❪ 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

[deathstiny]

Or you could come up with something more fitting.

[He reaches up, and if Merlin isn't quick, he will get some very hard knuckles rapping on his skull.]

In my opinion, you bear far greater resemblance to a 'walnut'.

[politrick]

[He's at greater risk for losing his footing and going totally underwater again if he tries to dodge, so he just doesn't. He'll take his head-knocking like a man.

Or he'll still cringe and whine a little, but whatever.]

Me? Definitely not. Would you rather be... an apricot?

[an apricot.]

[deathstiny]

[An apricot. Wrathion actually settles down a little and takes a long moment to try and reason this out. Maybe its the water clouding his thoughts, but he doesn’t see the resemblance.

Merlin is much closer to the color of an apricot than he is.]

What on Azeroth does that even mean?

[politrick]

You don't know?

[No, actually, it's nonsense— but he still lets it hang there for a moment before he shrugs.] I like apricots more than walnuts. Consider that one a compliment.

[This conversation is the punishment for shoving him in a lake.]

[deathstiny]

[Wrathion’s expression predictably sours, but it is not as sour as it could be.]

I suppose there are worse fates. Now then — go and treat yourself, won’t you? I do not work for free, no matter how charming you might imagine yourself to be.

[He withdraws the previously offered crystal as he says it.]

[politrick]

[Ugh, but that's work. And more swimming. Using magic to cheat in a magic pool might not go well, he doesn't want to do it properly... Fine...]

You can admit it, you know. I have plenty of charms.

[Like calling people various foods! That's very charming, and this is Merlin ducking under the water before he can be called not at all charming again. Gotta get himself a pretty rock.]

[deathstiny]

Absolutely—not.

[Wrathion opens his mouth for a rebuttal, but Merlin is already gone, leaving him to impatiently click his teeth together. It is only a moment before he realizes he is missing the other man’s company, and opts to dive just enough to check on his progress wothout actively following him.

It wasn’t that deep, after all.]

[politrick]

[Well, he's down here trying to pull a particularly pretty rock out of the lakebed to little success, considering he's upside down underwater and the magic in the water keeps distracting him. So this whole crystal quest is going great.

He stops to wave at Wrathion when he notices him underwater, because of course he does. Give him another minute, he'll either drown or actually get this crystal out of the muck, one of the two.]

[deathstiny]

[Oh dear.

Wrathion surfaces to take a larger gulp of air before diving down with the intent of assisting Merlin.

When he gets to the lakebed, he ignores Merlin’s apprehension and pulls a bit of magic from the water to encourage the ground to release the crystal Merlin had been tugging at. Again, he feels the feedback jolt down his arm, and the power of the spell wriggles a few more rocks surrounding it free.

He recoils unhappily and bolts for the surface. Ow. So much for trying to be nice.]

[politrick]

[Oh—oh, alright, this is unexpected. Merlin tries to protest as much as he can - again, underwater and upside down - but instead he's left to grab as many crystals as he can before he rights himself and hurries back up to the surface. He'd just drop these if Wrathion wouldn't give him a hard time for it—]

Why did you do that! We don't know what kind of enchantments are in the water!

[Ah, scolding... Now he's sloshing over with his armful of crystals to fret, hello.]

[deathstiny]

Funny, you look fine to me.

[Wrathion, however, is treading water with one arm, the other held close to his body. It may or may not have gone partially numb. His glowing eyes shift to focus instead on Merlin’s haul.]

You’re quite welcome, by the way.

[politrick]

I'm not worried about taking home all the rocks that I can!

[Look at this display...] You look like your arm is hurt. Can you get back to land?

[The other option is being dragged by a soggy wizard, so.]

[deathstiny]

I’m fine.

[Just reckless, awkward and a litte tingly. To make his point, he clumsily swims toward a rock and climbs on top of it like a sunbathing lizard, trying to rub feeling back into it.

He tries not to look as embarrassed as he feels.]

It was barely a spell in the first place.

[politrick]

[Well, he didnt sink and drown, so that's something. Merlin sort of- bobs over to the rock with his armful of stuff, to float there and be picky about this.]

Then whatever enchantment still lingers in this water is more than just a little spell. [Ugh, and he swallowed a ton of water, ew-] Are you sure your arm is alright?

[deathstiny]

Have you ever felt a lightning charge? Perhaps an overdose of arcane energy?

[He gives Merin only a split second to answer before stretching out on his stomach dramatically, letting both of his arms lay in the water. He pokes the rock repeatedly with his still-numb fingers, waiting for feeling to return to them.]

It tingles.

[politrick]

[This guy... If Merlin had more limbs to spare he'd splash water irritably again, but alas.]

You're resilient... and smug. [He makes a half-hearted effort to mumble that second part, for what it's worth. Dragons!]

Well—just try not to do that again.

[deathstiny]

Now those compliments are far more familiar.

[And for good measure, he offers a smug little grin and lifts up one hand from the water, wriggling his little clawed fingers.]

You seem to be struggling. Shall I assist?

[politrick]

[Dragons!! Merlin takes this moment to momentarily pitch sideways with his stones and dunk like half his face into the water, oops.

Here he is, sputtering.]

That—would not go amiss, admittedly.

[deathstiny]

Excellent.

[With one hand still numb, he reaches to pluck Merlin’s arms free of gemstones, counting them off and shoving them into his waterlogged satchel. He will give them back later.

Probably.]

I would hate to watch you drown.

[He offers his hand again, this time to pull him up to the rock.]

[politrick]

[Wow, he almost worked for those rocks!! His noise of protest when they're summarily taken from him is just for show; he's glad to be free to tread water in peace.

But, ah—he'd much rather sit on a rock, good call. He takes the offered hand and slaps his other hand against the rock in his efforts to climb up and sit. And drip. Lot of that happening.]

I'm so glad we're friends now. [There's a bite of sarcasm when he says it, but also, are they friends? Pleeease??] ...Thank you, anyway.

[deathstiny]

[There isn't much room on the rock -- Wrathion moves to balance on its edge so that Merlin doesn't fall right back in. At least he's warm?

But oh...the 'F' word. That's a little much for him. Fortunately for Merlin, the enchanted waters (in spite of shocking him) still have him in a pleasant mood, so he doesn't verbally rebel.

At least, not very hard.]

Is that all it takes?

[Pause.]

You're welcome.

[politrick]

[Why do so many people have such a wild Friend Allergy?? He doesn't understand. He'll at least hug his knees up to his chest, so his great expanse of gangly limbs don't take up the whole rock.]

What should it take? It isn't a test.

[That would be weird, buddy.]

[deathstiny]

That is an excellent way to get taken advantage of.

[Maybe it was just because he was a black dragon that all he ever thought of was betrayal. Either way, considering he had done it a few times himself, he knows better than to simply hand out friendship.

To this, Wrathion slips off rhe rock so half of him dangles in the water while the other half rests itself on the face of the rock with Merlin. Gotta keep it warm and all.]

[politrick]

[Merlin scoffs; how cynical! He's met people with that kind of aversion to trusting anyone before, but... well, even as many times as he himself is tricked or betrayed, he can't help it.]

I like to think that, somewhere, there's a little bit of good in everyone.

[Which is honest, and as he leans back on his hands now, he considers but magnanimously does not point out that Wrathion already dragged him out of the lake totally voluntarily. Instead,]

You've already used me for treasure hunting, besides. I'm prepared.

[deathstiny]

[Wrathion’s face sours considerably. Oh, the naïvety. No, there was most definitely not good in everyone — not in Deathwing, not in the Thunder King. And those were just to name a few.]

What a soft world your’s must have been.

[And for a moment, he sits on that (half laying on the rock), once again reminded that their homes were gone. He had been in a state of denial ever since waking up, but it was becoming harder to ignore and wave off.

For all of her problems, he loved Azeroth. It was difficult not to feel as if he had failed her by waking up here instead of there.]