Iron Stars - galatea-games

The world of Galatea is a place where metaspace and the real world are closer together than normal. The veil is thin here, and the locals have mastered some kind of technology called a Grail, which lets metaspace be harnessed for the effortless creation of all kinds of physical materials and wealth- though it is bound to the confines of the system. The entire world has been engineered, and once again the grails are enacted across the planet to form a central settlement where olympians and polity staff can relax, and across the various cities where different events are set to be played. Although the ceremonies are shorter and smaller in scale than the olympic games once held on lost Earth, seeing something reminding people of the old days is a welcome sight, and a chance to create a new cultural tradition with the other races of the Iron Sectors is too unifying of a force to look over. Athletes from all states and nations arrive here on Galatea, proceeding down a kilometre long processional lined with torches every 50 meters on each side. Sculptures of faceless athletes of all races have also been created as temporary fixtures for the games , as one by one the ships with athletes come in to land. (if anyone wants to describe their entrance/their nation's entrance, we can do it here, but we'll save character RP for another thread once everyone arrives)

Grim arrives at Galatea excited for the martial arts tournament. Grim is wearing a black Gi with the lamplighter logo on the back and a white belt and white headband that also has the lamplighter logo in the center

The spectators here look skyward to see who the next arrivals will be

Some sort of techno-industrial music starts playing. Dressed in a sleek orange Olympic suit with glowing lines in the cloth, Billy Rigers sits on a throne of Gears flown in by industrial drones. An Eyebot and Alecto swoop and dive around them as they are dropped off center stage. Billy stands up waving to the crowd.

Obsidia flies in over the crowd in her mech Ejecta, landing and popping the hatch with a cloud of white smoke billowing from the cockpit, then climbing out and waving to the spectators.

Shriven simply appears though an obvious teleporter in his black leather flight jacket and jeans, waving to the crowd standing next to Billy.

Soovi enters the stadium alongside the Elysian Team, with whom xe seems to have no real connection yet. Xe wears a robe with the insignia of the EP and Paragons on it and wears a white facial mask to not get blinded by the light in the stadium. While walking, Soovi has xyr almost golden wings spread out, as every proud Noctua should do.

Seung appears besides Billy and Shriven he jumps back startled looking around before noticing the two. "Well this doesn't seem quite right. I thought he was good a this kind of thing." He shrugs and takes a spot next to them.

"This is a phenomenally bad idea" Parsnips thinks to himself as the transport ship touches down. It begins playing The Internationale as he steps out and waves sheepishly to the crowd. "At least I won't actually die. That's neat."

In a remote corner of the exhibition plaza, a sudden burst of energy alike to Metaspace breach erupts out of nowhere. It lasts for a few moments and when it finally disappears, a group of figures in magenta sportswear is visible. They have their hands joined and in a single move, they raise them above there heads before bowing to the public. The Inheritor delegation has arrived and is ready for these games.

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After their spectacular entrance, Ana look around and stand next to her Inheritor friends. "Okay, that was awsome."

(I'm going to do the events one at a time so I can give each one my full attention, and since this is out of time and people are RPing elsewhere i dont think we need to blow through this)

Jake shows up next to Obsidia from somewhere and passes a bag of multi hued stone chips to his teammate. He’s wearing a Greystar tunic and sits. He’s got a hard shell case he sets down then opens up a drink container and pours himself a coffee while he watches the opening festivities. “Found those on the last dirt side drop I made Obsidia. Thought you might like a sample,” he smiles. “Pretty impressive show folks are putting on eh? Nice entrance by the way.”

"Well that's really nice of you. Any idea what kind of stone they are? Thanks." Obsidia says as she takes the chips and tries one, crunching it like a potato chip, humming contentedly

Jake picks up a chips and looks at it sagely. “Thin ones. Most certainly thin ones,” he says with a straight face. “Probably not very healthy if they taste good.”

Deleted User

Soovi enters the stadium alongside the Elysian Team, with whom xe seems to have no real connection yet. Xe wears a robe with the insignia of the EP and Paragons on it and wears a white facial mask to not get blinded by the light in the stadium. While walking, Soovi has xyr almost golden wings spread out, as every proud Noctua should do.

August walks behind Soovi, wearing shiny green, gold, and platinum athletic shorts. August has a black t-shirt underneath an EP jersey, August ties her hands with boxing tape. August holds the flag of her home planet, Hergudr in her left hand when she's finished. While an EP flag is held in the other hand.

Barnabas Strasny walks into the arena, wearing his usual t-shirt and photojournalist vest and a UNW baseball cap. He looks from contestant to contestant, then shakes his head and mutters to himself, "This is gonna be embarrassing - gotta try not to come in last." Then, noticing the crowd gathered, he pulls himself together, puts his head up, and waves to the crowd.

Among the crowd from the Inheritor delegation a tall, lanky figure takes off a mottled brown ushanka, revealing a face with some tattoo's along the left side of his face and elongated ears. Strapped to his back is a scoped, long rifle. He nervously wipes his hands on his new sweat pants. Looking up, he covers his eyes before they widen in shock at the sheer number of people. He leans over to a masked figure near him in what might be slightly panicked words.

As Dalibor leans toward him, Goblin nods and answers to his friend. He then steps a bit in front of the rest of the group to get a better look at the surroundings as his small size doesn't help him much. He waves at the crowd and steps back again before whispering a few more words at Dalibor.

Kror takes a step forward waving for the crowd before returning to his place besides Goblin clearly uncomfortable with so much attention. "I didn't know there would be this much people attending..." he whispers to Goblin

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“Yeah, I didn’t know there could even be this many people in one place. Just smile and wave “ Jasper takes a step forwards and waves to the crowd. He looks back to his friends “it good to see some familiar faces out there, this should be fun”

An elegantly designed shuttle flies overhead and touches down to release the NMC's competitors into the stadium. It's ironwood hull gleams in the light with it's magnificent solar sails on full display showing the newly redesigned flag of the NMC. Along it's hull is what appears to have been the former crest of the Noble house that owned the vessel, having since been requisitioned after their arrest and now modified to symbolize the fall of the Noble class with the people of the NMC lifting themselves up to have a stake in the newly reformed government. Iracus, excited for the hack-a-thon exits along with the other competitors into the stadium. He is wearing a long dark coat with green holographic numbers and characters running down the side. As he steps onto the procession area he feels momentarily overwhelmed by the crowd and venue, but quickly shakes off that feeling as a surge of adrenaline rushes through him and he looks alongside his compatriots as they step from the vessel.

Billy leans over feeling incredibly awkward to Seung and Shriven who are not dressed nearly as crazy as he is. “Hey, uh guys. We probably should have coordinated outfits or something, huh. Everyone else is all matching and sleek and I’m over here looking like blade runner, you look like top gun and you look like you didn’t know you were coming… also, it’s really dope to see you guys I’ve missed you.”

Shriven grins, “Wouldn’t want to be in uniform again. Anyways this is more fun.”

(I think I’m going to do the hackAthing first )

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(Are those flags for those wanting to participate in the event?)

(I think it’s just representative of all of the polities with reps in any event)

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(It was just me being supportive of all the polities.)

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Max waits with the Greystar delegation, blending into the crowd out of habit.

Rodger stands with the new moon delegation trying to look over the other competitors and see which ones might be competing in his event. He wears a crisp NMC uniform and stays with his hands behind his back and a small smirk on his face.

Seung looks to Billy and Shriven then down at this black combat uniform Phoenix and WS logos showing across it. “I think I got it for you here Shriven. Though yeah I didn’t expect to be here, but I think I get the gist of what’s going on.”

“Got your message in council. Been meanin to find you. Let’s talk after.”

(Just for story and nekos sake, I’m not gunna talk about sil etc during this since I’m out of time for it.)

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"This place looks nice..." Lori nervously makes her way to the one person she knows amidst the sea of strangers.

Glimmer glides gracefully as they take place next to their group, oversized needle and mag revolver in tow.

Nekosmash started a thread. 9/22/2021 7:57 AM [Open Thread]

Zlato arrives mixed in with the rest of the NMC delegation. He silently bemoans his decision to come here wondering what he was thinking as he looks around at the crowds. He keeps his eyes forward and a plain look on his face as he sticks with the group

(Is this going to be a peanut gallery/spectator channel [edit: as we watch the threads with the actual games taking place] where we can cheer and goad each other on? I don't want to go too far if that isn't the intent!) (edited)

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(thats exactly what i wanted to do here , with the events being threads. If we get good roleplay/engagement you might even give your athlete a bonus so long as you're not interfering with another competitor) (edited)

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“GO ANA!!!!! YOU GOT THIS!! “

9:43 AM

"Soovi! Soovi! Soovi! Soovi!" A block of heavily-painted, novelty-foam-Spartan-helmet-wearing EP soldiers in various states of sobriety chant out at the command of the lead idiot, Ivan, who downs some kind of drink to the consternation of the EP's team doctors who intended on helping Ivan prepare for his own event. The whole spectacle is in absolute stark contrast to Soovi's collected and reserved poise. "Yeah kick ass, Soovi! I got my next week of rations on you winning so if things get dire just unplug their computers! Works EVERY TIME for ME!" Ivan turns, making himself into a mock conductor of the debauchery behind him. A chant yells out: "Give them a virus! Take their RAM! Don't mess with us! Soovi bury'em in SPAM!"

