Quests & Challenges

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty[/u][/b][/center] Rolls: hunting trip, quest x2, scandal, freeloader, and I quit [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v2clwnd6xkmvf6x/firetop.png[/img][/center] Success! Immortalis made another life-bestowing amulet, which he immediately gave to the queen because duh. After losing the life he’d granted her before he was not about to leave her unprotected while he could help it. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nb3br8wrhn4wvbz/firebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4bs9wirigoii3x2/windtop.png[/img][/center] Speaking of Rapidfeet, Ani and Lania decided to go on a shopping trip for Ani’s son in order to restock the healing herbs he used for his medicine. It was quite the productive trip; Rapidfeet won’t have to worry about running out of supplies anytime soon. Ani for his part bought a little something extra for his mate, and the two had a romantic brunch together. Not quite the traditional dinner, but Ani saw no reason to wait. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/f3hcf4vhaj19x4y/windbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ggbjrd9lce69ae9/arcanetop.png[/img][/center] After lunch, two groups of questers went out into the Shrieking Wilds: Azami and Riversweet in one group, and Ani and Rapidfeet in the other. Both father and son were still hurting over their loved one’s betrayal, and figured this would be a good bonding experience. Happily, neither quest ended in disaster, and both groups came back safely, each bearing a load of treasure to add to the kingdom treasury! [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6wlpvlzjg2yhu20/arcanebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u7au4j6lhw9i5dd/lightningtop.png[/img][/center] There…really wasn’t much to do with Riversweet’s current job. Keeping a genealogy record was all well and good, but the kingdom was still relatively new. Once the currently-thin book was finished, Riversweet found herself with nothing to do. Thus, she decided a job change was in order. Specifically, to a gardener: Havenshire could use a bit of grooming, and Riversweet knew just where to start. By the time she was done, Havenshire would be a place of beauty, with perfectly manicured roads, colorful gardens, hanging plants, and more. Yes, this was a much better use of her time. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u2wvfk0jxtnwtwk/lightningbottom.png[/img] [img] https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/x1e1ansl1hjjm1v/watertop.png[/img][/center] The quiet afternoon air was suddenly shattered by what sounded like a mix of an explosion and shattering glass, immediately attracting the attention of the entire kingdom. What they found lying in a rather large patch of scorched grass was a young Guardian, who immediately took one look at Liam and started cheering. Apparently, he had used a teleportation spell he’d ad-hoced together to bring him from his birth clan in the Gladeveins directly to his charge: Liam, much to the shock of the disguised centaur. And as his charge was here, of course Avalon wanted to stay. Queen Banith was hardly going to tell him no, and so the kingdom gained a new subject. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/q7bzkdkcca4yban/waterbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/w57d8ll9nuqntn4/icetop2.png[/img][/center] Right. Immortalis needed to go, and this time, Liam would make sure he succeeded. So far, every time he’d failed an assassination he’d switched targets, meaning the dragons of Havenshire wouldn’t expect him to go after the same dragon twice. Hopefully that meant Immortalis had let his guard down, though Liam wasn’t counting on it. As he was currently in no physical shape to be fighting anyone, that left him with indirect methods of killing. That was fine with him; whatever got the job done. It was a simple thing to replace the oil in his lantern with a special mix that produced a toxic gas rather than harmless smoke. Immortalis would simply grow more and more tired as the lantern burned, before passing out from the lack of oxygen. Honestly, Liam should’ve tried this the first time around. The plan worked, and Immortalis simply suffocated in his sleep. A painless death, though it was hardly a painless passing - Azami in particular loudly mourned the loss of her guardian when they found him the next morning. To Liam’s delight, they had no idea about what he’d done with the lantern, and simply assumed the old Guardian had passed in his sleep. Another dragon down. That had gone even better than he’d hoped - perhaps indirect killings were the way to go after all. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/2/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qn8aoui4u4bzgpa/icebottom2.png[/img][/center] Well that sucked. At least Immortalis managed to get a life +1 off before Liam kicked him off the mortal coil, but come on. Blacksmiths are so nice, I needed him. And even worse, Avalon rolled to take [i]Liam[/i] of all people as his charge. [i]Liam.[/i] This isn’t good D: Somehow I also missed the fact that Azami doesn’t have a charge so I rolled for her, and she picked the much more reasonable choice of one of Queen Banith’s soon-to-hatch eggies On top of that, I have no room for the scandal hatchling; I only have enough space for the nest hatching tomorrow so no extra baby for me Also, Windstorm is still up for grabs. Apparently she’s still trying to make her way out of the Shrieking Wilds lol. It’ll be cool to see where she ends up

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty One [u][/b][/center] Rolls: romance x2, the plague, Beastclan attack, train the newbies, and death bond [center][img] https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5c92eu0ldp517xq/naturetop.png[/img][/center] The eggs so lovingly taken care of by the queen after her late lover’s death were finally due to hatch, and Ani as the nesting-helper was on standby for when the time came. And come it did; a little gray snout was the first to pip, followed minutes later by one of dark blue. One by one, the Mirror hatchlings tumbled out of their oaken eggshells; each one healthy and strong. “They’re beautiful.” Queen Banith whispered, misty-eyed. Ani put a paw on her shoulder in support. “That they are.” He agreed. “That they are.” [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/nests/10/4healthy_0dead.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qm74b50l7x2kgjh/naturebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fz2s7alqwhoe3lt/plaguetop.png[/img][/center] Another sickness has spread through the Shrieking Wilds, infecting all in its path, and Havenshire was no different. Every dragon came down sick; Queen Banith was utterly terrified of losing any or all of her hatchlings, and spend every waking and sleeping hour curled around them, offering what comfort she could. In the end, it wasn’t a hatchling who died, but rather an adult. Ani’s breathing became harsh and labored, taking more and more out of him with each hour that passed. Vitra was there for him through it all, and when Ani breathed his last, let out a heartbroken wail and curled around her dead beloved. She did not want to live in a world without him in it, and simply lay there, having lost the will to live. Soon, Vitra, too, was dead, having died of a broken heart. But here fate was cruel: Vitra still had two of the three lives of a knight, and her heartbreak could only claim one of them. She found herself taking breath again mere minutes after death, and cursed the world for it. It was Rapidfeet, in the end, who stopped her from doing something rather horrible and sad in her grief. “What about me?” He asked, having rushed to Vitra’s side as soon as he was told of her death. “Would you leave me all alone? Father may be gone, but, I’m still here. Surely…surely I’m worth staying for, right?” Her son asked, voice cracking at the end. At this words, at seeing the anguish on her son’s face, Vitra felt her heart break a second time. “Oh, Rapidfeet. I’m so sorry. You’re right.” She said, coming forward and hugging the young Pearlcatcher. “I wasn’t thinking. I won’t put you through the pain of losing a second parent; not after all we have lost already.” “Th-thank you, mother.” Rapidfeet sniffled; and there the two stayed, mourning together for their lost loved one. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/4/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/335f8rj4xzh00m5/plaguebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bpgp2hj1ng7adfz/beastclantop.png[/img][/center] Falcon, while out on border patrol, found a mob of Talonok gathered at their borders, clearly preparing for an attack. He flew straight home, reporting directly to the queen, who agreed with his assessment that they should take the opportunity to strike first. And strike first they did. Caught entirely by surprise, the Talonok army was put on the back foot, and unable to rally back against the might of eight angry dragons bearing down on them (Liam volunteered to stay and watch the hatchlings during the attack, something everyone was happy to let him do). It soon became clear that the Talonok weren’t going to win this fight; with the sound of a horn, they called a retreat, and fled back into the depths of the jungle. The dragons of Havenshire roared in triumph; not only had they stopped the invading army before they could attack their home, but they’d lost no lives in the process. In light of this, it wasn’t surprising when Queen Banith declared that they’d hold a celebratory feast that night to commemorate their overwhelming victory. A feast that, to Liam, tasted like ash. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wabr3z0lfz4q3gh/beastclanbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/eojtxe9q91m67tz/lighttop.png[/img][/center] As Vitra had just lost her mate, it was Falcon who took Avalon into the coliseum to train, as the Guardian was still quite young. While he had a few missteps, Avalon soon found his stride, and gained a level from the training. Falcon couldn’t have been more proud. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zh57bc4xsa06f9p/lightbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rssip7p2a67i6ll/earthtop.png[/img][/center] Liam couldn’t believe his ears. Rapidfeet had to be mistaken. “Repeat that again?” “You and Falcon have a death bond.” Rapidfeet repeatedly dryly. “I’m not sure when or how it happened, but there’s no mistaking it. A pity; Falcon will probably be fine, so long as he doesn’t lose more than one life, but you…” the Pearlcatcher winced. “I’m sorry. Just…try to stay alive, okay? The both of you. I don’t want to lose any more friends.” The healer’s words felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over Liam’s head. He had a death bond. He was tied into a death bond, [i]with Falcon,[/i] one of the enemies he’d sworn to kill. By the stars and seas, why him?! Now he couldn’t kill the knight; he’d have to drug him after he’d wiped out the kingdom, cart him off to his herd. See if there was any way to reverse or break this bond, or if they’d have to keep the Skydancer alive and imprisoned for the rest of his life. Liam groaned, burying his face into his stolen paws. Great. Just what he needed today. Absolutely peachy. That was sarcasm, in case you couldn’t tell. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jib5m0amd6p9cqq/earthbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/w57d8ll9nuqntn4/icetop2.png[/img][/center] Honestly, Liam was too busy reeling from the revelation to really focus on his work. He’d been planning on killing Falcon today, actually, to start whittling down the lives he had. If Rapidfeet hadn’t noticed when he had… Liam shuddered. How close he had come to accidentally killing himself! No, he wasn’t getting anything done today. He’d start plotting again in the morning, just…not tonight. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qn8aoui4u4bzgpa/icebottom2.png[/img][/center] I’m so happy all of Queen Banith’s kids survived, and Liam screwed himself over rolling Falcon for his target. I love Aion in particular, he’s so pretty. It was my first fully surviving nest too, which was awesome. Ani dying, however, is less so. Why out of all dragons did it have to be him?! I need my nesting-helper! Here’s hoping Avalon steps up to the plate, though I’m not holding my breath. Hang in there, hatchies. You just have to make it five more days I also changed the divider for the graveyard to the shadow element one; I’ll be using it for deaths from now on while keeping earth for death streaks and bonds. I’ll be retroactively going back and correcting that now in previous posts. Originally, I had it for exiles and deserters, but since that hasn’t cropped up at all, well. It’s cool and I wanna use it, so restructuring it is

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty Two [u][/b][/center] Rolls: new arrival, the plague, Beastclan attack, 50 coli matches, and quest [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/x1e1ansl1hjjm1v/watertop.png[/img][/center] Falcon was on patrol that morning when he encountered a battered, bloody Nocturne on the very of death literally dragging himself forward by his claws, his wings and hind legs mangled beyond belief. And having heard Falcon’s approaching footsteps, the Nocturne looked up with hope blossoming in pain-glazed eyes. “Please…h-hel…p…me-e…” the dragon croaked, before passing out with a small sigh. Panicking, Falcon gingerly picked up the Nocturne before flying him to Rapidfeet’s clinic as fast as his wings could carry him. Rapidfeet took one look at his newest patient and blanched. “Get him on the table!” He ordered, rushing to the back wall and grabbing herb after herb after salve. Falcon, already freaked out, immediately obeyed, and spent the next several hours being directed by Rapidfeet to aid him in saving the young dragon’s life. It was touch and go, and there were several times the Nocturne’s body almost gave out on him, but in the end…he lived. His wings would forever remain tattered, and his hind legs would never be the same, but he would live. It was only when the dragon woke that they got his name. “Aixa.” The young Nocturne explained in answer to Rapidfeet’s question. “What happened?” “I found you on the border of the kingdom, almost dead. But forget about that - what happened to [i]you?