Your Name: LydaLynn Your Soquili's Name & Cert: Biddulphia Is This an NPC? No How did they feel about the ongoing drought in the Kawani Plains? Did it effect them at all?: Biddulphia loved his mountain home. The cave where his family lived was all he needed. The waters in the streams clear and cold from melting snow. He didn't hear about the drought or the problems it was causing for a while. Few others ever ventured into the steep and rocky terrain in which he had made his home. But when Dulph heard of the problems he went to work. The section of his cave in which he stored food against the winter months was more than full. Both he and his daughter Cladina had been filling it. And even with his family using it, and sharing it with the nearby Soquili and familiars in need, there was still plenty from last summer and fall, as well as what had been added in the spring and early summer months. With his familiar, Iroxide's help, Dulph finds some large cloth and begins to load it with food. He concentrates on berries, the last of his honeycomb, and anything else that might store moisture. Not only would it not last as long in stores, but it would help for those who were not getting enough water. When Cladina Stellaris, Biddulphia's daughter saw what he was doing, she also loaded up a cloth to journey with him. When the great fire happened, did it effect them or their family in anyway? Did the news upset them, did they care, did they laugh? As the father daughter pair started down out of the mountain, they saw a great cloud of smoke hanging over the plains. It took the duo several days to make their way down out of the mountain and they talked among themselves as they went. The size of the smoke cloud and how long it lingered worried Cladina. Biddulphia just accepted it as something they could not change and continued to pull his burden down the mountain. After all, if there was a problem, what they were bringing would be even more needed than they had thought. Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Do they wish to aid the Kawani or leave them to their own devices?Finally Dulph and his daughter made their way across the scorched earth and to the gathering of Kawani villagers and soquili. Seeing the distruction brought tears to Cladina's eyes. But Biddulphia only continued forward. Walking up to the nearest individual, he stopped long enough for Iroxide to give the stranger a few dried apples before moving on to the next individual in need. Soon the food he had carried was all gone and he settled to wait for his daughter to finish. And once all her food was gone he began, wordlessly, to walk back the way they had come. "Father, can't we help them? Isn't there anything we can do to make this better? Their homes are destroyed and their land is barren. Are we just going to leave them like this?"
Biddulphia looked back at Cladina. "We have brought them food. The ashes will make their soil rich again. And there is shelter to be found if they look for it. They need food now. We have food. We will bring them food. But the food is not here, so we must travel home." Dulph was confused that he had to explain this. His daughter was quite intelligent. But she felt things so much more strongly than he could understand. Yet Biddulphia saw his words reach Cladina. She understood and with a nod followed her father.
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:31 pm
Tribal Stallions Are The Most Amazing
((won the Speed sale, not eligible for this beauty anymore))
Your Name:Kamiki
The Tribal Soquili's Name:Danuwaanalihi
Their TemperBrave
Brief Personality:Danuwaanalihi was raised from a colt to be a fearless warrior. He is a protector, and would readily throw his life away if it would save the lives of those weaker than him. He's a remarkably heavy stallion, short and stocky with strong mustang blood. He's even-tempered; he fights for duty and honor; not out of anger or revenge.
How did they come to the Kawni Tribe?: Danu's father was a wild stallion; captured and trained by the kind of patient hands of the horse-handler elders in the Kawani tribe. His father was mated to the most beautiful mare in the village, and the perfect match resulted in the ideal outcome: Danuwaanalihi
Danu has lived his whole life in the Kawani tribe. He is trusting of the native folk, and while not outwardly antagonistic towards them, he is apprehensive of Westerners or wild Soquili.
How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward? The Fire was the first enemy Danuwaanalihi had ever matched that he could not overcome. It had no face to kick, no ribs to shatter. It had no pride to tear down, or fears to feed on. The Fire did not have family to protect, or even a life to defend. It felt no rage, no fury, no sadness, no pain. Danuwaanalihi was utterly unmatched for such a foe. He was trained to fight flesh and blood - he could take the pain of a sharp arrow in his hide or a club against his joints; the the searing heat of ht fire; the way it singed his fur and burned his lungs; he could not defeat it.
He fought long and valiantly; he stomped out the flames until his fetlocks were burned off and his eyes were so dry he couldn't see. He carried away the weak and elderly to safer ground until his lungs ached from the smoke. For the first time in his life, however, even he eventually had to retreat form the unbeatable enemy.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that?Danuwaanalihi is mourning the loss of many in his tribe; but it is his pride he feels will never fully recover. Danu prided himself on being a protector; of throwing himself into battle for those he loved. But now he had had to face an enemy he could not fight. Even had he died in a battle he would have felt as though he gave it his all; but he felt helpless against the fire and it's killing him inside.
Will he ever recover from this defeat? Only time will tell... how does one battle the enemies that have no flesh and blood?
((preferences if it comes up: Tribal Mare, Tribal Stallion, Ringlet Mare))
Your Name: RockerWolfie1616 The Tribal Soquili's Name: Ujarak - Means "rock" in Inuktitut. Their Temper Unyielding Brief Personality: Steady and still he typically thinks before acting, before speaking. He's not usually one to fly off the handle or act rashly..even in a bad situation Ujarak fights to keep his wits. Strong willed and unyielding..like a rock. He will be your strength when the world falls apart..he will withstand the hard times even if it hurts, even if it feels like the world is ending..Ujarak will always be standing there. He won't let the winds and waters of this world chip away at him. Loving, family oriented..despite being left behind by his mother there is no resentment..no hatred. Only a small spark of sadness. He longs to know if his mother is still alive, or if he has other siblings out there somewhere! A brave, strong and kind stallion. He will fight for you, fight along side you. Never fear. How did they come to the Kawni Tribe?: (As he is what I have dreamed one of Honovi's siblings might look like..I'll be weaving him into my existing stories/plots.) --Back story-- Willow & Big Brother Honovi Above in the dark night sky glowed a moon as red as blood..deep and sinister..frightening the young mother who's baskets were destined to hatch on such an eerie night. Breathing erratic she moved to check the three precious bundles of wicker..nose brushing each in turn but, something felt wrong. It sent icy tendrils around the mares heart..frantically she nudged two of the baskets. They had stopped moving. To Willow they smelled like death, they felt cold, dead. Even though the two foals within the basket lived..the blood moon played a cruel trick. For not only did the mare abandon her two baskets..the third held a colt with four paws and a thirst for blood..for the flesh of other animals. There the two baskets laid out in the grass alone..days passed. Right as it came time for the late blooming colt to break free a voice startled him, hands caressed the warm little baskets..a deep gentle voice spoke..soothing the little ones. " Be still young foals..though your mother has left you for whatever reason I will take you to the tribe. You are safe now." Days later both foals broke free. A spirited young filly and a strong little colt..born in the kawani tribe..it was a joyous day. The colt's first sight was a kind older tribesman, the humans hair was graying and tied back in a loose braid. Yet his eyes were filled with compassion, with a tender love that had the little male bumping his head against the man's stomach. Again came that warm deep voice, a voice filled with a hint of laughter as the colt wobbled around it's new caretaker..around it's pseudo father. " You, my brave son will be named Ujarak..may you grow to be strong and unyielding like a rock. "
How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward? The acrid smell of smoke alerted Ujarak that something was not right. The tribe he called family, the tribe that had saved him from death..was in danger. First it had been the terrible drought..people that were not strong enough soon passed on to the spirit world because of their unquenchable thirst. Yet now they had to fight an even worse thing..fire..wild, untamed and vicious. Like a living beast that refused to die..the leaping flames sent many running. Yet Ujarak stood tall..his strong muscled legs carrying him through the village..lending his strength to help villagers escape. Carrying them to safety before rushing back in to help more, to save as many as was possible..that was what the stallion fought to do. Lungs burning from inhaling the terrible fumes Ujarak made one final dash through the village..where was he? Many years before the stallion had been scooped up by the tribe's kindly old medicine man who kept the colt and his sister alive. His name was Shikoba..and through these years the human man had been like a father to him. Even though they could not understand one another with language..their hearts were connected in a special way. So when Ujarak couldn't find the elderly male it caused him great panic..even though the flames were burning at his fetlocks the unyielding stallion kept rushing around..searching high and low for his 'father'. When it seemed hopeless the burned, ash and soot covered stallion paused at the village center..tears adding a different burn to his eyes. " Father! Father!! " Neighing loudly Ujarak stamped angrily at the dry earth mentally begging the spirits..begging them to have saved the kind old man. It was as he stamped and pawed the earth that the stallion's ears caught a small sound..a small cry of pain. Father. Ears snapping upright Ujarak's weary muscles sprang back to life..like the very bolt of lightning that had hit the earth to start the fire..he was off in a blur of color. Rushing towards the noise but, when at last he'd found Shikoba...all heard the stallion's cry of anguish. The fire had claimed the man. When the fire subsided others in the village found Ujarak collapsed next to the fallen body..his head resting on the mans lap..nose lightly pushing against Shikoba's stomach. A gesture..a flashback..of the first day they had met..except now it was a gesture meant to be a goodbye..instead of a hello.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Empty. Ujarak felt nothing but, emptiness inside despite the village's resilience..the stallion's heart was broken. Still trying to heal from the loss of his one and only father figure. When they had buried Shikoba..he'd been right there alongside his human and soquili brethren, mourning the many lost lives but, especially mourning the elderly male. As the village began re-building the male met with his sister..who suggested that they leave..that they find the mother who had left them behind..if she still lived. Maybe out there somewhere there was family waiting to welcome them, waiting to draw them close and allow them to find their place in this world. Since birth the village had been home, it was amazing and beautiful to see all come together..to see both man and beast be equals. To see them all working together to make the village whole again. Still there was a sense of displacement felt..perhaps it was their time to go.
