Legends of the Oscillit | Old Folktales

[ronin_champloo 5951]

Legends of the Oscillit

Old Folktales

 

These folktales are not rooted in lore, and more seen as cultural interpretations of how Kani came to be, and how the many techniques were discovered. It is encouraged that players, and cultures, offer their own interpretations of these tales. While the use of Kani is considered rare knowledge, there are many changes within the folktales to make it appear as if these were miracles by God or Deities, rather than Kani itself.

 

Please learn these stuff via RP, rather than looking at the forums and parroting what's off the post if you're interested in Kani.

 

 

Intro

 

The ability to glide upon water, to harden one’s self in the face of hardship, to guide and control life itself; these legends, once lost, evoke the trials and tribulations of the many Oscillits who came before, emboldened and changed to seek Resonance with the many users of Kani owing the techniques to the various people, and schools, who created them. 

 

Key Terms

 

Metaphysics: Refers to a universal form of physics constantly occurring, yet largely unknown to mortal and immortal beings alike. Its nature as something beyond full comprehension makes it a challenge to measure.

 

Resonance: The core anomaly that Kani harnesses. It is interpreted as an underlying pressure or a sound wave. 

 

Oscillit: An individual who can harness the resonant anomaly; practitioners of Kani.

 

Kani: The first-used term for this technique, most of the time, it's used to refer to the technique OOCly.

 

The Merchant With Tarnished Lungs

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The burned merchant, the greedy seller, the would-be peasant; many names of the man who come to discover the very existence of Resonance. He lived lavishly, in luxury amongst the upper class, reveling in his wealth and sloth. He had amassed a fortune through dishonest means, exploiting the poor and hoarding all of his riches for himself. This greed, however, would cause his downfall.

 

On one’s summer day, a brown hawk flew through the open window and snatched a handful of them from the table. The merchant was enraged and chased after the hawk, determined to get his coins back. The hawk, however, was too fast and agile for the merchant, easily evading him at every turn. It sang a high-pitched song as it flew, taunting the merchant and mocking his greed. The merchant tried to swipe at the hawk with his hands, but it was no use. He tried weaponry, but he was still too slow. The hawk easily avoided him, always one step ahead. Frustrated and angry, the merchant returned to his office, vowing to catch the hawk the next time it came around.

 

The hawk, however, was not done with the merchant yet. It continued to visit the merchant's office, stealing his coins and rice whenever it had the chance. The merchant grew more and more frustrated, until one day he couldn't take it anymore. Each visit spelled out a victory in the hawk’s name and endeavour, leaving behind a hungry and annoyed merchant.

 

In the middle of an important meeting, the hawk swooped in and stole a handful of rice from the merchant's plate. The merchant leapt up from his seat, determined to catch the hawk once and for all. He chased it through the streets of the city, ruining his lavish clothes and losing his jewellery in the process, caught by the many arms of the trees that smacked him on his path. As the merchant chased the hawk, he realised that he was not as young or as fit as he used to be. Normally this would be fine, however he had not paid attention to where he was going. For the hot summer’s day oft caused fires amidst the forest, and smoke soon plagued his mouth. He found it hard to breathe. His lungs struggled to keep up with the exertion, and he fell to the ground, exhausted. He was carried back to his office by some kind-hearted passersby, but the damage had already been done.

 

News of the merchant's shameful chase spread throughout the city, and he was ostracised by the people he had once considered his peers. No one wanted to do business with him anymore, as they believed that his weakness and shame were a sign of his greed. This brought the merchant great shame and dishonour, and he was cast out of the community. No one wanted to be associated with him, as they feared that his greed and weakness would bring them down as well. They refused to trade with him, fearing that they might be inflicted with what they believed was a curse granted to him.

 

The merchant sat at his desk in the dark, empty office, feeling the weight of his losses bear down on him. He had lost everything; his wealth, his standing in the community, and his pride. He was marked with shame, a shame that he could not escape no matter how hard he tried.

 

As he sat in the darkness, he knew that he had only one option left. He reached for his dagger, determined to end his misery once and for all via sepukku, yearning to regain his pride and die honourably. But just as he was about to take his own life, the hawk flew in through the window, stealing the jewelled dagger from his hand. The hawk stood on the windowsill, singing its high-pitched song. The merchant, overcome with emotion, joined in, singing with the hawk.

 

As he sang and took shallow breaths with the hawk, gold – much like he lost before – began to dance on his hands. Tears streamed down his face. And where once greed stood, curiosity soon took its place. Emboldened by this, the merchant took upon a vow of poverty, seeing this as a sign from a spirit.

