[Cocktail Clutch Lesson] Between Moonlight [Open!]

[Uta]

Liat was anixous tonight. It was late, both moons thin, silver crescents hanging high up in the sky. The Red Star was ominous, glowing red, like a blight upon the navy canvas surrounding them. The winds coming off the ocean were cold, but not a cloud could be found in the sky.

The weyrlings had been flying and jumping Between regularly during the daytime, and had been allowed to make unsupervised trips to local spots on the Western Continent. While adult riders were always supervising, they were not given coordinates unless they asked specifically for them. It was a dangerous time for them, though hopping Between was dangerous for any rider at any age--even a well-seasoned rider could get sloppy. It was why it was important that the weyrlings learn good habits now--so they might continue well after they graduated.

But while flying a dragon during the day was one thing, flying a dragon at night was something different all together. Especially given a dragon's night vision wasn't much better than their riders. Flying at night was something every rider would need to do--as well as taking trips Between. Landmarks looked different at night than they did during the day--and the weyrlings would need to learn to visualize airspace that was nearly black without confusing their dragon.

Liat and Orioth had been taking the weyrlings out for night flying the past few sevendays--some of them were direct flights to various Holds and local hotspots, and she had them study the coordinates under the cover of darkness. Today, they would be doing a mix of flying and hopping Between. Various assistants had been sent to local hotspots and were hovering/waiting the arrival of the Weyrlings. Some where in the air, while others were grounded.

It would be up to the weyrlings to discover them using a mix of both skills-- getting to their destination by hopping Between, and doing some direct flying around the local areas seeking out the assistants. Each assistant carried different colored ribbon -- once the weyrlings had all six ribbons, they could return.

If they were truly stuck, they could return with less. Liat preferred if the weyrlings to return with at minimum three ribbons--the final count of each weyrling would help her understand what they needed to focus on, and what they might need to learn. It was set up like a game--but it was also practice. And as always, even this game could result in deadly consequence.  

[Uta]

How To Play

1. Roll which route Liat assigns you (simply for flavor text, doesn't have much of an effect otherwise).

2. Assign yourself a starting Confidence Level. You will need to track where your confidence level is at each roll, as some prompts can boost it, or lower it, depending -- and different prompts might yield different results depending on how you're feeling.

3. Roll from the Prompt Grid. Follow the directions based on its instructions. In some cases you will need to roll a second dice to find out the results.

4. Write an IC response to the roll. You must fill this out before you roll again. We are trying to get everyone to play together, after all.

5. If you gain XP points, please keep track of that. They won't be able to be added to your character until the game wraps/you finish your rolls, just like with PC Threadfall.

6. Bonus: If you quote a different person each time for at least 3 of your 5 rolls, you may gain +3 Bonus XP to place anywhere you like once the game ends. If your character is KO'd, you may still RP and quote individuals with each post.

7. Have fun!

This is a little backdated. We're going to dive into a little fuzzytime where this all would have happened a couple months ago. :3 Sorry for the delay! The burnout has been real.  

[Uta]

The Grids

Rroll 1 through 5 to see what order your character is hitting up the locations! Liat would have assigned them various routes so they spread out a little bit.

Quote:

Night Hide & Seek Route

1. Black Sands Hold, Paradise Falls Hold, Redoubt Hold, Dust Sun Hold, Whitecliff Weyrhold, Western Hold
   
   
2. Western Hold, Redoubt Hold, Paradise Falls Hold, Whitecliff Weyrhold, Dust Sun Hold, Black Sands Hold
   
   
3. Redoubt Hold, Western Hold, Whitecliff Weyrhold, Dust Sun Hold, Black Sands Hold, Paradise Falls Hold
   
   
4. Paradise Falls Hold, Dust Sun Hold, Whitecliff Weyrhold, Black Sands Hold, Redoubt Hold, Western Hold,
   
   
5. Dust Sun Hold, Whitecliff Weyrhold, Black Sands Hold, Western Hold, Paradise Falls, Redoubt Hold
   

Next, choose a confidence level for your duo. This might, or might not, have an effect on your grid rolls. The level could change based on the prompt so it might be good to have this handy as you roll, and to keep in mind what your Confident level is.

Quote:

Confidence Levels
Very Unconfident -- Doubt is your name and you're pretty sure you and your dragon are going to die. For whatever reason, you're just feeling very unprepared, or very stressed, and are resigned to your inevitable doom.

Unconfident -- You're really not sure about this. You're feeling very unsure about this entire drill and just aren't feeling prepared. Perhaps there's some fear that's gripped you. You're not really feeling too awesome.

