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 Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 9:46 pm
Cave Prompt 2
As they made their way into the cave it became clear that Kasar's fire wasn't needed any longer, so the hound let the fireball die out. Murphy kept close to his companion as they walked, not too sure what might be in store. One thing was for sure, this hound was a little rascal! Maybe he shouldn't have followed it.
A noise up ahead made the human and hound stop dead in their tracks. Kasar narrowed his glowing eyes only to give his doggish laugh again when he realized it was just some bear cubs.
Murphy didn't seem quite as enthused.
Aw...they're so cute and small Kasar hummed, lowering his head and wagging his tail to see if any of them would come over to him. Murphy wasn't nearly as relaxed as Kasar was and for good reason. Where there were cubs...
"Kasar," he said warily as a looming figure emerged from the shadows. Mama bear. Murphy froze as Kasar lifted his head, his eyes narrowing once again and teeth showing in a silent snarl. His fur fluffed up and fire licked off the tips of his ears and tail, the air around him shimmering as he increased his temperature.
Behind me, Murphy he said, to which the human instantly complied. Hopefully if they stood like this they'd look big enough for the mother bear to decide not to attack.
2 points
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 4:42 pm
[cave prompt 1]
Creeping further into the cave, Dimitri's eyes began to adjust to the dark. Glowing mushrooms came to life and cast odd shadows on the cave walls, revealing many stalagmites above. He shivered in fear, he had never been this far from town, and had only heard stories of the underground, and the labyrinthine caves and tunnels that led there, but he felt so compelled to keep going. The sound of shuffling wings above his head caught his attention and just as looked up to see what it was the hound let out a piercing howl that shook the whole cave. The stalagmites creaked and some began to break off of the cave ceiling, crashing to the ground. The bats who were resting above rushed towards the cave entrance, their sleep cut short by the intruders. Before Dimitri had a chance to react he was surrounded by bats and crumbling rock. His mind instantly went to the hound.
"What made him decide to howl like that? Could there something dangerous up ahead, is he trying to warn me?!"
In the chaos and confusion he lost sight of both the hound and the cave entrance. Turning in circles, he tried his best to shield his head from the debris with his arms and peer through the dust, desperately looking for some means of escape. It seems his bloody nose was not going to be the only injury he sustained today.
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 9:00 pm
ROUND FOUR
Round Three Points
If you were assaulted by the bear...0pts
If you were assaulted by stalagmites...1pts
(This number generator is a real hater...)
Cave Prompts - Bear
•One•
Mama bear is not pleased! She snarls and swipes, advancing despite whatever defenses you might have erected. And then, perhaps to your surprise, the hound you had followed leaps to action, throwing itself in the path of the bear. It barks and growls, driving the bear back. With some final disgruntled growls, the bear decides this is a battle better avoided, and corals her cubs away, deeper into the cave. You know you'll be supper for sure if you follow, and despite the hound's original intentions, appears to realize this as well. So instead of bounding off for the entrance or toward the bear, the hound takes a different path, following a separate path through the cave.
•Two•
Mama bear is not pleased! She snarls and swipes, advancing despite whatever defenses you might have erected. And then, perhaps to your surprise, the hound you had followed leaps to action, throwing itself in the path of the bear. It barks and growls, driving the bear back. At least, for a moment, but once the bear overcomes its shock, she hurls herself forward, knocking the hound aside. A quick glance, and you see that the hound is fine, but with the bear looming over you now, you might not be!
Cave Prompts - Stalagmites
•One•
The assault is short lived, and finally, the bats are gone and the stalagmites have settled. Whatever injuries you sustained from the falling debris, at least you're not dead! Unfortunately though, the commotion seems to have caused a bit of a cave in. Loose rocks shook from their perches and piled high at the entrance, leaving you without a way out. Or...so it would at first seem. The hound you've followed is no where in sight, but if you look closely enough, you can see a pinprick of light up ahead...
