❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART ONE -- the overflow.

[natha]

THE PROLOGUE     Your sleep on the night of the 15th is not a restful one, unfortunately. It’s unclear whether you are in a state of half-wakefulness, or dreaming. The voices you hear certainly sound very real. What is it, Sael? —Is everyone asleep?! Every one, yes. Sael, it appears you do not have good news to deliver...? N-No! I don’t know how it slipped past us, but there’s something powerful coming this way. Something hostile. I can barely keep the core systems online! ... I don't know what to do... I see... and we cannot protect Thesa and Alria in addition to transferring the Refugees to Olympia. This force, they waited for this moment. They knew I have been Intervening, and that I have become weak from such Interventions— ... We've been had. It cannot be helped. To save the Refugees on the Stations, we must eject the awoken unto El Nysa. My remaining energy shall go into shielding Thesa— left defenseless, every being we have saved on this station will perish... Sael, where is the ideal location for the landing? Hmm. There aren’t any people within a ten mile radius of The Outlook, and there shouldn’t be any for a few more days. I think that’s the best location right now. Very well. Instruct Zasere and Roman to begin preparations for an emergency eject. This is the only way we can save everyone. I am counting on you to ward off the enemy on the space front. The rest... is up to our Refugees. The alarms are blaring. It shouts against your eardrums, calling you to wake again. This time, you are in new pod, strapped down completely and cushioned tightly against the walls. In truth, you had no idea when you’d gone to sleep, but it is reminiscent of when you had been saved from the force of the Storm. A voice greets you when you come to, while the conversation between Darma and Sael is still fresh on your mind. Despite their voices playing like an old tune in your memory, you still know it is something that happened. Something has gone terribly wrong. You hear Darma speak, her voice loud in your head. Fellow Refugee, I wake you with regrettable news. A force equal to our own is attempting to engage Thesa, no doubt to steal the souls contained here. My energy is near depleted with this last Intervention, so I cannot send you to the grounds safely as originally intended. However, there is hope yet.This power shall instead shield Thesa and Alria — and believe in me when I swear no one shall be hurt. Your loved ones are safe with us. —Unfortunately, that is at your expense. Your descent will not be an easy one. This pod that contains you shall pierce through El Nysa's atmosphere and land you on an island west of Olympia, simply called The Outlook. Travel east. Find the West Outpost, then continue east until you find the Olympian North Gate. There is a method to this madness. You shall be sent in waves. The inhumanly strong shall be first. The parachute will soften the landing, but I am aware of all your capabilities. The first wave will survive the drop, and will work tirelessly to secure the others. Find your bearings, and ensure the safety of the second wave. They are the healers and medics. Catch their pods, ease their landings, make certain that they shall not be harmed, because you will need them for your wounds. The third wave are your strongmen. They shall help clear the debris and take people to safety, making way for the fourth wave, those can conjure magic to help. Bring everyone to a safe distance. A supply drop will follow soon after; it shall contain tents and tools that will be useful for the long night. The fifth and sixth waves are largely vulnerable humans. With your combined efforts, you shall survive this great misfortune. Forgive us, Refugee. Leave the Moons to us, my promise to you is still in tact— focus on what you can do for others like you. Helping at least two (2) Refugees will earn you one (1) Natha REP. Threads must be AC length to qualify, and can be submitted HERE by JULY 31st. THE DESCENT     FIRST WAVE. The instructions are clear. Those who are a part of the First Wave should be equipped with physical strength and fortitude to survive the drop or the power to regenerate and heal their own wounds. While the pods are already designed to cushion some of the impact, as this is the first group, it will likely to be the most jarring. In all of the waves, some of the pods will malfunction and offer no cushion at all. They will be expected to quickly find their bearings. Their mission isn’t simply just landing, after all. The first wave will be expected to help the next wave, and the wave after that. Whether through their abilities or brute strength, they will be expected to help soften the landing for those who are falling. They will also be expected to pry open hatches, carry people to safety, and to just... survive. It’s not always easy being first. SECOND WAVE. Within the next hour, it’s time for the Second Wave to make their descent. You were selected based upon your aptitude for healing and/or being able to administer first aid. Perhaps you can help the tired and weary. Maybe those who have landed have have strength, but no stamina. Either way, it may be unwise to exhaust all their abilities at once. The night is long, and you may want to conserve their energy for the next waves to come. At least you’ll have help in getting settled. THIRD WAVE. Akin