{"submission_id":"3312076","keywords":[{"keyword_id":"40200","keyword_name":"cozy","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"560"},{"keyword_id":"2300","keyword_name":"druid","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1034"},{"keyword_id":"8807","keyword_name":"female/female","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"21972"},{"keyword_id":"1440","keyword_name":"human","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"100856"},{"keyword_id":"10943","keyword_name":"kobold","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"10508"},{"keyword_id":"191","keyword_name":"magic","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"23645"},{"keyword_id":"758","keyword_name":"snow","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"11016"}],"hidden":"f","scraps":"f","favorite":"f","favorites_count":"0","create_datetime":"2024-04-30 04:26:43.034007+00","create_datetime_usertime":"30 Apr 2024 06:26 CEST","last_file_update_datetime":"2024-04-30 04:23:28.831654+00","last_file_update_datetime_usertime":"30 Apr 2024 06:23 CEST","username":"BurnedOtter","user_id":"1193810","user_icon_file_name":"313320_BurnedOtter_ac454dc3-9aed-4117-838a-4710c4791227.png","user_icon_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/313/313320_BurnedOtter_ac454dc3-9aed-4117-838a-4710c4791227.png","user_icon_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/313/313320_BurnedOtter_ac454dc3-9aed-4117-838a-4710c4791227.png","user_icon_url_small":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/313/313320_BurnedOtter_ac454dc3-9aed-4117-838a-4710c4791227.png","file_name":"5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","thumbnail_url_huge_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","thumbnail_url_large_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a_noncustom.jpg","thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a_noncustom.jpg","thumb_medium_noncustom_x":"120","thumb_medium_noncustom_y":"80","thumb_large_noncustom_x":"200","thumb_large_noncustom_y":"133","thumb_huge_noncustom_x":"300","thumb_huge_noncustom_y":"200","files":[{"file_id":"5014313","file_name":"5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","mimetype":"image/jpeg","submission_id":"3312076","user_id":"1193810","submission_file_order":"0","full_size_x":"1800","full_size_y":"1200","screen_size_x":"920","screen_size_y":"613","preview_size_x":"300","preview_size_y":"200","initial_file_md5":"05de2d522e0a77575b1d274bffc1a06a","full_file_md5":"8b112866177105cac56cf59c3972f0b6","large_file_md5":"01b1cf6c859ca829bca6e7553b2a2ce1","small_file_md5":"20a509ca1e10a809418e0825d87d965c","thumbnail_md5":"7add2e265e4bb41759f20f86ed3abd9a","deleted":"f","create_datetime":"2024-04-30 04:23:28.831654+00","create_datetime_usertime":"30 Apr 2024 06:23 CEST","thumbnail_url_huge_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a.jpg","thumbnail_url_large_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a_noncustom.jpg","thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5014/5014313_BurnedOtter_628ef250-367e-471f-9c20-cca8c0c6ed8a_noncustom.jpg","thumb_medium_noncustom_x":"120","thumb_medium_noncustom_y":"80","thumb_large_noncustom_x":"200","thumb_large_noncustom_y":"133","thumb_huge_noncustom_x":"300","thumb_huge_noncustom_y":"200"}],"pools":[],"description":"Hey all, since im taking awhile on posting the next part of summer fireflies I thought id just slot in a little story I wrote for a dnd game im in. Sorry for the delays!\n\nAlso this art was made by the same person who made jax, juniper and their duo piece! \n\nThe sharp icy wind billowed on a cold and bitter night in the mountains. Snow fell harshly around a quaint little monastery, a flickering flame of human defiance against the creeping hand of nature. It was two days after the new years and our heroes had just finished a long trek through the mountains, weary and exhausted they sought refuge amidst the all but abandoned church of a man they themselves had slain. A church of Kossuth, the primordial lord of fire. It's here where we find that even a single ember can set one's heart aflame, a contradiction of duty and desire. Even the longest of winters can melt under the spring sun.\n","description_bbcode_parsed":"Hey all, since im taking awhile on posting the next part of summer fireflies I thought id just slot in a little story I wrote for a dnd game im in. Sorry for the delays!
Also this art was made by the same person who made jax, juniper and their duo piece!
The sharp icy wind billowed on a cold and bitter night in the mountains. Snow fell harshly around a quaint little monastery, a flickering flame of human defiance against the creeping hand of nature. It was two days after the new years and our heroes had just finished a long trek through the mountains, weary and exhausted they sought refuge amidst the all but abandoned church of a man they themselves had slain. A church of Kossuth, the primordial lord of fire. It's here where we find that even a single ember can set one's heart aflame, a contradiction of duty and desire. Even the longest of winters can melt under the spring sun.
