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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2017 23:04:10 GMT -5
In a world ravaged by nuclear and biological war, only the strongest--and the luckiest--can survive. Countless species were lost, including the humans who blindly planned their own demise. Grand and imposing cities were reduced to piles of rubble while fires consumed much of their remains, creating a tragic monument to a world that once was. Beautiful landscapes became desolate wastelands, while even areas lucky enough to have escaped the worst effects were plagued by radiation, disease and a nuclear winter. Most life on Earth was gone. The small percentage that survived was surrounded by the ashes of everything they had once known.
Still, this was not the end. From those ashes rose a new world--one that knows it will face its own demise in due time, yet will fight for survival with tooth and claw until that day arrives. Determined individuals began to band together in order to survive.
The Outlivers were one of these desperate groups. In the dozens of generations that have passed, they have created a strong and organized society amidst the ashes of a world long lost.
{ earth to earth; ashes to ashes; dust to dust }
Ashes to Ashes is an original roleplay for semi-advanced or advanced writers with an appreciation for dark storylines and apocalyptic settings. It is fully independent with no connections to the Warriors series, and is focused on a group of cats fighting to survive over a century after human civilization is wiped out by the effects of a third world war.
This roleplay is not intended to be fully realistic; while some limits are imposed, many liberties have been taken to create a unique and interesting world for our story to take place in.
{ main page } - { characters & joining page } - { discussion page } - { resource page }Post 1 { introduction & navigation } Post 2 { guidelines } Post 3 { announcements & members } Post 4 { hierarchy, history & beliefs } Post 5 { setting, plot & characteristics } Post 6 { save } Post 7 { credit }
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2017 23:05:55 GMT -5
{ common sense } It should go without saying that spam, anything violating the forum rules or community guidelines and behaviors such as power-playing or god-modding are not acceptable. { roleplay standards } Posts are expected to be at least three well-written paragraphs per character, using proper grammar and spelling to the best of your abilities. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like, as long as you're meeting those requirements. The occasional mistake is completely fine and shorter posts on occasion due to lack of inspiration or time are understandable, but we do expect you to try your best. { activity levels } The roleplay's administrator and moderators should check in at least every other day, members with characters holding high ranks are expected to provide at least two roleplay posts per week, and everyone else is only required to make one roleplay post each week. If this won't be possible for you, please notify a roleplay admin or mod and your absence will be excused. A roleplay admin or mod will check in with anyone who fails to meet these requirements for a given week over private message; if the user has not responded within a second week, they will be placed on probation. A third week of inactivity will result in removal from the group. If someone is holding up progress in the roleplay, you are free to skip the scene and continue it later if you both are still interested. { respect & discrimination } All users are expected to treat others with patience and a respectful attitude. In addition, this roleplay is 100% LGBTQ+ friendly; representation of the community is welcome and encouraged, and knowingly hurtful or derogatory comments will not be tolerated and may result in immediate removal from the group. This issue will not be taken lightly. { graphic content } Keep gore, violence and other adult content at a reasonable level. If necessary, skip scenes, and avoid going into excessive detail on subjects some may find disturbing. { characters } All characters should be well-developed, realistic within the setting and appropriately named. To see more about suitable types of names, visit this section of the resource page. It's not necessary to keep the gender ratio perfectly even, but keeping the gap small is appreciated. In addition, joining with kits or pregnant cats is not allowed, and you must create one higher-ranking character for every apprentice you roleplay (not including kits born within the roleplay). { realism } It's quite clear that this roleplay is not fully realistic. However, we would like to maintain some sense of accuracy. Your characters' coloring should be realistic, keeping in mind that blue eyes are rare and primarily occur in white cats or certain breeds, and male tortoiseshells, calicos and torbies are very few in numbers and are sterile. Mutations and deformities should not be overly drastic; slightly modified features and extra body parts such as legs, eyes or tails are fine, while more extreme things such as wings or unnatural abilities aren't appropriate. In addition, remember that in real life, many cats born with severe mutations or deformities are ill and unable to survive to adulthood. It shouldn't be uncommon for these kits to pass away, though their odds are better in this universe than in ours. { applications } If you're interested in ATA, please fill out the application on the characters and joining page. A roleplay admin or mod will review your request to join; you may be asked to modify aspects of your application, and starting fights over your request being denied won't be tolerated. Once you're approved, you're welcome to start roleplaying and, optionally, join the group's discord server (see the discussion page). { information } This thread has most of the essential information, but as this is a complex roleplay not based on Erin Hunter's work, there's quite a lot that needs to be explained. Everyone should read the main page and at least the list of animals, the naming style we use, the code and the list of ceremonies on the resource page. Those roleplaying healers should also refer to the resource page's sections on ailments and remedies, and whoever roleplays the listener should read the divination guide. { organization } All roleplaying should take place here on the main thread. Applications and character forms must be posted on the characters and joining page, and questions may be addressed on the discussion page. Small talk and comments related to the current roleplay events may be shared here so long as they are clearly set apart from in-character text, but extended conversations and planning should be moved to the discussion page. You're also welcome to chat on the group's discord server, which you can learn more about there as well. Any post formats used should not be overly straining to the eyes.
