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

( Dante doesn't need to push her far - Selina knows exactly what's happening. Robin is going after Dante. And all she can find it in herself to do is sigh, easily moving back, giving the pair of them space.

There's no point in trying to get between them or scolding Robin. Better to let him do whatever it is he came here to do. But she is annoyed. That much shows in her expression, one arm folding across her chest as the other briefly goes up, pinching the bridge of her nose as her eyes close. She hopes this isn't going to become a regular thing anytime her and Dante (or anyone, for that matter) happens to be out together. )

Don't encourage him.

( She sighs, lowering her hand to her side and shifting to cock one hip slightly. But she does turn her attention to Robin, one brow lifted expectantly.

This might take a while. )

Did you need something, Robin?

( he's too slow.

it's irritating, but not completely unexpected. nero had been inhumanly fast, too. when fingers wrap around his ankle and throw him off path, robin's upper half swings forward a little toward dante, but it's not quite close enough to take a swing at him.

instead, robin lets his body go slack. lets dante keep hold of his ankle as he crosses his arms over his chest and just. hangs there. )

Did they not impact deep enough to damage your tendons? I suppose next time, I'll need to throw them harder.

( or use miniature explosives to take him out at the knees. but that's an issue for robin to deal with later, when he isn't hanging upside down by an ankle. in the meantime, he looks behind dante to selina. )

If you are going to pursue dalliances, you should, at minimum, insure you are alone beforehand.

[Dante looks between Selina and the kid called Robin, reading the interplay between the two with curiosity and amusement. It’s like holding up a particularly grumpy fish in a cape. He shakes his head, trying not to laugh at how seriously the kid’s taking this when he looks completely and utterly ridiculous hanging there like a bat.

Oh wait, that would make sense wouldn’t it, all things considered.]

Is that what you were trying to do? Well I’ll give you props on your aim Pidge, that wasn’t a bad attempt, but my tendons will live to tend another day.

[It’s no use, he’s definitely chuckling when he twists a leg to catch sight of the damage. The kid’s got an arm on him, they’re embedded pretty deep. He’d set the kid down and pluck them out but then he catches the comment to Selina and shakes his head.

Dalliance indeed. What kid talks like that?]

( Dalliances. Proclivities. Paramour. How long until he starts to talk like a normal child again?

She sighs again, pinning Damian with a look that says she's less than amused. Over the interruption mostly, but also at the idea that whatever is going on between her and Dante isn't serious. The last thing she wants is to assume one way or the other, but she's starting to see this less as something just meant to have fun and as something more than that. Something dangerous. Something she has no desire to discuss with Damian Wayne of all people.

She eyes the pair of them, feels some of her annoyance give way to amusement at the sight and Dante's comment. )

This might surprise you, Robin, ( she starts, shaking her head again, ) but it is possible for two people to be close in public without it being scandalous.

( the annoyance goes both ways, even if the amusement does not. robin's mouth is twisted into a scowl, the leg dante isn't holding onto bending at the knee so the heel of his boot presses against the back of his thigh. there are more sharp and pointy objects in his utility belt that he considers reaching for in order to shove into dante's flesh to see just how much it takes to make the man flinch, but he opts not to.

instead, his arms uncross, and damian extends a hand out to jab his index finger right into dante's face.

what's the man going to do, break his hand? )

Doubtful. This man hardly looks like he gets up to anything that is not scandalous. ( anyway - ) Next time I'll use sharper knives.

Kid, my whole existence is probably scandal enough for some folks. I gotta live up to their expectations.

[The finger to his face is, admittedly, adorable.]

Be careful where you point that thing now, wouldn’t want you to go and hurt yourself.

[He laughs and uses his own free index finger to bat Robin’s away as he turns and looks to Selina. Should he be taking the murderous look on this kid’s face more seriously? Probably. Is he going to? Absolutely not.]

Is he always like this, babe?

( At least, Dante seems to be taking this all in stride. Selina appreciates that much. She knows Damian in any capacity is certainly an acquired taste.

She shrugs, staying rooted in her spot. )

Sometimes he's worse.

( But she waves a hand. She's not feeling inclined to get into what worse means. )

Watch the belt. He comes prepared.

