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

[ He nods along. Vax is indeed charming, and it's good he knows it. ]

One could hardly expect you to stop being yourself... But I hope that 'wrong type' is seldom the likes of that spider.

[ Dion hopes, but he's not very optimistic after Vax said he's needed such concoctions many times. ]

It's not always spiders. Sometimes it's an undead dog or a basilisk.

[ None of those are good, either. With a sigh he looks around at their miserable surroundings. ]

Let's get out of here. Give me a hand?

[ Perhaps if Dion helps him to his feet, he'll manage. ]

[ The thought of even more creatures trying to prey on Vax makes Dion grimace much the same way Vax had done after choking down that remedy. Now he hae another reason to hope his blessing remains whenever they return to their worlds.

He presses the thought aside, sparing Vax's legs a speculative glance. ]

Can you feel your legs now?

[ Vax wants to be out of this nest, but he frowns at the question. Reaching down with one hand, he gives one of his legs a squeeze, trying to gauge the sensation. He also wiggles his feet in his boots. ]

A little.

[ Dion observes this, silently debating whether Vax will be able to stay upright. But he'll be close at hands, so he nods. ]

...Then we will try.

[ Keeping his arm around Vax for continued support, he moves carefully to help him to his feet. ]

[ Close at hand, as Dion has been all this time. Vax was so comfortable, he hadn't thought twice about it.

With Dion's arm still around him, Vax loops his arm around Dion in return as he's helped to his feet. It's like having both of his feet asleep at once, and he wobbles when he tries to take a step. It's still better than being immobile. ]

If I can't walk straight, maybe I can fly.

[ Wishing to leave is understandable, but Dion frowns at the thought of Vax testing his wings. What might befall him if his control of his wings was collaterally affected? Then there remains the question of narrower spaces like the corridors.

It doesn't seem worth risking. They'd need Joshua's magic for any severe injuries. ]

You did say you might like being carried for a time.

[ If that is the case, it might be safer. ]

I had no difficulty with dropping from this height.

[ Vax looks over at Dion again as his joke is turned back on him but seriously. ]

After jumping us off the apartment building, I know you wouldn't.

[ He realizes trusting his wings would be risky. He just didn't want to put even more of a burden on Dion, not that Dion ever minds. ]

Alright. I'll let you handle it.

[ Permission to princess-carry him, granted. ]

By your leave then.

[ Since they have an accord, he wastes no time scooping Vax up. He is indeed getting princess-carried as Dion's brisk strides carry them toward the opening in the bottom of the nest. ]

You may not need this assurance, but given your present state, know that I'll not drop you.

[ Doubtless, Vax knows this already. To have difficulty moving is surely an unfamiliar vulnerability for him, so it feels right that he should say it before he takes another step forward and they drop through the stairwell.

Moments later, they land lightly on the ground floor, his satellites trailing down to join them. ]

[ Vax wouldn't say he's used to being carried by Dion like this, but it is familiar. Dion does not need to reassure him, either. Vax trusts him completely. ]

It'd be pretty sad for you to go through all the trouble of saving me only to drop me now.

[ He jokes just before Dion steps out of the nest. The air catches in Vax's throat as they drop. Though Dion has him, it still feels like an uncontrolled freefall without his wings out to feel the wind.

Once they're on the ground, Vax's arm eases its grip on Dion's shoulders. ]

Maybe we can rest in one of the rooms. It shouldn't be much longer, and then we can keep exploring the rest of the building.

[ Vax doesn't really want to be carried back to camp in Dion's arms. He'd rather avoid the concern or the looks. ]

[ Dion nods in agreement, marching off toward the hallway they'd come from. They still have a key to find the lock for. Now that they know what they have to contend with, they can better handle it. ]

I should hope so, lest the novelty wear off.

[ He jests, doubting Vax regards being carried as novel. But he does have a care for his friend's pride, and even if they didn't continue their foray, he'd rather a certain rogue be able to walk back with him. ]

Let's find a suitable room then. One must be accessible, even if by force.

[ With his arms occupied, and Vax still recovering from the numbing venom, they'll have to skip the lockpicks for now. ]

Wear off? For me or for you?

[ Is Dion enjoying this? Vax is amused at the thought.

There are plenty of other rooms without barricades for them to try. No lock will probably withstand a blast from any of Dion's orbs. They just won't be able to lock the door behind them. ]

[ Dion had meant Vax, but he hums as though debating anyway. ]

A fair question.

[ One he doesn't answer as he picks a direction and starts walking. His satellites hover around them as they progress down the hall, and halt with them when Dion finds a door that isn't visibly blocked off.

Rather than use his familiars, he shifts his balance and kicks it open instead. ]

[ Vax was just leaning into the hold a little when the kicking of the door has him grip Dion's shoulder again. He's surprised the door didn't fly off its hinges, but it is open now.

The room has a large bed and a sitting area. It must have been a nice hotel when it was actually in use. Still the type Vax would not have been able to afford. Dion would probably be appalled at some of the places Vax has paid to sleep in. ]

This looks good enough.

