Having finally found the stream you are seeking, you follow along its winding path. A glimpse of what may be a cave catches your eye. As you draw closer, the landscape around you takes on an eerie aura. There is more evidence of dead and decaying things and a chill seems to seep into your bones, feeling as if it latches on to your fur. There is an urge to turn back, and go the other way. But you push forward.
Finally, you happen across the entrance to a cavern. It seems to stretch deep into the ground beneath your paws.
A strange glow seems to emit from deep inside. The closer you step, the more your instincts scream to run away. But you are a Monster Hunter on a quest! You can't turn back now. Not when you can almost taste how close to finding the sparkling creature you are. Besides, what would Kale think if you gave up so easily?
So, it is onward, into the cavern you go.
Rules
Each character will roll one 20-sided dice (1D20) and edit in an appropriate response. Please indicate which prompt you are responding to. Please post for your characters individually when responding to the prompts. Please use your Character Cards to keep track of your Action Points and Items. You may only post in this area if you have completed the previous prompt. For every response over 150 words your character will receive 1 RP point! If you find yourself struggling to understand please seek guidance in our [FAQ]. If your question hasn't already been answered, kindly fill out the form provided and post it. You never know who might have the same question as you!
How to Play Characters have finally made it to the Crystal Caverns! As you enter, many things begin to gleam and sparkle. Crystals perhaps? The water itself? Is your head beginning to hurt again? Your character will roll a one 20-sided dice (1D20). Use the list of prompts below to react and respond accordingly.
Your character rolls a 1-3: You explore around the cave, looking from one strange crystal to the next, only to gain an intense headache. You turn back.
Quote:
You may use 1 Action Point to rest up and roll 1D20 again!
Your character rolls a 4-8: You've caught sight of something moving in the water and go to investigate! Roll one (1) D6.
Quote:
1. You find some Fairy Fish scales beside the water! 2. You dig around in the water and uncover a small pile of gems! 3. You dig around in the water and uncover some sparkly pebbles! 4. You swiftly grab a shadow that moves... and catch a Fairy Fish! 5. You discover a Fairy Fish skeleton beside the water! 6. You dig around the water and uncover a crystal!
You may use 1 Action Point to roll 1D20 again!
Your character rolls a 9-14: You notice movement back towards the cave entrance and decide to investigate. RNG a number between 1 and 3.
Quote:
1. Looks like there is nothing there. 2. You spot a crow flying away with something shiny in its mouth and pursue it hut find nothing. 3. That raccoon has an extremely shiny fish! You may use 1 Action Point to steal the Fairy Fish.
You may use 1 Action Point to roll 1D20 again!
Your character rolls a 15-19: You've caught sight of something moving in the water and go to investigate! Roll one (1) D6.
Quote:
1. You find a geode in the water! 2. You paw around at the water and catch a regular fish! 3. You dig around in the water and uncover some sparkly pebbles! 4. You see something in the water and grab it... catching a snake skin 5. You discover the head and bones of a Fairy Fish beside the water! 6. You swiftly grab a shadow that moves... and catch a Fairy Fish!
You may use 1 Action Point to roll 1D20 again!
Your character rolls a 20: Your character is hesitant to enter the cave. Alternatively, if your character was already exploring the cave something spooked them causing them to flee outside in a panic.
Quote:
Your character may use 1 Action Point to gain courage and enter the cave. Roll 1D20 again!
Have you found what you are seeking, Monster Hunter?
If your character has used up all their Action Points and are ready to leave the Cave, they may proceed to [Reporting back].
The decay had gotten a little worse since her last trip home, but there was a nostalgia that ran deeper that the chills and warmed her from her core. Her ears perked forward and her tail wagged lightly as she padded into the cavern without any hesitation.
"I imagine for some you might look impending doom," she laughed softly, talking to her home as if it were a comprehensive thing. As she moved deeper into the cave, the glowing gems made the lichen based paint on her body illuminate and glow. As she approached a pool of water at the cavern's depths, taking in her reflection.
The faint glow of the cavern made the pale stripes of blue in her mane shimmer like moonlight and her eyes were bright like stars. A wry smile curled her lips upwards. Who'd have thought that her first quest would have led her here?
Right Back home.
But then - did that mean that what she was looking for was here too?
There was something in the water that didn't move with the rest of the reflection rippling on it's surface. Dipping her paw into the water delicately, she watched as a few fish scattered in different directions and she paused in moving before she continued, pushing her paw against whatever was in the water, careful not to apply too much pressure in the event of sharp edges. In a cave of crystals, one could never be too cautious.
The item was hard, and there was no give to it. It had a tip that had a blunt head, and after a little digging near the bottom of it, murking the water just slightly, it came free and she was able to rake her claws across the bottom of the small pool, pulling the crystal out and examining it. It was colorful, and there was a beauty to it that was familiar and comforting. Now, she could travel with a little piece of home carried with her.
Feeling pleased, she took a moment to stash it away with the shimmering feather she'd received earlier at the tree where the Owls lived, and she waited for the water in the pool to settle once more.
Straye rolled 1 20-sided dice:
5Total: 5 (1-20)
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:36 am
Characters Title: Beginner Actions Points: 2 [-1 For this post, as I am spending an AP.]
