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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's a refreshing break to have someone tell him he can miss people. When most of those people are still angry at him, saying he misses being around them always sounds unfair. Seimei knows it's because the people in this world don't know him or what he's done, but nevertheless he appreciates her sympathy. ]
Maybe the sentence isn't as harsh as we imagine?
[ He has nothing to base that on, but if they were planning on locking them up or killing them, wouldn't they just be imprisoned? ]
Or maybe we are punishing ourselves?
[ That is even less likely. Seimei says it more as a joke. Don't a lot of movies end as dreams? ]
Do you think you deserve to be sentenced for a crime?
no subject
[ Being asked such a question outright catches Marianne by surprise. She's always felt guilty of what was written on her parchment, though others have told her to regard the document with suspicion. ]
I can't help but believe it's true.
[ Though it may just be Marianne punishing herself. She's always thought herself more guilty than she is, so even if it was just a joke, Seimei may be onto something. ]
no subject
Why? You seem like a kind person. I can't imagine that you would be guilty of anything.
[He noticed the discomfort before as well, but if whatever is holding her down is hurting Marianne's chances at overcoming her personal test, he can at least try to help.]
no subject
[ Receiving the parchment just reaffirms her fears. Marianne clutches the pendant instinctively as if it might impart her some luck. It's becoming a nervous habit of hers. ]
I'm sorry...I've dragged the mood down. [ She regrets raising the subject. She had been glad to see Seimei, and he's been so kind, she'd hate to burden him with her troubles. ] Please forget I said anything.
no subject
Don't apologize. No matter what it is, you don't have to be afraid of being yourself. If you were pursued by a monster or curse, they won't follow you here. Trust me.
[ His usual amusement turns more serious, although he keeps smiling. ]
We won't let anything happen.
no subject
[ The touch on her arm makes Marianne look up from the ground. The idea of being freed from her curse...it's the first time she's even entertained such a thought, but a heavy voice in the back of her mind tells her no, it isn't possible. Not when it's something within her she can't outrun.
She doesn't know what makes Seimei able to have faith in her when she can't muster faith in herself. Doesn't it unsettle him even a little? She knows her gloomy disposition has driven others away even before people learn of who she is. ]
I don't understand. You say that with such confidence even though you barely know me.
no subject
[ He says it cheerfully, as if that's a real answer. He doesn't actually know much for certain, but he's always willing to bet on the good nature of others. Hasn't Marianne been kind? He doesn't believe she would do anything wrong--and if it were a curse, he could find a way to dispel it. Probably? ]
But most importantly, I know our lives are not that simple. Whatever might have happened in the past, I don't think it can decide the rest of our fate that easily. We always have a way of moving forward. And we can be many things, can't we?
no subject
[ Marianne replies softly, not meaning to be rude, just puzzled by his acceptance, his thoughtful words. She doesn't think it's as simple as he makes it sound, but they're the words that she needs to hear. She clings to that sliver of hope that her fate can be different, a lifeline in a river of bad memories threatening to drag her under. ]
I've never thought about who it is I want to be.
[ Just who she doesn't want to be. The person she is now. ]
How do you do it? How are you able to put things behind you so easily?
[ Compared to her, he never appeared distressed by the situation they found themselves in. She finds his calmness steadying, in a way. ]
no subject
[ Being strange and unnatural. Maybe she can see it in him and maybe she can't. Maybe Marianne just senses that part of him unconsciously and reacts to it without knowing. He can see that she is already fighting with something like that herself, and he reaches out, resting a gentle hand over each of her arms like he's going to pull her up out of a hole. ]
You're fine the way you are. No matter what happens, you have potential ahead of you. That's more important than what you won't be.
[ A monster. A creature no one wants. He doesn't know her past, but he can see her hesitation. ]
It's not behind me. It's with me. But that means I should make use of it, right? I might be strange, but that doesn't have to be bad.