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Post by elesette on Jun 4, 2015 18:24:49 GMT -5
Plot
For the last twelve weeks, Ba'Yagu has kept her Loners hidden away within the Forest of Giants, her force fields
masking their presence. But her power has weakened, and she can no longer maintain the protective field.
The Great Compromiser has sensed this, and now his unicorns are coming to collect. The witch has sent for help, but
in the meantime, you are on your own, trapped within the hostile island. Will you evade capture, or will you
fall victim to your pursuers?
Time of Day: Midday
Weather: Cold, Cloudy
Team CaptainEzra (dry-oasis) Team MembersTierra Ozzer Amberly
Checkpoints Reached: None Rules: 1. The Captain of the team must post first. 2. A posting order must be kept as people enter the rp. 3. No god-moding 4. React to the Checkpoints as they come! (If you don't know what a checkpoint is - don't worry - you'll know when they come!) 5. Communicate with your partners! 6. Have fun!!!! How the posting order works: Ezra must post first. Anyone can post after Ezra. They can post back and forth until someone else posts, when someone else posts they must be entered into the posting order. Example. Ezra Ozzer Ezra Ozzer Tierra Ezra Ozzer Tierra Enigma Ezra Ozzer And so on. This means you do not have to wait for someone to join, but once they do their first post you must wait for them.  |
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Post by dryoasis on Jun 5, 2015 15:57:52 GMT -5
As Bayagu's force fields weakened, Ezra was asked to lead part of the group back toward the wall. Bayagu suggested it would be safer than all traveling at once as one easy target. He was just assigned a huge task and wearily looked back toward the lives he would be in charge of keeping alive until they made it to the wall. A wave of determination filled him as he turned back to the witch and gave a nod of acceptance. He knew he would get them all there safely and Bayagu must have believed he could do it too.
He gathered up some courage on his walk over to talk to his team. Olive eyes racing, avoiding eye contact with the mares, he commanded,
"Group, let's stay together. No one is going to get left behind. If you need a break, let us know and we'll take a quick breather. We do need to move as swiftly as possible. Also keep your eyes open for anything lurking in the shadows in the woods. Its midday so the sun is on its way down."
Ezra stood before his team, awkwardly, waiting for any questions, disagreements, or suggestions before they headed out on their way through the Forest of Giants.
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Post by mariahwhy on Jun 5, 2015 17:18:18 GMT -5
Ozzer had known the time was coming. He did not know exactly why, at this sudden point in time, Ba'Yagu was suddenly yelling for them to split up and head back to the wall. But he was not surprised. They couldn't live, hiding, in this overgrown forest forever. To be honest, he was almost relieved. Though a small rush a panic at her tone was beginning to beat in his chest, he would be glad to be out of this place. Why she had not steered them out of here sooner was beyond him. From her descriptions, the threat they faced on this new land was even worse than that of war.
Ozzer was not mad or disappointed in Ba'Yagu. He did not blame her for their current situation. After all, it was he who had blindly followed her. Over the past weeks, while maintaining their protection, she had told them about the unicorns. She had explained that they were not the compassionate gods that the horses often saw them as, and had answered most questions that they had angrily thrown at her. There was still some confusion flowing about through the make-shift herd, but the donkey had kept quiet for some time now. He could see it in the Witch's face - in her tired, sloping shoulders. She told the truth. She had not meant for this to happen, and she had done what she could to help them. But now they must help themselves, and her plan for them to split up made sense.
If only because he was thinking that he, and these damn short legs, would be the one to slow down the others if they traveled in a large group. Even in a small group he knew he'd have a hard time keeping up. The past weeks had been - though stressful - a good time to rest up. He would need all of that stored energy now.
He looked at their group leader - a stallion he had come to know as Ezra - as he spoke. As long as the group could travel at a steady, middle pace, he'd be alright. But there was that horrid word, "swiftly." Ozzer gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "Well, if everyone in our group is here, then we better get going. Wandering these woods in the dead of night, especially without Ba'Yagu, is not an idea I'm too fond of."
That was an understatement. When they had first trespassed beyond the wall, they had known there was something deadly among the trees. But now, with weeks of explaining from Ba'Yagu, the dangers took on an even more tangible presence. And now he didn't even have his firefly jar to light the way, as he had before. It had disappeared with Miraphy, a thought that still made him shudder with horror and regret.
