BZPRPG - Onu-Wahi

[ARROW404]

1 minute ago, Geardirector said:

IC: Ussalry NPC (Ussalry HQ)

Onepu's current attache was interrupted by another that entered his office brandishing Nuparu's seal; a quick identifiable marker that told everyone he was here as Nuparu's acting representative.

"Commander Onepu, I've got a message for you from the Akiri."

OOC: @ARROW404

Ic: Onepu - Ussalry HQ

The Captain immediately straightened up, unable to keep from grinning- both at the fact he could forestall these signatures, and at the timing of the messenger. He rose to his feet with a nod. "Let's hear it, then. Or have it, if it's written."

[EmperorWhenua]

On 9/15/2024 at 4:40 PM, Void Emissary said:

Sulov blinked and he was outside the Akiri's office, meeting finished and successful - Nuparu having signed off on Stannis' plan. Correspondences will be made between his administration and Po-Koro's, orders will be transmitted, squadrons moved into position - prayers said, lives lost, Dark Walk taken. 

On a long enough time-scale, you almost forget when you failed deep down in Mangaia. It didn't have to be this way. No one else had to die for this.

"Well, Stannis," he said, "what's next?"

IC Stannis Maru | Onu-Koro

What's next? was a question that always stuck around the Maru like an anxious memory, popping up when least expected or, more like than not, when an answer was not imminently clear. Advice for what happened next was frequently asked of the Maru as anointed toa-heroes, and few more than Stannis himself, the Wanderer, the Prophet.

He stood outside in the koro street with Sulov and Ra'lhen and chewed his lip in thought. Over time, he'd became used to the question, and though he never became comfortable giving answers he'd grown to embrace his fallibility. Answers came with more thoughtfulness now, more collaborative council than the oracular wisdom he'd dispensed in his earlier years as a leader.

It would take time to formalize plans between koro, messengers to exchange information and akiri to drum up plans, efforts left to people better suited for the tasks leaving time that could be spent doing other things. He turned to his brothers for input. "Well," he said slowly, "I'm... not certain. We could try recruiting other toa for the effort, or scout the Dark Walk, or something else. But what do you think?" 

@Emzee

[Emzee]

IC: (Onu-Koro)

Ra’lhen shut his eyes for a moment as if trying to conjure up a good answer. They had what they needed. He knew it would be good to send word to Akiri Lichtgheist at once so preparations could be made.

But what about them?

“We could try seeing if Ta-Koro would want involvement. Having a third city contribute to this project would have an incredible impact,” Ra’lhen said, “Though... since the original agreement was just between Onu- and Po-, that could lead to us needing re-negotiations”.

Plus… things were not so great last time ‘I’ was physically there, Ra’lhen thought. The only regions he had really ventured since he was freed from Makuta’s hold were Le-Wahi, here, and Po-Wahi. Venturing into the City of Fire would likely trip up memories.

And the City of Water was likely to never be an option for him. Good thing Ga-Koro wasn’t on the list.

“Or, we could set up two teams: one for Po-Koro and one for Onu-Koro. Each would go into the Dark Walks and scout them like you said, Stannis. The teams would handle threats and bring reports back to their respective Akiri”

OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Void Emissary

[Geardirector]

IC: Ussalry NPC (Ussalry HQ)

"He wants to see you in person, and I'm here to lead you to him" the Ussalryman answered.

IC: Akiri Nuparu (Highway Entrance)

Akiri Nuparu had spent a few moments after the meeting with Sulov and Stannis going over a few reports about the state of things, and in so doing, found something that caught his attention.

"This is not how things should look... the readings..." he mused privately, before he picked up an iStone and disappeared behind feverish calculations for a few moments. He emerged from them with a look of alarm on his face.

He got up and stepped out of his office, only barely remembering to grab his handbag of tablets and notes, and his Disk Launcher. Just in case...

"Send word to Onepu I need to see him immediately at the southern Koro exit." he announced to one of his staff, while his bodyguards fell in behind and in front of him. He had just spoken aloud where he was headed, they could take it from there. For once, Nuparu agreed to the security theater, he couldn't stand to be interrupted this time.

