October - November Star System

[spaceshipit]

Drift Fleet is officially three years old this month! As we have noted previously, the metaplot has been ramping up to this, the last major plot of the year. The culmination of players’ efforts over the past several systems and their actions in this one will have a major impact on the outcome of the plot as well as what will happen in the future.

Due to the intense nature of the upcoming event, we’re offering a variety of options that allow you to play in your comfort zone. We don’t want anyone to feel pressured or left out. If none of the options in this post suit you, please contact us via PM and we’ll work something out. ♥

TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THIS PLOT INCLUDE:

Excessive Violence, Gore if players so choose

Cannibalism (implied in plot writeups, can be played with by players)

DEATH

High-Stress/Traumatic Situations

Torture/mutilation (implied in plot writeups)

Human Sacrifice

If that hasn’t scared you away - well, first, Happy Almost Halloween! Second, keep reading to find out what’s going on with this planet…




CALENDAR:
→ The fleet will be in this star system from 10/13 to 11/26.
→ There will be IC posts as events happen throughout the plot. Larger, more encompassing mingle posts can be made by players at any point, for any phase of the plot. Go wild! We encourage the interaction!


TURN BACK.
As mentioned in the drifting post, the waystations have been seeming more and more sparse as the Fleet continues onward - until they're all but abandoned, by the end of the week. Not only that, it looks like people sure have left in a hurry, nor did they have time to leave any sort of clues as to why they might have vacated the premises as fast as possible! Peculiar...

It isn't long before a planet comes into view: a world that's such a deep red color, it almost seems like a trick of the light - but with the light as red as the planet itself, it has to be real.

But something else happens: the first time they see the planet from their ship's window, those who had visions during the last plot will feel all of those feelings and intentions from their vision rushing over them all over again, as if just the sight of this red-tinted planet is enough to drag everything right back to the surface. The sensation only happens once, but it's sure to be jarring, especially as it comes without any warning.


THE LATO’LI SYSTEM.


Lato'li - now with 65% more cannibalism forest life!

Lato’li is a small system comprised of just one sun-- a red dwarf-- and one inhabitable planet wobbling in its orbit. This planet is where the system gets its name. It’s slightly smaller than Earth. The most notable thing is its color: an abundance of copper and other minerals, as well as other factors, gives it a rust red color mixed with muddy black. The water doesn’t seem affected by the general redness of the planet, but it’s still dark and seemingly tainted in a way that can be felt as well as seen. However, tests show nothing strange about it.

The vegetation reflects this color as well. Though the forests are dense, they are anything but lush, and there are more brambles than branches. The leaves are red, brown, and a deep purple. The ground varies but most of the time it’s a deep vermilion, and it seems perpetually dry-- except, of course, when it’s muddy and difficult to get out of. There seems to be no happy medium. Something is making this planet sick-- possibly from the inside.

The forest isn’t the only thing that’s treacherous about this planet. Insects the size of small mammals aren’t afraid to snack on visitors… and each other. At night, the high pitched whooping calls of skittish wildlife carry through the canopies, belonging to nocturnal birds and lizards.

Those with any kind of magical inclination will feel that something is just plain off. Though there isn’t a seeping toxin to be found anywhere, there is the indescribable and yet inescapable feeling that something bad is about to happen.

But honestly, dear Fleet, the sick-and-red hues of the planet should be the least of your worries, especially after a day or two has passed in this system...


PREEMPTIVE STRIKES.
It happens within 48 hours of the fleet nearing the planet.

Ships and shuttles that are within the planet's atmosphere at the time will find themselves under fire by state-of-the-art anti-aircraft guns and missiles - a single volley, but a relentless one. Looks like they're not intending to obliterate, but they are absolutely intending two things: 1) to shoot down any ships unfortunate enough to take full fire, and 2) to scare off the ones that survive.

Downed ships or shuttles will crash into the surface. They will have sustained enough damage that they cannot lift off without repair, but they will not be so destroyed that repairs are impossible - they will just take time and resources. Crews will survive, unless you want your character to die in the impact - we leave that choice to each player.

