Intro Log || Just in Time for the Last Holiday Season

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: November 01st - November 30th. New characters may wake up any time.

Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken from Crystal Stasis and might find themselves in quite the predicament. Are they in Aqures Ixen, the Desert, a Forest or a completely empty plain? The choice is yours! You can have your character wake up anywhere, so long as the location is neither crystallized nor sealed away (such as the Temple of the Heroes of Light).

Please refer to the Information Post for more information regarding the state of Crystallis. Fear not however as soon a Moogle and maybe your friends shall come to you. Indeed, Heroes of Light in Aqures Ixen have access to a map that show them whenever a new Hero of Light appears.The Moogles are using it to quickly find any newcomers, but nothing prevents other Heroes of Light from using it to go to the rescue! The exception to this are characters who were formerly in the game: they will wake up from Crystal Stasis in the Hospital of Aqures Ixen.

Furthermore, feel free to plot out with players already in-game if you want for them to come and search your character, find them and plot their escape from a particularly dangerous place and the likes!

Warning: N/A.

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within an instant, the world around you collapses. Reality twists and shatters... Or maybe you are the one who is collapsing and shattering away from reality as you knew it. No matter what the answer is, it will only take a few seconds for you to find yourself sinking into a void, your world vanishing into the distance. There is nothing but darkness as far as the eye can see. Even you feel different: all the powers you might once have had, are now gone. It is silent, cold and it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you.

At this moment, when it looks as though nothing but a never-ending void awaits you, a red Crystal forms before you. In this void, its warmth compels you to grab it. But soon it faded, and everything else along with it, nothing but darkness remaining....


The Search for the Heroes
— Anytime —
To you, it's like only a second passed ever since you grabbed this crystal. But months or even years may have passed in the real world. And as you emerge, you find yourself in the world of Crystallis, a place where magic and technology coexist, filled with friendly people... And not so friendly ones. Have you awakened in Aqures Ixen, Esdham or a similar city...? Then it's perfect, you are surrounded by friendly people who will be - very confused - but helpful to an extent.

Have you woken up in the wilderness? Hopefully there aren't too many monsters around! As it is, other Heroes of Light might have woken up close to your position, it might be a good idea to work together with them.

Thankfully enough, before long a fluffy ball of fur flies toward (and most crashes into) you! This creature is a Moogle, sent from Mognet Central to assist you and take you to Aqures Ixen. It will explain you everything about the situation, the other Heroes of Light already present in Crystallis and all that is happening! This Moogle will be your guide back to Aqures Ixen-- If you decide to follow them anyway...


The Voyage Home
— Anytime —
The journey to Aqures Ixen might be an eventful one (or uneventful one if you awoke in the city already). It is a possibility for you to explore the world by taking your time, or to be lazy and board an Airship in the closest city. Don't lose your way or you risk venturing close to the Calamity-- You wouldn't want to be devoured and ripped apart my mega-powered Calamity Monsters, would you?

And thanks to the map and the efficiency of Mognet, odds are you'll encounter other Heroes of Light on your way: those who arrived in this world within the past two years. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you that there were other Heroes of Light in this city. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you about how they managed to push back the Empire and defeat the fearsome Palitutu! And more importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have all the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a tragic disappointment. Still, for the most part they know more than you on the situation and may be more than happy to fill you in, especially if your Moogle didn't tell you much.


The City of Aqures Ixen
— Anytime —
Finally, you might reach Aqures Ixen... And it turns out to be a very busy city. You might visit it, or the laboratory from where you can spy track where Heroes of Light are. Indeed, Palitutu's Laboratory (and its underground section) is a place where employed characters can research various topics. Most importantly, characters can see a file with their name...

Should your character decide to go there and peek at their file, there are two possibilities. Either the file is corrupted and they cannot access it: too bad for them, but at least their life will remain a mystery. Or should you decide the file isn't corrupted, they will find a summary of their lives up to their canon point, as if written by a third-person omniscient narrator. On the column left to the text, to the top there is a portrait of them, and beneath it there is a 3D model of them. Said portrait and model can be switched to any year of their life. At the bottom there is a percentage, indicating 0%. On the right column, there are various links, most of which are grayed out. The clickable links lead to their Homeworld History and their future post-canon point history (corrupted file for unfinished canons). At least, they can lock this file away if they don't want anyone to see it.

