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

[fishfearme]

[As always, Byleth startled slightly at the casual touch, unused to how easily people here reached out to him, after living a life where most shied away out of caution or fear. He didn't dislike it, though, it just... caught him off guard.]

Ah- yes. Of course. I agree.

[He quickly recovered though, nodding in response to her suggestion. While he had no idea what could be done to help the Tree, he certainly had a functioning pair of eyes and knew how to use them. Perhaps noting any oddities or just, everything in general, could be of some use to someone somewhere. It was better than uselessly standing around bemoaning his ignorance.]

Before we conduct our survey, however, we should exchange names. I'm Byleth Eisner. What should I call you?

[kinaesthesia]

[Gavial is completely oblivious to his reaction to the touch. She has always been very easy-breezy about physical contact, because in her mind it is the quickest and easiest way to make a connection with someone. (Others have repeatedly tried to get it into her head that not everyone appreciated it, to no avail—Gavial is nothing if not an unstoppable force in all aspects of life.)]

I’m Gavial. Nice to meetcha.

[She flashes him a friendly grin, and then she’ll start leading their path farther amongst the winding roots of the Tree.]

You been around this place long? I hate to admit it, but I’m still kinda getting my footing with this whole “waking up in a new world” thing.

[fishfearme]

Ah, not as long as some of the others, but long enough.

[Though, in his opinion, a day spent here was 'long enough'. He knew better than to fall into the sullenness of homesickness though, so he wrestled that thought into a box and sat on it.]

Have you arrived only recently?

[kinaesthesia]

Got here maybe a few weeks ago? [There’s a slight tilt of her head as she thinks on it for maybe one (1) whole second before shrugging.] Haven’t put much thought into keeping track.

[So, yes, very recently. Gavial typically isn’t the homesick type—hell, it’d only been over the last month or so before showing up here that she’d really bothered to think much of home at all when back at work on the landship. Though she supposes it’s a different beast entirely when it’s an entire world you should be missing.

She waves a hand vaguely in the larger direction of the Tree as she continues.]

Guess I must’ve picked a real great time to show up, with this sickness spreading everywhere. Or is it usually this exciting around these parts, from what you’ve seen?

[fishfearme]

From what I've seen, there's always some sort of event occurring...

[He couldn't help but sigh those words out, thinking back to his chaotic entry to this world. When he had arrived, it had been a week, if that, before they were whisked to the Scorching Isles, and while the masquerade afterwards was a brief breather, Byleth couldn't help but feel he had been flat out sprinting since.]

Prior to this we had to visit an island called 'the Scorching Isle'. It was frozen in time, and suffered from the Blight as well. There was also this talking otter...

[kinaesthesia]

[So, all in all, not all that different from Terra. It often felt like there was always some sort of mess going on back home. At least Gavial’s the sort who likes keeping busy.

The talking otter doesn’t even register as odd to her—the people of Terra are nothing if not diverse—so they’ll have to circle back around to that because the rest of what Byleth mentions very much does catch her immediate interest.]

The Scorching Isle—that was the first place the Blight was encountered, right? Been wondering how that all shook out, at the start.

[There’s a very curious and somewhat eager glance cast his way.]

[fishfearme]

At the start? Hm...

[Byleth thought back to that bewildering time.]

It was confusing, at the start. The temporal phenomenon affecting the location was unlike anything I'd encountered before, and the Blight was even more alien. I attempted to forcibly restart Time there using my own... methods, but despite my best attempts I failed...

[It wasn't that his Divine Pulse had lacked the strength as such (though it was that too), but it was if the Scorching Isle had functioned off entirely different laws regarding the flow of time. The 'Sand', for example.]

Time could only be resumed in very precise ways: by using this 'Sand' we were given at the very start.

[kinaesthesia]

[A whole lot to unpack, right there. The temporal effects of the Blight itself were pretty perplexing, but throwing other stuff on top of it, including Byleth’s own apparent abilities and whatever the hell the Sand he mentions really is…

Alright, alright, one thing at a time.]

So… time there was affected not only by the Blight, it sounds like. What’s up with the Sand? I’m guessing if you’re saying it was used to resume time, it probably wasn’t much help with the Blight, since the whole problem there is that it’s causing time to go too fast.

[She’d love to be wrong there. It could mean another angle to look into things from.]

[fishfearme]

Ah, yes, the Blight causes acceleration, which is a little odd. You can't affect the speed of time, normally. You can only divert it to lengthen or shorten its course.

[At least, that's how Divine Pulse functioned: he didn't stop time so much as he gently made it take a detour so it took far longer to reach its destination of the next second, or could even loop back to a previous destination. At least, that's how Sothis had confusingly explained it to him, and he wished he asked more questions about it when he had the chance, now that he was confronted with something like this. Sothis may've known the answer to the Blight...]

It seemed to function well enough during the frozen time as well, but I'm not sure if it was different there as it was here. I'll admit, I kept my distance from the Blight on the Scorching Isle, as it seemed dangerous and I didn't understand it. Now, I wish I took pains to examine it more closely...

[But no one thought it would be brought back with them. Hindsight, and all that.]

As for the Sand, we were given a set amount at the very start, and could only replenish it by stealing it from others. It was a finite resource, but it could be used to restore time to objects or the people frozen in the castle. However, the people were...unbalanced, when revitalised.

[kinaesthesia]

[Whatever constitutes as ‘normal’ when it comes to affecting the flow of time is something way beyond Gavial’s scope of knowledge. If she hadn’t been seeing the sort of stuff the Blight is capable of, if she hadn’t gone through the process of showing up in an entirely different world (with a bunch of people who’d gone through the same), then she’d honestly want to dismiss this all as a bunch of nonsense. But she’s here, and she’s seen it, so she’ll have to take Byleth’s word as the truth, if he seems to know as much about this stuff as it seems.

She listens thoughtfully to his explanation as they walk, keeping her eyes roaming the various roots and branches for any signs of sickness.]

It’s probably a good thing you did keep your distance, considering this whole mess now. Can’t help but wonder if it’d behaved the same way back there, though. Affecting the same sort of things as it’s doing now, and all that.

[Especially if it’s something the people on that island had seen before everything went wonky out there. Speaking of…]

I guess it’s good to hear that those people could be restored, at least—unbalanced or not. I wonder if there’s some way to get our hands on some of that Sand again. Could be useful for figuring something out, because it sounds pretty powerful.

[fishfearme]

I'm not sure if the Sand can be replicated. I can't remember if we were ever told of what it was made of, or where it came from. We had it when we woke up in the castle.

[He slumped minutely, a barely audible sigh escaping him.]

I'm sorry. I'm aware my information isn't very helpful in regards to the Blight. Its ability to accelerate time, its viral behaviour or where it came from... I don't know any of these. I'm not even sure if it originated from the Scorching Isles itself, or if it was intentionally brought there to aid with their experiments into time magic and the like. They had a book or two on the subject, if I recall... about mirrors and accelerating the growth of some sort of livestock creature?

[kinaesthesia]

Nah, don’t worry about it. Just getting to hear a little bit about what went down there is plenty helpful, considering I haven’t heard much about it before now.

[Gotta start somewhere, and at least it’s giving her some budding ideas on how to approach this whole thing. Like the books, that right there is pretty dang interesting.]

Sounds like maybe they got more than they bargained for, if they really were playing around with that sort of thing.

[People just can’t help but mess around with dangerous stuff if they think it’s useful. That’d been the whole problem back on Terra, so it wouldn’t surprise her in the least if something like that is true here too.]

[fishfearme]

Yes... which is unsurprising.

[From what little he had learned from Claude, and what Jeralt had told him in conjunction with Sothis's theories about the current state of Fódlan, it seemed a lot of his world's ills were born from human desire and crossing the line, damn the consequences, in pursuit of that.]

Let me try and recall the specifics from the books...

[Excuse him as he boots up his memory to dredge up whatever information he remembered from the books.]

Book one: "mirror shards". These were shards of a mirror that had been imbued with time magic, and it was highly unstable - having more than one causes that magic to act unpredictably. Book two: "the Sarmonia". This was a bird-beast whose cry allegedly sounded like "the dying". It was created to be used as livestock to consume, its growth accelerated through time magic. Symptoms almost similar to the Blight...

[Hmm...]

But the creature was unfinished. It's said its creation was to help 'save their kingdom', so I assume they were suffering from food shortages, or the threat of one.

[...]

That's all I recall from the books, I'm afraid.