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Post by Queerly on Jan 16, 2016 23:43:27 GMT -6
What started out as a simple training mission has stretched on too long, and the weather is worsening. This is unexpected, based on the weather witches forecast, but not shocking; Alya holds reign over the skies, and they mirror her fleeting, capricious nature. But it is the third day, and even as the storm promises worse, so the light begins to fade as well. Still, your group continues in dogged pursuit of the mission, tracking and convening with a scout.
Event Journal// Located Here
Premise Journal// Located Here
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Plot 001: Snow and Shadows! We have so much planned for your little barbarians, and we hope you enjoy the Chapter as much as we enjoyed making it for you! 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 posts.
- Five posts is the minimum to earn the event AP/CS/FVR rewards. After you've posted five times, you receive 1 AP for every post after!
- Your team is precious. Don't let anyone feel left behind! Try to interact with everyone. <3
- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'D
Once the team leader has posted, you may begin posting as well! |
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 17, 2016 18:11:34 GMT -6
Hira | War Lord
Where is that bloody scout?
Hira made no effort to conceal her irritation as she turned her face up towards the darkening sky, the snow pattering softly against it. Or well- not so softly, any more. In fact it was quite piling up, and Hira gave her mane a solid shake as she looked back down again, towards the small clump of her valkyries as they rummaged through their packs and snacked on their provisions. They were running low but not alarmingly so- only a fool heads up the mountain without planning for the unexpected. And her girls were no fools.
Hira cast a wary eye up at the roiling grey clouds again. Unexpected, indeed. She’d be having a word with the weather witches when they got back. This weather was ahead of schedule and looked to be much worse than the mild snow she had been promised. If only they could find the scout!
She fought down another flare of irritation. At least it was still a good training exercise- she could always trust Skeldr to throw in some improvisation. And despite their lack of success, the valkyries were doing well. Flicking her tail, Hira turned and ambled back towards the group.
“This,” she said wryly, nodding her head up at the thickly falling snow, “is a perfect example of why you cannot simply trust the words of others, and must plan for all contingencies so far as you can based on your accumulated knowledge and experience.”
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 17, 2016 23:49:26 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
The young mare was just finishing a small cake of compressed oats as Hira spoke. Taking a mouthful of freshly fallen snow, she washed down her tiny meal and replaced what little she had taken out of her pack. She strode over to stand next to her Lord, narrowing her eyes at the nearly opaque curtain of snow.
"Should we should press on? It doesn't seem as though this storm will be easing anytime soon, atleast not by my measure." Froya's eyes never left the skies, having grown up in a herding clan she was quite accustomed to language of the sky. It seemed as though Alya had really done them in this time. “The scout is probably hunkered down somewhere, with this weather preventing them from traveling very far at any sort of reasonable pace. But we are pressed for time …” The young valkyrie allowed herself to muse her thoughts to her superior, but left any final decisions to the War Lord.
Turning, she looked back at the other valkyries, wondering what their thoughts were about the situation. Would they suggest to test the storm or to settle themselves well enough for it to pass over. Settling would delay them, but might be safer … her gaze rested on Khala, knowing her influence over Hira’s decision.
Post: 1
Word Count: 218
Queerly Edit: Be safe viking wife
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Post by RusticForrest on Jan 18, 2016 15:43:42 GMT -6
[ Khala | Valkyrie ]
Perhaps looking similarly as dower as Hira, Khala was highly unamused with the sudden turn in the weather. As she, too, shoved the rest of her meager belongings into her satchel, the mare huffed. She'd left her daughter home alone for this mission, though she did have Zipporah to keep her company and watch over her. The little leopard cub had become more useful that she'd predicted, and was actually grateful to have another set of eyes on her adventurous filly. That being thought, her irritation was none the less marginalized that she would inevitably be separated for longer from her child, and that was a concerning thought.
Her ears twitched to listen as Hira and Froya spoke, her own mind bent on figuring out a solution to the problem with which they were currently faced. The scout was supposed to meet them, but thus far, it was to no avail. Leaving the bags where they were, she moved closer to the others. "I must agree with Froya. It's likely this scout was forced to take shelter in light of the storm, or perhaps they were driven off course. Needless to say, we are exposed where we stand, and I believe it would be wise to either seek shelter or try and pursue the scout further. Either way, we should move. I don't like the looks of this, and if aren't on better paths, we may be lost to the storm."
[ WC: 240 | Post: 1 ]
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jan 18, 2016 16:00:12 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
Amber pulled her coat more snug around her as she finished her snack. She didn't want to eat too much in case they'd need to stretch her provisions longer than expected - and it already had an emergency situation calculated in as was -. It was important to keep oneself fed in this kind of weather though. She was usually not that bad with cold, but the current weather had her shivering, forcing her to unwrap her coat. She looked up, blinking her eyes rapidly at the heavily falling snow. "Ayla and Cascade must be angry," she mused out loud.
She turned her head towards Hira as their leader spoke, giving a nod in agreement. Your own judgement was indeed most important. She looked up at the sky again, trying to gauge the weather. What Froya said was most likely true, it did not look as if the weather would let up anytime soon. Also the scout would probably have bunkered down, not wanting to risk limbs over something like this. Not everyone could be as strong as them after all, she thought with an air of arrogance.
"I agree with Froya, the storm most likely will not let up, if not get worse in the next couple of hours. Finding shelter is safest, but if you tell to press on, I shall follow, my lord. We are hardy." She raised her head proudly, her eyes watering a bit at the cold wind, showing her determination. No cold, no storm and not even the god's anger would stand in her way of proving herself a worthy valkyrie. "I am sure we can make it, as Kaia made us strong like this."
