Dusty

Lost in the Woods (Always Open)

Could someone else's character perhaps seek to purchase Padoof? Maybe as a pack animal, or even for riding.

Lost in the Woods (Always Open)

Padoof

Outside Yggdrasil

A rickety paddock, hastily fixed together from fresh cut saplings encircled the merchant’s stock, keeping the dozen or more sickly looking beasts from wandering more the a few yards in any direction. The lush green grass within the enclosure was soon trampled or cropped to the dirt by the malnourished creatures. Forced to stretch their long necks over the wooden barrier they stared longingly at the grazing residing just outside their reach, whinnying pitifully. It mocked them it seemed, swaying back and forth in the early evening breeze, tempting and beckoning them forward to where they could not go. They had just arrived only a few hours past, and there had been no time to graze on the road before. Their owner, a thin man in his own right cared not about his merchandise’s dumb, mournful pleas, instead pitching for himself a tent, and cooking a thin gruel upon a small fire. His hope was that one of the animals he’d invested his livelihood into would turn a profit, from which he might afford a decent meal, or perhaps even boarding in the village, were all but dashed. The unforgiving road left the once fat ponies he’d bought ragged and flea bitten. Their mangy fur and scraggly manes a depressing sight even to his old eyes. At least one boon had been spared him; in his travels he’d captured a stray donkey, which still appeared healthy and strong. Shoveling in his meager meal the merchant stared over at his new prize in rapt curiosity.

The donkey stood well away from the horses, or at least as far as it could get within the confines of the paddock. A wise choice no doubt, for even in their weakened state the larger horses would make quick work of a donkey. He appeared content to stand, pressed against the wooden fence looking about in a most, undonkeyish fashion, as if he was studying his new surroundings. He fascinated the merchant, who upon capturing him found the beast to be unspeakably well trained, almost responding at once to spoken commands. In all his trading days the merchant had seen only some hounds so beautifully obedient. He hoped, down in the dregs of his greedy heart that the donkey would bring not just silver, but gold once folk saw it for themselves.

For Padoof’s part, for that was the donkey’s given name, he wasn’t quite sure what to think of his circumstances. He was hungry, and thirsty sure enough, and hopelessly lost in a strange place surrounded by yet even more strangers. His cousins, the dumb speechless horses were content to leave him be if he kept far enough away, and the merchant had been sparing with the whip. All in all the situation was not optimal, but neither was it dire. Padoof was sure that if he kept quiet and passive all would work out in the end. After all, it worked in the past. The manfolk would ask, he would do, and the shiny rocks would be exchanged and Padoof would have a new owner. Hopefully one that actually fed him.

Extending a graceful hoof he pawed at the dirt, revealing a few roots which he ate in rapid succession, the expected snort sounding within seconds. Padoof retreated as a horse trotted over, snuffling at the spot Padoof was just at. Finding naught it resumed its previous pleading at the border, as if it hoped the fence would take pity and move aside for its pathetic, dejected eyes. Padoof held back a laugh, before scratching once more upon the ground. A new master could not come soon enough.

Miraculous America

Ensuring everything on the camera was set Serpentine glanced up at Furitta, winking under the mask and cowl. “Essentially, except not just him. Us as well.” She motioned towards the unconscious forms scattered across the street. “These folks aren’t gonna be very talkative, just like the ones before. Which won’t do anyone any good. People need to know what he’s up to, and that we’re here to stop him. I was hoping to get a few good shots of everyone fighting Rouge-Bat, and whoever this new villain is. Then I could leak it to the press. It’d be plastered on every newspaper and TV from here to Paris. We’d be famous!”

Serpentine was absolutely thrilled by the prospect, she just hoped the secret fame was worth it in light of the eternal grounding she was about to receive from her father. She felt a tinge of guilt, her father really trusted her and this would shatter that bond magnificently. She didn’t really want to think about that, and pushed it aside, the greater good was at stake. Fidgeting with the wrist strap on the recorder she turned to address their small quartet of heroes. “We need to get Rouge-Bat on scene first, preferably sooner rather than later. Maybe we should just rush this villain, I’m sure all four of us will be more than a match. And if it seems like we’re about to win Rouge-Bat will be sure to come try and help even the fight.”

