MISSION 009

[etrayamods]

⏵ CAMP ETRAYA ⏴ On May 16th, Aurora and the companion bots direct those not heading off to Solmara to make their way to Camp Etraya. Nestled away from everything else in a large clearing full of wildflowers and redwoods, Camp Etraya is a nostalgic summer camp experience put together just for it's residents! Cabins are assigned, scary stories are told around campfires, gossiping happens among friends on the trails surrounding the cabins - and don't be surprised when something goes awry. After all, this is still Etraya. While the rest of Etraya is still accessible and will not be blocked off, characters are discouraged from venturing far from camp for too long: Aurora will specify that they are on a mission, and that missions do require participation, but she has intentionally left them the freedom to wander. Not sleeping in their assigned cabins, not participating in events, and staying away from Camp Etraya will end with her having to take more extensive security measures, so please be on your best behavior! The last thing she wants to do is start enforcing boundaries, but she will if she has to. Camp is set up much like your generic summer camp! Each cabin is named, housing is assigned to characters as they arrive, there are camp counselors, and rotating daily tasks and chores. There are also multiple activities that characters are expected to participate in, and each activity is worth points that goes toward their camp graduation score. This score will be visible on their earpiece, and follows the A-F grading system. We are not be monitoring this, and are leaving character scores up to players. We do, however, ask that you please report your characters' camp grade HERE for rewards and demerits to be handed out after the mission itself. Cabin assignments can be found here, which also has their roles, and chores assigned to that cabin. Those who are participating in Solmara have received an assigned cabin, too, but their absence toward the beginning will not harm the cabin's ability to compete given how spread out their assignments are. ⏵ WELCOME TO CAMP ⏴ Camp life is meant to instill a sense of belonging, connection with nature, encouragement towards the creative, all on top of a firm foundation of responsibility. Upon arriving, campers will be escorted towards a table of white t-shirts and countless buckets of dye! Each Etrayan will be invited to make three Tie-Dyed shirts- as well as required to wear one as part of their summer uniform. Camp counselors must wear 80s basketball shorts or cut-off jeans. Campers may wear cargo shorts or a skort. For those with physical limitations to what they can wear, accommodations will be provided. Here, bonding is the camp runners' priority. They will be pushed into various ice-breaker activities, such as trust falls, two truths and a lie, and Never have I Ever. As the sun goes down, there will be weenies roasting over the bonfire, followed by s’mores and a sing-a-long! With the stars well-visible, it’s off to bed with campers. Each day after will start much the same: with the ringing of the bell and raising of the flag (Aurora, while unfamiliar with flag designs but an understanding of the concept, has chosen a rainbow flag for the camp. Rainbows make people happy, right?), followed by a meal at the Great Hall, morning assembly, activities with counselors, chores, free time, and then an evening winding down by the great fire. An hour after sun down, campers will be escorted back to their cabins for curfew. Camp Counselors are expected to keep track of their campers, and ensure they're all within their cabins for bedtime. This is part of their grade, too! Curfew lifts an hour before the first bell. ⏵ CAMP ACTIVITIES ⏴ As with most summer camps, Camp Etraya offers a wide variety of activities to participate in. While some of these activities may be mandatory, others are optional. We'll be leaving this up to individual player discretion: perhaps Viktor is mandated to report to arts and crafts, whilst it's optional for Silco to show. Silco, on the other hand, may be mandated to report to the archery contest. Characters are encouraged to participate in a minimum of one camp activity per day. Below is a non-exhaustive list of camp activities. Three-Legged Race - You and a partner are tied together at your ankles, and you must race others to the finish line. Those with abilities that would give them an advantage will find that the rope that ties them together hinders those abilities from functioning. Archery - This can be more traditional, magical, or include moving targets! If you're particularly unlucky, your target may even shoot back. Softball - What instills a sense of camaraderie better than a bit of team sports? Games will be held on Wednesdays, the field is otherwise available for practice. Dodge Ball - Standing diametrically opposed to Softball is dodge ball, the bully’s sport. This is a great opportunity to claim dominance or be sent to the Nurse’s Office. Obstacle Course - You are directed into a large maze with multiple obstacles for them to overcome, such as rock climbing walls, ramps, tires, and nets. Capture the Flag - Small teams are put together in order to take the flag from a particular bot, whose entire goal is to avoid being caught. Canoe Race - Canoes are placed into the rivers just off of the camp, and characters must race to the finish line. Chocobo Riding - Learn how to care for and ride these magnificent birds! Newbies will be taken around the corral, whereas more experienced riders can take the trail around the lake. Arts and Crafts - Make friendship bracelets, bead lizards, paint rocks, learn origami! Or perhaps you're tasked with putting together an enchanted necklace. Don't know how to do enchantments? Now is as good of a time as any to learn. Campfire stories - Share scary stories amongst yourselves around the campfire late into the night. If you're particularly unlucky, you may just hear the thing you were just warning others about.. ⏵ NIGHT TIME ⏴ Once campers have been put to bed, the counselors can still stay up. Unwind with hidden beers and the strumming of a guitar. Don’t get too comfortable, though, since without supervision, no one is keeping the campers in bed. After dark, should campers evade their counselors, they can go exploring in the dark. Eerie lights glimmer from the lake. There’s rumors of a headless spectre walking from the archery field to the edge of the forest. Should you behave, you still might hear a scratching at your bunk house window. And on the very last night of camp, there will be a talent show. Show off your hidden talent and bask in the excitement of wowing your fellow campers! ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Welcome to Camp Etraya! Please enjoy the s'mores and campfire songs. :) Camp will last approximately two weeks, going from May 16th to May 30th. For all questions relating to this mission, please refer to the plotting post. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[twin_blade]