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2017 23:06:30 GMT -5
10/28/17 { Ashes to Ashes is now open! } { administrator }
⤞ r e a - - { Rea } - - { she / her } - - { Aeluin, Elkanah, Dhruva, Khadija, Mika, Tokala, Agni & Maska } - temporary semi-hiatus due to health issues; tag on forums or discord if needed
{ moderators }
None
{ members }
⁻ ⁻ ☾ ᵇˡᵘᵉ ᵐᵒᵒᶰ - - { Pommy } - - { she / her } - - { Alyona, Dov, Fala, Yona & Gavriil } ᴏᴡʟ - - { Owl } - - { they / them } - - { Noor & Demothi } Brownie - - { Brownie / Amber } - - { she / her } - - { Umi, Kami, Nuka & Romi } ♕ - ᴠɪʀɢɪʟ - - { Aves } - - { they/them } - - { Sinopa, Mochni, Sani, & Rajiya }
Tealraven - - { Polar / Ari } - - { she / her } - - { Aquil, Jamila & Aixa }
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2017 23:07:34 GMT -5
{ Sovereign } A monarch with complete power, to be addressed as “my lord,” “Lord ____”, or “your highness.” Holding eye contact is considered disrespectful from anyone but the consort, listener or heirs. Bowing one’s head is the expected greeting, much like a bow or curtsy.
{ Listener Regent or Consort Regent } If the sovereign is temporarily unable or too young to rule, the consort (or the listener if there is no consort) will take control as regent. This also occurs if the sovereign dies without an heir, until the consort regent produces an heir or the listener chooses a new sovereign through order of the gods.
{ Consort } The sovereign’s mate. They are to be given the same titles and respect as their partner, but hold no official power. Still, they are often extremely influential as one of the most important cats in the sovereign’s life.
{ Consort Dowager } The previous sovereign’s mate (typically the current sovereign's mother or father), retaining their former rank but gaining a different title to prevent confusion.
{ Listener } The listener convenes with the gods by interpreting dreams, omens, the sky or weather, meditation and reading bones. They are the sovereign’s adviser and spiritual leader for the Outlivers, providing a source of guidance and support. There is only one listener at a time, and they may teach a single apprentice, who is usually chosen through divination or omens. The listener is the highest rank beneath the sovereign and consort.
{ Listener's Apprentice } The listener’s apprentice is usually chosen as a kit or young apprentice. They will learn general skills for the first six moons of their apprenticeship, and will then learn from and work with the listener until it is time to take their place after the listener’s death or retirement.
{ Heir Apparent } The heir apparent is one of the sovereign or regent’s offspring, chosen to take their place. After their apprenticeship, they are tasked with helping enforce their parents’ decisions and dealing with day-to-day responsibilities, in addition to being prepared to lead.
{ Heirs Presumptive } The heirs presumptive are the rest of the sovereign or regent’s offspring. They lead otherwise normal lives and also hold another rank, such as listener or gatherer. If the heir apparent dies or cannot lead, the sovereign and consort or the regent will choose one of these heirs to take their place.
{ Protectors } Protectors have been well-trained in combat and strategy, and make formidable opponents. Their duties include standing guard, enforcing punishments, performing border patrols, planning battles and escorting the Spurned Ones or exiled cats to the Old Road. Border patrols typically visit each of the territory's watchposts daily, scouting for danger and marking territory.
{ Healers } Healers manage the health of their peers, treating the injured or sick and caring for queens and elders. They also assist the listener in tasks involving medicinal plants, and it is their responsibility to embalm the dead. There are only six healers at a time, two of which are usually novices.
{ Gatherers } Gatherers hunt, scavenge, collect herbs and deliver materials for building or maintaining the camp. If someone is missing, the gatherers are usually called upon to help search for them.
{ Elders } Cats that are too old or sickly to continue performing their jobs and have retired; they are often responsible for passing down legends and are treated with respect.
{ Novices } Young cats that have completed their initial apprenticeship and chosen a path, but must still receive more specialized training from a specific mentor assigned by the sovereign or regent. This is a sub-rank--there are novice healers, novice guards and novice gatherers. Typically, this period of training lasts six to eight months. Most novices graduate to become full-fledged members of their chosen rank at roughly a year and a half of age.
{ Apprentices } Apprenticeship starts at six moons old, and consists of education on history and religion as well as basic training in combat, hunting, first aid and tours of the territory. It typically lasts six months; most apprentices graduate and become novices at the age of one year, at which point they must choose a specialty. Apprentices do not receive individual mentors--training apprentices is a responsibility shared by all of the Outlivers.
{ Kits } Kittens younger than six moons, restricted to the camp.
{ Rogues } Cats that have never been part of the Outlivers' group.
{ The Spurned Ones } Any cat born with deformities, defects or mutations is cast out, along with their littermates and parents regardless of whether they are also mutated. This is done for both religious reasons and to cultivate a healthy bloodline. The Spurned Ones also include any cat exiled from the group for other reasons. The Outlivers' society was formed after the destruction of much of the world, an event they refer to as The New Beginning. It is not known exactly who started the group, as it was countless generations ago and was initially nothing more than a ragtag group of rogues struggling to survive. Many hardships have been dealt with during these times, but they are still standing and believe these challenges made them stronger. The Outlivers are a deeply religious community believing in three deities: Avani, the All-Mother, and her children--Averik, god of the sun, and Mahin, goddess of the moon. They believe in a creation legend that has shaped much of their culture, described here:
First there was nothing but the All-Mother, manifesting as the very Earth itself. She created life, populating the world. But she soon grew lonely, and sought immortal company, so she created her two children, Averik and Mahin. Both Averik and Mahin were vying for Avani's attention, so Averik made the world beautiful to please her and give the living creatures she had made a rich environment that provided all that they needed. He became the All-Mother's favored child.