•Two•
The assault is short lived, and finally, the bats are gone and the stalagmites have settled. Whatever injuries you sustained from the falling debris, at least you're not dead! The entrance is, thankfully, still clear, but looking around, you can't see to find the hound you had followed. You do, however, spot something you didn't originally notice - a large hole in the ground. Approaching and peering down, you can see a steep slope leading to another level of the cave. If you're careful, you could easily slid down in. As you're deciding, you're certain you see the flick of a tail down below...
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 9:51 pm
Bear Prompt 1
The bear was closing in and Murphy wondered if following this hound had been such a good idea. Kasar was ready to fight, his fire burning brighter, but all at once the hound with the strange tail jumped out in front of the bear, snarling and barking. The bear, now with two large hounds to face, didn't seem willing to fight. Instead she high-tailed it away.
"Thank goodness," Murphy said weakly, his hand moving to Kasar's back as the hound watched the striped beast hop off in another direction. Murphy followed it with his eyes as well. "Well...shall we?"
I'm not hanging around for mama bear to come back Kasar said, snorting in the direction the other creatures had gone in. He tossed his head in the direction of the other hound who was almost out of sight. Come on, Murphy. We've come this far!
"Yeah...okay," Murphy said, following his hound. He really should have just ignored the striped hound. This was turning into a rather dangerous affair. Still, they pressed on, too far in now to turn back as Kasar had said.
2 points
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 1:51 pm
[stalagmite prompt 2]
As the dust settled and the last of the bats had fled the cave, Dimitri scrambled to his feet. The fear and excitement was too much for him so he just started to laugh. There were many large chunks of rock embedded in the ground around him but somehow he had remained fairly unscathed. Sure, he had a few cuts and bruises but nothing serious and the adrenaline was making it so, for the moment at least, he could feel a thing.
"Ahhhaahaha! What luck! I'm alive! But that hound....where did it go?"
He took a few clumsy steps around the cave and then nearly slipped into what appeared to be a tunnel leading down that he had not noticed before. He quickly stepped back and fell to the floor. The light from the cave entrance was still visible and he thought about turning back, this just seemed to dangerous....but then he saw the flick of a golden tail in the tunnel below. Dimitri knew he would regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't follow that hound so down he went.
[3 points so far]
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Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:09 pm
Quote: The assault is short lived, and finally, the bats are gone and the stalagmites have settled. Whatever injuries you sustained from the falling debris, at least you're not dead! Unfortunately though, the commotion seems to have caused a bit of a cave in. Loose rocks shook from their perches and piled high at the entrance, leaving you without a way out. Or...so it would at first seem. The hound you've followed is no where in sight, but if you look closely enough, you can see a pinprick of light up ahead... Minas stepped carefully onto the first rock. She reached up and tested a few, trying to find a strong one to hold. Slowly, Minas made her way up, climbing over rocks, and slipping only twice. The hound was the least of her worries. She kept her eyes focused on the pinprick of light and climbed making steady progress.
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 11:45 am
ROUND FIVE
Round Four Points
Bear prompt one...5pts
Stalagmite prompt one...-1pts
Stalagmite prompt two...3pts
(Choose from these prompts if you followed Bear Prompt One or Stalagmite Prompt Two in Round Four.)
Cave Prompts - Cavern
•One•
The hound presses on with a light skip in its step, seeming to have forgotten entirely about the near death experience. You might be wondering...where is the hound taking you? Why here? If it wanted you dead, it would have left you to your demise...right? Was there a method behind its madness? While you're contemplating (or not), the hound rounds a corner and enters a large cavern, with a dark pool of water in the middle. Tongue lolling out of its mouth, the hound starts for the pool, splashing into the water. If you glance around, you can see the pool stretches from one across the entirety of the cavern, allowing no dry passage to the other side. You're not sure how deep it is...Hope you can swim!
