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Who: Anyone and everyone
When: March 17-31
Where: Namalos
What: The locals get restless

As days pass marooned on Namalos, some Avagians have settled in, able to accept the world as a place of safety, if not welcome. Some have even fallen into the organized rhythm of his place, acclimating well to the society that gave them shelter. Others have proven a disruptive influence to Namalos' way of life and that of its trading partners.

Regardless of a person's individual actions, the Namalans come to a collective decision. If their unexpected guests cannot leave, then they must become respectable members of society.

It won't be a massive, forced assimilation. Although the Namalans have strength in numbers to overwhelm a few troublesome people at a time, the Avagians as a whole have enough powers, technology and skills to put the winner of a violent conflict in doubt.

Avagians will experience a slight shift in the Namalans' pattern. The local people will still go about their organized days, but Avagians are more likely to find themselves in the middle of a group of Namalans who happen to be going the same way. It seems to be coincidental, but by the end of the block, a person might find themselves falling into step with the group, and by the end of two, they've fallen under the group's thrall. These attempts at assimilation will be calm, but they'll also be aggressive and persistent.

The smaller in number, the more likely Avagians are to be targeted. It's dangerous to go alone.

One and Many

If Avagians aren't careful, they'll find themselves slowly assimilated into what some have already suspected: the Namalans are a hive mind, and what one knows, they all know. Even worse, Avagians who become part of the collective may themselves act against their former friends and comrades. What's more, if enough time passes and they are fully integrated into the hive mind, the change is permanent and cannot be undone.

But there is hope — it takes time to fully integrate with the hive mind, weeks or more. Assimilated Avagians can be freed if they are forced to act outside of Namalos' rhythm. Telepathic powers may help, or an appeal to identity; if multiple loved ones plead for them to remember, could they resist if there are no Namalans nearby to bolster their connection? Even a sharp blow to the head may force some change in their routine—though efforts at smacking sense into a person will probably only draw Namalan supporters to their side.

Once freed, any Avagians who became part of the Namalan mind, now or in the group's first days in the world, will retain some memories of the hive mind — and potentially from other Avagians who shared their fate. For the most part, these will only be faint traces, but even small memories can be an asset. The longer and deeper someone was assimilated, the more they are likely to recall.

The Locked Building

Since arriving, there's been one place that the Avagians haven't been allowed to go, and that one place is where a certain voice meant to urge them to. A void in the hive mind, a home for the single mind on this world whose biology makes him naturally resistant to the Namalans.

Those who fall under and are freed from the Namalan thrall may remember enough to report this to others, and those who take an interest in the building may hear a faint whisper from the unknown voice that yes, this is why they are here, this is where they need to go. And it can be broken into — sturdy walls and locks keep this prisoner isolated, not technology or superior weaponry. If a single mind serves as an alarm bell for all, this could be trickier than it seems, especially since the Namalans can use the knowledge and memories of those who have been part of the hive mind—including knowledge of combat and related skills.

By working together, it will be possible to make it into the building, although doing so is likely to draw a response from other Namalans if they're not otherwise occupied. But somehow it's bigger on the inside—or so it seems. Although the Namalans are not telepathic, the importance of this location and the force with which they have focused on this site allows the hive mind to twist the perceptions of those who enter it.

Trespassers will experience a twisting maze and impossible architecture. Here and there, they may encounter nightmarish phantasms based on the memories of anyone who has ever touched the mental collective—and while they might not be real, failure to overcome them will result in becoming part of the hive mind.

If they can make it through, they'll encounter the jail's single occupant on March 24.

[OOC: Got questions? Visit this thread on the world travel OOC post.]

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     It didn't take a Warlock to figure something weird was going on in this city. At least being a Guardian, the concept of roughing it in the wilderness was practically habit, especially for a Hunter. The drastic change in the day and night temperatures within the forest surrounding Namalos wasn't so unbearable, especially if you've been to the dark side of the moon or the more open areas of Mercury, but that was really the least of Cayde's problems.

