The Fortress; Iaurdagnire

Iaurdagnire's picture





  • PLAYER / CONTACT 08.03.20

    Jay's passing is still sore, I find myself thinking about him if I'm driving in the rain. He has brought to light that I've not really been living for a while; my hobbies were consumed by work, so I'm making an effort to get those back or at least find new ones.

    One of which is enjoying a certain fantasy deer characters again, at least low key now that I've brought my old pc back from the dead. Maybe Dag will see you in forest sometime?

    He'll be 11 years old on the 21st March (:


    Characters

    Uuo (OOC) False God (special use)
    Kusakage (inactive) Kyte (inactive)
    Sulfur (event demons)

    Contact Info

    Discord: Find me as 'Dag' in The Endless Forest Server, feel free to add me!





"His presence seemed to be the Forest itself, loving and wise and without grudges or harbored shadows." - silentlikethat

        
{ I a u r d a g n i r e THE FORTRESS

Respected - Wise - Humble - Good-humoured - Articulate - Righteous - Authoritative - Dutiful - Fearless - Fatherly
Timeworn - Intelligent - Diplomatic - Limitless - Reliable - Altruistic - Resolute - Gentle - Charismatic - Genuine


"He walks with a gawky elegance, breaking the top of the hill. His hill. Though he hardly guards it with the malice of a dog.
Instead, this is where they gather. To play, to sit...to know that not everyone will belittle them." - Mjrn


Today
     A sight-seeing tour of the forest with his lady love as if everything was brand new.

Calm.
Alive.

Yesterday
    






    Identity }
    Dag's full name is pronounced 'I-or-dag-nyre', and was given the title 'The Fortress' in recognition of the guardianship he gives to and inspires in others. He is a symbol of unyielding strength of will and exhibits an impenetrable, one-pointed focus to rise above any situation. The emblem of victory - the Peregrine Falcon - still remains with him from his first and very old title of 'Wings of Peregrine'.
21st March 2009 | Pictogram
Stomping Grounds | Fireside | Valley View | Dandelion Hill | Sanctuary

    The Fortress }
    Voice - Deep bass; an equal balance of gentility and authoritative power associated with a voice of moral substance and leadership. Feral vocalizations are rare from him, though he is known to produce brontidal rumbles and has an extraordinarily low, growling bellow.
    Scent - His scent is very gustatory - likened to the smoulder of a warm, damp bonfire in the middle of open fields; burnt soil of old forests long gone.
    Build - Based on an old-world ice giant Eucladoceros species; the first species of deer genus to have highly evolved antlers yet is a primitive mass of strong bone and muscle. His body type is a visually solid domination with a dense muscular structure most noticeable around his barrel-chest and shoulders, reinforcing the relatively short, strong neck that bares the weight of a heavy square skull - resembling more bull than deer - and its gargantuan artillery; both of which being the most prominent indication of his skeletal bulk. Being top-heavy, his posture is almost restricted to one position when still. A long body means legs are stationed far apart to accommodate and spread the weight, and his head is always held high in balance giving him a kingly air, which is also reflected in his fluid and powerful gait. At full speed, there is very little that can stop his bulldozer momentum.
    Antlers - Fortress by design. Supernumerary, elongated branched-antlers where the beam has grown outward behind him, tines growing upward; his outer primary tines are the largest and grow into long forward-facing pincers. There are 12 tines per pedical and are split into four sets, all of which together are specifically designed to interlock with any antler type. Central clusters suited to single beam pronged deer, outer and brow tines designed for the larger supernumerary or palmated antlers such as Irish Elk. They are incredibly thick, astonishingly heavy, and an impenetrable defense that cannot be breached.
    Visual - His coat is made up of dense, varying shades of grey that give him an overall arsenic colouration, but his mane and face are the most striking; dirty white for the most part with a carnelian-red pattern draped around the contours of his beady-eyed, frill-cheeked face. The white of his mane continues only half-way under his stomach, and ends in a point with a very thin separating line of charcoal.
There is also an enormous patch-scar that tears through the left side of his neck which is coupled with the nick in his ear on the same side. This was given to him by the Spring Wolf in 2010*.
    Conqueror - Being the placid giant he is, Dag never lowers his antlers without reason; rarely has his combat been seen within the peaceful confines of the forest. However, heed the warning of his scar. Events leading up to his present existence shed further light on this war-hardened battler. There is something prehistoric and almost predatory about his combat - the misfortune of colliding with such a monolith is simply an all-sensory deluge.

    Antediluvian }
     Iaurdagnire's story has become that of Endless Forest legend, starting in 2009 and ending in 2013. His story involves the Forest, the Gods, and the spiritual embodiment of the Seasons whom he served with perpetual lives as a God-given duty. Dag wanted to escape, and continually fought for a life and death that was his to dictate; to cease to be a higher power's fuel for intellectual evolution. But in learning about his place in the world and a way to put an end to his duties, he became even more lost. Ultimately, Dag's story is an exploration of purpose and morality in all forms, and almost entirely community driven. The community has been involved in each section in some way, and these are referred to as "Season Events" by those who have participated; the events were designed for everyone to enjoy, regardless of the story.
Winter '09
Crackéd Smile
"I am here as a friend."
Autumn '09
I: Collapse the Light
II: Numb the Infection
III: I'd choose right now
Spring '10
I: Brontide
II: Thunderclap*
III: Colossus
IV: Oblivion
Summer '10
I: Fissure
II: Ignite
III: Mountain Masquerade
Autumn '10
I: Duty
II: Ender
III: Nothing Gold can Stay
Winter '11
I: Splinter
II: Restrain
Spring '11
I: Hesitance
II: Acrid Lullaby
III: Amalgamate | †
IV: Play the Hand
you are Dealt | †

