Chapter 4
Something Wrong
Requirements outside of Karma Seasons: Completion of Here There Be Dragons: Chapter 3. Can be played by One Track Mind (+,++) Rad Sick Ixi.)
Requirements during Karma Seasons: 30 Karma (total - positive and negative combined). Can be played by One Track Mind (+,++) Rad Sick Ixi.)
Rewards: 1000 EXP
Additional rewards during Karma Seasons: 50 Karma (Positive, Negative, or split evenly chosen by user)
In addition to the above rewards, all members who complete Something Wrong will obtain a slot to Aahtar Korid. Only one slot can be obtained this way, while the EXP and Karma rewards can be repeated.
Replayable.
Underworld Desert, 22:00.
A deep, sonorous roar, somewhat like a foghorn, sounds out in the desert, and a spotlight flickers. The shadow of a running Primal can be seen for what feels like miles.
Nether Steps, Market, 21:30.
Dark wings envelop the entrance to a general store carved into a cavern in the Nether Steps. The locals mostly avert their gazes and walk on by to their own homes. The owner wasn't well-liked - often overcharging and scamming even the most friendly and loyal of customers. Something was sure to get to them eventually - why not a dragon?
Inside the shop, Qaeturna stands tensely over the shopkeep, face grim. Their claws have begun to dig into a desk, and their tail bears heavily on a crate. The shopkeep, paralyzed with indecision, can't decide which to save.
"You know why I'm here," Qaeturna says, chin held high. "I want your export ledger, and I'll leave."
"No exports," The shopkeep hisses, a waver in their voice. "Not enough goods."
Qaeturna's tail bears down on the crate, causing shrimp to burst forth from the seams. The shopkeep snarls.
"I don't sell to monsters anymore," The shopkeep shoves the Primal's tail off the crate. "I've made up my mind. Get out."
Nether Steps, Mine, 21:00.
Rebel hoisted away another boulder from the digsite, carefully reshaping the ground where it had fallen. Smiling gently once they had finished, the Primal flew the rock up to the ceiling of the mine, finding a space for the lost piece of stone and shaping it back in.
The community service job not only gave the young Primal a chance to make up for what they had done, but also gave them a chance to refine their magic. Rebel was happy. The miners were nervous at first, and Rebel didn't blame them, but the Primal was more than willing to work things out with them (and let them know when they were moving things so that anyone who was uncomfortable could give them a wide berth). Things were going well so far, and they were making good progress on fitting the larger pieces of the mine and caves back together.
Due to the unique situation, though, it took a bit for Rebel to notice that more Ixi than usual were running out of the mine. The Primal fluttered back down to the ground, gently stopping a miner to find out what had happened.
"Kid, get back home," The miner seemed dehydrated and a bit dazed, but as honest as possible. "We damn sure saw a monster crawl down the hole your people are in."
Underworld Primal Camp, Entrance, 21:55. Qaeturna gripped the papers in their hand with something between despair and rage. Assorted papers from assorted shopkeepers, some stating genuine low stock, some stating a refusal to work with Primals for some reason or another. They'd gone against what they stood for, all to speed things up, and here they were. There was no guard here. The entrance was wide open. A strange wind rushed through - whether an actual wind or a trick of the silence, the dark Primal didn't know.
It was all for nothing.
There was a plodding of paws behind them, and Qaeturna spun around - some expression on their face, they didn't know what, but it gave the other pause. The other Primal - Rebel - skidded to a stop with a concerned look on their face.
"What is it?" Rebel crept up next to Qaeturna, peering down the tunnel.
"There's nothing there," Was all Qaeturna answered, mouth dry.
Underworld Desert, 22:01.
The lights in the desert catch on three shadows now - a cerberus, a long shadow draped in furs, and the Primal shadow who ran, now standing and facing the others. After assessing the situation, the fur-draped figure speaks first.
"You have no jurisdiction in the Steps, outsider," the voice of the Rock Collector rings clear through the desert. "Why are you here?"
"My apologies," The Authorities speak from their center head. "But that is why I have come tonight. I mean not to step on any rules."
"Please, respect our rules and seek your trouble elsewhere," The Rock Collector bristles, fear apparent in their words.
"It's all right, treasure of mine," The Primal speaks, regal and composed. Aahtar Korid steps out of the blinding searchlights. A dual-headed tunneldrake-like beast lands behind them, the beasts dimming the lights emanating from their mouths. "I invited them."
At the confused look of the Rock Collector, the Primal Chief speaks further.
"It was my intent to bring together the efforts of the Sxriix'n mainland, the Nether Steps, and the Underworld Camp. My people need assistance."
"The situation with Rebel was settled, I thought?" The Rock Collector tips their head, an ear exposing itself from the furs.
Aahtar simply shakes their head. "I let this fester and take shape, and now I need any help I can get. Please, come to the entrance to our caverns, and you, Authorities, do call for backup. You are about to meet something wrong."