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jun 6, 2015 4:50:10 GMT -5
Amber's eyes shifted between the other horses in her group in rapid succession, taking each and any of them, trying to gauge their character. She decided to keep an eye on the stallion Ezra, not failing to notice how he avoided eye contact with her and the other mare, Tierra. She also didn't like his tone. She was not here to be commanded and if he taught so he was in for a treat.She huffed, eyes peering further into the forest. A shiver crept over her spine, but it was not from fear, not really. The unicorns were coming and despite Bayagu's claims of their evil intent, she felt excited. These were the gods she had been told of when she was little, the was who brought order in the chaos of their land. Why were they running?
Her eyes shifted back when the one called Ozzer spoke. Not too fond, huh? The statement amused her somewhat. Not that she was too dismiss the witch's powers, but as a loner she believed she was capable off defending herself just fine if need be. She wasn't about to panic not having Bayagu there to protect them. She wasn't so sure about the witch anymore at the moment anyway. She has always respected her as this mystical and highly magical horse other horses sometimes talked about. She respected that and that's why she followed when she called, but now... she was claiming the unicorns were coming, that they meant harm. And what more that she was one herself. How? And why would she be doing good, while others had bad intentions. What were those bad intentions anyway? Kill them? Why would they want that? Yes, to say she was confused about the matter would be an understatement.She supposed moving to the wall would do for now. It wasn't that the creatures in this forest were making the place very attractive to stay in. "Let's get on with it," she said sighing. If she were to meet a unicorn, she may as well do on less hostile grounds.
(Post 1, 347 words)
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Post by queerly on Jun 6, 2015 18:04:42 GMT -5
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Post by dryoasis on Jun 6, 2015 18:34:39 GMT -5
Ezra listened to his group with their eager… and not so eager replies to start moving. He looked up the giant trees to assess where the sun was hiding behind them. He was reluctant to leave the island, it had so much flora and fauna he had never seen. The past three months they spent on the island in hiding were actually somewhat of a treat for him. But he understood they were in danger and needed to leave immediately. Though he still held on to small hopes of returning one day to properly study the island.
"Alright then.. Let's go." he stated as his dark body trotted into the darkening forest. He looked back over his side to make sure they were all coming along and to remind them, "Please keep your eyes open and stay alert." he felt as though he couldn't stress this enough. The group slowly drifted away into the dimming, lush forest, away from Ba'yagu and the others. It was strange for Ezra to be traveling in such a large group, he was used to one tag along every now and then and they usually wouldn't stay for long when his tendencies started to come out. But he would have to focus on the mission, there was no time to stop and examine the interesting array of leaves and patterning on this bush coming up.. or maybe just.. for a brief minute.. His trot slowed down as his gaze locked on the flora, for just a second, until he reminded himself of the lives he was with.
A chill breeze blew past his hooves and he began to move faster, worried they wouldn't make it to the wall at this pace before dark.
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Post by mariahwhy on Jun 6, 2015 21:19:13 GMT -5
Ozzer was surprised by Amber's response. She sounded resigned, as if she did not want to leave this island. He couldn't imagine why anyone would want to spend any longer here. He, for one, had reached quite a high level of homesickness. The towering trees were reminiscent of the buildings in the City of Olde, but their height was where the familiarity ended. The place was cold and dark. He wasn't even sure his eyes would be able to handle straight sunlight anymore after living among this forest for so many weeks. He would simply be blinded when they finally emerged from the trees. And while the place did provide some of the same sense of a labyrinth that the city did, being surrounded by the other horses and not being able to explore freely thanks to the dangers - unicorns and otherwise - had stifled his curiosity. The cougars prowling the city no longer seemed like such a threat compared to this place, and he was almost ready to nuzzle one if only he could make it back.
