The next big quest with everypony in it is coming soon (TM)
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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959 replies and 22 files omitted.
At what point do you think the party will be able to meet up or the main quest?
>>176062
What an odd shape for a room! It's not a small room but the angled walls certainly make it feel smaller. Amber picks up the smaller lantern with her mouth and (carefully) opens the door.
What an odd shape for a room! It's not a small room but the angled walls certainly make it feel smaller. Amber picks up the smaller lantern with her mouth and (carefully) opens the door.
>>176063
Amber opens the door presumably only slightly to feel…
Cold. Extreme cold. Greater cold than Amber has ever experienced before in her life, even in the deepest of winter. Blessedly Amber is fluffier than she recalls ever being, and the wind is less aggressive than it could be. The sky is dark, and be-speckled with thousands upon thousands of bright and shining stars. Across from Amber’s position is a small hut, partially buried in the ground. Further to the right is a cone shaped building perhaps 20 feet high, and buried almost to the top with a layer of soil above it. The ground is covered in packed snow, as are the structures, except on the higher portions, which are covered in dead moss. Further away, Amber thinks she can see the tops of trees. It’s very cold outside…
Amber opens the door presumably only slightly to feel…
Cold. Extreme cold. Greater cold than Amber has ever experienced before in her life, even in the deepest of winter. Blessedly Amber is fluffier than she recalls ever being, and the wind is less aggressive than it could be. The sky is dark, and be-speckled with thousands upon thousands of bright and shining stars. Across from Amber’s position is a small hut, partially buried in the ground. Further to the right is a cone shaped building perhaps 20 feet high, and buried almost to the top with a layer of soil above it. The ground is covered in packed snow, as are the structures, except on the higher portions, which are covered in dead moss. Further away, Amber thinks she can see the tops of trees. It’s very cold outside…
>>176065
Amber hurriedly closes the door. So that's what the warm clothes are for! She puts on a bland-colored fur and wool coat, and a mask, and goes outside again. She closes the door behind her and, at a short distance, looks to see if the building she left resembles the others.
Amber hurriedly closes the door. So that's what the warm clothes are for! She puts on a bland-colored fur and wool coat, and a mask, and goes outside again. She closes the door behind her and, at a short distance, looks to see if the building she left resembles the others.
>>176066
There are also boots. Leather boots.
There seem to be multiple layers of clothing. With at least adequate clothing, Amber can stay outside and not feel cold, except perhaps in certain extremities. Going outside, Amber sees snow covered ground, distant forest, and several structures, mostly of the same construction. Looking back, Amber can see that the building she was in is another cone, buried in a foot or more of soil, with moss growing on top that has in the lower sections been covered by a layer of soil, and with a wooden top protruding out that includes a small chimney. Chimneys from other structures exude smoke, just not hers.
There are also boots. Leather boots.
There seem to be multiple layers of clothing. With at least adequate clothing, Amber can stay outside and not feel cold, except perhaps in certain extremities. Going outside, Amber sees snow covered ground, distant forest, and several structures, mostly of the same construction. Looking back, Amber can see that the building she was in is another cone, buried in a foot or more of soil, with moss growing on top that has in the lower sections been covered by a layer of soil, and with a wooden top protruding out that includes a small chimney. Chimneys from other structures exude smoke, just not hers.
>>176067
Amber would take no half-measures with such frigidness. What an oddly shaped building, she thinks. She decides to go to the larger of the structures to have a look inside.
Amber would take no half-measures with such frigidness. What an oddly shaped building, she thinks. She decides to go to the larger of the structures to have a look inside.
>>176068
Clarification: there is a small building across Amber, and one to the right of the structure Amber came from, though it too, is rather small. Then there are three cones, counting Amber’s.
Clarification: there is a small building across Amber, and one to the right of the structure Amber came from, though it too, is rather small. Then there are three cones, counting Amber’s.
>>176069
She goes to the small building first since it seems to be larger than the others. The other cones seem to be living spaces, though she's unsure.
She goes to the small building first since it seems to be larger than the others. The other cones seem to be living spaces, though she's unsure.
>>176070
The small building is a single room, wooden on the inside, has a location to hang a lantern, a (closed) wooden window, a hole in the floor… it’s an outhouse.
The small building is a single room, wooden on the inside, has a location to hang a lantern, a (closed) wooden window, a hole in the floor… it’s an outhouse.
>>176072
Amber starts to go in, and peer inside. Soon enough, a grown, brown mare responds. She is wearing a bright, blue and yellow quilted dress.
“Kultainen. What are you doing here? Where are your parents?”
Amber starts to go in, and peer inside. Soon enough, a grown, brown mare responds. She is wearing a bright, blue and yellow quilted dress.
“Kultainen. What are you doing here? Where are your parents?”
>>176073
Amber steps inside, trying to remember who this pony might be. Her dress is pretty though. "I just woke up. I don't know where they are. I think they're away."
She thinks they're on some remote farm, but then again, isn't this a remote farm of some sort? Why is everything so fuzzy?
Amber steps inside, trying to remember who this pony might be. Her dress is pretty though. "I just woke up. I don't know where they are. I think they're away."
She thinks they're on some remote farm, but then again, isn't this a remote farm of some sort? Why is everything so fuzzy?
>>176074
The fuzziness is caused by the prevalence of fur coats, although it should be said that the ponies themselves are rather fuzzy. Amber can see that the interior of this building is more or less the same as the one she woke up in. The mare kind of physically stands in her way to keep her from getting far. A small, white filly yells “Kultainen!” And rubs at incredible speed towards Amber. Before Amber can be pounced on, the mare extends a leg, and picks up the filly. Amber can see the filly is fluffy, has a black mane, and is wearing a yellow dress much like the mare. She continues moving her legs forward as if swimming, but stops after a few seconds. There is a fire lit in the stove.
Amber recognizes the mare as her neighbor.
“Are you going crazy, too?” She asks, more to herself
She leans down toward’s Amber’s level,
“Little Kultainen, your parents are probably working, or doing chores. You should be too.”
The fuzziness is caused by the prevalence of fur coats, although it should be said that the ponies themselves are rather fuzzy. Amber can see that the interior of this building is more or less the same as the one she woke up in. The mare kind of physically stands in her way to keep her from getting far. A small, white filly yells “Kultainen!” And rubs at incredible speed towards Amber. Before Amber can be pounced on, the mare extends a leg, and picks up the filly. Amber can see the filly is fluffy, has a black mane, and is wearing a yellow dress much like the mare. She continues moving her legs forward as if swimming, but stops after a few seconds. There is a fire lit in the stove.
Amber recognizes the mare as her neighbor.
“Are you going crazy, too?” She asks, more to herself
She leans down toward’s Amber’s level,
“Little Kultainen, your parents are probably working, or doing chores. You should be too.”
>>176075
Amber can't help but laugh at the filly's greeting. "Hi!" she replies.
Chores? What chores? "Oh, you're right, but I didn't think it was so late. What ought I be doing again?"
Amber can't help but laugh at the filly's greeting. "Hi!" she replies.
Chores? What chores? "Oh, you're right, but I didn't think it was so late. What ought I be doing again?"
>>176076
“Hi” the filly replies, her legs hanging limp.
“Yes, it’s late morning, and there are things to be done. The firewood is getting low. Go to the blast and get more. And Jakala. You need to go too.”
She sets the filly down. The filly runs over to a chest, and starts to put on a fur coat.
“No.” The mare says, moving over the fully. “No, Jakala. You cannot wear the gakti outside.”
The filly looks sad, and looks up at the mare.
“But no one will see it.”
Her tail goes down, between her legs, then she sits down
“No. We’re not taking that chance.”
The filly looks up at the mare, with pleading eyes.
“No. You can’t do it. Take it off. I’ll let you wear it inside tonight, okay?”
“You promise?”
“I promise. Just wear something else outside.”
