January (Lasra) Final Event Log / World Status

[hugtopiamods]

❥ State of Havenwell & Aellyn

• Lasra (January) brings with it the lightest winter yet; the temperate is mild, the snowfall light and fluffy, and the wind does not blow quite as hard as one might expect considering the time of year. This weather is consistent throughout the city limits, with the exception of one area: the central plaza, where the egg's nest is laid. That area is actually quite pleasant, heated by the cooperative effort of the residents who opted to cuddle with the egg and each other, creating something of a bubble, almost like an incubator. If the slight chill of the still-mild winter has you shivering, swing by the center of town to warm up.
  
  
• Speaking of the egg, it has been a long time coming, but in early Lasra, cracks begin to appear across the surface! Days pass with little change, whatever is within the shell chipping slowly against its confines. It draws in an eager, anxious audience of locals, keeping a respectful distance but ever-hopeful that whatever hatches will bring good tidings. Eventually, though, the shell at last breaks apart, and what emerges is a pony-sized griffon, golden coloured and iridescent, wings damp and wilted, chirping curiously as he witnesses the world for the first time. Despite being newly born, the reincarnated Winged Lord carries within him a surprisingly wise look to his eyes, and as its body dries in the light of the sun, it begins to radiate a gentle glow, demonstrating to any detractors that this is, in fact, the final lost god. He remains in the center of town for a few days, meeting the people of Havenwell, accepting gifts and prayers and simple greetings, happy to experience both the world and the company of the people who helped bring it back from the dark. After some time he will venture underground to the tunnel from which his egg was originally rescued. Should anyone worry for him, his answer will be simple, calm, and to the point: "Don't worry, I am going to visit my friend. We have a lot to talk about." There is a subtle joy in his tone as he speaks. Once he enters the tunnel, he will vanish from the city and no longer be found, but the air continues to feel brighter, the city abuzz with warm energy. The world has changed for the better, and everyone can feel it.
  
  
• By mid-month, the priests of all four temples have come forward to begin separating and reverently dismantling the nest in the center of town. What once were pillows, blankets, bits of string, and fluff are now fragments of the Winged Lord, blessed by his light, and they intend to save every piece. There are exceptions, however. To each and every offworlder, the priests send a message: come to the temple, we have a gift for you.
  
  Should you go to the temple of your associated god, a priest will present to you a small, strange charm. It is a fragment of the Winged Lord's egg, bound and fastened with a string pulled from his nest. It looks fragile, but is astonishingly strong, seemingly unbreakable. Take care of it and do not lose it, you are told by the priests, for this is your way home.
  
  
• After the eggshell charms have been distributed, news travels quickly that the underground tunnel has changed yet again. The Crawling One has devoured the earth surrounding the original gateway to its realm, and has encircled it tightly multiple times to create a new doorway, just as nebulous and wispy as before, but without the poisonous atmosphere of the prior portal. Its gate is lined with glimmering golden feathers, and it glows with a warm, inviting light. Should you venture close to it, you will be overwhelmed with the nostalgic feeling of familiar. It smells like your favourite recipe, it feels like an old blanket from your childhood bed. It gives you the distinct and unmistakable feeling of home, and very gently, it calls to you. You need only walk through.
  
  1) Should you wish to forget Havenwell, Aellyn, and your time in this world, crush the eggshell after you cross the threshold of the Crawling One's doorway. This will send you back to your world as you were when you left, and everything will be as if it were a dream: fading into nothingness when you wake up. (Only within the doorway will the shell be fragile enough to break.)
  2) Should you wish to remember, hold the eggshell charm gently, and carry it with you into your world. As long as it remains unbroken through the doorway, you will remember.
  3) Should you wish to journey with someone else and reach the same destination, hold your eggshells together, hands entwined, as you cross through the doorway. Whoever's world is the intended destination MUST lead the way, taking the first step. This choice comes with a warning: you will be lost from your world, and might not be able to return. Choose this option carefully, as the consequences are your own. Those who arrive in that world may find themselves separated, in different locations, but the charm will help to guide you, magically drawn to others who carry a fragment.
  4) Should you wish to stay in Aellyn, you need only refrain from crossing through the doorway. Your presence will be welcome wherever you go; the world still has a good deal of recovering to do, and many hands make light the work.
  You will not be judged, for whatever option you take. The door will remain open until every offworlder has made their choice.

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❥ Current God Status & Effects

• The final god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
  1. Rawna
  2. Diacht
  3. Ainea
  4. Ohma
  
  Thanks to the awakening and reformation of the Crawling One and the revival of the Winged Lord, the gods have regained their ability to balance their own power. There still remains a long road towards true collaboration, but thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, they are well on their way to resolving their own issues. Collectively, Hugtopia netted a total of over 29,000 hugpoints! Well done, and thank you everyone!
  
  
• And Thanks For All The Fish
  
  In celebration of the rebirth of their god and revitalization, while the priests are carefully dismantling the nest the rest of the city's natives are hurriedly working to express their gratitude. By the time the offworlders receive their eggshell charms, there are eager residents wishing to see them off with charms and trinkets; some made with Havenwell's trademark fabrics and ribbons, some with seashells traded from Shoremere, and many with a mixture of both as a tangible mark of all that the world's visitors have aided in accomplishing. While they of course ask for nothing in return, if one should ask then the native residents can only think of one form of payment:
  
  Leave nothing unsaid or unspoken. Share your secrets, confess your uncertainties, speak your thoughts and have them be heard by more than just yourself. Should you do so, in addition to a lovely charm and heartfelt well-wishes you may just feel a little warmth in your chest helping you onward in whatever decisions you should choose to make.
  
  This prompt was suggested by Carrie (connectsthedots)!
  

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❥ A Final Message from the Mod Team

• This is the final event log of the game, a farewell finale where characters can say their goodbyes and go on their way, or decide to stay if they wish. No further updates will be made, but the community is yours to do with as you please. All that said, if you have any comments or final questions (related to either this event or anything that came before!), things left unanswered, please use the mod comment below and we'll do our best to satisfy. Otherwise, our job is done.
  
  Thank you so, so much for playing with us. It's been a joy. Thank you for sticking with us through ups and downs, through the slow periods and the fast-paced shenanigans. Many of you have stuck with us since the very beginning, and we know how rare that is! It's been an amazing journey. Wherever we end up going forward, may your stories always be joyful to tell.
  
  Goodbye, and have one last hug for the road!
  
  -Akai, Jade, Kaze, Nao

Comments

[kingkingcxiii]

I know.

[His words are soft and full of understanding. There are many "if only" paths they can travel down. His son isn't the only one who finds himself wishing there was more to this miracle they have been presented with even though they have already been given so much. Perhaps it is selfish; perhaps it is not, but one thing it certainly is, is human.

Once he is sure Noctis is going to accept his gift, Regis steps closer, putting his hands on both his son's shoulders and gazing into his eyes as if he is trying to lock his face and expression in this moment into his memory forever.]

I have never doubted your ability to do whatever you set your mind to. Pride has always been there; love has always been there even if the words have not always been there.

You will be a great king and if there is ever a time you find yourself doubting that, feel the weight of that crown upon you and remember I believe in you even when your feet drag and your body aches with the heaviness of all that has been placed on your shoulders.

[carbungle]

[Noctis reaches one hand up to curl around his father's wrist, gently, the other still cradling the crown. He'll put it in the armory shortly, but he just wants to hold on to it a little longer. The feel of it in his hand is warmer than the metal ought to be.]

I won't forget. Not you, not all of that… not anything. I'll carry it into the future, for all of us.

[He hesitates, then adds, more quietly,]

You've given so much already… Dad, I… can I ask… one more favour?

[kingkingcxiii]

I know you will.

[Regis' head tilts slight at his son's sudden soft, almost hesitant tone, and he gives Noctis' shoulders a gentle squeeze.]

For you, I always have more to give. What favor would you have me fulfill?

[carbungle]

[Noctis hesitates for a moment longer, then goes for it. He'll never get another chance for this, after all.]

Pyra's coming with me. If I can save the world... if she can save me... we're gonna get married.

[He asked her a month ago, and she's not been subtle about the ring, so while there was no official announcement he's sure everyone knows by now.]

I know you can't be there for real, but... would you write me something? To read at the wedding? I... it would mean a lot, for you to be there in spirit.

[When he left home to wed Luna, he'd been angry, not having the much-needed fatherly advise beforehand, and not having his father there to support him during. He hadn't complained, because the treaty was more important, and after the city fell he understood why. This is different, though. They have a little more time. The ring will be gone by then, the ghosts of his family laid to rest for good, but his words could still carry them into their new future together.]

[kingkingcxiii]

Not "if." When.

[While Regis had no doubt that Pyra would want to go with Noctis as soon as they learned that was an option, he is relieved to actually hear that is the case. Both he and Noctis are far too good at trying to talk themselves out of the things they want, and there was a small part of Regis that feared that may happen here too. Fortunately, Pyra is a lot smarter than both of them when it comes to that kind of thing.

With that concern addressed, Regis is able to turn his full attention to his son's request, a request that brightens his face with delight even as he acknowledges the request is a bittersweet one. After hearing what Noctis planned on doing, Regis had hoped that the wedding would take place here so that he could attend that which he would never be able to attend in Noctis' own timeline. Regis can't blame his son for wanting to finish the duty that lay before him first, though. Doing so would allow him to start a new life free of that very heavy weight.]

I would be honored to do that for you.

[He starts to say something else, then pauses as a thought crosses his mind.]

Would you like me to see if I can record myself reading it?

[Regis is sure that if his son looked hard enough once he was back home he would be able to find recordings of father speaking, but those would be the words of the king, not the words of a father. More than anything, Regis wants to make sure it's the father that is able to be there, not the king. Too many of the important parts of Noctis' life have been overseen by the king instead of the father. This one time, Regis wants to make sure there is no doubt who is speaking.]

