[WORLD ONE | BARRIER QUEST RESOLUTION]

[spellbindmods]

Who: Coven members interested in and a part of barrier quest
Where: The island above the ocean
When: Day
Open/Closed: Open to All

The initial setting information found here should be utilized for threads here.

This information is useful for this post, though please read the post entirely before coming back to read this info. Information in red will be known OOCly, but not necessarily ICly, especially by those inhabitants of the island.

Upon entering the barrier, the first thing you'll notice is that the scenery isn't exceptionally shocking. It's an abandoned city, more or less. The buildings are tall but in a great state of disrepair. Some of them have crumbled already with others surrounding them destroyed by the fallen debris. The majority of these buildings are bleached in color, obviously affected by the brightness of the barrier. Shield your eyes, or you might be, too. A ▢ These buildings, despite being decrepit and appearing water-logged, still may hold some resources or clues. Upon entering any location, rotten food can be found, as well as everyday household items. These will be written in languages and on topics that are familiar -- some are even copies that can be found in the Palai's library back in Aimintas. There is some freedom here about what characters can find. There may even be a rare newspaper clipping that shows a picture of figures that look suspiciously like Uvi. Otherwise characters are free to loot.

Venturing further into the island -- made easier by flight -- travelers will eventually come upon an area that doesn't look as drastically unkempt. These houses have been repaired. They've seen some damage, of course, but there are obvious signs that they've been lived in. One not-so-apparent sign of established life on the island is the presence of boobytrapping. Hidden rope net traps are located in and around the area, as well as more violent forms of trapping. B ▢ Those still living on this island don't want outside intruders on their property. It's still a mystery who these people are, but they don't appear to be welcoming. Some traps are made with rope that can snatch up coven members, while others are covered holes in the ground. Other traps are made with trigger switches that sling out blades and arrows. If you've seen it on TV, it's possible to fall into on this island. C ▢ Those who survive or dodge the boobytraps can also investigate these houses. Looting is possible for many of the empty dwellings and recently salted meat can be found within them. This is a surefire sign of life -- take items from these houses at your character's own risk and they should congregate within them quickly if they feel like you must do so.

Finally, the creatures that have been living on this island within that barrier finally reveal themselves. These inhabitants are immediately recognizable as Uvi, though they do have drastic similarities. These creatures are pale, with gill slits that look like they've scarred over. Their eyes are much lighter and their scales are rougher, not wicked sleek by the water they obviously aren't swimming in. D ▢ Similarly to the Uvi, however, these beings are at first very violent. Once they see a humanoid-looking coven member, they'll go in for the kill. Unlike the Uvi your characters are used to, these beings have real weapons -- some even have guns. Defending yourself is possible, but be quick and act fast -- you're more likely to win if you dodge their attacks with a team member. However, approaching with conversation -- or if you realize eventually that these creatures do speak an understandable language -- will net different results. Talk to them and discover that they don't trust you, human creature. They fought desperately to be rid of you and to live their life peacefully, and yet here you are again. If they see a display of magic from you, their demeanor will change. You aren't those humans -- you're different with a different energy. Coven members are then taken to a central meeting place where even more strange-looking Uvi are located. At first these Uvi too are on high alert, though the energy that these human creatures exude is different from their predecessors. It's not a sick, synthetic magic, but instead is something much more -- as the Uvi refer to it -- holy. These Uvi aren't killers or savages, though they are hungry. They want to learn more about the world outside and what all has happened. The water has reappeared and the barrier has been broken...if these people aren't the humans of before, where are those humans? What has happened to the world while they were sealed away? Most importantly, where are the rest of the Uvi that were lost with time. Are they still alive, or do these magical humans even know where they are? If these quandries are confusing to the coven members at all, the Uvi have an offering of information. This is what they know and how they've lived life up to this point. The question is now this: how do they move forward from here? E ▢ For those of you that want their characters to get involved with the island action without taking things too seriously, these Uvi are much more palatable than their ocean-dwelling relatives. They're very akin to the Palai in their fascination and obsession with these "holy humans." In fact, it's as if the two cultural extremes collided together. The Uvi lack the polyamorous nature and forceful pushiness, but they are interested in talking and learning about outside magic. F ▢ This is the prompt that's centered around Barrier Quest alumni and newbies. How much does your character tell the Uvi about what has been going on in Aimintas? How many puzzle pieces can your character thread together -- the oceanic Uvi collecting these bones to reunite with the rest of their species or how their ancestors essentially created and attempted to destroy the Palai? These things may need to be discussed beforehand. Additionally, how trustworthy are these Uvi? What other pressing questions should be talked over before any decisions are made.

Comments

[rebells]

That's true. We may only be speeding or slowing the day when the two come face-to-face.

[rootbound]

Honestly, if we could bring this island down to the land, or make a tunnel through the ocean, I'd suggest doing so. I'm of the mind that making it impossible for them to isolate themselves from each other through the ages might actually be the best thing to do.

That point's moot, but I'm for facilitating their meeting and then mostly leaving it to them to work out telling each other their histories on their own.

[rebells]

[It's not that he disagrees, precisely, but . . . . ]

If things go wrong and there's conflict, we all know who's going to win. It's not exactly a fair situation.

[rootbound]

When is it ever truly a fair situation, in encounters like these? At least these Uvi are genuinely curious about the world beyond their island, and can communicate.

[rebells]

. . . do you think they're telling the truth about their history? At least as they see it.

[rootbound]

Yes. I believe they would think...feel...differently if they weren't.

[rebells]

--Ah, that's right, your power.

[There may have been a ripple of disquiet there, had Vern been close enough to sense it.]

Well, that's something, at least. [A pause.] I don't know. You may be right. Especially if they're going to meet eventually, it would be good for them to learn to live together.

[rootbound]

They could help each other out if they have a mind to, I suppose. But to start, let's take it a bit slow -- we may not have much time, but their initial reactions to each other, whether they're able to calm down and talk or not -- will say a lot about their long term possibilities.

[rebells]

Yes. Unfortunately, we can't have them un-meet if it goes badly.

[And after some time, time probably spent talking to the Uvi and to the few Palai they've brought with them:]

They're not doing badly, considering. The Uvi want to see Aimintas. I'm inclined to take a couple, if the Palai below agree.

[rootbound]

The dragons can carry them down easy enough, I suppose.

[rebells]

Yes.

I'm going to see if I can find someone to take me back down, to ask the Palai whether they'd mind having visitors. You're welcome to come along.

[rootbound]

[a tiny mental twist, very like a shrug]

Geir can take us both if you want.

[rebells]

Do I have to ride in his mouth?

[It's amused; he doesn't really mind.]

[rootbound]

We can also use one of the container-things the others rode up in, but hey, if you want to, sure.

[rebells]

I'll pass, thanks. I can meet you two on the beach.

[rootbound]

[Geir is there (sadly not with his mouth open); various shenanigans that may or may not affect the future of this world unspool from there.]