escordvi | « player event » 🌪️ the eye of the storm

Entry tags:

« player event » 🌪️ the eye of the storm

Who: Garuda & YOU.
Status: Open log.
Where: Eltrut, Nogard.
What: Benedikta Harman has primed into Garuda, and is wreaking havoc on the Leviathans.
Warnings: Violence, Final Fantasy XVI spoilers.

"The Warden of the Wind. She takes the form of a fearful harpy, summoning storms and tearing into the flesh of her prey with hawklike talons. Such is the Eikon's frenzy for destruction that even allies of the Dominant of the day are wont to begin fleeing the battlefield when dark clouds gather overhead."

The morning of May the 4th starts out like any other: calm waters, clear blue skies, ships coming and going from their ports. However, all of that is about to change—and abruptly—as Benedikta Harman soars over the ocean after learning the painful truth about the fate of Cidolfus, and of herself. Her wrath now unbound and unmatched, all coming to a head as her aether bursts at the seams, a storm gathers on the horizon. With every angry beat of her wings, the skies turn a dark, eerie green, the winds grow stronger, and Garuda's voice is louder as laughter rings clearer for the first time since that one fateful dawn...

Benedikta & Garuda's Wrath (Final Fantasy XVI spoilers)

Her wings are tired, her face stings with the burn of sharp tears and sharper winds that follow after her, but she does not stop. She cannot. Any other day, she would never make it this far, but her body and the air are dense with her aether that she can fly farther and faster than she has ever managed—in no particular direction, so long as it is a direction away from him. Away from the place where she thought home could be. How naive she was to think that anywhere could be; how ignorant of her to have lit even the smallest spark of hope that things could be any different than before.

Reckless to think that trusting anyone, especially after a whole life of never affording to, would end in anything but deceit.

They all leave. They always leave.

Just like they had then, six years ago on that fateful night in Stonhyrr, those claws of betrayal coil tight around her throat and sink deep into flesh. Only this time, who is there to catch her?

The thought of that wide, open freedom that always followed Cidolfus wheresoever he went frightened her to no end. To her, it meant the unknown that came with running away, being whisked on the back of the winds, to a place where she would not know if, when next she landed, there would be a ground beneath her feet. His betrayal left her on her back once before, and she had been fool enough to take that risk again. Six years in an empty pursuit in his absence, chasing what she thought to be stability, power, and even love in another—her king, touch-starved and hunting any warmth that she could find, is what had her listening to the promises he whispered into her ear again. It is what made her take that plunge into that vast unknown, made her lean into his easy-going benevolence...

And look at where it has led her.

Back then, she had King Barnabas to pull her back on her feet. He would show her a better world, through what they both knew to be empty platitudes, and hearts that did not belong to the other, but she would be loyal. She would be good. She would be everything that Cid could not be. She would do his bidding to prove to him—and most importantly, to the rest of the world, and to herself—that she could be valuable. Powerful. Yet, what she thought was love, she realised in hindsight, was nothing more than a passion for his insurmountable power. A stable place above all the rest who thought they could cut her down. And it was his power that gripped her like a vise—she feared him, and yet, she was still loyal.

Look at what trust and loyalty have wrought.

Destined to loneliness and desperation.

Falling, falling...

Alone and afraid, a wrath now unbound as she soars over the bone dragon's head. Fumbling in the dark, she is trying to catch the pieces of herself that have shattered and are now being scattered into the wind—how the fuck is she supposed to put herself back together now?

A tool for love. A way to atone for his past sins. A way to "save her" where he could not before, and to fulfill a promise he could not uphold the first time. To make up for past mistakes so that he may now live with himself. Because that was all she was, wasn't she? A remnant, a ghost of a broken past that haunted him.

A tool for war. Even in death, she was nothing more than that. The king that she pledged her utmost fealty to then saw fit to use her however he wanted. Her body was desecrated and turned into an instrument to fuel the war between cruel men and crueler gods. Nothing more than a vessel for power. Nothing more than Garuda.

Falling...

