natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-01-26 12:27 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #4 ❫

YOUR STORY BEGINS    

The Storm came. You only remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that.

All you know, perhaps, is that it was cold. You don't know for how long you slept, but the dreams were short, at least. You remember the expanse of stars and the universe that came in view. Every world and solar system ever known was displayed in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You have also witnessed The Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. It was a dark, thick smog — ominous in appearance and ever foreboding.

Your Earth and similar planets were immersed in The Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of it. That was when she told you what happened, and how you could help. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new, even though you never asked for it. The details here weren't clear, but you knew you'd made a deal with Darma.

Not long after, you'll wake at Thesa Station — your body is still cold.

It all felt like a dream, but somehow, you knew it wasn't — now, will you keep that promise you made to Darma?
PROMPT: THE STORM    

CW: death
You were awake on Thesa Station. But at some point you, like many other new arrivals before you, wandered into the Observation Deck. Ordinarily, this is where images of The Storm are replayed to remind Refugees of the fate they have escaped.

The Natha Orbiters' technology has evolved. They are aware of your gaps in memory. You may have doubts of The Storm even existing, or of your world's destruction. Though they do not wish reliving those last moments on anyone, they have created an experience that will do just that. Before entering the Observation Deck, you are warned that what follows will not be for the weak of heart. As soon as you step in, you will find that the walls around you begin to transform and expand.

Welcome to the Planet Cespi, in the Circinus Galaxy. Unfortunately, we were not able to save this world from The Storm's Consumption. These are its last memories.

You are surrounded by blue, grassy hills as far as the eye can see and a pleasant breeze. The atmosphere is thick with a sickly sweet smell. Before you lays the scene of a quiet village, with its residents going about their everyday lives. You aren't alone, either, with an equally confused stranger (or perhaps you know each other?) surveying the scene.

Then the world grows completely silent for a full minute. You and your partner are unable to make a sound, verbal or otherwise. Without warning, a deafening roar fills your ears and forces you to double over in pain. The villagers run out of their homes in a panic, finding themselves in just as much pain and confusion as you do. Where there was no sound before, now there is too much for a normal human body to process.

Look up. An expanding mass of energy is swallowing everything you can see. It consumes the earth, the atmosphere, the depths of space — and it is getting closer.

Your only hope is to outrun it, if you can. The people in the village certainly try to, racing past you. Their fear is very real. Their bodies are very real. You may be able to run from it for a time, only able to catch glimpses of this dark and sinister force swallowing everything and everyone. The earth rumbles and separates beneath you. Electricity surges through the sky, and then through your very body.

You fought hard, but it is impossible to outrun the Storm forever. You too will be consumed. Your death is quick, but not painless. What were you thinking, before you took your last breath?

You awaken back in the Observation Deck, next to your new friend.
PROMPT: TRAINING MODULES    

While it’s all nice and well to familiarize oneself with Thesa Station, it is most advised that new arrivals venture out a bit. Not physically. No one is quite prepared for that yet. However, there will be several virtual reality training programs set for those who dare to be adventurous. For those who aren’t and don’t dare, well — good luck, all the same. Once seated and appropriately strapped in, the system will automatically whir to life.

1. When you enter the Natha's newest program, at first nothing loads. You might think this is an error as you look around in apparent total darkness, only able to see your own virtual body if you look down, but soon enough a voice comes to life as if speakers have turned on somewhere.

Long ago, the lands of El Nysa were dominated by the ancestors of the dragons who now live among the people, tamed. It was pretty dangerous! How about a little history lesson?
And then the simulation comes to life—

a. The lush lands that blossom to life around you all at once are real enough to make you forget you're in a simulation — at least for a moment. Those refugees who have been to the planet in reality before will find themselves in territory as unfamiliar as those who are brand new, as this simulation takes place far back in history. Instead of sprawling cities and civilizations, the most you'll find is scattered villages, many of them no more than nomadic campsites at best. You've been outfitted to blend in with the natives and these simulated people won't react to you as a newcomer, but as a member of their village. Are you a doctor, or perhaps a warrior? Maybe you're even in charge! But they want your help, and they want it quickly: a dragon is coming.

The dragon is larger than the mount-sized breeds that exist on El Nysa today — much larger. It's a good six stories in height, bestial, and angry. Maybe it's then that you notice the lands that surround you are littered with scars of scorched earth, some of them several yards across, and there's a reason these people don't live in one place for very long. But don't linger too long on the makeshift grave markers sticking out of the burnt countryside — the dragon is coming.



b. If you're looking for something a little less violent, perhaps another area of the historic simulation will be up your alley. This one finds you on a cliffside, waiting among other villagers for an event the people are talking about in hushed whispers, some of which you can identify as prayer. When the white dragon raises its head up from the depths of the ravine, towering impossibly high over you and the others on the cliffside, it's no wonder most of the natives fall to their knees in awe and wonder. This dragon doesn't attack, only looks at the people on land with an ancient and strange wisdom.

Then it speaks. Not in words, but the low rumbling sound that starts in its throat and becomes a full trumpeting bellow to the sky seems to have meaning, and somehow, you can understand its cry as it entreats the people to praise and worship. The natives around you are already starting to give offerings with their prayers, food and carvings and — blood? Is that someone's arm being offered up?

That's different.



2. Let us now travel forward in time, shall we?

a. The Olympian settlement around you is quiet — until the screaming starts.

Guerilla fighters from Wyver flood the streets, knocking civilians aside and breaking down doors and windows when they find their way barred. They move methodically, advancing toward the nicer parts of town where the politicians reside and leaving terror in their wake.

They're here for the politicians, people say. They're here to punish the people who made the decision to advance into Wyver in the first place. Blood for blood, as the saying goes. Where they'll be taking them once they have them is anyone's guess. A soldier emerges from a building, dragging someone in elegant clothing out by the hair. Looks like they've found one.

Will you rescue them? Make a run for it yourself, lest you be mistaken for one of their targets? Or maybe they've already caught you and some other unfortunate Refugee who's been dropped into this simulation, and the two of you need to figure out a way to escape.

b. CW: branding
You find yourself in the midst of a bustling crowd gathered at the Temple of Thesa. Robed acolytes stoke fires on either side of the altar at the front of the temple, where miserable-looking people who seem to be from a village in Wyver await, bound in ropes.

The priest, at the front of the crowd, picks up a metal brand from the altar and gestures for another acolyte to bring a prisoner forward. The crowd watches with interest as the prisoner is forced to kneel in front of the altar, their arm laid out flat on the marble surface.

Another cry — "For the glory of Olympia!" — and the crest of the city is burned into the prisoner's arm.

The crowd cheers, deafening the cries of pain. The priest ushers forward another prisoner, and then another. Is that a familiar face you see in the lineup, thrust into this bit of history by the simulation's whims? You have to do something. Or are you unlucky enough to find yourself bound? ...Well, hopefully someone else in the crowd has more scruples than this priest.
3. And now, the present.



After all those enlightening scenes, the simulation finally brings you to a more quiet area of Olympia. You are deposited out somewhere in The Outlook, a place the very first group of refugees had to trudge through before they found their homes. You've arrived in the early evening — but sunlight is waning, and soon you'll be under a sky full of stars. Luckily, their old campsites aren't too overgrown.

The intention here is to get you familiar with some of the local flora and fauna. What sorts of plants will you encounter? Do you find yourself under a Verillum Tree, suddenly compelled to be painfully honest and truthful in conversation with a complete stranger? Find yourself behaving erratically in the presence of Whistleweed? Or perhaps you'll have to break the spell of being trapped in a Vena Amoris' vines... with a kiss.

PROMPT: STASIS UNIT    

You have found the massive section of Thesa known as the Stasis Unit. There’s no special access required to enter 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: 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    
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! An AC-length thread may be submitted for 2 NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINTS after acceptance here. Please submit by February 18th.

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 REP.

There will be an application cap of 60, and no reserves. Please read here for more information.

noblebeast: (King: Noble Beast)

bakugou katsuki | boku no hero academia

[personal profile] noblebeast 2018-01-27 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
i. The Storm

[ Bakugou falls on his ass, the finality of an entire world dying before his eyes enough to bring him to heel. The Storm sweeps over the planet, killing an entire world, while he stands there, caught up by its pace and becoming another victim. In the end, he’s left bereft, feeling utterly useless the same way he felt after Kamino… after being forced to watch his childhood hero’s flame burn out because of him, because he was too much of a weak little shit who let himself get kidnapped. He didn’t even have the decency to escape those fuckers having to be rescued again like some sort of victim! All the frustration that built after Kamino came bubbling to the surface all over again. His fists clench at his side, sparking tiny firecrackers from his closed palms that his anger begins to bubble just as he realizes he’s not alone. It might have been a noise or simply a feeling but he’s snapping red eyes on you, anger clear in his eyes as he puts a clamp on his emotions and -- ]

What the fuck are you staring at?!


ii. Training Modules - 1a

[ While the fuckers start running away from the dragon, Bakugou stands tall. He’s a hero and heroes don’t run away with their tails between their legs so he stands his ground, displaying a demon-like grin as the dragons looms into view up ahead. ]

Fucken bring it!

