Hello and welcome, everyone. This portion of your meta is being hosted by yours truly! I'm breaking character for a moment just to explain the rules and game mechanics, because this isn't just your standard CYOA. Rather, this is an RNG-driven group exploration! What that means is that you'll roll in order to get a general description of the event that happens to your character, then you need to respond to that. Events will happen either individually (resulting in stuff just for you), or as a group (unlocking content for everyone!)
To play, you must:
Roll a die. The die that you roll depends on the active chart, so make sure to check the active chart section!
Find your event. Read carefully if anything happens to you, and follow any instructions that the prompt gives you!
Edit the last post you rolled in. You must write a small response after your rolls for the day, detailing everything that happened.[/I]
Track your own finds. If you roll prizes or events, you should be keeping track of those post numbers and the post you rolled the number in. We will not go hunting it down for you, and if you don't have the link you will not have any prizes validated.
Ping as directed. Certain prompts will tell you to ping me. Do this in a new post, as well as in the meta channel in Discord if you're part of the chat. I will not see unlocks if not pinged about them, and the game will not progress!
It might seem a little intimidating at first, but I promise you it's simple. Roll, write, and ping staff - and of course, enjoy the game!
Rules
You may roll five times per day, resetting at midnight Central time. If we decide to up the number, we'll let you know!
You must write at least one hundred words for your summary post.
You may ping me as directed before writing your post - if you land on a prize space, for instance, feel free to ping me then write your response, but you will not get your prize until after your post has been written.
Do not ping for any prompts that don't say to; if you have a question, ask in #ask-staff or the main shop thread. For prizes like AP or Specter Tickets, just track those! You'll be able to turn them in at the end.
Pay attention to the latest posts and look out for STOP posts. Any rolls done after a STOP post may be invalidated if the current chart changes, so you don't want to waste any writing.
Remember to track your own rolls for prizes and finds! I cannot stress this enough, you will not be allowed to claim anything if you do not keep track of your posts!
[CENTER][B][SIZE=36px][I][COLOR=rgb(85, 209, 121)][FONT=Conspiracy]EVERYONE, STOP ROLLING![/FONT][/COLOR][/I][/SIZE][/B][/CENTER]
[b]Link to where you rolled a STOP[/b]: please link
[b]Link to any requirement rolls[/b]: if your STOP states that you need an item (like "If you have x..."), link to where you rolled that requirement item
@polliwoggi
PRIZE CLAIM Form
Code:
[CENTER][COLOR=rgb(254, 139, 239)][FONT=ChocolateBox][SIZE=24px]Hey, I found a thing![/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER]
[b]Roll where you earned a prize[/b]: please link
[b]Link to any requirement rolls[/b]: if your prize states that you need an item (like "If you have x..."), link to where you rolled that requirement item
@polliwoggi
GHOST TEAR LOCATED Form
Code:
[CENTER][COLOR=rgb(190, 157, 251)][FONT=Belligerent Madness][SIZE=24px]Something creepy this way comes ...[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER]
[b]Link to where you rolled a Ghost Tear[/b]:
@polliwoggi
It seems as though your discovery of the stala-maze was a step in the right direction! While the cave doesn't look particularly different on the other side, you can tell there's no other way into the vaulting chamber beyond but through that passageway the colorful spores-splashes led you through. Your search continues from here, though you have to wonder just how far from home you are at this point. Will you be able to get back?
"It's starting to come back to me, now, I think. We'll need to make sure the-- the bridge, oh, what's it called? Bah - anyway, the bridge, it'll need to come down. You're not - well, just, trust me, you won't be able to continue without it. If I've been gone so long then..."
The pony seems preoccupied, then, muttering to himself, but at least you have an idea of what you're looking for.
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
2
Stalactite attack!
You're startled by a drop of icy-cold something running down your back... only to discover it was simply a drop of water from a rock above. Whew, but also cold!
3
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
4
A jeering giggle
You hear the sounds of someone giggling at you, but you can't place from where. It helps you little, but it does give you a good chill down your spine.
5
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
6
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
7
Skin-crawling skittering
You hear something scuttling on the rock above, but when you tilt your head up, you see nothing there. Something about the way it sounded makes your skin crawl, and you can't wait to get out of this place. You just hope whatever's past this isn't as creepy as the cave...
8
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
9
Unexpected visages?
You find a strange fungus in the shape of what you're fairly certain is a celebrity's head. Or maybe it's a piece of broccoli? You're not certain, but it'll make a fun story anyway.
Gain +1AP.
10
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
11
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
12
A crystalline pool
Squeezing through a couple of particularly tight paths in the cave, you come across a wondrous sight. It's a nearly spherical room with a beautiful pool of water in the center, equally round. The area is lit not my the bioluminescence of the mushrooms you've grown accustomed to, but instead by some source of light in the center of the water.
Against your better judgment, you dip a single touch into the pool - and immediately a brilliant pulse of light swells and bursts out of the fluid; the water itself ripples with the force, though it makes no sound. As quickly as it came, it is gone again, however - seeming to pour into the very walls of the cave and literally trickling away down the hall you just came from.
Left in total darkness, you have to wonder - what the--?
Please immediately copy and post the STOP form from the beginning of this thread into a new post. If you are in the Discord, please ping polliwoggi in the meta channel as well.
13
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
14
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
15
Stalactite attack!
You're startled by a drop of icy-cold something running down your back... only to discover it was simply a drop of water from a rock above. Whew, but also cold!
16
A curious echo
You can hear some of the others talking behind you, but the cavern walls make their voices bounce and echo in the strangest of ways. It certainly makes everything seem livelier than it actually is, though whether or not that's a good thing ...
17
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
18
A broken bridge?
You hope this isn't what you're supposed to be looking for... You leave the safety of the mushrooms' light for a short bit, walking away down a darkened path - only to find a towering set of purposefully carved pillars next to a gaping chasm. You can't see across it, but you can tell that there seem to be two purposefully carved indentations on the pillars. It's definitely not a bridge, though - at best, it's a crumbling mess between the two of them.
