♥ November Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

November (Malom) Event Log
The chaos of Lasohm's invasion is still fresh in the mind, but it's over. The ugly scar of the hole in Havenwell's wall is a jarring reminder that this world is dying and nothing goes quietly into that dark night. The phantom is gone as Malom overtakes Lasohm, the weather turning colder and chillier with each passing day. Still, the city of Havenwell has all of you offworlders to thank for its survival, and the fearful citizens make sure you know just how much they appreciate you by stopping you on the street to say their thanks. Your new home still needs your help to recover from their ordeal though, so will you lend them your strength once more?

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❥ PROMPT I: Rebuilding Effort

The magic barrier over the hole that unknown monster punched through Havenwell's wall is repaired, stopping the onslaught and encouraging any other nightmares that lurk outside to move on and away, but the hole itself remains. Throughout the month of Malom, robot natives are working tirelessly to gather bricks and stone and patch the breach, but they could use some help. Work together with other offworlders and natives alike to repair the wall and be rewarded with a handsome bump to the Dora in your bank account. They need all sorts of help, from clearing away the dead bodies of the spider-like creatures for cremation, to retrieving and hauling stone for the wall, to actually slotting the heavy blocks into place to cement them back together.

Outside the barrier, now clearly visible through the hole, a storm rages on, obscuring the view of the world beyond it. Gray and black clouds whip against the invisible barrier, and occasional debris slams into it, causing the impact site to light up with silver, pink, blue, or white hues before it fades away again. It seems even without monsters, the world outside is as inhospitable as was rumored.

Work together or take a break along the base of the wall and get to know your fellow offworlders a little better. It's going to take a while before this mess is cleaned up.

❥ PROMPT II: Air Sickness

Those who worked at or were near the breach in the wall for any extended period of time will notice that, over time, it gets harder to breathe. Then they begin to feel feverish, even if they don't have flesh bodies or are immune to disease. Their bodies ache and groan and it gets harder to move about without help. Once the natives notice, they set up a recovery area away from where the breach occurred: a giant tent with cots and pillows, thick rugs and blankets to keep the chill away. Unfortunately, they don't have medicines available to treat flesh bodied people, so they're at a loss of what to do otherwise. The priests gather anyone who is ill and brings them here...which is when a curious thing occurs.

While conventional medicines and healing spells seem to have no effect on the illness, staying in contact with another person alleviates the symptoms. After a period of contact with another person or persons, the fever breaks and it's like you were never sick at all.

Return to the wall, however, and you'll notice your symptoms coming back with a vengeance after a few days. It seems that making regular trips between the wall and this recovery tent is the only way to keep working. At least it's an easy fix so long as you're not a germaphobe.

❥ PROMPT III: A Tasty(?) Reward

Toward the end of the month as the hole in the wall is completely repaired and the risk of illness declines, a message is sent to all the offworlders' communication devices. Those who choose to open it will find a very official looking message from The Havenwell Council that reads:

Greetings, Saviours of Havenwell!
We of the Havenwell Council greet you and wish to express our eternal gratitude for your valiant efforts to keep our wonderful home safe. Without you, we would not have survived this terrible onslaught. As such, we wish to express our gratitude in a more concrete form. Your emissary, Magolor, has been in contact with this venerable Council and has brought to our attention that your greatest concern is for the food available. We apologize that due to our inability to taste we have been unable to supply you with satisfactory meals.

To that end, we invite you to work with our scientists to improve upon the taste of currently available offerings from our replicators. Please come to the Northern Research Tower (map included) at any time this month to sample what our replicators can produce and give us feedback on their flavour and textures. We ask that you be as specific as possible in your criticisms so we may improve upon your general quality of life. Please feel free to bring as many friends as you wish.

