❪ 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

1/2.

[circulets]

... 1,000--I suppose that isn't so farfetched, either... [ Seraphim can live to be that old - if they can survive that long, that is. It's just odd to think that other beings can do the same. At least for a moment, or so. ] Still, it's hard to imagine that anyone would be able to speak with beings like angels or demons all that freely.

A little fairy bottle? What exactly do you mean by that?

[ofseraphim]

[ it's just like a real life rpg! ]

[circulets]

... [ Quietly: ] No one asked you to show off anything, though.

[ And then, a little louder. ] I don't mind, but I doubt my water artes would be all that impressive to someone who can probably do the same.

[perfectdisaster]

Heero Yuy.

[ Okay, so it's actually a code name, but it's what he's been going by for the last three years, so it may as well be his name now. Maybe someday he'll discard it, but until that time comes, there's no sense in dropping it.

He's quiet for a moment, staring at the fire and idly picking at the edge of the robe for lack of anything better to do, but clothes isn't his only complaint. ]

And I'd like my mobile suit back.

[uglybug]

[And, at that, her face twists into something even more disgusted. She agrees. Gross as hell.]

They must eat, I suppose. They are simply trying to survive.

SHUSH

[kimaris]

[ He could get offended by that. Instead, he's just popping an eye open and tilting his head over to look at Scooby Doo.

It's not an emoji face, this time. Maybe it's not so obvious in the darkness, to most people, but his hair is jagged and a white scar stretch up and forks over the right side of his face. ]

Is that the impression you're getting, Scooby Doo?

[ You're sleeping in his bed??? ]

[ascertain]

Just a metaphor... you know, trapped within a bottle so I can't use my full power. Like a genie in a lamp, or a demon that hasn't been summoned... that kind of thing!

[ She goes ahead and ignores that indeed, no one asked her to show off, to smirk happily at him. ]

Yeah, but, it gives me a good gauge of the kind of people who are here. I'm sizing you up!

[uglybug]

[Mantis straightens, a bit surprised when he sets the wood down and then offers her his hand; that wasn't what she had been asking, but she can see where the misunderstanding might have come from.]

Oh. Oh, thank you. [But all she needs is to touch the offered hand, fingertips carefully avoiding the worst of the scrape. Jace is tired, like the rest of them. They're all so weary, no one more so than the person standing next to them, it seems. There's pain, but Jace had not been lying to her: it's minor and easily ignored.

She smiles, because this is a way she can help. Her antennae lift and the feathered ends glow as she nudges the exhaustion aside and replaces it with a sense of contentment and hope.]

>< how did I miss this in my inbox???

[perfectdisaster]

[ It's alright, he get it. Being tossed into something unfamiliar and forced to leave the familiar behind isn't something he likes either, but it has to be done. The last thing he wants is to get crushed because they lingered too long. ]

If you want to come back later, that's fine. For now, we're leaving.

[ and without waiting to see if Hal will follow, he starts to head off, away from the pods. ]

[circulets]

... Your powers have been limited? That's the first time I've heard about that. [ It might be a good thing, though. If you give someone like this unlimited power, there's no telling what they'll do. Still, she doesn't seem as malicious as others that he's met. ]

What exactly do you have planned? It sounds like I'm not the only person you've asked.

[uglybug]

[Mantis pulls her hand back and immediately settles into a submissive stance: hands clasped together, head lowered, the very picture of a woman who expects to be chastised. He seems... Perhaps startled isn't quite right, but Mantis finds herself drawing back.]

Helping?

[earthy]

[The first part of the guy's next answer is exactly what he expected. Praying to a god or goddess. Aidios, this one's name is. Hm.

What he goes on to say after that, though, completely takes Terra by surprise.]

The wind's blessing...?

[He understands having an affinity and talent for a certain element, having one or sometimes two elements form a stronger connection to the heart than others. One of his best friends even has a real knack for using the element of wind, being able to call up and keep control of small gusts to raging vortexes. But to pray to the element, to have it give information like that, help shape one's life... That's all very different.

At least, for wind it is. Light or darkness, he could maybe see, but wind?

Maybe his understanding of the elements is... incomplete.]

I've never heard of anything like that before. [He admits honestly, with not even a trace of skepticism. If anything, he's that much more interested.] How does it tell you the things it does? Does it... speak to you? To your heart?

[ofseraphim]

[ hooold on! I'm comin'! ]

[kimaris]

[ Archer... sounds like a perfectly normal name, so it's not even something he thinks twice about. ]

I'm Gaelio Bauduin. Now with my true face, instead of that virtual one. [ Neither is extending his own, full name, to him. ] What will you do now? Continue to catch falling comrades?

[ascertain]

[ Trust her, Mikleo, she's absolutely malicious. It's just in her favor not to be right now. ] Yeah... I used to be able to draw down comets from the sky. Now I can't even summon some of my familiars... it's absolutely pathetic, and at the same time, it's a nice challenge. Desperation is the source of ingenuity!

I want to know everything I can about this gameboard. I want to gather information when and where I can get it. The goal isn't necessarily going home... I'm a drifter, so that hardly matters-- I want to be able to move pieces as I please and get down to the mess of how a Witch's purgatory can be torn apart by outside forces.

I mean... the very act should have been impossible. I'm going to have to pull off something better than impossible.

[unchainedwolf]

If you know then just take it.

[His head shakes as he snaps a stick with his hands and throws it into fire. Of course he is cold. He doesn't have anything on his feet or arms. But to him other people come first. He can take care of himself later.]

Does it matter?

[circulets]

[ He's starting to get the feeling that this is a dangerous person. If Sorey or Rose are here... He makes a mental note to watch out for them if they run into her. ]

... This isn't a game, and the humans here aren't your puppets, either.

[ That protectiveness he's showing right now - it almost feels like instinct for him. After all, seraphim protect humans from anything that threatens them. ]

[ascertain]

I didn't ask for your opinion. Just like how things are important from your vantage point, I come from a very different world that gives me different goals. I didn't say I was going to harm people. Pieces refer to a number of things. Power, money, influence...

I mean, come on? Don't you want to know why we we're here? What they could be hiding from us? I can't just plainly ignore it.

[rampager]

Thank you for listening to it.

[It's small, it's faint, but he manages a tiny smile of approval. While no one in their right mind would call Vorin "soft", the expression does go some way toward making him look younger, more open, not quite as tired.]

Vorin. Just Vorin is fine. [He doesn't offer his hand to shake, but only because that's an Earth custom.] And yourself?

[ayes]

...are you sure you're okay waiting? You sounded like you were really in a lot of pain earlier...

[ayes]

[Talking to you is confusing, Archer.] It sounded like you were, now that I think about it. I don't think cooking's a battle at all. You're putting things together for you or other people to enjoy.

[sweetwater]

overflow

[songofdeneir]

"I know not, but they said something was attempting to engage them. That makes me think that what or whoever it is has a mind." Then again, they don't know anything at all about the so called storm that's ravaging world either. For all he knows the storm itself is a sentient creature.

"If only we had a telescope, then perhaps we could get a glimpse of what is happening."

[sweetwater]

overflow

[punshots]

( continued )