Quests & Challenges

[center][size=4][b][u]Wednesday - Alpine Skiing (Slalom)[/u][/b] [i]Elano[/i][/size] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=35857160] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/358572/35857160_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] The snowy-colored Guardian questioned his decision to participate in the Sornieth Winter Games this year for the hundredth time as he handed his registration paperwork to the staff. It was so [i]cold[/i]! Just because he looked like snow and ice didn't mean he enjoyed it! At least he was doing the slalom and not cross-country. And the [b]arctic[/b] weather would be good motivation for getting a super fast run - the sooner he was done, the sooner he could curl up next to a fire under a blanket!

[url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=40815311] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/408154/40815311_350.png[/img] [/url] [b]Cross-Country Skiing[/b] [i]cuz stubborn dergs are stubborn[/i] Psh, “don’t do cross-country skiing,” they’d said. “It’s too cold,” they’d said. Darwin was ready for this. He’d been born into the chilly arctic conditions of the Snowsquall Tundra. Sure, his parents were elemental reps for fire and nature, but he’d show the wind dragons of his clan that being born in the cold made you tough. “It’s n-n-not c-c-cold,” the little fae told himself as he strapped his skiis on. He’d wanted to participate in the cross-country ski event anyway. It was his favorite because it gave him a feeling of relaxing isolation and exploration. If he were being honest with himself though, he was desperate to prove himself worthy to stay in his clan. All but himself and one other dragon in his clan had been born to it, and that other dragon had quickly found a place for herself, while Darwin struggled to find his purpose – not that stubbornly trekking into the freezing wind helped him with that… but it made him feel better somehow… better and cold. “They’ll s-s-see. I b-b-belong. And when I’m d-d-done, I’ll have my p-p-pride… Pride and f-f-frost-b-b-bite.” And a very hot cup of tea, he thought to himself as he strode confidently into the wind. “I really aught to b-b-buy a scarf…”

[url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=9113952] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/91140/9113952_350.png[/img] [/url] Day 4: Cross-Country Skiing Serakin fastens her jacket, trying to ignore the arctic blast making the area's weather even less hospitable than usual. She's endured some pretty extreme conditions in her time, but even this is testing her body. Still, she'd signed up for this event, and Serakin will never let it be said that she wasn't a dragon of her word. She's been practicing for this event for weeks--a considerable effort in an area without consistent snow--and she doesn't intend to give up anytime soon!

[center]Speed Skating [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=31011959] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/310120/31011959_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] Bambi eyed the other competitors in contemplation as he neared the tracks. He wasn't afraid or hesitant, but he was attempting to pep talk himself into a competitive mood. [i]"I am fearless like a [b]wolf[/b], and unpredictable like the [b]night[/b]."[/i] The imperial told himself. [i]"I will remain concentrated and unfaltering in this race. I will secure victory!"[/i]

[center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=27096435] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/270965/27096435_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] It began as an obsession when juno was just a hatchling. Being the result of a [i]wegg[/i], the young wildclaw had few companions his own age, and certainly nobody that would play with him. For years, he retreated to a permanently frozen lake near the lair and invented games involving stones and ice. juno loved to polish the ice until it lay flat and gleaming, glistening with a certain kind of magic. It seemed natural that juno would pick up the sport of curling as he got older. Certainly he practiced off and on over the years, but chances to play actual matches had not come often and his skills are rusty and it shows. The night before, juno rounded up a few of the more team-oriented members of his clan, found some spare apparel that would work as a uniform (kelpie manes, why not?) and arrived at the event ready to have as much fun as possible.

@jbapple, @Deladria, @Undermom, @MusicandMagic, @foxghosts, @HedwigHufflepuff, @MoonlitCacti, @Thoroughbred, @Gravebloom, @theinsaneeraser, @Eyry, @Meyoline, @AchromaticSpark, @Venusian, @NlCKname (i is a lowercase L), @Leopardmask, @fosterson, @Xirei, @Skyeset, @Katsuokai, @Raiko, @DarkWolf133, @Hikaye, @Shougoney, @Irien, @LavenderAmethyst, @Cheshly, @Disillusionist, @Aquatic, @Adriel, @FelineFine, @AithneOnik, @NicoleEirin, @magpietellme, @Stanzascale, @Eialyne, @CowboyMouth, @Aradan, @Grahh, @Hanelli, @Sidegrinder, @LehLora, @Yuubi, @Infinity14, @threepigeons, @idlewildly, @Delcat, @KairinRose, @DraigTeg, @Shougoney, @brighteningskies, @felistopaz, @Dracowolf, @AthenaCorvus, @Scatterspark, @Feorin, @Crim, @tigressRising, @Canisa, @idlewildly, @RemanLT, @SocklessWonder, @alyblaith, @SilverQuark, @Asphoxia, @Lundlaeva, @TinnaMinor, @Eialyne, @MarinaQuakenbush, @MissMokushiroku, @JohnnieBoyo, @betty, @Stellatrix13 [center][size=5][b]Day Four Recap[/b][/size][/center] [columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=7165160][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/71652/7165160.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4] Welcome to the recap for day four of the Winter Games! Our competition hasn’t shown any signs of [i]cooling down[/i], as clans stay longer to participate in our record number of events.[/size] [/columns] [columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=8023219][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/80233/8023219.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4] The weather doesn’t seem to be affecting athletes too much, as our clan takes winter safety very seriously. Fortunately, there’s only been some minor frostbite and the usual sports-related injuries we see every year.[/size] [/columns] [columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=7165160][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/71652/7165160.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4] It’s time for anther PSA: please remember to submit your entry form for [b]each[/b] event that your clan joins! If you don’t see your name on the master participant list, posted at the main booth for the Winter Games, please see an attendant immediately and submit the proper paperwork.[/size] [/columns] [columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=8023219][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/80233/8023219.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4] Yes, that’s very, very important! And now we get to have some more prize-related fun! The winner selected for Wednesday’s word of the day, arctic, is @NicoleEirin. Enjoy your pack of winter gear and some treasure to spend at the souvenir booths. Today’s word is [b]night[/b] or [b]wolf[/b]. Use just one or both - either will give you a chance to win! [/size] [/columns] [columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=7165160][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/71652/7165160.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4] There’s still time to win in the other festival events as well! The [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2610935] Crystalline Coloring Contest[/url] is open to entries until the end of the Gala, and there’s some pretty nice badges and prizes over there. Want to be pretty as a peacock or sparkly as the night sky? You can if you win! Even if you don’t enter, I highly recommend checking out the amazing entries so far.[/size] [/columns] [columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=8023219][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/80233/8023219.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4] If you are looking at add a dragon or two to your clan, might we suggest @Flurries and the [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/baz/2465860]Black Ice Hatchery[/url]? There are some there right now looking to find a good home.[/size] [/columns] [columns] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=7165160][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/71652/7165160.png[/img][/url][nextcol][size=4] But now we need to head over to the ice arena for today’s curling matches - this year brings some new faces mixed with veterans, so it’s been interesting to try to predict the winner. Stay warm out there, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow! [/size] [/columns]

