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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.
2
However, when she speaks, he can only raise an eyebrow. Naturally a quiet person, he didn't have much to say, so her words catch him a bit off guard. Simply shaking his head as he rests his scythe against his shoulder, the blade shining through the dark.]
I am afraid I did not say anything, nor do I have anything to say. I do think we should keep our eyes ahead, to ensure that nothing surprises us.
no subject
[She frowns at that, turning back to glance at him even as he says to keep eyes ahead. They hadn't really spoken, so she doesn't know anything about him, but...]
I know I heard something. It sounded like someone trying to get my attention. You didn't hear that...?
[He looks way too serious to play a mean trick like that on her, after all, which makes the presence of the whispers... really worrying. She'd gotten used to Pharos showing up in the middle of the night to deliver cryptic warnings, but Pharos isn't around anymore. The only other time she's heard these kinds of strange voices are in Tartarus, and that never ended well.]
no subject
Well, to be quite frank, I hear many things. I may have heard what you heard, and I may have heard other noises. It... Is a forest, however. It may be normal for it to do that.
[Things of the supernatural were very normal in his world, so it didn't bother him much. He does tighten the grip on his scythe though; other hand reaching out and forming an icicle alongside his fingertips.]
I would not worry. I think we are plenty prepared for what is to come, if something were to attack us.
no subject
Oooh... I've never really spent a lot of time in a forest before. [And this isn't really making her want to start. Parallels to Tartarus aside, it just adds an oppressively creepy feeling to everything around her that makes her want to keep her spirits up even higher than usual to fight it.] I've spent most of my life living in cities.
[And while she has her forged sort-of-naginata on her back and her Evoker holstered and hidden beneath her skirt, she still feels uneasy. The icicle is pretty dang cool though, and she claps her hands as if seeing a party trick.]
Is that some kind of ice magic? Cool! [Literally...]
no subject
[He's only in forests when he's foraging or something like that. But this place was definitely very creepy. He could practically sense the spirits in this place, and it gave off a horror movie vibe, that's to be sure. Which what makes him a bit more protective over the younger girl, as he takes a step forward to actually stand by her side now, rather than away.]
The city... I have mainly lived in villages myself; although I do hear about cities from time to time from my husband.
[He chuckles at her comment, and snaps his fingertips to change that icicle into an ice flower. One that he gently hands over to her, should she so graciously accept it.]
Are you able to cast magic as well, my dear?
[Oh man, he's really giving off uncle vibes right now.]
no subject
Thanks! Here, do you want this...? [She still has one last hand pie she and Shinjiro had made. She'd been saving it for herself for later, but it doesn't seem right to receive a gift without giving something bad in return! It's wrapped carefully in wax paper, and she presses it right into his hand without waiting for a response.] Aragaki-senpai and I made them!
[She'll ask about the villages in a bit and also maybe answer his question, but for now, she's enamored with her icy flower.]
no subject
Thank you, my dear. I appreciate the gesture and the pie. I will eat it before the forest decides that it wants it for itself.
[There are still rustles around them, whispers to be heard. However, Astralin ignores it to take a bite out of the pie instead. His other hand still resting on top of his scythe, while the other one basically grasps onto the pie he's eating.]
You need not worry about the ice flower melting. It has magic properties that will not allow it to melt.
no subject
[She's never been good at accepting something for nothing, certainly not at a first meeting. Usually she'll be the one offering gifts every so often while she befriends people -- it's nice to be on the receiving end!
It's easier to ignore the sounds in the forest as she closes her fingers gently around the icy flower, eyes widening when he says it won't melt.]
That's incredible! I'll treasure it. [And she really will, slipping it carefully into her pouch in the pocket where she'd had the pie.] Is that something you learned how to do in your village...?
no subject
Ah, not quite. In our world, we are born with magic. Some are better than others, and I am... Well, I do not like to say better, but I am blessed with a powerful bloodline. It is quite simple for me to use my magic and mold it into another object without it melting. If you have anything else in mind, I will happily make anything for you.
[Must be Kotone's vibes, but he feels comfortable around the young woman. Almost like she had a younger daughter vibes or some sorts and all. But she was certainly nice to be around, and her friendliness certainly is going a long way. Which is good, because this forest is creepy, and even though they speak, he's certainly hearing other noises, and voices from all around them.]
no subject
[Okay, so not a big secret like Persona users, but something to be proud of. Good to know, in case she ever has to reveal her own powers to him. It's nothing as cool as making little magic flowers, but...]
Really? If it's not too much trouble... let me think!
[She hums, bringing a hand to her chin in careful contemplation. What would she want? There really isn't anything she needs, and it feels selfishly demanding to ask for something else when she's already been given a gift. However...]
