❪ 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

[verflair]

[ Luna makes it onto the very short list of people who did not question his ears right off the bat. Good for her! ]

But of course! I assume you are among the group that has newly awoken. There is... admittedly a lot to take in.

[ He casts around, looking for a suitable place. There is a small restaurant nearby with outdoor seating. That would probably suffice. ]

[luxoraculi]

[ Poor X'rhun... she doesn't want to think about all those questions he probably has to deal with when people start attempting to point out the obvious. ]

Indeed I am. This is all quite confusing, I must admit, but I am grateful for the experience and for the opportunity to meet and help people here.

[ She's alive, after all. And she's torn between feeling guilty over the death of the star she'd been so hell bent on saving and the odd sensation of being happy about just being alive. It's odd. Her gaze lands where his does and she smiles as she gestures to it and moves to go take a seat. ]

How long have you been awake? If you do not mind me asking, that is.

[verflair]

[ He goes along, pulling a chair out for the lady before he seats himself on the opposite side of the small table. ]

That is the best way to look at it, I think.

[ A silver lining in the face of the terrible tragedy they are all faced with upon first waking up. Granted, things on the planet have been far from ideal for a long time now, and it has sometimes been a struggle to fight the bright side, even for him.

It is refreshing to hear that sentiment from another, and it serves as a much-needed reminder. There is light here, even with the shadow of Ysverai still looming. ]

Oh gods. Ah... ten moons now? It will be a year soon, which frankly surprises even me.

[luxoraculi]

[ She flashes him a bright smile as he pulls her chair out for her. This is not something she is used to these days... ]

Thank you very much. I think... I think that perhaps, it is the only way it should be viewed. What good is it to dwell on things that cannot be changed?

[ That last bit... she really needs to take her own advice because she is so torn. That feeling will fade in time, especially because she knows that everyone else here must be feeling the same loss. But it is an opportunity to pick up her work where she left off at home. There may be no Star Scourge or daemons here, but so long as there is life in her body and energy in her bones, she will do what she can to help where it is needed. Healing injuries, being a shoulder to cry on... whatever is needed of her, she will gladly do.

It is that thought that has whatever lingering negative feelings about the loss of Eos slithering back into the darkness where they belong. ]

Goodness... that is quite some time. What do you think of it all? [ She pauses, hands folding in her lap. ] Ah... forgive me, I do not mean to pry.

[verflair]

You're not prying in the least.

[ This is the purpose of this conversation, after all. X'rhun leans back in his chair, gaze drifting up to the tops of buildings and whatever slivers of the sky he can see as he considers. ]

There are parts of this place that remind me of my home. Not this place, specifically, but the other nations we left behind are very close to Eorzea. Their strife was unfortunate but familiar. Now, I feel we have only been given small pieces of the much bigger picture. The Natha seem well-intentioned but I cannot say what their true motivations are.

We were ignorant of the existence of Nadril until it became necessary to send us here.

[luxoraculi]

[ Her mechanical pup is happy to curl up between them and turn itself into sleep mode for the time being, and Luna can't help it as she leans down to give it one last fond pet as it heads off into the land of robo-dreams. ]

I see. [ That's both concerning and good to know. She looks down into her lap again. She'd been so confused and... she hadn't really thought about the Natha maybe having... bad intentions. ]

That seems a bit suspicious... why would they want to keep something like this in the dark? [ The Natha have their reasons, but it's just... convenient. Too convenient. ] Is it normal for them to keep things like this from everyone...?

[verflair]

[ He hasn’t been happy with the Natha for a long while, what with their policy of “hands off” while the planet below them struggles with war and strife. It bothered him, but he had been able to see where they were coming from, to a point, but now that more pieces of the puzzle are being revealed, he has to wonder just what their aim is. ]

Now that is the question, isn’t it? I suppose we’ve no way of knowing if they are keeping aught else from us. The people here seem to have deliberately broken away from the Natha, which leads me to wonder just what came between them.

[luxoraculi]

[ She can get behind that. She's not so sure that that particular rule is going to be one that she can so easily follow, honestly. She's just got to wait and see how things play out, if there are reasons given for such a rule. ]

Indeed. That is a bit suspicious... they've seemed friendly enough so far, though. Perhaps there are no grudges held? Nothing... long term, at least.