 

Further Notes:

 

- Many people followed in the merchant's footsteps, taking their own vows of poverty and dedicating themselves to seeking things other than materialistic goods, for through his change, the merchant was able to regain his honor and respect, finding true happiness and purpose.

 

- Some perceive the Hawk as some sort of higher figure; a God, or a spirit, perhaps even an angel. Few, however, likened it to a demon who tormented the Merchant for its own amusement.

 

- A few Oscillits argued that the Hawk was just as greedy as the merchant, and didn’t wish to save his life. Rather than the dagger that he wielded was just as lavish and jewelled as his prior belongings.

 

- Many believe that the forest fires of that day were an omen by God, bidding the Merchant to return back and not give into his anger.

 

- The common telling of the tale is that when the Merchant sang with the hawk, his tears were akin to gold. The one often told by Oscillits delves into the discovery of Resonance.

 

- While they are many depictions and retellings of this tale, most recently, some people have begun to say that the Hawk was actually an owl. How curious.

 

The Captured General

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

It is seen that arrogance blinds and clouds the mind, granting misfortune to those who chose to ignore the many signs of their fate. It began with a vain, and arrogant, general, driven by a desire to win battles at any cost. He was willing to sacrifice ground and soldiers just to gain an advantage in battle. He saw these sacrifices as a necessary part of achieving victory, and he was willing to do whatever it took to emerge victorious.

 

As he rose through the ranks, the general became increasingly ruthless, caring only about his own ambitions and ignoring the consequences of his actions. He was hated by his fellow soldiers and feared by the villagers, who saw him as a heartless and selfish man. But despite his reputation, the general remained proud and arrogant, convinced that his methods were the only way to win. He arrived at the merchant town, having won a battle at the cost of a few of his soldiers' lives, and saw the villagers gathered around as an opportunity to assert his power.

 

He demanded that the villagers give him their able-bodied men to fight alongside him, threatening to withhold support against monsters and bandits if they refused. The villagers, desperate to protect their homes, reluctantly complied, sending their farmers and laborers to join the general's ranks. But the general had underestimated the new recruits. They were not trained for battle and did not trust him, and their lack of skill and experience proved to be their downfall. The general lost his first battle, and was captured and sold into slavery to a group of bandits.

 

As he was dragged off to his cell, the general saw the villagers he had blackmailed among the other prisoners. He realised that the bandits had attacked the village and, without enough fighters, the villagers had been unable to defend themselves. Feeling shame and guilt for his actions, the general vowed to save the villagers and redeem himself. He spent his days in the cell, wallowing in his own misery and enduring the shouts and lamentations of the villagers he had wronged. The days turned to weeks, and soon months.

 

One day, in a fit of rage, the general punched the wall of his cell, determined to break free. But no matter how hard he hit it, the wall would not budge. Desperation turned to anger, and the general continued to punch the wall, his arms aching and his knuckles bleeding. The bandits even came to laugh at him, gathering on the other side of the cell to watch his futile efforts. But on the hundredth punch, something unexpected happened. The wall finally crumbled, shattering and falling over the bandits, knocking them out and even killing a few. The general's arms were broken and his hands were brutally mauled, but a white-gold flame danced over them, healing his wounds. With the little strength he had left, he stole the keys and freed the villagers.

 

But the general knew that this was not enough to atone for his past actions. He could not bear the shame of his own name and titles, and so he turned his back on his old life and became a monk in the merchant town. As he sat in contemplation, the general began to see his new purpose in life as a calling from God. He saw it as a chance to protect the villagers that he had failed before, to make amends for his past mistakes.

 

He dedicated himself to refining his fighting technique, determined to one day redeem himself and serve as a protector for the people he had wronged. He trained tirelessly, day and night, seeking to master the mysterious phenomenon that he had done.

 

Further Notes:

 

- A few say that the General lost the battle because he lost favour with his God, since he threatened and blackmailed the villagers. Thus, they were both punished. One for his threats, and the others for their willingness and lack of courage.

 

- Some have stated that the bandits were actually the General’s old soldiers, who’ve left to become brigands.

 

- Others have said the entire thing was a trial from the General’s God. He had failed it, being captured thus did they revoke their blessings and luck on him.

 

- Some Oyashiman Oscillits have said that this was the first creation of ‘Delayed Intertia’, and unlike the current, stable one today; it was far more primal and uncontrollable, hence the effect that it had on both the wall and the General.