OOC: @ARROW404

[ARROW404]

1 hour ago, Geardirector said:

IC: Ussalry NPC (Ussalry HQ)

"He wants to see you in person, and I'm here to lead you to him" the Ussalryman answered.

IC: Akiri Nuparu (Highway Entrance)

Akiri Nuparu had spent a few moments after the meeting with Sulov and Stannis going over a few reports about the state of things, and in so doing, found something that caught his attention.

"This is not how things should look... the readings..." he mused privately, before he picked up an iStone and disappeared behind feverish calculations for a few moments. He emerged from them with a look of alarm on his face.

He got up and stepped out of his office, only barely remembering to grab his handbag of tablets and notes, and his Disk Launcher. Just in case...

"Send word to Onepu I need to see him immediately at the southern Koro exit." he announced to one of his staff, while his bodyguards fell in behind and in front of him. He had just spoken aloud where he was headed, they could take it from there. For once, Nuparu agreed to the security theater, he couldn't stand to be interrupted this time.

OOC: @ARROW404

IC: Onepu - Onu-Koro

Onepu nodded, casting a sidelong glance at the eye-roll of his secretary, before heading quickly out the door. "Let's not keep him waiting." He shouldered his dolabra on the way out and hopped onto his crab. 

[Geardirector]

IC: Ussalry NPCs and Akiri Nuparu (Onu-Koro)

Onepu was escorted by Nuparu's staffer briskly out of the Koro's central hub and not towards his office inside of the great hut once used by Turaga Whenua, but instead they were heading through the streets towards the Koro's edge. There, he saw the Akiri sitting in the back of an Ussalry carriage, clearly waiting for him to join him.

The Ussalrymen all saluted their commander, and made way for him to take his seat in the carriage opposite Nuparu.

"It's good that you could come on such short notice, Commander" Nuparu began, looking up from an iStone he had been reading, "I have something I think both of us need to see."

He signaled for the carriage to get moving, and the two of them started the journey out of the Koro.

OOC: @ARROW404

[ARROW404]

2 hours ago, Geardirector said:

IC: Ussalry NPCs and Akiri Nuparu (Onu-Koro)

Onepu was escorted by Nuparu's staffer briskly out of the Koro's central hub and not towards his office inside of the great hut once used by Turaga Whenua, but instead they were heading through the streets towards the Koro's edge. There, he saw the Akiri sitting in the back of an Ussalry carriage, clearly waiting for him to join him.

The Ussalrymen all saluted their commander, and made way for him to take his seat in the carriage opposite Nuparu.

"It's good that you could come on such short notice, Commander" Nuparu began, looking up from an iStone he had been reading, "I have something I think both of us need to see."

He signaled for the carriage to get moving, and the two of them started the journey out of the Koro.

OOC: @ARROW404

IC: Onepu

While it wasn't unusual to meet Nuparu elsewhere than his office, this far at the edge of Onu did raise Onepu's eyebrow. 

"It's good you caught me in the middle of paperwork," he responded with an amiable, but curious grin. He hopped into the seat, laying his dolabra across his legs, and leaned over to try and get a look at his friend's iStone. "Danger?" He asked, more seriously. 

[Daniel the Finlander]

IC: Oliphko (Onu-Koro)

She took a deep breath as if she was preparing to take a plunge into water. "Alright. I think this will be fine... mushrooms can't be sentient, right? I know the Daikau plants for example are rumoured to be sentient, but they're not edible... but you know, hypothetically speaking. It's not possible for mushrooms to feel pain I assume? From what I know the edible part is just a small section of a larger organism that lives in the earth."

It was clear she was moreso trying to convince herself that it was fine rather than actually asking Ferron about it. This became obvious when she grabbed a dish of stew and sipped some of its contents before hearing his response. She then slowly lowered it back on the table, her expression unreadable as if she was trying to process what she had just done.

"You know... I kind of like it!"

