melodiesoflife | Intro Log || The Return of the Heroes

Entry tags:

Intro Log || The Return of the Heroes

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: The 5th of September. The new Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken in Aqures Ixen and are informed by their assigned Moogles of what the situation and what their destinies are. This a log for them to react to the situation, meet each other and be welcomed by the former batches of Heroes of Light. It marks the first time since January that Heroes of Light have appeared in Aqures Ixen.
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. Upon doing so, you can hear a soft, soothing voice speaking:

"Wake up."

Soon, the void itself vanishes and is replaced by distant noises of engines. Had it all been nothing more than a dream? The soothing voice repeats its call one more time, but is soon replaced with a much less graceful "Wake up Kupo." Hand clutched on your Crystal, the call of the Moogle may finally wake you up. But you are no longer in your world, nor in the void. You are before the Crystal of Fire, in the third district of a city called Aqures Ixen. At this point, you may realize the engine noise actually originates from an Airship flying low over the city and headed to dock beneath the castle. As if it wasn't strange enough, your clothes have changed as well. They are now a reflection of the Jobs you are wielding. Last but not least, you are surrounded by Moogles, small and fluffy creatures who are more than happy to tell you about everything you want to know, about your 'destiny' as a Hero of Light, about what awaits you.

Or at least, they will tell you everything they do know, which isn't much in the end.

The only people around you are like you-- There are quite a few of them, all clothed in their Job garbs and most likely wondering what is happening. If somehow you do not realize it, the Moogle who woke you up will be more than happy to inform you there are others like you around. In fact, there are other Heroes who have arrived in the course of the past year and they will come soon! Like you, they have Jobs and a Crystal.

If asked, the Moogles will mention that the city was recently attacked by the Heran Empire and nearly destroyed by Ultima Weapon. What's the Heran Empire? What's Ultima Weapon? Better to ask to the heroes who saw it all.

The Other Heroes
— Shortly Thereafter —
Thanks to the efficiency of Mognet, it does not take long for the other Heroes to come around: those who arrived in this world within the past year. 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 fiercely battled each other past month. 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 —
With the recent attack, Aqures Ixen is under reconstruction. The city was saved for the most part, but there are ruined buildings, the Sixth District is nothing but wasteland now and the Thirteenth District has become a graveyard. Even so, there are a lot of things left to do in the city for newcomers. A few groups of Triple Triad players are playing before Mognet Office in the ninth district, mostly Moogles as many of them are not working after what happened. And of course, they are more than happy to teach the rule to anyone passing by. Characters are free to enter and play games of Triple Triad, and if they do so they will be given very basic cards and explained the rules. This may be the start of a promising career!

Characters are also free to visit the city-- Mognet Office just behind the Triple Triad games is filled with Moogles, most of them panicked, tired, busy or slacking now that their director has disappeared. They can also visit Airship Port in the twelfth district from where characters can board for free Airships from Shoopuf Airline-- Though they have to make a request 48 hours in before to do so.

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

Close Encounters of the Third Kind
— 19:00 —
Characters venturing by the city's outskirts at this specific time will be able to see a most peculiar sight: a flying saucer seemingly abducting a cow before flying away and disappearing into the sky without leaving any traces of its presence. If your character do see it, hopefully there will be someone with them. Otherwise, nobody will believe their story.

Was it an UFO or just a hallucination? Only the future will tell...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Ah, I do actually. Though I have had my share of losses," he replied with a smile. "Pray, are you from Eorzea? Your ears and features are one of the Seekers of the Sun."

She let out a puff of breath, ears twitching in amusement at the statement, eyes going back to the board for a moment. At the question, though, she snapped back to his face, eyes wide, ears forward. After this long… she'd almost given up hope of seeing anyone from home. "I am," she said after a moment, offering a shallow bow. "K'pandolu Tohka, of the Hipparion tribe. And you are?"

"They call me Adventurer, but Terra has given me the nickname of Sea," he explained. "My true name seems to have an odd curse which causes minor pain to me if I try to say it.

Can I ask something out of the way? What is your stance on Wild Roses?" He wanted to know if K'pandolu was affiliated with the Scions.

"Just that? Terra did?" She arced an eyebrow. With all the adventurers she'd come across, she imagined that would most likely have caused trouble somewhere. Surely… But that was his own matter, she supposed. "A curse, you say…?" She tilted her head for a moment, wondering. What kind of magic could do that? Some form of thaumaturgy, perhaps- but she hadn't spent enough time in the Arrzaneth Ossuary to have the information to form any solid ideas.

Her ears twitched forward, and she stared for a moment, the automaton beside her glancing up curiously. She'd mentioned it to Sika, once, after her trip to see the other two crystals- and that familiar face. Only he'd not recognised her- nor the words when she'd spoken them to him, and she curled her fingers into her palms, pressing against the pain of that memory. "I've found I appreciated those in Western Thanalan the most," she said, and managed a smile, eyes flicking over his face, seeking familiarity.

"Tis more of an annoyance than anything else," admitted the Adventurer with a smile and tilt to his head. At least there was no cure for it, other than writing down his name.

Oh goodness, she really was familiar with them. With a smile, Sea smiled. "Then it is good that they are well tended for. I'm sure the work you do for them is wonderful."

Which was his way of saying 'thank god you're from his world'.

He's missing an opportunity there. The right researcher could make an entire career out of the matter! Even if they simply sought to replicate the curse.

…then again, perhaps that wouldn't be such a pleasant experience for him.

"If you say so," she said dubiously. At least they did have something to call him.

At least he looked as though he could fit into the crowd here. K'pandolu, on the other hand…

She nodded, slowly relaxing. "It is," she said, attempting to put some determination into her words. Her ears twitched back a moment later, though, and her gaze flicked away for a moment. "But… it has been some moons now, since I arrived." Or, put simply- she's worried.

"So it must have been quite some time then," surmised Sea, nodding in thought. After all, if the time was different then... "What is the last thing you remember from our world, may I ask?"

"Near six moons now, I believe." The calendar seemed similar enough, but she hadn't had any access to one until they'd escaped the Research Facility- and then, the world around her had been enough to try to adjust to.

She blinked for a moment, tilting her head- but others had mentioned something like that, hadn't they? Remembering more, if nothing else… Which was more than strange enough in itself, but sometimes, she looked around and thought…

"I remember the Grand Companies, gathered to celebrate the downfall of the Black Wolf," she said after a moment, and paused, nails digging into her palms again. That he should have been brought here- She shook her head, gathering her thoughts. "They proclaimed the Seventh Astral Era, and then… Everyone was relaxing, but…" There had been her vision, and that roar. She'd wondered, occasionally- but cast adrift from Hydaelyn, and with everything Crystallis had thrown at her, she'd had other matters to occupy her. She lifted her gaze, eyes on him, and put out one hand, palm up. "What do you recall?"

Edited 2015-09-24 16:54 (UTC)

"That has been... more than six months ago, but I remember the day well. When the Grand Companies joined together to stop the danger that threatened our world. However, that's not where the story stops." Sea shrugged a little. "The problem is how much you want to know, it is your choice."

Edited 2015-09-25 00:20 (UTC)

More than six moons… Her ears folded back, and she folded her arms, tail curling in worry. "That long…" And there was more… Of course there was more. What had happened to the Scions in her absence? And then, the others… "What of Minfilia and Thancred?" she asked, trying to keep most of the concern from her voice.

Crap, he was hoping he could avoid this. Despite this, he nodded. "Safe and sound, for the most part. They've been setting up a new headquarters in Revenant's Toll. With the aid of the Domans they are transforming it into a livable city."

"Then… they are well?" Now, though, she couldn't hide the relief, shoulders loosening, tail flicking a little more gently. But if that was the case- what of their doppelgangers in Crystallis? Some part of them had been called here, and it continued to worry her.

Still, she pushed that aside for now, with other questions on mind. "Revenant's Toll? Why there? And… Domans?"

"They are." At least he hoped so. There was no sign of them, other than Y'shtola right now. But a little white lie for someone who hasn't experienced what he had done...

"The governments are, were trying to curry favor. Lots of gifts, bribes, that sort of thing. And being on Ul'dah soil gave them too much leeway to do so. So we had to move. As for the Domans of Othard, they came to Eorzea bringing with them their people, as well as members of the Au Ra race of man."

As long as she doesn't find out, he's in the clear.

"Favour?" She made a disgruntled sound, and sighed. "Of course they did. As though it wouldn't be enough to be reminded of the Syndicate every time we stepped out for some fresh air…"

She perked up a little, ears up. "The Au Ra? I'd heard whispers… What are they like in person?"

"That's why we moved to Revenant's Toll," said the Adventurer with a nod.

"Ah, the Au Ra are very private people, from two very different cultures. They are very strong fighters though, and hardy people even if they don't get along with Ishgardians due to cultural misunderstandings."

She flicked one ear back, expression flattening for a moment, but nodded.

"Two different cultures? Can you tell me a little more?" She gave him an expectant look, tempered with a measure of thoughtfulness at the last. Ishgard was at war with the dragons… but the Au Ra weren't dragons exactly, were they…?

"One has given up the tribal cast and nature, preferring to live in mountain villages perfecting their arts such as ninjutsu and smithing and such. They are called the Raen. The Xaela on the other hand are desert tribes, nomadic in nature and range from passive to downright dangerous and aggressive. Members from both cultures arrived in Ishgard a few years ago."

He frowned a little. "Ishgardians thought they were dragons due to their scales which shine with black or white, and curved horns, and attacked them on sight before an uneasy truce happened. The Au Ra fought back with their Dark Knights and ninja skills, and to this day, while Au Ra are somewhat tolerated in Ishgardian lands, they are more welcomed in others."

K'pandolu straightened a little further, ears up. "Ninjutsu? And smithing, you say… I wonder what techniques they use." More to learn, she hoped, and nodded at the last. "So- as much variety as any of us."

Of course it was that. She sighed, shoulders slumping somewhat. "That's unfortunate." As if any more blood needed to be spilled in the world… "Dark Knights? And… they came to Ishgard, you said?" But as far as she knew, Ishgard's gates were closed…

"Our favorite blacksmith learned the techniques. Swords are forged from folding over the material thousands of times. And Ninjutsu from what I've seen, uses hand symbols in order to channel the inner aether into techniques." Explained the Adventurer.

"Dark Knights, yes. They wield giant blades for their use. And they came to Ishgard lands, and, well, bad things happened for a while." He added.

"…Guildmaster Brithael?" She knew a few others, but that seemed right. Nor did Brithael, but she wasn't sure who else he could mean. "Is that so… It seems different again." She frowned, thinking on the techniques she'd learnt since her arrival. They required focus, certainly- no doubt the symbols were meant to aid in that. When she returned- should she return- she would investigate further.

"Incredible…" she breathed, and then gave him a look. Dryly: "Bad things."

"Ah, no, Gerolt. When he wasn't angrily pounding out kettles he was restoring relic weapons for adventurers." Admitted Meteor, nodding.

"Mmm. There was a time of civil unrest with the Au Ra in place. Lots of fighting from Ishgardian Knights who viewed them as dragonspawn. It didn't help Nidhogg was stirring once more."

"Gerolt?" She strove to remember the man the name was attached to, and shook her head, coming up with nothing. "Relic weapons…?"

She nodded, frowning. "I'm surprised Ishgard opened its gates to them, then."

"Gerolt is known as the legendary blacksmith. He has been recreating weaponry lost to time." said the Adventurer.

"It was hard and only recently did Ishgard open their gates."

"Indeed?" K'pandolu's eyebrows rose. "Perhaps I'll seek him out, then. To even touch such a piece would be incredible."

She frowned. "How recently is 'recently'?" Was it another change like the move to Mor Dhona?

"He's good at what he does. And improvement on weapons have been his thing for ages." said the Adventurer with a grin.

"Recently as in..." How long as it been? "There have been two Risings since then."

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