❪ october plot conclusion; wyver takes ❫

[natha]

THE END TO THE EPIDEMIC     On the morning of November 3, there is a palpable buzz on the streets as both the natives of Wyver and Olympian refugees share the same sentiment: excitement. Word will quickly spread that a cure to VIOLET2710 has finally been developed and is ready for mass dissemination. Throughout the city, the cure can be found at any of the numerous small temples and outposts of the Altar of Volkkra. The shamans of Volkkra will happily distribute the cure to any of the ill in need of it, without restraint. A joint venture between both Olympia and Wyver, citizens of both are granted equal access. As the lines form, the shamans will ask that able-bodied persons administer the cure to themselves and to others. Don't let the needles scare you! It'll only hurt a little. At each of these outposts, signs will be posted giving credit to those who aided in the creation and manufacture of the cure: Claire Fraser Amaterasu Pike Trickfoot Charles Xavier Alan Foster (Bruce Wayne) Keyleth Rosalind Lutece Shinjiro Aragaki Mipha Wrathion Dorian Pavus Merlin Morrigan Clarke Griffin Rose Lalonde Peter Parker Linnaeus Zelda John Watson You Watanabe Jean Grey Mikleo Daenerys Targaryen Dylas Frankenstein Waver Velvet As they distribute the cure, the shamans will note that those receiving the cure should give thanks to those named. Without their contributions, it may have taken much longer for the cure to be found and created in large enough quantities to save everyone. SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?     With Olympia and Wyver's fragile alliance still in effect and a cure to VIOLET2710 distributed, Olympia finally opens its gates once again to Refugees if they feel a little homesick. High-speed transportation will be available at record low costs as politicians, merchants, and other business owners desperately hurry home to salvage whatever they can from the terrorist attacks. Refugees are advised to remain in Wyver until food rations can be recovered and the water can be decontaminated. However, those more personally attached to Olympia may discover that the city is preparing a mass call for volunteers that will go out in the near future. In the meantime, and understandably, you should do what you can to help the Wyver people. The Dragon city has started posting quests, not only for you to do your part, but for the Wyver people to gauge your worth as visitors to their sacred land. Thesa also has an interest in the unfolding events. Refugees have now been exposed to both lands, and certainly some will find themselves more invested in one side than the other. Darma finally wakes from slumber to observe, and while she is thankful that Refugees are immersed in her world, there is something foreboding on the horizons. On the night of the 3rd, Darma will appear in your dreams for a conversation. It has been some time, Refugee... ah, no, certainly not for me. I am Darma. It is my hope that Sael as served you well in my place. The Natha do not feel, but I must express gratefulness that I am able to return to you. My greeting extends to both old and new faces. As we watch you, we see that this world and its people have begun to influence your hearts. In time, your loyalty to either of these lands, to Olympia or to Wyver, shall affect how you are seen by the other side. As observers, we are unable to provide either region a winning edge. Thus, once you pledge loyalty to one, you cannot use Thesa to teleport to the other. Choose wisely, or choose none at all. There is no war for those who do not wish to see it. For those who do... if I may be prudent— this alliance will not last. Keep your friends close, Refugee, for they may not remain so if your allegiances conflict. You will wake before you get a chance to reply. THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM IN THE UNDERGROWTH     The locals often speak of a cursed place deep within Wyver territory, confounded by the spirits of dragons who passed long ago: those who still wish for vengeance on the people of Olympia for their untimely deaths. Though these stories began as nothing more than urban legends among the raiders and shamans, over time the idea has become mainstream. So much that the rumors have started causing unrest between the people of Wyver and their guests. More than a few people within Wyver have used these rumors as justification for opposing the current alliance with Olympia. Many Wyver locals see these rumors as a sign that their ancestors disapprove of the alliance. As a result, those in charge have decided that it would be prudent to mitigate some of the anxiety from either side. Those who are willing to look into these rumors further will find themselves lead towards the darkest parts of Wyver, deep within the Undergrowth in a region devoid of light. The faint of heart will be advised against delving further. Common among these rumors are accounts of people being attacked by an unseen enemy, or talk of possession and out-of-body experiences. Those who press on will find that the culprit is none other than a new, undocumented beast. This creature is able to camouflage itself perfectly to its environment. This, paired with darkness of the deep Undergrowth, makes this beast nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye. The creature also release a noxious gas that can spark a range of emotional responses: some may grow hysterical, while others may be consumed by despair. The effects only last for minutes, though some may linger in the back of one's mind for hours after. While the creature does not actually attack people directly, the other beasts of the Undergrowth may take advantage of its victims. Fortunately, Wyver is not looking for the creature's capture. They respect the delicate balance of the jungle as they see themselves as its protectors. For now, they only desire more information about this creature in order to assuage the people. Good luck and do your best to keep your wits! ALRIA'S FULL MOON     While Olympians worship the ever-present light of Thesa, the people of Wyver are captivated by the smaller, yet ever-changing Alria. Alria cycles in and out of the night sky much like what denizens of Earth would