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Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: [HC Event] Star Catchers 19th May 2018, 4:30 pm | |
| - Plot wrote:
- It was nearing their time. They had been through the trials, had learned all they could, and had decided upon their future professions; now all they needed to become full-fledged Adults, equal to any other in Esoria, was to reach the summit of Mount Everlast before midnight two days from now. If they were in place when the Meteor Shower reached its maximum, took in the light, and returned, their adolescence concludes. For most, observing the shooting stars was the final step; upon seeing its majesty after an arduous climb, they could bow out and return home, their trials complete, and take their place as full-fledged members of their community, taking on official apprenticeships or entering journeyman status in some regards, else jumping both feet into their career. But for some, for those young people who wished to make a difference in their world, there was an additional task, one that would automatically set them apart, separating them from whatever their birth, their hometowns, their families, their circumstances were holding them back from attaining, whether it be induction to higher education, to elite facilities, to the audience of a person of Power - this additional trial would put them on the fast path to a life free of glass ceilings.
For these few, the meteor shower is only the beginning. From the mountain top they need to track the path of a falling star and follow it to its landing site, obtain the star fragment, return to the capital and present it to the King. Only then, and for only up to five, and only to those who are present at the ceremony and whose presence throughout the trial is vouched for by the others, will they receive the tattoo, ring, and pendant that will open doors for them for the rest of their lives, and to only those five will the King grant a Wish - a wish that could erase their pasts or open new doors for their future. A wish that could provide funds for their future, could wave fees for entrance to their college or guild of choice, could make or bend the very law of the land, should their argument for such a thing be solid.
The quest is dangerous and difficult. Every year young men and women go forth, and maybe one group in ten returns with the star fragment - one group every ten years. The others return without the star and start their lives as they would have before, else they do not come back at all. - The World:
Esoria is a vast kingdom in the eastern edge of a rather large and varied continent. Our heroes will all come from the north of the kingdom, generally from the same area, with the same background base in mythology and education. The area is in the northeast of the continent, a green and lush forestland well in view of the Falling Stars mountain range - home to Mount Everlast. They can come from one of three starting places - these starting places serve only as flavour text for the players and to build backgrounds that involve other characters. Note: If you would like to expand on any of this, just check with me and if it fits with my overall worldview, we’ll go ahead and make it canon ;D ((but get in early if you want to go shifting stuff around with these places, it’ll be first-come-first-served))
--Lorham - a village of around 700 people located in the foothills of the Falling Stars mountain range, Lorham’s primary export is wool. All characters that choose this as their starting city will know each other, and know each other well. Friends or enemies, they’ve been dealing with each other for years. Their age group would contain ~5-10 people.
--Deepwall - a town of around 2000 people located in the foothills of the Falling Stars mountain range, Deepwall’s primary export is precious metals mined from deep within the foothills and mountains not held sacred by the nation. However, mining is not the only occupation for the residents of this bustling town; farmland has been cleared in the dense forestland surrounding the town and there is a thriving fur trade in the area. Characters from this town will know of each other, if not know each other intimately; they will have crossed paths at least once or twice during their trials. Their age group would contain ~24-48 people.
--Shadeslake - a city of around 15000 people located by a large lake that feeds from the Falling Stars mountain range and borders a plainsland on the other, Shadeslake’s imports and exports are large and varied, from fish to furs and beyond. It is the local hub of activity in the area, and boasts safe roads into and out of its territory, even through the forested routes. Characters from this town may know of each other; their age group would contain ~150-210 people.
Politics Typically each place has a leader that was put into power either by a council within the town, is a big wig / rich dude in the area, or appointed by the King; these people are usually just managers of the people, as protests made to the King about poor leadership are often investigated and brought to justice without much time elapsing; the region our characters come from is within a week’s travel from the Capital City of Esoria: Thelline. The King is getting up there in age; he’s a regal figure and, by all accounts, is just and fair. He has two sons and a daughter, all married - the daughter now resides in the neighbouring Kingdom in an alliance marriage - and all with their own children, some near grown.
- The Trials:
The trials start at a young age; when a child reaches their fifth solstice, they begin their lessons. They are taught by family members, by their extended family, and by teachers within their village, town, or city to round out their knowledge bases and open their minds. They gain rudimentary skill sets along with learning history - this basic education continues into their teen years, but once they reach their 13th solstice they start helping out with work around the community outside of their family's work - a set of tasks and jobs referred to as the Trials. They get to try out different professions, different lifestyles - they get to test the various jobs around their world, from healing to farming, to get a taste of what their life could offer.
Job Sampling (use your own judgement for what would be a viable profession in smaller towns/villages): bakers, barbers, beer-sellers, blacksmiths, bookbinders, booksellers, butchers, carpenters, chandlers, coopers, copyists, cutlers, doctors, fishmongers, furriers, glovemakers, harness-makers, hatmakers, hay merchants, illuminators, inns, jewelers, locksmiths, maidservants, masons, mercers, painters, pastrycooks, plasterers, pursemakers, roofers, ropemakers, rugmakers, saddlers, scabbard-makers, sculptors, shoemakers, spice merchants, tailors, tanners, taverns, watercarriers, weavers, wine-sellers, woodcarvers, woodsellers, guardsmen, lawyers, scholars, scientists, clergymen, priests, farmers, herdsmen, trappers, orators, and several guilds offer their crafting services. Note: if you have other ideas throw them at me~ your characters can choose to come from any of the above backgrounds, and may well have trained in ten or more of the above occupations during their trials. Most of the time young men and women will take a shining to some jobs more than others and will tend to focus more in those areas as they come closer to their 17th.
By their 17th Solstice, when they embark on their Coming of Age trip to Mount Everlast, most young people have an idea of what they want to do for the rest of their lives and have gone through some greater training in that field. For some, the Coming of Age trip is their graduation, and when they return home they will apply to work in their chosen field or apply to become an official apprentice (or journeyman, depending on how long they trained in that guild during the trials); for others, those who wished to further their training at the universities in the capital, the trial was the first stop on their way to the capital to pursue their education. And then there were the Star Catchers, who would go on the quest for the falling stars in an attempt to change their fate.
- Universities and Guilds of the Capital:
There are many schools of higher learning within the capital and several of the finer Guilds with Guildmasters present. Most have only a set number of openings per year, and to secure a seat in these higher education programs, the new-adult in question would need to prove they could pay the associated fee (for room and board and the education itself), and then pass a test in the field they wish to join. Only a set number of those who take the test are accepted, based simply on how many the school can offer to train.
The funding for these opportunities can be difficult to obtain for some families, and so scholarships may sometimes be arranged - a town will cover the cost in return for the youngster to serve within their community when they graduate, a sort of "reservation" for a new person within their community. This is most often true for new healers, teachers, clergymen and the like. However, some towns simply cannot afford to send the 17’s or cannot afford to reserve a 17, and often they are at the mercy of travelers with that particular skillset. The necessity to meet the cost of training is true for all 17’s….
Unless the new-adult is a Star Catcher. Star Catchers are automatically admitted, regardless of their financial or social background.
- Elemental Magic:
Everyone in Esoria is born with an elemental affinity - not that it does much. Those with an affinity for fire may be able to light candles or a campfire, but would never have the strength to do much else. A spark, rather than a true flame. Those with an affinity for earth may be able to coax a near-dead plant back to life over the course of a day or two, but would not be able to make entire crops spring to life or anything. They're more curiosities and good for the occasional prank than for much good. Before using magic, check with me to see if it's feasible. Again with the fire example, these guys can start a small fire, but from there cannot control it, whereas water people cannot create water, but can control it a little, etc.
If you're thinking XD AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDERRRRRR you'll be sorely disappointed.
- HC Event Rules and Information:
Hardcore events are a sampling of all the Roleplaying Section has to offer: profile approvals, live-chat sessions, dungeon crawler game elements, and a one-month time limit to complete the story or get a bad ending.
- Duration:
One month exactly, unless a problem arises with the host, in which case the event will be extended for the number of days the host was absent. If the storyline is not resolved within a month's time, the mission fails.
- General Rules:
All roleplay rules and gc rules apply Activity Rule: Participants are required to post within 48 hours or will be removed from the event (their characters will either get lost, give up and go home, or get killed off). Random Events may be introduced into the story if the majority of players are active within the OOC Discord chat or on the boards; Random Events are storyline plot events in which players will have a limited time to respond before consequences are enacted; each will come with a caveat in that if you cannot respond within the given time-frame, you may request another player's character take your character with them (if movement is required). Consistency Rule: All players are held to the understanding that they will pay attention to the story flow, taking note of roleplay elements (situational - who's talking to who, where people are located, etc) and event elements (their HP, MP, the placement of others on the map, etc.). If a player derails the event with inconsistencies, consequences will occur.
- Requirements:
Character Profile - Participants are required to have their character's profile submitted and approved before the event begins. *Advanced Hardcore Events require advanced character profiles. Word Requirement - Advanced Hardcore Events require minimum 100-word posts.
- Additional Elements:
Real-Time Roleplay - some Hardcore Events will have RTRP sessions to start, end, or move the story along. Participants are required to have a discord account for these live-chat events if they don't want their character NPC'd through those instances. Dungeon Crawler - some Hardcore Events will have dungeon-crawler game elements to them, wherein players will need to distribute attribute points to reflect their characters strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities, and will need to prescribe MP requirements to attacks. During these events, they will be at the mercy of random number generators (digital Dungeons and Dragons style die) for attacks and defense rolls to minimize godmodding and/or powerplaying. Certain Events officially happen within the HC Event Storyline Timeline and so can be added to character's histories, instead of just their Storyline Information sections. Participating in these events will have consequences within this timeline we're creating together - characters can become famous, can make enemies and allies, and can, through storyline events, grow and develop as characters and let that development follow them through the overarching plot. The current Medieval-Fantasy event train is as follows: StarCatchers
Note, therefore, that choices have consequences in these games. Characters can die in these events if their HP goes less than 0 (in some circumstances), and therefore will not be allowed back into the chain after that event.
- On Character Knock-Out:
How to be Knocked-Out in an HC Event: -Be attacked for more damage than you have health for any HP level higher than 3 HP. See below for 3 HP or less. -Time IRL will not revive a KO character. The only time a KO character will be revived with waiting would be if over 6 hours of in-game time has passed or it is the end of the Event. --I do not intend to change the time rule as dealing with an unconscious ally is an interesting consideration for character development, as are the consequences that are the reactions of other characters involved – not only the unconscious person, but other team members. The potential bonding or conflict caused by such decisions is welcome in an otherwise primarily characters-versus-environment setting.
