EVENT | LANDFALL | VALISHAERA

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: JULY 13-26
Location: Valishaera
Situation: Tu Vishan has made landfall on Siaxhi, to explore the Dreaming Watch City of Valishaera.
Warnings/Rating: Please indicate content warnings in subject headers as applicable.

As Tu Vishan draws near, the heavy jungle visible even from miles out quickly identifies the landmass as Siaxhi, one of the westernmost continents in Konryu and one that has been largely untouched insofar as the kedan themselves have gone. There is a natural inlet along the southeast shore on the continent and Tu Vishan makes for that, though he fills nearly all of it.



OOC INFORMATION
Landfall Questions | Approved Item Requests | Pocket Dreaming Signups

CITY OF VALISHAERA
Exploring the Coast | The Arybar | A Ruined City

WITHIN THE TEMPLE
The Monks' Domain | The Labs & Library | Gathering Rooms & Garden | The Pocket Dreaming Realms

LANDFALL MISSIONS
Dreamscape | Night's Wood | Inan | OOC Organization

Comments

A Ruined City

[ironwood]

The city itself is made up of multi-leveled temples, bridges and arches, all designed to embrace the surrounding jungle rather than push it back. Lazy canals not unlike those found in the Water Sector in Keeliai meander their way through the ground level, though many are now clogged with native jungle plants. An ambitious person(s) might find a couple day's hard work clearing them out, which surely the Arybar might appreciate. They'll only ask that the Foreigners stay out of the long planted rows of crops that are nestled in the dozens of old courtyards, because this is the middle of their growing season. Other than these areas, they don't mind exploration.

Despite evidence that the city has been abandoned for centuries, the buildings remain in astoundingly good shape beneath the encroaching jungle foliage. The stone is all intact, apparently no worse for weathering so many years. Something interesting of note is that there are basically no remains of the monks who were living here: no abandoned furniture, remnants, evidence of these buildings being lived in at all. It's actually so pristine that it's... spooky.

Re: A Ruined City

[whitelotustile]

Iroh had a fondness for ruins. These reminded him a bit of the Sun Warrior ruins, so of course he wanted to check them out and see if there was anything familiar.

CLOSED to SKULDUGGERY.

[peacefullywreathed]

In spite of the ruins, not to mention the people living there, the whole area was ... strange. Almost incomplete, and entirely illogical. A ruin of that size and age ought to have been powerful for a Necromancer, but there was barely enough evidence of death through the ages to account for the settlement alone. None of the Arybar were inclined to answer when he asked why, so Solomon went exploring on his own.

Although Solomon couldn't say that he was a man who enjoyed the rigors of nature, the jungle was peaceful provided he stayed out of the thick foliage. In the ruins, where there were elements of safety and clear ground, the area was much more appealing. It was enough that he caught a glint of sunlight off metal, which was the first and only evidence of civilisation he'd seen--excepting, of course, the ruins themselves.

Even still, the very last thing Solomon expected to see when he brushed light debris off the shapelss object was ... a car. In fact, it was a Bentley.

More to the point, it was a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental.

Solomon closed his eyes and, since he was alone, deigned to ask the air--"Are you bloody joking?"

Then he checked the car to make sure there were no scratches or chips (Skulduggery was the type to shoot the messenger if there were); tested the doors (they were unlocked); and searched for the keys (they were in the glove-box). He finished by locking it up and taking the keys away with him, and went in search of an idiot, but well-dressed, skeleton.

[skeletonenigma]

In contrast to Wreath's exploration, Skulduggery had been keeping a little closer to the coast. He'd tried exploring further in-land, of course, in both the Temple and the ruins, but there was something decidedly wrong about it all. Something Skulduggery felt he should know more about already, but couldn't quite put his finger on. Unfortunately, he must have asked the wrong person the exact wrong number of questions, because he was starting to receive glares wherever he went. Add to that his recent exploration of the woods stuck in perpetual darkness, and Skulduggery was perfectly happy skirting the majority of the ruins.

Or at least, that was what he tried to tell himself.

The walk became so mind-numbingly boring that Skulduggery actually jumped at the chance to step down to the water's edge and pick up something that the waves were trying to carry down the shore. It looked like a square. A square bit of cloth, to be a little more specific. A square bit of brown cloth. It was holding very solidly in the current, however, which suggested that it was more than simply a square bit of non-important cloth.

