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 Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 12:35 pm
Hero of the DeepOpens: 10/19 at 12pm CST Closes: 10/22 at 11:59pm CST Time Zone Converter
Yelling erupted near the gates of Osinea (Onis-ee-ah), many were dragged along as the crowds surged forward towards noise, eager to see the unfolding of this spectacle. At the center of all the milling bodies, a young Seathi lay panting, exhausted and terror warring on his features as wept, squinting against the bright sunlight that illuminated the underwater city.
"You must help!" he begged in broken tones, "You must help us"
The citizens were aghast, mutters passed through the crowd, the Seathi claimed to come from a village in the trench, the whisperers passed along to those behind them. He said he'd passed his whole life there up to this point.
Many replied by voicing incredulous disbelief, suggesting soothing tonics and a healer's advice, no one could possibly live so far removed from the sunlight. Despite this, those gathered quivered with uncertainty.
They had never seen such a creature before, pale but glowing with a shimmering bioluminescence that had many pushing forward to get a better look at his peculiar appearance. The seathi certainly looked like a traveler from an alien land, and despite his repeated pleas for help he seemed sound in mind and body, if somewhat worse for the wear after his travels.
"Let him tell his story!" voices rang out over the churning rumblings of the crowd, who fell expectantly silent.
Clearing his throat, the Seathi told the tale of his village, of their God who had lured so many of his friends and neighbors under its thrall, about the lives it demanded regularly in exchange for its protection from the many nightmares that dwelled in the deep. About the God's sudden stirring, the timing of its awakening coinciding oddly with the stories of strange events that had begun trickling and then flooding into Onisea.
Finally, an explanation had been offered to them.
The crowd gasped its dismay and even screamed a few times in response to the terrible tale, hardly able to believe that such horrors were taking place so close to their jewel of a city.
At the end, the Seathi entreated the people of Onisea again to muster their forces against the growing evil that dwelled in the deep, to deliver his people from the nightmare of their existence, and to protect their own people from falling under the shadow of this mysterious being's influence.
The city erupted in chaos as those gathered debated the truth of the strangers words and what actions should be taken.
For if indeed the stranger was speaking the truth, their world was about to change.
Forever.
This is a character development contest to win the Seathi who managed to escaped his captive village in search for help.
Prize by Mx Cherie
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Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 12:49 pm
[ Rules ].o1 || Follow all soq and gaia ToS of course! .o2 || No proxies .o3 || As this is a judged contest, staff may not enter. .o4 || PM Faithofthefallen with any questions .o5 || You may only win one freebie soq in this event, if you have already won a free soquli, you are not eligible to enter this contest. .o6 || Please quote Faith if you need to withdraw your entry for any reason, do not delete your post, strike it through. .o7 || You may edit your posts up until the contest ends, but please leave a note at the top if you do so I don't miss seeing your changes. [ Form ]
[size=15][b][color=#7B68EE]If you think of a good fish pun for this entry form... Let minnow![/color][/b][/size]
[b]Username[/b]:
[b]Soq name:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b] Tell me about this soq, what makes them tick, what drives them, what are their fears, longings, strengths, weaknesses. Use as much detail as you'd like, these are just suggestions.
[b]History:[/b] What drove the decision of this soq to flee their home to beg for help? What happens along the way in their search for deliverance?
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 2:03 pm
Sorry to post late, I had no cpu access until now, but this is open!
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:30 pm
If you think of a good fish pun for this entry form... Let minnow!
Username: elfstar89
Soq name: Mehrab
Personality: Mehrab is a friendly, gentle sort, fond of dashing to and fro between the flashes of bioluminescence that mark the presence of deep sea creatures. He is also a poet, and something of a village historian and lorekeeper. Mehrab loves his village and his people, he loves its lore and tradition, but he does not love its sacrifices. He wanted desperately to be chosen, until his beloved baby sister was chosen, odd in being so young, and then spent a very unhappy night on the night that she went to the altar.
Mehrab couldn't forget the screams in the abyss.
He lost a lot of faith that night. He also generally leaves the village on even the smallest pretext on the night a sacrifice goes to the altar. Doesn't always succeed in getting away, but he tries. All the screams sound like his baby sister's screams. Ever since that night, he's also taken very, very careful care to never quite stand out, to always be sufficiently less than perfect, to point out the flaws in others, in a hopeless attempt to try to keep others from going to the altar.
This has ultimately made him appear a bit of a hypocrite, but too useful a lorekeeper. Mehrab doesn't want to be the judgmental critic and coward he has become, but, until recent events, he hasn't been able to gather the courage to be himself.
History:
For years, Mehrab had seen sacrifices prepared for the altar in the heart of that section of the sea people called "the Twilight Zone." There had been relative peace, until events called it into discussion. The Blood Tide.
