Chapter 1 Act 1: Fall of the Hollow Hill
[Archived] Active from 1. June to 14 July 2023
Year 4, Month 1
Event Prompts, Announcements, Perils, and Rewards
Italics indicates herbivore language.
Bold indicates carnivore language.
[Archived] Active from 1. June to 14 July 2023
Year 4, Month 1
Event Prompts, Announcements, Perils, and Rewards
Italics indicates herbivore language.
Bold indicates carnivore language.
The storm looms overhead. Rain scours the land outside the hollow hill, the green glow of the clouds made more and more visible with each flash of lightning. In an effort to scout for incoming threats or the missing Jonsie, Felony has encouraged residents of the Hollow Hill to SEE THE STORM and report back.
Players must make a written or visual submission (100 words or 5 karma worth of art) and a SPOT CHECK [1d20]
Characters who go outside gain a +5 to this spot check, but become [SOAKED]
Reward: +10 Karma
Soaked though it is, the weather is still fierce enough to kick up the dust and dirt on everyone bold enough to go outside. Fur is soaked by rain above and clumped by mud below.
Monocorn, between flashes of lightning and the exodus of your fellow survivors, you catch sight of JONSIE carrying something over her shoulders. She and THE HOUND are on edge, stalking something that prowls near the Hollow Hill.
Most find it impossible to see anything through the curtains of rain. Hound, Nameless, April, Boon, Daybreak, Judas you are unable to see more than shadowy figures and terrible weather before you.
It is Felony who is the first to see a hint of true danger. Whipping through the torrential rains with frightening ease, a bizarre warped approaches.
Felony, you can only see it for a second before it disappears in the rains. It moves too quickly to keep track of in the dark of the storm. Every rush of wind spirits it just out of sight.
It's thanks to Newt that you are able to catch sight of it again. Her mystical artifact shines brightly on the Warped's skin, making it glow like a beacon.
Burnze, you look just the right way at just the right time. The warped is about to whip past you on its way to the entrance of the Hollow Hill. Boldly illuminated by Newt's light, it is impossible to miss.
Those who remained inside, Monocorn, Nameless, April, Judas, you hear an awfully crotchety rabbit starting to crow behind you in HERBIVORE.
"The Hill is flooding!" Brongo cried out, leaping out of the backrooms and stamping his hind legs to alert the others. "This burrow's bound to collapse if we don't do something!"
And true to his word, a thin stream of water is beginning to pool in the center of the Hollow Hill.
The Hollow Hill struggles to weather the storm, with leaks and cracks springing up all over the place! Brongo is directing herbivores to make repairs to the structure, as Nameless and Thorn alert carnivores to the issue. Stem the tide before the water overruns you!
Submissions must be at least 100 words or 5 karma worth of art.
At least 5 unique player characters must address the flood, or some leaks will be missed
Characters participating can not complete WARPED ON THE WIND.
Open until mitigated
Unlimited submissions per person
Reward: +30 Karma
A flying warped has swooped in on the winds of the storm. It's slick, pale skin shimmers in the light of Newt's artifact as it tightens its grip on Felony's neck. Then, in a flash of brilliant red flux, it's tail is pulled down deep into the earth. It writhes against the dirt, tiny fins flopping against mud as it tries to vain to free itself, before lifting its head as high as it can.
It's body contorts, ribs rippling and splitting as they open and vent a cloud of TOXIC GAS around it. Felony, as you lunge to attack, the toxins cloud your eyes and nose. It burns-IT BURNS!
Those outside can see the warped make its attack. There isn't much time-you have to do something before it kills someone!
Characters participating must wait 24 hours and go inside before contributing to RISING WATERS.
Each character can make one action to stop this warped in its tracks.
Reward: +30 Karma
Warped on the Wind
As Felony reels from the poison, the warped lets out a squeal of agitation. It's squishy body deflates, the sigil of Newt's flux appearing across it's back in a magical pin.
"Aw, no chase?" Jonsie shouts over the rain with a cackle, looking around for anything to throw at the grounded target.
Felony, in the meantime, retreats from the noxious cloud, avoiding further poison. After warning her allies of the threat, she kicks up the wet sand, flinging it in the warped's direction. Though much of it scatters, her intention is clear enough. Already partially stuck in the earth, her efforts serve to bury it further.
Her allies follow suite, heeding Felony's warning as they stay back from the poison. Burnze charges forward with great enthusiasm, shoveling heaps of sand over the warped. Daybreak, more reluctant, joins in, pelting the warped with wet, gritty clumps as he digs.
"I think you got it fellas." Jonsie sounds disappointed as she closes the distance. Indeed, there is nothing but a sizable pile up upturned sandy earth. "Should have left it to the pros, eh Hound?" At least the cat understood the spirit of battle.
In the perimeter of the hollow hill, there is a flash of green light. It strikes the ground, and a roaring thunder follows shortly. "That's my cue." The ferret says, giving the disheveled group another once over and chuckling to herself. She trots back towards the Hollow Hill.
