etrayalogs | Mission 013 Log

Mission 013 Log

Mission Summary

Genre: Survival / Exploration / Spooky

Premise: Mesa is a wild, lawless land of megafauna, from feathered dinosaurs to redwoods soaring stories high. Etrayans must document what remains of a world on its way out and then get out alive, surviving in the wilderness for two weeks while fighting off a hostile environment. Most importantly of all: beware the dark.

Tone: Dark and philosophical. Is this a world worth saving?

Objectives: Take samples and record for posterity what happened on Mesa. Demonstrate appreciation of what is lost and the capacity to preserve it.

❬ all that men presume ❭

While Mesa is full of life even now, with large creatures roaming the continents and making themselves comfortable, there are traces indicating that at one point this wilderness was constructed. The Citadel, a galaxy-spanning empire, had wanted to collect creatures from the numerous inhabited planets they could reach, and selected Mesa as the location for their conservatory given its lack of sentient residents. Once a carefully maintained vacation destination for Citadel elite, landscapes were meticulously groomed and animal husbandry was rigorously planned to create fascinating creatures across generations.

A good idea, in theory. Perhaps even in practice, given that whilst the rest of this galaxy has collapsed and died, this particular planet is still standing, along with all the creatures that had been transplanted onto it to call it their home.

Now abandoned by the Citadel, Mesa returns slowly to its original state: a deserted planet much like Etraya was before Aurora and Borealis's cities had been developed on it. Which is why Aurora has sent the Etrayans abroad: gather data on those who still live amongst Mesa's population, so that these creatures will not be forgotten as their predecessors have been.

Aurora's portal brings characters to a bare base camp, previously visited by a spare few of her bots in order to outfit it with just enough to allow them to survive. Simply called the Lux, their base camp takes the form of a massive spire with a built-in high-powered lamp at the peak, which bathes the entire outside of the building in light at all times. Some rooms hidden within the facility provide darkened spots to allow Etrayans to rest safely.

Aurora had told them that they must make sure to not be out in the dark -- hopefully the spire's eternal light as well as how carefully the entire outside of the structure is lit up offers them enough of a reminder to listen.

Possible Hooks
• Taking stock of your assigned team that you've just met, sharing supplies, and getting ready to leave on your assignment.
• Building up the base to serve as a safe respite for the time on Mesa.
• Returning to camp between assignments for a breather or because you've spent a little too long out in the dark.

❬ a conservatory left behind ❭

Mesa's ecosystems are dominated by megafauna: creatures of immense size and stature, often with lengthy lifespans and narrow biome niches. Most are locked to their environments, adapted precisely to the area they reside in, with little chance of surviving outside of their specific ecosystem. A swamp titan would not survive the cold tundra that the ice leopards call home, and the ice leopards cannot survive in the ashy, hot environment that let horned beetles thrive. Smaller animals may exist amongst them, but they are significantly less common. Many rely on the larger creatures for survival: feeding off of the parasites that attach themselves to their massive bodies, or nesting within their fur.

Much of the wildlife exhibits ancient evolutionary traits, behaviors and patters long-since established with no signs of further development. They no longer evolve with time and generations but instead have settled into their place on their planet.

The megafauna are not the only living beings on Mesa. Scattered across the planet are traces of civilization: abandoned ranger stations, research laboratories, and observation outposts. While these locations appear as if the technology within them was at one time advanced, it has now become nonfunctional, left to rot without maintenance over the generations.

Yet some of these structures still contain life, the descendants of the humanoid beings that established Mesa long ago. One may consider trying to extend a hand out toward them to offer what assistance they can give - but none of them will be friendly.

Long abandoned by those who had once brought them here, these people have become opportunistic predators, fiercely defending what facilities they were able to keep partially functional. The darkness that plagues the Etrayans also appears to plague them, and without light, the same ill fate would be their demise.

They do not travel far, choosing to maintain their own livestock and supplies to ensure they are never far from the light. After all, they know the greatest threat on Mesa is not the wildlife, but the dark.

Possible Hooks
• Encounter various wildlife while out on assignment, and perhaps run into another team.
• Build an observation blind shelter with your teammates and hole up there for a few days, hoping to document your species of interest.
• Discover and explore an abandoned structure.
• Come under threat from the residents... or try to reach out to them.