- On Character Death:
How to die in an HC Event: -Be attacked when you have less than 3 HP for greater than 3 points of damage. If you had 4 or more HP and were struck by an attack for 5+ DMG, you will be reduced to zero and knocked out; If you have 3 or less HP and are struck by an attack of 4+, your character can die. If you are KO and are struck with an additional attack, your character can die.
What happens when your character dies in an HC Event: When killed in the KO state, characters will die immediately if attacked while knocked out. If they have under 3 HP when attacked and killed, they can post a death post as their character is conscious and can react to their own death.[/size]
In the event of a character death in a HC event, the character cannot be involved in any future HC Event because in this timeline, they are dead. Similarly, if other characters who adhere to this universe set a roleplay after that HC event, time-wise, they can stipulate that 'dead' characters do not play as they have accepted that character's death into their history. This isn't a set-in-stone, no-exceptions rule that must be followed - it is optional for the storyline creator, but players of dead characters should not take offense to that character being excluded as the death was adopted into other characters' storylines and players are expected to adhere to character profile information in all non-AU storylines.
Why include Character Death as an option in Hardcore Events? Character death is never a near certainty unless a character actively puts themselves into that situation. It either takes a lot of terrible choices or a lot of bad luck for a character to be Knocked Out, let alone die, as the characters are to be functioning as a team and, if relationships are fostered, willing to protect each other and help each other out.
The chance of dying stresses the need of teamwork within the group, of forging relationship with between characters who would rush to a character’s aide or leap forward to protect them when put in a position wherein death is possible; as death would not come suddenly (though being knocked unconscious may), there will always be a possibility for a character’s friend or ally to step forward to save them before it's too late. As to why a player would risk a character they have put much time and effort into in a game wherein their character would die, I would return why not? No risk, no reward – no guts, no glory. With the statement above about how hard it actually is to get KO’d (let alone die), putting that on the table just ups the anti during battle sequences. And beyond that, what is the risk? If a player would rather not have their character play in these events where the character could die and the consequence would be that that character could no longer play in those events, you’re already “killing” your character without letting them go out with a bang or affect the lives of their teammates in their passing – they would simply fade away from the story, as opposed to living and fighting alongside them, making friends and deepening relationships, perhaps to eventually die dramatically and be remembered by these characters for events to come. If you’re going to go out, go out with a bang, rather than a whimper.
- Character Stipulations and Sign-Up Requirements:
Basics
- Use an Advanced Character Profile and submit within the Multiverse Character section. Color your profile title yellow when it is ready for review.
- Every character's age will be 17. The youngest possible character is one that was born on the Solstice and so is turning 17 the day the event begins; the oldest possible character is the one who was born the day after the Solstice, and so will be turning 18 the day after the event begins.
- For Universe, write "Star Catchers"
- Using a dollmaker to make an image of your character is fine in addition to a written description; if you find a good one please link it in this sign-up thread so others can use it too if they want because I love consistency :3
- For Unique Abilities/Skills, choose one of the following elements: earth, fire, air, water, wood, mind, spirit.
- For History, you must include your starting city, your background, and your trial experience and have your background reflect it. Additionally, and most importantly, you must include why your character is choosing to try to catch the star. It's dangerous. Most people either give up or die - what wish is so important that they risk their life for just the chance to fulfill it? Contact me if you're having issues with figuring out a motivation and I'll see if I can help.
- For Other Noteworthy Facts, choose a few skills your character took to / found an ability in during the trials. I.e., strength from moving stuff around, intelligence for being a quick study with scholarly dealios, dexterous, found from working with the clockmaker for a while, etc., along with anything they are trained in based on their background: i.e., good with organization from helping their mother keep the books at the hat shop. Good at tracking - extra training with the trackers and trappers during the trials. Good with fistfighting because they're a jerk. Etc.
- Universe Specific Information - just write "Star Catchers - HC Event"
- Storyline Specific Information - just paste in the "plot" info above.
- Erase the "source" field.
- RP Sample should be a minimum of 400 words.
It must outline how they got to Mount Everlast and end with the peak of the meteor shower. Some kids have been camping there for a few days, a good number of them are partying and making friends and sharing news - this may be the first time many of these new adults have met people from outside their usual little area, and its their 'graduation' so excitement being in the air is normal. The RP will start after the peak of the shower, so lead up to that point. Edit: The RP Sample should address how they left home for the journey to Mount Everlast; traditionally, the youth leave together with their Year Master, but what I want to read about is their goodbyes to their families. ((Do they tell them they are going on the quest? What are the reactions? Please note - deciding to become a StarCatcher is usually a private thing - most families do not find out until their child does not return from Mount Everlast, but that's not a rule across the board! How do they feel knowing they may never see these people again? etc.))
To Join / Before finishing your profile:
- Post in this thread stating your intent to join. Update this first post instead of making a new one whenever you need to update to keep things cleaner. Update with a link to your profile once you get it started and posted.
- Indicate your starting point; this will outline who each character may start out knowing. Remember the world information above as to whether your character would or could or might know the other characters.
- Indicate your elemental affiliation. This helps people who don't want to double up or intentionally do want to double up with these quirks.
I may request more things be added onto that post when things get going! Profiles will need to be reviewed and approved by end of day start date! I love quick turn-arounds and getting stuff started, so Start Date will be Saturday, May 20. Due to an impending out-of-country date, the rp will not quite be a month long: End Date: Saturday, June 16. To make up for it, there will be several RTRP's to move things along - keep this in mind. I know not everyone will be able to make every planned RTRP, but I will do my best to get as many times picked out as possible to get as many people in as possible. The RTRPs may be battles, or scenes with NPC's, or random slice-of-life scenes, side conversations or just giving times for characters to react and interact. Some may be important to the plot, some may not, and the important ones probably won't be announced as such ahead of time because I thrive on random happenstance. Players do not have to attend all of the RTRP's, but there may be IC consequences to missing them, such as not knowing about what's going on because your character was doing something else when that scene happened, etc.
Signing up to take part in this HC Event is an agreement to abide by all rules associated with this event. Failure to abide by the above rules or otherwise ruining the spirit of the RP will result in expulsion from the RP. Please note: This event will have several continuations as they continue to travel towards the star; my attempt will be to have a continuation at least once every three months (with every other month being preferred for continuity) to keep the story fresh in players' minds and moving towards its conclusion.
Participants:
- Sailor Uranus (Kyra):
Leon(?) of Highwall(?) Prince William of Thelline; ??? affinity - please excuse his plot-heavy involvement ;n;
- Sailor Neptune (Bubbles): Saphira Vane of Shadeslake; Spirit affinity
- Sailor Mercury (Aurae): Katherine "Kitty" Davis of Lorham; Mind affinity
- Sailor Saturn (Verdi): Cassandra Bailey of Lorham; Spirit affinity
- Sailor Jupiter (SuupJuup XD): Shashka Ringdotr of Deepwall; Fire affinity
Prince Triton: Charles DeBoer of Lorham; Wood affinity
Lyssarie: Ariel Taylor of Deepwall; Air affinity
Note: Symbols used strictly for elemental affinities; there is no sailor moon connection.OOC Thread Activity Sheet Stats Character Sheets (Partial) Map of Esoria Encounter Map "NPC" 1-on-1 Conversations Cartman!
Last edited by Sailor Uranus on 19th May 2019, 6:02 pm; edited 21 times in total |
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 19th May 2018, 4:31 pm | |
| - RTRP Opener wrote:
- All had shared a similar experience:
Their Year Master, the community member that had been in charge of their tutelage and trials since the time of their fifth solstice, joined them in their journey to Mount Everlast, watching over them as they took quite possibly the longest journey of their lives. For some Year Masters this was a tearful, joyous trek, a means of celebrating the youth of their charges and the choices they had made, one last chance to think back on their childhood years, reliving stories of glory and of embarrassment, of triumphs and of failures (and what they had learned from those failures). It was also their final trial - learning how to travel. How to arrange stays on the road, testing them on their hunting or camping prowess should no inns be available, testing them on their handling of animals, on their interaction with other travelers, on their ability to defend themselves. For others, especially those of Shadeslake, the journey was less “together” and more “around the same time” as the large year left in staggered groups so as not to overpopulate various inns, their Year Master available to talk but spending most of their time making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there. In either case, when they reached the summit, their Year Master would follow them into the Hall and be available to speak with them, but from that point on they were done, and their charges’ Journeys complete.
When they arrived at Mount Everlast they entered Everlast Hall to mark their presence in the Book of Records, signing their name in the space beside where their parents had inscribed it 13 years ago as it had made its way around the northern end of Esoria. Beside that, they marked down their first choice of occupation and where they intended to return to after the graduation ceremony concluded.
For each of our would-be questers, within those blanks they simply scrawled “Star Catcher.”
Should they fail and return, they would strike out their claim and write in the appropriate answers - occupation and place of residence. Should they die, else not return within the allotted year, their closest relative would strike out the claim. Should they survive? Star Catcher would remain beside their name for all time, and their eventual occupation and residence would be added to the list of Star Catchers in the Capital.
The Year Keeper, the government official in charge of the Book of Records for their year (Darren Willset, a sharp-featured man in his mid-forties with well-groomed facial hair) would then provide them with five key items:
- First, a deep blue hooded cloak with a silver star streak embroidered across its back. Though useful on their travels, it nature is primarily ceremonial - they would need at least some part of that cloak when they present the Star to the King.
- Second, a silver pendant the size of their palm attached to a band of deep blue ribbon to be worn around their neck during the presentation ceremony to the King. On one side of the pendant is the StarCatcher streak, the year, and a symbol unique to the individual, assigned to them and recorded when they indicate their intent in the Book of Records. The back is empty and smooth, to be engraved with the symbol of the King upon their return as a sign of their honourable deed, giving the pendant the weight to open metaphoric doors that would otherwise be shut to them.
- The third item was a deep blue pouch, large enough to fit a loaf of bread if it had to. It was made of intensely durable material and looped to be tied with a silver cord; this is the sack they would carry the Star in when they found it.
- Fourth was a coin purse, again, deep blue with the silver starcatchers streak on one side, the other their unique mark, and within, five silver coins of identical design: starcatchers streak and year on one side, their personal identifying mark on the other.