May the Gods Protect You,
Havenwell Council, Community Liaisons

Those who take the invitation will arrive at the Northern Research Tower and be taken directly to the 40th floor, where a large banquet hall has been laid out. Five rectangular tables, over 5 meters long each, stretch down the room, creating aisles for people to walk down. At the far end are several high round tables, covered in white cloth, and high round stools for those who wish them. The tables are overflowing with food, much like the welcome dinner, but at each table and scattered throughout the room are scientist robots with arm bands that read "Experiment 73" in that peculiar Aellyn script you saw during your time at the Archives. They invite you to taste the foods - both raw and cooked - and to give your very honest opinions.

Enjoy the food, help them improve the flavours, and walk the room to talk with the others who have come. Those who participate will receive a small synthetic fruit basket to take home with them on their first visit. Feel free to come back as often as you like, however! Each time, they'll be changing and adjusting the food available so your first and last visit may be very different. Perhaps that strawberry actually even tastes sweet, finally.

❥ PROMPT IV: A Virtual Spa

The VR cafes are uncharacteristically quiet while the rebuilding effort goes on, but there are still those who come to plug in to unwind after a day of intensive labor. And what better way to unwind than with a hot bath, right? Since the people of Havenwell can't actually submerge themselves in water, they're doing the next best thing: going to a virtual hot spring. There are several types to choose from and despite being digital, their calming and soothing effects on the body seem very real. Choose from:

• The Classic Outdoors: a rock lined hot spring with natural rock floors and steamy mineral infused waters nestled in the mountains. All around you is beautiful greenery like a sweeping pine and low fragrant bushes. The serene air and the calm forest is only occasionally broken by the sound of a wooden pipe thudding hollowly against a rock at a steady interval or the sound of birdsong off in the trees. The relaxing atmosphere is enough to set even the tightest wound nerves at ease.
  
  
• The Marbled Columns: white and painted marble columns lead to a series of different shaped baths with statues of the gods pouring water into them. Each bath has a different healing property, which is clearly marked with a plaque at the rim of each: good for your circulation, your bones, your aches and pains, even acne and metabolic rate. The columns support a beautiful open ceiling that shows the perfectly blue sky overhead dotted with the occasional cloud.
  
  
• The Steamy Sauna: though seemingly austere in their white tile and deep blue bath basins, the air here is thick and steamy and the baths are deep with hand-rails leading down steps to help you enter. All around the basins are stone or wooden benches with towels laid down for those who wish to simply sit and let the warm air open their lungs. If you get too hot? Grab a bucketful of cold water from one of the freestanding tubs and douse yourself to get a shock and cool off.
  
  
• The Milk-and-Honey: a beautifully tiled bath with a large shallow rectangular basin. The surrounding walls and ceilings have blue, white, and gold geometric designs laid out with loving care in pleasant designs that ease the mind. The bath water here is filled with a concoction of milk and honey to soothe and smooth the skin, filling the air with a pleasing sweet scent. The effects of these baths on a person's skin is said to make them glow from the inside out for at least a day after bathing.
  
  
• The Theme Park: the first thing to greet you is the comically oversized bottle of red wine tipped to pour a continuous stream of red liquid into the large crystalline bath basin. The smell of wine is heavy but pleasant in the air and the crystalline basin is round and shaped like a wine glass. Climb up the glass steps and give yourself a good old soak in the red water. You might even find that taking a dip here gives you a heady happiness that lasts all day. And if it feels like you're a little drunk while there? That has to be your imagination! ...Maybe.

Hot springs are great to experience with friends to deepen that feeling of skinship you have with each other, and several Havenwell natives are doing just that. But what about those who don't have a friend to log in with? Don't worry! The game will randomly select another player from this or another facility and match you together. Isn't that nice? We're sure it is! Who doesn't want to talk to someone else while naked, right?

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This event will run from November 14th to the 31st. 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 here.

Comments

[iustaegis]

A: Barrier
[ Setting down the cart of bricks she pushes (a hefty size, some might notice for a woman so lithe), her gaze roams up and over the parts of the breach that give way to the golden barrier. A sizable boulder violently smashes against the shield, sparking a prismatic shockwave of silver, blue, pink, and white, soon dissolving back into the integrity of woven light. It remains intact.