So why does she refuse her? Why has she been so afraid of her? She should embrace her Eikon again. Become one with her once more, all fangs and no mercy, because that was all she was ever seen as: a source of power, of redemption, but they were not her own. They were never to be her own.

Tighter, the claws squeeze, and Benedikta screams and screams until she can no longer breathe. Until it is no longer her own screams, but Garuda's.

This wretched world... With wretched people...

Liars. Maggots. All of them. They all knew, and they lied.

She is afraid, but she is angry, and she has learned that it is easier to let in the rage than it is the fear. It was at Garuda's hand that she had died before, but that would not happen this time, that voice promises her. Garuda will protect her, swathe her in her comforting winds and rip apart everything that has and could hurt her.

The sky above Nogard falls dark, almost black. The waters rage as the wind abruptly picks up, lightning cracks, and a violent, swirling gale descends, only growing.

Let me help you. Let us show them what happens when they hurt you. Again and again...

If only Barnabas could see her now in all her strength. All power coursing through her pulsing aether, not an ounce of humanity left. This is what he wanted, isn't it?

She can at least take solace in the fact that Cidolfus is here. He could not keep his promise, could not save her, and instead, he lied to her, deceived her. In return, she will hate and hurt with all her love. She will let the fury take her. She will tear it all apart, and he will have to watch, knowing that he did this.

So much for your fucking redemption now.

DIE, DIE... DIE...

And from that whirling gale, she emerges. No longer is it Benedikta at the eye of the storm, but the true Warden of the Wind, the Eikon, Garuda, a reckless harpy with four wings wider than any bird's, claws that could split a man open in a single swipe, and fangs that could rip flesh from bone. With them all bared, her laughter echoes across the sea and sky.

Freedom. She is untethered, let out of the cage that Benedikta chained her in for so long.

And she will ravage this world in her name. Now fall...

WEATHERING THE STORMS

The moment that Nogard senses that something is amiss, its flesh will reform to protect itself and the villages within from the worst of the storms. While the Leviathan does get battered and the winds persist even after its body takes shape, Fang and its docks will be saved from the tidal surges that are bound to come and, upon seeing Garuda take off in the direction of Eltrut, the dragon will follow after her, roaring across the seas to send a signal of warning to the others to either flee or shield.

Heeding its call, the Naughtilust and Norhpip will retreat while Elah comes to their aid. Paladins will be encouraged by Elah to assist with rescue efforts—brave the storms and head out to sea to help. Those who do not wish to face the harpy's wrath can take refuge on the whale's back. But it will be Eltrut that will receive the brunt of Garuda's attacks, and where her magic will be most potent, the build-up of her aether coming to a head when she lands on the turtle's back.

Harsh, hurricane-like winds will assault Eltrut, and with them, a sense of dread and trickles of sadness fall upon the Leviathan. With Eltrut docked at an island, it's easier to see what is about to happen: the tide recedes, and on the horizon, the shadow of a giant tsunami wave guided by the wind approaches. While Eltrut can shield itself with its bubble, it will still need some help!

Using whatever magic is available—and necessary—everyone will have to work together to help Eltrut withstand the worst of it and, when the tide hits, it's best to be holding onto something, or someone, as Eltrut will be knocked around a bit before stabilising. Unfortunately, with the water's far too choppy to swim in, everyone will have to wait it out and work together to reduce the magic, and hope that someone comes along soon to take care of the harpy that keeps tearing through its shields.

🏝️ On Land. For those stuck on Eltrut or Nogard, the storms are just as fierce. With winds strong enough to rip the trees from their roots, shatter glass, and throw large objects around, it is imperative that people help each other find shelter and safety, and those with shielding magic use it, especially around the docks. Help the locals, assist the merfolk that have been washed up back into the water. There are weaponsmiths asking anyone with a set of hands to help craft things like harpoons and arrows that will be useful against the creatures that now roam the Leviathans.

🌊 Out at Sea. Crews will need to batten down the hatches and work together to weather the storms as well as rescue anyone else, including locals, who might be out there. Though, it is recommended that people try to outrun them as that is one big wave that is heading for Eltrut. Thanks to Garuda's magic, some of the wildlife have grown wings, and sharks are chomping down on boats and even leaping onto decks in search of a good meal.

