As you begin your hunt for the strange glittering creatures Kale desires, you find yourself headed into a dark wood. The shadows creeping along the ground seem to stretch out their fingers, drawing you further into their grasp. Everything begins to grow darker. Then, as if rising from the shadows themselves, a great and twisted tree appears before you. The tree itself seems to lean oddly, as if it could fall at any given moment but something about the tree compels you to approach.
"Oh my goodness, take a look nowhere!" A wispy voice drifts down to your ears. As you watch, a shadow seems to materialize and take form, as if they were part of the tree.
"Anywhere! Why are they at our tree?" Another voice grumps, deeper than the first. A second shadow appears to break apart from the first. Two sets of eyes stare down at you, glowing as if lit by fire.
"Now, now. That is not how we greet guests." The gentler voice speaks once more. "What brings you to seek out Anywhere and Nowhere?" She asks.
"They probably were sent by Kale. They always come from Kale." The deeper voice sighs. "He probably got tired of waiting for us to tell him how to find that cave." The male chuckles.
"Oh, yes! The Sparkling Cavern. We know the way, don't we, Nowhere?" The speaker steps forward with interest and you see that the speaker is a female owl. She turns her head to look at the second shadow. "My mate and I are quite good with directions."
"Right. Directions. If that is what you seek, I am the best choice. I know these woods like the fine lines of my feathers! Anywhere gets confused." The second shadow steps forward, revealing a second owl. He stares down at you with a confident gleam to his eyes.
The female owl rolls her eyes. "Nowhere just can't admit that I am better at aerial navigation then he."
"Perhaps, my heart, but not with providing adequate directions for these young ones to follow." Nowhere replies to his mate, before turning his gaze upon you once more. "What you seek can be found following a gentle river path. Follow me, and I shall lead you to the river that glimmers."
"But if I do not need to speak the directions, then I am clearly the more capable guide! The river you seek is rough and snakes through the land!" Anywhere replies with confidence.
"Dear Anywhere, your path does not lead to the caves they seek!" Nowhere argues.
Anywhere's feather's ruffle. "It most certainly does so!"
"We shall see." Nowhere chuckles, an endearing look cast to his mate. "Come, hunters. Follow me and I will not lead you astray!"
"Indeed." Anywhere breathes. "Come with me, my darlings, and I will lead you in the right direction!"
Rules
Each character must indicate which path they are taking BEFORE entering that path! Please post for your characters individually when responding to the prompts. Please use your Character Cards to keep track of your Action Points and Items. You may only post in this area if you have completed the previous prompt. For every response over 150 words your character will receive 1 RP point! If you find yourself struggling to understand please seek guidance in our [FAQ]. If your question hasn't already been answered, kindly fill out the form provided and post it. You never know who might have the same question as you!
How to Play This mated pair of owls seem quite confident that each of them has the correct directions for you to follow. They both are willing to act as your guide, leading you to a river that glitters, which shall lead to a sparkling cave. It is your choice, Monster Hunter, as to which path and guide you shall follow.
Each character will roll one (1) 10-sided dice (1D10). If you roll an EVEN number, your character will take Anywhere's path. If you roll an ODD number, your character will take Nowhere's path.
TIP: You will need to keep track of Action Points (3 for Non-hunters, 5 for Hunters) and Items found from this point forward on your Character Card.
Your path has been chosen, Monster Hunter. Go forth with haste, and follow your chosen guide.
If you are following Nowhere, your character will proceed to this thread! Your character has also gained shimmering feather.
If you are following Anywhere, your character will proceed to this thread! Your character has also gained painted feather.
Straye rolled 1 10-sided dice:
1Total: 1 (1-10)
Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:20 pm
Characters Title: Beginner Actions Points: 3
Current RP points:1+1 RP points used: 0
Items: + A Shimmering Feather Items used: 0 Total Item points: 0
Word count: 220
By my ancestors... Absolute awe filled her at the twisted, leaning tree. There was something that appealed to a part of her deep inside that went beyond conscious thought - on the same wave length as her instinct and intuition almost.
Drawing closer, she fell still mid-step; ears twisting to catch and follow the voices. Aaahhh, but it made sense now. He was not nearly as crazy as his ravings had made him out to be, she understood Kale a little better now.