remember as lunar phases, and those who are familiar with that may notice it is very similar to their own. And likewise, the creatures, men and women of Wyver are affected when Alria transitions into its full moon phase. DRAGONS & LUNATICS — The dragons are restless. Perhaps because this particular full moon is accompanied by far more human scent than they are typically used to, but there's no doubt that they are eyeing humans as they do fresh prey. That is exactly why humans or human-like refugees will be tasked to tame a particularly rowdy dragon stable. The dragon mounts at Lhongha Stables have broken free from their homes, roaming aimlessly in the deep undergrowth. You and another will be advised to strip down to your undergarments (it's hot, relax a little, human!) and lure the dragons back to the stables with your bodies. Rowdy dragons do love their human flesh! "Just a hunch," says the owner of the stables, "But I bet they'll come running faster if they smell your human blood." He laughs as he hands over a pocket knife if he sees you're not carrying a weapon. The owner assures you that the dragons have been trained not to attack unless told to, but who knows how serious he is about that? JUNGLE HEAT (NSFW) — The full moon affects Wyver in other ways as well. While Olympia has a district blessed by Thesa's light all year long, Wyver only feels it at a certain time of the month. "The Heat" lasts for a full week starting on a full moon. You'll see it everywhere. Olympia has its lust confined in a single district, but in Wyver, during the phase of the full moon, the lust is everywhere. The people of Wyver will be friendlier then, offering you ale and meat. They sing songs of destroying their enemies up north, but even the native Olympians won't be able to will themselves to be angry when Alria shines upon them. Perhaps you'll be find yourself affected, too, by Alria's light. And it's okay to get touchy; it isn't like the locals care about public displays of affection when they most certainly are getting handsy themselves. THE PACT OF VOLKKRA — Shamans, too, participate in celebrations of Alria's full moon. During the event, the shamans will give pairs each a couple of blessed dragon teeth necklaces. Wyver tradition states that if a shaman approves you as a pair, then you are granted a chance to form a Volkkran Pact. This pact, the shaman will explain, will bond a pair as an unstoppable team, granting one another a small influence on each others' powers. "King Shanrian and his Pact, Counsel Shenya benefit from this. Shenya was granted physical strength, and our King his Counsel's perception. It has made quite a difference." THE VOLKKRAN PACT AT NAMARAK SUMMIT     Despite being mistaken for a pair, there is no need to take the shaman's advice. The necklace will disappear if the Pact isn't completed in a week's time. However, if the Pact's benefits might be something of interest to you and your partner, then you'll be advised to travel further south, until you reach Namarak Mountain. At the summit, you'll find an altar, where you and your partner are expected to return the necklaces and make a vow to support one another. The shaman there isn't particularly interested in what you do to complete the Pact. In fact, many people who attempt the Pact tend to... go a bit further than is necessary, when it can be achieved through a simple kiss between the partners. The Volkkran Pact's effects are immediate upon physical contact. Each Pact can be broken through a special process with the head Shaman, but there needs to be at least a month's time before one can sever it. The pairs may be fake and still receive the benefit of the Pact, though they may find that sharing power with someone they are not truly committed to is a mistake. NOTE: Players may be creative about what powers can be shared. The recipients of the such powers can never be granted its full strength, but it may be strengthened with Wyver REP rewards. Please note that PCs does not need to pledge allegiance to Wyver in order to keep the Volkkran Pact; they will only need 10 Wyver REP in order to strengthen it. Refer to the questions thread below if you have any questions. BUILD-A-BLADE WORKSHOP     Sirod, the weapon's head shopkeeper, is interested in procuring a few materials for his clients. While these clients have already collected the claws of larger beasts and various other parts needed to create their new weapons, they are still missing some rare, necessary items. In particular, they are still missing the following: High Prisms — These tiny crystals attach themselves to the branches of older trees. They tend to hang near the tops of them, hiding in the shadows of the leaves. Unfortunately, retrieving them requires one… to climb. Hopefully you got a lot of tree climbing practice as a kid. Who knew that skill would ever come in handy? Crystal Drop — These are normally found near bodies of water. Especially water that has been enchanted, past or present. The drops tend to cling to the floors of these mystical streams and lagoons. Those seeking them will also have to be careful not to be affected by the water’s properties. Perhaps that's part of the trick of gathering them. Frozen Mylan Root — Mylans are a type of live vegetation that grows on Namarak Mountain. Constantly roaming in the warm seasons, they root themselves into fertile earth during the winter where they sleep until spring, making the snowy mountain ideal to acquire the roots. Plucking them from the ground takes strength, and slicing them will prove equally difficult... and of course, there is a blood-curdling scream when you wake it from its slumber. Well, it wouldn't be a real test of strength and emotional fortitude otherwise. Those who retrieve any of these items will be rewarded 100 Silver. FINAL OOC NOTE     An AC-eligible thread for 2 WYVER REP POINTS may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD HERE by DEC 10th 11:59 PM EST. We will no longer be providing overflow posts. In an event where the post hits CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals or create their own catch-all post. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. 1 SILVER = 1 US DOLLAR. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

