voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2022-01-19 06:02 am

Fissures of Time: Ongoing


FISSURES OF TIME: ONGOING



... POI 10-12

FOR SOME, THE MISSION HAS BEEN MORE MENTALLY EXHAUSTING THAN PHYSICALLY. Distortions sprout around the domain without rhyme or reason, and the camps must be moved every new day to meet them, as well as stopping a distortion from deciding to form under them from their presence.

While there's bare-bones vegetation, at least they have their own resources to help one another, as well as what can be retrieved from the Ministry base during return trips to take misplaced civilians to safety. It's straight-forward so far...

...but that wouldn't be standard for the Voidtreckers, and some in their ranks don't want straight-forward. Starting during the early hours of Poi 10, there will be occasional rumblings throughout the land. They last for a few seconds and then stop, seemingly for hours; but then they return, and as the days go on, so do the tremors increase.

It seems the distortions too have become affected...

THE UNQUIET CITY. (CW: People unable to die/rising from the dead, body horror)

A city of rubble and ruin stretches far out around them, where once there were hills and vegetation. Much of the rubble is still smoking as fires smoulder. The fighting isn't over, heard before it's seen.

It must be connected to the same skirmishes seen in other distortions, and so most of you are prepared to meet warriors on foot and mount. But what awaits isn't only the horror of bloodshed. No: the reason that the fighting still continues even as the city lies in ruin is because fighters fall and rise again, as if death were nothing but a short rest.

Puncture marks litter skin and armour, holes from weaponry and blessed-magic visible in torsos, even the spaces of where portions of one's skull and brain should be.

Yet they cannot stop fighting. They cannot fall to the ground, rest. Whatever drove them to fight this war still inspires them to continue, screaming as much in pain as in some sort of twisted ecstasy. Perhaps they are too shocked to do anything else. A city locked in eternal war, distorted in time, doomed to repeat itself.

It's hard to set the equalisers here. Not much is stable and fights are likely to break out wherever there are people. The people of this city have their factions, but they will not hesitate to band together to fight intruders.


EYE OF THE STORM. They might feel this distortion before they enter it. A spine-chilling thrill, the feeling one might get at the edge of a storm.

—For a storm it is. The moment they enter it their vision will be obstructed, winds howl around them and rain lashes down furiously making a swamp of the ground below them. It's freezing cold and as they walk they will feel something in the storm. Almost as if there are icy hands, reaching out to grab at them, to pull them further into the worst of the weather.

It's hard to know where to place the equalisers, hard to see where the edges of this distortion are. Easier, not by much, to move further in, to find the epicentre and try and take it down from there.

It's a treacherous journey, but the centre truly is calm, water frozen like crystals. Yet temperatures are dangerously low, so it's in everyone's best interests to set the equalisers quick and get out.


MEAN AND GREEN. As the rumbling continues, there comes a strange and worrying distortion. Worrying, as this distortion can be seen from the outside. A hazy blur that seems to move across the countryside, along the left side of the camp you're stationed at. It gets dangerously close at times, and when it does...

Green tendrils of plant life burst out, entangling people to pull them into the distortion. Or chains of flowers spread from the distortion out across the countryside. Beautiful and colourful in the otherwise sparse environment, but those flowers work as anchors, spreading the distortion, expanding it.

To get rid of it they will need to enter, and inside is a thick jungle of vines and bright colourful flowers awaiting them. The foliage is thick and the air musky and sweet. It's easy to get separated, and getting lost is only a matter of getting turned around. The leaves are sticky and vines move seemingly on their own, curling around unsuspecting limbs, trying to trap people in this colourful paradise forever.

And up in the sky above, a woman's laughter can be heard, the heat of the sun bearing down that becomes uncomfortable quick. But don't look up - you may find a large yellow eye - yellow iris, yellow pupil, golden yellow everything - peering back at you, and find yourself being pulled in by the very ground itself by a powerful force.


NO SANCTUARY. Protecting the camps hasn't been difficult, despite it being a Purple task. Other than rowdy refugees breaking out into fights, little else has appeared to disturb them.

'Eiiiiliiifii.... Siiiiliiifiii...
Merios? Herios?
Don't hide... don't hide...

Everything will be so perfect soon...'


People are woken abruptly in the early hours of Poi 11. If by some special sense, or by a grab at their throat, by a body falling on top of where they sleep, someone else stopping the refugee who was about to take a knife to them.

The refugees have become uncontrollable, raving about wanting 'their Gods back'. The ground rumbles as the woman's voice from the hazy jungle - ethereal, so divine - speaks from below. Grass rises and the sky above burns with a brightness like an approaching sun.

