❪ introlog: #6 ❫ city of secrets

[natha]

You've spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Now, the time to put all your survival training into practice has arrived: El Nysa needs you, and you're here to help the planet thrive. Are you ready? THE DESCENT     All refugees on the station are called to the hangar, where a large-scale teleporter awaits. Simply step onto the space between the arrays and wait; everyone will be sent down to the planet together. Before they depart, all refugees will be given a cold weather survival kit with warm clothing, rations, and bedding. The arrays build into a brilliant wash of light, creating a column that travels all the way from Thesa Station to the surface of El Nysa, teleporting the refugees to the planet on an aurora. Once on the planet's surface, refugees receive one last message from Darma. It has been a long, perilous year for you, refugees. And yet we must ask you to brave further peril. Within Nadril are the secrets to how poor Ysverai's revival was hidden from our sight and how this disaster has come to our star. Find the first refugee from beyond this planet, a man named Magda. He will not speak to us, for much has come between us, but to you… If you prove yourselves, he may be willing to answer your questions. We beseech you, for there is a veil over Nadril that hides all within from us. There may yet be more untold dangers waiting to befall this planet. For the good of all who make this world home, we ask you to lend us your aid. There is yet one more favor we would ask of you. In warding off the Storm's encroachment, the physical aspect of ourselves that you call Thesa Station was damaged. We must remain to continue repairs to El Nysa and to deal with Ysverai, but there should be suitable technology within Nadril that could be used for spare parts. If you have the chance to find it and can return it to us, it would hasten— Darma's message crackles with static, another image overlaying hers — her broadcast is cut off and replaced with another. A more sullen and alien voice takes Darma’s place, overlapping on itself in an ominous reveal. It has been a long, perilous year for you, refugees. And yet you’ve only just arrived here. To say I’m not disappointed in your… generation would be to lie, and I am nothing if not an honest creature. But I suppose these have been unusual circumstances. You must ask yourself this — are you only here as Darma's lapdogs? I can assure you, it's not worth being on the Natha's leash. With time, that will be something you'll have to learn for yourself. If you're so determined to come find Nadril, then follow the path north, and you'll find the border. What awaits you is revelation, if you're up to the challenge. A FROZEN LAND     The refugees land on a literally frozen world, both in temperature and time. Curls of icy wind hold swirls of snow aloft and an uncanny silence is broken only by the crunch of hoarfrost underfoot. Only Darma's protection allows the refugees to move through this frozen world — and movement is very necessary. Bitter cold sneaks through even the thickest clothing and without warning, a snowstorm rises: unnaturally quickly, a wall of white howls directly in the refugee's path. Bizarrely, the way back is perfectly calm; it's obvious that this storm is no product of nature. Magda's challenge becomes clear: the only way to Nadril lies through this storm. Visibility within the storm is near zero, the whiteout hiding any landmarks from view and making navigation near impossible. The only guidance refugees have is a sporadic path of faint, greenish lights, easily lost in the raging storm. Refugees need all the survival skills they practiced on Thesa Station to survive, for getting lost alone is a death sentence. Luckily, those separated from the group can happen upon guiding lights Magda has planted throughout the tundra. These blue-white sparks cause frostbite if handled recklessly, but they also serve as directional anchors, turning into ghostly flames that lead lost souls back to the path to Nadril. The trek through the storm will be no mean feat and will last for the better part of three days. By the time the refugees reach Nadril's gate, most will find themselves exhausted and running on fumes. As the snowstorm dies away and a gap in the glittering forcefield around the city opens to usher the refugees inside, it's clear that Nadril is a different beast. A WARM(?) WELCOME     I. Despite the unforgiving journey, entering Nadril is painless. Once inside, characters will be greeted by their predecessors: the original refugees who made this advanced city. They'll immediately be offered medical attention, as well as warm cider and blankets. But it's obvious that the Nadril citizens prefer higher tech to fend off the weather: they also offer wristlets and ear cuffs that that double as mittens and earmuffs by creating warm bubbles of air. The earrings also feature a few quality of life programs, such as timed alarms and thought-to-speech messaging. However, both programs are in beta stages so it's not unusual for a stray thought to accidentally slip through or an alarm to accidentally ring at an inopportune time. II. Refugees are offered free lodging in a large, crystalline building crafted from ice. Despite the coarse building material, the ice is unmelting and surprisingly well-insulated, and the beds are as warm and cozy. The rooms are, however, small. The sleeping