crescentview | 🏝️ dulces sueños group excursion! 🏝️

🏝️ dulces sueños group excursion! 🏝️

🏝️ who: intrepid adventurers (vacationers?) and more!
🏝️ what: ori organized (origanized?) a group trip to the resort! mass memshare ensues.
🏝️ when: fall 9-10
🏝️ where: dulces sueños resort
🏝️ warnings: threads will be marked as needed for memshares.

[ Hopefully everyone had fun on the Arco Lunar! The morning after the boat departs from the docks, a letter arrives to your mailbox: ]

Hello, intrepid adventurer!

I am excited to have you along for a group excursion to the mysterious new island! In two days' time, let us gather in the town square and set off from there! Please be prepared to stay the night. It will be so fulfilling and memorable for everyone to spend a night on an adventure together!

If you have any questions or concerns, please come find me at my flower shop in town or at the forest farm where I live!

Sincerely,
Oriphi

[ If she accidentally delivered it to a few wrong mailboxes, then... Oops!

On the promised day, once everyone (and likely a few surprise tag-alongs) has gathered or been gathered, Ori distributes little paper bags of snacks to everyone. Inside are cookies, oat snacks, and a freshly-picked apple from her and M-21's orchard. Do with them as you please... Just don't let her catch you throwing it into the sea or something. 🥺 ]

Alright. I think we should head out, then! Thanks for coming along, everyone! I hope it'll be a great time. Oh, and please don't forget to drink plenty of water and use this incredible ointment I discovered on this island! It's called "sunscreen!" Tieflings don't really get sunburnt, but you should use it!

[ And with that our intrepid adventurers set off to the mysterious, dangerous, unknowable... resort island! ]

( This is the ill-fated mass ~~extinction~~ memshare event. Please refer to the event for details on the resort and the plotting post for any specific details for characters' memshares! There are toplevels for each area of the resort (and for the memshare). Enjoy! )

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[Syrlya looks over his shoulder at Ellis, staring blankly again. Isn't it... strange, for him to be talking?

... It's probably nothing. He's going to decide it's nothing.] Well, we've put all the work into preparing for this. I can't just back out now.

[But he sounds so confident about it. He looks back to Trahearne.] Are you ready to take on Mordremoth?

[Trahearne shakes his head.] "Not yet. But we will be soon. We're setting up a forward camp from which to begin the assault. I will call on you at some point in the future." [He raises a brow.] "We'll need your special skills."

[Ah, right. Syrlya rubs the back of his neck as he looks aside.] I've been away.

"I had noticed." [He lets out a breath, but smiles to reassure Syrlya. Does he look proud? Maybe.] "While I would prefer you at my side, I also know that you have been instrumental in saving many lives. You have your own path, my friend. Who am I to say it's less important than mine?"

It's... been one thing after another, I must admit.

"I suspect you have many stories to tell, and we'll talk more soon. But for now, I believe you have a world to unite. I'm confident the attendees will listen to you. Good luck."

Edited 2023-02-11 05:23 (UTC)

[ damn, these binches gay

Ellis has no idea what Mordremoth is, but he hopes it isn't the jungle dragon incident. He looks over at Syrlya and smiles. You can do it!! ]

[Syrlya turns to get into the hollowed seed pod, and looks back at Ellis as he makes room for Trahearne and a couple of his entourage.] Are you coming? I can't promise it will be exciting, but you're free to watch.

[ Ellis nods and excitedly follows Syrlya. Honestly, he'd rather watch from afar where he can be safe, but this is exciting. He doesn't know what will happen! Adrenaline!

But hopefully not of the terrible kind. ]

[:) :) :)

The seed pod floats the group up to the Omphalos Chamber, where the Avatar of the Tree stands flanked by armored Sylvari near a plant-grown podium. The racial leaders and their digniaries, including the blond human--Kasmeer--surround it. Trahearne takes place among them while Syrlya heads for the podium. His other friends, except for the Asura with the golem, join in the second seed pod to ascend.

The Pale Tree clasps her hands and addresses the summit first, voice soft-toned but audible and kind. Motherly.]

"Esteemed leaders, welcome to the Grove. Your attendance at this critical summit is appreciated. We are here at the behest of the honored group you see before you. I'm told you're all familiar with one another, so I won't make introductions. I will, however, let their spokesperson give us a summary. So, without further ado... Please begin."

