There once was a land quite unlike your own. A barren land with naught but unlit candlesticks...
Ever Onward: A Child's Journey
- Thread starter PranksterOliwar
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Statistics (16 threadmarks, 17k words)
User Total PranksterOliwar 16
Once Upon a Time...
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
There once was a land quite unlike your own. A barren land with naught but unlit candlesticks and mindless beings, swallowed within infinite darkness. In the beginning, all things were in deep, dreamless slumber and knew nothing.
One day, however, the candles' wicks were set aflame. To this day, no one knows how or why. But with this lighting came change. The heat was different from the cold, and the light was different from the dark.
Some woke at this, and were drawn to the heat, to the light. Little, grasping things that plucked the candles, stick and all, from the earth. Light in hand, they saw the ground beneath them for the first time, saw faces in its reflective surface. Though they had no words, and no experience, they somehow instinctively knew the faces were their own.
But others awoke as well, larger and stronger creatures disturbed by warm, shining light. Torn away from their peaceful rest, they grew to despise the candles and sought their destruction. Without mercy, they descended upon their smaller peers, who clutched the candles to their breasts and refused to surrender them. The smaller were no match for the larger, and many were gored and torn to pieces, flesh stripped wholly from bone to make a grisly meal.
The smaller fled, for all now knew of life and death. But what light remained only grew brighter, more intense. They did not want to die. And when this radiance grew near blinding, there were those who stumbled in their retreat, fell upon their knees and hands as their executioners encircled them. Reaching out, they gripped at the ground beneath them and tore from it jagged, sharp crystal. Though it sliced and bled their palms, they would not release their find.
The largest among their enemy forced his way to the front of the herd, towering over and intimidating his brethren. Greedily eyeing his prey, he lowered his great neck and made to swallow the encircled whole. Suddenly, a roar cut through the smothering silence, and the largest saw nothing more. He jerked his head hastily back, gripping his head in shock, pain, and outrage at the little thing that dared blind him.
But he erred terribly, for in following his instinct he exposed his soft underbelly. The encircled saw this weakness and dared hope for a future, lunging and striking with all their might. Too quick for mortal eyes to follow, the underbelly was sliced open, intestines and viscera spilling all about the largest. Vainly grasping at his precious innards, the largest could do not but watch with dulling eyes as he quickly bled out his life's fluid, before at last collapsing backwards with a final gasp of breath.
Their largest and strongest fallen with such speed and ferocity, and seeing the bloodlust and desperation in their victims eyes, the larger ones trembled and fled themselves, wishing to avoid the same fate. Into the darkness they disappeared, and within the darkness they've been ever since.
Though triumphant, those that remained were afraid; they did not wish to leave the spot in which they made their stand, to explore and tempt more violent conflict. They looked to one another with confused uncertainty, suddenly realizing the mystery upon mystery that presented itself. And from among them, one stood tall and spoke the first words. The first words that gave her people the hope and courage to venture onward, to see what this strange new world had in store. For her own bravery, they named her the Mother of Speech, and made her Queen. As they looked to her for further guidance, for security in their journey onward, she realized that her people needed names of their own.
So it was that Mankind named themselves, and man and woman joined hand in hand as they began a long journey. Years upon years did the Mother and her people walk, coming upon oddity after oddity. A crude sculpture made by a beast with human hands. An insect carving stone with the face of whoever beheld it. A golden tree that lulled the foolish to sleep under its shade and never leave. And a palace of smoke and ash, forgotten by all who passed through.
Bit by bit, the Mother's people slowly disbanded over these years. A few succumbed to madness or were exiled, but most simply came upon land they found fresh and promising, choosing to stay and make their home. One day, only the Mother and her four loyal Knights remained. Together, they agreed to venture one last time into the unknown, into the last of the lands yet to be seen by human eyes. Onward the five went, and were never seen again.
So it was that man came to populate the world, one century ago. Though separate and poor, these new settlements chose to try and eke out a meagre existence. Some took root and tilled what they could of the land to their favor, while others grew anxious and adopted the nomadic life. But no matter how people grew, and no matter how bright their candles shined, the mystery and darkness around them remained.