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Billy, seeing Loriya walk up welcomes her into the group and introduces her to his mentors, Seung and Shriven and all the other competitors of note. “Listen, Hackerwoman. You’re the best damn hacker in the UNW today. You got this.” Billy tries to remind her of a few technical things to get her brain focused back on the task at hand rather than the crowd. “You were made for this! Let’s gooo!” Billy turns to true and rouse the crowd, by cheering her on.

Noel finally emerges, Nodding to the rest of the NMC folks, then looks around until she spots Grim, Thinking about a bunch of things. "We've got a strong showing. This is nice." She shuffles a bit, Ornate, Rune-carved Thermal Pistol on her hip, a Strange Bracelet around her Wrist, and Her New Moon Uniform crisply pressed. (edited)

August cheers alongside Ivan and his crew, whooping and hollering, " Hooo-weeeego on and gitty Soovi! You got this like an ant pickin' up a potted plant woooo "!

scott, who has mostly been trying to smile like a normal person and not collapse with anxiety, notices the... less than balanced support around, and chuckles internally honestly, really don't envy this 'soovi', if nobody knows I'm here, either I trash the event and, well, yeah, or I don't and I can just disappear back to adventuring for little but my time

Noel looks about, and frowns for a second before smiling warmly and Shouting "Get Em' Chief!! Code circles around them!! Give em' Hell!!" *She then scoots over to Scott and says more quietly, "I think this is part of the experience? If everyone's shouting, You can just open up and be apart of it, right?"

With no one from CBSS entered in this event, Parsnips ambles in to the spectator area and takes a seat. "Hey, anyone know if the peanut guy has been by, yet?"

Obsidia offers him one of her stone chips "Here, much better than peanuts."

"oooh, Thanks!" Parsnips takes one, and pops it right into his mouth, just barely catching himself before biting down and cracking a tooth. He swishes it back and forth in his mouth for a bit, trying to pretend he knew it was an actual rock the whole time. "ohh yeah, this is, yum, thanks!"

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With the competition starting soon, Goblin decides to cheer Ana up. He closes his eyes and bends his and slightly downward. After a few seconds, Meta-energy starts to sparkle next to him before taking a tall shape. A few moments later, a majestic Null birds stands next to him and releases a loud cry. Turning toward his IA companion, he says with an hidden grin. "Look who came here to support us." Then, with a louder voice, he addresses himself to Ana. "Hey, Ana. You've got a new supporter here so do your best and show them how good you are!"

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Noel will continue watching, but drift over to Grim. "Hey, uh.." There's a pause as she thinks for a moment, "Mr. Grim! I'm Noel. It's nice to meet you in person. What sort of competition are you here for?"

Billy, watching with binoculars slap taps the person next to him. “Holy shit! Loriya is brilliant do you see what she’s doing?” He quickly melts the poor bystanders brain with rapid fire programming jargon. “Clever, clever.”

August shakes one of Ivan's crew members with excitement and shouts louder, "KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM SOOV'S!! YOU'RE DOIN' FINE WOOOOOO"!! August begins hopping lightly out of joy.

Ana! You’ve got this! Hey Hey, Oh Oh, 100110.

MAKE SOME NOISE!! Along with a series of holographic clapping hands begins appearing in their air, clapping in time to some sort of techno soundtrack that has been steadily getting louder

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Billy stands up cheering. He suit and drones flash to the beat spelling out: GO HACKERWOMAN! LORIYA’S ROCKS!

"SSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" August elongates EP's hacker's name as loudly as possible. "SSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" "LET'S GO SOOVI!! LET'S GO!! claps LET'S GO SOOVI!! LET'S GO"!! claps

Billy beams seeing Loriya’s work and recognizing some of the initial moves. “I think we might actually have a shot at this.” He whispers under his breath.

Lead idiot and the drunk idiots behind go wild at the prospects of a melee killer robot on the loose. "YES SOOVI! KNIFE 'EM!" Ivan draws his own knife, stabbing it into the construction that's barely holding all of the excitement. "KNIFE KNIFE KNIFE!" Ivan chants outward towards the sky. "Let there be blood- I mean oil or whatever!!!" The soldiers behind stamp their feet and wave their inflatable phalanx spears. "KNIFE! KNIFE! KNIFE!" they chant in unison in the silliest blood-frenzy.

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Jasper scoots slightly away from Ivan.

"Let's Go IRA-" She pauses and looks over at Ivan shouting to stab someone. "-cus... Uh..." She looks to the rest of the NMC, and then to The people around her.

"GIVE EM' THE HONOR OF YOUR SWORD!! THEY DON'T DESERVE THE HONOR OF THE SPEAR!! LET THEM WITNESS EP!! BE EMPOWERED BY OUR CHEERS~ "!!

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Goblin leans toward Jasper and whispers to him: "Was it really a good idea to send that radio signal into space? Termies look less frightening than this..."

Rodger smiled down at Noel giving her a small tap on the shoulder before straightening his uniform and standing. "YEAH IRACUS HACK THEIR BUTTS OFF THEN CODE THEM NEW ONES WOOOOOOOOOOO!" He made one last whoop. "WOOOOOOOOOOO!" Before clapping and sitting back down calmly as if nothing had happened a cool excitement burning in his eyes.

Lori, who at this point is making final preparations, can’t help but feel deeply concerned at these cheers.

Scott is speaking largely to himself, "finally, the good bit. I miss good old fashioned robot combat. Not quite the same with these premade humanoid things but that's besides the point, the point is the violent disassembly. Speaking of, HELL YEAH! I amend my statement on loud cheering and the like, definitely been too long since I last attended a competitive event like this." (edited)

"Admittedly I'm a bit worried about getting stabbed. Might shift my Ward to Blades for once..." Noel shudders.

"could always put the effort in to make a makeshift bow, and sit in trees"

Ivan, not noticing the distance between him and the others, quiets the crowd down. Everyone waits with bated breath for Soovi's play, with Ivan white-knuckling his knife that may or may not be stuck in the railing before him. "Come on Soovi, stab something real good...."

"I more meant..." She gestures over at the Elysium Crowd. "Y'know?" And then laughs nervously.

As sword and claws hit and send pieces of HABBA hull skittering across the battlefield, Ivan and the crowd erupt into cheers and warcries as if the match was already decided right then and there. Novelty foam weapons, splashes of alcohol, and various stadium food fly out among the Protectorate crowd along with a celebratory wrestling fight somewhere in the upper seats while security isn't looking. Ivan, now standing triumphantly as if he was on the one swiping at robots in the arena, pulls one of his drunken squadmates over to scoop previously-hurtling space nachos off of his foam helmet and into Ivan's hand. Ivan leaves his knife in the railing, for it would be uncouth to remove it with cheesy hands. It's also stuck, but he doesn't want to admit it. "Oh I must have moved seats in the excitement!" Ivan says, munching. He sits next to Dr. Artemis again, not noticing he's encroaching on IA fan seating. "This is great!" Another handful of chips oozing with cheese are shoveled into his mouth. "I fshould do fthis more often!"

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"admittedly, in most ultraendurance events I attended in the before times people generally maintained their dignity until after the event, but usually only because until then they needed to be on standby for if one of the runners, operating on sheer force of will with their brains off, fall of a cliff or something." (edited)

“Fuck dignity! This is the gaaaaaammmmmeeeeessss!” Billy hollers over towards Scott’s general direction. His light up suit looking like a personal rave.

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"isn't he, like, the face of engineering, basically? See, this is why I don't attend football. Or drink." These people are competing at the highest level of competition later, and one has not only gotten drunk, but pulled a knife. I'm... Relatively certain I'm not the insane one here. I hope.

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"Damn it!" Goblin erupts after Ana's bot take a blow. "It doesn't sound good for Ana down there. Let's cheer her a bit." He looks at his fellow IA members and when he feels they are all ready, he starts crying. "GO ANA, GO! SHOW THEM YOU ARE TOUGHER THAN THAT!" Aura, feeling the excitement rising clacks her beak in rythm with Goblin.

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Parsnips, without a dog in this fight, gets quietly drunk as he enjoys the show, both on the field and in the stands. "So, I guess there's no peanut guy?"

August's yells get almost primal and a bit guttural than usual, "YYYYYYYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!! OH YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARD!! RIP EM' APAART"!!

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Venser sits in the crowd, beer in hand, having to hold himself to his seat for fear of floating away from it in excitement. "COME ON LORIYA! YOU GOT THIS! GIVE 'EM HELLLLLLLLL!" Wind rushes past him and into the path of his words, making his cheers boom and echo into the arena. He leans over to the person next to him, almost spilling his drink over them, and whispers jovially. "I have absolutely no idea what's going on! Are they using Python?"

