april event, phase one: seeds of unrest 🌱

[beleos]

THE BEGINNING

Summertime in Springstar has been on its way out, heralding the arrival of fall; winter has likewise given way to spring in Highstorm - at least, according to the calendar. Yet there is an unseasonable bite on the breeze - one growing as frigid as the mood among Meris and Zenites in their cities. Between Alenroux’s occupation and talk of ‘the Blight,’ worries have been on the lips of the citizens with increasing frequency - and with good reason. The reports of plant life dying, of objects crumbling, of people whose bodies are deteriorating are dominating the rumor mills and local papers.

Everything comes to a head early in the second half of Pelu.

After an unusual pocket of commotion in the Seat of the Tribune and the courtyard of Yima’s manor, an urgent announcement is made on behalf of both cities: both Great Trees have been quarantined, and no one is permitted in either location without clearance. New rumors spread of an ‘incident’ that saw those in the immediate vicinity of the Trees rapidly demonstrating symptoms of an illness that was becoming all too easy to identify. It had stricken with frightening speed; not long afterward…

The unrest had spread into the streets, and it wasn’t just about the Blight anymore.

Cetina and Kathova wasted no time in reaching out to the Bearers via Communion to offer them guidance from their leaders and incite them to action.

SPRINGSTAR: THE ROOT OF THE ISSUE

Day by day, changes unfold that render the city increasingly dangerous...

ROOTS:

Vine-like roots have begun to thread the streets, creeping upon and over buildings, spreading outward from the Tree in Heliopolis. Over the next two weeks, they will continue to grow in size and become more troublesome, slowly blooming ice-like leaves that radiate a sickly glow.

• GROWTH: Contrary to the Blight’s normal behaviors, some people and things around clusters of vines or leaves can experience a burst of vitality, growth, and splendor as if transforming to beyond peak condition. In a normal citizen, this may result in an almost manic level of energy, reckless behaviors, and aggression. In objects, they become more durable and efficient, but dangerously so - for example, a stovetop cooks faster but burns uncontrollably hot. In plant life, this results in overgrowth that can overwhelm and choke nearby flora, objects, or even people. Then, they burn out an hour after exposure and immediately succumb to a dire state of Blighted.


• CHILL: The temperatures will continue to drop throughout the next two weeks. It will be coldest where vines have clustered and outright dangerously so near where flowers have budded or bloomed in great numbers. This will force some people from their homes.

TIME POCKETS:

In seemingly random parts of the city, areas referred to as ‘time pockets’ have populated. There is no way to identify a time pocket but to stumble into one.

• REGRESSION: NPC’s in these areas will appear to freeze in time once a Bearer has breached the pocket’s radius but appear normal from the outside. Time within has halted at the point the pocket manifested ( typically covering an area like a city street or inside a single large building that sees regular use ). Objects can be freely manipulated but will not fall if thrown, etc.
  • The pocket cannot be left until the Bearer has achieved their objective. Attempting to exit the way they entered, they’ll run into an unseen barrier that is painful to the touch, a sensation of frigidity that travels to their Shard.
  • Their goal will be to locate a past version of themselves hidden from immediate view. This past version of themselves can be from any point in their lives but must be from a moment when they felt extremely vulnerable, isolated, wounded, or fearful.
  • Once finding this past version, they will feel the compulsion to either find a way to reassure their past selves somehow or kill them. Whether it is the Bearer themselves who performs these acts or another Bearer in their company does it for them, as long as their past selves are pacified enough ( to player satisfaction ) or dead, they will gain immunity to the pocket and may leave. The immediate area will remain frozen, however, and the past version will be revealed to be made of roots that will shrivel and die.
  • Note: Bearers will be able to see other Bearer’s past selves, even after they have been freed. Whether the past reflections are capable of speech while functional is up to player discretion.

HIGHSTORM: THE ROOTS OF CHANGE

The snows continue to fall over the city, feeling brittle against your skin...

ROOTS:

Vine-like roots have begun to thread the streets, creeping upon and over buildings, spreading outward from the Great Tree in Yima’s manor. Over the next two weeks, they will continue to grow in size and become more troublesome, slowly blooming ice-like leaves that radiate a sickly glow.

