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Uncertain Heart [Open]
Apr. 7th, 2025 08:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
upupatomwaySoldiers take stock of weapons and ammunition, mechanics are in and out of the armor workshop, all in anticipation of the movement on Vindess that leaders are discussing. Atom had finished reading another magic book and in practice at the target range, he leaves targets quickly fried to a crisp by electricity. He had faced monsters here, he had faced other monsters and robots at home. Logically, he is ready to join the battle.
He had never attacked a human though. At home, it was against the law for a robot to seriously harm or kill a human, even in self-defense. He had always been under the watchful eye of the public as a representative of the robot race, and labeled a hero after saving people from accidents. He delayed the bad humans until the police arrived. There are definitely parallels between the slavery in the Empire and the slavery of robots, but this is a different world with different rules, and he is aware of what participating in battle might mean.
He isn't sure what the right thing to do is.
He decides to seek out someone who might have more battle experience to give him perspective. The Vault has a few possible candidates, but he also makes a point of visiting Flotsam where there are warriors abound. Atom approaches an individual at lunchtime, with a drink or food in hand to offer them.
"Excuse me. Do you have some time to have lunch and talk? I might be assigned to the front in the next battle, and I could use some advice from someone more experienced facing the Imperials." He asks politely.
He had never attacked a human though. At home, it was against the law for a robot to seriously harm or kill a human, even in self-defense. He had always been under the watchful eye of the public as a representative of the robot race, and labeled a hero after saving people from accidents. He delayed the bad humans until the police arrived. There are definitely parallels between the slavery in the Empire and the slavery of robots, but this is a different world with different rules, and he is aware of what participating in battle might mean.
He isn't sure what the right thing to do is.
He decides to seek out someone who might have more battle experience to give him perspective. The Vault has a few possible candidates, but he also makes a point of visiting Flotsam where there are warriors abound. Atom approaches an individual at lunchtime, with a drink or food in hand to offer them.
"Excuse me. Do you have some time to have lunch and talk? I might be assigned to the front in the next battle, and I could use some advice from someone more experienced facing the Imperials." He asks politely.
Hades 💀 Plot 1 - Execution Phase
Mar. 28th, 2025 06:28 pmblessmefatherWho: Open to all Corsair characters
What: Evacuating a village and prepping for a landslide. Then the landslide.
Where: A small hidden village in the forest at the foot of a mountain
When: Backdated to the 4th of March
( Read more... )
What: Evacuating a village and prepping for a landslide. Then the landslide.
Where: A small hidden village in the forest at the foot of a mountain
When: Backdated to the 4th of March
( Read more... )
First Chord
Mar. 24th, 2025 07:33 pmfair_troubleThere’s a slight possibility you’ve seen them before- a very pretty blonde young man, or occasionally young woman, wandering around Elysium. Sometimes they’re spotted in Flotsam, but never in the Vault. They’re usually hanging out in bars and taverns, smiling and laughing a lot, but saying and drinking very little. At the beginning of Spring they start popping up a lot more frequently, and maybe you'll get the chance to have an actual conversation with them.
Music [Elysium]
Spring is well underway on the continent of Innistis, but there are a few places- particularly on the Northern side of the continent- where the new growth and the warmth are lagging behind, where snow still lurks in the shade, where the lion hasn’t fully turned into a lamb.
This spot is one of them, a glade that’s a good hike uphill from the city of Elysium. It’s more grey and brown than green, and Emery is seated on a rock that has enough sun to be relatively dry. In his hands, he’s holding a battered old lyre, upon which he is playing a pretty little tune.
When he’s done he stares down at his hands in thoughtful silence for several moments, before suddenly turning to look at you.
“That was lovely, wasn’t it?” he says, smiling.
Greens [Elysium]
If you’re not inclined to explore outside the city you still might encounter a certain cheery blonde girl walking around in a green cloak and carrying a tray full of tiny pots. Each pot is filled with soil, with tiny green plants sprouting out of them.
Catch her eye and she’ll approach you, holding the tray out for your inspection.
“Would you like to take one?”
Fists [Vindess]
With the town of Vindess under Imperial lockdown, tensions are running high. The stress has left the tempers of the citizens short, and the soldiers are quick to mete out punishment for any perceived infractions. It’s basically the perfect conditions for fights to break out- such as this one.
Honestly Emery’s not even sure how it started, but this is a pub. People have been drinking. Some people started arguing, the volume grew louder, and then suddenly fists started flying.
Emery is one of the few who isn’t throwing punches, and is instead doing his best to dodge and skedaddle around the edges of the fight. It’s not the fight itself that concerns him, honestly, but the prospect of the town guard showing up.
[[ooc: And our Apollo enters the scene, though he’s staying relatively incognito for the moment. This is mostly a casual introduction post, but is also meant to lead into a player plot where Emery’ll be recruiting some Corsairs to fight a monster. Subsequently the Vindess prompt is your best bet for getting on his radar for that, but it’s not necessary either.
As Apollo, Emery has a couple of abilities that might cause problems for your character, so please make sure to check his permissions post.]]
Music [Elysium]
Spring is well underway on the continent of Innistis, but there are a few places- particularly on the Northern side of the continent- where the new growth and the warmth are lagging behind, where snow still lurks in the shade, where the lion hasn’t fully turned into a lamb.