These coins were a gamble for the Starcatchers. Each could be bartered with any citizen - of this kingdom or the next - for a favor (usually food, a room, or both, sometimes medical treatment). Should the citizen accept, they make the exchange of goods or services for the coin and should that Starcatcher make it back to the King, the citizen may cash in their coin for riches three times the cost of what they provided the youth. However, if the Starcatcher never makes it back to the King, the citizen will receive nothing. Some citizens will refuse the barter altogether, knowing how often Starcatchers make it back. Some will only barter if they believe that youth has what it takes to return. Some will barter immediately, their charity easily given where it can be, because, otherwise, citizens are not allowed to help Starcatchers so long as they are still upon their quest. Those found assisting Starcatchers without the bartered coin are, depending on the severity of the help, charged a fine or sentenced to jail time for the offense, the strict belief that Starcatching is a Trial of all Trials strictly upheld.
- The fifth was a choice of weapon to use to defend themselves throughout the duration of the Trial; the armory was small but thorough; while Catchers were able to bring defensive tools from home, this would provide them a true, strong, sharp, real weapon to use on their travels.
Upon giving the youth their items and showing them how to create their unique mark that would act as their signature for the duration of their quest and beyond, should they succeed, the Year Keeper restated the rules:
- The stone must be returned to the king within a year’s time in order to retrieve the status of Star Catcher.
- Only up to five may claim the stone. Should more than five be present at the time of the Presentation Ceremony, all with equal claim to the stone, the group would have to decide which five receive the distinction and the wish, else none will.
He then instructed them to don their cloaks to identify themselves to their peers as Star Catchers, either then, or at the start of the climax of the meteor shower.
Their local Year Master would congratulate them, else remark upon their choice to chase the Star. The Year Master of Lorham looked nervous; of the five children born to Lorham that year, four were choosing to embark on the quest. The joy the Year Master had shown on their journey to Mount Everlast turned to sorrow - she looked sick with worry already, which made sense: not one Starcatcher from Lorham had ever made it back successfully, and the three that had tried and survived had never been the same again. In this one decision made by the four of them, the future of Lorham could be affected for years, families in their small community fractured forever.
The Lorham Year Master, a woman in her early fifties named Marcy, approached each of the Lorham teens in private and asked them to reconsider - if not for the sake of their own lives, for the sake of their families, their communities. ‘What would happen to the town if they did not return?’ was the line she had tried to put forth, but it was obvious which fracture she was most concerned with; she had lost a nephew to the Starcatcher Trials, and while she did not bring this up to them specifically in these separate conversations, it was clear from the look on her face that the prior loss was heavy on her mind, and it was obvious she was pained by their choice to continue on regardless. When the meteor shower began and the torches were put out to enjoy the show, Marcy’s tears shone in the starlight as the grown woman silently sobbed for these young lives that she had loved, had had a hand in raising, had watched them grow and develop and mature into such promising young men and women - lives she was now sure were lost.
During the meteor shower, the Year Keeper would be the one to announce when an appropriate Shooting Star - one of big enough size and duration to produce a fallen star - has streaked across the sky, signaling the start of the quest to claim it. The Starcatchers, garbed in their blue cloaks, wait anxiously for the announcement so they could get a heading on which direction to go, and so start the quest that would change their lives.
The torches go out, and if they did not already have their cloaks on, now was the time they were to don them, officially announcing to their peers their intent.Whispers erupted like matchsticks caught fire, mad rumors spreading like wildfire as the eight Star Catchers donned their cloaks, hoods down to better see the stars streaking across the light-speckled sky.
“Saphira Vane?! She's the daughter of the Mayor of Shadeslake! I hear she negotiates trade routes in her spare time - what need has she of being a Star Catcher?”
“Isn't that Ariel?” “I think so? That hair - it has to be her.” “The poor thing.” “I wouldn't go that far - I trailed with her in hunting and trapping. She won't starve, I'll say that much.” “She wouldn't. Isn't she mute or something?”
“Shaska? Figures. She's crazy enough to try.”
Isn't that, like, everyone from Lorham?” (muted laughter), “Yeah, looks like it! Think it was a bad year, or are they finally coming to their senses?” “I know I’d try anything to get out of that nothing-village - even face the Catcher Trial!” (more laughter)
“There’s another - I don't recognize him. Highwalls kid, maybe?” “Oh shite- think he's the one that killed all those people?!” “No! What?!” “Yeah! They said there had been a string of murders - the only way out of execution would be the King's intervention!” “That's got to be him then!” “I'm glad he's leaving… he gives me the creeps!”
- DM wrote:
- Players! Add to rumours about your characters or respond to the rumours you've heard about your future allies / competition, or even ask your friends to learn more about what they've heard about the others; the maximum is approaching…
|
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 19th May 2018, 7:25 pm | |
| - DM wrote:
- The RTRP posts have been separated out by characters who interacted to keep the flow nice and easy to follow~
- The Deepwall Alliance - Shaska and Ariel:
Shaska Shashka snorted, hot air blowing from her nostrils. How crazy will I look when I present the king with the star? Not crazy by half. She crossed her arms, shifting her weight to her back leg. With a flick of her head, she tilted her chin up, her brown eyes looking down her nose at those around her. Her pack was already secured on her back. Let them think what they like, it doesn't matter.
Ariel Ariel's eyes never left the stars as the whispers reached her ears. She didn't care about what the cowards had to say - she didn't care about what anyone had to say, for that matter. She was doing this for herself and for herself alone. They could think about her what they wanted. She almost laughed at the accusation of her being mute. Perhaps playing that card would convince the other Star Catchers to leave her alone. Despite the fact that she had no interest in aligning herself with them, Ariel cast her eyes away from the skies and to her competition. She gazed at each one of them in turn, trying to decide who would be her biggest competitor, and identifying their potential weaknesses. There was a rather large man with red hair who stuck out like a sore thumb from the others - quite like Ariel herself, actually. His large physique would be his downfall, most-likely, Ariel thought. The whispers about her competitors filled the air, and Ariel listened carefully, trying to gather as much information as she could. Most things were probably untrue, but any information was better than no information.
"The Lorham crew - I wonder if they're travelling together?" "That'd make sense - isn't everyone in that place related?" "There're only four of them, too, so that'd work - they could even try to convince one of the others to join with them." "Wonder why that fifth boy isn't a Star Catcher?" (muffled laughter) "Maybe they needed at least one person to continue the town." (even quieter)(muffled laughter)"or maybe he's a halfwit?"
Shaska Shashka glanced toward the Lorham group. There certainly were a lot of them. That gave them an advantage right off the bat. They'd have one another until things got rough, then they'd likely start fighting as people always did when something precious was at stake. She gave a little sigh. If I'm going to win, I need a team. She sauntered over to a familiar-ish looking face. She had seen the girl around Deepwall before but hadn't bothered to ask her name. Shashka stuck out her hand. "Shashka." She looked at the girl expectantly, as a commanding teacher would when expecting a prompt answer.
Ariel Ariel was shocked when a familiar girl approached her, hand outstretched. She recognized this girl, Shashka, from a few Trials, but neither had ever made an attempt at conversation before. Ariel was especially surprised that someone from Deepwall would approach her. Was this girl wanting an alliance?
She had been planning on working alone, but that was mainly because she didn't think anyone would have the desire to partner up with her. But she also wasn't about to ally herself with someone she barely knew. For all Ariel could tell, this girl was going to trip over her own hair the second a monster appeared.
"Ariel," she said, shaking Shashka's hand. "I hope you understand that, despite our common origins, I don't plan on making alliances anytime soon."
Shaska Shashka's face crinkled into a distasteful frown. Just great, this girl is like a sour lemon. Is she stupid? "Well, if you want to die, by all means, proceed." She gestured to the Lorham group. "I'm sure they'll spend no time walking over your body on the way to their victory."
Ariel Ariel couldn't help the small smirk on her face. This girl was quite the feisty one - she might make a good ally, after all. And she did have a point - the people from Lorham were definitely a threat. Nothing Ariel couldn't handle, of course, but still a threat all the same.
"Point taken. But out of all of these hopefuls, why would I want to align myself with you? What sets you apart from them?"
Shaksa Shashka found herself chuckling. Did she really need to prove herself? If this is what other people are like then the past 17 years of alone time are completely justified. What a waste of time. Take the offer, stupid girl. "For starters, I'm the only one who's offered to ally with you."
Ariel Ariel scoffed. "I work alone, Ms. Shashka. Anyone from Deepwall should know that by now. But...I like your attitude. I should think you wouldn't want to become allies with someone who was completely incompetent. So forgive me for wanting to know why I would want to give up my solitude to be your ally."
Shaska Point taken. Shashka could commiserate with wanting to be alone. "One: smart enough to understand I need an ally," unlike certain other people "Two: fast.," enough to throw you in front of any bear that appears and skedaddle, "Three: strong, and Four:" she snapped her fingers and a little spark jumped from them onto the ground. She stamped it out with her shoe. "Decide. We've wasted enough time."
Ariel It had been a long time since Ariel had felt the urge to actually laugh, but she managed to keep it in. Perhaps an ally such as Shashka for the beginning of their journey wasn't such a terrible idea. But only for a short while - once their numbers reduced a little, Ariel would break off on her own. She wasn't in this to grant other people's wishes.
"Consider us allies, then. I hope I don't regret this."
Shaska "Me either." Good, that was done. Shashka dearly hoped everything they did together wouldn't be this tedious. She refolded her arms and looked around, antsy to get started. I could have climbed the mountain and come back in the time that conversation took.
Ariel Ariel suddenly felt extremely awkward. It had been a long time since she had actually spoken to someone for so long, much less even had someone to speak to, and she didn't really know what to do or say. So, as usual, Ariel fell silent, choosing to return to her position as quiet observer.
- The Highwall Murderer and the Mayor's Daughter:
The young man from Highwall stood apart from the rest of the group, his eyes trained on the sky even as his cloak swayed about his ankles from donning; without looking down he knelt to gather his pack, placing the straps easily onto both shoulders before standing. Whether he heard the fervent whispers in the wake of the Star Catcher reveal was unknown - he certainly didn’t react to them. He seemed uninterested in everything but the star that would send him on his quest.