☁️ In the Air. Male gryphons from The Hideaway's island will arrive to aid those who wish to take to the skies for search and rescue efforts. They are still wary and a bit erratic from being attacked earlier on the island, so working together to earn their trust will be imperative. Offering them food or small gifts such as feathers or beads will appease them, as well as protecting them from oncoming attacks from their fellow birdkin. Once in the air, riding on gryphon-back will take some getting used to, as they will always travel in pairs, and will employ tactical maneuvers to dodge the debris and any creatures that attack.

With their homes partially destroyed by the massive wave, some of the merfolk have come to aid not only their own that have been washed up onto land, but those who hope to alleviate the stress on the Leviathans, whether it be rescue efforts or fighting off the birds and winged sharks. They have offered their herd of seahorses for people to ride on, but they are a bit temperamental, especially with all the chaos, so they will need to be calmed first before they can be ridden.

All threads will be worth 4 points.

( Bonus ♫ )

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

It isn't just the violent skies and seas that pose a problem. Garuda's magic has somehow affected all of the birdkin and bird folk alike across Nogard and Eltrut. What once were peaceful, friendly creatures have now turned on others, as well as each other, and will be attacking and fighting on the streets.

More than that, while some birds have transformed into menacing beasts large enough to pick up a whole person—sometimes two—there are also dozens and dozens of Wind Elementals that have spawned all around the Leviathans, all of them under the command of Benedikta's sisters, Chirada and Suparna, the strongest of them. They hardly ever leave one another's side, but when they are provoked, they will not hesitate to attack. To make matters worse, when threatened, they will tether their aether to each other to make themselves more immune and to regenerate. They are fast, agile, with wide wingspans and talons that will rip anyone apart if they manage to catch them. They are weak to lightning magic and can be held off by the plumes found throughout the forest, and destroying them will buy time for those fighting the smaller Egis to defeat them... However, be warned, they will only respawn again elsewhere, and will keep doing so until Garuda is chased away. (Note: this video of their boss fight can be referred to if needed.)

🐦 Birds and Birdfolk. Beware of feathered friends! Garuda's magic has made both the birds of the islands and the bird folk particularly aggressive. Bird folk will be quick to anger, and those caught up in the worst of the effects will attack anyone unprovoked for so much as looking at them. The only cure for this is taking out the Wind Elementals that have spawned, as they are what sustains Garuda's magic. In the meantime, until they can be destroyed, luring them further away and outside of town or finding a humane way to knock them out for the time being will work to help alleviate the threats at the eye of the storm. Cats will also be effective against them. Be careful, however—the birds are capable of stealing the breath of anyone who wanders too close, strangling them through lack of air.

🌪️ Wind Elementals. Minions of Garuda herself, these Wind Egis will indiscriminately pick out anyone they find to assault with their large wings, sharpened talons, and powerful wind magic. Men will be carried out to sea where they will attempt to drown them, while women will be carried to "safety" in the nests that the birds have built within the forests. Defeating them is the key to weakening Garuda's magic, so take them out by any means necessary. Note: Players are free to use and control the Egis however they want.

🪹 Within the Nest. For those caught in the nest, escaping on the ground will be the only way out as horrific winged beasts and Egis guard the skies. Beneath the trees, people will need to carve out a path through the messy vines and thorns. It will be safer with a partner, as all sorts of horrors lurk. Eldritch hummingbirds, cassowary, magpies, human-sized hawkmoths, guineafowl, pelicans, and a strange breed of geese that are prepared to feed on or tear apart anyone who might threaten their nest.

There will occasionally be white plumes that will flutter down from the skies. These feathers are from Garuda's wings, and gathering them will provide a ward to protect one from harm for a short period of time. They can shield against one hit or act as a repellent to the birds and the Egis before they are destroyed. Search for them in the treetops and the vines, gather them, and they should be shared so that everyone can make it out of the forest safely. If anyone is able to collect enough of them, they will have healing wind properties that can mend small wounds and cuts.

