Intro Log: The Forgotten City

[atlasmods]

GOOD MORNING NEW ARRIVALS This time for real! WAKEY WAKEY. As the storm finally peters out and characters can once again move above ground it becomes abundantly clear that the landscape has changed. Where vast expanses of sand dunes once laid is now the half-buried remnants of what looks like some sort of...city? Full of structures. It stretches so far it's really hard to tell. But there is one thing characters will notice: There are more stasis pods. Revealed by the sandstorm, a whole new flurry of pods can be found scattered on the way to the city (curiously though, not in it. Hurry and wake those guys up! SPREAD THE LOVE. OR ACID. With the departure of the storm there's even more new arrivals to be found besides those fellow travelers of yours! The "Seedlings" and "Cactus" are now both available, the former blown in by the storm and the former uncovered. The Seedlings are generally pretty harmless. They like to burrow into the sand so only their "Leaves" plant-like leaves remain above ground, and they're quite happy to stay that way until surprised. Then they pop up and trip over themselves a little, before slowing down and wandering aimlessly. When they find a patch of sand that looks comfy they begin burrowing back down. Pull or yank on their leaves though and you'll find yourself with a face full of pollen that makes you want to just tell everyone how super-cool they are. It lasts a while, and then you get a fever and vomit for two hours. Good times. The Cacti are much less harmless and just...why would you eat them? Everything about this plant is poisonous, and cracking it open causes a corrosive acid-like substance to spill out. It'll eat through everything but...dirt, oddly. Metals and flesh are like hot oil on plastic. DON'T GET LOST And last but not least: The Forgotten City. Maybe you want to check out the Hull first for some loot, but maybe that's not such a cool idea anymore? Although it looks like the ship's definitely more powered after draining the suits of whoever went in, now it's started to spread and fill the sinkhole the ship's in. Suits can go from 100% to 0% in just ten minutes--not good! Lucky for everyone else, it looks like finally there's some sort of civilization up ahead. Go on and check it out! OR DO. THAT'S OKAY TOO. Go nuts, have fun, and enjoy! (This is the wildcard option) OOC The Flora, Fauna & Resources page has been updated with information on the seedlings, cacti, and crystals! These items are now all available for Discovery, and The Forgotten City will be available indefinitely from now on! Characters can take this time to settle & build up a foundation for themselves, explore the area, and of course, harass those poor little seedlings. We encourage players to make their own open posts for this setting--you don't need to stick to just this intro log! But make sure to make our newbies feel welcome!

Comments

[zhellan]

[Being half Human himself while also maintaining a circle of trusted Human colleagues, Spock is fairly accustomed to some of the peculiarities of Human behavior. When a stranger chooses to answer his question by leaning toward him and whispering such a question, however, he can't help but arch an eyebrow and answer:]

On the contrary, determining whether to explore the ruins based on emotions would be impractical at best, and deadly at worst. To answer your first question, however, I am indeed speaking of the ship.

[Whether she chooses to divulge her own experiences (or lack thereof) concerning it remains to be seen, but Spock is nothing if not patient, and so he doesn't see a need to restate his initial query right away.]

[zhellan]

Captain, I personally released Dr. McCoy from a stasis pod less than one standard hour ago. He did not appear to have aged any; in fact, he is exactly as I remembered. [And Spock doesn't have to remind him of his eidetic memory.

To someone unfamiliar with Spock's mannerisms, his pursed lips and the tightness around his eyes would be easy miss. To anyone else, however, his concern would likely be apparent.]

We both agreed to meet each other once we had conducted our own preliminary investigations of the area. Perhaps it would be best if you accompanied me.

[zhellan]

Could you please elaborate.

[It's not exactly spoken like a question.]

Should we find ourselves in need of extra physical strength, knowing your capabilities ahead of time would be beneficial for everyone involved. For example, I am approximately three times stronger than the average Human.

[anewhope]

[ Clark grimaces. Talking about his powers is his least favourite topic of discussion. ]

I'm not telling you all of my capabilities. But I'll give you an approximation of my strength. I can pick up an entire space rocket.

[zhellan]

Twelve rotation cycles of the planet, in other words. [He says this mostly to confirm he's understanding correctly. This is not the first time he's heard "about two weeks ago" cited as the other group's time of arrival.]

May I ask your name?

[zhellan]

[Spock picks up on the man's displeasure. Still, given their predicament, he believes it would be irresponsible not to ask these sorts of questions.

Upon hearing that answer, his expression barely changes. There is, however, a noticeable pause before he speaks again.] ...Should the opportunity arise, I would be curious to see a demonstration.

[anewhope]

Opportunities like those are rarely pleasant ones.

[ The swarm comes to mind, for example. But Clark isn't going to take out his own uncomfortable feelings on his abilities on Spock, so he gentles his tone. ]

But I'll see what I can do.

[zhellan]

Thank you for being so forthcoming about your abilities. Although it is certainly best to do everything we can to minimize accidents, I believe freely exchanging such information only increases our chances of survival under these conditions.

[That's why, in Spock's view, assessing your group's strengths and weaknesses so as to more effectively delegate tasks is the most logical course of action.]

[zhellan]

[Honestly, based on Spock's observations so far, that's probably a fair assessment.]

Thank you. As a scientist, it is in my nature to confirm that which I am told whenever possible. [In other words, his request doesn't come from doubt of the man's honesty, but rather a commitment to gathering knowledge.]

May I ask your name?

[anewhope]

[ His lips twitch despite himself. ]

That seems like a good way to get punched.

[ He pauses, holding his hand out. ] I'm Clark.

[highflights]

I agree. What about you, is there anything you can do that a human can't?

[zhellan]

[Without missing a beat, Spock faintly tilts his head to the side and says:]

Fortunately, I am also trained in combat.

[His dark eyes flicker down toward the extended hand. This is a situation he's encountered many times on Earth, and his response is precise and well-practiced.]

My apologies, but my species generally avoids skin-to-skin contact except under specific circumstances. [In the interest of being somewhat transparent after their previous conversation, he adds:] It partly stems from the fact that many of my race possess an ability akin to touch telepathy.

Regardless, my name is Spock. [He raises his hand, palm forward and thumb extended, with his fingers parted between his middle and ring finger.] Live long and prosper, Mr. Clark.

[anewhope]

[ Spock? The name sounds familiar but Clark doesn't dwell on it or seem bothered by his faux-pas. With casual ease, he adopts Spock's ta'al before dropping his hand. It's Spock's greeting that furrows lines on his forehead, but Clark doesn't explain why. ]

That's fine. Unfortunately, I don't know what the greeting would be for my people.

[zhellan]

My strength is approximately three times that of a full-blooded Human, and I posses an acute sense of hearing. Additionally, where I come from, the Vulcan people are widely known to possess telepathic abilities. [...Or "hoodoo", as Dr. McCoy sometimes calls it.]

[highflights]

[ But he said he was only half, so Kara follows it curiously with, ]

Are you? Telepathic, I mean.

[zhellan]

[To be honest, Spock doesn't think of it as anymore of a faux-pas than his own polite refusal to accept Clark's handshake, so he's just as willing to let it go and instead focuses on the subject at hand.]

You were raised by people different from yourself, then?

[anewhope]

I was raised by humans.

[ He pauses because the statement rings oddly to him, but Clark couldn't quite put his finger on it. ]

I'm a Kryptonian.

[zhellan]

Yes. [In fact, his talents in that area are considered above average even by Vulcan standards.] I have also received formal training so that, should the situation necessitate such a form of communication, I may use my abilities safely and effectively.

[zhellan]

I had not heard of Krypton until I spoke with Miss Kara. She mentioned that it orbited a red dwarf nearly 27 light-years from Earth.

[anewhope]

[ Kara works fast, Clark thinks with faint bemusement. ]

She would know more about it than me.

[thephix]

What made you head in this direction?

[She just wants to know everything that has happened since these people arrived. She can't plan with half-assed information.]

[backwatertrooper]

[Cloud shrugs, a little distracted, mostly trying to get a mental map of how these weapons might be disassembled before he tries it, and also missing his helmet. They're pretty dumb and unwieldy sometimes, but they do help in low light and in glaring sunlight like this...]

Sixteen.

[As of not quite two months ago. Then he frowns and looks back up.]

... Why?

[exorion]

I get the feeling most of this planet's a lot less friendly than it used to be.

[exorion]

"Like something big and immovable, right?" Cayde gets it, kinda makes him wish he had a badass nickname. No one would call him it though, he works with a bunch of jerks.

Anyway, he puts a hand on Bull's shoulder with a friendly clap and gestures to... Well, all of him. He is a significant mountain of a man. "Good thing you live up to the name, huh?"

[adamance]

"So far, humans appear to be the most commonplace of all the species across the various ... universes." This last bit comes out in a way that makes it clear that she's still adjusting to this idea. It had been one thing to understand galaxies. It's another thing to add in multiple Earths, but it does explain a lot. "I doubt any of us have been asked about what we are. Perhaps we're fortunate that way."

That said, she considers him for a long moment. "Are all qunari named in such a manner that is almost on the nose? Or do bulls look differently where you come from?" It's a rude question without a great deal of diplomacy behind it, but Lexa is curious. Perhaps they are related to cows and bulls in some way.