This spot is one of them, a glade that’s a good hike uphill from the city of Elysium. It’s more grey and brown than green, and Emery is seated on a rock that has enough sun to be relatively dry. In his hands, he’s holding a battered old lyre, upon which he is playing a pretty little tune.
When he’s done he stares down at his hands in thoughtful silence for several moments, before suddenly turning to look at you.
“That was lovely, wasn’t it?” he says, smiling.
Greens [Elysium]
If you’re not inclined to explore outside the city you still might encounter a certain cheery blonde girl walking around in a green cloak and carrying a tray full of tiny pots. Each pot is filled with soil, with tiny green plants sprouting out of them.
Catch her eye and she’ll approach you, holding the tray out for your inspection.
“Would you like to take one?”
Fists [Vindess]
With the town of Vindess under Imperial lockdown, tensions are running high. The stress has left the tempers of the citizens short, and the soldiers are quick to mete out punishment for any perceived infractions. It’s basically the perfect conditions for fights to break out- such as this one.
Honestly Emery’s not even sure how it started, but this is a pub. People have been drinking. Some people started arguing, the volume grew louder, and then suddenly fists started flying.
Emery is one of the few who isn’t throwing punches, and is instead doing his best to dodge and skedaddle around the edges of the fight. It’s not the fight itself that concerns him, honestly, but the prospect of the town guard showing up.
[[ooc: And our Apollo enters the scene, though he’s staying relatively incognito for the moment. This is mostly a casual introduction post, but is also meant to lead into a player plot where Emery’ll be recruiting some Corsairs to fight a monster. Subsequently the Vindess prompt is your best bet for getting on his radar for that, but it’s not necessary either.
As Apollo, Emery has a couple of abilities that might cause problems for your character, so please make sure to check his permissions post.]]
003 - A Body in Motion Stays in Motion
Mar. 6th, 2025 01:47 ampurplexingThere's always room for improvement. This isn't any new realization so much as a long established fact. It seems that with ever mission and undertaking that Donnie goes through, he finds there's just so much more he doesn't know, or that he can get better at.
Truthfully the past month's left him a bit strained, or at least that's how he's felt. Maybe it's because of the raid, maybe the mission. Maybe the encounter with that horrible duchess. He doesn't know. The previous month had been busier than he'd expected, leaving him no time to go and see if his family was still where he knew them to be, but then he'd been reluctant to check after the address from the Emperor.
He's been restless, always seeking distractions, and with the Corsairs there at least never seems to be a lack for things to do. Repairs to be seen to, new ideas to be drafted and crafted. Upgrades to apply.
I. Armory A
The Armory's a normal haunt for him. He's made progress on the repairs for the Armor he'd scavenged some months back and he's eager to test it out. While he can't do any flying inside, he can at least run through movements, and with the lighter build, it makes it a bit easier to execute more natural moves.
While typically a Feder isn't armed with a polearm, for mobility testing purposes, Donnie's borrowed a spear from a Lanze. It's difficult to pull off the same maneuvers he would with his own staff, but sticking to more basic motions, he tests response times and range of movement, putting the sleek armor through a few drills.
II. Armory B
Perhaps you come across the turtlekin when he's at a workbench, carefully crafting the settings for some very small ether stones. His ENC bracer's currently being used as a paperweight atop one of many schematics he's drawn up, and off to one side his staff rests in its separate sections, along with its normally hidden internal mechanisms. Is that a grappling hook? And the slim knife is certainly a new edition.
As usual he's caught up in his work, not at all meaning to be rude towards any visitors, but you'll have to excuse him for not noticing you there. He also tends to wear his earmuffs tight when in the Armory since it gets loud.
III. Training Rooms
The training dummy before him has seen better days. Unfortunately, as a training dummy, it doesn't have much options for better days, and the rooms have seen plenty more use of late. Today's no exception, and the green lad in the purple mask isn't holding back on his strikes.
A dull metal ring echoes with each hit he makes with his staff, leaving indentations on the dummy between each spin and thrust. He's not sure how long he's been beating up on the thing, but it's a quick way to expend some restless energy. Maybe he's been at it too long, or maybe he just hit the thing too hard, but there's a clang as the titanium staff's slipped from his hands and fallen to the floor, rolling off some ways.
IV. Free Play
((OOC: Need him for anything else or want to do something elsewhere in the Vault? Insert option here!))
Truthfully the past month's left him a bit strained, or at least that's how he's felt. Maybe it's because of the raid, maybe the mission. Maybe the encounter with that horrible duchess. He doesn't know. The previous month had been busier than he'd expected, leaving him no time to go and see if his family was still where he knew them to be, but then he'd been reluctant to check after the address from the Emperor.
He's been restless, always seeking distractions, and with the Corsairs there at least never seems to be a lack for things to do. Repairs to be seen to, new ideas to be drafted and crafted. Upgrades to apply.
I. Armory A
The Armory's a normal haunt for him. He's made progress on the repairs for the Armor he'd scavenged some months back and he's eager to test it out. While he can't do any flying inside, he can at least run through movements, and with the lighter build, it makes it a bit easier to execute more natural moves.
While typically a Feder isn't armed with a polearm, for mobility testing purposes, Donnie's borrowed a spear from a Lanze. It's difficult to pull off the same maneuvers he would with his own staff, but sticking to more basic motions, he tests response times and range of movement, putting the sleek armor through a few drills.