For those at The Roost (the Hideaway crew's island), the gryphons will be up in arms, not only because one of their nests has been destroyed, but because Benedikta's uncontrollable magic has bled into them, too. The female gryphons, led by the Matriarch, will attack the males, and a fight will break out among them. The males will flee down into the Roost to seek help, but the females will surely soon follow. Killing the gryphons is not an option, and anyone who threatens the lives of the females will have to get through the males in spite of this war, so they will need to be chased off for now. In return, the males will allow anyone to ride on their backs and carry them to Eltrut should they wish to help there.

All threads will be worth 4 points.

( Bonus ♫ )

THE LADY OF THE WIND

For those few who are brave enough to encounter Garuda and live to tell the tale, and those fewer who are daring enough to chase her down seeking to clip the vengeful harpy's wings, they will likely not have to look very far. Garuda is a mischievous and wicked Eikon, chaotic, as if she were made of the winds and storms herself, and through all of the destruction she brings, she also finds enjoyment in taunting others, sometimes swooping down or over one's head just to toy with those on the ground before flying off again.

If she is feeling particularly naughty, she may even kidnap a few, scooping them up in her claws and flying them off someplace else... just for fun. Whether it is the nest, into the sky, out to sea, who knows, but one thing is for certain... one does not want to be engaged with her for long, lest they wish to feel just how sharp her claws and fangs truly are...

Try as they might, however, it will take the might of another full Eikon to take her down, and the battles will end as Ramuh, the Warden of Thunder, makes his appearance and chases her away from Eltrut, and they will face off against one another over the ocean.

Note: This portion of the log is closed to those who signed up for an encounter with Garuda. Please leave a starter at your designated top level down below! They will be worth 6 points.

( Bonus ♫ )

This is the designated log for a player-run (

garudas) mini-event. After revelations came about surrounding her fate, Benedikta Harman primed into her full Eikon, Garuda, and she is now ravaging the seas, skies, and land.

Players are free to make their own top levels and tag around, and those who have signed up to face Garuda can leave their starters beneath their designated top levels. Information can be found on the OOC post and please direct any questions here. New players/characters are free to tag into this as well, as this is all occurring after their arrival.

The event and its effects will last less than one day ICly and will have a resolution, so there will be no bearing on anything afterward. Any post-Garuda events will be on the main monthly log that will be going up, including Leviathan clean-up and helping the mermaids after parts of their underwater dwelling were ruined by the wave that hit Eltrut.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

a. in the chaos of the storm (hideaway crew & others @ the roost)

["Bustling" is never an encouraging word to describe the activity in an infirmary - yet bustling it is, between the people arriving injured and the people half-scrambling to see to their injuries (and, probably, convince them to rest instead of leave).

Alfyn spent a fair amount of time seeing to Joshua after he arrived, but now he finds himself with empty hands and a bit of time. The storm doesn't seem to be letting up, either. He puts the worst of his thoughts aside and starts making his way around the infirmary.]

Hey there. [He has a gentle demeanor and a kind voice, and will sit to speak with anyone also sitting, or lying down.] Name's Alfyn. I'm an apothecary. [One of the first things he realized here is that most people can't tell from what he's wearing.] What can I do for you?

[This isn't just for the injured! Those who are looking after their friends should also have a little attention, or their questions answered, or a cup of water if they want one.]

b. a peaceful moment at the Roost (hideaway crew & anyone who might have come to help)

[It's been such a long day.

A long few days, rather, with only brief windows of reprieve for Alfyn to scoot himself aside and take a nap somewhere relatively quiet.

It's evening, and he's outside. In front of him is a bowl full of water. Alfyn sticks his hands in the bowl, leaning over it, and splashes that water on his face - and yelps, as softly as one can while still calling it yelping.]

Cold!

[But the cold will help. He lets the water run over his face a few more times, ultimately shaking his head pretty hard to rid himself of excess water and then sitting right back down on the nearest suitable surface for sitting. Crate? Rock? Doesn't matter to him. Alfyn is exhausted.

