Kyngdom Survival Guide
UNDERWATER BALL GOSSIP&
Chatterbox: KYNGDOM™ Power of Fin
UNDERWATER BALL GOSSIP&
UNDERWATER BALL GOSSIP
The sand is golden, the water is pleasantly bubbly, and everybody who’s anybody in Southeast Kyngdom is here. We’re your proud Sea Anemone hosts, Actiniaria and Hexacorallia, reporting LIVE from the most exclusive event of the year: the Enchantment Above the Sea ball, South Kyndom’s first-ever dry land-themed underwater ball. If you see us milling around, come say hi and give us the dish on all the watery gossip! You’ll recognize us by our wavy pink tentacles (quick shout-out to our sponsor, the Subaqueous Salon and Sea Spa).
Of course, in about twenty minutes, we expect the next Guardian of Fin to be announced, and believe us, the room is simply awash with anticipation. You can’t swing an underwater lasso without bumping into a group of whispering shellfish. But first, let’s turn our attention to the incredibly glamorous attendees and give you unlucky landlubbers listening to our broadcast a little taste of the P-A-R-T-Y.
Land ho, this place is sparkling. Each twenty-foot-tall underwater cactus is decked out in glimmering lights. The sand on the floor has been carefully blended with real gold flakes, creating a shimmering carpet underfoot. The punch is flowing, and graceful seahorses are passing out dry land-themed appetizers: miniature sea cucumber tacos, tiny teacups of coral chili, and nacho towers topped off with smoked seashells. We’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrity chef that the organizers swam in for the occasion—he’s a clownfish who trained off the coast of France.
Most of the guests have adopted a look that we’d have to term “highbrow underwater cowboy.” We’re seeing a lot of denim gowns encrusted in barnacles and diamonds. Some of the wealthier guests are wearing silk bandanas and golden spurs. There’s even a cowboy hat or two—ooh, we’re seeing a scuffle unfold on the dance floor! There’s gold-tinted sand swirling through the water! Hold up one second, we’re getting the 411…apparently a Fangtooth Fish attempted to dance with a Vampire Squid, who turned out to be the date of a very muscular Frilled Shark. The sand just cleared, and neither Fish nor Shark is anywhere to be seen. Security here is no joke!
Naturally, the Powers are here in full force. They’re flexing their powerful…do dragons have muscles? They have to, right? They’re looking fabulous in formalwear specially designed by none other than the untouchable CERES AND COMPANY (we’ll hold for applause). And these drama-prone Kyngdomites even seem to be getting along, at least for now.
We’d be remiss not to mention the cornerstone of the décor: a giant ice sculpture in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by tantalizing desserts (salt-water granitas, anyone?). The sculpture is carved into the shape of a massive and very realistic rodeo scene, but instead of a cowgirl, the artist depicted a breathtakingly accurate version of our very own Finny—the heir apparent to the Guardian of Fin. The little dolphin is portrayed so accurately that she looks practically real. In fact, if you glance at the sculpture at just the right moment, you can almost see her eyes move. Magical! At the base of the ice sculpture is a keypad that requires a code, but it’s unclear what it’s meant for. Does anyone have any information? Come find us and spill the deets—we’re all tentacles.
The dancing is being put on hold for a moment, because it’s time for one of the much-anticipated activities: some of the lucky guests are about to try their fins at roping sea cows. The massive creatures are being released from a series of gilded pens, while guests shriek and attempt to catch them with lassos made from kelp. This activity certainly fits the theme, but it’s looking like no one can manage to catch a sea cow. In fact, the cows appear to be taunting the guests. We can’t believe it—they’re lining up and dancing a can-can! Hold on, now they’re swimming over the heads of the guests and disappearing into the deep blue of the ocean. The organizers look irate.
Having just slipped over to try a bit of the punch, your faithful correspondents are happy to report that the punch is especially tasty this year. Jeweled Rockskipper!
There’s something a bit different about it…a certain fizz…a tang on the back of the tongue. Perhaps the celebrity chef is trying out a new seaweed-infused simple syrup? In the interest of full gossipy disclosure, we’ve been hearing rumors that the punch is spiked—but we’d have to try another cup in order to report back for sure.
Ooh, Imagine Sea Dragons is about to take the stage: their hair is gelled, their buttons are shelled, and they look ready to rock. Hope they play their hit single, Radioactive (Materials are Leaking Into the Ocean—Thanks a Lot, Humans). Looks like it’s time for these anemones to get their groove on—come find us at the dance floor and tells us what’s really going on at this party. The wilder the rumor, the more we want to hear it! Actiniaria and Hexacorallia out.
submitted by A & H, Desert Dome
(July 21, 2016 - 4:10 pm)
(July 21, 2016 - 4:10 pm)
I am strolling around by the statue when all of a sudden, some one, who had obviously drank the punch, fell on the floor beside me. It was a beluga whale, and as she fell, her tail caught me in the side painfully, and I was thrown across the room. "Help," I murmured weakly before everything went black.