• SACRIFICIAL: [ CW: self-harm ] Where the roots snake and gather throughout the city, NPC’s in several locations are falling victim to the quiet, slow pulse of the flowers and their buds. They will sit and stare at the flowers for hours, unblinkingly, as their body begins to succumb to the Blight. If they are disturbed in any way - a loud noise, an attempt to move their person, etc - they will calmly look up from their worship and crack off a piece of their brittle body before returning to their reverie.
• In order to save them, a pair (or more) of Bearers must sneak up on the NPC - one using a pacifying spell given by one of the faction leaders while the other crushes the flower. If the NPC is not pacified before the flower is crushed, they will become hysterical and the Blight will rapidly consume them, causing them to perish. If they are pacified and the flower is not crushed, the spell will wear off within ten seconds with the same result.

• CHILL: The temperatures will continue to drop throughout the next two weeks. It will be coldest where vines have clustered and outright dangerously so near where flowers have budded or bloomed in great numbers. This will force some people from their homes.

TIME POCKETS:

In seemingly random parts of the city, areas referred to as ‘time pockets’ have populated. There is no way to identify a time pocket but to stumble into one.

• REFLECTIONS: NPC’s in these pockets are moving in surreal blurs, pieces of them moving forward as others move backward, some changing as if time were rapidly passing as others remain frozen still. The Bearers’ surroundings are distorted as if reflecting multiple realities simultaneously.
  • Their goal will be to locate a tall standing mirror situated alone in the center of the time pocket’s radius. The Bearer who first touches their reflection ( henceforth called “mirror-Bearer” ) will cause the world inside the pocket to suddenly stop, reflecting a comforting environment they have fond or pleasant associations with. The mirror will be gone.
• Something or someone the mirror-Bearer highly values, deeply misses, or sees as imperative to their character, goals, or desires will be present. If they make contact with this object or person, the Time Pocket loops and sends them back to searching for the mirror - but they will have no memory of this occurring. Their partner, however, will recall everything.
• Both Bearers will be released if five loops occur without the mirror-Bearer being stopped from causing the loop or if the mirror-Bearer is stopped from reaching their goal for five minutes ( willingly or otherwise ). The longer they refuse to make contact with this object or person, the more tempting and dire the need becomes inside of them.
• Once the Bearers are released, the Time Pocket disappears. If they manage to avoid contact with the temptation inside the Pocket, the roots and flowers in this area will be withered and dying, buying the NPC’s and buildings in this location some time. Otherwise, they will be thriving and dangerously blooming.
• Note: the mirror will not respond to the non-mirror-Bearer once it has been touched the first time.

ENTREE-TING HELP

The Tree of Life is in danger, and you know it. Both Yima and Cyrus have directed all Bearers who might listen to increase visitation to the Tree and monitor it for signs of the Blight - of its leaves changing color, of any frostbitten bark, of its roots withering.

And then, during a moment in which you find your mind at ease, at rest... you dream, even if dreaming is unnatural for you. You dream of yourself sitting beneath the massive bows of the Tree's breadth, at peace. The perpetual dawn's glow warms your skin in a way that seeps into your bones, leaving you certain you are safe from harm. The Tree reaches out, and though it cannot speak to you in words, you feel it is trying to convey a message: one of urgency. One of plea.

But you cannot understand...

Soon, the branches of the Tree are reaching out to others. You cannot see them, but you know they're there; a spiritual tether connects your Shards together, bringing you all into a place of wordless unity. And once your fellows have been summoned, you know what you are here for.

You feel it rather than see it: some meager, barely-there brush of something cold in the warmth of the island's comfort. The Tree is already infected, and the clock is running down for all of you.

When you wake to yourself, a feeling of dread not entirely your own will chase you, and you will find a single violet leaf in your hand.

MISC NOTES

• Bearers start with immunity to the Blight. They will not succumb to the effects of the Blight even if they handle the vines and flowers directly without precautions or care.
• The above effects will occur in small clusters and are not yet spread city-wide during phase one. The escalation of frequency characters will come across problematic clusters or Time Pockets will be slow building.
• For context, it takes about a month from infection to death or dissolution for the average person or object to succumb to the Blight. By the 21st, it will be three days to a week.
• Bearers will be directed by Cetina or Kathova to make efforts to protect the civilians and investigate the manifesting changes around both cities. Both factions are working on their own methods to attempt to counteract the Blight, but neither has produced a failsafe solution.
• The roots will remain mostly outdoors, for the most part, these first two weeks.
• Tensions will slowly ramp up in Alenroux, and there are checkpoints for any non-PC visitors to screen for signs of infection.
• Player characters who die inside the Time Pockets are dead and need their Shards brought to the Tree of Life for revival.
• HAVE FUN!! ♥

