Creative Corner

3493

April 14, 2018 16:26:52

Today's Lore Post

The Depths Guardians

Lotan
Leader of the Depths Guardians

Kelina,
A Corrupted Seer

Indra
A Depths Scout

Neva,
A Young Healer

Cara,
A Healer and Seer

Nephthys,
A Depths Seer

Luca,
A Concerned Lairmate

Keahi,
A Distraction

Cassandra,
A Seer

Thorvaldr,
A Depths Captain

A Light Mage

A Lightning Mage

A Lightning Scientist

Many Unnamed Water Dragons

Every Exalt Sent to Help This Week

Here be dragons! And lore. We got a little carried away writing the lore for Wavecrest Saturnalia this year, so we're posting it in it's entirety here for everyone to enjoy. A new story every day for the push. A new horror every story.

HE IS ONLY THE FIRST. VANGUARD. HARBINGER.

Pinglist
@/NocturnistheDark @/Kaimon @/Elisse @/Cheshly @/Snowkitsu @/Raedeshe @/ThisOneIsBlue @/CanisMajoris @/Maltshakes @/Eiira @/Mudy

If you would like on or off this list please let me know. :)

Credits

Art: @/bluedragon, @/snowkitsu, @/BandedLake
Writing: @/GryffonJoi, @/Hyleoroi, @/Tigresjumeaux, @/Raedeshe

Thank you so much for everything you've done to make this story a success!

Last edited on Apr 22, 2018 10:14:26 by GryffonJoi

[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180413/f91bf9051eece27ac660ebae802e6ac3.png[/img] ----- [columns][img]https://i.imgur.com/svo4Ter.png[/img][nextcol][size=4] The Tidelord has fallen silent. His dirges no longer sound through the oceans of the world, his seers and oracles are blinded to the future. For years untold, his children have swam through waters resounding with his song - guiding, guarding. The lullabies from the deep sing them to sleep and ring out, low and long, until they wake. But now, he is silent. His children are left grieving, yes...but deeper down, their hearts are seized by fear.[/size][/columns] The draconic denizens of the Sea were not the only ones lulled by his droning cries. No, In the lightless depths, where Darkness itself holds court, where even the eyes of the Tidelord see not, there are things. Ancient things. Unknown and unknowable things that seeped into the world while the deities waged war on the planet, too caught in their own rage to turn to was lurking through the trenches. Before they crafted their children to guard and protect what is theirs, these silent horrors roamed the waters. And there they have remained, appeased by the Tidelord’s song… ...and with the Song of Prophecies silenced, these leviathans stir. In his absence, his silence, it starts small. A lair on the fringes of memory is lost to darkness. A particularly daring dragon braves the depths of the Sea for glory and does not come back. Such happens. And happens again. And before any are aware, many are gone. The darkness seems to spread beneath the waves, as the Lord of the Sea’s silence withers souls throughout his domain, and wraps itself around the dragons to whom the Sea is home. The silence leaves nothing in its wake. Until He comes. ----- Ygothag, he is called. Firstborn of the Brood. And with his emergence, a new song rings out--one that is discordant, warped. Alien. He is cobbled together of darkness and decay, writhing and twisting upon itself in patterns that wound the soul and drive the mind to delirium. He is the Harbinger, the Vanguard, the Awakened Old God. Long have the other flights questioned why so many dragons seek out the Tidelord to serve. “Does he need them as our Gods do?” They are not shy about their doubts. “Does he not speak all prophecies himself? Are there so many oracles and prophets in the world?” But these questions are not the right ones. These questions are asked by those who have not seen what resides below, out of sight and waiting, watching. The Tidelord does not claim only seers, no--any dragon in the Water flight could tell you that. No, he calls the strongest of soldiers and warriors. He calls to guardians--there is a reason behind his naming of the children from the Sea. No, the question the others dare not ask is simply this: what is in the depths that he needs so many warriors? What requires that much guarding? And all too soon, the answer comes, on tides of darkness and in a cacophony of madness. [center][color=transparent]The Lost Ones have Seen them.[/color][/center]

GryffonJoi

3493

April 14, 2018 16:27:12

The Tidelord has fallen silent. His dirges no longer sound through the oceans of the world, his seers and oracles are blinded to the future. For years untold, his children have swam through waters resounding with his song - guiding, guarding. The lullabies from the deep sing them to sleep and ring out, low and long, until they wake.

But now, he is silent. His children are left grieving, yes...but deeper down, their hearts are seized by fear.

The draconic denizens of the Sea were not the only ones lulled by his droning cries. No, In the lightless depths, where Darkness itself holds court, where even the eyes of the Tidelord see not, there are things. Ancient things. Unknown and unknowable things that seeped into the world while the deities waged war on the planet, too caught in their own rage to turn to was lurking through the trenches. Before they crafted their children to guard and protect what is theirs, these silent horrors roamed the waters. And there they have remained, appeased by the Tidelord’s song…

...and with the Song of Prophecies silenced, these leviathans stir.

In his absence, his silence, it starts small. A lair on the fringes of memory is lost to darkness. A particularly daring dragon braves the depths of the Sea for glory and does not come back.

Such happens. And happens again. And before any are aware, many are gone. The darkness seems to spread beneath the waves, as the Lord of the Sea’s silence withers souls throughout his domain, and wraps itself around the dragons to whom the Sea is home.

The silence leaves nothing in its wake. Until He comes.

Ygothag, he is called. Firstborn of the Brood. And with his emergence, a new song rings out--one that is discordant, warped. Alien. He is cobbled together of darkness and decay, writhing and twisting upon itself in patterns that wound the soul and drive the mind to delirium. He is the Harbinger, the Vanguard, the Awakened Old God.

Long have the other flights questioned why so many dragons seek out the Tidelord to serve. “Does he need them as our Gods do?” They are not shy about their doubts. “Does he not speak all prophecies himself? Are there so many oracles and prophets in the world?”

But these questions are not the right ones. These questions are asked by those who have not seen what resides below, out of sight and waiting, watching. The Tidelord does not claim only seers, no--any dragon in the Water flight could tell you that. No, he calls the strongest of soldiers and warriors. He calls to guardians--there is a reason behind his naming of the children from the Sea.