II. Armory B
Perhaps you come across the turtlekin when he's at a workbench, carefully crafting the settings for some very small ether stones. His ENC bracer's currently being used as a paperweight atop one of many schematics he's drawn up, and off to one side his staff rests in its separate sections, along with its normally hidden internal mechanisms. Is that a grappling hook? And the slim knife is certainly a new edition.
As usual he's caught up in his work, not at all meaning to be rude towards any visitors, but you'll have to excuse him for not noticing you there. He also tends to wear his earmuffs tight when in the Armory since it gets loud.
III. Training Rooms
The training dummy before him has seen better days. Unfortunately, as a training dummy, it doesn't have much options for better days, and the rooms have seen plenty more use of late. Today's no exception, and the green lad in the purple mask isn't holding back on his strikes.
A dull metal ring echoes with each hit he makes with his staff, leaving indentations on the dummy between each spin and thrust. He's not sure how long he's been beating up on the thing, but it's a quick way to expend some restless energy. Maybe he's been at it too long, or maybe he just hit the thing too hard, but there's a clang as the titanium staff's slipped from his hands and fallen to the floor, rolling off some ways.
IV. Free Play
((OOC: Need him for anything else or want to do something elsewhere in the Vault? Insert option here!))
03: In Like A Lion
Mar. 3rd, 2025 12:38 pmtheriflespiral01: Pancake Week (Elysium)
Much as she despises the Orthodox Church, there was one tradition, Natalia thinks, with which she can truck, and that is the week before Lent being Pancake Week.
She has a small Ether stove and a little chalk sign: IT'S PANCAKE WEEK! Deliver a pancake! Ask me how!, with a small list of fillings, and a drawing of a penguin carrying a pancake wrapped around little herrings and a pleased expression.
Although, the ability to deliver a pancake, still warm, without breaking it, is a hell of a statement for a shipping company to make...
02: To Dance As The Queen Does
Once more, Natalia listens to distantly piped jazz and taps the rhythm carefully, gathering Ether, ice swirling in her hands as she moves to the beat.
And, once again, as her mind fills with other things, the spell breaks, sending little bits of powder snow all across the improvised dance floor, to evaporate.
She hums in annoyance. Of course, by now, surely someone would hear soft or hard jazz and come to investigate.
03: Unfurling Inner Lotus
While much of her time is given to maintaining her front or honing her marksmanship and spellcraft, time must be given to conditioning her body.
This is risky, because unlike the other forms of training, to do it she must engage her energies at their fullest. This is less a risk of her being hurt-- no more than usual-- but rather a risk of discovery; for no one notices a girl with black hair and black eyes, but a girl with blue stars shining in her eyes? Now that has been seen once or twice, to say nothing about how it might touch on the senses of those sensitive to Ether.
But it's the only way to make sure she's training to her utmost, and so utmost she must go-- keeping up with others, never mind the Empire, demands it.
Thus it is that someone as apparently light as Natalia Koutolika is now lifting sacks of shot that are obviously as heavy as she is, and tossing them some distance, besides.
04: Special Deliveries
This was the spot. Natalia stood on the deck of the Humboldt in the little shelter the rocks of the island made, and waited to make contact.
As much as she wanted to recover and utilize larger ships, even ships that might be better suited to the line (intentionally), ships like the little sea sloop were too useful for Penguin Logistics' other purpose: smuggling packages, people, and information.
Was her chronometer wrong? She kept a weather eye out. Who is meeting her? And for what?
Much as she despises the Orthodox Church, there was one tradition, Natalia thinks, with which she can truck, and that is the week before Lent being Pancake Week.
She has a small Ether stove and a little chalk sign: IT'S PANCAKE WEEK! Deliver a pancake! Ask me how!, with a small list of fillings, and a drawing of a penguin carrying a pancake wrapped around little herrings and a pleased expression.
Although, the ability to deliver a pancake, still warm, without breaking it, is a hell of a statement for a shipping company to make...
02: To Dance As The Queen Does
Once more, Natalia listens to distantly piped jazz and taps the rhythm carefully, gathering Ether, ice swirling in her hands as she moves to the beat.
And, once again, as her mind fills with other things, the spell breaks, sending little bits of powder snow all across the improvised dance floor, to evaporate.
She hums in annoyance. Of course, by now, surely someone would hear soft or hard jazz and come to investigate.
03: Unfurling Inner Lotus
While much of her time is given to maintaining her front or honing her marksmanship and spellcraft, time must be given to conditioning her body.
This is risky, because unlike the other forms of training, to do it she must engage her energies at their fullest. This is less a risk of her being hurt-- no more than usual-- but rather a risk of discovery; for no one notices a girl with black hair and black eyes, but a girl with blue stars shining in her eyes? Now that has been seen once or twice, to say nothing about how it might touch on the senses of those sensitive to Ether.
But it's the only way to make sure she's training to her utmost, and so utmost she must go-- keeping up with others, never mind the Empire, demands it.
Thus it is that someone as apparently light as Natalia Koutolika is now lifting sacks of shot that are obviously as heavy as she is, and tossing them some distance, besides.
04: Special Deliveries
This was the spot. Natalia stood on the deck of the Humboldt in the little shelter the rocks of the island made, and waited to make contact.
As much as she wanted to recover and utilize larger ships, even ships that might be better suited to the line (intentionally), ships like the little sea sloop were too useful for Penguin Logistics' other purpose: smuggling packages, people, and information.