(Post 1, 285 words)
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 19, 2016 18:13:53 GMT -6
Hira and Arro | War Lord and feathered pain in the butt
Hira listened in turn to each of the others speak, and she nodded slowly, noncommittally, not wishing to influence their musings. But she agreed with them; they were too exposed in the gathering storm.
She turned to look at Froya; as always Hira found it somehow comforting to meet the eyes of the shaggy pony, perfectly at her own eye level. She appreciated the taller denizens of the herd, certainly; it was just nice, sometimes, to have someone around of her own stature.
“I agree we should try and find some better shelter.” Trees were sparse, this high up the mountain, but there were plenty of rocky outcroppings and small caves.
“Froya, Amber. Take no more than 15 minutes, scout the area for a suitable location for us to rest for a while. Do not stray from each other’s sight.” Hira didn’t think that they were currently near any chasms or bridges, but she wasn’t willing to bet on it. If the girls- no, when the girls found somewhere better to hunker down, they could discuss their options further.
There was the muffled sound of beating wings and a soft screech, and Arro dropped out of the skies and landed with a heavy thump on Hira’s neck, eliciting a grunt from the mare, though she kept her hooves. He shook his wings, showering Hira further in half-melted crystals. The pygmy gryphon didn’t seem to mind the storm at all.
“Keep an eye on them, will you?” Hira told him in an undertone, audible only to the gryphon under the howling wind. Arro seemed to consider this for a moment, then he raked his beak on Hira’s horn (she fought the urge to wince; she had long since decided to interpret the gesture as “affectionate”) and then he pushed off, lost once more in the snowy skies.
Hira watched him go, then sighed, meeting Khala’s eyes and not bothering to hide her unease.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 19, 2016 18:54:20 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
With well masked distaste Froya watched Arro perch on her leader's neck, slinging snow among the warrior mares. Damn feathered beast. The creature had caused Froya no personal offense, but he was cursed to be loathed by her as long as he possessed the gift of flight. Especially when he flaunted it right before her eyes.
"Of course, War Lord." responded Froya with no hint scorn, giving a quick bow of the head and a glance at Amber before taking a leap into the snow. Immediately it kissed her belly, wet and icy, cold fingers trying to pry their way into her thick coat. The valkyrie paid it no mind, this was common place for her. A deep trail was left in her wake as she drove the snow away from her path. Amber could use this to tread easier, not having to fight the snow to make her own road if she so chose.
She was heading for the cliff sides, their best hope for cover in this location. As she trudged forward her eyes crawl along the rocky surface, trying to pick out darker shadows that might betray a cave or overhang. The snow made her eyes less keen, flurries of white blurring the craggy shapes.
"Amber," she addressed her peer in a near yell to overcome the wind "do you see anything of promise?" The gusts turned her free mane into miniature whips, biting at her eyes with quick, evil licks. Slowing as she neared the rock face, Froya paid more mind to the land beneath her. Snow could mask ravines and falls better than one could imagine, only realizing you had stumbled upon one when you crashed to the bottom. She slipped one hoof into the snow before her, feeling her way before letting her weight rest upon it. It would not be her fate to die in a mountain trench, frozen and buried.
Post: 2
Word Count: 318
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Post by RusticForrest on Jan 20, 2016 0:34:27 GMT -6
[ Khala | Valkyrie ]
The elder mare, too, listened as Amber added her voice to the group, a slight huff of agreement leaving her at the musing about the gods and their supposed mood. It had certainly been poor timing on their part to bring forth such a storm, especially given the time of year and how many of their kind would be spread out. Surely, their little band was not the only one out in the flurries, and the danger it presented them sewed worry deep within the pit of her stomach. At least these three would be safe, had she anything to say about it. . .
When Hira once again lifted her voice to deliver orders, Khala's attention was given to her dear friend, sending the two younger mares off to find a more suitable place for them to hunker down and wait out the storm. With a nod, Khala agreed, hoping that they would find safety, despite her inevitably worry for the rest of the herd, her daughter more specifically. But at least they had walls and a roof over their heads. . . And despite her training still being a work in progress, the fluffy kitten Zip had proven to be quite the little heater. As Froya leaped into the snow without reserve, Khala's golden gaze once again followed, solemn and worry wrapped within their depths. 'Go safely,' she wished them silently.
When the gust of Hira's pigmy gryphon's wings tossed her mane against the storm, her attention was drawn back to her leader. Aro left his companion, and flew off in the direction of the mares, and Khala's gaze met Hira's. It was an expression she'd seen many times upon the War Lord's face, once of concern for her people, and for the mares that she held now under her lead. Settling her braided hair back into position, the chimera stepped closer to appaloosa, not breaking eye contact, but to blink. "I know that look, what is it that worries you?" she asked with the gentle touch motherhood had taught her. The question was still pointed, but not nearly as much as it would have been before. "Do you think Alastair has lost his horns yet?" she chuckled to herself, an inevitable attempt to lighten the somber mood that seemed to have befallen their small band.
[ WC: 380 | Post: 2 ]
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jan 20, 2016 13:46:29 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
Amber her ear perked as Hira spoke, giving a confirming nod to show she had heard and received the command. Turning around, she saw Froya was already forcing herself through the snow ahead and she huffed, annoyed the mare just took the decision of where they were going without consulting with her. The weather was too harsh to waste energy on arguing about it though, so she decided to let it slide this time and followed. "Good, let her do all the plowing then if she wants to go in front so badly," she thought a bit childishly as she saw the mare work through snow. Catching herself on her behaviour, she straightened a bit, looking around. The snow and wind was making it difficult to see anything and she looked at the ground beneath her doubtfully once she spotted Froya starting to test it for stability. Ravins were not something she wanted to fall into either, so she became extra careful herself. Never hurt to double check something, right?
