You have spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Perhaps you've made some friends (or maybe an enemy or two). Either way, you aren't expected to spend all of your time on the Station. El Nysa needs you, after all, and you promised you'd help the planet thrive. Are you ready?
Submit an AC-eligible thread with a new character as a participant for 2 OLYMPIA REP POINTS OR 2 WYVER REP POINTS, respectively, HERE or HERE. THESA STATION
All refugees on the station are called to the hangar where a large-scale teleporter has been set up; everyone will be sent to the planet together. Simply step onto the space between the arrays and wait. Before they depart, all new refugees will be given a starter kit!
 You may have heard about earlier technical difficulties, but don't worry. I promise everything is in perfect working order this time. I'd say I tested it myself, but since that's not exactly possible, you'll just have to trust me! (Please.)
The older refugees will also be there to guide you to ensure no one is left confused... or behind. Make sure you wait for them — I've been detecting something odd so I'll be having them meet you at the landing site. Good luck, refugees! Not that you'll be needing it or anything...
The arrays begin to hum and glow, quickly building into a brilliant wash of light. It creates a column that travels all the way from Thesa Station to the surface of El Nysa. With the night sky as a canvas, the beam can be seen all the way from Olympia and Wyver — a view that has the natives whispering of blessings.
As a sudden but beautiful aurora splays across the sky, the refugees down on the planet receive a message asking them to travel to the landing site — and warning them to prepare for what may come of the strange readings Zasere's gotten from the teleport itself.
Traveling through the light leaves the impression of blinding starlight, a strange sense of weightlessness, and a disorienting moment of total sensory deprivation. The radiance of your teleport hangs bright in the sky above you, a shimmering aurora that reflects off the calm waters below, visible for miles all around.
You've landed on a peninsula to the east of the South Outpost. There's little here — scattered trees on spring-barren plains, with a few overgrown, dilapidated structures poking out of the brush. All is quiet save for the keening of animals and the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. This lonely desolation is hardly the bustling cities and vibrant cultures you were promised back on the station...
BY CAMPFIRE'S GLOW. But waiting for you is a group of your predecessors, and with them, a veritable tent city, with portable stoves, coolers of food and drink, comfortable bedrolls, and cheerful rings of bonfires — all that you need to make merry of the night, courtesy of Overseer Voss, who has, thanks to his interest in blessed meteorological phenomena and refugees, decided to make a holy expedition of the affair.
Settle in, meet new comrades, and enjoy yourself, for you've safely completed your journey. But don't wander too far from the fires — the dark is closing in, and there's a strange, electric feeling in the air, the scent of ozone drifting on the breeze. And what were those odd readings Zasere mentioned?
A SHEPHERD OVER THE FLOCK. The spring sun dawns on a grey morning, already burning away the fog rolling in off the sea. It quickly becomes apparent that Voss and his entourage of acolytes have been up for hours, hard at work. They've set up a brightly-draped stage and a travel pulpit, magically enchanted to amplify his voice, and as the sun breaks over the horizon, Voss is all set to do what he does best: proselytize.
 As our Goddess has sent Her blessing once before to herald the coming of those touched by Her light, so She has done once again! Here you see them, those surrounded by the light of our Goddess, each of them bearing the mark upon their skin of Her holiest of hands! Do you not see? Do none among you bear witness to the righteousness of Her message? Perhaps this is why our people have shamed themselves in front of our Goddess—
[ He continues for another 15 minutes... ]
Nevertheless. See you them before us now! See them as they are, coming to our gates with Her reminder, that these people must be treated with the utmost respect and care. Thesa's divinity is not to be treated with such flagrant disregard! Those who She chooses are not ours to use as mindless fodder, to hurt, to torture — shame upon those who allowed such deeds to shame us under Her watchful gaze!
To those of you who have just arrived here on our doorstep, be not afraid! The Temples of Thesa welcome you to our home with hearts and minds open! Should you ever find yourself in need of solace, seek out the Temples, as there are no greater allies to you than those of us within the Temple walls. You are welcome all to Olympia!
As he steps away from the enchanted podium, he can be heard saying aside to an acolyte, "How was that? Heavy on the shame, but I think it went well!" While he will not leave the area immediately, his acolytes will politely turn away attempts to speak with him and remind anyone interested that they can leave a message at the Temples.
Despite going off without hitch, the new refugees' arrival isn't entirely without incident. It seems that the "blessed" beam of light that brought the refugees down to El Nysa brought something else along with it — a sliver of the Storm. At least the beam was short enough that only a small fraction managed to squeeze through.
But it's enough to wreak a little havoc around the landing site and along the road back toward Olympia and Wyver — and even, for a few days, in the cities themselves.
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE. The Storm is an undeniably destructive force, and that's proven with this small sliver's effect as it ripples across the continent. While there's no visible sign of its presence, strange phenomena soon begin to appear, corresponding with Zasere's odd readings.
They're innocuous little things at first. A sudden silence, animals going quiet, insects stilling. All technology, no matter how advanced, ceases working. You discover when you check with a friend, the clock on your phone is twelve minutes slow even though you'd swear only a minute had passed — time missing. Walking through the woods takes longer than it should when brushing past one bush leads to brushing past that same bush again — and again, and again, the area looping on itself. It keeps you trapped, going in circles for minutes, even hours, before finally releasing you in a random direction.
Or perhaps you'll feel a sense of deja vu, like you've walked down this road, taken this turn, seen that bird fly from this branch before. This is the second time that cat has crossed your path. The person you're meeting, you already know their name; you're certain you've already met.
WE GOT COWS. The Storm sliver also ushers in sudden, localized weather anomalies — heavy storms, blizzards, strong winds, and more. Affected areas range from just a few feet wide to nearly half a mile. One minute, the sky may be sunny and clear, but the next dark storm clouds roll in, unleashing torrential rain. Small tornadoes surge along the road, kicking up winds strong enough to knock people over and carry objects away. Hail hurtles down from the sky, but only in a ten foot radius. Temperatures fluctuate wildly between one extreme and the next, from heat waves to cold snaps. Soupy fog blankets the area, thick enough that you can barely see your hand in front of your face. Good luck finding your way!
FORGETTING IS SO LONG. The visions come on suddenly and with very little warning. One second, you're carrying on as normal — but the next, you blink and find yourself (and anyone near you) somewhere else completely. You may recognize this place as a moment from the past, one that you lived through. It's a memory, your memory, and it now replays around you in exceptional detail, unnervingly lifelike. Or you may not recognize it at all. It might belong to the person next to you, or to someone else entirely — a memory that the Storm has swallowed up.
Either way, the scene plays out just as it once did, and there's nothing you can do to stop it — or escape it. The memory surrounds you to no end: every door you open leads nowhere, every hallway you turn down continues on forever, every horizon you flee toward hangs just out of reach. And linger too long or turn the wrong corner, and you may find yourself abruptly stuck in a completely different memory. It's almost tempting, then, to give up, to let the past sweep you away...
But this isn't the full might of the Storm. Look closely, and you can see that in the walls of this trap, there are minute, hairline cracks, a facade of fractured glass. Imperfections in the memory where the real world is breaking through. It seems the only way to escape these memories is to find those cracks and break through them — by force, by will, or by some other method entirely.
The time is coming to make a choice — perhaps not a permanent choice, but unless you want to spend the rest of your nights out under the stars, you'll need to pick which city you will initially spend your time in. On the horizon, you will see that people have arrived to help you make that decision...
A FORK IN THE ROAD. Refugees and the hyper-religious wishing to hear Voss speak are not the only ones out and about under the light of the aurora. Citizens of both Olympia and Wyver have flocked to a point on the road midway between the cities and where the refugees have appeared, and they all have the same goal in mind: convincing the newcomers who have just descended in the blessed light of Thesa to come to their city and not the other.
They've come with bribes — that is, examples of what their cities have to offer. If you spent much time at the exhibition up on Thesa Station, you might recognize some of what's being shown off, though the offerings here are markedly more tangible, and shown off by hawkers wearing substantially fewer clothes.
A herd of pegasi accompanies the Olympians, while a line of flying serpents is stabled at a tent bearing Wyver colors. Refugees are given the chance to experience solo flights and are told that if they prove their loyalty, they may have the privilege of owning such fine beasts one day themselves. The Olympians have also brought couture clothing, jewelry, and makeup to offer a taste of Olympian splendor, while the Wyver delegation has brought along fine weapons, sense-enhancing jungle plants, and small vials of diluted dragon’s blood (drinking confers a temporary boost in strength) to demonstrate their might. The Olympians speak proudly of the glory of the Temples of Thesa; the Wyverns speak of the Volkkran Pact and inform newcomers that they can make a pilgrimage to the summit of Namarak Mountain at the next full moon.