closed for junpei;

[crosspear]

[On the outskirts of town somewhere, Gaius is standing beside his horse. Nord stallions tend to stand a little taller than most horses—there's a reason they're the product his people are most known for. Tall, noble, powerful, proud...at the moment, Ullr eats from Gaius' hand. He's brought some fruit from the market with him, though the horse is certainly eyeing some grass to eat when he's done.

The horse is the first to spot Junpei. He lifts his head after twitching his ears in the direction of him and his dog, and Gaius follows his attention. His neutral expression changes into a smile as he waves Junpei down while Ullr stares calmly.]

Junpei! I'm glad you and Seven were able to make it.

[He pats Ullr on the side and asks him to stay so he can walk over first and close the distance between them. Ullr does indeed start munching on some jungle flora.]

I was worried we'd be difficult to find.

[kaleorbekaled]

[She can sniff the dragon nearby, but her priority is on the prisms at the moment. Once she's recovered them, she'll ask.

Her reflexes are quick enough that when he swoops down, she's able to snap her hand out and grab most of the falling prisms. She'd fly, but with the way he's swinging and his webs, she doesn't want to injure him by accidentally throwing him off at a bad time. It's all down to timing.]

Thank you.

[She's actually more appreciative about the quick turn around for the prisms than for the catch, but she doesn't need to clarify that for him. It's more polite to simply say thanks.]

So...um. What about the dragon? It's not far from here.

[r3f4c70r3d]

[ Neither will Angel, but since it seems like Rosalind will no longer push the issue, she doesn't bring that up for now. Instead she complies, coming closer.

This is a really weird situation for her. She'd been witness to so much violence down in the core, but never in person let alone by her own hand. Even though this barely counted as something even close to an act of carnage, it was still physically harming a person. She wasn't scared or squeamish but it was certainly a surreal feeling.

With some trepidation, she holds her hand out to take the knife from Rosalind. ]

YOU DON'T KNOW HIS LIFE

[ownit]

[Is that a dig, Snake? That's totally a dig. You can't see Dio frowning but you can probably feel that icy-hot stare.]

No promises.

[About not killing this wise ass. Not about the vocabulary--fuck. Whatever. Dio holds onto Snake firmly as he twists his wrist upward and actually shock looks for a vein before sliding the needle a bit roughly inside. At least he didn't just absently jam it under the skin. Could be worse.]

[competing]

[ pls don't kill the other father of your future grandson, crowley...

anyway, the egg, sadly, doesn't do any of those things. it's pretty boring. at least it's warm?? luckily, lance isn't gone for too long, considering he can really hold his breath for a total of four minutes anyway.

when he emerges, he's got a fistful of crystal sharps, hurriedly swimming them over towards the shore where leanne waits, panting heavily. ]

Do these look right? [ he sounds slightly panicked. ] Did the guy ever mention anything about pulling them off an animal, I think I woke something up, oh man—

[ excuse him as he hastily drags himself out of the water, kthx. ]

[kaleorbekaled]

[It's nice to hear that Misa is worried about her, and were she with Caulifla, she might fall back into a little sister role despite wanting to fight by her mentor and best friend's side as an equal. But when she's with a friend who can't fight, Kale can find her courage.]

Sis was a great teacher...a-and when she's out of the stasis pods, you'll see! If the dragon is too strong for me like this, I can transform into a super saiyan.

[The only thing she'd worry about would be making sure she doesn't transform into her berserker form. While it's incredibly powerful, Kale's only been in control of herself once in that state so far. The other two times, she's been extremely aggressive, angry, and difficult to reason with.]

It makes me fifty times stronger than normal. I don't think a dragon would be hard to fight like that.

