aftr_ooc | Endgame: Epilogue

ENDGAME: EPILOGUE

Though It's the End of the World, Don't Blame Yourself
It's the end.

And though the world was falling apart, everyone's shared efforts helped keep things turning. Even as the other islands crumbled and fell into the sea, and as this destruction crept ever closer to the the central mainland of Ensō, adventurers' combined efforts maintained things until the very end, when the time came to depart this world...and step into another.

Without the participation of those who agreed to the risks and challenges, it's possible that no one would have survived until the end. Perhaps the Historian would have succeeded, and wiped this world from the map, and tossed everyone to the ends of their worlds with it.

But they didn't. And we have all of you to thank:

[ ♆ ] Explorers: The scouting force comprised of Connor Murphy, Agent Washington, Jay Merrick, Erika Fisher, and Kravitz was instrumental in once again accessing the underwater city of Tempide, and more to the point accessing the sealed Historian's Temple that was formerly unbreachable. Erika combed the waters when the full moon wasn't in the sky, while Connor put his swimming abilities to good use with the rest of the Jormun. Kravitz was highly instrumental in taking advantage of his teleportation abilities to get everyone where they needed to go. Jay's eye for detail was helpful in finding the best access points for the sunken temple, as well as ensuring that the group wasn't about to be ambushed. Agent Washington took on a largely defensive capacity, keeping the undersea beasts off of everyone's backs while they sought the altar out. With the help of the Jormun, this force succeeded in bringing the Historian's altar to the surface.

[ ♆ ] Attackers: The offensive force consisted of Ardyn Lucis Caelum, Ignis Scientia, Castor Westmoore, The Drifter, Erika Fisher, Commander Shepard, Kravitz, and Beauregard. This force was led primarily by Commander Shephard, well-accustomed as she was to the burden of leadership. Erika and Beauregard were beyond enthusiastic in their desires to help punch a god in the face. Castor and the Drifter were equally willing to take on a god and help shatter their altar, both having plenty of experience in that field. Ardyn's vast arsenal of abilities were instrumental in putting the god down, and made a particularly lethal duo with Ignis. Kravitz's transportation skills once again proved very useful in combat. As a group and as individuals, this force succeeded in shattering the Historian's altar, and killing the god for good.

[ ♆ ] Defenders: One of the vastest forces was of those who were bent on defending the Storyteller from harm, and doing so in the most physical way possible. This group consisted of Chip Abaroa, Legion, Ardyn Lucis Caelum, Ignis Scientia, Castor Westmoore, Tim Wright, The Drifter, Agent Washington, Yukio Okumura, Guzma, Ginko, Erika Fisher, Alexei Dinoia, and Beauregard. Chip took on a support role by buffing their allies and weakening enemy attackers, all in all helping turn around the fight's favor. Ignis, Ginko, and Yukio were also instrumental as support roles, offering healing to any who needed it between using their own combat capabilities. Legion and Ignis worked as a team, with Legion linking up to the iStone network and using that as a way to coordinate attacks and support. Legion's precision sniping and ability to update others constantly proved helpful as a set of eyes in the sky. Ardyn and Alexei's expansive capabilities to ruin other people's shit were put to good use in tearing up the assault on the temple. While not quite at antichrist levels, Beau, Castor, and the Drifter nonetheless made good use of their expanded arsenals and uncapped powers to defend the Storyteller and hit any enemies with lightning-quick retaliation. Tim had no further reason to worry about property or environmental damage, as the world was falling apart anyway, and so set as many things on fire as he needed to in order to weaken and block approaching enemies. Guzma and his pokemon made for excellent crowd control, with ice barriers around the temple for defense; Erika's wolf form proved highly effective against many of the attackers. With their combined skills and coordination, this group was successful in repelling all attacks to the Storyteller's altar, and saving the Storyteller's life.

[ ♆ ] Storytellers: Combat is one thing, but bolstering the Storyteller's energies with words and creative energy was just as vital. Fortunately, this was also one of the largest groups, comprised of Chip Abaroa, Ardyn Lucis Caelum, Connor Murphy, Ignis Scientia, Ren, Kiri, Castor Westmoore, Tim Wright, Guzma, Jay Merrick, Ginko, Alexei Dinoia, and Héctor Rivera. They poured their stories into the Storyteller's thoughts and mind - stories of triumph, stories of wars, stories of their lives. Origins, myths, histories, folk tales, horror stories, memories of things that should have never happened, stories of LifeAftr and the people who lived in this world, drawings and murals, songs, stories of pain and joy alike. With all their creative energy and devoting, this group was successful in bolstering the Storyteller enough to keep them safe and were instrumental in assisting in the creation of the new world.