❬ hatchlings ❭

The chelonians, one of the species in one of Mesa's warmer climates, has struggled to maintain their numbers over their centuries on the planet due to their inability to change their ways.

Hatchlings are born several kilometers away from the beach shores, burrowed deep into soil to protect them from predators that may seek out their eggs during high tide. These creatures are massive, large shells encasing a significant portion of their bodies with only their heads and limbs visible from under it.

These creatures are rare and difficult to spot on Mesa: they breed slowly, live for centuries, and their offspring very rarely make it passed their first few hours of life. They often hatch in the dark of the night, making them extremely susceptible to predators that lurk in the dark, waiting for prey too small and too fragile to protect themselves. Large winged beasts swoop down from the skies, picking up the newborn chelonians to enjoy a fresh meal.

Without them, their ecosystem begins to collapse: kelp beds and forests fail, and entire food chains unravel.

Etrayans with interest could assign themselves a simple, unofficial mission to find the burrows and protect the younglings as they manage to break through their shells, then help them into the ocean so that their kind may survive to see the sun again. They must set up light sources and wait beside the burrows to make sure these massive creatures not only escape their eggs but do not become lost on their journey to the water. Following them to the water is critical, as their eyesight, even with a light source, is quite poor -- and they have a tendency to lose their way.

No one's asked them to do this -- the whole planet is slated for destruction, so maybe this entire venture is pointless -- but maybe this is something worth doing anyway.

Possible Hooks
• Idealistic types see the chelonian hatchlings struggling to make it to a beach and step in to help. Considering how large they are, this might be a struggle for them, too.
• Cynical types question what the point is.

❬ night falls ❭

Mesa's darkness is not merely the conventional absence of direct light.

The planet itself has no moon, and when darkness comes, it is absolute.

Remaining in the darkness has several consequences, and the effects accumulate over time, progressing along a spectrum rather than in tidy stages. This only seems to effect those from Etraya and the humanoids living within their bases, not the animals brought to reside on planet. Remaining within light sources suppresses the effects, but the moment the planet's rotation angles them away from this galaxy's star, any Etrayans caught outside of the light will find themselves succumbing to the effects.

Characters were warned not to stay out in the dark, but they were not told why they should not.

If any of them prefer not to find out and remain at base during one unfortunate night, they'll find out why anyway: the power cuts. The surrounding terrain, once held at bay by artificial light at the Lux, is swallowed whole. The air feels heavier and the atmosphere itself feels weighted.

Blithe apathy sinks in. The ability to listen to reason slowly leaves those left in the darkness. If they do not find a light source quickly, they will be able to feel the physical effects of the darkness set into their skin, potentially ending with permanent changes.

Those remaining on base may work together in order to bring the power back on, utilizing any personal abilities in addition to fixing the damaged circuits in order to bring everything back online. But they had better react quickly -- the longer the darkness remains, the worse the effects become, and maybe someone who was once trying to help is now trying to hurt...

Possible Hooks
• Help restore power after it cuts at the Lux.
• Underestimate the darkness effects, assume your light source is enough, and slowly fall prey to the pleasant apathy. You'll need rescue.
• Stumble onto another party's camp and need their help to be coaxed back to sanity.

❬ MISSION NOTES ❭

📌 — Please make sure to use the major events comment thread specifically to announce character actions that have a significant impact on the mission outcome or other characters.

📌 — For all questions relating to this mission, please refer to the mission queries comment on the plotting post. Other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

🔵FULL NAVIGATION🔵

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Dion has never been one to find sleep easily. While he trusts that Vax can keep watch, restlessness is a frequent visitor during his nights, so Dion eventually forfeits his effort at sleep and wanders back into the living room.

He pauses to touch a bottle he'd suffused with his light earlier in the evening, channeling more aether into it. In response, the bottle glows brighter, and Dion's strides resume, old floorboards creaking in muted protest. ]

How goes the watch?

[ Dion asks when he draws near enough, voice soft lest he disturb Joshua or Sephiroth. He knows not what Sephiroth's sleep habits are like, but he's keenly aware that Joshua is on the mend still yet. ]

[ The house is run down. Everything moves and creaks a bit, so when someone is up walking around, Vax is able to hear it quite clearly with his elven ears.