Picking up a rough trot he followed after Ezra. He gave another chuckle, though this time it had a grimmer tone. "No worries. I don't think any of us will fall asleep along the way." He looked back over his shoulder at the group they were leaving behind. Ba'Yagu had already rallied them, and they were beginning to move forward as well. Turning his head around, he suddenly realized that Ezra, whom he had been trailing, had suddenly slowed. It was not a terribly close call, but he did have to quickly adjust his path to keep from rear-ending the larger horse. Though his legs never stopped moving he did try to see what Ezra was looking at, squinting first at the leaves, then at the stallion himself. The donkey's dark brow furrowed, but "hm" was all he said. There was no telling what had just gone on in the Lusitano's head, but Ozzer wasn't one to judge.
His group members could be stark raving mad for all he cared, as long as they made it to the wall safe and sound...
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jun 7, 2015 13:45:07 GMT -5
Amber followed, making sure to keep in the proximity of Tierra, since she was the only other mare in their mids. The red mare couldn't help, but feel that the female was more trustworthy than the males around here. Just a feeling. As she went she couldn't help, but notice Ozzer's tail. It was quite odd, not at all like a horse's. Well, if he was something else that could explain his less than attractive face. She almost bumped into him when he made a sudden move. She made to glare at him, but then saw it was Ezra who was the culprit, having slowed down for one reason or another. She gave him an annoyed look instead. For someone who was ordering them to move, he was sure stupid suddenly lingering like that. She tried seeing what had caught his interest, but couldn't spot anything worthwhile of attention.
Huffing she looked back, seeing the group that was with Ba'yagu had started moving also. They'd probably be fine with the witch with them. "Do you believe she's actually a unicorn?" She felt herself asking her fellow travelers as her eyes shifted back forwards. She wondered what was going through their heads and what their reasons were to be here. Was nobody confused by this whole situation like she was?
(Post 2, 219 words)
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Post by dryoasis on Jun 7, 2015 21:09:56 GMT -5
"P-please try to s-s-stay quiet, Amber… We d-don't want t-to attract unnecessary.. attention." Ezra whispered back at her. "B-but yes I do." he quickly added to the end of his remark. His ears perked forward thinking he might have heard something, but he saw nothing. It was so hard to see anything in that huge dense forest. Anything could be hiding behind one of those trees or in the thick of a bush and it was unlikely they would even notice it until it was possibly too late. Especially since the sun was beginning to set and the greenery of the forest did a good job at blocking out that light.
The little group trotted past giant tree after tree and Ezra felt as if they weren't ever getting closer. He let out a sigh and slowed to a stop. "Quiet please." he whispered with body tensed. He heard a familiar and very distinct rattling that was somewhat nearby. Ezra's dark body quickly whipped around to face his group, his face showing nothing but worry, "Run! Quickly!" he ordered his group. He recognized that sound to be coming from the needles on a quiver back, and it was coming right toward them. He knew the safest thing to do is try to outrun them, they are too strong and dangerous to stay and try and fight.
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Post by freedomoncanvas on Jun 9, 2015 7:55:29 GMT -5
Tierra scanned the group of horses around her paying close to no attention to what was being said. She recognised the stallion that seemed to be taking the lead over their little group as the stallion she had met just before they had ran into a giant frog. And Ozzer, whom she had met what seemed like ages ago back in the Olde city. Neither of them, however, were the horses she was looking for.
She checked all faces again and slowly felt the panic rise from the pit of her stomach. Where are they? Why aren't they here? The palomino mare forced a flood of horrible thoughts out of her head as her group started to move on.
Ba'yagu's words slowly formed meaning in her head as she realised that they were once again running away. Tierra's stomach turned and an upcoming headache clouded her mind.
"We can't leave yet....not everyone is here" She managed to whisper. Her heart felt like it was on fire and she didn't need her sixth sense to know everything was wrong.
She startled when a mare behind her spoke up. She hadn't really noticed her before, but the mare seemed to purposely stick closer to her then to the stallions.
She tried to smile, but it felt forced. "Yes" The little mare answered then softly, ignoring Ezra. "She has silver blood...and her horns were removed in a way that leaves scars..."
For a moment Tierra was distracted by the memories of the event by the wall. Ezra's command to run suddenly disturbed her walk down memory lane.
The next thing she knows she's running alongside the others wondering what exactly they're running from... a image of a black bear-like beast appeared before her mind's eye and being too surprised to question it,
the little mare forced her legs to gain more speed.
