khuimods: (Default)
Khu Ioduan Mods ([personal profile] khuimods) wrote in [community profile] ioduanlogs2019-01-07 07:07 pm

[EVENT] IN THE WAKE OF XI TIANLONG

Characters: All
Date: January 2019
Location: Around Aifaran
Situation: The archipelago is recovering from the megastorm, Xi Tianlong, and a Watcher has sailed into Aifaran's port.
Warnings/Rating: Mentions of death and devastation resulting from a natural disaster; use additional warnings as needed.


The force of the storm and the chaos it wrought - both mundane and metaphysical - has given rise to its name: Xi Tianlong. The Black Sky Dragon left devastation in its wake and many areas are still flooded. The first priority is to ensure the safety and security of everyone living in the archipelago. Anyone of sound mind and body is expected to join the recovery efforts.

I. THE WORK BEGINS

Volunteers may report to operation and logistics outposts run by Sentry and city officials to assist with a wide variety of tasks. Each outpost reports to an overarching emergency operations center, where almost all leadership decisions are being made from.

At a given outpost, the scene is one of organized chaos: most people are in constant motion, wearing weariness as well as their uniforms. Most of the outposts have been set up within buildings but a few are located outdoors beneath huge tents. It may be hard to tell exactly who is in charge, but soon enough you'll be directed to a table designated for processing volunteers. From there, volunteers will be assigned to tasks based on their skills - and not necessarily what one may prefer to be doing. Lives are still at stake. It is time to dig deep.

While participating in recovery efforts, people begin to come across… oddities. Things that do not appear to belong here. Some admit to hearing voices calling their names or whispering incomprehensible secrets, though they're chalking that up to exhaustion and stress.

Below are areas where volunteers are needed:

MEDICAL SUPPORT: A wide spectrum of support is needed, from doctors and magical healers to basic first aid. Individuals will be assigned based on their expertise to emergency clinics that are being set up across the city. There is very little time for bedside manner: the focus is treatment, especially in facilities handling more serious injury. Triage is in full effect.

Including, it seems, for injuries that do not have an identifiable cause, or are reportedly caused by one of the storm's more chaotic effects. Patients falling under this category are sequestered in a separate treatment area, or in some cases moved to an entirely different facility to provide adequate care. They must have stories to tell a willing ear.

DEBRIS CLEARING: At first glance, this is the most straightforward task and easily the one that has the most volunteers assigned to it. One hardly needs particular skills to gather up and deposit debris in bins that are bound for the growing mountain of wreckage outside the city walls. Items of a personal nature or anything that may have immediate use as part of recovery are separated out, but a more thorough sorting will have to happen later. The archipelago is not an endless bounty of resources, and everything that can be reused or recycled, will be. It is hard, messy work. Many volunteer crews push back heartache with song and recitation of well-known poetry to keep their minds focused.

The Sentry does need sharp eyes to deal with a few particularly hazardous areas. Anyone with structural engineering knowledge or similar may end up clambering through the carcasses of buildings, locating any survivors and shoring up instabilities as much as possible.

ORGANIZING AND DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES:Between what the city and businesses provide, donations, and items collected as part of the debris clearing, there is a lot to go through. Supplies from the city and Sentry are already quite organized, but the rest will arrive at collection points in various states of disorder. Volunteers are needed for sorting, cleaning, and distributing supplies. This may be on an individual basis or to bring items to shelters, such as clothing, medicine, blankets, non-perishable food, and so on.

Items of a personal nature (e.g. pictures, anything with a name on it, etc) that are recovered by cleanup crews are set aside for people to try and claim later, but it can be quite a mess. Lost and found is by no means a priority, and those who come to ask about their property will either be turned away or told they can dig through the piles. There's no time to catalog it all until the city is in better shape.

REPAIRS AND CONSTRUCTION:The first order of business with repairs is to sort what actually can be repaired from what must be torn down and built again, better and stronger. So there is a sort of tiered organization: when the nature of repairs has been ascertained, usually by an expert with long experience at this sort of thing, then the task is assigned. There's some demolition, not all of it skilled, for which Dreamfolk with destructive talents or large muscles are in high demand. Priority in rebuilding is given to utilities and those centres where people are being given aid; dwellings are a close second, since the winter is still in full sway, but all efforts are calibrated toward helping the most vulnerable first.

Carpenters and masons are well loved here, but anyone with a talent for reinforcing structures, for hitting a nail with a hammer, or just plain old carrying heavy things and holding them in place, will be valued.

OOC: Anyone who volunteers will receive a unique discoverable based on which volunteer group they choose by responding to the comment below.