OOC: @Geardirector

[Geardirector]

IC: Akiri Nuparu and Ussalry NPCs (Onu-Wahi)

"Do you recall, before we learned for a fact that The Makuta has returned, those months of unexplained unease and dread? I had the vague premonition that Onu-Koro would need to be ready for something. So far, the only definite response is the arrival of the Dasakan refugee flotilla, but beyond that, once The Makuta is active again one cannot be too careful"

Nuparu let Onepu see the iStone while the caravan moved, and they were travelling down the main highway leading south from Onu-Koro, in the direction of the border with Ko-Wahi.

"I decided that to be on the safe side, we should put out a few extra patrols and scouts to keep a closer eye on the goings-on here in our tunnels."

"We've found one hotspot in particular that indicates troubling recent activity. I decided I needed to see this for myself."

Onepu saw a map of some of the southern tunnels closer to the surface, one spot outlined with an "x"

"There is already a small Ussalry detachment waiting for us there"

@ARROW404

[Void Emissary]

IC: Sulov | Outside Akiri Nuparu's office

"Ta-Koro would be tough to swing," he said. "Oreius was our liaison there, and with him out of commission...."

...I doubt their Akiri would want much to do with us anymore was what Sulov left unsaid.

"But your other plan's good," he said to Ra'lhen. "Best that we head in first, get the lay of the land. Avoid unnecessary risk when the others arrive."

OOC: @EmperorWhenua@Emzee

-Void

[EmperorWhenua]

IC Stannis | Onu-Koro

"Then let's scout," Stannis concurred, stirring himself once more. "But just the three of us, plus any other toa who wish to join. Splitting in twain is unlikely to yield positive results with such a small group. 

"Sulov, I understand the Ussalry still manages to deploy extensively through the tunnels. Could we use the Ussalry's activity to desguise our efforts until we are well into the Walk from here? Po-Koro is not as thoroughly inserted, so if we entered from our ingress point our presence would likely be detected immediately."

[ARROW404]

On 9/23/2024 at 5:11 PM, Geardirector said:

IC: Akiri Nuparu and Ussalry NPCs (Onu-Wahi)

"Do you recall, before we learned for a fact that The Makuta has returned, those months of unexplained unease and dread? I had the vague premonition that Onu-Koro would need to be ready for something. So far, the only definite response is the arrival of the Dasakan refugee flotilla, but beyond that, once The Makuta is active again one cannot be too careful"

Nuparu let Onepu see the iStone while the caravan moved, and they were travelling down the main highway leading south from Onu-Koro, in the direction of the border with Ko-Wahi.

"I decided that to be on the safe side, we should put out a few extra patrols and scouts to keep a closer eye on the goings-on here in our tunnels."

"We've found one hotspot in particular that indicates troubling recent activity. I decided I needed to see this for myself."

Onepu saw a map of some of the southern tunnels closer to the surface, one spot outlined with an "x"

"There is already a small Ussalry detachment waiting for us there"

@ARROW404

IC: Onepu

The brow of his Pakari furrowed, head nodding as Nuparu explained. "Troubling enough to call me to check in person?" he asked curiously. None of what Nuparu had said yet had justified the personal call, so he figured there must be more details the Akiri would get to. 

[Geardirector]

IC: Akiri Nuparu (Onu-Koro Highway)

"It's more a matter of want than need," Nuparu admitted, "I want to see it in person, and I'm willing to hazard a guess that you had trouble hiding a smile when you were told the Akiri had something for you to personally attend to"

"I still think this is important, of course, but I'm also creating an excuse for myself to leave the office. I'm sure you understand"

The Ussalry Caravan kept heading down the highway for some time, but did eventually turn down a side tunnel. The journey was on a very slow but steady climb upwards and towards the southeast. They were beginning to approach the border with Ko-Wahi, Onepu would be able to tell.

OOC: @ARROW404

IC: Ferron (Onu-Koro)

Ferron didn't interrupt while Oliphko sussed out her moral dilemma aloud, and smiled as she finally crossed the treshold and had a taste. It was a small thing, but Ferron was glad to see this nervous young Toa exercize some reasoning.

"Now that we've covered that, if I remember correctly, you wanted to hear more about what being a Toa was like for me"

Ferron drummed his fingers on the table, appearing hesitant but not voicing any protest.

"Anything in particular?"

OOC: @Daniel the Finlander

[Emzee]

IC: (Onu-Koro, Outside Akiri Nuparu’s Office)

Ra’lhen nodded. The idea of other Toa joining the expedition put him even more at ease. It had been so long since Ra’lhen had been part of a real team—not the Sentinel squads that often resented his presence.

“Sulov, I understand the Ussalry still manages to deploy extensively through the tunnels. Could we use the Ussalry's activity to desguise our efforts until we are well into the Walk from here?” he heard Stannis ask, “Po-Koro is not as thoroughly inserted, so if we entered from our ingress point our presence would likely be detected immediately.”

Ra’lhen looked to see what the Toa Maru pf Earth would say.

OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Void Emissary

 

Edited September 26 by Emzee

[ARROW404]

On 9/24/2024 at 9:19 PM, Geardirector said:

IC: Akiri Nuparu (Onu-Koro Highway)

"It's more a matter of want than need," Nuparu admitted, "I want to see it in person, and I'm willing to hazard a guess that you had trouble hiding a smile when you were told the Akiri had something for you to personally attend to"

"I still think this is important, of course, but I'm also creating an excuse for myself to leave the office. I'm sure you understand"

The Ussalry Caravan kept heading down the highway for some time, but did eventually turn down a side tunnel. The journey was on a very slow but steady climb upwards and towards the southeast. They were beginning to approach the border with Ko-Wahi, Onepu would be able to tell.

OOC: @ARROW404

IC: Ferron (Onu-Koro)

Ferron didn't interrupt while Oliphko sussed out her moral dilemma aloud, and smiled as she finally crossed the treshold and had a taste. It was a small thing, but Ferron was glad to see this nervous young Toa exercize some reasoning.

"Now that we've covered that, if I remember correctly, you wanted to hear more about what being a Toa was like for me"

Ferron drummed his fingers on the table, appearing hesitant but not voicing any protest.

"Anything in particular?"

OOC: @Daniel the Finlander

IC: Onepu

"Am I that predictable?" he asked, barking out a laugh. "You know me too well, old friend." He gave Nuparu's shoulder a pat. "And thanks for the excuse to get out." 

It wasn't the first time he'd referred to Nuparu as 'old friend', but this time the term stuck in his mind for a bit. Nuparu was still the same Matoran he'd known long before, but being an Akiri had left a marked difference in him over time. 

Not for the first time, but the first time in a while, a question formed in his mind. This time, he figured he'd ask. "Out-of-the-blue question," he preambled, talking just a tad lower, the click-clack of the Ussal's claws masking his words. "Before Whenua's passing, I never in my life would have pegged you for the Akiri type. But you've taken to it really well. You... got any thoughts on that? Things you wished you'd done differently, things you're amazed you can do now that you couldn't before?"

[Geardirector]

IC: Akiri Nuparu (Ussalry Caravan)

Nuparu went silent, clearly in a lot of thought as he pondered Onepu's question.

"I didn't take to it as well at first, to tell you the truth" Nuparu answered first with a furrowed brow. He put his iStone aside, resting his hands on his knees.

"It's starting to recede into the background now but remember if you can, how the first few months after the Toa Maru defeated The Makuta transpired. Po-Koro hid all its roads, Ta-Koro's monorail was bombed, and I... Onu-Koro was putting its finger on everyone's scale."

Nuparu counted on his fingers, speaking aloud.

"Le-Koro's chute network, the Iron Mahi, Ta-Koro's thermal power plant, Ko-Koro's aural detection system, Ga-Koro's underwater greenhouses... our engineers played a major hand in developing and designing all of those. In hindsight, it was opportunistic and cynical to a degree I'm not... comfortable admitting openly: to play all sides and just expect everything to work out in our favor when it came to blows. People really thought that was going to happen... it turned out I was wrong, and I'm glad that I was"

"I had to hear some serious words from all of them when we had that summit at the Kini-Nui to reopen relations, I needed to hear it, I had spent too much time approaching this game of politics as a puzzle I could manipulate. I had to learn the hard way, I'm just glad it didn't turn out worse"

Nuparu looked thoughtful as he often did, but he also looked a little distraught.

