♥ April (Lasai) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

April (Lasai) Event Log
Lasai is a beautiful month. The weather is warmer, the sky is a breathtaking blue again, and with the flowers from Ainir growing nicely, the entire city of Havenwell just feels more alive with every breath. It's a time of renewal, of rebirth, of Ainea's greatest strength as her adherents open the temple gates to invite people and robots from all walks of life to enter and share together. What should be a joyous time, however, is suddenly interrupted as the earthquakes mount day by day through the start of Lasai. Those messages that people have been receiving since Nalom? It seems it's time for the gods to deliver on their promises.

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❥ PROMPT I: The Wild Wild West (East, South and North)

As Ainir gives way to Lasai, one morning the earthquakes, which had been growing more frequent again, suddenly mount in their intensity. The entire city is shaking and the native residents cower despite their faith in their gods' protection. The guards along the wall shout alarm and abandon their posts as the walls start to shift under the strain. When the last of them are safely away from the walls, the barrier and the wall itself quivers. The citizens cry out in alarm and fear until they realize that the walls aren't falling - they're moving. And they're moving further out. As everyone in Havenwell looks on, the walls and its surrounding barrier fluctuates and expands, sliding through the city streets as if on hidden tracks, avoiding buildings and ruins, pushing the toxic air and the storm further away. They finally come to rest and snap back into place, new walls rising from who knows where to fill in the gaps. The barrier strengthens and the earthquakes stop, and as the dust settles, a cheer rises from the citizens.

"Praise the gods! Praise the off-worlders!"

Among the din of their celebration, however, other cries start up among the newly incorporated ruins. Cries that sound like howls and screeches, and certainly do not sound human. Grab your weapons and steel yourselves, off-worlders, with the addition of this new space comes the need to clear it of anything potentially dangerous that got caught up in the expansion. Not all creatures you'll find are hostile, but some certainly are. Docile ones might just fetch a nice price from the Research Towers and the Conservatory if you can capture a mating pair.

OOC: These are the creatures you can encounter in the city as you go through to clear it. It's not an invasion level of infestation, as the majority of creatures will prefer to remain inside their known territory beyond the original barrier, but you will on occasion need to take up arms and fight. Next to their names are the frequency with which you can find them, ranging from common to extremely rare.

• Inky Black Spiders (common - hostile): These relatively small, black spider-like creatures have very basic melee attacks, using their fangs and their sharp legs to bite and claw at people. Those who were around in October when the wall broke will recognize them as the most common enemy back then. Their exoskeletons are hard and when they die, they smash into a black goo. They tend to travel in packs, using sheer numbers to overwhelm their prey.
  
• One-Eyed Lizard (uncommon - docile): An iridescent scaly purple and green lizard approximately 8 to 10cm in length from tip to tail. It has a single eye at the top of its head that can rotate to see 360 degrees around it. This creature's main defenses are its tough hide and a spine on the tip of its tail which it whips at predators to dissuade them from eating it. It's more likely to run than fight, however, and can usually be found sunbathing on exposed rock with its eye closed.
  
• "Bone Giraffe" (extremely rare - hostile): A nearly 20-foot tall, long-necked skeleton of a four-legged creature long dead with a single curved horn protruding from its skull and a sharp snout. It's usually found lying in a heap, as if it laid down and died that way. A black seven-petaled flower sometimes (but not always) grows from the skull and beneath the skeleton is an oily black film. Touching the oil slick activates the creature, which draws the oil up into the skeletal cage. Its main attacks are brute force, using its bony legs and neck to kick and slam against its prey, and its acid breath. It breathes a black fume that sizzles and burns anything it touches.
  
• Rive Talon (rare - hostile - medium): In the past these creatures may have been canines of some form, now they seem to have melded with the detritus of the fallen buildings and creatures of the landscape. Extra spikes, ridges, and protrusions extend from its body at odd angles. Many of them are metal or stone, rather than bone. And some of the bones clearly were not originally its own. (Suggested by Sierra!)
  
• Outskirts Hare (uncommon - docile): A shy creature, roughly the size and shape of an earth hare, covered in fuzzy-looking, curly pink hair and cat-like whiskers. Normally quite timid, this creature's poor eyesight causes it to flee when it feels threatened, and relies largely on a sense of touch to navigate its surroundings. Contact with this creature's fur is markedly pleasant, but its skin discharges an oil that causes mild skin irritation on contact when it's nervous. Active mostly at night time. (Suggested by Mel!)
  
• Ansaurini (rare - annoying): a bipedal feathered bird with sharp claws and teeth good for chomping; some possess flight capabilities, but the majority are prone to a lazy waddle. Mostly harmless and deceptively unassuming until you turn your back- and suddenly it's run off with something it stole off your person! They are excellent at escaping, though they can be traced back to their hoard, and if their collection is raided they will make a lot of noise in protest. Just watch your back- they will try again until you leave their territory. Truly, a horrible thing.
  

