The Sun Sets

Bronymous wrote:I assume Storm is flying up the slope?

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Her visible melancholy seems to distract her, enough that she doesn't see Storm coming up the slope behind her.

Spoiler:

Dice Rolls:

• Oliscomaur “Owlicorn”- Flying Beast, Carnivore
  The Oliscomaur is a huge, sentient, bird-like creature that will make its home around mountains. It’s nickname, the “Owlicorn” is due to its resemblance to Alicorn with Owl-like features. The head is flat and rounded, like that of an owl, but has a number of long unicorn like horns sprouting from its forehead (usually 3), a wide “grinning” beak, and the males will often have large feathery crests along the top and back of their head and neck. Like most birds and owls in particular, Oliscomaurs have the ability to spin their head almost 360 degrees, and are known to be able to extend their necks to almost triple length when catching prey. Behind the feathered head is a feathered pony-like body. It has four legs- the front legs are thin, and sinewy, with large talons used to grab prey. The back legs are much larger, feathered with much larger talons. The hips and thighs are wide, and the Oliscomaur will often rear up on and stand on these back legs, given balance by its wings. Oliscomaurs have huge bird wings extending from their back like a Pegasus would, and the average wingspan is about 65 ft- or a height to wingspan ratio of 1:2.6, given that the average height (with retracted neck, on all fours) is about 25 ft tall. It has a wide, bird-like tail to complement its features. Some Oliscomaurs will even decorate themselves, using natural ingredients to make clothing or markings, though the significance of such things is uncertain.
  
  Oliscomaurs are sentient, very intelligent, and capable of using magic. They are also solitary predators and will often use their magic to bait and trap prey, rather than actually hunt for it- leading to other nicknames, like “Sirenicorn” or “Harpony”. Common food for an Oliscomaur is anything made of flesh and big enough to be actually considered, or that happens to get caught nearby- Birds, Ponies (especially Pegasi), mountain lions, bears, monsters, etc.
  
  Because all Oliscomaurs, male and female, are fiercely territorial, reproduction is uncommon, and no actual documented evidence of procedure has been found. Many researchers believe that they use the “flyover” method- while the female is gone from the nest, a male will flyover and fertilize the eggs, avoiding confrontation. Others speculate that because Oliscomaurs rarely leave their nest, even to look for food- and that no Oliscomaur Eggs have ever been seen- this is probably not the case, and some manner of self-fertilization or asexual reproduction takes place instead. Another theory is that Oliscomaurs don’t reproduce at all, but have incredibly long lifespans, and possibly even resurrect themselves after dying, similar to Phoenixes.

Bronymous wrote:
When he speaks, Koli suddenly becomes aware of his presence. "Oh, another pony? Would you happen to be ready to be eaten, or will you join the conversation? So few of my listeners or their kind have ever bothered to actually have one with me. I'm rather enjoying this."

Meanwhile, checking the unconscious pony, Storm can tell that he's suffering from what appears to be dehydration, but should rouse easily. Emerald can detect little in the way of psychic or magical effects, but there is also a lack of brain function that would normally accompany a coma.

As they do this Koli responds to Emerald's further comments. "I understand your frustration at the situation. But going to the Griffon Kingdom will not serve me any better. My territory is staked here, and moving means intruding on another's. Not to mention, on the few occasions I have left the mountain in the last few thousand years, creatures only flee or attack me, like some kind of base monster." Her neck feathers ruffle. "Do you realize I used to be worshipped as a goddess? Now I'm just a beast. But no matter, I have little use for the comforts others may or may not provide me. I am content here."

Rolls:

Storms knocks his cloud over the dehydrated pony and showers some rain into his mouth. "No. I'd prefer to avoid being eaten if at all possible. But let me offer you a possible alternative. I understand you need to eat, and hunting gives you no joy. Have you considered changing yourself into something that doesn't require hunting for nourishment? Dragon perhaps? Or maybe alicorn? Or perhaps something else altogether? For a creature of your arcane ability, such a thing should be easy. Depending on how easy, you could just swap forms whenever you were hungry."

"I do not think its magic is within that purview. Otherwise, it could simply change a rock into a cow. Its magic is likely much closer to mine, though several hundred years behind the times: Lot of raw power, given the size of the net, but not very much eloquence to the technique. If it tried to change into a dragon, it would probably splice itself to the mountain. Besides which, ponies don't attack dragons in flight, which would remove this thing's excuse to feel sorry for itself as it travels."

Whether it was the overall insanity pressing on his mind or maybe his slow acceptance of what was going on, Kanen had a moment of clarity and calmed down. He looked up at the Owlicorn with a resigned face.
"Koli is it? My name is Kanenhronkaskarònya though Kanen is acceptable if you cannot say the whole thing correctly. Despite the current circumstances, it is a pleasure to meet you. If you do not mind I love to hear tales about you and your kinds exploits. I do not have much experience outside my own village in the forest below and I believe learning from you would be a great honor."

Fury of the Tempest wrote:"Who tried to drown me?" The unicorn demanded after he cleared his airways of any remaining water. Once he calmed down a little, and began to take stock of the situation he had changed his mind. "Actually, first who are you people? Save the owl, I know her name and what she wants before she knocked me out."

Fury of the Tempest wrote:"Gearick, obliviously someone smart enough not to try and give water to a unconscious pony. Any water left? I'm still dehydrated."

Fury of the Tempest wrote:"Did I swallow?" Gearick challenged, before gulping down the water.