♥ January (Lasra) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

January (Lasra) Event Log
Are you feeling free of last year's burdens, offworlders? The natives certainly are after spending the final month of the year at Rawna's temples. Now it's time for a new beginning even as the cold deepens, leaving snow drifts piled along Havenwell's streets. Industrious robots are hard at work keeping the city clean and removing any ice from the stone roads, leaving only beautiful winter scenery behind. The city sparkles under the snow and the silvery white decor brings out of their temples the priests not only for Rawna, but all of the gods.

---

❥ PROMPT I: The Temple Celebrations

As noted in the Intro Log, the residents of Havenwell have been invited to help with the decorations in order to incorporate your worlds' cultures with their own, and to assist in celebrating the new year's coming. Residents are encouraged to visit any temple at their convenience or pleasure and join in the design process. There are craft tables, ranging from basic (for the younger or less skilled, such as kites or papercraft) to intricate and advanced designs (like glass lanterns or embroidery). Those less creatively-inclined are welcome to use their various skills, magics, or just ladder-balancing talents to help with the decoration installations around town. Many hands make light the work, after all.

Each temple has music playing and all of them have their associated animals not inside the temple like normal, but spread all over the temple grounds and surrounding areas. They aren't lost for once, but seem to be beckoning people toward their respective homes which are bedecked with holograms of dark green leafy boughs, ribbons, and ornaments all in the temple's colors. Diacht has red and white striped ornaments, Ohma has blue and gold, and Ainea is bringing up the cute factor with pink and purple. But Rawna is looking especially resplendent with rainbow sheened silver ornaments hung in the air, mixed in with real ones that are suspended from wires so thin they look as if they're hanging in midair. The dragonlings fly through the air, trailing silver ribbons behind them that make the temple really seem to shine this month. At each temple, simply by showing up, you can receive a small gift from the priests regardless of whether or not you're an adherent. And they invite you to play the temple games or dance along to the festive music playing from speakers. Each temple has something different to offer, so grab a friend and make your first visit of the year a special one!

• Ainea:
Ainea's temple offers a soft fluffy pink and purple-swirled scarf that's long enough for you and a friend to wear at the same time if you so wish. The temple's game is called "The Best Of." You and a partner step upon a small silver platform and each pull a card from a pile. Tell your partner about the prompt on the card in order to clear it. Only honest answers count and you'll know when the other person is being honest because the platform sings a little jingle and counts a point for your pair. The more cards you can get through, the higher your points! Some examples of the prompts are things like: the most embarrassing moment of the last year, most exciting moment of the last year, hardest you laughed last year, most beautiful thing you saw last year, most memorable trip from the last year, favorite song of the year, etc.

• Rawna:
Rawna's temple has an offering of beautiful gloves, threaded with rainbow thread at the wrists in an intricate and abstract pattern that somewhat resembles dragons in flight. Their game is one of flying kites. For a small Dora donation, priests will give you a thin slip of paper to write a wish upon. Tie your wish, or wishes if you're here with someone else, to your kite and get help from someone to make it fly the highest in the hopes that the gods will hear and answer you. As you deepen your relationship with the person you're flying your kite with by talking or sharing the meaning of your wishes, the kite seems to fly higher and higher.

• Ohma:
Ohma's offering is a tasteful blue, wide-brimmed hat with a gold ribbon and flower accents. Their game is a card matching one. For those read up on Havenwell's poets, try your hand at this game where you match the beginning of the poem with the next line. A robot judge reads the first line and then you have to find the corresponding card among a field of brightly colored cards. Grab the card first and win points! For those not familiar with Havenwell's poetry, you can try the game with more simple themes like colors and fruits (not that they make much sense - why is an apple blue??) or facts about the other people in Havenwell. ....when did that game become so popular?

• Diacht:
Diacht's offering is a white and red feather pendant necklace on a thin white-gold chain. Their game seems to be something like Earth's game of badminton, but minus a net. Grab a pair of large white and red wooden paddles and a multicolored shuttlecock and try batting away the year's bad luck by keeping the shuttlecock aloft. If you're the one to drop it, your opponent gets to draw on your face with a special ink-brush that has the ink contained in its handle. For the non-athletically inclined, you can watch the professionals play the game as the robotic natives most renowned for the art of this game are trying to break a Havenwell record for a single continuous game: 22 days.

❥ PROMPT II: Your Yearly (Mis)Fortunes

At each temple along all the other celebrations and games, you can also find a separate booth that has a strange and unreadable Aellyn script on it. The robot sitting behind the booth has their face covered with a strip of fabric that obscures it completely, but it calls out to you when you walk by. It offers you an ancient-looking wooden container with a single small hole at the top. If you take it, it mimes shaking the container and tipping it over. Do as they say and a wooden stick pops out of the top with that same strange script on it. The robot takes a look at what you got and takes the container back, passing you a single strip of paper with reverence. "Keep your fortune close or learn to let it go," it says, and then looks to find another patron. Turn your paper over and discover what your fortune holds for you.