But one tired fellow does not stop the passage of time. Alfyn rolls his shoulders and gets back to what he originally came out here to do. There's a bucket of water at his feet; between that, some soap, and what elbow grease remains in him, he thinks he can get all the stains out of his green overcoat just fine. Time to roll up his sleeves and get started.]

c. a drink back on Eltrut (open for anyone!)

[When most of the danger seems to have passed, Alfyn finally makes his way back to the big turtle. He stops by the potion shop, because he's clean out of supplies. (The actual harpy shop owner gives him pause just for a second.) It's clear the leviathan here also faced the wrath of the storm. Some of the damage makes Alfyn flinch to look at. There are many people already working to put things together again, at least.

He wouldn't be away from his responsibilities if he didn't think things were going to be okay without him. And he's only dragging his feet a little as he finally comes to the true purpose for his trip to Eltrut:

A tall, cold, refreshing drink at the tavern.

There's nothing at all in the world quite like knocking one back at the end of the day. Alfyn settles in, choosing a stool rather than his preference of a table. If he sat somewhere it was easy to rest his head, he'd start sawing logs. When someone takes the seat beside him, he lifts his mug and smiles a tired smile.]

Get yourself somethin'. My treat.

[No. No, it doesn't matter if he knows the person sat there or not.]

d. wildcard!

[If you'd like a thing and you don't see it here, hit me up!]

[ Like a leech attached to skin, Clive has barely stepped a single foot away from Joshua since the moment he was taken into the clinic... and unfortunately has been a bit unbearable ever since.

Above all the desperate pleas and shouts for aid, the man had eventually calmed down enough to allow those in the infirmary to do their jobs. Which, ultimately, leaves Clive feeling all the more useless. So you can only imagine the moment Alfyn finally approaches and speaks up to him. ]

Nothing. [ He partially snaps at Alfyn. The response leaves his mouth before the thought could be processed. Yet once a small amount of reality returns to him, Clive's already stiff muscles will begin to soften momentarily. ]

I apologize, I— [ He attempts to gather his words, all while wild eyes refuse to turn away from the boy lying on the bed beside him. ] —will he be alright?

[The hovering makes perfect sense. That's his brother! Alfyn can't say he hasn't done the same, for someone who meant that much to him.

Clive isn't the first person - and won't be the last - to bark at Alfyn's approach. He just exhales aloud, and smiles gently, and sits in the empty chair nearby. This is a real familiar problem to address. It'll just take a little time.]

He should be. [Alfyn is ready to meet a fierce or protective glare, because 'should' isn't what you want to hear about a loved one's life. He's going for disarming, here; he understands that nobody is ever at their best when they're worried.] He's gonna need a lot of rest, though. Think you'll be able to convince him?

[ Alfyn's words should have been a comforting one, but to Clive? They were a dark remembrance of the past that has yet to be scabbed over.

He knows the man is trying to help. He's trying to offer more words than some could even come up with in a situation like this, and Clive (had it been any other scenario) would have not turned down the sentiment. He'll apologize again for his mood later, he really will, but at the moment— ]

No. [ It almost sounds defeated. Clive's gaze darkens and his head tucks into his chest, feeling both the dread of anger and hopelessness. ] Because he did this for me. He won't stop pushing— he won't stop.

[ He had thought they were far enough removed from it all, but he was a fool. ]

[You know. No one's ever really told him "no" to that before. It give him pause; he sits back and rubs his chin in thought, mulling over how to approach this now. There isn't anything more he can currently do for Joshua. Maybe someone else could - stronger magic, or some other secret from a place Alfyn's never been.

But there's a lot more on Clive's mind than what's happening today. He gets the sense this isn't even close to the first time one brother has sat brooding at the other's bedside.]

It's never easy when somebody you care about keeps throwin' himself into trouble.

[Alfyn looks at Joshua, too: asleep, peaceful, no signs of waking or apparent pain for now. Then he looks at Clive, who hasn't met his eyes once, who has the weary and haunted air of someone far too used to all this.]