[/i] You’ll never fly again - injuries like that don’t just happen on a whim!” “Wh-what?!” Axia gasped, before turning to inspect his wings. He let out an awful moan at the realization that yes, Falcon was correct: the skies would never be his again. “Well?” “I…I was betrayed. Framed, for something I didn’t do.” Axia lied, thinking quickly on how to best ingratiate himself to his rescuers. “I just barely managed to escape with my life, and even then…if I hadn’t chanced to run into you, I still would’ve lost it.” The young dragon said mournfully. Rapidfeet took one of his paws in comfort. “But you made it. You’re here now. I’m sure the queen will let you stay until you’re healed, and then you can go where you need to. Or stay; I’m sure the queen wouldn’t mind that either.” He added. “…Stay. I’ll stay.” Axia said after a moment. “There’s nowhere else for me to go.” Falcon smiled at the younger dragon. “Then let me be the first to welcome you to Havenshire. Listen to the healer, I’ll go report to Queen Banith.” And with that, the Skydancer spread his wings and took flight, leaving Axia in Rapidfeet’s care. He’d escaped. His old kingdom thought him dead, bled out in the wilds he’d fled into, but in reality, he was alive. Alive and breathing, and desperate to grab this second chance with both paws. At least the Serthis would think him dead too. That saved him from worrying about them hunting him down for running out on his contract. No, this was a new life, a fresh start, and he wasn’t going to mess it up this time. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/q7bzkdkcca4yban/waterbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fz2s7alqwhoe3lt/plaguetop.png[/img][/center] The sickness plaguing the jungle hasn’t abated - in fact, it’s only gotten worse. This time, not one, but two dragons were taken from the kingdom. It seems Vitra’s promise would be broken after all. The plague stole her breath away during the night, and Rapidfeet found her dead upon the morn. His cries and begging for her not to leave him alerted the kingdom to their newest tragedy. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Queen Banith’s worst nightmare came to pass: one of her hatchlings, Aion, was horribly sick, and Rapidfeet didn’t believe he’d last the night, though there was the small chance he’d pull through. Naturally, Queen Banith did everything she could to aid her little one, no matter that it may amount to naught at the end. She had to try. It was while she was making the necessary arrangements for Vitra’s funeral that Falcon stole into the nursery. His eyes narrowed as he took in the sickly hatchling. Pathetic. Weak. He couldn’t understand why his queen was wasting resources on a whelp doomed to die, but he knew what to do. What his tribe had always done, to those hatchlings who were either born or became sick and the weak. Deceptively gently, the Skydancer picked up the baby Mirror before jumping out the window and taking flight. It was only minutes before he arrived at his destination: the largest waterfall within the kingdom’s borders. “Falcon!! What are you [i]doing?![/i]” Falcon turned; that was Azami shrieking, flying toward him like a dragon possessed. Confused, he merely shrugged. “Taking care of the weak.” He said, before tossing the hatchling over the falls. “There is-“ An unholy shriek tore from Azami’s lips, and she barreled right past him and over the falls after the little baby. Bewildered, Falcon could only watch as she disappeared into the mists, but stayed to watch. He couldn’t let the Guardian bring back the sickly hatchling, as low as the odds of her saving it were. Besides, that one wasn’t even her charge; what did she care? Eventually, Azami returned, soaking wet and despondent. That sorrow quickly turned to anger as she saw Falcon sitting there. “Murderer!” Azami roared, leaping on the startled Skydancer. “Murderer! Traitor! Deceiver! [i]Monster![/i]” “Azami, calm down!” Falcon protested, managing to throw the enraged Guardian off him. “I only did what was best for the kingdom!” “[i]HOW WAS THAT BEST FOR THE KINGDOM?![/i]” “It was weak! Worthless! The queen was only wasting resources on it when the thing wa-“ Azami didn’t let him finish. With a fury beyond anything she had even known, the tailor threw herself at the knight, biting and kicking and clawing and tearing. She wanted him to [i]pay,[/i] to feel the pain she was feeling. To carve the agony in her heart upon his [i]worthless[/i] hide. It wasn’t until the Skydancer grew still, no longer fighting back, that the haze cleared from Azami’s mind. Falcon was merely unconscious, not dead, but..if she didn’t get him back to Ani, he might bleed out. And that... “I’m only saving your worthless hide because killing you would mean killing my baby brother.” Azami snarled, looking down at the mangled Skydancer. How fitting. Grabbing him by the wing, she took flight and began making her way back to Havenshire. The town was only a few minutes away; Falcon was just barely starting to regain consciousness when she threw him onto the ground. “Someone get Queen Banith!!” She snarled at the nearest dragon - Lania. “This [i]traitor[/i] has much to answer for.” To say nobody was happy with Falcon would be an understatement. The queen dearly wanted to execute him right then and there, but after a minute of fuming realized with cold certainty that were she to do that, it would mean killing Liam as well. For the time being, the knight was to be imprisoned until his ultimate fate was decided. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/8/coli_defeated.png[/img][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/3/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/335f8rj4xzh00m5/plaguebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bpgp2hj1ng7adfz/beastclantop.png[/img][/center] Evidently, the Talonok did [i]not[/i] take kindly to having their butts whooped the other day, and launched a surprise counterattack while the kingdom assumed them to still be licking their wounds. Even though the kingdom of Havenshire was weakened by the sickness, it appeared the Talonok were worse off for it, as for all that their army had the element of surprise, they were weaker than the one ambushed at the border. When the dust settled, and the Beastclan had retreated, the final tragedy of the day was revealed: Rapidfeet, lying motionless on the ground in a pool of his own blood. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/4/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wabr3z0lfz4q3gh/beastclanbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/eojtxe9q91m67tz/lighttop.png[/img][/center] With the kingdom severely weakened and their one remaining knight imprisoned, the queen took Avalon and Axia to the coliseum herself to train. She needed a distraction from the pain of losing a little one, and training up the newest members of the kingdom worked, for a time. And while Avalon only grew a single level, Axia - eager to prove himself - grew two. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zh57bc4xsa06f9p/lightbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ggbjrd9lce69ae9/arcanetop.png[/img][/center] Azami and Lania set out on a quest in search of a rumored medicine made by a sage living in the deepest parts of the Worldedge Wetlands, said to be potent enough to cure even the deadliest of plagues. Happily for them, the sage turned out to be a [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/preview/dragon?age=1&body=141&bodygene=4&breed=15&element=9&eyetype=13&gender=1&tert=21&tertgene=9&winggene=24&wings=67&auth=92bbd5316cef2f767e1d402b33d030fde581043f&dummyext=prev.png]grandmotherly Obelisk[/url], who insisted they needed to eat more and wouldn’t take no for an answer. While she made the medicine, the questers ate, and when she was done thanked her profusely before flying home. The cure worked, and the disease plagued the kingdom no more. If only they had known about it sooner… [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6wlpvlzjg2yhu20/arcanebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/w57d8ll9nuqntn4/icetop2.png[/img][/center] With Ani no longer in the picture, and no nesting-helper to take his place, Liam knew he had a much better chance of getting to the hatchlings. He resolutely ignored the part of himself that grieved for the dragon who’d ‘raised’ him; who’d taught him, an earth-bound centaur, to fly. No, he felt only vindictive joy at the Pearlcatcher’s passing. Nothing else. Liam stole into the nursery, where the queen’s newborn hatchlings lay sleeping. So tiny and helpless; powerless to prevent their fate. [i]That little one almost looks like she has purple paint swirling across her hide…just like my daughter.