Build the Best Nest (a game)

[Lailyn]

Holy holy ahh sweetly sweetly eeh, sing the thrushes in the trees beneath the Lonely Mountain and around Ravenhill. Their lovely song fades and is interrupted --

WHOOSH...
CRACK...
CLANK!
……
Silence.

A storm blows through, knocking down branches and destroying carefully built nests. The next day, the birdsong is quiet. They are too busy rebuilding to sing. One thrush has made it her mission to save the spring broods! With the help of a wise raven to translate, she has flown far and wide asking all folk and creatures for help rebuilding their nests.

This is where you come in, resident of, or visitor to, Erebor. You’ve heeded the thrush's call and are here to help the birds gather nesting material and build new nests. After all, who knows when they might help defeat a dragon!

How does the game work?
1. RP yourself searching for nesting material by picking a space from the grid below.
Spaces may or may not contain nesting material (grass, sticks, etc.), nothing, other items or situations to RP.
Nesting material is worth 1 point each. Other items may be worth extra points.

2. Once you have obtained 2 different types of nesting material (for example, grass and sticks, but not sticks and sticks), you may choose to have birds LAY EGGS in the nest you built. 6/11 Edit: nests may be built of 2 of the same material.
If you choose to Lay Eggs, you may NOT also search the grid in the same round. Eggs are worth 2 points each, so get nesting! Dice will determine # of eggs laid.

The game ends when no squares remain. The winner is whoever has the most points (nest material + eggs + other item points). Nice and simple, I hope!

(photo & grid by me)

Squares available to search (as of last update Jul 12):
C1, C5, C6, C7, C8
D2, D3, D5, D6, D7
E2, E3, E4
F1, F3, F4, F6
G1, G4, G7


Rules
- I’ll encourage playing birds, animals, dwarves or humans of Erebor/Dale, but you may play whatever race or being you like, including canon characters.
- You may only search one grid space (or opt to lay eggs if able to) per round (which is each GM update). You can do RP in between if you want. RP does not need to be elaborate. Just have fun.
- Bold your grid space or decision to lay eggs.
- No bright or light colours.
- Label OOC, no need to white out.
- No godmoding except by me, the GM.

@ me in here with questions/comments/bird treats/whatever

(Game was very loosely inspired by the board game Wingspan and with some feedback from @Goosil )

[Baphởmet]

Lusola was a long way from home. He’d gotten his bearing all turned out of whack in a freak storm as he was heading north for the summer, toward the great inland sea, but new he was not sure where he was. There was no sea, there was a lake though. It was not one he recognized, but all the same he needed water, and he needed to rest. The world was cold and grey here, wherever here was. There was a large mountain in the not so distant distance. Perhaps there were birds there that might tell him how to get back to his desert home far south? He assumed it was south, but really he had no way of knowing. Lusola was very lost and very nervous. He didn’t want to worry too much, it was nearly mating season and he was going to need all his fluffy black feathers if he was going to attach a mate this year. What kind of birds lived here? Would they be kind and friendly? He was rather small bird and knew that many of the larger birds of the world liked to pick on and eat the littler ones. He was very cautious in how he dipped his head in the water and let it run back and cool his back feathers. The world seemed quiet and peaceful. He tweeped and cheeped and chirped, trying to gauge the friendliness of his fellow avians. A thrush appeared. A thrush! The little desert cardinal realized he was very far away from his intended inland sea indeed! She needed help, this little (well bigger than Lusola) bird was in dire need of a nest. Would he help her? As unsure and nervous as he was, he knew he ought to help her. What are bird friends for anyway? Maybe after he was done helping her build a nest for her babies, she could tell him which direction the great inland sea was. A win-win! He’d better get to looking fast, he didn’t want to miss out on all the girl cardinals again!

Start me off with H1, por favor

[Lady of Shadow]

Alternate Universe Michaela

Alternate Universe Michaela is a copy of the Michaela from this universe, a woman of Dale who got killed when an unstable mine collapsed on top of her. It was the mine where her husband and two sons (who were of dwarven descent, originally from the Blue Mountains) were employed. Luckily, her daughter Marida (who's of mixed heritage, but seems to take after her mother rather than her father, so she may be a bit on the small side, but looks more human than dwarven) wasn't with her (not that it would have mattered, since the only fatality was Michaela herself). In Alternate Universe Michaela's world, it was her husband and three children who got killed (since it was Marida, not Michaela, who was trying to surprise her father and siblings for a visit on her father's birthday; so this version of Marida never met Thorin, never had a falling out with him nearly three years later, and never found that time portal in an abandoned section of Erebor that led her to a new world... and a new love, whom she is still with to this day).

Alternate Universe Michaela's mission was to seek out this family (though she wouldn't come across Marida, who is no longer in Middle-earth) and somehow ease their suffering when she came across a bird of some sort that seemed to have lost it's home. Distracted from her mission (which was probably a good thing, since the family that Marida left behind would be pretty shocked to discover their mate and/or mother was still somehow alive and would want Alternate Universe Michaela to explain herself), Alternate Michaela decided that she would at least try to help her newly found avian friend (she hoped) by helping him (or her) build a new nest. But where to begin?

Let's begin with E5, please

OOC: Marida's a character I play on another Tolkien site, who started off as a dwarf when I was more into Thorin, but evolved into a woman of mixed heritage when she gained a new husband. Sort of like I did with Talina, minus the husbands. Michaela is her mother, a woman of Dale who may be a relative of the woman who called Alfrid a snake.

[Lailyn]

Interrupting to clarify how this works, sorry if anyone was confused (totally my fault) --

Nest-building:
If you RP a bird, you may build a nest for yourself/your mate OR for other birds
If you RP anything not-a-bird, you are obviously building nests for the birds

Nests can be for thrushes OR any other bird you choose (ducks, geese, go crazy). You don’t have to specify the type of bird you’re building for: you can build a generic nest and I’ll pick someone to populate it with as part of your RP prompt.

---

Egg-laying:
If RPing a bird who built your own nest, you can lay your own eggs, your mate’s eggs OR RP woo-ing a ladybird to do it.

If RPing anything else, birds will basically find your nest, maybe give you a chirp of thanks for it, be satisfied with it and decide to lay eggs.

If you want to RP multiple characters, go for it. But you can only choose one square or lay eggs in 1 nest at a time.

---

Frost and Lady Winchester, your posts are absolutely perfect! (I love lost little Lusola and the creativity of AU Michaela). But if you want to change your character or anything based on this extra info, please feel free to go ahead and do so.

If you have any questions, please go ahead and ask.

[Lailyn]

New players always welcome!

@Call of Bearthulhu - Perhaps it is your avian instincts or the speed at which you started searching, but you have already found some nice little sticks perfect for a nest! The thrush is so impressed with your skill she drops a snail your way for a snack seeing as you are a long way from home.

@Lady Winchester - It is a lucky thing that this Michaela is still alive to help out! However, you’re not so lucky in your search. All you find is a (sadly quite empty) wine bottle left over from some careless picnickers! The thrush sings you an encouraging little ditty nonetheless.