Eve moved from the pool she was at, walking deeper into the cave, down a side tunnel into a bigger, open chamber. The sound of water dripping from a stalactite with a number of glittering crystals protruding along it's surface, sparkling like a small constellation set against a dark, storm lit sky.
The water of the pool rippled, and sometimes little drops of water bounced out and hit a piece of ground beside the pool where something shimmered an caught her eye.
Curiosity was what kept her there, eyes focusing on the drip from a few feet away, observing almost obsessively. There were a few places on the floor where water was splashing but she couldn't quite say what was different about this one.
The way that light shimmered perhaps? The fact that the water didn't just slide back into the pool like it did in other places? Focusing on the little things was the only way she could believe she would see something she never had before.
Her curiosity really got the better of her, and cautiously she moved closer to investigate.
Eve's nose lowered to the ground - testing the scent of the small puddle. There was the unique scent of Fish... but the smell was different than most fish smells. Sweeter, almost. Her paw dragged through the small water spot, her claws sifted through mud and lichen, even some gem fragments.
Catching on her claws, a number of fish scales surfaced and she couldn't help but tilt her head as she looked at them. They shimmered and glittered in the most peculiar way, but they were beautiful.
He was right - All that glitters is Not gold. she hummed to herself, wondering how they had gotten so far into the caves. She knew there were smaller underground tunnels between the chambers that attached most of the larger pools to the river outside, allowing the fish to travel from pool to pool.
Was that what had happened? It was a conundrum to reflect upon. So, she'd found scales, and she'd found a crystal, and a feather... It was hardly enough to prove anything.
Glowing eyes turned back towards the way she came. Maybe a more careful look. It was easy to get accustomed to a place and not realize that something unusual was there under your nose the whole time - especially in a place that practically raised you.
Her ears swiveled - a sound caught her attention. Passed the sound of water dripping and the soft trickle of the stream, she heard a rustling. It was similar to the sound of rabbits in the bushes outside.
Sniffing the air she detected the scent of a smaller animal. Her instincts to track, to find, kicked in. Her breathing softened, she crouched and started to move towards the entrance of the cave, one slow, silent step at a time, The lichen moss on the stone floors padded her steps and as she neared the entrance of the cave, she prepared herself, muscles tensed, ready for action.
Straye generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
Eve was still for a long few moments, and when nothing moved but the steadily trickling water, she exhaled slowly; she hadn't even realized she'd been holding her breath. Terrible habit for a hunter - good way of getting light headed during a hunt. She laughed at herself, shaking out her pelt. Her nose lowered and she approached the cave, stepping out into the setting sun. Her tail swayed. The scent of rabbit, squirrel, raccoon were all present in the greenery outside the cave, but whatever had drawn her attention was long gone.
Deciding that a rest before she headed back wouldn't hurt anything, she stretched, forelegs out straight, her back bowed, chest pressed to the forest floor. Her eyes rolled in delight as she felt a pop between the shoulders, a couple cracks along her spine, then as she rose to stretch her hind legs and her hips, she gave a deep, satisfying, oxygenating yawn.
This day had proven to be longer than she'd expected - but she had no complaints. A day of meeting new, interesting creatures, and learning unique, interesting rumor about the place she'd called home for a long time - though she had not been there in a few moons. The opportunity to return for a short while, though unexpected, was Welcomed.
Laying quietly alongside the stream, Eve was pensive. The last time she'd walked these caves, she'd been pacing. Back and forth for what seemed like ages. Her brother - though they had been separated in their puppyhood, had fallen to weakness in the wastes after being rejected by the berserkers who'd raised him - she, she had followed, hoping against all hope that he would thrive.
She could stil remember how still, and how cold he'd been as she carried him home. The scent of death clinging to him. The dirt and blood that matted his fur, the raw meat of his paws. Her heart couldn't stand to see him hurt - yet she stayed beside him, nursed him, fed him meals as a mother wolf feeds her weanlings. She cleaned his wounds, and she made him drink from the stream.
Slowly he'd grown stronger and one night she left for a hunt that took her farther than she'd expected to travel, and when she returned home, the cave was empty. Since then she had found him again. Thriving as a protector for a pack. Living his life with purpose. It inspired her to take a stand and re-motivated her to become what she'd always intended. Standing, she looked up into the phoenix fire sky and wondered if the path she was on was the one she was meant for.
Straye rolled 1 6-sided dice:
1Total: 1 (1-6)
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:48 am
Characters Title: Beginner Actions Points: 0 [Used the Last AP Point in this Post]
Moving to the stream, she looked down at her reflection and watched the fish swim to a fro, eating, playing, occasionally jumping. Her lips curled upward as she watched their little world go round. As the clouds shifted, another shimmer of color caught her eye. It was brief, but it was bright enough to let her know that it wasn't just water reflecting off water in the grass across the stream from her.
Backing up, she rolled her shoulders, dug her claws in and leaped, soaring easily over the water and to the other side. Shaking herself out as she padded in a short circuit, she moved to investigate. Her eyes scanned the ground and she lowered her head to nose aside the grass. More scales?