Or maybe you could visit your new house in the 11th or 14th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate(s). Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with.


It's Never Too Early
— Anytime —
No matter where you wake up in this world, from the arid climate of Esdham to the balmy jungles of Mysidia, you might notice a hint of ~**Christmas Whimsy**~ in the air. Pine-scented garlands are wound about streetlamps, delicate glass ornaments and twinkling lights have begun to adorn tree branches. The air is rich with the smell of baked pumpkin and cinnamon, and the occasional cool hint of peppermint. The bakeries are filled with seasonal treats like kupo nut pies, cranberry tarts, eggnog cakes. Though it's only the month of November, anyone complaining about the good cheer and pretty decorations will be stared at with a mixture of shock and pity, for clearly these people do not understand the true magic of the season.

Wherever you go, there's a distinct and rhythmic clanging of a small brass bell. Following the sound of the bell inevitably leads to a small adorable Moogle decked out in a fur-trimmed red suit standing next to a donations pot, with another clad in green passing out fliers inviting people to visit the Santa Village. They're requesting gil to craft toys for the refugees living there as well as the children across the world, and to expand and improve the Village as well.

Upon seeing any indication that you might be a Hero of Light, both Moogles make a happy sound and immediately press a flyer into your hand, insisting that you must visit, and not so subtly hinting that those who take up the Santa Claus job would be warmly welcomed by everyone. 'Tis the season, eh? Eh?


The Hospital
— Anytime —
Characters who have already been in Crystallis before do not wake up anywhere like everyone else. Instead, they will wake up in the Hospital of Aqures Ixen, in a room where there are over a hundred other Heroes of Light like them-- Maybe even some familiar faces... Except they're all in Crystal Stasis.

A couple Moogles and a few nurses will be waiting by the room, and they will welcome all characters waking up. Upon exiting the room, they will also meet a lot of guards, and they all have orders to shoot anyone that comes out of this room without a Moogle. Hopefully you won't try running out without waiting for your Moogle. As for why the guards are so on edge, it might be a good idea to ask the other Heroes of Light about what happened last year.

Comments

[handle]

[ The more he listens to Mikleo, the more he gets a feeling that Mikleo's been here for a while. How long is his guess, but they can talk as they get through all of this. ]

Yeah. [ He nods his head, sending Mikleo a rather curious look. ] What about you? From the sounds of things, you've been here longer than I have.

[ But... How is that possible? He just said his good byes to Mikleo. Though, he has so many questions about this place in general. They can take things one question at a time, but there's so much he wants to know at once. ]

[water_meebo]

[ He's not hiding that fact since Sorey's right. He's been here for a long time now. He can't recall the exact number of days, but he knows that it's been so many months now. ]

I'm fine.

[ There's really is no way of being delicate about this reply. Honestly, it seems much easier to just spill everything that's on his mind right now, since Sorey is here and Mikleo is beyond happy to see him. ]

I've been here for about 18 months. Lots of things have happened and I'm certain that for you, not much time has passed since you saw me. There is a logical explanation for it, but I doubt we want to catch up where the monsters are out and about. Why don't we head to nearby town? I can tell you everything I know.

[ Mikleo can give him the whole spiel if Sorey wants it but out here where monsters roam isn't exactly the ideal place. ]

[handle]

18 months?

[ His eyes go wide, mouth slightly agape in surprised and shock. 18 months... He's been here over a year? But, that doesn't feel right at all. He just said good bye to him! Is it because time here flows differently, or another reason entirely? Was he asleep for simply that long?

He slowly nods at his suggestion. ]

... Sounds good. It sounds like we've got a lot to talk about. [ He sends him an apologetic smile. If Mikleo's been in a place with such dangerous monsters, he feels bad for leaving him to handle all of it alone... ]

[water_meebo]

Yes. I know it sounds unbelievable but time works differently here somehow. I haven't figured out how, though.

[ A mystery that he has yet to actually work on. He knows that such information is a bit surprising for Sorey but he has to know it. Honestly, he wishes it's some sort of dream but it's not and it sucks. Not to mention it's been so much longer than that for him since he's seen Sorey. The dimensional rifts were already a sore reminder. ]

We do. I've kept record of my time here. Perhaps it can be of use to you.

[ He gives his friend a brief but firm pat. He returns the apologetic smile all the same. It's not Sorey's fault for anything really. With that he starts walking. ]

I wasn't here alone for those many months. Lailah and Edna are here. I'm certain they'll be happy to see you as well.

[handle]

Sounds good. Thanks, Mikleo.

[ The moe he knows about this place, the more he can do. At least, that's his immediate train of thought. Though, another thought is that he wants to know if Mikleo's been alright here, too.

However, he can't help but be relieved when he hears that Edna and Lailah are here, too. From the sounds of it, they're safe - and none of them have had to be here alone. ]

Edna and Lailah, too? [ He sounds fairly surprised, and then sheepish. ] Guess I'm here pretty late, huh?

[water_meebo]

It's nothing really.

[ Just the day in the life to him. At least, how it's been for a while. Honestly, he is grateful for Edna and Lailah's presence. It helped him keep afloat as well as various other people he met along the way. He'd introduce the other to them all when he finishes filling Sorey in on everything. ]

Zaveid was here for a short time as well. Unfortunately, he is the first one to fall in the Crystal Stasis.

[ He added. It was better to let Sorey know before he finds all the Crystallized Heroes. He pauses at the question. ] ...It's not your fault. You're here now, so that is what counts right?

[ Better late than never? ]

In order to get to the main city, I believe we need to take the airship to Aqures Ixen.

[handle]

Zavied, too? Sounds like almost everyone ended up here. What exactly is Crystal Stasis, though? [ Maybe that's a question that could wait, though. ]

--Yeah, that's true. I'm glad that I could finally make it here, after all.

[ Wait, airship? ]

... You say airship, but... [ Sure, they're in another world - but even sailing in their world seemed impossible. ] Can a ship really fly? [ If... it's as the name implies, that is... ]

[water_meebo]

Yes. He was here for a short time. The Crystal Stasis is a strange phenomenon that happens to people brought in from other worlds. Before it was considered that they fell ill and they become crystallized and placed in the hospital until their wake. In a way it helps heals those who have died and those who fall ill. Unfortunately, with our current circumstances, the Crystal Stasis probably won't function the way it used to, thus death being more permanent here than before.

I'll show you when we reach Aqures Ixen. Perhaps, it will be easier to see it. You have a lot of catching up to do.

[ Trying to summarize things is a bit hard here but that's the gist of it according to what he knows. Of course, the whole Zaveid thing will take some time to explain as well. With that last statement he merely gives the other a grin. ]

Yes. I was skeptical about it at first but technology here is much more advance their our world. They have many different types of things here that I've never seen in my life. The airship can carry many passengers across multiple locations in Crystalls in a matter of hours or less.

[handle]

If that's how we get here, then that's how we leave too, right? Or, that's how it sounds like, anyways. ... Though, it's pretty amazing to think that it helped that much in the past. Does anyone have anyone know what could've effected it?

[ He nods. ] Sounds good. I'd really like to hear about everything!

[ Though, he admittedly is a little worried about Zavied - not really fully knowing what that meant. However, Mikleo-- speaks so calmly about it, he almost feels as though he may not need to. ]

Woah! That's amazing, really amazing, Mikleo! If there are things like airships here, I can't wait to see what other technology could be here!!

[water_meebo]

It's something like that. There's an increased amount of activity lately, so explaining things will be tricky.

[ He pauses before continuing. ] That is true, it's been quite helpful but it also has its shares of issues as well.

[ At least from the stories. He stops talking for a moment when Sorey asks about what could have affected it. The dimensional rifts and the battle with Palitutu. ]

We don't know the exact cause but after a group of Heroes fought an individual named Palitutu-- she banished all of them including those not involved into a dimensional rift. After we all returned from it, things have changed significantly. I can only assume it has something to do with her. She's currently in a coma at the hospital.

