#steelsongrpg

[steelsongrpg]

A Roc and a Hard Place (Part 1)

The morning comes all too early, your body still weary from the exertions of the previous day. Yet even so, you feel you’ve rested well. Your bruises and scrapes are beginning to heal, thanks in part to the treatments you’ve applied, and even your tired mind perks up from the smell of Professor Trotter’s coffee kettle simmering over the campfire. 

It seems A K Yearling has been up half the night with the Professor, a freshly written stack of notes having been added to her satchel. Despite this Yearling shows no signs of fatigue, rather she carries a determined expression, even a fire in her eyes. 

As you fight back a yawn Sunny Saddles trots over and offers you a steaming mug, “This’ll perk ya up, partner! Big day ahead of us, ain’t that right Professor?”  Trotter doesn’t look up from his journal, too focused on the text at hoof, as he replies curtly, “Big AND Dangerous. If Yearling’s translations are right, it would seem the Wind Guardian is a Roc.” 

Lucky Harvest scratches his forehead with a hoof, tilting his hat back, “A rock? Shoot, it shouldn’t be too hard to roll a boulder aside.” 

“Not a rock Lucky, a Roc.” Yearling emphasizes a subtle difference in pronunciation as she gestures at a nearby carving, depicting a towering bird of prey in flight. “They’re massive birds with wingspans as wide as a canyon! But that’s not all.”

Picking up one of Trotter’s journals, the novelist flips to an illustration of a Roc, “They have jagged, rocky beaks and talons. Their feathers are as hard as stones, and cover their whole bodies. The larger ones even have gemstones growing from their wingtips and crests!”

Lucky gasps as he realizes the scope of the challenge, Yearlings description and tone proving to be unsettling, “How in tarnation are we supposed to get past some creature like that?” 

“By working together!” Sunny beams cheerfully, already strapping her grappling gear and saddlebags on tight. “Ain’t that right Professor?”  “Hmph,” Trotter grunts, hefting his own traveling bag, “So long as we’re careful, we should be alright.” He leads the group to the entrance to his secluded hideaway, raising a hoof against the dawn’s early sunrays. Even so soon in the day you can feel the creeping heat of the Badlands settling in for another scorcher. 

“We’ll need to move carefully, we don’t want to startle the creature. Watch your hooves and mind your footing, it’s a long way down!” Trotter cautions as he fires his grappling harness, propelling himself upwards to the peak of Dustmane Ridge. 

Ascending alongside Trotter you survey the rocky terrain ahead, high above the rolling Badlands below. In the distance you hear a shrill cry carrying on the wind from some unknown creature on the horizon. Despite your companion’s confidence you can’t help but gulp against the rising lump in your throat as you imagine the challenge lying ahead. 

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[a-barbed-tongue-blog]

“Tails of Equestria” Character sheet for Barb Wire

[loofsydobon]

Whiptail - my character for  Steelsong RPG.  Created with General Zoi's Pony Creator.

[steelsongrpg]

It Belongs in a Museum (Part 7)

In a moment of courage, or perhaps bravado, bolstered by your allies, the decision is made. All at once you surge from behind cover alongside your companions, intent on rushing the cloaked unicorn assailant!  Professor Trotter joins the charge, his trusty shovel gripped firm in his teeth, ready to deliver a heavy knock-out blow. Sunny Saddles grabs a rope, tossing one end to Lucky Harvest as the pair gallop out together. A K Yearling for her part takes flight on tan wings, swooping above and away from the thick of the scuffle.  The grey mare seems startled at the bold response of your team, throwing up a hasty shield spell to offer some protection from the rocks and lightning shocks assailing her.  Coming at the mysterious pony from all sides, you quickly surround and attempt to subdue the secretive caster. Keeping her distracted, her magic focused on blocking your blows rather than casting offensively, Sunny and Lucky rush in! “You go high Lucky, I’ll go low!” Sunny cheers, sliding on gravelly earth, rope held tight.  Circling left and right the two wagoneers quickly bind the legs of the dark unicorn. The surprised mare yelps, attempting a hasty spell to turn Sunny into a statuette, only to have her magic deflected by Trotter’s shovel at the last moment!  With an abrupt thud the purple cloaked caster falls to the dust, struggling to free herself. Yearling swoops in overhead, landing squarely atop the bound unicorn. Pinning her shoulders to the ground, surrounded by allies, Yearling throws back the unicorn’s cloak. Yearling snarls down at the mare in a demanding voice, “Who are you?! Why are you attacking us?!”  You finally get your first good look at the young mare, now restrained by your three companions. Her violet eyes are wide and welled up with tears, an expression of real fear dominating her face. She trembles, her dark mane hiding half her features as she struggles against the ropes. Yearling seems taken aback, her demeanor softening slightly at the sight of the terrified young pony.  “No, please!” she sobs, struggling to break the ropes holding her, “It’s not... I’m not...” suddenly she closes her eyes tight, a flash of violet energy erupting from her horn! All at once you and the other nearby ponies are thrown back as the mare teleports away, leaving only the eerie silence of the Badlands behind.  Professor Trotter lowers his shovel, speaking to no one in particular with little more than a whisper, “Moonbeam...what have you done?...”  [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue with the next update!]

