[Griff]

Username: Griff
Lambicorn name: Captain Alphonse Seabring
Gender: Male
5 Hex Codes (or less): #800000 #004000 #8000BF
Curse: Navigator
Prompt:

The thing about Alphonse was that he was no pirate captain. No, originally, Alphonse was a captain of the local guard. It was his job to ensure that everyone was safe, happy, and well-protected from the dangers the area brought. He was well-loved and respected, even if folks found him to be a bit too upright and strict. But he had made a vow to do his duty no matter what it took. "Come Hell or High Waters, I will save all I ought er!" Was his mantra, a saying he could be heard proclaiming to the locals.

This served him well, until one night screaming could be heard from the docks. Alphonse rushed to the scene, only to discover a pirate ship beset by a rather large tentacled beast. Determination lighting his eyes, the captain rushed into action. They might be pirates, but they were also living lambies after all. One by one, he grabbed the ailing pirates, guiding them to safety... until only the captain remained. Before his eyes the pirate captain was grabbed by a large tentacle, and dragged underneath the waves.

Alphonse did not hesitate, diving down below the waves after the creature and his prey. After kicking and gnawing at the tentacle holding the pirate however, Alphonse quickly realized this creature would not loosen its hold unless it was killed. So gathering his courage, he went to do battle with the monster. The village spoke of the terrible commotion which followed, as soon enough the pirate captain surfaced once more, shaken by what he had seen. When asked about Alphonse, the pirate simply shook his head and lowered his hat, and then tossed it into the sea out of respect.

What none could have known was that the creature felled was the guardian of the seas, tasked with taking down pirate vessels by a power greater than itself. The creature's blood had entered Alphonse during the battle, seeping deep inside. When he awoke, the creature's knowledge was his own as well. He knew what he had killed, what he was now cursed to do. But.

"No. No I will guide the lost, save the lives I can pirate or no! Come Hell or High Water, I save all I ought 'er!" His ailment ensured he could not traverse his beloved lands again... but he could still watch over the people. If it meant he had to live with this curse forever... than he would. But how long would his determination hold out? How long before he became just another kraken of the seas?

[KestrelTheFirecat]

Mark

[Alphias]

Username: Alpha Snowdust
Lambicorn name: Dauntless/Everan
Gender: Male
5 Hex Codes (or less): 595F72 B7D1DA E2E8DD
Curse: ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋᴏʀᴊɪɴ
Prompt:

They had told him not to go past the forest, into the cavern after on the abandoned island three days and one sunset away. They had told him not to look in the cat's eyes. But Everan was never one to listen. Never one to heed the thoughts of others. And so he travelled in his rowboat to the island where they said the treasure lay.

Everan arrived hours before sunset fell. Even if there was truth in the others' words, which he doubted, then he would still have time. He stepped onto the black sands of the island and looked towards the tall, dark pines that took the place of the expected palm trees. "They said take the path closest to the river." He murmured, adjusting his hat and made his way towards the forest. He found a general path, or what looked like a path, a clearing 10 feet across that continued into the trees. Every so often there was a dimly lit lantern, softly, if not eerily, illuminating the floor as he walked.

