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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ There's such a thing as safety in numbers and the Doctor would expressly stress to anyone else that isn't him that they should absolutely stick with the group. Unfortunately he's constantly the exception to the rule. With his personal Carer gone, he seems more inclined to throw caution to the wind and has tried several times to go off the beaten track and explore the various snaps, cracks, and whispers on his own only to be pulled back. He's, understandably a little pouty about being tugged back for the umpteenth time like some kind of child that needs one of those leashes in a crowded area. You might be said temporary Carer, or he could just be commiserating (read: whining) about how badly he'd like to go and see what all this fuss is about. ]

But don't you want to know what else could be out there? There are myths about these forests and every story has an ounce of truth to them.

[ Later on, the disappearance of one of the expedition members is only further proof to him that he absolutely should have gone to explore the strange noises in the forest. Having done a count several times at this point, the Doctor is now going around ripping out pages haphazardly from the back of his notebook and slapping physical numbers on people in the group. Was that your forehead? Your eye? Unfortunately for you he doesn't care. He's a Time Lord on a mission and doesn't want to hear it. ]

No, shut up — the only thing coming out of your mouth should be the number on your paper so we can prove to our fearless expedition leader [ This is pointedly shouted at the expedition leader who's got their own number slapped to their chest and not looking at the Doctor. ] that we're actually missing someone.

Edited 2023-03-18 05:01 (UTC)

( marc's traded the white suit for something a little (lot) more casual, the closest equivalent he can get to cargos, a t-shirt and shemagh because they're both comfortable and practical (more, admittedly, the latter than the former, because marc's never particularly dressed for comfort). he hasn't, though, traded relative dishevelment for anything else because, much like when the doctor and marc had first met, marc still needs a shave — though he's done an admirable enough job of keeping it trimmed enough to not be a full-blown beard — and he still needs a haircut.

(self-care? who's she?)

for much of the journey, marc's solidly kept himself to himself, offering only the occasional remark here and there and little else, though the noises had fairly quickly caught his attention. he's (a little) ashamed to admit that he'd, at first, ignored them because he'd assumed they were one of those that, if he commented on, he'd find out very swiftly that no-one else heard the noises — the whispers, especially — and, well—

—that was one way to immediately ruin any form of credibility.

the longer it'd gone on for and even before it'd become evident it wasn't just a 'for marc's ears only' affairs, he, like the doctor, had tried sneaking off to investigate. then, when it had become evident it wasn't just him, he'd tried to do the same all over again.

he'd had about as much success as the doctor. )

—What myths? ( quite suddenly and seemingly apropos nothing because, up until this very moment, it hadn't seemed as if marc had been paying any attention to the doctor at all. )

[ Ah. That would explain why they've been paired together with a lone Aldripian behind them boring holes into the back of their heads as if that will intimate them into not straying again. This, apparently, is the time out corner. Or pair. Whatever. You get the the idea.

The Doctor has been so engrossed in the various noises and stimuli in the forest that he barely registers the fact that it's Marc standing beside him, let alone that he had been in the group at all to begin with. The duality of his nature was that he was all too aware of surroundings while being oblivious to certain things at the same time. And he hadn't been speaking to anyone in particular either. It's quite apparent that he had been talking for the sake of talking, far used to the sound of his own voice bouncing off the walls of the TARDIS when he was pondering on a theory when Clara is off living time linearly.

It is, however, nice to hear a voice talking back to him asking him questions in return. As he opens his mouth to reply though, it shuts immediately. It's followed by a squint before — ]

Don't you usually wear a suit?

( marc's gaze shifts sideways to the doctor when, instead of answering marc's question, he opts to ask marc an entirely different, unrelated question. marc pauses, looking the doctor over and, instead of answering, he says a little testily— )

Do you wear the same outfit every day?

( (is this how conversations go? apparently it's how marc and the doctor choose to hold conversations).

it's not much of an answer because the doctor's right: marc does normally wear a suit but alas, for all else marc may be and do, he's not yet at the point where he'll willingly wear several days old clothing and appear in public. marc — as ever — opts to mentally ignore the fact that he hasn't exactly answered the doctor's question and hopes that the doctor will ignore it too, because the truth is: marc would much prefer the suit. marc — mr. knight's — identity is thoroughly, entirely wrapped up in the suit (and the mask) that being without one or the other is discomforting in a way that marc would struggle — and be wholly disinclined — to vocalise.

(at least, to anyone that isn't andrea sterman.)

when marc wears the suit and the mask; when marc wears the (for him, very sadly absent) cape and cowl and mask, he's no longer marc spector, he's moon knight, an identity that matters so much more than marc's own.

is it unhealthy to place so much importance on garments of clothing? well, yes, but welcome to marc spector. )

—Do you think our new friend is going to follow us the entire way back?

Edited (imagine noticing your typos BEFORE you press submit) 2023-03-20 16:03 (UTC)

Sometimes. "Day" [ Here he does some finger quotations.] is a bit of a nebulous concept to be honest. And it also depends what happens on the day. Some are bit messier than others.

