Lunar Interlude 3

[balancemod]

What a mess. NAVIGATION 1. NEW RECLAIMERS A. WELCOME WAGON For the 14 of you who will be arriving today, the story is the same: though you may not remember it, there was a moment where you were living out your life, at home or wherever you were ... and then there was the moment the Hunger came. And amid the television static that is your memory of that moment, a hand reached out to you, beckoning your escape as the tendrils of darkness destroyed everything that ever existed about your world. "Would you hurry this up, please? Your world no longer stands a chance. Come with me, we are the last bastions of hope for all universes everywhere. And we're going to need you." And then, unceremoniously, you are dragged through the universal wringer and plopped down on the soft, though not quite cushioned, grass of the Moon Base Quad. You're not alone, either. Along with the newest members of the Bureau, in a fashion probably not unlike this, there are people waiting here for you. People who wanted to see the heroes the Director has managed to bring in this time. People who are excited to see what you're capable of. You have a few minutes to talk with each other — or maybe lob a few questions at the impromptu welcoming committee, or any of the older Reclaimers who may happen to be nearby. But before long, you're whisked away to a different area of the Moon Base. B. THE VOIDFISH The 14 of you are quickly divided into three groups, and brought to the easternmost geodesic dome, to an elevator in a well maintained, but sparsely landscaped field. There's nothing particularly ominous feeling about the space — in fact, the two guards who greet you at the elevator entrance seem pleased with your arrival. You are, after all, one of the few chosen by the Director, the few who will reclaim what the Hunger has destroyed. And in a few moments, you're about to find that out for yourself. After a tightly packed elevator ride, your group is ushered out to a rather grand looking hall, banners of the Bureau of Balance adorn both sides of smooth metal walls. And inside the Voidfish's chamber stands a tank — impossibly tall, and soaked in a black ink that obscures whatever the tank may be holding. You may notice a melody, someone playing the violin. It's a bard, on his third round of introducing Reclaimers to the Voidfish. When he's finished, he pulls out a few pieces of paper — sheet music — opens a drawer at the bottom of the tank, drops the papers in, and shuts it. And suddenly, it seems you've forgotten everything that may have been ironic about that melody. If you seem alarmed, the bard takes notice of it. "Yeah, man, like... don't think too hard about it, it's like that every time. I'm guessing you're here to be inoculated? Just a heads up, you might want to, like, seriously, hold your nose while you drink it down. It tastes wicked gross, man." You sort of get the sense that he's said this speech once or twice in the past. It's well rehearsed, much like the stories you'd expect a bard to be able to recite. "Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you that you have a choice. If you drink the black stuff, you'll be able to hear through the, uh... Huh, how do I describe it? Through the [TSHCSCHTSHCHSC] sound. You guys like, hear that? Anyway, it's all about knowledge or something. I don't know, I'm just here to, like, feed the thing. We call it the [TSCHHSCHSCH], by the way. So, like. You get a choice. You can drink it and understand stuff, or not drink it and then hear that crackling noise all day every day. If I were you, I'd drink it. But, hey man, I'm not like, your dad or anything." The bard takes five cups and draws liquid from a spigot connected directly to the basin of the large tank. Stormy, muddy looking ichor is drawn into them, one by one. He offers each of you a sip. Drink it (he wasn't kidding about what it tasted like), and you're inoculated to the wisdom of the Voidfish. You try to remember the song this bard played a few moments ago and the melody, the meter, every octave, all come back to you. And if you think back to your arrival, some of the things you may have heard other people in the Quad say, that simply sounded like static, are suddenly clear. Bureau of Balance. Grand Relic. Reclaimers. Yet you still can't remember the Hunger or what it had done to your world. And as you look back to the tank in front of you, the water has become clear. There's a jellyfish, as tall as a building, floating within. You look into the body of the creature and you can almost make out a beautiful, tiny universe floating within it. 2. THE TEST OF INITIATION With your new knowledge on the Bureau of Balance and your purpose here in tow, you are led without hesitation to the Arena, where the final phase of your initiation into the Bureau will be held. You are partnered up, whether it is with someone you drank the ichor of the Voidfish with, or perhaps even a veteran Reclaimer, who either stopped by to help, or simply out of curiosity. After the proctor confiscates your weapons for the test, the room you are placed in is stark white — it sort of gives off the vibe that it was supposed to do something other than look so sterile once upon a time, but for whatever reason, that function is lost. With a sound similar to an airlock, the door is shut behind you, and the outline disappears, the lines of the door frame magically filled in with the rest of the wall. Your task here is to escape. You are provided with the following tools: ○ A small flatware set from the café. Two forks, two spoons, two butter knives ○ A popular Faerun children's toy: "It's Elementary, My Dear Brewer: Chemist Set for the Discerning Beginner." It's essentially a simple chemistry set. ○ An inflatable hammer that plays one progressive note of a jingle a lot of you probably hate by now with every hit. ○ A wooden toy sword. ○ A plate of spaghetti — hear us out, though. Thanks to a Reclaimer who came before you, and thanks to the robot that's making your food, it's the kind of spaghetti that grants you extra strength for an hour after eating. ○ A crowbar, with a note attached to it: "DO NOT USE CROWBAR." Seriously, don't use the crowbar — the purpose of this test is to assess your ability to find a solution outside of the most obvious one. The purpose of this test is to determine if you are capable of resisting the call of a Grand Relic. Use your wits. Use the path actions granted to you when you arrived. Use any ideas your partner has. But do not use the crowbar. 