Everan didn't notice the creatures in the trees. Or the creatures watching him from their hiding places on the forest floor. But they noticed him. And they didn't like trespassers. Especially ones with a hat attributed to those who steal treasure and chart courses through the oceans.

~~~

Once Everan had passed and was out of earshot, the largest creature nodded at it's companions. The creatures on the ground shimmied up into the branches, next to the other half of their group. They sat at full attention as their leader followed, helping the smallest kit up to a safe, sturdy branch. They were feline-like, with bodies of shadows and eyes of light. Their claws could grip any surface and their teeth were as strong as diamonds. And they disliked anyone from the sea.

"I thought we had gotten rrrrrid of them Lorrrrus." One of the creatures whispered into her brother's ear. She sat down next to him. "Thrrrree hundrrrred yearrrrrs ago."

Lorus looked at her, "They always come back Enrrrrrei. That's what Fatherrrrr and Motherrrrr told us beforrrre they werrrrre taken by them two hundrrrred yearrrrs prrrriorrr, rrrrrememberrrr?"

Enrei fidgeted, "And so we rrrretailiated. We put the cat forrrr the next villains into the cave they seeked. And we haven't had anotherrrr until now."

"But why now?" Lorus said, looking up at the sky.

"Legends tend to fade, brotherrrr. Only by happening again do they tend to rrrresurrrface." Enrei said, then angled her tail towards the others.

"Well, we have anotherrr one." Lorus nodded at the group.

"Uhnuhtheh?" The smallest kit said, tilting her head to the side, nearly falling off the branch.

"Carrreful Inis." The kit's mother said, steadying the kit.

"Well, do we just wait for him to rrreach it?" One of the creatures asked.

"Prrrecisely. Therrre isn't much we can do now. Enrrrei, you know morrre about the cat than I do. Take the finest, slickest, healthiest Korrrjins and follow that Lambicorrrrn. Don't let him out of yourrr sight. But stay out of his." The leader nodded to his sister.

"Yes," Enrei nodded, "Folstance, Ourrrra, Minji, Sukirrra, with me." The four Korjins followed after the gold-tinted Korjin, as she leapt to the tree closest to her and her brother. Soon enough, the five had disappeared into the needles.

Lorus turned back towards the remaining six. "Verkine, I need you to take Kyrrrrlarrr and herrrr kit to the nearrrest safe base."

"Of courrrrse." Verkine took Inis in her mouth, holding the kit by her scruff.

"Take the grrround." Lorus added and with a nod, Verkine and the mother-daughter duo disappeared, heading towards the hollowed log that the Korjins had marked. Lorus knew it wouldn't take them long. The log wasn't too far away. "The rrrest of you. We'rrre going to see what this Lambicorrrn has on his ship. Don't touch anything unless I give you the okay to. Thrrree hundrrred yearrrrs is a long time." And so the remaining four Korjins headed towards the beach.

~~~

The forest thinned so that Everan could easily see two paths. He paused for a second, then angled his ears, trying to hear water. The others had told him that the path nearest to the river would take him to where he wanted to go.

At last he heard it, the softest trickle, to his left. "Aha" He muttered, and continued.

Eventually, he came towards the mouth of a dark, blue-gray cave. Something definitely gave him the chills about it - it didn't seem normal. But then again, who was he to know normal? Nothing was ever normal. For instance, who in their right mind would sail across the sea in a rowboat? Him, of course, but...

He shook his head, clearing it of thoughts and stepped inside.

Immediately, his eyes were drawn to a yellowish glow, just around a corner. He followed it, mesmerized. He came out to an body of water... but he was still in the cave.

"An underground pool?" He tilted his head confused, then decided that it made sense. He looked towards the glow and his eyes widened as he took it in.

A small black cat with glowing yellow eyes, no bigger than an apple, sat upon a pedestal. It took a while for Everan to realize that it wasn't alive - it was just a statue. As if in a trance, Everan moved towards it, mesmerized by it's glow. He crossed the waters to the island where the pedestal stood. He reached out, determined to grab it...

"SCREEEEEEEEEECH!" The yellow eyes glowed brighter, blinding the Lambicorn, until Everan was forced to shut his eyes. The statue seemed... angry?

He was thrown back to the corner, than a gust of wind forced him back to the entrance. He tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't... some force was keeping them closed, and it wasn't sleep.

There used to be hundreds of us, until you guys came. And now... now we will have our revenge, Lambicorn.

Flashes of ships, water, yowls, storms... a war perhaps... appeared before Everan's eyes. Then it stopped.

Everan slowly opened his eyes, and took a quick glance towards the cave. Where had the statue gone? He noticed he was shaking, frightened. That hadn't been real had it?

But it had been. Everan looked at the tentacles that had sprouted. He took one last look at the cave and dashed as fast as he could back to his boat, tripping over his new additions every few steps. He heard a yowl, but didn't turn around.

~~

"He's coming." Lorus hissed, picking up his sister's yowl. His companions nodded and cut through the last rope that was keeping the boat on the island. Then, they dashed back towards the trees. Lorus slunk behind a nearby rock.

The Lambicorn ran up and skidded to a stop. He watched his boat drift farther and farther away.

"So Lambicorrrrn, you rrrreached the Cat of Dual Fates, I see?" Lorus leapt on top of the rock. The Lambicorn screamed, to which the Korjin rolled his eyes.

"C-cat of Dual Fates?"

