Quests & Challenges

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2698754/49#post_40521250]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Day 57: Over the Misty Mountains[/u][/b] [item=Firestarter][item=tradewinds gull][item=ghostly aura] Sentence: Writing, New Dragon, Art[/center] ----- [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54489021][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=54489021&skin=0&apparel=278,24714&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] Karma didn't know why she was doing this. She didn't particularly [i]want[/i] to be doing this. She didn't [i]need[/i] her father in her life, she had done perfectly fine without him, thank you very much. But Karma couldn't shake the feeling that Jett was up to something, and she wanted to know hat it was. It was harmless curiosity, plain a simple. In fact, wouldn't it be better for the clan if they knew what they're old king had gotten up to since he ran away? Particularly as he had less than a positive influence on the clan? At least, that's what Karma told herself. It was concern for the clan, plain and simple. Though, it would be a more convincing argument if Karma actually [i]cared[/i] for the well-being of the clan as a whole. It wasn't to say she was totally indifferent, but she didn't have any big noble goals of being a hero the way Bonegnasher did. Perhaps that's why she was doing this alone. These thoughts spiraled around her head as she trudged through the streets, trying to catch sight of where her father had gone. She had hoped to find him outside the mysterious magically-warded portion of the city, but so far she had no such luck. Suddenly, in the murk of the city air, she caught sight of a wildclaw shifting around in the distance. Karma couldn't help but let out a growl of satisfaction. She had found him! She spun into the air, flinging herself at top speed towards the wildclaw. She couldn't let him get away! The was hurtling at such a velocity, she realized all too late that the wildclaw was not, in fact, her father, and found herself wrapping herself around the stranger's neck. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54855099][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=54855099&skin=0&apparel=14676,10379,439,20572,20571,20573&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] "Ack!" The wildclaw choked, clearly taken by surprise by Karma's attack. His short arms immediately reached to tear the spiral from his neck, but his claws scrabbled helplessly against her scales. Embarrassed at her mistake, Karma did her best to untangle herself. With the way the wildclaw was flailing, it was proving to be more difficult than it should be. After what seemed like an eternity, she had managed to untangle herself from the newcomers neck. "I thought you were someone else," Karma shrugged, giving as much of an apology as she could muster. "That much is clear," The wildclaw huffed, rubbing his neck indignantly. "You have one heck of a grip! Remind me not to get on your bad side!" "I should get going-" Karma turned to go. She didn't need and awkward meet-cute with a stranger. "Wait!" The wildclaw exclaimed, holding up a hand. Karma rolled her eyes and turned back. "[i]What[/i]?" She sighed. "Do you know where I would find Thorburn?" The wildclaw asked. "Thorburn?" Karma was pretty such she had heard of everyone in the Forgotten Kingdom, and Thorburn was definitely not one of them. "Yeah. He's a bogsneak, I think? I'm on a quest, and I was told he could help me. I was told to seek him out in a strange city in shadow, in the black market?" The wildclaw said, pulling out a ragged piece of parchment and reading something from its tattered form. "Black market?" Karma asked. "There's no black market here. Unless-" She looked back at the border of whatever the wards were hiding. It hadn't made sense to the spiral. What could someone want hidden so bad that required wards to strong, they withstood whatever trails the city itself had been through? What would need that level of secrecy? "I was told there was a password that would get me in," the wildclaw said weakly. "A password?" Karma whipped her head back to the wildclaw. Now that got her attention. She held out a hand. "I might be able to help. My name is Karma, by the way." "Gillian," The wildclaw grinned, taking her hand and shaking it firmly. "I cannot thank you enough." "Yeah? Well, know that I'm going to help you get in, and that's where our partnership ends." Karma warned. "I can deal with that," Gillian grinned. It was a stupid grin, and Karma couldn't wait to get out of his sight already. [center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/38b30b419b80446dfb5163715d894882/tumblr_pr6wevGMDK1ugssd3o3_500.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54433580][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=54433580&skin=0&apparel=750,1753,21243,21292,21300,25797,25793&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=53323249][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=53323249&skin=0&apparel=20830,20831,10362,13809,13793&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] "Hey, I just wanted to check in on you. You haven't been around much lately. I was wondering if we had scared you off," Violet looked up to see Jett slip in beside her at the tavern. The spiral looked around, worried Zeal might see and get angry, but the skydancer was once again busy chatting with Seaberry. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=45124108][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/451242/45124108_350.png[/img][/url][/center] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=52846259][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=52846259&skin=0&apparel=492,10385,26359&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] "I'm fine," Violet shrugged. "I just wanted to remind you that its of the utmost importance that no matter what you decide, you keep your mouth shut," Jett went on, glancing around nervously. "We can't have everyone know what we're getting up to." "I know," Violet nodded. "I want to help, it just feels so [i]big[/i]." It certainly wasn't what she had imagined her great love story looking like. "Hey, we only call it the black market because that's what it was known as before. It's not like we're doing anything wrong," Jett reminded her. "We're just... building something for ourselves. Like everyone else in the kingdom. It's a new kingdom. Everything is free for the taking. We want to get what we can before anyone else gets their hands on it." Violet nodded. It made sense. "Well, as long as you know you're answer soon. Thorburn's getting a bit antsy." Jett moved to leave, and suddenly Violet realized she didn't want the wildclaw to go. "Wait!' She exclaimed. "I'm in." "Perfect," Jett smirked, and Violet felt something stir inside of her. "Welcome to the team, my rose. I look forward to working with you." Violet watched at the wildclaw sauntered out of the tavern, feeling herself grow warm. Feeling a sudden rush of embarrassment, she looked back to see if Zeal had noticed anything. If he had, he showed no sign of it. He was laughing at some sort of joke Seaberry had told. Violet waited for the pain that usually accompanied the sight of her boyfriend's distraction, but there was nothing. Perhaps it was time to move on. ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2698754/51#post_40560068]Next[/url][/center] ----- [center]@CleverDual @HauntedWhale @Disillusionist @AlchemyFox @Tirtouga678 @catmeow1 @Leopardmask @Midwinter @chantric @Dynami @ShinyDecidueye @tigressRising @FallenEclipse @Stitched @Willnotgogently @Sabariel @MisterMylez @Skystrider @Starongie @icetail0912 @myriadofstars @Aetherstorm @Weredogalism @Nargeorgicorn @WeaverofLies @herobrinna @secretlylying[/center] ----- CleverDual got a familiar pull yesterday, so here's another new dragon! The RNG sure likes giving me wildclaws! This is my 3rd wildclaw roll, plus there's the utter luck of Coldstorm! Gillian certainly puts a spin on some things, and he has an [i]epic[/i] theme song! For the art pull, here's Boo's moodboard: [img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ad/4d/92/ad4d92e20f14055dac612ed4496ad5ab.jpg[/img]