“Okay…”
The filly takes off the dress, then puts on a wool undercoat, then puts on boots, then puts on a jacket, then puts on a mask. The mare helps take a sled off the wall.
“Hi” the filly replies, her legs hanging limp.
“Yes, it’s late morning, and there are things to be done. The firewood is getting low. Go to the blast and get more. And Jakala. You need to go too.”
She sets the filly down. The filly runs over to a chest, and starts to put on a fur coat.
“No.” The mare says, moving over the fully. “No, Jakala. You cannot wear the gakti outside.”
The filly looks sad, and looks up at the mare.
“But no one will see it.”
Her tail goes down, between her legs, then she sits down
“No. We’re not taking that chance.”
The filly looks up at the mare, with pleading eyes.
“No. You can’t do it. Take it off. I’ll let you wear it inside tonight, okay?”
“You promise?”
“I promise. Just wear something else outside.”
“Okay…”
The filly takes off the dress, then puts on a wool undercoat, then puts on boots, then puts on a jacket, then puts on a mask. The mare helps take a sled off the wall.
>>176077
"How is it late morning if the stars are out? Shouldn't the sun be out yet? And where's the 'blast'?" Poor Amber, or rather Kultainen, is much more confused than she ought to be.
"How is it late morning if the stars are out? Shouldn't the sun be out yet? And where's the 'blast'?" Poor Amber, or rather Kultainen, is much more confused than she ought to be.
>>176078
The mare gives Amber a genuine look of concern.
“Are you having memory loss, too?” She asks herself
Then she answers Amber’s question.
“The sun is away right now. Beaivi, who brings the sun, is away with her husband in the southern lands. She will be back with the sun in about three weeks. There will be no sun until then.”
“But that’s forever from now.” The filly protests.
“Well” looking down at the filly, the mare says. “It will go faster if you do your chores. And you better get that firewood, or you will be very cold. Go along. You don’t want to sleep tonight without a fire. You too, Kultainen.”
The mare gives Amber a genuine look of concern.
“Are you having memory loss, too?” She asks herself
Then she answers Amber’s question.
“The sun is away right now. Beaivi, who brings the sun, is away with her husband in the southern lands. She will be back with the sun in about three weeks. There will be no sun until then.”
“But that’s forever from now.” The filly protests.
“Well” looking down at the filly, the mare says. “It will go faster if you do your chores. And you better get that firewood, or you will be very cold. Go along. You don’t want to sleep tonight without a fire. You too, Kultainen.”
>>176079
"Okay…." Memory loss or not, Amber has to admit that the mare has a point. It's so cold that sleeping in the huts without a fire would be uncomfortable at best. The other filly, Jakala, looks smaller, and Amber/Kultainen also has to watch over her.
"We'll bring the firewood as quickly as can be," Amber answers. Hopefully that is indeed quick.
"Okay…." Memory loss or not, Amber has to admit that the mare has a point. It's so cold that sleeping in the huts without a fire would be uncomfortable at best. The other filly, Jakala, looks smaller, and Amber/Kultainen also has to watch over her.
"We'll bring the firewood as quickly as can be," Amber answers. Hopefully that is indeed quick.
>>176080
"Good, go along, little fillies" the mare says. The other filly, Jakala, has brown leather or perhaps burlap visible along her sides, a ring of brown fur around her face, and white wool covering her muzzle. She wears high leather boots. Even her tail is tucked under the jacket, only coming out under the end. She goes along to the sled, and places the yoke over her shoulders, then places a bridle in her mouth. The sled isn't really meant for her and is just shy of comical in its disproportionate size, but the little filly happily pulls it out of the door, and will race ahead of Amber if she lets her. She goes right outside of the door.
Looking into the night sky, there is no moon. Amber can see that the sky in the far horizon is purple tinged in color, suggestive more of nautical twilight than a true night. On the opposite side the sky is darker, and above hangs a display Amber has never seen before. Across the sky, like festive garlands hanging in decoration, are two bands of waving blue green light, dancing across the night, and casting a slight glow upon the snow.
"Good, go along, little fillies" the mare says. The other filly, Jakala, has brown leather or perhaps burlap visible along her sides, a ring of brown fur around her face, and white wool covering her muzzle. She wears high leather boots. Even her tail is tucked under the jacket, only coming out under the end. She goes along to the sled, and places the yoke over her shoulders, then places a bridle in her mouth. The sled isn't really meant for her and is just shy of comical in its disproportionate size, but the little filly happily pulls it out of the door, and will race ahead of Amber if she lets her. She goes right outside of the door.
Looking into the night sky, there is no moon. Amber can see that the sky in the far horizon is purple tinged in color, suggestive more of nautical twilight than a true night. On the opposite side the sky is darker, and above hangs a display Amber has never seen before. Across the sky, like festive garlands hanging in decoration, are two bands of waving blue green light, dancing across the night, and casting a slight glow upon the snow.
>>176081
Amber is amazed by the gorgeous display in the sky. She knows the name for it, "aurora borealis," but it feels like she had never witnessed it in person. But, she should have….
After a few moments of gawking, Amber races to keep up with Jakala. Best not to tarry in the cold. It's just firewood that's needed, after all.
Amber is amazed by the gorgeous display in the sky. She knows the name for it, "aurora borealis," but it feels like she had never witnessed it in person. But, she should have….
After a few moments of gawking, Amber races to keep up with Jakala. Best not to tarry in the cold. It's just firewood that's needed, after all.
>>176082
Jakala turns right again into an open set of land, which seems to be open tundra/plain, or possibly marsh, which is now covered in a layer of thin snow. There are a couple hills that rise a bit higher than other areas, but mostly the ground is flat. The two ponies cross a wooden bridge over a ravine that seems to have been dug out to be a bit deeper. Somewhere over towards their left, Amber sees a set of trees.
When the wind reduces in intensity, Amber can hear a sound that approximates static, with a bit of a high-pitched whining or tinnitus sound. This could be heard in the cones, but it's louder here. It's still easier to hear the wind, however.
Jakala turns right again into an open set of land, which seems to be open tundra/plain, or possibly marsh, which is now covered in a layer of thin snow. There are a couple hills that rise a bit higher than other areas, but mostly the ground is flat. The two ponies cross a wooden bridge over a ravine that seems to have been dug out to be a bit deeper. Somewhere over towards their left, Amber sees a set of trees.
When the wind reduces in intensity, Amber can hear a sound that approximates static, with a bit of a high-pitched whining or tinnitus sound. This could be heard in the cones, but it's louder here. It's still easier to hear the wind, however.
>>176082
Jakala attempts to run ahead of Amber, as she is clearly filled with great enthusiasm. But the reality is that she is pulling the sled, it is heavy, and if Amber wishes to pull ahead, she may. The two come to a small, snow covered hill, beyond which are the tall, thin outlines of snow-crusted conifer trees in a strand that seems thinner than expected of a forest.
Jakala, with greater energy than normal runs ahead. Amber can guess that what she is trying to do is to get ahead of Amber, and turn around and stop in front of her. Because she is carrying the sled, she fails, and instead only turns herself and the sled 45 degrees of the desired 180. But she does pull ahead of Amber, and turns her head back.
“Play?”
Jakala attempts to run ahead of Amber, as she is clearly filled with great enthusiasm. But the reality is that she is pulling the sled, it is heavy, and if Amber wishes to pull ahead, she may. The two come to a small, snow covered hill, beyond which are the tall, thin outlines of snow-crusted conifer trees in a strand that seems thinner than expected of a forest.
Jakala, with greater energy than normal runs ahead. Amber can guess that what she is trying to do is to get ahead of Amber, and turn around and stop in front of her. Because she is carrying the sled, she fails, and instead only turns herself and the sled 45 degrees of the desired 180. But she does pull ahead of Amber, and turns her head back.
“Play?”