","writing":"Snowed in. \n\nEven a druid has to admit defeat from the elements sometimes, we must not take the gifts of ingenuity for granted. For it is within these stone walls that we find refuge from the winter maidens gaze. Deep in thought I meditated on my bed, trying my very hardest not to fixate on the enclosing walls all around. Despite the objective value of such a structure it is difficult for me not to find it lonely in such a place. The others find comfort where I find distress, distraction and displacement. To be so disconnected from our current.. does it not disturb them? I thought to myself sitting cross legged on the stone bed we were so graciously offered. The poor girl knows not of the beauty which has been stolen from her. It was then I felt someone looking at me, likely about to approach. Immediately I scanned the room looking for the source of my intuitive sense. \nMy gaze wandered towards Modolf first, presuming that perhaps he wished to have a wound treated before bed. No. Before I finished I took note of the sounds of scrawling upon parchment and slurping of what was probably tea. He was journaling as he often did and usually he wouldn’t be in a very receptive state during such.\n Auralica wasn't in the room anymore, I could hear her hurried steps out in the other room. Echos of shoe against stone ringing in my ears in a mocking tone. It would be unlikely Axia would wish to speak with me after my choice words for his “Friend”. For a second I was confused; I was brought back from focusing on my sharp senses into the area directly in front of me.\n “Tale?” A familiarly inquisitive and warm voice asked, tapping me on the shoulder. I turned to face her, creasing my maw into a smile. I suppose I should have known.\n “Oh! Hello Claudia.. I was just attempting to meditate. Did you need something in particular?” I shifted to sit more comfortably and to focus more on our conversation. \n“Oh, well I just noticed you were meditating again. You said you might be willing to try and teach me some.. druid stuff? Figured maybe now might be a good time.” She spoke with a hopeful tinge to her voice, she looked down at me with genuine interest within her eyes. I felt a warmth within my chest feeling her gaze fixed on me, the prospect of teaching another my craft not the only thing lingering in the back of my mind. Over the past few days and weeks I couldn’t help but notice that whenever we spoke there was something.. different in my mind. The cold silver of my scales radiated with a strange comfort, though it was poisoned with an awkwardness I just couldn’t place. \n“Oh yes yes. I remember! It would be imprudent of me to decline such an eager student.” Pausing for a moment I look around the room, the discordance would make for an improper lesson. Perhaps there was somewhere more private? “Come, let us find someplace the quiet can be at its loudest. These distractions will hamper our focus.” The words sort of fell out of my snout in a strange way, likely not perceptively to another but there is hesitation, no, Embarrassment? As I speak. What is there to be embarrassed about? What is my body keeping secret from me? Standing up with a stretch I hopped down from the bed, waiting for her steps to follow as I guided us out of the room. A silence lingered in the air as we further ourselves from the group.\n “You know you talk a lot about the current, what exactly is that about? seems pretty important just on how exactly you talk about it.” She asks inquisitively as we reached a quiet side room. Sitting cross legged I gesture for her to follow while I try to find the words to answer her question within the deep recesses of my mind. It was a weak connection through the doctored stonework of man’s creations, but it would be enough.\n “The answers you seek cannot be found through the words of the tongues of man.” Pausing to look up at her I held out my claw palm up. Offering. “I can show you, however… This is nothing to be taken lightly. To teach another the secrets of our order is an undertaking. I say this not to scare you, moreso to make clear the importance of such instruction.” I said with careful consideration in what I attempted to be a mentor's tone, though my accent always made sounding serious difficult. My father told me to find others, others that I trusted and to spread the word to them. To teach them. Was it foolish to consider this one trustworthy? It's difficult to put exactly into words the source of that feeling of trust I get from her. Regardless, what's an arch druid without students? The question hangs in the air for a moment while I examine her face in an attempt to gauge a response.\n “Oh haha wow. Well.. I suppose if you'd be willing to share that with me. Doesn’t teaching a language usually take a long time though?” She asks while hesitantly taking my claw in her hand. The moment our hands touched there was a light flare of druidic magics as our threads connected physically. I could tell she was surprised at the feeling, a similar sort to the first touch of the current’s temperamental glow. The air grew colder as winter itself creeped through the stones, gently cracking forth a path. No longer speaking, feeling. \n“Ours is not a language that is learned, but bestowed upon those we trust, or care for. I have no need to teach you, when you took my hand the invitation was accepted. You felt it right? From the chest I believe is what you said.” My words were not said but echoed throughout the air with an ancient thrum. This