Saphira Saphira enjoyed the comments and whispers immediately surrounding them, some of them coming from her flabbergasted friends. Although, what surprised and also pleased her was the fact that apparently no one from Shadeslake had decided to pursue this trial. Meanwhile… almost everyone from the tiny town of Lorham were going, it seemed. Well, it was probably just as well. Less competition from the big city was good for her. Everyone else… were just peasants she didn’t need to worry about. This star was as good as hers.
Sapira A boy from Highwall, though? That was a big city, too. Bigger than Shadeslake. They were a pretty big deal. Saphira peered around the line of people between her and him, then decided to try scooting closer to check him out. So far, he seemed like the most legitimate competition, and what was this people were saying about murder? Seemed like he was someone worth investigating.
The young man stood tall, his height an inch or two above six feet, his posture one exuding confidence but, above all else, determination. His hands were held in fists at his side, muscles tense, as though ready to bolt at any moment. Loose curls reflected the starlight, their color probably somewhere between blonde and brown in better conditions… he seemed, in some odd way, almost familiar to Saphira…
Saphira As people were talking among themselves, Saphira crept closer to the mysterious boy. She was within arm length of him now. There was something oddly familiar about him. Did she know him? Had she seen him somewhere? She knew some officials from Highwall, but she didn't recall ever meeting any of their 17s. It was too dark to see his face clearly, but... that figure... He seemed tense. Nervous? She frowned. That hair, though... She inched ever closer to him.
- Lorhamites:
Charles Charles was all the more surprised that so many people from Lorham had chosen to be Star Catchers. Apparently, he was not as unique as he thought. He was about to give a certain blood relative a piece of his mind about being an annoying copycat when the whispers started. "Hey, keep it down, you charlatans! Don't you have anything better to do than gossiping about like a crowd of old hens?"
(a snort) "Comparing us to barnyard animals -" "Hey, you can't blame him for using what he knows; the vocabulary is probably limited~" "Woah, seriously, stop - he's huge, and I'm not getting punched for you."
Charles "Well then, if you are so much more educated than me then you probably know that it is impolite to spread rumors around!"he replied"Or insulting their intelligence, for that matter! They could demand satisfaction!" He was not going to bow down to a couple of stuck-up uptown brats that thought they were so much better for living in the big city, even when they would starve without the "nothing-villages"
Cassandra Cassandra tried to ignore the whispers and the looks, the ones who thought her to be nothing more than a simple farmer with nothing more to give to the world, but they cut at her like little knives, reminding her of her choice. Her selfish decision. She'd hoped that once the beautiful blue cloak had been wrapped securely around her, maybe then that cloak would act like a shield against her emotions. At the very least, her indecision was gone now. Bolstered by the conversation with Kitty earlier, and the fact that she was in the here and the now, she was at least confident in what she'd decided.
Even as it guilt pulled at her like poison.
Cassandra drew up the hood, letting it cover her face as if it would help to hide her away from her own inner thoughts.
She heard a familiar voice, and she couldn't help but to glance at him. She didn't know Charles well, not at all really. She knew his cousin better, if only just. He seemed to be giving in to those rumors. Cassandra stepped closer to him. "Just ignore them," she warned him. "What they say? It doesn't matter, right?"
""Demand satisfaction,"" (another snort), "Let's go guys, that one's ruining the mood."
Cassandra She watched as they began to move away, and then glanced back towards Charles. "See? Doesn't matter."
She looked for a familiar head of pale hair - the two of them had stuck relatively close to one another since their discussion the night before, each holding fast each other's secret, but now that secret was out in the open, as stark as the beauty of their shared blue cloaks. But amongst the constantly shifting crowd, it was difficult to see where Kitty had gone.
Charles Charles heard steps approaching him and then a female voice told him to ignore the gossipers. He turned to her and recognized her as the daughter of the Baileys, Cassandra if he recalled correctly. He couldn't say he knew the girl, but she wasn't a stranger neither: after all, the Bailey farm provided the hay for the roofs and beds of his own house, and there weren't many girls her age at Lorham. Before he could reply, however, the town brats announced their leave. 'Ruining the mood', yeah right. More like 'Scaring the shite out of me'. He paid them no more attention and instead returned it to his compatriot. "I know they aren't worth my time, but that doesn't mean I can let them get away with what they were saying"
Cassandra Cassandra watched him for a few moments, before nodding. "I suppose," she said, though she couldn't say she understood the point of it. In her experiences, people like that would need a much bigger catalyst to change their ways than a few words. She gestured towards his own blue cloak, a way to change the subject. "So, you too? If rumors can be believed, Egwene is the same. I... never imagined so many from Lorham would choose this route."
- Kitty:
Kitty Kitty kept her lips pressed tightly together, her hands at her sides balled into fists. She couldn't stop thinking about the Year Master, pleading with her to reconsider. Of course she meant well—wasn't that always why someone was "honest" with her?—but it wreaked havoc on her resolve. The conflict already tormented her. She had almost decided against it, almost written "livestock farmer" in the ledger, but the pale-haired girl had awoken for this ever-important day from nightmare that still haunted her. She could still smell the sweat on her skin, even though she had tried to wipe herself down. It smelled like fear.
She wrote "Star Catcher" with a shaking hand, and accepted her questing items as a heavy burden. The alternative weighed just as much. Kitty didn't feel like she had escaped anything. She felt crushed.
The girl put on the cloak that had been buried in her bag only when the torches were extinguished, but everyone already knew. She heard their jibes and taunts. It felt like being at home. She already knew what everyone thought of her. Kitty Davis, never more than "good enough". Probably not going to be the first to die on the journey, but definitely not a survivor.
She had separated from the others from Lorham, just to get a bit of space. When steely blue eyes turned towards the meteors streaking through the sky, she didn't feel like celebrating. It wasn't like Sibil's stories. It felt like a final memorial tribute.
Maybe it was.
The only things she could hear were the rumors around her.
"I heard he bathed in their blood!" "I bet she'll wish to be a hermit! Hahaha!" "I hear she's an orphan - no family money to fall back on." "Honestly I just cant figure her out - why would she risk it?"
She turned towards the nearest youth—she didn't know him, but he didn't look outright hostile. (If he was, she presumed she'd find out.) "What have you heard? About the Deepwallers?"
"The Deepwallers?" He repeated, glancing over at the pair of girls quietly conversing, "Not a lot - I'm from Densi myself, but the stuff I have heard hasn't been all that flattering. She -" he pointed towards the darker haired girl, "supposedly fights people for fun and takes advantage of situations to kick people when they're down - literally. She -" to the other, light haired girl, "is a savage who lives in a hut. I hear she eats only squirrels."
Kitty gave a nod, although that hadn't been useful. "Any of the others?" Densi was far... she hadn't ever been there. She hadn't traveled anywhere outside of Lorham, actually... except for this trip.
"There's..." he looked around, "Somewhere around there they said there's the daughter of the mayor of one of the bigger northern cities - Shadeslake? I think? No one knows what she'd be going for -- speaking of," he fixed his gaze on Kitty, "Why are you going? Are you and the others from your town going together?"
She didn't like being put on the spot, but it wasn't like she expected never to be asked. "University. And no," she replied. Kitty was already looking for someone else to ask. "Thanks."
Recognizing a dismissal when he saw one, he shrugged and immediately started whispering to his neighbor, "university" easily picked out amongst the rest.
It wasn't true, but it was also—per what she had heard from her siblings—a pretty "normal" reason for anyone from Lorham.
She made her way through the crowd as best she could, looking for someone else to ask. She approached a girl this time, when she thought she heard whispers particularly focused on Deepwall. The information from the boy sounded pretty suspect. "Do you know of Deepwallers?" she asked, politely as she could.
"Shaska and Ariel?" The girl replied easily, "I know 'em. What do you want to know?"
She was glad to have guessed correctly, and now she knew two more names. Kitty tried not to think too long about what to ask; the meteor shower would reach maximum soon, after all. "What are they like, personality? Maybe why? Why they're trying," she clarified.
The girl shrugged, "they mostly kept to themselves - I've got no idea why they're going for it. Shaska's family has a jewelry business and Ariel's got a lock on hunting and tracking."
"Thank you," Kitty replied. She felt like this was more likely to be true. Ariel sounded quite adept. However, someone's family business didn't necessarily dictate their skills... but she wasn't sure what else to take from that regarding Shaska. Hmm.
When she turned for a moment, musing, she spotted a familiar face—Cassandra. She returned the smile and gave a slight wave.
So many faces looked up, at the meteor shower, and for a moment she joined them
”We are at maximum,” Darren Willset proclaimed, the sky overhead streaked with tens of star trails, and the crowd hushed in anticipation, the excitement over having so many Star Catchers lulling as they remembered this night belonged to them, too. The chatter about this years Catchers died down. - The Highwall Murderer and the Mayor's Daughter:
Saphira’s friends called out to her; while they had not seen this development coming and were shocked for the reveal and what it meant or what it could mean, they wanted to share this moment with her.
The boy from Highwall never glanced at Saphira, his eyes, made colorless in the low light, never straying from the sky.
Saphira Two things interrupted her almost at once; the announcement from the Year Keeper, which made her look up into the sky, where the stars were falling, and for a moment the beauty of it actually took her breath away. Then her friends called out to her, some raising their glasses in a toast, determined to keep the party atmosphere going despite the shock and confusion at the revelation of her intentions. Trust these rich girls to be able to make a celebration out of anything, even her potential death. Saphira smiled and moved towards them a few steps, before she remembered about the boy and turned back towards where he stood earlier.
The boy had disappeared towards the southwest; leaves rustling in his wake.
- Lorhamites:
Cassandra The words caused her heart to race, as the moment she'd been waiting for, the moment they'd all been waiting for, finally arrived. She glanced for that familiar pale hair once more, spotting Kitty not too far away and she flashed a small smile, an anxious but warm smile, at the other girl before focusing her eyes skyward.
Charles "Yeah, I too was surprised to..."he trailed off as the peak of the star shower was announced. He turned his eyes to the ribbons of fiery light that crossed the sky swiftly, deciding not only his own fate, but that of everyone here. But specially, that of those who were now clad in blue robes, scanning the sky. He took the opportunity to search for Egwene's face below the hoods and send her a daring smile once he caught her attention. This was going to be their biggest of show-downs as of yet, and he was filled with anticipation, as well as hope that they both got to the end With those thoughts, he returned his attention to the inflamed night-sky, looking for the fateful falling star.
However... the look Egwene returned was not held on to for long, a grimace of discomfort coloring her features as she looked to the sky, cursing her fate. Why now? Of all times, why now?
