King's Valley Nomad's Stone Brown and yellow flowers encircle the nomad's stone, giving off a very strong odor of waste and manure. The stench is strong and makes anyone who smells it sick to their stomach. While investigating the flowers, both members find that they have turned into a horse, a normal, nothing special horse. Somehow, they can still speak, communicate, and even cast spells, but are in the body of a horse. Lasts the entire topic.
It was a beautiful day outside. The sun was shining. The tribes weren’t going around killing each other. Even the normally unruly Gnolls had seemed to take the day off to do…whatever it was that a Gnoll did on a day off. It would have been a perfect day to just lay around and do nothing if it weren’t for one thing, the smell.
Normally, Thunderhoof village kind of smelled like manure all the time anyway due to everyone riding horses everywhere. It was just kind of the price paid. But today was just bad. No matter where you went, the stench of poop followed you around like a dog with bacon in your pocket. And he was not the only one who noticed.
Shaa was saddled up to the bar of the local watering hole and talking to Rex the bartender. Whoa Rex! No more beans for you buddy. Shaa joked with a grin. Ha ha, hilarious. Ugh, this smell is just. Ugh! The big Minotaur shook his head. I know right? Did someone like forget to clean the stables or something? What in Ginma’s beard? Rex coughed a bit. No no, didn’t you hear. It’s bad here, but it’s even worse at the stone. People have been coming back from pilgrimages all day saying the stone itself stinks to high heaven. Some are saying it’s Ginma’s punishment of the tribes for all the fighting. Shaa knew full well that Ginma was far too dead to be punishing anyone. But he didn’t feel like having that conversation, especially around here. Well, not sure about that but they probably deserve it. I’ll head over myself and see if I can figure out what’s happening. Maybe I can bury it or something. Drinks on me if you can man.
With that, Shaa headed out for the stone. Sure enough, the closer he got, the more putrid the smell became. Several travelers came across him going the opposite direction. All of them warned him of what was coming but at this point, the fighter was determined to do something. As he arrives, he is greeted by something strange. Unusual brown and yellow flowers are growing everywhere. Following the trail, he eventually finds that the go around the entirety of the stone. He reaches down and plucks one to investigate, and immediately regrets it. The smell of manure is overpowering.Agh! The smell is coming from the freaking flowers? Neigh! Neigh? Something was wrong. Shaa looked down at his feet and sure enough, he still had hooves but they looked wrong. Shaa looked at his hands only to find they were now hooves as well! Doing a quick check, he was now midsection heavy and on all fours. The smell of manure must be getting to him. He walks awkwardly over to a water trough and sees his reflection. It was true. He had somehow…become a horse. Well…this is new.
Last Edit: Jan 21, 2024 0:44:03 GMT -5 by Shaa Rhunn
Amidst the peculiar scene at the King's Valley Nomad's Stone, where the air was thick with the overpowering scent of manure and the ground adorned with brown and yellow flowers, Katsandra entered the area with a sense of curiosity. The vibrant, energetic and chaotic adventurer, usually adorned with her orange and blue gi.
As she approached the nomad's stone, the stench intensified, causing her to wrinkle her nose in distaste. "Ugh, what in the Charon is this smell?" she muttered to herself, her fluffy feline ears twitching with discomfort. The air was filled with an odd magical aura, and the flowers encircling the stone seemed to pulsate with an otherworldly energy.
Her diamond-blue eyes widened as she noticed Shaa, the Minotaur, plucking one of the peculiar flowers. Before she could warn him, he let out a surprised neigh, and Katsandra gasped as she witnessed the transformation unfold before her eyes. Shaa had turned into a horse!
Intrigued and slightly apprehensive, Katsandra cautiously approached the nomad's stone, her agile feline movements now replaced with an unfamiliar, four-legged gait. She couldn't help but let out a bewildered giggle as she, too, felt the changes taking hold. "Neigh? Neigh!" The realization hit her, and she stared at her hooves in disbelief. With her feline features now translated onto a horse's form, Katsandra trotted awkwardly towards Shaa, her fluffy purple tail swishing behind her.
Last Edit: Jan 4, 2024 6:21:27 GMT -5 by Katsandra
After several failed attempts to stand upright, Shaa finally gave in tried to get used to walking on all fours. Bhh this is so annoying. He paws his hooves at some of the smelly flowers and gruffs a bit. Off to the side, he notices another horse starting to approach him. He was slightly concerned as he wasn’t sure if this was an actual horse or someone in the same situation that he had found himself in. Looking at the new horse, they seemed to be a bit fluffier than a regular horse. There was also a certain look in the horses eyes that belayed a higher level of intelligence. It was worth a shot at any rate.
