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Description
Since Somber has turned into an esk, her relationship with her former home, the ocean, has become complicated and tainted. When she was transformed into an esk, her boundary became the shoreline. The separation between land and sea. The ocean had betrayed and rejected her in this new form. It didn't want her, and so she didn't want it anymore. After many years had passed, the grudge she held turned into pain and sadness. Often would she reminisce about her previous life and how much she loved being a child of the ocean. The feeling of being weightless, the freedom of movement, being dragged along by the currents, splashing around into the waves, the beautiful scenery and life the ocean gave a home.

The memories of when she went missing are still clearly burned into her memory and every day she regrets being so reckless. Why couldn't she just listen to her pod. Yes, she was always more of a daredevil. This wasn't only out of arrogance but because of a trust she held for the ocean. She believed as long as she was one with the sea, nothing could ever go wrong.

The sea gives and the sea takes. It is a force of nature like no other. Once waves start crashing and gaining heights of several meters, not even the best swimmers of the ocean can keep up. Deep down, Somber knew this, always have. So why did she decide that day to risk so much?

As she wanders along her shorelines, lost deeply in her memories, she feels a sudden shift in her environment. This shoreline is not her own anymore. The sand feels different and the winds are calmer than usual. Even the sun is shining bright, which is unusual in her boundary. Taking in her surroundings she swiftly notices that she has been misplaced by some powers beyond her control. She has been an esk long enough to know that sometimes there just are these special occurrences. Is it earth trying to connect with her ghostly children or a different power all together? Whatever it may be, Somber welcomes the change of scenery and being pulled back into the here and now. She is pleasantly surprised to see her bull kelp still present as she usually loses them as soon as she wanders too far off from her Boundary. Another reason why she feels so rejected from the ocean. Countless times has she witnessed other esk keeping their plant companions despite being so far away from their boundary. So why would hers leave her? It felt like a sign that she is to be bound to that shoreline forever.
As Somber catches herself losing control over her emotions again, she swiftly shakes her back and forth. Not now.

She continues along this new shoreline, greatly enjoying the views and smell of the ocean here. Suddenly, something shimmers in the distance. The sparkling objects catches her attention instantly and she curiously goes to investigate it. However, nothing could have prepared her for what she would fine. For many, it was just a simple abalone shell. Pretty indeed, but nothing out of the ordinary. For Somber however, it was a memory she had completely forgotten. Seeing this abalone shell made these lost memories return to her in a sudden burs.

That abalone shell, how could she ever forget. It was the first thing that brought her into contact with humans. It had fell into the waters from a boat. Somber had never seen an abalone shell in such a state before. Curious by the object and the thing it came from, she took and brought it back up to the surface. When the humans saw her, they were cautious but excited that she had found the item. After realizing how happy they were, she swam closer and gave them their shell back, which seemed to belong to a small child. From that day on, the humans would frequently visit Somber and she would enjoy their company. They'd play together, even though they never had a chance to keep up with her, and would at times even share their catch. Somber was intrigued by their behaviour, life and all these silly objects they had. Watching them on their boats, or how they needed extra things to help them swim and hunt amused her.
It was a sincere and pure friendship she had with the humans, and the only reason it ended, is because she did what was right.

It was the day she turned into an esk. There was a violent storm brewing over the ocean. A day where Somber knew the humans wouldn't be able to play with her, because unlike her, they were not able to deal with the aggressive waters. So, she stuck with her pod for the time being. That was until she heard screams of panic echoing through the waves. Her fellow dolphins told her to leave it be, that the storm was too strong to go close to the shore the humans lived on. Somber ignored their warnings, she knew something was wrong and wanted to make sure everything was ok. Swimming as fast as she could, she swiftly reached the shallow waters of the human settlement. When humans saw her, they pointed out into the ocean, screaming words she couldn't understand. However, she did have an understanding of gestures and looked into the direction the human had pointed. She was shocked to see that one of the men had fallen into the waters and hanging on with all his strength to some cliffs out in the ocean.
Somber knew the cliffs are dangerous even when the waters are calm as they are as sharp as razor blades. Not only was the man hanging onto them, but constantly being pushed against them over and over due to the rough waves. He wouldn't last much longer and Somber knew no other humans would be able to help him. It would be a lie to say she wasn't frightened. Even if she was an amazing swimmer, there is no way to get past those cliffs without getting hurt herself as the waves were just too strong. However, her fear didn't stop her and she darted forward.

