❪ 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]

[The sassiness just makes his grin lopsided, and he leans back a little from the fire, using both hands to adjust his scarf. It's an idle gesture as she goes off to get a few items, returning soon after.]

The third wave. I've been plucking refugees out of their pods for several hours yet. [A tiring job for most. Ardyn... well, there's something about his eyes that do look tired, but it isn't for reasons regarding his task.] A task quite unsuited for someone such as myself.

And you?

[burglarize]

Wave two. [ The unsung "healers" of the group. Ann would not call herself that so easily, not when she'd rather be involved kicking corrupt adult's asses and stealing their hearts. ] I wonder why they put people in waves that weren't best for them...

[ Ann's successful in prepping her meal but she'll grab the nearest big stick and loop it underneath the two handles lifted upwards on the pot. Grunting, she hovers it over the fire. Working dem biceps, gurllll. ]

I get it, the whole last resort type thing, but still.

[daemonized]

Wave two... [He echoes, idly watching as she prepares her canned meal.] You were one of the healers, then.

[There were several in wave two, those who had been expected to tend to injuries that weren't just their own. Ardyn had seem them flitting about throughout the day, and had assessed them with some mild interest, but not enough for him to interrupt the job tasked to them. But now he has one of them here, heating up beans.

He can indulge in his curiosities further.]

Are you a medical professional of sorts? [She looks a bit young for that.] Or is your manner of healing different?

[burglarize]

Something like that.

[ She's casual — more dismissive. It would be a noble role, but one Ann wasn't too comfortable in. Not alone. ]

It's ... different. I don't have any medical skills past what my Persona can do. I guess there's no need to hide that fact because we're desperate for medics and healers. Our wave was super tiny.

[daemonized]

A shame that we only have so many people to work with, unless we're graced by the presence of a few more friends and loved ones, someday.

[Says the man, who is totally not someone who could easily slot into the category of healer. Nope. Nope nope.]

Your "Persona"? [You saw this question coming, surely.]

[burglarize]

[ BE A HEALER, GOD DAMN IT. ]

That's the goal. They want those people on ice protected — I do too. People I know are up there waiting to wake up. Least I can do right now is play along.

[ She sounds huffy, especially so as she watches the beans begin to bubble every so often, indicating the heat against the pan. ]

...It's uh. It's a power. I guess. I can summon my Persona — Carmen — and she's able to do some badass stuff. Heal and cast fire. I never was able to do it outside of Palaces, but I guess our recruiters are generous.

[daemonized]

[YOU CAN'T TELL HIM WHAT TO DO]

Then it's noble of you to be helping in what ways you can. I only hope the job becomes easier for you in time, if you decide to adhere to the role of healing.

[As for the Persona talk... well, Ardyn will assume it's a term with a capital "P". Summoning isn't a notion that he's unfamiliar with, at least.]

Is she a creature, then? A conduit for your magic? [And what do palaces have to do with anything?]

[burglarize]

What else am I suppose to do? Risk losing out on the promise from our creepy overseers? [ No way. Even if she would hate it, she has friends that need to wake up. ] Not sure if this will be a fulltime gig — I'd like to find something better, but if Carmen can heal, I have to guide her.

[ There's a quick shake of her head, honestly. ]

Less of that — more of an extension of me. I think she's some spiritual manifestation of who I want to be — but, uh. She heals. I guess. I'm still weird having people see her, only my friends did.

[daemonized]

[And while his imagination can attempt to fill in the blanks, Ardyn thinks to himself that it would be much, much simpler to ask:]

Can you show me?

[He's trying to envision what an "extension" of herself would look like, and honestly, he's just coming up with another version of her in his head, so. Why not clear up the mystery?]

[burglarize]

[ He has no clue how that question flusters her. She flinches, almost comedically to try and keep a firm focus on the beans — no burning beans here. ]

It's not that easy!

[ Her face was noticeably redder, almost as if she was embarrassed. I mean, with the outfit that came with her Persona? Of course. ]

I'm still getting use to summoning her outside of Palaces and — having people see my outfit. Can I raincheck?

[daemonized]

[The embarrassment is noted, and of course now it only makes him wonder what there is possibly to be embarrassed about. He could ask, but--

Well, he just concedes the point for now.]

Of course. I'd hate to make you uncomfortable, after the day we've all had. You can show me some other time. Though I admit, now you have me curious.

[burglarize]

It's soooo not that big of a deal. You really didn't see the big lady in the salsa dress?

[ Maybe she didn't bring as much attention as she thought — that's always good. ]

If the next few days go as bad as this landing did? She'll probably be around me a lot... ugh.

[daemonized]

A big lady in a salsa dress. [He repeats that plainly, because lord, who even knows if they know what a salsa dress is on Eos, honestly.]

Then I suppose I'll have plenty of chances to see her, won't I?