etrayalogs | SOLMARA

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SOLMARA

⏵ LEAVING ETRAYA ⏴

Whilst most individuals will be making their way to Camp Etraya, the select few that have volunteered (and those who Aurora chose to be the fifteen she could support travel for) will be directed to come to the hospital, where a portal made of a swirling purple energy awaits. Aurora will meet them beside it, several backpacks placed by her feet by companion bots on their way out to their camp duties.

"I'm sorry I cannot be of more assistance," Her voice is soft, hesitant in a way Aurora generally is not. "I would send my back up in this body to accompany you, but I am... using an extensive amount of my own resources just to keep this portal open, and I want to ensure our city is safe, too." Each name has a name on it, or a symbol that represents the character it has been brought for. For those who do not recognize their packs, Aurora will lift them and offer them out herself. They all contain basic survival needs, including breather masks, modular tool kits, hydration capsules, thermal cloaks, solar-charged lanterns, ration packets, medkits, as well as items specific to them that they may require - medication they may require, sunscreen, anything Aurora could think of that they may need that she could pack away.

Once they've all gathered their packs, she raises a hand to gesture them towards the portal.

"Your earpieces will continue to function, but will not be able to reach outside of their protective barrier. I understand some of you may have the means to communicate over long distances without the assistance of technology or magic," her eyes linger on Nate Grey momentarily, before she addresses the group as a whole once more, "And I would, if you can, lean on that to reach out to those who remain behind. While they may be on their own mission, I have left it... open, as best as I am able to. I wish all of you the best of luck. And please do be careful - I cannot guarantee your return from death should anything happen to you on Solmara."

Lips press together tightly. Aurora hesitates, before offering, "I would, if you could, keep a look out for Ithaqua. He is still registering as one of mine, but I have not been able to find him within Etraya."

The portal awaits them. Aurora will still be beside it to answer any further questions as best as she can, but she cannot step through alongside them.

⏵ OUTSKIRTS ⏴

Once they've stepped through the portal, they will find themselves in a small forested area full of barren trees called the Mirkwood Strip. Even the air in Solmara smells different: stale, and musty, despite how dry the environment around them looks. Where Etraya was covered in greenery, Solmara is covered in sand. It's a ruin of torn up roads, steel skeletons where buildings had once been, and jury-rigged machinery can be found throughout the city bubble. Scorched earth beneath a blood-orange sky, it barely feels habitable, let alone like a place for those competing to save their own worlds. Its outskirts are near-empty, full of those who have left Alrys' good graces and a few patrols to keep the half-starved deserters from rising up against her.

There are a few individuals wandering among old buildings who may look a little less torn up: city bubbles are initially designed to suit those who will be arriving, after all, and some of these citizens look at home in sands and heat, even if the lack of nutrition is less than ideal. Some don't require it, but are fed by the bright light in the sky itself.

Everyone outside the large barrier Alyrs has put up around the hospital and the numerous buildings around it are either fighters, scavengers, or left over torn-apart corpses, waiting to be revived or worse: too torn apart to be revived in their original bodies. Either way: most this far out will know they aren't meant to be here if they blend in well enough: Alrys may have eyes on the hospital to look for any new arrivals, but outside of her scouts, who would know?

If they wander closer to the barrier surrounding the city, they may find small cracks in the shell that protects them from the planet's hostile environment - not quite big enough to fit an entire body, but big enough to pry open so one could make it out. Perhaps this is where the warning of the incoming Solmarans had come from: someone slipping out and trekking across the planet to leave behind the banner.

Where Etraya has wildlife, Solmara has predators. Large creatures hide amongst the dunes, in the trees, the caves, and mountains, just waiting for the opportunity to get a nice-sized bite out of an unfortunate traveler.

⏵ SOLMARA ⏴

But they didn't arrive here as tourists: the Etrayans came with a mission: figure out what's wrong with Borealis, and free the citizens of Alrys' control. And do so so - they'll need to get passed Alrys' defenses, break through the gates she and her people have put around the main buildings, and infiltrate the hospital.