Nestwatch aka scoreboard
@Call of Bearthulhu - 1
@Lady Winchester - 0

[Afird Splitax]

Alf and Duf had discovered the Endless Stair (not many had but these two dwarves were always poking their noses into place that they should not have). They also discovered a tunnel about a quarter of the way up the stair that lead out onto the side of Zirakzigil . Down this tunnel they found a smooth stone shelf large enough to sit two young dwarves abreast. And off the shelf was a cliff with an overhanging. A perfect place to build a nest. A nest that may even lure some nobel ravens to it.
The dwarves had gotten the idea of nest building from watching the great birds soaring in the sky. Bird watching was one of their favorite pastimes. When the weather was fine and the long green slope that lead down to the Mirrormere was lush and scented, they would lie on the turf and watch the birds flying in the vast blue sky below the sailing white clouds. They would chat about how they would take such pleasure in learning how to fly like a bird. Then Duf came up with the idea of building a nest for them and maybe in return, they would teach them how to fly. And so, the planning began.
The first part of the task was gathering the supplies for the nest. They made many trips (a week's worth) up the stair carrying what they deemed was the right material; large sticks and twigs, hay, grass, bark, moss, mud, and even fish bones. It then took them a few more days to construct the nest. They weaved the large sticks and twigs into a bulky basket with a deep depression in the center. Then with the help of water from their water skins, they lined the basket with the hay, grass, bark strips, moss, mud and bones. When it dried, it held its shape wonderfully.
The last part of the task was the trickiest - building a bridge using two long poles. They had quite the challenge carrying the long poles up the narrow stair, with many a halt to rest their arms, sip some water, and chuckle over the awkward positions they had to make in order to move forward. They made the bridge from the shelf to the cliff. They placed the large nest atop the poles, then slowly lifting the poles in unison, they shimmied the nest over to the cliff ledge. There was only one scary instance when the nest rocked dangerously and the dwarves were positive it was going to crash down the side of the mountain, but it stopped teetering and plopped down snuggle into the corner of the cliff.
Wiping sweat from their brows, they sat themselves down on the shelf, and waited patiently for the birds to arrive.

E6 please!

[Galadrihell]

Geese like to nest by lakes. Goose’s first memories: cracking the egg, pecking his siblings, pecking his mother; and clear blue skies and a passably clear lake. Silty, to be honest. A little weedy and overgrown and populated by insolent fish. But a place Goose once called home.

In the shadow of the mountain, the lakes are cold. Goose doesn’t mind: that’s what goosedown is for. But spring is coming, and nests must be made. He cocks his neck. He has a very long neck. This takes some time. He’s thinking.

A shape cuts across the sky above him. Another goose? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Still, it never hurts to be prepared.

G2

[Moriel]

Bombycilla was appallingly drunk. He had gorged himself on early-spring berries, those that had frozen and fermented and begun to emit their glorious odors of sugar and booze, drawing every waxwing from miles around to the feast. After stuffing himself fuller than any reasonable bird would have thought possible, he had rolled about languorously on the ground on his back, absently chewing on yet another berry as drunken visions of beautiful lady birds danced before his hazy eyes- perhaps this season was the one he would finally win over that stunning falcon he'd had his eye on for years. So what if he got eaten in the end? Worth it. But then the thrush had come by, calling for help to rebuild a slew of destroyed nests! Bombycilla, obviously a hero, had somehow hauled his drunken carcass to its feet and careened into the air by the simple expedient of staggering off the edge of a cliff. His intoxicated wings gained some semblance of control before he hit the ground, and he swooped off in the direction the thrush had indicated with a triumphant trill. Nailed it!

H2!

[Menolly]

Zinnia buzzed through the forest at top speed, which was, to be fair, her only speed. The flowers of spring were few and far between, and she was thirsty for the sweet nectar they provided. But today, the forest was all askew, branches leaning this way and that, needles and leaves and pine duff blown every which way. She flew low and hovered over a hill that usually caught the weak winter sun, a favorite place to sip from those little red flowers that hung in rows like tiny trumpets. But today an enormous branch had fallen, destroying the young plants.

With a volley of angry high pitched chirps, Zinnia dove at the branch, tugging pine needles and bits of bark loose in an effort to find just one or two flowers that might still be left. Although...these needles might make the beginnings of a fine nest. And the bark would do to form the perfect little cup she needed to hold her tiny eggs. Hmm...

A7 please!

[Pele Alarion]

Feathers, the Pigeon

Feathers had comfortably weathered the storm tucked away in a crevice in a mountainside - it had protected her both from the wind and the rain. Once everything had calmed down she flew out to seek for a meal, and that is when she heard the call for aid from the thrushes.

Technically, she could assist, and perhaps pick up some building material while she looked for food, but then again, perhaps she should build her own nest? While the crevice had been good and she might choose it as her home it was not very cozy and needed improvements.

At any rate, she landed on the ground near a large fallen branch to see what she could find.

B3, please!

[Baphởmet]

“For me?” Lusola chirped. He’d never really interacted with thrushes before but when this one dropped a snail beside him he was positively ecstatic. How did she know that snails were his absolute favorite? Was she a mind reader? Thankyouthankyouthankyou he thought, and thought as hard as he could. When she didn’t react (he probably looked like he was having stomach issues) he realized that maybe she was not in fact a mind reader. He chirped a ‘thank you’ instead, avoiding eye contact with the lady thrush. He scarfed down the snail, despite trying to savor it. This always happened when he was eating snails! No matter how hard he tried to slow down and enjoy them, he always ended up gorging himself on them. It was an embarrassing trait of his. At least there was only one here this time. Oh, but what he wouldn’t give to find a rout of snails! With that mental imagine in the little lost desert cardinal’s mind, he got to work finding more sticks.

H3, please

[Lailyn]

New players always welcome!!

@Afird Splitax - A gust of wind makes the platform shake, but it holds (for now)! Your nest is impressive but the ravens have not appeared. Since it seems to be missing something, Alf and/or Duf search for more material...They find a pile of old bones.

@Goosil - Quack quack quack! A duck flies overhead. Was the drake eyeing up your spot? They like silty, weedy ponds, too. Your Goose Instincts lead you to a nice puddle of mud to start your nest off with!

@Moriel - You are so addled, in fact, you flew in the exact opposite direction the Thrush told you to go! She really was trying to help--instead of finding something nice, you find yourself staring into a mouth full of big, pointy teeth. How does a drunk waxwing escape a hungry fox?

@Menolly - There are no delectable flowers for you here, just worms and grubs slithering in the bark. They might give you an extra buzz of energy if you can manage to slurp them up with your needle-nose beak. The Thrush flutters over, hoping you might share... (+1 bonus point, but sadly no nesting material)

@Pele Alarion - What a sensible pigeon you are taking cover during the storm! You are a very warm and dry and ready to face the world! Your senses (or luck) lead you in the right direction again--beside the fallen branch, you find a pile of soft, furry leaves perfect for insulating your nest!

@Call of Bearthulhu - The Thrush cocks her head at your attempt to send her a super-secret psychic message. What a strange bird, but a nice one, she thinks. She flies away after you finish scarping your snail. Too bad she didn’t stick around to warn you not to accidentally wake a cranky owl from slumber.

Nestwatch aka scoreboard:
@Call of Bearthulhu - 1
@Lady Winchester - 0
@Afird Splitax- 0
@Goosil- 1
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion- 1

Squares searched: A7, B3, E5, E6, G2, H1, H2, H3

[Menolly]

Poking disconsolately at the fallen branch, Zinnia hovered back, doing an anxious tight loop in flight as she saw a feast of grubs squirming in the loose bits of fallen bark. They were far too large for her to choke down, unfortunately. Zinnia came to rest on a tiny branch, looking down at the unappealing worms, then took flight again as an enormous shadow passed overhead, her heart thrumming in a panic.