She looked up when Froya asked her if she saw something useful. She shook her head. "I think we should check closer to the rock side, maybe there's any opening, a cave of sort would be very great if Kaia would grant us that favour!" She needed to raise her voice to get above the wind, her hood being blown around her wildly by it.
She hoped this weather wouldn't call forth avalanches, they could very much do without. 'Ayla and Cascade, please have mercy on your earthly followers.'
(Post 2, 267 words)
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 21, 2016 5:14:09 GMT -6
Hira | War Lord
Despite herself, despite everything, Hira let out a snort of laughter, her mirth clouding the air in front of her before being whisked away by the driving wind.
"Now there's a mental image," she chuckled. "Oh, yes. Ironically I imagine this storm is the only thing keeping him from sending out all of the Shields after us."
She sobered, looking away from Khala, out in to the swirling expanse of white. The wind died down briefly, and for a moment the only sound was the soft pat pat of the snow falling. Under normal circumstances, it was one of Hira's favorite sounds. She sighed heavily.
"We should have found the scout long ago; the trail should not have just vanished. I'm-" she sighed again, ears tipping back. "I'm worried something happened. And Alistair's horns not withstanding, we should have already been back. The Seroran delegation was supposed to arrive today... If they're not half frozen somewhere on the mountain in this storm, then they're in Skeldr, without a War Lord to greet them and I don't know which option is worse." She flicked her tail in agitation, although the move was somewhat dampened by the heavy snow wetting it.
"I don't know if we made the right choice, pressing on for the extra day- two days, now," she amended with another irritated tail flick. She was not accustomed to second guessing herself, her decisions, but as the politics of her herd and the rest of Hireath moved, so she had to move as well. A decision to do right by her Valkyries- formidable warriors-to-be, had to be weighed with counter decisions. And it annoyed her.
Ah, well. At least Alistair was likely to be more annoyed.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 21, 2016 7:17:01 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Kaia appeared to suddenly be eager to accommodate Amber's request, Froya's trained eyes found a burrow in the stone. As if the blizzard had parted to coax Froya into looking that way, a halo of snow drifted quietly before the entrance. This, Froya believed, was a trick of her eye, but she shot up silent praise to Kaia, not willing to doubt her heavenly guidance. "Amber!" she shouted into the gusts and gestured her head towards the cavity. Once she was sure Amber saw the cavern as well, Froya trudged towards it, keeping an ever careful eye on the ground beneath her.
It wasn't far, but the deep snow and white, billowing curtain cast upon them certainly slowed their approach. Their time allowed was almost up, but surely Hira would forgive slight tardiness in favor of minor shelter? Arro's wavering shadow slid over Froya's back, greatly faded by the tumbling flurries. Ah yes, the soaring nuisance, she could use him to relay message to Hira if the den was seen fit. The stone portal was before the two young valkyries now. It was a mere scoop out of the mountain, it would be a snug fit to hold the four of them, but it could work. Besides, being in such close quarters would warm them. It had enough of an overhang to normally deter snow reaching the interior, but as the fickle torrents briefly changed their course in spasms, snow would swell into the entry until the winds righted themselves once more. Perhaps if they fastened a blanket to partially cover the passage it would make a more agreeable abode, but the mare doubted that any of the four had one to spare.
"What do you think?" she inquired, facing Amber once she had silently studied the hollow for a moment. "It will be cold, and cramped, but better than our current position don't you think?" Turning her eyes upward, she squinted to locate the aerial feline while Amber decided.
Post: 3
Word Count: 330
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Post by RusticForrest on Jan 21, 2016 9:02:04 GMT -6
[ Khala | Valkyrie ]
As Hira snorted her own amusement, a smile returned to Khala's muzzle as well. Aye, she could see him doing that. There weren't many stallions she liked, but he was one of them. The valkyrie's mood followed that of her leader, and a puff of frozen air bellowed from her lungs as well once mention of the Seroran Ambassador's came to terms. Not only had they not found their scout, but staying out this long, would - likely, anyways - lead to them missing the arrival of these diplomats' arrival.
The flame-pelted mare waited for Hira to finish expressing her concerns before she spoke once more, rolling over what had been said in her mind. "I do not doubt the decisions you've come to, Hira," she began warmly. "We are here because we did not want to give up on finding the Scout, and we have tried, as best we can in this mess. It is hard to know what happened, but if we have no luck tonight and return to find them still missing, I would return out instantly at your order." Dipping her head in respect, she continued, "One way or the other, we are out in the storm and Alistair is back in Skeldr. If they are out here, we will find them, and if they reach home before us, the Circle will be able to keep them busy until it is safe for us to return. You've measured all the contingencies, my Lord, and perhaps if they beat us we may be able to express our jealousy for the warm hearth they now rest beside. You've made the right choice, Hira. The herd would be foolish to not trust your judgement, for all that you give to ensure our safety. No matter what, you will always have my faith." Khala smiled once more and paused to shake the clotted snow from her mane. "You give much of yourself to this herd, ever true of the earth beneath our hooves. We've come through worse times, and, by Kaia's earth, we'll make it through this one, too."