The funereal words of the ancient chant bubbled up to his mind.
Whence from, whence from, whence from the depths have you swum?
This Tide of Blood, did you see it begun?
Darker things in the depths do dwell
Beyond the sunlit swell.
Have you, have you, have you seen the Twins?
Perfect from birth, the Deep One in their fins.
Darker things in the depths do dwell
Beyond the sunlit swell.
It was sung when those who chose the sacrifices failed to find adequate Chosen. And the village knew when the Choosers failed. Everyone did. Even those who thought the Ruler of the Abyss just a horror story for foals just out of the clam knew when the Choosers failed.
This time, the Choosers had fled before they could go to the altar themselves. Their clan was furious, but there was no way out. The Deep One was awakening, and the Blood Tide would come.
The Clan of the Abyss and the village would surely try to resolve this the traditional way. But if the legends of the Blood Tide were right, much of the seas would die. And the seathi stallion wasn't sure he was prepared to live with that kind of guilt any longer. Some of the sacrifices of late had come from outside of the trench. And their screams had been the worst of all. He couldn't hide from the screams of the foreign Soquili, who had no idea why they had to die like this, so far from the light they knew and loved.
Mehrab might not be one of the Chosen, but he was still considered a useful source of institutional memory that the village would not happily part with.
Mehrab swam strongly through the midnight seas, hiding himself in the other creatures of the deep that rose close to the surface nightly. They sparkled like the stars he'd only heard of. Would they sink back to the sea floor in a few hours, like they usually did at night? Or would they risk the dangers of the upper levels of the sea, the predators and the brilliant sunlight that blinded the eyes?
Being a slow swimmer, like so many in the trench village, Mehrab didn't even reach halfway up the canyon walls before the end of the twilight feeding frenzy. And he was tired. While he was far enough away from the village that few would look for him here, it wasn't something Mehrab wanted to bet. Plus, he had little interest in dealing with the anglers and barrel-eyed fish, or, worse, the squids and sharks that swam higher up in the trench when he was tired.
Ducking into a nearby crevice just large enough for him, Mehrab drifted into his safe hidey-hole. When night fell again, he'd keep going, until he found someone to save them all from the Blood Tide. And if he couldn't save them, he'd at least warn them of the doom to come.
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Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 8:38 am
If you think of a good fish pun for this entry form... Let minnow!
Username: Revel1984
Soq name: Kuroshio
Personality: Usually a very quiet and withdrawn kind of guy, circumstances have meant that he has to look outside himself and work at being more confident in himself, as well as to trust others.
History: Kuroshio grew up like everyone else in the village, knowing that someday, he or someone around him would be chosen to appease their god in the cave, he was okay with this as he grew into adulthood, keeping himself isolated, never making friends, distancing himself from his parents, not even knowing as he grew up if he had siblings, he simply kept himself alone so he wouldn't miss anyone and no one would miss him if he was to be sacrificed.
All this changed when he met a certain Seathi, she was the light and love in his life, she didn't take his self isolation lightly, she gave him respect and space but was always there, he fell head over tail for her and felt like his heart would burst with love for her. she made him feel safe, as if all there were in the world was their little home and each other... This didn't last ...
The day came when a sacrifice was to be chosen, they were required to present themselves, they did so but they never dreamed it would be one of them .... however when those selecting, came towards them, he suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe, like something was closing in on his chest. When his mate was chosen he almost passed out. He tried desperately to intervene, begging them to choose him instead, but his mate just turned sad eyes on him and told him to accept it ... but not to close his heart again, keep it open, this was how it was meant to be. She went willingly but Kuroshio attacked a guard, surprising them, as well as himself as the guard was forced to release his mate. She turned on him though, pushing him away until more guards came to hold him back, and swam into the cave of her own free will.
Kuroshio turned away from the village in disgust, again lashing out and surprising the guard that was meant to escort him home. He fled, somehow escaping but doing nothing except survive by himself for a long while, dreams of his love haunting him until he finally realised..... he couldn't sit back and let this happen to someone else, no one else should have to suffer the loss, especially when the one he loved had just gone freely with no second thoughts, NO! that could not be allowed to continue, God or not, the creature within the cave could not be allowed to take anyone else but he knew he couldn't do it alone, so ... he searched many places, looking for any that would help him.
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:09 am
If you think of a good fish pun for this entry form... Let minnow!
