January Intro: I Know the Winter's Getting Colder

[lifeaftr_mods]

INTRO LOG: JANUARY

Who: Everyone!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: January 5th and onward
Where: Chol and surrounding waters
Warnings: Mark as needed!

The Overview: New Lands
New arrivals will not be waking in the typical hub of activity; instead, they will find themselves coming to on the small island of Chol. While the island's fringes are little more than an unforgiving spread of craggy, canyon-like rock and coastal cliffs, the island dips down to form a fertile divot of edenic woodland in its center. The people living there will even be helpful and polite to you, should you inquire after them.

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!

Icebreaker: This is the Winter of Our Youth
Unless you're someone with a fondness for the cold, you'll undoubtedly be waking with more than a slight chill in your bones. The appearance of the island of Chol has signaled a coming event of great import in LifeAftr, and unfortunately, the signs of that event's approach have already been set in motion. The temperature has begun to drop as the sun's rays begin to die, faster and faster, leading to an impressive cold snap in the ocean waters - particularly those surrounding Chol.

It is for that reason that you won't be waking on Chol, per se. Instead, you'll be waking on a thick crust of ice that's mantled itself over the ocean waters, freezing solid enough to bear your weight...for the most part. The ice won't hold forever; it isn't meant to. If you happen to be particularly vivacious in your waking, or especially active in general, thick cracks will start to spiderweb out from underneath those impacts with low, warning chunks and wrenches of fracturing ice. Better hurry to land soon, unless you care to take a little dip into those freezing cold ocean waters.

Mainland: When We Pick Over the Past
Should you make it to the land of Chol, braving the iced-over waters surrounding its craggy shores, you'll encounter something at least as startling - the people who have elected to set up a rudimentary encampment upon its lands. While a bit on the scalier side, the Jormun are nonetheless allied to you land-dwellers, and will welcome you to the island. Most will be preoccupied with preparations for an approaching siege, but many will comment idly that the cold is a sign of the coming battle. Some may point you to their leader, known to most as Munin, but others will venture hospitality based on the actions of those land-dwellers that came before you, who were successful in allying themselves to this sea-dwelling people.

Those who might have braved the cold a little too fiercely will quickly be offered some rather rough blankets - perhaps more on par with burlap sacks in terms of texture - as well as a hot brew that the Jormun call brrkshavak. Heated to a boil just prior to being served, the drink will be more than adequate in warming your weary bones, though it bodes mentioning that it is both scalding hot and made with a fleshy kind of undersea herb that is akin to crushed chili pepper in taste.

It'll warm you up, all right.

---

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!

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

Otus | Owlboy

[pallidscops]

(a)

[ it took some time to gather his bearings enough to move off of the water. Not sure where this is. It's cold, and blustery-- and the nip that the chill brings bites him on his nose and his rosy cheeks. Asio isn't here, and neither are Geddy and Alphonse. Maybe they were separated? Being alone...is hard. It's evident that he's struggling with something, before he starts moving closer inland.

There was always a soft breeze back in Vellie. Cool temperatures are something he's definitely used to. With his arms pulling the brown cloak across his torso, Otus moves mindlessly toward wherever the most sound is coming from. His eyes settle on a fading sun in the distance-- is the sun just setting, or is it...?

He very nearly trips over his knapsack, name etched into the side lovingly. Curiosity gripping him, the small owl flips top flap up and then looks about worriedly.

Is....is this mine? He plays with the flap nervously. What if there's someone else named Otus, and this is his????

B-better just wait and see....y-yeah. That's a good plan. Let's do that. ]

(b)

[ those who didn't catch Otus on the icy shores would likely have seen him in the air, if they happened to look up.

He flies! He flies! His cloak, which had settled so evenly while walking, has turned into a large set of wings, and with ease, allows him to carry things and move items around for the Jormun. Large barrels, pots of brrkshavak, whatever they need help carrying! Otus is a very good carrier, after all, and would never break anything.

While holding a somewhat large barrel, he tries to set it down gently, but sends it downwards with a little more extra force than he implied. The barrel comes apart delicately, and Otus finds himself staring at it!! Somewhat helplessly!! I-it's broken!! Asio would yell at him, and tell him to just leave the matter to Asio, and...

...Otus lands with a soft sigh, trying to pull the barrel to it's upright position. It would be heavy for most, but...he seems to lift it with relative ease. Trying to fit a busted panel of wood back on it.

Please fit back on.

Please fit back on. ]

a!!

[hyperlit]

[A violet streak of swift-moving light is currently darting Otus's way.]

[It's not light at all, really: it's just a very speedy Drifter, chaining their dashes with enough cautious timing to ensure the ice does not crack beneath their feather-light steps. When they skid to a halt, however, the thick crust groans at the slight impact as it kicks up a spray of frosted white snowflakes.]

[They don't waste time with words, just yet, but simply point to the shore. We need to move, and quickly.]

[pallidscops]

[ wh-wh-wh--

The ice skids, and little snowflakes fly into the air. He'd seen pictures of snow, and been cold before...but nothing this heavy. The mysterious figure in front of them is cloaked in red, and looks...

...kind of like a ninja. He'd read about them in books. They point to the shore, and Otus follows their finger to their destination, looking slightly apprehensive about the whole gosh darn thing. Like...who are you?? Why are you so cool?? Who gave you permission?? They seem to know what they're doing, though. Otus flaps his cloak into wings and lifts himself up off the stressed out ice. It's chilly. There is a chill. But it's better than...well, whatever alternative waits.

He waits for the Drifter to move first-- just in case the ninja needs help moving!! Don't leave people behind. That's how people get hurt. ]

[hyperlit]

[The owl-creature can fly. He can fly. He is like the birds of the Northern region, with the way he lifts easily from the frosted-over waters, and the Drifter's dark eyes glint briefly in alarm. But he does not lunge at them with a predatory shriek, with glittering, hooked talons and parted beak, and so...]

[And so, he is not very much like the birds of the North at all.]

[They start to move hastily back, stepping around the faint dimples and spiderwebbed fragilities in the ice. Their sprite chimes softly behind them, inputting a line of text into the air:]

make it to shore?

B

[unpurify]

[The crash catches the Batter's attention and he goes to check it out.

Although there's really not much to see. A young child had dropped something, a barrel, and it broke. While it should imply to him is that it was too heavy for him to carry but he's still trying to fix things. That, and it also seems that at least when it came to pushing it back up, it's not that difficult.

But--]

It's broken.

[Hi Otus, there's a baseball player standing nearby with two rings of pure white energy.]

[pallidscops]

[ he jumps at the Batter's voice!! Wh-when!!! Did you!!! Get there!!!

The piece of wood in his hand moves down to his side when he spies the rings floating behind this really god damn tall person who just came out of no where. His shoulders sag a bit while he just kind of...takes it in.

What are those rings? Why is this guy so tall?

Where did he get his cool hat?

These are the questions we need answers to. Otus lifts the piece of wood out for the Batter to take. Maybe it was his barrel that broke? Maybe he wants his barrel piece back. ]

[unpurify]

[And again the Batter is out of his depths. Once again, guess who has two thumbs and still isn't good with understanding and dealing with children? This guy. But he does get what Otus is doing.]

It's not mine.

[Getting that out of the way...]

I don't think it can be fixed.

B

[souris_keteer]

[Mickey caught sight of the flying bird - WAIT THAT IS A FLYING PERSON. HOT DOG. Surprised and excited, Mickey eagerly runs after the bird man, wanting to ask a million and one questions - and then the barrel broke. Oh. Whoops.

Always helpful, Mickey slows his run, heading on over.]

Hey there, pal! Need some help?

[pallidscops]

[ Otus looks up at Mickey!! I-is that!! A talking mouse??

Immediately, he misinterprets the other's actions, holding out the broken piece of barrel for Mickey to take!! Looking incredibly apologetic, he hoots softly. He's not sure who this belongs to after all, and he just started moving it and...well, now it's busted up. ]

[souris_keteer]

[Mickey blinks at the piece offered to him. He takes it, although it's a little heavy.]

Huh... Well, that's not too bad. I'm sure we can fix it if we work together! How about it?

A. is for A Good Dog Meets A Good Owl

[mamaterasu]

[If Otus is quick, and his eyes are good, he'll see something flicker past his peripheral - white in color and fast. Exceptionally fast, in fact. While Ammy cannot move at her full speed for more than a few quick bursts of speed, before she is totally exhausted, she can still run pretty quick, and...even upon the frigid ice, frost covered flowers bloom in the wake of her moving paws. These ones last a bit longer than the norm do, only because of the casing of icy powder, but eventually they wither, die, and disperse into small orbs of light that fade quickly.

She doesn't see the boy, but gust of chilled wind blows his scent upwind, and her nostrils flare as she takes in that oddly familiar scent. Skidding to a halt (and sliding a good foot or more on the slick surface), Ammy wheels around, ears up and turning this way and that, as she tries to look around. Once she spots the small bird-child, her face splits into a happy smile and she begins to wag her tail and bark, hurrying over towards him.

H-Hopefully this time she'll know to, erm...stop. 'w';; Otherwise Otus may indeed be bowled over by a very fluffy, white snowball.]

B is for BEST DOG

[pallidscops]

[ Otus definitely hears her barking and turns to her fast enough to at least know she's coming, and recognize her slightly, from the same dream where his small horned friend came from. She licked his face and he pulled out the barbs--

And while he's thinking of all this, of course, she barrels (haha, get it?) into him, throwing him on the ground...eyes wide as saucers. What the?? What the heck??? What??? ]

♥♥♥

[mamaterasu]

[Alas, poor Otus...she barely knew him at all. u_u

Thankfully, the ice is a bit thicker where the two go down in a tangle of limbs and clothes, otherwise they may very well have split the ice with that fall. It does certainly give a very concerning snap, deep below the water, so Ammy picks her head up and tries to dislodge herself from the poor boy and his cloak. She yelps only once, when he accidentally shifts enough to sit on her tail.

Ow. ;__;]

B.

[yallstupid]

[The crash is startling, and thank Arceus that Guzma wasn't drinking that broiling hot excuse for Chople berry extract, otherwise he had have spilled it all over himself and burned his hands or thighs. No, he was just warming up by the fire, dozing off a little bit, and nearly jumps out of every layer he's bundled up in (there's a lot). Welp, he sure as heck is awake now, yup. What was that? It sounded like something fell from a good height. Or was really heavy.

Getting up from his cocoon of blankets and the like, Guzma searches around for the source, finally coming upon this weird child...bird...person... (Decidueye??) and the mess they've made. He looks over the disaster that is the busted up barrel and assumes they must have knocked it over or something and the wood busted apart. Poor kid, he kinda knows what they're expecting, and sighs quietly.]

That ain't gonna fit back in without nail n' hammer, Rowlet. It's busted, so don't worry 'bout it... Need help cleaning up? [Better to address the spilled contents of the barrel than the barrel itself.]

[pallidscops]

[ he is discovered, and!!! TH-THIS IS!!! ABSOLUTELY.....what it looks like.

But who is 'Rowlet'?

Guzma's rough but soft words force Otus' eyes on the barrel he broke. It stands, but it can't carry anything well anymore. He says not to worry about it, but...he just got here, and already messed up. Asio scolds him through memories. His gauntlet covered hands fiddle with each other, and his shoulders sink like he's actually inconvenienced everyone...which is probably true.

The offer to help clean up is heard and Otus looks unsure on what to do. ...you're going to help him fix his mistake? Question mark? Question mark? ]

[yallstupid]

[Guzma stares down the weird child a moment more, frowning a bit at the prolonged silence between them. For a moment, he wonders if the child can even hear him, or if he has to use those odd hand gestures and words he learned from Amsonia a while back. He's, uh...he's really not good at it, so--

The recognition of his voice, or really, the question Guzma posed, is reassuring, and the large man breathes a quick sigh of relief. He probably needs the practice with sign language, but he'd really rather not embarrass himself. Besides, his fingers are freezing and shaking, heaven knows how well he'd do with that on top of everything else.]

Listen, if y'all don't clean up, someone's gonna slip n' fall, and m'bettin' that'd net you a heck of a lot more trouble'n just some splintered barrel, yeah? Go find a rag or something to mop this up. I'll stay behind. [He can keep it contained and warn people of the spill. Also? Guzma might as well be planning to take the heat for a busted barrel, if any of the Jormun do happen to wander by and get upset.]

b

[catpiper]

[It's hard not to fixate on a small bird child carrying around barrels, flying back and forth like he's done this all his life. She doesn't say anything to him as he works, watching with her hand on the back of a cat who also seems to be following him with his eyes.

Don't even try, ESP kitty. This bird is way too big!! Also, he's a good and helpful bird. She just fed you a tin of cat food don't be bad.

It's only when the panel comes apart that she carefully treads closer, while her cat continues to sit nearby.]

It broke?

