♥ 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]

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...]

[iustaegis]

[ Her braiding-- now, almost finished-- stops for a moment, and she says, ]

Do I "just say" anything?

[carbungle]

I don't know, you can be a hard read sometimes.

[He doesn't genuinely think it - she's been consistently honest about other people, as far as he can tell - but he likes the validation that comes with confirming things, so.]

[iustaegis]

[ There are a good many beautiful, intelligent, and capable people here in Havenwell. Everyone seems so special. She loves them all, everyone she meets. She loves loving them, and she loves letting them know when they shine. Remarking on a physical feature, even one as bizarre as suddenly-long-hair, might not mean much, but it is the easiest way to compliment another. ]

Then you should know... even if you let your hair down, it would look stunning.

[ He's heard many compliments from her before. What's one more, with a stroke of her hand through the remaining unbraided tail of his hair? She's beginning to finish up with it, anyway. ]

[carbungle]

Stunning... geez. [Too much, too muuuuuch.] At least until I warp somewhere and turn it into a rat's nest.

[Maybe he'll try it... for a day. And then chop it all off.]

[iustaegis]

It is possible to warp somewhere with long hair and not tangle it. [ Her tone here is almost wistful.

But at last, she's done with the braid. Securing it with a tie, she lets it fall forward over his shoulder. Then, coming around in the front, she leans over and lifts up her hand, bidding-- ] Hold still.

[ --while she corrects a few straggling longer layers that frame his face. ]

[carbungle]

[He lets her fuss as she pleases with his face and the lingering strands, distracted now. That tone, huh.]

You'd know because you used to have long hair, right?

[And... because she used to warp, apparently? That's a curious little tidbit.]

[iustaegis]

[ Instead of answering, her eyes flit back to meet his before drifting up to his bangs again, correcting one last strand. As she leans in, the flowers upon her head shift, and she withdraws to correct one of them, smiling. ]

If you can warp with me tucked under your arm, you can warp with long hair without tangling it!

[ Finally she takes her seat beside him, taking out her communicator in the process and turning the camera to face themselves. This, she hands to him so he might use it as a mirror to see her work. ] Well?

[carbungle]

[There's something cautiously knowing in his eyes as he looks up towards the camera, recognizing the dismissal with more ease than before. He doesn't say anything, but the way he smiles carries some intrigue, and a bit of disappointment, buried beneath. He can't fault her for her secrets, she probably has her reasons. Even so.

Her proximity is a distraction, a moment later- with her so close, he can smell the sylleblossoms, and for a moment he just closes his eyes. Okay. It's okay.]

It looks good, [he says when he opens his eyes again, instead of calling her out, or mentioning the flowers again, or anything else.] It's way better than anything I thought to do with it. Thanks... I owe you one.

[iustaegis]

[ She catches his expression, her smile diminishing but not fading completely. It becomes softer, gently apologetic.

She only shakes her head, and then she tells him what she's already told another here: ] What I give, I give freely.

[ Then, a little more whimsically, ] You owe me nothing, Noct. Not even more clothes.

[carbungle]

[But she doesn't give information. He doesn't need her to say it to know that much.]

Okay, fine. But you know that goes both ways, right? People who do nothing but take are lousy friends.

[iustaegis]

[ Can she reach for his hand? She will reach for his hand. ]

Noct, you are the furthest thing from being a "lousy friend". Or are you saying I'm taking too much from you?

[carbungle]

[Because it's Pyra, she gets away with it, as usual. Though unusually, his hold is slightly more reserved at first.]

Hm. What I give, I give freely. [Take that! With an addendum:] Sometimes without much complaining, even.

[iustaegis]

[ Giving something as thanks for an act, such as the clothes he gave her, is not giving freely, she believes. It would be awful to think that he feels he owes he some sort of debt. And while she doesn’t think he is that type of person, it’s not as if the thought hasn’t crossed her mind that he’s attempting to give back out of some sort of imaginary debt. ]

Maybe.... you should complain. Just a little more. [ She squeezes his hand as if she could encourage him, and then she shifts upon the couch, turning to look at him expectantly. Go on! Spill! Really, he actually does not complain much to her about anything at all... aside from this long hair. ]

[carbungle]

[Joke's on her, he grew up privileged and reserved enough that throwing presents at people he likes is his default go-to. Less about debts and more a poor capacity for demonstrating affection.

He frowns at the comment - encouragement? - and returns her expectant look with a questioning one.]

I don't- I'm not gonna complain on demand, that's not how it works.

[It's situational! He doesn't keep a list on hand to whip out and gripe about. At least, not usually.]

[iustaegis]

[ This just reinforces the idea that he doesn’t complain! At least, not when he’s around her.


Doesn’t mean she’s not going to try to fish for it. ]

Nothing about being stuck in another world? [ That’s a common one! ]

[carbungle]

Ah...

[Rather than complain - because yeah, valid point - his brows furrow at that, and he looks almost... guilty.]

Yeah, there's that, I guess. It sucks, it's terrible, wish we could all go home.