❪ 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

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anders | second wave

[judicia]

the descent

( As a member of the second wave of Refugees, Anders immediately throws himself immediately into helping the others. Whether it was restoring some of the strongemen-type's stamina, or healing bumps and bruises those in the following waves may have sustained from their landing, he walks among the Refugees looking for those that may need some help.

He himself may not look so good by the end of it, with his mana depleting slowly with each spell and his endurance wearing down. That's becoming a signature trait of his by now, though, so he does his best to ignore it, carrying on with a watchful eye to someone that looks they may need some assistance themselves. )

Still in one piece, I see. How are you holding up?

gather your bearings

( Anders isn't the best at pitching tents, but he tries. With the helping hands of others, he finally gets it looking presentable — nothing drooping, nothing threatened to be tipped over by a sudeen gust of wind. Instead of getting himself settled inside, though, he finds a spot by one of the campfires, his bare hands rubbing together before holding them out over the fire for warmth. )

Been a long time since I've been out camping. ( And then, to the person next to him, he asks, ) You know any good scary stories?

gather your bearings

[shashka]

Can't say that I'm all that fond of it. But, if nothing else, it does beat prison.

[ well, hello simulation friend whose name he didn't get. how are you on this fine evening? ]

I also know a few stories. It depends on what sort you're looking for.

[ and whether you want it to be true or not. ]

[judicia]

That it does. ( He can't help but laugh dryly at that. Sleeping on the hard ground definitely beat sleeping on a stone floor any day. Anders rubs his hands together once more before using them to settle his exhausted ass down near to the fire.

Could be better, could be worse. He's alive, at least, so he can't really complain. )

How about a story from your home? Something that you heard about or something that happened to you. ( They didn't get much of a chance to get to know each other during the simulation, so. He's curious. )

[shashka]

I think I can do that.

[ now, he's not one to talk much about himself but... he has just the story. depending on who you ask it might also qualify as "scary" too. ]

Some time ago, there was a man who escaped from a near-impenetrable prison. He'd been sent there to kill a woman who'd betrayed her people, but somewhere along the way, he was captured. But somehow, he managed to get out of his cell, and make his way through the sewers. In pursuit of him was an arrogant young soldier, who the man had bested time and time again. This time, however, the young soldier had an advantage: he was armed and the man wasn't. He was determined to get his revenge.

Soon enough, the soldier came to a dead end. To his front was a massive waterfall that could lead to certain death. To his back was the young soldier, who'd been waiting for the moment he could kill him since he'd first faced humiliation at the other man's hands.

[ it's now that he takes the opportunity to pause for dramatic effect. though he wasn't quite the same arrogant man he'd once been, he still had a flair for the dramatic. ]

What do you think the man chose to do?

[ it also helps him find out what sort of man his escape partner truly was. ]

[judicia]

( He can see a few different ways that this could play out. Anders, of course, knew what he would do if he were in that situation. But the man in the story? He gives himself a moment or two to ponder it. )

Well, since he was unarmed, it would probably be foolish of him to try to fight his way out. Maybe he'd get lucky and win again, or may he wouldn't

I think he jumped from the waterfall. It's risky, but at least his escape would be certain.

gathering your bearings

[poolhall_killer]

[What an odd thing to ask. Venom's used to roughing it now and then, so the whole setting up shelter and fire is nothing new to him.

But scary stories? What?]

Why would you want to hear scary stories?

[judicia]

( How has he been out camping and never told scary stories? Anders hasn't done it much himself, but once in a while, when he and the other Wardens were huddling around the campfire eating their hodgepodge stew, they'd entertain themselves by telling the most terrifying story they could think of. )

Because that's what you do at camp! ( His voices rises a bit with put-on excitement. ) You tell stories to pass the time.

What else are you supposed to do? Stare solemnly at each other? ( Is that what they do in the assassin's guild? )

[poolhall_killer]

Well, no. But we never told stories, either. I usually tried to read a book or work on my strategies.

[Venom is clearly made of work.]

[judicia]

( Clearly. Anders is beginning to wonder if this man even has an off switch. Only one way to find out. )

Well, we don't have any books here to read. And I suppose you could probably sit and think strategy, but that's not much fun.

( He takes a seat down next to Venom, as close as he could be without crowding into his space. ) How about a game, do you do those?

bearings

[otiosity]

[Anders is here. But Hawke doesn't approach at first. She's trying to figure out a way to introduce herself so she can figure out if she needs to introduce herself. And any way she tries to how to do that it just seems... weird.

So Hawke being Hawke decides to go for the direct approach. She drops down next to him near the fire, her long legs crossed in front of her. She wears the clothing of the Mantle of the Champion, but her armor has been set over to the side and there's a blanket around her shoulders.]

I do. So imagine this, you know someone, but they don't know you. That's because they know a different you. Well, it's the same you but male. And thankfully, he's got your excellent sense of humor and isn't ugly so that's a plus. But then how do you introduce yourself. Should I go up to you and say "Hello, Anders, I'm Hawke but I have tits and I don't know if the Hawke you know also has tits or we're working with another package entirely."

[She pauses.]

That sounded better in my head. Hello, Anders.