"Mhmm. You could've had a betterrrr fate, if you had chosen to leave ourrrr island in peace. But now, you've chosen to stay. Forrrreeverrr. No matterrr what yourrr name was, or what it would be. You shall be forrreverrr known as Dauntless. This is the prrrrice you must pay. The prrrrice that all who seek us out must pay." Lorus said, heading towards the forest. He looked over his shoulder, "Oh and I wouldn't touch the waterrr if I werrre you. It doesn't rrrain herrrre forrrr a rrrreason. You don't want to dissolve do you?" And with that note, he disappeared to rejoin his family, leaving Dauntless speechless. The Lambicorn wouldn't be able to leave until the Korjins allowed him to. And who knows when that will be, if ever?

[rem sleep]

Username: rem sleep

Lambicorn name: Null

Gender: Male

5 Hex Codes: #e0b0ff #9370db 73c2fb #48d1cc #000000

Curse: They made a deal with a faerie spirit that cursed them-- he has magic power, but in exchange he's cursed to be forgotten by everyone he meets. He has no name, and no identity, and so he cannot be known or remembered by anyone at all.

Prompt:
Null sat atop the castle of stone he'd meticulously constructed with his magic spells. He felt the cold sea breeze as it passed him by, and gazed longingly out at the ocean. The island was smaller than he'd have liked, but he thought about that often, and there was nothing in sight except the sea. The island had been enough to support him thus far, but every day he worried that his resources would dwindle out entirely, that he'd be left to starve and haunt this miserable place he'd been stranded. He mentally scoffed at the very prospect. He had enough to worry about with one curse, he definitely didn't need another. He drifted back into his stone castle as the sun fell into the ocean, letting the moon rise from its tides. The interior was decorated with everything one could want, all the modern comforts, procured with magic-- and yet, it hardly felt like a home. As Null wandered the halls, he cursed under his breath. It was only a pale shadow of the home he wanted to return to, an imperfect mirror, a colorless painting-- that, and he was entirely without his family and friends, they were here only in the shadows he saw of their silhouettes on tired nights when his mind drifted farther from reality. He crawled into his bedroom and pulled the covers up over his eyes. This was a miserable existence-- living in pure, complete isolation, waiting for something to change, anything at all.

He felt a tug at his covers, and he glanced to his bedside, where his companion lingered. It wasn't a person, he knew-- it wasn't anything-- it was a spirit, or a faerie, or something beyond his feeble comprehension-- it was his blessing and his curse-- and it greeted him with a small smirk. "How are you tonight, Null? Would you like some company?" The thing's ethereal voice drifted over the wind to him, and as it invoked his "name" he scoffed.

"Hardly," he turned his back on the fae, feeling the "name" like salt rubbed into an open wound-- the deal they'd made had been in exchange for his name, and while he'd all the magic he wanted, he had no identity-- and it burned and seared at him, deteriorated him slowly-- because he knew that his existence had been completely taken with it. The deal had sounded innocuous enough when he'd washed up on the shore-- the creature unsuspecting and small, with a gentle voice, had offered to help in exchange only for such a meager thing as a name-- but what it had meant was identity, and that was what it had took. It was why no one had come looking for him-- why even his crew mates had abandoned him-- because they could not remember he had so much as existed. His name had been smudged from reality, and not even he remembered it-- all that was left was nothing-- and so he was called that; Null. "Get lost."

The fae, that had grown larger and stronger since Null's arrival on its island, took a seat on his bedside, "Don't be like that, Null. We're friends, aren't we?" The fae peered at him with mysteriously vacant pearl eyes, its form like a shifting tide.

"No, we aren't," Null spat, and he ignored the guest for the remainder of the night, stubbornly drifting into a fitful sleep. The fae lingered by him, watching the shadows dance on the wall of the room in the dull candlelight. They hadn't meant to trap Null in such an unfavorable deal-- well, they had at the time, but they hadn't known how much it would affect him, how dearly it would cost, and how much it would hurt. They had wanted a friend-- and they'd gone about it wrong, they knew-- but it was too late now to fix it. They sighed, glancing at Null's sleeping face, twisted subtly with agony.

The fae created a leather bound tome with their magic and gingerly set it on the nightstand-- on its cover was a jolly roger skull, and inscribed in bold but delicate letters was the name 'Jaxson Rogers'. It left that book there for Null to find. The name wouldn't strike him as familiar, the fae already knew, but perhaps if he read his own journal he might start to remember himself. It was an attempt at making up for their wrongdoing, and perhaps a bid at getting Null to forgive them, if they were lucky. It might undo some of the damage-- who knows? Maybe if he read the thing entirely, he'd begin to remember-- and maybe others would too. Maybe they'd come to save him.

