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01: Outside Barrier Report!
Good morning, everyone!
A few weeks ago, Somnus, Noctis, and I were granted permission to explore northward beyond the walls and barrier. Please see the attached files as to what we've discovered:
[ 1. A video of the outside, recorded on their communicator. Beyond the barrier, as most may have already seen from previous recordings, is a wasteland with a thick, caustic atmosphere. Visibility is low, but not terrible. The video is mostly the three of them traveling along with their NPC guide, Calda. The video cuts to various segments of their travels, some of which show either Noctis or Somnus warping ahead or above to keep surveillance, although it might be difficult to determine which one is which from far away in their exosuits and helmets. Another clip appears to be taken some distance from the barrier, zooming outward towards the wastes. Northward, it a eroded road extends out; in the distance, a shadow of what appears to be mountains loom.
2. An aerial map of the northern region just beyond the wall, composited from a series of photos taken at the same altitude. It shows a few decrepit, eroded buildings and roads, as if the city had extended well beyond where the barrier stands today. No craters mark the terrain, although some buildings might appear to be as if something knocked or crashed into them. The grooves surrounding the norther portion of the wall can also be spotted from this view.
3. A video of a skeletal behemoth with a flower growing outside of its skull...being totally demolished by a joint attack from Somnus and Noctis, fighting together in tandem. The monster ends up crumpling to the ground, spilling out an oily black substance between its cracking, dismanteling ribcage. Go them!
To find out more about these discoveries, continue reading below: ]
While visibility was low, we were able to travel out as far as our guide would permit us.
Some of us might recall the virtual reality "Memories of the Sun" program, in which participants were allowed to ascend a sacred mountain called Fractured Hill. This landmark was said to be north of the city. The VR did not have any indication of the city when looking soutward upon the summit for Havenwell; however, looking out northward beyond the barrier in reality, there appears to be a mountain range in the distance.
We've discovered that deep grooves track inward towards the walls, and these grooves apparently surround the entirety of the city's wall. Together with the evidence of buildings and roads beyond the current barrier, we suspect that these markings might indicate that the wall was originally at a greater radius from the citycenter, encompassing more area than what it does today. For whatever reason, it's been scaled back from its original position.
We entered some of the more stable-appearing towers and buildings, looking for artifacts and anything that appeared to be electronics, or metalwares. Unfortunately, most of what we've discovered was too fragile to return with us. Almost everything disintegrated whenever we attempted to hold them.
The skeletal creature we encountered was dead; however, the flower atop of its skull, the poinsettia, was, and still is, alive. The roots shrivel when the flower is severed from the skeleton, which breaks apart without the network that integrates it. This creature also produced a caustic, concentrated dark substance. This substance may contain toxin which produces the same illness-like symptoms many of us may have experienced near the breach of the barrier.
On a similarly related note, Besithia was able to lend me a few samples of the gigarachnids' black fluid found within their bodies, which I was able to analyze. This fluid is mostly their blood, which seems to be a darker color to begin with, but under further scrutiny, it appears to contain a toxin. This toxin appears to have mutated the arachnids. Similarly, when exposed to this toxin, it produces symptoms that mimic an inflammatory response: malaise, cough, chills, and fever.
I believe that the sickness that one feels when being exposed to the outside environment is not produced by an infectious, living organism, but by the very same toxin found in these creatures. This toxin is carried in the atmosphere, which explains that mere exposure to the outside atmosphere is enough to inflict an adverse reaction that mimics an illness. This "illness" cannot be fully cured by medicine or magic, or at least not by any I'm yet aware of. For those of you who are new to this world, the current treatment we have for these symptoms is through physical touch, and this works to alleviate the illness in as little as a few minutes of contact.
Noctis and I will be available to answer any questions regarding the expedition, the samples gathered, or the process for petitioning an expedition beyond the barrier and what preparations to take.
A few weeks ago, Somnus, Noctis, and I were granted permission to explore northward beyond the walls and barrier. Please see the attached files as to what we've discovered:
[ 1. A video of the outside, recorded on their communicator. Beyond the barrier, as most may have already seen from previous recordings, is a wasteland with a thick, caustic atmosphere. Visibility is low, but not terrible. The video is mostly the three of them traveling along with their NPC guide, Calda. The video cuts to various segments of their travels, some of which show either Noctis or Somnus warping ahead or above to keep surveillance, although it might be difficult to determine which one is which from far away in their exosuits and helmets. Another clip appears to be taken some distance from the barrier, zooming outward towards the wastes. Northward, it a eroded road extends out; in the distance, a shadow of what appears to be mountains loom.
2. An aerial map of the northern region just beyond the wall, composited from a series of photos taken at the same altitude. It shows a few decrepit, eroded buildings and roads, as if the city had extended well beyond where the barrier stands today. No craters mark the terrain, although some buildings might appear to be as if something knocked or crashed into them. The grooves surrounding the norther portion of the wall can also be spotted from this view.
3. A video of a skeletal behemoth with a flower growing outside of its skull...being totally demolished by a joint attack from Somnus and Noctis, fighting together in tandem. The monster ends up crumpling to the ground, spilling out an oily black substance between its cracking, dismanteling ribcage. Go them!
To find out more about these discoveries, continue reading below: ]
While visibility was low, we were able to travel out as far as our guide would permit us.
Some of us might recall the virtual reality "Memories of the Sun" program, in which participants were allowed to ascend a sacred mountain called Fractured Hill. This landmark was said to be north of the city. The VR did not have any indication of the city when looking soutward upon the summit for Havenwell; however, looking out northward beyond the barrier in reality, there appears to be a mountain range in the distance.
We've discovered that deep grooves track inward towards the walls, and these grooves apparently surround the entirety of the city's wall. Together with the evidence of buildings and roads beyond the current barrier, we suspect that these markings might indicate that the wall was originally at a greater radius from the citycenter, encompassing more area than what it does today. For whatever reason, it's been scaled back from its original position.
We entered some of the more stable-appearing towers and buildings, looking for artifacts and anything that appeared to be electronics, or metalwares. Unfortunately, most of what we've discovered was too fragile to return with us. Almost everything disintegrated whenever we attempted to hold them.
The skeletal creature we encountered was dead; however, the flower atop of its skull, the poinsettia, was, and still is, alive. The roots shrivel when the flower is severed from the skeleton, which breaks apart without the network that integrates it. This creature also produced a caustic, concentrated dark substance. This substance may contain toxin which produces the same illness-like symptoms many of us may have experienced near the breach of the barrier.
On a similarly related note, Besithia was able to lend me a few samples of the gigarachnids' black fluid found within their bodies, which I was able to analyze. This fluid is mostly their blood, which seems to be a darker color to begin with, but under further scrutiny, it appears to contain a toxin. This toxin appears to have mutated the arachnids. Similarly, when exposed to this toxin, it produces symptoms that mimic an inflammatory response: malaise, cough, chills, and fever.
I believe that the sickness that one feels when being exposed to the outside environment is not produced by an infectious, living organism, but by the very same toxin found in these creatures. This toxin is carried in the atmosphere, which explains that mere exposure to the outside atmosphere is enough to inflict an adverse reaction that mimics an illness. This "illness" cannot be fully cured by medicine or magic, or at least not by any I'm yet aware of. For those of you who are new to this world, the current treatment we have for these symptoms is through physical touch, and this works to alleviate the illness in as little as a few minutes of contact.
Noctis and I will be available to answer any questions regarding the expedition, the samples gathered, or the process for petitioning an expedition beyond the barrier and what preparations to take.
no subject
[Don't mind him if there's the faintest hint of strain in his voice at `his grandfather`. Not a sore spot in his history with Mors at all, nope.]
Private
Precisely that. I suspect temples for them would not necessarily be at the cardinal points so it would be difficult to determine where exactly to search. Hopefully any who go beyond the Wall keep a watchful eye out for any such evidence.
no subject
Was it a strategic move, scaling the wall back? The scenario could have been same, for Havenwell. Either there was a decrease in power that led to the barrier unable to support a wider area, or tightening the integrity of the barrier under a smaller area made it stronger.
[ She's inclined to believe that it's more the former than the latter. ]
Private
...I would think their temples to be in the sky or atop a mountain. For the other, perhaps... beneath the ground.
[ --Are her guesses, anyway. The passage states the Crawling one and burrowing beneath the ground. The Winged One, however, could literally be up in the sky, or atop a mountain. Given the impressive technology she sees here, she wouldn't doubt that building a temple underground or somehow in the sky atop a platform would be beyond them.
Then again, she could be thinking of the passage too literally. It's difficult for her to say at this point. Those of her world would write a number of myths dedicated to their god and what he did, but very little, if anything of it, was the truth. What of the passages here?
It's all they have to go by, unfortunately. Their best leads. ]
no subject
Private
You don't suppose this Fractured Hill could have once been a temple location? As you said it was sacred and.... there could be a number of reasons it has become fractured.
no subject
Private
It's possible. Fractured Hill was a site for a pilgrimage, and it is apparently called "fractured" in part for its appearance. [ For a moment, she's reminded of something of her own world. ] Whether it's become fractured by one of the unnamed gods or by those who lived in the past, we'll only have to investigate further.
What limits us an effective way to travel out further. The exosuits only last for a certain amount of time, and even a minor tear in them could leave us vulnerable to the toxin outside. I'm surprised they supplied suits for us at all; I do wonder what they were made of...
[ Unfortunately, she hadn't gotten a chance to look into the material. ]
no subject
Private
I have some thoughts to that end. [Thoughts he's not ready to share, apparently.]
We need an effective way to travel larger distances. Perhaps a vehicle of some sort? We've established that the toxin is hazardous to people but not if it effects other materials. Do you think a car or motorcycle would be able to endure beyond the wall?
no subject
[ A difficult decision all around. Not that she knows how to properly pray, however. It only seems like the right thing to say to express her sympathies. ]
Private
There has been an effort to build a vehicle to allow us to travel outside at greater distances. [ Since... she arrived, really, and she's been helping them out for five months. But with lack of resources, it's become a very lengthy and time-consuming project. Will the dropship ever leave the ground? She does not know. ]
I do believe a vehicle would help greatly, especially if it was built with the alloys found here.
All Private~
I may not be of much use with the technology but I may be able to assist with the procurement of resources. Who is leading that effort?
permaprivate
The answer depends on... whom you choose to trust. Whatever you are gathering, do you wish to keep its use on projects separate from the locals? Or would you not mind possibly collaborating with them?
no subject
At least not yet.
no subject
And what do you think of collaborating with Besithia?
no subject
[Immediate, cold, and offering no room for argument.
He'll try for Will's sake not to actively harm the man but that is as far as that olive branch is ever going to be extended again.]
no subject
Regardless, both his answers point to working with the locals and those open to it, as Besithia keeps all of his own research and developments to himself. ]
In that case, if you are not opposed to being more forthwith with the locals as to whatever we might be developing, I would happily take any resources off your hands. [ After a pause, she continues. ] As it happens, there is a specialty material I'm looking for...
no subject
Working with the locals is certainly better than the alternative.
What is it you're looking for?
no subject
I've proposed this idea to the locals at the Research Center, and they seemed open to the idea. [ Thus, she and those working on this project must prove that they are trustworthy and capable over time-- or so she believes. ] The priests are not forthcoming with information of what might be suitable to share with us, but there seem to be a number of locals who are more open.
[ She continues after drawing a breath, ] Here is what we know: there are no mines in this city. Many of the scraps and specialty metals found within the repair shops are repurposed from expired locals. Trade of the more precious ones are highly regulated, and we do not know exactly which ores, and in what amount, are used to house their chassis units.
