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Post by posy-punch on Dec 30, 2018 17:58:07 GMT -6
Hello Starborn and Welcome to Talori 702: Singsong Team Leader: Nagisa Participants: Urbi, Laurens, Athaliah (NPC) Please keep the following in mind!- Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum!- No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's.- No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway)
- Always get consent before harming another character!- Your team is precious. Try to interact with everyone. <3- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'DPrompt: The Shrine of Songs has remained essentially unexplored. Though Athaliah has, to some degree explained that the Shrine has always existed, she has done little to tell the Oracles anything about it. You cannot help but wonder what secrets the Shrine holds, and why it only revealed itself after the hurricane. Location: The Shore of the Great Aquorian Sea Time of Day: Early Morning Current Weather: Calm waves but looming storm clouds overhead. You do not have to wait for your leader to post!
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Post by SkyOfNewMoon on Jan 4, 2019 15:34:01 GMT -6
 Urbi;Talori | Oracle
the less you care, the happier you'll be Never entirely sure when she was anymore, Urbi let peaceful moments such as the one she was in right now wash over her, soothe her. Her heart told her she was where she was supposed to be. No longer alone out in the wilderness, she was constantly surrounded by other bodies and admittedly, she was still getting used to it.
Add on the job of deciphering fragments of future visions and admittedly throwing herself into that work, Urbi didn't give herself time to even consider who she really was, but she felt somewhat helpful and for the moment, that was all she needed.
Athaliah had let her know there was a new Oracle moving in, although the Hippocampus had indeed witnessed scattered visions of said equine herself and was still preparing for it. Being the youngest Oracle of the moment, Urbi felt it her duty to take on more chores than Athaliah and decidedly with that she told her she would show the new Oracle around. Formerly a Council Member, Urbi wasn't entirely sure how she was supposed to be with the newcomer. However, she would do her best as only she could, they were going to be of the same status after all. Keeping herself calm, Urbi kept herself neutral, waiting for her familiar Clairvoyant tingles to show her when her day was to begin.
The gentle baby waves lapped at Urbi's hooves as she stood for moments more pondering the possibilities of the future. Looking out into Cascade's sea, Urbi noted the rolling thunder in the distance, glad it was currently in the distance. It had been some time now since they had experienced a good storm, not since the Wilds lost their cursed touch.
WC: 287 | Post #1art by Artisticpineapple
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Post by sansatine on Jan 5, 2019 21:53:32 GMT -6
A. Laurens L. | 1
Laurens lead her dearest Nagisa through the wilds, trying her hardest to forge a path the was clean and neat in attempts to ease Nagisa into living into the wilds, not shock her. That being said, it was much harder than Laurens would have liked it to be. Under such cover, the ground never truly dried and mud was almost always underfoot. Bugs and animals drew small shrieks from the unsuspecting almost as often as stay drops of rain did. It was nice, though, having a partner she actually knew in the wilds. Soon, the ruins began to show themselves. Shards and Pillars could be seen through the foliage, telling effortlessly that time had torn them apart. The temple itself had become a second home to Laurens though the years, having been called back numerous times before. Laurens was excited to share this place with Nagisa, though sad that she wouldn't return with her. They had left Thadeus at home with his tutor, and she felt sad for a moment. If Laurens had her way, he'd be here with them, but the wilds were no place for a child. Laurens gave a small prayer for Cascade to watch over those they left behind and turned to Nagisa. "Nagi, are you okay? We're almost there- I promise! Look, from here you can see the temple!" Laurens chimed, standing up on her hind legs to try to be as tall as Nagisa. 245 |
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Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Jan 6, 2019 14:48:25 GMT -6
---------------- Nagisa Marinus ----------------
Nagisa had been a city person all her life, there was no denying it. Every now and then she'd enjoy the quiet simplicity of the countryside but eventually she'd come to find it incredibly dull and lonely, not to mention uncivilized.
The silver mare sighed as she picked her footing through the undergrowth and swatted at the mosquitoes. She'd have to get used to it, she told herself. There were far more important things to attend to than her comfort.
