Creative Corner

[center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/588440113638539274/908033573699854396/The_First_Omen_Art_Banner_Size.png[/img] [size=6][font=Optima][b][u]The First Omen I.[/u][/b][/font][/size][/center] [columns] [color=transparent]XXXXXXXXXXXX[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/23821.png[/img] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24276662][img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/242767/24276662p.png[/img][/url] [center][font=optima][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24276662][size=4]OZENSA[/size][/url] [size=3]The Shrine Keeper[/size][/font][/center] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24275983][img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/242760/24275983p.png[/img][/url] [center][font=optima][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24275983][size=4]TANJA[/size][/url] [size=3]The Wind Reader[/size][/font][/center] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/16447.png[/img] [/columns] [font=Optima] The doors to the main hall were flung aside by the wind as Tanja shoved them open. Gusts of cold air caused the coals in the braziers to flicker and glow, while flecks of snow dusted the ground. Grunting, she shoved the door shut. Tanja knocked the snow off of her boots, setting them beside the other pairs stacked alongside the wall. Hanging her fur cloak up on the wall and peeling off her goggles, she spread her wings, trying to warm them with what remained of the pitiful fires. Outside, the wind howled. Inside, through the second set of doors, she could hear the din of her clanmates. She inched closer to the embers, eyeing the stack of wood in one corner. Yet another thing the clan was running low on. She resisted the urge to stoke the flames- it’d be warmer inside. All she wished for was to find a warm spot, shed her wet clothing, and curl up somewhere private for a nap. She closed her eyes for a moment. What she wouldn’t give for some mead, a bowl of thick stew, and a thick blanket. The door from the mud room into the main hall opened. Ozensa poked her head through. “Welcome back! I thought I heard the front doors open- I was getting worried, the sun's going down. Any news?” “Yes. It’s still snowing. Just like the past four weeks.” Tanja sighed. “Sorry. It’s just- you know how it is. There’s nothing but snow and ice out there.” “You know it’s not your fault. You don’t control the weather, just...” “Study it. Predict it. Read the fluctuations of magic in the wind and the water. I should be able to do [i]something[/i]. We don’t have enough supplies to last through another three weeks of this, not without us running out of supplies later in the winter. It’s too early for this kind of weather.” “Do you really think it’ll last that long?” “I don’t know! It seems like it’s only getting [i]worse[/i]. But I can’t tell anyone that- you know what it’s been like. Stormhawke will barely give me a moment’s rest, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep letting everyone down with this bad news.” Tanja fell silent, staring into the dim flames again. Ozensa looked at Tanja, frowning. “I’m sorry, Tanja. If there’s anything I can do, just… let me know. You’re trying your best.” She paused, grimacing. “That being said… I think Struve… wanted to talk to you.” “By the Twelve!” Tanja snarled, folding her wings shut with a snap. “I spent all day out there, can’t they leave me alone for one night?” “Tanja, I don’t-” “It doesn’t matter! I’ll just-” Tanja shoved her boots back on, grabbing her cloak and a lantern. “Tell Struve I’ll be back later. I’m leaving.” “Where are you going?” Ozensa pushed fully into the mud room, but Tanja was already shoving open the main doors and stepping into the darkness. “To find some answers.” [/font] ------------------------- [size=2][font=Optima][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_3077472]General Information[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593743]Table of Contents[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593771]Dragons of Rank[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593788]Notes and Scrawlings[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593791]Maps and Locations[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593815]Clan Affiliates[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593832]Credits[/url][/size]

Me pointing to the clan Isles of Memoria in clan affiliates: Hey I know them

I'm so excited to see your lore again! Your writing is just *chef's kiss*

@Rutile

Yeah! They're a really cool clan with lots of great lore, and a great friend of mine... gee if only they were here to see how fantastic they are!

@Mask

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support on my blog- I don't always have a ton of energy to devote to lore, but I always see the responses on my posts and love them, even if my energy for responding is low. Hopefully, I'll find some time to reciprocate and share other folks' lore over my break!

Of course! <3 And I know the feeling when it comes to energy - most of what I do now is share lore and art by others, though I'm trying to get back into writing.