KittyShe kept her eyes skyward as the streaks of light increased across the darkness, illuminating the peak. In that moment, her thoughts turned not to her adulthood or even the upcoming Star Catcher quest... she thought of Daisy. She remembered the younger girl's sweet smile and the chatter of her exuberant voice. Immediately the ghost of the recent past crept up behind her, replacing that memory with the strained, pale face that slept fitfully, wasting away amid mother's best white sheets.
Her family expected her back, to help work on the farm. They had already as-well-as buried the youngest daughter. After all, they had done all that they could. It was in the Gods' hands now. She knew they wouldn't understand why she chose to go through with this—the idea was one thing, the execution another. It wasn't the right choice. Especially not for someone like her.
But the thought of returning to a farm with that particular gap overwhelmed her.
Doing so, she willfully ignored the pain she'd bring them when that gap was doubled.
”There!” Darren called, pointing at a bright spark that sliced through the night sky towards the south and west, heading inland, over the forest, the riverland, towards the plains and eventual desert region, and the Kingdom of Ko’bak beyond. The Star Catcher Trial has begun. - Deepwell Alliance + Mayor's Daughter:
Shaska This was it. Shashka looked to the sky. She clenched her fists. She had never thought of turning back, never once thought of straying from her dream, but now a distinct note of fear rang through her. She might die, might never see her Papa again, might never make it home. She quelled it, burying it under determination and anger. I will. I will, I will, I will. "Let's move," she said to Ariel. Others were already on their way, and Shashka took off, keeping a quick and even pace. It wouldn't do to become tired too quickly.
Saphira He was gone. Saphira frowned, but then the Year Keeper's voice rang out again, pointing the route of the fallen star. All at once, thoughts about the boy left her head, the only thing left the star and the goal she was going to achieve once she got it. The throne. She tracked the direction it went, and without looking at anyone else, began to move in a hasty pace towards it.
Ariel Ariel nodded, having no trouble keeping up with Shashka. This actually might work out rather well - it was nice to be allied with someone as quick and agile as herself. Nothing to slow either of them down. Ariel didn't spare the other Catchers a parting glance as they went on their way.
- Lorhemites - Egwene Forfeits the Trial:
Egwene An unhappy noise escaped Egwene as she lurched forward towards the direction Darren had pointed. "Uhhgg, oh nooo."
Cassandra She watched the shooting star cut across her vision like a beacon, directing her and all of the other Star Catchers, towards where their fate now lied. It felt like a dream, now that the moment had come. Her heart raced, but she was ready. This final Trial would decide whether she lived a hollow life, or perished in the process.
Or maybe, just maybe, she'd succeed and survive to live a changed life.
Charles The voice of the Year Keeper marked the start of the final Trial. Charles followed the trail of the designed star and etched it into his mind. This was the most important thing he'd have to remember in his whole life, for it would shape it entirely.
Then his cousin surprised him by being the first to go after it. So she wanted to race, then? Adrenaline already pumping through his veins, he chased after her and after his fate.
Egwene Egwene's lurch continued into a stumble, and then she fell forward onto her hands and knees and threw up, her ears ringing with the sounds of Charles's footfalls as he raced off after the star she had wanted to win. She was a little sour about that - or, at least, her sick was sour. One or the other. Unhappily, she wiped off her mouth, knowing she couldn't continue - she couldn't even start, if she were this sick. She needed to rest, maybe even a doctor. She had pushed herself too hard, ignored the symptoms too long. Maybe she could catch up in a few days... and maybe pigs would fly into her room every morning and serenade her to wake her up.
"Cassandra," she replied, glancing up at her quiet, dreamy friend, "No, it's not. I can't go - I just," she paused, nauseated, and shook her head instead of finishing, lips pressed tightly together. "You go on. Find that star, and come back okay?" she glanced over to their Year Master, Marcy, who was already rushing towards her, eyes unmistakably filled with relief. At least two of Lorham's 17's would go home. She smiled up at her, "I'm not asking you to stay in Lorham, just - just show Marcy that it can be done, okay?"
Cassandra Cassandra stared down, sadness coloring her vision like a piece of cold blue glass. She couldn't even begin to imagine what Egwene was feeling right now, to be on the cusp of fighting for a desired dream, a strong wish that had led to her to don the Star Catcher's cloak, only to have that dream dashed to the rocks. Betrayed by her own body.
She reached out and placed a hand on her friends shoulder, trying to offer what little comfort she could. Egwene's words held such weight, she almost felt she would falter under the strain. "You..." she trailed off. What does one say in a situation like this? "You take care of yourself okay?"
She hesitated then, trying to think of something courageous to say. Something that would give this girl some kind of hope in a hopeless situation. "I'll come back," she said. The words held a bravado she didn't feel. She was going into this half expecting to die in the process, but to have Egwene looking at her in such a way... If this were a storybook, she'd use that as fuel to achieve the impossible.
And wasn't that what she would be attempting to accomplish?
Egwene Egwene nodded, then gave a feeble, yet fierce smile. "Give them hell, book-girl - and go! They're getting a head start!"
Cassandra Cassandra blinked at that, and turned to see that it was true. "Right," she said, squeezing the other girl's shoulder gently and sending a smile towards her friend, trying to make the expression as confident as possible. Then, heart racing, she raced towards her fate
Charles Charles was so riled up that he didn't notice Egwene's falling until he was a fair distance ahead of her. As he turned his head to taunt her he was surprised to find that she was not at his side. Looking back, he saw her on her hands and knees on the ground. Cassandra was besides him, and Year Master Marcy was rushing towards her. Inmediately, he slowed until stopping, then turned back. They may have argued a lot, but they still were family after all. He rushed to her side, dodging Cassandra in the way, and dropped besides her. "Hey,"he said softly"giving up so soon?" His tone was gentle and teasing. He could clearly see she was in no condition to go on, at least not without risking death
Egwene "Yeah, yeah," she replied, recognizing that he had taken the bite out of the tease but wanting to dish out as much as she could while she could. This definitely was not the last time she would see him, but still... She looked up at him just as Marcy knelt down with her. "Go on, I'll be fine. And you'd better be fine, or Aunt Caroline will never forgive me. Get going, or you'll lose!"
Charles "As if that was even possible..." he said as he stood up "Please take care of her, Marcy. I need her in top form so I can beat her up when I come back" Because he was going to come back with the Star. He had to, or else, dead or alive, she'd know he failed at something! "See you later, cousin!" He shouted as he regained speed and returned to the path that lead him to his destiny.
- Kitty:
Kitty didn't run towards the Star, as some of the Star Catchers did, although she made her way towards it. This was it. She didn't see Egwene's fall or catch up to the others from Lorham, but she passed the girl as Marcy led her away. Obviously Kitty knew Egwene, as she knew the others, because they were schoolmates. They weren't close, but she felt compassion for the girl's plight. Kitty gave the other Lorham teenager a nod and a slight wave. She didn't have anything reassuring to say, but that was all she could offer.
She tried not to make eye contact with Marcy. She couldn't bear to see the woman's judgment or sadness. Not right now. There were enough hardships ahead.
Last edited by Sailor Uranus on 21st May 2018, 4:07 pm; edited 4 times in total |
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 19th May 2018, 7:30 pm | |
| - DM wrote:
Seven Star Catchers left the high camp of Mount Everlast, traveling down the wooded slopes in the direction the star had fallen, each with a wish in their hearts and determination on their sleeve as easy to spot as the blue cloaks they wore.
However… they weren’t the only determined ones on the mountain.
Saphira, travelling the fastest, was the first to encounter it, but Shaska and Ariel were close enough to see.
- Battle wrote:
- With a loud bellow, a bear crashes through the brush towards her, its paw swinging angrily at Saphira!
--Surprise attack! Does it hit? --4 --”Just Lucky I Guess!” Bonus: -2 ----2! Miss! SaphiraShe did not expect a bear to appear out of nowhere, but there it was, all of a sudden. The only thing announcing its arrival, which probably made for the difference between life and death for her, was its roar. Her instincts and training kicked in upon seeing it swipe toward her and she ducked, avoiding the deadly paws. Shocked, she backed away a good distance from it. She'd... she'd never even seen a bear up close before. Was this what the wilds were like?! ShaskaShashka looked ahead as a bear crashed through the brush, taking a swipe at an unfortunate girl. Wow, and I was half kidding about that whole bear thing. She was glad it had caught someone else, and veered far to the side to avoid its path. - Battle wrote:
The bear’s claws slashed deeply into the trunk of the tree just behind where Saphira’s head should have been; it’s forward momentum carried it closer and it crashed into the tree, causing it to shake intensely. Furious, the bear roared and reoriented, wild eyes finding Saphira as it gathered itself for another strike. SaphiraThe fight wasn't over. But Saphira knew she wasn't going to get any help with this bear. All she had to rely on was herself. She pulled the spear she had brought just for this occasion and prayed that her mark would be true. She had trained with it when she decided to bring it along, but it wasn't like she'd ever used it against a bear before. She took a deep breath and threw it towards the creature, aiming for its head. - Battle wrote:
Saphira uses a Spear and attempts to hit the Bear (in the head!) Does it hit? --4! --”Just lucky I Guess” 1 ----5 - Hit, but does not hit where intended!
How much damage? --1 --STR 1 --WPN 2 --ARMOR -2 ----Total of 2 points of damage!
The spear scratches along the bear’s skull, slicing through its pelt and releasing a gush of blood that just enraged the beast further! Bear attempts to attack Saphira with a claw! Did it hit? --3 --”Just lucky I guess!” +0 ----It misses, but barely!
