nysalogs | ❪ event ❫ khalo? can you hear me?

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❪ event ❫ khalo? can you hear me?

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!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Write about what?

[Linneus' voice comes hushed slightly from one of the stacks - it's a library, one shouldn't shout, but he won't venture too much closer, not if Atsushi is getting upset with the quills. That means there must be something there he would rather people not see, and Linneus knows that feeling all too well.

His own stories, they ended up reading like some torrid romance story through the words of the quills, and while he might have torn off one or two (or three or more - his teenaged romance with Xanthe, his budding relationship with Gilder, even renderings of conversations he'd had with Argent and Claret and Yvette, if for no other reason than saving the moment, saving the memory...) but of all of the strangely... gilded stories... most of them didn't deserve half of the light in which they were rendered.

As if sensing his distaste the quill reverted to a long, rambling genealogy of the Royal House of Ivore not long after, but it still sits poorly with Linneus the idea that the quills may just keep writing in his absence. That his personal history - by rights his to tell - might be out there for anyone to stumble across.]

Is everything all right, Atsushi?

[It's only at Linneus' hushed voice that Atsushi realizes what a racket he's making, and he's left more hopeless and desperate than anything else. His quick attempts to stop the quills have left him with the knowledge that they probably can't be stopped, so it's not like he can do anything about them - not to mention he should really quiet down. But, even so...!]

It's -... What they're writing is...!

[He can't say it out loud, can he? Not without giving everything away to anyone else who might be listening. (Not that they can't just read it, anyway...) So he just gestures at the quills and their stories of the Natha, urging Linneus to take a look.

That said, the stories about Atsushi and his world are right next to the offending tales of Natha and refugees, so if Linneus would rather check out some quasi-heroic exploits and/or embarrassing stories about Atsushi accidentally getting naked with a girl, that's definitely an option.]

[he moves in closer, but he doesn't try to peek. Instead one hand reaches out, staying the quill, blocking the parchment]

I'm not going to read it - your past is yours to tell, and I think everything written by these... enchanted objects, should be taken with a pinch of salt. I think anyone will realise that.

[it is strange and fantastical, there's no mistaking that, and Linneus is quite fascinated by these implements that seem to write of their own accord. But all of the accounts seem just slightly skewed.]

There's no promising they'll stop if we walk away. But what if we did that?

[It just figures that Atsushi's frantic attempts got him nowhere, yet Linneus' calm approach succeeds in stopping the quills (for now, anyway) with next to no effort at all. Sighing, Atsushi finally resigns himself to giving up.]

... I think that would be for the best.

[He really doesn't know if that will stop the quills, but at least he'll stop seeing them at work and being confronted with them writing God-knows-what.]

There are parts of my life I would rather went unwritten, too.

[there's no polishing that can make his story seem any better. But it seems it will be written with or without him, and while the idea fills him with dread... what can he do about it, really?

He reaches for Atsushi's arm before he changes his mind, drawing him gently away]

The quills are fascinating, but I would rather hear your stories from you, and in your own time.

[less room for error. More room for omission.]

Have you enjoyed Khalo so far, otherwise...?

[Atsushi follows Linneus out of the library, giving the quills one last look over his shoulder before he leaves. They're still writing something... He wonders what?

No point thinking about that now.]

I have! It's such an interesting place. That the Khali opened it to us now that Olympia and Wyver both seek peace is another great benefit of avoiding war.

[Also: Atsushi just likes exploring new places, but that's a selfish thing.]

How about you? What do you think of this place?

It's magical, actually, in a lot of senses. Not just this...

[a little gesture to the self-writing quills, the stories plucked who-knows how; the library itself; dizzyingly immense. He has never seen such a large library before. The master had had one, of course, but only of informational books, dry factual accounts or lists.]

I was in the forests yesterday, looking at the different kinds of plants there. There are so many more than I had expected... and then the people and their customs...

[they make their homes in the trees here...!]

So much strange and new...!

[Linneus looks so happy to be able to explore this new place, Atsushi can't help but share his enthusiasm.]

Right?! The houses in the trees, and the way they fly... Not to mention that, considering their sleeping spell, they're definitely a peaceful people!

[They always returned everyone who fell asleep trying to get into Khalo, after all. They could have captured them or killed them, but all they did was bring them back where they'd came from.]

And they're so good with animals, too.

