Fool's Rest (Hex)
A beautiful and lethal patch of rainforest that many inexperienced travelers attempt to exploit. This is a domain for the Jackal Prince, teeming with wild beasts and feral spirits. It has become even more dangerous since the Triumphant Man-Eater of the Ogre Clan kidnapped the cockatrice. Rather than peaceful sleep and gentle dreams, any who rest in this area find themselves assailed with horrific visions of abuse and violence. This has further enraged the already tempermental beings that call this area home. Minions of the Tyrant Jhati travel from their swampy marshes and through mountain valleys to the West, while the Ogres and their slaves at the fortress to the South consider this their traditional hunting and proving grounds. Few except the Polkadot Clan, that frequently ranges between here and the river crossing to the North, can thrive in this environment.
Feature:
The Dandelion Warrior has laid claim to a picturesque hillside upon which countless dandelions of thousands of colours grow.
He angered his clan of Polkadots as he gave into vanity and attachment. He sought to commune with the Gale Daughter through his music, often long into the night. When he refused to abide by the prohibition on his music by the elders, a few furious warriors stabbed him several times punching deep holes through his body. To protect him, the Gale Daughter buffeted them with a mighty wind, and the man laughed as gusts blew through his body producing ever more beautiful and loud song. He has haunted this clan for generations, but many view him with a mix of affection and frustration.
The Dandelion Warrior's presence is always announced with wood-wind instrumentation either from his flute or the winds blowing through his punctured body. So long as a wind blows, he is capable of transforming into dandelion seed to avoid attacks and move over vast spaces carried by gusts.
He is willing to take on an apprentice to teach his arts provided they prove to him that they have a creative spark, a sense of personal honour, and are unconcerned with the opinions of others. As a test, he would have them create a composition about the Wind. He is immediately unsatisfied if it comes off as fawning or as an attempt to appeal to him specifically. He appreciates the following elements:
- A unique or genuine perspective on Wind.
- A clear attempt to engage with the subject.
- Honour being given to the Gale Daughter.
- Instrumentation, especially other than the flute, even when played poorly.
He will teach the art of the flute and grant the ability to turn into Dandelion seed that can be carried on the wind. He is looking for someone to tend to his wife's grave every month so that he can finally pass into the winds unburdened by the guilt of abandoning it. An apprentice must prove themselves trustworthy and follow through on at least one substantial oath under his tutelage. Should they succeed in this, they will receive his katana and wind-summoning flute.
- Katana: A long blade made of a bone-white metal, with an ivory handle wrapped with blooming dandelions. Stats as Long Sword. The user may spend one mana point to immediately transition between dandelion seed and human. Few opponents will be prepared for such a technique the first time it is used. The damage increases by +2 for each point of wind strength blowing toward the target at the moment of the strike.
- Dandelion Warrior's Flute: For each turn played, the user can either change the direction of the wind or its ferocity. This effect is felt across an entire hex.
He is known to play pranks on Polkadot clans nearby, and views foreigners as a potential threat to the spirits considering their use of gunpowder weaponry. For this reason he may perform pranks and mild hostility towards Black Thumbs or those carrying guns as well. He despises the ogres and will act more harshly against them, while keeping out of the affairs of the Tyrant Jhati which he believes too great a threat for him to handle.