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 Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 11:56 am
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 7:40 pm
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════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Riding in on Epona, freshly stocked thanks to some new friends in the Goron village a few minutes south of the great mountain--who were also the ones to tell Link he needed to be at this particular mountain--Link and Ambiance arrive to the sound of a deafening fanfare of silence, punctuated by the occasional crunch of a footstep and the muffled slap of their huffing breath against the crisp air. Link turned back to Ambiance, as if to make sure she was willing to do this one more time before going ahead with the quest.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 8:17 pm
 Ambiance~
Aura of Peace Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
At the curious glance, Ambiance nodded. It was the beginning of an adventure, coming this far. Epona was an excellent steed and deserved all the affection in the world. Ambiance would dare to say that the pony deserved to be spoiled for the work she put in.
Though, she would admit if she was asked, that the name of this place would make anyone worry. Mt. Dragon Roost. The structure was gigantic and terrifyingly tall. Were there actually dragons up there or was it just very, very tall?
"Okay.... so we were pointed in this direction by the gorons.." Ambiance began recounting, just to make sure she knew what they were doing. "What do we expect to find here? A clue? The sword?"
Unfortunately, those particular details were kind of fuzzy. Maybe she wasn't supposed to know, seeing as she wasn't the Hero of time but instead was the quirky sidekick. ... That would do as a title for now.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 9:20 pm
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════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════In response to Ambiance's wondering, Link brought out his map and pointed to the space on it he had circled when they were talking with the Gorons. The medigoron Dan-Goro had told a long and complicated story, seeming to be passed down from poetry, involving the lives of people from different lands. At the end the chief pointed to all the places on his map several times until the two had figured out that the places talked about had something to do with the map itself: a key to reading some kind of treasure map? Whatever the case, Link had connected these dots to find a giant sword shape sprawled out over the land. Link was pointing to the top of the sword's hilt on the page before he looked up and nodded toward the mountain. According to what they knew, this was X.
The mountain itself was stupendous. Every rock looked like a frosty Goron ready to spring to life and wrestle any intruder into the ground. The jagged crag at the peak were horns and teeth in the great maw of the Dragon, and the sharp frozen spines falling off the north face were its devilish spine. Years in the icy wind had worn away the entrance to some old temple, further warping the face of the leviathan. Not that it mattered. With no visibility beyond the peachy glow of their lantern it was only the harsh outline of a great shark in the distance, this unmovable killer of men.
Link, of course, wasted no time getting closer to the mountain. Epona protested, but kept on through the icy wind like a good horse should. Soon enough, though the sound of howling bounced all around them. Wolfos were flanking the duo, and eventually started diving at them with the aim of knocking them off Epona. Link seemed to be busy keeping his ride steady, understandably so, and so didn't take out his sword this time but kept going as straight as he could.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 9:40 pm
Ambiance~
Aura of Peace Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Decyphering what was being shared with them was no small feat. The refresher about the details helped Ambiance a great deal. However, it didn't exactly make her feel less nervous about the height involved. This was not a tiny natural structure. It was enormous and intimidating. .... Perhaps the reason that this was the X on the map that they were after is simply because only a true hero would be brave enough and would deliberately climb this structure in search of anything hidden here. It certainly would scare intruders away that didn't belong.
It was properly named, too. ... It wasn't too difficult to imagine that dragons could make a home at the top of this mountain. So, the climb continued and they continued higher and higher. At a certain point, Ambiance couldn't look down, as she found herself dreading the steadily increasing height. They were on solid ground, though. That was definitely better than the alternative.
... Unless one also threw in creatures with teeth or who otherwise seemed upset.
Nice wolfos... we're not dinner. Ambiance ducked, which unfortunately ended up knocking her forehead against Link's back, but she recovered with a hurried apology. Not in a good position to fight, and lacking all training and experience with mounted combat, she fumbled instead for another tool.
She hadn't used music or song since she found herself in Hyrule. Even as she pulled out the ocarina from its protective pouch in her bag, she began to doubt its effectiveness outside of Labrynna. Would the ears of creatures that lived here be able to hear the music and accept peace's song?
Sure, this was probably insane. Any worse than walking through a mystical portal at the site of a great colossus where a grand historical secret was preserved in runic letters and hieroglyphic pictures carved into stone? She forced herself to play calmly as she blew into the unique flute and conjured notes from the instrument. She willed her heart into the music and played a song that had been taught to her a very long time ago, praying that hostilities and predatorial hunger would cease from the creatures that assaulted them now.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 10:33 pm
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════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Was there truth in the old saying? Would music soothe the savage beast? ... Oh, right. As it turns out miracles do happen. At first it didn't look so good for our heroes, the Wolfos coming at them with the same ferocity they had before Ambiance started playing--Epona even took a bite!--but eventually they seemed to settle for just circling at a distance. From then it was only a matter of time before they left Link and Ambiance alone altogether, shifting from grey to white into the sheer curtain of Winter seamless and silent.
Link threw back a nod and smile, and the two--three if we like Epona enough--went on further up the mountain. At a certain point the shimmering grey which had left only the most prominent features of the mountain visible dropped like a prom dress with the proper amount of shots and a thin road was unlocked for their eyes. It led up to a platform of sorts, which looked as though, if not directly made by humans, was certainly used by them for something. Suppose that's a bit presumptuous. It could've been Gorons... But still, it was worth checking out.
When they reached it all they saw was an old firepit and some strange wooden poles sticking out in seemingly random places. The floor was covered with straw and bones. Link dismounted Epona to have a closer look.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 10:49 pm
Ambiance~
Aura of Peace Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Miracles, indeed. The tension steadily fell away, and fortunately, the rest of their climb continued undisturbed, and possibly even in better spirits. Ambiance didn't dare stop playing until they did eventually come to a stop at what seemed to be a plateau that led further on. Ambiance lowered the instrument and her music stopped. It echoed for a short while, but then the air fell still on this strange place. The cold of the air fit the ice that surrounded them. It was very wise of the gorons to encourage coats for this journey. It was definitely cold.
Ambiance elected to stay on Epona, at least for a little bit longer, and looked about the area. While there had been visitors here, she wasn't sure how long they had been gone. The bones were worrisome and the burnt wood that was in the pit had been broken into smaller bits, and seemed to be just black rubble and dust. Had whatever lived here been gone a long time? Or had they just abandoned the use of a firepit? Besides this, what could the purpose be for the wooden poles?
Her fingers absently traced the holes in her instrument as she listened to the passing wind. This couldn't have been it.... Was there a clue in the poles...?
She braced herself on the saddle and hopped from Eponia's back to take a look around.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 11:05 pm
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════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Upon closer inspection of the bones one would find that they were humanoid in nature, mostly identified by easily recognised femurs and pelvises. There were also indications of wolf bones.
Link, being the good explorer he was, was all over the case of the poles. He was looking all around them, seeing that they were all different heights, and determining that they were generally important as they were the only thing with markings. Each pole was decorated with intricate pattern work, reminiscent of Goron pottery. Along with the circle etched into the stone platform these six pillars marked the area where the spent firewood and bones laid as a focal point of some kind.
Deciding to experiment a little, the Hero pushed one of the poles along the slab. It moved fairly easily, but it wasn't long after that that another howl was heard. From the shaded path up the mountain came a Wolfo at full speed toward the group. Link gave a shrug to Ambiance and drew his sword, engaging the beast in combat. While this was going on, Ambiance would be free to move about, move the poles... Cower, whatever, really.
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 11:23 pm
Ambiance~
Aura of Peace Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Alright, the bones are unsettling enough. But when you move something through the debris and then a dangerous creature suddenly leaps forward to attack you? Is that normal? Was this a normal adventure for the hero?
Link stepped up to handle the beast as though it was no big deal. Nervous, but trusting him to be able to handle it after their experience in the Twilight Realm, she turned her attention back to the poles and the platform.
The markings had to be a clue, by the way they were written so methodically. Was there a story to these markings? Or was it a simple matching puzzle? ... It was interesting, and worrisome at the same time, that the thought of a mistake opened a door or sent a beast after them. It definitely made Ambiance want to be careful about moving or touching anything.
She scanned the inscriptions and the markings of the poles, their position on the floor, and began to circle the firepit, and study their arrangement and height. Let's see... was the goal to have them all symmetrical? She hesitantly reached to another pole and shifted it across the floor.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 11:51 pm
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════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Link, having just slayed the lupine nightmare that came from them, was greeted almost immediately with three more Wolfos thanks to Ambiance. Quickly turning around and giving a "the hell, bro?" look to Ambiance before heading into battle, Link found himself much more stressed than before. Now the mixed bones were starting to make sense. Link kept on slashing, taking the occasional hit from the beasts' claws, while Epona reared up.
Perhaps it wasn't time to give up on the poles, though. Ambiance could definitely tell the pole which she just moved was significantly taller than the one which only brought one Wolfo. In fact, it was so much so that it had room for nearly three times the pattern work. She could see that there seemed to be registers, divisions, on the pole. There was a building section of patterns, all very linear, which led up to a flourishing design that was more centrally planned. This occurred three times on the pole she just moved. The other poles organised themselves similarly, the tallest having six bands. Link's outward struggle might indeed come to reflect Ambiance's internal toil.
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 12:01 am
Ambiance~
Aura of Peace Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Okay, so height does relate to the threat level unleashed. How these mechanisms managed to release certain numbers of living creatures at a time, she couldn't say, but she was quick to apologize.
"Sorry, Link!"
Ambiance studied the marks in between keeping an eye on Link. She wouldn't mess with any of the poles until the wolfos had been taken care of, hopefully to lessen the risk of both of them dying because she wanted to play archaeologist-detective-tomb-raider. There were bones everywhere for a reason.
So far... the bands seemed to suggest the number of beasts that would come at them. Small meant one. Three... three... and the tall one with six... that seemed like an entire pack. Okay, so they were organized by units of three? Or multiples of three? ... Interesting, but how would that help them? Were they looking to open a door? Move something in the room? Or did this all come back to the fire somehow?
Ambiance drew her sword and began to circle the room again, studying the patterns on the poles and seeing if she could find anything telling in the patterns. They repeated themselves, it seemed, and marked sections.... but was there anything else?
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 11:22 am
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════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════They had him surrounded, the beasts with metallic breath. Claws clashing with sword, snarls mixing with grunts to fill the air with danger. Soon enough the Hero was taken by surprise, knocked to the ground with a powerful swipe at his back. Two of the Wolfos stayed back to finish the verdant voyager off while one headed straight for Ambiance.
Before that Ambiance would see that there were six poles in total, and that none of them were outside the circle in which the bones laid. There wasn't anything but bare rock under the straw and bones, and the patterns on the poles themselves wouldn't tell Ambiance much beside what she already gathered. While she was checking the site out she could hear Link calling out to her, warning her. Not very long after her challenge came at her with cold fangs. It was fast, brutal, and hungry.
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 11:37 am
Ambiance~
Aura of Peace Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Incoming.
Ambiance heard the paws beating the straw and bones but only really registered that it was charging at her when Link's voice called out. Ambiance backed up and brought up her sword, taking hold of it with both hands. The beast would snap and snarl, and if it got hold of her, she had a feeling it wouldn't be pretty. Main priority was simple and instinct would agree. KEEP FANGS AWAY FROM SELF!
She boldly, and perhaps clumsily threw her armstrength into a slash that some might later compare to a sport involving a diamond painted in grass and a distant outfield. This swipe was followed by two more that were similar in style and just as awkward to watch. Something would get hit if it was too close.
Wow, it was hard to think when there was something dangerous in front of you. Was that normal for combat? Ambiance was inclined to believe so, given the experiences of the past few days.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 12:23 pm
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════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════The Wolfo didn't seem to want any part of what Ambiance was serving. Thankfully it didn't have the brains to mock her, but it did stay back. ... Of course, one shouldn't misjudge the wily Wolfo's distanced fighting pattern as a cowardly approach. It was smartly dart around, its semi-humanoid form doing the occasional side flip to speed up its movements. It jumped out of the way of Ambiance's last swing and attempted to rake at her back with its impressive claws.
Link wasn't having any better luck, that's for sure. He was pinned to the ground, holding off one of the Wolfos by jamming his sword in its mouth. The other was facing Link's boot, and getting some hits on his leg. There was a red spot on the snow below him and the occasional scream that reminded Ambiance that time was a factor.
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 4:07 pm
Ambiance~
Aura of Peace Oh, if only I could have been there
I'd be a hand for the sinking
Okay, flailing swing didn't work. The creature was more clever and mobile than she. Probably a level of skill was a part of it that allowed it to live for as long as it had. Ambiance was made of much more pleshy and flimsy material. Warrior, she was not, save with words. She was lucky enough to be in the company of those who were stronger than she. She was blessed by the kindness of the gerudian sorceress who offered a healing potion back in the Twilight Realm.
But, when panic drives logical thoughts from your head, instinct took over, and even a bunny can bite.
Ambiance did what she could to keep the sword she swung between herself and the wolfo. There were dangerous creatures in Labrynna, yes, but she had only met these wolf-like creatures here in Hyrule. Things were different here. ... Though, really the only differences were the landscape and the variety of the creatures that were eager to tear you apart.
It leapt behind her. She spun with her sword brought forward. The claws would beat aside her sword. She would fight to bring it back forward again, and the clumsy swing became a strike. Maybe a nose, maybe nothing, but blade was better defense than nothing. Or she would lose an arm.
She clamped her teeth together and stepped forward deliberately. She hoped to hit the creature this time.
I wish I could protect you here
Oh, please don't cry, now, smile
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