kenoslogs | april event, phase one: seeds of unrest 🌱

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april event, phase one: seeds of unrest 🌱

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Kaeya-!

[ Dimitri follows at once, increasing his stride to keep up. ]

At least do me the courtesy of saying something.

[ Sorry, Kaeya. He's sticking to you. ]

[ For the longest time, Kaeya has nothing to say. Not because he thinks Dimitri doesn't deserve a proper response, but more so because he has no idea of what he should and could say. He doesn't have anything that will be satisfying to both of them, so he figured that it'll be better to leave this alone until he's had the time to figure out what he wants out of this.

But it seems he's running out of time. He realizes that, and yet— ]

Now isn't a good time either, Dimitri. [ His voice wavers just a tiny bit. ] Perhaps, when things aren't so dire...

[ He fails to notice that the world around them is slowly coming to a stop. ]

When won't they be as dire, though, Kaeya?

[ He's not quite pleading, but his voice is soft. A touch plaintive. ]

Things feel as if they're accelerating. At the very least... let's figure out this. That's all I'm asking.

[ He likewise hasn't noticed the way the word slows - perhaps it's an indication of how focused he is on Kaeya at the moment. ]

—And what happens when we figure 'this' out and you don't like the result of it?

[ The words leave his mouth before he can stop himself. It takes him a moment to realize what he said, but the conflicting emotions that rise up from the depths of his own heart are difficult to ignore. There might be some history there that he isn't entirely willing to talk about — especially now.

So he keeps walking. ]

Please, I'm sure you have better things to do.

Then I will live with the results!

[ Dimitri exclaims as he follows. He's not about to give up. Not when this is the first chance he's had to talk to Kaeya in almost a month. ]

Can't you at least try to trust me? Just a little?

[ His voice falls into something softer. ]

All I'm asking for is a chance.

... I've heard those words before.

[ His voice is equally soft. Brittle.

Perhaps Dimitri's words are not quite the same in structure, but the sentiment is similar enough nonetheless. Kaeya once believed that if he just explained, if he revealed everything he'd kept a secret, then things would be fine. He would be accepted for who he was.

Instead, what happened was that he came face-to-face with a wrath and hatred he never saw coming. He's sure Dimitri would come to the same realization as Diluc did so many years ago— that he wasn't worth the trouble. That he doesn't deserve kindness. ]

I don't think—

[ Whatever else he has to say is cut short. He finds himself staring at the scene in front of him where people are frozen solid. ]

What...?

Then listen to them-

[ Dimitri starts to argue and then pauses with a frown. That's... different. Everything locked in place. Frozen. He glances from one person to another and then back at Kaeya, mouth settling into a thin frown. ]

What is this?

[ For a moment, Kaeya doesn't answer him, opting to observe their surroundings instead. The fact that the area before them appears to be frozen still but beyond that seems to be continuing on as usual is strange. Did they enter the radius of someone's spell...?

He starts walking back towards the way they came from. ]

Perhaps we made the wrong turn somewhere.

Wrong turn? Kaeya, this isn't a matter of being slightly lost...!

[ Dimitri turns to follow him. ]

Something's wrong!

I'm well aware.

[ Giving a curt response is the only way Kaeya could've avoided going with a sarcastic one instead. Things are tense between them given their earlier conversation, but he isn't about to needlessly make a bigger mess of it when something is seriously wrong. ]

I want to see what's going on where we came from. If it's like this there too, then...

[ It's only this area where they noticed that everything has come to a stop. If where they last were isn't affected, then at least it'll be easier to break their way out of a smaller prison rather than a bigger one. ]

Shouldn't we try to solve this...?

[ But Dimitri follows, tamping down on his own irritation. This is just going to have to be something to talk about later. He falls in alongside him as they turn back around the corner. They don't seem to be going much of anywhere, funnily enough. He pauses with a frown. ]

...is this at all like the castle?

... I believe so.

[ Something about it strikes him as familiar, but at the same time, it feels different too. Kaeya doesn't know what it is about this situation that just feels off. ]

The last time, we had Sand that we could use in order to help with this type of obstacle, but we don't have that now. There must be something we're missing here.

[ Little did he know is he'd later wish they never found what that "something" is at all. ]

Agreed. But there's nothing we can do at the moment. We're not... going anywhere. Do you notice?

[ He glances down the street, eyes lingering on a bird caught in mid-flight from one of the roofs. ]

It's all wrong.

