#ankoan

A New Challenger... - "… Arrives? Approaches? TELL US ALREADY!"

Commander Rhyssa - "Two people can keep a secret as long as neither of them are Commander Rhyssa."

Lightfang Enforcer

Kotori Lightblade - "You need healing"

Knight of the Dead - "A Paladin will follow their oath to slay the undead, even when they count themselves among them."

A hand raises to wave away the next shroud, a magnificent conch shell turns in suspension before the audience. The shell appears to be rather hefty and thick in exoskeleton. Something coos in the wind around the artifact, a pleasant song that is just a hum to the audience.

“This majestic conch shell belonged to the Watercharmer’s of the Akaei clan. A now extinct clan of the deep sea warriors known as the Ankoan. How did the Ankoan come to be one may ask? Well, they are descendants of ancient Jinyu who left Pandaria to hunt and live in the depths of the ocean. They are some of the few races who traverse the deepest and most dangerous parts of the ocean freely. Throughout the generations, the Ankoans were hunted to near extinction by the naga. Though a nomadic race, there were a plethora of clans who called certain stretches of ocean their home. Some flourished in the lightless trenches like the Akaei clan.”

“This conch shell was used by various Watercharmer’s of the Akaei clan to protect their people and tame local wildlife. And when I say wildlife, I mean megafauna of the depths that could have destroyed entire villages in a matter of minutes. So as you can imagine, Watercharmers were pretty powerful. They gained that power from a combination of communing with the ocean and infusing that pull into their enchanting voices. Male or female, anyone could become a Watercharmer if they held the gift just as with the Waterspeakers. The conch shell was that conduit of their force, projecting their magic in stronger ways. The spirits of fallen Waterspeakers are said to still sing their battlecries from their conches, this one included.” 

“The legend goes, Watercharmers were created to protect the Ankoan from the Umibozu. A dark creature of the depths that sought to kill anything in its path, especially sailors and hunters. Many ships fell prey to this devious being on restful waters and were drowned with its rising storm. The Ankoan who lived in the deepest reaches of the ocean relied on their Watercharmers to distract and lure the Umibozu so the other warriors could kill it. It is said there were many conch shells like this one, but the Naga destroyed a vast majority of them. Presently, there are but a few Watercharmers remaining as the Waveblade clan seeks to rebuild their numbers.”

The last relic was finally exposed to the audience with a flick of Xepher’s wrist. The shroud faded away to show spectacular sapphires set into a curved trinity golden casing. There was something potent about this jewel, a spiritual force that exuded from it. It was welcoming and warm, stronger than all the other pieces before it.  

“The Ningyo Sapphire is a rare relic with a fascinating story of its creation. The Ningyo clan were a group of Ankoan who lived among the coral reefs across Azeroth. They were skilled in deep sea diving and hunting like the other clans of the ocean. One of their early leaders, Miphi, crafted a brilliant jewel from waterforging in the steam pits. A technique she learned from the couple I mentioned earlier. It became known as the Ningyo Sapphire and is said to radiate with indescribable spiritual power. Apparently, it was crafted from a stone from Lord Neptulon’s realm.” 

“The legend states that Neptulon was creating a new trident from various stones found in the oceans depths. One of these chunks floated away to the coral reefs where the Ningyo found it. When they cracked open the rock, the essence used to empower the trident crystallized into sublime sapphires. And so the chieftess infused her powers into that sapphire, allowing her clan to commune at heightened levels with the spirits of water. They were able to walk through the ocean's current of the past, learning invaluable knowledge that I could only dream to see. Sadly much was destroyed with the attacks and little could be found.” “Another facet of this sapphire centers on the Ningyo’s traditions concerning ‘marriage’. The chieftess was approached by a wandering druid who sought access to the sapphire for spiritual guidance. She gave him five difficult missions to complete to aid the clan, if competeling them all then he would gain access. The druid’s journey brought the pair closer together, the chieftess admiring the fierce hunters spirit and impenetrable will of this outsider. After some time, she exchanged the sapphire to the druid if he completed one last request. Becoming her betrothed. What happens then, I am not entirely sure as the tablets provided little else. Some say the druid's name was Gink and others say it was Relda. None seem to agree. But what can be confirmed is that a tradition formed of Ningyo women giving sapphires to the one they sought to marry. Fun fact huh?” “With all this talk of waterforged items, it is only right that I provide the audience with trinkets created from such. The Waterspeakers Coalition has donated these beautifully decorated Jinyu daggers for all of you to keep. They are happy that people seek to know of their culture and history.”

Xepher waved her hand again causing another shroud to dissipate. A pair of jagged Obsidian daggers display, the handles wrapped tightly in some form of leather bindings. Wisps of cerulean energy roll off the blade’s length like fog.  

“Ou Yezi’s Obsidian Daggers were created during the Jinyu’s reign over all of Pandaria. Ou Yezi was a legendary watersmith who forged the best weapons the empire ever had. He took waterforging into an entirely different direction by employing bold techniques. How you may ask? Well, he saw the benefit of forging the water over stone that was actively being blasted with serpent flame. Now how could a Jinyu find a way to convince the proud Cloud Serpents to such a task? Any guesses?” 

