hugtopiamods: (Default)
hugtopiamods ([personal profile] hugtopiamods) wrote in [community profile] hugtopia_logs2020-09-14 07:59 pm

♥ September (Ohnir) Event Log

an ethereal scene of a small island in space with a tree and a chair, the milky way arcing above
September (Ohnir) Event Log

The month of Ohnir brings with it a slow but steady relief from the heat, as summer gives way to autumn and the city begins to change with it. Plants are slowly deflowering, leaves are starting to fade and fall, and while the season is not yet in full swing, all the signs are there if you know where to look. The city is abuzz with new energy as the residents realize that for the first time in centuries, they have some actual nature clean-up ahead of them: raking leaves, pruning branches, protecting young wildlife and fresh plants from the incoming chills of winter. Such work used to be relegated to those who cared for the botanical gardens and zoos, but now everyone who's been enjoying this year's garden harvest has to learn how to future-proof their treasured flowers. Offworlders are encouraged to do the same, lest all of the growth be lost over the winter.



PROMPT I: A Clean Getaway
an animated gif of anime-style bird people in a hot bath

With all of the work to be done, it's no surprise that some are looking for new ways to refresh themselves and relax, and what better time would there be to open up the Public Baths! All the volunteer work cleaning the place has paid off, and the facilities are officially open and available for use. It is technically free to use, as a public facility, but those visiting are encouraged to tithe a small donation once in a while to pay for upkeep and freshen up the place, provide new soaps, etc. No judgment if you can't! It'll just make everything that much nicer in the long run.

The baths are separated into a few sections: oil baths for the native residents, and water baths for the offworlders. For obvious reasons, offworlders are encouraged not to enter the robot-residential sections! Though they are not strictly forbidden... it would be quite messy and bad for your health.

The offworlder half has additional separated sections that may interest characters when they visit:

1) Hot Springs Style - Clothed or Unclothed: there are 3 available rooms for each, one for separate presented genders, and a shared bath for those comfortable with the concept or don't wish to use either male or female. Each room has one larger pool and a few smaller sets, so you can sit by yourself or with others as you please.

2) Pool: a shared public pool! The water is nice and cool, which should be a comfort to those still struggling with the lingering summer heat. There is some water game equipment available for open use if people want to play and get their sports on.

3) Sauna: similar to the springs, once again, there are 3 rooms for gender splits so everyone can enjoy the place at their own comfort level.

It all seems very nice and relaxing for everyone, but this wouldn't be a proper event without some shenanigans now, would it? There are a few effects that may occur within the baths, and these effects are somewhat random. Some characters may experience them to a powerful degree, while others feel nothing at all. Players can decide for themselves who and where these will affect, so feel free to mix, match, and go wild. The effects are:
  • The spring water is so relaxing that you feel free and more willing to talk about yourself, or share your feelings more openly.

  • The swimming pool is cool and energizing, making you want to horse around and play with others nearby. You may also feel inclined to drape yourself onto others, like a cool, comfy pillow.

  • The sauna has you dishing up spicy hot takes, releasing negative emotions or complaints, and makes you a little more inclined to gossip.
All effects can either be nullified or emphasized according to player discretion by physical contact. For some characters, holding hands or something will stop the effects, but for others it'll intensify them - it should keep characters guessing!


PROMPT II: REM Stands for Realistic Emotional Memory in These Parts
a girl sleeping in yellow grass

Characters who were around last year might remember a bout of strange and sporadic dreams that plagued the town around this season, along with the sensation that they were being followed. This year, dreams once more enter uninvited to one's mind, but this time, it occurs as a random daydream while they are awake, and it is very different from person to person- instead encouraging you to do the following. All visions start out hazy, like a grainy old movie where details and figures are difficult to make out, but there is something both familiar and alien about it. It feels like a memory… but it is not your memory. Over time, the visual begins to clear the more often the dream repeats, until slowly the images grow more distinct, offering clearer faces, the addition of voices, discernable quotes or expressions. The memory will provide hints as to who it might belong to, though the subtlety of those hints will likely vary. Before too long, if you have not found a way to rid yourself of the dream, you will experience an entire memory of another person in town as if you were witnessing it from their perspective!

Now, how does one rid themselves of these strange visions? You could wait it out, if you're patient enough and not inclined to seek the answer, but those who've been here long enough can wager a guess: you must find the source of that memory and "send" it back to them through physical interaction of some kind. Some memories may take longer to transfer than others, and it may depend on the person, the memory itself, how clear the memory has become in the time you carried it… no two experiences are likely to be the same.

There are a few specifics about these memories that are worth noting:
  • the memory should be of a single event, not a series of events that span a long period of time. For example, you could witness the stretch of someone's day at a wedding or long party (sped up to skip insignificant moments so it doesn't play in real time), but not a memory of an entire war that goes for months. How long the memory goes for is up to the player that the memory belongs to, as long as it falls within these guidelines.

  • you are not limited to a single memory from a single person. Once you have solved one vision, after a certain amount of time, you may find yourself plagued with another.

  • you will not necessarily end up having the same memory partner! You won't always have the memory of the person who has your memory. Characters are encouraged to pair up and try to piece together clues that might lead you to your intended partner. Help each other out and guide one another in the right direction if you can.

  • those whose memory has been borrowed may find it difficult to recall it; it can seem fuzzy and indistinct, missing entirely or simply missing choice details. Through physical contact, that memory will fully return to them and both participants can experience it together.

  • you can find your partner accidentally! If you're still searching for clues and happen to touch your partner through other circumstances - such as shake their hand at first meeting, or hug a friend - you may find both of you are suddenly experiencing a memory together as it is transferred! Aren't you lucky, to have found your partner so easily?
!!! IMPORTANT !!! The contents of the memory shared is up to you, but please be mindful of harmful subjects and tag/mark your comments and toplevels accordingly! Triggering memories should be noted with content warnings. Be kind to your fellow players! If someone asks you to tag something and you have not done so, please correct it as soon as possible. Untagged comments that aren't adjusted and are reported to us may be subject to mod screening until the issue is resolved.


PROMPT III: I Shall Fight With My Bear Hands
a man trains with one fist outstretched in a dark room

Closer to the tail end of the month, one of the research facilities distributes a "Help Wanted" advertisement through the network, requesting the aid of offworlders. The advertisement reads:

"Calling all offworlders! Havenwell Research and Development is seeking volunteers for both physical prowess and supernatural ability testing. All are welcome! Even if you have no combat skills and feel only a desire to learn, we have a job for you. Those who already possess some form of self-defense or combative powers will be partnered and asked to "spar" in a partially digitized facility, or proceed with a simulation that will gauge destructive capabilities. And for those who possess neither, don't worry! Our program is specially designed to help you discover just where your talents lie.

No harm should come to any volunteers, as this is strictly simulation-based, similar to the virtual reality technology already widely used throughout the city. However, in case of any accidents, medical staff is on site to treat injuries as needed. Additionally, there is no need for you to wear any of the VR headgear typically required in our cafes, so if these devices cause you discomfort, this may be a simulation that better meets your needs.

Please contact us ASAP if you are willing and able to help. A monetary commission will be awarded upon completion of each session."

Any volunteers or inquiries will be provided with more information, and invited to one of the research towers located in town. They are guided to a floor that is abuzz with activity, partnered with whoever happens to be scheduled at the same time or a partner they themselves opted to bring with them, and taken to a room akin to Star Trek's holodeck. There, they can input "powers" or "no powers", and a simulation will be created for them based on their selected guidelines.

With Powers:
The console invites characters to select one of two options- their own abilities, or temporarily gain access to the elemental powers offered via AC Rewards (point levels 50, 100, and 200). They are able to choose a particular power level for the duration of the simulation, which can either dampen their natural abilities to a more fair level for the test you're undertaking, or remain normal. While in the simulation room, rather than actually using any real abilities, the room will materialize whatever ability you choose without causing true damage to either the room or your opponent. Science, or magic? It's probably both. Feel free to go wild and have fun, maybe try some powers you've never experienced before or vent your frustrations on being stuck here!

Without Powers:
The console invites characters to select a type of weapon and skill level, and said weapon will materialize in a basic form; while held inside the room it moves and feels real, but it cannot be removed from the facility. Those who are skilled in utilizing said weapon are free to wield it as if it were the genuine article in their chosen simulation. Those without much or any skill will be walked through a tutorial on basic techniques from a variety of styles, old or new, most unfamiliar but well suited to the body type of the person using the program. It's quite intuitive, though it is by no means perfect, so characters might end up being guided through a stranger workout than intended.