Username: Ryghann
Soq name: Halcyon (meaning happy and peaceful times)
Personality:He was always the cheery one. Halcyon, or "Hal" as his friends would call him. His parents groomed him to be a chivalrous and charming in hopes that someday he would be a hero of the village. Though Halcyon, at heart, really was just a sweet and kind Seathi. Not really one for heroic deeds and adventure. On he went, helping others and making a name for himself in the village not wanting to disappoint his parents. He would never admit to anyone, except maybe his brother, that he really just wanted to be like everyone else and blend into the crowd. Always Hal would do his best no matter the circumstances, which in itself could be a strength or a weakness. Many found him stubborn in this aspect but it usually payed off for the better. In some instances he would have to do something he didn't particularly like or agree with and would still do it perfectly. At times it drove him mad, feeling as though he were living a fake life or masquerade. So he would confide in his brother who was always there to comfort him. But still, despite his own feelings he lived the life planned for him.....until one day.....
History: Hal was going about his usual daily routine with nothing too out of the ordinary until he heard the news. By that time it was already too late. His beloved brother, the only one he could tell about his true self and really trust, had been chosen. Why? Why now? Why him?!? Once you were chosen there was nothing anyone could do about it. Hal knew that as well as anyone else did. There were so many who were excited that he had been picked, like some popularity contest, to be sent as a sacrificial offering to their "God".
"Why did no one told me sooner?!?" He bellowed to anyone that was within earshot. All he ended up with was excuses. People filled with false admiration when his brother was a VICTIM. He bit back his tears wondering if he had time to save him. Halcyon's heart was sinking as the seconds ticked by. His faith in their God wavering and disappearing as he opened his eyes to the truth of the matter. As soon as he gained a better hold on his emotions he left, speeding towards the cave that so many have been drawn to. The cave so many avoided.
Total darkness and frigid waters crept around him, sucking all life and light out of his world. All light except for himself. His bio-luminescence creating a faint glow around him. He didn't care if it made him stick out like a beacon in that emptiness, however faint it seemed. All Halcyon wanted was his brother returned safely. Unfortunately it didn't seem that he had reached him in time. The young glowing stallion stopped dead in his watery tracks, pausing and listening in the maw of darkness, straining his ears for anything that could sound like life.
It had felt like hours before he picked up the feeling of a deep rumbling further ahead in the blackness.
"HELLO?? is anyone there?!" He bellowed at the nothingness before him. "Dion?! Are you here?!..... Dionysus??" Making his voice hoarse with effort. He strained his hearing until a sound pervaded the otherwise dead-quiet. Screams. Blood curdling screams. "GO! WARN!" It sounded like his brother's voice. Hal was preparing to do whatever he could to save his brother. One last scream echoed and was cut off short. The silence afterward made his blood run cold and his heart pound violently. Hal turned back and bolted as fast as his fins would carry him. He let his terror fuel his speed. He didn't dare glance back into that horrible darkness. Back to where his brother had screamed a warning with his last breath.
The rumbling from before was increasing in intensity, seeming to come from where his brother had been. Hal knew there was something after him. Even as he was reaching familiar areas the nearby water still felt ice cold and dark. On he swam, past his village onward and up towards where true light filtered through the waters. Maybe someone could help him; help them. His breathing became haggard and strained but he wouldn't give up. One last success, for his brother. He would not fail, no matter what was after him.
Exhaustion and hunger settled in but he ignored it, pressing on without pause. As he swam his thoughts drifted to some information he had happened upon by accident as a foal. He had heard stories of a wondrous city, not too far away from their village. He had faith that, if it truly existed, he could reach it. He HAD to reach it. With this new goal in his mind he traveled in the direction where the light was brightest. Even with his eyes burning from the foreign glow of true light he still pressed on. His energy was about spent when he reached a plateau, passing it he gasped at what he saw. The beautiful fabled city! He had made it!! But his trek was not over! He needed to find someone, anyone, who could help him!
Finally at long last he found a large group of creatures like him at the gates. Maybe they would understand him? Maybe not! He could only do his best to try and show them if he couldn't tell them. Delving into the group he lost his will to further swim and landed in a heap. He tried to begin a begging dialogue with these people in broken tones. Telling them of his brother's sacrifice and the help his people needed.
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 8:32 am
If you think of a good fish pun for this entry form... Let minnow!
Username: Artymus
Soq name: Iri
Personality: A bit vain, Iri doesn't think he's better than anyone else, but he's certainly prettier. That being said, he doesn't hold it against those who aren't as pretty as himself. He knows it's not their fault. Because of, or maybe in spite of this, he goes out of his way to be kind to others. "Beauty shines from within", his mother had always told him, and Iri wanted to be beautiful inside, too. He's often seen tending to the smaller, harmless creatures that lived around the village, or helping the village elders any way he could, always volunteering his services for one thing or another. He enjoys singing and playing with the younger members of the village, teaching them silly songs and games.
While Iri is mostly nice and helpful, he often thinks about what life outside the village is like. He dreams of far-off places, wondering if their God controls all of that, too. Could it's reach be so great? When he was little, all Iri dreamed of was being chosen as Sacrifice. It was an honor....wasn't it? He was beginning to think maybe it wasn't such an honor after all. Maybe it was just a painful death at the hands of a monster.