Setting an equaliser will calm the refugees, but only those in the camps. Starting from lunchtime, more warriors and civilians will be found appearing from the distance and from thin air, seemingly knowing where to find the Voidtreckers' camps - and after some very specific people.

Those with divinity, control over weather, nature, and death will be especially targeted, along with anyone who received blessings from the Gods.


OOC NOTES
OOC post. Ask questions here. Let us know about shenanigans here. NPC requests here, set up a thread here. Rewards go here.

TL;DR: Starting on Poi 10, there will be odd tremors around the domain, and more aggressive time distortions. From Poi 11 refugees will lose control of themselves and start attacking Voidtreckers, in and out of the camp.

It will happen abruptly to begin with, but some keen to reading energy will find that it is shifting; like something is breaking in from somewhere else (similar to the time distortions).

  • Extra equalisers can be picked up from the Ministry base and they will be there to help, but there are also more distortions happening around the domain, so they'll be dealing with those. The Ministry will advise that any non-combatants should stick to the base, and even use the scouting drones to help from afar, if they really need to help.

  • Undead warriors can be found outside of time distortions, and not all of the people outside of distortions will be 'permanent' people. Equalisers can be kept going for a few hours to keep these people away, but will also need go into recharge/cooling mode.

  • Don't worry if you're still busy with the Starting log! Or if you've been meaning to tag, jump in here!
  • irrationally: (we've not sung before)

    [personal profile] irrationally 2022-02-02 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
    The good news is that Alice at least doesn't seem to shift further. Despite the fact that there are some very obvious non-human features about her now, it's not like she's totally losing her human form.

    The bad news? It's that Alice is still very much focused on the battle, more than anything else, and it looks like she's about to move even further away from Guri in order to chase down some of the warriors a bit further away.

    Guri will have to act fast if she does want to get to Alice in time, before the other might get lost in the crowd.
    flatteries: (somebody said that life isn't fair)

    [personal profile] flatteries 2022-02-02 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
    It takes a moment for the device's effect to kick in - to a point where Inigo at first wonders if they had the wrong idea. Maybe this device can't change the situation here after all, and Inigo will frantically have to try to think of a new way to get this situation back under control. And a way to keep people like Ryo safe, considering they aren't as used to fighting on the frontlines and are clearly not planning on shanking a person with a knife, obviously, clearly..

    But then it does kick in. It's a bit of a weird sight, but Inigo can visibly witness the displaced people growing calmer. Weapons are being dropped, and they sit down - for a moment almost looking dazed, like they aren't quite sure what happened.

    ".. it worked." There's obvious relief in Inigo's voice, even though he doesn't quite smile. He glances over at Ryo, giving the other a both friendly and congratulatory pat on the back. "That was a great idea."
    fivemilesdeep: (Oh!)

    Wrap?

    [personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-02-02 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
    What are you talking about, Inigo, clearly this is a throwing knife. Shanking knives look different.

    There's a few very long, very tense moments, and Ryo sags with relief when confirmation finally comes. Whatever had happened, they'd fixed it. Thank the gods. "Good, because I didn't have another idea."
    fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

    Wrap?

    [personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-02-02 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
    The second Ryo hits the ground, he's on the move and into the supply tent. It doesn't take him long to find the equalizers - the Ministry keeps this tent organized - and pull one out. There's a split second of debate as to whether he should take it back outside to set it off, but a tent shouldn't prevent its effects from spreading, and why should he put himself in even more danger and make things more difficult for Thanatos when he doesn't need to?

    So he sets it off right in the tent.

    There's a few long seconds, after the sounds of combat quiet down, before he cautiously pokes his head out of the tent, looking for threats and Thanatos in equal measure. Is it better?
    fivemilesdeep: (Default)

    Wrap?

    [personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-02-02 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
    It doesn't take long for Ryo to secure the gauze, and he sits back a bit after the last piece of tape is lightly pressed into place and sighs. He should probably look this person over again, and he can in a little bit, now that the worst is taken care of.

    But for now, he offers Devero the beginnings of a smile. "Thank you."
    crowneddragon: (Sunflower)

    [personal profile] crowneddragon 2022-02-03 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
    "Yes, sir!~" A bit awkward to be cheeky when he just got dragged in by an ankle, but Esteban tries his best, granting his companion a sunny smile even as he resettles on the ground. Thankfully, the grav-con does land his weight down gently enough that the sudden displacement doesn't send him stumbling, but he startles to see their surroundings have changed.

