[EVENT] Journey to Blacksand | P. I [Closed]

[Mimsey]

In which we leave our home...

...so we can save it.

Quote:

In retrospect, perhaps the war games worked a little too well.

A sense of urgency was building in the pride. With the Sentinels off bothering prides in the South, the North was untouched. The Regents' reasonings couldn't exactly be disputed... but firekin were anything if not brave and foolish.

Not long after, a rumor started to spread. A rumor kept from the ears of the council: games won't win this war. Its time we do something about these monsters in the north.

You aren't exactly sure why you've been selected. But as word was passed from lion to lion, a small plan was formulated:

Meet on the sixth day, at the darkest part of the night. We'll travel north and see what can be learned. Tell no one.

Its time to set out.

 

[Mimsey]

If you are looking to be caught up to speed, check out the plot summary!

Hello, and welcome to a two part event we'll be holding in the Motoujamii lands! With some members of the pride fed up with waiting, its time to go see what those brutes are up to, right?!

This is an infiltration event! During the game, we will have dice rolls to determine our detection level as we travel. The first part of the game will simply be traveling the Motoujamii. The second part of the game will be in Nergui territory, and keeping stealthy is the name of the game! The longer the firekin remain undetected, the more information about the Nergui they will be able to find out.

It is possible some fights may arise, but we will address those mechanics further in.

arrow Some notations about the event!:

- This is a dice game, although the first part will be less dice focused than the second. Rules on the particular games will be announced in the thread. It will be very similar to the war games event!

- This RP will be split up into two groups, focusing on two days of the journey. ICly your SOA will be gone for two weeks.

- You may jump in at any time during the RP; but assume your SOA has just been following silently once the group has left the main area.

- Anyone may join! Although it might help for characterization to use more adventurous types.

- Realistically, this group will be a lot larger than what might be typical for a spy group. We're going to handwave this for the sake of involving everyone who wants to be. However each participant [unless playing an NPC role] may only play one character.

- It is not yet known who coordinated the entire operation.

- The firekin who join this event should be aware they are technically going against orders. They haven't exactly been ordered not to do this... but they're well aware vigilantism isn't the pride's typical MO.

- The group's cover is that they will be joining up with Moto'Seide in the south.

- Only adults have been asked to join. Sorry cubs :[ An unlimited amount of familiars may assist if you wish to RP them.

arrow We are hiring!

A secondary part of this RP will be establishing a more cohesive order of spys for the firekin. Any character who participates in this RP, and the followup, may apply to become either a watcher or the spymaster himself!

At the end of the event, we'll be collecting the names of interested characters <3 Anyone who posts may choose to switch their character to a watcher rank. The spymaster will be chosen among the more active participants.

You can read more about both ranks here!

AND OF COURSE. WE HAVE PRIZESSS.

They will be determined the usual way of raffle! There will be additional prizes won during the game, mostly familiars!

 

[Mimsey]

Quote:

The night couldn't have gotten much darker by the time Elcca arrived. The sun, so far chased, left the desert feeling cool and sharp. She wasn't troubled much by the hour. Dark nights were sometimes more common to her than daylight, and her paw still throbbed from a previous night encounter. The prospect of walking for days on the wound wasn't an appealing one, but it hadn't been given even a moment of consideration when she had accepted.

As a lioness who had traveled the northlands, her role in the little expedition was quite simple. A guide, a translator... Elcca didn't do simplicity well. As far as she was concerned, she might as well have been leading the entire thing!

[Never mind she wasn't exactly the most trusted member of the firekin...]

And while the plan did indeed sound like the kind of brazen, unthinking plan the young seer was known for, she hadn't organized it. She'd been invited just like everyone else. It had become some amusement to her to try and divine out who the organizer had been. One of the regents, perhaps? The general? The old spymaster? Or perhaps no one of any importance!

She loved questions that just begged answers.

On her shoulder, Yoan sat brooding. She couldn't read avian faces, but she knew simply by proximity he was acting rather morose. Funny, she'd thought he'd be used to her being foolish by now, him more than anyone.

"You could at least look excited," Elcca said lowly. "These firepelts don't know what they're getting themselves into."

"Which is why you should be dissuading them," the bird said in a voice that seemed so painfully familiar. It still sounded so like him, bird or not. It didn't mean she listened to him.

"There's no sense disuading them. They'd go without me. Better I lead them then one of those skittery Hongshan." For all she knew it was one of the Hongshan who had called them all here. "Besides, its not like the nergui occupy real territory. We're just going on a trip to the northlands. We could be any small pride."

"Ah, a small pride made up of flamboyantly colored individuals. I am sure they will never guess who you are."

Elcca made a short noise with her throat, cutting off his bitching before they got too close to the gathering. Elcca felt slightly disappointed there were no stones around to jump up upon. She was rather small for a firekin, and having the high ground gave her the sense of superiority she craved.

"I hope you all slept well," she crooned.

 

[ShinosBee]

Saoi had never been one for trouble. He'd always been a fairly straightforward, above-level lion. No plots or behavior unfitting a Firekin. That was exactly why he was going along with this, these...whispers spread like wildfire through dry brush. This type of mission wasn't typical firekin behavior, but similarly, he could hardly think of a single one of his pridemates that would pass up the chance to take on a mission like this. It would be un-firekin not to go. Or maybe he just hung out with the wrong sorts of friends. That seemed to be Peri's opinion on the matter.

The blue and sunset bird was gliding silently overhead, keeping an eye on more distant dunes as the pale lion wove his way towards where he'd figured the meeting point would be. At least Peri'd convinced him not to wear the cape. What protection it offered wouldn't be worth it flapping about noisily, and without it he could hope to be mistaken for someone else, if they were spotted either by Nergui or their own pridemates who might not be in on the little adventure.

The duo worked swiftly and effortlessly towards a small gathering of shifting, moving dark smudges between two even darker distant dunes. Apparently they would not be the first to arrive. The sight of more lions, knowing that they were not to go alone, was heartening. Dimly Saoi wondered how many would be there already, and how many more had yet to arrive. As if responding to the thought, Peri drifted down, passing just a wingspan from the lion's face, and muttered. He'd recognized one of the lions ahead at least. Elcca. There were a few more as well, but it was hard to tell who in the low light. That was for the best though. If Peri couldn't see them, likely the Nergui would have the same trouble identifying them. Right?

"Hard to sleep deeply when your whole body tingles with the sense of impending action," He quipped as he joined the milling shadows. "But I can't say we're the less for it. Eccla. Yoan. Was it you two who set up this half-skinned, overeager, stupid, wonderful idea?" He grinned, pale teeth in paler fur (Maybe he should roll in the sand and try to dirty up before they went? Hmm...) and chuckled low under his breath. "Or are you as blind as we in the dark, hmm?"  

[Whimsical Blue]

Morag glided through the darkness like a shadow. For once, her background as a huntress was coming in handy, as was her inclination to hunt at night when her black pelt gave her an advantage.

The whispers of an excursion North had caught her and she'd been unable to shake them loose from her mind. She hadn't liked the thought of traveling South with the others, even without her injury, the invasion of their neighbors rubbing her fur the wrong way... but this? This was so very right that she might have been the first one to volunteer, if she'd had the chance. There was no hesitation, no thought involved at all. They might be going against the Regents wishes, if this little plan wasn't organized by them, but she found it didn't do anything at all to dissuade her. Injured or not, she was going along, and only tying her up and sitting on her would have kept her from going.

"I hope you're quieter on the hunt than you're being right now." Morag said to her brother as she pushed past him, applying her shoulder to his hip to move the larger male out of her way. Having family along for this wasn't exactly something she cared for, considering how they had been acting around her lately, but she wasn't going to let anyone stop her this time. Singh would probably really tie her up when she got back, but for now she was not accepting any suggestion that her nearly-healed injury meant she should lay around being useless. "You stand out like the moon at midnight as it is."

For this, she had stolen dark hide and used it to cover the bandages over the injured half of her face, further reducing her own whiteness, dirt and dust darkening it along her belly and paws. At this point she was all too ready to agree with Yoan about their appearance, if she had been close enough to hear his comments. Anyone who knew anything about the Firekin knew about their color preference, and far too many of those coming along showed the trademark of the desert pride.  

[wooga Paes]

Though he hadn't really been in the pride for very long, Azulon wasn't shy about getting himself to work. He hadn't left the life of a rogue – where he could do as he pleased – to sit idly in the desert. There was some... situation with a group known as the Nergui. He was fine with getting involved.

He would admit to being a bit surprise he'd heard of this little 'escapade', considering he really was new here. But, glancing at the white male who didn't seem to be taking the event very seriously, Azulon wondered if those who organized the whole ordeal had been very thorough when screening those invited. For now, he'd stay quiet, and merely watched. It was all very interesting to him, the little plot, the war.  

[Quaji]

This was her pride now, her home and her new family and they were in danger. While she had known from the start that the Nergui were a threat to them all, it took her some time to finally understand the extent of how large this threat truly was. With war looming and death inevitable, Ares inparticularly wanted to know more about this threat. If she was to help guard a pride, she would not be taken off-guard. She would know exactly what she would be facing or at least something as right now they had almost nothing and hopefully with that knowledge; know how to handle herself with the time finally came to protect her home.

This little outing was just the thing to help her and others understand exactly what their were going up against. Perhaps someone had gotten wind of her plans to create a team made up of guards to purposefully guard the elderly and cubs as well as officials who for whatever reason could not protect themselves. Perhaps that was why the whispers of the rumor had spread to her or perhaps it was just random. Whatever the reason for her subtle invitation and whatever the consequences of even attending this, she was going. Ares' paws carried her through the sands in the darkness of night and to the meeting with her two faithful serpents slithering through the golden grains with her.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Deimos, the black male to her right asked which was a bit of a surprise.

"Of course she does," Replied Phobos, the white female to her left, before their mistress even could. "Why else would we even be here? Now keep your mouth silent. We have work to do." She quickly added as the three approached the forming group.  

[Mimsey]

A wide grin stretched across Elcca's face. She enjoyed lingering in the moment where she seemed to be more informed. She certainly didn't like to admit being in the blind about anything. But while Elcca was many things, she didn't lie often. It was how she balanced the more unscrupulous sides to her nature. "I'm afraid not! If this were my plan, it would just be me," she said with a sway. "And there's about three too many people already involved!"

The bright lioness inclined her head, noting Morag approaching in the shadows. She recognized her from the day of the initial attack. Elcca might have been largely insincere about things, but she was happy to see the female up and able. Little victories won wars, after all. "I suspect the only trouble we'll run into right now is bumping into one of our own guard patrols."

"If any are even posted on this side tonight. It does seem like someone is pulling the strings tonight..." she mused. "Perhaps our new friends?"

Two others had joined- recent recruits, if Elcca's inklings serveed her well. Did that mean she was no longer a newbie herself? Ah, how tragic. Soon her air of mystery would be commonplace.  

[Whimsical Blue]

"What do you know of the Northlands?" Morag said, looking up at the red lioness on her higher perch. "I'd prefer knowing something of the lay of the land, so to speak, before I try to hunt inside it."

There was actually surprisingly little that the dark female actually knew about this enemy the pride faced, or the fugitives her pride had taken in. She'd been so busy with everything else, it hadn't seemed as urgent to know since the leaders of the pride seemed to have things in paw... but now it was deadly important and she needed something, anything that would give the group an edge.

"Its even more important when the land has rival predators."  

[PhiferWolf]

Words under breath had haunted the winds of the sand-blown desert of the Motoujamii. Dark ears rung with clear words of a venture up north during the dead of night while resting at the sparring fields. Initially, he intended to stay put, listening to his leader's orders, but a notion came to mind and then a worry. Against his better judgment, the large Hongshan had escaped the Red Quarters that night and stalked by the covers of sand dunes to a group not too far off. He counted among them five. A small group to go on such a dangerous adventure at the dead of night, considering the possible bodies they may encounter. Still, his mind burned for vengeance, but his heart worried for the safety of the growing family.

Upon the Hongshan's arrival, he noted the individuals present. Elcca he had seen before, she seemed to be a higher rank among the pride. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. A more white male he did not recognize concerned him with his pelt. Hopefully, his heart is in this and they all will survive this night. Two females he did not recognize, one of whom herald two serpents. Lastly, a dark male he was not familiar with. His worry faded knowing that Fia was not here. When word came about this, Thabiti had imagined that the twin of the medical den doctor would have taken the opportunity to exact revenge.

The dark lion with crimson accents listened to exchange of words - whispers in the night. Thabiti glanced among those present, noting them all Firekin. Their knowledge of the areas beyond the northern mountains were limited, he imagined and smirked at his now usefulness.

"Night walk dangerous. No see where paws go. Cripple paw will kill you." He commented to Morag, showing the underside of his paw briefly as cuts ran deep into his leathery pads that had healed since his arrival.

Bluefire Dragonz

 

[ShinosBee]

Saoi's head whipped about, and spotting whom had nudged him (a half-sister, it'd been) he smiled. Whatever his family's issues with her might or might not be, he had nothing but fond feelings for her. Even if she was grumpy. "Of course I will be! Don't underestimate my understanding of the mission. After all, we share blood, don't we? You might blend in better, but I bet I can sneak well enough. And if not, well, I'll have you there to bail me out, right?" Maybe, maybe not. He didn't plan on being caught though, so hopefully it'd not come to that.