“Ou Yezi was actually caught by one of the great Cloud Serpents, Ao Guang of the Eastern Seas. Being the clever man he was, Ou Yezi struck a deal that he could make something shiny and magnificent with Ao Guang’s flame. Luckily, Ao Guang found himself to be truly  brilliant and adored the idea thus allowing it. Stones from high in the mountains were brought down by Ao Guang and he released his fiery breath upon them. Ou Yezi made haste by bending the water to a pressurized and concise current over the lava that formed. Some say it was some of Ou Yezi’s best work and rightfully so since his life depended on it.”

“Ou Yezi forged five swords, three polearms, and one pair of daggers from Ao Guang’s lava. The bounty impressed the Cloud Serpent so much that not only did the Jinyu keep his life, he also was allowed one of the weapons to take home. The daggers you see before you is that very weapon. Power runs through the obsidian of these blades. The molten flame of a Cloud Serpent with the spiritual pressure of the Vale’s waters.” 

“The watersmith hurried back to his workshop, where he hid the daggers away. This new technique of forging molten stones and metals with watersmithing was taught to several of his students. Including a famed swordsmith couple, who continued the tradition even when they decided to leave for the oceans. Gan Jiang and Mo Ye spread this technique into the empire and later the Ankoan tribes of the seas.”  

“I am Madame Xepher and I have worked as a marine archaeologist for over a century now. My research focuses on the sentient life and civilizations of all bodies of water, specifically the ocean. There is a breath of knowledge waiting for us in the sea, unknowns that could shed understanding on our past and coming future. The preservation of Azeroth’s waters and celebration of the cultures beneath the tides is what drives my passion for the field. I work closely with the Water Elemental Lords as both researcher and battle mage, when the need arises of course.”

“Tonight we will explore the stories of the river Jinyu and their deep ocean counterparts the Ankoan through relics and artifacts. I would like to thank the Waterspeakers Coalition for allowing me to display some of their cultural artifacts.”

A smile spreads over her lips before turning towards a long table. There were several items suspended with what one would assume was magic, slowly spinning in their levitation. There was a glimmering shroud over each, as though to hide what they were till the time arose for such. A water elemental loomed on the other side, watching quietly and by chance protecting the pieces.

“Water is a malleable element. It holds the power to be still or raging. Life giving or life taking. There is a duality to its essence and such is the same for the wise Jinyu.  In the days before the Sundering, all rivers flowed into Pandaria creating a cradle of life. The Vale of Eternal Blossoms held enchanted pools similar in transformative powers to the Well of Eternity.”

“Murlocs who were fortunate enough to live near the pools found their minds expanded and bodies changing until they became the Jinyu. The wisest of their people learned to commune with the waters of the river and listen for what news of the future it would bring. These elders were respected by most races of Pandaria and earned the title of Waterspeakers. Our first relic belonged to one of the legendary Jinyu of ancient Pandaria, Waterspeaker Mazu.”  

The glimmering shade dissipates from one of the floating items to display an ornate lantern. A dimmed blue light glows within it, the magic pulsing through the entire lantern. Xepher motions over to the relic on display before moving to speak again. 

“Mazu’s Lantern is one of the remaining relics of the great Waterspeaker. Some may ask, what makes that particular Jinyu so great? Well, did you know that not many female Jinyu are chosen to become Waterspeakers? You see, the Jinyu sort their eggs into a certain caste based on their needs at the time. Priests and warriors are considered the highest of ranking. While women are chosen to become priests, many did not ascend to the level of Waterspeaker. Mazu was the first.” 

“While many priests listened to the river and remained within the kingdom's bounds. There were some who were positioned around the coastal regions of Pandaria. Mazu was one of those clergy who roamed the coastal area to watch for seafarers. Be it foe or friend, they sought to observe all fishermen and sailors of the coastal area. Concurrently, these priests were tasked with communing with the ocean. An attempt to expand the Jinyu’s forces beyond the river's reach. But the ocean proved to be noisy and wild. There was little the priest could discern in the chaos of the sea.” “This did not discourage Mazu. She continued to roam the coast with her red lantern in hand, listening and speaking to the crashing waves. That determination and focus fueled her lantern to shine brightly, not with a light but with illuminating water. The ocean watched as Mazu aided sailors of different races to safety from its typhoons and raging storms. These selfless acts born from compassion allowed Mazu to see the ocean’s noise as a symphony, the chaos holding a balance. Opening her mind and becoming formless like water, Mazu was able to commune with the coastal waters.” “Now a Waterspeaker, Mazu’s famed lantern surged with her elemental powers. It was said this lantern could protect a ship during the worst of storms. Hurricanes, typhoons, and even tsunamis would part way for whomever held this lantern. This claim met the ears of two Mogus, Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er, who sought to take the lantern for their own devices. The clever Mazu struck a deal that the victor would have to do whatever the other said. The Mogu knew they could not kill her because the lantern was powered by her connection. Thus they agreed and were both defeated in combat by Mazu. She utilized her martial arts skills to subdued them both and decided to befriend the pair. They honored the agreement and became her guardians, holding a deep respect for the priestess.” 

(OOC: Xepher’s research presentation from the World’s Faire Carnival. Sharing various stories of the Jinyu and Ankoan that pay homage to the cultures their respective names come from. Part 2 coming tomorrow!) 

Relics Gallery- https://imgur.com/a/e2ADqEv

The World’s Faire Carnival events for Tuesday!!! Xepher will be presenting at 8pm MG time on “The Jinyu and Ankoan” for the Cultural Symposium🌊