And in time, the monsters that lurked within grew unafraid.
This is the world you now live in. A world where man is once more hunted, and forced to fight for their right to live. A world where only candles fend off the darkness where constant danger lurks. A world where man clings to precious little possessions and history, hoping he'll live to see one more day. And it is because of this world that you are forbidden to leave the tribe.
...
At least that's what you've been told. Truthfully, you don't know what lies outside your small community, nor what came before you. But you've heard the same story again and again, with some details being changed but the main idea being the same. So it must be mostly true, right?
True or not, you're sure the story doesn't really matter to you. It's all about stuff that happened way back when, and you haven't seen any monsters so far in your life. Then again...
[ ] ...you're just a young boy.
[ ] ...you're just a little girl.
That could change one day. But not today. And since you're not expected to do much other than training and the occasional chore, you end up having a lot of free time. Which is great, since you get plenty of opportunities to…
[ ]...run around and climb. (Bonus to Physical Skills)
[ ]...hang out with others. (Bonus to Social Skills)
[ ]...play pranks on people. (Bonus to Mental Skills)
Does this child have a name?
[ ] Yes, (Write-in)
[ ] No, the child is Nameless.
Both options are valid. Feel free to ask questions if you'd like to know more about what effect your choices will have.
One day, however, the candles' wicks were set aflame. To this day, no one knows how or why. But with this lighting came change. The heat was different from the cold, and the light was different from the dark.
Some woke at this, and were drawn to the heat, to the light. Little, grasping things that plucked the candles, stick and all, from the earth. Light in hand, they saw the ground beneath them for the first time, saw faces in its reflective surface. Though they had no words, and no experience, they somehow instinctively knew the faces were their own.
But others awoke as well, larger and stronger creatures disturbed by warm, shining light. Torn away from their peaceful rest, they grew to despise the candles and sought their destruction. Without mercy, they descended upon their smaller peers, who clutched the candles to their breasts and refused to surrender them. The smaller were no match for the larger, and many were gored and torn to pieces, flesh stripped wholly from bone to make a grisly meal.
The smaller fled, for all now knew of life and death. But what light remained only grew brighter, more intense. They did not want to die. And when this radiance grew near blinding, there were those who stumbled in their retreat, fell upon their knees and hands as their executioners encircled them. Reaching out, they gripped at the ground beneath them and tore from it jagged, sharp crystal. Though it sliced and bled their palms, they would not release their find.
The largest among their enemy forced his way to the front of the herd, towering over and intimidating his brethren. Greedily eyeing his prey, he lowered his great neck and made to swallow the encircled whole. Suddenly, a roar cut through the smothering silence, and the largest saw nothing more. He jerked his head hastily back, gripping his head in shock, pain, and outrage at the little thing that dared blind him.
But he erred terribly, for in following his instinct he exposed his soft underbelly. The encircled saw this weakness and dared hope for a future, lunging and striking with all their might. Too quick for mortal eyes to follow, the underbelly was sliced open, intestines and viscera spilling all about the largest. Vainly grasping at his precious innards, the largest could do not but watch with dulling eyes as he quickly bled out his life's fluid, before at last collapsing backwards with a final gasp of breath.
Their largest and strongest fallen with such speed and ferocity, and seeing the bloodlust and desperation in their victims eyes, the larger ones trembled and fled themselves, wishing to avoid the same fate. Into the darkness they disappeared, and within the darkness they've been ever since.
Though triumphant, those that remained were afraid; they did not wish to leave the spot in which they made their stand, to explore and tempt more violent conflict. They looked to one another with confused uncertainty, suddenly realizing the mystery upon mystery that presented itself. And from among them, one stood tall and spoke the first words. The first words that gave her people the hope and courage to venture onward, to see what this strange new world had in store. For her own bravery, they named her the Mother of Speech, and made her Queen. As they looked to her for further guidance, for security in their journey onward, she realized that her people needed names of their own.