[pallidscops]

[ Otus looks over at her. A girl. She speaks with a nice and somewhat comforting voice in his ears. There's no harsh judgement. Just speaking to him. And he can...he can deal with that.

However, he's not quite sure how to respond. Maybe this barrel was hers? That makes him feel bad. With a small nod, he looks tersely at Ren. How can it be fixed? How can he make it right?

Also, that little four-legged thing is watching him so closely, he can feel the baby hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Otus looks at the kitten carefully. It's so smol...why dis? Her friend? ]

[catpiper]

[Don't worry!! She's watching ESP Kitty out of the corner of her eye and he's watching both of them out of the kindness of his cat heart. To protect them, of course. From whatever dangers await with all these barrels around. Spooky ghost mice could be lurking in the distance.

Oh well. It's not her barrel-she's not sure who it belongs to. But!! She has an idea on how to fix it!!]

We can put water on that piece.

[A pause and she gestures to the spot it fell from.]

It'll freeze it there.

[GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

A

[prettypurpleparlor]

Hello, dearie. I take it you're a new arrival here?

[A spider lady with a friendly-looking expression probably wasn't what Otus was expecting when he decided on 'wait and see' as a plan, but Muffet shows up nevertheless. She doesn't seem unhappy with him, at least?]

[pallidscops]

[ Her voice makes him jump just a bit. A spider...person? He'd never met anyone quite like her. Very proper looking, like in one of her many arms she would have a tea cup and in another, a good book. He turns toward her, the spiderwebs beneath his feet spreading slowly. Otus, not a heavyset individual, won't crash through yet, but movement spurs the thinning ice around them. His arms go out to his sides as he watches the small lines stagger away from him.

After remaining still for a few seconds, the lines stop, and he breathes out a sigh of relief. He nods at her question, still as a statue otherwise.

No swimming for him, thanks. He's not a great swimmer. ]

b

[proficienciesouttheass]

[ Not too far off, Magnus sits with his 3rd or 4th bowl of brrkshavak and a blanket over his shoulders, having, for the moment, gotten absolutely distracted from the task at hand - figuring out where he is, how, and why - to enjoy copious amounts of this slimy soup that's going to absolutely wreck him on the way out.

The sound of the crashing barrel catches his attention, and he watches this small bird-ish person fuss about for a moment.

Standing up, he downs the rest of his brew - hot hot hot hot - and makes his way over. ]

Hey there. Need some help?

[pallidscops]

[ he's in the middle of pushing the broken wood into the barrel (empty, thank goodness!) when Magnus comes around the corner like a surprise choo-choo train!!

Otus has acquired a +1 Spook!

But after the startling settles down, Magnus' offer reaches his brain. He...wants to help. He wants to help? But Otus dropped it-- where's the disappointed facial features? And...why is he looking for them at all?

Otus offers him the broken piece he was trying to fit on. Not very good at fixing things-- that was definitely always more Geddy's speed-- and seeming somewhat apologetic. :C ]

B!

[reyofhope]

[Rey is not really sure what's she's supposed to be doing out here in the cold and ice and snow. It's one thing to say 'Hey, welcome to my story island.' It's entirely another to wake up on a freezing patch of shoreline with no bearings and no winter clothes. She would almost think that this is still a dream, but... It's really cold. Too cold to be a dream.]

[Fortunately, it's not hard to find someone to direct her to the Jormun's settlement. Freshly armed with a blanket around her shoulders and a bowl of food in her stomach, she's out wandering the area with a little bit of wide-eyed fascination. The sound of something clattering snatches her attention away from the sea creatures enough to notice the owl's distress. After a moment of watching him try to piece the barrel back together, she steps a little closer.]

Do you need some help?

fam ;A; <3

[pallidscops]

[ he turns toward her-- the people he's met so far are...strange. Maybe strange looking? N-not in a bad way, of course, but this one has a smaller face-- and she's much taller than him. It's the same wide eyes fascination that he regards her with. But she seems nice!

He turns to face her, holding the piece of barrel in his arms that wouldn't fit back where it had been broken. Thankfully, the contents of the barrel haven't spilled out, if there are any. He isn't as interested as what's inside as he is in making sure his mistake is remedied. It brings a bad name to owls, everywhere...if there are any here at all.

B-but, she wants to help, and...he isn't sure how to fix this. There's no glue anywhere, and no webs to speak of that could craft a makeshift form of adhesive...that's about the extent of his fixing knowledge on the subject. He offers the piece to her, unsure of what can be done. ]