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:47 pm
Please discount my entry - I've won my event freebie
I'm Heeding the Call!
Your Name: Angelique DelaMort Your Soquili's Name & Cert:Sonja Is This an NPC? Nope, she’s my first soquili How did they feel about the ongoing drought in the Kawani Plains? Did it affect them at all?:
Sonja and her mate Akh are avid travelers and explorers, adventurer extraordinaires! They had been far away, off at the mountain hot springs enjoying life and each other when they heard whispers of the disaster in the Kawani Plains. Though the initial reports of the drought did not immediately concern them, the ongoing reports growing in depth and intensity as such rumors often do were more than enough to propel the couple into motion. After all, they had family in the area, friends, and they could not rest until they knew they were safe. The sped back to the plains as quickly as their wings could carry them, growing more fearful every moment that something terrible had happened to their loved ones.
When the great fire happened, did it affect them or their family in anyway? Did the news upset them, did they care, did they laugh?
Sonja and Akh saw the ominous gray plumes long before the fire. As they rushed onward the pair was separated in the thick dark smoke, yet Sonja had no choice but to press onward. She knew to search for Akh would only leave her twisted up, confused, and lost in the darkness. She flew up as high as she could, hoping to see the sun, a mountain, something to guide her, but the smoke was too think and reached too high for her to overcome. So she did the only thing she could think of, she flew until she nearly choked on the smog, then she landed. On the ground she found it easier to breathe but she could barely make any headway. Looking back she would realize her actions at the time were foolish and impulsive. Aydan, a stallion who had been like a brother to her for as long as she could remember, bluntly told her as much when she found him, nestled in the caves at the base of the mountain with his family. Sonja found Aydan and his mate to be well, but her adopted niece Vyrikyr was just a bit singed (apparently she go off lucky, the girl had almost as reckless a nature as Sonja herself). After checking on her other niece and nephew as well as her beloved lion, Nightstalker, Sonja set her eyes to the slowly clearing horizon waiting her for Akh to return. As she kept the watch for him, she could not help but see in depth the devastation wrought on the plains. It hurt her heart to see the lands she once roamed with carefree exuberance reduced to ashes and thick, black mud. It had once been a world of endless wonder and adventure where she could race the rising sun as it stretched across the plains or soar under the star filled night sky. It wasn’t that her life was free of worries or cares, an early run in with a skinwalker had put a sharp end to such delusions. But before this place had always seemed full of hope and she continually believed that good things would happen to her. Now with a barren, black landscape before her, Sonja wasn‘t so hopeful anymore.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Do they wish to aid the Kawani or leave them to their own devices?
Her spirit was as restless as ever but now instead of desiring to run off and explore, she longed to put her energies to more useful endeavors. Sonja stilled watched the horizon for Akh to return (she knew he would once he made sure his family was fine as well), but now she let the shelter of the cave and treaded deep into the plains to the remains of the Kawani village. She knew she wasn’t the strongest work horse, and certainly wasn’t the most useful, but she still wanted to help in any way that she could. Sonja was the type that respected symbols and omens, and though things looked bleak now, she knew the first sign of hope had to be a sign of life. So she worked with the villagers, and the soquili, and even dragged Nightstalker along (who, it seemed, had a talent for rounding up some of the missing livestock from the village). She knew it would take time, but she hoped everything would come together and that for their suffering , the human’s herd could be stronger than it was before. And with that, Sonja regained the most important thing of all – hope.
Your Name: ArashiX The Tribal Soquili's Name: TBA; probably something "earthy" or elemental in nature. Their Temper Spiritual (might swap to Timeless) Brief Personality:
The Great Spirits watch through the mare's eyes. She feels the shifting of the earth through her hooves and hears the wind blow to lead her through her life. She seems to have a "knowing" about her, and is very attuned to nature and to the earth itself. In being instinctual, she comes across as very Spiritual and Ageless.
She was drawn and beckoned to the Kawani for a purpose she had yet to know. She is the Herald of the Firestorm and yet an Omen of Hope as well, for she holds all elements in her very bones.
How did they come to the Kawani Tribe?:
Tsula approached the mare, albeit slowly. Her hands were raised, palms up in supplication. Her body posture was soft. In the woman's eyes there was awe. The feathers in her hair rustled in the wind and her beads click-clacked as they were stirred by the hands of the Great Spirits, themselves.
The mare gazed on, watching the two-legger she had traveled many hoofbeats to find draw closer. She saw the dawn of awe and then the recognition in the Native Shaman's eyes.
"The Great Spirits live in you. They watch through your eyes." Tsula murmured. Though the watchful mare did not know of this woman's past, there was a glaze of pain underneath the awe and reverence that lingered in her gaze as it swept over her.
The mare's body was of the Earth, the patterns on her back, legs, haunch, neck, tail, and around her eyes both Sky and Water. Her mane and the tuft of her tail were the Daylight. The horn that sprang from her forehead was a gnarled Tree. And her eyes...her eyes were the Storm. They were the flash of great splintering light in it that turned night to day as it cracked the very Sky itself.
The mare that was the Omen fearlessly lowered her head to sniff the Shaman's hands. Who would be to say if she understood? Tame and comfortable with the two-legger, the Unicorn with the Great Spirits dwelling in her eyes followed her back to the village. It was there the Shaman painted the bird upon her shoulder.
The bird whose wings bore the future.
How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward?
The greatest things in life oft begin with a single spark. One intense moment to start life.
Or take it.
The Unicorn had seen fires in her time. Grass and wildfires alike. The air had been sparse and dry for far too long. It had been that way far before she had arrived, she knew. Those had filled her with awe and even fear. But this was something different.
"Firestorm." Her voice was so hushed she hardly heard herself.