[ Vax takes the dagger from his belt to hand it over, then grabs the ropes, expecting he might fall if he's not holding on once the ropes are loosened. ]

Nothing some ice won't fix.

[ And there seems to be plenty of that. ]

[shadowsincryo]

[He handles the dagger like someone used to using one. He waits, studying the blade’s edge. The moment Vax has a good hold on the ropes he grabs another section.

The ropes leading to the tangle around Vax’s leg get slashed in one sharp cut. He cuts a hole for Vax to escape through. The dagger is tucked into the sheathe on his belt. He sets himself to help Vax down.] I think ice won’t be that difficult to get. I’ll give your blade back once we’re off my ice.

[twin_blade]

[ Once his foot is loose, Vax pulls his leg free and slings an arm around Kaeya so he doesn't go crashing down. Hopefully, he won't mind. ]

Sure. No problem.

[ He's not worried about Kaeya running off with his dagger. Obviously, Kaeya means to help, and he couldn't actually steal it if he wanted to, since Vax can just summon it back. ]

[shadowsincryo]

[He shoulders the expected weight with ease. He takes a wider stance and studies the leg.] …We’ll move on three, alright?

[There are likely traps in the maze ahead but. He can spot a safe spot they can rest just beyond the ice.

The stairs break up behind them as he guides Vax down to the ground.] Don’t worry about the ice. I’m breaking it up as we go. At least nothing will come after us until we go further.

[twin_blade]

[ Moving down is a little unsteady, but Vax manages with the help. Once he's lead to a safe place to rest, he takes a seat with a sigh. ]

Thanks.

[ Reaching down, he unties and removes his boot so he can check out his twisted ankle. It's not something a little rest won't fix. ]

[shadowsincryo]

You’re welcome. Couldn’t leave you there. [Kaeya makes their rest spot a little more secure before he returns to him. He hands Vax back his weapon, hilt first.] If it needs more than a little rest…I can help.

It won’t be pleasant. My healing is usually used on myself. [He sits, settled automatically in a watch position. If anything were to attack it has to get through him first.] Quick and dirty magic, and all that.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax accepts the knife and tucks it into his belt.

