expiationlogs | {EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

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{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

Mmm... Probably, oh fuck I dunno--

[Tora finally drops the act on his side, grinning too hard to pretend anymore.]

Like a barrel of veggies? 20 fish! I have no fucking idea, and that's the honest truth, BUT--

[He holds up a finger.] We get to decide that, don't we.

[It wasn't a question.]

[Oh thank god, he's free. Shinji's shoulders honestly visibly relax just a fraction more, to no longer be stuck in the bit for all time. Goodbye, Victor. You were... a guy... yeah, alright.]

....We get to ask, you mean? They could always say no.

[A barrel of anything sounds like a lot for a single scarf, but honestly, Shinji doesn't know shit about bartering either. Maybe the snake people really like scarves. Who can say.]

You want somebody to give you a certain amount, you start by asking for too much. That makes your real offer sound more reasonable.

[This is not diplomatic at all.]

[Kazutora squints, unsure of the logic behind that, but.. okay, what the fuck did he know about diplomacy, actually? He was just pulling shit out of his ass and hoping it made sense or at least entertained this grumpy, hot guy.

He'd rub his chin and then shrug with a grin.]

Okay, fine, you got me - I've got no idea how to diplomat. I'm just a hoodlum who's here when I should be back at home in jail. But smile and look pretty enough and most people will give you what you want.

And if they don't-- you kill them!

[Hey, he was amused by the bit, besides having to act in it himself? That's something. He's also fairly confident in his not-at-all-diplomatic advice, here; it works on Aki to get him off his case, like, some of the time? Solid planning.

Ah, but, hold on.]

Killing's not diplomatic. [Like, he feels like he should Say That, even if he's hoping it's a joke. Buddy...] Stick to smiling and looking pretty.

[Does this make Shinjiro the diplomat? Great.]

....What are you gonna ask 'em for? Seriously, without the Viper stuff. You came out here, so you've got something in mind, right?

[Kazutora half shrugs and half smirks, eyes lidding. Was it kidding about the killing? Eh--Well, yes. Sort of. He had been going to therapy, but between the previous place and here, it'd been a few months, and he really couldn't afford to slip.

Killing came a little too easily to him, and with the creepy whispering forests and strange Naga creatures, it was hard to keep focus on reality. He had such a hard time with that normally.]

Yeah, I know. No killing, bad Kazutora. [He smacks the top of his hand.]

Mm, I mean, I dunno. We need supplies, right? For the townsfolk? The farmer couple that let me stay with them when I first got here lost a lot of food for their livestock, and I want to help them. .. But honestly?

[He'd glance around the forest, at the other travelers walking in pairs around them, then back at Shinji.]

I just wanted to get out and see someplace new. This all feels like an elongated mental breakdown, haha. .. [His voice softens.] Before I wake up back in a jailcell, I want to experience as much new shit as I can.

[Oh, that's... a surprisingly wholesome answer, after all of the giggling antics and jokes-or-maybe-not-jokes about killing people. At least the part about the farmer couple is - that alone is enough to earn him a couple points, to say nothing of the double whammy of an endearing vulnerability...

About prison. Whatever. Sometimes guys do bad things. Shinjiro knows that one all too well; he's sure the only reason he hasn't been locked up himself is anything Persona-related gets covered up as quickly as possible, back home.

So, well. Huh.]

....Vegetables are good treats for livestock, [he offers, with the expertise of someone who learned that very same fact, uh, earlier this morning. But hey, it's relevant now. Keep an eye open for carrots.]

I'm definitely not the best choice for finding new experiences, [if it were up to him he would merely sit in a room and brood, but he's already here,] but, uh... Shout if you think of something good. I guess.

[Kazutora’s eyes soften as he listens to Shinji’s suggestion, before they widen mischievously. He cups one side of his mouth and shouts in Shinji’s direction.]

Oh hey, look, I found something good. [He smiles warmly and prods Shinji in the chest playfully.]

You’re a good guy. One of those guys who’s golden on the inside, right? Nothing better to shout about then, is there?

[He pulls back a little and sticks his hands in his pockets.]

What’re you here for, then? Just to generally help?

[Okay, okay— he walked right into that one, that's fair, he did say to shout. But the actual shouting makes his shoulders hunch like he can casually duck into his own coat collar for a second, because people can hear this... aaaa....]

You're gonna... [confuse these locals? make him burst into flame? please dude] ....Well, I'm definitely not golden on the inside.

[Which no one has ever believed him on, for some reason, hmm!! Perhaps because he then says:]

Half these guys are just farmers. I came to handle it if something happens, like, dunno... an attack on the way.

Hmm~

[He smiles coyly and nudges him, shoulder to shoulder, only just a touch shorter than Shinji.]

You’re so gold I should just call you Midas. And the axe is your weapon of choice?

[He points to the one Shinji is holding, and then extends his hand out for it.]

I’ve never tried using an axe before; is it okay to?

[Kazutora isn’t weak by any means, but he’s doubtful he could swing that baby. Still, who has an axe, that’s just fucking cool!]

Don't call me that. I'm Shinjiro. And I had to borrow this from somebody.

[But it is still. An axe. Yeah. Mostly he mentions that it's borrowed so that nobody gets any exciting ideas, ahem, because he does shift his grip on it to hold it out handle-first to Kazutora. Don't bust this thing, he doesn't own it...]

It's not for chopping people. It's for- [inner sigh] -y'know, monsters. If there're monsters.

