[QUEST] The End of Evolution and the Ascension of Arts

The Second Born.

Humans were the second intelligent race to be born to the land. The first of them walked out of a great forest far to the south in what is now the crystal desert. They were unlike their predecessors growing fast and quickly multiplying. The Humans managed to spread far before the Dragons found them.

Over the decades that followed the greatest race watched their new siblings and debated what to do. Some suggested that the humans should be ignored for they would never amount to much, others that they were an affront to the Dragon's majesty and should be enslaved or exterminated.

While the Dragons considered the future of the Humans the Humans began to work towards their own design. Powerful champions gathered people around them and formed kingdoms, studious mystic studied the world and created religious, and mad geniuses touched secrets and shaped magics.

Time passed, wars were fought between those who should be brothers sometimes while elsewhere peace was brokered by those who should have been enemies, until at last the Dragons acted. As the Humans were clearly unnatural they should be removed from the tapestry of growth, no more would beast become man and no man would become beast.

A great spell was given to the Humans, its purpose hidden in lies, for such a working would be doomed if imposed. A King ordered the spell performed, believing that it would make him a god. His servants obeyed even as spies carried copies to his rivals, their feet swift with the machinations of Dragons.

As the sun set upon the land a great light reached out to all of humanity and twisted.

The Dragon's plan worked, however in their pride they had miss judged the world. Evolution was forever lost to the Second Born, but the tapestry had made them and so they still lived. Humans were gifted arts, an evolution of the mind instead of the soul which would in time let them slay the wurms that had convinced to deny them their place.

And in years to come, once the Later Born stood up they would resemble the Second and aid them in returning to the Tapestry. But that is not this tale, this is your story and the Ruin of the God King.

[] Villager : You were eating with your family when the light rose up in the south and blinded you. It wasn't until many days had passed that the messages told you the City was gone, replace by great pillars and waves of frozen air. Focus on trade, social interaction, apprenticeship (you get to pick). Limited physical conflict, can't explore the world. Female.

[] Nomad : Your home is the clan, your duty is the clan. When the light illuminated the dusk sky the shamans took it as a sign that your father's time had come. Now you are the clan chief and you must lead the clan into this new age. Focus on fighting, war, leadership. Limited social conflicts (stabbing is a valid argument), can't leave the clan. Male

[] Hunter : You felt the change that followed the light, as if a thousand voices were now beyond your hearing. The forest is quiet to you now, and more dangerous than ever as well. Focus on hunting/gathering (no shit), exploration, family. Limited outside influence, added threat to natural disasters. Gender choice

 

Spoiler: Winner

[X] Hunter : You felt the change that followed the light, as if a thousand voices were now beyond your hearing. The forest is quiet to you now, and more dangerous than ever as well. Focus on hunting/gathering (no shit), exploration, family. Limited outside influence, added threat to natural disasters. Gender choice.

The days that followed the light in the south were hard for your tribe. You all felt the prevailing loneliness, only by taking shelter in the centre of the camp did you find relief. But, you were one of the hunters and you could not hide away with your family. Instead each morning you would head outwards into the forest. A forest more dangerous than before.

The first day was marked by the disappearance of Dary, the best hunter in the village. At first you all said that he had just headed further out than normally. There was no worry after all. He was the best. However as the night progressed onwards you felt a growing fear in her gut. You dealt with this fear the way you always did, by

[] [Fear] Staying with your parents and siblings.
[] [Fear] By yourself in a dark mood.
[] [Fear] Listening to the sharman.

But your attempts did not work, the fear grew and grew, following you into your sleep and giving you nightmares. The next day you could see your fear reflected in the rest of the tribe's eyes, and so the order that no one was to hunt alone did not surprise you.

You paired up with your Jai and Alip, your good friends. The three of you had been born in the same season, and had grown up together like siblings. Together you had played in the camp, and once you were judged old enough to work had stayed together as hunters. Sure in the last 2 years you had generally hunted alone, but the old habits were strong and almost before you left the camp you were back in your old positions.

[] [Lead] You take the lead.
[] [Lead] Jai takes the lead.
[] [Lead] Alip takes the lead.

