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Im aware this story is so so cringe let me have this teehee
Diaoling is a prophet at [NAME] temple, acting as a religious head and interprets the weather to intuit the future. During the Sunset festival, Diaoling refuses to kill Tao and instead kills his apostles in a fit of rage. Diaoling and his guard, Tao, are forced to leave the temple to protect their lives, fleeing to the surrounding wilderness. The two wander the land, taking refuge in small towns, slowly making their way east. While the two travel, they are hunted by Zhenhai.
Diaoling is very quiet and aloof, often not paying attention to his surroundings or the people around him. He has a hard time staying present, spending most of his time in his own head and ignoring what is happening around him. This leads to many people believing he is cold or uncaring, accentuated by his harsh makeup, when he simply has a hard time staying present or processing his surroundings. Diaoling is very self conscious about his appearance and doesn't want to draw attention to himself despite his distinct appearance.
Diaoling enjoys music, though is very particular about what he likes. Watching festivals and singing for worship has made him interested in music, but loud or fast-paced music makes him anxious due to his time living as a prophet. He loves to sing on his own and watch street preformers when he visits small towns.
Diaoling's fire manifests more like lightning than traditional fire due to his upbringing. Functionally the magic is the same, but his fire appears more golden and jagged compared to the average flame.
Through intense training and a background in weather divination, Diaoling has some control over the weather in his area. It is much easier for him to change the weather in his temple because of his comfort with the weather patterns, but with enough focus he can change it in any area he is in. This requires intense focus and preparation, taking upwards of a week to completely change the weather patterns. Small changes will take much less time, with Diaoling able to change temperatures or cloud covers within the hour or day. To change the weather, Diaoling needs to burn specific components which change depending on what conditions he is creating. The smoke from these components rises through the air and creates its own weather, overriding what is present in the area. Diaoling can create small changes in temperature around him by chewing and burning the components in his mouth, helping in extreme areas.
Diaoling has bright red skin, often covered with white makeup on his face and shoulders when exposed. His hair is an off white, with bangs hanging over his face and hair down to the middle of his back. Diaoling has many draconic traits, such as his tail and horns. His horns are sharp and roughly 6 inches long, the same color as his skin and tipped in black dye. His tail is about 5 feet long, with white scales sticking upward on the back and a tuft of white hair at the end. This tail is almost always visible, most of Diaoling's clothes are tailored to show off his draconic traits. Other than his tail, his arms and legs have the thickest scales, with a slight black gradient and white nails. Diaoling is very tall compared to an average human, being very skinny due to his increased height.
When living at the temple and presenting to others Diaoling wears a full face of white makeup, covering his entire face, becoming slightly faded at below the cheekbones. He has heavy black eyebrows painted on that angle upwards, making his face look intense and somewhat angry. Black lines follow the curves of his face, coming from his eyes and nose, and above his eyes similar to eyeshadow, with white lines under the cheekbone mirroring these dark marks.
Casual wear looks very similar to his appearance during festivals and the temple, as Diaoling prefers to keep his appearance well maintained, ensuring he is taken seriously and is seen exactly how he wishes to be seen. When alone or unable to access makeup, Diaoling's face is criss-crossed with thin white scars, caused by unrest from social isolation when he first moved into the temple. He also has red patches on his cheek and above the eyes from slight scale damage. He does his best to keep his face hidden even when staying home, only exposing it when around people he trusts.
Diaoling does his best to stay proper, even when on the run, but eventually must make sacrifices when unable to access makeup or in areas of high temperatures. When unable to access his makeup, he wears a thin veil, though does not prefer to do it often as the thought of keeping his face even slightly exposed causes him anxiety.
Diaoling enjoys the Rainfest and actively participates in the celebrations, as opposed to most festivals. Due to his reluctance to participate in common society and the rarity of seeing him in public, Rainfest has become especially important to the civilians since it is one of the few times every year they are able to see Diaoling in person. He enjoys the dances, both watching and participating in them. Tao accompanies Diaoling as he does every day, but gives Diaoling more freedom than usual so he can fully enjoy the event.
Tao: Diaoling has a hard time showing it, but he greatly respects Tao and wishes he could stay with him forever. He tries to push Tao away as much as he can so his eventual death will be easier to handle, often failing and getting closer with Tao over time. After the two leave the temple, he does not understand why Tao would want to stay with him when he no longer is bound by duty, and wants Tao to make a better life for himself outside of simply serving Diaoling. He wants more than anything to always be with Tao, though he believes this desire is selfish and does not know Tao feels the same way.