• Big Luck:
"The world shall become your limitless bounty, until you choose to rely on others." After reading your fortune, the world does indeed seem limitless. Or maybe it's just large? Everything around you has suddenly gained in size. The fortune-teller's booth seems like a mountain. The stones under your feet like a massive raft. Has the world suddenly grown? Nope, you've just shrunk down to about 5 to 6 inches tall. Everything you were holding and on your person is also proportional to your new size. Hopefully you can find someone to carry you around for a bit because only by being carried will you return to your natural size. As an option, this can happen to you again randomly at any time during the month so long as you keep the paper fortune on you.

• Medium Luck:
"All that glitters is gold for you until another helps you out." After reading your fortune, nothing much seems to have overtly changed. And you probably won't notice anything until the next time you try to eat something. Any time your hands touch any food or anything that can be used to feed yourself, it explodes into glitter and your communicator rings as a deposit of Dora is made into your bank account. This seems pretty awesome at first, until you realize you can't eat anything and you're getting hungry. You may need to get someone else to feed you your next meal, after which the curse seems to have been broken. However, you have the option to have this effect happen again randomly at any time during the month so long as you keep the paper fortune on you.

• Small Luck:
"The smallest things can bring the biggest rewards." After reading your fortune, nothing much seems to have changed until you return home and find all of your pillows, blankets, and bedding have turned much, much too small for you. If you're an adult, the bedding is now the size suitable for a baby. If you are a child, you're looking at something small enough for a large doll. Any bedding you try to borrow changes its size as well, and it seems the only thing that can change them back is to share your bed or a blanket with someone else for a night. When you wake up from your nap or your slumber, everything will be back to normal. As an option, you can have this effect happen again randomly any time during the month so long as you keep the paper fortune on you.

• Bad Luck:
"The love of an animal is almost as strong as the love of your fellow people." After reading this fortune, all the temple animals turn and look at you in unison. They seem to be drawn toward you, literally, as they begin to converge and run toward you like a tidal hoard in an attempt to cuddle you. You best run or they threaten to bury you under their mass, and they'll keep chasing you until you find comfort in the arms of another - whether that's climbing on top of them to get away or jumping into their arms to avoid the tidal wave of mice - as soon as you cling to someone else, the animals seem to lose interest. You can optionally have this effect activate again at any time during the month so long as you keep the paper fortune on you, creating a new stampede of animals of any variety that try to love you just a liiiittle too much.

• Terrible Luck:
"Even bad luck can be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." After reading this fortune, you don't immediately feel any different. In fact, nothing much seems to have changed at all. You decide to walk away from the booth though, and that's when it hits you - or rather you hit it. You're overcome with a clumsy streak the size of a meteor belt as you bump, trip, and fall into just about everything in your path be it inanimate or animate. If it's inanimate, hopefully you don't mind a few bruises. If they're another person, maybe they'll catch you because only by being caught by someone can you break your clumsy streak. As an option, you can have this effect come back at any time so long as you keep the paper fortune on you.

OOC: If you wish to roll for a random fortune, leave an comment with your character's name in the Request Thread. The mods will randomize for you and give you your fortune. Your character can only claim 1 fortune, no matter how many times they attempt the fortune-teller's game. Feel free to choose your own fortune instead, if you would prefer a set result.

❥ PROMPT III: Memories of the Sun (VR)

This seasonal VR simulation is especially popular with the natives for the fact that it lets them see their world as it used to be. Load into the simulation "Memories of the Sun" and you'll be transported along with all others who are currently logged in to make a pilgrimage up Aellyn's most sacred mountain. Although its peak is rocky and somewhat barren, it has a serene beauty as it reaches up through the cloud layer and you climb upwards through the dark. The path is clearly lit by small lamps embedded into the ground, but you might find it easier to take the climb if you hang onto someone else. Once you reach the peak, whether you're alone or with someone else, you'll be treated to the sight of a gorgeous sunrise peeking over the thinning clouds. It's a sight to remember, and a sight that brings memories. As you watch you're overcome with a very real vision of your home, a place you remember, or people you know. This vision is typically of a better time in your life, something to bring you hope and peace as the new year dawns - but not always. Is this a vision of your past? Your future? Of your present? If you came here with someone else, they can also choose to share in your vision and you in theirs. Are you brave enough to face what the mountain has to show you?

