expiationlogs | {EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

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{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.

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Given the strangeness of our circumstances, I think we might find that more people share our feelings than we once thought— though it seems a bit uncouth to simply ask others if they've experienced something similar without preamble, I suppose the only way to find out would be a willingness to discuss.

[His frown persists, though it is more the thoughtful sort than anything else— the fact that Aerith has experienced something similar to what has quite literally kept him up at night continues to beg even more questions than he'd already had.]

I've only spoken to one other person about this, and briefly, at that, but she hadn't experienced anything of the sort. It may not be a universal experience, but I doubt we're the only ones.

[It would make little sense, for it to only be one or two people suffering such disconnection.]

[It's a hard thing to discuss if one doesn't remember... what they don't remember. Aerith wouldn't have even made mention of it if it didn't happen to come up in conversation, admittedly. And it's not like there's been a tonne of conversations where such a thing even made sense to make mention of.

Her head tilts as she watches him. Aerith can't really read him. She can guess, form a variety of conjectures about him and might even be pretty confident in the conclusions, but in the end, it's all just a bunch of guessing. At least right now. Although it's not terribly different from how she approaches similar things with others she knows.]

I'll keep that in mind. It doesn't really seem like the kind of thing I can just randomly bring up in conversation, though. Might be smarter to let others bring it up, because then I can chime in. Otherwise, people might think I'm losing it a little.

[Chances are that people likely already think this.]

Likely for the best. It's not the sort of thing one can easily work into conversation.

[That they had managed to do so was entirely by accident, but if their own experiences were similar in this way, then it stood to reason there might be others. In that case, it would only be a matter of time before such things came up again, though simply waiting was also a bit passive for his liking.]

Whatever the case, I can't imagine the reason for it is anything benevolent— given the nature of our arrivals, I can only assume it's connected. Nonetheless, I'll not be taking your hairpiece from you.

[If that wasn't clear already. He does glance at it once more, and his brow furrows slightly before smoothing as he adopts a more neutral expression. It seems familiar to him, too, somehow, but he must have seen a thousand such ornaments in his time. It wouldn't have been out of place in an Archadian boutique, he supposes.]

If you feel it meant something to you, you ought to keep it.

[He seems pretty well decided and she’s not inclined to argue it much more. Instead, she accepts it for what it is, a showing of understanding and empathy, it seems. Folding her hold around the hairpiece, she draws it back to her, raising her hands to nestle back into her hair, right by the pink ribbon that holds it back.]

I appreciate the understanding. I don’t think anyone should feel they have to give up something that’s important to them, whether they can remember why it’s important or not. That said, I don’t have anything else of value to give. I guess there’s me, but I don’t know that I’m much good at anything. Running errands, I guess. I take direction well…!

[But she also knows how that sounds. Using herself as a bartering chip? On one hand, it sounds perfectly like her. It’s what got her into Shinra’s laboratory to begin with, after all.]

[He sighs heavily— she's determined to offer something in order to dissuade him from doing what he came here to do, it would seem, even if the hairpiece is off the table.]

You don't intend to relent until I agree, do you?

[Doesn't this seem familiar— and somehow, even more than he'd first thought, though he can't imagine why. His initial impression of her remains, however: this is a young woman who is used to getting her way. She has a certain way with people. Gods forbid she ever use it for some sort of misdeed— though he doesn't think that's quite like her.]

I am a pirate, need I remind you.

I like having my way.

[Although she doubts she needs to say it. He probably already knows. It's one of those traits about her that probably sticks out like a sore thumb. This is also the same girl who tends to wear her emotions right out where they can be seen.

As long as they don't deal with her, evidently.]

And I know that. Can't you find something else to cause trouble with, though? I'm sure pirates of some kind bartered. Don't pirates have some kind of code of honour or something? Or is that just a book thing?

I'm hardly here for the sake of causing trouble.

[Sure, there might be a bit of a thrill to it— getting what you might have paid for for free— but if the Rumpiturians are in on the cause of all the troubles in Aldrip, he'd rather not give them even the slightest bit of leverage. He's never been in the habit of wanting to owe anyone favors, for that matter.]

As for a code, there certainly is— and it includes not trusting that everyone else isn't out for themselves. Regardless, I didn't come to this storehouse for personal gain.

...Really?

[Personal gain.

She has a difficult time believing that. There are plenty of reasons why one might be inclined to look out for themselves. Survival drives people to do extreme things. In this world where they should, ideally, band together, there's incentive to do things without the aid of others. Aerith isn't foolish enough to believe otherwise, even if she wouldn't ordinarily employ methods like that.]

