the tides shift.Darkness has begun to spread, rapidly, throughout the entirety of Akvos. Different areas of the Kingdom are plagued by different instances of terror, but one thing remains clear: the Circle does have the available tools to help . . . of sorts. Many of you have discovered different areas of Akvos to focus on, but by and large? There are no shortage of people to help, of people to fight, and of creatures to save. Hurry quickly, Circle members. Akvos needs your aid.  SHADOWS IN THE DARK.Shadow creatures have begun to multiple en masse in the Depths of Markolos, and are spreading to every which corner of Akvos. They will be at their highest density in the Depths, and take the form of terrifying creatures with massive claws and gnashing teeth. They seem to be impervious to non-magical damage, so some unique tag-team action may be necessary in order to actually kill the things.
As the monsters multiply, mermaids from across Akvos will fall prey to their attacks, drifting listlessly in the currents of the sea as they fall unconscious, the life-force drained from them by a shadow creature. In order to wake them again, the shadow creature that drained them of their energy must be killed. Act quickly, and you may be able to rally the native forces necessary to stage a proper fight back. But the more you fight, the more exhausted you begin to get.
Those who cannot fight will not find themselves of a shortage of ways to help, though. Shelters are being set up within the Palace of Wahine, a fortress unto itself. Children are corralled there, the injured are kept in the impromptu hospital beds that are guarded by the Royal Guard that are still conscious from the onslaught. They will desperately accept help to care for the children whose parents are unconscious, or to console parents who have lost their children in the mayhem of the sudden attack upon their city.
Food still needs to be gathered, supplies still need to be run from door to door. People need to be evacuated. And from each area of Akvos, there are "runners" of powerful merfolk who have set up caravans drawn by dolphins to quickly whisk people from place to place. Each caravan is under threat of attack from shadows, though -- sign up for the evacuation committee, keep your heads down, and fight back as much as you can to protect these people from whatever the hell is going on.  THE SEVEN SEAS OF WHY.In addition to the shadow creatures, each area is plagued by a different onslaught of dark magic. Each area has different needs, and each area will require your attention. Focus your energies where able, and do your best to stem the flow of chaos before it is too late. (Check here for a breakdown of types of effective magic.)
The Palace of Wahine is facing an onset of red algae, blooming through the alleyways and infecting mermaids rushing to seek cover. Inhaling the algae doesn't seem to do much to you, in small doses, but it causes violent coughing fits with the mermaids, preventing them from breathing properly underwater. Getting into contact with the red algae will turn your own skin a brilliant shade of pink, and it will cause it to itch uncontrollably (something that is, apparently, impossible to alleviate under the water). It will wear off within a few hours, but the same does not hold true for the mermaids. The healers in the community say that certain herbs in the Fields of Akvosia can be harvested in order to help cure the illness, but they are notoriously hard to find . . . and in the middle of the sharpest parts of the coral reef, naturally. Tread carefully, and be careful not to anger the shadow creatures in your quest.
The Depths of Markolos is the hotbed of chaos, and seems to be where the majority of the shadow monsters are lurking. In addition to the shadow monsters, ice is cascading out of control from the western wall of the depths. Melting it will do the trick, or controlling it to move it out of the way, but it seems to persist. Some of you may find your way to the far back wall, to discover what appears to be the source of whatever this ice seems to be . . . but it will be tough going, and will require some teamwork to make it there. The ice, too, seems to fight back against your forces, and may curl its way around your legs, your legs, to freeze you into place. Hopefully you have a buddy that can get you out of there, before you become a frozen popsicle under the sea.
The Fields of Akvosia's beautiful coral reef is quickly dying, and the mermaids are working as hard as they can to curb the death by harvesting the essential food sources they can before it is too late. Schools of fish desperately flock from reef to reef in search of shelter and food, and soon meet their demise the moment they settle in to a new habitat. Working to cure and reinvigorate the coral reef will be met with great relief from the merfolk, who are desperately trying to cure what they can. Beware the shadow monsters, here, and be on the hunt for herbs that can assist the merfolk falling ill in the Palace of Wahine. Caravans of dolphin-pulled carriages will be whipping by to refill supplies, too -- jump in and help guard them on their way back to civilization.
The Thunderdome has a fresh stock of weaponry that is particularly effective against the shadow monsters, electrified with old runes that the merfolk will happily give to the Circle free of charge to fight back against the monsters. In addition, the jellyfish of the Thunderdome are darkening at a rapid pace. Electricity seems to do the trick in reinvigorating them, but touching them will still turn you a brilliant shade of blue . . . so tread lightly, in that regard. The electrified weapons will do the trick to jab the jellyfish into feeble light in addition to magic already gifted by Astoria, but the mermaids are a bit busy trying to fight off the shadows that are growing increasingly prevalent in the Thunderdome. Help wanted?  THE WHISPERS OF KEA.Throughout the duration of this battle, investigations taking place by members of the Circle will begin to unveil certain . . . clues. The Princess is still missing, but members of the Circle are getting close to unlocking where she is. King Kathashun, at the beginning of this journey, indicated that she was the key to stopping all of this, and while most of you have no idea who that guy is, he seems to be genuine. (Right? Right.)
But where is she? The Queen is unavailable, for the duration of this event, and who knows where this mysterious "King." is. But as the Circle battles for the life of Akvos, certain messages begin to pop up through your magical watches. Riddles, if you will -- pleas of assistance, begin to trickle through, popping up on your watches in a series of nonsensical words.
The only problem is that the messages seem to be all scrambled up.
lktmohidionl.
hsdpepelgnyeiaior.
herywaeoleeahhthpyveneto.
ehdtetirviarcaeshrasmaohmitnrn Additionally, please feel free to write up and work with your own prompts! These are presented as jumping off points for your characters, not limitations. The idea of this world- as with all the others- is to explore. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask them back on the various threads back in the OOC post from before! NOTE: The Princess' messages will unlock a hint to their meaning (if they aren't solved by the time this happens) once this log hits over 750 comments. :) We are pretty sure this will happen well before the End Log for Akvos happens in January, so we won't be putting a time limit on it. ;) Have fun! |
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acatalepsy_logs2018-12-03 11:47 am
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And... she kind of agrees with the merbabies.]
It's not so bad, is it... ? I mean, you need magic to defeat those things.
[So as not to upset the kids she still says such a thing in a light-hearted tone, cooing softly to the babe on her hip. Konoha drifts a bit closer with a little kick of her back legs, gently trying to encourage the girl wrapped around A4's neck to loosen her grip.]
And someone has to watch the kids.
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[ But it's not so bad...
She was designed for war, yet her experience in an actual fight has only been a few days, not counting her time with the Circle. She typically works in a group too, so being separated from everyone else was very disconcerting. Admittedly, it's been a terrifying few weeks, though it's something she won't say aloud. Even she keeps her text messages on the network sounding chipper.
A4 merely smiles. ]
I've never been around children, up until now. They're... really small! And adorable? Are human kids like this too? What about jinba kids?
[ Are there jinba kids?
The mergirl around A4's neck finally loosens her grip, once she's certain that her new android friend has no intention of going anywhere. She does start to quietly stare up at Konoha, now that she's closer. Mainly, at her hair. It could use some accessories... ]
no subject
Well, you don't have to just do what you were designed for. The kids seem to think you make a pretty good babysitter.
[It's so weird to be in the water still, she wants to lay down next to the other girl, but she can't so... she just... kicks a bit closer and occasionally swishes her tail or moves an arm to try and stay in one place.]
Human kids are cute, too! And jinba ones are even cuter!
[Or maybe she's biased on that one? Konoha makes a silly face at the babe in her arms to make it giggle before turning the face on the young, neck clinging mergirl, trying to make her laugh.]
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[ She grins, mildly surprised and proud. Even when Konoha taught her to cook, doing activities she wasn't designed to do, she found herself to be a little slow at it. ]
I'm just being myself.
[ Often she would try to cheer up her comrades, even while they're at war. In this case, it's the merbabies. As well as her interest in "pretty" and "cute" things. The children fall into the cute category.
The mergirl is seemingly shy. An attempt at keeping a straight face doesn't last for long as her lips suddenly twitch into a wide smile at Konoha's efforts.
Reaching into her hair, A4 unhooks one of the glittering sea shells and holds it over her shoulder for the mergirl. The kids have spoiled her enough with gifts and they may have overdone by decorating the android's silver hair far too much. ]
Hey, hey— this would look gorgeous on Ms. Konoha, don't you think?
no subject
[And as far as Konoha can see, at least these children are still able to smile. They’re not old enough to fully grasp the fear setting into the adults, the worried about the ice and the dying reef and the food shortage and the shadows. Their sympathetic fear can still be banished by smiles and play and attention, and... that’s an important job as far as Konoha is concerned.]
Oh, do you think so?
[So she plays along, patting at her dark hair and the voluminous bun she wears it in, her bangs all afloat.]
Am I allowed to wear something as pretty as that? What do you think? Can I borrow it?
no subject
Awww, thanks a lot guys!
[ While it might feel strange being unable to fight, A4 does have the willingness to try something different. She had interests and desires that would typically be frowned upon and deemed inappropriate for a YoRHa unit.
There's some guilt though, being unable to assist and protect the human Circle members that are out fighting. Her devotion to humanity is a part of her programming that's difficult to shed. It can't be helped when she lacks magic for combat. For now, she tries to push those thoughts back. ]
Of course. [ Then to the small girl: ] You've done such a wonderful job with my hair. I know you can do the same for my friend here.
[ With that positive encouragement, the fish girl floats closer towards Konoha, still holding the sea shell close to her chest. "Can I, please...?" She wants to be the one to do the honors. ]
no subject
It would be my honor.
[While the mergirl works her magic, though, Konoha shoots a secret smile A4's way.]
Once we're all pretty, we'll have to have a tea party, of course.
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There isn't much room for A4 to move or shift around. A child has found a seat in the android's lap, playing with her hands and poking at the jewelry adorning her arms. She tilts her head curiously in the jinba's direction. ]
A tea party? What sort of occasion is that?
no subject
How gorgeous~ I feel like a princess.
[Even though they're... fishy... The children are so cute, Konoha can't help it...
She almost asks incredulously how A4 doesn't know what a tea party is, but. Android. Right.]
Oh, it can be most any occasion when you have a guest! You make tea to welcome them... and rich people do them really fancy!
no subject
Wow, beautiful work, kiddo!
[ Do the merfolk have tea and is it even possible to have tea underwater? Fish seems to be the main delicacy in Akvos. A4 doesn't have any frame of reference to know how rich people hold a fancy occasion. But it's a kind of "party", which she automatically assumes would be something fun. Konoha's going to have to be her teacher again.
The children have the same line of thinking as A4. They're suddenly chattering away, talking excitedly over each other about the prospect of a party. ]
I'll have to leave the tea-making to you, Konoha. What are the "fancy" parties like?
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[So... that does complicate things...
Carefully patting her hair with a smile and another thanks for her new seashell ornament, Konoha starts to get comfortable as close to "sitting down" as she can manage in the water.]
Looks like we'll have to ask our new friends.
[Smiling encouragingly, she turns back to the merchildren.]
What's a fancy party like here, hmm? I can take care of the food!
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The young ones all chime in excitedly, drowning each other out with their loud voices. But there's a few audible answers here and there among the shouting. "We wear cool jewelry!" "With lots of sea shells and plants!" "And tail decorations!" "And eat tons of fish!"
More fish... ]
I can take care of prettying everyone up. [ The android pauses, correcting herself. With a grin, she nods a head towards to their little mergirl stylist. ] We can.
no subject
Good thing I have a tail, too.
[She flicks said tail beneath her skirt with a smile, finding herself quite clever- it's funny, right? .... Even if they have very different tails.]
So shall we get this party started?
[Rubbing her hands together... Konoha tries to think of a variety of fish she isn't a bit sick of at this rate.]
no subject
Heeeeey, I have a ponytail too!
[ A4 pipes up, sounding like she's trying to fit in with everyone else. She points at her hairstyle, the ponytail dangling behind her head. "Those are different!" An older child sputters, though mildly amused at both Konoha and A4's cheesiness.
The rest of the young ones respond in agreement, eager to prepare for the party.
In the time A4 had the chance to be in a pocket of air back at the Depths, all she ate was dried fruit. Admittedly, she hasn't been eating any fish often because, well. Android. Besides that, it doesn't look appetizing. ]
My first party. I'm so excited!
[ She squirms a little in place, nearly sharing the same childish excitement as the merbabies. ]