Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
It all started as rumors...strange traits that appeared after certain Earthlings and Alkdikes went on a sort of...spiritual journey. Some would disappear for days before returning with horns, or feathers down their arms, or claws in place of their hands. Others apparently would fall off a cliff only to fly their way to freedom, disappearing in the clouds and never seen again. Those were the stories that were hard to believe...but these days...more were seeing these traits first hand.
Forked tongues, fuzzy antennae, spikes across their skin.
Legendary people who were blessed by the gods themselves.
No one quite knows why individuals are blessed, or when they can expect it, or even what they might get in terms of this unique trait. But it's gotten regular enough that rumors and gossip is starting to spread around. Younglings are daydreaming of traits they might some day get - though not guaranteed. And some are fearing the implications of why they might get such a thing.
Uncertainty is a dangerous think - it can lead to excitement and anticipation, but it also can lead to unfound fears. Especially when the uncertainty is around something completely and utterly out of one's control.
[ Lately more and more Tendajians are being blessed with Legendary Traits. There still is no rhyme or reason around why one is selected, outside of them being older and experienced. In this prompt, explore how your character feels about Legendary traits. Maybe they cross paths with someone with such traits, or maybe they are listening to rumors. Or maybe they are hoping for what their future traits might be (right or wrong). Have fun exploring this concept in character solo or with friends. ]
Valerian watched the crackling fire that had been set up outside of his home. They had come back from spending a day in the nearby village, his parents gathering supplies and trading whatever goods they had before winter came, and while they were busy the boy had found himself listening to the stories of a traveling bard who had stopped by in town. The man had been spreading tales about earthlings who had encountered strange events and been given gifts or cursed by the gods with new traits appearing on their bodies. Some had been given feathers to fly while others had claws like beasts or glowing eyes! Valerian shook his head at the thought but he had already sketched out several of the descriptions on the piece of paper he had stolen from his family's study, the charcoal drawing depicting men and women with horns and claws."If Papa got strange traits do you think the spirits would give him claws to make him more comfortable fighting beasts?" He mused quietly as he tried to imagine his father coming back from the forest with strange traits one day. Or would their mother start growing flowers in her hair, something like that? Would he himself want to wake up with strange traits one day or did you have to go on adventures first? Valerian's lips pursed at the thought. They were just stories but he really did have quite the few questions about how any of it worked.
At least he had the evening bonfire to enjoy, the crackling flames a nice relaxing way to finish of such a busy day while everyone finished preparing for bed. Valerian had a few treats left to finish, his free hand wandering to pick up a few toasted nuts to eat while he continued his doodling in the firelight.
Scarlett Arbuckle
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2022 4:45 pm
Sabra Knight
(1/7)
While Eujanie hadn't heard the stories her brother had, it was really only a matter of time before he repeated them to her. Now, as their parents puttered around doing chores that needed doing before bedtime. She could hear her mother singing softly through the open window, and their father was... off in the forest, doing whatever it was he did out there (and hadn't showed her how to do yet!!)
She was crouched down, arms crossed on her knees, watching her brother as he drew. "Maybe. So he wouldn't need a knife anymore! But what if they gave him... big, huge fangs!! Raaar!" She playfully swatted at her brother, grinning. "It'd be cool if he had a tail. Or-- or! What if he got super cool eyes, to see in the dark -- like he said the beasts have out there? He could hunt ALL the time if he had that!"
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2022 5:52 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Valerian blinked in surprise before glancing up at Eujanie, his bangs falling to the side as he studied his sister. "Doesn't that seem dangerous though?" He asked with a slight frown. "Would he have to defeat some sort of beast to get that type of traits from the spirits?" What if that was the thing? What if their papa became a beast himself and didn't recognize them anymore? Valerian's gaze watered at the thought. "Do....do you think the traits change people? What if that did happen and Papa didn't recognize us anymore? What if we got traits one day and changed completely?" He shuddered at the thought of it. Even if he could sprout feathers and fly away one day what if he never came back? Was that why these earthlings only existed in stories? They just completely changed once they received their traits and transitioned into something or someone else completely? What a thought!
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:57 am
Sabra Knight
(2/7)
Dangerous? Eujanie blinked, then pursed her lips, listening as he began to ... well. Panic, it seemed like. At first, she was intent on just waving off his worries, because their dad could easily beat ANY beast he had to to win his powers --
But then he continued, and the new circle of thoughts ... did elicit a bit of ... concern in her. "I... guess it could happen. But! If you ever changed, Val, I'd just- pet you until you knew I was friendly, and then you'd never wanna go! Right?" That made sense! "And if I ever changed, just get mama to give me those cakes she makes and I'd never wanna leave, I promise!"
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 12:10 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
[3/7]
His watery gaze held his sister's and Valerian could only give a slow nod as he fought back tears. "O-ok." He managed with a sniffle as he quickly reached up to rub his eyes. It was just the very thought of being left alone in the middle of the forest one day or seeing his whole family scattered because they had somehow acquired legendary traits truly terrified him. Even if he wasn't always active or loud like his sibling the boy did treasure her and his parents, truly. He would be heartbroken to lose them someday and even if it did sound cool to get some of these traits the boy was definitely not willing to sacrifice anyone for them!
But that did give him and idea and once he swallowed back the threatening tears, Valerian glanced back towards Eujanie. "What...what if we learned to bake the cakes? Could we do that just in case? You really think that would bring you back?" He asked his sibling with worry. What would bring him back if he got traits one day? Surely he wouldn't become a beast but if he started sprouting flowers or something....would he just become a tree? Valerian's gaze widened at the very thought. "If I become a plant you'd have to water me, okay? Don't leave me?" Suddenly the concept of these legendary traits had gone from cool stories to actual nightmares! Maybe it was just the lingering shadows from the bonfire, but Valerian almost felt a chill go down his spine as he once more found himself thinking about how many legendary people actually existed in this world....if they did exist then how come no one had proof other than the stories? Did they truly become something else and leave everyone behind as legendaries?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 5:30 pm
Sabra Knight
(3/7)
"Of course they would! Mama feeds them to the little creatures all the time." Eujanie said, matter of factly with a confident nod. Now... cooking them themselves? She was doubtful, because she had a tendency to burn things and it probably wouldn't be that good, but if Valerian did it... maybe?
However, as Valerian continued Eujanie paused, her confidence leaking out of her a bit. Becoming a beast was one thing - she was sure her family would keep her as a pet, and she'd be very comfortable. But... a plant?
The idea was chilling, and she very fiercely was unhappy Valerian had pondered it in the first place. "I -- well, yeah, I'd water you -- what-- well. Why would the gods turn us into plants?" IT was a horrifying thought. "It's supposed to be a blessing! Don't be so silly!"
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:36 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
That was fair. Valerian took a breath as he thought over his sister's words. It made sense that cake could bring anyone back from the wilderness, especially if it was his mother's baking. Hopefully he could learn to bake just as well then! He would do anything to make sure his sister was safe and nearby. Even if sometimes he didn't get the wild energy from her and would rather take a nap or go read in the cool shade of a tree instead of exploring the boy didn't like the idea of being apart.
His lips pursed into almost a pout. Weren't plants living things too? He loved watching how they grew and how beautiful flowers could be. If they could somehow grow along his body that would be strange but interesting so maybe it wouldn't be the worst legendary trait. He was just afraid of being consumed by it like he was afraid of his father or sister being consumed by some beast, their very selves changed by the blessings. "Flowers can be helpful and nice." He murmured before shaking his head. "I heard someone talk about spirits that come out of trees....like they can sometimes walk among us before going back to the forest." Valerian's gaze lit up as he thought about the stories he had heard during their few trips to the nearby village. They could be interesting if not scary at times. But surely Eujanie was right and the gods wouldn't turn them into normal plants at least. "It's okay though cause I have your back and you have mine, right? We shouldn't have to worry about curses or things like that." He beamed towards his sibling as the fire crackled nearby.
"But I think it would be cool to have some of those glowing vines maybe....if they were able to move I could use them to swing through the trees or something."
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 4:06 pm
Sabra Knight
(4/7)
Oh... well. Eujanie side-eyed her brother. Yes, plants were pretty, but they didn't move normally! She'd hate it if, one day, her toes turned into roots and she couldn't move! ... But. "... That wouldn't be so bad, I guess." She conceded, crossing her arms a bit petulantly. At least a tree spirit could still MOVE, right?
Her thoughts circled the concept. Plants were pretty and nice - it would be convenient to be able to pluck leaves out of her hair to make tea out of, when she grew up and learned to like tea that is. But would she make pollen too, and make her family sneeze all the time? No - being a beast sounded better, even now, although she wouldn't say so - just because she didn't want to make her brother pout again.
"'Course I have your back! Just don't go swinging away from me when I get into trouble. Or-- or I'll dig a big beastie hole, and you won't be allowed in it with me. With my digger paws!" She mimed the motion with her hands, fingers curled tightly to make a paw shape at his face, grinning.
Yeah-- this wasn't scary! Eujanie was determined to keep their thoughts far, far away from growing into plants, or going crazy to a beast brain.
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:14 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Valerian chuckled softly. "Got it." He agreed happily with his sister even though the idea of her digging herself far away made him sad, but he refused to think about such a possibility. "Maybe I'll go seek out a forest spirit one day and try to find a legendary trait." He finally mused now that they had talked more about the positives and he was less afraid of these legendary traits. It would be pretty cool if he could at least grew some sort of rare herbs or something like that without having to go hunting through the forest for them.
"Maybe the spirits are legendaries." Valerian suddenly commented as he watched the crackling flames. "What if heroes become like that when they finally do everything they're supposed to do in life?" His papa had always acted like the forest was full of spirits so why not? Did they have to be super ancient or could new ones be made? Not the super scary ones, but the cool and nice ones that helped people in the folktales he had heard before! "I wouldn't mind becoming a forest spirit though you'd probably definitely be something more fierce, Eujanie." He teased lightly. "Maybe something like fire or wind."
"Wanna try and burn some offerings to the spirits with wishes for traits?" Valerian asked almost sheepishly. Maybe it was an old wives' tale but they could find some leaves or something to toss into the bonfire that would carry their wishes to the skies and to the forest spirits. They did have the parchment too that they could write on and maybe if there were some cool flowers or something growing along the clearing they could toss that in for their presents? It seemed silly but now that they had talked about things the boy wanted to make certain they left a good impression on the spirits to avoid the worse case scenarios he had thought about earlier.
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:29 pm
Sabra Knight
(5/7)
Being blessed by a spirit made a lot more sense, actually, than it just being random. Eujanie's eyes went big and she nodded along, considering. Although - she did roll her eyes, plucking up a stick to poke into the fire, just to see if it would catch. "Yeah, 'cause the spirits only give you powers AFTER you do something cool? It'd be so boring if you got something special, but nothing to do with it."
She tried to imagine the heroes in stories they'd been told - like the story of a man climbing into the mountains in winter to save his wife, and how the animals of the mountain gave him gifts to help him along. It'd be silly, to only get it after you were already done!
Maybe, any other time, Eujanie might have teased him for wanting to appease spirits. But - if she was honest, Eujanie liked the idea - not the least because it involved burning things.
So, she jumped to her feet, nodding along excitedly. "Right!! We could offer them the meat dumplings mama made! Although-- do spirits eat? Well, maybe we could heat them up and eat them, for the spirits, so we can tell them how good the offerings are."
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:49 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
[6/7]
Valerian pursed his lips in protest. "Well maybe if the person was super worthy then they could be given them to help with a quest. But if I was a spirit I wouldn't wanna give powers away to just anyone. What if they turn out to be evil?" He shook his head. Their world already had so many dangers including those boogeymen like the Dretch! What if the spirits let someone who was also vile have extra powers? Wouldn't that just end up hurting others?
"Hmm. We could do that! What if we take some from the kitchen and split them? We'll eat some and toss in a couple for the spirits." Valerian offered with a small smile. He didn't wanna waste his mother's cooking, but it did sound like one of the best offerings. Who could be upset by their mother's cooking after all? "When we do that we can ask for what we want. I think vines with rare herbs would be great for me."
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:13 pm
Sabra Knight
[6/7]
Ohhh. Well. That made sense then. Eujanie was once again silently impressed with how clever her brother was. She hopped up from her seat as he agreed to her idea, reaching to pat her brother soundly on the shoulder, grinning. "Vines with herbs? You gonna make tea out of yourself? Valerian tea?" She joked, forgetting completely that her brother was, actually, named after a plant.
Still, after her teasing she tugged him along, and together the two gremlins raided their parents' stores - coming back to the fire with a woven bowl full of dumplings. The first one she took, Eujanie dropped carefully into the fire as a sign of respect to the spirits, even if her eyes jealously watched the juices of the meat bubbling and spitting out of the sealed edges of the dumpling as the fire ate it. The next, she skewered on a stick and held out over the flames until she felt it was hot enough to eat.
"Spirits, I wish for... for eyes to see in the dark, and... for daddy to be a smart, nice beast. And - for mommy to have lots of pretty flowers in her hair. Oh! And maybe claws- for me. Please."
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:34 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Valerian simply shook his head at his sister's teasing before following along and grabbing a few dumplings. Following her lead the boy tossed the first into the fire, his fingers getting as close to the flames as possible before he respectfully dropped the offering into the crackling fire. The next he also skewered and held out so that it would be warm enough to eat, the thought of warm food making his stomach rumble. Sometimes his sibling could come up with good things to add to his ideas. Valerian grinned at the silent tease before listening to her wishes.
"And vines that can move for me, please! With plenty of helpful herbs so that I can help my family if they're ever sick." He placed his hands together, the skewer with the dumpling pressed in the middle, and bowed his head in prayer before slowly moving the dumpling closer to take a bite. Hopefully even if he became a forest spirit one day there would still be the option of eating these dumplings! That much he could hope for, right?
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2022 3:52 pm
Sabra Knight
(7/7)
Really? He was still going with vines and herbs? Eujanie shook her head, amused, cracking open an eye to grin at him. With their prayers given, Eujanie took a huge bite of her dumpling. "Oh!" She grunted, through a mouth full, holding her hands out as if to inspect for claws. "It's so good! I bet the spirits are super happy with us. No need to fear, Val!"
