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IC: Tueris (Staff NPC; The Long Road to Ferrum) As Tueris rose to his feet, both his eyes were open at last: one glowed a fiery orange, but the other – the scarred one – was dull, clearly blind and with no prosthetic in its place. "If you're coming – and I say this to all of you – then you should not expect to return. That is the nature of our task, and if that makes you uncomfortable, then you may leave now. You will not be judged." OOC: @Nato G @Burnmad @oncertainty @~Xemnas~

IC: Gayle - Vulcanus Arena "I don't have a deathwish, if that's what you're asking," she replied warily, "I'm not ready to go. But it's an occupational hazard I accepted a long time ago." She glanced at the other Glatorian, trying to gauge from their reactions if they'd been so bluntly asked the same vaguely-threatening question, "Besides, if I don't make it, I don't have any family for your village to compensate." @a goose @Burnmad @oncertainty @~Xemnas~

IC: Selamat - Arena Vulcanus Selamat, still chewing a mouthful of bread, glanced at the Agori that was entering. Before he could swallow, Tueris and another had already spoken up to object to the small being's presence. He nodded his agreement to the words of Vulcanus' disgraced former Second Glatorian. "It is a treacherous path we will walk," he muttered. His voice was remarkably high when compared with most men, and pleasantly smooth. @a goose @Nato G @oncertainty @~Xemnas~

I'll see about getting the list up soon, but I'd recommend just going with what you want to enter. Bonus announcement: the deadline is now Sunday, April 2nd at 11:59 PM Eastern. Things come up, earnest pleas are made, et cetera and so forth. It's still going to be here before you know it, though, so keep building!

IC: Skyra Daring - Streets of Atero - Skyra inspected her vehicle as Del said his goodbyes to the guards. They seemed to be having a moment so Skyra took her time, checking the fuel, engine, tires, and all that stuff as the engine purred. Everything seemed to be good to go so Skyra hoped into the driver's seat, putting a pair of shades on as she felt how cool she looked in her car. Yeah. @Techn0geist @Morgan Yu

IC: Tueris (Staff NPC; The Long Road to Ferrum) "Are you prepared to die?" One eye was cracked open, now; in the dim red light of the approaching dawn, it was becoming clear that the other was scarred. OOC: @Nato G @Burnmad @oncertainty @~Xemnas~

IC: Gayle - Vulcanus Arena "Oh dear, we're not off to a good start, are we?" Her tone, and the disapproving head shake that accompanied it, was one of mocking disappointment, "Are you this quick to judge everyone you meet? Here I was thinking you'd be more appreciative of someone voluntarily offering up her time to help." In the Glatorian's defence, Raanu's message had specifically asked for Glatorian. But Agori could fight in the arenas as well as any Glatorian, and Gayle had more experience in the wastelands than career Glatorian who never left the safety of the villages and well-travelled roads. "I mean, how many Glatorian were you actually expecting to get during tournament season?" @a goose @Burnmad @oncertainty @~Xemnas~

Content Warning: internalized victim blaming OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Escus - Arena Vulcanus Escus turned his head toward the Glatorian of fire, whom he had only moments ago assumed to be sleeping. It was a harsh way of putting it, and Escus was glad he didn’t have to say it himself. All the same, it was hard to disagree. They couldn’t take a liability, if this was going to be as dangerous as it seemed. The Agori looked like she knew her way around the desert, but then again they already had a Ferrumite who could act as guide. He looked to the Agori, shrugged, and grimaced apologetically. But he said nothing. OOC: writing this on my phone in a lecture break so hoping the formatting doesn’t come out weird @a goose @Nato G @~Xemnas~ @Burnmad

IC: Tueris (Staff NPC; The Long Road to Ferrum) "No Agori." The gruff voice that came from the sleeping Fire Glatorian was a surprise to all, not least because his eyes were still closed. "The call was for warriors. You're not a warrior." OOC: Apologies for the wait, @Nato G @oncertainty @~Xemnas~ @Burnmad

"We're born for this. They aren't." Toa Aidau had seen much. Much time, much hardship, all to mold his boastful youth into the reserved Toa of Ice most knew well. But his pride never left him, nor did his sense of duty. Aidau prized his stature as a Toa, and more than that, saw it as something no Matoran should ever concern themself with being equivalent. Toa were to be above Matoran, to do what they couldn't, battle who they couldn't, go where they couldn't. This was the ideal Aidau took to heart. No matter the foe, he would sooner face them himself than let someone else shoulder the duty. And so he did, to the end. The Mangai Project presents Chapter 2 of the Tales of the Mangai, now reimagined for our Tales of the Mangai Audio Drama series! You've read the tale. Now live it. https://youtu.be/OBIut6WZoP8

Oh my goodness, thank you endlessly benevolent brother Bambi!!! What a beautiful fungi fest! Bahahhaha, your timing is actually perfection! I forgot my own birthday until people reminded me a week prior, and was too tired to open a gift until a few days ago! Thank you again, this made my day!