No, the question the others dare not ask is simply this: what is in the depths that he needs so many warriors? What requires that much guarding?

And all too soon, the answer comes, on tides of darkness and in a cacophony of madness.

The Lost Ones have Seen them.

Last edited on Apr 22, 2018 10:18:51 by GryffonJoi

[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180413/935580a90da586599a8c327395752a1a.png[/img] ----- [columns][size=4]“Hello?” [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=40398894]Indra's[/url] hesitant voice echoed oddly off the walls and ceiling of the main cavern. Carved into the face of the Leviathan Trench itself, this lair was encased in an enchanted bubble of fresh air. Already, the Imperial noticed spots where the enchantment was fading, and water dripped through the cracks in a steady rhythm. An isolationist clan had supposedly lived there for centuries, preferring their own company and gloomy prophecies to the politics of alliances. They still had to trade for what they couldn't make for themselves, though, and there'd been no word from them for a worrisome length of time. Even worse, three of the Depths Guardians' own patrols had gone missing in the same area just recently. [center][color=transparent]ChAnGiNg. AlWayS cHanGinG. It hUrTs.[/color][/center][nextcol][img]https://i.imgur.com/PrjsbHn.png[/img][/columns] [indent][i]“Over one hundred dragons in that clan.” [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=34491922]Lotan’s[/url] voice rumbled irritably, but Indra could hear the edge of worry in it. The hulking Guardian, a captain in Tidelord's own elite army, had been poring over a thick stack of scrolls and tomes, letters from concerned clans, and lore on what beasts swam out of sight for days. He was an expert, Indra had no doubt - but the knit of his brows was deeper and more fierce than Indra had ever seen. “Indra.” There was a finality in his voice, and the young Imperial slunk forward, keeping his head low and respectful. “Yes, sir?” “An entire clan has gone missing in the past couple of days,” Lotan replied, his tone sober. “And a large one, at that. I need you to scout out the Western quadrant of the Braxas arm of Trench. We’ve lost patrols there, too--you can look at their records to pinpoint where exactly to search.” “The entire thing, sir?” “I believe I made myself clear.” The Guardian was firm. “You are strong, but you are young. I need to put you to work somewhere aside from the frontlines.” And with that, he left Indra alone in the conference cave to prepare for the mission.[/i][/indent] Which was how Indra found himself clambering over boulders that easily dwarfed his lanky, adolescent body. The roughly hewn basalt scraped at his scales and broke off in chunks where his grip was too hard. With a small shudder, he realized that the broken bits were not entirely stone--he could pick out bones and scraps of scales embedded in the rock, ignored and left to rot. The dark, yawning mouth of a smaller subcave opened to his right, about halfway up the tumble of boulders. A tattered curtain of once-fine silk marked it as important—a leader's private lair? It was certainly worth investigating. At least, until he found himself stepping straight into the line of sight of what appeared to be a huge, glaring eye. There was an alien glow to it that caused Indra’s mane to ripple with fear on instinct. He ducked down against the floor immediately, cursing under his breath. [i]Guess there’s no hoping it didn’t see me[/i]. “Who are you?” he demanded shakily. Straightening to his full height, he tried to appear imposing. Fierce. A warrior and not a frightened hatchling cowering in the shadows. “[i]What[/i] are you?” The only reply was a deep, rumbling growl that shook the walls, and a resounding voice that felt like claws in his mind. “[size=5][b][font=papyrus]The Sea has always been mine.[/font][/b][/size]” Every ounce of bitterness over being relegated to scout fled Indra in that instant. He had no warrior’s honor to uphold; he was only here to find out what happened. And he did. Oh, Tidelord, did he find out. Turning tail, he all but threw himself down the pile of rocks. He chanced a last glance over his shoulder as he reached the water's edge, which only confirmed that this was nothing he'd ever seen before. Even his nightmares were less horrifying than this. The glance cost him terribly--a massive tentacle, easily the length of a full-grown Imperial and twice the girth, exploded from the wall just next to Indra’s flank and seized him effortlessly. He let out a terrified screech as bioluminescent suckers clung to his hide, fixed with wicked barbs that dug swiftly and deeply into him. His flailing limbs and writhing body did nothing against the strength of this...thing. With a nigh-casual flick, Indra was thrown into the opposite wall of the cavern. Sliding down the wall, he landed like a discarded hatchling's toy as the tentacle was joined by more, crawling out of an inky, terrifying darkness that hid within the walls. The Imperial tried to leap to his feet and escape, still alone with a monster that would haunt even the Eleven themselves, but the impact left him too weak to even lift his head. [i]So this is how it happens. My first mission ends with an eldritch horror tenderizing and then eating me alive[/i]. The stab of fear and anguish was pointed, even in his fading consciousness. A vibrant blast of blue—the color of true Water—lit up the cave as Indra's vision darkened and his injuries overtook him. Just as he slipped into the dark, he could swear he heard Lotan's bellowing roar.

GryffonJoi

3493

April 14, 2018 16:27:56

“Hello?” Indra's hesitant voice echoed oddly off the walls and ceiling of the main cavern. Carved into the face of the Leviathan Trench itself, this lair was encased in an enchanted bubble of fresh air. Already, the Imperial noticed spots where the enchantment was fading, and water dripped through the cracks in a steady rhythm.

An isolationist clan had supposedly lived there for centuries, preferring their own company and gloomy prophecies to the politics of alliances. They still had to trade for what they couldn't make for themselves, though, and there'd been no word from them for a worrisome length of time. Even worse, three of the Depths Guardians' own patrols had gone missing in the same area just recently.

ChAnGiNg. AlWayS cHanGinG. It hUrTs.

“Over one hundred dragons in that clan.” Lotan’s voice rumbled irritably, but Indra could hear the edge of worry in it. The hulking Guardian, a captain in Tidelord's own elite army, had been poring over a thick stack of scrolls and tomes, letters from concerned clans, and lore on what beasts swam out of sight for days. He was an expert, Indra had no doubt - but the knit of his brows was deeper and more fierce than Indra had ever seen.

