the end.

[acatamods]

I ▫ main IV ▫ premise       XI ▫ applications XIV ▫ activity II ▫ logs V ▫ rules VII ▫ bestiary   IX ▫ canon updates XII ▫ taken XV ▫ drop/hiatus III ▫ ooc VI ▫ faq VIII ▫ setting   X ▫ mods XIII ▫ reserves XVI ▫ players the end. The fighting nearing the end of two weeks, has slowed to a stop. The warring factions have called a temporary ceasefire, thanks to the efforts of the Circle, in order to discuss what to do about the future of Akvos. While the King, the Queen, and the Princess are in heated discussions concerning the future of their world, it seems the other mermen and the mermaids are regrouping to figure out their next steps -- more in terms of survival, rather than political foolishness. The Circle has, for the most part, focused on the Rift itself – specifically, evacuating the mermen from Polankos and bringing them to Akvos, to protect them and prevent them from remaining trapped in the Rift. The Princess is thankful they have managed to accomplish that much. Perhaps, one day – they may even find peace. You never know, the Princess says. It may lead to something even greater than Akvos is already. However, the moment the majority of the mermen are evacuated from the Kingdom of Polankos, there is a sudden crack. The noise is deafening, even under water – and it does not take long to figure out the noise is coming from the crack in the Rift. The rumbling from the Rift--about half-closed, given the work of the Circle and the attempts to try and close it--grows with each passing moment. Mermaids and mermen alike are fleeing from the Fields of Akvosia, which are quickly beginning to deconstruct as the Rift expands. It almost appears to be a vacuum, sucking in entire beds of coral and rock as the Rift grows. Soon, word of the Rift’s collapse--or expansion, depending on how you want to look at it--reaches the Queen and King. Both in the Palace of Wahine readying to fight another day. Before either of them can properly react, there is another booming crack as another crack in space and time appears in the Depths of Markolos . . . then another in the Thunderdome, and finally in the Palace of Wahine. There is no time to spare escaping this world. Buildings are beginning to collapse, people begin to scream, and you begin to wonder yourself whether or not you are going to survive this nightmare. You witness the crystalline seas of Akvos turn a murky grey, as the broken buildings and shattered coral muddy the waters. It is hard to see, hard to breathe, and you attempt to navigate the chaos. Just as the Rift begins to pull you into it, and suck you into the Void . . . you feel a pull in your stomach. You are abruptly pulled through both time and space, and you land (most of you face-first) back in the Temple of Beginnings. Akvos has been lost. And, from the look of things, the Temple of Beginnings is suffering from some of the strange effects of the world being cut off from Astoria’s reach. THE TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS. Arriving in the Temple is something of a shock, given what the majority of you have just witnessed. You also are not alone -- it seems some merfolk from Akvos have made the journey with you, though the King, Princess, and Queen seem to have been lost to the chaos. For now, the residents in Lake Dona seem to be okay with the residents from Akvos, but time will tell how long that will last. To make matters even more difficult, you must now acclimate to breathing air again. After much coughing up of liquid in your lungs and getting used to the sudden change in surroundings, your watch beeps. A message from Astoria is waiting. And . . . about that. Until the next world jump, the Temple is going to be a bit wild. More will be revealed on the Test Drive Meme itself (which, as always, is canon!), but anticipate a lull for a few days before the Temple goes full . . . well, wonderland may be a word for it. Until then, rest. Recuperate. Breathe. You are home, for now. Rest, and prepare for the next steps in the battle to save the universe. You may have lost this battle, but you must continue on to win the war. MOD NOTES. Okay, friends. Please bear with us, because we have a lot of notes/links in this section! (1) Please make sure to visit our Game HMD to give us your thoughts/feelings/concerns about the game! (2) The EMP/ATP is live! Share with your friends and encourage folks to come join the Circle. (3) The TDM is being posted on January 21! Reserves open January 24th! Apps open on February 1st! (4) Astoria’s post is open to comment, but you may not get a response from her. If you do, it will be limited to one or two responses. You may also get a response from not Astoria . . . luck of the draw will determine who, or what, you’ll get. (5) Bear with us while we update the calendar and lists and incorporate our new helper mods into our process! We are hard at work getting back into a solid groove of things, and we appreciate your support. As always, leave any questions down below!

Comments

MOD QUESTIONS.

[acatamods]

[moneytwin]

If the Circle wanted to contact the native merfolk of Lake Dona and explain the situation, what would be the best way of doing so?

And if there was an offer of help/trade when the Circle is home in residence in exchange for aiding the exiles, what sort of things might they be interested in from landwalkers?

[acatamods]

You can simply go lakeside at Lake Dona and see the native merfolk positively aghast at these newcomers in their environment. They have no idea where they came from, but it seems Astoria (through some method or another) has quelled them into preventing them from murdering the other mermaids. Additionally, it seems the merfolk from Akvos are adapting fine to the Lake Dona environment, fresh water and all. Weird. It must be magic.

They'll accept jewelry and some of the neat land fruits, for the most part. They'll seemingly help the Akvos natives willingly (kin is kin, and all that) but they certainly won't be happy that these strangers are all up in their lilypads without any clue on how living in a deep lake works.

Also, Nessie loves the new mermaids. :) Just in case Vex was wondering.

[moneytwin]

Astoria's interference help in this matter is definitely appreciated! Vex herself would be happy to negotiate terms for the new merfolk if they need it, and may shake a few hands to agree on exchanging jewelry and fruit. A deal's a deal, and she might as well use that power of hers for the refugee's benefit.

And that would have been my next question. XD Vex didn't get to hang out much with Nessie when exploring the cave network, but she would at least reassure the newly arrived merfolk that they're safe to approach.

[theseuschip]

How do the remaining Akvos mermaids in the lake feel about the Circle, if one were to talk to them?

Like are any of them... resentful.... or do opinions vary... THIS IS SAD....

[acatamods]

They are extraordinarily shellshocked. They don't really know how to process what happened, as of yet, and are a bit numb as they're helped into the lake and get used to their new surroundings. They don't seem to be angry at the Circle, but they are definitely going to need time to adjust to the loss of their world before they can properly come to terms with what they feel.