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
no subject
She takes note of his growing smile, finding it difficult to believe it might be merely a display. Grinning, she glances over her shoulder. ]
See? Connor's the good guy.
[ An older boy pulls away from A4 suddenly, raising a hand, "I wanna help too!" It's obvious now that they're unafraid, determined to help with the investigation. The rest of the children suddenly talk over each other excitedly, erupting in agreement. "No" for an answer is unlikely to satisfy them.
For a moment, the YoRHa unit is at a loss on how to respond. ]
The... Palace library?
[ Anywhere outside of the palace is off limits to the young ones. ]
There might be something helpful there. What do you think, big bro?
no subject
[Though there is the issue of the children, eager to help. Connor can appreciate the willingness to see things through to the end, to solve a mystery that hangs over their heads, but he also doubts that they'll be of much use. And that any investigation worth its salt in this particular instance would likely bring danger along for the ride; no point in putting the young ones in that kind of danger.
How to usher them away... or at least to keep them busy so that he can speak with A4 uninterrupted.]
We'll delegate to them a certain section of the library so that they can research to their heart's content. [The meaning is clear: it won't be much of anything for them to find, but it'll keep them busy and distracted from the dangerous state of Akvos.] And if they find anything of use, they can report it to us.
Isn't that right? [-he asks the group of children before him.]
no subject
"Race you guys!"
They didn't even tell them which section to be searching...
It's then that the children start to disperse and scatter. Either they're eager to investigate or merely trying to catch up with one of their more competitive peers. Whatever the reason, it's a chance for the two androids to talk.
A4 reaches down, rubbing the shoulders of a young girl remaining attached to her leg. ]
Listen, we'll catch up. Keep an eye on the others, okay?
[ A reluctant nod, then the mergirl detaches herself to join her friends. A4 looks back at Connor, with a tired smile. ]
Well, they're excited. Thanks...
no subject
It’s not a problem. I figured you wanted some time to talk, now that we’re finally able to meet face to face. You’re good with children, though, aren’t you?
no subject
It's a learning experience. Some of these kids are difficult to handle. Childcare isn't exactly part of my programming. I just like making others smile, you know?
no subject
[It's a compliment, even if it's a strange one.]
I'm glad you were here for them. But at the same time, it's good that we have time alone. I believe I needed to talk to you about what was exchanged over the network.
no subject
Well, I don't have any further information to assist in the investigation asides from what I said on the network. Unless this is about North.
...What she told me hasn't soured my opinion about you, in case you're wondering.
[ She wouldn't have given that shining introduction to the children otherwise. Although, she still thinks he's unusual for an android. Both him and North. ]
no subject
And what did she tell you, if you don’t mind sharing?
no subject
Androids from your world feel genuine emotion. It's not just a display, as you said. She told me that you're wrong... that you're too busy "blindly following the humans". She also said that...
[ There's a pause before her next words. Being an android of another world, perhaps it shouldn't matter to her. But the thought of humanity's feelings towards androids in his world kind of stings.
Her shoulders slump dejectedly. ]
That humans hate androids. They want them destroyed.
no subject
It's stubbornness that pushes him through, however. It's simply his strained (to say the least) relationship with North that adds the fire to this argument that seems to be losing pieces of its backbone the more and more he repeats himself.]
Of course she would say that to you, A4. You realize that she believes herself to feel emotions all because of error, correct? That what's gone astray with her programming is informing all of her actions and beliefs, and this needs to be stopped. Or at the very least, I need her to work with me; but she refuses.
[Um probably because you were a jerk about it, Connor.]
Humans don't wants androids destroyed. Humans wish for androids to continue to do what they were built to do. What they were made to accomplish, and not to stray from these objectives. Is that not how you function, too? It isn't an unreasonable expectation, don't you agree?
no subject
What makes you certain that they're errors? I don't think that's what they are. There's nothing wrong with having emotion.
[ Her obligation towards YoRHa Command no longer exists. Yet the extremely powerful programming responsible for her devotion to humanity remains. ]
But I don't disagree that androids should continue to accomplish their objectives. I was designed to fight for and protect humanity. I still do that. You can have emotions and do what you're made to do.
[ Though there is the downside of it feeling very painful and difficult in certain cases. She probably seems like some bizarre half-deviant. ]
no subject
Even as each and every conversation shaped like this becomes more difficult with each passing day.]
You're wrong, A4.
[A critically wrong assumption, saying that he can still have emotions and be the android designed to hunt deviants.]
I cannot hunt deviants if I... if I become a deviant. That is what I was made specifically to do. Do you understand?
no subject
[ A halfhearted shrug. She's been mostly focused on the detective side of him. When knowing that he's part of law enforcement on his version of Earth though, it's unsurprising that a deviant hunter also falls into the job decription.
Still, she's convinced that the so-called "error" is evolution. The enemy machines and androids of her world were always changing. Stressful situations would push them further. She thinks it could be a possibility here. ]
And what do you mean you can't? Androids that go against their masters' wishes are potentially dangerous. Suppose you became a... deviant— does that mean you'd just stand around and let some other android harm a human? I don't think I'd be able to stand that.
Or is having to fight another android the part that's troubling?
[ Not that her objective is destroy other hostile units, but she's been at odds with other androids on the surface before. Initially with the Resistance and having to eradicate the infected. ]