A thrush landed nearby. "Oh!" Zinnia exclaimed in the high quick voice of all hummingbirds. "Hello there. I was afraid you were a hawk, or perhaps even a crow, or, well, I don't know what, but almost anything else is large enough to eat me. That is, if they can catch me. But thrushes don't eat hummingbirds, do they, please say they don't, please?" Zinnia landed again, flipping her wings back neatly, her dark magenta throat flashing in the pale light as she rattled on. Most hummingbirds talked as fast as they flew, and Zinnia was no exception. "You eat worms, I believe, worms like these, tasty little worms and big worms too, and grubs, I suppose. I eat little worms, that is if they're very very little, and little flying things and sometimes even ants, but these worms are far too large." She looked at the thrush, then down at the crawling creatures before her. Perhaps there were little insects somewhere she could eat. Not as good as nectar, no, not as good at all, but it would keep her going and provide nutrition for her eggs and her chicks, when she had them and a nest in which to raise them.

"If you'd like some worms, you have some worms," Zinnia chirped at the thrush. "I'm off to seek the sun, and the little red trumpet flowers, and maybe some little tiny bugs I can fit in my beak. Farewell for now!"

C4 please!

[Baphởmet]

“Ay, mierda!” the little desert cardinal tweeped as he realized who (hoo, hoo) he’d stumbled on in his overeager search for nesting construction materials. La Lachuza! His little bird heart nearly stopped. He didn’t know they lived this far north! An innocent bystander might not understand his terrified reaction to seeing an owl. Owls, after all, were not symbols of evil everywhere, and indeed they were often symbols of wisdom and learning. But little Lusola came from a place where they were known as la lachuza, a kind of shape shifting witch. One could never really tell if an owl was an owl, or if an owl was a person pretending to be an owl to put a curse on them. Sadly, this sort of thing led to lots of misunderstandings, both in the human world (where owls could be shot at or killed because of the fear) and in the bird world (where owls could be shunned). Lusola himself was a very progressive bird, but he had been so startled by the sudden appearance of the owl that he forgot all his manners, tweeped as loudly as he could, then zoomed off in a wild, zig-zag pattern. He was quite far away by the time his better angels got a hold of him. There was nothing scary about this owl! Probably… most likely… maybe…? He looked back at the old tree where he’d seen the great creature. There was no sign of the owl. Could that mean he hadn’t accidently awoken them? Or that they were out there in the sky somewhere, waiting to swoop in and devour little Lusola? He fluffed his feathers, suddenly very, very anxious. Oh this was bad. This was bad. Did the thrush know about the owl? What did they do when it was about? Were they friends? Enemies? There was only one thing the desert cardinal could do right now, he had to keep looking for sticks and straw and leaves, the more he found, the better and more protected the nest would be. Yes! He would find so many sticks it would be a fortress nest, even stronger than that mountain nearby.

H4, please

[Galadrihell]

The goose cranes his long neck upward as he sees a shape cutting overhead. A DUCK. Goose honks contemptuously at its graceless, dumpy form as he waddles onward. Everyone knows that in the Pond Hierarchy, Ducks are essentially the lowest of the low, barely independent, prone to following bigger birds around and shamelessly displaying themselves for the attention of Humans With Bread. Not that Goose minds a bit of bread himself, but he certainly doesn’t goostitute himself to get it.

He flaps his feet on the ground, which is becoming more yielding as he draws nearer to the water. There are some nice sturdy rushes and water weeds around. Perhaps some of them would be good nesting material?

G3

[Lady of Shadow]

AU Michaela

"Wine bottles? Seriously?" AU Michaela was flabbergasted. "Didn't picnickers ever pick up after themselves?" the alternate version of Marida Grady's mother wondered as she noticed that a thrush decided to sing to her, regardless of her inability to find something that would make a worthy nest. It seemed the thrush wasn't only singing to her, it was revealing to her where she could find her alternate family... mostly by flying to a branch of a tree and then when AU Michaela noticed him or her, it would fly off to another one. Or was it simply guiding her to an area she could search for some more worthy items that would be appropriate to build a new bird's nest with? Either way, she decided to follow the thrush and now began looking in areas pointed out by the thrush to see if she could find something other than discarded wine bottles left over by some careless picnickers. It seemed that people in this universe weren't that much different from the ones in her own (though if she ever met up with her daughter, she would be quite surprised that she was able to survive both an escaped hybrid dinosaur and a volcanic eruption).

Let's try searching in square A6 this time

[Lailyn]

New dwarves, humans, birds, elves, furry/scaly/other animals (and all others) always welcome to join in!

@Menolly - The Thrush darts her head up, down, all around trying to keep up with your velocious pace. She slurps up worms after you leave, never having the chance to affirm her non-hummingbird-eating ways. You don’t find any nesting materials, only a baby bunny who hops out from the bushes and flicks his ears toward your buzzing self.

@Call of Bearthulhu - Phew! This owl does not shapeshift into a witch or chase after you! He is too tired for all that and instead snuggles deeper into his cavity for more rest. Perhaps the owl was a token of luck because you have found a mud puddle perfect for gluing together your sticks and finishing your first nest! If your luck holds out, a nice bird may like it enough to come lay some eggs…In your next post, you may choose to attempt to lay eggs or search for more nesting material to build more nests. Bold your choice at the bottom of your post.

@Goosil - The reeds and weeds look great, but are not so easy to gather! While you needle around with your beak to try, you come across something easier to grab - a grungy old sock! The duck splashes down upon the water nearby and erupts into quacking laughter at your find. Sorry, no self-respecting waterfowl I know would use an old sock in a nest.

@Lady Winchester - You follow the Thrush as she flits among the trees. A buzzing sound begins, faint at first, then growing louder as you continue along. The Thrush zips off into the clouds with a loud “EE-EE-EE!” (Thrush speech for “Lookout!”). You find yourself faced with a big wasp nest hanging precariously from the nearest tree branch. Do you run away, try to destroy it or do something else?

Nestwatch aka scoreboard:
@Call of Bearthulhu - 2 - may now begin laying eggs!
@Lady Winchester - 0
@Afird Splitax - 0
@Goosil - 1
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion- 1

Squares searched: A6, A7, B3, C4, E5, E6, G2, G3, H1, H2, H3, H4

[Afird Splitax]

Having grown bored with sitting and waiting for ravens to arrive, Alf decided to go investigate a little further up the Endless Stair with a promise to Duf to keep within earshot and to use the special call-out signal that they had come up with; that call being a raven-like, prruk-prruk-prruk. They figured that if there were any birds about, the call might draw the birds to the mountain-side. Also, it was a more natural sound that one might hear on a mountain rather than what Alf had first suggested; that call being a pub-like more ale-more ale-more ale. Both dwarves had practiced the raven call and were quite skillful at it, although, Duf did say that Alf's imitation reminded him more of a bullfrog than a raven.

Alf (with a small torch in his hand) climbed what he calculated to be, seventy-five steps up the stair. He was still within earshot of Duf's prruk-prruk-prruk call when he saw an opening on the right hand side of the stair. Moving cautiously towards it, he held his torch high and saw that it was an entrance to a cave. Listening carefully for a moment, with only his breathing and the mountain's creaks and groans in his ears, he stepped forward into the cave.

Holding his torch high, he could see that it was not a large cave. The floor was uneven. Advancing further in, he felt a soft thread touch his face. Rubbing it away unconcerned, he peered into a corner of the cave. The floor was littered with tiny bones. He knew they were bones because he and Duf were amateur bone collectors. Bone collecting, like bird watching, was one of their many hobbies. They had many different bones and skulls in their collection, all shined and buffed and looking quite amazing. As he bent down to examine the bones, another wisp of thread touched his torch hand. He brushed it away again without a care whilst hearing faintly in the distance Duf's call, " prruk-prruk-prruk". Absorbed with his discovery, he did not return the call, but bent further down to look closely at the bones.