If you could develop rapport by beginning to assist at one of the local repair shops...you might obtain that information for yourself. It would bring us one step closer to our goal.
no subject
[They've had this discussion, already. Excellent. And now here is a tangible way for him to assist.]
I believe there is a repair shop down the street from Valeo. I'm sure I can stop in with some regularity... once his Majesty is returned to good health, of course.
no subject
[ --For months now, anyway, and it had been Pyra to approach her with the idea to begin with. Honerva has proved to be a wonderful partner: thoughtful, intelligent, and extraordinarily reasonable. If there is one person she trusts in regards to how to monitor the energy of this world by lending her own power, it would be Honerva.
And she nods. ] ...Ah, yes, I've... heard. [ A pause. ] Take your time. I'm sure the repair shops can wait.
no subject
[They're so similar he knows damn well she's going to push until she falls over. Just as he would.]
For now I am hopeful that he is experiencing something similar to what Era went through.
[Which means he will wake up soon. Hopefully.]
no subject
Rather, had trusted, for now that Cor is suggesting that she keep a more vigilant eye upon her well-being... Hm. Perhaps she had been wrong about her. This is good to know, and she nods, thankful for the suggestion. ] I promise you, I will.
As for what he says of Regis... ] They fall asleep... and awaken, yes? As if time has passed. I was with Noct one of the days he was watching over his father. [ And, according to Noctis, Regis had aged a bit. ]
no subject
[There's a faint shift in his tone, warm and amused, fond of his King's habits.]
I can only hope he wakes soon.
no subject
However, something else catches her attention-- ]
There were... changes even before he fell asleep? [ Changes that he hid? She had been under the impression that such changes, whether physical or with memory, tended to occur when one fell asleep in this world-- a mark of time passing in their own. If this also happens when one is awake, then this news bodes ill. ]
no subject
[He hadn't meant to confuse her but he can see now exactly how that must have sounded.]
My apologies. I have been at his side since we were both young men, a child in my case. There were changes that came with age that he did his best to hide from the public, even from those close to him. I was merely stating that what small changes we have observed in these past few days may be much greater if one were to look a little closer.
[Beneath the thicker growth of beard that would only expand as the years go on, beneath the high collar and heavy layers of his raiment. Sickly blue and pink lines, a pale webbing of magical scars that would one day crawl up his neck to mar that perfect face.]
no subject
And then there was also Noctis. He has scars. Not from the ring, but others, deep wounds that haven't healed since childhood.
She speaks softly, reflective: ]
All three kings of Lucis here... [ Have scars or markings, then. ] They give so much to the world.
[ Yet how noble they are, for being committed to preserving the world at any cost to themselves. Should they all love their kingdom, their people, and their world, of course the selfless would choose to undertake that price to protect that which they love. She empathizes deeply with this sentiment; respects it. For Somnus, she's fallen for him because of it. ]
no subject
[It's a gentle reminder, of all the lineage Ardyn is perhaps the one who sacrificed the most.]
The kingdom is built upon such sacrifices. It is an expectation, the crown demands it. And those closest to it can only stand by and watch the toll it takes.
[It's difficult. Unbearably so. There have been times, many times, when he wished that he could take the burden from his King's shoulders, forfeit his youth to preserve Regis for some small time yet. It was foolish but if it meant protecting Regis there is nothing he wouldn't give.]
I do not think the gods understand or care what burdens they place upon their followers.
no subject
"I do not think the gods understand or care--"
They are done here. ] Your loyalty and admiration towards your kings... I hear it in your voice. [ --His want for better for them, his fierce honor. Her own tone carries a smile. ] I hope it will make up for what you say the gods do not give.
no subject
I do all I can to support them. It is all I can do.
[He has no power to change the course of fate, though he'd do it in a heartbeat.]
(no subject)