Her lips part, and a breath escapes her; it’s almost as if she’s in awe. ] It's... divine... 

B: Why Are You Working When You Are Sick, Stop That
[ Her brow instantly furrows with concern the moment she sees you. There is something about you that doesn’t seem quite well; perhaps it’s your gait, your posture, or maybe you had let a shiver or cough escape you. Regardless, she’s noticed it— and that you are pushing yourself. And goodness do you look just awful and exhausted as you turn back to the wall, preparing to return to work despite the illness that begins to encroach. 

Unable to help herself, she steps forward and reaches out to take your hand. ]  W-wait.... How long has it been since you have rested? 

C: Chills
[ Cold. This is the first time she feels cold, and it’s like prickles of pins all across her skin— or perhaps the kiss of unfeeling metal. It’s much more overwhelming than she’d ever thought it’d be, visceral and consuming. Pyra cannot be more amazed by it, for this— this is what humans might feel—   and it shows in a sparkle of surprise within her eyes.

It is, however, unpleasant enough to leave her shivering, her skin pale and lips grey. An unidentifiable ache consumes her body, and she wraps her arms about her as she leans against a wall.
Pyra raises one of her hands before her as if to inspect it. Nothing seems different, she feels no change in energy from herself, but the malaise is almost nauseating. Her eyes raise to meet yours, if you happen to to be watching, yet still she smiles. ]  I... I feel cold. 

D: Cuddle Tent
[ This must be what it feels like to be sick, sitting upon a cot with a blanket bundled about her shoulders. Maybe you’re walking by, or maybe you’re lying on the cot next to her; in either case she addresses you, reaching out her hand. ]  Would you mind resting with me?

[ Her smile is warm and welcoming, despite being one of those who are ill. All she asks for is a little bit of aid, as it will also provide a chance for the recipient of her touch to fend off the cold. Far be it for her to ignore the plight of rebuilding the wall for any second longer than necessary. ] 

E: Experiment No. 73
[ It’s taken a bit of time to get here, but at last she’s arrived to contribute to the cause! Parting hands with her roommate to leave him to explore on his own, she browses the displays with an excited interest. The food replicators are a feat of engineering an ingenuity alone, and she's curious to see just how the locals intend to improve upon its already miraculous functions. 

Creating food so easily, seemingly out of thin-air... She knows for certain that there is more too it, for the energy of the barrier is hauntingly similar to that of which the replicators emit, but that alone does not make the technology any less wondrous. 

You happen to be at one of the tables with her, at which she squints at the sign. ] Experiment... number... seventy-three? [ A pause. Then, a smile— at you, too! ] Who knew that being part of a test could be so... delicious.

F: Virtual Spa/Columns
[ Catch her touching one of the healing columns within the baths, only to suddenly withdraw her palm from the cool marble. In case anyone is wondering, she is draped in this bath robe. ] The sensation is practically... visceral. 

[ She tilts her head, glancing at you. ] If the residents of Havenwell can replicate that sensation for themselves through electricity [ For that is what this virtual reality is, isn't' it? Impulses, codes, simulation for the mind-- ] ...Would they really need to recreate new bodies for themselves of flesh-and-blood?

[ Could they not build receptors into their metal husks to simulate touch? Such as pressure and temperature sensors, and so forth. ] 

F: Wildcard
[ Have something in mind? Wildcard here, PM this account, or PP me at drinksteapots! ]

f for the ultra wild outdoors!!

[meridio]

[ Pyra isn't so indulgent as to invite someone out for no reason. This, Somnus knows. She enjoys the natural world with not just unnatural naivety, but also a self-consciousness that's equally ill-suited to her being. While she has desires, she does not impose them on others—only asks if she should have that reason to approach another.

