Burnmad

IC: Skrall - Roxtus, War Room Outer Chamber Skrall ignored the scout's attempt to chastise him. If he thought his status as sole survivor marked him as anything but the luckiest weakling, he was dead wrong. "Matter of fact, I am confident, Skrall. At least as far as my own skills are concerned. When I am outside of my element, I defer to others who know better, as any good soldier had ought to do. So, I ask you again: What supplies will we need for our journey, Skrall?" He saw, in his peripheral vision, the female's attempt to signal them away to the stables. He did not acknowledge it. He did not take orders from equals, and certainly not from a female. OOC: @a goose @Vezok's Friend

IC: Skrall - Roxtus, War Room Outer Chamber He huffed once at the scout's confidence. Still, it was true. Skrall had tasted more of the desert than any of his fellows, but even he had barely been further south of the Falls than one could throw a stone. If this scout had been as far south as Tajun, his experience would be invaluable. "This is all of us, yes. We are to requisition supplies for the journey. What do you estimate we shall require?" OOC: @a goose @Skrall

IC: Skrall - Roxtus, War Room Like an automaton, Skrall stepped forward and hauled once-Skrall to its feet, pushing it towards the exit of the room just softly enough that the pathetic creature did not lose its precarious footing. "Thy will be done!" He somehow managed to simultaneously shout and whisper the confirmation as he moved, not wishing to stay in Tirveus' presence one moment too long after having been dismissed. While he waited - it seemed an eternity - for the sack of flesh before him to make its egress, he looked to each of his peers in turn, as if to make sure that none of them were so paralyzed in fear as to need a similar push towards the door. OOC: @a goose @BULiK @Nato G @oncertainty @Toru Nui @Vezok's Friend

IC: Skrall - Roxtus, War Room Skrall stood there casually, attempting to conceal the mixture of elation and fear he felt that the female was doing the talking. Elation, because for even the most well-spoken Skrall with the most justification, having to speak to a superior so far above him as Tirveus was like navigating a skopio nest while reeking of raw meat. Fear, because even Tirveus knew the terror of interacting with females, and the risk having to witness the Skrallic Imperator squirm like the comparatively tiny Skrall he was even now absentmindedly choking against the wall was far more dangerous than merely having to speak to him. Still, Skrall did not himself squirm. Controlling one's squirm reflex was integral to surviving among the Skrall, as squirming was a display of weakness, and thus only advisable in the occasional circumstance that your superior wished to see you squirm, which they typically made clear through a variety of nonverbal markers. In those circumstances, you wanted to squirm out of respect for your interlocutor's attempts to make you squirm. In the absence of such markers, however, neglecting to squirm was a reassurance that all was well; that there was no reason for anyone to be squirming. This circumstance was clearly an instance of the latter case. And so Skrall was very careful not to squirm, and he hoped in the pit of his churning stomach that Tirveus similarly repressed his squirm reflex. It was, he reasoned, a ******-shoot. After all, when one occupied a position such as Tirveus', most of the consequences of squirming were felt by the people who saw you squirming, and so, depending on his mood, Tirveus could squirm as he liked.

IC: Skrall - Roxtus, War Room Skrall craned his neck down to make eye contact with the Agori which was acting as Tirveus'... secretary? Doorman? He did not know, but he was keenly aware that this was not an Agori meant for punting. "Yes," he said with a respectful nod. "We intend to answer our liege's call for ambitious Skrall to show the Southerners our might in their own arenas. We wish to consult with our liege before departing-- should he will it." @BULiK @Nato G @oncertainty @Toru Nui @Vezok's Friend

IC: Skrall - Roxtus Barracks He frowned. "I am sure that he has better things to do than reminisce to his subordinates. But, you are correct that we should hear from him rather than continue to dally here. Let us present ourselves to him." He withdrew from the map, and started for the exit. @Nato G @Toru Nui @Vezok's Friend

IC: Skrall - Roxtus Barracks Skrall chuckled darkly, an almost metallic sound that wormed its way out of oft disused vocal cords. "There's not been water in the Skrall River since long before you were birthed, pup. Why, I doubt even the General himself recalls the sight of water falling from the Dark Falls." He reached a hand out and traced the path of the sand river with a finger. "But, at least you're thinking logically. If it did have water in it, you'd have a point. As it stands, though, the Skrall River is one of the safer paths southward." @Nato G @Toru Nui @Vezok's Friend

