♥ 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.

---

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]

[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.

[necromanswers]

[This is getting a bit stupid - fighting over who gets to destroy a vine that may or may not be currently deadly when only one of them here can recognize it on sight. She's too miserable to bicker any further, so she throws her hands in the air, exasperated, and scoots back down against Honerva.]

Gods, fine, you insufferable man. Do as you will. I'll tell you where to go when he finds it, just don't set him on fire when you get there.

[She knows he's just trying to be helpful, but really, would anyone blame her for taking this so personally?]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva's insistence had taken too much effort, missing most of what is said until Lup settles back near her. Lup was... undeniably upset and there was nothing she could do for her. Seeing her this upset so soon after their prior experience was truly hard. She needed her brother, more than either of them.

Even in her own state, better to latch on to her concern for Lup than her own spiraling fears of slipping away if she didn't stay awake. what was real was Lup laying down right next to her, not, not any of this floaty nonsense in her head trying to push her under. ]

Cor is... leaving?

[ Barely over a whisper, this time. She had only just barely took in his presence, but she could already feel him shifting away. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[She can be as angry as she wants but they both know there will be no rest from either of them knowing something so dangerous is out there, a threat to anyone who stumbles upon it. He crawls out from under them, pulling the blankets up around the girls, hands lingering. He doesn't want to leave them but he'd never forgive himself if someone else got hurt.

That last potion gets pulled back out of the armiger and left on the bedside table. Then he leans over, pressing a reassuring kiss first to Honerva's temple, then to Lup's.]

I can come back once it's dead. You two look after each other.

[Please don't hate him, Lup. He's built to protect people, there's no way he can simply leave that threat out there.]

[necromanswers]

Not like I've got time to stop you.

[She says it almost defiantly, more worried than annoyed by his refusal to let anyone else handle it. She could totally stop him, if she wanted to, don't doubt she couldn't! But. She won't.

He'll probably be fine, but if this damned plant takes anyone else from her, there will be several levels of hell to pay.]

Just let me get my cat, hang on-

[She lifts her chin and reaches out with her magic, her eyes abruptly turning silver as her vision shifts to see through her familiar's eyes. He hasn't gone far since he left, and he's still wandering, so that means he hasn't found it yet. She didn't expect it, but it was worth a shot.

Quietly she coaxes him to turn back- a request he's all too happy to abide by - and Lup's attention returns to the room.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ When Cor leans over close enough, lingering, she grasps for him with her uninjured arm, trying to focus on him more than than the blurring her dizziness allows.

While Lup shifts her attention to recalling her cat, she tugs at him, so he'll stay close enough to hear, a concentrated effort to say the words. ]

... Do not... hurt her as I have.

[flawed_immortality]

[She leans up to him and he immediately comes down to meet her, shushing her gently.]

I will be careful, shhh.

[He reaches up to stroke her hair, urging her back down to the bed. A light kiss on her forehead and then he's sitting back, hand moving to catch Lup's as well. Cor waits for her to refocus on him and then he gives her an apologetic smile as well.]

I know to be on guard and that alone is a great advantage.

[necromanswers]

[Blind and deaf to everything around her while she's shifted to Ditto, coming back to Cor's hand on hers is a bit of a surprise, and she glances between the two. Did she miss something?]

Yeah... sure. Just keep your distance from it, I'm not babysitting the both of you at once. Ditto's on his way back, no dice yet. You're on your own.

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Her expression is strained, but she's clearly unhappy, her unfocused gaze lingering in Cor's direction, even when he settles her back down and she needs a moment to wait out a wave of pain before she can speak again. ]

... there may be other dangers...

[ Be mindful. Don't hurt Lup. Don't risk a pokemon chewing on something they shouldn't. The worry alone might simply exhaust whatever she has left. She's still battling the thought that if she loses to sleep she might lose herself all over again. If she lives. ]

[flawed_immortality]

[She's going to live, of course she's going to live. Cor gives Lup a look, then looks back to Honerva, shaking his head.]

Don't worry about me. You focus on recovering... [There's a brief hesitation, lips quirking up in a small smile, expression softening. It's... It's the kind of fond, smitten look that he so often gives his King.] stella facem.

[He shakes his head a little, dismissing the moment of distraction and finally, with one last squeeze, standing up to head for the door.]

[necromanswers]

[Lup waits until he leaves, then sighs, an expression that is as much exasperation as fondness.]

Dumbass, like worry isn't gonna be a persistent state until this shit's resolved. [She glances down at Honerva.] Both of you. Dumbass.

[shroudedsecrets]

[ ...What did he call her? It's not something she can quite grasp, but there was something so distracting about his tone... but then Lup speaks again, and she curls closer to her, but murmurs. ]

... yeah. You should... call Taako.

[ Lup needed someone to fuss over her, if she was going to be subjected to this worry. ]

[necromanswers]

[Not like Lup can translate. It's probably something sappy and cute, based on her own nickname. Seems to be a Cor thing.

Lup's already pulling out her communicator - hers this time - and flipping through her contacts.]

I'll tell him to come back. I don't want him out there if there's Silverpoint loose in the world. Two of you'd be bad enough.

[And if she's struggling this much with Honerva in this state, she'd be a complete wreck if anything happened to Taako.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Of course, Taako called her names all the time, but that was different. ]

... Good. He should be here. With you.

[ She wants both of them at the house safe. She can't imagine the situation if he had been the one so damaged instead of her, but all the better for them to be spared it. ]

[necromanswers]

Quit acting like I'm the one suffering, here.

[She does want Taako with her, but only so she knows that he's safe. She can deal with her own melodramatics later; she'll have none of it right now.

One quick and very firm conversation later, the communicator is set aside, and Taako is (in theory) on his way back.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva falls silent while the communication between the twins takes place, allowing that to take precidence. How could she not keep pushing to put Lup first, rather than succumb to what threatened to pull her under? Lup was legimitely afraid, and there was nothing she could do to reassure her, when she could not even reassure herself that she would be okay.

She doesn't know the answer to that. The fear gnaws from the inside as she shifts in her discomfort, Kova moving to settle in close, watchful. ]

But... you are. And I must... think of you first. Please.

[ What good is her health if she rests and awakens a shell again? If she forgets, it hurts all of them. They had all had too much experience with that. ]