Magical Mystery Pet [Taming]

Summit Hiram Eithne

A badger appeared, but was not interested in the slumbering wolf family one bit. It did not even glance in Summit’s direction as it ambled away to start its day, doing whatever it was that a badger did. At this point, Summit had not gotten his hopes up. He was learning a lot that morning on his own – what animals could be like, if someone just paid attention. Of all of the animals that lived in this swamp, how many of them would make a snack of him? How many could he make a snack of himself? It was funny to contemplate, and now that Summit felt more relaxed, he looked around with less expectation than before.

Still, he did his best not to cry or whine or have a tantrum, and he continued his deep breathing. Just like in the stories his mother told, when things were meant to be, they would happen. And if not, well, then there was no use being sad over it.

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Rolling encounter 1d540: 130
A pine marten peers around the trunk of a tree

Summit Hiram Eithne

A gasp escaped the mouth of the pup as a tiny bird flew right past his field of vision, so close that he swore he could have touched it with an outstretched paw. Even in the dim morning’s light, he could tell that the little winged creature was vibrantly colored. It landed as light as a feather on a flower right next to the eager pup, and without much thought, Summit began to scoot closer to this magical bird.

At first, the hummingbird did not seem to notice the pup watching it in wonder, as its beak was deep in a beautiful red poppy flower. Its wings buzzed as it moved, looking at Summit as he continued to watch. He whispered, ”Hi!” Hopefully, the bird would find Summit just as fascinating as he found the bird to be! Even if he was not quite so colorfully marked as the beautiful humming bird.

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Rolling tame 1d100: 38
If your animal is a farm animal: Success! The animal is intrigued by you
If your animal is wild or risky to tame: Failure! The animal feels threatened backs up

Summit Hiram Eithne

The hummingbird startled at the sight of the enthusiastic pup, and flitted away quickly. Because, of course it did. Summit’s luck seemed to be nonexistent on this lovely morning, and he sulked his way back to the safety zone his family provided. All were still asleep, but would undoubtedly wake soon enough. Then, it wouldn’t matter much to poor Summit that his attempts to befriend various creatures of the animal world had thus far been a monumental failure.

Ears tinted like earthen red swiveled this way and that as he listened intently for the sound of the small bird. Maybe it was all part of some fun game that only birds knew how to play. Maybe this little friend was simply trying to teach him a new way to interact, with some one who looked nothing like himself! It was an encouraging thought, even though it would have been easy to give up now.

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Rolling encounter 1d540: 334
A trained blue jay calls from a low-hanging branch

Summit Hiram Eithne

A big, lumbering tortoise climbed out of the nearby swamp. It moved through the thick mud, as slow as anything could ever be, unaware of the curious pup who was observing it from a safe distance. This, too, was not even a little interested in the wolf family nor young Summit, who thought that this creature was a bit scary looking, anyway, and rather slow moving! Oh, well. At least the animal sightings were interesting, even if they were not the most successful encounters that Summit would have liked. Unless there was something lurking nearby, just waiting to appear. . .

”Hmm...” He looked one way, than the other, as if he was watching for something truly magical to happen. According to his mother, always a dreamer at heart, there was just no way of ever really knowing what could be out, if someone just went out to find it!

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Rolling encounter 1d540: 258
A rabbit bounces around the roots of a tree

Summit Hiram Eithne

The rabbit! All it took was one look from the bemused pup to send the rabbit scurrying away once more. Summit sighed as he traced a lazy paw in the dirt in front of him, drawing haphazard circles. A wide yawn parted his maw, not because he was tired, but because it was boring sit there alone, watching disinterested, scared, or hungry animals as they came and went. He was about to doze off again when another sound caught his focus, and though he almost didn't even bother this time, he glanced around to find its source.

For a lingering moment or two, Summit considered waking his slumbering sisters to join in the fun of the sort-of hunt. He looked over at the still sleeping family, who all looked so peaceful that the pup did not dare to wake them. Besides, would it not be even more fun to surprise them when they woke, with whatever it was he was attempting to find and befriend?

