♥ 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...

---

❥ 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.

---

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

[flawed_immortality]

[Honerva coughs and Cor presses closer to her, one broad hand sliding up to rub soothing circles over her lower back. She looks awful but, for his part at least, he's seen people come back from looking far worse. Of course they were usually covered in blood but that is besides the point.]

We've made efforts to make sure they taste better here than some of the things we've had to use back home.

[You know it's bad when even Cor is embracing the chance for a little levity.]

That next one should restore her vitality.

[necromanswers]

I think taste ought to be the least of anyone's problems right now.

[For once she's the one keeping deadly serious, all lightheartedness gone from her expression and posture. She's all tension, wound up tight as a bowstring, ready to go off. Lup keeps her gaze fixed on Honerva, searching for any sign that it might be helping as she drinks. She can't see any change, but... there could be a delay. She has no idea.

When Honerva finishes the antidote, she'll jump straight into the second potion without pause. There's no time, there's no time...]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ This was new, for her body, this poison; even the nature of the medication given in response was something she had not encountered before, regardless of taste. The disorientation had kicked in and there was nowhere for that to go. Honerva was not keeping up with the conversation at all, though where she hadn't been aware of Cor before, he was undoubtedly present now, though everything still felt hazy, as though she were still halfway in that fever dream. It might have been Cor, it might have been someone else, but for the blurring. Lup was there, though, still present, still insistent, and with those bottles before her, all she could do was drink, with their assistance.

After they move on to the second potion, while her stabilization is not clear, it at least seems to have somewhat buffered her rate of decline. There's a slight decrease to the worst of her trembles while they get through the bottle, and while she still seems ill her features are at least slightly less drawn. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[Slightly less shaky and with a touch more color is better than nothing but it is a great deal less recovery than he'd expected. Cor frowns slightly, hand still rubbing across Honerva's back. It's likely not doing a damned thing to help but it at least makes him feel like he's doing something.]

These usually work instantly. There is another antidote there... I've never seen something take so long for the effects to be clear.

[necromanswers]

We can try it. We can try as much as it takes.

[She discards the second bottle and moves her hand to Honerva's arm, turning it to see the mark left by the vine's pinprick; still that ugly dark colour, still with the stretching spider lines. There seems to be no change to the point of impact from the potions, though the lines haven't spread beyond where they were when she left Honerva to get Cor, which... shouldn't be the case. They should be stretching further and further with every minute, reaching deeper until they seize up all the vital organs they come across. The spread only ends with death. The poison should be well past her shoulder now, reaching for her lungs and heart, if it's affecting her like this, and yet...

...why is it different? Lup welcomes the change, glad that it hasn't claimed the life of someone she cares dearly for, but what else is going to be unpredictable about it? When she speaks, her voice is a strangled whisper.]

How the hell are you not dead?

[She'd counted. She'd counted each second, she knew exactly how long it took to die from this. She knew the moment her heart stopped. It's been too long already.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ While she gets through the second bottle, she struggles to ground her floating, shifting thoughts and fears of slipping away with the conversation, though is mostly met by the swamping of memory that remains a dangerous edge, especially when... something in Lup's tone catches, reminds her of another memory that's not quite hers but has stayed with her. How many times would she see her in so much pain?

Whatever she had encountered was meant to kill, and yet somehow it had not persisted. And if she could piece together anything from the conversation surrounding her in the midst of her disorientation, whatever she had taken was not quite working to it's fullest, either. ]

... is it... stasis...?

[ It's one word. One barely manageable word that might mean something. She doesn't know if that's the answer, if this process has somehow been paused or halted or what else, or how much time it would give them to work out a solution. If there was one. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[He's still drastically out of the loop with what is going on here but that strained question from Lup has him scooting up a little, resting a hand on her arm. It's light and careful, not restricting her reactions but there to offer comfort if she will accept it. Whatever this is it's from Lup's world and clearly meant to be deadly.

The idea that they could lose Honerva, now when they'd finally begun to work out what they were to each other, after spending so much of the past weeks desperate to make sure he didn't lose Regis. It's enough to make his heart ache and he can hardly bear to pull away from her. But seeing that wound, something more than a spell or perhaps a cloud of acid like a Malboro would cause, gives him a little more purpose. He reaches for the other antidote first, uncapping it to pour over Honerva's arm.

