a storm approaches.This log is for everyone who signed up for The Storm investigation. Feel free to use the here to plot further on how you plan on approaching The Storm, and the issue. The mod questions thread is also open, if you have anything you would like to run by us.
the investigation.It takes a day of preparation, and a day of discussion, before you are led further down into the tunnels. It's pitch black, but one of the BGs who you have become familiar enough with turns on a low light and continues further. You walk for ten, fifteen, twenty minutes, and then turn a corner into a large, open cavern. The BG explains that at one time, this had been an underground transportation system - old and unused for centuries, now, but still in working order.
They file each of you onto a single car - it seems to be large enough to fit nearly a hundred, possibly more, bodies - so everyone has a space. The BG explains that they have already input the coordinates into the system, and that once they close the door, you will be transported to the last known location. The car will be programmed to wait for 72 hours, and then will return to this location. There is food and water supplied, and already packed, in the car. If you are not back in the car by that time, it will leave you behind. They then give their farewells, thank you for your help and readiness, and step away from the door - letting it close behind them. The car travels down a pitch black tunnel, and while the inside is dimly lit enough for the Circle Members to see each other and move around without hinderance, you can see nothing through the windows. It continues for a few hours at this rate - nothing to see, no idea where you are going. That is, until it seems to break through the surface, the track running through buildings and another, unknown area of the city.
The streets and buildings are abandoned, the tech old and outdated, windows broken out and dust filling the street. The sky, like back in the city you knew before, is cloudy and grey. But these clouds are different - these clouds are dark in a way you haven't seen before. You travel for another half hour above ground before the cart comes to a stop, and during this time it happens twice. A low rumble, seeming to come from everywhere at once, and then a few heartbeats after, a disasterous flash of lighting - miles away, yes, but threatening and gigantic, brighter and more violent than you've ever seen lightning before. The crash shakes the ground under you, and the damage is immense.
But the buildings are abandoned, the streets empty save for crates, old mechanical bits, dusty remnants of a society long forgotten by the Struxta you came from just a couple of days prior.
This is The Storm you've been warned about. the storm.You have been asked to find out information that will help the BG's, and Struxta, to stop The Storm.
From what you can gather, it does seem to be a naturally occurring weather phenomenon, as far as weather systems seem to work on this planet. However, rather than scattered thunder and lightning strikes, it seems to almost recharge and strike with epic proportions. It can damage, or destroy, buildings. It shorts out any and all items (and people) who depend on electricity in any form to function (Sorry Daylight and Conner, sorry to anyone who brought along technology) within a three mile radius.
The 'darkness' the BGs were talking about does follow this storm, but they seem to have been referring to this electrical shortage that comes from the storm and it's strikes. If this storm does reach any of the still-occupied areas of the city, it will shut down the entire grid, as well as any of the robots, androids, or electrically based figures that exist there - essentially ending the life of every Struxta citizen that is effected.
Plot, plan, theorize, and see if you can find a way to stop The Storm. If not, be back on the train car in 72 hours time, to return to the BGs and report what you have found.PROMPT IDEAS
1.) Discussions on the train - do you have any ideas for what to prepare? Any discussions you may want to have? You and your fellow Circle Members are caught here together for a few hours, driving into a situation you know very little about. What do you want to make sure you're prepared to handle?
2.) Scouting missions - the heart of The Storm is very much in the distance, and it is not moving quickly, giving Circle Members plenty of time to set out and check out the surrounding city. What you will find won't be much - this is a robotic ghost town in every turn of the phrase. Buildings have been abandoned for hundreds of years, covered in dust and left entirely undisturbed, except for the breeze that now seems to flit through this entire area. There are stores, warehouses, apartments, and buildings you can't even tell what they were used for, cleared out. Whenever, or whoever, lived in this part of Struxta had evacuated, quickly but efficiently.
3.) The Storm - The Storm is still a distance away from where the cart has dropped you off, enough that when your 72 hours are up, the heart of the storm and the lightning strikes shouldn't reach the car, or the track. This does mean that to do any closer investigation, you will need to go to The Storm itself. But be careful - the electrical output from these lightning strikes are dangerous, and can have all sorts of effects on both natural and mechanical beings. The wind, the closer you get to The Storm, will also pick up - making any kind of flying or air travel impossible.