It speaks to their character, that such a non-violent means is used to keep people out. I do wonder how it’s done...

[there must be a more mundane explanation than magic... ]

Have you seen any? I’ve glimpsed one or two of the flying creatures but I hear one must go to the fields to find some others...

Oh - I just meant the people... though I've been meaning to go to the fields to see more of the animals, too! The Khali are supposed to be very good at taming animals.

[Atsushi definitely hopes to learn those skills. He's not terrible with animals, but he could always stand to be better.]

Ah-- yes, so I heard. It is in their history, isn't it?

[that they were the dragon-tamers of old. And yet so much unlike the Wyver in many respects...]

I heard about Mossleys. And a friend of mine-- oh, Chuuya showed me one of the flowers they grew.

Chuuya-san did..?

[Ohno... Atsushi is blushing a bit - as if Chuuya couldn't have gotten such flowers with other people, too. But Atsushi is convinced, somehow, that it has to be the one Chuuya plucked with him.]

... I saved mine, as well. We both plucked one...

Did you?

[those two mild words seem to convey a lot more than they let on. He has done his reading; knows what attracts Mossleys to people. Combine that knowledge with Atsushi's blush...]

Mmm, he allowed me to sketch it. I should like, perhaps, to pluck one for myself. [a light chuckle] But it is not for me to chase them down, is it?

[if it is not offered, Linneus shan't take - and even when it something is offered, he is reluctant. But this goes more so of creatures.]

[Atsushi would rather not take too much, either, but it's different when it comes to other people. If Linneus wants a flower, then Atsushi thinks he should have one.]

Then let's go to the fields! I'm sure a Mossley would come to us, as well.

Do you really think so?

[if they can attract one just by virtue of being in the vicinity... well, Linneus won't say no to at least the opportunity of an experience with one of these creatures]

...that would be nice. Are they as gentle as people say?

Of course! Supposedly, they approach any people who have a positive bond. And we're friends, right?

[Flower guaranteed! ... Probably. If not, Atsushi will hate himself and give his own flower to Linneus, even if he'd saved it for a reason.]

Chuuya-san and I even rode one! ... They're not very fast, but they're definitely gentle. You don't have to be afraid of them!

[almost little shyly-]

Right.

[...but he wouldn't ask Atsushi for his flower. That would be unfair of him.]

They can be ridden too, goodness. I shall stick to horses for the time being but we shall see...!

... Truth be told, they're not very comfortable. But it was nice, anyway.

[Just for the experience - and for doing it with Chuuya, of course.]

You should definitely at least see and touch one before you leave Khalo.

[So to the fields, it is! Atsushi will lead the way.]

Well, horses are not particularly comfortable, either. That is why we have saddles!

[though from what he has heard, Linneus isn't sure he can quite imagine a saddle on a Mossley.]

I trust your judgement, of course, and your guidance...!

[and game to follow Atsushi's lead, for sure.]

And have you had a chance to fly? I chanced to watch one of their flying sports the other day...

I haven't flown, no! It seems like fun, but also... kind of unwieldy?

[Atsushi is quite comfortable with his body the way it is, transformed or otherwise, but flying seems like asking for trouble - or just asking too much. Not that it isn't ironic how he would gladly let himself (almost) free fall from a plane, but flying himself is a concern...]

Are you planning to try?

I know flying is for birds, not for people. But it would be nice to try, don't you think?

[he doesn't have wings, of course. It would still be nice, though - he's always been so envious of the birds...!]

[It's hard to be pessimistic about what he may or may not deserve in the face of such positivity.]

It would.

Then, let's try it. After we go see the Mossleys.

After we go to see the Mossleys.

[first things first, indeed. He doesn't know how he will take to flying, of course - he never minded heights, really, always enjoyed climbing as a child; but horses were harder. Less of a height, but the movement and being on the back of another creature was not as easy to trust as one's own limbs.]

Do you have creatures like them in your own world?

Like the Mossleys? Not at all.

Well... I suppose they're a little like rhinos? But rhinos don't grow flowers, and they're not nearly as friendly.

How about your world? What kind of animals did you have?

Nothing like Mossleys. Or like your rhinos, I don’t think... I haven’t heard the word before. And nothing like Lula, either.

[a light shake of his head]

But I am a poor person to ask, I think. I am neither well-travelled nor well-read - my knowledge of animals is not extensive by any means...

2B

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