You've been here this whole time. I won't ask you to leave - I think you bein' here is probably better for both of you. But can I at least get you somethin' to eat? Some water, maybe?

[ His brother had done more to try to protect him than anyone he's ever met. He believed in him- believed he could achieve such great things. And even when Clive did not know whether or not he was even alive, Joshua still chose to protect him from the shadows.

To think it was he who was suppose to be Joshua's Shield. He was the one suppose to be doing the protecting, and yet the longer he watched his brother's unconscious body breathing did the pain of incompetence begin to hit harder.

His hand reaches out, gently stroking the side of Joshua's cheek to remove a few strands of fallen hair before speaking lowly ]

Some information, actually. [ He'll take that over anything right now. To figure out what exactly is happening, and although the pieces of the incident are still unfolding, he could at least try to put together what he did know.

At which point the man will finally lift his gaze to turn his attention towards Alfyn. It's a face he's only vaguely familiar with, and with all that's going on, will likely have a hard time committing it to memory. But if he's here- on Roost - then they were someone who knew about the rest of the crew. Possibly a new member? ]

I need to know the whereabouts of some friends. [ Several, actually. But one such individual took a small amount of precedence considering the chaos on the outside. ]

Cid. Do you know of him? [ He was here, wasn't here? And may not be anymore as Clive allows himself to observe the area. With Benedikta gone, who knows what could have happened to him, or what he may have done. ] Here was here, was he not? Have you seen him?

[The truth is, Alfyn only knows Clive's name up front because Cid described him. Tall, dark haired, broody guy with a scar on his face. Joshua's brother. Who else could it be?

So it feels like more than coincidence, now, to have Clive asking after Cid, when that's the last talk Alfyn and Cid had before...]

Yeah. I know him.

[He's been pushing aside a sizable chunk of guilt and responsibility over letting him go. Not pushing harder for him to just stay back and recover from whatever had happened to leave him on the floor. The argument with a harpy. The weight of that decision sits in Alfyn's expression for a long moment, while he thinks about how to say the things he needs to say here.

He'd bargained a little with Cid. Maybe he could also do that with Clive.]

Hold on a second. [Alfyn holds up a hand.] I did see him, and I'm gonna tell you about it. Just- [And he gets up. Busies himself in another part of the room. Returns with a cup full of cold water (there's even a hunk of ice in it!) which he holds out to Clive as he sits back down.] Have that, while I'm talkin', okay?

[ And there, just for a second, a brief change in the man's expression expels when the name was recognized. Hope, perhaps? But the movement of his eyes widening was quickly deflated when Alfyn rose from his seat.

Clive tensed, fearing slightly for the worse, but the man's relaxed demeanor gave no reason for the man to panic. He was only left feeling a small hole in the pit of his stomach for the next words that came out of Alfyn's mouth, and when he opened his own to say something—

—Ah. Water.

A pause. Clive's mouth closing tightly as his eyes lift to the cup before finally - and almost a bit reluctantly - he'll reach and take hold of it. ]

... Alright. [ Bargaining certainly did the trick! For as soon as they are both settled back into position does Clive finally allow himself to the first sip. ]

[Alfyn's outright worry relaxes significantly at that. He knows how long he has been at it; Clive has stood watch for almost that entire time, not to mention whatever he went through just getting Joshua here. He has to be worn out.

He sits back down. Rests his arms back on his knees.]

I was out hunting for herbs when the wind started. Came over here for shelter, and found Cid out cold on the floor.

[While his voice won't move from its measured, calm pace, his eyebrows are drawn together in agitation, and he flexes his fingers a little.]

It took a little doing, but he- he got up. He told me he'd been in a fight with a harpy. [There was more to it than that. He named the woman. Alfyn can't remember it right now.] A lady. He- it sounded like he cared a lot about her?

[He spreads his hands and shakes his head.]

And he wouldn't listen to me about staying put, even though he was hurt. [Two taps to his chest.] I tried to convince him, but he wasn't hearing it.

Alfyn | Octopath Traveler | the Roost & Eltrut

a!!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

b

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

c

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject