Introduction Log || Have a Merry Starlight Celebration

[eternitymods]

Who: All characters (New Arrivals, Previous Arrivals, and Native OCs) When: December 5th Where: The Dream Width (Airship), the Curti Center, and the Housing District What: It is happening for the fifth time now. More outworlders have arrived in the Dream Width and must be rescued and brought back to their new homes on Vaikuntha Warnings/Notes: Only new players can put up a toplevel. Previous arrivals and established native characters can respond to new characters' toplevel posts. They will get 25 EXP for replying to top levels. MEMORY [ You've been here before...? No, wait, why would you think that? You're here in the moment, everything is as it should be...(?) The memory you are trapped in has completely enthralled you. You stop questioning and accept, you relive and repeat. Luckily, you are not alone. Others have arrived to help you. The travelers in the airships will enter the nebula formed by your memories and attempt to wake you up and bring you back to the present. The dreamer's mind will shape how these newcomers are perceived and how the NPCs in the memory respond to them. For more details on the mechanics, please refer to this post] ARRIVAL [ You wake from your dreams, from your memories, on a narrow cot. There are fleeting impressions- recycled air, humming machinery, movement, strangers waking around you. The room you wake in is lined with cots, with barely enough space between them to walk to the door, though not all of them show signs of having been occupied. The makeshift infirmary seems like it was prepared to hold many more than are here. Stepping out, there is a lobby space that bears the signs of having once held some furniture, now cleared away to make space. Your footsteps echo in the emptiness. As the automatic door slides shut on the infirmary, a light flashes on the far side of the room. A flickering holographic projection of a man’s face and gloved hand appears projected in the space above the arrivals’ heads. He backs up so his upper body is in frame for the recording. An arm, covered in the same orange flightsuit sleeve, hands him a tablet. The man begins to read. A written version of the message scrolls along the bottom of the projection as he speaks. ] ’Welcome travelers’… That’s way too formal. Hey everyone. Hi! [ The second man leans into the frame to add his greeting. ] Don’t panic. You were floating out there, but we pulled you in and rescued you. Yeah, we’re heroic AND handsome. And also the only ones crazy enough to come out here to get you. [ A woman’s voice calls from out of frame. ] Can you two be serious for ONE moment and stick to your scripts? [ The two men give each other a conspiratorial eyeroll. This does not appear to be their first take. ] Anyways, no need to panic. Seriously, don’t do anything reckless. We got our fill of that with Skywalker. [A huff is heard offscreen, and the men finally spare the tablet another glance.] ‘Your pilots will be navigating treacherous environs as this message plays…’ Claire, seriously? Nobody talks like this! [ The tablet is tossed to the side and lands with a thunk offscreen. ] We’re gonna wing it. Look, everyone, we’re workin’ hard to get you planetside safely, and it’s gonna take some tricky flying to do it. So the door to the cockpit is locked so we can focus on not getting us all killed. Don’t try to open it, unless you want to be stardust. We promise you’ll get answers about what’s going on once we land. But for now, please trust us. Right now, we’re your only hope. [ The second man leans forward, close to the recording device, and presses a button. The projection freezes for a moment, and then the message starts on the next recorded message. ] CURTI CENTER [ Finally after hours of flight, you arrive at the Curti Center. The place is covered with snow, it appears to be winter here! The other NPCs await you having been notified of your retrieval in the Dream Width. Jessie gives a long and professional welcome speech, explaining what the situation is: you were lost in a space called the Dream Width. You are now on a planet called Vaikuntha: for ages, the people of this world have used Airships to rescue people lost in the Dream Width, with one person being found roughly every ten years. No one knows why this happens, but this has been a mutually beneficial exchange, with the people from Vaikuntha rescuing people lost in the Dream Width and the rescued ones sharing their wisdom with the people of Vaikuntha. Ten years ago, something unusual happened: two people were found at once, Biggs and Wedge. But that was nothing compared to what happened eight months ago... And six, four, two months ago. And now, here you are. No one knows why such a large number of people has arriving lately, but the Curti Center is a place dedicated to piercing the Dream Width's secrets. Jessie also introduces the other ones: Claire, the woman sighing and writing in her schedule book upon being pointed out as the bookkeeper, Kupoto and Mogaruru, their Mognet representatives and finally the Native OCs: those brave and kind souls who have accepted to help you all on a daily basis. She also mentions Cid, the director who is busy in his office. After Jessie finishes , the employees, including the Native OCs, provide a tour of the facility and help the newcomers navigate their future lives. Now is the time to ask questions