Intro Log: A Stinging Letdown

[hadrielmods]

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for May
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: May 10th-16th
Warnings: Monsters. Newbies. Disappointment.

You awaken rather unceremoniously, finding yourself on the hard ground of a large arena, a stone ceiling stretching high above you. Welcome to Hadriel, newcomer, we hope you enjoy your stay in our lovely cave city. This may be a little more difficult to do than expected, considering the monsters.

Yes, it looks as though a few manticores arrived along with you - and they woke up before you, because that's just how your luck is going today. These creatures are large, about the size and shape of a lion, and not very attractive. In fact, they're a bit like a collection of spare parts - the body of a lion, the wings of a bat, the face of a human, and the tail of a scorpion. And that tail's not just for show. If their lion claws don't get you, that tail might shoot a poisonous spine that will paralyze you, leaving you defenseless and all ready to be eaten. Good times!

But wait! There's more! Starting to feel like you might need a stiff drink? Throughout the arena, you can also find a number of very interesting-looking bottles of liquor. Give one a try, if you dare - or if you just really need to drink your misery away. And that'll be your very first lesson in the disappointment of Hadriel - because though they taste the way they're supposed to, each and every one of these bottles of liquor has become non-alcoholic. Yikes.

Hopefully you can recover from that heart-crushing disappointment. Once you find your way out of the colosseum there's plenty of other distractions. Feel free to go 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 May 10th-16th.
► 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

[goldpoints]

[what

the

fuck

She is suddenly far too emotional about some fish she's never met.]

I-I'm sure he's okay! I was reunited with my brother when I thought for sure he was dead, so you'll probably reunite with him!

[armcollector]

[Magnus is definitely trying not to tear up, trying to disguise his sniffing as definitely not emotions-related.

Steven may just be a fish, but... Magnus isn't keen on losing two Stevens from his life.]

Yeah... Maybe. I mean... He's also a magic fish. I think. He like, doesn't need to get fed and doesn't poop or anything. But I don't know how he'd fare against these monsters... I know nothing about them.

[Even though he definitely thought he had a name for them before he died in the mannequin body... What was it?]

I hate not being able to protect him. He never left my side before I had to go and get cloned like a real goofus.

[SNIIIIFF.]

[goldpoints]

[nooooo]

H-hey, Magnus, come on! If he's really been by your side this whole time, he's probably been through tons of crazy adventures! His bowl hasn't broken yet! He'll definitely be okay! A-and he won't even be scared because th-they're invisible monsters!

[STOP THIS, THIS DAY HAS BEEN HARD ENOUGH]

[armcollector]

Yeah. Yeah, he has. ...I hope they don't tap his bowl too much trying to break it.

[Magnus wipes his eyes, trying to disguise the maneuver into rubbing his head. He tries for a smile.]

No, you're right. I've got to believe he's fine! He's definitely fine!

[goldpoints]

He's super fine! The finest fish!

[You fight alongside someone and see their junk, you get a little invested in their fish. Especially when it's a fish that can make pillars of masculinity cry.]

I believe-in Steven!

[armcollector]

Yeah!! Steven!! We trust you!!!

[He pumps his fists into the air triumphantly.]

...I guess I still need clothes, though.

[goldpoints]

[if she hears any bad news regarding steven, she will probably cry.]

-- oh yeah. Definitely need clothes. Uh, let's try in here!

[The place doesn't look like much, but it might have sheets or curtains!]

[armcollector]

[Magnus follows her into the building in question. It seems to be a small store..]

Hellooooo? Huh. I don't see anyone in here.

[He starts looking down the aisles. But he just rolled an 8 on investigation, so all he finds is a beanie.]

Uhh. Hmm. Mmmmmmm...

[After some consideration, he... puts the hat on.]

[goldpoints]

It's not a surprise. It looked pretty bad from the outside.

[well I rolled for funsies and got a 5 so fuck me I guess]

Looks good! Even with that weird sideburns situation there.

[Doesn't help, but whatever. You know what, let's bullshit and say she gets advantage because she had an idea of what to look for.

and that's a 9. welp.]

You know, you're kinda...big? I see something I could fit into, but you, uh...

[armcollector]

[That's the luck of the draw...]

My sideburns are my conversation starters. Every good conversation starts with, "You know, I never thought facial hair could do that."

[But he keeps the hat on as he continues looking.]

Yeah, I deffo need an XL at least. I'm a bigboy.

[He finds a flowery-patterned beach towel, inspects it, shrugs, and pulls it around his shoulders like a cloak.]

I'm quickly gaining clothing-like things. Maybe we just gotta work our way up. Or check another place.

[goldpoints]

You saying I'm a bad conversationalist, buddy?

[where's your rustic hospitality now, magnus

Not hidden anywhere under that towel, that's for certain.]

