TC
Boy-Skylark
What Is A Consistent Art Style?
Posts: 131
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Post by TC on Apr 24, 2019 16:50:24 GMT
Your mind is full of darkness, the fading visage of a city in ruins, the stench of blood overwhelming to your senses. The sound of screams can be heard everwhere, even though not a soul is in sight, the sound of gunfire the harmony of the air to the symphony of crying.
??: Ka….
Fading and fading out of sight, darkness covering your vision, hiding the scene from you as another takes over, One after another, images of destruction and death are all you can see as the music of war plays louder and louder in your ears.
??: Kaz….
It’s getting closer, the screams and gunfire are drawing closer to you.If you don’t do something– it’ll be here soon, you have to–
You wake up with a violent lurch, sitting up quickly and grasping onto the branches to keep yourself from falling out of the tree. No matter how fast you pant, surging air into your lungs, you still struggle to breathe. The remaining tendrils of the nightmare continued to grasp you.
??: Just a dream…
??: It was just a dream…
You continued to try and assure yourself that what you saw was just a dream, it can’t hurt you any, all it can do is freak you out when you wake up, nothing more. But even as you repeat that to yourself, your heart continues to burn in your chest and your lungs throb as you struggle to calm back down, even your tail has instinctively come to curl up between your legs, or it would if you didn't have a large branch blocking its way.
Waking up to a nightmare is the worst way to wake up, no doubt about that. But at least it's one way to wake up from a nap you technically weren't even supposed to have, so you guess that this can be seen as a sort of punishment in slacking in your duties. You were doing so well, too, you'd gone almost two weeks of no nightmares without the help of any medicine, looks like you'll have to start from day zero again on that track record.
??: Its okay… okay…
??: I am me… I am here… I am me, I am here…
You start repeating something of a mantra over and over again to try and calm yourself. It's actually kind of effective. At least your heart doesn't feel like it'll pop out of your chest anymore.
When you finally calm back down, you stand up on the branches that dip slightly under your weight and movement, but you're now confident enough that you wont double over in a panic attack and go tumbling out of the trees you had previously been napping in and onto the hard earth below. Right now, you're ready to do something, anything besides wallowing in nightmare-induced anxiety.
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Post by Ooo Buttons on Apr 25, 2019 1:18:16 GMT
How about running us through the interface and giving a rough outline for how much audience interaction is available for this one.  |
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Post by aldente on Apr 25, 2019 1:23:28 GMT
> Well, tell us more about yourself.
> Grab a bite to eat, perhaps?
> Listen to some tunes.
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Post by msrmfan1 on Apr 25, 2019 3:02:23 GMT
> Find a way to get down.
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TC
Boy-Skylark
What Is A Consistent Art Style?
Posts: 131
Pronouns: [any]
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Post by TC on Apr 25, 2019 4:20:52 GMT
=> Run Through the Interface
The Inter-what now?
Oh, that stuff.
 You pop open the STATUS menu and give it a quick look over. There really isn't anything fancy to it. It gives you your name and age and where you belong. The STATS on it are fairly right, too, as you had an examination just last month. 43 STRENGTH, fairly high for someone of your age, aw Hell all your stats are pretty high for someone your age. You wanna gloat, but honestly thats probably just due to genetic and species differences between you and the others.
You're in perfect health, too. If you had any status-affecting bullshit going on, your STATUS would be updated accordingly for that too, like if you got poisoned or something. What attacks you can do with what you have on you are listed as well. Obviously you're always going to be able to bite and claw people, unless someone tears your fangs and claws out in some bloody horror show, and so long as you have hands you can fist-fight. The only WEAPON you have on hand is a plain old knife.
As for INVENTORY, all you got is the basic vanilla bitch. That is, you have the STANDARD SCOUTS BAG, which only provides 3x3 space, you hope to upgrade to a better bag in the future. No one wants to go through life with the same basic gear they got at day one. Plus, the 3x3 space only applies to average sized items, if you put something really big in it, then it'll take up more space. Currently, all you have in your inventory is 1x GREY RATION BAR, 1x STANDARD KNIFE, and 1x LIGHTER.
Your LOG is just a journal you were given to record things that go on. If you get any tasks you have to complete, meet any interesting people, things or places, you record them in your LOG. That way you don't forget what you need to do, what something is or who someone is. One of your C.O's gave you it a few years back since you kept forgetting what you had to do.
...
What, you wanna know what PRIMAL is?
Too bad, that's not for here or now. Primal is an EMERGENCIES ONLY thing for health and safety reasons. If you start talking about what it is, then you'll get an urge to use it. Better for everyone to save that for if and when you have to use that tab.
=> Grab a bite to eat.
