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.

•
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

•
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

[renegadeprince]

It's both a case of being caught up in he trying to work out what is wrong, and also not caring too much on whoever landed that way near him that kept Vegeta ignoring Madoka until she called out to him. There was only one person who addressed him that way, it instantly telling him it was her, and turning towards her to check she was ok. "I am. Are you?" Then after a moment of pause, reaching a hand out to help her up.

[happyends]

The moment he offers that hand to help her out, Madoka gratefully accepts it and grabs onto it, pulling herself back onto her feet. Thankfully she's very light - even by human strength standards, really, let alone Vegeta's own standards.

"Yes.. I think I'm okay." A little dizzy, maybe, considering they weren't exactly dropped off here in the most gentle way. But she's mostly okay, even as she's trying to pat some dirt off her clothes from the landing. "Thank you."

There's a slight pause, and then she adds:

"Did you already see something out here?"

[renegadeprince]

Hm? Oh. "No, it's not what I was focusing on." Vegeta answered. "This place... it's doing something to my flying, and my ability to sense ki." Now that he knew she was ok Vegeta is kind of staring off again, his focus back on trying to figure out what is doing on. He doesn't like this. "I will need to test what I am able to do here."

[happyends]

".. It is?"

Of course it's nothing Madoka noticed herself, considering she doesn't exactly have any magical abilities she's actually aware of.. So him saying that is the first she's hearing about it.

She steps over to actually be at his side, curiously glancing from Vegeta to their surroundings. That's so odd...

"Do you mean that it's not working at all? Or maybe just a little bit..?"

Maybe it's like how Diagad replaced their own powers with different ones - but that was linked to their memories, which makes this situation here feel even more strange, Madoka thinks. They're still themselves, after all.

[renegadeprince]

Ugh, at least it wasn't that again. That was horrible... even if it worked out well in some ways; Vegeta aware that those powers he had been given lingered behind even after it all. He's not used to being a healer, but it's a good back up to have. After more training to improve them that is. Right now it was only capable of healing the most basic of injuries.

"It's not fully gone." He allowed himself to lift off the ground about a foot above it, hovering there to prove his point. "I still have access to it, it's just..." How to explain this to a non-flier? "It's like having a limp. You know you can still walk, but you also know you wouldn't be able to run, does that make sense?"

[happyends]

Even though she doesn't verbally answer at first, Madoka nods. She can kind of understand it when he puts it that way. You can still do something, but it's.. different. Uncomfortable. Not working as well as before.

And for a moment she thinks that it might not matter a whole bunch. Maybe there won't be any need to fly here. But then she takes a few steps forward, stepping out of the grass, and she realises what's in front of them..

.. something that looks like the edge of the world. A place where the ground just stops, and it's almost as if there's nothing but a gap there, between where this ground ends and the ground in the distance starts.

"Wait.. Are we high up in the sky too..?"

It's kind of hard to realise that until you see this gap, really. Especially when you're not used to it - like Madoka.

[renegadeprince]

Not need to fly? How was that even possible? Flying was amazing. It's not his fault most of Earthlings can't, and yet he's the one that has to not do it around humans. Bah!

"It appears so." This isn't his first floating islands, though back in Verens his flying hadn't been limited as long as he didn't go too far away from the main areas. "I would advise being careful near the edges." Then a moment to consider if someone did fall and if they couldn't fly. That wouldn't be good. "Remember you can always use the train to evacuate if you do." If he or someone similar was close maybe they could grab someone about to go over the edge, but they can't watch everyone or be everywhere at once.

[happyends]

"O-Of course!" Madoka quickly answers, nodding at Vegeta. The last thing she wants to do is make him - or anyone else, really - worried about her, so she wants to quickly reassure him that she'll be good about it if something like that does happen. She'll make sure to get out of there as quickly as she can, if she ends up in a situation that's that dangerous.

"Thankfully the edges seem visible enough though.. unless it's different for the other sides of this island." The grass was kind of high, so if it actually grew up to the edge in some places.. sheesh, Madoka doesn't even want to think about that. It's a terrifying thought. "So I'm sure everyone will be really careful about it, especially if they can't fly. I-I know I will be careful!"

[renegadeprince]

Vegeta is silent for a long moment before he lets himself float back down to the ground and starts searching for something in his belongings, "Hold out your hand." Passing over a green bean a moment later to Madoka. "This is a sensu bean, it can heal any injury you may have, including those that would normally result in death. It won't save you if you fall, but keep it just in case you're seriously hurt."

True their stock on the train was limited and they couldn't just go handing them out like candy, and that those from his world had agreed to mind them and ration them cautiously, but... he just wants her to have it, just in case. Vegeta may be working with Orange Team this time around to make sure Bulma didn't get herself in trouble, but now that he knows flying is mostly limited for him, he can't quickly cover a vast range if he's needed else where to help.

[happyends]

The moment he hands the bean over to her, Madoka first looks to see what it is.. but before he even gives the full explanation of what it is, she is already clenching her hand around the item, like she's trying to keep it safe.

If he deemed her worthy of being given something so important, then of course Madoka wants to keep it as safe as possible.

"Are you sure it's alright for me to have this..?" Granted, she figures Vegeta doesn't do stuff without thinking about it, given what he's like. But the description of the item leaves her with so much awe that she can't help but ask. "These sound really important.."

And like he can't have too many of them in his possession right now.

[renegadeprince]

"It is. Use it for yourself or another who may be in dire danger during this. It's possible to break it into pieces for those with less serious injuries as well." And even if it wasn't 'ok' no one who knew about them would argue with Vegeta over this. He would replace it in time once he got the points to do so. Or even better, keep working on that lingering healing powers he had received and being able to use those as needed on others.

"I'm going to explore more of this location," He states, before turning it into a question, Vegeta not sure what Madoka was capable of doing, if anything, and if she would be safe here. "Do you want to come with me?"

[happyends]

She does seem to contemplate the question for a moment. But it's nothing longer than just that moment, because then Madoka is already saying: "Yes!"

Because she does want there to be someone with him. Sure, Vegeta is really tough, but it does seem like this place is having some sort of odd effect on him. And they're not even sure yet how big exactly that effect is.

And if something goes wrong, or he gets hurt, or worse.. Someone has to be there. Even if Madoka isn't sure whether she'd be able to help, she could at least call for help for him. And Madoka really wants him to be alright.

"As long as you don't mind me being around, I'll gladly go with you to look..!"