dreamposts: (Default)
dreamposts ([personal profile] dreamposts) wrote in [community profile] songerein2022-01-15 02:19 pm

Owl Rescue

✵ MINI EVENT: OWL RESCUE ✵

Late in the month, the blizzard has reached its peak and the skies seem strangely dark and ominous, a soft jingling of bells followed by deep, baritone voice echoes through the skies.


Gone away are the reindeer
Out to play are the dreamers
To lead their return, we gather in snow
All to bring the lost presents home

In the shadows we can build a snowman
To protect the sleigh that's full and bright.
Mimics will attack, and we'll say, "No, man!"
Only the real presents here will do!

We'll raise our mugs to the fire
Raise our voices higher and higher
Then we'll slash through our foes
From head down to their toes
All to save this Christmas Wonderland


In the city we can make some string lights
Beautiful and bright just like the stars
With a little magic, we'll be alright
And top everything off with just a Star

A star so big and bright
with magic all around
shining with all its might
making the world go 'round!

So come join us, all ye citizens
of this little festive town.
Guard your hearts with love and laughter,
and we'll bring this foul Grinch down!


With a mighty bellow the gusting winds clear and for a moment the morning skies seem beautiful and bright, as if the strange blizzard storm had never appeared at all. And then, in perhaps questionably late fashion, a large man dressed in red and astride a giant reindeer descends down to the central plaza.

"Ho ho ho! So this is where that bastard's been trying to hide, eh? I'll give it some credit—it chose a powerful world for its mischief…even if it could still use some work. And it's still just a baby—miracle it's lasted this long." The man, many of which will recognize as the fabled Santa Claus turns to look at the still run down buildings. For a man who is known to being "jolly" and full of holiday spirit, he looks as if he's about to head into war with the large axe at its his side and hardened expression. Just as he's about to say more, he clicks his tongue as a loud SCREEEEEECH is heard in the distance.

"But it won't be around much longer if you kids don't do anything about what's coming."

In the next moment, a large fiery owl large enough to overshadow half the town hovers in the air, the flames dangerously drifting from her feathers.

WHERE ARE THEY…

WHERE ARE MY CHILDREN!!


Her voice shakes the ground, the fire expanding outward as she gives one last heartrending cry filled with anger and agony.



PROMPTS

It's a confusing mess as two large figures have appeared at once, but it's clear that the owl's needs take precedence. With Santa's help, the owl will shrink small enough so that she can wait in the Plaza alongside and wait for those willing to find her eggs and owlets. But she watches over it with an anxious eye, the flames occasionally rising whenever there is a sound of one nearby. Everyone better work fast!

A. Talk with Santa. With Santa remaining with the owl, some may wish to speak to him while the others are working to find the baby owls. Although he plans to speak again once this is over, he will go ahead and answer any questions people may have. All questions may be asked in this thread, and as mentioned in the Game Notes, this will not be an IC thread. It is encouraged for questions to be asked now as it will help speed up dispensing information later.

B. Owl Egg Hunt. The eggs are scattered throughout the town Reverein, the nearby forests, and the lake. As if sensing their danger, the eggs have hidden themselves in various nooks and crannies, which can make it quite difficult to find. Hopefully no one accidentally tries to cook one. However, there are some clues. They will sparkle and will sometimes wiggle and roll out of their hiding place. They can also be "lured" out by friendly, positive emotions, or towards anyone that might exude a feeling of safety, security, and protection. However, if they're frightened the eggs will start to hatch. They sprout wings, legs, or even the beak to try and either escape or protect themselves. The eggs may also take on elemental characteristics, such as turning into a fireball, a block of ice, a giant rock, or a mini cyclone. Another threat will be the snoyotes as the sly buggers will follow would be rescuers to find the egg and try to snatch them and run off.

C. Owlet Panic. For the eggs that have already hatched, the owlets will be panicking and very emotional, causing a great environmental disruption around them. From fire storms to massive blizzards, the babies are out of control. Fortunately they're easy to spot—as well as hear. Their high pitched screeches can be heard from long distances. Calming emotions will be key in trying to soothe them, though dremoation abilities may be needed to get to them first.

D. Owlsitter. Whether already hatched or bursting out after returning to mother owl, the little owlets can be quite the handful. They're born already large enough to fly and while they aren't skilled, they will flutter about here and there. Essentially toddlers, they will get into anything that might interest them and cause mischief. With the owlets capable of casting elemental magic, that can pose a problem as sometimes it can go awry.

