Today, the forest is lovely and verdant. The sky is clear and dotted with Aurleons, wheeling above and calling to each other. A few Bulboris forage in the undergrowth, and you can see the silhouettes of a herd of Faeloras trotting behind the shadows of the trees. The year is 131 AE.

After Ethernia, or so some call it.

A century ago, the royals dared to set foot into the Lost Grove, after clearing away some of the wildlife and bandits and having established a small colony there. Progress was being made, this wild new dimension beginning to be conquered, civilized.

Days later, and without warning, the portal collapsed. Chancellor Aedernis tried valiantly to reopen the portal, or so he said, but no progress was made.

Not long after, the Avatars...vanished. They simply ceased to be. The most brilliant theorists and scientists failed to discern where to. After weeks of waiting in deserted stables, the Sylesti trickled away to seek lives in the wild. In the end, hunger drove even the most loyal companions from the emptied residences of their lost masters.

The fragmented bond between Sylesti and their humans or elves seemed to spread, and the Sylesti companions among the Sanctuary, the Haven, and finally Ethernia fled.

The people of Sylestia struggled with tasks that would have been effortless before. From repairing damage after storms to merely delivering mail, they could not innovate quickly enough to fill the void that their Sylesti had occupied.

The bigger cities drifted apart and receded into the wilderness without supplies and imports from the smaller towns, leaving the work of decades to crumble into quiet ruin, for the wilderness and now equally wild Sylesti to reclaim. It looks almost like it did in the earliest days of colonization now, a few small hamlets scattered across untamed lands, islands in a sea of plains, forests, and rivers untouched by man.

Today, Sylestia is very old, but very, very young again. A new chapter of history has started.

Welcome to the RPG Among Ruins! Signups are here, please read character design guidelines there. Below you will find the Abilities list, of which you can select from depending on your stars assigned. (Epic: 1, Rare: 2, Uncommon: 3, Common: 4)

Sylesti can speak to each other with varying degrees of effectiveness--while all can converse (if brokenly), mammals communicate best with other mammals due to similar perceptions, birds with birds, reptiles and amphibians, and the insects are kind of on their own (due to...not having ears) but can sign things out.

Rules:
1. This is run in turns, but set in the same universe. There is a 48 hour deadline to answer, or your turn will be skipped and the response will come out.

2. No metagaming, please! Even if you do read my responses and the antics of the other players in different areas, your character doesn't necessarily know everything they do. You're allowed to read each other's responses and use that knowledge if you're on the same "team."

3. Moderate yourselves. Conflict between characters is fine, but there will be no insulting or harrassing other players due to their actions or any other in-game reason.

4. No over-powered-ness. "I overcome all the obstacles and take all (whatever loot)" is not acceptable. Explaining how, "I spend an hour praying to my deity for insight, study (obstacle), and then try to overcome (obstacle)" is much better.

5. Try for proper grammar. No text speak, please.

Abilities
Species debuffs and most abilities are taken from the generator and are in italics, they are applied to all members of that species unless negated.

Given: These can also be purchased with one star.
Flight: Prerequisite of wings, given for Aurleon, Nytekrie, and Lunemara, requires mutation on other species. Allows character to fly for varying periods of time, perhaps depending on strength.
Acolyte: Prerequisite of either some kind of Runes or clear elemental indicator gene trait (Phoenix Flames for Malgorus, Lunar Garb for Vaeluna for example). You can ask your deity for assistance with some kind of task once per day. Other acolytes recognize your devotion and might step aside, just as you are expected to try to only attack another acolyte in self-defence. Acolytes of your deity might actively assist you or offer you shelter.
Armored: Prerequisite of some kind of armor that actually could protect, given for Qitari and Draeyl. You have a decent chance of warding off blows striking at you.
Light: Prerequisite of having some kind of light-emitting trait. You can emit light at will, to signal or see better.
Fine Motor Skills: Prerequisite of having opposable thumbs or claws, a prehensile tail, or psionic skills, given for Aurleon, Sylvorpa, Lunemara, or very high dexterity.
???: You know it's what's on the inside that really counts. But you feel that it might come in handy at some point. Can override prerequisites for one other skill under certain conditions depending on (currently unknown)

