Both Tempest and Ysalone attempt to pry crystals from the trees. At first, the crystals wiggle as if loosening, and then a bright burst of blue throbbed out of them, encompassing both does.
A vision overtakes them.
They feel… Vykeli. But not the Vykeli of today. An older planet, surrounding them in giant green trees whose leaves rustle and whistle with the wind. There are no barrens here, no sandfall, no desert. Everything is lush. And the trees, all of them, are covered in deep blue crystals, resplendent and venerable.
Something steps out of the trees. A long-limbed reptilian creature with two horns that reach far across its back, and a third growing like a scythe from its nose. It’s face is the same depicted on the trees.
It looks skyward, frightened, and then meets the doe’s gaze. Anger emblazons its expression and it rushes forward to attack.
The does snap out of the vision and find the crystals tightly affixed to the tree. These ones aren’t coming loose.
____________________
”rein_carnation”
Tsarine spots some promising in the sand. A large ridge that could have easily been mistaken for a dune, but sand pours off the edge instead of moving together like a wave. With scrutinizing inspection, it’s possible to tell that there’s darkness beyond the sand fall. This is a cave!
_____________________
Viltalta strode next to Tsarine, still shivering from the effect of the woods, but trying hard to conceal it.
“Good work,” she said with a nod. “Let’s hurry now, the further we are from this forest, the better.”
Indeed, the further they travelled, the less that throbbing lack of energy affected them, until, eventually, Viltalta could feel her magic return to her.
Gifts are now usable again and Tempest’s energy is returned to normal.
The sandfall obscured most of the cave’s entrance, making it appear much smaller than it actually was. As the party neared, it was obvious this thing was massive, a cavern tunneling under the earth with only a tiny portion of the entry visible above ground. No light flickered behind the sand.
“This is it,” Viltalta raised her head, regarding the group with proud eyes. “The last leg of our journey. We’ve come a long way from Homewood and I am grateful for all of you. Without your hard work and cooperation we never would have made it this far. Homewood will be proud. I am proud of you all.
“Wanderlust and their party should be somewhere within this cavern. Let’s stick close together and stay vigilant.”
Viltalta shielded her face from the sandfall with her wings and stepped inside. Darkness engulfed in.
A moment later, a shout echoed out. Then silence.
_______________________________________________
Quote:
Was that Viltalta’s cry?
How will you proceed?
Roll 2d6 as you enter the cave to stay wary and look for danger.
While her own search had been fruitless, this couldn't be said of all searches. Hearing an exclamation, Moon Mist rejoined the group. At long last, the caves. She suddenly felt energized once more, and was surprised to find her gift was no longer out of reach. Perhaps their goal was close at hand. She might be dirty, and a little sunburnt, but she was ready to finish strong. She hoped.
Stepping forward, looked carefully at the cave. It seemed so small? As Viltalta commended them the other Noul entered the cave. And then there was a shout. Well, that probably wasn't good. Moon Mist followed after their leader, pushing through the sand fall.
The cave was dark. So dark. And apparently far bigger than it appeared. The little Noul did her best to remain vigilant. "Viltalta? Are you alright?" She pitched her voice, hoping everything was fine. Was shouting the best idea? Maybe not.
wc: 154 twc: 1511
Quote:
Entering the cave, trying to locate the source of the shout.
Ysalone gasped as the vision released her, and she shook her head, half in wonder and half in shock. Such a beautiful, majestic place. The doe looked back at the trees, still remembering the sight of an entire forest's worth of them, all affixed with crystals.
"This place was so different, before the Others..." she said, wondering what that horned reptilian creature had meant to the forest.
Ysalone hurried after the others, following them into the cave. The vision still had her on edge, and the moment she heard Viltalta's cry, she sprang forward. The power of her magic had returned, and she drew on it as the group moved into the cave. Her horn began to glow, casting a gentle light before them.
Quote:
Action: Entering the cave Power used: Glow
Banked: +1 to a single future roll of choice
Items: -
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 12:50 pm
Tsarine had spotted the entrance to the cave. Adahy had been looking in the totally wrong direction altogether. However he was just glad that somenoul was looking in the right direction. "The farther we get for that forest the better." He said to himself. "Yep yep." Furry Tail said form his spot on Adahy's back.
At the mouth of the cave Viltalta gave some much needed words of encouragement and thank. Adahy was both grateful to have had the chance to help and to it all being over soon. He hoped. The group moved to enter the cave as one. The darkness within took a second to adjust too. Adahy blinked a few time until his eyes climate to the lack of light but the darkness was deep and it was far to hard to see anything. Adahy had a thought to use his glow gift but thought better of it in case they needed help later.
Form out of no where a shout echoes off the walls of the cave. Unable to see a thing and unsure if it was the wanderlust of a member of the group, Adahy calls to everyone. "Is everyone ok? Was that anyone form the group?" Everyone in the group sounded off which told Adahy that it had to be a shout form the Wonderlust but they could not see anything to know what was ahead. Taking a deep breath in to claim his nerves and ready himself, Adahy knew they needed some light in here for everyone's safety. Has Adahy exhaled with his eyes closed his horn began to glow. The cave aluminate and they are no longer in the dark.
