expiationmods: (Default)
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.



wishupona: (Just keep my star in sight)

[personal profile] wishupona 2023-03-31 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
[When Marianne walks up with two horses, Rinoa is completely taken by surprise. She'd expected people. These are... honestly so much better.]

Oh! Why hello Willow, Juniper. [She's excited, but keeps her voice relatively calm. After all, she's an experienced dog mom. You can't just holler around animals! That's not how this works.] It's very nice to meet you.

[She can't help but walk forward, carefully holding her hand out for one of them to sniff before petting a silky muzzle happily.]

Why of course they'll get treats. I think I mentioned there should be some carrots in one of the crates. Horses like stuff like that, right?

[A glance then to Marianne, because she honestly doesn't know that much about them. Some book knowledge more than anything else.]
snowslip: (h1)

[personal profile] snowslip 2023-04-03 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The horses are curious about Rinoa, pressing their noses against her hand and sniffing. Marianne watches their interaction with a smile. ]

Yes, they're fond of carrots. Their staple diet is grass and hay. Vegetables are high in nutrients so they can't have too much, but it's the perfect snack.

[ She might be rambling a bit. She catches herself and wrings her hands in embarrassment. Marianne's always happy to share horse knowledge though. ]

With their help, we'll be able to carry everything back.
wishupona: (I’m not alone but I’m all alone)

[personal profile] wishupona 2023-04-04 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
If nothing else, they also can't have too much because we need them for our own dinners later.

[Rinoa giggles even as she pets the horses, happy as a clam to meet them.]

And that's why they get treats. An early thank you for helping fill our bellies later.
snowslip: (h1)

[personal profile] snowslip 2023-04-05 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, as much as I'm tempted to spoil them, we have to ration the food.

[ Marianne gives Willow an affectionate rub, leaning in and murmuring to the horse. 'This is Rinoa. She's my friend and she's got treats for you. Won't you help us move these crates so we can feed everyone back in town?' and 'Thank you, you're a sweetheart' can be heard softly spoken. She glances back at Rinoa. ]

Shall we pack up? Is there anything else you'd like to do in town?
wishupona: (Sail your sea - Meet your storm)

[personal profile] wishupona 2023-04-05 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
We'll get them some more treats later. Things won't always be like this.

[Rinoa hears her, but doesn't comment. Giving her at least an illusion of privacy of space to converse with her horsey friends.]

Think I'm out of everything I packed specifically. Figured we'd just be waiting for everyone else now.

[Maybe she'd been a bit too good at her job. Or maybe too hasty? Maybe they should have taken more time. Hm.]
snowslip: (h1)

[personal profile] snowslip 2023-04-09 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope it went just as well for the others.

[ Quick is good. It means they won't be trudging in the forest in the dark, and they may even make it back in time for dinner. Hopefully they've left a good impression on the naga and perhaps even planted the seeds for a long trade partnership.

Marianne reaches into one of the saddlebags and pulls out rope to tie up the crates with. ]


We can secure the food with this.
wishupona: (A rainbow paint the sky)

[personal profile] wishupona 2023-04-14 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sure it went fine. Everyone prepared a lot.

[Rinoa watches curious, because she's... not at all used to this. Her experience would involve people packing them into the back of a truck and driving off. This lack of technology is wholly unfamiliar.]

You'll have to teach me how.
snowslip: (ht2)

[personal profile] snowslip 2023-04-16 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
It's wonderful how everyone came together.

[ Well, maybe not everyone, but if there are people who have chosen less legal means of securing food, Marianne is blissfully unawares. She lifts the fishnets of food from the crates and demonstrates how to secure them to the straps on the saddle so that they hang down, one on each side of the horse's flank. Another pack she slings over the horse's saddle and ties down with the rope. The horses are strong and trained and stay still as she works. ]

They should be able to carry four or five packs with ease.
wishupona: (Just leave me your stardust)

[personal profile] wishupona 2023-04-17 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'd say we're really lucky. But is it luck if we all worked hard?

[They can remain oblivious together. It's fine. Believing the best in everyone they've traveled with. After observing for a while, Rinoa steps in and starts to help. She's nowhere near as fast, naturally, but she's fine with being slow and careful. The stuff they're packing, it's super important and she doesn't want to risk something happening on their journey back.]

They're so pretty, sometimes it's easy to forget they're also big and strong.

[The horse she's working with gets an appreciative pat for that.]
snowslip: (h1)

[personal profile] snowslip 2023-04-20 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
I think we can be proud of what we accomplished. Especially you, Rinoa.

[ It wasn't luck that earned them the food that they're now bringing back. Marianne isn't one to boast, but she thinks they can take a little credit. Especially Rinoa who did the heavy lifting in the negotiation. Marianne would be missing the scarf wrapped around her shoulders if it wasn't for her quick thinking. ]

Have you ever ridden a horse?
Edited 2023-04-20 06:25 (UTC)