{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

[expiationmods]

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.

Comments

[oracledriven]

[Beneath his confidence, it briefly registers that it's been a long, long time since Noel has fought with an ally. Long ago, he and Serah had developed a rhythm that felt natural: two allies who trusted one another. Nothing else has been the same, not even trying to team up with Hope and Snow. Admittedly, he thought his tough talk was going to scare off this guy with his fancy clothes, but when it doesn't...he'll have to make do.]

You just make sure your aim is on point.

[Not that he really thinks he's going to get shot, but for some reason, he says something like that anyway. Time to deliver on that confidence. He charges at the nearest wolf, sword sweeping forward in a wide arc.]

[theleadingman]

I never miss.

[And, for what it's worth, he sounds quite confident in that regard. He nods, giving Noel the go-ahead to charge— a note that the young man hardly seems to need, meeting their foes in close-quarters almost immediately.

The wolves respond in kind; while some are caught by Noel's expert handling of his blade, others attempt to dodge and go around, the one furthest to the right immediately halted by Balthier's bullet striking it in the shoulder and sending it flying.]

Ha!

[oracledriven]

Never? That's a hell of a big claim.

[(Press X to doubt)

Noel doesn't see any of this occur -- what he sees is the aftermath, the wolf flying forward into his range of vision with a sharp cry. It doesn't even try to stand, whimpering once and then falling still. Alright, claim substantiated -- unless the man was aiming for the head, that is.

He's keeping count as the fight goes. That's one down, maybe three to go. Well, two down now -- one more hit and the first wolf he attacked goes down. That makes it two against two. He gestures at the wolf closest to him.]

I got this guy if you get that last one.

[theleadingman]

Doubtful, are you?

[It's like he can hear that X button being mashed.

Regardless, it seems that the two of them are making rather short work of these wolves in full, and Balthier doesn't intend to stop now. At Noel's urging, he nods, taking aim once more.]

With pleasure.

[He doesn't expect Noel to watch, either way— he has his own quarry to deal with, and as he does so, Balthier sets his sights and fires again, three times in rapid succession, causing the wolf to stagger away and lose its balance as it takes a fatal blow to the chest.]

[oracledriven]

You could say that. I just prefer to see these big claims for myself.

[There's a saying like that, isn't there? Something about actions and words? Either way, it's not like Noel had to say anything. But does that stop him? No. Of course not.

Indeed, Noel doesn't watch -- he's too busy slicing through the soft part of that last wolf, taking it down in two strikes. To be honest, a gun isn't really that much different from a bow, but...somehow, it still makes him feel a little uneasy. Still, the fact that he doesn't seem to have been shot seems like a good thing. Maybe the guy can back up those words after all.]

Thanks for your help. Now all we've gotta do is figure out how to get them back to town. [He finally gives Balthier a good looking over...hard to imagine a clean-cut guy like this hauling a bunch of bloody carcasses around. He offers a faint grin.] Hope you like the taste of wolf meat.

[theleadingman]

[His cuffs are going to be absolutely ruined after this, not to mention the rest of his shirt. He sighs, lowering his gun and dropping a hand to his hip. Well, he'd known what he was in for when he'd offered to come out hunting— the meat had to get back to town somehow.]

I've a few sacks we'd do well to make use of, though perhaps not enough. I can't say I expected to find so many at once.

[He'll not complain about that, at least. None of it will go to waste.]

I can't say wolf meat is a particular favorite of mine— tends to be a bit stringy— but we're hardly in any position to be choosy, hmm?

[oracledriven]

[Somehow, Noel can't find it in himself to feel bad about those poor cuffs and their inevitable soiling. That said, sacks are a good idea -- one he should've thought of, himself.]

We caught them by surprise, I think. Makes it harder for any of them to get away.

[He sounds pretty certain of that, but in truth, he's a little surprised, too. Maybe he's just not used to hunting so many at once. A faint grin crosses his expression at the man's words --hey, at least he's honest about it-- and he nods.]

With this much meat, we could cook it five different ways and still have extra. Who knows, maybe you'll learn to love it.

[theleadingman]

[Balthier can't help but make a face at the very thought, despite his strong understanding of the fact that beggars can't exactly be choosers.]

I think that's setting our expectations a bit high, hmm? An awfully strong word— but I'll tolerate it well enough in the name of a full stomach.

[That, he's always been a fan of. He proceeds to produce a roll from his bag that turns out to hold a few burlaps sacks all told, tossing a couple in Noel's direction.]

Have at it! Given your skill with hunting, I've no doubt you know exactly how we ought to truss these up.

[oracledriven]

[Sorry, but that face just makes his grin widen a bit. Yeah, Noel's starting to get a feel for this guy. So he doesn't have experience...what's the term they used in Luxerion, slumming it? Probably doesn't like to get his hands dirty, either.]

Believe me, if it becomes the only option you'll start figuring out ways to make it taste good. That, or get sick of it.

[Noel would know all about that. He takes the bags as Balthier tosses them his way and nods.]

Figure if we tie the legs it'll make them easier to handle. Mind giving me a hand with that?

[Let's see if Noel's right about him not wanting to get his hands dirty.]