❪ 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

[daemonized]

[He looks up at the other when he speaks, eying him idly through his half-shattered mask. He cannot stop the way his brow arches, parsing the man's meaning.

Was he offering him reassurance? Did he think that he was some bleeding heart, standing there, having watched the other pods free fall from the sky, worry nagging at him? That was far from the truth, for there are too many instances where Ardyn is fueled by little more than an detached sort of apathy, sometimes lined with amusement. He had not been worried, no more than one worries about the way dead leaves fall from a tree.

But, he'll not go out of his way to correct Terra. He simply raises a hand and gestures at an open space across the fire.]

And you look as if you've played a large part in that, have you not? Sit and rest your bones for a while. If what you say is true, then you deserve at least that much.

[earthy]

[Terra frowns at that, immediately uncomfortable with the suggestion that he played anything more than a small part in the outcome of the day's events.]

I didn't do all that much. [He shakes his head.] A lot of the others in the first wave were stronger... Some of them could even grab the pods right out of the air, like all that metal weighed nothing. And the healers, the people who helped carry the injured and move everything out of the way, the people using other magic to help out...

[He doesn't remember which wave they were working through when he glimpsed this guy (and his... unique outfit) at the edge of his vision and overheard him pondering how many might be lost to the fall. He hopes he has his contribution covered.

There's no question about the invitation this time, but Terra still hangs back, reluctant to give in to aching muscles and the welcome warmth of the fire. He should keep moving, find more tasks to keep busy with until Darma contacts them again.

That is absolutely what he should do.

... Maybe a few minutes of rest won't hurt.

Armor crunching, he moves around the campfire, drives the end of his Keyblade into the earth to stand it up, and then kneels down beside the weapon.]

Darma saved a lot of very powerful people from the Storm. I don't know what comes next, but... I think we're in a... [Good? No, not quite good...] ... in an okay spot here, with so much strength, magic, and experience between us all.

[daemonized]

Do give yourself a bit of credit. That you helped at all is worth praise, and so I shall give it to you.

[He says it in a very dismissive sort of manner, though, as if Ardyn were unaffected in general by all of it. As if he didn't particularly seem to mind if he took the compliment or not.

Ardyn waits for him to sit, eying the armor and the strange weapon.]

People with all manner of talents and abilities. Yourself included, of course- [He motions at the keyblade.]

I've never seen a weapon quite like that before.

[earthy]

[How about that, the dirt's fascinating on this side of the fire, too. Terra doesn't try and shake the compliment again, knowing it'd be rude to do so. Rude and pointless. (And, all right, maybe his meager help counts... Maybe...)

When the Keyblade's brought up, he looks over and absently reaches out with one hand to run his fingers down the edge of it.]

Ah... It's a type of blade guardians use where I'm from.

[He's never been all that great at lying outright so, when possible, he tries to just lightly skirt the truth. The World Order is null and void... along with countless worlds, but he still feels some pressing need to keep all he knows and all the oversized key's capable of from his fellow Refugees. Old habits, he supposes.]

Good for knocking around the occasional monster. [And nothing else. That's his story and he's sticking to it.] I guess it looks a little different than most blades.

[Yeah, just a little. Now to change the subject.]

What about you, sir? Do you fight?

[The clothing doesn't really suggest fighter, but he could be some form of... wizard? Yes, now that Terra thinks about it, that could be wizard garb.]

[daemonized]

[That's right, it looks more than just a little different; it's looks like a key, and as much as Ardyn wants to point that out, it seems too obvious. It's enough to spark amusement in the man, thinking of a world where fighting with such a weapon would be sufficient enough to slay monsters. But he supposes it looks weighty enough to do damage, though he can't imagine just how balanced it would feel in his own hands.

Ardyn moves along with the subject change, malleable man that he feels like being tonight. yes he is the wizard of bad clothing choices]

Me? While I may know a thing or two about wielding a blade, I tend to leave the fighting for those more experienced than I. [How far can he stretch the truth until it turns into a lie? So far, he's doing well.] I was a chancellor back home, you know. A politician is not often very suited for fighting monsters.

[earthy]

A chancellor?

[A... king? No, not a king. Advisor to a king? Part of a council under a king? A king's judge? Or a king's scribe?

A king's wizard? (He sees no reason to give up on the wizard idea just yet.)

Probably should have paid more attention during those 'common world governments' lessons... Maybe he can fill in one of the self-inflicted gaps in his education now.]

If you don't mind my asking, what is it a chancellor does?

[daemonized]

[King was closer to the actual truth of the matter, though of course Ardyn would not say that much. But no, he definitely still isn't a wizard, Terra.]

A chancellor is position that denotes having a hand in leading a government. At least, that is its meaning in Niflheim. I often found myself advising the Emperor.

[earthy]

[A general sort of government official, then... and an advisor.]

Sounds like you'd be the guy to call on if we run into any trouble with whoever rules this world.

[Someone who knows about law is bound to be an asset to the group as they figure out how this place works.

A flapping of wings overhead draws Terra's focus and his head snaps up in time to watch the vague shape of some nocturnal creature pass out of the light of the fire, back into darkness.]

Is your emperor here?

[daemonized]

[His emperor. Something about Ardyn's smile twists a little at that, and he almost chuckles, as if there was a joke unspoken.]

No. He is not. He died, back on Eos. The consequence of a war between two nations, coming to its head.

[earthy]

[Terra's attention lingers on the sky. He waits for the winged animal to reappear and, when it doesn't, he's left wondering if perhaps he imagined its shadowy form.

Then again, this world could harbor any number of real monsters.

Terra shakes his head again, trying to concentrate on the man beyond the fire and what he's saying about his emperor... being slain? Or just dying somehow, because of a war.

Well, that's awful.]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[It must be a hard thing to lose your king. To war, no less. And then the Storm comes along and wipes everything away...]

The loss of your emperor and your world.

[Terra rocks forward and stands back up. He's had his (literal) few minutes of rest. He can't sit any longer.]

I hope you're able to find some peace here, Chancellor. But for now, is there anything you need? [He pulls his Keyblade free from the ground.] Food? Water? More wood for the fire?

[daemonized]

[What heartfelt condolences those are. Enough to almost make him laugh; if only Terra knew the truth of the situation, that it was by no means his emperor or nation that fell. He held no sentimentality connected to it all; if anything, he was the one who led all of Niflheim astray, to its own downfall.

But-- you know, not something he'd bring up right now.]

You're kind, truly. [He grins up at him.] But no, all I require is to sit by the fire for now. It still has enough life in it to blaze for more time to come.

[earthy]

[Blissfully unaware of the true manner of the man he's talking to, and having none of the usual reservations one might (... and frankly, probably should) have about a complete stranger, Terra nods his understanding.

On one end of the scale, there are shrewd and discerning personalities. On the other end, there's this guy with the big key.]

Stay warm, then.

[He ducks his head in another nod.]

I'll be around if you think of anything you need later.

[Less helpfully, he forgets to give his name before he walks away. Calling out 'hey you clueless armored guy' probably works just fine, though.]