>>176085
“Yes, yes!” She darts up the slope of the hill. At one point she loses traction, moving her legs in place as she moves the snow but not the sled. The sled pivots to the left, until she comes to a portion of the slope that is gentler in incline, and she moves up it. Soon enough, she is at the top, and positions the sled. She takes the bride out, gets off from under the harness, and sits at the front of the shed, waiting for Amber. She tries to move her tail side to side, though the clothing keeps it more or less in place. She looks at Amber with pink colored eyes, and a smile just visible from under the mask.
“Yes, yes!” She darts up the slope of the hill. At one point she loses traction, moving her legs in place as she moves the snow but not the sled. The sled pivots to the left, until she comes to a portion of the slope that is gentler in incline, and she moves up it. Soon enough, she is at the top, and positions the sled. She takes the bride out, gets off from under the harness, and sits at the front of the shed, waiting for Amber. She tries to move her tail side to side, though the clothing keeps it more or less in place. She looks at Amber with pink colored eyes, and a smile just visible from under the mask.
>>176086
D'awww
Amber places her front hooves on the sled, and pushes the sled to give it some momentum before jumping in behind Jakala and holding on. She laughs all the way down.
D'awww
Amber places her front hooves on the sled, and pushes the sled to give it some momentum before jumping in behind Jakala and holding on. She laughs all the way down.
>>176087
“Wee! Ahahaha!” Jakala likewise laughs all the way down. The snow is packed well, and the slope is intense enough to allow the sled to slide down easily. But the hill is not very high at all and the ride lasts only a few seconds. Jakala tells “Again! Again!” When the sled comes to a stop at the bottom of the slope, she jumps off, and tries to place the harness on her again. The first time, she fails, starting to dart off with the harness slipping off, until she comes back and places it on again. She then puts it on correctly, turns the sled around, and drags it up the hill again. She does at least only take it up the gentler slope, avoiding slipping again.
“Wee! Ahahaha!” Jakala likewise laughs all the way down. The snow is packed well, and the slope is intense enough to allow the sled to slide down easily. But the hill is not very high at all and the ride lasts only a few seconds. Jakala tells “Again! Again!” When the sled comes to a stop at the bottom of the slope, she jumps off, and tries to place the harness on her again. The first time, she fails, starting to dart off with the harness slipping off, until she comes back and places it on again. She then puts it on correctly, turns the sled around, and drags it up the hill again. She does at least only take it up the gentler slope, avoiding slipping again.
>>176088
Amber helps her with the sled, putting her head through the harness and helping to pull on it. Best not to tire out Jakala too soon. Once they reach the top of the hill, Amber helps position and push the sled again.
Amber helps her with the sled, putting her head through the harness and helping to pull on it. Best not to tire out Jakala too soon. Once they reach the top of the hill, Amber helps position and push the sled again.
>>176089
Amber doesn’t know how long it will take for Jakala to tire out, but she can suspect that when it happens, it will be sudden, without much warning, and likely timed for when there is much work left to be done. Jakala once tries to pull the sled simply by biting on the harness and pulling it backwards - with not much success. And every time, she jumps up on the sled in the front. If Amber hasn’t already gotten on, she looks back at her, and waits for her to get on and push the sled forward.
Amber doesn’t know how long it will take for Jakala to tire out, but she can suspect that when it happens, it will be sudden, without much warning, and likely timed for when there is much work left to be done. Jakala once tries to pull the sled simply by biting on the harness and pulling it backwards - with not much success. And every time, she jumps up on the sled in the front. If Amber hasn’t already gotten on, she looks back at her, and waits for her to get on and push the sled forward.
>>176090
Amber pushes and jumps onto the sled, laughing with glee as she watches the trees and snowdrifts race past. She can't remember ever having this much fun before.
Amber pushes and jumps onto the sled, laughing with glee as she watches the trees and snowdrifts race past. She can't remember ever having this much fun before.
>>176091
The downside is that, with the hill so small, every ride lasts only a scarce few seconds. This would work much better with a proper hill, but it isn’t clear there is one around. The sled does at least tend to keep moving even after it reaches level ground, if only by a few feet. Jakala happily gets up to do it again and again.
The downside is that, with the hill so small, every ride lasts only a scarce few seconds. This would work much better with a proper hill, but it isn’t clear there is one around. The sled does at least tend to keep moving even after it reaches level ground, if only by a few feet. Jakala happily gets up to do it again and again.
>>176092
Everything seems so flat around here.
"Okay, one more time, then we need to collect some firewood." Amber pulls the sled up the hill this time. She herself wishes she could ride the sled all day as well, but she's the older of the two and has to take a position of responsibility. Like the grown-ups said, if she doesn't get firewood, they all have to sleep in the cold tonight.
Everything seems so flat around here.
"Okay, one more time, then we need to collect some firewood." Amber pulls the sled up the hill this time. She herself wishes she could ride the sled all day as well, but she's the older of the two and has to take a position of responsibility. Like the grown-ups said, if she doesn't get firewood, they all have to sleep in the cold tonight.
>>176093
Jakala lowers her head, and aims her eyes up at Amber. Her ears try to lower down, but the leather backing limits their movement.
“oh… okay…”
With a little less speed, she takes the sled up the slope, and sits at the front of the sled. She turns her head and looks to Amber, waiting for her to get on and push them both down.
Jakala lowers her head, and aims her eyes up at Amber. Her ears try to lower down, but the leather backing limits their movement.
“oh… okay…”
With a little less speed, she takes the sled up the slope, and sits at the front of the sled. She turns her head and looks to Amber, waiting for her to get on and push them both down.
>>176094
Amber pushes the sled extra hard this time for as much speed as possible before jumping on it. Once again she laughs with glee.
Amber pushes the sled extra hard this time for as much speed as possible before jumping on it. Once again she laughs with glee.
>>176049
“Heh heh, Ms. Pheeta, how do you like your new roommate?”
She’s a bit scrunchy
“I’ve had worse.” She answers
“Heh heh, Ms. Pheeta, how do you like your new roommate?”
She’s a bit scrunchy
“I’ve had worse.” She answers
>>176095
“Wee!” Jakala shouts as the sled moves along. “Hehehe.” The sled moves further along the level field before coming to a start. But when it’s done, Jakala droops.
“Wee!” Jakala shouts as the sled moves along. “Hehehe.” The sled moves further along the level field before coming to a start. But when it’s done, Jakala droops.
>>176097
"We can keep playing after we get the firewood. There's no sunlight so we don't have to worry about the day being short. How does that sound?" Amber reassures Jakala.
In the dim light, she strains her eyes to look for any brambles or branches that might have fallen off the fir trees.
>>176096
Neela also a cute
"We can keep playing after we get the firewood. There's no sunlight so we don't have to worry about the day being short. How does that sound?" Amber reassures Jakala.
In the dim light, she strains her eyes to look for any brambles or branches that might have fallen off the fir trees.
>>176096
Neela also a cute
"... Speaking of hungry... I got rather worked up tonight."
pets Gloomy
"Why don't I take you out for pancakes when all of this is said and done? How does that sound? I hear Baltimare has some excellent diners; we should visit them before they're gone."
"[unintelligible excited child noises]"
pets Gloomy
"Why don't I take you out for pancakes when all of this is said and done? How does that sound? I hear Baltimare has some excellent diners; we should visit them before they're gone."
"[unintelligible excited child noises]"
>>176101
Bright Dye movies his eyes along Neela, as if examining her. Then he leans slightly forward, and looks at Kira. He would look at more of her, likely, if her snake body were not almost entirely obscured by the table. Then he says,
“You say you’re a hunter and use spears and bows… do you have those?”
Bright Dye movies his eyes along Neela, as if examining her. Then he leans slightly forward, and looks at Kira. He would look at more of her, likely, if her snake body were not almost entirely obscured by the table. Then he says,
“You say you’re a hunter and use spears and bows… do you have those?”
>>176102
Kira nods excitedly.
"Oh yeah, let me go get them!"