[ WC: 350 | Post: 3 ]
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jan 21, 2016 15:11:51 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
Amber was about to think the gods had given up on them completely for this day, when Froya called for her attention. It took a minute to see what the mare was looking at, but squinting her eyes she could make out the slight overhang on the mountain's side. Kaia must heard their prayers, Amber thought.
As they trudged forward to inspect the candidate shelter however, Amber instantly lost some of her gratitude. The ca- well, no, it couldn't be even called a cave, more like an indent in the mountain as if Kaia had given it a half-hearted quick. Either way it was small and cramped and Amber almost wrote of it's usefulness. Almost, since well, though she didn't want to think about getting in close quarters with anyone, she did consider herself smart enough to take their situation into consideration. And that situation at the moment called for them to get in the crammed space...together... Ugh, the thought of braving the storm sounded a little less bad now, though not enough to go against their war lord wishes. She was a strong mare, no breach of personal space was gonna stand in her way! Nodding to herself more so than to Froya, she gave her okay. "I guess it's better than nothing. Let's return and inform them, our time must be reaching it's end by now." She looked over her shoulders, trying to gauge how far they had walked. Her eye caught sight of something above her heads, quickly recognising their Hira's familiar. She wished she had a familiar capable of flight as well, though it would most certainly be a pain to take care of, it would no doubt come in handy for quickly reaching others.
(Post 3, 293 words)
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Post by Jennycallie on Jan 22, 2016 4:46:21 GMT -6
Hira and Arro | War Lord and gryphon who had better watch his back
"Motherhood has made you sappy, my friend," Hira said gruffly, but with a twinkle in her pale jade eyes as she gave Khala a bump with her shoulder. In truth the chimera's words bolstered Hira's confidence immensely, eliciting a spreading warmth and contentment through her veins. The herd, the mountain, the gods themselves might be pitted against her, but with the support of Khala, Shield in all but name, and the group of Valkyries, Hira felt hope.
That was no excuse to let down her guard, however, and she turned from Khala to squint in the direction Froya and Amber had vanished, tension lining her body. She wondered if she should have sent Khala with them, or gone herself- but no, this was the training, this was the job. They weren't just summer flowers; they had to take on this life in all its forms. Still, she worried.
Circling in and out of visibility, Arro tilted his sharp head, pinning the two mares with his gaze. They kept looking up at him; they must want his attention. Normally he ignored such things, but Hira had impressed upon him the importance of these individuals, so the gryphon folded his wings and plummeted like a stone, landing in the snow in front of the mares with a muted fwump on all four feet, tail lashing proudly. Ignoring Froya and Amber both, he stalked forwards in to the "cave", pecking at the stone walls, scratching the floor. Then he strode back out, still utterly ignoring the Valkyries save for another tail lash, and took flight in a shower of snow that may or may not have been deliberately aimed.
Moments later he had winged down, landing on Khala's neck this time.
"Arro!" Hira scolded, as he began to preen his feathers, turning away from her. "You were supposed to keep an eye on them! What in the hells are you-"
Arro turned his head sharply and fixed Hira with a golden eye. Stop making such a fuss, the gaze said clearly. Then he turned away again, displaying his less... attractive side to Hira.
Hira started to speak, then with a visible effort controlled herself and turned instead, looking expectantly for what had better be the return of Amber and Froya.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Jan 22, 2016 11:32:51 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Giving Amber a nod of agreement, she puckered her lips to whistle to Arro, but was instead startled by his sudden landing. Flinching, though barely noticable, at his impact, she frowned at the creature. The proud beast ignored her, investigated her discover, and was off again before she could order it to signal Hira to follow him here. The warrior snorted with animosity, glaring at the feathered cat's shrinking shape in the sky. Damned thing had no respect.
"It might be wise," Froya began "if one of us searched the surrounding area while the other fetches the rest of our group, in case there is more suitable shelter near at hand. Although, I am not sure that is what our Lord would want." She mulled this over in her mind, not wanting to displease Hira, but not willing to dismiss any potentially better shelters nearby. "If you agree to the idea, would you look around a bit more while I retrieve our companions? Nonetheless, keep this cavern in your sights. The last thing we need is to add another equine to our search." Offering her companion the smallest sliver of a smile, she started off towards her waiting seniors. If Amber obliged to Froya's suggestion or if she followed Froya mattered not, it was her decision.
Returning to the rendezvous proved easier than leaving, the aisle Froya had made by muscling through the snow was still there. It had a fresh carpet of white, but it reached only up to Froya's pastern, and it was quick work to reach the War Lord and her companion.
"We've found shelter," reported Froya "though it is small and will be cramped. Though the close company might help to keep our blood warmer." There was a slight tone of jest in the last line, detectable only by those who had known Froya for some time. Retrieving her gear, as well as Amber's if the tobiano mare had not followed, she began to explain her peer's absence if she had indeed continued the search. "I instructed Amber to scour the surrounding area for a more proper refuge if it could be found, though I ordered her to keep in her sights the cavern we head to now. If this displeases you, Lord, I am to blame." She bowed her head to Hira, awaiting potential scolding and orders to lead on.
Post: 4
Word Count: 395
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jan 23, 2016 7:38:16 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
Amber backed up a little as the familiar landed, snorting as it swept its tail, ignoring them as it seemed to inspect their 'shelter'. It sure had attitude, little bugger. She shook her head, hoping that if she got herself a familiar at some point it would have better manners.
