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Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Mar 18, 2023 10:47:02 GMT -5
As much as work requires me to travel, I still have no form of personal transportation. 'One day, I say to myself, one day I'll be able to get one.' I wonder through the plains to arrive at the village, immediately showing respect to the nomadic tribes that were visiting. I honestly respect their intricate lifestyles and physical abilities for so much travel. I join a group of gossipers that know me, and I know them. I give a small smile to them, "Hi everyone!" This breaks the laughter that was happening, turning their attention to me. "Well, well, well. If it isn't my favorite business partner! How you doing Keyke?" The leader of gossips in this region, a nomadic tribe's head female, the mother herself, Crista. I walk into the group, welcoming the small space made for me in the circle. "Doing well Mother Crista. I must say, the town is bustling right now. As I only just arrived, I was wondering, is this for the upcoming race I've heard so much about?" The circle all gives smirks, glancing at each other. One lady, new to the group it seems, hands over a rope to another, more frequent gossiper. My smile turns into a smirk, "I love a good competition, not to mention I have ridden before." I tilt my head, "How do I get a ride and placement in the race?" Mother Crista pointed to stables outside the entrance. " Tell them I allowed you to have a donkey, after that, they only need you to show up." Her smile widened, "Can't wait to see you at the track." I give a little salute with my doll, making the others laugh, and does just as told. Quest Name: To the Races! Participants: Two or more Location: King's Valley Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post Reward: +1 Renown Description: One of the valley's favorite past times is racing, specifically on horse back, but any animal will do as long as it is exciting. If you want to make a name for yourself in the plains, winning a race is the best way to do that, but it is one of the hardest things to do, locals do not play fair. The quest is simple, get into a race on animal back. You don't have to win, but try your hardest, and keep an eye out, anything goes in these races. (If you do not own a mount, a donkey will be provided for you.)
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Mage's Guild
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Crescent Isles
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Post by Shitakibo on Mar 18, 2023 11:13:50 GMT -5
Shitakibo gathered at the starting line with several others. A few well to do people had fanciful mounts, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. There were stories told of the Valley's races even as far as the Crescent Isles and Taki had hoped to catch a bit of that competition and renown for herself. The journey had been arduous, the serpent woman didn't care for carts, wagons or ships, the motion of such things was unnatural. Yet she had no other means of travel, as of yet, and it would take quite a length of time before she could possibly hope to afford such luxury.
Her mount for this race was a provisioned donkey, with shaggy grey and tan fur. It brayed and guffawed, complaining about the unusual tack and gear for the race. Taki dismounted for a minute, taking a cursory look at the way things had been strapped to the poor animal. Making a few adjustments, the donkey settled down and caught it's breath. She spoke soothing words to the animal, brushed it's sides and haunches, treated it like a friend. Something many others seemed to be snickering, sneering and all together ridiculing the shaman for in hushed crowds. Her crimson eyes followed them all, memorizing their faces and mounts. The race would begin soon, and Taki remounted, ready to face this challenge head on.
More would be gathering soon, she hoped anyway, wanting to enjoy the experience to the fullest.
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Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Mar 18, 2023 11:52:20 GMT -5
Noticing the serpent woman speak to her donkey, I was able to play the child card while adjusting the harnesses for everything. My donkey more than happy to help a child like person situate themselves, especially one able to talk with them.1 As I lined up, I pulled alongside the serpent lady, listening in to the conversation. My annoyance growing as more and more people talked about her like she doesn't get an advantage being able to communicate with her ride! My blood was pumping from the very idea that someone else was smart enough to work with this tactic.
I gave her a smile, "Hi there!" To many people, it was a child simply riding with them, the berating glances and words quieted as the attention turned to me. Whispers of how easy the course would be if a child was doing it. I lean over and whisper to her, "It's nice seeing another person fix up the saddle to fit both the rider and the steed." I rub my donkey, who was getting frightened by the weapons laced on the other steeds and lean over to his ear, "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe." I turn back to the lady with my hand out, "May the best win, right?"