Oh wow, Gillian is beautiful!! He has such matchy colours

Oh, Thorburn? What is he up to here, especially in a place called the black market, I already don't trust him

@Midwinter Isn't he??? I'm really happy to have gotten him! hehehehehe [emoji=bogsneak winking size=2]

Zeal and Seaberry are kind of a perfect match... for however long they keep meeting before both get bored :P

@Leopardmask

Very true XD

----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2698754/51#post_40555640]Previous[/url][/center] ----- [center][b][u]Day 58: Awakening[/u][/b] [item=snow streak pinion] Sentence: Writing[/center] ----- [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=51025816][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=51025816&skin=0&apparel=12267,739,17239,17260,17284&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54677424][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=54677424&skin=0&apparel=23032,23026,23033,23031&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] Bailaduel blinked open her eyes to see the annoying nocturne standing over her again. "If you don't give me some personal space soon, I'm going to-" The wildclaw was interrupted by another mouthful of dried meat. Seriously, what was this noc playing at? "Eat. You almost starved out there. What sort of plague dragon lets themself starve?" The noc drawled, shaking her head. "I don't need your help," Bailaduel spat. "Well, clearly you do, because you were going to die out there, and I couldn't let that happen," The noc clicked. "I don't think I had the chance to introduce myself. The name's Cantarelli." "You have terrible survival instincts," Bailaduel muttered. "It's okay if you don't want to be polite, I already know your name. It appears you have a [i]history[/i] with some of the dragons in this here castle," Cantarelli looked amused. "Is that why you were runnin' away?" "If you're talking about the egg-" Bailaduel growled, before she was cut off by the nocturne's whistle. "You sure have been away quite some time, haven't you missy?" Cantarelli grinned. "That said [i]egg[/i] is now a mighty fine wildclaw. You have a son, Bailaduel, you best not ignore that. If you start ignoring those you share blood with, you might as well let yourself rot in the Scarred Wasteland." "I did what I had to do to survive," Bailaduel pointed out. "Maybe in the Scarred Wasteland, sure, but life ain't so tough as you're making it out to be. What's the point in livin' if you let your heart shrivel up and die and not care for a single soul," Cantarelli shook her head. "Even when times are tough, it can be the coming together of individuals with a common goal that truly brings beauty out of the ashes." Bailaduel was suddenly reminded of her dream, of Heaven's pain and remorse. She shook her head to clear the thought. It was just a hunger induced nightmare, right? She could recover, and then continue on her way. "I can see you aren't listenin' to a single word I'm saying, but that's okay. Your son will be here shortly. Coldstorm wants to meet you properly," the noc cast a glare at Bailaduel. "Try not to bite his head off. He saved your life out there, you owe it to him to at least be civil." Bailaduel refrained from commenting as the nocturne made her way out. She shook her head in disbelief. Who was she to tell her what to do? She looked like she couldn't have been much older than half a year. She hadn't even reached her full stature. And yet, if it hadn't been for Cantarelli's intervention, who knew where Bailaduel would be now? It wasn't long before the door opened again, and a lean wildclaw entered the room. His face was masked, and electricity coursed through the metallic armor he wore. Bailaduel couldn't help but feel impressed. It looked as though both her and Bonegnasher's spirit had shaped a fine dragon. He would be strong and capable, and despite herself, Bailaduel caught herself feeling a glimmer of pride. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54788065][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=54788065&skin=0&apparel=286,27201,19042,13807&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] "Mother," Coldstorm spoke, eyed narrowed beneath the mask. He kept his tone even and free of emotion, though with the inexperience of youth, his swaying tail betrayed his agitation. Bailaduel got to her feet. She was still a little shaky, but she refused to be seen as inferior to her own son. "You look well," Bailaduel said at last, meeting her son's gaze. He was still only a third of her height, and he had to crane his neck to see her properly. "No thanks to you," her son snorted, clearly not intimidated by the size difference. "You're right, you became strong on your own," Bailaduel cracked a grin. "It shows great spirit." "I became strong because of what my father taught me," Coldstorm held his head a little higher. "And who do you think taught him?" Bailaduel snorted. Her son looked taken aback. "I helped Bonegnasher become the dragon he was always meant to be. That was my job, now it's time for me to move on to my next one. You weren't meant to happen, you were a mistake." Coldstorm flinched, but to his credit, did not show his hurt long. "You can't leave, you know that, right? You're trapped here? In the city?" "Your bluffing," Bailaduel narrowed her eyes, but in her heart, she knew it to be true. For months she had been trying to leave the city, with no success. It had to be more than simply getting turned around in the streets. "I've been doing research on the curse. You must know that the city holds on to dragon with darkness in their hearts until it kills them. An innocent dragon may be able to walk free, but while your heart is filled with bitterness and spite, you'll never be able to leave. You're stuck here, so you might as well make the most of it," Coldstorm