[ownit]

[This is pretty good timing for one of those aforementioned dragons that caught onto their petty squabbling to make itself known, I think. Dio doesn't look too concerned about it, anyway.]

You're right...let me try again.

[He puts a hand on her back...]

Ladies first.

[And shoves her bodily toward the dragon oops.]

[kaleorbekaled]

That sounds like a lot of fun. I can use ki to fly, so it's kind of useful for getting around. Even though it's more tiring here than it was in my colony. I was told it could be because of the storm's effects.

[And then a question occurs to her.]

Do you think that someone in Olympia could cure that so it doesn't tire me out so easily anymore?

[ownit]

[This is really, super not working. And Dio's getting tired of this bullshit even more than he already was, so as the stream of swearing continues he fumbles for the knife stashed on his person and starts rapidly stabbing downward into the ground where he's trying to rebury the upset vegetable.]

For the love of--die motherfucker!

[It would've come to this eventually anyway. They'll know he got lucky if and when it stops screaming.]

[fractaljesus]

[In fact his lips will taste like nothing at all--a doll's slips to match a doll's facade. He allows his eyes to slip closed, as he knows he should, but beyond this he does nothing. He does not return the kiss but rather allows himself to be kissed. He is at a loss here, not knowing what to do with his mouth or hands, so they lie still against the other. No passion in his kiss--no feeling. Going through the motions without any emotion put into it. He can grant a kiss, but he cannot give what he does not have. He will allow Venom to kiss him for as long as he desires, however, as this was his request.

For now, at least, his curiosity is sated.]

[emblazes]

[Ah. Okay. He's gonna be quiet about his own experience, lest he prompt an outburst similar to his own way back when. He's not collecting blood on a whim -- quite the contrary, but still.]

It won't be worse than last time.

[Confidently. Now, what the fuck is Gaelio wearing.]

Could you roll up your sleeve?

[demonly]

[ Rin obliges, giving him his right arm despite the fact that he hasn't had a shot probably since he was like?? 5. Nonetheless, maybe it's the loopiness from the sickness, or maybe it's the fact that Rin is a sentimental type of person, but he gives Keith a careful and warm look in response to his answer. ]

Y'know, yer a lot nicer than ya let on. [ Keith is prickly on the outside but Rin knows he cares deep down!! Just like a Certain Someone else from his home world. ] I knew you were a good person.

[ why else would he willingly hang out with his 500 sick friends... ]

[demonly]

[ The babysitting comment is just going to get a leer, since he's too busy reminding himself who Jae-ha is. ]

Oh. That green guy?

[ Because let's be real, Rin probably couldn't remember his name until just this very moment. He hadn't known that he and Mephisto knew each other, but maybe that's why he was so cool about the part-non-human thing, rather than because he was part-non-human himself. ]

No wonder he was so weird. [ Since he considers Mephisto a friend. ] Then - you already told him about me before he even met me?

[punshots]

[ Whatever else Prompto might have been about to say sputters to a stop on his lips, face flushing a deep crimson color as Lance draws attention to the ring he's wearing. For one usually so effusive, for a moment, he's entirely nonplussed. He shouldn't be surprised - what did he expect, when he started wearing it around? Of course, he'd been planning to tell Lance all about the Volkkran Pact whether he noticed it or not, but there's something about the way Lance brings it up now that has Prompto's heart fluttering in his chest and a genuine laugh gusting out of him.

Boy. Has he got a story to tell. ]

H-hey, don't worry, man - I wouldn't cheat you out a gig like that! [ It's difficult to get the words out between his bouts of laughter, but he does, balling his hand up into a loose fist and nudging it against Lance's shoulder. ]

See - there was this whole - necklace thing? And a shaman, and we did this - [ he makes a vague motion with his hands crossing each other ] - and then the Natha - and I can do magic now, sorta?

[ That all made sense, right? Oh man, he's got to sit down before he faints. Fortunately, they're approaching a little outdoor cafe, the sort of place that wouldn't look out of place in Lestallum. It looks perfect. ]

[frombetrayal]

[i can't believe the mylan root is fucking dead

...

which is to say, after a couple of well-placed stabs, the thing's shrieking tapers off into a small, pathetic whine before it goes eerily silent. Haru slowly brings her hands down from her ears and stares down at it.]

...I suppose that's one way to silence it.

[She feels almost sorry for it.]

[bruxisms]

[ he considers this for a moment as his teeth move side to side. ]

Perhaps. Be that as it may, his behaviour was unworthy.

