December Intro: Don't Come Home for Christmas

[lifeaftr_mods]

INTRO LOG: DECEMBER

Who: Everyone!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: December 3rd and onward
Where: Monsun
Warnings: Mark as needed!

The Overview: Uncharted Waters
Stay alert, new adventurers; instead of the white-sand beaches of Enso, you will instead be coming to on one of two sides of the relatively uncharted lands of Monsun. Most of the information regarding this peculiar land can be found in the informational post linked, but as a quick-and-dirty rundown: Monsun's western side is a hot wasteland of a desert prone of disasters and mishaps, but will affect your character's emotional and psychological state in a positive sense, while its eastern side is a verdant forest filled with endless resources...as well as a tendency to bring out the absolute worst of your character.

To start with, all new arrivals will be showing up in one of two squares that characters uncovered last month! We are leaving it up to player discretion as to which side of the island your character arrives on, but bear in mind the psychological repercussions!

All new arrivals will additionally awake with knapsacks, their names stitched to the front. The contents of said knapsacks can all be found in your acceptance notices!

Monsun, C4: These Are Your Good Years
You wake to the hot sun steaming overhead, rapidly drying your clothes and belongings, waterlogged from washing upon this desolate shore. The heatwaves shimmer at your vision, distorting your view of the horizon. But if you really squint, it looks like there might be something dark green fringing that pipecleaner skyline, like a lush woodland awaits you on the other side of this desert nightmare. A mirage, maybe?

Whatever it is, you don't get very long to contemplate it. Beneath your feet, the ground has begun to shake as a many-headed horror erupts from the earth. Great streams of pale sand slough from its dry, scaly hide as multiple horned heads unfurl in a hissing inflorescence. The creature's eyes are all pale as grubs; it is quite blind. But that does not mean it cannot smell you. Boasting both a thick hide and a chitinous coat of sandy-colored scales that blends them perfectly with their surroundings, Sand Hydras sleep several feet under the sand until they sense the vibrations of potential prey aboveground. While they are significantly smaller than their mythological counterparts - they can only span eight to twelve feet in length - Sand Hydras are cunning creatures nonetheless with a number of heads that can vary from one to as high as ten. Their weakness, on the other hand, is simple: water burns them like acid. It seems they may flourish only in any moisture-poor environment.

Assuming your character lasts that long, remember: as physically destructive as Monsun's west may be, your character's most admirable traits will be amplified to their fullest potential by the twenty-four hour mark.

Monsun, D3: Before You Bury Yourself Alive
Those waking on the eastern side of the island, on the other hand, will face a far more pleasing tableau. The temperature is perfect, the sun shines modestly through the canopy of deciduous greenery above your head, and the air is thick and sweet with the smell of fresh fruit.

That's right - within minutes of their arrival, your character will discover several plants laden with fresh wild blackberries. Should that temptation arrest their attention, should they be vulnerable to the foibles of greed or hoarding or paranoia, your character may very well wish to keep this treat to themself. Or...perhaps not. Perhaps they'd much rather search out a fight, or try to steal someone else's supplies, or embark on a poorly-advised mission to swim out into Monsun's surrounding waters.

For that is, after all, the catch: as physically soothing as Monsun's east may be, your character's most hateful traits will be amplified to their fullest potential by the twenty-four hour mark.

---

As a final note to those who participated in the Test Drive Meme, bear in mind that those threads, if all parties involved would like, can be game canon in the form of dream-like memories involving a place very much like this one, though the layout is considerably different.

---

Feeling a tad adrift? Make sure to check the Locations Page, which has details regarding the starting areas and a handy map for those who feel better with a bird's eye view!

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LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

Mostly C4 with a side of D3

[lilys_poise]

C4-Before monster


[Elise opens her eyes slowly, blinking in the bright sun.]

What happened to the bunny...?

[Still half asleep over here. But after a couple of lazy blinks she gasps and scrambles to her feet.]

Huh? Wha- where am I? Wasn't that... a dream?

[Looking around she notices the knapsack. With her name on it. Maybe... that wasn't a dream...]



C4- after monster


[There is really only one appropriate response to a multi headed monster rising up from the ground in front of you.]

EEEEEEKK!!!

[Elise starts stumbling backward, holding up her staff in front of her protectively. One hand starts fumb,ling for her bag. She has to get to her tome before she's worm food!]



D3- Greener on the other side?


