❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART ONE -- the overflow.

[natha]

THE PROLOGUE     Your sleep on the night of the 15th is not a restful one, unfortunately. It’s unclear whether you are in a state of half-wakefulness, or dreaming. The voices you hear certainly sound very real. What is it, Sael? —Is everyone asleep?! Every one, yes. Sael, it appears you do not have good news to deliver...? N-No! I don’t know how it slipped past us, but there’s something powerful coming this way. Something hostile. I can barely keep the core systems online! ... I don't know what to do... I see... and we cannot protect Thesa and Alria in addition to transferring the Refugees to Olympia. This force, they waited for this moment. They knew I have been Intervening, and that I have become weak from such Interventions— ... We've been had. It cannot be helped. To save the Refugees on the Stations, we must eject the awoken unto El Nysa. My remaining energy shall go into shielding Thesa— left defenseless, every being we have saved on this station will perish... Sael, where is the ideal location for the landing? Hmm. There aren’t any people within a ten mile radius of The Outlook, and there shouldn’t be any for a few more days. I think that’s the best location right now. Very well. Instruct Zasere and Roman to begin preparations for an emergency eject. This is the only way we can save everyone. I am counting on you to ward off the enemy on the space front. The rest... is up to our Refugees. The alarms are blaring. It shouts against your eardrums, calling you to wake again. This time, you are in new pod, strapped down completely and cushioned tightly against the walls. In truth, you had no idea when you’d gone to sleep, but it is reminiscent of when you had been saved from the force of the Storm. A voice greets you when you come to, while the conversation between Darma and Sael is still fresh on your mind. Despite their voices playing like an old tune in your memory, you still know it is something that happened. Something has gone terribly wrong. You hear Darma speak, her voice loud in your head. Fellow Refugee, I wake you with regrettable news. A force equal to our own is attempting to engage Thesa, no doubt to steal the souls contained here. My energy is near depleted with this last Intervention, so I cannot send you to the grounds safely as originally intended. However, there is hope yet.This power shall instead shield Thesa and Alria — and believe in me when I swear no one shall be hurt. Your loved ones are safe with us. —Unfortunately, that is at your expense. Your descent will not be an easy one. This pod that contains you shall pierce through El Nysa's atmosphere and land you on an island west of Olympia, simply called The Outlook. Travel east. Find the West Outpost, then continue east until you find the Olympian North Gate. There is a method to this madness. You shall be sent in waves. The inhumanly strong shall be first. The parachute will soften the landing, but I am aware of all your capabilities. The first wave will survive the drop, and will work tirelessly to secure the others. Find your bearings, and ensure the safety of the second wave. They are the healers and medics. Catch their pods, ease their landings, make certain that they shall not be harmed, because you will need them for your wounds. The third wave are your strongmen. They shall help clear the debris and take people to safety, making way for the fourth wave, those can conjure magic to help. Bring everyone to a safe distance. A supply drop will follow soon after; it shall contain tents and tools that will be useful for the long night. The fifth and sixth waves are largely vulnerable humans. With your combined efforts, you shall survive this great misfortune. Forgive us, Refugee. Leave the Moons to us, my promise to you is still in tact— focus on what you can do for others like you. Helping at least two (2) Refugees will earn you one (1) Natha REP. Threads must be AC length to qualify, and can be submitted HERE by JULY 31st. THE DESCENT     FIRST WAVE. The instructions are clear. Those who are a part of the First Wave should be equipped with physical strength and fortitude to survive the drop or the power to regenerate and heal their own wounds. While the pods are already designed to cushion some of the impact, as this is the first group, it will likely to be the most jarring. In all of the waves, some of the pods will malfunction and offer no cushion at all. They will be expected to quickly find their bearings. Their mission isn’t simply just landing, after all. The first wave will be expected to help the next wave, and the wave after that. Whether through their abilities or brute strength, they will be expected to help soften the landing for those who are falling. They will also be expected to pry open hatches, carry people to safety, and to just... survive. It’s not always easy being first. SECOND WAVE. Within the next hour, it’s time for the Second Wave to make their descent. You were selected based upon your aptitude for healing and/or being able to administer first aid. Perhaps you can help the tired and weary. Maybe those who have landed have have strength, but no stamina. Either way, it may be unwise to exhaust all their abilities at once. The night is long, and you may want to conserve their energy for the next waves to come. At least you’ll have help in getting settled. THIRD WAVE. Akin