Wings of Wonder: Start

[voidtreckermods]

"Good Morning Voidtreckers, today is day 6 of the month of Nebula."
The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear...

[Prep]

The dressing room has been opened as promised. It is mostly equipment rather than clothing. Tents in team colours, bundles of rope as well as harnesses, belay points, carabiners and anchor points and helmets in team colours. Voidtreckers will have about an hour to prepare before they reach their destination.

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WINGS OF WONDER: START

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A TL;DR notes version of event/prompts: (click to show)

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EVENT BASICS: Voidtreckers arrive on the centre island, covered in a high grass and other plants that may have strange effects on them (make them high, give them hayfever, dizziness, etc). Domesticated animals are trapped in here, and some habitats have been busted up. There's no one else immediately around (except for a statue, interact-able only by the spiritually inclined or those who can make such contact), and bridges between floating, smaller islands have been wrecked.

Team Destinations: On their SCAs, the teams will be signalled to the islands as follows:

Reds: West
Purple: North, South, East
Blue: South, East
Orange: North, South

The four different islands they are to go to are as follow:

NORTH ISLAND: Going by foot, the Oranges and Purples will be led into a large forest, where the tree branches and roots can be climbed along. There are creatures - hostile and not - amongst these, living in them, as the lower ground turns into swamp land. Traps have been set, and it's a long climb and trek, taking about an hour minimum before the Voidtreckers will reach the top.

Up here some kind of craft, and a red fog in the air. There are some dead sali present.
→ This area will need fighters, people willing to investigate, people willing to search for sali. It will need those interested in repair work.
EAST ISLAND: Blue Team are directed this way, though anyone willing to attempt negotiations here may be interested. The land is overgrown (again), and there's two directions to go in - north or south. To the north leads in direction of the North Island, where some sali are. They can be engaged with. To the south leads towards some buildings, large, the sali settlement. There are crystals in the way, stone monuments, and even the sali themselves. They can be engaged with.
→ This area will need negotiators, those who can win over the sali's trust. Those with evidence of their trustworthiness is recommended.
SOUTH ISLAND: Orange and Blue team are directed this way, as well as Purple. A red shroud hangs over the island, but not too much. Still, this will have various effects on the Voidtreckers; headaches, dizziness, blurry vision, even sickness. It won't start off strong, but they will have to work with this hanging over them while, in tall wheat-like grass, they have to deal with the sali on the attack. There are red-eyed/red-crystal sali, and then sali without this. Both will attack, but the non-red versions may be won over, unlike the other.

There are destroyed buildings everywhere, except for one. A large 2 storey building. A Forever One is here.
→ It will need decent fighters, those willing to work with diplomacy. Those who can deal with unsettled livestock and who can help the wounded. Those willing to help clear up.
WEST ISLAND: Reds are sent in this direction. The highest mountain is surrounded in a thick red shroud, birds swarming around it. They also search around the lower grounds too. At the base is a white forest extremely cold but not snow. There are monster-creatures here, and then also stone markers that have repelling effects to the Voidtreckers. Some also drain energy, but too much (and also being attacked) makes them blow up.

There is an unknown enclosure here by the mountain base that can be explored. Or people can go into caverns next to it to explore the interior.
→ Strong fighters are needed for this area, and those willing to explore and investigate. Those who can handle strong dangers, but also not exacerbate issues with force.



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ARRIVAL ISLAND

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ARRIVAL. "Please mind your step getting off."

The female-coded voice of the train speaks as the doors open. Voidtreckers should take heed, with the only way off being with a jump or tumble, landing in a bed of grass below. Very long grass, of greens, yellows, greys and light blues. They'll make a good dent with their drop, but they'll also find more around them, standing as high as twelve feet. Flowers, weeds and more tangle together, their scents strong and threatening to make you dizzy. Get too close to the purple flowers, and they'll offer you a blissful high just by smelling them. Or, are you experiencing hayfever, with constant sneezing and watery eyes?

It'll be a good idea to do something about this mess, just so you don't bump into each other - and the large cylinder containers spread about, meant for rainwater collecting. There are also animals lost in this mix, agitated by the wild growth. They'll need a calming hand to help them behave, and to not go around knocking into people while work is ongoing. There are pegs on the end of the ropes attached to their necks, that can be put back into the ground. ...somewhere.

•
→ Forever One interactions
•
TAKE TWO. With enough clearing and shredding, broken dome habitats can be discovered, wrecked by the plant-life. There's decent cooking pots within, utensils, bowls and other tidbits to be found, but no one else.

Outside, a reddish sky over mountains can be seen in the northwest, and over the south skies too. To the north are signs of smoke... and no easy way to reach anywhere. There are pieces of bridges between floating land, remains hanging resiliently, but not capable of being used without some repair. There are small clusters of land around, but none seem to float close enough to jump across - at least, not for anyone of average human mobility.

The Voidtreckers will need to plan how to move, and where. Flight and abilities over gravity will be useful, except those capable of such will find that their powers aren't as realiable as they should be.

Is this the case for everyone?

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EAST ISLAND: HOME OF THE SALI

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HOME ISLAND. Arriving from the centre island, there's signs of a clean-up job. Large masses of red and yellow grass have been flattened, creating two paths: one north, and one south.

Voidtreckers will need to continue to watch out for the thorns and pollen that persist in the overgrowth that hasn't been dealt with, their SCAs beeping to help keep them away from questionable growth. They should also mind the clusters of clear crystal stone around the terrain. They are magic, that much is clear even to those who can't sense such things. For those that can, given the weirdness that is happening with their abilities these rocks feel almost like their minds are trying to swim in jelly. As if their eyes don't want to focus on the rocks but also cannot help but try and focus. Like hearing a muffled half familiar song and not being able to place it. Focusing too long however, will make them all the more confused, delirious; others on the road will need to help drag them along.

Choose your path. To the south, the long grass obscures what lies ahead. To the north, large dome settlements can be seen at a far distance.

•
→ North trail interaction
•
TO THE SOUTH. The south trail will take explorers longer to reach anywhere. The plains are vastly wider, ascending up hilly land, but there is more wild here than just the plant-life.

Sometimes, strange striped creatures can be found - usually, if a person gets too separated from others. It goes in for the grab, fast-moving, having some expertise to expect projectiles and to dodge. It won't stop running once they have someone in their clutches.

But there is something that can stop them, other than a Voidtrecker's attack. The closer they get to their destination, the more stone monuments can be found. Nothing grows wild around them, and they seem to give off a repulsive energy that even the Voidtreckers will sense, be even affected by.

They are multiple on the long road, confusing one's mind if they get too close for long. Making them see nonsensical visions, instilling a great sense of fear that spikes their anxiety.

And the most dangerous are the smaller markers; calming, even giving off a sense of relief to be near... but that in truth, have a draining effect to the Voidtreckers.

...but also, doing so does make them start to vibrate strangely...

...and then explode, if too many people past them by.

•
→ South sali interaction

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NORTH ISLAND: WEAVED IN GREEN

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TANGLING PATHS. Entering the forest is much like agreeing to navigate a labyrinth with layers upon layers. Branches and roots twist and tangle every which way, offering a way up as the ground below becomes more like swamp land. Trees overtake as pathways, limbs wide enough to walk two people side by side, vines hanging like loose threads.

Has your attempt to move forward stranded you from others? Can you reach over to where you see another figure? Or have you fallen, caught in the tangle of the vines, even webs, in need of desperate help? Call - maybe someone can reach you.

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PROWLING FOES. But those who find you may not always be a friend. Green Sprinters move nimbly, jumping from great heights to pounce upon the unsuspecting, leaping across tree paths and jumping against any surface to weave and dodge attacks. Camo Spiders make the webs that catch clumsy prey. Sometimes, they might not be near their webs - but they will always know when one's been triggered.

And for those who get the most unlucky, they may find a rather spacious opening inside one of tree trunks. Noses will catch a strange odour...an odour of death. They've entered the den of a tree bear, agile despite their bulky size that makes it difficult for blades to penetrate them. They're heavy hitters, as well as having the ability to make the tree branches move to their will.

•
HANG-UPS, HANG LOW. You start to see a sky, and if you're heading in the right direction, a rock wall. There's still a ways up, and, unfortunately (as is always the luck of a Voidtrecker), getting closer only provides more trouble. None of the creatures save the Green Sprinter appear keen to follow them too high, with the other creatures around disinclined in engaging with the Voidtreckers, there's still issues - ahead, and underfoot.

As slick substances cover surfaces to slide any foot or hand it touches, hard to remove; vines that appear safe to grab show tear marks higher up that will lead to dangerous drops if grabbed; and when they grab along the rock wall, the stone will shift, crumbling underfoot or even trapping feet in gaps narrower than when the foot first stepped on them.

Something - or someone is setting traps...

•

→ Mountain Top investigation

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FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. But maybe you don't end up top side. Maybe your investigations take you elsewhere, or the density of the woods has kept you inside. Is it curiosity, a desire to explore? Or just bad luck? But there's more to be found in these wild woods than just creatures. Those traps - they were surely traps, and there's more to be found, the rustling of leaves and vines that attract you deeper inside.

They don't make themselves known easily until an attack is already on an unsuspecting Voidtrecker. A throwing knife comes close to a head, feet, and then the wood is engulfed in flames that reach out and grab for you, a giant fist or like whips.

They prefer to attack and disappear rather than entering into full on combat. They use the trees as camouflage and try not to stay still enough to be caught or attacked in return. They are fast and if cornered will posture first with their horns, making them look bigger and more ready for a fight.

Talking to them will require time, patience and a good deal of diplomacy. However, those with crystals and eyes coloured red are less willing to listen...

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SOUTH ISLAND: BLUE PASTURES

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A MURDER OF CORN. Arriving on the South Island, Voidtreckers will find the land in a similar state as the one they started on, if with more cause for concern. Great dome buildings are visible from where they land in an obvious state of disarray, and a thin red fog with it. There's no immediate threats, but as they get closer to the settlement, the red substance in the air - while some has dissipated since they first saw it - offers headaches and unsettled stomachs, turning their vision hazy and unclear. And a feeling as if something is trying to probe their mind.

As they wade through the stiff blue stalks of a wheat-like plant, berry bushes and else, shouting can be heard. "Come out!", "Intruders!" It's difficult to figure their location, while above, the squawking of some kind of bird can be heard. The ground underfoot shakes and tremble suddenly, abruptly.

It's not the Voidtreckers those voices are after, but they may soon be, their obscured locations not staying so as the sali that slice through with sickles, with shovels, a red gemstone somewhere on their bodies, eyes the same. With a touch to the ground, they make plants grow wild and whip and grab, thorns as thick as ropes barricading their foes. Reason seems to work little with them, while others in this state - if not detecting an unknown presence - can be heard muttering about, "We're being attacked... have to find them..."

Worse is if they're found by one of the red-winged birds above-head, who fly up out of the way and spew either a red substance from their beaks, or beat their wings to cause winds that blow back even the sturdiest of Voidtreckers. They won't linger for a fight, but their smaller companions will. They use the overgrowth to hide in, speed as a means of knocking into people, to get away before they can be caught.

•
→ NPC-led encounter
•
THE FARMING LIFE. Instead of a fight wit the sali, some might find themselves at the structures seen from the distance, as tall as two- or three-storey houses. They have suffered structural damage, from the wild growth piercing them, and from something crushing them from above, leaving openings where they shouldn't be.

Inside sheet-covered buildings, there are plants: purple vegetables with the texture of carrots, rising out the ground and merging like lattice screens that block one's way; stringy blue beans that hang from above like weeping willow's, and as annoying to see through; and patches filled with brightly coloured pumpkin-shaped bumby fruits. These, with too much pressure, will burst and let out a gel-like goo that sticks to skin and clothes, making it harder to move if not wiped off.

The roof reaches high, but so do plants, some which can be climbed. It's like an obstacle course, and inside? Sali; some with red eyes, making themselves known by animating the plant-life. They send the hanging blue strings to grab and try to entangle you, or throw the goo-like pumpkins in your direction. But then there are others, some sali hiding, trying to get past people, who'll couragesly hiss "Begone!" to anyone that finds them.

•
SHEEP AND BOAR. In other buildings, it's no less chaotic. One has been flattened in half by some great force from above, but who knows how. There's animal cries that can be heard inside, trapped by beams of wood and some steel; creatures between a sheep and cow, making sounds like ducks. Some have been killed by the structure, and a sali can be found in the wreckage meeting the same fate.

But there are more animals than just them. There are rows of animal barns, some wrecked, a few luckily untouched. And as for their should-be occupants? Around. Not everywhere has been inflicted with the overgrown grass, but you may be in the maze of it, hearing sounds that could be the cow-sheeps (woolies) or even some of the tall antlered creatures that had been on the first island.

And the most unlucky meeting is a boar-like creature that's rampaging around madly, startled, and only knowing to cause a scene until it runs out of energy. Watch out, for they're as speedy as they are bulky, dealing hard-hitting body slams, headbutts that can make people flinch (from being knocked over), and even has the amazing ability to curl up into a ball and start rolling around.

Wear them out, calm them down, or get knocked out!

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WEST ISLAND: STEEL TRAIL

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WHITE FOREST. For those interested in what the Reds have to do, or just interested in the sight of the mountain surrounded by a mass of red mist, their destination will be the West Island. Greeting those who come here is white: white dirt you might mistake for sand, large white trees with mushroom-tops, made from very fine fibres. Some have been cut down, by the collection of wood bundled for later gathering, with their fluffy tops used as coverings. Meanwhile, birds can be heard in the distance, their destination covered in a shroud of red, the avians visible as they circle the skies.

While there may be the opportunity to get lost, stone posts dot the environment, leading visitors (hopefully) in the right direction. Yet approaching too closely to these stones have a draining, repulsing effect on the Voidtreckers, that will make them want to stay away. Which isn't a bad idea...

Or, you could try destroying them. Be warned, that most efforts are likely to make them explode in a wide area. But it's good to find out once, right?

Finally, they will reach close to the base of the mountain, with the trail they've been following leading towards a high-fenced enclosure.

•
→ Enclosure investigation
•
A SHRILL OMEN. But life doesn't stop at investigating one enclosure. Whatever the outcome of their findings, the Voidtreckers making their way around the enclosure to the east side will be led to what appears to be a mining operation, and a building beside it.

Some of the crates are empty, while others are layered with crystals, bits of stone. Inside the building, tools for mining and cleaning the gems that were dug out are inside. There's a few simple weapons along one of the walls, wrapped food rations found in containers; things that will last a decent amount of time. Dried meats and fruits. Also, jugs and flasks near blue and red liquids.

It doesn't seem abandoned completely, rather it is not being used at the moment because of the storms.

Up above the birds swarm, their cries heard. Patrolling avians will catch sight of anyone below if they aren't careful, with the Steel Wings commonly seen, and ready to attack. Their cries will alert more to come to where they are, and be warned: their feathers can be flung around like blades, tearing into tree and rock to try and crush people under the wreckage.

•
TRAILING STONE. In the face of the mountain are cave entrances, some larger than others. Each of the cave entrances leads into tunnels that work into the mountain. Most are quite large, built and used by Salis but also dark and very steep- the Salis being very sure footed, with stones glowing lights to give visibility.

Ropes and climbing equipment might be needed for those less used to sharp declines. The good news of course is the caves are free of birds, though unfortunately not free of Steel Weavers, more durable than their Northern brethen, with more than a few bullets needed to annoy them. Most of the tunnels are narrow, though there are larger cave areas, some of which have basic supply caches for the mining operation.

Gems can be found for those who go deep enough. Silver-coloured ones will explode if hit at too hard, and so battling around them can quickly turn deadly. But mostly this tunnel system is a very good way to navigate the West Island without being caught in the storm.

May this be the answer for reaching the birds? Can a path be found? But once the Voidtreckers reach them, what will they do?

Venturing on without figuring out a plan may not be the best idea.

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OOC NOTES

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NOTES: OOC info is here, map is here, info about powers/magic here. Ask questions here, submit shenanigans here, submit rewards here.

Mission starts Nebula 6 (Sept 11th). This log covers the first 2 days. Ongoing goes up on the 16th.

Remember that it will take time to get around the different islands. Ongoing log will give time for more active planning to deal with the main mission objective (helping the sali get rid of the birds/red storm), while allowing the different teams time to communicate and plan. This log is to help determine relations, and showing what's the state of things.

SALI ATTACKS: Sali attacking on the South Island use more land-based magic, but not all use it. and may be able to enchant people and creatures with music, to attack for them (animals and Voidtreckers) or to confuse (Voidtreckers). Mostly, they have farm equipment, save the non-infected sali. They may have daggers and and bows and arrows. Physique go from muscular to lighter framed. They have basic to decent fighting abilities up close.

Those on the North Island will have a larger variety. Fire, ground magic, and more weapons. They are also stealthy and know how to hide well, and are expert fighters. They also deal with hand-to-hand, and have high strength. However, it is a mix. Some of the same kind can be found in the West Island caves for those who want to find any, infected.

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Comments

A murder of corn

[eternalinquiry]

Truthfully, Wangji has less than desired skills in diplomacy on his good days, let alone in a strange place with a lot of plants and even rocks are trying to mess with their heads. He finds the arguing tiresome and anyone who refuses to listen to reason gets demoted very quickly in his mind.

The potential for dissidence in the natives ranks is a cause for concern, but he doesn't know enough about them to try and touch that minefield.

When Yondu speaks his eyes flick over and he almost huffs in amusement at the idea, "Perhaps, but I think you would get bored very quickly." He murmurs, then thinking it over.
"I have dealt with a few negotiations, but regretfully they were either personal or between allies trying to find a solution. I take it you prefer aggressive negotiations?"

[yondu]

"When the person I need to deal with talks down to me or gets testy with me? Absolutely prefer aggressive."

And some of these people definitely are. "The ones with the red eyes seem like they've had enough of ever'body, even their own people, an' that I don't understand." Which is something they need to find out because they might be blaming it on them soon.

"Not to mention I come with red eyes. Even if none of the rest of me is the same."

[eternalinquiry]

Wangji doesn't laugh exactly, but his mouth quirks and that is as good as.
"I find some people with talented tongues are the easiest to... aggressively negotiate into a better solution." He concedes, thinking about how many loud mouths there have been in his life he could have so easily been rid of if he wasn't such an honourable man.

At the news of the locals, he focuses; "Have you run into any of the red eyed ones alone? Any mention of red seems to lend itself to danger in this world. The red storm may effect more than just that part of the sky."

He looks at Yondu's eyes. "If they try anything, they will have to go through the rest of us first."

[yondu]

"I'm more worried about the kids. I'd rather 'em not get people comin' after 'em for no reason." But he does appreciate the sentiment. After years of having to depend on himself to drag his own hide broken and bleeding out of a fight, having someone say they'd get his back means a lot more than he's up for talking about usually.

"Maybe the magic experts can figure out why. If I go in peaceable with someone I could at least look like I wasn't out of my mind." Him pointedly attacking a more 'normal' person (not normal to them, of course) might at least lead to a better first impression.

"How close you got yet?"

[eternalinquiry]

"Mn. The train has little sympathy for children it seems." He can think of at least a few he doesn't want to see harmed. "We will do our best to be there for them if they need."

He thinks hard about the energies, "The statue I communed with did not seem malicious. The energies are just slightly incompatible with each other and it creates feedback. The red mist must be something else. I have not personally come into contact with it, but I am in communication with Jingyi as he attempts to explore it."

[yondu]

"Well... to their credit they're throwin' fruit an' shit like it's a bad music show. It's not as bad as the demon world. They ain't as violent as they could be."

Which now has him thinking. What about those people? They have arrows and bladed weapons and they could inflict damage but this isn't an all-out assault. "...Actually come to think of it they're bein' real lazy about their aggression. Like they are turnin' on their own a bit but they ain't slaughterin' 'em."

He cringes as he tries to work that out, and reaches out to grab a piece of blue wheat to fidgit with and break apart in his fingers.

[eternalinquiry]

"Merely fruit?" A little less deadly than Wangji was expecting, but still unwelcoming. "Perhaps if it is only a influence, the actual people are not murderous. Perhaps merely territorial." Wangji also has to take a moment to digest 'Demon world'.

He puts it aside as they try to decode the Sali behaviour.
"The locals I met before, none had red eyes and they seemed to think their companions as lost. I am now uncertain in they meant physically or in temperament."

The silence is drawn out for a minute as he stares at fragments of blue wheat falling to the ground. "I think the birds are the most lethal threat, rather than the people."

Not a sentance you hear every day, doesn't make it any less true.
"You met one earlier?"

[yondu]

"Nah, I mean. I seen 'em but we ain't spoke. I ain't actually spoken to one but I ain't seen 'em outright murder any of their own."

Yet. He could be wrong. Some are definitely hiding.

"Temper, I'm bettin'." Maybe he should have just gone to kill birds. He's no good at this when he doesn't have much to go on. He's been to all kinds of worlds and visited all kinds of cultures but usually the dependency and understanding of magic isn't such an issue.

[eternalinquiry]

He visibly thinks on this, eyes skirting around the edges where the red-eyed ones could be hiding.
"I have not seen any actual hostilities of that nature." He thinks back to few natives he spoke to, "They do not seem to get guests very often in these parts. Even before the storm."

Yondu looks about as happy to be here as Wangji feels, which isn't to say a lot.
"Perhaps we should volunteer our services in a more physical approach, if all bases are covered here?" Wangji does understand magic but the idea of waiting to fix a problem makes his teeth itch.
"Do you use magic or energy at all?"

[yondu]

"No... okay, well. I just picked it up on Diagad. But I got a little thing. I can control how plants grow... Just I ain't good at it and I'm even worse at it here."

Which means he can use some kind of energy, a little bit, but it won't do them much good.

"Kind of wonderin' if the guests they have gotten left 'em with a bad impression."

[eternalinquiry]

Wangji nods thoughtfully. "It may be a an unsuited gift as of right now, but things can slow down and you will need it." Lan Wangji mused, the kind of person who would already
have a schedule for each day on a holiday trip. He clears his throat.
"I too received something from Diagad, I have yet to try it." He looks a slight more concerned as he tries to remember the bizarre world there. 'It was something about regeneration...'

He finally registers Yondu's question about other guests.
"Perhaps, we should ask about any other visitors to the islands and the consequences of their arrival?"

[yondu]

"Yeah, I reckon we'll have to figure it out. I guessed this would happen one day, that we'd get all held up? Be low on healers an' such and those of us that got special ways of fightin' wouldn't be able to call upon 'em. But I didn't prepare enough for it."

He'd mentioned it to Eight though when he had, he'd been considering either their powers being purposefully dampened or being in a world without the necessary physics for powers. He hates dealing with it.

"I'll definitely do that when I talk to 'em. If we get around to it." Because he knows what his temper does.

[eternalinquiry]

Wangji actually huffs a laugh at the last comment. Yondu may appear rough, but he is frank and Lan Wangji likes that in a person. On the subject of preparation he frowns,
"There are a lack of healers, as a whole? I suppose that's to be expected with the train choosing at random."

He also isn't enjoying the dampening effect and keeps wanting to shake his head, as if clearing his ears of water.

"Has the dampening happened before? On other missions?"

[yondu]

"Not that I know of, but on Diagad their security force had the ability to turn off abilities if they caught people, and the fight with the D-force there wore Raven out almost as spent as she is here."

He frowns though, then.

"A couple of reliable healers are gone. There's not so much a shortage as much as we... well, situations like this."

He does feel sad that Kumoko left.

[eternalinquiry]

Wangji frowns for a second, trying to think if he knows 'Raven'. He doesn't.
"I am glad it does not seem to be a frequent occurrence, I found that world disturbing enough without coming into contact with the security force. What happened to Raven? Which of the passengers is she?"

He looks Yondu up and down, and can see the lingering sadness. He won't comment as he isn't sure he would like to tell Wangji when they've only just met. He tries to change the subject a little.
"You do not seems as adversely affected as some, do you think it feels worse depending on the powers we have?"