Players, regardless of race, must complete THREE territory objectives for their Alpha before beginning Origin Quests.

Origin Quests are quite like they sound- a list of objectives unique to a character's race that allow him or her to acquire the last of their racial abilities. For Taurs, this means Alpha form, for humans this is One Heart, One Mind, One Body, and for Faevyn the right to call oneself a Grandmaster of their magic. While characters can be created with up to the third tier of their abilities already acquired, this fourth tier can be earned only through performing Origin Quests. These objectives can also be used by less-developed characters to acquire their second and third tier powers, in the event that they are not created with them and a player wishes to progress them.

Each Origin Quest, regardless of race, is a group of FOUR major quests. These quests are then broken down into smaller objectives, typically in twos or threes. One may submit all objectives at once, and thus complete their quest in one shot, or may submit them separately and progress at a slower pace. Regardless of whether they are submitted together or apart, please format your submission like so:

No matter your character's race, all these objectives belong in the Origin Quests Gallery folder!

Taurs

Taurs are the shapeshifters of the Valley. Over the course of their lives, they take forms spanning a great range from the animal shape of Gamma to the near-human features of Beta. Only the most distinguished members of the community, however, may rise to call themselves Alphas. Alphas are the leaders of the pack, respectable Taur-kin who set an example, of whatever nature, for all of those around them. They can assume human form, and have achieved complete mastery over their shapeshifting abilities.

Origin- Part 1
Your alpha is impressed with your community efforts! He or she calls upon you now to perform a special mission of great importance.

If your alpha is Markel, Hiro, Lilac, or Shao:
Your goal is to travel to each of the three human settlements and deliver lily bouquets as a gesture of peace between Taur-kin and humankind (even if you really don't like it). Illustrate or write about the events that transpired in Spires Hollow, Castilia Cove, and Fellmoor Landing respectfully.  (Don't be afraid to get creative! Who did you meet there? What did you see? What did your character think of that place? Is it his or her first visit to a human village? Tell a story.)
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three separate works, one for each of the available human settlements.

If your alpha is Icilia:
Icilia holds no love for humans, and so instead your task is to deliver your bouquets to three Taur settlements across Siyyon. (Where do you go? What are these places called? Who do you meet there? Feel free to invent! Color your own world.)
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three separate works, each one interacting with a different taur settlement in any of the five territories. You may invent settlements if you wish, or visit loners if that works out better for your story.

Form: Gamma- If your character has not yet acquired Gamma form, completing these objectives will earn your character the ability to take that form

Origin- Part 2
Your continual efforts to prove your commitment to your community has greatly impressed your alpha, and he or she is ready to introduce you to that most elusive of personages- Guardian Amaranth.

Accessible by land, air, and water (by way of an underground spring), Amaranth's grove is lush, smelling of flowers and green things. After being introduced, Amaranth takes the time to explain that Taur-kin's shapeshifting abilities are not strictly an inherent one, but rather are encouraged by the land of the Valley itself. More specifically, it is helped by a mineral which the Guardians call Eonite. Eonite is a rare substance, plentiful only in certain places in the Valley, which the Guardians have devoted their lives to protecting. The exact origins of Eonite are a mystery, as is much understanding of how, exactly, it works. It is known, however, that a great deal of the mineral is necessary to allow Taur-kin to assume alpha form. Your Guardian tasks you with traveling to the other two Guardian groves and collecting from each an Eonite Shard.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three works, one each for Amaranth, Saffron, and Gentian Bates.

Form: Beta- Upon completing these objectives, the Guardian instructs you on how to assume Beta form if you have not already earned the ability.

Origin- Part 3
Your trials are far from over. When you return to the grove with your shards, your Guardian informs you that Eonite alone doth not the alpha make. It will take some time for Amaranth to craft the shards you brought him into the charm which will allow you to take alpha form. In the meantime, he asks that you travel back to your homeland and perform three more tasks for your Alpha.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three Territory Objectives distinct to your home territory. These also count towards your total T.O. rewards!

Form: None- No additional form is earned for completion of these objectives. The road to achieving Alpha form is long and arduous, and requires one not only to be powerful, but also dedicated to the community at large. Hang in there! Your trials will surely pay off in the near future...

