[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/zBN8YMK3/combofull.png[/img]
[size=5][size=7][font=rockwell][color=#992200]the Wasteland[/color]
and [color=#EE22AA]the Spire[/color][/font][/size][/size]
[i]a post-apocalyptic pinkerlocke[/i]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/nVy8yNxx/combomidcrop.png[/img][/center]
[columns][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][nextcol][center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/3#post_43202524]The world has ended.[/url]
The Eleven brought about the end of the Shade for good, through a cataclysmic final strike that destroyed them as well, along with most of dragonkind. Those who remain, shell-shocked and godless, must piece together a new life in a world where magic has twisted out of control, the laws of reality are malleable, and survival is anything but certain.
Oh, and there's something powerful and dangerous waiting to fill the void the gods left. But nobody knows about that part yet.
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/RZjvXq07/combomidsmall.png[/img]
Hello and welcome to [i]the Wasteland and the Spire[/i], part one of my multipart compound pinkerlocke. It follows two clans - one Plague and one Arcane - struggling to find purpose, safety, and maybe even family in the aftermath of the cataclysm.
The Keepers of the Bleeding Sun are trapped in the Wasteland from which they take their name, where something is driving dragons mad. There's something like a hearbeat in the ground; can you feel it? Can you hear the whispers? What's waiting in the Wyrmwound to destroy those foolish enough to seek it?
The Watchtower perches at the edges of the Spire, studying a crystal maze that makes no sense. The walls are pulsing, ever so slightly; can you see it? What stalks the jagged corridors just out of sight? Why is everyone so obsessed with finding it? Curiosity killed the cat, and don't they know that without satisfaction, they can't bring it back?
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/RZjvXq07/combomidsmall.png[/img]
[b]Goal[/b]
The 'win' condition of this Pinkerlocke is for a dragon to successfully overpower their core and ascend to godhood.
In order to challenge the core, a dragon must be level 25, and be a member of the core's flight.
A dragon which has reached level 5 madness/obsession can challenge the core regardless of coliseum level.
Only level 25 dragons are strong enough to survive failing, however, so a single failure means immediate exaltation. The challenger must still be from the core's flight.
A fully leveled dragon can challenge the core up to three times. If it fails the third time, it must be exalted. Each core will have its own challenge that must be met.
I'll be keeping track of how often the core stirs. Each time it succeeds in swaying the chosen dragons (when the Keepers avoid a death streak and when the Watchtower engages in one), it gains one level of awareness. If the core reaches an awareness of eleven before it's overpowered, the core is now sapient and thus uncontrollable, and that part of the pinkerlocke has failed.
Yes, I plan to do all eleven flights. No, I don't know how failed pinkerlockes will affect future flights, but I'll think of something.[nextcol][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][/columns]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/nVy8yNxx/combomidcrop.png[/img]
[size=2]intro / [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342#post_43093118]rules[/url] / [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342#post_43093162]the wasteland[/url] / [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342#post_43093190]the keepers[/url] / [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342#post_43093196]the spire[/url] / [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342#post_43093200]the watchtower[/url] / [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342#post_43093353]misc[/url][/size][/center]
The Eleven brought about the end of the Shade for good, through a cataclysmic final strike that destroyed them as well, along with most of dragonkind. Those who remain, shell-shocked and godless, must piece together a new life in a world where magic has twisted out of control, the laws of reality are malleable, and survival is anything but certain.
Oh, and there's something powerful and dangerous waiting to fill the void the gods left. But nobody knows about that part yet.
Hello and welcome to the Wasteland and the Spire, part one of my multipart compound pinkerlocke. It follows two clans - one Plague and one Arcane - struggling to find purpose, safety, and maybe even family in the aftermath of the cataclysm.
The Keepers of the Bleeding Sun are trapped in the Wasteland from which they take their name, where something is driving dragons mad. There's something like a hearbeat in the ground; can you feel it? Can you hear the whispers? What's waiting in the Wyrmwound to destroy those foolish enough to seek it?
