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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.
no subject
It reminds him of something else that he's sure he already forgot. Something buried and suppressed. Maybe he also couldn't sleep... but he's not going to say that. He's no coward! ]
It's dangerous if we let our guard down. Just because we haven't seen them doesn't mean they aren't plotting. We should find them and kill them first.
no subject
He tilts his head.]
You don't think it's just an animal?
no subject
[He's convinced, and tense. Maybe showing his paranoia too much as he eyes the darkness around them with his hand fan gripped tightly.]
I heard them talking. They've been following us since we started walking back.
[The snap of errant branches and soft, unintelligible whispers are too sentient to be his imagination, and too careful to be wild animals wandering through the trees. He's hunted both beasts and men, and Wen Kexing knows that whatever is out there has to be the latter. What else could it be?]
They probably want to ambush us.
no subject
It'd be foolish to not at least consider the possibility.]
What did you hear them say?
no subject
[It does sound a bit stupid when he says it out loud, but Wen Kexing frowns stubbornly, standing by his words.]
They've been whispering things I can't make out, but there are definitely voices. I know what animals sound like, and they're walking out there. No animals are that careful.
[He clenches his fist, holding back the other thing he's thinking and doesn't particularly want to share. Are you going crazy again?
The question that he feels the darkness also wants to ask him. Is he just imagining things? It would be more familiar nightmares if it were only his imagination, right? He's sure that if it were in his head, he'd know the demons by name.]
There's something in this forest. It wasn't this hard to get to the village.
no subject
True, whatever entity brought them to this world in the first place clearly knew too much about them. Far, far too much. But everyone they've actually crossed paths with has seemed fairly oblivious, and the idea that their captors are messing with them by whispering their names in the dark while otherwise staying hands-off just doesn't seem right to him.
It isn't impossible, he supposes. But he finds it highly unlikely.
Still, it's probably best to approach this by first discussing the points where he easily agrees with Wen Kexing.]
Something is definitely off with this forest, but... There's no way it's actually physically changed, right?
[In other words, it has to just be their perceptions that have been altered. In the worst-case scenario, have they fallen victim to some sort of mind-altering substance in the air?]
no subject
I don't know! Maybe. I've seen a manor built into a mountain that was like a maze. There were traps set to change the pathways and machines that looked like humans but exploded when you hit them. Even the trees were dangerous.
...It could be like that.
[Or he could be paranoid. Maybe drugged? That also crosses Wen Kexing's mind as he scans the area.]
You didn't hear anyone?
[And of course now he's looking at Ritsu with suspicion as well.]
no subject
I've heard noises.
I haven't heard anything I'd call unmistakably human.
[He's noticed he's being regarded with suspicion, but his reply is as calm as it could be.]
no subject
They were whispers. I know what animals sound like. Why couldn't there be assassins out here? Or bandits trying to rob us?
[Maybe not in quite to the exaggerated extent of Longyuan's Pavilion, but he still thinks the forest could have thieves and traps. Why not?]
Maybe they're protecting something.
no subject
[He doesn't address the assassin bit, but his view of that is somewhat similar. Maybe it isn't entirely out of the question, but he's as of yet unconvinced.]
Do you think there's something worth protecting in this forest?
[Also, he supposes, not out of the question; so he wants to hear what Wen Kexing has in mind.]
no subject
[Although he clearly knows how ridiculous he sounds, because he's throwing a pretty good tantrum over the details.]
They knew who we were when they brought us here, right? Maybe the monsters that brought us are just showing off their power. They want to intimidate us, because they know we're stuck.
[Nothing pisses Wen Kexing off more than nobles and so-called authorities that take advantage of the weak. He's clawed his way up to the top of hell's pit of social dregs and lowlifes, but even he knows that at the end of the day, he's nothing but a wild dog leading a pack of other wild dogs. To the rest of society, he's still nothing.
Which obviously means he has to figuratively bite anyone that annoys him.]
Why not? They might have some secret treasure or old manor they just don't want us trespassing through. What better place to hide than a dumb forest no one wants to stop in?
no subject
If they're really doing this to protect something in the forest from us, I'd think they'd have treated us similarly the first time we were passing through.
no subject
[Look, it makes a lot of sense in his mind. Granted, he lives mostly on basic survival and a stack of fairy tales that don't have practical experience to them.]
Maybe we just triggered it this time. Before it was just a normal road.
[Is he treating this like a basic snare? Yes. But he doesn't know anything about magic, so he assumes it all follows that same logic.]
If it were just natural sounds, I've heard those before. If we were going to be ambushed, they would have tried it or run off already. What else would it be?
no subject
It probably won't do them much good to just stand here and debate all the possibilities.]
Would you care to investigate it and find out?
[Or does he still consider that "trying to get yourself killed"?]
no subject
You're not afraid at all?
[But he doesn't look like a fighter. And yet here he is, acting like it's a day at work. Wen Kexing finds himself grinning at the oddity of it.]
All right. If we find something, then you can interrogate them.
[That's a challenge. He wants to know what Ritsu can do.]