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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Wait, he used to blonde? And there it is, talk about his chest hair again. Even though he's a unicorn, it's painfully obvious that he shifts his gaze to stare right where Reinhardt's chest hair would be. Dylas remembers that day all too well.
He huffs and whinnies when the rain starts to pick up. Even though he's a magical beast and he's no doubt warmer than your average horse, he can tell he's going to get chilled to the bone if he doesn't trot off and find where he's hidden his clothes. So he turns his body and gives Rein a farwell nod, and...
...and with the rainclouds, it's kind of dark. Just. Just where did he stash his bag? And how does he know it's still there, dry? What if the wind blew it away? For a unicorn, he looks troubled. Someone as sensitive to a unicorn's needs like Reinhardt will surely see that, right?]
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He gives a little sigh and then a laugh at the way the animal look right at his chest. Reinhardt gives the animal another pet. It's sad that he has to see the last of this amazing beast. ]
I hope one day, I will be worthy of seeing you again, noble steed.
[ But the unicorn looks...worried. Well, it is raining very hard. ]
Hey...I know it's not much but... [ He'll disappear back into the strange mobile home and come back with a blanket. ] Would you like to come in. Just for the night? [ He means the horse trailer and not the house, but he doesn't specify. He doesn't and he goes to drape the blanket across the unicorn's back, trying to keep the wind from grabbing it like a sail. ]
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When he comes back out with the blanket and asks that next question, an idea begins to form. While Reinhardt drapes the blanket over him, he considers staying the night...or, rather, heading into the trailer. Inside, he can safely transform back and slip out using the same blanket as a cloak if he folds it just right. It's better than transforming out in the middle of the rain, right? And worst case scenario, he can find a place to hunker down and...call for assistance with clothing.
...Yeah. Yeah, he can do this.
He nods and whinnies enthusiastically. Just for the night! Or, rather, just for as long as it takes for Reinhardt to leave him alone so he can sneak out. It's not like he's going to be locked inside or anything. This can't end horribly at all. He nudges Reinhardt's chest with his massive nose, urging him to guide him to the trailer.]
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All right. I know you're just as excited as I am to get you out of the rain.
[ So he's going to step back out into it. Get soaked to the skin so that he can put his hand upon that strong neck and guide the animal to his horse trailer. It's not the best looking thing, but it's dry and sturdy. It's clear he made it with his own two hands and that he had been thinking about his horse's comfort when he did it.
He reaches up to pat the unicorn again. To give him nose scatches. ]
Grani. I need you to be a good boy tonight okay. You're a knight's horse, that means you follow the Code too. And knights are generous and kind. So please put up with a guest for tonight. [ He's worried about putting two stallions into the same trailer, but he doesn't have anywhere else to bring the unicorn.
He's not sure his white charger understands him but he still opens that door and pulls the little ramp to make it easier. He will have to take Grani's armor out to make room. He stops between to keep petting the unicorn. ] Easy there. Almost done. I'll sleep in here too if you think it'll make you feel that Grani won't pull anything.
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He follows, letting Reinhardt guide him. He feels a little awkward being the one guided here, considering he's the larger and heavier one for once, so he resists at first, but he quickly gives in. The trailer looks impressive to him; he'll just chalk it up as another one of Reinhardt's talents as he stands and watches him remove his other horse's armor. Dylas' monster form originally had armor like that, too, he remembers, but that's in the past.
Grani, huh. He can smell Grani. Another horse. ...No, not another horse, because he's not a horse! He's just borrowing this body for a little while. He huffs and clomps a little at the thought. He'll get through it. Luckily, transforming back to his human form isn't as explosive as transforming outward, so this Grani probably won't kick him in the face? These are all things he needs to think about, and he keeps losing himself in thought to 'his plan' so much that he leans into the petting more and more each time Reinhardt comes back.
But then there's 'sleep in here, too.' Crap! That's a bad idea! He doesn't want to spend all night like this. He shakes his head vigorously and neighs. He's got this! He can sleep on his own.]
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But more than that, the unicorn is panicking. Neighing and throwing his head. Reinhardt frowns.
It's okay, boy. Easy there. Easy. You're safe. Grani won't hurt you. I won't hurt you. Let's just get you into that stall. I'll bring you some nice oats. I promise. On my honor, you are safe here.
[ he opens the stall door and there's that Reinhardt sized white stallion. Eyeing the unicorn like he knows]
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Dylas, convinced he's conveyed his message about nerves enough to get Reinhardt to sleep somewhere else, starts to walk into the stall...and then he stops. Is. Is this horse giving him the stink-eye? Dylas is deliberately keeping himself from sniffing or doing anything weird a horse might do. Is that what he's picking up on?
But he starts walking again. Cautiously. Into the stall he goes. The stallion is smaller than him, at least, even if it's not by much. And now that Reinhardt is leaving to fetch oats...maybe, just maybe that's enough time to transform back and make a run for it? He just hopes Reinhardt keeps the food inside.]
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Which is why Reinhardt does indeed keep the food inside. Because Grani love treats. He loves eating, sort of like his owner. This way, the horse doesn't eat too much and get sick. So he'll shut the little gate behind the unicorn and give it one more soft pat. ]
I'll be right back with oats.
