Two - #05. “Frostfin Penguins”

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

The air tastes of salt before you even make out the sea in the distance. Then, through the mist, an endless plain of ice appears, cracked with silver-blue light. The Frostfin Penguins waddle across it in single file. Thousands of them, each feather tipped in frost.

“They look organized,” Finn says hopefully.

A moment later, the lead penguin stops, points her beak at the sky, and leaps upward.

You both stare.

“Did that penguin just try to fly into the aurora?”

Finn squints. “No… she tried to dive into it.”

Sure enough, the Frostfins keep launching themselves skyward, bellyflopping into the air and landing in a heap. Their leader, a proud matron named Admiral Puddlewick, explains that they’ve mistaken the aurora’s reflection for an ocean. “Our ancestors swam toward those colors! Clearly, we must return to them!”

You explain, as gently as possible, that the reflection isn’t real water. The Admiral frowns, unconvinced. “Then what is it?”

You think for a moment, then hold up the map-sphere. “It’s a current of light, not sea. Something only your songs can follow.”

The penguins shuffle uncertainly. Finally, the Admiral gives a sharp bark. “Very well. On your signal, young keeper.”

You whistle once. The Frostfins lift their heads and begin to sing a strange, beautiful harmony that ripples across the ice. The aurora above shimmers in reply, bending down to meet them.

Together, they march beneath the mirrored sky, their voices echoing in waves. Finn sighs. “Admiral Puddlewick,” he murmurs. “I’d follow her into anything.”

You grin. “Even the sky?”

He hesitates. “Well… maybe the shallow end.”

Task:
Create your own version of the Map-sphere to continue navigating your way forward, remembering to keep all imagery posted directly to the forum within the 600x600px guidelines.

Alternatively you may Map Out your sphere in writing, describing at least three different spots where you might find the Snowbeasts locally and perhaps sharing any pertinent information about the areas, using 100 words or more for full credit.

15 beans/sapphires are available for this task, with an extra 15 for completing all Week Two tasks by end of activity. Deadline is 11:59pm (HOL time) on Wednesday January 21st.

[River Fenwick]

The Aurora Stretch is a long stretch of bare land surrounded by a forest. You’ll always find clues of the local snowbeasts, such as their prints in the snow, but you’ll rarely see them, as they seem to prefer peace and are avoidant. More often than not, you’ll feel their eyes on you from the surrounding forest, but it’s best not to go looking for the source unless you’re familiar with the kind of snowbeasts that reside here. It’s a great spot to see the sky, though!

The Frostful Forest is one of the colder forests in the area. In recent times, it seems the snowbeasts in the area are trying to domesticate themselves, becoming very social with those who pass through. The forest gets its name from the extremely frosty, slippery ground, so adequate traction is a necessity in the area.

The Drip Valley is a valley with a river running through it, notable for being so quiet that you can hear water dripping. The snowbeasts are cautious here, not quite in hiding, but not initially open to interaction either. The river fluctuates between frozen and thawed, even during the cold winter months, due to the aquatic life within it. It’s best to always test the ice depth of the river if you plan to traverse it while it’s frozen, or you may fall through if it’s set to be thawing out.

[Emily Spencer]

The Crystal Waterfall is located at the edge of the northern-most valley, thus named for the fact that the waterfall seems to be made up of glistening crystals. The water does not actually flow anymore, but trickles down from jagged icicles that form the waterfall itself. It is massive, so there is no danger of it disappearing anytime soon. This must be good news for the snow beasts that call the area home. They seem to be peaceful creatures, albeit a bit shy and tend to hide if they sense someone growing too close.

The Wild Woods are located in the far eastern portion of the area, and are quite foreboding in appearance. Thick snarls of trees and vines make traversing the area almost impossible, not to mention the thorny flower bushes ready to ravish those foolish enough to try. Sadly, it is this that gives indication that snowbeasts have been there, though I doubt seriously if they have made it their final destination. Great tufts of fur and bloody paw prints mark their journey through the woods; gods speed to them.

The Inside-Outside is a southern valley, populated by frostbeasts who show no real desire to leave their chosen home. Although it is frozen, there is still enough wildlife left to forage; hearty plants that thrive in the cold. Additionally, the valley is bordered on all sides by high hills that serve as a natural buffer against both predators and the elements. The snowbeasts here are large, as evident by their massive hoof prints left on the frozen ground. They are quite aggressive and hostile, and will defend their area at all costs.

[Kaylee Oatsong]

Hello,

The Chilly Creek is located in the East of the map, and is a thin strip of water surrounded by ice sheets and frost, its flow blocked by small glaciers on the riverbed. The temperature in the surroundings is one of the coldest in the land, that's why Chilly Creek is named like that, which is, surprisingly, a quite loved area for Snowbeasts to deliver their offsprings! You can usually find birds there, as well as fish. The place itself doesn't house danger, except during the delivering season, as it creates some sort of shield to protect the offsprings from predators.

The Towering Tip is one of the tallest peaks of the land, in the center, reaching up to thousands of meters, with its tip covered by clouds, making it look like it is unreachable. However, it is for Snowbeasts! Even though it is quite tough to arrive to the tip, the Snowbeasts consider this tip as a Hub for Migration, where humans are almost absent, and can rest without always trying to be cautious. Despite that, they have to keep an eye on snow storms that are quite common in this area.

The Sun Cup Plain is a plain covered in bowl-shaped depressions, forming honeycomb patters throughout the whole Southern portion of the area. It is quite an impressive view, as there is nothing but snow and small hollows. This place is quite a favorite among small Snowbeasts trying to hide from predators or to snug in for the night, as this plain offers the beasts some sort of nest, and sometimes even call it home.

Kaylee Oatsong