Shinjiro~ That's a nice name. Mine's Kazutora.

[Focusing down at Shinji's proffered hand, he takes the axe from him, holding it steady with both hands, feeling the weight of it between them. He's always been adept at using any weapon he can get his hands on, but truly up to this point in his life, that has never been an axe.]

'Course I won't use it on people, but, really, aren't all actual monsters people in the end~?

[He hefts the axe up. It feels good, powerful. It wasn't a weapon Kazutora could handle with ease, but he'd step back and swing down into a nearby tree stump, grimacing as he'd feel the strength of it course up his arms.

He glances up at Shinji with a breathless grin.]

Fuck, this is hard to use, hah!

Nah, I mean... never mind.

[He knows it's a bit, hm, unique to be carrying an axe around for self-defense here; the not-for-people is so nobody walks away thinking he's going to chop someone in half. Just in case— people have assumed the worst of him before, after all. So never mind, but, dude...

Kazutora's axe to grind (badum tsh) with other people aside— He's trying, which unfortunately isn't enough when it comes to heavy weapons. Shinjiro winces as the axe hits the stump, fully aware of how that must have felt.]

Jeez... you're gonna hurt yourself. Pick it back up and I'll show you how to do it.

[Not with one hand, though, as is his terrible bad habit. That one's murder on the shoulder.]

[Well, Kazutora did love grinding, after all~]

Haha, shiiiit, yeah I can already feel that, heh.

[He hefts up the axe with both hands, steadying it as best he could in front of him, wobbly on his feet, and glancing back at Shinji.]

Okay, Shinjiro-kun, so how's the best way to hold this thing?

[Ah, already wobbling, yeah— emergency axe lessons before he takes himself all the way out are in order. Shinjiro steps around to one side, reaching over to put one hand on the axe up close to the blade, for further steadying purposes. He can swing this bad boy with one hand, so it's fine like this.]

Top hand does the aiming. ....Kinda like you'd hold a bat.

[With his free hand he nudges Kazutora's hands into better position, one at a time. He's fussy about the grip, making sure those hands are turned into the optimal position to not destroy the whole arm with every chop.

....And maybe he should have asked first, oops, but he kind of took the question as permission to get hands-on.]

The closer together your hands are, the more the blade's gonna recoil, and it's gonna hurt like hell.

[Kazutora nods and follows the advice, unbothered by Shinji's proximity. In fact, he liked it. Of course, Shinjiro was handsome, and that was there, but more than that, it meant a certain trust, something that Kazutora no longer had much access to.

But that he wanted direly.]

Oh~ well I'm pretty good with bats-!

[He grins wide and lifts the axe back up, using his top hand to control, as he'd been taught, stabilizing with the bottom. It was harder than it looked, and he had to wonder - just how strong was Shinjiro to be able to lug this around so effortlessly?

He brings the axe back down onto the stump with better controlled force, though he still shudders from the impact.

He glances over his shoulder at Shinji, grin still wide.]

Well, how was that, teacher?

[Shinjiro steps back after he's arranged Kazutora's hands, just so he's not inadvertently in the range of an errant swing - just in case! It's like a bat but also not like a bat at all, and he doesn't want to take an axe in the arm from his own carelessness. So he steps back to observe this next swing with a critical eye, snorting lightly when he gets called teacher. Please, he is just some guy...]

What do you think? Didn't look like it wanted to take your arms off, that time.

[And he'll come back closer to peer at how wedged into the stump the axe is this time, nodding.]

Looks better. You wanna try a swing from the side? [He gestures; get that bad boy up and he'll check Kazutora's grip again. Although-] ....Maybe further away from the others.

[JUUUUST in case!!]

[He laughs, delighted by the heft of the axe, the weight of it lodging into the tree trunk. The exhilaration of it taps into that special part of Kazutora's brain, the part that therapy was meant to mitigate... but therapy hadn't happen for months now.

Violence. He liked it. Was drawn to it. It fulfilled him in a way that he knew wasn't good but couldn't ever quite dampen fully.

He grins at Shinji and nods at the question, using the ball of his foot to prop against the stump for support as he'd rip the axe out of it, wooden chips flying.

He steps back, from Shinji and from the rest of the crew, to center himself and re-align his grip. And then he swings to the side-!

Aaaand loses grip of the axe, which goes flying and smacking into a nearby tree.

His eyes shift towards Shinji as he'd feel the shame seeping into him. He bites his lip.]

Ah--- um.. oops?

[See, this is why he doesn't teach people things, he's obviously not very good at remembering all the Axe Safety steps—

Or, there goes the axe, and with it an abrupt spike of panic, like someone is going to just pop up in the path of the rogue axe at the worst possible moment. It thumps against the tree and Shinji... doesn't relax, necessarily, but feels marginally less sudden horror. Jesus, teaching is bad for his heart.

He glances at Kazutora but goes to retrieve the axe first, hefting it onto his shoulder with one hand with a sort of decisiveness; that's the end of today's axe lesson, he thinks. He'll hold onto this now. But when he looks back and sees that expression, the dam of shame about to break— ah. Well. They're both a little at fault for this, probably...

Frowning, he reaches over with his free hand and... just drops it on Kazutora's head, sympathetically. Don't look at him like that, jeez.]

You suck at this. [it is merely the truth,] Coulda been worse. I'm not much of a teacher, so forget about it. ....Gonna hold onto this for now, though.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

HERE AS VICTOR VIPER lolololol I'm dead

remember him as he lived: a bad actor

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