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

[shepherd_prince]

About two months, I would estimate. They need to craft the job first, then it takes about two weeks of tests that you'll need to be present for so they can adjust it to your crystal accordingly. I only just recently managed to obtain mine. While it isn't a perfect duplicate of my natural skills and abilities, it's close enough to feel comfortable.

[He inclines his head faintly as he says it, grinning. As for his team...]

Well, we spar with one another to improve our teamwork on the battlefield, travel to other cities to provide aid, and destroy monsters. But those are just our primary goals. In truth we try to move wherever we are needed to promote unity and provide safety for those without.

[But Chrom is starting to feel a little puffed up, speaking only about himself like this.]

Are you familiar with combat? I also manage a training facility where you're welcome to come at any time and practice, or seek a teacher to assist you if you wish.

[unpleasanthemokinesis]

Does it cost a lot to do? [She would feel more comfortable having something close to her abilities. Being a Water Bender was good for the time being, it certainly didn't leave her feeling weak and faint whenever she used it but it meant she had to carry around water to use it. And of course she thinks there will be a price for it - nothing is free. Since this seems like it would take someone a while to do, it's only natural to think it's probably way too expensive for her to have done.

While she's interested in the menu, his words draw her attention more.]

That sounds nice. [Having people to work alongside. Mirai was only able to do that a couple of times in her life.] Are there a lot of you?

[At his question, she nods.]

Yes, I was a Spirit World Warrior in my world. It was my duty to fight monsters there and did so many times. [A training facility... Technically Mirai did some training when she tried to kill her senpai day after day. But she gets it. Mirai is tiny and doesn't tend to look the part of someone who fights.] That would be okay? I don't have a lot of money to offer in return.

[shepherd_prince]

I suppose that depends on the teacher. Everyone sets their own prices, a portion of which goes toward the maintenance and upkeep of the hall itself. If you're worried, you might be able to barter lessons of your own in exchange for someone else's. We all learn from one another eventually.

[He's made up his mind on what he wants to order, but he'll wait for her to make her choice first.]

A lot of Heroes? Over fifty at least, though I've never thought to hold a formal count. Our numbers fluctuate frequently.

[He's surprised to hear that she is familiar, however, as she looks gentle and passive. Not only did she fight, she did so against monsters. That's impressive.]

Not to worry. Many of the monsters we fight have a tendency to drop money after they're defeated. There are numerous postings on the quest board as well where people can offer payment for services. There are plenty of ways to earn all you need to supply yourself.

[unpleasanthemokinesis]

The abilities of a Water Bender seem similar to my abilities back home so it hasn't been too difficult figuring it out on my own. It almost feels like it comes naturally even though I've never even heard of such an ability before. Maybe if I can't figure out something in the future, I'll look for a teacher there.

[She orders something simple - but also filling.]

Fifty!? [That is a surprising number.] Why so many?

[Mirai doesn't expect him to have an answer for that so her question is quiet, spoken to herself.]

Ah, that's how I've been earning money since arriving. Is it a good way to make money? [Most of what she'd gotten from the monsters had been spent just as quickly - food, warm clothes, basic necessities. All things she needed to survive in Esdham the first week.] Is the quest board located in this city?

[shepherd_prince]

I suppose that depends on the rarity and threat level of the monster. Some can drop quite a bit of gil, more than one would earn working a normal job in a month. It's dangerous, but rewarding, and always needed as they're a danger to the native people of this world.

[He orders the same and carries their tray to the table so they can eat while they talk.]

I'll show you the quest board after we've finished. It doesn't see a lot of use these days, but requests still arise upon occasion.