Mission: Fissures of Time

[voidtreckermods]

On day eight of the month of Poi, the Voidtreckers' SCAs glow gold and a holographic screen appears.

We have been asked to assist the Ministry on System #281992471, Praeus. 150 years ago, outside influence led to the gods of the world becoming severely harmed, and now its lands continously suffer time distortions that cause fragments of the past to appear in the present. We have been sent information to help prepare for the mission. The weather will fluctuate, but will be mostly warm.

Red Team Some of the time distortions come from places of war and strife. Move in and shut them down. This will require battling the threats so that the equalisers can be set.

Orange Team Set up Equalisers once time distortions have been neutralised. Prepare camps for those rescued from time distortions. Monitor signals of new time distortions and coordinate with other teams.

Blue Team Rescue those displaced by time distortions and take them to the prepared camps. Help maintain calm in the camps and provide medical, nutritional and emotional support.

Purple Team Help neutralise time distortions. Protect orange team as they place neutralisers and help protect the camps from any threats that may escape out of time distorted areas.

Notes This is not a catastrophe mission. The Voidtrecker Express will be given a place to station if Voidtreckers and passengers wish to not participate in the mission. Map data will activate when we arrive on-planet. The Ministry believes it worth noting that hostiles will commonly be human for those who would find this distressing.

More information will be available when we arrive.

➜ RUN TIME AND TONE. The mission will run between the 15th and the 28th January (P8- P14). An ongoing with optional extra tasks will go up on the 19th (P10) and a Finale will go up on the 25th (P13).

The mission is meant to be lax both ICly and OOCly, with the Ministry now getting involved with the Voidtreckers. However, some characters may find certain areas distressing if they have issues with killing humans, or 'erasing' unsuspecting civilians than being unable to save them.

However, the latter are more fragments of time that have been made to appear, and can't exist outside of that time. Anyone who can exist will stick around. There will be also mention of the dead being reanimated during Ongoing.

SETTING OVERVIEW

➜ LANDSCAPE, SETTING. Praeus is an old-fashioned world in its late Middle Ages, compared to the modern world. The area the Voidtreckers will be in is called 'Kolokifi's Domain', named after the God of Summer and Life, one of the handful of Gods of the world.

What Voidtreckers will see of the terrain will depend on where one looks and stands, and when.

- More often than not, it's similar to a wasteland. A hill terrain stripped of life with stone and dirt burnt a crisp red. Like a vast canyon with a desert heat above their heads, skies empty of clouds. Straggles of plant life attempt to give colour here and there, but leave more often than not the skeletons of bark and stalks. Nothing seems to last for long.

- Or so it appears until you take the right step forward, and everything before you will change into a luscious scenery. Rolling green hills, plants in bloom and animals around. scattered trees and streams. People even, with settlements of flat stone-roofed housing and animals carrying carts, street stalls crammed against walls. The people will be curious, but greet you happily, give blessings in the name of particular gods.

- Yet take a step in a different direction, another place, and find a war raging all around you. Fire with weaponry of the future tears apart this reality, and the Voidtreckers will be foes to most that catch them. Trees and vines fan out to entrap them, energy-shielded locals attack with plasma guns and drones. Summer burns the overgrowth that's used to attack with, and it is chaos.

These last two are considered time distortions.

MISSION OVERVIEW

➜ OBJECTIVE. The main objective is to go around and settle any time distortions Voidtreckers locate. The longer they're around, the more difficult they are to deal with. There are many pockets of time distortions, and each team will be working close with one another to do the following:

• Locate and go to time distortion points: Voidtreckers willing to focus on scouting will be offered remote-controlled scouting drones by Ministry workers, along with a an eye screen. These can be sent off to analyse the terrain and pick up on current time distortions, where they're likely to form, and also where to best set up Time Equalisers (below).
  
  
• Set up time equalisers: They come folded up as 25kg boxes, a handle for carrying or clips for easier attaching. Once put down and turned on correctly, they will extend upward into an antenna with a flower-like shape. Each one will need to set to the right levels and location, and then watch to make sure it functions with other Equalisers in the area. Depending on the scope of the distortion, a few can be needed.
  
  
• Discover misplaced people: Sometimes, life survives a time distortion. People, animals, and even plants may be left behind. The people will need to be found and brought to one of the camps set out in the domain, until they can eventually be taken to the main base.
  