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THIS IS A LITTLE ADVANCED FOR ME NOW. IM GONNA DRAW FOR A BIT
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Tao is very emotional at heart, but has a tendency to repress what he feels to appear professional in his high status. He has a hard time completely shutting down these emotions, often bursting through in times of high stress. Regardless of his emotions, he is seen as very skilled in his role and works very hard to maintain his position. He has a deep respect for Diaoling, often exceeding his own personal wellbeing, and will do anything to keep Diaoling safe and happy.
Being a feline, Tao is very flexible and agile when moving. He can run on all fours, though it takes slightly more effort than walking on two legs, although he can sprint faster as a quadruped.
Tao is very skilled in hand to hand combat and fighting with a single-handed blade. He tends to gravitate towards fighting with a blade, as it lends to his agility and quick thinking well, but often fights hand-to-hand on the run because he no longer has access to his blades.
Tao has tanned skin with light stripes resembling a tiger's, especially on his face and arms. These stripes are darkest on the face, appearing almost black on the forehead, and is lightest in the chest and torso, appearing similar to light tan lines. He also has a tail and feline ears, both following the same patterning as a tiger's. His arms have a light coat of fur covering them, which he tended to shave when working at the temple to appear more human. He has a large scar on his left collarbone, left by Diaoling during the Sunset festival. The scar is silver in color, deepest in the top and fades darker at the bottom. He has long dark hair that is often pulled back in a ponytail, reaching to his lower back. Tao is relatively muscular from his training as Diaoling's caretaker, with most of his muscle built in his upper arms and legs. He does not have much input on what he wears, generally not caring much about his clothing. His clothes are often tighter on the top for increased mobility, with baggier pants to account for his tail.
Tao often does not have time to maintain his appearance when living outside of a town, often going days without brushing his hair or taking account for his appearance. His clothes are generally the same as in the temple, though he wears slightly looser tops, keeping his sleeves baggy and loose when living in a town he trusts and returning back to tighter clothes when he believes Diaoling could be in danger.
Diaoling: Tao considers Diaoling the most important person in his life. As his caretaker, almost every moment of his life is spent in service of him, which he does not mind at all. He wishes he was more important to Diaoling, and tries everything he can to take care of him properly and make him as happy as possible. As apprehensive he is about his eventual death at Diaoling's hands, he has known this is his purpose his whole life and is willing to be killed, no matter how anxious the idea makes him.
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As a canine, Zhenhai is very physically strong, though not very agile. He focuses more on brute strength when it comes to fighting, having a tendency to attack many times at once and never stop attacking his prey. Zhenhai has some slight magical capabilities, leading to enhanced strength and endurance. This magic can be seen faintly when he fights, manifesting in a light blue glow appearing like smoke around his hands and eyes. His attacks create slight burns on the skin when coming in contact, which he is unable to control and often results in burning himself as well.
Zhenhai has dark, slightly grayed, skin, with gray and brown fur on his forearms, chest, and back. The fur on his hands is singed off, leaving behind slightly pink skin from repeated magical burns. His hair is kept short, with choppy bangs and a slight A-line cut. His hair, along with his body hair, is a blend between the gray and brown of his fur. He has a triangular build, keeping muscle in huis upper body, namely his arms. Zhenhai is relatively vain, keeping treasures from his kills as decoration. Most of his face is covered by a veil of coins, each from a different kill. He leaves most of his chest exposed and keeps one side of his jacket draped off his body. His clothing is very practical but is highly decorated with coins and metals, with a mix of a practical and ornamental style.
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Zheicheng: Zhenhai and Zheicheng are very close, both physically and emotionally. They have been living and working together for years and see each other as life companions. While it is not entirely clear what their relationship is from an outside perspective, they are very physical and often act as if they are in a relationship. Neither of them consider them to be partners.
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The wikipedia page for Pallas eagles says they can eat other birds and small rodents, which i find interesting.
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Songyan is a very mild woman, and tries to keep an even temperment no matter the situation. She cares deeply about the people around her, and often prioritizes other's happiness over her own. This comes from her experience living in a large group of insects, as she enjoys staying in large groups where she can care for other people and feel needed.