Laurens, ever helpful, was acting as her guide, taking her to the mysterious Temple of Time she had heard so much about. Laurens had visited a few times. The first time, she had told her of an encounter with Cascade herself, one that Nagisa had been able to see partly due to the pearl necklace Laurens had been granted by the goddess and her own gift of retrocognition. The place was no joke. There was something extraordinary about it.
Nagisa held her breath as the temple ruins came into view, peeking out from the canopy of the dense jungle.
Laurens called back to her, "Nagi, are you okay? We're almost there- I promise! Look, from here you can see the temple!"
"I'm fine." Nagisa answered. "It's magnificent, isn't it? I don't recognize the style of architecture, but it's clearly Talorian. It must predate the palace by hundreds of years." She paused to take in the sight and study the details. Though badly damaged through years of neglect and Kaia's firm grip, the great stone structure stood tall among the foliage. The details of the artistry that went into the building were lost to erosion, but there were still enough there to suggest the divine radiance it must given off in it's prime.
"Alright then, let's get inside." Nagisa picked up her pace, a bit of excitement settled in her heart where it had been absent for so long.
P1 | WC 323
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Post by posy-punch on Jan 7, 2019 7:50:43 GMT -6
athaliah ORACLE of the temple Athaliah was not surprised by the new arrivals. Had Seen them coming for quite some time. However, today was not a day to be settling them in. Energy thrummed throughout the Temple; her goddess’s excitement poured over her spirit. She understood and she would allow Cascade to reveal what she desired to reveal today. So, she waited first for Urbi to appear, and then she led her out to greet Nagisa and Laurens, a mare she was familiar with only from when she took refuge within the Temple. A brief glimpse into the past supplies the old Oracle with the reminder that Laurens had been one of the group that rediscovered the Shrine. Oh, the Shrine… that was where they were to be today, wasn’t it? She thought, momentarily distracted. She offered Nagisa no greeting, too wrapped in her thoughts and the fleeting visions of the past to do little more than gaze glassily at the newcomers. Only once the other Oracles had greeted each other was it that Athaliah slammed back into the present. She blinked slowly and smiled. “Laurens, it is good to see you again.” She turned equally as respectfully towards the other, “And Nagisa Marinus it is nice to welcome you in the present.” She turned and, beckoning them to follow her, said, “Cascade has deemed it time for the Shrine of Songs to begin revealing its secrets.” She set off down the halls, following the twists and turns, her slow pace careful and measured. “Treat it properly, this room is sacred.” It hardly looked that way, with overgrowth running rampant up the walls and over the skylight. It looked… significantly more in tact, at least architecturally, than the rest of the Temple, as in it didn’t look like it would fall apart anytime soon. But, finally, as soon as Athaliah crossed the threshold to stand just inside the entryway, the room bursts into its eerie song, as if in greeting. “Come along now, don’t keep the goddess waiting… She’s got so much to show you.” |
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Post by sansatine on Jan 7, 2019 23:14:51 GMT -6
A.Laurens L. | 2
Fine was not how Laurens would describe Nagisa's nature, but she gave the mare the benefit of the doubt. As they entered the ruins, Laurens' heart was warmed by the sight. There was something calming about the vines growing up the walls and the stray beam of light filtering through the foliage. Something about it made her feel safe, and she hoped Nagisa would feel the same bout being here. Athaliah and another oracle greeted them with some hesitation. Laurens gave a soft smile, instinctively dipping her head. Athaliah lead them to the Shrine. Laurens had been here before, but nothing was more jarring than the sudden eruption of singing. Laurens jumped at the sound, but acted as if she never did and instead played with a small stone on the ground for a moment. Shortly, she moved her attention to a podium, ornately placed before a mural. Somehow, these had been unscathed by the years. something magical seemed to originate form the podium, but Laurens wasn't very familiar with them. Many higher ranking equines delivered speeches from them, lead groups, gave hope, but she was not brave enough to be behind it. Nonetheless, for a brief moment, she stood at the podium and looked to the others who had taken up their own missions of inquiry. she gave a silent laugh and stepped down again. She wasn't ornate enough to direct anyone.