❥ PROMPT IV: All the Ups and Downs

And while the celebrations continue, there seems to be something a little awry with Havenwell. Here and there throughout the month, gravity has gone utterly haywire. You can be walking from temple to temple or going about your everyday life when suddenly you feel yourself lifted off the ground or heavier than you have any right to be. Havenwell's natives aren't immune to this effect either, and you might see a robot go shooting up into the sky suddenly to hover a good five to ten feet in the air. Or they might take a step and suddenly fall flat on their faces, their gears whirring with the strain as they try to pick themselves up. Thankfully the other natives are quick to jump up and grab their companions if they're flying overhead or pull their friends out of the well if they're stuck to the ground. If you find yourself caught up in these gravity wells, you'll need someone's help to do the same. Be sure to pay it forward because you'll never know when it could be you in this awkward position.

---

This event will run from January 15 to January 31. Click on each prompt's title to see the text. If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread below.

This post is meant to act as a catch-all for convenience, but feel free to make your own posts if you prefer!

Comments

[meridio]

[ Zenitsu swings, and he strikes! The shuttlecock flies with renewed velocity—and bounces off of Somnus' forehead. It falls and Somnus, with unflinching impassivity in his eyes, puts a hand out to catch it.

These priests are relentless. How many times has it been now? ]

[zapdope]

[ scream

Zenitsu covers his own forehead when it hits its mark. ]

S-sorry!!?! I didn't meant to hit your forehead!!

[ He doesn't think he's hit the shuttlecock that hard, but getting hit in the forehead isn't always a nice feeling. ]

[meridio]

[ Getting hit in the face by a shuttlecock is the least of his concerns, really. Somnus holds the little bird out to Zenitsu. ]

Your instincts are sharp, but they will not serve you in a panic.

[zapdope]

Ehhhh?!

[ He thought it was just a silly game to play! ]

Since when did this turn into some kind of training session?!

[meridio]

[ If one has time to play, one has time to train. This is a physical exercise, and so perfect for combining the two. What lurks beyond the wall is dangerous. ]

Are you familiar with this sport?

[zapdope]

[ That is exactly what Tanjiro would say, but that comment in the brackets will be left alone for now if Zenitsu has picked it up via sound. ]

Yeah, somewhat... At least I've watched other people play it before.

[ Until coming to this world, Zenitsu never had a friend he could play these kind of games with. Even if he did, they'd be more busy training or defeating demons, so whenever they were able to have some downtime, it'd be board or card games with his friends. ]

You basically use the racket to hit the shuttlecock back to the opponent. Uhm... [ he trails off, wondering how to explain to someone who's willing to tie anything to training. ] ...It'll be for accuracy and endurance? And I guess control over where you want the shuttlecock to fly, if you wanna win...

[ He shifts a little, feeling a little awkward about explaining all this. ]

[meridio]

[ Whether or not one is slated to win, one should always put forth one's best effort. Zenitsu's demotivational answer at the end disagrees with Somnus' severe nature, but the latter says nothing of it. He lacks the qualifications to turn this into a learning experience on his end, nor is it his place. ]

The temple has assigned us what we need to begin. Come.

[ Striding past, Somnus moves to an open court where he awaits Zenitsu. ]

[zapdope]

[ The intensity somewhat reminds him of Tanjiro when he's more upset, and that scares Zenitsu a little. But this was supposed to be all games and fun, so it shouldn't get that bad, right?

...Right?

Zenitsu warily moves over to the court, practically hugging onto the paddle as if that'll protect him from any harm. ]

L-Let's at least have some fun...?

[meridio]

[ It can't get that bad, because Somnus sucks at playing fake badminton—

Seeing as Zenitsu neglected to accept the shuttlecock, Somnus has been holding onto it. He now holds it over the paddle as he readies to serve. If they can keep the birdie afloat, perhaps at least one of them will feel that thrill of adrenaline and have fun. With a nod to signal the start, Somnus drops the shuttlecock and strikes it lightly to Zenitsu's side of the court. ]

[zapdope]

[ Okay. Even if this game is suddenly now training time, at least it wouldn't be as bad as trying to acquire the Full Focus Breathing technique... or at least that's what Zenitsu hopes.

The first serve being light, it's not that difficult for Zenitsu to return the hit. Since he's not as panicked as before, his hit isn't going all over the place, but he's hoping he's not going to get scolded for not trying hard enough. ]

[meridio]

[ If there were a professional sitting in on this game, Somnus is under no illusion that they both wouldn't be scolded for form and technique. He's in no position to be scolding anyone for anything here. They only have one goal, and it's to keep the birdie in the air. Taking the necessary steps to close in on the shuttlecock, Somnus strikes it back to Zenitsu with a little more force this time. ]

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu's form will never be suitable for professional matches for this game. It's just going to look awkward because he will default to his First Form of Breath of Thunder.

Which he somewhat goes to do when he moves to hit the bird back, loosely getting into the form before successfully making his swing. And because paddles are not meant to really be swung like how he'd normally swing his sword, the bird flies in a weird direction. ]

Aw crap—!! Sorry!!