Was her chronometer wrong? She kept a weather eye out. Who is meeting her? And for what?
tisfinished01: sustenance
With refugees in the Vault, the Milk Run as a business is less important than making sure the new ones, the strangers, are properly fed. Senshi and anyone capable who cares to help him have set themselves to this task, making sure there’s enough nice hot soup and bread for any starving miner or factory worker, now cut off from their old life, to at least not have to worry about their next meal.
Whenever possible Senshi takes a moment to make sure the new uns are settled in and have a warm bed, and does his best to make them feel welcome, but he knows with a crowd this size that’s not always possible. So many mouths, so little time. Still, he makes the new arrivals feel human whenever he can.
02: luxury
Senshi is going around with a survey, asking new and old what luxury foods and ingredients they most miss from the Empire and carefully noting down the answers in a notebook.
If asked why, he says, “Simple: next time I’m out shopping with the Milk Run, I’ll try to find some.”
He’s dead serious.
What flavors and treats do you miss most?
With refugees in the Vault, the Milk Run as a business is less important than making sure the new ones, the strangers, are properly fed. Senshi and anyone capable who cares to help him have set themselves to this task, making sure there’s enough nice hot soup and bread for any starving miner or factory worker, now cut off from their old life, to at least not have to worry about their next meal.
Whenever possible Senshi takes a moment to make sure the new uns are settled in and have a warm bed, and does his best to make them feel welcome, but he knows with a crowd this size that’s not always possible. So many mouths, so little time. Still, he makes the new arrivals feel human whenever he can.
02: luxury
Senshi is going around with a survey, asking new and old what luxury foods and ingredients they most miss from the Empire and carefully noting down the answers in a notebook.
If asked why, he says, “Simple: next time I’m out shopping with the Milk Run, I’ll try to find some.”
He’s dead serious.
What flavors and treats do you miss most?
blessmefatherMid-month, leaders of the Corsairs send word to multiple highly regarded individuals among their ranks, asking them to go to The Vault for a meeting. To meet someone of utmost importance. His identity is to be kept secret from the Empire at all costs, and we have decided to limit the number of those who are given this information for now.
The meeting takes place behind closed doors in a small lecture hall. The Vault's higher ranking scholars, who take up most of the select crowd, are found speaking enthusiastically to each other. This is something of great interest to them and pens are at the ready.
When everyone is settled into their seats, a man rises from his seat, tapping his way to the center of the lecture floor. He fiddles with the end of his cane, smiling at the crowd and greeting them after pushing his dark glasses up his nose.
"Hi! Thanks for coming, everyone. My name is Matthias Meerdock, but please call me Matt. I was previously a private investigator, and yes, I am blind. If you're wondering, I worked with a sighted partner on cases. My other senses are abnormally strong though, so I pick up on other details. Smells, sounds... But I'm not actually here to talk to you about that."
He clears his throat and purses his lips, hesitating for a short moment at the intimidating weight of the message he bears. He pushes onward.
"The old religion says that ages ago, The Pantheon of Gods came upon a wealth of Ether, and used it to build our world. Together the gods controlled and shaped the elements to mold the lands, the Eternal Ocean, the life, and the Peoples of Esthere.
( Read more... )
The meeting takes place behind closed doors in a small lecture hall. The Vault's higher ranking scholars, who take up most of the select crowd, are found speaking enthusiastically to each other. This is something of great interest to them and pens are at the ready.
When everyone is settled into their seats, a man rises from his seat, tapping his way to the center of the lecture floor. He fiddles with the end of his cane, smiling at the crowd and greeting them after pushing his dark glasses up his nose.
"Hi! Thanks for coming, everyone. My name is Matthias Meerdock, but please call me Matt. I was previously a private investigator, and yes, I am blind. If you're wondering, I worked with a sighted partner on cases. My other senses are abnormally strong though, so I pick up on other details. Smells, sounds... But I'm not actually here to talk to you about that."
He clears his throat and purses his lips, hesitating for a short moment at the intimidating weight of the message he bears. He pushes onward.
"The old religion says that ages ago, The Pantheon of Gods came upon a wealth of Ether, and used it to build our world. Together the gods controlled and shaped the elements to mold the lands, the Eternal Ocean, the life, and the Peoples of Esthere.
( Read more... )
(no subject)
Feb. 20th, 2025 05:03 pmfreearcadiaBackdated to post-Raid/Terra rescue
He wasn't as bad off as the rest, but he is feeling it, and the phantom vision hasn't quite gone away. The pirate reluctantly heads to the infirmary just to make sure there wasn't anything permanently wrong. Harlock seemed to have enter right when a healer had stepped out for a moment, he took the moment to look the place over, mulling over the realities of the world in his mind - healing magic, commanding elements, what exactly are the limits, how they work...
Which meant when he heard someone moving, the space pirate actually started, quickly turning to see who it was - maybe it was a healer so he can get it over with, or a patient who actually needs someone more apt at medicine than he was.
Vault - Armor Training
He suspected he did as well as he did in covering their retreat was a mixture of Donnie having his back, and being just too tired and hurt for his muscle memory to trip him up. After some lessons, he could be found in the Feder, having decided he favor it's mobility over the benefits of the other suits.
After a particularly rough series of pivoting - practically drifting - and leaping, he overcorrects, nearly stumbling before it skids to a halt, smoke coming out of a leg joint.
