(no subject)

[firstsoldier]

[Iiiit's .. text.]

In the interest of clarity for new arrivals, myself among them, I have a few questions that may seem blatantly obvious to everyone who's been here longer.

Am I understanding correctly that many of us here are being transformed into something else, much like the rain's temporary effects had on us recently?

Is this likely to happen to everyone?

Does it have anything to do with the brands we have been given? 'Runes'

Does anyone know how to repair a broken driver's side window for a M939 truck?

Finally, if you are obviously nonhuman, changed or naturally so, please leave a note as to what you look like so I know you are considered an ally and not an active threat.

Given the creatures that attacked in the storm, and earlier messages suggesting they may have once 'been like us', I do not wish to make a mistake.

Comments

text

[bufudine]

Yes, we are all transforming. Information points to the brands being moon sigils, which give us 'blessings' from the moon.

Unfortunately, moon warps affect us both physically and mentally. The previous moon warp induced violent transformation and several attacked friend and foe alike. There is no guarantee we will appear as described. However, the monsters that attack us are less unique than ourselves.

[firstsoldier]

In context, are these 'blessings' the transformations themselves?

I see. Thank you for clarifying that. Those which become aggressive, so far they all return so far to rationality, or are they lost?

What do you mean by 'less unique than ourselves'?

Your cooperation is appreciated.

[bufudine]

Yes. That's the term used in the texts we've found.

They return to rationality with time. For aggression caused by the moon warp, it ends with the phenomenon. Last time, that was several hours.

You will see many monsters in the wilderness with similar appearances but minor variations such as differences in size. Our transformations so far bear little resemblance to them or each other.

[firstsoldier]

Have any remained dangerous? For clarity, unusual temperament changes that are not qualifying as mindlessness.

Further, have any of these unwanted changes completed themselves that the statement we are different species is fact and not theory?

[bufudine]

Not to my knowledge.

We haven't stopped changing yet, so this is unverified. A journal suggests we have stronger souls and make for better vessels.

[Which might be the reason for the difference.]

[firstsoldier]

This journal, are there copies available? I had been under the impression the only writings on any of this are like the strips on the ceiling fan.

[bufudine]

It was found by Akechi but Jayce has a copy alongside other information gathered. He is the one with antlers and a leg brace.

As for a description, I am a human with six wings.

[It really isn't hard to spot him, especially when he spends most mornings sitting on the roof of his vehicle with them spread out to dry.]

I have another form. A demon, a transformation from before my arrival. It looks like a tall, gray-skinned humanoid with white fins and carapace over the upper body.

[firstsoldier]

I see. Thank you for the information, I will have to speak to Akechi or Jayce.

Also thank you for the description. I believe I've seen you at a distance. You are a natural shapechanger?

[bufudine]

No. I was branded and the transformation forced. It was much more sudden than here.

"So we're turning into monsters and seek Nirvana.. again."

[firstsoldier]

But based on those few sentences very familiar. Are you willing to share more information?

ngl that's what got me to dust off this journal...

[bufudine]

My original world was a creation of another world, which we knew as Nirvana. This Nirvana's sun is corrupted and its rays turn humans to stone.

My transformation comes from the Atma virus. Those of my original world was infected with it and we were changed immediately. It was a test. Those with the virus won't turn to stone.

Part of me regrets not digging Heat up instead.

[firstsoldier]

The people of 'Nirvana' must have been very powerful, to create entire worlds.

It must be of some relief to know no-one here is turning to stone.

[..But on the other hand who would know if they DIDN'T have a virus turning them into monsters, preventing the sun from killing them? This is a new thought, and one Sephiroth considers carefully.]

But the other similarities, including becoming inhuman creatures, is an interesting commonality. I wonder if your experiences in a similar setting would be beneficial to us.

alas

[bufudine]

[The similarities are rather striking and he can't shake off the feeling that he's walking the same path again. The details of the situation varies, but the main benefit so far...]

It helps with the transformations. Everyone reacts differently to being forcibly changed or losing control.

