FTWClutch:14/Eggs

FTW Clutch 14/Eggs

Egg 1: Purple Aurora Egg

This smallish ovoid is mostly round in shape, and in spite of being nestled in the hot hatching sands, is shiny enough to look almost damp under any light. A pale purple forms a soft base of color, the shade of grape juice that has been watered down many times over. It's overlaid with a liberal coating of specks that look green or blue, depending on the angle at which one views it. Every so often, when turned by Niyath or Nraith, hints of a glossy white shimmer through, suggestive of numbers drawn in paint over the hardening shell.

Egg by Kiani. Inspired by Borealis 10-sided dice made by Chessex. They come in a few different colors and, of course, I own the purple ones. See a picture here: http://www.chessex.com/Dice/Signature/Signature.htm

Egg 2 : Underdark Egg

Blackness clings to the shell of this egg absorbing light and giving little back into the world. Faint patches of a phosphorescent green, pale and adding little, can be glimpsed at almost regular intervals down one side of the egg. And if one stares long enough and looks hard enough they may just be able to glimpse that these lighter patches cast a shadow on the blackness. Something vaguely... arachnid in form.

Egg by Danielle. Inspired by the Underdark of Forgotten Realms, by Wizards of the Coast, where the drow live and plot against the world above. The Underdark is an enormously wide-spread network of natural and constructed tunnels that run under the lands of the Forgotten Realms.

Egg 3 : Traditionalist Egg

This smooth pearl of an egg, pure white with a silken sheen is splattered by scarlet splotches violently arrayed across the surface. Unleashed, the viscous red drips over the gentle swell and disappears underneath where the egg nestles in the sands.

Egg by Ramya. Inspired by the Traditionalist Archetype from Vampire: The Masquerade by White Wolf. The Traditionalist always strives to maintain the status quo. Seen by some as a miser, a reactionary or simply an old fogey.

Egg 4 : Minotaur's Maze Egg

As if carved from the earth itself, this largish egg is the reddish-brown color of earthy clay. The lighter shades run over the surface as if light is hitting the tops of high walls. Fat lines run vertically, horizontally, in swirls and zig zags, mostly of the darkest shade of clay brown... shadows from the walls above. In darkness a stranger might find himself along such a path, terror growing as he runs into dead ends and fruitless turns. The goal is clear, however, for right in the center of the maze of twists and turns is a smattering of silvery sparkles that identify the magic within.

Egg by Leah. Inspired by Minotaur. Minotaur usually dwell in underground labyrinths, for they are not confused in these places, which gives them an advantage over their prey. Minotaur are huge, well over 7 feet tall, and quite broad and muscular. They have the head of a bull but the body of a human male. Their fur is brown to black while their body coloring varies as would a normal human's. Clothing is minimal, usually a loin cloth or skirt.

Egg 5 : Red Dragonscales Egg

The shell of this egg has the glory of a deep and vibrant red color a hue almost, but not quite, like blood. It is consistent across the entire shell in an overlapping design reminiscent of a tunnelsnakes scales. The scales upon this shell, however, are wide at the top and scoop down to a point much like a shield rather than the rounded scales of the snakes.

Egg by Danielle. Inspired by Forgotten Realms's mighty red dragons. Red dragons are the most covetous and greedy of all dragons, forever seeking to increase their treasure hoards. They are obsessed with their wealth and memorize an inventory accurate to the last copper. They are exceptionally vain and self confident, considering themselves superior not only to other dragons, but to all other life in general.

Egg 6 : Ghostly Tower Egg

A flat-topped hill rises over trees and mist, ruined walls still standing guard over a grey lifeless courtyard. Four towers loom warningly at each corner of the keep, equally spaced so that at least one tower threatens the curious at all times. In the center of the courtyard a single circular monolith looms, jutting skyward. Purple-granite forms the seamless walls, needle-sharp and ominous. A faint white-golden shimmer emanates from the apex of egg and tower alike, luring the unwary and unlucky onward.

Egg by F'niah. Inspired by one of the modules published for AD&D by Wizards of the Coast was C2, 'The Ghost Tower of Inverness'. In it the adventurers were required to find entry to the fabled 'ghost tower' and discover the great Soul Gem secreted within.

Egg 7 : Glass Walker Egg

From the center, silvery crack like markings appear, extending out as if precious glass is shattering. Reflections off the smooth surface languidly dance across; multiplied in each frame. On the edge, sharp, urbane, over a bronze like shimmer, it rests alone on the sands.

