Roleplay

----- [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/TgMZ3UY.png[/img] [size=4]Clans Aligned[/size][/center] [columns][size=5][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1820789]E r e í p i a[/url][/size] The Ereípians are a very solitary group, keeping to themselves and happy that way. As a clan of beasts and cursed dragons, they are mostly afraid of how others will react to them. Staying hidden in their brambles, the clan does not trade with any other dragon clan besides that of the Flightless Valley. Instead, they keep their wares to local beastclans that have earned their trust. Most dragons that find their way into the Ereípian clan are met with indifference and perhaps even a cold shoulder. Those who choose to stay are often not met with resistance, however.[nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/static/map/icons/shadow_2.png[/img][/columns] [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/static/map/icons/nature_1.png[/img][nextcol][right][size=5][url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1827394]T h e F l i g h t l e s s V a l l e y[/url][/size] On the edge of the Gladeveins, just before the Shrieking Wilds sprouts its tall and ancient trees, lies a large open plain where hundreds of dragons call home. Despite its size, it still remains secluded and it is not a surprise if outsiders haven't heard of a place called The Flightless Valley. In this valley, a river twists right down the middle, supplied by a tall waterfall. A constant rainbow looks over the valley and is often interpreted as a symbol of peace among the dragons that home there. [/right][/columns] ----- [center]Important Characters[/center] [Columns][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=170277&tab=dragon&did=14754383][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][/url][nextcol] [b]The Saver of Secrets [/b] Otherwise shortened as Secret Saver, is many things. She is a very powerful magic wielder who possesses many assets and plays a key part in the battles against The Shade. Her talents include, but are not limited to, foresight, communication with spirits, healing, as well as offensive and defensive magics[/columns] [Columns][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=lair&id=170277&tab=dragon&did=21523222][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/215233/21523222p.png[/img][/url][nextcol] [b]Katherine[/b] Katherine is a seemingly normal dragon who dabbles in nature magics. She is somewhat feisty and snobbish in nature, but makes up for it with her humor and care for others. She has excellent night vision and can pull her own weight in battle.[/columns] ----- This is a private role play between @Secretsaver and @Shadowstryker, but if you would like to be informed about updates, or have any questions or comments, please message either myself or Stryker and we'll be happy to answer you.

It was another pleasant day in The Flightless Valley. Well, as pleasant as being prepared for a spontaneous Shade attack could be. Petronas had send out the morning patrol which included Quetzequatal, Katherine, Soleil, and The Saver of Secrets herself. Secret Saver specifically requested to be let on the patrol so she could check for residual Shade in their territory. Petronas and Irisierend agreed, deciding it would be a good idea for her to regularly go on patrols. And so the patrol made their way around the territory. All was fairly serene until the patrol reached the part of the Gladeveins that overlooked the Tangled Wood's Driftwood Drag territory. The Saver of Secrets got a strange feeling, suddenly stopping and clutching her pearl close. Quetzequatal, the dragon leading the patrol, noticed her hesitation and turned back towards her. [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/140384/14038317p.png[/img][nextcol]"Is there something wrong, Secret Saver?"[/columns] [columns]She peered over her shoulder, and stared into the brush behind her. Her eyes were wide when her head whipped back around to face Quetzequatal. "Run."[nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][/columns] The single word sent chills down the groups' spine and with their wings tucked, they ran. The group quickly came to the large river that separated the Viridian Labyrinth and The tangled wood. [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/140384/14038317p.png[/img][nextcol]"We'll have to fly over," Quetzequatal said.[/columns] [columns]"Anything's better than swimming," Katherine hissed. Natural ridgeback instincts screamed at her to get away from the roaring river. [nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/215233/21523222p.png[/img][/columns] [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][nextcol]"We'll we'll have to do it quickly, The tendrils are right on our trail." [/columns] All at once, the group hoisted their wings and took flight over the river. [columns]"We have to keep going," Secret Saver advised.[color=transparent]???????????????????????????????????????????[/color][nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img] [/columns] [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/215233/21523222p.png[/img][nextcol]"What they're going to follow us over the water?!" Katherine asked, surprised. [/columns] [columns]"The Shade once tried to overtake all of Sornieth. I don't think a little water is going to stop them."[nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img] [/columns] [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/215233/21523222p.png[/img][nextcol]"Ridgebacks would be at a loss if we tried to take over..most are deathly afraid of large quantities of water," She shuddered. [/columns] The group marched forward, attempting to loop back around, but they quickly lost themselves in The Tangled Woods's forests. Silence consumed the group, but calls of the woods filled the void. [columns]"There's something up ahead," The Saver of Secrets called out.[color=transparent]??????????????????????????? [/color][nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][/columns] [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/140384/14038317p.png[/img][nextcol]"Friend or foe?" Quetzequatal asked with a twitch of his tail. [/columns] [columns]"I'm not entirely sure…" [color=transparent]?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????[/color][nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][/columns] The leaves rustled and the lost patrol stopped to stand their ground against whatever lies ahead.