quarters house two people, and are some cross between an igloo and a capsule hotel. Though built for efficiency over comfort, all rooms are also outfitted with the latest Nadril AI, RoboAlfred, or Ralf for short. This helpful program is installed in practically all the furnishings: the closet tells guests to bundle up, the bathroom sink reminds them to brush their teeth, and the mirror offers helpful fashion tips. Ralf's personality matrix still needs polish, though: it may very well insult your clothes and passively-aggressively question your lifestyle choices for the entire stay. III. Though not as advanced as Thesa Station, the colony has technology far beyond the rest of the continent, such as rudimentary AIs and mechanical transportation. Nadril's skyline is a point of pride — refugees can take a (literal) lightrail that gives an aerial view of the colony, which is hewn almost entirely from ice and rock. Despite its tech, Nadril is much more sparsely populated than Olympia and Wyver, and its residents stay near a central hub: a Natha refugee drop ship, Central, which has crashed and long embedded itself into the earth. Central is similar to an older, smaller, grounded model of Thesa Station, in functional order with round-the-clock solar power. Within Central are lounges similar to ones on the Station, though many of the damaged areas have been converted. They include repair stations, different wings dedicated to science, botany, astrology, and mechanics, and a research and history facility, which has a smattering of technology from planets beyond El Nysa — including your own. The staff here don't mind if anything is sampled and studied, but objects cannot be taken from the labs. IV. On the outskirts of the central hub, many will find several curious looking bots with insect-like wings perched about high traffic walkways. Simply passing the bots will cause a dizzying flash before a series of photos print out. Upon closer inspection, people will find that these images reflect stills taken from their home worlds as they remember it. Unfortunately, these photos only last a couple of hours at best. At that time, they will revert back to regular pictures of the refugees. People will be encouraged to share these images of their worlds. The residents of Nadril comprehend the value of remembering one's origins, and will be pleased to see that people still hold memories of old homes close to them. RECREATION IN NADRIL     I. Small, mechanical creatures scampering through the city are a common sight. Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you that they come from a shop called Paws About Town. They’re very useful, as companions, gophers, and couriers (though the more mischievous will note that they’re just small enough to keep tabs on people without being noticed). Premade robotic pets are available on display inside the shop. They come in all shapes, but small sizes; one may be able to find robots that even look like miniature creatures from their homeworld. These are a part of a new, highly customizable line with programmable personalities. Customers have the chance to take pets for a one-day trial run. Those who don’t know how to program may want to enlist more knowledgeable aid, but the pets come with instructional pamphlets for basic personality traits such as obedience, helpfulness, playfulness, and bloodthirst. For returns, the switch to wipe the robot's personality to a blank slate is on the back of its neck, right between a switch to invert all traits, and a switch to have them learn by observing. Try not to press the wrong switch — you might wind up with a pet with a mind of its own! II. A. The Frosty Tap Cantina is a thriving hub of activity, but one of the major draws is the self-service bar: molecular mixology is wildly popular here. Playing with drink compositions can be a game in and of itself, and newcomers to the cantina will find that the bartender — a cheerful woman with lilac skin and three eyes — is always happy to give them a few tips on how to use the wide array of tools within reach of the barstools. All manner of drinks are possible — from glowing, layered cocktails, to clear drinks with colored, spherical bubbles and vividly-colored shots that give off their own smoke. There's a nightly contest in the cantina for the most creative drink created by a team — this may be as good a time as any to partner up with someone and see what can you come up with. Winner gets all their drinks for the night free! And, hey, even if you don't win, you get to drink whatever you make. The well-lubricated patrons of the bar are eager to challenge anyone nearby to a different sort of drinking game… Just how well can you hold your liquor? B. Holo-screens in the cantina are nearly always broadcasting some match or another of a game that looks very much like hockey, albeit played with sticks that light up and a puck that changes shape from time to time. Colonists here merely refer to the game as "the sport," and one of their favored pastimes is betting. However, they don't use currency — they wager dares. Nadril colonists are a tough, weathered lot, and they prefer to speak with actions over silver. Colonists will urge the refugees to take part as well. Common dares range from the ridiculous (lead a sing-a-long, attempt to make someone with a poker face smile) to the suggestive (kiss the person in the cantina you find most attractive, strip off a piece of clothing), to the outright reckless (venture out into the snow for a certain amount of time, and no one will judge if you find some company to keep warm). The colonists are unfazed by even the most insane or tawdry of dares — but you'll certainly be called a killjoy for refusing too often! Why not grab a friend and give it a whirl, or challenge a rival to a dare yourself? THE MISSION     I. On the outskirts of Nadril is the communications tower of the old refugees. This is where Magda resides, monitoring Nadril's technological protections, the extent of the Natha’s influence, and running his own personal projects for El Nysa’s technological advancement. It is isolated, filled with research labs and relics of the past refugees who have come to El Nysa — a living mausoleum of worlds swallowed up by the Storm whose peoples have refused to forget where they came from. Crew photos line the walls of the tower: pictures of alien families and friends, the refugees who came to Nadril before you. Each group of photos gradually becomes smaller in number, and the most recent of the pictures are from half a century ago. Magda's picture can be found among the first group of refugees, an unusually small cluster of photos dating back centuries in El Nysa's past. I have been on this planet for nearly two centuries. Life has come, evolved, and collided in an ever expanding culture. But Darma fears interference, and made this place a prison, with she our warden, stifling the growth of the creatures native to this world rather than encouraging them to flourish. She sent you here for answers in her stead because she knows I'll spurn her, and after seeing what that fool Raysc has wrought, I'll give you them — not for Darma's sake, but because I trust after all the Natha have done to you, you'll understand my decision. Mistakes were made, and I won't hide them. You've made it here so there's some mettle to you, and unlike the Orbiters, I'm not interested in hiding the secrets of the dangers we face. I gave Raysc what he needed to keep his actions hidden from Darma's eyes — what he needed to advance the primitive magics the Natha had doomed him to. It was old Natha tech, Darma's very own used against her. Hilarious, isn't it? Raysc learned of Nadril, and like you, braved the snow to find his way here. He proved his worth and his determination, and he spoke of a brighter future, El Nysa coming into its own, its people realizing their true potential, unhindered by the shackles that had been put upon them. I believed him. He had vision — or so I thought. In truth, he was a fool. A madman. He wasted the opportunity I gave him on his petty vengeance. But not everyone on this planet is such an idiot. Surely you lot aren't. The Natha are hiding things from us — about the Storm, about everything. And here in Nadril, we're going to find all those secrets. What's it going to be? Will you help us, or are you going to stay obedient dogs on Darma's leash? Magda isn't too talkative yet; after all, the new flock of refugees may just be here as eyes and ears for the Orbiters. But what he has said leaves you with plenty to talk about, and if you can earn his trust by helping out around Nadril, he doubtless has a great deal more to reveal. II. Central isn't the only Natha ship that made its way to El Nysa — another, crashed just outside Nadril's borders, is little more than a junk heap. It's here that you'll find the spare parts Darma asked you to retrieve for Thesa Station. What remains of the ship's hull serves as a windbreak, and snow has built up against it, turning the piles of old Natha tech inside into something of a snowy morass. Holes in the deck offer would-be scavengers passage to the ship's innards, barely illuminated with flickering lights — the tech is old, but hardy enough to withstand a crash landing, the severe weather, and the passage of centuries. Deep in the wreck are the remains of living quarters, research labs, VR arenas, mecha bays, cafeterias, and a host of other rooms, many of which may seem familiar from Thesa Station, albeit with a decidedly older feel to what remains of the smooth curves and sleek surfaces of the Natha architecture. Most of the ship's systems are damaged and the technology is nonfunctional, but that just means there's plenty of spare parts to be found. The wreck isn't in the best shape, its structural integrity damaged, and the drifting snow threatens to block off exit routes. Be careful while exploring and be sure to bring a partner. As it turns out, Darma isn't the only one interested in the wreck — Magda is also eager to get his hands on Natha technology. In his own way of taking some responsibility for Raysc, he's asking scavengers to bring him parts, muttering about seeing what he can do about Ysverai's curse. Bring him anything that looks useful, and he may have a chance to succeed, though whether he'll be more effective than the Natha Orbiters is up for debate... FINAL OOC NOTES     An AC-eligible thread with a new character as a participant for 2 NADRIL REP POINTS may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD HERE BY AUGUST 5TH, 11:59 PM EST. As always, feel free to create your own prompts and explore the Nadril location page! There are a variety of activities made available, including fishing and cave exploration! Please direct questions to the questions thread below! Thank you! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[shikomizue]

[Who to trust is an astute concern to have; it's the answer Takasugi wanted to hear. Newly awakened and established refugees alike are asking that question, a quandary Takasugi has long worked out.

The only one you can trust is yourself.

Looks like this guy's arrived at the right answer pretty quickly.] Heh.

You know what you're doing. [With regards to trust. With regards to the technology so gingerly being separated from the ship.]

Think you can compete on their level? [No matter how much experience one has, this machinery is alien. Takasugi isn't in a rush to underestimate this man, he's more concerned with confidence than skill.]

[jesus_is_gundam]

[There's a lengthy silence before he finally answers.]

...There's been enough fighting here.

i.

[pluspetitpoete]

[The cider is lovely, and he appreciates the blanket very much. Paris winters were never so harsh, and he's happy to have made it here safely.

And even more so to see a familiar face. He scoots closer so their shoulders touch, beaming at her, relieved to be alive and among friends.]

A little mulled wine wouldn't go amiss. Hello, Mademoiselle Blossom. It's good to see you face to face.

cantina

[lednikovyy]

[ Bucky catches Natasha throwing knives on his way back inside after a particularly insidious dare. It's hard to miss her with her hair, but he thinks he would have spotted her anyway for all the skill she handles those knives with.

He goes to the bar first to get a drink so he can warm up and then he heads over to her, waiting until she's thrown them all before speaking. He's not in the mood to get stabbed today. ]

You can do better than that.

[personalwar]

[ 76 really has to wonder what it is about all the kids and teenagers around here who seem so used to fighting. It makes sense that the Natha are waking up people who have combat experience, but what is going on in the universe that so many people are being made to fight so young?

He brushes it off, because ultimately, it's for the best that the young people here are already coming in with the experience that they need. ]

Who were you fighting? [ And why was he using that kind of weapon? Were "Keyblades" normal where this kid came from? ]

[dancerefresher]

....Oh.

[She's quiet for a good long while before she speaks again. But when she does, her voice is very quiet.]

I know that very well.

[impavid]

John feels a flash of satisfaction for a moment as Ianto stands up, because that's what he wanted. Distance.

Still, it only lasts a moment before he feels the unease settle in again. He wants distance but he doesn't want Ianto to actually leave. They're frustrating, conflicting goals. There's some middle ground he needs to aim for. He hesitates before pushing himself up again, sliding to sit at the head of the bed and grip his hands onto the edge of the mattress.

"It'd be easier for both of us," he offers, because it would be. They wouldn't need to work through any of this. Ianto would need to get hurt, John wouldn't need to watch him suffer.

:(

[persistor]

[ That's a little more like it — the smile is a little more genuine now, eyes still bright as she sets both bottles back down on their counter. Her teasing held at bay — only for the time being — as she takes a proper look at their selection.

Unsurprisingly, she barely recognizes half of the alcohol bottles; but if the numbers on them mean anything, they're strong; apparently this particular place doesn't play around when it comes to their drinks. Red straightens out a little, reaching over to grab a glass from the far side and setting it between the two of them.