Egg by Ramya. Inspired by the Glass Walker Tribe from Werewolf: The Apocalypse by White Wolf. For thousands of years, the Walkers hid in human cities, living as wolves among sheep. Other werewolves typically mistrust them, not only for their proficiency with high technology, but also for their love of human cities and culture.

Egg 8 : Magical Weave Egg

Electric purples and blues mingle with whites in an enigmatic and complex weaving of color over what appears to be a black backdrop on this egg. Strands of each color shoot off to intertwine with one of the other colors and then curl around the egg in an all together new direction. The tapestry of strands is not so chaotic as it appears at first glance, but it would take many hours to see the entire intricacy of this egg and nigh impossible to follow one strand from beginning to end.

Egg by Danielle. Inspired by Forgotten Realms's magical weave, which Mystra goddess of Magic herself watches over. She provides and tends to the Weave, the conduit that allows mortal spellcasters and users of magic to safely access the raw force that is magic.

Egg 9 : Gelatinous Mess Egg

At first glance this egg looks more like a mound of pale goldenrod glopped on the sand. Its leathery surface is filled with cracks and striations, almost like an imperfect baker's creation. Imperfections here and there in the shell show as different colors - a black, irregular circle, even a peach colored set of splotches that are roughly humanoid in shape. There is nothing remotely attractive about this egg, and Niyath rarely gives it a second look.

Egg by Jenna. Inspired by the gelatinous cube, a scavenger not uncommon in dungeons. Its cubic form is ideal for cleaning all living organisms, as well as carrion, from the floor and walls of underground passageways. (AD&D, 1st ed - Wizards of the Coast)

Egg 10 : Dragon's Hoarde Egg

The largest of the eggs on the sands, this egg is coveted by Niyath. The golden surface is marred with striations of pure gold, black, and shadowed silver. Here and there a faceted spot shines through in emerald green, ruby red, or pearly white. A chain of deep sapphire blue dots runs from one side to the other, where it disappears beneath the stacked golden lines. A few circles of gold gather here and there, hinting at some valuable coinage that might be leaving its mark. From afar, the egg looks like mounds of marks painted gold, silver, and copper, with fine jewels peeping out here and there. Upon closer inspection, the bumpy surface of the egg insists more on simple dips and rises that give the false sense of a valuable pile of treasure.

Egg by Leah. Inspired by dragons. All dragons are covetous in AD&D. They like to hoard wealth, collecting mounds of coins and gathering as many gems, jewels and magic items as possible. Those with large hoards are loath to leave them for long. For dragons, there is never enough treasure.

Egg 11 : Celestine Egg

A black egg, darker than Cromcoal with swirls of smoky grey. Two circles, moon like, Belior, Timor rise on the event horizon of this black hole laying askew on the sands and drawing what light it can into its depths. Infinity poised above a gapping maw.

Egg by Ramya. Inspired by Celestines - the Nature of Spirts from Werewolf: The Apocalypse by White Wolf. The Celestines are the greatest spirits - the closest beings the Garou have to gods.

Egg 12 : Daughter's Hourglass Egg

It's a perfect sphere, this egg, with an undercoat of soft, marbled bronze. On one side, the russet color is unblemished, and carries a warm glow in the ambient light of the sands. A circle of dark, forest green frames a pattern on the opposite side; an hourglass in white. That same green fills the top half of the hourglass, some of the verdant color drizzling through to the bottom.

Egg by Kiani. Inspired by 'Sophia's Daughters' from the game 7th Sea, by Ree Soesbee. Sophia's Daughters is a secret society, comprised of largely women, who are direct descendants of the Lady of the Lake. They are closely related to sidhe--in fact, many of Sophia's Daughters have sidhe blood--and their talents lie mostly with scrying magic. The desc is based on the cover of the sourcebook, specifically the middle circle with the hourglass inside (found here: http://www.crystalkeep.com/7thsea/products/sophias-daughters.html).

Egg 13 : Shining Armor Egg

The overall color of this egg seems a solid pale gray, smooth and unmarred by the elements saved for the even linked pattern covering the underside. It shines brightly against the dim lights of the Hatching Cavern, reflecting every color in its gleaming shell. Light dances across the surface, sparkling in a merry way. The shell looks as if it would be smooth to the touch, but very strong. As with any armor, there are chinks to be found, especially in the chain mail across the bottom. It clings to the life inside, protecting it against weapons and enemies, guarding for the day the being will emerge nobly onto the Fortian Sands.