Catalyst '11
Incubus | Reprise
I: Jack to the King
II: Overthrow
III: Start Your Descent
War Drum '12
I: Long Live the King
II: Dandelion Hill
III: Warrior Hysteria
IV: Wasteland Soldier
V: Your Supremacy
Elysium '13
The Fortress and The Raven | Epilogue
 
 
 

Background art by J!n

    Core }
    Ravenflight - The Queen His love and greatest treasure; indescribably bound to her like no other. Their history had long ran parallel, and although their paths crossed only rarely in bygone years, they were connected by a deep empathy for their respective trials and desire for freedom. Behind closed doors they each played a part in helping each other fulfill a purpose in order to escape, and then found themselves lost without it. When Dag returned to the forest, Ravenflight tried to help him re-adjust through her understanding of what it is like to feel truly detached from the world around you. As they spent more time together, Dag increasingly began to dote on her and fell very deeply in love. Captivated by her in every way. Ravenflight has given him a new purpose, and Dag is utterly devoted to her continued happiness. Adores and is enchanted by everything she is.
    Cry - The Ace Guardian; a source of security; life indebted to. Dag has known Cry for a long time, and upon his return was healed by him (see 'War Drum' Act V). Displays an affectionate "big brother" attitude towards the small white stag when around him.
    Ephiré - The Jack An unspoken natural affinity; indebted to. The two giants have much in common with the way they cope with the world around them, and it is this understanding that lead Ephiré to become the catalyst in Dag's journey (see 'Catalyst' story arc Act I-III). Has a profound trust in him and admires him greatly. He is also the only deer within the forest to have witnessed the full brunt of Dag's combat.
    Virgil/The Red - Part of the Fortress' strong foundations. One of his oldest friends of a different world to his own, wild and unrestricted. At the time of his trials, Dag thought of Virgil's existence as "real", moreso than his own and one he wanted to achieve. Events between then and now strongly effected Dag, but their friendship remains strong and has been rebuilt. [to be re-written]





  • Bonus Material

    Autumn '09 Act III: I'd choose right now, was the first song 'read along' blog to appear on TEFC (to my knowledge!).
    War Drum '12 Act V: Your Supremacy was my most successful community-wide event, where 68 TEF players participated.


    Antediluvian - There are two reasons why I chose to use this word for Dag and his story. The first is that it was originally a biblical word meaning the time between the creation of earth and the great flood/deluge myth; a narrative in which a great flood is sent by a deity to destroy in an act of divine retribution (the Spring Wolf). A parallel of this is a metaphor of rebirth, which was the premise of Dag's rebellion against his original purpose. Secondly, the modern meaning for this word is simply to be old fashioned/ancient in the most possible way (as if they lived before the great flood).

    Playing card references - A great metaphor for life in general, where one must simply play the hand they are dealt, good or bad. One of my favourite card games is Whist, where the object of the game is to simply score the most "tricks" by having the highest card in the suit that is being played. Therefore the cards you would like to see in your hand are the highest: Ace, King, Queen and Jack. The Jack is a good card to have, because it will generally weed out the other players higher cards in their desire to win the hand, so it is more common for you to lose that round but win others as you have exhausted the other players good cards. The Jack was the role of Ephiré, in Jack to the King. He killed Dag - referenced as the King - and although the hand appeared to be lost, the game was not over. The card that trumped Velocity's hand was the Ace, Cry, in Your Supremacy.

    As a character, Dag was originally inspired by naturally powerful characters like Mufasa from The Lion King and Riki from Ginga Nagareboshi Gin - characters the hero-type protagonists typically look up to for guidance and leadership.



 
 
 
 
 
 
Iaurdagnire's picture

Dina - Dag cleared his

Dina -
Dag cleared his throat at her comment about him being a "nice one", an example of something good. He was never good at taking compliments,
"Thank you... That is very nice of you to say so." He smiled and looked at her face - it was nice to see what she looked like underneath the mask, though he never found himself preferring one or the other. Masks were worn for many reasons, and there was never much distinction between that and a face as to which was truer.
"Bless you!" He replied to her sneeze,
"Hm, do tell me - why is it that you wear that mask? Out of curiosity."

Ki - Well, you're just a plain arse!
Azura - You liiiiiiiiiiiive! I'm two days late in replying... but still. ♥

Woo-hoo /homer
I own my own new page.

Dinamo nodded as a rebuttle

Dinamo nodded as a rebuttle of his thanks, it was to be put lightly, honestly. "Thank you, mhm." She shifted her weight easily and snorted at the question; Why did she wear that mask?

She pondered it for a short moment, before racking her brain for an answer. Finally she spoke: "Well, umum.. I wear the mask so I can have more comfort in meeting new deer. I've never told this to anyone, but personally, I'm not so proud of my face. So, I guess its to hide my face." She broke down into a hushed whisper as she spoke her secret to Dag, even though there were no deer close enough to hear her, she absolutely had to be sure noone else heard it.

She coughed once after she released her secret, feeling a bit embarrassed and foolish. She turned her head away from Dag and looked to the ground, as if she was genuinely interested in something on the ground; Not.
Hart's picture

Owow, I love what you did at

Owow, I love what you did at the bottom right!
Iaurdagnire's picture

Thanks Veeeeeeee. I drew that

Thanks Veeeeeeee. I drew that image with his story in mind so I thought that is where it should belong (;

Dina -
Dag nodded slowly at her answer,
"I think a lot of deer might use it for the same reason, you know." He cast a concerned look at her, and in a deep sagely voice he said,
"Not proud? Pride is a dangerous thing to have in a face; one must be comfortable with it, that is all." The gentle bull nudged her from the ground and its "distraction",
"I understand how hiding behind something makes it easier to meet strangers. But for the record, I think you have a very pretty face that you needn't be ashamed of."

