isleofavalon | first shot ⊗ open april log

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first shot ⊗ open april log

🧙 WHO: Eustace and anyone
⚔️️ WHAT: intro log + any TDM carryovers
🕒 WHEN: throughout April
🗺️ WHERE: various
⚠️ WARNINGS: mostly none? some of the prompts include the combat tasks like the spider one, so those have the potential to get grisly/graphic depending on how things shake out. ...and maybe some really bad dog puns—

⊗ a: who let the dogs out

[Eustace is continuing to train and improve on his animal magic training throughout the month, with varying success and failures. For now he's focused on communication and transformation, specifically with one group of animals: dogs. The path to all that, however, is an...interesting one. Anyone with dogs, likes dogs, afraid of dogs, whatever the case is THERE ARE DOGS. And most likely Eustace trying to reach out and pet one with either the dog accepting or hiding away. All while his own snow wolf familiar just hangs out off to the side and watch his attempts, offering no help whatsoever except to laugh at some of his efforts.

1. Bark bark woof woof. It could be at a park, in an alley, a quiet corner on the street—the locations will vary but they all have a common theme and scenario: it's a relatively quiet area and there are two figures in a seemingly serious staring contest. Eustace crouches on the ground about two feet away from a dog sitting in front of him. Big, small, fluffy, skinny, collared, stray—he's trying this on any he comes across so it all varies. But the two are staring at each other for what seems likes an intense staring contest before one of them breaking off, either by the dog barking and wagging its tail or Eustace clicking his tongue and running a hand through his hair in some frustration.]

I only understood half of that... What does a shoe have anything to do with a squirrel?

[Like. Okay, yes, dogs like those things but whatever the dog was trying to tell him, Eustace couldn't get a clear message from it.]

One more time.

[The dog stares at him with a flat look before "hrumphing," as if this isn't the first "one more time." Some comply, others might just walk off, but Eustace is determined to understand them dammit.

2. Straaaaaay. StraaAaaaaYayay— Closer to the end of the month or, Eustace can more reliably transform into a something of a mix between husky and wolf, however only for a very short time (like a few minutes) before he has to change out or risk turning into a puppy for expending too much energy. He uses whatever opportunities he has to practice both the process of changing and how to function in the form. So in the interim, he actually tries to find stray dogs and if they're wary of his normal form, he'll try changing to get them to open up that way. Of course sometimes going about as a sizable wolf leads to problems, like a passerby shouting in surprise, forcing him to run before changing out. Even jumping out in front of you, so hope not afraid of large canines.

If he does accidentally overdo it, then he's stuck as a very fluffy, very grumpy pup for a while until enough energy returns for him to change out. Sometimes he's able to voice out the truth of the situation, but sometimes he's unable to speak at all and can only grunt and whine like a real pup. Anyone who tries to take him home will be nipped at furiously.]

⊗ b: target practice

[Once he's gotten a better grasp on his animal magic, Eustace dabbles a little in his secondary, the elementals. It's a bit tougher, but he's also more determined to master it as he wants to share this magic with his weapon, Flamek. After trying the various elements, Eustace has found he has a strong inclination towards lightning magic, the electricity coming forth more easily than others. He's also managed a very faint dusting of frost, but it disappears quickly like breath into air. He'll have to try and work on that later after he's had more mastery on lightning. But even that will take a bit of work.

1. Test shots. To try and gain better control over something as unwieldy as lightning, Eustace releases small, concentrated bolts of electricity over a small distance. It's somewhat successful, mostly because trying to create small concentrations is a hit or miss, especially in the beginning. Sometimes it's just a fizzle of static, sometimes it's a large surge that fries the target. Then there's the matter of energy, and unlike animal magic he finds it takes more out of him and more quickly. But if anyone is around the test dummies, they'll hear the occasional bzzt as small amounts (and occasional large burst) electricity is discharged.

2. Flamek. Very early on Eustace learns that he can't obtain bullets except through a certain trader and for a high price. He has some that carried over, but it's still a very small, limited stock, meaning he can only use his gun under extreme circumstances. He was never one to waste his bullets to begin with, but the thought unsettles him to some degree, especially with Flamek already seemingly asleep.

He fingers the bullet that had still been in Flamek upon arrival before loading it back into the gun. There's a hum of electricity as he tries to recreate the feeling that usually happens when he brushes against the barrel, only this time it's from him instead of the gun. A complicated, troubled expression forms as he can only feel a very faint quiet "pulse" in return before he sighs and aims at the target ahead of him one-handed, a sight that is surely strange given that his gun is really more of a rifle. He pulls the trigger and the bullet hits cleanly through the center, a perfect bulls-eye.

But Eustace looks far from satisfied or pleased, instead drawing back his weapon to almost cradle it in his hands. He flicks the trigger mechanism that normally activates the weapon's charge, but there's only a dull click followed by silence. It works fine otherwise so that's some relief, but...it almost seems lifeless and it perplexes him. So when he's taking a break, he'll just be in some quiet corner brooding over his weapon as he wipes it down.]