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Post by mariahwhy on Jun 9, 2015 11:30:54 GMT -5
Ozzer's large ears caught Tierra's soft voice, sounding suddenly from the side. "What are you-" he began to grumble, turning to face the pale mare, but was cut off by Amber's question. He squinted at Tierra, giving her a look similar to the one he'd just given Ezra. Of course everyone wasn't here. The others had gone with Ba'Yagu, and then some of the others... well... he didn't like to think about those. They had lost some of their numbers over the past months. Some, like Miraphy, had never returned from the first excursion into the forest. Others, he knew, had left of their own free will, tired of hiding amongst the trees. Whether any of them had made it out of the forest alive was questionable, and not something Ozzer liked to dwell on. Perhaps their fate would soon be his own...
But, though not discussed, it was general knowledge among those left that the others had disappeared. So what Tierra meant by the rest not being here was beyond him. He thought he might come back to the subject later, to find out what she meant... but he supposed the subject of missing horses wasn't something you dealt with after the fact. Shaking his head of these troublesome thoughts, he tried to focus on the current conversation. He nodded in agreement with Tierra.
"Yes, I have no reason not to believe it." Over the months he had asked himself many times why no one had figured it out sooner. "With as powerful as she is, and the fact that she knew about this island that contains unicorns..." he trailed off, catching the same noise as Ezra.
He had heard it, just months prior, and it was a sound he'd distinctly remember for the rest of his life. The freshly healed scars from the last quiver back he'd encountered - perhaps this was the same one? - itched. Eyes and nostrils both widened, instinctively trying to pinpoint the predator's position. But the giant trees acted almost as the walls of the city did, echoing the sound back and forth between them. No one had to tell this donkey twice. Little tail raised high, Ozzer had shot forward, short legs moving as fast as they could possibly go.
He knew, though, same as last time, that there were limited options to how this would play out. The only good case scenario would be that the quiver back decided not to pursue them. Every other option led to them being chased, and with him being the slowest... Well, perhaps he was rested enough to keep up. He was managing alright for now. Adrenaline was pushing him as fast as he could go. But once that kick of power wore off, would he be left behind? He didn't think any of this group would simply leave him to the fate of the bear, but he wouldn't want them risking themselves for him either. Not with what had happened last time. But for now running was all he could do, and so he tried to focus on that. The trees were easy to avoid, but the forest floor was scattered with roots and rocks of all shapes and sizes, and it took all of his attention to run full-out without tripping.
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jun 9, 2015 13:12:35 GMT -5
Amber vagually wondered if Tierra had paying attention before. They were splitting up, ofcourse not everyone was going to come along. Then another thought crossed her mind and it made her regard the mare with pitty. Maybe she had been waiting for someone who did not show.
Ignoring Ezra also - like whatever roamed the forest wouldn't hear them walking anyway. Better have the situation discussed than run into trouble in silence - she eyed Tierra curiously when the mare commented about her own observations. "Silver blood, really?" That sounded pretty hard to fake if the mare had seen it. The scars had made her doubt since she remembered Prince Vasska being off so called unicorn origin too and she really doubted he was one. It still didn't make to her though. Yeah, she was powerfull like Ozzer said and known to help horses to find the magic in themselves, but did that mean they should take her word? "I'm confused. I mean she says the unicorns carry ill intent, but she's one herself? How-" she was halted in her arguing when Ezra suddenly sounded the alarmed. She didn't know what was wrong but heard a rattling noise and seeing the others reactions, could only assume it was the bode of something bad. She immediatly leapt into gallop, making sure to stick close to the others. She might be a loner now, but than didn't mean she forgot there was strenght in number. She tried looking around to see what was persuing them, but couldn't notice anything but the fast passinh trees and other vegetation. "What's wrong?" She asked a bit alarmed and in a more whispered breathy tone than before while looking ahead. It'd ease her mind knowing what they were running from so she'd be prepared if it came out and attacked them.
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Post by dryoasis on Jun 10, 2015 21:49:00 GMT -5
A second after Amber asked what was wrong a dark quiver back came barreling out of the bushes, just what Ezra and Ozzer expected it to be. "THAT" He yelled loud enough for her to hear over the stampeding of hooves. Ezra slowed a bit and commanded the mares to keep going. He was headed to the back of the group to be their first line of defense. The group weaved through the giant forest carefully avoiding roots, rocks and whatever else was in the way while still running as fast as possible. But the bear was still slowly gaining on the four horses, growling and snarling while he was at it too.