Star: These can be purchased with one star if you are the same species.
Aurleon:
Birdsong: Your emotional nature is channelled in your captivating voice. A sorrowful call can move other Sylesti to tears, whereas a calming trill can attempt to disarm aggressive Sylesti. Negated by Deaf.
Night-Blind: You do best in the day, and struggle to see at night or in bad weather. Can be negated by Light or Acolyte of Vaeluna.

Bulbori:
Psion: When mature, you can channel psychic energy through your gems. You are able to telekinetically lift and manipulate small objects (head-gem size) or telepathically speak in the minds of other open-minded Sylesti. (choose one)
Cowardice: Your safety comes first. When danger strikes, your instinct is to seek shelter and wait out the storm, perhaps offering assistance from a distance, but not fighting unless cornered.

Draeyl:
Gargantuan: Standing nearly six feet tall and weighing well over a ton, the earth shakes at your steps and smaller creatures skitter hastily away. Even if you aren't particularly strong, your size is intimidating to other Sylesti.
Solitude: You do your best to stay out of other Sylestis' ways, and anger when sought out or provoked. You often hide away, generally only venturing out during night or storms.

Faelora:
Stealth: When you hide, you can only be detected by another Sylesti with Falcon's Gaze or Hunter's Snout that is aware of you. Your tracks are also far more difficult to follow.
Sun-Reliant: You seem to wilt when kept from the sun, and it is almost as essential as water to you. You struggle more during the night, during heavy storms, and in lightless enclosed areas.

Luffox:
Empathy: No other Sylesti can put those around them at ease as easily as you, and you draw your strength from the trust and power of your allies.
Fragile Heart: Your strong bond with friends and allies results in a shattered heart once they are lost. All Sylesti might grieve, but your grief causes you to falter.

Lunemara:
Swarm's Loyalty: Even the most distant scouts are never apart from the Hive. In dire situations, a call will bring a swarm of your winged allies to your aid. Can be used once every three days, as the Hive can't pull every scout or worker out of difficult situations all day.
Deaf: You cannot hear sound like other Sylesti, only vibrations. As a result, your only means of communicating with other Sylesti is a sort of sign language.

Lupora:
Hunter's Snout: Scent is a second sight to you, and you often rely on that more than your sight when tracking or making decisions. You can track most Sylesti with ease, and only begin to struggle when their tracks are obscured or they have the Stealth ability.
Xenophobia: Every other Sylesti is an outsider to you, and while they can be your allies, they will never be as close as others of your own species.

Morkko:
Bear's Endurance: In combat, you are a berserker of teeth and claws and shrug off the pain of incoming attacks. On the move, you trek on seemingly tirelessly. Driven by a purpose indecipherable by others, you simply...continue.
Choleric: You anger quickly when your ideals, morals, or those close to you are insulted and threatened, and hold that anger close. Sometimes this causes you to overlook the nuances of their actions.

Nytekrie:
Falcon's Gaze: Your eyes are sharper than most, allowing you to seek prey or choice nesting sites from far away during night or day. You stand on equal footing when tracking Sylesti with Stealth, rather than at a massive disadvantage.
Selfish: Whether in a group, a fight, or seeking something, your needs, wants, and health always comes first. Sharing is a concept you struggle with, and you often unconsciously hoard things you might need.

Qitari:
Survivor: You are perhaps the most adaptive species and can make yourself at home in any climate. Wherever you land, you'll probably land on your feet.
Night-Blind: You do best in the day, and struggle to see at night or in bad weather. Can be negated by Light or Acolyte of Vaeluna.

