Shanashie

Coolio, looks like we're stoking the fires of interest once again. Welcome back everyone, and hello there EpicHarmony! Great to see all of you again! Our player list so far reads: Hansom Jack EpicHarmony Crystal Fire Agent505 Is there anyone else we need to contact via pm that may not have seen the update? I’ll go through the original player list later tonight, as we probably have space for one or two more. Restarting seems to be the overall consensus, and I'm quite happy to do so. Whist the prologue would remain mostly the same bar a few tweeks, there are a few things I can do to speed events along. With any luck we should have first contact within two pages, far more rapidly than before whilst dialling down the overall 'craziness'. Couple of quick questions; Should we start the game in the advanced section and Would everyone like to restart the OOC too, in order to keep track more efficiently?

Well, after several months of job hunting, soul searching, code learning and doodle drawing, my fire is somewhat rekindled. I'm most likely going to join up with a few RP's or jump into the 'cannon' stuff, but just wanted to let everyone who was involved in this little beauty know first. If there's any will to continue now would be the time to shout it out loud. Otherwise, does anyone have any suggestions on RP's to join? Loves!

The terain between the party and the signal flair seems fairly easy going, with only a few crags and anchent rockfalls to hinder progress. The forest is mostly pine at this altitude, though foiae seems dencer around the river and its verious tribuiterries. Bracker and fallen trees could provide our survivers with cover should they choose to investigate without making contact. The river would provide a direct rout out of the valley and perhapse couldserve as a more discreet rout pas the flair sight. Oh. And don't turn around. Aramok is sitting about a dozen yards from the wreckage. He seems to be waiting for something, watching you with a disterbingly intelegent eye. Edit. Could I surgest that we binstorm what direction the party wants to take in ooc? It should meen a lot less hastle in game f we have the discussion here

Given that the discussion on Greek mythology has run its course, I thought I'd just point out that it is up to the group to chose when to move on and where too. Getting around the area where the signal went up shouldn't be too difficult if they wanted to avoid meeting those 'strange birds' (and yes, those are Pegasi, the camera should have enough zoom to reveal this), or they could decide to hang around and await rescue. ATM the only clue our heroes have about their passage home is to find 'the city of Ivory towers' and the possibility that Tiffany's disappearance may not be forever. If you wanted they could even follow the river out of the valley and into the wide world of Equestria, it is entirely up to you guys and galls

WOOT! Welcome back pinky! (and in order to reach the character limit, weeble beeple zwahalizoof.)

As five sets of eyes followed the invisible line between finger and cloud, a flurry of movement drew their rapt attention. Descending from the fluffy cumulus was a large group of specks, growing larger as they raced down the mountainside. Even at such a distance the beat of wings flickered around the edges of each, surly marking them as some species of giant bird. Yet as the flock followed the gentle undulations of grass covered shale, their prismatic colours and shapes became more defined along with their oddities. Sinuous bodies seemed slightly too large and front heavy for the wings that propelled them along. Some sported long brightly coloured tails that whipped around in their slipstream. It was also quickly becoming clear that some of the bird-like creatures were also flying in tandem, large objects slung between two or three in a dint to spread the weight. Once they crossed tree line, the colourful shapes began to group together more tightly and allowed a V of bright white creatures to take the lead. At first it looked as though the spectrum of buzzards were headed for the lofty platue where the survivors stood, but their course quickly changed as though carefully coordinated. Unlike the collective behaviour of birds in flight, the large group seemed move on command, no stragglers as their course veered away towards the centre of the valley. Banking out across the canopy, the leaders twinkled briefly with the shine of metal as they flew parallel to the group of befuddled humans. Now looking out over the valley whole once more, the intended destination became much more apparent. Some had noticed the slight trail of steam before, but had put it aside as a trick of the light or 'yet more wreckage'. One thing was for sure, no aircraft wreck in the world produced that kind of smoke. Not without help at least. With a cautious, steady approach, the peculiar flock circled the growing column of vivid orange errupting from the woodland, far too brilliant in hue to be of natural design. Then the majority of the colourful creatures disappeared into the green canopy, leaving only a few of their white leaders still circling over the site. To even the most inexperienced mind it practically screamed; 'signal flare'.