 

The Boy and the Apple

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The young boy lived in poverty, but he was happy and unaware of the struggles his parents faced to put food on the table. He lived in a small, cramped apartment with his parents and siblings, but to him, it was a home full of love and laughter.

 

One day, everything changed. The boy's father fell behind on the rent, and the landlord called in the local thugs to collect. The boy watched in horror as his father was beaten and bloodied, his mother weeping and crying over his unconscious body. The illusion of the perfect life the boy had known was shattered.

 

Filled with rage and determination, the boy went to the landlord, pleading and bowing before him, begging to take on his father's debt so that he would never have to see him defeated like this again. The landlord found the boy's request amusing and offered him an impossible task: if the boy could clip the sails off a model ship inside a bottle, without breaking or opening the bottle, the debt would be paid off. He gave the boy one week to complete the challenge.

 

Determined to save his family, the boy set to work, practising on pears and apples, trying to pluck out the seeds without opening them. Despite his efforts, he met with failure after failure. During this time, the boy met a man with a brown hawk as a companion. He poured out his emotions, crying and lamenting over what had happened to his family. The man listened patiently and then shared a way to clear the mind; a certain breathing technique. At first, the boy breathed too fast, but the man chuckled and told him to slow down. He said that whenever he needed to focus, he would take deep breaths, and it helped him to clear his mind.

 

The boy tried again, using the breathing technique the man had taught him. This time, as he reached for the seed of an apple, it felt as if his hand was against rushing water. But he persevered, determined to pluck the seed from its body. 

 

When he opened his eyes once more, the pear was on the floor, and between his fingers laid a single, black seed.

 

Further Notes:

 

- Some say that the boy’s parents, and the landlord, were involved in blackmarket dealings. This, however, is unconfirmed.

 

- It is said that the man who helped the Boy was the Merchant from before.

 

- Many Oscillits have theorised that this was the beginning of the technique known as ‘Selective Intertia’.

 

The Peasant and the Shield

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Amidst a small and quiet village, once peaceful – now overcome and taken by bandits, was a farmer. The young man had been confined to his bed for weeks, his body wracked with fever and pain. He had always been a strong and capable member of the village, working hard every day to provide for his family and contribute to the community. But now, he was unable to do anything but lie there, feeling helpless and useless as the days ticked by.

 

As he lay there, drifting in and out of consciousness, he overheard the bandits talking about their plans to burn down the village before the army arrived. They wanted to destroy any evidence of their wrongdoing, and they didn't care who got hurt in the process. The young man knew he had to do something to stop them. He may have been sick and weak, but he couldn't stand by and watch his home be destroyed.

 

Despite the weakness that coursed through his body, he forced himself to get out of bed. His hands shook as he wrapped himself in a tarp to protect himself from the cold, and he struggled to catch his breath as he stumbled out of his house.

 

The bandits laughed and sneered as they saw him approaching, raising their crossbows to target him. But the young man was determined. He knew this might be his only chance to save his village, and he was willing to risk everything to do it. As the bandits let their arrows fly, the young man wrapped himself in the tarp and braced for impact. He heard the sound of metal clinking against metal as the bolts hit the tarp, and to his surprise, the cloak held strong, protecting him from harm.

 

The bandits were momentarily confused, giving the young man just enough time to act. He took a deep breath and shouted out to the approaching army, his voice hoarse and strained from his illness.

 

Soon, he heard the sound of horses approaching, and he knew the army had arrived. He fell to his knees, tears of joy streaming down his face as he watched the bandits flee in all directions. While the man could never recover from his illness, forever weakened, he worked on replicating and offering what was done to others.

 

Further Notes:

 

- Others say that the Army would have arrived even if he died, and just by shouting and pleading with them, he brought enough time.

 

- Many Oscillits have theorised that this was the beginning of the technique known as ‘Hardening’. 

 

- Many say that the Gods favoured the man due to his work and aid to the village, and sought to save his life by bestowing to him his act.

 

The Thief and the Gem

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The man had always been a skilled thief, using his cunning and intelligence to outsmart the wealthy nobles who mistreated the peasants of his town. He may not have been the strongest or the most physically fit, but he made up for it with his quick wit and clever planning.

 

One day, he heard a rumour from a trader about a valuable gem that was being gifted to a high noble in the palace. The man knew this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up, and he set his sights on stealing the gem. He spent weeks preparing for the heist, gathering all the tools and supplies he would need. Finally, the day of the robbery arrived, and he made his way to the palace under the cover of night.