Hey, are you a horse or something else? There is something going funky going on with these flowers. Was he actually speaking in the common tounge or was he just making animal noises. He wasn’t quite sure. He looks over at the mysterious Nomads Stone and wonders. Why did these things show up here? Did they show up other places as well. He would have to check in with the guild to see if there were any other reports coming in. Assuming that they were even able to understand him.
Shaa stamps his hoof in frustration and the ground shakes a bit. Was that rumbling tremors? He could still cast magic? This whole situation was getting more strange by the moment. Shaa looks back to the new horse to see what she had to say. Maybe she had a better insight to what was happening than he did.
"Hey, are you a horse or something else? There is something going funky going on with these flowers." Was he actually speaking in the common tongue or was he just making animal noises. He wasn’t quite sure.
Shaa looks back to the new horse to see what she had to say. Maybe she had a better insight to what was happening than he did.
Katsandra heard the fellow person that also got turned into a horse asking if she was a horse or something else, she doesn't know if he's dumb or he just sucks at wording "Physically right now, yes, I am a horse, but mentally? No, I'm a demi-human, thank god despite this transformation, I still retained some of my beauty and power." The used to be feline tried to let out a giggle but instead was met by a NEIGH, embarrassing her beyond belief as she tries to cover her face using her hoove but failed miserably.
"This is beyond embarrassing... But I think I understand what's going on, a few adventurers have reported that there are strange flowers popping up in different cities all over Charon, each one having a different effect from the other, these flowers could be the same, no records in history have ever talked about flowers like these, they feel almost otherworldly in a sense... and my senses are going haywires, it's best for us to stay away from the circle of flowers for now, I don't think we will change back the longer we stay close, seeing the effects it has in the environment and us, it's for the best, let's investigate safely and take notes one by one,"
She observes the flowers while keeping a bit of distance from them, listing what she sees, hear, and currently feel.
Shaa understood the reply so at least that was something. Retained her beauty and power? She certainly was full of herself for someone who was in the barn and hay crowd now. And a Demi-Human to boot. He seriously considered ditching her but she seemed to know more about what was happening at the moment than he did, so he would have to bite his tongue for the moment.
Other Worldly? Like from where? The previous year dealing with Gods and Primordial beings had been nothing but a pain for the burly fighter. The only bright spot for him was being able to deeply connect with the earth dragon Vulcadreaus. Now that he thought about it, considering the great beast’s abilities, were these flowers a side result of his return? Or perhaps a harbinger of something else to come. Actually… it doesn’t matter. I think the one thing we can agree on is staying around these things, wherever they came from, is hazardous for our health. Rather than sit around here with the poo flowers, I think it would be better to head back to town and warn people not to come until there is a better course of action. None of of the people I ran into on the way here were horses, I think, so that has to be a good sign.
Shaa swishes tail and slaps some flies from his hind quarters. I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Shaa and normally, I’m a Minotaur. It’s nice to meet you.. Katsandra right? What are you doing here anyway?
Last Edit: Jan 5, 2024 13:30:46 GMT -5 by Shaa Rhunn
The Minotaur's words about heading back chimed with some of her feline logic. After all, who knew what long-term effects these flowery fiends might have on their new equine forms? Yet, Katsandra couldn't resist a good mystery, especially one with otherworldly whispers involved. "Hold your hay a moment, Shaa right?" she scoffs, her velvety voice now a melodious whinny. "Investigating safely, as I said, but that doesn't mean fleeing with our tails between our legs. Imagine the tales we could tell after unraveling this floral fiasco! Think of the fame, the fortune... or at least, what kind of knowledge this discovery could bring to us if we just stay a little longer."
A mischievous glint flickered in her hazel eyes, now framed by bushy horse lashes from his question "What's wrong with a lady going on an adventure to a place like this? Besides, don't you want to know what tickles these bloomers pink? Who planted them? And why they turn folks like us into four-legged fodder? Besides, with my senses on overdrive, we should be able to find out more about these as we observe, you may think I'm overconfident but how is that a bad thing?" She chuckled as she continues to check the flowers bit by bit, each part with utmost focus.
"We can do your suggestions after we reach a dead end, so calm your horses, for someone with such a powerful aura, how are you this scared?"
Shaa paws on the ground. Scared? Who said I was scared? I’m just saying if you don’t like getting cut, you shouldn’t juggle knives. It was a tricky situation. Maybe a bit more poking around was called for. He wasn’t exactly sure what looking at a bunch of smelly flowers was going to do but a little walking around wouldn’t kill them…hopefully.
