hugtopia_logs | ♥ August (Achtom) Event Log

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♥ August (Achtom) Event Log

image of a single large sunflower growing with a sun high in the air and other sunflowers in the distance

August (Achtom) Event Log
Ah, summer. That lovely time of year where the bright sun in the clear blue sky makes you want to head to the beach, catch a tan (hopefully), and relax with a good book. While there may not be a beach in Havenwell (other than in the VR simulators!), the summer sun is definitely out in full force by Achtom as Diacht's power begins to wane. The crystal clear skies do seem to encourage people to go out and the locals, who can't feel the temperature, seem to be bustling about as they continue to clean and improve the newly opened areas. All this activity might be a bit much for the offworlders, however, because as the month turns from Lasdia to Achtom, the temperatures start to rise and rise and don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

❥ PROMPT I: Staying Cool in the Neighborhood

a thermometer showing high temperatures against an orange city backdrop and sun

A massive heatwave that comes and goes throughout the month seems to have gripped Havenwell! While they themselves cannot feel the heat, the natives can observe the effects it has on the offworlders and are quick to find methods to help them beat the heat. Scientists out of the research centers throughout the city develop and then begin promoting cooling drinks and cool packs that they sell at the temples, city centers, entertainment districts, outside their research centers, and other areas where offworlders tend to gather. These drinks and packs do seem to work well in beating the heat thankfully, and either imbibing the drinks or using the cool packs quickly help you ward off the rising temperatures. You're welcome to try and cool off on your own terms, but the unnatural heat will likely leave you lethargic and gross, if not outright sick, if you go too long without some outside support. There seems to be very little long-term relief to be found.

Unfortunately, for some people, they find that these drinks and packs are working too well. Weird quirks and side effects pop up and fade out at random, sometimes even compiling on top of each other! They never seem to last for very long, thankfully, but it can be a bit inconvenient when the following happens to you:

You've beaten the heat and feel a cooling rush of relief as the heat escapes your body. But then the heat gives way to cold and that cold leaves your teeth chattering as you realize you can no longer regulate your body temperature and your body is quickly reaching wintery levels! Better find someone to help you warm up because you'll need to share body heat until this effect wears off in order to keep your lips from turning blue!
Ah, that sweet sweet cooling relief radiates out from your core, pushing the heat out from the inside. It feels great to be this pleasantly cool while the summer heat beats down on you - until you touch something and it bursts into flame. Apparently the only way to get rid of all that heat is through transferring it to something else! Any inanimate object you touch (no people or animals!) starts to smoke and burn when your hands come into contact with it. Metals start to melt, your ice cold drink starts to boil, that nice little teddy bear you got starts to blacken and burn - it's a bit insane! Thankfully, your clothes and accessories you're wearing at the time the side effect takes hold don't seem to be subject to this inconvenience. You'll need some help to get about your day until the effect fades - which thankfully isn't that long! At most it lasts an hour, but an hour can seem very very long when you can't get your morning coffee in you.
Do you know how your body naturally cools itself? Through sweat! And you're certainly sweating a lot now that the summer heat has taken its toll. After taking the scientists' concoctions, however, you might notice that, while you're definitely noticeable cooler, you've also ramped up the amount of sweat you're producing - to almost insane levels. Your hands are slippery, your feet are slippery, and even if you're wearing shoes, it seems to be leaking through, absolutely robbing you of any and all friction as you slip and slide around the city! Better have someone who can grab onto you and help you get about until the sweating abates or you'll find yourself careening around and into things willy-nilly.

This prompt was based on a player's suggestion! If you have a suggestion for a future event or prompt, please post them to us at the Mod Contact page or via PM to

hugtopiamods.

❥ PROMPT II: Unlicensed Squashables

The trend of offworlder goods being popular among the locals seems to be continuing with a new and weird trend in the entertainment district markets. Huggably cute, teddy-bear sized stuffed plushies in the offworlders' likenesses are being sold at various stores, but no one seems to know where they're coming from (or are just completely unwilling to give up their sources). These little pushies are insanely popular with the locals, with some special edition ones with various limited edition costumes going for a premium in Dora and getting traded among collectors. For those familiar, think of the old Beanie Baby craze, and you'll know just how dogged some of the collectors can be as they try to complete their offworlder sets. Of course, the locals aren't the only ones buying up these adorable little dolls and offworlders can find likenesses of themselves and their friends who are still in the city being sold at stores quite easily.

