lifeaftr | April Intro: Better Get to Digging

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April Intro: Better Get to Digging

INTRO LOG: APRIL

Who: New arrivals, and you!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: April 4th and onward
Where: Cahypdo
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Waking up to the gentle proddings of what appears to be very curious, sentient trees isn't the worst wake up call LifeAftr has to offer. For our newest arrivals, however, it may be a tad…odd.

Situated in the valley between two mountains, Elower is a scenic village filled with the friendly Roaka, tree-like beings that are rather peaceable and happy to assist those who have just arrived. I'’s a peaceful location for one to start their adventures - though, unfortunately, it doesn't stay peaceful for long.

Cahypdo: You'll Bury Me Low
Those who have explored the new island of Cahypdo in the last month will undoubtedly recall the series of quakes that shook the island throughout March. With the arrival of LifeAftr's newest adventurers comes Cahypdo's largest tremor to date, striking without warning and more than enough force to throw even the steadiest and sturdiest of your number to the ground. With a low rumble, the mountains heaped on either side of the island will start to shed an abundance of slag and debris, pouring down their slopes. Anyone who's scaling those peaks risks being flung bodily off them when the outpouring of shale comes roaring down those mountains, and anyone at the mountain bases risks being crushed beneath.

As one might expect, unsuspecting newcomers aren't all that have been shaken up. Though protected by netting and retaining walls, the cliffs around and above the village of Elower can only take so much pressure before giving way - a threshold that has been crossed entirely. With a sound like thunder, rocks fall.

Everyone dies?

Only if you don't act quickly. Roaka housing is sturdy in build, enough to protect a decidedly less sturdy body from all but the heaviest of boulders. Hiding inside any of their village constructs built into the sides of the mountains will certainly save you from taking a new weight onto your shoulders. They will not, however, save you from being buried alive.

For those who become trapped inside any of those abodes, your options appear limited. Work to free yourself, or wait for help to arrive. Though, speaking of help, those outside may think to offer the Roaka a helping hand in getting their trapped people - and yours, at that - a few breaths of fresh air.

Before you suffocate.

Cahypdo: Stay Acting Brave
Such seismic activity will also stir up the local wildlife, of course. Those unfortunate enough to come across them will recognize the restless shark-dragon hybrids, hydrac, now prowling across the shorelines, while the wickedly fanged wabbits will also be far more frequent, traveling in larger numbers in the jungle and at the bases of the mountains. Taking care to avoid them would be wise - though another creature may make that venture much more difficult.

Lorbies have been unlocked in the bestiary!

A strange mix between owl and serpent, the recent quake has clearly startled these usually reclusive creatures into the open. Alone, a lorby is a rather skittish animal, prone to hiding from most perceived threats. Useless for food due to the toxicity of their flesh, lorbies do have the potential to be tamed...but this comes with its own risks.

A lorby may be prone to flight rather than fight when encountered solo, but in groups, these feathery critters are far more hostile. A defensive lorby emits a piercing cry alone, but a group is an almost ear-piercing experience, capable of rendering the unfortunate unstable on their feet at best, and unconscious at worst. For the days that follow the severe earthquake that so rocked everyone's foundations, any hope for silence is lost in the infrequent bursts of almighty screeching by colonies of lorbies who have so rudely had their homes overturned and disturbed.

While the lorby is omnivorous, it may not think to take a bite at anything so much larger than them. That doesn't mean that conflict with these fluffy creatures won't attract something much more willing to take advantage of the fact that you may or may not have been reduced to a prone sack of meat. If something else does arrive, you best hope that it's a friendly face.

If you're interested in keeping a lorby for your own, bear LifeAftr's companion limit in mind - two per character, and no more. The lorby is omnivorous and can survive off of most odds and ends: insects, fruits, berries, critters it can dig up in the sand, and more. However, the process of trying to tame a lorby is not always successful. We recommend use of a d10, with the following guidelines:

Rolling a 10: Critical success! This lorby will love and adore you, and may even feel comfortable enough to drape itself along your neck like a beautiful, furry scarf, churring softly all the way.
Rolling 7-9: This lorby will prove high-strung and timid, even if safely befriended, and will take several weeks to warm up to you. But once it does, it's yours!
Rolling 2-6: Failure. The lorby enters a state of distress and starts screaming. Hope you brought earplugs, or you'll be snoozing for several long hours for your efforts.
Rolling a 1: Critical failure. Not only does the lorby start screaming, but its panic attracts a colony of its friends, and they all start screaming too.

Bear in mind that these are only guidelines; you are free to predetermine successes or failures as you'd like, presuming your character can sustain the companion! Our discord channel has a room for dice-rolls, if you prefer.

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

Like hell we're dying.

[Until today he hasn't used the jetpack. It only gives him a little speed but that is better than nothing. The few precious seconds it gives him he is able to shove one of the Roaka into their house and keep going. He can't out run the fall of rocks.

Kosmo races at his side a massive furry beast easily able to run ahead if he chose to. He sinks his fingers into his fur and they both vanish. They appear five feet further down and do it again. He can't hear himself think over the roar but he doesn't need to. A door opens in a building ahead of him. He dives inside with a murmur of thanks a whips about to reach for anyone rushing by.] Get in here! Hurry!

[Later as the dust is settled, a black blade with glowing purple lines slashes at rocks, moving with the precision of a trained fighter's hand. Or a glass-like knife carves through stone. You might see a pair of armored boots edged in bright red, or the black cornea set with a yellow iris of a blue wolf.]

Hey. Are you hurt? Let me know while I make this hole.

Home is not where Slav is.

[His first thought when he runs into the strange snake like creature winding around in circles is why. The second is to wonder why they never saw any other aliens like Slav. Is he the last of his kind?

Are they all just as obsessed with the possibilities of death and doom if he isn't? On second thought it's better never to voice that thought. Everyone has enough on their mind on a good day.

And Shiro doesn't need that kind of nightmare.

Keith kneels down and stares at it. The creature wanders around but doesn't seem to want to leave. It's timid and pretty high-strung but that's as far as that goes. Whenever anyone finds Keith he's still watching it with a wary eye as he has himself a bit of lunch. He tosses a bit of meat to it and the thing...eats it. Neither really has a desire to befriend the other. They're just hanging out. For now.]

Wildcard

[Got an idea? Hit me up. Feel free to pm this journal first if you want to plot it out.]

[ It's a shame he's already run into one.

Shiro's understandably wary of the things. At least they hadn't started freaking out on him, thank goodness. But he really doesn't want to see any more. Too bad the islands see it fit to have him run into another one; two for two, seems like. He's distinctly uncomfortable, and when he happens upon Keith, he can at least relax a little.

The lorby that's watching him, however, is not relaxed. It's making a sound like a deflating balloon. ]

... I really don't think these guys like me.

[Keith perks up like a sunflower facing the sun at the sight of Shiro. He offers him part of his jerky while the critter that had been quiet starts making sounds.

Odd.

He climbs to his feet, putting a hand on Shiro's arm. It doesn't seem hostile but.]

Then let's head on out. We can head back towards the village. I've scouted this area enough to know at least a little of what we're dealing with.

Good idea.

[ He brings a hand to cover Keith's, and he gives it a little squeeze. The lorby is staring at him with those haunting eyes, and it's still making those deflating balloon noises. Shiro groans, and he starts to lead Keith toward the village.

Every so often, he glances over his shoulder. Just in case. ]

It doesn't seem like they're going to follow us.

[Keith keeps glancing behind them. The Lorby seems to be settling down a little the farther they are from it. He keeps one hand on the knife on his side just in case.]

Doesn't seem like it. I think it was scared. Why you and not me? [Shiro is broader and a little taller, but that shouldn't make a difference. Yes, he's built like he goes through walls. But he's not a slouch in that department either.]

Seen them before?

Maybe there's just something about me they don't like.

[ Or they're perceptive and they pick up on how on-edge he is around them. ]

I saw a few earlier. [ He pauses. ] ... They seem familiar, don't they?

[His shoulders go stiff and his face slides into a neutral mask. He'd been trying very hard to avoid comparison.

Shiro might as well set the two photos in front of him. He winces.]

...that explains why you're so jumpy. They're probably picking up on that. Animals know when someone isn't comfortable.

Probably.

[ He pinches the bridge of his nose. ]

... I'm probably not being too fair to them, huh.

[Keith rubs Shiro's back and smiles wryly.] Well, Shiro everything usually wants to kill us. And they look like Slav. That doesn't help.

[It doesn't help, as well, that the creature really doesn't like Shiro at all.]

...you could try sitting down and offering it food? That's why they like me.

[ It helps him relax, at least. Keith's touch. Despite how tense he is, Keith never fails to make him feel more at ease.

He laughs lightly, for a moment. ]

... True. No wonder we're so at home here.

[ He looks from Keith to the lorby. ]

... Sure. It's worth a shot.

[He smiles for Shiro, a private amused smile that lights up his eyes as he leans into him. The lorby having made terrible noises up until now falls silent in curiosity. Keith digs into his belt pounce and it drifts closer.

He produces his small packet of jerky. The creature having failed to catch a meal earlier perks right up. It’s eyes follow the packet’s path as Keith takes it and places it in his boyfriend’s hand.]

So far so good. Let’s sit down and see if it comes over.

[ He'll never get enough of that smile, the way Keith's eyes brighten.

Shiro takes the packet before he kneels down. He carefully--quietly--opens it and holds out a piece of jerky. ]

You hungry?

[At first it doesn't seem to work. Then the Lorby moves closer, closer, and inches closer still. It reaches out and tugs the jerky out of his fingers. It moves a little bit away then chows down on it.

Keith looks pretty pleased.] See? Now you're not so tense it knows you're safe.

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[Zidane's seen enough incidents with lorbies enough for a headache. First, being screeched at by one then having a bizarre conversation with Lance and then seeing the Knight riding one. But seeing Keith with one, he notices that it's timid but isn't running away and seems receptive to food. Hmmm..]

That one uh.....seems pretty harmless.....I think? [Either way, Zidane walks up to Keith as quietly as possible so not to scare the lorby. He has no interest in fighting it and he'd rather not be screeched at again, thanks - he almost lost his balance.]

Edited 2019-04-07 14:20 (UTC)

Seems like it. Probably because Kosmo and Ember aren't here. [He'd left both behind to guard the cottage. He didn't know how the native people would take to a fire bird or large wolf. The lorby perks up at the sight of Zidane and shuffles closer.

It looks very friendly in fact, slithering closer and raising up with a small almost pleased sound. Keith raises both his eyebrows.] ...seems like it likes you.

[Those names mean nothing to Zidane so he assumes they are two people who might react in a hostile manner. But he forgets that to pay attention to the lorby. Hang on. This one seems friendly. Zidane looks as it with curiosity and slowly reaches a hand to beckon it but not to intimidate it so he doesn't pet it just yet.] ....Huh? I think it might do. Well, whaddaya know....

[He'll leave his hand out to give the lorby the choice whether or not to come closer.]

[The Lorby wraps around Zidane’s hand and makes an odd buzzing sound. It sounds mechanical. Keith blinks.]

I’ve never seen it do that. You might have a new friend.

[He offers a hunk of meat to him.] Try feeding it.

[Well, this is a revelation but not a bad one. Zidane chuckles as he tries to stroke it] Heh. I guess I do. And come to think of it, it is kinda cute. In a weird way. [And he takes the meat.] Thanks! [And tries hold it out so the creature can take it. Come on, weird screechy but somehow adorable monster!]

[Keith winces as the Lorby takes the meat and chows down on it. It looks like Slav. The moment he has that thought he shoves it right back down.]

We always seem to find some creature that doesn't mind tagging along with us for a while. I wonder what we'll find next time.

Well, it might not be a chocobo but considering it's not like any of its friends and screeching a lot, we could have worse creatures following us. [And he keeps stroking the lorby in the way he thinks it likes.] So I'm pretty cool with letting it stick around.

[He stares at him. That mode of thinking is so casually at ease it sends a pang of homesickness through him. Hunk would have said something like that.

He wolfs down another piece of jerky and nods.]

Okay, you have a point. Just be careful. We still don't fully know what they're like. If trouble happens, call me on the rock and I'll be there.

[At first, Zidane wonders if he said something funny when Keith stares at him but shrugs it off. Maybe he's just concerned.]

All right. I'm pretty sure this guy's harmless but I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Keith.

[And because he might add it.] You should watch out for some of the other ones though. I haven't seen any of them do anything apart from making a high pitched noise which is bad enough to knock you off your feet but you never know. So lemme know if you run into any trouble too.

...if they can do that on their own then a group of them making noise could be deadly. [Keith says with a furrow in his brow. He’d have to spread that knowledge so no one would be caught unaware. He nods and stands up whistling sharply. Something detaches from the great blue above them.

He had brought Ember with him to the island but had sent him up away from the situation on the ground. As the dark shape resolves into a large orange and red bird of prey, he thrusts his arm up. Ember banks and lands on his arm. His talons close around his armored gauntlet and he makes soft crooning noises to him.]

We should tell everyone we see about that danger. And yeah, I’ll let you know if Ember and I need any back up.

[Zidane notices whatever is flying above them and looks up. He then turns to Keith. He turns his head and sees Keith holding his arm up. Huh. Looks like a pet of his. Far less strange than that owl snake thing that seems to like the young thief, anyway.]

Good point. These creatures have only just appeared so we don't know a lot about them yet. And if some of them are dangerous enough to go in groups and make noises like that.....well, I kinda don't want to think about that.

Yeah, me either. [Keith grimaces, his eyes on the creature happily cuddling up to Zidane. It's just a critter but they have to protect themselves. It doesn't seem to care about Ember.

The phoenix opens a wing and extends it over the back of his neck as it shuffles to his shoulder. Warmth bathes him as he murmurs sweet words in Galra to his friend. He turns his gaze back on Zidane.]

We should ask the Roaka for what they know. They have to have some idea. If it's a danger to them it's likely a danger to us.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

April Intro: Better Get to Digging

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home is not where slav is, and aren't we all glad

we're so glad

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rolled a 16

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Home is not where slav is

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