❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART ONE.

[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 2 will be posted on JULY 18TH and PART 3 on JULY 22ND, at 6 PM EST. In the event of CAPTCHA, we will be providing an overflow. In the event of a second CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals. 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 QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

let's wildcard this!!

[personalwar]

[ The third wave has landed and is mostly settled, but there's still more to come, and some people are beginning to lose steam. 76 refuses to count himself in that number, pure stubbornness more than anything else coming into play.

He doesn't know any of these people, save for a handful, plus the few he'd met on the station. It hasn't been long enough that he should have formed any connections, but it isn't about that. None of them asked for this, and not everyone will be prepared for it. If he's got enough experience to keep his cool in a crisis, well, may as well put it to use.

He spots the next wave barreling in, bright spots in the sky that look like falling stars. There's a few pods grouped together, coming in at the same time and within a few feet of each other. Catching one of these things is hard enough; he's not sure he could handle more without getting seriously hurt.

76 looks around the area, visor scanning for anything that could help, some other method to cushion the fall. He spots someone else from the first wave; he's seen this guy running around trying to help since their feet first hit the ground. ]

We're gonna have to get creative.

[ Ideas? ]

[totheno1]

It was a start. He continued to gauge her reaction.

"Not really." Well, glad to have that out of the way. He calmly pushed his glasses. "However, I'm not the type to leave a young lady to herself if she needs help." Even ones that looked like they could jump on him and possibly bite his nose off in a moment's notice.

"I came from the fourth group. I suppose my methods are not exactly...nurturing."

[tub]

[ this and that are two totally different cases and you know it??

if archer was looking for "useless," then it's fortunate, because he just found it. as the epitome of lazy and incapable of doing anything on his own (including, getting dressed), he seems perfectly comfortable with laying there, even through archer's complaints. ] Heh. [ it's more of a drawn out sound, as he gives 1/14th of a shrug, because a full shrug would take approximately 200 units of energy that he does not have to spare.

but, he does have enough to say: ] Are you planning to become my mother?

[ ... ] Besides, who even knows how to put one together? [ is this common knowledge??

he didn't need one in the arctic tundra as he fought polar bears, so he doesn't need one now. but, is he going to properly communicate this? of course not. ]

[lushly]

Hi! For those of us who didn't tag the TDM or don't want to carry those threads over, do we have to assume characters have been awake and active on the station for a while prior to this, or can this be taken as a character's intro into the game?

[ex_this_ismydesign36]

[ Initially taking the pro-offered item, Will didn't look up until he had set it down under his foot. Needed to try to break the already hopelessly bent pole in half.

It was then, as Ocelot spoke, that he paused and looked up. ]

Don't suppose you have a pair of bolt cutters?

[ It's not an all together snarky question. He's noticed that people seem to have a wide variety of items down here, nothing entirely uniform. ]

i love my boy | 2a

[screwsitup]

i'm gonna go ahead and guess you've never hunted in your life.

[ there goes the rabbit clint had found, all because this kid talked to himself a little too loud. clint can't get too annoyed, since it's not like he has much room to talk; he probably would've done something similar when he was younger, and it's not like he's exactly an expert at hunting himself. he'd lived, isolated, in the snowy mountains of... think it was canada, back when bobbi had first died, but that was ages ago. he had thought that it would be as easy as riding a bike, but he hasn't had much luck overall. it's just harder than he remembers. yeah.

he rakes a hand through his hair. he hadn't been trying to hang around anyone, but clint guesses they must have ended up going the same way or something. kid seems harmless enough, so it wouldn't hurt to try and help him out. not to mention they had all just (somewhat violently) emergency plummeted from space. ] you're too loud, too impatient. [ you can speak for yourself, barton. ] if you wanna get an animal, you gotta do it from far away. so they don't smell or see you, or if they do, it's already too late. 'fore we do that, though, we gotta find something. [ clint keeps his eyes to the ground, looking carefully for any sort of tracks -- there we are. when he finds some, he crouches down and points. ] see this? these are from a rabbit. different one, headed east. let's get going before we lose him.

[politrick]

[It would be nice to say Merlin can pick Zelos out of a crowd because of his hair, but like, half of this field is on fire, so all he can pick out is a best guess and another shouted apology when that door definitely clocks someone in the head. Ooh, he's got to make up for that—

But ah, that yelling sure is Zelos. Merlin can only clutch at the side of the opening he's punched open here, watching Zelos leap up toward him and swearing at the lurch the pod takes when he grabs on.] You're going to get us killed—!

[He doesn't want to explode! Thankfully Zelos has a better idea, and being grabbed and pulled away leaves Merlin with the perfect view of his own pod falling to the ground too fast... ooh yes, that's on fire.

And here he is in the air.] That was much more impressive than what you did with your sword!

you and me both

[winddaughter]

[She bursts out laughing. She can't help it. She really can't! And in some twisted way it feels so good to laugh, because she hasn't. At all.

Still.

She actually tries to reign herself in.]

Oh. Oh, you're something else. I really needed that!

[There's a few chuckles left.]

[natha]

Hello! That is entirely up to you.

[demonly]

[ Oh, this person seems to be in a bad mood. It's easy to forget that not everyone is capable of the same brand of 'get brighter as times get darker' attitude as he is, so he gives the other space before averting his eyes. ]

They got...destroyed...

[ It's not not true, he supposes. It's not like this stranger was likely to have witnessed his own crash, so he just meets the other's suspicious look with eyes as earnest as he can make them. ]

It's okay if ya don't, but I thought I'd ask in case I could do somethin' in return for ya.

Zelda | fourth wave

[hylights]

a. descent, fourth wave

[Zelda feels her breath catch in her throat as she wakens to the violent shuddering and turbulence of the pod. Darma's words sink in and she feels a pang of deja vu - things are going wrong, despite best laid plans. She's not unfamiliar. There's a wrench in her heart knowing that she has to abandon Link in his sleeping pod, trust only that he'll be all right. But with the ground rushing up there's little time for that.

Her pod thumps into the ground and rolls, and she shrieks with panic in her restraints. It's only when it comes to a stop that she manages to catch her breath, battered all over and ears ringing. After she fumbles her way out of the straps she heaves at the pod door, the hinges creaking ominously before she finally gets it open. She tumbles out and just lies on the ground for a few moments, letting the touch of the earth confirm that she's out. She's safe.

But others aren't. When she gets to her feet, she looks around and sees another pod crash into the grass only a few metres away. Gasping, she runs over and pounds on the door.]

Are you all right? I'm going to get the door open!

b. rally point - later waves

[It's pandemonium out here, and the darkness isn't helping matters. Zelda has been to and fro over the landing grounds, pulling people from their pods and yanking supplies from the wreckage. She doesn't need to imagine what it's like for those still landing, confused and vulnerable in the dark. Darma's words echo in her head - those who can conjure magic to help - and with a frustrated noise she thinks her magic isn't much use for this. Except... she stops in her tracks, realisation dawning on her face, then turns and runs for higher ground.

Scrambling to the top of a little hill, she holds her right hand aloft in the air, and sends a prayer to the Goddess. It isn't what her power is for, she knows, but that purpose is already served. She must help how she can. And light is more useful than darkness.

Light blooms around Zelda, a beacon in the night as the golden triangles on the back of her hand flare to life. She calls out across the chaotic landing zones.]

Please - if you are lost or need to catch your bearings, come to me.

[She'll be there for as long as she can manage, calling out every so often. Anyone approaching Zelda will get a welcoming smile as her hair drifts in her bubble of light.]

c. camping

[She's exhausted after using her power and the events of the night, but she still needs to set up this tent. Of course, she's never assembled something quite like this herself - those few times she slept outdoors, her knight or her guards had always done it for her.

Anyone coming across Zelda will find her sitting amongst a pile of tent pieces, holding two rods together and frowning at them.]

These ought to fit... maybe they were damaged in the fall? I wonder if I can work around them.

d. wildcard

[Zelda can be found flitting all over the place, helping with supplies or offering kind words to anyone who seems anxious. Feel free to come up with your own prompt or hit me up at dudemeister.]

II - A

[totheno1]

That is because you lack patience.

[True, Nanjo's hunting and gathering skills came more from rich people's outings - fox hunting and fishing with rich business owners but he understood the importance of waiting. His clothing is mangled and he's taken to using a branch as his weapons.]

The primary idea of traps is to set them and return later. Perhaps your time would be better spent elsewhere, or attracting the attention of bigger game.

landing

[nineteenfortyfive]

[It's not as painful as going through the stones, but it's near enough. Claire's head hurts and her joints protest after being jostled around and she thinks she might vomit. Except there's no time for that. Her pod door is loose enough that she's able to fling it open with a hearty throw of her shoulder, fully intent on dragging herself out on her own until she feels someone at her side, hauling her up. She's mildly surprised it's an Englishwoman.]

I'm all right, I'm fine. [It's more of a reassurance than a refusal of aid. She grips the woman's arms, trying to find her own footing, but she's a medic. Her eyes go to that cut.] Your head.

[A chance for her to explain if it needs tending before Claire starts looking for what supplies she can salvage. She doubts everyone is so lucky as to suffer something so small.]

throws down smokescreen!!

[frizziest]

[ the variety of food is nice. really, it is. thanks for being such a "good person", Lambda. Akira will go ahead and poke around at it curiously for a few moments, but his curiosity gets the better of him. maybe he doesn't like being told not to go somewhere, or maybe the prospect of locked rooms or areas still gets the Phantom Thief in him.

as she goes about yelling at everyone to praise her name, he will casually skirt around her line of sight (or try to) in hopes of getting closer to the tent that says "no one allowed!". don't mind him as he leans in and pulls at the opening in hopes of poking his head inside. luck will have it that he won't be successful in avoid her attention, and he already know this, but that doesn't mean he won't try and get a peek at what she is trying to hide! ]

[daemonized]

[That pain is easily read on her features, and while she steps out, grabbing onto her torso, Ardyn doesn't even take a step back. If she ends up crumbling at his feet, he'll let her do so; he certainly isn't terribly inclined to help, at any rate.