[url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=28432856] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/284329/28432856_350.png[/img] [/url] [b]Curling[/b] Ethera prepared for the first round of curling with her team and couldn't help but lament the fact that Coriolane, her fighting partner from the coliseum expeditions, wasn't with her this time. She went cross-country skiing like every year. That left Ethera as the team leader. But she was going to make the best of it and try to turn this into her clan's first medal. Some of her teammates were yawning; the evening was about to turn into night. Ethera glared a little and they looked away, flustered. Well, none of them were nocturnal and they had spent the entire day on the festival grounds, those idiots. Ethera hoped that it wouldn't compromise their aim...

[center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=278400][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/2785/278400_350.png[/img][/url][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=429353][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/4294/429353_350.png[/img][/url] [i]Figure Skating[/i][/center] The coach sighed at the two Mirrors' maladroit jumps. At least they were doing better that day. While it had been possible, with the assistance of some powerful Ice mages, to create temporary ski slopes to train for some of the events, the rest of the team travelled to the Southern Icefield for their training. Bontu had managed find a venue willing to offer space for training, from whom they were able to purchase equipment and engage the services of coaches. “Perhaps it would help if we thought about what sort of performance you'd like to give. It's an unfair question, but tell me, what made you choose figure-skating?” The Skydancer was fully aware that none of the visiting clan were athletes by career, and so knew not to expect any childhood-dream stories. “I heard about skaters telling stories with their dances.” Suna remarked. “I liked the idea! It could be an adventure!” “We enjoy trying new things as a team.” Bryn smiled. The coach nodded made a mental note. He could see a way to design something to suit the pair. “Alright. Let's give those jumps a few more tries.” Many practice sessions had passed since that day. Their coach proposed a version of a musical number, adapted for the ice. “Go Forth, Together” was the second song in its original production, from early on in the journey its leads would make over the theatrical production. At their coach's urging, the two had entered a couple of smaller contests to get used to figure skating before a crowd during the time leading up to the Winter Games. So it wasn't unlikely that someone watching during the Gala had seen the routine before, and would form their own opinion on how much the pair's performance had changed, whether for the better or worse. Regardless, far more saw the Winter Games than any other figure skating event in the year, it was what many competitors had been working towards. Each of the performances that had preceded that of Suna and Bryn were stunning in their own right. The duo intended to congratulate the others when they found a good opportunity. It wasn't hard to see how some may have a long-held passion for the costumes and ice-dances, or why some like themselves might decide to try it out for themselves. The previous pair, who wore magnificent wolf-like headdresses, bowed and left the ice. Suna and Bryn's turn had come, and they skated onto the ice. The two Mirrors took their starting positions, the announcer gave their names to the audience, and the first notes of “Go Forth, Together” sounded out as the performance began.

[center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=32639936] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/326400/32639936_350.png[/img] [/url] [b]Day 5 - LUGE[/b][/center] This year, the diminutive Tamamayu will be representing the Disillusionists. Last year's competitor, [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=26546969]Nebuchadnezzar[/url], has been coaching her, though in recent months he's begun wondering if she really needed it. She's been training day and night and is now incredibly quick and strong. [i]"Still, clobbering monsters in the wilderness is a really unorthodox way to prepare,"[/i] he thinks to himself. As the atheletes prepare, he leans over Tamamayu and reminds her for the umpteenth time, "Just breathe, OK? Relax and you'll be fine." Her answering grin is surprisingly wolf-like. "I'll be all right, Ambassador. I've been training hard!" Nebuchadnezzar's brow furrows. "That doesn't automatically equal success, you know." "Absolutely not," she agrees, "but then if it didn't, why bother having a competition in the first place?" "Huh, good point," he mutters. He steps back, and a few seconds later, the [i]GO![/i] signal is given. Tamamayu wraps her wings around herself and drops down the slope like a stone.

[center]Ski Jumping [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38101970] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/381020/38101970_350.png[/img] [/url] [/center] Omon was in love with space. It was only natural therefore to do participate in the ski jumping competition. The night was lit up with bright lights along his track. As he flew down the track, he took flight and seemed to shoot towards the moon. A wolf howled in the distance. Omon was having the time of his life.