4.) Planning - the car leaves everyone off at an old train station, which a large room attached. This room can be used as a kind of home base, as well as a meeting location. What do you plan on doing? Simply taking down information, or trying to take the storm head on? How do you plan on doing that? Will your abilities help? This room attached onto the train station is a safe location - no effects of The Storm will make it inside. Use as you would like! |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
acatamods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
acatalepsy_logs2018-07-29 11:52 pm
no subject
How quickly he pulls up an argument in record time is almost laughable. How preparation and being armed are not one in the same; that he goes to every crime scene prepared to turn over clues, to find leads where they're otherwise hidden, and just because he's not carrying a gun doesn't mean that he isn't 100 percent suited for his job. It's simply the truth of the matter.
But cutting off this burgeoning spiel is the flash of metal in the flickering light. A sharp-edged knife, being handed to him by Cayde with no dearth of expectation.]
That's unnecessary, Cayde. If you give me this, you'll be lacking one more weapon that you're more familiar with than I. That can only be detrimental for you.
no subject
[A lot. Maybe even an uncomfortable amount, in normal situations. Thankfully he's never in normal situations.]
'preciate the concern over me, but this kinda stuff is what I do way back home. [He shifts a bit, gently moving his cloak out of the way enough to expose the gun at his hip.] And if you think that losin' one is going to be detrimental....well I gotta say, have a little faith.
Besides- [He lets his cloak fall back into place, motioning slightly with the knife towards Connor, a universal signal for 'take it'.] You got the fingerwork for it, or at least a good base. Gotta be prepared, right?
no subject
But even so, Connor is quiet a moment. It isn’t so much hesitation as it is the ingrained notion — somewhere deep in his processing — that he isn’t supposed to be accepting any kind of weapon outside of extenuating circumstances. If even then.
But it seems like Cayde is nearly as stubborn as himself, and he can’t deny that there’s no harm in temporarily carrying it while they scope out the Storm. And so with something that might be an exhale, Connor takes it by its handle, turning it over in his hand and feeling the weight and balance of it.]
...what “kinda stuff”?
[What kind of stuff did you do back home, Cayde.]
no subject
But he's honestly not prepared for the question and for a moment he just blinks as he tries to come up with an answer. Cayde's never had to explain himself before, 'Guardian' explained itself back home.]
Beyond being the dashing hero that always saves the day? [The pinnacle of humbleness and honesty, everyone.] I take care of things. Situations, when they pop up.
[He shoots a pointed look back.] And I keep the young'ns from getting in over their heads.
no subject
Knife still in hand, still idly feeling its weight, he raises a brow faintly.]
That's good for the "youn'ns". [But not him. Clearly.] So you're a mercenary?
no subject
[Listening is a rather underutilized skill of his. But that's something entirely else, and not entirely pertinent. Or rather, if it is he's choosing to ignore that entirely. Instead he offers a small shrug, mirroring Connor's brow raise.]
Long story short? I'm a Guardian. I know that doesn't mean anything here, so just take it as 'I get stuff done'. Stuff that tends to get pretty hairy. And I make sure my Hunters get their stuff done too. [A pause.] There's a lot of stuff out there, nasty stuff, a lot of work to do.
no subject
One thing at a time, though. One layer of detail after the other.]
And who or what is it you're guarding, exactly?
no subject
Oh, y'know. Home, The Last City, the last bastion of human civilization, just your average everyday things. [It shouldn't be so easy to be so nonchalant about that.] Like-
[He spares a glance out the window, but there's no indication in the dark of where they even are, if they're even close to their destination.]
I can give you the rundown, it's just a really long story. Really, really long. Or, you can take my word for it when I say that I'm just a really awesome guy.
no subject
No, Connor wants long stories, because those long stories come with a list of details that he can note and file away under the category of "Cayde". Which you bet he has. He has a profile for everyone he's met here, neatly adding to them with each new mote of information he learns.
And so:]
I could do that. But if you wish to convince me further of just how "awesome" you are, you could at least give me a generalized version of what it is you actually do.
no subject
Alright, alright, but might as well get comfortable, it's a long and particularly wild ride.
[He slides into an empty seat, draping is leg over the armrest with the casual nonchalance of a man that has little to no concern over the amount of space that he’s taking up. As he absentmindedly drums his fingers against the worn plastic he glances back out the window. Still nothing, it’s all just dark.][He motions vaguely at Connor.] So. Quick and dirty history lesson first. You said you came from Earth? Great, awesome, I do too. But instead of all the robotic supression that you’ve talked about, my Earth is kind of a not-so-nice neighborhood. There’s a lot of baddies, lots of guys that want to kill a lot of people. We’re talking like full-scale war.
