♥ March (Ainir) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

March Event Log
Spring has sprung! Or at least, in theory. The month began monthly unremarkably, besides the priests of Ainea's temple prepping for the first month in their deity's season, which tends to be a little sleepy as the city traditionally shakes off those winter woes. The earthquakes still has everyone feeling a strange anticipation for change, but with how long it's gone with no noteworthy shifts yet, excitement has grown somewhat muted. All of that is about to change...

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❥ PROMPT I: Let the Rain Fall Down

The month begins with something peculiar: a sudden rainfall occurring sporadically, not just in sections of the city the way it does when the weather system is malfunctioning, but rather consistent across the entire city. The natives in town are flummoxed; this rain is natural, passing harmlessly through the barrier, and the water that falls to the ground is clean, unpoisoned by the perpetual storm and toxic air outside. The rain comes in waves, from a light drizzle to a steady stream, and while it is not raining all day every day, it is probably best practice to travel with an umbrella on hand for a while.

Before long, the effects of this natural rainfall will become apparent: the city is undergoing an unexpected period of growth. Flowers, fauna, and all sorts of greenery are sprouting up in all areas of the city where grass or soil exists. It appears that at last your effort is paying off, and life is returning to Havenwell in a big way. The types of plants that grow will range in type, colour, and species- many of them are live versions of the extinct plants that have been on display in the museums, or whatever is already on display in the gardens. Some of the plants that grow might also be familiar to the visitors of this world- a small slice of your home, adopted by the gods that your touch have rejuvenated.

One downside is that since all these changes are happening at once, in such a short span, the botanical community is ill-equipped to make sure all of these new plants have a chance to thrive on their own. Many things that grow can be left where they stand, but the seemingly randomized placement means that certain plants aren't in a good spot. A tree sapling sprouting in the cracks of the sidewalk, or a sunflower tucked away beneath a rooftop, for example.

Thus, the community is asking for volunteers to help relocate plants to the proper areas. Most should be going to the parks, gardens, or temples, areas with clean, existent soil but with nothing yet growing there. These locations have been tested, and have been determined to be safe for planting- it seems that the rain has purified whatever sour ground that the barrier hasn't kept clean, to make way for the new plants. They can also be relocated to personal residences, for those houses that have gardens or a bit of soil if you're willing to install your own. As the rain continues to fall, plants will keep growing, so when the flora and fauna are relocated there will be more growing in its place before long. Lots of work to be done if you're to save the new life in town!

If you wish to include a specific plant from your canon: please request it in the PLANT FROM HOME APPROVAL thread on the plotting post!

Please be aware that much like the rest of the plants growing around town, those from home will begin as seeds and grow gradually over the course of the event. Keep that in mind!

❥ PROMPT II: Hold My Flower

As the days pass, and there seems to be no end to the growth in town, the natives are growing increasingly excited, and when the collection of flowers becomes such a plethora that there are too many, they explain that the timing of this is very on-point: years ago, before the world began to die, they celebrated a Festival of Flowers, to welcome the shift of winter to spring in their corner of the world. In previous years, the tradition lived on in a simpler form, with paper or synthetic flowers, but it isn't really the same without hair so interest waned.

A major part of the festival involves flower weaving, in many intricate patterns and arrangements, all of which have different meanings, like an arranged bouquet might. These flowers are sewn together into crowns, or woven directly into the recipient's hair, a delicate and rather intimate act done between friends, family, or lovers alike. Since the robots of town can't really benefit from this shared experience (of neither physical interaction or hair weaving), instead they happily pass along their knowledge of arrangements and techniques, floral symbolism. You can follow along with their directions, or just make something up/create something new, though certain unwitting combinations are bound to earn some curious (or amused) looks from the locals. For those of you who lack long hair for such acts, despair not! Crowns placed on short hair are just as socially welcome as the weavings, as you'll see from the robots wearing similar designs around town.

However, there is a chance that the rain is also causing something other than plants to grow around town… namely, exposed hair. Those who get caught in the downpour might inexplicably notice that their hair is an inch or two longer the next morning… and then longer… and longer… there is no hard or fast limit to how much it grows, and cutting it may help for a time, but it does not stem the growth either. Maybe you should just relax and enjoy it for a while.

