Creative Corner

Welcome to the kingdom of Balamer!

Once a thriving kingdom, Balamer has now fallen into chaos following the untimely death of its former King and Queen. With no heir apparent, the King's last decree was to crown "the strongest dragon of all - the one to return order to the land". Not knowing who this person might be, several strong figures have risen up to challenge for the throne. But only one can prevail!


About the Locke:

So. This is a locke mixing both Pinkerton and the Coliseum randomness in a fight for the crown lore. I am not the best writer, so lore excerpts may be short and mostly detail out the day's events and progresses.

I decided to do this because I prefer goal-oriented gameplay along a storyline and I'd heard there was a way to do this with dragons on this site which sounded epic, right? Right.

Pinglist:
@Skyeset @Solaristigres @Shanuuk @Faustien

[b]RULES:[/b] WIP Rules are based off of other people's lockes, official challenge rules, and my own twists to keep it original and fun for me. [LIST] [*] The day's daily events will be determined by my Pinkerton draw. [list][*]Food - Coliseum Battles [list][*]Plants: 10 battles [*]Insects: 20 battles [*]Seafood: 30 battles [*]Meat: 40 battles[/list] [*]Familiar - Breed two RTB dragons (if appropriate pair exists) OR if none buy the cheapest set of 2+ siblings from a flight/breed not had in lair already (if applicable) from the AH. Only triple gened dragons may be bred. Once hatchlings are bought/hatch, a coin is flipped for each of them. Tails = exalt. [*]Apparel - Buy 1 new dragon from the AH with a flight/breed not had in lair already (if applicable - follow directions below) [*]Battle Stone - The King and Queen will test three dragons' strength in the coliseum. Each of the three dragons must complete a battle in a venue randomly chosen below the level they are at without dying. This is only effective when I have 7+ challenge dragons in my lair, otherwise it functions as if I had gotten Meat. [*]Materials - Lore excerpt/Story Progression [*]Trinkets - Expand 1 character's bio [/list] [*]Start off with King and Queen (my progens) who do not count for the locke but are instead the 'ghosts' of the King and Queen who recently died. They will appear in the lore and story, but if they are the only ones left in my lair that is a loss for the locke. It does not matter if they die when a battlestone is chosen, other than those special events I may not use them in the coli. [*]A win for the locke is getting at least 1 dragon to level 25, at which point they become the heir and are crowned King/Queen. [*]Played in the Fairgrounds for a starting fund of 15000 treasure. This will be used to buy the first three dragons of the locke. These dragons must be the cheapest unnamed hatchling in the AH at the time, be triple gened, all different flights (not Light), and all different species. None of them can be related, and I must have at least 1 male and 1 female. These same guidelines apply to all other dragons I will purchase from the AH (triple gened, new breed/flight, cheapest unnamed hatchling) except their gender must be whichever I have less of at the time to keep a balanced lair. [*]If a dragon faints in the Coli they are counted as dead and must be exalted (or found a new home/given away). If a dragon dies I may end my battles for the day UNLESS it is a battlestone challenge. If I am left with less than three challenge dragons I may buy a (rule following) hatchling off the AH the next day. [*]I may start over in the Coli by refreshing the page a total of 2 times a day. Otherwise I must use the Flee feature and take the health hit. [*]I may not use any Trading Post feature except Pinkerton and Baldwin. I may not craft anything in Baldwin except festival skins, I may only brew materials and sell them for a little extra money (battlestones are expensive o.O) [*]I have the choice of keeping or selling all Coli drops and contents of chests. [*]Beyond the starting funds for dragons, I may not use the Fairgrounds for money. [*]All Gathering turns must be spent Digging or Scavenging only. [*]I may not buy anything from the AH except dragons, battlestones and genes. All first gen dragons (including King and Queen) must be triple gened before I can change the genes of other dragons. I may not buy anything from the Marketplace except Genes. [*]Food may not be bought from the AH UNLESS I have been on hiatus/vacation/other real life things pulled me away. Then I may buy food. Otherwise, it comes from the Coli. [/LIST] [b]Donation Rules:[/b] Donations are very welcome and appreciated in any form! However, to keep with the spirit of the challenge please do NOT donate: dragons, treasure/gems, food. An exception may be made for food if I anticipate a hiatus/vacation, at which time I will make it known. Anything else is just fine and I will try to tie it in to the story!

