❪ 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

[punshots]

Really? [ That's more than a little surprising, but he's not sure whether the fact that she happened to have a story about it or that it had happened at all is more so. ] Huh. That's pretty, you know, enlightening.

[ But assuming she doesn't kick him in the gut or something for making that joke, he adds, a note more serious: ]

- It's kind of hard to appreciate the light without the darkness, anyway.

[heraldsdawn]

[ Continued here ]

[punshots]

[ Unfortunately - or fortunately, depending on how you look at it - Prompto doesn't know what a bad idea is - you'll never know if an idea will work until you try it, right? So when D. Va proposes her questionable suggestion, he's all ears. All ears and grins, because this is waaaay more up his alley than crouching behind a bush and waiting for an animal to just wander into the trap. ]

Hey, great thinking! I'll stay over here and run interference. [ He's really good at interfering.

Bodily stopping charging animals? Not so much. But it'll hardly be the first time he's been mowed over by something like that, and it prooobably won't come to that, so, yeah, they got this. ]

That deer's gonna be dinner before you can say "gotcha".

[punshots]

[ He connects the dots as soon as she speaks, and Angels' not the only one lighting up. He'd been hoping to run into his helpful navigator again, and later is better than never! ]

So that's why you sounded familiar! Angel, right? Hey, after you bailed me out back there, showing you a thing or two about survival is the least I can do!

[punshots]

I have a feeling that it is definitely going to be interesting.

[ Maybe it's his fourth wall senses tingling, but landing down here definitely felt like the start of something big, and he wouldn't be surprised if it's some time before they can even go back to the station. ]

[witchhooded]

[ It works because there's very little about Jade Harley's life that isn't some kind of furry joke, really. Where Rose has posters of the zoologically dubious, Jade has posters of her fursona. Of course, as a Seer of Light, once could easily deduce that Rose was simply looking for the most fortuitous path, too.

...That path just includes ear scritches! ]

Yes, Jaspers! He was with us on the ship and he is a very good kitty. I could not stop chasing him at first but I got a hold of it, eventually.

[ Shoutout to chasing a cat/sprite through several portals. ]

[punshots]

[ Whoa, okay, he wasn't expecting that, and his eyes light up as he leans forward on his knees. ]

Yeah, way cool! [ And sounds like something out of a video game he might've played once...this is getting meta. ] So they basically become like a...super fusion hero, or something?

[heraldsdawn]

[ This is what happens when your casters are actually effective. They keep you alive, you keep them alive. Enjoy this feeling while it lasts, Magnus.

While Magnus seems to be having a grand old time, enjoying this, Lavellan is determined, serious. His brows furrow and he attempts not to wince at watching Magnus take the hit. He's already doing his own little chicken run, dodging this way and that between pods. He hears Magnus shout and he feels he has the energy again to cast. He reaches a finger out and fires a ray of that same blue energy.

The sigil lights up beneath Magnus and again the decaying barrier surges up over them. ]

It'll keep draining as time goes by! Make good use of it!

[shashka]

( continued! )

[fisherwife]

[She listens to him try to plot and plan, a faint smile on her face. It's nice to see people this invested in helping others and ensuring everyone's safety--it definitely gives her a feeling of hope.

She'd contribute more to this conversation, but the sudden interruption by a really rude piece of debris completely derails them both. She hears the whistling noise and tilts her head, but by the time she connects the sound with what's making it, it's too late to warn him.

Down he goes, and Mipha can only utter a cry of surprise, staring wide-eyed down at him] Oh! [HOLY SHIT.

Mipha rushes to his side and kneels, hand already out and glowing. It might be a minor cut, but still, there could be something else wrong that she doesn't see beneath the surface] Are you alright? Hold still, this should only take a moment. [It's a smaller wound, so it shouldn't take any time at all.]

[witchhooded]

I think it's true! After all, we all did pretty good just getting here, right?

[ It's not like landing was easy, by any stretch of the imagination - there's was a lot of struggling involved, but here they are, conversing at the end of the day. ] I think they can do just as well even if something happens. And if not, well, um, Darma's probably... someone we can trust!

[adelphoi]

[ you know prompto you were about this || close to getting this icon instead, so nice save. barely. ]

Well yes, I suppose that's the point. Moderation in all things.

[ but it had really made her think. think about what was right, how you were meant to balance creation while allowing destruction, and still keep your conscience light and manageable. she still hasn't found the answer yet. not to mention, the storm had taken them all anyway - hydaelyn, and the land of the first, after all they'd done to help it, to heal it..

at last alisaie sighs and leans back again, stretching her arms out before her. ]

Anyroad, now isn't the time for dark thoughts, I suspect. How was your landing?

