❪ test drive: #2 ❫ THE OVERFLOW

[natha]

ORIGINAL POST

THE PROLOGUE     Many people in stasis seem to be medically sound enough to wake up, brother. Are the preparations ready to go? Yes, I've long prepared myself for this. Watching them everyday has been truly rewarding. ... Right. Yeah. Okay, let's get them ready to wake up. We should keep their minds active to ease the transition into consciousness. A simple VR program should do the trick, I think. I will boot one immediately. There! All systems are green. Their consciousnesses are linked. However, their minds appear to be too active... They may be over-stimulated, brother. Huh? How can that be...? Can we pull them out safely? Not from my end, no. This may be too large for us to fix alone. Do you think...? Yes, I think so... It will have to be done organically. Can you send out a message to our refugees? Of course, brother. I will send one swiftly. We must be sure to fix this before Darma returns. There is urgency in the Orbiters' request. Refugees currently in El Nysa are asked via mass message to please return to Thesa Station virtual reality area immediately. Zasere tells them that the next set of Refugees are scheduled to wake, but there's been an issue. On Thesa, refugees will find that the people in stasis are still apparently trapped in slumber. Most of them are complete strangers, but there's a chance you may recognize a familiar face or two. Normally, these people would wake up from their pods without issue, but due to a malfunction caused by the unforeseen force during The Descent, they have to go through extra measures to make this possible. Those in slumber require extra stimulation, something to keep their minds active. What better than a simulation of an area of El Nysa? Keeping their minds active requires an extremely involved simulation. Those subjected to the VR (prospective characters) will find themselves completely immersed in their new environment, believing themselves to be native Olympians. To wake up from the simulation, characters must work together to accomplish a certain objective(s) in the icy tundra. Characters in-game will be aware that this is a simulation, but this is good practice for properly interacting with El Nysa natives, isn't it? An AC-length log thread on this TDM may be submitted for Two (2) Natha REP points HERE. Please read the OOC note at the bottom of this post for the terms. PROMPT: WINTER CAME     The wind in the icy wasteland is bitter and frigid. You are wrapped up in a winter coat, but even still, the cold bites at your skin and leaves you yearning for a warm fire. Perhaps you're a merchant from the city, here to make a delivery, or you're a royal guard, sent to patrol the area. Who are you? The sky is the limit. One thing is certain — you won't snap out of your new identity until you finish a task. 1. Due to the vast diversity of the creatures on El Nysa and the fact that new ones are constantly being discovered, an important objective is to carefully chronicle different species. Unfortunately, to research these new species, they happen to need more than just a visual. More than just fleeting glances in over a snowy hill. Researchers are constantly looking for ways to secure... You guessed it! Blood and stool samples. The supplies for the former will be given. Supplies are offered in a small box; one per person. In this box is a small dart that will automatically procure a small touch of blood, and easily shaken off so the creature will be able to securely escape. As for the latter— well, they'll give you a plastic bag if that counts. Look, sometimes to get a job done, you have to get your hands dirty. Specifically, they seek samples from a newly recorded rare beast known as a Klep. Kleps spend much of their time hidden in caves, so hitting them with the darts will be tricky. They are also nocturnal, but you may be able to lure them out of the cave with fish as bait. When struck with a dart, you must grab the dart and escape immediately, as they will charge you, and killing such an endangered species is illegal. As for stool samples, well... Once you find a pile, you will have plenty of sample to work with. 2. It's cold, to say the least. Too cold to continue forward. Whatever you were doing, you must stop and seek shelter. Looks like your goal is clear, at least. Get warm. Not finding a way to sustain heat, whether it be seeking shelter, building a fire, cuddling up, or all of the above, will likely end in serious consequences. 