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

{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

THUS DO WE HUNGER

MOD NOTES:

Welcome to the first event!

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

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

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


 

WE'RE STARVING HERE!

HOW TO REPAIR A REFRIGERATOR 101

     

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

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

The good news is that you can help!

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






THE ALTERNATIVE TO COOKING MAMA

     

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

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

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

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

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



 

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

WE COME IN PEACE

     

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

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

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

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

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






OR MAYBE WE DON'T

     

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

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

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

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

Probably.



 

HOLD ONTO YOUR VALUABLES

IT'S NOT REAL... RIGHT?

     

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

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

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

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






COUNT YOUR NUMBERS

     

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

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

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

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



sincleavers: (036)

[personal profile] sincleavers 2023-03-23 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Alphen is still beaming from the perceived success even later when they go out hunting. Besides, this is the sort of thing he lives for -- maybe not the hunting specifically, but heading out into the woods on what you might call a small adventure. He's had an easy time of things lately, but he's got to keep his skills sharp! Especially with people like Vholran around -- something he's still not entirely sure what to do about.

He pauses when Dohalim does, draws his sword at the sound of the rustling in the bushes.]


Better sooner than later, I guess.

[He's ready for anything, all said. ... ... ... Anything but what actually appears, which is. A squirrel. It chitters at the two of them, scurries a little closer...and then launches itself forward, diving directly for them.]

What the--?!
menancia: (17)

[personal profile] menancia 2023-03-25 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
Whatever it is, we'll make short work of it.

[As they so often do— Dohalim has come to rely on Alphen's strength and leadership in battle, trusting his friend at his back without pause. He believes that this venture of theirs will be no different, having every reason to be confident—

Until that squirrel appears and launches itself towards them like a beast possessed.]


Halt!

[He swings his staff on instinct, though keeps it low so that it passes under the squirrel itself and gives him room to raise a hand to erect a barrier around both himself and his hunting partner. It isn't enough to deflect their small assailant, but it does significantly slow its approach, causing it flail its arms mid-air before it drops to the ground, chittering in protest before it revs up to charge at their feet.]

Tch— it has the persistence of a much larger beast, I must say!
sincleavers: (010)

[personal profile] sincleavers 2023-03-27 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
It sure does. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this!

[Other than that, Alphen is honestly at a loss for words; the squirrel seems dazed for a moment after it hits Dohalim's barrier, but in the end is undeterred. It charges forward, skittering with determination up the leg of Alphen's armor. He struggles, trying to catch it with his free hand, but only succeeds in giving it an easier place to grip onto as it tries to scale him like a mountain: his hand. It clings to the finger pieces of his armor, making little angry faces.

Alphen finally just tries to use brute force to fling it off of him. He manages to throw it up into the air, and while it seems to be suspended at the highest point of its unanticipated flight--]


Dohalim, can you use your artes to keep it from moving when it comes back down? Make some sort of cage or something?

[He doesn't exactly want to try skewering a squirrel on the end of his sword, but he will if he has to.]
menancia: (84)

[personal profile] menancia 2023-04-02 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
A cage?

[He echoes his friend even as he trains his gaze on the creature in question; even after being flung into the distance, it is determined to make its way towards them, tiny hackles raised as it races forward on all fours, chittering angrily.

Alphen may have the right of it, in fact.]


I've not done so before, but there is a first time for everything!

[How difficult could it be? The principle should be the same as putting up a barrier to shield an ally— though it would need to be a little more solid than that. Hopefully, being smaller in size will allow him to concentrate on that part, but there isn't much time to think about it as the squirrel dives towards them, aiming to sink its tiny claws into his robes this time.

It is caught mid-air with a stroke of his staff; a barrier surrounds it like a bubble, holding it in place, and Dohalim's eyes widen slightly as he sees that it seems to have worked— for now.]


I don't know how long it will hold in place, but your idea was quite sound.
sincleavers: (007)

[personal profile] sincleavers 2023-04-14 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Truth be told, Alphen isn't sure it's going to work, either. Sure, it sounds good in theory, but theories don't always turn out so well. Nonetheless he has to admit that he holds his breath while he watches and waits to see if the idea can actually hold water -- when he sees that Dohalim is successful, he finally exhales.]

You did it! I can't believe that worked.

[It's not exactly the height of praise he usually offers during battles, but this whole day has been a bit weird -- everything just a bit off. At least they have a moment to figure out what the hell they're doing, now, though. Alphen takes that moment gratefully, working through ideas in his head. It's not much of an enemy, so it probably wouldn't take long just to get rid of it. On the other hand, it's not really big enough to eat, so why waste the time and energy on trying to bring it down? If it was a bigger enemy, maybe, but...]

I'd say now would be a good time for a hasty retreat. What d'you think? I know we can take it, but it might be better to leave it and hunt down something bigger.
menancia: (104)

[personal profile] menancia 2023-04-27 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dohalim hardly begrudges him the lack of praise; this situation does not allow them their usual opportunity for banter, strange as it is, and he can only finding himself nodding enthusiastically in agreement as Alphen makes his suggestion.]

Yes, let's— it is hardly worth our time, and it will undoubtedly tire itself out soon.

[One can hope.]

We'll need to find something worth bringing back to make use of— we are not hunting for sport, after all.

[The food shortage issue is quite serious, and if he can help it, he does not want any of his friends in particular to go hungry another day in their lives. They've had quite enough of that, in his opinion.]