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Post by posy-punch on Jan 8, 2019 16:51:42 GMT -6
the podium It does not take long for one of you to stop and immediately zero-in on the podium. Stepping around the pool in the center of the room, you step into the wing that holds the marble stand. Laurens steps up to it in a moment of childish curiosity as if she will speak. She does not, but the inscription on the podium does... metaphorically. As you all peer at what could be written, you notice belatedly that this language is one you are unfamiliar with. Athaliah translates only that “upon this stand rests her book of statutes. She has departed from us, but She has left among us a guide that ought to remain safe from greed and corruption.” You decide that something, likely a book was meant to rest on this podium. You can only guess who left the book behind, and exactly what it may read.
You may now inspect the mural or attempt to glimpse into the podium's past if any amongst you possess a retrocognition blessing. |
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Post by SkyOfNewMoon on Jan 9, 2019 2:44:05 GMT -6
Urbi;Talori | Oracle
the less you care, the happier you'll be With an anticipated flash, Urbi made her way into the Temple she called home and found her way to Athaliah's side. Her body language this day was unusual to Urbi. She was certainly here in the present for a change, but still she was somewhere else. She was almost electric, well as close to electric as the older Oracle could get, which only energized Urbi as it meant she had something more than chores in store for the day.
Athaliah made the move and Urbi followed. First on the agenda was to welcome the new Oracle to her new home, which Urbi assumed would be very different to the level of comfort she was used to.
As they arrived, Urbi stood just off to Athaliah's side and accepted them with a nod. Taking one look at her mentor's face, Urbi knew she was the one to verbally greet their guests. "Welcome to Cascade's Temple of Time. I hope you find yourself and successfully ground yourself in this time." Once the manners were taken care of, Urbi couldn't hold her excitement in as Athaliah announced that they were able to explore the Shrine of Songs. Skipping ahead, the guests were forgotten as they were embraced into the literal Songs of this unseen wing. Urbi had to take a small moment just to let a tear roll down her face as Cascade's presence was so forward, so comforting.
Ahead of her, a larger than life mural sat behind a podium that drew the attention of another. Growing up in a life with no structured culture, Urbi was amazed every single day since she somewhat integrated into a herd with such rich history. She did not even come close to understanding what it was trying to tell her, but that's what kept her drawn in. It was hard to tell how long she stood there.
WC: 312 | Post #2 |
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Post by posy-punch on Jan 11, 2019 23:45:56 GMT -6
the mural The mural depicts the original landing of the many refugees to Talori, at least, this is what you believe it to be. The land looks different though. While the jungle remains, it does not appear so dangerous as you knew it to be your entire life. In addition, the Temple of Time stands tall in this image. Perhaps this building predates even the palace. Another curiosity is that the Barrier Mountains appear not to exist. Huh, weird.
You may now attempt to glimpse into the podium's past if any amongst you possess a retrocognition blessing or you may move on and explore the rest of the room, looking for secrets. |
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Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Feb 5, 2019 20:10:00 GMT -6
---------------- Nagisa Marinus ----------------
Two mares stood at the entrance to greet them, an older Chestnut and a hippocampus. Both were... a bit odd to say the least. The younger of the two seemed to be foreign, judging by her slight accent, which immediately put Nagisa on edge. Distrusting outsiders was one of her Talorian faults that would not mend itself easily. However, compared to the older mare, at least she had some understanding of social etiquette.
Thrown off by the bizarre atmosphere the two strangers put off, Nagisa said nothing in greeting, and instead, simply followed them inside. She looked briefly to Laurens for reassurance and was amused by what she saw. Her dear friend seemed to be completely at ease. Nagisa sighed, letting go some of the tension she was holding. She trusted Laurens' judgment.