The Watchtower perches at the edges of the Spire, studying a crystal maze that makes no sense. The walls are pulsing, ever so slightly; can you see it? What stalks the jagged corridors just out of sight? Why is everyone so obsessed with finding it? Curiosity killed the cat, and don't they know that without satisfaction, they can't bring it back?
Goal
The 'win' condition of this Pinkerlocke is for a dragon to successfully overpower their core and ascend to godhood.
In order to challenge the core, a dragon must be level 25, and be a member of the core's flight.
A dragon which has reached level 5 madness/obsession can challenge the core regardless of coliseum level.
Only level 25 dragons are strong enough to survive failing, however, so a single failure means immediate exaltation. The challenger must still be from the core's flight.
A fully leveled dragon can challenge the core up to three times. If it fails the third time, it must be exalted. Each core will have its own challenge that must be met.
I'll be keeping track of how often the core stirs. Each time it succeeds in swaying the chosen dragons (when the Keepers avoid a death streak and when the Watchtower engages in one), it gains one level of awareness. If the core reaches an awareness of eleven before it's overpowered, the core is now sapient and thus uncontrollable, and that part of the pinkerlocke has failed.
Yes, I plan to do all eleven flights. No, I don't know how failed pinkerlockes will affect future flights, but I'll think of something.
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/50DGMQZg/combotopcrop.png[/img][/center]
[columns][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][nextcol][center]Original Pinkerlocke rules can be found [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/1904162/1]here[/url], courtesy of Coolkid.
They have undergone some moderately heavy revision for the sake of this pinkerlocke.
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/RZjvXq07/combomidsmall.png[/img][/center]
[b]Basics[/b]
[LIST][*] A death in the coliseum means that dragon must be exalted.
[*]All loot obtained in the coliseum is irrelevant, as is the loot obtained from gathering.
[LIST][*] For lore purposes, however, gathering can only be done in Plague or Arcane territories.
[*] Exception: festivals, if I really really want to.[/LIST]
[*] There are no restrictions about applying apparel or genes to my dragons. Same goes for familiars.
[*] The Marketplace no longer exists in-universe, and neither does the Trading Post.
[list][*] Items can only be purchased from the auction house or traded directly with other players.
[LIST][*] Funds can only be obtained from selling loot and opening chests. This means no Fairgrounds. That’s also gone.
[*] Lorewise, this is stockpiling supplies that are then bartered for needed goods.[/list][/list]
[*] And, most crucially, all nuzlocke activity corresponds with the loot I obtain daily from Pinkerton's plundered pile![/LIST]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/RZjvXq07/combomidsmall.png[/img][/center]
[center][b]General Drop Rules[/b][/center]
[b]Food[/b]: To the Coliseum!
[center][b]Plants[/b]: 10-20 matches
[b]Insects[/b]: 20-30 matches
[b]Seafood[/b]: 30-40 matches
[b]Meat[/b]: 40-50 matches[/center]
Running from battles, using health potions, and ending the battle streak are all acceptable.
[b]Materials[/b]: Write some characterbuilding. This can be about their past, their relationship with the rest of the clan, a personality showcase, or just a little vignette about nothing in particular, as long as it's focused on one of the dragons.
[b]Trinkets[/b]: Write some worldbuilding. This can be history, geography, details about the ongoing changes in the region, or about the culture forming in this harsh new land; anything that makes the world a little fuller.
[b]Familiars[/b]: Buy the cheapest adult dragon in the auction house of a specific breed. Use a random number generator (between 1-14) to determine which breed you will get. Adults can be any element.
[LIST=1][*]Banescale
[*]Bogsneak
[*]Coatl
[*]Fae
[*]Gaoler
[*]Guardian
[*]Imperial
[*]Mirror
[*]Nocturne
[*]Pearlcatcher
[*]Skydancer
[*]Snapper
[*]Spiral
[*]Tundra
[*]Wildclaw[/LIST]
[b]Apparel[/b]: Buy the cheapest hatchling of a specific breed from the auction house, using the same rules as above. Hatchlings adopted by the Keepers of the Bleeding Sun must be Plague.[nextcol][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][/columns]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/DzjHBM6t/combobottomcrop.png[/img][/center]
Running from battles, using health potions, and ending the battle streak are all acceptable.
Materials: Write some characterbuilding. This can be about their past, their relationship with the rest of the clan, a personality showcase, or just a little vignette about nothing in particular, as long as it's focused on one of the dragons.
Trinkets: Write some worldbuilding. This can be history, geography, details about the ongoing changes in the region, or about the culture forming in this harsh new land; anything that makes the world a little fuller.
Familiars: Buy the cheapest adult dragon in the auction house of a specific breed. Use a random number generator (between 1-14) to determine which breed you will get. Adults can be any element.
Banescale
Bogsneak
Coatl
Fae
Gaoler
Guardian
Imperial
Mirror
Nocturne
Pearlcatcher
Skydancer
Snapper
Spiral
Tundra
Wildclaw
Apparel: Buy the cheapest hatchling of a specific breed from the auction house, using the same rules as above. Hatchlings adopted by the Keepers of the Bleeding Sun must be Plague.
xxxxxx
x
he/him | FR + 4
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[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/pr8SVXvH/plaguetopcrop.png[/img][/center]
[columns][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][nextcol][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/wj4QdjjY/deity-rhiada.png[/img]
The Plague Core was challenged and successfully subdued by a mad Mirror named Rhiada. She claimed its power and domain for Herself, becoming the new deity who rules over what was once the Scarred Wasteland and is now the Wasteland of the Bleeding Sun.
She has renamed Her flight the Bloodcallers.
The land under Rhiada's care grows slightly less dangerous and harsh as time passes. Two of the eleven domains have now been restored to something like order. Nine more to go, and the world will be at peace.[nextcol][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][/columns]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/fbT17Ncc/plaguebottomcrop.png[/img][/center]
The Plague Core was challenged and successfully subdued by a mad Mirror named Rhiada. She claimed its power and domain for Herself, becoming the new deity who rules over what was once the Scarred Wasteland and is now the Wasteland of the Bleeding Sun.
She has renamed Her flight the Bloodcallers.
The land under Rhiada's care grows slightly less dangerous and harsh as time passes. Two of the eleven domains have now been restored to something like order. Nine more to go, and the world will be at peace.
xxxxxx
x
he/him | FR + 4
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/pr8SVXvH/plaguetopcrop.png[/img]
[b]Worldbuilding[/b]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/2#post_43134605]Wasteland of the Bleeding Sun[/url]
[b]Story Posts[/b]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/2#post_43146914]Horns Is Here, Too[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/2#post_43161120]They're Not Coming Back[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/2#post_43165943]Starmoss[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/2#post_43177180]Pulling Your Own Weight[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/3#post_43186621]Win By Default[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/3#post_43190200]The [i]Entire Wasteland[/i][/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/3#post_43201168]What's The Core?[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/3#post_43210383]Ancient Ancient Noodle[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/4#post_43232569]My Home Now[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/4#post_43266659]Go To Your Nests![/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43275987]Normal For A Bogsneak[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43279628]Let's Take Him Home[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43286554]Don't You Start[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43357994]Congratulations[/url]
[b]Overcoming the Core[/b]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/9#post_43807934]Blood of the Wasteland[/url]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/fbT17Ncc/plaguebottomcrop.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/cHvjjB56/arcanetopcrop.png[/img]
[columns][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][nextcol][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/X7BHxLxg/deity-Jonin.png[/img]
The Arcane Core was successfully subdued by an Imperial named Jonin. She took its power into Herself, becoming the new deity who rules over what was once the Starfall Isles and is now the Spire of the Upside Down.
She has renamed Her flight the Starsingers.
Slowly, the magic and land under Jonin's power grow tamer. One of the eleven domains has been restored to at least the beginnings of peace. What becomes of the other ten remains to be seen.
[nextcol][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][/columns]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/JzQ9Bnk7/arcanebottomcrop.png[/img][/center]
The Arcane Core was successfully subdued by an Imperial named Jonin. She took its power into Herself, becoming the new deity who rules over what was once the Starfall Isles and is now the Spire of the Upside Down.
She has renamed Her flight the Starsingers.
Slowly, the magic and land under Jonin's power grow tamer. One of the eleven domains has been restored to at least the beginnings of peace. What becomes of the other ten remains to be seen.
xxxxxx
x
he/him | FR + 4
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/cHvjjB56/arcanetopcrop.png[/img][/center]
[center][b]Worldbuilding[/b]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43302413]Spire of the Upside Down[/url]
[b]Story Posts[/b]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/4#post_43236047]Crash Into Hello[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43267122]You Oracled[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43275987]Aryssa Climbs A Mountain[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43286554]Talon Sighed[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43338052]Keep Your Oracles Properly Shackled At All Times[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/5#post_43357994]We're Building A Garden[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/7#post_43515394]Cute Little Blasphemous Abomination[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/7#post_43529606]I Regret Nothing[/url]
[b]Overcoming the Core[/b]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853342/9#post_43641539]Song of the Spire[/url]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/JzQ9Bnk7/arcanebottomcrop.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/50DGMQZg/combotopcrop.png[/img]
[columns][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][nextcol][center]@/Everburn @/CleverTrick @/IronPen @/darkstormyheart @/Tirtouga678 @/SkyBlaze @/Faededfyre @/Annoyed @/myriadofstars
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/RZjvXq07/combomidsmall.png[/img]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2853494]The Ruins // a G1 nuzlocke by Ranjani[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2846996]FALLEN // a nuzlocke by Everburn[/url]
[url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2766323]A Song of Silence // a pinkerlocke by Tirtouga678[/url]
[url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=2177898]Osiem's free to use graphics[/url]
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/RZjvXq07/combomidsmall.png[/img]
Thanks to Coolkid for maintaining the current Pinkerlocke hub, and to noodlesthing for the original Nuzlocke challenge.
Thanks also to the members of my lore server for their help with worldbuilding and encouraging my offbeat creativity.
Thanks to Osiem for their amazing graphics I used for this thread.
Lastly, thanks to Aviators for the music that inspired most of this. I highly recommend swinging by Spotify or YT and giving him a listen, if you're at all into alternative music and/or sci-fi/fantasy concept albums.[nextcol][color=transparent]xxxxxx[/color][/columns]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/DzjHBM6t/combobottomcrop.png[/img][/center]
Thanks to Coolkid for maintaining the current Pinkerlocke hub, and to noodlesthing for the original Nuzlocke challenge.
Thanks also to the members of my lore server for their help with worldbuilding and encouraging my offbeat creativity.
Thanks to Osiem for their amazing graphics I used for this thread.
Lastly, thanks to Aviators for the music that inspired most of this. I highly recommend swinging by Spotify or YT and giving him a listen, if you're at all into alternative music and/or sci-fi/fantasy concept albums.
*hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock**hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock**hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock**hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock**hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock**hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock**hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a rock* *hands you a
[columns][color=transparent]xxxxx[/color][nextcol][center][size=7][font=gabriola]Day 2[/font][/size]
[item=fluted conch]
[size=3][font=antiqua]material :: writing[/center]
[size=4][font=antiqua]-------
"Are you certain they are safe?" Sirrah asked, his expressionless face slightly paler than usual, his frills raised in trepidation.
"No," Spira replied bluntly. "But they make me stronger."
Sirrah regarded her in blank silence for a moment before his gaze slid back to the stones. Neither of them knew much about them. As far as Spira knew, they were old forgotten magic even before the cataclysm, which was more than Sirrah could claim to know.
All Sirrah knew was that magic was wild, unpredictable, and dangerous. His own innate magics seemed to only work on their own whims, and not always as he intended them to. Magic was warped. The magic from these stones felt... off, in a way he could not describe. They felt slimy and slick, like oil on water, like the Wyrmwound had the one time he'd forced himself close enough to feel it. They felt like gaping wounds in the fabric of reality, and he did not trust them or their magic.
If they worked as intended, if they made Spira stronger, then they were a boon. If they went wrong, however, she could be badly hurt by their use. It seemed too great a risk to Sirrah.