II. HAZARDS AND HUSHED WHISPERS

The trees that sprouted improbably from lightning strikes during the storm remain firmly rooted, wherever they are. Most of them grew from rooftops but a handful reside in the streets. Regardless of whether they have soil or sun (and in one unique case of a tree growing in a flood zone, no air), the trees seem healthy and content. They're also quite diverse, including fruit-bearing trees, evergreens, and several from unidentified species. One has a bioluminescent glow at night. Another grows perpendicularly out of the side of a building. None of them show signs of disease, damage, or lack of nutrients. For the time being, the official word is to leave them alone. Given their origin, no one knows how a tree might react to being cut down or uprooted or touched, and in any case they don't seem to be doing anything but standing there. Leaves fluttering a little in a non-existent breeze.

One glaring exception to this ambivalence is the grove of trees rooted in a section of the Skyway. Rumor has it that the cluster grew out of a single lightning strike, whereas all the other strikes only produced one arboreal interloper. About a week after the storm clears, Opara Core technicians erect a containment tent across the entire section to hide it from view, and to cover the roots dangling down through the track. By then, however, enough pictures of the trees have been taken to reveal the gnarled roots and branches are not made purely from wood: they're veined and interwoven with a silvery-blue metal. Even the leaves have silvered edges, giving rise to the theory that they're sharp as razors. The technicians and scientists who come and go from the site are tight-lipped about the situation and will evade questioning.

There's been no improvement or really any change in the status of those buildings now colloquially called 'drowned.' Obviously, no one is allowed inside. Those with a careful ear to the ground may overhear some whispers, that these buildings are -- wrong somehow, strange. But these conversations are hushed quickly. Whatever is actually wrong, it's something that those investigating are trying twice over to make sure doesn't get out to the general public. The clearest thing, perhaps, is that these buildings are not safe.

While it's not the first priority, as soon as there's some breathing space the Sentry has some crimes to look into. The storm's peculiar eddies affected many Dreamfolk, and while there's some debate about the level of responsibility given that many are reporting states of altered consciousness-- crimes still happened. People have still been injured or worse. This is not something that can be simply let lie. Further, cannier minds provide, there's the risk of some having committed opportunistic crimes and then trying to camouflage them under the veneer of a Dreamperson affected by the eddies. Sorting this distinction out comes first; then comes how responsible those under the eddies' influence actually are. Nothing is being allowed to simply slip by if the Sentry catches wind of it. Frankly, they're paying more attention now than they usually do, under the logic that now more than ever their order will be a source of reassurance.

OOC: If a character chooses to touch the lightning trees, please respond to the comment below.


III. WATCHERS IN THE WATER

The two ships that accompanied Melias are of a similar design to her own, but there is no visible cabin on them. In fact, there only appears to be one door on each, at the stern, but there's no visible means of opening them. The ships are cream-colored and almond-shaped, with whorls carved onto them that could be symbolic of the water - and, if one looks closely, there are words carved into them in an alphabet that has been extinct since long before the establishment of Aifaran.

The ships do not dock, but flank Melias' ship in the harbor, seemingly guarding it. If anyone gets curious enough to try and sneak aboard one of the two mysterious ships, they will be met with a feeling of intense amusement projected into their minds before something resembling a tree branch materializes from the hull, grabs them, and gently deposits them on the docks nearby. Any attempt to breach the chitinous hulls by violent means will be met with a wave of anger tinged with disappointment. Hull damage is quickly self-repaired. The ships seem to be alive after a fashion. That's crazy, though, isn't it?

If Melias learns of an attempt to board or damage the ship, she'll scold the Dreamfolk: "All in good time! Honestly, you lot are so impatient."


---

OOC Notes: Melias will be available for threading upon request.
redlightgreenlight: (Default)

Re: DISCOVERABLES AND ARBOREAL MYSTERIES

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2019-01-08 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
Character Name(s): Valdis
Did your character interact with a lightning tree? Please indicate touch vs. other interaction: Looks at with Soul Sight
Did your character experience an eddy effect during the storm? If yes, please indicate which effect: Yes: RESTORATION: gained the ability to see all the things that people normally subconsciously edit out of their perceptions to maintain their sense of reality. (Her extra sense made it extra fun)
necrocabbage: (F; fancy plant)

[personal profile] necrocabbage 2019-01-09 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Character Name(s): Trahearne
Volunteer group: Medical Support
redlightgreenlight: (expressionless)

1 Repairs and Construtction

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2019-01-10 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Returning to Aifaran had been as devastating as leaving, though for very different reasons. Her flight had been due to self-preservation, what she now knew to be an eddie had caused her senses, including her empathy to be overwhelmed. The panic faded only after she left the city behind, and avoiding people was easy when everyone was locked down. Now the city was in ruins and her talents could be put to work rebuilding, but, much to her frustration, only small things.

"Dammit."