•Two•
The hound presses on with a light skip in its step, seeming to have forgotten entirely about the near death experience. You might be wondering...where is the hound taking you? Why here? If it wanted you dead, it would have left you to the demise...right? Was there a method behind its madness? While you're contemplating (or not), the hound rounds a corner and enters a large cavern. It stops short at the entrance, sniffing at the air, the fur on its back slowly rising to stand on end. In the darkness ahead, you can just make out a pair of eyes...and then another...and another. Then, the growing begins, and three wolves step into view...Oh shooooooooooot....
(Choose from these prompts if you followed Stalagmite Prompt One in Round Four.)
Cave Prompts - Forest Clearing
•One•
As you approach the light, it grows, until it is all encompassing, and it becomes clear that you have found another exit! You enter upon a clearing, and find not one hound...but two. Silver and gold have joined anew, and stare at you curiously, smiling coyly. How did they rejoin so quickly?! They wait patiently for you to fully emerge and right yourself, allowing you a moment to adjust. Then, as they have proven to love, they split again, allowing you to choose a different course, should you wish it.
•Two•
As you approach the light, it grows, until it is all encompassing, and it becomes clear that you have found another exit! You enter upon a clearing, and find the hound you had followed is nowhere to be seen. Instead, in its place, is a young buck. It peers across the clearing at you curiously, batting its eyes innocently. It looks quite peaceful, and comfortable in your presence. Maybe it will allow you to approach?
(If you're new to the game, choose from any of the above prompts to follow!)
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 2:20 pm
Cavern Prompt 1
The energy from the pale hound seemed to be transferring to Kasar, because the darker hound was bouncing along beside Murphy as well. It seemed he was the only one that had the memory of that giant bear in his head still. He knew better than to voice his concerns to his hound, though. Kasar would just laugh it off. It wasn't a problem anymore was it?
As the hound splashed its way through a rather large 'puddle' Murphy finally let a breath of air out of his mouth in relief. Water was something he knew well, having grown up in a fishing family. He was a strong swimmer and knew the ins and outs of tides and currents very well. Plus he could hold his breath for longer than anyone he knew. He headed for the water without hesitation, although he had to stop to look back when Kasar was no longer by his side.
"What...can't doggy paddle?" he asked, smiling just a bit. It wasn't often he had the upper hand over his companion.
Kasar curled his lips up in a growl at Murphy's comment. Ha ha, very funny. You know I don't like being wet.
"Oh come on...we've come this far, right?" he teased again, mimicking Kasar's words. The hound huffed but followed his summoner into the water, muttering and grumbling about how long it took for his fur to dry the whole way.
7 points
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:29 am
Quote: As you approach the light, it grows, until it is all encompassing, and it becomes clear that you have found another exit! You enter upon a clearing, and find not one hound...but two. Silver and gold have joined anew, and stare at you curiously, smiling coyly. How did they rejoin so quickly?! They wait patiently for you to fully emerge and right yourself, allowing you a moment to adjust. Then, as they have proven to love, they split again, allowing you to choose a different course, should you wish it. Minas took a moment to brush the dust off of her clothes. When she looked up she saw the two hounds again. Minas looked from one to the other, hoping that they were finally done darting off. As she took one step toward them, both hounds took off in different directions. Minas sighed. "I guess the game isn't over yet." Hoping the hounds wouldn't get too far too quickly, Minas took a moment to stretch her legs. Climbing had made her stiff, but she couldn't wait too long. After a quick stretch, she took off after the silver hound.
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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 1:31 am
[cave prompt 2]
Dimitri ran as fast as he could, winding around the dark tunnel, the hound always a step ahead of him. He was determined to not give up, no matter how tired he was or how scared he was he kept pressing on into the darkness. Finally, the hound stopped at the entrance to a large cavern, it's hackles raised it seemed ready to attack. That's when Dimitri noticed the wolves, three of them, and they didn't seem friendly. The hound was on guard, but seemingly unafraid. Despite the gravity of the situation, Dimitri felt safe, he just had a gut feeling that the hound would protect him.