CODING

Comments

Dimitri Blaiddyd | Advocate | Meridian

[hauntedking]

Springstar

[ At first, the chill hadn't bothered him - but as the roots and vines spread and the city begins to be more and more impacted by this creeping blight, Dimitri is horrified. Although not yet widespread, he's certain that this problem needs to be handled soon or it will get out of hand. He is, as always, most worried about the people who don't seem to have any kind of immunity or who succumb to the creeping vines and the manic energy that comes with an infection. For now, investigating is all he can really do, though.

This is not a problem he can destroy with his lance.

It's one of his few reconnaissance missions, a journey through a winding residential street with tightly-packed homes - and he turns a corner into what should be a bustling maze of traffic and instead finds people frozen in mid step or conversation. A hat in the act of being doffed. Someone halfway through tripping.

It's a little surreal. He stares for a long moment, his expression downcast. ]

What on earth...? [ He can't be the only one here, can he? ]

Highstorm

[ Of course, Springstar isn't the only place afflicted and he takes time to visit the other city, even if he's not as likely to receive a warm welcome. His sense of wanting to protect people and to help overrides the concern of faction. Gathering more information on how the Zenites intend to deal with their own problem might be helpful, in any case. It's the poor souls in Highstorm who are trapped and enraptured by these flowers that grab his attention. Something needs to be done about that - so he goes seeking help from others, whether a Zenith or a Meri. ]

Do you think we can help these people? We can't just leave them to be consumed...

[ Of course, there are the time pockets as well - different from the ones in Springstar. But just as confusing and strange. Much like in Springstar, he's determined to investigate and solve whatever issues they run into... ]

Chance Meeting (for Kaeya)

[ It's during the hustle and bustle of Springstar that Dimitri thinks he spots a familiar face. He's busy with his own internal thoughts and his own worries - but the glimpse is all that he needs for his attention to shift and his mind to stutter to a bit of a halt. Someone he's been trying to track down and talk to without much success - mainly because Kaeya hasn't been returning his metaphorical calls. His stride increases and he tries to angle through the traffic on the street to get to him, hoping he isn't mistaken. Hoping that he's going to have a chance to resolve this on one way or another. ]

Kaeya!

[ His voice carries and his speed picks up, as if he's afraid that Kaeya might vanish into a back alley or simply run from him. ]

Is that you? Kaeya!

Wildcard

[ Invent your own or hmu. ]

[subsist]

[ That voice sure belongs to the last person in all of Kenos that he wants to see (or close to it), and so rather than slow down once he's been spotted, he hurries up. Picks up the pace. No need to act like he didn't hear because he wants Dimitri to know that he is trying to avoid him.

If he's caught, well, he'll just have to come up with the best excuse.

It's difficult to say where they stand after their last communication. Deep down, Kaeya knows that there are many things that will make it harder to keep the little shred of solace they managed to steal for themselves so he might as well nip it in the bud now.

(Of course, that would involve actually talking to Dimitri to make it official, but he's always been half-hearted when it comes to matters like this.) ]

[hauntedking]

[ No. He knows that Kaeya has been avoiding him - the rejection of his attempts to reach out otherwise have told him that - but he refuses to let this simply gutter and fade without getting some sort of ending. Some sort of resolution. He follows, picking up the pace as he tries to catch up. ]

Kaeya!

[ He calls out again. ]

Don't ignore me. Please-!

[subsist]

[ When his name is called out once more, Kaeya can't help but sigh. He's already well aware of Dimitri's brand of stubbornness, so he knows that even if he tries to ignore him, the other man will just keep trying until he gets what he wants. And what Dimitri wants is for Kaeya to turn around and face him.

But he won't give him that. He does, at the very least, acknowledge him even as he continues to move. ]

Dimitri. Can I help you with anything? I'm quite busy, you know.

[ Leave him alone. ]

[hauntedking]

Yes, you can help me.

[ At least he's getting acknowledged. That's something. He hurries to catch up and then falls in alongside him with a frown. Dimitri's wearing a new piece of jewelry - a crescent brooch of blue and silver. It gleams from where he's wearing it with his cape. ]

I'd like to speak to you about... whatever is going on with us. We haven't spoken properly in a month.