[History With Cayde-6: a truly informative experience.]
It didn’t used to be like that. A long, long time ago things were pretty good. Humans were in a Golden Age, led by a big giant floaty ball in the sky called the Traveler. And apparently this was awesome, I can’t say for sure I don’t really remember. But then some things happened, and a big ol’ bad force they called ‘The Darkness’ (yes I know that’s really kind of dumb that’s not the point) came chasing the Traveler. And with that, bam!
[He suddenly smacks his fist against the back of the empty seat next to him.] That brought a lot of bad guys and everything was real, real bad. Like, we’re talking the almost genocide of the entirety of humanity. And the colonies out on other planets? Forget about ‘em. No one survived.
[Surprisingly, Cayde’s tone takes a turn for the more serious. While it’s easy to joke about everyday going-ons, the weight of the end of the Golden Age is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It shows in the way he readjusts himself until he’s sitting properly, arms resting on his knees.] That was the beginning of the Dark Age. The Traveler sacrificed itself, managed to save a small fraction of humanity, and then did some weird space magic and created us. Guardians.
[He glances over to Connor.] You still following all this?
no subject
Strange. Bleak? Apocalyptic, really, in a way that causes concern even in someone who doesn't hail from that version of Earth. The Darkness, ushering in all manner of enemies in the pursuit of this apparent Traveler.]
I'm following. Would you prefer my questions now, or when you're finished?
no subject
[At the very least he's being honest. And truthfully? He's rather impressed that Connor has managed to keep focus for this long in the wake of such dry material. Then again, for the short time he'd known the man it felt as though the analytical and informative was more his style. Even if Cayde can't relate, he supposes he can sort of understand. The small scraps that he's gleaned from others about their own homes have been, to be frank, incredibly interesting.]
Go ahead, hit me. I mean, don't actually hit me, but you get it, right?
no subject
Thank you for the clarification, otherwise I would have struck you and it would’ve made for a very unfortunate turn in our conversation.
[(He knew you weren’t asking to for him literally hit you, Cayde.)
But since the exo is willing to field more questions, Connor continues without missing a beat.]
What is the Traveler, exactly? You describe it as a ‘big giant floaty ball in the sky’, which doesn’t explain anything at all.
holy infodump batman i am so sorry
That was a joke. [It totally was.] You made a joke.
[This feels like a remarkable moment in history, and he looks around to see if anyone else has noticed. Unfortunately it seems as though this monumental breakthrough has passed everyone else by.] You made. A joke.
[Forgive him, it's going to take a moment for him to get over this. And then when the initial shock wears off, there's laughter. Well played, Connor, well played.] You sly dog, didn't think you had it in you.
[But Connor has asked a question, so when he's able to get himself back under control, lights dimmed back to an acceptable level, he only offers a shrug in return.] Honestly? Your guess is as good as anyone else's. And before you go on about how it isn't, yes it is because nobody really knows. It's just...a big floaty ball. Used to travel around from planet to planet, something about terraforming and something about heralding technological revolution. That's really it though.
It's a big ball [He uses both hands to draw a circle in the air.] and it's damaged and it sits right about the Last City. Sucker has been dormant for...hell, for as long as I can remember until really recently.
[Holding up a hand to ward off the inevitable question that he knows is coming, he continues on.] Long story short, lots of bad guys want it or something, and it got damaged and conscripted people like me to defend it.
No worries, Destiny is a trip
It recedes, of course, when he listens, when the explanation comes. When the subject takes a strange turn, and when he realizes that quantifying this Traveler as “a big ball” is literally the best that Cayde can do.]
It sounds as if it possesses a consciousness of some kind?
[But that’s just a guess. He sure as heck wouldn’t know, basing this supposition only on what Cayde has said.] And you were “conscripted”? So you had no choice.
no subject
But no more quips or comments come, and while that's disappointing Cayde takes it in stride. One is already more than he was ever expecting from Connor, he'll save pushing his luck for some other time.]