[21stcenturyguy]

[Aoi shrugs.]

If I'm paranoid, I'll never get caught off guard.

[He crosses his arms over his chest, though the sleeping bag blanket covers most of his arms.]

Dunno. It's not my job to root 'em out. I'm just gonna keep my eyes open and find out what I can.

[Besides, if he had a strategy, it'd be pretty dumb to go around telling it to everyone. That'd defeat the point.]

[heraldsdawn]

[ There would be questions about Gogurt later because what is that magic. He sits back at the fire watching the Wizard conjure his spectral hand not really saying much after his tattoo explaination.

Well, up until Taako decides to talk about it.

There's just the faintest twinge of annoyance hearing Taako say that. It seemed this elf was very much an elf from a different world entirely if they talked about it so flippantly. Or maybe they're just an ass.

Either way... ]

The Creators haven't told us to do anything. We chose to do this. [ Which is by all means is true. The Creators were gone from the world, banished to the Beyond. But he wonders...could Darma bring them here?

And more over would Lavellan really be okay with that? The temple mythal was still fairly fresh in his mind after all.

But, he moves on: ]

You'd be correct however in some Divine beings being jealous. You should hear what the Andrastians believe where I come from. Now that makes you want to roll your eyes out of your head.

[fisherwife]

[Mipha opens and closes her mouth once or twice, before falling quiet as his words sink in. They certainly make sense; seeing as how she doesn't wear clothes like the rest of them, undoubtedly they're going to assume she's freezing and needs it more and they by refusing it for themselves they're freeing up one for her.

She bows her head lightly and smiles] I understand your point, thank you. [And she's not above accepting criticism, of course, so she pulls one of the robes on over herself. It is warmer, at least, though she suspects robes alone aren't going to help people survive the night.

Still, it's better than nothing. She smiles gently] Thank you for the advice. Mr...?

[witchhooded]

[ well, it's all well and good, because Jade's mouth forms an "o" and she presses a hand to her chin. ] I... Have no idea, actually! I don't really play video games but my brother and [ ........uh. ] friend do!

[ Good enough. "Ex" sounds a little too personal at the moment.

The motorcycle kicks up, the roar of its engine enticing and just a little dangerous sounding. Jade gives it a once over, brows raised and the tips of her fingers still on her chin. Well... ]

Think we can catch up to the one falling north?

[ There's a twinkle in the distance, like a falling star - not too far, but not particularly close, either. Johanna seems to be raring to go, and Jade's expression - a touch cautious - doesn't let up as she clamors onto the edge. Her legs dangle and the striped stockings and red slippers are on display; truly the mark of a witch, those tights. ]

[otiosity]

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[otiosity]

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[punshots]

[ Maybe he's an animal whisperer, or maybe he luck is just this good - or bad, depending on how you look at it. Still, as the rabbit nibbles on the clover in his hand and he carefully - carefully - scratches it behind the ears, the fact that what they caught was intended to be eaten is not lost on him. ]

Are you sure? I mean...he was supposed to be our dinner. [ But he's so adorable...Prompto huffs. ] But...

[ He scoops up the rabbit into his hands gently, before standing up and facing Aranea with the creature. ]

Just look at his little face!

[ Someone's in love. ]

[witchhooded]

[ Unfortunately, it's definitely not her fault. Things just seem to Happen to Jade and she accepts them for what they are. ]

No, I did not! I don't see the point in being upset about it? The merging thing was kind of necessary. I had to put my corpse in with my dog because I had to prototype him a second time - prototyping is, um, combining? He made himself a sprite to stop the meteor that was going to kill me, and then I had to ensure I would survive by prototyping the sprite again! It all had to happen that way.

[ If you're keeping up at home, this means that Jade had access to her corpse while alive! Somehow. And then fused her corpse with her dog. ]

[otiosity]

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[otiosity]

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[otiosity]

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[heraldsdawn]

[ That indeed does get some notice out of him. She was a good foot taller than him and elves weren't quite known to be such where he's from. It takes a few moments to absorb this before she begins talking and well, he just smiles. Perhaps the elven tongue was different in other places.]

It means thank you in Elven. So, you'd be right. [ Her question does earn a bit of a chuckle and in response; ]

I'm not sure. Perhaps, when all of our lives made sense? [ It was a try at humour after such a harrowing day. While she sits he just grabs a bowl he dug up from the pods and fills it with the broth and holds it out to her. ]

Senren Lavellan. Or Lavellan. Whichever works.

[obstinance]

[ slides this your way. ]