[6 points so far]
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Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 5:02 pm
ROUND SIX
Round Four Points
Cavern prompt one...0pts
Cavern prompt two...-2pts
Forest prompt one...4pts
Cave Prompts - Cavern Puddle
•One•
The water is cold, and deeper than you might have expected - a few feet in, the floor drops off, and you can no longer touch the bottom. In the darkness, you can barely see a thing, let alone what lies beneath the surface of the water. However, you comfort yourself by knowing the ripples around you are generated by yourself and the hound ahead...until a larger movement to your right unsettles the surface and then something brushes against your leg. You're not alone!
•Two•
The water is cold, and deeper than you might have expected - a few feet in, the floor drops off, and you can no longer touch the bottom. In the darkness, you can barely see a thing, let alone what lies beneath the surface of the water. However, you comfort yourself by knowing the ripples around you are generated by yourself and the hound ahead, and thankfully, you reach the bank without incident. The hound shakes off and then runs forward down the tunnel, toward a small point of light, one you hadn't noticed from the other side of the water.
Cave Prompts - Cavern Wolves
•One•
The wolves snap and snarl, closing rank and inching closer. The hound you're following is holding its ground, growling in a threatening manner. The wolves do seem hesitant, but not entirely deterred. Perhaps hoping a warning would have worked, and realizing now that it has failed, the hound suddenly turns tail and runs, dashing in a wide arc around the wolves to reach the other side of the cavern, where the tunnel continues. One of the wolves darts off after the hound, but the other two are now headed right for you! Hope you can run!
•Two•
The wolves snap and snarl, closing rank and inching closer. The hound you're following is holding its ground, growling in a threatening manner. The wolves do seem hesitant, but not entirely deterred. Perhaps hoping a warning would have worked, and realizing now that it has failed, the hound decides on a more offensive tactic. It lunges for one of the wolves, engaging in a tussle, but that leaves the other two to lurch for you! Hope you can fight!
Forest Prompts - Clearing
•One•
The hound you've chosen to follow doesn't travel far. After picking through some foliage, it enters another clearing, this one with a steep slope on the other side. Dozens of flowers dot the grass, and then you approach the beginning of the slope, you glance down at see a hill covered in colorful flowers! The hound yips, and then lays down, before rolling forward, allowing the slope to carry it down. Looks fun! You can't see what waits at the bottom, but it must be safe!
•Two•
The hound you've chosen to follow doesn't travel far. After picking through some foliage, it enters another clearing, this one with dozens of grazing rodents! Rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, skunks...they're all there, nibbling on the flowers that dot the grass. Despite being wild animals, they seem incredibly docile, and don't scatter as the hound approaches, nor do they seem to be frightened by your presence. The hound sniffs and paws at some, looking back at you expectantly. Maybe the animals are friendly, and will let you pet them?
(If you're new to the game, choose from any of the above prompts to follow!)
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:04 am
Puddle Prompt 2
Murphy was glad nothing happened during the swim, even when the water suddenly grew incredibly deep. He couldn't ask Kasar to light the way for them again as he could tell his hound was struggling to keep going. The pale hound reached the opposite bank without issue, which he hoped would give his own hound a bit of comfort.
"Almost there," he said as he continued to swim, reaching out with a hand to rest on Kasar's side to give him a bit of comfort. Kasar was splashing way more than was needed and expending a lot of energy, but at least he was still going in the right direction.
Finally his feet touched the ground again. Murphy helped Kasar to shore and let the hound shake himself off, panting heavily.
Next time we're finding a way around he said, to which Murphy nodded. He wouldn't want to submit Kasar to that again and he certainly didn't want to leave him behind.
"Sounds like a plan. Come on, it went this way," he said, heading in the direction the hound had gone with Kasar hot in his heels, steaming slightly as he used his fire magic to dry his fur.