[ Have some faith in a dragoon's control of his own legs, Vax. Dion notes the jump and supposes he ought to have warned him, but the moment has passed. He steps into the room and nudges the door shut with his boot once his familiars drift in. ]

It should do while you rest. I can block the door once you're settled.

[ His next order of business is carrying Vax over to the bed and gingerly setting him down with his back to the headboard, assuming he'd prefer to sit. Is Vax fragile? Dion doesn't think so, but it makes good sense to be careful when the man can't move as freely as he'd otherwise be able to. ]

Will that do for now?

[ Blocking the door is good thinking, since there's no knowing what else might be lurking in the hotel. Once he's set down, Vax nods. ]

Yeah. Thanks.

[ As Dion gets to work securing the room, Vax starts rubbing some more feeling back into his legs. Thankfully, the spider's venom was only designed to numb its victim, or it might have been much worse. ]

This place is as fancy as a palace.

[ For a blockade, Dion settles on an armoir that looms over the both of them in terms of height. It's a hefty wooden barrier once he manages to win the battle of shoving it into place. This comes with much protest from the floor it scrapes against.

Fortunately, Dion finishes his self-appointed task in time to hear Vax's observation. ]

Do you think so...?

[ He casts a glance around. It's certainly a well-furnished room, though his standards of what is palatial lean into even further opulence. ]

It certainly surpasses the apartments. [ The thought gives him pause, recalling a related topic. ] Speaking of furnishings, I've fashioned a proper target for your knife-throwing.

[ He'd done so not long after their conversation about Vax's apartment, in fact, but then Clive had vanished and Joshua had taken ill, and it hadn't seemed the right time. ]

[ Vax watches as Dion wrestles the furniture into place. He wants to jump off the bed and help him, but if he landed on the floor, he'd just cause more concern, so he waits. ]

Well, for an inn. My father's estate might have impressed even you. This is nothing compared to that.

[ Syngorn itself was an elegant city to behold.

News of the target gets a surprised look. Vax had forgotten all about the talk of redoing his apartment. It's not something he seriously considered, as it was unimportant to him. ]

A target? For my living room?

You did say you come from nobility.

[ Even if Vax hadn't enjoyed the comforts of such a life for quite some time, that information does paint a certain picture. Idly, Dion wonders what differences might be noticeable between his homeland's interior design and that of Syngorn, but he sets the thought aside in favor of shooting Vax a puzzled look in turn.

Had he forgotten what they'd discussed before? ]

That is where the wall you've punctured happens to be, if memory serves.

I did, but I wasn't treated like one.

[ Had they been, Vex would never have been unhappy, and they might have never left, leading to very different lives.

Seeing as Dion hasn't done anything for his own comfort yet, Vax pats the mattress beside him. Dion can sit, if he wants to, but there's also chairs in the room. ]

Yeah, I just... didn't give it much thought after that day.

[ The wall's got a few more holes now, too. ]

It remains your father's shortcoming.

[ That he did not cherish his children, or see them for their virtues, rather than what society imposed on them. It's been said before, so Dion doesn't retread old ground. His own father treated him as a noble, it would have been unseemly not to, but he'd never let him forget his origins.

He takes a seat at the foot of the bed, simply because it's nearest, and is greeted with a plume of dust he waves away. ]

Well, I did. I think I picked a fine enough tree stump to work with, and I recalled a technique known as laser etching from Earth. My light's suited well enough to such purpose, though it took some practice.

And yours. You are so much more than a weapon, Dion.

[ Surely, his friend must know that, even if his father did not. ]

Sounds like you put some work into it. I look forward to testing it out. Though you didn't have to go through the trouble.

[ The holes in the wall don't bother Vax. He appreciates how Dion is always looking after him, though. He knows Vex would appreciate it, too. ]

[ A small smile curves his lips at the reminder. Dion does know he isn't only a weapon, but he appreciates hearing it from Vax just the same. Even knowing his greatest failing, Vax still accepted him.

That smile only grows at the further reminder that he didn't have to fashion a proper target. ]

True, it was not required of me. But I wished to do something for you, so I did.

[ Why not exercise his ample freedom in that way? ]

[ It's not a matter of picking up something from the store. Dion crafted the target, himself. It's more than expected, and Vax can't help but feel touched by the gesture. Enough that he must glance down and busy himself with rubbing his legs again to try and conceal the faint blush on his cheeks. ]

I'm going to find it hard to throw daggers at it. I don't want to ruin something you made. Maybe I'll miss it on purpose.

[ He jokes a little, but there's a definite possibility that when he lifts his weapon, he won't be able to let it go into the target. ]

[ Dion notices the color warming Vax's cheeks, but as Vax so kindly spared him from comments before, he quietly does the same. ]

How could using something for its intended purpose ruin it? I'd much rather it see use.

[ Then he'd know that it was useful to Vax, which is the most he could hope of a target intended for throwing blades at. ]

Should it become too weathered to be a proper target, I can make another.

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