"My bright fur will light your way over dangerous ground!" His comment was a light-hearted response to both Morag's concern and the newly arrived Hongshan's worries. "The way is rough?" He didn't doubt that the Firekin could handle any harsh terrain, but being forewarned was a bonus. "...You're the one in charge? Or am I wrong again?" He glanced past Thabiti for any more coming. "Maybe they're not here yet."  

[PhiferWolf]

ShinosBee

Thabiti looked at the white lion flatly with a cocked brow. "Thabiti know little of Fire kin tongue. You think Thabiti did this?" he plainly asked. What a silly notion! Still, he gave some props to the lion to think that he orchestrated this little venture, but unfortunately he was not. Were they even certain that a Hongshan started this? "Thabiti hear words at sparring field. Worried about-" he cut himself off, not wanting to rat himself or the female in question off. Should word get back to her about it, he would not hear the end of it.

"Hongshan walk at dawn, most at night. Rocks and cliffs. We cannot see, we get hurt. Nergui has .... appendage."

Though he meant advantage.  

[Mimsey]

"The northlands..." Elcca started, her ear twisting to the side as she considered how to phrase such a bleak country. Rocks and cliffs, indeed. "It is not so much desert as here, but still mostly rock. Small shrubland. I heard it gets more lush even farther in, but I doubt we'll get past the black region. Or even need to."

"To be honest, it will be more dangerous passing all the way up the Motoujamii, and into those mountains. There's a reason why no one was expecting the Hongshan and that Nergui; its not exactly hospitable. If it had been just me, even I would not have taken that path," she mused. "But if we have anything to our benefit, we know the desert. Most who make the journey do so out of desperation. We'll have intent on our side."

But that was about the end of their appendages, so to speak. "Once we start getting to the black sand though, it will be mostly a guessing game. The Nergui are nomadic. We may not see anyone, or they may have an outpost. They've spread much further south than when I traveled there. The rocks there will make walking not entirely pleasant, and game will be pretty much nonexistent."

"Northern lions can be suspicious, particularly if they're being harassed by these nergui patrols. We'll want to steer clear of any other groups. I wouldn't trust anyone from the north farther than I can throw them," she smiled. "Present company excluded, of course."

 

[Andranis]

Why was he here? Because he'd seen this Elcca lioness around the pride, and knew she was... Well, she was a tricky one. He was also there because, somehow, some way... He was sure there was hope he'd be able to see Pele again. The hulking red lion, as proud a red as any amid the Hongshan, slowly materialized out of the darkness. He'd missed chunks of convdersation, but soon found one of his own brethren. He bowed his head lightly to Thabiti, murmuring a greeting to him in their native tongue, before switching to the common tongue. "Should move fast, if we are moving soon." He looked around at everyone so far... Two injured lions, at the minimum. This would be a challenging deal... "But move quiet, cautious, watch for rocks." His determination was rather strong, his will to see his mate and what might have been left of their children. He missed them dearly, and hadn't even thought to take a Firekin mate. Not while there was a chance that Pele was still alive, something he felt in his bones.  

[Whimsical Blue]

(omg, drani, that green is lethal on my eyes. xD )

Morag turned towards the Hongshan that had joined them, showing him a face half covered in a leather hide over bandages.

"I'm used to moving at night. I'm also more than willing to take a few scars if it means finding something we can use against our enemy." Her single red eye was frank and sincere, unblinking in her dark face. "I'm also willing to die, if that is what the future holds for me."

She turned to narrow her eye at her brother, her white-tipped tail lashing the air behind her. "You should, perhaps, take this more seriously, Saoi. This is not a game and there is a lot at stake should we be discovered. If you do something stupid and get yourself captured, I may just leave you to the Nergui's tender mercies if it means the rest of the group escapes."

Touchy touchy... but Morag was starting to feel a crawling along her spine and a restless energy building up inside of her. Her senses felt... sharper than they'd ever been, like she could see farther and clearer, hear even the most delicate sounds, smell the faintest scent on the wind... She was more than ready to be off, to test her long-honed hunting skills on this mission.

A glance at Elcca confirmed that she had heard her words, absorbing the information of the terrain they would cross. It was a bit of a surprise that there were non-Firekin, non-Nergui lions between here and wherever their enemy hid. She'd never really thought of the area to the North as inhabited... an over-sight on her part.

"I agree." She said, when the green-eyed Hongshan joined them. "If we are going, we should go now. We should, perhaps, also split into pairs... it'll minimize the noise we make and our silhouette if we're not all bumping into each other in the dark. If one pair is discovered, the others can disappear into the darkness, and going in pairs means each member has someone to watch their back." The dark lioness didn't know who was in charge of this group, but its what she would do, if she were the one leading this group. The one who had called them together could suggest otherwise, if they wished.