[center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1997330#post_22977835][img]http://orig03.deviantart.net/b31a/f/2016/276/3/a/lightshield_divider3_by_starkindlerstudio-dajt6gi.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][font=garamond][size=7]The Slumbering Clan[/size]
[size=5]A (Slightly Modified) Pinkerlocke[/size]
[size=3]note: click on images for image sources[/size][/center]
[columns][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2614826][img]https://i.imgur.com/y0Qiufm.png[/img][/url][nextcol][font=garamond][size=5]
Five years ago, these caverns on the outskirts of the Hewn City were home to a large, nameless clan of misfits, founded by five outcast dragons seeking a place to belong. Their lives were carefree and relatively peaceful. Many of the residents thought the clan's prosperity would last forever.
The miasma descended upon the clan without warning.
At first, the unsuspecting dragons thought the "outbreaks," as the clan's head battlemage termed them, were isolated cases. The symptoms were subtle: fatigue, mild fever, gradual shortness of breath. Nothing that was of much concern until the first victim closed her eyes for the last time--and by then, it was far too late.
One by one, the dragons fell into deep, deep slumber, almost suspended in time. The ailing survivors brought the first victims deep into the caverns beneath the lair, turning their home into a catacomb. It was not long before the entire clan lay within the depths of the caverns, as still as death for years.
And then, one day, two young dragons awoke from their slumber...[/font][/size][/columns]
[center][url=https://msb-lair.tumblr.com/post/138956636979/and-more-flight-dividers][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/fd3576fe0f4e0566d346c1a86b482c70/tumblr_inline_o25fwfri1v1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][font=garamond][size=7]Table of Contents[/size][/font][/center]
[indent][indent][font=garamond][size=5]Introduction (You Are Here!)
[url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/1#post_39291502]The Rules[/url]
[url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/1#post_39291504]The Cast[/url]
[url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/1#post_39291511]The Graveyard[/url]
Days: [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/1#post_39291514]0[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/1#post_39310270]1[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/1#post_39331913]2[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/2#post_39350368]3[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/2#post_39366414]4[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/2#post_39380476]5[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/2#post_39430722]6[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/3#post_39447003]7[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/3#post_39463731]8[/url], [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2697855/3#post_39478167]9[/url][/indent][/indent]
The Slumbering Clan A (Slightly Modified) Pinkerlocke note: click on images for image sources
Five years ago, these caverns on the outskirts of the Hewn City were home to a large, nameless clan of misfits, founded by five outcast dragons seeking a place to belong. Their lives were carefree and relatively peaceful. Many of the residents thought the clan's prosperity would last forever.
The miasma descended upon the clan without warning.
At first, the unsuspecting dragons thought the "outbreaks," as the clan's head battlemage termed them, were isolated cases. The symptoms were subtle: fatigue, mild fever, gradual shortness of breath. Nothing that was of much concern until the first victim closed her eyes for the last time--and by then, it was far too late.
One by one, the dragons fell into deep, deep slumber, almost suspended in time. The ailing survivors brought the first victims deep into the caverns beneath the lair, turning their home into a catacomb. It was not long before the entire clan lay within the depths of the caverns, as still as death for years.
And then, one day, two young dragons awoke from their slumber...
[center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1997330#post_22977835][img]http://orig03.deviantart.net/b31a/f/2016/276/3/a/lightshield_divider3_by_starkindlerstudio-dajt6gi.png[/img][/url]
[font=garamond][size=7]The Rules[/size][/center]
This challenge will be based on the standard Pinkerlocke rules, which can be found [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/1904162/1]here.[/url] However, because I am a big baby, I am applying some modifications (marked with *).[/font]
[b][i]Basic rules:[/i][/b]
[indent][LIST][*]* If a dragon faints in the coliseum:
[LIST]
[*][b]If it is not on a Hibernal cooldown:[/b] The dragon falls into a deep slumber to recover its wounds. Hibernate the dragon for 15 days. If unable to hibernate due to being on a nest, place that dragon in a separate lair tab; it cannot participate in Pinkerlocke activities for 15 days.
[*][b]If it is on a Hibernal cooldown:[/b] The dragon is dead. Exalt.
[/LIST]
[*]All loot obtained in the coliseum is irrelevant, as is the loot obtained from gathering.
[*]There are no restrictions about applying apparel to your dragons. Do whatever makes sense to you. Same goes for familiars.
[*]All nuzlocke activity corresponds with the loot you obtain daily from Pinkerton's plundered pile.[/LIST]
[b][i]Optional sentimental rule:[/i][/b]
If a dragon reaches level 25 it "retires". It can join the ranks of your main lair.[/indent]
[b][i]Drops of Fate:[/i][/b]
[indent][b]Food:[/b] Coliseum time!
[center]
[b]Plants[/b]: 10-20 matches
[b]Insects[/b]: 20-30 matches
[b]Seafood[/b]: 30-40 matches
[b]Meat[/b]: 40-50 matches
[/center]
Choose from one of these two rules:
[i]Hardmode:[/i] You must select coliseum challengers in your lair using a random number generator. Then, select the coliseum arena that corresponds to the highest level dragon of that group [i](For a 'medium' mode, select the venue that is one tier down from that of highest level dragon)[/i]. If your dragons level up while in an area, you can still stay there for the whole day. You can quit your battle streak at any time to regen health, and flee from battles if it is appropriate. Don't try do 50 matches in a row unless you want a wiped-out dragon!
[i]OR[/i]
[i]Easymode:[/i] Choose whichever team and venue you want and go for it. Running from battles, using health pots, and ending the battle streak is fine, as I explained above.
[u]Materials and trinkets[/u]: Materials and trinkets: Flex your creative muscles!
Note that there is currently a glitch in which Pinkerton mislabels materials as trinkets. If you obtain a "trinket" from Pinkerton, double check to make sure its not actually a material!