=> Tell us more about yourself
Well, you are kind of hungry. You remove the GREY RATION BAR from your inventory and start eating it. Boy do you love the grey bar, full of darker grey flecks, wrapped up in grey tin wrap. Sure tastes better than the brown or green ration bars the others are always fighting to get.
... Okay, that's BS and you know it. The grey ration bars taste super bland and kind of like mush. You would totally be eating the brown ones or green ones if it wasn't for the fact that those ones completely wreck your stomach, the grey rations are the only ones you can eat without getting sick for a few days. Your stomach can't really handle non meats and liquids. You'd probably die if you tried eating the other rations and only the other ones.
Not that you're absolutely sure that the grey ones even are meat, but you're able to eat them so you think they're meat. You hope.
For all you know, you've been slowly dying of food poisoning for these last twelve years.
But you pause in eating the delicious grey bar and place it on the branch next to you. Talk about yourself? But you already know everything about yourself. Well, you suppose it wouldn't hurt to go back over the basics.Your name is KAZEL, seventeen, from a species known as the DREN. Basically a furry. Okay, that was a terrible joke. You're more like a human with animal-like traits... or rather a humanoid animal? You're not actually sure which would be more accurate, if any is. Hell, you never even heard of a human until twelve years ago. Long story short; twelve years ago, due to a fairly traumatic experience which now manifests itself in reoccuring nightmares that plague your sleep, you arrived on the planet TESIRON. Aka, here. You were found by two commanding officers in the LEGION, they took you in and you've been a part of the kingdom-military power ever since. Currently you are a SCOUT. Once you hit eighteen, you will be eligible to become a full-fledge soldier and fight on the front line. You're looking forward to it. You may not like war or battles and the bloodshed gives you ptsd flashbacks, but it's all for a good cause! KING EPHIALTES, the leader of the Legion, is trying to unite all the kingdoms of the planet, that way there wont be any more wars between each other and everything will be peaceful. The Legion fights for the weak and innocent, we fight to make a better world.Currently the legion is at war with the INSURGENCE, a group of kingdoms working together to stop the Legion because they don't want to be unified as a single people and have peace. => Find a way to get down Find a way to get down? Not that hard, you climbed up the tree easy enough, and it's not like you're really high up. Let's see if you can-
 There we go, one jump and you're on the soft green grass. And you didn't land on your face! Extra points for that! |
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Post by aldente on Apr 25, 2019 6:54:50 GMT
> You ought to get back to your scout duties. As far as you can tell, you dodged a bullet with that nap there. You don't want to be caught slacking.
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TC
Boy-Skylark
What Is A Consistent Art Style?
Posts: 131
Pronouns: [any]
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Post by TC on Apr 26, 2019 0:09:00 GMT
=> You ought to get back to your scout duties. As far as you can tell, you dodged a bullet with that nap there. You don't want to be caught slacking. That's right, you really shouldnt slack off too much on your job. You were able to get away with napping since you got assigned the dead route today, the part of the DIREWOODS that nothing really happens to it, the Insurgence can't get this deep in the woods without crossing through any other patrol routes. If someone runs into anything slightly interesting on this route, it's a miracle.
You'll get this patrol done fast, fill out your report when you get back to the others and put down how it was as usual with nothing to it. As long as your CO's don't need you for anything, you'll have the rest of the evening to train or relax as you want.
As you walk, the woods start to get darker while the sun sets. Your ears are perked to hear any suspicious noises and your nose is twitching for any unusual scents. But everything is as it always is. Even with the dying light, you're not to worried. You've walked this route hundreds of times so you're confident that you don't have to worry about getting lost in the dark.
You even start to just hum a little song to yourself as you walk.
But, as you delve deeper into the woods, something starts to feel... off. There is an unfamiliar scent hanging in the air now, and you notice tracks in the grass that don't match the footprints left by the Legion issued boots.
You pause in your walk and angle your ears a little, focusing hard to listen. Sure enough you start to hear a low growl coming from deep within the trees.
Seriously? This was supposed to be the dead route, you're not supposed to run into anything on this route, if you were expected to have any confrontation you'd be issued something a bit stronger than a knife to defend yourself.
Well, it doesn't sound like a person, so you don't feel like you have to worry about it being someone from the Insurgence. But if it's a beast then you still ought to be careful.
The growling only grows closer and there is an audible rustling among the leaves and bushes, you can feel something watching you from. The growls are deep, and you feel the hairs on your skin rising a little. From fear? No, you don't think its fear you're feeling, maybe nervous? You think that's right. |
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Post by Aigis on Apr 26, 2019 19:03:44 GMT
Snarl or growl back at this beast to assert your dominence.
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Post by aldente on Apr 26, 2019 21:51:36 GMT
> You have a weapon, right?