“Indra.” There was a finality in his voice, and the young Imperial slunk forward, keeping his head low and respectful.

“Yes, sir?”

“An entire clan has gone missing in the past couple of days,” Lotan replied, his tone sober. “And a large one, at that. I need you to scout out the Western quadrant of the Braxas arm of Trench. We’ve lost patrols there, too--you can look at their records to pinpoint where exactly to search.”

“The entire thing, sir?”

“I believe I made myself clear.” The Guardian was firm. “You are strong, but you are young. I need to put you to work somewhere aside from the frontlines.” And with that, he left Indra alone in the conference cave to prepare for the mission.

Which was how Indra found himself clambering over boulders that easily dwarfed his lanky, adolescent body. The roughly hewn basalt scraped at his scales and broke off in chunks where his grip was too hard. With a small shudder, he realized that the broken bits were not entirely stone--he could pick out bones and scraps of scales embedded in the rock, ignored and left to rot.

The dark, yawning mouth of a smaller subcave opened to his right, about halfway up the tumble of boulders. A tattered curtain of once-fine silk marked it as important—a leader's private lair? It was certainly worth investigating. At least, until he found himself stepping straight into the line of sight of what appeared to be a huge, glaring eye. There was an alien glow to it that caused Indra’s mane to ripple with fear on instinct. He ducked down against the floor immediately, cursing under his breath. Guess there’s no hoping it didn’t see me.

“Who are you?” he demanded shakily. Straightening to his full height, he tried to appear imposing. Fierce. A warrior and not a frightened hatchling cowering in the shadows. “What are you?”

The only reply was a deep, rumbling growl that shook the walls, and a resounding voice that felt like claws in his mind.

“The Sea has always been mine.”

Every ounce of bitterness over being relegated to scout fled Indra in that instant. He had no warrior’s honor to uphold; he was only here to find out what happened. And he did. Oh, Tidelord, did he find out. Turning tail, he all but threw himself down the pile of rocks. He chanced a last glance over his shoulder as he reached the water's edge, which only confirmed that this was nothing he'd ever seen before. Even his nightmares were less horrifying than this.

The glance cost him terribly--a massive tentacle, easily the length of a full-grown Imperial and twice the girth, exploded from the wall just next to Indra’s flank and seized him effortlessly. He let out a terrified screech as bioluminescent suckers clung to his hide, fixed with wicked barbs that dug swiftly and deeply into him. His flailing limbs and writhing body did nothing against the strength of this...thing.

With a nigh-casual flick, Indra was thrown into the opposite wall of the cavern. Sliding down the wall, he landed like a discarded hatchling's toy as the tentacle was joined by more, crawling out of an inky, terrifying darkness that hid within the walls. The Imperial tried to leap to his feet and escape, still alone with a monster that would haunt even the Eleven themselves, but the impact left him too weak to even lift his head.

So this is how it happens. My first mission ends with an eldritch horror tenderizing and then eating me alive. The stab of fear and anguish was pointed, even in his fading consciousness.

A vibrant blast of blue—the color of true Water—lit up the cave as Indra's vision darkened and his injuries overtook him. Just as he slipped into the dark, he could swear he heard Lotan's bellowing roar.

Last edited on Apr 22, 2018 10:21:22 by GryffonJoi

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180413/624e5946eddd530fe733e842c2fc88fe.png[/img][/center] ----- [columns][img]https://i.imgur.com/nHG02sJ.png[/img][nextcol][size=4]The screech of a dragon, howling in pain, high and keening as if no solace would ever come. The sound echoed in [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=13652&tab=dragon&did=2290995]Cara's[/url] ears as she walked through the lair, wings held tightly to her side. Never. Never had a vision come so strongly and with such a visceral reaction before. She had to find the others. It couldn't have been just her. The skydancer kept her wings tucked tight to her body as she weaved through the corridors, finally making her way to the back room--and her heart nearly stopped at the sight. [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=13652&tab=dragon&did=17125264]Kelina[/url], unconscious and sprawled on the floor, her pearl just barely within arm's reach, bloody streaks on her face to match the red tinges on her claws.[/size][/columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=13652&tab=dragon&did=39280146]Cassandra[/url] was close at hand, clutching her own pearl close to her, her entire body shaking and her staff cast onto the floor, ignored. [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=13652&tab=dragon&did=245376]Luca[/url] was not far behind Cara, the wildclaw flaring his wings out fast enough at the sight to make Cara duck. "What's happening? Rune told me to come quickly." Cassandra could barely speak--something the mystic had never suffered from before. "It...it took her. Took hold of her. I've...I've...it's not of these seas, Luca. But...but it is this sea. This ocean. This world." The wildclaw mantled, then turned to Cara, trying to keep his wings tucked in. "And you. Do you know what's she's talking about?" "I...I think I might." Cara was shaken, but clearly whatever had come to her was hatchling play compared to whatever had taken place in here. "I had...well, at first I believed it a dream. Nothing dangerous, just unpleasant. But...Cassandra is right. It was as if I could feel something in the water around me. As if I dove and dove, listening for the Tidelord...but another voice answered me. A strange...horrifying one." Cassandra turned her head away, eyes closed as if it could block out the skydancer's words. "And?" Luca was doing his best, but Cara knew he was not long on patience. "It spoke in words I'd never heard before. Words that could...reach inside of me, take hold of every part of me and squeeze the life out of it." Her voice was shaky. "All I could ask, all I could manage to speak, was simply an inquiry of who it was. What it was." "And? Did it reply?" Cara nodded, and she began to reply, but the words she'd heard so clearly in the vision rang out clear and loud in the room, echoing and overwhelming. [indent][center][b][font=Papyrus][size=5]"I am one with the ocean and the ocean is one with me. You will be consumed."[/size][/font][/b][/center][/indent] Cassandra shrieked, a high-pitched wail of pure anguish and horror, and even Kelina's prone body seemed to curl in on itself at the sound. Cara's hand went to her throat, any further words she might have said caught in her chest. Luca's eyes were wide and...as odd as it was for the wildclaw to show such an emotion...horrified. "He's coming." Kelina's eyes had snapped open, and her claws grating across the stone of the floor, leaving blood-stained gouges in their wake. "He has been, and he is, and he ever will be." The pearlcatcher shifted just enough to turn her eyes on Cara, and the skydancer could see an unnatural inky black seeping into Kelina's usual water-blue eyes. [font=Papyrus][size=4][b]"And there will be nothing any can do to stop him."[/b][/size][/font]

GryffonJoi

3493

April 14, 2018 16:28:09

The screech of a dragon, howling in pain, high and keening as if no solace would ever come. The sound echoed in Cara's ears as she walked through the lair, wings held tightly to her side. Never. Never had a vision come so strongly and with such a visceral reaction before. She had to find the others. It couldn't have been just her.