Egg by Leah. Inspired by Mithril armor from MERP (Middle Earth RP, by I.C.E.) Also called 'truesilver', and many other names besides it is the remarkable metal that the Dwarves discovered in the mines of Moria. It was supple and easy to work, and could be polished to shimmer like silver that never tarnished, and it was as strong as steel.

Egg 14 : Creamy Parchment Egg

Rather plain and subdued at first glance, this parchment-pale egg is one of the smallest in the clutch. It waits serenely in the Sands, not calling any particular attention to itself. Lingering, however, brings a myriad of details to the eye. The color thins and deepens as the eye wanders - here thinning to a pale cream, there nearly a rich wheaten. What seemed at first to be cracks around the egg's circumference are instead untidy lines of sepia, scrawled in tiny loops and angles. The more time one spends studying them, the more they seem to almost make sense. One could spend hours trying to decipher the writings.

Egg by F'niah. Inspired by magical scrolls. Magical scrolls are strange beasts - as likely to be harmful as helpful, requiring special care and handling, and only usable by certain people. This particular scroll is harmless - or is it?

Egg 15 : Doodle Egg

Forgotten at the edge of the clutch, this egg blends in perfectly with the rest of the clutch. Delicate natural shadows trace unevenly across the smooth, plain surface, off-white caressing carelessly, granting the simple egg a crinkled look. The egg is a pale opal shade in its essence - exceedingly unremarkable and easily overlooked. Upon one side, the achingly unadorned egg looks to have been struck in a slapdash sort of way, very unplanned - a erratic row of faintly silver 'X's laying there - almost as if one of the artist had run a piece of coal over the shell and smudged the marking out. Towards the top a spiral trickles down from the utmost point, opposite and up farther than the row of silver smeared 'X's. It offers a softer contrast to the sharp beginnings and ends of the lines on the opposite side - this too seeming hap-hazard in its make, though not so inelegantly sketched. The spiral is shaded a fragile gray that looks to be always on the verge of snapping the ribbon-like spiral apart, rakish looking as it is. It might seem that this ovular, fretfully basic egg was made while waiting for its more exciting sand-mates - most assuredly not the main attraction among this lot of exotic gems.

Egg by Genevieve. Inspired by the doodles that riddle the sides of my character sheets when I'm playing tabletop, waiting for the action to unfold.

Egg 16 : Face of Luna Egg

Night reverberates around this egg, umbral-dark and vaguely menacing, as it hulks on the sands. The total absence of light on leathery surface is the blackest of pitch, in which lurk tentacled monsters and giant spinners alike, ready to devour the unwary. Yet seen from the other side, the darkness gives way to a white so pure it glows silvery bright. This radiance outlines the fissures in the surface, perhaps calling to mind the glow of Timor or Belior at their fullest. It battles against the darker face, driving away the howl of fear and transforming it into a more comforting, familiar object.

Egg by F'niah and Jenna. Inspired by the Umbra. In traditional mythology the werewolf is controlled by the phase of the moon. In White Wolf's werewolf gaming system, the Garou are less in the moon's thrall, but it has taken on more spiritual aspects. When the moon is full the 'Umbra' - the other side of reality - is safe(r), with plenty of light to see. When the moon is dark the Umbra is a terrifying place, filled with monsters of all sorts.

Egg 17 : Water Breathing Egg

So blue. This egg is turquoise, rich sapphire and the palest aquamarine. Mixed together with tiny pearlescent spheres; bubbles rising up to break the surface that is rippled like waves and capped with just a hint of ivory. It rests on a small hillock of sand, raised above the others. It appears to be floating and is so blue.

Egg by Ramya. Inspired by Water Breathing Potion from Dungeon Masters Guide for Advanced D&D, by Wizards of the Coast.

Egg 18 : Restless Monochrome Egg

Pale fingers of ghostly white fog wrap themselves around the backdrop of darkened shades of grey. Through the misty gauze that skims the surface of the egg, pale indistinct reflections can be seen, smudges of paler and darker hues that make up the illusion of faces staring back at you and hands grasping toward you as if daring you closer to their gauzy covering. A shadow rests along the midriff of the egg as if chaining the nearly transparent cloth in place to lock the specters back.

