private The Far Sands of the Stars

[FancyHorse 1,209]

OOC Thread : https://mlpforums.com/topic/132505-the-far-sands-of-the-stars-adventure/#entry3918572

 

[bGM] : http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PZKpSsvMRxU

 

The roaring of the winds thrashing itself at the remnants of the group of adventurers as they brave onward. With their lead guard to the front, Ahaban had his head completely encompassed in its Shemagh but even so he squints his eyes and pushes onward.

 

Herding the group forward their second, Shao Fa with all her might follows along helping to guide any who begin straying. Point Dexter in the midst of the group grunted and whined as he struggled to keep his glasses from falling off as the contents in his bags rattled.

 

It wasn't too long when they were utterly abandoned by the rest of the guards seeing a hopeless abandon to this expedition.

 

@@AmberDust

@

@@Ranger22

"Is every pony here!?" Ahaban shouts over the roaring wind along with the blinding cloud of sand before them.

Edited July 8, 2015 by IllusivePony

[Ranger22 179]

It seemed like only moments ago that I received an invitation in my mailbox. I had always been interested in ancient knowledge and I was not shy to explore. But I've never imagined leaving Equestria on a journey through Saddle Arabia!! The harsh desert wind slammed against me and my companions as we trecked through the hostile sand dunes of the land. My saddlebags protected my delicate papers and quills against the climate. The white of my thick robes made me stand out in the light Browns of my surroundings. My hood and metallic mask made sure sand stayed out of my mane and eyes. One of the party members yelled out a roll call for the group. "You know I might be getting used to the sand, I don't know if that's a bad thing for a fellow like me."

[Love Doctor Blaze 536]

Blaze got a request from Celestia, to help out a team of explorers. Him being the generous pony he is accepted. He missed being on guard duty, so it gave him some sort of excitement, to finaly be out and active again. They were in the dessert, he had his shades modified for sandstorms, a sturdy cloak to protect him, and his trusty sword and dagger. He would have talked with the members, but he was just a guard, not some scientist

[AmberDust 1,118]

http://listenonrepeat.com/watch/?v=PZKpSsvMRxU#Journey_Soundtrack_(Austin_Wintory)_-_02._The_Call

 

 

Amber squinted through the roaring winds as the group of ponies slowly trudged towards their unknown and distant destination. Although it hadn't been long at all since she had arrived in Saddle Arabia, it felt as though they had been walking for days, and Amber had fallen into a haze of fleeting thought, in this environment where sound and vision were smothered by white wind.

The sand isn't much different from snow, the mare thought, as shards whipped around her. She peered up at the sun from the safety of her white headscarf.

And the wind is the same, too, she thought, closing her eyes for a brief second and letting the muffled sounds speak to her. She could almost hear voices...voices of civilizations long past, she thought...

 

 

 

"Is every pony here!?"

 

Amber opened her orange eyes. That voice was real, she noted, letting her vision adjust once more to the blazing winds. We must be stopping soon. Amber took the opportunity to unhook her canteen, and pulling down her scarf, she took a small sip.

"I'm here," she said, approaching Ahaban. She looked behind her as a group of ponies slowly appeared from behind a curtain of sand.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

@@AmberDust

"Quatak sulana!" He mutters, but managing a smile to Amber,

((OOC: would it be okay to canon that they have known each other?))

 

With the others hearded by Shao who's signal glow stick hung around her neck.

"Shenmie xinyu. We need to find shelter. We cannot stay here!" She says loudly.

 

Ahaban squinted his eyes his keffiyah in minimal to hold against the wind. Barely forward he could make out a shape of such.

 

@

@@Ranger22

"Forward! Just ahead!" Ahaban shouts and trotting forward.

"Ugh!! Such madness! How do these ponies manage such storms!?" Point Dexter complains loudly.

[Ranger22 179]

My hoof sunk into the sand with every step I took. Maybe wearing plate into the desert wasn't a good idea. The ponies in my group answered the roll call. Each of these ponies on the same quest for a multitude of reasons. Ancient knowledge was something an aspiring magister like myself could always use. One of the ponies ahead of me complained. "It's the fabric, keeps the weather from tearing your flesh off." I loudly exclaimed.

