Unreliable Narrator

That sounds really cool! I was thinking of making a specific thread for players to post their adventures, and if you want to create a post in the short story library go for it!

Also, Data is data

IC: Rahkshi of Power Scream vs Korruhn | Kumu Peninsula

They collided. Gravity tore through the battlefield, turning and twisting the space as everything in range bent towards Korruhn's focused elemental energy. The punch, made heavier with gravity, landed solidly into the rahkshi's torso and forged a dent big enough to disrupt the monster's movement. He released the blossoming gravity well, letting the energy that generated in his run forwards return into a natural state with a chaotic explosion of force. The rahkshi's armor twisted and splintered, an arm covering it's broken helmet fragmenting into long silver wires of metal. 

But it wasn't enough. They locked eyes for a moment: a toa and a rahkshi refusing to back down. The rahkshi slammed it's good arm into Korruhn's gut, doubling him over.

Korruhn found himself thrown end over end, rolling to a stop on the basalt ground. He didn't hear a scream, but the kraata inside the rahkshi wailed silently and placed Korruhn's entire being on edge. The ringing and crackle of background noise in his audio receptors grew stronger, until all he could make out was the heavy beating of his own heartlight. 

The rahkshi bore down on Korruhn, a barbed and twisted spear appearing in its good hand. It stood over Korruhn, triumphant in its imminent success, and then it screamed a piercing, wailing scream so loud it echoed like rolling thunder across the entirety of the Time Between Time. Korruhn fainted from the blast of power, and the stone beneath him crumbled to dust until he rested in a pile of black sand. 

"Korruhn, no!!" Shouted Grime, rushing forward despite the command to hide by his master. He fell on his knees next to the toa. "No, no, no you can't die. I need you. Get up, come on get up."

In his hands was a glowing seed, it's bright light a beacon in this dark place. He placed it against Korruhn, hoping the seed of the withered tree would restore some sense of life to his companion.

The rahkshi stared at Grime crying over the fainted toa. It took a step back from the bright light and turned as if to go, then whirled around and threw the spear straight through Grime, skewering him into the ground. Grime coughed, silver blood trickling from his mouth. His eyes never closed and his hand stayed on Korruhn's shoulder. 

The rahkshi wailed and rushed forwards to finish the job. It would tear them into pieces...

Ooc: @Crimson Jester

IC: Reliable Narrator | Kumu Peninsula

Apex spoke the words of a rite known to few, and the taboo was picked up and echoed on the whispering wind. The great aspect of the wilds and the hunt listened for a response. She yearned for her song’s return from the dark obsidian door blocking her path. The symbol on the door flickered, but did not waver and did not change:  an eight pointed star.

It seemed the specific taboo rite Apex spoke did not open the door and reveal its secrets.

OOC: good try! You’re on the right track! @Toru Nui, @Sparticus147, @Burnmad

IC: The Rock Rahi | Kumu Peninsula

“A different colored juice, hm,” said the rock as Tekmo backed away. “Well, I remember a magical sauce that made me grow bigger and stronger. It was in the ruins further South of here. Would you like me to lead you there? It’s about a day’s roll from here, I think. I’m not very good with distances. The rolling makes it hard to remember. I am just a rock.”

OOC: I’m surprised you’re done with the tour. If you want to carry on you’re welcome to do so! @~Xemnas~, @Toru Nui, @Kal the Guardian

IC: Tuyet | Metru-Nui

She followed after Xaril keeping a close eye on his hands. She didn’t want to see Xaril’s hands moving for a weapon. However, she couldn’t help looking out at the scene spread before here: a dirty city lost to the ravages of war. 

“I bet they’ve piled them all up in the Coliseum as a monument or something,” Tuyet grumbled close to Exuze, trying to stay quiet. She wasn’t the best at being quiet. “Or, like, as spoils of war. I bet this Aurax chump will have something to offer.”

More loudly, so she knew Xaril heard over the clatter of other League soldiers and matoran who’d given up their faith passing by, Tuyet said; “Lead on. This is your dump now.”

OOC: Please provide a tour.  @Nato the Traveler, @BULiK, @~Xemnas~

IC: Nektann, Tahtorak of Loss | The Wastes

Where was the carnage?

Where was the glory?