Together the three of you followed a trail between the trees, taking the time to collect any herbs or berries you came across. All the while the fear you had felt the day before grew stronger all around. It was like the forest itself wanted you out, to leave her heart and never return. This all came ahead when you ran across Dary's bow, broken in two.

[] [Bow] You saw it first.
[] [Bow] Jai saw it first.
[] [Bow] Alip saw it first.
Note: Bow can't match Lead.

Your breath drew in sharply at the sight. No hunter would just leave their bow behind, even if it was broken. For Dary the best of you all to do so was insane. Crouching down the all three of you sent your gazes around, looking for why this had happened. And looking for a sign that Dary was fine.

The story quickly revealed itself, Dary had been crouched here, probably looking for tracks, when a large weight had dropped on him. Looking upwards into the trees there was evidence of a Bell Crawler having passed through, the large snakes would ring their bodies softly, hypnotising their prey before dropping down and crushing them. Dary was dead, there could be no doubt.

Picking up his bow you considered what to do. Bell Crawler's were dangerous, but if it had just fed then there was a chance of killing it. The large snake would feed the tribe for a week, and it would be good to avenge Dary. However the three of you were young, not nearly as experienced as Dary. Tracking and killing the monster alone would be difficult, it would be smarter to return to the tribe, inform them of what happened and let the older more experienced hunters avenge Dary.

[] [Hunt] Return to the tribe.
[] [Hunt] Track the Bell Crawler.

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A/N: Accidentally didn't include a narrative point for appearance or name. Woops. Anyway bunch of votes for today, mostly on character personality. Haven't got any names I particularity care for so I'll leave those to write ins, if I judge any of the bottom three options don't have enough votes I'll leave them open for another week.

Added information on the other votes, [Fear] is general personalty along with a unique social interaction at the tribe, If you pick the PC for [Lead] you will get extra options for when/where to go hunting, although the extra options will be riskier. [Bow] is who in the party is the best tracker, this person can't be the leader, while who ever doesn't get either lead or bow will be the best shot. That said all three characters are still good at all tracking, shooting ect.

Votes:
[Fear]
[Lead]
[Bow]
[Hunt]

[Name]
[Gender]
[Appearance]

 

Spoiler: Winners

[Lead] You take the Lead.
[Bow] Jai saw it first.
[Hunt] Track the Bell Crawler.

"Jai, which way did the Crawler go" You ask your friend. He looks around for a moment, most likely to double check his earlier observation, before pointing further east. Well at least it wasn't nesting nearer the camp, otherwise the younger children would have been in danger. Placing the broken bow into your pack you signaled for Jai to take the lead, followed by Alip and then yourself as the three of you headed deeper into the forest.

Although your own senses aren't as sharp as Jai's you begin to spot the signs of the Bell Crawler's passage. Broken twigs, displaced stones, and in one spot a depression in the mud where it had likely stopped to drink. However the increase in signs of your prey was matched by a decrease in those left by other beasts. The Bell Crawler had clearly been here a while now, long enough for the rest of the forest to move away.

At last Jai raised his hand, signaling that you were close. Crouching down the three of you began to move forwards as slowly as you could, putting to use all the skills the older hunters had imbued in you over the years. You kept your movements steady, avoiding sudden changes in speed. Your head continued to move from side to side so that nothing would be missed. You also focused on your ears, listening out for the first hint that of a chime from the monster.

At last, after what felt like hours, you saw it.

The Bell Crawler was resting on top of a rock jutting over a stream. The tip of it's long tail was dipped into the water while the rest of its body was spread prone above. It's head was wider than your own by half and from there it continued to grow such that a grown man could have easy lain inside of it. With a shudder you realised that was very much the case.
The Beast's eyes were closed, and looking the other way from your group but you knew that its incredible hearing would pick you out at the first shot and the only reason you had found it was thanks to being down wind.

Without having to sign anything Jai, Alip, and you all drew your bows upwards. Alip was the best shot of you so she would take the eyes, blinding it to buy you space in the coming fight although with the eyelids down a kill wouldn't be possible. Jai and you would wait a moment yourselves before shooting, aiming for the softer neck. Then you would switch to spears and try to keep the Bell Crawler back while making as much noise as possible to drown out it's hypnotic chime.