    That's pretty cool~ Maybe he should ask about it!

    But later!

    "'F I throw them on th' whirlpool, will it kick 'em out?" It's a suspected alternative. Esteban himself is good at hand-to-hand combat-- but the rerising humanoids are proving more of a challenge than he quite likes. Breaking bones never sits well with him, even if the bones reset before long. But he will. His eyes narrow at the battlefield around him, steeling himself.

    He will.
    firewalled: (Watching like this for how long?)

    [personal profile] firewalled 2022-02-03 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
    Rich is definitely one of those people in the camps who isn't much of a fighter. He's able to throw a punch, but he didn't really know where to aim amongst all this chaos, and instead, he'd been resorting to gripping the neck of his guitar.\

    Strangely enough, he doesn't seem to be looking to run away. In fact, he looks like he's about to not only stay in place, but start strumming his guitar when someone jumps down beside him. The strings make an ugly note as he jumps in surprise before attempting to recover.

    "I-I know! I was going to try to lead people out of here! I, I think I can help!"
    marvelous_murderbot: (at war)

    [personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2022-02-03 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
    The last person holding onto her is grabbed and bodily thrown into another, approaching threat. And then, face set, she runs.

    She has to catch Alice before she wades too deep into that crowd - and she'll tackle her if needs be. Because once she's lost in there, the odds of her being carried away and overwhelmed by sheer numbers increase.

    "Alice!"
    worthallthis: (determined)

    [personal profile] worthallthis 2022-02-03 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
    Soldat can read the exhaustion. After this, they're taking him right back to camp, feeding him up, and making him nap. "Just a few more," they promise, and make an effort to handle as many of the last wave for the team as possible, until the equalizer takes effect and things calm down.

    By then they're a little tired, themselves, and very hungry. "Good job," they tell him, wiping their blades off and holdering their gun.
    worthallthis: (look up)

    [personal profile] worthallthis 2022-02-03 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
    Soldat hardly remembers what it's like to not be a prisoner. Beacon was a bit like it, too, even if there was more room. It's not like you could just wander away if you wanted to keep from joining the spirits. "You miss home?" they ask, maybe a little wistfully.
    nutkrusher: (Saiyan Armor)

    [personal profile] nutkrusher 2022-02-03 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
    "Yeah, some," Cassie says. "I've been here long enough that there'll be some things I miss when I get home."

    Though she's hoping there's a way around some of those problems.
    knifewithnoname: (okay that's not good)

    [personal profile] knifewithnoname 2022-02-03 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
    "Oh Emporio did be pushing a disk into my head and now I can be pulling guns from my head."

    Said casually. Even if she had been pretty suspicious of the whole thing. But so far so good. Emporio's gift had been anything but stupid.
    to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl110)

    [personal profile] to_rise_above 2022-02-03 06:36 am (UTC)(link)
    The work is definitely a lot easier and he's internally grateful for Jingyi's fast thinking and using such a skill. He definitely might inquire about it later, since he feels it might be helpful to him and everyone in the future. He makes a mental note to ask Jingyi about it in more detail later.

    At the moment, he's focused on getting all the refugees to safety of some kind. He's not sure that hitting them all in the pressure points is considered keeping them safe, but it's safer than having them run around and hurting him or anyone else. Of course, he isn't too aware of his eyes getting too golden, but it's a small price to pay for the task to be performed smoothly. He doesn't actually notice until Jingyi points it out and he can feel a bit of pressure on his eyes.

    At least his extra appendages aren't showing themselves anytime soon. Lucky for him on that.

    "Ugh--... it's fine. It's probably-- because I burrowed some of his powers."

    He rubs his eyes as if to get rid of the glint in them. Obviously, it doesn't work that way but he tried.

    "I think that's all of them. If there's anyone else, I'll grab them as well."

    At least they all look like they're sleeping at this point.
    truesmiles: (118)

    [personal profile] truesmiles 2022-02-03 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
    A train running away from something at the time so there wasn't a mission one time. That was unusual. A train that seemed to be thinking things through at least that was what it seemed like.

    "WHat would it have been running away from? You mentioned a fake mission, which I assumed was a trap of some kind, right?"
    blitzcheer: (UGGGH!!!!)

    [personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-03 12:16 pm (UTC)(link)
    No, his beautiful golden-brown hair!!

    Combine the ringing in Tidus's ears with not a great yanking on his head, it's the perfect combination to - with some yanking - wait up one (1) blitzball ace with a whining that turns into a pathetic flail as, unbeknownst to what drags him, Tidus can only assume it's something above him.

