Sophisticated Herons

## Event

### Starting point

You have come across a trio of Lesser Spearbills. They seem distracted by some kind of discussion. What do you do?

#### Options

* Attack swiftly, before they are aware of you. (Air check success: d5as. Failed:a5af)
* Wait, and observe. (d5b)

### Attack swiftly success (d5as)

**Air mastery check: 20**

It seems that they knew of your presence after all... their reaction is far too quick... but you are quicker. You manage to get within claw's reach of one as it is still taking off, and a blow to the wing grounds it.

The Dance of Destruction begins!

(continue to battle Lesser Spear Bill with fire mastery +2 point.)

### Attack swiftly failed (d5af)

Alas, it seems that they were more aware of you than you thought. As soon as your forepaw splashes down in the water to launch yourself forward, they are already in the air, and in moments, they are only small white scars on the skin of the morning sky.

(End event)

### Wait, and observe (d5b)

You begin to catch shards of their conversation:

*...and so we must proceed with the assumption that all things can be understood, given time and observation. The core elements of reality... Earth, Air, Water, Fire... are predictable and finite, and all things proceed from their motion. It cannot be denied that there is such a thing as expert knowledge, and that such knowledge has both value and merit. Thus it is that the wisest of beings gather* ***information**.*

*Disagreement,*  says another, slanting its head slightly to the left. *The true nature of objects is clearly unknowable. The desires of the observer, as well as the limitations of its senses, ensure that no matter how much information is collected, the true nature of external creatures, or even objects, remains forever out of reach.*

*The wisest observer attempts to understand themselves, and by having a greater control over their own cognition can get closer to the truth than those who remain ignorant of their own psychology. The mark of wisdom is not information, but* ***self-knowledge***.

*Both of you,* says the third, dipping its bill briefly into the water, *are making the same mistake - you are assuming that objects have a "true nature" to begin with! The Onesong is empty of all meaning and even substance.*

*It is not that Truth is hidden by the senses, but that it never existed to begin with. It is but a vain hope of limited beings. A wise being does not seek to accumulate a wealth of information, nor even to understand themselves, for none of these things can be said to matter, or even exist.*

*The Onesong is empty, and a truly wise being knows only one thing: that they know nothing, and abandoning all need for understanding, **simply lives**, free from all judgment.*

*The wisdom of the Draak is renowned. Let us ask the one hiding ineffectually nearby,* one suggests, and with subtle motions of their heads, they turn their eyes and ears to you.

*What is the nature of Wisdom? Is it based upon*

**information**?

**Self-knowledge**?

**Or upon abandoning these things and simply *living***?

(Continue)
(Add 5 Lesser Spear Bill mastery)

#### Option

* Wisdom is rooted in the gaining of knowledge. (d5ba)
* Wisdom is rooted in the quest for self-awareness. (d5bb)
* Wisdom is rooted in the enjoyment of life, and accepting that all things are empty. (d5bc)
* Confess that you do not know the true nature of Wisdom. (d5bd)
* Attack them. (Air check)(Success: d5bes, Failed: d5bef)

### Gaining of knowledge (d5ba)

You respond that the Wise are called so because they have accumulated a vast trove of knowledge; their conclusions are more sound than those who do not know the details of the subject at hand.

By the gathering of information about the vast Onesong, one can begin to perceive the deeper patterns which unite all things. Without those observations, those experiences with the world, the Truth which underlies all cannot be known.

The second and third Spearbills seem unconvinced, but the first appreciates your answer, ruffling its feathers in excitement.

Agreement! O hatchling of the Draak, may the blessing of Air, realm of the Mind, be upon you!

As one, they launch into the sky, continuing their argument as they journey onward.

(End event)

### Quest for self-awareness (d5bb)

You respond that the Wise are called so because they have looked within themselves and conquered their own judgments and biases.

Indeed, seeking Truth in external objects is useless, because seen through the filter of the Mind, they are but reflections of the Self.

In contemplation and self-knowledge, one can grow closer to the Truth. After all, is it not true that some have great knowledge, but little true Wisdom?

Facts cannot lead one to Wisdom; only clarity of the heart, the ability to perceive what is hidden, can grant it.

The first and third Spearbills seem unconvinced, but the second appreciates your answer, ruffling its feathers in excitement.

Agreement! O hatchling of the Draak, may the blessing of Water, realm of Hidden Things and Perception, be upon you!

As one, they launch into the sky, and you hear them continuing their argument as they journey onward.

(End event)

### enjoyment of life (d5bc)

Truth and wisdom, you respond, are false labels placed on things. Objects are simply themselves, nothing more or less.
One can never understand Sun, or Earth, or the infinite Onesong in which they dance. One can only abandon understanding and experience the wonder of Life.
Why would a truly wise being waste time rating and judging themselves and others when they could simply plunge into the cool Waters of Life, and drink?

Why search for meaning in the green and rolling Earth, when one could simply rest in her Body, and taste of her Milk, which is Joy? Life is what one makes of it, and to be content with that is true Wisdom.
The first and second Spearbills seem unconvinced, but the third appreciates your answer, ruffling its feathers in excitement.

Agreement! O hatchling of the Draak, may the blessing of Earth, of simplicity and contentment, be upon you!</heron>

As one, they launch into the sky, and you hear them continuing their argument as they journey onward.

(End event)

### Confess that you do not know (d5bd)

We have been outdone! cries one. Humility is the base of all three paths, the common force binding all.

Indeed, agrees the second. Knowledge cannot be gained without a realization of one's own ignorance; self-knowledge cannot be found without understanding one's own limitations; and emptiness cannot be discovered without a release of one's own pride and self-importance.

By refusing to compete, the Draak has won, says the third. We acknowledge its superiority, and will relate its victory to the Air.

Spreading their wings, they bow their heads in unison and then take wing. Their song echoes throughout the valley: The young Draak has wisdom!

Perhaps this shall bring you renown. You have certainly learned something this day about the importance of humility.

(End event)

#### Rewards

Add Earth, Air, Water mastery by 2 points.

Add renown by 2 points.

### Attack Them (Failed) (d5bef)

As soon as your forepaw splashes down in the water to launch yourself forward, they are already in the air, and in moments, they are only small white scars on the skin of the morning sky.

### Attack Them (Success) (d5bes)

To attack a flying beast when you know that it has knowledge of you would normally be pointless, but your speed is very great for one still small.

You manage to get within claw's reach of one before it succeeds in taking off, and a leaping blow to the wing grounds it. The Dance of Destruction begins!

(Continue to battle)