Thus, they visit the classic outdoors together. On entering the virtual reality, they find themselves deposited near the hot spring. The thud of a wooden pipe against a nearby rock announces their arrival, alerting them to the direction of the spring itself.

The haze conjured by the steamy body of water clings to his skin, and Somnus looks down at a hand. The scenario has stripped them of their respective attires and appropriately dressed them in towels. He glances at Pyra—lingering for a split second on the exposed portion of the crystal that's largely shrouded by the towel wrapped around her body, emitting a gentle glow—before he turns toward the spring with an impassive mien. ]

We have arrived.

[iustaegis]

[ She had led him to the virtual reality cafe by the had, she had donned her set right along with him, and together, they had entered the virtual reality to see it for themselves.

Humidity, warmth. A hand, held in hers-- just as she has been holding all along. Steam, condensing at her skin. Bare skin.

Her hand flies to the crystal peeking out from just the top of her towel-- she caught that, that flick of his eyes down and up, the light catching briefly in his steel-blue eyes. He knows... He knows for certain, that she is not human. He may look away, but her eyes remain on his. "We have arrived"-- is that all he will say? Will he ask no questions? She's not sure if she should feel relieved. ]

I-- yes. [ She's unable to withhold the nervous quiver that begins with her words, but by the time she speaks again, it's no longer there. ] It seems so... real, doesn't it? [ Excuse the generic response, she does not know what to make of this. Perhaps he has seen enough of the non-humans here to not care. Yes, that must be it... ]

[meridio]

[ Perhaps that was why she chose to invite him, of all people. There was a fluctuation in her voice that betrayed her anxiety. It's a tell that Somnus chooses not to acknowledge. Evidently, she means to hide what she is, in which case going to the virtual imitation of a spa wasn't the wisest decision on her end.

He scans their surroundings from where they stand while Pyra speaks. Yes, it does seem very real. ]

Yet an imitation still.

[ He can't say that he cares much for virtual reality. But the tone with which he answers is neutral. ]

E

[astralera]

[ Having abandoned her hesitance when faced with an abundance of food she need not pay for with her body, Era is far too busy eating like a woman starved to pay much mind to the words of those around her, and eats far, far more than her diminutive form would suggest her capable of.

But for all that she ignores words, Era does note how the woman — Pyra, she recalls — turns her head in her direction to smile at her. Era's mouth is too full to respond in kind, leaving her to give a small shrug of agreement instead. ]

[iustaegis]

[ Pyra beams at seeing a familiar face-- and, oh, just look at her, stuffing herself with food. She may not quite be smiling, but she seems to be enjoying herself. Where does all that food go, anyway? The woman is incredibly slender and petite!

Last time she had spoken--

"I honour Her by continuing to survive."

...She supposes that eating lends to that. ] 

Enjoying yourself?

[astralera]

[ The question certainly catches her off guard, and she is still unable to voice an answer even if she had one to give. Was she enjoying herself? When was the last time someone asked her that in earnest?

Era instinctively glances to where Hades lurks nearby, so very aware of his presence even without meaning to be. He exudes the element of her opposition, something her very soul cannot help but reach toward after the Light so very nearly destroyed her.

He is picking at the food, his entire posture screaming of judgment. Era cannot prevent the slight smile that quirks the corners of her mouth at his expected behaviour. She supposes that even if she is not enjoying herself she can at least find amusement.

Finally, she manages to swallow the too-large mouthful. ]

An abundance of free food is always enjoyable.

A

[unsunderworld]

[Tall as he is, it's hard to miss Emet-Selch in the working crowd - he's not much inclined to work with his hands when there is work to be done with his mind, and to that end he's been more at ease with organizing efforts and, in particular, the construction of the wall itself.

But he's here enough to hear the words, and respond to them; ]

I might wonder what else it could be, considering the circumstances.

[iustaegis]

But... it is not perfect. [ Divine, but not impregnable. She would love to get a closer look, to see how all of those lights and energies are woven together so intricately. ] There was something powerful enough to break through it from the outside.

