Swirling Consequences Start

[voidtreckermods]

On day Seven of the Month of Quicksand as passengers are beginning their day there is an announcement over the ICP system. “Attention voidtreckers and passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. Please give your attention to the following message from the void ministry.”

A blurring of the screen and it fades into a video of an elderly woman, skin a swirl of purple and blue sat behind a dark wooden desk hands folded neatly in front of her.

“Greetings crew of the Voidtrecker Express. I am commander Orlaith of the void ministry. As you will be very aware, you were recently involved in a dangerous and somewhat foolish experiment of the tethering system which we assume was initiated by your voidcraft. We received your call for emergency assistance, and were able to stabilise your craft enough to allow it to focus on ensuring crew safety. We are under the understanding that it was a crew member who used the emergency signal given by the Inspection Arm of the ministry, and that member should be commended. So too should you all, for we have reports that the crew of the Voidtrecker Express took part in a risky and difficult anchoring task to ensure the safety of all. As ever, the crew of the Voidtrecker Express exceed expectations for a crew with no formal training.

However, in less positive news, the actions of your Voidcraft have had a ripple effect throughout the void. Worlds that are non void active have reports of seeing void activity in their skies, with residents reporting dreams and uneasy feelings. In void active worlds there are more serious incidents. We have voidcrews in thousands of systems working towards stabilising the void access points.

We understand that after such an ordeal, your crew may be exhausted however we do need your help. System #5739 is a hub world that is extremely void active. It is used to weathering void storms and the barrier between the world and the void is thin. However, it is currently experiencing an unprecedented amount of void activity and world bleeding effects. We need a team to go in and help the citizens there, clearing out any issues and helping stabilise things from within.

The people there know about the void, and are used to void travellers. However, try not to stir up any extra trouble.” The last sounds almost exhausted. Their reputation may precede them.

The video ends.

I assume no one has any objections as voidtreckers have chosen to work with the Void Ministry. Please see your mission briefs. This is not a catastrophe mission."

They have a couple of hours before landing, a few hours to study their briefs and prepare for what is to come. Teams might chat, people might give out equipment gathered over the months, some of the passengers who have been on the train since the very early days of the month of Apple may have advice to give.

Either way a couple of hours later there is another announcement. “Shortly arriving at System #5739. Exiting the void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...”

---

SWIRLING CONSEQUENCES: START

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WEARY WANDERER ~ FOREST ~ SCRUBLANDS ~ FARMLANDS ~ COMMS

QUICKSAND 7-10 ~ TEAM OBJECTIVES ~ LOCATION INFORMATION ~ OTHER DETAILS
ASK QUESTIONS ~ SHENANIGANS ~ TEAM PLOTTING ~ MISSION TASKS/REWARDS

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ARRIVAL

The train shakes as the view of the void leaves its windows, giving way to a cloudy and wet sky in its descent. There's a small bump, and they land on a set of tracks that lead them uphill. Grassy mounds can be spotted on either side, occupied by sheep, goats, and the occasional six legged antelope grazing. In the farther distance are secluded farm houses, or small clusters of buildings.

Things don’t seem so bad, until the clouds spark with colour that sends animals running, far skittish for anything they're used to.

The sparse hills give way to more trees as the train weaves through them, until finally comes to a stop at a small station, no more than a raised platform in the woods. With a sigh, the train doors open, and passengers can walk out into the clearing. Once everyone who wishes to leave disembarks, the train sets off once again, flying up into the air and out of sight.

"Oh good. You’re here!"

Looking over, voidtreckers will spot a young girl at the edge of the clearing.

"Ma said we should expect some void heroes any day now. She’s put some stew on."

And she’s off. For any who wish to follow her, she leads them to an inn, The Weary Wanderer written on a sign. It’s a large inn, larger than might be expected in such a remote place, and the innkeeper Albany quickly organises rooms and food for any who wish it.

“Well, there’s a whole lot more of you than there was.” She takes in the group after Maia explains that they are from the Voidtrecker Express. “Storms are getting worse, we’re getting reports of stampedes, landslides and monsters coming through the colours.” She explains. She has some maps of the area and happily allows her main common room to be turned into a planning station. She’s clearly used to void travellers.

THE WEARY WANDERER

The inn has a large and open floor, the entrance close to where a fire crackles, chairs and a table beside it. To the right are places for eating, and kitchen doors that lead in and out, while to the left is where a counter separates another route to the kitchen, and to the family's own private quarters. By here too are the stairs leading up into the bedrooms, with some also available on the ground floor.

There's enough room for the voidtreckers to squeeze into the front at once, and the tables can be joined to create a more team atmosphere.

The problems are everywhere it seems. Farms need help, dralite chicks need rescuing, and their parents reassured before they go on a murderous revenge spree. Voidtreckers can stay or plan or jump right into things - the forest and scrublands are the closest to reach with both behind the inn, while the farmlands will take half a day to reach. Alabany will mark on the maps where to go for the farmsteads, or ones she knows about, and allow her inn to be used as an intiial base.

