❪ 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

[politrick]

I'm pretty sure I know how my magic works. [Shh, it doesn't matter that the concept of a Servant doesn't exist in his world... He's fine right now! It was a stressful day, so he must be set! Perfectly fine.]

And I'm planning on sleeping. Soon. I promise.

[maipokerface]

[Mai seems surprised a moment, rolls that over in her mind and then gives a nonchalant shrug.]

Well then you know it's true and that Martha is a pretty smart person too.

[Yeah, a little bit of mock ego there to lighten the mood even if her tone of voice is still pretty drab. Look, she can quirk something of a smirk even.]

[exonerated]

King Edmund of Narnia.

[ A similar introduction to the one he'd given Daenerys, but the circumstances differ this time.

He begins making his way to camp, avoiding as much of the debris all around them. ]

The first order of business is to prepare for the night. We've collected plenty of supplies, but sharing between each other remains a possibility. Some of the pods caught fire, or simply malfunctioned, before we could salvage anything.

[godwins]

Sorry. [ He relaxes, suddenly— embarrassed? It's a feeling he's got a name for. For the past four years, he hadn't been around civilians long enough for it to matter much that he wasn't one, anymore. Shaking his head, he raises a hand in something like surrender.]

It's not. The space stuff, anyhow. I've— I've jumped out of a plane, before. Once or twice.

[ Then he looks down at the hole he'd been digging. ]

This is for a fire. If you build it right, makes the flames harder to see. [ A pause. ] So you don't give away your location.

[politrick]

[He recognizes her as well, but only in passing. Still, he can't help but feel a sort of exhausted kinship with everyone he'd managed to make eye contact with and nod significantly at during the second wave, so it isn't uncomfortable to have her sit down.]

I've been getting that a lot. It's still there. [hrm] ...The moon, that is. I mean, we'd notice if it took a turn for the worse, wouldn't we?

[exorion]

[Oh.]

[Oops.]

Oh, uh. Sorry about that.

[He laughs a little awkwardly and bends down to lift the fallen wood. While Cayde's down there though, figures he might as well sort some of the lighter pieces out of the group, assuming her arms aren't too sore after that.]

You alright?

camp wildecarde

[good_bamf_ugly]

[McCree knows what it's like to travel long and lonesome roads. He preferred it with a horse and rolling plains at his feet, but this wasn't so bad. They even had supplies given to them! This road will surely be long but hardly lonesome. It's nice in some ways and makes him uneasy in others, consciously disregarding the sounds of shuffling feet that aren't his as not a threat, or that he doesn't have to talk out loud to himself just to have the company of another human being's voice.

There was plenty of that to go around. Nothing else to do but keep moving forward with it all as the collective caravan moves in groups and waves towards the east. Slow and steady. Campfires and breaks as needed. It's all too easy for him to fall into a shepard's role as some of the landscape starts to become slightly more familiar to what he saw in the VR. He knows they'll be upon ruins soon enough.

Speaking of familiar... silvery hair and pointed ears were hard to miss. McCree eventually catches up with Lavellan. There's slow and steady and then there's slow and lagging behind.]

Hey kid, you alright? No good to have sheep straying from the flock.

[stabilis]

Of course, magic. Why wouldn't it be magic.

[ Dubious, but only as dubious as the last 48 hours of complete insanity will allow. Johnny shifts his weight again, trying to get enough leverage to investigate the situation from his side.

Something catches on his hand in the process, which— right. Mods. Maybe useful. There's a short, electrical hiss from inside the pod, then the flicker of blue light as he tests the small blade on his hand against the door. It does cut, but it's also like, one inch long. He doesn't have time for that. ]

I'll push. [ Another hiss as the blade switches off, then he's bracing his back against the wall of the pod and planting his boots on the door. ] You ready?

[ To help, or to just not be in the way. Either's good. ]

[exonerated]

[ He wasn't thinking it before, but the thought of food and water bring certain relief in him. He'd kick himself in the head for not thinking of his own nourishment, but at a later time, and definitely not where others can see.

He does as commanded, and returns ever so promptly.