Why are you here, then? What do you think you're gonna find in here that we can't just trade for? It'd make more sense to be fostering those good relations than to go snooping about their personal things, even if you are insisting you're doing this for the benefit of all of us.

Good relations.

[He shakes his head, dismissing that idea— and perhaps he is wrong to do so, but he cannot bring himself to believe that any of the natives here are exactly what they seem to be.]

Were we anywhere else, I might agree. Diplomacy certainly has its place, but picturesque as it may be, let us not forget that this is some sort of prison. Nobody 'native' to this place is to be trusted, and trading with the Rumpiturians while openly admitting we are in need gives them the leg up on us— so to speak.

[Seeing as they don't have legs.]

It's only a matter of time before they come demanding something else in turn, reminding us that they 'helped' us when we needed it.

I don't think it's like a prison at all.

[Aerith frowns thoughtfully. They're pretty much free to do whatever they want, right? Except go home. Which... yeah, probably is indicative of a prison of some kind, but there's a lot of freedom given for a prison. Maybe... they have to earn their freedom? Not that she'd know. There's not a lot of information about the world, its inhabitants, or the parchment they've been given.]

I also think if they wanted to collect on good deeds, they would have done so already. They actually could have done that with what's going on now, you know. Could have said we were required to come all the way here because of everything they've done for us. Instead, those of us who are here are because we've chosen to be. That's not the same thing. I think a little optimism goes a long way, Balthie.

It's prettier than most prisons I've seen, but anywhere one is kept against their will certainly counts.

[He's also not forgotten what he's been accused of, and the idea of 'sentencing' that's been left to hang over his head— along with everyone else's. His current focus may be on their immediate situation instead, but that parchment of his is never far from his mind.

He sighs, his chin dropping for a moment as shifts again, bringing a hand to his hip.]

While I admire your tireless optimism, I can hardly bring myself to see things the same way. In my experience, it pays little to do so.

[People are not, he's often found, basically good.]

I guess that's true...

[When he says it like that, it's harder for her to contest. Of course someone else would view it in a similar way, too. She fights against a thoughtful frown and dips her head just a touch, green eyes lingering on the ground for a breath or two before she returns it to him.]

Well, I can be optimistic for the both of us. It's not tireless and it's not endless, but I can at least do my best. Let me think of the best. But really, please don't steal anything from them. If I have to start giving up my clothes or my shoes or something, fine, but it's a request from me.

A request.

[Even as he echoes her, prepared to insist on going about his business regardless, he can feel the fight leave him. The request itself is so earnest, he almost has to admire her persistence. Normally, he goes about his pirating without guilt, but this isn't the sort of plundering he would normally engage in— and perhaps that alone is reason enough to concede, but he cannot deny that he feels something within nagging at him, some sense of familiarity and an instinct that this isn't a battle he ought to choose to fight.

He looks back at her, both eyebrows raised as he studies her for a moment before giving another shake of his head.]

... fine. I'll leave the storehouses as they are.

[She doesn't expect him to give in. Even as she stands there, watching, waiting, and holding her breath, maybe that hope that lingers in her is more subconscious. Something she holds onto without realising it. Only to find that when he does agree, she's... a little surprised by it. It flutters across her expression before it eventually fades into something that is more like a subdued appreciation.]

Thank you. That's probably not what you want to do, but it really might be better. If we end up good friends with the people here, maybe that can change. You can visit again later and take what you need.

[She softens just a touch.]

Can I convince you to get some fruit with me? I could use some help carrying it back. It'll keep us both out of trouble.

[He's rather surprised himself, to be perfectly honest, but he immediately feels some of the tension begin to ease once they're in agreement. Once more, they'll have to agree to disagree regarding their points of view, but it's plain that she's perfectly capable of being optimistic enough for the both of them— for now, at any rate.]

I suppose we'll have to wait and see how things proceed, won't we?

[Whether they'll become good friends with the Rumpiturians, he cannot say, but at least for now, he'll let the diplomats among them do what they will.]

That said, I do think I could be convinced— though there may not be enough fruit in the world to keep me out of trouble indefinitely.

That's generally the idea, yeah. Give it time. Success can't be rushed, after all.

[Not necessarily true. Sometimes success has to be in order for it to be successful at all. Aerith brightens up a touch when he continues. Doing her best to coyly bat her eyelashes at him, she folds her hands together.]

Well, we don't need you to stay out of trouble indefinitely. Just until we can get out of here When we get back to Aldrip, you can cause all the trouble you want, because then at least there you can be their problem.

That's a far more reasonable expectation, in that case.

