❪ 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

[sparsity]

That's why you offered it, right?

[ Isn't that why any anyone offered their hand? Outside of needing to be hauled up or out of somewhere. Which he'd be much smoother at than trying to parse out all the focus on pleasantries while preparing for the next wave. As it is, he can't imagine someone pretty like this wanting contact from his busted self for anything other than what was necessary.

With her hand lowering, he seems to consider the question with a little more breath to spare. ]

Well, I don't really know much about knights. [ Just some weirdo ranting about, wait for it: ] Only that they escort maidens around.

[ Supposedly.

And even though Clair looks like a maiden herself. ]

[cajolery]

[ She looks a little anguished, torn between which of those two assumptions she wants to straighten out, as there's no possible way she can just not correct someone when they're wrong.

In the end, she feels compelled to go with the latter, since yes, she is definitely a maiden herself—and she's a strong maiden who don't need no knight. ]

I... I can see that you are truly ignorant. [ She means that in the nicest way possible, of course!! ] Very well! I shall educate the peasant, as I am able, for he must know that a true knight escorts anyone in need, be they maiden or man! It is our utmost duty to defend the realm and protect those who cannot otherwise protect themselves.

[ There's fire in her eyes as she explains—it's evident that she takes her duty very seriously. Besides, as one of the few female knights in the Brotherhood, she feels particularly strongly about making women's capabilities known. ]

[sparsity]

[ ah "peasant"...

At least it's not rat, so Mikazuki gaze only flattens slightly, given everything else going on. Like the sky above their heads streaking with pods. ]

What I heard was like something from a story. I didn't think anything like that was actually real.

[ It all sounds too pretty to him. Young knights escorting the Maiden of Revolution and such, stars of hope. All it sounded like was someone trying to dress up a terrible situation to make it sound more worthy or profitable. If he had believed any of that, it'd been wrung out of him by, well. Losing his war.

But still, he mellows. ]

Then you've protected a lot of people?

[cajolery]

[ Yeah, his flat expression goes completely over her head. ]

Do you mean to say that you have no knights of your own?

[ The idea makes her pause, an expression of surprise crossing her features before she seems to come to a realization. But of course! His ignorance makes sense now, though that still doesn't explain how... wherever he comes from functions without an order of knights. Why, who else would protect the monarch and defend the people?

He must come from a truly unfortunate place. Why, it's enough for her to feel sorry for him, the poor thing. ]

I should say. Why, only recently did my comrades and I put an end to the mad god Duma before he could wreak chaos and ruin on our land—perhaps even the world, had he gone unchecked.

[ Though... under current circumstances, it seems it was all for naught. ]

[sparsity]

Peasants. [ Yes. ] No knights.

[ At least not like she explains them. Which he's having trouble visualizing anyway thanks to the sheer valor. It honestly sounds like something Gjallarhorn would conjure up and slap pastels and stars on as embellishments, if not for the — honesty? He guesses. Basically how is Clair real, the thread. ]

Whatever we wanted to protect we had to do ourselves. [ Which is cool with him, but in the scope of things, pretty moot right now. ] That's good, though. That you protected something important.

[ Because! ]

Camp will probably need more people like you.

1/2

[cajolery]

[ That gives her more to pause about, the picture of his world forming a little more in her mind. No knights, only common people such as himself to fight for and defend what mattered to them. For Clair, the idea is almost unprecedented. Knighthood and the army have their own ills, but they still create an order—more importantly, they create a world where most people don't have to know the heft of a spear or the terror of a battle.

They get to live perfectly ordinary, peaceful lives. They're not without their own ills either, but Clair was ready to fight for that too.

She wonders if he had to do his own protecting too. The thought weighs heavily on her. ]

Of course, but I daresay our camp will need more people like you as well. [ She smiles, brimming with sincerity. ]

2/2 touching moment ruined

[cajolery]

[ OKAY BUT THIS IS K I L L I N G HER SHE HAS TO SAY SOMETHING, SHE CAN'T PHYSICALLY CONTAIN THIS INSIDE HER BODY ANYMORE— ]

I had not intended to shake your hand earlier, but instead to present it to you to kiss. I understand you are truly ignorant of these manners, but I feel it would behoove you to know how to properly introduce yourself to a lady.

[ Whew. ]

[sparsity]

[ Do you hear the sound of screeching tires somewhere... ]

You wanted a kiss?

[ Just let him get this straight here. Words like "peasant" and "ignorant" can keep pinging off his thick skull because at least he's used to that, but this is a lot more forward than any of the other girls he's dealt with, her former genuineness sort of just getting run over in the understanding process.

His wasn't that kind of mecha anime. ]

[cajolery]

[ Why does he have to... put it like that? It actually throws her off for a second. ]

Ah... indeed. Upon my hand. [ Just so we're clear here. The kissing in on the hand. It's very chaste. ] That is the proper way to greet a lady.

[ She nods her head sharply, as if to affirm it. Look, she's just trying to look out for him... how can he expect to get far in the world if he doesn't know the proper manners? If that's one thing that she's learned, it's that ignorance comes from a lack of education rather than intelligence. Everyone can learn. ]

[sparsity]

[ He just had to trim some words out, that's all. Inelegant but effective. ]

Okay.

[ With the explanation out of the way, what else was there? Mikazuki holds his hand out this time. He's not any less confused about the apparent propriety of this custom he's never run into before, but if he has to learn (and if he wants to get out of here and go back to punching things in an ill-advised fashion) then he might as well. ]

It's not really anything I've heard of before now.