[carbungle]

[His father's confidence warms Noct's heart, and he can't help smiling. It broadens further as Regis agrees, though his addendum makes him duck his head a little.]

Only if you want Lucis' new king to be a weepy mess during the reception.

[He suspects Regis wouldn't care, though - time away from the throne, and perhaps the age difference, has made the man care a lot less about ceremony and appearance than the Regis of Noct's era. Then again, he's also let Noctis get away with a lot more growing up, so maybe the unshakable kingly visage is easier to forgive when it comes to Noct's future rule. Especially with the war over and the world at peace, from Niflheim and the daemons, both.

Regardless, he reaches into the armory and calls out his smartphone- not the communicator of this world, but his own from home. The signal is all but useless in Havenwell, but it can still record and take photos, so he figures it's the safest way to bring things back and preserve what they have here, in case the Havenwell version is confiscated or doesn't work on the other side. He offers it out for Regis to take, all set up to record whatever way his father prefers.]

I can come back later to pick it up. Give you some time to think it over. Just... let me know when. [He scuffs a hand through his hair, unsure of what else to say, before finally settling on,] Thanks, Dad. You're the best.

[kingkingcxiii]

[While Regis has spoken before about how much he dislikes the need for masks and appearances, the fact remains they are a necessity for those who rule during times of struggle, be it war, daemons, or even internal strife that threatens. Indeed, the need for such a mask goes back farther than any of them could have imagined, all the way back to their founder who wore the mask so well he was able to completely erase his brother from history, the lie truth for far too many generations.

Yet, when his son takes the throne, the need for such a separation between king and country will be lessened to a degree it has never been before. No more threat of war; no more daemons prowling at the gates. If there was ever a time for Noctis to show his true face to his people and the world, it would be when he weds his beloved and takes the first steps into the new world he has fought so long for. No longer King of Light, but King of Rebirth.

Regis takes the phone when it is handed to him, grateful that Noctis seems to be thinking along the same lines he has himself. He has no idea if his tablet will work or even survive the return to Eos, so he's spent no small amount of time having pictures printed from it. It gives him a hard copy he can safely store in the Armiger, a space he prays will remain stable enough through the upcoming trip that it will allow things belonging to one universe to find a place in another.

After depositing the phone safely on couch next to his raiment, Regis turns back to his son and holds his arms out, beckoning Noctis in for a hug.]

I could never have dreamed when I first held you in my arms what an amazing young man you would become. None have stood taller than you do now.

[carbungle]

[Noctis doesn't hesitate. In the past he did, in the more recent past he might have, even for just a second. Right now, though, he can't. There's no space for hesitation anymore, in these final days. He's come a long way from where they'd begun, fake strangers passing in the street. Those days are long over, and even a second's pause would be a waste. He's a king, he's the Chosen. But more than anything else, in this moment, he's a little boy who loves his dad.

He steps forward and melts into his father's arms, holding fast as if their lives depend on it.]

Of course you'd say something like that...

[His voice is quiet, muffled, and he burrows his face against his father's shoulder to keep himself from crying all over again. It isn't shame this time, but... he doesn't want to. He's happy. He's happy even with his heart breaking, because he had so much more time than he'd ever be allowed otherwise. He got to hug his father one last time, and he'll be able to carry this into the end. And then, hopefully, into the future too.

I walked tall. I walked tall, Dad, and you got to see it.]

Later

[kingkingcxiii]

[For all of his procrastinating earlier in the day, when evening rolls around, Regis sits in his room watching the night fall, Noctis' phone sitting out and ready to record in front of him. This is not the last day he will watch fade to night from this window, but it is nearly so. It's not as if he knows exactly what he is going to say, but he has confidence the right words will come and that is all that he needs.

A small mote of brightness passing from one hand to the next to light the way through the chaotic darkness that awaits them beyond this place.]

For all the words that exist, there are still many things that no words can describe. The touch of a hand resting in yours. The weight of a child resting upon your shoulder. The feather-light brush of a beloved's kiss. It's the small things that are, perhaps, the hardest to explain for the way they slip into life and out again like the breeze of a summer's day. Yet, these small things hold the greatest weight twining together to weave the paths we all walk, piece by small piece.

Our paths have diverged now. For all we struggle to cling to these moments, they inevitably pass from the future, to the present, to the past, but the path ahead is not darkened for their passing. Nor are you.

Today you stand here for all those little moments. Gifts given by so many; gifts often hard to accept, but cherished nonetheless. I thank all of those who have given so much to bring you to this point, but even as I think of my gratitude to them, I cannot help but think of your mother. We had too few of those small moments; our paths all diverged long before any of us were ready for them to. Despite that, I would not forget any of those moments with the two of you, for to forget those moments would mean I have forgotten what it means to live.

Our paths have diverged now, but never forget that we still walk with you in those little moments. As life begins anew for you and your beloved, remember those moments. Make new moments.

And when you dance your first dance as man and wife, remember that your mother and I dance alongside you.

Always.