process was one I had done before plenty of times with master Nidbai, but in this case it felt different. My heart beat in tune with a warm breeze as the seasons turned from winter to.. what felt like the spring. It has never been warm before, though the only thing that was different was.. Her. Stowing away the thought I try my best to continue the lesson with focus of mind. “Now, ask your question again. Feel out the answer within yourself. With our threads entwined you may find it easier to look inward as well as out.” Through the whistling wind my message was conveyed. My magic connecting us I could feel her deep in thought, searching for truth amidst the thick woods of her own mind. Within the cocoon we are held together as one in body and mind. whilst she discovers her answer I can’t help but take comfort in our entwinement. For so long there was no one but the rats, no one who would listen or care to hear the words I spoke. Beyond that I can't help but feel that strange warmth inside me once again, like the desert sun rising over the chilled sands of the lengthy night. Her touch warmed my strand of the current, and even still warms the body. The words to describe such a feeling continue to elude me, yet it's so familiar. I long to understand. I wish to explore this sunny path, but I’ve always heard such walks are more pleasant with another. A soft chirp floated through the air as if to get my attention. A short mote of druidic magic flared up from between us\n “What do you see?” I ask while grasping her hand tight within my claw, being careful not to dig into the flesh \n“It’s.. cloudy.. its like There's something glowing behind the mist.” She says with a small sense of bewilderment and mystification. An excitement blows over for a moment. \n“The current manifests differently for everyone. That must just be how your mind can comprehend it. If the ritual was done correctly you should have made progress on learning. Try to speak as I do.” The words chimed on the spring fay wind like morningjays. I saw her trying to focus, hoping I didn’t entirely miscast. The wind flows once again not myself in origin, a strange mix of common and druidic entered the air with a ting of legibility. Not perfect, but progress that I am more than happy to make. I withdraw my hand and stand looking upon her with a proud smile. My chest feeling as if it could burst from the extent of happiness that permeates throughout my body. “It’s progress. We will do this again soon.” I said trying to mask just how happy spending that time together makes me.\n “Oh yeah.. thanks for teaching me. Hope its not too much trouble.” She says softly as we walk together back towards our room. \n“Not at all, We should probably get some sleep though. The journey will be long and difficult. We must converge strength.” I reply in similar quietness. Indeed our journey on the morrow will be rough, but as always we will endure. ","writing_bbcode_parsed":"Snowed in.
Even a druid has to admit defeat from the elements sometimes, we must not take the gifts of ingenuity for granted. For it is within these stone walls that we find refuge from the winter maidens gaze. Deep in thought I meditated on my bed, trying my very hardest not to fixate on the enclosing walls all around. Despite the objective value of such a structure it is difficult for me not to find it lonely in such a place. The others find comfort where I find distress, distraction and displacement. To be so disconnected from our current.. does it not disturb them? I thought to myself sitting cross legged on the stone bed we were so graciously offered. The poor girl knows not of the beauty which has been stolen from her. It was then I felt someone looking at me, likely about to approach. Immediately I scanned the room looking for the source of my intuitive sense.
My gaze wandered towards Modolf first, presuming that perhaps he wished to have a wound treated before bed. No. Before I finished I took note of the sounds of scrawling upon parchment and slurping of what was probably tea. He was journaling as he often did and usually he wouldn’t be in a very receptive state during such.
Auralica wasn't in the room anymore, I could hear her hurried steps out in the other room. Echos of shoe against stone ringing in my ears in a mocking tone. It would be unlikely Axia would wish to speak with me after my choice words for his “Friend”. For a second I was confused; I was brought back from focusing on my sharp senses into the area directly in front of me.
“Tale?” A familiarly inquisitive and warm voice asked, tapping me on the shoulder. I turned to face her, creasing my maw into a smile. I suppose I should have known.
“Oh! Hello Claudia.. I was just attempting to meditate. Did you need something in particular?” I shifted to sit more comfortably and to focus more on our conversation.
“Oh, well I just noticed you were meditating again. You said you might be willing to try and teach me some.. druid stuff? Figured maybe now might be a good time.” She spoke with a hopeful tinge to her voice, she looked down at me with genuine interest within her eyes. I felt a warmth within my chest feeling her gaze fixed on me, the prospect of teaching another my craft not the only thing lingering in the back of my mind. Over the past few days and weeks I couldn’t help but notice that whenever we spoke there was something.. different in my mind. The cold silver of my scales radiated with a strange comfort, though it was poisoned with an awkwardness I just couldn’t place.