     Ever since he'd been hit with whatever one might call it, a relapse? of memories from an experience that some iteration of himself had gone through, there had been significant changes. Okay, there was no sugar coating death, but unlike the past deaths experienced in all his centuries as a Guardian, this was different. It hadn't been his Ghost who had brought him back. He's not even sure if that was the right thing to call it. But he'd been weaker since, a troubling matter to wrap his head around once his Ghost had reported its observations. And as if that wasn't enough, there were the markings.

     The fine black lines that had spread like cracks across his metal features when he'd been exposed to the storm had returned, albeit at lesser strength, edging across the plate of his forehead, crawling thinly around the knob of his ~~beautiful~~ horn. A few snaked along his jaw and up the left side of his face. It had been an occurrence closely monitored by his Ghost, and with no sign of lessening...nor worsening for that matter, thankfully.

     Cayde felt fine otherwise, and whenever he did venture back into Namalos proper, he never acted unlike his usual self. Things experienced and remembered aside, there were other puzzles to solve and this deceptive paradise to escape.

===

It's Like the World's Biggest Cache Box
     As much as he was still tempted to, the Exo had largely abandoned the idea of making off with a ship. Erik had brought up some very good points, and with other Avagians scattered all over the city, hopes of getting an organized group together for a quick transport seem a little....out of the question. And it's not like he hasn't seen that the locals do indeed react to any offenses commited against them and their creepytown routines.

     There were other things to consider as well. Although his Ghost still could not claim to remember anything about informing or being used to tell others to find some unidentified 'them', it did not deny making contact with some unknown entity, but it was plenty frustrated at itself for being unable to recount the experience. It was a toss up as to whether anyone else recalled anything of what it had purportedly said in that space of white, but at the very least both Cayde and his AI had decided that they hadn't been dumped in this world without reason. They just had to work out what that reason was.

     It really does seem like a given as to what's the most unusual place to scope out, and yet perhaps it's exactly because it might as well be an obvious thing that the Exo had avoided it outright. And now with the Namalans starting to be more vigilant about the strangers about their city, it made things trickier to do any long observations. For the most part Cayde keeps his Ghost out of sight as they make passes by the building. It's hard to act casual when you get anxious the moment a group of locals starts meandering in your direction.

     "It's got to be this place," his Ghost reports internally. "I hear it, don't you? We just need to get in..."

     Cayde tries not to loiter too long about the Locked Building, but to those who might be considering a peek inside, it might be obvious his interests in it as well. Hopefully no one will be put off by the perhaps familiar black marks on him, especially those that are aware of his being caught up as one of the Mirtos aboard the station.

((OOC: Will adjust to preferred format.))

As Nate also skulks around the building, the marks help identify this stranger to him as a fellow Avagian, far more preferable company after he lost some time to the odd rhythms of this place early on. When the Namalans in the area aren't looking, he sneaks closer to his shipmate.

"Guards, weird voice, antsy locals," he says quietly. "Something's in there they don't want us to see."

     Well, there's a plus, at least? Hearing his Ghost's mental notice, Cayde glances on over at the young man who approaches. Somehow with his metal features he manages to appear like he's smirking.

     "Might as well hang a big ol' sign out front, right? ...so you hearing it too?"

     The Exo starts to walk again, gesturing with his head for Nate to stick close. Better they not push their luck and stand gawking for very long lest they draw attention.

Nate is perfectly happy to walk and talk, especially as one of the guards starts turning their way. He keeps his gait casual, as if they're just two visitors out for a stroll.

"Yeah," he says, his voice still in an undertone at odds to the casual image. "Stronger than before." He looks wry. "Funny how I've got something living in my head already but it's the random stranger on another planet who's chatty."

     "...that right? Some people try to get that sorta thing taken care of," Cayde says, brow plate quirking. He glances briefly over his shoulder and then frontwards once again. With them all being from waaay out of town, it's likely that the guards are already suspicious.

     "So it's not just us imagining voices. Aren't you relieved, Ghost?" The question isn't posed to Nate, however. Cayde brings his other hand up in front of them, his little AI companion appearing in a shimmer of light. It might be vaguely familiar, having been a focal point in a very white space before they'd been spit out in this world.