[ Kaeya doesn't need Dimitri to tell him to know that it's all wrong. Every bit of life in this area is frozen still, just like the Atirat were back at the Scorching Isles. Has the Blight gotten worse...? It's hard to tell, but either way, what they're saying doesn't bode well for the rest of Kenos.

The gears in his mind are turning. He's trying to figure out what the solution could be, but comes up short. He wonders if there even is a solution, and he almost seems convinced that there might not be, until—

Diluc, please...! I swear to you I wouldn't hurt Mondstadt!

His head snaps towards the direction of where that voice is coming from. And without saying another word, he stalks off to find it. Dimitri would be able to recognize it almost immediately — that it's Kaeya, but from another time. ]

[ Dimitri is likewise lost in thought until he hears that voice - familiar, but different, and it shatters his concentration. He looks up in confusion, about to ask Kaeya what's going on - and then he follows his gaze and hurries after him, peering forward to try and catch a glimpse of whoever it is they're heading for. ]

Kaeya, is that who - what - I think it is? Is this some sort of trick?

[ Although he doesn't think Kaeya knows himself. ]

It hardly matters whether it's a trick or not.

[ As if possessed, Kaeya hurries his step while he searches for the source of that voice. He knows exactly who it is. He doesn't want to confront it, but something compels him to head straight for the ghost of his past regardless of his desires. Once they round the corner, a younger version of Kaeya remains huddled by the wall of an alleyway, his hand covering up his right eye as he tries to desperately still the blood flow.

It seems whatever (or whoever) caused it is long gone. But Kaeya doesn't stop moving. He goes until he's right in front of the younger one, a sharp dagger made of ice already in his hand.

Please... I'm not lying... I told the truth, and he— ]

You've said enough.

[ Kaeya raises the dagger, ready to strike. ]

[ Dimitri is right behind Kaeya, still curious and concerned. He pauses for only a moment when he sees the younger version of Kaeya with his bleeding face and fear in his voice. He stares and then springs after Kaeya with a shout, reaching out to grab for his wrist. ]

Kaeya, no! You don't need to do that!

[ No more death. He won't let it happen. ]

Why-?

[ When Dimitri stops him, Kaeya gives him the coldest glare — sharp around the edges. The younger one curls into himself, as if trying to make himself smaller. ]

Why? Don't you see he's the anomaly?

[ And he has to die. At least, that's the feeling Kaeya gets, an overwhelming urge to get rid of the imposter in front of him. He tries to break free from Dimitri's grasp. ]

Let go.

And? That doesn't mean killing him - killing you - is right.

[ He tries to keep Kaeya from stabbing the boy in front of him, his grip tightening. ]

Why is he here? What's wrong with him? Finding these things out - they may provide answers!

[ By this point, the younger one has covered his ears, curled into a small ball as his body trembles with quiet sobs. It's clear he's scared — whether it's because of Kaeya or something else, it's hard to say — but he makes no attempts to escape from the one who wants to kill him. ]

There's no point to that. Finding out why will only lead to the same outcome— he needs to die.

[ Even through their empathic connection, Kaeya's feelings are as clear as day: he doesn't want to face this ghost from his past, no matter what. ]

No. He doesn't.

[ Dimitri says that with conviction and a force of will. His good eye burns as he peers at Kaeya. ]

The past is already dead. But he still deserves a chance to live.

[ Kaeya deserves that chance. ]

... The past is already dead, as you said. So it wouldn't change a thing whether he lives or dies.

[ Kaeya doesn't understand why Dimitri thinks this version of himself even deserves to live. It's not as though there's anything to gain with letting him be, especially if this spectre is what's stopping them from escaping this time pocket. ]

Let me go.

Kaeya.

[ He murmurs the name. ]

You can afford to be kind to yourself.

[ Ironic, coming from the man who still has complicated, messy feelings about his own identity and guilt. ]

Why not try?

This isn't worth the effort.

[ He isn't worth the effort of a small attempt, no matter what Dimitri says. This version of himself comes from a moment in his life when he made the mistake that cost him everything. He'd never forgiven himself since then.

He doesn't think he has the heart to even try. ]

It'll be a waste of time.

[ That connection they can never truly sever is still there, still burning bright. He can feel some of the turmoil. ]

Why?

[ His voice drops. ]

What happened?

ROOTS:

TIME POCKETS:

ROOTS:

TIME POCKETS:

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