❪ 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

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B

[reinhardtzar]

[ if cain is about to fall, then fortunately his might steed to here to catch him.

and by catch, i mean grip the ladder in place, a brow raised. ]

Not surprised to see you in high spirits — but I thought I told you to not get yourself killed.

[ and then reinhardtzar cranes his head up, arm reaching out for whatever book is in cain's immediate line of sight. ]

...Which one's caught your attention?

[torchwoodteaboy]

[It is rather firm. Ianto does his best not to wince in response to the treatment, understanding at least that the other man only means it as a gesture of good will.]

Ehm, no trouble. I just thought it best, they might not take so kindly to us breaking anything in here either way.

[He's just going to guide the pair of them away from the priceless artifact regardless.]

Are you alright?

[eaudevamp]

If that makes you a bad person, then I'm just as guilty. I profess to loving you, and still do, yet I've done... things. With others.

[ It probably didn't feel as bad with Mephisto, considering he was a demon, despite being in the body of a human host. Or that time with Chuuya, mostly because he was in a lot of pain and wanted to forget it all. Reign could also delude himself that he and Chuuya hadn't gone "all the way". What would Shell think if he knew Reign had been with a human before? Possibly other humans too when he worked at Shades Darker. He could argue that it was a "job". ]

To be honest, I'm not sure either. Where we come from, we barely experience what it's like to love, or if it's all right to love more than one person at a time.

[ Maybe Reign was playing a dangerous game of "what-ifs", the possibility between himself and Shell, or at least giving each other more options and opportunities. ]

[quintessent]

The wagon gets moving again and Allura returns to keeping pace beside it, blinking the rain out of her eyes. She's alright, other than her ego, which got a little bruised in the fall.

"That, and weather isn't much of an issue in space." Altea had pretty mundane weather, for the most part, but it's not until she got deposited onto El Nysa that, despite her love of flowers, she realized how much of her upbringing was spent in climate-controlled buildings and spaceships.

She looks at John, hazarding an assumption or two about where he might be from, "I've been told the weather here isn't too different from back on Earth."

[poolhall_killer]

I am fully aware of the dangers.

[He's reminded of an incident when he was younger. It was one of the few times he left the Guild's hideout in order to carry out a hit where the target was royalty. It was one of the more upsetting assignments, but not because it failed. He watches the quills' movements.]

But me, an assassin consort according to these pens. It has a nice ring to it.

Houston we have a problem

[terrantrash]

The longer Slaine spends in the fae-esque village and its surroundings the more he regrets ever having decided to come here with Asseylum in the first place. It hadn't taken long for her to wander away from him and ever since then the two of them had been separated. Needless to say he's been searching for her tirelessly, only to happen upon her now, sky high. Maybe that's why he hadn't been able to spot her. He hadn't been looking up.

"P-Princess Asseylum?!"

He's not sure how she's flying, but it's as if someone decided to turn off gravity just for her. He can feel his stomach drop at the same time a wave of relief hits him. She looks pretty windswept (and kind of a mess in general) but at least there's a smile on her face?

[rosebyanyother]

Oh, you did see that. [Peter laughs, and it's an entirely unashamed sound. Which probably shouldn't be much of a surprise, given how unashamed he was to offer the information up over the network anyway. It's a low, warm chuckle, and his smile is just a little bit mischievous now. But only a little.] I'm glad it wasn't for nothing, then.

[He cocks his head a little at the second part of that, amused.]

I certainly can't think of anything. But if you have anything to share...

[Teasing.]

[constellationy]

Oh.

[ ... Is her response to the first part. She doesn't know why he wanted her to ask if he was okay if he actually was. She's a little glad he's okay, but mostly she doesn't feel much toward it. ]

You should've looked at the time more.

[ Cinnamon, so blunt ... ]

[steponme]

[Even though it's something he already knows, it's hard not to feel a slight twinge in his chest when Reign so casually says that he loves him.]

