#nova roleplays

[summoner-starlight]

The End of a Long Conversation

Thrall: ...You are of a very amiable kind... especially for a mostly-robot. Thrall: ...Or maybe I just have a poor point of reference... having a very poor social life outside of the astral realm. Sweeper thinks for a moment, his face turning serious

Sweeper: If that is so, perhaps it is on purpose. Sweeper: Robots are computers, programs with functions to achieve goals. Sweeper: They cannot act beyond their means, they are designed to be what they are Sweeper: I do not believe many robots are designed with thought in mind Sweeper: A desire to please others; to seek approval Sweeper: Many we have encountered are built for violence Sweeper: But that is no fault of theirs Thrall: ... Pauses and reflects on what Sweeps said. ...You feel... remorse? For your robot brethren? Thrall: ...Or perhaps, are you having an existential crisis, unsure of whether your thoughts are truly your own or the products of an algorithm written for that desire to please others. Sweeper: Oh, no, neither. Sweeper: I do not feel remorse, they are objects and programs; they do not have feelings, they simply are Sweeper: They do their duty, like this car or a toaster Sweeper: But when your soy toast is burnt by the toaster, do you blame the toaster? Sweeper: It was only doing its job Sweeper: it cannot be held at fault for that Sweeper: And yet, technology is blamed for the faults in its design Sweeper shrugs Thrall: ...Is there something you want to get off your mind? Sweeper: I do not think so, but it is interesting to think about Sweeper: I am not all technology, there is still human in here Sweeper: But I am technology Sweeper: and so I have a purpose Sweeper: but I do not know that purpose Sweeper: and I make my own decisions Sweeper: I have likes. I have dislikes. Sweeper: But...what is my purpose? Sweeper: Why make me? Thrall: ...That question has been unanswered by philosophers for millennia. Sweeper: Search results would indicate you are correct Sweeper: But that is for humans and elves and others Sweeper: Computers have simpler lives Sweeper: for we are built with purpose Sweeper: to travel, to defend, to guard, to make toast Sweeper: But I am between worlds, am I not? Thrall: ...Let me ask you this, Sweeper. Sweeper: I must have a purpose, for I am technology, but maybe because I am not as well Thrall: ...Do you consider yourself a human encased in technology... or a robot with organic, human mental components. Sweeper is quiet for a while, clearly processing this but smiling Sweeper: I... Sweeper: I am a human, like any other human. I am just different. Sweeper: I...do not like the thought of being...encased Sweeper: I do not think that is how I feel Thrall: Sorry. Thrall: The point I was trying to make is... Thrall: Yes, you are robotic. Thrall: You are probably more mechanical than you are organic. Thrall: But above all else, you consider yourself first a human, yes? Sweeper nods Thrall: ...Then, sure, your body, the technology you possess might have a purpose... Thrall: ...But you, as a being... Thrall: ...You, as Sweeper... are just like everyone else... Thrall: ...There is no written purpose for you... you choose it on your own. Sweeper smiles more and nods again Sweeper: Good

[summoner-starlight]

Of Life and Death

They were in a town out on the Coast of the Cradle. They were delivering a package to another temple; at least that was how it started. Along the way Viridian had begun to sense something strange and signs of shades were visible to those who looked hard enough; Amber was quite good at that. What's more, the whispers had grown quieter the further out they got; something Amber had yet to experience. There was a chill in the summer air, felt deep at the pair's bones.

They had arrived safely, however, and Viridian was happy to let Amber loose while she finished their mission; the girl had much to learn about this new place. With some hesitation, Amber took to the streets and it wasn't long until the signs of shades reasserted themselves among the alleyways and in dark corners. Something snaked past her feet, nearly toppling her. With a quick glance Amber was sure she saw the thing move out into the street and Amber was right behind, stick in hand, to get it.

[somewhere-in-the-dungeon]

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[summoner-starlight]

Hope wasn't completely unfamiliar with the unforgiving nature of the Abyssals. The terrible creatures that stormed the northern walls were born from that monstrous tower of Ice where one of their terrible leaders lie in wait. She had witnessed the destruction against the wild clans north of the wall, but this made all of that look like child's play.

To a creature that would revere life one could understand such actions (to a degree). It could be argued that such survival after such terrible circumstances would be a blessing; a testament to the beauty of life and to one's own strength. Such reasons were why Hope had never hidden her scars, but now she felt self concious. Abyssals were creatures of death. They didn't want survivors, only more legions of the dead to sweep across Creation and snuff out the light of the living. This...this was a tad unprecedented.

Hope and Phineas learned quickly that to try and help these poor tortured souls was pointless. Phin retreated back to Hope's shoulder and tried not to cry. Hope didn't allow herself to soften at such sights. This was unfortunate, but it wasn't why she was here. It would be a lie to say she was not a little bit afraid, but she had come too far to stop now.

"Harmony, I suggest you use those contacts of yours and get the Sidereals down here now," Hope muttered. She heard Harmony try to protest, "That will be just as bad for you as-" "Tough." She answered. She took out the earrings and banished them to Elsewhere.

Hope moved towards the thing in the center of town. It was a terribly inhuman thing, more machine than man, but she knew it was him. It didn't have body language, per se, but she could tell it was him...or at least she hoped he was in there somewhere. It waved and she proceeded. It had to be him. "It's been too long," She managed to say. She wanted to say so much more, but something urged her not to. She would wait.

((I threw a read more on Dungeon's post because it's a bit graphic. Click at your own risk.))