Underworld Primal Camp, Entrance, 22:30.
"Two of your teams are here already," Aahtar tips their head to the entrance, almost wary around the gathering crowd.
"Two of the teams travel by chasm," Mesmerize almost extends a hand in greeting, but seeing the apprehension on the Primal's face, bows politely instead. The chief sighs calmly, nodding to continue.
MEME and Uuner both file to the side with the fae as Fang and Aulik make their way down the tunnel, quietly obtaining reconnaissance from The Authorities. Fang politely moves aside after, while Aulik makes their way over to the Rock Collector and Primal chief.
"Atmosphere should be here next, they're at the top of the mountain," Aulik clasps their hands together as they explain.
Aahtar almost looks wistful. "Right above us, yet we never knew each other." The Primal laughs a bit to themself.
Fang nods. No one in the room has a followup to this, almost feeling as if their lungs tightened a bit.
"The Tunnels are eager to lend support, as they've done combat training, but may wind up later than Atmosphere - if need be, they could be directed in as a second wave?" Aulik suggests, redirecting the conversation.
"I will stay behind to direct them," The Rock Collector volunteers, "I have not much combat knowledge aside from traps, anyways."
"Lay some before you go, perchance?" Uuner speaks up, and the fur-draped Ixi nods.
Two more Ixi enter the tunnel - two of the heads of Atmosphere, Loyal and Hardin. The skyburn Ixi brightens the air immediately with their warm smile, waving to friends and strangers alike. Hardin is less outgoing, but still winds up roped into the amicable introduction all the same and joins right in.
"Hey, captains and champs!" Loyal beams, paws firmly on their hips. "Okay, so, Canopy's spread across the world at the moment, but Sezz's ready to drop rads from the mountain on anything coming out of the Steps that isn't us. Torte's running backup. That's the scoop from the mountaintop."
The Primal chief thinks for a moment, then nods.
"Follow," They say, and lead down the throat of the tunnel.
Underworld Primal Camp, 23:00
"There's nothing there,"
It comes to mind like a thought, and it makes enough sense. The camp is completely devoid of life. The ashes of a fire that died days ago lay on the floor about ten meters into the camp, in a small circle where a few primals might have gathered. Only dust lives there now. There are no looters. No bags lay ransacked. Any tents lay exactly as they were abandoned, with no indication as to why they were abandoned.
Then the thoughts come back, and come back stranger.
"Maybe they could have protected us."
"We shouldn't have come here."
"It's because of that mutant."
"Where are we all going?"
The entire team slows at the last two except for Aahtar.
"We ran out of food anyways."
"Close your eyes and count to ten."
"So that's what Death looks like..."
The air is foul and dark. Aahtar continues their course onwards to their old home, to the chief's tent, even as the world darkens around them. The rest of the team does their best to follow, but their vision starts to go out completely - more like a candle snuffing than true darkness. There's a loud dragging of metal across stone, and a thunderous rumble across the cave's floor, and with a snarl, Hardin fires a shot of lightning into the air, illuminating the Primal chief rearing up with a massive, double-edged blade to face a beast at least ten times their own size, a cruel-looking version of the same weapon held in the beast's maw and tied in place with gargantuan horse's reins. The chief lunges as Hardin's magic creates a thunderclap punctuating the moment, the massive primal strong enough to hold the beast back.
"No," Mesmerise buckles visibly, as if punched in the chest, "Not a Horseman, not here..."
The monster's face is like a dragon - not like any of the drakes they had on Sxriix or a primal, but a real classic dragon, massive and terrifying with sunken, glowing eyes full of malice, breathing hatred with every breath. The beast has six legs - the front digging deep into the earth, spreading some spill of hatred forth from its claws, and the backmost dragging forth weapons - artillery, swords, death of all kinds. It wears armor, tattered and old metal draped along its back, torn away from its chest as dramatically as possible.
Its chest holds people.
Only Aahtar knew the people of the deep caves for the most part, but it was clear that the trapped Primals in the ribcage of the beast were none other than the Underworld Camp's missing people, all screaming for help, the sounds coming out as their last words. Closest to the front of the gaggle sits Rebel and Qaeturna, staring down at the Chief in worry. Rebel reaches a paw out, but can't make it through the bone prison.
Loyal steps up beside the chief, looks into Rebel's eye with a sad smile, and picks up another sword.
Prompts
There are two different modes rather than different prompts, the method of gameplay for each of them is detailed below.Illustrations for your first prompt should be fully colored and fullbody with at least a somewhat detailed background. Literature should be 800+ words.