Origin- Part 4
When next you return to see him, Amaranth sits you down in the very center of the grove. They ask you to close your eyes, and for a long time, the two of you stay there, together among the silence of the world. Slowly, your perception begins to change. A vision assails your senses- a spirit, their exact likeness obscured, stands before you. It speaks to you of your future, the future of the Valley, or perhaps of your past, all the things you have seen and done. For every alpha-to-be, the subject of this speech, and the exact form of the spirit, is different. What do you see?

When you come to, Amaranth stands over you, smiling. He asks after what you experienced. Some say the visions induced by the Guardian groves are brought upon by the Valley itself, while others believe they are internal, an expression only of one's own imaginations, of their memories or desires. In the end, it matters little. Everything you are has prepared you for this moment. The Guardian now bestows upon you an Eonite Charm, and bids you take alpha form for the very first time.
In order to complete this final chapter of your origin story, you need only submit a single work, detailing your character's experience coming into their own as a fully fledged Alpha of their territory.

Form: Alpha- Congratulations! Don't forget to update your character sheet and show off your new look.

Memento- Add an Eonite Charm to your memory sheet as proof or your accomplishments

Human

No one really knows what brings a Spirit Animal into contact with his human, or why it is that the Valley hosts such a great plethora of these unique human-animal partnerships. All that can really be said for sure is that when a man meets his Spirit Animal, something in him is changed, forever. While all such humans are able to communicate with their bestial companions via telepathy, there are those who are said to be inseparable, as if animal and man have become one. If you seek such a bond, the best place to begin would be with Rosemary Bates, the leader and 'Alpha' of Spires Hollow.

Origin- Part 1
After many weeks of striving to win her attention, Rosemary has taken note of your community efforts! She calls upon you now to perform a mission of great importance.

Your task is to travel into the Valley and deliver three lily bouquets as a gesture of peace between Taur-kin and humankind (even if you really don't agree with her). Illustrate or write about the events that transpire, discussing all three Taur-kin recipients whom you approach, and their reactions.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three works, one for each of the Taur-kin you choose to approach.

Ability: I See Through Your Eyes- Upon completing these objectives, your character gains the ability to see through their Spirit Animal's eyes if he or she has not done so already. For details on this ability, please refer to the Character Creation guide.

Origin- Part 2
Your continual efforts to prove your commitment to peace (or at least to doing what she asks) has impressed Rosemary. She has deemed you both hard-working and understanding enough to approach an important but obscure figure in human society: Guardian Gentian.

Though Gentian is a surly sort, she agrees to meet with you. Humans, she explain, do not so often possess Spirit Animals outside the bounds of the Valley of Siyyon. In fact the phenomena was virtually unknown to those human settlers, though these days the coming of a Spirit Animal is something which all children have begun to expect. Though the reasons for this are shrouded in mystery, the Guardians believe that it has much to do with the presence of a substance called Eonite in the Valley, which is concentrated in all of the Guardian groves. In order to deepen the bond between you and your Spirit Animal, Gentian tasks you with traveling to the other two groves and retrieving from each an Eonite shard.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three works, one for each of the Guardians that you visit.

Ability: The Beast in Me- Your character gains the ability to channel his or her Spirit Animal in times of great need, granting them beastlike abilities. For instance, someone with a mouse as their Spirit Animal may be unusually agile, or perhaps the friend of a bull is very strong. Be creative, and feel free to ask a mod if you have questions or would like to brainstorm!

Origin- Part 3
When you return to the grove with your shards, Gentian informs you that it will take some time for her to craft the shards you brought her into an appropriate charm. In the meantime, she suggest that you travel back to Spires Hollow and see how Rosemary is doing.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three Territory Objectives distinct to your home territory. These also count towards your total T.O. rewards!

Ability: None- No additional form is earned for completion of these objectives. The road to oneness with your Spirit Animal is as much a spiritual journey as a physical one, and that means building character! Now, it's time to return to Gentian and see what she has in mind for you...

Origin- Part 4
Gentian sits you down in the very center of her grove, and asks you to hold your Spirit Animal in your hands, or else lay hands upon them in a way the two of you find comfortable. Then, she does the same with her own Spirit Animal Kael, assuming a seat directly across from you. She instructs you to feel the pulse of your companion against you, focus on the two of your breathing together, the bond that ties you together. Slowly, you feel your consciousness beginning to slip away. Everything is lost in the beating of a single heart, unified breathing, empty thoughts shared together. Then, in the dreamlike nothingness, your Spirit Animal speaks to you. (What does s/he say? Write or illustrate your experience).