She frowned when Froya half proposed, half ordered - cause telling her to keep the cavern in her sights, sounded like an order to her - to stay behind. Hira had said not to leave each others' sight and if the situation did not explicitly call for it, she was not in any mind to disobey the order. "I think Kaia has already been merciful providing the little shelter she could and Hira told us to stay together." Amber said as matter of explanation, not entirely sure if it was heard as she trudged after the mare. Though she half expected Hira to be okay with them making independent and sensible decisions if need be, at this point it seemed unnecessary and she didn't want to seem unreliable. She wanted to become strong and powerful, able to stand next to and even above any stallion in the herd and Hira had offered her a steppingstone towards that dream, so it was important to stay in the mare's good graces. Also, call her paranoid, but she didn't like how Froya worded it. If she wanted someone to stay behind then she could do so herself...
She was so caught up in her thought she barely caught word of Froya explaining her so called absence. Okay, so maybe the mare wasn't planning to throw her for the wolves. She sighed, now she had to explain why she was here instead. "I'm here, my lord." She called, casting a glance at Froya. It was kinda stuck between looking defiant and apologetic. "I think we got lucky finding anything as is and thought it unwise to go wandering off our own during this weather."
(Post 4, 321 words)
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Post by Jennycallie on Feb 1, 2016 15:59:44 GMT -6
 Checkpoint #1: You female warriors are tough and bold, but you are not foolish; while you refuse to give up on your mission just yet, you have the good sense to seek out shelter, and the tracking abilities to actually find it. Well done! Now hurry in- snow is not the worst thing the mountain can throw at you, nor are you likely to be the only creatures seeking shelter.
((Unexciting checkpoint I know, next one will come sooner and, dare I say, will be a bit more interesting  )) |
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Post by Jennycallie on Feb 1, 2016 16:26:12 GMT -6
Hira | War Lord
Froya's scent reached Hira a few heartbeats before she materialized from the whirling snow, and Hira's withers relaxed a touch. She listened to Froya's report, olive gaze flickering once to Amber, who also appeared out of the snow before Freya had finished speaking. Hira considered them both for a moment.
"It was well-done finding shelter, and a cramped fit is better than none, after all," she said with a twitch of her lips. She hoped there would be room for a fire, but even if not, she wasn't optimistic that they would be able to find any wood or tinder dry enough to burn. Not for the first time, Hira found herself wishing she possessed... well, not a fire blessing, no, of course not. But some sort of imbued item from Eithne, something that burned magically with a touch of the mind- that would be nice. But she shrugged off the thought, as she so often did. They did not need such an item; they existed off the quickness of their minds and the strength of their hooves. That was what it meant to be War Forged.
"I believe that Amber's decision to stay with you was the better decision," Hira continued to Froya after a moment. She said this without reprimand; part of the training was the girl's learning to make decisions for themselves, as much as it was for them to learn from her and Khala. "In favorable weather conditions splitting up would be wiser but this," and she cast an eye at the turbulent sky, "this is not weather to be alone in. Especially on this night." She had never intended for them to be sequestered here, on the Night of Bloodletting... She could only hope that the Cultists kept to the lower forests or better yet, to the other herds.
"Lead the way," Hira said finally, resisting the urge to glance over her withers. The mountain does not flinch, and neither would they. However, even as they began walking, Hira's nostrils were flaring as she sifted through the scents riding the snow-heavy air. She could only identify the individual scents of her companions, even those quickly shredded by the storm, but she kept at it as they walked.
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Post by RusticForrest on Feb 2, 2016 19:44:07 GMT -6
[ Khala | Valkyrie ]
[ post: 4 | WC: 295 ]
Khala's muzzle wrinkled as she twisted her face at the Warlord, a small sarcastic laugh following it. "Ha-ha. If anything, it has at least made me more positive," she replied teasingly, appreciating Hira's tact as always. Perhaps she had gotten softer, but a fierce protective spirit had been born with the filly she'd left at home, and it managed to leek onto those she held closest, the bay appaloosa no exception. Her golden gaze followed Hira's to watch the direction that the younger Valkyries had gone. Arro swooped down, but was back in the air moments later.
With a rush of air and the sound of beating wings, the gryphon had landed on Khala's neck, and for a moment, she had to fight the urge to shake the creature off. "Aye-!" she protested, but he seemed content where he was. As he preened it was clear that he was quite comfortable as he was, using her braid as a support for his lithe body. As he moved and displayed his rear to Hira, Khala had to fight the urge to outright laugh at the creature's antics, and it slipped when Hira managed to keep herself from speaking. It was a small laugh, but one none the less. However before she could respond, the forms of Amber and Freya vaporized from the snowy downpour.
Chestnut ears perked to listen as they each spoke, and a thoughtful gaze followed each of them. She nodded along with Hira's words, careful not to tussle Arro, who seemed quite comfortable to just sit where he was, for now at least. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes at him, she simply tensed her neck and moved to walk in the direction of the shelter. |
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Post by Quorkbirb on Feb 2, 2016 20:08:24 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Raising her head as Amber announced her presence, Froya gently handed her peer her gear, the golden glitter of her mental grasp fading as Amber took hold. Froya was a bit peeved that her suggestion to Amber to keep searching was labeled so unwise, after all she had ordered the mare to keep the cavern in sight. If the younger mare had kept to her suggestion, with cavern in sight, she would not be lost to the blizzard. However, Hira's word was law in Froya's heart and she found her to be right, this wretched night was not one for a young mare to be left to her own devices, no matter how capable.
