Personal Quest Chase the Morning
Exploration to the east
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#1
The day had dawned crisp and clear, the air brisk as the seasons turned and turned again. Longheat’s oppressive weight had broken the day before, but the sun’s warmth still lingered as it rose above the horizon and spread gentle runners across the world below. It was a good omen, Jigano thought, perched on a bough looking to the east. He fluffed his feathers, then chirred encouragement at a small, reddish-grey gryphon who was hunting nearby, her long tail lashing as she prepared to pounce on a foraging mouse.

He was not alone on his perch. A full trio of ravens waited past the edge of the Woodlands where the barrier had once kept them caged, outside of the Hollowed Grounds. Two sleekly black and glossy birds and one looking a bit greyer and dustier, a bit worse for wear than his friends. The three birds made occasional soft noises at each other, or shifted to higher or lower branches to investigate bugs for a mid-morning snack, but they seemed content for the moment to wait where they were.

Jigano hoped they wouldn’t be waiting for long. He had been living in his animal shapes for a few days, hiding his stark white coat with dye and dust and ash so that those who even knew of several of his forms wouldn’t be able to track him. He was expecting two more to arrive, friends he had tentatively asked to join him once more, though he was hesitant to do so after how their last exploration had gone. The Greatwood had cost them all dearly, in pain and trauma and shattered confidence in themselves, and perhaps history was doomed to repeat itself… But he couldn’t give up without at least trying again. He had fallen apart, surrendered to his despair and guilt once, and the shadows of that breakdown still clung to him like cobwebs. Thanks to his friends and the family he had found he had risen again, determination shaken and fragile but intact enough that he had found the strength to reach out once more.

And so he waited, eyes to the east, ready to take wing and chase the sunrise once his fellow explorers arrived to help expand their world a little further.



This is a closed Attuned-Only avian PQ to explore the region to the East of the Hollowed Grounds!

1. Amalia
2. Kiada
Kiada Njovu-Reyes
Hollowed Grounds Registrar

Age: 30 | Height: 5’7 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 16 - Endr: 29 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Skylark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,674 | Total: 13,495
MP: 2712
#2
KIADA

The Harpy, too, bears only feathers today as she zooms across the skies. The dawn is crisp, and she feels the softness of it all through her feathers as she banks side to side. It’s nothing too showy, and for those peering up from the ground might think it’s just a bit windy, Kiada finds that it’s fun as she tests the limits of the magic she’s acquired since arriving. It’s the only way to keep things light as she follows a mental map to the location Jigano had said to meet.

Her scarlet gaze scans the treetops, charcoal beak parting slightly to screech a haunting, dreary call, before she descends into the canopy. She doesn’t know what today will bring her, but she imagines it can’t be much worse than what had happened when they were captured by the Fae. And at least this time, they know her face – know she’s sacrificed much already.

She scans the branches to see where he might be, and at first she thinks she’s missed him – his dark feathers blending in well with the fellow ravens that surround him. But she remains in the meeting place, high in the trees, folding her pale wings tightly along her back and croaking a haunting, hollow sound.
Kiada has a large X scar on the right side of her neck.
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Kiada, without killing her <3
Amalia Chandrakant
the Archangel
Baker

Age: 29 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int:
JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
Played by: shark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,098 | Total: 4,577
MP: 2580
#3
Amalia, too, has an entourage of sorts. The barn owl is flanked by a snowy one she has somehow befriended, the creature curious and relatively accustomed to spending time with Attuned. So too is she followed by stars: the three infant starmotes dancing in her wake, bright and cheerful and full of joy, or so she would like to believe. She has developed a fondness for them, has distinguished them all with names.

She is not sure they understand, but that isn't really the point.

She spots Kiada first, the harpy unmistakable, a beautiful beacon of death and rebirth. Calling down to the other girl, Amalia begins to dive, her snow owl friend not far behind. She lands lightly upon the branch, hopping over to preen the larger avian affectionately, the stars now circling them both. Are you ready?

Then she glances up, picking Jigano out more on feeling than appearance, though her stomach knots a little at the sight of his disguise. Nodding to there raven, Amalia sends out a pulse of reassurance a d enthusiasm.