[Now that she's found the river, the other side of the island is a welcome sight. So much better than hot and dusty and full of monsters! Lush and green and are those berries?]

Oh wow! They look so good!

c4, before

[encircling]

[ A young girl...?

Mira feels more than a twinge of sympathy, and she makes her way over to kneel down. ]

Hello. Here, [ she says, pulling out a container of water. ] It's very hot here, and I wouldn't want you to dehydrate and pass out.

Re: c4, before

[lilys_poise]

Wow, thanks! It feels like I haven't had anything to drink in forever!

[Elise accepts the water happily. But is nice enough to only take a few sips before handing it back.]

I'm Elise! What's your name?

[encircling]

You're welcome. You can keep it, by the way; I have enough.

[ She gestures to the containers at her hip--they're made of tightly woven leaves. ]

I'm Mira. It's a pleasure to meet you, Elise.

[lilys_poise]

Really? Are you sure?

[But she'll take it. And thank her lucky stars that she met such a nice person right away.]

You're really nice, Mira. Thank you so much! I was worried after I had that weird dream except maybe it wasn't a weird dream 'cause I woke up here...

[A pause in her rambles.]

Well, I mean it was weird. Just... maybe not a dream. Anyway, I was worried before but now I think maybe I'll be okay.

[Optimism!]

D3!

[ratsinadaze]

[Gobbet has spent most of the day by the lake to the east of this lush patch of berry bushes. She knows by now, of course, the effects of the island. Knows that her current state of mind is altered. But with that alteration comes a deep-seated apathy and an almost bored detachment from the world around her. This cheerful child actually disgusts her right now.]

[Who even has that much energy and enthusiasm? God...it actually pisses her off a little bit. When she reaches out for the berries, something inside of Gobbet snaps.]

Back off, pipsqueak. Those are mine.

[If Elise hasn't noticed the ork girl, with her dreadlocks and tusks, lounging in a tree branch above her, she'd be forgiven for thinking that the bushes are haunted.]

Re: D3!

[lilys_poise]

Huh?

[She gasps at the sudden voice. And then sputters indignantly.]

B-but you have so many! You shouldn't be so stingy!

[It should be noted that she is addressing the bush itself. Because clearly the bush can talk. It's the only sensible explanation.]

[ratsinadaze]

Yeah, but unlike you, I've been scouting this area out for days. I'm guessing you just got here, right?

[Gobbet doesn't correct the girl. Nor does she hop down and make herself known. It's way funnier this way.]

[lilys_poise]

Well... yeah but...

[She frowns suspiciously.]

How can you scout anywhere? Aren't your roots stuck in the ground?

C4 - After

[souris_keteer]

Watch out!

[Elise has a hero! ... Sort of. She probably wasn't expecting a small mouse-man to suddenly lunge into the scene, trying to plunge his sword into the creature's head as it loomed down. "Trying" being the operative word here - those scales are thick! It's more of a smack attack, and Mickey winds up landing nearby, his sword slightly nicked. But at least the creature is more focused on him than her? Yay?]

You all right there, miss?

Re: C4 - After

[lilys_poise]

[She watches in awe as her brave rescuer leaps into action. So amazing!]

I'm fine!

[Only now the many heads of the angry monster all whip around and focus on a new target. So it's her turn to shout.]

Look out!

[It's lunging forward and she scrambles to get her tome out in time.]

F-fire!

[Badly aimed, but the small fireball from the tome strikes the side of one of it's heads. The simultaneous assault causes the beast a moment of confused hesitation. Better not waste it.]

[souris_keteer]

[He's impressed, but this is no time to cheer her on. Instead, he grabs Elise by the wrist, and makes a break for it!]

Let's hurry! If that thing can't see us, we might have a good chance to get away!

[lilys_poise]

R-right!

[He doesn't have to tell her twice. Elise runs as fast as she can, although she can't resist a glace behind her, just to see if it's following.

Nope. Still there.

After the second glance though, it looks like they might be in the clear. Or it's taken to the sand again. Do they risk stopping?]

I think....

[Pant, wheeze.]

it's gone...

C4-after

[greatcleavage]

...Crap.

[Some noises are never good. Screams of terror echoing over the dunes are definitely among that list.]

[Roy practically smashes through a dune in his haste to surmount it, sand spattering all over as he races into view of the conflict with his sword drawn and determination written in his frown. Too far away. Too much immediate trouble...]