(July 29, 2016 - 1:43 am)
It had been three days. Three painfully painfull days. Most of the animals were dieing from lack of food and water. Windswift and Caelani had volunteered to lead a group of birds to find a fresh water stream, or any sighns of land.
They had left two days ago.
Minnie Catastrophe, Ronan, had proved himself worthey by trying to kill his father, which Claaws was positive he didnt know was his father. Right now he was building a stove-like contraption made from peices of meatle flouting in the water. Every so often he asked her if she could mealt the meatles togeather with her black fire.
"Its almost done." he informed her in a parched, croaky voice. "Just, one more peice."
Claaws got up and slowly walked over to the largish contraption. It was big enough for one or two animals to drink at a time. She let her black fire ingulf it, Ronan clear from the flames. Then it was done. It didn't look that great, but it could save these poor animals. Claaws took it in her talonsand dipped it into the salty water. It filled up and she put it back on the deck. The boy dropped some logs that had been drying for a few days under their makeshift proper, and Claaws lit it aflame. Then she dropped the pot onto the makeshift hinges and growled in joy when it didnt topple over.
Before long the water was boiling. Claaws extinguished the flame with her talons and tried to cool it with her wings. It didn't do much help, she wasn't Caelani. But it stopped boiling and was cool enough to drink. Hesitantly Ronan stepped up to dip his hands in it and drink. There was a pause. Did it work? Then he smiled and drank some more. Then some more. And some more. It had worked!
Before long the sick and hurt animals were lapping happily from the pot. Then everyone else gathered around and drank to their fill. They only had to fill it up five times.
"Arn't you gonna drink?" it was Icy.
"No," Dragon responded. "I am a Power. I can wait untill we hit land."
But the truth was, she hadnt gone this long in waking form without water before. She was starting to feal a massive headache.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Now sleep. I will hunt through the night and try to find us something to eat."
Suddenley there was a splashing sound and Claaws raised her head. A white eel looked at her with a beedy black eye, smiling. "I couldn't find any more survivors, but i did find was this. The humans could find it in handy."
She ducked under water to throw a large fishing net on board. Icy clearly disnt like it, but she smiled because this neans food.
They were going to survive. Claaws knew it.
(July 29, 2016 - 2:26 pm)
I grab the ladder and heave the remains of Cobalt up to the ship it me. I claps on the deck, shivering. I turn and look at Cobalt. The damage was worse than I thought. His leg was crumpled into nothing, an eye was missing, hydraulic control was obviously destroyed, and his joints were bent. Not to mention countless other injuries.
I realize that blood is covering my face from my cut on my head. I am probably going to faint from blood loss. Then I pass out.
(July 29, 2016 - 4:45 pm)
I look at Sprocket, almost unconscious. I drag the remains of Cobalt to a workbench. Then a form walks out from the shadows. A familiar form- Octavia.
(July 29, 2016 - 9:01 pm)
I looked overboard, with my arm dangling in the waves. The chilling water was clear, so I could see straight thru to the bottom of a dark, about twenty feet deep made of flat water. The warm sun covers my dry and scratchy skin. I am laying on the edge of the boat, crowded with parched animals. We had drank from the mettle pot only hours ago, yet, I for one was already thirsty again. I looked up for a second to see two people, I think there names Phoenix and Ronan, trying to fish with the tworn net. They weren't having much luck either. Pulling Up net after net of empty line. I turned back around just in time to see a fish or two Zzzip past my hand. I had another Idea, A stupid idea. I plunged my head under the water and forced open my eyes. Below I could see thousands of fish, going about their daily lives. Without a second thought I jumped fully of the boat and into the water. The fish around me skaterd, then regrouped just inches away from me. It was easy, two easy… but how can you say no to fish when you were starving! I reached out with a claw, and grabbed the closest one of me. Then, without thinking about it, I swam to the surface and threw it at the boat. It landed with a “TWAP” and I plunged back under. Again and again I grabbed the slippery fish and tossed it onto the boat. Then I stopped. Across the dark blue waters, I saw something shimer. A pod of dolphins, was swimmingly slipping across the watery plain. Then another idea popped into my head. I grabbed three more fish then jumped myself out and onto the deck. “Does ANYONE KNOW WHERE FINNY IS???!”
(July 29, 2016 - 9:10 pm)
Caelani, a few other birds, and I have been f!ying for hours. The water seems to be expanseless. Everyone is weak from hinder and thirst as well as exhaustion.
I can hear a few of the others debating over wether we should turn back.
We've gone too far. If we don't find land soon the refugees on the boat will die.
Of course we just might die first.
I've been staring at the same scene for hours, a day nearly. The others are discouraged. We are hungry and thirsty, as well as exhausted. Caelani hasn't spoken for hours and I'm afraid if we dont find land soon we all might pass out midair and drown.
I stare at the motionless water, I've tried summoning the wind but its like we can't be reached. Like we're trapped. And if the wind can't hear me. Who can?
A new day wears on, the sun boring into our backs. Salt crystals have formed on my wings and I can see the others suffer from the same. I wish I was home more then anything. And know thed others wish the same.