Though it didn't cause further damage, the wall she'd been trying to shore up collapsed for the second time. Valdis took a breath, trying to center herself. Her memories of the storm still lingered on her conscious, making it hard to focus. She waved over the workers who had given her space to work.

"You'll have to do it the old fashioned way."

Once they got to work, she moved on, trying to figure out a way to be useful now that the storm was over.
ninjainviolet: (Default)

Re: DISCOVERABLES AND ARBOREAL MYSTERIES

[personal profile] ninjainviolet 2019-01-13 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
Character Name(s): Sheena Fujibayashi
Did your character interact with a lightning tree? Please indicate touch vs. other interaction: Yes. Touched it to see if she could affect it with her new Alteration ability.
Did your character experience an eddy effect during the storm? If yes, please indicate which effect: Yep! Alteration--color-changing/making people and animals sick. The color? Purple, of course.

Volunteer Group: Sheena and her Summons will be helping with the Debris Cleanup
zohvin: kyoshikii @ twitter (conversational)

[personal profile] zohvin 2019-01-14 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Zohvin had been alternating between rescue teams and going it solo ever since the worst days of the storm. Now that the storm had passed, there were fewer people to find and he'd been starting to run himself ragged. It wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, and only the fact that he was still new to the city kept him from overdoing it. He was finding it more and more difficult to care about people he didn't know, as much as he still wanted to be of use during the disaster.

He had stopped here to rest simply because there was a volunteer work crew nearby, and a little company was preferable to sitting by himself somewhere and looking out at the ruined streets. After spending some time in the shelter of a half-collapsed awning, Zohvin spotted a familiar face. That was another of the Dreamfolk, though he was lacking on information about her. That was all the more reason to introduce himself.

"Hello there," he called out to Valdis. "Were you assigned to this group, or just passing through?"
redlightgreenlight: (Uncertain)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2019-01-14 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Valdis picked her scabbard up off a rock, reattaching the blade to her left hip, not looking over at the man who greeted her until she had finished.

"Passing through."

The sentry had little use for her until things were back in order, and who knew how long that would take. The devastation would take months to clean up. She pulled the leather strap holding her hair back, letting it fall loose so she could braid it.

"Many of the Dreamfolk are wandering, trying to offer their talents to where they might be most helpful."

Though hers didn't seem to be in this particular case.

"You are?"
ninjainviolet: ([Concerned])

[personal profile] ninjainviolet 2019-01-15 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course, those who are helping to clean up the debris are going to cross paths with those who are rebuilding. Though, that's not the main reason the ninja isn't too surprised to see Valdis heading her way. Her friend is a member of the Sentry, so it makes sense for her to be out and about patrolling.

Still, that doesn't keep the ninja from greeting her friend. Besides, she has an important question to ask her.

"Hey, Valdis! You got a sec?"
zohvin: kyoshikii @ twitter (sincere)

[personal profile] zohvin 2019-01-15 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"Call me Zohvin. My full name is a bit of a mouthful."

He definitely took notice of the sword, but he didn't comment on it, nor did he let his gaze linger for long. Zohvin always assumed that anyone who carried a weapon knew how to use it well, and really, caution wasn't unwarranted right now. Aside from all the other oddities, looting could become a problem very quickly.

"I'd still be with Search and Rescue if our usefulness wasn't running its course. Most of the city's been combed through at this point, and we're finding fewer people. And fewer bodies, thankfully."
afoolsgold: (a little bored)

tree time!!

[personal profile] afoolsgold 2019-01-16 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
Character Name(s): the Fool
Did your character interact with a lightning tree? Please indicate touch vs. other interaction: Rather recklessly, the Fool will attempt to touch the bioluminescent tree with his Skill-silvered fingertips.
Did your character experience an eddy effect during the storm? If yes, please indicate which effect: He got super, super lost.
afoolsgold: (Default)

Melias!

[personal profile] afoolsgold 2019-01-16 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
How easily can Melias be reached by the Dreamfolk? I'd very much like to thread something with her and the Fool.
afoolsgold: (Default)

[personal profile] afoolsgold 2019-01-16 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
lmao I love it, thank you mods!!
afoolsgold: (come from away)

II (closed to Trahearne)

[personal profile] afoolsgold 2019-01-16 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
The bioluminescence of the alien tree would have drawn the Fool's attention even without his peculiar... gift. That one touch of his Skill-silvered fingertips upon the tree's trunk will leave him awash in sensory information, perhaps even memories, is merely a side-benefit.

Still, he does not seek out the strange tree this particular evening with any intention of making use of his gift, for he promised Devin to be less reckless in how he uses his borrowed magic. Yet as he comes to stand beneath its boughs and gazes up at it... well, it's rather like escorting a cat to the cream and then being crossed with it over the inevitable result.