Ezra decided that he would try something, anticipating it would make the beast give up. He gave a look to the little donkey next to him, intending for Ozzer to notice that he was about to try something and that he shouldn't worry.. too much. Ezra hesitated before he began letting up on his speed, hoping this wasn't a stupid idea and he was putting everyone at a greater risk. As he slowed he could begin to feel the pounding of the bear's feet just lengths away from his own, it's breathing was loud and steady. The stallion's tail teased the bear's nose, almost close enough that it could grab it. Just as the bear lurched forward in attempt to grab hold of the Lusitano's body, Ezra kicked, aiming for it's face. The quiver back let out loud roars, somewhat screeching from the sudden pain it received. The kick only slightly slowed down the creature as it was still chasing after them, roaring louder and more frequently. Ezra hit the bear on the cheek, slightly under the eye, which left the bear with slight blurry vision on that side and lead to it making even more noise as it would somewhat crash into objects, unable to determine its exact location. At least they didn't have to run quite as fast anymore.
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Post by freedomoncanvas on Jun 11, 2015 5:37:54 GMT -5
A loud roar sent shivers down Tierra's spine and made her shoot forward. As Ezra changed position to the back of the group, the little mare suddenly found herself running in front.
She shot a look over her shoulder trying to find out what Ezra was planning and how fast this bear-like creature was.
As the dark stallion kicked the bear, Tierra focused on the path before her. Ezra had slowed the beast down and disoriented it, but was it enough?
The palomino set her mind in surviving mode and quickly scanned her surroundings. This was what she was good at; finding escape routes. There was a smaller path almost parallel to theirs, but the ground was more uneven and some trees had stuck out their roots ready to trip anyone that didn't pay attention.
Tierra decided hoping the others knew how to lift their hooves. "This way." She said to the other mare running close behind her. She turned sharp and switched paths.
"Watch where you step!" The mare shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.
She strategically evaded a hole in the ground and jumped over a root sticking out of the ground, without losing any speed. The bear's eye was damaged, with a little luck he wouldn't see the holes and roots. Tierra just prayed the other horses did...
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Post by mariahwhy on Jun 13, 2015 13:24:47 GMT -5
The blood rushing through Ozzer's ears was too loud to hear Amber's question as to what they were running from, but the crashing of the quiver back through the bushes was all too noticeable. He jumped sideways, still running, as the creature appeared just a few lengths behind him. He could feel the pounding of its giant feet on the soft earth, and its roars seemed unbearably loud. The sudden spike of fear allowed Ozzer to go just a bit faster, but he knew it wouldn't last for long.
But it seemed he wouldn't have to. Slowly he watched Ezra dropping back until they were running side-by-side. He looked up as the other stallion cast him a look, catching his eye. Ozzer didn't know what the look meant, other than that Ezra had an idea. But before he could even wonder what it might be Ezra was dropping back even further. Ozzer's eyes widened. What a fool! Ozzer did not let up on his speed, and he could not take his eyes away from his path for more than a second, but he did keep both ears turned back - listening for any sounds that would signal Ezra needed his help. But the soft crack that followed was not one of Ezra's legs, but the sound of a hoof meeting a target. Ozzer was impressed, and the angry roars and now uneven running of the giant animal was quite encouraging.
It seemed to have spurred them all on, Tierra now taking charge and leading them away. He turned after the two mares, his small hooves helping him to pick his way through the brush. Jumping, however, was certainly not his strong suit, and he found himself having to zigzag through the path. One or two of the roots were large enough that they had partially uprooted and created an arch just big enough for Ozzer to dart under. These made for a much easier path than jumping over them, and he took these chances when he could.
He could hear the quiver back still running on the path parallel to theirs, not quite agile or oriented enough to follow them exactly. When it did try to cut through the trees and get behind them it misjudged the gap, bumping roughly into one of the trees. Thrown off it caught a paw in a hole and stumbled. The quiver back was able to keep itself from falling completely, but it had already lost a lot of momentum. It was falling further and further behind the group. The little donkey was relieved to hear this as he was slowly losing speed as well.
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