Ivan Wyke | Yulia Wyke | Myuun

As sword and claws hit and send pieces of HABBA hull skittering across the battlefield, Ivan and the crowd erupt into cheers and warcries as if the match was already decided right then and there. Novelty foam weapons, splashes of alcohol, and various stadium food fly out among the Protectorate crowd along with a celebratory wrestling fight somewhere in the upper seats while security isn't looking. Ivan, now standing triumphantly as if he was on the one swiping at robots in the arena, pulls one of his drunken squadmates over to scoop previously-hurtling space nachos off of his foam helmet and into Ivan's hand. Ivan leaves his knife in the railing, for it would be uncouth to remove it with cheesy hands. It's also stuck, but he doesn't want to admit it. "Oh I must have moved seats in the excitement!" Ivan says, munching. He sits next to Dr. Artemis again, not noticing he's encroaching on IA fan seating. "This is great!" Another handful of chips oozing with cheese are shoveled into his mouth. "I fshould do fthis more often!"

“Erm, yes, Ivan. This is quite exciting. We don’t have many sporting events on Saliv” jasper says nervously “ But I will admit this is quite fun, you and your, er, friends seem very excited”

Glimmer's wings extend and flutter, both mechanical and organic, much to the dismay of those behind them, as they stand up and cheer as Iracus' bot delivers a near fatal striker, their cheers coming out as a slightly high pitched hum.

(EP is goign absolutely buck wild over there, so we will say Soovi doesn't use their re-roll token from thsat one they re rolled. So they get the one back that they spent, if that wasnt clear) (edited)

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As Anna’s HABBA robot goes down jasper shouts “NOooOooOooOoo”

A cheer goes up from the NMC Noctua scouts as the IA bot goes down, wings fluttering and high pitched hums coming from their section.

"A Warrior falls! Blessings be upon them"! August puts a hand on her chest and audibly hums along with the Noctua across the Stadium. "Beautiful glory". August whispers.

"Good job Jake! First kill!"

Goblin covers his head with his two hands when HABBA is brought down. "Damn it! They focused on it after the first opening. Ana had no chance."

“Aaaahhh noooo!” Billy flails about accidentally sending chip and liquid cheese flying through the stands as he sees Loriya’s bot go down.

Noel looks over just in time to get a glob of cheese on the face, and freezes up.

“Oh oh my I’m sorry. Sorry..” he dabs at Noel’s face with a napkin. “I’m Billy. I’m so sorry.” A small eyebot drone plucks chips from Noel’s hair.

"I..I'm Noel, Noel Hallewell. I'd say it's a pleasure, but I think you cheesed this meeting..." She closes her eyes with a sigh and waits to be de-chipped.

Jake joins the crowd, cheers on the final combatants and starts tossing cheese in time with Billy’s gyrations!. “Woooooooooooo!”

Obsidia dips a shiny black chip in some of the cheese and chomps it, before offering a chip to Jake, "Nice job, you did well."

after the 6 shots of whatever was offered him as he made hose way for the arena floor to the stands, he gladly accepts the chop and promptly thanks Onsidia and chomps down on the offered sweet meat and can’t figure out why his gums star beelding.

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(The Virtual Dogfight will be next )

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(So cool!)

(Awesome first game, great job Ana, we’ll get ‘‘em next time

"As much fun as this is, I don't think I make a very good fondue machine..."

Obsidia stares at Jake, unsure if he knew what she was handing him and was determined to try the geon's snack or if he was unaware and just bit a piece of obsidian

(Great job everyone that was a fun fight to read!)

Nekosmash started a thread. 10/5/2021 6:22 PM [Open Thread]

Jake high fives Max, grins a bloody grin at Obsidia. And passes the snacks back, I reckon I’ll stick with nachos. He weaves and wobbles over and starts eating out of Billy and Ivan’s nacho stashes cause they seem to be spreading them around. Using the chips to scrape cheese dip off of nearby bystanders….

“What are you-ugh there’s cheese on me?!? I have to get changed into my flight suit, excuse me” Jasper gets up and makes his way towards the contestant area.

Obsidia gets up and follows Jasper "Time to find out how good a pilot I am, have fun Jake."

"I'm... I'm going to go get washed up... This is getting embarrassing for me." She states, continuing the ongoing attempts to keep it together.

Rodger looks around. "Wait did she say piloting. That does make more sense, guess I should go get into a flight suit too." Rodger heads out quickly shoving a hand into his pocket and muttering to himself. "Don't know how a virtual dog would have reacted to a chew toy anyway."

Jake snags a little cheese off Noel’s shoulder as she leaves with a corn chip and cheers on Obsidia “You’re an unshakeable rock Obsidia! Crush ‘em!!!”

"Blow them out of the sky!"

Lori finds her way to Billy, pushing up her glasses. "I didn't expect the NMC bot to be so... lethal, haha."

August goes and grabs water before exploring the stands, heading over to the Greystar stands, "Howdy-howdy! These games are tense, huh"? August offers a bottle of water before continuing. "Ya'll in the games too? I'm getting my face punched in later"! August says with a big smile.

Vibe Check

Lori finds her way to Billy, pushing up her glasses. "I didn't expect the NMC bot to be so... lethal, haha."

“Listen, the actual battle part isn’t what mattered. I know a thing or two about programming and though they won by chance, their program was absolutely screwed. Did you see the way it moved? Would have been nice if xe meant it but that was malware. For only having a few moments, you did fantastic, Loriya! Everything was so clean, even the implementation of Hailey’s moves? Brilliant. Elegant.” Billy rattles off all the praise in the world to Loriya as she arrives.

“D’aww, stop…”

August

August goes and grabs water before exploring the stands, heading over to the Greystar stands, "Howdy-howdy! These games are tense, huh"? August offers a bottle of water before continuing. "Ya'll in the games too? I'm getting my face punched in later"! August says with a big smile.

Max takes the water and raises it in a salute "Thanks. Yeah, I'm in for the survival challenge later. I take it you're in the marshal arts tournament, or are you expecting the drone race to get out of hand?"

"Martial Arts, wanted to see how well I'd fair against the Universe. What about yourself, stranger"?

"Similar reasons. Represent the polity, test myself. I'm not the best in a straight up fight, but I figure I can come up with a few tricks in a more open environment. The name's Max by the way, Max Davenport" He offers a handshake.

With Jasper leaving for the next contest and Ana joining them back in the crowd, Goblin waves at her so she can find the group. When Ana sits with them, he taps her on the shoulder. "You did a great job here. Your robot dance was really cool."

Alexander Munroe | Rusty (Max D)

"Similar reasons. Represent the polity, test myself. I'm not the best in a straight up fight, but I figure I can come up with a few tricks in a more open environment. The name's Max by the way, Max Davenport" He offers a handshake.

"August! Augie's just fine though! Pleased to meet 'cha"! August shakes Max's hand optimistically. "Testing the waters out, eh? Me too! Best of Luck to ya, brother". August is clearly wearing her EP boxing shorts and a comfortably worn black shirt, at this point. "Ya think these dogfight's gon' be tense or what? Dem robo's kinda did go harder than ice cubes ina wide cup".

After the event was over, Soovi gets to the viewers area, proudly wearing xyr Electrum medal as xe enters the EP stands. A bit shy xe bows to the people present there. "Um, thank you for cheering me on. I, um, wasn't expecting that. Nothing of that. But hey, the EP is on top of the leaderboard for now. If we continue to support our athletes like you guys already did, we, um, maybe could stay on top."

"Hey Soovi, some sucker in Acquisitions is going to give me the desserts out of his rations for the next week thanks to you." Ivan lets out an ear-piercing whistle over the noisy EP crowd. A large drink the size of Ivan's head is flung from one of the faceless members, to which Ivan catches with his non-cheesy hand. The drink lid and half of its contents gush out from the sudden change in momentum, spilling onto the seat Dr. Artemis had been occupying a moment before. Ivan hands Soovi the drink, a flowery mead worthy of EP public debauchery. "Loose lips sink ships. Alcohol loosens lips. Therefore the more you drink, the better Rayce will do!" Ivan turns to the screen, yelling at it as if Rayce could hear him. "Kick ass, Rayce! It's possible to knife a ship too, just make sure to ram them harder than they ram you!"

August

"August! Augie's just fine though! Pleased to meet 'cha"! August shakes Max's hand optimistically. "Testing the waters out, eh? Me too! Best of Luck to ya, brother". August is clearly wearing her EP boxing shorts and a comfortably worn black shirt, at this point. "Ya think these dogfight's gon' be tense or what? Dem robo's kinda did go harder than ice cubes ina wide cup".

"Ship combat tends to take longer than close combat, but I expect in will still be quite exciting."

Ana move next to Goblin and Aura, she received a participating badge with a small screen showing in repetition her best moments during HacK-A-Thon. "Thanks Goblin, I re-used the code from a virus that I created to make the opponent sing and dance. Didn't had much time to create a dodge expert module from scratch. Too bad I was not able to infect anybody, 5 dancing bot would have been really fun to watch." She say looking at video on the badge. "I really loved the programing and hack before the fight. Thinking of it, I need to find the NMC competitor, I NEED to have a copy of the source code of his virus !" Ana leave her chair and try to find Icarus.

overhearing Ana's comments, Parsnips leans forward. "Next time we do this, robot dancing should be an event!"

"Hahah ! Be careful of what you wish I would finish first ! Seriously though, it could be nice to have the bots compete in a different environment next time. "

“Don’t be so sure about that! I’ll enter myself and fool all the judges!” Parsnips hops up on his feet and does the robot.

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Alexander Munroe | Rusty (Max D)

"Ship combat tends to take longer than close combat, but I expect in will still be quite exciting."

"Oh I do not doubt it, brotha man. It's gon' be a whole laser light show if ya ask me"!

Jake goes and finds some popcorn "Obsidia! THIS is good stuff! *Picks a chip of obsidian out from between his teeth." Turn those targets in to POPCORN and bring it back!"

Seeing Alexander make it to his station, Parsnips stops mid-robot, his forearm still swinging from the elbow. Relatively quiet until now, his sudden bellow is startling. “ALLLLLLLLEEEEEXXXXXX! LETS GO, COMRADE! YOU GOT THIS!” pausing for a moment, he adds “A CASE FROM THE CHAIRMAN’S SECRET STASH FOR EVERY KILL YOU PUT ON THE BOARD!” (edited)

Noel returns from getting cleaned up, Now just in what amounts to a tank-top and Pants. "I should be virtually immune to getting cheesed on now." She says to the folks she's slowly working through to get back to her seat.

"Cheesed... on...?"

"Uh... Some folks were really excited and coated a bunch of members of the crowd in sticky stuff. It was fairly discomforting admittedly, but they looked like they were having fun." She states, straightening her hair and stretching.

"Yikes... Glad I was down there, haha. I'm Loriya, by the way. You can just call me Lori."

"I'm Noel, it's a pleasure to meet you Lori!" She states with a smile and offers a handshake. (edited)

Lori takes the handshake, of course. "Nice to meet you too!"

Ivan Wyke | Yulia Wyke | Myuun

"Hey Soovi, some sucker in Acquisitions is going to give me the desserts out of his rations for the next week thanks to you." Ivan lets out an ear-piercing whistle over the noisy EP crowd. A large drink the size of Ivan's head is flung from one of the faceless members, to which Ivan catches with his non-cheesy hand. The drink lid and half of its contents gush out from the sudden change in momentum, spilling onto the seat Dr. Artemis had been occupying a moment before. Ivan hands Soovi the drink, a flowery mead worthy of EP public debauchery. "Loose lips sink ships. Alcohol loosens lips. Therefore the more you drink, the better Rayce will do!" Ivan turns to the screen, yelling at it as if Rayce could hear him. "Kick ass, Rayce! It's possible to knife a ship too, just make sure to ram them harder than they ram you!"

Soovi stares at the drink. "You know, I don't usually drink. Not that Noctua can't handle alcohol, I guess some of us don't handle it too well, being smaller and all. I, uh, I, you know, when I drink I sometimes lose a bit of my self-control. But I guess today is okay, right?" Xe laughs, and unsure laugh that tries to cover xyr inner conflict between keeping xyr high-level of self-control and the feeling that a little party was allowed after winning in a competition full of extreme talented people. "Fuck it" xe sips, first just a small one, then a larger one. "Doesn't taste too bad Ivan! Thank you." Xe then turns to the screen, and says rather quietly. "Go Rayce! Pop them like a bee pops balloons!"

“The Noctua who came over to the CBSS over on Mehani have actually really taken to our vodka. We can barely keep up with the shipments. Surprisingly enjoying the cold too from what I understand. They’ve started a snowshoeing club, which now that I think about it might be a joke, given the floating. I’m Parsnips by the way, pleasure to meet you.”

St. Lucia

"I'm Noel, it's a pleasure to meet you Lori!" She states with a smile and offers a handshake. (edited)

Glimmer floats towards their Cooperative Companion, casting a look you can't quite interpret at your apparel before returning to the ground. "Hello, i don't think we have met yet? My name is rather long, but you may call me Glimmer"

"Oh, hiya! I'm Noel, it's a pleasure, Glimmer!" The Smile continues, though she self-consciously places a hand on her own arm, to cover up a rather large amount of ink that resembles sleeves and covers most of her torso.

Ana comes back to her spot. "Couldn't find him, maybe I could talk to him at then end." She say to Goblin. "So, Jasper is our next participant, shouldn't we cheer him? " Ana stand up, start to chant and claps her hand in rhythm : "MAKE US PROUD ! THE IA CROWD ! DOCTOR JASPER, THE PILOT MASTER ! " She tries to appeal the IA fans.

3

St. Lucia

"Oh, hiya! I'm Noel, it's a pleasure, Glimmer!" The Smile continues, though she self-consciously places a hand on her own arm, to cover up a rather large amount of ink that resembles sleeves and covers most of her torso.

Glimmers own body is covered with black and yellow colorations, seeming bulkier than the typically frail looking Noctua. "It is like wise a pleasure to meet you, from the few transcripts of the meetings I have received, you work for CAST yes?"

"Yes, Though CAST is now apart of the LLF following the... Recent fallout over the Research we were conducting... That being said, The Lamplighters seem to be in a similar ideal of Technological Advancement and Beneficence, so if either of you happen to be looking for work related to discovering things, exploring lost worlds, and bringing the light of technology to all of the Iron Stars, I believe we are recruiting." She pauses for a second and looks about. "Grim was around here somewhere... anyways, we should probably Cheer on Rodger and Shriven, at least enough to blend in, and perhaps slightly away from the EP crowd. They seem Stabby." (edited)

Deleted User

Soovi stares at the drink. "You know, I don't usually drink. Not that Noctua can't handle alcohol, I guess some of us don't handle it too well, being smaller and all. I, uh, I, you know, when I drink I sometimes lose a bit of my self-control. But I guess today is okay, right?" Xe laughs, and unsure laugh that tries to cover xyr inner conflict between keeping xyr high-level of self-control and the feeling that a little party was allowed after winning in a competition full of extreme talented people. "Fuck it" xe sips, first just a small one, then a larger one. "Doesn't taste too bad Ivan! Thank you." Xe then turns to the screen, and says rather quietly. "Go Rayce! Pop them like a bee pops balloons!"

"Self-control?! What's that?!" Ivan says, trying to speak over the clamor of the EP crowd. He notices his knife had freed from the railing during the 'reconstruction' and picks it back up, but only after wiping his mead-covered hand onto the back of an unsuspecting drunken soldier. When the READY TO LAUNCH blazes on the screens and the faces of the contestants, Ivan dishes out some shade at the first one out of the gate. "Keep your chips out of the console, Obsidia! I'd hate to see a button or two get jammed!"

St. Lucia

"Yes, Though CAST is now apart of the LLF following the... Recent fallout over the Research we were conducting... That being said, The Lamplighters seem to be in a similar ideal of Technological Advancement and Beneficence, so if either of you happen to be looking for work related to discovering things, exploring lost worlds, and bringing the light of technology to all of the Iron Stars, I believe we are recruiting." She pauses for a second and looks about. "Grim was around here somewhere... anyways, we should probably Cheer on Rodger and Shriven, at least enough to blend in, and perhaps slightly away from the EP crowd. They seem Stabby." (edited)

"The noise is quite deafening at times, your species is loud. I can perhaps prevent you from being stabbed?"

"It'll probably be fine. I hope." She chuckles "...And yeah, In my experience Sports draw out the noise in folks."

Seeing Alexander’s bomber take off, Parsnips lets out a mighty “WHOOP!”, and then proceeds to make the falling-whistle-to-explosion noise while simulating a bomb dropping and exploding with his hands.

Iracus heads to the NMC group after grabbing some popcorn and beer from the concessions while shouting towards the field, awkwardly throwing his hand into the air while spilling a little popcorn on the ground. "Let's go Rodger! You got this!" Spotting Noel and Scott he waves and heads over to them.

"You show 'em you got the rocks to knock 'em outta the sky Obsidia!"

August's cheers for EP go on in the Greystar stands now, "Do your thang, Fly Boy!! Blow dem there simulated baddies to smithereens"!! August crushes her water bottle as soon as interceptors and bombers take off.

Billy sits confidently in his seat with his legs kicked back. He leans over to Loriya. "That guy is the best pilot I've ever seen." He says pointing to Shriven. "I don't know about you, but I'm taking notes. Lets see if he lives up to his name."

“He will.” Seung says from besides Billy. “No better pilot out there.”

Focused on the new game, Goblin don't see Ana come back until she speaks to him. He gives her a very quick glance before looking back again at the pilots. "Yeah. Jasper's teaming up with someone else. He took an interceptor. I hope he will score good hits." Then, when Ana starts shouting, he looks again at her, an odd look on his face before standing up as well. "Yeah, you're right." Goblin joins Ana in the loud cheering. "GO JASPER GO!"

1

"WOOOOOOOOOOOO SHRIVEYYYYYYYYY!" He leans over to the person next to him again and points at the fighting absolutely wrecking the others onscreen. "That's my boss!" Venser leans over the railing, as he swears he hears Billy's voice, only to see him and Seung sitting together. With an excited look on his face, there is a quick warp of purple, and he appears in the seat next to them. "Oh hey guys! Didn't know you were here!"