It left her stricken and terrified in a way she had never known before. She was calm and patient and purposeful. The glow of the flames was reflected in her eyes as the fire roared and consumed under the dark sky. The sky and the lightning matched her coat. Tsula was shouting and hauling baskets out. The mare didn't move aside from to tremble for a few moments, until the woman grabbed and hauled her mane, drawing her attention away from the blaze that made her eyes turn to the Sun itself. They faded back to the Moon and Lightning as the woman guided her to the water, lashing the travois to her back. She had a full basket there, and other things she could save, besides. There was no time to gather more. Already the smoke made them choke.
Tsula unhitched the contraption after and while she dragged it into the water of the wide river, the mare that had traveled to the village of the Kawani lit to her back hooves and let out a shriek. Why had the Spirits sent their vengeance upon them? What wrong did they do that the Firestorm was upon them!? It burned. She would never forget the screams of the terrified and dying as her cloven hooves slashed against the sky.
Lightning streaked in answer as her hooves crashed against the ground with a resounding crack and boom of thunder.
Fire: pure, to cleanse.
Tsula came back to her, coughing, and lead her into the water as the flames swept towards them. The woman seemed weak. Her touch was hot. Too hot. The mare bumped the Shaman onto her back before leaping into the water. The water was warm, but much cooler than the air. Tsula's body, on her back, shuddered with gasps and coughs. Weakly, she held on to one of the buoyant logs of her travois as the mare swam them to the deeper waters, and then downstream.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that?
Her hoofbeats were soft against the earth. The blackened and charred and gray earth. The plains had been scorched. Fire-cleansed. She watched now as Tsula and the others worked to tan new hides and reconstruct their village and their lives.
She admired their bravery and courage.
Her slow steps came to an abrupt halt. A feeling trilled up her leg as the wind swept through her mane and tufted tail. Heeding the instinct that was given to her by the Spirits, she slowly shifted her hoof back and bent her head.
There...under the soot and ash of their old life was a small green sproutling.
Even though the Firestorm had brought much death and suffering - the Unicorn thought as she reverently brushed her muzzle against the tender shoot in gentle affection - it also left life in the wake of its terrible might. Even as it took, it gave new life.
The Great Spirits continued to whisper to her from the Earth and Sea and Sky. And always they watched the world through her very eyes as life began anew and all their hope was fresh.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:23 am
I'm Heeding the Call!
Your Name: Nyx Queen of Darkness Your Soquili's Name & Cert:Acacia Is This an NPC? No How did they feel about the ongoing drought in the Kawani Plains? Did it effect them at all?: When the great fire happened, did it effect them or their family in anyway? Did the news upset them, did they care, did they laugh? Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Do they wish to aid the Kawani or leave them to their own devices?
(All events have been RPed out to at least some extent. You can find the proof and how this fits PERFECTLY into her story here.)
Ashes...
The air had been hot for a long time, it gave her nightmares. Heat always reminded Acacia of the fire that took her family. Sometimes, she could still smell the smoke or the singeing of flesh as though it was happening again. But that had been years ago. She had been young then, old enough to look an adult but stuck in that awkward stage of growing between foal and adult.
She'd grown up quick.
Sweat streaked her body, but the sun was merciless. Her children grew beneath the blazing sun as she watched, but her thoughts were always about another foal long since grown.
She'd found out that out there, her sister lived. How a three day old foal could survive a fire, she'd never figured out--but her sister had. There had been sightings of her, whispers of the foal that survived the burning of her home. But never was a name spoken and never had one been given to her sister.
Acacia didn't know what to call her, not really. The name her parents had chosen for her sister had perished with them in the flames just as her three brothers had. Sometimes, when she looked in the water she thought she saw her twin Aspen's reflection beside her.
Years it had been, and she had never stopped looking for him. She always expected he'd just be there and everything would be a nightmare. It wasn't, it was all...real.
She didn't understand why all of this kept coming back to her today. Acacia busied herself with her son, teaching him some of the herbs and remedies that Arden had taught her.
The burn of tears pinched at her eyes, she blamed it on the heat but she knew that was a lie. Arden had been the one that had healed her after the fire. Someone had saved her, drug her out of the fire, and when she came to that someone had been gone. It made her smile to know that even then it was her Banzai and that fate would throw them together again.
But it had been Bedford who'd taken her to Arden, and it had been Arden who'd made a deal with a terrible man to save her. It was Arden that had given her bad advice, it was Arden that told her to give herself time before choosing Banzai...and it was his advice she'd followed. She'd wound up pregnant having to tell the love of her life that she'd made a mistake, that her making sure she loved him had wound up making foals. She vowed never to speak to Arden again after that, that and the knowledge that he knew her sister might be alive. He had not wanted to give her "hope".
Yet today, the decision weighed heavy on her. She missed Arden who had banded together with Bedford to give her a stable environment. Two bachelors who stuck together to finish raising her. Sometimes, she forgot how much they sacrificed for that.
But forgiveness for the things he had done? Did he deserve that?
No, that wasn't right. That wasn't the question really, the question was could she give him forgiveness?
She searched her thoughts and found that it angered her still, but she loved him for the father figure he'd been to her. He'd made mistakes, she had to but Banzai had forgiven her. Why couldn't she forgive Arden to?
And there wasn't a reason, only the hate still lingering there. She pushed it away and closed her eyes. She needed to let go of that, she needed to forgive and forget.
Tears ran down her chee--NO!
Her eyes flashed open and Acacia saw where the storm had rolled in. The clouds were thick. Thunder rumbled and lightening flashed across the sky. The rain dripped down her face, merely a trickle from the heavens and fell to the ground hissing. It sounded like snakes at her feet, the water sizzled wherever it touched the earth.
Lightening forked across the sky and the whole earth felt as though it was shaking. She saw it hit the earth far away as she stumbled to the ground.
A spark went up, she could see it even from this distance. The spark caught and rolled like a tide. She blinked and then it was everywhere in the distance. All she could feel was the hammering of her heart, and the fear that tore through her veins at the sight of it.
Fire!
Her body told her to run, to flee far away. She couldn't do this, not again. Three feet away, she realized she was running and forced herself to stop. Acacia ground her teeth together and forced her eyes to stay open. She would not run in fear, she would not let fear rule her.
Her son was beside her, but she brushed him away. "I'm fine," she whispered between clenched teeth as she forced herself to look. The fire was everywhere in the distance. They were safe where they were, the ground too parched, and the expanse covered in hardened earth. There was nothing to catch light where she was.
She was safe from the fire. Was Arden or Bedford? Or her other children who where with their fathers? And what of the others? Families she didn't even know, families who would be devastated by the fire as she had been all her life.
It had crippled her for all these years and she had buried it away refusing to confront it. But it had come for her just the same. She watched as the plains burned and remembered the girl she'd saved from the fire--Sakura, was that her name?
She didn't remember.
Acacia watched the plains burn. Even from here the heat was unbearable. Her mate and the children begged her to come further away, to retreat back for just a few days till it burned itself out, but she refused to leave.
She forced herself to watch the fire, even though her body trembled. She wouldn't let fear rule her. Acacia had given birth, she's survived a fire, and the loss of a family--she would not let it rule her.
Fear was healthy, it was a good warning indicator and a way of protection in smaller quantities. But too much was as bad as too little, so she forced herself to watch--to confront her fear and her mortality.
She was terrified at first, she shook so hard when she stood there that she laid down. Still, she would not leave. As she watched the flames with tear filled eyes and wrenching sobs, she discovered that the fear was not as crippling as before.
It was easier to breath, her chest wasn't as tight. The anxiety and concern were still present but had lessened. By the time the fire burned out three days later, she was exhausted but still sane.
The rain poured down from the heavens and mingled with her own tears. She took one step forward and then another. And another.
Stopping at the edge of the ash, she stood there hesitant with a foot in the air. I am alive. I survived the fire. I can do this. I can do this. I have to find the ones I love. I have to make amends. I will not let fear rule me, not ever again.
