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

[storyseeker]

Then I guess it's you and me versus the rain.

[Of course, if each drop counts independently, they're way, way outnumbered.]

Is that what the butterflies are called, the Teez? What makes them different?

[She's properly inquisitive, as any journalist should be. The bugs probably don't make for a good interview, though.]

[such_a_teez]

The downpour doesn't stand a chance.

[He considers it one force. He can simply reject it, after all. So even if it was just him against the rain he'd be fine in his opinion.]

They're called Teez, yes. They're not butterflies at all.

[He's actually having a good time. His place is so different than home. He doesn't have to keep all of his secrets here. Just most of them.] What do you know about artificial life?

[storyseeker]

[She's not entirely surprised--they're clearly not like any butterflies she's ever seen, and in a way that goes way beyond a difference in species. But that just intrigues her more.]

Artificial life? [she peers up at him, thankfully not getting rain in her face.] There are efforts in that direction where I'm from--robotics, computer intelligence meant to mimic

human thought processes. But nothing that could pass a Turing test or really be called alive.

[such_a_teez]

That's right. They're referred to usually as golems. They're not uncommon where I'm from, but not all of them really have a distinct sense of self. It varies pretty dramatically depending on the creator.

[Tyki hasn't got the foggiest idea what a Turing test is, but he knows a good way to explain to her how alive they are.]

At their least, they're smart enough not to get killed right away. At their best, they're capable of speech and companionship. [Tyki pulls another one out, seemingly from a pocket. Although it's too large to actually fit in that pocket without being noticed.] Mine can even reproduce. This is a fourth generation Teez.

[storyseeker]

We have golems where I'm from. At least, we have the idea of them. Folklore, really.

[But the Teez are clearly more than a story. They're alive by some definition, or at least active. Elena lifts a hand before forcing it down again; it might be rude to touch a man's butterfly without permission.]

Do they eat, do other things living creatures do? [At least one thing, apparently.] How do you take care of them?

[such_a_teez]

Our homes seem so different, I can't imagine golems not being a part of daily life. [He laughs quietly then.] Reality almost seems subjective now. [For him, it's always subjective.] This place at least has exposed me to new experiences and knowledge. [If nothing else. And really, that's the nicest thing he's been able to say about it so far.

The Teez flies closer to her, as if it wants to be held. If she reaches out again it will land on her hand. Otherwise, it will just flutter about, just within reach.]

They eat, ravenously. Without food, they can't breed. No waste though, they use everything for childbearing in their nurseries. [With Tyki, they get quite a few opportunities to do so.] Honestly, I feed them and give them tasks and attention. They're entirely low maintenance. They don't sleep, but they can shut down when in storage.

[storyseeker]

[He's not wrong there. More than once, Elena has marveled at the differences between the place she calls home and the worlds her friends and acquaintances come from. Some of them sound like they come straight from a book or a movie, and there's so much they all take for granted that just doesn't exist elsewhere.]

That sounds...incredibly convenient. A little worrying when it comes to the children, but convenient. Even the most useful service animals in my world mean dealing with poop.

Are these the only forms golems take where you're from, or do they vary?

[such_a_teez]

It is rather convenient. No mess, no fuss, and all it takes is one to make several dozen of them. I'm not sure how they'd work as service animals, but they perform well enough in the work they do for me.

[Tyki tilts head head, before continuing.]

Most have some form of wings and flight. That makes for the best messengers, after all. They look rather like someone took an India rubber ball and stuck bird wings into it. And sometimes an eye or two. [Looking back, they're really rather comical looking.] My family's patriarch has one that looks like a Jack-o-lantern head on an umbrella.

[storyseeker]

That sounds completely ridiculous. And kinda awesome.

[Does that make every day Halloween where he's from? Kinda takes the fun out of it.]

If that one were here, I guess you wouldn't need these guys to keep you dry.

[such_a_teez]

That's really an accurate way to put it.

[If you mean horror, death, candy, creepy girls and monsters? Sure. Halloween every day. It's not really quite like the actual holiday, but it's closer to Halloween every day in the Noah family than not.]

He makes a terrible rain deterrent, honestly. All he does is nag, and since he can move on his own he doesn't always stay open. A pity, he'd be the perfect size if it wasn't for that pesky free will business. [Tyki doesn't say it with any maliciousness. He honestly does enjoy Lero. He has a sometimes annoying personality, but Tyki likes him a bit anyway. Especially since he keeps Road busy so well.]

[storyseeker]

A thousand tyrants would agree with that general sentiment.

[Although very few of them disliked the concept of free will because it deprived them of living umbrellas, she figures.]

Maybe someday he'll make it to this world, too—I wouldn't mind meeting him. I've never talked to a pumpkin umbrella before.

[such_a_teez]

I'm sure they would. Unlike them, however, I'm being facetious.

[It's horrific and funny that he is that way when it comes to golems, and not Akumas. He sees the golems as treasured staff, or pets. He would thrill at more individuality from his Teez. Lero, as annoying as it can be, is someone he'd still go out of his way to rescue. He sees him as something close to a butler, or some other high ranking house servant. Maybe he's even more important to that. And Tyki is glad he has freedom of will and that he chooses to serve the family.

The Akuma however, the tortured dead that his family enslaves, he cares nothing for in the least. They're tools, less than slaves in his mind. While he's not especially cruel to any of them, they're definitely more like items to him than entities. They just don't matter. Human souls meshed together through magic and love and loss are infinitely less valuable than carnivore butterflies and talking umbrellas.]

You know, I wouldn't mind that either. I'm sure he'd be amusing for you if nothing else. [He would rather like the company, honestly. Having Lero wouldn't be as good as family or going home, but he'd be something from home to remind him of it until he makes his way back.]

[storyseeker]

He'd certainly be something new. You know, sometimes I think this world has shown me enough things that are strange by my standards that I'll never be surprised again—but then something else always pop up.

Keeps things interesting, I guess. Which is either a good thing or an ancient curse.

[Or both. Could be both.]

[such_a_teez]

A little variety can't hurt. All that change keeps the mind fresh. [Tyki shrugs.] At least that seems like the right thing to say. Honestly, all that change is just as likely to drive a person mad.

[Both is probably the right answer.]

[storyseeker]

Two ends of the same scale, huh? Or a really risky coin flip.

[She grins at him, then nods off to the side as they reach a crossroads.]

This is my stop—I'm heading home this way. Looks like you really didn't need an extra umbrella after all, though.

[such_a_teez]

[Tyki tilts his head, and smiles.] No, and honestly I'm going back the way I came. Thanks for the conversation. It's good to have a little company once in a while.

[Tyki steps out from under the umbrella, but doesn't seem to be getting wet as he summons the Teez out from what seems like a pocket and over his head in a cloud. And with that, he's heading back the way they came.]

[storyseeker]

[All that way? Huh, he really wasn't kidding about enjoying the company. Ah well, she did too. She starts to head off, then stops before they get too far away from each other.]

Hey—what's your name, anyway?

[All that talking and she never asked.]

[such_a_teez]

[Tyki turns back to her, and makes a short bow before straightening up again.]

It's Tyki. Tyki Mikk.

[storyseeker]

gentlemanly. She gives him a low nod of acknowledgment, and then a more casual wave.]

Elena Fisher. I'll see you around, Tyki Mikk.

[such_a_teez]

Hopefully when the weather is better. [Tyki smiles once more, and then turns and walks away.]