"Damn...!" He cursed under his breath as the Armor opens, unbuckling himself to jump out and see what happened.
Elysium - Drinking, Again. [cw: Alcohol and alcohol-related nonsense]
The mood in Waterlogged row is largely celebrant, thought there was an underlying tension of uncertainty and dread due to the significant change in the status quo.
At this point, Harlock has become a regular at a particular tavern - the Staggering Magpie - a rather apt name for a gathering of drunken reprobates. The one-eye pirate took to a seat against the wall, and kept mostly to himself.
Tonight was however different, as a literal bear of a man plunked himself across from the man, and ordered several shot glasses to be brought over. Harlock simply raised his brows but did not refuse the obvious overtures of what looks to be the start of a drinking contest.
Wildcard
[Want to do something different? hit me up at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
RShini to plot]
He wasn't as bad off as the rest, but he is feeling it, and the phantom vision hasn't quite gone away. The pirate reluctantly heads to the infirmary just to make sure there wasn't anything permanently wrong. Harlock seemed to have enter right when a healer had stepped out for a moment, he took the moment to look the place over, mulling over the realities of the world in his mind - healing magic, commanding elements, what exactly are the limits, how they work...
Which meant when he heard someone moving, the space pirate actually started, quickly turning to see who it was - maybe it was a healer so he can get it over with, or a patient who actually needs someone more apt at medicine than he was.
Vault - Armor Training
He suspected he did as well as he did in covering their retreat was a mixture of Donnie having his back, and being just too tired and hurt for his muscle memory to trip him up. After some lessons, he could be found in the Feder, having decided he favor it's mobility over the benefits of the other suits.
After a particularly rough series of pivoting - practically drifting - and leaping, he overcorrects, nearly stumbling before it skids to a halt, smoke coming out of a leg joint.
"Damn...!" He cursed under his breath as the Armor opens, unbuckling himself to jump out and see what happened.
Elysium - Drinking, Again. [cw: Alcohol and alcohol-related nonsense]
The mood in Waterlogged row is largely celebrant, thought there was an underlying tension of uncertainty and dread due to the significant change in the status quo.
At this point, Harlock has become a regular at a particular tavern - the Staggering Magpie - a rather apt name for a gathering of drunken reprobates. The one-eye pirate took to a seat against the wall, and kept mostly to himself.
Tonight was however different, as a literal bear of a man plunked himself across from the man, and ordered several shot glasses to be brought over. Harlock simply raised his brows but did not refuse the obvious overtures of what looks to be the start of a drinking contest.
Wildcard
[Want to do something different? hit me up at
乙巳 004: 大寒
Jan. 24th, 2025 12:53 pmsinglemilletgrain[video broadcast]
Greetings again, Corsairs.
[As usual, following a bow, Shu addresses the video feed with perfect poise and elegance.]
After the... challenging events of the New Year's mission, I wish to call for some levity. In Yan, as the year changes, we visit the temples to have our fortunes told for the coming year. It is just for fun, of course. In Dahuang, I keep a place of worship to... [a faint pause] a Xian of agriculture, Shennong, and occasionally run the festivities.
Please come by. There will be traditional New Year's food, of course.
[If anyone has learned anything about Yan at this point, it is that they have Too Many Holiday Traditions and Too Much Food.]
[option 1: just for fun]
[Shu's doorway is vibrantly decorated in red and gold, and when she ushers you in, the most immediate sight is the table filled with plates and plates of food. Mostly dumplings, for dumplings are easiest for visitors, but also whole fish, noodle dishes, and sticky rice.
To the side, there is a little chest with two sets of burning incense at either side. Fortune seekers are invited to kneel, burn incense if they wish, pray for luck from whatever deity or the general karmic wheel of the universe, and then reach out for a container of what look like sticks. There is a little sign explaining this is the tradition of 'qiu qian,' beseeching insight from the gods.
One must ask a clear question, shake the container a few times, and pull out a stick.]
[option 2: the real thing]
[Shu sits at her 'priest's seat' and laughs lightly at the interpretation of the fortune received. Perhaps she sees something more ponderous in your eyes, for after a moment or two, she clasps her hands together and exhales lightly, bowing her head.
Her red pupils have constricted to tiny dots when she raises her head once more.]
...I could give you a better fortune, if you wish.
((If you pick option 2, Shu will either tell you in very vague prophetic terms something that may or may not happen in the future of your canon, something that happened in the past of your canon, or give you a random item that might be useful to you this year. If you pick option 1, it will be total nonsense.))
Greetings again, Corsairs.
[As usual, following a bow, Shu addresses the video feed with perfect poise and elegance.]
After the... challenging events of the New Year's mission, I wish to call for some levity. In Yan, as the year changes, we visit the temples to have our fortunes told for the coming year. It is just for fun, of course. In Dahuang, I keep a place of worship to... [a faint pause] a Xian of agriculture, Shennong, and occasionally run the festivities.
Please come by. There will be traditional New Year's food, of course.
[If anyone has learned anything about Yan at this point, it is that they have Too Many Holiday Traditions and Too Much Food.]
[option 1: just for fun]
[Shu's doorway is vibrantly decorated in red and gold, and when she ushers you in, the most immediate sight is the table filled with plates and plates of food. Mostly dumplings, for dumplings are easiest for visitors, but also whole fish, noodle dishes, and sticky rice.
