Mission 013 Log

[etrayamods]

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🔵

Comments

monster tag

[twin_blade]

[ 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. ]

[sefirot]

[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.]

[dangerbird]

[ 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. ]

[oblige]

[ 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.

[twin_blade]

[ 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. ]

[sefirot]

[Sephiroth lets out a noise that's close enough to a laugh at the question. Oh people and their caring. It's bound to get them all killed one day. Nothing Sephiroth has to worry about.

The large tree creature on the other hand --]

It would be in your best interest to back up.

[That's enough of a warning as Vax is going to get. Sephiroth isn't exactly the most careful. Even before he went crazy his battles were, at the very least, destructive.

This is a tree creature of some sort so logic says that it probably is weak to fire. But there's only one way to truly test that. Sephiroth holds out a hand, a small ball of fire appearing that expands into an even bigger ball.

If someone does not do anything to stop him, he will throw the ball of fire at the tree ... the forest ... and anything else that might be there.]

[oblige]

[ Dion can see why Joshua hesitates, once they emerge from the cabin. They're surrounded by foliage— highly flammable foliage— and unlike Joshua, most of them would be hurt by flame... To say nothing of the plants and creatures they're here to catalogue.

He's quick to march up to Sephiroth, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Greagor, but the man is tall. ]

Have you other elements you might employ?

[ While Dion trusts that their local Warden of Fire could do something about errant flames if need be, he'd rather the lot of them not have to do damage control while fending off this onslaught. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Back up? What's he going to do, explode? Maybe he will. When the fireball grows, Vax quickly backs away. That's when Dion moves in to try and slow Sephiroth down. Right, setting fire to the trees might be bad.

As the two of them are figuring out Sephiroth's other favorite elements, Vax draws his daggers and makes a dash for the treant. He's quick across the ground, moving in a blink, but from the ground roots burst forth, tangling around Vax's ankles. ]

Fuck!

[ This is not going to look cool. From the treant, a thick vine lashes out and strikes Vax square in the chest. With a loud grunt, he's sent flying to the edge of the tree line where he hits the ground. The leshen on the roof take note, and one leaps down, rushing in the direction of the downed half-elf. ]

[sefirot]

[Sephiroth looks back at Dion. Something of disgruntled noise escapes, but he did make a deal with Cloud. And that deal includes not killing everyone around him who might annoy him. And that probably includes the people he's with.

The ball of fire seems to just vanish almost as quickly as it appears.]

I suppose.

[Of course that's about when Vax gets tossed around like a doll. Instead of bothering to explain exactly what other elements he can do, he moves his hand in the direction of Vax ... well rather the creature going towards him. Mostly. Instead of a ball of fire, how about a ball of ice? He sends that at the leshen instead.]

[dangerbird]

[ The second the living tree sends Vax flying no wings needed he immediately sprints towards him. The distance is no matter for Joshua; the fire of the phoenix bursts around his body mid stride and in the next moment he winks out of existence— only to reappear in a burst of flame running near and to Vax’s prone body. ]

Don’t lose heart!

[ Once he is at the side of his downed companion Joshua pivots on his heel to keep both the creature-from-his-window and the living tree in his sights. From there he gathers a ball of fire in his hands and thrusts it out, not directed at an enemy, but at the air around them. The ball of fire explodes outward around them leaving what looks like a blue crystalline domed shield in its wake. ]

Are you injured, Vax?

[oblige]

[ Dion's relief is immediate when Joshua closes distance to assist Vax. No one is better at bolstering others in a fight than the Phoenix himself, and he'd seen the efficacy of that shield during his duel with Odin that had drawn such a reckless crowd.

His eyes linger on them briefly, but he knows Joshua has the situation in hand. If Vax is hurt, his fellow Dominant's skill in healing far surpasses his own.

So he turns his attention instead to the looming figure of the tree-like creature. He concentrates his aether, but instead of his typical volley of projectiles, what manifests around him are spears of light. They hover in the air around him for only an instant before launching at the creature, pelting it along its front and lodging into its wooden form.

Dion leaps in the next moment, using one of the lances as a landing perch and leaping again to propel himself into the air above the creature. More light spears appear in the air and pummel what passes for the tree's head.