to the First Wave, the Third Wave will possess some durability, and some manner of strength, making you a reliable ally. Especially in a time of crisis... Or so we hope. While the landing is tough, and some of you may need first aid. As soon as you’re all healed up, you’ll have no time to dawdle. Your help is required. “Please help those still trapped in pods. Carry those unconscious to safety. Lift debris, and rescue all you can.” May be a vague message still stuck in the back of your head. Something whispered to you while you were just waking. Well, might as well roll with it. It’s the best shot you have, after all. FOURTH WAVE. Those in the Fourth Wave, as Darma projects, were selected due to the versatility of their abilities. No one expects one man to do the same as the next. Rather, that’s precisely the point: to be different. To be able to accomplish something unique. While one individual may be blessed with powers that assist in putting out fires, another may have the ability to shield those from oncoming debris. Maybe one even has the ability to channel all of these. Regardless, it’s up to you and your quick wits to see what tasks are open. It’ll take some coordination, especially as there are more people mixing into the fray, but, you can do it, can’t you? FIFTH WAVE. If you are in the Fifth Wave it is likely that you have a specific power or ability. One that isn’t easily channeled or called upon. Or, perhaps, you were merely placed here for insurance. Whatever the case if, your expertise will presently be put to the test. Maybe you’re quite proficient in survival skills, and you’re already eyeing the supplies that were dropped between the Fourth Wave and now. Goods all ready to be salvaged. Okay, maybe some can’t, but as they say, “it’s the thought that counts.” Besides, the injured from earlier certainly need a space to rest, and camp isn’t going to make itself. Regardless, maybe you feel more comfortable joining in the efforts to assist those who still require it. Whatever it is, you are sure to find your place and use. Darma obviously held the same faith. FINAL WAVE. The Final Wave is fortunate in a variety of ways. With Thesa Station a bit more stabilized, Darma utilizes the last bit of her powers in insuring that these last remaining pods are met with the softest landing, right beside the fifth, that is. The fragility of life is nothing she is unfamiliar with, after all. Still, that isn’t to say nothing is expected of you. Most of the individuals that have dropped earlier will likely be exhausted. An hour stretched between each one, makes several hours for the first couple of waves. They'll need a place to relax. You will act as the final group of helpers. Settle into whatever role feels best for you. Are you an excellent cook? Great at rationing supplies? Perhaps, you have a secret skill in ______ that might come in handy here? Or, maybe, despite the gentler landing you still managed to get hurt. The sky's the limit, and you got this! Meanwhile, in the distant kingdom of Olympia, the Empress and her loyal subject discuss matters late into the night... I’ll have the results of that dragon toxin study ready for you soon, Your Highness. I just need a few helpers to— oh wow, is that a meteor shower? Oh yes, it appears so. How beautiful.. hehe. Let us thank Thesa for this blessing. GATHER YOUR BEARINGS     All in all, the descent lasts for nearly seven hours. After the deployment of the last wave of refugees, it’s only natural that you may be feeling pretty worn out. A. Within the remains of the pods, Refugees will find basic camping supplies such as small tents, sleeping bags, and compasses. Not all of the supplies remain intact, thanks to the impact of the crash. But, sharing resources will ensure there is enough for everyone to rest for the night. Can you really in good conscience leave that stranger next to you without shelter? B. Although you may be tired after such a life-threatening ordeal, there is still work to be done to ensure your survival. Fortunately, it works out because now there are plenty of empty hands. There are stray debris and metal parts that should be collected and disposed of. There's firewood that needs to be collected, and campfires to upkeep. The nights in the Outlook are particularly chilly, and so it will be imperative to keep warm! C. Your clothes are tattered or too bloodied to sleep on with comfortably. Fortunately, Darma thought ahead. There will be various types of clothing provided, mostly robes that resemble her own in earthy tones, all to help them camouflage you for your next big adventure. FINAL OOC NOTE     This INTRO event will be broken up into three parts! Please keep this in mind when plotting your threads/tag load. PART 3 Will be up on JULY 22ND, at 6 PM EST. We will not provide an additional CAPTCHA for this overflow. Players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals in the event this overflow gets close to CAPTCHA. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. The NETWORK is currently down, as Sael must concentrate all of his efforts on warding off the invading force. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. Submit two (2) AC-eligible threads from this log for one (1) Natha Orbiter REP point here by JULY 31ST. Recommended Listening: Alex & TOKYO Rose PART ONE | PART ONE (overflow) | PART TWO | PART THREE QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