It is time to go see the rest of the world.
a m a l i a
You were young and you'd stare With a reverence unimpaired
Searching in your dark eyes to find the stars already there


Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#4
Thank you for coming, the darkish grey raven called out, fluttering to join his friends on the same branch. My friends, it means more than I can say that you would join me again. But if we are prepared... The old map Amalia and I found seemed to indicate that there was ocean to the east of the Hollowed Grounds, not too far away. If we can find it, perhaps we can explore and learn more of the world without crossing into the Greatwood and offending the Fae, he explained. At least, I hope that's the case. The Fae spoke of great storms to the west since the barrier fell, but perhaps the east will be open to us.

He fluffed his feathers, cocking his head to meet the eyes of the fierce harpy and the determined owl, and greeting Amalia's entourage with a polite bob of his head. Let's fly for a few hours and see what we find beyond the barrier's influence! With a caw of encouragement he dived off the branch, his pair of ravens following. The gryphlet below chirruped and leaped after them, taking flight after a few long bounds and flapping into the sky to join the strange flock as they set out on their journey of exploration.

The trees quickly faded in size and number, the forest giving way to a dry scrubland and then to even drier karst as the miles passed beneath their wings. Soon only rock and sand were visible below, the thermals providing Kiada 's broad wings with support while Amalia and Jigano and their winged friends had to work harder to travel forward.

They had been flying for two hours by the time a dark smudge ahead and to the north caught their attention, and Jigano angled his wings in that direction. Isuma and the two ravens were struggling to keep pace, in need of a rest, and the others might have been as well. Are those... trees? he asked, a little dubious as to whether he was seeing an oasis in the wasteland, or just a mirage. Let's check it out...



The wasteland doesn't offer much in the way of food or water, so check your Endurance scores to see how well you're keeping up! Maybe this oasis will provide a good place to rest for a bit... What does your character see/find as they descend into the branches? Something useful? Dangerous? Beautiful? Interesting?

No posting order this round
Amalia Chandrakant
the Archangel
Baker

Age: 29 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int:
JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
Played by: shark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,098 | Total: 4,577
MP: 2580
#5
Two hours in, and Amalia is losing steam. Her owl friend already retreated, not particularly in leaving his nest so far away for a purpose he does not fully understand. The girl cannot say she blames him: her wings are beginning to burn beneath the strain, the little-used muscles screaming in protest as she pushes them further than ever before. So she is grateful when the trees come into view, tilting her wings to approach the forest, the circling descent a welcome relief. With claws outstretched she lights on a branch, sighing relief and ruffling her feathers before turning to survey the rest of the scene.

The scene that meets her is rather appealing. A lake of water upon the wastes, trees rising around, offering merciful shade. It smells clean, welcoming, a good change to the desert around. Extending her wings, the owl drops down, approaching the water with cautious fascination. Do you think it's safe to drink? she asks, turning her head so she can see both the water and her friends, her beak and tongue feeling suddenly parched.
a m a l i a
You were young and you'd stare With a reverence unimpaired
Searching in your dark eyes to find the stars already there


Kiada Njovu-Reyes
Hollowed Grounds Registrar

Age: 30 | Height: 5’7 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 16 - Endr: 29 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Skylark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,674 | Total: 13,495
MP: 2712
#6
KIADA

Amalia approaches, her owl form swift and quiet on the winds as she settles beside the Harpy for a brief moment, affectionately preening her. Kiada gives her a quiet pulse of happiness, seeing the stars and her better mood, bumping her head against the owl with a quiet coo of appreciation. Jigano joins them soon after, and she turns her pale head toward the raven. “Sounds good to me.” She acknowledges before taking to the sky after them.

Her large wings make easy work of the winds, and she finds she doesn’t need to constantly beat them as she soars against the wind currents, the tips of her feathers catching and holding onto the wind as though she’s surfing them. But her shoulders are already growing sore as they continue for quite some time before Jigano’s voice rings out to her. She follows on Amalia’s tailfeathers as the owl begins to descend, her own gaze following the water as her tongue turns to sandpaper.