Materials: Do some writing for your nuzlocke. How does your new nuzlocke clan change and develop? What are your dragons like personality-wise? How do they get along? How do they die? Is there an antagonist in this nuzlocke, or are they merely struggling against the forces of nature? Write dragon bios! Make a blog, or a thread for your challenge in the creative forums! Write short stories or paragraphs, or add to one big one adventure!
Trinkets: Do some art for your nuzlocke! Digital or traditional, use whatever medium feels best for you. Draw deaths. Draw dragons. Draw humanized versions of your dragons (if that's your sort of thing). Draw familiars and dragons together. It doesn't have to be that good or elaborate. If you make a nuzlocke thread, post your art there.
Obviously, you might not have time in your day to do something creative. If that's the case, don't worry about it. This challenge is meant to be fun and heartwrenching, not a chore.
[u]Rare drops[/u]: Wildcards
[b]Familiars[/b]: * Generate a number between 1 and 20.
[LIST][*][b]Result is 20:[/b] Choose a non-Locke dragon from the Hibernal den to join the Locke.
[*][b]Result is 19 or lower:[/b] Buy the cheapest dragon in the auction house of a specific breed. Use a random number generator (between 1-14) to determine which breed you will get! (Optionally: attach the familiar to the new dragon.)
[LIST=1][*]Fae
[*] Guardian
[*] Mirror
[*] Pearlcatcher
[*] Ridgeback
[*] Tundra
[*] Spiral
[*] Imperial
[*] Snapper
[*] Wildclaw
[*] Nocturne
[*] Coatl
[*] Skydancer
[*] Bogsneak
[*] * Gaoler[/list][/list]
[b]Apparel[/b]: Breed two of your dragons. The dragons you pick are up to you. You can also change one of the genes on a dragon, or use a scatterscroll if you are rich and crazy.
Note: You must flip a coin for each hatchling once they hatch. If tails, the dragon is dead and you must exalt it. This is in keeping with the origional Nuzlocke thread's rule, because I really like it.
* MODIFICATION: If a dragon is born with special eyes (indicated by icon), they are guaranteed to survive to adulthood. After that, regular Nuzlocke rules apply.
[b]Battle items[/b]: Uh-oh!!!
Flip a coin.
Heads = DEATH STREAK
Tails = Nothing happens
DEATH STREAK rules: Randomly select three dragons using a random number generator. Fight in the coliseum using the "food" rules 10 rounds consecutively (ie. you cannot leave that arena), quitting midway if a dragon dies. If you are using the easymode rules, switch to the hardmode rules for battlestones.
[s](Note that the 'death streak' needs to be tested for deadliness. It should be pretty deadly, but not totally impossible.)[/s] After testing, it seemed to work as intended! Survival depends on your willingness to be both lucky and cautious.
[b][i]Starting out[/i][/b]:
Using the method I detailed in the "familiar" possibility above, obtain a small number of dragons (I suggest 2 or 3). If they already have names, keep the name! If not, name them whatever you like. The challenge starts once all of the dragons, if they are hatchlings, grow into adulthood.
Alternatively, choose 2-3 existing dragons in your lair to participate. This has certain advantages (eliminates the need to wait for maturity and breeding cooldowns) but also some disadvantages (less random=less exciting).
You may want to "partition" your nuzlocke dragons away from your regular dragons so you don't get them mixed up.[/indent]
[b][i]Losing[/i][/b]:
[indent]If your dragon count falls to zero you have a few options
1. Declare the challenge a "loss" and give up
2. Wait for Pinkerton to drop a familiar
3. Just say "welp" and buy another dragon from the AH without waiting for Pinkerton because you lack patience.[/indent]
This challenge will be based on the standard Pinkerlocke rules, which can be found here. However, because I am a big baby, I am applying some modifications (marked with *).
Basic rules:
* If a dragon faints in the coliseum:
If it is not on a Hibernal cooldown: The dragon falls into a deep slumber to recover its wounds. Hibernate the dragon for 15 days. If unable to hibernate due to being on a nest, place that dragon in a separate lair tab; it cannot participate in Pinkerlocke activities for 15 days.
If it is on a Hibernal cooldown: The dragon is dead. Exalt.
All loot obtained in the coliseum is irrelevant, as is the loot obtained from gathering.
There are no restrictions about applying apparel to your dragons. Do whatever makes sense to you. Same goes for familiars.
All nuzlocke activity corresponds with the loot you obtain daily from Pinkerton's plundered pile.
Optional sentimental rule:
If a dragon reaches level 25 it "retires". It can join the ranks of your main lair.
Hardmode: You must select coliseum challengers in your lair using a random number generator. Then, select the coliseum arena that corresponds to the highest level dragon of that group (For a 'medium' mode, select the venue that is one tier down from that of highest level dragon). If your dragons level up while in an area, you can still stay there for the whole day. You can quit your battle streak at any time to regen health, and flee from battles if it is appropriate. Don't try do 50 matches in a row unless you want a wiped-out dragon!
OR
Easymode: Choose whichever team and venue you want and go for it. Running from battles, using health pots, and ending the battle streak is fine, as I explained above.
Materials and trinkets: Materials and trinkets: Flex your creative muscles!
Note that there is currently a glitch in which Pinkerton mislabels materials as trinkets. If you obtain a "trinket" from Pinkerton, double check to make sure its not actually a material!
Materials: Do some writing for your nuzlocke. How does your new nuzlocke clan change and develop? What are your dragons like personality-wise? How do they get along? How do they die? Is there an antagonist in this nuzlocke, or are they merely struggling against the forces of nature? Write dragon bios! Make a blog, or a thread for your challenge in the creative forums! Write short stories or paragraphs, or add to one big one adventure!
