Heavenfall

"Mai of the Ryoshun." She muttered sheepishly, looking at her feet and blushing. "This one is curious about your axe, Ch'jek'Matt-San. The craftsmanship is amazing." She had some difficulty with the name, but her Ch' was on point.

Kyosei chuckled slightly at his friend's introductions. Then blinked at the question.

Huh. Was this how he was with earth, dirt, and mining?

He gave a laugh at the tall comment, though it likely was unlike any laugh they had ever heard. He shook his head a little. "Am Large Nezumi. Biggest of litter-brothers-sisters. Grow Big. Grow Strong." He listened, eye focused on Jiyo as he talked. "What is....Emperor? And been fighting many.....years? Years is set of seasons? Lost many. Nightmares climb from hole torn by heaven. Things of terror and fire and death. many Nezumi thing it is coming of Tommorow" The emphasis on the word is easy to hear. "But not I. I fight back. Lose friends. Lose family. Slowly lose. Slowly come toward nest-home-safety." He looked at Mai, then down at his axe. "Is named M'krtf M'atch-tek. Has a Strong Name. Much power in Strong Name. Made for family many families ago."

"Emperor's like... our Chief of Chiefs."

Sora had only been out of the Hikaru for five years, so the term came easily enough.

"And it sounds like maybe we can help each other. Tomorrow is something I concern myself with as well."

Mai looked closely at the weapon from a distance, trying to glean all she could from the distance about it's measurements.

"Strong name?" She heard him emphasize it, and wondered the significance of the name.

Kyosei nodded at hearing it had a strong name. Though, he was curious how the Rat thing meant it.

"If close Pit. If stop nightmares and save people, Ch'Jak'Matt do anything." He said it at almost a growl. "Swore on mate and pup's death-hole" He looked over at Mai, ruminating, as if looking for the words, giving a long series of squeeks, as if talking in another language. "Strong Things have Strong Name. Stronger Ch'Jak'Matt Name, Stronger Name of Axe react, more foe die-fall before us."

Well, that's either magic or one nifty mental edge in thinking it's magic. Either way, I'll admit to being impressed.

"We'll do what we can. But before we close any pits... do you want any fish? Seems the least I can offer someone who's come this far."

"Swearing on a lost mate and child - that's a strong oath. May their spirits support you and help you."

Mai took note of the way the giant rat spoke as best she could. "I am sorry for your loss, Ch'Jak'Matt."

He shook his head at the offer of fish, gesturing to the tree root he had been munching on. "Have food. Man-thinks not have strong-sharp teeth like nezumi. Will need soft-fresh food for hike to south. Not take food/meat that war pack need to stay strong-mighty" He nodded to Mai and Kyosei , understanding the tone at least. "When time come, you see axe, and see strong name. Need might name, big weapon to fight nightmares. Tough-strong, like mighty tree."

"Well, my dagger-axe hasn't got much of a name yet, but might be it can earn one."

He chuckled.

"Although you might not think much of it. But we will see."

EM1 - Finding Some Nice Hard Wood - Gathering the Rest (Perception 3, Hunting 2, +1k1 VP, 1 Raise, TN25): 6d10o10k4 25 +2 Provision Points

Near those gathered speaking with the only creature that Yamadono had ever seen that was larger than him, a pair of Hunters, each wielding a small knife. They stalked in the tall grass, scrounging for small game to prepare and pack for the expedition.

They were quite a pair, an older, burly man who seemed quite rough, and the other, an intense looking young girl, but in the eyes, the familiarity of the two was apparent.

They were silent in their work, wholly dedicated to the task to prepare.

Kyosei cocked his head. "Did you give it the name, or did it seem to come to it naturally, or did a spirit caller give it that name?"

Mai perked up. This seemed relevant. She needed to learn about their technology to bring back to the Bat.

"Strong-Wise Shaman give it name many litters ago. Family carry with pride." He frowned a little. "Last family to carry it. Find new family-nest-home, if survive."

"You have no plans or way to take a new mate? Or is that against your oath?"

"Think that's what he was getting at. Finding a new mate, starting a new family."

Sora frowned.

"Now, personally, I think someone who has fought this stuff for ten years and come out alive has better odds than I do, but if you should fall and I should not... where would you want your axe to go? I mean, I hope we'll have other Nezumi with us, so they'd be better qualified to say, but if we're to be allies, I think I should know. I would try to honor your ways in this matter, since it seems important."

Mai interjected, "the Shaman can find a weapon's name. Is that done after forging or after wielding the weapon? Do the battle it fought in change the name?"

"Is Ch'Jak'Matt a he, even?" She asked the Jiyo.

He looked thoughtful a moment. "Find Rememberancer. They find-seek right wielder. They Remember-tell-record yesterday. But no. No start family till safe for nest-mate-pup." A faint grunt and a shake of his head. "Many to south fight long. Some is all-life war. Want see war done. Peace to lay down axe, and rest. No rest while enemy live."