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TC
Boy-Skylark
What Is A Consistent Art Style?
Posts: 131
Pronouns: [any]
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Post by TC on Apr 27, 2019 20:58:16 GMT
==> Assert your dominence by growling back!
You bare your fangs and loudly growl back at the trees to show that you are not afraid and that you are more than ready to fight if it wants to throw down. It growls back more angrily.
+10 Dumb Dork
Not the smartest idea provoking lurking beasts in a dark forest, but hey, you made your choice.
==> You have a weapon, right? Well, besides your claws, you have your knife in your inventory. You quickly equip your knife and get in a stance, ready to take on your opponent. In your other hand, your claws unsheathe.
Kazel: Come on, you dumb thing!
Kazel: You wanna fight? Then come and fight me!
You successfully provoked the beast into coming out into the open.
==> There is a vicious snarl as the beast leaps from the shadows of the trees, mouth open to bite.
==> Aaaand….
It’s just a small dog.
Wow, really anticlimatic there. Here you were hoping to have a showdown of epic porportions slaying a gigantic monster that no one else has been able to defeat, and instead all you get is a yellow-furred anklebiter jumping out of the trees and yipping at you.
You like dogs as much as the next person, but if you're being honest, this is pretty disappointing, a major let down.
What’s a dog doing this deep in the woods, anyway? It’s got a collar and it’s is pretty well fed so it’s not a stray, and the Legion doesn’t allow for pets. Weird. |
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Post by Aigis on Apr 27, 2019 23:14:46 GMT
The small dogs are always the most threatening.
>Try and pet the dog, tell him he's a good boy. You might be able to make a friend!
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Post by Bork! on Apr 28, 2019 2:05:41 GMT
Well nothing else for it. You found it on Patrol, so you have to take it back to your Superior or its owner.
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Post by aldente on Apr 28, 2019 3:05:09 GMT
> If there's a dog here, and the Legion doesn't allow dogs, that must mean that the owner isn't of the Legion. Keep your eyes peeled, a member of the Insurgence may be about.
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TC
Boy-Skylark
What Is A Consistent Art Style?
Posts: 131
Pronouns: [any]
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Post by TC on Apr 28, 2019 4:06:10 GMT
==>Try and pet the dog, tell him he's a good boy. You might be able to make a friend!
==> If there's a dog here, and the Legion doesn't allow dogs, that must mean that the owner isn't of the Legion. Keep your eyes peeled, a member of the Insurgence may be about. He's a pretty fluffy buddy, and stops barking soon enough. Your disappointment at not geting the epic fight in the woods quickly fades as you pick the dog up without any complaint, in fact the little fellow wags his tail and has his tongue out in a goofy expression. He's so soft to the touch, too! You're almost jealous of how soft his fur is.
Kazel: Who's a good boy? Who's the good boy?
Kazel: You are, oh yes you are!
Dog: *Happy woof*
Kazel: Someone as good as you couldn't possibly be part of the Insurgence, no, there's just no way.
Kazel: You're too good of a boy to be with such bad, bad men.
Even as you say that, you know there is a very real possibility that he could belong to the Insurgence. Sure, he's a bit small and not really what one would call an attack dog or even a tracker dog, but you can never be too careful. If he does belong to the Insurgence, then that means that there are soldiers nearby, and worst that means they've found a way to sneak into Legion controlled territory. Definitely something to bring to your commanding officers.
But he could also be a civies dog. That is just as possible. Civilians would be more likely to own a fluffy happy boy like this than the Insurgence.
==>Well nothing else for it. You found it on Patrol, so you have to take it back to your Superior or its owner. Kazel: Do you wanna go back home? You wanna find your mommy or daddy?
Okay maybe you shouldn't baby talk the dog, but it's just too darn hard not to with the way it stares at you with those big ole eyes. It even wags it's tail even more.
There are two ways that this could play out. If it belongs to some civilians who wandered into the Direwoods, then you have a duty to make sure they get back out safely.
If it's a few Insurgence soldiers who snuck past the outer perimeter... then you'll be getting some nice recognition and praise for bringing them back as prisoners, it'll look good on your records when you finally get promoted to soldier. That kind of initive and behavior is the kind of stuff that the CO's look for in promising soldiers and scouts.
Kazel: Alright buddy, let's see if we can get you home.
You put the pup back down, and with some happy barks and a tail still wagging, he starts to prance away, deeper into the woods in the same direction he came from. You just smile as you follow after him, the dog probably has a better idea of where he came from than you do. But, you keep your senses sharp, looking for any sign of enemy activity as you follow the furball.
If you can't find his owners or anyone and it gets too late, you'll take him back to base, your superiors will know what to do.
