( 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

If you break it, you buy it

[dorkvader]

[Vader looks at the girl in the strange armor. Not that he's really one to talk about strange armor. She's little more than a child though and that at least draws his interest. After all, she must be exceptional by her people's standards to warrant a custom fitted suit of armor. That or it is purely cerimonial... he can't help but wonder which one it is.]

Yes. If someone took the time to mark this cave, then there must be something of value to be found inside.

[He waives a hand to dismiss her offer of water. There is still a little coffee in his mug and it's not like he's going to dehydrate anytime soon anyway.]

Keep it. You are in more need of it than I am.

[oniondaughter]

[Sieglinde, on the other hand, barely bats an eye at Vader's outfit. She's seen a great many strange things since arriving on the Moira - she has to admit that the buttons and wires are a bit different than she's used to, but if anything a man in a helmet is a familiar sight.]

Yes, I'd suspected the same.

[ She nods, glad to see that she's not the only one who thinks the cave has got to be full of treasure. She puts her waterskin away when he declines the offer, and begins the process of standing her hefty, armored body up and returning her helmet to her head.]

...of course, I've little doubt that there is some manner of beast in there as well. Your helm seems to be that of a warrior, friend - what say we enter together?

[dorkvader]

I would be surprised if there wasn't. It's a thing.

[It's cliche but what can you do. Notable caves have creatures of one kind or another. Physical ones are best, you can kill those.]

I am more than just a warrior, I am a Sith Lord.

[Given the circumstances of their arrival here, he doubts that it means much to her... but it means everything to him. His very existence is bound to that identity.

He looks from her to cave and motions for her follow.]

Let us see what this place holds.

[oniondaughter]

[Sieglinde doesn't know what a Sith Lord is, but she doesn't insult him by questioning it. It's clearly got some sort of significance to him, and if he can hold his own in a fight then that's all that matters.]

Indeed.

[She nods, drawing her sword and spiked shield and following him inside, ready to face whatever insidious beast that lies within. If experience has taught her anything, it'll probably be some sort of giant, smoldering skeleton or a fire-breathing demon of some sort.

The actual creatures sight of the creatures, though, come as something of a surprise.]

...insects?

[dorkvader]

[Unless she's familiar with energy weapons like a lightsaber, he looks very much unarmed....unless she somehow mistakes his lucky coffee mug for a weapon, which he doubts.

He looks up at the swarm, in some ways he would have preferred a giant something. They tend to be slower and have easily exploited weak spots. Swarms are far more annoying. You can kill dozens and yet more will come.]

A lot of insects.

[He looks down at the corpses strewn about and then back up to the swarm. There's no obvious sense of threat from them, but he learned long ago not to judge a potential threat by it's size.]

Probably best not to disturb them.