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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 12:52:18 GMT -5
Bison Back Hills
The Bison Back Hills is a centrally located area that is frequently travelled by many tribes and groups. There are several villages and wild resources in the hills but the area is located in such a way that it doesn't generally fall in to a single People's protectorate just as are many many other wilder places. While there are certainly some major cites, hunting grounds and sacred places that are protected by various People's Tribes not everywhere needs a firmly defined boarder... a concept that often seems to infuriate or confuse some visitors.
One thing this land does share with other places is history. Similar to Khemet, Albion, Lamoria, Hanashima and nearly every other places where Sphinxes exist there are remnants of a past, sometimes forgotten. A broken statue, a building foundation, a field of bones and armour, a magical landmark or a great work covered in moss or dust... Each has stories lost to time and filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered, recovered, reinterpreted or rebuilt. The Star Nation is filled with historian adventurers seeking these lost places and attempting to unlock their secrets as a way to connect to the past, while of course some simply seek the lost treasures.
More recently the Bison Back Hills set the stage for the Serpent Folk's dark plans and the High Chief's counter plan... and the mix-up that ensued with some well intentioned but clumsy helpers. While this is mostly considered resolved there is still a bounty out for any remaining Serpent Folk (dead or alive) as well as the Bear Shirt Warriors (alive only!) or even information on either of these groups.
Of course locals can come and go as they please and visitors are welcome to explore this area and see the sights!
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 12:53:54 GMT -5
Bison Back Hills Grid Search
This is a simple, if large grid search, with a few instructions!
You may start your exploring at any number on the Southern edge of the map (any number XX23). From that number you may explore any grid number touching your starting point. ...and continue this way exploring hexes that touch the hex you are in. (for example, if you stared in Hex 1417 you could move to any Hex touching that Hex, in this case that would be; 1416, 1418, 1517, 1518, 1317 or 1318.)
The exception to the rule above is Rivers. Any time you start in a Hex that touches a river you may go to ANY other Hex that touches that River!
You may explore a new Hex once per day, with an optional second search AFTER Mr. Pooka has responded to your first exploration. (for a starting max of 2 searches a day)
There are Three different results from searching a Hex; Nothing is there or happens, A Prize of some sort, or something Special.
Nothing is pretty strait forward, there is no risk or reward in this hex.
A Prize is where you easily find something to win.
A Special may have choices or additional rules that will be given at the time. (A very simple example would be something like 'you see an angry bear' would you like to fight it (dice roll here to see if you succeed and win an XP or Prize), try to tame it (dice roll to see if you can make it a pet) or simply ignore the bear and continue on.)
There are no Dangerous spots on this map that are forced on the character you wish to RP in it. There may be spots with an offer to risk danger though! (similar example form above, 'you see an angry monster' you can fight it with a dice roll but might get hurt or worse, but there will always be an option to ignore the situation and skip the risk/reward.)
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Prizes!
There are many prizes to be found in this grid search that you might expect, a pet, Sphinx, item etc. but you may also find something interesting that earns you and Experience Point.
Experience Points add up, and each point is worth $1 towards shop items, customs, refashioning etc. for the next round we run only. (i.e., the points are only good for this event, so spend them if you get them! (-8) There are only few limits on this, such as you may only spend Experience points equal to half the price of a shop Sphinx not made by Pooka or Mr. Pooka (i.e., I don't want to cut into other artists compensation!). Other than that, we should be good unless there is some weird loophole I'm missing but not expecting, (-8
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Roleplaying notes are encouraged and fun but not expected as part of this contest.
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 13:02:15 GMT -5
Roleplaying and Tracking Post
This is not a necessary part of the contest but I think it could be a fun way to track your own searches and perhaps notes about your search. I'm suggesting posting a single RP post (perhaps label it something like Mr. Pooka's Log, or Pookawitch's Travels but maybe with your own names, (-8) that you are free to edit anytime. This way you can keep a list of Hexes you've searched so you don't get stuck backtracking or forget where you are and also keep notes of prizes you won. (and possibly rp notes if you're into that!)
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 13:06:05 GMT -5
Bison Back Hills Map  I'm posting the map at the largest size but some screens may auto resize. You can click the map above to be taken to our Games folder in the Samples area of Smugmug to view or download the full sized version of this map if that is helpful to you! (you could also keep your own version to mark with a program or printout if you like for fun!) |
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 13:09:02 GMT -5
Extra spot for questions and notes!
Your questions answered for everyone!
- You can move into the same hexes as other players if you wish though most prizes are first come first serve, and if the first person found nothing there, so will you! (if any hex breaks this rule it'll be described when found!)
- for an easy visualization of this game, picture it like a board game where you have a miniature piece representing yourself. You start the game putting your mini anywhere on the south/bottom of the map. Every turn you may move your piece one space in any direction on the map. (-8
- anyone can join at any time, simply start your movement/first search on the bottom row like everyone else!
