( 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

Board to death

[daintylegs]

Okay.

[Tailgate says slowly, as if afraid that if he moves or speaks too quickly, Ultra Magnus will pick him up and plunge him back into that educational hell he had escaped from. He's not going back man. He's not going back.

Naturally he hadn't watched the entire thing.]

Not that I'm, uh, volunteering, but who's going to be your buddy?

[Tell him Magnus. Tell him who the poor soul is so he can mourn them.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

Hrm. You raise a valid point, Tailgate.

I can't very well enforce the rules if I don't abide by them myself. Meaning I am in need of a buddy.

Congratulations, Tailgate. Thank you for volunteering.

1/?

[daintylegs]

[daintylegs]

[daintylegs]

[daintylegs]

[daintylegs]

I think I'm sick actually. Very sick. Maybe even fatally so.

I'll just go to Ratchet and maybe we can do this later!

Much later.

[He has no intention of going to Ratchet, but his spot in the cargo bay calls out to him.]

Sorry.

[onlytwoexpressions]

Sick?

Well, then you'll need your 'buddy' to escort you to the infirmary!

See, this is precisely why I instated the buddy system. It's already working!

[daintylegs]

Oh! That won't be necessary! I've been here longer than you, I can find the way myself! In fact, I'm heading there right now as we speak.

I'd hate to distract you from your duties and... everything. Those are very important.

[onlytwoexpressions]

Tailgate, nothing is more important to me than the buddy system.

[The literal finality in his voice is terrifying.]

Now, be a 'buddy' and show me where the infirmary is. I'll need to note its location so that I can be a better buddy in the future.

[STOP SAYING BUDDY]

[daintylegs]

[Magnus is SUPER into this buddy thing and it's actually kind of scaring Tailgate a little. Especially now that he realizes that there's no way out.]

I'm... I'm actually feeling a lot better now! It's a miracle!

But I'll show you to the infirmary anyway. Also I just remembered that Rewind is my buddy, goodness, how did I forget?

Have you considered asking Riptide? I heard he's very buddy-less right now, I bet you could cheer him up with your rules and regulations.

[onlytwoexpressions]

Oh...Rewind is your buddy? That's good, I'm glad. Good for you, Tailgate. The buddy system rarely lets anyone down.

Hrm...now, I'm inclined to tell you that 'buddy-less' is not a word. Hyphenated or not makes no difference. You should say something along the lines of 'Riptide is currently without a buddy.' But since you weren't feeling well, I'll let it slide just this once.

As for Riptide, I'll have to contact him.

[daintylegs]

So! Before we meet up, there's something veeeery important that I need to confess.

Um, please try to keep an open mind.

[He knows, before he says this, that that was a stupid thing to say.]

Actually, instead I'm going to ask that you please not get too angry. I can explain.

[onlytwoexpressions]

Tailgate, in my experience, leading with those exact phrases does not, in any way, quell any potential anger or stay any possible punishments.

With that said, I feel I should just go ahead and tell you to wait for me in the brig.

But feel free to tell me while I'm en route.

[daintylegs]

[The brig??

Tailgate sighs and sadly starts walking there. At least if Magnus threw him in, he'd be able to get out very easily. This face isn't one that's meant to be behind bars.]

Well... last month something happened and I ended up with Tarn of the DJD, and then he went and made me a Decepticon.

I'm a Decepticon now. I have the badge and everything.

But I'm still a Lost Lighter, so it's all good, right?

1/?

[onlytwoexpressions]

[onlytwoexpressions]

[onlytwoexpressions]

I...

[onlytwoexpressions]

I...I'm sorry...

[onlytwoexpressions]

I must be getting some kind of...some kind of feedback.

[onlytwoexpressions]

Because I swear you just said to me that you wound up with Tarn...

[onlytwoexpressions]

Tarn of the Decepticon Justice Division...

[onlytwoexpressions]

And he made you

[onlytwoexpressions]

I repeat: Tarn of the Decepticon Justice Division, the most ruthless, kill-crazy Decepticons to ever see battle...

[onlytwoexpressions]

Made you, Tailgate...a Decepticon.