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Post by aldente on Apr 28, 2019 16:14:49 GMT
> Cautiously follow the dog.
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TC
Boy-Skylark
What Is A Consistent Art Style?
Posts: 131
Pronouns: [any]
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Post by TC on Apr 28, 2019 19:34:47 GMT
==> Cautiously follow the dog.You follow the dog through the forest, half your attention on the dog, the rest on your surrounding area. Can't let yourself get too distractedn and leave yourself open for getting jumped.
Yet as you follow the dog, it's becoming clear that you're going deeper into the Direwoods rather than going towards the edges. You don't even think you're on your patrol route anymore, let alone in Legion territory, no, you're certain this isn't part of the massive forest that the Legion controls. It's a little disconcerning. Okay, no, it's really worrisome that you're leaving the protection of the Legion right now, but, you're sure you'll be able to find your way back.
If not, surely they'll send a search party for you.
Wait a minute...
That's not supposed to be here, what even is it? You can see lights flickering in the distance, a base of some kind? A camp? You know the Legion doesn't have one this far out.
Dog: Bork!
Kazel: Shh!
There's something that you can hear, just barely. But it becomes more audible as you follow the dog. It's... music? You can hear the faint melody of music playing in the woods, and talking too, laughter? The night breeze also carries a strong scent of food on it.
Now you're concerned, but also really freaking curious.
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Post by aldente on Apr 28, 2019 21:33:34 GMT
> A camp? You have to investigate a bit, but then report this to your superiors. This might be a bit more than you alone can handle.
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Post by Aigis on Apr 28, 2019 22:13:12 GMT
^ agreed, gotta investigate this. best time to put all your scout stuff to use and be a sneaky stealthy scout.
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TC
Boy-Skylark
What Is A Consistent Art Style?
Posts: 131
Pronouns: [any]
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Post by TC on Apr 29, 2019 17:38:47 GMT
==> A camp? You have to investigate a bit, but then report this to your superiors. This might be a bit more than you alone can handle.
==>^ agreed, gotta investigate this. best time to put all your scout stuff to use and be a sneaky stealthy scout.  You follow the sounds and lights, drawing close while staying out of sight to the best of your ability. As you reach the outskirts of the camp, you duck into cover provided by a tree and bush, the smile on your face shows just how excited you are over this. This will be your first time in an active enemy camp, how cool is that?
No, you gotta keep focused. This is possibly an enemy camp. Can't afford to be distracted. You watch them for a little bit and get out unseen, this is what you've been trained to do.
But still, your tail twitches and flicks with the excited jitters you got.
The dog is at your side, looking at you with its adorably dumb expression and you just smile back at him.
Kazel: Alright, you gotta be quiet here, doggy, we can't afford to get caught.
Kazel: So stay here, stay out of sight.
Kazel: Can you do that buddy?
Dog: *Woofs*
Kazel: Good. I thought so-
You've don't even finish your sentence before the dog leaps out from behind the cover of the bush, barking happily as it rushes towards the camp.
Kazel: Doggy, wait!
Kazel: Come back!
...
Shit.
=>
?: Hello?
?: Are you okay?
?: A newcomer? Welcome!
?: Lumar you came back! Come here boy!
Dog (Lumar?): *Yipping*
?: Does he have dog ears?
?: They look like oversized cat ears to me.
?: His eyes are so cool!
?: What are you doing hiding in a bush?
Well, on the plus side they don't appear to be Insurgence, you don't see any weapons beside basic hunting tools like bows and knives laying around, certainly no armor or combat-oriented gear. Plus there are a lot of kids running around. The Insurgence wouldn't put kids on the battlefield, would they?
From what you can see, it's just a small camp of regular people gathered around tents, lanterns and firepits, with tables covered in food drinks. There are some people around one of the firepits playing music, or they were until and the dog came out of the bush, now it was just an air of awkward tension with the people talking over one another and staring at you.
You may have just crashed a party you weren't invited to.
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Post by Party Time? on May 1, 2019 3:35:44 GMT
> Ask to join the party
Cause i mean, a party's a party right? If these guys don't seem bad, then surely you can spare a little time to enjoy some festivities here and there. You might be able to glean some information from some chattier people.
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The One Guy
Rust Maid
Posts: 1,148
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Post by The One Guy on May 3, 2019 15:52:33 GMT
> Well, hae some fun then, but make sure you don't loose track of time. Presumably there's a time you have to report back by, right?
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Post by Time to Learn on May 4, 2019 2:32:51 GMT
Have fun with the festival. Eat some food. Ask around to see if you can learn anything about this place, I'm sure your superiors would want to know anything you can find out.
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Post by Aigis on May 6, 2019 5:09:45 GMT
> eat some food
Or strike up a conversation with leaf man.
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