 

As he crept into the room where the gem was kept, he felt a sense of excitement and nervousness coursing through his veins. But as soon as he stepped through the door, he knew something was wrong. The room was filled with guards, their swords and spears drawn as they closed in on him. The man found himself backed up against the window, with nowhere to go. The guards sneered at him, taunting him as they closed in for the kill. In a final act of desperation, the man stood on the windowsill, looking down at the drop below. He knew that falling from this height would mean certain death, but it seemed like his only chance.

 

Just as he was about to jump, the guard captain kicked him in the chest, sending him flying out the window. The man screamed as he fell, grasping at the stone walls of the tower in a desperate attempt to cling on. But to his surprise, his foot caught on something, and he found himself standing on the wall as if it were solid ground. He pushed himself against the wall, trying to make himself as small as possible as the guards peered out the window, searching for his body.

 

After a few tense minutes, the guards concluded that the thief had fallen to his death and left the room, leaving the man free to make his escape. He waited until he was sure they were gone, then quickly stole the gem and climbed down the tower.

 

The man saw this miraculous escape as a gift from God, and he knew he had to use it to help others. He used the stolen gem and his other riches to arm and equip the peasants of the town, helping them to plan and execute a rebellion against the cruel nobles who had oppressed them for so long. And with the thief by their side, the peasants were able to rise up and overthrow their oppressors, finally winning the freedom that they had wished for.

 

Further Notes:

 

- A few stated that the Nobles weren’t actually the problem, but rather the corrupt guards who did things without their explicit permission or approval. However, this can be the case of sloth rather than tyranny on the Noble’s side, at least.

 

- Many Oscillits have theorised that this was the beginning of the technique known as ‘Friction’. 

 

The Scholar and the Mage

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Amidst the deserts stood a town, built in unison by men and mages. Within it was a scholar. The good scholar was a man of great intelligence and dedication, spending long hours in his study pouring over books and papers in search of new knowledge. He was particularly interested in magic, and he often shared his research with a mage he knew from the village.

 

One day, while he was out gathering ingredients for his experiments, he stumbled upon a scene that would test his resolve in ways he never could have imagined. A family was in trouble, and their young daughter had accidentally bumped into a mage, spilling his drink all over his clothes. The mage, enraged, drew upon his magic and prepared to cast a spell. The scholar knew he had to do something to stop the mage, but he also knew he was no match for him physically. So he did the only thing he could think of: he stepped forward and offered to take the child's punishment for himself. He bowed on the ground, trembling as he faced the mage, hoping that his show of submission would be enough to calm the man's anger.

 

But the mage was beyond reason. With a sneer, he launched a fireball at the scholar. The child screamed and covered her eyes, but the scholar remained calm and focused, his eyes locked on the swirling ball of flame as it approached. His breath remained in its current pace, while it neared him, he did not fear death – he understood its severity, but he was at peace knowing that the family was safe.

 

As the swirling mass of flame neared him, it seemed to slow down and freeze in midair. The scholar stood up, hesitating for a moment before reaching out and pushing the fireball away. To his surprise, it obeyed his command, dissipating into the air. The mage, terrified by what had just happened, scrambled to leave the scene, leaving the scholar and the child unharmed. The scholar watched him go, still in shock at what had just occurred.

 

Shocked, he knew he had to learn more about his abilities, and he dedicated himself to studying and practising whatever happened in the hopes of using it in an attempt to feed his curiosity and wanton need to learn.

 

Over time, he replicated it, becoming a warden who’d stand in place to prevent mages from maliciously using their powers for their own desires.

 

Further Notes:

 

- Many have stated that due to the Scholar’s willingness to face off a possible death, God had chosen to spare him on that day, favouring him over the Mage.

 

- Many Oscillits have theorised that this was the beginning of the technique known as ‘Persistance with Mana’ and ‘Tangible Energy’. 

 

The Leper’s Warmth

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The leper was a homeless man who had known nothing but hardship and struggle throughout his life. Born into poverty and shunned by society, he had been forced to live on the streets, begging for scraps and struggling to survive. But despite his circumstances, the leper was not alone. He had one friend who had always been there for him, an old man with a special gift. The old man possessed the ability to strengthen and harden materials, and he used his powers to help the leper in any way he could.

 

He would often strengthen the leper's clothes and other possessions, making them more durable and able to withstand the harsh winters. In return, the leper would sit with the old man and talk to him, sharing stories and learning about each other's cultures.

 

One day, the old man decided to impart upon the leper a special technique that would allow him to strengthen his own clothes. He knelt down on the cold ground with the leper, showing him the proper way to channel his energy into the material.