The snake themed hero slunk across the open ground separating them from the villain’s concealed position, trying to catch a glimpse of her through the windows. Her armored boot clinked against an abandoned can sending it rolling gently down the street. Despite Talon’s song and mocking voice the street seemed all but abandoned, and the silence was deafening. A cold dread wormed its way into her subconscious, staining her confidence with suspicions and imaginings of traps and malicious deeds. Shrugging off her feelings of misgivings Serpentine gave the others a thumbs up. “I don’t see her. C’mon, let’s all go in on the count of three…”

Hidden In the Woods

@Raptra @vertigo @Captainsully I’m still down to go through, as are y’all it seems. Give me a day and I’ll set up an OOC and tag y’all.

Miraculous America

“Essentially.” Serpentine grumbled in response to Talon. “I’ll be there eventually, just give me a minute or two.” Luckily, the suit made her a far better runner then she actually was, as without access to something like Usagi’s hopping ability, Talon’s wings, and Furitta’s wires Serpentine was very landlocked. Nevertheless she made good time and arrived a few minutes after Furitta, getting a front seat view of the aftermath and carnage caused by this new villain.

“Uh… Did you guys already beat them?” She asked, glancing around the scene with evident confusion and annoyance. Snapping her battle fans closed she reattached them to her belt, producing instead a small video camera, which she powered on. “Anyone see Rouge-Bat here by any chance?”

Hidden In the Woods

@Raptra Weeeell... It does not seem Sock is responding. Perhaps we can incorporate the idea ourselves? I'm sure we can find two other players still interested.

Lost in the Woods (Always Open)

Padoof, Character app

Name: Padoof

Race: Donkey, or more accurately, asinus loqui, or literally donkey speaking.

Appearance: Padoof stands at a moderate thirteen hands tall, right at the withers, with his head and ridiculously long ears reaching sixteen hands at their zenith. He is covered, from his soft grey nose, to his pitch black hooves in rough grey fur, with a single dark brown stripe running along his spine. Padoof’s mane and scruffy tail are of a similar dark brown, and are ragged and unkempt. The only difference between himself and the typical donkey, one might notice by a mere glance, are his highly intelligent eyes. Their black, shining pupils betraying his concealed intellect.

Image

Characteristics: Although the typical donkeyish traits leak through into his attitude and personality, most evidently his stubbornness and laziness, Padoof proves to be is a curious, and gentlehearted beast of burden. On occasion, and when aroused by cause or whip he can shed his less favorable traits and become the toughest and most hardworking animal around, surefooted and loyal. He’s a simple soul at heart and despises being alone without a herd or master to belong too. That being said he is easily pleased, and it doesn’t take much to make him content and happy. He relishes in the simple things in life, whether that be a handful of sweet oats or a good brushing by a stable boy. As a young healthy male donkey he is strong and able to carry heavy loads over treacherous terrain, and he can deliver a powerful kick from his hind hooves as well. Alternatively he can use his power of speech to bewilder those who do not expect such things from a beast. He loves puzzles to solve, even if he’s not very good at them, and learning new words to say is his favorite pastime.

Background: Sired in the barn of an aged farmer and destined to a life at the plough and cart Padoof’s story was a unique case in terms of donkeys to say the least. The farmer who owned him didn’t know of his lucky strike, thinking only that he happened to come into the possession of the most intelligent donkey in the world. Padoof learned fast even for an ass, soon finding himself hitched to a plough and taken out into the fields to work. Beset constantly by the farmer’s curses and whip, those foul expletives were the first words Padoof learned. One day, while tilling the cabbage patches Padoof proudly unleashed a plethora of obscenities fit to cause a drunken sailor to blush. The ancient farmer, caught unawares by this miracle perished straight away from a heart attack. Grief stricken by this dreadful occurrence, and helpless to give aid Padoof was forced to sit and wait, tethered to the plough. Presently a gypsy carrying a heavy load passed by, and upon seeing Padoof and the deceased old farmer set to work creating a suitable grave. Once that was done he loaded his pack upon Padoof’s back and continued along on his journey. Poor Padoof was very confused, but he went along peacefully, not daring to speak again lest this new master toppled over like the first. For another year Padoof was bought and sold again and again, from owner to owner until at last he’d learned how to speak fairly well, only to himself of course, and came into the care of a young stable slave. This boy, mistreated by his owners found comfort tending to the animals, especially Padoof who always seemed to understand. Padoof desperately wished to talk to him, and then one night, he did.

Their conversation started out much the way you might expect, with a cry of shock leaving the boy’s mouth and a whinny of fear escaping Padoof’s. In time however they became more confident, and with patience, began understanding each other. The boy teaching, and Padoof learning all the ways of sentences, and verbs, and syllables. At first their talks were of minor things, small talk as the boy described it, but then it turned to serious, secretive whispers of rebellion, and escape. The boy hated the place, and while it seemed quite alright to Padoof he loathed seeing his friend in discomfort, and vowed to help in their flight in any way he could. Finally, one evening when the moon was all but gone from the sky they made good their schemes, stealing away likes thieves in the night. Their escape was foiled however, by the watchful overseer who noticed a slave was missing from his cot. Riding out he gave chase to the fleeing duo and proved that even a donkey with fear biting at his heels could not outrun a horse. By the morning’s hour the overseer caught them, and struck the boy from his saddle with a club. Spooked and kicked by the horse Padoof fled, deserting the boy to his fate and hating himself all the while. When at last he dared look back Padoof discovered he had gotten himself hopelessly lost. Steeling himself up Padoof set off into the wilds, determined to find his lost boy, somehow. His wanderings brought him unwillingly to Yggdrasil, harnessed by a horse merchant who’d captured him days before. The man dragged the ass along with the rest of his stock, hopping to garner a few extra pennies form the stubborn beast.

Race App

Names: Donkeys, asses, jackass, jenny, cuddy, and burro. asinus loqui.

Appearance: All donkeys, even the talking kind, are four legged furred mammals, with closed hooves, manes and tails. They resemble horses, though they are typically smaller and more surefooted then their equine cousins. They come in a multitude of colorings, from brown, to grey, and blonde. And they are typically used as draft animals, though well trained ones can be saddled and ridden. The speaking donkeys have unique features that are not perceivable to the naked eye. For instance more complex brains and vocal chords.

Characteristics: Donkeys are very well known for their stubbornness, and agitating laziness to those who wish to see a hard day’s work done. These universal traits cross over into their rarer talking kin. Due to their obscure nature and limited exposure, and typical bondage to a human masters, speaking donkeys have no culture of their own, and usually are subservient to whomever they happen to be owned by. They aren’t usually particularly intelligent and never really get many opportunities to learn. Often times they are killed for superstitious reasons the moment they dare utter a word, so most go throughout their entire lives without speaking at all.

Background: Speaking donkeys came about in a most unusual fashion several thousand years ago. A greedy king, whose title has long been forgotten once imposed his will upon a decrepit old village, demanding the people be killed and their homes razed. His violent act brought to bear the wrath of a powerful witch who lived there. She cursed the evil king and all his kin. Her curse cast upon the king’s family turned each and every one of them into an ass, and act that was supposed to end in their destruction. Her spell was incomplete however, and many of the king’s family could still speak, and think for themselves. Alas they were captured, and interbred with the donkey herds from across the kingdom, prized for their intelligence and amusing history, if not so much for their talking back. Their speech proved to be something of a recessive trait however, which soon was nearly bred out of existence. Their kind became rare indeed and was nearly all but forgotten.

Lost in the Woods (Always Open)

Better yet, I'll just post the app and see if its accepted.

Padoof, Character app

Name: Padoof

Race: Donkey, or more accurately, asinus loqui, or literally donkey speaking.

Appearance: Padoof stands at a moderate thirteen hands tall, right at the withers, with his head and ridiculously long ears reaching sixteen hands at their zenith. He is covered, from his soft grey nose, to his pitch black hooves in rough grey fur, with a single dark brown stripe running along his spine. Padoof’s mane and scruffy tail are of a similar dark brown, and are ragged and unkempt. The only difference between himself and the typical donkey, one might notice by a mere glance, are his highly intelligent eyes. Their black, shining pupils betraying his concealed intellect.

Image

Characteristics: Although the typical donkeyish traits leak through into his attitude and personality, most evidently his stubbornness and laziness, Padoof proves to be is a curious, and gentlehearted beast of burden. On occasion, and when aroused by cause or whip he can shed his less favorable traits and become the toughest and most hardworking animal around, surefooted and loyal. He’s a simple soul at heart and despises being alone without a herd or master to belong too. That being said he is easily pleased, and it doesn’t take much to make him content and happy. He relishes in the simple things in life, whether that be a handful of sweet oats or a good brushing by a stable boy. As a young healthy male donkey he is strong and able to carry heavy loads over treacherous terrain, and he can deliver a powerful kick from his hind hooves as well. Alternatively he can use his power of speech to bewilder those who do not expect such things from a beast. He loves puzzles to solve, even if he’s not very good at them, and learning new words to say is his favorite pastime.

Background: Sired in the barn of an aged farmer and destined to a life at the plough and cart Padoof’s story was a unique case in terms of donkeys to say the least. The farmer who owned him didn’t know of his lucky strike, thinking only that he happened to come into the possession of the most intelligent donkey in the world. Padoof learned fast even for an ass, soon finding himself hitched to a plough and taken out into the fields to work. Beset constantly by the farmer’s curses and whip, those foul expletives were the first words Padoof learned. One day, while tilling the cabbage patches Padoof proudly unleashed a plethora of obscenities fit to cause a drunken sailor to blush. The ancient farmer, caught unawares by this miracle perished straight away from a heart attack. Grief stricken by this dreadful occurrence, and helpless to give aid Padoof was forced to sit and wait, tethered to the plough. Presently a gypsy carrying a heavy load passed by, and upon seeing Padoof and the deceased old farmer set to work creating a suitable grave. Once that was done he loaded his pack upon Padoof’s back and continued along on his journey. Poor Padoof was very confused, but he went along peacefully, not daring to speak again lest this new master toppled over like the first. For another year Padoof was bought and sold again and again, from owner to owner until at last he’d learned how to speak fairly well, only to himself of course, and came into the care of a young stable slave. This boy, mistreated by his owners found comfort tending to the animals, especially Padoof who always seemed to understand. Padoof desperately wished to talk to him, and then one night, he did.

Their conversation started out much the way you might expect, with a cry of shock leaving the boy’s mouth and a whinny of fear escaping Padoof’s. In time however they became more confident, and with patience, began understanding each other. The boy teaching, and Padoof learning all the ways of sentences, and verbs, and syllables. At first their talks were of minor things, small talk as the boy described it, but then it turned to serious, secretive whispers of rebellion, and escape. The boy hated the place, and while it seemed quite alright to Padoof he loathed seeing his friend in discomfort, and vowed to help in their flight in any way he could. Finally, one evening when the moon was all but gone from the sky they made good their schemes, stealing away likes thieves in the night. Their escape was foiled however, by the watchful overseer who noticed a slave was missing from his cot. Riding out he gave chase to the fleeing duo and proved that even a donkey with fear biting at his heels could not outrun a horse. By the morning’s hour the overseer caught them, and struck the boy from his saddle with a club. Spooked and kicked by the horse Padoof fled, deserting the boy to his fate and hating himself all the while. When at last he dared look back Padoof discovered he had gotten himself hopelessly lost. Steeling himself up Padoof set off into the wilds, determined to find his lost boy, somehow. His wanderings brought him unwillingly to Yggdrasil, harnessed by a horse merchant who’d captured him days before. The man dragged the ass along with the rest of his stock, hopping to garner a few extra pennies form the stubborn beast.

Race App

Names: Donkeys, asses, jackass, jenny, cuddy, and burro. asinus loqui.

Appearance: All donkeys, even the talking kind, are four legged furred mammals, with closed hooves, manes and tails. They resemble horses, though they are typically smaller and more surefooted then their equine cousins. They come in a multitude of colorings, from brown, to grey, and blonde. And they are typically used as draft animals, though well trained ones can be saddled and ridden. The speaking donkeys have unique features that are not perceivable to the naked eye. For instance more complex brains and vocal chords.

Characteristics: Donkeys are very well known for their stubbornness, and agitating laziness to those who wish to see a hard day’s work done. These universal traits cross over into their rarer talking kin. Due to their obscure nature and limited exposure, and typical bondage to a human masters, speaking donkeys have no culture of their own, and usually are subservient to whomever they happen to be owned by. They aren’t usually particularly intelligent and never really get many opportunities to learn. Often times they are killed for superstitious reasons the moment they dare utter a word, so most go throughout their entire lives without speaking at all.

Background: Speaking donkeys came about in a most unusual fashion several thousand years ago. A greedy king, whose title has long been forgotten once imposed his will upon a decrepit old village, demanding the people be killed and their homes razed. His violent act brought to bear the wrath of a powerful witch who lived there. She cursed the evil king and all his kin. Her curse cast upon the king’s family turned each and every one of them into an ass, and act that was supposed to end in their destruction. Her spell was incomplete however, and many of the king’s family could still speak, and think for themselves. Alas they were captured, and interbred with the donkey herds from across the kingdom, prized for their intelligence and amusing history, if not so much for their talking back. Their speech proved to be something of a recessive trait however, which soon was nearly bred out of existence. Their kind became rare indeed and was nearly all but forgotten.

Lost in the Woods (Always Open)

I’m interested, but I have an idea for a character that isn’t a super typical fantasy creature, and I’m wondering how far is too far?

Hidden In the Woods

I'm guessing this is no more? @Sockofpancakes