As much as it scared the fae to think about letting their only friend go, it scared them more to think of what would happen if they remained trapped on this island forever with resources ever depleting. They recognized in some quiet way their mistakes-- and they decided, resolutely, in the silence of the night, that they were going to try and reverse the damage-- before it was too late.

[Only_Sky]

Username: Only_Sky
Lambicorn name: Lothren (Was Fallow Tailor)
Gender: Male
5 Hex Codes (or less): #D0E397, #F6FFD3, #502E20, #E97F6C
Curse: A life of Solitude
Prompt:

The storm grew heavier, hard droplets of rain beating down on your face like miniature daggers. The little dingy that you were sent adrift in during the storm hours before was beaten and waterlogged, water spilling in from all around. Soon, the dingy would sink, and you'd be stuck in the water on your own.
As you heaved a bucket in and out of the dingy, scooping water out as best you could, you noticed a huge shape looming from the shadowy beyond, a ship. With all your might, you began paddling over the side of the barely floating vessel, edging yourself closer to the swaying beast in the midst. You just manage to reach the ladder on the side of the ship and grab ahold as your dingy finally sinks beneath the surface of the water, disappearing into the deep.

Heaving yourself over the side of the ship, you land with a painful thump, but your relief overwhelmed the pain of your ordeal. That is until you heard it. Scraaape, scraaape, your head twisted around, searching in the darkness for any movement.
Heavy hooves dragged roughly against the old wooden floors, scraaape, scraaape, the sound carried through the quiet air like the screams of lost souls, piercing your eardrums painfully. Backing up slowly, you peered around for anything you could use to defend yourself, a sword, a stick, even a barrel. But nothing, the ship was bare of anything, as if any evidence of anyone ever being there had disappeared. Odd. And scary.

The long scraping continued for a few seconds until suddenly all was quiet but for the rain, and a prickle of fear worked it's way down your spine. What are you doing on my ship.. Creaky floorboards and old winds was the only way you could describe the voice that sounded right by your ear, and your heart stopped for a second as pure fear overtook you. Craning your neck slowly, you turned to see who it belong to. But no one stood behind you. Whipping your head back around, you came face to face with a gruesome sight. A lambie with cold, sightless eyes, wooden limbs, and tentacles that reached for your over paws. Scrambling backward, you cringed into yourself, fearful.

What are you doing on my ship.. The old voice pressed again, the old pirate's pupiless eyes following your movements closely. " I-I-I w-was just trying to e-escape the s-s-storm. My d-dingy sunk just a-as I got you y-your ship. " Your stutter back, your body shaking with fear. Ahh.. The creature creaked, peering around him as thought he hadn't noticed the weather around him. How did you find this ship? It tipped it's head lightly, curious. " I don't know. It just appeared as I was beginning to sink. " You replied slowly, unsure of the pirate. Hmm.. Come with me, I have something that might help.. He creaked, and seemed to drag himself away toward the captain's quarters nearby. Should you follow? It's not like you have much choice..

Within the quarters stood a lone desk, aged and cracked, as well as a few scrap cloths and a wooden box with the sign Rations printed on the side. You sat in one corner as the dread pirate slowly gather the cloths and set them before you, and tore open the box lid, searching for anything to give you. It has been some time since I have had.. a visitor. The old lambie croaked, rolling a tin of preserved fruit your way. I apologize for the lack of.. anything, really. His voice seemed to almost hold a croaking chuckle, but it was lost deep in his throat before it could really escape. " Thank you, Uhhh.. " Lothren. " Thank you, Lothren. " You give him a small smile, and the old pirate sent an almost pained smile back. " How long have you been here, on this ship.. alone? " You press slowly, casting him a curious glance, eyeing over his tentacled limbs.

How did I come to be this way? Hmm.. He creaked slowly, his old body swaying with the ship's movements, It all began many decades ago..

I was once a handsome young lambicorn, with all of my life ahead of me.. I was a fisher, with my own crew and ship, and hopelessly in love. It all seemed to be going just right, I was on my way to becoming a high end fisher who would provide all of the land with only the finest of catches. But unfortunately, I made the mistake of fishing too far into the Draken sea.. He lifted a wooden paw to his head and gently wiped his face.