E. Snoyotes. The snoyotes are a cross between snake and coyote and they rely on their stealth skills rather than offensive power. They will stick to the shadows and can camouflage themselves well. When they do need to fight, they are tenacious and will try to sink their venomous fangs into their assailant. The venom is paralytic and is potent and fast acting. Although not always enough to kill, if enough venom makes its way to the heart then there might be trouble. As mentioned they will follow those looking for eggs to try and snatch them first, but some may be hunting other eggs. It's not necessary to kill them, driving them off to the Wild Canyons will do.

» BONUS: FANG COLLECTION. Although highly potent, the venom stored within the fangs of the snoyotes can be used in anti-venom remedies (and poisons). Collecting them will need some care. In addition, defanging a snoyote is one way to keep it away for those unwilling to kill. Their fangs will grow back so would be an effective way to farm fangs later.


[Mod Note: Details on this mini event can be found here and we request all thread submissions to be made here. Reminder that this mini event is opt-in.]
burnbrighter: (💥 099)

[personal profile] burnbrighter 2022-01-28 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That sudden exclamation nearly makes Thoma turn his back on his own snoyote, but he manages to keep it in its periphery as it makes another lunge at him. He’s able to skirt to one side, thwacking the creature on the head with the butt of his spear and leaving it dazed. ]

You okay? Try knocking it out maybe, I’ve got this one!

[ Thoma gives his weapon a spin, a bubble of flame-colored light flashing around him. The snoyote still on its feet shakes off the blow to the head and tries again to strike - only to get a mouthful of Pyro energy, a gout of flame spurting from Thoma’s shield. With a yelp, the snoyote leaps back and slams itself into the base of the tree. The egg nestled in the branches teeters and begins to fall. ]

Balthus, the egg!
grappleking: (053)

[personal profile] grappleking 2022-01-30 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
It hasn't been knocked out yet— how many hits can this thing take?!

[It's definitely his aim, though— he'd rather subdue than kill these things if they have to, but that might be a pipe dream. Thoma's efforts catch his attention; he looks back over his shoulder to give a nod of approval before he slams his own snoyote's head against the ground once more, stunning it and letting the restricted airflow help lull it into unconsciousness— just in time for Thoma and the snoyote sailing into the tree to direct his attention to the egg, instead.]

I've got it! Sit tight!

[Alright, he's diving for it, hands outstretched—!]
burnbrighter: (💥 073)

[personal profile] burnbrighter 2022-02-01 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Thoma moves as soon as Balthus does, putting himself between the snoyote still on its feet and the man and the eggs he’s trying to save. Even dazed and singed, the snoyote catches sight of the egg falling and tries to make a leap for it over Thoma’s head, but Thoma is quick to bring his spear up, and the snoyote takes the blade right in the underarm with a yelp. Thoma feels bad about it, but there’s nothing else he could have done and saving the eggs is paramount.

Speaking of, Balthus’ rather impressive dive pays off, and the egg lands safely in his hands!

There’s still the injured snoyote to deal with, but Thoma solves that problem with another swift knock to the beast’s skull with the end of his spear. Bleeding and battered, the snoyote slumps into an unconscious heap. ]


Whew! That could have ended much worse!
grappleking: (028)

[personal profile] grappleking 2022-02-04 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Talk about luck.

Balthus lets out a long, slow exhale of relief as his gloved hands close securely around the egg, cradling it between them and closing his eyes for just a moment as he regains himself— that had been real close. As far as he's concerned, every egg counts.]


Definitely could have! We're a couple of lucky bastards, if you ask me.

[He shoots Thoma a grin as he looks over his shoulder, still sprawled on the ground thanks to that dive of his.]

Nice work! You knocked that thing right out. You're real handy with that spear of yours.
burnbrighter: (💥 061)

[personal profile] burnbrighter 2022-02-07 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
You’re no slouch yourself! I’m really impressed!

[ Thanks to Balthus and his quick reflexes, they avoided a real disaster.

Thoma spares a moment to make sure the two snoyotes are indeed out cold before he lets his weapon vanish from his hand and walks over to gently lift the egg out of Balthus’ palms, giving him a chance to get up. ]


How are you doing? Any injuries?
grappleking: (021)

[personal profile] grappleking 2022-02-11 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
[He gladly lets Thoma take hold of their rescued egg, pushing himself up off the ground with one arm before turning it so he can get a better look at where he'd nearly been bitten earlier as he gets to his feet in full.]