Cautious -- You wish you could have done more to prepare but you also know that you did your best. There's no getting out of night flying. While you have some worries and concerns, you're feeling more cautious than anything.

So-So Eh, you're fair to midlin' about this. Not feeling overly great, not feeling poorly. It's jut a lesson--one of many--and whatever happens, will happen.

Hopeful You're feeling pretty good about this lesson. Night flying is something all dragons must learn and conquer. You think you should get through, even if it's a difficult course.

Confident You're feeling good and are confident that you and your dragon are going to come out on the other side without issue. The lesson might be new, and difficult, but you trust in your studies, your lessons, and your abilities. You'll be fine!

Very Confident You could almost be called over-confident, but you know you will come out of this without a scratch! You've studied, you've prepared, and you know you cannot, will not, fail. In fact, you're sure this is going to be easy... Too easy. BRING IT!

With the route in place, and your confidence levels noted, it's time to mount your dragon and fly. Hopping Between at night is far different than jumping Between during the day. There are a lot of things that can go significantly wrong especially if you don't visualize the proper coordinates and account for the nightfall.

Use this grid to see how you do! Your confidence level might go up or down based on your rolls -- and that might or might not affect different outcomes. Keep track of how you're feeling so you know exactly how you fair!

Roll once, fill in your post, and then roll again. You might or might not gain XP based on the prompts, with which you can include in future PC Threadfall games.

Quote:

The Grid
Roll a D20

• 1. Oh no! Oh no, oh no, oh no! You are suddenly gripped by fear as soon as you give coordinates to your dragon.
  
  ---- Very Unconfident through Unconfident Nope, nada, no, you're not doing this. In fact, your uncertainty actually helps. Instead of simply going, you are able to re-calculate your coordinates. In fact, you over-compensate, and wind up exactly where you need to be. You achieve your ribbon! Gain +1 Instinct and take the boost of confidence to move your confidence score up by one.
  
  ----Cautious through Hopeful: You hesitate before giving the order and linger in the air, unsure what to do. You reconsider the coordinates, try to give your dragon a clearer picture, and make the leap. Roll a D10. If you roll a 4 or less, you wind up in Between long enough to start to make you panic--but hen come out over the completely wrong place. In fact, you are somehow over the desert-- and none of your friends are around. Thankfully, you make it back to the Weyr, but are still pretty shaken. Move your confidence level down two marks if possible. No ribbon this time, alas.
  
  ---- Confident to Very Confident: You ignore the concerns and give the signal to jump Between. Roll a D10. If you roll a 1 or a 10 you either get lost Between and die, or come out somewhere far, far, far off course. Is that the ocean beneath you? Where are you? WHEN are you? A look up and you don't recognize the constellations. You are able to pop back to the Weyr, but are so shaken up by the whole affair you are pulled from the lesson to steady your nerves, which will take the rest of the night. KO'd!
  
  Rolling a 2 through 9 means you come out well off the mark, and no where near the Hold--but after some reassurance, are able to try again and make it back to the proper scheduled location, and achieve a ribbon. Your confidence is in tatters though -- drop down 4 confidence levels.
  
  
• 2-5 You manage to make it to the proper Hold, but you're struggling to find the Weyrlingmaster's Assistant. It is awfully dark, and clouds have hidden one of the moons. Roll a D10:
  
  ----1-2: You wind up flying in circles. Having your dragon move lower, you get a bit too close and a sudden gust of wind causes you to almost crash into the tops of some tall trees. How embarrassing. You simply can't find them. Discouraged, you move on-- without a ribbon.
  
  ----3: In your struggle to see where you're going, you almost crash into one of your fellow weyrlings, who popped Between. Whoops! Quote a fellow weyrling/player -- you both lose one confidence level. [If they aren't in the same spot, don't worry--we'll pretend an NPC spooks them wherever they are, and you just spooked a different NPC. Fuzzy time! If everyone has finished playing, that's okay] No ribbon for you!
  
  ----4-10: It takes a while, and you're not sure where to go -- but eventually you spot the green rider assistant who grants you a ribbon. Phew! You almost thought about giving up. Obtain your ribbon!
  
  
• 6-9 Hopping Between isn't the problem for this stop You get to where you need to go without trouble, and are able to seek out the weyrlingmaster and obtain that ribbon. Why did they think this was a challenge?
  
  
• 10 You take a breath, settle your nerves, visualize the Hold, consider the location of the Red Star, the moons and reappear over the Hold. Everything seems all right at first, but then, doubt starts to creep in... Wait a minute.
  
