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meta moderators ([personal profile] metamods) wrote in [community profile] metalogs2024-02-17 11:11 pm

FROM THE SEAS




FROM THE SEAS
A Princess of Atlantis has arrived upon the shore, informing the world that her brother plans to invade. You have four days to prepare for an invasion from the sea, brought about by a Prince of Atlantis drunk on the very power that you all have been fighting to prevent.

Brace yourselves, Starfallen. For death has come for you.



UNEASY WATERS.

The meteors have left their impact. Nations the world over are racking their brains for solutions, as Confluences have always been somewhat manageable - this is on another level entirely. No where appears to be safe. Even the reclusive metahuman nation, Xinthal, is reaching out to offer aid where possible.

Most surprising of all, though, is the emergence of Atlanteans.

Atlanteans come in many shapes and sizes, the only unifying feature being that they all dwell beneath the waves. Many settlements are known, but the capital - the fabled Atlantis, lost to all who live on the surface - is a complete unknown. The oceanbound people do not trust those on the surface, and the pollution tipping into their home has eroded whatever goodwill was developed before man came into its prime. Due to this, many consider themselves entirely separate from humans and metahumans alike.

Which is why it is such a surprise to see Atlantean delegates making their way through the rivers. Due to the heroism of the Starfallen and their aid in saving the remote Artic city, there are those that would seek to lend their aid… and provide a warning.

Central City is almost impassable as security guides the emissary to the Alliance headwaters. Apseudes, the youngest Princess of Atlantis, is not a terribly imposing figure - nearly unknown to all, save for her name and the rumored relation to the God of the Seas. Hopefully you didn’t have any plans for February 14th, as you will find it difficult to walk the streets without being elbowed by an overeager paparazzo desperate to grab a snapshot of the princess.

That is, until the rain begins to pour.

The event is everywhere on Social Media. While some have been aware of Atlantis for a while, seeing a princess of Atlantis wandering the streets of Michigan is… odd. While Apseudes will visit and return to the sea without much incident, it's what happens after that's cause for concern: the Alliance and Society announce to their members that there is an unavoidable war breaking out with those that call the oceans home that will be spilling over to those on land.

The next day, an all-hands meeting is called for all members of the Alliance. A similar call goes out to those of The Society, and all will find themselves brought to a neutral space. The Princess herself is seated at the table between the two leaders. When all are gathered, she speaks.

“My older brother, Nemretes, is determined to steal the shards that have landed throughout the Earth and take the power for himself,” she says, her large unblinking eyes turning to face each and every person gathered. “He has gained a significant amount of followers for his cause and has full intentions of following through - to the extent he has built several military bases in secret off the coasts of the Americas, just waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger and send his soldiers to the surface.”

She allows that a moment to sink in, then continues.

“The sea believes that the surface dwellers have no respect for the oceans, which in turn has affected the state of Atlantis. I do not desire war with the land. But I also believe that simply sitting by will not make the world better for any of us… if the Alliance can aid us in defeating my brother, and his army without killing him, I will sign a peace treaty swearing allegiance to surface dwellers. I have already discussed the caveats of this agreement with your leaders, however as you will all be the ones risking your lives, I wished to speak to you as well.”

She dips her head in a small bow.

“I am sure you have questions. I will do my best to answer.”


THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

The rain does not stop. As the hours tick by it only becomes heavier and heavier. By February 15th, the downpour is torrential. The city streets may as well be rivers, as the only way to navigate them appears to by boat - which some industrious people are already doing. Cars are unable to pass through the rising tides.

This, Apseudes says, is part of her brother’s plan. Many of his army are unable to handle the dry climate of the surface, but that is not a problem if the land is drenched and flooded. They will have a terrible advantage if that is not done.

To kill Nemretes is to cut the head off the dragon, ending this once and for all. Her brother has gotten his hands on a number of shards already, making his already impossible control of the oceans that much stronger. Now he’s able to control the droplets as they’re absorbed into the skies, meaning that as long as there is sea to evaporate there will be sea to bring down upon the land.

Now is the time for espionage. Or, perhaps to begin to plan an out-and-out assassination attempt.


FROM THE SEA

Whatever the plan, Nemretes does not fall.

Instead, a tidal wave crashes against the coast, signalling the start of the attack. Eyewitness reports state that it was not a normal wave, it appeared to be comprised of giant horses - their terribly whinnying the last sound people heard before it struck.

The cities are spared. Magic domes encircle the settlements, the citizens long evacuated.

But this was not to destroy the land. This was a show of force. The wave recedes, its job done - its forces already over the front line, dispersed as far as the tide will reach. Their weapons are a mixture of magical and mundane, guns, spears, claws, and wands. Some among them are not even human, but conjured things like Kelpies and sea serpents all too eager to drown new and unsuspecting victims.

The Atlantean Prince himself stands atop a pillar of water, watching all the destruction with a smile. His lips are pulled far back, revealing rows of shark-like teeth, his grin maniac and eyes glowing like the sun. His dark hair whips behind him, torn by the winds of an angry sea.

And the sea, o the sea. It roils behind him, itself a weapon just waiting to be used. There is no vengeance like nature, and to command it and imbue it with human thought and feeling is to unleash a beast like no other.

This will not be an easy fight. Fighting Nemretes will surely earn you a reputation unlike any other - but it is all too clear that none among the Starfallen stand a chance of defeating him. Fighting him is different than fighting an Avatar of the Shining God, he has gathered far more power than one such as that.

That is, until his own hubris comes around to bite him. Killing the Starfallen is a mistake, it would seem - and one that costs the Atlantean prince his life. Nemretes barely has the chance to register that the tide has turned.

The sea drops. The skies clear.

The Atlantean Prince dies. As he does so, the golden glow permeating his body begins to disappear - instead of transferring into the body of his killer.

And your new problem reveals itself as Balthier.


CLIFF NOTES.


➢ It will begin to rain profusely on February 14th and this rain will last until February 18th.

➢ There are a great number of water-based monsters running loose along the coast right now. They are more powerful in the rain and will be using this to their advantage. They are not anticipating there not being any targets to attack and will instead target the Starfallen. Kelpies will pretend the be animals in distress, attempting to drown anyone who tries to help them. Sea serpents can and will swallow you whole.

➢ You can talk to Apseudes here.

➢ Please reply to this thread to signal you tried to fight Nemretes. Let us know what approach you would take and we'll let you know how that fight went. The final blow is pre-determined, but every effort against him counts!

➢ Your big bad was not your big bad - your big bad is yourselves. Death does not affect the Starfallen the same way it affects normal people.

➢ Players can now submit death plots.

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