nysalogs | ❪ march event log: taken! ❫

Entry tags:

❪ march event log: taken! ❫

CW: This event log will contain descriptions and threads involving extreme violence, torture, and possible death. While we do not intend to push beyond any boundaries indicated in sign ups, players may opt out of any aspect of their group write-ups that they find uncomfortable.

Characters who have been assigned a role for this month's plot will find specific information about their groups and locations in headers below. We encourage that you thread among your groups within these headers, and as a reminder, only characters with plot roles may participate in rescue threads or hostage situations. All characters, however, are welcome to toplevel and tag in this log.

To receive special commendation and be recognized as heroes in a future post, hostages and rescuers must submit a short summary of their event participation HERE by March 24th.

OVERVIEW

While the riots and fanatic celebrating in Olympia and Wyver have subsided, neither city is naive enough to believe that life has yet returned to normal. There remains a tension among the citizens: not the slow simmer waiting to boil over that had preceded the aforementioned events, but an apprehension and fear that, despite the Royal Guard and Knightryder’s best efforts, the worst is yet to come.

In Olympia, as night falls on the 18th, their fears are proven true.

With their previous attempts at revolution through the riots having fallen short, the anti-Simwe radicals in Olympia carry out a more covert operation in their efforts to seize power. Having compiled a list of persons of interest, observed them, gathered intel and taken efforts to ensure that their movements will not be tracked, the radicals strike on the night of the 18th. The entire operation is discrete, and one by one people go missing from streets, homes, and businesses.

News that the kidnappings were a large scale operation doesn’t break in Olympia until the following day, but whispers have already travelled to a similar group of radicals in Wyver, who, fearing what a political coup in Olympia would mean for Wyver—or, more specifically how this could affect their chances to stage their own coup should Shanrian choose to step in—launch their own gambit for power with a similar scheme in the early hours of the 19th before dawn. Many are taken straight from their homes, or on their way to work.

For all their historical tension and division, Olympia and Wyver aren’t that different once the authorities become aware of what has happened. Both cities remain on the alert. In Olympia, Simwe orders immediate action from the Royal Guard, eager to win over the loyalty of her citizens by showing her commitment to freeing the hostages, while in Wyver, Shanrian is equally quick to take action with the Knightryders. The Altar of Volkkra is one of the most sacred institutions in Wyver, and the threat of the radicals drawing followers using its banner is too great to ignore.

ABDUCTIONS AND THE SEARCH

1. Radical groups in both cities have decided that certain citizens of their respective cities would prove to be valuable hostages. Perhaps you've been traveling between cities. Or maybe you've drawn their attention by being outspoken, excelling at your city job, or being an active citizen with a great reputation. What were you doing before you got snatched up? Did someone attempt to stop this terrible thing from happening, to no avail? Did you put up a valiant fight? Regardless of how it happened, you will be forcibly outfitted with an accessory that renders you completely powerless. The extremists are no strangers to magic, either.

2. Those that didn't sign up can still witness characters being abducted and attempt to stop it, though in the end they'll fail to stop the radicals. Characters who either witness these kidnappings or notice the absences can spread the word via missing persons posters, making calls to action, or embarking on searches. Characters that would ICly look for hostages but did not sign-up for the event can still go investigate, but will ultimately not find any kidnappers. All characters may also conduct investigations in locations not included in the clues.

3. With key figures around the cities abducted, several shops and organizations are left stressed and short-staffed. Characters may find themselves working long hours, and can volunteer to help the Guard/Nightryders as they're stretched thin, as well as other key locations such as the Institute, the Fields of the Exalted, etc. There are also children, elderly people, and pets who have been left without care, due to their guardians being kidnapped. Everyone is asked to lend a helping hand.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

1. As rescues take place, extremists will be fleeing the following locations: Simwe Institute, the Sanctuary, and the Royal Guard Academy for Olympia, and a cave high on Namarak Mountain, or an island tower off the coastline for Wyver. Characters that did not sign-up can still catch and round up fleeing radicals as hostages are rescued, with additional details on what the extremists in a particular region are capable of in the group details below.

