Help a dweller of the wilderness make friends!
The peek of morning sunlight into your small, subterranean abode wakes you from your slumber. Your eyelids open asynchronously as they steadily adjust to the light, the stone surface before you a blur before its cracks and crevices take shape. A prolonged yawn escapes your mouth as you sit upward from the sediment floor, stretch your arms, and scratch the side of your head. Your hands meet the ground as you lean back and take stock of your belongings: a poncho, a hood, and a satchel filled with flowers.As you sit before what little you have--and every time you do so each morning--you mind conjures the taste of those sweet berries mother would greet you with when you awoke. You haven't eaten anything so good in the ten cycles since the last time you saw her. What you manage to forage lacks taste in comparison, but you would rather settle with your pickings than starve. The last of your sundried berries ran out yesterday night, so it looks like another Scavenging Day today.You stand up, don your clothes and bag, and venture outside the confines of your cave. Stepping just beyond its mouth, you are greeted byChoose one:> the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.> the oppressive heat of the sun, grains of sand beneath your feet, and pale brush and cacti as far as the eye can see.> the gentle ocean breeze, crashing of waves, and the swaying of palm trees along a shore.> distant peaks, rivers, and valleys, stretching far below at the feet of your mountain.---Welcome to Cryptid Kid Quest! This is my first time as a QM, so I'm hoping to get practice by starting with something simple yet ideally entertaining. I expect this to be a one-shot, but if you guys like it enough, I'll think about making it a series! Ultimately, this is my attempt at writing practice and getting used to managing a quest, so please give me feedback and tell me what I could be doing better. Free time will be limited later this year, so posts may become less frequent if this thread somehow manages to last several months. Nevertheless, I hope that the premise of this story is enough to hook your interest. Cheers!
>>6433114>> the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.
>>6433110>the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.Welcome aboard, OP. Feel free to ask the thread too if you have any questions about QMing.
>>6433114>the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.
>>6433114> the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.
>>6433114>> the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.Woodland creature (:
>>6433114> distant peaks, rivers, and valleys, stretching far below at the feet of your mountain.
>>6433114> the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.I just love forests.
Thanks for joining in, guys. I'll try to post at least 1-2 times a day, but I may post more often whenever I have more time or have a creative spurt.>>6433117I appreciate the support!--->>6433114Stepping just beyond its mouth, you are greeted by the dense canopy of red, giant trees that dim the incline of dirt and foliage below.Bark and branches crunch beneath your feet as you inspect the area around your humble home. The sparse group of berry bushes that surround the cave are already picked dry, both by you and your four-legged neighbors in the forest. Though the giant trees prevent you from seeing very far from your location, hopping up a trunk with your wings grants you a view above the green ceiling. After checking the edges of the clearing, you set your sight on the tallest of the bordering trees. You squat, squint your eyes, balance on the front of your feet, and flutter your modest wings. With a clumsy leap, your wings carry you as high up the red giant as you can get them to.You taste the first course of breakfast when your face meets the jagged surface of wood. A few spits of bark later, you dig the points of your digits into the tree, look upward, and leap with your wings again. It takes a few more of these inelegant flights to reach the top. Once you grab the uppermost branch, you shade your eyes with a hand to scan the horizon.In the direction that the northernmost star would be, you see the canopy descend and separate into a river valley. Beyond that, a range of mountains spread from east of the northern star to west, blanketed in the green of trees. You are aware of a trail a short way to the west, which itself stretches from the northern star to the opposite direction. Though it crosses the river ahead, your mother warned you that it is not safe for little ones to wander to the other side.As there are more berries toward the river, you decide to head to its banks, shakily gliding on your way. Mother was not around to teach you to fly as beautifully as she does, so you had to imitate her from memory the best you could. It makes your eyes water if you think too much about not being able to teach young ones how to fly like her, so you don't give yourself another moment's pause to do so and continue your trunk hopping.Eventually, you arrive at the clearing of the river, shaped by boulders and their patches of grass. A finger scratches your cheek and a neighboring knuckle supports your chin as you think where to look for berries. Then, you decide to headChoose one:> East> West
>>6433171> EastIf I understood correctly, the mountains are to the east, and the trail that crosses the river heads west. I think we should stockpile some food before we think about venturing into danger, don't wanna starve because of a failed looksie-loo.
>>6433171> East
>>6433173>the mountains are to the eastThey're further north from the river, sorry for the confusion.>the trail that crosses the river heads westThe trail is to the west, but runs north and south. My apologies.>I think we should stockpile some food before we think about venturing into danger, don't wanna starve because of a failed looksie-loo.Noted.I'll write an update later today just in case some more votes come in. Thank you all again!
>>6433171>West
>>6433114>give me feedback and tell me what I could be doing betterbe the change you want to seewrite what you like
>>6433425Pretty sure QM is already doing that, anon.
Alright, it seems that we're heading east! Writing.
>>6433171Then, you decide to head east.Your trek facing the flow of the river, balancing on rocks and hopping with wings across particularly rocky obstacles. The scratch of your chitinous feet against stone joins trickling water and a gentle breeze in a trio of sounds in what is otherwise a quiet summer morning. Upon stopping at the edge of the bank for a drink of water and to clean your teeth with a firm leaf, you scan the river for the little green, spotted fish you love so much to eat.Though the clear waters and bright sun grant greater clarity into the river's depths, not a single fish swims in sight. You stand up and sigh to find succulent strands of grass to suck on to prepare for what seems to be another day with an empty stomach. As your teeth pinch a stem of grass held by your sharp fingers, you spot a spindly, flowering tree across the river. Your eyes squint, and your teeth slow their grinding to a halt as your eyes catch a bounty of berries, just dangling from the tips of its branches.You recognize them as the spiny, red berries that are sour yet filling. The prospect of crossing the river for the berries makes you hesitant, but the growl of your stomach voices your appetite's protest. It would by no means be your first time on the other side. However, in the few times you dared to land across, the sounds of unfamiliar creatures and audible footsteps would reverse your course. There are bushes further east along the river, as you know, but the black, hairy, four-legged hunters may soon claim it for themselves.The sun only rises and your hunger only grows with the moments you spend considering your next move. Not willing to spend any more, youChoose one:> walk away from the river bank, turn around, and make a sprinting leap as you cross the water's edge.> kick dust behind you as your wings carry you as fast as they can across the crags, determined to make it to the east in time.
>>6433572>kick dust behind you as your wings carry you as fast as they can across the crags, determined to make it to the east in time.
>>6433572> walk away from the river bank, turn around, and make a sprinting leap as you cross the water's edge.It's won't be a prolonged stay, we just need to fill our belly with berries!
>>6433572>kick dust behind you as your wings carry you as fast as they can across the crags, determined to make it to the east in time.Gotta learn to fly.
>>6433572> walk away from the river bank, turn around, and make a sprinting leap as you cross the water's edge.Just a quick jaunt across...
It's nice to see the votes come in. Can we have a tiebreaker?
>>6433648of course>>kick dust behind you as your wings carry you as fast as they can across the crags, determined to make it to the east in time.
It appears that we are heading east!>>6433651Thanks, mate.---Roll 1d100 (Highest of 3)
Rolled 46 (1d100)>>6433657
Rolled 52 (1d100)>>6433657Rollin'
Rolled 17 (1d100)>>6433657Watch this
>>6433661>>6433662>>6433700>52Hoo boy.
>52You guys are in for a treat later today.
>>6433879Oh boy! A new friend, right?Right?
>>6433572>>6433662>52Not willing to spend any more, you kick dust behind you as your wings carry you as fast as they can across the crags, determined to make it to the east in time.The heels of your skid on boulders as you land after each consecutive leap. You curse your clumsy wings as your balance demands a slight pause with feet upon the rock. Perhaps to make up for lost time, you attempt to use two of your front arms as additional supports. This idea is eventually abandonded when one hand slips and your face halts inches away from a stone surface. If you didn't spend your life alone, you thought, someone would have seen your desperate efforts and you would have been embarrassed.Not a moment too soon before you would be gasping for air, you see a fork in the river ahead. Just at the split, a bush with red branches and waxy leaves sits, bearing plump, smooth, red berries, waiting to be picked. Your eyes widen, you mouth hangs open, and your vision tunnels on your breakfast to-be. With a limp jog, you raise your arms ahead of you as you approach. Standing before the coveted bush, you cup one hand underneath a berry as you gently pinch it with another. You afford yourself a moment to admire it. Then, you greedily pull it from the bush, and several others as fast as you can. Only a small handfull of berries find their way into you palm when you hear a load, angry groan.
>>6434083You snap from your trance and turn your head. At what must only be a few steps away, a large, hairy beast stares at you with jealous eyes. A black four-legged hunter.It takes a step forward, causing a quiet squeak to escape your quivering mouth. Your knees buckle and meet, and with berries held, your hands clasp together. Shaking, you think of what to do as your competition locks its paws into position. You could surrender your bounty and scurry away--which, to your shame, wouldn't be the first time. You could scare it... somehow. You could try to leap above it and aim for the highest tree nearby, that is, if it doesn't snatch you midair. Or, just maybe, you could hop across the river, where the predator would be unable to lay its claws upon you.Gathering as much of yourself as you can, youChoose one:> drop to your knees and your berries to the earth, surrendering your meal to the hungry hunter.> raise all four arms, stand upon the tips of your toes, and hiss as loud as you can.> leap above the beast and flap your wings as fast as you can, shooting for the tallest tree you can reach.> turn the other way, kick dirt into the face of your challenger, and jump across the river to the unknown.> Write-in>>6433883Does this count?
>>6434084>drop to your knees and your berries to the earth, surrendering your meal to the hungry hunter.We're BERRY pleased to make his acquaintance
>>6434084>turn the other way, kick dirt into the face of your challenger, and jump across the river to the unknown.Sorry no BEARRIES FOR YOU
>>6434083>imgnameManzanita berries?>>6434084Oh fuck, what a cute bear! Fly high!> turn the other way, kick dirt into the face of your challenger, and jump across the river to the unknown.
>>6434090>>6434104You guys are awful.I approve.
>>6434084>> turn the other way, kick dirt into the face of your challenger, and jump across the river to the unknown.No way we're bearing losing our bounty again
>>6434084>turn the other way, kick dirt into the face of your challenger, and jump across the river to the unknown.
>>6434084>raise all four arms, stand upon the tips of your toes, and hiss as loud as you can.
Alright, it looks like we're jumping across the river!---Roll 1d2 (Best of 3)
Rolled 2 (1d2)>>6434371Watch THIS
Rolled 2 (1d2)>>6434371BEHOLD
Rolled 1 (1d2)>>6434371Just watch this 2!
>>6434384Someone flay this anon
>>6434386Noooooooo! Please, I'll commit honourable sodoku!
>>6434389We will honorably hang your skin on a treestump
>>6434389Go make friends with Bear-Chan, anon
>>6434393I-I'll distract 'em, you go fly into the horizon anon. Escape this green hell, find mother!
>>6434084Gathering as much of yourself as you can, you turn the other way, kick dirt into the face of your challenger, and jump across the river to the unknown.A gutteral roar pierces your ears as you cross the rolling river beneath you. You almost trip when your feet meet the ground on the other side and turn to meet the four-legged creature.>2It roars again, pacing left and right before approaching the river bank. A paw is dipped into the running water, as if pondering a pursuit. After two or three more touches, it retracts its wet paw and grunts. With a sudden shake of its head, it turns toward the bush and picks out berries with its teeth, seemingly content with its share.You rest your hands on your knees and notice your sigh of relief, grateful for whatever force above all that decided to let you have your meager meal. With progressively quickening steps, you turn away and enter the treeline, hoping that the black beast forgets about you. When you are far enough for the waters of the river to be barely a whisper, you look into the hand holding your claim. The gleaming, juicy, red berries move around with your palm as it shakes. Before you know it, they all fall victim to your jaws, chewing cravingly as you savor the refreshing taste. All that remained after you swallowed was the red stain around the mouth, which you casually wiped away with a soft sheet of bark from the floor.No more than a few minutes of walking north pass by before your stomach growls yet again. A frown develops as you suddenly ponder the life you live. You are alone, and have been for ten cycles. Berries, small fish, and insects are the only meals you have ever eaten, as you never got to learn how to hunt like mother did. Only the big-eyed night birds keep you company, as all the other peaceful animals run away from you and all the hunting animals attack you. Maybe its because your eyes are big and round, like theirs. Sometimes, you wish you knew how to fly, so you could follow them as they soared in the dark.But you cannot fly, only hop with your wings. Your mother flew beautifully, and she was beautiful. So, since your attempts at flying are ugly, does that make you ugly? Now that you think about it, no one else looks like you. The only ones you've seen walk on two legs like you are the strangers with two arms you see on occasion. However, they have small eyes and have bodies. They would probably be scared of you, too. Mother told you to hide from them whenever you see them, anyway. Hiding is all you have ever done--because there's no one to give you a reason to stop.Your vision becomes blurry and your eyes get wet as your walking slows and you begin to wail. Step after step, the water keeps running from your face. After what felt like ages, you could not bring yourself to stand anymore. Walking stops, your knees bend and you fall to the ground.
>>6434562As your right hand lands on the floor to prevent a pitiful faceplant, you feel something hard, hot, and flat. It is like a rock, but like burnt wood at the same time. Perplexed, your whimpering winds down and you wipe your eyes with another arm. When your vision clears again, you see the mysterious object you made contact with.Before you lies a long, dark grey rock, stretching from the far left to the far right. It is indeed flat, but it is not like any rock you have ever seen before. A yellow line with a black stripe in the center extends at the middle of the rock, perhaps across the entire length itself. You turn your right palm upward, and see a dusty substance like the one from blackened wood.As you stand up and ponder your discovery, your hear something from the west approaching. It sounds like wind, but too heavy for it to be flying. You are not looking for another confrontation, so you hide behind a tree as the windy noise becomes louder. Your back almost sticks to the tree as you fold your arms and hope that the approaching creature does not find you. Suddenly, the strange roar you would hear across this side of the river becomes audible as the windy noise passes behind you. The grass and bushes around you shake, before settling down as the presumably large creature leaves. Daring to look as it does so, you turn your head to the left and catch a glimpse of a white, shiny carapace. It had the strangest feet you have ever seen, black like yours, but spinning instead of lifting.Once the sound goes quiet, you step out into the open. What was it? You askyourself this question internally as you look at where it came from and where it went. Its home must be west, you reason. If it is that big, certainly it must have mountains of food! Then again, you are not sure if stealing is worth the risk. Similarly, it must be hunting for food toward the east, and there must be a lot to eat there, too.With eyes widened at the prospect of giant fish and berries, you make your wayChoose one:> west> east
>>6434565> westOnwards, to adventure!Oh god, the humans are gonna kill us.
>>6434110Sorry for the late reply!>Manzanita berries?Yes, they are!
>>6434565>west
>>6434565>east
>>6434565>EastIn sCmPa90C's memory we must try to avoid poking the bear, literally and figuratively
Hello everyone! Thank you for the votes. Can we have a tiebreaker?
>>6434565> westCuriosity killed the cryptid, sure, but satisfaction brought it back.>>6433702 is me. I'm on mobile.
>>6434565>westwalkin' in the street do-do-do-do
It looks like West has the most votes, so that's where we will be headed. I have a bit of a writer's block right now, so I'll postpone the update to tomorrow. Apologies for the last-minute notice, I just want to make sure that what I write doesn't sound stupid.
Sorry for another delay, my sister was coming home from a vacation today and it's chaos whenever she does. There will be an update tomorrow for sure, thank you all for your patience.
>>6435352Glad to hear it, QM! This quest is very fun and cute so far, and I sense it's about to get very interesting.