     "I know we weren't imagining it, but all the same, yes. I'm glad to have it confirmed by an outside party. Oh, hello, by the way," it says, turning its glowing blue eyelike-core towards the young man.

Wildcard: Reply here :) Feel free to hit me up at

pohutukaryl or on my contact post if you want to plot.

[A long time ago, when Shepard's clone was revived by the Ingress on Caducus Primary, part of her was scared not because she'd blurted out the only name she had, but because she didn't know what to do any more without her mission to take over Shepard's life and save humanity. As she grew up on the Moira and then Thisavrou, part of her always wanted purpose, routine, but the random happenings and chaos of both places made routine difficult to find, even moreso on the Avagi.

[The Namalan hive mind is thus almost a comfort.

[Always the first to claim to be a lone wolf, to not have friends, Nova now moves in perfect step with the Namalans on her way to work, as if she were in the military she hastily trained for. She doesn't sneer at or try to move away from those of blatantly non-human species around her, only stares serenely ahead. Gone, too, is the makeup she applies to visually set herself apart from the real Shepard. There's only a lone redheaded human woman with an ACE on her wrist in the midst of a Namalan group.]

[Cared for enough to preserve his life, if not cared for well, the only occupant of this jail is as startled to see them as they are to see him. His story, when questioned, will reveal what some Avagians may know by sight: he is a Savriite named Tamen, a descendant of those once known as the intermediaries, and whatever quirk of biology granted him a form of psychic power also made his race immune to the hive mind of Namalos. He has been alone here for quite some time, years, he thinks, and he can tell them more of the others who live on Avagi. If they can get away from this world, he may even be able to help bring them together. And he will answer what questions he can.]

Edited 2018-03-24 23:30 (UTC)

[Surprised? Well, yeah, but then that would have been a given no matter the outcome of finding whoever it was they were meant to find. Of course, the fact that it's someone of such a specifically familiar world is... Okay, maybe not that much more a surprise.]

You're who we were supposed to find?

[Cayde's Ghost has reemerged from its Guardian, hovering at his shoulder.]

How'd you end up in this wonderful place?

[There's obvious sarcasm in Cayde's tone, although he does wonder how Tamen's gotten here. Hopefully the fine black lines that fan across his metal features here and there don't alarm the Savriite.]

Follow strange voices into blinding white voids too? I uh, don't suppose you know what's up with the locals here?

I don't know, I—someone sent you?

[He speaks hesitatingly, but less out of distrust and more as though he's simply out of practice.]

I didn't think the light would open again. It brought me here—I came here because we needed help, but it closed behind me—I was left alone. When the people here saw I couldn't join with them...they put me here. I don't know why they didn't kill me.

[Cayde exchanges a look with his Ghost at that before the both of them turn back towards the Savriite.]

Sort of? Actually, I'm still not sure what all that was about. My Ghost here can't remember saying the things it said, and to be fair, it was kind of a jumble of stuff to process, but for sure something said to 'find them.' Now, whether that's you or another them, I have no idea.

[The Ghost twitches.]

I can only guess that it was something to do with the Ingress, or the Ingress itself. We were all in a bit of dire straits on Avagi. The storm had broken through. There were...losses...

[It glances briefly at Cayde, the Guardian not sharing the look as he keeps his attention upon Tamen.]

Portal'd then. The Ingress seems to like doing that, but usually they don't close off so soon after.

Join them..? Hmm. Well, you got me. I don't think they've even tried to actively hurt anyone that's um. Misbehaved in their little orderly society.

[He listens carefully, but starts to shake his head almost unconsciously, obviously a little lost.]

The Ingress can't like anything. It shattered, before I was ever born. The light portals were just...echoes.

...I keep forgetting there's potentially this monstrous gap of time between whoever's left on that station and...us. Just makes me feel older, really.

[Cayde shakes his head. His Ghost shifts a bit where it floats.]

Echoes? I...suppose that makes sense, but something was definitely activated at the memorials. The second one we found, it was almost a shrine. ...but there wasn't a light at the time.

You're getting too far ahead, I think. I mean, even on our end of the station, there wasn't a light until a lot recently, right?

[Both look towards Tamen again.]

Was something of the Ingress still... "active" when you were there?

[That garners a blank look. What? Time is time, isn't it?]

The memorial? People gathered there, yes. It was common. To pay respects or to find a quiet place.

Is...that not what you mean?

Nnno. That's. Yeah. Not quite. I mean like. With the glowy light? A glowy light? Kind of has the tendency to make people stare stupidly at it until someone interrupts them? No?

[For a long moment, Tamen just stares.]

No. There has never been a...hypnotizing glowy light.

Huh.

Okay, so yeah. Now there is? Not sure how the one was activated, but my Ghost here says they had to manually get the other one to light up too.

...also that it spoke to someone or something in it. Which brings us back to here.

A light? How can light speak?

That is...I remember stories, of messages passed on to one of our kind. But they were never given as words.

If it's more than just a light.

[The Ghost's planes flare a bit as it suggests this.]

But...what do you mean, never given as words? How were those messages received?

[Cayde taps his chin before jabbing a finger at the air as he recalls something.]

...that guy that stuck us in that mental simulation. Damn, that feels like forever ago. He said he heard voices, started seeing things when the Ingress was broken.

Yes! That is what occurred—or so I was told. I was not yet born.

They thought him a fool, a traitor. But the ones who survived understood he was trying to warn them—but no one listened.

Yeah, sounded like he was putting a lot at risk when he tried to warn us. It was too little info, too late. I'm not sure if what he gave of a warning helped back then, but in the end we all got back-stabbed by the Mother.

[Cayde shrugs.]

And so, here we are. Station's falling apart, storm's held at bay by the Ingress, and the Mother's camped out somewhere yet.

[It's fascinating, horrifying, sobering—and Shepard has to stop herself from taking a nearly-unconscious step back from the man. She'd had her suspicions, as to what could be kept locked away, but of course. Intermediaries, after all, would have an effect on anyone.]

You're the start of who we're looking for. You're from Thisavrou. [No.] Avagi.

Where are the others?

Yes.

[He recognizes both names, and grows more serious at the mention of the doomed twin planets—if that is even possible.]

The others—my people? They should still be on Avagi. [He speaks quicker, growing more anxious.] Has something happened to them?

[There's a pause—but it's brief, brief enough to go unnoticed if you didn't know Shepard well. But he was—or at least, was a descendant—of intermediaries. How much of her could he read?

How much does he know--

She cleaves the train of thought before it even leaves the station, smothering it in a million questions. But answers, first. Honest ones.]

Something definitely happened to them, but what, we don't know—got a few pretty good ideas, though.

Do you know anything about the storm? The one surrounding the station, the one that attacked Thisavrou? We'd made it over to where the last of your people had been, when someone, or something broke in, bringing the storm with it. Almost wiped us all out. Did the storm ever get in for your people?

[Tamen listens, and waits for her to speak again. Perhaps not out of patience; he is simply as lost as she is. Or only nearly so.]

The storm is an abomination. It twists all life, twisted what was left on my ancestors' planet.

It contaminated parts of Avagi, but it wasn't the storm that sent us elsewhere on the station. It was the Mother.

Mother did?

[They'd known she was around, after all. The power she had. How much else did she have left?]

Tell me what happened.

It—she—wanted to protect something. Her child. She never explained herself, but the things she said, her ravings...

[He shakes his had, clearly disturbed by the memory.]

We were too close? I never understood. Our numbers weren't large, but they were large enough, and had grown. Our leaders made the decision to retreat to another livable space on Avagi. That was a long time ago.

[For a moment, she stares, at a loss for words—then shakes her own head, frowning at the lost time.]

We need to get you out of here. Then we'll have all the time in the world to talk.

[However unlikely the latter might be to be true, the former still held correct.]

Can you walk?

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Cayde-6 // OTA

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sorry this is late!

's cool~

Nova Barnett née Clone Shepard | Mass Effect | OTA

hive minded

3/24: The prisoner

....LOOKS LIKE A SHIP HEIST IS STILL ON THE MENU

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Shepard's 11: The Success Story

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