He could see that they were small but quite distinguishable. The small skeleton bones that littered the floor were, bat bones. Excited by his find, and the amount of bones that lay piled on the floor, he leaned his torch on the cave wall and began to carefully pick up bones and put them into his pockets and the pack he took from his back. Some were still intact and would be a great addition to the collection, and others would be good for stuffing and weaving into the holes of the raven nest that the wind on the side of the mountain had created. As he worked, another strand of thread touched his cheek and his hand. Then he heard a low rattling sound.

Startled, he reached for his torch and looking up from his knelling position. He saw what had caused the sound, and gasped. Above his head was a giant orb-shaped web cluttered with half-eaten bats and bones. And in the center of it, was the biggest spider the dwarf had ever seen. It was a shiny reddish brown in colour, with its rear body a sickly olive green. It's eight legs were long and spiked with stiff hairs. But the most terrifying sight was its eight identical eyes all seeming to stare straight down at Alf.

Clutching his torch in one hand and his pack in the other, he carefully rose and began to back up towards the cave entrance. The spider moved, causing the web to vibrate and the web's clutter to rattle. Eyes wide, the dwarf continued to move backwards when suddenly, his heel hit a piece of rock that protruded from the uneven floor. He lost his balance. His torch fell from his hand, gutting out on the floor, and he was left in total darkness. Panic is a strange sensation. It can be so strong, prevent reason and logical thinking, and replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety and frantic agitation consistent with an animalistic fight-or-flight reaction. Alf chose flight.

Crawling backwards on hands and feet as fast as he could, he moved in what he believed was the right direction towards the exit. He heard the rattling noise again, though much louder now. He moved faster. He felt a change in the air and knew he was near the exit. The rattling noise grew louder. He began to sweat. He felt something touch his leg. Then he heard it, like a trumpet-call from the Maker Mahal, " prruk-prruk-prruk". Then he saw a light.

Later as the two dwarves sat examining the remaining bones, most having been weaved into the nest - a precarious feat to say the least with the dwarves having to use the two poles again and shimming the nest from the ledge and back -Alf described the giant bat-eating spider to his friend who, after the rescue of Alf, had no desire to look or investigate the spider's cave.
" It was giant-size, I tell you. And it had twelve legs with spiked hairs like sharp needles cover them. And its fangs dripped venom that smoked when it hit the bones, and it's dozen eyes looked straight at me and.....

B4 please....

[Galadrihell]

The water weeds are tough. Goose has been diligently gnawing away for a while - at least four seconds - when he loses patience, and his grasp on the stalks. Instead, he seizes on something softer, fibrous, and triumphantly snatches it out of the ...

...

It’s a sock.

Normally goose loves stealing socks but this is hardly a victorious theft. It’s been lost already and it’s in poor shape, sodden, stinking, holed. He opens his beak to squawk in dismay and the opening of the sock slides over his beak. “HONK”, he honks, angrily, muffled. Several ducks are quacking with laughter. Goose swears a couple of ~fowl~ epithets that would make any canard blush, but he’s still gurgling with pond water and sock water. Furiously, he shakes the footwear off and begins his search anew.

H5 please!

[Moriel]

Well, this was embarrassing. Not only did it turn out that Bombycilla had flown off in the completely wrong direction, he had taken a nap on the wing and was now falling rapidly towards the gaping maw of a fox. His eyes snapping open wide as they beheld the three foxes (or one? or maybe four?) Bombycilla screamed the drunkest, most high-pitched scream he had ever screamed in his tiny life and flared his wings. The fox, seemingly taken aback by the shriek that came from the waxwing, did not seize its opportunity to leap up and devour him in one chomp. Bombycilla's extended talons raked the fox's head as he pulled dramatically out of his freefall, leaving the beast with a triple Mohawk for his troubles. Tumbling off through the air, Bombycilla made a laborious about face and set off in what was hopefully the right direction this time.

B2!

[Baphởmet]

Mud! Lusola preened and dipped his head in the cool semiliquid. There was nothing better after a hard day’s work than mud. Except some water. And a berry or two. And seeds. Okay mud wasn’t high on the list but it was still wonderful to find! He hopped around for a good minute, making all sorts of tracks. He was also making a mess, but there were no elder desert cardinals here to scold him for being wasteful. He tweeped, joyous in his discovery. He knew exactly what this discovery meant: he could now build a nest for the Thrush, a fortress of impenetrability for her little eggs (he’d seen what sort of disaster could take place when an eagle didn’t build her nest properly and promptly lost track of her eggs). On the other wing, he thought, he could try and find more material to help make room for more eggs. What to do, what to do. He sat down in the mud, wiggled, and tried to have a think. There were advantages both options, it all boiled down to what he thought he might find next. Could he find more mud and sticks quickly? If he didn’t he would be wasting time for the Thrush to be able to lay her eggs, valuable time she would need! Think, think, think. Normally, Lusola did not like making decisions quickly, he didn’t like making them at all if he were being honest with himself, but something in his little bird brain told him he didn’t have a lot of time before he needed to decide. He squished around in the mud for a bit longer before finally jumping out and fluttering about to get rid of all the heavy clumps. He knew what he’d do.

Build a nest and lay some eggs! (The Thrush, not Lusola)

[Lailyn]

New players feel free to fly on over and join us-- there is still a lot of nesting to be done! No one is having much luck with nest-building, I am not sure how you all keep managing to pick the un-helpful squares…

@Afird Splitax - In his haste and panic to escape the terrifying spider, Alf forgot he also found something else in the cave--a troll’s purse! No help for your nest, but your bat bone collection will fit nicely inside. Does the purse talk like the one Bilbo found in William’s pocket?

@Goosil - The sock flings from beak and lands around the neck of the laughing drake. Miffed, he starts a fight with the first duck he sees and on it goes until all the ducks are bickering. Further in the weeds, you find a giant egg. It is too big for a duck. Too big for a goose, even. Too big for any bird except a giant Eagle. Or a dragon? Either way, you’re no closer to a nest, or eggs, of your own.

@Moriel - That was some impressive aerobatics! And who is that beautiful waxwing you see before you? Did they see you escape the fox? My, my, they do grab the eye with their colorful plumage and exquisite mohawk! You don’t seem to realize you are actually staring at yourself in a mirror.

@Ambivalent Octopus - Well, here we are at last! The Thrush has seen some strange things so far (have you ever seen a goose with a sock for a beak?) and she is delighted with your nest! “Sweet-sweet-a-lee!” she thanks you with a happy song, then circles around in the nest quite a few times as if setting herself. Then a few more for good measure. After all her fussing about, she lays a single egg. (1 egg x 2 points = +2)

---

Egg update: Since I just realized you could theoretically build one nest and continuously lay eggs in it, let’s say you may opt to lay eggs only once per nest. Sorry, yes, I am sort of making this all up as I go. Thanks for putting up with me!

Aside from Lusola, no one is having much luck nest-building. The Thrush is not very impressed with her helpers and urges you to work a bit harder--

TWEET TWEET Important Announcement: You may search TWO SQUARES this round only!

Nestwatch aka scoreboard:
@Ambivalent Octopus - 4
@Lady Winchester - 0
@Afird Splitax - 0
@Goosil - 1
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion - 1

Squares searched: A6, A7, B2, B3, B4, C4, E5, E6, G2, G3, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5

[Pele Alarion]

Feathers, the Pigeon

Ah, her search had not been in vain, and gathering as many leaves as she could the pigeon flew off to make the nest. Now, if only she could continue to be successful in gathering materials, the home would soon be ready for habitation.
This time Feathers flew off in a different direction hoping to find something useful.

D8 and F7, please!

[Afird Splitax]

'Oi! He believed ever word you said! But I know the truth! Should I tell him?'
Alf looked around nervously wondering if Duf had returned already from his trip down the Stair to replenish their food supply, and overheard the voice. There was no sign of him, and the dwarf felt relief, although it was a guilty feeling. He had forgotten all about finding the purse (or the purse tricked him into thinking so) until it spoke to him. And now it was speaking to him again. He rarely kept secrets from his friend but, for some reason, he felt that he could not tell him about the discovery of the purse. Yes he had embellished his story regarding the giant Orb Spider, somewhat, but he had done that before telling a few white lies and had been called out with no more than a teasing from Duf. Something about the purse, and the bat bones that he had concealed in it, was tricking him into thinking that he had done something really wrong this time and could not tell his friend. It had him chewing on the tip of his beard hairs and sweating more than usual.
As he sat fretting awaiting the return of Duf, he gazed at the raven's nest. They had used some of the bones to patch the holes. Now, though, the nest was beginning to look like it was sprouting, legs. Eight legs to be exact...

A5 and A4, please

[Galadrihell]

The Goose muttered to itself crossly, a sound that resembled a crushed vuvuzela being tried out by a chimpanzee. He trod some stalks into the mud and ate some soggy vegetation.

But what was this? An egg?? It was almost as big as the goose himself. Cautiously, he knocked on the shell.

Something knocked back.

Goose took a step back, craning his neck at the sky to look for whatever huge beast had laid this monstrosity. Nobody was there but he thought he’d best slip off anyway.

search C2 and C3 please

[Baphởmet]

Lusola was on a rolla! He looked back and admired the nest he’d so painstakingly created. It was a bit lumpy in places and the sticks were uneven, but it was his first attempt. The Thrush liked it too! Lusola was so proud of himself! He tweeped and chirped, did a little dance on his tiny feet then zoomed off in search of more nest building material. Who knew this could be so much fun!

The next nest he was going to build was going to be even bigger, a proper fortress (in which the Thrush could have a little Solitude)! He could see it now, it would a massive structure and not subject to copyright in the slightest, not that Lusola understood what that meant, mind you. He was far too eager. Hopefully soon he could find some mud again, playing mud is the absolute greatest thing. He planned on showing all his friends down south once he found his way back!

H7 and H8, please

[Lailyn]

As always, you are welcome to join late!

@Pele Alarion - Feathers finds a mud puddle! It will complete your leafy-muddy nest. Sounds...maybe not cozy, but good enough. The Thrush is pleased with your progress and is about to tell you so when-- “EE-EE-EEEEE!” She calls a panicked warning to you. A cat is hiding in the bushes nearby, licking her lips!
In your next post, you may choose to attempt to lay eggs or search for more nesting material to build more nests. Bold your choice at the bottom of your post.

@Afird Splitax - Duf finds a pool of bubbling water. Hmm. It could be harmless or it could be deadly. Only one way to find out. Perhaps if he had a troll purse like Alf, it could advise.
If Alf thought the spider was crazy, how’s this? There’s grass growing at the peak of Zirakzigil! You can add it to your nest if you dare climb up those spidey-looking legs...

@Goosil - CRACK! A hole forms in the egg. A reptilian golden eye gazes out and does not see a goose. Whew. That was a close call, you almost became a dragon’s first meal. Your luck holds and you find some spongy moss to add to your mud for a nest. You also find sprightly flowers...maybe they will attract a mate.
In your next post, you may choose to attempt to lay eggs or search for more nesting material to build more nests. Bold your choice at the bottom of your post.

@Ambivalent Octopus - No more mud for Lusola, but you find something even better for your fortress of a nest--wads of soft bear fur stuck in a tree trunk! A bear must have stopped here to scratch their back. Meanwhile, a pair of amorous birds make their affections known in the branches overhead.

Nestwatch aka scoreboard:
@Ambivalent Octopus - 5
@Lady Winchester - 0
@Afird Splitax - 1
@Goosil - 2 - may now begin laying eggs
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion - 2 - may now begin laying eggs

Squares searched: A4, A5, A6, A7, B2, B3, B4, C2, C3, C4, D8, E5, E6, F7, G2, G3, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7

[Lady of Shadow]

AU Michaela

As AU Michaela continued to follow the thrush in an attempt to find some useful items for a bird's nest, she heard the familiar sound that a bee would make, which probably explained the thrush's louder sounds as if it was trying to warn her of the danger.

"A bee's nest? This is not what I was expecting the fowl to lead me into!" AU Michaela thought to herself, but since the thrush's call was only louder when it was trying to warn this version of Marida Grady's mother of the danger, she didn't really blame the bird, only her own stupidity due to the fact that she wasn't quite as familiar with the area than she thought she was (even if it was identical to the kingdom in her own universe). Now, she had to figure out what she would do next. Was she to run away, destroy it (though that would be a pretty foolish move, since it would only anger the bees and make them come after her, and since AU Michaela wasn't certain if she would have any kind of reaction to their stings, she wasn't a fan of this particular option) or something else entirely?

Since running away would probably result in a similar result, AU Michaela decided to slowly sneak around the branch that contained the bee's nest and see where the thrush that warned her of the danger flew off to, as well as continuing her search for supplies that would be appropriate to build a new bird's nest as well as tracking down the whereabouts of her double's family in this universe (if Marida learned there was an alternate version of her mother that was still alive, she would probably want to try to convince Owen if they could somehow track her down, even if the alternate version thought that she saw a ghost, since in her universe, none of her children are still alive).

Let's try searching in square B5 this time

[Galadrihell]

Goose’s long neck whips round as he hears an ominous CRACK in the distance, eggxactly like the sound of some eggstraordinarily large creature eggscaping from its birth shell. Just as well he’s nowhere near, he decides, happily tromping over a patch of moss which he tears up with his beak and tramples into what passes for his nest.

Perfect! Now to summon a female of some sort to lay eggs in it.

Lay an egg please

[Afird Splitax]

Duf gazed at the bubbling water. He could smell no foulness coming from it and the pool that is was bubbling in was a good size. If one looked very carefully into the pool, one could see where the water was gushing out through a crack in the rock. Putting his food bag aside, he took off his boots, rolled up his pant legs and stepped into the pool. He sighed contently as the warm water washed over his feet. It felt so good that, a short time later, his clothing lay in a pile and his whole body was immersed. Alf hadn't been starving when Duf had left to replenish their supplies and an hour or so more, would not kill him. These were the dwarf's thoughts as he sunk deeper into the hot pool....

Meanwhile, Alf and his talking purse were climbing the mountainside like a dwarf possessed. The purse whispered that there was grass to be had at the top of the mountain. This would make good nest building material. Also, he would have found more material than Duf, and would be able to boast about it.
And so, hanging on precariously to the side of the mountain, he climbed. Green grass was the only thing on his mind....

A1 please

[Baphởmet]

Bear fur! Lusola had only ever heard of bears before! Living in the desert, one did not see the giant danger fluffs wandering about. They tended to live in the higher, more temperate places. Lusola could not blame them either, after having accidently ended up here. It was so nice here he was not sure he’d ever go back to the desert! Sure he would face some hardships, his favorite scorpions might be harder to find and there might be bigger, meaner eagles about this place but he was quite certain he’d adapt. Plus, what if he actually got to see a bear! There were so many stories about bears in the desert, how ancient avian warriors used to ride the ursine creatures into battle against their foes, the deer. What if he saw a bear fighting a deer! Oh that would be a story to tell the birds back home (not that he’d go back to tell them, or that they’d believe him).

Lusola was beside himself with pride. He was doing so well on this mission. The Thrust was going to be very, very impressed with his skills. Had any other birds helping her out found bear fur? I think not! Only someone as resourceful, brave, and smart as Lusola could have pulled off such a feat. He puffed his little birdy chest out and strutted about the ground. He even did a little dance he had been working on back in the desert. It had been nominally to attract a mate, but none of the girl birds there thought he was very impressive, being a very small bird. He wondered if he’d see any birds here that might like his dance enough. He tweeped and cheeped and gathered up the bear fur. If nothing else, he was going to prove to himself that he was a good bird, a very smart bird who talked to bears and thrushes and eagles without trying to burrow into the ground and hide.

But bear fur alone would not build him a nest, he needed to find some more material. Surely there was some close by, bears usually fought with giant sticks with spikes on the end (or was the gorillas, Lusola might be getting his mythical creatures mixed up), and those sticks usually shed pine needles. He liked pine needles, they smelled nice and he could wiggle into them and be very comfortable.

A2, please

[Pele Alarion]

Feathers, the Pigeon

Well, the mud was a bit yucky to collect; however, it would do to hold the nest together. Maybe if she managed to find more soft moss, leaves, or such and put inside the nest it would be even more comfortable, but then again Feathers was not really known as the maker of comfortable nests. Mostly ones that simply did not let the eggs fall through.

She was about to bow to the Thrush, but the warning made her take to flight immediately. At least she had wits enough about her to keep a hold of mud without letting it go or swallowing it. Feathers circled around to see what had upset the Thrush so and found the cat was out for a meal. Well... better get out of here real fast. The pigeon flew off hastily to her crevice to deposit the mud collected from the puddle.

Attempt laying an egg, bitte!

[Lailyn]

As always, new players welcome!

AU Michaela - You make your way to a bubbling creek with lots of little pebbles and find the Thrush having a bath. Ahh, how peaceful after finding that bee-hive! Maybe in another universe the pebble you hold in your hand is a bird’s egg? Sadly, that won’t help you in the here and now though you can try to wish it so...keep searching!

Goose- Your zealous honking display attracts none other than one of those cackling ducks from the pond. You just can’t seem to get rid of them! She flies over and nearly collides with you as she lands. Not very graceful is she? She squats on your nest and out pop two eggs! Well, two duck eggs are better than no goose eggs...right? (2 eggs x 2 points = +4)

Alf & Duf - “Nice lining, eh,” the talking purse says as Alf adds the grass to the nest. “Needs more if you ask me, ehhh.” It says. Hm, who knew talking purses knew anything about bird’s nests? The wind blows nice soft leaves toward Duf soaking in the pool. They tickle his nose and will be the perfect finishing touch on the nest!
In your next post, you may choose to attempt to lay eggs or search for more nesting material to build more nests. Bold your choice at the bottom of your post.

Lusola - Oh yes, the northern mountains are quite nice, aren’t they? There are bears and pine needles and lovely lakes. Do not be lulled into feeling too safe...Sssssss! What’s that? A snake slithers over a tree branch and bares their fangs at you. The bite may not be venomous, but it will still hurt...

Feathers - Your nest is nothing to write home about, but you’re right-- it won’t let the eggs fall through! You finish stitching the leaves together with mud just in time to lay not one, but two eggs! “Oh well done!” The Thrush chirps. She lands nearby and offers you a snail. You’re going to need more fuel to keep on nesting! (2 eggs x 2 points = +4)

Nestwatch aka scoreboard (ooo it’s getting close!!):
@Prometherion - 5
@Lady Winchester - 0
@Afird Splitax - 2 - may now begin laying eggs!
@Goosil - 6
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion - 6

Squares available to search (thought this might be easier for you all this way):
A3, A8
B1, B6, B7, B8
C1, C5, C6, C7, C8
D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7
E1, E2, E3, E4, E7, E8
F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F8
G1, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8

[Galadrihell]

The Goose’s cackle of triumph is cut short as, with a whoomph of feathers, a Fat Duck lands next to him. She preens slightly. He turns away. Her neck is so short and inelegant compared to his. But wait. She’s inspecting his work! Apparently it’s found favour, as without so much as a by-your-leave she squats in and deposits two eggs. Then she looks at the goose expectantly.

Well, he isn’t going to sit on them for her.

She gets on and nestles in, but shuffles around. Something about her expression suggests her seat could be roomier and comfier.

Goose throws up his wings in exasperation and goes off to look for more nest.

E8 please?

[Afird Splitax]

Alf an Duf peered out of the opening that lead to the shelf where they had built the Eagle nest. A pair of majestic birds had located the nest and were busy getting ready to have babies. The two dwarves had witnessed the eagle's breathtaking courtship display in flight, high above the shelf. And then , they held their breaths as the two birds kissed, and paired (hopefully) for life . It was all very magical.

And now, the dwarves made themselves comfortable whilst they waited for the young to arrive.

Eagle is laying eggs, please

[Pele Alarion]

Feathers the Pigeon

Splashing the mud everywhere, not only to stick the other nest material together, Feathers thought the job was finished. Time for eggs, then. Well, who knew! Two eggs, no less. Satisfied, Feathers inspected the two rounded things and tried to make herself comfortable, though it rather felt like she was sitting in a puddle of mud.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" she exclaimed, when the Thrush came with a snail. Gingerly getting to her feet, the pigeon bowed many a time to express her gratitude, and then happily feasted on the snail. Now... Nothing would happen to the eggs if she flew off for a bit to seek out more provisions, right?

D1, please!

[Baphởmet]

Lusola had his little head filled with glorious tales of birds riding bears into battle and vanquishing the evil goblins of the mountains. Who wouldn’t after finding a tuft of bear fur? He examined it again. It was probably a brown bear, those were the most common and diverse kinds of bears in the world, but it could also be a mountain bear. Their existence was often speculated about, most of the bear “expert” birds said they didn’t exist, but Lusola was in that tiny minority that thought they could exist. Cryptoursinology was one of his favorite past times. He also liked to contemplate the possibilities of things like owlbears, antlered bears, and beartaurs. He would spend hours thinking about them, wondering about their social habits, their diets, and their… oh no!!!

Little Lusola had gotten so distracted with his ursine day dreams that he nearly ran into a snake! Oh no!! Suddenly, as it does, he forgot how to use his wings to fly away from the dangerous serpentine monster. He flopped and hopped and tumbled away, climbing over rocks, and twigs, and was that a bear paw print, no, now was not the time Lusola there’s a snake trying to eat you whole!! He dodged one bite, two bites. The snake was annoyed now. His easy meal was turning into a game of whack-a-mole and he kept coming up losing. He rattled his tail (because of course it was a rattlesnake, those things are terrifying to come across in the wild) and lunged at Lusola (no, now is not the time for alliteration narrator things are serious). He missed for the most part, though Lusola was forced to give up a good portion of his tail feathers to escape. It was only after this that the little cardinal remembered he had wings and could escape the foul baby dragon thing. Up, up, and away!

Search A3, please

[Lailyn]

New players welcome!

Goose - Your search leads you to a stream where the rocks are so slippery even your own webbed toes can’t find purchase. Down you go into the water with a great splash. Good thing you’re a waterbird-- there are rapids up ahead!

Alf & Duf - Four eggs are lain in your nest! Momma Eagle nudges her mate to go fetch her food while she is busy sitting on her eggs! While he is gone, a rival eagle arrives with an eye for the nest...are Alf & Duf up for building another nest to keep the peace? (4 eggs x 2 points = +8)

Feathers - The Thrush offers to watch your nest while you are gone. Something gold and shiny catches your eye. It is a very small toy bell stamped with DALE. It is not edible though I guess you could try, I hear pigeons aren’t too picky.

Lusola - You escaped a harrowing fate and you are rewarded with another lovely patch of cool mud crawling with big tender worms! Perfect for a snack and the start of a new nest! (+1)

Nestwatch aka scoreboard:
@Prometherion - 6
@Lady Winchester - 0
@Afird Splitax - 10
@Goosil - 6
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion - 6

Squares available to search:
A8
B1, B6, B7, B8
C1, C5, C6, C7, C8
D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7
E1, E2, E3, E4, E7
F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F8
G1, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8

[Galadrihell]

Goose follows the sound of water. There are always good things in streams, although there’s better food by lakes. Strong grasses, squishy mud... slippery rocks. No, these won’t do as building material at all. He patters over them until his unwieldy waddle overbalances and he launches ungracefully into the water. Not too displeased, Goose shakes himself slightly as he sails off. But the water is getting faster and faster... oh dear. Goose braces.

F8?

[Baphởmet]

Armed with a crown of bear fur (Lusola in the intervening moments from location to location had crafted himself a nice little headdress from the scruff of bear fur) Lusola was convinced that he could, in fact, do anything. And who could blame the little desert cardinal? He’d found some amazingly rare and priceless ursine fur and escaped the clutches of an evil serpent monster demon with nary a scratch. These two things could not be a coincidence. The bear fur had clearly protected him, as bears are wont to do after all.

He was flying and flitting about, looking for building material (and maybe, greedily, more bear fur for a full suit of bear armor) when he noticed something wiggle and indeed wriggling. On closer inspection, Lusola found that, yes!, it was worms! And mud! Worms and mud, could there be a better combination in all the world? No, the answer to that question was no. It was only after he landed and started to scarf down the squirming creatures that he realized just how hungry he was! Running for owls and snakes was hungry work! But it was all good now. He could squish around in cool mud, making his bear fur headdress look a little more authentic and “lived in”, eat his fill, and find more building materials for another nest for the Thrush. Lusola had not forgotten his mission after all! Neither owl nor snake, nor hunger pangs would keep this tiny desert cardinal from his noble goals!

Feeling recharged and full, Lusola adjusted his bear fur headdress and took off again, a sharp eye for anything stick like.

Let’s try… G8

[Afird Splitax]

Stuffing the mischievous purse into the last small hole, the bag, of course, babbling with threats and cries of protest, which both dwarves ignored (Alf having confessed the whole purse fiasco to Duf ), the two friends edged carefully backwards to admire their work. The new nest, constructed by the dwarves, was built even better than the first one; the dwarves have become quite skillful at nest building and would surely please the new Eagle who arrived looking for a home.

Not long after the first pair of Eagle's eggs had hatched, a newly expecting mother bird had arrived on the Mountainside. Not wanting to disturb the young family, the two young dwarves went up the Endless Stair once more. They discovered a wider shelf this time, perfect for a nest and a resting place for nest builders, cloud watchers, and bone collectors. And so, the process began once more. Up and down the Stair, their tireless legs went until they had the nest built. With a supply of tasty treats and a small keg of ale as a reward for all their hard work, they sat back and waited patiently for the new mother to arrive.

A8 please

Edited spelling and grammar.

[Lailyn]

Goose - It isn’t easy but you paddle through the rapids, flipping over and showing your tail feathers just once and then you reach a little pond where leaves float upon the surface and gather at the edges, perfect for starting a nest. A Miss Goose spied your descent down the river and must have seen something she liked, for she says, “honk honk” in suggestive manner. (+1, halfway to another nest)

Lusola - Your stomach steers you again, this time toward a patch of fresh seeds on the ground. They look very tasty and soon a flock of sparrows descends on the seeds and surrounds you! Maybe your bear crown will give you an edge in getting your share... (+1 for seeds, still need another item to complete your nest)

Alf & Duf - From the hole, the purse sends out the last of its magic to try to summon a Troll! Uh oh. Suddenly, a shadow blocks out the sun! Whew! It is only the second mother Eagle arriving to inspect your new nest. You find more grass and add it but she flies away again, unsatisfied, or perhaps spreading the word about your new Eyrie. (+1, halfway to another nest)

Nestwatch aka scoreboard:
@Prometherion - 7
@Lady Winchester - 0
@Afird Splitax - 11
@Goosil - 7
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion - 6

Squares available to search:
B1, B6, B7, B8
C1, C5, C6, C7, C8
D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7
E1, E2, E3, E4, E7
F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6
G1, G4, G5, G6, G7

[Pele Alarion]

Feathers the Pigeon

Thankful for the moment of freedom from the duties that came with eggs in the nest, Feathers flew off to find something good and hopefully edible. A shiny thing on the ground attracted her attention, so she landed next to the thing and tilted her head to the side, observing it. The thing didn't move, yet Feathers decided to test whether it was something that could be eaten and pecked the shiny stuff making it tinkle. Startled by the sound, she jumped back and was ready to fly off in case of attack - which didn't come. At any rate, it appeared not to be edible at all, but the pigeon thought to gather it nonetheless, perhaps as a present to the Thrush for watching the nest if thrushes were interested in such things.

F2, please

[Afird Splitax]

And the Troll came right out of the mischievous purse (like a freakish genie from a lamp). It grabbed Alf by the leg and tried to drag him into the purse. He kicked and screamed to be released as the opening of the purse grew more extensive, but to no avail. The Troll laughed aloud and called out in its stony voice.
"Look what I copped! Look what I copped!"
He then felt shook, and he closed his eyes in fright. When he opened them again, there was Duf hovering over him, shaking him awake. The Troll and purse were now just wisps of a bad dream rolling away down the subconscious highway of dreamland.

"What a dream! " he said to his friend as he rubbed his eyes. Then he noticed a pile of grass beside his resting place. Obviously, Duf had been busy gathering more nesting material whilst he slept.
"Ai, it is time you woke up and did some work!" Duf exclaimed with a friendly grunt. " Our last perspective tenant to the nest wasn't impressed. Maybe with more grass stuffed into it, she will be content."

B1 please Fixed! Thanks!

[Baphởmet]

Sparrows! Oh no! If there was a worse enemy to the desert cardinal community than snakes, it was the sparrows. They were crazy, fanatical warriors who would attack and kill anything that wasn’t them. The only reason there was any peace with them at all was they liked to keep to a small area, like the roof and attic of a giant cathedral and everyone was smart enough to stay the heckin heck away from them. But that was down south. There was no telling how dangerous or crazy these might be. Still, Lusola was armed with a bear fur helmet. There was a human story about a guy with a scary helmet back in the day, he fought orcs and was sad a lot. Maybe Lusola could be like him but not be sad all the time. What was his name again? Turnin? Human names were strange. There were seeds in the area. He was going to have to risk a battle with the sparrows to get them. They could be great as building material or as a snack in between other snacks. He was going to be super sneaky.

And that’s exactly what he did, creeping (and not cheeping) through the mud, doing his best to blend into his environment and avoid the sight of the predators. He covered himself in the mud and hopped as quietly and cautiously. He gathered as many seeds as he could, accidently (or not so accidently) swallowing a few of the delicious morsels. Once he had a mouthful, he was read to sneak off. Quietly, quietly, quietly… and go, go, go! He was off, flapping and tweeping as hard and as fast as he could (the tweeps obviously giving him a boost of much needed speed when the sparrows were closing in. Finally, he escaped them, flying too far from their territory for them to be overly bothered. He was out of breath, but he was alive. Time to find more building supplies.