[ Then the old man is scurrying off, back towards his house to get the promised food. Hopefully Dylas can be quick enough that he gets out of the horse trailer before Reinhardt can get back, else the large man is going to run into a very naked Dylas. ]
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Because he can't do it. He can't eat oats. Carrots and fruit? Sure. That's a normal thing. But there's no going back if he has to eat out of a trough. Or a feed bag! Or if he has to poop. Gods, there's just no good outcome if he stays in this form.
If Grani tries to keep him in the trailer, he'l probably succeed. He's the big stallion now, and Dylas is only 6'5" of human who can't lightning magic or kick Reinhardt's horse. But if he doesn't, Dylas is going to wrap that heavy blanket around him and try to make it out into the rain before Reinhardt gets back...
Either way, he won't be successful, because what fun would that be.]
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He's quiet, but he's still going to be a pain, but purposely shifting that massive war horse body of his so he's in the way of the door. And when Dylas is people sized again, Grani is just going to try and snag that blanket with his teeth while laughing at him. A very obvious horsey laugh.
Because he can smell his owner coming back, even though the heavy rain. He IS a gift from the Natha, after all. So, the horse times it best he can so that one not!horse ends up face to chest with a soaking wet knight holding a feedbag of the best oats money can buy. ]
I return and I brought you those o.... [ No unicorn. And why does Dylas have that blanket? ] Dylas??
DW ate my first tag so this one is shorter because I'm lazy, sorry
He urges Grani to let go with hushed whispers, hoping not to attract Reinhardt's attention. But it's all over soon enough. He hears Reinhardt coming (and, thanks to his advanced senses, smells him, but he's never going to admit that) and gives the blanket a final tug before giving up and using his hands to cover his shame.
(Or, well, not shame, because as PG as this thread is, Dylas has nothing to be ashamed of. Horse jokes between the legs and all that.)]
R-reinhardt! What the hell are you doing h-here? Is this your place? [Dylas is completely dry! Thanks, transformation magic.] ...Your horse is an asshole.
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But why is Dylas here. Why is he naked? Why is he wearing the unicorn's blanket? Why is he calling sweet noble Grani an ass? So many questions. ]
Actual, this is Grani's place. My place is over there. [ He just points behind him and pointedly looks Dylas in the eyes and only the eyes. Things are starting to add up a little. ] I...this... [ he holds up the feedbag again. ] was for you? Is this a gift? Magic from the Natha? [ Look, two of his friends both can transform into critters (Ana's a bird, Ocelot is...well, obvious.) ]
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I just sort of...teleported here...out of my clothes.
[That's the lie that he starts with. But shit. Now Reinhardt is piecing it together. This was supposed to be his secret! His tail swishes back and forth anxiously and he fidgets where he stands, digging one foot into the trailer. He's clomping, isn't that cute?]
Er...it's not really...a gift. It's...uh. What I used to look like.
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Oh...so it's not Natha magic. It's your magic?
[ He seems to think for a moment, trying to make peace with this more than just the initial realization. Then he smiles warmly. ] I think I understand. And I think it's amazing. It's really really amazing. You are amazing!
You have magic and can turn into such an impressive and noble beast. But you must not be comfortable here. Please, come back to the camper with me. At least until morning. I'll lend you some clothing.
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[Dylas tenses when Reinhardt strokes him, his cheeks immediately going from a horrified pale to an embarrassed flushed color. He's naked, not a horse, how can he just walk over here and pet him like that? And smiling at him like that...Dylas knows he's a pretty dense guy, but even he knows Reinhardt shouldn't be doing that.
Probably. It feels kind of nice, being petted, but that's the last thing he's going to admit to anyone ever.]
H-hey! It's not amazing at all. It's—
[But here he is again, stuck in the same situation as before. When he was in his unicorn form, saying no to Reinhardt was impossible because he was so happy. And here? This is the same damn thing. Even more than being praised, he likes seeing someone else happier than he's used to being.
He sighs, shoulders hanging in defeat.]
I don't think any of your clothes will fit me. But yeah. I'm right behind you, big guy.
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He gently rearranges the blanket over Dylas and lightly puts a hand on the man's back to guide him back to the camper and inside where it's warm, dry and well furnished. ]
Please take a shirt to sleep in at least. You'll find a bed up the ladder over there. As my guest, that's where you can sleep. [ As the host, he'll take the couch. It's only polite. ]
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Once he's inside, he stands around awkwardly, taking a look around. It feels a little cramped, so he can only imagine how it feels for this guy. He holds onto the blanket while Reinhardt fetches a shirt for him. Wearing someone's shirt out of this place...why does that feel so weird.
Stubborn ass that he is, he takes the couch before Reinhardt can even suggest taking it for himself. He's not about to put Reinhardt out over him, even if his back is kind of sore after carrying that massive weight.]
I'm fine right here. It's your bed, right? Besides...it'll be, uh...more comfortable for me here.
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Ja. It's my bed. But you are my guest. It is the job of the host to make sure you are comfortable. I would rather you use my bed. But if you wouldn't be comfortable, I will bring you blankets and a pillow here.
what does that icon even mean what are you telling me
I'm not interested in kicking anyone out of their bed. I'd be a lot more comfortable here than out there in that weather without any clothes. You've already done enough for me. [He recalls the petting. And Reinhardt feeding him carrots.] Maybe you've done too much for me.