3. You are stuck in a dilemma. On one hand, you are set to work for Olympia. One the other, you're not completely sure what is really expected of you, or who the man who gave you this mission truly is. You and your partner are meant to protect precious trade cargo for them. You were told that these were essential supplies for one of the outer colonies. They assured you it was mostly food. In loading the cargo onto the supplied wagon with your partner, however, you noticed something inherently off about it. The weight and even the sounds of some of the contents inside definitely don't sound like food. Moreover, some boxes are more obviously more concealed— draped in black sheets and reinforced on all sides. You've also caught wind of rumors that you are potentially being utilized to supply advanced weapons and other contraband to Wyver terrorists in the colonies. But what do you do? Refuse to make the delivery, and people in the colony will surely starve. Try to remove the weapons and only deliver the food, and you will be killed on sight for being too suspicious. Make the delivery as-is, and not only will Olympians die at the hands of terrorists in the future, but you will betray your country. Decide quickly... 4. There are many dangers associated with traveling in such an isolated, harsh environment. You must help each other to survive. Perhaps someone has fallen on thin ice, and requires a rescue. Maybe someone is on the brink of starvation, and you must share what provisions you have. When you come to, you will awaken in Thesa Station. All will be explained to you by Zasere or Sael via telepathic link. Your world is no more. The Storm has consumed it. We offer proof in the Observation Deck if you desire it, but it won't be an easy thing to stomach. We offer you a new life, in our planet of El Nysa. We just ask for your help in maintaining the vitality of El Nysa. What can we offer you in exchange for your help? PROMPT: STASIS UNIT     You have found the massive section of Thesa known as the Stasis Unit. There’s no special access required to access this part of Thesa Station, but refugees are warned that it may not be for the faint of heart. Here, in large pods that nearly cover every square inch of the space, are all of the people the Orbiters have managed to rescue. Your loved ones, your greatest enemy, your next door neighbor— you might find them here. These people are in a state of deep cryosleep. Due to the damaging effects of The Storm, their bodies are not yet ready to be awoken. PROMPT: GET REKT     The Orbiters have noticed that some of the refugees really miss their video games. The technology in El Nysa could be much worse, but it definitely leaves much to be desired. Which is why, after expressing relief that everyone awoke safely, the Orbiters have decided to provide a little fun in the form of video game competitions. Anything from old-timey arcade machines to state-of-the-art computers, consoles, and VR headsets (though you may be a little tired of VR right now...) is available, and yes, they have your favorite games! Enjoy PAC-MAN, Starcraft 2, or perhaps Dance Dance Revolution! Teach a friend how to play. Get unnecessarily angry and competitive. Most importantly, have fun. Keep fourthwalling to a minimum, please. Recommended playing: QWOP PROMPT: OMAGE     Upon receiving your mobile phone, you will be asked to set a username. Voila, you can now access the network! You can choose to send a message to the entire network, specific usernames, or you can try out the Orbiters’ service, Omage, which connects you to a random user. They thought this might be a good way for their new guests to make friends with each other... Connecting to server... Looking for someone you can chat with... You’re now chatting with [username]... Say hi! PROMPT: WILDCARD     You are welcome to write any scenarios in Thesa Station! Characters have been granted temporary access to the Observation Room, and are encouraged to study it carefully. FINAL OOC NOTE     Please give toplevel priority to prospective characters! Current characters wishing to thread these scenarios with other current characters are encouraged to create separate logs. However, threads between 2 current characters are not eligible for Natha Orbiter REP. These threads may be carried over as game canon if players choose! Players are encouraged to submit TDM threads as application samples, but they are not required. Please direct any OOC questions to the questions thread below! A TDM thread of AC length may be submitted HERE for 2 NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINTS. Current players may submit their thread at any time, and prospective players may submit a thread after acceptance. Please note that threads must contain at least five (5) log comments from your character. A toplevel counts as a comment. Network threads are not eligible. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[unpromising]