So it was that Mankind named themselves, and man and woman joined hand in hand as they began a long journey. Years upon years did the Mother and her people walk, coming upon oddity after oddity. A crude sculpture made by a beast with human hands. An insect carving stone with the face of whoever beheld it. A golden tree that lulled the foolish to sleep under its shade and never leave. And a palace of smoke and ash, forgotten by all who passed through.
Bit by bit, the Mother's people slowly disbanded over these years. A few succumbed to madness or were exiled, but most simply came upon land they found fresh and promising, choosing to stay and make their home. One day, only the Mother and her four loyal Knights remained. Together, they agreed to venture one last time into the unknown, into the last of the lands yet to be seen by human eyes. Onward the five went, and were never seen again.
So it was that man came to populate the world, one century ago. Though separate and poor, these new settlements chose to try and eke out a meagre existence. Some took root and tilled what they could of the land to their favor, while others grew anxious and adopted the nomadic life. But no matter how people grew, and no matter how bright their candles shined, the mystery and darkness around them remained.
And in time, the monsters that lurked within grew unafraid.
This is the world you now live in. A world where man is once more hunted, and forced to fight for their right to live. A world where only candles fend off the darkness where constant danger lurks. A world where man clings to precious little possessions and history, hoping he'll live to see one more day. And it is because of this world that you are forbidden to leave the tribe.
...
At least that's what you've been told. Truthfully, you don't know what lies outside your small community, nor what came before you. But you've heard the same story again and again, with some details being changed but the main idea being the same. So it must be mostly true, right?
True or not, you're sure the story doesn't really matter to you. It's all about stuff that happened way back when, and you haven't seen any monsters so far in your life. Then again...
[ ] ...you're just a young boy.
[ ] ...you're just a little girl.
That could change one day. But not today. And since you're not expected to do much other than training and the occasional chore, you end up having a lot of free time. Which is great, since you get plenty of opportunities to…
[ ]...run around and climb. (Bonus to Physical Skills)
[ ]...hang out with others. (Bonus to Social Skills)
[ ]...play pranks on people. (Bonus to Mental Skills)
...
Does this child have a name?
[ ] Yes, (Write-in)
[ ] No, the child is Nameless.
Both options are valid. Feel free to ask questions if you'd like to know more about what effect your choices will have.
Ok, third time's the charm, right? And even better, this time it's something completely (ok, sort of) original! There's a strange, alien world waiting for you next update. Even the choices for gender and name, as innocuous as they seem, will have strange and unexpected consequences. Bot your options in each category have advantages and disadvantages.
Don't get me wrong, you don't have to worry about making a "right choice" here, but please do ask me about the choices so you're not completely taken by surprise. Also let me know what you think of the intro.
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Character Sheets
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
The Nameless Child (You)
Nicknames: "Tick" (Nemean King)
Stats:
STR 0
SPD 0
CHA 0
WIS 0
INT 2
CUN 1
Courage: 1
Insight: 2
Other Characters:
Nicknames: "Tick" (Nemean King)
Stats:
STR 0
SPD 0
CHA 0
WIS 0
INT 2
CUN 1
Courage: 1
Insight: 2
Open-Minded - You don't really know why your tribe worked the way it did. You learned from experience that they don't know everything. You wonder if anyone out there thinks differently about names... (You gain Insight more easily).
Pride Inductee - Your interaction with the Nemean King has imparted some unexpected side effects on you. You now strive to follow the Nemean example. (+5 to Courage, Strength, Charisma, and Cunning rolls. More likely to gain Nemean traits).
Aspiring Game Hunter - Many monsters are greater than man in many aspects: strength, speed, and in some cases even drive. But they find their match with us in one aspect: sheer, ruthless cunning. +10 to Cunning actions vs. Beasts
Pride Inductee - Your interaction with the Nemean King has imparted some unexpected side effects on you. You now strive to follow the Nemean example. (+5 to Courage, Strength, Charisma, and Cunning rolls. More likely to gain Nemean traits).
