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Imaginary Island Mods ([personal profile] imaginarymods) wrote in [community profile] imaginarylogs2020-08-08 08:15 pm

extra mission log 1 : the island of dancing animals



EXTRA MISSION : LOG ONE


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Mission Dossier | NPC Information | Setting Information | Questions


"Being a detective in real life isn't like it is in stories. I can't solve this one alone."


A New Transmission.

[On the evening of August 8, the network finally cracks to life with one very frantic message.]

"Hello sirs! I finally got this thing working — or it started working, I'm not sure it was me — anyway, I'm — I'm Angus McDonald! I'm a detective. S-some of you know me, you worked together to help me solve a mystery and I — I need your help again.

Something's missing, um, in my head. Memories. I know I should know some things, but when I reach for them they're gone. There's a Relic on this island, I know that much, but I don't know where or what it is. I don't know where the Director is, or the Bureau, and I don't know where the Hunger is but I know — I know it's out there. It's close. It's coming.

If you can hear me, if you can help me, please come find me. I know we can figure this out, but being a detective in real life isn't like it is in stories. I can't solve this one alone."

The Island of Dancing Animals.


The island of Baisla has been hospitable to you Reclaimers for the past few weeks, its Animalian hosts eager to share knowledge, housing, food, and work with your seemingly-shipwrecked souls. The menagerie wastes no time introducing Reclaimers (and, for some reason, a few Lyrabar socialites and pirates) to their vibrant music, energetic dancing, enhanced technomancy, and magical connection with the runestone beasts of the southern ruins. Though there has been no sign of any member of the Bureau of Balance while you've been here (and no one to brief you on a mission, of course), a light appears in the form of some direction from one Angus McDonald.

The mysteries don't stop with you, either. As beautiful as this island is, there are certain... oddities.... such as the shimmering barrier that surrounds the water at all times, keeping everyone in. Or the Gilded Wall, rumored to hold back a terrible evil.... or the glitches that seem to keep cropping up. It seems every moment spent here is accompanied by a newer, fresh mystery. Some questions loom more than others, though: Will your investigations uncover the secrets behind this island and your — and Angus's — lost memories? Or will your search for the last Relic leave you marooned?


G-G-G-Glitching

By now you've noticed those strange glitch-like images all around you on the island; fruits that don't quite "load" correctly and instead display fruit-shaped static; otherwise-ordinary-looking but immaterial trees and lampposts with miscolored squares and rectangles pieced out of them; even natural stone walls that can't be climbed as they display nothing but what appears to be a warped, miscolored stone-texture; and so on.

The more adventurous Animalians have discovered that using different path actions can fix these glitches (or worsen them, depending). They don't have much other intel on them, but tampering with the glitches seen around the island may lead to some.... interesting outcomes... Success will certainly earn the gratitude of the Animalians, who would really like their island to not look like a heat-damaged VHS tape.


A Wall of Gold

Some of you may have encountered the consecrated Gilded Wall and its strange magic-dampening properties as you've gotten the lay of the land. It's a pretty noticeable landmark, both opulent and foreboding. The Animalians have discouraged you from getting too close, referring only vaguely to its necessity in keeping the residents of Baisla safe. Some of them don't seem to want to talk about it, in the sense that speaking of evil gives the evil power. Some of them, though, just don't understand the history well enough to explain it.

But there is someone on the island who understands the history, because he was there to see it: Elder Marinero, who the Animalians may eventually point you towards if you're particularly persistent in asking after the Gilded Wall. However, if you try to ask him about it in Common, you may be out of luck; he only speaks Animalian! Magic and old-fashioned studying will certainly be a boon in communications with this stubborn old bat. If the Elder is a bust, it's possible to get past the fussy Animalians to investigate the Gilded Wall yourself. Try to test your magic by the wall again, and you'll find that it's working now. Surely someone can figure out what's got the islanders so spooked about this great golden landmark.



A History in Ruins

On the other hand, maybe the Strange Ruins will have a hint on your current predicament. They're a wonderful experience for the academically-inclined, regardless of your interest (or lack thereof) in the Gilded Wall. Animalian archaeologists and tourists from Lyrabar are a common sight at the Strange Ruins, both groups often being guided by Professor Jerry or his assistant, Kipper. Prof. Jerry explains that these ruins are what Animalians have based their practice of magic on for all of recorded history; they're much older than even Elder Marinero! You can enjoy the sights with the tourists or lend a hand to the archaeologists--including Angus, whose sharp detective instincts have led him to the murals in these ruins. He doesn't know why, but these images call to him. He's certain they have something to do with his missing memory and the location of the Relic! Perhaps deciphering some of these images will help him solve this mystery. Or at least (re)teach you some pretty cool path actions!