Kira rushes upstairs, letting Bright Dye get a brief but still very interesting view of how Kira slithers upstairs, moving along anchor points on the steps to maintain upwards motion without sliding back down. She quickly grabs her spear and bow, and slithers back downstairs to ecstatically show off her possessions to the visitor.
Kira nods excitedly.
"Oh yeah, let me go get them!"
Kira rushes upstairs, letting Bright Dye get a brief but still very interesting view of how Kira slithers upstairs, moving along anchor points on the steps to maintain upwards motion without sliding back down. She quickly grabs her spear and bow, and slithers back downstairs to ecstatically show off her possessions to the visitor.
>>176103
Kira slithers back into the room to catch the following exchange. Bright Dye, leaning over to his right towards Neela,
“Do you have any fawns?”
“N-no, I don’t. I haven’t had any.”
“Really? Your teats are enlarged.”
Neela giggles, adjusts herself to sit more firmly upright, and places her right hoof against her neck. Smiling, she looks over to him and asks, “why are you looking at my teats?” Leaning over towards him to tap his right foreleg with her left hoof. She continues giggling, and a few seconds later both creatures turn their attention towards Kira, staring at the spear and bow before she addresses them. Both of them seem somehow surprised to see weapons in the home, even though Neela has surely seen Kira’s bow and spear before.
Kira slithers back into the room to catch the following exchange. Bright Dye, leaning over to his right towards Neela,
“Do you have any fawns?”
“N-no, I don’t. I haven’t had any.”
“Really? Your teats are enlarged.”
Neela giggles, adjusts herself to sit more firmly upright, and places her right hoof against her neck. Smiling, she looks over to him and asks, “why are you looking at my teats?” Leaning over towards him to tap his right foreleg with her left hoof. She continues giggling, and a few seconds later both creatures turn their attention towards Kira, staring at the spear and bow before she addresses them. Both of them seem somehow surprised to see weapons in the home, even though Neela has surely seen Kira’s bow and spear before.
>>176104
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, I was just excited to show off my things, it's not very often I get to show these off to someone who doesn't already know about them."
She holds out the bow for display. If Bright Side or Neela knew anything about archery or bowmaking they could probably tell what material it is or what it's unique shape is meant for, but otherwise all they can tell is that it looks like a bow bent backwards on itself, made with a wooden core and separate materials on the back and belly. "We make our own bows for hunting. My mom showed me how to when I was younger, and I made this! It was pretty tough to learn to use at first, you need to be really strong to pull the string, but that's the idea behind it; you build the archer to fit the bow, rather than building the bow to fit the archer. Basically you wanted to build a really strong bow first, then you trained yourself to use it. That way you can get every ounce of strength out of every draw!"
Next she shows off the spear. If either Neela or Bright Dye continue to harbor thoughts in their imagination about Kira's culture being like some primitive neolithic tribespeople, they would be quite surprised by the quality and craftsponyship (or perhaps craftsnakeship) of the weapon in front of them. The broad leaf-shaped steel spear head looks honed to a fine edge, and is fastened to a studded shaft that has been balanced near perfectly. It's bigger and heavier than a javelin, but could still be thrown in a pinch if no other option was available. "There's not really any kind of special story about this spear, it's just the average kind of spear you'd see all sorts of hunters using. I haven't actually used it yet. I definitely favor the bow over spears, but it's important that us hunters have a way to defend ourselves in close quarters."
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, I was just excited to show off my things, it's not very often I get to show these off to someone who doesn't already know about them."
She holds out the bow for display. If Bright Side or Neela knew anything about archery or bowmaking they could probably tell what material it is or what it's unique shape is meant for, but otherwise all they can tell is that it looks like a bow bent backwards on itself, made with a wooden core and separate materials on the back and belly. "We make our own bows for hunting. My mom showed me how to when I was younger, and I made this! It was pretty tough to learn to use at first, you need to be really strong to pull the string, but that's the idea behind it; you build the archer to fit the bow, rather than building the bow to fit the archer. Basically you wanted to build a really strong bow first, then you trained yourself to use it. That way you can get every ounce of strength out of every draw!"
Next she shows off the spear. If either Neela or Bright Dye continue to harbor thoughts in their imagination about Kira's culture being like some primitive neolithic tribespeople, they would be quite surprised by the quality and craftsponyship (or perhaps craftsnakeship) of the weapon in front of them. The broad leaf-shaped steel spear head looks honed to a fine edge, and is fastened to a studded shaft that has been balanced near perfectly. It's bigger and heavier than a javelin, but could still be thrown in a pinch if no other option was available. "There's not really any kind of special story about this spear, it's just the average kind of spear you'd see all sorts of hunters using. I haven't actually used it yet. I definitely favor the bow over spears, but it's important that us hunters have a way to defend ourselves in close quarters."
>>176098
“Okay…” she says, looking downwards in resignation. But she looks back up, turns around, and moves through the strand of trees that are just beyond the slope. Amber moves forward past this tiny strand of trees, one or two rows, and she sees that they are more or less, already there. Past the tiny number of trees that ringed the edge of what was presumably, an arboreal forest dominated by tall, narrow fir threes, Amber sees numerous acres of fallen trees all in neat rows, approximately facing Amber. Many of trees have roots visible, some are singed, and in many areas beaches and needles are severed from the trunks. There’s an island of standing trees in the distance, besides the one Amber is standing next to, and the pattern of why these exist while trees are felled elsewhere isn’t clear. A few saplings do, however, stand up, including a couple birch trees. The trees that stand are narrow and have few branches extending far from the trunk, although whether that’s how they grew and not the product of some event cannot be said. Under the trees the ground is mostly dead with dead grass, dirt, and snow, sometimes disturbed. In several areas, trees have been cut up and branches removed, with tracks all along the ground. There is a big rectangular pile of cut up wood some hundreds of feet from Amber.
Jakala is uncomfortable with the area.
“Okay…” she says, looking downwards in resignation. But she looks back up, turns around, and moves through the strand of trees that are just beyond the slope. Amber moves forward past this tiny strand of trees, one or two rows, and she sees that they are more or less, already there. Past the tiny number of trees that ringed the edge of what was presumably, an arboreal forest dominated by tall, narrow fir threes, Amber sees numerous acres of fallen trees all in neat rows, approximately facing Amber. Many of trees have roots visible, some are singed, and in many areas beaches and needles are severed from the trunks. There’s an island of standing trees in the distance, besides the one Amber is standing next to, and the pattern of why these exist while trees are felled elsewhere isn’t clear. A few saplings do, however, stand up, including a couple birch trees. The trees that stand are narrow and have few branches extending far from the trunk, although whether that’s how they grew and not the product of some event cannot be said. Under the trees the ground is mostly dead with dead grass, dirt, and snow, sometimes disturbed. In several areas, trees have been cut up and branches removed, with tracks all along the ground. There is a big rectangular pile of cut up wood some hundreds of feet from Amber.
Jakala is uncomfortable with the area.
>>176105
“Oh!”
Bright Dye stands up, and comes closer towards the weapons to look at them. He extends his hooves.
“So you’ve shot this bow many times?”
“Oh!”
Bright Dye stands up, and comes closer towards the weapons to look at them. He extends his hooves.
“So you’ve shot this bow many times?”
>>176107
If he's asking to be handed the weapons so he can take closer looks at them, Kira gladly complies. "Yes sir! I'd like to say I'm quite the shot, all thanks to Mom!"
Bluff: While he does so, a minor aside: Kira tries to see if she can sneak a peak at Neela's teats to see if she can see what Bright Dye was talking about, without Neela either noticing or believing that's what Kira is doing.
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
If he's asking to be handed the weapons so he can take closer looks at them, Kira gladly complies. "Yes sir! I'd like to say I'm quite the shot, all thanks to Mom!"
Bluff: While he does so, a minor aside: Kira tries to see if she can sneak a peak at Neela's teats to see if she can see what Bright Dye was talking about, without Neela either noticing or believing that's what Kira is doing.
