voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2021-09-16 05:59 am

Wings of Wonder: Ongoing

"We do not apologise for acting to protect our own. But Hemla has given you their trust, and we will pay back on the debt of any harm given.

You say you are here to help - then do. We will lend out resources needed, but expect to see results. Help at the farm, help us investigate - help in whatever way your talents provide.

'Give, get back' -- this is the way of our people. Every person has a purpose, a place, a skill. In return, speak to us your cost.

If you truly have the power to help, then you will be respected. We would expect the same rules to be applied to us."
Despite rough beginnings, relations between the Voidtreckers and the sali people are neutral. They do not fully trust the Voidtreckers, will not allow mindless entry into the East village (Nossofh as they call it -- 'Home'), and visits inside the commune building in the South will be limited. However, appointments with the sage can be made for those who have some skill with crystals, magics, and energies. Those who have spoken with the Forever One on the arrival island may also be granted access, if they wish to speak.

They will have tasks for the Voidtreckers to do, jobs that are necessary. Sali will be doing the same, and will be working within the same spaces at them. They will not stop Voidtreckers from setting up camps and give permission for them to settle on the centre island, under Helma's - the Forever One - protection.

While there may be some tensions, the sali will not attack the Voidtreckers. But now, plans must be made how to proceed, as the skies from the south bleed red...


WINGS OF WONDER: ONGOING

A TL;DR notes version of event/prompts: (click to show)
EVENT BASICS:
    Contact with the sali has been made, and relations have come out neutral. The North and East bridges have been fixed by Voidtreckers, with materials sent to the South too by them.

    Ongoing runs through N8 to N11, when the finale also starts. The following is a TL;DR for what will be going on at the islands, at the time.

    NORTH: Fixing the aircraft found on top of the mountain, finding missing sali in the woods, dead and alive. Helping to transport goods to the aircraft so it can be fixed, and also spruced up/modified. Also still good for fighting characters.

    EAST: This is where you send characters who would want to work on designs, magical crafting and so forth. They won't be in close contact with the rest of the Voidtreckers, but is good for nerds. Voidtreckers who help here will be allowed to ride mounts to the central island if they leave, as the sali recognise they will be too exhausted otherwise. And so you guys can still have threads with other people.

    SOUTH: Birds will be mainly coming from this direction, so fighters can still do patrols. Mainly needs those willing to do labour, rear animals, skin dead animals and so forth. Characters can also get involved with repairing clothes, washing and cleaning, if they can't last long doing land work.

    WEST: The Reds that went this way will have found out that going through the interior or around will not get them far, and more birds showing up makes the area more dangerous. On N8, there is an operation shared with the Voidtreckers that they are doing a mass transport of goods from the West, to take North. Help fighting off the birds they attract is needed. From then on, it's better advised to stick to the other islands. Reds who like to just fight will be good in the South as patrol.


[ TASKS ]
WORK TO DO. There is much to be done. Buildings need to be fixed, places need restored after the storms. But more than that the general needs of life don't stop. Farms need tending, animals need caring for. There are jobs for anyone willing to work.

The different islands need the following:

NORTH ISLAND: Fighters, those willing to labour and repair, and those willing to search are needed.
EAST ISLAND: Those with experience in magic and energy, crafting (making designs, modifying; blueprinting is involved) are needed.
SOUTH ISLAND: Fighters, those willing to help out with farm work, meat skinning, clearing up the surrounding farm area. Also those who can push back the birds.
WEST ISLAND: Fighters, during N8. There is help needed to protect the sali as they transfer materials and the Forever One stationed there, and to rebuild the bridge. Otherwise, the island will be deserted while plans are made by N9.
CENTRAL/ARRIVAL ISLAND: There isn't much that's needed but for birds to be taken down who might hover over, or get attracted by activity. Those who can supply Hemla with energy are appreciated. The sali here will act as communicators to other sali for Voidtreckers who don't want to make long journeys.

Voidtreckers should decide what will be a better use of their skills, and move accordingly. While faster methods may be found over time, initially, using those who can flight and walking are the only options. The North and East bridges have been patched up, and the South Island has materials for the bridge. West's bridge will be fixed by morning of N8.
[ ARRIVAL ISLAND ]

ON ARRIVAL ISLAND. Five sali will come on N7 to fix up the broken buildings here, using the cuttings of the long grass, and drying them out with their own talents. They will accept help in doing this, and will offer to show a few Voidtreckers what to do, but will expect them to fix up the rest themselves, unless they offer services for help. A few of the buildings may make a good resting point, with an enclosure to keep off the wind and a cooking hole to sit around, but Voidtreckers will find their attentions split between the islands. Still, the centre island is only of important as a crossing point, and for the Forever One that stays there.

There will not be too much activity here over the next few days. Voidtreckers are welcomed to camp here, and sali will also come through here, helping to move the leftover overgrowth, moving through the two areas. The South and West bridges still need fixing (while the East and North bridges have been taken care of).

FOREVER ONE: HEMLA. Two sali stay after the rebuilding on N7, to take care and help Hemla. Hemla is distracted, attempting to work on the energy problem for Voidtreckers, and keep the island safe. But the Forever One will take time for anyone who wishes to speak to them, and will accept help and energy.

By the morning of N8, they will have a request. The sali will explain it to any Voidtreckers who come through the island, holding out clear white crystal stones. Hemla is attempting to harmonise their energy and the world's, at least with a middleman in the form of stone. They warn there will be possible side-effects, and ask Voidtreckers to only take one at a time, and to bring it back later.
Through days N8-10, these crystals will have a variety of effects, lessening over time. Those with magical skills/who use energy are asked to take one. They will need to supply Hemla some power, and then after carry it on them. The possible side-effects are:
    - Dizziness
    - Exhaustion
    - Confusion
    - Weakness
They don't last more than a day but it might be best they find a buddy to watch over them whilst it does.

[ EAST ISLAND ]
EAST VILLAGE/NOSSOFH. It is still a treck to reach the East Village, especially for those who don't have any way to fly or cover large distances; and for those that do, they will arrive exhausted.

The village is still very wary of the newcomers, and those that arrive are stopped and questioned. Those with legitimate business are allowed in and as the days go on more individual sali will be willing to exchange information or help. There are sali who will roam out with Voidtreckers to fight the birds, and those wishing to patrol the East Island will be told to help in the North or South - the sali of the island can cover the vital areas.

The two main areas of interest within the village are:

( SAGE'S HOUSE ) The invitation to help the energy weavers comes during the call on the SCAs on the morning of N8. Within the village is the sage's house, the largest building that sits in the centre, legs supporting where it has be built out over the hill. Voidtreckers are welcomed here if they ask, and those wishing to learn means of purifying the infected sali, and to help with their crystal research are best suited to come this way.

Those needed: magical experts, those strong of mind, volunteers with energy.

They will work amongst the sages, the sages in training, and the Forever Ones. In truth, these people are all one and the same, and Voidtreckers that come here will figure out quick. The Forever Ones sit, completely stone, while the sages are in various states, with limbs crystallising. They rarely speak, though the less-formed may do so with the Voidtreckers if inclined. However, those training are the ones that provide the needs of the more experienced, as well as speaking.

Working here will be difficult, exhausting on the mind and body. The sages-in-training will communicate and explain, but much of the work is done through telepathy, and crystal work - tools that will be difficult on the Voidtreckers. But it is good for the Voidtreckers to be here, so that their reactions to the crystals can be documented, as well as a way to keep them safe during their stay, and also their companions.


( CRAFTING SMITHIES ) While the Sage House works on energy and modifying crystals, for those with experience building, designing, modifying, they will find their talents more useful in supporting the creation of prototype weapons that the salis have planned.

A request for help in this will come on the third day (N8), through the hacked SCA channel. Anyone who believes they can help make efficient blueprints - and even make them better - are asked to come on down, and those with experience crafting. The plan is to make an equivalent of air cannons and air megaphones, using a mix of air and power gems. There is sure to be a lot of backfires, especially for the Voidtreckers. The sali will also be taking crystals adjusted by the sages that will hopefully allow the Voidtreckers to use the weapons being made too.

Suggestions from the Voidtreckers will be listened to, and there are other gems around, ones that can be made for specific functions.

[ SOUTH ISLAND ]
STATE OF THE FARM. The South Island is a mess. There is a large clean-up operation in place and Voidtreckers that can help clean up and haul debris will be welcomed.

As well as the storm damage there are quite a lot of animals that have been killed, even by the storm directly or as a result of them turning and attacking the sali or Voidtreckers. The Sali are not ones to waste resources and so there is a drive to skin the animals and preserve the meat as quickly as possible. Any Voidtreckers who are willing to help will be paid in portions of meat.

FARMING, GARDENING. Here nature seems to have won the war. Many of the buildings look like they have been left to the wild for decades and not just a week or so. Buildings need fixed, plants need cut back and brought under control. Weeds need to be removed so that the plants for food can be allowed to thrive. Gardening at its most extreme, the first step is to identify which plants should be growing here and which ones are results of the Red Storm.

Many of the animals have escaped because plants burst open fences and gates. Rounding them up is one job, making sure there are enclosures to keep them is another. It's going to be a lot of hard work and of course the farm animals are not the only creatures out here, wild creatures will attack both the farm animals and any one else.

It's hard labour, but the sali will give to those that work with them. They will locate drinks safe for them, share the abundance of food, so they can see what agrees with their diets. They will answer questions about their people and their world during world and during breaks; and as the days go on, they will invite them inside to eat, or will join them at their own camp, bringing meals.


UNWANTED VISITORS. The birds still attack. Every day and night patrols are needed to fend off the constant threat of bird attack. The Sali have fighters stationed here too but there aren't enough, they need help.

The Forever One Enshala works to keep the red shroud from getting too close to the farmland but her power is still weak and so there are gaps in her defences. It is easy to get overwhelmed since the birds often flock together, concentrating on weak points and bringing the storm with them.

Keeping the storm away from the farm is vital, the Sali will share food and resources with any who join them in this constant vigilance.

FOREVER ONE: ENSHALA. There is a Forever One here, but unlike central island's welcoming Hemla, they will only speak to Voidtreckers depending on the subject. They will accept donations in energy, but otherwise they work hard to try and keep the island safe, to push back the red storms they return again through the days, birds carrying it on their wings.


[ NORTH ISLAND ]
NORTHERN. The sali will explain an expedition was taking place, to investigate the North Island in general. The group must have been assaulted by the red storm - the birds - while travelling, and crashed, scattering the survivors with the infliction of red storm.

MISSING. Help is needed to locate the still-missing sali, both dead and alive. Any Voidtreckers who offer to help will be asked their methods- the Sali want no harm coming to their own. They will hand out blow darts with sleeping powder laced bark stems and they will be asked to either bind or leave behind any powerful weapons. Especially powerful weapons that the Sali don't recognise like guns.

The sali will set up a small camp by the woods, where sali can be brought, dead or alive, to be transported by cart. There will also be one above on the mountain, trained sali using air-crystals to push back the lingering red storm from the site.

AIRSHIP, SUPPLIES. Hearing that the ship is still on ground, the Sali are keen to fix it up. Its state is no problem, and they believe it's the answer to meeting the birds head on. Initially on N7 to halfway through N8, materials will need to be transported by climbing gear and going through the forest.

However, they will then have access to carrier airships. With a crate/carrying space on the bottom, and a space on top for two people two sit, only so much material can be lifted up at a time. Voidtreckers will not be able to immediately, but by N9, and by being a familiar face, those who want to fly the ships can*. These can also be used to transport anyone from the upper mountain, to down.

Once the metal and materials are at the air ship, it's going to be all hands on deck to fix it together.

(* some of the mini-ships have a prototype attached that allows the air gems to be activated by the sound of music. singing, guitar playing - there's even an alboka and taepyeongso-esque instruments already attached on some, acting as a steeing wheel. )
[ WEST ISLAND ]
WESTERN. The Reds find that their attempts to infiltrate the mountain from the inside will not go far, with dead ends and the red shroud finding ways in. More birds come from the south and even west, spreading the shroud farther around the mountain.

Another method must be found. Fortunately however, it will not be an entirely useless endeavour, as help is needed - one that promises a fight.

TRANSPORT. The sali in the enclosure and those who come from the village to help need aid bringing supplies from the enclosures, and also extra of the metal trees (from the White Forest), repair equipment, to take to the North island.

This island is still circled by birds, so those gathering and packing supplies onto transport air carriers - small boxy airships with a lower crate area and an upper navigating section, no bigger than cars - will need fighters to take down the birds as they follow after them.

Bow and arrows can be exchanged, as the salis know how to operate the air carriers. They are also transporting the Forever One of the West Island, so the cargo is fairly precious to the sali.


OOC NOTES

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

Ongoing starts on N8 and goes until around morning-noon of N11. Finale goes up on 21st September (later N11-N12).

This log gives more of an indication of what's going on, to let you play out going ons, or imply them in the background and focus on what you want for Ongoing. Consider putting in Island locations than team colours into headers.

Remember to let us know anything your character does/might want do under shennanigans! Any conversations you want to handwave with the sali or Forever Ones can also be brought up here for discussion. Actual threads can be requested here.
irrationally: (tell me what's my destination)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-20 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
That probably is the exact reason why the Sali made sure they didn't take anything too weird into the forest, you know!

Alice follows their plan though, especially as she sees the girl being great at sticking to it already. This is why she trusts the girl to be out there in these situations - because she can do the right thing. She's smart and flexible enough for these things. So Alice knows she doesn't have to look out for the other girl as they both approach the spider from different sides - and the spider itself is big enough that Alice can see it constantly trying to shift its attention between the two of them.

Good. It means this idea might just work.

She sucks in a breath, waiting for the right moment, and then she starts speeding up, Calling out isn't a great idea, since it ruins their divided attention approach, but she's sure the other girl will be able to pick up that Alice is on the attack now just from her quickened footsteps. She swings her knife at the creature, aiming to stab the spider's side.
knifewithnoname: (I don't like the look of that)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-20 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
In her heightened state she is very aware of what Alice is doing as well as what the spider is doing and so the moment Alice speeds up so does she.

She is light enough to be able to run across the branches easily and now she knows to avoid them, the webs aren't too hard not to fall into.

So she reaches the spider just after Alice, she does have smaller legs after all, and drives her dagger towards it. The spider squeals, lashing out at Alice with a leg, turning with pincers towards B.

B blocked as best as she could as the pincers snapped at her.
irrationally: (tell me what's my situation)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-20 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Alice moves to dodge in her usual way. Her body briefly morphs into a cloud of butterflies that fly back, the spider leg moving through them like there's nothing there, until Alice reforms again.

.. but she's definitely slowly starting to look more tired, even though she's frowning as she swings her weapon at the oversized spider again.

"We need to take it out quickly!" If not just because she's not entirely sure how long she can keep this up.
knifewithnoname: (I don't like the look of that)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-21 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
Turning into butterflies would be so useful! But Alice looks tired and she's overheard people talking about how those with magic were struggling more in this world. So...

They had to be fast.

She scrambled backwards, up to a higher branch and took out the blowpipe.

She had no idea if sleeping poison would work on spiders but there was only one way to find out. She fires and then scrambles again as sticky web flies towards her.
irrationally: (but now i know it's going to take)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-21 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Who knows if those work on spiders, indeed. But it's better than anything else they've got going on right now, especially since Alice takes the moment to put some distance between herself and the spider. Maybe she'll feel better - a bit more alert again - if she has a moment to just stand there and breathe without the spider skittering her way.

But it doesn't work. She still feels incredibly light in the head, and it's taking a lot just to keep standing on her legs, though she manages for now.

Enoguh so to watch the spider, and see it slowly lowering itself onto the ground until it's just lying there, completely still.

Alice isn't too sure if that means the blowdart the other girl used worked or not, but she will take it as a chance anyway. With the last of her current energy, she slams her knife down into the spider, completely tearing its body open until there is no way that it's actually alive anymore.

All she has energy left for is to turn her head upward, to look at the girl in the tree, worried about the webbing she saw being flung in that direction a moment ago.

".. Are you alright?"
knifewithnoname: (okay that's not good)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-21 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
She almost gets all the way out of the way, but the web catches her foot and pins her. Deep in the emptiness she can't feel any of the fear she should feel that she is trapped, near this giant spider. She just crouches and begins sawing her way out of the web again, one eye on the spider.

She sees it go down and Alice finish it off. Good. She still keeps cutting, who knows if there's another spider nearby.

She nods grimly as Alice calls out, pulling her foot free at last.

"Yes. We should be moving. Do you be being alright?"

She had noticed, just how exhausted Alice looked.
irrationally: (i was travelling through the past)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-22 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm.."

Alice starts her sentence, but then just sucks in a deep breath of air instead before letting said deep breath out again. It's like the true exhaustion is only setting in now the adrenaline of the fight is ebbing away, and she reaches up to put a hand against her head.

It's hard. Alice isn't used to admitting weakness to anyone, even during the moments where she very obviously is struggling. It just wasn't possible back home if she wanted to survive.

But here, in the face of a girl she cares about.. Maybe she ought to be a little more honest than that.

"I am feeling very light in the head. But I can try to move." It's not like it's a good idea to linger here either, in case another spider might show up.
knifewithnoname: (listening to you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-23 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Did you be eating?" It was easy to be light in the head if you forgot to eat. She peers at her worryingly. Alice was always so strong and unshakeable so it's worrying seeing her like this.

"Be following me, I can be getting us out of the jungle. Be telling me if you do be needing to be resting."
irrationally: (i was travelling through the past)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-24 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
Alice nods at the girl - and isn't lying about it. She'd know it if that was the case. After all, she's gone hungry enough times in the past to be able to recognize that feeling.

It's not what this is. There's no feeling in her stomach, it's all just in her head. Some combination of exhaustion with a sort of pressure that she can't quite explain. But that feeling is exactly making Alice - relatively - helpless enough that she's more than willing to go along with this, allowing the other girl to lead her out of here.

Her only truly concern is: "Are you certain you do not want to head further in?"

Without her, she means. It's not like Alice actively wants to hold the girl back when the latter always prefers to be part of the action so much.
knifewithnoname: (okay that's not good)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-24 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I do be thinking we do be needing to be getting you to a rest place first." No use in going further in if Alice was going to faint or fall over. It's not as if she can carry her, she's too heavy.

They have a task to do but it's no use doing it if one of them is sick or whatever is going on. Best to retreat, regroup and try again.

"Be sticking close to me, I will be getting you out of here."
irrationally: (i don't even have a song)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-24 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
".. alright."

It's said in a sort of way that's more breathing out a word than necessary saying it, but her agreement is still faintly audible all the same. If the other is really concerned enough to first want to make sure she's brought back and is safe, then who is Alice to argue with that? Especially when she does think that making her way back is going to be certainly more difficult than it usually is, with how tired she feels, her body weirdly heavy. Maybe she really shouldn't have tried to use her teleportation trick and her weapons at practically the same time - it might have been overkill on her system in a world like this.

So instead she just moves to follow the girl, letting her lead, as she said.

"Thank you for being so responsible." Sure, it might be a little awkward in this situation for Alice, having to be taken care of by someone so much younger.. but it is a good quality to see in the younger girl, so she feels like she ought to give it a compliment to reinforce it anyway.
knifewithnoname: (listening to you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-25 11:21 am (UTC)(link)
"I do be being very responsible." She told her. She was well trained after all. Even if she had made some... interesting decisions lately.

She kept her eyes on the jungle and walked steadily but slow enough for Alice to keep up with her, she doesn't want to lose her.

"We will be out soon and you can be resting."

Because it was weird, seeing Alice to exhausted like this when she was usually so competent.
irrationally: (ᴡᴇ'ʀᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴍᴀᴅ ʜᴇʀᴇ.)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-26 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
Does Alice like the idea of just going to sit somewhere and rest, like she's an old lady? Not really. Of course not. But on the other hand, she's also not stupid enough to go further into a dangerous area while she's feeling like this.

She only just got an actual life to live, after all - and she's not just going to waste it like that.

So she just does her best to do what she can here. Following the other girl as well as she can, trying to ignore the dizzying feeling in her head. The last thing she wants to do right now is make things harder, after all.

"Are you trying to reassure me?" Alice sounds tired, sure, but there's a hint of amusement in her tone. If not just because she didn't really think that was the other girl's thing, but it does sound like it, with the way she keeps saying that they'll be out of the forest soon. It's kind of cute.
knifewithnoname: (okay that's not good)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-26 10:06 am (UTC)(link)
"No." She wrinkled her nose and looked at her a moment before going back to walking. "You do no be needing reassuring."

She had been. But she doesn't want to insult Alice. She doesn't think she is scared. But it is worrying seeing her like this.

Not that she cares... Alright she does. It's stupid but she likes Alice. This train has made her soft.
irrationally: (i don't even have a song)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-26 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
It's true that Alice doesn't need reassuring. After all, she's survived much worse circumstances than this for years and years, and no one ever told her there that it'd end up being alright. And yet she's still here.

But even though she doesn't necessarily need it..

"It's alright," she slowly answers. "I do not mind it when you are the one doing it." Which is entirely true. Maybe Alice is just biased, unable to dislike something done by people she has a soft spot for. And the girl walking here with her definitely has a huge soft spot in Alice.

"I know you don't care about people not worth caring for, so I am rather flattered."
knifewithnoname: (listening to you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-09-26 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
She was sort of glad about that. That it was alright because it was her. Just like it was okay because it was Alice.

Was this what friends were like?

She nodded. It was true. She only cared for people worth caring for. She's glad Alice sees it.

"It do no even be something worth mentioning." She waved her hand. "We will be being out of the trees soon."
irrationally: (tell me what's my situation)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-27 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
"As long as we do not run into more spiders," Alice adds.

Because moving? Well, it's tiring, sure, but she can do it. She isn't so sure whether she has enough energy left in her to deal with another one of those things. Not at the moment, anyway. Not that she wouldn't try her best if she was thrown into that situation all the same, but she'd preferably avoid it altogether, honestly.
knifewithnoname: (listening to you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2021-10-01 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"I will be shooting any spiders." She reassured her. Any movement of the spider kind she would shoot.

Spider lady from the train was gone now so there wasn't even any risk of friendly fire.