Not Quite Dead

IC: "Last I heard, the people that specialized in them were dead, banished beyond our mortal coil, or some unfortunate mixture of the two." Skoll spoke rather bitterly, he didn't have many fond memories of his past losses while allied with the Makuta. "Of course, last I heard the people that had specialized in them were quite wealthy too. If some of that wealth hadn't followed it's owner, I would be interested."

OOC: formatting later, literally typed this up in between sets.

OOC: gotta rest properly, lest you snap your self up.

IC: The Skakdi was still alive, hastily bandaged by the purple Toa. Brontes kicked the downed Toa, gently of course. He was a good guy. He responded slightly, confirming Brontes's assumption he was stunned.

"I think they'll live. I don't believe them to be friends of the Koro, I'd strip them of weapons and supplies and leave them chained up."

IC: The Vortixx's words seemed to imply that drinks were not going to be available here. He tuned her out and looked around the room. It looked like any old inn, he noted a suit of Rahkshi armor on the floor. It looked inert. He hadn't seen one of those in for quite a while. It took him back to his days of fighting for Makuta's forces, before the god-spirit-eldritch-whatever had up and vanished, presumably defeated by the island's Toa.

"I haven't seen a Rahkshi in a long time." He said, interrupting the Vortixx's offer of service. "I used to fight for some people that specialized in them." He added, the lingering effects of alcohol overturning his better judgment in discussing such matters in a semi-public venue.

IC: "Why am I on the ground?" Skoll pondered his new home before an armored foot connected with his ribs.

"This is your last warning, scum! If we see your face here again, our friends in the Onu-Koro prison will be your new employers. Hope you like mining." With that, the stout Onu-Matoran and his sadistically grinning bouncers, a Ko-Skakdi and a Fe-Toa slammed the door, Skoll was vaguely aware of their threat. His drunkenness preventing him for fully comprehending it. "Well. Time to move on..."

Skoll attempted to get up, falling once and only reaching a staggered standing stance after several minutes of concentrated effort. This was the third bar this week, he had a nasty habit of getting into fights, sober this would've proved deadly to his attackers. Fortunately for them, he typically only struck after several drinks too many. His first blow usually wrecking innocent chairs, walls or in this most recent case, a cabinet of expensive liquors.

He walked several hours, skirting the nicer regions of Onu-Koro, he was not welcomed in many establishments there, and had little coin to boot. He soon found himself in the oldest, filthiest, most dilapidated area of the city. A dank neighborhood that no one in their right mind would venture to. At the end of street he came upon a building, possibly more miserable looking than himself. "The Ussal .

"What a pigsty. I doubt the owner would turn away even my meager coin." He said to himself before pushing the roughly hewn stone door open.

A lone Vortixx sat at the bar, he paid her no mind and sat down several seats to the left. The bartender was not in sight, but hopefully he would respond to the sound of clinking coins, as he threw several small ones onto the bar. "Where the karz is the service here?"

How about an "accelerate to top speed and ram in to someone" suicide attack?

That sounds fun, if awfully situational.

What's currently going on with Ko-Koro? I had intended to participate in the battle but got caught up in life etc.

Citadel is under attack by Echelon's group.

The main gate is destroyed.

The hospital has some good guys and a couple restrained bad guys floating about.

Ah, gotcha.  Thanks, man.

 

...that said, I think the last time badabababa posted in the Ko-Wahi thread was, like, half a week ago or something.  In which case, maybe I'll just have Joskander have a chat with Brontes or something.

Sounds good to me.

Just don't surprise him, he's in a "shoot first, ask questions later." kind of mindset.

OOC: House, I had implied that Brontes did not fire anything at Weiss. I like the playing dead idea though, so I'll roll with it.

IC Ko-Koro gates

The purple Toa made a sudden movement, attempting to move the wounded Skakdi. Brontes, already nervous and jumpy, let loose his electrical blast, he had intended to let Dahkapa speak with him, but didn't want the dark Toa making any sudden attacks towards the ice Toa. His target made a sickening crackle, accompanied by tweaks and spasms of his limbs, then went down.

Dahkapa looked questioningly at Brontes. "Sorry, my nerves are shot right now and he looked like he was drawing a weapon." Both Skakdi and Toa were now deathly still, "He might not be dead..." Brontes murmered. Though in his mind he was already justifying the kill. "It is a warzone... Give an armed stranger one second and a dozen innocents and I could end up dead. One casulty is acceptable."

IC: Dahkapa (Ko-Koro gates)

 

"Brontes, what are you doing?" he asked when the short Toa walked to the seemingly dead Skakdi. Suddenly, someone appeared from behind a corner, and stumbled on the Skakdi. "Sir Zekev, what happened?", he said. Brontes started to charge up an electric bolt, and Dahkapa immediately ran closer to him. "Brontes, what are you doing again? Do you know if he is friend or foe?"

IC Ko-Koro Gates

"Call it a gut instinct, but yes, I believe he is our enemy." Brontes did realize he had acted overly quick, and let the energies in his hand reduce to a small crackling orb, only enough to stun an unexpecting target, not kill. "You are right that I was hasty though, perhaps we should try to talk to them."

IC (Destroyed gate area)

"Karz, they just keep coming, don't they?" Brontes thought as the tall purple and black Toa moved in to help the fallen Skakdi.

Unlike the Skakdi and Vortixx, Brontes' gut told him this new arrival was most definitely an enemy. And he had a powerful air about him. He saw the Skakdi stir, surprisingly, he must still be alive. They didn't seem to have noticed him yet, and with the Skakdi wounded, this might be his only chance to strike. He began to charge his electrical energy in his free right hand, readying a bolt for the dark Toa.

OOC: Referring to Weiss and Zekev here.

IC: "What an odd fight." Brontes thought to himself as he watched the Vortixx move deeper into the koro.

The Skakdi appeared to be dead, from his angle he looked to have been shot in the head. Not one to miss an opportunity, Brontes moved in, intending to loot whatever he could off the Skakdi's corpse.

Well, the gate is blown open right now. You could enter the city, find your way to the citadel or something.

IC: Brontes came to a stop near the edge of a building, the front of which faced the now ruined gate.

He stuck his head around the corner, in time to see a green Vortixx firing at a white Skakdi. Having never seen any of their kind not aligned to some less than favorable master, he ducked back around the building, content to listen to their exchange for a moment.

IC: Dahkapa (Outside the Sanctum)

 

"Good job", he said to Brontes and patted him on the shoulder. "Now, let's get inside and see.."

 

Suddenly, the earth was shaken and a loud explosion could be heard in the distance. "What was that?" he said nervously. This couldn't be good. Soon, a black and grey pillar of smoke rose to the sky, and it seemed to be coming from the main gate. He tried his best to remain calm, and considered his next move. "Brontes, I think the main gate might've been breached. One of my friends is there, and he might be in danger. Will you come with me?" Meanwhile the guards had already entered the Sanctum, ready to ambush the attackers.

 

OoC: Can I play as the NPC leader of the guards, or would that be against the rules?

Also, color is not working, will fix later

IC: "Yes, let's get moving." With that, Brontes and Dahkapa began running for the gates, Brontes was able to keep up with the Ko-Toa better this time, their previous walk to the Sanctum familiarizing him with the city's layout. Anxiety knawed at his stomach as the column of smoke grew closer, just a few streets away now.

IC: Brontes looked over the door, it was sturdy and the locking mechanism well made. He did not think even a blow from the Ice Toa's warhammer would budge it as it were.

Part of his training had involved learning the properties and characteristics of protosteel and all it's alloys. He could tell this door was made from a variant with low conduction. If he used enough elemental energy he would be able to melt the locking mechanism and open the door. He explained this to Dahkapa and the guards, telling them his power would be slightly drained for a short while.

"I won't be responsible for repair costs either." He joked before approaching the door.

He placed his hands on the handle of one door, connected to the lock within. He then began to channel his electrical energies into it, though they could not see it, the internal device quickly became white-hot and pliable, it had required a large amount of energy to do it, but it seemed to have worked. He and one of the guards threw their weight into the door and it opened with a loud metallic crash. "Sorry about that, hopefully our cover wasn't just blown..."

IC: "Electricity. I have not fought in such a cold area before, but I believe the snow and ice will make quite the medium for conduction."

The two continued walking, the muffled sounds and quakes of battle were quiet, but recognizable far above.

"How long is this tunnel, and do you know where it will open up at?"

OOC: I'll leave it to you to IC the tunnel exit and all that.

OOC: I do now, I had misread your earlier post.

IC: Brontes shivered, the underground passage was colder than above, something he had hardly believe possible. After a several minutes walking he heard a voice through the gloom ahead. "Are you coming with me to the Sanctum?" It was the Ice Toa that Brontes had set out after.

"Yes. I thought it would be best to stay in groups of at least two, going into a hostile situation alone would've been dangerous. I didn't want the people at the Hospital to be caught unawares either. If the defenders have fallen or the battle is turning away from us, it would be best to relay it to them quickly, to ensure they have sufficient time to evacuate the wounded or elderly."

Dahkapa had stood still for a moment, listening to his answer. Giving time for Brontes to catch up and continue walking with him.

"And truthfully, I am not much of a defensive fighter. Holding positions is not my strong suit. I fight better in an open area, with opportunities to observe and surprise my enemies. I don't think I would be very useful if I got caught in a melee in such a close quarters environment."

The young matoran waited under the stars. High on the slopes of Mount Ihu, he stood on the observation deck of one of the great telescopes built in the area. He watched the Red Star with an aura of anticipation, waiting for the sign that the hunt had begun.

It had been thirty thousand years since the artifact inside Kini-Nui had last awoken, and it had been countless more years since the hunts had first begun. If indeed there was a time before the hunts and the chaos they brought with them. Two weeks of death and glory as all those brave enough set out to pursue their prey.

The matoran looked back fondly on the last hunt, he had been a simple librarian in those times, and the island enjoyed peace. Now he was stationed here, one of the countless soldiers enlisted in the civil war. It was a conflict born of misunderstandings and long simmering feuds. The now hostile nation of Ta-Wahi leading it's allies Ga-Wahi and Le-Wahi in a slow and bloody conflict with Ko-Wahi and it's allies Po-Wahi and Onu-Wahi.

Lost in his thoughts, the matoran took several seconds to take notice of the signal that begins our story. The Red Star grew in brightness and intensity quickly and violently, the great amounts of energy therein taking shape, seven bolts of red lightning shot forth, some landing far over the horizon, others closer by. The star dimmed again, thirty thousand years of it's mysterious energy source expelled into their world.

"Beautiful, is it not?" He heard the voice of his commanding officer behind him. He was an older matoran, grizzled and the veteran of a dozen battles. He had told the young matoran he was a fool earlier, saying that staying up to watch the spectacle would merely hinder his performance on their morning patrols. Now, he too stood on the deck, shivering slightly in the wind. Cold even for Ko-Wahi.

"What are they, really?" The young soldier asked.

"Legends. Heroes of old." His commander took a seat, leaving the young one standing. "Of course, that doesn't stop us from hunting and killing them. Since time immemorial we have done so. Claiming their heads as gifts for what lays under Kini-Nui is the only way to awaken it and the power it is said to possess." He lit his pipe, blowing smoke rings in the winter air. "Of course, no one has ever succeeded. The hunt only brings bloodshed to us, I can only hope our leaders are not so foolish as to pursue the heroes during this time of war."

"We are the mightiest nation this island has ever seen, why are you so sure we could not defeat them and gain power to destroy the others?" The young matoran asked, inflamed by a surge of nationalistic fervor. His commander only laughed.

"Miracles like that, they don't happen boy."

* * *

Makuta; The Great Spirit Mata-nui; Artahka and Karznahi; The Toa Nuva; their predecessors and their successors. All of them; their names and legacies, are forgotten mysteries. Lost to time, rust and the entropy of a dying universe.

The Hunt is an event that occurs every thirty thousand years, the Red Star brightens in the northern sky until it discharges it's energies as seven bolts of lightning. Within those bolts, seven legends are given life and a corporeal form. All of their identities lost to time, only the barest remnants of their deeds are referenced in the history books of this age. Vague details past the stretch of time recorded, and beyond the memory of all but several living beings.

The ancient temple of Kini-Nui has a bare stone circle in it's center, with a small raised platform covered in the old languages, it has details of the hunt. Chief among them the purpose, the heads of those summoned are to be collected and brought to Kini-Nui. When that is done, a great power is to be awaken and come into possession of the one that has brought the sacrifice.

Some legends thirst for battle, for honor or merely bloodshed. Others hide themselves away. The spirits only stay in our world for twenty-one days. After which they vanish, leaving the mystery and promise of Kini-Nui unrealized. To the knowledge of most, the hunt has never been successfully completed. They are all recorded to have ended in failure, death and chaos.

One thing is certain, the legends are far stronger than those of the modern age. The world is slowly winding down. The strength of the legends, and their mysterious promise of power unimaginable are the only glimpses of a brighter past, long forgotten in this dark, urban and modernized age.

* * *

The island of Mata-Nui is currently embroiled in war, the eastern Federation of Ta-Wahi, Ga-Wahi and Le-Wahi fighting the western Alliance of Ko-Wahi, Onu-Wahi and Po-Wahi. The technological level has advanced over the years and rivals that of the lost and unknown nation of Metru-Nui. The war began over issues of taxation, depletion of resources and small instances of disrespect between leaders, but has grown into a battle for power and domination.

Both factions have welcomed all the races into their armies and cultures, once shunned and feared groups like the Skakdi, Vortixx and others are now prized warriors, engineers and craftsmen. The factions have also begun to assemble their best and brightest, readying them for The Hunt. Eager to claim victory and power for themselves, both intent on destroying the opposing side, will either survive?

All over the island, lone individuals look to join The Hunt as well. Those interested in money, power, fame and the insane merely looking for enjoyment.

* * *

This RPG is currently unnamed and a rough draft. The setting is an AU island of Mata-Nui. Metru-Nui and the greater structure of the world are unknown or forgotten to the current generation, most canon characters are long dead or vanished. Many things have deliberately been left vague. The non-toa/matoran/turaga inhabitants of the island have been there for all of recorded history.

The story will detail the war between the two factions, who fight each other and seek to defeat the legendary spirits and claim their power for themselves. It was also explore the machinations of the hunt, some of the history of the world and other juicy mysteries. It will involve PC vs PC conflict, as well as PC vs GM conflict, as the players will attempt to hunt the spirits. Which is going to be part "treasure hunt" and part, "this guy is blowing **** up in Ta-Koro, go fight them!"

 

IC: "Well, first thing to address is the Vortixx here. A conscious Vortixx and follower of Makuta is likely a scheming one."

IC: (Mortem)

 

"You cannot harm me. I have faith."

 

IC: "Interesting theory. We'll put it to the test later." Brontes said to the Vortixx, trying to his best to sound menacing.

"For now I believe the best course for me is to follow Dahpaka, assist him and try to learn the exact situation in the Koro. While this hospital may need protecters, a lone chained up Vortixx can be easily handled by you two. Our efforts here would be in vain if hours later we heard a group approaching, only to look out and see Makuta's legion with the head's of the Koro on their banners." He told Kellin and the titan, after as such bidding them farewell and good luck.

He first spoke to one of the hospital's attendees and was given a small meal. He ate quickly and checked his supplies before heading out after the Ice Toa, taking the underground passage he had used.

IC: "Well, first thing to address is the Vortixx here. A conscious Vortixx and follower of Makuta is likely a scheming one."

IC: "Well, I believe I've heard enough to decide to stay and defend the Koro and it's Hospital with you and the others. I harbor no fondness for Makuta's minions." Brontes extended his hand to the ko-matoran first, "My name is Brontes."

Hmm, notes taken.

>PC vs Game conflict is fun (But faction vs faction is still nice)

>Treasure hunt sounds 'aight

>AUs are in

>Clear goals = good(?)

I'm thinking a good way of combining one and two would to have the "treasure" that is being hunted be alive, and not too fond of the "being hunted" part. With playable factions being opposed, both attempting to capture the treasure, for the motive of gaining power in whatever conflict they're engaged in. Probably set in a metru-nui or mata-nui AU, for ease of playing and familiarity with the setting.

IC: "Unclear chain of command, violent prisoners chained and held in a hospital lobby? Perhaps making off with some supplies would be the best choice. Though I doubt I could get past the battle near the gate alone. It might be best to stick with this group and either end up fighting my way through or using them as a distraction." Brontes mulled over the situation in his mind while listening to the introductions and exposition of the white Toa and the ko-matoran, the giant stood silently.

"Well, may I ask what your plans are, is it to stay here and defend this hospital?" Brontes asked, attempting to feel out the intentions of his possible companions. "I have no ill intentions, I am just a traveler caught up in this unfortunate situation." He added, aiming to dispel any suspicions they may have had about the stranger in their midst.

IC: Brontes had decided manners could be put aside. He walked up to the small group of Toa, Matoran, Titan and crab, and interrupted their conversation.

"Excuse me, but who is in charge in this hospital and koro, why is there a war being waged in the streets and outside the gates?"

"...and who in the karzahni has the food around here?" He thought

You're outside the gates, right?