Trinkets: Do some art for your nuzlocke! Digital or traditional, use whatever medium feels best for you. Draw deaths. Draw dragons. Draw humanized versions of your dragons (if that's your sort of thing). Draw familiars and dragons together. It doesn't have to be that good or elaborate. If you make a nuzlocke thread, post your art there.
Obviously, you might not have time in your day to do something creative. If that's the case, don't worry about it. This challenge is meant to be fun and heartwrenching, not a chore.
Rare drops: Wildcards
Familiars: * Generate a number between 1 and 20.
Result is 20: Choose a non-Locke dragon from the Hibernal den to join the Locke.
Result is 19 or lower: Buy the cheapest dragon in the auction house of a specific breed. Use a random number generator (between 1-14) to determine which breed you will get! (Optionally: attach the familiar to the new dragon.)
Fae
Guardian
Mirror
Pearlcatcher
Ridgeback
Tundra
Spiral
Imperial
Snapper
Wildclaw
Nocturne
Coatl
Skydancer
Bogsneak
* Gaoler
Apparel: Breed two of your dragons. The dragons you pick are up to you. You can also change one of the genes on a dragon, or use a scatterscroll if you are rich and crazy.
Note: You must flip a coin for each hatchling once they hatch. If tails, the dragon is dead and you must exalt it. This is in keeping with the origional Nuzlocke thread's rule, because I really like it.
* MODIFICATION: If a dragon is born with special eyes (indicated by icon), they are guaranteed to survive to adulthood. After that, regular Nuzlocke rules apply.
Battle items: Uh-oh!!!
Flip a coin.
Heads = DEATH STREAK
Tails = Nothing happens
DEATH STREAK rules: Randomly select three dragons using a random number generator. Fight in the coliseum using the "food" rules 10 rounds consecutively (ie. you cannot leave that arena), quitting midway if a dragon dies. If you are using the easymode rules, switch to the hardmode rules for battlestones.
(Note that the 'death streak' needs to be tested for deadliness. It should be pretty deadly, but not totally impossible.) After testing, it seemed to work as intended! Survival depends on your willingness to be both lucky and cautious.
Starting out:
Using the method I detailed in the "familiar" possibility above, obtain a small number of dragons (I suggest 2 or 3). If they already have names, keep the name! If not, name them whatever you like. The challenge starts once all of the dragons, if they are hatchlings, grow into adulthood.
Alternatively, choose 2-3 existing dragons in your lair to participate. This has certain advantages (eliminates the need to wait for maturity and breeding cooldowns) but also some disadvantages (less random=less exciting).
You may want to "partition" your nuzlocke dragons away from your regular dragons so you don't get them mixed up.
Losing:
If your dragon count falls to zero you have a few options
1. Declare the challenge a "loss" and give up
2. Wait for Pinkerton to drop a familiar
3. Just say "welp" and buy another dragon from the AH without waiting for Pinkerton because you lack patience.
[center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1997330#post_22977835][img]http://orig03.deviantart.net/b31a/f/2016/276/3/a/lightshield_divider3_by_starkindlerstudio-dajt6gi.png[/img][/url]
[font=garamond][size=7]The Cast[/size][/center]
[columns][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49994764][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/499948/49994764.png[/img][/url][nextcol][font=garamond][size=5]Light - Level 6 - Warrior[/size]
[size=4][b]Joined:[/b] Day 0
[b]Status:[/b][/font] [font=consolas][spoiler]ALIVE[/spoiler][/font][nextcol][right][font=garamond][size=6][b][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49994764]Cecille[/url][/b][/size][/font]
[font=garamond][size=6][i]"Innocence of Youth"[/i][/size][/font][/right][/columns]
[indent][font=garamond][size=5]The youngest surviving daughter of the original clan leaders. While she can hunt and fight as well as any Mirror, she's sweet at her core and curious about the world around her. She tries hard to follow in her mother's footsteps in leading this ramshackle group to prosperity, but her inexperience and naivete could be her downfall.[/font][/size][/indent]
[columns][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49397056][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/493971/49397056.png[/img][/url][nextcol][font=garamond][size=5]Arcane - Level 6 - Mage[/size]
[size=4][b]Joined:[/b] Day 0
[b]Status:[/b][/font] [font=consolas][spoiler]ALIVE[/spoiler][/font][nextcol][right][font=garamond][size=6][b][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49397056]Sorbet[/url][/b][/size]
[font=garamond][size=6][i]"The Two-Bit Sorcerer"[/i][/size][/font][/right][/columns]
[indent][font=garamond][size=5]An ambassador from an allied Arcane lair who had initially succumbed to the miasma during a routine diplomatic mission. He's a nervous fellow who hates taking any sort of risk. Would rather be anywhere else but here, but his magical ability, while middling for an Arcane dragon, currently makes him indispensable to his unlikely allies.[/font][/size][/indent]
[columns][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=51600198][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/516002/51600198.png[/img][/url][nextcol][font=garamond][size=5]Plague - Level 6 - Warrior[/size]
[size=4][b]Joined:[/b] Day 0
[b]Status:[/b][/font] [font=consolas][spoiler]HIBRN[/spoiler][/font][nextcol][right][font=garamond][size=6][b][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=51600198]???[/url][/b][/size]
[font=garamond][size=6][i]"Who even is this guy?"[/i][/size][/font][/right][/columns]
[indent][font=garamond][size=5]A less-than-handsome Ridgeback wanderer who refuses to give his name. Claims to hail from the Highland Scrub to the south. Also claims to be a famous bounty hunter, a seasoned warrior, and a great chef. None of these claims are true. Had been trying to "borrow" supplies from the deserted lair when his companions first woke up.[/font][/size][/indent]
[columns][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=52412569][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/524126/52412569.png[/img][/url][nextcol][font=garamond][size=5]Lightning - Level 6 - Mage[/size]
[size=4][b]Joined:[/b] Day 4
[b]Status:[/b][/font] [font=consolas][spoiler]ALIVE[/spoiler][/font][nextcol][right][font=garamond][size=6][b][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=52412569]Strius[/url][/b][/size][/font]
[font=garamond][size=6][i]"Cheerful Realist"[/i][/size][/font][/right][/columns]
[indent][font=garamond][size=5]A young Pearlcatcher who left his previous clan due to "irreconcilable differences," and was saved from a pit trap by Sorbet. He has demonstrated a remarkable gift for elemental magic, but it's his down-to-earth and earnest nature that could prove more invaluable to his clanmates.[/font][/size][/indent]
The youngest surviving daughter of the original clan leaders. While she can hunt and fight as well as any Mirror, she's sweet at her core and curious about the world around her. She tries hard to follow in her mother's footsteps in leading this ramshackle group to prosperity, but her inexperience and naivete could be her downfall.