A flourish of hands at Ocelot, as she turns to look at him again. The veteran can go first, should he wish. ]

[soulmakingsound]

"Found you!" she laughs, grabbing his flesh hand and swinging his arm a little. It's good to see a familiar face here in what is apparently their new-new home. She's settled into her room with Inara, and she's so grateful to have Inara here too. But if Simon won't wake up yet, then at least she can have Bucky.

It doesn't replace Simon, nor does it make it less painful to not have him here, but it's something.

But then she looks up and he's frowning, and she frowns too. "What's the matter."

snowmannnn

[decathlons]

A snowman?

[ he echoes, already approaching her. fact: peter's never seen this much snow in his life, outside of the training simulation. fact: they might be here for serious reasons, but he is still...a teenager. fact: building a snowman does sound fun, actually, and it's not every day a pretty girl asks him to help with that. he actually glances around just to be sure she's talking to him. ]

What, me?

[flask]

[Nott narrows her eyes at the girl, throwing her hands in the air. The rat squeaks in fear and grips on for dear life.]

Of course I know what a machine is! I'm not a child!

[After Hupperdook, there's no way she could not know. And besides, she's an alchemist. Or sort of one. She may not work with machines herself, but she's smarter than she might sometimes seem.]

[ukase]

"Is he among the people in the pods?" He wondered what Venom would do if the guy happened to wake up. He suspected that there was something to Venom having a life here, and was the guy dedicated enough to a man who wouldn't even notice such feelings to give all that up if asked to? "I mean... have you thought about what you would do if he showed up?"

He sighed heavily and reached over to give Venom a teasing poke to the arm. "Does she need a hair cut as much as you do?" It was all in jest, an actual smile on his face to make it clear he was just teasing. "What do you like that isn't Zato?"

unwelcome company

[lednikovyy]

[ Bucky's just innocently leaning on the bar and nursing his drink on the other side of the man trying to give Gamora the drink. He can't quite stop himself from snickering into his drink, though, and it gets the guy's attention.

You have something to say, buddy?

Bucky smirks and holds up his hands in mock-surrender, highlighting the fact that one of them is very much not made of flesh. ]

Oh, no. I think that nice lady can speak for herself.

wildcard! i had to

[krasnaya_vdova]

[The snow hold bad memories, but it also has good ones. Sana isn't here, but there is a face that she recognizes. Sana's favorite Avenger. She'd never actually met him before, but maybe that was a good thing.

She would certainly not have been willing to hurl a snowball at Natasha or Steve. Maybe Tony, depending on how much he'd annoyed her at that point. She has a few premade and she grins, before hurling one at the blond. She's nice, doesn't throw it at his blind side.]

Hey! [So there's a little bit of warning, and Ava's grinning, a little bit playful as the next one drops into her hand.]

[jesus_is_gundam]

[He turns his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder at her. Even if her primary job wasn't combat, she was still part of an army, and probably had seen her share of battlefields. He isn't going to pry further; he knows war is hell, no matter the world.

Instead, he continues walking, allowing the quiet to linger. As they come to the top of a hill, however, he pauses, staring out at the vast expanse of white before them.]

I've never seen this much snow before.

[morbide]

[Bird people??? No... that's ridiculous...

Henry leans in, clearly interested in someone who isn't a taguel, but something called a wolfskin. Those ears, then... Henry HAS to ask now! He points toward them eagerly.]

Then, does that mean the beaststone turns you into a wolf?! Please say yes. That would be the greatest!

[Well, being able to turn into any animal wins a place in Henry's heart, but there's more nostalgia rooted there.]

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas lowers his Keyblade, wondering for a moment how much he should say. It's been a long time since he felt obligated to listen to any of the Organization's rules, and even if that weren't the case, the Organization isn't here; there's no need to stick to the shadows and avoid attracting attention to what he has and can do.

Still, old habits are hard to break. But they're all supposed to be on the same side here, right? And the Keyblade isn't as unique as it was when he was the only one who could wield it.]

They were called the Heartless. Have you ever heard of them? They spread to many worlds, but not everywhere.

[enfeeble]

[ You're giving up way too easily, Rohan?!

(Though All Might suspects that his hair does kind of looks like a bird's nest. But even still, that's no reason for him to end up in a situation like this!!) ]

It certainly has spirit. [ All Might can concede this much.

He sighs, tilting his head up toward the bird and gingerly opening his mouth.

At which point the bird just sticks its entire head into his mouth, choking him. ]

?!

[dreamprotector]

[Nah, he's here to score pats and also to make Friends, if he can! :3

Highwind trills in delight at her touch, pushing his head up against her finger to encourage her. Also, is he maybe starting to sparkle a little the more she pets him? Maaaaaybe.

Meanwhile, his partner-slash-owner has finally noticed the dream bat's disappearance and managed to track him to this particular corner of street, and really. Riku is very amused by the way the Dream Eater is determined to make friends here in the real world, beyond him and Sora. And… he can't help but offer a piece of advice.]

Try tickling him beneath his chin. He likes that a lot, usually.

[versianvirtue]

[If there's ever a sound judgment to make about someone, it's that. Someone else may deem him more gaudy than fashionable, but Asseylum falls with the crowd that finds his ornate fashion statements aesthetically agreeable. His problem was never about how to make it work, but how to work it.]

I think it looks good right there!

wreckage

[lednikovyy]

[ Bucky can feel the give in the floor below him. He's resilient and he's got good reflexes, but if it goes, he knows he's going to get banged up, so every step he takes is already careful. There's no telling if it's warped or actually about to break, but he'd rather assume the worst.

His head snaps up at the sound of her voice. It's confirmation that he should get what he came for and get out. ]

Thanks! You should probably stay where you are. I'm pretty heavy even without another person.

[ Metal arms: not super lightweight. He pockets the little circuit boards he's managed to pull out of the access station and starts to move towards her voice.

His clothes are practical and casual, but his metal left hand is exposed and he's got a not-exactly-inconspicuous gun strapped to his back. ]

[willrevile]

[ They're both nice and toasty now, at least. ]

I'm alright, [ he says while the alien woman behind the bar is near, and he orders whatever the local brew is. No need for more hard liquor, beer is fine. ]

Curious, a little frustrated, a little relieved, but alright. There's a lot to unpack about what's going on, between the powers that be. And us.

The breather's not unappreciated, though.

[insist]

[ Well, that was more forceful than he had expected. It's easy to forget that this bird is a robot and not a real bird that would have enough sense not to shove its head into someone's mouth. ]

Did it misjudge where your mouth is?! Or was it trying to kill you all along? [ This is both shocking to see and also so fascinating. He knows he should do something though, just in case the inside of this man's mouth gets cut by the sharp beak. With the bird preoccupied by ... whatever it's trying to do, this gives Rohan the opportunity to grab hold of its body, yanking it away. With its persistence, it tries to hold onto All Might's head the best that it can, probably scratching up his face a little. ]

That's enough of that! You should be listening to me!

[torchwoodteaboy]

"Don't!" Ianto throws back at the other man, whipping around from where he's paced across the room.

From somewhere within the room the musical tone of the helpful AI sounds and pipes up, A problem is never solved with--

"Oh for god's sake," Ianto exclaims over it, exasperated with both of them, truth be told. But especially with John. "Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said to you the past few months?”

opens ms paint

[willrevile]

You've gotta have a name, [ he's narrating half to himself. It's a wonder he's not a pet person, given how quickly he takes to just going on and on at a dog. ] Even if it's something in space penguin language I have no way of deciphering.

[ La de da. He's of a mind to head to another room, but then Snowball here starts making noises and trying to chew on a console. Jim frowns and makes his way over. ]

Don't hurt your teeth, [ he cautions, in that tone of voice humans use when they're scared of stepping on a cat's tail. He leans in and: ] ... Huh.

[ Side-eyes the space penguin in disguise. ] Good find.