Experimental Echoes
Spring emerges amid the harsh terrain of the desert, wildflowers bloom in defiance of the arid sands, cold streams trickle down the mountain where the snow transitions to runoff to flood the drinking holes you know well. You and your herd shed your winter coats and feel a little bit more free, knowing the winter winds and frost-frozen ground won’t be returning for another year.
You know the Sanctuary well, or at least the surrounding area- it’s unlike the Jackrabbit in that no one seems to mind if you graze close. Domesticated horses are seen on occasion, being boarded and trained, but no one cares to pay attention to Daturas like yourself that live in the area. So long as they don’t cause any trouble, of course.
These facts are why you’re so surprised during a bit of rest near the Sanctuary runoff pipes. Loud crashes and screams startle you to your feet just in time to watch the metal bars fixed at the mouth of the canal explode outward and barely miss grazing your skin. A panicked horse backs out of the canal, snorting and ready to bolt. It seems to realize that nothing is following and takes a beat to catch some air. It does not look healthy. Clumps of hair are missing from its thin and frail body, its teeth are crooked and sharp, and most jarring of all, it’s green.
The sight of the poor beast makes you turn tail to canter back to your herd but it calls out to you before you’re able.
“Wait! Please, don’t go.”
The strange horse staggers closer. “Don’t ever come near this place again.”
All you can do is stare.
“Please tell the other horses. We need to keep them safe.” And with that, the disturbing stranger turns and leaves you to marvel at the scene alone.
You know the Sanctuary well, or at least the surrounding area- it’s unlike the Jackrabbit in that no one seems to mind if you graze close. Domesticated horses are seen on occasion, being boarded and trained, but no one cares to pay attention to Daturas like yourself that live in the area. So long as they don’t cause any trouble, of course.
These facts are why you’re so surprised during a bit of rest near the Sanctuary runoff pipes. Loud crashes and screams startle you to your feet just in time to watch the metal bars fixed at the mouth of the canal explode outward and barely miss grazing your skin. A panicked horse backs out of the canal, snorting and ready to bolt. It seems to realize that nothing is following and takes a beat to catch some air. It does not look healthy. Clumps of hair are missing from its thin and frail body, its teeth are crooked and sharp, and most jarring of all, it’s green.
The sight of the poor beast makes you turn tail to canter back to your herd but it calls out to you before you’re able.
“Wait! Please, don’t go.”
The strange horse staggers closer. “Don’t ever come near this place again.”
All you can do is stare.
“Please tell the other horses. We need to keep them safe.” And with that, the disturbing stranger turns and leaves you to marvel at the scene alone.
Despite the urgency of the stranger’s warning, an inexplicable curiosity gnaws at your mind, urging you to continue. You approach the spiked maw of the entrance, steeling yourself against the palpable dread that hangs in the air.
The sewer is shrouded in darkness, broken only by the occasional flicker of light where cracks in the concrete have worn through. It’s terrifying and smells horrible, but an insatiable need to uncover the truth drives you forward.
It takes what feels like ages to reach the end of the tunnel, fear slowing you, as well as dodging debris left in the wake of the green horse's frantic escape that serves as a grim reminder of the danger that lurks within these forsaken depths. A heavy steel door is left ajar, beckoning you into the unknown with its dimly lit interior. With bated breath, you slip through the opening, careful to avoid any noise that might betray your presence.
The room beyond is a chilling tableau of chaos and despair. The air is thick with the acrid scent of chemicals and burnt hair, sending shivers down your back. Everywhere you look, strange tools and devices lie scattered across the floor and tables, their purpose too horrifying to contemplate.
Your nose is to the ground when a human voice breaks through the silence. You don’t understand what it’s saying but your heart lurches as a figure materializes out of the shadows. Its eyes carry a lucid determination as it steps forward, holding a syringe filled with a sedative.
Panic courses through your veins as you realize the danger you’re in, but before you can react, the human lunges forward with startling speed, its movements fueled by terrifying determination. You rear back, instinctively dodging the outstretched arm bearing the needle, but aren’t fast enough as you feel a prick in your side. The rest is chaos, bucking and kicking and biting and you feel your hooves connect with something but you’ll never know what, because you’re bolting back down the sewage pipeline and out to the open desert where you belong. You’re halfway back to your herd when you suddenly lose consciousness and fall to the dry grass and sand.
The sewer is shrouded in darkness, broken only by the occasional flicker of light where cracks in the concrete have worn through. It’s terrifying and smells horrible, but an insatiable need to uncover the truth drives you forward.
It takes what feels like ages to reach the end of the tunnel, fear slowing you, as well as dodging debris left in the wake of the green horse's frantic escape that serves as a grim reminder of the danger that lurks within these forsaken depths. A heavy steel door is left ajar, beckoning you into the unknown with its dimly lit interior. With bated breath, you slip through the opening, careful to avoid any noise that might betray your presence.
The room beyond is a chilling tableau of chaos and despair. The air is thick with the acrid scent of chemicals and burnt hair, sending shivers down your back. Everywhere you look, strange tools and devices lie scattered across the floor and tables, their purpose too horrifying to contemplate.
Your nose is to the ground when a human voice breaks through the silence. You don’t understand what it’s saying but your heart lurches as a figure materializes out of the shadows. Its eyes carry a lucid determination as it steps forward, holding a syringe filled with a sedative.
Panic courses through your veins as you realize the danger you’re in, but before you can react, the human lunges forward with startling speed, its movements fueled by terrifying determination. You rear back, instinctively dodging the outstretched arm bearing the needle, but aren’t fast enough as you feel a prick in your side. The rest is chaos, bucking and kicking and biting and you feel your hooves connect with something but you’ll never know what, because you’re bolting back down the sewage pipeline and out to the open desert where you belong. You’re halfway back to your herd when you suddenly lose consciousness and fall to the dry grass and sand.
Task 1
Draw your Datura meeting the escapee. How would they react to being startled? What does it think of the message the stranger tells them? What does this poor beast look like?
Task 2
Draw your horse exploring the sanctuary depths, or the moment when it’s attacked. What does it see? What do you think is going on in the sanctuary? Who is this human? Do they get taught a lesson by your protag? What do they look like? Mad scientist or just a friendly animal handler trying to make sure your protag doesn’t hurt itself?
Task 3
Draw the aftermath when it’s all said and done. What's the next move after your Datura wakes up? Is your herd there or are you off to find the green horse to ask for more info? Or are you never speaking of this again?
How To Submit Quests
You may draw all tasks on a single canvas, or three separate canvases. Submit on DA to the Quests folder and using the quest form to the #art-subs channel on discord and your rewards will be given to you there!
You may draw all tasks on a single canvas, or three separate canvases. Submit on DA to the Quests folder and using the quest form to the #art-subs channel on discord and your rewards will be given to you there!
Rewards
1 Mutation Vial, 1 Marking Decanter, 2000 Embers
1 Mutation Vial, 1 Marking Decanter, 2000 Embers