7 points
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 8:20 pm
[cave wolves prompt 1]
Dmitri's life flashed before his eyes, the wolves lunged forward to attack and seemed to be unafraid of the hound. He had been betting on the hound being able to protect him but it had just decided to run so he followed suit and took off as fast as he could, wondering how long he would survive with these wolves chasing him.
[4 points so far]
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 10:14 pm
LAST ROUND!
This round will be worth even MORE points, and will end on Sat, Nov 28 @ 11:59pm EST
This round will play out a bit differently, and require more creativity. Wherever you are, in whatever situation you have found yourself in, you need to escape, and find your way back to the carnival! A number of choices will be provided for you to follow; they will be similar/the same, to allow for a fair amount of complexity. Each decision will be worth a pre-decided amount of points, to be revealed at the end! You're not choosing one bullet to respond to - respond to all bullets, describing the end to your story, and specify your decisions! And remember; the "obvious" choice doesn't necessarily mean it will be worth more points!
Choose wisely...
Round Six Points
Cavern puddle prompt two...4pts
Cavern wolves prompt one...4pts
(Guess the generator wanted an even playing field?)
Cavern Puddle
◘ The cold water and the damp air have the hound shivering. You might be cold yourself, and might even have found a method of drying yourself. Do you share your resources with the hound, or allow the hound to solve its own problem?
◘ The ground is wet, and rather slippery! The hound isn't careful enough, and looses its footing, sliding right down another hole! It's not a far drop, but the hound seems to move with a slight limp now. Do you drop down to help, or wait for the hound to find its way back?
◘ The glowing fungi are no longer in abundant supply, and your field of vision is low. The hound seems dazed and lost, but doesn't stop. Do you allow it to continue directing, or take the lead yourself?
◘ Finally, you're free of the cave, and back in the forest! The other hound waits for your arrival at the exit, standing at a fork in the path. It starts down the right path, and you're certain it looks familiar...but the hound you've shared such an experience with starts down the left. Which do you trust?
◘ Eventually, as dusk approached, you reach the edge of the forest, and the carnival is in sight. It looks just as you left it; alive, jovial, and safe. Free of wild animals and thorny underbrush! You hear your friends calling for you in the distance; you could run toward their welcome voices, leaving the hounds behind, or you can approach together, returning as you left, with a new friend in tow.
Cavern Wolves
◘ As you flee, the hound you follow stops to confront the wolves, allowing you a chance of escape. But the wolves outnumber the courageous hound, and it's in trouble! Do you stop to help, or do you save yourself?
◘ The wolves retreat, but the hound has been injured. Do you try to patch the wound, or allow the hound to fend for itself?
◘ The glowing fungi are no longer in abundant supply, and your field of vision is low. The hound seems dazed and lost, but doesn't stop. Do you allow it to continue directing, or take the lead yourself?
◘ Finally, you're free of the cave, and back in the forest! The other hound waits for your arrival at the exit, standing at a fork in the path. It starts down the right path, and you're certain it looks familiar...but the hound you've shared such an experience with starts down the left. Which do you trust?
◘ Eventually, as dusk approached, you reach the edge of the forest, and the carnival is in sight. It looks just as you left it; alive, jovial, and safe. Free of wild animals and thorny underbrush! You hear your friends calling for you in the distance; you could run toward their welcome voices, leaving the hounds behind, or you can approach together, returning as you left, with a new friend in tow.
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:28 am
Cavern Puddle Prompts
As the small group headed further into the cave, the air began to take on a life of its own. Murphy shivered in his wet clothes and wrung them out as he went, leaving a trail of water behind them. Kasar had completely dried thanks to his magic and, while happy again, was still muttering about how his human was insane for swimming across an unknown body of water. Murphy blocked him out for a while as they continued until he noticed the hound that they were following was also shaking.