⊗ c: task - humilibees

[This is an...odd problem for sure, but since this is supposedly where they're supposed to live, he might as well try. Especially since he might be able to do something about them. ...It just might be a little unorthodox. So there are three potential options posed to whoever he's working with:

1. Stunning them? Eustace is already familiar in using electricity to stun and paralyze his opponents, so he looks at the hive from a distance and postures a question to whoever he's working with:]

What if they're stunned by electrocution?

[MAYBE A LITTLE TOO DIRECT OF A QUESTION.

2. Bzz bzz? ...Okay. This is a little crazy. But although he's had most success with dogs, he has been able to catch bits and pieces of other animals here and there. Birds are particularly chatty so he tunes them out. But...what about insects? Can't hurt to try, right?

So he'll try to listen in and see if he can at least understand them, maybe figure out why they're there to begin with, but the moment he does he just flinches, a hand going to one of his ears.]

.......Nevermind... I can't understand a single thing from that noisy hive.

[And now that he's tried to tune in he can't seem to tune it out by the primals make it stop—!!

3. Your turn. Eustace is willing to listen any possible ideas his partner might have. Whether he'll accept it or not will of course depend on that idea.]

⊗ d: task - spiders

[Once he feels more comfortable with his magic and the world in general, he'll volunteer to help with the spider venom collection. However, he's not sure if he has the appropriate magic to collect the venom directly, he could offer some support, such as using his lightning magic to try and stun them or against the webs if someone is caught.

Just don't ask him to try and communicate with the spiders. After the bees, that's a hard no.]

⊗ e: wildcard + tdm

[I also considered the labyrinth quest but not sure if Eustace is ready to tackle that one yet. There is also the TDM prompts that can be carried over. I didn't stick any vines one in because of being used in the TDM, but those are also fair game! If interested in anything not included here, just hit me up on

laenavesse or discord and we can work something out!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Adelle nods. She has a pack with her -- never leave home with out it -- and she pulls out a few sturdy, cloth sacks. They're well-woven and well-reinforced. She drops them onto the ground.

She glances at the clearing he indicates.] Good idea. Lightning magic should do the trick. I might be able to stop one with a light barrier, too.

[Then, Adelle looks back at him. She blinks -- then sighs.]

A little faith, please! I can move fast. I can also do this.

[There's a brief moment of focus -- then she hovers off the ground, about a foot. It looks mostly effortless; she took to that aspect of Kinetic magic quickly, it seems.]

[He just watches carefully and with a little wonder. He's gotten more used to the various types of magic in this world and he's seen all kinds in his, but it's still an adjustment.]

Since I've never seen you use your magic before, I just want to be certain. [It's a little less "life or death," but getting bitten is still not ideal. Better to be as prepared as possible. But it does seem like she has decent control and as long as they keep things to a small group, it should be all right.]

Don't go too far in, and prioritize your own safety should you need to escape. I'll try and provide cover if needed.

[If possible they wouldn't want to expose him and make the spiders too wary, but if things go south Eustace won't hesitate to intervene. It's also becoming more obvious that he's used to giving orders and strategies.]

[Adelle feels nostalgic, for a moment, to fly. She's very quiet as she lifts off the ground, and she focuses for a second more. She still tests it out some -- makes sure she's consistent in her height, that she hovers neatly off the ground, and that she doesn't wobble.]

I'll be careful. I'll shoot by one, get its attention, and bring it by. Our bail out, if it's bad.

[She nods... and then she starts to hover in towards the mouth of the cave. She isn't moving that fast yet.

But she plans to get a spider's attention, first.

And that leaves Eustance on his own, to get ready!]

[He just nods and get into position, letting some of that electric magic dance over his fingertips as a bit of a warm up before it dissipates, saving the full power for the real thing. He's going to be watching her like a hawk, ready to step in if necessary. But if she's successful in luring out one, or even two if they're that tenacious, he'll be ready to bring on the thunder.

So ready when she is!]

[In Adelle goes.

And it’s a little bit — only a minute, but in a fight it might feel longer — before she comes out. She didn’t lie: she’s fast. She zips out, shoulders held back and her posture held for being aerodynamic. It’s like she has a lot of experience flying.

There’s a spider rushing behind her. She looks back at it.]

Come on, spider! We won’t hurt you!

[She flies into the clearing. She glances about — doesn’t dare call out to Eustace, or the game is up — but she tries to spot him. The spider rushes after. Then...

The complication. Adelle’s spell runs out. She suddenly hits the ground at speed, rolling. Abe the spider is running up behind her!]

[Eustace had been considering on sending in his familiar to check on things when Adelle finally appears, allowing him to relax just a fraction. Immediately he gets ready, another small crackling at his fingertips as he focuses... Just a little closer...

But then Adelle suddenly collapses onto the ground.

Instantly his instincts kick and he just gives a quick shout—]

Eria!

[—followed by lightning surging forth from his hand. A white blur darts out from the brush, frost trailing the ground before the wolf familiar stops just in front of Adelle. At that same moment, the lightning strikes the spider just as it comes within inches and it lets out a shrieking sound as it flops over and twitches on the ground. But who knows how effective it is, so the wolf is going to start pulling on Adelle to get moving. Hopefully Adelle didn't get shocked from being so close to the lightning blast.]

[Adelle backs up -- and she yelps in surprise, but not pain, when the spider is shocked so. The lightning didn't hit her; it did hit the spider, though. It's twitching. She blinks at it a couiple times -- then feels the wolf pull on her. She blinks, shakes her head, and hops to her feet.

She glances at their stack of sacks. She bolts to one, grabbing it, and drops it down over the spider -- and then ties the top. Her eyes are on it, nervously.

She's looking for any sign it might tear free.]

Damn... I didn't realize I'd run out of energy that fast. It'll take more practice do longer.

[By now Eustace has joined them and although he glances at the bag, his primary attention is on Adelle.]

Any injuries? What happened?

I never went that fast for that long before. I ran out of magical energy faster than I thought.

[She sighs.]

No injuries. Except my pride, a little.

[There's just a long exhale as he presses his fingertips for his brows.]

It was an oversight on my part in not thoroughly investigating your abilities. Just remember for next time.

[Except for that failure at the end, everything else had worked. It's a good thing he had some failsafe plans in place, but even so...]

How's the spider?

[With Adelle fine, he turns his focus on the bag. It's still twitching a bit, but there's some movement going on in it.]

It's something to work out. I guess I'm too used to... [Ah, no. She quiets down, then shakes her head. She doesn't want to get into that right now. Adelle walks over, then looks down at the bag.

The spider seems stunned... but the bag holds up well to those twitches. Even when they get stronger. Adelle watches for a moment longer -- then picks up the bag. There's movement inside, but the bag seems to hold it.

The spider grows a little calmer, after a second. Eustace was right about it being dark.]

I think the bags will work. The ones I bought were made out of sailcloth. A friend told me, once, that sails will hold up well. So... it looks like it did!

[He catches how she stops herself, but he won't pry as they do have something more important to focus on.]

Sailcloth, huh... The materials would need to be strong enough, so while I wouldn't keep it in longer than necessary, it should do. How many do you have?

[Adelle nods her head.] Mm-hm.

I've got eight of them. I think if I rest a little, then fly in again, I could get two at once. I'll take it slower -- and maybe land and run a little -- so I don't run out of energy.

...No. We have to consider how we're carrying them back, so at most we'll take two. [She doesn't look completely spent so he won't pull them out right now, but.] Now that we have a better understanding we can return with more supplies and continue the operation.

It is a long way to carry that many...

[She thinks about it for a second, then she nods.] That sounds like a good idea. Give me about... ten minutes, and I can fly in and get us another one, okay?

[He nods.]

It should be long enough to see how well the spider here handles being in the bag. Should anything go wrong, Erias can freeze it as well, though I'd rather not resort to that.

[Since he's not sure if the ice could harm the spider even if it's in the sack. But if he had to choose between their safety and the spider, he'd choose the former.]

That seems like it might hurt the spider... but if worse comes to worse. [She doesn't really want to hurt them -- at least, not unless it's necessary. To say nothing of the necessity of getting the poison.

She sits down -- because resting means resting -- and leans against the tree. The spider in the sack is calming down, some; that's probably for the best. Adelle breathes out a long sigh.]

It's nice to stretch my legs. I used to do things like this, back home.

It's just a worst case scenario. [A small nod in affirming her words. He'd also rather not harm the spider, but his priority is their safety. There are plenty of spiders, they can always get more.

With Adelle resting, and him and his wolf keeping an eye on the sack, Eustace leans against the tree while standing next to her.]

Capturing spiders?

[Look at that, he made a wry joke.]

[Adelle nods her head, with a thoughtful look. She looks at him -- blinks her eyes once -- and then she cracks a smile. That was a joke! He made a joke! She's proud of him.

She laughs, then shakes her head.]

No--well... a couple of times. But not like this. But, helping people out with monster problems. Or poison problems. Or just problems in general.

I did a lot of that.

[Hmmm...]

So something like a mercenary?

[He looks at her curiously as she doesn't really seem like one. He has another thought, however he waits for her answer first.]

A mercenary. Though... more of a bodyguard than, you know, a soldier who fought with armies.

[It's a bit of a simplification. Adelle's purposefully leaving some stuff out -- things like being a Hero of Light. It doesn't seem relevant in the moment.]

Hm... I see. You'd probably do well as a skyfarer in my world.

A skyfarer? Someone who flies?

[She assumes.]

Close. Skyfarers live and travel by airship, usually their own with their own crew. They make their living taking on jobs from various islands. You could say they're similar to mercenaries and some groups practically are. But mostly they're just more "free" in how they live, whether it's for good or ill.

Hm... that does sound like something I would do. Though... I've never seen an airship before. [~~solely because of the canon point she's from, it's a JRPG~~]

Being free... that sounds nice. Is that what you did?

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