The caravan arrived at its destination. A few Ussalry members stood waiting to meet them at the mouth of a cave.

OOC: @ARROW404

[Void Emissary]

On 9/24/2024 at 2:04 PM, EmperorWhenua said:

"Sulov, I understand the Ussalry still manages to deploy extensively through the tunnels. Could we use the Ussalry's activity to desguise our efforts until we are well into the Walk from here? Po-Koro is not as thoroughly inserted, so if we entered from our ingress point our presence would likely be detected immediately."

IC: Sulov | Outside Akiri Nuparu's Office

"Yeah," he said, "that shouldn't be an issue. I can take take care of those arrangements - you and Ra'lhen handle recruitment?"

OOC: @Emzee@EmperorWhenua

-Void

[ARROW404]

On 10/1/2024 at 5:51 PM, Geardirector said:

IC: Akiri Nuparu (Ussalry Caravan)

Nuparu went silent, clearly in a lot of thought as he pondered Onepu's question.

"I didn't take to it as well at first, to tell you the truth" Nuparu answered first with a furrowed brow. He put his iStone aside, resting his hands on his knees.

"It's starting to recede into the background now but remember if you can, how the first few months after the Toa Maru defeated The Makuta transpired. Po-Koro hid all its roads, Ta-Koro's monorail was bombed, and I... Onu-Koro was putting its finger on everyone's scale."

Nuparu counted on his fingers, speaking aloud.

"Le-Koro's chute network, the Iron Mahi, Ta-Koro's thermal power plant, Ko-Koro's aural detection system, Ga-Koro's underwater greenhouses... our engineers played a major hand in developing and designing all of those. In hindsight, it was opportunistic and cynical to a degree I'm not... comfortable admitting openly: to play all sides and just expect everything to work out in our favor when it came to blows. People really thought that was going to happen... it turned out I was wrong, and I'm glad that I was"

"I had to hear some serious words from all of them when we had that summit at the Kini-Nui to reopen relations, I needed to hear it, I had spent too much time approaching this game of politics as a puzzle I could manipulate. I had to learn the hard way, I'm just glad it didn't turn out worse"

Nuparu looked thoughtful as he often did, but he also looked a little distraught.

The caravan arrived at its destination. A few Ussalry members stood waiting to meet them at the mouth of a cave.

OOC: @ARROW404

IC: Onepu 

The Captain's brows rose on his Pakari. "I wouldn't have guessed you had such sour feelings about it... Everyone benefited from those, after all- Well, aside for Ko-Koro, but... four out of five is an excellent shot record."

Speaking of shots, they were overdue for a Kolhii tournament... 

He put a hand on Nuparu's shoulder as they drew close to their destination. "Don't be too hard on yourself. Your decisions benefited more than they harmed, and you learned from your mistakes. That's even better than not making any." Usually, but this case was one the saying definitely applied to. 

[Geardirector]

IC: Akiri Nuparu and Garn (Ussalry Caravan)

"It's good to at least hear someone else approve, we'll see how far that goes. I can't be distracted by it now." Nuparu answered, and the two of them finally felt the wagon come to a stop, and they had presumably arrived.

"Akiri, and Commander Sir." a gruff voice spoke as a large figure appeared at the exit to the carriage Nuparu and Onepu had sat in. It turned out to be a Skakdi, black and purple most dominant in his color scheme, and the arm he wasn't saluting with covered by a large, armored gauntlet.

"Lieutenant Garn" Nuparu answered, and got up to leave the carriage, Onepu presumably in tow.

"Didn't expect to see you all the way out here in person, Akiri" Garn admitted, but seemed to take it in stride.

"What we found is this way, though, so follow me and we'll get a good look at it"

Garn turned and led the way, stepping through a hole in the cave wall that had clearly been recently opened and widened by the Ussalry patrol standing guard.

OOC: @ARROW404