[ He's not going away. ]

[subsist]

[ honestly can't believe rin is going to be privy to this hot mess all because dimitri is wearing the stupid brooch—

Kaeya doesn't even acknowledge the brooch, let alone send one glance down Dimitri's way. He's more focused on the path ahead of him. While he allowed the other man to catch up with him, that doesn't mean this conversation is going to be an easy one to navigate — all because he's going to make it difficult himself. ]

I'm not sure if you've noticed, Dimitri, but the situation here in Kenos hasn't exactly made it easy for me to keep up with others. Surely you've been just as busy as I am.

[ Especially considering the man has a unit assigned to him, of all things.

But Kaeya sure is avoiding the matter Dimitri is trying to get at. ]

[hauntedking]

[ Rest in pices, Kaeya. Dimitri can't believe it, either.

He follows, trying to stay alongside Kaeya and weaving through other foot traffic as he replies. ]

Of course, it hasn't been easy. But I would think that we might at least find... a few minutes. Something. To just leave it unsaid, unspoken - who does that help? Is that truly what you want? To simply... fade? Pretend it never happened?

[subsist]

[ One of these days, Kaeya will learn the art of masking his emotions and keeping it away from their empathic connection. Sharing an Aspect with someone you want to avoid is so hard because it means he can't hide anything from Dimitri even when he wants to. ]

You have a few minutes of my time now. [ Of course he doesn't respond to those questions. He won't. ] Make good use of it.

[ It's not fair of him, really, to put the burden of making things work on Dimitri's shoulders like this, but this is the only opening he's willing to give him. Any more and he thinks he'll only be setting himself up for heartbreak. ]

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri tries not to rely too much on that connection, but he can't help but feel the tug and the well of emotions that rise up. He frowns - there's a bit of irritation, but he quashes it. ]

That's precisely what I'm doing.

[ He reaches out to touch Kaeya's shoulder - grip it, even. ]

I just want to know what it is you think of this. Of what happened. I want to resolve this, one way or another. I... cannot say I completely understand my own feelings. But I want to try and work through them. You are dear to me.

[ There he goes, being painfully earnest. ]

springstar;

[intervener]

[ Dimitri isn't, as it turns out, all alone.

the tight network of buildings that constitute this area of the residential district are eerily quiet and motionless, it's true; both foot traffic and the very air itself seem frozen as if everything had merely... stopped, all at once. the world had taken a collective breath held it.

there's a pair of footsteps coming from half a block over, blond-haired man donned in a simple black long coat coming jogging out from the mouth of a through-by. it seems he had much the same idea as Dimitri, is relieved to spot someone else who isn't statue-still and unmoving - because there's an instant look of gratitude in blue-green eyes. ]

Hey, alright! I was starting to get freaked out for a second there... You okay?

[ he's calling out before beginning to jog closer to close the gap. ]

[hauntedking]

[ Oh! Dimitri stutters to a halt, giving the other man a once-over as he turns toward him. Like him, Dimitri is rather relieved to find he isn't alone. That he's not stuck out of time somehow. He raises a hand in greeting. ]

As well as I can be, all things considered. Yourself?

[ Because really, getting weirdly time-stuck is... uh. Different. ]

[intervener]

Same, yeah... Still getting my head on straight, and I gotta admit, this isn't helping much. [ his chuckle is a bit self-deprecating; haha, time shenanigans and wild, weird dimensions kidnapping you onto islands in space, am i right fellas

anyway, Vash comes to a halt before Dimitri's person, eying the other man for a moment to make sure he's all in one piece before his gaze travels toward a young boy frozen mid-pace as he heads up his front doorstep. ]

You ever seen anything like this before?

[hauntedking]

No, it certainly isn't...

[ Dimitri sighs - but at least the other man seems to be relatively upbeat. That's good, right? He frowns and glances around at their frozen surroundings. ]

I've... seen something similar before, on one of the other islands a few months ago. But I've no idea if it's the same thing.

[intervener]

[ ah; Vash hadn't been expecting an affirmative, and his brows arch slightly in surprise. ]

You mean where the 'blight' came from?

[ he'd heard talk from a few others, but no specific details - and he had no idea that it had involved anything like this. ]

Were people frozen like they are? [ Vash gestures with a gloved hand toward the child nearest them, still trapped mid-step. ]

[hauntedking]

Yes, precisely. And... they weren't exactly frozen like this. It was a little more literal, although there were elements of time manipulation.

[ He eyes the frozen child with a frown. ]

This, at least, seems a little more likely to be survivable.

[intervener]

[ 'survivable...'

that word has some of Vash's upbeat demeanor abruptly faltering, and his gaze on the child they're studying becomes one of a deeper concern bordering consternation. ]

Then there might still be a way to save them.

[ said as a definite rather than conjecture, and Vash turns his attentions back to his comrade in un-frozenness. ]

You and I not being stuck like they are can't be a coincidence, right? Maybe there's something we can do to get them out of this.

[hauntedking]

I believe there might very well be.

[ He's going to try, anyway. ]

Before we go much further... you may call me Dimitri. I don't believe we've met.

springstar

[bakedapple]

[ He is not the only one here. It does not take long to confirm this fact. Somewhere among the twisting alleyways and motionless crowd, a loud cry cuts through the lifeless silence. It's a noise of physical exertion, of someone pushing their body to its limit in some way or another, but it's tainted by a very distinct sense of anguish.

If and when Dimitri manages to locate the source of the cry within the frozen streets, he will find Link kneeling on the black pavement, his shoulders slumped in a crestfallen posture. There's a tangled next of roots in front of him, halfway through the process of crumpling into shriveled, dried-out weeds.

The sound of footsteps makes his shoulders twitch. He does not immediately look over his shoulder, like he's trying to decide whether he wants to, but caution prevails. ]

...Is someone there?

[hauntedking]

[ The cry makes Dimitri alert - he's not alone here - and he picks up the pace. There's a hurrying rush of footsteps and he turns the corner to find... Link. He pauses, taking in the scene, and then crosses to him with a few hurried steps. ]

Link? What's happened? Are you well?

[bakedapple]

[ Link's eyes finally land on Dimitri. There's a flash of happiness and relief when he recognizes him, but it quickly fades into something vaguely fearful. The Hylian tries to climb to his feet, but he seems to have trouble doing so, needing to steady himself with one hand on the ground first, and then touch the wall as he stands. ]

I'm... I'm alright.

[ That's a lie. The withering vines on the ground suggest as much, if Dimitri is aware of their significance. Link has a sullen look in his eyes, but he forces a smile as the other man draws close to him. ]

I'm glad it's you. And not... [ another one of Himself. ]

[hauntedking]

[ The fear makes Dimitri frown and he steps in a little to rest a steadying hand on Link's shoulder. ]

I've just discovered this - what's happened? What's going on?

[ He glances down at the withering vines, mind trying to put all of this together. ]

Who else would I be?

[bakedapple]

[ Dimitri's large hand feels so warm on his shoulder. The warmth of body heat, of blood. The image of himself bleeding out on the pavement right behind where they're standing now flashes through his mind again. The double had felt so warm, too. So real.

...Link's response in delayed. He blinks after a few seconds and squints up at his companion. ]

...no one. Nobody.

[ There's only one conclusion that can be drawn from him asking such questions. He gently shrugs Dimitri's hand off his shoulder and bends down to pick up his sword, which is laying on the ground behind the withering vines. ]

Don't panic, but... we're trapped. Have you heard the rumors? About the frozen bubbles, where everything is stopped... [ He had to have noticed that part already, right? ]

[hauntedking]

I've heard them, but this is... probably the first I've run into one here. There was something similar on the island some months ago, but also different in a very real way.

[ He gives Link's shoulder a little squeeze and then drops back a step. ]

The frozen people, the way that time seems to have... paused. It's all strange. But I think there has to be a way to fix it, yes?

[ There's always a way. Has to be. ]

[bakedapple]

[ Ah. So, this is Dimitri's first time getting caught in one. And... he doesn't know what needs to be done to escape.

Link sheathes his sword and turns to face Dimitri. His shaken demeanor from earlier is fading, being replaced with something calmer and more determined. ]

It's not the people who need fixing. It's us. Time is still moving normally outside... we just need to make our way out of here.

[ he pauses, hesitating. ]

Have you seen anyone else since getting trapped...?

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri shakes his head. ]

Not yet. You're the first person I've seen who has been active and not frozen. But... if what you say is true, we will need to find our way out.

[ He doesn't doubt Link. He just needs to see with his own eyes. ]

Should I have? Is there someone or something here?