To the side, there is a little chest with two sets of burning incense at either side. Fortune seekers are invited to kneel, burn incense if they wish, pray for luck from whatever deity or the general karmic wheel of the universe, and then reach out for a container of what look like sticks. There is a little sign explaining this is the tradition of 'qiu qian,' beseeching insight from the gods.
One must ask a clear question, shake the container a few times, and pull out a stick.]
[option 2: the real thing]
[Shu sits at her 'priest's seat' and laughs lightly at the interpretation of the fortune received. Perhaps she sees something more ponderous in your eyes, for after a moment or two, she clasps her hands together and exhales lightly, bowing her head.
Her red pupils have constricted to tiny dots when she raises her head once more.]
...I could give you a better fortune, if you wish.
((If you pick option 2, Shu will either tell you in very vague prophetic terms something that may or may not happen in the future of your canon, something that happened in the past of your canon, or give you a random item that might be useful to you this year. If you pick option 1, it will be total nonsense.))
relentless_sentinelWho: Nephenee and YOU
What: Nephenee's handing out gifts for all the Corsairs! Yes, we said all! And even some non-Corsairs!
Where: All around the place (seriously)
When: Shortly after the fireworks
Warnings: None known, will edit if needed
It'd been not that long ago that a certain Sentinel and Corsair learned of gift giving for the solstice and for New Year's, and being the type of girl who likes to take care of everyone, she jumped at the chance to do so. So she's been working like mad to prepare things for everyone.
Unfortunately, little things like missions got in the way. But that's over now, and the oven's been blazing like mad for a good long while. The kitchen smells like sweet, buttery heaven, and once the last bunch is done, she grabs the more personalized gifts, and heads off to hand out everything!
So when she finds you, you get a hopeful, and a bit shy, "H-Howdy!" The tall woman's in her normal blue armour, but there's a little blue scarf around her neck over her orange neckerchief, too. It's the only warm-looking thing on her. Other than her cheeks, that is; those are bright red. "Ah, uh, gotta present for New Year's for ya."
[OOC: EVERYONE gets gifts! If you're close CR, you get personalized gifts! And if you're injured? YOU'RE GETTING HEALS AND GIFTS.
No, it doesn't matter if she knows you or not. If you're here, you get a thing.]
What: Nephenee's handing out gifts for all the Corsairs! Yes, we said all! And even some non-Corsairs!
Where: All around the place (seriously)
When: Shortly after the fireworks
Warnings: None known, will edit if needed
It'd been not that long ago that a certain Sentinel and Corsair learned of gift giving for the solstice and for New Year's, and being the type of girl who likes to take care of everyone, she jumped at the chance to do so. So she's been working like mad to prepare things for everyone.
Unfortunately, little things like missions got in the way. But that's over now, and the oven's been blazing like mad for a good long while. The kitchen smells like sweet, buttery heaven, and once the last bunch is done, she grabs the more personalized gifts, and heads off to hand out everything!
So when she finds you, you get a hopeful, and a bit shy, "H-Howdy!" The tall woman's in her normal blue armour, but there's a little blue scarf around her neck over her orange neckerchief, too. It's the only warm-looking thing on her. Other than her cheeks, that is; those are bright red. "Ah, uh, gotta present for New Year's for ya."
[OOC: EVERYONE gets gifts! If you're close CR, you get personalized gifts! And if you're injured? YOU'RE GETTING HEALS AND GIFTS.
No, it doesn't matter if she knows you or not. If you're here, you get a thing.]
Quest 07 (Open + Closed)
Jan. 18th, 2025 11:48 amnewmemorywhodisi. Making new, wolfy friends [Open]
In the wild areas near Elysium, Link’s been exploring. It’s a common activity for him. There’s mushrooms and flowers to pick, game to hunt, monsters to fight…
…Then one day, while he’s up in a tree collecting some bird’s eggs, he spots a wolf. A big wolf. A really, really big wolf. It’s as big as a horse.
And once he makes that mental connection, Link immediately thinks, I could ride that.
Which naturally means Link now has to find out if he can. He pulls out a Sneaky Elixir, and swiftly swallows it - demeaning the sounds of his movements. Silently uses his paraglider to move from tree to tree, getting closer. And then carefully drops down behind the massive, monstrous wolf.
He crouches down. Creeps forward. Slowly, slowly. Until he’s right behind the beast, so close he could reach out and touch its fur.
And then he leaps up onto its back, and grabs on.
The wolf yelps and snarls - but Link’s got a good position, and he doesn’t let it twist back and bite him. He just directs the beast to run, and keeps a good hold.
What do you know, he can ride it!
ii. A retrieval of memories [locked to Shu]
Shu had spoken to the Admiral. They’d tracked down the Imperial Commander who’d been given Link’s Purah Pad.
And then they’d sneaked onto the Commander’s warship and completely trashed his quarters.
Well, Link had trashed his quarters. Shu was a bit too dignified for such wanton destruction, but Link wasn’t. And he didn’t regret it either, since in the process, he’d found the Pad!
Now, their getaway was nearly complete. Here in a small alleyway in Elysium, they were far from the scene of the crime. The Crimson Portal wasn’t far off.
But Link had to pause. He hadn’t had a chance yet, but - he had to see. Were all of his pictures still on the Purah Pad? Were they safe?
