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ximilialog2023-01-29 02:10 pm
- ! event log,
- ace attorney: ryunosuke naruhodo,
- adventure time: finn mertens,
- fear street: ziggy berman,
- grishaverse: the darkling,
- gundam seed/destiny: yzak jule,
- pacific rim: newton geiszler,
- red vs blue: felix,
- star wars: cassian andor,
- the old guard: andromache,
- wheel of time: rand al'thor,
- yakuza: zhao tianyou
MISSION: THE DIE IS CAST, PART 2
● ● ● M I S S I O N 1 1 . 2
Dawn breaks over the court in grey skies, clouds drooping sadly over the horizon, as Finn (and whoever he has managed to get to train with him that day) arrives at the Knights’ Guild… and meets the beaming face of Jun Shortaxe. It is clear that the depressing weather is not dampening his spirits.
His voice booms brightly over the Guild’s courtyard, but he seems to think better of the volume as his next words are quieter, only for the Orbers to hear.
And indeed, when the next day comes with the sun finally peeking out behind the veil of clouds, it is not only Jun waiting for the Orbers but also Alena Ironspear, decked in full armour, and the Great Mulgrowe, hooded and deep in conversation with a bird.
When it seems that all Orbers are present, Jun urges his horse forward and raises his hand in greeting.
Next to him, Alena nods.
The Great Mulgrowe nods below his hood, eyes slowly opening. He pulls back the fabric to reveal the scaled countenance of a dragonborn druid.
MULGROWE
When next Jun speaks, it is with a gravitas that he seemed to lack before.
Hopefully you were ready to leave at once, as the former members of the Songbird Brigade don’t wait for long — it is within the next few moments that the group is split up into three, with each party heading off to their separate directions.
After some quick decisions on who to go with, and some even quicker good-byes, the groups are all ready to go — and so, with Jun, Alena, and the Great Mulgrowe wishing each other good luck, they each take their newly-formed party and get ready to travel: Jun by the roads, the Great Mulgrowe out in the wilderness, and Alena with the aid of Rahiel’s temples and teleportation.
1.0 Those following Jun Shortaxe will find that the roads that lead from Alydhion to South Naelor are well maintained, so whether you are on horseback or have chosen to put your feet to good use by walking, there won’t be too many rocks in your shoe by the end of the day. As you travel, you may hear Jun humming to himself, in a tone that’s actually not bad:
Follow the road
Rich or poor,
Your troubles unload
The path will take you
Stronger it will make you
The adventure that awaits!
So close the door,
Follow the road
Rich or poor,
Sing with me this ode
To whatever the fates
have in store for you!
The tone of the travelling song is catchy, and perhaps you'll want to join in (and learn another song that the illustrious commander of the Ximilia has composed).
As the road is long and darkness falls quickly in the evening, you are required to make camp — so find a good spot on the side of the road, set up your campfire, and spread your bedding around… or, if you’re not a fan of staying under the open sky and watching the stars, you can always try and find a thicket of trees to stay under, or a cave where you’ll be safe from any sudden downpours.
2.0 The journey through the Forests of Gha’har throws you into the middle of wilderness, away from the comfort of roads: instead, the Great Mulgrowe will lead his group through thick bushes, over fallen tree trunks, and under the canopies of the tall, old trees of the forest whose presence seems almost oppressive. There are moments when you may look around and feel as if everyone around you has disappeared; moments when the trees rustle above you with a quiet, menacing sound… only for it to be broken by the trill of a bird, or perhaps a druid friend among your party, settling the trees once more.
Eventually, you will hear it: the unmistakable sound of water. From behind the trees, you see the river gleaming in the sunlight like a silver snake, twisting this way and that as it flows towards Naelori Lake. This means that you have finally made it out of the Forests, and traveling by the riverside is a nice change in scenery… at least until you’re required to cross the river in order to make it to South Naelor. Well — better be ready to get your feet wet, or figure out an alternate way of crossing the river with dry shoes!
