❪ 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

→ lavellan

[punshots]

(( from here ))

[ Prompto can't help a snort of laughter at Lavellan's reaction - not at his expense, but because it's a delightful question. ]

Not in the way you might be thinking, my friend. I mean you've been caught on film. [ How to explain that... ] Think of it like...a memory, but you can actually look at it instead of just picturing it in your head. If...that makes any sense.

[ So, no, it's some sort of fountain of youth. In fact, some people say the camera actually adds ten years... ]

Re: → lavellan

[heraldsdawn]

[ The explanation does make him deflate just a bit. Ah, so it was just a very magical object that paints portraits. That's something of a shame. He does force something of a smile to not look like he's too bummed out by it.]

Ah, so like a painting. [ Well, he's seen paintings before. Nothing so impressive. Changing the subject quickly; ]

Do you often take pictures with this memory catcher?

[punshots]

...Kind of! But way cooler, because photos look exactly like what you see with the naked eye.

[ ...Some might say that makes them even less special than paintings, but those people are certainly not Prompto. ]

Yeah, all the time. It's, uh - kind of my thing.

[heraldsdawn]

The naked-? That's quite the feat for such a tiny object to accomplish.

[ He's not gonna be one of those people at the very least. He wonders how many people back in Thedas would've loved having such things. Likely the Orlesians would be among them. ]

I see...well, than I think introductions need to be made. I'm Senren Lavellan and I'd very much like to see more of these photos of yours. They sound fascinating.

[punshots]

Prompto Argentum, photographer-at-your-service. [ Said with a little saluting flourish of his hand. He adds, after a moment of hesitation: ] I've actually got some with me if you want to see them. They're from back - home, so you won't see anything familiar, but...

[ If he wants a better idea of what a photograph even is, Prompto can't deny him the opportunity. ]

[heraldsdawn]

Prompto. [ That certainly is the strangest name he's ever heard, but hey, they were all strangers in a strange land. The idea to see more, well, who could say no. ]

Oh, no I think that would be a great idea. When will we ever get the chance of saying we've seen a world not our own?

Besides this one that is.

[punshots]

[ Don't be jealous because you don't have a bullshit Latin name, Lavellan. ]

Yeah, right. Then without further ado... [ A light chuckle before he reaches into his vest and pulls out handful of photographs. Not his entire collection - a lot of those were still up on Thesa Station. But there's still plenty to see: cities, landmarks, nature, and, of course, the faces of people who seem to recur quite frequently in the photos.

He holds out the stack to Lavellan, an easy smile masking his slight wariness at handing over something so precious to him. Please, be gentle. ]

okay but for real, lemme know if i should edit

[heraldsdawn]

[ He's got facial tattoos he is not jealous, are you? ]

[ He reaches out carefully with both hands and takes the photos gently from Prompto. Just holding them he already has an idea of how important they must be. A few last keepsakes from Prompto's world, forever capturing images of what Lavellan thought were happier times.

He flips through them carefully, examining one for long moments a time before he gets to the last one. It seems it's of Prompto and three others . They looked happy and well...he's kind of jealous. Must be nice to have a tangible memory to keep with you always.

Finally, he hands them back with a smile, just as careful as before. ]

Keep them safe. Not many of us have tokens like this of home.

[punshots]

[ Prompto only wishes he could pull of facial tattoos...

Prompto watches Lavellan go through the photos, a self-conscious smile on his lips. He's less worried about Lavellan accidentally damaging them, or even really about what he thinks about Prompto's skill with the camera. It's just - important to him. To have people understand why photos are important.

And when Lavellan hands them back, it sounds like he's got the right idea. ]

...I know. How lucky am I, huh? [ He tucks the pictures away again, to be safely kept close to his heart. ] But hey, maybe it's worth capturing new memories here, too.

[heraldsdawn]

[ All you have to do is ask, Prompto.

The sentiment is understood. If he had found the lost history of his people he would definitely hold it close. There is a sad smile on his face when he listens, just thinking about everything lost and how much a few keepsakes must mean. ]

Luckier than most, I'd say. The past is something to remember and worth telling about. Otherwise our future may be lost.

[ But wow, that's pretty heavy, so he moves to something more optimistic; ]

I would say so. Nothing's stopping us from being happy here as well.

[punshots]

[ No, Gladio already has the tattoo market cornered for the group...

That last statement from Lavellan earns him a genuine grin from Prompto. That's the right attitude! At the risk of sounding like a corny TV movie about musicals in high schools, they're all in this together, and they'd been given this second chance. ]

Yeah. We gotta make the most of it. [ As...scary as that sounds sometimes. ] Anyway, you can bet I'll be snapping pictures of every little thing. That's what I do.

[heraldsdawn]

[ But think how much cooler you would be with tattoos?


He folds his arms over one another, returning the grin Prompto gives him. ]

Really? I'll have to be sure to capitalize on that. I'll want to see every new photo you take.

Maybe even try and slip in a few of them myself. After all, who wouldn't want to see more of this handsome visage? [ as he raises a hand to his chin Yeaaah. ]

[punshots]

[ he already has one tattoo more than he wants LET HIM LIVE ]

Hah, we could get a whole publication going. [ If only Instagram and Snapchat existed in El Nysa...imagine the possibilities.

However, that statement feels a little too braggy, and he has to balance it out. ]

Don't get your hopes too high, though. My pics really aren't anything special.

[heraldsdawn]

Well, I don't know. They seem pretty special to me. You sell yourself short.

[ Don't be so falsely modest kiddo. He'll have none of that. ]

[punshots]

[ But he isn't selling himself short. He's just...being honest. ]

Heh. Well, thanks - I think! I'm glad you like them.