When you come back to reality, Gentian is watching you with piercing eyes. She studies the bond between you and your Spirit Animal and, finding it worthy, bestows upon you an Eonite Charm.
In order to complete this final chapter of your origin story, you need only submit a single work, detailing your character's experiences with their Spirit Animal together in Gentian's sacred grove.

Ability: One Heart, One Mind, One Body- You may now for a short time take up residence within your Spirit Animal's body, controlling them as you wish. Remember that while you do this, your human body remains helpless on comatose state, and must be protected.

Memento- Add an Eonite Charm to your memory sheet as proof or your accomplishments

Faevyn

Bastard children of humans and taurs, Faevyn are more magical creatures than either of their parents before them. Many possess arcane strength enough to make the earth shudder, the heavens roar, and the sea divulge its deepest secrets...even if for some it may take more work to unlock than others. Begin the journey to master your powers, and learn more about yourself and the world that you live in.

Origin- Part 1
Though Faevyn are often shunned by others both human and Taur-kin, those who give to their communities are looked upon more favorably than those who do not. Recognizing your efforts to contribute, your Alpha has decided to send you on an important mission.

Rather than asking you to extend your peace to other races, however, your Alpha wants to know more about your own kind. He or she asks you to meet with them and discuss what it is someone of your particular background and talents could possibly do for your community. Display for your Alpha the extent of  your abilities.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you are required to submit only a single work. This may simply be a raw display of your elemental affinity, or could detail different uses you have adapted for your skills. Who are you as a caster? Do you have other arcane talents besides simply controlling the elements? Use these tasks as a means of defining yourself to the leader of your community.

Title: Apprentice- Performing for such an audience requires confidence in one's abilities, and half of magic is belief. Anyone who can stand in front of an Alpha and perform their best is surely worth the title of Apprentice if he or she has not already achieved it.


Origin- Part 2
Whether or not they are impressed by your show of power, your Alpha suggests you consider seeking a place to sharpen your skills. While elemental magic is the most common form of sorcery in the Valley, spellcraft itself is more oral tradition than written. He or she tasks you with journeying to four hotspots of elemental energy across the Valley- the cascading Derora Falls, the mountain of fire in the Skeo range, the tanglewood depths of Sylvanian Forest, and the rough-hewn peaks of the Hidir mountains.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, your must complete four separate works describing your journey to each of these elemental 'temples'.

Title: Adept- Those who have learned from the elements themselves and gone before a guardian may call themselves Adepts.


Origin- Part 3
You have learned much about the Valley and the energies that flow here. Your Alpha has decided it is time that you meet someone of great importance: Guardian Saffron.

She informs you that while magic in the Valley takes many forms, and many catalysts exist to mold it to a caster's will (such as the case with Siedrin and his Circle), all magic is amplified by a substance unique to the Valley known as Eonite. In order to advance your magical prowess, Saffron asks you to seek the other two Guardian groves and bring her a shard from each.
In order to complete this chapter of your origin story, you must submit three works, one for each of the Guardians that you visit.

Title: None- No additional title is earned for completion of these objectives.  Simply meeting with a Guardian is not enough, on its own, to advance your abilities as a caster. There must be more that the slippery lass has planned for you...


Origin- Part 4
You return to Saffron and she begins the mysterious task of crafting for you a charm, to help draw out your abilities. While she works, Saffron asks you to take some time to meditate upon the things you have learned in your journey. The peace of the grove surrounds you, and you lose yourself in the rustling of the canopy overhead, and heat of the sun on your back, the solid earth beneath your legs, and the babbling of a brook somewhere deep within the glade. In the depths of your trance, a figure, its features obscured, appears before you. What is its message? What does it look like? What do you experience?

When the vision ends, Saffron is waiting for you. She looks proudly on your accomplishments as a mage, and presents to you an Eonite Charm to help channel the energies of the Valley through you, as a true child of everything this magical place stands for.
In order to complete this final chapter of your origin story, you need only submit a single work, detailing your character's vision in Saffron's sacred grove.

Title: Grandmaster- Congratulations! Saffron recognizes you as a Grandmaster. May you ever find peace and wonder in the Valley, and speak with the voices of all the elements behind you.

Memento- Add an Eonite Charm to your memory sheet as proof or your accomplishments