spat. "And in the meantime, you might want to start acting a little nicer to your family. My father was devastated when you left, and Seaberry will hardly even speak of you. Your strength means nothing here, its your actions that count." For once, Bailaduel couldn't think of anything to say. She stared blankly at her son, trying to look for a weak link in his argument, but she couldn't find one. Cantarelli was right. The Tangled Wood played by different rules than the Scarred Wasteland. In the plague flight, it was kill or be killed, either you survived or you didn't. Here, in shadow, things were far more complex, like a giant game of chess. Every piece had a different motivation, and you had to be smart about how you used it. Bailaduel thought back to her dream. It may have been nothing more than a nightmare, but the fact still remained that for all of Heaven's strength and scheming, she had fallen from the throne and disappeared from sight. She was nothing more than a vapor of a memory. Bailaduel didn't particularly care for wealth or status, but survival here meant more than just being the strongest in a fight. Coldstorm shook his head in apparent disbelief. "Whatever," he scoffed. "I've got stuff I should be doing." And with that, her son left, leaving Bailaduel alone with her thoughts. [center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/38b30b419b80446dfb5163715d894882/tumblr_pr6wevGMDK1ugssd3o3_500.png[/img][/center] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54489021][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=54489021&skin=0&apparel=278,24714&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54855099][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=54855099&skin=0&apparel=14676,10379,439,20572,20571,20573&xt=dressing.png[/img][/url][/center] "Is this the right place?" Gillian asked. The two dragons had reached the edge of the wards. The wildclaw had reached out a hand and held it against the barrier that prevented them from moving forwards. "How should I know!" Karma snapped back. It wasn't like she was an expert on this or anything, why did he expect her to have all the answers? "I guess there's only one way to find out," Gillian shrugged and leaned forward, whispering a word into the air. "Scozza." As soon as the word left the wildclaw's lips, his hand moved forwards, and he was able to step through the wards. As soon as he was on the other side, Karma found that she could no longer see him. She moved to follow, but found herself bumping into the invisible barrier again. "Scozza," She whispered, feeling a bit like an idiot. After uttering the password, she slipped forwards and into what seemed to be a whole other world. The black market looked to have been rather joyous in its time. It made sense. If there were wards protecting the establishment from undesirable eyes and ears, there was no reason to be sneaky and secretive when going about their business. It seemed almost circus-like, with remains of tent fabric and flickering lights. Signs with peeling, faded paint brightly advertised the services that had once been commonplace in the black market. Karma didn't know what to think about it all. She was too worried about what her father might be up to relish in the fact that she was one of the few who knew of one of the best guarded secrets of the kingdom. "Was this what you were expecting?" Karma asked Gillian, noticing the shocked expression on his face. "Not exactly," The wildclaw said weakly. His eyes glanced off of a dragon skull on the ground, and he swallowed nervously. "But the password worked," Karma reminded him. "The password worked," Gillian agreed. "This must be where Thorburn is." "And this Thorburn will help you on your quest?" Karma asked, eying the wildclaw suspiciously. "What kind of quest are you on?!" "That is a carefully guarded secret," Gillian said nervously. "If this is in any way going to hurt the clan-" Karma warned, wondering when she had fallen into such a noble train of thought. She had probably been spending too much time around Bone. "It's not, I promise!" Gillian said quickly. "This is just a stop along the way. And its not going to hurt anyone!" "You better be telling the truth," Karma growled. "Oh come on now, telling the truth can be so boring. Where's the fun if you always know exactly what's going on?" An unfamiliar voice said. A green bogsneak appeared from behind a corner in the alleyway. He wore a smug grin, and his tongue flicked as he eyed the to young dragons with curiosity. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=41058623][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/410587/41058623_350.png[/img][/url][/center] "My name is Thorburn. I heard you were looking for me?" The bogsneak's mouth spread into a wide and toothy grin, and Karma couldn't help but feel that they had made a horrible mistake. ----- [center][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2698754/52#post_40598941]Next[/url][/center] ----- @CleverDual @HauntedWhale @Disillusionist @AlchemyFox @Tirtouga678 @catmeow1 @Leopardmask @Midwinter @chantric @Dynami @ShinyDecidueye @tigressRising @FallenEclipse @Stitched @Willnotgogently @Sabariel @MisterMylez @Skystrider @Starongie @icetail0912 @myriadofstars @Aetherstorm @Weredogalism @Nargeorgicorn @WeaverofLies @herobrinna @secretlylying @Azurepocalypse ----- Those of you who read The Stories of Windkeep Tower might recognize our newcomer today! I figured it would be fun to incorporate an old friend or two into my pinkerlocke lore, just to tie things together [emoji=bogsneak winking size=2] Also, @Azurepoalypse I'm sorry I completely forgot to ping you for yesterday's update! I usually copy my pinglist from the previous day and I completely forgot to add you after I had done that! You're on it now, so you shouldn't miss any more updates!