Once the missile volley subsides and the ships/shuttles are on their way out (or down), A loud, quick, terrible screeching noise shocks the network, drowns out all communications on any connected devices - ship or personal. And then... silence. Perhaps too much silence. Any attempts to contact the downed ships, shuttles, or personal devices of downed crew will be met with zero response, no matter what you attempt. Any attempts by grounded personnel to contact those still in orbit will also fail. Contact between ships in orbit is still functional, but contact between downed ships is not. It seems like there's some sort of communication block that has just been implemented, keeping those on the planet in perpetual network silence....

After the shock, ships in orbit will have all non-emergency systems offline. Life support and artificial gravity will remain online, as will some low-power necessities, but anything other than the bare minimum will be inaccessible. Network communication between ships in orbit remains online, as that falls under the "emergency" umbrella, but it is limited to voice and text - and occasionally spotty, with patches of white noise and static. Shuttles are still able to launch, but scanners and other non-emergency functions will be similarly inaccessible-- and there’s no autopilot.

If you would like for your ship to crash into the surface, please, above all else, discuss this matter with your crewmates OOCly using this post or any other medium of choice, and remember, you have individual options, if what you want to do in this plot vastly differs from your crewmates:

• If the majority wants their ship to crash, but you do not wish to be stuck on the planet for this plot, you are free to have your character visiting another ship (remember, there is always the Iskaulit!) at the time.
  
• If you would like to be stranded on the surface but your crewmates wish for the ship to remain in space, you are free to have your character either already be planetside via shuttle, or have their shuttle shot down by the anti-air guns.
  
• If you're split on the matter, you could have the ship remain in orbit, but those shot down to the surface were sharing one of the shuttles. There are other compromises as well - be as creative as you need!

This attack will occur on 10/16. We will have a comment below where we will ask which ships will be shot down - please leave a comment there when your crew has reached a consensus before 10/16! Ships unaccounted for will be assumed to be in orbit.


ON THE SURFACE - THE HUNT.
Things on the surface will be rough. This is the survival horror option for this plot - and survival will not be easy in a place like this...

For the lighter survival horror option, some downed shuttles or ships will luckily land near a city or town, populated with the usual orange-skinned humans and the occasional Nunnilis. These cities and towns seem comparable in technology level to the past few systems, though they are much smaller in size, and a bit rough around the edges. This is for good reason - according to the locals, they have survived raid after raid from an outside group: the Vieziri. Locals will fearfully inform Fleeters about how they all live in constant fear of attack, how they have lost so many of their own... And not always in death. Some locals will tell of how the Vieziri showed up one day and dragged some of their people away: young, old, any gender, anyone appears to be a target. There is no discernible pattern. This has been going on for decades. And they spend every day terrified that it might just happen again.

Because of this fear, they do have weapons you can use to protect yourself, ranging from firearms to polearms to traditional blades. Anything you are comfortable with, you will likely find it here. It won't be fancy, but it will absolutely be practical and self-defense-ready. All firearms will require ammunition, be they bullets or shells. Sorry, no railguns, photon-based weapons, or other unlimited tech! You can purchase any weapons with credits - they are expensive, sure, but they are not unreasonably priced. Buy what you need. And in all seriousness, dear Fleet, you may very well want to do just that.

For the heavier survival horror option, the jungles and the forests are dense, dark, and incredibly unforgiving. Your shelter is your ship, and your tools consist of anything you have/had on-board, and whatever you can use and/or make from the wilds around you. Yes, hunting for food is an option - there is plenty of game, both large and small, that is 100% edible and actually kinda tasty, though you might be more worried about surviving than how good it tastes... There are plenty of edible plants and fungi as well. You will not starve! Actually, you have something far more sinister to worry about...

The wilds are where the Vieziri hunt. A civilization split into violent war-tribes, the Vieziri are very good at hunting. They are also very smart. And very capable. And you are what they will be hunting.

ABOUT THE VIEZIRI: It will only take one encounter with the Vieziri for those in the jungle to see just how deadly they are. These fierce, relentless hunters are not only fast, but they're resourceful. Intelligent. Most importantly, they are absolutely cognizant of what they're doing - hunting you, another self-aware individual with sentience. It's no mistake.

They wear the same kind of standard armor that Fleet ships are provided with if a Security officer is on board. The difference is purely cosmetic; they add to it with animal skins, fur, and voluminous amounts of paint, and it seems to be cobbled together from different sources. Their weapons range from well-maintained halberds and machetes to painted laser rifles (that’s right, they get them and you don’t-- unless you brought your own). Most importantly, they conceal their identities with metal painted masks. Anyone who tries to tear a mask off may find themselves gutted for the attempt.

The most decorated Vieziri appear to be a different race entirely: tall, lithe, and with speckled pale red to purple skin peeking out beneath their mismatched armor. They also have long pointy ears sticking out-- hard to miss that. Anyone who is able to overpower one of these fighters and investigates will find that they look almost exactly like the Dasioe, though instead of webbed fingers, they have talons, and the aforementioned difference in skin color. Interestingly enough, the Vieziri also consist of alien humanoids in all colors. Perhaps this adds to their effectiveness as hunters.

When encountered, they communicate to each other in a low, guttural language that the augment translates unreliably at best.



IN ORBIT - THE SCRAMBLE.
Those in orbit will have to find a way to help out their stranded fleet-mates. This is the rescue mission option for this plot - featuring far less survival horror, and more high-stress, get-all-of-the-things-done urgency...

As it is, the Fleet is full of sitting ducks and there isn’t much that can be done. With everything but emergency functions shut down, it’s up to shipside passengers to reach for outside help-- and call in the Interceptors. They couldn’t help Lyuku, but they might still be able to do something for the Fleet themselves. Reopening communications between the shipside Fleet and the Interceptors will require Engineering and Communications officers to work together. (This can be handwaved, of course, just as long as it gets done!)

As ships undergo repair and try to navigate the communication block, there’s still the issue of supplies. People down below are having to scrape things together to survive. The best way to help them (without doing something heroically stupid to make the situation worse) is to put together supply drops. Civilian supports, Lab Support, and Engineers will be especially useful here, as they can help with logistics and sending specialized supplies. Further information given ICly will make supply drops slightly easier later on!

These supply drops don’t have to be manned-- in fact, it’s safer if you just drop and run-- but Pilots of some skill who don’t fear death can try to drop things in a particular location, or even attempt a landing with a shuttle… However, due to the anti-aircraft artillery, they may not be able to fly back up!

Captains and first mates will be needed to coordinate efforts between ships, including loaning officers to aid with repairs as needed, making sure everyone is taken care of, etc.

As for Security... Those in orbit aren't necessarily safe from attack, either. There are no large boarding parties, but some Vieziri scouts will come nosing around the ships, interested in who you are, what you have here, or maybe some other reasons... Scouts will come in groups of no more than three, and some will even arrive solo. When confronted, they will fight fiercely. They're powerful, fast, armored and armed. They can be overcome, or they can be chased off.


ANONYMOUS HELP.
Two days after the anti-air attack, communication with (and between) those on the surface is still dark, and there seems to be no way around it. And yet, somehow, across all devices - no matter where they are - a video message will begin to broadcast. It will be no one the Fleet is familiar with, but whoever this masked individual is, they're offering help...

On 10/18, there will be an IC post of this broadcast. Interaction with this NPC will drive the plot forward, both in the form of answering questions and in giving instructions on how to restore communications, and how to rescue Fleeters stranded on the surface. There will also be the possibility of supply drops from those in orbit to those on the surface, but that will take time, dedication, and extreme coordination skills. It will take a lot of communication between Fleet members on both sides to get things done. It may also come down to trust in this NPC... do you trust this NPC? We will let all of you be the judges...


STAY TUNED...
This is only the beginning of the end the plot, and this is only the first of a torrent of information that players can uncover about what's going on and what needs to be done. Over the next month and a half, there will be more IC and OOC posts from the mods as necessary in order to facilitate the advancement of this plot.