Billy brings him in for a big hug. “Heyyy! It’s nice to see you! I’m participating in the drone race later but I wouldn’t miss it anyway! God watching him up there makes me want to be his wingman so bad. Golly did you see that maneuver?! That has to be doling out close to 19 Gs on that turn.”

A Merlon with a golden pauldron and harpoon as a walking stick shows up behind Venser. He quietly enters the stadium and viewing area without the pomp and circumstance of a grand entrance, preferring to keep a lower profile. He places a hand on Venser's shoulder and gives it a friendly squeeze,_ "I pray I am not interrupting anything... Glad to see you both are doing well."

Venser returns the hug from Billy and introduces himself to Seung. As the merlon walks in and Venser hears his voice, he yelps. "EISH!" And immediately teleports from his seat into a bear hug, like a child excitedly greeting a parent right as they get through the door. "How have you been man??? It's been a-" He pulls back a bit and looks at Eisheru knowingly. "Been a while....." "Na! You're not interrupting anything my friend, so long as you don't mind a little bit of UNW Patriotism." He gestures to Billy and Seung and chuckles. "Clearly we have our bias. You're guy is up next though!" And he points to Obsidia's ship rocketing into view onscreen.

"I don't even think I remember who's who, this dogfight is just fun to watch..."

Eisheru gives a nod in appreciation to Venser, "I am well, my friend. Busy, but well. Would be hard for me to mind UNW Patriotism, I am from Terezinho afterall." Seeing Governor Seung at the games, gives Eisheru a sense of shock and surprise that Venser hasn't seen before on Eisheru, "Mr. Whitaker... Seung... A pleasant surprise to see you here. Last I heard you were headed north..." The disembodied voice is a stark change from the last time Seung had seen Eisheru on that fateful dayon Acastus

Billy just smiles even wider as he steps out of the way.

“Stone Cold Sharpshot! Score 1 for Greystar!”

"Great shot Obsidia!"

Seung gives a smile not startled by the voice. "That's new, but as for me being here I thought I was heading else where honestly. Now I'm here might as well enjoy and help out the UNW. Once it's all over I'm sure someone will come looking for me or I'll find them."

Noel cups her hands around her mouth and shouts, "KICK THEIR BUTTS RODGER!!" She then smiles and nods at Iracus, Scott, Glimer, and Lori.

Lori nods and smiles back.

"COOOOME OOOONN RRRAAAAYYYCCCEEE"!! August claps hard from the Greystar stands, walking back to Sooovi. "Oh me, oh my! That medal suits ya"! August skips to Soovi soon as they make eye contact.

"Ohhhhh, look at Shriven weaving through their shots!! No, he got hit. Jasper, go Jasper, give 'em hell but don't get hurt!!!"

"That Shriven is impressive, he do manoeuvres like the films !" Ana say enjoying the spectacle. " Do you think we can recruit him ? Pretty sure Lance would love him. Yeah! Jasper ! Kick them out !"

August

"COOOOME OOOONN RRRAAAAYYYCCCEEE"!! August claps hard from the Greystar stands, walking back to Sooovi. "Oh me, oh my! That medal suits ya"! August skips to Soovi soon as they make eye contact.

"Oh, well, thank you!" Soovi bows slightly. "Um, it was unexpected, considering the competition. But "The Butcher" was amazing, I may get to keep the bot even! Now I hope our other athletes triumph as well, so long as they don't have to beat other Noctua for it." Soovi does as August and cheers on Rayce, but not even closely as loud.

"No no, Soovie, like this:" Ivan inhales deeply over what feels like an eternity with his relatively new lungs. "HELL YEAH RAYCE!" Ivan bellows out above the crowd. "One torpedo for each of them! Let the others take the risk for you and it's easy street to sinking the big fish!" Ivan looks over at the UNW crowd to spread discord. "Your pal Shriven has got some holes in him! How many UNW planetary governors does it take to duct tape a ship back together?" The crowd of drunken, disorderly EP soldiers respond in a sing-song unison. "None 'cause it's all held together with reeeeddddd tape!"

2

welp a good breath in is followed by a surprisingly bellowing shout, confident in a lesser used good voice projection, "TURN EM INTO SCRAP! see? I can be loud and obnoxious."

Looking to Scott, Noel smiles briefly before her tattoo almost seems to shift and she takes a deep breath "GET EM' RODGER!! FOR KING AND CO-OP!!"

“Woooo! Way to go, Alex! That’s how we do it in The Motherland!”

“Rock on Obsidia!” Jake says while munching on some popcorn.

"Yes! That puts her in the lead."

“OH COME ON!!!” Billy boos. “We’re playing dirty now boys! Did you see that kill steal! Get them Shriven, don’t let that hunk of rock beat you like that! Let’s do this!”

"Oh... Oh my. I'll be right back." Noel stands up and circles around to Mr. Rigers. "Uh, hey, pardon me, sir. I know this is a competitive thing but like... That was a little bit too derogatory, and I think outside the spirit of these competitions... Maybe dial it back just a tad or insult something not relating to her species, race, or anything like that?"

Billy goes crimson as he connects the dots in his head. “Oh my god you’re so right. I didn’t realize.” He sits down ashamed of himself. “Shit!”

"Thank you, sorry for bothering You. I'm Noel Hallewell, of the Lamplighters, by the way!~" She maintains a cheery demeanor, seeming to relax the tiniest bit once it doesn't turn into a confrontation, her eyes drifting to the EP crowd.

"Oh, Noel! Hey!"

"Hiya! I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves. Anyways, I... Should probably head back while there's Less Stabbing motions from the crowd happening, haha. That being said, here's my Compad details if you want to chat or Have any weird Archeological or cultural finds that need deciphering."

"I'll keep you in mind!" Lori gives Noel a warm smile before shifting her focus back to the dogfight.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you officially, Noel. Call me Billy. Please.”

"Indeed, and take care!" She works her way back to The NMC area, to sit near Scott and Iracus.

As the Ship explode after the attack of Jasper, Ana got up and start singing : " JASPER ! JASPER ! FOR THE ALLIANCE ! "

Eisheru raises an eyebrow but nothing more as Noel comes to admonish Billy. After she leaves he turns back to Seung, "Yeah. There have been quite a few changes in my life since we last spoke. As it seems there have been in yours. How is Agata doing? Your wife? I know the people of Terezinho miss her terribly, she did an admirable job while you were handling the business of the metadimensional space horrors."

"RAYCE!! RAYCE!! HE'S OUR ACE!! BLOW THOSE SUCKERS INTO SPACE"!! August begins cheering alongside Ivan's crew, getting lost in the cheers.

“That’s OK, Alex, you’ll get ‘em next time! Good lookin’ out!”

Kror whispers to the others IA members by his side "I had no idea that Jasper as such a good pilot!"

7:41 AM

"GO DOC YOU GOT THIS!!" (edited)

"Yeah, he is impressive. It's good to know we have such skilled pilots in our rank." answers Goblin before standing up and joining Kror in the cheering.

"You can do this, Rayce! Quit carrying these lazy bums by letting them take the kills after you blast parts of those ships halfway across the universe!" Seeing Jasper lining up to take more shots after Rayce makes his move, Ivan throws some more shade. "Yeah lean into those blasters, Dr. Artemis! Who needs overheat warnings, anyways! Just ignore the alarms and the smell of smoke, it's all in your head!"

"BOOM! Another down, get 'em Obsidia!"

"LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF SIMMYY PILOTS IN THE AAIIRR~"!! "LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF SIMMYY PILOTS IN THE AAIIRR~~"!! "LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF SIMMY PILOTS! LOTS O' SIMMY PILOTS"! "LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF SIMMY PILOTS IN THE AAIIR~~"!! "AND THEN RAYCE SAT IN A COCKPIT N' SHOT EM' DOWWNN~"! "AND THEN RAYCE SAT IN A COCKPIT N' SHOT EM' DOWWNN~"! "GOOD OL' RAYCE SAT IN HIS COCKPIT! SITTING IN HIS COCKPIT"! "GOOD OL' RAYCE SAT IN HIS COCK PIT AND SHOT EM' DOWWNN~~"!!

“Hell yeah, Alek!”

Jake cheers as Obsidia blasts another!

At about this time the grand prize is brought up from a hatch in the floor. Those in the simulator cannot see it but it dazzles the crowd none the kess

8:23 PM

15

8:24 PM

An advanced Galatea courier , as much arcane as it is high tech is produced, it’s energy sails unfurling to reveal their web of binding runes

August ignores the ship and continues wearing out her voice, "YOU GOT THIS RAYCE! LADY LUCK'S GOT YOUR BACK! WE BELIEVE"!!

Billy sits in awe of the construction of a kind of ship he's never seen before. "This is incredible." he whispers under his breath.

"Woah... I don't suppose those are sold normally, are they...?"

When he sees the ship appears, Goblin nudges at Dalibor. "Jasper definitely needs to win this one. It would make a really neat ship for our ambassadors."

"JASPER IF YOU DON'T WIN I WILL KICK YOUR ASS, WE NEED THAT SHIP FOR IA" Ana scream.

"Bring her home Doc!!" Kror shouts joining Ana and Goblin (edited)

"You're doing great, Alex! Blow some shit up!"