For those whose skills lie more in cooking and maintaining camp, she will happily take their help in the kitchens, or suggest They go down to the nearest farmsteads and lend a hand there. It'll take about half a day on foot to reach the nearest few, but many hands are needed. They will have better tools for moving debris and making repairs; she has a few, but not enough for everyone, and she'd rather they be used around the forest if anywhere. She needs those!

Albany will warn about the dralites, and to plug your ears if you're going through the forest. Their screeching can stun and slow people even at a distance, and with everyone worked up, it makes it hard to get through. They happen to like bugs, and a fruit called matts - similar to dates, fruits that grow off certain small trees in the forest.

---

YELLING HEIGHTS: FOREST

Location of: Dralites, young and old, their nests; monkeys, voidblobs (uncommon), fruit cups and purple stars. Displaced people.

The Yelling Height's forest reach spreads far, wrapping around the lower third of the great Ciyesia mountain and its budding fellow heights, with trees as tall as redwoods making up most of its wood. This gives plenty of space for travellers to move through, but the treetops create thick canopies that shroud the world below, the dots of penetrating light visible in contrast. Against some trees can be found what look like bushes, and there's plenty of them around, along with moss; but looking closer, these have hollow middles, made up of pin needles, twigs, feathers and all sorts. Some have been ruined, some have eggs inside.

High-pitched cries can be heard echoing, but it can be hard to tell how far, or what distance they come from - there's too many, making what should sound distressing, sound like a racket. While there's paths that can be followed, some of the wood has fallen, with ways disturbed by rubble that's tumbled all this way down from the mountain. There are signs to aid - those that haven't been knocked over - to give some sense of direction. Still this wood is hard to navigate, and Voidtreckers will want to be careful about rushing in without a plan. Trouble lurks in all manners...

Dralites can be found scattered around this forest, big and small - Albany will tell them as much. The youngest are easy to locate, unable to fly, and make a lot of noise. Slow-moving and dragging their heavy wings, they need help moving with any speed. They can be found alone, or attracting the attention of the great chinchillas or monkeys (who see them less as prey, and more as something to bully and take out their frustrations on).

Some will accept help from the first person that approaches them, jumping on them and wrapping their wings around their neck or head, clinging on and accepting them as their ride. They will need to be returned to their nests, and will reject any nests that aren’t theirs. It'll be very similar to escorting a toddler, often throwing screeching fits if they don’t think their helper is trying hard enough, which can make it difficult for people to move around.

They are hard creatures to please, even so more the adults who are furious that their nests have been disturbed. As large as a sheep with larger wings and powerful talons they might just swoop down and grab smaller unsuspecting voidtreckers and carry them to their nests as workers to help fix them. Some of these adults may be near their nests, or will be seen swooping around above-head at startling speeds, searching for their young.

There are eggs that have gone missing too. A place they can hatch safely is essentia, since they can easily become pray or be snatched by the monkeys who live in the forest and steal from the inattentive.

As well as helping the dralites, there are herbs that can be collected here. Purple Stars are leaves that grow at the top of tall trees. These can be found deeper into the forest, and are different from the other trees by their branches only growing at the very top, their bark stripy. They will need to be climbed, or flown up to - not getting startled by adult dralites is essential, or becoming target practice to the monkeys. They have rocks.

Deep in the most dampest sections of the fores, Fruit Cups grow in a tangle around spider plants, that will ensnare the unwary into it’s sticky grip. For every few flowers, there's a wide trapping of the spider plants, vines impossible not to get stuck to. But as difficult as they are to collect, they are useful, and the potions they make will be handy to the communities that require help. Some voidblobs have gotten trapped here too, and they'll become active once people get close.

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YELLING HEIGHTS: SCRUBLANDS

Location Of: Farm animals, some voidblobs, great chinchillas, farmers in need; ruined paths, craggle leaf. Some dralites, mostly adult. Displaced people.

The trees eventually give way to a mix of rock and dirt, stone jagging up from the ground underfoot that travellers will need to watch out for. Vegetation is littered around, patches of shrubs as often easy to catch the eye as grazed grass poking out around mossy-coated stone. There are paths, or were, but only the remains of them can be found, the area reshaped by landslides.

Animals can be found isolated or in some groups, spooked by any newcomers around, and the odd shepherd trying their best to get their herds under control. But there's further trouble than blocked paths to deal with - because these jobs can never be simple.

The farmers' plans are to bring the grazing animals back down to the lower ground and to their farms, but they'll need help clearing up paths and guiding them off the mountain and back to their farmsteads. Not only will it mean moving debris and locating animals, it will also mean protecting them from the predators in the area - and other trouble.

The horned goats, often a worry on these slopes, have grown even more aggressive. They ram into herds and farmers alike, even attempting to send them rolling. They need driven off, away from the herds. The chinchillas are also more aggressive, running rampage through the hills and attempting to down the livestock and to take them back to their nests.

