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

[ The mission thus far has fallen within range of expectations, the variety of horrors in the darkness aside. At least Dion's light is so potent that he can make a wide swath of his surroundings brighter than broad daylight if need be. The only issue there is how that affects the eyes of those around him, and that he is mindful of, but he has far less reservation regarding the violent locals.

He ensures the blindness is temporary, at least.

Being as it's daylight now, however, those concerns are far from the forefront of his thoughts. Instead, he has something else in mind as he makes brisk strides toward where he spots Vax sitting, twigs crunching under his boots as he goes. He has no doubt that Vax would hear him coming, regardless. ]

Vax, would you join me to scout a nearby building? It may be of interest, but I lack your eye for traps.

[ The locals being as they are, Dion wouldn't be surprised to encounter such measures. ]

[ There have been a few moments where Vax thought he saw spots after Dion's light was needed to chase away dark things, but he's not complaining. Elven eyes may have stronger vision than a human, but they were fine after a little while, even without treatment.

Indeed, Vax hears boots coming, and from the steady march, he can already guess who it is. The invitation is met with a blink of surprise, then a nod. ]

Of course.

[ Vax can't help but feel a bit of pride at having his knack for spotting traps noted. He flings one last stone he's holding and gets to his feet. ]

[ In Dion's view, Vax has many notable skills. There's surely no one better to ask about potential traps than their resident rogue, not to mention, Dion would sooner trust him with any locks that might be encountered than anyone else. He's seen how finicky such things can be.

And he's still quite convinced he was lucky when he tried his hand at picking locks. ]

Thank you. I'll feel far more confident scouting the location out with you around.

[ The words come with an appreciative smile, because naturally that sentiment is a sincere one. Dion had weighed the merits of venturing into the building on his own, so as not to tax anyone else's time or pursuits, but it seemed ill-advised given the unpredictability of this world. ]

[ After watching Dion unlock several doors with ease, Vax would not doubt his skill, but it's always good to have backup available.

The additional recognition followed by Dion's smile has Vax blinking a few times and failing to hide his blush or the sheepish look on his face. ]

You know I'm always willing to help.

[ Dion could ask anything of him. ]

So, where is this building?

[ There is no mistaking that Dion observes this reaction, looking at Vax's face as he is, and being the same height. He doesn't remark upon it, but he silently decides that he ought to share such thoughts more often.

It isn't the first time that has occurred to him, yet it seems Vax never gives himself enough credit. Perhaps if he hears outside opinions more, he'll be kinder to himself. ]

It's about ten minutes' walk northwest of here.

[ He turns to face that direction, pointing at the wall of foliage that lies ahead. ]

The terrain isn't difficult, but the structure seemed curiously placed amidst all of this.

[ Vax has a lot of personal pride in his own skills, but it's less about the recognition than it is about where it's coming from. Words like those always mean more when they're from Dion.

As he joins his friend, Vax sets a hand against the back of Dion's shoulder in a warm gesture as they begin their walk through the woods. This stroll could be really nice, were it not for needing to watch out for something lurking in the bushes. The chances of something sneaking up on him are low, at least. ]

Maybe it'll shed some light on what happened here.

[ Whether the words were intended to have humor or not, Dion finds mirth in them, a slant of a smile tugging his lips. ]

Some light, eh?

[ With Vax's company, Dion's stride is less the brisk march that it had been and better resembles a proper stroll. The trek isn't a long one, and aside from the crowding leafy branches of trees and bushes, there hadn't been any obstacles of note along the way. ]

I do hope we find something that explains this... Though nothing will ever account for why this world is forfeit as doomed.

[ Vax's eyes slowly slide in Dion's direction at the joke, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, even if he tries to fight it. His hand moves from Dion's back to settle gently against his shoulder, and he gives his friend a little *shove* to the side. Watch out for that bush, Dion.

Their only obstacle is each other. ]

I don't get it, either. Maybe it's that darkness thing. Perhaps it wasn't part of the world's original design.

[ The shove catches Dion off guard and he stumbles, though he catches himself before he has any close encounters with the flora. Without missing a beat, he shoots Vax a look. What is this betrayal?

...Except he fails to look convincingly slighted whatsoever. ]

'Tis possible. Any element in extremes could bode ill for the environment, and this darkness reminds me of something I read mention of on the network once. Some sort of invasive, corrupting presence.

[ He falls back into place beside Vax as he speaks, his thoughts and expression focused more on trying to recollect what bits of information he'd gathered rather than the path ahead. Much had happened before he was summoned, it seems, and Dion knows the path here well enough. ]

[ The stumble is more than Vax expected, and he starts to laugh. Well, Dion should never fully trust a rogue.

Vax regards Dion's look with a little smirk, wondering if his friend is offended or if he gets that Vax was playing with him.

Without missing a beat, Dion is back on track. ]

If it's a presence, I wonder if it goes somewhere when the sun comes up.

[ Alas, Dion does fully trust one rogue, and he'll keep right on doing if too.

His expression had eased by the time he resumed his place beside Vax, so he's clearly not at all offended. He can guess it was a playful gesture, new as it is to him. ]

Much like Odin, I suspect we'd have difficulty finding it unless it wished to be found.

[ Vax is glad his friend got the 'message' this time. Though Vax would be just as surprised if Dion shoved him. Maybe one day, he'll get Vax back for that. And if Dion had been mad about it, Vax would simply have to offer him chin scritches. ]

I wouldn't know what to do with it, even if we found it.