It would seem that someone had spotted the opening that they were looking for. The group had started that way and Draven hung back a little before a shout came from the hole. Head raising up he went forward and towards the hole that was the opening to the cave. To him it looked like something else, but he tossed these thoughts aside..
"Keep on your toes Bluebell, Who knows what we shall run into."
Bluebell only nodded as she hung onto the ropes that laid over Draven's back. The buck dropped into the cave, while met by darkness, it seemed that some nouls had the gift of light. The Glow was much help as he progressed, ears twitching for sounds that weren't of the group. The Ascended her come in first before anyone else, he had to wonder if it were her that shouted or... Someone else...
Tsarine honed in on that scene that filled him with warmth knowing he'd done something for the group. Vitalia found her own hooves planted next to his relived that he had found a sanctuary away from this horrific nightmare they had endured. Nodding he focused on the cave heading inward. Feeling that warmth again his horn began glowing slowly as hooves stepped into the unknown. Pushing through the cascading sand covered over his body causing Ayala to groan excessively but not say a word otherwise.
Suddenly softness covered over his entire being as his horn hummed and glowed leaving them light to seek the darkness. His first gift had finally revealed itself leaving a benevolent feeling within. This power gave him courage, an enlightened sense of purpose.
Ayala shook her head removing the sand that stuck to her like glue. Groaning she was about to give Tsarine a piece of her mind then paused, eyes widening. His entire form and life hummed around him emitting a warmth she had never witnessed let alone felt before. It was soothing causing her grumpy nature to subdue like a morning sun bath. That humming grew even louder to her when his horn flickered into a soft light that pierced the darkness. In all no words were spoken from either of them as they made their way into the darkness containing some unknown fate none of the party had no inkling what to expect.
Suddenly, there was a shout that deafened from the search party like a phantom. Perking his ears narrowing his eyes Tsarine pushed onward seeking the truth.
Tsarine & Ayala WC: 266
Quote:
Banked roll +1, Unused Entering the Cave Power used: Glow
The vision had been weird but seemingly hopeful. She’d never seen some place so green and lush before. But it had been Vykeli. She didn’t know what that lizard creature was, it got her heart racing. Tempest shook it off and glanced the the crystals, those weren’t going anywhere. She glanced over at the other doe who had tried as well and then trotted over towards the rest of the group. One of them had found where they were going and Viltalta said they were close.
Viltalta vanished into the cave, a shout sounded and Tempest’s head shot up and her ears went forwards. Was that Viltalta or someone else? She watched as several nouls decided to go into the cave and investigate. Probably a good idea to see if she needed help or maybe someone else. Tempest proceeded to follow, cautiously and entered the cave behind them. She ducked her head as she passed the entryway and braced against the darkness. But it seemed two of the nouls with them were solars and began to use something that allowed them to glow.
WC: 183 Total: 4,221 [Energy levels normal. Entering the cave.]
Honestly, Ralir was distracted from his search by the painfully bright blue glow from the trees. He turned his head swiftly to look - but he couldn't really tell what was happening. What had happened to Ysalone and to that other doe? Were they...all right?
They seemed to be getting along fine, and during Ralir's distraction it looked like a lilac buck had unearthed a large, majestic ridge hiding darkness underneath. Ralir had nothing more to contribute, and he was happy to keep going. The trees hadn't affected him, but many members of their group looked uneasy. It was probably a good idea to keep going...and no one really knew what these trees were, anyway.
The trek was fortunately not too demanding, and honestly, the knowledge that they were close to their destination steadied Ralir's thoughts. They couldn't see much of the cave once they'd arrived, of course, but Viltalta's plan made sense. He nodded along to her pep talk and prepared to group up again - perhaps with Ysalone, to ask about the strange event with the crystals, or with Aldwyn. Before he could, though, a cry sounded.
What had happened? He abandoned thoughts of seeking a familiar face and made his own way into the cave, keeping his ears twitching frantically in order to take everything in.
[+1 not used, gift not yet used]
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:32 pm
The darkness of the cavern didn’t last, as three seperate noulicorns lit their horns up with glow, illuminating it’s dank walls. The tunnel was deep and led further down, with rock walls and a scuffed dirt floor. Sand poured in from the entrance, hissing like snakes as it slithered down the tunnel. The screams ended abruptly and no movement could be seen at the mouth of the cave.
The entrance tunnel wound further and further down until it branched into two directions. A long straight tunnel to the left, and a winding corridor to the right.
Without Viltalta leading the party, everyone can choose to split up. There will be no consensus this time.
”onewintersnite”
Adahy inspects the tunnels.
Fresh tracks heading down the left corridor, but not all of them appear noulicorn. Some are long, flat scrapes in the dirt.. If you listen closely, you can hear a muffled voice. The air this way smells old and dry.
The path to the right smells fresher… and is that the sound of dripping water? A closer inspection of the ground reveals hoofprints, but these are old. Sticking out of the sand appears to be a few strands of strawberry colored hair.
