is doing, he answers that he prays to his Ancestors, as well as to the Ancestors of some people from here, in order to offer his respect and ask for their blessings upon their living heirs.

Drinking tea slow but steady, he offers any one who might be interested the possibility to learn how to feel the presence of their Blessed Ancestors and offer them prayers for guidance.

When he speaks, he is always very polite despite his lack of fluency in the language used, and keeps a stoic face at all times, save for the occasional warm smile. He seems to be waiting for someone in particular.

Every now and then, Lairena arrives to keep him company and listen to what he has to teach as she tries to get to know the newest Tanaimutsu as she has come to know the others. Should he attempt to teach her sense her own Ancestors' presences, she would politely accept but she'd simply ask to focus on her fathers side as she's 'already close enough with the matriarchs' of her line.

Harunobu seems to take a great interest in helping L. He talks about the family history, the importance of being in touch with the positive acts of diverse Ancestors and offering them prayers for guidance, so they can feel like they are cared for, and not forgotten. Once this happens, even long gone Ancestors can manifest anew and start guiding the one who prayed and his children.
He does not question the mother's side too much, but only hints to the fact that it is important to understand both families in order to know what our true place in the Celestial Order is.

She avoids responding to his hinting as she nods carefully explaining what little she does know about her father's family and her grandfather's family on her mother's side. Though she's not much to say about either as she'd not been told much about either man. Any mention she makes about her mother or grandmother is merely as a side note when referring to her father and grandfather. When her knowledge of her patriarchal line is exhausted and she can share nothing else, she asks more on the importance of such ties and asks on whether certain lines can mean enough ill for a family that the line is best off forgotten or ended. If the topic proves complicated or too sensitive, she'd move the conversation on to speak of etiquette and cultural differences between the far east and that of the Dales and Sword Coast.

The foreigner requests some time to meditate about the many questions brought up by the one known mostly as "L". After anther tea, that he makes himself as he seems to refuse to drink anything more than the occasional sake from the Inn itself, he explains.
We are born for a single purpose: try to enhance our place in the Celestial Order. It does not matter to which caste you were born, as long as you take all the necessary steps to make things better for the next life in the Eternal Cycle. When you die, one of three things can happen. The first and worst, is that your reincarnate into something vile, showing that your life was miserable and unworthy. Then, you have a very long road ahead of you in order to make things better for your children and theirs.
The second is that you lived a good life, respected both your place in the universe and that of the people you met, and acted with honor, true to the teachings of the *after a pause* Gods. Then, you will reincarnate into something better, a better family. And as you get better and better, you get close to divinity.
The third option is the end destination for everyone. You do not reincarnate. Instead, you ascend to the Heavens and enter the Realm of Blessed Ancestors. This is the ultimate destination for those living worthy and honorable lives.

Now, once you get into there, there can be two things which happen. You can drift freely, forgetting your origins forever, or you can stay close to this mortal world and guide your brethren into their own tribulations, free of all mortal concerns and care. But in order to find eternal peace while guiding your children, and those of your family, the mortals need to engage into a certain set of rituals which will ensure that you know how precious you are to them, as an example of how to reach heaven.

See, it is all a cycle on the wheel of life. If you care for your ancestors, they will come closer to you and offer you guidance so that when you die, you can ascend to the Heavens and then in turn help those who will remember you.

Of course, there are those in every line who are not worthy of worship. But by knowing them and their lives, one can better understand how to avoid falling to the same traps.

*The young almond-eyed warrior fill-up "L"'s cup of tea again, let the information sink in as much as possible before going on. He seems quite meditative and there seems also to be a strange, peaceful aura surrounding the spot on the floor he is kneeling on. He never used any chair since his first arrival in the area, pretending that kneeling, as well as the lotus position, were the most balanced positions that one could occupy in order to favor inner harmony.*

It is important to know one's ancestors well in order to find guidance in that knowledge. It is also important to choose carefully whose name one is going to offer the most praise. Some Ancestors are more worthy and others. And it is very important to pay close attention to the ones who ascended to the Heavens. There are a few ways of finding this out.