This is were her memories start to get fuzzy. However, there is enough she can clearly remember to piece it all together. She was slammed against the cliffs several times and had many cuts along her body, but she didn't give up. She kept going until she was able to reach the man. The man carefully placed his arm around her and she did her best to bring him as close to the shores as possible. All while evading the cliffs again, this time with the added burden of ensuring the man does not get hurt. They got close to the shoreline, but suddenly a gigantic wave appeared and swallowed them both. Somber remembers falling in and out of consciousness several times. Being sucked in by a whirlpool, being dragged around by the waves and lastly being swept onto a shore she did not know. Once the storm settled she was beached and unable to return to the ocean. She was hurting and confused. Believing the ocean was angry at her for wanting to help humans. It didn't make sense for her that she was punished for trying to help. What did she do wrong and why did the ocean not want her anymore?

All of these memories pained her so badly. All of it forgotten. To protect herself? Why would she forget something so important and crucial. Perhaps it is one of the memories that was taken from her when she was turned into this creature?
Seeing the abalone at her feet, being placed on to this shoreline. This shoreline. This shoreline looks exactly like the one from back then.

Somber turns to the ocean, looks at the abalone shell again and one last memory returns to her. The man she tried to save that day, was the father of the little girl she gave the abalone shell back to.
A sudden realization hits her. The ocean presenting her this item means that he survived and the sea is telling her that everything is ok. It was never angry at her, it never wanted to punish her. Letting the waves take her away and sweeping her onto a foreign shore was the only way to save her. She hadn't realized it back then. The wounds she received from the cliffs were fatal, and she would have succumbed to them quickly. The ocean knew, the only way to save her, was to bring her to a being that can grant her a second life. It is unfortunate that there was no such creature in the ocean close by. As Somber was running out if time, the only option was the shoreline.

Overwhelmed with this realization, Somber can't stop the tears running down her face. All this time she held this grudge and pain inside. Believing the ocean didn't want her. When she has still been a child of the sea all this time and always will be.
She lifts up the abalone shell and for the first time in years, she dives into the waters. "Let's get you to where you belong!"

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I managed to finish the event. I am so happy ; ;
It got a bit close with the shallows path, but I knew Somber's run would be special, so I need to do it last to have a clear mind.

It has been a blast and quite the journey. This event has been so much fun and it helped advance Somber's story, which I am super grateful for. Let's see where Somber goes from here

Not giving myself the quest bonus for the writing, because while it is part of the intro, there is too much going on that doesn't have to do with the actual intro hahah

Somber belongs to me

Esk species created by witherlings

════════════════════════════

Points:
AP for me:
Base Score: 10 AP (Shaded Illustration)
+5 AP (Full Body)
+30 AP (Full/Scenic Background)
+5 AP (Personal Work Bonus)
+20 AP (Event Bonus)
Total AP per submission: 70
Total Batch AP: 210

Writing:
Base Score: 32 AP (Writing: 1600 words)
+5 AP (Personal Work Bonus)
+5 AP (Event Bonus)
+16 AP (Storyteller Bonus: 8 AP * 2)
Total AP per submission: 58

GP for Somber
Base Score: 4 GP (Shaded Illustration)
+2 GP (Full Body)
+10 GP (Full/Scenic Background)
+10 GP (Event Bonus)
Total GP per submission: 26
Total Batch GP: 78

Writing:
Base Score: 16 GP (Writing: 1600 words)
+2 GP (Event Bonus)
+12 GP (Storyteller Bonus: 6 GP * 2)
Total GP per submission: 30

Description
Since Somber has turned into an esk, her relationship with her former home, the ocean, has become complicated and tainted. When she was transformed into an esk, her boundary became the shoreline. The separation between land and sea. The ocean had betrayed and rejected her in this new form. It didn't want her, and so she didn't want it anymore. After many years had passed, the grudge she held turned into pain and sadness. Often would she reminisce about her previous life and how much she loved being a child of the ocean. The feeling of being weightless, the freedom of movement, being dragged along by the currents, splashing around into the waves, the beautiful scenery and life the ocean gave a home.