Chuckling wryly to herself, she had to admit - fairy fish weren't what she was expecting. But they were fairies after all, and they shimmered brilliantly, and a part of her couldn't deny there was a magical sort of beauty to them. Well, this was the best she had to offer. It was time to head back now.
Your character rolls a 15-19: You've caught sight of something moving in the water and go to investigate! Roll one (1) D6.
Skuld followed along the stream, the owl having long since left her to her own devices. As she continued, she wondered if maybe she would have preferred the owl had stayed... this place was spooky enough that she would have liked the company, even if they were too chatty and bicker-y for her liking. But there was nothing she could do about it now. Instead, she was forced to sniff her way forward.
As she walked, she perked up at the sight of the Crystal Caverns, the gleam and glow from inside pulling her enthusiasm back. She was so close! She only needed to search a bit more and then head back. And how hard could it be to find evidence of a fish?
So, ignoring the little shiver up her spine, the wolf dog hurried onward, rushing over to the nearest interesting object she could find to start her search.
MangoMeow rolled 1 6-sided dice:
4Total: 4 (1-6)
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:17 am
Characters Title: Beginner Actions Points: 2 AP
Current RP points: 6 RP points used: 0
Items: Painted Feather, Fairy Fish Scales, Snake Skin Items used: N/A Total Item points: 7
4. You see something in the water and grab it... catching a snake skin
I will also be using an AP for another roll!
Her eyes were drawn soon after by something in the nearby water. She probably shouldn’t have been surprised about that, consider how what she was looking for was in it, but none the less, she still raised an eyebrow at it.
Sliding closer, Skuld this time took a look at what she was grabbing for before actually doing so. It was drifting in the current and shimmered in the light... but she didn’t think it was alive. With a small frown, the wolf dog decided that hey, it could be another clue. She may as well pull it out and keep it with her. So, leaning down, she nabbed it and pulled it out.
Only to sputter and shriek as she saw what it was. Oh, ew! She really didn’t like snakes!
But a clue was a clue....
With a grimace, Skuld nipped at it before throwing it over her back. She’d hold on to it, but she refused to look at it anymore than she had to.
Your character rolls a 15-19: You've caught sight of something moving in the water and go to investigate! Roll one (1) D6.
Giving herself a shake, Skuld tried to turn her attention back to the task at paw. Thinking over it, it didn’t quite make sense that she was okay touching scales but snake skin was disgusting to her, but what could she say? That’s how she felt.
Moving on, the wolf dog began poking around the cavern some more, making sure to keep close to the water, for obvious reasons. Idly, she wondered how the rest of the hunters were doing. Most were unfamiliar to her, and it was admittedly odd to see so many other types of wolves too. Thinking back, she could have sworn she had seen her brother in that crowd... but no matter. Whether he was there too or not, it didn’t change their objective. Besides, a little part of her wanted to show off. As for the rest of the crowd....
She tried to make sure she didn’t interact with berserkers too often, but in this case, she’d make an exception for Kale and his quests. This was proving to be a fun adventure, and with how aimless she’d been, it was nice to find something she felt good at.
MangoMeow rolled 1 6-sided dice:
3Total: 3 (1-6)
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:38 am
Characters Title: Beginner Actions Points: 1 AP
Current RP points: 8 RP points used: 0
Items: Painted Feather, Fairy Fish Scales, Snake Skin, Sparkly Pebbles Items used: N/A Total Item points: 8
3. You dig around in the water and uncover some sparkly pebbles!
I’ll be using my last AP here as well!
Stopping by the water’s edge once more, Skuld peered down with interest at something sparkling in the water. This time, she analyzed it for far longer than before... perhaps even a little too long, but she wanted to make sure it wasn’t snake related this time. She would not be having a repeat of that, thank you very much!
Finally, after much deliberation, she harrumphed as she concluded that it was safe and started digging. Water splashed around her but she paid it no mind as she pulled each and every one of the sparkly rocks out.
Rocks... probably weren’t what she was looking for, but she liked how they looked! They glimmered in front of her, and, with a satisfied huff, she pulled them closer to her. Whether Kale accepted these, she had no idea, but even if he didn’t, she wanted to keep them. They’d make for a good memory!
Your character rolls a 9-14: You notice movement back towards the cave entrance and decide to investigate. RNG a number between 1 and 3.
Unsure if there was much more for her to find, but not quite willing to give up yet, Skuld turned and continued her search. One last pass through couldn’t hurt, right? She had found enough to show that it existed, at the very least. Honestly, who could get better than the scales themselves?
Well... the actual creature, but details.
With the feather, pebbles, scales and snake skin though... she was started to run out of ways to hold everything. It might be a good idea in the future to invest in some kind of pouch or carrier, she thought idly. Humming at the thought, she continued walking until she noticed something moving towards the back of the cave. THAT couldn’t have been what she was looking for.... right?
Now alert, she stalked closer to it to investigate. Whoever, or whatever, it was - they would soon find themselves matched up against a wolf dog that did NOT want to be trifled with. Maybe she could throw the snake skin at them.... then again, they might just take her prize and run. So maybe not.