The first and foremost is through material proof left behind by either those who knew them, or those who knew they were under their guidance. In my homeland, we write down the names of all of our ancestors on a stone, or sometimes wooden, tablet, with a few kanji describing them in a few words. Oh yes of course, kanji are symbols used in writing. Some of the more intellectual will even go so far as to write their ancestors whole lives on rolls of parchment.

The second, even more accurate yet much harder to figure out, is through inner observation. Through meditation, one can commune with his innermost thoughts and feelings, and then discover patterns marking the influence of the Universal Harmony on them. This way, one can slowly discover preferences, and strengths, that were always inherent to his way of life, and thus learn a little bit more of his ancestors. Indeed, even though some of our ancestors are very far from us, we are all a creation of their influence and as such bear within our souls a fragment of the infinite wisdom.

*Takes yet another pause for some more tea. He seems very peaceful and in harmony with his surroundings*

Worship of the Ancestors really is the best way to free ourselves of the demons of the past. And to grow stronger through the process. In order to be really connected to our ancestors, meditation and involvement in the tea ceremony, or other activity requiring focus and discipline, are requested. The more you attune yourself with your inner self, the stronger you become. Writing your personal history, and the one of your ancestors, in calligraphy is also a good way to "meditate". With the focus and concentration required, it is of a great help.

*He lets the lesson float in the air for some time, looking at the fire in the corner. He never seems distracted by the surrounding noise.*

L. would sit quietly for a long while staring into her tea cup. The past two days or so, she's seemed distracted, though somehow she still manages to take in all the information he throws her way. Recording her own history was one thing she supposed, but attempting to record that of her Mother's or Grandmother's seemed a daunting and dangerous task to her. She was sure that neither of them would appreciate it. Such information might even come to prove useful she supposed... She looks up as he starts talking again.

Recently, she's taken to sitting on the floor next to him, gathering several cushions and pillows to her on which she lounges comfortably on as they talk. Only when there are others present does she take a seat in a chair, sitting with her back straight and her posture tall. Not once while around him though, has she yet to remove her hood. When he ends the lesson, she lets the silence hang comfortably in the air for a while before speaking with slow precision.

"So in a sense, finding peace with one's family is the first step..." She tilts her head, letting the words roll of her tongue as if peace and family were foreign concepts to her. "Are there things that are considered irreparable or unforgivable? I'd assume there would be perhaps." Her tone is rather neutral as if she does not yet know what opinion to have on the topic. The whole thing seems much more forgiving than the hierarchy of Overgod, gods, mortals that ran the lives of everyone she'd ever known in either the Dales or the Sword Coast. But at the end of the day, it seemed that there'd always be someone you'd be expected to worship.

It might be because she thought out loud, or maybe the connection between the two of them is just getting stronger. Or maybe it is merely a coincidence.
"Worship might be a strong word. Show some respect and recognition to might be more accurate. There is a deep difference between religion and spirituality; between worship and respect; and between ignorant obedience and self-motivated discipline."

The matter was not easily discussed with people from foreign cultures, even less in a foreign language. What seemed to be so innate to the Kozakuran was more difficult than expected to teach to one from these forsaken Dales.
"Everything can be made better. Every wrong can be undone. If you attune yourself properly with the energy of the Universe, everything is possible."
The past was sometimes hard to accept. But the wrongs of our ancestors can be undone. Such is the foundation of the Great Wheel. Some will be forsaken for a very long time, but at least the one who tries to make things better guaranties himself a better place in the next life.

"Being born of someone of vile descent is a curse in itself, there is no point in perpetually cursing ourselves over it. Let the Fortunes play their games, and put your strength into understanding the Universe. You will find the light which often seems so mysterious from afar."

He seems to think things over for a while. This one's situation seemed to be a real burden, and possibly foul enough to seem immovable. She is resisting all sorts of options, but her resistance is slowly eroding... There must be a way to make her see the beauty of the Universe. After a while, pondering and wondering, he speaks again. His voice always calm and warm, almost soothing. His face always stoic, save for the occasional warm smile. Everything seems to be so controlled that it is hard to picture him facing any unexpected situation.