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
>>176108
Bright Dye gladly takes it.
“Neat!”
He tries to pull back the string on the bow, but has difficulty.
“Wow, this uh, strong pull.”
Secret modifier:
[1d20 = 18]
Bright Dye gladly takes it.
“Neat!”
He tries to pull back the string on the bow, but has difficulty.
“Wow, this uh, strong pull.”
Secret modifier:
[1d20 = 18]
File (): 8867D1524BA44C7E870F24F785DA9890-28070.jpg (27.4 KB, 183x275, IMG_1228.jpeg)
>>176112
Kira takes the bow in her hooves, and using the end of her tail draws back the bowstring. The bow bends as she draws, the material on the belly contracting while the material on the outside stretches. The act is not without effort as both Bright Dye and Neela can see the muscles in her tail flexing and tightening, but even then she makes it look easy compared to the trouble the stallion was having. She holds the draw for a couple seconds before carefully, slowly returning the bow to its normal state and offering it back to Bright Dye if he wishes to continue observing it.
"It's all a matter of practice, building yourself up to be able to handle the strength the bow demands."
Kira takes the bow in her hooves, and using the end of her tail draws back the bowstring. The bow bends as she draws, the material on the belly contracting while the material on the outside stretches. The act is not without effort as both Bright Dye and Neela can see the muscles in her tail flexing and tightening, but even then she makes it look easy compared to the trouble the stallion was having. She holds the draw for a couple seconds before carefully, slowly returning the bow to its normal state and offering it back to Bright Dye if he wishes to continue observing it.
"It's all a matter of practice, building yourself up to be able to handle the strength the bow demands."
>>176113
“Woah” he watches Kira pull the string back, and when offered, takes the bow back.
“What’s the furthest you’ve shot an animal from? What’s the biggest one you’ve killed? Do they like, run off wounded, or…”
“Woah” he watches Kira pull the string back, and when offered, takes the bow back.
“What’s the furthest you’ve shot an animal from? What’s the biggest one you’ve killed? Do they like, run off wounded, or…”
>>176114
"Hmm, maybe a bit over...seven tail lengths, which is probably the maximum extent of my bow's range. It loses speed pretty quickly once it gets past a certain range. As for largest there's really no contest, it would be that giant eagle. They're as big as we are, maybe even bigger if you count their full wingspan, and heavy too. They really don't like us lamias, and they tend to attack us on sight. It's unfortunate because they're actually pretty intelligent creatures. I was out hunting about a year ago when this big old eagle came swooping out of nowhere, diving at me from above, then slashing at me with its claws and pecking at me with its beak. It was honestly a pretty close call, but I managed to bring it down and carry it back to town. Most normal animals though don't tend to give you too much trouble, and a well placed shot is usually enough to bring them down in one. If not, though, then that's when you need to track."
"Hmm, maybe a bit over...seven tail lengths, which is probably the maximum extent of my bow's range. It loses speed pretty quickly once it gets past a certain range. As for largest there's really no contest, it would be that giant eagle. They're as big as we are, maybe even bigger if you count their full wingspan, and heavy too. They really don't like us lamias, and they tend to attack us on sight. It's unfortunate because they're actually pretty intelligent creatures. I was out hunting about a year ago when this big old eagle came swooping out of nowhere, diving at me from above, then slashing at me with its claws and pecking at me with its beak. It was honestly a pretty close call, but I managed to bring it down and carry it back to town. Most normal animals though don't tend to give you too much trouble, and a well placed shot is usually enough to bring them down in one. If not, though, then that's when you need to track."
>>176115
“You get attacked by eagles?!” He is genuinely surprised. “And tracking. What does that involve? Do you just follow a blood trail?”
“You get attacked by eagles?!” He is genuinely surprised. “And tracking. What does that involve? Do you just follow a blood trail?”
>>176116
Kira nods to the first question before continuing on with the second. "Well following a blood trail is part of it, but there are actually all sorts of clues that animals leave behind. It could be as simple a hoof or paw prints in the dirt, broken sticks and trampled grass, sometimes you find a tree that a certain animal has been scratching themselves on or has been marking or even sharpening their claws on in the case of predators. And then you have things like urine or dung which can also be good indicators of an animal's presence even if it can be pretty gross, and predators sometimes leave carcasses behind when they're hunting. You've also gotta make use of all of your different sense, if you're only bothered with looking for signs of animals and you're not keeping your ears open to the sounds around you or smelling the air for clues, then you're putting yourself at a disadvantage."
Kira nods to the first question before continuing on with the second. "Well following a blood trail is part of it, but there are actually all sorts of clues that animals leave behind. It could be as simple a hoof or paw prints in the dirt, broken sticks and trampled grass, sometimes you find a tree that a certain animal has been scratching themselves on or has been marking or even sharpening their claws on in the case of predators. And then you have things like urine or dung which can also be good indicators of an animal's presence even if it can be pretty gross, and predators sometimes leave carcasses behind when they're hunting. You've also gotta make use of all of your different sense, if you're only bothered with looking for signs of animals and you're not keeping your ears open to the sounds around you or smelling the air for clues, then you're putting yourself at a disadvantage."
>>176117
He nods,
“So if tracking down and killing animals is… well kind of your job, why did you not want to eat the goat earlier?” After a pause, “was it too small?”
He nods,
“So if tracking down and killing animals is… well kind of your job, why did you not want to eat the goat earlier?” After a pause, “was it too small?”
>>176118
Kira blushes, and rubs the back of her pony head with a hoof. "...small creatures like that have their own defense mechanism: being too cute. I mean, he was just this tiny little nugget of a goat, and with a name like Nippy I just...I honestly couldn't. And then Hopper...I'll be honest, even with how big he was if I hadn't blocked it out in my mind before he had the chance to bombard me with cuteness, I don't think I could have done so with him either. You're way too good at raising cute animals."
Kira blushes, and rubs the back of her pony head with a hoof. "...small creatures like that have their own defense mechanism: being too cute. I mean, he was just this tiny little nugget of a goat, and with a name like Nippy I just...I honestly couldn't. And then Hopper...I'll be honest, even with how big he was if I hadn't blocked it out in my mind before he had the chance to bombard me with cuteness, I don't think I could have done so with him either. You're way too good at raising cute animals."
>>176119
“Heh heh, thank you.” He smiles. Then the smile fades. “Though I suppose you swallowed him all the same…”
Neela shakes her head
“She has the body of a Nagini. Even the instincts of a Nagini. But her spirit is something else. Something weaker.”
“Heh heh, thank you.” He smiles. Then the smile fades. “Though I suppose you swallowed him all the same…”
Neela shakes her head
“She has the body of a Nagini. Even the instincts of a Nagini. But her spirit is something else. Something weaker.”
>>176120
Kira continues to blush as she looks away, ears folding down. "Yeah..."
She turns then to Neela, tilting her head. "I mean...probably true, but also ouch."
Kira continues to blush as she looks away, ears folding down. "Yeah..."
She turns then to Neela, tilting her head. "I mean...probably true, but also ouch."
>>176106
https://youtu.be/KZZKzJTGI9E
Amber stares at the sight for a minute. Trees fall in a forest all the time, but never this many. It's impossible for her to know how this possibly could have happened. It looks like some sort of giant had stomped over so many trees, and for some reason cut and stacked some of it up. But why were some burnt? Jakala is not the only uncomfortable pony as this looks highly disturbing.
She considers leaving Jakala behind, but doesn't completely trust her to not move and thinks better of it. In the dim light she carefully steps over the fallen logs and makes her way to the island of standing trees, making sure the smaller filly is right behind her.
https://youtu.be/KZZKzJTGI9E
Amber stares at the sight for a minute. Trees fall in a forest all the time, but never this many. It's impossible for her to know how this possibly could have happened. It looks like some sort of giant had stomped over so many trees, and for some reason cut and stacked some of it up. But why were some burnt? Jakala is not the only uncomfortable pony as this looks highly disturbing.