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Post by Phoenix Stardancer on Apr 29, 2023 13:27:03 GMT -5
 Misu explores 0223 happily |
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Post by wolfrysk on Apr 29, 2023 13:33:57 GMT -5
 Rajan's Journal of Things That Have Gone Wrong, Probably.
Rajan took out his writing quill and ink well - a gift from one of the Albion sorcerers where the ink never ran out nor dried out - as well as his fine leather journal he had received from a patron hailing from Lamoria. When one was in the business he was in, one received many useful trinkets and baubles in thanks.
And money.
In a dour mood as always, he began to write away in his surprisingly legible handwriting. --- Due to a bit of miscommunication, I have found myself bound to assist in the investigations regarding the serpent folk attacks on this strange land. One might ask why I don't just back out, but one who would ask clearly does not know me - my word is my bond and if it is given, for better or worse, I will see it through. Overwhelmingly, the people of this land have been kind and welcoming despite their recent trials and I feel I would be remiss were I to spurn them. I set out on this... adventure with two of the Star Nation people, a brother and sister duo named Weayaya and Wachiwi respectively. Twins. Wachiwi is quite a talker and seems to make up for the lack of words Weayaya speaks. He is however an excellent navigator both on land and the river. We set out together finding nothing interesting at our starting point (0823), load into the canoe and travel down the river. It is a beautiful route, I must admit. I have rarely seen so much lush green in one place, the river is smooth but the current is quick and we soon arrive at our destination and the center of the Serpent Folk ritual the city of Pink Roses. We spoke to the locals there and I learned more details regarding what happened during the incident. A portal appeared at the top of the pyramid and hurled lava down onto the unsuspecting city and people living here. I must admit, talk of portals has unsettled me as my last encounter with such things... well, memories still invade my thoughts often. The roses here are wonderful to behold but we cannot stay longer than we have to. As we were making ready to depart, we were approached by a rather fierce looking woman and after a brief exchange where Wachiwi explained our goal, she asked to join us. It never hurts to have a fighter on our side and she looked like she was quite focused on revenge, so we have decided to take her with us. Her name is Falling Rain. (2016) Falling Rain asked us to visit one more area nearby before we set out once more. While there is nothing interesting here to me, it seems to be a special place to her for some reason. I'm not one to ask questions, and given the somber mood I am even less inclined to talk about it. Perhaps someone special to her perished here or it invokes some sort of memory to her? (2116) We headed back to the river and took a short journey up to another village area where the twins wished to stop for seaweed and pine nuts to supply us. I let them handle the trading as I am still not overly familiar with their ways and wouldn't want to offend people we are looking to buy or trade goods from. While I was waiting I was approached by a very curious adventurer who had apparently been traveling with the traders. He and I spoke for a while until the twins returned with their bounty and we parted ways. Perhaps we will see him again one day. (2115) Once more we set out on the river and I am finding the journey much more agreeable than that of a ship on the ocean and the scenery really is quite beautiful. If I thought my... profession... would be one of interest to these people I might even consider leaving Khemet, but they seem to live mostly in harmony with one another and their lifestyle suffice to say is much different than that of the clients I usually deal with. Note summary: 0823 - Nothing 2016 - Found Sphinx and information about the incident with serpent people 2116 - Nothing 2115 - Sphinx and trading caravan 2412 - Sphinx - p15 2006 - Nothing 1906 - Nothing 1805 - Nothing 1905 - Nothing 2005 - Nothing 2105 - Nothing 2205 - Nothing - city of Debi-Giizhig p36 2306 - Nothing 2307 - Nothing 2407 - Pie Bear and blackberry camp p43 2408 - Nothing 2409 - Nothing 2312 - Nothing 2213 - Nothing 2113 - Nothing 2114 - Nothing 2014 - Nothing 2015 - Nothing 1916 - Nothing 1915 - Nothing 1815 - Harpy Encounter |
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 13:37:51 GMT -5
Misu explores 0223 happily You don't find anything in particular in this hex. |
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Post by wolfrysk on Apr 29, 2023 13:39:26 GMT -5
 Rajan, for better or worse, decides he will start exploring at 0823 |
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Post by Phoenix Stardancer on Apr 29, 2023 13:39:29 GMT -5
Misu explores 0123 with excitement |
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Post by Cameron on Apr 29, 2023 13:39:55 GMT -5
 Eska found her curiosity piqued in 0614 |
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Post by Sanguine_Dragon on Apr 29, 2023 13:41:45 GMT -5
 Ambrose packed for his journey to the Bison Back Hills, having been told of the place by his new friends. Hoping for something new to sketch of his journeys, he enters 0923 with some excitement mixed with Trepidation. He could only hope he packed enough supplies, both for himself and his art. |
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 13:47:05 GMT -5
Rajan, for better or worse, decides he will start exploring at 0823You don't find anything in particular in this hex. |
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Post by Mr. Pooka on Apr 29, 2023 13:48:50 GMT -5
Misu explores 0123 with excitement You don't find anything in particular in this hex. |
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Post by NinjaWoo on Apr 29, 2023 13:50:38 GMT -5
 Len sets out ready to help and see what se can find starting with 2308 |
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