Furred paws stepped through the brambles, nose sniffing at the ground. The wolf pelt effectively hid her dragon-esque features from the world. There were three others following behind her, all mirrors donned in wolf pelts of different colors. [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/149576/14957545p.png[/img][nextcol]"Viiiiiiiida, I'm huuuuungry," the pure black mirror groaned, sniffing at the ground and pawing at a tiny Egghead. He was about to snap it up, but the rusty red mirror beside him pushed him over.[/columns] [columns]"Mine!" he hissed, ready to claim his snack. As his mouth opened, the black mirror tackled him and the two went rolling into the brambles. [nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/173732/17373199p.png[/img][/columns] Vida grumbled her clan's language under her breath, following her nose as the other two fought and the last mirror followed closely behind her. After she ceased her grumbling, she spoke to the grey and coral mirror behind her. He replied with few words - he had caught scent of intruders just as the tundra had. The two mirrors had began cackling in the distance, clearly forgetting the reason their tussle had started and now having fun with it. Vida wasn't about to babysit them. She urged Quicksilver forward, as he was smaller and faster, and could more easily traverse the brambles. His nose close to the ground, he crouched as low as he could go and wiggled through the vines. His brown wolf pelt was tugged and scratched, but the mirror made no noise. Vida would go around to the side of the intruding scent where she'd stay hidden in case Quicksilver needed her help. Eventually, the two reached the edge of their territory where the brambles opened up into a dark forest on the river between Shadow and Nature. He could see them, and the tundra could as well - a small group of four. Quicksilver stopped in the cover of foliage, all eyes focused and analyzing each target. Although at first glance, none seemed particularly hostile, he wouldn't make his appearance until he was totally - Before he could finish his thoughts, the two wolf-mirrors Void and Vast barreled out of the trees in front of the group of intruders, cackling and rolling around with each other. The red caped dragon and the pitch black caped dragon were quite content with not noticing the other dragons until Void hit the ground with a crystalline thud and found himself belly up, staring at the intruders who at the moment were upside down. When he didn't react to Vast's playful throat attack, Vast looked forward as well. Suddenly, they were in defense mode, on their feet in an instant. Their fans were flared and they hissed. Quicksilver shook his head from the treeline and if one were close enough, they would have heard Vida's annoyed sigh. The two mirrors with the invaders said nothing but instead looked like two scared but defensive puppies, eyes glancing between each of the four dragons and waiting for one to move or speak.