--Please choose where the bear’s claws land; it will either scratch skin or gash clothing, but will do no real harm to her. ArielAriel's eyes widened. She didn't expect the action to happen almost instantly, but she wasn't complaining. It was about time this journey posed a bit of a challenge. But the real question was...should they help? Death by half-blind bear not even ten minutes after departure seemed like a pretty horrible way to go. But by the looks of it...this girl seemed to be able to fight for herself. Ariel decided to wait, for just a moment, to see if this girl truly was in danger. ShaskaShashka noticed Ariel had come to a halt behind her. This girl! If she was going to be a bleeding heart the entire trip, she'd get them both killed. Shashka called over her shoulder, "KEEP. MOVING." She raced ahead fleeing further into the trees. The more obstacles between her and a bear, the better. SaphiraOkay, she made it angrier. Perhaps she was in trouble. But there was no way she would even entertain the thought of dying. She was going to win against this bear. Ducking yet another swipe of its claw, she felt it grazing her left arm, though leaving nothing but a small scratch. She needed her luck to keep up, though. This time she fished the rapier she picked up from the armory, and thrust it towards the bear's stomach. ArielAriel grit her teeth. Shashka was right - they needed to get ahead. Turning away from the girl and the bear, Ariel followed behind Shashka. She leaped over fallen branches and wove through the trees, never faltering. Being small had its advantages. - DM wrote:
Shaska and Ariel leave the battlefield; Charles, Kitty, and Cassandra happen upon the battlefield! |
| | | Sailor Jupiter Inner Senshi Admin Member Relations Director
Title : *~Jupes | Jupi~* Posts : 4133 Join date : 2014-01-14 Age : 31 Location : USA
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 20th May 2018, 4:24 pm | |
| Shashka
Shashka's heart thumped in her chest as she continued her jog. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep this pace, or if Ariel would be able to continue with her, but they weren't only putting distance between them and a toothed monster - they were also leaving the other would be starcatchers in the dust. The further we can get before resting, the better. She was well aware that they had only narrowly escaped a hairy fate themselves. Had I been a little faster, that would have been me. The thought that there might be other bears struck her. If it's mating season, or if that were a cub, there may be more. She decided to slow down a bit and let Ariel catch up with her. The girl's presence might come in handy. |
| | | Sailor Saturn Outer Senshi Admin Events & Storyline Admin
Title : ♥ Posts : 5197 Join date : 2012-07-23 Age : 34 Location : Sweden
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 20th May 2018, 6:35 pm | |
| She heard the sounds before she came into the clearing, it was difficult to place what was going on though. Like a puzzle missing vital pieces. Cassandra wasn't quite prepared for what she saw. At first, the bear took all of her focus, large and menacing, villainous. A dangerous wall blocking the way forward. She almost glanced to her fellow villagers, to warn them that they should not move forward, to find another way around, but then she saw the girl fighting alone against the creature. If this were a story, the girl would be valiant and strong, fighting without worries against a foe that would surely fall to her blade. But the girl was just a girl, and who knew what would happen if she were left alone against such a large foe. Grasping her newly-acquired Star Catcher Axe, Cassandra went to go help the girl. There were no thoughts about whether or not she should help a fellow Star Catcher - an enemy, in truth. Though her hands shook and her heart raced, her feet wanted to flee, turn back and run and run and run, she continued regardless. She wondered then just why all of the stories left this particular part out. - OOC:
Not sure just how close she is and how soon she'd reach, but if possible, she'll help attack the bear!
Last edited by Sailor Saturn on 22nd May 2018, 1:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
| | | Prince Triton Pyramidal Crystal
Posts : 309 Join date : 2017-04-14 Age : 24 Location : Orbiting around Neptune
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 20th May 2018, 8:14 pm | |
| CharlesApparently, Charles' fate was as eager to meet him as he was. It wasn't even an hour since he started running and already a racket was coming from the trees before him. Cassandra was the first to enter the clearing. Charles went after her, and stopped dead on his tracks. There was a bear. He had heard of them, but he had never seen one in the flesh, let alone this close. Larger than any of them, and possibly heavier than all of them together, it could probably kill them with only a well placed swipe of its paws. For a second, all of his confidence and bravado abandoned him. This thing could kill him. He was going to be dead, and that was the end of it. It was the girl that snapped him out of it. She was alone, armed with a sword as thin as a haystalk, against a being several times stronger than her. And yet, she fought. His resolve returned, in no small part due to a need to demonstrate he, too, could stand up to the bear, which became stronger after Cassandra brandished her weapon and advanced forward, clearly intending to join the fight. Not one to turn down a challenge when it presented itself, Charles grabbed his flail and circled around the bear, looking for an opening. He knew too well from the farm it was not a good idea to swing flails around near other people, and those weren't made of metal nor spiked. - OOC:
How big is the clearing? Is it cramped or do we have enough room to wave dangerous swinging spikey weapons around?
|
| | | Lyssarie Lotus Crystal
Title : Alyssa ~ Frappucino Enthusiast and Feels Expert Posts : 6422 Join date : 2013-12-07 Age : 24 Location : United States
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 20th May 2018, 8:20 pm | |
| Ariel
Ariel spotted Shashka's long hair among the trees and jogged up to her, moving her white-blonde hair behind her ears. She felt a hollow pang in her chest, not from running, but from something else - guilt, maybe? That wasn't something Ariel was used to feeling very often. Even though that girl was purely competition, Ariel couldn't help but wish she had made it out alive. No one deserved such a fate.
"We should travel for a bit longer, try to get as far as possible to avoid the others. We'll stop when we find a decent place to set up camp," Ariel said to Shashka. She looked around them, inspecting the trees in the dark to make sure there weren't any more bears around. She examined the dirt around them for tracks, and any other signs of potentially-dangerous wildlife. "I can try to hunt for some food in the morning, when I can see better."
|
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 21st May 2018, 2:41 pm | |
| - Battle wrote:
- Saphira attempts to stab the SC Rapier into the bear's stomach!
Does it hit? --5 --Just Lucky I Guess + 1 ----Critical Hit!
How much damage? --2 --STR 3 --WPN +2 --ARM -2 --Critical Bonus: +2 ----Total of 7 points of damage!
When Saphira pulls out her blade, a fountain of blood will follow!
Cassandra attempts to attack the bear with her SC Axe! Does it hit? --1 --Just Lucky I Guess! +1 ----She misses! Does she accidentally hit Saphira? --1 --Just Lucky I Guess! -2 ----She completely misses Saphira!
The clearing was not all that big - perhaps six to seven feet between trees; behind the bear to the left is a tree, the right flank is completely exposed.
The Bear bellows in pain, swiping down in an attempt to dislodge Saphira and her sword! Did it hit? --2 --Just Lucky I Guess! -4 ----It misses completely, it's claws gauging the tree trunk! Saphira, please describe whether it missed or whether Saphira dodged out of the way!
- Battle Order wrote:
Saphira Kitty (?) Charles Cassandra |
| | | Prince Triton Pyramidal Crystal
Posts : 309 Join date : 2017-04-14 Age : 24 Location : Orbiting around Neptune
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 21st May 2018, 4:28 pm | |
| CharlesCharles had to admit it: the girl was was good. As fragile as the sword looked, it had pierced deeply into the beast's gut. Cassandra, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky, but at least she hadn't hit any of them with that fearsome axe of hers. In the meantime, Charles was moving to attack. He had noticed the bear had his right flank completely exposed, and supposed he could use the long range of the flail to strike while out of its reach, and block if it moved towards him. After the bear tried to attack the girl who had hurt him, and missed—was it so slow?—, Charles stepped in and tried to hit him on its side with all of his might. - OOC:
Regardless of the success of the attack, Charles will attempt to step back. If he succeeds, he will try to block/parry attacks with the staff part of the flail.
|
| | | Professor Tomoe Inner Senshi Admin Activities Director
Title : Formerly Aurae; The Galaxy Cauldron Forums' Official Professor Tomoe Posts : 6250 Join date : 2013-07-23 Location : Chicago
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 21st May 2018, 4:57 pm | |
| Kitty DavisShe saw the not-so-distant scuffle before she heard it, and froze in her tracks. A bear.Niel and her father had warned about bears. Kitty heard about the dangers many times. Powerful, strong creatures equipped with massive, sharp claws and sharp teeth. Their size and strength alone presented the biggest risk. They moved quickly, too—faster than people often thought. "They can outrun a man, honey. If you see a bear, go the other way," she could remember her father cautioning. She tightened her grip on the machete, fresh from the armory. Sure, she could use it in combat—but she had chosen it for function. Kitty knew she was strong, but was she strong enough to fight a bear? Even as a group? It probably weighed at least twice as much as everyone engaging it. She hadn't Trialed with trappers, but she knew there were rules for bears. Rules she did not know. This wasn't some kind of fairy tale. And she wasn't a heroine. Kitty slowly stepped backwards, aiming to take another path that gave it a wide berth. She'd have to be on the lookout for other signs—hopefully there were no cubs nearby. She hoped the others would survive the encounter, but she couldn't stay to observe or participate. She needed that Wish. Baiting a bear would mean two funerals for the Davis family—but only one coffin. The heavy-hearted girl hoped very much that she would see them again... and that they would understand. Even if they hated her. She already hated herself for it. |
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 21st May 2018, 5:54 pm | |
| - Battle wrote:
- Charles uses his SC Flail and attempts to attack the Bear.
Did it hit? --2 ---It misses! The bear ripped its claws from the tree and twisted its great mass out of the way of the flail!
Does it accidentally hit Cassandra? --3 --Just Lucky I Guess! -1 ----2! The flail misses Cassandra by a slim margin!
Does it accidentally hit Saphira? --5 --Just Lucky I Guess! -3 ----2! The fail heads directly for Saphira, but, by some stroke of luck, she moves out of the way just in time!
Round One has ended; Round Two begins.
- Battle Order - Round Two wrote:
- Saphira
Charles Cassandra |
| | | Sailor Jupiter Inner Senshi Admin Member Relations Director
Title : *~Jupes | Jupi~* Posts : 4133 Join date : 2014-01-14 Age : 31 Location : USA
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 21st May 2018, 6:22 pm | |
| Shashka
Shashka offered a nod. "Good, we're on the same page." The small affirmation wasn't given up easily. She didn't like being told what to do... but at least this girl had just said what she had already been thinking. If she had some fool plan instead, then we'd already be fighting.
"I can try to hunt for some food in the morning, when I can see better."
Hunting... She hadn't thought about food, hadn't had the foresight to grab a loaf of bread or some cheese before leaving the house. She cursed herself silently. I was too focused. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. Her Papa had often had to remind her that she needed to rest or eat when she was in the middle of an intense project. To Shashka, all that mattered was the goal, but there was no one else here to look after her this time. I need to make sure I can make it to the goal. Collapsing when I get there would be no good, and I can't rely on this girl I barely even know... and besides, she wants the star too.