Good
Then leave the x's alone
They're not that funny anyway

[friendfic]

[ Isabela is aaaalll about those dirty jokes, but not when the receiver is only around half her age. Uhg, this is why she's so against hanging out with children, zero fun allowed have to be appropriate- or try to be at least. Somewhat. ]


Not a clue what you mean, but if I don't have any matches and you don't have any matches then we're both doomed to become an unpleasant surprise for the next person in here.

[unpromising]

Because I wanted to spell it as crow, like the bird

And that looks like a chicken
Why does it have a saddle
The quality of the picture's pretty bad, too

[chickenhearted]

[ He may have a rotten personality for the most part but there is a sense of gratitude in there somewhere.

He sits down and scrunches his knees up to his chest, holding his hands out to the tiny fire. Right, it's not helping much at all, but it's better than nothing. There's a ... tiny bit of warmth coming from it? At least his hands will be nice and smokey.... ]

I was collecting samples for research. I lost track of time. What about you?

[ Probably he was complaining too much to notice. But he is curious as to why Allen and his dog were trapped up here too. ]

My name is Waver.

Rosalind Lutece

[shashka]

( from here )

[ an American, or a Russian who was raised on one too many cowboy movies. in the long run, it doesn't quite make that much of a difference here, now does it? ]

Oh, I don't know. There's something about it. Rows and rows of all that's left of humanity. Makes you wonder what most of them did.

[ he notices that, but says nothing. secrets would come out in due time, if they were meant to. they always did. ]

[chickenhearted]

Ah, that's a shame.

[ he's definitely not thinking of anything that involves kidnapping princesses. But he'd hoped there was something they could do right off the bat. Guess more research is necessary. ]

I agree. We need to learn more about this place in general, and why we're here as well. There are a lot of questions to be answered before we can do anything useful, probably.

[unpromising]

[ Who wouldn't grow suspicious of Qrow, though, lbr. The guy just drank an entire flask of whiskey and is about to start "working"... ]

Should be fine, [ he says quietly. The goods seem to be ready to go, so all they have to go is get moving. ] I'll drive, you separate the boxes.

[ DRUNK DRIVING!!! ]

[chickenhearted]

Ahh, you're right. It's all very confusing. This is frustrating.

[ He has enough trouble wrapping his head around regular magecraft, oops. ]

[priorly]

Wonderful choice. You don't seem vexing at all.

Priors were clerics, you know, back in the day. Or monks. Something ecclesiastical. It's where the name came from, though if anyone had a talent for healing, way back when, it's hardly been passed down the line. So yes, I'm grateful to be more or less complete, if not in full working order.

[chickenhearted]

[ Well it definitely lifts Waver's spirits a tiny bit. He didn't have to touch the poop, even if there was a plastic bag between the poop and Sorey's hand. ]

I guess so. I'm wondering if I shouldn't also collect a blood sample. But the Klep just keeps running away.

[ or Waver runs away first, either or. ]

[poolhall_killer]

A... Hrung?

[He does his best to pronounce it.]

I'm sorry, I cannot say I've sassed one before.

[kyosu]

[ So maybe she shouldn't mention she's a living, breathing Holy Grail, right? ]

To be honest I'm as lost as you. Magecraft is a rather recent thing to me.

ramsay bolton, trueborn lord of winterfell

[shashka]

( from here )

We'll be fine up until we get to the gates. Then, there's going to likely be a group of inspectors.

[ because... these roads are usually dangerous. ]

The trick is to dispose of them without anyone getting suspicious. The South gate is only manned by three guards. Easy enough to get rid of. The drop off point isn't far from there either.

[ why there's such an egregious mistake there is beyond him but hey, it's convenient. ]

By the time anyone notices, what's happened to them, we'll be long gone.

[ as long as everything goes smoothly. he's never been one to really trust his "comrades", but this guy seems capable enough. ]

For ANN

[sakabroto]

((from here))

[He stamps the snow off his shoes and clothes, shaking himself like a wet dog without regard for where the wet clumps go. As long as they aren't on him, good enough, right?]

I dunno. They said go up the mountain so I did.

[He hadn't really listened all that closely after the leader started droning on about responsibilities and PATRIOTISM and whatever else. Boring stuff. Stuff he didn't care about. He'd heard that taking supplies up to the mountain would get him money and he needed money for his mom, that was all that mattered to him.

Well. That and surviving the trip back down.]

Isn't that why you're up here?

[He's also searching and behind a pile of rocks he finds a stack of what looks like old firewood because video games always have weird stuff lying around.]

Yo, you think this'll work?

[sullenstallion]

[Questions. Dylas' weakness. He's no good at talking about some of these things? Like, he can't tell this tiny cat that his scar is from a battle.]

What? Er, no. I don't throw knives. It was...I walked into something sharp.

[Wait, now he just sounds lame? His tail starts to lash as he grows annoyed at his own choice of words.]

No, I didn't walk into something sharp, it just...came from somewhere else!

[trickfoot]

"You're plan's better than mine, which I now realize was run around and hope for the best." She laughed a little bit, because thinking about it, her plan was a bit shit. It was the only thing she could think of on such short notice after waking up.