The strategy was sound, but a single mistake will still lead you all to die. This was all your call. The older hunters often spoke of the danger of letting your bloodlust control you in a hunt, and it was the leader's duty to keep calm and protect the others from themselves.

The signal is a simple gesture, a raised thumb and Alip's arrow is let loose at the Bell Crawler. Her aim is true as the beast's own reaction guarantees the hit. It rears backwards, roaring in pain, and you and Jai's arrows take their places underneath the beast's mouth, joined almost immediately by Alip's second.

Still you don't have the time to be impressed with your friend's skill, you drop your bow and step forward, spear held between you and the Bell Crawler with Jai right next to you. Together you stamp your feet, drawing its attention even as a third arrow embeds itself its scales. You get a single moment to position your spears before it lunges at you, however it is enough. Your spears slide down into the Bell Crawler's throat, and with a quick twist you angle the points downwards to force the beast to the ground.

It continues to buck against you but your combined might manages to keep it down. Normally you would be worried about it's tail sweeping you out, but the added weight from Dary reduces its mobility. Four more arrows join those already in the Bell Crawler's mouth, and the beast finally slows its movement.

You hold position for a while longer before Jai relaxes his grip. Trusting your friend's senses you also relax, the Bell Crawler still at last. "Nice" Your puzzled for a time on who spoke, before realising it was you. Still as tired as you are you cant stop, you made a lot of noise and while most will still avoid a Bell Crawler's nest you can never be too safe. You signal the others and together you collect your bows and wrap ropes around the Bell Crawler before pulling it up onto your shoulders and heading home.

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Votes for next week -

[][Appearance] A
[-][Appearance] B - Removed from running
[][Appearance] C
[][Appearance] D
[][Appearance] E

[][Fear] Listening to the sharman.
[][Fear] Staying with your parents and siblings.

 

[X][Appearance] A
[X][Fear] Staying with your parents and siblings

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Your return to the tribe is a quiet affair, many of the hunters are still out in the forest and those that remain during the day are still busy with their own work. As such you have passed the first tent line before you are noticed.

"Amaya!" A young voice calls out, your only warning before a tiny force barrels into your waist and almost knocks you into Alip right behind you. With your attention split between staying on your feet and not dropping the Bell Crawler's corpse you couldn't listen to what ever your little sister was now telling you at the speed of sound.

At last your saviour arrived in the form of your elder sister, Senla. "Come now Melo, Amaya can barely stand. Let her drop of her load and then she can listen." Her calm voice, not quite hiding the worry at the mention of your load to your ears, coxing Senla to at last let you go. Although her terrifying grip around the younger girl's neck might have helped as well.

Signing your thanks to Senla you lead your growing party towards the skinning racks on the other side of the camp, next to the river. Once you arrived the three of you dropped your cargo next to one of the larger racks. All three of you then proceeded to groan as the weight you had been caring for the last hour was gone.

"Right Amaya, now explain why the three of you thought that hunting a Bell Crawler was a good idea!" Your sister hissed, crouching down in front of you and making it very clear you had no chance of escape.

You reach into your pack and pulled out the tip of Dary's bow "We knew it had fed yesterday" You whispered, hoping Melo who was still watching wouldn't work out what had happened. The whole family knew she had a crush on Dary.

"Oh" and a quick glance towards the largest section of the Bell Crawler's body was the sum total of your sister's reaction, but you know she wasn't unaffected by the news. There was a reason Melo had a crush on Dary beyond her youth.

After that the rest of the day rushed by, Jai, Alip, and yourself were taken to the Elders and Shaman to recount the day's events while the Bell Crawler was butchered out of sight of the younger kids. By the evening came and the rest of the hunters had returned it was clear how badly the news had affected the whole tribe. A few of the edge tents had been moved inwards, the central fire was larger than usual, and the family crowds were quiet and somber affairs.

The tribe was afraid, so much in fact that the usual mourning practices were almost ignored. Almost. You all raised a cheer for Dary when the Shaman called for it and once the banquet got going the mood around the tribe slowly improved. As the night progressed you saw twos and threes of the younger adults break away from the fire light. Among them Senla and her partner were almost first in slipping away, right after the first round of Bell Crawler had been eaten.

As more and more of the groups split up you found yourself looking towards your hunting partners. The three of you had grown up together and you knew that many were expecting at least two of you to pair of this season, but no one was quite sure how it would end up going.

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[] Head towards Alip.
[] Head towards Jai.
[] Head towards both.
[] Stay where you are.


EDIT: voting for more than one is okay, forgot to mention that.

A/N: This bloody update. So shorter than planned. Some of the stuff I could include I want to save for the start of the next chapter so this ended up being rather short. Going to add short sheets for the sisters later this week so keep an eye out for them.
As for the votes, these will direct Amaya's orientation. For the 4th option though it's not binding, I'll instead give chances later on again to affirm this choice so if you don't want to romance Alip or Jai then you can go for that. (Although the QM's shipper heart will be sad).
I'll introduce the rest of Amaya's family next chapter which will be set mostly around the camp, fighting one of the more dangerous local monsters on purpose tends to make elder's worry about your common sense.
Otherwise thanks for sticking around so far

 

IT LIVES!

okay, so I had the first couple of paragraphs written a while ago but then deadlines at the end of april happened. After that? Lets just ignore those months. K?

Also I'm moving this to the sfw section.

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[X] Head towards Alip.

Waking up in Alip's arms was very different to waking up with your parents or siblings. Her warmth was both comforting and exhilarating to you in a way nothing had ever been before, as such when you felt the sunlight alight on your face you remained still within her arms instead of getting up like you normally would.
This small moment of tranquility where you can forget the fear of the last few days however is scattered by Melo before you can properly enjoy it.
"Big Sis Amaya, Big Sis Alip! You need to get up!" She calls out from right above the two of you.
The pair of you groan in concert at your sister's pronouncement, but long experience of your sister's attitude towards tasks meant you knew not to tally and give her further opportunities to encourage you.

You both pulled your arms apart, although your sides remained almost touching, and started pulling the nearby clothes on. Once covered you slipped out of your shared furs and exited the tent after Melo, Alip not far behind you. Waiting for you right outside the tent was your father, sharpening his spear with a couple of the other older hunters.

"Morning Nose" He said, his nickname for you as annoying as ever. "As you're awake now I'll let you know that you aren't to leave the camp today. None of you. The Sharman thinks that whatever the light was things aren't going to get safer. Especially with Dary dead. No the forest is dangerous now."

Your father's voice grew grimmer as he went on and you felt the last of the warmth of Alip's arms fade in the face of his reminder. The tribe wasn't safe anymore, but no one knew why; perhaps not even the Shaman. Nodding you give your father a smile, hoping to cheer him up a little, and yourself too.

You don't get to spend long with your family, before you all split up. Your father goes into the forest with the other hunters and quickly disappears into the darkness, only the least experienced of them leaving a trail you can casually spot. Your mother and elder sister no the other hand stay near the tents, repairing the tents and clothes of the tribe with the other wives. As for you, Alip, and Jai you are looking over the younger children while they play in the river.

Melo is one of the older kids in this group and is already starting to outgrow many of the distractions the tribe uses to keep her happy and still. As such it is a difficult job to keep her attention away from the forest and adventure, and you can't help but worry that your own impulsiveness is rubbing off on her.

As the guard duty is clearly meant to be a punishment you expected the morning to drag with nothing to do but watch the kids, and if the three of you had been older that likely would have been the case. Lucky though you were all still young enough that the games of the younger kids could interest you when bored. As such you all joined in with the fun, letting time fly by.

It isn't till hours later, a little while after your noonday meal that you realise your mistake. Melo has vanished. At first you check the camp, looking among the tents, but you can't find her and none of the adults have seen her.

After a panic filled few minutes one of the younger children admits to seeing her take one of the coracles down river. Swellow remembers that she had been jealous of your own adventure yesterday, talking about how it was unfair that you got one when she was just as good a hunter as you.

It is at this point that the panic transforms into a deep dread. The forest is a dangerous place at anytime for someone of Melo's age alone. With the spirits silent and the beasts restless it is practically a death sentence for her. As you look down the river you know that every moment you wait decreases the chance of you ever seeing your sister again.

You have to act, but once again you'll find yourself alone with none of the adult Hunters there to aid you. And this time you are perfectly aware of how dangerous it will be.

[] Act
[] Wait