IC: Skrall - Roxtus Barracks Skrall was displeased. He had spent decades learning to be self-sufficient; to complete the tasks assigned to him with little to no help from others, because few others existed with the skills necessary to do the things he did. He had grown accustomed to going days at a time without ever seeing another glatorian, to never having to spare a thought to worrying whether the person beside him had his back, because there was rarely another person beside him. But now their southward march would carry them across the desert to the Southern Lands, where Tirveus wished, for whatever reason, to see a Skrall be crowned champion of the Southerners' Great Tournament. And that was all well and good; it would benefit the Skrall for the Southerners to see their superiority laid bare. Skrall thought it unlikely that showing this superiority through sport of all things was likely to 'stick.' But that was not his place. Skrall did not question orders; he did, however, follow some more enthusiastically than others. He was very unenthusiastic about this one. As he found himself joining a group of three Skrall soldiers standing around a map in the barracks, his lack of enthusiasm was obvious to any who knew of him. He looked upon the map of the desert with pursed lips and an appraising gaze which was occasionally turned toward the other Skrall, some of whom he recognized. The desert was too big and deadly to be crossed in its entirety alone, even by one as experienced as Skrall. He would have to cross it with others. Others like the flighty soldier who had earned no cybernetics; like the wiry glory hound with magnet hands. Others like the outcast female. He was not optimistic. OOC: @Vezok's Friend @Nato G @Toru Nui A special forces Skrall has joined you around the map.

IC: Selamat - Vulcanus Arena In the blistering heat of the midday sun, a figure glinting in mismatched, multi-colored armor emerges from the back rooms of the largest arena to be found in the fire tribe's home settlement of Vulcanus. It is entirely possible that the feet of the figure - whose name is Selamat - have touched every grain of sand composing the arena's floor, in his numerous visits to this place. He has been as a ghost haunting the ring and its facilities since his early childhood, practicing with training dummies, neighbors, strange travelers-- any humanoid shape that can be made to stand across from him with a blade in its hand. He is presently coming off the tail end of such a training session, this one unfortunately utilizing the dummies. Having just washed the sweat and grime from his body in a bath of sand, it is time for him to return to his modest residence, and wait out the hottest hours of the day, during which outdoor labors are impossible, before returning to continue his training in the afternoon. As he exits the partially subterranean facilities of the arena, however, the sight of his recent sparring partner still standing in the middle of the grounds brings about the realization that he has not yet returned his canvas-clothed friend to the storage area. This presents some small difficulty, in that the training dummy is heavy enough as to require two hands to be lifted, and Selamat is holding in one of his hands the lunch which he had packed for himself: Boiled and dried bits of thornax; the scant meat of some small rodent that lived amidst the dunes; a quantity of warm beer. As he considers stepping back into the locker rooms to set down his meal, an idea occurs to him: The sun will not be at its zenith for some minutes yet; better to eat his lunch now, and then, hands freed, move the training dummy back to its rightful place. For whatever reason, this idea appeals to him, and so he sets himself upon the sand, back against the arena wall, empty spectator seating looming over his head, and begins to eat his lunch.

Name: Selamat Species: Glatorian Tribe: Fire/Vulcanus Age & Gender: 22, Male Description: A notably fit individual of roughly average height, Selamat's impressive muscle mass and tone is easy to see through the numerous gaps in his salvaged scraps of armor. The sparse bits of plating, which cover little more than the vitals, are nonetheless well-maintained, demonstrating the Glatorian's relative lack of means as well as his dedication to his trade. His somewhat youthful features contrast sharply with the piercing gaze that peers out at the world from beneath his brow, promising wordlessly to all who meet it that its owner will become a champion to his people. Equipment: Selamat owns few worldly possessions, most of them related to his occupation. Aside from his mismatched set of armor, he owns an epee, which is his weapon of choice in the arenas of Bara Magna. When traveling through the wastes he has instead been seen wielding an 8-foot combat spear, which occasionally makes an appearance in his arena bouts. Lastly, he also carries a well-maintained thornax launcher, and has been known to hold a buckler in his offhand during duels. Cybernetics: Endocrine Modulator: This device, connected to the various organs of the endocrine system, controls the release, binding, and reuptake of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol in high-stress situations. Leads to marginally but noticeably enhanced response time, physical performance and cognition. Also releases endorphins in response to injury. Both effects have drawbacks in and outside of combat situations. Ocular Enhancement: Optical implants replace the lenses of the eyes, allowing for a greater breadth of peripheral vision to be observed with greater clarity, without causing significant warping in the central component of the image perceived by the user. Weakness: 0. The Fool: Selamat's weakness is his youth. Beyond simply being inexperienced, he also tends to be rash and impulsive, to act without tempering his emotions with reason. He is also slow to correlate information which contradicts his preconceptions. ~~~ Name: Skrall Species: Glatorian (Skrall) Tribe: Rock/Roxtus (Skrall) Age & Gender: 37, Male Description: Cutting a lithe and fit figure, Skrall nonetheless stands a head shorter than an average example of his species. Typically outfitted in light armor and a cloak that blends in with the sandy dunes, it is clear at first sight that Skrall is not meant for the front lines. One should not take this to mean that he lacks martial prowess, though many have-- and those who have tried to act on this presumption bear the scars of such attempts. Nonetheless, Skrall is viewed contemptuously by many of his peers, seen as cowardly and unreliable to have at one's side in a pitched combat. These perceptions are only heightened by Skrall's age; it is uncommon for a Skrall to live to the ripe old age of 37 without having been 'separated from the chaff,' that is, without having been entitled. But Skrall is content with this. His comrades need only to do their jobs, and he will do his own. Equipment: Skrall typically wears a light covering of dull armor, readily concealed beneath a drab, sandy brown cloak of burlap. He is, however, trained to fight as skillfully in more traditional armor, and readily equips himself with such when circumstances call for it. At his hips, several weapons can typically be found. The first, on his left, is a smaller version of the typical Skrall blade, albeit without the built-in thornax launcher. Beside it is a simple dirk, more of a utility knife than a proper weapon, but more than capable of killing in a pinch. On his right is a standalone thornax launcher, a small, single-shot one designed and very well-maintained to be deadly accurate at short to middling ranges. Concealed on Skrall's person are no fewer than 3 additional blades: A main-gauche inside the cloak; a stiletto sheathed at his right shoulder; a push dagger in a concealed ankle holster. Beside all these weapons, Skrall often carries a rucksack filled with rations and supplies to facilitate survival on solo missions that take him out upon the dunes, as well as reconnaissance gear such as a spyglass. Cybernetics: Respiratory Overhaul: Replacing the clumsy operation of a normal being's lungs, this enhancement allows its bearer to achieve a state of constant respiratory airflow via the introduction of numerous redundant ventilation points across the torso. This makes it incredibly difficult for the bearer to become winded or be manually suffocated. These benefits last for as long as the bearer avoids repeated direct damage to ventilation points, as well as total submergence in liquid - or, more common on Bara Magna, sand. It also allows the bearer to speak constantly without pausing for breath, a feature of dubious benefit. Noteworthy is that this system replaces rather than augments the normal function of the lungs; the enhancement itself obstructs diaphragmatic breathing and, if function ceases, the bearer will be effectively disabled at best and will soon expire at worst. Weakness: I. The Magician: Skrall's unique qualities cause him to be isolated and alienated from the larger Skrall cohort. This has led him to become accustomed to working on his own and being self-reliant compared to other Skrall, but it has also ruined his ability to work with or meaningfully form bonds with others. He views other people as tools to be utilized for his own ends, a tyrant made all the more petty for his lack of a kingdom to rule over.