[Driz 1,552]

Between quick breaths and heavy, trembling hoofsteps, Camellia lagged moderately behind the group of adventurers. With her snout hanging down near the blazing, soft sand, the mare endured what could only be divine punishment: the scalding sun, the relentless wind, the never-ending sand ocean in front of them... Suddenly, the saddlebag she carried on her back, which contained only a few first-aid necessities, felt like a mountain, even though in reality it didn't weigh more than a couple of apples.

 

Of course, she had agreed on partaking in this expedition by the request from the royal family of Saddle Arabia. If anything, she felt honored - not to mention the opportunity to make a little bit of cash with some lucky findings at the rumored lost ruins. However, due to a slight oversight, she was not prepared for such a harsh weather. As she fought against the gale with the little energy she had left, Cammie's mind was blank.

 

"Is every pony here!?" Ahaban shouts over the roaring wind along with the blinding cloud of sand before them.

 

As soon as she heard the call from a fair distance, her ears perked up and she fastened her pace, somehow managing to catch up with the party.

 

"I'm also here!... Kind of..." Cammie said, squinting her eyes in an attempt to spot any friendly face behind the unforgiving sandstorm and sunlight. It wasn't long before another voice uttered something barely comprehensible.

 

"Shenmie xinyu. We need to find shelter. We cannot stay here!" She says loudly.

 

"Yes, yes... Let's hurry..." She replied, panting, trying hard to keep herself close to the others. Hopefully, they would soon find some place to rest and regain their strength. At that moment, the only thing that came to her mind was the thought of chugging down a cold bottle of water - which sounded more like a dream than anything. As the ponies kept shouting their conversations, Camellia kept following right behind them.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

@@Driz

"We thought we lost you." Shao Fa, says to the mare expressing relief.

 

Ahaban cursed silently, he should've expressed his concern about that other. Zhidkov and the rest had completely abandoned them. Who's to say they went ahead or turned around.

But himself, Ahaban never swayed from his goal. He would accomplish what was assigned to him.

 

Pressing forward they continued ahead toward the shape ahead, turning out to be a, large angular rock. It have just enough cover from the raging sand blowing their direction.

 

@@Ranger22

@@AmberDust

"We'll hunker here till the storm dies down." He says to the group, his voice now audible away from the roaring winds.

 

He then shook knocking away the sand that built on his body before pulling down his scarfed mask to show his dark brown mane.

[Ranger22 179]

The large rocky formation provided us a good amount of cover from the sand filled winds. I took a moment to shake off the sand that covered my robes. The sand piling on me began to annoy me, even better I could actually hear my companions! "How much longer do you think it will take to get to our destination?" I asked out loud waiting for anyone to answer. I magically levitated my canteen to take a quick sip of water to satisfy my thirst.

[Driz 1,552]

"We thought we lost you." Shao Fa, says to the mare expressing relief.

 

"Me?... Get lost?... Heh... Nah, not at all... I know this area like the back of my hoof..." Cammie replied, still noticeably fatigued. Even though she did fall significantly behind, her voice was filled with such conviction that one could not tell whether she was being serious or not. After reaching a large stone that served as a barrier against the wind, the mare let out a relief sigh and shook off the sand on her mane and tail, before sitting down.

 

Once everyone was settled, Cammie took the opportunity to glance at the ponies she was travelling with. For the most part, they seemed harmless, although their intentions concerning the expedition were still unknown. Regardless, she had been brought along mainly due to her medical knowledge: she wasn't a licensed doctor, nor was she very fond of the profession, but she did have the capacity to help those in need. And that was her role for the time being.

 

"How much longer do you think it will take to get to our destination?"

 

"Hopefully not much longer... I think we all had our daily doses of Vitamin D already." She joked with a smirk on her face. She then noticed the canteen the unicorn was levitating.

 

"Say... Would you mind sharing a little bit of that water of yours? I'm, like, slowly becoming one with the sand out here."

[AmberDust 1,118]

Amber threw herself bodily down behind the rock next to Ahaban. It was relieving to finally be able to stop and breathe a moment, but she was eager as ever to arrive at their destination, regardless of all the struggle.