yooo!! your lore is super rad! :D

[center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/588440113638539274/908033573699854396/The_First_Omen_Art_Banner_Size.png[/img] [size=6][font=Optima][b][u]The First Omen II.[/u][/b][/font][/size][/center] [columns] [color=transparent]XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/5916.png[/img] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24275983][img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/242760/24275983p.png[/img][/url] [center][font=optima][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24275983][size=4]TANJA[/size][/url] [size=3]The Wind Reader[/size][/font][/center] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/15113.png[/img] [/columns] [font=Optima] There were footprints in the snow. Tanja crouched, huddled against the howling wind and driving snow, wings cupped around the mark in the snow to try and protect it from the elements. It had taken her a moment to recognize that it was a footprint, but the longer she looked the clearer it became. There was the print- just as large as her own, but much deeper set. The claw marks were long and deep. Looking forward, at the edge of her lantern’s light, there were more, leading off into the darkness of the night. If she wanted to follow them, she would have to do it quickly before the weather worsened. Tanja hesitated, staring down at the tracks and furling up her wings. They were like nothing she had ever seen. Their size and weight implied they belonged to a dragon who easily matched her in terms of strength, a full grown guardian. She considered turning back, returning to the safety and warmth of the clan- but without any hope of surviving the winter. Pulling her cloak tighter, she continued forward. By now she was out by the docks, walking on the thick sea ice that had quickly prevented them from sending out fishing vessels. Around her, the large, looming shadows of their ships frozen in the ice. Cheraw had been complaining for weeks that the ships would become damaged if they were left in the ice all winter, but there was nothing any of them could do. Tanja hadn’t predicted that the deep freeze of true winter would come this early in the season. Following the tracks led her farther out, until the silhouette of land was nothing but a dim shadow behind her. Tanja continued on even as she lost feeling in the tips of her wings, her claws, and her toes. Her winter gear kept her sheltered from the wind and warm enough, but the snow was making her miserably wet. The light in her lantern was gradually growing dimmer. That was when she saw it, in the distance. It looked like a larger version of a tundra- except with fur that brushed against the ground, and a long tail. Its legs were longer, thicker, covered in long fur except for its bare and scaly paws, each toe capped with a long, curved black claw. Its wings were small, the skin ripped and torn. Its fur was a cool green, and it sported a large, thick pale mane. Two massive, curved black horns stretched up from its head. Tanja was staring into the eyes of a living legend, something she thought was never real. And the glowing white eyes of the gaoler stared back at her. [/font] ------------------------- [size=2][font=Optima][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_3077472]General Information[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593743]Table of Contents[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593771]Dragons of Rank[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593788]Notes and Scrawlings[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593791]Maps and Locations[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593815]Clan Affiliates[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593832]Credits[/url][/size]

[center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/588440113638539274/908033573699854396/The_First_Omen_Art_Banner_Size.png[/img] [size=6][font=Optima][b][u]The First Omen III.[/u][/b][/font][/size][/center] [columns] [color=transparent]XXXXXXXXXXXX[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/3083.png[/img] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24276662][img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/242767/24276662p.png[/img][/url] [center][font=optima][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=24276662][size=4]OZENSA[/size][/url] [size=3]The Shrine Keeper[/size][/font][/center] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/48456083][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/484561/48456083p.png[/img][/url] [center][font=optima][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/48456083][size=4]STORMHAWKE[/size][/url] [size=3]The Warrior of Storms[/size][/font][/center] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/23518.png[/img] [/columns] [font=Optima] “Tanja!” Ozensa called, voice lost in the wind. Ozensa stumbled, nearly falling into the snow before catching herself. She paused, feeding more wick to her lantern, trying to keep the flame alive. Stormhawke came up from behind her. “She better have a damn good reason for being out here at this time of night. I could be curled up in a warm bed right now.” “Tanja wouldn’t spend the night out in this blizzard, not without any kind of proper gear. She knows better.” Ozensa huffed. “Something has to have happened to her- we have to find her.” “Sure, whatever you say. All I’m saying is that she owes me a hot bowl of mead, at the very least.” “If you don’t want to be here, you’re welcome to turn around and go back to the main hall.” Ozensa lurched forward, struggling through the snow against the wind, turning her back on Stormhawke. Stormhawke stood and watched her, before turning to meet the rest of the search party who were straggling behind them. “Just don’t get too far ahead.” She called. “Otherwise we’ll end up looking for you tomorrow morning, too.” Ozensa ignored her. She knew Tanja had to be out there, somewhere, and that she wouldn’t have stayed out for this long if something hadn’t happened- or if she hadn’t found something. It was almost halfway through the night, now, several hours after Tanja had left. Once Ozensa had brought up her concerns and organized a search party, they had picked up Tanja’s trail and slowly fought their way forwards. She knew it was so they didn’t get lost- but the only thing she wanted to do was make sure her friend was safe. The one boon was that the blizzard seemed to be lessening as the hours pressed on. They inched forwards, following ever fainter tracks in the snow. Ozensa plunged forwards, clinging to the thin thread of hope she had that her friend was okay. Just when there were mutterings among the group that maybe they should turn back, they found Tanja’s lantern broken in the snow. A few feet away, under a pile of snow, a piece of wing poked out. Ozensa rushed forward, digging into the snow as fast as she was able to. The others quickly joined her. Soon they revealed Tanja’s unconscious form. She was splayed out awkwardly in the snow, the tips of her wings showing minor signs of frostbite, one flank badly injured and still dripping blood. Ozensa froze, her breath caught in her throat, as she looked at the still form of her best friend. There was a ringing in her ears, and she barely heard the frantic discussion of the others’ around her until Stormhawke grabbed her shoulder. “We need to get her back as quickly as possible- help the others get the sledge ready. I’ll go and tell Marusya to prepare. Hurry!” [/font] ------------------------- [size=2][font=Optima][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_3077472]General Information[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593743]Table of Contents[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593771]Dragons of Rank[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593788]Notes and Scrawlings[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593791]Maps and Locations[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593815]Clan Affiliates[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593832]Credits[/url][/size]

I always loved the reveal you did for the gaoler, and the hint of the fight that happened between them.

[center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/588440113638539274/908033573699854396/The_First_Omen_Art_Banner_Size.png[/img] [size=6][font=Optima][b][u]The First Omen IV.[/u][/b][/font][/size][/center] [columns] [color=transparent]XXXXXXXXXXXX[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/22379.png[/img] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/21891836][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/218919/21891836p.png[/img][/url] [center][font=optima][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/21891836][size=4]MARUSYA[/size][/url] [size=3]The Rosen Healer[/size][/font][/center] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/21755739][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/217558/21755739p.png[/img][/url] [center][font=optima][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/21755739][size=4]STRUVE[/size][/url] [size=3]The Seer of High Winds[/size][/font][/center] [nextcol] [color=transparent]X[/color] [nextcol] [img]https://www1.flightrising.com/static/cms/trinket/3449.png[/img] [/columns] [font=Optima] “Mother?” Marusya pushed open the door to the private leaders’ chambers gently, shuffling in. She was burning pine in the fireplace- he could hear her adding wood to the coals and smell the faint scent of the wood. “Yes? Is something wrong? Is Tanja alright?” “She’s fine. She woke up again a little while ago- this time she seemed more coherent. There’s no reason she shouldn’t make a full recovery, given a little time and rest. Her wings weren’t damaged greatly by the cold.” Marusya carefully shut the door behind him. “There’s something else, though. How bright is it?” “Fairly dark. It’s just the fire in the room- you can remove your cover, if you’d like.” Marusya nodded gratefully, slipping the mask from over his eyes. He blinked owlishly as his eyes adjusted to the light, vague colors and shapes slowly coming into better focus. Struve was standing by her work table, which was cluttered with books, scrolls, and various odds and ends. He sat on the round bed in the center of the room. “We spoke about what happened, how she was injured. I… thought you might want to know.” “The last thing we need is a mysterious attacker wandering around attacking people, especially in all this snow. Poor Tanja- I can’t help but feel I caused this.” “She doesn’t blame you, I can assure you of that. The first thing she told me when she woke up was about how stupid she had been, that she made a rash decision she didn’t think through. She did tell me about the thing that attacked her, though.” “...The thing?” “A large dragon- easily her same size and weight. With long, thick, light green fur and a large white mane. Tanja said it had long black claws and curved antlers- bigger than an imperial’s rack. It looked like a tundra, she said, but longer- bigger.” Silence reigned in the room, everything eerily silent except for the crackle of fire in the fireplace. Struve stared at her documents, leaning on the table. Marusya fiddled nervously with his cover, unable to find the words to break the tense silence between them. “A gaoler.” Struve finally spoke, still staring at the table. “Yes. That’s what she called it.” “By the twelve. Is she sure? She has to have been mistaken, confused by the cold or her injuries.” “According to her, the gaoler is what attacked her in the first place. Tanja seems to be sure that it was a gaoler, and not an illusion either.” More silence. “Then this is happening.” Struve looked at the sky vacantly. “...Mother? Are you alright?” “I didn’t think this would happen in my lifetime. I was hoping it wouldn’t even happen in your lifetime.” She sighed, starting to roll up scrolls and stack books on her table. “We’ll… we’ll deal with it. There’s nothing we can do right now. This will get out eventually, but- please, don’t speak of this with anyone else. I can’t ask Tanja not to speak about it, but we will need at least a day or two to prepare for the inevitable panic. Thank you for coming to me about this. I’ll get your father and Spiritdawn, I’ll- we’ll- figure out something.” “Alright.” Marusya carefully tied his cover back on. “Mother… please… don’t overwork yourself.” “Of course.” He heard his mother approaching, before feeling her wings wrap carefully around him. He hugged her back. “I love you, Marusya.” “I love you too.” [/font] ------------------------- [size=2][font=Optima][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_3077472]General Information[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593743]Table of Contents[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593771]Dragons of Rank[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593788]Notes and Scrawlings[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593791]Maps and Locations[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593815]Clan Affiliates[/url] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/3077472#post_49593832]Credits[/url][/size]