The memory of Hess's still blue form in the dust played through his mind, as he was certain it played constantly through Spira's. Their failure to protect him ate at them both, but Sirrah thought in different ways. The memory cautioned Sirrah, pushed him back to safer grounds, made him want to protect Spira by keeping her from danger altogether. It had the opposite effect on Spira, pushing her forward, urging her to protect Sirrah by throwing herself at any possible danger first.
"I do not like this."
"I need to be stronger, Sirrah," she insisted, her great claws digging into the dirt, contract relax, contract relax. "I need to keep you safe."
"I need you safe," he replied. She often mistook his evenness for calm, because she could not see the fear in his frills, his frustration in the lay of his sails.
"Your safety is more important than mine."
"Not to me."
Spira growled, claws gouging deeper into the ground. "I have to protect you!" she snapped. "If I die and you live, then it'll be worth it!"
"If you die," he asked, "what reason do I have to live?"
That brought her up short, leaving her stunned and speechless. It hurt him, that she thought herself so unimportant to him.
"You are all I have left," he reminded her, pushing on while he had the chance. "There is no one and nothing in the world to anchor me except you. If you are gone, I will follow, and it will all have been for nothing."
"But-"
"If you leave me behind, you will have failed me." It was cruel of him, but it was necessary. "If you do not wish to fail me, you must stay with me."
"I-" she interrupted herself this time, raising her face toward the red-hazed sun that hung above the Wasteland like the eye of a vengeful goddess.
"Stay with me," he begged, though she would not see it as begging. "Do not leave me behind."
She lowered her head to look at him again. If he were tactless enough to mention them, she would likely blame the tears in her eyes on the sun.
"I will not stop you from using the stones, if you give your word that you will value your own life as much as mine."
Spira sighed, lowering her head further. "Okay," she said at last, softly. Too softly for so large and strong a dragon. "I give you my word."
"Thank you," he said, sails finally relaxing into something like relief. He winged his way up to her shoulder and pressed himself against her neck, wrapping his arms and wings as far around as they would go. "I am sorry."
"I am, too," she said, throat vibrating against him with each word, but said nothing further.
Sirrah held his peace as well. For once, the Wasteland allowed them to keep it, just for this moment.
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[center][size=3][font=antiqua]@Everburn[/font][/size][/center]
[nextcol][color=transparent]xxxxx[/color][/columns]
Extremely fragile. When these glittering shells are not used to make delicate jewelry, they can be ground up and mixed with paste to form an iridescent polish.
36
material :: writing
"Are you certain they are safe?" Sirrah asked, his expressionless face slightly paler than usual, his frills raised in trepidation.
"No," Spira replied bluntly. "But they make me stronger."
Sirrah regarded her in blank silence for a moment before his gaze slid back to the stones. Neither of them knew much about them. As far as Spira knew, they were old forgotten magic even before the cataclysm, which was more than Sirrah could claim to know.
All Sirrah knew was that magic was wild, unpredictable, and dangerous. His own innate magics seemed to only work on their own whims, and not always as he intended them to. Magic was warped. The magic from these stones felt... off, in a way he could not describe. They felt slimy and slick, like oil on water, like the Wyrmwound had the one time he'd forced himself close enough to feel it. They felt like gaping wounds in the fabric of reality, and he did not trust them or their magic.
If they worked as intended, if they made Spira stronger, then they were a boon. If they went wrong, however, she could be badly hurt by their use. It seemed too great a risk to Sirrah.
The memory of Hess's still blue form in the dust played through his mind, as he was certain it played constantly through Spira's. Their failure to protect him ate at them both, but Sirrah thought in different ways. The memory cautioned Sirrah, pushed him back to safer grounds, made him want to protect Spira by keeping her from danger altogether. It had the opposite effect on Spira, pushing her forward, urging her to protect Sirrah by throwing herself at any possible danger first.
"I do not like this."
"I need to be stronger, Sirrah," she insisted, her great claws digging into the dirt, contract relax, contract relax. "I need to keep you safe."
"I need you safe," he replied. She often mistook his evenness for calm, because she could not see the fear in his frills, his frustration in the lay of his sails.