(May I interact?) A thin doe

(May I interact?)

A thin doe picked her way through the flowers. She didnt want to step on them. She never stepped on pretty things. Suddenly enough, her ears shot up, head shot up, body went ridged. Classically, the female looked about. She had heard breathing and such noises. The doe knew not that she had come to Iaurdagnire's dandelion hill. Not until she saw the strong being. Everything was said well about the Fortress, that was until this past week of days. Even Iolanthe had seen him snub his friends. Spotting the Peregrine's pelt, the lithe doe picked her way to him. Her bowl-like antlers made a light noise as she bowed a hello.

Um.... Hello.... Iaurdagnire... her voice wavered as she focussed on the position of each flower. I heard lately that you've been...ummm....feeling....ummm.....off. The rae carefully sat down, trying her hardest not to squash any flowers at all.

Being the outright doe she was, Iolanthe posed her wish. I want to know what is wrong so that I may ease the burden of your mind. So much for timid does. Her voice was strong.

Her determined gaze settled on Dag's own eyes.
Hart's picture

"Welcome back."

"Welcome back."
Iaurdagnire's picture

"Thank you." ForTwoLifetimes

"Thank you."

ForTwoLifetimes - Of course you can! I'll have to reply tomorrow though as I have to go now (:
Iaurdagnire's picture

Wow, you're really good! I

Wow, you're really good! I notice her picto is one of those 'M' ones, and I always get them confused with others that look the same. What does she normally wear in forest? Just so I know it's her if we meet in forest (:

Dag watched as the doe carefully made her way towards him, suppressing a chuckle when he realized why each hoof was being placed with such care.
"... Hello." His voice had a slight inflection. Having never met the doe before, he was surprised to hear her speak so knowingly. Watching her sit down, it was clear that she was on a mission to ask something; even the largest creatures can be thrown off by such a determined gaze.
"Thank you for your concern... a-hem... I'm terribly sorry, but I don't think I know your name. I feel rather embarrassed considering you already know mine - would you mind telling me?"

(She wears the Great Argus

(She wears the Great Argus pelt, the Gold Butterfly antlers, and the Magpie mask.... and thank you.)

If a doe could blush, she would have. A rapid blink of her big eyes showed her embarassment, though. I am Iolanthe... but that is a mouthfull. Call me Io. She smiled from beneath her mask. I know a few deer's names around here, considering they are so well-known and liked. Was it strange that the doe didnt think it was odd to know deer who didnt know her? Maybe she was just too used to knowing people. Back where she came from, it was normal to know everyone's names.

What happened this week? Many other deer say you have been acting icy.
Iaurdagnire's picture

"Iolanthe... hm-hm, rarely do

"Iolanthe... hm-hm, rarely do I find another mouthful such as mine. If I call you Io, then you must call me Dag." He gave a gentle assuring nod, seeing the awkwardness in her eyes. But then it was his turn - how on earth could he explain himself? He had lived with it all for so long that much of the forest understood him quietly and hardly ever questioned it. It would be easier if he knew how much Io was aware of.
"Icy being the optimum word..." Dag grumbled. It was difficult to tell whether he had come out of it feeling pleased or ashamed.
"It is very difficult to explain. Let's just say... I wasn't myself, in every sense of the word. Winter can change someone quite drastically."

He hoped it would be enough; it was obvious he was uncomfortable.
"Rest assured that it is gone now, and I am back to being myself. Even though I have quite a bit of making up to do for the behaviour."

Dag it is then. She spoke

Dag it is then. She spoke cheerily. His story started spilling, and sounding like a hidden message. She could sense his discomfort and nuzzled behind one of his ears as some sort of comfort or apology for making him speak so unsettledly. sounds like a God problem. She added as a quiet side thought when he was finished. It is uncomfortable to speak about such things. Like one of those adventures you take when you dream that nobody should really know about, right? A little portion of her skin quivered as a leaf alighted on it. Some things were a sign from the gods that she had gone too far.

I am glad that you are back to your skin. Many deer were worried for you. I think that apologies... being what they are... arent quite the same as just seeing one's friend back to their mind. She watched a bug alight on one of the dandelions. It crawled up and around the flower's petals, plucking each one as if it were a harp. The little black bug turned golden with pollen.
Iaurdagnire's picture

Dag's ear flicked back in a

Dag's ear flicked back in a jolt to her touch. He wasn't expecting it - normally does were rather reserved around him and avoided any contact, but Io didn't seem to go through the motions of formalities, and he liked that.
"Yes, in a way... I am impressed; that is a beautiful way of putting it, and will be something I will remember if I am to be asked about it." He was very pleased by her reply. This doe had been with him for just a few minutes and already Dag held her in high respect. An adventure within a dream that nobody should really know about.
How interesting.
"Ah yes, you are quite right. I have been in similar situations many times, and when I return it is as if I never left. My friends are wonderful in letting the past, stay in the past."
Turning to her just enough to catch her scent, Dag looked her over inquisitively and took note of how she observed the insect, reminding him perhaps that among all the stress of weighted shoulders he may have forgotten the activities he was most fond of. There was a feeling that perhaps he was not the only one who had seen his fair share of the world to find something that small so interesting.
"If I may be so bold: you speak with such clarity. There is a well-traveled nature about you... I am surprised we have not met before, Io."

Her ears pivoted toward him

Her ears pivoted toward him before her head did, listening. The smile never left her face, just growing content. Her tail flicked, sending a spray of pollen glimmering in to the air from a misplaced Dandelion. He spoke of his friends, praising their ability to forget. Io wished she could forget. That would be nice. You must have remarkable friends, Dag, that they can dismiss your upsets.