It occurred to Shashka that it might be a good idea to get to know her companion. If they were going to be traveling together, it made good sense to assess her strengths and weaknesses. It made even more sense considering that, barring some freak accident, they'd be racing each other to the finish at a point in the not-too-distant future. "Hunting..." she began, "That's... cool. What... else can you do?" Oh, very good Shashka, she chided herself, Very nonchalant. A more obvious question would have been, "Hey, just how dangerous are you?" or maybe, "Do you think we'll have to punch each other later?" She made a slight grimace and averted her gaze, pretending be scouting ahead as she walked. Maybe she'd get lucky, maybe Ariel really was a bit stupid. It could come in handy after all. |
| | | Sailor Saturn Outer Senshi Admin Events & Storyline Admin
Title : ♥ Posts : 5197 Join date : 2012-07-23 Age : 34 Location : Sweden
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 21st May 2018, 6:38 pm | |
| Her first swing was sloppy, the weapon missing its target completely. She blamed it on her inexperience, but knew that perhaps her shaking hands were to blame. Her eyes widened as the bear swung its massive claws towards the unnamed girl, but found its mark into a tree trunk instead. She let out a breath of pent up fear, glancing at the girl to make sure she'd made it out alright. A blurred shape whipped past her head and Cassandra jerked away from it as the weapon just narrowly missed her, surprise striking like ice water. The strange weapon Charles wielded seemed rather unruly, and she frowned because of it. Battle wasn't quite as clean and clear-cut as she thought it would be. Her heart continued to race painfully in her chest, fit near to bursting, but her grip upon the Star Catcher Axe was strong. She gripped it stronger still and attacked again. A part of her was beginning to get into the feel for this, to enjoy the way blood rushed through her veins like fire, blocking out the fear in the back of her mind. It felt so different from the books she'd read, the books she loved, and yet, at the same time, it felt so very much how she'd always wanted it to.
Last edited by Sailor Saturn on 22nd May 2018, 1:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
| | | Sailor Neptune Outer Senshi Admin RP Graphics & Canon Admin
Title : Drinker of Roleplayers' Tears ~ The Internationaliest™ Posts : 9577 Join date : 2013-07-25 Age : 36 Location : Canada
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 22nd May 2018, 12:44 am | |
| She did not expect to see that much blood spilling out, and part of her was truly horrified for it. But the other part? High on adrenaline and the fact that she was fighting a bear, and winning. However, her duel was soon crashed by two more people. She recognized them as the other Star Catchers from that small town. At first, she was confused as to why they were trying to deliberately poke her bear. (Yes, it was hers now.) Unsuccessfully, if she might add. She dodged another paw swipe, and then a flail almost knocked her head right off if she hadn't ducked just in time. "Are you trying to kill me?! Isn't it a bit soon for that? And can't you see Angry Paws here is already working on it anyway?" she yelled in disbelief at the other person - another guy from Lorham. She supposed maybe he was taking advantage of the bear distracting her, seeing this as the perfect opportunity to finish her off with the help of the bear, but... jeez. She never expected small town people to be this bloodthirsty. Did they not feed them enough down there? Saphira backed off of all of them, picked up the spear that had bounced off the bear earlier, and threw it with all her might towards the creature's eye. She'd deal with the other two possible murderers later, everyone knew taking care of the biggest threat was more important. Although there was that whole the enemy of my enemy is my friend thing, she wasn't sure how to recruit the bear to her side. Also, murdering people was a bit morally questionable, she supposed. |
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 22nd May 2018, 6:36 am | |
| - Battle wrote:
- Saphira repositions!
Cassandra uses her SC Axe and attempts to hit the Bear! Did it hit? --2 --Just Lucky I Guess! +1 ----She misses!
Saphira throws her spear and attempts to hit the bear in the Eye! Does it hit? --4 --Just Lucky I Guess! +3 ----Critical hit! How much damage? --3 --STR 3 --WPN 1 --Armor - 0 His. Eye. ----Total of 7 points of damage!
The bear roars in pain, backing up onto its hind feet, and attempts to paw the spear out of its eye socket! But... it's too late. The bear is dead. With a groan it falls... Does it hit Cassandra? --5 --Just Lucky I Guess! -1 ----It falls on top of Cassandra, pinning a limb!
- Battle Order - Round Two wrote:
- Saphira
Charles Cassandra |
| | | Sailor Saturn Outer Senshi Admin Events & Storyline Admin
Title : ♥ Posts : 5197 Join date : 2012-07-23 Age : 34 Location : Sweden
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 22nd May 2018, 7:43 am | |
| She ignored the yelling of the nameless girl in order to focus on their shared enemy. But her next attack missed as well, cutting into nothing but air, and Cassandra frowned. She wasn't certain why she couldn't hit her target, but it wasn't for want of trying. It didn't quell the burning in her veins, however, and she gripped her weapon tightly in order to try again. Before she could move, a spear pierced through the air, it's aim true as it struck the bear in its face, sinking into its eye socket. Cassandra recoiled at the grotesque sight, but already the bear was falling and she was too close, there was no time to get away. The considerable weight of the beast crushed her down to the ground, wind forced from her lungs at the impact. Cassandra groaned, still for a moment as she tried to regain her breathe. She attempted to free herself from the dead animal's last embrace, her movements panicked but adrenaline still coursing through her like fire. |
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 22nd May 2018, 1:13 pm | |
| - Quote :
- Cassandra attempts to free herself from the bear!
Does it work? Greater than 12 frees it! --STR 7 --2 ----Total of 9
The bulk of the bear heaves, but does not roll off of her! |
| | | Prince Triton Pyramidal Crystal
Posts : 309 Join date : 2017-04-14 Age : 24 Location : Orbiting around Neptune
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 22nd May 2018, 7:36 pm | |
| Charles
Everything happened so quick Charles couldn't keep track of it. First, not only did he fail epically at hitting the bear, he very nearly maimed—and that in a best case scenario—the two girls he was trying to help. He was still trying to understand how could they possibly have not get hit. Cassandra may have dodged it , but the flail was clearly going for the other girl's head—then suddenly missed her at the very last instant. Could she have some unseen abilities?
What she did have, for sure, was an attitude. She was positively infuriated at his mistake, and made it clear enough, and at a high volume, too. Then she picked up a spear—how did he not see it?? It would have been much better than waving his flail around!!—and impaled the beast through its eye.
"How... You... What..."he stuttered in shock, trying to come up with an appropiate response. And then the bear fell on Cassandra.
That brought him to his senses.
"Don't worry Cass, I'll lend you a hand" he said as he crouched next to the corpse and grabbed it "I'll lift, you try to wriggle out" He then pushed upwards, using his leg and core muscles as well as his arms to lift the edad weight out of the way.
"I'm... afraid... we haven't... been introduced... lady" he said to the stranger, his voice straining with the effort "Name's Charles... DeBoer... And yours?" |
| | | Lyssarie Lotus Crystal
Title : Alyssa ~ Frappucino Enthusiast and Feels Expert Posts : 6422 Join date : 2013-12-07 Age : 24 Location : United States
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 22nd May 2018, 8:39 pm | |
| Ariel
Ariel glanced at Shashka, trying to read her expression. It was too dark for her to see clearly, but Ariel knew she couldn't fully trust this girl yet. If Shashka was so willing to leave that girl alone with the bear, who's to say she wouldn't be eager to turn on Ariel at a moment's notice?
She needed to keep her guard up as long as she was partnered with Shashka. They just couldn't trust each other - yet.
Ariel pushed through some branches, slightly leading the way down the mountain. "Well," she said, thinking of the information she was willing to reveal, "I can cook the food I catch. You won't go hungry as long as you're with me. And I've got a lot of experience with being in the wild from my hunting Trials. I'm not...very good with interpersonal skills. I'm sure you've probably gathered that by now."
Ariel looked back at Shashka, wondering how much she could get the other girl to reveal about herself. "You said you were strong back at the peak - how strong are you? Like you can beat me in an arm wrestle, or you could wield a battle-axe no problem?" |
| | | Sailor Saturn Outer Senshi Admin Events & Storyline Admin
Title : ♥ Posts : 5197 Join date : 2012-07-23 Age : 34 Location : Sweden
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 22nd May 2018, 8:45 pm | |
| Her attempt proved futile, the weight of the bear far too great, too crushing. She was no weakling—years of farm work had seen to that—but this seemed near impossible. The adrenaline from the fight fizzled away, overshadowed by the panic beginning to prickle across her skin like sharp needles. No, no, no! She tried to ignore all of the doubts attempting to cloud her judgment, shoving those ideas somewhere far into the deep recesses of her mind. She could get out of this situation. She would get out of this situation. Charles's familiar voice—muffled by the weight of meat and fur currently pinning her to the ground—was a pleasant thing to hear right now. Especially as he got right into helping her escape her trap. Not one to ignore a gift, Cassandra attempted to get out from under the bear once more, ignoring all else besides that desire for freedom. |
| | | Sailor Neptune Outer Senshi Admin RP Graphics & Canon Admin
Title : Drinker of Roleplayers' Tears ~ The Internationaliest™ Posts : 9577 Join date : 2013-07-25 Age : 36 Location : Canada
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 23rd May 2018, 2:14 am | |
| Bull's eye. Or in this case, she supposed, bear's eye. Scrunching up her face as the mighty creature toppled, Saphira tried to ignore all the squeamishness she felt at what she'd just done. As it fell on top of one of the others who had attempted to... kill her? Help her? Who knows? She moved forward to dislodge the spear from the bear, pulling it out with a disgusting squelching sound. Damn. She'd have to clean all that blood and who knew what else. "Yeah, I have that effect on people," she replied to the boy's stutter, wiping the spear on the nearest grass without looking at him. As he attempted to lift the bear off the girl, Saphira put the rapier back in her sack and decided to hold the spear for now, in case she needed it again soon. "I'm the girl who's getting out of here. But you'll probably know my name pretty soon. Thanks for nothing."Jabbing the bottom of the spear on the ground like a walking stick, she continued onwards without looking back toward the direction of the star. Ahead of her she could see three different tracks. One solitary one, and two pairs that surely belonged to those two other girls who had left her for dead. The solitary one must belong to the mysterious boy. The one who'd looked familiar to her. Feeling more inclined to pursue him and find out who he was, she followed the lone track, picking up her pace but more on guard for other sudden creature attacks now that she'd been ambushed once. |
| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 23rd May 2018, 6:36 am | |
| - DM wrote:
- With Charles's STR added in, the STR check passes. The bear is rolled enough to let Cassandra go free.