As a servant of the God of Hunger, she has abilities from both the God of Water and the God of Hunger. Her abilities favor the God of Hunger more, since she is unaware that water plays any effect into her life.
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Songyan is a traveling musician that works on comission, leading her to migrate quite a bit. She can be found in almost all parts of the nation, but frequents Diaoling's temple as they pay her the best and she enjoys preforming for Diaoling. She plays many instruments, but specializes in the gaohu and erhu. Songyan has been playing music since she was a child, born into a migrating clan of insects, allowing her to travel the land and explore new kinds of music. She is highly sought after in musical preformances due to her distinctive style of playing that she learned while traveling.
Unlike Diaoling, Songyan is a willing servant of the God of Hunger. She is not aware it is masquerading as the God of Water, but supports it in its original title. While most servants are relatively violent and follow down the same path as Diaoling, Songyan is a pacifist and does her best to ensure her practices do not hurt the people around her. She consumes blood ritualistically, only drinking from people she knows and will benefit from her treatment.
Diaoling: Diaoling and Songyan have always had a distant respect for one another. Though they rarely speak, Diaoling enjoys her music and often requests for her to play music at festivals and for personal entertainment. Songyan plays his favorite instrument, the gaohu, and has helped him foster a love for music since he was a child.
God of Hunger: Songyan has a strong relationship with it, though the God of Hunger does not pay much attention to her. They remain distant despite her worship, with Songyan choosing to follow her own rules and treating her work as something emotional, rather than a deal she made with a God. The God does not pay her much mind, letting her worship as she pleases, until she begins interacting with Diaoling more. It does not stop her work, but plays a greater role in manipulating her and Diaoling.
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Diaoling: Diaoling is one of [NAME]'s favorite patrons. He has no concern for Diaoling's well being or personality, but enjoys how well Diaoling served him, seeing him as the perfect vessel due to how starved he was in almost all aspects of his life. He loved how devoted Diaoling was to him, and wanted to keep Diaoling tethered to him for as long as possible.
[NAME] still holds a soft spot for Diaoling after he becomes the God of Water, despite still being upset that he has lost some of his power. He still believes he will get his original power back and keeps a close eye on Diaoling in case he can exploit him somehow.
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Diaoling was not born in the temple, being given to the apostles by wild dragons as a baby. He has very few memories of this time, but has an instinctual love of nature and physical freedom from his childhood. He was raised by two Oni apostles and had a hard time acclimating to the temple, as he had become used to living in the wild. Due to his stress from this transition, he had a bad habit of scratching at his face and neck when in distress. These scratches scarred over and can still be seen under his makeup. For his first few years, he was not seen by any civilians other than his apostle caretakers. They believed he was still too emotionally unstable to be seen, in fear that he was still feral and could attack his followers. Over time, he adjusted to living in captivity and his personality became much more reserved, rarely speaking or showing emotions. This shift in personality started at Diaoling's first Sunset Festival, the experience of killing his sacrifice left him shellshocked and distant. He rarely speaks, choosing to follow what others tell him and remaining detached to not process his actions.
Tao was assigned to Diaoling at roughly age 15, with Diaoling being a few years younger than him. Tao lived in a semi-rural community of other felines that are lent out to higher ranking individuals, most of which working as bodyguards such as himself. He had already lived a highly regimented lifestyle in preparation to live in the temple, so the transition went much smoother than Diaoling's. While the transition was easy, following his roles and understanding Diaoling's personality was difficult for him. Diaoling had experienced multiple Sunset Festivals at the time, so Tao did not experience his tempermental period. Tao didn't understand why he was so distant and quiet until his first Sunset Festival, and tried his best to get him out of his shell until he understood the reasoning behind his personality. The two started off very distant, with Diaoling refusing to get close to any of his caretakers. It took years before the two could speak to one another naturally, with Diaoling still trying to remain distant to protect himself.
Some point into Tao's time living at the temple, Diaoling has one of his first physical contacts with another person. While the two are making their way through the temple on a busy day, someone runs into Diaoling, hitting his shoulder and some of his chest. The stranger was relatively unpunished, while Diaoling spent days in confinement by orders of his god. During this time only Tao was allowed to see him and he spent his time in his room, praying and begging for forgiveness from his god. He stayed almost motionless for days, bent on the ground surrounded by steam to communicate through his dreams. This event, while commonplace for Diaoling, greatly impacted Tao and showed just how unattainable his feelings were, being one of the main reasons he is hesitant to touch Diaoling.