Mahin grew jealous of their bond, and sought to destroy the creation they had made. She set the world alight, covering it in ash. She created disease and suffering, wreaking havoc on the Earth. Averik began to fight with his sister, trying to prevent her from ruining his work.
Avani created peace by separating her two children and letting them each hold power over the Earth for a time before one must hand it over to the other. Averik and Mahin now circle the Earth, each reigning over day and night respectively.
The New Beginning is attributed to Mahin, along with death, darkness and hardship. They believe Avani and Averik created a paradise, and that she corrupted it. She is simultaneously respected and feared.
The Outlivers believe that everything has a soul, even inanimate objects. Rather than believing in a conscious afterlife, they believe every creature's soul is divided up and reincarnated as something new; everything is made up of what came before it.
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2017 23:08:52 GMT -5
{ spring } - { summer } - { autumn } - { winter } The Outlivers have made their home in an isolated forest located in what was once known as the Siberian wilderness. It was remote enough to avoid the level of damage direct targets experienced, but like the rest of the planet, it was still affected by climate changes, radiation and disease.
The forest is dominated by larch trees mixed with firs and spruce, painting the landscape with a brilliant mixture of gold and green in autumn. A thick carpeting of pine needles, moss and lichen covers the ground, accompanied by a relatively thin undergrowth of bushes and younger trees. The terrain consists of hillsides and lowlands, slowly leveling out towards the south while the frozen tundra lies far to the north. Fir and spruce begin to overtake the larch as one travels towards the territory's northern border, and are replaced by gradually thinning birch and poplar near the southern edges. An old dirt road cuts the birch and poplar forest in two, with a border formed along its northern edge. The Outlivers have long been forbidden from crossing this road except under certain circumstances. The living forest begins to fade along its southern side, replaced with a massive stretch of gray-brown wastelands wrapping around the southern and eastern borders. Little plant life survives. This region is known as the Forsaken Land, and is not part of the Outlivers' territory; its desolate landscape and ashy soil have been left to those they reject from their society.
The climate is harsh and often deadly. Six out of twelve months of the year are plunged into a brutal winter with temperatures that reach -40 F and rarely rise above 0. Despite the frigid cold, the weather is relatively dry; eight or less inches of snow typically accumulate over these long winters and only begin to melt just in time for the arrival of summer. Spring brings a gradual rise of temperature over roughly two months, and most kits are conceived during late winter to early spring in order to take advantage of the short period of warmth. Summer is quite brief, lasting only two months, but gets quite hot in comparison to the rest of the year. Temperatures reach 60-70 F at the highest, but the air quickly begins to cool again as summer fades into fall and the temperatures slip back below freezing.{ Breakneck Stream } Breakneck Stream is named for both its swift pace and the slippery ice that forms around its banks in the cold. The stream enters the Outlivers' territory from the hills in the northeast and cuts through the forest to empty itself into the Frigid Pool, flowing towards the southwest. The stream is the Outlivers' primary water source, as its speed keeps it from freezing solid.{ Crow's Roost } A tall, disheveled pine in the wastes of the Forsaken Land, serving as the area's most eye-catching landmark. As its name suggests, it serves as home to carrion crows. Elkanah and his followers favor it as a meeting place.{ Eagle Rock } A high wall of stone along a sharp rise in the rocky terrain. A steep and narrow path reaches up to the top, leading towards the Cavern of the Dead. It was once a favored roosting place for golden eagles, hence its name, but it has been abandoned for some time.{ Frigid Pool } Breakneck Stream flows into this small pond, which sits in the camp's southeastern corner. It freezes during the winter but is cool and refreshing during the brief summer.
{ Frozen Overlook } A hill in the northern end of the Outlivers' territory. An old fir tree with enough space between its branches to allow a cat to climb with relatively little difficulty sits atop it, used as a lookout point for border patrols to stop by.
{ Larch Point } A tall rock sitting among the larch at the eastern edge of the treeline, serving as a second lookout point.
{ Old Road } A dirt road dividing the birch and poplar forest in the southern territory, forming the border between Silverwood and the Forsaken Land. It is now overgrown with grass and undergrowth, but mostly free from living trees.
{ Poplar Watch } A poplar tree with high and sturdy branches near the western edge of the territory. Yet another watchpost for patrols.
{ Ragged Poplar } A massive poplar at the northern edge of Silverwood. The tree has stood for generations. It's clearly seen better days, but still lives with far-reaching branches and thick limbs. Today, it's used as a place to teach apprentices to climb and train novices to fight or hunt in trees.
{ Rimy Ravine } A ravine leading into the camp, reaching roughly 10 feet in depth. Its rocky sides and the cold climate make it a tricky place to climb out of for those without experience, but the ramp-like slope of its center can be followed as a slower and simpler route coming out by Breakneck Stream. Guards are placed at the opening there.
{ Silverwood } The Outlivers' name for the birch groves just before the Forsaken Land.
{ Silverwood Ward } A tall poplar tree alongside the Old Road. The Forsaken Land can be seen from its highest branches, making it a useful viewpoint for patrols. Inexperienced climbers are discouraged from making the journey to the top;
{ Sodden Ashland } A thick bog in the northwestern corner of the Forsaken Land, near the Old Road.
