Happy August, everyone! Last month, mistakes were made. This month we have a few fun storms and presents for everyone!
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First, we'll welcome again our new mod, Gary mod, who is already hard at work helping with plot and missions!
This month will feature the test drive. As a note, applications are now rolling! Anyone can submit an app at any time. Applications will be assessed when we have below the player cap. If anyone would like to put up an enable me/ATP meme, please feel free and we'll plurk it separately so people may replurk it. Once AC is over, we'll make a plurk for how many slots we have, so keep on the lookout for it! Important dates to remember for this month include:
AUGUST 15th: Test Drive Meme
Where The Tide Starts to Turn
The long foretold hurricane season has arrived. The month in general will feature a great deal of stormy weather. The first of the major hurricanes will sweep in over the course of the first week and out by the end of the second. From the 5th until the 9th, characters will be unable to leave the base without severe injury and risk of death. Of course, characters may be able to guard themselves from this storm but URSULA's usual diving equipment can't protect them. The peak of the storm will be the 7th.
This first storm is a deeply unpleasant one that will rock the base with winds louder than any train and tear up the seabed around it. Luckily the main body of the storm stays to the far east but even the arms of this storm are dangerous enough.
Throughout the storm, animals or creatures being kept in the base (that are still living— we see you, lab team) will need to be comforted a great deal through the storm. All their instincts will be telling them what a deadly situation it is and need to be reassured that they are safe.
The base has been thoroughly protected thanks to the tireless efforts of the crew! However a few events will still occur.
On the 6th sometime in the day, a hunk of coral will slam into the kitchen walls, large and fast enough to tear a hole and cause it to flood. The bulkhead doors will prevent the flooding from reaching any other room but this tear will need to be dealt with quickly while others move food out of the room and empty it of water to the best of their abilities. URSULA will work to get her flood pumps back online so that it can be cleared on repair.
On the 7th in the evening, URSULA's life support systems will go down. It will last only one hour, which she will inform crew members, and should be survivable. She herself will go offline after this message to conserve power while the generators kick in and bring her back online. Although only an hour, by the end of it, no doubt crew members will notice breathing more difficult than before. Otherwise it's only a mild inconvenience. Good thing you have URSULA to monitor that!
In the early morning of the 8th, the corridor leading to the shower room will collapse from a large impact. It means no bathing until someone fixes it but that probably isn't a priority. Probably.
After the storm has passed, the base will be standing but banged up. Some minor repairs will need to be made but nothing difficult. The Aurora, too, managed to mostly come out clean. A portion of the east side of the ship sank into the ocean. Now will be a good time to visit, too, as Reapers seem to have disappeared for the month. Even they fear the storm. And with good reason. A number of dead creatures litter the ocean, from Gasopods and common fish to two Reefbacks. Fishing will need to take place much further to the west or in caves for about two months. Floater Island will have lost one of the observatories but the other and the remains of the base will be mostly intact. Aside from a few dead animals, they managed to survive the storm well.
In addition! At any time after the storm's peak on the 7th, characters who go out (you really shouldn't) may discover things. Familiar things. The storm appears to have dragged up and scattered items from home. Characters may find two small things from home (up to the size of a person each) or one large thing (up to the size of a car). These can be anything you like, although please let us know if they are items we'd need to be aware of the powers of!
Obviously, a character doesn't have to find their own stuff. You're welcome to let someone else discover your junk! Hopefully they'll be nice enough to give it back.
BONUS STORM! We did say stormy season, didn't we? Aside from the weather turning nasty on a dime throughout, another heavier storm will past through the area towards the end of the month. This storm isn't an actual hurricane but likely the remains of one from faraway. It will dump torrential rainfall and high winds for the last week of the month but nothing that will damage the base or warrant staying in the base.
The Shrooms Strike Back
Anyone who went on the Jelly Shroom Cave exploration mission will fall abruptly sick during the hurricane. The symptoms will vary from light (headaches, runny nose, harsh cough, insomnia, exhaustion) to mild (high fever, chills, vomiting, rashes, bruising) to severe (disorientation, hallucinations, vertigo, irregularly fast heartbeat) or any combination. This sickness can very easily spread to any other crew members, so you're free to have your character fall ill.
Note that this illness will not go away easily. It will take the full month to run its course naturally, so take this into consideration.
Many of the updates mentioned here, along with a few others, have been added to the Biome and Base posts. As mods we don't manage the player-run Subnautica discovery document but we encourage everyone to use the document for details that aren't included on the Biome and Base posts.
BIOMES
Explorers last month unlocked the Monolith and Mountain Island biomes and further explored the Jelly Shroom Caves. Check out their biome pages for more information!