For anyone who's curious, this is the profile I received last game for the E Street Wagon, on claiming it following the fight with Boss.

Name of ACR: Chimera ACR's Faction/Homebase: Nektann's Warband Pilot of ACR: Barius Type of Heartlight: Rahi/Skakdi (Dual) Physical Description: A hulking beast born of the crude but calculated smashing-together of two different ACRs, the Chimera is a dense mass of twisted metal plate and hydraulic power. At a glance, one can guess that the E Street Skakwagon has lost its transformative capability in the modifications made by its new owner. Vaguely humanoid in shape, though extremely stout and with a severely hunched back, the uninitiated might doubt the possibility for an operator to safely fit within the confines of the armor. Nonetheless, Barius has taken the utmost care to ensure his ability to enter the ACR with ease and rapidity: The upper torso of the frame splits open in order to reveal the heavily-armored center, where just enough room exists for Barius' bulky form. Such a view into the Chimera's interior also allows the passive observer to begin to comprehend the unique nature of the war machine's construction. Amidst the mass of thick hydraulic lines and crammed weapon systems, the distinct glows of two different cores can be seen. As the torso slides back together and the massive mech plods off to battle, one thing becomes obvious; though the strengths of the two component ACRs have been combined in the Chimera, their respective weaknesses may also linger within the colossal construction. Flamethrower: The left arm of the Chimera is mounted with a flamethrower, the nozzle protruding just past the wrist. A thick hose connects to an internal, back-mounted tank, which contains a slow-burning, sticky substance, not unlike napalm. Although terrifying in the damage it can do to flesh, the weapon is of little use against enemy armor. While difficult to cut through, and run beneath the thick armor plating wherever possible, the fuel line for the weapon is a linchpin of its construction, and should its exposed portions be severed, the system would become inoperable. The fuel tank, though covered with armor, is still somewhat vulnerable to rupture, and presents a fire hazard to the interior of the ACR. Barius has insulated the pilot's compartment from liquids, so direct contact is unlikely; however, the heat would quickly render the ACR uninhabitable, nonetheless, prompting a quick egress from its pilot. Cordak Cannon: Moved from its chest position in the E Street, this weapon has lost its secrecy and a great deal of its armor by being relocated to the right shoulder. Nonetheless, its potent and bombastic power remains a threat to anyone in its path. The heavy cordak rounds, designed to penetrate armor prior to exploding, are somewhat less effective against pedestrian combatants (though still more than deadly on a direct hit), but are highly lethal towards enemy ACRs, and especially their pilots. Limited by its range, the Chimera's cannon is also the most vulnerable of its systems, being exterior to most of the rig's thick armor plating. A particularly strong impact could take the thing out. Additionally, its ammo is somewhat limited, only being plentiful enough for 3 highly dangerous volleys-- a decision made to mitigate the risk of an ammunition explosion, posed by the cordak's volatile nature. Hydraulic Power: Same as ever, Barius' preferred weapon is brute strength, and this shows in his preservation and enhancement of his former ACR's system of hydraulic lines. Bolstered to handle the increased weight of the walker, and more protected than ever beneath its armor plating, the lines that run through the Chimera keep its strength and speed at the same level as before, if not greater. More than capable of crushing pedestrians to paste, or ripping enemy armor to shreds, the system does, however, still retain its former weakness: The range of motion allowed by the ACR's thick armor is even lesser than it once was. The armor cannot join its hands behind its back or over its head, or turn its torso without moving its legs. Moreover, if its lines are sufficiently damaged - well-protected as they may be - the entire construction becomes dead in the water. Barius has taken care to ensure that he can force the torso open to allow his egress manually, but in the midst of combat, with the Chimera's moving parts warped by damage, that may prove more difficult than in the garage. Overdrive: An entirely new capability, this system is born of the Chimera's unique nature as a dual-core ACR. While one core on its own is not enough to animate the hulking thing, two produce a bit more power than is needed, and this energy is charged over time in order to be expended in short, powerful bursts. When utilized, the ACR's overdrive function greatly increases its already considerable speed and strength, making it a nightmare on the battlefield, while also overcharging the mech's elemental nullifiers to create a rudimentary energy shield. Of course, all this power comes with a cost; at the conclusion of the burst, which lasts about a minute in the best of conditions, one of the ACR's cores becomes temporarily incapacitated, leaving the Chimera sluggish and weak. Furthermore, the nullifier overcharge fries its circuits, leaving the thing partially vulnerable to elemental attacks until it can be repaired. The burst also takes a while to charge, making it a definitive 'once-per-encounter' ability. Additionally, even without using the burst, if either of the Chimera's cores were to be damaged, it would be similarly weakened.