After years of being left without any physical touch, Diaoling began to feel the effects of isolation. In secret, he began to bargain with Tao, asking him to touch him as part of his duties. Diaoling was aware of Tao's feelings for him and exploited those emotions for his own gain, while he did not feel the same. The two started off very slowly, with more casual touches to the hands or face, but became more physical as time passed. Diaoling and Tao were eventually caught by one of the apostles, blaming Tao for coercing Diaoling into the relationship. Tao was placed in confinement for months until the Sunset Festival, where Diaoling was forced to kill and consume him as a sacrifice for his punishment. Diaoling begun the ceremony, biting into Tao's shoulder, but refused to continue, instead killing one of the apostles and running off with Tao.
Tao, still injured from Diaoling's bite, is taken care of by Diaoling in a makeshift shelter. He confronts Diaoling about his choice to save him, angry that he saved him when they both know he doesn't feel the same way as Tao. Diaoling admits that he developed feelings for Tao while he did not initially.
Tao and Diaoling had nowhere to go when they left the temple, with neither of them living outside the temple for very long. For a while, they wandered the land, simply trying to stay far away from the temple and making a life for themselves safely. Diaoling wasn't able to take up many jobs being a powerless dragon, tending to keep away from cities and any larger towns so he wouldn't be tracked down by the temple.
Shortly after leaving the temple, Tao was approached by the God of Beasts in his dreams. With Diaoling unable to use his powers, Tao feels like he can't provide for both of them and keep Diaoling safe while they no longer have a home. The god offered to help Tao, allowing him to use his animalistic side to protect them. He initially refused this offer, feeling it might end well for him, but accepts after the two were attacked by hunters. He keeps this secret from Diaoling, knowing he wouldn't want either of them to make more deals with a god.
The two were attacked by Zhenhai and Zheichen on their way to the feline's territory. Tao was growing ever stronger, and was able to fend off the two until he collapsed, watching as a figure swept in and drove off the attackers. After the attack was interrupted, Diaoling and Tao were left stranded in the snow to die. The figure, an avian scout that caught the fight while on patrol, rescued Diaoling and fully intended to leave Tao behind, believing he was one of the attackers. Tao followed behind, having to be dragged most the way due to passing out from exhaustion. The two are taken into avian territory and he awakens in a cell with his hands bound. Diaoling is kept in the healing wing for around a week while he recovers from his injuries, unable to see Tao. When he is finally discharged, he visits Tao to see he has almost completely changed. He has become more animalistic, walking on all fours and nearly attacking Diaoling on sight. There are periods where he is entirely lucid, lasting much longer than his feral transformations, but will fade in and out, allowing his animal side to have full control. The isolation while Diaoling was healing forced his state to progress much further, forcing the two to finally talk about his deal with the God of Beasts.
Dragons originate from the north, able to withstand frigid temperatures by regulating their fire's heat through their bodies.
Dragons, like any non-human race, have inherent magical abilities. While most species cannot physically handle the stress that magic brings, it comes very naturally to dragons. Their most well known ability is breathing fire and naturally heating their bodies. Depending on species and upbringing, dragons can have vastly different powers, ranging from physical to mental impacts.
They are one of the highest regarded species due to their proficiency in magic, making them very valuable. While most dragons are in high positions near royalty, some are hired as entertainers and treated more like objects than their own species. While they are valuable, dragons never have leadership or political positions, being commonly seen in assistant roles rather than leaders. They are sold at a high price dead or alive due to their rarity and magical ability. This causes many people to hunt them down for their body parts and increased information on magic.
Appearance
Dragons have varied appearances, though all share some common traits. Their skin tends to be vibrantly colored and in inhuman colors, such as red or blue. While they all have horns of some kind, their placement and shape can drastically change depending on the specimen. Most have two horns on the tops of their heads, but in rare cases dragons can have more or less horns. It is believed that some dragons possessing singular horns and smaller draconic features have been mistaken as oni, leading some to debate whether oni are their own species or just a subspecies of dragon.