I wouldn't want you to stay single your whole life just because of how you feel about me. It's... not like you belong to me.

[He doesn't even need to be told, really. After hearing about Reign's time with Chuuya from the other man himself, it was easy to assume that indulging in things like that wasn't a one-time thing for Reign.]

[But as curious as he was, knowing that the lack of vampires left only one probable conclusion, it just didn't feel like his right to do so. Because Reign wasn't his.]

...but I belonged to One. So it feels different. He even told me once... that he wanted me to belong to only him.

[In a memory that's exceptionally unpleasant, for how much of a disaster that night ended up being.]

[But as much as that might sound like Shell rejecting that what-if... Reign knows how the story goes from there. Or at least, how it goes for this Shell. That despite loving him and wanting only him, One still decided to leave him. Looking at it logically, Shell had no reason to feel guilty for being with someone other than One.]

[But love was hardly logical.]

...I just wish I could talk to him. Maybe then... I wouldn't be so confused.

[uglybug]

[Her eyes narrow at the statement and she reads it a couple of times before responding.]

Even if it's not the cause, there definitely seems to be knowledge of it. I wonder if there's anything else about the Storm in these books?

[uglybug]

Sorry! [It's her immediate response before even realizing who she's almost run over. When she does look up, it takes her a short moment to return the smile with a hesitant one of her own.

('Chilled out' is not how her experience has gone. Alien physiology sucks sometimes.)]

Yes! You remembered! I'm sorry. I should have been more aware.

[eaudevamp]

[ He shook his head, a shrug of his shoulders. ]

I tried finding them, but there isn't much. But what if this dragon heart is related to the Storm? I don't know how, but maybe all the recent dissent is due to Ysverai's heart not belonging to where it should be: Wyver.

[ At least the upcoming entourage to trade it with Nithor's skull may at last welcome proper peace. ]

[punshots]

[ Oh, they have libraries, but that particular thought is lost on Prompto entirely. He does look a bit sheepish after her reprimand however, a smile wrinkling into place, following her gaze as she looks at the shelves and shelves of tomes. Whatever kind of a collection this is, they sure have a lot of it stored here, don't they? ]

Er...right. [ Because of the whole worlds being destroyed thing. It's fresher for Krile than it is for many of them, but that doesn't make it sting any less in Prompto's case. ] You find anything else interesting?

[eaudevamp]

[ Maybe it had grown to be a slightly different kind of love, after the three years since the event. It was a kind of affectionate fondness. Reign knew his love wouldn't be as deep as One's, though maybe it could be entirely difference once One wakes.

Shell's words were a stark reminder that neither did Shell belong to Reign either. He knew that, knew it for a long time now, but it didn't hurt any less. More of a dull throb, something Reign had come to accept. It wouldn't be fair to ask Shell to keep himself celibate for One, while he himself was off having fun and having affairs. Not that there was a lot people he'd slept with, but... ]

I think... I think he'll understand, the decisions you took, the things you do. He'll want you to be happy too.

[ Or would he? Especially if One were to wake and suddenly found out that Shell had formed relationships other than with him. Reign mentally shook his head, inwardly shuddering. If it was Reign, he may not like it either.

Suddenly unsure of what else to say, yet wanting to comfort Shell, Reign reached out under the water and took Shell's hand in his, giving it a squeeze. ]

[baguablade]

[ Cain looks up at that small, strangled sound — it's too alarmed a noise to ignore, and he turns in his seat, eyes a little wide, to see what's happened. He tilts his head inquisitively as he sees Mantis, his hand still on the page he was just reading, so he doesn't lose his place. ]

Ah— Are you okay there?

[poolhall_killer]

Venom lowers his cue, visually sweeping the room for any kind of anomaly that might have scared Ianto. Nothing doesn't seem to be out of place, at least nothing he notices.

"The shadows were probably playing tricks on you. They seem to be all over the place." It's definitely unsettling as he comes closer, still remaining alert in case there is something lurking about. Both of their shadows look all elongated in the dim light, and the artifacts in the room look creepy enough without the scary mood lighting.