He means to give Sephiroth an opening and remain out of the way. The man clearly can bring his own potent magic to bear. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax is lifting his head when Joshua is there in a flash of fiery light. There's a wince from the sudden brightness, but they'll need light in a place like this.

The first leshen is halted as it's encased in ice. Behind it, two more have jumped from the roof and are blocked by Joshua's barrier. With shrill cries, the beasts claw at the barrier, the dome flashing with each strike, but they're unable to penetrate it. ]

I'm alright. Nice trick.

[ Vax grumbles as he starts to get to his feet. The magic barrier reminds him of Allura's magic back home, or maybe one of Pike's shields.

The treant is ready to attack again, but it's halted by the flying spears that lodge themselves into its trunk. Black bile oozes from the openings, and there's a roar as it slowly swats at Dion, who nimbly makes his way upward, only to send another volley straight down. Fragments of the tree are split from it, but it's still moving. Still angry.

Lifting its branch-like limbs, a dozen vines shoot out from its arms, going straight up at Dion. It's like trying to catch a fish in a net of ropes, and if it succeeds, it will swing the net to the ground with its catch inside of it. But with Dion being such a distraction, it has turned its attention away from Sephiroth. ]

[sefirot]

[That is a nice trick of Joshua's. Sephiroth tilts his head at the display. Not many can do that level of magic even with higher level materia. It's an interesting thing he might have to ask more about one day.

As the treant is preoccupied with Dion, Sephiroth comes up from behind as now seems like the perfect opportunity. The masamune still in hand as he rises to the air carried by a single black wing. It's uncertain if he really needs it or if it's for dramatic flair. Either way he's let the creature think it's going to be able to get to Dion as Sephiroth drops down from the sky with increased speed to strike at what is probably the thing's head.]

[dangerbird]

If you’re hurt I can heal you– if it’s bad I can do it while the shield is up, otherwise we can wait until this battle is over.

[ This said to Vax as Joshua misses Sephiroth’s stare, too busy being concerned over his companion while also actively watching and admiring Dion. However he doesn’t miss Sephiroth for long as the man’s blade glints in Dion’s light; the man’s single wing illuminated by the protruding spears in the living tree. In the back of his mind Joshua ponders how one wing can keep him up.

With the treant otherwise engaged Joshua turns his attention to the other creatures clawing at his shield. The bone may not burn with a fire spell, but what about a firaja spell? If they break through he might well test it and see. ]

[oblige]

[ Grasping hands reach for Dion, slow yet deliberate in their trajectory. He would be blind not to see them coming, yet he means to keep the tree-creature occupied. In his peripheral he can see Sephiroth rising, his wing appearing more decor than functionally necessary. On another occasion, he would question this, but what matters is that Sephiroth is making his move.

When one of the tree's limbs nears him, Dion swats at it with his halberd. The creature's ponderous movements are something he can use, so he lands on its hand before springing away again. His wings could keep him airborne, but he deems this better to keep focus.

As he's launched upward again, he sees Sephiroth plunge toward the creature's head, a sharp crack ringing through the night air as the tree registers the threat too late. ]

[twin_blade]

[ As he gets to his feet, Vax feels the ache in his shoulder, an unpleasant throb, but he doesn't so much as wince. ]

I'm fine.

[ He says, distracted by the sight of the fight happening on the other side of the barrier. He doesn't know if Joshua's barrier will remain, but Vax holds both of his knives ready, just in case it doesn't. He also notices how Joshua admires Dion, not that Vax can blame him. Nor is he surprised by the look.

With the treant swinging after Dion, Sephiroth is able to rise behind it and create a slash that cuts through the upper part of the monster. With a groan, the head slides off the body, and the limbs collapse to the forest floor.

Seeing such a large creature destroyed, the leshen hiss and decide they ought to find weaker prey. They leave the barrier and rush off into the night, disappearing into the woods. ]

[sefirot]

[Sephiroth lands a short distance away from the others, his wing still out despite not being in the air. The masamune somehow has disappeared into the ether or wherever it goes.