The skydancer kept her wings tucked tight to her body as she weaved through the corridors, finally making her way to the back room--and her heart nearly stopped at the sight. Kelina, unconscious and sprawled on the floor, her pearl just barely within arm's reach, bloody streaks on her face to match the red tinges on her claws.

Cassandra was close at hand, clutching her own pearl close to her, her entire body shaking and her staff cast onto the floor, ignored.

Luca was not far behind Cara, the wildclaw flaring his wings out fast enough at the sight to make Cara duck. "What's happening? Rune told me to come quickly."

Cassandra could barely speak--something the mystic had never suffered from before. "It...it took her. Took hold of her. I've...I've...it's not of these seas, Luca. But...but it is this sea. This ocean. This world."

The wildclaw mantled, then turned to Cara, trying to keep his wings tucked in. "And you. Do you know what's she's talking about?"

"I...I think I might." Cara was shaken, but clearly whatever had come to her was hatchling play compared to whatever had taken place in here. "I had...well, at first I believed it a dream. Nothing dangerous, just unpleasant. But...Cassandra is right. It was as if I could feel something in the water around me. As if I dove and dove, listening for the Tidelord...but another voice answered me. A strange...horrifying one."

Cassandra turned her head away, eyes closed as if it could block out the skydancer's words.

"And?" Luca was doing his best, but Cara knew he was not long on patience.

"It spoke in words I'd never heard before. Words that could...reach inside of me, take hold of every part of me and squeeze the life out of it." Her voice was shaky. "All I could ask, all I could manage to speak, was simply an inquiry of who it was. What it was."

"And? Did it reply?"

Cara nodded, and she began to reply, but the words she'd heard so clearly in the vision rang out clear and loud in the room, echoing and overwhelming.

"I am one with the ocean and the ocean is one with me.
You will be consumed."

Cassandra shrieked, a high-pitched wail of pure anguish and horror, and even Kelina's prone body seemed to curl in on itself at the sound. Cara's hand went to her throat, any further words she might have said caught in her chest. Luca's eyes were wide and...as odd as it was for the wildclaw to show such an emotion...horrified.

"He's coming." Kelina's eyes had snapped open, and her claws grating across the stone of the floor, leaving blood-stained gouges in their wake. "He has been, and he is, and he ever will be." The pearlcatcher shifted just enough to turn her eyes on Cara, and the skydancer could see an unnatural inky black seeping into Kelina's usual water-blue eyes.

"And there will be nothing any can do to stop him."

Last edited on Apr 22, 2018 10:21:58 by GryffonJoi

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180413/2543bae3580591139e31184fcd1a6a15.png[/img][/center] ----- [columns] [size=4]It was too much; the screams, the pain, the never-ending stream of wounded. [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=212703&tab=dragon&did=36104297]Neva[/url] stripped off the heavy robes of a healer in rapid, sharp movements, and fled through the barrier into the deep seas. She wasn't cut out for this, didn't want to do this anymore. The pale Spiral twisted and corkscrewed blindly through the waters, leaving the emergency hospital behind. She might’ve been young but she wasn't scared of wounds and blood and bits of bone. That was what healers saw, what they fixed. No, it was the ones coming back changed that scared her. Their flesh bubbled and twisted itself into gruesome configurations that no dragon should have to live through. But they did live...and they screamed. Oh, how they screamed. She'd answered the call when the Depths asked for healers and warriors, proud that she could bring honor to her family and clan back on the shores. But she had not been prepared for this; no one could prepare for cursed wounds like this. They couldn't even begin to treat the damage, let alone reverse the corruption. [/size][nextcol][img]https://i.imgur.com/PrjsbHn.png[/img][/columns] So many healers had collapsed, pouring every bit of energy they could into the bodies they tried to repair. In some cases, they couldn't even manage to stop the pain. And being asked to kill the poor, brave souls, twisted and tormented by the evil crawling up from the depths? Some of the older healers had considered that, whispering darkly amongst themselves. Neva could not believe they would even consider it, not while the poor dragons still fought against the changes in their bodies. If they could defeat the horror causing this, the curse could be lifted. This was the last hope any healer had, the one thing that might cure the afflicted ones. She could not let go of that hope, not even for the dark mercy the older healers wanted to offer. “You should not be out here alone, little healer.” Sound carried oddly underwater, distorting the words. But these were as crisp and clear as if she were back home, on the shore of her family's holding. Neva, coiled in an ever-shifting knot of anguish, peeked out at the words—the voice was comforting, gentle. The great [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=212703&tab=dragon&did=40105542]Guardian[/url] before her was one of the Tidelord's own. Her deep blue-black hide and eyes that appeared backlit by True Water proved that. Those eyes seemed to hold lifetimes of experience, more like an Imperial than any Guardian Neva had ever seen. They carried a compassion as deep and abiding as she had always believed the Tidelord’s would. “I can't go back. Please. Their screams—I can't.” Neva twisted back down into her own coils, hiding her face in shame and anguish. She'd rather be a failure, a disgrace, than face the hospital again. “You cannot stay down here either, Neva, daughter of the shores. He will find you if you do.” The Guardian gestured with one wing at the ocean; no, at the Fae struggling towards them! The eyeless Fae was thin, grotesquely so, with skeletal wings lit with colors that couldn’t—shouldn’t—exist. Not proud, Neva swiftly hid behind the great Guardian to avoid the warped dragon’s approach. “Please, what do I do? Do I...just go home?” “You could. You would not be the first. Nor the last.” The Guardian seems unconcerned with the twisted Fae approaching her, turning her head to regard Neva with something like amusement...and something like hope. “Or, you could be a messenger.” “A—messenger?” Neva's eyes kept darting to the Fae. It was still far enough away she could escape, probably, but it kept coming. “Yes. A messenger. We cannot hold here, not alone. Go to the other Flights, Neva. Tell them of what is down here. Send them to me, Nephthys, or to Lotan. Warriors and mages with magics and skills the Water does not know, cannot counter like our own.” “I...I can take messages. I’m a fast swimmer--and flyer.” The idea of escaping these deep, crushing depths enlivened her a little. “Please, let me be your messenger!” “Go then, with this message. Give it to those who will help us fight, so they can make their way to us. Fly swiftly, Neva of the Shores. And may our Tidelord watch over you, wherever he is.” Buoyed with purpose and unchained from horrors, Neva began her ascent. [center][color=transparent]N?????O?????H????E????L?????P?????S????A????V????E????M?????E[/color][/center]