Zevran

[politrick]

(from here)

You don't say. Usually I'm not lucky enough to have a tent. It's always quickly Merlin, pack everything, but don't pack something we'd actually like to sleep under instead of a tree because that would be total bollocks!

[He's doing his best pompous twit impression, here. His absolute best.]

...But I suppose there are worse places to sleep than shimmied under a nice bit of overhanging rock.

[agradecido]

[He wrinkles his nose at that impression--not because it's bad, per se, but because good lord.]

What kind of fools do you travel with?

[Who is THAT unprepared??]

[politrick]

Kings, mostly. Knights. You know, the kind that think with their swords and expect someone else to pick up the slack.

[He's probably slept on the ground, no tent, in at least a dozen forests by now. It's a bad habit by other people.]

[agradecido]

[Well, that explains some of it. Yeah, he's familiar with that kind, too, the ones who think big thoughts and leave the details to other poor bastards to deal with. Zev rolls his eyes, but his voice takes up a lighter, teasing tone.]

Ah, yes. Those types. Tell me, did they deem food necessary, or did they insist on "traveling light"?

[politrick]

[Traveling light, god, he knows that one so well. That earns a chuckle and a shake of his head, sympathetic to That Type existing everywhere.]

That's up to me, too. They'd starve without me, if they didn't make themselves sick trying to eat tree bark and dirt first.

[agradecido]

[There's a sudden pain. It's right between his eyebrows. Wonder how that got there? He groans.]

Maker preserve us.

At least the Grey Wardens were sensible enough to manage that, though I think we would all have been better served without their cooking.

[politrick]

Food is food, in the end. But I'm a decent cook, I'll have you know. My stew is a real hit.

[Such a hit, they don't leave him any... never mind that.]

[agradecido]

[Well, he sounds Fereldan, and Fereldans can't cook so far as Zevran's concerned, but he's pretty sure Merlin's not, otherwise his mention of the Grey Wardens would have garnered much more of a reaction. He smiles.]

I wouldn't go so far as that...I've suffered enough roast nug for one lifetime.

[He dips into a shallow if graceful bow.] Zevran, of Antiva. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. We may require your culinary expertise sometime soon, I think.

[politrick]

[Literally what the hell is a roast nug. No. Don't tell him. Let him wonder.

He's a little surprised by the bowing, slight as it is - people don't bow to him that often. Ah...]

Well, I'll be happy to provide it. [Too cheery. He clears his throat.] I'm Merlin—of Camelot, I suppose.

[agradecido]

[Honestly, he'd be hard pressed to describe them, even if he was asked.]

Maybe we'll get lucky and there will be something edible in the area. I'm not looking forward to whatever is in these foil pouches.

[politrick]

[Please, no pouch food. He will taste test every vegetable-looking thing he can find.]

I've something of a talent for herbs, too. I'm sure there's something familiar somewhere around here. As long as it isn't poisonous, it will have to do.

[agradecido]

[Maybe they'll get lucky and it'll just be hard-tack? (it won't be. it'll probably be MREs)]

Yes, well, we have no way of knowing what is and is not poisonous here, and I'm not going to hold my breath until I recognize something.

[politrick]

[Astronaut ice cream and nothing else.]

I'd say we have at least one way of knowing. [He's actually serious, which is both a punchline and a mistake waiting to be made.] And plenty of healers around.

[agradecido]

[There's a long pause as he takes a deep breath. Face, meet palm.]

...Please tell me you're not intending to do what it is you sound like you're going to do?

[politrick]

[NOW... THAT'S NOT FAIR...]

I have absolutely no idea what you could possibly mean. [Know that if he had a possibly-poisonous plant in his hand right now, he'd immediately shove it in his mouth. Thankfully, he's not yet equipped to make bad choices.]

Someone has to!

[agradecido]

[He's just gonna scrub at his face with his hand here, nbd.]

Maker have mercy.

Promise me something, would you, messere? Don't go poisoning yourself until we get to civilization, at least? Preferably somewhere with a proper hospital.

[He sighs.] Or at least a decent apothecary.

[politrick]

[Everyone is a critic and that's rude.]

I'll consider it. I think I'd be able to make do with someone to drag me back to town, just in case.

[Help a dude out? Look, he's done dumber things.]

[agradecido]

[Merlin he is Judging You.]

Consider also that we do not know where "town" is at the moment?

[Has he? Has he really?]

[politrick]

[Let him eat the goddamn leaves.]

East. [duh] I'm hardy, trust me.

[agradecido]

[No.

Seriously tho, how in the world did he suddenly become mother hen? The look he gives Merlin is straight up one of Wynne's looks, that terribly serious and sternly disappointed expression mothers give their small children before the trouble begins. At least, he thinks that's probably what mothers look like, he's got no frame of reference.]

So you're going to poison yourself to prove this point?

[This is not his job. This is the complete OPPOSITE of his job. :| ]

[politrick]

[See, he does that, and he does fairly well at it, but Merlin is dead set (ha) on... potentially poisoning himself. He swears, this will go smoothly.]

Ideally, no! I'll be saving us all a lot of time.

[agradecido]

[What has Zevran EVER DONE in his LIFE to deserve-- Oh, yeah, all the murders, probably.

This really goes against his first instincts, you know, trying to prevent a fool from ending it all, accidentally, FOR SCIENCE ALCHEMY. Like, there's a reason it's not a good idea, and he's trying to get that across but this guy just isn't feelin' it.]

Ideally. Tell me, have you ever heard the phrase, "Plan for the worst and hope for the best?"

[politrick]

[Maybe don't mention the murders? They've got a good friendly thing going here without murder, especially while Merlin is talking about eating toxic plants.]

Never, but it sounds like a wonderful idea. I'll plan to nearly lose my life, shall I?

[He's like... still 50% serious...]

[agradecido]

That seems to be the way it's going, yes.

[Could that sarcasm be any heavier? How are you real, beanstalk human?]

[politrick]

[This is just where he's at as a person, sorry little buddy.]

I've had worse than a few foul-tasting roots. Do you know magic? I could teach you a spell that would take good care of that. Or me, as it were. If I start dying.