❪ 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

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[song_of_ice]

[Now that he has a moment to step back and let his adrenaline seep away, he realizes how ridiculous it was to doubt that the door would hold. The dragons had been kept there before. This couldn't be the first time they tried to escape. The pens would need to be strong to keep them in place.

Reminding himself of that is enough to help him relax and exhaustion is quick to follow afterwards. His body felt heavy, his muscles screaming from being used so relentlessly.

It was like water, if he thought about it. Her movements had been fluid and quick, adapting to her surroundings.] Her warriors? How many of you were there? Were you assembled as an army?

[sparsity]

[ In that moment, Vane reminds him so much of better days. Maybe not of any one person, all sunny and cavalier, but when things seemed — hopeful. Like having something proud to look forward to when he put one foot down in front of the other, rather than just because it was all he knew how to do. When simple things were just kind rather than ominous. Mikazuki isn't usually someone who's easily gripped by an emotion like that, but he feels it anyway, seized coolly in the pit of his stomach.

Either that or it's hunger from talking about food so much. Sometimes he's not sure. What he is sure about is the fact that their pace has to slow the longer they keep at this, the farther into the jungle they descend. All the light seems to have pitched right out of the sky, and it's strange. ]

It's fine. Things like that can wait.

[ He has a purpose here, but it's making him frown as he comes to a stop. Hopefully Vane can sense that and not topple over him.

Damn. ] This is endless.

[ And his nose itches with a different kind of scent in the air. He sniffs once, missing that there's a wisp of movement in front of him, light like the wind but darker than their surroundings. ]

[sparsity]

[ Wordlessly, he obeys. He steps forward into the light and moves along the trunk of the tree until he gets to the matrix of branches, meandering through their downward heave into the jungle floor below. Eventually, he steps among the newer more pliant of them where the jewels reside, kneeling to pry the warm mineral core from the stems.

Like predators come to pick the bones clean, wasting nothing. Mikazuki lifts a particularly orange, almost red, crystal into the air, looking up through it as it casts the violent color into his eyes.

Just a look though, and it goes into the pile with the rest of them, all eventually rolled into a cloth sack and readied for transport back to the city. ]

[defenses]

[ a cave. a cave.


he does remember something like that. though, maybe a lop-sided pit of some sort was more obvious. it was burrowed between several trees too. the branches leaning in. vane doesn't recall how deep it was, but as for remembering where it was specifically located? well, that was harder. still, he does his best to ponder.

actually, he recalled thinking it reminded him of a place like home. ] I might know of a place! I can't how how large it is, but I think it'll hold. [ it's harder when they've been covering so much ground. vane eyes between the trees before he gives a solid: ] Right there!

[ he says while turning his chin in the direction as well.

when and if spideykun does turn, vane gives him a congratulatory pat on the back. ]

[defenses]

Then, it's a date! [ for the near future, that is.

sometimes silence spoke volumes. it isn't that vane can always piece those apart, but somehow... he gets a feeling as if they're bonding. then again, it could be said that he often felt this way, and was too quick to jump to these (occasionally far-fetched) conclusions. nevertheless, he gets a good feeling about this.

or as much as he can as they wander in the dark. vane detects mikazuki's sudden halt before he actually hears or sees it. almost to confirm, he presses a gentle hand on mikazuki's back (or where he assumes it is. he could have aimed a bit lower than intended, but it serves its purpose all the same. sort of.) ] ...

[ he seems to try and watch and figure mikazuki out first before their actually surroundings. with the way the other male sniffed about, he presumed he must have had better senses than most. then, while focusing on the area in front of them, he also sees that airy light ... something. ] I think it's here. [ ... ]

Do you feel that? [ he isn't sure what it is, but it's like it's harder to breathe.

he reaches a hand to cover mikazuki's mouth instinctively. ]

[sparsity]

[ Growing up scurrying around in the back alleys and trying to keep out from underfoot of the bar crowd, Mikazuki has seen his fair share of business going funny. Escaping that had been the goal, being better. Maybe that's why he's not wary at all and intent on burning away the last of Duo's caution too, casting that ash to the wind, just like the real fires do. Teeth sink into his lip and Mikazuki feels his chest give an animalistic thud, driven forward rather than away by it. There's something freeing about it, despite where they are. It's a little like recognition of what he's being both given and warned of. It paid to be cagey, for them.

Not that he's showing it, taking the tug on his clothing at full speed. Mikazuki tilts his body, arms stretching out to balance at Duo's sides. His palms rest on the rock behind him, giving him a place to curve into the other pilot like a weapon being swung, responding with a sharper nick of sharper canines. Not enough to bruise or puncture, but enough to benefit from the swipe of tongue he pulls across it. ]

[sparsity]

[ Something about that very specific motion makes Mikazuki's entire body brighten with tension. Like a bad memory colliding with a new fear. It takes a lot of concentration to not immediately struggle as his fight or flight instinct awakens from his usual sleepy demeanor. Only the feeling from minutes prior, that easy, promising break in all the darkness, makes him get a fast handle on himself. He has to clamp his eyes shut once and then pry them open again, letting a shaky breath go from his nose.

He's not usually so quick to rile, and his insides feel wild. For a brief second he's almost glad Vane has a grip on him, leaning against his arms. Instead, his eyes flick straight head, searching, but he can only sense that same oppressive heaviness in the air.

Slowly, he nods. He agrees that it's there, but it doesn't answer the biggest questions he has. Why is it affecting him but not attacking? ]

[fakers]

It figures bonding with her would give you something troublesome like that. Though its not surprising... if she has anything in excess, it's that.

[ it's not like he can't also feel some effects of zero's libido through their spiritual link, though he's grown accustomed to ignoring it. ]

Though that brings us to the more important question. What do you intend to do about... that?

[adelphoi]

[ he just used the word grandiloquent, so yes, him. ]

Those are not mutually exclusive, you realize. You can be theatrical both for your own good and to complete your duties.

[adelphoi]

[ look, don't pout, these sorts of stories are the things you must earn in time!! someday, young padawan.. but today is not the day. ]

Somehow I do not think that a very fair trade..

[ since he seems more than happy to give it away for free!! someday he will find the right coin to spend on embarrassing stories. ]

crawls forever

[fakers]

A strange thing to say. The wind is always a fickle thing... can you ever truly predict which way it will blow?

[ he simply shakes his head at that. perhaps a long time ago he may have been more... hopeful. but nothing in his rather long life has led him to believe otherwise at this point. ]

The best one can hope for is an uneasy peace. The problem with those is they never last. As long as their cultures are so far apart, there will always be conflict.

So you'd rather help those in greater need? [ a chuckle, though he nods. ] I can't fault that kind of thinking, though in the end you're simply picking the tougher path for yourself. [ he'd likely do the same, if he wasn't very unwelcome in olympia now. thankfully, the sentiment is rather mutul. ] Then I suppose it'd be for the best if neither of us finds anything to believe in too much.

[nanamari]

The network is the quickest way. We can decide what's appropriate when we see what we're dealing with, but if we need to use a video to prove it, I'll go on record.

[ She hates the idea of leaving a recording of herself anywhere, even when she isn't running from anyone anymore, but she's still a better option than Jack.

Better not to tempt fate when it comes to anyone who might want to go after an active fugitive. ]

i wanted to tag it one last time...

[tzaraisen]

[ He really wants to make his way down that mountain and part ways as quickly as possible. And yet, Cain always seems to be out to make an awkward situation as uncomfortable as possible.

He looks at him out of the corner of his eye as they walk. Lord give him patience. ]

You're supposed to have fire powers now, aren't you? You shouldn't need anymore assistance, the same as I.

[defenses]

[ the heaviness takes a while to settle into his own body. maybe it's because the creature was closer to the floor. or was creeping near to their feet as it seems to zip away. now the presence seems to wrap around them. or maybe that's just the air and it's part of its trap? still, even vane finds it rare for him to be gripped in this sense of... hopelessness? fear? it's strange. he isn't sure what this emotion is...

if just that he hasn't really felt anything quite like this. oddly enough, his own hold over mikazuki is what helps to ground him. as long as someone was relying on him, he couldn't break his composure. or so he thinks, but the hand that cups over mikazuki's mouth begins ago shake a little, his feet a bit uneasier as he tries to find the creature before the atmosphere of this place really gets to him.

it's not in sight, and it also doesn't look like it's there to attack them? then again, he almost feels like other creatures also seem to be avoiding this area. could they see something they couldn't? or was it instinct akin to mikazuki's? before he knows it, despite keeping the rest of himself together, tears.... start falling from his eyes.

... grossly cries on mikazuki. ]

[defenses]

Eheheh, so you figured, huh? [ vane still seems to take it in stride though. he then lifts a gentle hand to pat her lightly on the back. ] Then, I'll save it for next time. [ his attempts, that is... they do have that saying about a drop of water and a rock, don't they? ]

You won't forget, will you?

[emblazes]

[There's a look from side to side; the city isn't great -- better than Olympia, but he'll have a beef with any given place so long as he didn't arrive of his own volition.]

I don't have any food.

[Just to revisit their initial problem. Not a problem for him, but and issue for picnic-related festivities. Can't eat gems...]

[webdesigned]

( he does indeed turn! call him a little too trusting of his tiny friend, though at this point, any idea is better than none. and Peter can't say that he has any bright ideas on how to get away from the dragon. other than dropping Vane off somewhere and trying to lose the dragon on his own, and that just seems to be a continuation of the problem, only with less people.

the pack on the back is cute. thanks for the support, little buddy! )

Okay, so, this part might feel funny. Just hold on. ( this is just not enough warning for a complete and sudden freefall drop in altitude. sorry, Vane, your stomach can and will catch up to you in a little bit. it's fine. )

[ownit]

Like laying on my back all day?

[He scoffs, shrugging his shoulders in a fluid, careless motion.]

No thanks. Not that I'm some goody-goody who believes in earning your keep or anything, but I'd rather not sacrifice my integrity for the sake of ease.

[Because, you know, the word you think of when you look at Dio is "integrity" obviously.]

[nineteenfortyfive]

I've been taught how to use a knife, but it's... very much not my strong point.

[Some people can be healers and fighters. Claire? Not so much.]

[earthy]

[Knife-fighting...]

I guess that's something.

[As long as she has some kind of recourse if the bird man's group or anyone else decides to attack.]

It's possible knives just aren't the right weapon for you, though. [The mental image of her brandishing a knife is a little strange.] A bō might fit you better.

[He eyes her thoughtfully.]

Or maybe one of those... smaller guns? Handguns, I think they call them?

[defenses]

[ in hindsight, he probably shouldn't have eaten so much on the way here (but, who could deny a full meal and bread to go???). a regret he barely houses in as he feels that lull of gravity in the pit of his stomach. he makes an audible sound ... like he's about to puke, but fortunately...

he doesn't. he barely gets a grasp over that feeling before he covers his mouth with his hand. ] Erk... I'm assuming you didn't eat a lot before this? [ but, despite feeling sick, vane does his best to smile through it. ]

But, thanks, ... Red? Blue? [ hmmm...

instead of pondering names and titles, he should get a move on, but... ]

[competing]

Oh.

[ well okay. that kind of explains it? ]

Well — hey. If you ever need help navigating that kinda stuff, you call on ol' Lancey Lance here. I gotcha.

[panzersoldat]

[ He shakes his head a little. No. He wasn't looking for princesses. And even if he had been, he found a queen instead. Besides if he says yes, he's inferring the most terrifying woman he's ever met is a damsel in distress. He wants to live to see tomorrow. ] No. I really was out here because of that rumor about a curse. I thought I'd be enough to stop it. Like in the stories. The knight goes into the dark forest and breaks the curse and the people are free to live happily, ja? [ Only there is no curse and he needs to learn that life here isn't at all like the storybooks. Even if there are dragons. ] Only.... I...got scared.

[ That last part is quiet. Which for him is saying a hell of a lot, since Reinhardt doesn't usually come with volume adjustment. But it's Ana, who has seen him at his best and almost at his very worst, so he can admit it to her at least. That he had felt fear. ] I got scared and then there you were. Now it's better.

[daemonized]

[it's okay if that word is too big for you, Alisaie]

So that may be true. But-

[He crouches down to pick up a few of the crystals that have fallen on the ground. He won't be taking all of these, but he will pocket a few.]

It has gotten me far in life, regardless. I shall not be abandoning this aspect of my character quite yet.

[wondie]

( Diana is short of breath, and her body humming from the exertion. Even being substantially stronger than a human, she will rest easy tonight for the efforts of the morning. she enjoys the thrum of exertion in her muscles, though, it reminds her of days on Themyscira pushed to her limits training with her sisters. )

My aunt was the commander of all the amazon warriors. We all trained, though some committed to less. There are hundreds of my people.

( a great deal of warriors, though, when it came down to it? they did not have much cause to battle. looking back on her mother's reluctance to leave the island, her insistence on training was odd. it benefited Diana now that she'd left Themyscira, however. )

After that, I could use a drink. Would you care to join me? ( both of them had more than earned a bit of time to relax. why not spend it together? )