COMBAT
"We're facing a Horseman," Mesmerize briefs you. "They're one of the strongest things in the Chasm, embodying a single concept to excess. They can be defeated, but often just go back to where they came from or get weaker and flee. Honestly, any of those are a good outcome here. This thing is huge and dangerous. Just... take care of yourself."This runs as Combat rather than standard Story Mode - as such, you may want to read up on how Combat runs! This uses the preset battle mode Story Mode Boss Battles. You will have to fight War, the Chasm Horseman. You do not have to defeat it, or deal more damage than it, you only have to survive all 7 rounds and not be knocked out by it, though defeating it before round 7 will end the battle early. You can choose 1 of the following teams OR enter with your own team of Rixixi, NPC moves will be input by an admin.
If you are defeated, you can try again without another art entry!
NPC Teams:
Three Worlds:Aahtar Korid 0300 + The Authorities 0076 + The Rock Collector 0257
Due to The Rock Collector canonically not being in the area, they cannot be targeted but can only use status/stun moves and Environmental Manipulation (due to the latter move being close to what they would actually use to lay traps)
Atmosphere:
Aahtar Korid 0300 + Loyal 0004 + Hardin 0312
Galactic:
The Authorities 0076 + Fang 0006 + Aulik 0011
Chasm Investigations:
Mesmerize 0239 + FRIED MEME 0086 + Uuner 0268
WAR
Stats: HP: 10000 || Attack: 400 || Defense: 300 || Special: 100 || Speed: 100
War has up to Master-level Null radiation and up to Master-level physical skills. War has a 25% chance of using a random weapon and a random one of its skills (eg. Stun Claw, Elemental Forgestaff, Battle Sword, Poison Blade), whether or not this is beneficial to it (eg. may attempt to use a broken Poison Blade)
There is a scaling system in place for War's skills so that lower-statted Ixi aren't hit with the strongest attacks.
Submit your piece at this prompt with the following form:
Prompt responding to: Combat
Positive, Negative, or Split Karma?: [Do you want your 50 Karma as Positive, Negative, or Split Evenly)
Combatants: [link the participating Rixixi here] & [enter your chosen team here - Three Worlds, Atmosphere, Galactic, or Chasm Investigations] vs WAR
Equipment: (see "Equipment Restrictions & Levelups" in the Combat how-to. List which of your Rixixi/Mechanix's equipment they're taking into this battle! If Omnipotent level, mark down "Omnipotent", you don't have to list everything.)
Bonuses: (Any items you're adding, any combat-relevant bonuses the Ixi has! All items are allowed!)
Battle Mode: Story Mode Boss Battles (Here There Be Dragons: Chapter 4)You will be asked for your first attack in a comment on your prompt, and subsequent combat rounds will be done via replies!
The Combat prompt is considered a solo prompt. You can include more than one Rixixi in your deviation, including other users' with permission, but they will have to be individually entered into their own prompts and assigned theor own NPC teams.
EVACUATION:
"Looks like we got here in time," A voice comes from behind you, and you look to see Kashe illuminated by the glow given off by Yah Racha. "That thing - I assume its ribs are breakable?"You haven't tried yet. Mesmerize didn't really say, either - she implied this thing was unique, in fact. You find yourself surprised as Yah Racha pulls out a huge, flaming weapon and spins it like it's nothing. Kashe claps their hands and strides forwards with the Tunnels ring in tow.
"All right, I'm not sure how many doctors we have here, but we're about to do some surgery!" Kashe grins, pointing at the beast engaging in combat with the other Rings. "Let's free our friends, all right?"
Yah Racha steps into Kashe's arms, and the ringleader throws the blacksmith into the air, Yah Racha spiraling gracefully up with the Forgestaff in hand, arcing down towards War, and delivering a massive blow to the beast's side. There's a sound that doesn't work within Sxriix's atmosphere, something collapsing in on itself, but muffled as it hits the eardrums.
As the blacksmith's feet hit the ground, the beast's ribs begin to crack.
This mode plays like a more traditional Story Mode prompt - draw or write about your Ixi breaking the Primals out of the bone prison, fleeing with them, causing a distraction, or anything else that might help! You will receive a reply with a response to your choice of action, and you must draw or write about a followup to the response. (Fullbody, color, and background OR 600+ words) You will receive a second reply and a third prompt, to which you must draw or write a third and final piece. (Fullbody, color, and background OR 600+ words) With the completion of the third piece, the chapter will be complete!
If you can't come up with a response to the prompt you're provided, you may ask for a new one - also, do know that you don't have to base your entire response around it so long as you address the prompt somehow. We'll probably appreciate creative interpretations!
Submit your piece at this prompt with the following form:
Link to participating Rixixi: [link to import here!]
Prompt responding to: Evacuation
Positive, Negative, or Split Karma?: [Do you want your 50 Karma as Positive, Negative, or Split Evenly)Multiple Rixixi may partake in Story Mode in the same image, with the following restrictions:
- 4 Ixi at maximum per image (other ixi can appear for Training Mode EXP, but cannot be submitted for the story mode chapter in that piece.)
- All Ixi pictured must be partaking in the same chapter. Different prompts can be used for the different Ixi, however.
- Please submit separate prompts for each Ixi!