The memories of when she went missing are still clearly burned into her memory and every day she regrets being so reckless. Why couldn't she just listen to her pod. Yes, she was always more of a daredevil. This wasn't only out of arrogance but because of a trust she held for the ocean. She believed as long as she was one with the sea, nothing could ever go wrong.

The sea gives and the sea takes. It is a force of nature like no other. Once waves start crashing and gaining heights of several meters, not even the best swimmers of the ocean can keep up. Deep down, Somber knew this, always have. So why did she decide that day to risk so much?

As she wanders along her shorelines, lost deeply in her memories, she feels a sudden shift in her environment. This shoreline is not her own anymore. The sand feels different and the winds are calmer than usual. Even the sun is shining bright, which is unusual in her boundary. Taking in her surroundings she swiftly notices that she has been misplaced by some powers beyond her control. She has been an esk long enough to know that sometimes there just are these special occurrences. Is it earth trying to connect with her ghostly children or a different power all together? Whatever it may be, Somber welcomes the change of scenery and being pulled back into the here and now. She is pleasantly surprised to see her bull kelp still present as she usually loses them as soon as she wanders too far off from her Boundary. Another reason why she feels so rejected from the ocean. Countless times has she witnessed other esk keeping their plant companions despite being so far away from their boundary. So why would hers leave her? It felt like a sign that she is to be bound to that shoreline forever.
As Somber catches herself losing control over her emotions again, she swiftly shakes her back and forth. Not now.

She continues along this new shoreline, greatly enjoying the views and smell of the ocean here. Suddenly, something shimmers in the distance. The sparkling objects catches her attention instantly and she curiously goes to investigate it. However, nothing could have prepared her for what she would fine. For many, it was just a simple abalone shell. Pretty indeed, but nothing out of the ordinary. For Somber however, it was a memory she had completely forgotten. Seeing this abalone shell made these lost memories return to her in a sudden burs.

That abalone shell, how could she ever forget. It was the first thing that brought her into contact with humans. It had fell into the waters from a boat. Somber had never seen an abalone shell in such a state before. Curious by the object and the thing it came from, she took and brought it back up to the surface. When the humans saw her, they were cautious but excited that she had found the item. After realizing how happy they were, she swam closer and gave them their shell back, which seemed to belong to a small child. From that day on, the humans would frequently visit Somber and she would enjoy their company. They'd play together, even though they never had a chance to keep up with her, and would at times even share their catch. Somber was intrigued by their behaviour, life and all these silly objects they had. Watching them on their boats, or how they needed extra things to help them swim and hunt amused her.
It was a sincere and pure friendship she had with the humans, and the only reason it ended, is because she did what was right.

It was the day she turned into an esk. There was a violent storm brewing over the ocean. A day where Somber knew the humans wouldn't be able to play with her, because unlike her, they were not able to deal with the aggressive waters. So, she stuck with her pod for the time being. That was until she heard screams of panic echoing through the waves. Her fellow dolphins told her to leave it be, that the storm was too strong to go close to the shore the humans lived on. Somber ignored their warnings, she knew something was wrong and wanted to make sure everything was ok. Swimming as fast as she could, she swiftly reached the shallow waters of the human settlement. When humans saw her, they pointed out into the ocean, screaming words she couldn't understand. However, she did have an understanding of gestures and looked into the direction the human had pointed. She was shocked to see that one of the men had fallen into the waters and hanging on with all his strength to some cliffs out in the ocean.
Somber knew the cliffs are dangerous even when the waters are calm as they are as sharp as razor blades. Not only was the man hanging onto them, but constantly being pushed against them over and over due to the rough waves. He wouldn't last much longer and Somber knew no other humans would be able to help him. It would be a lie to say she wasn't frightened. Even if she was an amazing swimmer, there is no way to get past those cliffs without getting hurt herself as the waves were just too strong. However, her fear didn't stop her and she darted forward.