2. Hostages, both NPC and PC, will be gradually found and recovered between March 18th to the 24th. With how harrowing the experience is, rescuers and abductees alike may require medical attention and a helping hand. Perhaps you hope to support them with a shoulder to lean on, or by being there on Natha Station when any dead awake. Either way, the extremists may be defeated, but morale across both cities has taken a hit.

3. Healing doesn't always mean taking care of just the physical harm. Affected people in the cities, both PCs and NPCs, may have significant emotional scars from their experience. These are much harder to heal, and may not be going away anytime soon, but the people are doing their best to provide happy distractions to those who were taken hostage. Acts of kindness are encouraged and appreciated. Perhaps you can cook a few meals to take a burden off their shoulders, organize a fundraiser to help with relief efforts, or read a book to someone in recovery. A little bit of your time may go a long way.

FINAL OOC NOTES

Once again, hostages and rescuers may find detailed info on their scenarios in subheaders below. These may also be used as top levels for each group! Additionally, all characters, including those that did not sign up, are welcome to toplevel in this log.

For characters that are dying, please be sure to review the FAQ on death! We've updated it to provide more details for everyone this event.

Don't forget to submit a summary of your event participation to guide our plot forward and earn influence with the NPCs!

QUICK NAV

premise ● 
faq ●
lore ●
map ●
npcs

taken ●
atp/emp ●
application ●
rep/acp  

calendar ●
hiatus/drops ●
modbox

[ FULL NAVIGATION ]

elnysa

nysalogs

nysaisles

nysaooc

elnyan

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ This is truly a creative form of inflicting suffering on others that Percival wouldn't wish on his worst enemy. Sleep is supposed to be the one safe place for the human mind to wander into, and though he's suffered from night terrors before, they are nothing in comparison to the hell they've gone through here. His mind feels heavy, his body at the brink of collapse. Try as he might, he cannot stand anymore.

So he sits, as do the rest of the hostages, but sitting makes the temptation to drift off even more difficult to resist. Not that they can resist forever. It's physically impossible.

He lifts his head up, though even that causes him pain, panic jolting him into action when he sees Cain on the verge of drifting off. ]

You can't. Cain! [ Fueled by adrenaline, he lunges towards him and shakes him by the shoulders, as vigorously as he possibly can. Unfortunately, the edges of his vision are already beginning to fade and disintegrate into the now-familiar black void. A mixture of fear, dread, and anger washes over him, his grip on Cain's shoulders becoming tighter and less forgiving with every second that he doesn't come back to. He knows that some of these people would not survive yet another attack, and he's not about to let it happen. ] Don't... Don't!

[ Cain comes stuttering back to full wakefulness with a startled yelp on his lips, his arms rising to ward off the shaking. He jerks his head up, eyes flying open, and finds himself staring at Percival, stunned as he realizes what had just almost happened. ]

I— Sorry. I'm fine now, sorry, I'm awake.

[ He puts a hand to his head and drags it down his face, breathing rapidly. Falling asleep. Calling the thing to them... Slipping into the dream where that creature's waiting.

Cain slumps back against Percival's side and lets his head fall against Percival's shoulder. It feels about all he can do. He's exhausted, his mind bleary, vision swimming.

But at least he's still awake. Percival had saved him from the dreams, and for that, he offers a quiet: ]

Thank you.

[ The truth is, Percival is fighting so hard to fight his own instinct to sink into that disturbed, dark void himself. It's not something any of them want, especially now that they're fully aware of the consequences, but to fight the urge was akin to fighting the instinct to breathe. He doesn't even feel a glimmer of relief at hearing Cain's voice, because he knows that staying awake isn't a reprieve, either. Quite the contrary— at times it feels as though the only respite is allowing the nightmare to consume them and accepting certain death.

He feels his own eyelids growing heavier, crying out in pain as he fights even the action of blinking. He lowers his head, pushing himself back and away from the other man. ]

Very well. Stay with me, it shouldn't be long before—

[ Before what? Before they're rescued? How much hope did they actually have, when no one has so much as spared a thought to the frantic ringing of the school bell. That utter despair, the feeling of completely helplessness, coupled with the sheer exhaustion, overwhelms his mind to the point of madness. Once again, his vision clouds with the onset of darkness, and this time, this time—

This time the monster is right in front of him, ugly and for once, dormant.