( Those utility belts can spell trouble. While she doesn't think anything in there would be a real threat to Dante, she isn't in a hurry to find out. )

»Tt«.

( his nose scrunches up tight in distaste - less at dante shoving his finger out of the way, and more at catwoman pointing out his utility belt. he assumes dante would have figured it out regardless without the hint sooner rather than later, but her going out of her way to warn the man irritates him. )

This is your warning. ( he's not trying to point at dante again, but instead at selina just beyond him. ) If you are going to be - ( give him a moment, he's cutting himself off right to find the right word to use here. 'gross' doesn't quite cover it. ) physically intimate, do it somewhere I cannot stumble upon.

Hey. Eyes on me short stack.

[Dante moves his arm just slightly enough to move Robin so his line of sight no longer includes Selina and is aimed squarely at himself.]

Don't go picking fights with her when you haven't finished what you've started. I don't like being ignored.

[He looks across at Selina, eyebrows raised slightly.]

What are they teaching kids in schools these days if that's what they think passes for being physically intimate?

( Her expression sharpens at his warning, and she finds herself moving towards them. One hand goes out, nudges Dante's wrist with a careful bump of her palm to get him to turn Damian again. Another time, she would have been content to dismiss his words, but these words hit a familiar nerve.

She bends leaning forward to bring them closer to eye level, arms folded across her chest. )

Let me make something very clear, Robin, ( she starts, and there's a sharpness to her voice, a cat flashing her claws, ) no one gets a say in what I do. Certainly not any Bats.

( It's always been one of her biggest fights with Batman - making him realize he'll never be able to stop her from doing whatever it is she wants, never get her to change her plans or behavior because he says. And the last thing she wants to deal with is having his son think he has any say on what she does, context be damned.

She straightens, moving to step away as she glances up towards Dante. )

I wouldn't say he's seen the best examples of normal or healthy physical intimacy to be able to identify it, anyway.

( A little mean, maybe, but still kinder than Talia or Bruce's parenting deserves, probably. )

Edited 2026-02-04 23:26 (UTC)

( it wouldn't take all that much effort to swing his weight forward and shove his forehead into the bridge of her nose from this distance. it isn't as if dante's hold is preventing his upper half from moving any - and when selina gets in his face, he's almost tempted to go for it.

but he doesn't. damian snarls, all teeth and clear irritation on his face, but selina is moving away and so he is - twisting his ankle in dante's hold at the same time his other boot comes up to kick at his wrist. he is done with complacency, it's time to squirm his way out of this. )

I don't care what you do! But there are still public indecency laws!

In that case little bird boy, you have my symp-

[Dante's sympathies never quite leave his mouth as Robin starts wriggling and kicking at his wrist. His grip slackens and he lets the kid fall for a brief moment before he snatches up the other leg with his unharmed hand and pulls him back up again, holding him at arms length as he shakes his wrist out. It tingles.]

So your dad's a bat, you're a bird, with a kick like that I'm guessing your mother's a mule. Yeesh.

[He shakes his head in disbelief.]

I'm gonna let you down but you're gonna walk your butt back to your nest and cool your head so that the grown ups can get some alone time. Capiche?

[He looks at Selina, head tilted to one side and mischief in his grin. Supposedly, this is an adult male who should be beyond antagonizing a very angry child.

Should.]

I mean, if you were planning on public indecency I'd be all for it, but I figured we were just going to do a little harmless canoodling...

( The comment about Talia does make her crack a smile and huff out an amused exhale, her gaze flicking from Damian to Dante and then back again.

She doubts Robin will take any time to try and cool down, but she doesn't bother to say that here. Instead, she takes a couple steps away, reaching out to trail her fingertips along Dante's arm as she does. )

It's still early. Who knows. ( She's looking at Dante, lips curving into a small smirk, voice a purr. Teasing.

Her touch is deliberate - careful drags of her fingers over his bicep and to his shoulder. Then she's glancing back over at Robin briefly to say, )

We're done here, Robin.

( Attention back on Dante, she nods her head towards Damian, a quiet request for him to let Robin down. )

( selina smiles, but robin's expression shifts into something a little - darker. his nose scrunches up, the scowl that had looked vaguely irritated up until now shifting into an angry little sneer as his arms raise to cross over his chest. if dante does drop him, he'll move his arms to catch himself just fine before his skull hits the ground, but.

for now? )

Are you insulting my mother?

( he doesn't need to ask, he heard it loud and clear. but confirming intent also gives dante time to take it back before damian starts hitting him with real intent. )

[Dante rolls his eyes to the high heavens.]

Why does no one know how to take a joke anymore? What is the world coming to?

[Out of concern for blood rushing to the kid's head, he uses his free hand (no longer tingling) to grab him by the collar and turn him right side up, still holding out at eye level.]

If I was gonna insult your mother, I'd call her a hamster and tell you your father smells of elderberries. There's more to it, but I'm much too classy to do the last part of that insult in front of my lovely date here.

[He looks across at Selina, intrigued by the promise in her playful caresses and not even caring that they were probably telegraphed to wind the kid up even more.]

Happy landings, kid.

[And he lets him go.]

( Selina spares Dante an apologetic look. He's not used to just how serious, how intense the Bats can be at times - especially Damian. And even if she knows Dante is joking, she doesn't trust Robin to necessarily let it slide.

So once Dante's released him, she sighs, moves to step in towards the pair of them again.

This time, she's deliberate in the way she steps in front of Dante, putting herself between the two of them as she lets Robin catch and right himself. )

If anyone wanted to insult her, ( she certainly feels a way about Talia given the way she says it, ) they'd come up with something a lot more colorful. Trust me.

( Where is Dick when she needs him? Someone needs to teach this Damian what a joke is, because Talia and Bruce certainly haven't.

She doesn't look at Dante, doesn't move from her spot between him and Damian.)

We should go, Dante.

( Not that her presence between the two of them will really save Dante from any sort of retaliation for the joke, but it's her way of saying she isn't going to sit by and let Damian start something without interfering this time. )

( what's worse is that dante's mouth leaves him confused enough to delay reaching for his utility belt and grabbing hold of yet another sharp and pointy weapon - because he's going on about elderberries and hamsters and if this is supposed to be some kind of insult that he's supposed to respond to then damian certainly doesn't know how to, because he doesn't understand what any of it even means.

the confusion, and amount of time it takes for him to mentally process that it doesn't mean anything means that by the time he's on his feet and has his hand in the pocket of his utility belt where he keeps his knives - selina is already standing between them, irritating him even further with the clear negativity directed towards his mother.

damian has directed some unkind words her way. has spent time very clearly and pointedly telling others of her errors. but damian is allowed to - selina is not.

it's why his eyes refocus on her, rather than the man behind her. )

You do not have the right to speak about her. ( it's firm, not leaving room for doubt, not giving any leeway. ) And I want my batarangs returned to me.

Your batawhats?

[Dante has the distinct impression that a raw nerve has been poked at here, but even if he has somehow, mystifyingly, insulted the kid's mother, Selina looks like she actually could pull out the barbs to do some real damage so he'll just steer clear of that.

And on the subject of barbs... the backs of his knees are itching so he reaches down absently to pull out whatever throwing knives or shuriken impacting with his legs. They're embedded a couple of inches deep, but he doesn't even wince when they slide clear of his skin. It's only when he removes the objects that he realizes that they are considerably larger and more interestingly shaped than he'd anticipated. And he can't help but laugh, impressed.]

Ha! I get it. That's pretty clever, I like your style kid.

[He tosses them back at Robin's feet and takes a step towards Selina, casually looping an arm about her waist.]

Can I escort you back to camp unchaperoned, oh lovely companion of mine, or would that be too scandalous?

( Her gaze narrows sharply at Damian's words. Oh, she has every right to speak about Talia, she's ready to argue. After parading through the desert to find Holly, fighting her after she'd attacked Bruce, and to say nothing of the damage she's seen her do to both Bruce's and Damian's hearts... The only reason she doesn't argue is because she recognizes here and now is not the time or place.

So instead of arguing she stays quiet, instead watches Dante remove the batarangs before tossing them away. She looks at them for a few, long seconds before looking at Damian again. )

Lead the way. ( She replies, glancing at him with a smile, putting her hand over the back of his.

Then another look towards Damian. )

We'll see you around, Robin.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mission 013 Log

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