A mountain river flows into a large, stunning lake. The waters reflect silver in the day and under moonlight. A plain of gentle hills and forests surround the lake. Herds of elk are native here.
ooc. A Kingdom gathering for Duskorna. Caedwyn has invited the Kingdom down to the lake for an afternoon of games, swimming, and relaxation. Bring your beach towels. Keeping it short to start off. feel free to assume they've met if you're OOC joining the Kingdom.
ic.
The day had started warm and a gentle summer breeze swept through the forest down to the waters edge. Caedwyn had sent messages in the days prior, inviting the members of Duskorna to a gathering by the water. It had been difficult to keep in touch with everyone lately, leaving the male feeling like he barely knew any of his comrades. They needed some time together, he figured. A simple gathering by the water would do, with fishing and sunbathing. So as afternoon came and the skies overhead cleared, Caedwyn trotted down to the lakeshore to an area of the beach that was cleared of stones and debris. This looked like a good enough place as any. Tilting his head back, he let out a howl to summon those who chose to join them. His call pierced the summer air, broken only by the song of birds and rustling of trees in the breeze. Lowering his head back down, the male moved closer to the water where he could watch the small tadpoles dart around in the shallows. He waited quietly for others to arrive.
A call from Caedwyn pulled her out of her lazy summertime catnap. The morning had been warm and wet and after a hearty meal, she'd promptly decided to push off her responsibilities in favor of her own wellbeing. Or, that's what she would tell others if they were bold enough to ask her. His voice called to her, to all of them, and summoned them to a gathering. A gathering!
The idea of being a social butterfly in her kingdom was much more appealing to her than dealing with problems and figuring out solutions. It was her least favorite part about being a leader. Ugh. Why couldn't she just lead and do all of the fun stuff that came with it? Make all the others deal with the boring stuff. No no. It could never workout. As quickly as the thought came, it left her. She would just push her responsibilities off a little bit longer. Or, was it fulfilling her responsibilities by putting the other ones off by attending to these ones? That was for the moral guide to determine.
With a prance in her step, Enya returned Caedwyn's call with her own and quickly covered the ground to meet him. When she saw him standing, waiting for others as the gathered around, she tilted her head in a bow. She turned, then, her gaze to those gathered and nodded at them with a smile of greeting. She stepped forward and took her place by Caedwyn's side.
“A little birdie told me there was a gathering by the lake,” the small canid said as he approached. It was quite literal. A bird had caught him the day prior, promptly dropping the message at his paws. The idea of a gathering excited him. It presented the opportunity to get to know the others who now formed the ranks of Duskorna. This was his home, and he was thankful to Caedwyn and Enya for providing that. Above all, however, he was grateful to Tsillah.
He was convinced all the trials he had faced were the goddess's work. Just like him, she was an artist. She molded her followers to their full potential. Each time they were broken down, she presented an opportunity to rebuild a stronger and more beautiful version of themselves. For once, he was eager for the future, to see her kingdom flourish and to see what trials awaited him next.
The group of carnivorans blurred together as he shifted his gaze, eventually stopping on the familiar pair of Monarchs. He slowly made his way over to them, giving them a quick bow in respect. “Forgive me, I would have brought booze, but I was unable to find what I needed in time, so I’m afraid I’m empty-pawed”
Approaching the gathering Bermuda let his gaze roam over those that had come to the event. It was odd to think that he had joined them in their pack. He the sea dweller had joined the land wolves. It was almost laughable, but he had realized that day not so long ago that he was no longer in familiar waters and the land here was far different. It was a new place to explore and see. A place that had made his gills quiver and like a little fish to the predator's light he had gone to explore. His exploration had brought him to the pack Duskorna and they had welcomed him in but so far he hadn't made moves to befriend any that lived within its borders.
Sitting in the shadows of the trees, scarf wrapped firmly over his eyes, Bermuda watched those that were far more outgoing greet each other. He could recognize the leaders but beyond them his knowledge of everyone else was limited. A problem that he planned to slowly chip away at. Letting his attention drift he silently watched the ongoing event. An event like this was the best place to spot interactions between the others and see how they all acted. Once the sea dweller satisfied his need to watch he figured he might even join them in the water.
Loch was bathing beneath the sun, sprawled on a large rock sticking out of the lake's water. He was lost in thought, pondering the complexities of life on land. He had known living here would be a significant change for him. He was prepared to face the challenges ahead of him, but still, he couldn’t help longing inside that called out for saltwater. He was so far from it now. The lake that helped him feel slightly more comfortable, but it was so small compared to the sea. At least he wasn’t alone.
He wasn’t sure if he could fully trust these land-dwellers yet, but Duskorna had offered him a place to stay. He’d prefer to be a part of a group rather than traveling alone. His cold exterior made him appear very anti-social on the surface, but he longed for a group to call his own. This kingdom seemed promising enough to stick around. He couldn’t predict the future, and he was already here. He had already given his word to this place. He might as well keep it.
A howl soon alerted him to a meeting nearby, snapping him out of his thoughts. He supposed there was no harm in getting to know the others who called this kingdom home. It might even be beneficial.
The aquatic canine would dive off the rock, allowing the calm waters to flow through his fur. When he got closer to the shallows, he’d stick his head up above the water, gaze focusing in on the gathering of creatures on the beach. They were so strange looking to him. No fins. There were the typical wolves you’d expect to see, but also some with scales or wings. It made him almost envious. His large fins looked like wings, but they sure as hell couldn’t get him off the ground. If anything, they just got in the way when he was out of the water.
He’d sink a little bit lower into the lake. He had strengths, too, though. He’d hardly think bird-wolf could swim, but it naturally came to him. Perhaps he should show a bit of his own strengths. After all, they offered him a place to stay - the least he could do was make himself useful. Dipping back below the water, Loch would spot a small school of trout. He’d dash towards them at full speed, his large fins swiftly maneuvering him through the water, hoping to catch one in his jaws. It would be a small offering, but at least it was something, and he wasn't showing up empty-pawed.
(Agility dice to see if he successfully catches the fish)
Character Roll 1: Successful Attacks must be above 500 to be successful.
508 was added for Level 3.
0 was added for Dexterity.
2 was added for B: Homeland Buff.
0 was added for A: No Enchantment.
Having acquired the message beforehand, Ceartas had stopped her usual tending of her garden to go hunting. The blessing of this world afforded her the ability to make hunting much easier - she willed a flock of geese to come right to her as she began to kill them one by one. Her abilities did not last as long as she wanted them to, though; four geese were all she had time to bring down before her influence waned and the geese fled in terror. One feathered fiend had the courage to defend his dying comrades though. Its sharp beak managed to give her a small cut on her arm, before she put that one down, too. And so she had five delicious meals to add, all for a drop of blood.
On the day of the event, she carried the meals within a small sack that she hauled in her maw. From the angle of her arrival, she had plenty of time to take in the gathering crowd, notice who she recognize, and take in the appearance of those she didn't. That wouldn't do. Before that, though, she would make her way to Caedwyn and Enya, dropping the sack before them before bowing in a show of respect, “I caught zem yesterday - for the get-together,” she says, her German accent immediately detectable as usual, but easily understood. She would take out one of the carcasses; it had not been defeathered - there was no coddling here - but they were kept fresh for everyone. She placed it on top of the sack, an invitation for anyone to grab.
After a small bow of farewell, she makes her way over to @Bermuda, his name unknown to her but hopefully not for long. As she nears, pale yellow eyes attempt to lock onto his, a silent message of her intention. She would find a seat beside him, facing towards the party and keeping polite distance between their forms. Then, in her usual somewhat-stoic but casual tone, she says, “You are a new face. Or perhaps shy? My name is Ceartas, ze resident doctor. What may I call you by?”
The creatures of Duskorna seemed to be enjoying themselves, small groupings of friends gathering to reunite and discuss the latest Kingdom gossip. The sound of chatter and laughter floated on the air, along with the sound of the wind pushing the water on the lake in gentle waves. The occasional splashing as a fish jumped along the surface to grab a tasty bug, or youngsters splashed in the shallows along the shore. It was a relaxing sound. So relaxing that perhaps an unusual sound among the noise was overlooked.
Blurp. The sound of an air-bubble coming to the surface of the water near the shore before popping. Blurp. Blurp. Another and then another. a few at first and then their number started to increase. Blurp. Blurp. BLURP. Bigger bubbles. It was unusual. Abnormal even. The number of bubbles that came up, it was growing more and more like a fountain had released under the water. And the bubbles were heading towards the shore. Would the party-goers even notice? They had to, right?
Suddenly, the surface of the water broke. Out of the water jumped... a frog! But not just one frog: a hundred or more frogs! Ranging from small to large. All different shades of brown and green. They started jumping onto the banks and letting out loud croaks. Next, a larger splash as larger frogs jumped out. But these frogs weren't normal sized frogs. Some of them were the size of turtles! Or even a big larger! What was happening! Why had all these frogs started coming out of the water!
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OOC: Everyone please make a perception roll with your post.
Success: You notice the frogs in time to not be caught too off-guard. Nothing happens.
Failure: On your next post after this all dice-rolls will suffer a -1 level penalty due to being surprised
Bermuda watched the proceedings go on and he could see a few wolves splashing in the waves. A sight that made his ear flick. In the ocean splashing and thrashing would draw predators almost as fast as the scent of blood. Here in the lake he doubted that there was anything that would be quite as much of threat but it didn't stop the tension that settled on his frame. Habits were hard to break after all.
His attention was drawn as an earthen hued wolf approached him. Her pale yellow gaze on him and he met her gaze from below the red cloth. It blocked his sight somewhat but not completely and he knew that if she looked close enough she would see the soft glow of his eyes. “Bermuda.” He responded back simply as he tipped his head to watch her. “and I am a new face around here.” More than just around here, but to most of land itself.
She was far larger than most of the wolves that he had meet. It was almost a pleasant surprise to not feel like he was towering over someone. That he didn't have to worry about acting like a threat simply because of his own size. “You said you are a doctor? Does that mean you heal with magic or with plants and things?” He questioned his tone conversational as he faced her, one ear to the rest of the group but more interested in learning about the one wolf who had chosen to come and talk to him.
He barely even realizes that the waters of the lake have begun to bubble and boil. Like an underwater thermal vent brought to the surface. It wasn't until the excess noise of water thrashing and sudden sound of frogs that his gaze was drawn from Caertas.
Success: Bermuda sees the frogs in time and avoids a frog to the face
Fail: Bermuda did not see the frogs in time and ends up with a small frog across the face
Character Diceroll 1: Unuccessful Diceroll must be above 500 to be successful.
0 was added for Perception.
466 was added for Level 1.
0 was added for A. No Enchantment.
8 was added for B. Homeland Buff.