Runestone Rubble

If you want old stuff that's less academic, check out the Coliseum. You can watch all kinds of cool fights here--or participate in them! Of note are the large, animal-like creatures made of glowing stone, which feature in many of the challenges. They say the eccentric magpie K.V. of K.V. Labs is the resident expert on these beasts, as well as the rest of the magitech on Baisla. It might be worth paying the lab a visit if you're curious about the nuts and bolts of it all--but if the Coliseum is your kind of place, you're probably more interested in punching than studying!

Thankfully, you're allowed to do that. Respected Baisla warriors and fearsome magitech beasts are happy to meet you in battle to test your mettle. You can fight your fellow Reclaimers here too, for fun and bragging rights. Victors are rewarded with a variety of prizes, though you never know what you're going to get. And the experience of battle is its own reward, paying dividends in keeping your mind and body sharp. Maybe you'll even learn something about the beasts or gain some loyal fans with your performance in the fights. There are three potential routes you can take: fighting your fellow Reclaimers for some clout, fighting the island's elite Animalian warriors for a variety of rewards, and the most difficult (but exciting) battles of all: taking on the magitech beasts and their handlers, something even most respected Baisla warriors fall short of accomplishing. The rules of the Coliseum are as follows:

    1.) Show respect and good sportsmanship.
    2.) Only those signed up may fight--no outside help once the battle has begun.
    3.) Nonlethal bouts only. A victor is declared once surrender or incapacitation occurs.



Island Hospitality.

Cafe Calamari

The Bureau of Balance is missing, which includes Bender! How will you ever get your magical grub on?

At Café Calamari, of course! For some reason, Chef Miso Fou is here smack dab in a saltwater lake in the middle of the island. His cute little swim-up tiki bar caters to the Reclaimers especially with a very familiar menu, as well as a few new courses and the exciting potential of new dishes, should you request them! The aesthetic really seems to vibe with the tourists that flock to it, though the food is not always to everyone's taste.


...But something's a bit strange there, or rather, someone. A goose named Ronaldo paces around the area trying to get the attention of newcomers and convince them of weirdo conspiracy theories about the lake under Miso Fou's bar!! He carries around crayon drawings of otherwise-normal-looking jellyfish with pictures projected in their domes, but most Animalians and tourists alike pay Ronaldo no mind. He's well-known for his... unorthodox ramblings. Could there really be something to his suspicions? The locals certainly don't think so!


Boardwalk Boogie

Looking for supplies, food, or perhaps even a job? Head down to the Brightway Boardwalk for just that! Night and day, the island's economic hub is always at least simmering with excitement, if not bubbling over! Especially with all these tourists and new folk around to entertain. Located just behind most of the seaside cabanas, the Brightway Boardwalk is more than just a bunch of studios, businesses, and fish markets; it also hosts the grounds for the seasonal Dance Competition.

The Boardwalk Boogie Band plays nearly every day at the Boardwalk Square, where one can usually find the island's mayor-of-sorts, a cow named Lola. A tall Astrologian in a starry cape, she makes a cutting figure... if not elusive. Lola might actually be a bit hard to get a hold of, what with a new Dance Competition coming up. If you manage to stop her, she'll simply urge you to join in; after all, non-locals have a place in the competition as well! Dance teams are limited to 3 people for out-of-island entries. You have plenty of time to practice before the big Boardwalk Boogie night, which starts at sunset and ends at sunrise. It seems like Boogie Night is all the island can talk about and studios are even offering free classes lately. Why not jump in and learn to dance?



...Unless you aren't interested, of course. That's just fine! The boardwalk connects to the harbor, where Captain Baxley and his mixed-bag crew pull in the island's share of fish every day. They seem a bit disoriented by being unable to sail out as far as they usually do, but the fishing fare near the shore is just as well. They'll certainly put you to work if you seem bored or they need the help! The fish market caters to early risers and the sea-side taverns cater to late sleepers. Here is where you'll find experts in a wider variety of paths, and even a few fox Vulpish who might be willing to train with a Reclaimer or two.