to the First Wave, the Third Wave will possess some durability, and some manner of strength, making you a reliable ally. Especially in a time of crisis... Or so we hope. While the landing is tough, and some of you may need first aid. As soon as you’re all healed up, you’ll have no time to dawdle. Your help is required. “Please help those still trapped in pods. Carry those unconscious to safety. Lift debris, and rescue all you can.” May be a vague message still stuck in the back of your head. Something whispered to you while you were just waking. Well, might as well roll with it. It’s the best shot you have, after all. FOURTH WAVE. Those in the Fourth Wave, as Darma projects, were selected due to the versatility of their abilities. No one expects one man to do the same as the next. Rather, that’s precisely the point: to be different. To be able to accomplish something unique. While one individual may be blessed with powers that assist in putting out fires, another may have the ability to shield those from oncoming debris. Maybe one even has the ability to channel all of these. Regardless, it’s up to you and your quick wits to see what tasks are open. It’ll take some coordination, especially as there are more people mixing into the fray, but, you can do it, can’t you? FIFTH WAVE. If you are in the Fifth Wave it is likely that you have a specific power or ability. One that isn’t easily channeled or called upon. Or, perhaps, you were merely placed here for insurance. Whatever the case if, your expertise will presently be put to the test. Maybe you’re quite proficient in survival skills, and you’re already eyeing the supplies that were dropped between the Fourth Wave and now. Goods all ready to be salvaged. Okay, maybe some can’t, but as they say, “it’s the thought that counts.” Besides, the injured from earlier certainly need a space to rest, and camp isn’t going to make itself. Regardless, maybe you feel more comfortable joining in the efforts to assist those who still require it. Whatever it is, you are sure to find your place and use. Darma obviously held the same faith. FINAL WAVE. The Final Wave is fortunate in a variety of ways. With Thesa Station a bit more stabilized, Darma utilizes the last bit of her powers in insuring that these last remaining pods are met with the softest landing, right beside the fifth, that is. The fragility of life is nothing she is unfamiliar with, after all. Still, that isn’t to say nothing is expected of you. Most of the individuals that have dropped earlier will likely be exhausted. An hour stretched between each one, makes several hours for the first couple of waves. They'll need a place to relax. You will act as the final group of helpers. Settle into whatever role feels best for you. Are you an excellent cook? Great at rationing supplies? Perhaps, you have a secret skill in ______ that might come in handy here? Or, maybe, despite the gentler landing you still managed to get hurt. The sky's the limit, and you got this! Meanwhile, in the distant kingdom of Olympia, the Empress and her loyal subject discuss matters late into the night... I’ll have the results of that dragon toxin study ready for you soon, Your Highness. I just need a few helpers to— oh wow, is that a meteor shower? Oh yes, it appears so. How beautiful.. hehe. Let us thank Thesa for this blessing. GATHER YOUR BEARINGS     All in all, the descent lasts for nearly seven hours. After the deployment of the last wave of refugees, it’s only natural that you may be feeling pretty worn out. A. Within the remains of the pods, Refugees will find basic camping supplies such as small tents, sleeping bags, and compasses. Not all of the supplies remain intact, thanks to the impact of the crash. But, sharing resources will ensure there is enough for everyone to rest for the night. Can you really in good conscience leave that stranger next to you without shelter? B. Although you may be tired after such a life-threatening ordeal, there is still work to be done to ensure your survival. Fortunately, it works out because now there are plenty of empty hands. There are stray debris and metal parts that should be collected and disposed of. There's firewood that needs to be collected, and campfires to upkeep. The nights in the Outlook are particularly chilly, and so it will be imperative to keep warm! C. Your clothes are tattered or too bloodied to sleep on with comfortably. Fortunately, Darma thought ahead. There will be various types of clothing provided, mostly robes that resemble her own in earthy tones, all to help them camouflage you for your next big adventure. FINAL OOC NOTE     This INTRO event will be broken up into three parts! Please keep this in mind when plotting your threads/tag load. PART 3 Will be up on JULY 22ND, at 6 PM EST. We will not provide an additional CAPTCHA for this overflow. Players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals in the event this overflow gets close to CAPTCHA. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. The NETWORK is currently down, as Sael must concentrate all of his efforts on warding off the invading force. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. Submit two (2) AC-eligible threads from this log for one (1) Natha Orbiter REP point here by JULY 31ST. Recommended Listening: Alex & TOKYO Rose PART ONE | PART ONE (overflow) | PART TWO | PART THREE QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