She considers leaving Jakala behind, but doesn't completely trust her to not move and thinks better of it. In the dim light she carefully steps over the fallen logs and makes her way to the island of standing trees, making sure the smaller filly is right behind her.
>>176121
Neela nods.
Bright Dye turns to her and asks, “Nagini?”
“Yes, the children of the Naga. They are monsters with the chimerical bodies of ponies fused with those of giant snakes. This is the only one I’ve seen. She has the killer instincts, and the strength of a python, but also that false, benign facade of a pony.”
“But why do you say ‘children of the Naga’? I haven’t heard every Griffonian legend before but, I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”
“I mean…” she looks over at Kira. “She’s quite a specimen isn’t she? I didn’t think I’d be… well, sold to one, or even see one myself. But here we are.”
Neela nods.
Bright Dye turns to her and asks, “Nagini?”
“Yes, the children of the Naga. They are monsters with the chimerical bodies of ponies fused with those of giant snakes. This is the only one I’ve seen. She has the killer instincts, and the strength of a python, but also that false, benign facade of a pony.”
“But why do you say ‘children of the Naga’? I haven’t heard every Griffonian legend before but, I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”
“I mean…” she looks over at Kira. “She’s quite a specimen isn’t she? I didn’t think I’d be… well, sold to one, or even see one myself. But here we are.”
>>176123
"So that's why you keep calling me a Nagini." Kira raises an eyebrow. "But then, what's the Naga? Is the Naga the same as a Nagini? Is there a difference?"
"So that's why you keep calling me a Nagini." Kira raises an eyebrow. "But then, what's the Naga? Is the Naga the same as a Nagini? Is there a difference?"
>>176124
“It’s just a term from a children’s story. Don’t put too much stock in it. It just means that you’re… well… how do I say this? A bit child-like. Uh, ‘young’ is the charitable way to say it.”
“It’s just a term from a children’s story. Don’t put too much stock in it. It just means that you’re… well… how do I say this? A bit child-like. Uh, ‘young’ is the charitable way to say it.”
>>176126
"I guess so. I mean, I'm 23 years old, that's definitely far from being an elder. I'd never heard of Nagas or Naginis before meeting you, though."
"I guess so. I mean, I'm 23 years old, that's definitely far from being an elder. I'd never heard of Nagas or Naginis before meeting you, though."
>>176127
“You probably wouldn’t have. It’s just a word that’s used taken from a children’s fable. Just know that not everyone is completely unfamiliar with lamias and what they are.”
“You probably wouldn’t have. It’s just a word that’s used taken from a children’s fable. Just know that not everyone is completely unfamiliar with lamias and what they are.”
>>176129
Neela is silent for several seconds, clearly unsure of what to say
“Sure, let’s go with that.”
thring
Bright Dye lets the string go on the bow and it snaps back.
Neela is silent for several seconds, clearly unsure of what to say
“Sure, let’s go with that.”
thring
Bright Dye lets the string go on the bow and it snaps back.
>>176130
Kira cringes as soon as she hears the sound.
"Please don't do that, you can damage the bow by loosing it without an arrow."
Kira cringes as soon as she hears the sound.
"Please don't do that, you can damage the bow by loosing it without an arrow."
>>176132
"When an arrow is loosed, the energy of the bow string is transferred to the arrow, but without it all of that energy goes back into the bow itself. It puts a lot of strain on the bow and can cause it to crack if done too much."
"When an arrow is loosed, the energy of the bow string is transferred to the arrow, but without it all of that energy goes back into the bow itself. It puts a lot of strain on the bow and can cause it to crack if done too much."
>>176135
"Awww..." Kira's ears fold down. "I didn't mean to be rude, it's just...that bow is really precious to me." She also says, more quietly, "...plus it takes all sorts of different materials to make one and then days to build it and then months more for it to actually dry..."
"Awww..." Kira's ears fold down. "I didn't mean to be rude, it's just...that bow is really precious to me." She also says, more quietly, "...plus it takes all sorts of different materials to make one and then days to build it and then months more for it to actually dry..."
>>176122
Jakala proceeds, still pulling the sled. She is not so fast as before, and Amber may pull ahead if Desiree. Much if that is because navigating around the downed trees is difficul, but clearly she lacks enthusiasm to be there. It’s a little journey down a kind of valley through the downed trees, past the chopped and cut up trees in the center, and towards the strand of still standing trees.
Jakala
“My mom says it was the Stallos. Coming in and ripping up trees. You know they will grab you and eat you? I think it’s just as well that they tore up the trees. It means they can’t hide in them. I think I’ve seen them before. Moving in the night.” She looks around cautiously.
Jakala proceeds, still pulling the sled. She is not so fast as before, and Amber may pull ahead if Desiree. Much if that is because navigating around the downed trees is difficul, but clearly she lacks enthusiasm to be there. It’s a little journey down a kind of valley through the downed trees, past the chopped and cut up trees in the center, and towards the strand of still standing trees.
Jakala
“My mom says it was the Stallos. Coming in and ripping up trees. You know they will grab you and eat you? I think it’s just as well that they tore up the trees. It means they can’t hide in them. I think I’ve seen them before. Moving in the night.” She looks around cautiously.
>>176136
“Ah, yeah, I see… that makes sense. I wasn’t trying to damage it. I didn’t know.” He answers
“Ah, yeah, I see… that makes sense. I wasn’t trying to damage it. I didn’t know.” He answers
>>176137
Amber doesn't pull ahead, lest she lose sight of her companion. She does wish she told Jakala to leave the sled behind before they moved forward.
"What are the Stallos? Why are they tearing up the trees? Why are we living so close to them if they're dangerous?" Amber asks. Though this is spoken aloud, it's more of thinking out loud since she doubts the little filly knows the answers. She hopes there are none of them in that stand of trees.
Amber doesn't pull ahead, lest she lose sight of her companion. She does wish she told Jakala to leave the sled behind before they moved forward.
"What are the Stallos? Why are they tearing up the trees? Why are we living so close to them if they're dangerous?" Amber asks. Though this is spoken aloud, it's more of thinking out loud since she doubts the little filly knows the answers. She hopes there are none of them in that stand of trees.
"Gloomy, did I ever tell you the story of how Gnolls first came to be? It's..." whispers
Gloomy 's eyes widen in incredulity.
"Really?"
"So the story goes. It might even be why the Society cared about courting the Kaftars."
Gloomy 's eyes widen in incredulity.
"Really?"
"So the story goes. It might even be why the Society cared about courting the Kaftars."
>>176138
Kira smiles at the stallion. "It's okay, I know. Maybe if you wanted I could try making you your own bow someday. I don't know if you'd ever use it, but I imagine it would make for something nice to hang on the wall."
Kira smiles at the stallion. "It's okay, I know. Maybe if you wanted I could try making you your own bow someday. I don't know if you'd ever use it, but I imagine it would make for something nice to hang on the wall."
>>176139
“Giants. They look sort of like ponies kind of but big. And strong. And white. They’ll eat you…” she looks up and around, and lowers herself closer to the ground, almost crawling.
“Giants. They look sort of like ponies kind of but big. And strong. And white. They’ll eat you…” she looks up and around, and lowers herself closer to the ground, almost crawling.
>>176141
“Oh no, I don’t think I could be making bows. Or should be. I’m sure it’s a whole art form to make bows in itself. And I don’t really have much of a use for them. I don’t have to hunt. There are occasional predators, to be sure that harm and harass the animals. But the biggest monsters won’t go this close to the city, or at least I haven’t seen them. And if I did, I wouldn’t try to fight them myself.
“Oh no, I don’t think I could be making bows. Or should be. I’m sure it’s a whole art form to make bows in itself. And I don’t really have much of a use for them. I don’t have to hunt. There are occasional predators, to be sure that harm and harass the animals. But the biggest monsters won’t go this close to the city, or at least I haven’t seen them. And if I did, I wouldn’t try to fight them myself.
