❪ 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

Thesa!

[summertimeblues]

[There's boots clopping along the hollow halls. It might be spooky if there wasn't a frenetic worry to the rhythm. It's another refugee, Richie assures himself, sucking back a gulp of air to quell his own nerves. He hasn't made it up to stasis yet, starting at the wrong end of the ship and trying to work his way back.

There's the bang of a fist. Some consternated hollering. Richie halts, gritting teeth.

All right all right, better to go make sure buddy isn't in a bind before he sets to his own business. Maybe he's following a clue as to what's going on up here.

Richie threads through the maze of halls, looking for the lone figure.]

Hallooooo! Who's out there?

[impavid]

[ John doesn't really pay attention at first, because he's too busy being angry at technology. Luckily for Richie, he turns the corner not to balloons or clowns but to a familiar figure at the other end of it. He's standing glowering at screen, a thin zip up jacket over a t-shirt and some black trousers making him look awkwardly casual despite his displeasure.

The t-shirt has a panda face on it. ]

This is not helping! Can you not give me visual cue, of some kind? Please, because this is creeping me out just as much as I'm sure --

[ A speaker clicks on and an odd, indecipherable wave of noise that may have once been a voice floods into the hallway.

John, who has already heard variations on this a few times, doesn't actually looked bothered by it. Just more frustrated. ]

Listen I don't speak computer noise! Just point me at something to fix!

[ This conversation is very one-sided. ]

r u okay bud

[summertimeblues]

[Grateful as he is it's not the world's worst birthday performer, what he gets is no less befuddling. Richie stands at the entry opposite, some twenty yards away from the quaint sideshow John Sheppard is putting on. Abbott and his faceless Costello, who might be proving something of a diva if he was following the conversation right.

Richie allows himself a few seconds to be flummoxed. Then he calls out.]

Sheppard! Who the devil are you talking to?

Don't tag while hungry, RIP me

[impavid]

[ He turns sharply at the sound of Richie's voice, momentarily annoyed, then collects himself. Well, fine, he can accept he looks eccentric right now. ]

Pretty much anyone who will listen.

[ The ship plays back another garbled burst of noise, and he rolls his eyes before turning back to the control panel. ]

I can't even tell if that was sassy, but I'm gonna just assume it was.

pats your face....

[summertimeblues]

[Richie flinches back at the gargle of beeps and modem blares.]

You trying to make a call?

[Except he called the blast of electric attitude "sassy." Which implied...

Richie takes strides. Closing in, squinting between the interface and John as realization dawns.]

You're not implying — you don't mean the machines. Do you?

RIP my dignity

[impavid]

This is what happens when I try to get sense out of it. At least Darma's message is mostly intelligible. These things are trying, but --

[ He gestures expansively at the ship, then sighs and begins to rub his face.

It's spooky. This would be the point in a film where something begins to stalk them down the hallways and all the communications die. He doesn't like that kind of atmosphere. ]

[summertimeblues]

[So long as the pods stay sealed shut there won't have to be any stalking. (One would hope.)]

Get sense. But you are speaking to the computer. This is what you're doing?

[God. Of course. Normalcy we bid you goodbye. It was a fond and fleeting notion while it lasted, but Sheppard is going to be as strange as the rest of them. Richie matches John's sigh with a despairing huff of his own, eyes darting over the fritzing screens.]

Is there...well, do you have a diagnosis, Pops?

[impavid]

It's broken.

[ #Genius ]

Listen it's not like I'm some kind of programming expert. It's just a thing that happens when I touch things. Which is also why... people tell me not to touch things -- but the point is normally this stuff listens to me and gives me the closest approximation it can of what I wanted. So. Probably the noise means something. The problem is figuring out what, and why it's coming out that way. If it's the system crashing horribly because the power keeps --

[ It flickers, goes out for a second to emergency lighting, then slowly begins to come back on again. ]

... Doing that, or if whatever is causing this is actually also causing the power to go up down down. You know, what's a cause what's a symptom or something.