Once her superiors had once again laden themselves with their luggage, the began to lead the way through the short halls of snow. The passage was being piled anew with snow, the fresh mounds engulfed the shorter mares up to their hocks, icely grasping for their bellies in ever rising white. Froya fought the snow with greater passion now, knowing the path and how long it was she was not as concerned in reserving her stamina. Of course she would not over exert herself to where she would be out of commission, but she believed getting her companions out of the worsening weather to be her priority.
It wasn't long until they reached the cavern, snow clinging to it's entrance. She stepped aside for the other three to inspect and position themselves inside the refuge. "I assume not, but if one of us has a blanket or cloth to spare, we may be able to block the entry temporarily with it. It should provide a some guard from the weather, even if minor."
Post: 5
Word Count: 287
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Post by moonlightwalk on Feb 5, 2016 12:21:40 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
Amber nodded, quietly happy at her Lord's approval of her choice. Not that she needed it of course, even if Hira hadn't approved it still would have been the best thing to do for herself and she wouldn't have cared... Or so she told herself. Hira was wise and strong, she would let herself admit that, but she wasn't comfortable with the idea of others influencing her own decisions. They should not matter to her if she didn't want them to.
Dropping her inner talk in favour of concentrating on the outside world - something that was very much needed considering the situation - she accepted her gear from Froya with a silent nod of thanks. Then she turned, leading the way as requested. She made it a point for herself to delve in the snow next to Froya this time. It might cost some extra effort, but with shelter located it was little to pay for her own peace of mind. The other mare took the word, suggesting using a veil of sorts again. She considered the idea herself, but didn't know how practical it was. "What would we tie it with though and too what?" She asked, not in a rude way. She was just being practical. It would do little good loosing a good cloak to the wind. "Perhaps those with cloaks are better of standing closest to the edge... Or we could take turns." She wanted to add like geese, but reconsidered, not feeling like comparing herself -or the others- to birds flying in the wind.
(Post 5, 258 words)
(And the bonus is here \o/ )
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Post by Jennycallie on Feb 6, 2016 15:04:37 GMT -6
Hira and Arro
"Khala is not your personal mobile perch," Hira informed Arro as they began walking. Golden eyes considered her disdainfully, then Arro's beak split in a yawn. "If she dumps you in the snow you more than deserve it," Hira grunted, leaning in to the wind as the snow drifts deepened. The gryphon did not deign to reply, settling instead more comfortably on his perch, utterly assured that he would not be dumped.
Reaching the cave, Hira paused at the entrance, peering in to the shadowed recesses. It was small, yes, but that at least meant that there were no other occupants hiding in the back. She made to step in, then hesitated a moment; a strange scent teased her nostrils, there one moment and then gone the next, snatched by the wind so quickly that she half wondered if she'd imagined it. Olive eyes scanned their surroundings again, but it was useless trying to see anything past the swirling curtain of snow.
Returning her attention to the cave, Hira stepped in; even she had to duck her head slightly, although that was due more to her horn than anything. "We won't need a cloth for a wind break," she said finally, eyes twinkling despite her lingering unease. She struck a cloven hoof to the dirt floor, and earthen spikes erupted all around it before, with another hoof tap, they fell to dust once more. "Khala and I are already blessed by Kaia," she reminded the girls. Blessings were not something to rely upon as a short-cut, but rather something to embrace as a tool. As the girls had found a suitable shelter without augmentation from blessings, Hira found no reason not to improve upon the structure and make their stay a bit more pleasant.
Moving to the mouth of the cave (all one and a half stride's worth of a journey) Hira inspected the walls and the lip. Leaning forward, she touched the outside edge with her horn and closed her eyes, ears falling back with effort as slowly, spikes and ridges began to erupt, curving out and then in again, creating essentially a wall that flared around the entrance, blocking much of the wind. It was slow going, and before long her sturdy legs were shaking with the effort but Hira did not care, did not feel- not while she communed so deeply with the mountain, the earth, with Kaia Herself.
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Post by Quorkbirb on Feb 15, 2016 10:47:51 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Froya's heart went a flutter for the briefest of moments. Never would she had dared to ask Hira to utilize her blessing, it wasn't her place. Witnessing her leader mold the earth to her will, crafting with the skill Kaia gave her, it was a blessing in itself. The herding mare had never seen an earth blessing in use and allowed a quiet, slow intake a of breath to snake past her lips as she watched in subtle wonder. Deep in her brown eyes there was a swirling of pride, longing, and respect. Soon, she hoped, she would joined the ranks of the blessed. But even if her heavenly Lord decided to delay until Froya was nearing the passage of death, she would revel in Kaia's glory.
Hints of concern crossed her features as Hira struggled with the load of earthen power, but she did not doubt her War Lord or her ability. Aligning herself with Hira, she wordlessly presented her own body as a brace if Hira needed it, not having great expectation for the offer to be taken. Slowly, ever so slowly it seemed, the entry bent under Hira's will and closed itself nearly completely. Froya watched her beloved liege quake with effort, feeling as if the cold fury of the mountain grasped time itself and hindered its passage. When the great unicorn was finished, the young mare's eyes inspected every newly created crevice, an awesome weavery of two powerful mares, of heaven and Hireath.
The space was soon warming from the company's trapped body heat, though chill still nipped at their flesh. They huddled against Kaia's bosom, the hard embrace of their patron God rough, yet comforting. Howling, the wind cried out in protest, thwarted in its desire to claim them and turn their bones to ice. As if Alya herself was offended by their escape, the gale's wrathful gusts found new vigor and struck against the newly formed barricade, cutting at the rock shell and driving snow into each and every breach of it's defense. The intermingled framework of Kaia and Hira would not swayed, only gentle breezes slipping through the cracks, hauling small drifts of snow inside with them. No more trouble would befall them this night ... hopefully.
Post: 6
Word Count: 374
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Post by RusticForrest on Feb 18, 2016 0:25:49 GMT -6
Khala | Valkyrie
[ WC: 686 | Post: #5 ]
Khala ducked her head into the wind, further exposing little Aro to the weather, and the thought drew a smile to her lips. In training her own snow leopard cub, she'd learned that a lot of climbing had come with it- and more than a few torn sheets and curtains. Regardless, eventually they'd learn to let go, and her lithe body wasn't much protection from the icy wind. "If you hold on through this, you deserve to stay there," she chuckled. It wasn't long before Aro's claws dislodged from her mane, and he flew off disgruntledly, though to who knows where. The snow bit at her face, sticking to her eyelashes and clumping on her fur.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the shelter the two younger mares had found, and Khala offered them both a smile and a nod for a job well done. At the mention of putting up a cloth wall, she shared a coy look with Hira and stepped forwards beside the leader, lowering her own horn and concentrating on the earth beneath her hooves, molding it and melding it to her will, as it was Kaia's will for her to move it. As Hira grew one wall, Khala grew the other, and together they closed the shelter, making room for all four horses to fit more comfortably within.
As she finished and lifted her muzzle, a scent passed through her nostrils. Glancing at Hira, then around at the Amber and Froya, she moved closer towards it, only to loose it with the wind. Lifting a brow she turned back just as they were moving inside. "Hira, something isn't right here..." she murmured, half to actually speak and half to her own concern. "I need to go investigate- I'll be back..." With a quick nod to her leader, she plowed through the snow out the opposite side of the camp-in-progress. Khala stretched her muzzle out before her, trying to follow the faint smell as it would drift to and from her nose. It was a winding trail, and though she felt like she walked a long ways, it couldn't have been too far away.
Her pace didn't slow until the smell grew stronger.
Iron. Blood.
It was an instant reaction, her defenses were raised, ears perked and she walked on raised hocks. If she had tip-toes she would be on them. Why would there be blood, and at such a strong scent? As she moved forwards, with more and more snow pelting her, it didn't take much longer before she found the body. Instantaneously, her stomach churned, and golden eyes stretched wide. She recognized the pelt immediately. The scout that had been scheduled to be on watch. The only one that would have been sent after them. His pelt was marred, sides gored, and lifeless eyes stared into the void.
Khala didn't have time to think before she saw the shape move, the looming shoulders, and red splattered muzzle. With a huff of white mist the bear growled. If her eyes had been wide before, they now flew open, and she backed up, never loosing eye contact. The massive beast met her step for step, a gigantic shadow moving with each of her movements. Stepping over the lifeless body, it showed no interest in it's last target, only on the new, and unfortunately, she had a cherry chestnut target painted all over her.
It took less than a few second for her to formulate a plan, through most of it involved running pointlessly through the snow, and hoping that somehow she'd be able to loose it in the snow. And so, she pivoted on a hoof, threw spikes of earth out from behind her, and ran, headlong into the snow, with the pounding of clawed feet directly behind.
"HIRA!" the yell echoed through the air, quickly followed with the names of Amber and Froya. Khala was no coward, nor was she one to run from a fight, but nor was she one to charge into one in which she was inevitably outnumbered and out powered. |
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Post by Jennycallie on Feb 18, 2016 1:29:12 GMT -6
Checkpoint 2: A grizzly bear attack, and in this storm, there's no fleeing! Survive, by the strength of your body and mind! |
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Post by Jennycallie on Feb 20, 2016 2:34:30 GMT -6
Hira | Warlord
Strange and macabre though it was, Hira's first thought upon hearing Khala's cry was that if any of them survived this, it would be a text-book lesson in why blessings need must be used only sparingly, in measured degrees, and trained like any other muscle or exercise. Hira didn't know what had happened, of course, not yet, but she knew Khala. Her friend would not be shouting, her voice not strident with urgency and fear, without very good reason. And now Hira would be left facing whatever had put such a ring of fear in Khala's voice, with weakened legs, a heart that already beat raggedly. If she had not shown off, had not used her blessing in order to gain them meager comfort like a soft Aodhian-
But no matter. It was done. The lesson would be learned, either by them, or those that found their bodies. And that. Pissed. Her. Off.
"Fan out!" She snapped to Amber and Froya, shaking hocks already launching her from their cave. Her cloak fluttered to the ground as she went, untied and discarded with a disdainful flick of her mind. Khala's urgency could only mean an attack, and cloaks would become an instant liability, far more than the falling snow. "Stay tight, within eyesight of each other until we have assessed the situation. Khala and I-" she ground her teeth for a moment in fury, "will be... slower than normal. Be alert." And with those words Hira emerged fully from the cave, and stood a statue in the swirling snow, nostrils flared as she strained for sound, smell of Khala. The shout had come from a distance; Hira suspected pursuit. Khala would lead... whatever it was, to them. And then they would destroy it.
Oh please, mother Kaia, let it not be Cultists.
"Tonight is the Night of Bloodletting; remember this, remember what it means; and then remember that you are a Valkyrie. Whatever you do, do not flee from-" but Hira broke off. She heard the pounding of hooves, muffled though they were in snow, a moment before she scented-
"Bear!" Hira shouted. Her lips curled, teeth bared in a snarl. Before she could fully lament that they would be fighting blind, without knowledge of the terrain, without even being able to see more than a 10 stride radius- Khala was emerging from the snow and looming behind her, a shadow that shook the blanketed earth.