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Rolling encounter 1d540: 213
A chicken struts out around a tree after escaping its farm

Summit Hiram Eithne

Another tortoise – maybe the other one’s husband, as Summit had recently learned what that word meant. But it was not interested in the pup, which was quite alright by him. His imagination began to wander – what if there was a leprechaun waiting for him to meet? Or fae to leave more pups around in various plant life? He sighed once more – if only something so interesting would happen! Instead, it was regular old life, and regular old animals doing their regular old things.

He wondered, if he thought about those legendary creatures enough, then who knows? Maybe they would start to appear!

All it would take is deep concentration, as well as determination. Of course, these were all lengthy words that Summit, in his young age, could barely comprehend. And he definitely could not say the words if he tried! But he was born with his mother’s spirit of joyful perseverance, even when things were getting frustrating. And this was indeed very frustrating. But that did not mean he would quit now!

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Rolling encounter 1d540: 118
A Scottish wildcat growls

Summit Hiram Eithne

Naturally, Summit did not dislike any of these creatures that appeared and soon left again. None of them were his enemy, whether they were his own species or something else entirely. Even the animals he had never even heard of before were more friend than foe in his young mind! There was not an aggressive bone in all of his body, no matter how big he would grow!

The animal that appeared again was not exactly the stuff of legends, but Summit’s eyes lit up as if it were a storytale come to life. The beautiful, humming little bird had return to the same poppy. This time, Summit would be extra careful so that the bird would not be scared off again, like last time. He watched it from where he was at rather than approaching. It looked at him, but did not fly off immediately. Perhaps this time would be different?

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Rolling tame 1d100: 66
If your animal is a farm animal or wild: Success! The animal is intrigued by you
Risky: Yikes! The animal wants to fight. Post in #updates for the raid or flee (although fleeing means you must re-encounter the animal).

Summit Hiram Eithne


Aha! The hummingbird landed on the scarlet-hued flower, wings still, as it gazed at Summit. Summit wanted to tell it many things -- how lovely it was, how much he liked it. But he didn't want to scare the bird, nor wake his family, who would definitely scare it away. It was so colorful and magical. A tiny bird was not a usual playmate for a big pup, but, who knows? Summit took only a step closer, bracing himself for disappointment in case the hummingbird flew away again.

The concept of giving up was something new to the young pup. When he had his mind and his heart set on something, it was nearly impossible to dissuade him against it! Especially when his sister Journey was by his side. But she was still fast asleep, missing out on all the excitement… and the frustration! It was a good lesson for Summit, though, that if he really, really wanted something, he had to keep trying.

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Rolling tame 1d100: 89
Success! Regardless of the animal type

Summit Hiram Eithne

Summit was nearly giddy as he saw the hummingbird seeming to relax a little on its chosen petals of ruby, still watching the wolf pup with some lingering uncertainty. But Summit would never hurt something like that! The boy inched closer still, taking a chance -- he put a single forepaw out, in hopes that the little bird would come and sit upon it. That way, Summit would be certain that they were friends. Not like all those other mean animals that had come and gone! He held his breath as he waited for the hummingbird's choice -- stay or go?

Summit sat quietly for a moment to gather his thoughts. There were so very many animals here, but none of them seemed like a suitable new friend for the young pup. He was, after all, only a couple months old, and not ready to become the snack of a hungry predator. He knew he was still too little to stand his ground against a creature like that.

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Rolling tame 1d100: 20
Failure! The animal is suspicious of you.

Summit Hiram Eithne

Unmatching eyes, one the color of coral and the other a hue of greenish blue, never stopped watching the humming bird. It sounded just like a nice, pretty little song. He watched the rapidly beating wings that moved so quickly, he could barely see them at all. This bird, as tiny as it was, undoubtedly was the thing of magic. And while Summit had never technically seen a mythical creature, this little friend was, by his estimation, very close!

The little bird seemed rather suspicious of the outstretched paw. Instead of coming closer, the hummingbird took to the air again, its wings humming like a wild song, and disappeared behind a tree. This time, Summit couldn't help but follow. It landed a short distance away, and Summit glanced back nervously to where his parents were, just out of sight now. It was a risk, but he hoped it would work. "See? I'm nice, too!"

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Rolling tame 1d100: 71
Success! Regardless of the animal type