GryffonJoi

3493

April 14, 2018 16:28:18

It was too much; the screams, the pain, the never-ending stream of wounded. Neva stripped off the heavy robes of a healer in rapid, sharp movements, and fled through the barrier into the deep seas. She wasn't cut out for this, didn't want to do this anymore. The pale Spiral twisted and corkscrewed blindly through the waters, leaving the emergency hospital behind.

She might’ve been young but she wasn't scared of wounds and blood and bits of bone. That was what healers saw, what they fixed. No, it was the ones coming back changed that scared her. Their flesh bubbled and twisted itself into gruesome configurations that no dragon should have to live through. But they did live...and they screamed. Oh, how they screamed.

She'd answered the call when the Depths asked for healers and warriors, proud that she could bring honor to her family and clan back on the shores. But she had not been prepared for this; no one could prepare for cursed wounds like this. They couldn't even begin to treat the damage, let alone reverse the corruption.

So many healers had collapsed, pouring every bit of energy they could into the bodies they tried to repair. In some cases, they couldn't even manage to stop the pain.

And being asked to kill the poor, brave souls, twisted and tormented by the evil crawling up from the depths? Some of the older healers had considered that, whispering darkly amongst themselves. Neva could not believe they would even consider it, not while the poor dragons still fought against the changes in their bodies. If they could defeat the horror causing this, the curse could be lifted. This was the last hope any healer had, the one thing that might cure the afflicted ones. She could not let go of that hope, not even for the dark mercy the older healers wanted to offer.

“You should not be out here alone, little healer.” Sound carried oddly underwater, distorting the words. But these were as crisp and clear as if she were back home, on the shore of her family's holding. Neva, coiled in an ever-shifting knot of anguish, peeked out at the words—the voice was comforting, gentle.

The great Guardian before her was one of the Tidelord's own. Her deep blue-black hide and eyes that appeared backlit by True Water proved that. Those eyes seemed to hold lifetimes of experience, more like an Imperial than any Guardian Neva had ever seen. They carried a compassion as deep and abiding as she had always believed the Tidelord’s would.

“I can't go back. Please. Their screams—I can't.” Neva twisted back down into her own coils, hiding her face in shame and anguish. She'd rather be a failure, a disgrace, than face the hospital again.

“You cannot stay down here either, Neva, daughter of the shores. He will find you if you do.” The Guardian gestured with one wing at the ocean; no, at the Fae struggling towards them! The eyeless Fae was thin, grotesquely so, with skeletal wings lit with colors that couldn’t—shouldn’t—exist.

Not proud, Neva swiftly hid behind the great Guardian to avoid the warped dragon’s approach. “Please, what do I do? Do I...just go home?”

“You could. You would not be the first. Nor the last.” The Guardian seems unconcerned with the twisted Fae approaching her, turning her head to regard Neva with something like amusement...and something like hope. “Or, you could be a messenger.”

“A—messenger?” Neva's eyes kept darting to the Fae. It was still far enough away she could escape, probably, but it kept coming.

“Yes. A messenger. We cannot hold here, not alone. Go to the other Flights, Neva. Tell them of what is down here. Send them to me, Nephthys, or to Lotan. Warriors and mages with magics and skills the Water does not know, cannot counter like our own.”

“I...I can take messages. I’m a fast swimmer--and flyer.” The idea of escaping these deep, crushing depths enlivened her a little. “Please, let me be your messenger!”

“Go then, with this message. Give it to those who will help us fight, so they can make their way to us. Fly swiftly, Neva of the Shores. And may our Tidelord watch over you, wherever he is.”

Buoyed with purpose and unchained from horrors, Neva began her ascent.

