expiationlogs | {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

That’s kind of what I was thinking.

[She looks pleased that they’re on the same page, though she doesn’t expect anything less. Marianne is terribly sweet, even if she may think she’s not particularly good with people. She has such a kind and gentle disposition. It’s hard not to feel immediately drawn to her, or comfortable.

Marianne is her kind of people.]

We don’t really know what to expect of them, though. I asked about them, but didn’t get much information. Just that they were ‘nice.’ How do we know we’ll have anything that they like? Not everyone just believes that intention is everything.

[ While 'nice' doesn't tell her much about the Rumpiturians' preferences, it's still a relief to hear. She'll take peaceful neighbors over hostile ones. ]

I don't suppose we could invite them to tea when we don't know whether tea drinking is part of their customs...

[ What if the naga hated tea? She shouldn't assume their customs are the same as back home. Out of the variety of things they've packed, Marianne can only hope something catches the naga's interest. ]

Probably a good idea not to assume what they might or might not like. Part of me wants to say we should just let them drive that part forward. We could be trying to do something nice for them and they might take it as an insult. If they get hostile, people like us could start to get hostile, and that could just be a big issue for everyone involved.

[It’s the hardest part about all of this. She can trust people like Marianne and herself. Some of the others, however, she doesn’t have the same luxury with.]

That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with packing some tea for a just-in-case scenario. If they do like tea, they can teach us how they make it and like it. It’s a win for everyone involved. Let’s not count it out as a possibility.

That makes sense. Letting them lead the conversation is a good idea.

[ Though saying it is easy. Doing it is the hard part. Marianne can't say she's any good at reading people when most of the time, she has trouble looking others in the eyes. Her reticence has even led to misunderstandings in the past, making her appear aloof or cold when she's never meant to slight anyone. She wonders if she'll be alright in front of the naga. She's started sitting in for her adoptive father at roundtable meetings, but she's never felt truly comfortable speaking up. ]

Maybe you should do the talking. I wouldn't want to freeze up in front of them.

[ If she can meet Aerith's gaze when she talks, it's only because she feels at ease around Aerith. ]

I'm fully prepared to say the wrong thing to these people!

[Aerith says it without a beat of hesitance that one has to imagine she has probably been extremely prepared for just such a situation. Or maybe it's not hard for her to look at it all and realise that even when most prepared, it's not impossible to still say the wrong thing.]

But for the sake of optimism, let's hope for the best, shall we? We won't know until we get there, after all. Now, that said...

[Gesturing over to Marianne, she grins broadly.]

You wanted some practise talking to people you don't know very well, right? This is a really good opportunity for that. I think you should take it. It won't be easy, but that's okay. It doesn't have to be. Sometimes a little challenge is good for us. It shows us we're capable of things that maybe we didn't realise we were.

[ Marianne blinks, surprised by Aerith's declaration. When she thinks on it, however, she sees the humor and wisdom in her words. Making mistakes is natural and even unavoidable. So rather than being afraid to mess up, she should embrace it. ]

...you're right.

[ A small smile surfaces on her lips. Aerith had remembered what she told her about wanting to get better at speaking to people. Marianne brings a hand over her chest, and when she raises her eyes, she looks a touch more determined. ]

I wanted to change myself, but I'm shrinking away at the opportunity. [ She shakes her head. She isn't the only one meeting the naga for the first time, uncertain of what to say. ] I want to try. I want to show them we're a peaceful and friendly people.

I'm here, too, so you don't have to do this alone. I'm not gonna leave you, so I'll stay right at your side, so you won't have to feel like you're alone.

[Because there's a fine difference between doing something for Marianne and doing something alongside her. Aerith never has been the type to step in and do something for others, and instead, wants to encourage them to face these challenges. There's nothing quite like triumphing over adversity, after all.]

I think as long as we do our best, we won't have anything to worry about. We're on a good start, here. So let's do what we can.

Thank you, Aerith. It's reassuring to know you'll be there with me.

[ Marianne gives her a smile - a small one, but a smile nevertheless. However negotiations may go, and there's no reason to think it'll be a disaster, she reminds herself, she's glad to have a friend with her. She hopes it's alright for her to think of them as friends. ]

Let's be on our way. We have no time to waste.

[ She says with emphasis behind her words, trying to muster a bit of the positive energy that seems to shine so naturally in Aerith. There are hungry people banking on the trade succeeding, after all. ]

Have we got everything?

Where else would I possibly be?

[It’s a rhetorical question at best, it seems. Aerith can’t, in truth, imagine herself being anywhere else. It’s not just because she feels that Marianne needs her. It’s not just because it seems to be the right thing to do. In the end, she wants to be here. In a way, she suspects she appreciates Marianne’s presence as much as it might be the other way around.

As Marianne continues, her expression softens a touch and she does a final check of their inventory.]

I think we’re good. We can go at anytime. You’re better with horses, so I think you should do that part. I’ll stay down here and walk with you.

[ Marianne smiles at the rhetorical question. It's so very...Aerith. ]

I'll walk with you.

[ She takes the reins so that she can lead the horse along as they begin trek. It'll be easier to talk this way. Plus, it'll help their animal friend conserve energy for the trip back.

Strange. Marianne can't recall many times she's been enthused about conversing, but it's been a little while since they've seen each other, and she finds herself wanting to hear from Aerith. ]

I feel as though I'm starting to grow more used to this place. How have you been settling in?

Oh—

[She doesn’t have to. Aerith would never require that, but she can’t help feeling as if she entirely lights up. Evidently, she would like little more than for the two of them to walk together. Maybe that’ll ultimately be easier on their horse companion as well. It is probably no easy feat to escort materials, and likely food on the way back. Provided their efforts prove fruitful.]

Hm…! I think I’ve probably integrated well enough that people mistake me for being a local. That’s a good thing, I think. I’ve never really had trouble trying to do that, though. What about you? It sounds like you’re doing really good.

{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

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If too old, please feel free to drop. Sorry for the wait!

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