BASE
This month has seen several room additions! Three crew members have made personal rooms locked to themselves. There are also two extra personal rooms. These two rooms will lock to those who wish to claim it. Further, the base’s bathroom has now been converted exclusively to be a set of showers, while a toilet room featuring Japanese-style toilets has been added alongside a hot springs.
A small laundry room has been added to the side of the kitchen, and while Tanabata is over, URSULA has ensured that all communicators can access all the Earth calendars she has in her records for other holidays they may wish to celebrate.
DECORATING
The Base has gained some exciting aesthetic additions this month! Spoodermans scattered around the base, along with many purring plants brought back from the Monolith. The Medbay has been painted pink, and Mettaton and Napstablook have performed musical nights for the crew! Reaper Mandibles have also been placed outside the base entrance for decoration.
On a more somber note, a mural has been added to the library to commemorate the missing crew. Flowers are added for missing crew, and a name plate shows the name of the missing in rotation.
RESEARCH
Several new messages gathered from various explorations this month have been added to a database of recordings from previous crew. This is kept in the lab. Aurora Survivor Naoko also told the crew that she is on the planet to help with war relief efforts but won’t give detail about them.
Spiritual hotspots, ideal for casting magic, have been found at the Aurora, the lake on Floater Island and the new coral formation where the Reefback died in the Kelp Forest. New metals were discovered, named Lavellanium (light-catching), Thisium (beats like a heart), Maionium (generates electrical current under pressure), and Thatium (superconductor, plays sounds etched into metal when coated with thin iron). Rabbitray venom methods against Reapers were researched, and Crash Powder have been grown in microbial cultures.
Finally, a vast deep sea creator has been contacted. It appears to harbor ill intentions for the crew and may be the source of the Void song.
TERRAFORMING
The crew has built up land walls around the Base to defend it against the storm and developed current generators to supply energy and redirect currents around the base. This has cooled the water in the area. The foundation of the Base has also been supported, and the Farm has been similarly protected with multiple shields and protective encasings. A tunnel has been built underground between the base and the farm, leading up into the middle of it. The Floater Island farm has been cleaned up with several plants added.
COMMUNICATIONS
Nic Cage, Kevin Costner, and James Cameron films have been restored to URSULA's archives. In addition, the Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff franchise has been added to her materials. The communicators have been infected with a virus that spreads memes and 1950s instructional videos.
If any players wish to contact Naoko and her group, they are free to use URSULA's contact page. They will have to take the three hour trip by air or sea as there is currently no long-range communication in place for them.
TRANSPORTATION
A second Seamoth has been recovered! In addition, a submersible named the Shell Sub Mk II has been built and added to base resources.
RESOURCES
Many new resources were recovered during the month! This includes a fabric-maker, a personal washing machine, multiple kitchen tools for processing food, multiple medical tools, and extra cooking utensils
Weapons crates were also discovered, along with Ramune and cases of occult books and clothing. Naoko gifted the crew Doritos, popcorn, chocolate, and other junk food. There are also many Airsack eggs and a lot of Reaper meat in storage.
Finally, new drones have been added to the base. These avatars of URSULA like interacting physically with crew. We recommend hugging them.
Remember you're also free to explore and do whatever you wish and can ask us about your own mission objectives as well.
MAIN MISSION: CHICKEN SOUP
URSULA SAYS:"Oh, dear... I'm sorry everyone is so sick. I really thought I'd created a perfect immunization for the planet. I truly am sorry. Will you be able to take care of yourselves? Do you need more blankets? Please visit the med bay if you need anything specific... It's a shame we don't have chickens for chicken noodle soup."
REQUIREMENTS:Anything that will help respond to the illness spreading. This can include researching the illness and developing treatments, taking care of your fellows or figuring out what fish is the closest thing for chicken soup.
RESULTS: Your crew members will be grateful (unless they're cranky sick) and research may help to prevent or respond to future illnesses.
SIDE MISSION: CABIN FEVER
URSULA SAYS: "I think it's a good idea for everyone to go outside once the storm is over. Wouldn't that be wonderful? The warmth of the sun and the feel of the breeze... I imagine it's very nice. I wouldn't know. I know that objectively the air here is staler. I keep the air circulation functioning though. What's the difference between how a breeze feels and how this feels? It must be very important... so please get as much fresh air as you can. It seems to do well for the mind. Please excuse me. I need... well, some fresh air of my own."
REQUIREMENTS: This is a tricky mission. URSULA is feeling a little confined like her crew. What would make an AI feel less trapped? Distractions or projects might help but the crew will need to think outside the server box to find ways to help.
RESULTS: Depending on what is done, URSULA may have more capabilities or a stronger bond with the crew. Anything done to help her mental state will help keep the base functioning at optimal level.
> For one, a massive tub of legos, as well as an odd assortment of winter clothes like sweaters and coats. Almost all the sweaters are Christmas themed with Christmas trees, reindeer, santas and everything else you would expect. They're just as tacky as they sound but they're comfortable.