A tender smile played the corners of her lips as she listened to them... disagree delicately? It was so sweet and there was such love between them tat she could feel in their words that though their opinions differed, she could no bring herself to call it "bickering".
The River that Glimmers... That sounds like what I must be looking for... But the sparkling caverns... surely they do not mean my home?
Eve had spent years in the Crystal Caverns, she knew three rivers ran into that area, and one that was particularly rough and snake like.
Could these small glittering creatures have been so close to home all along? None-the-less, she had to make a decision.
"I think... I will follow... Nowhere. I am curious to see if these caves are indeed where I spent my youth."
xxxxxxHawkstep gazed at the tree, growing mildly concerned about the structural integrity of it, it looked as if a strong wind the wrong way would topple it. A shudder ran through her body, shaking through to her tail, at the thought; she blinked and shook her head, snapping back to the present as Anywhere's voice broke the silence in the air. She patiently listened to the two of them bantering back and forth and felt a smile cross her face. They sound like us, she mused to herself. While their antics were amusing Hawk knew she was not one to usually follow a trail set by another but what choice did she have? She knew Ocean would choose her own path and did not worry about her decision as much.
xxxxxx"Very well, owls, I will accompany one of you on the journey, allow me to think a moment on your words," she paused, weighing the pros and cons with what little she knew about the pair of birds before her, directions and leading each had their own issues and benefits. Her brow furrowed in conversation and she found herself sitting to better concentrate on the decision. Finally, after a few minutes of silent deliberation, she spoke again, "After much thought, I have decided I would most benefit from being shown the way rather than told the way. No offense to you, Nowhere, I just fear that I may forget a turn and end up lost in these woods for a spell."
The Moshmonster rolled 1 10-sided dice:
1Total: 1 (1-10)
xxxxxxOcean scooted up close against her partner as they came up to this horrifyingly, terrifyingly scary tree. Ocean was not pleased and watched it with wary eyes, sure that a branch would try to snatch the pelt right off her back. She scrutinized it quietly before leaping near out of her skin at the first tone of Anywhere's voice. Her eyes darted over the tree's surface before the pierce of their eyes caught her attention. She listened to them speak, nodding afterward at Hawkstep's words.
xxxxxx"Very well then Anywhere and Nowhere, we'll hear you out," she paused, watching as Hawk began to think. She knew this would take a while and she already knew what her answer was going to be. She kissed Hawkstep on the cheek and looked back to the tree, "Alright, Nowhere, lay some directions on me! Let's see where I need to go! I'll meet you there, my love!" Ocean stepped over to Nowhere to receive the instructions for the next step of her journey.
"Well. Your mate certainly is... lively. Very determined too! His kindness is a pleasure to endure." She had the grace to look sheepish for not having chosen the right path first. His promise not to lead her astray had given her such confidence in him. Obviously the Berserker knew he meant well and he hadn't lead her astray intentionally. She hoped.
The two birds seemed to be a good pair - a well rounded couple, like two halves of one whole. It was fascinating, and equally, an endearing sight to behold. Their counter balance to each other was so perfect that it made Eve for the briefest of moments, starkly aware that she was a single unit and that the life she lived would likely not ever make for that kind of love.
"I would be honoured if you would still see fit to lead me Anywhere." To her relief and delight, a new path was presented to her by the aerial directions of her guide.
As she gave one look over her shoulder to gaze at the tree for one more long moment before shaking out her pelt and trotting forward to follow Anywhere, appreciative of her gentle nature and her patience. She was a beautiful creature and Eve was delighted to have made her acquaintance.
xxxxxxOcean returned to the tree some time later, twigs and leaves sticking haphazardly out of her fur from her little "adventure following Nowhere to, well, nowhere and she seemed a little less chipper than she had been previously. She sat at the base of the twisted tree, no longer fearing it, and panted for a few minutes having run most of the way back to the tree to find Anywhere and Hawkstep.
xxxxxxFinally cooling down Ocean Relic looked up to the tree's branches and scoured for the firey lights that indicated one of the owls was there. "Anywhere, are you there? Your mate led me off on a wild chase into the dark and, well, I am... not pleased to say the least right now, ma'am. I would appreciate it if you would be so kind as to lead me to where you led my mate? Hawkstep? The grumpy quiet black and gold lady?" She waited a moment before two eyes appeared and began to lead her, hopefully to the river this time.
Skuld’s eyes went wide as she approached the tree, in awe over how it appeared. It was almost supernatural, but she supposed that that was the point of these quests. What was the fun searching for something everyone had seen before? No, she would much rather discover something new and exciting.
Then, not expecting the voices, she took a step back and snapped her focus on the two owls. "Ah, yes, yes, I-" But as they kept talking, and the conversation moved back and forth, she grimaced, unamused with their bickering. Honestly, was this what it was like to have a mate? What a terrible thing to deal with every day....
Finally, the male took flight, beckoning to her and anyone else who appeared next to follow him, but Skuld instead stood where she was, slowly looking back at Anywhere.
"I think I’ll take my chances with you. Lead the way!"
Ctrl F Greenie rolled 1 10-sided dice:
6Total: 6 (1-10)
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:17 am
Characters Title: Monster Hunter Actions Points: 5 AP [Pending Recert]
Current RP points: 2 RP points used: 0
Items: Painted Feather Items used: -- Total Item points: 1
Word count: 247
Leaving Kale had been a treat, the crowd was overwhelming and unwelcome. It hadn't been what he had signed up for, but on the contrary it was potentially exactly what he signed up for. This thought was firmed up when he approached an interesting looking tree.
This tree was surrounded by a thick wooded forest, and had a forked road which told him a little bit about what might happen here. He had already begun to mentally tick off boxes of why each why seemed correct - even if neither gave away hints - when he found himself staring not into darkness, but into two sets of eyes. "Pardon me." He said out of surprise, something he hadn't been used to feeling.
Well then the pair began to babble as though the world fell away from their view. Moments after their bickering began the pair revealed themselves. One a mix of dark and pale blues, the other like a sunset sky. He'd actually been so focused on their colors that he had lost track of which could offer him even a glimpse of the right direction. It was in the end that he felt most confident in the owl named Anywhere. She spoke with a gusto he could understand and get behind.
"Anywhere, you'll lead me somewhere, perhaps better than Nowhere." The puma crinkled his nose and pulled his lips into a smile before letting out a small chuckle. Two, or rather three could play at that game.
Sunflower Symphony walked forward with purpose, glancing up at the tree with interest and wondering if it was the one Kale had spoken of. It seemed otherworldly in nature and a good candidate for it.
And then the owls spoke, confirming her thoughts. She tilted her head curiously, watching one and then the other before her mind wandered to look back at the tree. Could Kale truly have gotten so lost around here? The birds certainly seemed to know him. Perhaps they had outwitted him, played with him, and it made her wonder if she would be equally toyed with.... But the die had been cast, and she wasn’t one to turn on her word. All she could do was hope that she made the right choice in the end.
Speaking of which, a choice had now been thrust on her. Turning her gaze back to the birds, she blinked as the male took flight but, having only barely been paying attention anyway, she stood where she was and let him leave. Looking back over at Anywhere, the she-wolf nodded and followed after her.
Einarr's ears flicked at the sounds of voices when he entered the tree. Despite their whispery voices and his usual bravado, he couldn't help but feel anxious to think that he'd been lead into some trap. That there were more berserkers here, ready to devour him and the others in a large gulp or worse yet, create a playground of death... he wouldn't put such things past the savage beasts. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before he looked up and faced whatever it was that was speaking.
"Wha... You're owls!" He exclaimed. They were nothing at all what he thought they would be. Yes, their talons certainly would look savage to a mouse perhaps, but between their bickering and smaller size... He let out a sigh of relief. Nothing to get so worked up about. He listened more intently to them talk back and forth, decidedly liking Anywhere better than her mate. He smiled at her. "I would much appreciated you lending your helping wing to my venture. Thank you, fine lady." He told her. When she took off, he followed. Hopefully he'd made the right choice. (WC: 191 )
Ctrl F Greenie rolled 1 10-sided dice:
2Total: 2 (1-10)
Ctrl F Greenie
Colorful Waffles
Offline
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:44 am
Characters Title: Beginner Actions Points: 3 AP
Current RP points: 2 RP points used: 0
Items: Painted Feather Items used: -- Total Item points: 1
Word count: 299
"Find the Monster Hunter..." Jaro grumbled sarcastic. "He can guide you..." He continued, but this time under his breath. This hadn't been the first time that his father threw him into a project. Nor would it be the last. As it were he'd find himself doing these sorts of these well beyond his fathers timely death. A plant or two would secure the timing.
Thrust from his thoughts he found himself surrounded by dense woods. The foliage on the trees surrounding him were familiar and brought him some comfort so far away from hoome. Jaro looked skyward and saw some glimpses of blue above him, but for the most part the sky was becoming lost among the leaves. It was pleasant for the better part of those moments. He didn't make it another step forward before he began to feel watched, then out of the corner of his eye, among shadows was two sets of bright and curious eyes.
"Hello?" He greeted them with a questioning tone. It wasn't everyday that he was stared out from afar, that he knew of anyhow. "Have you been watching me this whole time?" His question was unheard though and much like Kale the pair of owls seemed to get into their own conversation, leaving him on the outside once more. "This way or that, what does it matter. Proof is in the delivery." He finally put his paw down, but much to late. The two had quit talking and stared at him. They had been expecting an answer and he was happy to oblige. "I'll go with Anywhere." If he was put on the spot and questioned.. he would fully admit to not knowing the other owls name. He heard the other introduce them self as 'Anywhere' and then tuned out.
Bounding straight into the tree turned out to be easier than Meadowsweet had predicted. She looked up into this trunk, surely hollow it must have been, to fit someone as large as Kale. It was an easy squeeze for her to fit through as it seemed to be with the others who had chosen to follow these rumors. She looked at the others with distrust in her eyes. They didn't know what she had at stake. She had to come home a hero! Someone to be looked up to! She may not have purple eyes, but on her quest... well she would be even better than the Seers! If such a fantasy were even possible. She would make Raven proud. She would make everyone proud.
She was so caught up in her imaginings that she didn't realize that two owls, much like her on spirit animal, left at home (she couldn't convince him to accompany her, much to her eternal ire) had descended. When she finally realized they were looking at her, she turned her head between the two until one took off, leaving her with the other.
"Oh, um... are you going to show me the way?" She asked and the grumble that the owl made was so like her familiar at home that she almost felt that Dawn was there with her, in spirit, at least. Perking her ears, she followed the owl, who she would later learn to be called Nowhere. (WC: 244 )
Trudging back to the tree where she had begun, Meadowsweet was in a more sour mood than when she had left. This time she was going to pay more attention! This time she was going to find that lady bird and listen closely and find that stream or whatever it was she was bound to look for.
She wasn't certain if the female bird had waited up for her on purpose, but she found the owl perched on a branch above her with a number of other gathered wolves. She made eye contact with the female owl with a hopeful smile, the bitterness rolling off her pelt like rain drops. Then shaking her fur, she watched the owl take off and head out. This time, Meadowsweet was certain in her choice. She would follow this owl anywhere. Well, anywhere that led her someplace useful to her goal, anyway. No more waiting, it was time to be lead to her destiny! (WC: 159)
Wild Holly listened to the owl mated pair going back and forth arguing about who's path was better, she would have said yes she was there because of Kale if she could have gotten a word in edgewise, but that didn't seem to be the case before they took flight and she rushed to follow Nowhere. She wanted to see this glimmering river so badly. She followed Nowhere curious to see where this path would lead. Wild Holly huffed out a breath when they finally stopped and she saw a feather. She tucked it into her fur to keep for later. It was hard to tell what might be the most important thing in the world till that moment that you found you needed something and didn't have it. So she would keep everything interesting she found on this journey. She hoped she would get to this cave they spoke of though she wasn't sure what that had to do with a sparking fish.
Cross Road Winds ended up following Anywhere, which made sense to him since following Nowhere would get him nowhere right? Perhaps it was a mistake but it was his mistake to make on this adventure and he would do his best no matter what happened. He hurried to follow Anywhere's path and found a strangely painted feather. He shrugged and picked it up and tucked it into his fur for later if it was important. If it wasn't at least he could say that he had found something on this trip and he had followed owls on an adventure. Even this early on it was shaping up to be an interesting story he could tell to others. He might have to add some things in to spice up the story if his journey was cut off too soon. As a storyteller, he wasn't bothered by adding things to a story to make it more interesting as long as he made his audience happy.