Zevran

[agradecido]

{ Toplevel! OTA. }

> Dylas

[agradecido]

I would venture that what you were trying to say and what you said were completely different things--Oof!

[He manages to block the dirt clod easily, but the dry thing explodes on contact with his hand and he has to brush the dust off his cheek and nose. He laughs.]

Now who's playing dirty?

[sullenstallion]

You are! You're the one who's playing dirty! There's probably not a clean thought in that damn empty head of yours.

[He's so repressed that any sort of impure thought would drive him bonkers. He lives a pretty tough life for a horse.]

That's right. I was trying to say something else. And around you, I'm never starting a conversation again.

[He huffs. Take that, pervert.]

[agradecido]

You'd be surprised at the things that are in my head, I think. Still, as the ice is quite thoroughly broken, what were you trying to say, before I so rudely derailed the conversation?

[It's hard to tell if he's being serious or not.]

[sullenstallion]

Hah. I don't want to know. But you're right, it's about time we got back to that.

[But.

Try as he might, Dylas can't remember what he was trying to say. His face still feels warm and he's trying to forget that he was led into a conversation about blowjobs at his own expense. This is humiliating!]

...I can't remember. I mean, who would remember?! No one would remember after that!

> Keyleth

[agradecido]

I think everyone is, at that. Still, if everything went according to her plan--this, this Darma being--I believe they should be just fine. We just have to trust that it did.

[He's not sure that he can, though. Of course, much as he's appreciative that there are others here from home, he's not as anxious as she seems over it. It's like she's thinking of people in particular.

THAT would be too prying a question though, so he leaves it be.]

[zephrah]

I guess that's all we can do.

[ Keyleth can do a lot with magic, but she can't fly that high and survive it. ]

Is there anyone from your home awake?

> Gaelio

[agradecido]

[It's too cold to fall asleep sitting up, no matter how much his body seems to want to. An espresso would be wonderful about now, so it's a good thing he isn't thinking about that so much as everything that happened and the amazement that they all survived.

The bottle taps against the metal scales and he looks up, taking in Gaelio and the bottle he's holding, and Zevran reaches up to take it.]

Many thanks.

[There's the recently-learned crackle of a plastic cap separating from its ring--sterile. Good. Nothing personal--he doesn't expect a stranger to randomly poison him, but it's an old habit to mind what he's given by strangers. He takes a drink and licks his dry lips as he looks over the tents surrounding them.]

We didn't do too poorly, I think.

[kimaris]

[ That's fine..... there are people here who would poison others, though maybe not for nothing. Gaelio's salt about that isn't unreasonable, at least. ]

For now. We've been at their whims up until this point, so we'll have to figure out the rest.

[ Gaelio's following his gaze. Pods, tents going up, people looking around for each other, or for supplies. It's chaotic, but that's to be expected. ]

What's your name?

> Loz

[agradecido]

He always appreciates seeing the sights, as it were. Zevran chuckles at the accusation; it's not even off base at all, which makes it funnier. Call it a character trait, or maybe a flaw. Whichever it is, he embraces it wholeheartedly.

Well now, this is a surprise! He pauses as well, glancing up at the sudden recognition of the name. By the time Loz faces him fully, he's smiling, genuine and full. He remembers that conversation warmly, even if it brought a pang of homesickness at the time. So this is who he was talking to at the time. "So we finally meet face to face!" he exclaims. And here they were, stranded on the coast, with an ocean at their backs and nowhere to go but further east.

"Looks like you're going to get to see the ocean catch the light after all."

[silverhound]

Talk about a coincidence. Loz honestly didn't expect to meet anyone off the Network like this but he's happy nonetheless. Although, he should've realized whom he was speaking with by just the name alone. Unlike him, Zevran didn't use a fancy alias for his 'username' online. Which is ironic since the elf considers himself to be an 'assassin for hire' but that's neither here or there. Loz honestly forgotten the man's name but remembered everything he written about Antiva.

"Seems that way." He says with a dumb ol' grin. Loz is honestly feeling a tad better about everything now. All the doubts and all the fear vanished pretty quickly once he realizes everything is going to be just fine. "The world I'm from lacks all this." He gestures to all the colorful plants and creatures. "It's nothing like this. Most of the world is barren. The outskirts of Midgar look like a desert." Loz explains as he walks alongside Zevran.

"That's where Edge is, the city that Shinra is building. That's the old company that owns everything." A slight frown settles on his face when he mentions about that company. Loz honestly hates Shinra, not only because they hid "Mother" from them but because of everything else. He has the memories, he knows what transpired.

> Dutch

[agradecido]

[There's a power in letting people underestimate you; it's certainly been one of his own greatest assets. It kept his own former masters complacent for years--until it was too late. That's the problem with people who think they have all of the control.

He glances around as if searching for something or someone, and continues.]

I believe someone here was carrying some sort of stringed instrument around, though I know neither where they went nor what it was called.

[Eh, he gives up. That guy's nowhere to be seen and he's not searching forever. He looks back at her.]

Would you like ghost stories specifically, or would any bone-chilling tale of horror do?

[motivation]

[ music would have been nice — but at the same time, when he mentions a stringed instrument, dutch's mind goes to the instrument that was given to her by khlyen for the night of her wedding, to play for the prince she would marry, the man who would free her from the harem she'd been in and khlyen's tutelage.

the instrument khlyen had given her was a murder weapon. perhaps it's a good thing the guy with the stringed instrument is nowhere to be seen. ]

Well, if you think you can scare me - [ her lips curl. ] By all means. Any tale of horror will do, if it's good.

outlook B

[rhygret]

Wha, wh-who? Me?

[ Rhys is not the typical choice back home when it comes to someone needing help with physical labour. Or labour of any kind of outdoor variety. It would be insulting but it's...for a good reason. Rhys hadn't ever had to resort to "roughing" it on an alien planet before Pandora. He'd never been camping or pitched a tent that wasn't virtual. He's never even had marshmallows that weren't cooked over an artificial flame and part of something expensive.

So being called upon had him reflexively checking behind himself to see if Zevran is trying to get someone else's attention and he's just in the way. ]

[agradecido]

Perhaps? Or perhaps I meant the other very tall man with the glowing eye behind you.

[That was sarcasm, Rhys.]

[rhygret]

Ha, ha. [ Rhys is also rather fond of sarcasm! They are off to a great start :D ]

What do you want? Like a screwdriver or something?

[ He crosses his arms over his chest in a vaguely defensive way as he stands up a bit straigter. It's nothing against Zevran though:

Rhys is actually just cold and doesn't want to show it. ]

> Abelas

[agradecido]

(from here)

[He can't help it, the small smirk that plays at the edge of his lips. It's all because of that incredulous tone. Waving off the disbelief, he lowers his voice.]

I know. Still, I truly meant it when I said it was miraculous. It was not a reshaping, but mending; almost like things healed themselves at his will, like living flesh. The most astonishing thing I've seen.

[And that list included a planet from the vantage point of a moon and all the rest of the impossible skills other people showed off when they were setting up camp.]

[getoutofmytemple]

[Had this conversation been earlier in the day, that smirk would have no doubt annoyed him, however he was too exhausted now to put for the energy into caring. Let the other find his little amusement in the fact that he still expects you little shemlen to have some standards.]

Then you are easily amused. [A curious skill certainly, but not one worthy of such awe and amazement in comparison to the magic he had seen in his day.] But you have my thanks regardless.

[See? Civility. He is actually capable of it.]

> Jace

[agradecido]

[It's a miracle the fabric survived intact. This is roughly the tenth tent he's helped set up
unless he's lost count somewhere. It's possible.]

We have everything, I've checked. First, we start with the supports; that one there, this one here--

[And he picks up one of the poles, proceeding to slip it through the fabric track. He'll talk his way through the entire procedure, if Jace needs it.]

[wayward]

[ Jace might need it, but he doesn't admit to it. He mimics the approach he's shown, following Zevran's lead, aligning the supports where directed. It's clumsy. Valentine had exposed Jace to many different kinds of survival, but camping out in the open hadn't been among them. ]

How do you know how to do this?

[ Zevran is very clearly not a mundane, but he doesn't act like any of the Seelie Jace has ever known. It leaves him in a strange place as he connects the supports, studying Zevran and trying to identify him. Like many others, he's just familiar enough to remind Jace of a particular type of Downworlder while not fitting into the category at all. ]

It seems like you're at home already.

[ Jace is only mildly envious of that capability. ]

> Mantis

[agradecido]

(from here)

I find myself with the powerful need to make myself useful.

[And he's certainly given it the old college try. Stakes aren't the only thing he's made tonight, or repaired. He's been steadily busy for several hours. It keeps him from thinking too hard about things.]

[uglybug]

Oh, yes. [She offers him a hesitant little smile as she settles her hands back into her lap.] I know that feeling.

> You

[agradecido]

(from here)

[It doesn't seem like a pot big enough to feed almost two hundred people, but she seems young. There are other people here that can also (presumably) cook. Still, it's sweet of her to offer.

In the end, he accepts the bowl graciously.]

I thank you, kind lady. Your heart is bigger than you know.

[~Flattery.~ It's his native tongue. He has a seat on a heavy log behind her, keeping a watchful eye on the gathering crowd as he eats.]

[ayes]

[And the flattery works perfectly. You beams at him, her cheeks turning a little pink as she blushes, trying to wave the compliment off.] Who, me? No, no, I'm sure that anyone else would be doing the same! I can't really help with a lot of the other stuff, so cooking is the least I can do. I hope you enjoy it! [She says, and as he moves on, she keeps cooking and serving newcomers. What a nice man, she thinks.]

Campsite - B

[juniberries]

[Allura prides herself in having been taught more practical ways of the field. She's a Princess, after all, not some helpless noble who doesn't know what she's doing. Unfortunately, there are certain means of survival that are foreign to her, be it unfamiliarity of the more...primitive technology or otherwise.

In short: As Zevran turns towards her to ask for a tool, Allura is sitting on her knees struggling to set up a lump of a tent. She looks up, a bit flustered, white hair out of place in a normally well-kept bun.]

What was that? Were you addressing me?