Quests & Challenges

[center][size=7]Chapter 6 - My Legacy is Strong[/size][/center] The day finally came for Kash's hatchlings to enter the world in the truest sense. The nest only having 3 Eggs meant that he wouldn't be burdened wit hthe same good fortune as his Father in the seer number of possible heirs, but it was enough that his progeny could survive the trials of becoming an Adult. As he watched the eggs beside his Spiral mate Alaric, he saw the eggs began to shivver and crack open. [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/mcPVg4u.png[/img][nextcol][size=4]The first egg to reveal the baby within, showed off a beautiful pale daughter, a little Guardian girl of silver falcon markings, with matching shale wings and a medium gloom underbelly stripe. Her name was chosen as [b]Sootwing[/b].[/size] [/columns] [columns][size=4] The second egg cam out as another Guardian, a little boy with green-tinged tiger stripes, bright blue wings matching his elder sister's, and a charcoal grey mess of a marking crackling all over the boy's body and wings. His name was chosen as [b]Undertow[/b].[/size] [nextcol][img]https://i.imgur.com/L4BNrYI.png[/img][/columns] [columns][img]https://i.imgur.com/FdY4kEb.png[/img] [nextcol][size=4] The last egg fell apart, revealing a third Guardian girl, with coal tiger stripes on her body in much the same fashion as her elder brother, basic wings of a soft purple hue, and a flinty grey underbelly stripe. her name was decided as [b]Epiphany[/b].[/size][/columns] Lord Centauri and Lady Cerciae came to see their new grandchildren shortly after. Lady Cerciae was displeased that there were no spiral children for her to hope for, and left the young ones to their parents and Grandfather. Lord Centauri on the other hand was quite proud that his Legacy was secure for another generation, Strong Guardian children carrying his blood that would grow up and only the one with the strongest blood would continue to help him and Kash hold the Night Nest within their claws. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lxq0M6e.png?1.png[/img][/center]

[center][size=7]Chapter 7 - Even the Stars are Hiding[/size][/center] The Day arrived, just as it had years ago. Lord Centauri and Lord Kash led the three possible Heirs to the Arena where they would be taking their test. Centauri smiled smugly as they came to the entrance and turned towards his Grandchildren. [b]"Let me Remind you how this works,"[/b] Centauri said, looking over each of the three to potentially carry his Legacy forward. "You three will enter the arena. If you can't fight then you had better not show your face around the lair again. Only the Strongest will be My Grandchild." Kash saw his children look to him, and gave them a sterner look then Centauri did.[b] "I took this challenge at your age, it is the proud tradition of our family, and you will compete. If you fail inside these walls, do not bother to Return."[/b] Centauri smirked, and looked to the Arena. [b]"Alright Children. Let's find out who my true grandchild is."[/b] [center]***[/center] Sootwing, Undertow and Epiphany all entered the Arena, and then all bets were off. Each of them wanted to be the only Grandchild, the one to spread their Plague-mothers ways and earn the icy love of their Grandfather. With only Three of them to fight over the title, Alliances were quick to be made. Sootwing and Undertow ganged up on Epiphany, bringing her down quickly enough. Sootwing was content that Epiphany was simply out of the running, and ignored her sister's pained cries, as Undertow slashed her across the face one last time with a cruel laugh, leaving the youngest with a permanent reminder that she was not good enough to carry on the family name. Now that it was just Two, Sootwing and Undertow tore into eachother with a viciousness onyl Guardians can show, Sootwing was Larger, but Undertow prooved to be the more Vicious of the pair. He ducked under his elder sister's defences to take advantage of an opening, biting into her wing. Sootwing roared in agony as she tried to shake her younger brother off, but his vicious ways were too much. Sootwing fell in battle, and Undertow left her with the same cruelness he had for Epiphany, clawing her across the eyes, leaving a scar to forever remind her of her loss. [center]***[/center] Undertow rejoined his Grandfather and Father with a proud smirk on his face, his steps light with the knowlage his position in the family was secure. Centauri and Kash congradulated him, and the Trio began winging their way back to the Lair. Now, the search for a Mate would begin, to bring in the next Generation and grow the Family's Strength. ----- [center][size=5]The Victor and Heir: Lord Undertow[/size] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38446964] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/384470/38446964_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] ----- [columns][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38124748] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/381248/38124748_350.png[/img] [/url][nextcol] [size=4]While The Lords were out seeing who would be the next ruler of the Lair, Staria and her 'Brothers and Sisters' had to deal with Lady Cerciae and Lady Alaric. Lady Alaric wasn't too hard to deal with, She wasn't as hostile as Lady Cerciae, and she was also easy enough to avoid. Lady Cerciae however, was not. Staria and the rest had grown with the Legacy of Frost, the name the Overlords had Taken for themselves as she and the Heirs of their family grew. Forbidden from having Familiars that might aid them in any way, The band of 13 Nocturnes had seen just how horribly the overlords treated everyone, and they had been lucky enough to be raised by Tisima, The Gentle Lady, and her score of Fae family members along side the rest of the Nest's original inhabitants.[/size] [/columns] Staria especially had seen the kind of creatures the overlord Kids were growing into. As a Child, Staria had discovered something amazing, and she shared it with the rest of the Nocturnes brought in after her - Items, useless and beaten-looking, had been brought into th Lair to add to the Hoard. These were not Items though. As she examined a bright blue mask in search of a toy, the mask came to life in her Claws. Staria, being more curious than afraid, she peered at the Mask curiously, and saw very faint wisps of smoke coming out from it, forming into claws and a vauge type of body. She'd dicovered the exsistiance of Mimic Creatures. With no Overlords to see them, the Mask showed her other Mimics brought in by mistake, and the two of them formed a Familiar Bond. The Mask was her Familiar now, and she named him Phantom. Phantom, her secret familiar, had let her borrow the mask to use his vision, and she'd seen that Undertow was turning out particularly mean, and he had his eyes on her for a future mate, one way or another. so as they grew, Staria took precautions to never be alone with Undertow. Phantom was always with her, and she took as many oppertunities to leave the lair as she could get, often under the guise of supply collecting. She and the other 12 Nocturnes brought in around the same time formed a small flock of their own in secret, calling themselves Auroras. The Auroras had secret guidance from the original members of the Night Nest, and made their very own hiding spaces out among the Tangled Woods. - It was their Native homelands after all, no matter what element their eggs rolled through, Nocturnes would always belong to the Tangled Woods, and so they took their secret Familiars, made themselves a hidden meeting place, and began to train. Guardians were very large Dragons, and Numbers could work against them, but even so, the Overlords seemed to be a problem. None of the Auroras had ever fought another Dragon before, and their training - though aided by their secret Familiars, was stunted at best. They knew they would need help. Staria became the Leader of the Auroras by popular Vote, and she gave each Nocturne a Job baised on his or her talents, and the Mimic they'd been paired with. They occasionally send out one or two of the more mobile Mimic familiars to try and find help for their clan, knowing they'll need all the help they can get.