N?????O?????H????E????L?????P?????S????A????V????E????M?????E

Last edited on Apr 22, 2018 10:23:01 by GryffonJoi

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180413/6255588d5d1b652dd272a3a3d12ed190.png[/img][/center] ----- [columns][img]https://i.imgur.com/qaFy2du.png[/img][nextcol][size=4][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=326780&tab=dragon&did=29352962]Keahi[/url] gripped her cleaver tightly in her blood stained claws, grimacing at the next wave of horror that was approaching them. The Nocturne bared her teeth in a feral snarl, flaring her wings to draw attention away from the battered warriors behind her. The glimmering orange wings flashed in the darkness and a haunting, hungry cry came from the approaching beast. Glowing eyes turned themselves upon the Nocturne and her remaining warriors. Battle strategies ran through Keahi’s mind as she watched the abomination approach. She knew [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=212703&tab=dragon&did=34491922]Lotan[/url] was further away with his warriors but didn’t know where [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=44508&tab=dragon&did=38051464]Thorvaldr[/url] was after the most recent assault. They were the three commanders left to defend the Depths, the last defense.[/size][/columns] Inky darkness suddenly enveloped them, drawing Keahi from her thoughts. Her claws tightened on her cleaver and she pushed her hood back to get a better view. Dark voices whispered in the depths, their messages distorted and twisted beyond comprehension. A Wildclaw abomination appeared in the darkness, red eyes glowing and mouth oozing inky bile. It hissed at the Nocturne opposing it and then lunged forward, jagged rear claws coming up to slash at Keahi. As she moved to avoid the blow, an enormous tentacle crashed behind her, inches from her wing tips. An angry scream escaped the Nocturne’s mouth as she surveyed her opponent...or should that be opponents? Come, little Nocturne….it is your time. I am the Ocean and you will be crushed like a shell upon the shore. The voice was feral, alien and it caused Keahi to bare her teeth, shaking her spikes to get rid of the way the voice seemed to cling to her scales. Using the distraction, the Wildclaw lunged at Keahi again scoring a painful blow and leaving eldritch goo oozing from the wounds it inflicted. One low, pained hiss escaped Keahi before she had to move again. It was time to meet her fate, however it may end. She lunged forward again, attempting to attack the tentacle that kept her trapped and away from her fellow commanders. She could hear the screams of her warriors beyond the tentacle’s cage but they were fading rapidly to her dismay. Snarling, she dispatched the Wildclaw that was sneaking up on her so that she could focus on the tentacle. Wait, make that tentacles. She lunged out of the way as a second, impossibly large tentacle slammed down on her other side. The two tentacles gave her a narrow strip of sand to fight with, that was it. Suddenly, Thorvaldr and Lotan were in the tentacled cage with her, a few of their remaining warriors struggling to stand with them. The three commanders looked up, ignoring the inky tentacles that surrounded them on all sides. A bone white head appeared, the glowing eyes so malicious and alien to make even Keahi take a deep breath. Upon closer inspection, the head wasn’t just bone white...it was an actual skull. The glowing suction cups on the tentacles cast an eerie light to the scene. This is it, Keahi thought, a snarl curling her lips. She looked over at her fellow commanders: brave Lotan, who’s call she had originally answered, and the massive Thorvaldr, who was both gentle and terrifying when it was needed. Their eyes met and the resignation was clear in all, as was the determination. The abomination’s glowing eyes narrowed and the sharp, pointed skull drove forward from the impossible height. Tentacles lunged back to life, victory evident in their sharp movements. They reached for the small flight of dragons, terrible in their swiftness. Each dragon gripped their weapons or readied their claws, choosing a tentacle to focus on and ignoring the threat of head that was diving toward them. [font=Papyrus][size=5][b]“The Water Flight is dead and the Tidelord’s reign has long been at an end,”[/b][/size][/font] the terrible voice echoed around them as they fought their fate. [font=papyrus][size=5][b]“The Ocean is mine as it has always been. Be gone, pestilence.” [/b][/size][/font] Keahi felt the terror of one of the writhing tentacles close around her body, jarringly lifting her to the creature’s skull. She stared into the deep, glowing green of the eye she was facing, distantly noting that she was even smaller than the abomination’s pupil. As she bared her teeth in a snarl at her soon to be fate, she felt an odd, warm current caress her scales.

GryffonJoi

3493

April 14, 2018 16:28:27

Keahi gripped her cleaver tightly in her blood stained claws, grimacing at the next wave of horror that was approaching them. The Nocturne bared her teeth in a feral snarl, flaring her wings to draw attention away from the battered warriors behind her. The glimmering orange wings flashed in the darkness and a haunting, hungry cry came from the approaching beast.

Glowing eyes turned themselves upon the Nocturne and her remaining warriors. Battle strategies ran through Keahi’s mind as she watched the abomination approach. She knew Lotan was further away with his warriors but didn’t know where Thorvaldr was after the most recent assault. They were the three commanders left to defend the Depths, the last defense.

Inky darkness suddenly enveloped them, drawing Keahi from her thoughts. Her claws tightened on her cleaver and she pushed her hood back to get a better view. Dark voices whispered in the depths, their messages distorted and twisted beyond comprehension. A Wildclaw abomination appeared in the darkness, red eyes glowing and mouth oozing inky bile. It hissed at the Nocturne opposing it and then lunged forward, jagged rear claws coming up to slash at Keahi.

As she moved to avoid the blow, an enormous tentacle crashed behind her, inches from her wing tips. An angry scream escaped the Nocturne’s mouth as she surveyed her opponent...or should that be opponents? Come, little Nocturne….it is your time. I am the Ocean and you will be crushed like a shell upon the shore.
The voice was feral, alien and it caused Keahi to bare her teeth, shaking her spikes to get rid of the way the voice seemed to cling to her scales. Using the distraction, the Wildclaw lunged at Keahi again scoring a painful blow and leaving eldritch goo oozing from the wounds it inflicted.

One low, pained hiss escaped Keahi before she had to move again. It was time to meet her fate, however it may end. She lunged forward again, attempting to attack the tentacle that kept her trapped and away from her fellow commanders. She could hear the screams of her warriors beyond the tentacle’s cage but they were fading rapidly to her dismay. Snarling, she dispatched the Wildclaw that was sneaking up on her so that she could focus on the tentacle. Wait, make that tentacles.

She lunged out of the way as a second, impossibly large tentacle slammed down on her other side. The two tentacles gave her a narrow strip of sand to fight with, that was it. Suddenly, Thorvaldr and Lotan were in the tentacled cage with her, a few of their remaining warriors struggling to stand with them. The three commanders looked up, ignoring the inky tentacles that surrounded them on all sides. A bone white head appeared, the glowing eyes so malicious and alien to make even Keahi take a deep breath. Upon closer inspection, the head wasn’t just bone white...it was an actual skull. The glowing suction cups on the tentacles cast an eerie light to the scene. This is it, Keahi thought, a snarl curling her lips. She looked over at her fellow commanders: brave Lotan, who’s call she had originally answered, and the massive Thorvaldr, who was both gentle and terrifying when it was needed. Their eyes met and the resignation was clear in all, as was the determination.

