lifeaftr | June Intro: Let's Sea How Far We've Come

INTRO LOG: JUNE

Who: Everyone!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr as the island of Ziziphus begins to crumble
When: June 4th and onward
Where: Ziziphus and Ensō...and Monsun
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Ziziphus: At The Start Of The End Of The World
Since Bliss's destruction, the extensive root network they've threaded throughout every inch of the island of Ziziphus has begun to crumble. June 4th marks the beginning of the inevitable collapse of the island as it starts to sink into the sea...coincidentally coinciding with the arrival of LifeAftr's newest adventurers. Between the dead trees surrounding Bliss's empty husk, great cracks in the earth start to widen, the dead god's absent root system leaving vast gaps underground which simply cannot support the life above.

It almost sounds like thunder rupturing from the ground itself, wild tremors preceding each vicious boom until gaping chasms lay between venturing parties and the safety of the mana pool - only water waits below, for those unlucky enough to lose their footing.

And if the immense pull of mile wide chunks of landmass sinking beneath the waves isn't enough to suck you down, the heavy rain of debris from Ziziphus's rapidly destabilizing edges will certainly help. Want to avoid a watery grave? What you need to do is simple:

Escape.

Sorry, newbies. If you showed up on Ziziphus, you're in for a very athletic entrance to LifeAftr.

Monsun: Just Like Every Other Morning Before
Adventurers aren't the only creatures on Ziziphus attempting to outrun its collapse. Creatures great and small, from the largest spindlank to the smallest tigerlily will be heading south in an attempt to escape the worst of the quakes. Unlike offshore adventurers, however, these poor creatures don't have a mana pool waiting for them to escape through. Their extinction, it seems, is imminent.

Unless you have something to say about it.

Already exhausted from their attempts to get through to and then actively dispose of their fellow god, the Storyteller will break their traditional manner of communication to announce a potential solution to this problem with a single broadcast to the Stones of Far Speech in a strained, weary tone:

"The mana pools on Monsun are now open. If you are willing, save what you can."

True to their word, characters will discover that the island of Monsun will be accessible once more for a short period of time. From prey to predator, obstruction to catastrophe - multiple species of flora and fauna can still be preserved, should you choose to do so.

Be wary of the psychological effects of both sides of the island. Those who are new to our setting and wish to explore, the island of Monsun has a peculiar side effect to its stark divide: the eastern half is rich in resources, but brings out the very worst of you, while the western half is a tumultuous wasteland that accentuates your best qualities. More information on said island can be found on its entry on the Locations page, or its introductory info post.

Due to these efforts, the Storyteller will not be available for contact from the 4th to the 18th of June. Item Requests will also be unavailable at this time. They will, however, make a rather strained announcement to ensure all are aware that access to both Ziziphus and Monsun will cease on June 10th.

Ensō: I Wonder What It Means If It's Gone
The native fauna of Ziziphus aren't the only ones on the move, it seems. Those who wander the shores of Ensō will be delighted to witness the appearance of creatures akin to both turtles and dugongs drifting through the waters, gravitating around the island's eastern coast, rapidly gaining in numbers over the following days.

Kaleidoshells have been unlocked in the bestiary!

With spring close to ending in the archipelago, these peaceful creatures are looking to make good use of their natural nesting areas; hope you're open to sharing the beach for a little while. While a few braver individuals will make their way to the shores between C4 and D1 to begin digging nests, the vast majority won't be coming to shore quite yet.

They do, however, make a very fine sight around the waters of Ensō, especially in the evening. Luminescent, their rainbow patterns glow underwater, drifting mood lights for the increasingly warmer evening breeze.

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

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 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[You know what? Nah, Ignis is starting to think Laurent isn't worthy of his fists. In fact, the return to that 'oh-so-practiced politician voice' causes him to flatten both hands against the rock he's sitting on so he can lean forward slightly in Laurent's direction.]

Hiding behind walls, pushing away those who get too close. It's such a wonderful life, if it can be called that. Are you glad you've let your uncle turn you into this?

[Nice try, but the attempt to change the topic is totally ignored. This is about Laurent and Laurent only now.]

What a wonderful legacy. And when shall I expect you to turn to beheadings and poisons yourself?

Even while swearing yourself five ways you’re still here trying to scold me out of my sins. I’m not the one wasting my lifespan on pet projects, but sure. How noble.

[The tension in the air is through the roof right now. Laurent’s expression darkens like ink in clear water, but you know what, it’s fine.

Ignis really is like Damen.

But too bad, Ignis has nothing on Damen. The words hurt- he has heard them before, and it has hurt before, and he knows that he will live out his life as defective as he is- but Ignis does not get to say these things. Ignis does not get to see if it hurts him. Ignis gets a voice like molten chocolate and and a response like adamantine, unaffected and unyielding.

He has always told himself that he couldn’t sustain a partnership with someone like that.]

I know you’ve done so little wrong in your life that you can’t distinguish lies and murder, but try to be consistent when you accuse me. I’m not going to tell you when my next murder is, but I’ll say it after if you want to come berate me more.

Edited 2018-06-20 14:30 (UTC)

Oh, bravo! Bravo! Keep at it. One might actually believe you mean it soon.

[Ignis is this close to clapping his hands to punctuate his mocking words, but he's not Ardyn, even if the redhead's sharp tongue might be starting to influence his own just a little. After all, his previous statements were meant to hurt Laurent--to make him lash out and perhaps reveal something on accident. It's a tactic Ignis would never have used back home.]

Not that I will. It's hard to see this false tough guy image you wish everyone to believe so badly when I've seen you panicking over Maribelle's injuries and obsessing over Damen's well-being. Continue trying to fool others are much as you wish, but I know the truth. You are no villain, Laurent. You love too much for that.

That’s pathetic.

[In another circumstance- if this were Diarmuid- there might‘ve been some success. Unfortunately, Ignis has been arguing with him literally up till this moment.]

So when Ardyn goes home to die you’ll label his corpse a man and not a pig, and feel like you did something? Don’t bother for mine. Your words are worth less than dirt. Without the censure from all your friends-

[-he cuts himself off.

Remember what you’re here for. The thing carved into the soul pinned like a butterfly on your wrist. (Damen.) This is pretty risky for Damen’s wellbeing, and you sure as hell didn’t sell your soul for you.

Laurent stands up and makes to leave. ]

Edited 2018-06-22 16:06 (UTC)

[Despite the urge to argue against Laurent--especially on the point about Ardyn. If he has anything to say about it, after all, Ardyn won't have to die--Ignis makes himself be quiet after the blonde cuts himself off, waiting to see if he will finish. When it becomes obvious he's not going to, and instead is just going to leave, Ignis sighs.]

It is sad to think you know everything about the world when really you know nothing.

[And that is all.]

June Intro: Let's Sea How Far We've Come

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i spent two hours on the dialogue for this tag

If LA was a murdergame, I'd know EXACTLY where this thread was going....

[funky murder mystery music] cw: talk of death

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