[God Quest] Live, Laugh, Ludo

I will still be here, stargazing

Mindful never to use Halo's shrine again for this god, Iskra pushes back through the woods that are so named for the bundle of rags, eyes cast about for flowers as he goes, just in case. Goose trails alongside him, on a surefooted hunt for the best stick to claim as a prize to take out Iskra's kneecaps with.

Finding the lantern-lit tree hollow, Iskra stoops down to brush away some of the collected leaf-litter and debris, mindful not to disturb a nearby spider who's web connects along two corners. Well instructed by Melita now, Iskra places his offerings, hopefully better suited than his last attempt. A bag of watermelon flavored candies, the kind with the jelly inside, and a fruit punch juice box fill the ledge first. From his other pocket he pulls out a wooden cat he carved, etched in a long stretch, and a toy sailboat he picked up while in Torchline. Lastly, he deposits the iron ore that Sunjata helped him collect from the Climb.

"Ludo," he says softly to the woods and the candlelight. "I completed your tasks," he exhales with a soft laugh, "and I've learned my lesson." The #blessing he'd received, although he's certain Ludo will have many more things to teach him yet. 

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Iskra is turning the quest he received Yeah I'm FINE

1. Complete a thread mining for the ore he'd like the greataxe to be created from.
- [SE] Catch the fire burning out your soul Ore from the Climb
2. Complete a training thread focusing on fighting with an axe.
- [SE][Training] to break the darkness with your light Axe-throwing training
3. Complete a thread paying respects to his mother in whatever way feels best.
- [SE] If I hit the bottom will I break? Visited Torchline and said bye to his mom, gave her some tequila and a wooden bird
4. Complete a thread being struck by lightning.
- [Training] Fighting like I just can't get enough Struck by Sah after the training

Iskra has already received an additional bLeSsINg from Ludo! For the three threads immediately following this one (11187) he will only be able to communicate via shouting, AND SO ALL DIALOGUE SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN ALL CAPS.
1. [SE][Training] to break the darkness with your light
2. [o] Horny Horses
3. [Training] Fighting like I just can't get enough

Iskra

code by sky

ludo Braved the forests, braved the stone Braved the icy winds and fire Braved and beat them on my own ”Oooo, this is much better.” Iskra will be able to watch as raggedy tendrils sneak throughout the shrine, pillaging watermelon candies from within the hollow of the tree trunk and grabbing at the sailboat and kitty cat offerings. One gentle little rag even offers Goose a friendly pat before withdrawing, and Ludo’s porcelain mask appears hovering close by, clutching the hunk of iron ore. ”You have done very well, sweetling,” it agrees, waving the ore about (and if there’s a little bit of static in the air as it does, so be it). ”Hopefully your fun new axe doesn’t give you any shocks.” Promptly yeeting the ore at the ground, with a violent CRACK of electricity, in its place, a shining great axe protrudes from the earth, waiting for Iskra to pull the blade free. Iskra has completed his quest and has received the following! Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic Ampere | A greataxe decorated with engravings depicting feathers and lightning bolts. Produces lightning where its blade strikes.

I will still be here, stargazing

There's no small amount of relief or pride at Ludo's praise. In part because Iskra hasn't done well in a long while, but also because he's never quite certain what the trickster god will get up to next. Much like dealing with Melita, it could be any number of stray, chaotic thoughts or actions that unfurl, contained only with whim.

Goose groans loudly into the pat, gaze following the trail of rags that are achingly tempting to bite onto as the god pivots and alchemizes. The curiosity soon spirals into fear however as the extremely heavy and shiny ball splits the ground in a new shape, loud and fuzzy in a way that taunts the edges of his fur. Wisely Goose scurries away, while Iskra is left to marvel at the newly formed embodiment of his mother, a weapon he can wield against some of the dangers in life, the ones she did her best to shelter him from in the time she could.

"Thanks, Ludo," Iskra says with no lack of evident wonder as he steps forward. If there's a moment of hesitation in grabbing the handle, it's only because he can feel the promise of a shock on the hilt, an unspun mote of static still clinging there. He'd been struck by actual lightning, this should be a cakewalk. Yet the anticipation of the bite beads along his palm, and he squints against the inevitable as he finally grasps it, jerking back marginally as the zap comes, before fully wresting it free and into his hand.

He grins, merely a boy with a new toy, as he lifts it up and spins the heft of it in his hand. "Time to see if I can chop a tree down without burning up the forest." He, carefully, heads back into the woods, whistling for Goose as he bids Ludo farewell with a jolly wave.

[FIN]

Iskra

code by sky