acatalepsy_logs | PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

I ▫ main	IV ▫ premise			XI ▫ applications	XIV ▫ activity
II ▫ logs	V ▫ rules	VII ▫ bestiary	IX ▫ canon updates	XII ▫ taken	XV ▫ drop/hiatus
III ▫ ooc	VI ▫ faq	VIII ▫ setting	X ▫ mods	XIII ▫ reserves	XVI ▫ players

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ...He remembers the yarzon. He remembers the yarzon. Much as he might like to bleach it from his memory. He also remembers falling off a wall after she chased him as one...and then everything after that is a bit fuzzy, but she definitely concussed him. Do they really need a repeat of that right now??? Can't they go back to being mushy and cute?!?

She comes at him with her terrifying spider-like legs, and he yelps in abject horror, struggling all the more to free himself, but to no avail. She tickles him and he screams, and if anyone else were nearby, they would probably be concerned that he's being murdered by some kind of foul creature of the deep.

But he isn't. He's just an idiot being tickled by his ggggggggirlfriend??? Who is also a spider right now. ]

M-mercy! MERCY! I-I y-y-ahahaha--YIELD!!!

[ PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON HIS SOUL ]

[ ah, that bloodcurdling scream of of absolute, bone-deep terror is satisfying in a way she cannot put a name to. watching him suffer for his transgressions is deeply gratifying. does it help that she has a bow on her head, at least?? she's the cutest little hellbeast you ever did see..

anyway, even when he yields she continues, because she's a terrible person. lifting one spidey leggy, she draws its tip gently along his cheek. hopefully this will fuel his nightmares for decades to come. ]

Are you certain? I sense a little defiance in your tone..

[ there is no defiance, there is only complete and full surrender, she's just enjoying torturing him. ]

[ It somehow makes everything even worse hearing her voice come out of that eldritch abomination's mouth. Mouth? Pincers? Mandibles? Whatever. It's horrifying and he wants to die, he will absolutely be thinking about this the next time they kiss. ]

N-n-no, please — UNCLE!!! I-I'm beggin' —

[ HE WOULD RATHER BE CAPTURED BY ARDYN AGAIN INSTEAD OF ENDURE THIS ]

[ HEHEHHH look at him squirm.. remember it was not so long ago that he was kissing this mouth?? is he sure he wants a girlfriend?? is he sure he wants this girlfriend??

alisaie cackles, and the sound of it is probably only more horrifying by how garbled it's made by her mandibles - what an evil sound coming from an evil creature. at last, her outside matches her inside. but okay OKAY she doesn't want him to actually have a heart attack and die, so she relents.. but not until she gives one last little drag of one spider foot gently along his cheek,

and then in a flash of light and bubbles she's herself again, cute and elfy and innocent. ]

Gods, Prompto - [ she's still cackling. ] Y-you.. your face..

[ he's such a baby!! ]

[ He's beginning to have second thoughts, tbh...and third thoughts, honestly, the longer this goes on, the closer he comes to becoming a full-on supervillain! This is how bad-end Prompto happens.

But at last she relents, turning back into her normal form. The damage is done, as he's seen her true form, he he's still relieved anyway. He'll no longer have to feel the drag of a spider foot across his cheek...

Until the next time she decides to make him suffer for his sins, anyway. ]

Y-y-y-your face!!!

[ This is the only comeback he has, but he couples it with putting his own hand right on her face and pushing her her down!!! BEGONE, DEMON. ]

[ she really broke him, didn't she..

alisaie can't even be mad when he shoves her face down - in face, she laughs around his fingers in a burst of bubbles, then takes his hand between her own, kicking her way through the water back up to face-level. ]

All right, all right..

[ she says, still between laughs, though she leans in to.. k-kiss his cheek!! /// ]

I am sorry.

[ She sure did break him. Prompto will never trust again!! He thinks, a moment before she kisses his cheek, instantly mollifying him. ]

Hm...nah, don't buy it! [ He says, trying to suppress a smile, his arms stubbornly crossed. ] You were havin' a grand time torturing me just now. Just don't forget that I'm not afraid to retaliate, babe! I will have my just desserts.

[ Except that he is definitely afraid of retaliating. ]

[ he will trust instantly, and she knows it. already she is learning how to control the boy..

but more importantly: babe?? her ears are on fire, but she ignores it. ]

Well I certainly cannot help the fact that you are just so easy to torment. Mayhaps you should not react so strongly.

[ victim blaming since the 7th umbral era ]

[ Wow, excuse him??? His pout accelerates, brows laying even flatter over his eyes as he just glares at her!!! ]

Ohhh, I see, so it's my fault, huh! Wellll, we'll see if I feel like rescuin' you from a shadow monster next time, huh?

[ There was no rescue about it and they both know it. He kind of just stole her kill. ]

[ that is one formidable pout, but unfortunately for him, it only fuels her impish mirth; she's grinning now, the corners of her mouth curled coyly. ]

Rescued me, did you? And heroically tangled yourself in the process.

[ don't think she has forgotten that he's still hopelessly ensnared, here. ]

Suuuuuure, but can't we focus on that first part? Where I heroically rescued you and so to make up for torturin' me, you gave me a...big smooch instead?