3.0 Whereas Jun and the Great Mulgrowe lead their respective groups immediately towards South Naelor, Alena takes hers back to Harsby; the reason for that becomes apparent when right outside the borough, a beautiful temple surrounded by flowering vines comes into view. It is the temple of Rahiel, and Alena explains to the group that she is only able to teleport so many people from one temple to another — and the one closest to the ruins of South Naelor lies at the mouth the Gulf of Ifyln.
It is almost as soon as everyone has stepped inside the temple, its walls decorated with paintings of the Seven Sisters, that Alena claps her hands together and a golden light envelopes you… and the next moment, you smell the sea air, and feel the cool breeze blowing your hair. When you open your eyes, feeling a little disoriented, you see the steep cliffs that line the coast from the open temple.
The cliffs don’t persist for long, though, and Alena quickly leads the group to the shore, where a small ship awaits them: just large enough to fit all of them below deck, you best hope you’ve got those among you who know how to raise the sails and steer the ship through the tides… and lower the anchor when it’s time to stop for the night. At least you’ll have a cosy rest in the ship’s cabins, or on the deck watching the stars.
However, don’t get too attached to your little ship: soon enough the river becomes too shallow, requiring you to make the rest of the way on foot.
However, the journey to S. Naelor isn’t without its challenges. The skies above might seem to darken one day, the heavy clouds splitting at their seams to let out a torrential downpour. You and your group might also stumble into the wrong place at the wrong time, not uncommon for many parties that travel through (and across) the boroughs. Whether by foot or on horseback, it would be wise to keep your senses alert and your weapon close. A battle of some nature is never too far away.
4.0 Past the crest of gently rolling hills you might hear the sudden rapid stomping of hooves against dirt as a party of bandit orcs on horseback appear, their shrill cries meant to scare and alarm you. Seek a place for cover or meet them with full force, weapons at the ready — if you’re traveling with Jun Shortaxe, he won’t be far behind, expression steeled into one of strength and determination. Within the thick, lush foliage of the Forests of Gha’har, if you’re traveling with the Great Mulgrowe, you may encounter winged bat-like creatures in the trees that squawk and cry as they fly out to attack you. Mind their sharp claws and sharper teeth — and anyone with the ability to communicate with creatures might want to utilize their skills to placate the flurry. Finally, steering the small ship on the river past Rahiel’s temple may seem quiet at first, but past the temple’s walls and emerging from the Gulf of Ifyln, winged kelpies appear to have caught wind of your group’s presence. Alena Ironspear will fearlessly lead the charge but she’ll need your help to keep the winged kelpies at bay and continue your journey northwards to Fort Gorlouch.
5.0 Along the way, whether through grassy plains and grey skies, the darkness of trees and thick foliage, or the sandy coast and the salty ocean waters, some of your party will experience some obstacles and immunities specific to their chosen race and form. Unnatural phenomena and sudden spots of darkness and flame appear to pop up like a presence following close behind.
If you suddenly become shrouded in a strange, thick fog, you’ll hear haunting voices and see visions of malevolent creatures all around you. You might try and swing your weapon forward as the voices command you to defeat every last creature trying to crowd in on you — but only your human party members will see what you can’t and will need to snap you out of the presence currently trying to control your mind, persuading you to attack your own friends and fellow crew.
While there is no shortage of dangers to be found no matter what path you travel, it might seem that there is something intentionally challenging your journey through South Naelor. While it is easy enough to take up your weapon against a stray bandit or wild creature (to some degree, anyway), it is much harder to cast off an avalanche of boulders from the nearby cliff edges, or to catch a fallen tree trunk that aims to block you and your path. Call on the orc-kind in your party to help, as their superior strength will allow them to swat boulders away like flies, or catch heavy tree trunks in mid-fall.
Some of you might find when you try to start a campfire, either during the day or the evening, for warmth or for cooking, that the flames might appear to grow hotter and larger than usual. Keep the fire going for too long and you’ll be (un)pleasantly surprised by the sudden voracious appetite the flame has for the measly kindle you have collected. It spreads and seems to grow into a predatory form that can only be challenged by those with an immunity to fire. Your tiefling companions will be able to tame and put out the fire before it does any more damage than singe your bedroll and turn your dinner to charcoal.
In the evening when the last of the daylight has disappeared past the horizon, the darkness may feel thicker, even blacker. For most of you it will seem difficult, almost impossible to see; you won’t even be able to see your hands before you. Only the dwarves in your group, possessing dark vision, will be able to decipher your surroundings and guide you to a safe place to wait out the darkness before it passes. (And thankfully, like a passing shadow, it won’t last for too long.)
Even your Brigade leaders appear to be having difficulty at moments. It will be more important than ever to chip in when you can and keep your fellow team members afloat as you trek through this perilous part of the journey towards the fortress. But one thing is clear at least: you’re getting closer.
6.0 It isn’t difficult to guess that the path to South Naelor is one less traveled — the dirt road is crude and beaten down by wagon wheels, hoof-prints, and feet but there isn’t much else around for miles. Aside from the random attacks from bandits and hungry creatures, and the strange happenings, there are also the natural elements to contend with.
Windstorms, rainstorms, and the changes in temperature (generally warmer in the day, cooler during evenings) are common in this part of the land being situated between the ocean waters and too far away from the shelter of Ffuren and the Jolnora Peaks. The plains experience heavy monsoons of rain at times, and with trees so far and few between it can get cold in the nights. The tides can rise, taking in a large part of the beach by the coastline, making it too easy to be swept into the water if one is not careful enough. Rain isn’t uncommon in the Forests of Gha’har either, and may require brief moments of shelter under the large leaves of the trees to escape getting soaked. The best thing to do during these moments is to find a cave or shelter of some sort and wait it out, catch up on some sleep, or once again go over your plans for when you arrive at Fort Gorlouch.
They say that it’s more about the journey than the destination, but sometimes it really is a relief to arrive where you want to be. The gates to South Naelor appear on the horizon in the form of long stone ramparts and large towers. Only ... these gates appear to be in serious need of repair, the walls partially broken, chunks of stone missing, and wooden posts hacked in half, leaving crude sharpened points directed at the sky. S. Naelor appears to be a court that had once seen better and brighter days, and it isn't hard to think that the court of Alydhion itself might one day see a future like this one. It is unclear whether this once majestic court had always been in decline or if this is a more recent event. Whatever the case may be, there’s only one way to find out … it’s time to ride forward.
7.0 The travels might begin to feel like they’re taking a toll on you but you and your party finally arrive — and in mostly good spirits, too. South Naelor as it stands feels nothing like the court of Alydhion, which seems so vibrant and alive by comparison. If anything, it is a court now mostly in ruin, an artifact in the history of this world. Over the centuries, nature has reclaimed some of the built structures, and rivers have carved wide canals through the land, connecting to the Gulf of Ifyln. Without needing to be told by your former Songbird Brigade leader, you might already begin to feel the prickle of goosebumps along your skin, or the hair rise at the back of your neck. It’s that sensation of expecting something dangerous that will keep you alert as the three groups converge just before Fort Gorlouch. The Great Mulgrowe bows his head in Alena and Jun’s direction, and Jun nods, opening his mouth as though to address the crew at large.
But just before he can speak, deep and guttural growls fill the quiet air from somewhere within the old fortress walls followed by the sudden blinking of bright light as though there are doors opening and closing to let these unwanted guests through. Claws frantically click and scratch against stone as the lanky greyish-white furred creatures, long-limbed and snarling with venomous teeth, rush out to meet the teams.
Alena’s eyes widen as she swears under her breath.
One of the patchy-furred beasts rises on its hind legs atop one of the half-battered ramparts and howls into the sky, commanding all of its brethren. One does not need to be a druid to understand their message: they mean to attack, and they mean to kill you.