IC: Ollem - Ash Barrens, Fire Suva Ollem gaped at the size of the sword that rested against the wall. "Wow, that's a nice-looking weapon." He glanced at his companion. "The color matches you better than me. It's yours if you can lift it." Without waiting for her response, he turned to the Suva proper that rested in the center of the room. "Well, this seems rather simple," he remarked. He hoped he was right; he wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible. Gripping the rings in turn, he rotated the red one so that the raised nub was facing northward; the cream one so that it faced east-southeast; and the green-flecked black one west-southwest. OOC: @Harvali @Unreliable Narrator

Name: Barius Breed: Skakdi-Xa Faction: The Warskaks, specifically the band operating out of Fort Nektann, which he leads Brief Description: A Skakdi of truly formidable stature, hulking in every dimension. Though his body is a sickening grey, the frills which rise from his back fade to white, like the bleached bones of some great beast. Limbs as thick and hard as those of a tree extend from his torso, which also fade to white towards his extremities. Hand and foot alike end in wicked claws; it is difficult to tell if their reddish staining is natural, or a consequence of Barius' murderous lifestyle. Drawing by Taka Nuvia Background/Occupation: Barius was born in the warband, and in the warband he will die. Raised among hardened raiders, he knows only the blood and adrenaline of combat, and the excessive consumption which follows in the wake of a well-fought victory. As leader of the Warskaks, much of his time is devoted to managing their activities, leading them in raids, keeping them in line, and posturing so that none of them dare to challenge him. Over this past month, the rest has been spent in the garage, tinkering with his ACR. Flaws: Barius is intensely prideful and acutely aware of the importance of perception. Accordingly, he suffers no indignity or disrespect without dealing out the appropriate punishment. Oftentimes he takes even instances of unavoidable misfortune as a threat to his authority. (Psychological flaw) In his duel with the Toa Reson, Barius sustained a burst eardrum on his left side. Even a month later, he still has almost complete hearing loss in that ear. Additionally, the wounds he sustained in the ritual combat with Boss still occasionally pain him, though their lasting severity was greatly reduced by the healing powers of the Aspect-Toa Stannis. (Physical flaw) Powers: Barius has innate X-ray and telescopic vision, allowing him to see extraordinarily far, and peer through objects. (Primary power) His 1st stage Invulnerability Kraata grants a tough hide that is more resistant to injury. (Secondary power) He also possesses latent ice powers that can be used in conjunction with another wasteland Skakdi. (Breed quirk) After slaying Reson Ance and presenting his heartlight to the Aspect Parnassus, Barius now has a 1st stage Kraata of Fear, allowing him to fill those around him with vague unease. (Rites of Desecration) Barius, upon defeating Boss and casting him into the Nightmare Pits, has authority over the Warskaks. Further, and more directly, he has magical control over the Tahtorak born from Boss' defeat, which cannot harm him and must obey his commands. (Rite of the Tahtorak) Equipment: Barius wields a spiked club, but isn't picky; he'll use anything he has to in order to win. He sometimes pilots an ACR, which he has not cared enough to name properly. In Barius' possession at all times are two items taken from the late Boss. The first is a knuckle duster made from the skull of a serial killer, which allows its user to channel their element. With this, Barius is able to use his ice powers without the aid of another Skakdi. The second item is a combat knife which Boss used as the key to his ACR, the E Street Skakwagon, as well as several other things. ~~~ Name: Providence Breed: Aspect of Makuta Faction: Aspects of Makuta Brief Description: A head shorter in his lanky armor than the typical Aspect, Providence's posture and mannerisms exude youthful exuberance. His armor includes many extremities and flourishes not necessary for an Aspect, seemingly for the sole purpose of being more recognizable to humanoids-- or perhaps emulating them? When interacting with those not of his kind, he often gesticulates and moves his 'mouth' in an over-the-top fashion that, despite being a totally unconvincing imitation of a biped, nonetheless has proven rather endearing to most. Background/Occupation: Providence is only recently emerged from the antidermis pool, his armor new to him. Though his few years among his kind have failed to imbue him with any meaningful understanding of how the world works, they have given him a profound interest in - one might even say, an infatuation with - the lives and societies of the humanoids with which the Aspects share this world. With the crash of the GSR head, and the arrival of many new interesting individuals with it, he decided to finally leave the Kumu Islets and begin exploring the wider world. His goal is to meet new and interesting people and have intense and exhilarating experiences with them. Flaws: Providence is immensely and obviously an incredibly naive individual. He has no practical experience with the world, and an unrealistic view of humanoid species as either pets or children to be cared for, mixed somewhat with entertainment. He is reluctant to be cruel or suspicious, even when he very rightly should be, and has no real perspective of how his race is perceived in the world at large. (Psychological flaw) Due to the nature of his species, he is composed of gas, and will dissipate if deprived of his armor and a willing host for long enough. (Physical flaw) Powers: Like all Aspects, Providence has elemental control over shadow (Primary power), as well as the capacity to leave his armor and possess other creatures, and the ability to desecrate others, turning an offered heartlight into a first-stage kraata (Breed quirk). Additionally, he himself has the second-stage kraata power of Sleep, allowing him the ability to make people slow and groggy with only a touch. A useful tool for pacifying any of the rowdier denizens of Zakaz that he might come across. (Secondary power) Equipment: Providence carries nothing but his Aspect armor. ~~~ Name: Morangad Breed: Tiokaha (Muur, Mark of the Mind) Faction: Himself and his allies, foremost; Builders; Refugees of Metru-Nui Brief Description: Largely purple, though with dark greyish stripes running horizontally across his back and neck, Morangad's body is heavyset and rugged. Corded muscle is plainly visible, as his body is clothed only enough to keep the cold off, with plant fibers and the skins of animals which died of natural causes. Beneath a thick brow on a gaunt face, bright green eyes gaze out at the world with a hard, decisive stare. The rest of the face is covered with a rusted, pitted Kanohi Jutlin, infected by the Aspect Apex's Kraata. Background/Occupation: Long ago, Morangad lived in an isolated community of Tiokaha, who had cordial but infrequent interaction with the Matoran Builders who mainly populated the land of Xa. However, when the Skakdi came with Irnakk, and the Builders fled in their Ark, the land fell into the control of the Warskak raiders, and his small village was exterminated, with him as the only survivor. Ever since, he has subsisted within the treacherous Fau Swamp, where few dared to go. More recently, he has found kinship in an unexpected place, forming a bond with the Aspect Apex, with whom he has much in common-- including a burning hatred for the Skakdi which destroyed his home so long ago. Flaws: Enraged by the presence of Skakdi, particularly Warskaks. Averse to complex mechanisms, especially those made explicitly for war. Generally unwilling to remove his own mask. (Psychological flaw) Physically unable to tolerate large groups of people, due to being able to hear all of their surface thoughts. The more people in close proximity to him, the more taxing, until he begins to experience increasingly debilitating headaches. More manageable if the people around him make a conscious effort to 'guard' their own thoughts. (Physical flaw) Powers: Morangad was born with the Muur mark, meaning he is able to sense the thoughts of other nearby beings, as well as project his own thoughts into their minds in the form of telepathy. Additionally, it allows him to shield the minds of such beings from the influence of other psionic effects. (Primary power) He wears a Great Kanohi Jutlin, the Mask of Corruption, allowing him to rapidly rust/decompose inanimate objects within his sight, up to and including protosteel. The mask does not work on living things. (Secondary power) This Jutlin has been infected by a level 3 Kraata of Shattering, belonging to the Aspect Apex. As such, Morangad has access to the level 3 Kraata power of Shattering as long as he wears the mask, in addition to its normal effects. This allows him to 'tunnel through rock explosively', create blister-like ruptures in metal with a touch, and make solid objects fall apart on contact. (Rites of Infectious Kraata) Finally, his status as a Tiokaha also makes Morangad a bit more resilient than the typical Toa. This and his many years in the Fau Swamps has made him highly resistant to toxin and disease. (Breed quirk) Equipment: Morangad carries with him a mundane spear at all times. The thick, wooden shaft terminates in a jagged metal point, fashioned from the only keepsake he was able to take with him when fleeing his village. He also received a Kanoka disk with the code 426 as thanks for saving the life of a Matoran following the Grand Untethered's attack on Le-Metru Nuva. The Kanoka is a level 6 Kanoka of Freezing, with the additional ability of dodging obstacles on its way to its target. ~~~ Name: Ollem Breed: Onu-Matoran Faction: Refugees of Metru-Nui Brief Description: Average-height Matoran with black coloration. Heavyset for a Matoran. Wears a brown Great Kanohi Kakama, the Mask of Speed. Clothed (not by choice) in worn garments, prefers to dress in black and red. Background/Occupation: Let's not mince words; Ollem was a thief on Metru-Nui. Unwilling to perform the menial labor that that he was supposedly 'destined' for, he turned to stealing his daily bread instead. Or rather, stealing goods that could then be sold in order to buy food. But one fateful night, two big things changed in his life. The first is that he... 'acquired' an unfamiliar, and apparently experimental device used for, shall we say, personal concealment. The second is that God died and his entire world crashed into a desert. Shell-shocked and feeling no particular connection to a society on whose fringes he had been forced to spend his entire life, Ollem responded to the devastation by quite literally walking away, off into the sand, with a bag of supplies that he grabbed during the chaos. When those supplies ran out, he was lucky to find a friend in the native Matoran Mahrika, who had spent many centuries holed up in hiding, only recently driven out by the impact of the GSR head. Flaws: Ollem is highly resistant to authority, especially that of Toa, Vahki, and Turaga-- all the symbols of the society that had tossed him aside. Unfortunately, this can sometimes cause him to disregard good advice if it's delivered in the wrong way, or by the wrong person. On the other hand, Ollem can be somewhat skittish in the face of danger, especially when the source of that danger is much larger and more powerful than himself. (Psychological flaw) As a Matoran, Ollem is physically diminutive and weak, when compared to many other species. (Physical flaw) Powers: As an Onu-Matoran, Ollem has greater stamina and physical endurance than most beings, as well as excellent night vision. (Breed quirk) Equipment: Ollem possesses a marvelous device that bends the light around him in order to render him invisible to the naked eye. It works while moving, but is less effective, based on how skilled the user is at making smooth movements. It also works better the farther away an observer is; in close quarters, an attentive eye could pick out even a stationary user by the tell-tale heat-like distortions the device creates. At long range however, it renders a user effectively invisible. The stealth field also dampens any sounds he makes. Ollem is still somewhat inexperienced with the use of the device, though he has had plenty of practice over the past month and a half. (Primary equipment) The Onu-Matoran is also equipped with a simple, handheld firearm that fires slugs of elemental iron. It gradually replenishes its ammo by drawing metal from the environment. (Secondary equipment) Ollem has an ongoing registration with the Suva of Stone, though he is currently out of range of it. Lastly, he holds a Great Kanohi Kakama, the Mask of Speed, taken from the Stone Suva. However, as a typical Matoran, he is unable to access its power. His pack also contains a collection of bent and otherwise damaged Kanoka disks, taken from the Ruins of Water, some of which may still have weak and sporadic power left within them.

I'm still uncertain how to account for the timeskip, when it comes to resolving the situation Ollem & Mahrika were in at the previous game's close. We had just reached the Ash Barrens Suva, which Kas had sent us to in what was framed as a brief errand. It seems highly implausible, in-universe, for the trip to have actually taken a month, given that Kas promised to wait at the telescope for us while we were gone. On the other hand, it seems similarly infeasible to handwave this trek as either a flashback or as an instance of BZPTime, especially if the Suva were to actually yield what we came seeking from it; that is, a way to get to Mi-Kiri. And, of course, I'd be rather disheartened to skip the Suva puzzle or retroactively change objectives in order to accommodate the timeskip. As busy as you and the other GMs must be getting this trilogy closer up and running, I would appreciate some input as to how Harvali and I had ought to proceed.

IC: Barius - Fort Nektann The Skakdi turned away, to avoid staring in puzzlement at whatever was occurring between Parnassus and Stannis outside of the garage. The former seemed troubled, but that was a problem for later. Right now he had a battle between two colossal creatures brewing within his territory, and none of the potential outcomes of such a conflict seemed particularly appealing. There was one option that immediately stood out, but he was unsure if it was feasible. He could move up the attack on the city of Metru-Nui, and call Nektann away for that purpose... but he was still injured, and he had not yet made any preparations. But... The Toa had promised that the Miracle Cactus would heal all of his wounds. And he could stay up the whole night, getting ready for the assault. Maybe, just maybe, that would work. He reached out with his mental connection to the Tahtorak, and issued a command: Nektann! You will not engage in mortal battle with the worm you have provoked this night, as you had intended. Instead, I command you to flee before it, leading it to the coast. Then, you will keep it occupied until the morning, before slipping away to join my forces in our assault on the skull-borne city of Metru-Nui! With that done, he turned to those assembled in the garage. "I have decided," he announced. "At dawn, we shall ride for the so-called 'City of Legend', and show its inhabitants who rules this wasteland!" Turning his focus to the Warskaks that had entered on Parnassus' order, he continued. "Go and fetch the rest of the Warskaks. Tell them the news, and have them prepare their rigs for the coming battle. For those who do not have rigs, or whose rigs are already in good condition... tell them that they will have the privilege of aiding their warchief in the garage. I will need many extra hands for what I have planned." Ideas which he had already been developing now flourished in the environment of his chemically-enhanced mind, practically fleshing themselves out as he considered the preparations which needed to be made. He looked over at his ACR, and the E Street Skakwagon beside it, and grinned from the thought of what he was planning. OOC: @Sparticus147 @EmperorWhenua @Conway @Unreliable Narrator Last Barius post this game, I think IC: Ollem - Ash Barrens Suva Ollem gasped as the cool ice touched him. "Ah, that's wonderful. Thank you, Mahrika." He looked at the Suva that lay near to them. "We're far too close to turn back now. Let us move onward." And with that, he approached the structure. OOC: @Harvali @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Barius - Fort Nektann, Garage Barius stood stock-still, only breathing as he took in the events of the past several moments. His mind had been working through the haze of intoxication to come up with different permutations of commerce and violence that might defuse the hostage situation he'd found himself in (though the hostage, in his mind, was his garage rather than Grime). This thought process was complicated by a flurry of distractions; Parnassus and Corrivalis yapping like dogs, the old man muttering in his ear. Do you think I need your assistance? Barius thought to himself. Somewhere nearby, someone was calling his name. He didn't have the mental energy to figure out who. Just as all the noise was reaching a fever pitch-- it stopped. Like the flip of a switch. Miserix took Grime and Korruhn, and walked them both out of the garage like wind-up toys. When his clouded mind caught up with the situation, he breathed a heavy sigh. At least his garage hadn't burned down. Parnassus! He snapped through their mental connection, as the Aspect had disappeared almost as soon as the encounter was over. Tell two of the Skaks to clean the garage, and be tight-lipped about it. OOC: @Conway @Sparticus147 @EmperorWhenua IC: Ollem - Ash Barrens The Onu-Matoran gazed woefully on the desolate rock that held the Suva. As far as he could tell, the best way to get to their destination was by crossing a charred, burning tree trunk that spanned the length of the nearer river. "Remind me," he sighed, "why did we agree