♥ June (Dianir) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

June (Dianir) Event Log

There's a lot going on this month, plenty of work to be done. But as they say, many hands make light the work! And to make up for the grim and grey atmosphere awaiting those who decide to venture outside the barrier, the weather within the city limits is clean and clear, that perfect spot resting between hot and cold. The middle of Dianir brings to Havenwell the start of perfect summer weather. Be sure to give yourself a lovely break when you need to get away from the endless storm outside.

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❥ PROMPT I: Corridor of Lights

Compared to how the weather and world beyond the barrier was a few years ago, the wilds these days appear far less harsh. While the constant storm of dust and debris appears to maintain its viciousness further out, and it is yet strong enough to obscure whatever source of light there is beyond the atmosphere, its tumultuous gusts are noticeably less harsh closer to the city itself. And, in fact, there even appears to be patches of green just outside the barrier, although the growth rapidly stops at a certain near-distance from the city. All together, this prompts those of the researchers to make an announcement: that they are allowing– no, they are asking the off-worlders for help in Phase I of repairing the mysterious train station to the south. What do they want the non-locals to do? To make a corridor meter by meter or even inch by inch if necessary, by placing the charged up crystal-conduits of last month on poles either side of a path, stringing them together with reinforced cable.

1. As mentioned above, characters will be setting off beyond the barrier. The further characters trek as they set up the corridor, the more hazardous and darker the environment becomes. Further away from the city, even before reaching the train station ruins, light is scarce, and the world is cold, dry, and with winds as harsh as sandpaper. At some point, one's only source of light may be the flashlight attached to the exosuit front or the dim glow of the conduits themselves. Safe travels.


2. Characters will all be given exosuits to wear beyond the barrier, which are custom-fitted to their body, as well as a conduit. While researchers encourage characters to continue engaging in touch as they march into the open, it isn't necessary to participate.They will also all be given a flare to use in case of emergency.


3. Despite the improved quality of air beyond the barrier, staying out too long can still result in contracting a mysterious illness that involves chills, fever, malaise, and fatigue. The locals know of this illness as being borne from a mysterious miasma that permeates both air and ground outside. Touch alleviates the symptoms, but it takes time. If one is exposed while still beyond the barrier, characters can use their flare to signal for (player-discretion) NPC support to bring them back to the city. Tents will be set up by the locals to take in any injured or ill characters.

Once the corridor is fully finished with the conduits strung together by poles and cables, the makeshift highway will come to life by a dim, golden light reminiscent that of the barrier. Starting with the conduits nearest to the city, a shimmering, semi-translucent shield appears to dome over each section of the path until finally spanning its entire length, seemingly dispelling any miasma within. Just in case, though, the locals suggest to not remove one's exosuits just yet. This golden-lit corridor has an ethereal quality to it, muting the howling wind outside, as well as providing a sense of safety and warmth. A few local helpers can be seen standing in awe of this grand accomplishment, holding hands or linking arms as they marvel at the replicated barrier, walking down the path slowly. Some of them may even come up and thank the characters for their hard work. If they hadn't been made of metal, they are sure they would be shedding tears of joy.

❥ PROMPT II: Chaining the Supply

With the highway finally established, the researchers are calling for the initiation of Phase II, involving more sets of volunteers (they know, they know, they're needy; but don't worry, they promise they'll compensate you with dora!).

• Help with Supplies: Become a runner of supplies from point A to point B on the corridor, passing off items, cords, metal, electronics, to the next volunteer.
  
• Help with Charging the Conduits: Regrettably, the consistency of the barrier surrounding the corridor is patchy in some areas. The locals are asking for help: simply engage in any form touch with someone next to a dimmer-looking conduit. They have even provided plush couches for characters to relax upon. What do you mean, that's not comfy? No worries, they'll also provide a privacy curtain for you. Alternatively, these couches can be used as a resting station for characters in need of a break.
  
• Protect the Corridor: The light of the corridor is bound to attract a few curious and hostile wildlife to its source of light. Those who are brave enough may depart the safety of the corridor's barrier to combat or capture the creatures that would threaten its integrity. Please see below for list of potential wildlife encounters, and note that any engagement with these creatures generates a big risk of exposure to the miasma that may make a character severely ill and lethargic. Working with a partner is encouraged.
  
  For those who opt to attempt to capture some of the infected creatures, specialized nets will be provided to allow for safe catch-and-transport without making contact with the poison they exude. There will be an area designated for the captured creatures until they can be transported to one of the research labs. Some of the crystals have been moved to clear the area, and while they are held there, offworlders are encouraged to attempt a new experiment: can the crystals also purify the poison inside living creatures, as well as the air itself? If offworlders make contact within the creature's and the crystal's vicinity, can they be saved?
  
  If your character ends up capturing one of the creatures, please comment to this comment here noting which ones and how many.

These are the creatures that can be encountered on a character's path. Next to their names are the frequency with which they can be found and level of hostility. Characters can encounter either untainted or poisoned renditions of these creatures, if a regular version exists.

• "The Apparitions" (uncommon - very hostile): a creature new to those both native and offworld, these ghost-like creatures can take any form, humanoid, robotic, animal. They are translucent and mostly featureless/faceless, floating from place to place and trying to stay out of sight. They prefer to perform sneak attacks, and should they make contact with someone's bare flesh or (if you're unlucky) phase through your suit, they are able to stun most people, capturing and preventing your escape as they begin to steal your thoughts. Whatever fleeting thing might pass through your mind as you make contact with them is devoured, whatever you're feeling is consumed. This effect can be halted by another person interfering and forcing the apparition to break contact, but they can only be harmed by those who have formed a physical connection with one another. Basically: don't be caught alone by one, or there will be no escape unless someone comes to your rescue. (Apparitions cannot be captured, only slain or driven away.)
  
• Inky Black Spiders (common - hostile): These relatively small, black spider-like creatures have very basic melee attacks, using their fangs and their sharp legs to bite and claw at people. Those who were around in October when the wall broke will recognize them as the most common enemy back then. Their exoskeletons are hard and when they die, they smash into a black goo. They tend to travel in packs, using sheer numbers to overwhelm their prey.
  
• One-Eyed Lizard (uncommon - docile): An iridescent scaly purple and green lizard approximately 8 to 10cm in length from tip to tail. It has a single eye at the top of its head that can rotate to see 360 degrees around it. This creature's main defenses are its tough hide and a spine on the tip of its tail which it whips at predators to dissuade them from eating it. It's more likely to run than fight, however, and can usually be found sunbathing on exposed rock with its eye closed.
  
• "Bone Giraffe" (extremely rare - hostile): A nearly 20-foot tall, long-necked skeleton of a four-legged creature long dead with a single curved horn protruding from its skull and a sharp snout. It's usually found lying in a heap, as if it laid down and died that way. A black seven-petaled flower sometimes (but not always) grows from the skull and beneath the skeleton is an oily black film. Touching the oil slick activates the creature, which draws the oil up into the skeletal cage. Its main attacks are brute force, using its bony legs and neck to kick and slam against its prey, and its acid breath. It breathes a black fume that sizzles and burns anything it touches.
  
• Rive Talon (rare - hostile - medium): In the past these creatures may have been canines of some form, now they seem to have melded with the detritus of the fallen buildings and creatures of the landscape. Extra spikes, ridges, and protrusions extend from its body at odd angles. Many of them are metal or stone, rather than bone. And some of the bones clearly were not originally its own.
  
• Outskirts Hare (uncommon - docile): A shy creature, roughly the size and shape of an earth hare, covered in fuzzy-looking, curly pink hair and cat-like whiskers. Normally quite timid, this creature's poor eyesight causes it to flee when it feels threatened, and relies largely on a sense of touch to navigate its surroundings. Contact with this creature's fur is markedly pleasant, but its skin discharges an oil that causes mild skin irritation on contact when it's nervous. Active mostly at night time.
• Ansaurini (rare - annoying): a bipedal feathered bird with sharp claws and teeth good for chomping; some possess flight capabilities, but the majority are prone to a lazy waddle. Mostly harmless and deceptively unassuming until you turn your back- and suddenly it's run off with something it stole off your person! They are excellent at escaping, though they can be traced back to their hoard, and if their collection is raided they will make a lot of noise in protest. Just watch your back- they will try again until you leave their territory. Truly, a horrible thing.

