Intro Log: Welcome to Your New Home

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for December
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: December 10th-12th
Warnings: New folks, fire everywhere, and there are still killer robots on the loose

As far too many others have in the past, you wake up on the sandy ground of the colosseum, the stone ceiling of the cave stretching high overhead. But this is probably the first time this has happened to you - and even if it isn't, things are even more chaotic than usual right now. You've come at a weird time, friend.

The first thing you might see when you wake up is a salamander, or maybe a lot of salamanders. These amphibious creatures may be kind of cute, they're also incredibly flammable. Anything that brushes up against them has a very good chance of lighting on fire, so keep your distance, and make sure all your stuff keeps its distance too. Oh, and maybe keep them from crawling into the city to light that on fire, too. And in case that isn't enough warmth for you, you can also find a collection of different socks scattered around the arena. So that's... nice.

Of course, you've come at a remarkably bad time. A whole army of evil AI robot creatures recently attacked the city, and all you newcomers have arrived just as the attack is winding down. Does that mean you're not in too much danger? Of course not! There are still Null running around, and while they will ignore you if you ignore them, the second you attack them or deliberately get in their way they'll turn on you too. On top of that, the city itself has been devastated by the attack, with buildings destroyed and people killed. Welcome to Hadriel, let's hope no one tries to use you as a distraction while you're confused and frightened.

Once things calm down, the city's going to be on a different world - but you'll still have a life to live. You can explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers December 10th-12th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Comments

Arrival

[utulien_aure]

This city is currently under attack.

[Answers the tall, dark-haired elf she pulls aside.]

The worst of it seems to be over, but I advise you seek shelter immediately. There are a few places I can recommend if you wish, my lady?

[angelofnaboo]

Under attack by whom?

[She might be new here and it might be a wreck, but she's got a lot of skills to put to use a lot of crap to avoid thinking about.]

I won't hide if others need assistance. Point me to a place where there people who are injured or scared or need some direction.

[utulien_aure]

They call themselves the Null. Beings of metal and artifice, with a grudge against the race who brought us here.

[She doesn't look well at all to Fingon's eyes- though no one here does at the moment, so she fits right in.

Still, they do need all willing hands. This current mess is going to be difficult to pick themselves up from.]

It is a long story, but if you truly wish to help I can tell you as we walk. Can you heal? Our Clinic is gone, as are the Guard's Headquarters, but there are makeshift healer's halls in the Firehouse and the Hot Springs.

[angelofnaboo]

They sound like Droids. [Except not. Even astromech droids like R2D2 only sassed their owners, never attempted to murder anyone. And the Trade Federation's droids were...well, really well trained to fight.] Do they have a central control unit?

[She's well enough, for someone who's supposed to be dead. But she's here and she can't really sit around and do nothing.]

I know basic first aid and I can direct people if I'm told where the safe areas are. I'm not squeamish either.

[utulien_aure]

I could not say; we have no such creatures in Arda. But you're not the first to draw some comparison to something from her home.

[Nodding] Something akin to a brain, you mean? Yes. If you can shoot or cut it out, it will stop the Null. But that task has been getting harder as well; they learn and adapt to our methods.

[Supposed to be dead? She'll fit right in.]

This way, then. I'll take you to the Firehouse, and if we're fortunate there may still be supplies there.

[He gently ushers her in the direction of the Firehouse.] This city is called Hadriel. Most of it's inhabitants were brought here just as you were, through a portal we call the Door. The beings who brought us here feed off emotions, and they have been using us as a power source while they run from the Null.

They are hardly the most popular of hosts, but it is generally agreed that the Null are worse.

[angelofnaboo]

To be honest, Droids don't exist on every world in the galaxy. They're prevalent on most, but not all planets rely on them.

[Not important, Padmé. Get to the important part, politician.]

Yes, either they are contained within the unit itself or a large outside unit that controls multiple droids at the same time. But if it is the second case, that might be harder to discover.

[Okay, so that is important, but maybe not relevant, but she's merely thinking aloud to try and get some bearings.]

If there are no supplies there, I will make due. [It would help with a medical droid and supplies, but situations are not always ideal.]

What do these Null want? Have they offered a list of demands?

[utulien_aure]

Each of the Null that I've faced had a control unit; if anyone has seen some sort of common control device, I have not yet heard of it. We have been killing them one by one.

If he's there, my kinsman Elrond may have a better idea of our supplies. He's a healer by calling, and has been assisting in various places.

[He sighs, trying to put together the most concise explanation he can.]

They did, after a fashion. They began intercepting the Network we use to communicate some month ago, looking for people willing to help them kill the being known as Hope.

Hope is one of the beings who brought us here. You'll sometimes hear them referred to as gods. They draw power from the emotions of others, and can induce emotions in others. Apparently their race once lived side-by-side with the Null, but when their powers began causing the Null to feel emotions, the two races fell out.