1. Necklace of Animal Speech
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Crescent Isles
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Post by Shitakibo on Mar 18, 2023 12:35:06 GMT -5
"Best of luck to you as well." Replied Taki, whose focus was on the race ahead. She took the young lady's hand in one of her own, giving it a gentle shake. As the last of the riders gathered at the start, an announcer took up some sort of metallic cone that projected their voice out over the crowd.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CHILDREN AND BEASTS!!! Welcome to the Valley Race, and our spring season. Today's course will be a standard affair for those who've run it before, and for those who haven't... I would watch out for the mischief of your competition. The rules are simple, you and your steed must attempt to be the first ones to follow the markers from here to the end of the chosen raceway. Everything else is fair game, though we encourage everyone to keep the violence to a minimum wherever possible.
RIDERS!! TO YOUR POSITIONS!!!" The announcer bellowed. All up and down the start, steeds bucked and bayed beneath their riders, sensing the building excitement all around. Taki leaned forward, rubbing her donkey's neck and encouraging it's excitement. She didn't get to ride very often, but she loved the sensation of an open gallop. The power of a trained steed, using it's immense muscles to carry both itself and it's rider far faster than most creatures ever experienced in a life... it was exhilarating, slightly terrifying, but mostly a rush of emotion and adrenaline that made her feel connected to the spirits of the wind.
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Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Mar 18, 2023 13:36:52 GMT -5
The excitement only helped with readying the animals. I look over to some of the ruder people and focus on the clasp and/or buckles connecting them to their ride.1 I pull the strap out in a quick tearing fashion, turning my attention to the road.
"GO!" No count down, as it should be with these people. I lightly kick the donkey and direct it forwards. Hearing the rude people fall immediately, brought an even bigger smile to my face. We raced on, following the track that the others embarked on. People quickly aimed at me with bows, swords, and even just sand and dirt. I maneuvered my body and donkey to avoid such attacks, using my small body and mind that I've trained for such nuisances.2
The longer the race goes the more others try to get me out. I quickly just take the weapon each one is holding and make it smack into the other riders.1 This gets rid of mush of the chaos around me. I rub the donkey and call out, "Onwards!"3 Letting him know it's clear and safe. This boosts his morale, and we speed up even faster. Meeting those up at the front, the true speedsters who had been weighed down by nothing but attacks from behind. I look down to their saddles and once more tear the clasps and latches keeping them on.1 We avoid once more the many things attacking us. Pushing to the final edge of the race.
1.Telekinesis 2.Cat's Grace 3.Necklace of Animal Speech
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Post by Shitakibo on Mar 18, 2023 13:51:47 GMT -5
At the signal to start, Taki spurred her mount to action. It's powerful haunches heaved and sent the pair streaking across the plain. All about, folks were using every underhanded and simplistic method to foil their competition. Seeing that this seemed to be the norm, she pulled out her set of Kunai (Ninja Stars) and defended from several others in the area. One man tried to club at the shaman, only to have his swing go wide as the donkey moved aside. The momentum carried the man too far from his saddle, entangling him and tripping his steed until it tumbled on top of the fool. Taki hissed, clanging the small metal blades in defiance of her competitors.
The small girl that had greeted her at the start of the race was pulling ahead, using some unknown magic to usurp her opponent's efforts before they could even begin. More racers moved in, surrounding the brightly colored serpent, trying to knock her and her steed to the ground and out of the running. She guided the beast, one pair of arms against it's neck. Her hissing voice commanded it's path, and her upper, stronger arms parried the various implements of her competition. More than once, a girthy woman on a foul smelling desert beast tried to trample several of the group. The beast honked and spat, it's lumpy back looking strained from the bulk of it's rider. Taki tossed one of the Kunai, cutting the strap across her saddle as the woman tried to trample both Taki and another. Down she went, her mass being pummeled briefly by the galloping mount before the weight sent it sprawling across the path of many.
"Serves you right, now you know you the error of your way..." Said the shaman, pulling ahead of the mayhem and gaining ground on the young woman who had started beside her. While Taki did not know her name, she could appreciate the young one's tenacity and quick thinking. Overtaking this one would be a delicate and decisive challenge.
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Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Mar 18, 2023 14:57:10 GMT -5
Racing ahead of the pack gives a major disadvantage, an open back, in other words, a target. I talk to my donkey, "You know the rest of the way, right?" In his full speed they could merely give a nod of approval. With that information I say, "Take us to the finish line, I'm going to ride backwards till the end." With that little warning, I smoothly turn around and sit backwards on the donkey. I fit my feet into the stirrups and watch the backends. I watch the bustling of people trying to get to me. One manages to throw a spear at me, I grab the top with my mind and deflect it into another's way.
