With Cadmus (as Cassius) Charles, Shane (as Ticalos), and Tzolkin (as the Priestess, Kaira)

This was an experimental RP where we used some ideas of Tzolkin's to explore what Stagg society may be like. I had fun, and I hope you all have fun reading it.

(NOTE: Drasta did come in, but only got a single pose, which I'll leave in anyway)
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Cassius walks through the forest floor, a half-annoyed and half-grave expression thick upon his face. He held his pickhammer tightly in his hands, thinking as deeply as one with a shattered mind could. He might have wanted to bring down all life around him...but not even he would defy the priesthood...or the Warrior Mother. In search of his kin, he had been approached by one of them not a day ago, apparently having been told to gather all the various Staggs dispersed around the valley...something interesting indeed had come up and all were needed to be in attendance. He gives several quick glances to his sides, sniffing the air and keeping alert for any sounds.

Charles sits on an old tree stump with a look of thought on his visage. He let his dagger down and just sat there waiting for the meeting which was mandatory for all the staggs in the area. He sits there not paying attention to much just sitting, looking half alive

Ticalos moves through the underbrush, quietly slithering between the trees. He has sensed a disturbance in the winds, a change in Her messages...something is happening. He's been looking all over the valley for days, searching out food, water and clues; the first two are abundant, but the last has escaped his watchful eyes. The granite-speckled rat scurries along, grey eyes twitching and scanning as he catches a familiar scent...

Cassius continues his steady march through the forest floor, the soft rustling of his tattered cloak and the leaves on the trees the the only thing meeting his ears on the cool night air. At last he comes upon a large, lonely clearing, taking in deep, searching breathes and trying to pick up any familiar scents upon the wind. He waits, sure that his brethren would be making their own appearances in due time. As if to answer this thought, he picks up something, turning to meet the familiar scent. "I smell you. Come out..." he says, the sides of his severely scarred muzzle twitching.

Charles Charles suddenly jolts upward. He had fallen asleep! he grabs his dagger and dashes running throught the forest to get back in time but he falls and is knocked unconscious.

"Ah!" Ticalos worms out of the bush, rising to meet the other rat. The stranger is a bit larger than him, and more than imposing. He gives him a once-over, pausing at the scars on his upper body. "I..see you are...one of us, brother. How have...you come here?" He turns suddenly at the sound of a body falling back somewhere in the woods, clutching his rusted sword's hilt tightly.

Cassius's eyes stare at this new arrival for a moment, nonetheless relaxing as he recognizes him. "I am...one." he says, his ears giving a twitch at that distant crash. "Who...comes here? We were called...called. Called by the Mother. We were called to be given Her word. We will hear Her word soon." He turns back to the clearing, already beginning to see the shapes of other Staggs filling into the clearing. "That sound...what was it?"

Charles awaking he forgets his intentions for a second looking at the surrounding area. Then all of a sudden it clicks. He has to go hear the Mothers word. "Im never going to make to hear Her word". Charles then again makes a mad dash to get to her the Mothers word.

Ticalos grins wryly at the younger Stagg, crashing blindly into the clearing. "Our sound..he as caused it, I think." He turns back to the larger rat. "You...have the Word? You are to...give? To us?"

Cassius shakes his head. "I...am not worthy to give the Word. She...will speak through one who was chosen to do so..." He says, looking to the younger Stagg with a measure of disdain now. The other Staggs begin to murmur amongst themselves, more slowly emerging from the tree roots.

Charles running domincally through the forest he appears to see his brothers emerging from the tree roots. "Im not to late... to hear the word good...good". Catching up Charles joins the group and follows them to hear her the Mother

Seemingly out of nowhere, a figure appears a short distance away, at the edge of the clearing. A tall female, shrouded in a cape bearing the telltale color of the Stagg priesthood, the belt from which her stone blade dangles clearly visible against her brown fur. This figure stands silent and aloof, her cape flapping gently in the breeze as she observes the gathering horde

Agitated now, Ticalos starts wringing his paws slightly. "I have...have felt the im...balance. The bad!" he mutters half to himself. He slowly backs away, closer to the ground, half-bowing to the awesome sight of a Stagg priest. His eyes betray the fear...

Charles stops at the sight of the priestess, watching, waiting for the word. "Yes Mother... the word...the word... yes".

Cassius gives a rare, reverent bow to the priestess, striding over to her with loud footfalls. "What is the Mother's will...?" he says, bowing his head. Even to Cassius, the priestess commanded a great deal of respect. He stands straight up now, lowering his pickhammer to the ground.

Charles bows in respect to the Mother."The word what is your bidding my master". He seems to be like a stone waiting for the ever anticipated word from Mother.

As opposed to Cassius, Ticalos seems to quail before the Mother. "You...your will. Her will!" he quickly corrects, casting his gaze down to the ground nervously.

Charles Charles still standing like a stone peering at the mother with great intent awaiting the word.

The priestess stands silently aloof as Cassius approaches. Finally, she gives the large rat a faint nod and a smile. "The Mother is very pleased you have come, for she has important news for you." she says, somewhat quietly at first, but continues in a louder tone. "Important news for you all. In communion with Mother we have seen it, and She has relayed to us our plans of action." The female raises her paw, gesturing in the direction of the Rats' territory. "The Unbelievers, our enemies, are mighty. But Mother has assured us, that they underestimate Her power, and ours."

Charles nods in agreement. "those fools understimate us,they will pay dearly" charles thinks in his head.

Cassius nods his head, listening to the priestesses every word as though his very life hinged upon them. "I see...does Mother know...what we shall do, priestess?" He says, looking around to his brethren and making sure every one of them is giving their full attention.

Ticalos nods vigorously. "Yes, enemies. We shall...make them p-pay!" His speech is less coherent, his eyes wilder. All attention is riveted on the messenger from the Mother.

The priestess blinks slowly, her consciousness seeming to lapse for a brief second. She gives a nod. "Yes." she replies, peering at Cassius with a knowing smile. "This is an enemy we must not engage right now, though many might be eager. The time is not yet right. For now, all must be instead watchful of them, as we grow our family and prepare." The female looks to Cassius suddenly, seeming to snap from whatever trance she was in. "She has chosen you, to lead the ones gathered here. They should report what they see to you, and you to us, so that we might consult with Mother."

Cassius bows deeply at these words, though a small frown crosses his muzzle at the order to simply watch and observe. As he rises, however, a smile has replaced it. "Yes...priestess...I am honored...to be chosen." he says, fingering at his pickhammer and turning in earnest to the gathered crowd.

Charles looking at the newly appointed brother. Then his eyes strafe towards Mother waiting for more of the Word

Ticalos breathes a sigh of relief. "Good...brother..." Finally, a rat he can almost trust. Better be watchful, though...He straightens up likewise and stares politely at Cassius.

Drasta is standing in the crowd, her shrewd eyes watching the spectacle. The word of the Mother was sacred to them all, and she waited, in case the priestess desired to say more.

The priestess smiles, raising her paws to make a last statement before she takes her leave. "We leave you now with the task Mother has given to you. Remember these words and be merry, for the fruits of our labor, as a family, shall soon be realized." She places her right paw across her chest, gesturing. "May the strong embrace of our Mother encompass and protect all of you who have come." And with that, the priestess is finished. She takes a breath, then slips silently into the forest.