Arcane - Level 6 - Mage Joined: Day 0 Status:ALIVE
An ambassador from an allied Arcane lair who had initially succumbed to the miasma during a routine diplomatic mission. He's a nervous fellow who hates taking any sort of risk. Would rather be anywhere else but here, but his magical ability, while middling for an Arcane dragon, currently makes him indispensable to his unlikely allies.
Plague - Level 6 - Warrior Joined: Day 0 Status:HIBRN
A less-than-handsome Ridgeback wanderer who refuses to give his name. Claims to hail from the Highland Scrub to the south. Also claims to be a famous bounty hunter, a seasoned warrior, and a great chef. None of these claims are true. Had been trying to "borrow" supplies from the deserted lair when his companions first woke up.
Lightning - Level 6 - Mage Joined: Day 4 Status:ALIVE
A young Pearlcatcher who left his previous clan due to "irreconcilable differences," and was saved from a pit trap by Sorbet. He has demonstrated a remarkable gift for elemental magic, but it's his down-to-earth and earnest nature that could prove more invaluable to his clanmates.
[center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1997330#post_22977835][img]http://orig03.deviantart.net/b31a/f/2016/276/3/a/lightshield_divider3_by_starkindlerstudio-dajt6gi.png[/img][/url]
[font=garamond][size=7]Day 0: Prologue[/size][/center]
[center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49994764]
[img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/499948/49994764_350.png[/img]
[/url][/center]
[font=garamond][size=5]Cecille opened her four eyes in absolute darkness. Her head swam with confused thoughts and terrifying memories of nightmares. Silence overwhelmed her ears. She lay still, trying to allow her amber eyes to adjust to the lack of light.
"H-hello? Mother? Father?" she called out. Her voice was hoarse, her legs weak and unsteady as she rose from the floor of the cavern. At first, she thought perhaps she was still trapped in some nightmare. Something was off, but she couldn't put a claw on what it could be. Had she overslept, or had she not slept enough? Was she still dreaming? Ill?
As she shuffled onto her feet, she felt her foot step on soft, scaly flesh. "Oh! Oh, I'm sorry," she whispered to whatever clanmate upon whom she had tread. There was no answer--and no sound at all.
They're not breathing, she realized.
[center][url=https://msb-lair.tumblr.com/post/138956636979/and-more-flight-dividers][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/fd3576fe0f4e0566d346c1a86b482c70/tumblr_inline_o25fwfri1v1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=49397056]
[img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/493971/49397056_350.png[/img]
[/url][/center]
[font=garamond][size=5]Sorbet had finally, [i]finally[/i] managed to cast a novice illumination spell when he heard the panicked shriek of a Mirror coming from farther into the caverns. The pastel Nocturne had only just himself awoken in this quiet cave but an hour ago, his memories of how he got there blurred and jumbled. The cry set his scales on edge, especially as his eyes finally adjusted to the illumination his spell provided and he finally understood where he was.
He was surrounded by the bodies of dozens of dragons, laid out upon the floor haphazardly as if buried in these makeshift catacombs in haste.
"By the Arcanist!" he sputtered. How long had he been down here? Were these dragons dead?
Was he supposed to be dead, too?
The sound of the shriek returned, as did Sorbet's senses. He considered the circumstances. If he had just woken up, then it was likely that the shrieking Mirror had, as well. Regardless of whatever circumstances they were in, there was safety in numbers. Besides, he thought he could recognize the voice.
Hesitantly, he called out to the panicked voice. "Hey! Over here, quickly! Come to the light!"
[center][url=https://msb-lair.tumblr.com/post/138956636979/and-more-flight-dividers][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/fd3576fe0f4e0566d346c1a86b482c70/tumblr_inline_o25fwfri1v1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=51600198] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/516002/51600198_350.png[/img][/url][/center]
[font=garamond][size=5]The Ridgeback stood at the mouth of the cave, staring into what felt like an abyss. By the marks on the cave's entrance and the dry, stale scent of the air, he knew that this must be it: the so-called Cursed Lair, the long-abandoned home of a dead clan, full of riches and resources ripe for the taking.
And here he was, hesitating to take his first step.
[i]"There's no danger here,"[/i] he thought to himself. [i]"I've done all the necessary preparations. There's no way that any of that 'miasma' is going to get to me, and there's no way anything alive's in there to get me."[/i] He adjusted the straps of his plague mask. [i]"Just walk in, grab the loot, and get out. That's all I need to do."[/i]
Still, he hesitated. There was always a chance, however slight, that things could go south, and fast. And, despite everything, he wasn't ready to die just yet--not in some lonely hole in the ground. But without these supplies, he'd--
His train of thought was interrupted by a slight movement the Ridgeback detected at the back of the cave. He shifted into a battle-ready stance, his bladed tail raised and ready to strike. "Who goes there?" he called out in a booming voice.
The response he got surprised him: "Help! Help, please!"