[center][size=7]Chapter 8 - Embers of the Future[/size][/center] Undertow came of age to find a mate, and so he set out on a solo hunt to find a mate suitable to carry on the legacy his Grandfather had started. Across Sorneith he traveled, scouting females in secret, passing judgement on them as potential mates and moving on. Until he found what he sought after. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38452120] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/384522/38452120_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] winging his way further and further, he came across the scene of a battle, items and treasure scattered about, and a Lone Pearlcatcher female wandering the wreckage with fresh battle-scars, collecting her prizes. Not too far off yet, some other Dragons were quickly fleeing from her, tattered wings flapping hard to escape. Undertow landed and approached the Pearlcatcher, commenting on her battle skills, and explaining why he was interrupting her treasure collecting. A few smooth lies and a few days later the pair had returned to Night Nest, already planning their future as the strongest leaders to come from the Frost Line. Undertow introduced Adilina to his Family, and made it known he would not tolerate his fore-bearers helping him find a suitable mate. He was taking the Family in a New direction to make them even Stronger, and Adilina was the one who would accomplish such a goal with him. ----- Sure enough, time came, and Adilina laid their first clutch of Eggs, 4 of them in fact. Both she and Undertow were highly territorial about their eggs, noone else was allowed near, Dragons in need of a nesting site were forced to find less then ideal locations around the Lair The Eggs hatched, and Undertow was not dissappointed with the results of his choice, his children bore more of Adilina, and less of the 'inferior' bloodline himself had come from. The Future for his own page in the family Legacy tomes, was looking very bright indeed. [columns][img]https://i.imgur.com/p8vyM0m.png[/img] [nextcol] [size=4]First, there was Rastor. A Young Warrior of carmine jaguar spots simmilar to his Mother's, grape daub wings and charcoal crackle like his Father's.[/size] [/columns] [columns] [size=4]Next was Sulir. Sulir has Cream Tiger markings like his Father, eggplant rosettes on his wings, and a watermelon pink crackle covering his body.[/size] [nextcol] [img]https://i.imgur.com/n6QmFaH.png[/img][/columns] [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/FJK7n9S.png[/img] [nextcol] [size=4]Third to hatch was Ashir. Ashir displayed a pinkish blush of tiger markings, stormy daub wings, and a platinum crackle over many of his scales.[/size] [/columns] [columns] [size=4]Last was Camilla. She had Shale tiger markings, heather purple rosettes on her wings and like her three brothers, a crackling in a watermelon hue.[/size] [nextcol] [img]https://i.imgur.com/wUQiDFk.png[/img] [/columns] With possibly strong warriors to continue the Family, Undertow and Adilina began their training as soon as the young hatchlings figured out how to get their small claws beneath themselves. ----- [img]https://i.imgur.com/lC79gXP.png?1.png[/img]

[center][size=7]Chapter 9 - A Change in the Tide[/size][/center] The time for challenges came again, and Undertow's legacy proved that he truly was the most vicious so far. Undertow's Children went into the Arena in pairs - Rastor and Sulir went first. Rastor was quick to down his brother and return victorious. Next was Ashir and Camilla. Camilla went down next, allowing Ashir to return victorious. Rastor and Ashir entered the Arena, and once again Rastor came out victorious very quickly. his position in the family secured, Rastor went out to find a mate to continue the family line. [center] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=39006260] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/390063/39006260_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] On his travels he found the ironically named Serenity, and while she didn't match his Mother's beautiful red tones, he found her fiery spirit to be a fair trade for her off-colors. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=39071792] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/390718/39071792_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] Like the rest of his family before him, He told spoke to Serenity and convinced her to join in on his family's lineage goals. When he returned with her, He and his Father and Mother made a decision. Their family line was much stronger now, they didn't need the weaker predecessors hanging around. With plan in mind, the four of them waited until nightfall, and disposed of Their elders to make way for the continuation of a Strong line of Dragons to come. After all, the previous members of the family were weak, and used weak tactics to keep control of the Night Nest clan.

[center][size=7]Chapter 10 - Meanwhile...[/size][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wH629X0.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/9AZ9mvv.png[/img][/center] Once the deed had been discovered (or rather, shown off), Tisima knew she had to get her children out of the lair, as fast as she possibly could. She also had to find a way to make sure there was enough power within the original clan to protect whoever remained. She and her mate, JackPumpkin, spent many hours thinking up a plan; and they came up with this. JackPumpkin had seen in a book that he could be changed, from a Fae, to a Guardian like his mate. Being born of Bones and Magic, the pair decided to give it a try. JackPumpkin wrote out the spell, and Tisima was the one to cast it. As Tisima spoke the spell one night, secluded from the Overlords and their Ladies that remained, Her Mate began to change, his image fading out with a shimmering cloud of purple magic until all that was left was a vaguely fae-shaped cloud. Afraid for her mate, Tisima finished the spell, and as it concluded, the shimmering cloud grew in size, rearranging itself, and began to solidify again into the shape of a Guardian. The form of a Guardian solidified, and the paper burned itself up. Tisima felt a tingling all over her scales, as if the magic wanted to cling to her as well. The Guardian now before her had the same colors as her Mate, the same eyes, but it was only when he greeted her by name and made a motion to embrace her in a nuzzle that Tisima relaxed and went to her Mate, glad that he was alright from the spell. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=36582264] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/365823/36582264_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] JackPumpkin was not the only one affected by the magic of the spell though. As they nuzzled and celebrated the success of the spell, JackPumpkin noticed Tisima's scales were beginning to glow in a Jade color. The pair watched as the glow collected in certain places, and formed into Runes on Tisima's scales. Tisima was in awe that using magic to transform JackPumpkin had also affected herself. She turned in place trying to examine herself of all the new marks she displayed. They matched with her beloved bats, and she was glad to sport the new markings. Watching his mate spin in place to examine her new markings, JackPumpkin began to feel different. He knew Guardians often had a charge, a thing or being they would die to protect, and while he didn't have a clue to any of the Overlord's charges, he had a strong hunch about Tisima's. As he thought about this, he came to realize his own Charge. His Charge was the knowledge of Magic, specifically transformation Magic. This was usually a specialty of the Mimics, who transformed themselves into Objects, imitating whatever they pleased, and suddenly it made sense to him why the Nocturnes who were brought in ad Eggs were always playing with strange items like shields and mirrors instead of the familiars of others; those 'toys' were Mimics, the Auroras Nocturnes did have familiars after all. He gave a nod to himself, and vowed to keep their secret for them. Knowing his charge now, he had to wonder if some of his magic had slipped out during the transformation and altered Tisima's appearance on accident. he decided not to mention this to Tisima, she seemed to enjoy her new markings, and they all had bigger problems to tend to. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=36582263] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/365823/36582263_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] Their plan was in motion now; One Guardian stronger in their numbers, now they had to focus on getting their children out of the lair before Undertow and Rastor came after them. The pair went to their Children and Grandchildren, and explained their plans. Many of the children agreed to leave with some persisting from their parents, fleeing the cave under the pretense of going to collect supplies - Meat, berries, books, whatever the clan needed. Many of them simply never returned, making their escape into the wider world of Sorneith. Tisima and JackPumpkin missed their family members dearly, but it was for the best to get them as far from Undertow and Rastor as possible. Some remained; Dryadia refused to leave, though she didn't know what she could do by staying. Dryadia's son Crow also remained, having recently found a mate and wishing to protect her and his family. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=36686821] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/366869/36686821_350.png[/img] [/url] [img]https://i.imgur.com/VDxVmCc.png[/img][/center] The transformation of his Grandfather gave Crow an Idea. Since the rest of the family couldn't all go at one time, he too would become a Guardian, and act as a distraction for the Overlords while the rest made their escapes. as a Guardian he could go out, hiding the smaller fae under his wings, and return with the supplies the remaining clan needed. it would curb any suspicions that might already be bubbling up to the surface. Tisima and JackPumpkin agreed. JackPumpkin told Crow what to expect, and wrote out another copy of the spell. Again Tisima went out in secret, hiding Crow under her wing, and preformed the spell, no new markings came to her, but her runes did glow brightly as the magic flowed through her to preform the spell. The spell took hold of Crow in the same manner as it had for JackPumpkin, and soon enough another Guardian stood ready to protect his clan. As the spell settled [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=37146399] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/371464/37146399_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] ----- [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=38124748] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/381248/38124748_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] Staria and the Auroras noticed the plan being put into motion. They would all have to band together to make this work, so the Nocturnes went out and mashed together a plan of their own. There were scales left over in the lair, shed or pulled in small 'examples' of power in the past. The Nocturnes collected them, and then brought back these same scales to Undertow and Rastor, spinning the lie that the 'missing' dragons had been found as naught but bone and scales, presenting the shed scales as proof. This seemed to settle things. The Tangled Woods was now seen as 'Dangerous', and the transformation of JackPumpkin and Crow were played off as being done only to continue to collect supplies. Between the two plans, Undertow and Rastor either didn't notice or didn't care about the clan being down another dragon every day. To make up for the loss of numbers, the Nocturnes trained harder, preparing for the day the battle would truly start. Tisima and Staria were being looked to for the sign to start, and while Staria was thriving as Leader of a Cause, Tisima was still reluctant as a Leader, her main focus being just to protect her family from harm, while Staria was younger and willing to take more risks.

[center]A Swamp of Possibilities[/center] Rastor and Serenity finally had a nest of their own, and they were quite proud of their three Eggs. when the time came, the eggs began to hatch; [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/5VMdmZf.png[/img] [nextcol] [size=4]Torien, a very earthy-looking male. Stone Skink/Pearl Rosette/Chocolate Crackle[/size] [/columns] [columns] [size=4]Azirir took more after his Mother in which colors he displayed. Algea Jaguar/Mist Daub/Cottoncandy Crackle[/size] [nextcol] [img]https://i.imgur.com/cDLZs99.png[/img] [/columns] [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/aFyajAl.png[/img] [nextcol] [size=4]Kahlai was the only daughter, she too took on a more green look from her Mother. Fern Jaguar/Grape Daub/Hickory Crackle[/size] [/columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/c8lXkVw.jpg[/img] (I can't believe I forgot to Grab the 'New Hatchling' Pic.. T-T I did my best to recreate it for anyone reading this.)

The trio of Hatchlings grew, and soon enough it was time again for them to see who would become the Only True Child. After many battles, The victor stood, the first of their kind; Kahlai the Daughter was Heir to the Frost Legacy and Name. She began her own Legacy as well, being the first female to inherit the title in many generations. [center] [b]Kahlai, Lady Frost[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=39617084] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/396171/39617084_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] As she was returning to her parents, full of pride for being the first, A Spiral came to Greet her, colored like drying blood and yellow metal. Glasur was his name, and he admired the Lady for her cunning battle skills against her Brothers. The two hit it off immedietly as they went, and by the time Kahlai reached her parents, the two had agreed to bring a new generation of little warriors to life, when the time was right. [center][b]Glasur[/b] [url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=33444955] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/334450/33444955_350.png[/img] [/url][/center]

