nysalogs | ❪ event ❫ what is the storm

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❪ event ❫ what is the storm—?

What is the storm —?

The sky is falling. The moon draws closer, visibly now. Whether you've found out from Nurray, or somewhere else, everyone now knows that in about a week, Thesa will collide with El Nysa. However, not all is lost - Nurray has a plan. Old technology is being powered by the storm somehow, giving the developers in Nadril the means they need to create a device capable of jumping back into the past. The device can only transport to one singular point in time per activation, but passing through is a better chance for safety than remaining. As long as you're in Nadril you'll make it, which is why she'll urge everyone to try to get all their business done and travel back north.

At first, it was a mere atmospheric pressure drop. Headaches, a sense of dread in the gut, and a chill that would not be quelled drifted over all of El Nysa's inhabitants. And then the days grew shorter. By hours at a time, until there was nothing left but night. Still lit with stars, people turned to Thesa, to their scholars, to their shamans for answers. None came, only exploding lights in the sky. One by one, stars began to burst, like the grimmest of fireworks. For one dreadful night, the sky was alight once more with the death of the surrounding galaxy as thousands of stars extinguished in a blaze.

And then came the lightning, low hanging clouds and whipping wind that howls at all hours. It brings with it calamity, beasts and fog and a reality shattering effect that progresses ever closer. Against these unstoppable odds, the people of Nysa are finally united - desperate, and determined to preserve their homeland.

IN WYVER

The life that imbues the jungle town has gone still. Animals do not seek shelter - they simply lay forlorn, lethargic and unresponsive to even their dearest handlers. The wild creatures are no different, with predator and prey supping from the same stream, seemingly resigned. Once vibrant plant life droops, blotted into obscurity by the darkness that surrounds. Only the people of this great kingdom remain lively, though their actions are fueled by desperation, than valor.

A rally cry rings out over Wyver, even to Olympia, begging anyone who is able to fight. Beasts no one has ever seen before have begun to attack, roaming the city and the lands surrounding as if it is their hunting ground. These creatures are cobbled together from the many worlds the storm has consumed - perhaps your own included. They could bear familiar technology, animal features, or even a loved one's visage. No matter their composition, they are always amalgamous, and always crazed.

The valiant warriors fighting these creatures have more to worry about than just the monsters. Their own bodies may become entangled and fused - an effect that only wears off when one retreats from the storm's epicenter. Specters also drift through the onslaught, oddly peaceful compared to the frenzy surrounding. They are wholly composed people, memories from planets devoured. Someone you know, perhaps, stuck in a loop - the same five minutes - for hours before fading away. They cannot be killed, doing so will simply reset the loop; they will vanish on their own, as mysteriously as they came.

I. THE FRONTLINES

Wyver might not be able to fully understand exactly what is happening, but they've already assigned a task force to combat these apparitions that have begun plaguing the jungle Kingdom. But the Storm is sentient; it has always gathered what it's known of the habitants of the universes the Storm has swallowed. And as it begins to unravel El Nysa, it will begin to learn of your time here — yes, it knows that you are trying to stop the Storm from happening, somehow. It knows you're looking to fight you way back north, and it simply cannot let that happen. After all, El Nysa is an anomaly created by Darma. All of its inhabitants, organisms, and even existence were not supposed to be.

The apparitions start off monstrous at first, taking forms of ghostly bestiaries. Your weapons won't do much to get rid of them — they will disappear, but only temporarily, until they come back. Each time, more evolved than the last — until it's able to take on the form of someone who has left you, someone who has returned to the stasis chambers in Thesa, awaiting to be devoured by the Storm.

Your partner will likely be doing the same, haunted by images of their loved ones of the past — and there is a possibility that as you fight along with your partner, that these apparitions will combine into ghastly, wretched creatures, serving no other purpose than to spook you into submission. They will fight you, embrace you, and seduce you into staying. "Let the Storm take care of this," they'd stay — "You've got it all wrong. You and that Witch had it all so, so wrong."