Skulduggery pulled the water underneath the solid brown object closer to him, picked it up, and turned it over. And had he been wearing a face, he would almost immediately have scowled.

It was a small portrait. An oil painting done at least three or four hundred years ago, created by someone with unparalleled skill - likely someone whose services were incredibly expensive. There were two people in it, and while one was much younger than Skulduggery remembered, it was still obvious who the waterlogged painting belonged to.

It was even more obvious that something in this dimension was trying to force more interaction between them.

You should still bring it to him, came Quintus's voice accusingly in Skulduggery's mind. Stop being so stubborn.

Skulduggery audibly grunted. The large psychic turtle had begged to come ashore with them; although last Skulduggery heard, he was staying with Gazelle. Maybe he was. Maybe his range and his perception had gotten better. Either way, Skulduggery failed to stop from sending a silent grumble in response, and then turned towards the ruins.

There was only one place a necromancer would be, after all. Even if Skulduggery's theory about the abandoned city was correct.

[peacefullywreathed]

It was impossible to miss Skulduggery's near presence, these days. Not that it was easy to miss him before, but nowadays Solomon knew where the skeleton was if within a certain range. That made it irritating to be in the apartment at the same time; Skulduggery's deathly aura was not nearly as soothing as Bakura's ghosts, though Solomon knew full well that was a psychological distinction and nothing else. They were very similar, in truth.

Either way, Solomon could sense Skulduggery approaching the ruins even from the village. Possibly the complete dearth of death in the area. Solomon debated abandoning his current unhurried course through what passed for the locals' 'marketplace', and then decided that he wasn't particularly interested in the fallout if Skulduggery felt Solomon had risked his precious Bentley's wellbeing by taking his time to report its existence.

Solomon sighed, left the village, and managed to intercept Skulduggery just inside the border of the ruins. He wasn't exactly reluctant about it, but he still didn't sound very happy when he saw the skeleton. "Pleasant."

[skeletonenigma]

"Ah," said Skulduggery before he'd even come to a full stop. "Death is lacking in the ruins, isn't it?"

The implication was only a theory before, but Wreath did tend to grow annoyingly cheerful when an area was pulsating with death. The distinct lack of any cheer in his greeting answered most of Skulduggery's questions for him, and the fact that Wreath had come to willingly seek Skulduggery out was interesting too. Of course, that was interesting for very different reasons. Skulduggery made no move to reveal what the wooden oil painting he held by his side was, choosing instead to tilt his head questioningly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

annabeth chase | ota

[sophos]

It's weird to be out exploring alone, though Annabeth wouldn't say she's alone alone. Not with Mrs. O'Leary running around and exploring nearby - and a giant, rhino-sized hellhound makes good backup.

Not that she's particularly worried. Not that she's thinking about attacks either - she's far more interested in the buildings here. Though she's got a knife strapped to her waist, she's carrying a backpack, too, and as she meanders through the ruins, she stops occasionally to pull out a notebook; all her notes are scribbled in Ancient Greek.

If the people won't explain it, maybe the architecture itself will have some answers.

[gearshifting]

Jungles aren't really that conducive to rollerblades, but Gear isn't afraid of huffing it on foot either. It took him a couple of hours to get to the abandoned city and the fact he couldn't find anything resembling people having lived there is more than a little creepy. He had hoped to find something that gave a clue about the monks that built the city, but there's nothing.

So he sends his little robot on its way to investigate for him, since he's not finding anything with his own eyes. "Backpack, scan the area for carvings, books, scrolls, anything you can--oh!" He spots a girl not far away from the building he just exited. "Uh, hi."

[sophos]

Annabeth spots him as soon as he steps out - she's far too in tune with her surroundings the last few months. And always, really, but especially lately.

"Did you just ask your backpack to scan the area?"

With everything she's seen in this place, it's not that weird a potential, probably even misleading, but she still raises an eyebrow.

[gearshifting]

[Sometimes Gear wonders if maybe he should have given his robot a different name. But then reminds himself it's too amusing to have named it anything else.]

That's what you get when you buy name brand. [He shrugs just a little with a half grin because it's meant to be a joke.]

[unetrustworthy]

The hellhound might have frightened her had Midii not been given a chance to observe it from far away. Appearance aside, it seemed...friendly? The older girl didn't look afraid, and it was causing no damage. If anything, she were to guess it was simply playing.