She lands beside the owl, her body leaning toward the water to inspect it before she swoops down after Amalia. “It seems okay?” She says, though there’s a bit of apprehension within her. She decides to take the plunge (figuratively and literally) as she swoops a bit further toward the water’s edge and hops into it, first with one foot and then the other. She figures if it doesn’t harm her as she steps in it, it probably is just water after all.
Kiada has a large X scar on the right side of her neck.
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Kiada, without killing her <3
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#7
First the owl and then one of the ravens drops back, though the largest of the birds continued gamely on. Isuma struggled to keep pace with the larger birds, slipping in behind Amalia as Jigano encouraged her along, offering the same to his friends as they passed miles and miles of empty waste. Not quite desert, but with little enough life visible from aloft that it might as well have been.

The oasis was a welcome sight, especially once it became clear that it wasn't a mirage after all, but a proper little island of water and greenery amid the empty lands surrounding it. They all flew down to rest their weary wings, and Amalia was the first to investigate the deep blue pool. It was peaceful and unruffled, the water mirror-smooth and reflecting the sky above and the trees around it, rather than revealing its depth or secrets. Around her, small rustlings in the underbrush hinted at rodents and small mammals scurrying away from the appearance of a predator, while a nearby lizard sunned itself on a rock, watching her from the corner of its half-closed eye.

Kiada 's approach created a pool of silence around her landing zone, the fleeing creatures freezing in place as the much larger bird arrived, putting the fear of the hunted in all the little prey animals nearby. The water was pleasantly cool at the edges of the small lake, the colder Leafchange nights beginning to leech the heat from it, and her feet sent ripples expanding out across its surface as she hopped into it.

Jigano joined them both a moment later, coaxing a tired Isuma down to land. We won't know until we try, he pointed out, hopping forward to dip his beak into the water and raising his head to let the water rest against his tongue for a few seconds before he swallowed it. He extended a wing to prevent the gryphlet from scampering up, waiting again to see if anything would happen. It tastes fine... he decided cautiously, going for another sip as his other raven friend landed and hopped right into the shallows alongside Kiada, drinking greedily and tossing water back over his feathers to cool off.

As the ripples spread outward, something shifted deeper in the oasis, sending ripples shivering back to break against those caused by the birds on shore, but it was Amalia who found herself facing a more pressing concern. Isuma saw the snake before it lunged, but only barely as the large viper launched itself towards the little owl, seeing in her a satisfying meal to be had, if it could sink its fangs into her feathers.



The water is sweet, but the oasis is not without its own predators! A viper has attacked Amalia. Quick, do something!

Posting Order:
1. Amalia
2. Kiada
Amalia Chandrakant
the Archangel
Baker

Age: 29 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int:
JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
Played by: shark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,098 | Total: 4,577
MP: 2580
#8
Amalia watches as her friends test the water before jumping in herself, her beak reaching down, the liquid refreshing and delightful as it courses down her throat. Greedily the girl partakes, letting her wings fall into the water, the liquid cooling her feathers, her back, the weary muscles so rarely used relaxing in the sun. Once she has thoroughly sated her thirst the girl takes stock of their surroundings: and most importantly, her friends, who are decidedly too dry. With a mischievous chirp she extends her wing, catching the primary feathers in the water in hopes to douse Kiada with spray before quickly looking the other way, feigning innocence.

In fact, so focused is she upon her mischief that she does not notice the approaching danger - not until it's far too late. The snake is nearly silent in its approach; only Isuma's warning cry causes Amalia to turn, her wings pulling back just as sharp fangs snap where the muscle used to be. One long, creamy feather is the only mouthful it comes away with as Amalia's body begins to change, instinct pushing her into another form, the leopard taking shape. With a snarl of warning for the snake, Amalia rises up, suddenly a far more formidable target, daring it to approach her friends, her fangs and claws on full display.
a m a l i a
You were young and you'd stare With a reverence unimpaired
Searching in your dark eyes to find the stars already there


Kiada Njovu-Reyes
Hollowed Grounds Registrar

Age: 30 | Height: 5’7 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 16 - Endr: 29 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Skylark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,674 | Total: 13,495
MP: 2712
#9
KIADA

Kiada doesn’t miss the prey animals darting away from her arrival. It doesn’t distract her any more than anything else, as she dips further into the water – letting the cooling liquid soothe her tired joints. She watches while Jigano joins them, and soon after Amalia does too. Her head tilts toward Jigano as he mentions it tastes fine, and she follows suit by dipping her beak in and drinking her fill before shaking her head and sending water from her tuft of feathers along her beak flying.