Sylvorpa:
Amphibious: You are as at home in water as on land, perhaps more so.
Water-Dependency: Some Sylvorpas are so dependent on the water that they will not venture out onto land unless it rains. You, at the very least, must immerse yourself in water once a day to keep healthy.

Vulnyx:
Sprinter: On land, no Sylesti can match your bursts of speed.
Instinctive: Act first, think later! You'd much rather fight an intruder than reason with them, and you have no qualms about claiming food or materials left unguarded.

Zolnixi:
Scavenger: Like your fox counterparts, you are omnivorous and excellent at making something out of...hardly anything! You do better at seeking food or materials.
Night-Blind: You do best in the day, and struggle to see at night or in bad weather. Can be negated by Light or Acolyte of Vaeluna.

Current Players:
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Played by: Anitsa, 115826

G3: (AA) Advanced Runes
M3: (FF) Feathered Wings
Name: Bluebell
Character Age: Adolescent
Abilities: Flight, Scavenger
Personality: Playful, carefully curious, sassy, act like everyone's little sister/ joking rivalry and respect to everyone
Backstory: Had a fairly ordinary upbringing with her mother, father, and three brothers. Quite young, and just recently left the den to see the world and meet other Sylesti, as she's always been curious about the workings of the world. She hasn't lived a harsh life yet, but she still might.
Inventory: None
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Played By: Migam, 138021

M2: (NF) Storm Armor
Name: Aldaz
Character Age: 12 (Adult)
Abilities: Flight, Falcon's Gaze, ???, (1 more)
Personality: She is very calm, and too quiet - she loves to scare another sylesties just for fun - for the sake of the world; she unfortunately had to learn this to hunt properly, since her feathers was too colorful to hunt at night. Her curiosity is strong, and she usually listens to the conversations of others when she gets bored, follows strangers or just goes for something that catches her eye. She does her species justice by thinking on herself before any creature - even family - and only ignores her nature when she has to take care of hatchlings. Then she becomes a mother hen, and you should pity those who try to harm her chicks. Even if she is a predator, when she was young she had to eat things she wouldn't like, because her parents didn't try to feed her at first, so she started to eat plants and fruits. She now loves to eat apples, and sometimes sleeps on the branch of an apple tree.
Backstory: Aldaz was born under the wings of two good hunter parents, but as soon as she hatched from the egg, they decided to try for another son, and she was left behind because her feathers couldn't help her survive. Still, she learned of her parents when they trained her sister, and showed them her heritage by bringing down small prey with her. She grew up, and when she and her sister learned to fly, their parents decided to leave, leaving them ready to have their own lives. Aldaz traveled with her sister for a while before separating, and now sometimes they meet, but usually go their own ways.
Inventory: Cream Ribbon, Unidentified egg
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Played By: Iyashi, 122066

G1: (EE) Husky
M2: (DD) Feathered Wings
Name: Raika
Character Age: Hatchling
Abilities: Flight (locked until adolescent), Hunter's Snout
Personality: A blank slate
Backstory: Parents gone, not much else to say
Inventory: Stick-and-leaf toy
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Played By: Sophiegrace, 122422

G1: (DD) Nature Runes
M3: (BB) Vine Flowers
Name: Artemis
Character Age: Adolescent
Abilities: Acolyte of Faerina, Stealth
Personality: Artemis is very kind and thoughtful however she prefers to be alone most of the time. She is somewhat naive which often gets her into trouble. She doesn't trust people easily so it takes some time to get to know her but once you do you have her complete loyalty. Artemis tries to stay away from danger and is very cautious.
Backstory: Artemis hails from the western edge of the Remnants of Umbra, from a reasonably well-established herd that has frequented that area for the past 50 years. She had always been a devoted follower of the goddess of earth and life, Faerina, making sure to grow fresh flowers on her vines every day in her honor. An unfortunate incident that she still doesn't understand occurred, and the herd found her in the area at the time. Incensed, the friends and family she had known all her life drove her out. She fled, and guided, perhaps, by her goddess, she now seeks a new life in unfamiliar lands.
Inventory: None
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Played By: Windsofwinter, 141828

G3: (AA) Advanced Runes
M3: (DD) Dragon Scales
Name: Misha
Character Age: 35 (Adult)
Abilities: Armored, Bear's Endurance
Personality: A seasoned warrior, though she never intended to be. Misha prefers the pursuits of a scholar, but was brought into war at a young age and forced to put her academic interests to the side. War broke her, and she doesnt trust easily and is haunted by the deaths she caused. She doesn't see herself as redeemable, and feels trapped in the life of a soldier. Most others see her as cold and detached, but occasionally her fun-loving bookish side resurfaces.
Backstory: When she was young, she was dragged into the conflict over the territories of the Western Remnants, and it expanded into the Eight-Year War. By the time the leaders of the opposing sides settled for a truce and drew out boundaries, she had been scarred by her time spent in combat. She has had time to contemplate what she's done in the long hours spent patrolling the land her faction won, and entertain the thought of deserting.
Inventory: None
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Played By: Sillerdragon, 137236

M1: (LL) Ornate Wing Guards
M2: Phoenix Armor
Name: Austintopia ( Austin for short )
Character Age: Young Adult
Abilities: Flight, Light (3ft), Armored, Fine Motor Skills, (1 more)
Personality: Austintopia has always been more daring and is a bit of a trouble maker, because of this behavior and having such a large family she tends to be a bit of a tomboy just to get attention. she also loves to sit at the tops of trees to look at the land and sometimes falls asleep observing the creatures under her. Austin is very social and likes to stick with a group.
Backstory: (leave blank if you'd like for me to fill in some bits)
Austintopia was born into a very large family having 8 sibling, with having so many siblings and her being the middle child her family didn't get much attention from birth. This caused her to get in trouble very often, turning her into a bit of a tomboy. As soon as Austintopia was old enough, she was thrown out of the nest to fend for herself. Soon after, Austintopia found a group of wanderers that she decided to join, after a few months she decided to explore the wonders of the world herself and leave the group. With sad goodbyes from the group, she left to explore her own world.
Inventory: None

Hi, if you could please read over the Abilities and choose from either Species or Given, depending on how many free abilities you have, and put it in your response? (Check your Abilities section in your character bracket first.)

West: Anitsa, Windofwinter, and Iyashi

Bluebell
You were foraging for food and trying to puzzle out which way that weird Bulbori went (what was going on with its tail? you just need to find out!) when you heard a crackling in the underbrush. Creeping over, you notice a black-and-white lupora pup with red socks play-hunting a small insect. What do you do?

Misha
Lost in your own thoughts, you almost stepped on a little lupora pup as you patrolled the area. You set it back upright and apologize absentmindedly. It seems more dazed than anything, and sniffs your paw curiously. What do you do?

Raika
You had hatched only a day ago, but had decided this world was great and interesting. You were enjoying yourself chasing that beetle when you smelled an unfamiliar scent. You weren't able to react before you were bowled over. An apology was murmured from somewhere above you and you were tipped right-side up. You brush away the beetle to sniff at the yellow and gray paw that suddenly appears in your vision. What do you do?


East: Migam and Sophiegrace

Aldaz: You were staring intently into the river, trying to catch a fish to eat and pondering where to head next. Charging off into the forest and away from this water source seemed unwise, but you could if you wished to. You could head upriver, deeper into the forest, or downriver, toward the oddly well-maintained orchard you could see in the distance. You could almost smell the ripe apples from here. That thought made you hungrier, and you turned back to the river, intent on your meal. Where will you go?

Artemis: You stand stock-still at the edge of the trees, watching a stern-looking, despite the bright feathers, female nytekrie make slashes at the water every so often, sometimes coming up with a small fish. Faerina had led you to this river, and her guidance had never failed you. One look at the nytekrie's beak and claws told you it could be dangerous, but would it be as dangerous as braving the lupora packs and terrors of the night alone? What do you do?

Look up for the first round. You're in the Western area with Iyashi and Anitsa. You also have one free ability, please choose from the list above.

The 48-hour timer has started, begin!

(Ability: Stealth)
Artemis hesitantly walked towards the brightly feathered nytekrie. She hoped that as they were at least somewhat well fed they wouldnt be too irritable or threatening towards her. It would be slightly better than being approached by a pack of luporas at the very least. Even so Artemis prepared to dart back into the safety of the trees at the slightest sign of danger.

(Nytekrie: Falcon's Gaze and ??? for now. Can she use Armored even if it's carried?)

Her eyes followed the movement of the river, waiting for a clueless fish to eat. Her mind wandered through her options. The forest behind her was immediately discarded; she needs to follow or being close to the river, a good place to find what she needs: food and water, and the forest can't assure it.
Aldaz would think on go upriver if the image of delicious sweet ripe apples hadn't invaded her mind since she looked at orchard, place she knows like the heaven.
She slaped the water and one pretty big fish got hooked between her claws, when she took it out of the water, her good gaze catched movement and she turned her head towards the creature. It was a faelora, Aldaz almost could say it was the representation of one of their gods. The fragile female had vines all around her body, with many flowers, and they was almost all fully open. Aldaz took her gaze to the face of the other female, who was looking at her with caution, tense, ready to flee, and quicky understand that the faelora would be searching for water - they need lot of water, after all, they're almost flowers -.
The Nytekrie looked at her meal and lay down to start eating it. She made the decision to go to the orchard and maybe spend the rest of the day there.

(I figured I should ping everybody in the west)

Skill: Bear's Endurance

Misha patrolled the land absentmindedly, mind dulled by the endless and repetitive motion of putting one foot after another. She would have walked right past the little ball ball of fluff, (who cared if one small sylesti wandered across a border?), until it sniffed at her paw.

It had been a long time since anyone had looked at her with anything other than wariness, and even longer since she had seen a little one with such innocence. She lowers her large head to gently return the pup's greeting.

Screw the patrol. Borders were no more than bloody lines. "Can I help you get back to your parents little one?"

(guess her other ability is Hunter's Snout)

The pup peers up at the huge beast, not sure what to make of it. Her instincts tell her to get away, but something about the Morkko's tone encourages her to stay. She compromises by backing up slightly. This, unfortunately, causes the sun to reappear from behind it, a painful and somewhat blinding sight. Her light blue eyes squint and she looks like she's about to run.

East:

Artemis
You see the nytekrie look upriver and glance away, turning to seemingly chart out a path downriver. Perhaps you had been considering going to the orchard as well, as Faerina's blessing to you told you of flourishing apple trees in full fruit there. After swiping a fish out of the water, she focuses her piercing stare on you for a moment, noting your flowers and sensing your mildly divine attunement (Acolyte). She moves aside and lies down, allowing you to drink from the river. What do you do next?

Aldaz:
The faelora doesn't seem to pose a threat to you. You wonder if it might just be another of those acolytes on a religious pilgrimage for their deity. She seems fragile, but perhaps she knows something. You fight with your (Selfishness) for a minute, as you could probably make decent time toward the orchard (despite not knowing the situation there) or you could spend time asking if the faelora would be traveling the same way. What do you do?

Artemis kneeled down to get a drink of water from the river. The water was refreshing, especially since she hadn't had anything to drink in a while. After drinking some water she found herself hungry, seeing as Faerinas blessing had told her of the crispy apples in the orchard she could not help but think that it might be a good idea to go over there. Artemis decided to wait before leaving though, this seemed to be a safe area at the moment and she did not want to lose this sense of security right away.