There will also be sightings of the voidblobs for the more unfortunate, dubbed such by the locals. Gelatinous and luminescent, they are a mess of what were likely multiple creatures that have been fused together, patches of fur and teeth and claws held together with thick veins of colour. They attack indiscriminately and without reason, and are difficult to take down, never responding to blows of any type. You only know when they're taken out by when they stop moving - otherwise, they will continue.

During the first night there is a disturbance on Ciyesia. Trees are felled, the mountain seems to rumble and more animals flee, spilling panicked down the mountain to the farm lands below. For whatever aid is giving to the area on the first day, this event causes more damage to the surrounding areas.

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LOWER LANDS: FARMLANDS

Location of: Voidblobs (common), great chinchillas, a few horned goats; ruined pathways, farms in need; people to craft balms and potions, access to tools.

While not as high as the Ciyesia mountain, nor as shrouding as the blanketing forest, the rolling countryside shows its sloping and uneven distance, varying fields split by tones and sandy paths - or what should be sandy paths. But the damage to the earth is noticeable, chunks of the various mounds ruined, broken at parts. You can see trouble, ensuing or approaching, just by looking around long enough.

And the biggest trouble will be reaching it.

Buildings squeeze against fields and fencing, separated far from anyone that could be called a neighbour. But there's a few of what can be called villages, where trades are conducted and visitors are sure to stop. There's usually a singular inn, but people looking to call on the help of a void traveller to help with this mess. They can promise hot meals and some goods in exchange, but first needs to come the help.

Though moving the herds closer to the farms is a sensible idea that doesn’t mean the farmlands themselves are safe. Landslides have cut communities off, some of the chinchillas and horned goats have made their way down the mountain and angry dralites stalk the plains looking for their young.

The shaking of the earth and the landslides have caused damage and debris. Trees have been felled bolders moved, barns and houses have been damaged. There’s a big clean up operation required. Farmers have wheelbarrows and shovels and Albany has some more that can be borrowed. It will require a team effort to clear the roads and make sure essential supplies get where they are needed.

Most of the farms and villages have protections in place, but they are overstretched and exhausted. Villagers take turns patrolling, protecting the herds and the people from creatures should they be goats, chinchillas or the new and terrifying void blobs.

Extra people to set up perimeters are very welcome, as are those who can drive the creatures back into the forests. It’s not just the homes themselves that need protecting but also the paths between them, so voidtreckers and others can deliver supplies to the further afield communities.

Making the herbal remedies will mean finding the right people for it, but locating the villages is a good bet. Tinctures and teas are the best method, boiling the plants and breaking them down over hours. Even if you're not experienced, people being around to help monitor the pots and bottle them will be helpful. The craggle leaf are good as they are to feed upset livestock, but also as medicine, for helping against the voidstorm's headache-inducing effects.

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FROM THE VOID...

DISPLACED PEOPLE: Once or twice a year, people can be found in the Yelling Heights, wandering around dazed and confused, hailing from a whole other world. Since these storms have begun there have been at least two a day, perhaps more that have yet to be found. They have no memory of arriving, some might not even have memories of who they are, or where they come from.

For now they need found, gathered in once place and care given to them.

VOIDBLOBS: The voidblobs, as they have been dubbed by those who have seen them, are truly monstrous creatures. Perhaps once multiple creatures they have been fused together, a mess of fur and teeth and claws held together with thick veins of colour these creatures have one instinct and that is to kill.

They are rampaging, strong in their urge to destroy. Fighting them is difficult as nothing seems to slow them down until they die, it’s hard to know how hurt they are and injury doesn’t seem to stop their brute strength or will to kill. They rarely will stop and fight either, requiring a team just to keep up with them as they will lash out and fight but keep rampaging on, drawn towards groups of people or creatures. They can be found anywhere.

VOIDTEARS: For now, it's Red Team's task to find these tears and secure a perimeter on them - a difficult enough job that will take the first few days of the mission. They aren’t visible except in the storms, and so finding them requires braving them, where the wind sings with void music, rain pouring with hail, and a strong sense of unease growing until it too unbearable to endure. But the exact point of the tears must be found: a spot where the kaleidoscope of colours shines down onto any under it, only visible in that area.

STORMS: These are scattered around the lands, never moving despite the clouds that do. In the storms, the voidtears pulse with colour. Being near them is uncomfortable, and there is always the risk of a voidblob coming through. Being near the voidtears for too long even outside of voidstorms will lead to headaches, and so it is wise to rotate who is guarding them.

THE FIRST NIGHT: Late into the first night, there will be loud noises, the earth rumbling and a worrisome show of lights as the full moon hangs in the sky above. There may be word from fellow voidtreckers what's going on, but either way, this disturbance will bring out trouble into the night, breaking fencing and some buildings that were on their last legs.