IC: Lorqua - Streets of Atero Out into the streets, warmer still than inside the Red Star. Cool enough yet that there were still people on the streets, streets that would deaden as they reached the warmest part of the day. Walking alongside Lutenus, she considered the offer. She could use the practice, she supposed. She was going through with it now, and the fact that she was actually going to be expected to fight hadn't quite sunken in. Lutenus, not to mention everyone else, would definitely frown on it if she just surrendered. "Yeah, alright. Let's do it. You probably know better than me: where's the nearest arena?" OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Lutenus and Vraek (Streets of Atero) - Wreckage “Vraek.” She corrected, insistently. “But yes, I will be representing Iconox. Would I be doing anything else?” What else could she do? Barbaric practices or not, the Ice Tribe were her people and her home. To abandon them was unthinkable. Elsewhere, Lutenus stepped out of the Red Star Inn, and back onto the street. “Hmmm… what do you say… you and I have a little sparring match before we depart for Tajun? To… reintegrate yourself with arena combat.” @Daniel the Finlander @That Matoran with a Vahi @oncertainty IC: Skrall (Roxtus, Stables) - Road Trip Skrall looked at the prisoner. He forcibly suppressed and quashed a treacherous feeling akin to pity. This creature was no longer Skrall, and must be treated as such, despite the semblance of honour he had regained in resisting them. Meanwhile, there were his brothers, Skrall without question, despite their myriad differences and their quarrels that would have brought shame to the Rock Tribe if an outsider or a higher-ranking tribesman beheld them. He finished loading the last of the supplies, and boarded one of the carriages. He wasn’t certain what possibility would be worse - the mind-numbing boredom of such a long journey in silence, or the return of this… infighting. @BULiK @a goose @Burnmad @Nato G @Vezok's Friend @oncertainty IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - Rude to the Waiter Oh. This one. This worthless, pathetic wretch. She snatched the plate of food out of his hands with only a mildly contemptuous glare. “This is usually where I’d make a joke at the Skrall’s expense, but the one that just walked in should be quite sufficient. You can go now, unless there was anything else?” @Mel

a slave | bone hunter stronghold you drew the short straw this time—the others do not envy you, because you all know that the not-hunter called Talrix hates skrall. you are not skrall, but you do not think she will understand this. so very little do. It is a long way to the cell block that you are supposed to go to, through twisting passages full of not-hunters that make note of you as you pass. you try not to memorize the way it goes. you do not open the door. any slave that wants to keep all their limbs knows which thresholds not to cross. but you knock softly, steadily increasing the volume. it is better than surprising her. the tray of victuals should be carefully balanced, no wine spilled, no grit allowed to penetrate the covering. you are good at this, at least. for those the night once called friend the sense of balance is key. you wait, bracing for a blow that might come. it is better to be prepared. OOC: @Toru Nui

IC: Somok – Precipere “I doubt we have anything to fear from the scavengers,” Somok replied dismissively. Not only would the Bone Hunters have difficulty bringing a fighting force up the narrow stairwell to Precipere, but they’d find little worth looting when they arrived. The Ash Tribe's greatest treasure was its history, and such things held no material value to the savages of the wider wasteland. “Now, you said we needed to discuss your ‘approach’ before you left. Go ahead.” @Toru Nui @Geardirector ______________________________________________________ IC: Gayle – Vulcanus The teal-and-green Agori was the next to arrive in the arena, whistling to herself as she wandered in. “Looks like I’m the odd one out,” she remarked to no one in particular, noting immediately that the rest of the gathered group were all Glatorian. "I look forward to working with y'all." @~Xemnas~ @Burnmad @oncertainty

IC/ Skrall/ Roxtus/ Stables/ Skrall only acknowledged the little speech with the barest of glances. Her attention was firmly on securing their cargo still. She tied his wrists firmly behind his back, cut the rope and then did the same to his ankles, with slack enough to walk almost as normal - but not enough to run. If you couldn’t run in the wastes, you’d be dead. Once the restraints were in place, she first removed her grappling line, then pulled him up by the shoulders from down prone, to kneeling. She indicated the wagons. “Get up. Get in.” OOC: @BULiK @skrall