  Relocating will not always be easy as not everyone will be agreeable. Civillians may run off if brought to a camp, given the shock of what's going on. Those who can help calm and assuage those rattled will be vital for keeping civilians safe.

➜ MINISTRY, MAIN BASE, EQUIPMENT. The train will be staying next to a base used by people contracted by the Ministry. It's one of the few around the planet that helps monitor time distortions, bringing in trainees that uses Praeus's circumstances for training, and tracks all activity.

- Those who don't want to participate on the mission can stay in the train or use some of the facilities in the base, but will be told that they aren't allowed to travel the world itself. There's restrictions that you need clearance for, given the fragile health of the planet.

- Ministry workers will explain the basics of the situation to the Voidtreckers who will listen. They'll pass along the equipment, scan who takes what, and also offer to help those not sure what they can do. Not just fighters will be needed, but also people to manage equipment and to monitor the landscape that others will be moving into.

- The ministry will make mention there are other missionaries around on training, around the farthest north-east and north-western parts of the domain. They can be asked for assistance if the Voidtreckers need it, but otherwise they'll be taking part in their own training programmes.

- They will supply supply food and drink to be taken out to make sure Voidtreckers are covered. Someone will just need to come and take it out. A list of most equipment is:


• Time Equalisers: Folded up first as a box, it can be opened up once set in place and will rise up into a flower shape. Technology and the world's energy powers it, but those with enough technology skills to read a screen (and the instructions) will be needed to make sure it runs smoothly.
  
  One alone can stop a forming time distortion, but more will be needed for currently active ones. They will need to be packed up and moved on to the next destination once done with.
  
  
• Scouting Drones: Remote-controlled scouting drones used to pick up time distortion anomalies, so others don't have to walk right into one unprepared. Coem with an ear and eye piece allowing for a visual, and so the controller can speak and listen while not in the field.
  
  
• Medical Kits, Food Kits: Containers with medical and food kits, with a few varying diets and also medical options.
  
  
• Canvas tents, smaller tents: These are wide canvas tents with enough space to use as sleeping quarters. Nothing more than fabric, pegs and string, they are actually refreshing to be in, giving refuge from the heat outside.
  
  Depending on what one can sense, they will know there is an energy in the parts - and for those more aware, that they have been blessed by a godly figure. Spring gives protection to the tents, and even grass and small flowers will grow around where they're put up - if only for a little while.
  
  
• Carts and pull animals: A means of moving around gear, as long as someone knows what they're doing.

OTHER

➜ POWER RESTRICTIONS. Celebrate - there aren't many! As long as characters use their powers within the domain and don't wander off, they're fine. The only main restrictions are:

- No time magic. Teleporting is fine as long as they've been through the area.

- No healing locals with magic or injections. Herbal medicines are fine. There will also be medkits handed out safe for locals. Healing Voidtreckers as you would is fine, who are the ones more likely to be healed in the first place.

- No using fancy weaponry/magic/energy outside the domain. It invites time distortions to spread and that won't be liked.

Otherwise, have fun!

Note these are IC rules that will be given to the voidtreckers by the ministry. If your character does break them please let us know.

➜ LOOTING, SCAVENGING. Not easy. Not a lot stays around after a time distortion, and there isn't much life around the domain itself. Even anything gathered when life is bountiful will disappear. Something like a sheep or dead horse might be found at best.

Trying to take the equipment handed out by the Ministry workers will result in consequences, as everything is tracked. Even if you take it apart, they'll know who last had it. Again let us know please if this happens.

➜ NPCS, CIVILIANS. The Ministry workers can be spoken to, but will only be able to answer about the mission and the history of where they are. There will be one worker around to talk about themselves and their situation, but mainly as a counselor.

As for civilians, the Voidtreckers won't meet any except for those in the time distortion amd those they take to the camps. There's a city nearby to the base, but their mission won't take them to it. The people there want little to do with Voidtreckers.

Requesting NPC threads will be available when the mission starts.

➜ SCA. Taking off one's SCA on this world will be initially...odd, but not too troubling. The air is hot and not the best to breathe for most, but bearable.

However, taking them off in the time distortion spots will cause dizziness and a sense of motion sickness that won't leave them.

➜ REWARDS. Taking part in a mission in any way will earn you five team points. You claim those by submitting a link during AC.

Also threads of 10 comments or more where mission goals are being worked towards will also earn you 10 team points. To claim those please fill in the form below and reply to the rewards header.