[b]Current Characters[/b] [b]Founders:[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27616837] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/276169/27616837_350.png[/img] [/url] King The former King of Balamer, his ghost now haunts his capital city waiting for someone to take up the throne so he can move on. Known for his strength, King led great armies and fought in bloody battles to establish his kingdom. He values courage, loyalty, independence, and determination above all else. [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27616838] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/276169/27616838_350.png[/img] [/url] Queen As with her husband, Queen also awaits the one who will bring peace to the land. The Queen was a charitable sort while alive, known for helping the less fortunate and her devotion to the deities, particularly the Lightweaver. She values kindness, intelligence, piety, and humility above all else. [b]The First [s]Three[/s] Two:[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27617636] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/276177/27617636_350.png[/img] [/url] Maxim Male Nature Tundra Jade Cherub / Cornflower Butterfly / Sky Glimmer Introduced [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2005394/1#post_23285584]Day One[/url] Determined | Honorable | Innocent A young Duke of Balamer, he was sent into hiding when riots erupted in the city and his parents were killed alongside the former King and Queen. Maxim is now technically first in line for the throne by rights of birth, but he is young, too young many would say. And hardly anyone knows he's even alive... [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27618337] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/276184/27618337_350.png[/img] [/url] Canton Male Shadow Guardian Wine Poison / Avocado Toxin / Sable Underbelly Introduced [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2005394/1#post_23285584]Day One[/url] Distrustful | Loyal | Blunt A former knight, Canton is a soldier with a bit of a rougher outlook on life. He's not royalty, in fact he hates royalty and blames them for screwing up the world. He grumbles a lot but he's got a good heart and really just wants to see someone take care of his people for once. [b]Other:[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27818734] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/278188/27818734_350.png[/img] [/url] Nisha Female Plague Spiral Shale Iridescent/Blood Facet/Rose Glimmer Introduced [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2005394/2#post_23326481]Day Three[/url] Playful | Affectionate | Hopeful After her parents were killed by the beastclans, and Nisha was left an orphan struggling to survive, Canton found her and took her with him. Because of this she's determined to survive alongside him at all costs while maintaining a positive attitude that can brighten anyone's day. [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27934021] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/279341/27934021_350.png[/img] [/url] Ajah Female Wind Skydancer Dirt Iridescent/Navy Shimmer/Ice Crackle Introduced Day [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2005394/2#post_23420336]Eight[/url] Cold | Judgmental | Shrewd Shortly after birth in a Wind clan, Ajah's family was attacked by ice beasts or dragons (it is unclear and she does not remember). Her mother at least, was killed by ice magic, and that same magic touched Ajah enough to leave a permanent mark of frost on her always. Ajah is not good at dealing with people, she is often cold and harsh. But she has great practical talents and can pick things up quickly. She also has a head for numbers and keeps careful track of their money. [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27984693] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/279847/27984693_350.png[/img] [/url] Jinx Male Ice Wildclaw Shadow Poison/Moon Toxin/Cream Underbelly Introduced Day [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2005394/2#post_23438950]Nine[/url] Tricky | Boastful | Dutiful Jinx has been sent to the kingdom of Balamer to track down Ajah, a hatchling who wasn't supposed to survive his clan's attack on her former wind clan. It is his first real solo mission and he is very determined to see it through. Jinx is a bit of a prankster, with a fondness for setting traps. [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=28128022] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/281281/28128022_350.png[/img] [/url] Opal Female Earth Snapper Lead Iridescent/Obsidian Shimmer/Orca Gembond Introduced Day [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2005394/4#post_23564311]Fifteen[/url] Sweet | Fragile | Wise One day while still a hatchling, Opal's mother (also Opal) disappeared while she slept. Opal was then picked up by Jinx, who mistook her for a rock, and thus joined the group. She sees Jinx as her caregiver figure in place of her missing mother, who she is always looking for, wondering what happened to her.

[b]The Lost:[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27553537] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/275536/27553537_350.png[/img] [/url] [spoiler]Karina Female Ice Imperial Wine Iridescent / Cottoncandy Shimmer / Beige Gembond Introduced [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2005394/1#post_23285584]Day One[/url] Lost Day Two Secretive | Persuasive | Calm A princess from the lands of Ice, Karina was sent undercover to Balamer in order to infiltrate it so her homelands may attack and absorb the land as their own. Unfortunately, Karina quickly falls in love with the people of Balamer and struggles between doing her duty to her people and committing herself to her new friends she made here.[/spoiler]