You have likely heard the tales of the sea serpents that surround our lands, the Coral Serpent, the Littan serpent, and the Draken serpents. Each fish-like dragon has been known to carry some sort of power; trickery, anger, vengeance, the lot. I made the unfortunate mistake of angering the most powerful of all, the Draken Mother.
Sighing, his eyes stared off as though he was in another world. My crew and I had come across these folk in the desert's trading posts, who asked if we were willing to do a job for them in exchange for a hefty payment that none of us had ever imagined. The deal was to catch these rare fish called Scarlet Beaks, a delicacy in the desert and very sought after. Of course, as a young captain I believed I was more than capable of such a job, and took it without a second thought.

My crew and I sailed into the Draken sea, singing shanties and boistering around like excited pups, all too eager to catch the living gold that would eventually lead to our fortune. We cast several nets from the ship, setting our buoys as far as we could reach, wanting the best possible chance of catching the rare beasts. Unfortunately, we had no idea that that would become our biggest regret.

We floated the sea for several weeks, with not even a stray squid or anchovy in our nets, surprising considering the tales we had heard of the number of fish that had been caught there many times before us. Against my crew's better judgement though, I insisted we travel further into the Draken sea, desperate to find the Scarlet Beaks..

For another fortnite, we floated the sea without a single catch worth mentioning, and the crew began to lose hope. But as if our prayers had been answered, a huge creature became caught in our nets. We heaved and hoed with all our might, dragging the great beast in to the ship's range, dragging for days as it thrashed and fought to get away, until we finally managed to pull in up flush against the ship. And that's when we saw it. A serpent, slightly smaller than the ship, coiled and exhausted, tangled in our net. I should have known better.

The serpents of the Draken Sea are akin to a family, with many children and grand children all under the protection of the Draken Mother, the largest and oldest of all the serpents of the seas. And we had just caught one of her children.

The serpent cried out in anguish, and the crew and I set out as quickly as we could to try and free the creature. If you have ever heard of the stories of sailors who dared catch a serpent, you would know that anyone who has managed the feat has never been the same again.

As we cut and tugged at the netted ropes, a huge surge of waves began to beat the ship, and we knew better than anything what it was. In a sudden tidal wave, the net was ripped from our paws and hooves, and the little serpent was sent flying, splashing back into the sea. And a huge lizard-esque head emerged from the depths, almost the size of the ship itself. The Draken Mother.

You dare hunt in my waters? You harm my children, snatching them up in your ropes and nets? The voice in our heads boomed angrily, it was as though she was speaking directly into our skulls. This is not your domain, pitiful creatures. You do not belong here. And with a single slap of her huge tail, she sent water crashing over the ship. And everything went black.

They were gone, my entire crew, not a sign of them anywhere. But the Draken Mother still hovered before me, her jaw agape as she snarled at me. You. You, I curse to wander alone across these waters. A creature that disrespects the life of the great giants of the deep does not deserve such gifts as companionship. I curse you to a life of solitude. Suddenly, my paws began to change, my fur began to turn to wood, and tentacles creeped their way through the cracks. My whole body changed, and soon I was no longer the lambicorn I once was. As I looked up from my paws, the serpent had disappeared, leaving me lost and alone.

I tried to return to the continent, to try and find any sign of my crewmates, but any time the land came within sight, my ship was suddenly thrown into a mist, and appeared in some place else.

Over the decades, I have had few lambicorns find my ship, but few have ever stayed long. He croaked, a myriad of emotions cast across his face as he finally turned back to you. None have asked me of my story. And for that, I thank you. It is a lonely curse, as intended, so to finally share my pathetic woes is a much needed thing. He barked a broken laugh before sighing. " Alas, I cannot keep you here, and you likely wish to returned home. I shall take us as close as I can, but from then on you will be on your own, friend.

[ketsup]

This comp is now closed! Judging ASAP! : >

[ketsup]

Whew, it's a pirate lambie's life for me and I hope yall enjoyed the minitheme! I definitely did!!

-snip-

This one was a toughie to judge, but ultimately this tale & specifically the clever hidden message was really great!
So, congrats to Petscop! Hud- I mean, The Captain is yours! Let's hope he rediscovers himself somewhere along the way... Please DM me with how you'd like those hex codes divvied : >

And now, yes, it's Arr-U time!! I really enjoyed all of these stories, but in particular I'd like to award Arr-U's to:
BlueberryOtter
• adriana •
Modern.Vintage
Only_Sky

Please stay tuned & I'll have your Arr-U's posted asap!