The Null have killed all of the god's kin, but for the eight here- well I say eight. Sorrow is dead, at least for now, and Delight turned traitor. We are down to six of them.

[angelofnaboo]

[That is a lot of information to take in at once. However, she is rather old hat at listening to far longer explanations and speeches. She's only been doing it for the last fourteen years.]

There are no gods where I'm from, so I'm afraid that I, honestly, don't know what to do with any of that information. Hope is... an emotion, certainly, but you're saying there's someone that is the embodiment of that.

That seems a little hard to swallow.

[She's okay with the "being kidnapped to another planet" thing. Well, not okay okay with it, but it's happened before.]

[utulien_aure]

They call themselves gods. But whatever they mean by that- no, they are not gods in any sense others might recognize.

[That he can say with authority. He was born in the home of the Powers of his world; grew up under the eyes of Sky and Stars and the Earth and the Green. He knows what they feel like, the world-changing power and terrible sharpness of their presence.

The gods of Hadriel have none of that.]

These beings draw upon the emotion for which they our named. Sorrow was fueled by our griefs, Fear by our nightmares; Hope is in turn dependent on our beliefs. And one of the powers Hope possesses is the ability to resurrect the dead. To kill or capture the rest of their enemies, the Null need him out of the way.

[angelofnaboo]

[She's never been privy to what the Force feels like or what any sort of gods might be. All she knows is the power of people, no matter what race, and the good and the bad they are responsible for. She tries to keep a straight face, but this is over her pay grade, far above her pay grade.]

I see. Keeping Hope alive would be important if he can bring the dead back to life. [It would explain why she's here.] And why these Null would want him out of the way to take out the others.

[utulien_aure]

You catch on quickly, my lady.

[He gives her a small smile. This is an awful time to arrive in Hadriel, with so much going on, but it speaks well of her that she's willing to take things right away.]

The Null promised us safe passage home if we were willing to help them kill Hope. But there was no reason to believe they would fulfill their end of the bargain, so many refused. [There's the ghost of a smile on his face.] In strong terms, often. But now they have been targeted as well, and more have likely been added to the list.

[angelofnaboo]

I spent my life as a public servant. I would be a poor one if I couldn't keep up.

[Any time would be a poor time to arrive, considering her own situation, but she's not the type to let that stop her from doing what she must. Which is basically everything going forward.]

I find myself agreeing with those that distrust these Null. I find those that resort to violence as a first measure often have very little trouble lying about their other intentions.

[utulien_aure]

That is often the case. They've kept their living targets to the gods and to those who've refused them so far, but there were others before us who were dealt with indiscriminately. And among those they've chosen as enemies are children who knew no better than to insult them.

[They near the firehouse, and Fingon ushers her inside. There's clear signs of recent usage, but no one's here at the moment]

We must have missed them. No matter- there are still supplies here, if you'd care to use them.

[angelofnaboo]

Children?

[She doesn't look pleased at all to learn that. In fact, she tries not to be ill.]

I would like to find clothes that are a little...more protection from the elements. [She looks around the building, not exactly sure what she is really looking for. This is all so much out of her wheelhouse.] And perhaps a weapon to defend myself if the need be.

[utulien_aure]

Yes. [He offers her a grim smile.] I don't think they could have united the city against them more efficiently.

I believe Sansa put some spare clothes away here; she's much taller than you, but they might serve for now. As for weapons, there are spare swords in that case against the left wall. Firearms we've had supply problems with before, but Curufin may have thought of something... if you wish for something more exotic, though, you may need to ask around.

[He pulls a sharp, intricately-made elven dagger from his belt] If you do not mind knives, though, I can at least offer this.

[angelofnaboo]

Those that attack children deserve the ire they draw.

[She might say that a little sadder than she means. She can't help but think about a certain situation that she knows far too much about.]

Even ill fitting clothes will be better than a medical gown. I'm no stranger to making due until the timing is better.

[She looks down at the knife and then up at the tall, beautiful man.]

I'd be more comfortable with a blaster, but beggars cannot be choosers in cases like this. And going up against an unknown enemy barehanded is foolishness. Thank you.

[utulien_aure]

That they do.

[Whatever the story is behind that sorrow, it sounds too personal to discuss with a stranger. Fingon will not choose to pry.

Instead he heads for a chest nearby, pulling out a simple but well-made dress. Fortunately the styles of Westeros and Naboo aren't so utterly far apart, but Padme will probably still have a bit of trouble with the hem.]

This may serve for now. And you're welcome, my lady. I only wish I could do more.

[angelofnaboo]

[She's not at all sure that she'll ever be able to talk about the events that happened at the Jedi Temple. She only knows about it secondhand, but it's enough to be mortified.

She graciously accepts the dress and looks it over. Simple, yes, but longer than she'd like. She could modify it quickly to allow ease of travel at least in the front.]

Do you think that this Sansa would be upset if I placed a little slit in the front to make it easier for me to move around in? It's not my gown, so I don't want to offend.

[But she'd like to be able to run if she has to.]