3. NEWBIES AND VETERANS, AROUND THE MOONBASE A. I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN The Reclaimers were already sort of elevated to a certain level in the Bureau, as The Director's chosen few, the ones who were ultimately tasked with saving everyone, and the ones the rest of the Moon base is charged with assisting. And now that the Reclaimers have successfully brought home two Grand Relics, they're ... starting to become something of household names. Moon Base names? The next time you wander into town — an old Reclaimer veteran or a brand new face — you may very well be accosted by a well-meaning, if curious admirer. And they have questions: Did you get to hold the Grand Relic? Is it true that you took out a sandworm by tricking it into tying itself in a knot? Can they see your weapon? Would you spar with them sometime? Maybe they're not quite this annoying. But still annoying. You may need the assistance of another Reclaimer to escape from this wholesome new Adoring Fan of yours. B. MALFUNCTION Resting on the Moon Base is your time to catch up. Maybe there's someone you didn't spend a lot of time with in the Netheril. Maybe you're new, and you're still working on meeting as many of your fellow Reclaimers as possible. Which is fair. These are the people you will have to cooperate with for the foreseeable future, so it's best that you get to know them as well as possible, right? And then, one day, your Bracer buzzes with a message: Hello! Not all that curiously, the message appears to come from a username that you recognize. Whoever it is, it's another Reclaimer — one that you know well. Much more curiously, the message is followed by an odd beeping, and a perhaps familiar two-toned sound of something shutting down. And when you try to message your friend back, you may find that: For the next 24 hours, your bracer's translator feature is broken. You will not be able to understand Common — and when you speak, you won't be translated into Common. Have fun with that! And yeah, that probably wasn't actually your friend messaging you. Add another mystery to your list of weird phenomena that needs addressing. C. POWERING DOWN This is meant to be a few weeks of rest while the rest of the Bureau prepares for your next mission. The Director, however, believes that this free time should be used to better oneself however they might see fit, and she certainly won't stop anybody who'd like to spend time in the areas they've visited previously — and any new Reclaimers who would like to learn a little more about Faerun. Grab a pal and try these options, both on the Moon Base and beyond, on for size: ○ Stop Dying 101: Also known as Fatalistic Fauna, and Danger Sense to channel your inner barbarian. This is a class that was introduced after the first field mission that offers instruction on basic survival strategies when up against the more inhospitable areas of Faerun. The class is open to everyone, but if you have died at least once during the course of Balance, attendance is mandatory (Unless you're an old bird who was talked into teaching a class instead). Yes, that means you, Komaeda! Curiously, the simulators for this class seem to be working just fine. Neither the Director nor the instructor are going to question it. The monster of the month you'll be facing is the Tarrasque (scaled down to size, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying) — are you cunning enough to escape the simulation? Or are you going to go against the point of the class and try to fight it? ○ Winding down room: A small room filled with the kotatsus brought back from Vista Virs, board games, books, and other quiet activities for one of the days where you're feeling a little more restful. At the front of the room, a keyboard and other instruments are waiting — unnamed Bureau members will offer a few quiet, soothing performances throughout the day, but you're welcome to play as well. ○ Visiting New New Aspen: You may have noticed that there's an enormous tree (You say Christmas, we say Candlenights) jutting out past the atmosphere, nearly touching the Moon Base itself. This was the site of the first field mission, and the tree stands as a monument to the Reclaimers first success in recapturing a Grand Relic. At the bottom of the tree, a peaceful town that cherishes the ornaments it makes sits. The mayor of New New Aspen, Matthew, will greet you warmly, and invite you to any number of ornament carving classes, or to dinner with his Aunt Laurel (She's a giant spider, by the way), or to even just spend some time with the giant cats that protect the town. Perhaps worringly, though, the cat captain of the guard, Bread, is missing. ○ Visiting Vista Virs: A town in the middle of an unforgiving desert that was left completely destroyed. If you choose to return, expect to be put to work — you'll be gathering supplies, helping rebuild homes, or just comforting the Needlers, a race of catcus people who inhabited the town, who have lost everything. D. THE MOON IS YOUR SPACE OYSTER (WILDCARD) There are plenty of other locations around the Moon Base that you can explore at your own discretion. Feel free to refer to the Settings page for more ideas on what shenanigans you can get into. Additionally, we'll be fielding Bender rolls again this month! If a food item was destroyed in a failed roll previously, you may roll to try to fix it. Bear in mind, of course, that you may make it worse. Successful food rolls will stay in place at this time, and can be utilized how you like. Keep in mind that only one magical effect can be in place at a time. blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

Mikhail — Test of Initiation

[ardainianhonor]

[This was absurd. Kind of insulting, really. The only other person to survive Alrest's destruction was... that Tornan man?]