{ The Camp } The Outlivers' camp is a wide hollow bordered by steep cliffs. Its main entrance is the Rimy Ravine, which faces towards the north. A few small paths wind upwards along the walls and lead out into the forest above; these are always guarded, along with the main entrance. The elders, gatherers, sovereign, and protectors have dens constructed of large larch limbs insulated with spruce and moss. The apprentices' den, nursery and infirmary are appropriately sized caverns in the hollow's walls, while the listener has a small den consisting of a narrow crevice that widens out into a small cave. All the dens are carpeted with spruce branches, placed with the underside facing up to create a soft surface. Nests are made of collected moss, feathers and more spruce. Breakneck Stream pours into the Frigid Pool with a rocky waterfall from above the hollow.
{ The Cavern of the Dead } A large cavern reached by a path leading through the forest and up past Eagle Rock. Because the ground is frozen and icy during 8-10 months of the year, the Outlivers put their dead to rest in this cave system as it is too difficult to dig graves. It is considered a sacred place and only the listener may enter.
{ The Forsaken Land } The southern and eastern land outside the Outlivers' territory, bordered by the Old Road and much more heavily affected by the aftermath of war and providing few resources. The Spurned Ones are forced to make this unwanted land their home or attempt a dangerous journey in search of somewhere else with little hope of success. The Outlivers are not allowed to cross the Old Road and enter this region without the listener's blessing.
{ map on the way } The Outlivers have always valued the purity of their bloodlines; removing "defects" from their gene pool has been an integral part of their society for generations and a practice they attribute much of their success to. Most have been raised to view the rejection of the Spurned Ones as something that must be done for the greater good. It's seen as protecting their group from a "disease," in a way--those infected with an illness must be kept away from the healthy to avoid causing an outbreak; to the Outlivers, the Spurned Ones are no different from those carrying a virus, and it's only natural to keep them from passing on their deformities. Even aside from practical reasons, the Outlivers believe the Spurned Ones are the result of corruption by their goddess Mahin, who is feared as the bringer of death and destruction. Exiling these cats has become a part of their religious traditions.
The Spurned Ones have spent much of their time struggling to survive and fighting amongst themselves. Small groups and families have joined together, but no organized society exists. This is quickly changing, however. A leader is rising, captivating the desperate with promises of vengeance and salvation. He claims to be a prophet, spreading new beliefs. He challenges the Outlivers' views, presenting the Spurned Ones' mutations as gifts from the gods. He speaks of Mahin not as a malevolent being to be feared and hated; he teaches that she is an essential part of the world. There can be no new life without death, no victory without hardship. This "prophet," going by the name of Elkanah, seeks to return the Spurned Ones to what he believes is their rightful place in the world and make the Outlivers see the error of their ways.
He will begin a war. The extreme climate and dangerous nature of the region have led its inhabitants to develop traits that make them more suited to their environment. As a result, nearly all felines in the region carry a thick, long coat, with the exceptions still being medium length. Shorthairs are nowhere to be seen. Most cats are also quite large compared to the typical house-cat we know today. Breeds like Siberians, Maine coons and Norwegian forest cats are all good examples of the characteristics of the Outlivers.
The Spurned Ones, however, are usually quite unique. They still typically sport thick coats and stocky builds, but their deformities and mutations set them far apart from the Outlivers. Extra legs, eyes, tails, ears; there’s more than enough room for variation.
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2017 23:09:52 GMT -5
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2017 23:10:34 GMT -5
Both Ashes to Ashes and its graphics and coding were created by ⤞ r e a . All banners use free images from StockSnap.
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Post by Brownie on Oct 29, 2017 20:19:36 GMT -5
[ yo yo yo ] Kami && Romi Kami didn't quite understand what was going on, but he listened anyways, nodding in the places that seemed appropriate and echoing Romi's words at intervals. To be completely honest, he didn't know what Romi was talking about --some sort of healer mumbo jumbo, no doubt-- but Kami did care about Romi and so gave his time and his ears, following the context of the one-sided conversation as best he could. It was at times like these when Kami realized how much smarter Romi was. Or at least how different they were, paws travelling separate paths. But even with this, they were still blood siblings, connected through something like an icy river racing just beneath the surface.
His eyes must have shown his distance as Romi tapped him with a paw, tipping their head to the side. "You know I'm not smart enough to follow all that," he said with a smile and a dip of his head. Romi sighed and Kami saw himself mirrored in his sibling's eyes even through Romi's annoyance. Though Kami knew Romi enough to realize they were more annoyed at his own lack of confidence than drifting off.
"It's only the rate of mutations in species of birch sampled from--" Romi stopped again when Kami gave them a stare in return. "It's not like I can go to Nuka and ask for a counterhypothesis."
"Okay, just try to explain in words I can understand," Kami compromised. Romi tried and for the most part, Kami could follow their thought process. Sometimes he'd have to ask Romi to explain a concept or a word he wasn't familiar with, but as Romi spoke Kami started to get a better picture of what they were trying to explain. Slowly the two fell into a debate --Kami playing the role as antagonist to help chase down stray concepts and patch overlooked ideas. It was something the two both enjoyed: Romi had someone to bounce their hypothesis off of and Kami loved learning the many new things Romi took for granted.