DUCK!

[Roy hurls his sword at the hydra, six feet of whirling steel spinning through the air towards it. The attack probably can't be effective, and isn't intended to be. So long as the hydra flinches, or focuses on the sword instead of the girl, that's six more seconds he has to get into the melee proper.]

[On forward he pounds.]

Re: C4-after

[lilys_poise]

EEP!

[With a surprised squeak, she ducks down, covering her head with her hands. She doesn't see the sword but she hears it strike the creature before clattering to the sand.

More importantly, the monster is distracted for a few precious seconds, and the head the sword struck looks a little dazed.]

[greatcleavage]

This way, fast!

[Honestly, the best instruction would be for her to move at an angle to him, forcing the hydra to split its attention and opening it to attacks on its flank if it tries to pursue her. But given how she'd ducked, Roy concludes that he'd struggle to communicate that precise concept as quickly as he needs to. Better she get to and past him so he could provide cover.]

[Despite the sand, Roy thunders ahead, his entire focus on running to close the gap and get himself between the girl and the monster. With an immense green flare and a loud "PWOK", the sword appears in his hands once more, proving that his 'throw the damn thing' ploy hadn't been as entirely stupid as it appeared.]

[lilys_poise]

Huh?

[Elise raises her head looking around for the source of the voice. Seeing someone rushing toward her, she scrambles up and starts running his way. Just in time, really, as one of the heads strikes the spot where she'd been crouching moments before.]

C4 - Before

[yallstupid]

[This certain place isn't exactly one Guzma wants to linger in, all things considered, but he thought it best to check on the space for, uh...anything he ought to take back. Just in case there was anything left of--...

Rubbing his face, and not just to wipe away the dust and sweat, he lifts his sunglasses up and blinks in the bright light. Holy crap, is that a kid? Does she actually live--no, no way. Not with those fancy clothes. He notes the backpack suddenly as he approaches very carefully, so as not to rouse what he knows lies under the sands. Sorry, but he's not about to let anyone else get devoured, thanks.

Especially not a kid.]

Hey there, darlin', this ain't no place for a nap, yeah? [He crouches down, squatting easily so his hulking height and mass won't scare her off right away, and extends a hand.] C'mon, let's get you outta here - y'need something to drink? Or eat? Ain't got much, but it'll be 'nuff to at least keep y'all on your feet.

[lilys_poise]

Um...

[Elise looks around in confusion. She's glad she didn't wake up alone, but it's still jarring to go to sleep in your own bed and wake up on hot dry sand. It takes her a moment to collect her thoughts.]

I'm okay but... what's going on?

[She reaches for the offered hand. And then she recalls that dream again...]

Is this... what that bunny was talking about?

[yallstupid]

[Elise may notice, during her silence, her new companion here is looking around the area rather anxiously, his dark brows furrowing when the sand shifts, either from a brief breeze or a rolling tumbleweed. He seems a bit on edge, and makes the reason known pretty quickly.]

Right on the money, sweetheart, but this ain't no place to explain everything. C'mon, it's way safer down by the river there - don't wanna be running into them nasties again no time soon. Ah, but don't rush now, a'ight? Take it nice n'slow... Trust me.

[Which is a difficult concept for some, but he means it. Trust him to keep you safe, little madame.]

[lilys_poise]

[Elise noticed the furtive glances at the scenery, and she was about to ask if he was okay. But then he mentions nasties.]

N-nasties?

[Now she's just a little worried. That sounds like monsters. Are there monsters? The next question is a nervous whisper and she starts glancing around too.]

What nasties?

D3

[souldeterminant]

They probably are.

[The response is prompt, and if Elise were to look in the direction of the voice, she would likely be able to spot the child sitting at the river's edge with ease. Frisk is staring off into the berry bushes on the other side of the river themself, but they don't seem inclined to move, with their knees drawn up and arms wrapped around their legs. They tilt their head thoughtfully, then look at her.]

But I'd be careful.

Re: D3

[lilys_poise]

Huh? But why?

[There's a hint of a pout. Elise thought those berries looked really delicious. And she's hungry.]

[souldeterminant]

[They point emphatically to the berries, brows furrowing as though personally affronted by them.]

It's weird over there.

[A pause.]

Are you a nice person?

[lilys_poise]

Of course!

[A frown crosses her face.]

I mean, I think so. At least I try to be.