 

Breathing heavily, Amber looked around, squinting as a corona of sand sprayed off the rock above her. Although they had walked a long way together, she never really had the chance to get to know her fellow travellers, and if she could have been audible without yelling, now would have been the perfect time to strike up a conversation. Instead, she just smiled sympathetically at the other ponies, finding one in particular who looked more tired than the rest. Carmelina? No, Camelina, Amber thought. She proffered the tired mare her canteen.

"Here, take mine," she called, cooling the canteen with a surge of icy magic and levitating it over to her agains the force of the wind.

"Are you doing okay?" Amber added, yelling above the screaming sandstorm.

Edited July 12, 2015 by AmberDust

[FancyHorse 1,209]

At the mention of their hypothetical destination Shao Fa exchanges a glance with her fellow guard. Ahaban sharing a hidden worrisome expression.

"Wo Renwei, womem won jiang dishsie" She says, Ahaban able to make out the words 'we are lost' .

 

Point Dexter scrambles through his belongings frantically his breathes increasing in pace.

@@Ranger22

@@AmberDust

@@Driz

"BLAST!" He yells loudly, every pony audibly hearing his, frustration.

"That wretched stallion!" He stomps his hooves in fury.

"The directions! He took everything! Zhidkov took all our notes. Our directions to the ruins!" The archeologist cursed.

 

Ahaban's expression to his zebra friend now notable. He adjusted the rifle at his side.

"Minhasad talihel. Calm down. Now need to work yourself up." The Arabian says.

 

"How can I!? We are now utterly lost here!!" The unicorn argues his tail flaring in reaction.

 

"They took our food! Left us here to die! I knew I should've reported a double background check but no you insisted he was trustworthy!" He continues on.

 

Ahaban does not reply, not wanting to continue this foolery. But his wings quivered in anticipation of joss threatening pose.

[Ranger22 179]

"Lost, aren't you the fellows leading this expedition?" That was a funny thought, going on an expedition and not preparing for the worse. It would have been more comical if it wasn't happening to me at the current moment. "Alright we're lost, what do we do to remedy that problem hmm? Any suggestions anypony, any at all?" I asked the group as I tightened my metallic mask. This expedition reeked of under preparedness despite it being sanctioned by royalty. Any researcher worth his salt would have foreseen these tragic events.

[Driz 1,552]

"Here, take mine," she called, cooling the canteen with a surge of icy magic and levitating it over to her against the force of the wind.

"Are you doing okay?" Amber added, yelling above the screaming sandstorm.

 

"Oh!... My savior!" Camellia says, not thinking twice before taking hold of the bottle and immediately drinking from it. After a couple of gulps, she breathed a lengthy sigh of relief and returned the canteen - which was then nearly emptied out - to the kind unicorn mare that offered it.

 

"Whew! Thanks a bunch. I owe you one~" She turned to face the young mare, greeting her with a smile. "What a crazy adventure so far, huh? Nothing like a near-death experience to set up the adrenaline... The name's Camellia. You can call me Cammie, though~" She said. She figured that getting to know one another would be a good thing, considering the long road ahead of them.

 

"BLAST!" He yells loudly, every pony audibly hearing his, frustration.

"That wretched stallion!" He stomps his hooves in fury.

"The directions! He took everything! Zhidkov took all our notes. Our directions to the ruins!" The archeologist cursed.

 

Ahaban's expression to his zebra friend now notable. He adjusted the rifle at his side.

"Minhasad talihel. Calm down. Now need to work yourself up." The Arabian says.

 

"How can I!? We are now utterly lost here!!" The unicorn argues his tail flaring in reaction.

 

"They took our food! Left us here to die! I knew I should've reported a double background check but no you insisted he was trustworthy!" He continues on.

 

"Well, way to spread the panic, Mr. Archaeologist." Cammie said, sarcastic. "So what you're saying is, you don't know how to get us through this sandy hell?" 

 

Getting lost in such an awful place was certainly not expected. Even though she was aware that it wasn't going to be an easy journey, up until that point, their situation seemed to only get worse. At any rate, it would be rational to keep collected and calmly think of a solution.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

@@Driz

"Don't berate me! I would if they haven't took all my directions! I can't memorize flippin Arabic! " Point Dexter replied sitting onto his haunches.