While it may be a weird diversion for some offworlders, for others, they may find something else that raises their hackles about this new toy trend. On occasion, people may start to feel phantom hugs, the feeling of someone giving them a lovely little squeeze, as they go about their day. While this doesn't count for contact, it's certainly weird to be alone and then suddenly feel someone you can't see hug you. Observant people might realize that this all started with the introduction of these plushies to the market, and through trial and error realize that they have some sort of connection to some plushies that share their likeness. If having phantom hugs isn't your thing, then it's time to go find whoever has your connected plushie and either get it back from them or sever the connection somehow! Thankfully only positive contact can be communicated through the plushie, so any damage or violence (why would you??) done to it isn't reflected via the connection.

But how does one sever the connection? Well, that's a bit of a problem because the merchants are absolutely baffled by this phenomenon. Any dolls they've sold to locals don't seem to be experiencing this issue - only ones sold to other offworlders. The plushies do seem to give a clue themselves, however, as they light up with a soft hue in the color of the character's god in the areas where they were last given positive physical contact. Maybe if you mimicked this contact on the plush or on the owner of the plush, it'd do something? It certainly seems like the gods are interfering in your lives again after all. The only places the plush will not light up is anywhere that consent would be needed to touch.

Alternatively, you could pull a plush heist and just steal it from its unsuspecting(?) owner. How you want to deal with this is up to you!

❥ PROMPT III: The Factory Tour

image of a blacksmithing factory with machinery and an anvil front and center

After concerted efforts to clean and repair the Factory, it seems it's finally open for business. Mostly. Through the efforts of the locals and the offworlders, the Factory machinery is back up and running, and the locals are thoroughly charmed by just how old it all is. As in, super old. They had stopped using this smelting and refining technology centuries ago for a very important reason: most of the machinery requires touch between two or more participants in order to work. This unique method of operation will require some tutoring to get used to, however, so anyone interested in learning must sign up with the de facto owners of the Factory in order to learn. It isn't easy to be both the power source AND the operator, but with enough practice, they're sure you can learn to master this age-old technique!

There are two types of classes running for those interested: Forging Basics, where you learn how to power and heat the forge to melt and create simple metal objects at first like spoons and rods, and Smelting Basics, where you learn how to power and smelt common ore like copper and iron into useable metals for the forge. For the Forge Classes, characters will need to stay in contact with each other to power the heat in the forge - which is a strange rainbow-colored fire. The longer they're in contact with one another, the longer the fire will stay lit, and the hotter the flame will get. Characters should keep one hand on the handles outside the forge, and their other hand on each other. For example, 15 minutes of contact in this method would translate to 30 minutes of continuous forge power. The characters can adjust the flame intensity by squeezing the handles in unison, a lighter touch will lower the intensity and a harder touch will increase it. Learning to get this touch and the timing down for the correct forging of metals is one of the hardest parts of the lessons and what the classes will primarily focus on. For the Smelting Classes, characters will need to learn how to power the smelting machinery through a method similar to the Forging Classes - one hand on each other and the other one the machinery handles. This time, however, the finesse and focus of the class is in learning how to use sensitive touch in unison to add the correct amounts of each ore and other materials to result in the purest form of metal ingot in the end.

You will need a partner to sign up for either class, but partners can also be randomly assigned. If you're interested, please sign up! (for those who missed out on the first round of assignments, do so ASAP!) The lessons themselves are largely handwaved, but in order to use the Factory equipment in the future, you must perform a thread between yourself and at least one other person where you learn the basics via these classes. The classes will be running from now on as an ongoing prompt for any interested.

For Class Sign-ups:
Character Name: Your character's name and journal
Class: Which class you're taking
Partner(s): Write your partner(s)'s names or request a random assignment

Additionally, throughout the month at rare and random times, people who are within or in the immediate proximity of the Factory can feel the ground tremor and bump. The movement isn't large enough to knock anything over or cause any damage, and could easily be dismissed as something large passing by - except that there are no trucks that rumble in the streets. Locals are just as baffled about this phenomenon, but attribute it to perhaps the clunky old machinery thumping too loudly. Those within the Factory and near the mineshaft can on occasion hear a rumbling noise from deep within the mineshaft entrance beyond the barrier which throws a bit of doubt on the idea of the machinery being the cause.

This event will run from August 13 to 30th. 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[As curious as Regis is about the forging and smelting going on, the reason he is at the factory today is more serious--his concern about the tremors going on around it. That and the rumbling sound which is actually coming from the shaft beyond the barrier. He's heard it when he initially came to check out the area once it became a little more active again and it set warning bells ringing in his head.

His investigation is put on hold for a moment when he notices the robot hovering nearby. It's not something he has seen before and considering it looks like it has an eye, he can't help but wave at it with a silly grin.]

Why, hello there. Do you have a name?

[The natives are robots after all. Surely they have a few to do investigative work for them, right?]

[ At Regis's action the small robot seems to acknowledge him, almost seeming to bob a little in midair, the 'eye' scanning him and the movement of the wave, attention seemed focused on Regis now.

It makes a few inconclusive beeps to his question; though whether they are affirmative or negative to whether it has a name might take another question or two to figure out... possibly. ]

So your name is Beep Bop?

[Look, mimicking robots is not a class that was offered in his extensive education. At least it seems friendly.]

[ It beeps again, a slightly different pattern, but it moves a little away from him, and gives a small hop (still in midair), as if waiting to see if he'd follow. ]

Oh, my apologies. Did I pronounce it that badly?

[Regis follows the little robot with an amused look on his face. Even if he doesn't speak 'beep,' the hop and movement away make it clear he what he is suppose to do.]

[ It will continue to lead him along in this way, either giving little beeps in response to what he says, or lingering and bobbling in the air for him to catch up.

Where they arrive isn't too far, a few turns further into the facility, past some of the natives at work, though if asked they don't seem to know much about little bot, though warn Regis not to go too closely to anything that might seem dangerous.

Likely a warning they give to many Otherworlders wandering the place, but that's where he'll encounter Honerva, where she's looking over some of the refined ore, the little bot beeping again to herald their approach. ]

[Regis makes certain to thank all the natives he passes as he follows the robot even if the warning is unneeded. It quickly becomes apparent that his first thought on the robot is not correct since none of the natives recognize it. When he finally spots Honerva, though, everything makes more sense. After all, who else would have a robot like this besides her?]

Honerva, this is an amazing little machine! Does it have a name?

[Priorities. Apparently, this is one he has.]

[ There might be some other unique canidates in town who might, though Regis may very well know about the other small robot she keeps, if he's has a chance to see her roomba at work. A sibling robot to this one, one might say.

Still, she can't help a small smile at Regis's praise despite his priorities. ]

... I admit at the time that I had built my Explorer, I had not quite given it a proper name at the time.

[ She did not find herself particularly capable of doing so at the time either. ]

Now that we are reunited, it might be fair of me to give it more thought.

'Explorer' would not be a bad name.

[It at least tells someone what the robot was built for.]

'Scout' might not be a bad name either. Of course, I'm not exactly a scientist myself. Naming tools might be a little odd to those in the actual field.

[He chuckles before giving her a slightly more serious look.]

Have you managed to find anything interesting? All this sudden activity has me worried about what might come next.

It would be strange to give them more personal names... from a scientist perspective. But from another, it might be more refreshing.

[ Considering how damaging she's learned that labeling people in that way could be--even herself, included in that. It's not exactly the same, but considering she only has the two robots that she created, that would be a different approach worth considering. ]

Unfortunately we have not discovered anything new just yet. The citizens are wary of us looking into things too closely, as much as it would be better for us to know what we may end up having to face ourselves.

If nothing else, it may help someone else know which robot you are referring to. That could help with efficiency from a scientific perspective.

[He frowns as he listens to her recount what little--as in basically nothing--she has been able to find so far.]

I wish I could understand how the natives think better. Do they worry we will make things worse by investigating? Are they just afraid we are going to get hurt? If we can stop another attack like the one that caused the barrier to break before, isn't a little risk worth it?

It may be out of misguided concern. Their gods brought us here to see their purpose through, and so they seem to think we are more fragile than not, even with evidence to the contrary on some occasions.

[ She frowns. This brings to mind certain instances that hadn't fully been shared, even to Cor... but they were well past that point now, since he still couldn't bring himself to speak to her or break things off properly. ]

They would still not risk their resources. The last time earthquakes occurred with any regularity, they would even go to lengths to temporarily imprison those who went too close to the walls before anyone understood that the expansion of the barrier would take place.

I understand their concern and appreciate it. Astrals know, I don't always take enough care of myself when it comes to protecting others.

[How he pushed himself to exhaustion during the attack made that abundantly clear for even those who didn't know him well.]

Our bodies may be more fragile than theirs are, but that doesn't mean we need to be coddled. I am sure they would feel the same if they remembered what it was like to be in a mortal body. It is too bad we have no way of reminding them of that. It may also remind them that no sentient being likes to be treated as a mere resource.

They do not recall it... but they may regret the loss. It could be because they did not treat their mortal bodies with more care that they are even more protective now. Even if it is to an escalated degree.

[ Which while frustrating, with that sort of perspective in mind there was almost a calculated logic to their behavior, that their resources must be protected. ]

And we do not know for certain if there are some among them who would attempt to use us in other ways, so long as the world remains reliant on what we generate for it.

[Regis is quiet for a moment once she finishes. He has to admit that first point is not one he had considered before. Is he more protective of Noctis because he lost Aulea? Certainly. The phrase "Once bitten, twice shy" exists for a reason.]