Scenic Spots

If you're still looking for more places to hit up, there's still quite the array of areas! Academics can refresh their path actions or read up on Baisla at the Roswell Center, a hospital up north that also hosts a pretty good library and all sorts of studies. Just to the west of the center is the scenic natural resort Las Cascadas, or the Cascades. Though most of this smaller island is simply a lush, naturally-organized paradise perfect for relaxing and hanging with platypuses, the highest areas of the Cascades also provide a vantage point where the curious can see the dark mist past the Gilded Wall.

For the more hunting-and-monster-fighting-oriented explorer, the Foggy Forest on the mainland is home to huntable animals and animal hybrids such as frog-squirrels and raccoon-crows. Once you deal with the glitches, the forest also bears the fruits the Animalians love so much; you might be able to strike a sweet deal if you offer them for trade! They will warn you, however, not to venture too far into the forest....

On the outer islands lay Miaoteo's Workshop, where Reclaimers in need of equipment can trade fish for weapons made right in front of them; Elder Marinero's house where Animalians gather for oral retellings of their history; and even an unclaimed island perfect for camping. Try to avoid that last island if you don't want trouble, though; the pirates lurking there don't seem as friendly as those on the mainland.

Check out more to explore on these areas in our Setting Information page!





Island Wilds.

The Crystal Lagoon


Surrounding the main island is the Crystal Lagoon, picturesque still waters full of gorgeous reefs that resemble crystal, which are teeming with docile wildlife like gentle sharks and jellyfish. The ecosystem here is bountiful and full of life -- ideal for the Reclaimer who wants to study, or just cool off and relax. The locals will shoo you off if they see you making too much of a splash, as they prefer these waters remain undisturbed!

It's curious, though. With so much algae and reef underwater, one would expect the waters to be more on the shallow side -- but if a Reclaimer chooses to dive down, they may discover that the waters run much deeper than they might expect. The water itself becomes darker, murkier, as they stray from the coral...

Curious indeed.


Deep Foggy Forest

No Animalian would dare wander here, as there are whispers of terrible creatures lurking within and other strange happenings... But if any Reclaimer should venture out here against their advice, they'll find a peculiar atmosphere, indeed. Despite being part of the Foggy Forest, there's a marked difference in the visuals alone. The foliage itself almost seems to be hostile: denser, more like a jungle, gnarled and threatening to trip you at every turn. The fog pervades, making it difficult to see more than five feet in front of you. Even some of the trees seem to be in decay.

The glitches, too, are more threatening in this place: black sap, glowing fruit, vines that clip through the ground and grab you, patches of quicksand that seize you the second you make a wrong step, insects much larger than you’d ever expect to see them, and so forth.



Worse than that, the further in you go, the more you may feel as though you're being watched -- every so often, you catch sight of something monstrous and grotesque in the corner of your eye -- but as soon as you move your head, it's gone. Strange, indistinguishable whispers fill your ears, just louder than the buzzing of insects, and well. Best to be alert. Most creatures you may encounter are not hostile, but the more time you spend here, the less the forest seems to tolerate you. Your luck may not last so long.

Tread lightly, Reclaimers.


Whispers in the Water

Speaking of peculiar happenings, there seems to be more strange happenings afoot. Or... aswim, rather. If a Reclaimer should be swimming around Miso Fou's Bar, the Crystal Lagoon, or the Cascades, they may find themselves hearing voices.

Some unfamiliar, some familiar -- some so familiar, actually, that Reclaimers may hear words they could have sworn they've either said themselves or heard another say to them -- giving them the strangest sense of deja vu.

The voices subside just as abruptly as they began, leaving the source difficult to identify.



A note from your Navigators.

Welcome, Reclaimers, to your first Extra Mission Log! Thank you for sticking with us! We hope you'll enjoy the plans we have for you in this mysterious adventure to find Lucretia and the missing Relic.

We have a couple of fun signups available here, including a special NPC interaction! These particular signups will be open until August 13th at 9PM EST. Regular NPC interactions can be found here!

For adventure rolls head over here and to order food from Miso Fou, head over here! Please direct any questions here!

Thanks for playing, and happy navigating!