------------------------
”ellanoire”
”moonrazor”
”kesmi”
”rein_carnation”
Moon Mist, Ysalone, Draven, and Tsarine inspect the tunnels.
The ground appears disturbed heading down the left corridor.
You can make out a strange marking scratched into the wall. Another reptilian, 3-horned creature. It’s facing the right-hand corridor.
------------------------
”heavenly snow”
”thypope”
Ralir and Tempest can’t spot any clues.
But they’re lack of distraction from clue hunting leads them to hear some faint steps coming down from the entrance.
Quote:
Which direction does your noulicorn choose to go?
Noulicorn’s who just used glow can add +1 to their rolls while travelling the tunnels. This bonus was added to your last roll.
ll Flourish ll Captain
Offline
Kesmi rolled 2 6-sided dice:
2, 1Total: 3 (2-12)
Kesmi
Shapeshifter
Offline
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 10:03 am
With the extra illumination of three uses of Glow, Draven looked at the fork in the path that they were all facing. Raising his head up a bit, he sniffed at the air. He caught the fresher scent from the left side, the right side held too many turns to gain a real understanding. There was also the reptilian face scratched into the wall again. He glared at this one and looked at the ground that lead down the left side. It was disturbed... Like someone or something had traveled down this line recently. Lifting his head up he glanced over his shoulder, the goggles he had been wearing the whole time removed.
He really didn't say a thing as no one really talked to anyone else. There was hardly a word of discussion on ways to go. Shaking his head, he looked at Bluebell. "Lets head this way, Something had passed this way."
His words were more towards Bluebell as he passed through the doorway of the left tunnel. The glow from the others started to fade the further down he went. Soon he would be in shear darkness, but he had his hearing and other senses. There was also Bluebell whom had some good vision in darkness... Though needed a small amount of light for that...
Tsarine paused letting his gift light the way to a fork which led in two opposite directions - Straight path left or the right path winding inward.
Two decisions to ponder leaving him at a direct impasse on which to decide. The right corridor had that weird lizard thing etched in the wall resembling the same as the trees which were confusing but defeated pointing to the right. The creatures made him shudder wondering just what they were capable of. Giving a flick of an ear he stood motionless as others chose their destinies going right or left. The taller Buck named Draven along with his jackhop chose the left after mentioning the disturbed dirt before the path. No sound, scream or otherwise could be heard other then the other nouls speaking their desired choices.
"Tsarine" his familiar spoke, "let your heart guide you".
As the other nouls headed off he closed his eyes listening still for some movement, and sound to make up his mind. Shaking his head, gift alighting his horn he stepped toward the left investigating the disturbance. Momentarily he paused then decided this was his path he was choosing. Mind cascading in thoughts like the sand he couldn't get the notion out of his head they were being led astray by Izra something more diabolical in the works. Deep within something didn't feel right even if his gift was giving him confidence to follow Draven and Bluebell.
He could only hope his mind was being too over cautious.
Tsarine & Ayala WC: 266
Quote:
Taking the Left path Glow used last roll +1 this roll Banked roll, not used +1
Adahy was not to sure which way to go. On the left he could hear muffled voice which to his more logical side, said that was the right path to take. But he remembered in a book in the ruins he seen one time that had pictures about sounds and how sounds could echo off the opposite wall that the original sound had come from.
Down the tunnel to right a dripping sound could clearly be heard. "Maybe there is water down this way?" He says to the group. Walking over to the mouth of the right tunnel,Adahy spots a strawberry hair. "Didn't one of the Wanderlust have that color mane?" He questioned in his head. It was a 50/50 shot either way they went but Adahy like the idea of finding water and the hair gave him hope.
"I am going to the right. If nothing else we could use some fresh water. And if I was the Wanderlust on a long trip water would be something to go for." He told the group hoping that if he got lost they would look for him too.
The darkness was fleeting, indeed. Which certainly was helpful trying to figure out what was going on. Initially Moon Mist attempted to scrutinize the right path. The air smelt a little odd, but they were in a cave after all ... And then she saw the lizard thing scratched into the wall. "Well not this way ..." She almost whispered.
Trotting back towards the left, she noticed what was clearly disturbed earth. Without much thought to the rest of the group, the little Noul head down the left path. This didn't seem like the time to waste time trying to come to a group decision.
Ysalone managed to see, in the faint glow of her horn, a scratching on the wall to the right that matched the faces of the forest. The vision she had had as they'd come out came back to her, that three-horned beast that had seemed like something of a protector of the land.
"I'm going this way," she said without hesitation. "If anyone feels inclined to follow. The same reptile head is here as was on the the trees in the forest."
Quote:
Action: Taking the right-hand path +1 to roll because of Glow
It would seem that someone had spotted the opening that they were looking for. The group had started that way and Draven hung back a little before a shout came from the hole. Head raising up he went forward and towards the hole that was the opening to the cave. To him it looked like something else, but he tossed these thoughts aside.. 