The abomination’s glowing eyes narrowed and the sharp, pointed skull drove forward from the impossible height. Tentacles lunged back to life, victory evident in their sharp movements. They reached for the small flight of dragons, terrible in their swiftness. Each dragon gripped their weapons or readied their claws, choosing a tentacle to focus on and ignoring the threat of head that was diving toward them.

“The Water Flight is dead and the Tidelord’s reign has long been at an end,” the terrible voice echoed around them as they fought their fate. “The Ocean is mine as it has always been. Be gone, pestilence.”

Keahi felt the terror of one of the writhing tentacles close around her body, jarringly lifting her to the creature’s skull. She stared into the deep, glowing green of the eye she was facing, distantly noting that she was even smaller than the abomination’s pupil. As she bared her teeth in a snarl at her soon to be fate, she felt an odd, warm current caress her scales.

Last edited on Apr 22, 2018 10:23:23 by GryffonJoi

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180413/a8c86cefc43e0b5e94af0d4f5326049e.png[/img][/center] ----- [columns][img]https://i.imgur.com/oDfFQ2T.png[/img][nextcol][size=4][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=326780&tab=dragon&did=29352962]Keahi[/url], still trapped in Ygothag’s cruel tentacles, whipped her head to the side and saw [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=212703&tab=dragon&did=40105542]Nephthys[/url] standing on a broken rockface. The Seer’s mouth was curled in a vicious smile, her eyes on her mate and the [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=212703&tab=dragon&did=34491922]commander[/url] of the Depth’s Guardians, the Tidelord’s elite. Behind the Seer, hundreds--no thousands--of dragons roared out in fury. A myriad of colors dove through the sea toward the weary fighters. Magics of every shade flew forth from the oncoming army, slamming into the massive tentacle that held Keahi aloft.[/size] [/columns] As she fell from the monster’s grip, she watched the magics work. The bright pink of Arcane spells ate away at the suction cups; the bluish white of Ice froze the tentacles to the seafloor if only for a heartbeat. The deep bleeding red of Plague scored gashes along the creature and set off the fastest moving infections it could, while Shadow’s deep purple magics blended in with the inky darkness and then swallowed the remaining abominations that the creature had created to mess with the determined Water flight. Wind dragons circled almost tauntingly, creating cutting currents as they dove and twisted and whipping up maelstroms that distracted the creature’s eyes. Earth magic created a trench beneath the creature, sinking him below the attacking dragons as kelp ropes, enchanted by the fighting Nature dragons, yanked the tentacles flat to the floor. Fire scorched at any reaching tentacles, drawing underground volcanoes up through any cracks in the ocean floor and creating a hazy steam in the deep ocean. Light magics blinded the creature’ s deep-seeing eyes, yet strangely did no harm to the depths-adapted Water dragons still fighting. Lightning, oh Lightning, was obviously the most effective, as their magics and technologies charred the skull-like head of the eldritch horror nearly to ash. Keahi’s fall was stopped suddenly as a [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=212703&tab=dragon&did=36104297]Spiral[/url] wrapped around her and helped her to the seafloor. She met Neva’s eyes gratefully and turned back to watch their saviors fight the horror. Claws, teeth, and whatever weapons that they had were brought to bear against Ygothag. Determination was written in every precise movement as the elite fighters from each Flight combined attacks. Blinking in surprise, Keahi watched a young [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=40398894]Imperial[/url] streak towards the monster. His brilliant blue armor glittered in the depths, more dented than it was the last time she saw him. “Indra,” she breathed in relief. Neva turned to look at her inquisitively and Keahi offered a grimace. “The last time we heard from him was before any of this started...we feared him lost.” Keahi smiled to herself as the Imperial, newly invigorated and visibly determined, opened his maw and released a powerful torrent of scalding seawater at the beast’s horrible, glaring eye. Suddenly, there was a blinding flash, and Keahi ducked her head down to avoid the blast against her eyes. Lightning raced away from the claws of a deep blue [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&tab=dragon&id=167726&did=27546867]Guardian[/url] and an irradiated [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=345600&tab=dragon&did=40481164]Bogsneak[/url] in a labcoat just as a [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=77281&tab=dragon&did=33870416]Nocturne Light[/url] mage illuminated with fiery plumage blinded Ygothag . With a resounding crack, it struck true to the Guardian and Bogsneak’s aim. An almighty, shaking roar echoed through the Ocean and it was filled with pain. A clawed hand flew up and clutched at a now useless eye, a bone-aching snarl echoing from the invisible jaws. Anger and pain made the tentacles unsteady, their vicious movements now sloppy and imprecise. As more mages tried to find Ygothag’s weak points, they found him to be retreating. The abomination was moving back into the deep trench behind it, pulling its tentacles back in as close as they could go. Its green eyes glowed with a riveting hatred as it slipped away from their view, its voice echoing once more. [font=Papyrus][size=5][b]The Ocean is mine and I [i]will[/i] claim it. [/b][/size][/font] [center][color=transparent]HE IS ONLY THE WEAKEST. THE OTHERS.....TIDELORD PRESERVE US, THE OTHERS....[/color][/center]

GryffonJoi

3493

April 14, 2018 16:28:35

Keahi, still trapped in Ygothag’s cruel tentacles, whipped her head to the side and saw Nephthys standing on a broken rockface. The Seer’s mouth was curled in a vicious smile, her eyes on her mate and the commander of the Depth’s Guardians, the Tidelord’s elite. Behind the Seer, hundreds--no thousands--of dragons roared out in fury. A myriad of colors dove through the sea toward the weary fighters. Magics of every shade flew forth from the oncoming army, slamming into the massive tentacle that held Keahi aloft.

As she fell from the monster’s grip, she watched the magics work. The bright pink of Arcane spells ate away at the suction cups; the bluish white of Ice froze the tentacles to the seafloor if only for a heartbeat. The deep bleeding red of Plague scored gashes along the creature and set off the fastest moving infections it could, while Shadow’s deep purple magics blended in with the inky darkness and then swallowed the remaining abominations that the creature had created to mess with the determined Water flight.

