❪ event ❫ khalo? can you hear me?

[natha]

In normal circumstances, this would have been near the time in which you're called upon to greet the newly awakened. Unfortunately, I speak to you to inform that we must postpone that — there is trouble on your horizon. What, I cannot see for sure. We shall continue to monitor the situation, however — we - ... we — [feed cuts off.] OLYMPIAN PRESERVATION     The city of Olympia is preparing the send-off of its most prized artifact: the heart of the ancient dragon, Ysverai. In doing this, they've transformed the palace court into an exhibition detailing the centuries-old war between Wyver and Olympia. Sculptures of Nithor the Exalted and his men and women in clean, white marble, while their armors are polished in perfect gold. Among Nithor are the sculptures of stallions in all shapes and sizes that also aided in the great war. Further in the exhibition, one may also find other artifacts of much older weaponry, rusted by its time in the earth, and items found from a time when humans feared the dragons. The Royal Guard has increased its numbers in wake of such a public event, particularly because the heart will be in display also. The heart is not what one might expect it to be: about the size of an average human, the heart's core is surrounded in stone, a red glow emitting from its still beating core. If that were not unsettling enough, one might also find that lingering around this particular exhibit will have undue affects on one's inhibitions. You'll notice your heart has fallen into sync with the organ, and your more selfish desires will come forth. Things that have long been buried will rise up and place you in a state of unease, encouraging paranoia about your companions intentions. Allow it to fester, and one will carry this feeling with them long after you've left the scene. It's probably a good thing this is leaving Olympia — perhaps it's a source of so much conflict you've endured. It's easy to become mesmerized by all the historical artifacts that are present in Olympia's exhibition. Some even seem mystical or, like Ysverai’s heart, to hold unspeakable powers. Others are just a little eerie. Either way, Olympia prides itself in its generosity and their grand displays, and so refugees are urged to learn more about their artifacts by spending the night in Palace Court. Though, someone should probably mention that there are rumors of strange, almost occult things happening around these relics at night. People speak of armored soldiers casting shadows that have the ability to walk on their own, or gemstones that catch the moonlight in a certain way and show you visions. But those are just silly ghost stories, right? TALL TALES OF KHALO VILLAGE     Because of Khalo's proximity to Wyver, it's no surprise that they would catch wind of the peace talks between Wyver and Olympia. In response, for the first time in centuries, Khalo Village has willingly granted passage to outsiders — but visitors will immediately find out that one cannot just simply walk into the village. Visitors will need to inhale the smoke of a fyrra herb in order to enter the premises without falling into slumber. Khalo is notably different than what refugees are used to. Visitors, specifically refugees, will find that they are exceedingly accommodating. The Khali are very intrigued by the outsiders, thus they're treated with much respect and given instant access to some of the best lounges and fyrra the village has to offer. In exchange, the village is interested in hearing about your journey thus far. Whether it be through a conversation with another individual or the Khali themselves, they'll very likely to have been eavesdropping and recording the tales of their exploits. Why, exactly? Perhaps it will not be immediately clear, but if you happened upon a venasou, a tamed Khali creature, it may have guided you to their Enchanted Library. Upon entering the library, visitors will notice that it is quite the happening place — but not because it's occupied by the Khali, but because there seems to be an assembly of magical quills seemingly writing on their own. The quills are mostly undisturbed by the intrusion and will not stop writing even if parchment is taken from it; it will simply produce another piece of paper and continue its tales. If you happen to read the parchment, you may notice that there is a daunting similarity between your story and the ones being written here. Tales of Thesa birthing new races and sending them from the sky, for example, are very popular in Khalo Village. They mark July 15th as the day in which the Moon Goddess, Thesa, created more people in her image and brought them to El Nysa as saviors. The coincidences don't end there: specifics about your home world might be found in the writings if you search deeply enough — but it's not without its exaggerations. These stories are given all sorts of poetic and literary forms, from short stories to limericks, biographies to something similar to haiku. If asked, the Khali will inform visitors that the enchanted library has access to vague parts of your memories, and thus it is duty-bound to record. The Khali have not seen stories as strange as the ones being made by refugees, which is largely why they are interested in them. NOTE: This is entirely optional! You may make up your own "stories" (fanfiction) and it could be as accurate or inaccurate, or as serious or silly as you'd like. While tales of the Thesa's descendants are still being written, visitors of the Enchanted Library might find intrigue in the more complete works — KING AND KIN. If one is willing to delve deep, they may also find parts of Wyver's past that have been removed from their own archives. These pages will recount the tales of Shanrian and Rasyc. Though a lot of the narrative seems to divide at certain points in the story, it becomes obvious with some quick reading that Rasyc is not only the son of Shanrian, but that he glorifies the Wyver of old, more bloodthirsty and brutal than it is today. Unlike his father, he does not take kindly to Olympia and the threat they will always pose for their people. He has not forgotten Olympia's past sins and he believes that, in his foolish quest for peace, the king has gone soft and no longer possesses the real will to fight. His present voice in affairs of state is not a loud one, as he chooses to speak in whispers and move in the dead of silence. In these quiet murmurings, he boasts of his unwavering belief in the power and dignity of his people. Of how they should all return to what they once were — the kingdom, its citizens, and naturally the father who he had once admired greatly. Though perhaps it can be argued that any estranged son would wish the same. It's difficult to pinpoint what becomes political and what is and always will be more personal for him. But, it hardly matters. It's clear that Rasyc will stop at nothing to achieve his objectives, even if it means never returning to place he calls home. Even if it means turning his back on his own father, Shanrian, King of Wyver... DRAGONFIRE. While