❥ PROMPT III: Scheme of the Wyrm Queen

Developed by Noctis and Pyra, in collaboration with the VR cafes, Havenwell officially presents: King's Knight 2.0: Scheme of the Wyrm Queen, a game that will be available going forward and premieres this month.

This game is designed to be like an MMO/mobile game, except in VR- every player gets an account, and to an extent their avatars are customizable. There are a set number of levels per playthrough, you can stop and pick up any time after a level ends, and you can re-arrange your party members at the start of each play session.

You can charge through levels just smashing away at enemies, but part of the game mechanic is that physical contact between characters in-game will provide stat boosts, enhancements, occasional heals or buffs, soft revives at 0HP, etc. The effect can vary depending on the nature of contact, but is also randomized to an extent, to allow for player freedom. Let's just say that intent plays a part... so touch someone and wish with your heart, and maybe something nice will happen. Or at least something kind of cheesy. (Noctis would like to establish that he did not program in that part.)

Noteworthy features:

• The plot: The evil dragon queen Nebula has kidnapped the prince of Oriens and absconded to the realm of monsters with him for some nefarious purpose. The gods of Totally Not Aellyn bless a group of heroes with the power to travel through that realm in order to rescue the prince! ...That's it. What, do you think you're here for plot? Nah. You're here to fight monsters and collect treasure.


• A party can consist of 2-4 characters of any class arrangement, though a somewhat balanced party is encouraged to survive each level. Repeated training (or grinding) can help characters acquire better gear drops or level up if they get stuck, but there is an emphasis on teamwork to get you through it!


• "Death" in-game causes a character to become translucent and unable to interact with the game until healed or revived, or until the level ends. If all characters reach this status, they fail the level and the game is over. All characters are healed to full once a level is beaten.


• Levels are randomly generated based on a set amount of algorithms, to shake up the experience and make each game a little bit different. There is a plot as noted above, with some dialogue and programmed NPCs, but interaction with either is simple and can be ignored or skipped after the first run-through if you so choose.


• Certain accounts of people who were a part of the development (AKA those who Noctis pestered about designing things) will gain access to unique costume options upon initial log-in, like a pre-order bonus. These items are cosmetic only, but look pretty nifty.


• The difficulty setting can be adjusted according to player skill, so if anyone feels like Normal is beyond their ability, don't be ashamed to turn it down a notch! Player accessibility is more important. There are leaderboards for each difficulty, but it's mostly for bragging rights and don't earn you anything special.

Available Classes:

• Knight - a well-rounded swordsman with a shield, built tough for the front line and defense


• Thief - master of finding hidden objects, detecting traps, disarming foes, the fastest class


• Sorcerer - commanding the elements, attack from a distance and overwhelm your enemies; glass cannon


• Battle Cleric - wielder of a magic weapon that recognizes friends from foes; striking an ally will heal them without injury, striking a foe will tear them down


• Dragoon - specializes in aerial assault, heavy hits and safe retreats, can reach high areas


• Archer - speedy attacks at long distance; inexplicably great at parkour and glitching out of bounds for treasure

Enemies:

Monsters in-game vary between generic beasts of lore, parody versions of creatures found in Final Fantasy XV, and some monsters based on descriptions that Noctis or Pyra acquired from asking people. These are subject to change on request, as the game will be developing gradually to improve itself.

If you have suggestions or requests for monsters, treasures, or equipment, please submit them to the additional information page on King's Knight, where such updates will be tracked!

❥ PROMPT IVish: A Final Reminder

The soft earthquakes in effect since last month are still ongoing, however they have spread out more and are no longer occurring every day, but instead with a handful of gaps in between. As noted in the Intro Mingle log, there are new messages that characters can receive:

1) "Change is coming." this message is passive, almost like a greeting.
2) "We thank you for all you have done." this message is softer, almost apologetic.
3) "We shall do all we can to keep you safe." this message is gentle, almost parental in its affection.
4) "Share your bounty and your joy." this message is kind and encouraging, tugging you toward people you may not have met yet.
5) "Remember to keep the balance." this message is plaintive, but without urgency.
6) "Do not approach the walls." this message is LOUD, insistent, and the most frequently transmitted.
7) "Soon, change." this message is a gentle reminder.
8) "We welcome you to our home." This message is sent most frequently to newcomers.
9) "Be not afraid. You are safe." this message is polite and reassuring.
10) "Keep your footing and watch your step." this message is cautious, a firm warning.