[/i] The thought came unbidden to his mind, and Liam shook his head to clear it. Focused on the clearly draconian creature in front of him. [i]This is the enemy.[/i] He reminded himself. [i]The offspring of those who murdered my children. Tiny babes who will only grow up into monsters themselves.[/i] “Uncle Liam?” A tiny voice yawned, making Liam snap to the side in shock, where the little Stonefury stood with bleary eyes. What’re you doin’ here?” “I…just, checking in on you.” Liam lied, his heart stuttering. “Just, go back to sleep, okay? I didn’t mean to wake you.” “M’kay.” The baby dragon said, before ambling over and hugging his leg. “I love you, uncle Liam. Goodnigh’.” “Goodnight.” Liam choked out, watching the little one go back to the nest, curling up among her siblings before closing her eyes. Uncle Liam. That’s who he was pretending to be; sister to the tailor, and brother in all but blood to the queen. [i]I love you, uncle Liam.[/i] [i]I love you, daddy.[/i] Tears came unbidden to his eyes, and with an anguished moan he just barely kept locked behind his teeth, Liam fled the nursery, unable to confront the emotions bubbling up inside. Unable to admit, that even though he wasn’t Liam, was just wearing their loved one’s skin… He loved them too. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qn8aoui4u4bzgpa/icebottom2.png[/img][/center] I am executing player privilege and rescuing Aion into my clan because I love him and this is my game. The kingdom thinks he’s dead, but in reality, he survived the drop over the falls and was fished out of that river like Azami was once, so long ago. Man, poor Rapidfeet. He saves his mother from taking her own life only to lose her to the very same sickness that took his father the next day. I don’t know whether it’s kinder or not for him to have followed her into the afterlife only hours later :( From a gameplay perspective, though…dangit, that was my healer. I mean, I haven’t had a dragon faint in coli outside of invulnerability runs, but it’s the principal of the thing dangit. At least I rolled the new arrival first so Axia was able to get treated before the healer kicked the bucket Also yaaay, interconnected lore! Go check out pancakeswithabs’s kingdomlocke, [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3096640/1]From Fodder to Fortune[/url], where Axia is from. You’ll get all the details about what happened and what his life was like before coming to Havenshire there ^-^

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty Three[/u][/b][/center] Rolls: 50 coli matches, romance x2, hunting trip, quest, and I quit [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/eojtxe9q91m67tz/lighttop.png[/img][/center] Now that the kingdom was no longer weakened by the plague, they had a leg up on the Beastclans. Unfortunately, this was mitigated somewhat by Falcon’s arrest, so instead Queen Banith had her subjects Avalon, Aixa, and Lania start training. They were currently the weakest link of the kingdom, and that could mean the difference between victory and defeat, life and death - especially now. [center][img] https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zh57bc4xsa06f9p/lightbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4bs9wirigoii3x2/windtop.png[/img][/center] Medicines had to be restocked, since there was no longer a healer who could make them. Supplies, too - the plague had done a good job of draining the kingdom’s resources. Lania and the well-known overachiever Aixa volunteered to go, and came back safely with the much needed surprise. In fact, they even came back with an extra little friend. Lania happily named the little Wildwood Owl Athena, and set about setting up a roost in her monastery. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/f3hcf4vhaj19x4y/windbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ggbjrd9lce69ae9/arcanetop.png[/img][/center] Lania found a tome containing tales about a hidden treasure, and from the somewhat less vague than normal descriptions, it sounded like it was close to the roots of the Behemoth. So off Azami and Riversweet went, in search of sweet, sweet treasure. To say Queen Banith was worried about the safety of her sister would be an understatement, and her frazzled nerves only got worse the longer they were gone. Thankfully, the pair returned before the sun dipped beneath the horizon, treasure in tow. And then Azami smacked the queen over the head for worrying so much. Honestly, it’s like Queen Banith didn’t believe her to be a capable fighter or something. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6wlpvlzjg2yhu20/arcanebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u7au4j6lhw9i5dd/lightningtop.png[/img][/center] There. It was done. Riversweet stepped back and admired the lovingly manicured grounds of Havenshire proper. The grounds would be easy to maintain from here; they didn’t really need someone looking after them full time. Which just left the question of what she was going to do now…maybe start with a topiary? She’d been meaning to expand h- “Riversweet! Riversweet!” Startled, Riversweet jerked her head up just in time for Aixa to round the corner, eyes wide with excitement. “Queen Banith’s made her decision! She’s gathering everyone in front of the palace to hear it. Even Falcon.” The Nocturne explained, though that didn’t stop him from wrinkling his nose at the last part. “I’m coming.” Riversweet said, before following Aixa back to the clearing in front of the great tree that held the wooden palace. She didn’t miss the fact that everyone had formed a sort of circle around Falcon, keeping the Skydancer firmly in the middle. Quietly, she and Aixa slipped into the crowd, taking their places in the circle. “Falcon.” Queen Banith said with forced evenness. “For the crime of murdering a child, much less my own son, the punishment would normally be death.” She paused, letting the silence hang in the air, before continuing. “However, because to kill you would mean killing Liam as well, an alternate solution needed to be found.” Here the queen’s eyes flashed with vindictive satisfaction. “You are stripped of your knighthood, Falcon of Havenshire. From now on, your skills will not be directed to the battlefield, but rather, manual labor. From henceforth, you will strictly bound to desk work, filling out and filing the paperwork required to keep the kingdom running.” All around her, dragons started cheering, and Riversweet couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. Queen Banith was brilliant - if she couldn’t kill him, she’d do the next best thing: have [i]him[/i] deal with the horrors of paperwork. Not only did that get that duty off the queen’s back, but the demotion in and of itself was a heavy blow to the Skydancer’s pride. Falcon for his part was staring at his queen with an expression of complete and utter horror. When Queen Banith merely raised an eyebrow, he dropped down and plastered himself across the dirt in a groveling bow. “Thank you, o merciful queen, for sparing my life.” Falcon said loudly. Azami just snorted. “She didn’t do it for you.” The Guardian snapped, only to fall silent as the queen held up her tail in front of her in a clear gesture to cease. “That will be all. I expect you to begin immediately, Falcon. Dismissed.” Queen Banith said, before flying up to the palace balcony, Falcon right behind her. As if on cue, gossip began exploding around her, everyone talking at once. Well. This would certainly be a day to remember. She was sure of it. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u2wvfk0jxtnwtwk/lightningbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rjd4vcyoayr6t1m/lighttop2.png[/img][/center] Liam knew what he needed to do. The bloodlust, the hatred, the fires ever burning in his heart had died down to a smoldering cinder. All because of three little hatchlings. It was a betrayal of everything he had sworn to do, he knew, but he could not go through with it. Not when he had finally found life’s purpose again, found love again. Liam knew this would put him at odds with his own people. His herd. But these hatchlings, these babies, they were his too. His children, even though they were not his own. Children that he wanted to care for, to raise, to teach them to fly like Ani had him so long ago. The Pearlcatcher that only now Liam could admit he loved. The path ahead was obvious: take the late Ani’s place as the kingdom’s nesting-helper. He wouldn’t fight his own people, even on pain of death, but it wouldn’t be suspicious for the nesting-helper not to fight, to hang back. Well. He supposed there was one thing that would make him raise these stolen claws against his herd: these little hatchlings. Babies he would see live on another day; them and all the ones to come after. No parent would suffer the agony of losing their child. Liam would see to it. Now, to go force some necessary paperwork to change careers down Falcon’s throat…just because he couldn’t kill that sorry excuse for a bag of rotten scales didn’t mean there weren’t other ways to make him [i]pay[/i] for his crime. And oh, this would only be the beginning. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/o8um59emz54a3gs/lightbottom2.png[/img][/center] Liam rolled for redemption, yay! I had a really hard time figuring out if he’d stay or go back to his herd, but after talking it over with @pancakeswithabs (read: whine about being stuck and then go with their opinion) decided to go with Liam staying after all. Him rolling nesting-helper was the perfect way to solve the dilemma of being forced to fight and kill his own people. I couldn’t have done that better if I tried - Falcon’s, too. That I Quit was beautifully timed and masterfully rolled. I love when things all come together like that

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty Four[/u][/b][/center] Rolls: quest, 30 coli matches, romance x2, failed coup, and death streak [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v2clwnd6xkmvf6x/firetop.png[/img][/center] Azami and Avalon, after a period of courting, were finally able to lay a clutch of eggs. Or, egg, in this case. It seems smaller than average clutches run in her family, not that that makes the new parents love their little eggie any less. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/nests/10/1healthy_0dead.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nb3br8wrhn4wvbz/firebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ggbjrd9lce69ae9/arcanetop.png[/img][/center] Liam is in need of some hatchie supplies, so Lania and Riversweet go on a rather unglamorous quest to pick some up. Lania’s done her research ahead of time, and selected only the best brands and sturdiest supplies for their kingdom’s children. Nothing ambushed them on the way back, either, leading Riversweet to complain that this was the most boring quest in existence. Something Lania privately agreed with, even as she scolded the other Pearlcatcher for whining about their assigned duties. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6wlpvlzjg2yhu20/arcanebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v2clwnd6xkmvf6x/firetop.png[/img][/center] “Azami! Why are you doing this?!” The shriek rang out into the air, startling Liam into dropping the book her was reading. The Guardian immediately bolted for the source of the sound, joined shortly by a frantic Avalon. Soon, they burst into the clearing where Queen Banith and Azami were fighting; Azami to kill, and Queen Banith to incapacitate. “My queen!!” Liam and Avalon barreled forward to lend their aid to the fight, much to Queen Banith’s clear relief. Between the three of them, they were able to pin the struggling Guardian down, who even now was wordlessly hissing and spitting at them. “What’s happening to her? Azami would never try to kill me!” Queen Banith wailed, getting shocked looks from the other two. “WHAT?!” “No…” Liam whispered, and somehow it was that heartbroken sound that captured everyone’s attention. “I, I know this. It’s a Beastclan ritual, meant to enslave a dragon’s mind. They’re given an objective, and will stop at nothing to accomplish it. The magic won’t allow otherwise.” He said. “Then, then how do we break it?!” Avalon demanded. “There has to be a way to free her!” “…Liam?” Queen Banith questioned, voice shaking as the Guardian remained silent. A tear escaped his eye as he turned his head away. “I’m…I’m sorry. There is none.” He said, and Avalon let out a heartbroken cry. “You’re lying! You have to be, there’s got to be a way to free her, there’s-!” “You think I don’t want the same thing?!” Liam roared, making Avalon’s jaw snap shut in surprise. “She’s my [i]sister -[/i] you think I’d just give up on her so easily if I knew otherwise?!” Avalon winced, ducking his head. “I, I’m sorry, Liam. I just…” his voice cracked, and Liam put his tail over his shoulders in a comforting gesture. “I know.” He says simply. Queen Banith looked at her best friend, her sister in all but blood, but saw only wild eyes and wordless rage snarling back at her in turn. She squeezed her eyes shut, a choking sob escaping her throat. “I-I can’t, I can’t…” the Mirror swallowed, struggling to speak. “I’ll do it.” Liam said, his heart breaking in two inside even as the other two dragons looked at him in shock. “Azami died the second the ritual took hold. This is just…freeing her before she kills any of her loved ones. You know, if she could speak, she’d be begging us to kill her.” “I…okay.” Queen Banith said, before turning her anguished gaze back to Azami. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you from this. I’m sorry.” She sniffled, before wiping her eyes. “Go meet our little sister, okay? See what Aquila decided to name her.” Liam looked over at Avalon, who simply bowed his head. “I love you, Azami. Please…please forgive me.” He said, his internal pain dripping from every word. Liam looked at the other two, and upon seeing they were done with their goodbyes, looked at the dragon who’s little brother’s body he was wearing. “Go. Go meet…” the real Liam, the disguised centaur didn’t say. The others would assume he’d simply choked up over his unborn sister. The unborn sister he’d sent her brother to meet already. Liam made it quick. One blow to the neck, and Azami slumped to the ground, eyes clouding over. Avalon let out a choked wail, rushing over to press his muzzle into Azami’s side, joined by Queen Banith and Liam. “Forgive me, Azami.” Forgive him for taking her little brother away from her. For hating her until almost the very end. For not being able to save her from this horrible fate. For only now realizing just how much he loved her…and how much he wished she’d feel the same, now that in death she knew the truth. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/2/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nb3br8wrhn4wvbz/firebottom.png[/img][/center] That…really hurt. Azami rolling for a coup was just…aaaa ;-; And then she wegged me, so there’ll be only one baby to remember her by, if they even survive. She’s just been with me for so long, to lose her like this is heartbreaking. Especially with the way she died, because there was no way on this green earth Azami would actually even attempt a coup otherwise. She’d sooner die Queen Banith’s got Azami’s living quill now, as a memento of her dead friend. She keeps it with her always Windstorm’s just kinda [s]chilling in my kingdomlocke tab[/s] on the run still. Two failed coups that went very, very different ways