"Come, Creature." Nagisa quietly commanded her familiar when she noticed it lagging in the temple's entrance. The giant feathered serpent followed obediently. In it's mouth was the magical orb that had come into the former councilor's possession only a week prior. Nagisa understood little about the object but she felt strongly connected to it as if by some mysterious power. Another mystery she hoped to find answers to here.
---
Stepping into the Shrine of Songs, Nagisa instantly felt it's sanctity despite it's rugged appearance and *cough* dust. The melodic sound that reverberated throughout the room sparked Nagisa's curiosity. Could it be that the walls somehow harnessed and transformed the wind into music? The tune was far from sounding composed. Nagisa found it to be both calming and utterly haunting. 'Like a whale song.' She mused. Creature, in contrast, seemed to be completely agitated by the noise. The giant serpent slithered past it's equine traveling companions and vanished into the pool in the center of the room to escape the sound. Nagisa let it go, too enthralled with the possibility of discovering it's origin. However other things in the room were grabbing her attention with equal measure.
Nagisa followed Laurens to the podium and listened intently to the peculiar older mare as she translated the inscription carved within the stone. "What language is this?" She asked as she puzzled over the unfamiliar shapes of the text. She looked over to the dark finned mare who was now looking at the mural behind them and wondered if she too could read the strange words.
"It seems as though we are missing a book." Nagisa stated before pressing her lips gently to the podium's cool surface. Perhaps through retrocognition she could get a glimpse of it and this mysterious room's purpose.
P2 | WC 436
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Post by posy-punch on Feb 6, 2019 1:38:51 GMT -6
... Athaliah ignores your question about the language for the most part, she simply offers up that it is, “Talorian,” and moves on. Looking into the podium’s past is at first… fruitless. In quick time, you see that it appears to have sat in the Shrine for centuries, forgotten, however, there is a very short glimpse you see of it being consulted. Then it thrusts you headfirst into a scene. You see Her, your god, peering down at the podium and the book placed atop it. She looks pleased and turns to the horse that companions her. “Well done, Bahiri.” The scene dissipates. Meanwhile, the pool in the center of the room bubbles as if boiling. You hurry to the edge and see that the floor has dropped out to create a marble staircase. The water, other than the original bubbling, doesn’t drop through the floor at all. Without any fear, Athaliah steps into the pool and begins making her way down the winding steps. The podium can no longer be interacted with. A new location has been unlocked: the Tomb ** Note that the water in the pool floats above the staircase. Any characters that cannot breathe water need only to hold their breath until they start descending the staircase. |
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Post by SkyOfNewMoon on Feb 8, 2019 22:04:55 GMT -6
Urbi;Talori | Oracle
the less you care, the happier you'll be Urbi found herself staring at the mural for much longer than she had intended, but also it felt as though she would never have enough time in the world to uncover all of its curiosities. The lack of Barrier Mountains certainly had the mare confused, she could still feel the old wounds of her journey over them, led by Cascade herself through Clairvoyant dreams. Why were they not depicted here? "Do we know of a time when the Barrier Mountains did not exist?" She pondered aloud, thinking about all of the things the Temple of Time had shown them, however she could not rack her brain for such images.
It was in the moment of thought that the sound of bubbling had Urbi turn away from the mural, curious for more secrets Cascade wished to show them. Her ears shot forward as she heard footsteps and watched her mentor disappear through the water into the floor. Curiosity piqued, Urbi made her way over to the edge and then followed suit. A giggle of joy passing through her as she found herself in water and then out of it, ever mystified by the Temple's wonderful secrets. She eagerly descended the staircase, anticipation trembling through her fins
WC: 205 | Post #3 |
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Post by Chipo-H0P3 on Feb 10, 2019 23:09:10 GMT -6
---------------- Nagisa Marinus ----------------
Nagisa pursed her lips at the old mare's short, unrevealing answer to her inquire about the script on the podium. 'She's worse than Thadeus.' She thought, remembering how difficult her son could be when she asked him something. Nagisa sighed. He had been so upset when she told him he couldn't come with Laurens and her to the Temple. She'd have to arrange time to visit home soon. Perhaps she could give herself a break for the solstice celebration. Nagisa composed a brief, silent prayer in hopes that Thadeus and young Izykle weren't getting into too much trouble while she was away before clearing her mind to focus on the podium's past.
