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

[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...

That's right... You'd never seen a llama before, had you?

[He means it very neutrally, a reminder to himself more than anything, but the more Linneus says, the worse Atsushi feels about how his words might have been misinterpreted.]

That's not a bad thing, though! I'd never seen an actual llama myself, either. I only knew them from books - and that only because the orphanage had a library...

[... He's rambling. Catching himself, he cuts it short.]

I think we all have different interests and different opportunities, when it comes to things like books and traveling. But for everything you "lack", there's something else to take its place - so in the end, I think everyone is the same.

I had not, no. Nor anything like that in any of the books I have read...

['the orphanage'. That's the kind of thing he doesn't press on, just files away swiftly for another time..]

I only meant that animals of other parts of my world are... not so widely known of. My country was landlocked, so it didn't have the same... influx of travellers as you would have in a more coastal area.

[perhaps zoology is another thing he can add to his list of things to learn about]

I see... That sounds pretty nice in some ways, but... maybe a bit lonely in others?

[It seems like one could feel pretty "trapped" in a country like that - but then, that would still depend on circumstances more than geographical location, probably.]

It's true that Yokohama in particular was wonderful that way... It really felt like it was connected to the whole world through the ocean.

[Much more so than the area of his orphanage - but Yokohama was more of a home than the orphanage had ever been, so Atsushi will claim it for his own. "His city", Dazai had called it... Maybe Atsushi never really believed that, but just entertaining the thought had been enough to warm his heart.]

Mmm... [a hum of thought] I... can't say lonely, really - I just suppose I have never known anything else.

[and well. When one considers the cage they are confined in to be home, one ceases to see the bars.]

Was it possible for you to meet more people from foreign places, then? Were you able to travel yourself...?

No... I didn't really have that kind of money.

[Or any money at all, until he started working at the ADA.]

But I did meet people from other countries!

[Enemies who tried to kill him, mostly. And yet he's genuinely enthusiastic about how he met them, now. The way Linneus asks, reminds Atsushi of the good sides of it.]

No...?

[that's somewhat of a shame - he couldn't steal aboard a boat and make his journey that way...?]

It's a shame you haven't been able to travel. But meeting others who have is the next best thing, I suppose...!

Mr Dazai [(just Dazai between the two of them, Mr Dazai when Linneus talks of him to others)] mentioned this Yokohama too. It must be wonderful to live by the sea...

[He was stolen aboard that one time, if it counts...]

It really is. It makes for a special sort of atmosphere.

And lots of good food, too!

[China Town had some great snacks! #priorities]

Here we are! Look - in the distance!

[There's a Mossley already, even though it's... really far away. Atsushi cheats by having good eyes. On the bright side: the animal is bound to come wandering over soon enough.]

I should like to hear more about it some time.

[not that now isn't good, but, well. They're creature-hunting.]

Where...? There?

[Linn's eyes are decent but not That Good. And true to its name, the Mossley is half-hidden - mostly hidden - by the shrub and grass around it. Linneus can't quite pick it out clearly, it's more like a lumbering shape, but at least the lumbering shape is moving closer.

Or Linneus hopes that's a good thing.]

Yes!

[There, indeed! Atsushi may have seen the Mossleys before, but he's still kind of excited. Some things, he'll never get tired of, and animals are second only to food in that category.

The Mossley is slow, but at least it keeps going. Atsushi considers going closer to it, but even if the creatures aren't dangerous, he doesn't want to risk scaring it off. Better to let it come to them.]

It has flowers on its horn, see?

I see. It's so big...!

[even at this distance. Animals don't really come this large, where Linneus is from. There are horses - cows, maybe, but certainly nothing this big. The size makes him nervous, but not afraid - not when Atsushi's excitement is so palpable, it can't help but make him smile.]

You enjoy animals, them?

I do! Animals come in all sorts, but they're never malicious. Even the ones that kill only do so to eat.

[They're a step up from humans in that regard. Of course most people are fine, and worth protecting! Atsushi will never assume the worst of anyone. But he's experienced the worst of a few people, and that's hard to forget.]

There weren't really so many where I came from - I lived in the town for most of my life. But my master had hunting dogs, once. Though they were older and... tired, when I knew them.

[a little smile at the memories]

And horses, we had horses. I used to help in the stable sometimes...

Dogs are nice... I like dogs, too.

[Maybe not as much as cats, but still! There are no bad animals in Atsushi's book.]

I only really encountered horses when I came here, though. The stables in Olympia have a lot of strange creatures, but regular horses too.

[Linneus has probably not met enough cats to know for sure whether he likes them - generally in his experience they're only used for mousing. But he's taken to Daifuku well enough]

Ah-- I haven't tried any of the... stranger creatures. Horses are familiar and safe enough, though I didn't ride so regularly until I came here.

[Daifuku is a special kitty, in more ways than one.]

Have you tried a pegasus? [Linneus just said not, basically, but since it's a horse with wings, Atsushi seems to think it may still count.] They're pretty impressive!

[But, more importantly: the Mossley is getting close, now.]

Look! [Atsushi half-whispers the word, as if Linneus can't see the giant creature all by himself. It's a tense moment or two as Atsushi waits to see what will happen... but sure enough, the Mossley comes right up to them, sticking his head between them.] Ah... [This is happiness. Atsushi isn't sure why it feels so good to have friendship validated by a mossy rhino, but... well, it's evidence, isn't it?]

They are beautiful, yes, but I am rather wary of flying on one...!

[it's height and movement that tends to do him in - he's just getting used to it with horses.]

Ah--!

[a delighted laugh, careful to stay still and not nudge the creature off. Not that he can be much nudged]

Yes, hello - ah, you're heavy...!

❪ event ❫ khalo? can you hear me?

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