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subnauticmods ([personal profile] subnauticmods) wrote in [community profile] fishesoutofwater2016-04-14 11:53 pm
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TEST DIVE #2








≡U.R.S.U.L.A. NAVIGATION
TEST DIVE MEME


For information about the animals and locations, be sure to check out the BIOME and BASE pages!

A: There’s a Storm on the Horizon
A brainstorm. On advice about the ingenuity of multi person parties, and from admitted lack of understanding of many needs of organics, URSULA has selected you and a partner (or partners) to go to one of the observatories with food, beds, and recording devices to have a jam session for ideas about missions.

You are not to leave the room until you have some good ones. So get cracking! Start suggesting to one another what the base needs to do.

Or get horribly, horribly sidetracked and possibly a little crazy at being locked up together with the ocean staring at you. Judging.

B: The Abysmal Sea
You’re stranded.

One of the planet’s troublesome signal-interfering pulses has just made your communication devices 100% nonfunctional. No matter how you try to call URSULA for help, she isn’t able to respond. The database strapped to your wrist is just a useless chunk of metal now, leaving you without a useful library of knowledge to survive off. If you were driving any underwater vehicle prior to this point, it’s broken down. And unless you’re a mechanic, it’ll be pretty hard to get it jumpstarted again.

Don’t fret! The communication systems always come online eventually, so if you stay put, it’ll boot back up and give you directions straight back to base so you can finally get home. But can you really afford to stay put? The sunlight’s slowly streaming out of the sky, leaving the waters darker and darker with each passing second. Soon, you won’t be able to see five feet in front of you, and the only warning you’ll get of any approaching threat is through sound, if they even make any.

You have a few choices: take a daring risk and try swimming back to base, but on the off-chance you don’t remember the directions correctly from before you were cut off, you’re going to get even more lost, in the darkness of the night no less. Or, you could huddle in, with any friends if they were unfortunate enough to be with you, and start focusing on getting warm. Because spending the night out here in the vast oceans with the entire world against you is becoming a very, very real possibility.

C: It’s dangerous to go alone. Take them!
URSULA’s technology is breathtaking. With enough materials, she could make practically anything: weapons, vehicles, all those human comforts and entertainments she forgot to build... or perhaps she could expand the base to give everyone even more leg room. But there’s a catch: you need to get those materials to her in the first place, and scavenging can be a monumental task.

The planet Iniidae has a plethora of materials to provide, but you’ve got to go find them first. Some are easy enough to get, by plucking off the ground or breaking a rock. But some are a bit more challenging, such as Crash Powder, seeing that the Crash defending it will literally explode in your face if you get too close. And then there’s materials such as Blood Oil, only harvestable within the Blood Kelp Caves several hundred meters underwater in the pitch-black darkness… remember, you have to gather resources with your two bare hands. No such thing as driving around and conveniently collecting them within the somewhat-relative safety of an armored vehicle.

Since it’s so dangerous to go alone, URSULA will encourage you all to leave the base in pairs or groups if you’re going to try collecting some of the more precarious materials to harvest. She has heard that most lifeforms find being reconstituted from nanites traumatic, so try not to die in front of each other!

D: Almost, but not quite, Entirely Unlike Tea
The droids, URSULA promises, will do their best to make anything you want. Go on! Ask them anything! She’s excited. This seems like a great way to test out their capacities.

Of course, you need to be very careful what you wish for. Maybe you ask for Hamlet by William Shakespeare, and they do their best but only know so much, giving you a book with some… creative changes. Maybe you ask for a puzzle box, but you weren’t specific enough and things went awry.

Maybe you made the mistake of asking for tea..

No matter what, you were given something that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike what you asked for. Now what do you do with it?

E: CREATURE FEATURES (possible body horror)
As more data is collected on the creatures of the deep, DNA can also be gathered to allow URSULA to research how to integrate it into her crew members in useful and hopefully unintrusive ways, unless of course permission is given first for more obvious or exhausting additions.

Well, that's the idea, anyway.

Unfortunately, something malfunctioned while URSULA was researching. Her incomplete serum was injected into you through your devices while you slept (or maybe you were knocked unconscious by the sudden change to your body). Now maybe you have the temperament of a Stalker or the thirst of a Bleeder or Gasopod pods on your back that trigger when you're startled. How this genetic malfunction works and what it is can be up to you but while URSULA assures you it's only temporary, you're stuck like this for now.

Have fun?

F: The Caverns of Dream
The ocean calls you. Of course, it's much easier to dismiss it as nightmares. You'll probably think that's all it is after you have them. Flashes of screaming sea creatures writhing in agony, pleading for help, but these creatures can't ask for help, can they? Something huge, beyond the scope of imagination, moves in the ocean of your dreams and calls out to you to go deeper into the darkness. It pleads and begs but not with a voice you can hear or words you can understand.

You wake up in a sweat with the unrelenting desire to take a swim, even though it's late and everyone is asleep. Or maybe someone else just had the same nightmare as you? Are you willing to take a swim and try to understand the dream?


BASED ON CODE BY TESSISAMESS AND SUPERSUITS


upcard: (✿ conceal don't feel)

[personal profile] upcard 2016-04-23 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Y-yes, of course!

[Maybe.

She hopes. Lord help those who rely on otome protags. Except she really has gone out there a few times herself, so she have a pretty good idea of where they're going--she'll be able to direct him, even if it still makes her nervous to go out into the ocean. She takes a slow, deep breath, and squares her shoulders.]


Are you ready? Let's both do our best.
transited: (pic#)

[personal profile] transited 2016-04-23 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ note to self: don't ever try to feed her something that is unnaturally colored. ]

Probably to make things difficult for us. It is kind of gross looking, isn't it?
petnadjanka: (8)

[personal profile] petnadjanka 2016-04-23 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[yes but really we need peach pies to solve the racism lbr...]

Right! I'll count on you for that, then... [he's so sunny about it.] So make sure you do the same with me, whether it's because there's something to fight or not!
petnadjanka: (5)

[personal profile] petnadjanka 2016-04-23 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
That would be nice, right? I guess we'll see what happens! [he hopes so too, honestly. he'd rather not unless it's necessary.]
petnadjanka: (1)

[personal profile] petnadjanka 2016-04-23 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
It either that or we're gonna have to get used to improvising. I bet there's a lot we could do, either way...

[he likes to cook, so it's fine. it'll be a learning experience.]
petnadjanka: (pic#10198290)

[personal profile] petnadjanka 2016-04-23 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
It doesn't have to be the only thing, but sometimes you gotta be able to do that!

[...what is his logic right now, even? is he just talking to hear his own voice? it's possible.]
petnadjanka: (33)

[personal profile] petnadjanka 2016-04-23 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Well... I wouldn't say it's that I'm worried...

[everyone seems pretty reasonable, and it doesn't feel like they're in any immediate danger. but...]

It's not a bad thing to be ready, just in case, though. We don't really know what could happy, y'know?
bajkaiskierki: (and that's the whole fairy tale)

[personal profile] bajkaiskierki 2016-04-23 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
It is the worst. It looks like it is made of grass, not meat!
transited: (pic#)

[personal profile] transited 2016-04-23 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe we can file a complaint?

[ that seems unlikely, but. ]
upcard: (✿ conceal don't feel)

[personal profile] upcard 2016-04-23 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[He is super sunny... it's cute. She can't help but smile in response, ducking her head a little.]

Mm... I understand. I'll be counting on you, then, so...please take care of me.
splinten: appl-juice42 @ tumblr (this selection has too many)

[personal profile] splinten 2016-04-23 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Now that the wet blanket has secured this agreement, he nods his head towards the base.]

Do you need me to pick up anymore pets-slash-meals, or can we head back now?
splinten: appl-juice42 @ tumblr (and THEN the big man comes)

[personal profile] splinten 2016-04-23 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[These goddamned interlocutory geniuses keep trucking along in their little underwater bubble boat, away through the depths.]

Yeah?

[Babysteps. He is taking babysteps. At least he is putting effort into keeping the conversation going. He knows he has to get better at this kind of shit.]
discardia: (I didn't mean to cook your dog)

[personal profile] discardia 2016-04-23 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I was taught that the best way to win a fight is to not let there be a fight at all.

[ For the record. Thanks, Van Helsing. ]
discardia: (Hatblocked)

[personal profile] discardia 2016-04-23 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't know how many people would want to.

[ SHE CAN'T SEE FUKAMI DOING IT... ]
maserannas: (amused | she depends on you)

[personal profile] maserannas 2016-04-23 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She makes great choices in everything minus all the terrible decisions she's made.

... and asking Dirk to explain Homestuck might be one of the terrible ones, if she ever does.
]

I don't believe you did. It's Ellana.

[ Making it an announcement paired with a small wave of her hand, fingers splaying. As she turns to head toward the kitchen, inclining her head in that direction as an invitation of sorts, she adds: ]

Formerly of Clan Lavellan.

[ Since she'd just mentioned her clan anyway. Not much of a secret; just not what she asked people to call her around here. ]
splinten: appl-juice42 @ tumblr (im telling you. . . . air like)

[personal profile] splinten 2016-04-23 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[He finishes tightening a bolt on dear, sweet Wiz, who is currently deactivated. Then he pulls himself to his feet and rubs the grease off of his hands. He may not have the best sense of kitchens, but at least he knows that machine oil and food don't mix. Obligingly, he follows along.]

I'm going to assume that we're working with a society that places less emphasis on direct lineage than on a kind of community?

[Dirk honestly is still kinda thinking of Ellana as an alien. In his defence: trolls, cherubim, carapacians. One dominant sentient species per planet is the general pattern.]
cephalocide: (one more)

[personal profile] cephalocide 2016-04-24 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Nagisa nods. The world can never have too many heroes.]

Ah, right. We should probably stay focused and come up with some ideas. A notebook without any notes won't help anybody.
maserannas: (dubious | you think you've heard it all)

[personal profile] maserannas 2016-04-24 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ The question earns him a curious, not quite understanding glance from Ellana. Aliens are a more recent development, but with Ibitsam and Peridot, not so difficult to understand. Ellana's trying to guess why he's saying that, and if it's in relation to their status on the base as Ursula's "crew" or not.

Clearly, that's what's going on.
]

Those of us here? I suppose, but it's hardly like lineage matters where none of us know enough about the rest to care all that much about how well bred we all are or aren't.

[ With a pause in words if not in steps, she turns her head enough to regard him with one eye. ]

... Unless you were asking about my Clan?
splinten: appl-juice42 @ tumblr (AROUND ANYWEAR)

[personal profile] splinten 2016-04-24 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
[He didn't really need the diagram anymore, it was more for brainstorming than anything. Now, well. Dirk enjoys irony as much as the next person, or rather, he enjoys it far more, given that his sense of humour very likely has a lot to do with growing up on SBAHJ films.

He folds the comic up and tucks it away in a pocket.]
My future as a cancoin trillionaire can only be bought at the cost of a dear family inheritance. It breaks my god-tiered heart to acknowledge the inevitable ruthless demands of becoming completely ridiculously fucking rich. I guess even the Mayor can't protect us from the lure of more wealth than we could ever use.

[He would rather cut off his head than ever sell this comic.

Not that that's saying much.]
splinten: appl-juice42 @ tumblr (I TOLD YOU DOG)

[personal profile] splinten 2016-04-24 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
[His own expression is impassive. It's like that a lot. It isn't that Dirk has a great poker face, he's just not very emotive, and also: sunglasses.

Which means Ellana can't see the verbal expression of Dirk wondering awkwardly if he really fucked up this conversation by asking a question in a stupid way. (Protip: questions are better expressed in the interrogative form.)

He rephrases.]


I guess I'm a little curious about the social structure. Xenocultures are pretty interesting. When the person relating their culture isn't a completely useless muscle-obsessed AI-slash-ghost.

[another thing his lack of emotiveness hides: the way he mentally shuddered at the memory of Arquiusprite trying to explain troll lactation. Fucking no.]
cephalocide: (little boy blue)

babe i'll caboose for you anytime

[personal profile] cephalocide 2016-04-24 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
I know.

[He swam patiently, treating it just like a casual game of follow the light. His vision was restricted, but Nagisa could see walls of the tunnel well enough – though he did get too close a time or two, once accidentally bumping his elbow on one of the spongy pads. With a shiver he darted on, not looking back to see if he disturbed anything. Hopefully his elbow wouldn't start swelling up.

Since Nagisa was paying close attention to the walls, especially as they closed in, it would have been weird for him to miss the blue light and the potential of the alternative route. He stopped, but only for a second, because Chikane's light was heading further down the other way. His stroke felt more restless as he followed, and he called to her again before too long.]


How does your route look? I think I saw some light coming from the turn a little ways back.
ruffledup: (pic#8935813)

[personal profile] ruffledup 2016-04-24 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
Certainly. I could hardly keep your own idea from you.

[It really is very... nice, really. How excited she seems at the idea. Although--

Oh. Oh wait.

A pause. Oh. Oh. Merrill from Kirkwall. The Dalish elf Merrill from Kirkwall... Maker, of course Josephine recognizes that name.

And of course this is who the second Thedosian, aside from herself, to arrive here is. Oh boy.]


Oh, do not worry yourself. And it is a pleasure to meet you as well. [She smiles, though really, she's just standing there trying to think of how to broach this topic.] I am Josephine Montilyet, originally from Antiva.

And... Pardon me for asking, but. Would you happen to know a dwarf named Varric Tethras?
cephalocide: (nah shit's chill)

[personal profile] cephalocide 2016-04-24 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
[Nagisa could see himself as a beach bum, sure. Surfing looks fun. This doesn't seem like much of an exciting subject, either, though.]

Yeah. It seems like there would always be plenty to do. Just something like reading out on the beach on a nice day sounds fun.

…Do you have any hobbies besides diving?

[Babysteps.]
cephalocide: (get it)

[personal profile] cephalocide 2016-04-24 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
Ready.

[And he'll show how ready he is by releasing the hatch and heading right on out. First thing he does in the water, naturally, is peer around and see if there's anything dangerous in the vicinity. There's probably not too much to worry about this close to the base, but better safe than sorry. Plus, it puts Nagisa's mind more at ease.

Anyway, he'll wait for her, treading water.]
occultations: (pic#10208437)

^_____________________________^;;

[personal profile] occultations 2016-04-24 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ Truth be told, she was not paying much attention to anything. Even without the misdirection of the flashlight scanning increasingly empty stone walls, her thoughts were spiraling into darkness. The cold heavy water and cold heavy feelings, the long stretch of blackness before her as the light of the algaes thinned and vanished, the memory of the metal scream of the sub against the rocks... it worked on her, as she slipped further down the hole.

At his mild How does your route look? she almost hissed at him out of frustration, but then some light broke through.
]

What?

[ It was pointier than she actually meant it to be. When she stopped and turned about, she blasted the light right in his face, which was also unintentional.

He had her full attention now, though. She swam over (unapologetic) and pointed the flashlight back in the direction they'd come from.
]

...I don't see anything.

[ Never mind that the much stronger flashlight beam would have overpowered it. ]

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