<b>Characters:</b> <b>Mission goal colour:</b> <b>Link:</b>

Please feel free to use this as a plotting post. Remember there is nothing forcing your character to do the task assigned to their group so if you wish to do a different one, feel free! If your character decides to not do any of the tasks at all, that’s fine too!

For those who are new or who want a bit more guidance please check out our mission guide!

Have fun plotting!

Comments

Questions?

[voidtreckermods]

[ranoutofbuts]

Are these other missionaries npcs? And are they vistitable?

[fivemilesdeep]

Three questions!

1. In terms of herbal medicines working, will herbal medicines from other worlds work too, or is it strictly what's in the first aid kit? If other medicines work, is it topical only or are ingestible medicines okay?

2. When you say reanimating the dead, is that referring to only the time-displaced NPCs? And is it more Lazarus or The Walking Dead?

3. What do time-displaced people feel like to Ryo's Sense?

Idiot god things

[controlsthedie]

Oh gods, it what Than fears is world is like only it's not covered in snow. If Demeter decided against snow and just to burn it all instead.

Is there a Death God in this world? Can Than talk to them? Or any god? Death loves Life. He wants to help the God of Life and create a balance for this world Are they going to sense him? Are they going to think he's an enemy god trying to invade and kill life or something and get mad?

I feel like I should ask the usual of what kind of death Than senses or if I have to worry about Mort or yada yada, but I want to know about Godly Politics(tm) and what shenanigans Thanatos can get involved in without ruining the experience for everyone.

[flameinthedarkness]

Re questions/comments mostly for Vegeta (too lazy to switch accounts).

I assume they will get more info on Red Team tasks closer to time, or at the least is it mostly 'protect the team putting up the equalisers/the equalisers themselves' vs 'destroy an army' kind of thing? (will be using for some internal conflict for Vegeta about mass killing).

And also, I noticed below via with another quest that they may be able to sense the time displaced people, is this the same for Ki?

Oh and one for Idia (though I will mention this below too), provided I clear this with other players who want to do this, is Idia able to steal items they have been allocated by the ministry to take apart so it wouldn't get linked back to him?

Thank you!

[yondu]

I guess I'll ask this here but:

Will there be some room for teams to encounter each other? It seems like it but I want to double-check (as some of Yondu's CR sticks with Red). Will Orange/Purple still be able to come up against some danger (straggling combatants, hostile groundcover, etc.) even with Red on the offensive?

[wewillwewill]

1. Elidibus will know better than to outright mess with work already in progress and follow warnings. But he would, as someone knowledgeable about time magic/manipulation and fundamental world lifeforce manipulation, speak with the Ministry Officials/scientists/reps before heading into any fields on a red team mission. If he shows prove his knowledge is sound, would he be told anything that might be useful for field work (further hazards, how to professionally handle emergency situations while minimizing messing things up even more, workarounds or other useful tidbits)?

2. Do the souls of the constantly reanimated seem to be rewound time or do they seem to be different timeline/versions of that person pulled out of their time and reattached to this body like it's some sort of focal point/magnet for the person's soul through the distortion?

3. CAN someone with proper knowledge about time manipulation and life force energy (Yay Macguffin aether!) lessen the energy-inviting-distortion ratio? For instance, allowing themselves or a small group to have brief periods where they can bring more of their power to bear in a critical situation? (This question is related to shenanigans of attempting to learn enough to do it nearer the end of things in case something huge comes down the line trying to stop their efforts at fixing the distortions. Because you know how it is. There's often a big bad at the end).

[bitternessoflife]

... can Yota keep (read: steal) an equalizer after all the distortions are dealt with? If any are left over that still look fishy?

Re: Questions?

[mystic_mongoose]

Stupid question: Mina, with the Sword of Acorns, can steal someone’s magic and add it to her own (she doesn’t like to, but…). Can she do so here, and if so what would be the consequences?

Re: Questions?

[asheaveniswide]

Zenos is pretty darned good at seeing the flow of magic, aether, power etc for pretty vast distances when he activates his resonance, how bad of a screaming headache would this cause on our timeschism world? Would it work at all?

[ranoutofbuts]

This is a small question related to the small animals one that was answered before. Some people can be rescued from distortions, can a few small animals also survive coming out of distortions?

[dyingpro]

Which of the Gods are clearly depicted Female, which are depicted Male, and which are depicted Gender-Nonspecific? Are some spoken of with titles or epithets, like Lord, Grandmother, The Gracious One, The Protector, etc.?

[philosopherspotato]

I just realized something! If magic and whatnot is a Bad Idea within the time distortions...