Shall post a short 'spot check' later on tonight if there has been no movement. Now that things have calmed down the local fauna will gradually returning, including a flight of what looks like very colourful birds from the cloud tipped mountain.

> Tiny Tina isn't important. lol. Heh, well all I know about Prometheus is what Oracle turret told me. "Prometheus was punished by the gods for giving the gift of knowledge to man. He was cast into the bowls of the earth and pecked by birds... Don't make lemonade." But really, it doesn't matter. I don't know jack about the deeper facts of Greek mythology, only that its making for great character conflict I can see this being a recurring theme; whenever the party sits down together, someone brings up mythology again and the debate rages on

Hello everyone, Shanashie Doodlebug here asking for a little advice from anyone free grey matter to donate. A little while back I started up a tumbler comic as a bit of experimentation. Each panel was a little different and tested new backgrounds or sketch details to see what suited the overall thing. When my PC exploded it kinda got shelved, but I'd like to bring it back to life. However I'm at something of a loss on how to proceed; which style of production I should use for the comic's appearance? If it's okay with everyone, I'd bung a few of the more diverse panels up here to get some opinions. Any comment will help, even just stating what you particularly like or dislike about them. Suggestions for improvements or stylistic changes would be brilliant and highlighting particular areas where I need to improve even better. Thanks for everyone's time and keep doodling my fellow artists! Full colour and shade (takes FOREVER) Block shaded background, colour models Pastel wash background with greater detail. Hand writen speech. No colour background, some simple shading. Colour figures, Text speech. Full pencil shading, no colour. Text speech with colour indication for character. (fave so far, but that bee-course I lazee.)

Thanks Starshine I've had another read through of the posts made since my departure and come to a couple of conclusions. Though I could push the story forwards with plot stick, I really don't think its at all needed. What we're really waiting for is a decision from the group as to what to do, broadly at least. Lets summarise; Among the wreckage the characters have salvaged enough provisions for at least the next twenty four hours, without rationing. Most of it is unhealthy, but packed with energy and can keep all six alive and kicking for two days at a stretch. Water could be an issue, but there seems to be streams coming from the nearby hills, so if they can find some travel gear with water purification tabs, that shouldn't a hard problem to get around. Kat has retrieved the shard into which the spectre of Tiffany was apparently drawn. She is keeping it close to hand, though her attempts to commune with it have met with results expected of a fossilized relic. It does, however, feel warm to the touch. Should the rest of the party deliberately take notice, they will get a nagging sense of dejavu, as though they know Kat is in possession of the shard, even if they didn't see her pick it up in the first place, The party has discussed aspects of Greek mythology that seem to roughly match what little information they have, which so far fit disturbingly well, though doesn't give them much of a lead on how to get home. One thing is for certain; They are defiantly not in Kansas any more. Morgan has located some... interesting articles that under normal circumstances would never be found the way they were. Yet find them he has. The crew now have one pair of low-light goggles and a rather vicious combat knife. On a side note @ ; the bright midday sun is starting to sting your eyes for some reason, you should probably grab some shades. Gratz on your first TF point btw (gods I love being evil) There has been the suggestion from Chandra that there may be a path towards the distant sentiment not so far away, though it will require crossing into the forest. The forest appears quite thin this far up the valley, though the canopy looks thicker where the gulch narrows. Disappointingly though, going to the path would take you away from the river that emerges from the thick canopy about half way down the valley. Kat has also located her camera phone which, though damaged, is still in working condition. A zoomed view of the mountain revealed a few more details, perhaps structures in among the clouds. Similarly an examination of the distant settlement shows a number of small buildings surrounded by a rather ornate wall. Even at this distance it doesn't look much of a defence, unless they have a real issue with gnomes around here. There seems to be a tower of some kind at its centre made of white stone, though its still too short to much more then a watch post. Rather more disturbingly though is the inclination from Myra that someone is watching the group besides Aramok. Maybe she's just paranoid, but perhaps someone should ask her about that? Shanashie, signing out! Well thats all she wrote.

