Tree-Climbing Games! [OPEN for Apprentices]

A large group of apprentices had been rounded up by a pair of senior warriors, lead through the territory under the heat of sunhigh. Since the Gathering, the air around camp had been so tense it felt as if a single wrong step could snap it like a taught vine and send the Clan spiraling. This, though, was a brief reprieve from the thoughts of murder, those that had called for Beechfang's execution, and whether or not RiverClan would be storming the walls of their camp soon, demanding blood. It would be training, sure, but the warriors had promised to make it fun.

Though she felt like melting underneath the sun's warmth, Birdpaw kept her chin raised high and carried herself at an easy trot, falling in just behind the warriors, and leading the pack of apprentices as they ventured through the territory. She had to look, and act, the best out of all of them if she wanted to reach warriorhood before the rest of her denmates, so she had to hold herself well. Even though frustration at her mother's situation simmered underneath her pelt, she– with great effort –kept her expression neutral and remained quiet. It wasn't long before they reached the Great Ridge, with the odd, colorful shapes of Twolegplace stretched out far in the distance. Their guides had turned on them, and laid out the instructions clearly: they were to work on their climbing skills, and not only that, whoever could climb the highest would be free of elder duties for a half-moon. With that and no further instruction, they were set loose.

Not tied to the warriors anymore, Birdpaw wasted no time in hopping over to the trunk of the nearest tree. Climbing had intimidated her since her first day of training, and she still felt shaky when she got off the ground, but the smirk that had broken her stoic expression betrayed none of her nerves about the game at hand. Curling her tail over her back, she turned briefly to eye the other apprentices, calling, "If you actually want to win, then watch how it's done. Good luck beating me, though!" And with that, she faced her chosen tree again, bunching up her haunches before kicking off the ground. She fell against the bark less gracefully than she would've liked, and it was a fight to haul herself up onto one of the lower branches. It rocked under her weight, and she let out a startled yelp, claws sinking into the wood. But then it stabilized, and she was safe! And the first one of them to make it off the ground. Not far, but off the ground– this would be a cinch.


ooc: This is just a fun little game for SkyClan's apprentices to flex their tree-climbing skills, since I don't see a lot of focus on that. I thought it'd be fun to put a little bit of chance into it, too, so we're going to be using the Effect Dice to see how high we each can get! Other than that, have fun, go wild and torment your denmates.

Dice Results:
1: Miss your branch! Either stay on that branch, or fall down.
2-3: Up one branch!
4-5: Up two branches!
6: Up three branches! A true SkyClan cat ;)

The member 'downfive' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 2

Lichenpaw breathed in the warm Newleaf air as he followed behind the other apprentices. His long fur wasn't exactly comfortable in warm weather, but it was far nicer than.. well, the chill of the Gathering. Not just in terms of heat, either- the pelts at Fourtrees became harsh and bitter with the reveal that his mother had..

The Gathering definitely affected camp, as well. It was disheartening to see so many worried faces on his Clanmates.. He could only hope to StarClan no more terrible things would happen in the coming moons.

He had been lagging behind in his thoughts; he shook his head- they were leaving camp for the time being, anyways. And not just for a simple patrol, either- for climbing trees! His smile began to grow again as they reached the Great Ridge. So many trees- they stretched up practically to the clouds..! Not only that, but the apprentices were racing-- the winner wouldn't have to do elder's duties for a whole half-moon! It was hard not to get excited again. He stuck a tongue out playfully at Birdpaw; "I won't need luck! Just you see!" With that, he dashed toward his chosen tree. Lichenpaw quickly prepared, looking at one branch-- it was a bit high; but he was SkyClan, after all! Finally exerting all his energy, he narrowly clawed onto the branch. That wasn't so hard! He'd beat Birdpaw in no time! ..Or, he had thought. Lichenpaw quickly lost his footing as he brought another leg up; scrambling to keep himself on, he only unbalanced himself further. With a panicked yell, the apprentice plummeted back to the ground. A yelp of pain followed soon afterward, accompanied with a softer 'thump'.

Lichenpaw groaned as he stood back up; his side twinging. Leaves luckily cushioned his fall somewhat; he wasn't hurt, but he certainly didn't feel good.

The member 'Mechanic' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 1

Wolfpaw had been quick to follow her siblings toward the great ridge, willing herself to ignore the warmth of late newleaf against her long fur. It was uncomfortable, part of her almost wanted to stay back at camp and curl up in the shade. The lure of potentially not having to be on elder duties however, was enticing, and so she'd joined the patrol. A bit of friendly competition never hurt anyone, anyways, right?

