❪ 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

[ysayle]

[ Far too smart for his own good, in spite of himself in fact. But not afraid to share that knowledge with both his peers and betters. And, yes, even with those whom might be deemed his lessers. That so big a heart shared what had transpired with Alisaie does not surprise Ysayle.

But she will not allow falsehoods to be believed in place of truth. ]

No. [She does not hide the grimace that springs to the fore, nor the edge of bitterness in her tone.] A 'goddess clad in flesh' I may have been, but that which was summoned...Was not Saint Shiva herself. She was naught but a shadow fashioned from ice and aether, and the wishes within a foolish woman's heart.

[ It had been a nasty shock, to be told so by Hraesvelgr, but the dragon himself would surely have recognised his beloved had she been reincarnated truly, rather than still remain soul bound to soul.

Ysayle does not dwell on it, easy as that depression fact was to sink bank into. Instead, she offers a single nod in reply to the younger woman's question. ]

Shiva...I suffered too many blows from the Garleans. I know that I brought the vessel to a halt, that it could travel no further. But the crystal I used was spent in the effort, along with the last of mine own aether.

[her eyes hold Alisaie's, unwavering] It was there than I met my end. I know there was light. And then, great darkness.

I should have returned to the light of the Mothercrystal. Instead, I awoke here. [more or less]

[adelphoi]

[ alisaie can feel her thoughts spinning, her grandfather's face at the forefront of her mind's eye - ysayle's story lines up with alphinaud's seamlessly. this woman was lost, killed, and yet here she sits as real and solid as alisaie herself.

it's difficult to trust. people do not just come back from the dead, and when they do it is not whole or hale or healthy, but ysayle is no wight. it's as if she was plucked from space just before her imminent death, but how could that be? it's much later in alisaie's memory that the storm came, and took with it everything she loved.

these revelations are all but dizzying, and she lifts a hand to her brow, closing her eyes, to steady herself. ]

.. I see.

[ there's little point in railing against it, when alisaie knows in her heart that it is true. mayhaps it was even hydaelyn's doing, that ysayle was guided here rather than back to the aetherial sea. there are too many questions, none with ready answers, so instead she inhales deeply. ]

Well full glad you will be to learn that your sacrifice was indeed not in vain. It has been a struggle, but Nidhogg and his foul rancor have been excised for good, and while still new, the peace you strove for still holds.

[ or.. it did, until the end. ]

[ysayle]

[ Her brow furrows in faint concern as Alisaie lifts her hand to her head, before her own shakes in sympathy. The trials and tribulations of the situation are enough to give anyone a headache. Light knows that Ysayle knows not what to make of it.

But that news. ]

.You do not know the joy I feel to hear that. It oft felt an impossible dream, bringing man and dragon together in peace. But to know the cycle of hatred is now truly broken..

[That news eases an ache within her heart, though not the burden of guilt that accompanies it. Her sins were so many, and others had been left to bear that burden.

(And, she is selfishly sad that she could not have been there to witness that day with her own eyes.)]

..I am uncertain why I am here. [it's a quiet admittance; the situation has very little precedence from where she's sitting] Nor am I certain that I would wish to hear Dharma's answer for my return to life. I should be grateful. And yet..

[ Where do I go from here? ]

[adelphoi]

Unfortunately I don't have those answers for you.

[ only the natha know why, and more importantly, how. alisaie's thoughts are disquieted, her expression tight with thought, but there's simply not enough information available to make a likely, educated guess. either the natha are lying, which is the easier, more likely assumption, or they have some way to manipulate time and space, to pluck people from varying time-points - or the ability to reanimate the long dead. but then, why? why do they cherry pick? what is their purpose?

there are far too many variables for her liking. ]

I hope you'll not take offense that I wonder less at why you are here, and more at how. It has been quite some time since Thordan's fall at Azys Lla.

[ysayle]

I assure you, none taken. No doubt one who could tell me would say so in terms that have little meaning to me.

Or perhaps it was Hydaelyn's doing.

[ It would be convenient, and so easy, to believe that the Mothercrystal had given life once more to one of her chosen. Another chance to make up for events now past. She does not believe it to be so, though, and that much is evident in her expression, carefully blank.]

How long since, precisely? [Then a blink] You also said that Nidhogg's rage was finally quelled, but.. Had our friend and Estinien not accomplished that already? [the latter had certainly had no qualms at showing off his bloodstained armor]

[adelphoi]

Oh, many, many moons.

[ if not closer to a year, but mmo time is questionable at best, so several months at least is probably a safe bet. ]

But ah, of course..

[ she could not know all that has passed since the last ysayle opened her eyes, and it grieves her to have to be the bearer of bad news, but - at the very least, there is good news after. ]

Alas, no. After Thordan's defeat, Estinien lost control of the eyes, and they consumed him, giving form to the great wyrm's rancor yet again, and in possession of both eyes, this time. From what I know, tidings were quite grim, but the Warrior petitioned Hraesvelgr, along with my brother and Ser Aymeric, and through their combined might Nidhogg was at last laid low for good, his eyes cast into the abyss.

[ to say nothing of what became of them after, but.. one step at a time. ]

[ysayle]

[ She goes still. 'Many many moons' could mean anything, especially given present events. And any convenient hand waving on the part of developers.. Nonetheless, her lips press into a fine line as she nods, waiting for Alisaie to continue.

Pale eyes go wide, then wider, as she hears the fate that befell her one-time allies after their parting. Certain details are tucked away (both eyes?), along with the awful knowledge that unlike herself, Estinien had been a most unwilling avatar to the hatred that Nidhogg possessed. She itches to learn, to ask questions about how such a thing could have happened. But that would be an unfair demand on Alisaie - and given her mention that Estinien himself is here...

The mention of Hraesvelgr, however, draws back full attention and nets a genuine gasp, the sharpest intake of breath. And for a moment, she wonders if she's hearing things.

Then she looks away, distant. ]

...If any could do it, if could reach Hrasevelgr, [as I could not] ..the Warrior of Light could. Time and again, they prove that trust is not misplaced in them.