STAND ASIDE, HANDLE MINE, ADD THE CHEDDAR.

[agogemod]

WHO? Everybody!
WHAT? The eclipse and surrounding events.
WHEN? Lead up to and resulting eclipse shenanigans.
ANYTHING ELSE? Please warn for anything besides physical violence and move to a personal journal if it's beyond PG-13.

nah—gut, skin, and eat the chef;

before he eats the rest

READ THE JHASHCH INFOPAGE.

THE CLOSING CEREMONY

The arenas close with another ostentatious celebration designed by the Great Houses, and with an air of regret even amidst the applause. COST and the Regency are again expected to attend, still given positions of honor, and particularly ardent fans may toss trinkets of favor and affection onto the stage. So pick up a couple bedazzled flowers on your way out...or get seriously hassled, if you never dedicated your victory proper. Whoops.

After that, however, the regret quickly transforms into fervor of a different sort. It's the holiday season and the following week is filled with enthusiastic preparation. The lucky among you might even spot Araneans from outside Ythaway, bringing in goods at the behest of nobles.

Unlike alien visitors who enter the Inner Rings by terminal, Jhashchan natives use eleven gated checkpoints spaced around the Third Ring; with the terminal, the spacing is almost like a clock. COST recruits are summarily warned to keep their distance; while these Araneans are commoners and would be sentenced to a quick death for even challenging a diplomat, that doesn't mean they're guaranteed to play by the rules.

Some of you just look way too tasty for that.


A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS

The day after the closing ceremony, recruits receive a bulletin.

@SCOUT | @ALL

expect a briefing at 0900
it'll be executed through the bce, so find a private location
while the declared victories favor the queen, we can't expect the regency or princess chch to accept this outcome
the eclipse will provide them perfect opportunity

stay sharp
keep track of each other

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE

The solar eclipse marks the beginning and end of the Jhashchan year, with Araneans speaking excitedly—or, in the case of the more religious, reverently—of its upcoming eve. This year is particularly special; it's an incredibly rare total eclipse when viewed from the eyes of Ymir, where the sun will only be visible as a halo around Cre. The last one was centuries ago, before High Queen Thsh ascended the throne in her mother's stead.

Recruits may find themselves accosted by Araneans eager to hear about eclipses from Earth; the old planet is famous for them, with a moon and sun perfectly distanced to create the halo effect. This, among a few other phenomenon, made it a popular tourist attraction.

Its rarity on Jhashch, however, means that the feast this year is an especially grandiose affair.

» ECLIPSE'S EVE

The Royal Family holds yet another banquet. They extend invitations a week beforehand to anybody who is somebody, esteemed diplomats included, and anticipate your RSVP. Rather than sending a daughter from a Great House, however, recruits each receive a formal letter, handwritten by one of the High Queen's many daughters.

The feast itself is one of gluttonous abandon; again hosted at the royal ballroom, it features a brand new chandelier wrought from processed Ymir (in consideration for their visitors' health). And it's remarkably unlike anything recruits have seen while on Jhashch. The Araneans still have certain social expectations, but there's something wild and near frenzied to their mannerisms on this day. Consider it a lack of poise, almost feral.

The spread of food is as varied as it is gratuitous, primarily meat from every corner of the Thshan Empire and then some. Spiders drink and devour all they're offered and expect their guests to do the same, though their scrutiny is perhaps a little impaired this eve; the wine is plentiful and strong, with toasts made to Queen Thsh.

She made an excellent showing in the arenas, with over half of the victories dedicated in her name. Her daughter earned no small amount of favor, carrying over a third of them, but it's apparent in the High Queen's bold, haughty pride (her declarations of seeking out those who were too foolish to pass their conquests where they're due) and Princess Chch's pensive silence—though she's always quick to spare a smile, genial and gentle, to any recruit who looks her way—that she finds it less than ideal.

Nonetheless, the revelry carries on well into the night.

» THE ECLIPSE

The day of the eclipse is an event unto itself. Food and drink is still plentiful, as the Araneans prepare to venture out into the wilds of Jhashch. It's almost a pilgrimage of sorts, with several members of House Jankeh arriving at COST's quarters. They're young daughters of the house, just beginning to brush over two meters tall, and they flash sharp teeth before they titter behind their hands in the presence of recruits.

They're here to equip you with suits that will allow you to step outside Ythaway's protected halls, so hopefully you didn't think you'd avoid venturing into Jhashch's red landscape. You're instructed to take your assigned visors, distributed by Young upon your arrival, and use them to protect your eyes from the sun's unforgiving glare.