[ And there have definitely been stretches of time in which he probably hasn't changed his clothing. Something about being sent hurtling through time and space also means that laundry is sort of the last thing on his mind. Actually, it's often the last thing on his mind. Fortunately, he has the TARDIS or some sort of companion to remind him of it. Unfortunately he has neither of those things here and now. At least he doesn't smell. That's the most important bit.

The point is, that if Marc ever cared to voice those opinions, the Doctor could relate in some fashion. Why else would he change from reincarnation to reincarnation and practically insist on it being one of the first things that he did after some food and a good long rest? Clothes mattered to the identity, to one's sense of self. He could have chosen to wear a bowtie again or some awful, beat up pair of chucks, but they simply weren't him anymore.

There is definitely something different to Marc's appearance though. It doesn't take the Doctor long to realize that it is, in fact, the distinct lack of white suit, and because it's a rather obvious change, he seems particularly fixated on the topic — at least until he finds a different topic to fixate on: their temporary nanny.

For a beat the Doctor doesn't know what exactly Marc is talking about and then confusion makes way to a bit an "aha" moment. He'll remember his other question later though. Probably. ]

Them? Possibly. Unless we can give them the slip or convince them that we won't misbehave for the rest of the walk back.

( marc, for all that self-awareness is something he has in wildly varying degrees — at times, he's capable of being remarkably self-reflective and perceptive, at others the exact opposite, all of it coloured and tinged with self-hatred he's very open about on the basis of expecting everyone else to feel the same way — is very, very good at avoiding topics of conversation he doesn't want to talk about.

in the past, when he'd been committed to claiming steven and jake were simply alter-egos, fake identities he could choose to wear like outfits for a point and purpose, tools for moon knight to obtain information, he'd used them to avoid difficult conversations. now that's a method out of reach and marc's stuck with the tried and tested method, his utter favourite not because it works in and of itself but because marc brute forces it into (almost) working for just long enough, is simply to ignore. pretend the problem (or question, or anything he doesn't like) simply doesn't exist and maybe, probably, eventually it'll go away.

(it never works, not in the long run. this is another thing that marc likes to ignore.)

he's silently pleased, then, when it works, when the doctor shifts from the topic of marc's clothing to their babysitter. he makes a noise, seemingly quietly weighing up the two options the doctor presents like there isn't anything in between. or it could be a response to the doctor's first remark, the one about days being nebulous and he almost smiles — less a smile, really, and more bitter humour, self-aware like it's a joke only marc knows the punchline to.

clarification emerges in the form of a— ) I'm familiar. ( with messy days, he means. messy nights, too. he thinks it's obvious, so he doesn't add anything else, instead he turns on the spot, looking pointedly and deliberately at their less-than-pleased companion. marc's expression is considering in all the wrong ways as the conclusion he decides to share is: ) I can be very convincing when I need to be.

[ There's some similarities between them in the sense that they're both excellent at dodging topics. Unfortunately, also like Marc, if the Doctor's track record of avoiding things but then having them appear out of nowhere leaving him no choice but to confront them is any indication, then it might only be a matter of time and forward motion (or bendy, timey-wimey motion) for things to come to a head. Whether or not the topic of self-identity is actually touched upon or if it's the question about the wardrobe still has yet to be seen, but the fact remains the same: it will, probably, come up at some point in time.

The Doctor glances backwards then and their poor companion is suddenly confronted with two men who look intimidating in their own way staring rather intently at them. If the hairs on the back of their neck wasn't standing on end, they certainly were now.

'Why are you staring at me, stop that!' they nervously bluster out in an attempt to deter them but it doesn't seem to have its desired effect. The blundering certainly doesn't help. The Doctor's eyes slide towards Marc, mischievousness sparking in his voice. ]

How well do you think they can run in two different directions?

( 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?

[ The Doctor returns his own soft grunt of agreement, subtly holding up three fingers in front of him and conveniently tucked out of sight from their babysitter. When they drop to zero, he darts off to the left without so much of a word, but the last thing their unofficial babysitter sees is a somewhat manic smile that has split his face open and a man that looks like he's a penguin with his arse on fire.

He doesn't bother looking back to see if they picked someone to follow because he's crashing through the trees in an effort to deter them.

Truth be told all of this is doing a very good job at distracting him from what he's actually been feeling which is a little anxious and maybe bordering a little bit on worry as to where in time Clara has been returned to. He doesn't feel much like going down a speculative rabbit hole about how good and moral these gods (if they were even gods, but he has no better word to refer to them at this moment) are about returning them to wherever it was they were plucked from.

Eventually he slows down, looping back around to try and locate Marc. It isn't difficult even with the things that go bump in the night thanks to Time Lord hearing and he raises a hand in greeting when they do reunite. ]

No trailing babysitter I see. Not bad.

[Unfortunately (for both of them, maybe), Alphen tends to care about things a whole lot. So whether the Doctor is whining or not, he's listening...maybe a bit more intently than someone should, when they're being this whiny.

In any case, he's here, he's listening, and he's not too bright, which is a terrible combination.]