He pulls out the Pad, and turns it on. And turns to the photo gallery.
iii. Link has a slide show and he’s gonna make you watch it [semi-closed]
Later, Link thinks of all the new people he’d met. People who’d helped him grow plants from home, or who’d shown interest in things from his home. Shu wasn't the only one who he knew would like to see his pictures.
Before, he hadn't had any way of sharing these images of his home. But…now he could.
So Link tracks those people down. Says, “Hi,” when he finds them. And then shoves the Purah Pad - with a picture from Hyrule that would interest them on the screen - right in their face.
[[ooc: this prompt is for Nephenee, Ilphyll, Donnie, Maomao and Atom - but could be open to others if there's a reason for Link to decide to share]]
iv. Wildcard!
[[if you'd like something not on her, contact me!]]
In the wild areas near Elysium, Link’s been exploring. It’s a common activity for him. There’s mushrooms and flowers to pick, game to hunt, monsters to fight…
…Then one day, while he’s up in a tree collecting some bird’s eggs, he spots a wolf. A big wolf. A really, really big wolf. It’s as big as a horse.
And once he makes that mental connection, Link immediately thinks, I could ride that.
Which naturally means Link now has to find out if he can. He pulls out a Sneaky Elixir, and swiftly swallows it - demeaning the sounds of his movements. Silently uses his paraglider to move from tree to tree, getting closer. And then carefully drops down behind the massive, monstrous wolf.
He crouches down. Creeps forward. Slowly, slowly. Until he’s right behind the beast, so close he could reach out and touch its fur.
And then he leaps up onto its back, and grabs on.
The wolf yelps and snarls - but Link’s got a good position, and he doesn’t let it twist back and bite him. He just directs the beast to run, and keeps a good hold.
What do you know, he can ride it!
ii. A retrieval of memories [locked to Shu]
Shu had spoken to the Admiral. They’d tracked down the Imperial Commander who’d been given Link’s Purah Pad.
And then they’d sneaked onto the Commander’s warship and completely trashed his quarters.
Well, Link had trashed his quarters. Shu was a bit too dignified for such wanton destruction, but Link wasn’t. And he didn’t regret it either, since in the process, he’d found the Pad!
Now, their getaway was nearly complete. Here in a small alleyway in Elysium, they were far from the scene of the crime. The Crimson Portal wasn’t far off.
But Link had to pause. He hadn’t had a chance yet, but - he had to see. Were all of his pictures still on the Purah Pad? Were they safe?
He pulls out the Pad, and turns it on. And turns to the photo gallery.
iii. Link has a slide show and he’s gonna make you watch it [semi-closed]
Later, Link thinks of all the new people he’d met. People who’d helped him grow plants from home, or who’d shown interest in things from his home. Shu wasn't the only one who he knew would like to see his pictures.
Before, he hadn't had any way of sharing these images of his home. But…now he could.
So Link tracks those people down. Says, “Hi,” when he finds them. And then shoves the Purah Pad - with a picture from Hyrule that would interest them on the screen - right in their face.
[[ooc: this prompt is for Nephenee, Ilphyll, Donnie, Maomao and Atom - but could be open to others if there's a reason for Link to decide to share]]
iv. Wildcard!
[[if you'd like something not on her, contact me!]]
thunderwarden01 the market stalls
02 waterlogged row
03 wildcard
Freedom tasted sweet, and since the moment he was brought to Flotsam, he got the impression he was going to like it here. Striding through one passage or another, listening to the erratic but somehow melodious sounds of Flotsam, he knew he could find a place here. It was busy, there were parts of it that smelled, but it was free, and it was populated by an eclectic bunch of renegades that reminded him so much of his own it made him homesick.
Which meant ploughing on until he secured his own space to brood in and hopefully acclimate to this place. After months slaving under Imperial lashes working on their machines, being here seemed like something of a miracle, and while he was bone tired, soul tired even, he couldn't very well leave the lot of them to their own devices. That meant he needed to be prepared, he needed to figure out what his role would be in this place, and he needed to meet the locals. So, top of the list? Preparation. The Empire had stripped him of all he'd had on him at the time, and that included his swords. They'd need to be replaced, which meant a trip to the market stalls for gear and armor if he was going to be of any use to these people who'd given him a chance at freedom.
He started at a weapons stall, testing the weight of swords with the skill of a man who'd done so all his life, sighting down the blades, one after another, feeling their weight in his hand. "Fine craftsmanship, mate." He smirked at the vendor, "less, of course, you don't make 'em here, then good eye, I guess. Either way, I'll take it."
He spends a bit more time browsing wares, getting a feel for the place, the sorts of goods that cross the decks of a floating city and the sorts of conversations that are had among the market stalls, finding a blessing by the end of it: a satchel of tobacco and rolling papers. Maybe fate's smiling on him after all.
02 waterlogged row
Taverns the world over, and those from another world he used to call home, shared common threads: people unwound there, they drank some kind of swill, and they talked. Where normally Cid would be taking this as an opportunity to learn ought that was going on around the realm, his knowledge of this world he'd found himself in was still limited to the point that he was just absorbing pieces: geography, politics beyond what little he'd been able to glean from overheard conversations from his captors, and anything else that might be useful.
Or rumors of where he could be useful. By the way he strode into the tavern in question, he knew how to use the swords at his hip, but he wasn't walking in threatening people with them, either. Instead, he makes to prop up the bar, so to speak, lighting a freshly rolled cigarette and ordering whatever's on tap while he keeps an eye out for any interesting individuals who might stride in.
03 wildcard
( ooc: Cid can be found in various places around Flotsam, as he's getting acclimated. I'd be totally down you you setting your own scene, or if you'd me to write a prompt, drop me a line! )
tisfinished1: The Milk Run, docked at Flotsam
Senshi seems unusually focused and far less chatty than usual as he serves up hearty winter fare; in addition to the headline items from this post's title, he has hot tea, coffee and cocoa available as well as pork pies and (as a vegetarian option) mushroom pies and an array of pickled vegetables.
He tries to be friendly as ever, but it's clear something weighs heavily on his mind.
2: The Vault's Practice Halls
Senshi is in need of a sparring partner. He's practicing with axe and shield - curiously, practicing with a cage strapped to his chest - and the poor wooden practice dummies he's been whaling on have been taking a serious beating.
"Think maybe I need an actual opponent," he says, his voice unusually clipped.
3: Solstice Gift-Giving
Beware: if you've done any kindnesses to the weird dwarf that loves to cook with monster meat (even more so than most Flotsam pirates, at any rate) then you're liable to find a box outside your home or apartment door wrapped in a ribbon.
While there is no name identifying who could have left them, the fact that they are exquisite, frosted gingerbread monsters narrows down the possible culprits significantly.
Senshi seems unusually focused and far less chatty than usual as he serves up hearty winter fare; in addition to the headline items from this post's title, he has hot tea, coffee and cocoa available as well as pork pies and (as a vegetarian option) mushroom pies and an array of pickled vegetables.
He tries to be friendly as ever, but it's clear something weighs heavily on his mind.
2: The Vault's Practice Halls
Senshi is in need of a sparring partner. He's practicing with axe and shield - curiously, practicing with a cage strapped to his chest - and the poor wooden practice dummies he's been whaling on have been taking a serious beating.
"Think maybe I need an actual opponent," he says, his voice unusually clipped.
3: Solstice Gift-Giving
Beware: if you've done any kindnesses to the weird dwarf that loves to cook with monster meat (even more so than most Flotsam pirates, at any rate) then you're liable to find a box outside your home or apartment door wrapped in a ribbon.
While there is no name identifying who could have left them, the fact that they are exquisite, frosted gingerbread monsters narrows down the possible culprits significantly.
A Troubled Soldier 01
Dec. 13th, 2024 09:50 amtheriflespiralI: Delivery to Elysium
Elysium-the-city was far larger than Natalia had first assumed. Not that this was a problem for her-- a day or two among the rooftops, and she would know this place as well as anyone who lived here.
For now, though, she was momentarily relying on a map she kept carefully tucked away, and an address on a box with a memorized order form (and countersign, and counter-countersign, easily handwaved).
Being a delivery girl was hardly a novel cover, but it was precisely because such things were ubiquitous that it was easy to slip into the role as she came around the service entrance. Add perhaps a touch of bitter expression at the cold-- she didn't even have to try for that one-- and things would, hopefully, work just fine.
II: Blames Her Tools (Vault)
Natalia, after spending the better part of a day hitting targets from as extreme a range as the Vault could afford, was now overhauling her rifle, first cleaning the inside of the barrel with a cloth and a cleaning rod, and then disassembling it, screw by painstaking screw.
The casings were drying on a separate cloth nearby, with the scent of soap and water, waiting for an oven to finish getting up to the proper temperature.
It took up an entire gunsmith's bench, between the disassembly and the casings waiting for annealing and rolling and fitting and loading, but there was something to it. A peace, in an artisan's craft.
She looked at the tool rack above her and clicked her tongue.
She would have to go hunting for that particular tool.
Okay. Smooth hair. Stand properly. Act like you're supposed to be here.
Time to go among the other workbenches. Or workshops, if she had to.
III: Wildcard
Bug Natalia because she looks suspicious or because you need something.
Elysium-the-city was far larger than Natalia had first assumed. Not that this was a problem for her-- a day or two among the rooftops, and she would know this place as well as anyone who lived here.
For now, though, she was momentarily relying on a map she kept carefully tucked away, and an address on a box with a memorized order form (and countersign, and counter-countersign, easily handwaved).
Being a delivery girl was hardly a novel cover, but it was precisely because such things were ubiquitous that it was easy to slip into the role as she came around the service entrance. Add perhaps a touch of bitter expression at the cold-- she didn't even have to try for that one-- and things would, hopefully, work just fine.
II: Blames Her Tools (Vault)
Natalia, after spending the better part of a day hitting targets from as extreme a range as the Vault could afford, was now overhauling her rifle, first cleaning the inside of the barrel with a cloth and a cleaning rod, and then disassembling it, screw by painstaking screw.
The casings were drying on a separate cloth nearby, with the scent of soap and water, waiting for an oven to finish getting up to the proper temperature.
It took up an entire gunsmith's bench, between the disassembly and the casings waiting for annealing and rolling and fitting and loading, but there was something to it. A peace, in an artisan's craft.
She looked at the tool rack above her and clicked her tongue.
She would have to go hunting for that particular tool.
Okay. Smooth hair. Stand properly. Act like you're supposed to be here.
Time to go among the other workbenches. Or workshops, if she had to.
III: Wildcard
Bug Natalia because she looks suspicious or because you need something.