Egg by Yvera. Inspired by Wraith: the Oblivion. Wraith is the fourth in a series of five games in the modern Storyteller Series, by White Wolf Publishing. It involves ghost stories and tales of passion, beauty, horror and other fun stuff. You play a member of the Restless Dead, still tied to Earth because of your Passions and unfinished business. You and your friends get to weave stories of intrigue, horror and emotion.

Egg 19 : Lightning on the Sea Egg

A rolling wave of cool green anchors this egg in the sands. White froth licks around the fat curve at one end, sweeping up and over a smallish brown cresent topped with a reddish square, almost like a boat tossed on stormy seas. Nestled in the curving embrace of green is a roiling gray-pink cloud bank. Dotted along the clouds are bright, pure white spots like flashes of lightning. Spidery veins of the same white crawl along the mass. In the center, where the clouds meet the green wave, there is a light golden glow that seems to flicker like light under crystal clear waters.

Egg by Wryn. Inspired by a Customizable Card RPG called Magic the Gathering. The card is Thunderclap and the artist is Tom Wanerstrand.

Egg 20 : Tolsadum's Robe Egg

Very colorful and quite large for an egg, is this one. Wrapped from its top by a scintillating maroon, it grows lighter in shade when reaching the bottom. The very end of it even displays some trace of light grey which gives the whole ovoid form a kind of aura. A certain sense of something, which betrays an inner power as yet unknown.

Egg by R'yat. Inspired by 'Le Donjon de Naheulbeuk' is the French version of Summoner Geek (I think) Made by a French fan of RPG games, it's a very funny parody of the worst of the team - a Dwarf, an Ogre, a Sorceress, a female Elf, an Adventurer, a Warrior and a Thief :) The two eggs are based on what the Sorceress and the Elf found in a store: Archmage Tolsadum's Robe for the Sorceress and a brand new green skirt for the Elf :)

Egg 21 : Elve's New Skirt Egg

Glossy and small are the first words that come to mind when looking at this egg. The unchanging green shade that covers it entirely doesn't attract looks, but something else does. A closer examination of the surface points out a unusual fact: It's totally smooth, without any leathery imperfections. As if this egg was made of the purest fabric. What a dress it would have made...

Egg by R'yat. Inspired by 'Le Donjon de Naheulbeuk'.

Egg 22 : Sunkissed Dawn Angel Egg

The subtle, shadowed curves of white feather wings can be traced along one end this egg's shell. They spread wide as if outstretched to take flight, the slender primaries separated a bit by smudges of gray-blue of some imagined sky at dawn. As the white and gray shadows fade, soft pink flows like a woman's dress caught by a stiff breeze, the color glowing as if kissed by the sun coming up over the horizon. A single swath of redgold ribbons above the pink, swirling about a golden peach shape that resembles a face. Taken all together, this egg might be said to resemble an angel of dawn transformed from cold gray stone by the birth of the sun.

Egg by Wryn. Inspired by a Customizable Card RPG called Magic the Gathering. The card is Divine Transformation and the artist is NeNe Thomas.

Egg 23 : Dawning Radiance Egg

As darkness descends, it pulls with it a satiny sheen of heavenly hues that swirl into a deep golden glory of liquefied burnt amber. The first fingers of dawn's ivory light creep upward from a base the color of sun bleached bone before the tentative light is snatched away and caught in the swirls of a brandy so dark that it has hints of black within it. Luminous, lordly, darkly divine and yet resonating with radiance, the small egg blazes with flecks of cold silvery white starlight and appears to burst forth to tower over the rest.

Egg by Yvera. Inspired by Apocalyptic form of the Lore of the Celestials from Demon: the Fallen by White Wolf. The characters in Demon are the products of the failed rebellion of the Fallen - fallen heroes who followed a lost cause and paid the ultimate price - and are given an unexpected opportunity to redeem themselves.

Egg 24 : Slick Dark Egg

Smoothly black, this egg flickers with highlights of dull silver, erratic lines of faint light against the sooty black. Even within the black, there are folds and lines of deeper darkness, giving the impression of creases and curves in the darkness.

Egg by Yina. Inspired by the Cyberpunk RPG which is always full of characters in black vinyl and plenty of guns.

Egg 25 : Grey Lead Egg

This egg is the plainest of dull grey, not a glint or sparkle to be held anywhere on it. Covering the surface is a crackled mottled darker grey, giving the impression of a rough surface. Within those mottles, sometimes when you look, there's a hint of a face there, or perhaps a sword if you turn your head just so.

Egg by Yina. Inspired by little lead miniatures used in a variety of games and systems.