expiationmods: (Default)
Expiation Mods ([personal profile] expiationmods) wrote in [community profile] expiationlogs2023-03-17 12:00 am

{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

THUS DO WE HUNGER

MOD NOTES:

Welcome to the first event!

Please direct any questions to the corresponding comment below. Note that characters can be involved in multiple prompts (whether you choose to thread that out or not), and that character decisions and actions taken on these prompts will affect future events, storylines, and relationships with other peoples of Expiation.

In two weeks from this event, the moderator team will be posting a poll on the OOC community that will allow players to share what actions their characters took and two weeks after that, there will be an announcement made sharing said results, how those actions have impacted the state of the world, the game's story, what information can be used ICly, and so on.

The various prompts are, of course, optional, so you're not required to travel to Rumpitur if you don't wish to. You're not required to help the locals or other Chosen during the food shortage. There is an option to simply not be involved, and that too can have potential repercussions on the future of the game's overarching story and other characters.


 

WE'RE STARVING HERE!

HOW TO REPAIR A REFRIGERATOR 101

     

Do you remember the fishing tournament where a variety of locals and Chosen alike submitted a bunch of fish for a very modest and unimpressive wooden sculpture? Well... about that...

Aldrip's refrigeration has catastrophically failed and as a result, the food stores that the locals have been keeping are now on the verge of total and utter collapse. The townspeople are in an absolute uproar. According to them, this has never happened before and though they would normally just pray to Those Who Were There for a resolution, they kind of need something immediate. Otherwise, all residents of Aldrip are facing the very real threat of starvation.

The good news is that you can help!

The more handy of the Aldrip townsfolk are going to get right to work on repairing the refrigeration units. At present, the only units that exist belong to those who are making food and providing them to the townspeople. This means people like the tavern keepers, the inn, bakers, and other miscellaneous cooks, are those who possess and control these refrigeration units. If you've got some handyman skills, put them to work, though be aware that working on repairing the technological malfunction might just be an electrifying experience. Literally.






THE ALTERNATIVE TO COOKING MAMA

     

There sure has been a lot of opportunities to cook, but now Aldrip needs cooks and would-be cooks like never before!

Those not necessarily good with repair work might find themselves better suited for hunting the local wildlife, whether that's on the meadowland plains or taking, yet again, a fishing pole into hand. A good deal of the meat, vegetables, and fruit that was already preserved has spoiled and will need to be replaced hastily if people want to continue eating.

With bodies going to retrieve replacement food, there's suddenly an open and demand for people who either already have experience with cooking or just really want to learn. There's no better way to learn than some truly hands-on experience. For those with some cooking in their background, even if it's simple at its best, the kitchens are free and available. You might not have your choice cuts of meat or whatever else you might be accustomed to preparing, but fortunately the dried spices and herbs aren't impacted by the food shortage. Consider making something flavourful or just really spicy. (Alphen, we're looking at you.)

If you haven't cooked before and you're one of those who's just dying to learn, pair up with a buddy in the kitchen, or fumble along. Beggars can't be choosers, after all, and we're facing a crisis. Maybe the threat of having no food will encourage people to try whatever you make, no matter how black, crispy brown it might turn out.

The more innovative and creative individuals may find a way to dry / dehydrate anything caught or harvested. Or we can just have a huge impromptu grilling adventure where people hold raw meat over fire. Your choice!



 

WE'RE OFF TO SEE... THE NAGA?

WE COME IN PEACE

     

Aldrip is hardly the only settlement on the continent of Expiation and though the various peoples of these settlements can often stick within their own, when times are hard and adversity encroaches on livelihood, they're not against seeking the aid of others. Some of the more well-travelled of the Aldrip locals are planning an expedition to visit Rumpitur, an impressively-sized village on a peninsula to the east of Aldrip.

They are ready and willing to take all volunteers who are interested in accompanying them to barter for food and other potentially needed supplies. The visit to Rumpitur will require travel through the Pessiria Forest, a thick veil of trees that one can be easily lost in, but if everyone's together, then it shouldn't be an issue.

Consider joining the expedition and getting to know some of Expiation's other peoples.

Rumpitur is home to a race of naga-like people with scaled features, tails, sharp teeth, and forked tongues. Their way of life is considerably more simple in comparison to some of Aldrip's fancier advancements. They are skilled combatants and a fishing people, whose diet primarily consists of seafood. In Rumpitur, one may take note of their many-in-number stone constructs, depicting a notable and perhaps significant naga.

Although they may seem intimidating at first glance and can have terse ways of speaking, they are amicable enough and will be willing to do business with Aldrip and her citizens.






OR MAYBE WE DON'T

     

The visit from Aldrip, which is a rare occurrence indeed, results in much confusion for the Rumpiturian people, and this may or may not be considered a blessing to those who could be more unscrupulous in nature.

Although the visit to Rumpitur is meant to be one of peace, locals of Aldrip and the Chosen alike have the opportunity to steal supplies from the people. If they choose to do this, they may find that there are no immediate repercussions for this course of action. The likelihood is that this visit has caught the Rumpiturians so off-guard that they're not expecting to be robbed. Of course, how this will impact things in the future remains to be seen...

Individuals may grab as much as they can carry, depending on what they've brought with them. The locals of Aldrip who planned this expedition provided convenient-to-carry containers that can be filled with anything retrieved from the village and her kind. Larger containers will require at least two people to carry when filled, so perhaps you're inclined to work with a partner-in-crime. Just remember that for every action, there's a consequence, even if you're not seeing it right away!

Rumpitur will not notice that they are missing inventory until well after Aldrip has left and travels back through the forest to town, so no one need fear the chasing and hissing of snakes into Pessiria.

Probably.



 

HOLD ONTO YOUR VALUABLES

IT'S NOT REAL... RIGHT?

     

Those who've decided to brave the forest will find on their adventure to Rumpitur that it's rather straight forward and proceeds without incident.

The sky above the trees is a difficult thing to see, blocked out by the way the evergreens stretch and imposingly tower above. At times light may scatter through various openings in branches, but it is a largely darker atmosphere, and at night requires the assistance of candlelight or related.

Travellers with the courage to make way through the forest with the others may hear occasional snaps, cracks, whispers, and more enigmatic sounds that are difficult to justify with logic. Of course, whether this is all in the head or something truly more sinister at play is up for debate. Despite the strange occurrences that one may experience, no members of the Chosen will find themselves harmed or otherwise physically disturbed initially. That said, some may later find themselves haunted by strange dreams and visions of the forest in the future if they are especially sensitive to such things.

Were those sounds real? Were you just hearing things? It's probably wisest not to investigate further. At least, maybe not now...






COUNT YOUR NUMBERS

     

Aldrip has a great many stories about Pessiria Forest and many of the other towns, landmarks, settlements, and people scattered across the continent. Most of these stories seem to depict folklore or a certain mythological feeling about them, implying that many of the locals don't truly believe in any of the more macabre tales. Pessiria Forest has no shortage of poetry and song that pertains to its supposedly 'holy' grounds and mysterious happenstances.

There are several alleged accounts about people having gone missing in the forest, due to how complicated it is to navigate by one's self. The more people travelling together, the safer it is purported to be.

Before leaving for Rumpitur, heads have been counted to ensure that wherever they start is also where they end up, however, for the more observant, one may find that the returning party is short of a few heads. Maybe some of them stayed behind to further the diplomatic efforts with the Rumpiturians. Maybe they're going to catch up later. Maybe they took a different pathway through the forest with some of their mates. Maybe there's something more untoward going on.

If this is brought up to the locals, the leaders of the expedition will warily make note of it and conduct their own investigation. At least, they say they will. Either way, it's suspicious no matter how you may turn it. Perhaps put heads together with another and see if you're just miscounting.



prophylactic: (002)

[personal profile] prophylactic 2023-03-30 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
You supervise, then. I'll cook.

