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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
[He echoes the words, but Wen Kexing's voice is louder; sulky. He's defiant even when he's not fighting, grudging even when there's no grudge. He can't fight invisible, unnamed beings that may or may not actually be gods, but he can definitely be angry and rebellious to his final breath.
He pushes back against Zhou Zishu's shoulder in solidarity.]
They're cruel and arrogant bastards who don't care who they hurt? Why bring so-called criminals to live among them at all?
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Well, so what if they are testing us? [ He gives an overdramatic shrug, letting it shift their bodies at little where they're pressed against each other. ] The left us together, so it's their problem how it all turns out.
no subject
Only Zhou Zishu is real. That's Wen Kexing's proof that he still exists. ]
Are we going to find their base and burn it down? We can't let them beat us, right?
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We can save that for later. [ Because he knows full well that Wen Kexing destructive tendencies can only be suppressed for so long. And if it turns out someone deserves it, well. ] First we need more information.
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Have you already learned some secret codes within this world? What kinds of trades do they do under the cover of dark?
[ Because of course Zhou Zishu is finding every resource and secret group in the area. It's harder for Wen Kexing to pick up those secrets, but he's not surprised that Zhou Zishu can make himself at home anywhere. ]
no subject
What codes would I have found while hunting rabbits?
[ He's been a little busy. Or lazy. Or both. ]
I'm sure there's something. [ There's always some underbelly to be found, he's sure of that. ] But I don't know if you noticed, it's a little harder to go unnoticed here.
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[ Which doesn't prove anything, but he's happy to make things up anyway. ]
Do you think this place has any codes like that? They seem too quiet. Even the town isn't that active. If you were a criminal, there would be nowhere to go.
[ He grins widely when Zhou Zishu says they stick out. ]
Maybe we should dress up even more. If we are frightening enough, we could take over. What do you think?
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Bite your tongue. Who wants to be in charge of this many people?
[ He has his hands full enough with one idiot disciple. Leadership is well behind him these days, and Zhou Zishu is perfectly happy to leave it there. ]
We are being considered criminals, and this is where we are. [ He shrugs, unconcerned. ] Maybe everyone here is a criminal.
no subject
You think everyone here is a criminal? Enough to fill Qingya Valley?
[ His smile becomes more thoughtful. Even among the three thousand ghosts, he couldn't say that every single person was a criminal. ]
Tch, how can they tell? What right do they have to judge us? They probably just kidnapped everyone randomly as they slept. Cowards.
no subject
[ What is he saying, of course Wen Kexing would prefer that. There is something a little galling about having been dragged here without putting up a fight, but at least no one else seems to have managed any better. ]
Tell you what, if we figure out who brought us here, you can have the first shot at them.
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[ He doesn't even wait, echoing Zhou Zishu's own thoughts with his immediate answer. Wen Kexing always prefers the direct approach. It might be messy and ugly, but at least it's honest.
But he does scoff lightly at that, leaning to bump shoulders with Zhou Zishu. ]
Tch, I won't do it on my own. How boring would that be?
no subject
[ Together, anyway. Zhou Zishu won't quite say that he's been itching for something a little more active, but he did just get pulled out of a dungeon recently enough. Spars here and there are fine, but not quite the same for someone used to getting into life or death fights regularly. ]
But what do we do until then?
[ ...actually, that's a really good question. What are they supposed to do now? ]
no subject
[ No Beggar gangs or armies, no drug men or assassins. Really, they have it easy now. Wen Kexing had been set on tearing through Jin Wang's men, and now that Zhou Zishu actually seems okay, he's restless. He gets in close, pushing at Zhou Zishu's personal space like he wants to annoy him. It's been a pretty good life so far. The lack of threats is good... and irritating. ]
I guess that means we'll have to entertain ourselves. Or you could learn to do more cooking!
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Why should I have to learn when I have you here?
[ Declarations of affection, Zhou Zishu style. ]
We can't be cooking all the time, anyway.
no subject
[ And by the way he says it, Wen Kexing sees that indulgence as part of Zhou Zishu's charm. He knows comfort and has chosen to rely on him--it's really the ultimate compliment in Wen Kexing's eyes. And because he knows Zhou Zishu is as dangerous and restless as he is, he can't help pressing his luck and trying to fondle him just a bit.
Losing a hand would still be worth it. ]
I'll find other things for us to do.
no subject
You'll burn dinner if you get distracted.
[ Half a tease and half a warning, considering they are still technically in public. Wen Kexing may have no concept of the idea of shame but Zhou Zishu has no need for that many eyes on him. ]