MULGROWE
Next to the Great Mulgrowe, Jun squares his shoulders, a determined look in his eyes.
As if in response to these words, without hesitation, Alena seems to compose herself as though falling back into the old habits of their former party. She turns towards the Orbers, gripping her sword tightly in her hand.
The moment Jun hangs back to stand his ground, the Dremnin start to crowd forward, followed by all other manner of beast: some recognizable, and others that are unfamiliar, like a new kind of beast this world hasn’t seen. You’ll have to fight your way through some of these beasts to keep moving forward in search of the heirloom as Jun takes care of the brunt of it from behind.
F Y I
• If you have questions about any of the prompts or the mission in general, please direct them HERE.
• A voting post regarding the conclusion will go up on February 10.
• And finally, your soundtrack for this log: ♪ ♪ ♪
Zhao Tianyou | RGG/Yakuza | OTA
II. Wildcard!
For Natasha
He was distracted by movement from across the ship and turned to glance at another lone figure presumably out to gaze at the night sky. The red hair fluttered gently in the faint breeze. Zhao smiled at Natasha even from afar.
Then he sighed and squared his shoulders as he knew what to do next. He walked towards her.]
Hey. [His voice was soft, respectful of the nighttime peace.] It's nice out here like this, ne? If you don't mind the rocking ride.
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She also hasn't minded a little time to herself, though she smiles faintly at the company.]
It is. We didn't have this view in town.
[To say nothing of back on earth.]
Luckily I don't get seasick. You?
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Yeah, same. Big cities have too much light of their own, ya know.
[He shook his head next.]
Nah, I always liked being on the water. It's pleasant... so long as the water's calm. Then it's just exciting when it gets choppy. [He said the last with a lopsided grin.]
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[She says it rather mildly, almost smiling. It's not an insult, but there might be some gentle teasing in it as well.]
It's nice out now, though. Just a little roll from the waves. Sort of makes me think we took the easy choice.
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[He said with a "sheepish" chuckle. He was in no way actually embarrassed but he made a good impression with his expression anyway.]
Ahhh, don't jinx us, Nat-chan. You never know what the next second will bring in a place like this. Especially with our group.
[He smiled almost apologetically and shook his head. It was true though, wasn't it. They always ended up with trouble some time along the way. Zhao fell silent for a moment after that, simply staring out at the water. She was right; it was smooth sailing at the moment. He huffed out a small sigh and shifted, pushing against the railing but only to straighten slightly before leaning against it again facing a new direction. He face Natasha now.]
And you know how the orbs are... always pesky little things.
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[She's read about the missions she didn't go on, though she knows it's not the same. Her experience as an Avenger might be getting the best of her that way.
She always expects things to go south eventually anyway.]
You know I speak Japanese, right? [Asking something that has crossed her mind more than once at this point. She's not sure what it is that seems to inspire nicknames here.] Aren't I a little old to call that?
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You're never too old to have a cute nickname when you're a girl, Nat-chan. Just the way it goes. [a beat] In inner circles back home... that's just what you call someone that's special to you, you know? Like a good friend that's always there with you.
[It was a sign of affection between friends, or sometimes lovers, or family members no matter what the age. Zhao thought of Saeko--Sa-chan--briefly but didn't bring her up as an example for reasons. She was treated as the little sister of the group back home even if she was the responsible one of them all most of the time. The group had a very affectionate fondness for her.
Natasha was easy to hang out with. She was just as capable on a mission as she was casual on the station. And Zhao felt as though he'd gotten to know her a bit better recently, and certainly he enjoyed her company. She was definitely well within "-chan" perimeters by this point and he'd be sad to give it up if she requested it. Early on, it wouldn't have mattered enough to him to stop if asked, but at this point in their relationship he would honor a request from her. That was just the nature of the gremlin that eventually got to the point of caring.]
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The rest though, well...
Natasha sighs at it, shaking her head as her features settle in a mild, lopsided smile. She couldn't exactly ask him to stop when he said it like that, could she.]