and look over pamphlets regarding locations, Jobs, life in Vaikuntha... ] [ If you want to contact an NPC, you can do so on the NPC Contact Page. ] A BALL OF FLUFF NAMED MOOGLE [ It has been a long day, perhaps now you would like to find your way to a place to sleep? Or perhaps you'd like to get some answers, but you can't be bothered to go seek people out? And lo, just as despair begins settles in, a Moogle slams into you! Or stops by your side if their aim is decent... It's the Moogle Jessie mentioned in her speech earlier! And they'll be informing you that now, they will stick to you like your shadow and help you in anyway they can! They're also giving you your iMog Slate- Now you can get onto Mognet! Isn't it great? ] A QUICK CHECK-UP [ Whether it's your Moogle, Native OCs or NPCs, all will urge you to stop by the hospital wing for a basic check-up. You may disagree, but listen. You've just been thrown into a space between worlds, rescued, and brought to another world. For your own sake, that's a good idea. Should you give in and go (or should you be dragged by your Moogle or a Native OC), you will find yourself in the cold and white space very reminiscent of an hospital. For characters with specific medical conditions necessitating help, this is where they will receive it if asked. The doctors and nurses are all White Mages or Chemists, with various levels into their Job as well as medical knowledge. Don't mind the confused looks if you look like nothing they've ever seen before... It's hard for a doctor to be unable to give a proper diagnosis to a patient! For everyone else though, they'll be let go with smiles and be given a candy as they leave. No one likes medical check-ups, but it's a very quick and basic one: testing reflexes, taking your temperature and the likes. On the bright side, while you're grumpily sitting on a bed with a thermometer on your forehead or in your mouth, it might be a good time to socialize with your fellow new arrival who's having lights flashed into their eyes by a doctor. Misery loves company, after all. ] STARLIGHT SIGHTS [ There's plenty of rooms to wander about in, with several points of interest apart from the offices. Most noticeably, the entire place is decorated with Christmas decorations and there are even employees dressed as Santa Claus! Of course, it's not called Christmas but the Starlight Celebration in this world. And everyone appears to be in the holiday spirit, ready for the great day on the 25th! The Airship Hangar is where the airships are kept and the first room you entered. Workers keep guard to prevent the outworlders from getting too close to the vehicles. Airships are expensive and they don't want you messing with them, after all. Venturing into the Research Section, you can walk through public exhibitions on astronomy, airship design, and asterisk studies. A good place to get used to the basic science of this world. The laboratories lie behind a thick locked door with a sign reading "EMPLOYEES ONLY". No going there, for now anyway. Not too far from there are the Employee Quarters - work stations, apartments, and lounge areas. The latter are available to the public, whereas the rest is locked to Native OCs. But if you get them to be friends with you, perhaps they'll let you visit? Also open to all is a Cafeteria - a standard food court with stalls serving all types of Vaikunthan cuisine. The Chef is a very jovial and absent-minded Hypello. Beware of long lines and crowded tables. Should you prefer open spaces, then the gardens are for you! There are different sections in the gardens around the center, but they all look the same at this time of the year, snow covering everything. Oh, and what's that? It's snowing right now! Or perhaps, you want to wait till the sunset. Dusk on a new world, but a beginning of a new life... The sea shines bright in the orange light. A good moment for quiet contemplation. ] HOUSING [The housing accommodations are the best the Curti staff could provide, given that they are still also sheltering most of the previous arrivals from the Dream Width. The keys have been entrusted to the moogles who will be guiding the new arrivals. The new arrivals can stop by the Curti Center storage room to collect some essential supplies that have been donated by charity organizations from around the world (there are boxes of toothbrushes and whitening toothpaste sent from the Zora, hair brushes from the Elezen, quick-drying towels from the Hypello, among the various donations of clothes, toiletries, and blankets), before heading to their new homes. The people of Vaikuntha have done their best to provide for their new neighbors and help them get on their feet. Still, things will be a little cramped until the off-worlders can find employment and move into better housing if they so wish. The staff hopes they can get along with one another until alternate arrangements can be made. You can survive living with roommates for a few months, right?] THE JOB FOR YOU [An important part of life on Vaikuntha is the Job (or Jobs) you choose to take. No, not the way you earn your living. Your Job Class. Most Natives only choose one or two, but you'll have an opportunity to take on more Job Asterisks after you master your first Jobs. The Curti Center's resident Job Master, Ganeshan, is more than happy to arrange transportation to the various Guilds so that you can claim your first Asterisks. ]