Acacia put her foot down on the simmering but mushy ashes. It took several minutes of deep breathing before she could step again. Each time she convinced herself that she could do it over and over, until she took a step without hesitation.
Before long, she didn't have to think about walking at all.
The acrid smoke made her cough, and her heart would thud so loudly she couldn't hear. Breathe through your nose, exhale through your mouth. She made herself keep moving.
The first thing they encountered was bodies. She passed them quickly, trying not to think of her dead siblings and parents. But soon she came to a village, and there were humans crying in fear. There were soquili in pain, and there not thirty feet away was Arden helping the injured and the sick.
She ran to him, surprising him and wrapping her neck around him before he could speak. She knew what he wanted to ask, if she had forgiven him but he didn't need to. Acacia clung to him, "Arden, there's nothing to forgive." She looked into his sad, noble eyes. "Let me help you heal them."
Your Name: Moxxiie The Tribal Soquili's Name: Tobias Their Temper Heroic Brief Personality: While some may say he is rough around the edges, and somewhat rude, Tobias has a hard exterior with a soft heart. He doesn't let many get close to him, but a few have found their way into that soft spot. How did they come to the Kawni Tribe?: Tobias was born wild, part of a herd, where he lived with siblings, and his parents. At a young age, he lost his family to the ravaging bloodthirsty pack of wolfwalkers, and he himself was left for dead. While he mourned at his mother's side, drenched in her blood and his own, he drifted in and out of consciousness. One time he awoke he thought he had dreamt that he was flying. He was moving. Someone was carrying him. A hunter from the Kawani tribe had found him, and carried him back to the village. There the people nursed him back to health, and the hunter gave him to his daughter as a gift. The girl, only a child of ten, grew up with Tobias. She was the only person he ever let ride him. How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward? When the fire broke out, the Kawani people set the animals free. When Tobias' master came to let him run free, her face full of fear and sorrow, Tobias knew he could not abandon her. She pushed at him, trying to get him to leave. She screamed at him, she smacked his rump, she pulled at his reins. He wouldn't budge. He nipped at her shirt, trying to get her to leave with him, but she wouldn't. She hugged his neck, tears streaming down her face, and ran into the village to help her people. Tobias watched as she ran towards the flames. He would not let her go alone. He charged after her, the flames licking at his legs, and tail. A few feathers caught fire as he ran by, burning to ashes instantly. Luckily the fire didn't catch to his tail hair. He frantically looked around for his girl, only wanting to find her and get her to safety. Many villagers and animals lay dead or dying around him. Screams of pain and anguish filled the air, fear and sorrow hung thick in the air. A hut fell in nearby, causing ash and embers to fly into the air, singing Tobias' pelt. He reared onto his hind legs, screaming in pain, but did not turn around. He would not leave his human. Even though smoke stung his eyes and the heat from the flames was almost unbearable, he persevered. As the rain began to fall, a sense of eerie calm began to settle on the village. Cries could still be heard, but the roar of the fire had turned to a gentle sizzle as the flames died. Tobias had ran all through the village, and came back to his pen, where he finally found the girl, dead from inhaling too much smoke. It looked like she had come back to try to save him, and had succumbed to too much smoke inhalation , collapsing there where she had left him. He walked towards her still form, and nudged her. She did not move. He stood by her side until other villagers found her body and took her away. He watched them carry her away to be buried with the others lost that dreadful day, and once she was no longer in sight, he left. He left the village, never to look back. There was nothing there for him anymore. The wounds he had endured trying to find her were nothing to the wound he now felt at losing her. His body was covered in soot and ash. The places the fire had touched were blistering. Those scars would be nothing compared to the scar on his heart. Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Tobias' never cared about the village. He only cared about the little girl who had cared for him as a foal, and had raised him. Once she was lost, his ties to the village were no more. He left, never looking back, never caring what would become of the place he had called home.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:51 am
Tribal Mares Are The Most Epic
Your Name: elfstar89 The Tribal Soquili's Name: Huyana Sapata Their Temper Protective Brief Personality: Huyana can be quite shy, but once you get to know her, she forms a strong bond. The people around her mean a lot to her, including and especially her two-legger, Litonya Suletu, who's a bit of a shy outsider to the Kawani village, due to the fact that she doesn't speak the language terribly well. Huyana makes up for this whenever she can. She has a fondness for dancing and for the natural world. How did they come to the Kawani Tribe?: Huyana's basket was found abandoned near the village, and Litonya offered to take it in. They've very much learned to live together, and the two view each other as sisters. How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward? A hot wind blew through the tall, bone-dry grass. Clouds darkened overhead. Huyana shivered as she walked next to Litonya, wrapping her Uni tail around the two-legger protectively. Litonya reached up a hand to stroke her fingers through the silken cream mane.
Huyana knew that gesture. It was meant to soothe her. But the weather this year had been anything but soothing. Hot and dry. Perfect for gathering materials for the baskets that Litonya made. Bad for the land itself. Personally, Huyana hoped that the clouds brought some rain.
Thunder rumbled faintly overhead. Huyana paused, uneasy. Thunder? That didn't seem good. But maybe rain came with it? Or the thunder wouldn't come closer?
Lightning flashed painfully, whitewashing the scenery in a brief second. A louder rumble of thunder echoed the brilliant light. Huyana tensed before nosing Litonya forcefully to get on her back. "No," Litonya said. But Huyana pushed harder. "Fine," the two-legger said at last, moving the light load of baskets on Huyana's back onto her own pack and pulling herself aboard the Uni Soquili. A nudge behind the ribs, and Huyana took that as a sign to move on, despite her better judgment. However, Huyana soon picked up the pace to a gentle jog. The sooner this errand was done, the sooner they could get somewhere safer, if the lightning came any closer.
They had reached the outskirts of the village when the lightning struck the earth and flames caught in the long-dry grass. Huyana reared up, preparing to run, to take herself and her "sister" to safety. Fire could kill, especially a fire with so much to feed on. Panicked cries from the village confirmed her beliefs.
Litonya slid off, and caught at her "sister." "No! We must help them!"
Huyana shook her head, and reached for Litonya. They had to get away.
"We can't leave them!" Litonya replied. "They have families, too. We can't let them get hurt."
Huyana backed away, still shaking her head, tossing it to try to persuade Litonya to run while they had the chance. After all, the fire was on the far side of the village. And there were surely some Soquili still in the village who could help the villagers escape.
A look of sadness crossed Litonya's features. "You are a Uni Soquili. Even if you won't help, I will." And with that, she turned and ran. Towards the village. Towards the growing inferno.
Huyana froze. Litonya was running into danger. Every nerve screamed at her to go grab her "sister" and get her away as fast as possible. But something Litonya said struck at her. "You are a Uni Soquili."
"Do you know what a Uni Soquili is, Huyana? It is life, it is healing, it is caring. Stories say you cannot bring back the dead, but you can heal hurts of the body. It is the nature of a Uni Soquili to save and protect."
A mother and child stumbled away from the village, coughing painfully.
"While there is life, there is hope."
Against her fears and better judgment, Huyana charged after Litonya, cloven golden hooves striking the dry, dusty earth. Litonya was right. They had a responsibility to help and protect. As long as life existed, there was hope. Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Huyana lay beside Litonya, who sat tired on the ground, their packs beside them. Both still coughed a little. The Uni rested her head against the two-legger's shoulder, tired by helping people get to safety. It would soon be time to help heal any injuries sustained by the fire that could be healed by the village's Uni Soquili. People were sharing out supplies. Litonya had already offered up all her remaining baskets.
Huyana blinked her eyes blearily. After the healing was done, they were going to go back to the hut, rebuild it if it had been damaged or lost, and she was going to make sure both of them got some sleep, undisturbed. They both could use it.
