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11 months ago ::
Jul 17, 2012 - 6:58PM
#1
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In the morning, under the harsh, red sun, this fertile penisula seems a miracle; but at night it is not miraculous, only luck (or a blessing from Andropinis, if he is to be believed) and life here is only marginally easier for the farmers outside of Balic. You are still a day away from the city -- too far for some, perhaps too close for you -- and patches of weeds grow in between the dry, acidic land. In the distance, you see brown squares warped by the heat.
There, Balic feeds.
But here, at night among the lowlands, you feed only what little vittles you've found.
Another night on Athas is alike any others.
Then, you hear a low, piteous moan echo across the ground and through the air. On the horizon you see: one, small flame, wavering flame, bright against the dying dawn and desperate for attention.
Mirrors in the Desert
Show
If, on a desert night, a traveler, outside the town of Balic, leaning from the steep slope, without fear of wind or vertigo, looks down in the gathering shadow (in a network of lines that interlace) on the carpet of sand illuminated by the moon around an empty grave, what story down there awaits its end?
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11 months ago ::
Jul 18, 2012 - 4:00AM
#2
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Date Joined:
Sep 17, 2010
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The handful of dry, grassy weed crunched between Janisar's teeth. It tasted sour, and the desert-dweller could feel the acid prickling in the back of his throat. It wasn't strong enough to make his throat burn, at least, not if he did not eat large amounts of it. He had learned that the hard way, just like almost everything he still knew of life.
Yet despite the meagre fare, Janisar was filled with energy. His eyes were bright as he looked out towards the farmer's square patches of land. Only one thought drove him since he had laid eyes on them in the growing light of day, "Food.", but the wariness in his step was deeply ingrained on his being. Cities were dangerous. Being close to a city was dangerous.
With some effort he drew his eyes away from the brown patches when his ears picked up the moan. His heart leapt into his throat, a mixture of excitement and fear coursing through his body. Was it a dying beast, one of the best sources of food and water, or was it a savage creature, still vibrant with life and dangerous to approach? He cackled with laughter as he first turned his head, then his entire body towards the strange sound and the flicker of fire in the distance. Either way, it was likely safer than a patch of farmer's land.
His feet crunched the sand beneath his feet as he ran.
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11 months ago ::
Jul 19, 2012 - 5:40AM
#3
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Date Joined:
Oct 31, 2007
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(Nothing to see here. Move along now.)
Do NOT meddle in the affairs of dragons; for you are crunchy and go good with ketchup
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11 months ago ::
Jul 29, 2012 - 2:06PM
#4
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 As you approach, the flame disappears. Downwards? If you didn't know better, you would have thought -- but yes, the sand and rock split open -- recently or eons ago, you cannot tell -- and as you move closer a gaping chasm arrives beneath the horizon. The sound and movement of the flame-bearer appears to have startled most of the small wildlife that crowd Balic's relatively fertile outlands, but you are sure creatures live beneath, creatures that don't take kindly to the invasion of surface dwellers. Still, though, there are crevices you could use to climb down, into the cool and dark canyon, if you seek rest from the sun and, perhaps, larger prey. In addition, though it takes you a moment, you soon hear a strange and unfamiliar noise, a gurgle like the dying gasps of a spear victim... Running water.
OOC
Show
By no means do you have to head down; I have other encounters should you pass this. But if you want to, I'll need an Athletics check, and yes, you can use rope or whatever gear you want. Also, feel free to make a Perception check, as I've been using your passive so far.
Mirrors in the Desert
Show
If, on a desert night, a traveler, outside the town of Balic, leaning from the steep slope, without fear of wind or vertigo, looks down in the gathering shadow (in a network of lines that interlace) on the carpet of sand illuminated by the moon around an empty grave, what story down there awaits its end?
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11 months ago ::
Jul 31, 2012 - 5:24AM
#5
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Date Joined:
Sep 17, 2010
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OOC
Show
Oh, I'll take the bait 
Perception: 24 Janisar makes a series of clacking noises with his tongue as he watches the chasm in the earth. It was impossible to gauge its age, but perhaps... "It never hurts to try." he thought to himself as he crouched down on the sand at the edge of the enormous opening in the earth, sniffing at the ground like a dog. Moments later he rose once more, snorting aloud to try and get the sand out of his nose. "Nothing." He dug a dirty finger into his nose, trying to scratch out the painfully hot grains but only succeeding in pushing them in deeper. He coughed, frantically trying to free himself from the hideous sensation, and it took him almost a minute before he finally managed to settle down, the dirt still stuck up his nose. Hot and winded from the exertion, Janisar took the strange occurance in the desert for what it was; a welcome respite from the scorching sun. His face melted as he morphed into a fluid shape of a hyena, hidden in more clouds of fine sand that swirled around him, were part of him, and he started his descent, homing in on the running water like a vulture on a carcass.
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10 months ago ::
Aug 07, 2012 - 3:42PM
#6
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The stream, you can tell, is far down and softly running, but it is running. Just beneath the black, you'd imagine, and perhaps this is imagination, but looking down you think you spot a faint stitching of lights. Someone has recently set foot, down there -- perhaps the same bearer of the flame you heard earlier?
You hear distant cries, barely audible: human, for sure... and you spot handholds running down the cliff, sure to make your climb a tad easier.
Mirrors in the Desert
Show
If, on a desert night, a traveler, outside the town of Balic, leaning from the steep slope, without fear of wind or vertigo, looks down in the gathering shadow (in a network of lines that interlace) on the carpet of sand illuminated by the moon around an empty grave, what story down there awaits its end?
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