[center][url=https://msb-lair.tumblr.com/post/138956636979/and-more-flight-dividers][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/fd3576fe0f4e0566d346c1a86b482c70/tumblr_inline_o25fwfri1v1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/url][/center]
[font=garamond][size=5]"So, let me get this straight: You two were the original inhabitants of this clan?"
The Ridgeback shifted his gaze between the subdued dragons before him. The Mirror nodded without hesitation, while the Nocturne more hesitantly mumbled, "Was more of a visitor, really." As if the slight distinction really mattered in these circumstances.
The Ridgeback shook his head. "Okay, sure. And you're saying you just... woke up, down there in the depths."
"That [i]is[/i] the long and short of it, yes," the Nocturne said. "I'm not sure how or why, but it seems that we fought off whatever illness it was that took over this lair."
"How long has it been?" the Mirror asked, looking up to the masked dragon. "Since... since my clan was wiped out."
"Oh, not that long, really," he replied. "The locals say something like... five years, give or take."
"FIVE YEARS?!" the Nocturne cried. "Oh, oh no. My clan must think I'm dead by now. I... I have to go to them!" He stumbled to his feet, spreading his wings for a hasty take-off.
"Sorbet! Sorbet, wait, you can't go!" The Mirror shot up and leaped in front of the pastel Nocturne as if to stop him. "I--we need you here!"
([i]"We?"[/i] thought the Ridgeback skeptically. [i]"I hope she's not including me in this drama...."[/i])
Sorbet sighed. "I'm sorry, Cecille. I know how difficult this must be for you. But you have to understand, my clan needs me, too. I have to let them know what has happened here. If you come with me, they can send reinforcements to--"
"What if it's contagious?!" the Mirror blurted.
A sudden silence loomed as all three of the dragons considered the implications.
"Sorbet, you can't risk infecting your home clan with whatever brought my family's clan down like this," Cecille said. As she spoke, a certain confidence entered her voice. She straightened her posture. "Until we find out more about this sickness, we both have to stay here. Do you understand?"
The Nocturne, frozen throughout her speech, exhaled sharply as he folded his wings. "...I understand," he said quietly.
Next, Cecille turned to the Ridgeback. He felt the need to straighten his posture. "As for you, sir... I didn't catch your name."
"I didn't give it," he said. "And I don't intend to. Call me what you want."
The Mirror nodded. "Of course. Will you be staying here with us?"
"What?!" The Ridgeback burst into laughter. "What kind of question is that?"
Cecille paused, flustered by the strange dragon's response. "Well, I figured you might be a wanderer in need of a new clan. These [i]are[/i] still my family's lands, and we have a tradition of at least being accommodating to dragons in need. Forgive me for being presumptuous, I guess," she apologized with a meek smile.
Despite himself, the Ridgeback shook his head. "It's... fine. I do have a clan I should be getting back to, y'know, eventually. But, I [i]guess[/i] I can stick around, if you're in need of a skilled warrior such as myself."
Both the Mirror and the Nocturne gave him skeptical looks.
"...I can also cook!"
Cecille opened her four eyes in absolute darkness. Her head swam with confused thoughts and terrifying memories of nightmares. Silence overwhelmed her ears. She lay still, trying to allow her amber eyes to adjust to the lack of light.
"H-hello? Mother? Father?" she called out. Her voice was hoarse, her legs weak and unsteady as she rose from the floor of the cavern. At first, she thought perhaps she was still trapped in some nightmare. Something was off, but she couldn't put a claw on what it could be. Had she overslept, or had she not slept enough? Was she still dreaming? Ill?
As she shuffled onto her feet, she felt her foot step on soft, scaly flesh. "Oh! Oh, I'm sorry," she whispered to whatever clanmate upon whom she had tread. There was no answer--and no sound at all.
They're not breathing, she realized.
Sorbet had finally, finally managed to cast a novice illumination spell when he heard the panicked shriek of a Mirror coming from farther into the caverns. The pastel Nocturne had only just himself awoken in this quiet cave but an hour ago, his memories of how he got there blurred and jumbled. The cry set his scales on edge, especially as his eyes finally adjusted to the illumination his spell provided and he finally understood where he was.
He was surrounded by the bodies of dozens of dragons, laid out upon the floor haphazardly as if buried in these makeshift catacombs in haste.
"By the Arcanist!" he sputtered. How long had he been down here? Were these dragons dead?
Was he supposed to be dead, too?
The sound of the shriek returned, as did Sorbet's senses. He considered the circumstances. If he had just woken up, then it was likely that the shrieking Mirror had, as well. Regardless of whatever circumstances they were in, there was safety in numbers. Besides, he thought he could recognize the voice.
Hesitantly, he called out to the panicked voice. "Hey! Over here, quickly! Come to the light!"
The Ridgeback stood at the mouth of the cave, staring into what felt like an abyss. By the marks on the cave's entrance and the dry, stale scent of the air, he knew that this must be it: the so-called Cursed Lair, the long-abandoned home of a dead clan, full of riches and resources ripe for the taking.
And here he was, hesitating to take his first step.
"There's no danger here," he thought to himself. "I've done all the necessary preparations. There's no way that any of that 'miasma' is going to get to me, and there's no way anything alive's in there to get me." He adjusted the straps of his plague mask. "Just walk in, grab the loot, and get out. That's all I need to do."
Still, he hesitated. There was always a chance, however slight, that things could go south, and fast. And, despite everything, he wasn't ready to die just yet--not in some lonely hole in the ground. But without these supplies, he'd--
His train of thought was interrupted by a slight movement the Ridgeback detected at the back of the cave. He shifted into a battle-ready stance, his bladed tail raised and ready to strike. "Who goes there?" he called out in a booming voice.
The response he got surprised him: "Help! Help, please!"
"So, let me get this straight: You two were the original inhabitants of this clan?"
The Ridgeback shifted his gaze between the subdued dragons before him. The Mirror nodded without hesitation, while the Nocturne more hesitantly mumbled, "Was more of a visitor, really." As if the slight distinction really mattered in these circumstances.
