❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART TWO.

[natha]

JULY 16th: THE MORNING AFTER     In the early morning, your characters' phones will buzz with a text from an Unknown ID. It contains an audio file as well as its transcription: DARMA'S MESSAGE It worked. By the miracles of all universes, you survived. It was not ideal by any means, but it was all we can muster with limited time. We hope you can forgive us for your injuries and headaches, and we thank you for working together and helping one another. But now, your journey is just beginning. You must head east to find the Outpost. That shall serve as a fine rest stop. However, there will be danger ahead yet. The beasts you encountered in the simulations are now very real. They will attack, as you are seen as meat. Please exercise caution, Refugee. This shall be my last message for some time. The Moons are protected, but I must rest... I leave the rest to you. INTO THE WOODS     Head east, Darma said— and so you do. That seems to be all you can do. Traversing through woods is not a simple task. Hopefully you have taken advantage of the camouflage outfits offered prior to the start of this great migration. Naturally, for those of you who have done the training modules, some things will be a bit familiar. Some wildlife will mimic what you've seen there. Nevertheless, it'll be crucial for one to keep on guard. While Sael selected the Outlook as the ideal place for landing due to its direct removal from Olympian or Wyver soil, it doesn't come without its own dangers as you venture east. Perhaps it's time to face your fears. PROMPT A. There are many creatures roaming around these parts. Some will blend straight in with the woods, others will be bold and loud. While traveling as a party of about 180, it's quite easy to become targets. Fortunately, that also means strength in numbers. Maybe you've got someone's back on this, perhaps they have yours. Either way, what's quicker way to bond than to face a couple of questionable beasts? Maybe you've ran into a Arache (CW link: arachnophobia), a creature known for mimicking voices, even ones they haven't heard. They weasel their way into your subconscious and pick out voices from your memories, luring their victims deeper into the strange woods with the voices of their loved ones. Sometimes, it's a cry for help; other times, it's a replay of a striking memory. Once its victim steps into its large, barely-visible web, the Arache will store them or start its feast. Or, perhaps, you may encounter a Ditz Moth, as large as a rabbit who are relatively easy to kill, but they leave an awful scent on you the moment they flee or die. Be sure to mask this scent immediately, whether by covering yourself in fresh flowers or soaking in river water for an hour, because it's been known to cause extreme confusion. You'll end up dizzy, you'll confuse your friends for enemies, or enemies as loved ones. Or, you run into something else entirely! The forest is the home for many creatures from many worlds; who knows what you may encounter? PROMPT B. You've been traveling for a fair distance. While this is by no means a desert, the sun begins to settle, leaving an unprecedented heat. Perhaps it's the contrast against the night, but you find it almost unbearable. Lucky for you, the goddess of fortune is smiling upon you. At a distance is a clean lake. One full of lush scenery, and large trees canopying the immediate area. There is lots of shade, and maybe this is just the break you need. Or alternatively, the rations were sparse last night. It barely covered a meal each. Fortunately, this area seems full of wildlife one can hunt. Perhaps, that three-headed rabbit in the distance? Maybe that frog that smells a bit like lavender and vanilla? Additionally, for those who find themselves more inclined to leaving it up to fate— ENTER: OLYMPIA'S WEST OUTPOST     After a full day of travelling, you finally make it to the West Outpost as Darma instructed. You can tell by the way the trail gets neater, flatter. There are some small shops all along the sides of the road, offering trinkets, precious stones, and food. Unfortunately, you don't seem to have the money to purchase anything. The only thing you can do is watch wearily as you approach the West Outpost Gate. Near the gate, you're expected to form a line. The guardsmen seem to be inspecting every person entering. When it's finally your turn, the guardsman seem to know exactly what group you are. He immediately calls you Refugees, then proceeds to open a folder specifically labeled Refugee Group D. You might assume the "D" stands