❪ 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

[adelphoi]

[ though alisaie has never been a particularly patient girl, there's certainly something to be said about this, about taking your time, appreciating one another without rushing, exploring one another as if they have all the time in the world.

and for now, it seems they do. alisaie might be itching to go, to do all she has not been able to do for a long month, but this is something she has been denied, also. his kiss, his taste, his hands wherever he wishes them to be. she's in no hurry to end this, wyver will still be waiting for them once they've gotten their fill of each other.

so she hums her approval against his lips, gliding her tongue against his, into his mouth, tracing the ridge of his teeth, reacquainting herself with his flavor. it's so incredibly easy to fall right back into it, to remember how to kiss him, to bask in the little thrill up her spine that the touch of his tongue always brings. her hand in his hair continues its work, while the other at last slips down, gliding slow and easy down the warm, strong planes of his back, her thumb slipping up beneath the hem of his shirt to rub slow, careless circles at the base of his spine. ]

[originallutece]

[Perfect. Wonderful. An eternity of finally being able to relax after thirty-odd years of being rigid and uptight; of getting to know everything (and getting to be smug about that). A perfect existence with her beloved at her side, torn from her in an instant.]

It's being able to see all the paths. All the doors, all the choices. It's . . .

[A beat. She smiles faintly.]

Well. Far preferable to the usual uncertainty one deals with in their day to day life.

[likethelight]

[ Something about the way she says that..

Well, maybe partially that, maybe because that's a really strikingly familiar thing to him too. Enough to make him blink certainly, but to also smile then and give a bright sort of nod. ]

Mn! [ Does he seem genuinely warmed by that...? Actually yes. People drinking and dancing in the streets and being all too handsy — that isn't his style. At all. But people genuinely celebrating being alive and that they're still alright after an ordeal?

Yes. Absolutely. ]

Did you think about how you wanted to celebrate, Lux?

[hannya]

[The stripping already has him flustered, any sort of mutilation will probably just give him a heart attack. Majima dares to look back when she takes pause, tension dropping out of his shoulders.]

Yeah. Don't worry, I got a nice beacon for 'em.

[Majima glances at Diana cautiously for a moment. No one here has clocked him for being yakuza yet, and tattoos seem fairly common-- now seems a good a time as any to stop hiding it. He pulls his shirt over his head and reveals the hannya on his back, and the patterns surrounding it that wrap around his shoulders.]

Born ready. [Probably.]

[meinwaifu]

[He's right about that. Especially in these past few weeks, there's been a notable disconnect between what Mephisto says and what he does. Even he's grown aware of it -- though he'd likely still deny it.]

Oh? Getting impatient? [...he's probably the one getting impatient tbh.] Well, why don't we make a game of it?

[He stops and turns in front of Jae-ha, catching his chin in his hand.]

First one to the summit gets to decide how we seal our "vows".

[politrick]

Huh. And here I am playing with butterflies.

[A touch of amusement again, this time at his own expense. There's a cadence to her words that hints at something greater than "far preferable," but he doesn't know her well enough to press. He doesn't think he'd feel the same, were he to have such a gift; but then, as far as he's concerned, there is only one path. Destiny does that to a person.

But at least he has butterflies. And he's still not looking at dragons, but damn, now he's stuck on this-]

Is there really that much uncertainty? Every day?

[panzersoldat]

Hello, mods. I have a question about the creature. Since it lives in the blackest, darkest parts of the forest, how would it react to something that creates bright light. Example: Reinhardt's barrier. The shield has a very bright blue light about it as seen here. Here it is firing up. How would that effect the darkness of the deep undergrowth and/or the creature?

[competing]

[ it's fine, everything is O K

lance at least has the grace to look sheepish, one hand coming up to the back of his neck to rub. ]

Sorry. [ he sounds genuine, at least, so the likelihood of lance's sudden flashing of skin being malicious is... low. ] Sometimes I just get so comfortable around someone, I forget it doesn't always go the same way.

[ he doesn't seem offended or put out by it though. still apologetic. he wanders closer to the water, gesturing to it. ]

How about you turn back around, and I'll let you know when I'm in the water. Deal?

[competing]

[ it's... a good thought, in theory. and lance definitely appreciates allen's efforts, but he's also gotta be honest here. ]

Honestly? It's thoughts like that that's got me so anxious in the first place. I'm thinking of home, you know? I got someone waiting for me...

[nineteenfortyfive]

I didn't mean to offend the man. [Truly, though she'd like to hear some instances of Maesters doing some good. Assuming he's from the same (or similar) place as Sansa and Willem, she hasn't been too impressed.]

Lucky for us, injecting the cure is as easy as pressing the tip of the needle into the arm. Drawing blood is a little more complicated.

[likethelight]

[ —oh!!

The startled realization! The innocent shock! ]

You do? Really? [ as if it never would have occurred to him ]

[originallutece]

Oh, yes.

[She glances back towards the dragons, but they're not paying them much mind.]

Take this moment now. You conjured a butterfly, but you could have easily chosen another animal-- a bird, let's say. What are the chances you chose one over the other? Minimal, perhaps, but the potential is there. For every chance, for every choice . . . there exists another world in which you did the opposite.

Now. Extend that to every choice in life it's possible to fluctuate on. Major ones, minor ones, even things like genetics . . . imagine how different your life would be if you'd been a woman.

[otiosity]

No! And I'm determined to do it and now seems like an ideal time. I mean it's practically screaming and hitting me in the face saying "Hawke, you absolutely must try to ride this dragon since you've finally found one that's not out to kill everyone in the near vicinity!".

[Oh there goes Diana leaping up onto a roof of the building. Well that's nifty. Hawke is agile but certainly not that agile. So she stays on the ground and looks up at the sky, using a hand to cover her eyes to get a better look at the moving shape.]

How's this?

[She raises her staff and shoots a ball of light into the air near the dragon where it explodes into a shower of sparks like a miniature firework.]

[circulets]

I'll inject you with the cure now.

[ A beat. ]

Would it helped if you closed your eyes?

[circulets]

If that's the case, then it'd be best to try to look for some higher grounds, too.

[ He's not entirely sure that he himself wants to climb trees that high... ]

[demonly]

Hey, I'm part human too -

[ He mutters, moreso to clarify than to argue. He knows his appearance might make it seem not so, but he doesn't feel as weird talking about it with someone else who isn't fully human. Actually, being in this place in general made it less weird and less scandalous to be anything other than 100% human. But the other's actions immediately surprise him, his shoulders and tail tensing up in shock. ]

Wah! Doesn't that hurt? Can't ya use like - dragon telepathy or something?!

[ Theres demon telepathy so?? It seems plausible. ]

Reinhardt Wilhelm | Overwatch

[panzersoldat]

1 - The undergrowth (rated A for angst)
Cursed places. As much as Reinhardt has once told a very scary story about such a place and claimed it to be true, he had never really honestly believed in such. He had claimed it for dramatic effect. But even if there was indeed a curse, it could surely be lifted.

In fairy stories, curses were lifted with kisses and with those who had the strength and pureness of heart to combat the darkness. He, surely, was at least remotely enough of a hero to try and fight back the darkness.

So he heads into the jungles. And he is a light. A bright and shining beacon for all to see. Mostly because of his barrier. He wears the gauntlet that holds his shield projector and the wall of light glimmer before him in a luminous wall, limbering ever forward as things grow darker and darker.

He hears something rustling in the darkness just to his left, on his blind side. The air fills with something and for a moment, there is nothing. And then his left eye starts to hurt. His left eye, lost some 30 years ago throbs and with it comes the memories.

Be their shield.

He had promised. He had failed. Again. And again. And again.

In the middle of the blackness of the jungle, the single shining light snuffs out.

The old knight stands in the darkness, older and more tried than he's ever been; head hanging, shoulders sagging. Defeated.


2 - Dragons and Lunatics
[ Lunatic is a very accurate description for the huge man that is, at this very moment having the time of his life. Stripped down to just a pair of boxer shorts, the huge giant of a knight is gleefully got one of the smaller riding dragons in what he thinks is a choke hold. He had been a wrestling champ in school after all! Wrestling dragons and wrestling people can't be that much different, right?]

Hahahahahaha!! I have you now!! Just come along back to your stable.

[ It seems there is a little tug of war going on between a very stubborn old knight and an equally stubborn riding dragon. The huge human trying to physically haul the beast back home and the beast having absolutely none of it.

Of course, the gleeful knight doesn't exactly take note of those terrible claws.

Dragon 1 Reinhardt 0.

There's a very colorful German swear that can't really be translated into any other language and he has to jump back, his broad back gaining another set of marks. But instead of stopping, he just squares off against the beast again.]

You haven't won yet, you silly lizard!

Wildcard
Anything else? Want to do something else, go for it. I can be reached on pms or at darkangel998

[daemonized]

[This is the man you're trying to make a fake dragon marriage pact with, Rosalind. Are you sure this is what you want.

But though his grin remains plastered on his face, he is taking note of the points she's making. They did cross his mind, as well, and given careful consideration... but that last part, however-]

A temporary sort of... omnipotence, then?

[Being able to teleport the same way as she does sounds... not nearly as impressive as whatever this is. He does look at her now.]

That would be favorable, yes. And yet you'd be harboring what I can only imagine are some of my more... daemonic powers. Some may consider that a burden, though I suppose that depends on the extent in which you'll control them.

Is that really what you want?

[rememberher]

[ How she wanted to celebrate... That question actually surprises her, as she looks back at him with a wide-eyed blink. It's so genuine that it almost startles her, and causes her to sit back, moving her hands back to grip the edge of the walls.

Why? Because honestly, it never really occurred to her to celebrate. It seems silly, but at the same time, there's still something that, even now, feels like a dividing line. Her and them. Olympians and Wyverians... and them. Where she fit, if she did at all.

She didn't really before, bending herself backward to fill that mold of what was a Demacian, so it seemed only natural to have that division even now. She just hadn't been able to put a finger on why. So when he asks so simply like that...

Looking forward again, she smiles almost sadly. The sounds of music and people playing colorfully in the distance, she shakes her head simply. ]

I'm not sure I should be celebrating with them, to be honest. It doesn't feel right.

[ She's used to just watching anyway. ]

[originallutece]

[hey now their pact is real and beautiful don't slur their marriage]

Given we can't say just how much of those powers I'd be receiving, nor how much of the drawbacks . . . tell me the flaws in having them. Beyond risk of being infected by that disease myself-- though if that occurred, I'd at least have the potential for a cure at my fingertips.

[Him, she means. He'd be able to heal her if her body reacted like a human's would.]

[baguablade]

[ Cain takes a moment, busy eyeing the dragon who's eyeing him right back and licking its chops — not reassuring — before he replies. He doesn't quite dare to look away from the beast yet. It feels like if he does, it might somehow circle around them, come at them from a blindspot. It's an utterly paranoid feeling, and yet the only thing worse than being trapped in an alley by a fire-breathing dragon would be to be trapped in an alley by a fire-breathing dragon and not know where the dragon is. ]

Can you tell where this goes? [ They're lucky enough that it's not a dead-end, but that may not be such a blessing. Without knowing where they're headed, the alley could lead them straight from the frying pan and into the fire. ] We've got to find a way out of this. Either something to fireproof us, or some way to calm the dragon down...

[ Both options seem unlikely, punctuated by the dragon impatiently reaching a foreleg into the narrow space between buildings, claws scraping horribly against the stone as it tries to reach them. ]

[demonly]

Yeah, it is a lot... [ He hasn't exactly been living the luxurious life either before El Nysa or after.. so chances to get money for seemingly easy tasks is something he's going to jump at. ] And collecting 'em sounds kinda fun, too! I like water.

[ And he has been (almost literally) dying to get out of the house and have some fun. He seems quite optimistic, smiling broadly. On their stroll, there's a path toward a small opening, the promise of chancing upon water becoming increasingly high. ]

Hopefully all of 'em aren't gone or something. I saw a lot of people going out to look.

1!

[rememberher]

[ She was lost, but not without hope. As long as the light shines within her, she could find her way out—or so she's told herself. But there's something oppressive about the jungle that worms its way in, and even as the tiny opalescent light hovering in front of her, she begins to wonder if maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Dangerous thoughts, ones that could be used against her. Lux, you're better than that, she tells herself.

She sees the cloud of smoke in the distance, and a light wink out of existence. Someone else was out here! And, judging from that series of events, possibly hurt?

Pushing through the underbrush, the small mage breaks into a sprint, the light she commands gently illuminating a path. That's when she comes across him, the mountain of a man, and while she doesn't quite recognize him in the low light, she steps to his side to try to get a better look at him. ]

Are you all right?

[politrick]

[Damn his insatiable curiosity about not-magic, keeping him from dragons...!!]

I suppose I'd be shorter, for starters. [Ha... no, okay, he's certainly not from a world where gender equality is even a vague notion in the thoughts of most people, so—he sees the point. And about the bird, too.]

I don't think I could handle that kind of pressure. But you do? That's impressive.

i lied

[likethelight]

[ It's a surprisingly honest answer. And—unexpected, to be honest. Although of course he figured she, much like him, wasn't one who'd probably celebrate like everyone else here was—lbr it's half of why they're friends—but..

That isn't exactly what she means either, is it. ]

Not "right"?