[Syrlya bows his head to her in thanks, then stands straight behind the podium.]

Greetings. I'm Commander Syrlya. Thank you for coming. It says much about your leadership that you did. We've all been hearing about Mordremoth's awakening and the damage the Elder Dragon has already wrought...

[His speech is practiced, confident as he details the urgency to stop Mordremoth. As he debates with each leader about the true thread the newly awakened dragon poses to all of them. That they must unite, and put their resources to stopping Mordemoth before its spread cannot be stopped. Many are reluctant, dealing with problems within their borders--some of which are the threat of the other Elder Dragons.

But Syrlya stands firm, with evidence that Mordremoth poses more of a threat in the short and long term than the other dragons do. Its reach is already out of the Maguuma Jungle and well into their borders. It's stretched to Ascalon. If they do not act, they will lose their only chance to get ahead of the Dragon of Plant and Mind's ability to spread.

One by one, they acquiesce. Some more begrudging than others. But they have offer support from their military. Their great thinkers. Their people, to strengthen the Pact which has lost so much strength in its fight against Zhaitan.]

[ He wonders if this takes place after the "jungle eating airship" event if they know the Dragon deals with plants and the mindfuckery. If that's the case, it seems Trahearne is doing fine right now.

Ellis knows nothing about politics like this, but he tries to pay attention to Syrlya's presentation and appeal. It's pretty convincing, but Ellis would be useless in these sorts of things, so he merely looks over to the leaders when they agree to give their support. Syrlya is a great speechgiver, he thinks. ]

[He's had some practice. As the last of the leaders agree to lend aid, the air of the summit feels hopeful. Syrlya steps away from the podium to allow the Pale Tree to speak once more.]

"You have all given me hope for Tyria. It seems we—"

[And then the whole chamber--no the Grove shakes.

Screams of panic come down from below as the sounds of wood splitting start to come up. And Ellis doesn't need to be keyed into the Sylvari empathy to see that all of them in particular--the guards, Syrlya, Trahearne--are deeply panicked. Nothing should be striking at the heart of the Grove like this.

Thorned vines start to encase and crack the chamber, assisting in other plant monsters shaped like hulking beasts and wolves to crawl in. The Pale TRee's Avatar backs up behind her guards while delegates scatter and draw their weapons.

"Weapons out! We're under attack!"

"The enemy is here. Defend yourselves!"

"Hey, guys? We've got uninvited company down here!"

"Up here, too! Taimi, get in your golem and hold the line. We'll send the leaders down once it's safe."

"You can't! They tore up the lift as soon as they got here! You're trapped up there."

"No, we're not. Kas, start preparing a—"

"Portal. Already on it."

"Okay, let's clear out the Mordrem and get the leaders to Kasmeer's portal. C'mon!"

Syrlya has already leapt into action, wielding two swords with finesse around his magic as he strikes for the minions. Trahearne takes the fight elsewhere, his own minions holding back the enemy while he aims to slice his greatsword through the threatening vines.]

Edited 2023-02-13 03:00 (UTC)

[ Everything Everywhere All At Once, Sylvari edition apparently!!

Ellis feels overwhelmed and he's not sure what to do. He sure as hell isn't proficient in combat nor magic. All he ever had was his stabilizing skill, which never really felt like magic per say, but either way, he knows he's useless so he'll just... try guarding the leaders and such. At least he can be a body for something. ]

[He sure can be a body if he wants! There are, luckily, enough capable fighters that a meat shield isn't their first necessity. But the plant creatures aren't terribly concerned about who they're attacking--just whether it's a moving body.

Kasmeer runs to the edge of the chamber, Marjory covering her back as he spawns a portal to connect to the ground below. The guards around the Pale Tree are swiftly taken out, and Trahearne backs up to stand in her defense instead. Syrlya with his clones and bright magic keeps a number of them distracted and crippled so they can't easily chase down the leaders as he cuts through them.

The portal is up quickly, and everyone is ushered through as quickly as possible. First the leaders and their delegates, with Syrlya's friends leaving with them.

Trahearne and Syrlya linger longer to ensure the last of the minions are thrown out of the chamber. But the fighting rages on below, and with a quick sweep Trahearne descends through the portal next to join the next defense. Syrlya is about to leave, but--]

"Wait...before you go. I must speak with you alone."