I notice the nice serpent lady coming forward, ready with ninja stars for throwing. Her skills are strong, I admit, and one of the few here with more than a simple musclehead. I know it will be a tricky battle, so I prep what I can. With ease, I continue maneuvering the weapons to fly around me to the ground, making a form of difficult terrain, or if to heavy I just shift my donkey away from said weapon.
I could hear the people in crowds coming closer. I could only hope that my strategy keeps the rest behind me for the remainder of the race, especially since some are getting used to it. I refuse to lose to anyone but that serpent girl, they need to learn how to treat their steeds correctly.
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Post by Shitakibo on Mar 18, 2023 23:18:28 GMT -5
Taki watched in fascination as weapon after weapon are turned aside effortlessly as they fly towards the girl. Her own donkey had been keeping a steady and comfortable pacing for a short while, leaving the shaman to work with her blades to keep them both racing towards the finish. Not always one for showing off, Taki decided she'd have more than a little fun this time. She tucked the Kunai into their pouch and drew her short bow, instructing her steed to race on as it saw fit. Steadying herself and matching the animal's rhythm, Taki stood in her saddle and began picking targets.
The first was a pair of drunkards, swilling from their canteens and riding in erratic patterns. She pinned the skins through with a well placed shot, sowing confusion in the pair as they turned to go find their precious booze. The sudden change caught several others and sent more than a few tumbling into a great heap of riders and steeds. Taki pivoted in the saddle, seeking a new target. Another group were harassing folks using cavalry tactics, forming a wall that could trample or shove others side. Taki's next shot hit the reins of the closest rider, cutting the strap loose and sending their mount colliding into the column to fall over like giant dominos. More competitors piled up behind it, either caught unaware or harried by the pair of women and their efforts to keep ahead in the race.
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Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
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Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Mar 18, 2023 23:52:10 GMT -5
I smile, I could feel the race about to end. The serpent girl learned quick, competitors needed to be left behind. Incredibly easier if that means they harm each other in their path. With that in mind, I keep my flow, move, move, reassure my donkey, and move. Patterns, everything always comes back to patterns. The fighting style the serpent girl had, the trots of her own donkey, and the cheers of the crowds. I smirk, waving at the girl before I grab the reins and do one final kick. "Full speed, if you can make it to the line that is," I could feel his breath through the stomach, telling me he could and braced myself.
We shot forward, only my grace keeping me on. Quickly the others saw what I did, trying to break free of their weapons and speed up. I see the serpent girl once more, stopping an attack on her, I feel my helping side satisfied. Before even another half minute could pass, we passed the line. My childish excitement arose a small amount of pride to my family. "Slow down and stop, we won." My donkey did as instructed, only I switched around the proper way for a small walk to parade the winners. They bring me to the winners circle, there was the serpent girl and one of the few non-weapon riders I left. I smiled and raised my hands for a shake, "It was so much fun racing with you all, if you ever wish to just talk, just ask around for Keyke!"
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Mage's Guild
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 19, 2023 2:53:54 GMT -5
"My name is Shitakibo, Taki to some. You ride well, and handle yourself capably. Should you or any you venture with need aid or assistance, ask for me around the Crescent Isles." Taki said, shaking the young woman's hand. The race had been exhilarating, a combination of many skills and more than a little bit of guidance from the spirits of the land. Connecting with new places and experiencing the voices of new spirits was the shaman's true goal in every venture. She guided her steed back to the stables as the celebration began to spread out. After walking around the building a few times to let the animal cool down, she brushed the donkey's shaggy coat with a brush she fashioned out of some bits grass and a piece of bamboo she'd been using as a means to carry water.
Mingling briefly with others, she fended off a few strangers who had emptied their cups too often before deciding it was time to head home once more. Spotting Keyke on the way out, the shaman bid her well in her travels and set out on the road once again. Some day, she hoped to have a fine mount of her own, something that she alone could charge headlong across the field with, shocking and outpacing all who would witness it's finesse. Some day might come, but for today, Taki walked down the path, glad her legs could carry her home.
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