to go to the lava place, in stead of the Toa of Fire?" With no answer forthcoming from his companion, he sighed again, and hopped up onto the tree trunk. Pulling his cloak near, in the hopes that it might ward off even a bit of the sweltering heat, he began his crossing. The heat was intense, and by the halfway point his head was light. The parts of his body which were not shielded by the cloak burnt with the fury of a thousand suns; the parts which were shielded by the cloak burnt with the fury of nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine. Nonetheless, he made it across, and hurled himself weakly upon the stone of the island. Previously scalding, the ground's great warmth now seemed cool in comparison to the heat he had felt crossing the lava flow. He lay there for a time, holding up a shaky thumbs-up to Mahrika, as he waited for her to repeat his feat of endurance. When his strength had returned, he pushed himself to his feet on rubbery, sweat-slick arms, and went to examine the Suva. OOC: @Harvali @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Providence - Mesi Tunnels The young Aspect's face contorted into an expression of genuine horror as, in a flash, 'Tall Blue' was snatched into the slavering fangs of a lurking grue. "Oh, jeez!" He cried out, panicking. He hoped the creature wasn't inclined towards thorough chewing of its food, and his new friend was still savable. It was apparent to him, however, that retrieving him would require the performance of a surgical procedure with a 0% survival rate, known colloquially as 'disembowelment'. That struck him as unfortunate, but he was cognizant of the mortal tradition of valuing humanoid lives over those of more bestial creatures. In any case, he personally valued Takadox's continued existence far more highly than that of the strange creature that had just eaten him. With that in mind, Providence adopted a battle-ready stance, raising an arm as shadows swirled and coalesced around it, creating a wicked, razor-sharp blade of darkness on his wrist. "Give him back!" He shouted, swinging his arm at the being, whilst wishing that his Aspect power had been rahi control. OOC: @Sparticus147 @Nato the Traveler @Kal the Guardian @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Ollem - Ash Barrens "I'm... not sure," Ollem replied. "That stuff the Administrator said - if it's true - sounded pretty bad. Maybe Kas has changed since he did all that stuff, but maybe he hasn't. Maybe he doesn't even realize what was wrong about it. Some people..." he carefully avoided limiting the statement to just Toa. "Some people can be nice enough when there's nothing on the line-- nothing in it for them, no incentive to screw people over. In that respect, I reckon we can trust Kas for as long as aiding us doesn't cost him anything. After that... well, we'll see." OOC: @Harvali @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Ollem - Ash Barrens The two Matoran having reached the scorched land of fire, they stood a mere stone's throw from the first of the two rivers of fire that supposedly marked the location of the Suva which they sought. Placing a hand over his brow - more to keep the rolling beads of sweat out of his eyes, than whatever rays of sunshine could make it through the ash-choked atmosphere - Ollem began to survey the land on the other side of the lava flow. Though the aforementioned ash-choked atmosphere impeded his vision, the effect was not so intense as to obscure his view of the horizon entirely. In any case, he was sure his companion's telescopic lens would offer her better luck than he himself was having. OOC: @Harvali @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Ollem - Ga-Wahi Ollem huffed as they distanced themselves from the bridge which led to the telescope, having departed some minutes ago. "Do you have any idea where this Suva might be, Mahrika?" OOC: @Harvali @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Barius - Fort Nektann After Drukarus left him, Barius remained out in the courtyard for a time, basking in the light of a million stars; each one seeming to speak to him in a language older than speech itself. But he was snapped from his reverie by a series of crashes and bangs, sounding from somewhere nearby. Activating his telescopic x-ray vision, he scanned the fortress for the source. It did not take long to find, and when he had, he moved swiftly towards the garage. Reaching the great garage doors, he grabbed hold of one and lifted with all his might, pushing it upward enough for him to squeeze through the gap. If that alone did not make his presence known, his shouting would: "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today," he announced, "because I'm gonna give you one opportunity to clean this mess up and get out of my fortress, before I turn you and your friends into paste." His words were punctuated by the activation of his fear Kraata, which would begin to fill the minds of those within the garage with a sense of apprehension. OOC: @Crimson Jester @Unreliable Narrator

