the hideaway ➞ discovering the roost

[ramuhs]

Who: The Hideaway Crew
Status: Closed
Where: Their new island base oooh aaaah
What: Cid has finally located an island that he thinks will suit his growing crew's needs, so it's time for a fun field trip to take it over and claim it for themselves.
Warnings: None...though idk watch out for the couples in this group

THE VOYAGE

The island itself is located somewhat far from the current location of the leviathans, though given how often they move around distance is relative. What makes it a prime location, however, is the fog that obscures it, along with the choppy waters. Not impossible to sail, but enough to make most turn away without knowing what's beyond. Not to mention, it's not on any known route, making it all the more less likely to have much travel. Even with the aid of certain Dominants to help clear away the fog, there's nothing to help soothe those rough seas, so those who are a bit sensitive to sailing may want to stay below deck with a bucket and some medicine, because it's going to be some rough sailing as Cid helps navigate through.

But once they break through the worst of it, the waters calm, the fog fades, and sunlight pours in to reveal a large, rocky island ahead with high peaks. It is a giant ring of large cliffs, making it seem as if it would be impossible to sail into. However, Cid will navigate the ship towards a certain cliff wall where a large waterfall cascades over the side, emptying into the ocean. He'll direct the ship straight towards it, and with the sails lowered, Benedikta will step up like a peacock showing off its plumes, her sisters in tow. The two wind egis take to the air while she remains at front of the deck, and with a single twirl of her wrist, a violent, churning gale forms where she stands along with two more above. It's enough to part the water as they pass through, swirling it within the winds. Everyone had best shield themselves lest they want to get splashed on the way! It won't take long, just less than a minute for the whole length of the ship to cross through, until they are now inside a giant, expansive cavern big enough to house several large ships and even smaller ones with hints of coves that could perhaps hold more.

Those who can conjure flames or light, including Cid with his lightning, will cast their magic outward to help illuminate it all, and Cid will point out what look like ancient stone lanterns lining the walls. Directing the lights towards them will help provide a more stable light source, and now they can more fully see the full expanse of the cavern. Eventually they reach a large shore that has what looks to be the remnants of an old pier and more torches and lanterns to be lit. Only after setting anchor and securing the ship will everyone be able to disembark with Cid's cheerful words to guide them.

"Going to need a bit of fixing and clearing out, but I think this place will do nicely. Just be careful and keep your phones on. We'll need to map this place out so mark everywhere you go and try not to get lost." A grin. "Unless you wish to become a more permanent fixture of the place."

As for those who may ask how the hell he even learned of the island and its location, he'll just shrug and say he "found some interesting records" and thought it would be fun for them to try and explore. Now go on, get to exploring!

I. CAVERNS

If it hadn't already, it will be made immediately clear that people once inhabited the area, the developed dock and leftover remains of items showing signs of frequent use in the past. However, it's not much of a "recent" past. While not much is left behind, the cool atmosphere in the area has managed to preserve the crates that house lanterns, ropes, and other objects that will look as if they are from a time where things were not so technologically advanced, but not primitive, either. There are tools, ropes, replacement lanterns, and other common items that would have been used around ships, but the area is otherwise cleaned out. Whoever used to live here has not been around for some time.

Further exploration will reveal several tunnels that lead to this particularly large "docking cave," but only a select few have old sconces where torches or lanterns used to hang while the rest do not. Following the marked tunnels will lead to various places. Some are short and end in large caves that were once used for storage. But one particular tunnel will lead deep into the cliffs and reveal an expansive cavern that has remains of a small underground city. Sunlight will pour through various large openings in the high cavern ceilings, providing some light to help venture through, though torches and lanterns are still recommended. Perhaps housing a hundred people or so, there are rough stone buildings but most are carved into the stone walls. Investigation will reveal that some have caved in or faced some other kind of destruction, though it's unclear if that was what prompted the original inhabitants' departure or if it happened long after their disappearance. There are no remains and very little personal goods left, but there are some items hidden or buried somewhere in the ruins. Perhaps they could provide some insight.

One particular find will be signs of worship towards the gryphons that inhabit the island. There are many relics in their image and small shrines within the houses, and there is at least one temple dedicated to the beast. Not to mention countless feather motifs found within the stone carvings.

There are numerous other tunnels and caves that surround this particular area, and tunnels that will circle all the way around the entire island, though that may take days if not longer to explore. With plenty of caves, grottos, more secret coves, and exits to the inner island to find, everything is open to any interesting discoveries. Just beware that some may lead to dead ends, natural traps, and hostile creatures that have made their homes there. The original people who used to live here would have also placed traps, so for those who want an old ruin cave adventure, that's possible.

II. INNER ISLAND

Within the island are numerous pockets of dense forests both large and small, some only reachable either through certain tunnels from within the cliff caverns or climbing over and down large hills and cliffs. With tall trees, many different kinds of birds have made their homes here, some that can't be found anywhere else due to the island's isolated location. Other animals include deer, wild pigs, rabbits and other small mammals, foxes, turtles, snakes, and a variety of lizards. The gryphons are the largest predatory animals, though they mostly hunt the deer and large tuna and other fish in the water. There is a variety of vegetation with a number of wild fruits, vegetables, and herbs that can be harvested from the local flora as well, and there may be some island bees to produce honey.

