spoofer: (piano)
Xistentia: Mod ([personal profile] spoofer) wrote in [community profile] xistentia2017-06-24 05:42 pm

Crash Log #1 & Will-o'-Wisp Mini-Event

Characters: Second wave of Xistentia arrivals, greeters/rescuers
Summary: The second wave of characters arrive in Xistentia unexpectedly early... only to face an unexpected threat. D.E.S.T.I.N.Y.'s multiversal attack is disrupting the energy flow, causing a very unusual stampede— of will-o'-wisps, that lure travelers off their path with thoughts. It's up to the residents of Xistentia to help the newcomers!
Date(s): Mid-June 2017
Warnings/Notes: Coercive magic, collisions, moderate injury, dystopian themes

Wisp Mini-Event & Crash #2
Wish you were here. Love comes in waves
A WARNING FROM DAEMONS


Early in the morning, the glow of light to the East, where F.A.T.E.S. resides, begins to turn red in warning. Seconds later, all of the daemons begin to project the same message to their owners. The alarm continues to repeat until the characters acknowledge.
F.A.T.E.S. WARNING SYSTEM

Threat Assessment: Mild
Phenomenon Type: Native Creature Behavior
Predicted Duration: 24 hours

Due to the cosmic energy disruptions by D.E.S.T.I.N.Y., will-o'-wisps are engaging in unusual migratory activity. Residents are advised to remain in the city, or be on-guard against a low level of psychic influence. Wisps feed by creating visual, auditory, and olfactory illusions based on the viewer's needs and temptation. Individuals in compromised emotional states are more susceptible.

The migration will be complete in 24 hours.

It seems straightforward enough. But as dusk begins to fall, the distant sounds of crashing and outcry come from the beach once again. It's familiar-- the first wave of Xistentia residents arrived the exact same way only 2 weeks ago. They're going to need your help.
CRASH LAND INTO ME

For the second wave of Xistentia arrivals, the day is not nearly as ordinary.

Exit one dimension, enter the next. It was chaos: pressure against your ears, light bending in an impossible, unimaginable way. The very molecules of your body vibrating against one another. If you have windows, the view outside makes no sense. Even if not, your hands, your face, your feet seem like an uncertain thing. It's the feel of reality itself tearing apart, reshaping, reconnecting, thread by thread.

And suddenly, there's a beach— or ocean, whichever you land in. Smoke. Fire. Salt water churning up, fizzing around. It's dark— you've arrived at nightfall.

Maybe you crash, in a ship wrecking into sand. Maybe you merely stumble out of a portal, a ragged wormhole in space. Or maybe you fall off the back of an incredible steed, some creature that carried you into this place. Either way, there's pandemonium around you. Incredibly, severe injuries are far and few between— nobody's screaming about the dead. But you might have to help pull someone free of wreckage, or move quickly to salvage burning belongings from the landing craft. Maybe it's the crafts themselves, that you're trying to salvage.

Likely, you don't know them, these other strangers who arrived here[1]. Maybe you don't trust them— you just came out of a dying world, after all. But you all have one thing in common: you're here now.

When you get a second to breathe, the danger doesn't end... because that's when the wisps come.



At first, they're just a stream of pretty lights. Like fireflies, except that their illumination holds steady as they float through empty air. It's helpful for those of us who don't have night vision. However, as the minutes wear on, the terror and stress of the day starts to change to longing. And then the illusions begin. Voices of lost loved ones calling out, or flickers of familiar figures in the distance. The scent of burgers or cinnamon cake floating through the trees.

Maybe the ones you lost aren't lost after all. Maybe there's dessert out there. Isn't it tempting to follow? But watch your step-- there are ditches, fast-flowing rivers, and sleeping trolls you might run across. The wisps are impervious to these dangers, but you likely are not.
SAVE THEIR SOULS

As rescuers venture into the forests, the wisps' illusions change to accommodate the wishes and fears of the new intruders. Each person sees their own illusion, blind to the experiences of others. However, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Resistance from the psychic intrusion is far easier when you know what you're dealing with. Still, that doesn't mean that persuading a traumatized apocalypse survivor is easy. They've been through a lot, and if you're claiming that they're seeing things that aren't there, who's to say you aren't imaginary, yourself?



And the trolls get cranky when their sleep is disturbed.