If you have questions later, contact me.

there's always alts. but i might throw a wrench into things and go quantum.

[firstsoldier]

Thank you, I almost certainly will have further questions.

ooooh qdsat would be interesting!!

[bufudine]

Your name and appearance?

I only have the first three though. :( so .. NEVER COMPLETING THAT CANON UPDATE

[firstsoldier]

Sephiroth. Human, no accessories that I can tell of this place's changes. Black clothing, gray hair. I am primarily a melee combatant, if spotted in another battle like the storm's.

I've got the rest, but I can't read them.......... :')

[bufudine]

[Ah. The tall one with the very long sword?]

My name is Serph. Most here can fight, but not all.

I hear it's wilder than the games somehow.

[firstsoldier]

[It does make him identifiable at least.]

They may need to learn quickly. Guns are a great equalizer, for all that I find them clumsy.

oh yeah. i have links to the detailed fan summaries in this journal's sticky

[bufudine]

[He not sure if guns are still less effective on his demon, but he's in no hurry to test it...]

That's their decision to make.

[His two roommates aren't combatants. With Jack having his own violent, uncontrollable transformation from his home world and John being skittish after being hurt badly, Serph doesn't see that changing meaningfully any time soon.]

I'll have to investigate. o_o

[firstsoldier]

As long as their survival relies on others fighting for them, respectfully I disagree.

Everyone must do their part in the defense of this convoy and its people.

[bufudine]

[Serph doesn't disagree with Sephiroth's assessment. It's the sort of thing he would have thought once; there is no room on the battlefield for non-combatants. But the Convoy isn't just a battlefield.]

Combat isn't all we need to reach our destination.

[firstsoldier]

This is true, we are also in need of mechanics and medics. However, even a mechanic can wield a weapon and few know better how to take someone apart than those who are taught to put them back together. No-one is truly defenseless, especially with the creatures we are to become.

[bufudine]

[He agrees that no-one is truly defenceless. Anyone cornered can lash out with whatever is available. But that is a far cry from being competent fighters.]

Even if non-combatants began training to improve combat skills, they won't be as competent as those who have lived fighting.

[Jayce had asked Serph to teach him how to hunt, so he isn't opposed to teaching if asked. But he holds no illusions that Jayce, a scientist, would have the same sorts of battle instincts as a soldier who's lived on the battlefield.]

We have many combatants who scout, scavenge, and defend. We don't have many handling other tasks.

[That's honestly one of the big reasons he doesn't see having to defend the few people who aren't fighters as an issue that needs to be fixed. If there were more people who couldn't fight travelling with them it would be a different matter, but they have too many fighters and not enough people taking care of, well, everything else..]

Those whose strengths are not fighting have chosen to spend their time on other tasks instead. Tailoring. Cultivation. Research. Cooking. Repairs. Emotional support.

[firstsoldier]

[Emotional support. Emotional support, really? The others might have some merit but that one's completely dismissed.]

Of course they will not. But they will be better than they had been before, with each day of practice. A little better each time at defending their own lives.

There is no task in this caravan which eats up the entirety of a day. Those who can't spare even an hour to learn how to protect themselves because they're busy cooking or knitting need less coddling and more encouraging to better manage their time.

A researcher can pull a trigger as easily as anyone else, you merely have to scale the gun to their abilities.

Exception allowed for young children, which I have not seen here yet.

[bufudine]

[He's seen Jolie, but he's not sure if she would be considered a young child. She looks like Fred's age maybe.]

Where will we obtain the steady supply of ammunition to spend on regular gun training?

[Levi had mentioned he had limited ammunition for his rifle previously, when they had been travelling through areas even more devoid of humanity's remnants and he himself has yet to find a usable gun.

Well, ultimately his belief is that it is a choice. But there isn't a choice if there is no one who can teach them with the supplies they have. And he doesn't entirely disagree with Sephiroth either.]

Will you offer training then? It's their choice to learn, but there is no choice without someone willing to teach.