As he started to look closer at the flowers, a bright light buzzes by his head. It was his fire pixy Vulcana and she seemed very agitated. The pixy flew quickly back and forth between his ears and finally floated in front of his snout. She made several frantic gestures until Shaa understood what she meant. Yes yes, it’s me. No I don’t have any idea why I’m a horse. That’s Katsandra over there. She’s not a horse either. Vulcana buzzes a bit and then swings by the flowers. After several moments flitting about, she returns to report. So what do you think? Bzzz pup nana. Yeah I know they are smelly. Tell me something I don’t know. Buzzz pitz baaa bzzz. What? Really? He looks over to the fancy horse.
Hey, I got some news. Apparently this stuff is full of fea magic. I don’t know why it’s here through. There is a place that’s pretty heavy with fairy magic but it’s way south of here. And they kind of keep to themselves. This just makes no sense. Shaa looks up at the large stone. It had always been a place of mystery and magic. He couldn’t say he was surprised something like this would happen but it was still confusing. Let’s keep walking around I guess. Maybe we will see something else.
With a playful snort, Katsandra's horsey nostrils flared as she watched Vulcana, the fire pixy, with deep appreciation. The mention of fea magic made everything fall into place, explaining the previous flowery chaos. Katsandra turned her attention back to Shaa, her excitement evident in her voice.
"Shaa, you see, adventure is simply the process of unraveling what's unknown. Whether it involves fea magic or not, I am certain that we are more than capable of handling it. Just imagine the magical tale we will have to share once we overcome this challenge! We will become legendary heroes, just like the protagonists in epic wildflower tales. And who knows, if our journey takes us south from here, we might stumble upon more clues as we continue to trot along, Pun Intended."
With a spirited whinny, Katsandra continued her investigation with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the next unforeseen turn that lay ahead in this intriguing equine escapade. As she delved deeper into her thoughts, a realization suddenly struck her from what he said.
"Oh, hold on a moment! Are you referring to the smell of the flowers or..." She didn't want to say it, she just follows along, thinking if she should try burning the flowers down, a mischievous grin forms on the feline's face.
Last Edit: Jan 8, 2024 6:37:41 GMT -5 by Katsandra
As the two walked around the stone, Shaa blinked a bit as Katsandra extolled the excitement and virtue of adventuring to him. It quickly becomes apparent that she had NO IDEA who she is actually talking to. Not wanting to miss the opportunity , he simply nods just plays along. Oh so you are out for adventure then? Between his undefeated record in the Gazablaak Fight Pits and his role as the interim Fighters Guild captain, the burly Minotaur was actually, quite unintentionally, famous across Charon. A fame that, more often than not, had people throwing hatchets at his face, trying to poison him, eat him, stab him and injure him in dozens of ways.
Adventure. Over the years, he had accumulated scars, gained and lost friends, fought gods, monsters and demons. Been called a monster himself on more than one occasion. He had lived through it all because, despite most Minotaurs reputation for mindless violence, he was thoughtful and clever. He had won more than one fight by using his head over his fists, and to him, this situation was no different. He knew full well that fairy’s and fae folk were much more powerful and dangerous than their ethereal beauty would have you believe. They were also very very fickle which is why it was better to avoid them rather than run the risk of being on the receiving end of a grudge that could get you turned into a tree or..you know..a horse.
No no, she was referring to the smelly flowers, it wasn’t personal commentary. Besides, she loves the smell. Doesn’t bother her at all. Wish I could say the same. I practically live outdoors and even I think this is pretty bad. But, now that we know fae magic is involved, the “why” of this is more important now than ever.
Vulcana flies over and makes some more gestures. She says she agrees with you. Even though it’s fae, it’s apparently not from Charon. Let me try something. Shaa concentrates for a moment and summons a wall in front of them. He puts his shoulder to the wall and pushes it over on top of a large section of flowers. He watches for a moment and then flowers suddenly start popping up and blooming on top of the fallen wall. Hmmmm. Interesting. This was going to be trickier than he thought.
Summon Wall Fire Pixy
Last Edit: Jan 8, 2024 9:31:36 GMT -5 by Shaa Rhunn
Katsandra, with her extensive knowledge of magic, martial arts, and various other fields, had never been particularly interested in history or in learning about other individuals, aside from a few famous figures she had heard about from the people back in her hometown of Crescent Isles. However, she knew that Charon was a vast world, and the fact that there's a world beyond it too, it shows that the universe, has countless individuals who are stronger than her. Nevertheless, she held onto the belief that one day she would ascend to their level of strength. In her eyes, regardless of whether they were the mightiest warriors or the feeblest individuals, they were all equal. As her mane fluttered in the wind, Katsandra gazed at the horse standing before her, who was once a Minotaur. Her voice exuded a sense of indifference and yet curiosity, as she said, "I may not be acquainted with your identity or aware of the impressive accomplishments you hold, but honestly, it doesn't concern me. I can perceive, through your eyes and your demeanor, that you have encountered countless battles and have experienced as much loss as you have triumph. Whether you are deemed unbeatable or regarded as the unluckiest person in all of Charon, it holds no importance to me because, ultimately, each one of us possesses our own unique purpose, irrespective of our strength or weakness. So, let me simply ask you one thing: are you okay?" she gave the fellow horse a smile before continuing her investigation.
