♥ 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]

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.

[iustaegis]

[ What a strange expression on him. Is he one of those who wouldn't mind lingering in this world? She wouldn't have expected it, especially not with Luna here with him any longer.

.....And then there is also knowing that some individuals' fates here are better in Havenwell than they are in their own world. He has a few of his world whose are like that. She knows as much from Somnus. Realizing that her comment had been insensitive, she squeezes his hand. ]

Onnn second thought--- [ She looks out towards the middle of the low table in front of the couch, where there are no decorations whatsoever. The inside of the house is barren, it's like no one lives here. ] --the alternative would be to treat this place like a small reprieve from the duties of a homeworld.

[carbungle]

[A quiet, vague noise is his initial response, but his expression shifts again- somewhat relieved, but also sheepish. He knows he's being foolish.]

Vianca said I should consider it to be like a vacation. That sounded fine at first, but it's been half a year already. It sucks to feel so conflicted about it, you know?

[He has to go back. He knows that. There's so much waiting on him. But going back also means losing so much, and... it's hard to want to let go of it, yet. He's seen the change in his father already- gone home only to return with less love and more bad memories. Gained a child but lost the love of his life. Their future isn't kind, and even without knowing the details, he's wary about rushing back to it.]

[iustaegis]

[ The temptation to stay has never overruled her want to return home. If anything, the bonds she has made here has only made her appreciation for others and her motivation to return only grow; and, there is no doubt she must return.

Believing to know him well enough, she thinks that he knows that he eventually, too, must return despite the want to stay. Conviction does not completely assuage the conflict ever looming upon the horizon, it only forces one through it. Here, stagnant in an alien world, all stare at squall whose physical presence does not encroach, but instead wears down the mind if one continues to look upon it.

At last, she lets out a breath, relaxing against the back of the couch. ] It's... natural, to feel conflicted. [ She wants to let him know that what he feels is alright. It's important. It's very important for him to acknowledge what he feels. He has that privilege, as one who was born with such emotions. ] I think anyone would be, in your position. [ And he certainly has a lot going on in his life. ]

But... it's not easy, is it?

[carbungle]

No, it's not. Picking either option's hard.

[He really hates that he has to choose at all. It's like having to decide between different sets of loved ones- the people he has here, who he's gotten to know better, who he's never known before, who've changed him and so much of his perspective in only a few short months, versus the people who are still waiting for him back home, who need him to carry forward with his duty as king and Chosen, to protect them, and... do whatever it is he's meant to do. There are no happy endings if you cut the story short halfway, or if you switch to an entirely different story and never go back. Staying here permanently isn't an option.

He'd really like a third option, honestly, but he lacks the skills to pull that one off, either. It sucks.]

It's not like I'm doubting how this'll end. I know where I belong. [Not here, not with those not of his time or place.] But I'm not in any big hurry to end it, either.

[iustaegis]

Mm... Noct. I think you've found the answer than many have yet to adopt. [ Including herself.

She's proud of him, really. So long as he keeps that attitude, he'll manage to make peace with this place. Provided, of course, this world does not take a turn for the worse. She is remaining optimistic; hard not to, when witnessing the superbloom this rain brings. ]

[carbungle]

...Hurray me.

[He's good at something, woo! Besides fighting at least. And he knows better than to say it like that, lest she start complimenting him again. (She doesn't get it, but that's not her fault.)

That came out a little more sarcastically than he intended, though, so he leans back and smiles faintly.]

Should we have some kind of Havenwell bucket list? Things we want to do or see before we go home.

[iustaegis]

[ The above was already a roundabout way of calling him wise. ....But he doesn’t sound too excited, and she glances at him from the corner of her eye, seeing his faint smile.

She’s seen it on him before, and while she has said she admires his smile, one of this sort is not her favorite. Again there is that feeling, that she wants to break this mood to ask how he is doing. ]

What is it that you want to do?

[ Demand the gods they bring Luna back— ]

[carbungle]

[-nope. He'd love that, but she deserves a better life than being stuck here, same as anyone.

He considers the question for a moment.]

I guess... meeting at least one of the gods would be cool? If only to ask why they picked the people they did.

[Maybe not what he should be asking, but it's one of the things he'd wondered upon his initial arrival. He's not really the touchiest of people- if not for those like Pyra who more or less trained him on it, he'd hardly have contributed here at all.]

[iustaegis]

[ Trained him and didn't even give him treats. Sad.

...Oh, someone had mentioned to her about being interested in meeting the gods, but they had vanished from the city. Unfortunate, because Pyra would have pointed him in their direction. ]

Mm... [ She appears to ponder his wish for a moment. ] You more than anyone here seem to have experience with meeting multiple gods. [ What with him carrying so many marks of the Astrals, as far as she knows. ] Perhaps they would be more willing to meet with you, because of that? Or select you for a trial, if they have trials of their own like yours do.

[ HONESTLY, she doesn't know how alien gods operate! They could demand six hundred hugs for all she knows. ]

[carbungle]

Yeah, I think I can live without having to do more trials- at least not here.

[He still has a few more to go back home! Potentially, at least. Those are plenty.]

I think if anything they'd owe us something without us having to do more work.

[iustaegis]

[ The gods don't owe them anything, let alone explanations. That's far too entitled-- or so she thinks, and he's not the first of his family to have had expressed this thought. Then again, she comes from a world where the god does not interact with creation. It's difficult to stay what is a standard or typical of gods across the multiverse. ]

You would demand answers of them? [ Of why the people here were chosen to be brought here. ]

[carbungle]

...Dunno about demand. I probably shouldn't do that. [He might, though. It wouldn't be the first god he's yelled at, and if he can scream at his own then he can say whatever he wants to the ones he doesn't follow.] The way I see it, if the gods need normal people like us to save them, they can't actually be that much better than us. Stronger, sure. They brought us here. But what makes them gods? People believing in them? Or they declared themselves gods and called it a day? I don't owe them respect. I'll talk to them the way I'd talk to anybody.

[And if they want to drag him away from his world and force him to save this one - when he's already in the middle of trying to save one already! - and then refuse to give him a satisfying explanation? Then yeah, he's gonna do some yelling.]