This is as good a time as any to compare your plans with others around you and exchange contact information before going your separate ways with people who are going to the city you are not. When you’re ready to go, don’t worry about safe passage — the natives of each city will gladly escort you there in luxury.
OF WHITE AND GOLD. The people of Olympia are ecstatic that you’ve come to join them... So much so that they’ve prepared a grand tour of the city for the new arrivals. You will be introduced to the major businesses in the city, including businesses that they are proud to point out were founded by refugees.
Refugees who have been here for some time already are encouraged to pair up with newcomers to introduce them to the parts of the city they like best. To facilitate this, they’ve made arrangements with many of the business owners: new refugees who visit their shops (and older refugees who escort them) are given discounts!
Just a few examples of many: the Wyvernest offers free desserts to first time visitors with the purchase of a drink, refugees who visit the Silk Wyrms can have one custom (though not exceedingly expensive) outfit made for them for free, and visitors to Shades Darker are offered a half-hour session with one of the prostitutes at half price… or access to a private room, if they seem to have taken a shine to one of their companions on the tour.
Lastly, tour guides will point out that over the course of the next week, the train to Flona Cove will allow new refugees to board for free so that they can experience the seaside for themselves. With the weather finally starting to warm, this is as good a time as any for a visit to the beach, isn’t it?
OF RED AND BLACK. Life in Wyver is typically a sink-or-swim sort of experience — but in light of the valor recently displayed by their predecessors, the natives are now more willing to assist in getting newcomers settled. The entire journey here they have been talking up the virtues of their city… and now is the time to show everything that's on offer.
The well-known businesses in the city are prepared for the influx of newcomers. Some are giving out discounted samples of their products while others are offering a more hands-on experience: in exchange for working a few hours, they will give training in whatever task is being performed.
At the Forged, newcomers can learn the basics of crafting simple weapons (and take one of their successes home), while visitors to spas near the lagoons are trained in the art of massage. Those who wander to Falmi’s Ring can learn the art of pugilism or how to keep (and fix) books if they're more inclined to the gambling that goes on. Newcomers interested in Wyver's dragons can get hands-on experience at the Fields of the Exalted's nursery. While they walk from place to place, a guide may point out a job posting from Highwind Hires, noting that refugees can make a name for themselves outside official channels.
The last stop on the tour is the Undergrowth. The guides speak of the jungle in reverent tones and caution new refugees not to wander too far in. They warn never to explore alone, but also urge refugees to take time to familiarize themselves with it; after all, the jungle is an important part of life in Wyver, and those who are going to be living here should understand it as well as they do.
You've chosen your path, refugee, but that doesn't necessarily make it a permanent one. Watch out for the strange effects of the Storm, which linger still in the two cities and everywhere in between for the next few days before dissipating just as mysteriously as they came, but otherwise enjoy the welcome and make yourself at home — after all, this is home now.
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[ He swivels his ears in Morgana's direction to demonstrate, flicking one playfully. Behind him, his tail waves with amusement. ]
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This might be a weird question.
[ it's actually an incredibly ridiculous one. but maybe he won't be put off by it. ]
... were you ever... you know, like this?
[ Morgana looks down to his paws, then back up. motioning to himself with his sight rather than with a limb. ]
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I'm afraid not.
[ The question is a little strange, yes, but not stranger than anything else he's been asked in this place. ]
I am what is called a miqo'te, and we have ever looked like this.
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Oh... I see.
[ no one said it would be that easy. ]
Miqo'te. [ unusual, but easily repeatable. it's time to get serious, and part of him doesn't want to place so much faith in this miqo'te so easily, but he doesn't feel like he has a choice. ] Okay. Have you noticed something strange around here? It's like... going in circles.
How long have you been on this path?
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I’m fairly certain I’ve been passing through this exact spot for a bell – er, hour, excuse me – or more by now. Are you similarly trapped?
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Yeah. But it's weird that suddenly we encounter each other, right? So... there must be a point where we should be able to escape.
[ he frowns, staring off into the distance. ]
Have you noticed anything else? Other than me, of course.
[ until then, he'll get more and more awestruck at how cool catdad is. ]
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[ It’s as good a plan as any! ]
I’ve not noticed much apart from yourself, but two pairs of eyes are surely better than one. What say we put our heads together?
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A crack? Yeah, that might be it. I never thought that it might take some kind of physical... distortion. Or something like that.
[ he shakes his tail, lifting his chin a few times in X'Rhun's direction. ]
Help me up. I need a better view.
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[ X’rhun bends to scoop up his newfound friend, placing him atop his shoulder. Mind the uniform with those claws, buddy. ]
While we take to sleuthing, might I ask your name? Mine is X’rhun. X’rhun Tia.
[ And that’s “shi-rune” for the curious. ]
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X'rhun. I'm Morgana. [ and then he gives the miqo'te's cheek the smallest nuzzle--- literally putting their heads together for a brief second. ] You know, I might have a few questions for you after we get out of this situation.
[ like... where can he get a sweet uniform like his. big question. ]
Okay. Listen, you're not going to believe this, but I'm going to do something that'll force some wind to blow. I'll need your eyes, okay? Maybe we'll catch where that crack might be!
[ and hopefully Mona doesn't sound crazy. ]
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I’ve been known to toss an aero spell around myself, on occasion, so rest assured that I shan’t run screaming at the display. Go right ahead, and I will keep an eye out.
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Here we go! [ his eyes flash with an excitement that he hasn't felt in a long time, as the silhouette of Zorro suddenly looms over them both. ]
Zorro, show your might!
[ that iconic green wind swirls along the ground, then flies down the path--- picking up things along the way: dust, sticks, small stones. the localized quasi-tornado, spinning before disappearing right before their eyes. ]
... where'd it go?
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It’s strange, and different, but fascinating. But it’s also not here for him to ogle, and he turns his attention instead to the glowing green blast of wind – not too unlike his own veraero, actually – as it swirls and then quite suddenly disappears. ]
I would wager it slipped though the very gap we’ve been looking for. Shall we press forward?
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Huh? Oh, yeah! Let's go... uh, you don't mind if I stay here, right?
[ his tail slowly curls up and around X'rhun's back, the end touching his other shoulder. almost like a weird, very thin scarf. ]
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[ Even if Morgana hadn’t asked, X’rhun is more than fine with it. He’s been instantly charmed by the little fellow. Congrats, Morgana. You’ve been officially adopted. ]
You’ll have to tell me about that power you used. I’ve not seen its like!
[ This, as he treks on, to the spot where the whirlwind disappeared. Hopefully escaping this loop is as easy as just walking through a doorway. ]
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[ frankly, just talking about the concept with someone who isn't one of the Thieves is a... is it a risk? he doesn't really know. it's not like they're in any of the same dangers as they were before. ]
The best way to define it is that it's a part of someone that's hidden deep inside themselves.
[ "the rebellious soul locked deep within a person's heart" ]
But... mine feels odd. Like something happened to it.
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Odd? How do you mean?
[ He is, understandably, lacking in a basis for comparison. ]
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[ simply put, the Skill he should've put out at this time was something like a Garula. or maybe even a Garudyne. ]
I wonder if this world is dampening Zorro...?
[ which makes him suddenly very worried, but right now he doesn't have enough time to think about that. he'll just have to ask one of the Thieves later, but for now? he's happy to have the company of a very awesome new friend. ]
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Hm. I suppose it is possible. I myself have experienced no change in my abilities, but I have a friend who claims that since awakening, he finds himself at about… 80% of his full power.
I have no explanation for why this happens, however.
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[ it is a very disorienting moment, when things sort of shift just enough to be noticeable, where trees blur and fade into themselves and everything sort of settles down after a few seconds. not quite using the Navigator, but... ]
If I had to put a number to mine, I'd say... I'm at about 40%. Maybe less.
[ the thought alone makes him grimace, which also has him lean a little more against X'rhun's cheek. ]
Your abilities? [ blink! blink blink. ] So you're not just a fencer?
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Indeed, I am not. I am a mage, as well.
[ This, with a wave of his tail. His magic has ever been a point of pride for him. ]
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Maybe one day, you'll have to teach me how you use your sword. I had one too, but it's long gone by now.
[ Zorro wielded a rapier, but not Morgana. he just bashed Shadows with any side available--- edge or the flat. ]
I have a feeling I'm going to have to work hard so I'm not useless.
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