OOC NOTES

OOC Post ~ Questions ~ Shenanigans ~ Tasks Check-In & Mission Rewards
This log lasts for 7-10 Quicksand, with the next log going up on the 21st March (11 Quicksand). Please remember that we will be determining the progress of the mission by task objectives being fulfilled, so PLEASE visit the task objectives toplevel and let us know what your character has been working towards! We accept handwaves (especially if your character is around but you're on hiatus), but actual thread links will count more towards success!

An extra list of prompts for ideas, arranged by team (click):

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RED TEAM

You've either wandered into a group of voidblobs or see some approaching. They're annoying on their own, but as a group, they can cause serious damage.

The voidstorms are easy to find by the literal storms they bring, but the tears themselves? They're a pain to, only visible once you're right under them. How will your character persevere in the search? Flying, if you can, might seem the quickest option, but a closer level to the sky seems to make the headaches and disorientation worse.

You've somehow been convinced into fixing up a fence during watching the perimeter. Yes yes, that's important, but the area is clear for now, and what if an animal gets loose? More hands will get this done quick.

BLUE TEAM

What kind of people will you find out there in the wild? Someone desperate for an offer of aid, or someone suspicious, distrusting? Are they even human, or some other race - or sentient object?

The dralites aren't good at in any way but wailing. But their eggs are unique, obsidian in appearance. So if you see a monkey carrying any such thing, or see one being carried by a great chinchilla - that's no lucky lump of goal. That's your way of calming down the ticking time bombs of angry parents.

PURPLE TEAM

Farm work isn't your chore, but the farmers need all their herds before they go anywhere, so you're getting involved whether you want to or not.

Make a good impression on the farmers, and they're likely to help you out. Need to borrow tools? Or can you convince the farmers to let you and your friends borrow some, passing them onto the people who need them?

ORANGE TEAM

Herb collection is hard enough with tall trees and spider plants but watch out for the monkeys who want to steal the prize.

Once herbs are collected they can be made into potions. They aren't too difficult to make and Albany has recipes if asked.

Herbs aren't the only things monkeys want, there's a group converging on a dralite nest, those eggs look very shiny.

ALL TEAMS

Distance is a real concern. Who will go where, where are places and people in need? Scouting is a good idea, and so is organising who will be best, where. ... or, you can just go and do your own thing.

Image Sources: Top header - Tavern - Farmlands - Void coours

Comments

Tidus, OTA ; Purple/Red

[blitzcheer]

1; WEARY WANDERER arrival, plan talk (purple)

The inn was cosy; cosier than what they had to deal with on Praeus, warmer than even the building the Ministry had been housed in. By the map provided by Albany, there were a few known farmlands out there, people to check up on, and they had some roads they could take. He's got one such map on a table, spread out to look at for anyone interested in heading in the distractions of the locals.

"So, it looks like Purples are going to be split - who's going up the scrublands and around the forest? To the village? We should figure it out before we split up."

Better to know who to reach out to, before moving along. Did anyone want to be a spotter? There were a few always ready to take charge on Purple, but it depended on where they fancied heading. Cassie, Trunks, Devero, and Hera - they were always good at keeping an eye on people.

2; RUINED PATHS rubble, travelling the lower lands

He's heading south, Albany lending them a cart and horse with a few supplies she can lend out (buckets, a shovel) until they can get more for their tasks. It would be a nice way to ride, if riding along the paths went that far before...

"Uggh, okay - anyone got a good idea how to clear this?"

There's been landslides, where the hill terrain has tumbled, the steady(ish) paths ruined of a good way forward. There's going around them, but even that isn't always an easy task. If they'll have to get a shovel and start clearing, that's one thing. But is there anyone with skills better at clearing?

Otherwise, there's storms that can be seen spread out, a misty curtain falling down in different parts of the Yelling Heights. Tidus stops, observing the sight - but it's when the crash of multi-coloured 'lightning' comes down that he lets out a small "Whoa!"

"Is that normal? ... we should probably ask."

Might be good.

3; FUR(R)Y TROUBLE great chinchillas, crowned goats, voidblobs

But there isn't just incredibly uneven roads to deal with. Whether on the first day or next few, the trouble is plenty.

( a; horn-crowned goats )

Helping to transport farm animals, or just trying to scout the area to clear it up, the horn-crowned goats are never not in a bad mood. On Tidus's first introduction to one, standing with its head turned in some other direction, he doesn't deliberately approach it -- but it turns its sights onto him and his travelling group, and it starts kicking its legs, huffing and snorting loudly, until it starts rushing its way towards them.

And for Tidus, specifically - what is he, some really stand-out target?! He has to make a less than impressive roll out of the way, the goat bashing its horns into the side of the cart, snorting as it turns to find a new target.

But on other encounters, Tidus is far more prepared. He might even be working to scare them off from the villages, from whatever farmland he's stopped by to help. With a partner, this will make easier work.

...but there is a time, where there happens to be one stuck with its head shoved in a barrel. It's trying its best to lash its head around, but it's hard - it's a pretty big barrel.

"Uhh... so it's going to knock us down if we try helping it, right."

( b: voidblobs )

"What is that...?"