Saphira is following the Highwall boy's tracks. |
| | | Professor Tomoe Inner Senshi Admin Activities Director
Title : Formerly Aurae; The Galaxy Cauldron Forums' Official Professor Tomoe Posts : 6250 Join date : 2013-07-23 Location : Chicago
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 23rd May 2018, 8:26 am | |
| After spending so much of her life surrounded by people, in a town where the neighbors knew your secrets, being truly alone in the forest felt... strange. Of course, she knew there were others out there. Animals, at least, if the bear was any indication. As she made her way along, trying to stay alert for other dangers, she listened for the sounds of other people, too. Kitty couldn't stop thinking about the group she had just left, the young man and women fighting against the bear. She should have helped. She couldn't have helped. She left them to die. She avoided her own death. Back and forth, the guilt filled her lungs until she felt like she couldn't breathe. Her eyes burned, but she didn't cry. She had made that decision, and she had to move forward. There was no going back. It felt strange, too, to be without the conveniences of home. That was something she'd have to get used to. The Davis farmhouse wasn't a manor, but it wasn't quite as rustic as the outdoors that now surrounded her. She liked the leaf-and-dirt smell that surrounded her, but she missed the scents of home. When she found a place to stop and rest for the night, she buried her nose in the blankets, inhaling it, imagining her comfortable bed as she drifted off to sleep. |
| | | Sailor Jupiter Inner Senshi Admin Member Relations Director
Title : *~Jupes | Jupi~* Posts : 4133 Join date : 2014-01-14 Age : 31 Location : USA
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 23rd May 2018, 10:50 am | |
| Shashka
"I can cook the food I catch..."
So, she can cook. That's an interesting way to say you've got fire magic... maybe. I guess I'll find out when she makes us a meal. "Fire magic, huh? That'll come in handy." She decided to try to keep her flame skills under wraps. The more she knew and the less Ariel knew, the better.
"...I'm not...very good with interpersonal skills. I'm sure you've probably gathered that by now."
"That's a shame," Shashka replied, inching ahead of Ariel. I am not going to let this girl lead me anywhere. "We could have used a smooth talker between the two of us."
"...how strong are you?"
She decided to play it cool. She's sizing me up, too. "I'm strong enough," she said defensively. Her harsh tone might be enough to keep further questions at bay. Back in Deepwall, her short answers had certainly shut up anyone trying to pry into her life. But, as long as we're asking pointed questions. "Why are you here? Trying to catch the star, I mean." |
| | | Sailor Saturn Outer Senshi Admin Events & Storyline Admin
Title : ♥ Posts : 5197 Join date : 2012-07-23 Age : 34 Location : Sweden
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 23rd May 2018, 3:52 pm | |
| With the help of Charle's strength, Cassandra felt the heavy crushing weight shift and roll just enough that she was able to get out from under it. She scrambled away, breathing in the cool night air in deep gulps. It took a few minutes for the panic to settle, leaving her feeling exhausted in its wake. Cassandra took a moment to survey her surroundings, taking care to skim over the sight of the dead bear. The nameless girl was gone and, she realized with a small skip of her heart, so was Kitty. It occured to her that she hadn't seen Kitty much at all since the incident with the bear. She must have taken the chance to separate from the group. It hurt, in a confusing way she couldn't quite explain. Cassandra hadn't gone into this expecting an ally—that would have been arrogant and naive, with so much at stake—but she'd hoped to at least wish Kitty good luck, to say some kind of goodbye. Maybe they could have worked together, at least for a short time. She thought of their shared conversation, whispers spoken to each other under a blanket of stars. She understood why Kitty couldn't risk falling behind, so why this pained pulsing in her chest? She glanced, then, at Charles. Without him, Cassandra wasn't certain she would have been able to get out from under the bear. " Thanks," she said simply. She smiled, searching his face. They weren't close, but he'd stayed when everyone else had left. She owed him. The fact that she'd almost failed in this Task so soon after beginning... it struck home just how real this was. It was so real in a way that she'd never felt before. No storybook lived up to this, made her heart race in quite the same way. No chore on the farm had ever made her feel so alive. A thrum of excitement buzzed in her chest. Despite the fear and the panic, it had been exciting all the same. It helped ground her, remind her why she was out here in the first place. But this was not the time to revel in this reaffirmation of being alive. She had already fallen behind, and she needed to make up for lost time. " We should keep moving," she said to Charles. She glanced up at the sky, watching the stars twinkle in the sky, the cool air brushing on her too-warm skin. " Well, I'm going to get moving, anyway." She came back to reality to look at the boy—no, man—once more. " You're welcome to join me." For now. It felt rude to say such a thing, so soon after Charles had saved her, so she kept the words to herself, a small little secret locked away with a guilty key. Without waiting for a reply—the pressing need to move urging her forward—Cassandra stepped away from the bear and towards a path that lead away from the clearing, away from home, and further into unknown territory.
Last edited by Sailor Saturn on 12th June 2018, 3:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
| | | Prince Triton Pyramidal Crystal
Posts : 309 Join date : 2017-04-14 Age : 24 Location : Orbiting around Neptune
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 23rd May 2018, 7:47 pm | |
| Charles
«Well, that didn't go as intended»Charles thought as he watched the stranger girl go away. She hadn't even given her name! She was clearly really full of herself—not that he was one to speak. Yet however she maybe was right. The way she had killed that bear, despite all the trouble he admittedly had caused her... It had hit him right where it hurt. He itched to improve to the point he could go toe-to-toe with her. And she was surely not going to be his only opponent.
Right now, however, his opponent was a bazillion pounds of dead bear. As soon Cassandra crawled completely from below the body, he let go and it fell to the ground with a loud thud. After looking around from a while, the girl thanked him and smiled.
"Don't mention it" he replied, returning the smile "I may be a bit competitive but I like to think I am decent"
Then she proposed him to join her.
Of course, it could have been a simple invitation to salí sal same road as her. But, in the context of the Catching Trial, it carried a deeper meaning. It meant alliance. Allying with someone, specially this early, was a risky move. Charles was conscious that, even when a team had better possibilities, they could become (and technically still were) contrincants at any point during the search. Or worse, they could become friends, which complicated things even more than trying not to get backstabbed.
However, Charles knew from experience that the best say of improving at something was constantly being reminded of your failures by spending time with someone who pursued the same goal. And who's to say they couldn't get to the end as a team. The star could be shared, after all, and there weren't many competitors. With just a couple of them out of comission, there was no reason for him to worry about having to fight the girl whom he just saved from a long, painful death. With that in mind, he wordlessly followed behind her. |
| | | Lyssarie Lotus Crystal
Title : Alyssa ~ Frappucino Enthusiast and Feels Expert Posts : 6422 Join date : 2013-12-07 Age : 24 Location : United States
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 24th May 2018, 4:46 am | |
| Ariel
Shashka's remark about her affinity made Ariel smirk. Sure, let her think that fire was her affinity. It would be quite amusing to see Shashka's face later on, when Ariel's true affinity for the air was revealed.
She allowed Shashka to take the lead, despite her slight annoyance at her ally's pettiness. But Ariel would let it go for now - perhaps Shashka would be the first to trip over a root or something of the like.
Ariel pretended like Shaska's question didn't bother her, choosing to act nonchalant instead of bothered by the personal inquiry. "Wealth," Ariel said, shrugging her shoulders simply. "I want to get out of Deepwall and into Highwall, get a nice home all to myself, and never have to work another day. I want to get as far away from those awful mines as possible."
Ariel eyed the area - it wasn't exactly a clearing, but it was spacious enough to provide camp for the night. They were canopied by trees and darkness, with small beams of starlight poking through the leaves. "I think this would be a good place to make camp tonight - we're far enough from the others."
With a stretch, Ariel removed her weapons from around her shoulders and sat on the cold ground, her back leaned against a tree and her weapons beside her. "So what's your wish going to be?"
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| | | Sailor Uranus Outer Senshi Admin Roleplay Director
Title : Oh, you mean you DON'T have an Elephabulous? Shame. Posts : 13368 Join date : 2011-09-15 Age : 35 Location : NE Texas
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 24th May 2018, 6:55 am | |
| - DM wrote:
- Time Skip
The Star Catchers survive to meet their first dawn. Maximum happened ~midnight Dawn ~ 6 AM
The Highwall boy continued his trek down the mountain and into the valley, following the heading given to him by the star. He walked at a easy pace to conserve energy, but did not stop that night and did not intend to stop the following day.
If a conversation was ongoing, please finish it via Discord today as an RTRP in the RTRP_IC channel or via DM and edit the next post from your group to include any conversations of note.
Prompts~ It's a new day! =D Orrr an older one, depending on whether your character slept or not. Consider for your post:
- When did they sleep / how long did they sleep / have they slept?
--Please use this as a guide to how awake they are throughout this first day.
- Good morning~ You're alive! You're probably hungry. How are you going to take care of that hunger? Or thirst! Gasp! Thirsty oh no!
--there are a few streams going down the mountainside! Maybe... you'll run into someone there?
- Gotta keep moving~ that star isn't going to find itself!
If you stumble across something I'll let you know Otherwise enjoy your camping trip, keep yourselves occupied~ If you would like to stumble across another group, you can do that! [strike]If I want you to stumble across another group, I'll do that XD |
| | | Professor Tomoe Inner Senshi Admin Activities Director
Title : Formerly Aurae; The Galaxy Cauldron Forums' Official Professor Tomoe Posts : 6250 Join date : 2013-07-23 Location : Chicago
| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers 24th May 2018, 7:39 am | |
| For a moment, she wasn't sure where she was. A few seconds later, she remembered. It was still dark, but she knew it was near sunrise; her body retained the memory of so many years helping on the farm. Her brothers and sisters were getting up now, back in Lorham. Her mother and father would have been up already, maybe half an hour at this point. She repacked quickly, the motions enough to remind her of her tidying routine back home. Only when she started walking again did she realize she was hungry. With everything that had happened yesterday, Kitty hadn't even noticed. She had been too upset—too conflicted to think about food. She pondered the small, tightly-wrapped provisions in her bag, but decided to wait. Water seemed a more pressing concern. She tried to listen as she walked, hoping to find a stream. There had to be several in these woods. She tried to watch for signs of animals, making enough noise as she continued along that most would be scared off. Perhaps she also did it in hopes that other humans, other Star Catchers, might hear her... Of course, she didn't consider that such a thing might be dangerous. |
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| Subject: Re: [HC Event] Star Catchers | |
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