We have scheduled for Phase Two of this plot to begin on 11/6, and for a major, important plot point to occur on 11/15 - we wanted to be sure to give dates for these things just in case anyone needs to plan accordingly for any reason. Other unscheduled posts will go up here or there. Anything that would be vital information that everyone needs to know will be announced in some way by us, so please do not be afraid of missing anything - but also, keep your eyes peeled! It's going to be very exciting around here!

We welcome all questions at all times, in this post or directly to the mod inbox. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us for anything!


FROM THE MODS.
From Saffy--
As of 10/5, it’s been three years since Drift Fleet opened! I don’t actually remember when I started helping Red and Stick with apps so that tells me it’s been a long time since I became a mod. I do, however, remember this game being pitched to me in a mall in Seattle, where I fell in love not only with the concept but with the possibility of reuniting with old friends. Drift Fleet has grown considerably since it first started, and it’s known its share of bumps, but I never thought it would become my home game like it has and I am continually amazed at how far we’ve come. In an environment where games last maybe two years at most, we’re the exception. You’ve all been so incredibly patient and tolerant of me and my dumb mistakes, and learning how to juggle real life and mod stuff-- and there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing you run with my silly ideas and make something wonderful out of it. You’re all such creative writers and great people. I couldn’t ask for a better group of players and friends. Thank you for making the past three years amazing, and here’s to several more!

From Maggie--
This game has come an incredibly long way. Like, for real - it's evolved so much, and in so many beautiful ways, I'm just floored by everything. And I haven't even been here since the very beginning!! This game welcomed me with open arms at a time that I was really, seriously struggling with some hard times. It became a haven, then a home, and then I had the honor of becoming a mod... me, of all people! I know, right~? And I've learned so much - as a player, yes, but especially as a mod. Thank you, Fleet. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. You've all been so wonderful. You've stuck with me while I've learned the ropes, and helped me through my mistakes so I could keep doing my best. And you take every crazy idea or plot point I could possibly come up with and hit the floor running with them. You get so involved with your ships and crews, building fabulous CR with each other (and me!) that I can't help but love every single addition y'all give me to work with, each little pinch of flavor you put into literally anything y'all can imagine. It's beautiful. RP has always been a collaborative hobby, but I feel like y'all take it to a level that's poetic. And flattering! And immensely humbling. Seriously... thank you for everything, Dear Fleet. ♥ You are really, truly the best set of players and friends in the whole multiverse, I'm convinced. Let's keep drifting together!!

Comments

SHIP STATUSES

[spaceshipit]

Please have one person from your ship respond to this comment with one of the following options:
1. [ Ship Name ] will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface.
2. [ Ship Name ] will take fire from the anti-air artillery, but will escape back into orbit.
3. [ Ship Name ] was not in the planet's atmosphere and therefore did not take any fire from the anti-air artillery.

[namisan]

Bloodsport will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface.

The SS Bishop

[tough_love]

SS Bishop will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface.

Mostly because Looma's an aggressive captain and will immediately order it to fly out in front of the Fleet and position itself to open fire on any incoming missiles / absorb as many hits as it can to spare any ships behind it.

(also because majority vote said it's going down)

SS HUNTRESS

[monolike]

Huntress will take mild fire and escape out of orbit with minimal damage.

Caprine

[helmsplitter]

Option 2! Caprine will take fire from the anti-air artillery, but will escape back into orbit.

Some members will shuttle down later for rescue missions and be trapped.

SS Goldstone

[ahappylie]

1. SS Goldstone will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface!

Twin Roses

[passingthrough]

1. Twin Roses will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface.

[padadin]

2. The SS Blameless will take fire from the anti-air artillery, but will escape back into orbit.

The SS Tourist

[universal_charm]

Will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface.

SS Blue Fish

[alwayscomeback]

1. SS Blue Fish will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface.

[namisan]

Vanquish was not in the planet's atmosphere and therefore did not take any fire from the anti-air artillery.

Red Fish

[searingedgelord]

The Red Fish will take fire and escape back into orbit.

Heron

[pain_train]

The Heron will be shot down and crash onto the planet's surface.

SS Starstruck

[expellerhead]

It's to my understanding that the Starstruck will be remaining in orbit, no crashing. Please correct me if I'm wrong, anybody.