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 30, 2017 11:58:35 GMT -5
{ hey c: I can jump in with my novice healer Mika if you want. }
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Post by Brownie on Oct 30, 2017 13:05:12 GMT -5
[[ Sure! Just throwing something out there because I was feeling ~creative~ and needed to do something with the fluffballs they're just out enjoying a patch of sunshine or smth. ]]
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Post by Brownie on Oct 31, 2017 23:11:26 GMT -5
[ just working on colors~ ffr- Kami, green; Romi- yellow; Nuka- blue? Umi - pink; ] Nuka Nuka rarely thought about anything outside of the territory the Outlivers' controlled. Sometimes his mind would wander to the Forsaken Lands, where the Spurned Ones were said to live, but that was only because the land was said to be cursed by Mahin alongside the Spurned Ones --at least, that's what Nuka believed. What other way would the Forsaken Lands be so barren, so horribly, undeniably tainted? He shivered at the thought of that. He was no coward, that he knew and proved, but he had no protection from the whims of the gods and that frightened him deep into his core. The Spurned Ones were living proof of the gods' meddling, as well as the Forsaken Lands. If Mahin decided to throw her curse upon them, what was there stopping her from doing the same to all the Outlivers besides their constant vigilance?
He dipped his paw into the Frigid Pool, sending a shock of cold to banish such toxic thoughts from his mind. As his paw went numb so did his mind, though the absence of thought was almost as uncomfortable as the thoughts that had been there. Nuka stood, shaking his fur to cleanse the chill and the lingering dread still caught in him. The whole process helped significantly and he breathed a sigh of relief when his mind began on its usual track: watching the Outlivers and feeling the responsibility he had in keeping them safe. He flexed his claws into the earth, pushing dirt between his toes to bring the feeling back to them. He may not be able to protect them from Mahin, but there were plenty of other threats out there he could sink his claws into.
Umi She was fascinated by the way the leaves twisted in the wind. They rose like little tornadoes, swirling up and up before losing the joy of flight and taking the gentle, rocking float downwards once more. She fought the urge to chase after the leaves, knowing she was too old for that sort of behavior, but the pull was still strong and she wondered for a while why she bothered to resist it. Her tail twitched, the lighter fur at the tip flashing. Umi watched the leaves swirl closer, taunting her, testing her resolve. The wind blew leaves to her paws, skittering against her legs. Dust battered her nose and she jumped back with wide eyes, sneezing, but not before a leaf stuck to the side of her face. She pulled it away with a paw and darted into the leaves, pushing them with her front paws as they floated slowly downwards. She pounced, pinning one to the ground with her paws, careful to not puncture the webbing with her claws. She rolled on her back and pushed another away from her muzzle with a triumphant squeak. If anyone asked her what she was doing, she would say the leaves attacked her first. Yes, she was just defending herself after all, and who could fault her for that?
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Post by ♕ - ᴠɪʀɢɪʟ on Nov 1, 2017 18:06:36 GMT -5
m o c h n i - frigid pool
- - - - -
"Nuka."
Other than the sound of water, the area was silent. No other cat was there- except for, of course, the cat in front of him and himself. The grey-and-white healer stood a few lengths back from the protector, eyes watching calmly as he had been doing for a few minutes already. The other tom seemed to be lost in thought until he dipped a paw into the pool in front of him. Mochni had taken his time to speak. It would not do to overly startle him, after all, and he was merely curious as to what he had been doing just a moment ago.
"Mouse for your thoughts?" It was unlikely that he would be told anything, but it didn't hurt to try. Sitting down, Mochni stayed in his spot and watched his reaction, the only other movement being his tail flicking idly. As the long seconds passed, the only sounds besides the murmur of the water were his soft breaths and the chirp of a distant bird. Not many still lived here.
Silence.
It was just a matter of waiting.
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Post by Brownie on Nov 1, 2017 18:51:39 GMT -5
[ love u <33 I was just about to claw my own brains out with boredom lol ] Nuka "Nuka." Nuka heard his name and the world popped back into focus. The larger tom dipped his head to Mochni both in greeting and as a gesture towards Mochni's rank and age. Both he and Sinopa were Novices when Nuka and his siblings first gained the title of apprentice after all. "Mouse for your thoughts?"
Nuka shrugged. The plume of his tail hissed against the sand as it twitched side to side. "Just wondering about the Forsaken Lands. It's been a while since I've went that direction." Nuka glanced over Mochni's shoulder in the direction he knew the Forsaken Lands lay, his eyes pulled that way without his consent. He rarely ventured south without a good reason to, much preferring to patrol the northern conifers with the hills and heady smell of sap to keep him company.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2017 1:00:45 GMT -5
hi ! i would like to join, but idk how to write super long paragraphs. any tips ?
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Nov 4, 2017 22:14:48 GMT -5
[ @winterlynx - - hey c: quality over quantity is more important here; 3 paragraphs of decent writing is all we expect, and they don't need to be extremely long. looking at your recent roleplay posts, the paragraph length you use would be totally fine, there'd just need to be one or two more of those paragraphs per post.
the best way to add length is really just detail - don't tell the reader something, show it. taking time to describe the setting and scenery helps and brings a whole other element to a scene, and going in detail about your characters' emotions and what's going through their head helps and makes for better writing. you're not just describing a couple actions someone does; you want to set the scene, show feelings, body language and inner conflict. it helps to really, really get to know your characters. think about how they perceive the world--what's the first thing they notice when they walk in a room? what stands out to them? it helps to see their perspective so you have an easier time with describing things. two different characters could have completely different reactions to the same setting.
I'd be fine with letting you join and practice along the way; I can give you some constructive criticism and suggestions to help you meet the requirements if you're willing to put in the effort. we don't want a "snobby" environment here, it's just about telling a good story together. ]
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Nov 6, 2017 19:56:32 GMT -5
[ I can work on a reply with Mika. ]
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Nov 6, 2017 22:21:03 GMT -5
[ Brownie ]
- - Mika
Mika hated autumn.
Winter was brutal and unkind, spring brought hope and new life, and summer provided a much-needed reprieve from the struggle to survive such a harsh climate. Autumn, however, was like a bittersweet goodbye. At first the drop in temperature was a welcome relief after the heat of summer, but it quickly grew tiresome and became nothing but a bad omen to remind her of the ten freezing months to come.
It was also a time of hard work, as she was quickly learning. The four months between summer and fall were filled with preparation for the coming winter--in Mika’s case, helping stock the healers’ stores of herbs and remedies. It was an important task; they needed to be well-prepared for the injuries and illnesses that would likely hit during the winter. Still, its significance did little to make the young novice enjoy the work. It was learning from her elders and caring for her fellow survivors that she loved, but Mika was an obedient student, and so she was spending her day carrying fresh supplies into the healers’ den and disposing of what was too old to be used.
Mika was the type to keep her head down and her mouth shut, but her ears were always open. She paid attention to the conversations around her--perhaps more than she should. The exchange between Kami and Romi had caught her interest. Most of the bits and pieces she was able to pick up went over her head, but she was always eager to learn, and so she hoped to gain more knowledge through listening to the older healer’s words. She didn’t feel welcome to join the conversation; they seemed to be quite deep into the discussion and the thought of intruding set her heart racing with panic. Instead, she walked slowly past the two siblings, passing close enough to hear their speech each time she made her way through the camp.
But on her third walk by them, Mika’s attention had drifted a bit too far towards her well-intentioned eavesdropping. She was focusing more on what her ears picked up than on where her dark gray paws landed, and one misstep onto a rock already coated in frost was all it took to make the small cat lose her balance and take a sharp, startled breath. She saved herself from falling to the ground, but that was more than could be said for the cluster of burdock roots she’d held in her jaws. They fell to the ground and scattered merely a few steps away from where Kami and Romi were speaking. Instantly growing hot with embarrassment, the black smoke novice swiftly glanced towards them to see if they’d noticed her stumble.
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Post by Brownie on Nov 7, 2017 13:33:41 GMT -5
[ The cutie pie <33 and sorry a bit rambling haha I couldn't find a place where it felt like a good transition and so I just kept going until it got better ⤞ r e a ] Kami && Romi "I need more time to figure out the numbers, but it seems possible, perhaps even probable, that the Forsaken Lands aren't that way by natural causes."
Well of course not, Kami thought, Mahin did curse the land. But he didn't press that point onto Romi. Besides, even if Mahin did curse the Forsaken Lands, Romi's research could, perhaps, determine how she had done so. Either way, Kami agreed with their conclusion, and told Romi as much. "Well if you ever want help with the counting, I'm here. Just don't ask me to do any summing; I hate sums." Romi rolled their eyes.
Romi had called him to a spot just beside the side of the hollow where they would be out of the wind but in the mild warmth of the fall sun. It also happened to be right beside the entrance to the Healers' cavern --not very surprising, since Romi loved the view from here. The bottom of the hollow was fairly flat, yet there was a slight enough slope that from this side of the hollow one could see over the heads of the others wandering the camp. It also faced towards the ravine, where birch trees stood precariously near the edges, shimmering with their golden fall leaves.
As they talked, a small she-cat had passed by a pawful of times to carry herbs to the cavern beyond. She was about Umi's age, and Kami knew her to work with Romi as a Novice Healer. She kept her head down as she went --a shy one, he guessed-- and he missed a couple of Romi's words as she passed. "Sorry," he interrupted before Romi could go too far ahead, already pressing deep into a new concept, something about a variance limit. "This is all the theoretical?"
"It's the potential ways of analysis, once we get the data of course." Kami's ears flicked as he heard a muffled thump-thump-thump and looked over to see Mika standing over some stringy roots tumbled haphazardly around her paws only a few pawsteps away. One of the plants rolled to a halt beside Kami's paw. He glanced at Romi before picking it up, padding towards the smaller she-cat. "Let us help. I need to start a count of the things anyways," Romi said, following Kami over.
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Post by ᴏᴡʟ on Nov 7, 2017 15:59:32 GMT -5
N O O R
The first time that Noor had seen a Spurned One, he had been sure that the image would continue to haunt him for moons to come. Be it night or day, that momentary glimpse of twistedness would burn like glaring winter, and push the air from his very lungs. It would leave him breathless- speechless- and he was sure that he would be no better for it. Of course, it had been ages ago when he’d thought this- he had been younger and weaker, with no more knowledge or bravery than a kitten- and yet, he had predicted his response as accurately as if he’d divined it from the heavens. To this very day, in the third year of his life, Noor was left speechless.
In the quiet moments between restless sleep, he’d often contemplated why this was. In the end, he had no better an explanation than anyone else. First, he’d thought it due to shock and horror, for that was the appropriate response that he knew was expected of him. In the face of a Spurned One, there was seen only a curling of the lip, and the loss of a breath- a reaction so in tune with disgust that it left one’s stomach churning like a bitter storm; but he knew that that couldn’t be right, for he tasted no bile on his tongue, nor did he wish to divert his attention like one so traumatized, they could hardly stand the memory of such a thing.
Maybe it was a sense of awe that anchored him to the memory. Somewhere deep within his chest, that felt closer to the truth, but still, the notion felt awkward and out of place within him. The longer he’d thought of the Spurned One, the less bizarre it seemed to become, and when he’d noticed this change in his perspective, he’d felt a shift in his character that he didn’t quite like. He had never harbored such dangerous thoughts before- and truly, he knew that they were dangerous. Be it the wrath of his companions or that of the very gods he felt behind him, he feared that such a… such an acceptance of the taboo would land him in a rather undesirable position. But really, what was so very wrong about it all?
He didn’t know, and to be frank, he didn’t like it.
The sigh escaped from between his teeth in a cloud of white. Beneath his paws, he could feel the webs of cold go streaking up his legs, and into the thick fur that lined his shoulders. Sitting there beside the walls of camp, it didn’t take much for Noor to gather that winter was making it’s way home- pushing aside the subtle warmth of spring and summer, only to eat up the cool of autumn. Noor liked winter as much as any cat- he thought it unnerving and tiresome- but just then, he found himself caught somewhere between indifference and worry. The cold- as biting as it was- felt nice against his pads, but he knew that it wouldn’t be long before that relief turned to hunger.
You should probably be hunting…
Beneath his tongue, the fur that lined his limbs was brushed into perfect place- groomed to spotless white and pristine order. All for someone, but he hadn’t the faintest idea who. It certainly wasn’t for himself.
Or patrolling… Patrolling would be good…
But why? He knew. It was to keep the Spurned Ones out- the loners, the rogues, the undesirables of the outside world. To keep the prey beneath their claws, and no one else's. It seemed a bit callous to him, but he knew that that too was a dangerous thought to have, and an illogical one at that. Borders were set for a reason... but why should those deemed unwanted be exiled beyond them? What made them so unwanted?
He paused and bit his tongue. He knew he shouldn’t be thinking such things.
Taking in a breath of air that bit his lungs, Noor was silent for a time as he let his gaze brush across camp. There was not one detail that his attention had not lightly touched upon in ages prior- that he hadn’t observed and pondered, or taken note of. However, it was only now that he found everything to be so… suffocating, with the walls of camp standing as high as ever, and the guards at every entrance blocking the ways in-and-out like vicious teeth. He needed air- water- something to get rid of the awful heaviness he found pooling within his chest.
Standing on limbs that cracked in protest, he was silent as he made his way towards the Frigid Pool. Across the way, he could hear the murmur of living things- the chatter of Kami and Romi, and the hitch of Mika’s breath as she staggered on beside them. From the corner of his eye, he watched the scene unfold- the plants that fell from her jaws, and to the icy ground below; the way that the two siblings paused their debate to observe, just as he did then. But it was best not to spy, so before he could listen too closely, he turned his attention back towards the pool, where Nuka and Mochni exchanged brief and quiet words- one of which he heard.
‘Forsaken lands.’
Something in his shoulder cramped.
Whether it be luck or fate, Noor cursed both as he gave the two a wide and steady arc, and settled himself by the curve of the water’s edge. His eyes turned down, he was careful as he dipped his muzzle, and watched the ripples spread before him as he lapped his fill. The water was cold and his teeth screeched in pain because of it, and yet it did little to clear him of the lingering sick that seemed to have latched itself to his insides. It was a low feeling- a nerve-racking one that caused his heart to flutter in the most unagreeable way- and it was staying, no matter how much water he filled his belly with.
I suppose that’s what I get.
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Post by ♕ - ᴠɪʀɢɪʟ on Nov 7, 2017 21:07:10 GMT -5
m o c h n i - frigid pool
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The older tom spent a long while just looking, observing, thinking. Many of the younger cats seemed to wonder about the Forsaken Lands, just like Nuka. It was...dangerous, to say the least. Curiosity turned to sympathy, and with sympathy one could not think straight where the Spurned Ones were concerned. Something he had been seeing at an...alarming rate, to be sure.
Perhaps he should alert the sovereign?
No. He could keep an eye on the situation. Grey-and-white tail swishing once more, he dipped his head with a sharp eye. "Nothing lies there but the cursed and the ill, or the ones too blind to see that those they care for are monsters." Mochni's words danced lightly over his tongue, a murmur with its cautioning tone. "Careful, or you'll be trapped by them too."
The weighted moment lightened when he smiled a few moments later, though, walking towards Nuka with a flick of the ear. "Would you wish to help me gather whatever herbs can be found in the territory, despite the weather? A few of our supplies are running low."
s i n o p a - - camp
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She wasn't much for deep thinking like her brother was, but the sky was beautiful.
The white fluff of her fur only marked by blue eyes and scarring on her chest, the molly stared up at the sky in the middle of camp, at peace for a short moment in time. She'd have to go out to patrol the border soon, check if the diseased Spurned Ones had been at the edge of their territory, but for now she was free to stare at the sky. It wasn't doing anyone any harm, after all.
Lowering her gaze after a long moment, she swept it around. Some cats were already out and about, which wasn't surprising. Usually she was working by now, heading out with another protector or two to check the area. Today was slow, though, and she was waiting to see another protector that looked like they wanted to do something. Her smile was wide on her face- how could it not be? It wasn't a bad day, and she could talk while walking and perhaps have a good conversation with one of her fellow protectors.
It didn't have anything to do with the panicked skip of her heart when she looked into the infirmary and didn't see Mochni. Not at all.
She was bad at lying to herself. She'd always worry for him- but he was just as old as she was and could make decisions on his own. She wasn't the older littermate anymore that would make sure he was always doing alright. He didn't need her.
Sinopa sighed but kept a small smile on her face, subdued for the moment. Her tail laid still as she waited for any kind of company.
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Nov 8, 2017 1:19:05 GMT -5
[ blegh I have the muse but the writing isn't making me too happy tonight
here's Maska with Sinopa, will reply to Kami + Romi and Noor tomorrow with hopefully less difficulty
also I love everyone's writing asktflgl ]
The cool air and bright sun struck Maska like a quick swat of a paw as she stepped out of the warmth of the protectors’ den. She had never been particularly fond of mornings, and this was no exception. It didn’t help that she’d overslept; her duties weren’t to be taken lightly, and she should have already been well into her first patrol. The protector had a tendency to bury herself in her work. It was her purpose, her responsibility--defending the territory wasn’t a task that could be done with only half effort, especially not now. It was in the colder months that their borders were the most at risk.
And so she was already scanning the camp for another set of idle paws, pausing only to smooth her thick dark fur. There were more cats sitting around to chat than she’d like to see, but she had little interest in interrupting a conversation, even if there was work to be done. Her gaze settled on the snow-white cat in the center of the hollow; she stood out against its rocky walls and seemed unoccupied.
“Sinopa!” Maska called in greeting, already making her way towards the fellow protector. Her voice was even-toned and about as cheerful as she ever was this early into her day, but she smiled warmly. It would be nice to get out, stretch her legs and have some company; maybe she’d even catch a mouse for her first meal.
“Up for a patrol?” she inquired, stopping a few feet away from Sinopa and twitching her long-furred tail.
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Post by ♕ - ᴠɪʀɢɪʟ on Nov 11, 2017 13:01:07 GMT -5
s i n o p a - - camp
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Words snapped her out of her thoughtfulness, bright blue eyes flicking over to find Maska walking over to her. It seemed like they were both having late mornings, which was a relief. She hadn't thought to check over who was still asleep when she had been coming out to take in the daylight.
A smile spread across her face, just as cheerful as she always was- which was admittedly very much so. "I'm always up for a patrol," she purred lightly, beaming over at the other molly. Sinopa stood, and without a thought padded forwards to brush up against her side. She was always like this, preferring physical contact over more words, actions speaking louder, but after a second she drew herself back. It didn't seem like Maska was the type who preferred the contact.
"Do you want to go now or wait for someone else?" Sinopa craned her head to peer into their den before making a dismissive sound, her snowy fur rippling softly before she took a few steps in the direction of the exit. "It doesn't seem like any other protectors are up, so let's just go. Maybe we'll find someone along the way."
Tail swishing behind her, she started out. Maska would follow. She was the kind of cat to prefer needless words. Perhaps they'd circle the territory on a border check....
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Post by Brownie on Nov 11, 2017 13:10:48 GMT -5
Nuka & Mochni Trapped by them too. That was the last thing Nuka wanted to hear, and he was glad when Mochni changed the focus of the conversation. Dwelling on the Spurned Ones was never a productive use of his time. "Would you wish to help me gather whatever herbs can be found in the territory, despite the weather? A few of our supplies are running low." Gathering herbs, on the other paw, would be much more helpful towards the survival of the Outlivers. While perhaps not a job befitting of a protector, it wasn't as if Nuka had anything better to do other than fortifying the camp for the winter season. An important job, but one that was better suited for his time on guard post, when he'd have plenty of free time near the entrances of camp and nothing to fill that time with.
Besides, it wasn't unheard of for a protector to help guard a Healer and some Gatherers when they were out on a hunt. He nodded to the older tom. "As long as it's not too far travel. I'm on post at sunhigh."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 18:22:13 GMT -5
hello! I'm new to this rp. where should I jump in? }
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Nov 11, 2017 18:29:07 GMT -5
[ hey c: late morning in fall. glad to have you!
I'll be getting to my replies tomorrow - have friends over tonight ]
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Post by ᴏᴡʟ on Nov 11, 2017 18:37:32 GMT -5
( Heeey, everyone! Welcome to the RP, Polaris. ^v^ You can jump in with Noor, if you'd like. He's open and I already posted the starter. ovo )
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 18:43:34 GMT -5
coolio! I'll try to whip up a reply, but I've had hardly any muse today. I might end up posting it tomorrow instead, depending on whether or not my brain decides to function tonight -^- }
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Post by ᴏᴡʟ on Nov 11, 2017 18:48:43 GMT -5
( Alright, rad! Take your time- I'm in no rush, and having little muse is painful, so I feel ya. xD )
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2017 19:10:43 GMT -5
thanks, I appreciate it! no muse is the worst. I want to write, but I just can't make the words come out the way I want em to. X) }
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