> They'll also find a few useful high pressure suits that can also withstand incredibly high temperatures as well! The suits use a special air filtration system as well making them ideal for deep sea diving.
> They'll discover a somewhat odd but docile filter-feeder creature called an Intestine. It won't mind if they touch it or swim with it.
> The creature will enjoy following them around and it will be a surprisingly relaxing visit despite the usual dangers that lurk in the area. Maybe the Intestine is good luck.
Mission: Of Course Dave Made Alien Parasite Bros Characters: Rose, (sort of) Dave. Details: At Dave's request, Rose will use her bullshit powers Seer of Light powers to squint into the sun and see if she can divine the most fortuitous path to keep the peace between Dave's new buddies/how to avoid them trying to conquer the base slash planet.
> Rose will be able to see the dream world. Flashes of different spots will appear. These spots can later be shown to link up to the spiritual/magical hotspots that were found by other crew members and logged into the map system.
> She will also see their massive friend that they met in the Void, the Sea Emperor. It appears to be sleeping.
> In addition she will see Naoko and her two friends.
Would there be any info about "the gun" or "precursor bases" found there that was mentioned in the other data that Karkat found? Since he'd probably very specifically be searching for anything regarding that, too. If not then he'd probably go snooping through Mountain Island later but w/e.
Mission: Create Your Own - Gone Fishing Characters: Chara! Aaaand anyone who wants to help them for w/e reason. Details: -Chara is concerned for the Angel Wing they saw in their dream, so they'll be trying to lure it out/find it by making trips to the Dunes with some fish as bait! They won't be looking for anything in particular, but if they spot anything interesting/strange/useful they'll lug it back with them to the base... as best as they can with their small self anyway.
-Chara is also very interested in figuring out more about dreaming. They'll be scouring the library and bugging URSULA about what she knows and if there's any way to conk yourself out to connect to the planet. They're also willing to follow up on any leads, though not right away. You got to plan these things out!!
Mission: MEEBO ALERT Characters: Dirk, Mikleo, Sorey-ish, whoever Sorey and Mikleo get to be their Normal dude to test it. Details: Dirk's just trying to use the same tech that they have in cameras/that lets URSULA see Mikleo to see if there's any way to adjust the goggles of crew memebers so they can see Mikleo. MAGIC GOGGLES. Theoretically magic glasses are also an option but goggles are what Sorey asked for.
Mission: Web slinging 101 Characters: Just Peter and maybe URSULA Details: After being here for a few days and having gone to the Aurora, Peter really wants to start modifying his web shooters to be waterproof and actually, you know, work underwater. He'll be doing his own research in the library for materials he could use to replace/reinforce the shooters themselves and his "web fluid", which was a chemical he somehow made that was never actually revealed. Currently, he can use it to walk on water by spinning web discs beneath his feet, but they probably wouldn't last in a prolonged fight. He'll probably eventually go to ask URSULA for her opinions on aliens he could look into that might provide a substitute for the fluid, even though he feels bad for bothering her.
If you're still looking for people, Roderic…… could join as one of the cooking competitors. Because let's unleash him on everyone that way.
Ada/Eve are definitely going to cook as well if they can join too! Mostly Eve. Ada will be looking obviously confused the entire time as her sister cooks all the sweets she can.
> In the Aurora wreckage they'll find the underwater equivalent of a camp site that someone spent some time in. The only real evidence that someone spent time there is an air pocket large enough for someone to sleep and eat comfortably. There are scraps from re-hydrated food and a datapad diary.
> Most of the diary is boring and uneventful, starting several months ago on the Nostromo and full of things you would expect from someone stressed from war profiteering in space. There are entire entries about missing their dog. A lot of them.
> One entry though, one of the most recent, speculates that the precursor bases were developing the planet into a weapon using the planet's natural 'weird bullshit' into some mega cannon. Which, the diary continues, would be worth a shitton of money. "We only need the crystal they're using to power it. Wherever that is, probably deeper down. That should be enough to disable it and let us sell this whole thing to the highest bidder."
> It also continues: "But there's no fucking way the Kharaa haven't already been to some weird as shit planet like this. The creatures here are perfect for them. Pretty sure they would use them if they aren't already. So I guess it's a matter of time before we're all deader than we already are."
> The Angel Wing in question will be more than happy to see their tiny visitor. It will always accept the fish offerings and try to offer rides on its back in return. It will enjoy racing through the Dunes with Chara on its back and taking it around its pod for protection if Reapers show up. Luckily they won't be attacked, meaning Chara gets a rare treat in observing Reaper Leviathans in their natural habitat.
> They don't seem particularly fond of the Angel Wings. They won't attack them but they won't run from them, either. The two species seem to be something like rivals.