Special. [She echoes that part, not entirely sure she believes it but not churlish enough to disbelieve it openly.] That's not something I hear too often.
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[Zhao focused his attention on her to show his seriousness.]
You're a special person, Nat-chan. It's easy to recognize after just hanging out with you once or twice. I've been lucky getting to do that. There's...
[He trailed off for a second, hesitant, but resumed soon enough.]
If there's one good thing about all of this it's the people we're allowed to meet here that otherwise we wouldn't. All the different worlds we get to see, the different worlds we learn about from each other... it's a lot and it's great knowing about it.
Do you think we'll remember all of this when it's done and over?
[His gaze had wandered as he spoke kindly of the Ximilia and it's crew, but not it focused back on her once more. He looked sincere.]
I hope so. There's people I don't want to forget. People like you.
[Like Kaidan and Majima, and Andy and her brothers, and so many more.]
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This... this was well outside that.
She rolls her lips between her teeth, not meeting his eyes as he says she's special. For more than one reason, that's difficult. In some ways it almost feels like she's misled him.]
I hope we remember when this is done.
[Without looking up, her tone slightly lower than usual. It would mean the world to her if that were true—it would mean getting more time, something she knows she doesn't have when this is done.
It means Yelena would get more time, and Sam would have.
All of this, every second of it, was more than she could ask for. More than she deserved.]
I guess I'm not in a hurry to find out, but I know that puts me in the minority.
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You're fine for that. There's a lot to cherish here, and if you ever tell anyone I said that I'll have to kill you and bury you in the sunlight room.
[He said with a smirking expression that clearly said he was joking. But also probably didn't want it said aloud to another person all the same. He had a reputation to uphold. (No, no he didn't. He was such a good boy here with the Ximilia crew.) Anyway.
His expression turned a little serious again as he made another confession.]
As much as I like it here and the people I've met... I do wonder about those we left behind. When we went to Viv-chan's world it kinda gave away the truth about what happens when we leave our worlds. And now there's this world, Degar's world, reminding us all over again. I've been here for over a year...did my friends search for me all this time? Do they still wonder what happened to me? Shit, what about the Liumang...
[And that hit him pretty hard, hard enough that he almost forgot what he wanted to talk about next. Because there was a lot that could go wrong if someone didn't pick up his slack fast enough and it had to be the right person. If someone like Mabuchi noticed his absence and tried to return to Yokohama and take over the Liumang. Fuck.
He stumbled over what he said next.]
...if this all works, I wonder how. Do we go back in time to the point of our regret? Does it fix what we fucked up by leaving? Or is that all...permanent out there somewhere...
cw: death, self-sacrifice?
By the time she does respond, she's more measured.]
I don't think it can be permanent. If it were, my sister wouldn't remember what she does. Neither would the other orbers who came from my world.
[She shakes her head slightly. This was getting into possibilities a little outside of her expertise but not entirely out of her realm of experience.]
It's safe to say that they'd know if I were missing.
[Hypothetically. Unless the orbs really had brought her back from the dead rather than snatching her out of the air at the last possible moment to return her to finish her sacrifice. She's had time to convince herself that can't be the case.
Can it?
She doesn't remember dying or being dead, if she would remember either of those things. Leaving aside the jolt that startled her awake more nights than she cared to admit.]
It could be that what we've seen with Viveca and Degar is what happens when a crew fails.
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Ok. Yeah. Maybe you're right. I just thought... [He shakes his head.] I'm not sure what I thought.
It's just...that could be a big deal, ya know? I mean, maybe it's all right without me there, I'm just one average guy in the grand scheme of things. It just...this is the first time it occurred to me what could happen if Seong-hui got usurped or ... something.
[Hard to say without a whole ass explanation on the intricacies of the underworld of Ijincho, Yokohama. He took a breath and let it out quickly, turning towards the water once more to let the soothing sight help calm him.]