This is where her defenses are strongest, where they will find multiple groups of her soldiers ready to take them on, if they aren't careful to avoid them. And just like Etraya: they have a varied bunch. Some are strong, powerful. Some may be able to see the Etrayans moves two steps before they decide to make them, may be able to easily remove them from the equation.

But the further they get, the more hesitant her forces may seem. Those who had been on Solmara previously will note: this isn't normal. Something's wrong here, different.

⏵ NOTES ⏴

This log is only for the characters chosen to visit Solmara, as discussed with Aurora.

Please feel free to reference Ashlee's map, as this is what we will be using to guide characters through Solmara!

As mentioned previously, we mods will be watching this post closely and will be guiding characters along to assist them in getting to their goal. Our intention will be to boomerang tags back as quickly as possible, until this mission is finished. To this end, we ask that any tag that you want the mods to respond to directly have "@mods" in the subject line, so we don't step in when it's not our time yet, and don't miss anything directed our way.

Feel free to respond to this log in any format that works for you! We would recommend breaking up into smaller teams to make navigating the city easier, but do ask that you keep to at least teams of two or more, to make it easier for us mods and allow your character to have interactions that aren't just against NPCs/mod tags providing guidance on moving forward.

If an OOC thread of what happens as characters move forward is easier for your group, please begin that in the mod queries comment on the Solmara Plotting Post. We'll get back to these threads as quickly as possible, too. This can be used to ask a question such as "What if Accelerator sneaks in passed the barrier and tries to blend in as a guard, what could he find?", "What monster is outside of Murkwood and how would they respond to intruders?", or something like "Max will be going up to some of Alrys' guard and reporting he was able to successfully complete the mission, how will they respond and can he get to Alrys directly like this?"

For all questions relating to this log, please refer to the Solmara Plotting Post. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. Out in the Wilds - Intel Gathering.

[Vander had decided his course of action once they had stepped through and been provided a debrief. Information was going to make this mission make or break, and the locals that survived here were going to be the source for edging the odds towards success. As he had been blessed with the gift of the gab and he was not above bribery and trade, he set out to the outskirts once camp had been established.

He would slip his way through the desert looking for people, aided by Nate who had provided him a daily list of those who were not charmed. He would seek those people out that day and barter, chat and bribe his way for information, but also do what he could to allow people here to see that it could become better if Alyrs was removed from power. Little blasphemies that he carefully and casually laid down like breadcrumbs. He also wasn't above spreading misinformation and rumors.

Yet, once darkness fell, he would find his way to a specific agreed upon spot to wait for others who were gathering intel from the local population. They divided and conquered what they could, but it was also important to impart information to one another as well recharge supplies. Check-in meant one of their number hadn't been captured, charm, or killed either.

So there he was. While there was no fire allowed, he still had a cigarettes lit and jammed between his lips. He took a long drag of it for the nicotine hit, breathing out the smoke silently from his nostrils. The temperature was dropping rapidly - deserts were so weird - but he made no effort to move from the spot he was rooted in. No, he was listening and watching, searching for signs that he was not alone any longer.

He tilted his head to consider when there was a sound or he thought he saw something moving in the distance.]

Care to share a smoke? I've got a few spares.

[A simple greeting. If it was a monster, it wouldn't reply. If it was one of their party, he just identified himself. If it was a local, the invitation could be taken one way or another. That was the uncertainty of this place.]

ii. Home Sweet Home

[Vander returned to their secretive camp every day for both a check-in and a rest. Out in the desert, there weren't many 'safe' places that he could find where he would want to settle in for more than an hour of recharge, which had to include eating, drinking and a nap. Otherwise, he had a job to do.

So, returning to camp was a reprieve that could be considered safe. Everyone was busy with their own tasks and preparations for the upcoming infiltration and assault. Days were moving fast before they had to pick their way inside the main stronghold.

He brought back valuable intel and potential allies, if only those that wanted to see Alyrs burn. So he searched for those that needed to know his information before he would take a few hours to sleep where at least the Etrayan picks had a higher potential to guard him rather than kill or rob him.]

