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Also inquire about the kind of magic that was used to create the Mark.
On the subject of travelling beyond the trigon, you ask Master Steelwind if he is willing to train your party in the art of combat.
Steelwind: "You have seen my pupil fight. Unless your friends can learn to hold a weapon like she does, there is little I can teach them."
You admit that you feel like even you still have much to learn after facing the unicorn in battle.
Steelwind: "Hah hah! A feisty one, wouldn't you agree? Blade Dancer is training to become a hunter — that is what we call those who seek out and deal with the more troublesome foes on the island. Don't worry; there is no need to be as strong as she is if you mean to simply travel the countryside."
You ask if he thinks you are strong enough as you are.
Steelwind: "You passed the trials, did you not? That means you are able-bodied and able-minded. But if you're interested in learning to fight like a Kirin, getting the basics down may take a season or two."
You can't help but feel like you've heard that one before.
Steelwind: "Well! We Kirin spend the better part of our younger years at the academy. You have a lot of catching up to do."
You tell Master Steelwind that you'll think about it, then ask about the mark that you were given.
Steelwind: "The Mark of the Dragon is a unique inscription bearing the magic signatures of the three who cast it. It is imprinted into your body's ether, and serves to identify you as a true warrior of the Empire."
Curious, you ask about the kind of magic that was used to cast such a spell.
Steelwind: "Marks are created using a special technique of arcane weaving called ethereal bifurcation. In simple terms, it combines light and dark to form readable patterns, not unlike the blacks and whites of ink on paper."
Honourshine: "Are there... any other such marks?"
Steelwind: "Indeed. The four greater marks are the Dragon, borne by warriors; the Phoenix, borne by monks; the Tiger, borne by hunters; and the Tortoise, borne by demons we trust.
In addition to those, there exist a number of lesser marks used to ascribe one's role in a town or company. Without a Find Person spell to use them with, however, I don't expect them to be of much use to you."
Honourshine: "... Hm. I see."
Enter a comment
That's an interesting question. My guess is that if you get another mark, like if someone with the warrior's mark decides to become a monk/hunter, it replaces the previous one.
But under the assumption that it's indeed possible to bear all four great marks at the same time, you would've to be a demon. Said demon also would've to be a very exceptional and extremely trustworthy individual to convince the Kirin to give him a chance to become hunter/monk.
And then take a quick Pocky break before we head off! With the pocky that happens to also be in Honourshine's inventory.
A mark for demons they thrust? Probably works the opposite way than the mark of the Dragon. Instead allowing creatures to leave the safety of the settlements it allows demons to enter them. I imagine a certain gaming houses owner bears such a mark.
The lore questions other commenters brought up are also interesting to me, naturally.
In terms of traveling, I have no interest in stopping at the demon village to potentially get scammed or mugged, given Quin's warnings to us. Ideally we'd sneak past it.