He slips his glove from his hand and reaches out a slim hand, then closes his eyes and places his fingertips upon one of the tree's low-hanging, ethereal branches.
redlightgreenlight: (expressionless)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2019-01-16 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Nice to meet you, Zohvin, my name is Valdis."

She quickly evaluated him, not letting her gaze wander from his face as she organized her thoughts upon what she could see, smell and feel. He seemed rather stoic for someone witnessing devastation like this, so he must have seen some things in his lifetime, however long that had been.

"Yes, I'm afraid my skills are less useful once we are down to corpses," she commented, "And my talents aren't translating well to much aside from rescue, it seems that rebuilding what was destroyed is all that is left."

redlightgreenlight: (Kinda Happy)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2019-01-16 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
Valdis hadn't noticed Sheena approaching, but she turned to face the woman, managing a smile.

"I can if you can walk and talk," she replied, "I need to go check on assignments for the Sentry."

She had vanished during the storm, so she needed to properly check in at headquarters, and try to explain away why she had fled in the middle of a rescue.
annihilist: (Default)

[personal profile] annihilist 2019-01-16 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
Character Name: Devin Parker
Volunteer group: Repairs and construction

Character Name: Pepper Potts
Volunteer group: Debris clearing

Character Name: Pepper Potts
Did your character interact with a lightning tree? Please indicate touch vs. other interaction: Yep, touching a tree.
Did your character experience an eddy effect during the storm? If yes, please indicate which effect: Restoration; she lost one of her senses (sight)
Edited 2019-01-16 23:28 (UTC)
lasergrenades: (Rescue to the rescue)

OTA

[personal profile] lasergrenades 2019-01-16 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I. Debris Clearing

With Bakura's departure from Aifaran coinciding with the start of the new year, Pepper has been struggling to deal with the loss and the simultaneous impulse to help the city recover. She swings, sometimes wildly, between collapsing beneath devastating grief and throwing herself into the work and persona of Rescue.

The armor is well-suited to this kind of work; she can lift hundreds of pounds and fly them to the drop-off zones, brace unstable sections of buildings, and locate survivors buried in the rubble. Vee is almost always nearby, sometimes towering at her full ten feet and sometimes scaled down to human size depending on what she's assisting with. The ka silently nudges Pepper from time to time, reminding her to rest when she works for too long. This is met with mixed success, and Pepper will stay at a recovery site well past the point of exhaustion more often than she relents and goes home.

At one point she's pausing to get some water and scarf down a sandwich provided to the volunteers when she hears the tell-tale cracking and splintering of breaking wood. Pepper drops what she's holding and kicks off the boot jets at the same time, sweeping into a building and catching one of the support beams before it collapses. Vee shimmers into view as the braces another, and Pepper feels the mental strain of her summoned presence despite wearing the Duelist gauntlet.

"We've got this!" She yells this confirmation at the other people who have come to help. "Get some supports or just get everyone out of here."

II. Hazards and Hushed Whispers

One of the lightning trees took root near the townhouse - her townhouse? - and Pepper has more or less been ignoring it in favor of working. Keeping busy means she doesn't have a lot of time to feel the hole in her heart, and it means she's too tired to dream much when she falls asleep.

She stopped to check the tree out on her way home. Emerging directly from the pavement, the tree proudly bears a pink and white fruit that resembles peaches. It looks like a few people have harvested the fruit despite warnings from the Sentry. As tired as she is, Pepper ends up staring at the tree and then staring into space, mind wandering around the strange phenomenon of the Dreaming.
necrocabbage: (C; hey look over there)

[personal profile] necrocabbage 2019-01-16 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"My friend! Are you here to commune with nature?"

Trahearne's voice calls out from just up the street, as he approaches the tree at a jog. He had to admit to feeling a pang of worry when he first realized just who was standing under the branches. There had been such a strange variety of effects brought on by the storm that Trahearne hadn't known what to think of them - and he'd been kept busy enough to delay any personal attempts at research, not to mention the other new mystery that had fallen into his lap.

He stops a short distance away, looking at the Fool with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Because if you are, there are surely safer places to do it." Prodding at untested magics was always risky, especially doing so without help.
afoolsgold: (ooh dreamy)

[personal profile] afoolsgold 2019-01-17 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
Risky, and foolish. An irresistible opportunity for a Fool.

He does not answer Trahearne immediately--not because he has elected to ignore him, but because his mind may as well be miles away for the moments he remains connected to the tree. By the time he seems to snap back into himself, blinking back into lucidity, Trahearne has arrived by his side... and the Fool turns to look at him rather dreamily, as though not quite seeing him yet.

"What beautiful creatures they are," he muses aloud, then smiles and looks to the tree again. "Beautiful, and strange."

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