Complete Megathread Story Quest (Active World Event) As the World Turns

Pandora* · Mar 29, 2023

Tiger, stout green guy, white wolf.

Her weapon back in hand after the first pass of a wild tiger going fast as lightning. With a readied stance the fight went full throttle. Now it was time for the great whackening!

It turned out the beast folk was a grappler...

"...I'm feeling ittttt. What's your name by the way tiger?"

Hanno offered insight into the battle but really Sarina didn't learn from words. The tentacle thing was weird as shit too. Still she recognized him from around and knew he held a rank similar to her own if not definitely more experienced.

"Ready? Because I am."

"Good to...know... get in... here! Let's... get.... it on..."

Sarina spoke as she fought the beast constantly aiming for brutal grabs. Fighting game nightmare, VRMMO addition. A quick roll into a backstep...

Sweet.!

Her smirk grew into a fiery grin. The brunette did a quick stretching motion. Her intensity increased and she struck her staff into the ground and launched at the closest person.

"OoohhhhhaaaYAAAAAA!"

Sarina commenced a full pole vault into Harper with her boot aiming for collision!

Adrenaline Rush!

Sarina is using her passive to grow stronger through the adrenaline of combat training! If she maximum buff before the tracker maxes out. She will kick her maximum possible ass... but become exhausted and unable to continue training!. Get as much training done as you can before Sarina burns herself out!

"Words."

Glasses adjusted as the magician went on...

"Words... words.... babble... babble...."

Nin eyed a @Imoogi and @Vashti comparing the efficiency quotas between...

"Oh, and just so you know I'm not a weirdo or anything. I pulled a wand out of my Pocket Frog and the wand said if I swung I might make a friend so here I am."

Nine lowered her pen as a sigh escaped her. Turning to Marigold she spoke with disdain. Oh, how she missed the isolation of her lab and precious time with her beloved goose.

"Certainly. You are approximately a 3'8" Faerin Witch Archetype. I've researched several Starcalled tropes at Elynn's insistence."

A frown... as she looked truly insulted. Her eyelids lowered as she adjusted her hat and ruffled her own hair to further blend her ears into the rather unkept mess.

"I should have you expunged from the facility for that comment. I do NOT do tricks! I am NOT a beast folk .. these ears are... an error. Calculating multiple variables into an acceptable sum is an extremely delicate procedure. One miscalculation can lead to unexpected and sometimes... Fuzzy math should always be avoided ...*ahem* It was what you would call, an oopsie."

Her eyelids lowered further until just a bit of yellow remained.

"A weirdo in math is simply an uncommon result. The chances of an exact duplicate of a single human being are 10 2,685,000. So we are all odd results. Just some of us choose to be a subtraction rather than an addition. What we need here is a multiplier, so if you could..."

Aika · Mar 29, 2023

"Mm-hm!"

Aika was not doing much better over here, contrary to Devi's hope. The latter was right about one thing, though: They definitely lucked out not joining that battle. Their pair would have most likely been wiped out the first chance the magias got. Neither of them had any useful healing and they were currently struggling to fight the superior machines. Case in point: The Regulator Aika was trying to take down was, well, seemingly impervious to her water magic.

"Maybe we should have stuck to fighting those bandits in Astorea! Those guys would have, oof, put up, ugh, less of a fight!"

Devi would probably hate that. She seemed to like fighting things way beyond her perceived skill level. Aika, on the other hand, would not hesitate to run away, to run from a fight she had no way of winning. It wasn't about pride for her. It was about surviving to fight another day, hopefully when she'd be the one with the upper hand. But opposites attract, so here they were.

"Come on, you overgrown fax machine... Cut a girl some slack... I'll give you, ugh, some quality, oof, motor oil if you play, haah, dead until I can, unf, cash this in..."

Critical Failure

1

Rolls

Joining @Devi in dealing with vengeful magias after the pair's employers' small encampment in Vintergard attempted to capture said magias but failed.

Roll Result
1d100 (1) 10 + 5 = 16
Aika | Magias without a Cause | 1815

Toko · Mar 30, 2023

She’d been surprised to spot @MayoYume as the hare bounded down the stairs of the inn, not used to seeing other players at such early hours within the world of TerraSphere. A quick wave had been given to the young Lioness and, after some light chatter with the innkeeper Mabelle, they had set off towards the bakery for a bite to eat.

"You can’t start a day without one of Esther’s baked goods—" There was an abrupt pause to her words as something caught Toko’s attention, her ears twitching unconsciously in response to the sounds they picked up just as the smile faded from her lips. "Mattaku, not them again."

"Get your hands off of me!!!" A frown crossed her face before the rabbit picked up her pace towards the familiar bakery, the voice of Esther now audible to all as they rounded a corner and got closer. "What do you think you’re doing?!"

She could see the pudgy woman now, her usually neat bun currently a mess as chestnut locks of hair had become undone, as a larger man forcefully pulled her out of the establishment. Behind him followed another, tightly holding the limbs of a magia player—a newbie if one judged them by the equipment they wore and the panicked expression on their face—behind their back to restrain them.

"OI!!! Isn’t it a bit early to be harassing people?"
"Stay out of this rabbit, this is official business—yeeoooww!"
"Yeah, you’re officially disrupting Esther—her mornings are already busy enough without you guys making them worse"

The crest of Falderen was visible on his vest, though the lepus paid it no attention as she shortened the distance between them. Without hesitation Toko reached for the wrist of the one holding Esther, her grip tight against his joints until she forced him to release the woman, before she twisted his arm towards his back in a perfect mimicry of his actions towards the baker.

❰ Rolls & Summary ❱

Still sick, so short post. Collaborating with Shadow’s @MayoYume to see if we can trigger some narrative stuff within Honeyhome. :pikalove:

Also should gain +1 Wandering Point... and I think her WP from Magia w/o a Cause was never tracked in the main post from last round?

❰ Mastery Check + Weapon Rank ❱
1d100 (29) + 25 + 25 = 79
Martial Arts | Toko | Beware! Brisshal!

Nyx · Mar 30, 2023

AP: 1/3 ( 1 AP used )
Location: Surrounding Areas - Vintergard
Prompt: Magias without a Cause
Narrator Tag: - -

Nyx did not, as they say, have a horse in this race. And yet, here she was.

The ending of the battle with Snofrid was mostly a blur to her and whenever she did try to think about it, try to draw on the images that she knew were there, nothing came to her. There was only static and the ever-present buzzing of The Hive, the clicking and chittering and squelching of insects within the swirl of her ear canal.

Her right shoulder twitches. She blinks as if she's coming out of a dream, once, twice, thrice before frowning. She exhales and finds herself back where the battle happened, back in the ruins of a city that she hadn't heard of until that morning when Madison grabbed her up and told her they had a bounty. The bounty had been completed, the rewards given, but there was a nagging feeling in the pit of Nyx's stomach that wondered if it was worth it.

If anything they did in this fucking world was—

It was foolish to stand out in the open, to welcome and court death like this, instead of doing as the missive had requested. So, she blinks again and turns her attention to the world around her, forcing it into sharper, more crisp detail. The sun was hazy overhead, grey clouds hanging low and threatening rain, and the wind that gently blew through the area carried with it the scent of exhaust and rusting metal. Nyx cannot help but frown again, immediately missing the sea-salt air of the coast.

And that's when she hears the whir of a machine, the cry of a person either in danger or fighting for their life. And, with all things considered, in a game like TerraSphere, that was the same thing.

Her lungs balloon in her chest and the tangy scent of fear welcomes her like an old friend, feeding her adrenaline and making saliva pool in her mouth. The long shadows from ruined buildings and downed machinery sing a sweet siren song to her, loud enough that when she steps into one and centers her thoughts, she appears where the scent is the strongest, next to a small group of Starcalled doing battle with a Sentry...which was freaking out and calling for other sentries.

Well, that couldn't be good...

Rolls

Nyx finds herself back in Vintergard and she comes upon a small group of Starcalled doing battle with a Sentry. She intends to enter the fight when the commotion draws another Sentry to their location.

Roll Result
1d100 (46) 20 + 10 = 76
Pierce Weapons | Nyx | Magias without a Cause

Fina Drago · Mar 30, 2023

The feline walked through the Hall of Heroes quietly. The mood seemed to be... a bit solemn. At least for the part where she was. As she walked around, she did spot Vina and even someone like Harper, vaguely remembering the latter from the battle. But as they were absorbed in their own little training some distance away, she opted not to interrupt them. Her purpose here was a different one anyhow... she hoped to find Levi, or perhaps Chad, to see how the top lions were doing after such a difficult encounter.

She had little luck with both, unfortunately. Well, it made sense that the higher-ranked people would have plenty of work elsewhere and could not mingle with random guests. Letting out a sigh, the forge master stretched a bit as she looked over the countless trophies that adorned the hall. Did they already erect one for the defeat of Szofrit? Or did they think it a defeat rather than a feat of heroism? As far as she was concerned, plenty more could have died. But some seemed to disagree.

On her way back out, her ears twitched as she passed by a group of presumably newer members that were bickering amongst themselves. "...I've been thinking about maybe quitting." "Yeah, I was told that I would be protecting the helpless, not charging into a battle against... I dunno, but it sure seemed like literal hell." "I don't want to just leave this early, but... yeah. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to sleep peacefully ever again." Well, it wasn't like they were talking about anything invalid. That said, the feline felt like they were far from actually being at the end of their ropes.

"Hey..." As she suddenly approached the group and spoke, all three of them quickly locked their piercing gazes at her, making her stagger a bit before sighing. "Ah, uh... sorry, I overheard you lot. Just wanted to say that... hm... when even a coward like myself could do some good during that fight, then I'm sure you people can do even much more than that. Especially now, people will need all the support they can get." "I'm sorry, who are you? Are you even a lion?!" "...no" Well, that got awkward right quick.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎❰ Actions ❱
Failing her search for the Lion commanders, Fina instead opts to try and encourage some uncertain members, albeit in her usually inept way.

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (71) + 0 = 71
Presence | Fina Drago | Find the Pride

MayoYume · Mar 30, 2023

The hare had greeted her almost as if they'd know each other from times before. Warmth, gentleness, an almost caring nature that bespoke of someone who was kindhearted enough to care about those lesser individuals who passed them by without a notice. Almost immediately, the hare-woman had greeted her, answered her few questions, before offering to guide her to a local bakery for a breaking of the morning fast.

That was where things had taken a turn, and not in the happiest of ways as Yume may have desired. Instead, they found themselves facing off against - at least, as far as Yume could tell - the local guards of the small village. Cautiously, she had turned her eyes between Toko's form, and that of the guard whom she had forcibly contained.

This seems...Kukyō no yō ni. Uhm...I'm sorry for my friend's actions, but if you are really harming innocent people, then that is not good.

She glanced back towards Toko, before continuing her conversation. As each word slipped out, she felt her confidence growing - she was here on official business, after all. That meant she was here as a member of the Lion's, in order to make sure innocents weren't being harmed.

I am going to have to ask you to cease and desist with your actions, you are clearly harming innocent people. Failure to do so, will come with consequences, many of which I don't think you'd desire to have.

Confidence. That was the key - and she was lacking a key, as much as she tried to portray otherwise. In all honesty, she was following the lead of a rabbit woman she had just met, and whom she really didn't know, at all. Nanika ni komitto shitara, sore o jikkō suru hitsuyō ga arimasu. And so she would, as much as she possibly could. She'd chosen to follow Toko, and now she would do whatever was required to make sure everyone was safe.

The Dream Shield!

❰ Rolls & Summary ❱
❰ Mastery Check ❱
1d100(19) + 15 = 34
Astramancy | MayoYume | Beware! Brisshal!

Zera Leigh · Mar 30, 2023

AP:: 0/3 1 AP Spent
Location: Hall of Heroes
Prompt: For a Better Tomorrow
Narrator Tag: N/A

The sound of hammers and saws filled the air as Zera stood near where his comrades were working on expanding the Orphanage. It was a laborious process but fortunately the lumber they got from the nearby forest didn't come with a lot of strings attached. Some locals had come out of the woodwork to help as well, which made his chest swell with pride. There were good people out there, you just needed to look hard enough.

A light tap on his forhead drew his attention and he looked up at the boy that was sitting astride his neck. "Lord Zera? Are we really gonna stay in this place? It's so big now..."

The scruffy haired kid looked a bit forlorn, as if the expansion was going to result in them getting kicked out to make room for 'nicer orphans' or something. Zera huffed and cocked a grin at the kid before looking at the work being done. It was hardly that impressive. They'd add enough space to properly take care of maybe a hundred extra kids, and that was pushing it. It was basically just a huge block attached to the side of the orphanage, a dormitory so they could use some of the space in the main building for classrooms, preparing, and eating meals. It was by no means a palace.

"BWAHAHA! Don't you worry about a thing, you just keep being a kid, okay? This place'll be your home till it doesn't have to be anymore. ...and don't call me Lord."

"Till it doesn't have to be?" The boy asked, confused, and pointedly ignoring Zera's request yet again. These kids...

Zera opened his mouth to speak but about a dozen tiny arms reached up and grabbed on to him. In no time he was raising his arms up and down while the children screamed and giggled, dangling off of his massive frame. A few of Zera's men glanced over and laughed at him. Zera took a few heavy steps and let out a play-roar, swinging his arms a little to add to the excitement.

"Hold on tight! WROARRR!"

These were the good days, the days when Zera didn't have to think about the hard things. They wouldn't last forever for him, though...

Rolls

Zera plays with children while charity work continues on the orphanage.

Roll Result
1d100 (50) = 50
Charity | Zera | For a Better Tomorrow

Imoogi · Mar 30, 2023

AP:: 1/3 (1 AP spent)
Location: MIT Headquarters
Prompt:
For Science!!!
Narrator Tag: N/A

Eventually, Imoogi got tired of assembling equipment. There were only so many bits of glass she could stick together before she started thinking about how breaking glass would be more interesting.

She fortunately did not start smashing beakers with a hammer, but she did find a corner where she could set up and do a little alchemy of her own. It was "testing the equipment", if anyone asked. There was no point in assembling equipment if they weren't sure it was working.

Unfortunately, her attempts at making anything useful for the general restoration process wasn't going well. She had trouble with any magitech device more complicated than flipping a switch or turning a dial, and there were no instructions. Even the MIT members seemed confused - apparently they were new devices made with their expanded budget, and no one had had the chance to figure them out.

Well, as far as Imoogi was concerned, that was a challenge.

(And one she might be losing, if the growing crate of alchemical waste was any indicator.)

Rolls

Imoogi is trying to figure out how some of the newfangled Magitech equipment works so she can make some support potions for the team. It isn't going too well.

Mastery Check
1d100 (5) + 20 = 25
Alchemy | Imoogi | For Science!!!

Luthien · Mar 30, 2023

There was still plenty of work to be done before the Embertorch was restored to its former glory, but little by little it had begun to resemble the place of their memories once more. It was a testament of what people could do when united into one common goal, despite the chaos that still reigned all around them.

”Alright, is this all of the materials needed for the repairs this week?" Her gaze shifted from the two golden whistles towards their slightly seasoned companion, the caenis vigorously nodding in response and causing the orange whistle around his neck to bounce. "Gotcha, I’ll make sure the order gets submitted today then."

She still wasn’t used to being on the administrative side of things within the League, that was a scope of work and responsibilities that she’d associated with Beleg until recently, but despite her own doubts Lúthien had risen up to the new role without hesitation. "Good job guys." It was still odd to have people under her tutelage, especially under the current circumstances, but little by little she’d begun to rely on them more.

"How about we visit the bakery after we’re done here in a bit, mmm?" She couldn’t help chuckle as the tail of the caenis began to wag at record speeds, and even the eyes of the reserved magia seemed to brighten when the invite was extended to them and their faerin companion. "My treat~"

❰ Rolls & Summary ❱

Lúthien's found herself in charge of keeping track of materials necessaries for rebuilding the Embertorch, and has been assigned an orange and two golden whistles to help with the task. With their help they've managed to get a good grasp on what the League currently has, and also estimate the things they will still need to order, for the scheduled ongoing repairs.

❰ Expertise Check ❱
1d100 (44) + 45 + 15 = 104
Presence | Luthien | Relight the Torch

@Pandora* approved leaving Lúthien as a Red Whistle ICly when I asked, even though she already has qualifications for Violet Whistle. :pikalove:

Nyx · Mar 30, 2023

AP: 0/3 ( 1 AP used )
Location: Surrounding Areas - Vintergard
Prompt: Magias without a Cause
Narrator Tag: - -

This section of Vintergard was filled with chaos. Screams tore through the air from man and machine alike and it was impossible to breathe in without also inhaling the stink of exhaust and rusted metal. Broken pieces of concrete jutted up from the ground at dangerous angles and everywhere Nyx turned, there was something broken or discarded. Her attention coasted over the bodies lying unresponsive in the gutter and she forced herself to ignore the heavy feeling of it being too late to assist them.

An explosion makes her wince as another high-powered whir slices through the air, another machine tearing around a nearby corner and coming for her. No, not just her; there were other Starcalled nearby, a man and two women, all appearing to be capable fighters. But Nyx saw the grimaces cross their faces and she zeroed in on the way one woman leaned gingerly to the right as if her left leg could no longer fully support her weight. And the man's face was bloody, one eye was swollen shut, his hand white-knuckling the gun in his grip.

The last woman had both arms wrapped around her torso, but Nyx didn't need her enhanced senses to see the blood seeping from between the stranger's forearms. Whatever injury she had sustained was massive and would likely lead to her imminent demise if she didn't get it cleaned and bandaged. And soon.

They all wheezed and Nyx could smell the fear from each of them. It was a tangy scent that roused the beast within her breast, silenced the swarm between her ears, and allowed her to stand slowly to her full height while she inhaled. It was a mix of lemongrass, peppermint, and sage, an interesting combination that made her wonder about the true nature of this triad she saw before her.

Nevertheless, the movement was enough to catch their attention because, as one unit, they turned to her, frowning and confused.

"We gotta get outta here," the man says through clenched teeth, but Nyx merely grins, her fangs descending from her gum-line while her hand goes to the pommel of her sword. He takes a momentary step back, surprised, but determined to get them all out of this situation.

"Run, if you must," she tells the three of them with a short nod, the stale breeze dragging invisible fingers back through her pitch-black hair.

She takes a step forward only for the second woman, the one attempting to keep her guts within her body cavity, to cut her off. Blood leaks from the corners of her mouth as she speaks.

"You'll die."

Nyx smirks and gently shakes her head.

"I have," the vampiress says in reply while unsheathing her rapier. "But if you haven't, you should run so that you don't."

"W-What about you?" the limping woman asks even as she begins to turn away.

"If someone can return from death in a blaze of embers, why can't the same be true of blood."

And she giggles as she turns and rushes forward, grabbing the attention of the machine while her blade nicks one of the exposed wires. The last thing she hears is three pairs of feet moving as quickly away from the scene as possible.

Rolls

Nyx grabs the attention of a Sentry machine to help a group of Starcalled manage to escape the ruins of Vintergard.

Roll Result
1d100 (60) 20 + 10 = 90
Pierce Weapons | Nyx | Magias without a Cause

Aalam Abungu · Mar 30, 2023

AP: 2/3
1 AP spent.
Location:
Surrounding area/ on the bridge between Astorea and Tertoria,
Prompt:
The Starforged Bridge
Narrator Tag:

"Cold: the air and water flowing."

He let that word push out of his mouth as he kept moving people over the bridge; at this point, most of his mana was gone. That was an exaggeration; most of it was working on the bridge. He was using it to keep the building functioning and everything together in a way that would keep people moving; it was one of the few things he could do now. The guards were working with him, getting people onto the thing, but it was his job to get them across it, so that is what he was doing, picking people up and carrying them across that gap, those people that could bring themselves to take another step. Be it because the sheer exhaustion was bringing them down, or maybe the voice in their head telling them it would be easier to jump to just lean over the edge and sink into that peaceful abyss under them.

He could pick them out with that hyper sense and hear them talk about how easier it might be to jump off the side and allow that to happen. The first one that did, the first one that took that way out, would be the first one that showed the rest that it was a way to end it all, and he couldn't allow them to do that. So it was a simple task that he could focus his mind on to keep him moving and the rest of them moving. At times he was an elder who couldn't walk anymore, someone whose legs had failed them, so he carried them the rest of the way. Picking them up and letting their weight rest on his back as he moved one step after the other across the gap. His nature magic is infused into a collection of leaves that he kept in many pouches on his belt. At times it was someone too young to keep walking because they were just too tired, their bodies in a state of exhaustion because of how far they had walked and what they had seen, so he picked them up and pressed a face into his chest and kept walking before passing them into the guard on the other side.

If there was time and he had enough mana, he would grind up the leaves from his pouch and mass them into a paste, which he infused with just enough of that mana to help with the pain. He had given away his rations a while back to a family with too many children, it was something that would keep the little ones walking, and that was more important than him being hungry for a while. So far, he had been able to keep count of the number of people he had carried over, and he had broken into the double digits a while ago, but he was still able to walk, so he was still carrying people. Setting down the last child from a family as he heard a woman start to cry, so he went back to the bridge.

Rolls

Keeping up the song and turning his attention to helping cross that bridge by carrying them across the gap if they get too close to breaking.

Mastery Check
1d100 (8) + 25 = 33
Hyper Sense | Aalam Abungu | Thread Code

Vashti · Mar 31, 2023

AP:: 2/3
1 AP spent
Location:
Finweald! MIT facilities
Prompt:
For Science!
Narrator Tag:
None!

She took a seat and looked over the controls of the loader carefully. Everything seemed to be laid out in a self-explanatory way, but just to be sure, she placed her hand across her lap palm up and curled her fingers as though she were looking at her nails. After a moment, a light glowed at the nexus between her fingertips, and an interface appeared that seemed to communicate with the machine. The buttons on the loader's console lit up in correspondence with her queries- which one activates the loader, what should she press in order to move it, how to control the lift...

"Oh yeah, I can handle this," she said confidently as she placed her hands over the controls and began to work them as if she'd been doing it all her life. The comfort level came with knowledge, and would expand with experience- but when it came to machines, at least in this world, she had an affinity for them. "Where do you want these?" she called over the sound of the engine, which startled the researcher.

"You picked that up quickly!" the woman praised, then added, "take these beams over to..."

Vashti complied with the first order and it took her several minutes to collect and secure the heavy beams, which she then moved to their destination. After several more trips like that, she reported in and confirmed that at the very least, the first construction site was equipped and ready to begin. There were several more, though that would take a few repetitions of the first set of orders to complete.

The foxgirl let herself enjoy the ride.

Rolls

Vashti moves tools and supplies from the intake bay to several construction sites across the MIT facilities, preparing them for the task of rebuilding and renovation.

1d100 (94) + 10 + 5 = 109
Knowledge | Vashti | For Science!

Aalam Abungu · Mar 31, 2023

AP: 1/3
1 AP spent.
Location:
Surrounding area/ on the bridge between Astorea and Tertoria,
Prompt:
The Starforged Bridge
Narrator Tag:

He made his way back to the bridge, moving through the crowd until he came to the woman that was hunched over, crying. He could see the path the water had craved through the ash on her face. River of sorrow on her, he could picture the reason after all this mess was something they had brought on the lander. Before then, this world was something else, and because of them, it had changed in such a short time that these things had to be expected and had to be warranted, but he was a player, and his life was different from someone that had lived in this place their entire existence. He was immortal, and that had come to bite them before; the idea of not seeing what other people saw was one of the reasons that the other kingdoms feared Astorea. After all, how did you deal with immortal warriors that could call down power from the gods? That was a question he was still looking to find the answer to, but at this moment, he couldn't worry about that; at this moment, he had to continue to work. So he reached down and grabbed both of her hands and brought them together before reaching up to his neck and undid the clap, holding his cloak in place. Dragging it off as he wrapped it around the woman, he could always get another one and secure it with a little clasp of vines. Then he just picked her up and started to carry her across the bridge; he knew that there was a chance that if he had let her walk that she would have just jumped off, and that was what he was here to prevent. To stop them from making that choice because of someone whispering in the back of their mind.

So he carried her over the bridge letting her tears sink into his chest as his arm wrapped around her frame, and it was something that he couldn't hide from the people crossing the bridge, the arm made of spirit magic. A translucent thing glowed blue in the light as he moved, pressed against that sobbing body and radiating a warmth that told her that everything would be alright and that things would get better. He made a promise in silence while humming the same tone he had seeded throughout those crossing the bridge. A tone that was starting to be carried by the people walking it, that sound that made them think they were all in this together, that they would be able to get through this together. He carried her to the end of the bridge and rested her in the arms of the guard on that side, leaving her wrapped in that cloak. It would be hard for people not to notice him now; that arm was a dead giveaway for what he was and the trouble that people like him had caused, but all he could do was keep helping.

"Hard: the land we call our home."

Rolls

He is keeping up the song and wrapping a crying woman in his cloak to carry her across the bridge before leaving her with the guards.

Mastery Check
1d100 (17) + 25 = 42
Hyper Sense | Aalam Abungu | Thread Code

Vashti · Mar 31, 2023

AP:: 1/3
1 AP spent
Location:
Finweald! MIT complex!
Prompt:
For Science!
Narrator Tag:
None!

"You did great, miss... uh, I guess I never caught your name," the woman said, glancing over her clipboard. "I'm real sorry about that. It's a very hectic time for everyone and it just slipped my mind."

"It's okay. Really." Vash offered a smile. "I've been on deadlines before, I get it."

"I thought you might. You seem pretty dependable, so if you're willing, I've got a pretty big job I'd like to put you on. What do you say?"

"I came to help," she said, "so put me in, coach!"

"Excellent!" The woman clapped her hand on Vashti's shoulder and began leading her toward one of the sites she'd helped to supply. "So, the machinery over here isnt much different from the loader, other than the tasks it handles. Crane work, some pile driving, and foundation laying. You think you can work your magic and help get this site ready for the framework?"

"I'll see what I can do!" Vash replied with a quick salute. She made her way over to one of the machines and started to assess the controls, then started a back and forth with the foreman to make sure their efforts were properly coordinated for safety and synergy.

She could get used to this!

Rolls

With the construction areas fully supplied, the workers are able to begin their projects in earnest. Since she showed aptitude for using the loader, Vashti is tasked with operating heavy machinery on site in the area to continue allowing for things operating smoothly.

1d100 (42) + 10 + 5 = 57
Knowledge | Vashti | For Science!

Aika · Mar 31, 2023

After shooting three more hard water arrows at the extremely hardy Regulator, Aika was slowly losing her cool. That rarely happens, and even when it does, it doesn't really resemble the same thing that others like her go through. Aika losing her cool did not have the same accompaniments of rage-filled screaming and maybe even a temper tantrum to boot. Aika losing her cool was just her muttering unintelligible gibberish under her breath. Less loud but fulfills the same purpose.

"All right, that's it. Time to change tactics."

The sneaky archer stowed her bow as she flipped backward, avoiding the Regulator's attempt to crush her fragile beauty under its metallic boot. As soon as she landed, Aika molded hard water strings around her fingers, her favorite weapon to improvise. Normally, Shadow Arts practitioners employ metal strangle wires in their craft. Aika found them unwieldy at times, as metal often felt weird for her when combined with her Hydromancy. That and her hard water strings were more often quicker and more efficient.

"Game's up, fun's over!"

Aika surged forward, dodging the Regulator's second attempt to smash her in with one of its appendages by performing a slide right under it, all the while wrapping her strings around the same appendage. When she got back to her feet, she immediately rushed around another appendage, entangling it with the same set of strings. Finally, she performed a forward roll to get closer to the final appendage, throwing her strings around it and pulling them to her, so they would wrap tightly.

"Unf! A little help here, sweetie? Just needs, ugh, a bit of a push..."

Rolls

Joining @Devi in dealing with vengeful magias after the pair's employers' small encampment in Vintergard attempted to capture said magias but failed.

Note: This is Aika's second post doing the same thing (first post here) but I'm not sure if that nat 1 did keep her from gaining a Wanderer Point? If not, this would get her a second WP, I think?

Roll Result
1d100 (62) 10 + 5 = 77
Aika | Magias without a Cause | 1815

Aalam Abungu · Mar 31, 2023

AP: 0/3
1 AP spent.
Location:
Surrounding area/ on the bridge between Astorea and Tertoria,
Prompt:
The Starforged Bridge
Narrator Tag:

He walked back onto the bridge, and they gave him a wide birth, pressing into the side of the construction as if they were afraid of him, and this was something that he was trying to avoid. He had been trying to avoid using magic in that way. Still, she needed something to help settle her mind, and the good thing about spirit magic was the aura was comforting that, combined with the mastery he had in nature, magic let itself an effect on bring down that fear that was creeping into people. That worry that things would not get any better and he had to fight against that, so he pushed as much mana as he could into that arm. So he took a second to catch himself on the bridge and rest because he was burning himself at both ends, which wasn't good. But there were still more people that needed to get across; it seemed like an endless tide of them seeking shelter, and he knew they were still working on the capital. The palace had been torn down around them, and it was one of the biggest buildings in the city; he would need to get there after seeing the last of them over this pit.

Now he was marked as the other, and at the moment, he couldn't let them see him like that. Even if all that he had done so far if it fell apart in the end, that would be a failure for him. He need keep them moving no matter what happened to him; that was the only thing that was important right now. If trust between the two nations broke down too much, then there would be no one to lead a hand during the next problem or world change situation that came about, and he couldn't let that happen. But damn, was he tired. This had been a long day, and the day was still going; they would need to get more done. So far, a good number of them had crossed; there was still more crossing, and he needed to make sure they didn't jump. So he rested his arm on the side of the bridge and poured more of his mana into the vines; it extended the railing higher and pushed more of the flower into bloom to give the people something to take their minds off the walking. And there was his personal seed, so he could do one more thing: force some pollen into the air, which would help with the pain and keep them moving forward.

Rolls

Pushing himself to keep up the tone while pushing more mana into the vine railing, making it more pleasing.

Mastery Check
1d100 (14) + 25 = 39
Hyper Sense | Aalam Abungu | Thread Code

Nyx · Mar 31, 2023

AP: 2/3 ( 1 AP used )
Location: Surrounding Areas - Astorea
Prompt: Lander Exodus
Narrator Tag: - -

His sobbing was what captured Nyx's attention first.

She blamed Madison. Being left on her own was a terrible idea and without having the Sheriff around to corral her (pun very much intended), she was left to wander across the countryside. Whenever the Legion rose to a fever pitch inside the confines of her skull, she would lash out, do something dangerous, and then be left alone for an hour or two with the ramifications of her actions.

They weren't...all bad. Some had been quite good, admittedly, but the morality of choice meant nothing when the sinking pit in her stomach opened up and growled. She was a slave to it, to the chewing and nipping and buzzing, to this sinking feeling of being adrift between islands and unable to determine a mooring. She didn't want to rely on another person for that, didn't want to base her emotional well-being on the shoulders of a woman who would leave...again.

Madison had to leave. She had a whole life outside—

And then the sobbing tugged at her attention and, after slipping into the waiting cool arms of a shadow, she found herself standing beside a ruined wagon. The wheel had broken, and the horses were nowhere to be seen. An elven man and woman stood in the remains of the wreckage, bruised and bloodied, the man sobbing into his hands, the woman gently wrapping a bandage around her upper arm.

Nyx frowned as she stepped forward, her gait slow and purposeful, her curiosity leading her by the nose.

"Stay where you are!" the woman cried out, manifesting a long scepter in her right hand and turning it upon the vampiress.

In reply, Nyx lifted her hands in surrender, though the motion was automatic, a thing to be done and not thought about. Her attention drifted between this stranger and this man who was now, tears still streaking down his face, looking at her.

"Are you a Starcalled?" he whispered, the tremble in his voice making Nyx purr. Fear was quite delicious, after all.

Her tongue leaps out to lick at her full lower lip, the piercing twinkling in the afternoon light.

"Quite bold," Nyx murmurs as she takes another step forward and the hair along her arms stands on end. She can feel the magic in the air and her senses immediately zero in on the woman. Her head cants curiously to the left. "To be robbed in the middle of the afternoon."

"They were escorting us out of here!" the woman rages in reply, her face flushing red, her grip tightening around her weapon. "They turned on us!"

"They took everything. Including the horses."

The man casts a sorrowful look over his wagon, the overturned boxes, the scraps of cloth and rope that had been cut.

Nyx tsks quietly, although she feels nothing. And therefore, her reply, likewise, is automatic as her hands lower themselves to her sides.

"I can help you," she tells them, her tone rather monotone considering her offer.

The duo glance at one another and the woman steps forward, the scepter held out in front of her, the bobble pointed toward Nyx glowing faintly with arcane power.

"Why would you?" she asks, obviously skeptical.

And Nyx shrugs her shoulders, the motion slow as if she's considering the question while her body reacts to the question. When they drop, the words have formed on her tongue.

"It's...what the Starcalled do."

Rolls

Nyx finds a pair of Landers who have been robbed by Starcalled on their journey to leave Astorea. She decides to help them on their way.

Roll Result
1d3 (2) = 2
Presence | Nyx | Lander Exodus

Marigold Diablo · Mar 31, 2023

AP:: X1/3
Spend 2 AP ("Overseer")
Location:
MIT Headquarters Public Area
Prompt:
"Overseer": @Nin can be found here, she is leading the repairs of the public area.
Narrator Tag:
@Pandora

Marigold frowned as she listened to Nin speak. That frown quickly rose to greater and greater in heights as the woman began to talk then finally...

"WHAT WE NEED HERE IS FOR YOU TO SHUT UP, STUPID! I DON'T KNOW HOW MY WAND COULD HAVE POSSIBLY THOUGHT I COULD BE FRIENDS WITH YOU! ALL YOU DO IS TALK ABOUT NUMBERS! NUMBERS, NUMBERS, NUMBERS, LOGIC, LOGIC, LOGIC! WHO CARES! YEAH, SURE, MAYBE SITTING BEHIND A DESK TRYING TO BUILD YOUR NEXT FAILURE OF A MACHINE IS GREAT FOR NUMBERS, BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, THE WORLD ISN'T LOGICAL! PEOPLE AREN'T LOGICAL! YOUR CALCULATIONS DON'T COUNT FOR DIDDLY SQUAT AND THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING SISTER!"

Marigold motioned to the room around them.

"LOOK AROUND! IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, ALL YOUR CALCULATIONS ARE GOING TO LEAD TO ONE GOD DAMN CONCLUSTION, NONE OF Y'ALL KNOW CRAP ABOUT THE WORLD OTHER THAN HOW TO MAKE A TOASTER! LET ME ASK YOU THIS IDIOT, DID YOUR NUMBERS SAVE THIS PLACE FROM GETTING ITS ASS KICKED BY THE ROBOT LADY! NO! YOU THINK IF YOU WOULD HAVE DONE A FEW MORE MATH PROBLEMS THAT WOULD HAVE STOPPED THIS FROM HAPPENING! NO! MAYBE YOU YOU'D BE A FRACTION MORE "OPERABLE" BUT WHO CARES IF YOU'RE AT 51% OR 52% EFFICIANCY, YOU STILL GOT YOUR ASS KICKED JUST LIKE THE REST OF US!"

Pointing directly at Nin, Marigold continued her tirade.

"WANT SOME ADVICE! WELL HERE'S SOME, LIFE DOESN'T PLAY BY RULES OR NUMBERS AND NEITHER DO I! AN EXACT DUPLICATE OF ME MY ASS, THE CHANCES OF THERE BEING ANOTHER ME THAT USE WANDS SHE PULLS OUT OF A FROG ARE SO SMALL THEY DON'T EVEN MATTER, JUST LIKE EVERYTHING YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF BUT CAN'T! TAKE YOUR MATH AND SHOVE IT! GET OUT THERE AND DO SOME REAL WORK ON THE FRONT LINES BECAUSE I PROMISE YOU SITTING HERE IN YOUR IVORY TOWER DOING YOUR MULTIPLICATION TABLES AIN'T HELPING NO ONE, TOOTS. FUZZY MATH? THE WORLD IS FUZZY! NONE OF IT MAKES SENSE AND TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF IT IS POINTLESS. ALL YOU CAN DO IS ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES BECAUSE CHANCE, RANDOMNESS, CHAOS, THAT'S WHAT THE WORLD'S REALLY MADE OF! YOU CAN'T PREDICT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ANY BETTER THAN A KID FLIPPIN' A COIN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE WORLD REALLY IS! A COIN FLIP BETWEEN THE WORLD ENDING AND A NICE PEACEFUL DAY AND THERE'S TOO MANY RANDOM THINGS AFFECTING THE COIN TO COUNT! COME TO GRIPS WITH THAT AND MAYBE YOU CAN ACTUALLY START GETTING SOME WORK DONE INSTEAD OF PLAYING PROFESSOR!"

Furious, Marigold began to storm off but then quickly turned.

"AND ANOTHER THING. WHATEVER THE HELL YOU ARE, BEAST, HUMAN, BIG FAERIN, ELF, WHATEVER BE PROUD OF IT IDIOT! THE ONLY THING YOU REALLY HAVE IS THIS."

Marigold pointed to herself.

"YOU. YOUR BODY. YOUR LIFE. THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT CAN'T BE TAKEN FROM YOU, SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SOME GOD DAMN PRIDE IN IT! YOU SIT HERE AND ACT LIKE YOU'RE SOME BIG SHOT IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING, BUT YOU'RE JUST PLAYING THE ROLL OF 'SMART PERSON' BECAUSE IN REALITY, YOU'RE BIGGEST DUMBASS I'VE EVER MET!"

Marigold stuck her tongue out at the woman, a very child-like move, and took off her hat. There under her hat was her pocket frog. Taking the frog and placing her hat back on her head, Marigold reached into the frog's mouth and pulled out a wand.

"THIS WAND COULD DROP ME INTO A VAT OF LAVA AND IT WOULD STILL BE BETTER THAN SPENDING A SINGLE SECOND HERE WITH YOU!"

Swinging the wand, a pink bubble-gum looking bubble formed around Marigold, the suddenly it popped and she was gone. It was clear that these two were truly at two opposite sides of the spectrum. Where Nin reveled in numbers, logic, and predictable qualities of mathematics, Marigold Diablo's existence was built upon the notions of randomness, chance, and chaos.

Rolls

Marigold got mad at Nin

Roll: N/A

Vashti · Mar 31, 2023

AP:: 0/3
1 AP spent
Location:
Finweald, MIT reconstruction initative
Prompt:
For Science!
Narrator Tag:
None

"This really puts us on track," the researcher told Vashti. "We had the means to get some work done, but the timeline was sketchy. We weren't sure if we'd be able to get a solid start in a few days, or a few months." The candid nature of her speech told Vashti that she'd gained some measure of trust from the woman, at least. "See, you probably heard about everything going on, and you're aware that not a lot of people really feel sympathetic to our organization..."

Vashti nodded. She did know. "And yet you still came down and volunteered your time," the other woman smiled warmly. "That says a lot about you, Vashti. I can't tell you how much we appreciate what you're doing. We'll be able to help a lot of people once the facility is back up and running."

"That's the hope!" she returned the smile warmly.

"Now that the foundation is laid across the facility, we've got a room we really need to focus on- if you're comfortable with it. Let me explain..." She took a moment and elaborated on the nature of Magia and how their cores held integral information about their memories, vital functions, and various other information. After that, she talked at length about how the various Magia from Vintergard could be cataloged for their wealth of knowledge to be used for the advancement of Magitech as well as possibly shedding insight on dissonance, and then shifted gears to how they could work toward salvaging Starcalled consciousness from data left behind in their Magia cores. All of these things culminated in a slightly confused, but still fascinated Vashti.

"You mean that even if someone were to completely die as a Magia, it's possible that their core memories might be salvageable via their core?"

"It's highly theorhetical," the woman warned, "however, there are researchers who have devoted themselves to the study of that possibility. Who knows? If it's possible with Magia, there's hope for other races as well. That's why some people are very passionate about the subject."

"Okay, so what does that mean for me?" she asked.

"I wanted to let you know the ethical implications of this particular facility before I allocated you to its reconstruction," she said. "So that you could make the decision about whether or not you wanted to be involved. There's some people who might hold you accountable for enabling its construction."

"That was bound to happen the moment I came and volunteered my time," Vashti sighed and shrugged. "But that's alright. I'm used to all kinds of opinions. Some people are going to hate you no matter how hard you try. It's impossible to please everyone. Still, it's very considerate of you to make that distinction. I'd be happy to take the job."

"Okay! So, what we're going to be working on is the Core Archive- a building where Magia Cores of all kinds can be cataloged and stored for research, rehabilitation, and restoration purposes. Once we make a dent in that, some more prominent researchers can come in and start getting their hands dirty."

"Then let's get to work!" Vash called out as she jumped to the task of getting materials sorted and sorting schematics. All of the specifications would need to be followed down to the decimal, and it was going to take all of her concentration to make that happen.

@Luthien @Ronja Bubblyfoot

Rolls

Began reconstruction of the Magia Core archive.

1d100 (11) + 10 + 5 = 26
Knowledge | Vashti | For Science!

Lucille Fer · Mar 31, 2023

Lucille had found herself at the remains of Embertorch, apparently a base of operation for one of the factions in this world... or somesuch. She wasn't exactly interested in that bit, nor was she here to help. Honestly, her whole journey started with the wolf of night simply wandering about, taking in the sights. She had completely missed all of the fun, the destruction that took place, and the mighty battles that must have been present... which peeved her to no end.

After all, she was here to get stronger! And there was no telling just how much stronger she could have gotten if she was part of the bout, felling one mighty foe after another! Oh well, what was done was done and now she was left here to sulk. That was until she overheard some folk talking about a 'Death Seeker' of some sort. A name that outright demanded interest! Were they someone who sought the death of their enemies, perhaps? That was how it sounded to Lucille!

All excited, she took advantage of her bestial features to listen in on anything she could find, even verbally assaulting a person or a dozen with demands of this individual's location. Ultimately, she did not seem to get much, just the basics that one would expect from rumors. But that alone was not enough to dissuade her from seeking out this individual. If they were strong, then she wanted to meet them! And if they truly had such a title... then she wanted to ask how she could get one for herself. As in... officially, so it could hang around her name when other players inspected her. Yup, that was a worthy goal!

However, unable to find more concrete information, she had to resort to more direct tactics. If this person truly were to arrive here... then all she had to do was shout out for them until someone raised their hand, right?! Yes, indeed! Hopping from stone to stone, she soon found herself atop the biggest pile of rubble she found find, taking air into her lungs as she prepared her vocal cords.

"O' peasants of Embertorch! Hear my voice! I, the wolf of eternal darkness and night have come to this place in search... of the one... and only! Death Seeker! If ye are among the people, then reveal thyself! Accept the honor of being sought out by none other than myself!!"

That had to work, right? Everyone's heads were turning in her direction, after all! She could already sense to admiration and humility that was positively radiating off of all the workers that were desperately trying to fix up this broken-up part of town. Ah, bless them...

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎❰ Actions ❱
Lucille has arrived at Embertorch and decided it would be a good idea to start shouting at the people in hopes of finding a mysterious individual based solely on some dubious rumors.

Rolls

N/a

Complete Megathread Story Quest (Active World Event) As the World Turns

Pandora*

❮ Narrator ❯

Adrenaline Rush!

Aika

Toko

Guest

Nyx

Fina Drago

Magia

MayoYume

Zera Leigh

Imoogi

Magia

Luthien

❮ Lore Seeker ❯

Nyx

Aalam Abungu

Vashti

Aalam Abungu

Vashti

Aika

Aalam Abungu

Nyx

Marigold Diablo

Vashti

Lucille Fer