[verflair]

I have my doubts on that front – we have, after all, been sent here in the Natha’s stead. They know this Magda won’t speak to them. However, he is little better than the beings he seems to dislike so much. He’s not the most forthcoming fellow I’ve ever met.

[ He heaves a sigh. ]

We are rather stuck between a rock and a hard place, it seems. I am sorry, this is no doubt not the warmest of welcomes you could receive, but ‘tis the truth of the matter.

[luxoraculi]

Yes, of course. Then let us pray that if there are grudges, there will not be repercussions for us.

[ Because honestly, she's already picturing a full scale battle or some sort, and the way it plays out in her mind is not pretty at all. So she is very, VERY much hoping that everyone can get along and play nice until the Natha decide to allow them to leave. Whenever... that may be. ]

Please, there is no need to apologize. This has been far warmer than you could ever realize... knowledge is power, after all. I am glad to have the information, and I feel both blessed and privileged to have someone so kind relaying it to me.

[verflair]

I would hope not. These people – or their ancestors, as the case may be – were once in our shoes, after all.

[ He does not know how much compassion may yet remain after centuries of mistrust, but hopefully the people of Nadril remember what it was like to awake on the station, with naught but the Natha to rely on. ]

Just as I feel blessed and privileged to share this conversation with someone so kind and understanding. If there is aught else you would like to know, please do not hesitate to ask. I am an open book.

[luxoraculi]

Indeed they were...

[ It's a very strange thing to think about, really. This could be them, too, someday. Maybe. She just hopes that they are able to stay on their good side. ]

Thank you kindly, I am very much in your debt. I would not want to push any more silly questions on you, though I am extremely appreciative for your understanding and willingness to share this information with me, X'rhun.

[verflair]

There is no such thing as a silly question, my dear, especially given the circumstances.

[ He is a teacher, and a kind soul besides. He would answer anything she cared to ask, to the best of his ability. ]

But if I may pose a question of my own, where are you from?

[luxoraculi]

That is very kind of you. You've my eternal gratitude.

[ She thinks she is extremely fortunate here, and he has completely put her at ease. ]

Of course. I hail from the star known as Eos. It is... far different than here, though I'd imagine that most places are. My homeland is Tenebrae.

[verflair]

[ He visibly perks at the word “Eos”, sitting up a bit straighter in his seat. ]

I know of your star. Do you, perhaps, know a young man by the name of Prompto?

[ Prompto is probably a way better point of contact than Ardyn will ever be, so that is where he starts. ]

[luxoraculi]

[ She blinks, before she brightens and nods her head quickly. ]

I do know Prompto. We have known one another for many years, though... as odd as this may sound to you, we've only just met here. But I am very, very glad to have finally met him in person.

[ A long, LONG time in the making, if you ask her. Far too long. She only wishes Pryna were here to join in on that particular reunion, but alas. ]

[verflair]

[ He can’t help but smile. It seems Prompto is a bright spot for people, and he does not doubt it in the least, ray of sunshine that he is. That he is someone familiar probably does wonders for this young lady. ]

I shall be very surprised if he has not mentioned this to you yet, but he was but recently married. His wife comes from mine own world, a student of mine by the name of Alisaie. He is practically family.

[luxoraculi]

[ Luna's own smile is full of nothing but fondness and sheer happiness. She owes Prompto a lot for not only what he did for Pryna, but for her dear king as well. ]

He has, though I've yet to meet his bride. A student of yours... how wonderful! Were you able to attend their wedding, then? I simply cannot wait to meet Miss Alisaie.

[verflair]

I was. 'Twas a lovely event. I'm certain Prompto has at least a hundred photographs he could share.

[ Because, you know, Prompto. ]

A word of advice for you, my dear. Don't call her "miss". She has never been one for formalities, but she is a wonderful girl. Feisty, perhaps to a fault, but very sweet underneath it all.

[ He loves Alisaie as a daughter, and it certainly shows in his smile as he speaks about her. ]

[luxoraculi]

I am positive he does as well, and I cannot wait to see each and every one of them.

[ She's happy for Prompto, and for Alisaie as well. She's still not so sure about all of this, but if something good can come out of it? She's not going to complain. ]

I see. Thank you very much for that advice, then, I will heed it well. I am very much looking forward to finally being able to meet her. I'm sure Noctis must feel the same way. [ She pauses. ] Ah, have you met Noctis yet? He and Prompto are close friends.

[ Read: BESTIES. ]