History: The night they came for his mother, Iri fled. At first, she'd gone willingly. She kept looking back at him, losing grip on her emotions more and more every time. Iri watched the fear in her face worsen, watched her begin to struggle. She looked back at him one last time, and he finally realized that she hadn't been afraid for herself. She'd been afraid for him. In that instant, he knew he had to get away, had to find someone to help them. This wasn't right, not anymore.
Before he realized what he was doing, Iri shot off faster than he'd ever swam before. His heart hammering, his panic threatening to overwhelm him, he didn't care when he bumped into walls, or scraped against something rough or sharp. He had to get away from that nightmarish place, even if it cost him some scrapes and bruises. He didn't know how far he'd gone, but he could still hear her screams, distant as they were.
Iri didn't know how long he swam for, but he didn't care. His eyes began to ache from the unfamiliar light the further he went, until he finally made it to a plateau, flopping himself on the edge. His heart hammering, his breathing hard, he laid there, unable to go any further. If something was after him, he didn't care if it took him now.
That was when the others spotted him, and unfamiliar faces began to crowd around him. Maybe they could help, maybe they could save the rest of his village. "You must help!", he croaked. "You must help us!"
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 3:09 pm
I am withdrawing my entry, as I have won a familiar and a seathi from this event. Good luck to everyone still participating, he's lovely~! heart
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 7:57 pm
If you think of a good fish pun for this entry form... Let minnow!
Username: Azael_Rose
Soq name: Aven
Personality:
Aven is the fiercely loyal type. He can not, and will not, stand idly by any injustice. His parents had to physically restrain him from charging in and confronting the village during the announcing of the sacrifice. He has difficulty retaining information, such as types of deep-sea coral or fish but he does his best - only because of his sister. He'll do anything to get his sister to smile, that includes listening to her ramblings on the currents, plant-life and anything else that sparks her scientific mind.
History:
From the first moment his sister, Alis, and he emerged from their shells they could not be separated. The two got along swimmingly despite their differences. Alis was much smaller than normal Seathi young, and frailer too. Some of the harsher families would have left her on the outskirts of the village to fend for herself, but not Aven's family. His parents were different.
Aven often found himself between his sister and her would-be bullies. He refused to back down, which often resulted in a few cuts and bruises. Their childhood was not an easy one, but they had each other.
Despite the trouble, and his family's position on the ten year tradition, the thought to leave hadn't really crossed his mind. Certainly there were times when the two would be swimming outside of the village (as they often did even as adults) and the two siblings would joke about leaving. But nothing serious was ever said.
That all would change when ten years of peace came to a close, and it would be time to choose a new sacrifice. His family remained at home, as they always had, when half of the village stormed upon them. They wasted no time, yelling and half-cheering at the decision - the decision that Alis would become the latest sacrifice.
Aven was stunned as they physically dragged his small sister from their dwelling. She was beautiful, but certainly not the most beautiful in the village. Nor was she brave, quite the opposite actually. Why? He kept asking himself, "Why did they take HER?!
Fury filled him and he charged in after her but was quickly halted by armored Mers. He struggled against them as he watched his sister disappear. "No!" He screamed at them.
The villagers, and guards, ignored his protests. He looked at his parents for help, but they were frozen in place. It was then that he remembered the rumor of an opening far, far, far above that led to a new world - a world unlike theirs. There was nothing left for him here without his sister, so he swam to the spot hoping that at least some of the rumor was true.
It took some effort but the Seathi finally found the opening in the trench, light shimmered through it. He weaved his sturdy body through the rough edges until finally he passed through into blazing light. Aven stopped, his breath ragged as his wide eyes took in the sight in front of him. He was stunned to find a great city with gleaming structures...and Soquili! Seathi and Mer began to swim towards him, warily. He eyed them with the same regard. Could this be the answer? Could they help me? Help me to save HER?
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Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:14 am
Thank you so much for all who took the time to enter, we loved reading through your stories! We have decided on our winner! Ryghann You have won our hero of the deep! Congratulations! You may accept your prize or use your one pass if you have not done so yet. This lovely Seathi was colored by Mx Cherie, so if you choose to keep them, please post certing information to the General Certing Thread
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Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:23 am
Faithofthefallen Thank you so much for all who took the time to enter, we loved reading through your stories! We have decided on our winner! Ryghann You have won our hero of the deep! Congratulations! Congratulations! You may accept your prize or use your one pass if you have not done so yet. This lovely Seathi was colored by Mx Cherie, so if you choose to keep them, please post certing information to the General Certing Thread*Cries* so much accept!!! I LOVE HIM thank you so much!!!!!! *is honored*
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