A small child toddled up. Huyana vaguely recognized it as one of the children she'd carried out of the village on her back. The child reached out and clung to one of Huyana's charcoal-covered forelegs. It looked up and grinned widely.
" 'nk you, Soqui'i!" the child burbled, coughing. Huyana regarded the child for a moment before lowering her black horn. Touching the child's chest gently, she concentrated her powers of healing. The child's cough eased. Huyana knew she didn't use her powers enough, but the child still looked up in wonderment as the Uni Soquili removed her horn. She felt her "sister" reach up and scratch her between the ears, just above the horn. Huyana had to smile.
While there is life, there's still hope? Litonya had said more. "While there's more to be done, there is no rest to be had."
Your Name: elfstar89 The Tribal Soquili's Name: Wohali Usti Their Temper Proud Brief Personality: Wohali is a fiercely proud and independent stallion...though some of the things he takes pride in are the silliest things. Like his collection of eagle feathers he went out of his way to collect as a colt. Or the fact that his first tattoo was an accident twice over, because he'd followed a hunt he wasn't supposed to, and because the tattoo was meant for another Soquili, it's just that it was misaimed. Underneath the bravado and pride, he's loving, a family stallion, ready and willing to protect everything that's important to him. Including the eagle feathers. How did they come to the Kawani Tribe?: Wohali was born into the tribe from parents who were descended from wild Soquili. How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward? Wohali saw the lightning crash down. He didn't move as the child braiding eagle feathers into his mane continued working. The child's fingers tensed, but he held still, hoping to not scare the child.
Thunder growled within seconds afterward. The child stopped, clutching at his mane. Wohali nudged the child onto his back and rose up, watching the lightning. His ears swiveled around, uncertain. The child's father, Wohali's two-legger, came up beside the stallion and rubbed his ears, eyes glued anxiously to the skies. Some of the younger children of the village, who'd been tagging at the adult two-legger's heels, hoping for a chance to ride Wohali, huddled closer, made nervous by the growing storm.
The next spear struck the dry grass. Like tinder, the parched prairie caught fire. Wohali half-reared, surprised. But his two-legger was tugging on his mane. "Get the children out of here!" he said, scooping up the elder children onto the tall stallion's back, and the smaller onto a nearby travois he quickly rigged to Wohali. Without even a slap on the rump, Wohali booked it, his hooves pounding on the dry ground. The children cried out and hung on. Meanwhile, he glimpsed his two-legger and other adults hurrying to the animal pens. A weight shifted over his heart, and then lifted. His family. They might not be able to get out of the pens and escape. But the two-leggers would help. HIS two-legger would help.
Wohali left the children on the river bank outside the village. He knew the children couldn't really talk to him, but he spoke, anyway. "Stay here. If the fire gets too close, get in the river." He added in nudges to indicate that they should stay by the river. With that, he charged back toward the village.
Finding the first baskets he could, he dashed back to the river, filled them, and charged back to the two-leggers who were fighting the fire. On the way, he glimpsed other Soquili. Some were doing their best to help. Others were running for it. Wohali ignored those who were too scared to fight. After all, to live with pride, he should do his best to fight the fire and save people.
It wasn't until after the fire that it occurred to him. He hadn't seen his lovely, brilliant lifemate come out of the village. Or his two-legger. Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Wohali walked among the ashes. Most of the Soquili baskets had made it out OK, and one of the mothers said she'd seen his lifemate carrying the Soquili baskets out of the fire. The only child of his he could find, his young son, walked with him. The colt's mother and sister were still missing.
Regretfully, Wohali had to admit that his eagle feather collection was probably all gone. Well, except for those his two-legger's child had brought with when they escaped. But he still had his favorite feathers. And the eagle skull. But it was worth checking. Maybe his girls had grabbed the feathers and escaped?
They reached the teepee. Or where it had been before. Nosing through the rubble, Wohali and his son couldn't find any feathers. Just charred baskets, and lots of ashes. But no bones. They moved on.
Wohali nosed his son, who looked sad and scared and about to cry. "Hey, kiddo, it's OK. Maybe your mom and sister made it out OK?"
The colt sniffled and nodded as they continued to walk. Ahead of them, a group of two-leggers were burying some Soquili bones. Wohali didn't stop his son as he charged ahead with a cry. Wohali followed, refusing to break up. The colt needed him, and besides, the girls might not be dead.
But in the uncovered graves, he saw it. A flash of familiar jewelry. Pushing the two-leggers aside, he nosed through and saw them. The jewelry of his daughter and lifemate.
Tears clouded his red eyes, and his son buried his face in his father's legs to cry. Wohali stared, feeling his proud heart die a little.
His little princess, gone. A little adventuress, always running and playing and skipping about.
His beautiful lifemate, who'd called him her handsome goofball, gone. A wildborn Soquili who'd never been completely happy in the village.
His two-legger, gone. A partner and a friend on any hunting trip.
His home, gone. The place where he'd lived all his life with his family and the two-leggers of the village.
All he had left were his son and the other survivors. A foal who wasn't ready to face the world without the love of his dear ones around him. Wohali made a promise to himself as he curled around his little colt, nuzzling him as they both cried. They would build a new life together. He'd raise his two-legger's child and his own so they wouldn't miss their lost parents. They'd live on, build life anew. But they'd never forget what they'd lost, and the courage displayed by the survivors of the fire.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:19 pm
I'm Heeding the Call!
Your Name: elfstar89 Your Soquili's Name & Cert: Morena na Zima Is This an NPC? Nawp How did they feel about the ongoing drought in the Kawani Plains? Did it effect them at all?: Morena perched high in her tree, trying to sleep through the abnormal heat rising off the plains beyond her forest. Times like these, she missed her homeland, father north and half a world away. She ruffled her feathers, hooting irritably.
A drought was happening in these lands. She had noticed it. While a drought didn't directly affect her, the heat did. Her prey was dying of thirst and starvation, which meant that what she ate was leaner. But that meant she hunted more, and ended the unhappy existences of more living things. Completely fine by her. Now, if only this accursed drought would end so she could stop being so hot and miserable under her owl feathers.... When the great fire happened, did it effect them or their family in anyway? Did the news upset them, did they care, did they laugh? Morena had watched the fire. She was aware of her daughter, Perdita, watching, too. Perdita laughed, a sweet, demented sound. Morena made a mental note to end Perdita's life by strangulation at the end of the apocalypse, when it happened. Much as Perdita's lack of sanity made her a deceptive huntress, the lack of sanity grated a bit on her nerves. Especially the giggling. Even if it did lure the living closer to try to communicate with something that sounded so childlike, innocent, and naive.
Turning her attention back toward the fire, Morena fell into a pensive mood. Well, fire hadn't been in her plans to end the world. But, considering the lethality of fire, it worked just as well. Not a merciful death by any standard, but an effective one that could wipe out a lot of life in one go. Morena fluffed out her feathers and stayed still, watching. Many would die in this fire, and the owlwalker saw no reason to impede anyone from ending their lives as soon as possible. Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Do they wish to aid the Kawani or leave them to their own devices? Morena was in an irritated frame of mind. She'd actually taken a great deal of time killing off a squirrel she'd found, rather than ending its miserable existence known as life as soon as possible. Excessive amounts of blood and gutting.
Curse those villagers. The fire had taken out quite a lot of lives, but they didn't know what was good for them. Morena ruffled her feathers, hooting grouchily. Some of the villagers and their Soquili still lived. Weakened, yes, but already rebuilding.
It occurred to her, as she noted the weakness of the survivors, that there were things even the unicorns couldn't heal. And, weakened as the survivors were, they'd be in a special level of pain and misery. And would be easy to hunt.
"Come, my cheeldren," she hooted, vaguely aware of where her offspring were in the forest. "Tonight, we hunt survivors of the fire."