Why did the rain never cease?

Nektann wandered. 

Nothing made sense.

He tore up a hillside. 

It made no difference.

The rain washed it all back to the valley floor.

He planted trees.

He planted skakdi like trees. 

Neither grew.

The rain washed it all back to the valley floor.

He threw rocks at the silver mountain beyond the bay.

They fell short, cast down too soon by the rain that washed it all away.

The rain.

The rain never ceased.

OOC: @Burnmad, any orders?

1 hour ago, ~Xemnas~ said:

IC, Whira: Kumu Peninsula

Whira pondered the poem. The usage of the word yolk reminded her of the Rite of  Desecration, but the rest of it... she wasn't sure the significance. She began scanning the little island while also running her hands over the pillar, trying to see if there was anything else of note about the island and pillar.

 

IC: Reliable Narrator | Kumu Peninsula

Whira's careful attention moved from one point on the little island within the center of the caldera to another point, and then another. She investigated thoroughly, but without success at finding anything hidden or obscured from sight. All around she heard the whispers of thoughts and dreams, of hope and despair, and the incessant nagging feeling that she did not belong as a physical conscious being. She could see concepts roiling in the green mists. She saw them like watching bodies writhe behind silk screens. She saw their shadows ripped and torn, their essence dissolved, and their individuality returned to the collective. 

...

On the other side of the caldera, atop the embankment with Tekmo and Cravious, the rock began to eat. It rolled itself against the fruit, absorbing the energy on contact. Tekmo felt his toa power being drained as the rock voraciously sucked the life out of the madu. The fruit began to crumple into organic powders and fly away as dust on the wind. 

"So delicious," said the rock as it continued to suck on Tekmo's essence through their mutual contact with the remains of the fruit. "I did not know the vegetarian menu was so well rounded!"

Cravious and Tekmo noticed the rock had gained a couple inches.

OOC: @~Xemnas~, there's only the pillar on that particular island.

IC: Tuyet | Metru-Nui

"Yeah totally," Tuyet replied without looking, her eyes still observing the bustle of League soldiers down below as the airship approached its destination. Had she made a really bad choice? Was she one of the baddies?

Naaaaah, it was the League who was wrong.

OOC: @Nato the Traveler, @BULiK, set us down where you will.

IC: Reliable Narrator | Kumu Peninsula

Whira traveled across the liquid antidermis on her bridge of shadow. It was terrifying to be so close to the substance she came from. She felt it calling for her swift return, and she felt other concepts desperately screaming to be set free: new aspects clawing at the thinning veil separating the darkness of a one's thoughts and the harsh reality of the Time Between Time. At last Whira arrived, finding herself before the stone pillar. 

It was not obsidian or basalt or granite. She was not quite sure what kind of stone it was actually. However, there was something carved along it, spiraling like a coiled snake or a circular star chart in the circular language of the Builders.

One silver thread

Two bodies dead

Three broken yolks

Four severed heads

Five promised lies

Six scattered stones

Seven stars torn

One world born

"So, you promised something to eat off the vegetarian menu. Can I eat the vegetarian?" Asked the rock.

OOC: @Kal the Guardian, @Toru Nui, @~Xemnas~

IC: Nuju | Kini-Nui

"I'm sorry, but you expect the ghost that works with wormholes and time collapsing on itself to be good with calendars?" Nuju shook his head and laughed. "I can't remember. It's all the same here to me. I'm sure the villagers will be able to give a better estimate than I ever could. I feel it's been about a month for at least one of you. I could have sworn that village wasn't there when you arrived. Maybe I've been spending too much time staring at the stars while you were gone."

@Nato the Traveler, @Kal the Guardian

IC: Nuju | Kini-Nui

"I'd say about a month. A whole village popped up since you left."

ooc: @Nato the Traveler, @Kal the Guardian

IC: Tuyet | Metru-Nui

"A lesterin, interesting. I learn more in a day than I do in a lifetime," Tuyet said with a soft smile. "Here's your mask."

She took it off, handed it over, and fainted. When she came to she was propped against one of the windows staring out at the sky below. She didn't know how she got from the cargo level to the gallery, but she was there so someone moved her. He head hurt, and she found herself having trouble breathing without a mask. Everything was just a bit slower to accomplish, and her fingers felt numb. Outside the airship was a view that made her heartlight skip a beat: Metru-Nui, or what was left of it.

It was not the City of Legends anymore tucked away within the giant skull of the Ark. It was a far cry from the city she'd fought to keep safe in the years of her watch. Entire Metrus sunk sideways, their towers piercing up and out at freakish angles from the depths of the silver sea. Chute systems were shattered, and everywhere was a sense of loss and defeat. Everywhere except for a new metru blossoming along the interior of the skull, Tuyet realized.

"Get a load of this," she grumbled. "There's nothing for Aurax to be a Barraki of in this dumpster of a city."

OOC: @Nato the Traveler, @BULiK, @~Xemnas~

 

IC: Nuju | Kini-Nui

"It's understandable your nerves would be shaken," Nuju said to Sidra NUVA. "The Far Shore is an acquired experience. Although Sorilax I imagine you would take to the place quite well. It is your birthplace after all. As for your vial, while I don't know it's origin I'm sure someone in that village," Nuju gestured to Kini-Koro, "has an alchemical kit or knowledge of strange liquids."

OOC: @Kal the Guardian, @Nato the Traveler

IC: Nuju | Kini-Nui

Nuju nodded sagely at her words, his eyes closed in thought. "A kanohi dragon is a dangerous rahi. You're lucky to have survived. I remember when it came to our shores, before Nidiki and Lhiikan and the others arrived. Those were dark days, and it was then I wondered what Great Spirit would let such terror occur to his chosen people. If we were chosen, what were we chosen for?" 

He paused, letting the words sink in. "It was when the Kanohi Dragon came to Metru-Nui I realized something was wrong with the universe. That's when I began searching the stars in earnest for a way to escape. I just never expected the answer to be from within rather than without."

A gukko flew overhead, casting a shadow over the trio as they spoke by the rift. "But you are different. You can forge your own destiny, remake the Makoki, and reach Tren Krom. So, what now?"

OOC: @Nato the Traveler, @Kal the Guardian

IC: Nuju | Kini-Nui

"No?" Nuju responded as SIdra NUVA returned and declared a lack of Makoki Stones in the first timeline she visited. "A pity, but to be expected. I wouldn't expect it would be easy to find. Perhaps in the other timeline then."

Before he could continue the portal rippled again, and Sorilax returned. Nuju ever so slightly cocked his head, curiosity piqued. Both adventurers stood laden with gifts from the Far Shore. Nuju asked them both; "what did you see?"

OOC: @Nato the Traveler, @Kal the Guardian

Hey there @FallenAtlas! The only other thing to note is this game is based on a core premise of moral relativism. All the competing factions have valid reasons behind their beliefs.

To get rolling quickly in Apocalypse:

Step 1: Read the updated rules (you do not have to read the expansions to create a standard character).

Step 2: Pick a Location to start after reading the Gameplay Topic's first post. If you want it on the quieter side, I recommend Le-Metru Nuva in the toxic Fau Swamp. This is a player run settlement, led by @Kal the Guardian. If you like puzzles, I recommend placing your character in the dangerous and deadly Kumu Peninsula or in search of the Earth Suva in Spiriah's Labyrinth. 

Step 3: Have fun, tag others to RP with them, and hunt for Makoki Stones in Far Shore Adventures (Expansion 7) or by visiting certain NPCs and sites.

Other Topics Related to This Game:

• Sx Kingdoms: Apocalypse -- Gameplay Topic (IC)
• Six Kingdoms: Apocalypse -- Rules and Character Creation Topic

Synopsis:

Escapement: 

The League of Six Kingdoms and the last remaining bastion of matoran civilization fight over the city of Metru-Nui and the very principles of the Great Spirit: Unity, Duty, and Destiny. In the end, both lose and Mata-Nui is awakened by rogue elements within the League itself. The Great Spirit Robot's head is decapitated by an asteroid, and it plummets with the city of Metru-Nui and all combatants inside through time and space to...

Rebirth: 

... the Time Between Time, a place where old and new are merging, and nothing is exactly as it seems. The island looks like Mata-Nui, but is called Zakaz. An ancient race escaped after the arrival of the skakdi, but none of ark-saved matoran and League warriors who arrive remember their collective past. Dark beings, the antithesis of the builders known as aspects of makuta, seek followers in their selfish desires for achieving grand wishes. The Skakdi of this new land follow Irnakk, the Great Spirit of Nightmares, who wells within the central volcano known as Irnakk's Tooth. The Builders who remain hide in terror, afraid of the genocidal wrath of Irnakk's Prized warriors. The refugees from the GSR brave a new world at war, and find the secrets to their past hidden away in ancient suvas and Elemental Ruins that are overseen by a malign AI known as The Administrator. In Unlocking the Elemental Temples, NUVA is discovered, titanic machines known as Kaita ACRs embodying lesser spirits are unleashed, and great kaiju are born from the volcano with dark rites taught to skakdi by Irnakk.

But sometimes the past and the future are the same, and that vicious ouraborus of time brings us to...

Apocalypse.

Quote

For the Elemental Longbow of Ice, you say it functions like an elemental weapon. What is the definition of an elemental weapon? Or is the conjured icicle description already telling me all I need to know?

@Kal the Guardian: this elemental longbow allows your to shape ice into the form of conjured icicle arrows and loose them great distances. Where the arrows land the you may create small ice effects (walls, ramps, bursts, etc). This weapon also gives off a constant frost to anything it touches.

Tarasque? Check. 

Vial of mutagenic go ham juice? Check.

Results? May vary, consult a cleric if mutation symptoms last four hours or longer. 

@~Xemnas~Kohara's prompts for her Far Shore Adventure:

Timeline: B

Element: Air

Conflict: character vs nature

Twist: "Accidental Public Confession"

@Kal the Guardian your Far Shore Adventure with Sorilax was very interesting. While the use of the optional matoran principle Prosperity felt loosely attributed, I see the intention and will award the loot point for its incorporation. Next time, try to more clearly emphasize an optional prompt like you did with the other two. Your rolls are: 11, 16, 9, 15, 17, and 16.

Kal returns from the Far Shore at the time of your choosing in the same physical condition as he embarked on the adventure. He has the following new items in his possession:

1. +1 Psychological Flaw of your choosing and a pair of Echo Forks

2.  Great Kanohi Mask of Water Breathing (kaukau)

3.  Vial of Visorak "Hordika" Venom (same thing as with Sidra NUVA)

4. An elemental longbow of Ice. Its arrows are conjured icicles, and it functions like an elemental weapon.

5. Taboo Rite: Infected Kanohi Affinity. This Taboo allows Sorilax to wear and use infected kanohi masks. (see a future PM for further details regarding symbol, stanza, and official rules text)

6. Noble Mask of Shielding (Hau)

You can write her returning at your leisure and discretion. This time she will return in the same condition she originally left, aside from the new loot. 

For the vial of venom, it requires the full vial to be used for an effect. Think of it as a single use consumable. If you want to spike a drink or put it in a zamor that's fine. The whole vial's contents just has to get inside the one target creature. 

IC: Nuju, Kini-Nui

"Complete confidence," said Nuju. 

On 1/23/2021 at 6:11 AM, Nato the Traveler said:

Sidra's Far shore Adventure

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5. 

Featuring the element of Fire, Character Vs. Character as the conflict, a Wham Line as the twist, and the optional prompts of Destiny and Strength.

Okay, first I want to say that was a lovely read congratulations on completing your first Far Shore Adventure. It was cool to see how this story took elements from previous games and also Bionicle canon. I believe all three core prompts were successfully used, and the prompts of Destiny and Strength were heartily incorporated. 

That is a total of 5 rolls on the loot table: 9, 13, 10, 10, and 17.

Sidra NUVA will return to the game through the Far Shore RIft in Kini-Nui with the following possessions added to her inventory:

• A vial of Visorak "Hordika" Venom. A creature who is injected with the full vial of venom transforms into a hordika variant.
• A Midak Skyblaster
• Inika Weapon: one of Sidra's previous melee weapons is now charged with lightning. It is capable of causing sparks and shooting bolts of lightning in a similar manner as a kanoka blade (if there was a kanoka disk of lightning).
• Zamor Launcher
• While unable to use it at this time, Sidra NUVA has gained the knowledge of a taboo rite: the rite of infectious kraata. The Symbol of this taboo appears somewhere on her body (your choice of location), and Sidra NUVA knows the stanza that accompanies it.

