etrayalogs | Mission 013 Log

Mission 013 Log

Mission Summary

Genre: Survival / Exploration / Spooky

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

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

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

❬ all that men presume ❭

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

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

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

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

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

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

❬ a conservatory left behind ❭

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

❬ hatchlings ❭

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

❬ night falls ❭

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

❬ MISSION NOTES ❭

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

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

🔵FULL NAVIGATION🔵

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Dion nods, starts toward the tree he has in mind, and halts. ]

Please remain here. This should be a safe distance.

[ Then he marches toward a tree that has grown beside the hotel and circles around it. While he does so, he gathers up his aether.

So long as he does this from the proper angle... ]

[ Vax stops and lingers in the spot Dion deems safe. He doesn't need to worry Dion a third time today. With his safety assured, Vax crosses his arms over his chest to watch as his friend scopes out a tree. ]

Show that tree who's boss.

[ He calls, teasing his friend a bit. Dion is always impressive, but he gets to show off a bit now. ]

[ Once Dion decides on his angle of approach, his wings appear behind him in a flicker of an instant before he releases a concentrated beam of light that blasts the tree. The beam is broad enough to pummel the tree with sufficient force to make a crack ring out through the area.

A moment later, the tree first teeters, then slams heavily across the front stoop of the hotel, sending leaves flying. ]

[ Vax expected a show of magic to knock down the tree, but the appearance of Dion's wings gets a wide-eyed blink.

He was planning to throw out another witty remark at Dion's feat, but he's just a little stupefied by how Dion looks. Not that he isn't always eye-catching, of course.

It's not until there's a rush of leaves in the air and a gust that ruffles his hair from the falling tree does he snap out of it. ]

Uh, well done.

[ Dion's wings are gone again in a glimmer, now that his task is complete. ]

With any luck, that should keep those creatures confined to the building.

[ He hopes it will, at least. If a locked door was enough, a tree ought to suffice. ]

Nice work.

[ Vax clears his throat and turns away to look at the woods to hide his blush. ]

I guess we ought to head back.

[ Dion's strides carry him nearer, and then he leans to get a better look at Vax's expression from beside him. ]

'Twas no mountain, you know.

[ And on this day, he uses the ballad Vax often teases him over to tease him back.

Did he really find it impressive though...? ]

[ When Dion joins him and leans to purposefully look, it takes Vax by surprise, who blinks and turns red again. Fuck. Why did he do that?

He just watched Dion cut down a gigantic tree in one go. Of course it was impressive. Vax can't do that.

There's a soft huff of laughter. ]

By the time they write it into your song, that tree will be the size of a titan.

[ Dion hadn't expected the remark to fluster Vax, but it clearly did. Realizing that, he straightens, allowing his friend his space. ]

I fancy I'm quite safe from bards here.

[ It's just him and Vax and whatever forest creatures out there. ]

Titan is a veritable mountain though.

[ It's less the remark and more the proximity and being seen. Vax might wear his heart on his sleeve, but he's also used to the shadows. Going unnoticed. When Dion makes it a point to really look, Vax couldn't help it. ]

So you have felled mountains? Guess there's truth to the song after all.

[ He jokes with a side-long glance. ]

[ Vax only has himself to blame, normalizing such nearness. ]

Our nations were ostensibly allied against the threat of Waloed incursion.

[ Dion couldn't boast of battling Titan and winning, though he thinks he could have won. After all, he had the sky. ]

If you wish to know what it's like to conquer a mountain, that distinction is Clive's.

Edited 2026-02-21 05:01 (UTC)

[ Vax would bet his last silver on Dion, without a doubt. ]

Well, the tree was no mountain, but I was impressed.

[ He can admit to admiring his friend and his incredible power. He just leaves out the part of how stunning he looked doing it. ]

[ ~~It's the wings, isn't it?~~

Dion smiles at the words, knowing Vax means them. ]

I fear you're too generous, but I can hardly complain of that.

[ Vax's skills impress him too. ]

That was a trick I devised when I was a young boy. The results saw me scolded at the time, seeing as a fountain was an unfortunate casualty. I knew not my range back then.

[ ~~Hard not to notice them.~~

But too generous? Vax shakes his head. Now that he's got his unintentional blush under control, he takes a step closer, moving into Dion's space, his gaze unwavering. ]

In fact, you've been pretty damn impressive all day.

[ Vax being in his space is something Dion is accustomed to, but not accompanied by this sort of comment. ]

You handled yourself capably despite having been rendered immobile, lest you forget.

[ Vax smiles a little. Naturally, Dion turns the compliment back around at him the way he always does.

Again, he shakes his head slightly, drawing closer. In range for a hug. Or.. more. But at the first hint of discomfort, Vax would step away and give his friend his space again. ]

I was out cold for a good portion of it, lest you forget. You're the one who handled it. Saved my life.