And you have an audience, whether you want one or not, so it might be a good idea to stick together as the Araneans size your suits on the spot. It turns out it's one size fits all, but the tech is a little finicky and House Jankeh's daughters are here to make sure everything is set up properly. So while they probably aren't going to eat you...better safe than sorry.

Taking off the suits while outside Ythaway is ill-advised, if occasionally necessary when eating or drinking or if, y'know, you need to pee. While the effects of Ymir aren't as strong as inside the caverns, the average human will notice it's much harder to breathe in the thin atmosphere and likely experience effects similar to altitude sickness. Prolonged exposure, especially when coupled with Ymir poisoning, can easily kill a human in under two hours.

All recruits are permitted to carry weapons into the field. For those of you who came unarmed, House Khah provides basic melee weapons of your choice. They're all high quality make, but lack any of the fancy accessories found in House Jankeh's goods. A sword is just a sword.

But you'll need it, to survive a landscape rife with overgrown invertebrates all keen for a meal.

You're sent into the wilds with only a pack for food and sleeping gear; the visors come with maps installed. Recruits also have the option of riding skrit chri, but it's on your shoulders to obtain and transport anything else. It's a long trek to get clear of the cavern walls and it's expected everyone stay in the Jhashchan wilds overnight. Go prepared; the gates to Ythaway won't reopen until tomorrow.

The Araneans—nobles and commoners alike—scatter through the twin valleys, eager to claim the best vantage points and idle away their wait with hunting. The Royal Family takes the center of Ythaway's valley for themselves, with extravagant awnings to protect against the sun. They remain in full regalia, with an entourage of Aranean servants to cater to their needs. It's more practical than bringing out human servants, after all.

The eclipse itself is only a couple hours, with the period of totality lasting mere moments. Don't waste this once in a lifetime opportunity.

» ECLIPSE'S MORROW

However, as soon as the eclipse ends, the Araneans seem to almost...slow. The frenetic wildness that possessed so many of them dissipates, replaced by torpor. Many of them turn in for the day on the spot; while they may keep to daylight hours in Ythaway, protected from the sun, they favor the damp and dark by nature.

It is, as Young put it, a perfect opportunity.

But it isn't the Regency who makes the first move.


CHAOS THEORY

In the lull of the eclipse, the first target is none other than the High Queen herself. A male Aranean throws himself upon her as she stretches luxuriously in the shade, his mandibles clicking and a blade drawn. The edges shine with venom and it's only the Queen's hardy exoskeleton that sends it skittering askew.

General Shai is upon him in seconds and General Aythy turns on the other servants, already set to swarm them, as their mother skewers the Aranean with one long leg. The Royal Family dwarfs the servants in size, but they make up for it in numbers. And it's in this moment that it's obvious this isn't the Regency or Princess Chch's doing; while the princess is a skilled actor, she's taken just as off-guard as her mother. She doesn't recover enough to even stab the queen in the back before the flashbangs detonate.

When the eyespots clear, a cry goes up.

The Twin Generals Shai and Aythy have vanished.


WHILE YOU WERE AWAY

While the bulk of Araneans are overwrought at the thought of their missing Generals, it quickly becomes clear they aren't the only absent royal blood. Queen Thsh and Princess Chch are accounted for, but Prince Shch is nowhere to be found. Rumors immediately begin circulating; the Prince had a few victories dedicated in his name, so perhaps his mother wasn't pleased by what he did with them (what did he do with them? no one can seem to agree). But what better chance to dispose of him, so he can no longer conspire with his sister.

Fishier still is the absence of several elder daughters of House Khah. The Great Matron and her heir are present, but only they remain of important rank.

Meanwhile, COST has some of their own to locate. But even before the recruits on Jhashch can return to Ythaway, they receive a terse bulletin.

@SCOUT | @ALL

the commander is down
do not report back to our quarters; they've been compromised
blend in where you can and focus on your tasks for now

if you need gear, i've salvaged what i can
wait a few hours to meet me in the servant corridors
i'll set my location to public so you can find me

If you want to return to the comparative safety of Ythaway, you'll have to fight your way back against rogue Araneans and the Regency alike. Because far be it from the Regency not to capitalize on the situation, once they find their feet. Now might be a good time to call in any favors you earned in the arenas, provided you trust the Araneans enough to honor them. Or if you're confident in your ability to sweet talk them into not selling you out.

For anyone who does return to the villa, they'll find it a smoking husk, abandoned save for the Regency and Araneans seeking their favor. And they make it no secret they're hunting COST.