Comments

[einspine]

"NYEH HEH HEH!!! THERE'S AN ENTIRE GUILD OF LIKE-MINDED GENIUSES!" Though he pauses, tapping his chin. "STILL, PERHAPS IT'D BE WORTH ORGANIZING A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE OTHER CHEMISTS LIKE US. VISITORS FROM FAR OFF WORLDS, WITH ALL SORTS OF SCIENTIFIC SECRETS SWIRLING AROUND IN THE VAST EXPANSES OF THEIR INCREDIBLE MINDS!"

Maybe. But surely other worlds had scientific formulas and revelations that could help them hone their craft.

"BESIDES, WITH SO MANY ITEM COMBINATIONS OUT THERE, IT'D BE FANTASTIC TO SWAP NOTES. EVEN WITH MY VAST RESERVES OF... STUFF, I HAVEN'T PERFECTED EVERY RECIPE YET. THOUGH I HAVE COME CLOSE!" A bit of a boast there, a bit of embellishment. But dang it, he has to sound impressive in front of a fellow genius at work!

And it's not like he's lying. He's thrown together all sorts of goodies in the name of science.

[plagueofshadows]

"A brilliant idea, my bony friend! Haha! I'm not sure how useful alchemy will be here, but I've quite a lot of knowledge about it in this brain of mine, ehee!"

Plague Knight lifts a finger up to his chin in thought, or perhaps consideration, "Once I've had some time to experiment, I'll let you know what I discover! So long as you'll do the same, hee! Oh, I can't wait to be able to make explosions again, it just feels so wrong not having my potions on hand!"

[einspine]

"I FIND IT'S A VIABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR HEALING SPELLS, IF A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE."

Granted, he's made enough money that it isn't an issue. And working in an item shop has its perks. Discounts! So many glorious discounts. Essentially, really, if he's to keep the supplies steady.

"BUT, NATURALLY, I'LL SHARE ALL MY FINDINGS AND THEN SOME!!!" Though, for all his excitement, his smile shrinks a little. Well, as much as a skeleton's can. "BUT IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE, TOO. AND IN THE EARLY STAGES, CHEMIST DOESN'T HAVE MUCH OFFENSIVE POWER. THAT'S THE ONE DOWNSIDE TO IT ALL!"

[plagueofshadows]

"Yes, well, the Tower wasn't blown up in a day! Well it was, but the potion to do so took much longer, hee! So long as it doesn't take me years and years of research again, I will be fine!"

Plague Knight nods, "I shall just have to work odd jobs to fund my science, at least until I can make explosives! It's nothing new! Though it's a part of research I'd hoped to not experience again, ehee."

[einspine]

"...BLOWING UP AN ENTIRE TOWER SOUNDS VERY INTENSE." And potentially a waste of architecture, but that depends on the tower! So, while Pap's smile is a bit crooked and tense, he soon adds, "JUST WHAT SORT OF TOWER IS IT?"

This could be a thrilling opportunity to learn about another world! How could he miss a chance like this? Talk of moneymaking can wait. This is far more intriguing!

[plagueofshadows]

"Hee hee hee! Why the tower of the evil enchantress, of course! I mean, I was working for her at the time, sort of- I needed to join her Order of No Quarter to collect the essences from the different knights of the land, you see! To brew the ultimate potion, the Serum Supernus!"

Plague Knight rubs his hands together again, and there's the distinct impression that he's grinning behind his mask, "I discovered I didn't need the potion after all, once I brewed it... But there was enough energy in it to blow up the tower in such a beautiful display that it could be seen across the whole Valley! Hahaha! And you know what they say- the bigger the explosion, the better the alchemist!"

[einspine]

GASP!!! What an intriguing backstory! He listens eagerly, eye sockets now full of BIG, GOOGLY EYES. "WOWIE!!! THAT SOUNDS LIKE QUITE THE THRILLING JOURNEY, EVIL ENCHANTRESS OR NOT!"

Though he assumes that this fellow has since moved on from 'the dark side.' At the time certainly gives that impression.

"BUT HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT GETTING THESE ESSENCES? WERE THEY LIKE SOULS? A SAMPLING OF THEIR POWERS?"

[plagueofshadows]

"A sampling of their powers, yes! The essence of their strongest traits, harvested from them with care, hee hee! Harmless in the end, of course, I even used my own essence as part of the brew. Naturally, they wouldn't relinquish them without a fight, but, hehehee... I'm no slouch, I made it into the Order for a reason!"

The alchemist gestures grandly to the side with one hand, "Even if I was, ehe... Misguided, in so doing, it was the greatest work of my life, and I doubt it shall ever be topped!"

[einspine]

"OHO! WAGING BATTLE WITH SO MANY FORMIDABLE FOES... TRULY, YOURS IS A STORY FOR THE AGES!" He clasps his hands together. Ah, so cool! So heroic...? Well, that's up in the air. He did say he had questionable alliances at first.

"AH, BUT CLEARLY THIS MAKES US KINDRED SPIRITS, FOR I, TOO, HAVE ONCE HAD TO FACE OFF WITH MANY A ROYAL GUARD! ALL IN THE PURSUIT OF PROTECTING SOMEONE VERY DEAR TO ME!" So, less for science, but still! Another heroic type situation. With armored figures! Guards counted as knights, didn't they?

[plagueofshadows]

"Heeheehee! Well. It was as much that oaf, Shovel Knight's story as mine, or so I learned afterwards... He's clever, I'll give him that, his essence gave me the most trouble!"

Plague Knight rubs at his chin in thought, "I was, ehhh... Trying to win the heart of someone who already loved me back. Seems silly, and bit, ehehee, overdoing it, in hindsight. But if I hadn't, I wouldn't have gotten to blow up the tower, so it works out, haha!"

[einspine]

GASP!!! His face lights up... metaphorically speaking. "A LOVE STORY?!?!"

Do pardon the excitement. Oh, so this is a chemist after his own metaphorical heart! Nyeh heh heh. He knows the feeling! He thinks. "I, TOO, UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO WIN THE HEART OF A LOVED ONE! ...AS OF RELATIVELY RECENTLY. WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. STILL!" His feelings for Madhuri had taken time to process, really. At this point even he can't deny it, but...

Well. That's his deal. This isn't about him at all!

"TO GO TO SUCH GREAT LENGTHS... EVEN IF SHE ALREADY LOVED YOU, I THINK THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES OF YOUR CHARACTER! WITH AN EXPLOSION AS AN ADDED PERK."

[plagueofshadows]

"Well! I didn't know she loved me at the time. I thought that surely no one as amazing as me could. I almost... Ehehee, well, as one clear genius to another, I almost went a little too far and did something disastrous, but fortunately I was strong enough to distill the potion successfully. So it all worked out, haha!"

Plague Knight nods thoughtfully, and then lets out a melancholy sigh. "Of course, then not even a month later, I found myself here. So perhaps it didn't work out so well after all."

[einspine]

"YOU NEVER KNOW! PERHAPS YOUR BELOVED WILL ARRIVE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!" He raises an index finger, chin up and smile still firmly in place. "ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS SHOWED UP JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER ME, AND WE'VE BEEN SIDE BY SIDE EVER SINCE! "

In fact, it's... been interesting. Caring for Frisk longterm. The school even considers him their parental figure? He's still not sure what to make of that, really.

"BUT! THE WAY I SEE IT, THIS JUST GIVES YOU AMPLE TIME TO PLOT OUT A BRILLIANT SURPRISE FOR IF SHE DOES ARRIVE! AND DO OTHER COOL SCIENCE TYPE ACTIVITIES IN THE MEAN TIME. FOR EXAMPLE, I'VE BEEN CONTEMPLATING MAKING A FORMULA TO REPLICATE MY RAINBOW FLAMES FROM BACK HOME..."

[plagueofshadows]

"Well! Yes, yes we should always look on the bright side of things, hee hee! But... I certainly hope Mona doesn't end up here." he sighs again, "I'd love her company, but this... Well, you know, the whole Bahamut thing, ehee."

He looks thoughtful for a few moments, "Though I'm certain we could all use her brilliant mind in this, eheh. Most difficult of times."