[Ha ha, a win for Shinjiro. If not for this fish, but oh good, he can finally swoop in - which he doesn't so much do as scoot over and immediately set about flipping this fish over, waving the smoke away with his other hand. It's... not a complete disaster, this burned fish, but it's definitely a little extra crispy.

Well, at least it's getting cooked on both sides now. He gazes down at the visible burnt portion of the fish, then looks up again. Sir. Sir your fish.]


Did you coat it evenly? It burns more easily if you don't. [Hmm....] Let's add more oil before it dries out completely.
themistburns: (656887_original)

[personal profile] themistburns 2023-03-30 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[She looks at him as if he's lost his mind. There is a story there, she suspects.]

It is a grain. You place it in the broth and it expands while it cooks.
prophylactic: (<_<)

[personal profile] prophylactic 2023-03-30 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[Hey now, don't do something like point out he's doing the exact same thing, that's cheating. Shinjiro shrugs - yeah, he is doing that, thanks - but he's doing it... uh... first? Go sit with the group, dang.]

Trying to keep an eye on things, yeah. I don't need to sleep yet, I'm fine.

[Just heading that off at the pass, after the last time he had this same conversation and the other guy fell asleep mid-conversation on him. Eventually, he'll doze, but maybe after they get away from all this... noise.

He shifts a bit uneasily as a breeze rustles the whole of the forest around them; it doesn't make the atmosphere less unsettling, that's for sure. Well, this guy hears the Sounds, so...]


....It sounds like someone's saying something. Can you make it out?
superstring: (35)

[personal profile] superstring 2023-03-30 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn't consider the whole 'chosen ones brought to this world' to be anything important, which is why she doesn't even consider it when bringing up the term. ... She really shouldn't dismiss everything so early on.]

Perhaps I am.

[She drops her head to look over at him.]

Or was. Who's to say what I am now?
enactors: (pic#16063594)

[personal profile] enactors 2023-03-30 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
( marc is not used to being an idle man. intermittently, he and jake and steven have told marlene that they're wholly capable of not being moon knight, of hanging up the cape and cowl and committing themselves to a life of normality with her and their daughter. marlene has spent enough time with them all to know that's a promise that marc (and steven, and jake) are incapable of keeping. it's perhaps ironic, then, that a planet (question mark) dedicated to the penance of criminals manages to be the most mundane marc's life has been in years.

it's — for the most part — quiet, and marc hates it. it's uncomfortable and discomforting in ways he'd struggle to vocalise, so this is almost a refreshing change of pace. the mischievousness in the doctor's voice is neither here nor there, completely irrelevant to marc. still, it's a valid question. )


We're just trying to figure something out, ( marc calls back to their quote-unquote guard, their absolutely shocking babysitter. it's a calm, level, measured reply punctuated by a soft hum directed at the doctor. ) You go left, I go right?
thornygunner: (PGnhVEU)

[personal profile] thornygunner 2023-03-30 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
[To be fair, she's not worried about Kisara not keeping her distance. She's seen the sort of damage it can do to others. However, she appreciates that she wants to help Shionne improve in a skill that she's obviously the better of the two. Besides, both women are the types to get involved if there's someone in need.

And, well, so long as she doesn't have to try and fish, she's fine.]


Thanks. [Shionne gives her a smile over her shoulder, but doesn't turn her attention away for too long. The last thing she wants is to ruin food. Especially when it's already rare.] Are you sure that's wise? I'm not that good of a cook to make new and exotic things.

[Let her master one type of food first, Kisara, before you make her into some strange chef. Especially if she's hungry and ready to eat what she's cooking times four or five.]
thornygunner: (PGnhVEU)

[personal profile] thornygunner 2023-03-30 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
[She might say that everyone's responsible for themselves, but the ball of worry in her stomach says that she cares if they're alive or not. And two people is a big deal when they're all moving in a group like this.]

You don't think they've gone off alone to be together?

[It would be stupid, but she can't fully think that it's not something that's possible. Everyone that came along is supposed to be an adult, after all.]

If you want to go look for them, we'll have to go in pairs. And it might be better if you unmount your horse and tie it to a tree to make it easier to move through the trees.
thornygunner: (jY7GmuA)

[personal profile] thornygunner 2023-03-30 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Honestly, she's used to dealing with very prickly people. She's one herself, but she's got her own reasons for it.

When he gets close to her, she hunches in, trying to get away far enough so that he doesn't get hurt by her curse. He's trying to help her and he's not wrong.]


Of course I know how to flip it. I'm not an idiot.

[She goes ahead and carefully flips the fish to the other side, feeling a bit relieved that she hasn't ruined it.]

I just thought it would be easier to cook over an actual stove than a campfire for a change.
thornygunner: (AzcgiGj)

[personal profile] thornygunner 2023-03-30 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Shionne is a decent shopper, and she doesn't spend all of the party's funds. UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE! And she doesn't pinch every gald like she'll never see another one after every purchase. However, the thought of bartering is something she appreciates. Let me give you this thing for that thing seems like such a good idea. Of course, if she thinks about it, that's what it's like with gald in the mix, but they won't take her gald either, will they?

She looks over her shoulder and shakes her head before turning back to the person she wants to negotiate with.]


Yes, this person has a necklace that I think would look good on Kisara. All I have to trade is an apple gel. It seems fair to me.
orphne: (Kotone 1)

[personal profile] orphne 2023-03-30 12:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah?

[She's not stupid; he didn't say "I'm police," so she doesn't ask if that was his job. Would that even mean anything at the end of the world? Officer Kurosawa had done his best, but he'd all but told him there was nothing he could do about their mission other than support them. Maybe Joel was the same way, maybe he wasn't. Those particulars, she decides, aren't any of her business.]

What's it like? The town, I mean.
orphne: (Kotone 1)

[personal profile] orphne 2023-03-30 12:17 pm (UTC)(link)
It could be an animal...

[She sounds doubtful, though. It's a voice, she's certain of that, but if he doesn't hear it, he doesn't hear it. That's probably a good thing, really. Less chance of people wandering off to follow it in case it is like Tartarus.]

Want to stay together for now? You know, just in case there's something out there. I've always been told it's better to be in a group.

[She'd prefer to have a group of four, but what's the saying about two heads being better than one?]

I'm Kotone, by the way. Kotone Shiomi.
orphne: (Kotone 1)

c...cooking...

[personal profile] orphne 2023-03-30 12:29 pm (UTC)(link)
...

[Oh... oh dear. Oh this is Fuuka-levels of bad. Oh no. Kotone comes up next to him, subtly trying to breathe through her mouth to avoid the smell, and ask a cheerful,] What are you trying to make?

[As if it's not completely unsalvageable. She glances past him to check what heat he has it set to, what spices are nearby, anything to try to puzzle out just how, exactly, he went so wrong.]
quizpersona: (pic#16260437)

on this plane (of existence) !

[personal profile] quizpersona 2023-03-30 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
That's clear as day! It's also correct. These don't belong to me at all.

[Yet he doesn't exactly stop and put them back just because it was pointed out. Unfortunately Akechi has committed the egregious mistake of acting grumpy in front of Gogol and so this is now a drawn out game.]

and so?
nonbinding: (wickerman)

[personal profile] nonbinding 2023-03-30 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[Just putting things together.]

I see.

[No wonder the thing was such a mess. There was no consistency or flavor to it at all, beyond heat.]

I think you might want to start a bit…smaller.
nonbinding: (jesus calamity)

[personal profile] nonbinding 2023-03-30 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
You sound like you might know quite a bit more than I do.

[Eiji looks at the man in the tree curiously. Still not letting his guard down. But maybe there’s something to learn here. Would stroking the man’s ego help?]

I’ve only encountered a few places like this. Maybe you have a better idea of what’s moving through it, so to speak.
nonbinding: (poison rain)

[personal profile] nonbinding 2023-03-30 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Eiji’s brow raises in amusement. As far as reactions go, that wasn’t one he was expecting from the woman. He gives a small laugh at the display.]

Ready to take on the whole forest? Brave, but not advisable.

Though. They’d have to be brave, or desperate, to attack as large a group of us.

[He still thinks they’re bandits. And while the travelers are a bit spread out, many of the little groups are close together that they could easily call for help.

Eiji is wary, but really, they should be able to take anything that comes at them.]
sincleavers: (029)

[personal profile] sincleavers 2023-03-30 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[He may not know anything about fashion --especially accessories like jewelry-- but when she mentions Kisara, Alphen feels like he kind of knows what she means. He can think of her when looking at it. Knowing that, he bites back a bit of a smile; she may act aloof and uninvested, but little things like this are how Alphen knows that Shionne really does care about all of them.

Not that he's about to say it out loud.]


I can't say I disagree. Apple gels do come in really handy if you find yourself in a bind, and they're not cheap, either.

[Is he helping? He hopes he's helping.]
finisaeternam: (Any place you don't leave is a prison.)

[personal profile] finisaeternam 2023-03-30 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Vholran's golden eyes sweep out across the distressed the crowd then settle back on Law.]

How would you fix their cold boxes? Do you intend to punch them until they start to function again?

Please.
oracledriven: (talk; yeah sure)

[personal profile] oracledriven 2023-03-30 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't sound like you believe that. [But if it sounded animalistic, then...maybe it was more than just rustling leaves and snapping twigs.] What did it sound like?

[But she's got a point -- it's better to stay together, to make sure no one goes missing. He knows better than a lot of people how reckless it is to fight alone...so he nods.]

Sounds good. My name's Noel -- nice to meet you.
finisaeternam: (Credidi me felem vidisse!)

[personal profile] finisaeternam 2023-03-30 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[He snorts.]

You're saying they'd be better off letting their food stores waste away than taking what power I offer now because it might fade later?

And you said I was the one who had to learn about nice.
sincleavers: (014)

[personal profile] sincleavers 2023-03-30 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I...see? [No he doesn't that doesn't explain anything] That's amazing. Light can't do anything like that, where I'm from.
finisaeternam: (Dear God I had a bad day. Hug me.)

[personal profile] finisaeternam 2023-03-30 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
You are still mocking me.

[Which is a confession that he's not sure what this man's intentions are.

Once he starts suspecting anyone of anything it's very hard for him to let go. Nearly everyone he meets he thinks is trying to manipulate or hurt him in some way, or would if they had half a chance. So far he feels he's never been wrong about that.]
sincleavers: (291)

[personal profile] sincleavers 2023-03-30 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Not exactly. I travel with a group of friends, and we take turns with it, so it's never any one person's responsibility. It's possible that I would've learned more about cooking if I did it more often, but...

[But judging from the reactions he's been getting, it's also possible he would've killed someone by now.

In all honesty, Zhou Zishu's offer surprises him, considering those other reactions. Is it possible that he really likes spice? Or is he more like Alphen -- unable to taste things unless they're seriously overpowering?]


You don't think it's too much? You must have a pretty high tolerance to heat, huh?
sincleavers: (008)

[personal profile] sincleavers 2023-03-30 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[It looks like they're going to have to make the first move if they want to get out of this. If that means turning and running...well, they'll have to deal with the consequences of opening themselves to an attack. Would it be better to run, or to try leaving slowly? He doesn't know -- if he's being honest, he doesn't know the first thing about fighting ordinary crows at all. If they were zeugles, at least he would feel alright about just getting rid of them all, but...

In any case, he nods at Ethlyn's idea.]


On my signal, run. [He takes a slow step back, making eye contact with one of the birds. It blinks in his direction slowly, as if daring him to do it.]

Run!

[He holds his ground for a few moments, waiting to hear retreating footsteps. Better to let the armor guy hold them off for a second.]