Directly over the source it should be more effective at least.]

No, it's not stasis.

[He knows that much at least.]

[necromanswers]

[Lup closes her eyes for a long moment, pulling Honerva closer while subconsciously leaning into Cor's touch, creating something of a comfort circle there on the bed. It's something else. It has to be something else.]

It... looks like Silverpoint, [is at last her answer, opening her eyes and brushing her hand against the mark as the antidote does its work. Still there, not cured, but it's helping a little, bit by bit. And Honerva's still breathing. It can't be that.] It's deadly, and there's no cure. She described it, and... I swear, it's exactly the same. Everything's the same except-

[She gestures with a shaky hand. She's not dead. A sub-species? An immunity? Something else? She hates not knowing.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ ...Not stasis. But Silverpoint...? Mentally, she doesn't get much further.

Honerva winces visibly once the antidote is applied directly to the mark itself, a sharp intake of breath as she curls toward Lup. Her arms are so rarely exposed that her skin can't help but be highly sensitive to changes; even if that potion was meant to provide relief, it's still chasing after a poison that's in her. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[Cor leans into them as well, trying to support them as much as he can, feeling more than a little helpless right now. If they needed more supplies he can always call Regis and have him put some more into the Armiger. But if what they have isn't working piling on more may not be enough.]

She's not from your world, Lup. Her physiology is different.

[That's the only thing he can think of to explain why it is so much worse in Lup's memory.]

[necromanswers]

I'm not from my world, Cor. Silverpoint doesn't give a shit about alien physiology.

[It's true that the effects are different, though, so after a moment she slumps, trembling under his hand. If there's a chance- if things might actually be okay- she doesn't dare to hope, but even the possibility is numbing that panic she's felt since she saw the wound.

Very carefully she lays Honerva back down, trying to help her into a more comfortable position. Less deadly doesn't mean not deadly, so better if she's comfortable and can save her strength.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Once Lup starts to shift her, she shakes her head suddenly, and reaches out to grasp at the closest sleeve. ]

Please--don't let me sleep.

[ She's fighting it, but there's a look in her eyes... she does not want to slip away into darkness and wake up not remembering. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[He almost snaps back at Lup but he manages to hold his tongue. They're both scared and that puts everyone on edge. It won't help anyone for them to start in on each other. Especially when she leans so heavily against him. She's shaking and he immediately feels guilty for even having the urge.

Getting Honerva comfortable is more important and he tries to help as much as he can, startled when she reaches out for them. His hand settles over hers on Lup's arm. ]

You need to rest, at least.

[He could understand the fear of falling asleep and never waking up, though.]

[necromanswers]

We'll keep you talking, [Lup murmurs, shifting to cozy up next to her. She chills her hand and rests it on Honerva's forehead, wiping her brow, hoping to ease the fever at least a little.] It's better that you stay relaxed, though. Focus on breathing, keep it steady.

[She's working on that, herself.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva is easily positioned with their help. There is still... too much to process and none of it any good, and the worst part is that she cannot offer any comfort to Lup while like this.

But they are not alone. Lup has seen to that. ]

... Please, speak... you'll keep the whispers away.

[ She does not know how much she'd be able to contribute to a conversation as she is, barely keeping up with it, but once Lup begins the motions on her brow, she tries to focus more on attempting to manage her own unsteady breathing. The concept of relaxing feels... almost impossible, but all she can do is try. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[Cor lets Lup crawl up onto the bed with Honerva but before she gets too settled he puts a hand on her shoulder, gently pressing that last bottle into her hand.]

You drink that one.

[He dismisses the last potion to the armiger, ready to summon it again at a moments notice if need be but it will be safer to keep it stored in the armiger than trying to leave it somewhere they could all reach. Then he's scooting back, taking up the foot of the bed so he doesn't squish the two of them with his bulk. If they'll let him he'll even maneuver himself so their feet are sprawled across his lap, fira warmed hands gliding up over calves and the tender arches of feet. Anything so long as he can keep touching them both, gentle and soothing.]

[necromanswers]

You tell those whispers to shut the hell up, they don't matter.