Billy leaps a foot off his seat. “Did you see that masterclass flying! Holy Toledo, Shriven!” (edited)

"By golly"... August gasps with most of the crowd as Shriven pulls maneuvers. And then immediately begins shouting again. "DO YOUR THANG RAYCE!! AIN'T NOTHIN' STOPPIN' YA"!!

"YES!! GO OBSIDIA! That looked like it was close."

A variety of fireworks begin going off in the grey and gold of the Confederation. Eventually one large one explodes into letters spelling out "OBSIDIA" over the crowd. The sparkling bits of illusory explosives lingers a while longer before slowly falling down to the ground. Eventually appearing to dissipate from the air.

2

A drone show is released on the other side of the arena mimicking the dogfighting ending in a Shriven shaped formation that flies through the sky.

"That was amazing flying!! Loved the whole thing!!!"

Rayce sighs as he had enjoyed the experience of flying the bomber but his performance in it left a lot to be desired. However, he didn't make a total fool of himself and did grab a few points. He waved to his fellow pilots and a sheepish smile to Ivan from the simulator bay.

Kror stand up to applause as they give out the medals "Great job Doc! Your earned it."

Goblin stands up and joins the cheering. "Awesome Jasper. You made it!" Next to him, Aura is pushing some guttural noises that could be interpreted as some joyful appreciation of the events

Lance turns and asks the general crowd, “Does anyone have a Christmas doll they would be willing to trade me for pretech? I’m trying to complete the set for research. It said there was something special in the handbook we found.”

Venser's ears start burning at the mention of Christmas dolls and looks around for the person who said and any potential reaction, knowing he has two in the Wildstar.

"FINALLY! Over here, I'll take two bags." Parsnips flags down the peanut guy making his way through the stands

Rey (Shriven)

Lance turns and asks the general crowd, “Does anyone have a Christmas doll they would be willing to trade me for pretech? I’m trying to complete the set for research. It said there was something special in the handbook we found.”

“I think I have a Billy Doll you can have unless you have one of those. I don’t need a pretech though. I have plenty. You can just have it. Let me know what happens when you get all of them!”

Lance runs over, “Awesome! Thank you sir! Of course I vill invite you all vhen I can put them together!”

Jake cheers Obsidia’s taking the Electrum medal

(Telekinetic Javelin next maybe? )

(Yesssss)

"I dunno about the King Deeveers Figure, I know that there's a Handful that are lost in Space at the moment, though."

Aleksander enters the stands scratching his head, obviously disappointed with his performance. He is determined to do better in the future

Parsnips catches Aleksander as he's exiting the participant arena. "That was AWESOME, dude! So exciting to watch! And you did great! Now come on, let's get you drunk."

Aleksander couldn't help but let out a chuckle at his enthusiam, "very well comrade, first rounds on me!" the winnings from participating in the battle is more than he's had for himself in his life.

"You were incredible Rayce! The Khan's still gonna build a statue of ya anyways"!!

(if we assemble a complete set of the figures, everyone who puts one forward will get something special)

3

"Well done Obsidia! Great shooting!"

Rey (Shriven)

Lance turns and asks the general crowd, “Does anyone have a Christmas doll they would be willing to trade me for pretech? I’m trying to complete the set for research. It said there was something special in the handbook we found.”

"I have a Director Kench figure, but I'm not willing to sell. However in the interest of international relations I could participate in joint research." (edited)

“I propose everyone who has one just present them to see if we have a set!”

(I’ll set this up tonight )

5

Nekosmash started a thread. 10/23/2021 6:57 PM [Open Thread]

Lance walks over to Max, “From my research it seems that ve cannot find all of them as SCAF has one of the factories and no person that I have found has left that polities sector.” Lance shrugs, “Looks like ve are short 1 from each CBSS, NMC and SCAF.”

(I’ll handle the SCAF side if we get everything else )

8:07 AM

(Npc Selgar is the only one out there who has one and wasn’t killed in the escape attempt

1

Jasper comes back out to the stands with his third place metal around his neck, and looking freshly showered. He goes and sits down next to the other Inheritors. “We’ll get gold next time. I gave it my all though.” “YOU GOT THIS KROR!!!! FOR THE ALLIANCE!!”

Goblin cheers Jasper and taps him on the back as he joins them. "Awesome job down there. You had the lead quite long. Too bad they were able to score that much in the end."

“Haha, yeah. Beginners luck” Jasper rubs the back of his neck

Obsidia walks into the stands with her medal proudly displayed and heads to the Greystar section

Jake holds out a bag of multicolored jade chips “Congratulations! That was some fancy shooting you did there among all those great pilots!”

Obsidia snags the chips and starts munching, humming as she enjoys the delicate jade flavors. "Thanks! I didn't think either of those would really work but I had to do something to try and get the kills. I can't wait to check out that ship!"

Rey (Shriven)

Lance walks over to Max, “From my research it seems that ve cannot find all of them as SCAF has one of the factories and no person that I have found has left that polities sector.” Lance shrugs, “Looks like ve are short 1 from each CBSS, NMC and SCAF.”

(Do you have one from EP?)

(Not yet Have: IA(Lance), UNW(Billy), GSC (Max), EP (Teucer), SCAF (Selgar), NMC (Iracus) Still need: CBSS) (edited)

(We are pretty much all new players in CBSS. This sounds like something that is before all of our times)

(Was from the christmas event last year)

(I'll think up a post but Teucer can offer his Daitrij doll to the endeavour)

Rey (Shriven)

(Not yet Have: IA(Lance), UNW(Billy), GSC (Max), EP (Teucer), SCAF (Selgar), NMC (Iracus) Still need: CBSS) (edited)

(Updated just need 3 1 more) (edited)

(Selgar and king b will do the SCAF and NMC ones since I believe everyone else has left since then)

(Iracus still has his I think, and would be willing to give it for a piece of the action)

[Hey, if you find the Bad Magistrate you could perhaps recover the King Deeveers one]

(Up to you iracus )

(yes!)

(No CBSS one still active with one? Shazi should have one. That mission where we failed everything, was kinda fun. Shazi was kinda good in this, like her whole short story. And Artem, the best of Cyrus' characters was in that as well. And Karre's Alek.) (edited)

(Everyone else either ghosted or is dead )

(Then Shazi will offer her Juri one)

In the lull between events, Teucer enters the lyceum. A figure of calm moving through the amped up crowd catches the eye as he picks his way towards the Protectorate contingent. By chance or fate as he walks close to a small huddle of people the words "Kringle Co". Remembering the small Daitrij doll tucked into his belt kit, Teucer closes in to listen to the rest of the conversation

August realizes she's capable of representing EP in the Telekinetic Javelin event. "I'll step up, why not"? August whispers to herself.

9

“Quite the display of Psionic prowess so far, I’m impressed, Jasper says to no one in particular “LETS GO KROR! SHOW THEM WHAT INHERITORS ARE MADE OF! “

As the alcohol starts to kick in, Soovi's rather quiet chanting becomes louder, and less formal. "August, go get them Girl! Burn that place down! Wohoo!"

1

Noel looks to the folks around her and back at the EP folks. "They're... Certainly energetic."

Lori adjusts her glasses, never taking her gaze off of the game. "I'm still not sure I have an idea of what's going on..."

(Assuming we have like paint or something on our compads in the 27th century but correct me) Billy leans over. “I… I can see the metaspace since the Still Lady messed with my noodle. Here let me try to kind of draw what I see.” Billy’s artwork is reminiscent of blueprint drawings, but with each psychic ability used, he tries to indicate long flowing streams of MES being drawn from like a well, the psychics themselves being the geyser through which these streams burst through. The art and pure skill of each psychic really shines through when you can see the massive sea of power that they wield with seemingly little effort.

"Woah..."

Ehled enters the stands, looking more presentable than usual, it is a celebration (and live broadcast-ed everywhere surely, best to look good.) He wanders around, waiting for the next event to start, then he finds a seat and sits down. Still looking around at the people and decorations.

Seeing another Greystar supporter come in Max wanders over. "Hi. You're one of our new agents right? I'm Max Davenport. I think the telekinetic javelin is nearing the end, but there should be some excitement left."

"Oh hello, Ehled Lowward, and yeah I guess I am the new agent. Basically just rolled into the shop, excited to see what this job brings." He looks out to the field. "Oh I am sure there will be plenty of fun yet. The survival games are still waiting to happen if I am not wrong." (edited)

"It can lead to some surprising places, but I find it rewarding. Just remember you represent Greystar and I'm sure you'll do fine." "They are. I was thinking of competing in those myself. There's a few other events coming up as well I believe, although perhaps plans have changed."

Ehled looks at the man. "Gone anywhere interesting yourself? Or is that classified? If so I won't probe deeper." "You were in an event? How did it go?"

"No the survival games are the only thing I'm signed up for. But Greystar's done fairly well. Third place in the hack-a-thon and first in the dogfight." "Not much that's classified, and I think you're cleared for that anyway. I went to Leda to do a quick security check and ended up on Ocrina the world beyond our L-gate. It's a storm world, makes an average day on Acastus look dry. I arranged some Greystar tech support, and did a bit of exploring. Then I went on the Rana assault. I didn't fight the Still Lady, but I did help liberate one of their prisons."

"Sounds interesting, I might prefer something a bit more... less deadly, but I suppose you never know where the stars will take you."

"There's plenty of non-violent work to do. I just.. had some unfinished business with the cult."

"Huh, a cult? Something you want to talk about ot is it best left unspoken?"

(The still lady cult controlled Acastus before the players kicked them out.) "Not much to talk about. The cult terrorized my world before outsiders helped our resistance. I wanted to pay it forward."

"I see. Glad they are gone now. More free than before for sure. I doubt they would have held games like these. So what is next for you?"

Goblin raises up at Venser's attack. "Wow! That was some bold move here!"

"That is somewhat secret, but I'm heading to Phenmo to see what trouble I can cause for those slavers."(I'm there now, but let's not draw attention to being in two places at once.) "How about you? any goals for after you finish your next mission?"

"Goals? After I find someplace to live which isn't a water soaked dump?" He looks in the distance for a bit. "Earn more credits, enough to have a nice little backup fund, then get a more stable job. To be truly honest, my current plan is just to stop living in dumps, I will improvise the rest."

Ivan finally turns up this morning. His small, likely unwilling entourage in tow are a bit more hungover than many of the other stadium patrons. Ivan is chipper as ever, as if he had nothing to drink the day before and a full, peaceful sleep. The game is playing at max volume off of a dataslab and echoing in the hallways leading to the stadium, much to the chagrin of his headache-ridden, sunglass-wearing squadmates. "Man if I was down there I'd just be throwing the damn things then running up to take care of things personally. COME ON AUGUST you're doing FANTASTIC but I need to see a little more BLOODSHED!!!" Seeing that a lot of the EP fans may be sleeping in today for some odd reason, Ivan plops down among the Greystar agents. A can of beer, needlessly smuggled in and slightly dented from being tossed around in a party the night before, is cracked open. "What a fine day to throw spears." Ivan looks around at the agents. "Best of luck to Eisheru, but I hope he gets the javelin covered in MES butter."

Noel, upon hearing the bloodshed comment looks around herself awkwardly, as if assessing the folks around her.

Jake heads towards the group and tows along a cart with a cooler on it full of beer. He sees the EP folks, turns around and heads back to the concession area

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4:46 PM

After a few minutes he comes back with TWO coolers in the cart (edited)

4:49 PM

“Had to be sure we had enough for the next couple minutes! He says as he makes his way over and cheers on Eisheru. More shenanigans Eisheru! Keep up the that out of the box stuff! Greystar Beststar!”

Obsidia takes a beer bottle, raises it in salute, "Bring back another Electrum medal Eisheru!" then bites off the top of the bottle and chugs the beer, munching on the bottle after.

“Beer and chips in the same bite. Obsidia, I’m envious.” Tosses another beer toward Ivan and pushes the cart into the middle of the group so they get gone before they get warm

8:05 PM

“There ya go Eisheru! Wrap this up and tie it in a bow!!!!”

(you guys wanna do the survival thing next? )

7:28 AM

(We've got that, the drone race, pentathalon and martial arts tournament left) (edited)

(I'm up for the survival thing as I'm the IA contender.

)

(Is there a pentathlon as well?)

(yes, thank you)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 11/10/2021 7:40 AM

(I'm ready if that's what we want to do next.)

(you've been waiting a while, survival challenge is next)

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(I'm checking with the other space commies now, but if no one else wants to do the survival games I'll rep us)

(Sounds good)

(Looks like I'm the survivalist for the NMC.)

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(Im here for the CBSS)

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Nekosmash started a thread. 11/11/2021 7:14 AM [Open Thread]

Don’t let ‘em see you coming Max. Relax. Go kick some gluteus MAX, it’s action, reaction and random interaction. Get out there and rock and roll the bones! Jake wanders over to Iracus and says “Congratulations on your new position, I will miss debating with you, that last a few months ago was invigorating. Maybe there’ll be some cooperative effort where are paths may cross again” *He raises his whiskey glass with respect toward Icarus as he watches the competitors appear.”

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Seeing that he’s distracted in conversation, Parsnips slips in and steals a beer from Jake’s cooler, cracks it open, and guzzles it while walking away. “LETS GO, LYUBA! SURVIVE THE HELL OUTTA THESE CLOWNS”

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A young black-haired woman enters the stands. A bit late but still just as the survivalists start to pick the environment for the competition. The all black clothing would be pretty depressing if it wasn't for the many bright orange highlights on all parts of her clothing, including an Ognyena blessing symbol on her jacket. Once she reaches the Protectorate stands she finds it mostly deserted and quiet. But quickly makes out Ivan and his drunken band of brothers and sisters, chatting down there in the Greystar area. "So that is Mr. Fakeskin, yeah, now I understand Cas." She thinks, before shouting down towards Ivan. "General Wyke, I guess you did party too much, our area is up here. Or do you need to wipe off the tears from the Greystar fans, now that they start to realize that General Teucer will simply roll over their candidate in this event?" For Ivan, the shouting lady might look pretty close to Khan Artema, if it wasn't for the black hair, strange markings on her face, and slightly glowing orange eyes.

"I didn't party that hard, it's only partially my fault nobody can keep up with this new liv-" Ivan stops as he locks eyes with the woman. There is a moment of silence as Ivan's brain figures out the facial recognition confusion. He follows up with amusement masking dread. "...Oh great, the Khan really can slap me from across the universe. Just don't do it when Teucer is looking, he hasn't quite processed the last domestic dispute and he's such an innocent soul." Ivan winks. (edited)

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Daira starts to laugh. "She really did slap you, huh? My sister can be a bit, um, rough sometimes. But hey, she called you a friend." Daira suddenly stops, biting her lip. "Were I allowed to say that? Damn. Just act as if everything is all good, Dai, what would he like to talk about? Argh.." she says in her head. "So, um, new body works good?" She facepalms herself and shakes her head. "Just don't tell Cassan..., Khan Artema, that I told you that I know, just erase that, okay? Do you participate here as well?" (edited)

"COME ON GOBLIN ! DON'T FORGET OUR BET !" Ana shout.

“If he can handle the wilds of Saliv I’m sure he can make it at least for awhile here. “

Jake sees Parsnips, not noticing the beer snatching, and yells his way pulling out a flask of vodka from his jacket "Hey Parsnips! I thought I remembered you like this stuff! Catch!" He tosses the bottle his way."

Deleted User

Daira starts to laugh. "She really did slap you, huh? My sister can be a bit, um, rough sometimes. But hey, she called you a friend." Daira suddenly stops, biting her lip. "Were I allowed to say that? Damn. Just act as if everything is all good, Dai, what would he like to talk about? Argh.." she says in her head. "So, um, new body works good?" She facepalms herself and shakes her head. "Just don't tell Cassan..., Khan Artema, that I told you that I know, just erase that, okay? Do you participate here as well?" (edited)

"Friend?" One of Ivan's asks to nobody in particular with a confused look. "Oh I haven't exactly been keeping it a secret. The body works like a charm. I can probably walk into a pet store and not accidentally miniaturize some poor animal now. I'm looking forward to seeing how it'll perform in the event." Ivan looks over at the Greystar Agents. "Of which the EP is going to smoke you there, too. And everyone else here."

Parsnips tries to snatch the flask out of the air with one hand while slipping the empty into his pocket with the other, but misses spectacularly, the flask bonking him square between the eyes. Recovering, he fishes it from the ground and unscrews the top. "We can all pretend that didn't happen, right?"

"I hope you do perform well. Not just that we need more Medals for the EP. You performing well here, might help the whole cause with these Skin Company People or what they are called. Might lead more people to donate their loved ones. Do you think Teucer is prepared for this?" She asks while leaning forward to better see what was going on in the arena.

Jake laughs and raises his glass towards Parsnips "Of course, no one will remember anything tomorrow anyways!"

“I beg your pardon-?”

Parsnips raises the flask toward Jake. "Here's to the memories"

Heading back down to the stands with some snacks, Iracus looks to the NMC competitor and raises his hand in the air and cheers as Glimmer waves towards the crowd. "Let's go Glimmer! Wooo"

"I promised Aura a haunch of meat if you win, so don't let her down!"

Noel eyes the snacks, Smiles and nods, And then looks back at the group of Mixed Greystar and EP Folks. "Hey, Chief."

"Come on General Teucer. Get them all! For our Elysium. May Ognyena guide you out there. Wohoo!" Daira shouts towards the arene before looking at Ivan again. "Wow, that is even more fun in person!"

Jake cheers with the rest of the fans in the crowd as Max and the competitors disappear

Ivan gets in one last cheer before Teucer disappears into the teleporter. "Remember, Teucer! Avoid crayon map drawings left behind for you to find! The blue ants are really itchy! And if you manage to get yourself lost, I swear I'm going to come down there myself just to find you and laugh and throw the local wildlife at you! OH! And mechs can be stopped with giant logs, I saw it in a movie once!"