Wind dragons circled almost tauntingly, creating cutting currents as they dove and twisted and whipping up maelstroms that distracted the creature’s eyes. Earth magic created a trench beneath the creature, sinking him below the attacking dragons as kelp ropes, enchanted by the fighting Nature dragons, yanked the tentacles flat to the floor. Fire scorched at any reaching tentacles, drawing underground volcanoes up through any cracks in the ocean floor and creating a hazy steam in the deep ocean. Light magics blinded the creature’ s deep-seeing eyes, yet strangely did no harm to the depths-adapted Water dragons still fighting. Lightning, oh Lightning, was obviously the most effective, as their magics and technologies charred the skull-like head of the eldritch horror nearly to ash.

Keahi’s fall was stopped suddenly as a Spiral wrapped around her and helped her to the seafloor. She met Neva’s eyes gratefully and turned back to watch their saviors fight the horror. Claws, teeth, and whatever weapons that they had were brought to bear against Ygothag. Determination was written in every precise movement as the elite fighters from each Flight combined attacks.

Blinking in surprise, Keahi watched a young Imperial streak towards the monster. His brilliant blue armor glittered in the depths, more dented than it was the last time she saw him. “Indra,” she breathed in relief. Neva turned to look at her inquisitively and Keahi offered a grimace. “The last time we heard from him was before any of this started...we feared him lost.” Keahi smiled to herself as the Imperial, newly invigorated and visibly determined, opened his maw and released a powerful torrent of scalding seawater at the beast’s horrible, glaring eye.

Suddenly, there was a blinding flash, and Keahi ducked her head down to avoid the blast against her eyes. Lightning raced away from the claws of a deep blue Guardian and an irradiated Bogsneak in a labcoat just as a Nocturne Light mage illuminated with fiery plumage blinded Ygothag . With a resounding crack, it struck true to the Guardian and Bogsneak’s aim. An almighty, shaking roar echoed through the Ocean and it was filled with pain. A clawed hand flew up and clutched at a now useless eye, a bone-aching snarl echoing from the invisible jaws. Anger and pain made the tentacles unsteady, their vicious movements now sloppy and imprecise.

As more mages tried to find Ygothag’s weak points, they found him to be retreating. The abomination was moving back into the deep trench behind it, pulling its tentacles back in as close as they could go. Its green eyes glowed with a riveting hatred as it slipped away from their view, its voice echoing once more.

The Ocean is mine and I will claim it.

HE IS ONLY THE WEAKEST. THE OTHERS.....TIDELORD PRESERVE US, THE OTHERS....

Last edited on Apr 22, 2018 10:24:26 by GryffonJoi

[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180413/6e1f983b9ac1e7d4ad1e95919fb8f86c.png[/img][/center] ----- [columns][size=4]The gathered dragons shook off the sound of the voice, turning their attention to the remaining Water dragons. Lotan’s eyes were proud and weary as he gazed at the thousands of gathered dragons from every Flight. His eyes briefly landed on a small cluster of Seers, who were huddled around a Pearlcatcher. Kelina’s eyes were wide and seemed to stare straight past Cassandra as the purple Pearlcatcher spoke to her in hushed tones. Kelina’s blue eyes were trained on the spot where Ygothag disappeared and there was a flicker of triumph in their depths. She blinked suddenly and then focused her distant gaze on Lotan with a small, shaky smile and a subtle nod of her head toward the ledge where Nephthys stood. Tucking his trident away, the elite Guardian climbed up to the rockface his mate was still standing on. He glanced at Nephthys once, reassuring, before facing the gathered Flights.[/size][nextcol][img]https://i.imgur.com/PrjsbHn.png[/img][/columns] Lotan's gaze fell upon the large Thorvaldyr, standing protectively next to Keahi and Neva; the Imperial’s icy wings were half-flared, circling the injured pair. The Nocturne was still wrapped up in the Spiral, clutching her wings to her wounded sides as she stared at her commander with slightly wild green eyes. Lotan attempted to clear his throat and instead a deep cough came forth. He turned his eyes to Nephthys, silently pleading for her words to ring forth. The Guardian smiled at her mate and then addressed the gathered Flights. “My friends,” Nephthys starts, her backlit eyes full of gratitude. “That’s what we are now. I appreciate that our call was answered more than you will ever know. Our Seers have seen this dark horror for years and it has now only come to fruition. Though our Flights and clans may not get along on our best days, you have all joined to help us defeat Ygothag.” The shocked cries that came at her putting his name to words were silenced when she turned her fierce eyes upon gathered dragons again. “Yes, that is his name, I will not let us live in fear of it. However he is but the first of our many enemies. Whether they stir from the deepest trenches of the Water Flight or crawl from the darkest shadows left behind by the fading Light or are frozen in time within the glaciers of Ice, they are coming.” She turned her gaze upon Lotan and then let it fall to his fellow commanders and all of her messengers. “Neva,” She murmured, a strange rolling power echoing through her voice, “You have done more than even I could see. I saw not hundreds, but thousands answered your call.” Nephthys flared her wings and let one settle across her mate’s scarred hide. “It is time we gather and take this victory for what it is!” She called out, her powerful voice rolling across the gathering and into the surrounding depths. “We will treat our wounded and mourn those who have passed, fighting for our ability to see the next sunrise. My friends, all of us are needed to continue this fight. If you are able to stay and help our cause, you will have our eternal gratitude. Summon your friends, your clans, even your enemies! Every dragon is needed to turn the tides against Ygothag and his horrors.” She turned away from the gathering, descending the rocky shelf she was standing upon. Lotan followed his mate and into the waiting claws of the healers that had slowly gathered as all signs of battle disappeared from the currents. Neva was already dragging Keahi and by extension, Thorvaldyr, to the waiting healers. All different Flights and clans gathered around the Seer and her clanmates, questions and concerns flowing from their lips. Almost as one, all eyes turned to the fading darkness of the Trench, determination glinting in the rainbow of colors. Lotan’s voice rang out through the hushed depths, “The Ocean is OURS, and it will always be.” [center][color=transparent]They do not know. The things that sleep in the dark hearts of their own territories....We will mourn for them.[/color][/center]

GryffonJoi