[steelsongrpg]

It Belongs in a Museum (Part 6)

Beside the simmering campfire your party settles in for what will hopefully be a restful night after a long day in the dunes. Between escaping the Tatzlwurm, navigating the sandstorm, climbing Dustmane Ridge, and now a short lived scuffle with Professor Trotter, you are fully exhausted. Even so, you take some time before bedding down to better examine your surroundings and stake a watch. With so many potential threats lurking about you come to understand even more fully why this region is called the Badlands, briefly smirking as Sunny Saddles comments, “Well ya know, there’s a reason y’all don’t call it the GOOD lands!” Professor Trotter and A K Yearling step off to a side, going over notes and translations in whispered mumbles, noting minor changes to their work journals by candlelight. Lucky Harvest begins to snore loudly as he dozes off, Sunny sitting nearby strumming an imaginary guitar while humming some old country song. For a moment it seems peaceful, almost tranquil. Yawning, you begin to wonder if perhaps you’ve passed the worst of this adventure. After all, you’ve found the Professor, you have his research in hoof. If together your group can find the Umberfoal and a way to undo this statuettes curse, it should be a simple matter to... *FWOOSH* A beam of violet magical energy shoots through the entrance to the cave, narrowly missing your head! The beam ricochets off the stone floor, leaving a black scorch mark on the earth! Just outside, standing on a crest shrouded by moonlight, the mysterious purple-cloaked mare that ambushed you at Twilight’s camp fires bolts of energy into the cavern! The grey unicorn’s eyes glow an ominous violet hue as her spell casting intensifies! Diving for cover, you sound the alarm! Sunny is the first up, grabbing Lucky by the tail and throwing the surprised earth pony behind an outcropping for cover, a ray of arcane energy scorching where he just lay dreaming! Trotter douses the fire as Yearling leaps onto the tallest of the ancient tablets, knocking it on its side! Though the tablet cracks and chips in several places as it crashes to the ground, it now provides solid cover for your party. As you huddle behind the stone relic dozens of rapid-fire spells scorch the top and sides of the tablet, unable to connect with the ponies on the far side. Clutching her archaeologist’s hat Yearling tries to peek over the tablet, only to be forced down by the magic. “She’s got us pinned down!” Gritting her teeth, she looks around the cave, then at the party, finally meeting your gaze as arcane rays begin to chip away at your cover, “We need a plan, and FAST!” [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue with the next update!]

[steelsongrpg]

It Belongs in a Museum (Part 8)

As you check your friends for injuries and make sure the campsite is secure, you turn your attention to Professor Trotter. He stares at the space Moonbeam had occupied moments before, his eyes a hundred miles away, his mind in another time and place. He seems lost chasing a memory until Yearling gently touches his shoulder, bringing his focus back to the present.  With a stern gaze he runs a hoof over the magic scorched earth, feeling the blackened sand with his hoof. “Moonbeam was a student of mine... a very long time ago. She was just a filly then.” The green pegasus furrows his brow, “She was quiet, shy. Preferred the company of her books to that of other ponies. Her parents thought archaeology might get her muzzle out of the books, get her to feel the history she was reading about.”  Trotter’s gaze turns skyward, searching the stars beyond the towering crevice walls. “She was very studious, a quick learner. She didn’t lack any enthusiasm for the research... but... she kept to herself... just playing with her toys... all by herself... all alone...”  Sunny Saddles tilts her head, trying to follow Trotter’s skyward gaze, “Do ya reckon she’s the one causing e’ry pony to turn into statuettes?”  The old professor pauses for a long moment before responding, “I... don’t know. But if she is, we have to stop her.” Trotter turns his attention back to the stone tablets, “First thing in the morning we’ll head out, we have to seek out the first guardian.”  Tapping the nearby etching of a winged bird in flight the aging archaeologist translates the Olde Ponish script, “The Wind Guardian... that’s where we’ll start. Get what rest you can, I’ll keep watch.” Trotter sighs, shouldering his shovel, “It’s going to be a long night...”  --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---  Her eyes were closed, her head raised skyward to the stars beyond the towering crevice walls, the hood of her cloak sliding back over her ears. The soft crackling of her violet magic broke the night’s silence as her her ignited once more, her teleportation spell fading.  A brilliant ray of light from her horn pierced the pitch black interior of the cavern, casting strange flickering shadows against the rock walls. Illumination did nothing to make the cave more inviting. Still, she pressed on, continuing her long search.  Wandering through long forgotten caverns and passageways she descended deep beneath the mountains. Deeper and deeper she went, passing pools of inky water and thick patches of unfamiliar fungi. She began to pass small trinkets and stone artifacts engraved with strange carvings.  Suddenly she gasped and stopped dead in her tracks. Towering before her, built into a high cavern wall, was a great circular stone door, carved with intricate patterns. Standing before it she could almost feel the magic power humming in the air around her. The door glowed gently, as if in greeting, as she lowered her satchel to the ground. Two dozen pony statuettes jingled within, a particular purple hued statuette clattering to the ground.  A grin spread slowly across her muzzle and her eyes grew wide. She turned her attention away from her discovery to gently tuck her favorite alicorn statuette back into the bag with all her other friends. Then, the navy blue maned unicorn turned her attention fully to the ancient ruins before her.  “Finally...” Moonbeam breathed, “I’ve found it...”  [Reply with what your character would do or say next, and feel free to interact with the other commentators. The story will continue with the next update!]