[ They've reached blackmail already, but at least Prompto has the decency to blush when he makes his request. He's never asked her to kiss him before! Usually it just...happens. The whole, like, three times its happened. ]

...Oooor you could help me outta here, too.

[ eventually they will reach the point where they don't both immediately burst into flames at the mention of even the possibility of one kiss, but today is not that day. alisaie, naturally, also catches on fire. ]

U-um --

[ she says, eloquently, but he's offered her a handy out in the form of something to do. all too eagerly she's seizing the seaweed, ripping it zealously with her bare hands. ]

W-well I suppose I shan't leave you here to be eaten by wildlife.

[ For all he kind of immediately regretted making that suggestion, he still sort of hoped she was gonna smooch him. Alas...but getting free won't be so bad, either. As she tears away the kelp, Prompto wriggles his arms free until he is at last able to free his legs. She might die if she has to put her hands anywhere below the belt, so...

(He would die too, for the record.) ]

H-how thoughtful of you, Ali! Guess I can call us even now...

[ Except not really, she mortified him and he can't even get one lousy smooch out of it? Cold. ]

[ look she didn't say she wouldn't give him a smooch, okay!! she's just got to not be on fire first. also, freeing him from his weedy prison will make smooches more enjoyable.

here's hoping they don't just get jumped by shadows while they're busy being gross, too.. ]

Oh, I don't know about that. You did steal my kill..

[ she hasn't forgotten that, either! ]

...Okay, but, we can both agree I looked pretty badass while doing it, right?

[ Give him at least that much credit! But he frees himself at last from the tether of the seaweed, swimming well away from it once he's able so it won't suddenly ensnare him again like the tricksy weed it is! ]

There! Much better. You can have the next shadow monster that tries to kill us, okay?

Oh, how generous of you.. I am forever indebted.

[ except it seems like there aren't really any more left - he stole her final kill, a truly heinous crime. there's still the matter of getting the caravan moving again, at least, maybe they'll encounter more beasties along the way. ]

For now, we had best hurry these supplies to the palace.

Oh, yeah, right. [ Guess there are important things going on that shouldn't be put on hold for their playful flirting, huh? Or...whatever this is???

Swimming around her to the other side of the caravan, he takes a hold of the pull. ]

Since I'm feelin' extra generous, I'll give you hand with this, too!

[ He's just teasing, of course. He would help her even if he was feeling downright mean! Not that...that's an emotion he's familiar with. Like, at all. ]

[ wow. she gives him A Look, and immediately shifts into.. a cute dolphin!! then swims right up to the other rope, snagging it in her.. beak? is that what the dolphin mouth thing is called? whatever. ]

You speak as if I need your help!

[ he might be fast, but he is a weak boy.. she gives a good hearty tug and begins to pull the cart along with ease. ]

H-hey, I didn't mean — whoa!

[ He isn't expecting Dolphisaie to just go right ahead and start pulling the cart again, so she bowls him right over when she does so, leaving Prompto sputtering in her wake. ]

Hold your chocobos! Sheesh...

[ THIS GIRL. He zips up to her side, not grabbing the cart this time and giving her a Look instead. ]

[ HEHE look at that look!! he's trying to display his displeasure to her, but i mean, he's really just feeding the fire.. making him pout is giving her life. she can't really grin menacingly as a dolphin, especially with a rope in her mouth, but it's definitely there in her eyes. ]

What? Having trouble, are you?

[ it's fine she's got this wagon all on her own. ]

[ It definitely is there in her eyes, and it's infuriating! First she tortures him, now she's sassing him after he was only trying to help...maybe he needs to renege on the crush thing.

(Nah, he's not gonna do that.) ]

N-no! Anyway, you look like you've got things handled, here. Probably don't need someone... [ peeks at her, the sniffles ] ...useless as me, weighing you down...

[ this is 100% manipulation ]

[ wow.. is he really doing this!! alisaie rolls her dolphin eyes, her voice still muffled around the rope. ]

Oh, I don't know, I feel that you have good ornamental use.

[ He sure is doing this! Let it never be said that Prompto is above some good, old-fashioned emotional manipulation. It's a sign that he trusts her and is comfortable around her, really! ]

You only keep me around to look pretty...is that it?

[ He sticks his bottom lip way out. ]

[ wow look how far out that lip is, he's gonna get it caught on something if he isn't careful!! alisaie's grin only broadens, which is probably pretty intimidating with all of those weird dolphin teeth.. ]

Well, you do do a fine job of it..

[ even if his underwater 'do has truly been a work of art ]

[ ...Yeah, a dolphin smiling at him isn't a sight he ever needed to see! It's less striking than a shark smiling at him, but still. Yikes...

But it's not enough to throw off his pout-game. ]

I see how it is! I'm just your trophy b-boy —

[ He catches the word in his throat before it leaves his tongue completely. He's not her boyfriend!!! He's not. They weren't going to define this.

So he attempts to course-correct with: ]

Boy...who is also a friend. Trophy fffffffriend. Y-yeah! That's it.

[ Nailed it. It doesn't even occur to him that she probably doesn't recognize the term "boyfriend" to begin with. ]

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