Lambicorns // Festival of Dreams • Dreamland

[EchoIre]

New prompt is up!
All prizes are determined by RNG; some prizes had a higher chance of rolling than others.

-Ancient Knowledge (makes your lambie's eyes galaxy-like)
-Whispers of the Elders (adds medium to large fluff edits to your lambie)
-Honored Herbalist (adds vine accessories to your lambie)
-Aurorae's Heart (adds a single Aurorae's Heart lily accessory to your lambie)
-Portal Hopper (adds dogwood flower accessories to your lambie, as many as twenty)
-Ancient Runes (adds up to three small markings to your lambie, doesn't have to be runes)

@bakuraas. Nai'a smiles when she sees how you transported the flower to her. She carefully scoops the flower out of the bag, though it's hardly more than a speck on her giant paw. She watches its bright, shifting glow with idle fascination. "You really are very special." She says gently. You aren't quite sure if she's talking to you or the flower, that is until you notice she's looking at you now. "I won't tell you to stay away from that place. I can tell you liked it there, and I think they liked you being there, too." She smiles. "Thank you." The dream fades to white, allowing you to wake much less abruptly than usual. There's a yellowed scroll by your bedside, bearing strange runes at its top. (+Ancient Knowledge)

@Gremlin Though Nai'a couldn't help but smirk as you bowed for them, they did have a wistful expression on their face. Which, of course, was squashed under the words 'most totally outstanding'. "What?" Nai'a rasped. She looked down at the flower - all white? - before looking up at you as you turned away. "Wait, what? Why would Grimm-" She cuts herself short, a dark and contemplative expression falling across her face. The temperature drops suddenly, causing you to shiver. You could swear the clouds begin to get darker, but you wake before you can truly tell. You could almost swear that, for just a few seconds, you heard whispers of voices ad languages you have not heard for far too many years... (+Whispers of the Elders)
Back inside the Dreamland, a storm brews...

@Ravenwhisper's Wish It's cold when you arrive, something new to the dreamscape. Nai'a's brows furrow when you tell her about the lambaby you saw. "A child was there?" She asks, her voice sharp. She cuts you off as you begin to give an answer, apparently not looking for one. "Strange, but not dangerous. I imagine they ran at the tree not expecting it to be a portal." She rolls her eyes. "Well, thank you still. It would be best if you didn't return to that place, though. It's not a place to idly visit, and you may lead... unwanted persons to the valley. Do not go back." With that final cold order, you wake up. There's a yellowed scroll at your feet. When you open it, you find a detailed drawing of the Aurorae's Heart lilies, and elegant calligraphy in a language you don't recognize. (+Ancient Knowledge)

@DaniCalifornia Nai'a raises an eyebrow at your excuse. It seems colder, darker in the dreamscape today, which certainly doesn't help any either. She's silent for a while, simply staring down at you with that same judgmental expression, before sighing."Just don't be late again." She says harshly. Nai'a motions for you to put the flower down. You're awake as soon as you do, and find three strange runestones by where you slept. (+Ancient Runes)

You may continue to post for today!

[gremlin]

I'm going into the scary most excellent swamp for moss!
Username: Gremlin
Art/Writing:
Lambent noted the other lambicorns’ fear with some amusement. The young deity had certainly frightened them all with her talk of Grimm and their wisps. Lambent happened to quite like the wisps, they were fun to bat at and poke, much to Grimm’s chagrin. As Nai’a finished her speech, Lambent swished their tail gleefully, another excuse to visit Grimm was always a good thing. Lambent awoke to their still-empty nest and hurriedly phased out the door. Unlike the others who had to journey to the bog, Lambent had the luxury of living there. They stretched each leg and floated off in search of moss. While the cave was covered in a soft glowing moss, it was of a different species of glowmoss than that which Nai’a had requested. Lambent gave the soft blue moss a wave and headed off. They knew where most of the species grew, each unique to a certain part of the bog. After passing reds, yellows, pinks and purples, Lambent finally came to the soft rolling rocks which the green glowmoss thrived on. Lambent lifted a good chunk off into a crystal and sealed it away for safekeeping. As they finished their task they noticed the familiar glow of one of Grimm’s wisps nearby, curious they turned to watch as a fellow teammate was spotted and chased. Lambent waited until the wisp returned and followed it back to Grimm. Lambent watched as their mate paced back and forth, shaking their tail violently. Lambent noted none of Grimm’s players had returned. They gently floated into view.
“can’t stay away?” Grimm teased, their body relaxing as Lambent came closer.
“The young one has her team collecting glowmoss, I’ve come to do the same. It wasn’t too much of a detour to come see you.” Lambent noticed as Grimm tensed
“Have you a clue as to why she has sent you on this task?” Grimm’s eyes were glowing slightly, the poor dear might hurt themselves from all the stress if they kept at this, though Lambent wished Grimm had simply told them what they were up to, unfortunately Grimm had a tendency for the dramatic response. Asking what was wrong would do no good as Grimm had kept their entire plan a secret to everyone, Lambent included. Not that they needed to be verbally told Grimm’s plan to understand what their mate was up to. Eons of being together had schooled Lambent in Grimm’s body language, tones, and even behavior. Lambent knew what their mate was attempting, and all they could do was watch it play out.
“Your players are returning, I will leave you to your plans. Know that I love you, and I wish you luck in this game you play… Do come home soon though, I’ve woken up alone many a time and it wears on me.”
Lambent returned to their cave before Grimm could answer and entered Nai’a’s dream.
“the moss you requested.” Lambent sets down their moss before speaking again “The two of you are not so different, despite your perceptions. This game you play wears upon both of you. Do you think your struggle is hidden?” They lean in, smoke surrounding the smaller elder. “Do you think you can hide it from me?”
They leave the dream before Nai’a can respond, waking up pleasantly surprised to their slumbering mate. Grimm had given up pacing in downtime, finally returning to the nest.

568 words

[EchoIre]

CS ate yesterday's roll so I'm posting them in the morning-

However! Today's prompt is up and you're free to post for today!

What's Team Nightmare doing now?
Note: As of now, you'll need to looks at the prompts from Team Nightmare to get the entire story

[SunnyStreets]

I'm going into the cave for giant eyeball crystals!
Username: ravenwhisper's wish
Art/Writing: I brought my friend from, um, the opposite side along to help... nobody tell Nai’a, okay? he'll keep quiet and won't tell anyone from the bog!

[bakuraas.]

I'm going into the cave for giant eyeball crystals!
Username: bakuraas.
Art/Writing: [ 838 words ]
[ feat. Iso ● and Azu ● ]

When Iso got to the Cave, there were a few other Lambicorns there. He recognized a few of them from Team Dream, but others were complete strangers to him. Certainly, he supposed these crystals were popular...but it seemed like this particular cluster of them was almost overwhelmed by lambicorns. Usually, Iso wouldn't mind, but there was something about the energy surrounding the group. Glares were being exchanged, and it felt as if a fight could break out at any moment. Iso knew that they were on opposite teams...but they were still all people who wanted to have fun at the festival, right? And yet, if that was the case...why was he being looked at like that?

He sulked over to the gemstones, looking around and stumbling to climb over one of the huge ones in search for one of the proper size. Something in him found this place more scary than the Bog of Nightmares...at least the Bog had natural noises, proof of life, but the cave was filled only with the sounds of hooves on stones, and the occasional scratch of one of the gems being dragged across the ground. It felt so empty, it felt so soulless...and that was something Iso found painful. What hurt his heart more was the fact that he was able to truly focus, finding one of the gemstones of a proper size much quicker due to this. He paused, letting his mind really sink into that information, but such thoughts were interrupted by a dark-toned voice.

"Iso."

The teenager turned around quickly, fear filling his face as he looked behind him, clinging to the gemstone he had found. However, when he looked around, he saw the distinctive dark red eyes and the light-freckled face of his babysitter. Iso physically felt himself calm down upon realizing what face was staring at him, looking to see how Azu's frown looked a bit different than normal. He was used to seeing Azu having a serious-looking frown on his face, but this frown, this frown was different. It was...sad more than anything. "Hey, Iso...what's wrong bud?"

Iso considered telling the truth, but he felt like that would just make things worse- so instead, he opted to fake a smile and force out a giggle. "Nothing's wrong! I was just grabbing this crystal for Nai'a and-" He was going to continue, but his excuse was interrupted by a hug. Even Azu's hug felt different than usual- most times he'd just wrap a wing around Iso...but now he was fully holding the other in his arms. Something about that made Iso's eyes start to water, his paws moving to hold Azu in return as he began to silently sob. "Why is everyone so upset...why is everyone so angry...aren't we supposed to have fun? Isn't that the point?" As he talked through his tears, he clung to Azu, not expecting an answer. However, when he did hear the other's voice begin to explain things, he couldn't help feeling calmed by the idea of knowing what he could do to help.

"Iso...I can't say much for Team Dream...but some of the lambies in Team Nightmare think that you all did something to Grimm. They were a bit strange when they sent us out to get the eye crystals today...plus...It's been said you all were sent to get some Glowmoss from the bog yesterday." Iso listened, and sadly nodded in response. "W-Was that bad?" Azu seemed to ponder that for a moment, looking at Iso for a moment and sighing. "I don't know. I wouldn't say it was, especially since you seem to be okay- but...He was talking about how we...attracted too much attention, whatever that means." "Really? Nai'a said we were getting unwanted attention too..."

Azu made a face at that, almost like he was thinking. However, it didn't last long as he looked back behind Iso, seeing the perfectly sized crystal. "Well, we can talk about this later when you get home. Something is definitely up...but for now, I should probably help you get this out of here." He motioned towards the crystal, before moving over to pick it up and hoist it onto his back. Iso of course was concerned, until he saw how casual Azu was about it, almost seeming like he was lifting nothing. Even with that, he still was a bit concerned. "What about you? Don't you need to get one?" Azu just smiled, waving his hoof around. "Eh, I can grab and go pretty quickly, but I know it'll probably be more difficult for you on your own. I'll just walk with you until you get to dreamland, okay?"

Iso grinned, nodding before following the other back into the main portion of the cave so they could head out. Some of the Lambies out there were still glaring at eachother and causing a sense of tension in the air, but Iso couldn't notice anymore, he had too much of a smile, knowing that even in moments like this, someone had his back.

[EchoIre]

New prompt is up!
All prizes are determined by RNG; some prizes had a higher chance of rolling than others.

-Glowmoss (adds patches of glowing moss to your lambie)
-40 gems
-Horizon Gem (used in a dreamfusion)
-Long Lichen (adds a long, raggedy mane to your lambie)
-Wisp Essence (gives your lambie glowing eyes)
-Strange Dreamcatcher (ups the chance for your roll by 10% at the Dreamcatcher's Tent)

@bakuraas. At first, Nai'a doesn't seem to notice that the moss is laying in the wood and not on top of it, a result of being much, much larger than the branch. She let's out a quiet "Oh." when she does and brings it closer to her face for further inspection. When she returns her attention to you, her typical scowl is replaced by a soft smile. "This is very creative. Thank you." She dips her head to you ever so slightly. When you wake up, there's a large pile of gems by your bed. (+40 gems)
Unbeknownst to you, Nai'a doesn't destroy the miniature garden, and instead places it in a windowsill to get some sun.

@Ravenwhisper's Wish Nai'a grins. "That's not the only reason to hate bogs, but it's a very good reason nonetheless." She gently take the basket from you. "Hopefully you won't have to go near that place again." You wake up shortly after, and find a large pile of gems by your paws.

@DaniCalifornia Nai'a doesn't seem very impressed, but accepts the moss you gathered without some biting remark, which is nice. A dry "Thanks." is all you get from her when you wake up. There's a pile of stringy lichen by your bed. Weird, but it would make for a good disguise if you had to go back into the bog... Or a pretty funny wig. Probably. (+Strange Lichen) ((I loved the way you did the wisps! They're very pretty))

@Gremlin Nai'a begins to deliver some scathing remark, her face contorted with fury - which quickly fades at your next words. For a terrible moment, she seems afraid, really, horribly afraid. But, you turn away before you can see much of it, leaving the troubled elder alone in her rioting dreamscape. You're just as surprised to see something from Nai'a a you are to see your mate; this time, there's a delicate dreamcatcher near your paws. The 'web' seems to be made of strands of Nai'a's fur. You wonder if it's safe to use... (+Strange Dreamcatcher)

You may continue to post for today!

[gremlin]

I'm going into the cave for giant eyeball crystals!
Username:
Art/Writing:
The Cave of Eyes… no this wouldn’t do. Was this a cruel joke on the part of the younger elder? Perhaps another gesture to cement her position of hatred toward the other elders? Perhaps it simply brought her joy to watch Lambent and Grimm suffer. The things fear and self-hatred could do to someone should not be underestimated.
Regardless, The Cave of Eyes was not a place they wished to return to. The cave a grim reminder of their hopelessness and self-hatred all those years ago. While elders like Grimm and Nai’a enjoyed a spotlight and adoration, Lambent kept to themselves. The first lambicorn, the biggest mistake. Lambent left the dream wordlessly, waking up once again alone. Alone was preferable to awakening eons later by horrified children.

Lambent moved from their cave at a reluctant pace. They were not prepared for the emotional baggage their destination held. Lambent elected to finish the task as quickly as possible, ripping the fabric of reality and slingshotting themselves through a portal into the cave. As they entered, they saw parts of themselves they wished to forget, the brilliant yellow crystals of their own essence built up over the millennia of slumber.
Lambent floated by the larger crystals, some almost the size of their head, each reflecting them in the same eerie glow they looked at the world through. They noted that members of team dream and team nightmare seemed to have assembled in small groups, perhaps those who knew each other although Lambent was not 100% certain.
They floated by the young captain Sue and her friend, and down further into the cave. No use not seeing their old grave since they’d already made the trip. Down far below where the others had stopped their journey, the glow only amplified. Lambent floated down deeper, now bathed in the warm yellow light of their own essence. Their insides tensed with every metre they descended. Soon the ground leveled, and they found themselves gazing upon a perfect outline of their sleeping form amongst the yellow crystals. If they were to lie down, they would fit perfectly even after all these years.
Lambent reached out and gently touched one of the larger crystals, it pulsed and glowed a pale yellow in response to them, as if it knew it was a part of them. Lambent moved a claw in a circular motion and the crystal cracked and shattered until it had formed the small oval requested by Nai’a.
Lambent returned to the dreamland, bidding their thousand-year-old haunt goodbye.
“Your games continue to do more harm. You descend into a madness fueld by insecurity and heartache. I remind you once more, you cannot hide your secrets from anyone, let alone me.”

[alphias]

I'm down!
Username: Alpha Snowdust
Signed-up Lambie: Moth TH
Proof of Team Dream Allegiance: x
Other: Let's see how well I can keep track this week //sweats. It took forever to find a name for my lambi.

[EchoIre]

All prizes are determined by RNG; some prizes had a higher chance of rolling than others.

-20 gems
-Essence of Clouds (adds a large, fluffy fur edit to your lambie)
-Ancient Energy (adds glow to your lambie's eyes)
-Whispers of the Primals (adds a large pair of horns to your lambie)
-Ancient Amulet (adds a glowing jewel amulet to you lambie)
-Ancient Knowledge (makes your lambie's eyes galaxy-like)

@Ravenwhisper's Wish Honestly, Nai'a seems a bit surprised you managed to come back with the gemstone. She takes it in her claws carefully, and you can't help but be envious of how easily she does so. Even with a friend, carrying that thing was tiring. "Thank you for your help." Nai'a waves flicks a paw at you and you're awake. Never did get any less jarring... Like before, there's something besides you; this time, it's a small decorative box. It hums with energy, that much you can tell just by places your paws on it to open it. Inside, there's a small pile of fine, shimmering dust that glows with a strange energy. (+Ancient Energy)

@bakuraas. Nai'a doesn't put much time into looking over your gemstone, instead setting it aside rather quickly. You can't help but feel... disappointed. You were expecting Nai'a to dismiss you after, but instead you remain. Confused, you look up, only to find Nai'a looking down at you with a thoughtful - if not a bit sad - expression. "This gem and the others will help protect us." The great, fluffy beast says at last. "Rest easy, and rest well." You wake up a second later. So much for resting... By your bed, there's a small glass vial filled with what looks to be soft, fluffy clouds. (+Essence of Clouds)

@Gremlin Nai'a bears a smug smirk as she turns to you. Ah, so it was another hateful gesture.
Her smirk fades none after your words. "I have no secrets." She replies airily. "I may not like you, but I know you are powerful. If I had secrets, I would not invite you so close." There's a hint of a growl in her voice towards the end. "Maybe you're losing your touch, old timer?" She tilts her head innocently, though her grin seems to grow more malicious. Nai'a chuckles gently before speaking again. "A nap should do wonders for you - really, I was trying to help. It's a shame you didn't take the hint." She sighs dramatically and sends you away before you can get much more than a furious syllable in. There's an ornate box that hums with energy by your nest, one you don't bother opening. (+Ancient Energy)

New prompt is coming soon, and from a mysterious yet familiar face :0 today's (8/7) prompt will remain open until 1 am CST 8/8, even when the new prompt is posted, so if you haven't answered yet you still have some time!

[EchoIre]

After a long day of walking and carrying crystals on your back you fall into an easy sleep. The dream seems normal, but you quickly realize something is amiss. The sky morphs between neon hues every few seconds, though that isn’t even the strangest thing about it, it would seem the sky is below you and you are walking upside down. Pieces of the ground crumble and fall around you, disappearing into the violent sky. As you keep walking you see eyes floating, a tea set pouring water out of a hare, a rabbit and a man with a hat. The sun and moon constantly switch from being present to entirely disappearing. Finally you come to the center of this strange world to see a familiar lambicorn elder. You stare into the yellow eyes of Lambent and you notice that they match perfectly with the crystals in the cave you retrieved yesterday.
“I grow tired of them hurting each other. They know not what they seek, they know only what they have been led to believe from petty rumors and their own self doubt.”
Lambent pauses, you note for the first time that Lambent is bigger than Nai’a or Grimm, and up close, the rocks that form their skin shift with the lava underneath.

“If you tire of this ceasless war as I do, perhaps you will join me in a bit of respite. Today I ask only that you make the journey to 'Dawn’s edge' to meet with me. I would allow you to stay here and explain more but my dreams are far from stable, and the longer you remain here the more likely you are to loose your sanity.”
A plume of purple smoke fills the dream and you wake up coughing. When you look down you see you are coughing out the same purple smoke. Lambent was right, their dreams were dangerous.
You also find a small map tucked between your paws, and through various neon scribbles and 80s slang you are able to make out how to reach this ‘Dawn’s Edge'