Aspiring Game Hunter - Many monsters are greater than man in many aspects: strength, speed, and in some cases even drive. But they find their match with us in one aspect: sheer, ruthless cunning. +10 to Cunning actions vs. Beasts
Prank (Novice) - It started as you just lashing out, but turns out you find messing with people quite fun! Especially when you get away with it. (+5 to practical jokes and mischievous acts. You more easily learn skills involving any sort of trickery).
Bargain (Novice) - In cutting a deal with the Nemean King, you've learned the basics of haggling when trading. Always get your money's worth! (+5 to trade and counter-hustle rolls).
Bargain (Novice) - In cutting a deal with the Nemean King, you've learned the basics of haggling when trading. Always get your money's worth! (+5 to trade and counter-hustle rolls).
Other Characters:
Status: Liege Lord
Stats:
STR: ???
SPD: 8
CHA: ???
WIS: ???
INT: ???
CUN: ???
Traits: ???
Skills: ???
Stats:
STR: ???
SPD: 8
CHA: ???
WIS: ???
INT: ???
CUN: ???
Traits: ???
Skills: ???
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Inventory
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
Current Possessions:
Nameless Coat (Ruined) - A simple coat from home, to protect you from weather and immodesty. Nullified +5 to defense against attacks, +10 to defense against the elements
Candle (x2) - No man dares walk without these waxen beacons, for without their luminescence, we would have been conquered by the dark long ago. (Must possess at least one)
Mundane Lantern (x1) - With the desire for more light came the ingenuity to enhance it, and thus these objected were painstakingly crafted to further push back the darkness. (Holds up to four candles, 2+ add bonuses to scouting during the journey phase, ???)
Bone Dagger (SPD weapon) - Forged from a fang, man has learned to turn the beasts' bite against them. (+5 damage)
Current Rituals:
??? at 20%
Nameless Coat (Ruined) - A simple coat from home, to protect you from weather and immodesty. Nullified +5 to defense against attacks, +10 to defense against the elements
Candle (x2) - No man dares walk without these waxen beacons, for without their luminescence, we would have been conquered by the dark long ago. (Must possess at least one)
Mundane Lantern (x1) - With the desire for more light came the ingenuity to enhance it, and thus these objected were painstakingly crafted to further push back the darkness. (Holds up to four candles, 2+ add bonuses to scouting during the journey phase, ???)
Bone Dagger (SPD weapon) - Forged from a fang, man has learned to turn the beasts' bite against them. (+5 damage)
Current Rituals:
??? at 20%
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PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
Reserved
LucidProp
Pocky Eating MafiaDoka
For a second there, I honestly thought this was a Toy Story-esque setting.
[X] ...you're just a little girl.
[X]...run around and climb. (Bonus to Physical Skills)
[X] No, the child is Nameless.
I'm curious what having no name means.
Also, melee beatsticks are always fun.
[X] ...you're just a little girl.
[X]...run around and climb. (Bonus to Physical Skills)
[X] No, the child is Nameless.
I'm curious what having no name means.
Also, melee beatsticks are always fun.
Dromeosaur
Feathery Raptor of snowy planes and frozen sea
- Location
- The land of Trees and Squirrels
[X] ...you're just a little girl.
[X]...run around and climb. (Bonus to Physical Skills)
[X] No, the child is Nameless
[X]...run around and climb. (Bonus to Physical Skills)
[X] No, the child is Nameless
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
I'm sure more people will ask, so I'll go ahead and answer this now. No spoilers though.
In the setting, names hold substantial power. Power that is both good and bad. If you name yourself, your character will have an identity, which they can use to maintain their independence and resist the influence of others. You'll also more easily learn skills and traits from other mortals. However, all names are mortal-made. As a result, your character will also identify as a mortal attached to this world and thus have a harder time handling horrific people, circumstances, and imagery.
Conversely, being Nameless will allow you to be more detached from the world around you in exchange for being more easily influenced. Like being named, this can be very good or very bad depending on the circumstances. For example, a Nameless character will more easily gain traits and skills from experience, thus getting better at doing certain things, but might also decide "Murder and Cannibalism isn't so bad".
TLDR: Named characters can more easily hold on to their humanity, Nameless ones can more easily resist the horrors of the world. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and both have opportunities for unique skills and traits. But you can only be one or the other.
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ConfusedPotato
Unverified Verifier
- Location
- Australia
[x] ...you're just a young boy.
[x]...play pranks on people. (Bonus to Mental Skills)
[x] No, the child is Nameless.
[x]...play pranks on people. (Bonus to Mental Skills)
[x] No, the child is Nameless.
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to put an update out today thanks to IRL stuff, so the next update is coming tomorrow.
The skill bonus vote looks pretty contentious, so I'll leave the vote open for another hour or two to give people a chance to change their mind or debate.
Current Vote Tally:
The skill bonus vote looks pretty contentious, so I'll leave the vote open for another hour or two to give people a chance to change their mind or debate.
Current Vote Tally:
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
Alright, vote closed. You are a brainy little girl with no name. This should be fun.
- Location
- The Shrine of the Muse
- Pronouns
- She/They
Riding through the desert on a horse with no name...
Chapter 1-1: Inside
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
The pitch black darkness around you was almost suffocating. You couldn't even see a foot in front of you as you made your way down the hill. But you had to keep going. There was something out here that you needed.
Something that you spotted some ways away, at the base of the hill your home lied upon. A light shown upon some sort of circular object. You weren't sure why, but you felt compelled to go there. The cold, rough ground pressed into your bare feet as you drew ever closer, the steady thump in your chest quickening in anticipation as the object became more discernible the further down you went. A part of you protested, knew you shouldn't be down here all by yourself. But it was ignored in favor of a curiosity that had to be sated, a hole in your very being that had to be filled.
At last you reach the bottom, right in front of the lit up object. It's a crystal necklace.
Perplexed, you crouched down to get a better look at it. But there wasn't much to the object on appearance alone; it was a simple silk thread adorned with numerous crystalline spheres of many varying colors. In the center, a much larger oval-shaped jewel lay sparkling in the candlelight, an unfamiliar symbol etched upon its center.
Yet as you held it in your hands, you couldn't shake the feeling of significance it seemed to hold. You searched within yourself for some deeper meaning, some-
There was shuffling nearby. You froze, thoughts interrupted by he brief, subtle commotion and a lump formed in your throat. You were not alone.
After an age, and ever so slowly, you tried to turn your head as calmly as you could to face the figure. Desperately hoping it was someone you knew, you found yourself looking over your shoulder at someone else's waist. Looking up, you saw those soul-piercing eyes. Her eyes met yours, and...
...
You gasped as you woke suddenly, the dream fading quickly from memory.
As you slowly reawakened, a wave of pain washed over you, all sorts of aches and pains covering your body. Groaning, your eyes fluttered open and noticed the dim light of your candle glowing from underneath you. Sitting up, you absentmindedly snatched up the candle to ward off the darkness and looked around you.
What you saw was immediately worrying. You were surrounded on all sides by some sort of smooth, dome-shaped structure. Judging from how the light reflected off it's surface, the roof of the dome was about a head taller than you were standing straight, and the plain-colored walls curved to a stop at the flat ground beneath you. If the walls went all the way around, it would have formed a perfect sphere around you.
How did you end up in this thing? What even was this thing supposed to be? Frantically, you tried to recall what exactly had happened. Let's see, you know you were up late, something made you wander away and-
A splitting headache coursed through your skull, and you gripped your head in pain as you failed to remember what had happened. The agony was too much to handle, and you were forced to abandon the mystery in favor of getting out of this particular situation.
But what to do? There didn't seem to be any way out...
[ ] Call out for help
[ ] Push on the walls
[ ] Examine the dome
[ ] Something else? (Write-in)
AN: A short update, I know. After some thought, I ultimately decided to just drop you right in the middle of nowhere to set the tone of unfamiliarity and mystery. Your backstory will be filled in gradually as you go along and eventually recover from your headache.
Something that you spotted some ways away, at the base of the hill your home lied upon. A light shown upon some sort of circular object. You weren't sure why, but you felt compelled to go there. The cold, rough ground pressed into your bare feet as you drew ever closer, the steady thump in your chest quickening in anticipation as the object became more discernible the further down you went. A part of you protested, knew you shouldn't be down here all by yourself. But it was ignored in favor of a curiosity that had to be sated, a hole in your very being that had to be filled.
At last you reach the bottom, right in front of the lit up object. It's a crystal necklace.
Perplexed, you crouched down to get a better look at it. But there wasn't much to the object on appearance alone; it was a simple silk thread adorned with numerous crystalline spheres of many varying colors. In the center, a much larger oval-shaped jewel lay sparkling in the candlelight, an unfamiliar symbol etched upon its center.
Yet as you held it in your hands, you couldn't shake the feeling of significance it seemed to hold. You searched within yourself for some deeper meaning, some-
There was shuffling nearby. You froze, thoughts interrupted by he brief, subtle commotion and a lump formed in your throat. You were not alone.
After an age, and ever so slowly, you tried to turn your head as calmly as you could to face the figure. Desperately hoping it was someone you knew, you found yourself looking over your shoulder at someone else's waist. Looking up, you saw those soul-piercing eyes. Her eyes met yours, and...
...
You gasped as you woke suddenly, the dream fading quickly from memory.
As you slowly reawakened, a wave of pain washed over you, all sorts of aches and pains covering your body. Groaning, your eyes fluttered open and noticed the dim light of your candle glowing from underneath you. Sitting up, you absentmindedly snatched up the candle to ward off the darkness and looked around you.
What you saw was immediately worrying. You were surrounded on all sides by some sort of smooth, dome-shaped structure. Judging from how the light reflected off it's surface, the roof of the dome was about a head taller than you were standing straight, and the plain-colored walls curved to a stop at the flat ground beneath you. If the walls went all the way around, it would have formed a perfect sphere around you.
How did you end up in this thing? What even was this thing supposed to be? Frantically, you tried to recall what exactly had happened. Let's see, you know you were up late, something made you wander away and-
A splitting headache coursed through your skull, and you gripped your head in pain as you failed to remember what had happened. The agony was too much to handle, and you were forced to abandon the mystery in favor of getting out of this particular situation.
But what to do? There didn't seem to be any way out...
[ ] Call out for help
[ ] Push on the walls
[ ] Examine the dome
[ ] Something else? (Write-in)
AN: A short update, I know. After some thought, I ultimately decided to just drop you right in the middle of nowhere to set the tone of unfamiliarity and mystery. Your backstory will be filled in gradually as you go along and eventually recover from your headache.
ConfusedPotato
Unverified Verifier
- Location
- Australia
[X] Examine the dome
Chapter 1-2: Lurker in the Dark
PranksterOliwar
Pranks Not Included
- Location
- Houston
Almost instinctively, you set down the candle reach out to the walls of the dome to push. Sure, it wasn't the greatest plan, and you were still aching all over, but what choice did you have? You have to lean forward quite a bit to reach the center of the wall, but with some effort you were able to get your palms flat and your elbows bent enough to give a solid shove.
To your surprise, the wall actually gave way to your push! That's-
Caught up in your accomplishment, you failed to notice the bottom of the wall lift up and scoop you off your feet, and you rolled forward a bit along with the wall. Though smooth, the hard surface combined with the curved platform you found yourself on aggravated the bodily pain you felt, and you lay there moaning in discomfort for a few moments. When you recovered, though, you quickly realized how dark it suddenly became. That's weird.
Looking around, you realized the cause; as the dome had rolled a bit, there was now a size-able, rectangular hole in the wall behind you, and looking outward you spied the dim glow of the candle you left behind.
Ah, this isn't a dome, it's a sphere! This thing is like a boulder or something. It was a bit too smooth to be a boulder though, so it was probably sculpted to be like this. Anyway, now that you see a way out, maybe you can ease your way to the hole...