    And so arms and legs wiggle, as he attempts in possible vain, "Legggo!"

    (whiiine!!)
    blitzcheer: (that won't do nancy)

    [personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-03 12:58 pm (UTC)(link)
    It's shameful in a sense to be caught like this, though it's nothing he can hide. But Tidus swallows it, pushes it down as he can, the tight pull of his mouth not quite a smile, but an attempt. Looking at Soldat with it, then back away.

    "Thanks, yeah, sorry -" Usually, it's the magic that makes him light-headed, but this is a kind he isn't sure how to deal with. "I thought half the stuff I saw back in Spira was bad."

    He looks back up, steeling his nerves as he attempts that smile again. "Wouldn't mind the stone stuff instead."

    Soldat's rock golems, whatever they were.
    luckydragonsfoot: (Ohhhhhhhhhhthat thing)

    [personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2022-02-03 01:00 pm (UTC)(link)
    Katsuya just stands there, letting the scene speak for itself. Arms crossed, eyes closed, and eventually giving a slow nod.

    "Yep."

    Yep... "...I got a good feelin' about what it'll mean, but it still sucks. Sorry man."

    And he is sorry! But. Yeah.

    Sheep ate your shrine.
    luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

    [personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2022-02-03 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
    Achievement unlocked! The wooloo has dropped the hair.

    "...Meeh." With a short, dull bleat, the torment has ended. Somewhat. Now there's just an awkwardly looming ball of wool with a face, staring down with those spooky yellow sheepy eyes.

    Welp.
    blitzcheer: (life beyond you)

    [personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-03 01:46 pm (UTC)(link)
    Tidus thinks he feels something happen, but it's when Romeo disappears that he tells the spell is working. Alright, cool, as long as he's invisible too! The question pauses him for a second though.

    "--Hibber-Gibber!" But he does remember, regardless. The small poor higgledy is smacked by the wind, rolling from his belly and onto his back, and in his squeaky voice, adds:

    'The Hopeful, higgle!'

    Can't forget his title, now!
    light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

    [personal profile] light_of_willpower 2022-02-03 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Just a lot to do, and I promise I'm getting sleep. How about you?" Trunks rarely took the time to relax, although he was good about breaks while on a mission. But a 'break' did not equal 'relaxing' necessarily.
    mynameisallen: (canon-allen-067)

    [personal profile] mynameisallen 2022-02-03 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    Allen laufhed as he was nudged. He was always confident in hid abilities to chaet when it came to poker at least. Never played it fairly, but for him that was what he had to do to survive sometimes. Plus it helped him be able to learn to use with left arm to, so useful in that area too.

    "I mean nothing to gamble on the train, but you make it sound like you have gambled yourself? How good are you?" he asked curiously.
    longforgottenpromise: (thoughtful)

    [personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2022-02-03 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
    "I am glad you haven't given up." He looked at him sadly, not moving his hand. "I hope you can find success."

    He might say that Taiki doesn't have to concern himself and Taiki doesn't want to pry but he also like Naoya, he is concerned, because he doesn't like to think of anyone being cursed.

    He closed his eyes as another wave of dizziness ran through him.
    longforgottenpromise: (sad)

    [personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2022-02-03 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
    He does. Being close is not good but being separate is not good either. It's a problem Taiki has had before and will have again, such was being a kirin.

    A choice he has to make again and again, to keep himself away from those he cared about or to risk being sick. If it was up to him he would chose his friends, their closeness every time. He would risk sickness to help Inigo, to comfort him.

    But he has to take their feelings into consideration as well. That was what was difficult. He gave Inigo a squeeze, trying to convey his feelings before he let go and moved to start dishing out soup.
    longforgottenpromise: (thoughtful)

    [personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2022-02-03 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Tidus!" He sees that flame from Tidus, on Tidus, he panics. More than he does from the vine dragging him away from the machine. He struggles, trying to free his leg. He dug his fingers into the dirt.

    At first he doesn't realise the vines have vanished, but then he realises, there is no pressure on his ankle. He isn't being pulled away anymore but instead the world is going strange around him.

    He scrambled to reach out to try and grab hold of Tidus, as he distortion bubbled around them.
    longforgottenpromise: (Kirin)

    [personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2022-02-03 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    He did indeed nuzzle at his hand, pressing his cheek to his wrist.

    "I'll see you soon." He can only hope. His friends would be alright. They would meet up again on the train.

    He blinked and then turned and galloped away, rising into the air. He just had to get to the train. Then he could rest.

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