“Oh I loved watching these survival shows during the uplift process. Me and my scientist partner would watch these “alone” shows all the time!” Pax hops up, squatting in his seat to get a better view from the top of the stands.

August makes her way back up to the EP stands after a hot refreshing shower, seeing Ivan with the Khan, August assumes that once again; Ivan fucked up. August slowly walks up to the stands looking down and around, awkwardly as she makes her way to Ivan's boys. "Is Ivan in trouble again? Should we start recordin"?

Daira frowns when she sees and hears August. But soon starts to laugh and walks over to August. "No, no, this is no disguise or anything." She reaches out with a hand to shake August's. "I am Daira. Daira of Artema. I am the Sister of the Khan. So all good. You can talk freely, I won't tell her, at least not on purpose. And you are?"

"August Kayle Sol-Luceat! August or Augie's just fiine heh"! August shakes Dai's hand amicably. "Didn't think the Khan had any family. Thought she was born of angry metaspace or somethin' or other". August laughs before remembering she got herself a new toy, "Check it out ya'll! Got's me a fancy spear"!! August Telekinetically shows it off to the EP crowd before she yells at Teucer, "HEY TEUCER! I'LL LETCHA PLAY WITH THIS HERE CONTRAPTION IF YA BRING HOME A MEDAL"!!

"Ah ! Goblin is using the special attack of IA ! Stay neutral even in difficult times !"

Ana "StarLuck" Acantha

"Ah ! Goblin is using the special attack of IA ! Stay neutral even in difficult times !"

(~~Glimmer uses knife, it's super effective!~~)

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“This is definitely a truly fascinating game. I wonder how long it will take until someone turns on another” Jasper says with a smile. “So Ana, do you want a drink? I’m thinking a Whiskey sour” Jasper says before conjuring a cocktail shaker and pulling out a bottle of Salivian Great Maker Melange cinnamon whiskey and a lemon from his bag.

"How did you pass security with that ? I tried to sneak biscuits but they kept them."

The crowd has a short viewscreen activate in the sky, inlaid near the stats for the participants. Each polity may send 200 credits worth of supplies to their participants if they can agree on what to send.

“If Seung can bag one of these Mule deer he is going to need to preserve and protect it and he doesn’t even have a basic shelter yet or water that I can tell.” (Should we discuss in our OoC or UNW channels or here I don’t want to clog it up)

(if you guys have an OOC channel, you can do it there)

11:25 AM

(I think every polity does now from what I've been advised)

(any restrictions on what we can send besides the credit amount?)

(Nothing comes to mind. I don’t think there’s any tl5 you can get for 200 credits haha

Jake looks up at the view screen and sees the new wrinkle in the game and opens comms with the rest of his fellow agents to come up with a list for their contestant

“Let’s just say I have connections “ Jasper winks in response before looking at the holoscreen and getting visibly excited before pulling out his dataslab and showing a list to his fellow inheritors

~~IA’s Sponsorship for Goblin -Backpack-50c -climbing harness-50c -survival kit-60c -6 days rations-30c ~total Credits= 190c~~ (edited)

3:47 PM

~~“Show them this is nothing compared to the wilds of Saliv ~Inheritor Alliance~~

(edited)

(They’ve for a survival kit already if that makes a difference )

A UNW representative come forward, opening a piece of paper to announce, “The UNW package has come in! The following is to be sent to Seung Whitaker.”

Rifle - 75 Credits
Ammox2 - 20 Credits
Climbing Harness - 50 Credits 
Backpack T1 - 5 Credits
Rope 20 Meters T1 - 4 Credits
Binoculars T1 - 20 Credits
Thermal flare x 2 - 10 credits
Glowbug x 3 - 15 Credits

That should all add to 199 credits.

"Here here, fellows. The NMC proudly sponsors Glimmer of Stars Across the Sky with the following gifts:

Backpack - 5c
Large Advanced Weapon - 80c
Rope, 20m - 4c
Healing Power x2 - 50c
Climbing Harness - 50c
Rations x2 - 10c
Good Luck Coin - 1c
Total - 200c

We all initialed the coin, our best wishes are with you, and should you need to use the blade for combat, may your strike be true. Good luck, Glimmer, shine for us all!" (edited)

next to Goblin on the ground magical and psionic runes begin to grow and dance in a circle before a small Metaspace breach tears open and manifests an ornate Magenta box with the Inheritor Alliance emblem on top before the breach closes behind it like it never happened

-Backpack-50c

-climbing harness-50c

-Revolver-50c

-Ammo, 20 rounds-10

-thermal flare x 2- 10c

-6 days rations-30c

-1 Null bird Feather 

~total Credits= 200

“Show them this is nothing compared to the wilds of Saliv.

P. S. I included a token of good luck from a friend of yours. 
~The Alliance.

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(did we get anywhere with gathering the reward dolls from last christmas?)

https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/888483530542309376/902369334977003551

2:44 PM

()

(I think that’s all of them then)

(Shazi is CBSS so we see it finish)

The action figures come together and when placed within a third of a meter of one another, a green light in each of their chests begins to beep. Each of them no longer speaks their oddly specific action phrases, instead each of them babbles a short sequence of numbers. It repeats around the circle a few times before the most astute of you, and eventually all of you realize it is coordinates. the coordinates do not match a world on the current star charts. Each of the figures begins chattering the complete series of coordinates on their own .

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(Pax looks completely and utterly confused at all this. Though Billy, if he’s still there watching would be scrambling to make sure he’s getting a recording of each doll’s numbers. But he’s retired. XD)

Noel records the coordinates using her Argus web. "If anyone needs records of the coordinates let me know, I got a recording. We should all investigate when we can."[Noel doesn't have a doll] (edited)

(If you put your doll forward, you get the information, if you did not, then you don't, as the ones used are no longer functional, having changed over to this new mode) (edited)

(Ah, alrighty).

(if they decide to share after that is up to them, but my priority is those who now just lost a valuable item)

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11:26 AM

(nothing more frustrating than this happening, and someone races off to beat you there because they're in the middle of another mission or something) (edited)

(Makes sense!)

(So will this be a race against the others then, or more a journey of the Doll owners together?)

(not really a race, but something you can do together or independently)

Despite knowing they couldn’t hear him Jasper shouts “Come on Glimmer, come on Goblin! You guys got this! Give us a good show!”

“Damn, come on goblin! You can make it!”

"Judges, come on! I thought this was a survival game, not a Battle Royale! Could have sworn attacking other's was at least penalized if not banned!!!"

(It’s been several months since we started the games so maybe some of the finer points got lost since then, fighting was always allowed , it’s why we stopped the psionics and cybernetics and whatnot from this event. They had the option to try to break line of sight or make a smoke screen or kick up dust or any number of things here and it seems like instead we had just given up even after some prompting. There’s no perfect solution that isn’t unfairly massively penalizing old characters and if I did do that and the roles were reversed I think everyone would be just as upset. This is a safe minigame. Dying had no consequence other than you’re just out for this round, but even then you still get something for your time. It’s not as flashy as winning but it’s something. I’m not a professional game writer. I’m trying to balance things and keep it fun as best I can. I’m not always going to get it right , but being aware of the rules and asking questions is something you can do to improve things for both sides of this)

After a few hours, Goblin is back in the public and he joins his friends of the IA. When he arrives, the first thing he does is to hug Aura by her neck before plunging his head in her feathers. "I missed you, pretty girl." he says in a low voice. He then turns toward the others and nods solemnly: "Thanks for your support and for the nice gift in the box. It was really appreciated." He then turns towards the screen and stay muted, his near death experience still processing in his mind. While watching, he occasionally pets Aura.

"Oh, you are still alive ? I taught that I could keep Aura for myself." Ana respond sticking out her tongue like a kid. "Just kidding, It was amazing to watch, will have more luck next time. "

Unusual for himself, Goblin doesn't react to Ana's gibe and he continues to stare mindlessly at the screens.

"Damn this is intense." "Come on General Teucer, you need to win this!" Daira shouts.

Noel watches with rapt attention, and gripping the edge of her Seat. (edited)

“Daaamn. That Seung guy is cold blooded. I wouldn’t want to be down there with him prowling around.”

August takes a whiff of Teucer's flame-cooked, outdoor meats. "DAAAAYYYUUUMMM!!! WISH I WAS THERE!! AY! YO!! TEUCER!! TELL THE CROWD WHATCHA COOKIN' OVER THERE! I'M JELLY AS FUCK OVER HERE"!!

There is a loud siren that ends the event as the third participant elects to end the game. THere is some confusion among the judges but with three people left, and three medals to award, furthering the event risks only those withing, and uses valuable grail uptime that could be used for other things. There is a night of fanfare and celebration as the first ever Galatea games comes to an end. All participants are thanked and although a total medal count for each polity is not officially displayed, anyone who managed to earn one goes home a bit prouder, with a bit more renown, and with an impressive accomplishment behind them. There will be another games planned for the future, and the Olympic commission reports they are already on the hunt for new ideas for events.

(You cancelled the last discipline as well?)

(No martial arts?)

(Yeah. I’m sorry, but the pace of things had been gradually declining and it hit thst point where even as a DM I lost interest in running the remainder for right now)

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