Or maybe it had, as she was pulled from her thoughts by Lichenpaw's fall. "Are you okay?" She asked Lichenpaw, he didn't look too hurt, at least to her untrained eyes. Their parents would probably know better... And what a strange thought that was. Beechfang, former medicine cat, but she'd...

Wolfpaw shook her head as if she could shake off the thought. Beechfang seemed to make it a habit, to be so contrary. She only hoped that that wouldn't wind up causing more problems. If it did, however, Wolfpaw had vowed to be ready. And that meant she would be an excellent tree-climber just like her mentor, too. Lichenpaw didn't seem too hurt, so she turned her attention toward the closest tree, muscles bunching. She quickly scaled the tree, being careful that her footing was secure on the lowest branch. Head lifting, she took a moment to judge the distance to the branch above, then jumped. Claws sank into the tree bark as she pulled herself up and sat, not without throwing a smug look toward Birdpaw.

The member 'kjSage' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 5

Her siblings followed swiftly after, Lichenpaw and Wolfpaw looking as eager as she'd been to get into the trees. Her brother was first, calling up something boastful as he lined himself up with the tree. Birdpaw watched with a smirk, eager for any competition, though she was confident neither of them could best her. Lichenpaw sprang upwards, claws fastening into his branch of choice, and for a moment it seemed as if he'd be able to hold on... but then his grip slipped, and he went rolling back into the earth. The barking laugh came first before the fluffy apprentice could wonder if he hadn't actually gotten hurt by his fall. He seemed alright enough, and their sister was already leaning over him, anyway. "What was that about not needing luck? I thought you were going to win." She called down, tail waving slightly.

When Wolfpaw had decided herself that Lichenpaw was fine, she sized up the nearest branches, and Birdpaw only snorted down at her. There was no way she'd make it any further up than their brother had. But then she sprang, claws scrabbling against the bark. The pause to balance herself was only a moment, and then she was leaping to the branch above, a smug grin on her features when she looked down. "Hey!" Birdpaw called, scowling. She stood- a little too fast, she guessed, when the branch rocked under her and made her dig her claws in reflexively. "You're not supposed to be better than me." There was indignation in her voice, but it was all in good fun. Loosening her grip somewhat, she studied the branches above before springing. The jump was clean, and her claws sunk into the tree, but she wasn't ready to stop there. Hauling herself further upward, she winded up the tree until the shifting weight beneath her made her fur prickle, and she flattened herself against her new perch. "You two are so far away. Are you even trying?"

Birdpaw leads, four branches high.
Wolfpaw is two branches high.
Lichenpaw is on the forest floor.

The member 'downfive' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 6

Fortunately for Lichenpaw, the pain of the crash had only been a short, though harsh, burst. By the time his sister arrived, it had grown into little but a small ache. "I think I'm fine!" He nodded to Wolfpaw, before sparing a glance to his own side.. His coat was now tangled, a few leaves taking residency in his fur, but at least nothing looked any worse than it felt.

Birdpaw's tease swung Lichenpaw back to the current challenge. Competition again powered his paws; he didn't need to worry about how his fur looked! He darted to a nearby tree, eyeing all its limbs carefully. Even if it was farther above than the rest, one branch looked thick enough to land- and stay- on easily. Target chosen, Lichenpaw carefully bunched up his legs, preparing once more to leap off the ground. His planned branch was reached by the spring- with a few clawfuls bringing him the rest of the way- and shifting his balance, the apprentice stayed on the tree's limb. He turned his head upward, grinning toward Birdpaw. "See? I don't need-" The branch wobbled, and Lichenpaw quickly dug his claws into the bark. "..Need luck!"

The member 'Mechanic' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 3

Wolfpaw purred in amusement at Birdpaw's banter, "Oh, I'm sorry, " She smirked. Birdpaw was quick to scamper higher into the branches, and Lichenpaw had made his way into the trees too. Wolfpaw sized up the next branches, then leapt. Her claws sank into the branch as she pulled herself up, then she leapt for the next one, unable to resist a smug smirk aimed at her siblings. "You didn't think I'd let you get far ahead, did you?" She asked Birdpaw cheerily. "And try to keep up, Lichenpaw!" Her taunt had no real heat behind it, this was all in good fun.

The member 'kjSage' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 5