❪ 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

[punshots]

Your job was to just go check the place out?

[ That's...a little vague, but it's not really any of his business, so his question isn't probing. Just curious. ]

Ever go to any really gnarly worlds? Like...a zombie apocalypse, ooor anything like that?

[ ...It sounds kind of cool, okay. ]

[melodiouspacifist]

Yeah, pretty much. Most jobs anyway. Sometimes I was sent into combat, but my specialty is recon.

[It really depended on the whim of his superiors.]

Well, no zombie apocalypse. [Because Disney] But I have been to Halloween town. That's pretty scary, if you're like me and you don't really like scary stuff in the first place.

[He shivers a little.]

It's a creepy world with ghosts and monsters and a skeleton king.

[punshots]

[ Huh. No wonder he was worried about getting distracted by singing merpeople, if all he was supposed to be doing was recon. ]

Hallo-what now? [ The word is completely unfamiliar to him. If it has something to do with scary ghosts and monsters, though, it's gotta be pretty cool.

...He wouldn't want to actually go there, no, but it sounds cool! That's all that matters. ]

Skeleton King? I don't know, that sound seriously badass, dude.

[melodiouspacifist]

[It's more cool to look back on, then to be there, honestly.]

Yeah, he seemed like a good guy, but all they do is play tricks on visitors, and try to scare them!

[He chuckles softly.]

They totally had me. It's like they saw me coming.

[punshots]

You're a pretty jumpy guy, huh? I wouldn't know what that's like.

[ This is 100% untrue. ]

[melodiouspacifist]

[Whoa, Prompto is so cool if he can just stand unafraid in Halloween Town. He earns an admiring glance.]

So lucky. Instead everyone made fun of me.

[To be fair, they were gonna do that anyway.]

Where else have I been...or are you sick of my travel stories already?

[punshots]

[ BOY, DOES HE HAVE DEMYX FOOLED... ]

Hey, if you want to keep going? I'm all ears. [ It's pretty fascinating, but he doesn't want to put too much pressure on him. There's a reason Prompto isn't talking much about his own world, and he doesn't want to make someone else feel obligated to do as much. ]

[melodiouspacifist]

I don't mind, if you're not bored.

[He grins, wow a captive audience. He's surprised, no one has spent this much time listening to his nonsense in a long time.]

Let me think. I've also been to Pride Lands! That's another world where magic happens and you change, so I was running around as a hyena. It's so hot there though, ugh, desert. And a hyena is a pretty hard form to move in. I'm pretty sure I was itchy the whole time.

[punshots]

[ ...He has so many questions about this he's honestly not sure where to even start. ]

Uh...whoa, hang on a sec. You turned into an animal?

[ Yeah, that sounds super uncomfortable and itchy, to boot. ]

[melodiouspacifist]

[Questions are good, it means Prompto is actually listening, which is amazing in and of itself.]

Yeah! Anyone who goes to the Pride Lands turns into an animal, and not always the same one. I have a colleague who becomes a meerkat. I can't make fun of her though, she'll zap me somewhere no man should be zapped.

[Yeah. She's mean.]

[punshots]

[ He's nothing if not a generous listener. ]

I think that's the first time I've ever heard the words "my colleague became a meerkat", but go on.

[ Prompto's already afraid of whoever-she-is. ]

[melodiouspacifist]

[He giggles a little bit, because it's silly, but he nods.]

It's an okay place, great place for a sunrise or a sunset. Kind of hard to run around as a hyena though because most of the animals won't talk to me that way.

[Yes, Prompto, he said talk.]

[punshots]

[ Yeah, he does a mental double-take at that. ]

Whoa - back up. Seriously? The animals could talk? The ones who weren't people in disguise?

[melodiouspacifist]

[Demyx grins brightly.]

Yep, definitely serious. They talked in Atlantica too.

[What horrifying worlds has he been to?]

I don't know why, magic I guess, but yeah, they talk and sing and all of that stuff.

[punshots]

[ He had a hard enough time slaughtering cute animals as it is. Imagine if they talked! ]

That's gotta be exhausting. I mean, do you think they have daily rehearsals so they can all stay in tune or what?