Hey, anyone else check in yet? We still going in a few days?

iii. Wildcard

[Don't see something that you like? Want a closed starter? Hit me up to discuss

apomorphine or discord: apomorphine]

[Given his underwhelming state without the aid of his esper ability, Accelerator has mainly been staying back at the camp. It's safer, and a more efficient use of his brainpower to be supporting Gorgug instead of scouting or gathering intel. The idea of him doing the latter is laughable honestly, given how unsociable he is. His skills are better spent helping create equipment, and occasionally venturing out to kill some of Solmara's fauna.

When Vander returns to camp Accelerator is there, having been out earlier to take out some glasswings for their wings. It's late and he's sitting in front of a lantern, poking at one of the ration kits with an unimpressed expression. He's refraining from complaining, though. It's not like his diet is that great to begin with.

He takes a bite of some mystery meat, cringing a bit, before glancing up at Vander.]

We're still on schedule. You learn anything interesting while you were out today?

[Vander crossed the rest of the distance to where Accelerator was currently seated and shouldered off his backpack to drop it to the sand nearby. He then shouldered off his heavy cast-iron gauntlets and set them carefully on the ground; he wanted to limit vibrations more than because they were fragile by any means.

Then he shifted and settled himself to sit. It had been a long day of walking and avoiding the natural predators of this place as much as possible. He stretched his arms above his head and then rolled his shoulders as he settled and finally allowed himself to relax a little.]

Mmmm, someone let me know a different way into the bubble that isn't the front entrance, so I checked that out. It does work, but we have to be careful. Otherwise, I met a guy whose missing his kids but also still playing along with the normal missions; we swapped kid stories so I think he might trust me. I'll check in with him tomorrow, see if I can build something.

[He rubbed his fingers through his hair which was currently tied back in a messy bun at the back of his head.]

Otherwise, Alrys seems to be the right hero in these parts. Some of it is whatever her charms are, and some are just people's opinion. From what I can gather, her power seems to feel like she's offering assistance. People want to trust her.

[Accelerator eyes the gauntlets for a few moments, only pulling his attention away when Vander takes a seat. Absently, he pokes his fork at the rations, refraining from taking another bite and listening to the description of what's going on outside their small camp.]

Shitty that Echo would drag a father away from his kids, but I'm not surprised. [Echo brings kids in, after all, and that's even worse. He sighs heavily.]

Is she actually offering help to people, though? Has anyone given you any concrete examples of that? [From the description they've all gotten he doubts there are any, but he's curious.]

[He shrugged his shoulders, unwilling to judge the choices. He had one kid, but she was vastly older than the last time he had seen her. It was an interesting dynamic and one he still was trying to get used to after all this time. He framed his own fatherly experience as performing these duties to assure a future for his children.]

There doesn't exactly seem like a rhyme or reason specific people are chosen. Maybe it was just luck of that draw. Or maybe parents are motivated to complete the missions. [He didn't want kids to have to bear all the responsibility, but then again, hadn't he and Silco when they were young? They took that on.]

Still maintaining order in some sense, but it does come down to you're either working with her or against her. I expect some need to believe it because the alternative means they might be called to action.

[If Echo was picking people based off of some kind of logic or reasoning, surely someone would have figured it out by now, right? They may be some esoteric, godlike being, but logic is logic. There are a lot of smart people in Etraya, and (in his opinion) it isn't that hard to identify a pattern if you put your mind to it. He chews on his lip thoughtfully.]

It might just be random, given Echo's state of mind could be completely fucked at this point.

[Given what Aurora told him a while ago about losing pieces of themselves, it wouldn't surprise him.

Ah well, nothing they can do about that.]

So they're all scared of her. [His lips tilt upwards as he looks down at his food.] That sounds familiar.

[Oh, Vander expected that it was random to some degree. When he looked at the people that he had met, there did seem to be a connection between all of them yet there were enough connections that a wide spread of complete life experiences and individualism was entirely true as well. And why not other sentient species represented as much?]

Are we certain that Echo isn't actually the problem everywhere? The fact there are multiple of these is troubling.

[That wasn't what they were here to do though, not yet anyway. They were here on a very specific mission to accomplish two objectives, and that's what they did need to focus on. The overarching conundrum of their situation could be considered later.]