❥ PROMPT II: Welcome to the (Urban) Jungle

Once the creatures are mostly taken care of and the newly revealed area is deemed safe enough to venture into, the city council will put out a call for those willing and able to assist the natives with a clean-up effort. The city outside the walls is badly damaged, left to the ravages of the time and the ever-present storm, which means clearing dust, debris, and flotsam is a high priority before people can begin to repair the new districts and salvage material or live there. Thick brown vines cover large parts of the city, grime from the storm is caked onto windows, rocks and scattered rotted bones and twisted metal can be found in roads and crashed through buildings. The atmosphere in this part of the city seems to mirror the decrepit state of the land, too, feeling heavier and grayer and more depressing than it has any right to be. Going out with people and helping together, taking breaks to lean against one another tends to help clear away any negativity that this land seems to bring to your thoughts, however. Since it's dangerous to go alone, be sure to take a friend.

The biggest concern is the vines, so natives offer to lend machetes to the offworlders to help the hack them away. The vines look brown and dead, the leaves withered and curled up. When characters hack into them, the vines release a puff of yellowish dust. Inhale the dust or get it anywhere near your face and over time, you'll begin to get sleepy - very sleepy. It's hard to keep your eyes open, no matter your resistance to poisons or magic, and eventually you'll find yourself falling asleep wherever you are. And once you're asleep? The vines start moving, crawling toward you at a snail's pace. Hopefully you did bring a friend because you'll need their touch to wake up and stay awake long enough to get away from the vines before they pull you deep within their grasp.

❥ PROMPT III: Take a Load Off

Not everyone can fight or clean or even wants to do it, so while those who are more suited to being on the front lines are off doing their thing, those who remain behind must begin the effort of preparing everything that people will need to live in these new areas. At the temples and in the main square, the priests have set up large rest areas with blankets and pillows, and are busily putting together repair kits for mechanics and explorers to use as they go through the ruins. Those who want a place to rest that doesn't require going all the way back to their homes might find these waystations more convenient.

At each, characters can find hot soups with chunks of hearty replicated breads and both hot and cold drinks available for any who wish it. They're trying to replicate pain medications and bandages for people who have been injured while exploring or fighting off the monsters who were unlucky enough to be left inside, and will ask you to try it if you're injured. Taking this medication might have some unintended side effects, however, like a feeling of euphoria or delusions of grandeur or even something as banal as turning your hair a shocking shade of chartreuse - the effect, if you want one, is up to you! The rest areas also have robots "skilled" in giving massages that are looking to test their newly acquired skills and with four pairs of arms, they can work on two people at once! In fact, they're rather insistent about giving you a free massage if they hear even the slightest hint of fatigue in your voice and will usher people into their curtained off booths regardless of whether they know the other occupant or not. These robots are still learning though, so anyone curious enough to try may need to work with their partner to give these robots pointers. They're trying, but not having fragile little flesh bodies is a major obstacle in learning how to have a gentle touch.

❥ PROMPT IV: That Which Remains

With the opening of the city, there seem to be a lot of buildings that need cleaning. Some are so dilapidated that they're better off demolished than repossessed, and most are residential and commercial buildings reminiscent of the ones the offworlders are used to seeing everyday in the Havenwell they've all known up until now. However, among the ruins of these older sections, those intrepid enough to venture and explore may find a few unique gems awaiting them. Just remember: the first rule of urban exploration is to never go alone. You never know what might be lurking in those abandoned buildings or what obstacles might be in your way. Doorways blocked by rubble will need more than one person to remove them. Frightened (and frightening) animals might be lingering in the dark. And, most importantly, you don't want to fall through the floor and vanish into a basement. There seem to be quite a few weakened floors out there. In the following parts of the expanded city, characters can find these interesting ruins:

• Northwest: The Arena - In the northwest of the newly opened area, characters can find what looks to be a ruin of a large open air oval building. The building itself is almost 3 stories tall with walls overgrown with brown vines and dead foliage. There are doorways that have no doors, instead being high archways through which people can access in the interior. Stairs lead up into what looks like worn stone benches and down below is a rubble-strewn open area. Part of the walls have collapsed over time but it's very clear this place was used once as some sort of viewing area. It'll take a bit of work to clear this place until it's usable!
  
  There are archways with stairs that lead downward, but you'll need some help clearing away the rubble to get to what's below! If you're successful in getting beneath the arena, you'll find hallways with empty rooms that vary between large enough to possibly be some sort of training room to small enough to be just enough space for someone to put a slim single cot or bed and maybe a wardrobe to have a small private room. Some rooms have rusted metal that may or may not have been weapons at some point, while others have faded wall paintings, chipped and worn with age. It's hard to make out, but with enough reconstruction work, you may just learn who used to haunt these halls.
  
