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

Well, that is not what Regis expected to see on his walk. He's almost positive there was no swimming pool in this area, let alone in the town as a whole, yet here one is. Expertly made with a very creative use of magic. He only knows a couple of people who could make such a thing, but before he can go looking for the most likely person, he is distracted by the dragon swimming and playing in the waves. His eyes remain on the happy creature as he calls out.

"Devon?"

Aquaras bounds up onto the icy ledge and stares at Regis with intense, unblinking sapphire eyes. It might be a little bit disconcerting. At least until Devon's laughter lightens the mood. He paddles his way over to the edge and props his arms up on the ledge next to his dragon.

"Hello Regis. Would you like to come join me? I can make the pool big enough for two."

Right after he asks Aquaras purposefully thwacks him in the face with her tail. It makes a rather wet sounding smack.

"Ow! Okay, okay! I'm sorry! Big enough for three!"

The stare is a little disconcerting, though Regis holds it hoping that is the right response to the little dragon. He's stared down his share of aristocrats. Surely, he can maintain eye contact with a dragon for a little bit.

Right?

A smile crosses his face when Devon speaks up. Boy, wouldn't some cool water feel nice right now, not that he's really dressed for a dip, but his clothes have been through worse.

Before he can answer, the dragon thwacks Devon and Regis finally breaks eye contact with her so he can grin at her 'victim,' "Indeed. I would hate to kick your friend out of the pool no matter how nice joining you sounds. It won't be too much strain on your magic to enlarge it?"

"She's just mad that I didn't think to consider her in the initial accounting."

Which, really, she shouldn't be that upset about. She literally is the water, so Devon has taught himself to believe that she's always there as long as water is nearby. It makes him feel better.

"Not at all. It's rather easy really. Once the water and ice are there I don't need to actively manipulate it. I just have to add a little power now and then to keep the ice from melting. This is nothing."

He doesn't realize how much that show his level of power or he would have phrased it a little differently.

"It may be better to remember to do so in the future. Dragons are not fun when they are angry." He is stating the obvious of course, with just a little added emphasis. The 'dragon' he knows best is Bahamut and he would not wish to make the Draconian angry either.

"How fascinating. Then again, perhaps I should not be surprised. You were able maintain the bowl we used to write in when we first met without any tiring that I could see. Your magic must be more forgiving than my own. Do you mind telling me a little about how it works while I join you?"

"She's really not all that bad when she's mad. The worst she does is just disappear and refuse to visit me, though I guess that's bad enough."

Aquaras is one of the few consistent things in his life that he knows he can always count on. Having her disappear for a length of time hurts.

"Sure. Whatever you'd like to know. I take it your magic is more tiring to use?"

"Oh, that is certainly bad enough. When you are used to a creature's presence, having them suddenly gone makes things quite lonely," he gives the little dragon a smile hopeful she won't visit this punishment on Devon anytime soon.

"I am afraid it does. Though the Astrals granted use of the Crystal's magic to our bloodline, it still scars our bodies as we use it." Already the scars are appearing clearly on his chest and thanks to whatever caused their ages to randomly change a short time ago, he knows just how much worse they will get over time, "It is an honor to be able to use it to protect the Crystal and my people, but at the same time there is no escaping that this power was never meant to be used by human hands."

"Really? So using magic for you is far more than just tiring. The only magic I know of that will physically mark the body after its use is taboo magic. You're marked to indicate that you broke the taboo. It's meant as a warning sign to others."

As much as Devon enjoys magic, he doesn't think he would continue to use it if he had to pay for its every use in more than just sweat and energy.

"Why do you use it then?"

"Yes, one could say the Crystal drains our very lives in exchange for the power it grants us," Regis frowns as he speaks. It's obviously not something he likes to think about, especially considering his son is only three years old back home, but at the same time, he doesn't often have those who he can speak to about magic like this.

He is silent for several moments after that. The question Devon has given him is a hard one. It would be easy just to repeat what he has already said, but at the same time, he knows there is more to it.

"Perhaps it is selfish, but there is part of me that wants to do what my father could not. I want to see peace in my lifetime so my son doesn't have to take up this burden. My father always just looked to me as the next in line. It never seemed that he wanted to find a way to end all this. It was just him seeing the country into the next generation's hands. I want my people to find peace, to stop having to leave their homes and futures in the dust as they flee for their lives. I want my son to have a choice."

Even if Noctis' choices may not be as simple as they once thought they might be.

"Peace is a hard thing. I'm not really sure it can ever be won. Maybe where you're from you'll succeed, but in my world we don't seem to be getting any closer. Magic doesn't exactly help with peace either."

Rather it's the very source of the discord Devon is trying to fix.

"Unfortunately, I do have to agree with you on that," Regis lets his fingers absently trace patterns in the water. "Our enemy wishes to take the Crystal from us, but as I mentioned, only my bloodline and those few we allow can use its power, so I am not certain what they think they will do with it once they have it. As it is the source of our power, though, magic is central to our conflict through it. Would things have been better of the Astrals had not granted it to us? Honestly, there is no way we will ever know the answer to that question, so I all I can do is try to use what we have been granted for good and pray that eventually leads me to success."

"That adds an interesting twist to a conflict. I guess it's the more common conflict though, that one group wants to steal something another group has. Mages in my world don't have to worry about that since all of our magic is intrinsic. Or at least most of it. There are some clans that use magic that requires some physical item."

"If you don't mind me asking, are you speaking of magical weapons or magical items like totems? We do have some magical items in our world as well, but they all are created through magic wielded by my bloodline. Potions may be used by anyone for healing, but our royal arms will only allow access to their power if one is of the bloodline."

"I guess I'm not sure? I don't know very much about them, and magic from other clans is often really well guarded. I know a few clans need an item to use magic, but the magic itself doesn't come from the item. It's more a way to channel it into the world. Does that make sense?"

He certainly hopes so because he doesn't know enough about that type of magic to explain it any better.

"A focus then," Regis nods in understanding. With what Devon has told him of the other clans, he isn't surprised at the secrecy. "The items likely would be closer to our weapons then than the potions, though they may also be a completely different class all together--more like the Ring of the Lucii, but on a less powerful level. It would just depend on the details of use."

Which, of course, they don't know.

A smile pulls at Devon's mouth over Regis' explanation.

"It kind of sounds like you know way more about it than I do and it's not even in your world."

Regis can't help but chuckle at that, gently tossing a little water in Devon's direction, "More like I enjoy theorizing about magic far too much. My theories may be completely off the mark. We have no way of knowing."

Devon laughs and fake cringes away from the water even though he could redirect it without a ridiculous amount of effort.

"That's still fun though. Really, discussing anything about magic is fun. To me at least."

"It is!" Regis wastes no time confirming that point, "Back home, I unfortunately have few people who I could have a discussion like this with, even fewer because there are details that we would not want just anyone knowing about. Perhaps, I should not be so open about it here, but if I do not take the chance to learn and discuss, I may never have it again."

"Being here does seem to lead toward more open discussions that you wouldn't typically have at home. I usually try not to share any indication of who I am if a magician doesn't know already."

It was just much safer that way. Plus it was nice sometimes when people just liked him for him and not for his fancy title.

"What purpose is there for it? I mean, besides just laying everything on the table? You are Chosen, but for a different world from this one, just as I am king of a different world. I suppose it would be a little different if any of your fellows arrived here, but for now it's almost as if you are on a vacation."

Relaxing pool, cool water, warm sun and all.

A bright smile flashes across Devon's face, making him look even younger than his twenty some years.

"That's true! I kind of like the idea of a vacation."

He makes note of the whole king thing but decides not to comment on it. His notoriety made people treat him differently, and he doesn't enjoy it. Since he would rather people not do that, he'll give Regis the same courtesy.

Devon, you have no idea how long he's tried to get some people to drop the titles all together. It's been quite the trial. Regis appreciates every bit of your courtesy.

"If anyone deserves one, it sounds like it is you. And your dragon friend as well. I don't think you said her name. Is that something I'm allowed to ask?"

Edited (Typo!) 2020-10-21 10:37 (UTC)

"Of course! Her name is Aquaras. I wish the others were here too so you could meet them, but I haven't felt any indication that they're around."

Which is actually kind of odd, but Devon has been trying not to think about it. At least he has Aquaras, and that's what he's going to focus on.

"What a perfectly fitting name," Regis seems delighted by it. Some might think it simple, but he's hardly going to criticize since his parents literally named him "king."

"I suspect we can blame the gods' limited powers for that. How many others are there? One for each element?"

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So sorry for the delay! RL has been horrid the last two weeks.

All good. I'm barely functioning myself.

*hugs* Hopefully things will lighten up for you soon!

Figuring out the school year in this is probably only going to get worse sadly.

Ugg, I wish I could say you are wrong. :( Drop me a PM if you think a chat will help, okay?

I will. I've thought about it a few times actually.

Please do. I can't do much to change things, but I can at least listen!

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hugs Hopefully things will lighten up for you soon!