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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
[Because it's going to be taken care of, right? That's how things like this work. Problems come up, they get fixed, and then the problem goes away. Right?? Her face is a mixture of sheepish and hopeful.]
Guess it's just meat at the end of the day, so if it's a meat dish you can probably make it with wolf meat.
[She wrinkles her nose at his joke.]
Can't say I have. But would you believe me if I said I've had Tyrannosaurus before?
[It was Zell's fault, but no one needs to know that. And she'd absolutely only gone through with it based on a dare.]
no subject
[If not...well, they'll have bigger problems to deal with. But they'll have to cross that bridge if they come to it; fixes and solutions will probably have a lot to do with the problem. Why did everything start failing all at once, anyway? ...If this does turn out to be a long-term problem, that might be the first step in figuring things out.
Anyway. They're bantering -- he'll think more on that stuff later.]
Exactly. In this situation, you'd get the most out of the meat if you cooked it in a soup. Maybe find some other vegetables to put in, things like that. But you could probably make a lot of stuff with it.
[As for the question, he makes a bit of a face, tilting his head.]
You've had a what before?
We'll just pretend I spelled it canon appropriately from the start >_> kthxbai
[After all, people had lived just fine before there were refrigerators. So if they had to adapt back to that sort of situation again well, they would. It couldn't be that hard. It was just hard because they'd been blind sided by the situation. But the fact that they'll adapt and overcome?
That's a given as far as Rinoa's concerned. So she's not really worried just yet. Hungry, yes, but not worried.]
T-Rexaur! The dinosaur?
[She made a huge gesture with her arms before stomping around making growling and roaring noises with tiny little tucked in arms.]
Like this! Trust me, if you've seen one you'd never forget it. They're... a lot.
[And not the worst thing she's ever eaten admittedly, bit tough if you didn't cook it right, but that wasn't the point of this conversation.]
LOL i forgot it was different in ff8
Right. We've got this handled.
[But...a dino-what? Now he looks confused, and he tries to solve this confusion at first by...mimicking part of her actions, making the little t-rex arms.]
So-- it's some kinda monster? A big guy, from the sound of it. I don't think I've ever seen one. [Now a grin tugs at his expression.] But if I do, I'll let you know. So you can have a taste of home.
[He's kidding. Probably. ... Maybe.]
Only realized because I wiki'd it fffffffff
[Rinoa's quest to keep everyone positive and less doom and gloom? It's going pretty well if she says so herself.]
Yeah! That's exactly it.
[She laughs as he tries to copy her, clearly having no idea what she's talking about.]
It's a really big, really tough monster. And I've fought actual dragons before and worse, so trust me. I know tough.
[At the taste of home comment, she has to protest. Just in case he's serious and getting the wrong idea.]
What? No! We don't normally eat monsters like that where I'm from! It was this dumb idea Zell had.
no subject
You have, huh? I can see how, with those moves.
[He's never seen a weapon like that, but between the two of them, they handled that pack of wolves like it was nothing. It reminded him a little of his adventures with Serah -- something he tries not to linger on overmuch, focusing instead on her lively protest. Zell? Must be someone she knows from home. He pauses at her comments, and then shrugs.]
It's not so bad, you know. Eating monsters.
no subject
[His response has Rinoa narrowing her eyes, leaning forward to try and determine if he's being sincere or not. She's....not used to people agreeing that she's competent in battle. In her mind? She's still trying to catch up to her SeeD friends and failing horribly. Of course, it's not true. She's a seasoned combatant in her own right now. Plus, she's been training with Rin. But it's hard to shake that worry about not being enough even now.]
I mean, as long as it tastes alright? [She feels a little bad now. Since apparently he's used to eating monsters? Or, at least it seems like it from the way he talks about it so casually.] It's just not something I'm used to, that's all.
no subject
His face falls when she mentions the future, though, bringing back to the forefront all the things he can't seem to forget for very long. He might have responded to that, too, if not for her...extremely discerning gaze. He leans back a bit, as if that'll somehow cut down on the scrutiny, glancing around to see if there's something else he should be aware of. His expression is more confused than anything.]
... What? What is it?
no subject
I was just trying to figure out if you were making fun of me, silly. It wouldn't be the first time.
[And she's trying to be a bit less gullible about it. But perhaps she'd be slightly less overzealous next time. Cheeks flushing, she sets about gathering the wolves they'd felled in battle. Because it means she doesn't have to meet his eyes while she explains. Plus, it needed to get done anyway.]
I'm... not used to being praised when it comes to combat, really. That's all. It's not that long since I was useless and in the way.
no subject
The averted gaze makes him think she must be serious about it, so he pauses for a second. What do you say to something like that? It's a situation he's never actually had to deal with. Well, he may be, as the kids say, "old AF," but he's still got the brain of a teenager, so his first instinct is to respond with Something Sassy(tm).]
Nah. Believe me, if I was making fun of you, you'd know it. You really did seem like you were handling it well.
[Oh. He should probably help with those carcasses. He grabs one by the legs and starts hauling it over his shoulder.]
no subject
[Which is absurd, given everything she's been through. Plus she's been training with Rin since she got here and has even started learning melee combat. She's nowhere near as green as she was, but it's still so easy to think of herself that way. Brain not quite caught up to her new reality.
The something sassy(tm) actually works pretty well, Rinoa giggles. Feeling cheered up by this fact despite it being a low lying fruit, all things considered.]
I guess you're right.
[Rinoa smiles, the endorsement clearly meaning a lot. Not enough to stop hauling dead wolf to preen, but...she'll probably look back on this conversation later and smile about it all over again. Except....]
I've killed wolves before, but never... can someone else do the rest?
[Oh no. Killing them is one thing. Cutting them open another. Yes, she does actually look a little green at the very idea of it. It's just... that's got to be so gross surely?]
no subject
I know the feeling. Worrying that you'll never quite be at the same level.
[It had been the same with Caius. No matter where Noel was, the man had always been a step ahead. Just a little faster, just a little smarter, just a little more level-headed...it drove him nuts, growing up. Feeling like he was just never quite there. Problem is, learning about why that was never really solved things. Maybe, in a way, he's still a little mad about it.
... He absolutely can't help laughing at the request. Sorry, Rinoa. He's not laughing at you, exactly. But your face is turning a pretty interesting color.]
Don't worry. Once we get these guys back to town, I'll take care of the rest.
[Wouldn't want her to lose her lunch or anything.]