I. Live. AGAIN! Well that was an adventure and a half I can tell you. Bad enough that the last family down there lived like gipsy with no respect for the property, but a freak double tornado the night before our arrival practically scraped the paint off the walls. Trees right along the river are shredded to ribbons, a straight path of cleared foliage runns to the horizon not thirty yards from the watermill. No power for half the time, one working toilet and generally akin to camping with a roof. After two weeks though, the place is finally liveable again, though goodness knows what we're going to do about the trees in the river (not to mention the giant one that's only held up by the other tree it fell into). Looks as though you've been doing brilliantly without me though! Just look at those posts! My brain practically salivates with the feast of literary presentation. I'll post up something fairly soon, but it looks as though there might be some responces still to clock in first. Let me know when you're all good to proceed

shanashie's bro here just letting peeps know that they currently dont have electric due to a tornado knocking it out. iv been told you should just carry on without for now

You are corect sir! I would have incuded the full ordinance servey and the location of some good icecream bars, but, eh, effort. Items within wreckage can be split into three catagories. Common items like clothing and basic holliday suplies are easy to find. This incudes basic medkits. Some packaaged food has also survived, but as this was an incomming flight there isn't much surplus. Uncommon items incude things like specialist cargo, advanced medkits and tools. Items you could see an aircraft carrying but not in any quantity. Finally there are those preasious gems, the oneoff find of something distinctly out of place. This includes specific gear, posted items from the cargo hold, weapons and anything else you wouldn't expect to find in the wreckage. Players can have as much as they want from the first catagory but are limited to four uncommon finds. Rare finds are mosly plot items (like hemtically sealled violin cases) but everyone can have one rare find in addition to any nessery items On my way to catch a ferry now. Replies will become more speradic and spelling even worse.

A quick map of your surroundings. I need to go, we have to set off for the ferry at 3 in the morning XD

Indeed Agent, its much like RL in that respect. Though we're unlikely to have a professor of Mythology kicking around the party, it is perfectly logical for everyone to know something of such a commonly known legend. Some might know more then others, but even if we get some incorrect assumptions, that's all part of socially pervaded 'common ignorance' that Stephen Fry so loves pointing out I'm gradually sending out PM's detailing some... interesting points that characters may start to notice. Some are to do with the environment, other's are personal, and a few are slightly freaky

And so our prologue draws to a close! Hope that was okay for everyone, even if it dose leave our heroes hanging some. Some pointers for next phase of play; The plato now seems lifeless as the fauna have fled the burst of light. From the vantage of the rising mountainside, you can see down and across a vast forested valley, flanked by mountains on all sides bar one. With its tumbling waterfalls, elegant cloudscape and rolling green canopy, it would be quite beautiful in other circumstances. The once burning wreckage is still steaming, but otherwise devoid of flame, relatively safe to explore and salvage from. Aramok seems completely uninterested in you at the moment, content to sit and watch for the time being. Far in the distance three different POI’s catch your eye. One; (Easy to spot) Far at the mouth of the valley, what looks like a small town is visible clinging to the gently sloping hillside. You can see it by the copper coloured shine emanating from that direction, possibly from metal coated roof tops. The wall around the settlement is only just visible at this extreme distance. There might be a watch tower too, but it could be a trick of the light without binoculars to be certain. Two; (Difficult to spot) The storm clouds from earlier now hover some miles from your lofty position, seemingly moving towards one towering mountain peak, where is a large unmoving cloud formation stands out against the blue sky. What should be random shapes within the solid looking cumilous could almost be towers or structures of their own. Deeper within its folds a single waterfall cascades from off the peak’s edge, perhaps lofted by a concealed structure below. Three: (Very difficult to spot) Deep in the pine forest a single column of smoke blights the otherwise perfect landscape. Upon closer inspection, the trees appear different there, almost too symmetrical and neat.

@Starshine By now the displaced serenity surrounding the stalwart humans was beginning to wane, now lingering as a disquieting sense of nostalgia. Though the smile remained on the dead girl’s face, it had fallen slightly and was marked with confusion as she listened to Chandra’s accusation. ‘But... We have explained.’ Stammered the voice, as though it simply couldn't grasp the problem, ‘The six have escaped. Without them, we crumble. What more is there to this tale?’ @Scoutaloo Originating from somewhere far above, an ominous groan seeped into the clearing. Not unlike the bow of a ship straining against a fearsome storm, its texture suggested ancient timber rather than rock or metal. ‘Guardians are the sword, Harmony is the shield, together they protect those which cannot protect themselves. For this, the world bestows its gifts. It shall grant... no, awaken your strength, should you chose to pursue it. What we ask ’ @InvisablePinkUnicorn Tiffany’s eyes seemed to glaze over, the fey-fire dimming for barely a heartbeat along with the strange alien feelings. This time the groans were much closer, the snap of living wood somehow echoing around the survivors despite the lack of surrounding cliffs. Just as suddenly as it had begun, the creak faded and the child’s stare resumed, listening closely as the stalwart woman spun a most logical argument. Much of the more technical side of Kat’s carefully chosen words seemed to slip by entirely, but the core message seemed to reach the disembodied voice. ‘We see now. You comprehend some, but cannot trust that which you do. We thought the knowledge of this vessel would bring adequate ‘translation’, as you say. But it is lacking. We fear, conflict is unavoidable, lightly entered or not. The six will see you for what you are and even if you do not seek them, they may yet seek you. If your strength drives you to speak with them, perhaps you may break through the madness of centuries. ‘But those that remain within are of one voice; Labyrinth’ @All At this word, spoken by both the ethereal voice and the girl before them, an almighty cacophony broke across the clearing. Within the façade of the great door, renewed cracks began to rapidly appear, splitting the dark surface and throwing out black splinters as the dead-yet-alive wood finally began to give under the strain. ‘Time is at an End. We cannot stay.’ Spoke the voice of Labyrinth, still seemingly calm as its vessel stood and craned its neck to gaze at the braking gateway. Progress of the sundering cracks gradually slowed to a trickle. A long pause drew out the moment into an uncomfortable silence as the vessel seemed to collect its thoughts. ‘...Amarok.’ Three pairs of eyes opened at the sound of the familiar name, one focussing on the figure with a look of mild interest whilst the others scanned both the gate and the humans respectively. ’They will need a shard.’ Huffing dismissively, the giant wolf settled back down and continued to watch the hairless apes, a warbling growl resonating from deep within its chest. ’Please?’ Reluctantly the wolf stood and turned towards the door. Leaning in close, it’s leftmost head began to bite at the surface and pulled away a splinter in its teeth. With an almost nonchalant toss of its head, the beast spat a tiny black shard down the steps before resuming its comfortable spot on the cooling marble. Once, twice, thrice the heavy splinter bounced down the dark stairway, shimmering slightly in the daylight with each rebound. Finally, it came to rest at Kat’s feet. Up close, the grain of fossilised wood was easily visible in the four inch splinter, jet black and cold as stone, yet somehow still alive, as though pulled from the trunk of an oak. Carved into one face was the top half of a thin winged snake, the other sides splintered where they had parted the greater structure. Tiffany wobbled slightly as tiny motes of dust began to peal away from her broken body, swirling through the air towards both the gate behind her and the abandoned shard. ’If you will not believe, then our sorrow knows no bounds. This was our only time to speak. Holding this gate commands our will, and we must release this vessel. Though we may never gain your trust, we ask but one thing. As you journey this world, carry this shard with you. This vessel, this ‘Tiffany’, she can aid you.’ The boom of splitting stone filled the clearing once more, even the seemingly sedate birds taking flight at its thunderous resonance. ‘We can delay no longer!’ shouted the voice, sounding panicked for the first time since the conversation began. Tiffany had begun to dissolve in a cloud of swirling dust, the motes streaming from her wounds and winding their way down into the broken shard at Kat’s feet. ‘We charge you with her protection. Should you seek a way back to your land, you will find it within the city of ivory towers.’ Soundlessly, blinding light flooded from the growing cracks on the towering gateway, searing the eyes of the mortals that stood before its brilliance. For a moment the world was white and silent, as though existence itself had been sucked from around the hapless onlookers. And then it was over. A gentle breeze began to rustle the high branches of the pine forest, sweeping away the void that the light had left behind. Though the steps of black marble remained, as did the hulking wolf guarding them, the gate had all but vanished. Gone was the living black stone, replaced by simple hune granite, carved in the likeness of a simple yet giant doorway. Devoid of the strange alien feeling of sanctuary, the clearing now felt like the cold, empty mountain side that it was. “Labyrinth!” The week cry was distant, broken as though its owner was hoarse from shouting. At the foot of the mountain, a tiny transparent figure pounded her fists against the unforgiving granite. Barely more than an outline remaining, a stream of dust still flowed away from her and into the black shard, drawn like a party of ants returning to the nest. “Labyrinth, come back!” Tiffany shouted, voice falling to a whispered plea as the last vestiges of her form vanished with the trail of coarse dust. “Don’t.. leave... me.... alone.....” And just like, that the survivors were alone on the rocky ledge, standing before what had once been the gates of Tartarus.