"And if, by any odd turn of Destiny, those lands are different and give birth to some damned souls, then going around them becomes of utmost importance. If one or two in a line are truly damned, then getting to know the ones they married to and their own lineages might be the key to one's freedom from what one considers to be their prison."

He usually does not speak directly of her situation, which creates an odd feeling. It is like talking about the most private things, but from the outside. Their cups being empty, he proceeds to fill them up again.

After a while, he corrects her. "One must also be careful to not misunderstand the laws of the Universe. There is a deep difference too between finding peace with one's family, and making peace with said family. Our world is a world of war. Inner peace is the only peace which matters."

"Inner peace hm..." She says as she continues to stare at her tea. She takes a sip from the cup before saying anything else. "It seems to be a hard sought thing here in the Dales." She falls silent for a long while and then smiles slightly, using the gesture to push all negative thoughts from her mind. "This seems an interesting way of life. Though like most, it is probably best understood by experiencing it. Have you ever thought about writing about it?" She asks curiously.

Visibly feeling the sorrow in the air, the man who seems to be a fairly good judge of character lets the words settle down slowly. When L seems to be back to "normal", he starts speaking again.
"Inner peace can be found anywhere in the Universe. This is what makes it internal. The issue lies not in where one stand, but in how one goes about looking for it. If one seems focused on the wrong pursuits, one has no one to blame for one's failure. Indeed, most people west of the Great West seem to focus more on the dark side of things than on the eternal light of the Universe, which takes them ever further away from peace." He marks a pause, thinking again for a while. Then, looking straight at her for one of the first time: "Do not make the same mistake. Peace does not depend on one Ancestor. It only depends on how you as a person want to make your bloodline better."

As he looks her in the eye, his stare is very steady and filled with a calm and harmony which does not seem to find its equal in so many minds in the Dales. It a balance which does not bother itself with good and evil, not with likes and dislikes. It is a balance built through years of meditation and hardship. A depth exists in those eyes which shows an experience deeper than the usual stoicism or warm smiles that he displays, in which no pain seems to exist but only the profound acceptance of the Fortunes' will.

"I did write a few scrolls as I was younger but they hold nothing of value. Even if I felt like sharing the little experience I have with spiritual matters, my understanding of the common tongue would not be sufficient to make it really clear. As for writing in the tongue of Dragons, I don't know if I would feel like it is my place. And writing it in the tongue of the Far East would not help so many in these lands. But I am a scribe at times, as is the tradition for the samurai-born."

After yet another long pause, Harunobu seems to come to some other idea. "Although, L-san, if you would like to help me with the writing, we might possibly come to something interesting."

Even though the tone is casual, as before, the words seem to carry some other meaning, or other thoughts seem to be hidden in them, the reason of which does not appear obvious.

Like every morning, as she leaves to attend other chores, he lets her go with the peaceful words: "May the Fortunes shine on your path to peace."

"Right... I will have to think on that more then." She says slowly, she stares back at him and doesn't seem particularly daunted by the expression conveyed merely by his eyes though she seems to come to some sort of understanding as their conversation moves on from that. On the note of his writing, a polite smile graces her lips though it does not quite reach her eyes.

I've received a kara-turan book from Ikiryo as a gift actually. He gave it to me during one of our first meetings but neither of us have had time to translate it into the common tongue. Books written in any tongue, even the languages of Kara-tur are welcome within my Library, regardless of whether those of these lands can read it or not. I am sure that with time, we can create adequate translations for each of them." She says, her tone pleased and thoughtful at the same time. "As for helping you, I'd be quite glad to. I have sudden bouts of work to deal with at times, but in my spare hours I can help you with it."

"Now though, I've some letters to deliver. I hope the rest of your day proves profitable and pleasing." She says as she picks up a mask from a nearby end table. She adjusts her hood and heads for the exit. At the door, she raises the mask to her face, tying the strings carefully to hold it in place before stepping outside.

For a while, Harunobu spent the mornings on his own at the Royal Oak, mostly praying and talking every once in a while with the odd person who seemed to show interest in the respectful communication with Blessed Ancestors. After some time though, he started bringing big elaborate rolls of parchment with him, along with typical parchments from the Dalelands. He seemed to be using the local parchment for making notes of some sort, all written in a foreign language resembling more to drawings than to actual letters.