He musters the very last of his energy and stumbles forward, resolve building, a frenzied look in his eye. Soon, they'd be able to leave this wretched place. ]

Percival?

[ It's odd, how Percival's trailed off. How he's pushed himself away, but Cain doesn't begrudge him that. This is hard for all of them, and harder still with the stiffness between them; of course Percival wouldn't want what comfort he has to offer, wouldn't be so easy with him. Except... Except Percival hadn't sounded angry.

Cain risks a look over at him and stiffens as he sees that it's Percival's turn for his head to be dipping low. Cain pushes himself up, reaches out for Percival, struggling to reach him, his body sluggish— ]

Percival—!

[ Reaching for him, his fingers outstretched, and it might be very easy indeed to mistake that reaching hand for terrible, grasping talons. ]

[ The sudden movement draws his attention back to Cain, but by the time that happens, Percival's own mind has been drawn into that strange state of half-consciousness. He sees not Cain, but the avian monster moving in for the kill, and his reflexes move as quickly as they can to react appropriately. His movement is delayed, owing to the effects of exhaustion that are evident even in this "dream", and he doesn't have his weapon.

But he still fights back ferociously. He flings the entirety of his weight on the "creature", mind numb and overtaken by sheer rage and determination to get back at it for causing these people so much suffering. He swings at its face with all of his might, hoping to at least disorient "it".

If he hears his name being called out, he likely thinks it is someone nearby, watching on as he takes down the beast. ]

You will let these people have a night of proper rest, you foul beast!

[ Even exhausted and reflexes slowed, Percival is still a force to be reckoned with — and Cain doesn't even try to fight back. He goes down with the weight of Percival's body behind the swing, dropping to the floor with a sharp gasp and the meaty thud of Percival's fist meeting his cheek, the crack — maybe broken, definitely bruised, his whole side of his face burning with the pain of it. His vision is swimming as he lies there, disoriented for a moment before he recovers enough to get his arms up, trying to ward Percival up — at least trying to keep Percival from doing any more damage. ]

Stop— stop it! Percival, it's me, I'm not that thing! You're not... Snap out of it, it's me!

[ He doesn't know if he's reaching Percival, doesn't know if he can, but he's not going to lash out even to save himself. The last thing he wants is to hurt anyone else, and it's not Percival's fault that he clearly doesn't recognize Cain as Cain. ]

[ Hearing his fist connect with flesh... it's a feeling of power that Percival has been missing all too much since they've been put through this ordeal. It's a feeling of his own fate being within his control again, and it's exhilarating. Before him, the monster cries out, a screeching noise of pain that plays like a beautiful melody to his ears.

It isn't long before it raises its wings in an attempt to protect itself from further blows, an act with makes Percival move with all the more fury than before. ]

Are you finally afraid?! This is going to end, before your existence claims anymore innocent lives. Before I have to watch that young girl fall sick from exhaustion and fear again...

[ He moves quickly, frantically, desperately, forcing the monster's wings away from its face. If only he had his fire... this would all be over within a second, with no more effort having to be exerted on his end. His muscles cry out with weariness, his limbs pushed to their limits.

In one final push of strength, his fingers coil around the creature's throat and squeezes. Percival grows bold enough that he draws closer.

Bold, and perhaps careless enough that his grip falters in strength. ]

[ Cain's protests only sound all the more like croaking caws as Percival's fingers wrap around his throat and squeeze. He chokes, scrabbling at Percival's hands as he gasps for breath. For long, long moments, he thinks this is it, that he's not going to be able to escape, not going to be able to do a thing—

The faltering grip is his one chance. More violence will only feed into the hallucination, will only convince Percival all the more that he's fighting the creature, that much is all too painfully clear. But what else can he do?

He can't think, he doesn't have time, he has to do something, anything to convince Percival that it's him, not the thing, that this isn't an attack—

Sheer desperation has Cain shoving Percival's hands away and reaching up, grabbing a fistful of Percival's hair. Has him pushing himself up with his other hand, scrambling for leverage, enough to messily push his mouth to Percival's, a hasty, frantic kiss that he can only hope will be enough. ]

[ What Percival attempts to feel is the slicing of flesh beneath his blade, or the slow draining of breath from the beast before him. What he actually experiences immediately hits him like a wall of literal fire against his skin. The feel of Cain's lips against his own is simultaneously scathing and soothing— a dash of harsh medicine to a wound.