[Whatever it was that this Bureau had her drink certainly cleared her head, and made their reason for being here clear. This was something she had to succeed at—in the larger picture, and in this first trial. She had to succeed even... if that meant successfully working with Mikhail.]

[The instant that door seals behind them, Mòrag strides forward, cutting off whatever he was about to run his mouth about.]

I don't know how you survived, and I don't want to hear it. Let's focus on the task at hand.

[These items laid out for them were... certainly something. She picks up the chemistry set, turning it over and reading the blurb on the back.]

[finalcrow]

[oh they haven't even reached peak absurdity yet.

even Mikhail wasn't quite certain at first, finding himself here in a group of unfamiliar faces, the Flamebringer among them, so he'd kept quiet and to the back of the crowd as they were led around the Moon Base.

he's dead, isn't he? he's pretty sure he's dead.

but he can feel his own heartbeat and the pump of blood in his veins, and no afterlife could possibly be this ridiculous. the Architect may have been a useless piece of shit who deserved to die in his eyes, but Torna never pinned him to be a jokester.

so, here he is, unexpectedly found in unexpected circumstances, now put in a room alone with the Special Inquisitor of Mor Ardain who'd probably be glad to see his head removed from his body. Mikhail sighs, sweeping a hand through his hair. maybe it'd be better to avoid overthinking this crap.]

And hello to you too, Flamebringer.

[he meanders over to stand behind her, peering over her shoulder at the chemistry set.]

You really don't wanna hear me out? Now's probably a good time as any to ask questions, you know... it's just the two of us here. Alooone. [gross, you can practically hear him waggling his eyebrows.]

[ardainianhonor]

[Mòrag can't hear him waggling his eyebrows over the industrial noise of Give-A-Fuck Bay failing to dredge up any fucks to give.]

[Her shoulders tense like coiled springs as Mikhail steps up behind her, though she doesn't turn to face him. Mòrag tries to keep reading about the unfamiliar contents of the set, but too much of her attention is focused on tracking the Tornan.]

I don't see how it would change anything. [Alrest—everybody—being rather convincingly gone.] Everyone herded to this test seemed just as confused as the next. It seems unlikely you'd know something I don't at this stage; am I wrong?

[finalcrow]

Obviously! But c'mon, it's gotta be some kinda destiny, am I right? Of all the people from Alrest to be brought here after the end of the world, it's just us two?

[the Special Inquisitor of Mor Ardain and a terrorist of Torna. they have nothing in common, as far as he can tell. they're enemies. his final sacrifice hardly changed that. maybe Rex forgave him, and if he's lucky Nia might've had second thoughts too, but this is the woman who'd lost far too many countrymen at their hands.

he still remembers the feeling of her throat beneath his fingers, soft and warm.

right now, he feels no particular urgency to escape from the room. unfortunately for Mòrag.]

Maybe... we were partnered for a reason. And not just for this test.

[ardainianhonor]

[He's likely just trying to get under her skin. Normally, it'd be easy to detach from his taunts, knowing what that irritating man was trying to accomplish, but the Bureau had plucked her straight from her trials atop the World Tree. Mòrag was exhausted, and her patience threadbare.]

[Her lips even briefly curl into a scowl at Mikhail's many insinuations, but she smooths the expression back into a more professional glare before she rounds on the Tornan.]

Reason? What it "obviously" is is a mistake. I can't begin to fathom what the Bureau was thinking.

[finalcrow]

Reason, mistake, what's the difference? [he chuckles, all the more encouraged by Mòrag's annoyance. dealing with Patroka's uninhibited fury for so long makes this an easy game. Mòrag clearly isn't so quick to act on her anger, but it only leaves him curious to know where exactly her snapping point lies.

it's no big deal, isn't it? if she doesn't have her Blade with her, she's not a threat.

but he really is curious to know why they're in this situation, reason or mistake or whatever. and they're out of their element. there's no reason to fight her, no Alrest to destroy, no Aegis to steal, no Malos to stop. just a moon base they can't leave and an undetermined amount of time to dwell over things.]

I'd like to think of this as an opportunity. To get to know each other better. Whaddya say, Flamebringer? You think treating me like the enemy is the best thing to do? Stuck in a room... aloooone together...

[he holds up his hands.] I don't like hitting girls, honest! Especially not pretty ones.