The way she's squinting against he light, though -- now that makes him laugh in return. It's cold, but laced with humor that's obviously very one-sided.]

What's wrong, Aranea? Is the light too much for you? I can't imagine why.

[lushly]

That's great, thank you!

[witchhooded]

[ Edward's words give her pause, but her attention is on him, all the same. He doesn't look much older than her brother, but he says he can get them moving... by carrying them. Hm. John certainly had his strength but she gives the pods that are embedded in dirt a once over. There's one closer to Edward with the earth split in a way that definitely wasn't done with a pod.

She hums. ] Over 100... That's a lot. Well, it's not 9000, but. [ Is that even a meme Edward will get... ] I can help you with the whole carrying thing? It might help you retain more stamina that way, and I can make landings smoother to lessen the amount of healing we might need... There's a bunch of us but it's not like we're catching baseballs!

[ruffboi]

You couldn't have rudely demanded the help of anyone better. I'm great at fighting things, plus I've got animal handling proficiency. Don't need to worry about those big bad bearwolves while I'm around.

[Giving him a thumbs up.]

Let's ship out!

[politrick]

[It's not like Merlin is trying to feed each and every person here before he feeds himself - but he still doesn't have enough of an appetite to finish what he's taken for himself. Sure, these past few hours have been perhaps the most exciting of his life, but now without the adrenaline rush and the pressing need to be doing something, he's left with just the worry that's been sitting heavy in his stomach since seeing his friends trapped in ice.

So basically he made this great food and now he's not hungry, and that's terrible. He purses his lips thoughtfully, still looking up.]

I've heard that. [He's even said that; but now everything he wants to keep safe is so far...] I like to think I'm doing what I can, but I'm a little out of my depth in all this.

iii

[trybelieving]

[ it's cold at night, but perhaps not cold enough to keep a fairy from an old habit. she keeps her robe wrapped tight around her when she sits on the ground, not far from a man staring off into the sky above them. he can tell her if she isn't welcome, it's hard to be offended after the day they've had.

so she lies back, quiet for a moment, taking in a sky she'll have to learn just as she did the last one. she almost wishes it was the same as Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest; that she could look up and see something of a home she's had, instead of having to start over.]

They're different everywhere, aren't they?

[ the stars. like they can't even share an entire sky with another world.]

I.

[chaoticlootral]

[ You'd think with all their experience they'd have managed to figure this shit the fuck out by now, but apparently not. Boys will be stupid. Taako's already completed his gentle and skilled descent, and is waiting around to show off for whoever might be watching - so it's bad luck that Magnus is the first one he happens to spot. He debates briefly if he should even waste a spellslot on this - I mean, Magnus has so much HP, he'll probably be fine - but also if he crash lands bad, then he's got no tank.

Eh, fine. Casting a big ol' hand right up out of the dirt to snatch him out of the air. It might not be the most comfortable thing, but better than being splattered. It'll hold on tight until Magnus is only just above the ground, before it drops him without ceremony.]

What's up, my dude? Or down, in this case. Looked like you needed a hand. Just crashin'?

[I mean, they looked kinda cool right, and not stupid at all. Right. Right?]

[shashka]

[ at that, the side of Ocelot's mouth quirks into a smirk, as he pulls out one of his guns, giving it a twirl. ]

I've been known to improvise. You need that broken in half?

[ never let it be said that revolvers weren't just for shooting things. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Everyone would like to rest. But that's for the injured. They have to pick up the slack.]

Not far. We've got a lot of fires to keep going, or else we'll freeze before the great unknown gets us.

[She can feel the temperature dropping steadily with each passing hour.]

goals tbh

[coolerjunpei]

[Oh... oh. Give him a moment to rein in his deep and powerful shame before he straightens back up and, after an awkward pause, stoops down to pick up those pieces. He drops another off the top in the process; ignore it.]

Well, at least one of us is enjoying themselves... I'll, uh, I'll be here all week. Probably.

1

[popess]

[ Makoto hadn't been out of her own pod for long — no more than ten minutes or so, but she couldn't be sure because of her awe once she managed to make her way out. the fall of the pods was mesmerizing, like watching god's work right before her eyes.

she would thank ardyn for shaking her out of that, but his comment leaves her with a tinge of unrest. ]

Why would you say something like that? We're going to do our best to save everyone.

[ there's a hint of annoyance to her voice, but also a layer of anxiety — a thought like that was probably on most everyone's mind as they plummeted from space, their pods slowly burning from the sheer velocity. ]