One morning that he met L at the Inn, he set his papers aside and offered her some tea. After exchanging the usual polite inquiries, he moved on to a more interesting subject. Speaking in a low tone of voice:

"Are there any developments in your thoughts with regards to your lineage? Is there anything I could do to help you with anything?"

After one of the morning breakfast rushes, once things have settled at the Oak, Sordoc walk over from the bar with a rag and a cloth, takes a seat and watching the prayers to the ancestors, and strikes up a conversation.

So... er... how'd ya go abah' sortin' art lineages an' contactin' Ancestors an' tha'?" He asks a bit nervously, "I migh' be curious as lon' as theer ain't any dodgy thin's involved."

Glancing up from a notebook in front of her, Lairena quirks an eyebrow. "Hrm? My lineage? Ah... Eh... No. Not really." Her tone is distracted as she glances around the room nervously a moment before looking back to her book. "I uh--"

She cuts herself short as Sordoc enters the conversation and she blinks at him a moment, waiting to let Harunobu answer. She blinks in wonder for a moment that Sordoc's accent is harder to decipher than Harunobu's, though she shakes the thought giving Sordoc a polite nod as she goes back to jotting things in the margins of her book, the bottle of plum colored ink sits near the edge of the table nearest her, occasionally, she pauses to dip her pen in it as she waits patiently.

I understand, he says slowly to L who seems so upset at the question. All comes in time to who knows patience and honor.

Harunobu then looks up to the gnome and welcomes him with a very warm smile.

I am glad to see that you decided to know more about those to whom to owe everything you are and have. You were wondering how to get to know who your ancestors were. It is quite easy. It takes some time, though. First you must know that even though they are far away because of the lack of prayer of their sons, your ancestors are still connected to you because it is the way of the Celestial Order which binds all things together. That being said, you can feel them on a daily basis even if you do not realize it.

He pauses for a minute, letting things sink in a little, and then starts again with the same calm and controlled voice.

Think of when you were a kid. What skills came most naturally to you? What likes and dislikes were the strongest in you? Which colors and animals did you like, or dislike? All of those questions and other of the like can lead you to know more of your ancestry. They are the expression of the will of the purest of your ancestors. The colors might be related either to their personal tastes, or to the sigil of their house. The animals might also be related to a skill they had, to a sigil they either liked or disliked, or to an animal which was present in their life. Once you have identified the mark left by your ancestors on you, you can start meditating on each one individually and eventually you will get a better feeling of how to interpret them. This is a long process, but once you get there, you will have such a precise idea as to who your most prominent ancestors were, that you will be able to start offering them praise. And by thus getting closer to them, you will gain a deeper understanding of their nature and get closer to know their names. Eventually, you end up knowing them well enough that you will instinctively know where to look for more information about them. You can also start writing about them, based on your inner feelings.

The ancestor worshiper pauses again for some time, then concludes the lesson of the day.

Sordoc-san, if you are really interested in gaining the true guidance of your ancestors and offering them your respects, I am sure that by following those simple guidelines you will see progress very quickly. And do not hesitate to ask any question of me whenever you feel the need to do it.

He then turns to L who is studying her books, waits to see whether the gnome has any comments or questions at all before returning to his own scrolls.

As she makes edits to the book she's looking over, she continues to listen to Harunobu's conversation with Sordoc, seemingly with vague interest. Every now and then, she'll glace up and look between the two as Harunobu speaks and she pauses to gauge what Sordoc's reaction is. When Harunobu is done, she merely gives a slight nod as she continues jotting to the bottom of the page, then looks up. "You've scrolls this time. Have you thought about my suggestion from last time?" She says suddenly, eyeing the stack of papers and scrolls curiously.

Sordoc sits and ponders for a bit. After a bit he speaks up.

"So ancestors affect theer future kin, so it goes in circles? So theer' might be an ancsetor o' I's tha' be similar ta I? Curious."

He sits back, takes a swig from his tankard and ponders.

"So an animal o' symbol migh' be a clue? Tha' might take some thinking ta do ta werk out, since I dun't amember much o' I's family o' forebears."