Something in his mind snaps. Cain feels familiar, compassionate, and true. Unlike the horrors plaguing them at this very moment, there's no mistaking the gesture for anything than what it is. The contradiction of what he'd been so sure of before and what he feels now makes Percival's grip loosen completely, his eyes widening in genuine confusion.

He's back.

Not only is he back, but he doesn't fully understand yet why his weight is pressed down on Cain and apparently poised to kill. His heart races with uncertainty, and he musters up what little strength he has left to push himself away. Confusion quickly melds into despair. ]

What am I doing?! Have I truly gone mad and lost all control?! ... Cain?! [ Did he seriously injure him in whatever stupor he was in?!

He's also livid that he's been tricked into thinking he was actually doing something good for the benefit of everyone. He is, just as he was before, useless. ]

[ Even with his throat stinging, even having to suck in deep, gasping breaths, Cain can only feel sharp relief. He finds himself smiling, beaming at Percival. This is the Percival he knows, not that desperate madness, unheeding of his words. Not that terrible, mindless violence.

But his relief is short-lived. He reaches for Percival again, pulling Percival back to him, refusing to let Percival pull way — to let Percival fall into that black pit of guilt. ]

Percival. Percival, listen to me, it's alright— I'm fine, you didn't hurt me.

[ Cain's words may be comforting, but the knowledge that they are still in this confined, awful space, still prisoners to the whims of cruel extremists, overrides that comfort. It hurts to even look at the other man, knowing that not more than a few seconds ago he'd been prepared to deal a killing blow. So he doesn't, lips pursed in determination. ]

Let me go, this instant. I don't trust myself not to hurt you or anyone else again, not when I have so little strength to resist.

[ And so little strength that he tries to pull away, but resting here for just a second longer sounds far too appealing, too natural. Perhaps he'd drift off again... No, he cannot! ]

No.

[ Letting go of Percival when he looks like this, sounds like this, so afraid of himself, is the one thing that Cain absolutely won't do. Oh, there's no overt sign of fear, not from Percival, but still, Cain can tell. He can read it in that grim look in Percival's face, the admittance of weakness. Percival is afraid — of what else he might do. And there's no need.

Cain still trusts Percival. Trusts that Percival will hold onto himself. Will come back to himself, even if the hallucinations take hold of him again.

So rather than let Percival pull away again, he surges forward, up onto his knees, wrapping his arms around Percival's shoulders.

And he kisses Percival again, this time with heat, with purpose— even as he draws away for breath, he stays near, their foreheads together, smiling fiercely. ]

No, I won't let you go. Even if you don't trust yourself, I trust you.

[ This time, when he's kissed, he sharply inhales. He's less caught by surprise this time, more overcome with the emotion behind it. Even if he can still taste the iron in his mouth, even if the injuries haven't fully healed and his tongue is coated with blood, Cain's kiss is practically warm honey. He closes his eyes, hurting now more than ever, but he can't keep his vision clouded for too long before falling in danger of sleep again. ]

Idiot. Even if you don't care if you die, I care, and you're truly a fool if you think I'm going to allow that to happen.

[ This blind trust is dangerous, especially when he can still feel the ghost of Cain's throat against his fingertips.

Why is he still smiling, even now? ]

I'm truly... sorry. I'm— [ His words cut off, attention diverted by the darkening of their world again.

Someone else has called forth the nightmare. ]

There's no need—

[ He wants to finish the words, wants to reassure Percival. Wants to tell him that he doesn't have to be sorry, there's no need for the apology. That there never will be.

But already he can feel that darkness rising up over him, clawing at him, pulling him down. Already he can hear wings beating.

At least this time he has Percival's warmth to take with him. At least this time Percival will be the last thing he sees before he falls to that nightmare again.

And so he keeps smiling. So that he'll be the last thing Percival sees, too.

As he falls into the darkness, he tries to say it's alright, we'll get through this. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

❪ march event log: taken! ❫

hostages c-ish?

no subject

no subject

no subject

hm... yikes

y i k e s indeed

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject