❪ 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

[nineteenfortyfive]

We haven't really had that, have we? [For him, she supposes the only real privacy he's had with her and a bed might have been their wedding night. She was angry, returning to Leoch, and their stolen moments before were just that. Moments.]

I'll make it up to you. I promise.

[stripebacked]

Afraid nae.

[ The only privacy Jamie ever got in the past was when he was with the horses. He's used to constantly be surrounded by the men. But that becomes more of a hindrance than a comfort when you have a beautiful wife by your wife. One that you want to be with desperately. ]

There's no need to make up anything, Claire. Ye dinnae need to do such a thing.

[nineteenfortyfive]

I do. I've hardly been here for you. [First, there was that weight of the truth that kept her from him. Then, she did tell him, only for sickness to strike. And if she did manage to crawl into bed with him, she was out like a light. Hardly time for talking or anything else.]

And I want to. I want to be my husband's wife.

[stripebacked]

[ He cannot blame her for anything. She didn't plan for things to go so wrong after she told him. She didn't plan for the sickness or her to be working nonstop to keep the ill comfortable. To find a cure. What sort of man would he be if he was upset by that?

Jamie leans down to press his forehead to hers. ]

Ye've been my wife.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She smiles and tips her face so her nose bumps his.]

Well. I could do better. [Though she couldn't ask for a better husband. Even this early on in their relationship, he understands. He gets her.]

I love you, James Fraser.

[stripebacked]

[ He knows that arguing with Claire will get him nowhere. He's seen it. He's experienced it. Not even the darkest of their fights. Just their basic disagreements. She's stubborn as a mule. ]

I love you--[ Jamie leans down to whisper into her ear. ]--Claire Fraser. [ He kisses the outer shell gently. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire exhales, laughing a little and giving him a playful shove.]

Careful, you.

[stripebacked]

[ He leans back and does his absolute best to look properly offended. ]

Are ye accusin' me of something, Claire? Cause if ye are then ye best say it aloud. I've the right to know what I'm being accused of.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Oh, you know. You're not very good at playing dumb.

[Tired as she may be, she has enough energy to make an attempt at pinching his cheek.]

[stripebacked]

I'm really nae certain what ye're even talking about. Or really what I should be careful of.

[ He's not going to let her win so easily. She's stubborn, but so is Jamie. Not quite as badly as Claire. But he's not sure anyone could be as stubborn as her. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[There he goes. Claire rolls her eyes, and for the first time in a very long time it's not out of annoyance. Without much warning, she grabs his face and presses a heavy, loud kiss on his lips. So what if they're in public? She's so much happier with him by her side.]

You're ridiculous. Thank you.

[stripebacked]

[ She catches Jamie by surprise. He's yanked forward and he grabs the back of the bench to keep himself from tipping onto her. He lets out a groan as they kiss. He's certain this is probably the most intense kiss he's gotten from Claire since his arrival. Another groan as she pulls back. He's a little blindsided. Recovering. ]

What're ye thanking me for? I should be thanking ye for that kiss.

[nineteenfortyfive]

For being you. You always do know how to make me smile, Jamie. Even when I barely have enough in me to keep my eyes open.

[Fine. Maybe she could sleep some more. But she doesn't want to just yet.]

[stripebacked]

[ Maybe this sleep deprivation has made her a tad sentimental. He does appreciate it though. His smile stays wide and he watches her. Sometimes he worries that maybe she's getting a lesser version with none of his future memories intact. But she doesn't seem to think so. ]

Ye do make it all so very easy, Sassenach. [ He leans in to kiss her forehead. ] Come. Let me get ye into a bed. Ye need to rest for a spell.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Jamie is Jamie. The younger one may be a little less patient, but by nature he's an understanding man. At least with her. She takes a moment to simply stroke his cheek.]

Rest with me?

[The beds are tiny and not the most comfortable, let alone with the humidity, but if she's going to rest she wants it to be with him.]

[stripebacked]

Aye. For as long as ye like.

[ He's a large man. But he'd lay in the most cramped cramped of places side by side with Claire. As long as it meant he got to lay with his wife. He's not sure if he's tired himself, but that doesn't matter. He'll be by her sides until she awakens. Not wanting her to ever be alone. ]

Just you and I.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Don't say that. We'll be here forever.

[Just the two of them in a bed, though there aren't many that are private here. Standing, Claire takes one of his hands so they can find one that doesn't look very slept in. Or stained with... various things.]

We'll find you some food to eat after a quick nap. I shouldn't be needed around here much any more.

[stripebacked]

I want you. Desperately, but I dinnae think I want to put ye on display for all these sick people.

[ He smiles as he walks with her until they locate a proper bed. One that doesn't look too terrible. Jamie is the first one to climb into it. To get himself situated and make enough room for his tired wife. ]

Dinnae worry so much about me. Worry about ye for now, Claire.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Considerate. He makes her laugh again, and she laughs a little more at how awkward he looks in one of those tiny beds. Poor man. He might not be any more comfortable when she climbs in, long limbs tangling with his, heat be damned. Her head is firmly planted on his chest.]

I think I'm more on you than the bed.

[stripebacked]

[ He'll likely wake up very sweaty if he manages to fall asleep at all. He's hoping that perhaps he might get a bit of a draft up under his kilt. That might be asking for too much though. But when Claire climbs into the bed with him and ends up more on top of him he doesn't mind one bit.

That's how I prefer ye.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Probably not so much once we're drowning on one another's sweat, but I can appreciate the sentiment.

[Still, she's at ease, and this is better than sleeping on stone. She reaches for his hand so that she can bring his fingers up to her lips for a kiss.]

[stripebacked]

I'm well aware of what it feels like to be drenched in yer sweat, Claire.

[ Does she not recall any of the sex they've had? Is that something she forgot? Or really just living in general. But he does see what she's getting at. It's going to be very moist. ]

I wilnae lie. It would be far more comfortable if certain clothing were to be missing. But it's still quite nice.

[nineteenfortyfive]

This is a little different, Jamie. [A little less fun. With a slight grunt of effort, she lifts her head to gently blow air on his neck, letting go of his hand to hook a finger into the collar of his shirt.]

Is that better?

[stripebacked]

[ The blowing is very sweet. He will say that he appreciates the time and effort that has gone into trying to keep him cool, but he's not sure if it's really worth it? It's really just slightly warm air fanning out over his skin. And perhaps defeating the purpose of sleep. ]

Aye, but nae in the way that ye might have hoped.

[ He grins as he casts a glance downward at his kilt. She can't see what's happening under there, but the crooked smile should tell the story. ]

Ye might wanna stop.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Good, because it's an effort to keep her head up. And yet? There's a wicked little chuckle as she settles her head back down against him, hand sliding down his body and--coming to a respectful resting place at his hip.]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Her turn to play dumb.]