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[ CW: epidemic ]

I have unfortunate news.

But first, if any of you made close contact with the undead at the graveyard or if you have felt unwell at any time since, please see a healer immediately and tell them you went on that mission.

Some of you helped gather medical supplies for Emery last month. Well, we need them...

( Read more... )

theriflespiral

[It's a text post.]
This is Koutolika.

As I have managed to severely injure my shoulder, I am currently in an immobilization sling for much of the day. It's just as irritating as I remember.

This said, the rest of me remains as hale as ever. I am... Perhaps a bit too eager to get back to aiding the Corsairs.

I would ice it, but then I am afraid that they would have to amputate.

I am told this would be an over-reaction.

upupatomway

I've mastered lighting magic. Seeing as I still haven't regained all the strength I have at home, I'm thinking of studying another type of magic. I'm not sure which one yet.

Is there a type that could reinforce my body so it's closer to what it's like at home? Or one that would make repairs easier?

Maybe I should be asking what type would most benefit our cause. I thought about it but haven't landed on an answer.

[ He pauses, hesitating to ask his other question. It's deeply personal and he's worried he'll get a resounding No, never. ]

On the subject of magic... Do any of you think that it's possible to use magic to make my body larger and older in appearance?

fair_trouble

[Behold, there is an unexpected pretty blonde face on the network! Where did Emery get an ENC.]

Hey folks! I want to thank everyone who helped me out with that Python issue recently. You Corsairs are really an impressive bunch. And in light of that, I've got another favor to ask.

You see, I'm in need of some medical supplies. Mostly medicines, I'll list 'em out in a sec, but other things like soap, disinfectants, face masks, honey, tea, potable water... Anything you might need for nursing a sick person. And for the medicine I need-

[And then Emery names a bunch of different herbs/medications. Anyone with a decent amount of pharmaceutical knowledge should pick up on it being stuff used for the treatment of respiratory ailments. Pain relievers, cough suppressants, decongestants, that sort of thing.]

Medicine that's already prepared would be ideal but I have enough apothecary knowledge to make use of raw ingredients. As for how much I need, the answer is “As much as you can spare.”

[His sunny smile briefly shifts into a grimace.]

I'm aware the timing isn't great, but that's how it works out sometimes, isn't it? Still, I'm willing to compensate anyone who brings me something. There's a clearing in the woods up the hills to the East of Elysium, where you'll be able to find me most evenings. Just keep an ear out for the sound of my lyre.

[Spoiler alert: Despite Emery's words about compensation, anyone who bothers to ask for money is going to be grossly underpaid. In Emery's defense, the money he's earning from working as a traveling bard/healer isn't much. For all the nonchalance, Emery is deeply aware he's relying mainly on the goodwill of the Corsairs.]

[ooc: The action post is here.]

spacetogrow

[Post-dated to after the battle]

This is kind of a weird question, but... what do people normally dream about?

[Ilphyl ducks their head, realizing that it might be personal.]

Elves where I come from don't need to sleep. We can go into a meditation called reverie or trance, and it works the same to let us stop feeling tired. Sometimes, we might review memories, but for me... it's just like I can feel time pass, but it's not as clear as when I'm awake. I've only slept when I was sick or badly hurt, or when I was really young. Like a toddler.

[which... Ilphyl is not an old elf by their world's standard, and not even an adult by some communities' standards, but actual childhood was still decades ago]

But with the curse, I had to sleep in wild shape to get any rest, and I... well, I don't know what normal dreams are. And I was too afraid to ask while I was still cursed.

[Because they didn't want to think about how much was bleed through; unlike a normal polymorph spell, a druid kept their mind in wild shape, but one couldn't spend most of their time as a cat, or a raccoon without some changes in how one saw the world.]

So... what do people dream about?

frost_and_shinies

[The video feed is pointed at a ceiling, in a building in Elysium.]

Ah, the joy of it all. Bound to the winter to the point where my body temperature literally runs cold... At least, until a mundane cold strikes and my immune system has to kick in.

I'm, er, not even sure what to ask for right now. I'm nine-tenths certain what I'm dealing with is a common cold, but my immune system is doing what it's supposed to, which is heating my body up, which, given the whole 'Chosen of Winter' thing, is, uh. REALLY unpleasant. Not deadly, but imagine being under the Alaska sun with Arizona-level heat. That's what it feels like. I think I've drank a third of my body weight in water.

Anyone got an idea or two? Should I be asking for magical aid? Would that even work???

... Now I think about it, I never experienced this in the Dungeon. Did that place just not have mundane disease...?

supersmashbrother

[Backdated some time after the Vindess Raid.]

[It's the sound of breathing — like someone's trying to catch their breath, like they're trying to swallow pain. The angle is skewed for a few seconds, slowly righting itself before the visual becomes jarring.

And then a frustrated groan is heard, suddenly ringing out, punctuated by a loud CRUNCH.

When Raph's face finally comes into view, his attention is elsewhere. New creases are seen among the old lining his features, around his eyes, an emphasis on how clenched his jaw is now that his teeth are set as he mutters to himself. Black feathers lazily drift around him, a few clinging to his plastron, his arms, his sai.]

—Gotta get 'em back...can't run now. I can't do this again...

[There's a sizable fist-shaped hole in the wall behind him, smaller chunks of brick and stone quietly falling away from its foundations. But that doesn't matter.

Despite how conflicted he looks, the turtle finally speaks up, trying his best to rein in his desperation.]

Backup. I need backup.

blessmefather

After hearing the plans for Vindess that are coming together, it's about time I tell you all another part of the agreement I made with the Will of Hades.

Back when they made this world, the Gods all made a vow that they wouldn't interfere with the political affairs of mortals. This was in hopes of letting the Peoples make their own decisions instead of being lorded over by deities. Turns out it's a double sided knife. It meant that the Gods would not be allowed to simply kill evil leaders and their followers, like those who formed the Empire. That vow still holds power with every new generation of gods. Breaking the vow results in an instantaneous curse upon the god who acts out of line.

In other words, the vow stands in the way of me going on the offense against the empire. Otherwise, believe me, I'd be preparing to bring it all down with my own two hands. I can help in the evacuation and with first aid, and if the empire were to strike against Flotsam again, for example, I would be allowed to defend it. But I cannot go with you to attack the Imperial forces.

That said, curses can be cured. If you find yourselves in the most dire circumstance, you can call on me to join the fight. I am willing to make the sacrifice and step in to aid you. Just... Please use your best judgment.

I have more to tell you before the next battle, about an Imperial on the Corsairs' target list, but I am still gathering information from souls who are passing through to the afterlife. I'll update you as soon as I can.

relentless_sentinel

[Nephenee's not one to post on the comms a lot, but given the people that might want to come are all over the place, it's the best way to get the word out.

The word out about what, you ask? Well...

Onto the screen, Nephenee appears, wearing her usual wide-brim hat over her work clothes, in front of what seems to be the deck of one of the ships in Flotsam. She's clearly been playing in the dirt again, given she's got smudges on her, but she looks pretty happy despite it, being very much in her element.]

Hey, y'all! Um...

[Her eyes dart away for a moment and even under the hat, her cheeks clearly pinken under the freckles there.]

Ah, uh...well...my birthday's on the 15th of this month, an'...Ah was wonderin' if anyone would like to grab food or do somethin' on that day? A-Ah'll take care o'stuff, but...figured folks might wanna hang out to cool their jets from everythin' goin' on an' all. Figure we can do different things or maybe a group one...whatever folks like.

[Nephenee's not good at this whole 'inviting people to do stuff' thing.]

A-Anyway, lemme know...Nephenee out.

[Aaaand the feed cuts. Meanwhile, Neph has her face buried in her hands, quietly yelling in her head about how dumb that all sounded now that she spoke it. Oops.]

spacetogrow

[OOC: Assume all typos are intentional; Ilphyl is not having an easy time of it]

need helpm ijn vindess. if you knowm hiow to dispel magic or remove enchantments, that would helop.

-- ilphyl

thunderwarden

[The voice that comes over the Aethernet is deep, gravelly, and distinctive. Anyone who's spoken to him before probably recognizes it immediately.]

Hello, ladies and gents. Cid here, if we've met or if we haven't. Been thinking, lately. Dangerous habit, I know, but something's occurred to me. The magic here's different from what we've got back home, like it's meant to be used by mortal hands. Where the Empire yanked me from, Aether's a beast not meant for use by man, and when we do, it leaves its mark, turns practitioners to stone eventually.

[There's the flick of a lighter and the crackle of tinder as his cigarillo catches and he takes a pull before continuing.]

Back where I come from, there's no cure for it. Slow death, it is, but I ain't at home, am I? I figure, if any group of sodding ne'er-do-wells have an idea on how to undo something like it, it'd be this one.

So, what say you? Anyone want to give it a go? I don't mind being poked or prodded for science. Greagor knows it's happened enough.

And I won't hold a lack of progress against you. Damned enima, this is. Either way, ta, lovelies.

tisfinished

This is Senshi.

I’ve recently upgraded the Milk Run for longer journeys and more delicate cargoes, while making contacts and building trust with wholesalers and smugglers across the seas. I’ve been shipping in good, hearty food for you all, but I can do better than that.

Now I can track down luxuries, treats, rarities. Things from home you miss. Carrots, or mom’s carrot cake, to dangle in front of aristos and merchant princes.

So tell me: what kind of rare or luxury ingredients and flavors have you been missing, or that would make you feel right at home? In a month I plan to make a voyage out of it, and see what we can get for the Resistance that the Empire has trouble serving to it’s landed barons.

blessmefather

Matt sends a message out on the network to his new allies at the beginning of the new month.

"I need a group of you to accompany me to a forest village at the foot of a mountain, population of about 200. We'll be leaving by airship on the fourth. We're either evacuating the town and taking them to join the refugees, or saving their village from getting crushed.

As I said before, this world is at risk of breaking down. In the case of the mountain we're headed to, it will crumble and crush the village at its base if we don't intervene. I can try throwing a magic barrier up around the village, but my power won't be enough alone. We'd have to take other measures to be successful.

So we need to decide; one, do we focus only on evacuation? And two, if we try to save the village, what approach are we taking to protect it from the landslide? Let's all discuss together. I'm open to suggestions."

[ ooc: -This discussion post will work just like the IC discussions for game events. Feel free to tag around between multiple characters.

-Please keep an eye out for the OOC sign-up. ]

esperbuthuman

[ The uncertain face of a young green-haired woman flicks onto the screen ]

H-hello. Um. My name is Terra. I... I'm told I did some horrible things to everyone, and I am so, so sorry. I'm, uh, I'm also really grateful that the Corsairs rescued me, and were still willing to give me a home and a chance after everything I did. I'm going to do what I can to help, so uh, it's nice to meet you. I will make it up to everyone, I promise.

straykitty

Video

[A rather lovely young lady with long purple hair appears on the ENC Network video feed.]

After our last mission, I noticed some potential gaps in our communication capabilities. I've been working on some programs on the side, and I have a potential enhancement for our ENCs, if folks are interested. I developed a simple program that will allow us to ping our allies' ENCs with a variety of notifications depending on the circumstances, which can give a more immediate and informative notice. Currently, I have programmed the following notifications:

Caution
Emergency
Need Assistance
Warning
Retreat
Advance
Incoming
Mission Compromised

Would anybody be interested in utilizing this program? I can also add additional pings fairly easily, if people would like to contribute.

theriflespiral

[Username Arealname has posted:]

... I owe everyone in the lead up to the new year much.

Especially those who were with me.

Name it, and I'll try and get it to you. . .

though,

do not ask for anything particularly urgent

lightnovelexperiences

[Deedee's voice sounds rough, like she's been a pack a day smoker for a year and in pain on top of that. She is clearly Not Well. This may be why she's not transmitting video.]

Mission accomplished, though not without serious cost. I was foolish. If it weren't for the quick thinking of my teammates, it's likely three of us would be dead, at least. Ha... we appreciate any and all medical help you can provide, particularly to heal serious burns.

But we did succeed. And I made promises I intend to keep.

I might not be able to personally attend to people's beauty and health for a while and I'm sorry. I'm going to leave that in the capable hands of my employees until I'm well enough to do it myself; please avail yourself of the spa's services now or when I can do so at your option.

But more importantly than that, I swore a vow to my God, and I intend to follow through on it. I would like to set up a shrine to Sylphan in honor of... this victory; something open to the air with windchimes, so His presence can be heard as music. And I'm more than willing to trade favors for this favor, keeping in mind I'm in recovery.

frost_and_shinies

Looking at this a bit, it seems like introducing oneself is normal here, so. Greetings, Crimson Corsairs.

I'm Kaitlyn, a Chosen of Winter. Skipping the details you can ask about over drinks or something if you're really curious, I'm a 'skirmisher'. Sneak around enemies and hit them where they don't expect to be hit from with light-fire ice abilities. Or complete a goal without hitting them at all because they never saw me in the first place. (I love it when I get loot that way honestly.)

I'm not new to working in a team, I'm not new to adventure and combat... But uh I am new to both at once, so. Help adjusting to the combination might be good.

Looking forward to meeting people and doing stuff, and, uh. Not sure what else to say?

So. Hi.

lightnovelexperiences

Deedee here wishing everyone a belated happy New Years.

As part of the celebrations, I'm going to be doing a sale on purely cosmetic things at the Five Winds Spa. So, haircuts and barber services, hair dyeing, nail polish - anything and everything you need for a new look in the new year.

Reinventing yourself once in a while is important, you know?

singlemilletgrain

[video transmission]

Greetings, Crimson Corsairs.

[As usual, the elegant woman appears with a beaming smile amidst the warm steam rising from bowls of... something or other in her kitchen.]

I understand you come from many winter traditions, both in this land and in your homes. If you would allow me a brief intrusion... In Yan, it is customary to celebrate the Winter Solstice, the 'dong zhi.' As it is the longest night of the year, we give thanks that the light will return and the days will soon grow long once more. In the depths of midwinter, it is a reminder that balance and yang will be restored, no matter how dark the nights may seem. For those of us in agrarian communities, we give thanks also to the animals who have brought us through the hard times.

[A mischievous glimmer shines in her eyes.]

Of course, it is also the day that the venerable master of the stove, Zao Jun, reports to Tian on whether or not your house hold has been 'naughty' or 'nice,' which I understand is a part of some other traditions as well.

Please allow me to offer prayers to Tian on your behalf. What is it that you hope for when the sun returns in its full splendor?

[in person, all around]

[Shu appears at your door on this cold, long winter evening, knocking politely and awaiting an answer. Whether she sought you out specifically or whether she's never met you at all, she stands and waits in her warm coat holding an extraordinarily large soup bowl in her hands. Somehow, it does not seem to trouble her.]