Most of the residents have stopped linking up, since the messages are mostly on repeat, but the local temple priests still do it every time… just in case. Otherwise, it's easy enough to ignore for most people. The anticipation hasn't faded, but they're simply waiting for whatever comes next.

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This event will run from March 13th to 29th. 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 on the plotting post.

Comments

[carbungle]

[Someday maybe she'll learn that the real truth is he's nicer to girls.

He makes a quiet noise at that, acknowledging, not exactly agreeing. A privilege, to... what, listen to his problems? She likely is being honest, but he can't imagine, even so. He has so many, it must be exhausting. Even listening to himself talk about it at times is absurd. His life must be so difficult, being a prince and having magic powers and the blessing of the gods. How has no one laughed at him yet?

He shifts a little, unsure how to respond with sincerity, and ultimately quips,]

My heart's not back there, you know.

[iustaegis]

[ Her arms, which had been draped over his shoulders, shift. One wrist moves gently out of his grasp, lowering to place her palm over his chest from behind, right where his heart beats quietly underneath.

It's there. She knows, it's there. She also knows he was just joking. So she will answer in kind, playfully playing ignorant. ]

Oh, I think I found it... here.

"Lub-dub," it beats.

[carbungle]

[A pause, and then he huffs a breath, almost a laugh.]

Is that all? It should come up with something more interesting to say, if it's gonna have people listening in.

[iustaegis]

[ Chuckling softly, her hands slide back to his shoulders to loosen the wrap of her arms around him. Pyra brushes another long strand of dark hair to the side. ] I believe ... it has a right to speak and to be heard, for when it feels safe to do so.

[ But respectful of his lighter tone, she answers to it as well: ] Mm, perhaps it's saying to eat more vegetables?

[carbungle]

[Cute a vaguely disgusted noise, poorly disguised as a scoff.]

I can guarantee that's the one thing my heart would never say.

[Vegetables are gross! His own body would never betray him like that.]

[iustaegis]

[ She resumes combing his hair. Slowly but surely, she's managing to part the strands. Whimsically: ]

Well? What is it saying at this moment? You wish for dessert instead?

[carbungle]

Tempting... but I figure for right now it'll settle for me not looking like a total scrub out in public.

[And the hair brushing feels nice, so he's being a little self-indulgent.]

What do you think, can it be salvaged?

[iustaegis]

Mm, [ She murmurs, none affirming. ]

Although you're going to have to tell me how you'd like it... Tied? Braided? [ Anddddd that's about the extent of her hair styling expertise. ] Left down?

[ If she had brought in flowers from elsewhere, she would have offered them. ]

[carbungle]

Between the two of us, you're the only one who's had long hair... I've never had it past my shoulders before. I threw it in the ponytail because that's all I knew how to do. If you've got a favourite, I'll bow to your experience.

[Or just throw it into another tail that doesn't look like it was tied up by a five-year-old, he's easy.]

...Maybe not down, though. I'll just mess it up again.

[iustaegis]

[ Since taming his straggling brangs would be nigh impossible, a loose braid might complement them nicely. He'll also be matching the style she did for Prompto.

She begins by parting the appropriate sections at the top of his head. ] --Especially if you plan on doing any training today. [ Nervemind that when she had long hair, she rarely put it up, even when sparring. ]

Although... it's quite relaxing to wash then comb out long hair after a laborious day. [ ...In her opinion, anyway. ] You should treat yourself if this rain continues, and you find yourself messy again after training.

[carbungle]

[All she gets is an agreeable hum at first; he hasn't decided if today is a training day or not. Between the gardening work (which he's been doing! even if he's kind of bad at it) and the rain making everything soggy and inconvenient, he hasn't been too inclined to fling his sword around. Rain always makes his leg hurt, anyway. Better not to aggravate an already irritating situation.

...And this is nice, arguably much better. Out of the rain, good company, distracting conversation.]

I'm going to have to start trimming it again if it keeps growing, though. There's such a thing as too much, and this is already past my usual limit.