NAVIGATION



code bases by tricklet
protegge: <user name="peaked"> | dnt (Default)

[personal profile] protegge 2020-08-12 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Paths: Paladin (+1 STR), Rogue (+1 DEX), Engineer (+1 GUN) (THE LAST ONE IS A JOKE PLEASE DONT ACTUALLY GIVE HIM GUN BONUS)

MISTA WANTS TO FIGHT THE CRITTERS!!!!!!

Before he does, he'd take an active interest in the Coliseum handlers and ask them all kinds of questions about the magitech beasts: how they work, how they fight, if they understand things like speech or not so much, what they eat . . . Which is not relevant really but he wants to know! He'll be using Insight during these conversations to determine whether or not he's being misled, on purpose or accidentally, or whether the handlers are maybe holding something back that he should ask more about. If the handlers aren't willing to give him info, he would go to KV Labs and see if he could get information from there, also using Insight.

As for the fight itself, he'd go in armed with gun, crossbow, Immovable Rod, and a number of bombs — Concussive and Blinding bombs specifically, as he doesn't really want to explode or melt the critters. He'll use Mage Hand Legerdemain to fling bombs from unexpected directions in between doing fancy ranged attack maneuvers with gun and crossbow, using such path actions as Trick Shot (Winging, Bullying). If he can manage it, he'll get to high ground within the Coliseum and set the Immovable Rod up against the nearest surface, providing himself with a safe distance from which to attack his opponent. If he's forced into a melee position, he'll use Divine Smite/Flaming Sword (on the Immovable Rod; what? it's fine) and Pistol Whip-Shot. Throughout, he'll use Swift Retaliation to avoid injury himself. Should he find himself in the position of victor, he'd back down as soon as his victory was declared and be Pretty Concerned about his magitech buddy.
Edited 2020-08-13 19:57 (UTC)
unrecovered: (Default)

[personal profile] unrecovered 2020-08-12 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Let's do it let's go
doubledsofjustice: tilting head to the side with a knowing smile; charming look (icon_005)

[personal profile] doubledsofjustice 2020-08-12 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Whew buddy. Mia does at least recall that the last time she saw Angus before Candlenights, she couldn't even remember her own name. This time her memories aren't much better, but she does remember who she is. She approaches Angus with that trained smile of hers and mentions what a shame it is all this happened when she'd just managed to get a hold of all those books for him.

She wonders how his investigation is coming, too, and if he feels they're any closer to finding that relic.
spaghettimonster: (OH NO!)

time for more Good Ideas

[personal profile] spaghettimonster 2020-08-12 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Uhhh, panic a little?? His little dog friend has been snuffed out in an instant! He's stabbed by a pain at the impact and loss, some mix of pain across the bond and the sudden exhaustion, but also the spike of fear that his familiar - his closest companion in nearly all his memories - is gone, just like that!?

He does his best to back away from the creature, to stay away from the trees it's toppling; that's an alarming amount of destruction happening there, and his amount of panic is maybe better described as a lottle.

But Papyrus has spent his fair share of time in the ruins studying up, and two can play at that reality bending game - he does his best to change this stuff to his benefit with a little Force Distrust.
snyaiper: (\:)

ogata | ota

[personal profile] snyaiper 2020-08-12 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[Foggy Forest]
[Whatever reason you might be moseying around the outskirts of the forest, you're going to be rudely interrupted by Ogata seemingly emerging out of fucking nowhere, grabbing whatever limb or article of clothing that's within his reach.]

Don't move if you don't want to die.
[Ominous!]

[Whispers in the Water]
[Ogata isn't much of a swimmer, really. After all, he's a cat. But sometimes you just need to soak to get the dirt off, which means the freshwater of the Cascades are where you might find Ogata looking fairly relaxed as he sits in the water...

Until he suddenly sits bolt upright, eyes wide and blown like a startled animal.]


... Did you hear that?

[Misc/Wildcard]
[In general, Ogata can be found skulking around, not being particularly sociable. Recently he's been looking more on edge than he was initially, as if he's suspicious of... something? Everything? Unclear. Maybe you could ask him about it.

As far as keeping busy/contributing to the island economy, he's going to be spending a lot of time fishing. You also might find him poking around the ruins silently or curled up in the darkest corner of his cabana scrutinizing some... pieces of paper? Hm.]

snyaiper: (smell it)

[personal profile] snyaiper 2020-08-13 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
It's funny, really, how Angus is so clearly trying to mentally puff himself up in the fact of Ogata. It's all fine!! Ogata is starting to think being unsettled is the natural reaction people have to him. Just a niggling suspicion.