Still, Midii took care to take the long way around as she cautiously approached. Curiosity winning over any urge to walk away. Particularly when she caught a faint glimpse of the writing in the notebook. Definitely not French. Nor English. Nor Japanese or kedanese.

"What language is that?"

[sophos]

She notices the other girl soon enough - but she doesn't look or feel threatening or hostile, so Annabeth stays quiet with her approach. She recognizes the look of the interested, the curious, and she loves to see it in others.

At the question, she perks up and looks over, her expression faintly on the edge of a smile. "Ancient Greek. Do the Greeks exist in your world?"

[unetrustworthy]

It was a reasonable enough question to anybody who knew about the different worlds people could be pulled from. Still, Midii found herself having to bite back a more sarcastic duh tone.

"Greece exists, yes. I've never been there."

Garrett Hawke | Open

[iwannabeadragon]

[A ruined city you say? One that appears to be untouched by time despite the odds? Hawke is all over that. The moment Hawke catches wind of such a place he heads there in search of whatever he can find. As always Notch accompanies him on his expedition.

It's been too long since he's explored such a place. The last time he did he ran into the biggest dragon he's ever seen in his life. Who knows what kinds of secrets this place might hold. Whatever they might be, Hawke intends on finding something of interest here.]

[histruename]

[Hawke isn't the only one drawn to the ruins. Hellboy's always had a penchant for old places. They echo with energy and history and the ghosts of those come and gone. Sometimes they could tell you more than living people ever could.

As he walks down a winding corridor--starkly empty and the brickwork still pristine--Hellboy runs his stone hand across its surface with the sound of grating tombstones.

He might be seven feet tall, red, and have a tail, but he's no dragon. Though he does looks surprised as hell when he rounds the corner, eyes widening in surprise.]

...Hawke? [The way he approaches, it's pretty obvious he recognizes him.] Jeez! I thought you were gone for good.

[iwannabeadragon]

[Some things Hawke expects to see in ruins like this. Dragons, undead, and darkspawn are normally at the top of that list. Things that look like Hellboy are not. So Hellboy's eyes aren't the only ones that widen.

Normally running into a big red demon looking creature is very bad news. Unfortunately it's hard to tell just who the bad guy is anymore in this place. After all, he's caring for a baby turtle with the help of a living skeleton.

But one question remains. How does this guy know his name?]

Well isn't this a happy reunion. Small problem though...

[Hawke takes an obvious step away from Hellboy. Notch follows his lead, his eyes never leaving the big guy.]

I don't remember giving my name out to a big red...you.

[histruename]

[Hellboy stops in his tracks the minute he sees Hawke hesitate, frowning as he watches the confusion wash over his expression.]

Hellboy.

[He corrects with only mild irritation in his voice. Though it's not directed at Hawke. He's heard of people leaving and coming back without certain memories, but this is the first time he's had to deal with it.

This place, he thinks. This damn place.]

You and I helped out with some hauntings around Keeliai a couple years ago. Though I guess you don't remember that either.

Mark Grayson | OPEN

[shorttempered]

[Mark had spent the first few days split between hanging out with the Arybar and enjoying the tide pools. With that out of his system, he had moved on to the ruins nearby. One of the Arybar had made a comment about how overgrown it was, and Mark thought it would be a good gesture to try to clear some of it out for them in thanks. It made him think of Eve--that seemed like something she would do, so why not him?

So now Mark can be found in the ruined city, trying to clear out as much of the overgrown plants as he can, while being mindful of those the Arybar had planted and need.]

[gearshifting]

[Gear has been doing more surveying than clearing but he and Backpack have been cutting down weeds and overgrown plants in areas to get closer to some of the buildings. He hasn't been finding much in the way of engravings or secret hidden notes carved into the stone anywhere. But he does seem to keep running across other people. He doesn't miss the guy going around cleaning up overgrown plants.]

An abandoned city definitely is a rough place to start taking up gardening.

[shorttempered]

[Mark glances behind him at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, and comes across and equally unfamiliar superhero. He must be new.]

One of the villagers mentioned how they could use this land if it was cleared. I had nothing better to do...

[superoverachiever]

[Ava's exploration eventually leads her to come across a familiar face, even if he is doing a bit of an unexpected activity.] What'd the plants do to you?

Ava Ayala | Open

[superoverachiever]

[Ava never knows what to do with herself, so exploration seems like as good a goal as any. And ruins sound like the kind of place that might contain lost information.

It's a long shot, but she figures she might as well try. She doesn't seek out companions, but she'll happy to chat up anyone she comes across, or at least try to compare notes.]

The Finding of the Ring | closed to Tony Stark | after the Legacy thread | Tolkien jokes within

[wrathfulkhan]

Gene's been sleeping poorly as of late, ever since they've made landfall at Siaxhi. He's felt something itching at him, something pulling, some reason he needs to go and explore. And he has been resolutely ignoring it.

Until when he finally does manage to catch some solid sleep, he dreams.

A gold dragon with pink wings sits in a darkened ruin, waiting, calling out to its fellows. The other nine dragons hear its cry, and begin biting at their bearer, trying to catch his attention. And he refuses to listen.

It's your destiny, he hears his mother say. Your birthright. Go and claim it.

"I can't," he says, his throat dry. "I'll hurt people."

You will harm nobody who does not deserve to be harmed. Take it. Take your power. Take it or be unworthy as my son!

He awakes with a cry, a splitting headache blooming, practically blinding him. It's the dead of night, but he has to go, now. If only to get his stupid brain to shut up. He gets some clothes on and shoves the rings haphazardly onto his fingers, before the armor forms up around him. There's a flash of light, and he disappears, reappearing on the mainland.

The armor's too big, so he dismisses it and begins searching, feeling the pull he hadn't felt when he'd been searching for it before. Is this because it's been activated? Were the rings all somehow reconnected now that they had been reunited on both his hands and the Overlord's?

After some careful searching, he spots a glint of gold half-hidden under some rubble, illuminated by a shaft of moonlight coming through the broken roof, and he kneels to investigate.

Gold spiked band. Pink flame-shaped gem. He picks it up, and it feels right in his hand.

And he doesn't want it to.

But he can't seem to put it back down and walk away, either. So he stays kneeling on the ground, both cherishing and dreading the thing in his hands.

[highprofilerichkid]

[Tony's in the lab working late when he hears a beep from his pod. There's no cell phone network here, obviously, so he's just got it set up to send him alerts from the lab. But he's in the lab right now, and he doesn't have any timed experiments running at the moment, which can mean only one thing: his sensors have detected a surge of Makluan energy.

He checks the pod to confirm.] Dammit, Gene, [he mutters under his breath.

He's not as angry at Gene as he was when he first arrived, but he still hasn't forgiven him -- and he sure as hell doesn't trust him. It's possible Gene's using the rings for something harmless and trivial. It's also possible he succumbed to the temptation of the rings' power once again and is about to do something really, really stupid. Tony's not going to leave it up to chance.

He suits up immediately, leaving the odds and ends he'd been tinkering with strewn across the work table. There had been two spikes of energy: one here in Keeliai, and one on the continent they've landed at. Gene teleported to Siaxhi in the middle of the night for some reason, and Tony's going to go find out what it is.

He flies over Tu Vishan and into the ruined city on the mainland. As he approaches the area, he starts to pick up traces of residual Makluan energy. That's not a good sign. It's helping him pinpoint Gene, but Tony's pretty sure it means that Gene has just done something big with the rings -- or is about to.

With his thermal imaging, Tony spies a human figure crouched in the ruins. Gene. He lands.

And when he sees what Gene is holding, he raises his hand, repulsor charged.]

Put it down, Gene. Drop it and walk away, [Tony says quietly.]

im not even sorry. ALL OF THE TOLKIEN JOKES [seduction of the ring theme intensifies]

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene almost doesn't notice Tony approaching, so engrossed is he by the ring in his hands. It is a strange fate that he should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing...such a little thing.

When he hears Tony's voice filtered through the armor's modulator, he speaks, as though half in a trance.] Why should I? [he asks, sounding perhaps less accusatory than Tony might be expecting. He's asking for a reason, in truth - but he also doesn't want to give it up. He's not looking at his friend/rival/enemy, his attention fixed on the ring.]

It's mine, [he says quietly. It's almost like there's a whispering in his head, goading him to put it on. And he's shaking with the effort of resisting it.

Why is he resisting, again?]