"This is, just wonderful."

 

Ahaban rolled his,eyes.

"We'll just go back where we came. We at least know which way west is." He says.

 

Shao Fa laid down carefully watching outward to the distance, her rifle laying next to her as remained vigilant.

[Love Doctor Blaze 536]

Blaze sat down and watched the whole scene unfold. After all he didn't want to disturb them, it isn't his place, he only came here for guarding. I wonder if i should try to do something about this? Finally they seemed to calm down. He went over to Point Dexter. "You alright sir?"

[FancyHorse 1,209]

@

"Do go bother some pony else. I don't want to talk." The unicorn says. He let out a hefty sigh the wind blowing at his mane as he adjusted his glasses.

 

Ahaban took seat next to his fellow guard as he watched over the group. Tension already now high. Just hoping nopony was ready to loose their temper. Seemingly though they seemed calm mostly.

[Driz 1,552]

As some of the explorers frantically discussed the situation, Camellia just watched in silence, awaiting for somepony to propose a solution. She then closed her eyes and let out a small sigh, with a hint of annoyance in it, before standing up in order to get a better look at the seemingly endless desert that surrounded them. 

 

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the pony body can survive for too long without any food or water - specially under this huge freakin' ball of fire... Whatever your plan B is, I suggest we execute it soon." She said as her mane and tail swayed violently with the wind.

[Love Doctor Blaze 536]

As some of the explorers frantically discussed the situation, Camellia just watched in silence, awaiting for somepony to propose a solution. She then closed her eyes and let out a small sigh, with a hint of annoyance in it, before standing up in order to get a better look at the seemingly endless desert that surrounded them. 

 

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the pony body can survive for too long without any food or water - specially under this huge freakin' ball of fire... Whatever your plan B is, I suggest we execute it soon." She said as her mane and tail swayed violently with the wind.

 

Blaze still just sat there, with his unreadable face We need to hurry up and do something! Thought Blaze 

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the pony body can survive for too long without any food or water - specially under this huge freakin' ball of fire... Whatever your plan B is, I suggest we execute it soon." Blaze looked at the mare who proposed the idea Finally, someone who used common sense Blaze stood up "I agree with her. We must stop worrying about what happened, and concentrate on what we will do now" Said Blaze and walked over to her

[AmberDust 1,118]

Amber could feel the gears turning in her head as the group began to panic. The others may be worried, but high-pressure situation were where she really stated.

"We should stay put until nighttime," she said to the group.

"That way we won't sweat out all of our water and energy getting lost, and we can travel when it's cool. Plus, it'll be less windy and the stars act as an extra point of reference, not to mention no more mirages." She paused a moment, considering the options.

"We may have lost our map and most of our food, but this desert is definitely survivable if we're smart about it." She pulled a second canteen out of her pack and grinned.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

@@Ranger22

@@AmberDust

@

@@Driz

Ahaban stood up shaking off the sand.

"Seems the only logical choice. We'll stay put. Ration your water consumption, every pony." He announces before returning to his seat.

 

Shao Fa remained still simply in key with following the new order. Point Dexter simply grumbled to himself as wallowed about, still having that sense of pathetic demotion for trusting Zhidkov.

[Driz 1,552]

Followed by yet another sigh, Camellia went back near the group and sat down on her haunches. Specially since their directions were gone, the mare would rather be anywhere else other than that desert - who knew if something else could go wrong if they set up a camp there? Nonetheless, the orders were clear. She wouldn't be so ignorant as to wander away by herself. Cammie then placed her saddlebag on the ground by her side and tried to find a more comfortable position to rest: the shadow provided by the rocky formation caused the sand beneath it to retain a somewhat pleasant temperature.

 

"Perhaps this is a good time to give us a little more information about what the heck is going on?" She said to the archaeologists in charge. "Who is this Zhidkov fellow, and why would he steal the notes? Are these lost ruins really that important?"

[Hypn0ticD 1,213]

I have locked this roleplay at the request of the DM. If you like to start a similar roleplay, please do so by creating an OOC thread.