"Kasar...would you dry us off too?" he asked quietly, not wanting to startle the hound. "Just have some fire between us while we walk, that should at least keep that thing warm if not dry it." He could stay close to the fire to keep warm and dry off as well. There was some grumbling from Kasar again but the hound complied, letting a small ball of fire hover between them and the hound. It was intense in its heat, though, and instantly the tunnel in which they were walking warmed.
"Thanks," Murphy said with a tiny smile, reaching over to pat Kasar.
I'm only doing it because you asked. If it were me I'd like that one shiver, leading us around like this, Kasar said with a little huff. Just as he said that a yelp came from up ahead, and both turned to look at the hound...which wasn't there.
"What the...oh!" Reaching out for Kasar, Murphy caught himself before he slipped on whatever slimy substance was on the ground. Some cave muck to be sure. Kasar commanded the ball of fire closer to them and lowered the intensity of the heat so they could see the slippery spots on the ground.
This cave has bad news written all over it. Bears, lakes, slippery floors...I'll be glad when we're out.
Murphy could only agree. He still wasn't sure why the hound wanted them to follow it and he was starting to wonder if it was a good idea to. They reached the place where they'd last seen the hound and saw a shallow ditch in which the pale creature had slipped. It looked to be a bit hurt, but Murphy didn't want to draw close and possibly scare it. He and Kasar stood a safe distance away while the fireball hovered by the hole so the hound could get out in its own time.
"I hope it's all right," he murmured as it took a few minutes for the hound to find its footing. "All this way and it hurts itself. Poor thing."
And yet you had no qualms asking me to dive into a lake Kasar said with a snort. I see how it is.
"Oh, you hush. You've been complaining about that for long enough."
As they spoke the hound finally pulled itself up and continued on as if nothing had happened, even with the little limp. Kasar and Murphy followed, the human keeping his hand on the hound even as the slippery substance disappeared. It seemed the glowing fungus were disappearing as well, making it harder to see. That, thankfully, was an easy fix. Kasar brightened the ball of fire, illuminating the tunnel for both them and the hound to see by. Every now and then, though, the hound would pause and glance around as if lost. Murphy had no idea where they were or where they were going, though, so he let it continue to lead the way.
A while later Kasar titled his head back to breathe deeply. Fresh air he said, giving his tail a wag of delight. Murphy let out a slow breath of relief as well, and soon the mouth of the cave opened up into the forest they had been in before. Kasar let the fireball die now that they had the light of the sun to work by. They were both surprised to see the orange hound waiting at the mouth of the cave.
We should have followed that one! It's dry, not limping, and got here before us Kasar said with a huff and instantly turned down the path it went down, leaving the pale one to go alone. Murphy glanced down the left fork but the right looked far more familiar, and he followed Kasar and the orange hound as well. His companion did have a point, and he wasn't about to go off into the wild again.
The sun began to set but the sounds of the carnival wormed through the trees and foliage. Murphy let out a sigh of relief even as his hound scoffed softly. He heard him saying something about going in circles, how it was a waste...but he didn't think so. He had no idea how these hounds came into this world without being summoned, but he was sure they were looking for someone to bond to. Or maybe they had lost their summoners and wanted help looking for them?
Turning, he noticed the pale hound joined up with the orange. He bit his lip and reached out for Kasar. "Could you tell them they can come with us? If they're looking for their summoners, of course," he said softly. Kasar's ears pricked up at that thought and he looked at Murphy with a worried expression.
Their summoners? Oh...yes, of course. He turned to the other two hounds and spoke with them silently, letting them know that if they were missing their humans they could come with them to search in the carnival. Once the message was given Murphy and Kasar turned to head to the carnival, keeping a slow pace so the hounds could follow at a safe distance.
"Well. That was certainly something," Murphy murmured to Kasar. The hound snorted in agreement.
Yes, it was. And we're never following strange hounds again.
"Fair enough," Murphy said with a tiny smile, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the hounds were following. They were, and he had to laugh softly at the turn of events. Now he was leading them into the unknown.
11 points
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