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty Five[/u][/b][/center] Rolls: 100 coli runs, hunting trip, quest, and Beastclan attack [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/eojtxe9q91m67tz/lighttop.png[/img][/center] Things were busy for the clan today. With their numbers reduced, all three of Queen Banith’s surviving children hit the coliseum to train. They made good progress, though not enough experience to choose a career for themselves. Not yet. The young Mirrors still had a long way to go before they would be able to contribute to the kingdom that way. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zh57bc4xsa06f9p/lightbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4bs9wirigoii3x2/windtop.png[/img][/center] On the other hand, with just about every dragon running around like a headless chicken trying to get things done, there was no place for Falcon to just sit around. Unfortunately. Going with the best of bad options, Queen Banith assigned him to the hunting party, with young Aixa and Liam keeping an eye on him. Falcon, more than aware that he was on pretty thin ice here (and relieved to be out in the field again) just kept his head down and focused on the hunt. His actions had dropped him to the lowest ranks of the kingdom’s hierarchy, and while he still didn’t understand what was in his mind an overreaction, he knew he had to work his way back up. Because when the worst happened, when tribe or kingdom faced hardship and tight resources…it was those on the bottom who were cut first. He had his work cut out for him, but he’d prove his worth again. He had to. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/f3hcf4vhaj19x4y/windbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ggbjrd9lce69ae9/arcanetop.png[/img][/center] While one group was training and the other hunting, Aixa and Avalon headed out on a quest. It was rather poor timing, admittedly, but it was a quest the kingdom couldn’t turn down - the payout alone from this would bolster their coffers immensely. They just had to kill Jolvar the Maurading, an infamous Talanok chieftain, and come back with proof for their reward. The two dragons were able to successfully take out the Talonok (and his inner circle of guards) and bring back the bucketload of treasure that was promised to them. Even better, they finally had enough experience to decided on their career path - a teacher for Aixa, which he was thrilled by, and for Avalon…uhhh… [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6wlpvlzjg2yhu20/arcanebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v2clwnd6xkmvf6x/firetop.png[/img][/center] Avalon had not been idle after Azami’s death. Or in his opinion, murder. He had spent the time in preparation, honing his strength, all for this moment. “Banith!” He howled, flying over to land before his queen. No, not his queen - not anymore. “I challenge you!” “You [I]what?[/I]” the soon-to-be-dead Mirror yelped. “Avalon, you do realize what you’re doing, right?” Aixa asked nervously, and Avalon gave the Nocturne the scornful look that deserved. “You are no longer fit to rule.” The Guardian growled, facing Banith down. “I challenge you for the crown by rite of combat!” Gasps came from the crowd that had been steadily forming around the dragons. Banith just gave Avalon a cool look. “Very well. By rite of combat.” Banith agreed. Everyone immediately backed up, and fast, as Avalon was already launching himself forward at his opponent. The duel was quick and bloody, each dragon giving the other no quarter. But in the end, it was Avalon who fell first. “N-no…” the Guardian croaked, the light fading from his eyes. “Forgi…me…’zami…” Even as he breathed his last, Queen Banith’s trembling legs gave out from under her, and she collapsed onto the grass. “Mother!” “Your highness!” Queen Banith’s daughters and Liam made it to the fallen royal first; everyone else crowded around them. The queen raised her head, wheezing heavily. Her lips stretched in a smile at the sight of her daughters, before her eyes rolled back and her head thudded limply against the ground. Maybe if they’d still had a healer, the queen would’ve survived her injuries. Alas, she didn’t, but the extra life Immortalis gifted her so long ago brought her back to life. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/2/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nb3br8wrhn4wvbz/firebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bpgp2hj1ng7adfz/beastclantop.png[/img][/center] Of course, it seems that destiny couldn’t just leave it at that. The dragons had just barely gotten the impromptu arena cleaned up and Avalon buried before a horde of Harpies that absolutely [I]did not belong[/I] in the Shrieking Wilds attacked the town en masse. Given that everybody had been outside for the burial, no one was ambushed, but by the time the dust settled Riversweet lay motionless on the ground. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/4/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wabr3z0lfz4q3gh/beastclanbottom.png[/img][/center] Man, three deaths today. Of course the one time I get a dragon that rolls for royal they pick the worst possible result. At least Banith had an extra life, or otherwise I would be saying goodbye to my beautiful queen On a lighter note, Windstorm has officially gone off on the AH and found a new clan to live in. Hooray, now I have more lair space, and man are these upgrades getting expensive Sorry for the abrupt radio silence, its been a rough few days of schooling. Things should be back to my regularly scheduled updates from now on :3

No worries! Take care of yourself <3

Updating to 2.0 rules, bear with me

Edit: Updated! :D

