❪ 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

[politrick]

[This excessive whining— is this what it's like to listen to himself, Merlin wonders. He's been this whiny before.]

Have you ever met a troll? They'd sooner eat that foul-smelling burnt thing you were playing with earlier than do any lifting.

[He's talking about the sleeping bag. That mysterious object.]

[punshots]

Sure I have! [ Though after that boast settles, he adds: ] I mean, in a video game, anyway.

[ So...that counts! Plus he's had plenty of run-ins with other monsters... ]

Maybe I could pay for his labor in the form of foul-smelling burnt things. I'd be the best boss.

[politrick]

In a what? [Of course he has to ask. A what game? Who plays games with trolls?

And of course he has to gently correct, although it's less gentle and more concerned for this boy's apparent super ignorance about magical creatures:] Trolls don't labor. They sleep in piles of manure and eat rotten fruit and only dabble in trickery and- and smelling bad! Don't hire a troll.

[punshots]

[ Nerds like Prompto do. ]

Think they dabble in being easy to trick, too, dude. [ But fine!! He won't hire the completely-hypothetical, nonexistent trolls. ] I'll hire a mage instead. Levitation magic's gotta be pretty cheap, right?

[ EH MERLIN ]

[politrick]

[This boy has clearly never met a troll which means his Troll Opinions don't matter. Sorry, that's the rule. Merlin scoffs.]

You don't know anything about magic, do you?

[listen CHILD]

[punshots]

[ Is Merlin being a troll gatekeeper, because that's fucking rude. ]

Hey, I know plenty about magic! I pick mage class every time.

[ Not true. He also has real-world knowledge, but somehow thinks RPG bullshit is more relevant here. ]

[politrick]

[If Prompto wants to eat horse manure, that's fine?? Just don't do it where Merlin has to see it. That's the whole troll experience, nothing else.]

What are you talking about? There isn't any class.

[He's imagining an actual school.]

[punshots]

[ Now who's the embarrassing one! ]

Uh, yeah, of course there is! Mage, knight, rogue, cleric...these are all pretty standard!

[politrick]

[The one who isn't a big nerd??]

No, that's— you either have magic or you don't. Your job doesn't matter.

[punshots]

It's more than just a job. It's a way of life.

[ These RPG characters really commit to their archetypes! ]

[politrick]

Knights can have magic. [Like, he's never met one, really, but.] It isn't one or the other. Isn't that a bit limiting?

[punshots]

[ He puts up a hand - which is a bad idea, because he nearly fumbles his end of the tent and so he puts his hand right back. ]

I don't make the rules, dude. I just play by them.

[ sony if ur looking for a new slogan ]

[politrick]

[oh my god]

They're stupid, in that case. I'm sorry for you, going along with something like that.

[Genuinely he is, but he's joking around as he says it, along with shooting a helpful magical glance at Prompto's corner of the tent so that it balances itself with minimal actual holding. You're welcome.]

[punshots]

[ Ha, see? He's got this. Tent carrying master. That wasn't nearly as bad of a fumble as he expected! ]

Hey, you know what they say. If it's not broke, don't fix it. That formula's been good for years.

[politrick]

[Ah yes, magic mistakes are already being made. He just does this compulsively. Anyway, since he still thinks Prompto is talking about real people who live in the world:]

Don't you think it's a little limiting? Forcing a person to only be one thing, forever?

[punshots]

Well, I mean, if you really don't like it that much you can just reset. Or play a different game. It's not like it's life or death here.

[ He purses his lips, thoughtful. ]

Not literally, anyway.

[politrick]

Wait, what?

[He doesn't fumble his end of the tent, but he does stop moving to peer around it at Prompto. What the hell, buddy?]

How is it not literal? We're talking about knights and sorcerers—actual people!

[punshots]

[ ...Okay, he'd been assuming Merlin was just bad at video games, but there is a definite disconnect happening somewhere here. ]

Uh, pretty sure we're talking about pixels and artificial intelligence, dude.

[ Or at least he is?? ]

[politrick]

I don't even know what those are. [...So. Magic time? Magic time. He waves a hand at Prompto, to convey--] Let go, take a step back.

[He's doing the same, and lo!! The tent is just hovering in midair. With a gesture he can make it go up and down, rock a bit, spin a little—look, look how this isn't pixels, whatever that is.]

I'm being very literal, as you can see.

[punshots]

[ i can't believe merlin showed prompto in five minutes something it took five seasons to show arthur ]

Whoa - that's pretty sweet, dude! [ He looks moderately impressed! Sure, his best friend summon literal gods, but levitating tents is pretty cool, too.

Though after a moment, a puzzled look crosses his features. ] Hey, if you can do magic, why did you need my help opening the tent?

[politrick]

[stop calling him out at once what the fuck]

Force of habit, I suppose? [He spent months breaking the habit of doing magic for every little thing, he can't just regress now??] It isn't as if my arms have stopped working just because I can do a little magic.

[Logic...]

Now then, what were you talking about? What is a pixel?

[punshots]

Riiight. Gotta keep your arms toned. I can respect that.

[ He's only being slightly sarcastic. Reaching out one hand, he pokes the tent where its floating in midair. ]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess you've never played a video game before.

[politrick]

[Look, he's genuinely less fit than Prompto, so let him live. The tent wobbles, but it isn't going anywhere, despite how Merlin is barely even paying it any mind now. It's fine, this is nothing.]

Not sure what a video is, so no. Is it something like children's make-believe?

[LIKE..... for real though.]

[punshots]

[ That's a deep cut on so many levels. ]

What? No way! Video games are serious. You...fight monsters and find treasure. Gain experience. Level up. It's a great metaphor for life!

[ Especially when you're from a JRPG... ]

[politrick]

[That sounds a lot like children's make-believe and also what the Knights of Camelot do all day, so—the same thing. Even if only some of it makes sense as real things you can do...]

And you play these... games. Really? [ur kinda skinny] What sort of monsters?