Oh I hope not, but I haven't seen hide or hair of Pinkydashy for a little while now I'll get to asking them tonight whether they're just on hiatus, given how busy he was last weekend. Its looking good so far everyone! This is pretty much the reaction I was expecting from well built characters, so things are progressing much as anticipated. I'm hoping to get to the point where the player's can somewhat wander and interact between themselves by the end of the week. Saturday night I will be going to France to help patch up an old watermill until Wed 7th. As its out in the sticks there will be little chance to get on-line. I'll keep up with events from town, but I won't be able to make large posts without significant gaps in-between. I need to find some way to leave a rough description of the surrounding contery, perhapse a 'area' post here?

The dead girl’s eyes turned to look upon Chandra, a kind smile upon her features as though child and adult roles were reversed. ‘Aramok is the first of wolves, an old friend called in an hour of need. In his eyes this mountain is his territory, and you are prey within it, such is the way of wild creatures. He obeys out of respect, not fear or a desire to please a master. Would you enslave a friend for their nature?’ Interrupted by humanity’s herrold before she can continue in earnest, Tiffany’s features fell slack at the damning list of sins Kat laid bare. Never once did they approach anger, but a deep sorrow seemed to sweep everything about her frail body, as though she understood this pain, but could no longer feel it herself. For once, the lips of the child moved of their own volition, though no omnipresent voice followed their whisper. ‘Sorrow. This form, unfortunate, yet necessary. Only vessel close enough willing to embrace us.’ The voice paused again, carefully considering a way to express itself without causing even more harm than it already had. ’The seventh brought your sky-sword, your ‘aircraft’, and drove it at the heart of Tartarus. It sought to sunder the gates and succeeded in wounding us, stripping those who would not return to aid our vigil. We will hold, but crumble soon, unable to protect the fulcrum beyond. There are no others to bare up the sword, Harmony ‘the shield’ reigns in this world. Yet you survived such devastation, and Guardian's are not chosen lightly. Even we did not believe in the beginning, but we grew in strength and bore the sword where others could not... Yet we are bound here.' Again the pail lips moved, this time framing their words but little else. Perhaps she was discussing strategy, or maybe forming silent reassurances to herself. Either way, it was several moments before the voice spoke again. 'We do not demand or enslave. We beg.'

Thank goodness, I was really quite worried for a moment there, but as usual it seems I got myself worked up over nothing ... Bad Paranoia, go back to your dumpster and think about what you've done. Yeah I could give Twilight a run for her money in that department Anywho no worries then! Take all the time you need guys'n'gals

I hope that last update was okay for everyone. Just hollar if I ever go too far with this 'dramatic' stuff, or if there's something glaringly wrong. Oh! And Uni, I had to edit your pm some, it didn't fit right with her state of mind. The effect of proximity to the gateway is a bit peculiar, similar to nostalgia but one that can be somewhat directed by Labyrinth, hence why its presently comforting to some, condescending to others and down right wrong for one or two. Again if there's something you'd change about the PM's I've sent out, go for it, they are only guidelines Edit; hmm its gone oddly quiet... Did I go too far?

”Peace?” Though her pleasant smile of almost motherly concern remained, the dead girl’s voice seemed to take on an edge of sadness. ”No. Guardians chosen in war, not peace. She said plainly, a sorrowful frown overtaking the aberration’s features as she regarded the shaken survivors. “A shame, but necessary. Follow. Time short.” Turning to regard the shattered doors, Tiffany raised her good arm and reached out, a sense of displacement stealing over the scattered group as her fingers somehow reached the obsidian surface. None had so much as taken a step, yet suddenly they were mere feet from the dark marble steps, still in their relative positions as though the world had bent around them. Yet here, closest to the ominous structure, serenity seemed to permeate the very air. Around the carved entrance the sunlight seemed warmer, yet kind, tinted by an ever present summer breeze. Rough shrubs that grew from fissures in the mountain side already played host to bird song as the local fauna began to return, apparently unfazed by the destruction wrought so close by. A strange feeling began to seep into the minds of the survivors, different for each, as though some motherly figure were trying to comfort a crying child, but wasn’t sure how. Aramok, the daemon wolf, stalked up the marble stairway towards the slowly cooling wreckage that besmirched the otherwise empty doorstep. With all three heads working in unison, he shouldered the cockpit’s remains off the edge of the plinth, revealing the red hot stone beneath. Satisfied yet showing no sign of approval, he padded circles for a moment before laying down on the blistering surface, watching the humans with a look of predatory menace. This close to the gates, the extent of the recent damage was even more obvious. Radiating from the shattered seal high above them, long splintering cracks ran like a spider web across its textured surface. Portions of the delicate carvings looked ready to fall out at any moment, yet held firm as Tiffany ran a pale hand across them. Turning back to the group, the little dead girl took up a seat on the marble steps and forced a calm smile back onto her worried features. “Betrayal most foul, shattered these gates and many lives. You have our sorrow. Time short, as must the explanation.” ” If every grain of sand were a star, every beach a galaxy, then every world would be a cosmos unto itself. Everywhere else, would be possibility.” ”For every thought and fantasy, for every inspiration and dream, a new cosmos is born from possibility. This is the function of life.” ”To keep balance, avoid collision and devastation between worlds, a fulcrum records existence. That is the function of this plane.” Tiffany’s smile intensified into a warm grin as her glowing eyes turned back to the wreckage further down the rocky slope. ”The gate stands vigil over the Fulcrum, the will of the first Guardians. Their spirits reside within, yet not all willingly. Six have escaped, a seventh betrayed. Many perished, including this vessel. Yet you live. You have been chosen. Find them and return them.” “Ask your questions. Time short.”

Well, the luggage is strewn across the mountain side, and I'm sure that the other passengers wouldn't mind you borrowing a case or two. It isn't like they can object anyway XD

Published? Wow... that's actually the most flattering thing anyone has ever said about my writing. I've considered writing a novel once or twice, but it never comes to anything. Still, you never know! Thanks anyway I kinda planed to use Tiffany as your 'quest giver', but my brain rebelled several times whilst considering what to do. It just seemed like the most fittingly creepy thing to do in the end. As for Myra being dead, the fact that she isn't should be an interesting point of reflection when she gets back up in relatively one piece... ya' know; after she's got over the 'nearly been eaten' part... the tonsils, oh god the tonsils!

Edit: Well that took long enough didn't it. I'll try to be more punctual from now on. Thoughts, fears or hate mail? Post'em here