Pike starts off in the direction Vex came in, hoping her friend would follow. "Do you remember what people you were around?"

[chaoticlootral]

Had plenty of adventure, trust me on this.

[Okay well, if no one will pick him up and gently carry him to the sofa, he guesses he can get his own ass up and slouch over to collapse on it. This is all very dramatic for the probably not actually strenuous day he had.]


Oh, yeah. That. I guess we should do something about that. Kiiiiind of think we're being underpaid for that job, if they wanted insurance for their illicit goods they shoulda really thought about paying us properly. Probably can't drop them off the side of the mountain, right? [ A DEEP SIGH. It's so much work? To figure this out? What if they just don't. ]

join the lj aesthetic crow

[batshitory]

They may not be the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but they add emphasis!

[ they're not lame??? all the young hip cool kids are doing it??? ]

c_row could be your codename

For YUSUKE

[sakabroto]

((from here))

[Lucky Ryuji, he gets to discover what a weirdo Yusuke is alllll over again. Truly blessed is his life. He doesn't bother waiting because he's cold af and this winter wonderland is more like winter death-filled-horrorville and he is 100% over and done with it. He just wants to be warm and make sure the guy behind him doesn't suddenly di---




oh right.

Just before he gets to the cave, he stops and turns, waving both his arms as wildly as he can to signal Yusuke. If he let his partner die out here, that'd probably be bad.]

Come on! Why're you so slo--WHOA!?!

[And oops, he just fell backwards into the cave. Bye, Yusuke.]

loras tyrell

[shashka]

( from here )

I don't suppose this the guy?

[ he steps away from the pod he's next to revealing a... dark haired man with a beard.

his tone indicates that he's joking. after all, this was the man he'd been visiting. ]

It's a friend you want to find? You might find some not-so-friendly faces among your friends.

[ speaking from experience. not more than a few pods down is his old CO, looking as peaceful as you can be. as well as a few other assorted enemies he picked up through the years. ]

[pumpkinbutt]

You mean you're going to wind up an unpleasant surprise. I'm not cold at all.

[ And true to her claim despite how her and Isabella's clothes don't different and Halloween is definitely the smaller of the two, she doesn't look in the least bit bothered by the elements freezing the air around her. The chilled winds may as well be a pleasant spring breeze for her. ]

[maengled]

[ "How different can fighters be?" Oh Izabel was in for a world of hurt, figuratively speaking, of course. She waits a second or two for Izabel to choose her character, rocking impatiently in her chair. ]

That's basically it. He gave up his Jaguar kids and Jaguar life to become a luchadore. That's gotta be some dedication to wrestling. [ She's not even sure if this is correct, but it seems like it could be and that's the most important thing. ]

Now it's just him, the title and this dinosaur.

[ Map Select: Skyring

The screen switches to the this loading screen before they're met with the announcer's voice starting the round. ]

he would tbh

[unpromising]

Then people would read my name as "c-row"
That's a lamer version of Zero

For BANSAI

[sakabroto]

((from here))

[Aha, so not only is this guy high, he's basically Yusuke for music. Got it. Well, he's dealt with weirdos before and befriended them so maybe this guy won't be so bad?]

Cool, I guess? I don't get anything that you're talkin' about, but you do you, bro. You got an album or somethin' you're promoting?

i got lucky then!

[trickfoot]

She quickly falls into pace alongside him. She's able to keep up nicely, without having to catch up too much.

"We come from a place called Exandria. It's on the prime material plane." She explains it that way, only because she's not quite sure if they're on another plane yet. There were so many, after all. "My friends and I, we're a group called Vox Machina. We help people, as much as we can. There's Vex and Vax who are half-elves; they're twins. Brother and sister. Vax is usually wearing one of his hundred cloaks and Vex is usually with her pet bear, Trinket. There's Percy, who's full human, he's got light hair like I do and he's always impeccably dressed."

Pike's eyes light up as she talks. She's obviously very attached to her friends. They're her family. "Then Keyleth, who's also a half-elf. She wears this really cool headdress with antlers that's a sign of her people, the Ashari. She's a druid and she's wicked powerful. And Scanlan, who's a bard. He's... he's special. He's a gnome like me, and his songs are so wondrous. And last is Grog. He's a goliath and my best friend. We grew up together. He's the best friend anyone can have."