[center][b]Day One: [item=Hematite][/b][/center] The once shining city of Balamer has fallen into chaos at the death of its former King and Queen not too long ago. With no one consolidated power seated on the throne, many are looking for a new leader to back. Some look towards the dukes, specifically Maxim, who was to be next in line for the throne. However, the royal tundra has disappeared. Some say he was killed alongside his parents, while others know better... Though their ruler is absent, the royal guard remains strong. Sensing an opportunity, many foreign powers seek to attack Balamer's boarders. Some have sent in spies to infiltrate the capitol. But it is in the boarder skirmishes that our story begins. Maxim was not meant for battles. For one, he was young, soft. He grew up in a palace with servants and his every need cared for. Though Maxim was educated well, as the nobles all were, fighting was one study he never seemed to get a grasp on. But this didn't stop him from fleeing to the troublesome boarders in order to hide. It was actually the perfect place, no one would expect to find Maxim there. But that by no means granted him safety. "Are you an idiot?" A young, much fiercer Guardian yelled in his face. The battle was winding down and both were bloody and out of breath, though the Guardian decidedly less so. He was used to this, the fighting. He had been fighting his whole life. "This is battle, you don't just freeze up! That centaur nearly chopped your head off!" Along with the foreign powers, the Beastclans too sensed easy prey. "I'm sorry," Maxim replied to his Guardian savior, wiping blood off his paws on the grass. "I just didn't know what to do, I've never fought centaurs before." Maxim hadn't fought much of anyone before. "Thank you for saving my life. I am in your debt." He inclined his fluffy head politely, as he had been taught by so many tutors. A life debt was no simple thing, especially for nobility such as him. This Guardian didn't even know what he'd done. The Guardian scoffed. "You sure do talk pretty for someone sent out to the boarder to die," he said bluntly, scratching at his snout. Canton was a knight, a very good knight. He had been around enough fancy people to know how they talked. Which made him very suspicious of this soft tundra. What was his kind doing out here? Canton was not known for liking nobles all that much, in fact, in his opinion, it was all their fault the kingdom had gone to the dogs. He wouldn't have saved this one, except it felt cruel of him not to. There was just something about this tundra that tugged at the protectiveness in his chest. "Fine," Canton finally said after giving it some thought. "If you owe me your life, then I won't have you wasting it so foolishly again. You train with me, got it? We'll get you into fighting shape so you might at least be of some use. We meet at dawn tomorrow. Now go get cleaned up." Maxim was not accustomed to taking orders from anyone. His chest puffed out in protest, but he soon deflated. Canton was a little gruff, and he couldn't blame the Guardian. It was awful living out here and fending off attacks every other day. It was amazing Maxim had survived this long. If he was going to survive and take his rightful spot on the throne, then learning to fight might not be such a bad idea. Wordlessly, he turned and walked back to the rows of tents that housed what was left of Balamer's army. Cursing his misfortune to have acquired a hanger-on, Canton soon followed back to camp. There he paused as he witnessed one of the soldiers intensely questioning an Imperial lady who appeared to be travelling. She was pretty and elegant, but Canton could see a sharpness in her eyes that made her no fragile thing. "What seems to be the trouble here?" Canton butted in, pulling rank on the soldier who was honestly just being a pest at this point. "Absolutely no trouble," the Imperial lady talked over the soldier, taking a defiant stance. "I know Balamer isn't doing so hot right now, but that shouldn't be an excuse to harass a lady! I was only travelling to visit relatives when these soldiers insisted they question me. Go ahead and search me! I have nothing to hide!" Canton sighed and looked up to the sky, praying that the Lightweaver may give him peace for all these troublesome people today. "My apologies, Miss...?" "Karina." "Yes..." Canton shooed the soldier away and invited the Imperial to join him around one of the fire pits with a gesture of his wing. "I am sure no one meant to be rude. It is a dangerous time, and I'm afraid they were worried you may be a spy. Can't be too careful you know. Now why don't you join us for a meal tonight, as an apology. It isn't safe for a lady such as yourself to be alone after dark." Karina agreed and ended up spending the night in camp. Canton was still suspicious of her intentions, but it would be better to reserve his judgement until he could vet her further. For now, he would just sleep so he could be awake early enough to begin Maxim's training tomorrow. Lightweaver help him. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [i]Out of meat while waiting for dragons to grow up, forced to begin in the coli. Karina acquired her Highnoon Hank from Pinkerton while still a hatchling before the challenge began. Coli Changes: Bought a Scratch for Maxim off AH. Maxim, Canton, and Karina all Level 5. Maxim gained the Elemental Might Fragment below. Canton and Karina still need one each (perhaps tomorrow's purchase) Notable Loot: [item=Zephyr Might Fragment] [item=Zephyr Acuity Fragment] [item=Natural Might Fragment] [item=Leafy Pack] Treasure Total: (after hoard selling loot from my grinding) 22912 treasure [/i]

[center][b]Day Two: [item=Ambush][/b][/center] Early the next morning, Canton was out in the fields with Maxim a little ways away from the camp, teaching him the basics of fighting. "Tooth and claw are always reliable," Canton instructed Maxim while sitting back and watching the tundra try to rip apart a stuffed strangler. "You've gotta keep them sharp, even if it isn't fashionable." The tundra must trim his claws as many of the nobles do, because the dummy was holding out better than expected. Eventually, Canton sighed and stepped in when he could take the pathetic sight no more. "No, no, no." He nudged the tundra out of the way none too gently and took the stuffed beast in his powerful jaws. He then tried to talk around the thing in his mouth, but all instruction was completely lost on Maxim, who only heard, "Mve mttma mod mmt mke msss," which is probably the least helpful thing on the planet. "Um, okay..." Maxim said slowly, not really wanting to let on that he didn't know what Canton was talking about. He was all set up to try again when suddenly horns sounded from back at camp. Maxim let the dummy fall to the dirt as both he and Canton turned to look back towards the tents. "It's an attack," Canton declared abruptly, even as he lept into the air and beat his powerful wings. Maxim soon joined him, although he was nowhere near a fast flier and had trouble keeping up in this, as in all respects. "You stay out of the way, you're not ready for these fights," Canton instructed, and for once Maxim agreed. The camp was teeming with Basilisks, and though he wanted to help his comrades, Maxim knew he wasn't at all equipped to do so. No longer distracted by having to keep the useless tundra safe, Canton dove headfirst into the battle. He killed many of the beasts and saved many of his friends in the process. But he was a dragon, just like any other, and Canton began to feel worn out. At least it seemed like there were less and less of the Basilisks now, but really the end of this battle couldn't come soon enough. And that's when he heard it, a very girlish scream. Thinking of who it must belong to, as none of their female soldiers would dare scream like that, Canton rushed to the tent where Karina the Imperial from last night had been temporarily housed. But he came too late. A Basilisk had backed Karina up into the corner, and the poor Imperial was clearly made of soft stuff, like Maxim, unused to fighting. She now lay prone on the floor, bleeding and moments from death. In a rage, Canton pounced on the Basilisk, gouging his claws into its side and tearing at it with his teeth until the beast was dead and his friend avenged. Now completely spent and on his last bits of strength, Canton hobbled over to Karina and laid down at her side, looking to see if there was any possible way she could be saved. She coughed up blood and looked to him with cloudy, sorrowful eyes. "Take...take...my kerchief...around my neck," Karina rasped out. "It...is the color of my people. From the Ice lands. Make....make peace with them...do not...let them destroy....this land..." Karina had never liked lying. She had protested her infiltration of Balamer since the day she was given the assignment. Even though she was royalty, she must do her duty. Such was the way of her people, and Karina knew she needed to set an example. So she went. But it felt good now, to confess to the one person who had showed her kindness here. Perhaps Balamer wasn't doomed after all, if dragons like Canton still lived in it. The last of her breath left her body and Canton, strangely, began to weep. He had lost comrades before. It was part of battle, and it hurt every time. But this Imperial was an innocent, someone who had made an impression on him right away, someone he had found beautiful and strong. She was worthy of his sorrow, and alone in this tent with her body, Canton felt he could show it. With trembling paws, Canton carefully untied the rose colored hank from around her neck and put it on his own, as she had wanted with her dying breath. It would always remind him of the terrors this kingdom had suffered in its chaos, the poor dragons who were swept up in it. And how Peace was a worthy goal to strive for. Peace would save them all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [i]Since I don't haven enough dragons in my lair for the true battlestone test, it functions as if I drew meat, so a minimum of 48 battles, I may flee as much as I want and may refresh the page twice. HOWEVER I cut this short since one of my dragons DIED. </3 Karina is to be exalted, but if anyone would like to give her a home instead, just let me know! Canton was also almost gone, but I used one of my refreshes to save him. I'm not sure if I should be fighting with just the two, or if I'm allowed to purchase another dragon from the AH? Would love opinions! Coli Changes: Purchased Might fragment for Canton and Karina (NOT THAT IT MATTERS FOR HER...) No one leveled up. Notable Loot: [item=Leafy Pack] Starting Treasure: 23912 Ending Treasure: 19966[/i]

@Skyeset Sure thing! thanks for having an interest!

@Skyeset Right?? I had such great ideas for her... I too am a bit mixed. I was heartbroken when I saw her greyed out but at the same time just relieved it wasn't Maxim cause talk about ruining plans (shh).
Since she died so quickly in the locke and I really do need at least one girl I decided to pick up a hatchling in the AH just to keep the locke going since I barely started. Today's update will be a bit late, but I'm sure meeting the new baby will be worth it!