♥ 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

[kingkingcxiii]

Yes, yes it does.

[Regis knows this just as well as she does, so there is nothing else he can say. She is absolutely, 1000% correct no matter how sad it is that she has to fear such a thing happening again.]

[astralera]

[ Era doesn't know what else to say, having already spoken more than she had intended. ]

...There was one thing she made sure to leave note of prior to her spell. A day meant to celebrate fathers, on the first day of the third week of the sixth month.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis nods, uncertain as to why she would think that such a priority considering everything else she would have had to make notes about.]

Yes, it's call "Father's Day," and is as it sounds. A day to celebrate one's father or father-figure.

[astralera]

She had finished a gift for you a few moons ago.

[kingkingcxiii]

Oh...

[Regis blinks in surprise, unsure what else to say for a moment. It makes him sad to think she spent so much time on a gift and now can't feel the strength of the bond that they once shared. The very emotions that spurred the creation of that gift.]

You don't have to give it to me if you don't want to. It must be difficult to know what her feelings were for someone else, but not to feel them for yourself.

[astralera]

[ Of all the feelings she had once felt for the people in this place, the easiest ones for her to understand now are for Regis. ]

You remind me of Edmont.

[ Which she imagines he will understand, if he knows anything about her. ]

And it would be a shame to let this work go to waste.

[kingkingcxiii]

Yes, she told me that more than once.

[Regis can't help but smile gently.]

I would not want her work to go to waste either. Not when I know how much love she would have put into the work.

[astralera]

Then I should tell you it is a comprehensive lesson plan, with the intent to teach you how to create a Carbuncle of your own.

So hopefully you've some skill with maths to start with.

[kingkingcxiii]

Math was never my strongest subject, but I should be able to manage.

[While they had talked about her teaching him this before, Regis has to admit he had put the plan aside as not possible after all that happened to Era recently, especially Ardbert's departure. She just had so many other things she needed to focus on.]

And you're okay helping me put this lesson plan to use?

[He realizes he's basically already asked her this, but he just wants to double check. The last thing he wants her to feel is uncomfortable on top of everything else she is dealing with after losing her memories.]

[astralera]

Should I not be?

[ Magic is magic, and she's always loved tutoring others in bettering their skills. ]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis shakes his head.]

No. I guess I am just worrying too much about how you many feel about the things she planned since you don't remember how close we were. I don't want you to feel obligated to do something just because she was going to.

[astralera]

I've been preparing for a case like this for as long as I can remember. My judgement may not always be the most sound, but I trust myself in this.

[ She lifts her arm and holds out her hand for him to take. ]

Now, will you help me up?

[kingkingcxiii]

Of course.

[Regis takes her hand to help pull her up. If she is certain about things, then he is not going to continue questioning her.]

[astralera]

[ Era appreciates that he doesn't question her further on the matter, as it allows her to focus on maintaining her balance and composure in the face of ouch. She says a small 'thanks' and presses a hand to her side. It still bothers her more often than not these days, but she prefers not to let it slow her down too much... ]

How are your plants?

[kingkingcxiii]

They are doing well. I learned a lot from you when you were helping me at the shop.

[He doesn't miss how carefully she stands and how she presses her hand to her side. His eyes narrow slightly.]

Is that pain one a potion may help, or is it one that just needs time to heal?

[astralera]

I can continue to help at the shop if you would welcome it.

[ She purses her lips together as she considers her response. ]

A potion may lessen discomfort, though the wound is one that will take a great deal of time to heal from.

[kingkingcxiii]

I would like that very much. The plants would too.

[Regis nods, pulling a potion out of the Armiger and then handing it to her.]

I will leave if you use it up to you, but I would consider it worth it even if all it does is ease the discomfort for a while.

[astralera]

[ The gesture seems to be somewhat overwhelming for her, though she does exceptionally well at hiding this. Era accepts the potion with a quiet utterance of thanks, and continues staring at it for a long moment.

Eventually she concludes that she can't quite shake off lingering anxiety, but feels safe enough to ask for reassurance (albeit it with no small amount of shame and embarrassment).]

...Would you take a drink of it first?

[ Someone no longer has months of poison-detection training to help with that particular trauma. ): ]

[kingkingcxiii]

[The request startles Regis for a moment, and then the reason why she must be asking strikes him and he feels a little foolish not offering to test it before passing it over.]

Of course.

[With no hesitation, he holds out his hand for the potion so he can take it back again.]