♥ 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

[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. ]

[necromanswers]

[The urgency of that request makes her consider more carefully for a moment. There isn't much she can do for her anxiety until the vine is dealt with or Honerva is healthy, neither of which she's apparently allowed or able to do a damn thing about. It's leaving her frustrated as much as upset, and she'd much rather focus on anything else. Here Honerva is trying to do the opposite.]

...You wanna tell me why?

[shroudedsecrets]

... Because... we are both afraid. Lup.

[ And they would do anything not to feel that for themselves. That was how it had felt at the cell. She had done everything she could then to focus on Lup, to keep her safe until Taako could arrive, all the time knowing she was not enough. Here she was again, with this same helplessness, not a prison but her own body that had betrayed her. Worse, because what had been granted to her by the medicine would not last much longer. She could feel the darkness and the poison trying to push against it, to drag her back across that divide. She had to hang on until Taako got there, at least, so long as she could push herself to stay awake and remain coherent. ]

I would... I would sooner face that with you than alone. Please do not... shut me out.

[necromanswers]

I'm not shutting you out.

[Her tone is somewhat defensive, on the edge of biting; she doesn't cross that line, though she would with anyone else. Honerva's family. Honerva gets a free pass to call her out once in a while.]

You're sick and delirious. This isn't the time for that conversation.

[And she'd be happier if said conversation was forgotten by the time this is over, but she's not going to hold her breath for it. At the very least she has the luxury of being able to say not now.]

[shroudedsecrets]

...okay.

[ Lup's right; she doesn't have the energy to follow up on that call out right now. But Lup had asked and at least it was said. Taako would set it right. Still, she shifts quietly as she winces, before looking back to her with that pleading look. ]

We can talk... about anything else, you know. Until he gets here. Something... lighter. Plans you are making... anything.

[ She doesn't know how much longer she can manage through the conversations but it's clear that she desperately wants her focus on Lup. Because she is deeply shaken. ]

[necromanswers]

Mm... well, you know us. Good at talking about ourselves.

[Lup sifts her hand quietly through Honerva's hair, pondering for a moment what to discuss. This is serious, they're both scared shitless and uncertain of what might happen next- or even what's happening now. They need something calming, something less stressful, something...]

...Do you think Cor has a thing for feet?

[...Something silly.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ They're real good at it.

And yet, here was Lup's penchant for oddball and sometimes unexpected humor to shine in the throes of all of it... it takes her a moment, to blink and for that to sink in. She manages a weak, breathy giggle, for the intent, despite the pain that causes. ]

Is that what was happening...? I had barely realized he was even here for the longest.

[necromanswers]

It's okay. He wasn't here for too long, and you've been out of it.

[A thoughtful hum. Lup wiggles her toes, feet brushing up against Honerva's.]

Did you feel it down there? He beelined right for 'em. Some people are into that.

[shroudedsecrets]

... I did. His hands were warm, I think. Far more than... usual.

[ Which made Lup's feet feel quite the opposite when they brush up against hers, almost a little startlingly so, with her struggles to regulate temperature. ]

--ah. And ... you are you.

[necromanswers]

[Lup snorts, wriggling her feet to hook an ankle over Honerva's to keep in contact, like a real brat.]

What? What about me? Something wrong?

[Still very silly, but they both need it, and Honerva wants to stay awake. It's hard to sleep with cold feet.]

[shroudedsecrets]

... No.

[ She wriggles her foot just a bit in mock-protest, but faintly smiles after despite everything; Lup's hold is cool and secure, perhaps even more so with Cor's warmth having left them, and more importantly, familiar and unique to her. She wants to hold to awareness for as long as she can, and manages not to take the conversation away from the lightness. ]

Do you know... that he and Kova don't get along so well? It's a little strange...

[necromanswers]

That is strange, yeah. Maybe he's not as much of a cat person as he seems.

[Well, he is the lion man. Not entirely the same mentality.]

[shroudedsecrets]

His... king wondered so as well.

[ So odd to think of that man in the midst of all this, but there was that nagging familiarity to him that was difficult to get past, particularly now being so compromised. Still this remains as light as she can manage. ]

Although their encounters have been... unusual in some way. Perhaps a neutral setting would help them.

[necromanswers]

More neutral than situations like this? Yeah, probably. We could get Ditto involved if that'd help, he doesn't really care.

[Her familiar's general passivity is sometimes a boon, particularly in cases like this.]

[shroudedsecrets]

Better Ditto than myself. Perhaps the further removed I am from them the better. I do not think they have fully forgiven one another since... that time at the temple a few months ago.

[ It's a little funny, how the lines of protectiveness and possessiveness were blurred. ]

[necromanswers]

What happened at the temple?

[Did she hear about that? Though either way the recap might be good for Honerva's focus...]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva had admittedly skimped on a few of the... sillier details at the time, given what had been more important was letting Lup know that she and Cor had (finally) talked things out between them, though at least it had helped bridge the gap of being willing to be more open about... well, instances like that one, now.

What better to focus on... than a preposterous moment, in trying to cling to consciousness. She takes a breath, trying to focus on it as well as Lup. ]

... It was before we had pinpointed the cause of my... shrinking, back then. Kova had chased me up a tree and... Cor had intervened.

[necromanswers]

[Pfft... god, right, that whole thing. This place is such a disaster sometimes, and you'd think they would be used to it by now.]

Kova's not a fan of how that went down?