Deep within the deserts of Goldsea there is rumored to be vast ancient ruins that hold infinite amounts of history, treasure, and secrets long since buried by the ever shifting currents of sand. The deserts are a place almost none dare to go. The weather an almost death sentence for those not prepared. However, local scholars and historians have set out to find help from all over Loria, calling on all wolves willing to go on a grand adventure. Is it fame you seek? Wealth? Learning lost cultures and histories? Or are you looking for something darker? Will you become one of these adventurers looking to uncover the secrets of the Dunes?

We begin our adventure within the seedy little tavern known as The Laughing Jocol. It is set up just on the border of the small town of Othenia. Flyers and pamphlets have been sent all over to the furthest reaches of Loria looking for wolves of every breed, creed, and profession to go on a journey of a lifetime. A journey to the deserts of Goldsea. This journey will be hard, with many dangers to face, but with a well prepared band of misfits nothing could go wrong, right?

Now, here's what we need from you!
Name: (The name your wolf goes by.)
Picture: (Can be a picture or link to your wolf or wolves you wish to use.)
Gender:
Profession/Class: (This can be anything you can think of. Kind of look at this as a lazy DnD game with no dice. xD)
Skills: (What skills does your wolf/wolves bring to the table.)
Gear: (What will your wolf be equipped with, if anything?)
Items: (Is your wolf bringing anything with them on this adventure?)
Companion: (Is your wolf bringing along a special animal friend to possibly help, or be a burden to, them?)

Once you're signed up and ready to proceed. Hopefully with everything you need for such a daunting exploration. Why don't you go take some time and relax in The Laughing Jocol. Get a drink. A snack, perhaps? And wait for your fellow adventurers to gather up.

Name: Kismet
Picture:

• Diaphonized Mudpuppy - A shadowy creature named Veilios that's summoned at will and can boost Kismet's dark magic abilities while also doing area of effect magics on it's own. However, it can be quite aloof at times and loves treats making it easily distracted, even during conflicts.
• Spookitty - When summoned, this adorable shadowy feline can heal Kismet or others around him. Affectionally named Nite, she lives up to her namesake and enjoys curling up in a dark corner and napping.
• Magic Monstropod - Also fondly known as Mookie, this giant pillbug is Kismet's mount of choice. Decked out in fancy leather tacking with some sizable saddle bags to boot, this isopod is ready for the long venture that awaits him.

Everyone is welcome to join, no need to ask. Just fill out your character's information sheet. Once enough people have joined the adventuring party will leave The Laughing Jocol and start their long trek towards the deserts of Goldsea. Don't be afraid to join late! There's always room for more paws!

Let's please follow these simple rules:
- Be kind and courteous to your fellow rpers.
- Follow Lorwolf's ToS and forum rules.
- Leave any RL drama out of the RP, this is supposed to be a fun experience.
- If you feel you don't want to continue or need to take a break, don't hesitate to let us know so we're not left hanging for your character to respond.
- If you do feel like you want to leave or need a break, but want to join back in, you may. Come on! Get back in here! xD
- And as always, have fun!

((OoC: I was going to start with the first post, but it's actually getting pretty late and I still need to make dinner. Oops! So, if anyone has a wild itch to begin this, go for it! If not, I'll type something up when I have the time.))

Ooh, I had some trouble deciding who to choose… but eventually chose Doom again. He’s just my favorite boy!

Today was a particularly nice day, especially for traveling. And boy, the journey had been a long one already. Flyers and detailed pamphlets had littered every small village, town, and city within Murkwood. Wolves everywhere were talking about them and, if luck had a part to play in this, one just so happened to end up in the paws of Kismet. Never one for adventure before, the Lupin wasn't completely sold on the idea of joining up with a group of strangers to trek down ruins that may or may not be there. It took him several days reading and rereading the documents carefully. Scouring every line and inked sketch for hidden meanings. He found none, however. He wasn't a wolf looking to strike it big with lost treasure, or renown and glory, or even uncovering lost culture. Oh no. But, there was one small passage that piqued his interest. To most, it was a small paragraph that could easily be overlooked. Yet, the small hope of uncovering hidden magical relics intrigued him. Kismet was already attuned with the occult. He was no stranger to the darker side of magic. Relics could easily be imbued and become very efficient tools were magic was concerned. This was his reasoning for heading towards the small town of Othenia.

The trek from his current home deep within Murkwood to Goldsea would have been far longer if not for his faithful steed, Mookie. Albeit, it wasn't a fast ride, but sometimes it beat hoofing it. The overgrown isopod could pick up speed if he so wanted, but for now, to save on energy, it took the pair several long days to reach the bustling town of Othenia. Kismet kept the hood of his traveler's cloak pulled up over his head. Rainbow hued orbs watching the denizens of the town go about their daily routines as he rode through the streets atop Mookie. No one seemed to mind them. Something the Lupin was grateful for. He hated being the center of attention.

Riding towards the outskirts of Othenia, Kismet gently pulled back on Mookie's reins. The Monstropod began to slow. It's many skittering legs moving in a wave as it drifted to a stop. Before them sat a sizable building. A tavern, by the looks of it. A sign picturing a Jocol wearing a wide open-mouthed grin and holding up a mug of ale swayed in the sweet breeze that read: The Laughing Jocol. Fiddling around in his cloak Kismet pulled out the worn pamphlet and untied the parchment, allowing it to unfold in his paws. "Yep. This seems to be the place." Gingerly rolling the pamphlet back up and retying the binding, he put it back into his cloak, before sliding down off of Mookie's saddle. The pillbug shook as it's owner touched paws to ground. Kismet let out a soft chuckle as he reached back to one of the saddle bags. Unclasping the leather straps of the bag, he fished out some rather small, square, brown blocks. This was his special blend of Mookie's favorite foods. A concoction of decaying plant matter and fermenting fruits. "Don't worry. I didn't forget about you." Closing up the saddle bag and making sure it was securely fastened, the Lupin rounded his companion and gave his friend the food pellets. A soft murmuring sound rose out of Mookie as he nibbled the treats. With Mookie now satiated and happy, Kismet tied his reins to a post just outside The Laughing Jocol before making his way indoors.

As he entered the tavern a small belled chimed and the scent of freshly baking bread smacked him square in the muzzle. Kismet didn't realize just how hungry he was until that moment. Sure, he had eaten on the journey here, but he had packed rather light. Not wanting to bog himself, or Mookie, down with unnecessary goods. Plus, he was sure he could pick up a few more items before he and the rest of the party left Othenia. Pulling the door closed behind him, he stood in the doorway for only a moment, as he pulled his cowl down off his head. The tavern wasn't overly grand or large, in fact, it was almost cozy. It was warm and dimly lit with the glow of candles and jarred fireflies. A small fire burned within a nearby hearth. One not really meant for warmth, but for atmosphere. Off to one side sat a small group of wolves. Each one held an instrument and sang jaunty tunes that rose and clashed nicely with the aesthetic of this place. There weren't many other patrons, however. A few Kits sat at a table near the fireplace, while a Volmyr sat in a large armchair watching the minstrels while sipping a steaming mug of hot liquid. There was also a black Bracchus with a crow at the bar drinking some kind of juice. Before he could decide where he wanted to sit a rather portly Zerda rounded the corner carrying a tray of piping hot loaves of freshly baked bread.

"Hello dear! Make yourself at home. Sit anywhere you'd like. I'll be with you in a moment." she said. Her voice chipper and upbeat, yet held an almost motherly tone.

"Thank you." Kismet replied, watching as she made her way towards the Kits sitting near the hearth. His eyes turned back towards the bar and he supposed that would be a good place to sit. Pulling up a seat, and making sure to keep two stools between himself and the Bracchus, he once again took out the pamphlet. Unraveling the parchment, his eyes scanned and read, for probably the hundredth time, what was to be expected on this trip.

Name: Moira
Picture:
Gender: female
Profession/Class: scholar, sorcerer
Skills: She is well versed in Loria‘s history, as this is her specialty. She is also quite knowledgeable about facts in many other areas, many of them quite obscure. She knows quite a bit about magic too. She is quite enduring and has the typical abilities of her breed.
Gear: copper cuff earring, black traveller‘s cloak, several bags
Items: food, water, a spellbook, a notebook and ink to document her discoveries, a dagger, some pebbles and first aid supplies
Companion: A sleek vortexcanis named Aidan. She met him on one of her journeys and he has followed her ever since. While he can be quite helpful, he often has a lot of mischief in his. It can be a bit annoying at times, but she has taken a liking to Aidan and he has become one of her best friends.

Moira looked at the sign hanging over the entrance of the tavern. The Laughing Jocol, that should be the right place. She took the pamphlet out from one of her begs to verify that she was indeed in the right place. She had to rummage around quite a bit before she could find it. Her short tail wagged in anticipation. Finally, she was here! She couldn’t wait for the expedition to start. Once she read about it, she just knew she had to join. She almost immediately began to travel to the meeting point in Goldsea then. It had been quite a long journey from her current residence in Darkspine, but now she was finally here. Aidan, her sleek vortexcanis, was nowhere in sight, though that was no ground for worries. He did that sometimes, disappearing, but he always came back eventually. He‘d be back by the time the expedition began.

A bell chimed, as she entered the tavern and scanned the room. There were only a few other patrons in the tavern. A group of Kits, a Volmyr and a Bracchus and a Lupin who sat by the bar. After a few moments of thinking, she decided to sit by the bar, while she waited for the expedition to start. She sat down next to the Bracchus and nodded towards him, before turning to order a berry tea. The music sounded quite pleasant and the smell of freshly baked bread hung in the air. It reminded her that it probably was a good idea to order some food as well. While she packed some food, she figured it would be for the better to save it for the expedition.

Doom glanced over at the greyscale Dire that sat beside him. He noted her bags and apparel- she was probably here for the quest as well. Heo chirped, lifting his head from under his little wing. His eyes locked on a small shiny cuff around the wolves ear- treasure! He lifted himself up, then launched into flight. He flapped over to her, landing on her head and determinedly pulling on the cuff. Doom hissed between his teeth- the little rascal!

”Heo! Et ser skeie…” He muttered a small curse under his breath as Heo continued tugging on the copper band.

”HEO. Get back here. Ek-mi!” The little guys head turned, eyes wide and innocent with a “I didn’t do anything” look. He fluttered back and Doom growled at him. “How many times have I told you. We don’t take other wolves treasures!”

He turned to the she, apologetic. “Er- I’m so sorry. He doesn’t normally-“ That was a lie, he did normally. Heo was quite untrained. “Sorry.” Embarrassing! He should’ve left him at the cave.

Et ser skeie: Oh my stars

Ek-mi: Come!

Kismet had been completely lost in his own thoughts as he, for the fifth time since sitting down at the bar, read the parchment again. He hadn't been paying attention as a Dire entered the scene, nor when she sat down at the bar as well. He also failed to noticed when the Bracchus' crow friend began to eye the Direwolf's shiny piercings. Not until the bird was launching itself towards the Dire's pointed ears as it tried to pry the shimmering jewelry from her lobe. The Lupin's paws pulled back at the pamphlet he had been reading and jumped, having to catch himself as his rear end teetered precariously close to the edge of the stool he sat on. Rainbow orbs widened, at first with surprise, and then with curiosity. He had caught the strange phrases the Bracchus had spoken. They were words that sounded almost spell-like, yet there was no magic to be seen. Peculiar.

Without thinking if he should, he asked, "What were those words you just spoke? I've been all over Loria and I don't ever recall hearing anyone speak in such a language." His brow furrowed, almost as if he had realized his rudeness. "Ah, my apologies for my brashness. I, well, I at first thought maybe you were doing some kind of conjuring. I'm a bit of a magic user myself." He chuckled, before clearing his throat. His ears slightly pushing back. There he went, rambling again. "Oh, where are my manners today?" He held out a paw towards the Bracchus. "I'm Kismet." He leaned over, still holding out his paw for the other to shake, if they were so inclined, as he looked around the Bracchus at the Direwolf. "Hope your ear's okay there, miss. Doesn't look like there was much damage, but if you need a bit of healing I could, perhaps, help with that."

“Thanks.” Moira mumbled and dipped her head slightly as the barkeeper placed a steaming cup filled with tea in front of her. She placed her paws around the cup to test the tea’s temperature and deemed it too hot to drink. Shortly after she could feel something tugging at one of her earrings. She swatted with her paw at it to shoo it away and realised that it was the Dustraven, which she suspected was the companion of the Bracchus. She tried not to hurt the bird as the black wolf might be here for the expedition too and she didn’t want to spoil it with him before the expedition even started. “It’s alright.” She accepted his apology. She didn’t take it amiss as she had her fair share of experience with mischievous companions. She could stop her Aidan with a sharp word, but he was quite a mischievous one and liked to cause trouble when she wasn’t there. She hoped he didn’t cause too much mischief there ever he was right now.

Dooms ears flattened in embarrassment. “If you say you’re alright…” He sent a glare towards Heo, who chirped sheepishly.

Kismet nodded to Moira's words. At least the Dustraven hadn't completely ripped the earring from her ear. Not that he found he could completely blame the bird. Crows and ravens were known for their mischievousness and love of shiny things. But, he was glad to hear that Moira was fine. Then the Bracchus shook his paw. Kismet gave the other a warm smile as he tilted his head to the side, listening to his words. Unused language? How interesting and, somewhat, peculiar. Not to say that Doom was lying nor was Kismet an old language aficionado, but perhaps, now that Doom asked if both he and Moira were going on this expedition to the deserts of Goldsea he could try and find out more about it. Maybe even learn some words himself. Even if old cultures wasn't his strong suit, there was magic in words. Especially ancient ones.

Kismet eyed his bag, his ears slightly perking, as he rolled his pamphlet up and placed it back within his cloak. "Oh, yes." he said with a laugh, "Glad to see others also interested in this little adventure. When I first entered the tavern I thought I was the only one." He shrugged a shoulder then. Trying to adjust his shoulder to the weight of his shoulder bag. As he grew silent his eyes fell on Heo. The bird's eyes were curiously scanning his pack. Following his gaze down, he took note that a small sliver of crystal was poking out of one pocket of his bag. Just a glimmer of a Moonstone Shard. Kismet gently tugged at the small crystal, allowing it to fall from the pocket of his satchel and rest in his palm pad before putting it down on the bar. He slide it closer to Heo. "Here. A gift. If we're going to be traveling together I think a little trust is in order. Just... try not to steal anymore of Moira's jewelry, okay?"

The portly little Zerda was back. "Sorry dear." she apologized to Kismet. Doom and Moira already had their drinks so her full attention was now on Kismet. "What would you like?"

"A Moonwater would be fine. Thank you." he replied. The Zerda turned to gather a glass and bottle from behind the bar. She popped the cap and poured some of the clear liquid into the glass, sliding it over to sit in front of the Lupin. As she did, Kismet gave her a few pebbles as payment. Looking now back at his new travelling buddies, "Do you think anyone else is coming? Should we wait, at least for the night, before heading out? May give us some time to prepare and gather more supplies in town before setting out."