Oh, I know! Could you make, like, a little dog? A Shiba Inu, if you've ever seen one! Small with pointy ears and a fluffy curly tail. I'd like to give it to a friend of mine, if that's okay...
[A mini-Koromaru for Shinji...]
no subject
Yes, I have. Humans have recently brought that breed of dog to my farm to come and play with the cows. Give me one moment.
[A shiba inu is a bit more complicated than a flower, but it is doable for him. So without hesitating, he turns around to work his literal magic. One hand hovered over the other, as he mumbles something underneath his breath. Shards of ice forming around him, and his fingertips -- creating a cold aura alongside his figure. That aura lasting several moments, before he's able to create a medium sized Shiba Inu in his hand.
He turns around and offers it to Kotone with a smile. The intricate details visible alongside it's ice sculpture.]
There we are.
no subject
...In some ways, that's worse. At least she knows how to fight Shadows.
By the time he turns back around, though, she's smiling again, a smile that only brightens with genuine excitement when she sees what he's created.]
That's amazing, mister! [And she takes it gently, holding it with even more care than the flower if that's possible. It brings a little wistful smile to her face as she gazes down at it.]
My friends and I used to take care of a little dog like this. His name's Koromaru, but most of us called him Koro-chan. I think this will make Aragaki-senpai smile.
[-Or it's Shinji so maybe just Not Frown, which is good enough.]
no subject
Astralin. Astralin Turnont. And you are miss...?
[It's a simple introduction, but there's no fear behind his voice for once. There was something about this girl that was comforting to him, and her aura certainly reminding him of that of a daughter. But he doesn't say that, and simply curves his lips into a smile.]
Ah, glad to hear it. We have many dogs and cats... Well, many animals on the farm that brought many smiles to others. I do hope that this will make your friend smile.
[He knows who Shinji is, but Shinji never mentioned his last name, so this will be a pleasant surprise.]
Now... Shall we move? This is still a forest, and I do not want you to get hurt.
no subject
[She has no idea what's going through his mind regarding her, but as she tucks the little dog into her pouch even more carefully than she had the flower, she can't help but think that this guy isn't at all bad -- a steady, reassuring presence that makes the forest just a little bit less foreboding.]
Yeah, let's get moving. Can you tell me more about the farm while we walk, though? I always lived in the city, so I've never seen a cow in real life.
[She clasps her hands behind her back as she turns to walk, waiting for him to fall into step beside her so they can converse more easily. Cats, dogs, cows... it sounds really idyllic, though also like a lot of work.]
no subject
The farm is on my family's estate in the country side. There are several acres of land that I care for, while my father and mother care for the other half. It... Is a nice little farm. One with a lake that runs through the land, so the animals can enjoy the water and relax by the lake. Speaking of animals... We have quite a bit on our land. Cows, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats...
[He has to wonder if this is boring, since he hardly ever spoke about the farm with other people, but he continues.]
In the beginning, my father started the farm to harvest fruits and vegetables for our family. Now, we harvest for the village, and sell it at the local markets. Those who cannot afford food are given our vegetables and fruit for free.
[His attention turns toward Kotone now, with that genuine smile on his face.]
I hail from nobility, but we do not embrace our noble roots. My family and I live a simple lifestyle, as you can see.
no subject
She meets his eyes when he glances toward her and matches his smile, absolutely charmed by the description.]
It sounds like a really nice place. I'd have loved to visit, if I could!
Have you thought about doing something like that here?
no subject
I think... You would enjoy yourself. There are quite a bit of animals for people to interact with, and I do believe that is everyone's favorite part. The animals.
[There's a sweet, but solemn laugh that escapes him, and he sighs softly. He feels homesick; misses his wife and husband. But he tries not to think about it too much.]
Yes, I have. In fact, I am in the process of trying to secure some land. Will you visit when it is built?
no subject
[It's nothing but genuine enthusiasm as she beams at him. If he can really start a farm... that sounds like so much fun! Especially if she can just visit and pet the animals instead of all the difficult stuff like plowing or harvesting...]
Especially with all the trouble in town with food, I think you bringing your knowledge to start a farm will be really, really useful. Let me know if you need help!
[Sure, she doesn't WANT to help with the difficult stuff. But she'll do it anyway without complaint.]
no subject
I will let you know when it is set up, my dear. Thank you for your overwhelming kindness.
[The smile he has on his face is a genuine one, and he takes a stride forward to be in front of her now. That feeling to protect her quickly starting to arise; similar to that of a father wanting to protect his daughter. It was a strange feeling to be sure.]</small. Come now, let is hurry out of his forest. I am not particularly fond of this place, and I would not see you in harm's way.