video | text, un: uruz

[uruzology]

[ The scene presented via jewelry is within one of the many rooms of the newly refurbished Oska castle. A centaur stands next to the cheerfully roaring fire, presenting a matchingly cheerful smile. ]

It looks like you’ve all lived, although that was a little close there, for some of you. Good work! I knew you could do it.

Now, as you may have noticed by Oska looking quite well around you, the last week was a false reality. Don’t take it personally, that happens to everyone here eventually. We have to make sure recruits are up to snuff. You’re a bit unique as a whole team of greenhorns, though. To be quite honest, I’ve never seen this activity done on such a large scale before. It was impressive, wasn’t it? And don’t worry, any trinkets you may have come across are quite real, and yours to keep if you want them.

So then, to business. I’m Uruz. I’m familiar with some of you already, although I’m afraid that’s one-sided in most cases — I spent a fair bit of time in there with you, but none of you saw me if I was doing my job right. ALASTAIR has asked me and my compatriots, Dagny, Crowley, and Cherenkov, to review your performance within Chantes and rate your work. It’s quite a big job, our to-do with worlds, and we want to make sure we’ve got trustworthy recruits. I’ve attached that for you, please do give it a glance.

dagny: Well, the king died. So that's... not the best. From what I hear, things are kind of chaotic there right now, what with the whole 'no government' thing and all. And a lot of you got in a ton of trouble with the law. But you did work together! Most of you, anyway. People died and the city got destroyed, but I know you all did your best, so you get points for effort. I give you an... eight. Point five. No, nine out of ten. But that's as high as I'll go, because, you know. The murder and death.

Don’t feel bad, though, there’s always room for improvement.

crowley: Your refusal to work with the goblins’ natural talents for magic was disappointing. I foresaw much potential there, and it was wasted on your muddying things up with politics. On the other paw, your dispelling of demons and other magical creatures was serviceable, if a little last-minute. 5/10.

cherenkov: I stopped paying attention after you all brought the sun back. Because that's what matters, doesn't it? You didn’t do badly for a bunch of apes, but don’t get distracted by the diplomatic nonsense next time. Ignore the cow and the knife-eared one. Spend the time improving instrumentation, not making friends. 8/10.

uruz: You did make an attempt. You got engaged and cared to deal with their issues, which, well, we'd really have an issue for concern if not. And you did very nice work on a personal level, to bring together goblins and humans. They'll not be moving in together any time soon, but they're on the right path. But really, did you have to murder the man? He'd just killed the king, to be sure, but taking a life has serious consequences, no matter whose it was. It sets you on a path it can be difficult to step off of. But overall, acceptable. 6/10.

There we go. On a final note, I’ve been asked to let you know that you’ve got some time to spend in Oska before your next assignment, which is to Nalawi. A lovely place, I’m a bit envious. Enjoy your downtime, and again, good work! I’ve very high hopes for the lot of you.

[ The network is now back up again along with Oska being restored and the weather events ended, and you can find a full description of current Oska right here. Feel free to use this post to thread on, and the NPCs may make a few appearances for direct questions. ]

Comments

video | un: princeanduinwrynn

[fearward]

[ He can't speak to the mission grades--he wasn't here for that. Judging by the responses, though, it was a bit of a mess, and he wonders if situations like these are what the future now holds in store. It's a concerning thought, but he has something else to ask just now. ]

I'm one of the new ... recruits, I suppose.

[ He frowns, not much liking the sound of it. His own world needs him, but it's very clear that there's nothing he can do on that front, not at present. ]

I wanted to ask--where are we? That is to say, in relation to the worlds we've left behind. Is it the same galaxy? Universe?

[ His frown deepens, as he thinks of a particular castle back on Azeroth, one said to exist in many shifting, alternate planes at once. ]

... reality?

voice | un: uruz

[uruzology]

Oh, that is a good question. It's a bit tricky to say... I suppose you could think of it as Oska as a universe set between all the other universes. It isn't properly a world of its own, not anymore.

[fearward]

[ Hmm. ]

Not anymore? Does that mean it used to be?

[uruzology]

Most certainly, it had to have started as something.

[fearward]

But you don't know.

[ A pause, as he's thinking. ]

How did this place come to be your headquarters? Or is that a mystery, too?

[uruzology]

I'm afraid I couldn't say, it was our headquarters long before I came to be with ALASTAIR. It must have been quite the find, though. I only wish I'd been along on that venture!

[fearward]

[ Uruz is pretty interesting to Anduin all by herself, because the centaur on Azeroth are not nearly so articulate and accommodating. Mostly they are just murderous and thuggish. ]

Have you been with this group long? Were you also taken from your home?

[uruzology]

For most of my life. I was rescued from my home, actually, along with Dagny. It suffered the fate that worlds sometimes do, without timely intervention.

voice, @TARANTO

[heavyhitter]

Holy shit, hold up. Anduin! Are you a prince?

[fearward]

[ He coughs. ]

Yes. Is that an issue?

[heavyhitter]

Not really. Hey, totally unrelated, if we got married would I be a princess?

[fearward]

[ He blushes ... ]

That's how it works.

[heavyhitter]

[ no don't blush, it's like blood in the water ]

Nice! Okay, let's do it. We took a selfie together already, marriage is basically the next step.

[fearward]

[ He blushes harder. ]

You're joking, right?

[heavyhitter]

Princess Ramir sounds good, right? I mean, kinda ridiculous, but good.

[dagnyology]

Hello! Are you a prince? How exciting! ヽ(　･∀･)ﾉ Do you have a princess? Not that I'm hoping to be one. I was just curious!

I see Uruz has answered your question already to the best of her abilities. The truth is, much of ALASTAIR's history is shrouded in mystery! There isn't anyone to pass on history besides the recruits, and they only know what they've been through.

[fearward]

[ He squints at the symbols. What are these arcane pictures? ]

I--I am, and I don't. I mean, not yet. Maybe one day?

[ Maybe not. He clears his throat. ]

Does that mean you're all recruits, too?

[ Pause. ]

And what is that picture you put in the text? Is it a face?

[dagnyology]

Ohhh, I hope you find a princess someday. (Oh, or a prince! I wasn't intending to be rude! I promise.) Love is so grand.

And yes, we are all recruits. We go on missions just like you all do! Once, I went to a world where instead of speaking, everyone sang.

The picture is an emoticon! Isn't it cute? We didn't have them on my world but I picked them up from another recruit. I just love them! ೕ(˃̵ᴗ˂̵ ๑)

[heavyhitter]

don't worry lady i'm working on the princess part

[dagnyology]

Are you his girlfriend?? (◍•ᴗ•◍)♡ ✧*。

[fearward]

No!

[ What is this! What is happening! ]

[heavyhitter]

shh ignore him, like i said i'm working on it

[fearward]

Love is grand, but I confess I don't have time to think about it much.

[ He rubs the back of his neck. Anyway. ]

It's certainly interesting. What kind of face is that? It looks a little upset.

[dagnyology]

Not upset! It's holding up a little fist, like it's pumping it in excitement!

[fearward]

Oh.

[ He squints harder, turning his head to look at it sideways. ]

I think I can see it!

[ Pause. ]

A little.

Do you know many others?