[ ♆ ] Shepherds: The great exodus to the new world could not have been managed without those who helped direct and coordinate the transport of NPCs, supplies, animals, plants, and anyone who might have otherwise been left behind. The group responsible for ensuring everyone's safe journey through consisted of Chip Abaroa, Legion, Ignis Scientia, Kiri, Tim Wright, Yukio Okumura, Guzma, Jay Merrick, Ginko, Alexei Dinoia, and Kravitz. With their dedication and help, they were successful in preserving everyone's pets and personal belongings, as well as much of the natural flora and fauna of LifeAftr!

And If It's True, I Will Surround You
As the world neared its explosive end and the world began to fall apart, a great swell of power erupted from the Storyteller's Temple in a burst of bright white. It was a portal, and the Storyteller was quick to impart that everyone had to pass through it to get to the new world. As the Historian crumbled into the sea and the various flora and fauna, Roaka, Jormun, and ARUM-25 all fled through to the other side, LifeAftr began to fragment even further. The floating islands fell from the sky, smashing into the mainland. Chunks of the island began to darken and decay, bleeding volcanic corruption into the sea that began to boil and seethe. Any attacking enemies still remaining began to destabilize and fracture.

At the end of it all, the Storyteller was the last one through. They turned to the Water, who had gathered up right behind them:

"You're not coming. Are you?"

The Water laughed, a sad, solemn sort of noise.

"I'll be there. Perhaps...not in the way you'd expect."

The Storyteller began to protest:

"No. No...I can't be the only one. Not again! I won't be the only one left, not without you - "

But the world was fast dissolving, and the Water had to act fast. With a crash of their waves, they forced the Storyteller through the portal, and the portal slammed shut behind them.

The Water stayed as LifeAftr finally, finally came apart at the seams and at last, at long last, the Historian got their wish.

The world ended.

And, at the same time, a new world begins.

A vibrant, vast island propels itself free from the wreckage of the old, leaving sparkling sprays of water in its wake. Shielded from any atmospheric problems by iridescent rings of water, it's far bigger and more extensive than the island you once called home - something that could easily be called a continent.

You're not the only inhabitants of this new world, however. The Roaka are quite happy to roam the new, bustling forests that cover much of this world, no longer confined to a single small island. The Jormun find the water that splits through the world, rivers and streams running into a vast sea that falls and rises endlessly to give this new world its lifeblood, more than suited for their tastes. And in vast, wild meadows of flowers, far less hazardous than the ones you first found them in, ARUM=25 watches over a world full of life, rather than death.

And, of course, all the animals you worked so hard to save have begun to settle in as well. No longer confined to the cramped space of a single island, they're free to spread out across the world you've made. And as for the rest of you...well, your powers will remain in full effect as well, wholly uncapped. So the world is what you'll make of it.

In the center mass of this new world, there are two key things; the first, a colorfully decorated temple, draped with the tapestries of your stories and decorated with moving paintings that illustrate the history of the world - the world you came together to make. This is the Storyteller's new home, and quite a vibrant home it is.

The second is a large, shimmering pool full of clear water, perfectly reflective. Much like the mana pools in LifeAftr, this pool can take you to certain places. Unlike the mana pools, however, its range is not limited to the locations of this world; it can take you anywhere you wish to go, as long as you can visualize it or describe it accurately. Whether you wish to go home at last, or you'd like to visit some other world you've only ever heard of, this pool can, and will, take you there.

Such a trip isn't limited to one-way journeys, however. Plunging into the pool will painlessly brand your hand or equivalent appendage with a simple sigil that will allow you to return to the isle at any time, provided you have a reflective surface available to touch it against. In addition, the sigil protects your memories from tampering; you'll remember all the places you've been, no matter how improbable it might have been in your own world, and the worlds you visit remember what you've done there. It's a last, enduring reward for the fruits of your efforts: the Water's parting gift to you.

One world has ended, and so has the story around it.

But yours can begin and end however you will it.

And Give Life to a World That's Our Own
It's been a three-year long journey, and we wanted to thank each and every one of you for accompanying us for its duration. This post went up much later than we meant for it to, and we wanted to thank you for your patience, as well as everything else - your enthusiasm, your feedback, your support for one another. This journey has been more than any of us could have ever asked for, and we have our wonderful, beautiful playerbase to thank.

Due to popular vote, we will be keeping up the game Discord. If you were ever in game, you're free to rejoin us if you like!

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Endgame: Epilogue

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