She does notice a small amount of ripples coming from somewhere else – away from where the birds sat. But she’s distracted as Amalia grows playful, chirping before dousing her with water. Her beak parts, a croak of a cackle leaving her throat before she shakes her head to rid herself of the water – sending a few feathers sticking straight up. But it doesn’t last long, this small amount of innocent fun, as a viper approaches and aims a bite at Amalia. Kiada’s wings open wide and water flies as she hops back slightly.

Amalia shifts into her leopard form, and Kiada’s proud of Amalia for being so quick minded, before she wonders if perhaps she could simply toss the snake somewhere else. With a big push, she takes to the sky and swoops back down, aiming to grab the snake with her talons and fling it away into a nearby tree.
Kiada has a large X scar on the right side of her neck.
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Kiada, without killing her <3
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#10
It was all fun in games until the snake decided to come out of the grass, but Amalia 's reflexes were swift enough to buy her time to change into something more dangerous. It gave the viper pause, its reptile brain uncertain how to process the change from owl to leopard, but confusion only seemed to make it madder. It coiled itself, hissing at Amalia and the wing-spread, cawing raven that tried to distract it as it debated whether to engage in fight or flight from the situation. Fight was the answer it landed on, and it tensed its coils, springing towards the large fuzzy heat source with poisoned fangs bared--

Kiada struck true, the snake sensing her shadow too late to react as large, hooked talons wrapped around it and though it thrashed, it couldn't break free until the Harpy flung it away, her aim perhaps a little off - the snake struck the tree's trunk and fell to the underbrush, stunned. In all the excitement and thrashing water, more ripples bounced outward from the center of the oasis, but with as broken and choppy as it had become near shore it was difficult to see their source.

Isuma bounded to her big sister, the little gryphlet making worried chirrups as she nosed Amalia over, looking for injuries and dampening her paws in the water as she did so. Jigano chirred calmingly to his companions, hopping up to a shaded tree branch to look out over the Oasis with eyes that were far more watchful now. We can rest here a bit, he suggested, cocking his head to see what his friends thought. But let's keep going when you're ready. This might make for a good camping place if we come back prepared. Maybe even a place to hide from Zariah, in a pinch... but I'd rather we not spend the night here tonight until we can explore it further. And maybe things will green up when we get nearer to the ocean? It was something to hope for, at least. The greater part of the day was still ahead of them, and they could fly east for half of it before they'd need to turn around.

When they were ready to take off again, Jigano left the remaining raven behind to keep watch before he launched himself into the sky, leading the way once more. Another hour, and he was getting ready to call for another break when a cool breeze began to blow, ruffling their feathers and carrying with it the scent of moisture. Urging his friends forward, the highest flying among them would see a grey smudge on the horizon, stretching as far as their eyes could see.

It took close to another hour to reach it, for the size of the storm creating that smudge was immense. Clouds, fierce and black, towered high above. Rain lashed the ground below them so thickly that it might as well have been an opaque wall. The wind coming off it blew fiercely the closer they came, and the avians would sense the wickedly unpredictable downdrafts and gusts that swirled within the storm itself like the hands of giants knocking the air aside. Offsetting the darkness of the clouds was the brilliance of the lightning that flashed among them, a near-constant display of raw, elemental power that jumped from land to cloud, and cloud to cloud, jagged forks of electricity snarling for miles across the sky. Thunder boomed continuously, deafening them with its fury as it rolled and cracked, a weapon in its own right apart from the lightning that birthed it.

I hate to say it... but we don't have time to check both north and south to see how far it extends before we need to head back. What do you think to splitting up and seeing if we can find the edges of this monstrosity? It can't possibly be natural... he finished dubiously, fighting to stay aloft against the trickles of gusts that extended even to the cloudless Leafchange sky they had flown under until that point.



If you choose to go north, turn to page 38
If you choose to go south, turn to page 43
If you have a different idea, now's your chance to jump the rails!