Will you make it out of Wyver, or will you let the Storm take you?

IN OLYMPIA

All of Olympia is awash in fog. It creeps in around each and every corner, so thick it is almost difficult to breathe, and even more difficult to see. You can hear the panicked citizens all around you, although through the fog, their shapes are indistinct and almost menacing. A family fleeing from something might look like a quick-moving, multi-headed monster, or perhaps a lone man hauling his belongings to safety on his back might appear to be an imposing creature with wicked claws. And then, of course, there are the figures that look achingly familiar to you, like someone you've lost or care for deeply… but then, when you catch up to them, they vanish, only to call out for you from somewhere further in the city.

Tread carefully — with your impaired vision, it would be all too easy to inadvertently wind up injured. Of course, this isn't solely due to the hazards obscured by the mist, although that is certainly part of it. The fog has a quality to it that serves to amplify the desires and lower the inhibitions of everyone exposed to it.

II. SILENT HILL

Similarly, Olympia isn't properly equipped to deal with a crisis like this. Wars, they are certainly accustomed to — but when their very own land is indiscriminately being torn apart by alien forces, it is uncertain to know for sure what they can do. Word from Nadril is that the inhabitants up north has opened its gates for everyone to enter — this is news to Olympia, but they do not hesitate to migrate to the chilly gates regardless.

The first obstacle, of course, is to find a way out of Olympia. The fog is debilitating, but you may not immediately notice it. It starts small. A spark of annoyance at getting cut off by someone you barely saw coming might twist itseful up in you until it becomes unbridled rage. Simple fear becomes indescribable terror, and of course, people are at their worst when they are acting on fear. If what you want is an escape, you may find yourself willing and able to do things you simply could not fathom in order to get out of there. If what you want is riches… well, there is plenty of wealth ripe for the taking, should you simply ambush someone fleeing or break into their homes. The longer you spend in the fog, the more difficult it will become to fight back these urges.

If the fear doesn't completely paralyze you, you may find that there is a rather unconventional yet risky way of alleviating this ailment -- which might require someone you trust. The thing is, upon holding someone, all of your fears will be transferred unto that person. It will then be your duty, then, to escort them out of the fog before your fears start to completely deteriorate your ally's psyche. Move quickly, or you may both be crumbled by the weight of this Storm and its fog.

IN NADRIL

The journey north is treacherous, but not without its own rewards. Nadril is marked by a storm that is raging at the territory's edge, as if the forces of nature are attempting to do away with the border itself. Strangely, the storm seems to be stopped by the borders — electricity crackles in midair as snow and ice whip about, disintegrating when they touch what seems to be an invisible dome sheltering the area.

Inside, the weather is even stranger. The iced-over lakes have begun to thaw, and it is warmer and brighter than anyone here can recall it ever being — almost as if it is summer near the Olympia-Wyver border, not the dead of winter near the northernmost part of the isles. There is an almost palpable level of unease as those who live here full-time attempt to adapt to their new climate.

Everyone is working, however. At the center of Nadril is what they all hope will be a solution to their problems: they claim it is a time machine, and that they have tested it through simulations and believe that it can, and will, work. They are already using it to help combat the storm at the borders — at times it does manage to penetrate the dome, but when it does, engineers turn back the clock an hour at a time to so that they can divert power to the parts of the shield that they know will need reinforcement. Be careful when this happens — it would be very easy to run into your own double in such a circumstance, and that could be… awkward, until enough time passes to bring you back to the "present" and you merge once more, taking on the memories of everything that you and your double (or triple, or quadruple) have experienced.

Operating such a machine will take manpower, which the people of Nadril are prepared to provide. However, the undertakings they will require in the past — waking the gods, who they believe can provide protection from the Storm if you can convince them — will require all of you. Relying on a single person to change history is untenable. Only by working together will you be able to make the jump to the past and secure your future.