[ His arms spread wide while mini explosions crackle in hands where a steadily sweat of nitroglycerin begins to gather in anticipation. ]


iii. Training Modules - 2b

[ Whoever Bakugou might be seeing, it doesn’t really matter because restrained or not he’s not going to stand for this shit! He's a hero and heroes protect weak little shits that get fucken captured by weak-ass villains. ]

Get the fuck away from them.

[ He hollers out as he blows off the restraints and stomps forward, red eyes gleaming with murder. ]


iv. Omage

Connecting to server...
Looking for someone you can chat with...
You’re now chatting with King of Explodo-Kills... Say hi!

King of Explodo-Kills: Fucken roll call. No fucken extras either.

logpose: (82.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-27 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 'The other two' ...? Nami glances at Zoro, catching on quickly what he means. He's two swords short, though it doesn't seem to diminish his power in this slightest. Did he lose them in the storm. Hopefully not, because Zoro's swords are quite important to him. In any case, that's something to think about later.

She completely agrees with Zoro (it might be one of the most sensible things he's ever said), but she also knows that if nothing is done, the dragon will continue to charge its fangs against Zoro's sword, giving the man little opportunity to make his getaway. She has to stun it somehow, even if only for a moment. ]
Zoro! In 3 seconds, jump back!

[ Kicking away one of the villagers restricting her movements, she points her climatact, summoning a weather egg. The egg cracks, and dark storm clouds gradually fill the air. ] Come out, Lightning-chan!

Thunder Breed Tempo! [ Her lightning strikes the dragon, leaving it slightly disorientated. It's not quite enough to really harm the dragon's skin, but at least it's slowed the beast down a little.

Let's hope Zoro actually listened to her instructions, or he might get caught in some bad weather too. ]
selection: (« think »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-27 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
At least tell me there's a drink to be had around here.
dorzalta: (Default)

jon's gonna steamroll into here and punch you in the nose, theon

[personal profile] dorzalta 2018-01-27 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Round and grizzled, disheveled in a way she cannot fathom is becoming for a warrior who bested Rhaegar. This is the terror who had haunted her as a girl? Who made her glance over her shoulder on a near constant basis, for fear of an assassin rising from the crowds to murder the last two of the Targaryen line? The man is more a beast than a stag.

The voice is familiar and has her turning away from the Usurper and her thoughts. Ah, it is who she'd thought!

...But no, this is strange to hear from the man who was so withdrawn in Essos. Who stood flanking his sister, a queen in her own right and ally. There was no arrogance tinging his laughter, no harsh words twisting his voice into something sharp--likely because the Theon she recalls with Yara was not one to draw attention to himself, lest it necessary. A frown twists her lips downward and furrows her brows, even as she glances at those he gestures to.

Not men she recognizes, nor colors of a House known to her throughout her travels. These are the intricacies of a history unbeknownst to her, and not for the first time, she yearns for her Hand's presence to enlighten her on these tales.

"You speak as if you wish to murder them yourself." How very strange. Casting her gaze back to him, she links her fingers together before her, inclining her head in greeting. "Well met, Theon Greyjoy. Is your sister here as well?"
revlon: (105)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-27 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
You'll want the Institute in Olympia for that. You take after your father, then.
vorrutyer: (smirk)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2018-01-27 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, no question of that. But...Let me guess. You're from 20th-century Earth?
revlon: (079)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-27 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
You're not the first person to ask me that. Handling it well, I see.
selection: (« pout »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-27 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
That isn't an answer, you realise.
pebblestone: garbagebird@tumblr (Default)

omage; un: FREDERICK

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-27 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he's finally learned about PUNCTUATION and the ENTER KEY, be proud of him Nami. ]

Unfortunately I have no personal experience with such matters, having just awoken myself, but those that I have questioned have told me the timeframe ranges anywhere from a few days to months on end.