IC: Lorqua - Red Star Inn As Lutenus turned his back to her and walked towards the door, Lorqua stood for a moment, and shook her head. She sighed, and then she jogged forward to catch up. "Yeah. Not that, uh, I think I'll make much difference for Tesara. I'm a decent fighter in the desert, decent enough to make a living at least, but it's a different beast to fight in the Arena. It's been a while. Suppose that means I've strayed, as far as you're concerned. I get it, a lot of people see it that way." She rubbed the back of her neck, just as the two of them reached the threshold of the Inn. "But I will do it. I've got two reasons to be in Tajun now. Seeing as it might be the second best place after Ferrum, to figure out something about what's going on in Ferrum." Lutenus wanted to know that too. Lorqua could tell. OOC: @Toru Nui IC: Skrall - Outside Roxtus Stables Skrall nodded along with both sides of the dispute. Both sides agreed on the one thing that Skrall was interested in, which was getting out of Roxtus. Sooner, rather than later. At the older one's words, he resumed loading the carriages with supplies. "Being on our way works for me." He looked about himself, to any of his fellows who were listening. "Not that my opinion matters. Nor should it." He spoke without malice. He was happy enough to be in motion, for now. OOC: @a goose @BULiK @Burnmad @Nato G @Toru Nui @Vezok's Friend IC: Escus - Arena Vulcanus Escus gave a slight nod to the next to arrive, a hooded and quiet Glatorian of Vulcanus. He turned back towards the voice, set his jaw, and raised his brows as the Ferrumite spoke. "That's the impression I'm getting, from what little I've heard. My sympathies." He spun his axe around and placed it on the ground, then lowered himself to sit cross-legged on the floor of the arena. He breathed in deeply, and then regretted it. All he could smell was sulfurous vapours, and the heat made the inside of his nose itch. The corners of his mouth turned up in a hint of a grimace. "All the same, who ever likes to go home anyway?" OOC: @Burnmad @~Xemnas~ @a goose

IC: Xani (Atero) Slave trading was not an easy job, contrary to popular belief. Slaves had to be acquired, kept in check and delivered to customers, which usually required a lot of travel and a lot of coercion. Worse of all, it wasn't the job Xani wanted to do, but it was the only thing that gave her the living standards she deserved. As such, after a successful trade deal had been completed in Iconox, she figured she had earned a short vacation of sorts. So she took her Baranus chariot and headed to Atero, where Grand Tournament was going to be held. She didn't actually enjoy spectating fighting games that much, but this time of year it was full of folks from all kinds of different tribes and cultures. For a short while, she figured, she could try out her old life and showcase some of her artwork. Who knows, maybe someone would buy something for once, though she doubted it. Or maybe she could sign a trade deal involving slaves instead... After she arrived in Atero, she left her chariot and Spikit inside the stables near the city gates. She was planning to setup a public display of her finest crafts in one of the busier streets, but first she just wanted to take it easy and take a walk around the city. She hadn't been here in a couple years, so she wondered if anything had changed. The streets were just as crowded as before, though she noted the lower number of Iron Tribe members. But what really caught her attention was a pair of her fellow Ice Tribe members. She was relieved to see her kin here among all these strangers and walked towards them. As she got closer, she thought she could even recognize one of them. The two appeared to be having a conversation, so she tried to be polite. "Ahem, sorry to interrupt you two, but..." she said, then looked at the glatorian: "You are... Wreck, right? You're here to represent our Iconox at the upcoming tournament, I presume?" OOC: @Toru Nui@That Matoran with a Vahimind if i butt in conveniently with another ice tribe char

IC: Somok - Precipere "Nothing of note," Somok answered absently, finally setting aside the tablet to focus on the two beings before him, "Have there been any developments in the other villages, beyond the fate of Ferrum or the coming Tournament?" Somok considered himself a big-picture person. His duty was to the village as a whole, and as such he paid little attention to the coming and goings of a lone healer who chose to roam around supporting the people of other villages instead of their own. He quite honestly had no idea how long Xyde had been gone this time, or what they were or weren't aware of, and he didn't care enough to ask. They weren't here for small talk. @Geardirector @Toru Nui

IC: Maxas and Lutenus (Atero, Red Star Inn) - He’s Who’s Father? “We’ll be seeing them again.” Lutenus murmured. “I know Celrys, as a… shall we say, repeat customer?” He indicated to his eye and the device jutting from his skull. “Perhaps I should ask him about his family… but that’s a secondary concern, next to the Games. Speaking of which - perhaps it’s best we make preparations to depart…” Maxas left the building. @oncertainty IC: Vraek (Streets of Atero) - Personable Assistance “‘Personal assistant’?” Vraek couldn’t quite suppress a chuckle at that. “No, no, I do not think that will be necessary…” She smiled, but then realised this might be interpreted as a refusal. “You can join me, of course, but not in any official capacity. I cannot refuse you, but… do try not to make a spectacle of it. It should be perfectly acceptable for you to accompany me to Tajun, but that does not guarantee no one will baselessly object.” Honour demanded she not turn this woman away… no matter how bad it would look to drag an outcast of her tribe around. “I’m afraid I haven’t booked anywhere in Atero to stay, I don’t plan to be here long. It will soon be time to leave Atero, in any case. We’ll have to wait for the caravans to get started… ” @That Matoran with a Vahi IC: Xyde (Precipere, Somok’s Hut) - Got Stuck in Traffic? Xyde slotted themself into a chair, just getting comfortable as Salwa arrived. “Righty then.” They were a little confused by the Head Scout’s fatigue, as well as her words. ‘Got held up’? By what? But anyway… “So, I got back in the middle of things, so could we go over the whole thing again? We’re off to Ferrum, I know, but did anything change while I was gone?” @Nato G @Geardirector