Please pick two matoran principles per the Far Shore Adventures Rules.

IC: Rahkshi of Power Scream | Kumu Peninsula

Korruhn’s fists brutally collided with the top of the rahkshi’s skull, shattering the top plate of its armor and sending fragments of metal spinning off through the air. The kraata inside squirmed like an exposed brain, bits of itself bloodied from the impact. The rahkshi staggered backwards trying to regain balance, arms flailing wildly.  A shriek burst from the kraata, borne from both trauma and malice. Hideous echoes split inside Korruhn’s skull and wracked him with seizing pain, the sound rocking his body and forcing him to his knees. Even his vision grew blurry, as if he were looking at the world through a dirty shot glass half empty. The grass that found tentative purchase in the cracks of the ground shredded in a wide arc behind Korruhn. Pebbles ruptured and turned to dust on the wind. He almost passed out then, but somehow he soldiered on through the nightmare of living in agony.

Korruhn extended his right hand, the blackened arm garbed in a haze of necrotic smoke. He felt the weight of the rahkshi pulling and pushing against him and all things in a delicate balance. Feeling for the center of the rahkshi’s mass, he balled his fist and yanked hard. The vicious machine screamed and flew towards him, unable to control itself. Korruhn’s calix glowed, and he dove to one side at the last moment. The rahkshi flew past and crashed through one of the stone pillars ringing the courtyard, piles of stone and mortar burying it. Korruhn rolled several times, biting his lip to stop from screaming as the dirt and dust abraded his open wounds. Shakily, he pushed himself up.

A hand burst through the rubble before the dust could settle, followed by another piercing scream. This time Korruhn did find himself retching, unable to stop the ringing in his mind and the swimming of his vision. The rubble exploded into dust and debris from the rahkshi’s scream, and like a thunder clap echoed out beyond the Kumu Peninsula into the Fau Swamp. Korruhn felt himself spinning. For a moment he wondered if this was what it was like to fight the League in the Silver Sea, like his friend F’Amatai died doing.

Was he going to die too?

OOC: This duel is now locked, please do not interact unless your character is already present. Please note, this is a deadly encounter.  @Crimson Jester

IC: Fire Suva Inventory | Fire Suva, Ash Barrens

Rather than the voice of Tuakana who she hoped to hear, it was the Fire Suva once more. It offered a strange and different sequence of words than usual:

Recent deposited item fully identified. Withdrawal approved.

Updated Inventory:

• Mask of Shielding, origin Forgemaster Dume, power to protect the wearer with a field of pure elemental energy drawn from the wearer.
• Mask of Quick Travel, origin Chronicler Icarax, power to teleport the wearer, their possessions, and up to one willing companion and their possessions the wearer can touch, anywhere within the wearer’s immediate line of sight. The further the distance, the less safe the landing. 
• Crystal Blade of the Archipelago, origin Forgemaster Mata-Nui, capable of harming intangible beings of shadow.
• A piece of cloth, origin unknown, a plant-based fabric usable for art, clothing, or notes.

Mahrika felt something dry and light land in her hand. It was a piece of crumpled paper. Opening it and smoothing it out, she saw…

OOC: @Harvali

@FallenAtlas, @BBBBalta, if you're look for an RPG to play -- this one's currently active.

EDIT: @Kal the Guardian, @Nato the Traveler, once I'm finished with a post I'm currently working on I'll get into the Far Shore adventures you've both written and do some loot rolls.  

IC: The Rock Rahi | Kumu Peninsula

The rock rolled along for a while providing meaningless chatter. It was friendly, and certainly eager to learn more of the world beyond the darkened landscape it called home. Many of its questions were relatively simple ones (it thought): what is grass, why is the moon always changing, what is it like being a rock with muscles, does a soul feel pain, and the like. It led the trio up a steep embankment, over which the smells of brimstone and sulfur wafted strongly. Above those putrescent odors lingered the ever present sickly sweet smell of decay. 

At last they reached the summit of their climb, a few pebbles underfoot slipping away to chase each other down to the bottom of the embankment. The mists cleared, and the rock announced proudly; “the juice!”