SS STARSTRUCK

[mucked]

The Starstruck was not in the planet's atmosphere, and therefore did not take any fire from the anti-air artillery.

Re: SHIP STATUSES

[timelysteward]

Well since I cover two ships ...

The SS Wonderduck was not in the planet's atmosphere and will not take any fire.

The SS First Breath was not in the planet's atmosphere and will not take any fire.

Questions?

[spaceshipit]

[supertardiness]

If you know already that you will be unavailable for phase 2 of the plot, should you limit your involvement in phase 1? Ie. Would it be better if he stay in orbit vs. going down to the planet?

My initial plan was going to be a hiatus coma + canon bump so if I need to adjust that I can! I just want to plan accordingly.

[padadin]

So if I understand correctly, during the first 48hs we can safely visit the planet? Does that mean they can land on those small cities and be told by the locals the bit of lore you've written there about the attacks?

Also, just to be sure I understand correctly. When coordinating: after they changed to emergency systems only, the shuttles can still be taken to the surface to drop stuff, they CAN but they SHOULDN'T because it's dangerous, correct? Is that only the shuttles or the ships can still go down too?

eta: will new people be handled the same way as always?

[namisan]

Just to be clear, is the communication blackout affecting people on the ground? That is, can people who are downed communicate with each other?

[spacebro]

What are they surviving in the lighter survival horror option? Is food unavailable in the town? Are there dangers in the town? Is it more a fear thing?

[livesfastdiesung]

im sry i know this is a silly question

So what kind of effect would superpowered singing have on the Vieziri? I know in the past with the bandits it kinda worked like a mild stun more than anything else because, would it be possible to play around with that again here? Would they be susceptible to the power of song at all, especially from someone that can amplify her own songs and power if need be? Even if it's just spotty at best on whether she can even do anything in the first place.

[axi]

I know all communications, even personal, will be down, along with ship scanners and the like. What about personal scanners? Kaname (and Freyja) have their advanced fake nails that can monitor life/vital signs and other likely preprogramed things. I just wanted to see if those would still be effective, even if only limited to certain functions such as vital readings.

Re: Questions?

[iattractmushi]

So... I am dumb and this will take some explaining.

In Ginko's canon, he can do something he calls 'closing his second eyelid.' This doesn't appear to be anything special; in fact, it's explicitly stated that anyone in the world can do it, if they just practice at it. What this is exactly is... less clear.

While one's second eyelids are closed, one can see the river of life that flows somewhere beneath the ground, and possibly some of the beings that live in that place. It's otherwise totally dark. To put it in a way that I at least understand a little better, it appears to be a sort of reverse astral plane, only instead of peeking at a layer above our own, this one appears to be below it. Further, someone in this place does seem to have a body and things done there can affect the person in the 'real world', but they're in the real world at the same time. They can walk with their eyelid closed, but they might walk into a tree in reality. They can't move around in the dark place without moving in real life. With practice, and depending on the circumstances, they seem to be totally aware of what's around them and can open their eyelid at any time.

That said, I bring it up for two reasons: one, as stated above I'm an idiot and forgot to put this on my app, at least in part because I never expected to have Ginko use it. He has been assuming this whole time that if he did he'd only see the darkness without the River, and he was avoiding that. Two, the way this planet looks will strongly remind him of when the River gets corrupted or runs out of control, between the weird mud and the water that doesn't feel right and the general feel of sickness as a whole.

Okay, huge explanation out of the way! My apologies for the tl;dr, on to my question. If Ginko were to close his second eyelid, to check if there is something under the ground here of a spiritual or supernatural nature, would he see anything at all? I am perfectly fine with an answer like 'he just sees darkness' or that he can't do it for some reason, I just want to know what will happen if he tries.

[tough_love]

Will downed ships be able to utilize shipboard defenses, or will those be taken out by the jamming signal shenanigans? For example, could they still fire any non-destroyed weaponry on the ships either to defend themselves against attack or as an improvised rescue flare to inform the orbiting ships of their location / alive status?

If not, is it something engineers would be able to get operational again?