tales of the Thesa's descendants are still being written, visitors to the Enchanted Library might find intrigue in the more complete works. In particular, tales of Ysverai, the last of Wyver's great high dragons. Ysverai is most commonly known for being slain by Olympia’s past king and legendary hero, Nithor, but here in Khalo he is depicted in another light. Ysverai is known to the Khali people as a wise being, old as the first inhabitants that walked El Nysa. The creature spoke in the common tongue to the early settlers, guiding them to refuge when his kin began to dominate the land at the cost of its own isolation. It ultimately becomes a tale of sacrifice, for its stand with Nithor became a testament against the Olympian Empire's long reaching influence. At the bottom, there is a quotation: Your hearts will fill with greed and malice the moment my own stops beating. Take care in the Eye of the Storm. Find strength in one another, before it is too late. It seems to end there. Refugees are naturally allowed to question the natives. However, keep in mind that many of their replies will seem more like speculation than fact. But maybe that can be fun too? If you have no interest in the library and the tales they've woven, feel free to explore any of the other areas of interest. Khalo Village is thrilled to be open for you all. THOSE THAT SEEK PEACE, AND THOSE THAT SEEK --     The morning of the 20th is marked by fairly dismal weather. The sky is overcast and a downpour seems imminent. Regardless of the poor forecast, those who signed up to assist in this mission will be required to come early in order to receive their briefing. Members of Group A: ▸ Jon Snow (song_of_ice) ▸ Daenerys Targaryen (dorzalta) ▸ Loras Tyrell (triplerose) ▸ Terra (earthy) ▸ Alisaie Leveilleur (adelphoi) ▸ Solider: 76 (personalwar) ▸ Ardyn Izunia (daemonized) ▸ Mai(maipokerface) ▸ Olivier Armstrong (wallsofbriggs) ▸ Atsushi Nakajima (gekkajuu) Members of Group B: ▸ Kale (kaleorbekaled) ▸ Diana Prince (wondie) ▸ Pheonix Wright (objectionattourney) ▸ Revolver Ocelot (shashka) ▸ Frederick (pebblestone) ▸ John Sheppard (impavid ▸ Ianto Jones (torchwoodteaboy) ▸ Lena Oxton (quevarly) ▸ Allura (quintessent) Due to the rain, members of Group A will have to immediately stop by the checkpoint at the East Watchtower. Additionally, the Royal Guard and Knightryders are well-prepared with extra cloaks for those who may require it. They also will provide basic refreshments such as water and bread. People are encouraged to take what they need prior to their departure on this mission. The checkpoints are a bit far between, after all. Members of the envoy will also be encouraged to utilize this time to become familiar with one another. Maybe some introductions are in order? You never know who will end up having your back... For both groups, the paths will be relatively straightforward with evenly spaced checkpoints along the way. The only issue seems to be the downpour, really. The rain is unforgiving and the roads easily become unstable and increasingly difficult for the carriage to be drawn through. Hence, there may be more than one occasion where you will be expected to lend a hand in prying out its wheels from a particularly pesky (and muddy) pothole. Or perhaps you will be called upon by a fellow guard to assist in getting a particularly stubborn creature out of the path ahead of you. Seems like it may be a longer journey than you expected. Dirtier, too. While weathering the conditions may have been a bit tiring, this journey isn't too bad, right? Well, maybe not. GROUP A. Once the carriage gets through the worst of the terrain and finally manages to depart from the watchtower, it won't be long until the group is met with a physical roadblock. A large tree trunk will be set down the center of the road, acting as a blockade. But, before the group can react or begin crafting a plan around this obstruction, the carriage will be attacked without warning. At first, it's unclear where the attack comes from or from whom, but you don't have the leisure to deliberate this. You hear one of your fellow guards mention something about bandits frequenting these parts, but maybe there's more to it? Either way, your task is clear: protect the artifact, Nithor's skull, and fight the bandits off. You'll be encouraged to try and capture them so that they may later be turned and questioned by the authorities. GROUP B. With clear motives to restock and collect a few more materials for the carriage, it's evident that the envoy will appear restless to arrive at the second checkpoint. However, despite their unspoken delight at seeing the South Outpost from a distance, it's clear something has gone awry. There will be several hooded figures awaiting them right where the mud path meets the cobblestone of the Outpost's road. Soon, several more of these figures will come to flank them from both sides. While they seem like bandits, at least from their physical appearance, there is something far more polished in their movements. They will be attacking the envoy in concise, practiced formations. For those who are more perceptive, it becomes obvious that they are moving around and acting as decoy to one central figure. This member is likely the "leader" of their group, but no matter how one may try to close the distance between themselves and this mysterious leader, someone will constantly get in the way of that. The fighting also seems to act as a distraction since by the time everything is cleared up... only two things are missing. The leader of this group of bandits and more importantly — Ysverai's heart. NOTE: Those RNG'd to thread out the capture and questioning of the bandits will have starters below. For everyone else that signed up, you will still have the opportunity to capture the assailants even though they were not selected to thread the interrogation; you are free to make up your NPCs with the same basic guideline: they will not reveal their motive or their organization. You may turn them in to authorities (Wyver or Olympia or otherwise) or find creative ways to get rid of them. FINAL OOC NOTE     To reiterate: you may use this log as a general mingle for everything from the May Outline, including all Khalo Village activities. In other words, your top-levels don't necessarily have to be related to the prompts written here. An AC-eligible thread in which your character participates in anything mentioned in the May Outline and/or Khalo Village location page may be submitted for 2 REP POINT FOR EITHER OLYMPIA OR WYVER. SUBMIT THE THREAD FOR OLYMPIA OR WYVER HERE OR HERE RESPECTIVELY BY June 10th 11:59 PM EST. For those who participated in this month's plot-related portion, to receive IC recognition for it, a summary of the thread must be submitted HERE by June 8th 11:59 PM EST. Please direct all queries to the question thread below. Thank you, and have fun! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs ● bestiary taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp ● quest bulletin calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[notwagging]