As you reach forward, though, your weight causes it to roll again, and you end up tumbling again until you hit a flat surface. The aches flare up again. You really need to stop hurting yourself like this.
When you recover, you find yourself sitting next to the candle, lighting up the ball now set back to its original position. Right back where you started, then.
Slightly miffed, you admit you can't be too upset since you now know what to do. Looking to the bottom edges of the wall and feeling at where the ground meets it, you confirm that your hands can fit under the lips of the wall with some effort. However, when you try to lift up, you struggle to get the wall more than an inch off the ground. Humph, of course it couldn't have been that easy. Fortunately, you recall a piece of advice someone gave you once:
'Don't use your arms, silly girl! Your back is what helps you carry the weight; lift with your back'.
Strangely, you can't recall who exactly said that. Your mind's all fuzzy and memory escapes you now. But that's something to worry about later, when you're not trapped like this. Shaking your head with resolve, you follow the voice's advice and throw your back into the lift, and this time you manage to get the wall just high enough to wiggle your torso under. It was still a tight fit though, and you had a candle to take with you. To make life easier then, you do your best to ignore your protesting, aching body and lie on your back, continuing to hold up the wall with your palms. This time, you're able to get your feet under the lip to help you out, and with all four of your limbs you push as hard as you can. At last, the force is strong enough to roll your spherical cage away from you. From where you are on the ground, you're able to get a good look at what you were trapped inside.
To your surprise, the wall actually gave way to your push! That's-
Caught up in your accomplishment, you failed to notice the bottom of the wall lift up and scoop you off your feet, and you rolled forward a bit along with the wall. Though smooth, the hard surface combined with the curved platform you found yourself on aggravated the bodily pain you felt, and you lay there moaning in discomfort for a few moments. When you recovered, though, you quickly realized how dark it suddenly became. That's weird.
Looking around, you realized the cause; as the dome had rolled a bit, there was now a size-able, rectangular hole in the wall behind you, and looking outward you spied the dim glow of the candle you left behind.
Ah, this isn't a dome, it's a sphere! This thing is like a boulder or something. It was a bit too smooth to be a boulder though, so it was probably sculpted to be like this. Anyway, now that you see a way out, maybe you can ease your way to the hole...
As you reach forward, though, your weight causes it to roll again, and you end up tumbling again until you hit a flat surface. The aches flare up again. You really need to stop hurting yourself like this.
When you recover, you find yourself sitting next to the candle, lighting up the ball now set back to its original position. Right back where you started, then.
Slightly miffed, you admit you can't be too upset since you now know what to do. Looking to the bottom edges of the wall and feeling at where the ground meets it, you confirm that your hands can fit under the lips of the wall with some effort. However, when you try to lift up, you struggle to get the wall more than an inch off the ground. Humph, of course it couldn't have been that easy. Fortunately, you recall a piece of advice someone gave you once:
'Don't use your arms, silly girl! Your back is what helps you carry the weight; lift with your back'.
Strangely, you can't recall who exactly said that. Your mind's all fuzzy and memory escapes you now. But that's something to worry about later, when you're not trapped like this. Shaking your head with resolve, you follow the voice's advice and throw your back into the lift, and this time you manage to get the wall just high enough to wiggle your torso under. It was still a tight fit though, and you had a candle to take with you. To make life easier then, you do your best to ignore your protesting, aching body and lie on your back, continuing to hold up the wall with your palms. This time, you're able to get your feet under the lip to help you out, and with all four of your limbs you push as hard as you can. At last, the force is strong enough to roll your spherical cage away from you. From where you are on the ground, you're able to get a good look at what you were trapped inside.
...Okay, that's totally not creepy or anything. Of course that just continues to beg the question of how exactly you apparently got inside it. You know you'd never get inside something like this of your own free will.
You froze at the realization; somebody must have kidnapped you. In an instant, you're on your feet and circling around the boulder, looking around as much as you can. You're both relieved and worried to find yourself surrounded by nothing but pitch black darkness, stretching infinitely into the distance as far as you could see. You were definitely outside, at least. And very, very alone...
Heart beginning to race, your mind races in your desperation to find out what exactly happened.
But it's too much for you to deal with right now. In combination with your still hazy memory, you're really freaked out right now and just want to go home. Beginning to hyperventilate, you desperately search for some sense of direction, not daring to go far from where your candle still lies. It's just too dark for you to see anything, though.
Trembling, you grip your candle in both hands for security, trying to take comfort in the small amount of light it gives off.
...It's hopeless, isn't it? You're alone, tired and hungry in a strange place in the middle of nowhere. A place with no one and nothing familiar; only the dark, which you've been warned all your life hides monsters. You just don't know what to do.
Tears begin leaking from your eyes, dripping down your cheek. You don't want to die. You just wanna go home. Choked sobs escape from your throat, and you curl up in a tight ball around your little candle. Whimpering, you lie there and lose track of time.
...
You think you just heard something. You jerk up and whirl around, searching for the source.
There's a thump sort of noise. It sounds like it came from... behind the boulder?
Warily, and raising the candle before you, you inch you way forward as quietly as you can. You strain you neck to look around the sphere without exposing yourself, and from around the corner comes...
You froze at the realization; somebody must have kidnapped you. In an instant, you're on your feet and circling around the boulder, looking around as much as you can. You're both relieved and worried to find yourself surrounded by nothing but pitch black darkness, stretching infinitely into the distance as far as you could see. You were definitely outside, at least. And very, very alone...
Heart beginning to race, your mind races in your desperation to find out what exactly happened.
1d20 = 5; Required: 10
But it's too much for you to deal with right now. In combination with your still hazy memory, you're really freaked out right now and just want to go home. Beginning to hyperventilate, you desperately search for some sense of direction, not daring to go far from where your candle still lies. It's just too dark for you to see anything, though.
Trembling, you grip your candle in both hands for security, trying to take comfort in the small amount of light it gives off.
1d20 = 4; Required: 5
...It's hopeless, isn't it? You're alone, tired and hungry in a strange place in the middle of nowhere. A place with no one and nothing familiar; only the dark, which you've been warned all your life hides monsters. You just don't know what to do.
Tears begin leaking from your eyes, dripping down your cheek. You don't want to die. You just wanna go home. Choked sobs escape from your throat, and you curl up in a tight ball around your little candle. Whimpering, you lie there and lose track of time.
...
You think you just heard something. You jerk up and whirl around, searching for the source.
There's a thump sort of noise. It sounds like it came from... behind the boulder?
Warily, and raising the candle before you, you inch you way forward as quietly as you can. You strain you neck to look around the sphere without exposing yourself, and from around the corner comes...
Silence reigns, and the horrific beast's eyes widen.
You stare at its disturbingly human face, heart seized in your chest and breath halted. It stares back, swishing its tail absentmindedly. The stare-down goes on for what feels like ages.
...you're going to die now, aren't you?
What do you do?
[ ] RUN RUN RUN YOU IDIOT
[ ] Back away slowly. Panicking will only make it worse, right?
[ ]...Greet it? It does have a human face...
[ ] Something else? (Write-in)
AN: Man, I honestly can believe you didn't pass either of those rolls. I guess it makes sense in-universe; you are just a kid alone in a strange place. I think most people would freak out in your situation. So, what do?
You stare at its disturbingly human face, heart seized in your chest and breath halted. It stares back, swishing its tail absentmindedly. The stare-down goes on for what feels like ages.
...you're going to die now, aren't you?
What do you do?
[ ] RUN RUN RUN YOU IDIOT
[ ] Back away slowly. Panicking will only make it worse, right?
[ ]...Greet it? It does have a human face...
[ ] Something else? (Write-in)
AN: Man, I honestly can believe you didn't pass either of those rolls. I guess it makes sense in-universe; you are just a kid alone in a strange place. I think most people would freak out in your situation. So, what do?
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