Rising Waters
The Hollow Hill shakes, the rumble of thunder, and by the sound of it, fairly close. Near the entry, Kraft peers outside, fretting for the return of those that left. "Should've let sleeping hogs lie." He shudders. "They b-better come back safe."
Below, muddy puddles pool in several parts of the floor. Yet, the residents won't allow their home to flood. Following Brongo, Nameless, and Thorn's lead, April, Coni, Monocorn, and Boon leap to action. The already threadbare hollow hill is further stripped for material, April lugs planks to larger leaks, Nameless roots up shredded fabric and trash, the latter of which Thorn finds a little more water resistant as she works to seal the window. Coni points out leaks, boosting Thorn to reach the highest ones. Monocorn quickly joins the effort, Boon keeping the lot of them supplied with mud, which Monocorn, Nameless, and April combined with their material to form a seal of sorts. It doesn't look like a permanent fix, but the water infiltration is mitigated for now.
After double checking for any more cracks, the residents breathe a sigh of relief. Now all that's left to do is wait out the storm, and hope that warped Felony saw stays the hell away. Or... maybe you want it to come, the carnivores might think, stomachs rumbling.
The weather hasn't let up since yesterday, and you all know better than to hunt or gather in Scarland's weather. Though, it usually doesn't last this long.
As the warped lies dead and eaten in the main room, the mood in the Hill begins to calm. The world is as fierce as ever, but together, they have overcome its challenges for yet another night.
The storm howls.
Some begin to eat and groom, to share stories and sing again as they gather among friends.
The wind shrieks.
They gather here, in the warmth of the Hill, and relax.
CRACK
SNAP
CRUNCH
The roof rattles fiercely, entrance gleaming with the glow of three rapid lightning strikes. Rain whips outside the Hollow Hill, fiercer than ever, but you need to know-is the Hill okay? Was the roof damaged? Will it leak worse than before?
Someone must head outside to find out.
Reward: +20 Karma
Conclusion:
VOLT has chosen to investigate the storm using powers.
The roof of the Hill fumes from the lingering impact of the lightning strikes. It's hard to tell in the rain, but it almost looks like something is coating the shingles. It's difficult to make out what it is, but as the wind whips towards you the smell makes it apparent. The roof of the Hollow Hill has been coated in POISON.
Dismayed, you look to the sky. Perhaps searching for an end to the storm or a hint of the poisons source, but instead....
Volt, you see something terrible.
In the cloud above, the warped approach. They drift on the wind, hardly visible outside of brief flashes of light. They're moving slowly, but surely, downwards towards the Hollow Hill.
A chance to prepare sustains, equip items, or otherwise ready yourself
Submissions for this prompt can be made using public RP posts, or any other type of submission.
The storm howls again, wind rising in intensity for a brief moment before stopping entirely. Did the storm end, or-
The Hollow Hill quakes again, dust falling from the rafters as something slams into the roof. It doesn't sound like lightning this time-it's heavier than that. More solid. And you can hear it happen multiple times.
The scraping and grinding of claws can be heard through the wood above. There's no doubt about it-the warped at here.
"They're on the roof!" You hear Bernese cry, voice echoing from the backrooms before the hallway suddenly caves in.
A thick cloud of dust and filth floods the air in the main room, choking everyone as it fills their noses. The spine crawling cry of a much larger warped can be heard keening from the new hole in the roof.
The dust clears quickly as acrid air from the outside rushes in. The hallway to the main room as completely cave in, and through the new hole in the roof, a massive creature looms.
Huge, wicked claws latch onto the edge of the collapse, intent to tearing it apart when a furry shape can be seen racing past it, through the hole in the roof. The monster crows and lurches out of view.
The following characters have been seperated in the backrooms: Kraft, Krunsch, Bernese, Jonsie, Nameless
All other characters are assumed to be in the main room.
The Hollow Hill faces a threat greater than any it has faced in living memory. The survivors sheltered inside find themselves in mortal peril as a massive warped rips the building apart.
You must find a way to survive this catastrophy.
Requirements: For this prompt, we recommend taking your time and devising a plan. Good strategy and collaboration can improve your odds of survival. All submissions for this prompt come at a risk of PERIL. Perils must be resolved within 24hrs after the end of ENGAGE, or dms will resolve them based on the last sent message.
Each player can contribute to 1 submission. This means 1 roleplay, one collaborated image, or 1 solo piece. Submissions can be aimed at helping another player to improve their odds.
Reward: +1 Flux
Outside
The large warped peers into the Hollow Hill, wood creaking under its weight. It adjusts its talons, reaching further in to grip the roof from the inside.
"Krunsch! Move!" Jonsie yells as she sprints directly in front of the warped's talons. "Follow me, bastard!" she calls out, drawing aggro as she scampers up the debris pile and out through the roof of the Hollow Hill.
The warped are upon them, and Monocorn, Burnze, and Daybreak know they cannot afford to linger.