Katsandra's magical abilities then came to the forefront. She formed a ball of fire in her hand, the flames dancing and flickering with raw power. Her intentions clear, she pointed the fiery ball towards the flowers, shooting a focused beam of concentrated flames towards them. The flowers withered and burned, consumed by the intense heat. But to Katsandra's surprise, the flowers grew back again. "It seems that they're much more dangerous than I thought, based on my knowledge, there could be more in other cities, all with different effects and color, if this was done by faes, and the fact that the entirety of Charon is being affected, it could only mean one thing." She starts walking away from the circle of flowers. "A War is Brewing, or at least something close to a war, perhaps an invasion, an otherworldly one at that."
Was he ok? Admittedly being a horse was not the worst thing that had happened to him in the last year. He always had hooves so no big deal. He was also already big. Really the biggest hassle was being more horizontal than he was used to. Yeah I’m fine. He watched carefully as the perky horse made some motions. Suddenly, she generated some flames from an outstretched hoof, scorching a patch of smelly blossoms. To his surprise, the flowers reappeared as soon as they were set ablaze.
So…no squishing and no burning hunh? The more that he thought about it, the more it made sense that fae magic was involved. The fairy folk were close to nature and infamous tricksters. For all that they knew, the flowers could be smashed and burned but their reappearance was nothing more than an elaborate illusion to mess with them. As a matter of fact, they might not actually be horses at all and could be under some enchantment to make them think they were. The fact that the travelers coming away from the stone were not horses or even assaulted , except by the smell which was very real, gave credence to the theory.
A war? Woah now, hold your horses. Shaa knew that joke was probably going to be waste but maybe it was a bit too soon. Yes Yes this is weird and annoying but dangerous? Threatening? Those guys are mercurial for sure but all out war is a bit too ambitious for them. They are also way too private for something like that unless they are being attacked. I mean, look where they put the flowers. Way out here around the stone with so few people. If it were an attack, why not just go right after the town?
Shaa started to pace around a bit. Doing it as a horse was oddly satisfying. Weird flowers all over. Did the appearance of Vulcadreaus have something to do with this? Have you seen what’s happening in the Arid Mesa? Flowers and trees are blooming in places that no one has ever seen before. Nature is returning. Watch. Shaa walks over to an old wooden barrel that someone had left behind. He touches it with his hoof and the barrel starts to turn in on itself and changes into a small tree. You see a war, I see a reemergence of nature. A smelly reemergence but still. He walks over to the newly born tree and pokes it a bit with his snout. Yeah, he really didn’t mind a bit more nature in the world. Look, you don’t know me but I like punching things in the face as much as the next guy. That being said, I wouldn’t go picking fights, especially with fairies, without good reason. Maybe it would be better to check some of those other locations. I’d like to see it for myself.
Cycle of Rebirth- barrel to tree
Last Edit: Jan 18, 2024 9:12:16 GMT -5 by Shaa Rhunn
"Well, Shaa," Katsandra responded, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "Your unique perspective has certainly given me pause for thought. In my rush to view this floral phenomenon as a potential threat, I may have overlooked the possibility that it signifies nature reclaiming its place after all these years. Perhaps it is not a declaration of war, but rather a reemergence of the earth's inherent power."
With newfound determination, Katsandra turned her gaze towards the horizon. The sight of more flowers blooming around the ancient stones only fueled her desire to uncover the truth. "Let's investigate further," she proposed. "By pooling our knowledge and resources, we will be better equipped to unravel the mysteries that surround Charon. Whether it be a war or a natural rebirth, it is our duty to understand the essence of what is happening in this land, splitting up will also lessen the time consumed."
The weight of responsibility settled onto Katsandra's shoulders. She couldn't shake the daunting thought that the fate of Charon might rest upon her ability to comprehend and respond to this floral phenomenon. With every breath, she felt a growing conviction to seek answers, to untangle the intricate web of connections between nature, war, and their beloved homeland. But at the same time, this could be a way for her to become stronger.
As she took a final moment to absorb the beauty of the muddy yet beautiful landscape, her determination solidified. Making her way out of the circle.
(Closed)
Last Edit: Jan 20, 2024 20:36:48 GMT -5 by Katsandra
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