[ he still could not understand why one needed to be nearly bare of clothes. a true mystery for the ages. ]

But I do not doubt he wished to take advantage of those who have never had the chance to see a true dragon.

[ they were long dead in Stannis's homeland. but as a young boy, he had seen the bones when they adorned the throne room. truth be told, he had also wished to see one as well. only not if it would subject him to humiliation at best, and potential mutilation at worst. ]

1!

[ownit]

Bad vibes, huh?

[Dio barks a laugh, not seeming at all concerned. Though...maybe he should. He doesn't seem to take much seriously in general, as backed up by the way he shrugs casually.]

Good enough for me. Let's get cracking.

[cutefaced]

Oh, that's true...

[Hmmm. Yona twirls a few strands of hair around a finger as she thinks about it.]

You mean they can hear them? Or that they get a weird feeling? ...like a chill down your spine, or feeling like you're being watched when no one's there!

[cutefaced]

Oh! Right, that's me, definitely! I'm completely entrepreneurial!

[yona you didn't know what that word meant until two seconds ago]

Since you're helping me get these, you can be my business partner.

[cutefaced]

Mmhm!

[babysitting is very important, even if you're babysitting an egg that probably won't roll off on its own anywhere]

That should be fine. We can split up a little bit before we get there, so neither of us [read: her] will get lost.

[puffing]

[ wow. what an enabler. this would be an opportune time for him to tell her how he is the Big Bad Wolf of legend, but he doesn't want her to choke on whiskey or have it go up her nose. that would just be... uncomfortable. her question will instead make him lean back, officially accepting that she has said fuck all to sensibility and control. maybe that should be enough for Bigby, knowing that he was able to somehow outlast the woman that screamed out professionalism and patience equally.

he chews on the inside of his cheek when she swallows the alcohol as harshly as she does. whether or not she does that intentionally as a way of demonstrating what certain things would look like, his mind goes there. Bigby winces as a result, shifting about in his stool and growling once more. when she's done, he yanks the bottle straight out of her hand. it's brought up to his mouth for the umpteenth time, his mouth opens to drink...

... and then it's slammed down onto the counter along with enough currency to pay for both of their drinks, because he's standing up and pulling the woman out of her stool by the arm. when she's on her feet, she's pressed into his chest and his hand is on her hip again. should be familiar. ]

Alright. Don't fucking regret it when you wake up sore in the morning.

[ he doesn't even wait for her to answer. she can if she would like, but she is now being pulled out of the tavern and guided back to her home. at least Bigby is sensible enough not to throw her down on the nearest table in public. ]

1/2

[cutefaced]

[Yona looks proud of herself, for like .02 seconds, when it looks like Dio is actually listening to her.

And then he, you know, shoves her directly toward the dragon.

It catches her off-guard and she stumbles, hitting the ground hard right in front of it - which is a good thing, because if she'd been standing upright, the creature would have bitten her head off. Its jaws snap shut just inches above her head.]

—eeeek!

2/2

[cutefaced]

[She rolls hard to one side to avoid getting stepped on when the reptile advances, and her voice is a little shrill when she calls out to him.]

Are you going to do something, or what?!

he talks so much that these tags get long, I'm sorry

[crosspear]

It's not quite the same thing, but when I use my ARCUS in conjunction with other ARCUS users, our energies sync up. [He likely hasn't mentioned mentioned his ARCUS before now, so he'll fish it out of his vest and hold it out for Archer to either take or look at, flipping it open to reveal the quartzes inside.] It's called a combat link system. The stronger a bond we share, the more our abilities strengthen. It's more than fighting together with an ally, it's feeling their energy with yours as well. I miss it sometimes.

[He'll either pocket it once he's done or let Archer hold onto it. But the debt, huh? He rubs his neck at that. He's not particularly looking to have any debt repaid, but Archer seems like the kind of man who wouldn't appreciate being told to just forget it. So, Gaius artfully responds in a way that says neither "don't worry about it" or "get on that."]

I suppose this means I'll run into you again while I'm here. I'll be looking forward to it. [He's not saying they're done speaking here, but Gaius cherishes all meetings. When it's his turn to listen to Archer, he lifts his hand to his chin. That sounds like a more direct parallel to the pact than his own story.] I see. I'm not sure what my own goal is, either, but maybe you'll find one of your own here in Wyver. Compared to Olympia, there's a lot more going on here that seems...mystical or mysterious, don't you think?

[sullenstallion]

[Dylas didn't quite see him before—but he's not surprised to see someone flinching away from him. It happens a lot. He scoffs.]

Is that how it works? They'd be grateful for a lie. I didn't really help. All I did was wipe blood out of eyes and empty bedpans.