But, in the next breath, some of you are hunting them.

READ THE JHASHCH INFOPAGE.

NAV. NETWORK LOGS OOC MEMES PLURK

Comments

heck yea

[horsepowered]

On my way.

Chiron knows that he can travel swifter in spirit form than on four hooves, and so he slips into that mode as quickly as possible in order to get to where his Master and spider...whatever that relation is, are at the moment. It takes perhaps thirty seconds, a minute at most, and when he emerges, there is no denying that this is him in his purest Servant form.

Hooves thunder his approach as he comes in from the side, and before he is seen, there is a flurry of arrows pointed at the Aranean who has clearly made a huge mistake. It's only after there is a hiss of pain, confirmation of impact, that Chiron even dares to make his way over towards Dany.

I'm going to dive in front of you. Get on my back and then we'll go from there. You'll need to hang on to my neck or my middle with one arm!

[dorzalta]

He saves her from what would have likely been a futile attack on her part. The arrows fly swiftly and without delay, and oh, what a sight it is to behold. Not only the attack, but her Servant in such a familiar and majestic form. A horse.

She likes this version of Chiron better than the other back at BASE.

The attack of the arrows knock the Aranean aside, allowing Irriella to pounce onto the being and render the hard exoskeleton, and then soft, vulnerable flesh. It's a bloody and gory thing, with bright blue blood which spatters about. She watches for a moment, tucking the spearhead away and glancing toward Chiron.

She'll do as he says when he comes, climbing on with an adeptness to suggest that she's lived on horses nigh all her life. Not exactly the truth, but being a khaleesi offers a familiarity many others would lack.

[horsepowered]

Chiron doesn't flinch as Irriella goes about her business. All he does is avoid the bloodsplatter, and continue to make his way towards Dany. It's the only imperative he has at the moment. It's the only one that matters.

Once she's on his back, and her riding skills make it far quicker than anyone else might, Chiron shifts up. If he needs any time at all to adjust to the weight, he doesn't make it known. All he does is start to gather speed, going right towards the Aranean. With all of the exposed fleshy bits available, what comes next is easy. The only question is how to do about it.

Do you want to strike or should I?

[dorzalta]

It's different than Drogon attacking; that would entail fire and his teeth. Irriella uses all weapons at her disposal, utilizing a viciousness she'd learned undoubtedly from this land, but also one Dany cultivated in her own way, by embracing the spiderling's true nature as best she could.

I'm no dothrak, I can't stand upon a horse's back and fire arrows, nor can I yield an arakh as well.

It takes her a moment to acclimate to sitting atop her... well, Chiron, and to peer over his shoulder as Irriella continues the attack. She draws the spearhead again, and reaches for one of his arrows. It takes quick work to tie the head to the butt of it, and she's forced to unravel one of the shreds of cloth she'd wrapped around her palm.

I'll try as best I can. Aim a good kick if I miss.

[horsepowered]

Understood. If there is no opportunity to attack, don't force one. A clean getaway is more important than prolonging this fight.

It is only advice, and he is ready to take advantage of his own bow and arrow again if need be. He keeps running forward though, careful to calculate Irriella's movement into his own trajectory as they near their opponent.

[dorzalta]

I remember.

She recalls Jon's instructions on battle, fighting with a sword, a shield, a bow; Chiron's advice with knocking an arrow and shooting; Arthur's on aiming and shooting a gun. All took patience and timing, and though she was eager to save her spiderling from this battle, it would do none of them good if she made this difficult with her impatience.

Fingers fisting in his shirt, she adjusts the arrow, holding it like her Unsullied would hold their spears. Thighs tightening as they would around a horse, she watches. And waits.

Irriella is still tearing her opponent asunder, however, there is a moment where the Aranean swipes a leg and Irriella is thrown back. A clean strike to her underbelly, protected by her exoskeleton as well, but still a less defensible spot.

Chch's poison, I don't know how effective it will be on an Aranean.

But it's too late to turn back now.

[horsepowered]

Let's find out.

In a situation less dire there might be some playfulness to the words. Here and now though, there is nothing but gravity. This is life and death, and in this moment, Chiron is playing by Grail War standards. The safety of his Master is the only priority to be had. Full stop.

They're close now, close enough for the Aranean's legs to almost swipe them as they deliver the blow to Irriella. Chiron's gaze goes to her to see where her next movement will be, trusting Dany to take her shot and take it now.

He isn't going to give a command. This is something that must be done under one's own steam.