  Roll a D20
  ---- 1-14: Okay, yes, this is correct. Phew Your dragon rumbles greeting to the watchdragon, who is pleased to greet the new weyrlings on their journey. Guess you're just feeling a little on edge. You get a ribbon!
  
  ---- 15-19: No, this... this isn't right. You don' know what happened but this is all wrong. Instead of visualizing the Hold you were destined to go to, you confused the coordinates and instead of appearing at the main Hold, appeared at one of it's smaller Holds, miraculously enough. A mistake like that might have cost you and your dragon their life. Stupid. No ribbon for you!
  
  ---- 20. You're not sure where you are--but the pale watchdragon that greets you is angry and doesn't appear to recognize you. It bugles a warning. You're not supposed to be here! What? Huh? In fact, a hasty look around and you realize maybe--just maybe--you're not in the right place. Or the right time. You think you hear a dragon shriek in pain, somewhere in the darkness--but don't have time to try to find the source. The pale dragon that cried out in warning has now taken wing, and is flying up-up-up, eyes whirling red, and claws outstretched. Panic grips you and you hurriedly give the coordinates of Western Weyr -- and this time, take extra care of the stars and moons positions. Thankfully, you disappear and reappear back where, and when you belong.
  
  Shaken, you land, trying to sort out what just happened. If you are Very Unconfident through So-So, you're KO'd the rest of the game due to shot nerves. If you're Hopeful through Very Confident, you may continue, but your confidence level is automatically drops down to Very Unconfident.
  
  You're not sure what you saw, or when you saw it... but make no mistake, something, or someone out there, certainly saw you. No ribbon for you.
  
  
• 11-14 You visualize the coordinates and make the leap. Roll a D10:
  
  ---1-2: You don't know what happened but you appear dangerously low to the ground. Your dragon has to gain some altitude--and you surprised the watchdragon who bellowed in concern. Whoops. Not going to be able to hide that from the assistants! Gain a ribbon but your confidence levels go down by one point.
  
  ---3-8: You appear right where you need to be, and are easily able to locate the assistant to be given a ribbon. Excellent! You're feeling good about this drill, and your dragon's abilities. No matter what might have happened before, or what would happen now, you're in a happy place. Gain a boost in confidence level!
  
  ---9-10: You appear where you need to be, but unfortunately, a gust of night wind catches your dragon off guard, and batters you. If you're a green or blue, you get buffetted into a nearby grove of trees you didn't see. Whoops. If a brown, bronze, or gold, you fight the wind but wind up pulling a muscle in the process. Ouch! Lose a confidence level.
  
  
• 15-16 You are certain of your coordinates, and give them to your dragon.
  
  Roll a D4:
  ---1-3 You come to appear over the correct Hold, with little trouble. That's how this is done, woohoo! Gain a ribbon! Your confidence score goes up by one, if possible. If this is your third time rolling this prompt during this game, gain a +1 Between Accuracy score.
  
  ---4. Your dragon actually points out that something doesn't seem right. If they are particularly studious and clever, they might help you correct your visualization; if not, they are quick to involve a weyrlingmaster's assistant to help correct the coordinates. D'oh! Thankfully, you do manage to make it--albeit with some aid. Gain a ribbon! If this is your third time rolling this prompt during the game, lose a confidence level. If this is your third time rolling this, and you're already unconfident, you need to take a break and skip your next round to steady your nerves. You won't be finishing your circuit and don't gain a ribbon, but surely, Liat will understand.
  
  
• 17-19 Once again, you're feeling pretty confident about this whole thing! You give your dragons coordinates and:
  
  ----Confident and Above You give your dragon the coordinates and encourage them Between. The cat's in the bag! Except, by the time you come out Between you realize not only is it daylight -- but you're on the Southern Continent! You visualized not Western Hold but Southern Hold, confusing the morning's lesson in your haste. Oh for Faranth's sake. You hurriedly give the correct coordinates, and gain a ribbon--even if you're pretty sure the weyrlingmaster is well aware of what happened. Oops.
  ---Cautious through Hopeful You visualize everything perfectly, and manage to get to the Hold without issue or struggle. You're feeling pretty good so your confidence level goes up by one. Gain a ribbon.
  ---Very Unconfident through Unconfident You are feeling better than you had in any prior jump, but your dragon spooks and hops Between before you were ready. Thankfully, your coordinates were clear enough you don't get lost--but it definitely jars you! How lucky was that? Maybe try not to repeat that though. +1 Luck Gain a ribbon.
  