"However, if it was something tangible, they'll regret coming after you." Venom's using his stern leader voice in hopes of getting a reaction.

2Bish!

[steponme]

[Somehow, despite getting totally wasted at Atsushi's mansion during Chuuya's birthday party and spending the night in the birthday boy's bed, Shell hasn't really spoken to Atsushi that much! ...okay, maybe the fact that he let Chuuya get him wasted in the first place has something to do with that.]

[He doesn't actually see him in the library at first, aimlessly reading a short story about an evil organization trying to kidnap an innocent werewolf... but as fate would have it, around the time that the werewolf's identity is revealed, he happens to notice Atsushi not too far away.]

This place is really something, isn't it? I think I just found a story about you being a werewolf.

[...and no, he has no idea about the whole tiger thing.]

[ayes]

Uh-- [She thinks] --I'm not great at school stuff! Anyway, we can talk about that later! Let's play!

[baguablade]

I'm hardly about to get myself killed in a library.

[ Cain's quick to dismiss Reinhardtzar's concern with a cheerful flip of his hand — that also happens to lead right into an imperious bit of pointing at the book in question. How nice of Reinhardtzar to show up at precisely the right time to make himself useful, just like a good minion should!

Absently, Cain balances himself with a hand on Reinhardtzar's shoulder. Ah, for once, Reinhardtzar being so tall really is coming in handy... ]

I need that one, and the three red volumes on the shelf above it once you've got it, to start.

[ To start. Of course. Cain's hardly going by half measures when he's got a library full of current information about not just this world, but potentially all the worlds at his fingertips. ]

[thunderblight]

Point.

[ Honestly, this level of technology is far beyond Urbosa's understanding. Anything even approaching this complexity in Hyrule was so old, all that remained was various bits and pieces that needed to be painstakingly put back together. Even then... ]

It's just frustrating, I suppose. Any defence seems better than nothing.

[nysan]

Mm-mm. We made a deal, you and I: your answers for mine.

[ The bandit shakes her finger at him. ]

Is there anything at all that you wouldn't give, if your people would be free of their oppressors?

[fiendennor]

[Oh, Akko sure did lean over into her personal space. That was... weird. It was weird, and she doesn't say anything, as Akko leans into her.

Her cheeks get a little pink. She takes another puff of the fragrant smoke.] No, it's not. I... I can do this, I think. It's fine.

It's interesting that it seems so culturally prevalent, here.

[summertimeblues]

[He does look rather like the bull ready to rip up the china shop. No offense.]

Can you read with that bucket on your face? How have your eyeballs not singed to crispy raisins by now? [Okay maybe some offense. Light ribbing mixed with legitimate concern. Lurid red screens can't be good for the peepers, especially on a permanent basis.

But Richie's obeying. His mouth might obfuscate the power of that meat between his ears, but he's no idiot. Richie runs his hands along the lines of the spines as he searches for likely titles.]

Call me Rich. Didn't get yours either, back then. Although I heard you and "Focket" make a dynamic duo. Warrior 67, huh? [He hums, pulling out a tome.] Are we aiming for the Nysan histories or do you have your eyes on something different?

[thetaintedsorrow]

That’s good.

[Chuuya flips through the book to the illustrations of the plantlife in Wyver, and from the looks of things it really is as wild and untamed as people say it is.]

I’ve only visited Wyver once, and I was in a bar most of the time.

[Of course he was.]

Oh yeah, I stepped on a mushroom that turned me tiny on the way here. Luckily someone found me and dropped me off in the village so they could cure me. I was like, thimble sized.

[fiendennor]

[Oh. Yep. Definitely thought she was talking to a woman, and Diana looks visibly surprised when a deeper voice responds. She... looks awkward, mainly.] W-well, they... yes, I-- that's true.

I don't think they use this as a source of potable water, though?