Before she could even hand him anything that she promised — ]

Thank you.

that's a v nice compliment thank you

[obstinance]

[ she doesn't have to be perceptive, doesn't have to have years of experience in distinguishing the meanings behind simon's phrasings and behaviors, to realize what he's up to when he pulls back to assess the damage for himself. clary can't fault him for that, considering the feeling — and gesture — is mutual, reciprocated as she skims her gaze over him again. his skin is still too wan for her liking even from a small distance, but she doesn't think it's necessary for her to insist it isn't any physical, literal injury on his person that she's fussing about.

there's pale and then there's vampire pale, and what generally follows is a predictable thirst. he would never harm her, of that much she's confident even if simon isn't and hasn't been in past encounters, but ignoring his dietary needs is like ignoring the elephant (the other elephant) in the room. maybe that's what he wants. maybe that's his intention. she isn't eager to drop it, whatever the case. ] If you say so. [ if that doesn't sound entirely convinced, it's meant to. it's still a concession, regardless — a subtle promise not to push the subject in spite of her very obvious incredulity.

the mention of her stele is a small diversion to her open fretting, but only just. gaping like a fish for a few moments, she nods, almost frantically searching for where she'd pocketed it on her person. it's not in her (torn, much to her chagrin) sweater, but it does protrude from a back pocket of her jeans before being withdrawn and positioned in front of them. ] I tried a rune on the door, but it wasn't cooperating. [ but she had been frazzled, if she's being honest with herself, and that level of distraction hasn't done her any favors in drawing and activating runes in any other situation.

she's not discounting its uses when she's marginally less flustered, but she still holds up the hand she'd used as a battering ram against the door as evidence of that particular pitfall. even that kind of movement hurts, but she tries not to wince so openly at the throbbing in her knuckles. ] Either way, healing is going to take some time. Not all of us are as gifted. [ not that she would want to exchange places with simon when it comes to vampiric qualities, but still. ]

[trybelieving]

[ Tinker Bell has managed a little bit of everything today. she's assisted magically by carrying others and starting fires, only to help gather supplies and pitch tents with her own two hands. there's not one way to be useful here, so helping out has been an exercise in learning what people need. Peggy seemed to be in need of a robe, and Tink doesn't mind if she caught a glimpse of her using magic before she reached for one.

there are people from all sorts of worlds here. if magic is unfamiliar to them, she'd rather be honest about it than have them believing there's some part of her that she's trying to keep secret. it's hard enough to earn the trust of a stranger without any self-created obstacles.]

You're welcome.

[ at her question, Tink nods, taking a small step back.]

I'm fine, I always did run a bit warm. Do you have everything you need for the night?

[politrick]

That's surely enough time to learn. [He means this, really. Let him follow along and teach himself how to work a compass, he'll get it down quickly. In all honesty he's itching to be doing something productive, and while he isn't much use against feral animals, he's... not half bad at tracking, he likes to think.]

I've been hunting before. It wouldn't be too hard to spot signs of animals roaming about.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Good. She'd unhappily hunt him down if he didn't, though she half expects him to be stubborn and not do as she said. Yet there's a cup of water and some sort of ration waiting for him, and Claire passes them over with a nod.]

What's your name?

[laveers]

Edmund, then.

[ She rarely fusses for titles — ironborn will not follow them, Asha even less. ]

How much food and water do we have?

[exorion]

"I'm built a little sturdier than most people," it's accompanied by a sweeping gesture at himself as if to suggest he is the greatest being who ever was, as opposed to just happening to be a well-made robot, but he can't help himself. There'd even be a little gun flourish if it wasn't holstered, just for added flair. "A little sore, but nothing I can't walk off."

Vorin gets an appraising look in return, not that it's super obvious in his expression but he does give the guy a look up and down and put a hand on his hip, gesturing at all nine feet of the guy with the other. "Take it you landed alright?"

[politrick]

I heard that. [He's out here, listening to the #doubt. Magic is saving your life, sir, appreciate it.

But alright, he's going to do his best to wiggle his hands into the hole in the pod and pull the hatch out from there, which... may go terribly. It's about 50/50 how badly this goes.]

Ready! On three! One, two... three!

[yourhatred]

That's good to hear. Then perhaps you can keep an eye out for any long grass that might look like there could be a bulb beneath it, as well as any easy to reach fruit or mushroom.

[He's sitting down now, pulling a kunai out of his pouch so that he can get to work on the bird. The feathers should come off without much hassle.

But he gives Prompto a significant look before he starts.]

Just don't eat any of it. Let me check it over first. And don't go out of your way to find any of that if you don't come across it in your search for wood. All those things would be nice but we can do without them.

[He can do some proper scavenging later if they have more time to take stock of the land.]

[sweetwater]

[ she rolls her eyes. she knows she's in the wrong but she's not going to admit it. ]

You could try being less clumsy. [ she looks down at the pile of debris and then back up at him. ] What are you planning to do with all that? I thought we were supposed to pick up useful things, not garbage.

[exonerated]

[ He only nods. It's his name, after all. ]

There's a river about ten minutes from here; a few have already volunteered to collect. Food will need to be hunted.

[ripvanwinkled]

[Snake wants to come up with some witty, mildly insulting one-liner about this, but he can't bring himself to do anything but frown more. He'd gotten off to a good start with the muffins, but really? That's all he had. Of all the days for Snake to run out of things to talk about, it's this one. He's stuck drumming his fingers and turning his head back to consider the sky.]

I suppose you're right, though... If anything happened to her because I'm not there, I wouldn't forgive myself. [Part of him hesitates, uncertain on whether or not he should continue when Junpei was on edge literal minutes ago. It can't hurt that bad, can it?] ... And if anything is going to happen to me down here, the only person I trust her life with is you.

[krasnaya_vdova]

[She smiles, leaning in and it's subtle, the way she drags her fingers across the hinge of the hatch. It's easy for her; generate a charge, push it through the circuitry so it triggers from the inside. And it hadn't even backfired yet, which she's rather pleased about.

If he's paying close enough attention, he might be able to catch the brief flash of energy, white-blue against the dim. It's invisible to those inside the pods, but Steve certainly has a better vantage point to catch on to just how she pulls it off.]

There's a trick to it.

[Ava's never quite been a soldier, but she has something of the mentality anyway, raised as she was. She likes things simple: problems and solutions. The way that there are people all working toward that solution is something she hasn't really seen since the Academy, or maybe even Natasha and Alexei.]

Yeah, I'm fine. Landing was a bit rough, but nothing I couldn't manage.

[He gets a lopsided smile as she steps back, a shrug of thin shoulders.]

It's gonna be a night.

[cajolery]

[ So... that's what this was all about?! Clair can actually feel her blood pressure rising. (Not that she knows what blood pressure is.) ]

You are... a healer? The boy should have said as much from the very beginning!

[ Goodness... she makes a noise of pure exasperation. ]

It would serve you much better in the future to make plainer your intentions, boy! I have no patience for men who do naught but give orders with the expectation they ought to be followed without question! [ Clair... you literally do this yourself. Anyway, she's not done. ]

Not that I expect you to heed my advice, as you have made one thing plain enough—that you have no desire for self-improvement.

[ Now she's done?? And with that, she holds her arm out for him to take. ]

Very well. For the sake of esprit de corps, I will allow the boy to heal me. [ If he even will at this point??? ]

[trybelieving]

That was how I ask nicely.

[ Tink shrugs, matching his smile with one of her own - and settling into a sigh when he hands her a blanket. she understands the need to do as much good as possible, but looking out for each other is more than handing out supplies and keeping the fire going. she'd like to see him sit down, even if it's only for a minute or two.

asking more than that is almost asking too much, especially when the first thing she's hit with when she's quiet for too long is thoughts of the world they've been dropped into. another island, like Neverland all over again.]

Thank you.

[ for the blanket that she didn't intend to ask him for. she wraps it around her shoulders and hugs her arms against her chest.]

Now take a break. Nothing terrible is going to happen if you sit down for a few minutes.

[eusford]

[ She's less than one hundred years old she's a kid. ]

I don't think so. [ Nonchalantly. He opens his hands to show that he's not carrying anything, with the exception of the belt strapped firmly to his hip. ] Both. I'm neither cold nor do I have a tent, or I guess you could say I do but I doubt I'll ever use it.

[exorion]

He's been getting pretty used to the looks since he woke up, so Cayde doesn't give it much thought, though he does subtly shift into a much more flattering and heroic looking pose as he stands there and gives the trees another look.

"You got it," and he gestures at said tree with the kind of lacklustre movements of a man who's tired of everything, "trying to find one with a decent view that hasn't been pretty badly damaged is, uh... Well, it's more difficult than I thought it'd be if I'm honest."