That is actually a very good point. If they truly regret the loss, being overprotective does make sense. Not remembering all the details just gives them more reason to be paranoid and worried.

[In that way, it is a very natural, if extreme, reaction.]

There are those of us who would use them just as they would use us, so that idea doesn't surprise me. It is just one more reason to be wary. Their end goal is likely nowhere near as common as it seems.

And we may well know that it was not they who called us to their worlds, but their gods, who they revere. They may see it as their duty to make certain we are safe, for all that rides upon our presence.

[ And she knew full well that loss of any kind could shape easily how one might act later. Whether it was of self, or... otherwise. Here, they had so much time to accustom themselves to their reality. Was it any wonder they did not know how much they should rely on otherworlders, or do what they must to protect their world as much as they had failed it in the past? ]

And they have had centuries to themselves or longer in the forms they inherit now. That amount of time to could certainly cause stagnation, and even less understanding. There is much to account for or be wary of on all sides.

[Regis nods slowly, mind obviously mulling over her words.]

What you say reminds me of something that Lup told me. That it is harder for mortals to understand the natives as they are now because they have not lived long enough. Our view is too narrow and not forward thinking enough. It sounds as if you would be inclined to agree.

Our perspectives tend to be bound to our own circumstances until we are put into a position to see otherwise. Even having a long life cannot prepare someone for that.

[ So she agrees, because... she is far more familiar with understanding that sort of thinking once one gets past the initial frustration. ]

It is likely due to the extended track of their lives the passage of time also has little meaning for them anymore. Species with shorter lifespans tend to be more aware of it's passing than those who have not had that urgency for some time, so quicker responses tend to be demanded for it. However, for them... it may be only the stirrings they are after. They do not know how long it may take, only that there are results that are promising.

So, while there might be something they are hiding, the conflict--and what we might tend to see dishonesty--may come more from our conflicting view points than any real malicious intention. For example, those of us with a limited lifespan who have been brought here tend to think of this as something we need to resolve quickly because we have limited time in which to work on it, but the natives have much more time. They are willing to accept progress no matter how slow, because it is still progress.

[As he speaks, Regis becomes a little more confident in what he is saying as if the idea is cementing itself in his mind.]

And haste can lead to accidents and moving backward. We have seen evidence of accidents they had while they were researching before. Again, that would be something they would want to avoid at all costs.

It is an overabundance of caution, though I wonder how it was they were led so astray before. And as you have discovered, some of those answers seem to have been damaged or removed from them as well... some corruption over their transfer process. Leaving us all at this delicate impasse.

[ Which... she can understand this all too well, with her own history. Souls were delicate things. ]

Our experiences do not align, and they want to protect all they have left of this world. They are slow to adapt, save when it comes to improvements that may be more physically beneficial to keeping us safe and well. With that in mind they have certainly granted us far more freedoms than might be expected.

That is true. For all the risks there are, they have not jumped to the easy conclusion to keep us safe: they have not forbade us from leaving our homes. They could even have just put us all in a couple of the bigger homes and made us keep in contact with each other that way. Instead, we do have a fair amount of freedom.

[He chuckles self-consciously.]

Perhaps, I should stop being so ungrateful. Still, I think it is wise to keep an eye on things like the factory here, even if from a distance. So far, this is not a freedom they have taken from us. We should take advantage of it while we can. Who knows? We may end up proving that we are worrying about nothing after all.

[Regis doubts it, but at the same time, there is part of him that would be happy if that turned out to be the case.]

The situation is not ideal, but it could be far worse... in either direction. There is much we can learn here from observation, even more with the factory machines being brought back to life.

[ Their hosts may not be oppressive, merely concerned, but at the same time this was keeping those of them more likely to wander into dangers or draw danger to them in check. With no barrier, they might be fighting every day, or withering to the poison from beyond. ]

We push where we might, take opportunity where we can, so long as you don't find yourself... detained for it.

[ That... she does not recommend. Being arrested was terrible all around. ]

You needn't worry about that. I would prefer to avoid having things go that far as well.

[Plus, he really doesn't want to see how many of his friends and family would end up in there with him because they were trying to break their king out.]

It would not be ideal, on all accounts. The detainment facilities are designed to suppress magical ability to the point where they are no longer felt.

[ She can't recall if she'd gone into explicit detail with him on another occasion or if she'd skirted it, but better to have it said again, when she already disliked discussing such vulnerability. ]

[Regis has to hold back a shiver when he hears that. This is the first time she has mentioned it to him and the very idea makes his skin crawl.]

I can't even imagine what that must feel like. I've felt the magic in my blood as far back as I can remember. To have it suddenly be gone...

[And to think, if they can cut of powers in one location so easily, what is to keep them from doing the same someplace else?]

♥ August (Achtom) Event Log

( a. factory )

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