Intro Log: Puddle Jumpers

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for September
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: September 10th-13th
Warnings: Fresh meat, lots of rain and angry ogres

If the rain on your face isn't enough to wake you up in the colosseum, maybe the thundering footsteps and- well, thunder- is. The first thing that you may notice is that it's incredibly wet around here, with winds that could knock you over if you aren't careful and thunder that brings with it a torrent of constant rainfall.

That's all fine though, because the gods saw fit to help you out on your way in and now everyone will be waking up wearing a rain coat! These coats are a little odd, and some of them are downright silly, but we trust that you'll make do. Of course, a few of the raincoats have additional sleeves, neck holes, and entirely too many buttons as well- but hey, it's the best we could do.

Wait, what was that about thundering footsteps? Oh right, as you're navigating your new fashion choices, there are some monsters afoot who will want nothing more than to grind you into a pulp and eat you- well, if you're organic, that is. If you're not organic, then they still want to grind you to a pulp, but maybe not so much the eating part.

Ogres are from many fantasy stories, but these in particular are from the Dragon Age series. With incredible strength and stamina and massive horns, fangs, and a bloodlust for violence, these monsters won't stop until everyone around them is a blood smear on the ground. They're also not too happy about this rainfall either, so be careful not to slip in the puddles as you run away from them!

Once you've splashed around a bit, feel free to run off into the stormy abyss of our islands. 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 September 10th-13th.
► 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

[oldtonew]

I though they'd be stronger, [ Kettara admits. ] It's not easy to open portals like this.

[ It's a very different sort of power than her own, but Kettara knows enough. This sort of thing isn't done lightly. ]

[unphase]

So did I, to be honest. I know of ways to open portals through technology, but what goes on here seems to be a little of both, magic and technology.

[and it's the magic she's having a hard time coming to terms with. she's from a technological wonderland, but magic? that's thought long dead]

[oldtonew]

I've heard of such things, [ Kettara says, scratching her head again. ] Though I don't know how you would manage it. They don't seem to like each other, magic and machinery.

[unphase]

I don't know how it would work, either. The Door is likely some form of technology, but what else would explain why everyone else seemed to disappear except magic? [she sighs] We're dealing with some very powerful and very mysterious beings.

[oldtonew]

Yeah. [ Kettara deflates momentarily. The task feels overwhelming. How could she possibly fight against such things? But in the end, she knows Master Muln would want her to try. ] I guess this is my next trial, as a shaman.

[unphase]

[she knows she can't fight the aliens. there's only one of her and her powers are defensive only. so she's hoping that her friends in the Legion are able to track her down. . . assuming she's still alive] You're a shaman? What does a shaman do?

[oldtonew]

We maintain balance between the elements.

[ She hesitates. ]

They're alive, back home. They talk to us. They want things.

[unphase]

Really? How do you do that?

[her eyes widen at the last piece of information. she's never heard of such a thing]

What kinds of things do they want?

[oldtonew]

We ensure one doesn't become more powerful than the others, tend to their needs.

[ It's a complicated and ever-growing task. ]

Life. Fuel to sustain them. Some of them are proud and want attention.

[unphase]

So you keep life itself in balance? That's an important job.

[it seems as though it would be]

That sounds like a lot to take care of. What kind of attention do they like?

[oldtonew]

It's our duty.

[ A task that cannot be undertaken for gain or personal glory. ]

It depends on the element, and what the conflict is. Fire wants to burn and eat things, Water wants to be clean. Sometimes it's just keeping them from fighting.

[unphase]

[she nods. she knows something about duty, though her duties to the Legion and the Guard are ones she chose]

The elements fight one another? How do you make them stop?

[oldtonew]

By reasoning with them.

[ Kettara makes a face. ]

Or fighting them, sometimes.

[unphase]

Fighting the elements? How do you do that?

[she sounds amazed]

[oldtonew]

[ Kettara laughs. ]

Carefully! We take the powers of the others and use it against them. Or hit them with our weapons.

[ She pats one of her axes fondly. ]

[unphase]

Would it be like using opposites? Water against fire? [she looks a little confused at the idea of using weapons against elements] Really? I'm new to using weapons and I've never heard of something like that being possible.

[oldtonew]

Sometimes. [ Kettara nods. ] It depends on the situation. Sometimes one fire elemental can be counter by another, stronger flame. Sometimes the Spirit of Water will serve best.

[ She shrugs. ]

If you can strike true, then the blow will land. What do you mean, new to weapons? Don't you fight?

[unphase]

It must be really tricky to figure out what will work best, then.

I do, but it's all been hand-to-hand combat. [she shrugs] The group I was with opposed killing.

[oldtonew]

Oh.

[ Kettara has heard of such groups. Privately, she thinks forcing an enemy to live with their shame is worse than killing them outright. ]

That must be difficult, to win without killing. Do you maim your enemies?

[unphase]

[in Tinya's world, it was more the thought that even the worst criminals deserved a chance at rehabilitation. she still believes that, although she's broken the Legion's rule against killing which is. . . sitting heavy in her stomach]

It can be. And no, we usually try to make them surrender. That, or knock them unconscious long enough to lock them up.

[oldtonew]

[ Kettara frowns. ]

Lock them up? That is no way for anyone to live. You ought to give them the honor of a good death.

[unphase]

[she shrugs]

That's the law in my world. They try to rehabilitate criminals. [a frown] Whether or not it actually works is another thing.

[oldtonew]

[ Kettara supposes she understands that, at least. ]

Do you believe in these laws?

[unphase]

[she sighs and thinks for a long moment]

For most people, yes. For others. . . the hate in them is so ingrained, I don't think it can ever be wiped out.

[oldtonew]

[ Kettara nods slowly. ]

I think it's better to let people die well, then force them to stay in chains. But that isn't always possible.