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expiationlogs2023-03-17 12:00 am
- !event,
- ai tsf: mizuki date,
- arcane: violet / vi,
- bungo stray dogs: nikolai gogol,
- final fantasy viir: aerith gainsborough,
- final fantasy xiii2: noel kreiss,
- fire emblem geneaology: ethlyn,
- my hero academia: izuku midoriya,
- original: astralin turnont,
- persona 3 portable: kotone shiomi,
- persona 3 portable: shinjiro aragaki
{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119
| 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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[ Insomuch that this pale-haired and whimsically dressed audience member literally looks like a fool, a clown, a jester if you will. As Gogol takes a step forward he lifts a hand like one does in a classroom. Since this guy here is giving off an immediately dangerous air the distance he steps forward from all the innocent by-standers isn't so far that he's easier target to smite for impudence without collateral.
Playing along sounds entertaining for the time being. So he stands ramrod straight with both feet primly pressed together. ]
I have a question for your greatness. Any objections?
no subject
He sees that strategy for what it is and notes that this person is cautious or maybe even calculating. It puts him on edge but that tension quickly dissipates when he is referred to as "your greatness".]
You may speak.
no subject
[A smile. In a way this is a pretty up front sizing up.
In fact, it seems to be intentionally upfront. He slowly sweeps one arm out. Also seems like the question was rhetorical given how he goes ahead and does the follow up anyways.]
Can you maintain it from a distance?
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The power of a True Sovereign never falters.
[Which doesn't quite answer the question, but luckily he continues...]'
I do not need to be there for my artes to keep ice in place.
[He thinks. He's pretty sure. Now that he considers it he's realizing he's never actually tried it, his spells are usually used to kill things. But why wouldn't his ice last if he told it to?]
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[He certainly starts clapping... Even tries to egg one of the nearest citizens to join in very reluctantly.]
But surely you can do things that are far more impressive than that. Won't you give us a demonstration? Give us a show!
no subject
He points the katana forward and a large chunk of ice starts to form in the air over Nikolai's head.]
Is this impressive enough for you!?
[With a flourish, he swings the katana downward and the ice descends. He intends for it to crash down with enough force to split a skull but it can be easily dodged.]
no subject
I half expected you might do something like that! Well, and now I guess I can say it's even better up close.
[Only for Gogol to reappear, in the crowd this time, and on the other side of Vholran.]
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Once the voice speaks behind him he twirls again, still keeping his balance on the edge of the frozen fountain, and scans the nearby crowd.]
You're mocking me!
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[ He raises one hand, palm shown, in his own kind of attempt at dispersing some tension. Probably would've helped if he used both hands in the universal gesture of surrender but he's not going to do that. ]
If you put aside your suspicion for a second do you think you could infer what my true motivation might be? ...Do you want a hint?
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[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.]
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[It's good survival instinct not to trust Gogol. Evident by the way he ignores the further accusation: he's also not one to put anyone at ease after he's personally unsettled them. For what it's worth, as he claps his hands to gain undivided attention with a snicker, the following laying out of his intentions resembles something truthful.]
So! You see, I'm actually in need of an truly magnificent plan and for that I would like to know a few powerful people in this world.
and thus I was oh so curious! How would you rank among them? This is what I was wondering as I interrupted your day. Simple, no?
no subject
[He says with confidence, though it isn't based on anything.]
What is this so-called "magnificent" plan of yours?
no subject
I need a dear friend killed and at the moment I'm seriously out numbered by people who are against it happening!
no subject
Are you incapable of finding an assassin?
[He asks in the middle of this public exchange.]
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[Yeah jeez Vholran why wouldn't you be receptive to some weirdo's solicitations for assistance in his convoluted murder plot in front of this crowd huh?]
no subject
[Vholran lifts his chin.]
Aren't assassins skilled in subterfuge? It sounds like precisely what you need...
1/2
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and that's where the distraction outsourcing comes in. As I said, I'm out numbered by people already on the look out for trouble-making of that persuasion?! So if you have any interest I might be looking to trade a favor for a favor somewhere down the line.
no subject
And of what use would your favor be to me?
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[Finger snap into a finger gun.]
Surely even those who are sooo powerful have something they want.
no subject
no subject