He's not familiar with healing magic that 'won't be pleasant'. Pike's magic is always quick and painless. Given that the injury isn't severe, he shakes his head. ]

I think I'll just rest it, but thanks. I haven't heard of healing magic like that before.

[shadowsincryo]

It’s because it isn’t meant for anyone but me. [He shifts to keep an eye on their surroundings. So far so good.] Magic at home is all elemental. How people shape it is based on what they awaken to and their will. I honed mine for being a fighter. It doesn’t like being bent another direction.

So, it is like thrusting your hand in river in the winter when I use it. Even on me. Jean’s is nicer. Feels like a wind at your back.

[twin_blade]

I see.

[ Guess that makes sense. Magic doesn't work the same way where Vax is from, but he can understand the concept. ]

Don't think I know Jean. [ But Vax doesn't go around meeting a lot of people. ] Oh, I'm Vax. Thanks for your help.

[shadowsincryo]

Of course. I couldn’t leave you there. [He looks back at him and smiles, it lights up his eye.] Kaeya.

And you wouldn’t know Jean. She isn’t here. I’m one of two from my world. [He waves a hand then lets it drop.] How long have you been in Etraya? I got here shortly before last mission.

[twin_blade]

Oh, right.

[ Vax sometimes talks about his sister as if she were close, as well, with no distinction that she might not be. ]

I've been here.. going on eight months.

[ It's kind of shocking when he says it outloud. Despite being here so long, others sometimes mistake him for a new face, since he doesn't spend a lot of time on the network. ]

[shadowsincryo]

[He nods, and settles into a more comfortable watch spot. He could get up in a flash, but he could sit like this for as long as needed.] That's quite a while. Call me curious, but was this place always this large?

I've heard parts of it match places others lived.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax smiles, looking down at his ankle. He's been here long enough to see the city change a few times and that pisses him off. ]

New structures appear pretty regular, just like the people do. And sometimes whole sections of the city get added. It's like Aurora's personal little puzzle box, jigging it around however she thinks suits us.

[shadowsincryo]

Did she ever say why this happens? [He has a feeling not. But he looks at Vax, curious. This is the first time he’s had the chance to ask someone.]

If it just happens…why the hell is it happening.

[twin_blade]

She says she wants to make things nice for us here or something like that. Acts like she cares.

[ Vax shrugs. ]

Maybe she does. I don't know. She's not actually human, so I'm not sure how that would work. But no matter what nice things she does, she's still just a puppet taking orders from Echo and can't get us in contact with Echo.

[ So Vax doesn't think much of Aurora, though others seem to like her. He knows he's in the minority when it comes to their zookeeper. ]

[shadowsincryo]

Agreed. [He looks out at the maze then looks at Vax with a thoughtful expression. He hasn’t met a lot of people who think the same as him. But the few who do-] She knows more than she is saying. I questioned her and anytime I got close to the subject of Echo, a wall.

But freely told me there are sister cities and she can only contact those closest to her.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax nods, having had a similar experience. It's strange her contact with Echo supposedly goes one way. Maybe it's true, but it just means more red flags. Something is seriously amiss with this whole situation. ]

Some went to one of those cities on another world for a mission. I imagine we'll hear something when they return.

[shadowsincryo]

Yes, the Solmara mission. We’ll hear something. A friend of mine went. He has been sharing whatever he finds.

[He thinks again, considering. Then he speaks,] …when we were at that wizard library. They said they knew why we were there. But they wouldn’t answer questions. I wonder how many know about the missions and more than that.

[twin_blade]

[ At least Kaeya knows someone he can trust on the mission. The information will be reliable. Vax wonders what will be discovered. ]

Some people seem to know more about this place. They share information when they can on the network.

[shadowsincryo]

They do. When I have something new that I haven't seen others share, I'll do the same. [He sighs, shaking his head a little.]

So far, we're all hitting the same walls. It's a little irritating. [He smiles, but there's an edge to it. It's a lot irritating and he can't hide that even with his usual smile.] Still, I'd love to have the leverage to ask those wizards what they know. Have we ever returned to somewhere we've been before?