 

But the leper was partially deaf, and he struggled to follow the old man's instructions. Despite his best efforts, the technique failed, and the leper felt discouraged and defeated. But he refused to give up. He knew that the old man was trying to help him, and he was determined to make the most of this opportunity. He continued to focus on the technique, his breath steady as he focused all of his energy on the material.

 

To his surprise, he saw the dirt and mud around him begin to condense and harden, forming a cloak that he could use to cover himself. The old man soon returned, lighting a nearby log to offer warmth as they huddled together in the cold.

 

Despite their struggles and hardships, the leper and the old man were able to find comfort amidst the snowy storm that they found themselves in. However, when he awoke, the Leper turned to his friend only to see that he peacefully passed away during the night. With a heavy heart, he buried him and worked toward offering the same guidance and aid that the old man had given to him – becoming a wanderer and a storyteller on cold, winter’s eve.

 

Further Notes:

 

- Many Oscillits have theorised that this was the beginning of the technique known as ‘Condensing’. 

 

- It is said that the old man who helped the leper was the Peasant from before.

 

The Oscillit and the Demon

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The mage had always been fascinated by the art of telekinesis, and he had devoted his life to studying and mastering it. But over time, the art had been lost, and the techniques and teachings that once flourished had faded into obscurity.

 

Determined to rediscover what had been lost, the mage dedicated himself to researching and experimenting, seeking out any scraps of information he could find. And as he delved deeper into his studies, he was joined by others who shared his passion and desire to see the art of telekinesis restored. But despite their efforts, the mage found himself unable to overcome the final hurdle. He had reached the limits of his knowledge and understanding, and he knew that he needed to find a new source of inspiration if he was to make any further progress.

 

And so, the mage made a decision that many would consider foolhardy: he decided to commune with a demon.

 

In a dark and shadowy room, the demon appeared before the mage, its green skin and horns a testament to its otherworldly nature. It spoke with a dozen voices layered atop one another, mocking the mage for his efforts and offering him a deal: in exchange for the knowledge he sought, the demon would take the mage's strength along with that of all those who had aided him. But the mage was not one to be swayed by such threats. He stood his ground and refused the demon's offer, even as it burned his life's work with flames of anger and spite. As he watched everything he had built go up in flames, the mage fell to his knees, his dreams and hopes seemingly shattered. As the ritual ended and the demon vanished, leaving behind only a taunt that it would return in a day's time to claim the mage's life, he gathered what remained of his research and set to work once more. He kept a steady breath and focused on his goal, determined to succeed no matter what obstacles lay in his path.

 

And when the demon returned on the final day, greener and more menacing than before, the mage was ready for it. As it lunged forward, intent on crushing the mage's head, he pressed his palm forward, channelling all of his effort into the gesture. To the demon's surprise, it found itself unable to move, as if it were being held in place by an unseen force. With a snarl, it lowered itself to its knees, kneeling before the mage, who was now surrounded by golden flames.

 

The mage had not found telekinesis, but something else entirely: Resonance. He stood there, triumphant and resolute, above the green demon who sought to oppress him.

 

Further Notes:

 

- Many scholars have depicted the demon as a beast of gluttony and greed, given its green-hues.

 

- While the mage was never able to figure out the inner workings of telekinesis, he found himself content with Kani instead.

 

- Many Oscillits have theorised that this was the beginning of the technique known as ‘Orbit’, however it was far more stronger and uncontrollable in strength. Later Oscillits refined this technique, allowing for stronger control of it.

 

Credit:
Various Art - Pinterest. It didn't say who made the art unfortunately.

 

Lore:

 

[HIGH_FIRE 4175]

Spoiler

Unironically one of the coolest things I’ve seen on the server in a while, I really like the idea behind it and the stories are very very good. Let’s hope those who use kani use this as well.

 

[Songwitch 1444]

Spoiler

*casually copies pretty format

 

[MCVDK 1584]

Spoiler

This is lovely. Well written and unique.

 

More MA’s need this; actual culture and stories associated with the MA for people to interact with outside of the abilities itself.

 

[kindEmperor 1090]

he came back for the forum rep 

[Greehn 1907]

Spoiler

beautiful. just beautiful.

 

[saint swag 2459]

Spoiler

this is sick, bless u for writing these neil

 

[Werew0lf 12224]

The Great Owl lamented, remembering his sin against the merchant. It caused his beak to open momentarily, breaking into a dirty cackle, as it sang that same tune.