“Oh yes yes. I remember! It would be imprudent of me to decline such an eager student.” Pausing for a moment I look around the room, the discordance would make for an improper lesson. Perhaps there was somewhere more private? “Come, let us find someplace the quiet can be at its loudest. These distractions will hamper our focus.” The words sort of fell out of my snout in a strange way, likely not perceptively to another but there is hesitation, no, Embarrassment? As I speak. What is there to be embarrassed about? What is my body keeping secret from me? Standing up with a stretch I hopped down from the bed, waiting for her steps to follow as I guided us out of the room. A silence lingered in the air as we further ourselves from the group.
“You know you talk a lot about the current, what exactly is that about? seems pretty important just on how exactly you talk about it.” She asks inquisitively as we reached a quiet side room. Sitting cross legged I gesture for her to follow while I try to find the words to answer her question within the deep recesses of my mind. It was a weak connection through the doctored stonework of man’s creations, but it would be enough.
“The answers you seek cannot be found through the words of the tongues of man.” Pausing to look up at her I held out my claw palm up. Offering. “I can show you, however… This is nothing to be taken lightly. To teach another the secrets of our order is an undertaking. I say this not to scare you, moreso to make clear the importance of such instruction.” I said with careful consideration in what I attempted to be a mentor's tone, though my accent always made sounding serious difficult. My father told me to find others, others that I trusted and to spread the word to them. To teach them. Was it foolish to consider this one trustworthy? It's difficult to put exactly into words the source of that feeling of trust I get from her. Regardless, what's an arch druid without students? The question hangs in the air for a moment while I examine her face in an attempt to gauge a response.
“Oh haha wow. Well.. I suppose if you'd be willing to share that with me. Doesn’t teaching a language usually take a long time though?” She asks while hesitantly taking my claw in her hand. The moment our hands touched there was a light flare of druidic magics as our threads connected physically. I could tell she was surprised at the feeling, a similar sort to the first touch of the current’s temperamental glow. The air grew colder as winter itself creeped through the stones, gently cracking forth a path. No longer speaking, feeling.
“Ours is not a language that is learned, but bestowed upon those we trust, or care for. I have no need to teach you, when you took my hand the invitation was accepted. You felt it right? From the chest I believe is what you said.” My words were not said but echoed throughout the air with an ancient thrum. This process was one I had done before plenty of times with master Nidbai, but in this case it felt different. My heart beat in tune with a warm breeze as the seasons turned from winter to.. what felt like the spring. It has never been warm before, though the only thing that was different was.. Her. Stowing away the thought I try my best to continue the lesson with focus of mind. “Now, ask your question again. Feel out the answer within yourself. With our threads entwined you may find it easier to look inward as well as out.” Through the whistling wind my message was conveyed. My magic connecting us I could feel her deep in thought, searching for truth amidst the thick woods of her own mind. Within the cocoon we are held together as one in body and mind. whilst she discovers her answer I can’t help but take comfort in our entwinement. For so long there was no one but the rats, no one who would listen or care to hear the words I spoke. Beyond that I can't help but feel that strange warmth inside me once again, like the desert sun rising over the chilled sands of the lengthy night. Her touch warmed my strand of the current, and even still warms the body. The words to describe such a feeling continue to elude me, yet it's so familiar. I long to understand. I wish to explore this sunny path, but I’ve always heard such walks are more pleasant with another. A soft chirp floated through the air as if to get my attention. A short mote of druidic magic flared up from between us
“What do you see?” I ask while grasping her hand tight within my claw, being careful not to dig into the flesh
“It’s.. cloudy.. its like There's something glowing behind the mist.” She says with a small sense of bewilderment and mystification. An excitement blows over for a moment.
“The current manifests differently for everyone. That must just be how your mind can comprehend it. If the ritual was done correctly you should have made progress on learning. Try to speak as I do.” The words chimed on the spring fay wind like morningjays. I saw her trying to focus, hoping I didn’t entirely miscast. The wind flows once again not myself in origin, a strange mix of common and druidic entered the air with a ting of legibility. Not perfect, but progress that I am more than happy to make. I withdraw my hand and stand looking upon her with a proud smile. My chest feeling as if it could burst from the extent of happiness that permeates throughout my body. “It’s progress. We will do this again soon.” I said trying to mask just how happy spending that time together makes me.
“Oh yeah.. thanks for teaching me. Hope its not too much trouble.” She says softly as we walk together back towards our room.
“Not at all, We should probably get some sleep though. The journey will be long and difficult. We must converge strength.” I reply in similar quietness. Indeed our journey on the morrow will be rough, but as always we will endure. ","pools_count":0,"title":"Snowed in (A dnd story)","deleted":"f","public":"t","mimetype":"image/jpeg","pagecount":"1","rating_id":"0","rating_name":"General","ratings":[],"submission_type_id":"12","type_name":"Writing - Document","guest_block":"f","friends_only":"f","comments_count":"0","views":"16"}