I'm so caught up in my daydreaming I don't notice the net till its too late.
(July 29, 2016 - 9:12 pm)
I wake up and am still on the deck. I don't even have my wound cleaned or anything, and am covered in blood.
Gee thanks a lot, I think. You pick me up from the ocean, dump me on the deck, and leave me to the vultures.
I sit up and look around for Cobalt. I see he has been taken to a tool bench, and I stagger over and stare. All of my hard work. All of the time that I spent. All of the sacrifice, blood, sweat, and tears. And now I basically have to start all over.
I reach up and touch my cheeks. They were wet, and not with blood or seawater.
Sorry if this sounded mean. It's just how my charrie feels. Sorry
(July 29, 2016 - 11:42 pm)
So after throwing Octavia off the side of the airship, I look for Sprocket. I mean, I could heal her with dark magic, but then she would freak out.
(July 29, 2016 - 11:48 pm)
My cuts have grown worse. We don't know where the Power is, and if Catastrophe has activated it. I'm pretty sure that I'm going mad just staring at the waves for hours, occasionally having a drink from our kettle. I've lost track of time, though we're probably on our fourth day. Caelani, Windswift, and the others haven't come back, and I don't know if they will.
But most of all, I'm angry. Catastrophe killed many animals four days ago. Many innocent animals, and I'm sure some people too. There's one, flailing. Wait! He's in danger!
"SAVE THAT MAN!" I yell, and grab a piece of wood. In five minutes, we've rescued him.
That's when I notice it's Bob, dragging a limp figure. Gog.
Claaws growls.
"Stop," I tell her. Then I turn to the two BIG agents. "Are you alright?"
"Emm... yes," Bob replies. "Gog isn't, though."
"He'll be fine," I say. "I'll get a kettle of water on."
I walk through the crowd of animals and people to the back of the raft, the animals eyeing me suspiciously, the humans, some with angry looks on their faces. I spy Icy, a dissappointed look on her face. I try to give her a look back that says, "Don't be," but I'm not sure she understands. As I get to the kettle, though, something lifts me into the air. Claaws.
"Our little double agent," she spits.
"It's not what it looks like," I say, "they're people too-"
"Never trust humans," Claaws says to a crowd of animals over her shoulder. "I knew this one's father well, he's a nightmare..."
I'm not listening to Claaws, though. Anger seeps though my veins. She doesn't trust me.
"SO NO ONE BUT YOU MATTERS? YOU DON'T THINK THAT THIS PERSON-" I point at Gog here-"DESERVES TO LIVE? YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT YOURSELF. ABSOLUTELY NO ONE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU, IS THAT IT?"
Claaws takes one look at me-and drops me into the cold, endless ocean.
I'm sorry if I controlled you too much, Claaws. And I don't mean what Ronan just said.
(July 30, 2016 - 10:32 am)
I stare at the two men, horrified. They were there two, once I think about it. It was bob holding the dart and gun and Gog, standing behind the door. He was holding a musty bag that they used to… I don't want to think about it. In all reality, they probably didn't want to be hear, or do that, as much as I. I shook my head, and walked away from the center of the deck. The more time it takes for them to realise i'm hear, the better. I wasn't going to help them either. They got himself into this mess. I'm guessing they supplied the goo from the punch, probably for money. They were some of the most greedy people I knew existed.
(August 2, 2016 - 8:38 pm)
I am so confused. Can somebody sum up for me?
(July 30, 2016 - 7:48 am)
Well, I don't know what Poe is talking about, but from what I can gather, the punch at the ball was spiked with Brazen Goo, which had different effects on different guests. Most of us realized that the sculpture of Finny was actually Finny trapped in ice, and the keypad under the sculpture would release him if someone typed in the code, which was in the last issue of Cricket. Someone did, and the sculpture broke, releasing Finny. Then someone set off a firework of some sort and the dome around the ball shattered. Now everyone is on makeshift rafts and trying to survive long enough to get back to land. A lot of stuff is ruined. I don't think anyone knows where Finny or the Power is.
(July 30, 2016 - 7:52 pm)
Yes Elliot, you leave the dyeing girl on the airship deck. You have reached a new level of annoyance. Anyway, I should call some medics.
(July 30, 2016 - 8:47 am)
I dove back into the frozen waves, and swam as far down I possibly could, then I spun around. All of the sea creatures that have been surrounding me, have all vanished. Not even the pod of dolphins remained. But what could have possibly made them leave? Only a natural instinct deep in there dna could possibly make them all disappear so fast! Then I swam frantically back to the surface and to the raft. If we were going to find anything to eat any time soon, we were going to have to go. It would be hard to find anything once a shark has been hear. And that includes a mammal, like a dolphin or narwal, to ask for directions to land
(July 30, 2016 - 1:01 pm)
Hey, guys! I took a short break from Kyngdom to focus on some other stuff, but it wasn't official until I realized that I'd been gone for a week...Now, I don't know what's going on! Could someone please recap it for me so I can post again? DX Thanks!
~Thimble
(July 30, 2016 - 3:15 pm)