  
• Southeast: The Baths - In the southeast of the newly opened area, characters will find a domed building unlike the rest of the architecture around it. It's extremely large, for one, and squat, while the rest of Havenwell's buildings seem to be lean and tall. The walls are made of the same stone, but the dome above is broken glass. There are several metal sliding doors set in the walls, but many are fused shut with grime and years of disuse. One main door, larger than the others is sightly ajar, however, and with some help characters may be able to force it open.
  
  Inside, they find an expansive lobby with white floors that must have sparkled before all the grime, dirt, and broken glass took over. The dome overhead reflects the light, making the interior of the building as bright as outside. At the center of the lobby is a dry fountain with two broken statues - four armed humanoids holding urns. Their heads are missing and many of the arms are broken and lying in the dry basin. From the lobby there are alcoves in every direction and two hallways that lead further into the buiding in opposite directions. In each alcove are low stone seats and round basins sunk into the ground that are either dry with a black film around the inside, or full of a dark oily substance that's nearly coagulated.
  
  Go down the hallways and you'll find identical looking chambers. First, you enter an open area with broken sinks and mirrors, with stone cubbies on the walls. Then when you pry open and push past the metal sliding doors, you'll find yourself in a wide open semicircular area filled with baths of different sizes, shapes and depths. Some are free-standing stone tubs, others are large basins sunk into the ground, and still others are rectangular and just big enough for one or two people to lie down in. Each of these basins are like the ones in the lobby, either filled with that same coagulated black ooze or dry with a black film inside. Looks like it's time to get cleaning because each basin also seems like they might be able to be retrofitted to produce water perhaps.
  
  
• Southwest: The Factory - In the southwest, closest to the wall, the characters can find an imposing square building. It has small thin windows and boasts a plethora of chimneys and smokestacks on the roof, some of which are crumbling or broken with age and exposure. There are two square doors, both of which are large enough to drive a truck through and made of metal which needs to be pried open before accessing the inside. Once inside, the characters find a massive operation geared toward ore and mineral processing and metallurgical refinement. The machinery is old, but extremely well laid out, as it seems this plant was used to process huge volumes of minerals and ores before being lost to time. There are stations for every imaginable part of the refining process separated neatly so they can work efficiently, but all of the machines are broken or currently inoperable and will need significant work before they can start functioning again.
  
  Explore the refinery and you may still find one or two of the ores lying about. They contain an unknown metal that gleams a slick oily silver. At the back of the refinery is an industrial elevator which is currently inoperational. Peering down through the cracks, however, reveals that the shaft goes a long way down. The view of just how far is obstructed by a shimmering rainbow-colored barrier, not unlike the one that is just outside the walls.

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This event will run from April 15th to 30th, although due to the areas and effects not technically vanishing, feel free to continue playing with it for some time beyond. Click on each prompt's title to see the text. If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread.

Comments

[iustaegis]

[ She's particularly interested in the ores, herself, for various reasons.

Also, definitely. One cannot maintain multiple giant robots without knowing these things. ]

I am. [ A pause. She only knows a few of his projects, but she doubts she knows the extent of them. They're still working on a proper container for an energy source she has in mind; Emet leaving had left an easy solution falling to the wayside, but the prospect of rare ores presents a new opportunity. She can work with this, and she's certain he can do. However. ] Do you intend to use the facility for yourself, or just scavenge for resources?

[original_is_best]

I shall have to see the conditions of the facilities. I believe it would be quite advantageous to have both a mine and the tools to process the raw materials.

What did you observe?

[iustaegis]

I've brought some of the ores found to the locals-- they are nicean ones, as mentioned in the archives.

[ A pause, and she continues. ]

They are valuable to the natives, and far rarer than other metals from the sound of it. I don't think there is enough to build an entire ship out of what ores are left in that factory.

[original_is_best]

[Interest piqued, he leaned forward towards her from where he was sitting.]

Yes, nicean ores. I recall them, as well as the sildar ores. Were you able to determine what their purpose is?

[iustaegis]

[ She hesitates, then speaks. ]

They are used as certain components in the locals’ bodies.

[ Given that the material is scarce and the robotic bodies are subject to wear.... There’s a pointed look a him. ] Such ores do not exist in our own world.... But, um, these resources are precious to them— their lives.

[original_is_best]

[He relaxed back, expression thoughtful.]

Then perhaps it will be easier to convince them to let us rebuild. Even if the mines are nigh-depleted, having functional factories will be invaluable should we find more in the future.

[Of course, he was more concerned for his own uses. While he wasn't going to go out of his way to hurt the natives, he felt the idea that they were alive was highly debatable, and they took priority somewhere after himself and the otherworlders.]

By chance, did you ask about Sildar ores?

[Perhaps he might have to ask a few innocent questions.]

[iustaegis]

[ She shakes her head. ]

Either... this mine is only for the nicean ores, or there weren’t any sildar ones to be found.

[ But have another smile. ] ....I’m happy to hear you would ask them before attempting to repair the machines.

[original_is_best]

I would prefer my work remain undisturbed.

[And whether he liked it or not, the natives had majority control here.

Well, he definitely didn't like that. But he knew well enough to do his best work it was best to keep them out of his hair, so he would like to avoid conflicts.]

I will petition them for approval soon. Surely I can pique their interest if these ores are so important to them.

[iustaegis]

[ The ultimate hope is for these natives to somehow regain their flesh-and-blood bodies, that way they might satisfies the energy deficit required to give both their gods and their planet life again... Which, at that point, there would be no need for the otherworlders, who might then be returned to their respective worlds. ]

...It would be a good idea to try to figure out why they stopped mining, too. The shaft goes down deeper than what appears to be the bottom of the barrier, beneath ground.

It wouldn't be good to accidentally wake anything up that's, say, been slumbering down there... like the "Crawling One" as mentioned in the passage Magolor found. [ It could also be that the mine had been abandoned because it had been used up. Or that the barrier-wall had to retract to a smaller diameter. ]

[original_is_best]

Hmm. I shall have to think on how to deal with the situation. It's certainly intriguing that it goes so far.

You went into the mines, then?

[iustaegis]

[ She shakes her head. ]

No... it was a, ah, chasm, basically-- with what looked like a glimmer of the barrier deeper down.

[original_is_best]

Intriguing...

[He murmured softly, placing his free hand to his chin and glancing at the ground in thought.]

Perhaps we need some video equipment.

[iustaegis]

A communicator attached to a... manipulable line we might lower into the tunnel might do the trick.

[ Although it won't get past the barrier. ]

But what do you hope to find from the factory in general?

[original_is_best]

We won't know until we look.

But, beyond that, as you have stated, we don't know what new threats may come from that direction. It would be best to monitor the situation for a while. Given that the territory still has dangers of its own, setting up equipment may be the safest and most reliable way to keep an eye on it.

1/2

[iustaegis]

[ She appears thoughtful. There yet remains a number of beasts out there as well. ]

[iustaegis]

[ --This look eventually turns into a smile. ]

Spoken like a true scientist.

[ She praises this with a soft light in her eyes. Observing before-- doing! Go him. ]

[original_is_best]

Naturally.

I'll search for the resources we would need soon.

[And just after that, a small grunt as he straightens up again. His back was feeling it as well, it seemed.]

After a short rest.

[iustaegis]

[ She smiles at him. ]

It seems you’re in a little bit more need of sleep than I. Why don’t you lie down here?

[original_is_best]

I don't make it a habit to strain myself so.

[Though, if he were honest... he did end up pushing himself often in his enthusiasm to work. He just didn't usually carry bodies long distances during it.

With a roll of his shoulders he let his hand slip from hers to lie back on the bed.]

We have much to learn in the coming days. You should take care of yourself as well. We will likely need your talents.

[iustaegis]

[ "We likely need your talents?" and "--much to learn--". Even now he's thinking of working. Using her, yes, and any plans with the factory interest her as well.... But still. He can at least start thinking of this later, after he allows his body to recuperate. Does he ever have room to sleep in a bed in his home anymore, or has he converted it to a work bench? ]

Shh. [ Quietly, she takes the cover at the foot of the bed to drape over him. ]

Rest. I'll be here to talk and help later.

[original_is_best]

[He still had a bed. He converted the other rooms into something more usable... Though he was beginning to run out of rooms to convert.

Her actions were almost alien to him. As he rested an arm above his head and gazed up, he didn't think that much about blankets. After all, this place wasn't even close to as cold as it was at home. If anything he tended to get hot here more often, in the thick clothing meant for winter wonderlands and fairly average temperatures.

He quirked a brow at her, clearly questioning her actions as she slid the blanket over him. It wasn't very typical for anyone to try and tuck him in.]

What are you doing?

[She was very strange.]

[iustaegis]

[ Isn't it obvious by the way she stretches the sheet and brings it to his shoulders? ]

Tucking you in.

[ YOU SILLY GOOSE. Has he never been tucked in before? Even by his parents?? ]

[original_is_best]

[He still thought it was strange, and he didn't try to hide it on his expression.

But it wasn't exactly dangerous or causing him any problems, so he decide to leave it as it was with a simple sigh and rolling over to his side to rest.]

You are very strange.

[iustaegis]

[ She doesn't reply to that, instead deciding to move off the edge of the bed, leaving him to rest and regain his strength. ]