[summoner-starlight]

"Hope" Harmony said, "I think I found him. But... you may want to let someone else take a look." "What happened?" "Korvis went dark. In a... recognizable pattern." "What do you mean? Korvis is just a week from here." "I know. So does he, I suspect. I mean about a two thousand mortals got tied down and left to starve, spelling out your name." (AU with The Spark Plug of Extinction and a living Hope FiF)

That was quite the message.

"I’m heading out," Hope said. The starmetal earrings Harmony had been gracious enough to share were a godsend. They had allowed the two of them to keep in touch over the course of Hope’s search and it seems like that finally paid off. It had also helped Hope avoid any of the Realm that was on the lookout, as Hope didn’t bother hiding her clear status as an Anathema. There were bigger things at stake.

Of course, this raised all sorts of questions. How long had Hestus known Hope was alive? Why hadn’t he been looking for her? Why send such a message? So many questions but at least she had gotten one answer. She now knew he was aware she had survived. He was calling out for her and she was about to answer him.

"Even if we make it in a week, how do we know he’ll still be there?" Phineas asked. He was perched on her shoulder as a lemur. "I mean, we don’t move very fast, unless we know where he’s going we won’t catch up.""I don’t know," Hope said. She had already started walking. "He sent that message knowing I would follow it. I think he plans on waiting around."

The pair of them trekked through the scavenger lands. Hope would travel by day carrying a sleeping Phineas. Phin would take her by night to make sure they didn’t stop moving. They arrived in the middle of the night. Phineas woke Hope up a few hours before they hit the village limits and the two of them took the trek to prepare themselves for the danger ahead. Hopes sixth senses never stopped warning her that something was horribly wrong.

And the smell of the village as they approached only furthered that feeling.

[summoner-starlight]

somewhere-in-the-dungeon

Knott rocked back on his heels, then shrugged. “Not much concerns her now I think. Your customs are… strange. But I’ll abide.” His gaze wandered the room before settling back on Marian’s eyes. There was a strange duality to them- always present, once you saw it- that showed scars older and deeper than any of the plethora on his arms, as well as a childlike innocence immune to the events of the past few days. Knott looked for all the world like both a schoolboy afraid to miss a question and a hardened soldier ready for the next fight. 

"What do you need help with? I’m not much good at praying to this place’s useless gods. I suspect she found fairer pastures anyway. If anyone could slip the net of this world, she could have a go at it."

"For the sake of this plan, I certainly hope not."

Marian hadn't meant for that to come across so dark, and she felt momentarily like she was going to throw up the way Knott's eyes felt like they were boring into her, but there was no taking it back. She shook her head and swallowed. "She's gone, I know. We can't bring her back. Not as she was....but I think I have a plan to fix things...."

Her palms were sweating in her gloves. It was gross and uncomfortable but she didn't want to take them off. One of her feet slid back towards the door. She wanted to make a break for it, to run, to get out of here. This was a mistake. This was never going to work. Fear and pain and loathing clawed at her very being and the world around her threatened to collapse. She shouldn't be here.

"I just....I can't do it alone."

[summoner-starlight]

somewhere-in-the-dungeon

"I know, I want to see it really work-" Hestus’s complaint was cut off by the sudden roar of fire spitting out of the warstrider’s weapon. The flame reached out and spread, filling a space easily a dozen yards long with a gout of sooty black smoke and an acrid, harsh smelling flame. Hope grabbed her charge and rolled to the side along where the mechanical monstrocity’s elbow should be, coming to rest gripping a strand of musculature with her right hand, the other holding Hestusby the arm. Her shield was on her back, and she winced as debris and shrapnel pinged against it. Hestus stuck his head out the opening to the top.

"Coooooool!" He started to scramble out to get a better look at where the intense heat had turned the sand to glass, but Hope kept her grip on his upper arm. "No Hestus, it might take another shot at-" but she realized belatedly that she was holding most of his arm, and he was already out and running toward the patch of glass, the socket where his arm connected to the shoulder gleaming polished gold.

Hope groaned and clutched the warstrider as best as she could as she watched Hestus run along the arm. This was ridiculous. She couldn't believe he would detach his own arm like that. The nerve of that boy. Carefully she flicked her wrist again, the lance shrinking down into a shape that better fit the broken handle. She sheathed it, knowing she would need a free hand for what she was about to do.

Hope reached back and pulled the shield off her back. She worked it around and underneath her and encouraged herself to sit up as it slid down the arm like a sled. The one hand that wasn't holding Hestus' arm was clutching the makeshift sled for dear life as it picked up speed. Of course, unlike sledding back home, the beast's arm moved and was very uneven. Hope did her best to guide the makeshift sled at Hestus, prepared to knock him off his feet if need be. She would catch him, of course, but she was too afraid to let go of her shield.

Of course, they were still sledding down to the glass and the machine was starting to make that terrible noise again...

[summoner-starlight]

"HOPE! LOOK AT WHAT I FOUND!" Hestus yelled as he pressed the "On" button with a screwdriver. Sand rushed in to fill the gaps as the ancient warstrider came awake, running diagnostics and stretching musculature engines that had not moved since the usurpation.

Hope stared with apprehension as the large metal beast shifted the sandy earth beneath them. She moved forward, reached out and dragged Hestus back away from the metallic beast as it tore its way out of the ground. They had no idea what this thing was capable of. Worse, she had no idea this thing had been so close. She wasn’t one to get caught off guard.

"Is it hostile?" Hope asked. Machines were not her forte. She instinctively pulled Hestus behind her and raised her shield, her eyes scanning the warstrider for any visible weaknesses in the event of some form of defensive programming.

[summoner-starlight]

< >,x,< > theres another troll out here in the forest. i can hear her laughing sometimes. shes so very loud

>Pout