❥ PROMPT III: Pop-Up Mouse Café

This month, the clergy of Ainea's temple are excited to announce a pop-up café for which people are free to volunteer or attend as guests. Whether a character decides to serve others or be served, the staff of the pop-up offers a headband with metallic mouse-ears on top for all to wear. They come in a variety of different hues of pinks and purples, colors that characters may recognize as being associated with Ainea. These headbands are wired to shift and turn with the moods of whoever is wearing them. The rest of the uniform, which includes formal black-and-white attire complete with frilled aprons, is optional. Featured items on the menu include teas and hot chocolates as well as a variety of (synthetic) artisan cheeses. Volunteers who decide to don the mouse-ears of the café will also be encouraged to serve snacks and drinks within the recovery tents set up for the workers who venture outside the barrier. Feeling ambitious? Those who manage to serve tea or cocoa to over five people in the recovery tents will be awarded a golden pin of a mouse they can proudly display on their uniform! Look your cutest, and get out there! You can also keep those ears.

At the end of the day, the staff will gather the group to take a photo together, local and off-worlder crew alike, to hang up on the temple wall. Supporting each other, coming together, and community through difficult times is a cornerstone of Ainea's teachings.

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This event will run from June 15th to June 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. You can also use the Havenwell Status page or the General Plotting Comment to give you other ideas for original prompts!

Comments

[wakemelater]

I mean, I have it under control.

[Maybe.

He steps forward, frowning in concentration. Mentally, he projects go away go away go away. And then he starts saying it, quietly, out loud, because the thing isn't reacting. It's like trying to run in water, and he's starting to doubt it's really a ghost at all.

But then the apparition starts to move backward.]

It's...not usually this hard...

[tempusfinis]

[ "Not ususally this hard." And what could he possibly mean by that--?

But then it clicks as Machina observes Nico concentrating and, miraculously, the apparition beginning to retreat. Machina's lips part, then press together. If he did something now-- anything to interrupt this-- he'd basically be interfering in a demigod's attempt to fight against one of the dead of this world, and Nico did mention having some sort of power over the fallen.

Which... Machina does not have any such power. In fact, he's never faced a creature like this before in his life. Would magic even hurt it? Machina's fists clench to white beneath his red cloak.

And so, he remains still. Still, but tense, and watching the challenge unfold. ]

...Hey. You got this.

[wakemelater]

[Ghosts are supposed to listen to him. When he says shut up, they stop talking. When he tells them to leave, they go.

It's a struggle, but he feels relieved when the apparition drifts far enough away that it's barely visible against the gloomy atmosphere in the distance.

And then it feels like the thin band of control he's got snaps, so suddenly he actually staggers forward, eyes wide.]

Nope! I don't!

[He's pretty sure all he's done is piss the thing off.]

[tempusfinis]

[ He holds his breath as Nico works to push back the apparition further and further into the shadows. It seems at last Nico is able to ward it off— until that’s suddenly not the case.

The hold breaks, and he can practically feel the connection’s snap ripple through the shadows, causing a fine sheet of dust to pulse in their direction. Machina holds up his arm to shield himself, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck raise as a piercing screech originates from within the darkness, signaling the apparition’s charge. ]

Get back!

[ It’s the only warning Nico will receive before Machina throws out his hand, sending a wave of fire in the phantom’s direction. Debris and tumbleweed ignite, illuminating the area in front of them… and the presence of the apparition, who is not at all deterred by the flames. ]

Shit—

[wakemelater]

[Shit is right. He dances away from Machina in time to avoid the flames. Impressive, but...they don't do anything. He didn't really expect them to. What ghost is harmed by physical attacks?

It also becomes apparent that the thing is coming right for him - definitely pissed it off - so, like, double shit. Shadow traveling out of there is probably the best option, but Machina isn't close enough and he's not going to ditch the guy with an angry apparition. He backs up as the thing approaches, not daring to take his eyes off it to see where Machina is.]

Stop stop stop stop

[He will deny squeaking when the apparition does stop right in front of him, both hands - were those hands? - just inches from either side of his head. Well. Fuck. Maybe he can just slooowly inch backward.]

[tempusfinis]

[ Magic doesn't work against the thing, which means most likely physical attacks won't work either. Machina, unfortunately, has no idea where to begin to combat the specter.

Actually... there may be one way, but he's not willing to try it just yet.

It seems he has time to decide, as Nico manages to hold the apparition from attacking. Machina carefully approaches Nico, keeping his eyes trained on the being, and lowers his voice as if anything louder might disrupt his companion's concentration. ]

How long do you think you can hold it?

[wakemelater]

[He doesn't move, or look away from the apparition, even when Machina's voice so close startles him. It's too risky to pay attention to anything else. He takes a few deep breaths before answering.]

Few minutes. Got a plan?

[tempusfinis]

[ A few minutes isn't enough time to retreat and seek help, so there goes that idea-- not that he would guess there's anyone more fitting to pit against what looks like an undead spirit than the demigod of death himself. ]

Maybe.

[ Machina's close to the both of them, looking from Nico to the apparition. It almost looks... humanoid. As if this could have been a person standing in front of them. ] Are you... able to control it, because it's dead?

[wakemelater]

[Maybe a plan is better than no plan.]

Yes. M-maybe. It doesn't feel like any ghost I've ever encountered. [But what else could it be? Another deep breath.] The dead are easier to control.

[tempusfinis]

Okay... [ For a moment, he appears to hesitate. What thinking of doing isn't something he hasn't done in front of civilians, but... it should be okay. No one here is from his world.

But before then, he just wants to make sure: ] You said you could talk to the dead. D'you think... you can try speaking with it? Or making it talk?

[ ...Or can it speak, considering that it's pretty much featureless.

Machina's cloak rustles as he raises his hand, but instead of calling magic into his palm, he simply keeps it raised, palm turned towards the apparition. So far, nothing happens yet, but it appears as if he's beginning to concentrate, too. ]

[wakemelater]

Might be a little too hostile for that.

[And he can feel his control slipping. He grunts, sweat beading across his forehead, and focuses on just keeping the apparition in place. From the corner of his eye, he sees Machina move. More magic?

He wonders how fast he can grab Machina and drag them both into the shadows if it comes to that.]

[tempusfinis]

[ Time is running out, and Machina can tell by the strain in Nico's expression. So. No communication with it... Which is a shame. An undead specter might have been able to give them information-- more than the visions of families those "windows" had shown, anyway. But that's probably just wishful thinking on Machina's part. What does he know about the dead?

Other than the fact that he can collect their souls for himself. ] Hold it still--

[ And now he straightens his arm towards the creature. After a few moments, a faint, wispy red tether appears between his palm and the apparition as if Machina is siphoning something from it. The figure begins to grow rigid, raising further into the air as if pulled up by the nape of its neck, the rest of its limbs going limp.

This... is a lot more difficult to do than it would be on his world, and he widens his stance, digging his heels into the loose dirt and clenching his jaw as he concentrates.

In one quick motion, turns his arm and clenches his fist as if taking. Then it happens at once: the sound of something tearing, and a loosely spherical-shaped aura bursting from the apparition's chest only to collide with Machina's hand. A loud squelching sound follows as the sphere vanishes, then the apparition's form bursts into a fine red mist, vanishing from the world.

Machina stumbles back, his hand going to his chest. ]

[wakemelater]

[Whatever tentative control Nico had on the apparition completely evaporates as soon as Machina takes over. He watches the scene unfold, dumbfounded but also amazed. Did he just take that thing's soul? That's.....awesome.

His head is pounding and he feels like he's run a marathon, but he's got enough left him to whirl on Machina with an awed expression.]

What was that?

[tempusfinis]

I--

[ He grunts, fingers clutching at his chest. The pain he feels from absorbing the soul-- it's not normally like this, and he doesn't quite understand. Fortunately, it's brief, and Machina manages to regain his composure a few seconds later, although he feels a bit more drained. ]

...Just harvested its phantoma. But-- [ He turns his hand over, where it's no longer there. ] ...Usually, I get to keep it. For some reason, this one's gone.

[wakemelater]

[Hand clutching chest is never a good sign. Nico moves in closer, just in case, and looks around to see if there's a safe place nearby to rest.]

Harvested... You can just take someone's soul? [Or life force. Or what did he call it? Phantoma?] What is the benefit of keeping it?

[tempusfinis]

[ He grimaces for a moment, hesitating on whether or not he should say anything more since it is supposed to be a (more or less) secret in his world, and he just happens to have this ability, but... ] It can replenish magic or make it stronger.

[ It's okay to use souls as currency to upgrade spells if the good guys do it!

His hand falls from his chest. ] ... I swear I didn't destroy it myself. This one just vanished on its own. [ Incompatible magic, maybe? Just like Nico couldn't fully command the spirit, either. It's like they're both limited, somehow. ]

[wakemelater]

[Replenish magic or make it stronger... Nico frowns a little, but more out of curiosity than any upset. Nico's own sword can absorb souls - though he's never tried it on the dead. (He can command the dead, why would he need to obliterate them?) He'd be a hypocrite to find any fault here.]

Huh. That must be useful. [Especially in a time of war.

He waves a hand in dismissal.] I believe you. But... [Back to that hand clutching chest action...] ...Does it hurt to do that? It looked like it hurt.

[tempusfinis]

Normally, no.

[ He pauses, looking at his empty hand for a second longer before lowering it. ] Harvesting isn't--... It feels natural. [ No other way to describe it. Not good, not bad, but satisfying-- like it's the final thing to solidify an enemy's defeat.

He continues. ]

But... you were having trouble controlling that thing too, weren't you? There must be something more to it. Something that prevents us both from making this too easy.

[wakemelater]

[So it wasn't just him. In a weird way, that's a relief, though it doesn't answer the question of why.

He nods.]

The dead follow my commands without question. I've never had one fight back so hard. [They might give him dirty looks or obey with a lot of complaining, but they obey.

So what...?

Nico's been here a while. Long enough to know that contact is usually the answer to most problems. His nose wrinkles. But...surely not during a fight?]

[tempusfinis]

[ Machina's heard the usual from others-- that contact is the solution to many problems here. ...But it definitely isn't crossing his mind in the midst of a dark, destitute wilderness.

There's a pause, then: ]

...Let's see if we can find another one of those things. There's got to be something more to it.

[wakemelater]

[Nico nods readily. This is much better idea. Absolutely.]

I don't sense anything nearby, but... [But he didn't sense the first one until it was too late. He can't trust his powers when it comes to the apparitions.] If we head away from the light, maybe?

[Away from the light looks dark and bleak and wholly unwelcoming. It reminds him of the Underworld.]

[tempusfinis]

[ They'll be treading through the shadows, but it'll have to be worth it. That being said, they don't have to be completely in the darkness, only perhaps away from the golden conduit-energy light of the corridor that's under construction.

So he calls a small flame into one of his palms, beginning to march. ]

The locals mentioned a train station that they're trying to repair...as well as the possibility of another haven. There could be others out there.

Makes me wonder if these apparitions [ --the humanoid-looking ones, anyway-- ] were once part of Havenwell or this other one. [ As he speaks, he keeps vigilant of their surroundings. ]

[wakemelater]

[So the flame is more than just a weapon. It reminds him of someone back home, a son of Hephaestus, who could wield fire. While he's perfectly at home in the shadows, this is an unfamiliar wilderness. The light is a comfort.]

It's very possible. I find it hard to believe that only one city on this whole world has managed to survive. [These people learned how to create new bodies for themselves. Surely there were others out there with the intelligence and resourcefulness to protect themselves.]

They could have been trapped outside of the barrier when it went up. [That's a sad thought.]

[tempusfinis]

Makes you wonder how quickly calamity struck. If it was a gradual process, or something a lot quicker... [ More questions that would be nice to have answers to, he thinks. But they're also not ones that are likely to be solved any time soon. ]

Gotta a question about those apparitions... Nothing like those exist in my world. [ But since he was able to draw up their phantoma, they're clearly dead. ] The deceased go to the underworld in yours, right? Do any... I don't know, linger in [ What would he call it... ] the living realm?

[wakemelater]

Mm. [A good question, but one he can't answer, even after so much time here. Perhaps there are clues out here in the dark that may help them (or others) gain some insight.

The stuff about the dead though, right up his alley.]

Yes, actually. Many cities have lemures, angry spirits that have been unable to move on. If you've got a haunted house, it's probably one of them. There are also, mm... I guess you'd call them house spirits. Lares. They can be annoying, but they're not vengeful.