Because I can.

[ he's not even teasing or being rude. it's just the way it is! ]

Besides. You looked lonely before. I just want to cheer you up.

[rosebyanyother]

[Oh no, demonic symbols are definitely an "after the third date only" thing. It would be crass to do it so early on. (And he'd never do something as serious as draw blood without consent. Mild scratching is as far as this will go unless it seemed like more would be well-received. And even then, he'd ask.

Those gorgeous bright eyes. Peter looks down, reaches down, fingers under Jim's chin and thumb brushing across his bottom lip. This is turning out so well.]

I feel quite a bit, thank you.

[It's...pretty evident, the way that Peter's leg is hiked up around Jim's waist, pressing them together. He'd started this whole exchange off at least a little bit hard, and now he's definitely turned on. Quite a bit.]

[ettersberg]

[ thomas is feeling a little over-stimulated despite the fact that he hasn't come yet —but the drug in his system heightens every sensation, from jjim's hand spreading his ass cheeks to jim's cock rubbing up against his own. he shifts to get a better angle, moans against jim's lips again before moving to mouth at jim's jaw, scrape teeth mindlessly against the tendons of jim's neck.

and then jim rolls them over and thomas goes easily, all too willingly, legs coming up to wrap around jim's hips to pull the other man down on him. ]

[willrevile]

[ 'Heh heh feel things' is not the most sophisticated but, well, this is the Jim Kirk experience. He smiles, edges of his eyes crinkling. ]

I can tell. [ Evident indeed. Jim rocks against him before shifting his weight, enough that he can reach between them and run the flat of his palm over the other man's cock, firm but somehow teasing in the way he doesn't just wrap around him. He leans in to kiss him, light and open-mouthed, teeth scraping against his lower lip when he withdraws. His other hand tweaks a nipple cheekily, then he reaches out to fish around for the various complementary supplies left in apparently hand-woven baskets. ]

Man, I wonder what this stuff is made of, [ he muses, holding up a small glass jar, all the way pressed close and hot against Peter. ]

[versianvirtue]

[ If her handmaid Edelrittuo were here now, she would be pitching a fit to end all fits about how indecent it is for a girl and a boy to be naked together, even if it's just for a swim, and ESPECIALLY for a princess. It's almost as though she exists in lieu of Asseylum's sense of propriety, because without her nagging and with Mikazuki's unruffled treatment of the situation, she loses hold on the inhibitions she's been taught she should have with disrobing in the presence of him. If he wasn't embarrassed by his nudity, why should she be about hers?]

