( tdm 11 )

[hownkai]

T E S T D R I V E

ABOARD THE MOIRA Whether adjusting to space travel has been difficult or not, there is always something to be done. From working to leisure, the Moira offers a multitude of opportunities to get to know your crewmates a bit better. Exploration of the ship is highly encouraged, but as another planet grows closer to being docked, things start to get a little hectic. You'll notice a slight change in the artificial gravity as the Moira is pulled into a gravitational field; however, more noticeable changes can be found in the overall morale as you prepare to descend. ☄ on your own There are plenty of other communal areas on the ship to explore! Pick a place, and see where it takes you. ( These scenarios can be used as in-game canon. ) H A I S T O S Unlike previously visited locations, the sweltering heat of this planet can be felt long before arrival. The surface of Haistos is not a place for those with a weak constitution. It’s in a constant state of low-level volcanic activity as its land masses are dotted with many volcanoes—all of them spewing black ash into the air. Breathing is difficult without the aid of a respirator due to the potential of breathing in ash, and the plant life is stunted, adapted to living in an environment with little sunlight. The weather is unpredictable, and ash-storms will often blow in fiercely, leaving people trapped for a hours at a time before they blow themselves out. But that same ash which chokes everything on this planet is what also provides its livelihood. Haistos’ volcanic resources are a highly sought-after commodity elsewhere in the universe, and as long as gathering the ash is profitable, people will continue to return. Looking closely, etched into the curling paths of ignimbrite deposits that swirl along the base of the volcanoes is a language that is easily translated by the MID, often resembling Latin. Carved over time by visitors and travelers, it tells a tale of fire and stone and power. Some might even say there are mystic abilities associated with these volcanoes, though the rumors and myths behind it seem to be nothing but a warning to those who think to go looking for it. It’s also hard to tell if the words carry any true meaning since there are no natives to question, and all those who harvest the ash can only tell stories. Still, it’s apparent that people from many different times have all added to the scrolling messages. A word of caution: you cannot build here. Stone, metal, and wood all burn, all crumble. Only what is true can survive, and fire will show its true quality. ☄ breathing sparks Despite the haphazard lay of the land, there are things to do. Or, at least, things to see. The rocky terrain often leads to some inactive volcanoes that are perfect for exploring and harvesting the ash that continues to rain down across Haistos. There are step-like structures built into the sides of the volcanic craters, narrow but sturdy. With each move down, the air gets even thicker, and your respirator takes longer and longer to filter the unbreathable atmosphere the deeper into the planet you travel. Yet, the risk of asphyxiation is worth what awaits at the bottom of the staircase. Still warm, the volcanic rocks that are sunk into the deposits are both smooth and clear as crystal. Most of these gems retain heat permanently and can be used to warm small spaces. Gathering too many together in a single place, however, creates a reaction with the limited air supply and can spark a faux volcanic eruption—yes, these rocks are capable of producing lava at an impossibly quick rate. Is it possible to outrun the flow and reach the steps before it begins filling the bottom of the crater? The only thing worse than a sudden swimming pool of lava would be the respirator finally breaking because of the abrupt, extreme heat, wouldn’t it? ☄ under pressure Despite being unable to actually build any structures of substance on Haistos, walking around the planet itself is surprisingly easy. Due to its unusual composition, the ground itself is a noticeable mixture of dark rock and shining surfaces. More than that, each step around the bases of the volcanoes reveals something both amazing and rather fascinating: the ability to create diamonds without much pressure at all. It only takes a single step or even a hand print. Take a break and sit to rest? Diamonds. Wrestling over what pile of ash is yours to claim? Diamonds. Tripping and falling and refusing to get up so that no one sees your embarrassment? Diamonds. Suddenly, moving around on Haistos has taken a whole new turn. Especially when it’s completely possible to keep what you make with your very own body weight. ☄ if you break it, you buy it Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet. At the base of one of the smaller volcanoes, this message is carved into the rock in large, curling script. The volcano is currently inactive and is dotted with openings large enough for visitors to enter through. Stranger than the message is the faint tinkling sound - almost like glass clinking against glass - that grows louder the deeper into the volcano you go. The intricate honeycomb of paths all lead in the same direction—towards the sound and a mellow blue glow. At the center, the sound is loud and the light illuminates a large space. Thousands of crystalline creatures swirl and bump against one another, the source of both the sound and light. They appear to be a cross between a lightning bug and bee, glowing and noisy and harmless. The beautiful sight may, or may not, be dampened by the fact that the cavern is littered with glass honeycombs that have been built up within the bodies of fallen travelers. It’s clear that the organisms didn’t harm them, perhaps the result of too much ash or broken respirators, and the honey they’ve produced is light blue and clear. It’s sweet if eaten, bright and citrus-y, and carries an earthy undertone, making the skin glow temporarily after ingesting. If careful, visitors may harvest the honey, but do not disturb the creatures. Their wings are sharp, and when agitated, they swarm out of fear. OUT OF CHARACTER INFO FAQ | LOCATIONS | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS | NAVIGATION For mature or graphic content, please label. For questions, please direct them to the FAQ. As always, be kind and have fun!

Comments

npnp bro

[deconstruct]

He's not that tiny.

[ okay he is kind of tiny. and weak. and frail. whatever. hi, alva. ]

Not like I went looking for one. The beehive found me.

I'm also being followed by diamonds. [ apparently the augment weight is enough that all it takes is a step to make them, rather than sitting his ass down somewhere. it's very weird and he's not sure what to do about it. ]

[procedures]

[ Andyr, you weigh roughly 220 lbs. ]

Are they bothering you? If you think you're metabolizing poison you should find a way back out.

[ And after about a second: ]

Is Val with you.