"Here, in shadow, things were far more complex, like a giant game of chess." I,,, this is great. With Shadow flight being all about games and stuff. This is a good line right here :D Thorburn is... interesting [emoji=special eyes size=1][emoji=special eyes size=1] From his first sentence, I immediately started thinking of a character from a Youtube series I like - a character currently known only as Deceit. His dialogue and the fact that he's apparently always smirking makes it better. Then I saw him, and he doesn't look that much like the Deceit I know, but something about the breed, and the colors, and the choice of apparel, gives off EXACTLY the same vibe. This'll be interesting.

@Leopardmask Thank you! I enjoy thinking about what makes the flights different! [emoji=nocturne winking size=1] I'm glad you like him!!! He's a dragon who's never really had a chance to properly shine (though he's made quite a few appearances in my previous lore story), so I'm excited to bring him in!

@Petall Forgot to comment on the previous chapter again. XD Let's see~ [b]Day 57:[/b] Karma's and Gillian's first meeting really made me lol. Poor Gillian (and his short arms! XD). The dialogue between them afterwards was really entertaining too. Thorburn, Jett, and something called a "black market"? That sounds like an explosive combination. But then again there's also the love rhombus of Jett, Violet, Zeal, and Seaberry. It's hard to decide which combination's more explosive now. Also, agreed: Gillian has a [i]rockin'[/i] theme song. [emoji=bogsneak star size=1] Boo's moodboard is so pretty and comforting, too! [b]Day 58:[/b] "You weren't meant to happen, you were a mistake." I've read stories from plenty of people that confirm that those words are [i]always[/i] a mistake. o__O I also really liked how you simplified life in the Tangled Wood versus life in the Wasteland. It'll be interesting to see how Bailaduel will adapt. Also, Thorburn. Hmmmm. Something tells me he hasn't learned a darn thing since his last misadventure.

@Petall

Hmm. Something tells me that Thorburn's up to something... and will probably get the whole lot of them into trouble.