[The Pale Tree, shaken and cowering, calls to him. Syrlya stops, of course, and changes course to kneel by his mother.

Ellis can leave at any point down below, or stay up in the chamber.]

[ As much as he'd like to leave, his survival instinct isn't at play in memshares, so he's free to do even stupider things while in dangerous situations. He stays up at the chamber after seeing the leaders and their delegates had gone through the portal and he looks for Syrlya. ]

[Syrlya is by the avatar of the Pale Tree, flanked by the dead bodies of the minions and her guards. She looks weak, and Syrlya has drops one of his blades to put his hand over hers.

They speak low, but there's nothing that stops Ellis from eavesdropping.]

"Come closer...yes. Yes, I can sense you clearly now. I am...weakened."

Are... you okay? What happened to you?

"I...I can't take much more. The assault was...fierce. These Mordrem tore at my roots and battered my branches. And...be warned. There is another..."

[Syrlya's shoulders tense, pulling his gaze away from her briefly to look around.] Another Mordrem?

"Yes. One of the most dangerous...it comes directly from Mordremoth. You know it from your Dream. It draws nearer! If I die..."

You will not die today, Mother! Where is it? Tell me!

"Shh... Listen." [She brushes a hand over his cheek before reaching to remove his hand from hers. To encourage him to be ready, and not be distracted with her.] "You will hear it approach."

[Syrlya purses his lips, taking his other blade once more and drawing slowly to his feed.] I will stand in its way.

[His tone is firm. Determined. And he turns as the chamber shakes again.

Kasmeer's portal disappears.

"Kasmeer! What happened? Where'd your portal go?"

"I...I don't know! It was holding strong, then all of a sudden it was cut off!"

There's a shrill, panicked screech down below as the Shadow of the Dragon clings to the chamber, its head coming through the gaps as its claws tear in. And it roars.

"It's attacking the chamber!"

"Hang on! We'll do what we can from down here! Just hang on!"

Syrlya doesn't respond to any of the cries to him from below. He levels his right blade for a strike.

And then he runs forward to meet the beast head-on.]

[ Ellis stares with wide eyes when there's a dragon that's suddenly attacking the chamber and never before was Ellis super glad to be deaf in his entire existence. Jesus Christ. He still doesn't feel like he can do much as he is now, so he continues to just... watch--watch Syrlya meet the beast head-on, Kasmeer's portal disappearing--wait.

He runs over to the avatar of the Pale Tree and tries to see if there's anything he can do, even being a meatshield would be fine, but it sounds like her problems are in places where he can't reach. ]

[Yeah, you're stuck here now buddy.

Unfortunately there's nothing to do, as the Avatar itself doesn't show any visible injuries. She is, after all, just a more easily interactable projection of the tree all around them. The tree still getting battered by the mordrem. He can at least support and comfort her form, while Syrlya singlehandedly stands against a dragon larger than a building. The fight below rages on as well, though his friends attempt to offer what little worried assistance they can from down below.

...

It's a hard battle. Syrlya stands strong, though not without injuries.

But it isn't won. Not exactly. Instead, something seems to draw the dragon's attention. With a loud cry it pulls away from the chamber, flying up and away from the grove. The mordrem stop coming, the vines wither and are cut down.

Syrlya rushes back to the Pale Tree's avatar, abandoning both swords as he comes to her side with worry and exhaustion etched deep in his face.

He looks to Ellis.] How has she been?

[ Support and comfort, it is. Ellis does his best and when Syrlya comes over, he'd arguably say: ]

Not too good.

[ He wonders if the mother tree has to go under a sudden coma to recover. ]

Is there an emergency procedure for things like this?

I--no, something like this has never happened before. [It's disquieting, realizing that a threat has come right to their home. To their mother tree. And Syrlya is at a loss for what to do.

The Pale Tree attempts to push herself up, at least to sit up properly and not lean on Ellis. Her hand comes to her temple, before she reaches for Syrlya.

"The threat has been...quelled for now. Please, come closer." And Syrlya obliges, leaning in to a whisper's room. As if this much be private from the world.

"I must share something with you." She looks straight into Syrlya's eyes and...

Ellis will see flashes of the vision he does--a city of gold. An egg seemingly made of crystal. A deep impression that this is important. In Syrlya, the urge of a Wyld Hunt settles in his bones. He understands he needs to find whatever this is. He needs to claim it--to protect it.