He looks around, making a vague gesture, "all of it. I don't remember anything about this Bureau you're talking about, or the Hunger, any of it... The only thing I can remember makes me wonder if any of this is actually real."
eudaimonikos: (and I'm on that faded love)

[personal profile] eudaimonikos 2020-08-13 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Paths: Sorcerer/Paladin

1) Michael would like to try and mess with the glitches some! More precisely, he is going to find one where he can clearly identify what's meant to be there - a fruit, say - and use Major Illusion to cast an illusion of what ought to be there over the glitchy bit. Who knows? Maybe it'll take!

2) Michael also wants to play in the Coliseum! His strategy appears to trend towards utter chaos: he'll use Thunderclap, Earth Tremor, Grease, and Web to try startling and hindering his opponents, Haste and Misty Step to avoid getting hit when possible, and Magic Missle plus a Flaming Sword to do damage himself. I have decreed that he doesn't get to use Divine Smite right now because he has not yet rediscovered his god of choice, Contractualism. His Spell Master ability allows him to use two spells at once, so he can mix and match these a little bit easier.

He seems a little disturbingly into fighting; very aggressive, with little apparent concern about getting hit himself. It's a little....bad, maybe?
menarefrom: (That I'm unstoppable)

[personal profile] menarefrom 2020-08-13 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Paths: Dancer/Bard/Engineer

Alright. So, nosy and bored Spike-o is going to make his way out to the little toe island where the pirates await.

He is itching for a fight and comes off way too cool to be in someone else's space when he get through.

How well does bardancengineer do against a bunch of pirates? He'll be more inclined to rely on his own kung-fu than path actions, but his acrobatics skill makes his moves even more smooth. He's also not against using shocking grasp in his hand-to-hand combat, and as an engineer also happens to have his gun with him in case these pirates get too testy. Swift Retaliation helps him be more in tune with this fight and gives him a +2 on dodging ranged attacks, and he may pull out Trick Shot's Disarming or Piercing shot if the crowd of pirates that finds him is bigger.
Edited 2020-08-13 02:28 (UTC)
philoxenia: (Default)

[personal profile] philoxenia 2020-08-13 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Go forth and commandeer that puppo!! She is in your modly hands.
ribticklers: (068)

[personal profile] ribticklers 2020-08-13 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, okay, making people cry is like the opposite of what Sans wants to do with his teasing. Angus seems a little sensitive, so before he actually replies (which he'll do seriously this time), he must offer Important Advice:

"Kiddo, if someone's bugging you, you've gotta say so. I'm a boneheaded guy, y'know. Skull's pretty thick. No big deal if you've gotta knock some sense into me."

You're supposed to just yell at him to be serious, not actually get upset! But anyway.

"Unless these can get moved around, it's gonna depend on who put them here, yeah? If that language reads in a different order, we should be reading them that way. Like maybe it starts with the woman and the monster, then the monster with the book, then the woman in the thorns. But if you can just pull these out and swap 'em, maybe these two go together."

Sans points to the two with the woman in them.
philoxenia: (ain't it fun? you can't)

[personal profile] philoxenia 2020-08-13 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, both Mira and I hate this!

The fact that her usually sweet-tempered dog is barking up a storm and losing her mind at this tiny child distresses the hell out of her, and she pulls the dog back... just in case. She doesn't think Daisy will actually attack, but it's also for Angus's peace of mind.

"It's alright! It isn't your fault, I think... it might be this whole place has her on edge. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

But it really is baffling... and more than a little concerning.
hxppythxughts: (silly♥ my friends who aren't smiling.)

[personal profile] hxppythxughts 2020-08-13 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
let's do it babey i know the law (✿◡‿◡)
aceso: (Default)

Re: RNG

[personal profile] aceso 2020-08-13 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
So after her talk with Marinero and seeing Sans's video of the other side of the wall, Christine would like to talk with Lola. I'm not sure of the protocol here since she's a pilotable NPC. Should I roll to see if Christine can get her attention and ask her questions about the Cursed and the Purging dance? Or should I approach it another way?

Oh, and she's a Dancer/Chemist/Astrologian.
Edited 2020-08-13 03:25 (UTC)

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