He spoke of the clarity in her speech. Did no one speak clearly here? It was more interesting than the bug. Watching the other deer down from the hill, she spoke. I have been a few places, mostly less-than-admirable.... seen a few things that a doe of any species shouldnt see. She watched a fawn leap to-and-fro over a copse of blooms. I just came to this haven. It's going to be a better life here, I think. Especially if everyone's this accommodating to my odd habits, Dag. She tilted her head up to watch a dove soar through the treetops. It wheeled and twittered happily. Is this place always so happy? I came just before the last couple of festivals... the Gods of this place really know how to show their people they are loved. She lightly sighed what passed for as a reserved laugh.
Iaurdagnire's picture

Dag was far too busy mapping

Dag was far too busy mapping her eye movements as she spoke to really digest what she had said. Perhaps he felt that like him, she too had things that are best not explored too deeply with someone else.
"As long as I've been here, rarely have I been unhappy enough to bitterly note it." No place was perfect after all, but like everything else happiness is found in whom you choose to spend your time with. As time goes on, discrepancies do make themselves known in the forest... Io reminded him of the fresh start he once had, and one that can never be brought back once lost. Suddenly he realized his expression had sank into one forlorn for something gone, and he shook it off cursing inwardly for how his mind wondered.
"Old habits? You mean how you are attuned to everything going on?" To show that he had noticed, he looked up to the same dove who was now a white glinting ball sitting in a tree branch in the dappled sunlight.
"I think you'll find that there are many who appreciate the... small goings on just as much as you."
Hart's picture

"Ninja, sir? Pretend to be a

"Ninja, sir? Pretend to be a tree!"
Iaurdagnire's picture

"That comes with ease when

"That comes with ease when one has antlers..."
Hart's picture

"..." XDDD

"..."

XDDD

Dinamo sighed, she had

Dinamo sighed, she had reduced herself to nearly forcing Dag to compliment her features, true or not. "Comfortable, hmn. It is stupid to speak of. But, when I look at myself, say in the pond, I see flaws. Nothing else." She swallowed, she really felt stupid now.

It wasn't really a time to talk about herself of her insecurities. Dinamo blinked at the compliment. She was rarely complimented, and if she was, it was on her personality or doings, not physical features. She also hated taking them, she felt no matter how genuine she was trying to be, it always sounded fake, cheezy nearly.

She paused and looked up at Dag. "Thank you, Dag. You have a rather pleasing face as well to gander at, mhm. I-Ashamed?" She spat the word 'ashamed' out as if it was a horrible tasting food. She could not be ashamed. She just wasn't like that; or so she thought.

Now that she thought about it, it did sound like she was ashamed of her face. She tore her gaze away from Dag and lookd straight ahead. It was a smack of truth she wasn't expected. For some reason, noticing she was ashamed of herself, of all things, made her tear up.

She wriggled her nose and coughed, blinking away the sudden, strange urge to cry. "Thank you really, but I just can't grasp the fact that I am ashamed of myself."

Eyes threatening to well up again, she sniffled quietly and sighed, clearing her throat. This was stupid. She was never this moody. Then she remembered she was in heat; she thought little of it even though she smelled of a sweet ambrosia and could smell it on herself daily. Her running pharamones must be causing her to be so touchy and off; she was sure of it.

She was never this touchy or weepy.

The dove had begun to preen

The dove had begun to preen itself, tired of flying. She then turned her face to Dag's larger one. That... and it seems that people dont find it comfortable for me to know their names before they have a chance to tell me. Her eyes cast down for a moment. They then again drew in Dag's face.

You're just as attuned as I am. Dag? Can you.... forget anything? Iolanthe's face turned a little less than content and a bit of turmiol writhed behind her large doe-eyes. She always had a hard time with forgetting. It just seems to make people so much happier. Her one downfall and the one thing that kept her from being permanently happy anywhere. She never, ever forgot. Not even once. She wanted to, she always said she never remembered.

Io turned her gaze away. She nudged her mask against her knee and it fell off her face, sliding down her neck on a forest-green piece of string. Her humanoid nose wiggled. It felt good to have the cool air running across it. Her lips were pursed, eyes cast down at Dag's fur. It swayed a little with his breathing and the gentle breeze.
Iaurdagnire's picture

Dina - Dag swallowed hard as

Dina -
Dag swallowed hard as Dinamo almost ran away with herself over his poorly chosen word. 'Ashamed' was a very negative word despite the fact it mean to not be proud of something, and he didn't expect her to take it as such in the context of his comment.
"Oh dear," he said with the sincerity found in the voice of a father, "I didn't mean to upset you at all. It is very easy to see flaws in ourselves, but the paranoia that they are definitely there is what exaggerates them beyond what they are. You will find that other people cannot see them, and would maybe not see them as flaws even if they could."
Bending his tree-trunk neck fairly awkwardly, he moved his head over and around to rest the side of his cheek against her neck in a sort of... 'hug'.

F2L (hope you don't mind my shorthand for your username xD' -
There was a fairly long silence as Dag processed what he said. It wasn't that the answer was particularly difficult, but everything his said needed to be crafted. Some things took longer than others. Eventually, he broke it all with a chuckle,
"Hm-hm, I don't think it is a question about being comfortable knowing that strangers are very much aware of you. I know many names of deer I have not yet met personally, but perhaps it is how you approach them with your knowledge that sways them. It is why I will always introduce myself first, if given the chance, and will always allow them to tell me their name even if I am already wise to them - and they may even be wise to me. But that little social dance of name-surrendering is a starting, mutual ground that we all appreciate." He paused to laugh,
"Even if it is inefficient."

His laugh dulled, watching Io remove her mask and stare idly at his fur. Clearing his throat, he eventually answered her question in a more serious tone,
"Yes." Came the first blunt admittance, "I am a very forgetful stag by nature, and it helps me to live in the moment... it is both good and bad."
Dag took a moment to himself. A quickfire sniff and sigh combo was what followed, one of those 'this is a fact, nothing I can do about it' sound precursors to the end of a speech,
"It means yesterday is already forgotten, and tomorrow cannot be looked to."

(No problem. It's a long one

(No problem. It's a long one Eye )

That's admittable. She smiled and chuckled with him. Her eyes curled up in a half-smile that seemed to only touch them. His serious tone that followed... well, that only showed his formidable side. It seemed now that Io was the only one in the forest that couldnt forget.

Forgotten is not a word I can use freely, since I remember absolutely everything that I wish to forget, and the things that I wish to remember also stay. We both have our good and bad, I guess. She spoke with an undertone of seriousness, pain, and remorse before blowing the issues away with a wind-happy note at the end.

Her whole body seemed to turn to stone at the sound of hoofbeats, watching a herd of fawns pass them at their bouncing, breakneck pace that indicated play-tag. The thought of What I wouldnt give passed her mind over and the wistfulness cracked the intent visage of her eyes. She bit her lower lip and turned back to him, releasing it gently. I will have to work on forgetting. Being in this place, with no predators other than a couple of angry stags and does should be the perfect place to start. She narrowed her eyes playfully. Though you turned this whole thing around on me, Dag. Intellect and cunning, it is a wonder you werent born a fox. She laughed.
Iaurdagnire's picture

Dag was very still for but a

Dag was very still for but a split second, like that moment of soundless calm before something tremendous happens. Tremendous it was - Dag let one of his full-bodied, heavy and bass-laden laughs escape him. The markings on his face only accentuated his open-mouthed smile.
"Ha-ah, a fox you say! Well yes, intellect and cunning is exactly what this place requires..." He looked around shiftily before leaning in to whisper a reference to the "predators" she mentioned,
"...Qualities that the Gods have withheld from some to an almost cruel degree."
Allowing himself a further snicker, Dag winked in jest as he retracted his head - he liked a doe with a sense of humour.
OokamiAzura's picture

Pfft, I'm worse. It's taken

Pfft, I'm worse. It's taken me almost a week to get back on here.

I'm alive, don't worry. &hearts
Iaurdagnire's picture

My computer shut itself off

My computer shut itself off F|
That was fun though; I love their nuzzle-battles >D

Glad that you're still around ♥

Iolanthe reveled in Dag's

Iolanthe reveled in Dag's laugh. His hearty bellow was musical. The laugh pulled a little, high-pitched laugh from her own chest. Now Dag, that is cruel. she laughed. A bit of brush moving caused her to look in the direction of the noise, and a couple of squirrels could be seen scampering up a tree. The dove flew away, and a couple of fawns high-tailed it the other way. My goodness, that laugh. It is wonderful in my opinion, but the little things seem to think the sky is falling.

The doe looked far off in the distance, her eyes focusing on the sillhouette of a willow. How old are you, Dag? You seem to know as much as I do... if not more. Probably more. Her eyes seemed to pull the threads of her gaze back in. She turned back to the Fortress. Many deer here seem to be very young... just out of fawn-hood.
OokamiAzura's picture

You spooked me when I first

You spooked me when I first saw you - and I didn't think it was you at first, hence the hesitation.

Indeed, I love their nuzzle battles too - especially when Lacie wins 8D

I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon; life's just gotten a bit carried away with me, and I haven't seen my sister in god knows how long. My car also ran into a spot of trouble again the other day, so yeah =/

It was so good to see you &hearts

Dinamo nodded. His

Dinamo nodded. His explination was a much better way of putting it. Her eyes dulled and dried again, hopefully for the last time. How she hated her emotions at the moment. She had never been this dramatic, or overly dramatic, even.

She was confused. Was being in heat always going to be like this? She wouldn't know. This was only her first time cycling into heat. And with Dag's sort of hug she relaxed, her muscles untensing quickly.

She snorted and randomly stuffed her face into Dag's coat. With a muffled voice she said: "Thankfffuuoo for thoshe kinf wordsh. They helpsh aflot." Breathing in once she smelled Dag then romoved her face from his furs, sighing.

"Really, thank you. Anyways, winter is almost over. Do you enjoy spring and the warmer seasons? I personally like Spring and Fall. Summer is beautiful, but it can get a bit hot. And winter, the same but with cold." Her mood had increased ten-fold with Dags comforting words and hug.

She was so moody. This definitly wasn't her best time to be social. She leaned into Dag's hug with a hug back then released. It was nice to have such a good, quote-unquote friend, to be with.
Iaurdagnire's picture

Azura - Haha, I just opened

Azura - Haha, I just opened the map to see who was around, and Lacie was the first I saw so I just had to throw Dag in.
Man, your car. You need to strike fear into its heart so it doesn't play up again. Threaten not to feed it.


F2L -
The now quiet stag looked around sheepishly, watching birds scatter and other creatures flee from the scene.
"... Hm." The corner of Dag's mouth turned up in a half-smile, "I suppose it is better to startle things with laughter more than anything else?" Rarely does someone like their own laugh, but Dag liked his very much. He liked how it rumbled through the ground away from him, how loud it was; the volume matched his roar, but those were rarer to hear from him.
"The sky is falling." He gave a very sound-aware chuckle.

Taking a moment to breathe and replenish laugh-exhausted lungs, Dag closed his eyes and returned to his regal sitting position. He knew that in the context of his existence, there was no telling how old. But his present embodiment?
"To be honest with you, I'm not sure how old I am - I do not remember my fawn-hood in the slightest... But I would hazard a semi-educated guess that I am at least five summers; my antlers still seem to be growing, you see."
Though I do wish they would stop.
His crown was just on the cusp of looking ridiculous.
"If it's... not too impolite, may I ask you the same question?"


Dina - (hahahaha so cute!)
Dag smiled warmly, finding her burrowing very sweet.
"Hm-hm, you're very welcome. I'm glad I've made you feel better." It amazed him how quickly Dinamo bounced back from the brink of tears - if only everyone could recover so fast!
"Oh... well, I suppose..." Dag paused, looking rather sad. He struggled to see it as a chioce of weather; a preferred climate to be in. Each of the seasons seemed to overshadow themselves with their relation to him.
"... Winter." He let the word spill from his mouth, reluctantly.
"I am built for winter weather, and feel comfortable in it. The warmer times of the year - even after I've shed my coat -, I feel less at home."
Everywhere he looked, everything seemed wet with the melting snow,
"I think my favourite time of all, is watching each season end."

(Thank you! ♥) Dinamo

(Thank you! ♥)
Dinamo nodded slowly, she indeed saw how Dag was built for the winter. Big and fluffy, was Dag; she liked that. He made quite a good whind shield or blanket. She chortled inwardly at Dag's last comment, she too was fascinated by the seasons change.

"I love to watch the flowers begin to grow after winter, or the leaves start to fall after summer. The rains appearence after fall, and so on. I love to see the world change. It facinates me so." She was speaking truthfully. She could live off the world change, sometimes she favored one change over another, but all in all, she loved it.

Sighing, she looked outward and saw peeking flowers ready for the sun to rain down on them, little fawns dancing and bouncing around. A crow hastily flew overhead, cawing loudly as if to warn other crows of something that had just happened. No matter what season it was, there was life; Dinamo couldnt live without it.

She smiled, her eyes becoming

She smiled, her eyes becoming glossed with the happiness. It is no way impolite. I am four summers a doe. She did not know how the Stag would react to her past-life. She left it open to him whether or not to question, if he even decided to pick up on it... it was hard to explain.

The doe reached her neck up to sniff at his antlers. They were impressive. Large, wide, sharp, and heavy they perched like eagles atop Dag's crown. They are something to be proud of. She lowered herself back to a comfortable position while bending her head down to see to settle her long, spindly legs. Her antlers made a sound akin to when one blows on a glass bottle's lip.

Yours also dont speak audibly, though they do tell of your accomplishments. She laughed a little and lightly. Her odd, bowl-shaped antlers always spoke. When it was windy, you knew who was coming. If she ran, the sound followed her. Maybe she was here for a reason, as real predators would be able to find her easily... there were none here. The antlers purred, whistled, and growled depending on her movement and the wind. They were a bother, but she couldnt stand the silence of being without them.

Io looked Dag in the eyes. It's hard to find things to be as impolite as trying to have a conversation in wind when one's antlers wont stop speaking enough for the other to get a word in edgewise. Her eyes laughed for her.
OokamiAzura's picture

Lol, and I when first logged

Lol, and I when first logged into the game, there was nobody around I knew; I was all ".....-Goes to sit by self-" I'm uber glad you came along to get me off my lazy buttocks. I've been anxious to play TEF, since I've not been playing it for the last few weeks, due to no internet, and faulty car. I was actually quite worried that I was going to lose interest in the game, which is something I really don't want to happen. At one point, I even played it without internet, just to try and keep myself immersed in it. I've been playing solitary WolfQuest, and doing screen edits from that instead lately. Getting to play with you and the others yesterday more or less rekindled my love for the game. Thanks &hearts

Well, so far the car seems to be working fine now. For some reason, the Check Engine light came on in it suddenly, and when my dad drove it, he said it overheated for a few seconds, and then seemed to cool right back down. The car's pretty old, it's about...10-12 years, I think? Dad and I are going to be looking for a new car come September - provided this one doesn't completely crap out on me. @_@;

LOL Dag's rhyme too, by the by. He should be a rap artist 8> AND I WAS WONDERING WHO THAT WAS - IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME IT WAS ILLROSE.

I think Lacie's taking to Illrose so quickly was due to her/I being in such a good mood from being able to be back in-Forest after such a long time - that, and Illrose didn't do anything that would have set her off otherwise. She/I are trying to be more patient/accepting of deer we're not familiar with, honestly. It's slow going, but we'll see, I suppose.

Long message is long.

-DISCONNECTS-
Iaurdagnire's picture

That's an old ass car right

That's an old ass car right there 8D

You're welcome ♥ and it's great that you're going to try and be more outgoing with her. More fun to be had that way. And if she plays up, Dag will scoop her up in his antlers and keep here there so she has no choice but to be social... on his head... YEAH. >8|
OokamiAzura's picture

Indeed, it is. It's time is

Indeed, it is. It's time is just about up, methinks.

LOL, I actually had the thought to try and draw Lacie sitting in Dag's antlers after her failed attempts yesterday to do so. Truthfully, I tried drawing Dag the other day, and was immediately scared off after staring at his antlers for a good 5 minutes, rofl

Like I said, it'll be slow going, but I'll try. She'll try. &hearts
Iaurdagnire's picture

I like drawing him with just

I like drawing him with just spaghetti antlers, or with the word "etc" hovering between his ears. XD

What make/model is your car by the way? I'm curious of the oldie.

(An aside - Will reply to rps tomorrow)
Iaurdagnire's picture

Dina - Dag smiled and nodded,

Dina -
Dag smiled and nodded, his dark eyes skitting to all the little things he found fascinating. Flowers. One day he will witness that exact moment a new petal pings out from its casing. He has already seen a flower crumple under the hit from a single raindrop - it was just a matter of being patient. The gentle giant also liked to see flowers and grass spring back from being trodden; the fawns could be seen kicking about dandelions as they went, and their yellow heads... slowly... but surely... poked their heads above the grass again.

Birds. He would question "what does losing a feather feel like?" and look up eagerly to perhaps see the moment one is lost and tumble to the ground. Feathers are found sticking up from the earth all the time, but it is all about the beginnings for him; how it got there, how far it had to fall, what made it fall. Magnified; what does it look like when it parts from the skin? Knowledge. That is what Dag liked; knowing why.

"Moments... in life, fascinate me." He replied.



F2L -
At Io's compliment, Dag looked a little embarrassed.
"I suppose I am proud of them... though they are very heavy."
He chuckled, not that he needed to point that out at all. For a little while he wasn't entirely sure what Io meant about her antlers speaking, until he took a closer look at them,
"Well I never... those are unique, aren't they. I can imagine how noisy they must be in the wind... is their sound at least melodious one?" His head bobbed as he examined them from all angles he could.

But he stopped suddenly, his nose wrinkled and one eyebrow raised,
"Pardon, but... what did you mean by 'four summers a doe"?
Hart's picture

"Not to mention the brief

"Not to mention the brief game of submissive-Dag-nire, sir."

Iolanthe watched Dag examine

Iolanthe watched Dag examine her antlers. They are able to produce many different noises. Some are musical... while others are very much annoying. She admitted. His next expression caused an involuntary giggle. His nose wrinkling was a sight to see. She quite liked it. But.. the question was kind-of a difficult one.

Well.... that is.... my life before here... my life as something else. More like those dream-adventures I told you about? It is a very difficult story to understand if you have not been outside of the forests. I have been a Doe for four summers, and before that I was... well... a creature known as a Human. Really odd beings - Io started. She looked a little embarrassed and shy, clearly self-conscious, turning her gaze to the ground. Dag, you probably would not believe me to be sane if I told you. The story is too fantastic to even sound true. She truthfully voiced to the large stag.
Iaurdagnire's picture

"I was only doing it to make

"I was only doing it to make you feel less feeble."
(I found that hilarious by the way. They reminded me of pigeons.)

F2L -
"I see..."
Dag watched her with interest as she spoke, and was about to say she needn't tell him anything if the story - like his - was difficult. But when she said 'human', it was a subject he could just about grasp.
"I know very little about humans, but know... well, perhaps I should say knew; he doesn't come to the forest very often." Shifting his weight, he stopped to avoid going off onto a tangent,
"I knew a deer who could be both deer and human. His story was a complicated one... and one I did not fully follow or understand. All I know is that it is possible... and that I would - I do - believe you."
He smiles and is reminded of other who have been, or can be more than one creature,
"I don't see that it is much different from being able to transform into a crow or a rabbit. But perhaps humans are more complicated."
Dag left it there open-ended, allowing Io to decide whether she too leaves it or ventures in telling him more.

Io smiled, relieved that she

Io smiled, relieved that she was not the only one who had experienced a humanhood. Humans are complicated.... They walk on two legs like a crow... but have arms in place of where a crow's wings are. They can use them like a squirrel's front feet. Unlike both of those animals, though, they have hardly any fur on their skin. I love having fur. It is warm. I think that it would certainly be more difficult to turn back. She looked contemplatively at the grass. I still kept my face, mostly. Just a little more hair and a little squished nose. She wrinkled her nose a little. I was ruled by different gods, then. Ones that hated their people and loved to trick them. My Goddess, the one that my city in Greece believed was the best one, had a hand in killing my human self... but for some reason, she wound up putting me here. She still visits me when I sleep, and reminds me of my past life... of the female human called a Priestess that poisoned me... of the many times I upset men by refusing to marry... torturing me with my past... I really wish sometimes my fate were different, but I am beginning to like it here. Actually, a lot compared to the big city with all of its buildings... like the ruins, only taller than birch trees and enclosed by stone walls. Iolanthe grimaced. Men could have you and you were not allowed to be free. They fought over everything and never had a moment of peace... killing each other over land and women and food. They used weapons instead of antlers.... sharp sticks and sticks made of this substance called metal, harder than bone. Women killing each other....with poison plants as well as metal... because they just dont like each other. I barely made it to Twenty Two years old... human years. But... the far-away human world has progressed a lot since I died. That is why I started over in counting how old I am. I dont know how old I would be if I could live forever back there.

Iolanthe's eyes widened. She realized she had been rambling. Oh, I am sorry.. you didnt need to hear all of this. Io giggled nervously. It seems now, like a fairy tale you would tell to fawns in the evening. She let her head lower to the earth, a dandelion right past her nose. Greek humans considered eating deer a delicacy. I feel sickened thinking I ever ate the flesh of other animals, or liked it. She sighed. Dag must think her insane, she thought.

(I honestly didnt realize I was rambling until I finished her speech)
Reyy's picture

loving the way this looks.

loving the way this looks.

(Will reply tomorrow. I'm

(Will reply tomorrow. I'm sneaking now. xD)
Iaurdagnire's picture

F2L - Dag's expression

F2L -
Dag's expression throughout her speech gave very little away about what he was thinking; a slightly furrowed brow with an intense stare. He was concentrating, trying to understand. He didn't know there were other Gods, though as the idea was presented to him he found it immediately plausible. Why would humans have anything but a human God?
"It sounds... terrible..." Was Dag's supposedly well-rounded answer,
"I suppose it doesn't matter what you are, there will always be a reason for such... things. I feel this forest and its squabbles must heaven compared."
He smiled at her comparison to a fairy tale,
"You know, that is how all fairy tales start. And perhaps that is how you should remember it... I bet you could tell all kinds of stories about where you have been. The... good parts."
Chuckling, he gave a sincere smile in his attempt to make Io feel better.

Ravyn - Thank you. I wonder if it'll ever be finished... haha. I guess I feel the way you must feel about CSS.

Dina - No worries (;

Io looked at him as he spoke.

Io looked at him as he spoke. She listened to him intently, smiling. That may just be a nicer way to remember it. I might just be able to tell a couple of good stories.... from when I was a ...child. A Human-Fawn. I have a few adventures that would be fun to tell of... though not many could understand they were real. I guess that is why they would make good stories. She examined Dag's smile.

You have... a wonderful smile, you know? Iolanthe brought her eyes up to his gaze. You probably have a couple good tales in your head, too. You hide so much intelligence behind your eyes. Io didnt know if she was stepping boundaries, but she was curiouser and curiouser about Iaurdagnire's odd behavior.
OokamiAzura's picture

I actually did try the

I actually did try the spaghetti antlers trick, and it actually gave me a bit of an idea (: I need some time to actually sit down and really work on it though.

It's a 1998 Dodge Neon. In all honesty, it didn't start having major breakdowns until this past summer, but I think it's getting close to being fully retired as a vehicle. It's got almost 100,000 miles on it.

♥Sorry for the late

♥Sorry for the late reply. Hope you don't mind. c:
----
Dinamo nodded lethargicly, these days were slow, none-the-less. She always felt sleepy when it came to conversations that were hitting a dead end, and she positively hated it. She wished she could just think of an interesting topic and roll with it, rather than having to rack her brain for hours on end to find something suitable to say.

With a heavy yawn she leaned into Dag and said: "It seems our conversation has hit a dead end. Care to elaborate in any way, or shall I find another topic; But mind you, I am slow at coming up with them." Of course there were other deer to talk about, but she nearly considered that gossiping, and cared to not gossip.

Of course there was the nature, but they had already covered that. Trees, weather, food, the seasons, and so on, mainly covered. How she hated that she was such a horrible conversation started. It always came up when it seemed like it mattered the most.

Her skin flinched and twitched as a rather large, greenish beetle ambled onto her coat. It wandered around for a while, with the weight of Dinamo's eyes on its back, before twitching its antenna and flying off. She sighed; It was a beautiful day, but the butifullness lacked when there was nothing to talk about.
Iaurdagnire's picture

F2L - His mouth was open

F2L -
His mouth was open ready to comment on "fawn-humans", not being able to imagine little pink upright things with spots on their odd, hair-less skin. But the oddly placed compliments threw him a little off, and his jaw remained just a little agape before clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Oh... thank you." Dag replied somewhat awkwardly, but then... broadly smiled, showing his teeth to make an 'oh yes - I know it's spectacular', prideful joke about it. He didn't hold it for long though before relaxing into a chuckle,
"Hm-hm, do forgive me - I'm not very good at taking compliments. I feel like I must say something back now, but then it comes across as forced rather than genuine; my reaction is usually to make a joke out of it. Is that a strange, do you think?"

Dag loved telling stories, and Io made him realize he hasn't told one for quite a long time. He had told The Prince and the Pond, The Doe and the Caterpillar, and The Story of Drinkplaats Magic so far.
"If... I were to tell a story, what kind of story would you like to hear about?"


Azura - Awh bless it! My car is a baby compared, I don't think it's reached 50k yet |3


Dina -
"~"
He never understood why yawns were contagious. Even thinking of yawning makes one yawn. Letting his eyelids grow heavy, he stretched his neck forward and slowly lay his head on the grass, being mindful of his antlers and their proximity to Dinamo's head.
"Not to worry. They say the mark of a friend is the ability to simply sit with another without the need to speak, or do anything."
He smiled and let his eyes close. He liked others leaning on him, or using him as a pillow; he enjoyed the closeness.
"Would you like to take a nap in this lovely weather?"
----
I'm leaving it open to you whether they do (: reason being that if they nap, we can hold the rp for a while if you feel there is too little to go on? That way whenever you feel like it, you can come back and wake Dag up so we can continue (; it's entirely up to you ♥

Dinamo smiled and nodded.

Dinamo smiled and nodded. Watching Dag lay down, she too curled into a ball, her back touching Dag's side and her head facing away from him. Sighing, she yawned silently and smiled once more. "Of course, Dag. Just be warned, I have a tendency to toss slightly, I am terribly sorry if I wake you. and, if you need anything, feel free to wake me up. I'm a rather light sleeper."

She closed her eyes and let her breathing slope, she could hear the world, but it was blank. She quickly entered sleep, but she could barley hear the world around her. She was glad she was a light sleeper, she felt more in tune to the forest that way.

----
♥Suresure, they can nap, and Ill just come by and have Dinamo wake Daggie up sometime later; If he wants her too. To start up the RP again. c:
Iaurdagnire's picture

Dag opened his eyes to see

Dag opened his eyes to see Dinamo settle, and took a last look around before allowing himself to sleep. His head tilted slightly to the left when he finally nodded off, but it didn't go further. It couldn't - his antler made sure of that, and sank a little into the soil like a support. It was sad, really; Dag could never lay his head on its side flat against something.
---
Of course he will! ...I'm looking forward to it actually. It takes a lot to wake him up, so it will be interesting to see what Dina will try...

Io widened her smile demurely

Io widened her smile demurely in response to his broad one. I wasnt asking for one in return, Dag. I have an unlimited number to give, and need not receive any in return.To be honest, she hated compliments. She stated in a matter-of-fact manner. He then suggested a story. Io got to pick what it was about.

Her eyes cast the strands of her gaze far off and up in to the sky. A droplet of water fell on her forehead from an overhanging branch. I suppose the seasons would be a good subject. It seems Winter is reluctant to give up this year. Io let her gaze wander to the puddles of snow that dotted the landscape. They still inhabited the crevices of branches. Though many deer have fawns now, Winter still wont give up the darker parts of the forest. A fawn bleated in the distance, followed by the bellow of its mother. Io brought her gaze back to the earth just as a beetle flitted past her face.