"Flank him!" Hira shouted to Froya and Amber, already launching forward.
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Post by moonlightwalk on Feb 20, 2016 4:31:59 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
Amber couldn't help but be a little impressed and maybe a little envious too as Hira and Khala showed off the strength of their blessings. Despite vigorously wishing to be blessed by Kaia, it had been Cascade who had first come out and blessed her. Not that she disliked Cascade, she held respect for her as well as Ayla, but when it comes to blessings she would have hoped for one of the great Kaia herself. Now she was 'stuck' with frost manipulation. Frost! Like they didn't have enough of that already. She felt bad for being ungrateful when she should feel honoured, but she couldn't understand what the Goddess had been thinking when blessing her. Right now she could do no more than lightly frost something, hardly a useful skill. Seeing her leader and Khala, her elder, the feeling returned.
She couldn't dwell for long though, Khala moved out and they moved in. She was buzzy being uncomfortable with residing in such cramped space when Khala's cry reached her ears. She immediately tensed, muscles jumping into action as Hira called for them to fan out. Danger, blood letting, enemy, bear. Her mind was racing a mile an hour, coming up with possibilities and courses of actions. A bear. She knew their advantage would be agility, since it's strength was no doubt greater and it came equipped with sharp fangs and claws. Putting that knowledge into action however was difficult and she found things moving too fast for her to truly apply the knowledge. She cursed, instead moving to do as Hira ordered. She snorted at the idea of fleeing. Their lord should not worry, she was no coward and run she would not. Whether it was cultist or a bear, she would fight to win or die trying to do so.
(Post 6, 304 words)
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Post by Quorkbirb on Feb 21, 2016 15:32:00 GMT -6
Froya | Valkyrie
Before the words had slipped past Hira's lips, Froya was cutting through snow as a blur of fury. Each half of her mind working together in perfect union, her experience as a herder guiding her knowledge of the bear and her training as a Valkyrie honing her strategy. She was making her way to the wayside of Khala's path, staying hidden in the storm until the bear had passed in front of her. Bolting up, she hounded the bear, clamping her teeth down near it's tail and turning with a clump of fur between her teeth before the wrathful creature could turn to see its assailant.
"Take turns striking him!" She called over the storm, never stopping to allow the bear to lock onto her. "Don't let any of us hold his attention for too long! He'll become confused and frightened, especially in this white out!"
She knew their strength and speed would not hold against the creature. Their only hope was to intimidate it, terrorize it till it turned tail to flee.
"Know your escape when you pummel him! He will not know your approach by sight, but will turn on you quick!"
It was hard to have her voice reach the others in the storm, the wind drowned her and she was breathing heavy from exertion. She must have confidence that her companions would not falter in their attacks. If they did, if they did hesitate for only a moment, claws would tear their flesh. The bear would have at them and the others would not be able to tear it from them. They mustn't falter.
Post: 7
Word Count: 266
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Post by Jennycallie on Mar 7, 2016 2:30:43 GMT -6
Hira
Amber and Froya flowed around Hira like a mountain stream parted by stone; effortless and fluid. Froya launched in to an immediate offensive attack, but Hira had not the time to spare for worry as the young mare actually bit the bear by it's tail. Instead Hira continued her circle, sweeping around the other side so that she'd be in an optimal pairing position with Khala, where they could use their blessings do-
An arc of blood, a sanguine flare in the swirling curtain of snow that Hira's olive eyes tracked in horror. Khala had been caught and knocked aside by one of the beast's raking paws as it spun. The bay was down. A furious scream tore from Hira's throat, but she couldn't afford the luxury of flying to her friend's side; could not even afford the luxury of looking for Khala's prone form, as she had to keep her gaze on the lunging, roaring bear as Froya and Amber danced around it, harrying it. All Hira could do was, with a mental shove, create a sheltering curve of earth that erupted from the snow to protect Khala. Then she put the fallen mare from her mind. She had to.
"Slay him!" Hira screamed over the wind to the Valkyries. Normally a wild animal need only be driven off, but a bear that had developed an appreciation for equine flesh could not be tolerated. With the breath ripped from her nostrils on each rapid exhale, Hira darted and lunged, waiting for an opportunity to make a killing strike. It was dangerous, to close with so large an animal, and she'd much prefer if she could simply spear it with a well-timed strike of the earth... but with visibility so reduced, that wasn't yet possible; she might well hit Froya or Amber.
Circling above, shrieking his own mixture of battle-lust and anger, Arro was diving and raking at the bear's head with his claws, but he was subject to the gusting wind and only narrowly missed swipes of the bear's paws on multiple occasions.
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Post by moonlightwalk on Mar 10, 2016 10:04:58 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
The bear growled as Froya - crazy mare - flung herself forward and actually bit the beast's tail. 'What the-?!' Amber thought as she saw it happen. Was she out of her mind? She was further annoyed by Froya barking orders again. Who did she think she was? Hira was their leader here, not she. She huffed, mentally pushing her annoyance aside. She couldn't let it distract her. She kept her concentration on the bear.
In what seemed like second the animal suddenly seemed to swipe out, hitting Khala, red blood staining the pristine snow. The sight and smell made Amber angry enough to rush forward and actually kick the distracted carnivore in the side of his head. She had to quickly jump away again to prevent it's teeth from sinking into her legs. In the meantime it seemed, their Lord had taken care of Khala. At Hira's order she screamed: "Aye, madam!" With something akin to a war scream, she set out to assault the bear's flanks. This killer was going down.
(Post 7, 271 words)
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