He looks over at the others to see if they're still alive. Unfortunately they are. It might have been entertaining if Vax got eaten. Alas that was not the case.]

They will probably not make another attempt tonight.

[Maybe tomorrow. Who knows with these things, it's hard to tell. But for now he assumes they have some temporary downtime.]

[dangerbird]

[ When the tree is felled and the creatures flee Joshua stops pouring his aether into the shield and it disperses. With the danger gone he casts a glance at Sephiroth, curious about the sudden appearance of a single wing, but brings his attention back to Vax. ]

Are you certain? Hiding injuries will avail us naught; were others to be flung as such they would have suffered a broken bone or two.

[oblige]

[ No longer having an enemy to bound off of, Dion drops straight to the forest floor. He lands lightly with a dragoon's uncanny ease and straightens, holstering his halberd.

When he glances Sephiroth's way, he must ask— ]

How do you retain balanace in the air with a lone wing?

[ His Eikon being roughly 80% wings, surely it is only natural that he wonder. ]

[twin_blade]

[ At least one person might have found amusement in Vax's embarrassment. At Sephiroth's remark, Vax scowls. ]

They might not have made an attempt at all were you not standing outside looking like a snack.

[ To the monsters, of course. Vax stows his daggers now that the creatures have run off and looks to Joshua at his concern. Momentarily, he rotates his right shoulder, then lifts his hand to dismiss any worries. ]

Yeah, I'm fine. My armor provides me with some protection.

[ No bones are broken. He might be fuckin' sore tomorrow, but he's not going to let himself be cared for when he took a blow without getting a single hit in. Meanwhile, the two that felled the tree don't have a scratch on them. So embarrassing. ]

[sefirot]

[Sephiroth makes his way towards Vax, coming around behind him much like he does Cloud.]

Are you so afraid of such things?

[Thankfully since Vax is not Cloud, he won't overly linger all creepily. As for Dion's question -- he turns his way.]

It's a symbol of my mother's power. My abilities do not rely on it.

[This is not fully answering Dion's question, but that's just how he is most of the time.]

[dangerbird]

[ Joshua’s watches their strange companion circle Vax in a way reminiscent of a predator…he would be more concerned if they hadn’t already spent several days with Sephiroth already. Seems the man is just peculiar. He looks back to Vax and gives him a nod. ]

Should any ache surface later please do not hesitate to come to me; my healing magick is second to none.

[ His gaze returns to eye Sephiroth with curiosity. A wing as a symbol yet not utilized in flight…? How strange. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion surveys their surroundings warily out of habit before he strides over to join the others. He couldn't say he quite likes Sephiroth's habit of stalking about like he's on the hunt even with his own teammates, but there is little to be done for such eccentricities. ]

I'd yet to see any manifest a wing as symbol alone.

[ He doubts he'll glean more of an answer than this, based on their short time working together. Alas, the mystery of how Sephiroth doesn't wind up pinwheeling through the air remains. ]

In any case, Joshua is correct. One could not find better.

[ As always, he's entirely willing to extol the strengths of his fellow Dominant. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax passes a glance over his shoulder, his eyes trained on Sephiroth like a bird marking the path of another nearby animal. He doesn't think the man will attack him or anything, but the circling is a bit odd, and it's a habit to keep his eyes on his back. ]

Afraid? Fuck no. But we shouldn't invite the risk, either.

[ Vax may be known for risky behavior, but not when it comes to the safety of his friends. Joshua's words gain his attention as Sephiroth moves away, and he suddenly smiles as Joshua boasts the strength of his healing magic, which Dion confirms. ]

I have no doubt.

[ His words are sincere. After surveying the perimeter again, Vax turns to walk. He knows he heard a commotion and loud crash inside the house prior to Joshua and Dion exiting, and he can already figure out what that was. ]

I'm going to check the house and fix that fucking window. Try to stay inside this time?

[ Yes, the last was directed at Sephiroth. Their attackers left a mess that needs to be taken care of within the house, too. Not only glass and debris, but vines that shouldn’t stay there. Vax's first order of business is to go to the shed for some boards to nail up the hole where the window was. ]