for Darma. He seems to be happy to see your arrival — Anyway, we've been expecting you. You're in luck! You refugees arrived the day after Thesa's blessing, y'know? That meteor shower was a sight to behold! What's your name? Oh, there you are— here, take take this. It's your passport. Gonna need that to get to Olympia. Your sponsors paid for your inns for tonight, so get yourself a room. You're at the last leg before the Capital. Keep your head up, all right? It seems now you are an official Olympian citizen with this passport. As you walk around, there will be an old man about. He sees you holding your bags and passports and approaches you. He has seen the fiasco in the skies from the day before. Naturally, he believes it to be a divine sign, and you the product of that. Which translates to free food. It must be relieving to eat (relatively) normal food after so long. There's also a very special visitor at the Outpost today: a woman by the name of Lysa, who happens to be a renowned healer in Olympia. Following the strange meteor shower, she’s come out of the city and into the outskirts to see it all for herself, this divine phenomenon brought upon by Thesa. While she has no explanation for the sudden occurrence, she stays, because she can sense that her services are needed. Healthy characters will taken by the hand and brought to a wounded fellow refugee. Lysa will then urge them to stay by that refugee’s side, to care for them. Please, do not go. I need a little of your compassion and patience. PROMPT A. If the wounded party has lethal injuries, Lysa will give the healthy character a vial of Screaming Draught to feed to them. It's a strong healing potion known for its ability to regenerate cells. It can close up almost any sort of wound, no matter how large, and can even regenerate limbs. However, its ability comes at a costly price. Seconds after taken, the wounded character will experience an excruciating, constant pain as the healing takes place. Some who have taken the potion may even start to become delirious, seeing hallucinations. If asked about this effect, Lysa looks solemn, remarking that her clinic is too far away and she does not have anything gentler on the body on hand. She urges your character to help the suffering one through this, giving them their comfort and any kind of support. PROMPT B. If the wounded party has smaller injuries, Lysa will give your character a vial of some basic Proliferation Elixir, a weaker healing potion with less devastating side effects. It can heal cuts, bruises and minor fractures. Characters who take it will experience side effects such as dizziness, nausea and a persistent chill. They are still in need of attention, and Lysa will urge the healthy characters to tend to them. Warm them up. Feed them something nice. Keep them from wandering around when they should be resting. Show any kind of care and you'll make Lysa a happy woman. Characters who answer Lysa's pleas will be given a small vial of Proliferation Elixir as a token of gratitude. It's good for one-time use. NIGHTFALL AT THE WEST OUTPOST     As dusk approaches, bustling Outpost quiets down as the flea shops pack up their things to go home. But it seems this outpost is not one that simply sleeps at night. Thesa is high on the skies when the Outpost square lights up. There's music, dancing, and laughter. They seem to encourage you to join them as well. "This celebration is for you! Come, join us!" Perhaps their enthusiasm is infectious enough for you to succumb to it; perhaps you don't understand at all why they're this happy after the hell you went through to get here. It's not like you can tell them what the "meteor shower" actually had been. At least they offer free alcoholic drinks and a great feast similar to those you remember from home. You may find that the drinks are far stronger than any alcohol you've ever had, but it taste like a typical cocktail, or whiskey/scotch/vodka/your flavor drink. Nothing particularly special until you make your way back to the inn. Let's hope you won't walk into the wrong room. FINAL OOC NOTE     This is PART TWO of our three-part intro event. PART THREE will be up on JULY 22ND, at 6 PM EST. In the event of CAPTCHA, we will be providing an overflow. In the event of a second CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. The NETWORK is still down. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. REMEMBER TO USE COMMUNITY TAGS. RECOMMENDED LISTENING: Nocturn OOC PLOTTING may be continued here. PART ONE | PART TWO | PART THREE (coming soon) QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[godwins]