Many are, yeah. We know her tactics are not gentle, but then again, in an inhospitable place like this, extremism has a way of taking root and being called security. [He glanced at Accelerator.] How are you holding up?

[Accelerator shakes his head slightly. The only real common denominator of everything he's seen so far has been Echo, so logically Echo is the issue. But he can't say for certain, there isn't enough data for him to confirm that.]

Dunno. It seems possible.

[And there's been no real way to determine that, so... who knows. It isn't something they can figure out while they're in Solmara, anyways.

He clicks his tongue in irritation. Right, yeah, people are more willing to latch onto horrible monsters when they're forced into extreme situations. He could see why people did, they haven't been in Solmara for very long and he already finds the place awful.]

I'm fine. I fucking hate deserts. I'm not built for them.

[He's thin and fragile and the last person who should be in this kind of environment. His only saving grace is he can still reflect UV light when his choker is in normal mode, so he doesn't need to worry about sunburns or skin cancer.]

Has anyone had any access to Echo directly?

[It was clear that Aurora was far more accessible to them, would answer their questions, even build the world for them. She remained a welcoming party constantly, keeping things smooth while also delivering punch after punch for them when it came to missions and even this unsanctioned action to search out her brother.

He glanced at Accelerator and began to dig through his pack for some of his own rations. He tended to barter whatever he had to earn a sit at people's tables. He would eat in camp and only drink water out in the desert which was... an interesting and unlikable environment.]

Yeah, they are inhospitable. Give me a cave or tunnel any day. I had no idea my scalp could burn.

[Vander was a man who lived underground. He'd had a sunburn before, but it was nothing quite like this. He had had to actually learn to adapt to a desert, and he admitted he still wasn't that great at it.]

You'll be in the hospital under cover soon enough. A few more days of scouting and we'll make our move.

Nope.

[It's only ever been Aurora, and he knows when people have asked to communicate with Echo Aurora has told them it isn't possible. Accelerator figures it may have something to do with Echo losing parts of themselves whenever they send someone home or bring someone in, but he can't say for certain.

He frowns a little.]

Tunnels have their own problems. [He had a rough time with them back home, since his connection to the Misaka Network could be interrupted or blocked depending on how deep the tunnel was. It's less of an issue here with his backup computer, but he'd still rather not risk it if he doesn't need to.]

Great. The sooner we can get this over with the sooner we can go back to Etraya.

[ For the moment, Hernan's been keeping an eye on the camp's perimeter until it's time to put things in motion. Patrols never take him very long, since he can cover the entire area and a few miles beyond in the span of a breath.

It's from above that he spots Vander returning to the camp and after he circles around for another sweep, he returns to camp, landing nearby and approaching Vander in a few short strides. ]

Plans have not changed for me at least. Were the locals friendly today?

[Sometimes he caught sight of Hernan making the rounds and guarding the camp, and he still marveled at the other man's ability to fly. It seemed both frightening and freeing at the same time, especially for one who had lived almost the entirety of their life underground or in the desperate smog of an industrialized city where the sky was questionable at times.

He lifted a hand to greet Hernan as the other man landed nearby, and he put a smile on his lips despite looking tired and dirty from wandering the desert. He shifted his pack on his shoulders and nodded at the confirmation. They would all be infiltrating together at least.]

Some were, others where suspicious. It depends on the topic of conversation, but there are a few that now recognize me and know I have items to trade. They don't seem to care where I came from at least.

[He looked around camp.] Uneventful rounds from above today?

[ If Vander ever voiced his admiration of Hernan's ability to fly, Herna wouldn't hesitate to invite the other man up with him. Especially after being appropriately flattered. The news did not surprise him. People were people no matter the dimension it seemed - suspicious of the unknown, but willing to set it aside if it meant their continued survival. ]

You look tired. I'll carry your bag.

[ And him if he needed it. Hernan didn't mind. He holds a hand out for it if Vander is willing to hand it to him, and nods at his question. ]

Mm. I want to see these monsters we were promised. I want to punch at least one before we go back. [ He's kidding. Sort of. ]

[He tilted his head as he regarded Hernan, curious of the offer. He wasn't willing to look too deeply into it, yet it caused a little smile on his lips as he shrugged off his backpack and offered it out to the other man.]

