Trilobite

Three ponies sat on plush armchairs, tiny and quite new-looking compared to the rest of the furniture in the modest stone chamber. Each was swaddled in a thick downy blanket lined with a regal-looking feather lining, and they had thermometers in their mouths. A blazing fire roared behind them, and their hind feet sat in buckets of steaming water. Queen Katabat, Cleverboots, and Princess Gale looked on as Silver Lining, the Polar Star's doctor, and a wizened griffon with one wooden leg conferred. Silver Lining, a striking, gray-and-white pegasus, turned to the assembled leadership. "They'll be fine," she said. The griffon nodded his agreement. "Through much hardship, they have passed, but strong hearts they have. Time and rest will heal." "Especially rest." Silver lining and the griffon looked at each other, having spoken simultaneously, and started laughing. Cleverboots stepped forward. "I'll see that they get it. All three of you are on medical leave as of this moment. We're still resupplying and refitting the Polar Star and I don't want any of you," she looked at Ember Spark, Emerath, and Pocket Change, "to lift a hoof until it's done." Her face was stern, but it softened. "I couldn't have picked better ponies to head up my crew. We're all very proud of you." "And much to you the Iceguard owes." Queen Katabat said. Her daughter, standing close at her side, nodded solemnly. "By your efforts an ancient treasure of the Iceguard restored is, and more besides. As its powers the armor regains, travel farhter, do more the Iceguard will." Commander Gale spoke up. "Ties with Equestria and the new Griffon lands we have agreed to renew. And to have you as friends, I am proud. Toward a warm future, the winds now blow!"

Princess Gale lost no time. "Hoarfrost, Bartleby, the armor to the chamber of relics take. Hailseeker, my mother the Queen inform. Griffons of the Iceguard, to my chambers the captain and doctor of the Polar Star bring." The chamber exploded with activity as griffons raced to obey Gale's commands. "Ponies of the Iceguard..." she scooped up Ember Spark easily in her arms and grinned. "To keep up with me, try." She launched herself into the air, speeding off through the narrow tunnels and up to the stairwells, making tight turns and accelerating all the while.

Yeah, I know, but the time will fly by, you'll see!

Hey everyone. I'm going to be away from internet access for a while starting tomorrow. I'll plan to be back by February--I'll let y'all know. I'll give Emerath (I hope you're feeling better!) about 24 hours to post whatever he wants, then I'll move us to a wrap-up for this section. This was originally planned as an adventure in three parts of about the same length as this one. My big question is; do y'all want to move on to Part 2: The Valley after this? I'm happy either way, as it's been a blast playing with y'all. I wish all of you the best, and be excellent to each other!

Hot cider, hugs, and best wishes! Hope you get better soon, and remember, escaping to Equestria can help when you feel totally oogie!

Silver Lining, a pegasus, is the ship's healer--and a great pony to talk to if you ever need a sympathetic ear.

Huzzah!

Okay, this looks good to me! I'm passing it up the chain.

Emerath, you're totally right about who's opening the door, and Taco has the reason for the situation nailed. Get some rest, some good food, and we look forward to your post!

Hey there! Friendly neighborhood RP helper here. Glad Tidings is not only a great name, but a cool character! I think there's a lot of potential for adventure and fun with a travelling cheermeister--also a very cool term. Her history is nicely succinct and ties in well with her motivation and cutie mark. Very well done! I look forward to seeing her develop and I'll be here if you need any help or questions. I'll also try to find some places where I can make suggestions that might be helpful. Take care!

A pair of Iceguard stood at rigid attention outside the door to the catacombs, stoic and unmoving. Nearby, Commanger Gale and one of her lieutenants discussed something, the two gesturing at points on a map and ocassionally asking a question of Scribe Bartleby, who stood nearby. Commander Gale turned her head to the door, eyes narrowing. At her raised claw, four more Iceguard swept into the room, aiming crossbows at the door. Gale herself stood in the center of the group, barring the way with her body, claws ready. The door rattled, opening slowly...

We'll give Emerath a chance to add something in, and then I've got a "Meanwhile..." scene in mind. Don't worry, you won't have to describe making your way back out!

Hooray!

The beast had shrunk down to a tiny black spot, flickering and insubstantial. It was more gray now than black, and its eyes a soft pink rather than a blazing red. As pocket change approached, it fell further and further back, now the size of a hoof, now a candle flame, now a matchhead. Finally, with one last awful shriek, it detached from the armor and whisked away into a crack in the stone.

Hey there! Papyrus looks good to me. I like the name for one thing--it's a little different but still seems to fit nicely with the feel of the show. Her motivations tie in very nicely with her cutie mark story, and her flaws (naivete, school troubles and super nervoius about big gatherings) are subtle, realistic, and overall add to the depth of character. Her skill at writing fits well with her background and cutie mark story as well, and you didn't try to make Papyrus Equestria's most famous novelist or the greatest thing since ink was put to paper. I really like this character. Since you asked for some constructive criticism, I've tried to find a few suggestions for how you could improve, but overall I think this application shows you have the idea of writing applications and know this character well. My only suggestion would be to write more. Not on this application, which I feel has just the right amount of information, but in general, and do plenty of reading to see how various authors describe their characters. Then, challenge yourself to describing characters in different styles, and also to writing up characters you just plain wouldn't like while trying to understand their motivations. Those are very general suggestions regarding characters in general, if you feel you'd like to improve that aspect of your writing; I don't think any of that needs to be applied here. Looks good to me! I'd say mark it [READY] and I'll pass it on to the Wise Council for approval!

I love it, Emerath! Totally appropriate and nicely described...and I totally agree with the Ms. Belle above, as well. I really dig how y'all are handling this. Very pony!

The shaodow curled back in on itself, tendrils whipping away from the trio as though scalded. It shrieked, and turned its furious gaze toward the pony who dared to advance on it. A blast of cold struck Ember Spark, past flesh and straight into bone. Words came with it, but they seemed fainter, less coherent than before. ...talentless dirtpony...no real magic, just machines...studying others' talents to make up for not having one your own... The words faded, then came back twice as loud, with a harsh buzzing sound that blurred into a second dialogue aimed at Pocket Change. ...drifter...lost in the past...you'd be nopony without your family's money... Despite the renewed fervor of the shadow's attacks, it continued to shrink, drawing back from the group, clinging desperately to the armor.

Yaaay!

The shadow flickered, growing larger, swelling upward like flame in a draft. It began to lean toward Emerath, echoing his confessions, tendrils reaching out to surround him.

Since we're in sort of an action scene, feel free to post as you see fit. I trust this group not to step on anyone's...hooves? Toes? Whatever the case, I trust you!

Whoo-hoo!

No problem, it happens to everyone! I think this looks good, so I'm going to pass it up the chain. Good luck, and I'll be here if you need any help with his or anything else!

Looks good to me! I know time has been a little short for us, but it hasn't affected the quality of posts at all. I just wanted to take the time again for thanking all of you for being engaged, imaginative players.

Hey there...just giving the gentlest of nudges. Hate to see what looks like a good character application locked due to inactivity!