What happens with Potato's everything

To clarify, she constantly takes in magical energy, gathering it like a little perpetual battery. This came as a double edged sword not long ago during 'Wings of Wonder', if that helps give an idea of her capabilities. On the one hand, taking in energy there made her.....................very sick. Onnnn the other, those there- particularly the Forever Ones- were able to make use of that.

EDIT: i should note that the battery of energy she's storing is how she lives....that's important....

Re: Questions?

[death_from_above]

Late question sorry. >.<

When you say "No using fancy weaponry/magic/energy outside the domain. It invites time distortions to spread and that won't be liked." what is considered outside? What I saw above implies that the whole area is the domain? So not allowed to use magic on the train? Or am I missing something?

Re: Questions?

[nell_of_soulwood]

Can you tell me a bit more about the Moliff? How big is it? And would Nell be able to use her Diagad gift to communicate with it at all? Anything else I should know? Thank you!

[yondu]

Starting from lunchtime, more warriors and civilians will be found appearing from the distance and from thin air, seemingly knowing where to find the Voidtreckers' camps - and after some very specific people.

Double-checking to make sure 'warriors' in this sentence means the undead warriors mentioned earlier in the unquiet city or if they're hardened civilians.

(Linking for future me's inbox convenience, not meaning you can't find your own post or anything).

Re: Questions?

[controlsthedie]

For part 2, can the not!dead launch another not!dead into the air via a catapult or something to get at those pesky flying people?

Look, let's pretend I didn't forget that actual projectile weapons are a thing they can use which would be much more effective than FIRE THE CANNON!

Gore cw, I guess?

[fivemilesdeep]

Well now that we have the undying running around, I have to ask the gory questions:

Will a body without a head continue to act as though it can see, hear, etc,or will it be erratic from the loss of its senses? Will severed limbs move independently or stop moving once separated from the body? Will debilitating injuries (severed hamstring, broken knee, etc) affect movement or will they just power through it? Will they be able to reattach lost limbs?

...how far into Deadite territory are we going here, is what I'm asking.

Re: Questions?

[gathersnomoss]

Does 'elemental magic' qualify under the 'weather or nature' powers listen in the ongoing. Namely, if Zelgadis can create ice or lightning or wind to attack people but can't (for example) summon a thunderstorm, would that ping him for extra attention?

Shenanigans

[voidtreckermods]

[strings_theory]

Don't use magic? That clearly doesn't mean her Stand, that's a part of her. Even though it's actually technically magic, you think she listened? Pft.

Though Jolyne's going to be rocking with purple and blue a bit and totally ignoring the advice to not use magical things in the not time distortions. Via using a method she'd used in canon against an enemy, meaning tracking the entrances to see if it's possible to put out a string version of what's essentially a tin-can security system. Something hits the strings? She's aware of it.

This, uh, obviously requires the use of her Stand even if it's just the strings itself. Whether she's able to do this for the camp(s) entrances (depending on what camp she's at at the time) or just one of them, I guess that's up to mod discretion.

But hey, first mission, first month, causing problems on purpose by STILL NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT HER STAND EVEN IS.

NPCS

[voidtreckermods]

<b>Team:</b> The team of the mission you are doing <b>Link:</b> Link to the post/thread where you want them to turn up. <b>Brief Ideas:</b> What do you want from this thread? What sort of NPC would you like <a href="LINK">Post</a>

Plotting

[voidtreckermods]

RED

[voidtreckermods]

Rewards!

[voidtreckermods]

[controlsthedie]

Characters: Thanatos (Red), Zagreus (Blue)
Mission goal colour: godly Red
Link: Mistaken identities in a war zone

Characters: Thanatos (Red), Death (Red)
Mission goal colour: godly Blue
Link: Death checks on Death in camp

Characters: Thanatos (Red), Otoha (Red)
Mission goal colour: Red
Link: Talking about Red goals and the mission in general

[nell_of_soulwood]

Characters: Nell and Yondu
Mission goal colour: Orange/Blue
Link: Here

Characters: Nell and Nozomi
Mission goal colour:Blue/Orange
Link: Here

[voidtreckermods]

Nell earns 20 points
Yondu earns 10 points
Nozomi earns 10 points

[nell_of_soulwood]

Characters: Nell and Tidus
Mission goal colour: Orange
Link: https://middleofsomewhere.dreamwidth.org/30064.html?thread=26430832#cmt26430832