[judicia]

( He's with her right up until she introduces herself as Hawke but with tits. Everything after that, including her greeting, just gets blocked out. Anders is just kind of left standing there staring, like he's trying to figure out whether this woman was honestly being serious with him or, )

I must be a lot more tired than I thought. ( That seems to be the only plausible explanation for this. He's tired and mishearing things and should probably be dragging his arse back into that tent that he worked so hard to pitch. He rubs at one of his eyes for a brief moment. )

Did you just— call yourself Hawke?

[otiosity]

I did!

I'm Hawke. With tits. Which I assume your Hawke doesn't have. And I mean, I technically have. Maybe I should have picked a different descriptor.

[She's flat chested as fuck. She even looks down pointedly to confirm because that's like... the joke. But then shrugs with an easy grin.]

But yes, it's me and all my beautiful, nice haired, sarcastic glory. So tell me, does the Hawke you know, is he, I'm going with he now, does he have a beard?

[judicia]

( If Anders wasn't already used to this kind of inappropriate commentary, he probably would have suspected this woman to be a demon. Trying to impersonate Hawke. As a her. Which... doesn't make much sense, even without the personality connection.

The weirdest thing out of all of this, though, may be the fact that this Hawke is talking about the other male version of herself like she knows of him. As to her question, Anders answers hesitantly, )

He does. ( And then, with a little more suspicion on his part, he asks, ) Was that a shot in the dark guess or did someone already tell you?

ii

[r3f4c70r3d]

[ Angel has sat herself precariously close to the fire, occasionally throwing an acorn or pinecone in and watching it crack and pop. A small bowl of barely eaten...something (looks like root veggies and some kind of meat soup?) by her side. She's quiet for a moment in thought before she answers the strangers question. ]

I remember the majority of one I heard some time ago, but the author intended it for children.

[judicia]

You mean the stories that parents tell their children to keep them from running off into the forest at night?

( Or just a story that's child-friendly. Either way, it sounds incredibly fascinating. After rubbing his hands together a few more times to get the circulation back in them, he takes a seat nearby on the ground. )

Did someone tell it to you when you were little?

[r3f4c70r3d]

No, I don't have any of those. This one I simply overheard.

[ Well, technically she does, stories about bandits and people who would use her for horrible things if they ever found her, scary stories she didn't realize she was already living for far too long. She taps her fingers against her knee as she tries to remember the ones she overheard from Janey's echo logs. ]

Once upon a time there was this moon. Then "some military dudes" came and started mining. They um...they delved all deep and greedy and...Moon cracked open. People died. No one lived happily ever after. The end.

[judicia]

( continued here )

descent

[zephrah]

[ Until about five minutes ago, Keyleth had been flying around in the form of a large, glowing, winged celestial being, catching pods and pulling the injured from them to heal them, but the spell only lasts for an hour. She's just Keyleth again, red-haired and half-elf shaped, bent over with her hands on her knees, panting softly. ]

Great! I'm great!

[ She's not injured (thank the gods she had the sense to land before she lost the spell, that would've been fun), she's just really damned tired. ]

You don't, uh, you don't happen to have any water do you?

[judicia]

I'm afraid I don't. ( He does give her a quick once-over, though, to look for blood or anything that she's been injured, as a precaution. He's used to those stubborn types, the ones that grit through the pain and carry on without saying a word.

Luckily, that doesn't seem to be the case here. )

I could conjure some for you, though, if I can find something to hold it in.

[zephrah]

Shoot. Crap. [ She could do that too, but. Same problem. She tips her head up to survey the skies, hoping that maybe they have a brief reprieve before more of those metal nightmares start falling again. She's got more in her bag of tricks, but her throat feels like it's coated with sand. ]

Maybe there's some containers in the pods? They can't have sent us down here without at least some supplies, right?

[judicia]

( continued here )

bearings!

[xxxxx]

[ Remus thinks about it, visibly, with one hand curled over his mouth and his eyebrows raising contemplatively at the question while he looks into the fire. He's sitting down already, leaning toward it for warmth. Scary stories. He could make one up. "The Dementor's Kiss". "The Professor Who Nearly Killed His Students". "Severus Snape's Entire Face". "Voldemort & Friends Go On A Killing Spree".

There are always the classics, too, like "The Wizard's Hairy Heart". Or there's nothing, which is what he decides on, shaking his head with a smile half-hidden behind his hand.

In case that seems dismissive or rude—because it probably isn't very convincing, more I'm not telling than I don't know any—he sits up straight and smiles a little wider. ]

Do you?

[judicia]

( Oh, he has a few. Some of which he's experienced himself, some of which he hasn't. He doesn't seem to mind, at least, when the other man turns the question back on him. He just looks a bit sly. )

If you want to hear one. ( Which he assumes he does. Otherwise he would have just told him to scram. )

You don't scare easily, do you? ( He asks, looking all serious like the story he's about to tell may terrify him into never sleeping again. Or maybe it's just him being a little shit and trying to freak him out before he even gets going. )

[xxxxx]

[ The question makes him grin, just for a moment, before he dials back to a demure smile that's more respectful of the man's apparent seriousness. Remus could say he's the scariest thing he knows—but he isn't. At most he's the third scariest. Fourth, now that he has to add storms that destroy entire worlds to the list.

Anyway, that isn't a joke he makes with strangers. That isn't a joke he's made with anyone at all in thirteen years. And it really isn't very funny.

So: ]

Do your worst, [ he says, very brave, Godric would be proud—but out of self-deprecating good humor and a sense of moderation, he also adds, ] I'll let you know if it's too much for me.

[judicia]

( continued here )