G6, please

[Galadrihell]

Goose has really had to exert himself over the rapids, paddling his yellow legs with great fervour and Flexing Those Muscles. He looks a trifle bedraggled as he struggles out, dragging some wet leaves with him, but at least this looks like good nesting material.

HONK HONK, comes the salacious cry. But not from Goose’s throat. What’s this? His long neck whips around cobra-chicken swift to see a most delectable Goose-lass making eyes at him, big, beautiful, bulbous goosey-eyes. “Honk HONK,” he replies, seductively, waddling a bit closer and looking for something to offer her as a gift.

B8 please

[Lailyn]

Announcement: Slight rule change
I forgot I made the rule that nests must be built of two different items (so if you find two muds or two leaves that wouldn’t make a nest). I don’t think I have broken it so far but seeing as I can see myself getting confused by this, I’m nixing this one. Let’s suspend our disbelief a little further and allow nests made of two of the same material. Let me know if you have questions. I will update the OP with the edit.

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Feathers - “Tweet-a-leet, tweet-a-leet!” The Thrush sings merrily when you return. “What’s that you found?” She flutters over to eye the Shiny Thing and pecks her beak on it, emitting a little ding-ding-ding. “Look there is some grass over there!” she distracts you in an attempt to take the bell for herself... (+1 for grass, halfway to a second nest)

Alf & Duf - Thoroughly scolded, Alf sets off to help instead of nap and finds a wall dripping with mud inside a cave while Duf watches the nests, or possibly takes a well-deserved rest of his own. Or maybe, would a song and dance routine help attract another Eagle to the site? Only one way to find out! (+1 for mud, nest is complete. You may opt to lay eggs - bold your choice to lay eggs or your chosen square)

Lusola - “PEEP PEEP!” the sparrows scold you and you have a very strange memory of being on a scavenger hunt for...eggs? Was that you or was it a Fleep...a fleet? Huh… anyway, you manage to get enough seed-powered energy to gather a whole branch-ful of leaves! (+1 for leaves, nest is complete. You may opt to lay eggs - bold your choice to lay eggs or your chosen square)

Goose - Alas! Nothing here but rocks and stones! What’s that? Are those...you gulp, feathers stuck between her webbed toes? Whose are they? Miss Goose bends her long neck to the ground at you, then says something odd. "Help build me an army gaggle worthy of Mordor Goose-dom." (+0 sorry possible goose feathers aren’t worth much...please try again.)

Nestwatch aka scoreboard:
@Prometherion - 8
@Lady of Shadow - 0
@Afird Splitax - 12
@Goosil - 7
@Moriel - 0
@Menolly - 1 (but no nesting material)
@Pele Alarion - 7

Squares available to search:
B6, B7
C1, C5, C6, C7, C8
D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7
E1, E2, E3, E4, E7
F1, F3, F4, F5, F6
G1, G4, G5, G7

[Afird Splitax]

While Alf was off, looking for more nesting material, Duf stretched out his legs and leaned back on the rock wall for a well-deserved rest. Mind you, his friend had done his share as well as he, but fair was fair, and each had to take turns stomping the long Stair. And as far as he was concerned, he was one up on his fellow dwarf.
Looking out at the new nest, he rubbed his chin and wondered what would entice the eagle to come back. The nest was almost perfect as eagle nests go, wide enough in diameter and high enough. The nest cavity was well padded and formed a good cup where the eggs could rest. And the landscape provides for basic needs: water to drink, fish to eat, forest trees for shelter and a place to raise young, and perches for hunting and resting.
'So why had Goldie (a name he had given the eagle because of the rich golden lance-shaped feathers on her nape) raised her beak at it?" he pondered to himself, but not overly. He was pretty relaxed, resting in a patch of sun that lit the shelf. A song came to mind that he thought was entirely appropriate. Maybe she would hear him. Perhaps she would come back. He began to sing in his low dwarven voice.

Come over to the eyrie my golden one
We'd like to see you stay awhile
We used to think we were some 'raven' fans
Before we saw, you, soaring up above the clouds

Now greetings, Goldie, it's time that you began
To dance and dive and dance and start laying eggs again

Well, you know that we made this nest for you.
We used grass and sticks and all the usual stuff you use
We didn't forget to pray to the dwarven angels
And then the angels brought you into view

Now greetings, Goldie, it's time that you began
To dance and dive and dance and start laying eggs again

We first saw your kind when we were almost young
Up in the vast blue celestite sky
Your kind held our attention with their aerial feats
As we went kneeling gazing up all the while

Now greetings, Goldie, it's time that you began
To dance and dive and dance and start laying eggs again

Their wings opened, and they glided so effortlessly
They made us feel like we could fly. Could we?
We're standing on a ledge in our fantasy
Soaring and flying with them in the sky

Now greetings, Goldie, it's time that you began
To dance and dive and dance and start laying eggs again

For now, we need your acceptance
for Goldie, the nest is cold without your presence
You left and flew off, and we are curious
And hope that you will soon return to us

Now greetings, Goldie, it's time that you began
To dance and dive and dance and start laying eggs again

Oh, you are really such a noble one
We saw you first in the golden sun
And just when we climbed this whole mountainside
To build you a nest so that you would come

Now greetings, Goldie, it's time that you began
To dance and dive and dance and start laying eggs again


*Adapted from So Long, Marianne, Leonard Cohen*


F5 Goldie returned and is Laying Eggs

Editing spelling and grammar.

[Baphởmet]

What in the world was a fleep? Or a fleet? Or a peep peep for that matter. Sparrows were strange, they had words that sounded like someone was having a sneezing fit. Lusola had to fight not to be polite and say “bless you” after everything they said. Was that rude? Or would it have been rude to keep saying bless you? He remembered something about a Sparrow legend of a goblin that looked like a booger, but he could never tell if the booger goblin was a bad guy or a good guy in Sparrow folklore. Either way, he was glad he was not around the Sparrows and their Sparra warriors to find out.

In his haste to escape, the little desert cardinal wasn’t watching where he was going and crashed into a giant branch full of leaves. After a few minutes of stumbling about in a woozy state, Lusola was able to gather himself back up. It was a good thing he was wearing his bearfur helmet. Who know what sort of trouble he could have been in if he hadn’t had it. Thankfully all he had was a mild headache and a few stars here and there. There was good news as well though! As Lusola’s head cleared, he saw that his trip through the branch had yielded him a boatload of leaves! This was perfect! He could gather them out and, along with the seed, could start building a new nest for the Thrush!

He tried to fly but when he forget which side of the sky he was supposed to flying on, he decided it was best if he waited a few more minutes. As soon as he could tell sky from ground though, he was going to build… the best nest!

Let’s make a nest!

[Galadrihell]

The goose cranes his neck so alarmingly that he is in danger of self-throttling, but he can't see anything particularly worthy of the luminous being in front of him. Perhaps his eyes are misted by love. He stares at the other goose.

She stares back.

He waddles a step closer.
There's a dramatic pause.

He waddles another step closer.
His eyes start to focus properly.

The goose realises that the other goose is, in fact, standing on... the torn out feathers... of.... rivals?

The goose waddles a step back.
The other goose honks at him, a deep, imperious command. Goose's eyes bulge out even further than normal (which is quite far already). "HONK HONK," he replies with terrified enthusiasm, and goose-steps off to find some more material for his new queen.

search F3 please