There's something missing here, you're sure of it.
19
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
20
A soothing scent ...
Something in the air hits you suddenly and intensely; it's a smell, something you can't identify but reminds you of somewhere you might call home. It makes an ache form deep in your chest, squeezing as though it might wrench your heart from your body; desperately you want to find the source, the whole of your being wracked by an intense need to satisfy that overwhelming nostalgia.
...imagine your surprise when you realize it's coming from a patch of mold. Ew.
Gain +1 AP.
21
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
22
ERROR
As you turn back down a tunnel, you swear you see something pass in front of you. A second later, you swear that you saw it again, out of the corner of your eye; as soon as you resolve it to be nothing more than tricks of the light, you feel a great sense of impending doom wash over you. You realize you don't know where you are, what you're doing, why--
Wait, no, it's passed. Whew. And what's that on the ground?
Please immediately copy and paste the GHOST TEAR LOCATED form into this thread! This may only be claimed 3 times.
23
A thought occurs to you...
While you've seen a few things here and there, don't caves usually have more, you know, inhabitants?
24
Ouch!
You stub your foot on a sharp rock, sending you reeling in pain. It doesn't seem like there's any permanent damage, but that's definitely doing to leave a mark for a little while.
Once a day: -1 Rolls (if you have any left)
25
A jeering giggle
You hear the sounds of someone giggling at you, but you can't place from where. It helps you little, but it does give you a good chill down your spine.
26
A much-needed snack
You come across one of your other team members, and after a few minutes of talking, they offer you a delicious looking cookie. You eat it happily, grateful for something to munch on.
This one seems to be plain sugar!
Once a day: Gain +1 rolls
27
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
28
Glimmering lights
A patch of softly glowing bioluminescent plants casts a beautiful twinkle on the wet ceiling above. You wonder if you'll ever see anything like it again once you return home. If you return home - a thought that somewhat dampens your spirits, though you still appreciate the sight.
Gain +1 AP.
29
A crystalline pool
Squeezing through a couple of particularly tight paths in the cave, you come across a wondrous sight. It's a nearly spherical room with a beautiful pool of water in the center, equally round. The area is lit not my the bioluminescence of the mushrooms you've grown accustomed to, but instead by some source of light in the center of the water.
Against your better judgment, you dip a single touch into the pool - and immediately a brilliant pulse of light swells and bursts out of the fluid; the water itself ripples with the force, though it makes no sound. As quickly as it came, it is gone again, however - seeming to pour into the very walls of the cave and literally trickling away down the hall you just came from.
Left in total darkness, you have to wonder - what the--?
Please immediately copy and post the STOP form from the beginning of this thread into a new post. If you are in the Discord, please ping polliwoggi in the meta channel as well.
30
An odd find
Folded in half and tucked under a rock, you find a small ticket to some event. You're not sure what that's about, but you decide to take it with you. It might come in handy, eh?
First visit only: Gain +1 Specter Ticket
31
Unexpected visages?
You find a strange fungus in the shape of what you're fairly certain is a celebrity's head. Or maybe it's a piece of broccoli? You're not certain, but it'll make a fun story anyway.
Gain +1AP.
32
A curious echo
You can hear some of the others talking behind you, but the cavern walls make their voices bounce and echo in the strangest of ways. It certainly makes everything seem livelier than it actually is, though whether or not that's a good thing ...
33
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
34
Walking in a cave ...
... is surprisingly boring, as long as the ground stays level.
35
Skin-crawling skittering
You hear something scuttling on the rock above, but when you tilt your head up, you see nothing there. Something about the way it sounded makes your skin crawl, and you can't wait to get out of this place. You just hope whatever's past this isn't as creepy as the cave...
36
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
37
A thought occurs to you...
While you've seen a few things here and there, don't caves usually have more, you know, inhabitants?
38
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
39
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
40
Stalactite attack!
You're startled by a drop of icy-cold something running down your back... only to discover it was simply a drop of water from a rock above. Whew, but also cold!
41
Walking in a cave ...
... is surprisingly boring, as long as the ground stays level.
42
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
43
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
44
Delicious experiment
Despite the very well grounded advice that you should never eat a mushroom you can't identify, the aroma of one particularly plump specimen simply tempts you more than you can bare. You chomp down on its delicious, candylike appearance as though it's the most natural thing in the world ...
And thankfully, you don't die. You got lucky, this time.
Once per day: +1 roll
45
A curious echo
You can hear some of the others talking behind you, but the cavern walls make their voices bounce and echo in the strangest of ways. It certainly makes everything seem livelier than it actually is, though whether or not that's a good thing ...
46
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
47
Ouch!
You stub your foot on a sharp rock, sending you reeling in pain. It doesn't seem like there's any permanent damage, but that's definitely doing to leave a mark for a little while.
Once a day: -1 Rolls (if you have any left)
48
Unexpected visages?
You find a strange fungus in the shape of what you're fairly certain is a celebrity's head. Or maybe it's a piece of broccoli? You're not certain, but it'll make a fun story anyway.
Gain +1AP.
49
A jeering giggle
You hear the sounds of someone giggling at you, but you can't place from where. It helps you little, but it does give you a good chill down your spine.
50
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
Chart #1 - Roll 1d20
[/CENTER]
Bickering aside, the majority of your group decide to continue following the guide. Your path leads you into darker territory, which you are assured is expected. Jagged, grey-and-teal rocks are beginning to mound and jut from the otherwise fairly navigable territory, and it's clear to see that the direction he's bringing you heads straight into even more dangerous terrain.
"The tunnels," he explains, finally, after enough murmuring and dissent can be heard that he can't possibly ignore it, "take us through to the other side. You wouldn't expect royalty to live somewhere wholly unprotected, would you? It shouldn't be nearly as bad as you all seem to think, though."
A split in the claustrophobic path seems to give your 'leader' pause, though, and he clears his throat with the flick of an ear before tilting his head back to glance behind. Another moment, followed by a turn of the head and one more has him turning to face the ones he's leading.
"W-well, I know we're supposed to go through here... but I can't quite remember the path. Maybe we should split up, meet back here in an hour and see what we've found?"
You should have known this wasn't going to be effortless, shouldn't you?
You find a patch of glowing mushrooms in an alcove along the path you're investigating. They smell delicious, but you know better than to eat odd fungi.
Once a day: +1 Roll gained!
2
Another branch?
You follow one path down, only to find it splitting into another set. It takes some time for you to make sure you know your way back before continuing.
3
The path continues ...
Nobody told you that you'd be roaming through grubby caves today, did they? Royalty, you swear.
4
Was that a sound?
You swear you heard something skitter off into the darkness, but you didn't get a glimpse of what it was, and the hole you heard it from is too small for you to enter.
5
Freezing chill!
You pass through an area where the temperature drops to near-freezing. You give a shiver, wondering where the heck that came from! When you step back into it, the cold patch is still there.
First visit only: +1 AP
6
Rocks fall, everybody... is fine.
Squeezing through a narrow passageway, you're terrified for a moment as a few harmless rocks tumble down on top of your head. Thankfully, nothing worse happens, and after a few moments you feel safe to continue.
7
Someone's been here?
In a small alcove along a narrow side passage, you spot the soft glow of something that isn't a mushroom. Upon investigation, you realize it's a small slip of paper - how did that get here?
First visit only: +1 Specter Ticket
8
It's so quiet ...
For a little while, you lose track of your group, and it strikes you how deathly quiet this cave system is. With chills running along your spine, you hurry back to make sure you know where everyone is.
9
Weird little critter.
Your exploration takes a pause as you notice something overhead. After a few moments of curious squinting, you decide the best you can describe it as is some kind of big, furry spider - with no eyes. You've almost decided that it's actually just another mushroom before it notices you and skitters off. Creepy.
10
Dead end!
One of the side passages along the main tunnel you've chosen drops sharply into an inky black abyss. Not willing to see how far down it goes, you turn back to search elsewhere.
11
The path continues ...
Blue, grey, teal - all these rocks are starting to blur together. It feels like you've been walking for hours, even if it's only been minutes.
12
The path continues ...
You wonder what you're going to have for dinner. This is taking a while - did anyone pack snacks?
13
The cave widens!
After following your chosen path for a time, the tightly squeezed corridors open up into a smoother, larger cave. There is something of note here - a lantern on a roughly hewn pedestal, glowing with a sputtering light from some unknown source. Excited by the sign of civilization, you retrace your steps back to the meeting place, calling to the others as you go. That has to be the correct path!
Please immediately copy and post the STOP form from the beginning of this thread into a new post. If you are in the Discord, please ping polliwoggi in the meta channel as well.
14
A well worn walkway.
Peering down at the ground, you realize the dirt beneath you seems to be tightly packed and worn in such a way that suggests heavy use. Touching it reveals that the long-forgotten hoofprints seem to be carved into the rock itself, as though this way were used by many feet long ago.
15
Shiny stones.
Along one wall, you notice a slight glimmer; upon further investigation, you realize that it's coming from the wall itself! A small seam of glittering material seems to be buried inside or - well, maybe just within the stone itself. You follow it for a bit, winding up in a small, but beautiful little cavern whose walls positively shimmer with the metallic flecks and streaks within. You have to wonder if this is some kind of valuable stuff, but with no way - or time - to take it with you, you're left only with the memory as you continue onward.
First visit only: +1 AP
16
Claustrophobia!
The walls seem to be narrower and narrower, until you're quite literally squeezing through spaces to continue. It's only once you start to go through an even narrower space that you realize this is absolute madness; fearing being stuck, an intense sense of dread wells up inside of you - but thankfully, you manage to back out before really getting trapped.
17
Slippery rocks!
A part of the path you're on is weirdly slippery; only after you've made a good show of catching your balance do you realize there's some kind of liquid dripping from the ceiling here.
18
Taking a rest.
Even though you know it hasn't been that long, you find yourself feeling terribly weary. Giving in to the urge, you find a nice rock to sit on and rest your bones - which, for some reason, feel like they're a million years old. The sit does you some good, though, and in a few minutes you're ready to go again!
Once a day: +1 Roll
19
Distant echoes.
You can hear the sounds of your group echoing through the passageways, their words and sounds becoming eerily muffled as they bounce and blend together. At least, you assume it's their sounds ...
20
Hello, traveler.
As you turn a corner, you come face to face with another pony. You startle, then realize it must be another explorer, so you laugh and apologize; soon after, though, their unsettling stare starts to creep at your spine, so you excuse yourself to continue traveling. After a few seconds, you realize you've never seen them before - but on returning to that spot, they've vanished without a trace.
First time only: +1 AP
Chart #2 - Roll 1d50 (Update A)
"Yes... yes, that's right!"
Once your group is reassembled, news of the found lantern spreads quickly. Your guide seems excited, almost to the point of being agitated, by hearing of it. It's as though you've given him something he thought lost - perhaps the lot of you have, from the looks of it. He hurriedly urges you all to that space, stomping the ground happily once he sees the lamp, though his excitement seems to dampen after a moment of observing that unearthly light.
"No one's been through here in quite a while... look, the wisp is almost dead."
He sighs, then shakes his head and flicks one ear in determination.
"All the more reason to hurry it up, I suppose. These tunnels should open up into a much wider cave, if I remember correctly. We're looking for a - a stone archway, that's it. Purposefully built, you know? If we're lucky, it won't be locked..."
He clears his throat, then grins assuredly.
"Well, if it is locked we'll just have to find our way through somehow, right? Let's get looking."
Roll
........
Which Event Occurs
......................................................................
Explanation/Description of Event
...............................................................................................................................
1
Pretty mushrooms.
You find a patch of glowing mushrooms in an alcove along the path you're investigating. They smell delicious, but you know better than to eat odd fungi.
Once a day: +1 Roll gained!
2
Another branch?
You follow one path down, only to find it splitting into another set. It takes some time for you to make sure you know your way back before continuing.
3
The path continues ...
Nobody told you that you'd be roaming through grubby caves today, did they? Royalty, you swear.
4
Was that a sound?
You swear you heard something skitter off into the darkness, but you didn't get a glimpse of what it was, and the hole you heard it from is too small for you to enter.
5
Freezing chill!
You pass through an area where the temperature drops to near-freezing. You give a shiver, wondering where the heck that came from! When you step back into it, the cold patch is still there.
First visit only: +1 AP
6
Rocks fall, everybody... is fine.
Squeezing through a narrow passageway, you're terrified for a moment as a few harmless rocks tumble down on top of your head. Thankfully, nothing worse happens, and after a few moments you feel safe to continue.
7
Someone's been here?
In a small alcove along a narrow side passage, you spot the soft glow of something that isn't a mushroom. Upon investigation, you realize it's a small slip of paper - how did that get here?
First visit only: +1 Specter Ticket
8
It's so quiet ...
For a little while, you lose track of your group, and it strikes you how deathly quiet this cave system is. With chills running along your spine, you hurry back to make sure you know where everyone is.
9
Weird little critter.
Your exploration takes a pause as you notice something overhead. After a few moments of curious squinting, you decide the best you can describe it as is some kind of big, furry spider - with no eyes. You've almost decided that it's actually just another mushroom before it notices you and skitters off. Creepy.
10
Dead end!
One of the side passages along the main tunnel you've chosen drops sharply into an inky black abyss. Not willing to see how far down it goes, you turn back to search elsewhere.
11
The path continues ...
Blue, grey, teal - all these rocks are starting to blur together. It feels like you've been walking for hours, even if it's only been minutes.
12
The path continues ...
You wonder what you're going to have for dinner. This is taking a while - did anyone pack snacks?
13
The path continues ...
You find yourself ... back at the lantern once more. Are these tunnels loops, or something?
14
A well worn walkway.
Peering down at the ground, you realize the dirt beneath you seems to be tightly packed and worn in such a way that suggests heavy use. Touching it reveals that the long-forgotten hoofprints seem to be carved into the rock itself, as though this way were used by many feet long ago.
15
Shiny stones.
Along one wall, you notice a slight glimmer; upon further investigation, you realize that it's coming from the wall itself! A small seam of glittering material seems to be buried inside or - well, maybe just within the stone itself. You follow it for a bit, winding up in a small, but beautiful little cavern whose walls positively shimmer with the metallic flecks and streaks within. You have to wonder if this is some kind of valuable stuff, but with no way - or time - to take it with you, you're left only with the memory as you continue onward.
First visit only: +1 AP
16
Claustrophobia!
The walls seem to be narrower and narrower, until you're quite literally squeezing through spaces to continue. It's only once you start to go through an even narrower space that you realize this is absolute madness; fearing being stuck, an intense sense of dread wells up inside of you - but thankfully, you manage to back out before really getting trapped.
17
Slippery rocks!
A part of the path you're on is weirdly slippery; only after you've made a good show of catching your balance do you realize there's some kind of liquid dripping from the ceiling here.
18
Taking a rest.
Even though you know it hasn't been that long, you find yourself feeling terribly weary. Giving in to the urge, you find a nice rock to sit on and rest your bones - which, for some reason, feel like they're a million years old. The sit does you some good, though, and in a few minutes you're ready to go again!
Once a day: +1 Roll
19
Distant echoes.
You can hear the sounds of your group echoing through the passageways, their words and sounds becoming eerily muffled as they bounce and blend together. At least, you assume it's their sounds ...
20
Hello, traveler.
As you turn a corner, you come face to face with another pony. You startle, then realize it must be another explorer, so you laugh and apologize; soon after, though, their unsettling stare starts to creep at your spine, so you excuse yourself to continue traveling. After a few seconds, you realize you've never seen them before - but on returning to that spot, they've vanished without a trace.
First time only: +1 AP
21
Cool, refreshing water.
You find a small spring in a crevice along one side of the tunnel, spilling out crystal-clear water that disappears into a hole in the ground to who-knows-where. Tired and thirsty, you take a long sip of the welcome drink; the crisp taste revitalizes you to continue your journey!
Once a day: +1 Roll gained
22
Close calls!
Though the guide assured you the caves were definitely safe, you disagree; one wrong turn finds you trapped behind a wall of mud and rock! Thankfully, it doesn't seem like the collapse was terribly large, and with a bit of effort you free yourself - but wow, that could have been a lot worse.
23
The path continues ...
Even though it's only been a few hours, you find yourself missing the sunlight. This place is dark, and even with lights you can only see a few feet in front of you at any given time.
24
A pretty crystal in the sand.
As you walk along, you accidentally kick a patch of sandy ground - and with it, something hard beneath. After a moment of grumbling about nearly tripping, you see what you 'discovered' - a small, well-formed crystal of some sort, glimmering with an inner light. You decide to take it with you, just in case.
First time only: Gain Glowing Crystal
25
The path continues ...
A droplet of water hits your nose from a protrusion above. Are those stalactites, or stalagmites? It's always so hard to remember.
26
Deceptively dark water.
As you continue your search, you come across a puddle of water in your path - only to realize upon further inspection that it's really quite a bit of water. You don't see anything in it, but it stretches forward as far as your light extends. It doesn't look too deep, however, and assuming it to be nothing more than ankle-deep you step boldly into it, determined to continue, only to find yourself splashing down squarely to hip level! After a bit of panic you skitter out of the water, now thoroughly soaked and wholly convinced not to trust the depth of any cave pools again.
First time only: +1 AP
27
The path continues ...
As you walk, you hum a little tune to yourself. You try to convince yourself that the returned sound you hear is just the cave echoing your song, but echoes don't get notes wrong, do they? ... you stop humming soon after.
28
A creepy conundrum.
Moving along, you come across a small lump of fuzzy floor. Uncertain if it's moss, mushroom, or something else, you curiously toss a rock at the mound - only to be rewarded with the sudden knowledge that the mount isn't floor at all, but instead a collection of furry arachnids that shuffle and scuttle at your action, but soon settle back into the same roadblock they were in before. The path continues beyond, but that would mean stepping over - or into - the horde.
In the end, you choose to turn around. Who knows if those things are dangerous?
29
Worrisome whispers!
As you pause to peer at the ceiling, checking the low material for any signs of weakness before you continue, you swear you could hear the sounds of another pony near you. However, spin and search as you might, you can't seem to find the source. If that's not bad enough, now you're hearing voices - or at least, whispers. You can't quite make out what's being said, but you're certain that it's something; is someone playing a joke on you?
First time only: +1 AP
30
The path continues ...
There sure are a lot of rocks in a cave, aren't there?
31
The path continues ...
You pass by a load of fallen stones and mud - good thing that didn't trap you, right? Scary to think about; isn't this place supposed to be safe?
32
Unusual carving?
In an otherwise nondescript section of the wall, you find a small carving of what looks like a crown with a ">P" face beside it. Now who would put that there?
33
Spicy mushrooms!
The way before you lights up with a glow in the distance as you turn a winding corner, and curiously you head towards the light. It's a bit eerie, being a low, dark red, but as you approach it you realize it's just a cluster of mushrooms. You pass by them without too much thought, but a sharp smell hits your nose - and suddenly you're very tired. Maybe you should be more careful of strange mushies!
Once a day: -1 Rolls (if you have any left)
34
Broken shards?
You find what appears to be broken glass - or maybe crystal? - on the ground. It's too shattered to be of any use, but it begs the question ... what caused it?
35
A magical disturbance.
You find an odd sight here - a carving of a skull, set into the stone itself. Pure magical energy seems to be gushing from its mouth, disappearing in a basin below. You decide not to mess with it for now.
36
The path continues ...
Your legs are getting tired. How deep are these caves, anyway?
37
The path continues ...
If your life was a narrative, you're fairly certain that the author would be tired of writing about tunnels and rocks by now.
38
A slippery slope!
One wrong step can mean disaster in tunnels like this - and you find that out very quickly. You don't notice that the path dips below you, and seconds later you are slip-sliding down a steep slope into the darkness below. Thankfully, it doesn't go too far, and you're mostly unharmed besides some minor scrapes, but it does take quite a while to get back up, as there's not enough room to fly (if you're able!) and you keep slipping back down.
Once a day: -1 Roll (if you have any left)
39
Someone's cranky!
You come across two others from your group engaged in a heated argument over ... something involving voices or something? You're not entirely certain, but you gather that someone heard something creepy in one of the side tunnels. You listen for a while, finding the sound of real voices preferable to the silence of the cave for a bit.
40
Chilling silence.
Suddenly, everything goes quiet, and the air around you seems to go frosty, as though you've walked into a snowdrift. It takes a moment before you realize you can't hear anything! You scurry away and the feeling fades, but you decide maybe you should search elsewhere for now.
First time only: +1 AP
41
A forgotten prize.
As you pause in a passageway, something hits your ear; you jump away from it, only to realize that it's a small, glimmering piece of paper. Where it came from, you haven't the foggiest idea, but you decide you should probably keep it just in case.
First time only: +1 Specter ticket
42
The path continues ...
You debate whether or not fame, glory, or even helping out the Queens is really worth all this spelunking.
43
The path continues ...
You start to count the pebbles as you wander. One, two ... twenty ... two hundred ... Who put so many pebbles in a tunnel made of rocks, anyway?
44
A chance encounter ...
If you have a Glowing Crystal...
After a bit of stumbling through a clearly magically enchanted too-dark area, you emerge into a nearly round chamber in the tunnels. It's quite unlike anything you've passed by before, and something about it sends chills up your spine even though it's not terribly intimidating on its own. The walls glitter with an internal light, and the ground is strewn with broken pieces of crystals, glass, or something shiny. Just as you're about to leave, a voice echoes from above.
"Where do you think you're going? You're not even going to leave me that delicious treat?"
As you back up, you find not the empty path behind you but a solid wall! Tilting your gaze up into the darkness above, you can't see what's there, but you can clearly see six bright orbs shining down on you. As fear begins to settle in, that same voice hisses out again.
"Give it to me, and maybe I'll let you out of here. Heh, heheh."
You wrack your brain for what it could possibly want, and in a stroke of lucky memory you pull out the crystal you found earlier and shakily hold it upward. In the blink of an eye, a long limb of some kind zips down and snatches it up! The only think you recognize is a low, greedy laugh as the lights in the chamber flicker out. In a blind panic, you try and run - back into the inky darkness, finding the wall once more gone from your path.
When you finally stop, you realize you're holding something you weren't before ...
Please immediately copy and paste the PRIZE CLAIM form into a new post. This prize is restricted to 3 people. If another person rolls it before lore team gets here, they will not gain a prize.
If you do not...
In your journeys, you find a small, circular chamber. Apart from its odd structure, you don't really find anything of note, so you continue on your journey.
45
A refreshing sight.
Somewhere along the way, you find a warm spot among all the chills and creeps of the tunnels. You're not sure what's causing it, but the place just feels comforting. You decide to settle down for a rest, and before you know it, you're waking up from an impromptu nap! You hope your group hasn't left you, but you definitely feel refreshed.
Once a day: +1 Rolls
46
The path continues ...
You keep running into other ponies, but unfortunately no one terribly interesting - at least not as far as the investigation goes. Someone suggests you should try mapping the cave, but the guide mutters something about that being futile. You're not quite sure what he means, though.
47
The archway!
You've found it! A great stone archway set into the cave itself, and it's been opened! The arch glows with energy, strange engravings lit up and pulsing with energy. As you hurriedly call for the group, you notice two doors seem to be pulled into either side, a large ball of magic glowing in a small depression of each. Strange, but you don't question it.
As your guide approaches, he cheers with relief.
"I didn't know if we'd be able to get it open! Wonderful! Let's hurry - the cave system beyond here is ... well, if it's like it was, it might be a little busier, anyway. At the very least we'll be out of this stupid darkness."
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48
A quiet place.
Returning to the original room with the lantern, you take a seat on a smooth rock. Resting and not scrambling around in the dark trying to find your way through, you can really appreciate the odd beauty of this place. You wonder what kind of stone it's made of, and what makes the dirt so blue?
49
The path continues ...
A breeze ripples at the back of your neck, and you pause - why is there a breeze in a cave? Try as you might, you can't seem to find a source for it.
50
Contemplating your story.
In a moment of insight, you wonder if there might be some merit to writing this whole adventure down. Sure, you haven't done anything spectacular yet, but it still makes for a weird story, right? Maybe you'll get your big break and become a famous author - Journey Into The Unknown: a Queen's Venture. You can see it now!
First time only: +1 AP
Update A said:
35 originally stated:
... well, you're not quite certain. You'd almost call it a fountain - it's a creepy one, though, as it seems to be the shape of a skull carved into the rock itself. There is a basin below, but you don't see any sort of drain, just some kind of sigil etched into the stone.
After a bit of examination, you notice what seems to be a button set inside the skull's mouth. Not having any other actions available, you push it ... and nothing happens.
At least, not for a few moments; a few seconds pass, and a deep rumbling begins. As you step back, the skull's eye sockets light up, and a flow of magical energy begins to pour from its mouth! It falls straight onto the basin below, where it seemingly soaked up by the sigil. Strange, but perhaps it's affected something somewhere else?
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47 originally stated:
You've found it! You practically jump with excitement as you come across what you surely must be looking for - a very finely crafted stone archway carved into the very rock itself. Unfortunately, that excitement is short lived as you realize that the huge, stone doors covered by the archway are firmly shut. A small indentation can be seen in the center of it, but no other signs of key usage or anything.
When you find your guide, he sighs thoroughly at the sight.
"As I thought ... We're going to have to find something to charge it up. Better get looking."
You need a source of magical energy to open this door!
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
2
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
3
Unexpected visages?
You find a strange fungus in the shape of what you're fairly certain is a celebrity's head. Or maybe it's a piece of broccoli? You're not certain, but it'll make a fun story anyway.
Gain +1AP.
4
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
5
Ouch!
You stub your foot on a sharp rock, sending you reeling in pain. It doesn't seem like there's any permanent damage, but that's definitely doing to leave a mark for a little while.
Once a day: -1 Rolls (if you have any left)
6
Patch of rainbow puffballs
Walking among the well-lit paths of the mushroom caverns seems almost dreamlike, with the colors slowly winding from cyan to deep azure, and from rippling azure to sullen violet before glimmering back to that brighter tone. How such enchanting beauty exists unknown is a fanciful topic, and perhaps suited for the easy contemplation in such a setting, but you are unfortunately diverted from your thoughts by a particularly strange misstep.
As you step down into a slight indent, you're taken by surprise as you touch down into much softer ground. Moments later, you realize it isn't ground at all as a cloud of spores rises up around you, swirling upward into the glimmering light in a wave of a thousand colors - some familiar, and some strange to your eyes. You stumble backward, coughing and sneezing, but you find that the strange spores are absolutely clinging to you, leaving you awash in new tones.
Try as you might, you can't seem to get them to come off; you only hope they give up and fall off or can be washed off eventually.
First time only: Gain Covered in spores.
7
Skin-crawling skittering
You hear something scuttling on the rock above, but when you tilt your head up, you see nothing there. Something about the way it sounded makes your skin crawl, and you can't wait to get out of this place. You just hope whatever's past this isn't as creepy as the cave...
8
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
9
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
10
A forgotten secret
In an alcove seemingly unnoted by anyone else, you find a patch of darkness covering what seems to be a small present box. The paper is torn and mildewed, and you can only guess that its recipient has long since failed to receive it. Unable to help your curiosity, you open the decrepit gift, and a small charm falls and lands silently on a mushroom cap. You pick it up and decide to take it with you.
Please immediately copy and paste the PRIZE CLAIM form into a new post. This prize is restricted to 1 persons. If another person rolls it before lore team gets here, they will not gain a prize.
11
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
12
Skin-crawling skittering
You hear something scuttling on the rock above, but when you tilt your head up, you see nothing there. Something about the way it sounded makes your skin crawl, and you can't wait to get out of this place. You just hope whatever's past this isn't as creepy as the cave...
13
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
14
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
15
Stalactite attack!
You're startled by a drop of icy-cold something running down your back... only to discover it was simply a drop of water from a rock above. Whew, but also cold!
16
A curious echo
You can hear some of the others talking behind you, but the cavern walls make their voices bounce and echo in the strangest of ways. It certainly makes everything seem livelier than it actually is, though whether or not that's a good thing ...
17
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
18
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
19
A soothing scent ...
Something in the air hits you suddenly and intensely; it's a smell, something you can't identify but reminds you of somewhere you might call home. It makes an ache form deep in your chest, squeezing as though it might wrench your heart from your body; desperately you want to find the source, the whole of your being wracked by an intense need to satisfy that overwhelming nostalgia.
...imagine your surprise when you realize it's coming from a patch of mold. Ew.
Gain +1 AP.
20
Unexpected visages?
You find a strange fungus in the shape of what you're fairly certain is a celebrity's head. Or maybe it's a piece of broccoli? You're not certain, but it'll make a fun story anyway.
Gain +1AP.
21
An odd little camp?
You come across the long-dead remnants of a forgotten camp. There is a discarded rug here, and colorful hoofprints melting into the damp ground of the cave, but nothing else of note.
22
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
23
Stalactite attack!
You're startled by a drop of icy-cold something running down your back... only to discover it was simply a drop of water from a rock above. Whew, but also cold!
24
A curious echo
You can hear some of the others talking behind you, but the cavern walls make their voices bounce and echo in the strangest of ways. It certainly makes everything seem livelier than it actually is, though whether or not that's a good thing ...
25
A thought occurs to you...
While you've seen a few things here and there, don't caves usually have more, you know, inhabitants?
26
An odd find
Folded in half and tucked under a rock, you find a small ticket to some event. You're not sure what that's about, but you decide to take it with you. It might come in handy, eh?
First visit only: Gain +1 Specter Ticket
27
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
28
Glimmering lights
A patch of softly glowing bioluminescent plants casts a beautiful twinkle on the wet ceiling above. You wonder if you'll ever see anything like it again once you return home. If you return home - a thought that somewhat dampens your spirits, though you still appreciate the sight.
Gain +1 AP.
29
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
30
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
31
Walking in a cave ...
... is surprisingly boring, as long as the ground stays level.
32
Skin-crawling skittering
You hear something scuttling on the rock above, but when you tilt your head up, you see nothing there. Something about the way it sounded makes your skin crawl, and you can't wait to get out of this place. You just hope whatever's past this isn't as creepy as the cave...
33
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
34
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
35
Buried treasure?
As you travel, you note that patches with no mushroom or lichen are actually quite rare - enough that when you see a spot of dirt with nothing on it, you pause to take a moment and examine it. As it turns out, there's a small section of stone that's actually movable, revealing a small hole in the ground with a tiny charm inside. Excitedly, you pick it up, relishing in this miniature treasure hunt you didn't know you were on!
Please immediately copy and paste the PRIZE CLAIM form into a new post. This prize is restricted to 1 persons. If another person rolls it before lore team gets here, they will not gain a prize.
36
Stalactite attack!
You're startled by a drop of icy-cold something running down your back... only to discover it was simply a drop of water from a rock above. Whew, but also cold!
37
ERROR
As you turn back down a tunnel, you swear you see something pass in front of you. A second later, you swear that you saw it again, out of the corner of your eye; as soon as you resolve it to be nothing more than tricks of the light, you feel a great sense of impending doom wash over you. You realize you don't know where you are, what you're doing, why--
Wait, no, it's passed. Whew. Everything's back to normal, now.
38
A curious echo
You can hear some of the others talking behind you, but the cavern walls make their voices bounce and echo in the strangest of ways. It certainly makes everything seem livelier than it actually is, though whether or not that's a good thing ...
39
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
40
Unexpected visages?
You find a strange fungus in the shape of what you're fairly certain is a celebrity's head. Or maybe it's a piece of broccoli? You're not certain, but it'll make a fun story anyway.
Gain +1AP.
41
A thought occurs to you...
While you've seen a few things here and there, don't caves usually have more, you know, inhabitants?
42
Nothing at all...
There's nothing here. Just more rocks.
43
A much-needed snack
You come across one of your other team members, and after a few minutes of talking, they offer you a delicious looking cookie. You eat it happily, grateful for something to munch on.
This one seems to be chocolate chip!
Once a day: Gain +1 rolls
44
A-maze-ing stalas!
You come across what appears to be a wall of stalagmites and stalactites, with barely enough space to squeeze between some of them. After popping through a couple of them, you realize you could probably get through to the other side; at first, you're about to give up and leave the area be, but you notice an odd streak of color, bright as paint, smeared across one of the rocks with a larger gap. You follow it, and soon realize that the splashes are leading you through the potentially deadly maze! With some excitement, you scurry back to round up the group - surely there must be meaning in that guide!
Please immediately copy and post the STOP form from the beginning of this thread into a new post. If you are in the Discord, please ping polliwoggi in the meta channel as well.
45
Glimmering lights
A patch of softly glowing bioluminescent plants casts a beautiful twinkle on the wet ceiling above. You wonder if you'll ever see anything like it again once you return home. If you return home - a thought that somewhat dampens your spirits, though you still appreciate the sight.
Gain +1 AP.
46
An odd find
Folded in half and tucked under a rock, you find a small ticket to some event. You're not sure what that's about, but you decide to take it with you. It might come in handy, eh?
First visit only: Gain +1 Specter Ticket
47
Walking in a cave ...
... is surprisingly boring, as long as the ground stays level.
48
It's gone now.
There's nothing here but a non-descript patch of mushroom-less dirt.
49
It's a cave
You continue your search for the way through the caverns. They really are quite rocky.
50
Beautiful luminescence
You're really quite struck by the beautiful luminescence in this section of the cavern. The mushrooms grow in strangely swirled patterns, creating an almost purposeful artistry from nature.
Stepping through the door to another dimension was surprisingly easy. No one was injured or lost in transition. They had gone the entire way so far as a group that splitting up now seemed unwise. Saga had read enough books to know what happens when you split up. As her group starting heading down the left path she could swear she heard movement in the darkness beyond, it sounded small but quick. Did this side also have dormice like creatures? As they went a little farther something skittered through the shadows into a nearby hole. Saga definitely saw it that time but what exactly was it? She paused and leaned down towards the hole trying to see inside but only saw darkness. There was that same noise of movement.. perhaps digging or scratching coming from deeper within. As much as she would like to know what was inside.. sticking her hooves into a mysterious hole seemed unwise. What if the creature bites or was poisonous? She had better catch up with the group before she was left behind still it was very curious.
Of course Saga's group would not be lucky enough to just go straight down the path and find their destination. Looking ahead their road diverged into two separate directions, a fork if you will. Saga had a horrible feeling that this was the first of many branches they would encounter. What would the world of the afterlife be if not extremely complicated and convoluted trying to get from point A to point B. With a heavy sigh she reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a note book trying to keep a running mini map of their path so when an hour had pasted they could simply do the track in reverse to get back. Hopefully someone else had a watch. Hopefully time flowed normally here so they could even keep track of the time.
Lydia had been snapping discreet pictures for the entire trip, so the fact they had to diverge into separating tunnels did little to alter her mood. She was here and had permission to get a few clear pictures, and that was exactly what she was going to do. Flash turned off, of course, as she didn't want to startle anyone... man, she was getting peckish. Turning back seemed wiser then pressing on into the unknown, at least for now.
Bloodless was quivering beside their mate, though with fear or excitement, one couldn't be sure. However, upon entering the tunnels, they heard a little scuffling sound to their side. Jumping slightly in place, they slowly leaned down to look at the floor, finding a small little hole in the side of the tunnel.
"Well, at least whatever it was is tiny, meaning it can't harm us," they said softly, before whipping their tail slightly nervously.
After shrugging off the little hole they found, Bloodless continued down the tunnel they had started in. After some time, they found that it branched off again. For a moment, they stood and looked down both tunnels, blood red orbs glittering with a combination of curiosity and anxiousness, before they slowly turned around and trotted back to the group.
On one hand, a digital camera came in handy for seeing which paths she had already come down. On the other, she was pretty sure she took a picture of this fork about 3 turns back and there was no way she'd got turned around.... or had she. Lydia groaned in frustration and decided to head back the way she came, either to reroute onto a new path, with NEW pictures, or maybe just to get back to the starting meetup point. Either way, this little mission was proving to be more difficult than she'd thought it'd be.
Having found the group again, Bloodless hovered beside their partner quietly. These tunnels, perhaps they would not be as straight forward as Abe had hoped. After all, he did say something about how things had changed. They were not supposed to, according to him, but it seemed they had. Hopefully having such a large group of ponies together would help keep them safe, after world or not.[/B]
Another try, another tunnel, more pictures... but this time she found herself in a cave? In awe over the dangling stalactites, she took a few extra pictures for herself and prayed the moisture that seemed to cling to the air wouldn't damage her equipment. Sighing, she almost tripped in the dark, and figured heading back was better than trying to use a flashing light to see into the dark recesses of the cave. She grumbled to herself the entire way back to the start, a bit miffed that so far, a ghost had yet to cross her path.
They couldn't have been walking for that long though the path seemed to go on for hours and Saga was feeling really worn down. She considered just flying ahead of the others but decided to just sit and rest her hooved for a moment instead. It seems she wasn't the only one feeling is way as the rest of her group agreed it was a good time to take a break. The group chatted briefly about what they thought of the new land and theorized about what the leaders of this realm must be like. Saga was also curious about this... would they be grandiose alicorns like the Alicorns of the Seasons? Perhaps. For now they needed to carry on and see if they could find those tunnels.
Saga doubled back to the place she just was. She had only turned her back for a moment but the pony she had just been starring her down had vanished. That definitely wasn't any of the ponies from the haunted house. She looked around but the only other ponies in sight were her group coming up the path behind her. The mysteriously creepy figure had vanished into thin air as if they themselves were... a ghost. This was some form of afterlife though so perhaps there were spirits that just wandered. Thats awfully un-easing if that is the case. Do you think they are upset to see the living in their home?
Another pathway into the darkness, Lydia sighed to herself, feeling along the walls to get some semblance of direction for where she was going. The tight spaces were almost claustrophobia-inducing, and a few times she had to duck to avoid some unseen obstacle, but what greeted her at the other wide of one such squashed moment was the soft glow of something she hadn't expected. And she was beyond ecstatic. Quickly snapping a picture for proof, she took a look around to make sure it wasn't some kind of trick, and began to mutter to herself about which paths she had taken to get there and.... ugh, squeezing back through to the meeting place to show off her discovery.
Hopefully everyone was roughly the same size....
Once your group is reassembled, news of the found lantern spreads quickly. Your guide seems excited, almost to the point of being agitated, by hearing of it. It's as though you've given him something he thought lost - perhaps the lot of you have, from the looks of it. He hurriedly urges you all to that space, stomping the ground happily once he sees the lamp, though his excitement seems to dampen after a moment of observing that unearthly light.
"No one's been through here in quite a while... look, the wisp is almost dead."
He sighs, then shakes his head and flicks one ear in determination.
"All the more reason to hurry it up, I suppose. These tunnels should open up into a much wider cave, if I remember correctly. We're looking for a - a stone archway, that's it. Purposefully built, you know? If we're lucky, it won't be locked..."
He clears his throat, then grins assuredly.
"Well, if it is locked we'll just have to find our way through somehow, right? Let's get looking."
'Let's get looking' indeed. Lydia was brimming with excitement to find traces of this archway he spoke of, just imagining ways they could've done it. Well, I mean sure, it could be done with hoof and effort, but they were ghosts. Maybe they could phase through segments or something..... Hold on.
Her gaze dropped to the ground when the dirt started to get a little firmer under hoof, and she looked at it up close to see the hoofprints left in the packed earth. Could ghosts leave such heavy marks from travelling so much? Pondering it over, she took a picture anyway, sure it might come in handy later if this proved to be the right path.
No sooner had she thought to have found a clue, she was right back to where she'd started. Where had it gone wrong? She stomped her hoof in frustration. She'd gotten lost twice now, despite having a camera at the ready to double-check familiar surroundings, and it was getting a little tiring at this point. With a sigh, she looked around and looked for a new route to take, not giving up when they'd gotten into signs of.... well, not life, but something not quite dead, and she wasn't going back now.
It's so quiet in the cave which she stumbled upon. The silence seems like it goes on for eternity and it brings a bit of uneasiness to her. She has gotten lost and had strayed from the group and this is distressing. How far had she wandered? She doesn't know but it seems to be a ways. So she turns back and scurries off to go find the others from where she had wandered off. Maybe she would like to stick with someone. It seems very easy to lose ones way.
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