"Your safety is more important than mine."
"Not to me."
Spira growled, claws gouging deeper into the ground. "I have to protect you!" she snapped. "If I die and you live, then it'll be worth it!"
"If you die," he asked, "what reason do I have to live?"
That brought her up short, leaving her stunned and speechless. It hurt him, that she thought herself so unimportant to him.
"You are all I have left," he reminded her, pushing on while he had the chance. "There is no one and nothing in the world to anchor me except you. If you are gone, I will follow, and it will all have been for nothing."
"But-"
"If you leave me behind, you will have failed me." It was cruel of him, but it was necessary. "If you do not wish to fail me, you must stay with me."
"I-" she interrupted herself this time, raising her face toward the red-hazed sun that hung above the Wasteland like the eye of a vengeful goddess.
"Stay with me," he begged, though she would not see it as begging. "Do not leave me behind."
She lowered her head to look at him again. If he were tactless enough to mention them, she would likely blame the tears in her eyes on the sun.
"I will not stop you from using the stones, if you give your word that you will value your own life as much as mine."
Spira sighed, lowering her head further. "Okay," she said at last, softly. Too softly for so large and strong a dragon. "I give you my word."
"Thank you," he said, sails finally relaxing into something like relief. He winged his way up to her shoulder and pressed himself against her neck, wrapping his arms and wings as far around as they would go. "I am sorry."
"I am, too," she said, throat vibrating against him with each word, but said nothing further.
Sirrah held his peace as well. For once, the Wasteland allowed them to keep it, just for this moment.
A dryad found us while we were out hunting today. I didn't stop to think about it, but the end of the world was probably pretty hard on the beastclans, too. Most of them attack us on sight, but this one didn't. She said her name was some weird nonsense noise that apparently means 'the sound of a warm summer breeze through the leaves in the evening', so we've decided to call her Summer.
Summer said that the world, as in the planet, the earth under our feet, had gone insane. She said her tree had been twisted into something she had no connection to anymore. The other surviving dryads want nothing to do with her, so she came to us. She didn't come empty-handed, either; she brought a little pile of treasure all wrapped up in leaves with her, as well as some bugs and other plantstuff. Sirrah likes her.
I'm not sure if it's smart to trust anyone, especially beastclan someones, but I guess it's good that Sirrah has company besides me. I worry about him. I wonder if I can convince more dragons to join us. Our own clan. It sounds impossible, but it's not. With so few of us left, a lot of us who never stood a chance of becoming progenitors just might be able to. I wonder what we'd call ourselves. x
- Spira of the Keepers of the Bleeding Sun xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxno, that's a stupid name
PS: Just ran into a weird guy who wanted to trade sand dollars for a neat gem with some sort of spirit in it? Totally went for it, but I'm not gonna tell Sirrah. He'll just worry.
A dryad found us while we were out hunting today. I didn't stop to think about it, but the end of the world was probably pretty hard on the beastclans, too. Most of them attack us on sight, but this one didn't. She said her name was some weird nonsense noise that apparently means 'the sound of a warm summer breeze through the leaves in the evening', so we've decided to call her Summer.
Summer said that the world, as in the planet, the earth under our feet, had gone insane. She said her tree had been twisted into something she had no connection to anymore. The other surviving dryads want nothing to do with her, so she came to us. She didn't come empty-handed, either; she brought a little pile of treasure all wrapped up in leaves with her, as well as some bugs and other plantstuff. Sirrah likes her.
I'm not sure if it's smart to trust anyone, especially beastclan someones, but I guess it's good that Sirrah has company besides me. I worry about him. I wonder if I can convince more dragons to join us. Our own clan. It sounds impossible, but it's not. With so few of us left, a lot of us who never stood a chance of becoming progenitors just might be able to. I wonder what we'd call ourselves. x
- Spira of the Keepers of the Bleeding Sun xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxno, that's a stupid name
PS: Just ran into a weird guy who wanted to trade sand dollars for a neat gem with some sort of spirit in it? Totally went for it, but I'm not gonna tell Sirrah. He'll just worry.