>>176143
"It does take a lot of time to learn, but that's why I suggested that I make you one as a gift, someday." At hearing about predators and monsters, however, Kira's ears perk up. "What kinds of predators and monsters?"
"It does take a lot of time to learn, but that's why I suggested that I make you one as a gift, someday." At hearing about predators and monsters, however, Kira's ears perk up. "What kinds of predators and monsters?"
File (): CF717DE15BC02E3E0DED26AD6697786A-473696.gif (462.6 KB, 300x252, IMG_7812.gif)
>>176144
Bright Dye is, and has been staring at Kira’s body since he put down the bow. Or more accurately, at her snake body. Before, when Kira was sitting down he was too, with a coffee table between them. This is possibly the first time he’s had a chance to really take a look at her under good light, as every time before she’s been facing him, or in dim light, or partly obscured. Now he stares at her long tail, partly coiled and for a 4 foot long section, visibly very distended. When Kira says her last words, he breaks out of the trance and looks back up to her eyes.
“Oh. Uh. Oh.” He smiles widely with that toothy smile. “Oh you don’t need to do that for me, heh… yeah, we have coyotes. Sometimes dire wolves will come this far north. And alligators, though if you stay away from the waterways those are not an issue. Same with the river serpents. They won’t attack ponies, at least supposedly they won’t attack ponies, but if a sheep swims in the river it might go under. No, really coyotes are the r worst if they break in. Also there are panthers, though you don’t see that many around here. But even worse are massive rocs, chimera, and hydras, though they are almost never that close to the city.”
Bright Dye is, and has been staring at Kira’s body since he put down the bow. Or more accurately, at her snake body. Before, when Kira was sitting down he was too, with a coffee table between them. This is possibly the first time he’s had a chance to really take a look at her under good light, as every time before she’s been facing him, or in dim light, or partly obscured. Now he stares at her long tail, partly coiled and for a 4 foot long section, visibly very distended. When Kira says her last words, he breaks out of the trance and looks back up to her eyes.
“Oh. Uh. Oh.” He smiles widely with that toothy smile. “Oh you don’t need to do that for me, heh… yeah, we have coyotes. Sometimes dire wolves will come this far north. And alligators, though if you stay away from the waterways those are not an issue. Same with the river serpents. They won’t attack ponies, at least supposedly they won’t attack ponies, but if a sheep swims in the river it might go under. No, really coyotes are the r worst if they break in. Also there are panthers, though you don’t see that many around here. But even worse are massive rocs, chimera, and hydras, though they are almost never that close to the city.”
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File (): FC33111770CCCAB404FAD7849BD10C84-320732.jpg (313.2 KB, 809x1000, Gnoll_witherling-5e.jpg)
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I'm going to go ahead and dump my shitty speech that was meant to accompany my diplomacy roll, because I'm bored and want to spur some dialogue.
Surely, the vaguely Muslim-coded starving hyena will not be offended by this baseless (based on d&d lore) mockery of his people's religion and history:
"Do you know the story ponies tell how Gnolls came to be? I'm sure you Kaftars have your own story, but ponies have our own, although I can't vouch for how truthful this one is... Long, long ago, before the three tribes were united, mighty and fearsome... Angel.. descended upon this plane from the void beyond the circle of creation, it's eyes filled fire as it passed judgement on this world for its sins. The Angel and wrought havoc on this world and its ponies for their decadent lives. The Angel, so mighty, carved a path of total destruction, and a lot of ponies and other creatures died, but in its wake, hyenas fed on the remains of the countless dead. As the Angel finished its tour of the world, finally content with punishing the ponies for their hubris, it only then looked behind itself and noticed the hyenas it had fed kneeling in its glory, the first Gnolls, who no longer scavenging animals, but brilliant and cunning creatures reborn by the grace of their lord. The Gnolls were fanatics, howling prayers for the glory of their lord, even though the Angel had offered them nothing in return. They were fearsome warriors, arming themselves with flails and battle-axes as they went on to conquer all surrounding territories and slaughter all in their path, devouring their victims, and killing off fauna faster than they could eat them. To the ponies, it was just wasteful violence, but to the Gnolls, it was the gospel of their lord, for they rid the world of weakness and punished the creatures of this world for their peaceful and decadent lives, and from the mountains of corpses a new world could be born. So devoted were the Gnolls, that the Angel gave them many blessings. Gnolls priests acquired magic and cast fourth spells in its name. Monsters from beyond the void would descend on their enemies, and even deceased Gnolls would rise from the grave to fight again. The priesthood of the Gnolls was so mighty that with their potent magic they could make the skeletons of their victims rise after stripping away their flesh, and ponies fled in terror as their reanimated siblings and parents faced them in Gnoll raids..."
"Agire, the Society sought your friendship, not just for your skills as a Necromancer, but for the strength of your people, for our kind recognize the role of the Gnolls as warriors of Armageddon, creatures of faith. These are dark times, the world locked in precarious stalemates and ceasefires that will last only as long as is convenient for the powers that be; the world of violence that we dream of might not be so far away... Agire, I heard it from your brother Sevberk that in your grave you were waiting for the rebirth of the world; and so I awoke you to tell you that that time draws near. I came to this neighborhood because I believe in you, and I believe in your people and the role you'll play in the reshaping of this world; and so I pled to your lord to bring you back to lead your temple..."
"So, tell me, Agire, will you join with the Society Of Bones again? You died once for your choices, but in the Society we believe that the bonds of friendship need not end in death. You may fight with us once more, or you may shun us and be left in peace. I'll even put you back in that coffin of yours if you wish. The choice is yours."
Surely, the vaguely Muslim-coded starving hyena will not be offended by this baseless (based on d&d lore) mockery of his people's religion and history:
"Do you know the story ponies tell how Gnolls came to be? I'm sure you Kaftars have your own story, but ponies have our own, although I can't vouch for how truthful this one is... Long, long ago, before the three tribes were united, mighty and fearsome... Angel.. descended upon this plane from the void beyond the circle of creation, it's eyes filled fire as it passed judgement on this world for its sins. The Angel and wrought havoc on this world and its ponies for their decadent lives. The Angel, so mighty, carved a path of total destruction, and a lot of ponies and other creatures died, but in its wake, hyenas fed on the remains of the countless dead. As the Angel finished its tour of the world, finally content with punishing the ponies for their hubris, it only then looked behind itself and noticed the hyenas it had fed kneeling in its glory, the first Gnolls, who no longer scavenging animals, but brilliant and cunning creatures reborn by the grace of their lord. The Gnolls were fanatics, howling prayers for the glory of their lord, even though the Angel had offered them nothing in return. They were fearsome warriors, arming themselves with flails and battle-axes as they went on to conquer all surrounding territories and slaughter all in their path, devouring their victims, and killing off fauna faster than they could eat them. To the ponies, it was just wasteful violence, but to the Gnolls, it was the gospel of their lord, for they rid the world of weakness and punished the creatures of this world for their peaceful and decadent lives, and from the mountains of corpses a new world could be born. So devoted were the Gnolls, that the Angel gave them many blessings. Gnolls priests acquired magic and cast fourth spells in its name. Monsters from beyond the void would descend on their enemies, and even deceased Gnolls would rise from the grave to fight again. The priesthood of the Gnolls was so mighty that with their potent magic they could make the skeletons of their victims rise after stripping away their flesh, and ponies fled in terror as their reanimated siblings and parents faced them in Gnoll raids..."
"Agire, the Society sought your friendship, not just for your skills as a Necromancer, but for the strength of your people, for our kind recognize the role of the Gnolls as warriors of Armageddon, creatures of faith. These are dark times, the world locked in precarious stalemates and ceasefires that will last only as long as is convenient for the powers that be; the world of violence that we dream of might not be so far away... Agire, I heard it from your brother Sevberk that in your grave you were waiting for the rebirth of the world; and so I awoke you to tell you that that time draws near. I came to this neighborhood because I believe in you, and I believe in your people and the role you'll play in the reshaping of this world; and so I pled to your lord to bring you back to lead your temple..."
"So, tell me, Agire, will you join with the Society Of Bones again? You died once for your choices, but in the Society we believe that the bonds of friendship need not end in death. You may fight with us once more, or you may shun us and be left in peace. I'll even put you back in that coffin of yours if you wish. The choice is yours."
>>176146
It's likely that, as a farmer/rancher, Bright Dye has seen a fair number of snakes while dealing with his livestock, and it's likely he's seen corn snakes with scale patterns similar to Kira's, but even still her scales simply look exotic, with how smooth and metallic her golden yellow scales they look reflecting the light, contrasted with the black and red diamond patterns going all the way down the back of her tail. Her whiter underbelly looks smooth as well, but it's actually quite rough to provide traction while slithering on various surfaces.
Kira looks quite interested hearing about the various creatures that have harassed his herds and flocks, some of which like alligators and serpents she's familiar with and others like coyotes she's not. She looks particular interested when she hears panthers. But, when he mentions one monster in particular, Bright Dye sees the lamia freeze up, her face looking pale and mortified. She's scared, for the first time that either him or Neela has seen.
"R...rocs? There are rocs here?"
It's likely that, as a farmer/rancher, Bright Dye has seen a fair number of snakes while dealing with his livestock, and it's likely he's seen corn snakes with scale patterns similar to Kira's, but even still her scales simply look exotic, with how smooth and metallic her golden yellow scales they look reflecting the light, contrasted with the black and red diamond patterns going all the way down the back of her tail. Her whiter underbelly looks smooth as well, but it's actually quite rough to provide traction while slithering on various surfaces.
Kira looks quite interested hearing about the various creatures that have harassed his herds and flocks, some of which like alligators and serpents she's familiar with and others like coyotes she's not. She looks particular interested when she hears panthers. But, when he mentions one monster in particular, Bright Dye sees the lamia freeze up, her face looking pale and mortified. She's scared, for the first time that either him or Neela has seen.
"R...rocs? There are rocs here?"
>>176142
Jakala's description stirs no memories in Amber's mind, and she is just as perplexed about what she's talking about. Does she mean bears? Amber had never seen a bear in person before and wasn't sure where her conceptions of them came from. Why would they clear an entire section of forest which is what they live in?
"Then let us stay quiet," she advises. "I want to know a little more about this place, and then head back." Despite trying to sound calm, she is uneasy about the Stallos. They had been here not long ago, and if they were willing to work in this darkness then the dim light would not do much to protect the fillies.
Jakala's description stirs no memories in Amber's mind, and she is just as perplexed about what she's talking about. Does she mean bears? Amber had never seen a bear in person before and wasn't sure where her conceptions of them came from. Why would they clear an entire section of forest which is what they live in?
"Then let us stay quiet," she advises. "I want to know a little more about this place, and then head back." Despite trying to sound calm, she is uneasy about the Stallos. They had been here not long ago, and if they were willing to work in this darkness then the dim light would not do much to protect the fillies.
>>176148
Soon
>>176149
He answers
"Oh yeah. Well, not here. They don't come close to the city. But I mean in the region more generally, yes. Really the mountains, more so. They will carry off sheep and will even attack dragons. They can be a nuisance in many places, yes."
>>176150
Jakala whispers "Okay..." and looks up above the nearby low hills for any shapes. The sky is brighter, and it is clearly twilight now, rather than true night. Many of the stars are no longer visible, and the bands of green light have faded against the blue and purple background of the sky.
Soon
>>176149
He answers
"Oh yeah. Well, not here. They don't come close to the city. But I mean in the region more generally, yes. Really the mountains, more so. They will carry off sheep and will even attack dragons. They can be a nuisance in many places, yes."
>>176150
Jakala whispers "Okay..." and looks up above the nearby low hills for any shapes. The sky is brighter, and it is clearly twilight now, rather than true night. Many of the stars are no longer visible, and the bands of green light have faded against the blue and purple background of the sky.
>>176151
Amber should be getting close to the stand of trees, but she doesn't rush, both for the sake of stealth and not to tire poor Jakala out. Can she make out anything among them?
Amber should be getting close to the stand of trees, but she doesn't rush, both for the sake of stealth and not to tire poor Jakala out. Can she make out anything among them?
>>176152
Amber can indeed see that there is damage to the limbs, with many needles missing, branches missing, and in general with much of the tree besides the bare trunk sheered off. The strand is not thick.
Amber can indeed see that there is damage to the limbs, with many needles missing, branches missing, and in general with much of the tree besides the bare trunk sheered off. The strand is not thick.
>>176153
Amber gets closer to examine more closely what sheered the trees. Are there any clawmarks on the trees? Are there any creatures hiding in the stand? Perhaps an object of any variety?
Amber gets closer to examine more closely what sheered the trees. Are there any clawmarks on the trees? Are there any creatures hiding in the stand? Perhaps an object of any variety?
>>176154
There are some cuts, though likely not claws. Hard to say. No clear signs of wildlife. Some evidence of burning. Branches are broken or sheered off.
There are some cuts, though likely not claws. Hard to say. No clear signs of wildlife. Some evidence of burning. Branches are broken or sheered off.
>>176155
Doesn't seem like bears. Amber wonders what could simultaneously burn and physically take down a tree. As tempting as it is to gather the ready-made firewood here, she decides against staying in the open any longer.
"Let's go back now," Amber says, retracing the path they took from the edge. She eyes the pile of hewn lumber in the distance.
Doesn't seem like bears. Amber wonders what could simultaneously burn and physically take down a tree. As tempting as it is to gather the ready-made firewood here, she decides against staying in the open any longer.
"Let's go back now," Amber says, retracing the path they took from the edge. She eyes the pile of hewn lumber in the distance.
>>176156
Bright Dye looks over at this odd display.
"What is it?"
>>176157
"Okay." Jakala says with greater enthusiasm. She turns around in place, at one time directly turning back and getting caught by the sled, then moving away from the sled, and slowly inching it around until she's going down the hill into the little valley where the pile of chopped wood is, about halfway between the two strands of standing trees.
Bright Dye looks over at this odd display.
"What is it?"
>>176157
"Okay." Jakala says with greater enthusiasm. She turns around in place, at one time directly turning back and getting caught by the sled, then moving away from the sled, and slowly inching it around until she's going down the hill into the little valley where the pile of chopped wood is, about halfway between the two strands of standing trees.
>>176158
Amber follows close to Jakala as they approach the pile of chopped wood. Although not a woodworker she looks to see how cleanly they have been cut compared to the felled lumber everywhere else.
What sort of creatures would leave this here? she wonders.
Amber follows close to Jakala as they approach the pile of chopped wood. Although not a woodworker she looks to see how cleanly they have been cut compared to the felled lumber everywhere else.
What sort of creatures would leave this here? she wonders.
>>176159
The wood is chopped, cut, and split along natural lines. The cuts that exist are clean and straight. The pieces are all of a similar size, or rather, two sizes, one being small and for branches, the other made from tree trunks.
The wood is chopped, cut, and split along natural lines. The cuts that exist are clean and straight. The pieces are all of a similar size, or rather, two sizes, one being small and for branches, the other made from tree trunks.
>>176160
That is certainly not firewood, but intended to be used for building! Amber leads Jakala to cover in the forest at the edge of the clearing.
"We need to collect firewood and go back to tell the others," she directs.
That is certainly not firewood, but intended to be used for building! Amber leads Jakala to cover in the forest at the edge of the clearing.
"We need to collect firewood and go back to tell the others," she directs.
>>176161
“Okay.” Jakala says simply, turning her thickly-covered head towards Amber. She goes with Amber as directed.
“Okay.” Jakala says simply, turning her thickly-covered head towards Amber. She goes with Amber as directed.
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