I sure do. [At least he's also honest.] Who knows what could be in these woods? I'm sure there's stories, but there's always something someone leaves out. Besides, if there's a trail, it's probably meant to be followed.

[What he's looking at is not so much a trail as it is a conveniently parted bit of undergrowth. But that's neither here nor there.]

Exactly!

[ Agreement with his pondering is met with unbridled enthusiasm brimming in his expression. It makes him look younger. There's something borderline wild in his eyes at the thought of an adventure, a delicious, glorious mystery out there waiting to be discovered. ]

Things that go bump in the night, or in this case snap in the woods, always have an explanation to them. They can't just be noises for the sake of noises. If you had to guess what do you think is out there in the woods?

[Adventure is something that Alphen lives and breathes, and his face lights up at the idea of talking about it, much less taking off in pursuit of some random new direction.]

If I was at home, I'd say probably a zeugle...a monster, [this place and its weird non-zeugle words, geez-] or maybe a soldier. Here...your guess is as good as mine. We don't know what this world is really capable of.

[Which is a bit scary, but honestly...he's confident that there's a lot he can handle. After a pause, he looks back at the Doctor.]

You said something about myths and stories, right? Anything about creatures stalking in the woods at night?

[ha ha ha...ha...]

[ The Doctor would definitely agree that the unknown can hold some level of scariness, but scared seems to be the last thing he is right now.

The question sparks something that looks akin to delight in his expression. He slows his pace, letting the group meander a little further away from them. ]

Oh plenty. There's some about creatures that sound a lot like wendigoes and others that are a little more vague in terms of what they are since most of the people who have encountered them never return.

[They're enabling each other and neither of their keepers is in the immediate area to stop it. Alphen offers a bit of a grin.]

I heard stories like that at home all the time. Usually it's something making a hideout somewhere scaring people off.

[Zeugles, monsters, bandits. Didn't matter -- there was always something real behind them.]

From what I've heard, there are dragons here somewhere. I bet there's something else in these woods making people believe stories like that, too.

[ Fortunately, or unfortunately for them, (it's definitely the latter if the Doctor has to stop to think about it for more than five seconds) the Doctor's keeper probably won't be here for the foreseeable future which leaves him room for plenty of trouble of the mischievous kind. ]

It can't be the dragons they're up in that volcano. It has to be something else. [ It isn't said dismissively though because he appreciates the speculation. ] Do you think they're trying to keep people away from the woods because there's something here they're trying to protect in here?

[ It's hard to believe even though he's voicing it aloud. They've stuck to the paths which means there hasn't been much time for exploration and everything he'd seen so far is just trees. ]

It's hard to say for sure, unless we split off and take a look.

[Which wouldn't exactly be the most responsible move, since they're trying to keep their numbers from reducing any further...but Alphen loves a challenge, and he loves an adventure, and this sounds like both of those things put together, wrapped in a burrito of intrigue.]

But where I'm from, if someone is trying to keep people away from something, they make it sound like poking your nose around in it will get you killed.

That trend tends to stay pretty true to form in other worlds too.

[ Then again, there's sometimes cautionary tales for a reason. ]

The locals seem rather convinced, so it could be all the more reason to investigate it to see what the real truth is. [ His eyes trail off to what seems like a bit of an unbeaten path. As he tilts his head, there's a glimmer of something in his gaze. Is a trick of the moonlight or is he scheming? Probably both. ]

We could find out if you want. We'll be back before they know it.

[Listen. Cautionary schmautionary, that's what JRPG characters are for. Need to investigate something? Send in an armor-clad lunkhead to get the job done. It'll be fine.

That is to say that Alphen debates the idea for maybe a few moments, for the sake of not wanting people to worry, but he has never in his life (or in his one year of remembered life, at least) turned down a chance to explore the untrodden path. He's not about to start now. So he nods, looking for all the world like he's ready to take on a challenge.]

It wouldn't hurt to take a look. [Maybe they'll even luck into finding one of the missing people.] Do you have a weapon with you? If not, I can take point. We wouldn't want to run into a stray zeugle unexpectedly.

I have a sonic screwdriver, a spoon, and - [ He ruffles through his pockets. He's still wearing the pack from earlier carrying all of the traded belongings, but there's nothing in there that's remotely a weapon. ] a yo-yo.

[ From his tone it's apparent that he thinks all three of things are sufficient to keep the both of them safe. How? Maybe they'll find out here or they won't, either way he doesn't leave any time to scrutinize it. His attention is already directed towards the mention of a new creature entering the chat. ]

A zeugle? Is that a creature from your world?

[Four words out of the Doctor's mouth and Alphen is already a bit lost.] I...don't think I know what any of those things are.

[But it's impressive that he has such prolific pocket contents? ... ... ... Oh, wait--] ... I mean. I know what a spoon is. But the others... [He shrugs. It's fine! He can take point. This'll be no big deal. He's fought enough zeugles for the both of them.

Ah. Another oh, wait moment.]

People I've talked to here call them "monsters." Beasts and constructs that are...not quite like normal animals. Most of them aggressive to the point of being deadly.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

it's not real and the numbers are made up — open

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