This is were her memories start to get fuzzy. However, there is enough she can clearly remember to piece it all together. She was slammed against the cliffs several times and had many cuts along her body, but she didn't give up. She kept going until she was able to reach the man. The man carefully placed his arm around her and she did her best to bring him as close to the shores as possible. All while evading the cliffs again, this time with the added burden of ensuring the man does not get hurt. They got close to the shoreline, but suddenly a gigantic wave appeared and swallowed them both. Somber remembers falling in and out of consciousness several times. Being sucked in by a whirlpool, being dragged around by the waves and lastly being swept onto a shore she did not know. Once the storm settled she was beached and unable to return to the ocean. She was hurting and confused. Believing the ocean was angry at her for wanting to help humans. It didn't make sense for her that she was punished for trying to help. What did she do wrong and why did the ocean not want her anymore?

All of these memories pained her so badly. All of it forgotten. To protect herself? Why would she forget something so important and crucial. Perhaps it is one of the memories that was taken from her when she was turned into this creature?
Seeing the abalone at her feet, being placed on to this shoreline. This shoreline. This shoreline looks exactly like the one from back then.

Somber turns to the ocean, looks at the abalone shell again and one last memory returns to her. The man she tried to save that day, was the father of the little girl she gave the abalone shell back to.
A sudden realization hits her. The ocean presenting her this item means that he survived and the sea is telling her that everything is ok. It was never angry at her, it never wanted to punish her. Letting the waves take her away and sweeping her onto a foreign shore was the only way to save her. She hadn't realized it back then. The wounds she received from the cliffs were fatal, and she would have succumbed to them quickly. The ocean knew, the only way to save her, was to bring her to a being that can grant her a second life. It is unfortunate that there was no such creature in the ocean close by. As Somber was running out if time, the only option was the shoreline.

Overwhelmed with this realization, Somber can't stop the tears running down her face. All this time she held this grudge and pain inside. Believing the ocean didn't want her. When she has still been a child of the sea all this time and always will be.
She lifts up the abalone shell and for the first time in years, she dives into the waters. "Let's get you to where you belong!"

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I managed to finish the event. I am so happy ; ;
It got a bit close with the shallows path, but I knew Somber's run would be special, so I need to do it last to have a clear mind.

It has been a blast and quite the journey. This event has been so much fun and it helped advance Somber's story, which I am super grateful for. Let's see where Somber goes from here

Not giving myself the quest bonus for the writing, because while it is part of the intro, there is too much going on that doesn't have to do with the actual intro hahah

Somber belongs to me

Esk species created by witherlings

════════════════════════════

Points:
AP for me:
Base Score: 10 AP (Shaded Illustration)
+5 AP (Full Body)
+30 AP (Full/Scenic Background)
+5 AP (Personal Work Bonus)
+20 AP (Event Bonus)
Total AP per submission: 70
Total Batch AP: 210

Writing:
Base Score: 32 AP (Writing: 1600 words)
+5 AP (Personal Work Bonus)
+5 AP (Event Bonus)
+16 AP (Storyteller Bonus: 8 AP * 2)
Total AP per submission: 58

GP for Somber
Base Score: 4 GP (Shaded Illustration)
+2 GP (Full Body)
+10 GP (Full/Scenic Background)
+10 GP (Event Bonus)
Total GP per submission: 26
Total Batch GP: 78

Writing:
Base Score: 16 GP (Writing: 1600 words)
+2 GP (Event Bonus)
+12 GP (Storyteller Bonus: 6 GP * 2)
Total GP per submission: 30