[ Asking the hard-hitting questions over here. ]

[melodiouspacifist]

[Prompto understands the true priorities in life.]

Yes, actually! [He grins, eyes wide.] When you go to Atlantica and swim around, you can come across choir practice! They dance, and sing and play their instruments, that can only work because of magic because that's not how musical instruments work normally. They must be different...

[Hmm, that was a tangent thought, he looked like he was puzzling that out.]

[punshots]

[ No, that is definitely a distracting thought, and Prompto's trying to piece it together himself now. ]

Yeah, like...how can you even play instruments underwater? Or sing, or even talk? The water would totally disrupt the sound waves.

[ So...#magic?? ]

[melodiouspacifist]

[He scratches his head, because really he never thought about this before, but he's seen it! It really happened!]

Well...um...usually you can't. That's weird, right?

[Has to be.]

I mean, has to be tied to the world somehow because I can use my sitar if I need to, but it's not like, well, um, I don't know?

[punshots]

[ So, this is just one of the great mysteries of life. Why are we here, what happens after death, how do sea creatures play the marimba underwater, etc. ]

Huh. And I thought some weird stuff happened in my world. [ ...Not saying that it didn't, but at least things made sense there? Mostly? ]

[melodiouspacifist]

[A great mystery that will likely never be solved.]

Ooh, what kind of weird stuff happens in your world?

[He's interested in worlds he's never been to. Unless he can go there, that would be nice.]

[punshots]

[ ...Ah. It's only fair that Demyx asks that question, given how nosy Prompto's been about his adventures. For a moment, he almost regrets asking, because it's gotten him to this point, but - no, what Demyx had told him had been pretty darn fascinating and for someone who could talk a lot, he's really more of a listener first.

It's only fair that he returns the favor of world-sharing, even if his tone is a muted a shade when he responds. ]

We've got a ton of monsters, for starters. Not the cute kind you catch in video games, either. [ He CERTAINLY doesn't wanna catch 'em all on Eos. ] I'm - I was a monster hunter back there. Sorta.

[melodiouspacifist]

Huh, interesting! [He nods thoughtfully.]

Yeah, we have a lot of monsters too. It's a side-effect from the darkness creeping in and swallowing worlds. [You know, that part that needs to be glossed over, most likely.] I wouldn't say I'm a hunter though, I mean, I can. If I have to.

[His tone is appropriately whiny, as though that was the worst thing they could assign him to do.]

Mostly I did recon. I'm not a fan of fighting. [He waves his hand a little.] But you have sunshine right? Because that's awesome. That's one of the best parts!

[It was okay, Prompto, Demyx was definitely willing to be a talker.]

[punshots]

[ Ah...a darkness that swallows worlds, huh? Gee, isn't that familiar. But Prompto isn't going to dwell on it if Demyx isn't. ]

Uh - yeah! We...did. [ Past tense works well enough here, because Eos is gone and fresh reminder aside, even before The Storm they'd seen less and less daylight. Still, it's captured in his pictures, and that's what they'd been fighting for. To restore the light. ]

You're really into sunshine, huh?

[melodiouspacifist]

[It's a topic not suited for casual conversation, that's all.]

It's one of my favourite things about leaving my world.

[He grins, imagine if Prompto had nothing but darkness in his world for years and years. Wouldn't he want to get out too?]

Honestly, we probably all like that kind of thing except you know, the Superior. Let's see, where else did I go.... [He ponders a moment. His curiosity was satisfied, he doesn't need to make Prompto dwell on his lost world. He understands though, because he dwells on his own lost world.]

The Land of Dragons! That place is pretty cool I guess, but I've never seen a dragon. That's pretty disappointing. It's right in the name!

[punshots]

[ He laughs incredulously. What kind of a tease is that? ]

Seriously? Why even call it that if there aren't any dragons around?

[ To slay, to ride, or to sing and dance with, as may be the case considering what he's heard so far. Dragons in his world were monsters, sure, but that didn't mean they had to everywhere. ]