The trio darts outside. On the half-buried roof behind them, they see the full form of the large warped. Its serrated wings swiping through the air as it sends the tiny form of Jonsie flying. She hits the ground hard, and then charges again. Amongst the swarm, the escaping three are noticed. The warped cry out, two falling into pursuit.
Northward they sprint, braving the storm which rages just beyond the perimeter. Far north, past the darkened skies, they see a flicker of pale moonlight bathing the landscape. The slow-flying gliders fall behind, their cries growing quiet as the trio outpaces them.
BANG
[PERIL 1: Direct Hit]
Affected Characters: Monocorn, Burnze, Daybreak
The large warped wings swing forth, blue-green flux crackling off its touched wingtips. Errant, Felony, Coni, Thorn, and Brongo witnessed what can only be described as focused lightning, cast off into the distance. They feel a tremor in the ground from the impact.
Though every instinct screams to flee, all five survivors stand their ground outside, braving the swarm. The danger is clear, but they still have allies within the Hill. A distraction, even for a moment, could make all the difference.
The larged warped stills for a moment, a halo of thorny vines subtly encircling its head as its sunken gaze slowly turns to Felony. The coyote feels little more than adrenaline, as the large, lightning-wielding monster dives towards her, a loud crack echoing behind it.
The warped is fast, but Felony is ready. She leaps to meet it, a sheen of red flux across her forepaw as it makes contact with the warped’s wing. Her flux takes hold, and she plunges the wing deep into the ground.
Scrambling backwards away from the struggling warped, Felony sees its long tail snake forward, talons much larger than the smaller warped extended to grab her.
“Stay down!” Another huge creature collides with the warped, and the taloned tail constricts around it instead. Felony does a double take at the now towering rabbit, Brongo. His entire form is edged with the blue of his own flux as he fights to keep the warped wrestled to the ground.
Errant, you carefully goad the large warped, watching tensely as your plan unfolds. As it swoops, it pulls another section of roof from the Hollow Hill, flinging it away in the air behind it. Thanks to your trap, it is soon pinned to the ground, unable to keep attacking the Hill or those within.
But then-Ack! Something snakes around Errant’s neck, claws digging into her shoulder. Just as Errant catches the hint of poison in the air, the warped is tackled away. It’s claws catch for a moment, before tearing free.
Errant loses 2 vigor.
Coni, leaping through the swarm, spots the glider as it closes in on Errant. Ramming it into the sky with a flux-charged jump, Coni separates the warped from his ally before it can envelop her in poison. He takes the attack in her lieu.
With each close call, Coni, Thorn, and Brongo choke on the growing cloud of poison. They’ve kept the cherubs occupied so far, but they aren’t sure how much longer they can keep this up. Two of the swarm drift away, closing in on the now vacant hole atop the hill.
[PERIL 2: Falling Defense]
Affected Characters: Coni, Thorn, Brongo
Inside
In the main room, April and Boon dig into the rubble, yanking big pieces of wood out of the piles of sand, grit, and insulation, and tossing them to the side. They hear muffled shouts on the other side, the voices of Krunsch, Kraft, and the nameless kitten.
April digs at the base of another large piece of rubble, helping Boon to tear it free. Beyond it, a narrow pathway opens up, and they catch a glimpse of two tabbies.
“The roof! Come down, we have to leave! We gotta- We gotta run! Right now!”
The head of Bernese barely pokes out on the far side, body crushed beneath the rubble.
Above them, the large warped spreads its wings, blocking out the moonlight. As it takes flight, its talons rip free another piece of the roof with a loud, splintering crack. Judas, on guard, is the first to react, tackling Boon to the side as a heavy piece of wood crashes to the ground. The heavy splinters pierce Judas’ clothes and hide, leaving him bloodied.
Debris rains down, catching those set upon the rubble pile and threatening to further bury Bernese. Kraft and Nameless shoulder the hits, their bodies shielding Bernese from further harm.
April loses 2 vigor
Judas loses 5 vigor
Kraft loses 2 vigor
Nameless loses 4 vigor
After the initial cracking of the roof, the clatter of items falling to the floor can be heard from deeper in the backrooms, alongside a strained squeak.
[PERIL 3: Pinned]
Affected Characters: Krunsch, Bernese
The Hollow Hill is beginning to be overrun by warped. It is not safe to linger.
Poison is beginning to fill the rooms you found refuge in all this time. Warped cling to the building where you shared stories and made friends. It's the closest to home many have found since the Fracture began.
Water and mud pour into the rooms as more and more of the structure is torn away. Either the Hill will be buried in the sands, or it will be warped by its new inhabitants.
Like many good things that survived the Fracture, it is lost.
Requirements: Depict your character escaping the warped onslaught and reflecting on their time spent in the Hollow Hill. Can be done through whatever media you feel is fitting. Characters in peril must successfully escape peril before they can complete this prompt.
Reward: +20 Karma