[ She takes a step forward, her eyes squinting as if she could discern more at this distance. She can't, of course, so her gaze falls to him. ] You were there, weren't you, when the breach occurred, correct? Was there any warning, any trigger beforehand?

[unsunderworld]

To my knowledge, no; I'm afraid I must admit to being asleep at the time.

[Naps are good for the soul and the body.]

Perhaps a difference of our worlds, but I hardly expect the divine to be flawless. Possessed of less flaws than man, perhaps, but perfection is a heavy burden.

c;

[necromanswers]

[Whoops! That's a familiar sight, and she's been around the block here enough times to know what it means. Lup turns from where she'd been helping a few of the workers move some materials around, then closes the distance between herself and Pyra, offering an arm out. She went through the same bout of sickness not that long ago after her stint outside the walls, she knows the signs.]

Yeah, and you look it, too! C'mere before you fall over.

[iustaegis]

[ Pyra turns to look at the woman who offers her an arm, already moving over to her to graciously take it. ] ....Oh. Lup!

[ She'd point, she stare, she'd be a lot more excited if she didn't feel this strange misery that comes with this bout of illness. At most, all she can do is manage a meager, tired smile for her as her eyes drift to the locks that frame her face and fall over her shoulders  ]

Your hair! It's just as you said, it's changed!

[necromanswers]

[Her lips quirk into a smile at that, shifting her grip in a way that will allow her to comfortably support the other woman. The streaks of colour through her blonde hair are pink today, and her outfit is subtly accessorized to match it.]

Sure has. Today's an ethereal day. [She looks Pyra up and down, taking in her condition up close.] Can you walk?

D.

[wifeacle]

[As it turned out, the one thing she was absolutely best at was of utterly no use against whatever this mysterious illness was. Try as she might, her normal healing did nothing to actually help any of those affected. Thankfully, it seemed as though it had a simple cure. One which she was pretty willing to hand out easily.

So when Prya reaches for her as she goes to pass by and poses the question, she smiles warmly, setting down the blankets she had been carrying upon the end of the bed before moving to sit next to the other.]

Of course. Are you warm enough? I have some extra blankets if you would like one.

[iustaegis]

[ Bless her; her grace is apparent in more ways than one. Pyra adjusts where she its, making just enough room for Luna to remain by her. ] Gratefully. 

[ No one. No one, including Pyra, enjoys asking for help. But if asking for assistance will allow her to return to working with the repairs sooner, she will do so. Whatever pride she has can be saved for another day-- or no day at all, for she ought not have it in the first place.  Fingers slipping into Luna's, she takes a moment to breathe in deeply. The effects will begin to work... soon, she is sure. ] 

Have you been in this tent all day, helping others?

[wifeacle]

[Thankfully each blanket is soft and thick, and as she reaches for the top one to wrap around Prya's shoulders she can feel the warmth of it against her skin. There's a slight chill to the air that she knows is the beginning of the sickness starting to take shape, but she has ignored it each time it has started.]

Yes. I'm not much use for lifting heavy rocks, I'm afraid. But at home, I often travel, healing those who are ill. This is not much different than that.

[Blanket now firmly in place, she keeps the weight of her arm resting a top it, as if encouraging the other woman to come closer if she so wishes.]

b.

[hellish_butler]

[He was working on the wall, looking for a purpose and work to do. Perhaps, he has been pushing himself and didn't realize it. Before he knew it, he was struck by the disease, feeling ill and tired, and the chills is taking over his body as he's being struck by the fever. This is a strange experience for him. Before he is able to say anything, he felt his hand is taken, and his hands felted chilled to the touch. He didn't realize he is cold, but he is weaken by the sickness.

He's not used to hand-holding at all. At her question, he answers.]

Hello...? I was about to head over to the recovery area to rest. So I haven't rested.

[iustaegis]

[ His hands are as frigid as ice; this automatically causes her brow to knit further in concern, and she brings her other hand up to clasp over one of his, as if it might better warm his fingers. ]

You are like... ice. [ The words come out hushed as her gaze raises to meet his, and then almost as if in afterthought, she tugs at his hand. Her attention snaps back. ]

Quickly, let's get you to the tent.

[ She begins to lead him. ]

[hellish_butler]

[He was looking at her curiously as they are holding hands, as she leads the way.]

Am I cold like ice...? [Thoughtfully.] Hopefully, they have something warm at the tents to help with that. I think I am feeling a little weak.

a!

[rewritten_history]

[He has noticed her about the site, working just as hard, if not harder than any of them. Her looks deceive, but he has known her type and it isn't as surprising to him as it might be to some. People rarely know their own strength until put to the test, and this is no exception. That doesn't make him any less impressed with her work, or less grateful for her contribution to their cause. One more pair of able and willing hands will not hurt them.]

[He sees what it was that caught her attention - it caught his as well. Not for long. The barrier is holding, and that is as much as he needs to see.]

If not for what it yet protects us from, it could be a work of art, deadly as it is beautiful.

[iustaegis]

[ The work of art is him, she thinks to herself. Body partially crystalline, eyes like rubies, he stands like a gem beneath the amber glow of the barrier. What is he? She doesn't know, but the parts of him that bear likeness to stardust compressed so tightly they become uniform is...

Creation is always a work of art. It always is, no matter how it comes about-- especially when it is formed from the ingenuity and industry of sentientkind. This barrier is beautiful as well, even though it is literally divine, for it harbors what the people here have achieved.

As it is, her eyes are on him and not the barrier, her gaze sweeping from his arm to his profile, watching the way in which the rivers of crystal catch the light. The stone seems to breathe just as skin does. ]

Is it not beautiful, because it protects?

[rewritten_history]

[He is well aware that he doesn't quite fit the description of what may or may not be considered normal in this world, even among the local populace that no longer carries a heartbeat or flesh and blood. Most of the sundered citizens more closely resemble hyurians than any of the other races he has known. His connection to the Crystal Tower and his eyes make him an oddity out of those even still; he is used to the staring, the curiosity.]

[His smile is not unkind, and his patience with his disfiguration is infinite. He lets her stare, lets her come to terms with the sight of him on her own time.]

It is beautiful, whatever it may be or do. But in the here and now, while I lay my sight upon it, I cannot help but see it for its function and not aesthetic or intellectual appeal. Modern arts are a luxury I have learned to appreciate after all else. Perhaps when the danger has passed, that will change. What do you think?

D

[the_tailor]

[This isn't Lance's first time in the medical tent. After Keith had looked like absolute death and Kosmo had brought them here, the two paladins had spent some time here until Keith was better. This time, though, it's Lance who's come down with the mysterious illness. He doesn't want to pester his friend right now, so decides to just kind of...meander in the tent, shivering, unable to take in as deep breaths as he usually can.

He passes by a girl who addresses him, and Lance can't help but smile. Yeah, in the past, this would have been the perfect opportunity for a pick up line. But he's a little too sick to even muster up one of those. He nods, sitting down next to her on the cot.]

No problemo. Looks like we're in the same boat. Uh, do you want me to sit, or...lay down, or...?

[iustaegis]

[ Her hand is already reaching over the cot to take his in hers. The chill she feels extends to her fingers, overshadowing the inhuman warmth she would normally had. Regardless, she smiles at him.

To sit or lay...? He's cute-- but she can also see that he himself doesn't look all that well. Thus-- after a soft giggle-- she will combine the two suggestions as she motions to her lap. ] Here. Rest you head here.

[the_tailor]

[Oh... Huh. No complaints there. Even so, he still feels a little flustered as he shifts to lay down, laying his head hesitantly on her lap. Her hand is a little cold, but so is his, honestly.]

Thanks. This sure is some way to meet someone for the first time, but this world kinda does that.