And when the vision ends, the Pale Tree's avatar collapses. "I'm fading..."]

--Mother? [Syrlya blinks as his focus comes back.

"... It's working. I've reestablished the portal flow. Come on down!" Kasmeer's voice calls as her portal swirls to life at the entrance of the chamber again. Two other Sylvari come up first, rushing to the group.

"Mother! Are you all right?"

Quickly! She's hurt and needs mending!"

Syrlya reaches for Ellis' arm, to try and pull him along a he gets to his feet to back away and give the warden's room to tend to the avatar. But his gaze doesn't leave her.]

[ Syrlya is successful in pulling Ellis away and Ellis watches the other Sylvari tend to the tend to the avatar. The portal is open... Hm. ]

Syrlya, let's go. They'll handle it.

I... yes. [His gaze can't help but linger a little longer.

But then he turns to the portal, releasing his grip on Ellis to allow him to walk himself as he makes his way to descend the chamber.

The scene below isn't much better. Torn plant matter and sap is everywhere from the mordrem carcasses. Crying echoes through the remnants of the crowd, from those who didn't quite run or have return to mourn their friends that were caught in the attack. A few of the traveling delegates can be seen among the bodies but... most are Sylvari.

Syrlya's friends have clumped together, and it's them he goes to first. Their relief upon seeing him on his feet is immediate, and though they don't physically fold around him the way he's enveloped into their conversation is--intimate. Close. Just like before.

Trahearne is further away, with his small entourage still standing. He holds his blade close, but does not allow the tip to rest into the ground. His gaze never waver from staring up at the chamber. Though his expression is pinched, trying to control the emotion, he can't help the despair that cracks it.

Ellis has one chance to talk to either group. Which will he choose?]

[ They both seem to be grieving, and he's not sure if he should bother either of them. Ellis doesn't think he'll have anything good to say either, and he was just here to bear witness to this horrible tragedy. He has enough empathy to understand why he should not just stroll up to them and act like nothing happened, so he stands there for a bit... until he slowly makes his way over to Syrlya. He imagines Trahearne must be busy with being worried for his mother. ]

... Hey.

[ He can't even ask if everybody is doing alright. They clearly aren't. Will it get better? He doesn't know that either. Tell Syrlya that he did his best? That feels condescending to him.

So he'll just give him a tight hug. ]

[Syrlya is trying to keep focused on business, even with the air of uneasiness. He doesn't feel he can let his guard down yet, not quite sure if that's really the end or if Mordremoth will find another way under their defenses. He needs to remain ready.

He does pause his sentence when he hears Ellis, looking back just in time to be pulled into his arms. He blinks rapidly, surprised.

This may not be what happened in reality. Syrlya was even better in his younger years at putting on a strong face, not worn by the pain. But the dream knows where to fill in the blanks of this situation.

It's Kasmeer who moves, first, similarly wrapping an arm around Syrlya and resting her cheek against his shoulder. Then Marjory sliding her arms around both. Rox places a firm hand to his other shoulder, and them Braham leans over to gather all of them in his arms--perhaps too tightly.

Taimi slips off the top of her golem, positioning herself to hang onto Braham instead.

... Syrlya lets out a shaky breath, his head bowing as he leans into the comfort.]

[ He's surprised that everyone came together for a pile of hugs, so he's in the middle of it with Syrlya. Ellis quietly speaks, his words into a murmur: ]

It's okay to ask for comfort from people who support you. You're not weak for doing so.

You're right. [In the haze of the memory, Syrlya can admit this easier than he normally would.] Sometimes I... forget, to rely on other people. By the time there's a moment, I've already swallowed it down. These people all need me.

[He tried so hard to be good enough for them. All of them.]

They also want you to be well. You're important to them, but not for your duty alone.

[ He lightly bumps his head with Syrlya's before he smiles. ]

[They do, don't they? The murmurs of affirmation are things he know. But he loves him, too, and he wants to strongly to shoulder them against the horrible things they've all seen.

But he doesn't go into that. Instead he meets Ellis' head with his own, and a soft smile.] Thank you, Ellis.

[And then the memory, piece by piece, fades out.]

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🏝️ dulces sueños group excursion! 🏝️

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Gw2 spoiler mention? I think

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Season 2 spoilers Tuesday don't look

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