No posting order this round
Kiada Njovu-Reyes
Hollowed Grounds Registrar

Age: 30 | Height: 5’7 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 18 - Dext: 16 - Endr: 29 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Skylark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 1,674 | Total: 13,495
MP: 2712
#11
KIADA

Her talons connect with the viper, and she tightens her grip on it as it thrashes before she tosses it. And while she had originally intended it to go into the trees, she watches with her scarlet gaze as it strikes the tree trunk and falls to the ground. She lowers herself back to the water and hops over to Amalia, nuzzling her affectionately, before drinking more water and listening to Jigano with a small nod. “We should keep it in mind.” She agrees, finding it a decent place to be near water while also shelter for longer exploration missions.

But when it’s time to move on, she takes to the skies with slightly achy wings, and her gaze follows the others as they fly and fly until after what felt like forever, they spot a grey smudge on the horizon. She can’t see the end of it, but the winds and rains, the moisture in the air, make her feel a bit confused and uneasy, but she wants to find out where it ends (if it does) and what might be causing it. She finds herself blown around by the wind, but she keeps her wings spread to bounce along them as though she’s gliding from current to current.

I’ll go South.” She says, head turning the direction as she croaks a quiet amount to Amalia and Jigano before pushing against the current and soaring south to see what comes from it.
Kiada has a large X scar on the right side of her neck.
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Kiada, without killing her <3
Amalia Chandrakant
the Archangel
Baker

Age: 29 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak
Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int:
JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
Played by: shark Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,098 | Total: 4,577
MP: 2580
#12
Amalia watches as Kiada lashes out, taking the snake in her talons and throwing it in a majestic arc across the oasis. Honestly, she hadn't been incredibly concerned about the creature, but it somewhat comforting to have people caring for her, looking out and taking her side. Purring affectionately at Kiada and Isuma, the girl rumbles a feline laugh before shifting down to avian form and preening the gryphlet's wings. I'm fine. You were very brave.

When at last they take wing and meet the storm Amalia stops in mild surprise, circling around the trio of birds. Jigano's suggestion that they split up worries her a little: she does not like the idea of separating out and leaving the storm to wreak its havoc, of losing sight of one another, but what is she to do? I'll go with Kiada, the girl says, shooting a concerned pulse toward Jigano before arcing off to pursue the harpy through the stormy sky,
a m a l i a
You were young and you'd stare With a reverence unimpaired
Searching in your dark eyes to find the stars already there


Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#13
Amalia and Kiada flew parallel to the storm for quite some time, but at no point did the tumult of sky and water cease its violent barrage against the earth. There was no lessening of its fury, no sign that it would end. No matter how high they flew the clouds always seemed to soar higher, somehow managing to stay dark and fierce even when the air grew thin and wings could no longer carry them up. Even at those great heights the wind gusted and lightning flashed clear warning to any who tried to go through the tops of those treacherous clouds, seeking to at least avoid the rain below.

They had been flying for an hour before they would find the storm beginning to curve west, a slow arc that would herd them back the direction they had come from. It was at that point that a particularly vivid flash of lightning struck through the clouds, illuminating their interiors for long seconds in its fury. Something long and scaled and sinuous slid within, thicker around than the largest of trees in the Greatwood, and at the level the birds were flying at, with no clear means of support. It was a creature, alive, but vast, the greater part of its bulk hidden deeper within the storm.



When the trio regrouped shortly after midday, Jigano was clearly shaken, and a weary Isuma chirped worriedly beside him. The storm extends to the north before curving back west again, he admitted, defeat in the slump of his head and the water that had beaded on his feathers from flying too close to the storm. I couldn't find an end to it. It looks like it blocks us from the ocean all the way around... And... there are things in it. The raven shivered, a flicker of awe and fear in his blue eyes. If it's the same to the south, I'm afraid we will find no access to the ocean in this direction. That still leaves the West and South but... not today. We have a long flight home again, he finished, dejected but trying to shake off his despair before he could fall back into it. As long as you keep trying, Amalia had said, and he meant to follow her words, to be the man she thought he could be.

At least we can stop at the oasis on the way back and take another rest, he said with wry humor. As long as we keep an eye out for snakes!



This ends the Exploration to the East PQ! Thank you so much for participating!


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