The Ridgeback shook his head. "Okay, sure. And you're saying you just... woke up, down there in the depths."
"That is the long and short of it, yes," the Nocturne said. "I'm not sure how or why, but it seems that we fought off whatever illness it was that took over this lair."
"How long has it been?" the Mirror asked, looking up to the masked dragon. "Since... since my clan was wiped out."
"Oh, not that long, really," he replied. "The locals say something like... five years, give or take."
"FIVE YEARS?!" the Nocturne cried. "Oh, oh no. My clan must think I'm dead by now. I... I have to go to them!" He stumbled to his feet, spreading his wings for a hasty take-off.
"Sorbet! Sorbet, wait, you can't go!" The Mirror shot up and leaped in front of the pastel Nocturne as if to stop him. "I--we need you here!"
("We?" thought the Ridgeback skeptically. "I hope she's not including me in this drama....")
Sorbet sighed. "I'm sorry, Cecille. I know how difficult this must be for you. But you have to understand, my clan needs me, too. I have to let them know what has happened here. If you come with me, they can send reinforcements to--"
"What if it's contagious?!" the Mirror blurted.
A sudden silence loomed as all three of the dragons considered the implications.
"Sorbet, you can't risk infecting your home clan with whatever brought my family's clan down like this," Cecille said. As she spoke, a certain confidence entered her voice. She straightened her posture. "Until we find out more about this sickness, we both have to stay here. Do you understand?"
The Nocturne, frozen throughout her speech, exhaled sharply as he folded his wings. "...I understand," he said quietly.
Next, Cecille turned to the Ridgeback. He felt the need to straighten his posture. "As for you, sir... I didn't catch your name."
"I didn't give it," he said. "And I don't intend to. Call me what you want."
The Mirror nodded. "Of course. Will you be staying here with us?"
"What?!" The Ridgeback burst into laughter. "What kind of question is that?"
Cecille paused, flustered by the strange dragon's response. "Well, I figured you might be a wanderer in need of a new clan. These are still my family's lands, and we have a tradition of at least being accommodating to dragons in need. Forgive me for being presumptuous, I guess," she apologized with a meek smile.
Despite himself, the Ridgeback shook his head. "It's... fine. I do have a clan I should be getting back to, y'know, eventually. But, I guess I can stick around, if you're in need of a skilled warrior such as myself."
Both the Mirror and the Nocturne gave him skeptical looks.
"...I can also cook!"
[center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1997330#post_22977835][img]http://orig03.deviantart.net/b31a/f/2016/276/3/a/lightshield_divider3_by_starkindlerstudio-dajt6gi.png[/img][/url]
[font=garamond][size=7]Day 1[/size][/center]
[center][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/493971/49397056.png[/img][/center]
[font=garamond][size=5]"And--[i]lumen![/i]"
With a flourish of his wrist, a small orb of light appeared in Sorbet's claw, flickering like a candle.
"Thank Arcanist! I thought I was losing my touch," Sorbet said to himself. He crushed the light in his claw, causing the magic to disburse into the air. "Just a few more days of practice, and I'll be back to flawless spell-slinging."
He glided gently down from the perch he had made in a oak tree near the band's camp at the mouth of the old cave. While his magic might be more easily recovered, the muscles in his wings were quite atrophied--he never would have made it back to Arcane territories even if Cecille had allowed him to leave.
Cecille was certainly convincing, he'd give her that. He remembered when they first met all those years ago, on his first diplomatic mission to her clan. She had been young and full of smiles, beaming at him as she stood next to her parents as they performed their formal greetings for him.
There were worse fates, he supposed, than being exiled here with someone like her. If only they could both go back to his clan, and leave this horrible place behind... but if they really were contagious, then there really was no choice for them.
When he arrived at camp, he found himself all alone. The sun was beginning to set, coating the clearing in a beautiful yellow haze. He felt a warm wind blowing across his scales. Even from the edge of the clearing, he could see their makeshift shelters were unused by either Cecille or their Ridgeback acquaintance.
The Nocturne frowned. Neither of his two companions had mentioned any plans of expeditions. [i]"Where did they go?"[/i] Sorbet wondered. [i]"Could they have gone into the cave?"[/i]
Of course, all three had sworn the cave to be off-limits after he and Cecille had removed all valuable supplies from the ruined lair. No one wanted to risk falling ill with the slumbering sickness. But that Ridgeback, Sorbet knew, was an idiot. Perhaps he thought they were hiding something more from him and ventured into the caverns again, and Cecille, sweet as she was, ran off after him. Maybe they were both gone.
Sorbet felt his heart rate spike as he started to panic. Oh gods, that would mean he'd be all alone out here. He couldn't fly and could barely cast the simplest cantrips--how would he protect himself?! He didn't want to die out here, alone.
"Sorbet!" called the familiar voice of Cecille. It was coming from the opposite direction of the cavern's mouth, eliciting a sigh of intense relief from the Nocturne. "Sorbet, where are you?"
"I'm right here," he called back.
Out from the brambles of the woods emerged a flustered Cecille. "Sorbet, there you are. Will you come with me, please?" she asked breathlessly.
"Oh, of course! Is there something the matter, Cecille? Are you feeling okay?"
"Never better!" was her earnest response. "Now, hurry! Follow me!"
The Nocturne wasn't sure what all the fuss was about, but there was no point in arguing with the Mirror: he followed her footsteps through the bramble. He wasn't quite as fast as his friend, but it wasn't long before they reached their destination.
"Sorbet, look!"
Nestled between the roots of the trunk of a tree was a nest of light eggs, radiating a light more pure than any light spell he would ever be able to cast.
Sorbet looked to the Mirror with confusion, a pit forming in his stomach. "Whose are these?"