[center]The Female Chances[/center] Time came; Kahlai and Glasur were ready to start their own chapter in the family legacy. they were blessed with a nest of three eggs, which they tended to very carefully. their efforts didn't go unrewarded. from the eggs came their children, future potential leaders and strong blood to add to the family line. [columns] Hirseria hatched first, a lovely little girl with Sable Jaguar/Cerise Daub/Marigold Crackle. [nextcol] [img]https://i.imgur.com/oZnmjet.png[/img] [/columns] [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/lipwXUd.png[/img] [nextcol] Next came Geodia, named for her Sanddollar Skink/Amethyst Daub/Stone Crackle. [/columns] [columns] Last there was the only son of the clutch; Thorne. His apperiance like a thorny flower - Murk Jaguar/Rose Daub/Slate Crackle [nextcol] [img]https://i.imgur.com/BX6klg6.png[/img] [/columns] Kahlai was pleased with the odds that another female would inherit the legacy, but only time would tell if the legacy stayed in female claws, or moved back into male claws. [img]https://i.imgur.com/r8ugj79.png[/img]

[center]A Queen in the Making[/center] The day of Battle came, and while the young adult Dragons were ready for their chance at being the only 'recognized' member of the family, other things had to happen first... Kahlai was the first Female in the family to claim the Title in a challenge, and now her Children were getting ready to go through the same test. There were good chances of another Female leader, and she wanted them to have the best reign possible. In order to accomplish this; the previous Male Lords of Frost, had to be removed. they sprung the trap at Dawn; Kahlai, her mate and her children, against two generations of former leaders and their mates. Fortune favors the young 'they' say, and for this endevor 'they' are not wrong. While the previous generations have difficulties keeping up with the youths' tricks, the younger dragons have no problems at all, and soon run the previous generations out of the lair for good. Satisfied with the air for a potential new Lady Frost, Kahlai takes her children to the battle grounds where only one of them will remain her child. Hirseria, Geodia and Thorne enter the battle grounds, and the fighting begins for the second time this day, tooth and claw flashing wildly in a tangle of limbs, tails, wings and necks. When the dust finally settles, Hirseria is the one walking back to her parents with Pride, the nest Lady Frost has arrived in all her glory. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=40062681] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/400627/40062681_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] ----- (OMG The New Coli almost messed this up so badly O.o Did you know when you level up you get all your dragons health back now? I didn't! I ended up soooooo close to having any of the three as Heir only to find out 'WHOOP! LEVEL UP, FULL HEALTH!'. I ended up tossing these three into a much higher level battle ground and just letting the enemies wail on them and tracked the order they fell. Gonna be interesting from here on out, Halfway through the challenge and still only Guardians!)

[center]The Era of Princesses[/center] Hirseria took her time finding a mate, but soon enough she found someone worthy of her storied lineage, worth to carry on her line. [center][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=39931306] [img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/350/399314/39931306_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] His name was Karobi, and though he was not a perfect match for her as far as appearances, his persistent flirting and sweet talking won the Lady of Frost's attention. Together they had a Nest of five eggs, and when time came for the eggs to hatch, Hirseria was pleasantly surprised to see just how strong her lineage was, and how well Karobi complimented her ambitions as far as their children went. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nm0UULO.png[/img][/center] Five beautiful Daughters, not a single Son in sight. Hirseria could not have been more proud of her children, eagerly showing them off to the former Lady of Frost, their Grandmother, Kahlai. Of course, the Princesses needed names, each one was given something unique, the Frost Legacy would remain secure for another generation. [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Q317BDZ.png[/img] [nextcol] [b]Frostfire[/b] Auburn Jaguar / Maize Daub / Orange Crackle [/columns] [columns] [b]Rosechai[/b] Strawberry Jaguar / Maize Daub / Latte Smirch [nextcol] [img]https://i.imgur.com/XfxXsI5.png[/img] [/columns] [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/X1VRqkA.png[/img] [nextcol] [b]Jathatia[/b] Lead Jaguar / Dust Daub / Stone Crackle [/columns] [columns] [b]Teafrost[/b] Coral Jaguar / Fuchsia Daub / Tarnish Crackle [nextcol] [img]https://i.imgur.com/AqER8Mt.png[/img] [/columns] [columns] [img]https://i.imgur.com/LrUvrPc.png[/img] [nextcol] [b]Diaya[/b] Fuchsia Jaguar / White Daub / Stone Crackle [/columns]