I always am, but—

[ Bucky frowns. ]

You didn't hear Namor at all? [ The longer the conversation continues, the more it feels surreal, the more he feels the whispers in his head doubting. But then the spider-thing starts moving toward them, in an odd, skittering charge, and everything is sharp and crystal. True to his word, Bucky fires a shot, right through what might be one of its eyes, the shot echoing in the green darkness.

The bug slows down, clearly hurt. But it doesn't stop. ]

[america]

I didn't. I think it was that thing.

[ Steve gestures to the creature behind the leaves - which he can see in better view now that it's been shot at. It's angry and its screams are very telling that it's done trying to manipulate them into its trap. ]

You still against getting back to the Outpost?

[godwins]

I don't know if it's gonna let us.

[ The thing is screaming, but it's also fast. Bucky wishes he had a grenade— then this'd be simple. He'd gotten stranger things with a grenade before. ]

It's… not that big.

[ This is a lie, but he's still looking for something to shoot, and definitely not running away. You're going to have to help him, Steve, either by fighting the spider or yanking him on to some more sensible path. Bucky is both stubborn and stupid. ]

[america]

[ Their window for running may be growing smaller at this point, and as the creature gears itself up for another round, blood and injury be damned, Steve starts to strategize the next few minutes.

He examines their surroundings, leaves and foliage, twigs and jungle vines - and then back at Bucky. He's got no idea if the other Bucky is in the same state as his best friend as far as super-serums and super-strength goes, but Steve knows himself.

He gestures to the tangle of vines by a nearby tree and shouts: ]

We're gonna have to stop that thing, a least long enough for us to get away. I'll distract it.

Do you think you could get to those vines? They look thick enough to use for rope.

[godwins]

Roger that.

[ He doesn't hesitate to follow directions— or were they orders? A lot of this is still mixed up. Fighting giant alien psycho-spiders is easier to get his head around.

This Bucky hasn't got any powers whatsoever, but most people who had seen him fight couldn't tell you that. He has no problem running up the tree and grabbing the vines in a swing. But it does mean he has to holster his gun for an instant. ]

[america]

[ Holster that gun, Buckeroo, because for now Steve's going to use his brute strength to subdue the creature - all while avoiding any poisonous-anythings that might try and pierce and poke him dead.

The creature finally emerges from the bramble in an impressive and nightmarish blur of legs, eyes, and black fur. Steve's never been real fond of spiders but this guy ... wow. It really takes the cake.

He hesitates for the barest of seconds before he gears himself up and launches the bulk of himself at the creature, intending to barrel it down, trip it up while Bucky grabs the vines. It screams, surprised, but doesn't seem to have any intentions of lying down and taking it.

The tussle will likely go on for another half a minute or so before Steve literally punches it in the face. ]

[godwins]

[ Bucky sees what Steve is going for close enough to immediately for government work. There's something familiar there, like an itch that won't leave even when there's nothing there to touch the skin. He and his Cap, they were always partners, even before they were friends. And, well, it isn't his first time fighting a giant monster, though he still wishes he had a grenade. Or even a knife.

Then again, he's not the one punching the thing. Just hanging onto those vines for dear life.

The good news is it seems to be working. It isn't pretty, but the thing struggles less and less against the vines as that minute and a half ticks away.

The bad news is, that seems like Namor being here really was a trick, and Bucky can't hear his voice at all anymore. It stings; Bucky's lonelier than he realized, and he feels it more than he wants to. He hopes that doesn't show. ]

It's not dead yet, is it? I need time to think up a good line.

[america]

Better come up with that line fast.

[ Steve says, only a little bit out of breath. He glances at Bucky from over his shoulder, gesturing to the vines but he's a little too preoccupied to notice the sudden solemnity in his alternate-universe best friend's demeanor. ]

Hand me the end of one of those vines. We're going to tie this guy up, make sure he can't hurt anyone else who might come this way.

[godwins]

I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin'!

[ And he is, but not about the perfect quip. He hands over one of the vines almost automatically. ]

Don't you think we could just kill it?

[ Bucky is directly from the war— he's used to war's cold practicality. But maybe they couldn't kill it, maybe they didn't know how. ]

[america]

If this were home and we knew what the consequences, I'd say sure. [ He grabs the offered vine, testing its thickness before deeming it strong enough for their purposes. He starts to wind it around the creature's long, spindly, hairy legs, being sure that each knot is tight enough. ] But we don't.

Who knows if this creature's some kind of sacred beast, or a demigod or something. [ He grunts as he ties a particularly tightly wound knot connecting the creature's leg to its abdomen. It won't be easy to escape, but it won't harm it too badly either. Either way, he hopes it'll get the point and leave them alone.

Steve's not really a three-strikes-you're-out kind of guy. ] The second it tries to hurt another innocent, all bets are off. But for now ... it's probably best to be cautious until we figure out what it is.

[godwins]

[ Bucky considers, then nods slowly. It's a point. ]

If people worship this thing, we're further up the creek than I thought. [ Still, now that the situation's better in hand he finds himself studying the other man. The uniform is recognizable, except in all the ways that it isn't. Where are the wings on the mask? ]

So, who are you? Besides Captain America, I mean?