[summertimeblues]

[Wow you are truly the seventh human wonder. Richie arches a brow.]

That'd come in handy in the doctor's office. Ever thought of becoming a proctologist?

[So he's some kind of computer wizard. A Dr. Dolittle for your fax machines and your switchboards, whispering the queries and taking the beeps and boops in for diagnosis. As far as some of the other kooky shit the refugees pull off — being a raccoon, a ghost trapped in a sword, summoning a kabuki-spoofing demon from your soul to fight your battles for you (to this day, there was nothing that has topped Yusuke's show for visual oddity) — this seems tame by all comparisons.

Now watch it come with some stupid spandex outfit and a comic book name. John looked all American enough for the part.]

So we need to find the source of the fritz. Some crossed wires somewhere or... [Richie's mouth twists.] Hell, I'm gonna be no help to you here. I know nothing, all this techno-mumbo jumbo got invented after my time. My old phone had a cord and plugged into a jack in the wall. But if you need a second pair of eyes or a hand to hold a flashlight, I'll oblige.

[If John was able to get things up and running again, he'd sleep a little easier tonight. The pods took priority, but there's also the mystery of what happened to their otherworldly leaders. It didn't look like they'd fucked off to take a picnic.]

[impavid]

If you're asking for an exam this is probably not the time.

[ Honestly. Anyway -- ]

Second pair of hands is always useful, though, and a guide. I've not exactly spent a long time on this thing and I'm not a fan of the atmospheric lighting going on right now. At least if I hear you screaming I know to start running.

[ Jokes under pressure, always the best way. ]

[summertimeblues]

All right, when are you free doc? I'm pretty sure all this horror show bullshit is putting polyps in every inch of my rectum.

[Well, they'll be fucked. A guy who can sort of talk to computers and a man who might know the layout well enough to do something about it. Additionally, he needs to still check stasis.

Maybe after a tour — whenever John decides to take his leave. Or maybe he'd get his answers on the way. If the pods popped and he was out here all sweet and vulnerable, perhaps It would come to him first.

An ugly prospect. Richie presses a hand to his forehead.]

Provided you know how to get back to the teleporters. Though if you leave me for monster chow you can bet your ass I'm going to haunt you for three generations.

Let's get going then. I think the Observation Deck might be a good bet, unless you had other ideas.

[impavid]

My certifications lapsed a few years ago now and polyps weren't really covered, you might want to ask someone else. Luckily I'm better with monsters, so you lead the way and let's see what we find.

[ He pulls out his phone and flicks on the light, warily watching their surroundings for signs of the power dipping again.

Any minute now, he thinks, something is going to growl or jumpscare them. He feels it in his bones. He's seen Alien. ]

[summertimeblues]

[Richie laughs. It's a seventy-thirty balance of genuine mirth and brine-sour salt.] You and me both, pal.

[Could likely jot that down on a resume. Monster fighter extraordinaire: I hate doing it but it's the path the world chose for me.

John's got the lights covered while Richie takes up navigation. He misses Eds, good ol' compass-head that he was. Even if Thesa wasn't quite the struggle that Derry's labyrinth of sewer pipes was he can't help yearning for the surety of his presence.

Jump-scare atmospherics demand a certain amount of compliance. Richie cranks down the volume on his chatter to a rough twenty percent, but even whispers seem to echo in the hollowed tin of the ship.]

Remind me again what you did before you came here? I remember something about the armed forces, but if you're counting in computer talk and decking monsters, I'm gonna be a bit suspicious of what Uncle Sam asked of you.

[impavid]

Well, I'll admit the original job description didn't exactly match the day to day. Bad case of scope creep.

[ You know, one minute you're piloting helicopters in job purgatory in Antarctica then the next you're piloting a space ship because you're related to someone distantly and suddenly people want you working for them.

He slows and directs his light up a little as everything shudders and fades again, winces slightly as it all begins to light back up. ]

So, you know, my career ended up a little more rounded than I planned in terms of experience.