It was Katherine and Soleil who took on a more defensive stance as the two mirrors stood their ground. Quetzequatal and The Saver of Secrets were visibly more confident in their ability to thwart the threat of other dragons. [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/140384/14038317p.png[/img][nextcol]Quetzequatal retained his sturdy position, not even flinching at the two pups. His tail flicked a bit impatiently as he spoke. "Friend?" He looked at the brown caped mirror. "Or foe?" He asked, switching his gaze to the other. [/columns] [columns]"These two aren't the only ones in the area, Quetz," Spoke Secret Saver, trying to peer through the shaded brambles and brush, but having no luck. She could sense them, though very faintly. "My magic is waning somehow, otherwise I could pinpoint them." She squinted, becoming concerned. She didn't like feeling this vulnerable, and how could these dragons be causing this?[nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][/columns]

The young mirrors backed into each other, ready to turn tail and scramble back into the forest. They were almost too afraid to, though, as every single dragon in their presence was bigger than them. Vida's ears twitched at the sound of the purple dragon's voice. She sensed no hostility, and she'd have to take care of those foolish mirrors immediately before they lashed out in fear. She stepped out from her hiding place, purposefully making noise until she was out in the open. The tundra bowed her head to the group of, from the fresh smell of them, nature dragons. [columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/226077/22607638p.png[/img][nextcol]"Pardon them, please. They're foolish children," She spoke, head still down. Not that it mattered, they could hardly see her through the wolf pelt. "Quicksilver," she continued, though the rest of what she said was in Ereipian tongue.[/columns] Quicksilver silently slunk out from beneath the brush, hissing an order at the two shaking mirrors. The two whimpered, turned around and bolted away from the scene. Neither remaining wolf-dragon moved, unwilling to provoke any attacks from the two dragons who looked ready to claw and bite. [columns]"Your magic has no use here," Vida said, lifting her head. Quicksilver yawned beneath his pelt and sat on his haunches, offering no words to them. "It is best you turn around and go back to wherever it is you hail from," her icy white gaze did not leave them, the silks draped among her fur dirtied and torn. It was apparent that this wasn't her first meeting with intruders. [nextcol][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/226077/22607638p.png[/img][/columns]

Once the mirrors had left, Soleil and Katherine stood down and focused their attention on the icy tundra. The patrol looked at each other after her mention of returning home. [columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/227718/22771753p.png[/img][nextcol]"The thing is," Soleil responded with a half-crazed chuckle. "We don't know where home is."[/columns] [columns]The Saver of Secrets inched closer to the Tundra. "We were chased out of our territory and forced across the river by The Shade. While we're here, we'd like to know if your clan has had any issues with The Shade as well, and if not, we'd like to extend the warning."[nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][/columns] [columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/227718/22771753p.png[/img][nextcol]"It's also getting dark! I love the dark. The moon comes out in the dark." Soleil chittered almost to himself. [/columns] [columns]"Unfortunately the lunatic is right," Quetz sighed. "Would it be to much to ask for shelter? We can't risk an encounter with The Shade at night." [nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/140384/14038317p.png[/img][/columns]

Vida turned her head in different directions until she caught the whiff of growing trees and clean rivers on the wind. She could easily lead them in the right direction, but what ever this Shade was sounding important. She glanced over each dragon in her company before moving in front of the ground to lead them deeper in the forest. Quicksilver rose deftly and disappeared into the brush. [columns][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/226077/22607638p.png[/img][nextcol]"Well, fiery one, if it is darkness you seek, you'll find we have an abundance here." She began forward. "I do not know of this Shade. I expect that the elders might know something. They will also see to your shelter. " [/columns] ----- Minutes later, they were still in the thick of the brambles. Vida had led them to a small clearing by the riverbank where a single glowing mushroom grew. The group heard a low growl. A large, dark shape could be seen in the distance. His voice rumbled like thunder through the clearing, though in his tongues only Vida and Quicksilver could understand him. Vida stepped next to the mushroom, gesturing for the others to come forward into the light. She replied, and an annoyed sigh came from the shadows. [columns] "I sent for our wisest elder," Vida told the group behind her.[nextcol][img]http://flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/226077/22607638p.png[/img][/columns] A rather large wolf stepped into the clearing, half in the light and half in the shadows. His canine features were meshed with those of dragon, and the shackles around his wrists and neck were illuminated by the mushroom. His fur was well kept, however, and his gold rimmed glasses were pristine. Despite this, there was definitely something off about him. The draconic wolf said something to Quicksilver, who replied back with few words. Jett stepped fully into the light - only the blue bellied Ridgeback of the group came anywhere near to his size. [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/209021/20902096p.png[/img][nextcol]"We can not offer you any shelter," He began, a growl underlying his words. "Our clan is not suited for company right now." His gaze rested on the female pearlcatcher, her aura of power catching his attention. "These lands will suck you dry before you even step foot into our heart."[/columns]

