Story line idea for October maybe?

The lioness below is Roho (name means Spirit in Swahili). She is the guide of the departed to whatever place they go. Normally she can keep up with the demands of collecting lost spirits, but with the rabies plague taking so many animals down, she has become overwhelmed. She is recruiting lions (you! :D) to help her until the plague blows over.

She looks intimidating, but is actually a kind creature. Due to the nature of her work, however, she is a bit of a downer. Working with death for thousands of years hasn't been great for her own happiness.

The pretty lady:


Beginning story line:

As you pad through the woods, everything is quiet. The night is warm and heavy with the scent of rotting leaves, but under everything there is the slight stench of sickness that seems to permeate your entire territory. The rabies plague seems to have silenced the entire world.

You are about to turn back for home, convinced that everything is as it should be, when a pale light catches your attention. It bobs through the forest in a wandering sort of way and you wonder if it’s a human with one of their strange devices that seems to hold a piece of the sun inside. You trot towards the light, confidant in your strength and cunning to warn off any danger.

As you approach, though, you can tell it is certainly not a human. The creature moves on all four, and has horns that jut above its head, though it is too thickset to be any sort of hooved prey. Suddenly your foot snaps a twig and the creature whirls toward you. It’s a lioness with something draped across her face!
She approaches you and you can see the light emanates from her body. Ethereal blue flames dance across her skin and her eyes are glowing orbs. Fear pumps through you; nothing is natural about her. And then she speaks, “Do not be afraid, dear _____. I have been looking for you.”

Your fear begins to fade, overtaken by curiosity. “How do you know my name?” you ask, allowing her to approach. Her paws make no noise as they skim the forest floor.

“I know all of my charges, _____. Don’t you know me? I am Roho, Keeper of Spirits,” she says, each word punctuated with a soft cloud of blue mist from her muzzle. You look her over more carefully; she is dark, near black almost, with white crackles running upward from her paws. Her face and neck are covered in a hood of some kind, and her eyes are visible through it, despite a lack of holes for them. Chains hang from her frame and wrap themselves around her legs. Her body is drooping, and she seems terribly sad. It occurs to you that, indeed, you have heard of her in legends, though she was told to be much more frightening and powerful than the creature sitting beside you.

“I’m sorry for not recognizing you. I do know who you are. But why are you here?” you say, confused. Roho gives you a somber smile and she lays down, inviting you to do so as well. You comply, not wanting to offend her. Cool air seems to surround her. It is pleasant against the heat of the night.

“Oh, ____! I’m in over my head! You know that I guide the spirits of the dead to the next realm. This is already an arduous task with so many creatures running about and dying all the time, but the rabies plague has worsened it to where I cannot keep up. Your mortal eyes cannot see them, but there are spirits wandering aimlessly all around, waiting for me to find them. I need your help, _____. I am recruiting only the strongest among lions to assist me.”

You are shocked at her sudden proposal and open your mouth to speak, but she brushed her tail across your muzzle to silence you. The blue flames smell like ice and wind. “Don’t say anything yet. Let me explain.”

She rises to her paws and reaches under her hood, pulling out a long silver chain with a glowing blue pendant. “This necklace will grant you the power to see almost as I do. I have made sure, though, that it will only show you the souls who have waited the longest for my aid, so you do not become overwhelmed. If you help me in guiding spirits of the lost, ____, then I shall reward you greatly. I have many things that will benefit you and your pride. Do you accept my offer?”

You think for a moment. Working with the dead sounds terrifying, but you can tell Roho is truly desperate. Her body sags with exhaustion. After a few heartbeats, you nod. A look of relief flashes across her muzzle. “Thank you, _____. Come see me here tomorrow and I will give you your first task.” Then, she lets the necklace fall over your head, and the chain nestles into your mane. For a second, your vision goes blinding white, but returns just as quickly as it left. To your side, you see a faint figure of a mongoose, wandering aimlessly. Stars seem to shine in its fur. Eyes wide with shock, you realize that you are seeing a soul.

“Is that one of them?” you ask. Roho nods and pads to the confused spirit. She taps it gently with a paw. Instantly the mongoose begins to follow her as she trots away into the darkness.

“Remember to return tomorrow. Good luck,” and then she’s gone, blue light fading as she retreats through the trees.


Quest Examples:

“Oh! ____, thank goodness, you’re here! I’ve gathered a large number of souls from my helpers, but word has reached me that almost an entire herd of antelope has succumbed to the plague and needs my escort. Could you lead these spirits to the portal to the next world? If you lay a trail of soul stones, they’ll follow them.”
Need: x5 soul stones

And on Halloween:
"____, there is a strong spirit roaming around. It refuses to acknowledge its passing, and had tried to fight me when I tried to lead it on. It wants to fight, and that is something out of my range of ability. Perhaps a lion like you can subdue it..."

AFTER THE QUEST- "Thank you, ____. You have been a great help. I can now handle the spirits myself. You are released from your duties. Take this gift, to remind yourself of your achievements. It will not grant you any visions, but it is pretty..." (You receive a Soul Stone Pendent)




Thoughts? Suggestions? Concerns? Please comment <3