Cecille laughed nervously, averting her gaze. "Well... their mine, Sorbet. And our friend's, of course. Isn't it wonderful?"
He sighed. From where he was standing, that was just going to be another five mouths to feed, likely with no help from that good-for-nothing Ridgeback. Their little band were just starting out--things were only going to get harder from here, and... Cecille was looking at him with [i]those[/i] eyes, the same cheerful, the same [i]hopeful[/i] eyes she had when they met all those years ago, searching his face for any semblance of validation.
"Yeah," he said, "it is."
[center][img]http://flightrising.com/images/nests/8/5healthy_0dead.png[/img][/center]
[center][url=https://msb-lair.tumblr.com/post/138956636979/and-more-flight-dividers][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/fd3576fe0f4e0566d346c1a86b482c70/tumblr_inline_o25fwfri1v1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][item=navy tail wrap][/center]
It's day 1 and RNG is already demanding drama haha. Got apparel from Pinkerton, then rolled randomly to see who the lucky bachelor would be. Sorry, Sorbet.
Not all of my non-creative drops will have accompanying lore, but I couldn't help myself.
With a flourish of his wrist, a small orb of light appeared in Sorbet's claw, flickering like a candle.
"Thank Arcanist! I thought I was losing my touch," Sorbet said to himself. He crushed the light in his claw, causing the magic to disburse into the air. "Just a few more days of practice, and I'll be back to flawless spell-slinging."
He glided gently down from the perch he had made in a oak tree near the band's camp at the mouth of the old cave. While his magic might be more easily recovered, the muscles in his wings were quite atrophied--he never would have made it back to Arcane territories even if Cecille had allowed him to leave.
Cecille was certainly convincing, he'd give her that. He remembered when they first met all those years ago, on his first diplomatic mission to her clan. She had been young and full of smiles, beaming at him as she stood next to her parents as they performed their formal greetings for him.
There were worse fates, he supposed, than being exiled here with someone like her. If only they could both go back to his clan, and leave this horrible place behind... but if they really were contagious, then there really was no choice for them.
When he arrived at camp, he found himself all alone. The sun was beginning to set, coating the clearing in a beautiful yellow haze. He felt a warm wind blowing across his scales. Even from the edge of the clearing, he could see their makeshift shelters were unused by either Cecille or their Ridgeback acquaintance.
The Nocturne frowned. Neither of his two companions had mentioned any plans of expeditions. "Where did they go?" Sorbet wondered. "Could they have gone into the cave?"
Of course, all three had sworn the cave to be off-limits after he and Cecille had removed all valuable supplies from the ruined lair. No one wanted to risk falling ill with the slumbering sickness. But that Ridgeback, Sorbet knew, was an idiot. Perhaps he thought they were hiding something more from him and ventured into the caverns again, and Cecille, sweet as she was, ran off after him. Maybe they were both gone.
Sorbet felt his heart rate spike as he started to panic. Oh gods, that would mean he'd be all alone out here. He couldn't fly and could barely cast the simplest cantrips--how would he protect himself?! He didn't want to die out here, alone.
"Sorbet!" called the familiar voice of Cecille. It was coming from the opposite direction of the cavern's mouth, eliciting a sigh of intense relief from the Nocturne. "Sorbet, where are you?"
"I'm right here," he called back.
Out from the brambles of the woods emerged a flustered Cecille. "Sorbet, there you are. Will you come with me, please?" she asked breathlessly.
"Oh, of course! Is there something the matter, Cecille? Are you feeling okay?"
"Never better!" was her earnest response. "Now, hurry! Follow me!"
The Nocturne wasn't sure what all the fuss was about, but there was no point in arguing with the Mirror: he followed her footsteps through the bramble. He wasn't quite as fast as his friend, but it wasn't long before they reached their destination.
"Sorbet, look!"
Nestled between the roots of the trunk of a tree was a nest of light eggs, radiating a light more pure than any light spell he would ever be able to cast.
Sorbet looked to the Mirror with confusion, a pit forming in his stomach. "Whose are these?"
Cecille laughed nervously, averting her gaze. "Well... their mine, Sorbet. And our friend's, of course. Isn't it wonderful?"
He sighed. From where he was standing, that was just going to be another five mouths to feed, likely with no help from that good-for-nothing Ridgeback. Their little band were just starting out--things were only going to get harder from here, and... Cecille was looking at him with those eyes, the same cheerful, the same hopeful eyes she had when they met all those years ago, searching his face for any semblance of validation.
"Yeah," he said, "it is."
Navy Tail Wrap
Apparel
Strips of navy material designed to be wrapped around the wearer's tail. There is plenty of material in this roll to accommodate spines of any length.
700
It's day 1 and RNG is already demanding drama haha. Got apparel from Pinkerton, then rolled randomly to see who the lucky bachelor would be. Sorry, Sorbet.
Not all of my non-creative drops will have accompanying lore, but I couldn't help myself.
@Trapezer Could I be added to a pinglist? I like the way this lore is going.
@Trapezer Could I be added to a pinglist? I like the way this lore is going.
[center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1997330#post_22977835][img]http://orig03.deviantart.net/b31a/f/2016/276/3/a/lightshield_divider3_by_starkindlerstudio-dajt6gi.png[/img][/url]
[font=garamond][size=7]Day 2[/size][/font][/center]
[center][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/avatars/499948/49994764.png[/img][/center]
[font=garamond][size=5]It took some convincing, but Cecille managed to convince both of her companions to accompany her in scouting their new group's territory.
There had been some protests to her plan. "I've already seen everything your lands have to offer," the Ridgeback had scoffed. "It's grasslands and fields for miles, there ain't much to scavenge. Besides, we have supplies here that will last us a while still."
"And what if we run into trouble?" asked Sorbet. "I can only speak for myself, but my magic still isn't quite back to what it was. If we get into a fight we can't handle... It's just too much of a risk, especially considering your nest, Cecille."
"I understand your concerns," she said. She paused, pondering how her mother would have phrased it. "But we won't be such a small group forever, and our supplies are finite. We need to think of the future, and that means securing these lands. If there are any dangerous things hiding out here, we ought to flush them out now. Besides, I'd like to see what's become of my home."
However, her real reason for wanting all three of them in the field, she kept to herself. As her mother's daughter, she yearned to take the lead into battle, to give ready orders to pave their way to certain victory. She couldn't assume that role until she'd gotten to know her companions in battle, how they fought, what their strengths were.
They patrolled together for some hours, and did manage to scare and fend off some of the wildlife together. They did not run into any major trouble; however, as the day dragged on, Cecille grew worried about the skill level of her companions.
Sorbet, she noted, was a cautious and logical fighter, keeping his distance from enemies as any mage should; however, while he was strategic in his actions, he lacked the raw power to make his strategy signify anything. Cecille had initially thought that Sorbet had merely been modest about his magical ability when the diplomat described his magical skills as "rudimentary," but she found that that description was not far off from her own assessment. Was his inability to cast a simple regenerative spell really due to his forced hibernation, or was he simply ungifted?
As for the other one... despite her quick affections for the stranger, she had suspected that some of his boasts about his martial prowess were exaggerated--but she never expected them to have been fabricated entirely! She was unsure if the masked Ridgeback had ever even seen a battle before in his life, let alone participated in one, by the way he handled himself: throwing himself at every enemy with little thought as to maintaining his own defenses. She gave him some credit for effort, but there was much room for improvement.
[i]"Of course,"[/i] Cecille told herself, [i]"I have much to improve on, too."[/i] In the past, she had always been the one who had watched the battles from the sidelines of the clan. Despite receiving training from her parents in the art of war, had never been much of a participant. She was keenly aware she lacked experience in live battle.
But those two... were in another league of unprepared. And they didn't even encounter anything truly dangerous--nothing more fearsome than a few miths. The longer they stayed here, the more likely it was that they'd attract the attention of more and more dangerous things. As it stood, they were woefully unprepared.
When the group returned, Cecille praised them for their efforts and announced a new training regimen for them to follow starting tomorrow. She hoped it would be enough.
[center][url=https://msb-lair.tumblr.com/post/138956636979/and-more-flight-dividers][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/fd3576fe0f4e0566d346c1a86b482c70/tumblr_inline_o25fwfri1v1r3lvtf_500.png[/img][/url][/center]
[center][item=Anubias Nana][/center]
Went in for 20 rounds in the Training Fields today. All three survivors are now level 4! I wrote some bonus lore today to commemorate the group's first coli day.
Also @RadientAngel, I'm sorry I didn't reply to you before--yes, you can definitely be on a pinglist. c:
It took some convincing, but Cecille managed to convince both of her companions to accompany her in scouting their new group's territory.
There had been some protests to her plan. "I've already seen everything your lands have to offer," the Ridgeback had scoffed. "It's grasslands and fields for miles, there ain't much to scavenge. Besides, we have supplies here that will last us a while still."
"And what if we run into trouble?" asked Sorbet. "I can only speak for myself, but my magic still isn't quite back to what it was. If we get into a fight we can't handle... It's just too much of a risk, especially considering your nest, Cecille."
"I understand your concerns," she said. She paused, pondering how her mother would have phrased it. "But we won't be such a small group forever, and our supplies are finite. We need to think of the future, and that means securing these lands. If there are any dangerous things hiding out here, we ought to flush them out now. Besides, I'd like to see what's become of my home."
However, her real reason for wanting all three of them in the field, she kept to herself. As her mother's daughter, she yearned to take the lead into battle, to give ready orders to pave their way to certain victory. She couldn't assume that role until she'd gotten to know her companions in battle, how they fought, what their strengths were.
They patrolled together for some hours, and did manage to scare and fend off some of the wildlife together. They did not run into any major trouble; however, as the day dragged on, Cecille grew worried about the skill level of her companions.
Sorbet, she noted, was a cautious and logical fighter, keeping his distance from enemies as any mage should; however, while he was strategic in his actions, he lacked the raw power to make his strategy signify anything. Cecille had initially thought that Sorbet had merely been modest about his magical ability when the diplomat described his magical skills as "rudimentary," but she found that that description was not far off from her own assessment. Was his inability to cast a simple regenerative spell really due to his forced hibernation, or was he simply ungifted?
As for the other one... despite her quick affections for the stranger, she had suspected that some of his boasts about his martial prowess were exaggerated--but she never expected them to have been fabricated entirely! She was unsure if the masked Ridgeback had ever even seen a battle before in his life, let alone participated in one, by the way he handled himself: throwing himself at every enemy with little thought as to maintaining his own defenses. She gave him some credit for effort, but there was much room for improvement.
"Of course," Cecille told herself, "I have much to improve on, too." In the past, she had always been the one who had watched the battles from the sidelines of the clan. Despite receiving training from her parents in the art of war, had never been much of a participant. She was keenly aware she lacked experience in live battle.
But those two... were in another league of unprepared. And they didn't even encounter anything truly dangerous--nothing more fearsome than a few miths. The longer they stayed here, the more likely it was that they'd attract the attention of more and more dangerous things. As it stood, they were woefully unprepared.
When the group returned, Cecille praised them for their efforts and announced a new training regimen for them to follow starting tomorrow. She hoped it would be enough.
Anubias Nana
Plant
This aquatic plant is hardy enough to grow in the mineral-overloaded waters where the lava flow enters the lake.
37
4
Went in for 20 rounds in the Training Fields today. All three survivors are now level 4! I wrote some bonus lore today to commemorate the group's first coli day.
Also @RadientAngel, I'm sorry I didn't reply to you before--yes, you can definitely be on a pinglist. c:
