MISSION: ZETA-12

[futurologists]

MISSION: ZETA-12 All characters, old or new, will receive a form of this dossier to their devices today. Thus, consider all information hereon as ICly available to all characters. Arrival is set for July 1st. ZETA-12 BRIEFING Zeta-12 is a dwarf planet that hasn't known sentient life for thousands of years. It is entirely uncivilized and the terrain shows it; it's difficult to navigate and has plenty of pretty, seemingly innocent plants around... that could kill you. It is beautiful, however, if you manage to find your way past obstacles. Recently, Zeta-12 was hit by an asteroid carrying a strange new species. Soft, almost translucent eggs that hatch into creatures that don't seem entirely solid. As it was a previously undiscovered species, someone at ALASTAIR decided to affectionately name them "squidges". That someone isn't allowed to name things anymore. There appear to be no adult survivors from the crash, and the baby squidges are unable to fend for themselves. After some research, ALASTAIR has hypothesized that they undergo several evolutions before reaching their final maturation, which will require a special spring. They've pinpointed the Wellspring on the other side of the planet. The only thing you have to do is get the squidges there and keep them out of trouble. ZETA-12 OVERVIEW Unlike previous missions, the team will be exploring a large expanse of land rather than staying in a centralized location. Though they will be dropped in the icy tundra of Zeta-12 to retrieve the squidges, they will be making a trip to the other side of the planet. As squidges are deathly afraid of flying, teleporting, or moving at any speed that is unnatural, they will scream nonstop if one attempts to move them in any other way than an on-foot journey. Some squidges may warm up to other modes of travel, but don't count on it. The focus of this mission will be exploration and animal caretaking. Each team member will be assigned a squidge to take care of from infancy to maturation as they travel across the world to the Wellspring. It's not as easy as it seems — actions taken can and will affect your squidge as it grows up, and not all squidges will successfully reach maturation. The success of this mission depends on caretaking abilities. Squidges will quickly imprint on their caregiver, and for that reason, they will need to spend a significant amount of time with that person. Don't hire a "squidgesitter" too often, and be careful not to scar your squidge for life.     Recruits' basic needs of food, hygiene, and shelter will be provided for. Instead of money, they will have generic supplies. While the team members will receive basic rations, it is only enough to feed one person, with nothing extra to spare. You'll have to scavenge for food the squidges can eat on Zeta-12. Although ALASTAIR's researchers have discovered their basic fundamental needs, not much is known about these creatures. In infancy, they're about 1½ feet tall and average a weight of 7 pounds. However, they're projected to grow to about 3 feet once they've reached maturation. Infant squidges sleep for about 15 hours a day. Like human babies, their sleep is rather irregular. As they grow older, they need about the same amount of sleep as an adult human. However, they are crepuscular rather than diurnal, so they're most active at dusk and dawn. They require about 4 small meals a day, and seem able to digest everything a human can. They are docile, if a little nervous. Most new experiences will give them at least a small amount of anxiety, and any stressful situations will have them screaming or crying if they aren't comforted. They rely heavily on their caretakers and get separation anxiety if they're away from them for too long. They're also able to form close bonds with fellow squidges, and will become distressed if they don't see their friend frequently. Although it's rarer -- most squidges are either indifferent or feel positively towards others -- squidges can also dislike each other if their temperaments are too different. For the most part, think of them like a dog or a cat -- they're fairly friendly animals, but they have their own personalities, likes, and dislikes. Each squidge is different, and how they're treated impacts their personalities greatly. Congrats on becoming a parent! It's a big responsibility, but ALASTAIR believes in you.

Comments

QUESTIONS

[futurologists]

All questions related to the general Zeta-12 mission can be submitted here.

v important question here

[evantuality]

Do squidges poop?

Is this going to be an endless diaper mission?

Re: QUESTIONS

[wardance]

Will the recruits be getting some kind of plant "pokedex"? or would it be a possible as an ac reward upgrade if not? Just wondering if they will have any help identify flora or not.

Will this mission have any plot unfolding for it or just basically be a cause/effect and action/consequence mission with no plot unraveling?

Re: QUESTIONS

[asscan]

do they fear heights of, say, anything upwards of eight or fourteen feet?

Asking on behalf of the idea of Laedo carrying his in a small baby-hefty tiara or on his back.

[dishearten]

1. can we turn in plants for coins for both characters if we have more than one?
2. if someone were to drop, would other characters be able to take on their squidge?
3. you state that not all of them will make it. will it be up to the player if their squidge makes it or not? because I really don't want my characters to have bubble baby death on their conscience...
4. can squidge be held? they look a bit like bubbles so it's hard to tell. in that vein are they very fragile? or about the same as a human baby?

[hyperverbose]

ok but how would squidges feel about being, say, encased in a tiny suit of armor for safekeeping

asking for a friend

[diablejambe]

Do squidges pick up mannerisms from the people they imprint on at all?







.......................also are they edible?

Re: QUESTIONS

[winces]

how adaptive are these squidges? since a lot of what their caretakers do will affect them personally, i'm wondering if their physiologies/bodies will be affected as well? like — will they grow a temperance for high temperatures if their caretaker were to, say, have fire magic or a higher body temp than normal, etc...

Apologises

[mayora13]

1) Does second hand smoke have any adverse effects on the squidges? If not, would a squidge be able to pick up the bad habit?
2) [im very sorry in advance...] Would Hijikata be able to bring a few bottles of mayo with him given that they're always on his person? Do squidges tend to like the same food as their caretakers? Can squidges have different body types based on their diets? ie Can a bunch of mayo make this cute little bubble baby chubby?

Re: QUESTIONS

[sengetsu]

Given that they have some prep time, how much stuff can they bring with them?

[trenchdoting]

Do the squidges have genders?

[babbylon]

I MOVEDEDED THIS, sorry for doubling up on your inbox, I realized it was a better fit here.

Am I correct in assuming this is going to be a much shorter mission than usual, based on the calendar? I was expecting a typical three month foray, but by the looks of things we're gonna finish well under two. No issues with that, just wanted to make sure I've looking at this right.

choose-your-own adventure log mechanics

[expatriates]

When commenting to the top levels on the event-log, do we do IC actionspam comments and subsequently thread it, or OOC "fyi this is what my character will do" comments?

Re: QUESTIONS

[wardance]

sorry for another question but -- Recruits can bring their mounts, yes? Just double checking since I was assuming they could but!

[secondnature]

Hey there! I know it says to just jump into the log, but I'm confused about how it would go with Keith since he's coming in after they've arrived at the forest. Would he just be dropped off at the forest and given a squidge, or should I handwave and toss him at the beginning with everyone else?

Thanks!

[predomination]

Hello! I assume that the new players will be dropped off on Zeta-12 to meet up with everyone and bond with one of the unpaired squidges, but what can be established before that? Do they get the full briefing on ALASTAIR alone, and then a dossier about Zeta-12 on the ride over? Do all characters who are accepted at the time get the same briefing and are sent out together? Just asking for the sake of CR potential and what can be expected about their experiences before they arrived.

[winces]

hello mods! regarding the evolutions: what if you wound up doing a mix of the choices? for instance, i had olivia soothe her squidge, but she also decided to hang around and group with others to help them out.

edit: also! with regards to the neurotoxin from the swamp thing: how dangerous is this to the characters and their squidges? is there anything in the environment that will heal someone from it?

[evantuality]

In regards to the physical changes in the squidges, do they happen quickly or over the course of several days? And are there other, more minor physical changes: any increase in size, lankiness, subtle shape changes?

Re: QUESTIONS

[sengetsu]

Two questions - one, if we forgot to submit one of the choices for the previous log, can we do it retroactively? Second, do we get the bonus AC coins for submitting plants regardless of if our submissions were used? Neither of mine were.

Re: QUESTIONS

[wardance]

Are we allowed to encounter the swamp creature in prompts in passing so long as we aren't making any assumptions of being able to physically harm or outsmart it it? (Eg: such as, could it be encountered and then have it disappear because of the arrival of another recruit as a thread prompt in addition to the encounter where we have to submit the choice of how to handle it? Or is it just encountering it that one time to make a decision?)

Thanks very much c:

[heelies]

Hello, I have a question regarding the terrain scouting bounty. The description seems to have some conflicting information, as it is stated that the grasslands are the most suitable biome for the completion of this bounty, yet the description provided for the grasslands in the recent log states that few hazardous plants live in the area. May I have some clarification on this?

Re: QUESTIONS

[sengetsu]

Two questions about the swamp monster - first, how does it tend to fight, and second, is there more than one in the swamp? Or one that doesn't actually die? Some stuff makes it seem like there are multiples but other stuff seems like it's just one....

Re: QUESTIONS

[hellshaped]

Hey mods I feel dumb asking, but I totally blanked on the turn-in time for Week 3/4 decisions. Would it be okay if I slipped in after deadline (for Week 4 only. I promise I'm not that flaky)?

Re: QUESTIONS

[winces]

hello again, mods! during week 5 at the desert, will communication/the network be accessible between the people who are trapped after the cave-ins and those who aren't?

[wolfchild]

In reference to the "mildly toxic skin" that represents one possible evolution, what symptoms would touching it cause? Does the squidge need to be taught not to hug caretaker/other squidges?