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty Six[/u][/b][/center] Rolls: the sacrifice, royal quest, 40 coli matches, festival, new arrival, and quest [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/5c92eu0ldp517xq/naturetop.png[/img][/center] Fortune had smiled upon Havenshire this day. Azami’s daughter hatched beautiful and strong, and Liam was captivated already. She was so small - were hatchlings always this small? He didn’t know. But his niece already had his heart, and he swore to do everything in his power to see her grow to adulthood. It was the least he could do. As the centaurs said: once a father, always a father. After careful deliberation, Liam settled on Misha, a centaur name meaning ‘beloved’, for his niece; a name Falcon, blissfully ignorant of its meaning, dutifully noted down in the kingdom registry. An unnecessary risk on Liam’s part, some might say, but it was worth it to him. It was the name his late wife had wanted to name their latest foal, should they have been a girl, but they never had the opportunity - not when his beloved wife was cut down before she could even give birth. How fitting it was, Liam felt, for the niece he loved as another daughter to bear the name meant for one of his own. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/nests/10/1healthy_0dead.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qm74b50l7x2kgjh/naturebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v2clwnd6xkmvf6x/firetop.png[/img][/center] The time had come. Falcon had read the signs - the Gladekeeper demanded a sacrifice from their kingdom. He, Lania, and the Queen had immediately sequestered themselves in the royal palace, frantically trying to figure out a loophole. Surely, [i]surely,[/i] the goddess wouldn’t be adamant on taking a dragon from her kingdom in bloody sacrifice? It was Lania who hit upon the idea of sacrificing a familiar. The goddess probably just wanted proof that the dragons of Havenshire valued her more than something already proven to be valuable to them. And since the pair doubted she'd be satisfied with an enchanted quill (even as Queen Banith’s heart clenched at the idea of losing it), that only left Lania’s beloved owl. Neither dragon wanted to do it, but as Lania pointed out, it was better that than losing a dragon. As soon as she left the palace, Lania took Falcon and immediately began grilling him about ritual sacrifices. If she was going to lose Athena, then she wanted to make sure this was done [i]right.[/i] It was a cold comfort to know that the Gladekeeper wasn’t just demanding a life - that she would take the sacrifice into her care - but that still didn’t change the heartbreak Lania felt at what needed to be done. A large tree in town was cut down, leaving a stump large enough that a fully grown dragon could stand comfortably on it; an altar that Falcon had then artfully decorated with rope, beads, bones, and feathers. Lania lay Athena on the altar - who had been given a sedative to ensure she’d sleep through this - and stepped back. Falcon made it quick, and Athena’s blood started to pool on the stump. Then, in an explosion of emerald green sparkles, both Athena and the blood were gone, and the elemental symbol of nature had been seared into the stump. “The Gladekeeper has accepted our offering.” Falcon said with a smile. “And now she will grant us our reward.” “What?” Lania asked, bewildered, right before another burst of emerald green sparks obscured the stump - leaving behind a baby hatchling. “What?!” “Behold,” Falcon intoned. “The Gladekeeper’s gift.” To say the other dragons of Havenshire were bewildered would be an understatement, but they accepted the strange happenings well enough. Liam took the little baby with him back to the nursery, where he would be living from now on. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nb3br8wrhn4wvbz/firebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ggbjrd9lce69ae9/arcanetop.png[/img][/center] The missive arrived out of the blue: a dragon of royalty was needed for a quest to an ancient ruin. Only the blood of kings could open the door, and the Dragonhome Preservation Guild was paying [i]handsomely[/i] for a dragon who could open the way. Seeing that the letter had been sent to all the nearby kingdoms, and always willing to spite the kingdom that had forced her father to seek refuge in the jungle, Queen Banith immediately took Liam and Falcon with her to the appointed meeting place. Together with members of the guild made their way through the ruins, battling whatever defenders showed up to bar the way. Once the entire ruin had been cleared, the kingdom dragons received their payment, and returned home triumphant. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6wlpvlzjg2yhu20/arcanebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/eojtxe9q91m67tz/lighttop.png[/img][/center] While the queen, Liam, and Falcon were gone, Aixa took the opportunity to take Stonefury and Brisha into the coliseum with him for training. The kingdom needed to regain its strength after its losses the other day, and who knew when the Beastclans would attack next? [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zh57bc4xsa06f9p/lightbottom.png[/img] [img] https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rjd4vcyoayr6t1m/lighttop2.png[/img][/center] That evening, Queen Banith held a festival to celebrate both the kingdom’s founding and their good fortunes so far. Food and drink were plentiful, games provided, and outsiders and vendors alike invited. The test your strength and wrestling ring in particular were popular, strengthening the kingdom beyond the queen’s wildest dreams. Even better, when all the visitors and vendors had packed up and left, a lone Coatl by the name of Ria had enjoyed herself so much that she wanted to stay, and Queen Banith happily welcomed her newest subject to her realm. There was a mass selection of careers from Banith’s daughters that day; Daisy became an ambassador, Brisha a matchmaker, and Stonefury an alchemist. Their mother couldn’t be prouder. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/o8um59emz54a3gs/lightbottom2.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ggbjrd9lce69ae9/arcanetop.png[/img][/center] Much to Daisy and Lania’s annoyance, there was a particular treasure quest posted at the Adventurer’s Guild at the Wild Sanctum (where the kingdom, as well as dragons from all walks of life, had been picking up their quests) that detailed a glorious treasure hidden in the Worldedge Wetlands. The problem? The extremely rare and valuable could only be found under the light of moon; any other time, and the blossom closed up, looking indistinguishable from any other thorny weed. Daisy and Lania went, grumbling about the late hour all the way, but they went. And when the sun rose the next day, painting the sky in beautiful hues…they were not there to see it. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/3/coli_defeated.png[/img][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/4/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6wlpvlzjg2yhu20/arcanebottom.png[/img][/center] Well crap. Gain two dragons, lose two dragons, I guess. And of course I lose my ambassador the day I get her so no replenishing my ranks that way for me :P Poor Lania though. At least she gets to join Athena in the Gladekeeper’s care Kind of funny how things can work out - I wrote Falcon as a tribal dragon when he first arrived, and then my first day under 2.0 rules I roll a (not so bloody) sacrifice. He’s the perfect way to introduce the kingdom to the concept, and as he’s been looking for ways to redeem himself this was perfect And with 2.0 comes a reshuffling of dividers, listed below: Ice: backstabbing, assassin, bloody duel Arcane: quests Earth: death streaks and bonds Fire: coup, sacrifice Lightning: scandal, quit/change job, 4 royal’s illness Light: coliseum, teaching Light2: assassin redemption, festivals Nature: hatchlings, romance, nature’s gambit Plague: the plague, Emperor dragon slaughter Shadow: loyalist desertion, 1-3 royal’s illness Shadow2: deaths, necromancer Water: new arrival, ambassador Wind: hunting/treasure/supplies/shopping trip, fortune teller Beastclan: Beastclan attack

@ladyspibe @theawesomew @brandonjui @amubun @naranciag [center][b][u]Day Twenty Seven[/u][/b][/center] Rolls: 50 coli matches, festival, the plague, bloody duel, death bond, and I quit [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rjd4vcyoayr6t1m/lighttop2.png[/img][/center] Did you hear? A new breed of ancient dragon was rediscovered! To celebrate the survival of another species (nevermind that they were plague dragons, Queen Banith didn’t give two craps), a second festival was held in their honor. Bobbing for apples in a cauldron containing a ‘Wyrmwound lake’, the ever-popular wrestling matches, various piñatas of Scarred Wasteland fauna; everything was themed after the Abberations. Everyone was filled with vigor at the festival; Thunderspear, Misha, Ria, Aixa, and the queen herself gained an extra life. It was a perfect way to start the day. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/o8um59emz54a3gs/lightbottom2.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fz2s7alqwhoe3lt/plaguetop.png[/img][/center] It was a more insidious plague that struck the kingdom; the lethal horror known as rabies. All it took was an asymptomatic Bamboo Phytocat taking a bite out of Falcon for the biological clock to start ticking down, and down, and down… [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/335f8rj4xzh00m5/plaguebottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/w57d8ll9nuqntn4/icetop2.png[/img][/center] Liam was awakened from his impromptu midday nap by a dragon bursting through the now-shattered nursery door, eyes wide and rolling, with jade unhinged and going straight for Misha-!! Even as the hatchie screamed in fright, Liam was already in front of her, bowling into Falcon and narrowing avoiding a bite to the face from the rabid dragon. Rabies was invariably fatal; the only way to stop Falcon would be to kill him. Even if it meant their death bond would take Liam with him. Locked in a fight to the death as they were, the wrestling dragons accidentally crushed the baby Thunderspear under their bulk; the Spiral’s last sound being a sharp squeak of pain. It was only minutes before the baby revived, but by then another horrifying sight was present: Falcon lying dead on the ground, with Liam standing on shaky legs above him. It was only a second before Liam collapsed, the death bond feeling like a leaden weight in his lungs. He could feel the magic pulling him under, bringing him ever closer to death. And then, in his mind’s eye, he saw it. A small painted hand, reaching out to him. His youngest daughter’s hand. Liam reached out with his own, stolen claws and scales seemingly melting away, and gave his daughter a watery grin. His wife put an arm around his shoulder, and his twin boys cantered up to him, talking over each other excitedly. Liam took his last breath, his dragon eyes glazing over in death…and reunited with his long-dead family in the afterlife. [center][img]https://flightrising.com/images/cms/breeds/2/coli_defeated.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qn8aoui4u4bzgpa/icebottom2.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rssip7p2a67i6ll/earthtop.png[/img][/center] Falcon and Brisha felt it instantly when a death bond between them snapped into place. Falcon bemoaned the occurrence, cursing fate for saddling him with this again, while Brisha could barely believe what had just happened. Falcon snapped out of it pretty quickly, swearing to protect Brisha, but both of them knew how quickly promises like these could be shattered by events beyond their control. [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jib5m0amd6p9cqq/earthbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u7au4j6lhw9i5dd/lightningtop.png[/img][/center] To say Falcon wasn’t taking Liam’s death well would be an understatement. The Skydancer was inconsolable, having locked himself in his house and refused to come out. Aixa was also distressed at the loss of his friend, and refused to accept that the Guardian was gone. No. There had to be a way to bring him back. Aixa couldn’t lose any more of his friends, he [i]couldn’t.[/i] It was an ancient tome he discovered buried carelessly in the kingdom’s treasure hoard that promised salvation. [u]The Ancient Arte of Nekromancy[/u], the title read, and Aixa grabbed the book with all the desperation of a drowning dragon. He retreated to his house and buried himself in the old tome, studying the rituals detailed within. Aixa gathered his materials and retreated to a cave outside of town, but still within the kingdom’s borders, to do his work. He didn’t want to startle anyone, or get their hopes up only to fail miserably. No, he would do this in secret. He had to. Especially since the ritual required the Guardian’s body, and the [i]last[/i] thing he wanted to do was answer outraged dragons’ questions about what in the Gladekeeper’s name he was doing. He knew the stigma against necromancers. Knew how others viewed them as unnatural, as demons in dragon skin. But dangit, if it meant keeping his friends and family alive, he’d pay whatever price it took. [i]Whatever[/i] price it took. [center][img] https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/u2wvfk0jxtnwtwk/lightningbottom.png[/img] [img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/cb0tthmoj1g6yo8/shadowtop2.png[/img][/center] Everything was ready. The circle was drawn out, and the reagents where they needed to be. All that remained was the blood price to activate the ritual. Aixa cut the palm of his paw with the ceremonial knife and held it out over the chalk circle, letting the blood drip down as he began to chant. The circle turned a glowing, bloody red as it absorbed the liquid, growing brighter and brighter before the light converged on Liam’s body, draining out of the circle and into the Guardian. And then, the dragon drew breath, and opened his eyes again as a shade. Aixa could barely believe it had worked, watching Liam readjust to being living, before turning to Aixa - with complete and utter [i]rage[/i] in his eyes. “WHY DID YOU BRING ME BACK?!” The Guardian roared at the stunned Nocturne. “I was happy! I was with my family again!! So why? [i]Why did you do it?![/i] “I-I-I- I couldn’t lose you!” Aixa blurted out, startling Liam into silence. “You’re my friend, and, and the queen’s little brother! You have a niece, friends, and family here! Do you know how distraught Misha has been? Do you?” Aixa demanded, making the Nocturne flinch. “So yes, I brought you back!” “You…” Liam sighed, all anger spent. “Alright. Fine. It’s…it’s alright. I forgive you.” Sniffling, Aixa darted forward with a wail and wrapped himself around the older Guardian in a hug, sobbing into his scales. “You’re not allowed to die. Not again.” He sobbed, voice muffled. A small, grief-stricken smile spread across Liam’s face, and he tightened his embrace. “I won’t.” He murmured. “I’m here, for better or worse. You gave me the chance to be here for Misha as she grows up, and I’m grateful for that. So, while I won’t say thank you, I…just need you to know.” “I know. I know.” Aixa sniffled, before giving Liam a watery smile. “Welcome home.” [center][img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/53jvjgw65g4qmp6/shadowbottom2.png[/img][/center] I am so glad I don’t have to Exalt Liam. [i]So glad.[/i] I legit cried as I was writing his death; he’s probably the best character I have lore-wise and I love him Thank you, Aixa, for quitting and rolling necromancer, you desperate, desperate fool And thank you festival for keeping my baby hatchie from dying. I really lucked out with the rolls here; let’s see if the dice gods are going to let that lie