Looking at the gnome with a compassionate and positive smile, Harunobu takes some time before answering, as if pondering the best answer.

It seems, Sordoc-san, that you have understood the Great Cycle of life, and the meaning and purpose of the Celestial Order in its entirety. Everything repeats itself. Some cycles are short, some longer. In the end, they all come back. But there is a way out. And this way is to act in such a noble fashion that you will rise above the limitations of the unending cycles and reach the Heavens. As for the signs, yes an animal or symbol might be a clue. It requires indeed some thinking, but whenever you are relaxed enough, and your mind is free from cares, the answers will come to you naturally.

He lets his words sink in for a moment. It is obvious that he is happy to see more people getting an interest into the Ancestor's worship. Turning then to L, he smiles lightly and points at the papers.

I have indeed. I am in the process of deciding which chapter would be pertinent to include, and in what order, and then I will start writing it in Kozakuran, in order to try and translate it in common with your help.

Returning to his work, he starts paying more attention to the gnome who works in the Inn, clearly hoping that the little traveler would come back with more insight.

She glances up from her writing as Harunobu addresses her. After a moment, she smiles and nods. "I look forward to helping you when you are ready then." She says quietly. She turns the page, adds one final note at the bottom of the next page and closes her book with a sigh. "I tire of finding poorly written manuscripts. It seems all I can find in some of these new books are errors." She mutters with dissatisfaction as she replaces the book in her pack and places the stopper back in her ink well. Picking up a soft cloth, she begins carefully cleaning her ink pen and spare nibs. Getting a bowl of water, she lets some of them soak until the dried ink loosens and she can wipe it easily from her tools.

"hmm, life goes in circles, curious way o' putting it. Makes sense sorta, Grass is fed orn by cattle an' tha', which in turn be fed orn by predators an' further predators. Until tha moment when tha bodies of top predators return ta Chauntea, an' start all o'er again. A circle o' life... hmm, funny how I ne'er thought of it tha' way."

He considers a bit.

"Meditation ya say, migh' help remember details an' such? Hmm, mayhap I needs ta get out in't woods fer a bit o' peace an' quiet ta think o' such details, tha's if tha boss'll let I ha' time orf."

He ponders for a bit, before being called to the bar to deal with a few drink orders Humming a tune to himself and mumbling under his breath "... o' course get all ga ‘lory, Fergotten agin, same ole story!..."

A young man enter the inn. Tall in in build and well dressed, his armor reflecting the light of the outside a moment before the door closes behind him. He looks a moment at the customers until his green eyes fall on Harunobu. Ar few strides brings him to where they are seated. He tips his green hat in salutation to the woman with him, revealing his well trimed brown hair, then bow lightly to Harunobu.

"I hope I am not interupting anything" he ask in an almost singing voice. " I decided to accept your invitation." Then he turns to the women and slashes her a smile :" If it is allright with you that is. My name is Drake"

_________________
Orson - a fighter from Icewind Dale
Drake

She returns Drake's greeting with a polite nod of her head, she looks him over curiously a moment taking note of his posture and smirks as he speaks. "Oh don't mind me. I've plenty of paper work to keep myself busy while you two talk. If need be, I can move back to my usual booth and table. Then you might have a little privacy perhaps."

((Sorry for the delay, I was busy with work))

Harunobu smiles for a while after listening to Sordoc's reflections. Indeed, the cycle of life made sense. It had just been forgotten for ages in the Western Lands. Seeing a few persons starting to be interested into the Cult of the Ancestors was bringing him a sort of feeling of elation. He was almost feeling at home. And he was feeling happier than he had since he first arrived there. Of course a few persons had disrespected his beliefs, but they would be judged and punished in time. And no one wanted to reincarnate into a bug. The Fortunes and their Ancestors would take care of them sooner or later, probably sooner than later considering their tendency to rub the wrong people the wrong way. But he never had this feeling here, in the Royal Oak.

A few hours after Sordoc had left the table to get back to work, Harunobu left the Inn. But before he left, he walked by the gnome with those word: There are many ways to meditate, and many ways to reach the ancestors. Do not fear the limitations of your own personal experiences, since your ancestors want to be in touch with you and are only waiting for a sign on your part to manifest themselves to your conscience. Enjoy your day and may your Ancestors guide you always, Sordoc-san.