He doesn't stop what he's doing until he notices the light brighten from the corner of his eye. That's when he lowers the sharpening stone and his dagger to look up at his friend. ]

Pretty quiet. Shouldn't you be getting your rest?

[ His first answer is a slant of a smile. Dion should be resting, he knows, but knowing and doing are altogether different propositions. ]

I'm afraid sleep is intent to elude me at present.

[ He sinks onto a vacant spot on the couch. The sinking is quite literal, for the worn material has an excess of give, and he sinks further down than he'd anticipated. ]

...Well. [ Said as he attempts to sit up and out of the couch's dusty embrace. ] I suppose I should have expected that.

[ Vax doesn't blame him for not being able to rest. They're in another world and in a potentially dangerous area. They have their lights, so they should be safe, but there's still a need to be vigilant.

As Dion sits and sinks deeper into the couch, Vax can't help but snicker. Setting his belongings on the low table in front of the couch, he sits back, slouching into the couch, and puts an arm on the backrest behind Dion. ]

How did the nature walk go?

[ He imagines they got at least a few samples. ]

[ With their conversation to focus on, Dion gives up on his battle against the couch, slumping against it. While it's not proper posture for a prince, it's not as though Vax is going to judge him. ]

It went well enough— Joshua has an eye for detail. In another life, I could see him making a career of such study.

[ He's fairly sure history is Joshua's primary interest, but his curiosity wasn't limited to just one area. No one is better suited to the naturalist role. ]

What of your day?

We're lucky to have him on our team. I just hope he's not pushing himself too hard.

[ Vax glances to one of the closed bedroom doors with concern, figuring Joshua must be resting. ]

Well, I tried to clean this place up a bit. I found a generator in a shed out back, but we don't need it to keep the lights on in here.

[ He smiles at Dion, who is responsible for that. ]

There was also a locked chest I got in to. It had some supplies in it. Blankets. Some bandages. A few cans of food. And I caught a quick nap while you were out.

[ Dion smiles in turn, listening to all that Vax had accomplished in their absence. He'd furnished them a far better base of operations than Dion would've expected for a mission such as this, and he's certain that's to their collective benefit. ]

You've been quite industrious this day.

[ He'll refrain from any quips about nesting, though the thought comes to mind. It can't be helped with Vax's corvid wings and the way he attracts birds of like feather. ]

Joshua has great ambition [ Not unlike his mother, but with vastly better aims. ] so he may need us to take some burdens from him from time to time, though I feel he was pacing himself.

[ Granted, he may be a little biased. Much might look like pacing oneself next to Joshua's performance in their world, rising up to fight a god. ]

[ It has taken Joshua a long while to fall asleep; such is as he expected it might be, what with lady Aurora’s vague and ominous warning of the threat the darkness presents. Still, he has never in his life found it easy to sleep with light present— be it from the sun, full moon, or even a burning candle: all results are the same. After much tossing and turning –and some small hacking– Joshua gave up and dug into his fey-pouch from which he procured more blankets for which he nestled under.

Soon after his entire body, head included, was buried under the covers he finally fell asleep. ]

[ Vax nods in agreement about Joshua. He'll try to help as much as he can, but he's glad Joshua didn't push too hard. ]

Well, I've got to earn my keep.

[ He doesn't want the others to worry at all about their survival chances and is determined to take care of them. ]

I was thinking I could use some of the canned vegetables I found to make Joshua some so--

[ As he's speaking, there's a pause and Vax blinks at the window behind Dion. Vax goes still, like a bird sensing danger, and listens. ]

I.. thought I saw a shadow outside the window.

[There certainly is a shadow moving out in the darkness. Glowing eyes and all. It's a rather silent shadow peering into the window like some sort of creature scoping out it's prey.

Or rather Sephiroth just looking in to see what the others are doing, but same thing really.

He doesn't really need sleep, so spending a bit of time outside in the dark to see what dangers are actually out seems like the best thing to do. Sephiroth isn't worried about being eaten, and if something pops up and eats someone else, that'd be unfortunate but also okay.]

[ Dion may not hear what Vax does, but he trusts his friend's keen ears. He does battle with the couch once more, pulling himself up to look out the window and spot luminous, catlike eyes staring back at him.

That color is familiar, isn't it...?

Moving to stand, Dion summons one of his satellites. It resembles a hollowed latticework sphere, not particularly large or imposing, bright white light caged within it. ]

Something is out there.

[ He speaks softly, certain Vax will have no difficulty hearing. ]

[ Vax's ears are sharp, and so are his eyes, but it takes him a few moments to realize who is standing outside the window. Dion's additional light helps. ]

What the fuck is that idiot doing?

[ Did he not get any of the mission info? Vax goes to the window to lift it open. He'd rather be boarding it up, but it looks like that won't be happening. ]

Hey, do you want to become brain dead by standing outside in the dark?

[ Gods. Vax thought the silver haired man was kind of hot, but now he's kind of annoying if he's going to put them all at risk. He might as well invite the darkness in with him. ]

[Sephiroth briefly glances back towards the window, but only to bring a finger up to his lips in a hushing fashion.]

Quiet. You'll attract what draws near.

[Though instead of explaining what he means or coming inside he turns to head back out into the dark again.]

"What draws near"...?

[ Dion echoes the words curiously, circling around the couch to peer out the window. He does not see or hear whatever it was that Sephiroth speaks of, but he does not doubt the words.

If Sephiroth believes something is coming, it surely is. ]

We should wake Joshua.

[ If there is a threat approaching, it's best they all be ready. ]

What?

[ Alarmed, Vax looks out the window, focusing on the woods instead of Sephiroth this time. It's so dark out there, he can barely see the line of trees, but his sharp eyes catch a sudden movement. Something darts. Then another. And another.

At Dion's suggestion, Vax nods and pats him on the shoulder. Dion can do that. Vax has turned and hurries to the table to grab his daggers, then he's out the front door in seconds. Maybe he should have left this to the sentinel.

From the thick brush of the wood comes a pair of putrid, glowing yellow eyes. Prowling out of the darkness is a large four-legged creature that looks like a hyena crossed with a jackal. Although it looks gangly and its fur is matted with mud and blood, it's also fast and agile. It's joined by two more of its kind, licking their chops at the sight of Sephiroth standing before the open window.

With a snarl, the trio begin to race toward Sephiroth, two on the outside widening their arch to flank him as the third goes right down the middle. ]

[ Dion can do that, so he does, wordlessly marching off to knock on the door of Joshua's room before he lets himself in. Were circumstances less urgent, he'd await a reply, but time is of the essence. They've no idea how many creatures are coming toward their cabin in the night. ]

Joshua.

[ He halts in the doorway, expecting his voice will be enough to rouse his fellow Dominant. ]

It seems we've a threat to contend with. Sephiroth is already outside.

[Sephiroth doesn't look at all bothered by the creatures. He slips into a sword stance before the overly long blade of the masamune appears in his hand.

He moves to meet the beasts rushing him, fully intending to end them on his own. Because some people exist having that kind of confidence regardless if it's actually true or not.]

[ As Vax is rounding the corner of the house, he sees yet another 'hound' dashing out of the darkness. Rather than let the fourth get in range of Sephiroth, Vax throws his dagger. The blade embeds itself into the side of the beast, which skids to a halt, turns, and looks over at Vax, its eyes glowing in the dark. A snarl, and it makes a beeline for Vax instead of Sephiroth. ]

Guess I got its attention.

[ As for the three hounds approaching Sephiroth, the first leaps through the air, its long teeth ready to bite into its prey. The second makes a similar jump, while the third lunges for the man's leg to try and grab hold of him.

Inside, just as Joshua is alerted to the threat, there's a crash as a creature, a leshen, with a long elk-like skull and sharp, pointed teeth comes through the window positioned over Joshua's bed. There's a spray of glass against the blanket when the window shatters. The leshen's long, branch-like fingers grab each side of the window to help it lean its body further inside with a cry sharp enough to hurt the ears. ]

Edited 2026-02-13 15:04 (UTC)

[ No light seeps underneath the piles of blankets; Joshua has always found he cannot sleep unless he is nestled within darkness. Maybe this is why when Dion’s voice rings out and awakens him all Joshua feels is apathy. This malaise however is equally shattered when the window above him breaks open and an inhuman noise rips through the night.

Having felt the patter of glass raining down atop his nest Joshua flips the blankets off to the side nearest to the wall. It matters not that he doesn’t comprehend what he is looking at; he wastes no time immediately shooting flames from his hand at the beast before rolling off the bed towards the door, intent on grabbing his sword which rests on the dresser. ]

[ It seems Joshua was bound for a wake-up call one way or another.

Dion's halberd is far from ideal in the confines of the modest bedroom, he's quite aware. Even so, he shifts his grip and lunges forward, jabbing at the creature's skeletal face with the long, bladed end of his weapon. He doesn't know what damage it may do, but he need only draw attention.

As long as he ensures that Joshua has time to retrieve his sword unharried, it is enough. ]

[ The fire shoots out, catching the creature beneath the head. It makes a guttural cry, but doesn't seem fazed by the fire. Its face a bone white skull and its antlers do not catch fire, though the rest of it is not so immune.

As Joshua rolls off the bed, the leshen swipes at him with a clawed hand, then flinches back as the point of Dion's weapon is thrust toward him. A low snarl follows as it ducks back out of the window. Does it mean to retreat?

It seems that way, but then thick, black vines begin to enter through the window, instead, moving across the floor like veins towards Dion and Joshua's feet. Everything in the vicinity of the vines begins to decay as they slither into the room. ]

[Three ... does not seem like good odds. For them. Sephiroth seems amused, but he's used to fighting monsters.

Nothing quite like this, but close enough. He'll meet the two who lunge at him with his blade, which thankfully has the length for multiple creatures. The third though ... the third is going to a ball of fire erupting from his other hand and towards the ground to create a wall of fire.

Thankfully he did not aim fire directly at the trees to just light everything up because that is totally something he would do normally as he's a bit on the overkill side. So really this is him toning things down.]

[ Adrenaline courses through Joshua numbing some of the regular aches and pains he normally feels. Dion has bought him precious seconds of time both by the wake-up call and by the defensive attack. Lingering not a moment on the floor Joshua shoves himself up and moving. Still he cannot help a wince; his off hand unconsciously hovers a second above his hip as he stumbles to the dresser. Yanking his sword belt to him, Joshua whips around to face the enemy— only the creature has already pulled out of the window.

The vines slide in near immediate to Joshua having turned and his face gives way to horror witnessing the not-quite-corrosive touch they exude. ]

By the Founder— Fallback!

[ Fire could solve this problem, but weighing burning versus the decay-touch Joshua figures the building has a better chance to survive without adding flames to the mix.

He swipes his ~~bag of holding~~ fae-pouch off the dresser and moves out the door while temporarily dropping his sword into said pouch and scooping his boots from the floor. ]

[ Too many creatures are intent to devour them, Dion has decided. He doesn't hasten to follow Joshua, intending to cover his retreat. The cloying grasp of the vines hasn't spread so far yet that this poses an immediate danger, though their swift advance hasn't escaped his notice.

Dion lingers in the doorway, halberd in his grip as he listens for Joshua to gain some distance. Then he calls his satellites, the caged lights of his familiars striking back at vines that encroach too closely. Their illumination stalls the intrusion, and they flare brighter with this discovery.

Only once Joshua has had time to gain his belongings and distance does Dion follow him, the heels of his boots sounding sharply against aged wood. ]

We'd best regroup.

[ The first pair of dogs meet their end, skewered on Sephiroth's blade. There's a series of sharp yelps before they go still, black bile sliding down the steel. He's going to want to get them off of there. As for the third, it skids to a quick halt when fire erupts in front of its face. With a series of barks, it tries to make a hasty retreat back to the tree line.

Vax comes running, leaving a slain dog behind him. He also stops and lifts a hand, still holding his dagger, as the fire burns. ]

You alright?

[ Dumb question, Sephiroth looks fine. What's potentially not fine is the sudden shudder that comes from the tops of the trees in the woods beyond. The canopy begins to sway, moving left and right as though being parted by something large. Heavy stomps are heard approaching and nesting birds take to the air. Parting the woods and stepping into the grove where the cabin sits is a gigantic treant, a walking infection of the forest, and it looks angry. Whether it was the death of the dogs that upset it or the fire being lit is hard to say, but it bellows as it begins to approach.

Joshua and Dion make their escape from the house, with Dion's spheres holding the vines back, just in time to see the treant emerge from the woods. And as they do, they can hear movement above, as not one, but four leshen crawl across the rooftop of the cabin and stare down at them with frightful grins on their bone mask faces. ]

night falls → for wingsquad

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