III. INCEPTION

Most importantly, there will need to be volunteers to undergo stasis. Pods that were similar to those in Thesa can be found all over the city center, beckoning people to sleep now, and hopefully wake to better tomorrow. But just as the Storm benefits some technology, it negatively affects others — but this is to do with the mind more than technology itself. For one, those undergoing stasis will find themselves dreaming of a better time in their lives — be it their homeworld or some other happy memory of theirs. The Storm magnifies this dream — everyone within a certain radius will find themselves entering the dream, despite being wide awake.

Inside this dream, you will know instantly that something is awry. The events of reality, of the awoken, are beginning to seep into the sleeping person's dream. The lines between dream and reality become blurred, and you've been tasked to ensure that they remain asleep. That means that you must guide them into believing that nothing is awry with their happier memories, that they are not dreaming, and guide them through it. Ensure that the nightmares of reality be kept at bay, and that they may sleep through it all.

The Ark of the Woken

The Ark of the Woken awaits, its chambers an imposing majesty of their own. Compared to the sleek design of Thesa, the Ark is a cobbled together patchwork of technology. But even with its exposed wires and manual input systems, Nurray promises it will get the job done. That is, once the pods have been brought to it from Thesa. The targets are Thesans who have previously awoken, however, no one has time to actually inventory the sleeping ones brought to this hamlet. If you choose to bring someone else, you'll probably get away with it.

The procedure is harrowing - severing the pods from Thesa runs the risk of interrupting the life support system inside. To compensate, there is a small device that can be hardwired into a port on the back of the pod. It's fragile, and the function it provides only lasts twenty minutes. You have that time to move the pod to a small ship, and pilot it planetside yourself. Nurray suggests traveling in pairs - the Natha duo pilot ships are faster, and more reliable. However, they rely on a neurolink between pilots. If one is not focused, the ship may begin to malfunction. While navigating through rough turbulence, each pilot will be able to feel the others emotions, and hear whispers of their thoughts.

All while the storm clouds around them play glimpses into their memories. Snippets, only seconds long, from the perspective of the pilot, provide easy distraction. Stay on task, and make your landing safely - your lives and others are depending on it.

A Simpler Time

Your seven days is up. You have (mostly) achieved all your tasks, and you are now waiting. Those harrowing last hour may stay with you forever — while your peers tirelessly secure the time machine's effectiveness, you watch as Thesa draws closer. It's closer to you than you've ever seen it, more menacing than you realize as it threatens the lives of everyone you ever cared for. Alria, the lesser known moon, is first pulled toward Thesa, crushing a side of it. You may witness debris spilling into space and dissipate into the atmosphere.

You might think, perhaps, that those were bodies of some you were told not to bring to the Ark.

But you're assured many times that that won't matter, that this can be fixed if you simply wait and watch. The time machine will work.

It's into the final minute, and time seems to stop — yet, you feel your breath catch as Thesa penetrates the atmosphere. You can no longer breathe, and gravity loses all its bearings on the laws of physics. As you float into the air, you're wondering if the light that engulfs you is an explosion — you might wonder if it could be death. At the very least, you are among people you've known on this planet. It isn't as though you were never meant to survive the first Storm.

Simply close your eyes, and the Storm run its course.

In the distance, you hear a muted voice.

What is the Storm,
But an attempt to cleanse the world —
Of its anomalies?
Open your eyes, Traveler,
Where are you now?

FINAL OOC NOTES

Welcome to El Nysa, Year XXX. Due to the time warping of the Storm, this event will not strictly follow the 1:1 ratio. Additional information about this world will be revealed early next month! For now, play at your pace. RNG for NPC threads will announced later tonight!

RECOMMENDED LISTENING: Live Forever

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[Her left hand sprays the golden mist over her to make sure she's fully recovered, her biotech going to work until Allura is fully healed. She can't afford to lose this one. Not if she wants to be sure she gets samples of her in the future. Besides, the girl amuses her.]

They will continue to play their tricks. What matters is that we continue to move forward.

[If only meta text could talk.

Allura gives Moira a grateful nod, taking in a deep breath as she can feel her wounds knitting shut. She wasn’t critically injured, but the fight had been going on long enough to pick up damage here and there. ]

Are you heading north? [It’s a long way from here to Nadril.] I have been trying to keep the streets clear for others, but I am beginning to fear it won’t be long before we are overwhelmed.

[Shifting the large bag on her shoulder, she nods.]

There is little point in trying to clear the streets at this point. You would be better off finding someone and guiding them through instead. These creatures come in endless waves and the faces they show will only get more personal the longer you stay to fight them.

[She turns to start walking.]

I know you want to save others but that would best be done while continuing to move rather than staying in one place. We have a better chance of keeping our own energy up if we are not cornered.

I- [There's nearly a stubborn refusal, her headstrong nature demanding she not give up but-

There's a hesitation, and then she sighs,] You're right.

[As Moira turns to go, Allura takes a moment to collect her helmet and bayard — both knocked from her during the fight with the amalgamation, before jogging to catch up to Moira's side. Her rational side knew that this was a hopeless battle, and much of her energy was being wasted on enemies that would only be reappearing. And with such a long journey ahead, it was much too early to get winded now.]

I have escorted a few people out of the city already, but it is hard to just let these creatures destroy these people's homes like this.

[Moira knows her ways can seem so cold but in reality they're just endlessly practical. Her logic is so rational that it can be difficult for others to comprehend or wrap their minds around. But she's willing to let them believe what they will. She's ready to be the last one still standing when all others have killed themselves in foolish ways by following their hearts rather than their minds.]

You should put that helmet on. At the very least it will offer more protection should we become cornered again.

[Her Biotic Grasp is at full charge so she's sure she can get them out of that kind of a situation rather easily. But, she'll see what happens. One never knows until a crisis happens, after all.]

Right.

[The helmet goes back on without a fuss, and Allura keeps her bayard tightly gripped in her hand, vowing to not be caught of guard again. She wouldn't regret following her heart — she didn't really know any other way to be, as deeply reactionary as she is. And if she gets hurt for the greater good? So be it.

Meta aside, Allura is matching Moira's pace at her side, and finally she gets a look at her, appraising the satchel slung over her shoulder.]

…Are those belongings? You are going to have a long journey ahead of you if you plan on carrying them all the way to Nadril.

Something precious which must be carried with me.

[Moira fully plans to handle the weight of it to carry it all the way to Nadril. Even through everything she's endured so far. She won't be stopping now.]

If you are concerned about me slowing you down because of my satchel then you are welcome to go on your own.

It is not my progress that I’m worried about. I’m concerned about you.

[She’s not so selfish to abandon Moira now, especially after the other woman just saved her. After all, if Allura was only concerned about her own ability to get to Nadril, she wouldn’t still be in Wyver.]

But if it is precious to you- I can help carry it, if you need a break.

I'm fine. My satchel is not that heavy. Besides, if something should happen the contents will require my immediate attention. You are more likely to just be injured.

[While it might seem like stubbornness there is an underlying edge that says that she knows what she's talking about. That she's being stubborn because she knows this is something only she can accomplish. For whatever reason.]

You have my gratitude but I will be fine. I've already run all this way. I need only continue on to Nadril.

If you insist.

[There's a sound like Allura is going to continue on with that train of thought, but she stops short as movement catches out of the corner of her eyes — another abomination, coming from their left side.

Already, Allura's bayard is out, blue-white light snapping into existence in the form of a long whip, as she takes a step between Moira and the creature. It's her turn to pay her back for saving her earlier,]

Watch out!

[Moira watches Allura step between them and lifts a brow. She has no doubts that the girl can fight but she certainly isn't used to people stepping in to save her. For very good reasons obviously.

She watches a moment longer before sending a golden orb to bounce around so they can be healed as they move before she simply fades away to appear behind the creature. Reaching out with her right hand, she starts to draw the life from it into herself.]

Finish it quickly. We need to keep moving.

[Stepping in to help is just second nature at this point, and Allura nods as Moira also moves into action.

It doesn’t take too much to dispatch the creature, she dodges to the side when it lunges forward, ever wary to keep her distance between them at this point, and a crack of her whip sends the beam of light slicing through the thing as easily as if it was a blade, causing the bisected halves of the creature to dissolve into smoke.

Once dispatched,] What do you think these creatures are?

[Obviously some manifestation of the storm, but they seemed neither ghost nore entirely flesh and blood either.]

Without a lab to test samples of them I cannot say for certain. While I would prefer that time to study them, it would appear this storm has little interest in the beauty of science.

[Unfortunate really. She would love to have the chance to study these creatures and how they can dig into the mind to pull out these faces. It's an amazing sight to behold to put things mildly.]

I will have to simply appreciate that they are easy enough to kill as long as one isn't cornered.

[Any good Altean can appreciate the desire for science even in times like this, but the fighter in Allura very much appreciates the last sentiment, and there's not much for Allura to offer her other than a nod,]

I have a feeling that these creatures may have more to do with magic than anything that can be easily tested.

[Then again, magic and science can very much be two parts of the same coin.]

We should keep moving.

There is always something to be tested.

[Patting her bag, she gives a nod then.]

Let us continue. There is little point in us lingering here.

[Taking off again, she makes sure to keep pace with Allura. It's easier to travel with someone with more combat abilities than herself. She's aware of this.]

We still have a fair distance to go yet.

[Moira would do the Alteans proud (maybe)

Allura nods, picking up the pace as much as she can without winding either she or Moira. It’s a long way to go.]

My home is nearby. I need to pause and grab a few items from there. You are not obligating to stay with me if you wish to make better time up to Nadril.

[She could leave her but she knows it will be easier if she has someone to travel with. She can fight but that isn't her skill set. No, she's a scientist. So...]

Lead the way. It will be easier if you have someone to keep you healed during these battles.

[It's the rational choice here.]

[Allura nods, quietly grateful that she's not being left. She would not blame Moira but Allura has always felt that her strength comes most from when she's with others — they help give her direction and focus. (And the healing is a plus as well.)

It doesn't take long for them to travel to the outskirts of Wyver, between skirting through the enemies and the two of them easily vanquishing the ones they can't bypass, and Moira might be surprised to find that her house comes in the form of a large tree-house. It looks a little grown-over, as the structure is difficult to see beyond the foliage, but looks to be well cared for. And Allura looks up at it fondly.

(It's a far cry from the castle ship, but it's home. Has been for a long time.]

I am afraid this will be gone the next time we return.

[If we return goes without saying.]

[Moira notes the tree house but doesn't actually question it. This place is so covered in plant life that she can't say a tree house really surprises her anymore. Not that it would in the first place honestly.

Looking up at it though, she does take a moment to observe it as her bag shifts at her side. Her hand comes down to rest on it which makes it go still again.]

So it would seem. We will have to start anew.

[Something she's terribly used to at this point.]

[So it would seem. She never thought she'd feel too sentimental about the old tree house (she'd barely wanted to move in it with Keith when she first arrived) but now it was as much home as anything else in this world has been. But that's much more because of the who than the what, and she's been in contact with her friends, knows she'll see them in Nadril. And as long as they're all there, that's all that matters.]

I will only be a tick.

[And she disappears up into the house. If Moira follows she'll find a modest dwelling, clean but lived in, and Allura disappears into the center doorway- her bedroom. On the windowsill, a familiar potted plant, and Allura smiles,]

I have been practicing with it, like you said.

[She'd intended on returning it once she got it to a point she was satisfied with, but that doesn't look like it will happen now.]

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