Mmm... don't think so! They never had the chance to break the skin. Might come out of this with a few bruises, but I've seen way worse.

[Poison wouldn't be much fun if he was wrong, though. He'd rather avoid that.]

Were you planning on harvesting any fangs while we're out here? They're supposed to be worth a lot.
burnbrighter: (💥 056)

[personal profile] burnbrighter 2022-02-11 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Well, even someone of Balthus' stature would probably notice by now if he'd been poisoned. From what he understands of the snoyotes, their venom isn't something to be taken lightly.

With that in mind, Thoma heaves another sigh of relief. He's glad they were able to avoid the worst. ]


That's good to hear.

[ He glances over at the unconscious snoyotes, considering. ]

I don't see why not. I'd rather not kill them, and it will probably discourage them from coming back.
grappleking: (050)

[personal profile] grappleking 2022-02-11 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd rather avoid that, myself.

[He doesn't even like killing monsters when he has to— forget when he's being given a choice. He stretches his arms upwards before reaching back to cross them behind his head, feeling some of the tension from the fight move through his back.]

Defanging is the way to go, and it'd keep 'em from hurting anyone else too badly in the future. Two birds, one stone. ... two snakes?

[Is that a thing?]
burnbrighter: (💥 093)

[personal profile] burnbrighter 2022-02-11 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A monster is one thing, but an animal that's just trying to live is quite another. ]

More like two snakes, one spear, and a pair of fists.

[ Which does not roll off the tongue very easily!

Anyway, as Balthus works out the kinks left over from the battle, Thoma tugs the waistwrap... spare jacket... thing he wears from out of his belt, tying it into a sort of makeshift sling that he can keep the egg in while he works with the snoyotes.

With the egg now snug against his chest, he prods at one of the snoyotes with his foot. It thankfully doesn't stir. ]


Looks like we knocked them out pretty good.
grappleking: (032)

oh my god he made a baby sling

[personal profile] grappleking 2022-02-16 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[It sure doesn't, but points for effort and accuracy!]

That'll catch on, I'm sure.

[It won't, but you know, nice to dream.

Once he's nice and limbered up again, he goes back down on one knee beside one of the snoyotes, pulling a knife from his belt. He doesn't intend for this to get terribly bloody, but it would be most humane if he can make it quick and clean— thankfully, these things aren't getting up anytime soon.]


They're out cold. Nice work, we make a pretty good team. Handling all those creepy toys awhile back wasn't a fluke. Egg doing okay there? Poor little guy had quite a fall.

[He glances back to check before he puts himself to work with some careful defanging. Even if they're unconscious, they need to be careful not to let themselves get nicked.]
burnbrighter: (💥 017)

[personal profile] burnbrighter 2022-02-18 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Thoma opts to be on guard duty while Balthus gets to the dirty work of defanging the snoyotes. He didn’t come prepared for impromptu dental work, and one of them should probably keep an eye out for more beasts in the brush. ]

We do make a pretty good team, don’t we?

[ It probably makes sense, an in-your-face bruiser and a defensive shielder are bound to make a good team.

His hands come to rest on the egg safely nestled in its makeshift sling. ]


It doesn’t appear to be damaged, but we’d better get it back to town quickly so the mother can take care of it.
grappleking: (051)

nudging towards wrapping it up!

[personal profile] grappleking 2022-02-21 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Balthus lets out a faint grunt as he goes about his task, making quick work of the impromptu harvest— he may have been born a noble, but time spent with his mother and the hunters of Kupala had given him plenty of opportunity to learn some strong survival skills. They never let anything go to waste, out there.]

Just a sec— there! That's the last of it. They won't be poisoning anyone for awhile.

[He pulls one of his wrappings from his wrist loose, using it to carefully wrap the fangs themselves while avoiding touching the venom with bare skin, and once they're safely tucked away, he wipes his knife against the grass and gets back to his feet.]

Let's head back, then. Don't want mama getting any more anxious than she already is. She's havin' a hell of a day.
burnbrighter: (💥 007)

wrapped!

[personal profile] burnbrighter 2022-02-22 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Thoma is realizing that perhaps a bit of practical hunting skills would go a long way in this place, and he makes a mental note to ask Balthus about showing him the ropes sometime later.

For now, with the fangs harvested and the egg secure, they can afford to relax a bit. ]


She really is. I’m glad someone was able to talk her down, but let’s not give her more cause to worry.

[ With that said, the pair are able to head off back through the woods towards town. There, mother and child will be reunited and that’s one less egg for them to worry about. ]