For what felt like centuries, there was nothing but the lapsing erosion of the ruined room. But then, long before the vines had taken root and the dust settled, Nagisa caught a glimpse of something. Something extraordinary.
Nagisa gasped, stepping back from the podium and reaching out for Laurens with her teke. It took a moment for her eyes to refocus on the present world around her and when they did she found them to be full of tears.
"Cascade was in this room." She said breathlessly. "Our Goddess was standing right here."
Nagisa took in the room once more, now with an entirely new perspective and reverence for the space.
"She was speaking to someone named Bahiri." She said, confusion twisting her features. "There was a Bahiri I recall from our ancient lore, the setting seems right, but this...Oh this doesn't make sense." The grey mare was trying to stack what she already knew against what she saw and things just weren't adding up as cleanly as she would have hoped. "Any case, she seemed to be the author of our missing book."
"Do we know of a time when the Barrier Mountains did not exist?" Nagisa turned her head to face the other hippocampus mare who was uncovering her own mysteries.
'A time where the barrier mountains didn't exist? What a foolish thing to ask.' She nearly scoffed. But sure enough, the mural of Aquore behind them depicted no such mountains.
Nagisa bit her lower lip, wondering how such important details could have been recorded so inaccurately. Her thoughts were disturbed, however, by the bubbling coming from the pool in the center of the room. Her eyes widened in horror as she remembered Creature had taken refuge there. 'That stupid snake!'
Nagisa rushed over to the waters edge with the others and was bewildered to find the pool still lukewarm. Even stranger, there appeared to be a hidden set of stairs beneath the surface and no sign of her familiar or the relic it was holding.
The old, ever unhelpful mare descended the staircase without a moment's hesitation. 'What in Cascades' name?' Nagisa watched in bewilderment as the other darker mare followed suite. She looked to Laurens beside her a bit concerned for her friend who could not venture deep underwater.
"Wait here." She instructed before making her own descent.
Her body couldn't even shift fully into it's aquatic form before she came in contact with more air below her. 'Is everything about this place a riddle?' Immediately, she turned back around so she could inform her friend and so that they could continue on together. "It's enchanted." She stated "There's an air pocket not far below. You can come down."
P3 | WC 571
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Post by sansatine on Feb 12, 2019 20:34:01 GMT -6
A. Laurens L. | 3
Nagisa took to the podium shortly after Laurens left it. Now there was it's rightful heir, the elegant Nagisa. Laurens gave a soft smile to the mare as she read the podium's history, but soon teke reached out for her. Laurens sprang to Nagisa's side to steady her. A quiet "Are you okay?" fell out but was silenced by Nagisa's voice. "Cascade was in this room. Our Goddess was standing right here." The idea wasn't so foreign to the dusty mare, but Nagisa had never felt the etheral air of this place until now. She simply nodded, but Nagisa erupted into Questions of "Bahiri". Laurens had a cousin named "Bahani", but she doubted that was the one they needed. Laurens stayed silent- she didn't know much, especially not the answers to these questions. Then their attention was turned to the fountain that had become a staircase. Laurens' face fell just like it had when she and her family ent to the beach. They swam freely in Cascade's ocean, but Laurens was limited to the shore. She watched as the others descended, settling herself to keep watch above the fountain when Nagisa reemerged. "It's enchanted. There's an air pocket not far below. You can come down."
Nagisa stated. Laurens scrambled back to her feet and stepped into the water. Laurens held in air and shut her eyes. As the water climbed her body, she couldn't help but notice that it wasn't cold, but actually rather welcoming. When air again met her face, she opened her eyes. The mare was now quite wet, but she was happy to see the faces of her party once again. "What now?" 280 |
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Post by posy-punch on Feb 19, 2019 10:38:40 GMT -6
20 AP and 20 CS to all participants! |
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