Ah well, I don't sleep out there. It's not safe, so I'll get a few hours of shut-eye here.

[He gestured his head towards where there were tents set up for people, and he was aiming for one in the middle of all the hubbub. The cacophony of noise of people going about their business was comforting.]

Oh yeah? Have you picked on that you're going to punch? Maybe you can take me with you so I can attest to this adventure. Though, I figure you'll be punching your way through entire defenses soon enough.

[ He slings the bag over his shoulder without a second thought, the weight of it negligible and follows Vander to the set up of tents. ]

I will go with you if you want to stop and rest outside of camp. [ He offers Vander a grin ] I won't let anything happen to you.

[ There's a moment of silence as he considers the creatures they were shown prior to this mission's start. ]

At least the scorpion. Scorpions are punchable.

[While Shaw certainly isn't incapable of putting on the charm or doing undercover work, it takes a very specific sort of effort from her - and so by and large, she's been playing the bodyguard role while they prepare to infiltrate the city. Sometimes, that means patrolling the outskirts of camp or accompanying anyone who needs back-up on a scouting mission; other times, it simply means taking watch shifts while others rest. Right now, she's taking stock of inventory, though she glances over at Vander as he approaches.]

Far as I know, yeah.

[She lightly squeezes her fingers down her tube of sunscreen, trying to determine how much is left inside.]

How's your source list coming along? Still making buddies with the locals?

[Everyone had their place and their skillset in this group, and he appreciated that they were taking the time to prep and set themselves up for success. Everyone had a job, and it was worthwhile for when the assault finally happened. After all, he expected there were plenty of people in that bubble that had fantastical powers that went beyond anything he had seen in his lifetime.

He approached Shaw, noting her current activity as he shifted his backpack from his shoulders to settle it down on his feet for a bit of a break. He had bartered and traded for information, but also he used resources to help people open up to him and trust him.]

You decided which team you're going in on? I figure I'll be part of the distraction team looking for Alrys.

[He nodded his head, fishing in his pocket to produce a crumpled pack of cigarettes and pulling one free.]

Oh yeah, we're all real good friends out there. One guy tried to shiv me today, so that was exciting.

I've been scouting with Grey and Summers. Getting the chance to take a swing at Alrys would be a nice present, but I figure Max is the one out of all of us who deserves that shot the most.

[In other words, she'll jump at the opportunity to be on a forward-operating strike team if the opportunity presents itself, but she won't shove her way to the front of the line.

She rubs a drop of sunscreen over her nose and cheeks, then leans closer to peek into his bag - and to raise an eyebrow at the cigarette.]

You should love yourself and your lungs more.

You all find anything worthwhile on your scouting missions? [He shrugged his shoulders because he wasn't gunning for anything but success on however that came. He was slide into being involved where he could.] He and Furiosa will take the lead on Alrys I have no doubt. However, they are going to need a team around them regardless.

[He had no doubt that Shaw would put herself in line to have some of that action, and he admired that about her. She was decisive and willing to take risks to accomplish what she wanted as far as he could tell.

He watched her, curious. He lived so much underground that burns were chemical not from the sun. So people having actual skin care needs and the continual exposure to the sun were a sharp learning curve for him.

Instead, he fished around for his lighter and flicked it with a practiced hand. His lips rose in a smile at her comment, and he lit his cigarette anyway.]

Would it offend you if I told you that these were the lesser evil where I'm from? Air is poisoned with factory smog, but we all have to get used to it. These are practically fresh compared to that.

[She rolls her eyes, but not in a truly exasperated way; it's about as good-natured as Shaw gets. Just because your air sucks doesn't mean you sound compound the issue, buddy! Love yourself and your lungs.]

We found a body. Looked like a torture victim. Nothing interesting or useful on it, though.

[Which, yes, that definitely means that she searched the torture victim's corpse for loot. As you do.]

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SOLMARA

Vander - Arcane

Home Sweet Home

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Home Sweet Home

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ii; i figure we can move from downtime into something fighty against a monster and/or scavenger!

oh yeah that sounds good. gotta get them punching!

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