He's squinting at the moving...things? in the distance, on his first encounter with the voidblobs. They're like bags being brushed along the scenery by a wind with how they move, without any apparent purpose. Not yet close, and Tidus can't tell much about their features - but to the person he's with, he turns to them. "Let's check it out?"

But from that encounter on, Tidus both gets and doesn't get the reason for their name. He'll be on guard and village duty, and whether it's helping a farmer move his animals safely, or to protect the perimeter of any grounds, he'll whistle to alert others with him.

"Blob, to my left!"

Call him for help, too. The same goes for great chinchillas, or any other trouble.

4; FARM HELP/WILDCARD transporting aid, making shortcuts, everything else

Tidus will be where he needs to. On the first day, he'll be working to get transgates set up in good locations - one at Albany's inn, one around the scrublands, one at the nearest village, and then another wherever they think is good. Albany will look after the transgate to make transport back to the inn safe, but he'll need help setting up the others - and passing the word of where to find them.

But if you need a fighting partner, or someone to help guard civilians, or farm grounds, Tidus will be there, happy to work with others - and even to look for help himself, with a "Hey - you looking after this area?"

Feel free to team up, or include him in your own plans.

roland crane (purple) | ota

[adregem]

[ a. ] setting: train, post-mission briefing.

”Kind of like Earth, huh…? I wonder."

Roland isn't really speaking to anyone in particular, the way he mutters to himself, chin tilted up to the ceiling as he awaits to disembark by the standard car. Not that the idea of coming to a place familiar to him is going to stop him from doing his best during the mission, but it does inspire him somewhat to do marginally better than before. Void active or not, civilians were in need, and he was ready to get into the thick of it sooner than later.

Until such a time that the Voidtreckers commence their journey, Roland can be seen stationary in this area, fixing supplies, polishing his pistol, or sharpening his swords imbued with magic. From time to time, he can also be seen ferrying advice for newcomers, so this would be a good time to ask questions.

[ b. ] setting: the weary wanderer.

He helps arrange tables to make the area more communal for their mission up ahead, his brows furrowed deep and his eyes focused on the maps provided. He's used to this kind of work, but from time to time, he's distracted by the hustle and bustle of the inn.

Or better put, his eagle eyes were already scouting talented folk; gaps in their personnel that he might need to tend to, among others.

He spends half his time helping the innkeepers with the amount of void travelers that come in and out. From waiting and serving food to carrying cargo, Roland's eyes and ears are everywhere. He may even be chatting with the locals to help gather info.

The rest of his time is spent with the Voidtreckers themselves, purple team or not. "What's your plan? We only have a basic idea of where things are. We can't get too excited."

[ c. ] setting: forest.

It's not as quiet as one might expect a regular forest to be, on account of the swirling storms and clouds that thunder across the atmosphere. But from time to time, rustling of leaves and bushes can be heard, close to the ear yet far enough to avoid detection. Then, out of nowhere, a blur drops from the heights, steadying itself into a timed barrel roll back unto its feet.

Roland has his pistol out - not an ordinary gun by any means, but an enchanted weapon with a grappling hook attached to its barrel. He doesn't seem to be any sort of bothered from his descent as he looks around. Spotting the closest Voidtrecker, his serious demeanor only slightly softens as he approaches, gun pointed to the ground.

"There's about three or four people a few meters from here, but they're not looking too good."

An invitation, of course. If his frown is any indication…

[ d. ] setting: farmlands.

Are you perhaps attuned with magic and spirits, better than the rest?

Maybe you're secretly a good person with a heart of gold, even if traditional narratives are ready to paint you out to be the bad guy of your tale?

If you're one such type of person, you may hear them before you see them: tiny sprites that glow with an abundance of magic, as if phenomena and emotion in physical form. They squeal in high pitched higgle! piggle! like a chorus in the void, and despite their size, they seem to have sentience, scattered in areas around a dense gathering of grass leading further inwards. As the earth cracks into claws, sprawling into jagged terrain, the leader of these creatures begins to jump up and down, louder in its squealing than the others following its lead. This one was a bit bigger, with a crown upon its head and a billowing cape on its shoulders.

And though they lacked the words, those who can hear him know he is signaling for something. Or for someone.

If you follow this trail, or if you deign to trust your instincts that resonate like a heightened sense of resolution, you will eventually find Roland a little worse for wear, blood dripping from his nose, his hand cradling the side of his head.

He's kneeling on one leg, and all around him are pieces of debris from what looks like a split boulder, bigger than four of him combined.

There's an attempt to say something from Roland's end, but his vision is still blurred, and his gaze is dizzying as the world moves in a pace he can't follow. What happened? What is he trying to say?

[ e. ] wildcard.

Go crazy! Am up for all sorts of adventure. Message this journal or HMU on Discord for ideas.

A NOTE ON HIGGLEDIES: They can be seen by anyone who is pure of heart. How you define that is completely up to you as a player, and how your character perceives themselves and their overall intentions. The prompt doesn't close just because they don't fall into this category, however! Higgledies can be heard and felt even if they can't be seen, as they are essentially the phenomena of the environment who decided to grow tiny arms and legs.

Or, you know, feel free to encounter Roland on your own without the little ones :3

lioriley; orange; ota

[invigorates]

❱❱ pre-arrival

As soon as the announcement was made, Lioriley set to work. The handwritten list of passengers she had kept taken down so she could quickly make another copy down in her journal. As she had previously during the tethering process, she made her rounds in hopes of noting who might be doing what — either outright asking if she knew the person already, or simply listening in on louder conversations that gave any hint to their intentions. Mostly, she was just trying to make sure everyone was there and ready, and no one would be left behind accidentally.

❱❱ the weary wanderer

Here, it was essentially the same plan: keep a tally of the voidtreckers and make sure no one ended up lost or horribly injured and without assistance out on the mission. Only this time she narrowed it down to the Orange team (including those working with the other colors), assuming that the other three teams would do well enough to manage their own.

"You do not have to," she would start, staring down at the page of names, carefully scanning through until she found who she was looking for, "But for the sake of assuring our continued safety and ability to finish this mission, if you could possibly give a brief idea of what your intentions are? 'Twould be easier to send help, should we know where to begin. Either that, or a quick nod upon your return to assure you are still with us would be beneficial." it wasn't a demand, just a suggestion for the sake of keeping some sort of order in case of an emergency. Lioriley also kept her list out on the table so people could adjust it as necessary, for those that might not want to interact with her directly but still contribute.

Any reports of incidents upon the nearby farms and such were noted along the way, as well as any potential updates on the farm owners and things that still needed to be done. Given the obvious need to keep things as well maintained as possible, she would stay within range of the Inn as much as possible, aiding Albany and her kin with cooking, cleaning, and general upkeep when needed to assure their base of operations remained as solid as possible. And, of course, she was always there for healing the injured.

Voidtreckers coming back looking particularly weary might even have a bowl of stew or a glass of water set before them without even asking, followed by the assuring smile of the Lunari when she met their eyes. "Do remember to take care of yourself, hm?"

❱❱ itsy bitsy spider-plant

(closed to Rezo)

The few times she did leave the inn, was to further contribute to the orange teams primary objectives. Not an herbalist by trade, Lioriley knew her way well enough around medicinal plants and, with Albany's recipes, had assumed it would not be difficult to make the potions asked for.

Gathering the plants might prove...difficult alone, however, and while she had not intended to move too far outside of her own team so she was not in anyone's way, she did recall a certain priest that might be inclined to assist.

"Rezo." She would call softly once she spotted him, "Are you busy currently?" everyone was, but that wasn't the point.

❱❱ wildcard

you know the drill! I'll make custom starters if people want them, etc.

Nozomi Yumehara | Purple (main), Red, Orange | OTA

[cureofmanyworlds]

Yelling Heights: Monkey Trouble

Nozomi offered her assistance in getting people to and from the forest, using her Cure Dream form as a means of strength and protection. Of course, things aren't as easy as they seem. Passing by a group of Dralite, one of the young ones lets out a screech, stunning Nozomi. As she recovers, she's promptly beaned in the head with a rock.

"Owowowowow... what in the world?" she groaned. She looked up to see a couple of monkeys hanging on one of the massive trees. And they have rocks. "Hey! You can't go throwing rocks like that!"

And that's responded to by having more rocks tossed at her. And as Nozomi covers her head, a couple more monkeys climb down and grab her, causing her to yelp in shock.

"H-hey! Let me go! This isn't King Kong!" she yelped in a panic, the monkeys carrying her higher.

Scrublands: Goat-Fighting

"HAAAAAAA!"

Now, there's a sight to behold - Cure Dream slugging it out with the horned goats. These gruff billygoats are being such a pain to the farmers and their herds, attacking them and causing them to scatter. Thus, Nozomi took it up to encounter these beasts and give them a taste of their own medicine, using her own strength to counter theirs.

Once one has had their fill and saunters off to deal with another, Nozomi spots someone watching her and waves.

"Hey! Wanna watch me fight goats?"

...that is not something you should say so casually!

Farmlands: Clean-up

Oh, this is something Nozomi is used to. Something she did on and off back in her time in Equestria - helping tend to farms. Their little town was built by the visitors, so they had to do their own things.

So, when the farmers needed help cleaning up the damaged caused by the storms and the earthquakes, Nozomi quickly came to their aid. Being Cure Dream for so long was a little taxing, but she still had plenty of strength.

You might find the pink vest and bracers of her uniform hanging on a fence as Nozomi is busy moving rocks from one place to another, getting it out of the way of the road. It seems like such a tough job, even with superpowers.

"Sheesh, this is crazy!" Nozomi uttered, wiping sweat off of her head. "I didn't think things would be so bad!"

Wildcard

(OoC: Want to do something else with Nozomi? Fight voidblobs, tend to herds, downtime in the inn? Hit me up!)

The Weary Wanderer

[cureofmanyworlds]

"You don't have to remind me; Hera would get on my case if I didn't." Nozomi said, smiling at Lior as she approach her and the welcomed meal.

"Are you doing well?"

1

[healerscorned]

I'll take the Forest area. I've never met a tree I didn't want to climb, and I'm curious what the ones in there are like.

["Curious" is a good word for it. It doesn't really encompass the Core Crystal deep need to find out, but it works well enough.]

kaiba | orange (yelling heights)

[blue_ice]

wayward wanderer

Kaiba's usual stony expression betrays the slightest bit of uncertainty this time. Farm work is absolutely not his area of expertise, not in the slightest. He squeezes into the room and pauses a moment to gather his thoughts, seated at a table with his hands folded loosely.

"I hate every part of this."

yelling heights: dralite egg task (finding and protecting)

Kaiba's expression becomes even more sour as they reach the forest. That constant backdrop of screeching is going to be the end of his calm. He's careful to step lightly, and his eyes are constantly scanning for potential threats. He can't promise he won't zap a ruthless attacker, but he'd rather not.

At last he finds an egg that has precariously landed on some low branches. He carefully wraps it in his hoodie and cradles it, searching for a safe place to set it. The mother will likely be returning soon, so he shouldn't take it too far. Unfortunately there are a few monkeys screeching and coming closer, and he wraps his arms tighter around the egg.

"No."

All he gets, naturally, is a screech in response and a swing of a tail. He jumps and tries to rush past them. Are they picking up rocks to throw?

yelling heights: hunting fruit cup task

Once most of the eggs are safely nestled away (and his head is thoroughly ringing), Kaiba's next task is to help with potion ingredients. He's not the most practiced tree climber, so he turns his attention to something closer to the ground: fruit cups. Potent plants surrounded on all sides by vines that will ensnare him if he gets too close.

He needs to somehow pick the flower without touching the vines, and he bends over, fingers outstretched...no, even his limbs aren't quite long enough. So he sits on the ground a safe distance away with his toolbox, holding a pair of wire cutters, a few long branches, and a scrap cloth that he's taping to a branch in the form of a net. If he can rig the wirecutters to move even when dangled at a distance, and somehow scoop up the plant without getting caught...

There's probably an easier solution than this makeshift mess if he would just ask for help.

[invigorates]

She chuckled. "I know not who you speak of, but it sounds as if they have a good head on their shoulders."

Lioriley took a quick glance around and then decided to sit across from Nozomi, seeing as the conversation was continuing. "Well enough, given the circumstances.

[cureofmanyworlds]

“That’s good. Compared to what happened a few days ago, this is a lot easier.” Nozomi replied.

She took a bite of the stew and gave out a hum of approval. “This is good!”

Bucky/Soldat | MCU | Purple team, occasionally slipping to Blue

[worthallthis]

I. Pre-Mission Prep

As everyone gets their things together (and Soldat does, too) Soldat can be found moving around between people on Purple and Red team with their usual Arms band on, and passing out the usual wrapped bundles of food: a quarter loaf of lembas, a few baked pies full of meat and/or vegetables (they ask if you are a vegetarian before offering the right bundle), six homemade granola bars, six fruit bars (think fig newtons), and six cookies.

"If you need more, you can always find me," they assure anyone who looks dubious, though they're more likely to be dubious about being handed a wrapped bundle of anything pre-mission than specifically over how much is in the bag.


II. The Inn

Oh this is amazing. Soldat takes a quick tour of the inn, being very polite and friend, then offers to help in the kitchen, since they clearly have a lot of people to feed.

Going forward, at least a couple hours of each say when they're not far afield will be spent in the kitchen, tablet up with music playing (often to the delight and/or annoyance to the local kitchen staff), as they bounce around making huge meals for anyone coming by.


III. Field Hand

Soldat stays close by for now, focusing on dealing with debris, hauling heavy things, and simple fixes like mending fences and roofs and such. They're not doing a lot of hunting for the first day or three, but can be found directing people to support side beams while they heave up the formerly load-bearing chunks and haul them out of wreckage, or wheeling heavy carts of stone to recobble roads, or using their shiny metal arm to shoo wildlife away from the flocks. They also keep whipping out snacks and sharing them with locals while they much.

They look the happiest they've been in a while. This is good, honest work, and they don't even have to kill anything to do it. Anybody coming by gets waved over. "Got a minute to hold this for me?"


IV. For the Birds

It's not technically Soldat's job to look after dralite babies, but the innkeeper sent them out into the nearby woods to collect some herbs, and somehow they wound up with one of the hatchlings clinging to their neck, cheeping ferociously. They don't have their home-made earplugs from Beacon anymore, but they do have headphones, so they have those on and playing very loudly as they trek through the forest looking for the right nest.

Help a guy out? He doesn't know what he's doing, here.


IV. Guard Duty

Finally a group of farmers and Voidtreckers are making a trek to some further fields, and Soldat can't in good conscience let them go alone. So he makes up a big batch of pasta back in the inn to leave behind, makes sure their current projects are wrapped up, and settle in for the trek with their rifle at the ready when they all clear out.

"You coming along, too?" they ask another Voidtrecker on duty, as well. "Want to take point or rear?"

3, goats

[worthallthis]

"Hang on, I have an idea," Soldat says, holding out an arm to keep Tidus from approaching it. Then he holds out his other hand-- the metal one-- towards the barrel.

The metal rings holding the barrel's slats together rattle, then break apart violently, leaving the poor goat with only a few shreds of wood clinging to its horns.

Of course that means now it can see them and will probably attack. But the goat has been helped! That was the point here, right?

itsy bitsy spider plant

[redprayer]

Rezo turns towards her.

“Lioriley.”

Rezo has grown more familiar with her voice over the past week. While he hasn’t been going out of his way to make conversation, it has become common enough for the two of them to run into each other in the library and clinic and, equally common, for Lioriley to take a moment to call out to him like this.

He’s a bit curious as to what might have caught her attention this time; from her phrasing, it doesn’t sound like she’s just trying to say hello.

“Not with anything pressing. Is there a matter you could use some assistance with?”

[bruiserprincess]

Farmlands- Cleanup

It's pretty obvious where Molly's going to be the most useful. As much fighting as they might need to do, she heard the words heavy debris so she'll be heading to the farms to help out.

She's looking around for the biggest pieces of debris and lifting them over her head while her eyes glow pink. "Where does this need to go?"

Farmlands- Naptime

It is... possible that Molly is not always the best at knowing what her limits are. They're higher than they used to be but they definitely still exists. So eventually it does reach a point where she sets down what she was carrying and then stumbles toward the nearest fellow Voidtrecker.

Naptime

[silver_eyes_rose]

Ruby blinked as she saw Molly approaching her. She looked really out of it.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, blinking.

[invigorates]

"I was hoping you might be inclined to join me in searching for herbs so we might brew more potions. Most of my team has since ventured elsewhere, and while I am not needed further at the inn..." She assumed the implication was that she was a bit bored - restless, really, given her need to always be doing something and being useful.

"You are free to decline, of course."

[invigorates]

Was that really only a few days ago? Time flies when you're fighting for the lives of your friends lost in the void.

Another laugh, the glowing lines coiled along her skin brightening. "You can thank Albany for that — tis her family recipe, as I am told."

Weary Wanderer

[miseris_socios]

Ken can do a lot of things, but cooking is something he's particularly - well, not good, but he can follow instructions. He sees Lioriley helping out other people and takes a bowl of stew himself, going over to her and holding it out to her.

"Don't forget to take care of you too."

[cureofmanyworlds]

"Y'know, if they'll let us, maybe they might let us copy the recipe so we can have it on the train." she mused.

However, something did catch her eye. "Those lines..."

[invigorates]

She seemed...surprised. More so than anyone should be when being offered something as simple as a bowl of stew. but once the initial shock wore off, she smiled brightly at him, nodding her thanks.

"Of course." Taking care of herself was, mm, not usually in the game plan, but he didn't need to know that. "'Tis easy to forget with all the bustling about. How are you?"

[redprayer]

Ah, so that’s it? Rezo smiles.

“As it happens I was hoping to collect a few samples for myself,” he says. “Combining forces would likely be efficient for both of us.”

Rezo has been specifically planning to keep some specimens for his own personal studying, as the orange team seems to have enough hands to go around to take care of medicine production on their own, but that doesn’t mean he’s against helping, particularly if Lioriley’s willing to help him locate the herbs in question.

“Were you planning on heading for the forest or the scrublands?”

[invigorates]

"Presuming it is not a well held family secret, it certainly could not hurt to ask."

The comment, she assumed, was about her leylines, and Lioriley did not seem particularly perturbed by what she assumed to be an obvious following question or comment. "Mm? Curious, are you?"

[cureofmanyworlds]

“Yes… if that’s alright with you.” Nozomi said, feeling a little silly at not following it up.

[miseris_socios]

"I'm doing all right." He offers her a small smile - he's trying to be nice. It's hard. "I'm used to fighting things and then having to replenish your energy afterwards. Minato -" His voice cracks, but he keeps going.

"Minato used to eat bowls and bowls of noodles after a big fight."

[invigorates]

"Not a terrible plan, truthfully. Should they be in abundance, it would be wise to see if we may transfer some onto the train while we have the chance." Given the benefits provided from said plants, it would honestly be silly not to.

She smiled, her tone accenting how pleased she was with his response. "The forest ⁠— fruit cups are my primary goal; purple stars if we are able to find a way to retrieve them from the trees without issue."

[invigorates]

"Of course." She said, extending her hand, palm up, in an almost practiced and reflexive motion, exposing more of the glowing lines that coiled and pulsed rhythmically around her fingers. "What do you wish to know?"