  
• 20 Yipeeeeeee! You did amazing! The jump was perfect -- your dragon took your visuals, you accounted for the time of day, and you wound up exactly where you need to be! Gain a ribbon!
  ---- Confident and Below: Move your character up a confidence level and gain +1 Between Accuracy
  ---- Very Confident: If your character is already max confidence Gain +1 Additional Between Accuracy for a total of +2 XP points.
  

 

[Uta]

gaia_moon  

[SilverLutz]

V'ime and Rhodonth
Route: Western Hold - Black Sands Hold - Paradise Falls Hold - Redoubt Hold - Dust Sun Hold - Whitecliff Weyrhold - Western Hold
Feeling: Hopeful

V'ime double checked the straps on the harness once more, a grim look on his face as he did so. Night flying was no easy feat and they had to use their newly learned skill of jumping Between on top of it all. He knew it was vital to practice in a situation with little stress so when they were under pressure they could rely on instinct and muscle memory to get the job done, but it was still a daunting task to face.

Rhodonth, for her part, was quite calm and confident, evening out V'ime's less than stellar mood so the pair felt decently good about the task at hand. Rhodonth knew that she could get the job done when it was needed and, considering this was a bit of a competition, she wasn't going to lollygag around. Still, there was no rush at the moment and she held still to let V'ime ensure the straps of her harness were tight, but not so tight that they'd chafe.

It's time, Mine, she crooned as the call rang out to take to the skies. They had their route planned out already - V'ime had poured over the coordinates for so long he was sure if he closed his eyes they'd be burned into the back of his eyelids - and despite his earlier uncertainty, V'ime nodded with determination. He climbed up onto the saddle and hooked himself in before lowering his goggles.

Rhodonth rose to her feet and glanced about at her siblings. She was small and lithe, a delicate creature among the dragons gathered, but she was a fierce competitor all the same. She spared her vibrant sister a look and a thought, her tone perfectly polite with a cutting undertone.

Best of luck to you, Sauzath. You and Yours will certainly need it tonight. Don't get lost~. And with that she took to the skies, wings beating easily as she rose to the height the other dragons were hovering at. They waited for the signal to begin, three hearts beating as one.

Prism Shine

 

[SilverLutz]

V'ime and Rhodonth
Route: Western Hold - Black Sands Hold - Paradise Falls Hold - Redoubt Hold - Dust Sun Hold - Whitecliff Weyrhold - Western Hold
Feeling: Hopeful

Quote:

You manage to make it to the proper Hold, but you're struggling to find the Weyrlingmaster's Assistant. It is awfully dark, and clouds have hidden one of the moons. You wind up flying in circles. Having your dragon move lower, you get a bit too close and a sudden gust of wind causes you to almost crash into the tops of some tall trees. How embarrassing. You simply can't find them. Discouraged, you move on-- without a ribbon.

Once the signal was given, V'ime relayed the coordinates to Rhodonth and the pair winked out of sight. They appeared a few moments later above Black Sands Hold, but from there things got a bit tricky. It looked very different at night and no matter how hard they tried, the Weyrlingmaster's assistant was nowhere to be found. Rhodonth flew in circles before nearly catching the tops of some trees in her determination to find their target, but V'ime wasn't having any of her competitive spirit this early on in the task.

"Come on then," he urged, not wanting to linger and waste time. "It doesn't matter if we get all the ribbons, we just need as many as we can get." And to get back in one piece, he thought to himself. Rhodonth heard the comment, of course, and snorted as she climbed to a greater height once more.

But if someone else collects all the ribbons they'll win.

"I'm more concerned with getting us back in one piece," V'ime grit between his teeth as he focused on the next set of coordinates.  

[SilverLutz]

Rolling for V'ime and Rhodonth  

[SilverLutz]

V'ime and Rhodonth
Route: Western Hold - Black Sands Hold - Paradise Falls Hold - Redoubt Hold - Dust Sun Hold - Whitecliff Weyrhold - Western Hold
Feeling: Confident
Ribbons: 1/6

Quote:

You are certain of your coordinates, and give them to your dragon. You come to appear over the correct Hold, with little trouble. That's how this is done, woohoo! Gain a ribbon! Your confidence score goes up by one, if possible. If this is your third time rolling this prompt during this game, gain a +1 Between Accuracy score.

You worry too much, Mine, Rhodonth soothed as they reached a proper height to jump Between at. It helped to orient them a bit, though they knew during Thread they'd have to jump regardless of where they were flying. Still, V'ime wanted to take every precaution tonight to ensure they had success.

The cold of Between wrapped around the duo for a few moments before the much-welcomed sight of Paradise Falls Hold appeared beneath them. This time they honed in on the assistant and Rhodonth practically oozed pride as V'ime collected their first ribbon.