[ Speaking calmly seemed to be the best choice right now. He didn't want to sound too distressed. ]

It's quite a breathtaking to see everything from the airship. You'll find plenty of things to keep you busy in the main city, I'm sure.

[handle]

... Looks like there's a lot more to explain than I thought. I get what you're saying a little, but... There's a lot I don't really understand yet, either.

Still-- [ A look of concern crosses over his features. ] Will she be alright.

[ He nods his head. ] I really can't wait to see it all. It sounds like you've been keeping pretty busy here, too.

[water_meebo]

Don't worry. It is a lot to take in, honestly. This world is very complex. Even with all the knowledge I've gathered, there's still more questions than answers.

[ among other unexplained things. ] I'm not sure.I hope that she will be. The Heroes that were involved with her were aiming to kill her but that's really all I know.

[ Keeping busy was one of the few things he could do given the time that he spent gathering all the knowledge he could in a large leather bound notebook that kept with him during his time here. A part of him wanted to show all of these things to Sorey if he ever came to this world, and now that he's here, Mikleo can share it all. ]

We have some time to see everything.

[ He just grins. ] Naturally. I couldn't let an opportunity like this go.

[handle]

Looks like it's something that we can work towards together. Figuring out whatever answers we can.

[ Was there ever any doubt? Of course they'd be a team.]

Well, it's not everyday that we get to see another world, right? [ So, he can't really blame him at all for indulging in what he could. ]

[water_meebo]

Without a doubt I'm sure.

[ They'll even argue about theories and other silly things just like the old days! There was never really doubts about them being a team. ]]

Right, so it's always good to make the best of everything right now.

[ With all the talking they've been doing, they've reached the docks where the Airships were waiting to take Heroes to different locations. ]

[handle]

Could this be-- [ Sorey starts, taking a step forward and looking around. ]

Is this-- the airships you mentioned? [ Brace yourself, Mikleo. He's definitely going to be pretty excited if that is the case here. ]

[water_meebo]

Pretty neat huh?

[ It's a pretty huge floating chunk of metal Sorey. ]

These giant things can carry a ton of passengers.

[ He replies with a smile still on his face. ] We'll be on it for a while but it beats traveling by foot.

[ Mikleo's always bracing himself for Sorey. ]

[handle]

They're amazing! You'd never see anything like this in Glenwood! It's way beyond what we can do right now! Man, I really wanna try to ride one!

[ He's so excited! He can't wait to see how it works! Man, he so wants one of these for home... ]

Come on, Mikleo! Let's go!

[water_meebo]

That's the most interesting thing about this world is how advance it seems to be in terms of transportation, technology. Even their knowledge is beyond our wildest dreams.

[ He nods in agreement. He felt the same way when he came to this world-- excited for the unique things that it had to offer. He just couldn't get enough. ]

Alright, it's not going anywhere. We have to check the boarding time.

[ He stifles a laugh at the other's eagerness. ] There's plenty of them here so you'll be able to explore it all.

[handle]

We've got to figure out a way to take some of this home to Glenwood! Imagine how much we could do and see with this sort of technology!

[ They could explore all those far away lands... He's getting so pumped just thinking about it!! ]

Boarding time? ... That makes sense. I'm sure there's a ton of people traveling back and forth, huh? [ From the sounds of it, they're definitely not the only ones who've come here. ]

[water_meebo]

[ He doesn't know about that but the theme here is "nothing is impossible," so who is he to shut down that thought? Honestly, he thinks that will be pretty cool to have too just to see the world beyond the one they know. ]

We'll probably see a lot more than we have ever with just trips on foot. The possibilities are endless aren't they?

[ He laughed a bit. This is so very typical of Sorey as well. ]

Yes, there are those who are considered the "Heroes of Light," like us and there are natural residents here as well. Many of them don't appear quite human but they speak a very human language and even own their own businesses. It's pretty diverse here if you think about it.

[ Not at all, but because there are so many travelers, there are a lot of airships coming in a out. They probably won't have to wait too long. ]