***

A few days later, as he is making notes on a scroll with his special inks and brushes, Lairena at his side also reading and complaining about the utter lack of writing skills of some authors, he raises his head at the arrival of Drake and smiles warmly.

You are welcome to join us, Drake-san.

Turning then towards Lairena: I met Drake-san in Myth Drannor a few days ago. He has just arrived in town but has already had a chance to discover the complete lack of manners of most who live there without working the earth. So please, stay with us so he can get a glimpse at the other side of this region.

He makes room for the young man at the table, setting some inks and scrolls aside. Being in Shadowdale had already changed him alot. He did not realize it yet but he was starting to expecience what Ikiryo-daimyo had spoken about with such frustration: the slow downhill slope toward barbarism. He was slowly becoming accustomed to secrets, and so much so that for one of the first few times in his life, he did not introduce someone, in order to let that person decide on how to introduce herself. Such a nonsense, and the most shocking part was: he had learned that from others who came from Kara-Tur.

As Sordoc runs by, probably on his way to deliver some drinks, he hails him for some more of this special apple juice that the Oak has and which is so refined, by the local standards, and quickly introduce the two of them. Sordoc-san, Drake-san here is also at a loss regarding the identity of his ancestors and shows the same spirit as you do.

Drake-san, have you had good rice in the morning?

About to rise from her seat, Lairena nods and smiles at the newcomer. Today particularly, she seems a bit different from usual, there are no lumps beneath her hood and the shape beneath it seemed like that of a normal human's. She wears a new dress with a high collar and long sleeves. She's taken a few extra cushions as well, making herself comfortable in the chair. Once she is settled again, she sets her book aside and replaces the stopper in her ink well.

Looking to Drake, she smiles as she greets him properly. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am called L. for the time being. I am the Book Mistress to the Liberum Library. I hope your experience with those native to this place grows... more pleasant." She says, as she picks up a soft white cloth, stained purple and red and black with ink as she begins to clean her pen, detaching the nib and cleaning the small metal piece carefully and meticulously. As she does, she looks between the two, her eyes linger on Drake for a while, memorizing his appearance.

The young man smiles lightly a he take a seat at the table.

" You know you are the second person I met in the Dales tha have given me a letter as a name. Strange thing it is also that the both of you gave me That one. I am sure it will be more pleasant to speak with you than the other L I met given your adjoining company" He gestures towar Harunobu.

"I take it you are here to answer questions about your ancestors as well? on another note: pardon my ignorance but what is the Liberum Library?"

As he speaks to her he looks at her in the eyes ignoring the hood and mask she wears. His gaze is not scrutinizing or judging. His voice carry the accent of Western Heartland and you can hear that his good speech is one of someone that learned etiquette but was not born of noble lineage.

Lairena smiles in an overly sweet fashion at Drake as she addresses the possibility of someone else called, L. "Oh how interesting. I'd never heard of someone else using my alias, though I suppose there are plenty others with that same initial. I do hope you find me more pleasant than that other person. I'd love to hear about this other "L." I do especially hope it is no silly imposter or something similar. It would really be very rude of them." As he brings up her Library, her pleasant expression becomes more natural and polite as she nods.

"It is just as it sounds. We are a group of Librarians so to speak, though our skills are broad and our services many. Our publicly known business is the sale and gathering of knowledge. Our normal customers can buy spell scrolls, crafting recipes or books from us. For our crafting recipes and books we'll eventually also offer a rental service, hopefully, where for a cheaper price, a patron may borrow a book for a certain amount of time and then bring it back." She nods, her expression turning thoughtful as she taps her chin. "For decent pay, we'll also go out and find the book, scroll or recipe you want as well. It might take a little time depending on what it is, but we'll do it. We also take other types of requests, but by no means are we mercenaries. We've standards and the right to accept or reject certain jobs based on our availability and the details of the job itself. We don't discriminate according to one's race or deity though. I don't believe such would bring the Liberum much profit." She finishes the short version of her explanation with a finite nod, then examines his expression for a minute before tilting her head and asking, "Any questions?"