[It doesn't sound like a complaint, exactly. Her fingers running through his hair is as undeniably relaxing as she says, and longer hair means longer strokes, though if he's not sure if he'd get the same satisfaction out of it if he were doing it himself. He can't really ask someone to do his hair every day- he didn't even do that with Ignis back home when he was paid to look after him.]

[iustaegis]

[ As one hand holds the beginning of the braid between two fingers, her other hand goes to the side of his cut, dividing a lock down into two, then four parts, and taking the top most portion to pull slowly midline, folding it into the braid. She repeats the same process with a strand from the other side, her touch careful and, as always, inhumanly warm.

At the length it's at, it's shorter than how she originally had her hair...

She jokes, ] It's just past your midback. Are you certain you don't want it as tall as you are? It's still drizzling out there. All it'll take is a few more minutes in the rain, you know.

[carbungle]

[It's that warmth that is part of why he's bound to have to fight off the urge to sleep, he knows, and why his hair is as soft and dry as it is despite being out in the rain so recently. Water tends to not stick long on the hair products he uses, usually, but even with that, it's drier than it ought to be. Who knew she'd be doing full-service hair care, perhaps unknowingly?

He stretches a hand out, mimicking the usual position he takes when drawing a blade from his magic armory, without actually doing it.]

That's it, it's gotta go. Or I'll end up as some kind of fairy tale character, with hair so long you can climb it.

[iustaegis]

As if you don't have the criteria of a mythical hero already!

[ Prince? Chosen by the gods? Magic light power? Yeahh, long hair would finally be unlocking his ultimate form. ]

[carbungle]

You think somebody'll write a book about me one day?

[Hopefully it'll be something good.]

They can call it "The Ironically Named Sleepy Prince of Insomnia".

[iustaegis]

[ A soft giggle flutters in her tone. ] I can think of one better....

“The Prince Who Never Got Enough Sleep Because He Was So Busy Protecting Others by Fighting Daemons at Night, Which is the Reason He Appears Tired”

Penned by me. [ She’s not even from his world— ] There will be multiple volumes on your goodness.

[carbungle]

Hmm... that sounds like a lot of reading for someone already tired. Better make them picture books.

[He says like he'd be reading them. Good grief, what an ego trip that would be, reading your own biography.]

[iustaegis]

[ Unfortunately, even she knows she can’t do anything artistic. ]

Oh... a picture book! I should ask Prompto for all of his best [ Most embarrassing? ] photos of you. “This is Noctis being heroic here!” and... “this is Noctis being a hero here, too!”

[carbungle]

[.....DRYLY:]

Ask for the photo he took of me with a Yojimbo. And then be sure to ask him about his priorities. Y'know, for a biography quote.

[Noct loves him but sometimes his best friend is an asshole.]

[iustaegis]

[ Now she has to ask Prompto. ]

I’ll keep that in mind, but, ah, what is a yojimbo?

[ Bodyguard...? ]

[carbungle]

It's a type of daemon. Really powerful, good at stabbing things.

[Does that answer any questions for you.]

[iustaegis]

[ "Really powerful, good at stabbing things" is something that can fit on so many otherworlders' résumés... ] Hm... I'm guessing that he took a picture not of your victory against the daemon, from your tone.

[ Maybe it's something embarrassing. ]

[carbungle]

[Noct, too, is very powerful and good at stabbing things. It's why he understands so intimately the problem, here.]

I'll just let it be a surprise.

[iustaegis]

[ He sounds so defeated.... But wait, she will have to, and she lets the conversation idle for a few moments.

She pulls another strand through the weave of the braid, then another, then another as she runs her fingers through his hair to form the braid. It's turning out to be graceful like the lazy strokes of ink on parchment; wispy yet not messy. ]

Mm... It's turning out nicely. Business as usual for Noctis, [ She echoes what he had said earlier, but with a twist: ] always appearing cool no matter what he does.

[carbungle]

[He's trying to be mature about it instead of a snippy brat (which he would be well within his rights to be). It comes across a bit weird, but that's Noctis for you.

The topic shift - and subsequent compliment of his style - has him mollified somewhat, though, and he hums.]

Didn't think braids could be cool. You're not just saying that, are you?

[Braids are, like... pretty, usually...]