Do you have a loved one asleep in the pods as well?
revlon: (104)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-27 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Handling it very well, my mistake. They don't have manners where you come from?
I'd suggest the mess hall to start.
selection: (« ugh »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-27 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ a relief. ]

My apologies and thanks. I was, in fact, raised in a barn by wolves, but I know that isn't an excuse.
revlon: (155)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-27 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not one to judge.
I will, however, warn you that the chef at the mess hall can be quite adventurous.
selection: (« idiot »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-27 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Adventurous in the avant-garde sense of cuisine or in the abominable?
dorzalta: (Default)

o hai ivan!! c:

[personal profile] dorzalta 2018-01-27 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Quite troublesome? Slowly, carefully, her gaze shifts away from the white dragon and back to this man. Ah, yes, his leg. Well, that certainly would pose some difficulty, wouldn't it? ]

You'll need to excuse my careless warning. [ The best sort of apology she'll proffer. ] No sudden gestures, then.

[ Is that a joke? Hard to tell with her, for she's back to looking at the dragon again. It's watching them now, even amidst the flurry of those around them who clamor for its graces. ]

I've raised dragons. Three of them from the time they were hatchlings and into adulthood. This one does appear older and far less temperamental than an adolescent.
shashka: (model swaps with quiet are in)

[personal profile] shashka 2018-01-27 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
They live in the northern forests. Have a real knack for imitating the voices of people you know before they try to pounce.

If you're lucky, you'll never have to see them. But those of us in the first wave had to intrude on their territory to get to the mainland.
revlon: (130)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-27 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Both, I'd say. I've had meals that are a perfect replica of what I'd miss from home, but I've also had some sort of fish with two tails and no head that I could discern. It really depends.
inacan: (013)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
chip off the old block
graduated MIT at 17
i build robots
steve really didn't tell you much, did he?
logpose: (67.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-27 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She's not even going to get offended at being called an 'inconvenience', because she's well aware of her own physical shortcomings. The gesture of comfort does come as a surprise, though. Probably because she's used to dealing with abrasive and unrefined men.

It's ... not quite enough to quell her terror, however. She stops shaking him, at least. ]
But it's still going to hurt, isn't it? Injuries here feel the same as they do in real life! [ Why would she want to go through that!!! She's not stupid!!! There's a sigh, as she starts to sound depressed. ]

I just wanted to learn more about this world ... I was expecting to explore the town, but now I'm going to get eaten by a dragon ... [ How does she leave!!!! ]
inacan: (010)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
god forbid
21st
but i'm consistently 20 years ahead of everyone else
semblant: (pic#12003159)

ladies first

[personal profile] semblant 2018-01-27 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[His attention falls on Big Tity Girl from Every Mobage more fully only after that offering. He was on a mental tangent about marriage and cultural differences this place may possess, laying things out as non-verbally as possible, so when he actually focuses on her...

His brows crease some, unimpressed rather than humbled that a stranger would spare their rations on him.]


Are you storing food in your pockets?

[Cultural...differences................]
reek: (pic#11584626)

pls excuse his language i know he's ten years old but he's an angry ten year old

[personal profile] reek 2018-01-27 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Listen, you iron cunt, I do not care. It isn't iron fetus, it's ironborn. It's what the people of the Iron Islands are called, and thus what I am.

Change your name.
revlon: (073)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-27 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
He told me enough. But I also didn't want to know too much — you understand it's a little unnerving for me.
vorrutyer: (hmmmmm not bad)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2018-01-27 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooooooh, 21st. Yes, well, I don't mean to offend - indeed, cut out my tongue an I offend thee! - but I don't think someone from that century really has any right to stand in judgment over these barbarians. I mean, have you even put a colony on Europa yet?

[ He really, really wants to offend. ]
dontgiveabuckland: (I'll remember till I die)

:D

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-27 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[In true Cam fashion, he talks before he really gets a good look at the person he's talking to. Had he paid attention, he might have worked up a little more of a suave and debonair first impression.

Cam puffs out his chest a little, squaring his shoulders and he swishes his green cape behind him hoping that maybe he looks at least a little buff from this angle. M'lady.
]

Well, it's not the first dragon I've dealt with. [He goes on, thinking outloud,] Of course... the last one wasn't nearly that big and... was on my side.

[A terrible cry from the dragon causes the ground to tremble, even from how far away it is, and Cam yelps, super unheroically. He pats down his chest and sides, producing a single dagger. He looks at it, then at the shadow in the sky, looming closer.

Why'd they have to take his daggers?

Nervously,
] ...This is all fake, right? Like, if we die here, we're going to wake up back in that chair?

[Big vote of confidence here.]
Edited 2018-01-27 18:36 (UTC)
selection: (« idiot »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-27 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
That sounds somewhat unpleasant.

[ understatement of the year. ]

First wave?