Quests & Challenges

From deep withing the murk of twilight, a ship emerges. It is small, ramshackle, and at first glance appears uninhabited. But as the rising tides carry it in toward the shore, the coastal clan's onlookers notice movement on the ship's deck. There are dragons aboard! One leans over the starboard railing as the vessel draws within hearing range. They are a disheveled, snaggle-toothed thing, with a beaten cap struggling to stay atop their head. "Prepare to be raided, landers," it cries. "It's Pirate Time!"

So. I'm doing a themed Fodderlocke based off 's original. I need the funds for a couple projects I've been meaning to get around to doing. As a bonus, I get writing practice! I'll try to post a snippet of reasonable length every day, but we'll see how that goes.

These are the rules I'll be using. Some are effectively the same as the original, and others I've changed up to suit my personal preferences or the theme.

SETUP:

1. Start with a captain of level 8 and four crew members of level 6.
2. If any crew member becomes stronger than the captain, they duel for control of the crew. Loser is tossed overboard.

PHASE ONE:

1. Get two new recruits and teach them the rules of the ship and their place on it! (grab the two cheapest AH adults and get them to level6)
2. When the recruits finish training, set them to work with a test of knowledge and strength. Those who fail will be thrown overboard! (roll a d6 for each and exalt them if it is anything other than a 6; those join the crew)
3. Repeat until at least one recruit graduates.

PHASE TWO:

Roll a d12 to determine what activities the crew is doing today:


1. Offspring? Two dragons have apparently been busy when no one was looking and now there's ankle-biters running about the deck. Or, somehow, a hatchling got on at the last port of call and now the crew is stuck with it. (all hatchlings achieved through either a nest or off the AH go to level 5)

2. Soulmates It's kinda supposed to be a secret, relationships at work and all, but two dragons have been going everywhere and doing everything together. Of course, this means that everyone knows what's up. (anything that happens to one happens to both)

3. Looting Two dragons went on a bit of an adventure on the last raiding trip and brought something back. (go to an under-leveled venue and grind)

4. Stowaway There's a strange dragon discovered below deck. How did they get here? (rando adult joins from the AH and remains at level 1)

5. Raiding! "It's time to go ashore and strengthen ourselves! You two! Don't come back until you've gotten some combat experience!" Sometimes they take the captain's orders to heart and never return. (two dragons gain a level, but get exalted if a 1 is the result of a d6 roll for them afterwards)

6. Raiding! "It's time to go ashore and strengthen ourselves! You two! Don't come back until you've gotten some combat experience!" Sometimes they take the captain's orders to heart and never return. (two dragons gain a level, but get exalted if a 1 is the result of a d6 roll for them afterwards)

7. Raiding! "It's time to go ashore and strengthen ourselves! You two! Don't come back until you've gotten some combat experience!" Sometimes they take the captain's orders to heart and never return. (two dragons gain a level, but get exalted if a 1 is the result of a d6 roll for them afterwards)

8. Adoption Some irresponsible dragon brought back a hatchling. Guess it's one of us now . . . (adopt a random hatchling from the AH)

9. Murder! A dragon was found to be missing this morning when they were doing just fine last night, but nobody's admitting to anything. (random crew member, excluding captain, gets exalted)

10. Refresher Course Some of the newbies have been slacking off lately. Time to issue another exam! Failures must face the open sea! (roll a d10 for the lowest leveled half of the crew, exalt those whose rolls are higher than their level, survivors gain a level)


11. All Hands On Deck! All aboard the ship must prove their worth and that they can keep up. There's no room here for those who can't hold their own! (all dragons roll a d12, and are exalted if the result is higher than their level, survivors gain a level)

12. Mutiny! The captain's gone. Time to pick a new dragon to lord over the rest and keep everyone in line. They're so pleased to have been selected that they spend some time getting experience. (the captain is exalted and the highest-leveled/oldest takes their place and gains a level)



If you want to be added to a pinglist for this, just let me know!

Also feel free to read and review the story; constructive criticism is appreciated!

Here's my starting group, we'll see how long they last . . . [b]Captain Gamble[/b] [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61604963] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/616050/61604963_350.png[/img] [/url] A fierce hunter who left land behind her long ago. Headstrong and charismatic, she's managed to gather a crew of followers from all over the world, and she takes only the best. She's determined to make a fortune for herself, but whether she'll make it long enough is anyone's guess. [b]Crew:[/b] Bloodbringer [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61596144] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/615962/61596144_350.png[/img] [/url] The only male on the ship as of the moment, and quite pleased with the situation. He's a little young yet to be looking to settle permanently - and fears the Captain might claw his tail off if he tried - but this is a good place to start. Crystalsong [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61604970] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/616050/61604970_350.png[/img] [/url] A young dragon determined to forge her own way in the world. She puts up a facade of being a relatively lazy and uninspired lackey, but - make no mistake - she's gunning for Gamble's position. Thornspine [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61433751] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/614338/61433751_350.png[/img] [/url] Being a rather fierce warrior herself, she's always wanted to be surrounded by like-minded individuals. The crew isn't exactly what she had in mind, but it's a start, and she's just happy none of them yell at her for burning things. Peari [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=60878781] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/608788/60878781_350.png[/img] [/url] She's a little older than the other crew members, but that's not anywhere near enough to keep her down. Often she finds herself being the voice of reason steering both the younger dragons and the ship itself.

[b][u]Allocation of Resources:[/b][/u] [center][b]Treasure spent on obtaining dragons[/b][/center] [center][emoji=treasure size=1]291893[/center] [center][b]Resources gained from exalting[/b][/center] [center][emoji=treasure size=1]465391[/center] [center][emoji=gem size=1]2[/center] [center][b]Total Profits[/b]20[/center] [center][emoji=treasure size=1]206476[/center] [center][emoji=gem size=1]2[/center]

[b][u]Day One Results:[/b][/u] [center][b]Failed Recruits[/b][center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61629295] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616293/61629295.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61600668] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616007/61600668.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61615101] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616152/61615101.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61615203] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616153/61615203.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61616124] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616162/61616124.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61400428] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/614005/61400428.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61503624] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/615037/61503624.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][b]Graduated into the Crew[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61503623] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/615037/61503623_350.png[/img] [/url][/center]

[center][b][u]Pirate Time Tales[/u][/b][/center] [b]One[/b] The ship remained close to the port for most of the day, as Captain Gamble had demanded that they get at least one recruit before they headed out to the open sea. Peari understood wanting more hands, as it had been difficult to get the ship through that storm last week with only the five of them, but it was a bit ridiculous. Crystalsong and Thornspine had been going about the task with such enthusiasm in made her ache just looking at them. Gamble herself had spent most of the day up in the rigging shouting orders at the harried dragons below her. She was enjoying this far too much. Bloodbringer bounced back and forth between the ship and the shore, bringing new recruits with him with each trip. And Peari had shown one promising young Banescale how to handle the helm. Around an hour or so from sunset, Gamble called everyone to the deck and announced the final phase of her plan. "Alright, you lot! You've spent all day aboard my ship, and it's time to see if you're worthy of staying. Everyone to work!" With that, the eight recruits jumped into action to display the results of their hard day's work. It was a madhouse, and Peari did her best to stay out of the way of the frantic youngsters. They'd be lucky if Gamble decided she wanted even one of them. The captain worked them into the deck with her test. She had them put the ship through its paces, then clean the deck, then race up the rigging and furl and unfurl the sails, and anything else she could think to have them do. At the end of it, all eight were near to dropping, and Gamble had them all line up at the aft deck to see who had passed and who had failed. The mirror hummed to herself and whipped her tail behind her as she regarded them, sweaty and exhausted. She walked the line a few times, debating with herself. Turning suddenly to face the banescale Peari had trained, she called out, "You! You pass. The rest go!" Before any of the failed recruits could react to their dismissal, Bloodbringer darted forward, glee in his eyes, and barrelled one of them off the ship and into the water. Grinning, he faced the others. "The rest of you can get off the easy way or the hard way, which will it be?" Unsurprisingly, they chose the easy way. Peari and the others congratulated and welcomed the new crewmember, Shattervoid, with a toast before they all turned in for the night. All but Crystalsong, who was on watch. The next morning, Peari found herself with one of the most shocking happenings in her life. There was a hatchling - a blue, furry hatchling - in her bunk with her. The tiny thing blinked up at her and sighed before going back to sleep. Now what was she supposed to do?!? [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61750868] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/617509/61750868_350.png[/img] [/url][/center]

[b][u]Day Two Results:[/b][/u] [center][b]Failed Recruits[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61370107] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/613702/61370107.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61513968] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/615140/61513968.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61636809] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616369/61636809.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61636771] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616368/61636771.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61428041] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/614281/61428041.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][b]Graduated into the Crew[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61422000] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/614221/61422000_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][b]Lost to the Waves[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61596144] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/615962/61596144_350.png[/img] [/url][/center]

Two

Crystalsong had originally thought that going on a raiding trip with Bloodbringer would be a good chance to get stronger without Gamble noticing. So they had taken the shore-boat and docked a few miles from the coastal clan they were targeting. The trip to land and the walk to the sleeping lair had gone well enough. Even the midnight raid itself had gone without a hitch. She was sure her experience would give her and edge over the others.

The issue was - and really, it was her own fault for not seeing it coming - that on the way back to the boat, Bloodbringer had at some point decided to pass the time by flirting with her. He had been eying her all evening, and she had dismissed it early on; too absorbed in her own plotting to pay much attention to him. But ignoring the persistent guardian was becoming less and less of an option as he continued.

"Come on, Crys, it'll be fun! We'll even be back before Gamble's sunrise deadline! You know you waaaant to." No. She really didn't. She really did not want to go diving at the nearby reef they had nearly run aground on this morning. Perhaps she might have been interested in seeing it from above the water, in the middle of the day, but not what Bloodbringer was suggesting.

And he had been insisting on his terrible idea for the entire trip back to the boat. So, she did the one thing she knew would get him to stop. The best part was that it was the truth and it would get him to leave her alone permanently. She pulled to a full stop, the satchel of stolen goods jangling from its place around her shoulders. To her side, Bloodbringer fell to a stop a few steps after her, falling silent and turning back to look at her questioningly.

"I've got a few important things to say, so listen up." The male straightened his spine and nodded, suddenly serious. "Firstly, this is not an appropriate time or place to be flirting; we're working. Secondly, come up with some better opening lines. Third, and most importantly," he nodded vigorously, obviously hoping that she would agree to his request, "I'm a lesbian, so consider a different target for your affections."

Bloodbringer raised a claw and opened his mouth as if to say something, then slowly put it back down and closed his mouth, nodding sagely. "I understand, sorry about that." He tilted his head to the side then, "But, would you be opposed to helping me compose some better lines? I'll admit I was winging it with those, and I'd like some feedback before trying again."

Crystalsong starting moving again before answering. It was important to get back on time, or Gamble would rip them both in half. "I don't mind reviewing them, but they'll sound better if you come up with them on your own." He nodded again and started after her. The rest of the trip back was quiet, but it was amicable.

But the random stops combined with a scuffle with one oversized squirrel when they got back to where they had docked, meant that they arrived back at the ship just as the first rays of dawn were creeping over the horizon. When the two of them climbed over the railing and onto the deck, it was to find Gamble waiting for them, tail whipping sinuously behind her.

"You're late . . "

A cold, sinking feeling took root in her stomach, and she knew that she had failed. She would never captain her own ship, Gamble was going to throw her overboard and it would be over.

But Bloodbringer intervened in the fate she had seen for herself. He stepped forward and dropped the bag he had been carrying. "It's my fault, Captain, and I take full responsibility for the mistake."

She turned to him, jaw falling in surprise, but she had not reacted fast enough to see anything other than a halfhearted grin before it is gone. Gamble, hissing, replaces him as there is a splash below. The captain turns to her, "You're lucky, Crys, pray it lasts."

[b][u]Day Three Results[/b][/u] [center][b]Failed Recruits[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61661689] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616617/61661689.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61661688] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616617/61661688.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61263495] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/612635/61263495.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61263494] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/612635/61263494.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61516224] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/615163/61516224.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][b]Graduated into the Crew[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61514982] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/615150/61514982_350.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center]

Three

Gamble had been itching to do something with her own claws the past few days. Sure, ordering the crew around and watching them jump was fun enough, but it wasn't the same as getting in the middle of something herself. So she decided that would be just what she did today. Her eyes skated to the side, landing on yesterday's recruit, Arzhur. He had yet to add anything of value to the crew.