Fresh water is plentiful via numerous streams that flow throughout the island, connecting to the underground pools within the cliff caverns or the large lake hidden in one of the forests. There are also some waterfalls that flow into small pools that can be used for swimming. Some streams will empty directly into the caverns through large openings that create a cavern waterfall into the underground water below. Finally, on the eastern side of the island, there is a stretch of beach that has formed from where the ocean water flows through a hidden, underground opening beneath the cliff walls to form something of a private inner beach. It's shallow, clear, which makes it easier to fish and just relax.

While there are some fields within the forest, the flatter slopes and plateaus of the cliffs provide larger fields of flowers and space for potential farming. There are even some places located near the bottom of the cliffs that show signs of past farming, likely from the tribe that once inhabited the island. While there are some irrigation systems and even a water mill, all will need some repairs and improvements given how much time has passed since it was last inhabited.

III. CLIFF TOPS

High up on the high cliff peaks and plateaus are numerous rooks and aeries that are home to the gryphons, powerful, majestic creatures that have made this island their home. There are other large birds such as eagles and albatross that roost among them, along with some smaller animals and reptiles that can make their home there. Wild cats and some mountain goats can also be found making their homes along the slopes. Murals from within the cave suggest that wyverns may sometimes stop by during their travels, but the gryphons are the primary inhabitant of these high places. Although mostly barren and rocky at the top, there are unique trees and flora that scatter the peaks while the slopes are more abundant in plant growth. Perhaps there are some special herbs could be found growing that could be used for varying purposes.

The gryphons themselves won't bother those who manage to navigate their way onto the island, however it's a different matter if anyone tries to approach them. They are extremely territorial and will show hostility and aggression to those who venture too near up to their nests. However, should anyone manage to earn their trust, they can become fierce allies to help defend the island. Murals within the cave depict how the people who once lived here did once revere them, so perhaps giving tributes or helping them when they are sick or injured will help build trust. Their nests can also be threatened by snakes, large lizards, and even opportunistic birds that dare to try and hunt their eggs or young hatchlings.

IV. WILDCARD

Congratulations, everyone, the Hideaway crew now have their very own island called, "The Roost." The log lasts for the entire month, and once everything has been initially explored and scooped out "construction" can begin or whatever else people may want to do with the island. Feel free to make up whatever you want, whether it be a location, creature, plant, or whatever else might be cool so long as it fits. Characters can also claim whatever house or building or mark a new place for themselves. If a space is needed for a library or a workshop or bathhouse or whatever, boom it exists. There are NPC crew members both human and animalkin alike, mostly to help with sailing the ship, so feel free to use them as well.

Cid has plans to make this a fully operational independent base, so eventually workshops and farming fields will be made. Maybe even a chocobo ranch?? This is so should they ever need to "hide away" for whatever reason, they'll have a safe place to go and be self-sufficient for an extended period of time. Due to the location, Cid will recommend everyone to get their Ring of Returning to Level 3. So go grab yours from the Rewards page if you haven't already!!

For now this is closed to just the crew, but after this month it can be open to friends and CR! All threads in the log are worth 12 points since this is considered a "special quest" for the crew. Threads made outside of the log but are related to the island exploration/happenings will also count for the full 12 points!

GALLERY

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code by efrynidel

Comments

let's start with C

[indispensable]

[The travel to the island is best left unspoken, but Alhaitham will maybe admit that all the hassle it took to get here has been fairly worth it thus far. Cid has undeniably chosen a pretty fine place for what will now become the ship's base, even if travel is gonna be a hassle... he's going to need that ring whenever he gets to head back to Elturt with Kaveh's helps...

Anyway, that's all things he can attend to later. Right now what has his attention is also his senior, except he's currently dozing underneath a tree with three all too familiar looking foxes curled up at his side. Of course, its impossible for said three foxes to actually be the same species as the ones out in Sumeru's deserts, but there's no denying the uncanny resemblance.

So even though they're just lying there doing nothing at all Alhaitham frowns and attempts to nudge them away with his foot. Shoo foxes, go away and stop accosting his senior.]

this will go great

[empyrean_mirror]

[The foxes make a whiny noise and kind of nip ineffectually at his boot but, perhaps there's something they sense about Alhaitham himself that mean they do not scamper away but very stubbornly try to burrow closer to Kaveh.

Take a long look at this situation and ask yourself, scribe of the akademiya, what is your life?]

so many questions he has to ask himself...

[indispensable]

[Alhaitham wants to say that he should be surprised at how wild foxes are apparently not spooked enough to scamper away from him despite what he's doing, but he's really not. Apparently Kaveh's ability to attract all manner of creatures seems to trump over whatever sense of self-preservation they should be carrying. Much like his senior himself, frankly.

Anyway, after a few more fruitless attempts Alhaitham is forced to give up this plan of attack with a huff. If being nice about it won't help then... he's going to have to resort to more direct means. Which means yes, he's going to reach down and forcibly pick up the foxes to cart them away from Kaveh now. How successful he is though remains to be seen.]

and yet here we are

[empyrean_mirror]

[So here's a couple fun facts about foxes, Alhaitham! One, they are very wiggly. Two, they are incredibly loud! So they are shrieking their protests about being taken away from Kaveh by this weird green villain.

They're going to wake Kaveh up like this. He's already made a noise.]

Mnngh...?

here we are indeed

[indispensable]

[The wiggles are annoying, but he can still deal with. The loud shrieking though... that's another thing entirely. Good thing his has his earpieces on; even without the noise cancelling their presence muffles the worst of the noise.

Still, with how loud they are Kaveh waking up is more or less an inevitability at this point. So it doesn't exactly stop Alhaitham from attempting his plan to get the foxes away from his senior, though with how wiggly (and shrieky) they are its very clearly not going well at all, and when Kaveh eventually rouses enough to look over he'll see Alhaitham having the time of his life battling against said foxes.]

[empyrean_mirror]

...Haitham?

[He hadn't meant to doze off, it had just been particularly beautiful out so when he sat down to sketch he'd dozed off. Kaveh had known Alhaitham was somewhere on the island and thus assumed he'd turn up at some point or another. He...had not expected to see the man losing a fight to three foxes.]

What are you doing?

[indispensable]

What does it look like I'm doing?

[Even with his senior now fully awake, Alhaitham is making no attempt to hide what he is trying to do here. The foxes continue to be difficult but he still has no inclination to give up anytime soon. Stop trying to scamper back towards Kaveh!!]

[empyrean_mirror]

Let me rephrase: why are you wrestling with woodland creatures?

[Is he still asleep? This feels a little like he's still asleep. One fox makes whining noises at Kaveh, imploring him to save them.]

[indispensable]

They're an eyesore.

[...its not entirely a lie? They are an eyesore to him, though not for the usual reasons.]

[empyrean_mirror]

They are foxes, Alhaitham, they are objectively adorable.

[Alright, he'll get up. And pluck one of the foxes up from Alhaitham.]

So what's actually going on here?

[indispensable]

[Wow so the foxes are adorable but the fish isn't?? What is this bias that is happening.

The fox that Kaveh plucks out of him immediately quietens down, evidently happy to be back in the arms of the architect, and Alhaitham can't help but send over a glare. What an annoying little creature.]

It is exactly what it seems. I'm moving these foxes away since they're so intent on sticking by your side.

[empyrean_mirror]

And what, exactly, is the problem with that? I didn't even feed them.

[He is scritching this fox in his arms absently, while he stares at Alhaitham. Sir are you really this ridiculous. Really. Truly.]

[indispensable]

And then what happens when they do get hungry and start accosting you for food? Are you going to give them all of your rations again?

[They are maybe not in a desert but this is still an island in the middle of the sea!! And they don't know everything about this place yet either. They can't afford to be careless here.]

[empyrean_mirror]

They're not dizzy and disoriented from a leyline disruptor, so no.

[He absolutely will cave the second they whine at him, don't believe his lies for a second, Alhaitham.]

I doubt they've ever even seen humans before...that's probably why they aren't afraid.

[indispensable]

[Yeah Alhaitham is not buying it at all, and the look he sends over to Kaveh says as much.]

I think they just know who to pester for food.

[You are always a sucker for animals, senior. He knows this very well.]

[empyrean_mirror]

Well don't get mad at them! Not everyone is so utterly unmoved!

[Kaveh buddy you didn't think this one through.]

[indispensable]

[He really didn't, and Alhaitham's expression is a continued display of how obtuse his senior is being right now.]

Then am I supposed to applaud you instead?

[Can you hear how dry his voice is right now.]

[empyrean_mirror]

You are accusing me of something that hasn't even happened yet.

[He is not the one who was out here losing a fight with the wildlife, Alhaitham.]

And even if I had, we need to coexist with them in this place, don't we? There's nothing wrong with being friendly.

[indispensable]

There are other ways to accomplish that which do not involve having to give up your own meals.

[Just putting it out there. You know, for posterity.]

[empyrean_mirror]

I haven't given them any food at all!

[The foxes all perked in unison at the word "food".]

[indispensable]

[Alhaitham sees this reaction, and stares at the foxes for a second before he returns his gaze to Kaveh.

Do you have anything to say for yourself here, senior.]

[empyrean_mirror]

[Kaveh mumbles something at the foxes that might sound like 'traitors'.]

...I can explain.

[He is stalling. He cannot explain.]

[indispensable]

[Oh, he can explain now, can he? Alhaitham will wait for this explanation then.

So here he is, senior. Waiting. Very patiently.]

[empyrean_mirror]

...It's perfectly reasonable, really, I just...

[Kaveh slowly puts the fox down while he formulates his thoughts.

And then bolts.]

[indispensable]

[...are we really doing this senior.

I guess we are.

Anyway Kaveh gets maybe about ten steps in before Alhaitham appears right before him with his flicker, continuing to look very unimpressed.]