Your Name: Cricket2008 The Tribal Soquili's Name: Vahkailu Their Temper Determined Brief Personality: Vahkailu is a solemn mare. Not one given to giddy giggling. She feels she must have a purpose in life since she was spared by the fire. Vahkailu feels that no task is too lowly for her if it is to help someone in need. She enjoys the company of the Natives and she is most often found with one of the children (now grown) that she saved on the night of the fire.
How did they come to the Kawani Tribe?: (Were they born into it, were they found or taken in?) Vahkailu had come to the Kawani tribe as a young filly when her family was taken in. The old lands were becoming crowded so they had set out to find new pasture land and instead found the Kawanis. Though not used to living among the Natives, they found the Kawanis to be a gentle and caring people. Vahkailu grew up not knowing any other way of life and doesn’t understand others that choose to be ‘free’ of the Kawanis.
How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward? Vahkailu had wanted to stay and fight the fire with her family, but she was tasked, with other ponies, to carry the children away from the danger of the inferno. While she saved several young lives, she sometimes feels guilty that she didn’t stay with her family to fight the fire. The children that she saved that day became her family since many of them also lost their own families that fateful day.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Vahkailu feels proud to be a part of a tribe that refuses to be defeated. The surviving Kawanis buried and mourned their dead. Then they turned their energy to rebuilding their homes. Vahkailu worked as tireless as the Natives to clear away the burned out shells of their homes so they could build new structures. With so few left to rebuild, Vahkailu is determined to help where ever she can.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 6:28 pm
Tribal Mares Are The Most Epic
Your Name: o-Elixir-o The Tribal Soquili's Name: Chimalis (Meaning: Blue Bird) Their Temper Spiritual Brief Personality: Chimalis is family oriented. She enjoys the company of both creature and human. She spends most of her time telling tales to the youngster foals and giving guidance to those who seek it. She plays the role of the wise. How did they come to the Kawni Tribe?: Chimalis was an orphaned foal when she was found. Her mother abandoned her and her sibling for reasons unknown to her. The two tried to fend for themselves but her sister took ill then passed days later. Chimalis was stricken with sadness laid by her sister’s side for days; that is when the Kawani found her. She was weak from not eating or drinking anything so they took her to strengthen her up. How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward?
The fire broke through the village as Chimalis watched in agony as the flames ripped through her family’s home. The screams filled the air of those who she cared most of setting her heart in a tightening squeeze. The Kawani attempted to help both people and animals to escape the firing blaze but some were unable to escape the treacherous flames. When she was being directed to leave by a gentle slap to the romp she hesitated when she heard a young woman screaming out for help in the mist of it. Gathering up her courage she charged in keeping her head low as she sought for the young woman.
When she found the young woman curled up in the ball hidden beside a fallen tent. Chimalis lowered herself to the ground and nudged the young woman with her nose to climb upon her back. The young woman looked up at the mare and her eyes filled with tears "Chimalis!" she said as she struggled to climb up onto Chimalis's back for she had injured her leg during the crisis, the young woman held tightly onto her making sure to stay down low from the overpowering smoke. The mare carefully made her way out of the burning village and made her way towards a crowd of two-leggers.
Her ears perked when the young woman screamed out for one of them once she arrived a man approached her and helped the young woman down. Placing a hand upon Chimalis’s muzzle and gently stroking her for the appreciation. The mare then turned to watch as her home was being destroyed and she lowered her head in despair. She could not bear the thought that some of the people who took her in and raised her might have lost their lives today…
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that?
Plans to rebuild are in sway and Chimalis was delighted. She had remained with the Kawani after the fire. She owed the Kawani everything for bringing her in and she would help them rebuild their home. Helping the humans with their duties as best as she could and looking after the remaining foals in the herd. To bring up their spirits she would tell tales every night before they would fall asleep. Even though they lost their home and many lives she remained positive that their home would be reborn to a golden era.
Please discount my entry - I've won my event freebie
Tribal Mares Are The Most Epic
Your Name: Angelique DelaMort The Tribal Soquili's Name: Tzipporah Suletu (Meaning – Bird that Flies) Their Temper Maternal Brief Personality:
At her core, Tzipporah is a nurturing spirit and invests all her energy in caring for others. That’s what she’s always done. From her earliest memories of looking after the weak and ill creatures of the plains and nursing them back to health, to her happiest days working side by side with the village midwife, ensuring the healthy births of the next generation. Tzipporah is the type to never let someone suffer if there is anything within her power to ease their pain. Even if it leads to her own misery. As a unicorn she’s worked to develop her healing abilities to allow her to better care for others. She takes a quiet pride in her work and in her free time (little though that may be) she tries to learn all that she can to expand her abilities.
How did they come to the Kawni Tribe?:
Unlike the many soquili who’s births she’s overseen, Tzipporah was not born in the village. She found the midwife, Aponi, gathering special healing herbs in the mountains and sensing a kindred spirit, followed her home. Although Aponi said several times that she was very flattered but really wasn’t looking for a soquili companion, Tzipporah made herself comfortable in a pile of hay outside Aponi’s teepee. The midwife did not want to see the dear unicorn starve so she began setting out first small piles of apples and then a bowl with grains and other treats for the mare, but still maintained that she was not the one to bond with Tzipporah.
One night thunder shook the ground and lightning split the sky. Aponi couldn’t leave the unicorn out in the elements on her own and quickly moved to lift one wall of her teepee to make it large enough to share the space with Tzipporah for the night. After that the midwife accepted her fate and worked hand and hoof with the mare to care for the young of the village. Tzipporah used her powers as a healer to help when babies were born silent or when the young ones were hurt. She became a trusted partner and companion to Aponi and they were rarely seen out of each other’s company. The children of the village grew up with the gentle unicorn who served as a nurse maid to the older children of a family when the mother had a healthy, uncomplicated birth. “Porah” as they called her would entertain the children, nuzzling them, tickling their noses with her tail, and ensuring that they stayed out of harm’s way. Considering that, it’s not surprising what happened when the great fire razed the village.
How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward?
As the fire leaped from teepee to teepee, Tzipporah worked with Aponi to help the villagers escape the inferno. With their background as healers, they could both keep a calm mind as they hunted for villagers, pulled them from teepees set ablaze from the flying embers, and directed everyone towards to outskirts of the village. In the middle of their efforts they stumbled upon a group of young children and foals who had all gathered together to hear a story from a village elder that night. “Tzipporah, you lead the way,” Aponi instructed, instinctively moving to comfort the young ones. “I will make sure they all keep up.” The unicorn insisted at least two of the small humans were situated securely on her back before she led the rest of the small group towards the edge of the village. Though the fire burned hot, Tzipporah did not waver in her duty and once at the edge of the flames allowed other members of the tribe to take the small ones from her back and turned to wait for Aponi and the rest of the children. The children ran to friends and family members waiting for them beyond the village limits, but Aponi did not come. Frantic with fear for her human, Tzipporah dashed back into the inferno searching for Aponi, willing with every fiber of her being for the woman to call out to her. As she ran further and further into the village that had once been her home she began to lose hope that she would ever see her dear friend again. Just then she heard a sound over the roaring of the flames, the rhythmic beat of thundering hooves rushing towards her. She squinted, trying to see through the flames when a crazed stallion bore down upon her and barreled past her, kicking up embers in his path. She tried to call to him, to ask if he’d seen Aponi but she was suddenly overcome with pain, enough to bring her to her knees as the world turned black. Her mind screamed at her to Get Up, to climb back to her feet in move and some distant part of her knew she would die if she stayed. But the pain was too great and her world seemed almost upside down. She felt like she was drowning in the darkness, with the smoke filling her lungs as she struggled to breathe. She coughed and coughed, so much that she was certain her lungs must have burst, but then she felt a cool nose against her cheek. A small voice begged her to get up, to follow him, promising her he wouldn’t let her get lost. She recognized the voice as belonging to one of the colts she had guided from the flames. Why is he here? she wondered frantically. “It’s dangerous!” she managed between coughs, “You could get hurt!” The colt only continued in his attempts to push her to her feet, nudging on her stomach again and again until she pusher herself up. She still couldn’t figure out why she was in so much pain or why the world was so dark. She could feel the flame around her, almost licking at her and the foal, shouldn’t it be bright as noon?
