The Lore of Bard Poppy of the Mount

Poppy returned to the halls of the Blue Wizard Bastion in search of answers. He scoured every tomb and scroll in every library within the city searching for the name Hanataka. Just as Poppy was about to give up, he came across a scroll by the Tengu monks of the Fey. These monks guard the gate to Hue Master’s Pass and meditate on transcending the Ininity Veil. The monastery patriarch and founder is named Hanataka, and has supposedly been in a deep meditation for over 100 years. Poppy knew he must go to him for answers.

The journey was not far, just south and a day’s journey east. Poppy traveled lightly to reach the temple as quickly as possible. Upon reaching the gate to the monastery Poppy struggled to communicate. The monks paid little attention and hurried about their daily tasks. No one would let Poppy in, and he was powerless to force his way in. One day, after seeing Poppy helplessly languishing outside a monk came to him and placed his palm on his head. The Tengu priest nodded and presented Poppy with an empty bowl. Somehow Poppy understood what was need from him to see Hanataka.

Poppy returned to The Wild and sat for days by the road begging for alms. He knew that only when his bowl was filled would the priest let him in. Day after day Poppy begged. Eventually a rat from the gutter became his only companion and source of comfort. At his last wits end he had managed to only accumulate a few copper pieces and a bit of wrapped dried meat. He gave the meat to his little furry friend and returned to the temple gate.

Upon his return, the gate master priest looked him up and down and noticed his pathetic looking state. He took the bowl from poppy and tossed the coins in the street but reached out his hand to the small rat at Poppy’s feet. The little rodent scurried up the priest arm and rested on his shoulder. You may enter the priest said.

Poppy reached the enter sanctum of the temple where the very old and wise priest Hatanaka sat in meditation. He sat there waiting wondering what would happen next when he heard a voice inside his head.

“Bard Poppy of the Mount, I am Hanataka and I know why you are here”

Poppy sat upright, eyes bulging and heart racing. “Please help me” he thought.

The voice continues, “my dear daughter, your bride to be, has crossed the ininity veil, but is stuck in between this world and the next because of her love for you. She is in Cuckoo Land and you must plunge this flame crystal into her heart, burning her body so that she may rest in peace. Be warned, this magic is not without risk. Only you may perform this ritual, but you must let her go! Otherwise, the spell could go horribly wrong. Take these flame crystals and I pray that you are able to do what you must do.”

“but.. but why two…?” Poppy began to mutter, just as everything goes dark.

…

Poppy wakes to find himself in the Blue Wizard bastion crypt where his beloved was interred. Trembling, he makes his way to her sarcophagus. Pushing the stone aside, he is amazed that his love had not defiled in the least. She looked as if she were simply sleeping and could wake at any moment. Wiping tears away, Poppy produces the first crystal from his pouch. It erupts into a brilliant pillar of fire. Poppy is stunned.

“I must set her free” he tells himself.

“Poppy” a female voice whispers. “Poppy”…

“Poppy, join me in Cuckoo Land where we can be together forever” the voice says.

“SHIZU!?!” Poppy yells. Poppy’s mind was racing. “What is happening? I’m supposed to burn your body!”

“Join me Poppy” the voice repeats. “SHIZU IS THAT YOU!?” he yells. In a fit of mental confusion, Poppy raises a flame totem high above his head and screams. Then, in one motion, swiftly plunges it downward.

Just before the crystal meets it’s target another female voice rings out, “NO!”

Entered by: 0xB3b1…5dbA and preserved on chain (see transaction)