Unreliable Narrator

IC: Nuparu, Nuparu’s Workshop, Onu-Metru “Oh, you mean Papa Podu’s Po-Metru Pizzeria.” Nuparu chuckled. “I admit I indulge in more than a healthy amount of it when I’m designing on a deadline. It’s been nice to talk with a fellow inventor after my day. Let me change out of these robes. It’ll only be a minute.” He disappeared through a door in the back of the workshop, leaving Knichou to his own devices. Nuparu returned shortly wearing soft wool archivist robes in black and grey.The two tone colors of his outfit made the purple of his pakari pop. “It’s just around the corner,” Nuparu explained as he led them out onto the bustling walkway and locked the workshop behind them. The walkways bordered a busy street full of hoverbikes and ussal cart peddlers. Blocks of solid protodermis and live rahi were carted about by working matoran. A white skakdi was talking with a matoran. They were tucked near the entrance to an alley between two shops with glowing neon lights above the doors of business. Nuparu noticed the skakdi, felt a flutter of concern about seeing a skakdi during wartime, then reminded himself that not all skakdi were the enemy. He looked away ashamed and began talking with Nuparu to take his mind off it as they walked through the crowd towards Papa Podu’s Pe-Metru Pizzeria. “If it’s not painful, could you tell me of the beauty of your island? I’ve heard the legends all matoran hear, of course, but what is it like to live in paradise?” OOC: Dark Hunters, that's the guy! Take the shot before he gets away! IC: Brutaka, Island Outpost, Silver Sea “You are too kind, Iona,” Brutaka replied after a moment of silence. He weighed her words carefully, considering what hid behind her casual air. “You’re right, there are good people and bad people, but it’s not as simple as that. Every cause is just in the eyes of the believer, but some believers lead themselves astray. Our enemy believes they are not given their fair share. They believe the matoran are too weak to truly be the chosen people of this world. There are many other beings besides matoran in this world who feel similarly, and now they bind themselves to the League in hopes of creating their great eutopia of equality. Since Metru-Nui and its allies refused their diplomatic dealings and treaties they build their eutopia with war. The Great Spirit ordained the matoran as the keepers and protectors of the land and sea. Your people are the chosen ones. Those who believe in the words of the Great Spirit can only see that as finite truth. The League’s cause is blasphemy, challenging the word and order of the Great Spirit. Every day they transgress further from Mata-Nui’s light.” Brutaka picked up a large rock from the beach. He tossed it in his palm, judging the weight, then cast it into the sea. It skipped off into the horizon. “The Order of Mata-Nui follows the teachings of the Great Spirit, and preserves the delicate balance. I believe you have it in you to follow those teachings, and help lead others on the correct path.”

There is no character cap. I recommend making as many as you can consistently play though.

@Smudge8 your character is good to go. Maybe check your negatives and double negatives in your profile, but I think I get the gist of it.

OOC: @BULiK, @sunflower, late night short post. Didn't want to leave you hanging. IC: Nuparu, Nuparu’s Workshop, Onu-Metru “I wonder as much,” Nuparu said with a sigh. “It’s all too conveniently timed. This wasn’t originally my design. The Toa Mangai found it early on in the war, I was told. I was tasked with completing it, but…” He placed a hand on the jumbled together prototype. “I’m not sure it’s in our interest to complete it. Lhikan said,” Nuparu caught himself. “I’ve said too much. Thank you for looking it over. Maybe Turaga Dume will decide you’re worthy of picking up where I stopped. Look at me all out of sorts. Was there anything else you were wanting to ask me about?” IC: Brutaka, Island outpost, Silver Sea “Yes, many have experience, but I see a certain destiny in you,” Brutaka replied. “Have you stopped to consider what’s behind this conflict? For example, I’m no matoran, and yet I fight for their cause.”

Hey @xccj and @Click, just wanted to let you know you have characters in the same Metru. With all the activity in Onu- I didn't want you two to miss each other.

Triki is good to go, @xccj

So, "Revamp" sounds like a krahka in species. Approved if treated similarly. 01/31/2020: "Revamp" no longer approved. TLR has been asked to step away from SKE.

IC: Brutaka, island base, Silver Sea The tent was hot in the tropical afternoon. Small flies buzzed near the ceiling. Brutaka looked Iona over with a sense of superior command. He had cleaned his armor since the battle. Iona was spattered in vahki oil. Her casual tone wasn't lost on him, but he also didn't chastise her for it. Instead, he turned back toward the tent flap and nodded outside. "Walk with me." He led her out from the tent in the courtyard of the liberated fortress and down towards the beach. He strode with hands behind his back, Iona struggling to keep up with the titan’s languid pace. Soft sand gave way beneath their feet before Brutaka spoke again. It caught Iona off guard. “Your team disabled the hau-shield quicker than I anticipated. I’m grateful. Several of my men’s lives were spared with your speed and good judgement. You’re turning out to be a rather good officer.” He didn’t stop walking. Iona spluttered, turning her head to one side as she let out a deep breath, then caught herself as she tried to catch up. “Uh, thanks. I’m just trying to do my best given the circumstances.” Brutaka stopped. Iona nearly walked into him. “You give yourself too little credit. A compliment from your superior was given. Accept it.” Iona tried nodding. It felt stiff and incredibly uncomforting, like nails on the chalkboard of the soul. “There may be some hope for you yet.” Brutaka laughed as he resumed walking. “After observing your performance on the field, your abilities with your team, and your compassion for your subordinates I have determined you fit for an opportunity. Tell me, have you heard of the Order of Mata-Nui?”

IC: Nuparu, Nuparu’s Workshop, Onu-Metru Nuparu nearly lost himself in the designs shown on the iStone data tablet. They were the wild and beautiful projects only dreamable in Artahka’s realm of abundance. Armor that could mold itself to the environment around it, a backpack case that did the same -- adaptive technology was astounding in and of itself. He wanted to ask if they had applied it to sleeping arrangements. Instead, he said; “I appreciate you visiting me, but you are mistaken. I am no longer Turaga Dume’s chief engineer, and can’t provide as much as when I was. However, if my social standing allows I am more than happy to provide reference. Metru-Nui will be needing a new spokesperson for us designers. With your adaptive armor maybe you could set an example? “I’m sorry to hear about Artahka. I was hoping to visit someday. The blockade has eliminated our trade routes, but we receive a small refugee airship. They’re currently in Ta-Metru if you wanted to visit them. Maybe someone you know is there? Come, I want to show you something. Nuparu beckoned Knichou to follow him into his workshop, pointing at a strange device in the middle stages of prototyping. It was a large circular structure, with slots for kanoka discs along its rim. A circular platform in the center, big enough for a toa, formed the base of the structure. Paneling lay on the ground waiting to be welded on, and its exposed wires were a mess of colors. “Turaga Dume commissioned this, but I’m afraid I don’t have the heart to finish. What do you make of this?”

@EmperorWhenua, Stannis is good to go. @TheLegoRoleplayer, "Victim" is good to go. Please DM me the mechanics of how his power works and what the Shadowed One knows about it. Thanks. 01/21/2020: "Victim" no longer approved. Needs further description of weakness for immortality. 01/21/2020: "VIctim" approved after additional weaknesses for immortality added. 01/31/2020: "Victim" no longer approved. TLR has been asked to step away from SKE.

You can decide what would fit best for your character's signature style.

Kilo-M9 is good to go as per our previous conversations.

IC: Nuparu, Onu-Metru There was a booming sound as someone pounded on the workshop door. Nuparu looked up from his desk. He had just sharpened his tracing pencils and a steaming beverage perched precariously near the edge. “Come in, it’s open,” Nuparu called as he rose from his seat. His workshop was a high ceiling room with a loft for his drawing supplies and boards. While many of the modern engineers worked with newer technology for their blueprints, Nuparu still found a certain peace and tranquility in sketching them first by hand. He clambered down the metal ladder from the loft and made his way to greet his guest. A white and grey matoran with purple accents stepped through the door onto the workshop floor. A large solid case was worn on their back. Odd, but Nuparu couldn’t find fault in the matoran’s choice of gear, given then he’d opted to simply slip a greasy apron over his official robes. Nuparu tried his best to smile after today’s previous events. “Welcome to my workshop. May I help you?” IC: Brutaka, Silver Sea “Ah, thought I’d find you here.” A deep voice pulled Iona from her vahki inspection. The blue and gold titan stepped into the tent. He looked tired. “How is your squad, Iona?”

OOC: @Dane and @Nato the Traveler IC: Various, Onu-Metru The chute system leading into Onu-Metru was particularly crowded today with matoran leaving work early on account of a cough, or a twisted ankle, or a sticky gear, or their friend’s naming day ceremony. Even with vahki working full swing to bring the public back to some semblance of order during the working hours, Nuparu chose a private and slower ride home from the colosseum. He needed time to be alone with his thoughts. The floating rickshaw pulled by an ussal smelled of yesterday’s incense to the Great Spirit and leather polish. He could never forget his morning visit with Toa Lhikan. No, it was just Lhikan now. And he was in chains. Nuparu’s world of innocent engineering shattered with orders to build that thing. As if he would disgrace his holy engineering workshop by modifying a vahki into a tool of war and torture. The vahki already pushed the limits of his morals. After a while Nuparu realized his fingers were sore from digging into the arm rest. “I’d be better off doing this for work,” he grumbled to himself, “at least I could sleep easy maybe.” The beads in the front of the rickshaw rustled and the matoran driver peered inside. “Did you need something?” “Just thinking.” Nuparu smiled. “That’s all.” “Okay. Well please help yourself to the coconut milk or water in the small cooler if you need a refreshment. It’s my pleasure to drive the chief engineer.” Nuparu couldn’t correct his driver about the loss in title. Part of him didn’t believe today had happened. He’d wake up in a few minutes, incense died out above the forge in his workshop, having fallen asleep at his drawing desk. Any minute now… “This is your stop, yes?” The driver called from outside the beaded curtain. Nuparu blinked, rubbed his eyes, and looked out. “Yes.” He paid the driver and thanked him in a daze. As the rickshaw disappeared down the street Nuparu looked at his weathered hands. Then his vision focused on the elaborate purple and black sleeve hem of his once official station. The soft linen would need to be returned to the colosseum. He’d send someone tomorrow to deliver it. Going back might never be an option for him. There had been too much conflict today. He had chosen a side in that, but was he right? Turaga Dume’s arguments were justified in wartime, but Lhikan was right as well: the price would be too high. Finally, much later than he expected, Nuparu the inventor returned to his workshop home.

Hey @Click, Karista is approved.

@Conway, Irna is approved. @BULiK, Knichou is approved.

@sunflower Iona is cleared for play. Something to think about: what scares her?

Good to go for Tallea, @Silvan Haven

@Dane, Thom is good to go. I like how you built in fail states and restrictions to the powers and tech.

Hi there! @Nato the Traveler, Vyarik is approved for play. I'm interested to see how the crast-based kanoka blades work. @Darth Jaller,Varxii is welcome to the party!

Vashni sounds cool, approved! Just as a nudge for thought, what pushes her over the edge or makes her break her morals as a character (flaws)?

I am willing to approve Skorm as long as there is a realistic range for how far Sko and Orm may be apart before the kanohi power fails. We can figure that out IC.

Atamia is approved for play!

@King of Kings, your character Jutori is good to go! Excited to see them in game.

OOC: The league of six kingdoms has formed! Six members from the Order of Mata Nui ceded from the Great Spirit’s light and have announced their plans of domination and subjugation. Matoran civilization has fallen across the silver sea, and now only Metru-Nui is left. You live in a world at war! With the battle lines drawn, which side do you fall on? As war rages abroad, so too does a different conflict begin in the matoran homeland... IC: The colosseum, Metru-Nui Turaga Dume’s neck cracked as he raged in his office. The vahki in attendance stood on standby. “What do you mean he won’t talk about it?” He bellowed at the assembled matoran. They shuffled with insecurity. An onu-matoran with soft purple robes raised a hand in an attempt to interject. “What Nuparu? Why can’t you build something that makes him talk? First the useless Kralhi and now these!” Turaga Dume threw an iStone data tablet at one of the vahki enforcers. It bounced against the head without drawing motion. “Just as useless in protecting this city. I’m beginning to think your useless creations have a useless source.” “They’re not designed to torture.” Nuparu whispered. “What was that? Speak up.” “I won’t build torturers.” Nuparu defied. Turaga Dume stomped forward, grabbed Nuparu by his robes, and said, “get out. You’re stripped of your post. If you can’t build what this city needs to keep the peace, you can be replaced.” If Nuparu felt anything he tried not to show it. A rorzakh escorted the discarded inventor from the office. The other matoran waited in fear for Turaga Dume’s next outburst. Instead, he stepped out onto the open balcony overlooking the colosseum floor from his office atop the tallest structure in Metru-Nui. Screens flickered to life, portraying his likeness across island. “My people,” Turaga Dume started his speech, “your turaga brings good news. The criminal Lhikan and his traitorous companions have been found. The vahki will no longer need to sweep our streets and request access to our homes. I apologize for the inconvenience, but this is a time of war. And in the war against those who no longer walk in the light we must be ever vigilant.” He raised his hands in a grand display. “I bring also a test of courage and district pride. I have confirmed with the archivists that their records show the great discs are no legend. They are merely… Lost. Find them and Mata Nui will reward you with the powers of toa to save and spread his light. Remember the virtues. Be United. Do your Duty. Fulfill your Destiny. You are safe in the light.” The screens across Metru-Nui returned to their normal broadcasts as he stepped away from the balcony. Back in his office the council had begun discussing the news of the great discs. “Turaga, why did you not say one has already been found?” Asked a matoran scholar from Ga-Koro. Her arms were crossed and she eyed the last traditional leader of matoran society with the concern of a teacher. “Because we are putting it back,” Turaga Dume said as he sat down at his desk. “This meeting is over. Find Metru-Nui a new chief inventor. We can talk about the front lines tomorrow.” … Corpses burned on the sandy beach of a small nameless island in the silver sea. The matoran and toa who gave their lives to win back this worthless hunk of rock were loaded into containment spheres for transport back to Metru-Nui. Three teams of vahki mopped up what enemies clung to life. The ones not crushed in gravity wells, absorbed by the earth, or burned by elemental flames. A giant of a man in gold and blue armor stood where the water met the shore. His mask was covered in the sprays of battle. A soldier of Metru-Nui approached him, holding out a data tablet. “Sir, coordinates for the next stage.” The giant stirred. “Thank you. Any news of home?” “Apparently Turaga Dume has found the great discs. He’s rewarding citizens with toa powers for finding them.” “You mean bribing. It makes no difference in the end. Did we capture our target?” “No, the barraki escaped through a portal. We couldn’t follow.” A frown. “A portal?” “Yes sir.” He turned back to look at the ruined tower on the island’s small hill. An hour ago he was up there slaughtering vortixx to shut down the hau-powered shield array. Now, without his sword, he felt out of his element. “That’s unfortunate. Let’s get the wounded tended to tonight and push to the next island tomorrow morning. We’ll get him eventually.” “Barraki Ehlek is slippery sir, but if you say so I can believe Mata-Nui wills it so.” “He does. We are in the light.” The toa nodded and made his way back up the beach towards the tents blossoming at the tower’s base. … On the docks of a nearby island in the silver sea a group of mercenaries had been assembled. They were as varied as the many cultures within the League of Six’s ever-growing borders. Carapar liked that. Before speaking he enjoyed the orange and purple sunset reflected in the silver waters lapping beneath the docks. It reminded him of the sandy shores of his homeland far to the south. “I am told there is lost nynrah tech at the coordinates near where we tracked the recent wreck,” Carapar said slowly. While his mind moved quickly -- quicker than Takadox could ever know -- he still stumbled getting the words out. “Something apparently went wrong with the navigation systems in the nynrah vessel before it crashed. You are to find what is at these coordinates. If it is useful, bring it back for the war effort. If it is not, burn it.” A retrofitted merchant airship docked near the assembled mercenaries would be theirs for the voyage. Carapar had desired giving them an actual warship with updated arms and supporting scout vessels. Unfortunately, it was not up to Carapar. He wasn’t even supposed to be here. He straightened himself and continued speaking. “It is my hope you reach your destination quickly. For the League,” he said and walked off toward the cavern serving as the island’s base to let the mercenaries begin their adventure. ... The assassination contract reached the secretive operatives of the Dark Hunters stationed within Metru-Nui. It was simple: eliminate the matoran Nuparu. OOC: Welcome to week 1 of Six Kingdoms! Your faction quests are as follows: Metru-Nui: seek the great discs hidden somewhere in the regional metrus for toa power. Metru-Nui: explore the recently conquered island and plan the next assault. League of Six: Recover from the recent attack on your island base. League of Six: Take the merchant vessel to recover the lost tech. Dark Hunters: Assassinate Nuparu.