[ Based on prior experience, Dion suspects the prospect of a hug. It's one possibility, at least, though Vax has closed distance in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons.

Hearing his actions phrased that way, he shifts his weight a little. Gratitude isn't necessary, if that is what it is. ]

You would have done the same, had our places been reversed.

[ They help each other, and that is the way of it, in his view. ]

Though I expect more colorful language would be involved, in your case.

Of course I would have, but that doesn't change what you did.

[ He's close enough to be just a few inches from Dion's face. There's a bittersweet amusement in Vax's eyes. And it's if he's searching for something in Dion's gaze. What he expects he'll get is probably innocent confusion.

He does intend to reach for a hug, despite it. ]

Perhaps not, but I feared you would come to harm.

[ He had purchased Vax a death pass, but he hopes it never needs to be used. Moreover, he didn't wish any ill to befall him. ]

In my haste, I startled that creature, and you were still hurt.

[ While the rogue had been numb when that spider's bladed leg cut him, and Dion had been able to heal the injury, that is still a result of his actions. ]

[ Vax shakes his head, and when he's sure Dion is ready for it, he puts his arms around his friend, resting his chin against Dion's shoulder. ]

Better hurt than dead. You did what you had to do.

[ There was probably no time to lose. ]

Edited 2026-02-22 03:28 (UTC)

[ Dion knows it's true. He also knows that he can't so easily forgive himself for something that could have been worse. If it had, could he have gotten Vax to a better healer in time?

Blessedly, he doesn't have to find out.

He returns the hug with a sigh that suggests what he refrains from saying: he can't help but wish he'd done better. ]

I am relieved that creature hadn't done worse... [ And then, because he can't help but ask: ] Has the numbness passed entirely?

[ Vax is moving just fine, but still. He worries. ]

[ Vax is glad he was only hurt. Though he doesn't want to die, what really bothers him is the thought of Dion blaming himself for it.

No matter how hard they try, sometimes things just don't turn out perfectly. Dion may wish he could have done better, but Vax would not ask him for more. He has his life, which he is grateful for.

Vax closes his eyes for a moment, resting into the hug and the strength of his friend's arms. Then there's a little smile at the question. After seeing him sprint down a hall and jump out a window, Dion still thinks to ask? Guess they could blame that on adrenaline. ]

Let me check.

[ Vax turns his head and presses his lips to Dion's cheek. The kiss lingers for a few seconds before it ends. It's followed by a thoughtful pause. ]

Yeah, I felt that. Must've passed.

Wh—

[ Of all the possible ways Vax might test whether he'd gotten sensation back, Dion wouldn't have imagined that one. Accordingly, he can do little more than blink owlishly and debate whether that actually just occurred. That and turn a fine and rosy shade of pink. People don't simply do that, not with him.

Ah, but Vax is most likely teasing him. He does have a tendency to do so, Dion reasons, once he gets past his initial shock. After what Clive told him about Verso, whose gesture seemed all the more pointed, he ought not assign meaning or intent.

His train of thought gets approximately that far before he hears a metallic clatter and a series of thumps coming from somewhere behind them, their volume climbing swiftly. Dion lets go in favor of looking to confirm that yes, indeed, one of the scarecrows is rushing their way, ignoring his satellites' attempt to pelt it with their spherical bodies. ]

Greagor claim it.

[ To think it would brave the sun... Then again, one had ignored his light before. ]

[ Had he done such a thing in Dion's world, Vax can only wonder how severe his punishment might have been. There's a good chance he would have risked it anyway.

Vax wonders if Dion will say anything about it, but then one of the scarecrows makes itself known. Guess it's a good time for a distraction or an excuse to forget about what he did. And Dion's poor little lights are doing their best about it, too.

A soft huff against Dion's cheek and Vax sighs. ]

I'll handle this one.

[ Vax steps away and turns to walk a few paces away from Dion, drawing his daggers. Then he takes a few more steps and dashes forward in the blink of an eye, moving at an incredible speed. Like a gust of wind, he crosses the distance between him and the scarecrow, plunging his daggers into its body. ]

Sorry, you're not my type!

[ His hands swing outward in a cutting motion, slicing the straw man into two halves. ]

[ Where Dion's grip on his halberd had shifted upon sighting the enemy, he stands down when Vax says he will take care of it. He holsters his weapon and remains where he is, his satellites hovering around him in wait.

The scarecrow's body is rent in twain, and Dion's familiars vanish in a series of flickers as the creature falls apart. Vax's speed and efficiency are impressive, and he'd say as much, but first— ]

...Do you suppose it understood that?

[ Look, some questions need be asked. ]

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