[Lup takes the bottle from Cor, though she doesn't drink it immediately; she turns it around in her free hand, brows furrowing, trying to get a sense of its contents. Her foot squirms at first at his touch before settling and letting him do as he pleases. She's still on edge so it's hard to let herself relax any.]

What's this one? I'm fine, Cor...

[shroudedsecrets]

[ It's a little alarming to see Lup get handed a bottle after she had to get through two, and her gaze remains on Lup through the exchange. The whispers were disruptive, she has to do what she can to stay alert somehow.

But then Cor shifts, and while she's easily maneuvered in this state she was not expecting his sudden warmth and gentle handling of her legs when she had been so cold. ]

That's -- Cor...?

[ It's the first time she's managed to really acknowledge his presence through the disorientation, but everything feels right out of a fever dream right now. ]

[flawed_immortality]

You blew through at least four powerful spells just now. It will help you recover some of the spent magic.

[He looks over to Honerva though, a small smile on his face. Acknowledging him means she's at least able to track the conversation better, more aware of her surroundings. That's a really good sign.

He squeezes her ankle gently, a more solid point of contact, something a little firmer for her to be able to focus on for a moment.]

I'm here, Honerva.

[necromanswers]

[She refrains from arguing that she's not going anywhere for at least several hours, depending on Honerva's state at the time, which gives her plenty of time for a proper Arcane Recovery. She's not about to look a gift horse in the mouth, so instead she just shrugs a shoulder, draining the bottle.

....ooh. That's a rush. She blinks rapidly a moment, shaking her head. Huh... huh.]

Honerva, this is important. Do you remember where you saw that plant? Even just a general area would help.

[Not right now, maybe not even today. But she needs to hunt that damned vine down as soon as possible and ruin its day.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva glances to Cor, blinking and trying to let it sink in that he was in fact there, and likely had been since Lup had returned, but when Lup speaks again, she does her best to parse those words. ]

... Where?

[ The encounter is so... hazy now. She falls quiet for a few moments, struggling to focus and push aside the intrusive thoughts. She must... focus, for Lup, but it galls her to be so imprecise about all of this. ]

It... it may have been the center of town. Near there.

[flawed_immortality]

[The fact that she is so imprecise says a lot about her condition. His hands never move away from her, gentle encouraging squeezes. But it's Lup he looks to.]

If you tell me what it looks like I can go. I'll keep a shield up. I have just as much firepower as you do.

[He plays with fire for fun. It's okay Lup, he has every confidence that he'll be fine.]

[necromanswers]

It's a risk, if you don't know it. Even if it's not deadly here, I couldn't...

[She purses her lips tightly, inhaling through her nose, and shakes her head. Even though she knows he's fully capable and can burn easily enough, the thought of things going wrong, having them both in this state- she can't tolerate the idea. She needs to contact Taako, too- he can keep an eye out for it.]

I'll find it when she's asleep. I can-

[...Oh. She sits up a little, eyes widening, and her gaze zeros in on the cats still lurking in the corner.]

Hey, Ditto? Go fish.

[Her familiar fluffs up, looking immediately irritated in a way that only cats can, then brushes up against Kova and stalks over to the window. With one casting of Mage Hand to get it open, the cat vanishes outside to hunt for the vine.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Now without his feline companion, Kova makes his way toward the bed, ready to join them, though seeing Cor in his intended spot he stops, staring at the man.

When Lup shifts, Honerva looks toward her in alarm, grasping tightly at the blankets, even if she'd missed most of what had been said in response to her information, but what she could guess of it she didn't like. How much had that encounter addled her, to leave her like this, and then for either of them to even consider going after it alone?

Or. Waiting for her to sleep? No -- hadn't she asked -- ]

... Not alone. Don't go alone. And don't let me sleep.

[flawed_immortality]

I don't like the idea of you risking it anymore than you like the idea of me risking it.

[Cor frowns slightly, brows furrowed as he considers the options. Then his expression lightens and he shakes his head, dismissing their concern and already moving to get up.]

You stay. She needs you. Just send me what information you have on it. I'll get Will, with Deja and Vu we'll have a literal birds eye view to take it out from a distance.