Maybe yes maybe no leaning more towards yes? It talks to one person at a time, so you'd have to ask our current guy. Like I said no one really knows. You'd think it was just a giant thing in the sky if- wait- [The words die off and his lights go dim for a moment as he looks over his shoulder as if almost surprised there's nothing or no one in the seat next to him. Through the noise of the train threatens to drown it out, if one listens hard enough they should be able to hear him whispering under his breath.]
no I don't- just get out here-
[And with a small burst of light there's now something hovering over his shoulder. Something small, mechanical, and radiating an air of confusion as the large blue, eye at its core peers first over to Cayde and then to Connor.]
Okay, yes I understand. More questions, yes. [Cayde holds up a hand, partially so that he can finish his thought without interruption partially to reach out and shoo his Ghost back as it starts to slowly drift curiously over towards Connor.]
Remember how a while ago I mentioned something about being rezzed? That's what I mean by conscripted. I was dead, and suddenly I wasn't. [He cocks his head towards the Ghost now hanging over his shoulder.] This little guy here, he's uh, as far as we know, part of the Traveler.
So [He adjusts himself on the seat, leaning forward and clapping his hands together.] The bullet point version is: I come from a bad place with some bad people, and I was dead and now I'm not thanks to a giant magical ball in the sky. That's the history you need to know to understand what I actually do. Because I'm totally not a mercenary, fyi.
no subject
Of course, it does nothing to stifle his curiosity. Obvious in the way that his eyes track the Ghost even as Cayde shoos it back somewhat, peering at it from where he stands. His reply is only halfway distracted as a result.]
Part of the Traveler. [A pause.] Is it sentient?
no subject
Of course he is. [There's another annoyed spin of his Ghost's fins and a narrowing of his eye, but Cayde takes it all in stride.] I mean, some of 'em are smarter than others. Or more talkative. Like you wouldn't believe how chatty they can get. So there's this Guardian back home, yeah? Never says a word, but I don't think their Ghost knows how to shut up for more than a minute at a time.
[That's not really relevant, Cayde. Still, he waves his hand to shoo his Ghost back again, the poor thing seems to be somewhat insulted but still far too curious about Connor. ] Honestly, I wish I could tell you more but all of this stuff is really just a lot of speculative mumbo-jumbo. You'd think that after all these years we'd have some solid answers, but really it's just easier to accept things and get back to shootin' the bad guys.
no subject
Connor is still looking at the Ghost with not-so-muted curiosity, so for a moment the two seem to be reflecting these looks back at each other -- though, granted, Connor lacks the sketch of offense embedded in his own features. He tilts his head, ever so slightly.]
Easier to think of it in that way, I imagine. That what you're doing, the purpose you've been conscripted into, is protecting your home. Aiding humanity.
[Something about that rings familiar, if he twists it up and applies it to his own situation back home. He doesn't say that much.]
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend your... partner. [Fri...end?]
no subject
The light, however, grabs Cayde's attention immediately and he throws his hands up in exasperation.] Okay, what did I say about just floating around. That's rude.
[He shoots Connor an apologetic look, or rather as apologetic as one can manage when they don't really have facial features, and sighs.] Sorry. He's a curious little guy. You hit it right on the head though. That's what a Guardian does: makes sure to look out for the little guys and keep 'em safe.
no subject
He can relate to that.
His own face almost shifts into something apologetic in turn.]
No apologies necessary. [Even with the Ghost hovering around his head, Connor doesn't seem to mind it terribly, though he does lean back just a little out of some ingrained instinct.] I would be curious, as well.
Does he have a name?
to be modified if they ever actually give us a real name sob
Oh, yeah. They choose their own names, [Cayde shrugs] but I've just been calling him Marion. Y'know, famous gunslinger, wild-west, dashing hero?
I'M SORRY connor just keeps asking specific questions about vague destiny lore
The time period during the latter half of the 19th century, focused on the western United States, yes. Admittedly, my knowledge of that era is not very extensive.
NEVER APOLOGIZE destiny is just so wonky if you actually try to logic it out
I gotta say, ancient Earthers had some pretty good stories. Gotta love the dashing heroes.
no subject
[Connor isn't so far detached from that era that he can't divide the history from the filmography, so to speak.]
The old American frontier was a time in which individuals had to be both persistent and stubborn to survive; this is, of course, speaking from only my most basic understanding of it.
(no subject)
(no subject)
so movie night
definitely movie night
the big question is: can we smuggle a projector back from struxia and does astoria supply popcorn
they can spin it as a team-building exercise
a team that bonds over old westerns is a team that stays together