By morning, however, the wisps have cleared and the other creatures of Xistentia are off on their business. Maybe that's when you choose to come out and help, to find new refugees sleeping in trees, thickets, beach-wrecked fuselage, and other places they had found sanctuary for the night.
WELCOME TO THE CITY

The second wave of arrivals comes into a city that is very different from the one that the first refugees did. Sure, there are still animals and overgrown trees intruding in many buildings and streets— but the center looks very civilized now. Eight full city blocks where the hedges are groomed and the building facades are clean and orderly.


There are a number of fully operational businesses, including restaurants and a tailor. Agriculture is taking off gradually, albeit in a disorganized fashion, thanks to the fact most of the people involved are amateurs. Street lights, the beacons that sense character interactions, are fully operational throughout the day-- likewise, most of the city's functions work just fine now, including indoor lights, plumbing, electricity, etc. Cable isn't great, though. Depending on how badly your encounter with the Wisps was, you may also get acquainted with the hospital. It still looks shabby and moss-eaten, but its glowing recovery enhancement beds work very well. Better bring someone with you, though!
Current Sentient Population
of Xistentia:
222


We now have Instagram!
There's a lot to explore, if you're into that. The two most prominent landmarks are the Central Citadel that overlooks the sea to the West, and the Temple on the Eastern edge of the forest. The former has a bar and lounge, and an oddly self-replenishing availability of liquor, as well as a variety of defunct audotitoriums, bedrooms and technology laboratories. The latter contains strange stone artefacts that blur the line between magic and technology, but are largely unresponsive to touch. The only exception is one sleek screen, black and shiny as volcano glass: an amenities request interface. Tell F.A.T.E.S. what you need.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

hells yeah



Footnotes
  1. Some of these can be nameless, plot-device NPCs to facilitate interactions! But even in this case, please avoid gore in describing their current state of being. Anyone dead or catastrophically injured will have disappeared by the time your characters make it to Xistentia. There are no corpses or dying here.

  2. But like OOCly ask permission ofc.
lacquers: (you give the best advice)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-06-27 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ Magnus' mouth forms a small o-shape at the mention of Eudio, then relaxes at the last comment. ] I've been of that opinion for awhile now. Sharing has only proven helpful in earlier cross-universe travel. [ He gestures around them. ] Of which this would be my second such experience.

Interesting, because my first was also in Eudio. I crossed paths with someone named Elliot - Elliot Richards? - who used magic, though never anyone named Anders. [ He crosses one arm over his torso, gesturing now with the other. Obviously there's no telling it was the same person, but it can't hurt to mention? ]

I can't say there was as much call for magical cooperation on this level there as I suspect there might be here, but it's good to know we're not alone, right? [ At this, he seems a bit more cheered, smiling warmly. ] I'd be happy to try and work together, if it meant helping everyone here with us.

Which leads me to wonder how many there are. Here with us, that is. [ He has some questions about everything else that was just said, but let's prioritize something here: ] I'm Magnus Lightwood-Bane. [ He extends a hand. ] A pleasure.
cantseame: (And time goes quicker)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-06-27 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
Eudio was the same for me. Before then I was traveling, trying to mend a mistake the old wizards made that almost destroyed the world. They made me an offer to come to the city, offering knowledge to fix those mistakes. To help an old friend.

[Although it's pretty clear given their current situation it's hard for him to talk about the past that far back. At the name being mentioned, he nods having recognized it.]

I'd like that. Do something more for those who maybe can't for themselves.

[At hearing his name, Farraige's eyes light up, and a smile breaks through on what had otherwise been a somewhat morose expression.]

So you're Magnus! Rosie told me all about you while we were in Eudio. She's here too, and she suggested I try to meet you while we were both in the city. Name's Farraige, and likewise.

[He takes the other man's hand and shakes it, revealing the slightly corroded metal bracelet that up until now he might've been unconsciously keeping out of sight.]

I don't know who all you knew from Eudio, but we could probably compare notes and see who made it here.
lacquers: (or we could portal to marrakesh)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-06-27 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ 'Almost destroyed the world' gets his attention, for sure. So does the idea of doing something for people who need help, those who maybe don't have the defenses necessary to resist the visions they're being presented.

And he's still curious about this wizardry business. So many questions.

He'd be asking, too, except he gets wildly off-track when there's first an inkling of recognition and then Farriage mentions Rose, which causes him to light right up. Quickly, he gives his new companion's hand a shake before replying. ]
You know Rose! [ He's instantly endeared. ] I actually saw her earlier. Happily so! I was worried about her, to be perfectly honest. And missing her very much since we parted ways.

[ His fondness for Rose is the size of several mountain ranges by this point. ] I'm touched she mentioned me. [ Tickled, really. ]

It would probably be wise to make that list, especially given how many of us seem to be here already. I've run into far more people I know from Eudio than my own world. [ Not sure what to make of that, but... it's something. ]

Actually, the only people I've seen from my world are my husband and Clary Fray, both of whom were in Eudio as well.
cantseame: (Oh my love don't forsake me)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-06-27 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah she's uh. Helped me a lot since coming to Eudio. Dealing with some stuff, y'know? I was glad to see her here, and she was plenty happy I remembered her.

[Also she has absolutely no chill and does some incredible things with her curvaceous form, but that's not exactly appropriate first meeting conversation!] I missed her too. Went back home after Eudio for awhile.

[His smile drops, replaced by a slight frown. He still misses his crew something fierce.]

There were two that were with me from my home world. Guy named Pyrius, well... Moth man, really. Good fire mage, but kind of a jerk. And then there was Periwinkle, but... He'd be more likely to answer to Baron Bolt now. Kind of a long story, but they're two really good friends of mine, but...

[He shrugs, the search has been on going, but there's still yet been no sign of them.]

It's been about a month. If they haven't shown up now, I doubt they're going to. Though I should be happy at least this many of us seem to have survived the ordeal.
lacquers: (how stupid it is to go looking for her)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-06-27 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Magnus can't really help but smile at the mention of Rose helping others. He's deeply, deeply endeared to her. His expression sobers appropriately as Farriage continues to speak, but he couldn't hide his happiness about the first bit there. ]

If my understanding is correct, then there have been two groups who have arrived here. Two separate events. I wouldn't lose hope of there being a third, a fourth. Eudio did regular intakes from other worlds about every month, right? [ He shrugs as well, as if to say, 'thereabouts.' ] It's possible we'll see more familiar faces in months to come.

[ Magnus is what you call an optimist. And a very old one, at that. ]

How we're being gathered here is a little bit of a mystery. [ Not one he is ready to solve in his first few days of being here. ]

I really hope you will be reunited with your friends, [ he says, offering an encouraging smile. ]
cantseame: (To where the water was)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-06-30 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
If this trend persists. Hard to say if the thing destroying our worlds won't have some sort of interference. There's a lot of unknowns here.

[Even if Farraige is trying to be realistic about the situation, the small smile at Magnus' suggestion does at least show he appreciates it.]

Suppose we've got all the time in the world to find the answers then.

[He nods, glancing over to Magnus.]

I hope you find yours, too.
lacquers: (haven't gone on our date yet)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-06-30 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, you're right. Sometimes there's little enough information that there's hardly any point in speculating. But with time, I'm sure we'll know more.

[ He means that as encouragement as well. It's a strange kind of situation to find yourself searching for appropriate reassurances, honestly. Still, optimism! ] We already know more than when we arrived, right?

I certainly do. I admit, I was very confused, waking up on that beach with no explanation as to how I got there.

[ A beat. ] Thank you.
cantseame: Icons from hollowart (Default)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-07-05 10:58 am (UTC)(link)
That's true. It's enough to know that a lot of us made it safely from home or Eudio.

[Now the more ponderous questions come, with the two having established something of an understanding.]

So. I figure now might be a good time to better understand our respective magic. May as well if we're gonna work together, yeah?
lacquers: (only other person i've known who)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-07-05 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Magnus points Farriage's way when he says that about Eudio, a kind of 'you're right about that' gesture. ]

That's wise. [ He adopts a thoughtful expression. ] What would be your suggestion for doing so?

Should we be inquiring about who has magic and what kind? Testing to see how much of our power is accessible here?

I'm not sure about you, but I had some limits placed on my magic in Eudio.
cantseame: (Be the overflow)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-07-05 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
That sounds like a good idea. I'd be happy to explain my magic to you so we both know where to best use my talents. If Rosie trusts you, that's good enough for me. But...

[He pauses, bringing a bit more attention to his right arm. There's a bracelet there, but the metal of it looks as though it has been corroded and eaten away in some respects.]

I should probably explain this, too. Though I wouldn't be surprised if you've already felt what this was holding back.

[How best to explain his situation...]

Let's just say I have a hitchhiker.
lacquers: (i want to find jace)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-07-06 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ "But" sounds a little ominous in this situation.

Magnus raises a brow when the bracelet is revealed (technically for the second time, isn't it?) and examines it from a distance as best he's able while Farraige speaks again and begins to explain. ]


A hitchhiker? [ He poses his query with both curiosity and caution. ] Are you able to tell me more about this hitchhiker of yours?

[ ooc: So, I realized that my extremely dumb butt has been misspelling Farraige's name this entire time. I have no clue how I managed to keep doing that, but I am so sorry! /o\ I am a fool. ]
cantseame: (Let the only sound)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-07-06 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ooc: No worries! To be honest, I didn't even notice.]

Not much I'm afraid. Only that it was something old and lived deep within the earth where I came from. Whatever its from, it's of some magical origin.

[It's always hard for him to explain this creature, for how little he knows.]

I know it isn't malevolent, but I couldn't tell you much more than that. Even for wizards thousands of years older than I am, it was far beyond their comprehension. It came to me seeking its own survival.

[Not a lie, but perhaps not the whole truth.]

I can understand simple concepts from it sometimes, but it's so much that it takes me a few days of meditation to understand it.
lacquers: (you have a choice to make)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-07-06 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, that's worthy of a frown. Not in upset! But rather a furrowed brow that indicates contemplation. ]

Well, I can't say I understand perfectly, but I have a great deal of experience with my world's demons, which would match at least a few aspects of your description. Though they're very often-- well, in fact, almost exclusively malevolent.

How long has it been since you crossed paths? [ Saying 'since you met' doesn't seem quite the correct phrasing.

Nor does 'since you found them/they found you.' He's not sure why, but that wording seems... best. ]
cantseame: (Take what the water gave me)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-07-06 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
Demons weren't something I usually faced. The closest were conjured constructs for wizards with the inclination for that kind of ability.

[It's a question he has to take a bit of time pondering, counting out the years on his fingers. Five, six, seven, eight...]

Must've been about eight years or so.
lacquers: (at least there'd be cocktails)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-07-06 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Going by that, I'm going to assume our worlds have different definitions of demons. Or simply different experiences of them. [ He does not lead with, 'my father is one.' ] Warlocks, my kind, can summon them though!

I also have to think our worlds are different based on what you just said. Eight years is a long time to live with an unidentified entity.

It doesn't cause you any harm, does it? Unintentionally, I mean. Consume your energy or anything like that?
cantseame: (And oh poor Atlas)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-07-08 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
You're a warlock? The old masters said I might meet one someday. If it had to be, I'm at least glad it was one as pleasant as you.

[Certainly not at all like the stories he was told.]

It's... Weird to explain. They knew what it was, but it was so far beyond human comprehension that they couldn't speak with it. I never thought I'd understand it either, but I do. Not well at all, but I do.

[At that, he shakes his head.]

No. If anything, it made me stronger. More capable of magic I otherwise would have spent decades trying to become more proficient in. Kind of like it opened my eyes to new possibilities.
lacquers: (anchors of love around my feet)

[personal profile] lacquers 2017-07-08 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's another arch of Magnus' brow here. ] I take it warlocks have something of a reputation in your world? [ 'As well.' He doesn't say that part.

There's some definite contemplation in response to how Farraige elaborates about his experiences. Another question: ]
So it enhanced your abilities in exchange for what amounts to a roof over its head?

[ That seems like a highly simplified view, but if he were to boil down his understanding of what Farraige just said to its most basic points, that'd be it. ]

Hearing that you communicate as well as you do, it sounds like it was a good choice.

[ On both their parts. But that doesn't mean there's not a catch, right? ]
cantseame: (That's what the water gave me)

[personal profile] cantseame 2017-07-27 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Bingo. Not a good one, I'm afraid. Then again, stuff concerning magic tends to blur together for public consciousness. Not everyone knew what was really going on.

[He nods. It is a simple explanation, but also the closest to being correct.] That's about the long and short of it.

[Oh, if only he knew.]

It was honestly an afterthought, but one that ended up working out well for the both of us. The only thing I can't figure out is its name. Or even if it has one. Then again, given names and magic it might be for the best if it doesn't have one.