[meridio]

[ He swings, and he strikes! Again, except the shuttlecock disappears from their sights and all they hear is the distant squawk of a bird. Knowing their luck, it's the same raven that Noctis struck the other day.

Somnus walks over to retrieve the birdie. On his way back, he stops at Zenitsu's side of the court. ]

The paddle is no katana.

[zapdope]

[ Poor bird... Zenitsu winces at the sound of the shuttlecock making its mark on the innocent raven and absentmindedly rubs his head.

He feels a little embarrassed about his last hit. At the same time, he wishes he could easily get into the form as quickly when he's fighting against a demon, but he'll just put that thought aside for now. ]

Yeah, I know... I've never actually played this game myself either.

[ Zenitsu responds, grumbling as he lightly swings the paddle a few times without much thought. Anyways, Zenitsu technically lost that round, and he realizes there's another rule to the game. ]

So I guess I lost that one, so I'd get something drawn on my face, huh?

[meridio]

The first round was practice.

[ But Zenitsu did lose, even if it was entirely of his own doing. Somnus steps toward the section of the temple where the ink brushes are on display. ]

If you wish to acknowledge the loss, let us acquire a brush.

[zapdope]

What, really?!

[ Oh sHIT he could've gone by without getting the humiliation part if he'd just kept quiet!! Noooo! ]

Then we could've just practiced and left the brush alone?! Can we skip the brush thing then!?

[ SHAMELESS ]

[meridio]

[ Shameless. Somnus, being the one to have supplied that out, steps again; this time, however, he moves back to his side of the court. ]

Practice has ended. Henceforth one of us will win and the other, lose.

[ With that established, he wastes no time in serving the shuttlecock toward Zenitsu. Think fast, but not—as evident as being the problem—too fast. ]

[zapdope]

[ NOOOOOOO!! Zenitsu's pretty sure Somnus is going to be the winner here. With how stern Somnus is with how he speaks and the sounds Zenitsu is picking up, the chances of getting away from this game is now close to zero.

You can run away! He remembers his teacher saying. Maybe he'll do tha—

And then he sees the serve happen. Too late! ] WAAGGHH!!!

[ He frets a little too much and completely misses the shuttlecock. ]

[meridio]

[ That didn't last long.

Well, he said that this was an authentic round. Somnus lowers his paddle and promptly walks over to the table with the ink brushes, fully expecting Zenitsu to follow suit. ]

[zapdope]

[ Holy smokes he's really gonna do it. Well he knew but he didn't want to believe it.

At least it shouldn't be as bad as going against demons, but... He begrudgingly moves over to the table.

He's got to try to up his game... He'd hate to keep losing. Don't mind him grumbling to himself as he waits for his face to get marked. ] ...Urgh.... I gotta...do better... [ grumble grumble ]

[meridio]

[ The difference in their height allows Somnus easy access to Zenitsu's face. He brings the brush up, but doesn't make his mark just yet. ]

Your reflexes are quick, but inflexible and hindered by your agitation.

[ During practice, Zenitsu was quick to react, but the response was inappropriate for the moment—Somnus paints a simple, jagged stroke on a cheek: a bolt of lightning—whereas in the following round, he failed to react altogether. Somnus draws back and sets the brush back down on the table beside them. ]

Your thoughts precede or succeed your body. You must pace yourself.

[zapdope]

[ Zenitsu blinks at the critique. He stays quiet, even when his face is getting painted with the mark, and keeps his gaze lowered towards the ground. Even when he's failing miserably at this game, Somnus is giving time and effort to point out what he should work on. In a way, it reminds him of the training he's had with his teacher; it's a nostalgic feeling. ]

Pacing myself... [ Easier said than done, definitely. Zenitsu knows this is something to be acquired through hard work and constant training... Which he's extremely bad at. ]

Ugh... But I don't like practicing...!! I'm no good at it!!

[ Here he goes with his whining again! ]

[meridio]

[ Somnus gives the priest manning the table a silent look before laying his hand over the brush he used earlier. The brush vanishes with a gleam of light. ]

I would play another round.

[ Paddle in tow, he walks back to the court. ]

[zapdope]

[ The guy's saying he'd play another round. But saying that after the critique is basically saying "practice makes perfect" to Zenitsu's ears.

Let's at least try one more time, Zenitsu tells himself. If he fails miserably again, then that's that. He can probably go find a snack for maybe a "You Tried!" reward! Or something.

He goes back to his side on the court. ]

[meridio]

[ Perfection is beyond the reach of mortals. What Zenitsu lacks is discipline, which can be difficult to maintain in a state of negativity. It would be ideal if he were to start deriving some joy from the activity, but Somnus is aware of his own lack of uplifting presence.

The shuttlecock remains on Zenitsu's side, so the serve this time goes to him. ]