[deconstruct]

[ w e l p ]

I've got a breather thing on so I don't think I'm taking anything in.

[ 'breather thing'. stuff andyr is good at: hurting stuff. stuff andyr is bad at: literally anything else. ]

Yes. He's being gross.

[procedures]

Skin contact? I'm assuming you're covered but I don't know what you actually have on.

[ It's like the work follows him everywhere, even when he leaves. Or maybe it's just the change in management. ]

Please tell me he hasn't eaten/touched/inhaled/played/fallen into anything yet?

[deconstruct]

Boots, gloves, long sleeve everything. I'm good, nurse.

[ god dad, he's fiiiine, okay? as for valarie, uh... ]

Eaten, no yet. Touched, yes. Inhaled, I don't think so. Played, yep. Fallen into, sort of? I mean, he's not dead yet, so... [ no real cause for concern??? ]

[deconstruct]

Nevermind. He ate it.

[ jfc, valarie. ]

[procedures]

[ Guess what he's doing. Guess. Take a good long guess. ]

Can you herd him to safety while I figure out what to do? I'm gonna try and find where two are.

[deconstruct]

Really? Can't we just... leave him?

[ he says that, but he doesn't mean it. but the ugh he's feeling is very real. he didn't volunteer to be Valarie's babysitter. ]

Yeah, fine, I'll try to get him back to the ship. If lava falls on him somewhere between here and there, though, it's not my fault.

[procedures]

I'm still technically his guardian. I can't just leave him.

[ I promised his dad I'd look out for him. From one father to another - promises for children are the kind that bind you, heart and soul. Val's as much his son, as much as Marya is his daughter. ]

Just let me know when lava happens. I'll come and find him.

[deconstruct]

I can knock you out if you want.

[ it's a joke. they're not leaving Val. Even as much as Andyr doesn't get along with him, with just the three of them now, it's like he's One Of Them. Begrudgingly, he will not kill him. ]

I'm pretty sure there won't be much of him left to find if lava happens, but sure, will do.

[procedures]

Please don't.

[ He knows how hard you can hit. He doesn't really look forward to a second round, Andyr; once through a wall is enough.

And BE NICE TO THE PETRI SON. ]

It's the thought that counts, Andyr. And the parts that can still be saved. Look, just don't die.

[deconstruct]

Come on, it'll be fun.

[ for him and him only. not really. he doesn't want to knock alva out. he'd have to carry him around after, and alva is too gd huge for easy carrying. ]

I've been really good at running away from lava so far, okay? I'll get the toddler back home safe.

[procedures]

It'll be painful.

[ He's mostly serious. The other half is just giving you a hard time, because you can't always be the one with the joker card all the time. (And yes, you'll have to carry all of his 242lbs of weight.) ]

I haven't thought to ask, can you carry him?

[deconstruct]

Only until you're unconscious. And after, probably.

[ y u so huge, dad ]

Valarie? Can, of course. Want, no.

[procedures]

Does it ever bother you how casually we discuss personal injuries like it's part of daily life?

[ It's a joke. It is part of daily life. ]

I'm going to be very sad if he dies, Andyr. I'll shave and mope.

hi and bye

[mangled]

Whatever he's texting you is a lie.

son no

[procedures]

I'm certainly hoping you haven't eaten anything you're not supposed to, Val, because I don't think I can flush you here.

Are you okay? The

[ why is this ]

baby hearts?

[eeps]

[mangled]

I didn't do it on purpose. I was adjusting my mask and it was on my hands when I touched one of the body honeycomb things.

[ He's good at this. A beat. ]

I feel fine. It's warm here and it's a little hard to breathe, but that feels normal for the heat. I'm getting Andyrs to help me bring back some of the honey stuff...

As for the hearts: they're ok. Still baby. Thankfully.

[ We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. ]

[procedures]

I'd like to hold my grandchildren later, if that's all right.

[ Is this funny? It's not, isn't it? Baby hearts crammed into a ribcage stretched to make them fit; an overtaxed pair of lungs; contracted digestive systems; Valarie was born under a very lucky star, having lived this long. ]

What exactly are you feeling right now?

[mangled]

Do you think you'd be able to?

I

There would be equipment here for that kind of thing right?

[ Val heaves a sigh no one can see. ]

A little scared. But you can't tell Andyr.

Happy. Weird. Good weird, not bad weird. Not... there's something wrong with my insides weird. We're in SPACE, Alva. S P A C E.

[procedures]

If I have the time I can build it. Just don't get yourself hurt.

[ He can hear it all the same. ]

And why would I do that?

Yes, we're in space. Hooray, stars, black holes, asteroid collisions. I'm very excited too.

[mangled]

I'm not going to get hurt, I'll be fine. I still have time before anything has to come out.

[ Oh boy. ]

I'm just checking.

Two of those things aren't very exciting, Alva.

[procedures]

I know. Doesn't hurt to be careful.

[ It's not that he wants to hen over you but. He wants to hen over you. ]

They're not supposed to be exciting, they're supposed to be dangerous. Which is what space is.

[ Nope he isn't fretting like the dad he is. He's just doing his job. In space. With goddamn lava involved. ]

[mangled]

I'm not scared of space.

[ I'm only 70% scared of space. ]

And how likely is it that we're going to end up in a black hole??

[ Stop worrying, dad. Pls. Rly. Pats ur beard gently. ]

[procedures]

I'm plenty scared of space for the both of us, then.

[ He's 700% terrified of space, especially when you're out there. PLEASE COME BACK??? ]

Considering they're the natural progression of stars? A lot likely.

[ Your emotional bribery isn't keeping you from getting grounded for eating dead people honey, Val. ]