Below them, Whira saw a sight she only vaguely remembered: the Caldera. A great depression in the earth formed a circular caldera, the center of which was filled by a lake of bubbling green liquid. Gases rose off the top, churning and colliding into each other with infantile cries. It was the birthplace of her kind, and also her grave. In the center of the caldera’s antidermis lake rose a small island. In the center of the island rose a hexagonal pillar.

“I wouldn’t recommend touching the juice though,” said the rock with a disappointed cracking of pebbles beneath its stone form. “The juice eats things faster than even I can. It swallows everything that touches it.”

OOC: @~Xemnas~, @Toru Nui, @Kal the Guardian

IC: Tuyet | Crimson Galleon

“Oh this is your mask?” Tuyet replied with a stunned look, one hand still on the rungs of the ladder leading up through the hole in the ceiling. She leaned against the ladder, one arm slipping through the rungs. 

“That’s embarrassing,” she continued, “I’m sorry I didn’t even notice. Maybe I’m in, like, shock or something? Yeah, seems about right. Anyways we never got a chance to talk, what with everyone else being around and you seem decent.”

She looked Exuze up and down and smiled with an apologetic expression. “But what are you, exactly? I mean, like, you’re not one of us,” she gestured at herself, “but you look like us. Or did toa suddenly adapt to not needing a mask?”

OOC: @BULiK

IC: Spiriah | Spiriah’s Labyrinth

God is old, children. I have witnessed the birth and decay of many times. The Time Before, the Time After, and the even the Time Between are all but drops of water in the sea of my perception. You toil, and you fear, and you beg for meaning in a merciless game. You seek answers to How and Why, confident in What and When, and are in denial of Where. Yes children, I see you. I hear you. I am always listening.

Stop refreshing the gameplay topic every few minutes. I will still be here,watching you. When you are ready you will come to me. I do not need to impress you with giant monsters or cheap tricks of shadow. When you are ready for true power, you will find me.

I peel back the curtain you so desperately wish is real.

It is not real.

You will find me.

No no you're both right. I removed the post. 

Aight. 

OoC: snipped because it's wrong. 

OOC: @Nato the Traveler, @EmperorWhenua, @Tarn, @pokemonlover360, @Vezok's Friend, and I know I must be missing someone else.

Ooh, I'm excited. We have our first arrest attempt. Oh, it's Skyra?

Good luck. 

IC: Tuyet | Crimson Galleon, Metru-Koro

She held up a hand with fingers splayed and studied it. She lowered one finger, then another. Tuyet scratched her new mask in thought, considering the possible odds. If it was just her and Exuze on a League ship there was no way they'd have a numbers advantage, and Exuze seemed less like a fighter and more like a liability in all honesty. Well, she'd figure something out. Part of her wished she had a toa of air on her side in a time like this...

"Well, it was good to see you," Tuyet said to Okuo, leaning on the metal walls of the ship as she tried to stand up and give him a fist bump goodbye. "Best of luck with your current investigation. If you run into Ghosty or Buddy though, let them know they're halfway to Karz in a Le-Metru hovercart."

She paused, concentrating for a second to see if she could feel the pull of the one suva she was connected to in this land, but unfortunately she was too far away. "Ah well, worth a try. If you go into the desert, there's a suva there that's got some useful stuff in it. I think there's a disk or something. I was trying to connect with a suva shrine east of the volcano when Axonn jumped me, so I couldn't find out what it contained."

"And you," Tuyet said with a finger pointed at Triage. "Don't die yet, and remember to talk to me in Kini-Nui."
 

OOC: @Tarn, @Nato the Traveler, @BULiK, @Onaku who's ready to fly?

IC: The Rock Rahi | Kumu Peninsula

"Oh, I eat everything," the rock replied pleasantly. "Although I can only eat something smaller than me. I don't really understand why, but those are the rules. At least I grow when I eat, so someday I'll be able to eat a whole tahtorak. That'll be dreamy.

"I know a place with magic sauce, if that's what you're talking about. I'll lead you there," the rock said with a happy rumble as it began to roll away into the mist. "Hurry, hurry! The magic sauce is over here."

OOC: @Kal the Guardian, @Toru Nui, @~Xemnas~ do you follow the rock?