Oni are the closest non-human species to humans, with only small changes between an oni and a standard human. It has been hotly debated whether oni belong to their own species, or are simply a subspecies of dragon. Oni are treated very similar to humans, being relatively common and relatively similar to the average human. Other than dragons, oni tend to have the most potential for magical handling, able to keep up with the physical demand. This leads them to gravitate towards more magic-based positions, with slightly over half of oni using some form of magic for their job. Most workers within Diaoling's temple are oni. Unlike many other non-human races, oni are able to marry and have children with humans due to their similar genetic makeup. It is theorized that most humans have some oni heritage, though many do not present typical oni traits.
Appearance
Oni have very simple appearances, characterized by the singular horn prodtruding from their foreheads. The horn rarely changes shape, though some oni with spiral or waved horns have been documented. Horns are an incredibly important aspect of oni culture and appearance, with a larger and well maintained horn being highly sought after and seen as very beautiful. Their skin tones range from vibrant to relatively human, with vibrant tones tending to be very pastel, with cooler colors being more common.
Appearance
Felines come in many different species, many of which resemble existing species of felines. These species range from domestic cats to larger species, such as tigers and lions. They all retain the same basic features, with ears on the top of their heads, tails, and some fur patterns on their skin. Fur where skin typically is, such as arms and legs, isnt limited to species and will vary depending on the specimen. Almost all felines have some kind of marking on their skin that resembles the patterns of their species, including stripes and patches of discolored skin. These markings are not made of fur, rather are changes in pigment on the skin itself.
Canines are often employed by other races due to their loyal nature and willingness to fight no matter the cause. While they are not an inherently violent species, most canines have a tendency to be aggressive to strangers due to their upbringing. In more severe cases they have been seen attacking strangers without the attention of their handlers. Most canines who work as mercenaries and hunters are accompanied by another species to keep them in check and ensure they do not go 'feral', with the most popular being oni or avians due to their increased strength and stability.
Canines tend to get a bad reputation because of their work as soldiers and hunters, seen as violent and less than human, though many canines are quite gentle by nature and are raised to be violent. Some canines are used as companions rather than fighters, allowing them to show off their calmer temperment, though they are almost always in subservient roles.
Appearance
Similar to felines, canines vary in appearance based on what species of canine they derive from. They all retain the same basic features, with ears on the top of their heads, tails, and some fur patterns on their skin. Fur where skin typically is, such as arms and legs, isnt limited to species and will vary depending on the specimen. Fur patterns are
Avians are quite rare, being typically the highest ranked of non-human species other than dragons. Most avians have assimilated into human society quite well, with rumors that small flcoks of wild avians still live in the wild, though they have yet to be seen. Their feathers store magical energy, with most avians channeling that magic into flight, not using their abilities for combat or offensive powers.
Appearance
They are tall and slender, with arms and legs that are covered in thin scales, resembling bird legs. Their arms are unique, with feathers growing from the top of their forearms and leading into their upper arms. The feathers are thicker than real bird's wings, allowing avians to glide short distances. Avians tend to have very little true hair, with clumps of feathers growing where hair is present.
Appearance
Sunrise/Sunset Festival
The Sunrise Festival represents the prosperity of the kingdom, lasting from sunrise to sunset. The Sunrise half of the festival is relatively calm and is celebrated on a familial level in the home. Families will participate in a fast until the sunset, representing the hardship they have faced and making them think of the goodness that will come later in the festival.
The Sunset Festival is much louder and celebrated throughout the kingdom, commencing at the palace. At the start of this festival, the citizens break their fast and the feast begins. To start the feast, the current prophet must consume one of their caretakers, symbolizing their devotion. Some regions allow the caretaker to commit suicide in the hours before the feast, while some keep the sacrifice alive and must be killed by the prophet himself. Due to its symbolic importance, this festival is stricter in nature and doesn't allow for many festivities and events, focused on the feast and private traditions. Young prophets do not participate in the festival, beginning when they are roughly 7 years old.
Rainfest
Rainfest is a celebration unique to [NAME] temple, though similar festials are held at different temples with different practices. Rainfest celebrates the temple's prophet, slightly changing dates and customs depending on what prophet is alive at the time. In Diaoling's time, the festival has calmed significantly, with a greater focus on music. The festival is set in the beginning of spring when rain is highest in the area. At the start of the festival, the participants buy incense sticks to burn during the festivals pique. Using the smoke from the incense, Diaoling manipulates the weather to cause heavy storms, making it rain for the rest of the day. Rainfest is much more relaxed than the Sunrise and Sunset festivals, allowing Diaoling to celebrate and participate in some of the events of the festival.
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