Throw enough stuff on and it'll be good enough to tide you over. [At least so she can get her coat back.] You're right, though, this really isn't...the ideal spot. [as they step over a large poncho and think it's a rug, or something] The floor above had windows, right? I've never made a toga out of curtains, but it can't be that hard, right?

[armcollector]

No, sometimes the facial hair comment is just implied. Like "you-understood". I definitely pre-understood the good conversation starter in our good conversation. But yeah, let's check upstairs.

[He starts on his way upstairs, and ROLLS A NAT FUCKING 20 SOMEHOW, NOW WE'RE TALKING!!!! There's some folded up boxers laying out on a shelf. There are three of them, each printed with their own pattern: cartoon birds, pineapples, and watermelon slices.]

Yeah!! Jackpot!

[He grabs the watermelon-printed one and slips it on real fast, taking off the jacket wrapped around his waist in the process, and grabs the other two to use for later.]

I am officially halfway decent!

[goldpoints]

Oh. Dang, I'm like the ultimate conversationalist, then.

[Great!!

Even if there's a low chance of her catching another glimpse, Hotaru turns on her heel the moment Magnus reaches for the boxers. Once his announcement is made, she turns back around and gives a thumbs up.]

You look like a really lame superhero. I think there was some stupid book series about that, actually? Captain Underwear, or something. Still not sure about, like, a cape for a fighter? Isn't that a little dangerous? Something could grab it.

[It's almost like she has experience with getting dragged back because something had too much length to it, hmn.]

[armcollector]

Really lame superhero, or really cool regular hero?

[He puffs his chest out and does a cool pose in a grand maneuver, his towel-cape flapping. But a second later, he just laughs a little, dropping the pose.]

Yeah, I don't usually wear a cape, but I'll probably find something better if I keep poking around. Maybe a nice flannel shirt. And some actual pants.

[goldpoints]

Lame regular hero. [don't push it] Flannel shirt and you'll definitely look like a lumberjack.

[For having met him in a battle where she most certainly could have died, Hotaru feels...a lot more relaxed than she would have expected. Magnus was just weirdly fun to be around? He really did remind her of Lyanna.

Anyway, since there's boxers, there's probably regular clothes, too, so Hotaru wanders off not far from where Magnus stood to open things and lift up other things... it's still a lot of smaller shirts, because of course.]

How do you feel about Hawaiian?

[armcollector]

Hawa-who?

[Does fantasy Hawaii exist? I guess not. He checks out the shirts in question.]

Yeah, I probably won't be able to button those. They look like something Merle would wear, but I guess losers can't be choosers.

[And on goes the Hawaiian shirt. It looks terrible with the fact that is to small to be buttoned, coupled with how the pattern clashes with his boxers. Also, who wears a Hawaiian shirt with a beanie?]

How do I look?

[goldpoints]

[snrk]

So good. Pffhaha, that is actually the dumbest ensemble I have ever seen, it's so perfect!

[armcollector]

[He can't help but giggle a little along with her. There's just one problem...

He lifts up a foot and shakes it. His soles have been blackened already from walking around on the dirty floor.]

Yeah, now all I need are some shoes to complete the look. You see any?

[He starts looking around again, and after a while, since he rolled a 13, he finds the shoes, but... there's only one pair in his size.]

Uhh, I found some that fit me, but...

[And he walks back out wearing these.]

[goldpoints]

[She turns to look on the opposite side after checking his shoe size -- this definitely wasn't a place you wanted to be going around with bare feet, yikes -- but only comes up with junky socks by the time Magnus gets her attention again.]

Oh, hey! Those are actually running shoes! Like, they're good for you or make you faster, or something. I don't know, I wasn't in track.

[armcollector]

They are?

[He lifts up a foot and wiggles his separated toes.]

I've heard of toe socks, but toe shoes is new. They look kind of... Well, they're better than nothing, and if they make me faster then I'm not complaining. Well, I might complain a little. They feel weird in my toesies.

[But here he is... complete at last.]

Finally, my nightmarish outfit is complete. Thanks for helping me and everything, Hotaru.

[goldpoints]

[Hotaru nods, because even if she's not sure on her answer, confidence is key! If he believes he'll be faster using them, then maybe he will be. She's pretty sure on the corrective running thing, anyway.]

Yeah, toes are weird.

[With stuff between them, especially.]

I didn't end up doing a whole lot to actually help on the clothing quest, but I had fun! Kind of needed that, honestly.

[armcollector]

Well, you let me borrow your axe! It's almost like fate. I'm really good with an axe, you know.

[He spins the axe in question in his hand, showing off a little before he offers it back to her, handle pointed in her direction.]

There's gotta be a place to find weapons around here, but it's still your axe. And I'm not so much caught with my pants down anymore.