“Hurry!” the small voice pleaded, and it was the fear in the young one’s voice that spurred her into action.
“I cannot tell which way,” she said quickly.
“It’s ok, I can guide you! Take each step with me, keep your shoulder with mine,” he said pressing up against her front leg. “Step forward now!”
Tzipporah followed the young one’s lead, relying on her sense of touch and listening for his commands. Though like many young ones he was a little uneasy on his feet, leaning against her helped steady him and his instructions, she was certain, saved her life. There were plenty of times he cried out, “Wait!” and the paused just in time for her to hear a loud crash and that blast of heat signaling something heavy that had caught the flames had fallen in their path. After each time she felt increased pressure pushing her to one side or his voice urging her to follow him to the other before they could continue on their path. Near the end Tzipporah heard the colt gasp and shout, “Run, run, run!” and together they bolted straight forward, the echoing sound of snapping and crackling of the flames on their heels.
The cool air hit them like a wall when they escaped the blazing village. Though Tzipporah still could not see, she heard the village members and soquili gathering around them asking if they were ok and gasping as the rest of their village burned to the ground. But when Tzipporah heard someone exclaim, “Oh no, the little colt! He’s burned! We need a healer!”
“Let me see him!” Tzipporah demanded. The other soquili, stunned by this normally soft spoken mare’s outburst stopped in their tracks. A moment later she felt a familiar nose against her cheek.
“Tzipporah?” the boy said softly. “Please don’t be upset, I’m ok. It’s just a few little burns, but I’m strong, I will be alright.”
“Of course you will be alright,” the mare said in a soft, yet firm voice. She slowly lowered her horn to touch the colt’s neck and willed the abilities of her kind to heal him, to make him whole once more. She did not know how much time had passed, but felt a certain weakening in her limbs before she heard those around her remarking that the child’s burns were gone. Relieved she allowed herself to fall to her knees, again stirring the concern of those around her. But one question nagged at her and those every part of her body ached, she had to know the answer. “Why are there no torches?” she asked looking out into the darkness. “I know…with the fire, but still, we must be able to see each other?”
An uneasy silence settled over the group. “Dearest Tzipporah,” a mare to her right whispered. “We Do have light. You, my friend, were burned by the fire too…”
All of the universe stopped in that moment as Tzipporah realized that she never would see her beloved Aponi again. She would never see anything again.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that?
Tzipporah remained with her people, the survivors. As all united to rebuild their village and their lives, the unicorn mare, once a vital part of the community felt useless and alone. Without her partner and without her sight, what good was she? Though the children still came by from time to time to check on her, she sense it was only a matter of time before even that communication ebbed. For now she wore a white cloth over her eyes which she had been told faded from their once brilliant blue to a milky white. An after effect of the burns she figured. Soon she would face the world without the bandages and she was certain the scars on her face were enough to scare any child. Though she suffered with her own demons and guilt for those that she could not save, she was still proud of the village for pulling together after such tragedy. She only wished that she could still be of use to them.
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:46 pm
Tribal Mares Are The Most Epic
Your Name: XBlind-DarknessX The Tribal Soquili's Name: Animikee Their Temper Credulous Brief Personality:
Animikee has depended on a human since her emergence from the basket in which she was found. Unsteady and uncertain of her place in the world she has always used the brave as her crutch. She was the perfect tamed Soquili and she never had any qualms about the matter. She even, at times, felt more human than Soquili because the brave was the only one she ever needed. She only really ever spent time with him and as such she is a bit uncomfortable around those of her own kind. Because of this she may appear to be very naïve or trusting, a flaw she is unaware of as of yet.
That being said, since the fire she has undergone many changes and has done a bit of growing. Because she was separated from her stone she was forced to learn to be on her own, to do things according to her own guidance and advice. She has learned to be more independent but she is still uncomfortable around those of her own kind.
She misses the people and the way of life she once had, and has been searching for a way back to them ever since. She has not given up the hope of returning to her old way of life, but there may be a remote possibility that she will no longer be able to fit into that model. She is ever changing and as such so are her thoughts and opinions.
How did they come to the Kawni Tribe?:
“When seated around the ceremonial fire the elders would tell us the story about the existence of Thundereggs. They would tell us how the lightening spirits who lived high up in the crevices of the great snowcapped mountains would steal eggs from the nest of Thunderbird and toss them at one another when angry. Thus these rare gifts would plummet to the valleys below where they would then seek a worthy brave to bestow their blessings upon.”
Once there was a Kawani brave who experienced a vision. In the vision he witnessed a fierce bolt of lightning striking a proud and ancient tree. When he dared venture closer he noticed a perfectly smooth, polished black stone with pale, jagged markings etched into the surface. Hesitantly he reached out to touch the stone but just as his fingers brushed the surface a spark erupted from within and he awoke from his vision.
For many days the brave was troubled by this vision. He went to the elders to seek an explanation but none of them could provide him with one that satisfied his curiosity. Just as he was about to try and forget about his vision, a grizzled old squaw who was known for her silence took him by the arm and led him to the edge of their village. It was here that she advised him to seek out the tree, and to warn him that it would be unwise to neglect what the spirits had gifted him. On her advice the brave saddled up his mount and allowed his gut and the will of the spirits to guide him.
After many days of travel he came upon a barren valley enclosed on all sides by sharp mountains. It was here that he found the tree from his vision, only, there was nothing beneath it. Feeling disappointed and tired from his journey he rested his head upon the gnarled roots of the tree and entered into a deep, dreamless sleep.
He was awakened by the loud boom of thunder and, terrified that he had somehow come to be caught in the middle of a fight between the lightening spirits, ran for where he had left his mount. When he arrived his Soquili was gone and he was abandoned, left to the mercy of the unforgiving lightening spirits in the midst of their quarrel. Uncertain of what else to do, he ran back to the tree and pressed himself against it, praying to the spirits to allow him to survive this otherworldly skirmish.
That was when something caught in the corner of his vision, something familiar yet completely foreign. Carefully making his way around the great tree he looked down to see a dark basket with pale markings texturing its surface. Looking from the basket to the tops of the mountains he found himself enveloped by awe. “Thunderegg.” He breathed.
How did they handle the great fire that ravaged their village? What did they do? Where did they go? Were they a hero or a coward?
The orange glow could be seen through the trees but there was far too much cloud cover for it to be the light of the sun. Animikee turned her head to look back over her shoulder when the heavy scent of smoke permeated her nostrils, a sensation of unease settling deep within her gut. She felt the brave tense upon her back and her pale eyes searched his face for an answer, any answer. He did not look behind them but instead kept his eyes straight ahead though she could sense the discomfort emanating from within him. Pulling against the clump of mane he used for reins she turned about until she was facing toward the village and her heart sank at what she witnessed.
Flames taller than the greatest sycamore tree towered above the landscape as the desiccated vegetation became consumed by the violent red tongues. Sparks flew like mad fireflies, touching down upon each and every dry spot, spreading the hot virus with vicious intent. Her jaw fell open and her ears angled toward the flames, an action she would desperately regret. High pitched wails and screams of desperation slammed into her eardrums and her chest causing her to dance frantically in place.