[steelsongrpg]

It Belongs in a Museum (Part 5)

In the flickering lantern light you see a series of ancient stone tablets. Professor Trotter has each carefully laid against the cave wall, supported by rolled canvas sheets and wooden makeshift props. At the center a larger carving, almost too large for any one pony to move by themselves, depicts three mythical beasts posed around a dark sphere.  Pointing at each in turn, the Professor begins to translate the text, beginning with the lettering above a winged beast, “Seek out the Wind Guardian, proud shining protector of the snow capped mountains, and gain her respect.”  Tracing his hoof over the relief he closely examines a depiction of a massive serpentine beast. Though somewhat abstract, it also appears familiar. “Seek out the Earth Guardian, the great and fearsome tunneller of the west, and face him with courage.”  “Ya’ll reckon that means that Tatzlwurm critter?” Sunny Saddles asks, but A K Yearling raises a hoof to pause her question, keeping her focus instead on Trotter. “What does the last one say, Professor?”  The green Pegasus steps aside to reveal a third relief, this time of a great fiery drake atop a stony peak, “Seek out the Fire Guardian, atop his southern spire, and share in his joy.”  Scratching the stubble on his chin, Lucky Harvest tilts his head to the side, “What does it all mean though Professor?”  “It means we need to find the Guardians,” Yearling affirms, taking her parchment and charcoal out to rub a copy of the tablet, “And before Caballeron figures this out himself.”  Trotter snorts, “That greedy middleman only wants to sell the artifacts to the highest bidder, I won’t stand for it. I’m close to finding the entrance to the Umberfoal.” He hangs his head slightly, staring down at a tablet, “Yearling, I know I haven’t always been the best friend, but if you’re willing to help an old fool I could use your help, just one more time.” Smiling a heroic grin, the tan coated Pegasus places a hoof on her old friend’s shoulder, “You know I’ll help,” she looks back at the group beaming, “We all will!”  “Darn tooting we will!” Sunny cheers, practically bucking with excited anticipation, “Where do we start?”  Yearling looks over the stone tablets, “It will take some time to translate these locations. We’d better set up camp here for the night, it’s already getting dark. We can come up with a plan in the morning.”  Nodding in agreement, Lucky begins to look about the cave, stacking some sticks for a fire and rolling out a bedroll. Towering nearby, the wall of tablets and reliefs somewhat ominously stares down, offering an unknown portense for what’s to come. 

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Author’s Note: I hope to begin posting more regularly again now that my life schedule has settled down some. Thank you all for your continued patience and support! 

[steelsongrpg]

It Belongs in a Museum (Part 4)

In the dim light of the cave you scuffle with Professor Trotter, in short order exchanging blow, scrapes and minor concussions before the professor is disarmed. Backing away from the group, scowling, Trotter stands firm with gritted teeth, staring down the group of trespassers.  “Professor, please!” Sunny Saddles pleads, trying her best to defuse the stand off, “We’ve been worried sick about ya! Y’all’ve been missin’ for weeks!”  Snorting, Trotter stamps the rocky ground, “I wasn’t missing, I was protecting my research. It belongs in a museum, not sold to line Caballeron’s pockets!” 

“What are you talking about Professor?” Lucky Harvest steps forward, joining Sunny, “The Doc’s been looking out for all of us, he funded our whole expedition himself.” 

“But not for our benefit,” A K Yearling steps into the lantern light, pulling off her red framed glasses, “Caballeron wants to find Umberfoal for himself.” Sunny and Lucky exchange confused looks, while Trotter looks immediately relieved, an exhausted sigh leaving him, “Yearling, you’re safe. I thought I’d lost you.”  Smirking, Yearling steps closer to her old friend, “It’ll take more than a pack of Diamond Dogs to stop me.” She gestures to you and the other ponies nearby, “I was only able to continue your research thanks to our new friends. They made finding you possible. I trust them professor, do you still trust me?”  “Of course,” Trotter affirms, nodding solemnly, “It seems I owe you all an apology. I wasn’t sure there were any good ponies left in the Badlands. Please, forgive me.”  Trotter goes around the group, shaking hooves and helping bandage the injuries from your earlier scuffle. Pulling a scroll of rubbings from her satchel, Yearling rolls them out on the rough ground, “Professor, we found an obelisk surrounded by tablets at Site A, do you know what they mean?”  Nodding, the professor turns the lantern’s beam to shine on a large tablet leaning against the cave wall, “Yes, the last piece to unlocking the Umberfoal.” His voice drops to a whisper “The final obstacle to a lifetime of research.”  Crowding around, you and the archaeologists look at the stone carving. Yearling’s eyes slowly widen as she translates the Olde Ponish script.    “The Trials of the Badlands!” 

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