"Arzhur!" she barked, "get over here! We're going to go find a chest." The silver imperial twitched, surprised at being addressed, and clambered up to her position in the rigging. It took him a minute to reach her, and during that time she surveyed the high cliffs of the island just to the north. It would be easy to take the shore-boat to the bottom with the calm waters of the area, but that seemed boring. They would fly there.

The larger dragon arrived at her side and bobbed his head, "We're going ashore, Captain?" His voice was quiet, as if he was purposefully trying not to irritate her. Which was quite possible. Most days she had a rather rotten temper - yesterday being a prime example - but she was feeling charitable today.

"Yes. And we're not coming back without a chest. Come, we're going to fly up there." She points to the nearest outcropping, maybe half a kilometer away and just as far up. It was a bit of a distance for any dragon who was not an experienced flyer, but she was confident in her abilities. And if Arzhur fell, then at least it was water below them.

The imperial nodded, nervous but determined. So she launched herself from her perch and opened her wings to catch the wind. The sea-breeze was strong today, and she let it carry her for a moment before moving to ascend. Arzhur was only a few seconds behind her, and she heard a stifled yelp as he spread his wings. A glance back told her that he had tried to copy her, but his larger weight had sent him plummeting for a moment.

She snickered quietly to herself. It was a simple mistake, and largely harmless this close to the ship where he could simply climb up the hull if he fell. The rest of the flight over to the island went smoothly, and she alighted on the rocks at the top of the cliff easily. Arzhur had a slightly more difficult time; he almost missed and his lower half slid over the edge before he clawed his way back up.

Instead of commenting on the slip, she simply tossed her head toward the trees before them before moving into the undergrowth, wings folded close to her sides. The imperial followed slightly behind and to her right, ears swiveling back and forth for activity. Gamble closed one pair of eyes so she could focus on heat-sensing, as any buried treasures would leave both disturbed ground and a unique heat signature.

It turned out to be a good thing that Arzhur was monitoring the surroundings, because they were soon confronted with an entire pack of red-and-green flowering foxes. The little creatures quickly fell to her claws and the imperial's breath, but their numbers could have been a problem if Arzhur had not noticed them as soon as he had. When it was over, she nodded to him, "Good job." before going back to searching.

They encountered many more small groups of hostile creatures, all of which fell quickly, save the two that decided to follow them back to the ship later that evening. Eventually, a few misplaces steps sent the two of them careening into a shallow ditch, whereupon Arzhur found a battlestone. He tucked it into his pack even though neither of them would be able to use it, claiming that they could at least sell it at the next port.

Finally, as the day wore on into evening, she spotted it. The ground was softer around the river, and about a meter from the bank was the distinct dull red of a chest. Together, Gamble and Arzhur dug through the muck to find a small, earthenware box which clanked when shaken. But when opened, it revealed a measly fifty coins.

It was a rather disappointing result to be honest, and she could see the imperial tensing up, waiting for her to say as much and demand that they find another. But she had gotten what she wanted. And, really, she had little desire to continue when she was covered in black mud up to her elbows. "We'll head back to the ship. I'm pleased with this."

It was a blatant lie, but whether or not Arzhur knew it, he slumped in relief at her words.

[b][u]Day Four Results[/b][/u] [center][b]Failed Recruits[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61690052] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616901/61690052.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61697260] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616973/61697260.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61421812] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/614219/61421812.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61088806] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/610889/61088806.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61668368] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616684/61668368.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61686822] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616869/61686822.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61686829] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616869/61686829.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61686828] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616869/61686828.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61622015] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616221/61622015.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61622014] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616221/61622014.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61684454] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616845/61684454.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61601666] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616017/61601666.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=58638094] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/586381/58638094.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61686447] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/616865/61686447.png[/img] [/url][/center] [center][b]Graduated into the Crew[/b][/center] [center][url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=61686991] [img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/350/616870/61686991_350.png[/img] [/url][/center]