I'll only be a moment!

[ Of course, in spite of that logic, there is a little bit of shyness creeping in when she unfastens her skirt, and rather than just stand out in the wide open, she sidles next to shrubbery for partial coverage as she disrobes. To detract a little bit of attention from it, she decides to continue talking. ]

Is the water warm like a bath? Or cold like the ocean?

[willrevile]

God, you want it so bad, don't you, [ Jim says in between messy kisses. ] Your mouth is so good, and you're still so desperate to get fucked. [ Jim kisses down his throat and sucks at his adam's apple, then at the center of his clavicle, feeling his pulse. ] Gorgeous.

[ He's not getting hard again yet, but his cock twitches with interest, unable to help himself. Part of him will always be something of a degenerate about sex, no matter how deep he buries different parts of himself. Jim shuffles lower, kissing as he goes, and gets one hand around Thomas's leg that's coiled around him. He palms up and down the back of his thigh and hitches one leg forward, though he doesn't press too hard - not wanting to strain anything. Not everybody is used to being manhandled like Jim'll do if he's given an inch, so he's minding his manners.

For a second, anyway. He ducks his head and swipes his tongue over the tip of his straining cock. ]

[ofseraphim]

[ Rightly so. That rash looks... really uncomfortable, to say the very least. ]

I found a-- [ man? woman? ...elf wizard?? ] --someone who thinks they can help you, but they need to see the rash first.

[ Sorey glances from Reign's face, to his irritated skin. ]

Think you can make the trip?

arrives to this thread decades late with starbucks

[shashka]

[ there's just a hint of something a little more playful in his eyes. ]

You better.

[ he takes that hand, and moves to sit far closer than he really reasonably should. does he have an idea with where this is going? of course. it seems more than obvious. ]

Do this sort of thing often?

[objectionattorney]

[...Crud.

Oh crud! Oh crud! Oh crud!

This was happening! This was actually, genuinely, happening!

Gulping back, Phoenix was quick to back up in reflex to Johns' shout. Scurrying his way closer towards the heart, his back mere inches from being pressed up to the tarp that was covering it. He was gripping harshly at the staff in his hands at this point, holding it to his chest with some sort of exhilarated anticipation of the oncoming danger.

He was, quite obviously, an easy target.

And perhaps the other cloaked figures had known that. For as John had charged towards them they had braced themselves for an attack, the front few seeming to draw out their own weapons as those along the sides seemed to start charging up a series of spells.

It was fairly obvious at this point how very outnumbered the lot of them actually were.]

[sparsity]

[ Mikazuki's lens has never had fussy nannies or propriety to influence it, which is why he can look through it without a lot of pressure from everyday social cues. A body is a body, a bath is a bath. He's learned a little though, which is why he only looks long enough to see her duck behind some plants before he realizes she wants some privacy, and instead turns his gaze to the water.

At first, he just makes a wondering noise. The pool isn't anything like what he can remember seeing before. Reflective and bright, like it's lit from within, catching in the color of his eyes. ]

It's not really either. I don't feel cold, but it's refreshing somehow, too.

[ There's plenty of motion in the water already, but he still slides his hands through it. ]

Did the Mars you know have any water?

[sparsity]

Can worrying about it change anything?

[ While it might sound judgmental in nature, Mikazuki has genuine curiosity about him when he asks things like this. Despite always having an animal tension about him, he's never seemed overly cautious or worried about anything.

Which probably seems odd, but hey. ]

[rosebyanyother]

[Hey, Peter's enjoying it. Sex is rarely sophisticated.]

There isn't...a label...?

[In the aftermath of Jim doing all that touching, Peter's just a little bit closer to being wrecked. Truly, whatever is in the fyrra is an interesting component.

When Jim brushes his hand like that over Peter's cock, his hips snap up and he moans. Especially since it ends up being such a tease. One of his hands skate's down Jim's side to clutch at his hip, the other resting on his shoulder.

Trying to pull himself together, he shifts his focus to the jar. It looks...useful? Part of him wonders if there are going to be any more surprises.]

[willrevile]

There's a drawing.

[ Jim absently touches Peter, fingers lightly tracing nonsense patterns over his cock, finding the tip of it. As if he's paying no attention at all to what he's doing, though he has to be-- so hard himself, pressed against the other man's hip, unwilling to back off with that contact. Even as he rifles through jars of this and that. ]

This one's a flower with a .. water drop? [ Mm. He rocks forward a little, sighs. It feels good like this. ] And this isss... probably edible.

[ They could probably get off like this, slow incremental teasing until one of them snaps. But Jim'll probably get moving in a minute here, considering he's looking for lube. ]

[chickenhearted]

[ Well that's.... he can't even argue that. What does he even say to that? ]

I wasn't lonely!

[ Wrong. He's always lonely. ]

[chickenhearted]

[ Waver's ears tinge a little red at the question, like he's being called out. He knows that's not really Mikazuki's intention, at least not from what he's experienced with the guy before. Still... ]

I suppose ...not. You have to do something about it in order to change it. But I can't seem to stop worrying no matter what.

[ It's just ingrained in his personality to worry and fret. Just like it is to want to prove himself to everyone he meets. It's something he can't stop no matter how hard he tries. ]

[sparsity]

[ At least he knows, which is more than what Mikazuki can say for some people that he meets. Humming deep in his throat, he leans back. It's not really his thing to try and influence anyone one way or the other, but... ]

Maybe you just need to find something you can do, instead.

welcomes you with open arms anyway

[rosebyanyother]

[For now, Peter resists the urge to snuggle into Ocelot's side as soon as he sits down. He might do it with another one of his friends, but with Ocelot...there's a faint impulse to play it a little cooler. Though there's every chance that will go out the window soon. He really does want to touch and be touched. Strongly.

As it is he just smiles and shifts a little, his knee resting against Ocelot's leg.]

Not terribly. But I thought it would be best to indulge in local customs. Show them that we can integrate well.

[eaudevamp]

[ Reign was already nodding before Sorey finished his question. ]

Yeah, I can. I wish we could find some cold water to soothe the rash, but I guess it'll take longer to get it.

[ That didn't stop him from gently flapping his arms a bit in an attempt to create some sort of wind blowing thingy. Or something. ]

Never mind, just lead the way please.

[notwagging]

Hm. So, do you want me to leave?

[ but even Keaton would feel bad doing that, and he looks away in fear of seeing Waver's expression. ]

I could just offer you silent company, or if you want something to pet...

[objectionattorney]

[Phoenix was almost expecting such a response from Venom. Or, perhaps, he was hoping for it? No matter what the case may be, he couldn't help but smile as Venom insinuated what he had.]

Really, you do know we are in the central exhibition room of the royal castle, don't you?

What if the queen of all people were to walk in on us?

[Well, he knew the ways of Olympias queen. Truthfully she probably would have enjoyed the show. But it was still fun giving Venom a hard time.]

You really can't seem to keep it in your pants, can you?

[And yet his own voice had taken a lower tone as he said that. Slowly turning to look directly at his lover.]

[chickenhearted]

[ Waver tilts his head, eyebrows lifting. Surprisingly, this isn't something he's thought of before. Instead, he just keeps worrying and worrying, or dwelling on the past when he should be looking to the future again or at least take care of himself in the present. ]

You mean, like a new hobby? I could do that, but I have no idea what I might be good at.

[chickenhearted]

Ah, jeez...

[ why do you have to make him feel things!! he hates feeling things. And he'll feel bad if he sends Keaton away now. ]

You can stay if you want to.

[objectionattorney]

"I have yet to find any definitive proof, but old word among Wyver was that things back then with Olympia were so one-sided that the Olympias would use Wyver's citizens as glorified slave labor. It was what initially caused the uprising, and why those who reside in Wyver still hold a grudge against Olympia to this day..."

But still, why would they wish to steal something that was already being given back? Even if it was to a king they were not satisfied with?

Phoenix shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting towards their new unconscious captive.

"Did she say anything about why they may have wanted it? You know, before you conked her out silly."

[ofseraphim]

Sorry! Guess I should've thought of that... [ He admits sheepishly. Yeah, shame on you, Sorey! Just look at how he's flapping his arms! ]

Anyway, let's get going!

[ With a beckoning wave, he'll lead Reign on, back the way he came from. ]

[eaudevamp]

[ Reign nodded as he followed after Sorey while he continued to languidly flap his arms, not minding if his action was drawing attention from the locals. The sight of the rash on his arms were enough to keep them away. ]

Gosh, I didn't think the rash would be this itchy. I've never experience anything like this before.