♥ 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

[original_is_best]

"Good, you're awake."

He slipped a hand under her back, knowing how badly others had been effected, and pushed her up.

"You fainted. Drink some water to make sure you're hydrated enough."

He held the cup for her, bringing it to her lips and tilting slightly, just enough for the water to lightly touch them.

https://lucemg.tumblr.com/post/174385304198/the-first-time-that-rin-revived

[morality_pet]

She coughs, and nods slowly, obdiently sipping.

"Rin is sorry, Rin did not mean to cause trouble."

[original_is_best]

"It's no particular trouble."

Compared to most, Rin was much easier to deal with. Lighter to carry. 99% less snarky. If anything, she was an easy patient.

He tilted it gently, letting her get a decent amount of water in before setting it down. His chair and the table were close for easy access as he held her up.

"How are you feeling now?"

[morality_pet]

She leans against him and blinks slowly.

"Rin is alright. Rin just felt very tired, suddenly."

[original_is_best]

"Being in close proximity to the barrier has been affecting many. Considering the hostile environment outside, it's not hard to imagine some remnants may be slipping through and causing the illness."

In response to the affection, or perhaps just her feeling ill, he leaned a hair back before immediately righting himself. Rin was a mere child. It was perfectly normal for her to attempt to get close to adults, especially when she was feeling unwell.

Instead of any major reaction, he attempted to encourage her to lie down, helping to support her as he nudged her that way.

"Considering your age and that you've already collapsed, I would recommend staying away from the barrier."

[morality_pet]

She pauses to parse the language, and accepts being nudged to lie down, although a small hand latches onto Verstael's sleeve.

"So Rin shouldn't go help any more?"

[original_is_best]

With a glance down at the hand, he decided to let it be. No reason to fight her.

He took a moment to think as he leaned over her to watch for her symptoms, making himself as comfortable as he could in the chair.

"...I'm impressed by your enthusiasm and work ethic. You should not return to the barrier, but if you are good and recover, you may assist me."

And it was genuine enough. Verstael liked people who showed some passion in their work. It was good to see a child with such motivation, and a shame she hadn't previously been afforded an adequate education.

[morality_pet]

This is an acceptable compromise, and she nods, yawning.

"Rin will rest then, so Rin can help Lord Verstael!"

[original_is_best]

He grinned down at her. Though he suspected she might be laid up for a while, he was impressed again by her enthusiasm.

"Very good. How have your studies been going? Have you yet memorized the alphabet?"

[morality_pet]

"Rin's working hard." She beams up at him despite the flush on her cheek.

"Almost! Rin still gets some of the wrong sometimes - the way you say them is difficult."

[original_is_best]

"I suppose if you were learning them for the first time, some might seem strange. Sometimes different countries even pronounce them slightly differently. However, it sounds as if you are making good progress. Learning to read will open up a path to endless knowledge. Perhaps we can start with some simple math, soon, as well."

Maybe Rin's lack of opportunity allowed her to appreciate this chance more. Whatever it was, she was happy to learn, so he fully intended on providing the opportunity now.

Not removing the arm she was holding on to, he inched off the glove on his other hand, touching her forehead to see how hot it was.

[morality_pet]

"Mmhmm. Some of them sound almost the same even!"

She's warm to touch, but not burning hot the way she was earlier.

"Math? You mean with numbers?"

[original_is_best]

"I suppose they do."

He couldn't help but grin slightly at the childish observation. At his age he hardly ever though of such things. It was interesting to hear the observations of a small child.

A quick recovery. Perhaps she just needed some rest and hydration. He pulled his hand away.

"Yes. You can do amazing things with a little science and math. I'll show you myself, when you're ready."

[morality_pet]

"Rin will be able to be helpful is she can read and figure." She beams.

"Thank you, Lord Verstael!"

[original_is_best]

He let out an amused huff. He rarely experienced responses with the same amount of enthusiasm he had for education.

"Indeed. I'm sure you will be. For now, rest. ...It seems your fever may have already alleviated some. When did you last eat?"

[morality_pet]

"Rin ate breakfast at Miss Aqua's." She reports dutifully, curling under the covers and watching him sleepily.

"Will you stay until Rin sleeps?"

[original_is_best]

There was more work to do, but seeing as she was exhausted it may not take that long.

"I'll get you something to eat first, then I'll stay until you go to sleep."

While she wouldn't be starving to death since breakfast, she had apparently been out working hard until she dropped. He figured more calories were in order. Plus, a good broth often did wonders for the sick. Not every remedy was a pill.

"Rest here a moment. I will be back."

He pulled himself away as he got to his feet, heading out to see what could be put together. If people were sick, after all, they should have something ready for them to eat when they arrived. It was a bit later, giving some time for preparation and heating, when Verstael came back. Maybe a long time for a child. But he had a hot bowl of something close enough to a homemade soup in hand, sitting back down across from her and pausing to check again how she was doing.

Besides his movements and the small clink of the bowl on the table, quiet filled the room.

"Eat what you can, then rest as long as you need."

[morality_pet]

"Ok." She snuggles down to watch him go.

Of course, since she wasn't 100% yet, by the time he returns she's flushed and feverish again, blinking up sluggishly at him, although she nods and tries to sit up.

"Rin's not that hungry?"

[original_is_best]

He hummed lowly, looking over her. The flush indicated that she was burning up again. He paused to remove a glove again, pressing the back of his hand against her forehead.

Well, it couldn't be helped. She probably wasn't very stable in this condition.

"Your body will need the energy, even if you don't feel hungry."

She looked weak again, though. Reaching over, he scooped her back up and sat her on his leg. This way he could at least hold her up while she ate.

"If you have some difficulty eating, just manage what you can."

The soup had cooled some on his walk back, but a small bit of steam still floated above it. It was mostly broth, with some noodles and small bits of meat beneath the surface.

[morality_pet]

She curls happily against him and nods obediently.

"Alright. Rin will do her best!"

She sips slowly at the broth, careful not to waste any drops to spillage.

"Did Lord Verstael make it?"

[original_is_best]

"I gave some instructions on what should be in it."

In other words, not really. He could cook but he wasn't the type to put his effort into that.

Having the small child curled up against him was a bit awkward. Rarely did he have human contact, and if he ever attempted it himself it was for professional reasons. He'd had more contact in the last few months than he had the rest of his entire life.

Still, he could humor a child. As long as she was behaving, it was better to let things be. He leaned against the back of the chair, holding her only to make sure she didn't fall rather than an attempt to give comfort.

[morality_pet]

Apparently that counts, as she tips her head back to beam up at him.

"Thank you very much, Lord Verstael!"

She eats quickly, and seems much improved.

Also, very not keen on leaving his lap.

[original_is_best]

"Simply doing my job. It appears to be working well."

Although she seems to be... clinging. How was he supposed to handle this? He would prefer to put her on the bed to rest, but he also wasn't one to punt kids for no reason.

Instead, he tried to give her a hint. "Although you've improved, you should still rest for a bit to be sure."

[morality_pet]

"Lord Verstael is very good at this." She agrees happily and sighs when he says that.

"Rin supposes so." She agrees reluctantly, and hugs him once more before scooching off his lap and back into bed.

"Will you stay until Rin sleeps?

[original_is_best]

"...Certainly."

She should fall asleep soon enough. In the meantime, he could take some notes. "And when you awaken, should you feel up to it you may join me in treating patients."