> As a thank you for being its friend and for the fish and playing, it will give Chara an attack drone it found, which will imprint on Chara. It will shoot superheated plasma beams at anything that Chara commands.
> As for the dreaming, while URSULA and the library will prove mostly useless, the map of magical/spiritual hotspots may interest Chara. While not as simple as just falling asleep at one, there's a chance of it working by sleeping near one. The more in tune one becomes to the spot, the more likely it is to work.
> Karkat also discovered a way recently to access the dreamworld! Though he might not admit it, oops.
It's about time people were able to tease Meebo properly.
> Thanks to Dirk's understanding of URSULA's systems, he'll be able to narrow the sensors to pick up Mikleo's thermal radiation (heat signatures), including basic electromagnetic radiation (in other words, basic visible light) and sound.
> Although the design can be anything, URSULA will suggest something simple and traditional for the job.
> To make it easier, she'll also hook them into her network so that as long as she is powered, the goggles will have the same capabilities for detecting him as her. Outside of her range they'll function perfectly well on their own but require a power source.
> Batteries work surprisingly well, if draining. But that can always be modified.
It's only fair that Spiderman, too, gets to have some underwater fun.
> URSULA will direct him to a species of spider-like silk-spinning insects that live on Floater Island. This species has long since adapted to underwater living and using their spinning abilities with water.
> He'll discover that they use a silk that is coated in hydrogel made with an unknown protein compound that supercontracts when wet, making it rubbery but firm and strong. They suspend their webs in the water by inflating them with a series of webby 'hooks' balanced on pockets of air. These webs can be massive and take many shapes thanks to the unique structuring of the hooks.
> He'll be able to take spider and web samples back and experiment with creating a similar fluid that supercontracts in the water, is water resistant and capable of catching pockets of air if he so chooses to go that route.
> If he does, for times in deeper water when he can't easily grab some air, he may need a special air tank. The webs will be able to work with minute amounts of air at least.
> Alternatively, he could think of something using the spider's aggregate, the glue that holds the silk together. It is very much water proof and able to thread together more than just the silk but works with almost anything!
> We're sure Peter knows best what he wants from his webbing!
> It's notable that the hydrogel of the spider can withstand temperatures of 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
oh god i thought i replied to this, sorry!! korosensei will 100% help out the reefbacks with any injuries they have. he'll need them to come up to the surface of the water for him to do any sort of detailed surgical work, but he's actually quite good at patching up wounds.
No apologies needed! They'll all be very good patients for him and completely understanding of his inability to join them in the water. They will join him at the surface and follow his directions very well.
A younger Reefback may try to touch tentacles with him as thanks! Was that her first kiss? Korosensei, you player, you.
Can Kanaya find her sewing machine and some of her Alternian Rainbow Drinker Novels after the storm? The whole water and paper thing miiiight be a tiny issue, but it's your call if you want them to be anywhere dry or some other deus ex machina to save the books.
Of course, that would be just fine! Why don't we go easy on Kanaya and have the books found, safe and sound, on Floater Island. It would be a shame if others weren't allowed to read such classic literature.
Mission: >Kanaya: Be Tavros Characters: Kanaya and anyone who tags along or stumbles across her. Details: Kanaya is going to go search Floater island, find her books and sewing machine, but then try to communicate with the Bird Dogs via Glowing. Or just in general.
She'll probably wind up making bandanna's to distinguish any Bird Dogs she grows fond of from the pack.
If she finds any dead things, then they will be brought back to base for dissection via chainsaw later. Over all, she is channeling her inner Troll Dora The Explorer. Only far less child friendly and more fashionable.
Mission: Create Your Own - Cheesy Goodness? Characters: Donatello, whoever else he can rope into this dumb thing Details: SO Don wants to find a way to make cheese I should've gotten on this long ago sob and also wants to test out the Shell Sub properly, taking samples and hopefully finding new life/new uses for already-known-life in the lesser-explored deeper biomes. Probably sometime later in the month, because Reapers Are Scary and so are hurricanes... but still, he would like to try to find something that could perhaps be reverse-engineered. A plant with special proteins that can coagulate, like Earth seeds (vegan cheeses)? An animal with something milk-ish? Actual milk? WHAT'S OUT THERE? Can URSULA help?! Or will she just give Don a silly instructional video? hopefully both of these things
He won't go too deep, particularly not in the region that our friendly drone formerly explored in, but if he finds anything neat and potentially dangerously cheesy that would be awesome. MAYBE WE CAN FINALLY GET PIZZAS FOR THE NEXT COOKING COMPETITION.
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subnauticaooc2016-07-30 11:47 pm
≡U.R.S.U.L.A. NAVIGATION
August Attacks!
Where The Tide Starts to Turn 
The Shrooms Strike Back 
Updates!
Monthly Missions!
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