[ An annoyed growl follows. ]

These missions piss me off. We keep going to planets that can't be saved. I suppose Echo is trying to beat it into us that there's no hope for us, either.

[ It's a distinct possibility. Dion releases a small, sharp sigh, no less frustrated with that pattern than Vax is. He'd first been summoned to a world given up for dead, and this sits no better with him than Aphaia had. There are people here, even if the dark has driven them mad.

How many worlds does Echo mean to save? How many will be abandoned, instead? ]

I know not the purpose of this, for it can do naught for morale.

[ Perhaps Echo does not understand the simple truth that people need hope. He considers this as he walks. A scientist, a researcher, whatever Echo is, he doesn't seem to grasp what a soldier like him does. ]

I do see merit in preserving life inasmuch as we can, yet it seems far less than I'd wish to be able to do here.

And what makes all these other worlds less worthy than that fuckin' fairy world?

[ It makes him want to punch something. Like Puckston. But he's not here.

Vax has already held the opinion that Echo knows shit about people or how they feel. Telling them that this is a kindness doesn't make it so. A deep breath follows his outburst. ]

Accept what you can't change and move forward with strength.

[ He mutters those words like a mantra. Like something that was told to him. ]

[ Something in Vax's tone suggests they're words that come from somewhere or someone. Dion could only speculate, and he chooses not to question. Instead, he lifts a hand and gently pats his friend's back, for whatever good his support may do. ]

We may yet have the opportunity to give him a piece of our minds, in time.

[ If Dominants can rise up to clap an unjust god, if Vax and his allies can thwart a gang of power-hungry dragons, who is to say that Echo is beyond their reach? It's something to hold onto. ]

In the interim, as you say, we keep moving forward.

[ Vax wants to believe they'll be able to confront Echo one day. If they ever do, he will not lose the opportunity to end this.

The gentle pat gets a small smile from Vax and a nod. ]

I think I saw a glimpse of that building up ahead.

You've sharper sight than I, but it should be just ahead.

[ Dion's sense of direction seldom fails him, but the greenery that has overtaken the building's exterior all but camouflages it from a distance. As they draw nearer, what Vax's eyes told him becomes more apparent to Dion, the large, multi-story structure sitting in a clearing that seems to have gradually closed in around it.

Patches of weathered grey stone peek out from between vines and the moss that has marched up the facade over the course of time, dappled light glinting off of dust-caked windows. Their shapes are lost to the greenery, more suggestion than definition, only the heavy doors properly visible.

The severed vines scattered around the front step suggest why the doors are clear. ]

[ Once the building is fully in sight, it's much bigger than Vax expected. It's nothing like the two-bedroom hovel they had made their base in the field. This building looked like it belonged in a town or a city.

As they approach the steps, Vax glances down at the cut vines and nudges one with a boot. ]

This your handy work?

[ He sure hopes so. Otherwise, something or someone might be inside. ]

Yes, that was me.

[ Dion reaches back over his shoulder to tap the shaft of the halberd holstered against his back. On this mission, it was impractical to carry it about in his hand at all times, though it means he has to be mindful of its height when moving around. ]

I thought it might save time if I dispensed with that obstacle in advance.

[ He'd ventured no further, uncertain whether the door itself might have some defense he's unfamiliar with. It struck him as best to defer to an expert's opinion. ]

[ Vax knows he might've been too curious and proceeded alone, so he's glad Dion didn't have the same impulse.

There's a quick examination of the door, though it may not be evident what Vax is looking for or what might tip him off.

Once he's done lookking, he crouches down in front of the door and takes out his lock picks. It's a bit stubborn from being rusted by the elements. For a moment, he thinks he might snap the pick, but the lock finally clicks. ]

I wonder what kind of building this was.

[ Tipping his head back to look at the face of the building once more, Dion has no more idea of what purpose it had than when first he saw it. The size suggests there was some practical function, and it dwarfs their current lodgings, but that is all he can glean from the exterior. ]

Whatever it was, the doors and windows remaining shut may have preserved the interior.

[ Inasmuch as might be possible. He turns his attention back to Vax and lifts a hand to conjure a light for him. It hovers in the air, waiting. ]

[ As Vax gets to his feet and reaches for the door, he notices as Dion summons a familiar looking orb. ]

You.. really like that one, don't you.

[ It's just an observation. That one with the mark from Vax's dagger always seems to appear first.

There's a pause as he tests the handle, then opens the door slowly, checking the opening for any traps before pushing the door open the rest of the way. ]

[ Dion spares his satellite a thoughtful glance. He hadn't consciously thought about which one to call, but when he thinks about it, Vax may not be wrong. ]

I suppose it's because it has its own distinction.

[ The mark it bears gives it something individual. While he'd know them apart from one another regardless, having made them, this one is unique in that way.

That, and he has the feeling it answers him more readily for some reason, when Vax is around. And, true to form, it drifts into the building first. ]

Distinction? You mean that mark I gave it?

[ Vax watches as the orb flies past and into the building. ]

I never meant to damage it permanently.

Do you regard scars as damage? I prefer to look at them as marks of what one has experienced.

[ Dion has less scarring than others in the military, he knows. As a prince, he was well taken care of. But the scar he bore from shielding Terence remains, and he doesn't regret its presence, because it meant his childhood friend survived. ]

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