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[Who knows what's actually happening. She can't deny that the evidence is mixed.
It could be they've left behind branch realities out there waiting for them to come back, or where they won't.]
Borrowing trouble.
[Which they always have enough of.]
But it's a good reason to get back home as quick as we can.
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[He just hadn't been expecting the sudden revelation to hit him or to feel troubled about it out of nowhere. So the doubt hit him harder than usual. But he liked her idea better. It was easier to swallow and easier to continue that way.
He nodded at her.]
Yeah, it is. Except after all this time...I want it to be done right. I don't want to return a year after my disappearance because I didn't see this through, you know? Besides, these orbs are bad news. Best to stick around and help put them away.
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[And when she's done...
Natasha shrugs, shaking her head.]
Besides, I don't have anywhere else to be.
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Focusing on not dying is a much better idea, she surmises. After a moment, she rushes across the field, drawing back another arrow.]
Get down!
[Her aim is certainly good enough that the sheer size of their enemies make for easy targets; if he listens, she'll fire another that lodges into the creature's chest. Not quite as perfect a shot, but anywhere on the torso, she's learned, is certainly not without merit.]
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He glances to see the arrow lodged in the beast's torso.]
Nice shot!
[He doesn't have time for much more as a dremnin attacks him but its mistake was coming at him from ahead. He shifts, twists out of the way without taking a step, and gathers his strength for a counterattack with the open palm of his free hand. It doesn't hit as hard as it usually would with access to his Heat ability locked in this world, but his aim is precise and the blow staggers the beast as he hits its vital organs. He follows up with a slash of his sword.]
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Ziggy wipes some of its blood off on her pants, shaking with adrenaline.]
Holy shit.
[She hasn't been in enough battles to not be rattled.
But she's adjusting. Learning.
... And it's easier, for her, to kill monsters than people.]
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Still, that didn't mean he wasn't going to take the time to make sure she was okay. He kept an eye out for more dremnin but they had a little breathing room for the moment so he took it.]
You doing all right out here? It's freakin' crazy around these parts. [He grinned to emphasize his dumb joke.] Seriously though, catch your breath. I got your back.
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I'm fine. I'm — you know, it's not my first time out fighting.
It's just a lot at once sometimes.
[Spoken like a young lady who would hate for Zhao to think she wasn't up to the task.]
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He'd admit it. Go ahead and ask.
He nodded to her.]
Don't sweat it. Well, I mean, we're all sweating so don't worry about it. It's a fucking lot out here.
[He just, unfortunately, had more experience in it than she did. Grew up with this shit his whole life. Maybe not quite like this but the blood and fighting and killing... yeah, that he knew a little something about. It sucked. He wouldn't wish it on his enemy much less the nice normal people that ended up on the Ximilia alongside the crazy people like himself. Or so he thought of things.]
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Not sweating it.
[Or at least she knows how to push it all down and focus on the bigger picture. Ever since Badrock, she's learned just how dire it's going to be — so often. So she just shakes it, off, focuses on the tasks at hand.]
I'll be alright; don't worry about ditching me, or whatever, I can take it. Besides, we've got an orb to locate. The sooner we spread out and stop these monsters, the sooner we can finally hunt it down. Right?
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[That was one way to look at it. Another way to look at it was that underneath his bad boy persona Zhao was too caring of a guy. He wasn't about to leave her in the middle of a fight without backup.
If they got separated as the battle got chaotic, that was something else. He'd check to make sure she got out alive when it was all over. But for the moment she was under his watchful eye. A leader had to watch out for their people after all.]
Let's get the party revved up then, shall we? Get back into the game.
[It was time. Zhao kinda wished he had a gun to shoot off a returning salvo into the next beasts he saw but he didn't so he had to make do with what he had. Which, when he remembered, was actually pretty cool. He closed the gap to one dremnin and unleashed a bolt of blue lightning from his mouth. A dragonborn's innate ability. He quickly finished off the stunned enemy and moved onto the next.]