“Alisinahisdi Animikee.” The brave reached down and gently rubbed her neck but she would not be steady as he requested. She knew the brave was not a coward but she could not understand why he was hesitating, why he wasn’t digging his heels into her sides and urging her to move, to go to the rescue of their people. Though she wished more than anything to help the people, she would not go against the commands of the brave. She would not betray him in that way.
A forked tongue of lightening ripped through the air as she dashed toward the village, her entire body buzzing with the electricity of the storm as it supplied her with an unusual sense of power. It was as if the lightning supplied fuel to her muscles and the roaring thunder echoed her quickly moving hoof beats. She felt at one with the world, but the unity of earth and spirit was short lived as they drew nearer to the burning village.
Carnage was everywhere to be seen. Teepees were all but singed to ash and the bodies of many lay among the tattered homes. She and the brave had been living apart from the village for some time but she still recognized the faces of the dead. She could still hear the stories they told around the fires, the songs they sung and their laughter. Elders and children alike lay among the ruins, as well as the bodies of many Soquili she had grown up with. The blazing world around her shattered and she would have dropped to the ground then and there had it not been for the brave atop her back keeping her grounded.
A wall of flame erupted between them and their people and she released a whinny of shock and horror as she lost sight of the village. The brave remained calm as he lowered his chest to her withers and gripped a hunk of mane further up her neck. “Tvga Thunderegg.” He whispered, an edge of determination lacing each syllable. Fear held her in its merciless grasp but she would fly as he had commanded, she would not fail him now.
Gathering herself she headed for the barricade of flame, her heart racing as she leapt toward it. Heat kissed her underbelly and sides and the smell of burning hair filed the air. Though the fire only played on her skin for a moment it felt like a lifetime. Once on the other side she noticed her flaxen mane was shorter, her beautiful tresses having been scorched off during the leap. Other than that and a residual burning sensation radiating up her belly she had come through unscathed, as had the brave.
Utter chaos awaited her as people ran from every direction carrying whatever they could lay their hands upon. Some were attempting to drag the dead from the flames while others attempted to convince them to leave the corpses where they fell. The brave urged her forward once more and before she knew what had happened she was among the burning teepees and corpses, walking through a land of fiery death.
Everything was a blur as she raced this way and that, the brave doing what he could to direct others to safety. Picking some up as they ran by and setting them out of harm’s way as they made multiple loops. It was on the fifth loop that a teepee collapsing nearby knocked her rider from her back. Panic seized her as she realized he was no longer there to guide her. Turning back she caught sight of him trapped beneath burning wreckage and stood frozen with indecision.
Not since she was a basket had she been required to act on her own. She always had him guiding her, telling her what to do and where to go. He was not with her now, he could not guide her and she was left to fend for herself. Fear told her to turn and run and she nearly obeyed, until a new sensation welled up inside of her. Lightning and thunder raged once more and she felt the strength she needed raining down upon her from the heavens. Perhaps she really had been tossed by a lightning spirit, and perhaps this was the blessing she was meant to bestow.
Sparks sprang from her feet as she ran toward the brave, her whole body aglow with the light of the flames and lightning. Dipping her head she angled her horn toward him, and he responded in kind by raising his hand to catch it. In one fluid motion he was ripped from the rubble and, using the momentum, righted himself on her back. "You did not abandon me..." He breathed as he wrapped his arms about his neck. "I knew you would not.."
Delivering him to where the tear streaked faces of the people awaited, she stood firm and with a new perspective as he was taken from her back. All seemed well at hand until a spark danced in front of her eyes and fell at her feet. She was unable to move quickly enough as the grass burst into flame and she was forced back. As though a gilded serpent cut through the valley the flames built up another wall, this time more fierce than the one before it. She lost sight of her people, of her brave. The smoke and ash she had inhaled before grew thick and heavy in her throat and lungs. She needed to move on or be taken by the ravaging fire.
Turning her back on everything she had ever known, she followed the path of the lightning and thunder. Her heart broken at the loss, but her hope remaining in tact.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that?
Animikee and the brave lived apart from the village for he had assumed the role of a Contrary Warrior thus enrolling himself in the Contrary Society. What this means is that, for the most part, he demonstrated how a Kawani should and should not act through satire and jest. Because of this he was not very well liked, but he was a necessary and respected part of the culture.
Even so, she still felt very attached to the village and its people. As such she would be overjoyed to hear they are rebuilding, and because she was separated from them, she would hope to return one day and reunite with the one who found her.
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Epine de Rose
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:54 pm
I'm Heeding the Call!
Your Name: Epine de Rose Your Soquili's Name & Cert: Ambroise Is This an NPC? N/A How did they feel about the ongoing drought in the Kawani Plains? Did it effect them at all?: The mountains had always been 'barren' when it came to water; if you didn't know where the streams or lakes were, then you would struggle to locate anything to quench your thirst in such an extensive region. This was a life in which the stallion was accustomed to and as a consequence, the impact that the drought had upon the slopes was decidedly less severe than the Plains. After all, if one was used to having little water and one knew they had to locate it each morning, then it should have come at no surprise that a decline in supplies was less noticable.
Ah, but his mother had noted that the reserves in the lakes had dwindled and the weather had been unnaturally dry, but they had wanted for nothing and had continued to prosper. Had it not been for the individuals whose soul job it was to traverse the region and familiarise themselves with threats, he would have been entirely unaware of the true nature of the Kawani plight.
As was normal for Ambroise, he remained relatively unaffected by the news as it did not threaten the health of his own herd, however a part of him was acutely aware of a sense of dread raising its head at the knowledge that his mate might not be as indifferent...
When the great fire happened, did it effect them or their family in anyway? Did the news upset them, did they care, did they laugh? It should have come at no surprise that the stallion's face betrayed no emotion when he was advised of the state of affairs in the Kawani, but his stomach began to spasm and his throat twisted into an uncomfortable knot. The news didn't effect him on an emotional level because of the impact it would have on the Soquili below - instead, it stabbed him right in the core. His mate was from the Lowlands and when she heard this news, for there were no secrets between them, he could only imagine how she would feel...
She would be shattered, guilt ridden, and should the human she had become so close to be far from this world, he could only surmise that she would be completely inconsolible. She would have a desire to help of course, in any way that she could, and even if it wasn't safe he was under no illusions that she would storm down to the lowlands with or without his permission. It was for this reason, that upon hearing the news, he spared the time to consult with his father. Elizabeth could be exceedingly headstrong when she needed to be, she had grown into her role as his mate as she had spent more time in this hardened region - but if she was going to throw herself into harm's way then he would be going with her.
He might not be an ample nurse maid, but he'd be damned if he lost what he cared about due to an unforeseen circumstance in the Lowlands.
...After all, who knew what would be down there.
Now that the village is coming back together to rebuild, how do they feel about that? Do they wish to aid the Kawani or leave them to their own devices? Never the nurse maid and as subtle as an anvil, Ambroise was not suited to the role of hero - he had no inclination to provide assistance to those in the Lowlands but he also new better. He was not naive and he knew who he was mated to - Elizabeth would be sure to make her presence known in a situaiton like this and having discussed it with his father, it would be over his dead body that she didn't manage to get herself back in one piece. Oh he knew that in the grand scheme of things his mate was astute enough to avoid conflict and to escape to safety when she really needed to, but he was no young buck.
Naivity's ship had long since sailed.
For all the good intentions of the villagers and those who aided them, whether they be human, soquili or otherwise, there would be those who sought to drag the world into darkness. The village would attempt to rebuild, but he'd bet his wings that there would be at least one individual who would seek to delay it, or worse, jeopardise it entirely. Consequently, he had made the decision not to assist the Kawani villagers for any form of benevolent reasoning, instead, he had elected to assist them through something decidedly more selfish.
He was rather fond of his mate - in fact, he'd go so far as to declare he loved her.
...And he'd be damned if someone tried to hurt her.