"Right, let's not let that go to our heads," he grumbled as he tucked the ribbon into a pouch that he fastened safely shut. No good gaining a ribbon if they lost it during the rest of the task. "Stay focused. We can't afford to get cocky."

But we can afford to enjoy our success. Don't be so hard on yourself, Rhodonth insisted as they rose once again.  

[SilverLutz]

Rolling for V'ime and Rhodonth  

[SilverLutz]

V'ime and Rhodonth
Route: Western Hold - Black Sands Hold - Paradise Falls Hold - Redoubt Hold - Dust Sun Hold - Whitecliff Weyrhold - Western Hold
Feeling: Hopeful
Ribbons: 1/6

Quote:

You visualize the coordinates and make the leap. You appear where you need to be, but unfortunately, a gust of night wind catches your dragon off guard, and batters you. If you're a green or blue, you get buffeted into a nearby grove of trees you didn't see. Whoops. Lose a confidence level.

The next jump to Redoubt Hold went smoothly, but a gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew the small green muzzle over tail directly into a grove of trees. Rhodonth trumpeted her surprise as she struggled to right herself, but branches and trunks made it difficult to do so. She finally managed to drag herself into the sky, hearts pounding and her whole confident demeanor seemed overly flustered.

The next point, she said sharply to V'ime who was thanking his straps for doing their job and checking to make sure he hadn't soiled his riding trousers. Quickly, I don't wish to stay here a moment longer!

Rather than argue and potentially frazzle his dragon even more, V'ime simply nodded and let Rhodonth climb once again before focusing on the next jump.  

[SilverLutz]

Rolling for V'ime and Rhodonth  

[SilverLutz]

V'ime and Rhodonth
Route: Western Hold - Black Sands Hold - Paradise Falls Hold - Redoubt Hold - Dust Sun Hold - Whitecliff Weyrhold - Western Hold
Feeling: Confident
Ribbons: 2/6

Quote:

You visualize the coordinates and make the leap. You appear right where you need to be, and are easily able to locate the assistant to be given a ribbon. Excellent! You're feeling good about this drill, and your dragon's abilities. No matter what might have happened before, or what would happen now, you're in a happy place. Gain a boost in confidence level!

The jump from Redoubt to Dust Sun Hold was flawless and this time there was no wind to tumble Rhodonth off her path. She circled once before they spotted the assistant, relaxing the green again and allowing V'ime a moment to be thankful for the fact that all their jumps were going well. They weren't done yet, though, so after tucking their second ribbon away he hunkered down in the saddle once more to focus.

Rhodonth caught a familiar sight in the darkness and called out to her brother fondly.

Quinineth, I do hope you and Yours are fairing well. The best of luck to you, my dear brother. Unlike her call to Sauzath there were no undertones of insincerity and competition. Only fondness and reassurance that he was doing well.

Hattaki

 

[SilverLutz]

Rolling for V'ime and Rhodonth  

[SilverLutz]

V'ime and Rhodonth
Route: Western Hold - Black Sands Hold - Paradise Falls Hold - Redoubt Hold - Dust Sun Hold - Whitecliff Weyrhold - Western Hold
Feeling: Very Confident
Ribbons: 3/6

Quote:

You visualize the coordinates and make the leap. You appear right where you need to be, and are easily able to locate the assistant to be given a ribbon. Excellent! You're feeling good about this drill, and your dragon's abilities. No matter what might have happened before, or what would happen now, you're in a happy place. Gain a boost in confidence level!

Again, V'ime found that their jump was perfect. There was only one more to go now and it would bring them home. He couldn't let his guard down on the very last one and they still had to focus on finding the- oh, there they were!

Rhodonth flew down to the assistant and V'ime reached out to take the offered ribbon, letting it join the other two. Phew...they'd gotten half, at least. That was all right. Not what Rhodonth wanted, of course, but for V'ime it was fine. Passing.

As they wheeled up once more Rhodonth spotted another sibling, this time her fellow green Triesteth and her rider. She called out to them, her confidence brimming in her voice and swirling in her thoughts that she pressed into her sister's mind.

How many ribbons have you got, sister mine? I believe we're at three. The admittance of their low number wasn't something she relished, but she kept the sour taste in her own mouth rather than passing it along. Rhodonth was good at hiding her true intentions unless she wanted it to slip through, and for a sweet green like Triesteth...well. Even a slight slip-up would sail right over her pretty little head, she was sure.

Uta

 

[SilverLutz]

Rolling for V'ime and Rhodonth