The patrol marvelled at the wolf-elder, for the have never witnessed anything like him before. It was a moment before any member of the group spoke, until The Saver of Secrets stepped forward. [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][nextcol] "Let us introduce ourselves first. I am Secret Saver." She motioned towards the other dragons as she continued their introduction. "The green one is Quetzequatal, the ridgeback is Katherine, and Soleil is the coatl. We hail from The Flightless Valley located in the Viridian Labyrinth. We never intended to intrude on your territory, but we were fleeing a phenomena known as The Shade until we got lost, as we are unfamiliar with The Tangled Wood." She paused, looking for a sign from the large wolf that she should continue. His expression remained solid, the single mushroom's glow pulsing softly on his face. She continued regardless. "You mention that your lands absorb magic; is this perhaps part of The Shade's doing? Perhaps while we're here, we could extend a paw in service."

He listened, still until Secret Saver finished her introductions. He begin to circle the group after, examining each one until he came full circle and stopped at his previous spot. The only sound that surrounded him was the soft clank of the shackle metal against broken brambles on the ground. [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/209021/20902096p.png[/img][nextcol]"It is a shame you ended up here, then, of all places. The Wood is quite different from the greenery of the Labyrinth." A thoughtful noise rumbled in his throat. "I have not come into contact with the Shade in decades," he said. "I am the only remaining piece of it in these lands. The lack of magic here has nothing to do with the Shade, as far as I or the other elders know." [/columns] Vida's ears twitched at mention of her leader's Shade-touch. She spoke briefly with the giant wolf, the exchange seeming to make him think even more about the situation. After a few moments of his silence, he grunted and sent Quicksilver away. [columns]"We will set up shelter for you. You seem wise, Secret Saver. Vida wishes to know more about the Shade. If you have information to offer, I expect that many of the others should learn of it as well. Even though we have not faced it in a while, if it is this close to our territory, we must be prepared." He turned away from the group. "My name is Jett. I will take you to Eboende. She has many years knowledge of the magic and Shade in this land." he looked back at the group, eyes narrowed against the light. "Is there anything else that I should know? You did not lead the Shade here, I hope?"[nextcol][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/209021/20902096p.png[/img][/columns]

A few of the members from the patrol back away in shock at Jett's mention of being shade-touched, but Secret Saver bowed her head in respect and the group followed her actions shortly after. "We are ever grateful, Jett. Thank you." [columns][img]http://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/portraits/147544/14754383p.png[/img][nextcol]They quietly began to follow his lead. "We lost The Shade after we crossed the river, but we went further into The Wood as a precaution. We planned to circle back, but quickly became lost." The pearlcatcher turned to Vida, speaking as they followed Jett into their territory. "Long ago The Shade threatened to take back the world from our deities who were fighting each other at the time, so our gods united in order to push it back. Once they were done the pillar was created, and the eight gods placed a barrier on our world before laying to rest. The Shade returned shortly after the Arcanist, Gladekeeper, and Plaguebringer were created. It shattered the barrier while simultaneously shattering itself, and a black rain showered the world. It is my guess that The Shade has built up some strength after all these years, but it's up to dragonkind to defeat it now."