( 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

[onlytwoexpressions]

You haven't?

I don't really see how that's even possible. How has no one sought to educate anyone aboard this ship about Galactic Etiquette?

[force_change]

The Data Overmind actually contains vast amounts of information on various things, but not of anything you appear to be babbling on about.

[The real question is, does anyone care? Certainly not Asakura.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

I assure you it's not babble. Look, I always keep a digital copy of the Tyrest Accord with me along with an annotated version of every Galactic Council treatise ever penned for reference.

Not that I need reference.

I just like to proofread sometimes.

[force_change]

It sounds like babble. [Blunt, as she's got a new bit of diamond in hand and she's looking it over.]

Doesn't proofreading imply that your Accord and treatises are incomplete? That doesn't sound like very stable laws.

[onlytwoexpressions]

I'll have you know they're perfectly stable!

I just do it in my free time for ffffff...

For fffffffffffffff...

It serves a purpose and therefore I do it.

[force_change]

["Ffff"? She actually stops to try and figure out what word Magnus even means there but decides it's not important to what she's doing and goes back to looking at her diamond.]

Then you should have used the word "review" if you do it for a purpose.

[And now, now she's doing something that isn't just picking up diamonds and being kind of sassy at a giant robot. If Magnus pays attention it sounds like she's muttered some sort of spell? (but it's more akin to computer language, strings of code verbalized at inhuman speeds.) And instead of a diamond in her hand it's a, well...

A diamond knife.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

What was that?

What did you just mutter?

How are you doing that?

[force_change]

What was what?

[She looks up at Magnus now, face full of innocence and a smile.]

All I did was simply rearrange the data of the object, although I was trying to make it into a metal blade.

[onlytwoexpressions]

You...rewrote it?

How...?

You're human.

[force_change]

No, I am a humanoid interface for the Data Overmind.

[Not human, just made to interact with them. She's waving that knife around now as she talks.]

To use words that you should be capable of understanding, I am made to interact with humans beings while being part of a alien species.

[onlytwoexpressions]

You're of a synthetic race?

That's...

[Interesting? Terrifying? Yes to both.]

Made by whom, exactly?

[force_change]

It is a being made completely of data, yes.

[A giant hivemind with no form aside from the humanoid interfaces it's sent to earth.]

The Overmind wasn't made by anyone, it evolved into it's current state and has not been able to evolve beyond that.

[onlytwoexpressions]

And this Overmind...created you?

To interact with humans?

For what purpose?

[force_change]

To observe.

[Simple answers now, no reason to get too complicated.

That and she just doesn't feel like giving a big long explanation.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

Observe...?

Observe what exactly? What are you looking for?

[force_change]

[Seriously?

She's standing up now and walking away, because that question was already answered in her opinion. To observe humans, duh.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

[TOO VAGUE. THAT IS TOO VAGUE AND NOW HE IS FOLLOWING YOU.]

You did not put those diamonds back where you found them! Fourth warning!

[And no he didn't forget.]

[force_change]

But there aren't any diamonds on my person. Just a knife.

[Still moving and, well now she's taking off the device for breathing.

Boy that would be a bad idea if she was a plain old normal human! But she's tossing it at Magnus in an attempt to use it as a distraction.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

That used to be diamonds!

You can't just instantly repurpose something before my very optics and then claim that it's not of the same physical components!

[The respirator just tinks off of his armor.]

Now you're littering!

[force_change]

[GOSH.]

Ah you sound like my supervisor. [Even in this awful atmosphere she's able to talk just fine without the device on.]

It's no longer diamonds though, it is a knife. Thus it is no longer the same object.

[onlytwoexpressions]

I'll be the judge of that. Hand it over, I'll scan it's composition.

[He drops to his knee and holds out his GIANT HAND.]

[force_change]

[WOW YAOIHANDS MCGEE.

Asakura pauses for a moment, as if she will so hand over the knife but instead... There is that strange chant again as she throws it into the air and instead of a knife falling in Magnus' general direction?

It's a rain of sharp diamond shards that probably won't do much of anything to Magnus, but she wasn't one to not go right to violence as a solution.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

[Magnus quickly retracts his hand.]

I'm not sure if I should read that action with intent to harm, but for your sake, I'm willing to look the other way.

Once.

Because you relinquished the knife.

[force_change]

If I was intending to harm you, you would be harmed.

[She says those words in the same tone of voice one would use while talking about a movie they just saw, or discussing something pleasant.

Not the tone of voice for discussing hurting someone.]

[onlytwoexpressions]

Should I interpret that as a thinly veiled threat?