For versus mode, each participant has an HP bar displayed above their heads, and everyone has the same HP unless both players select an unbalanced mode, and the goal is to force your opponent to hit zero HP. Characters can also choose how realistic the simulated violence is and how the process feels: in low realism, it's similar to laser tag, where characters flash a colour when hit and take damage without feeling anything more than some uncomfortable vibration. In high realism, pain is genuine to a certain degree depending on how high a level they choose, though it is artificial and will fade as soon as the program ends. Hitting zero HP will not result in a knock-out, but characters will feel dizzy and be forced to sit down, unable to rise again until they surrender. All effects wear off as soon as the simulation ends.

For demonstration mode, participants are given a selection of virtual targets to practice on using whatever method of combat they've chosen. It could be moving targets, such as creatures that have invaded the barrier previously (via the Wild Wild prompt), or simulations of the more dangerous beasts in the museum/zoo areas of town. It could be simple targets built to take a beating without providing much challenge in return. It could be a collection of buildings that characters can break or explode as they please. This mode is designed to gauge just how strong a person's destructive potential is, either with their own powers or with powers granted to those who have been blessed by their patron god.

Characters are welcome to volunteer as many times as there are available partners and/or slots! So feel free to try a few times using different options.


PROMPT IV: A Bonus Trip Down Memory Lane
Last year, some offworlders might remember the tradition of sharing stories in the temple of Ohma, to offer small tributes to the god on their first month of devotion. It is that time of the year again, and everyone is welcome to return and share more stories, or perhaps retell an old favourite to a new audience. Here is the event as described previously:

Ohma's temple is particularly lively during Ohnir and the priests are busy cleaning and sweeping, decorating it with rolls of parchment and digital inkwells and quills that write as if they were actually fountain pens. The natives, especially adherents of Ohma, start to make pilgrimages to the temple in little processions, some playing music, others flying banners.

Anyone who chooses to follow can observe the natives going up to the altar and sharing stories with one another. They talk about things they did over the past year or things that are far, far in their past. Some of the stories are happy and result in the procession laughing and some are...well, not everyone returns safely from certain disasters that befall the city throughout the year. The priests diligently write every story down on those parchment rolls and deposit them onto the waiting altar, where they're summarily lit on fire to the cheers of those present. The more emotional the story it seems, the brighter and bluer the flame that it emits and the louder the procession cheers.

As the file out, they notice you watching and urge you to go up with someone else in the temple to clear your heart and offer up your own stories. They can be stories of home, information about your worlds, or stories about your life.




This event will run from September 14th 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.
daikonrose: (211)

[personal profile] daikonrose 2020-10-18 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
It is a lot; it's easy to understand why Shinji never wanted to talk about his world now. But to have him apologize for--what, his experience? It's not even like he told her, the memory was just shoved into her brain by outside influences. If he'd had his way, Shinji surely would have kept it all to himself forever, wouldn't he?

"... I'm not sorry I saw it," she says quietly, but then frowns, and corrects herself, "--except that it's something you didn't want me to see. That part isn't right. But...." It's her turn to hesitate. Would he even understand what she's getting at? Would he close off again? "It's something that someone important to me had to endure, so... I'm glad I know a little bit about it now."
Edited (wow what are words) 2020-10-18 02:02 (UTC)
hedgehogsdilemma: (Keep me in your clouded mind)

[personal profile] hedgehogsdilemma 2020-10-21 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
He listens carefully as she lays out her feelings, nodding slightly in understanding. He gets it, he does, and he gets how saying as much would probably feel... risky.

Truly, he doesn't mind her knowing, so having her say as much makes him feel quite a bit better, even if he's still really rattled over it all. What a relief that if it had to be anyone he knew, it's someone he feels like he can trust with this information. With that thought, he lets his hands carefully drop from her arms, not wanting to subject her to the touch too much longer, even though she hadn't been putting up any kind of fuss over it. Still, though, he's not about to use that as an excuse to escape.

"Yeah." He gets it. Yeah. "I don't... really tell anyone about it," for what he hopes are obvious reasons. "Kaito knows some, and... I really do think it's okay, if you do too."
daikonrose: (232)

[personal profile] daikonrose 2020-10-23 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a small pang of regret when his hands finally leave her, but Kyoko doesn't move. She won't chase the touch, as much reassurance as it had lent to this delicate moment. They're both fine now anyway, right? They're fine. It's fine.

A small, hesitant smile even warms her face as she meets Shinji's eyes again. "Ah... thank goodness." That he's okay with her knowing, and that he hadn't been bearing this all totally alone until now. Kaito's a good person to lean on, isn't he? A bit of the weight on Kyoko's heart eases.

"I won't make you talk about things you don't want to," she promises easily, because it's true; it would have been fine if the shadows hanging over Shinji had remained a mystery to her forever--she wouldn't have pried. "But really... really, thank goodness."
hedgehogsdilemma: (Then I kept pretending)

[personal profile] hedgehogsdilemma 2020-10-24 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
Definitely fine. Nobody's being battered around by giant monsters, nor are they being drugged and dragged off. Even if those memories are going to be nice and fresh in their minds for a while, they are both, presently, Fine.

Nothing to worry about.

Seeing that bit of warmth break through into her expression is a relief on its own, even if he's not entirely sure how he's supposed to feel about that kind of relief being a result of him. It's... a lot. But also not entirely bad? He's glad that she's not completely distressed over this, at least.

"I mean... I don't think you'd ask anything that's too much," he says thoughtfully, picking his words with quite a bit of care, "and it's not like I won't answer any questions..."

If she wanted to know more, that door was open for her.

He exhales softly, not wanting to really leave that last thought hanging around on its own in case she wasn't particularly interested in the offer. "But, I really am glad that if it had to be anyone, it's someone I can trust." Thank goodness indeed.
daikonrose: (170)

[personal profile] daikonrose 2020-10-29 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
The suggestion of more information is so unexpected that Kyoko can only pause, turning his words over in her head, for a moment. She hadn't known this door existed at all until today, let alone expected that it might open for her.

He didn't think she'd ask anything that was too much... was a bold assumption, Kyoko thought. Surely questions like why were you doing something like that and why was it just you out there on your own while they yelled at you would be a bit indelicate. Never mind the one pressing most insistently at her lips, trying to spill out--did you make it?

Kyoko hesitates another moment, before saying carefully but firmly, "I only want to hear the things you want to tell me yourself." He'd already had enough control taken from him today, hadn't he? If he's going to place precious things like trust on her shoulders, she'd better be good and live up to it. "When you feel like saying them."
hedgehogsdilemma: (Seek it out)

[personal profile] hedgehogsdilemma 2020-10-29 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps it was bold of him, but more importantly, she hadn't asked any of those questions that she thought would be too much. That's the kind of tact he's trusting her to use, and clearly he was right about it.

Shinji, on the other hand, is still pretty hesitant to be offering anything up of his own volition - what would be too much, after all? She'd been so distraught over just what she had seen, so figuring out what else would manage to hit a balance of not overwhelming, but simply informative might be... a little tricky. Something that would require a lot of careful thought on his part.

That door will remain unlocked, at any rate. Surely someone will open it up sooner or later.

"Thank you," he replies softly. "I really am glad that it was you, you know?"
daikonrose: (225)

[personal profile] daikonrose 2020-10-30 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
'Simply informative' is probably not going to be an achievable goal, as long as Shinji is talking about situations where he was in danger or hardship. Eventually, he's probably going to have to find some level of comfort with Kyoko being distressed on his behalf, because that's not going to go away.

But as long as he's safe with her in the here and now, she can keep it together. She can even give him another gentle smile, as the weight of his trust settles warmly over her. "... Mm. We're friends, right? So, you don't have to worry when things like this happen."
hedgehogsdilemma: (I'm finally at peace)

[personal profile] hedgehogsdilemma 2020-11-09 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, there's really no feasible way to swing 'here's some objectively terrible stuff that happened in my world' without it being taken as objectively terrible. It's a big part of the reason he kept it under a tight lock for so long, and he does want to keep the bits that he does let out as easy to swallow as possible. Whether that's something he can really succeed in doing or not is... unclear. We will see.

Right now, though, that extra bit of warmth from her smile is enough to help cleanse some of his worry that this whole incident may have somehow damaged their relationship.

"I don't think I'm going to be able to not worry," because there is some stuff that's buried pretty deep that would require a ridiculously high friendship stat to unearth - he wouldn't want anything particularly unsavory or gruesome getting to her by complete divine mistake. "But... we're friends." Definitely friends, so he should trust what she's saying. "That definitely makes it a lot less intimidating to think about."