[He offers her a cheeky smile in response; proof, perhaps, that he's capable of being something other than irate, though many of their encounters in this place may have informed her otherwise thus far. He gestures broadly in the direction of the town proper.]

Lead the way, then— I can only assume you've already buzzed about and made all manner of connections here since our arrival.

[She does seem the sort, friendly and people-oriented as she is.]

[Once again, Aerith manages to get her way. At this point, she might want to consider bottling what makes her successful and selling it, as it seems it would prove to be quite a lucrative project. But maybe charm like hers can't be treated like it's physical. Regardless, she looks undeniably pleased that he seems inclined to humour her.]

I've done a little chatting here and there. With those who have been willing, anyway. Seems to me like they're a little wary. It's okay to push people and letting them test their comfort levels, but it's not okay to excessively push and that can be hard to figure out where that invisible line is.

[Basically, she's certain she hasn't made a friend out of everyone in Rumpitur. But at least she's not hated either. Aerith beckons for him to come along. Let them leave this dreary storage place.]

It might seem like I'm pretty flawless, but I can assure you that's not the case.

[He gives an easy shrug before following, taking care not to trail too far behind— were he so inclined, this would be the perfect time to fall back and split away, but he'd made his concession, and he plans to be good to his word, at least for the time being. Even as a pirate by trade, his word does have some value.]

Now now, I don't recall using that particular word.

[He can't help but smirk; it's the sort of thing he might say to someone else, in his own words.]

Even yours truly has a flaw or two— though I'll deny it, should you ever say as much to anyone.

[Loosely, Aerith sets her hands behind her back. She offers Balthier a look over her shoulder, a coy little turn of the mouth.]

I'm pretty good at keeping a secret. I won't tell anyone that you have flaws.

[Hard to see what those might be, however, when she's faced with him. Even when it comes to him enjoying being a bit of a troublemaker or thieving treasure, those don't really seem like flaws to her.]

They probably wouldn't believe me anyway. I've looked at you plenty and I can't even see them. I don't know even know what they would be.

Can't you?

[He laughs openly; that comes as a surprise to him, given how she's been quite frank about her impressions of him thus far.]

And what of my attempts at thievery, or that sour disposition you've been so quick to point out, hm?

[The latter seems to have vanished, at least— despite their circumstances, his amusement seems quite genuine.]

I don't think those are flaws, though...

[Taking a moment to hum a song without lyrics, she faces back forward. Her pace, all things considered, is perhaps more casual than it ought to be. But she understands she is exactly one person. She won't be fixing everything with Aldrip on her own. That's what they're all doing together.]

They're just parts of you. I like to think your thievery is because you haven't had many opportunities for alternatives. And the sour disposition... It's growing on me. Maybe we all see flaws in different ways. You don't have to be perfect, Balthier. You just have to be yourself!

[Not having many opportunities for alternatives— it would certainly ring true for most common thieves, but he does not comment on the fact that it doesn't quite fit his situation, instead settling for letting one corner of his mouth curl upwards. He had been born a son of privilege, whether he liked to admit it or not; the necessity bit of his chosen occupation had everything to do with freedom and little to do with gain, though he rather likes the latter part all the same.]

Is that what you like to think? Ah, to be seen as I truly am— a gentleman who's really rather down-on-his-luck beneath the fine jewelry and perfectly-tailored cuffs.

[He maintains a slow and easy pace of his own as he keeps up with her, his gait a comfortable saunter at this point.]

I don't know, I think I rather like the idea of being perfect. I've certainly fooled enough people into believing so in my time.

[She wonders if how he describes himself is an amused poking of sarcasm and wit. She could believe it, considering the very nature of the source himself. Wearing an idle little coy turn in her mouth as she listens and sits on his words, the assessment of his person, she can see how he would rub others the wrong way. A wonder that he has no such effect on her. She has to idly speculate on why that might be. Perhaps because she is easily unmoved by most things. Not because she expects it, but maybe due to taking things in stride.]

Hm... No one is perfect, even if one thinks they are. The thing about not being perfect is that it gives us something to reach for. We can always be a better version of ourselves. If we ever reach that pinnacle of person, then we don't have anything else to strive for. What's life meant to be if not reaching for something more?

[She sounds like she's given this a lot of thought. Due to her unique circumstances, it's very likely that she has.]

Oh, I don't know— fun, for one?

[It's an almost flippant response to her own well thought-out answer, but he doesn't seem to truly mean it— there's a dry edge to his voice, his lips quirking to one side.]

I am a pirate. Freedom, excess, all that— not much time for self-reflection when there's adventure to be had.

[He is, of course, Full of It.]

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inemeraldfaith - 2023-06-06 03:42 (UTC) - Expand

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