IC: Morangad - Fau Swamp The Tiokaha looked down at Apex as she delivered her monologue, a mixture of numerous emotions contorting his features. He understood how the Aspect felt, having been alone for so long. Indeed, he had been without friend, kin, or confidant for about as long as her. He knew, too, the feeling of being drawn to a yawning abyss from which there was no escape; though, his abyss was of a different kind from hers. Nonetheless, and as strange as it was, they were natural allies. "I should like to be your friend, Apex," he answered. Though he had survived on his own for so long, he now felt that he sorely needed one. OOC: @Sparticus147 IC: Ollem - The Great Telescope As the Toa's tantrum nearly consumed the environment with its fiery fury, Ollem shrank back, nearly growing to regret having freed Kas after all. But his rage subsided, and the uneasy cooperation they shared reasserted itself. "Alright, we'll go find the Suva," he said, frowning. "But if you find the mask before then, you wait for us, OK?" OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Harvali

IC: Barius - Fort Nektann Barius paused in his feasting with the rest, captivated by Grime's song. Even in his altered state of mind, he could perceive the significance of the performance. There's something off about that Matoran, he noted to himself. Hunger sated, he pushed himself back from the table, chair whining against the floor, and gave the singer a standing ovation. OOC: @Sparticus147 @Nato the Traveler @Conway @EmperorWhenua @Crimson Jester @Unreliable Narrator IC: Providence - Entering Mesi Tunnels Providence shot ahead of the group as they entered the hidden tunnel, enthusiasm as out of place as ever against the bleak environs of the Dead Forest. OOC: @Nato the Traveler @Sparticus147 @Kal the Guardian IC: Morangad - Fau Swamp He pondered the question carefully. "I'm not certain what I had ought to think. For a long time I have held a view of Aspects as being duplicitous manipulators, whose interests necessarily ran counter to those of other beings. And, indeed, much of me still wants to hold onto this view, as I know that many of your kin still do business with the Skakdi raiders who I so despise. As Aspects are the only example of the element of shadow which I have come across, my view of the element is much the same." He cocked his head. "And yet, here I am, conversing with one, after having allowed myself to be desecrated by her. Sharing a common goal - multiples common goals - with her. It seems callous to say that you are an exceptional specimen among an otherwise evil species, so I am left not knowing what to conclude." Perhaps that I've sunk to their level? He wondered to himself. OOC: @Sparticus147 IC: Ollem - Near the Remnants of The Rig Ollem raised an eyebrow at Kas' assertion that a telescope, of all things, would be their means of reaching the floating city. He worried that a century of isolation might have driven the Toa bonkers. Nonetheless, he began to put one foot in front of the other, walking steadily towards the bridge which separated them from the island where the massive device was waiting for them. "Not the strangest thing I've heard today." OOC: @Harvali @Unreliable Narrator

I believe you indicated at an earlier point in time that desecrated folks could learn Taboos. Will Barius also be gaining the 3 Taboos from Grime's song, or am I mistaken? Edit: Also, I'm not sure if this has been addressed previously, but are non-Aspects capable of utilizing Kraata creation in any way, and if so, how?