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Entry tags:
- arcane: vander,
- arknights: gavial,
- bastard!!: dark schneider,
- expanse (the): amos burton,
- fire emblem: dimitri a. blaiddyd,
- genshin impact: kaeya alberich,
- genshin impact: zhongli,
- granblue fantasy: eustace,
- legend of zelda (the): link,
- oc: liem talbott,
- orv: dokja kim,
- practical guide to evil: akua sahelian,
- snotgirl: lottie person,
- star wars: cassian andor,
- star wars: jyn erso,
- trigun maximum: vash the stampede
april event, phase one: seeds of unrest đ±
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 Alenrouxâs occupation and talk of âthe Blight,â 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 Yimaâs 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 âincidentâ 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 afterwardâŠ
The unrest had spread into the streets, and it wasnât 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.
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 Yimaâs 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 âincidentâ 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 afterwardâŠ
The unrest had spread into the streets, and it wasnât 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 Blightâs 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 âtime pocketsâ have populated. There is no way to identify a time pocket but to stumble into one.- REGRESSION: NPCâs in these areas will appear to freeze in time once a Bearer has breached the pocketâs 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, theyâll 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 Bearerâs 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 Yimaâs 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, NPCâs 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 âtime pocketsâ have populated. There is no way to identify a time pocket but to stumble into one.- REFLECTIONS: NPCâs 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 Bearersâ 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 pocketâs radius. The Bearer who first touches their reflection ( henceforth called âmirror-Bearerâ ) 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 NPCâs 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.
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!! â„
no subject
After Iâd run away from home.
[âRun away.â More like pitched a fit, beating the asses of everyone vying for leadership in the Mahuizzotia and then storming off.
Semantics.
Itâs only then that she really becomes cognizant of the fact that sheâs still sort of man-handling Cassianâs arm; she lets go but doesnât look back at him. No, sheâs too busy staring at the girl, internally wrestling with the odd feeling that the mere sight of her is stirring within her chest.
The younger version of herself seems to be growing restless with the attention. She remains mostly crouched, but shifts slightly to face the two Shard-bearers more fully. Thereâs a tired edge to her voice when she speaks up, though it doesnât smother the fire in her words.
âWhatâs with the stares? You two want to taste my fists too?â]
no subject
We don't.
[ he says, quickly, as the memory-girl addresses them. he puts his hands up, briefly, and takes half a step forward. ]
We don't want to hurt you.
no subject
And Gavial herself is well aware that heâs skirting the extremely fine line of the exact thing he shouldnât be saying to the girl. Kind gestures? Pity? That right there is a surefire way to set her off.
Of course, Gavial doesnât share that helpful little bit of information. Instead, she crosses her arms over her chest and takes a more confident step forward, giving a slight shake of her head as she speaks up.]
Nah. You wanna fight? We can fight.
[Two pairs of golden eyes immediately lock. There may just be the barest hint of an eager smile beginning to pull at Gavialâs lips.]
no subject
because that seems counterintuitive to what they should be doing here?? ?? ?? but then he looks back to the younger gavial, and...the fact is, in his line of work he needs to know how to read a room. it's clear that the memory of this girl is, in fact, responding more to that than she had to his demeanor.
and why shouldn't it? gavial ought to know herself better than anyone? certainly better than a man she barely knows. and the truth is, it's impossible to be close with (1) jyn erso and not notice when someone is eager for a good fight. so he breathes out, looking from gavial to her younger self one more time, and then, like, he takes a step back.
have fun fighting....he.....guesses?????????????????? ]
no subject
She breaks eye contact with her younger self to look over in his direction, half-debating whether itâd be worth wasting the time trying to convince him not to back off from this so quickly. Her arms drop back down to her sides, brows furrowedâ
And then suddenly the younger Gavial comes sprinting over to them with zero fanfare, one fist raised and pulled back to take a swing⊠at Cassian. Gavial herself whirls at her approach, realizing this is not getting off to the start she had expected. She hurries to try to catch her with one outstretched arm at her midsection and pull her back away from him, but whether the girlâs fist finds itâs target, sheâs not sure.]
Woah, wrong target there, missy.
[Young-Gavial tries to worm her way out of her grasp, elbowing her in the chin in the process.]
no subject
it's not that cassian is backing away from this scuffle because of any distaste for fighting, in and of itself. it is not out of any distaste for partaking in violence. it's because fights have never been a matter of enjoyment, for him, just a reality if he wants to survive in this world. it's because fights are not, therefore, something to want so much as something to finish. and you could say he's made a career out of that: finishing fights, sometimes before they can start.
the thing is,
he favors self-control, and it's harder to stay self-controlled when throwing down. especially when one has, let's say, a lot of unexpressed anger that isn't often vented through other means. and since he doesn't know gavial very well, he can't really know how she â especially the younger her â might feel about an easier surrender. or he might have agreed despite his reservations, because he also favors efficiency.
all this to say: he's just as surprised as the older gavial, when the younger dashes towards him with every intention of taking a swing at him. he moves on instinct: he sidesteps so her punch catches his arm rather than knocking the breath from him. and even as he grunts, impact vibrating through his bicep, he reaches out with his other hand, viper-fast, to catch her wrist in a tight grip.
without letting go, he raises his eyes to the older gavial. ]
She wants a fight that badly?
no subject
So it becomes the core of her identity to an almost dangerous degree. That becomes a problem when people think she needs to stop for her own good. Like, say, when a terminal disease enters the picture.
Gavial tries to tighten her hold on the girl, who remains glaring daggers at Cassian even as she tries to wriggle herself free. It really is something of a monumental effort not to just let her go and let this fight start in earnest (because really, who could ever challenge her more in a fight than herself?), but she holds steady and meets his gaze as he looks to her.]
Fighting is just about all my people know how to do. And when she got sick, they didnât want her to do it anymore.
[After Gavial left home, the common question from both the mercenaries and later the other operators of Rhodes Island had always been why sheâd left in the first place. And sheâd shrug, tell them sheâd been ostracized, and move on. But the reality? It was kindness, it was concern. And it stung because it took away the one thing sheâd been good at.
Even now, she doesnât think sheâd ever really been lying to them.
The young Gavial clearly doesnât want to let this stalemate stand, as suddenly her free hand darts forward to try to seize Cassian by the wrist of the hand thatâs holding her and then pull.]
no subject
the young gavial grabs at his wrist with her free hand, and he doesn't struggle as she rips his grip off her other hand â though he does move to shake her off, frowning and wary of another attempt to punch him. ]
So, what do you recommend?
[ her apparition, her call. does she want to fight her? does she want him to fight her? tag-team? some secret
thirdfourth option? talking her down doesn't seem very likely, so he doesn't bother considering that possibility any longer. ]no subject
She doesnât flinch away from that scrutinizing gaze of his, knowing full well sheâs only painting half a picture here for him to go on. Not that sheâs ever been particularly good at giving details when asked about herself, much to the bemused annoyance of her colleagues, but here with a squirming and angry girl in her arms who is moments away from lashing out again, itâs not exactly a situation conducive to digging into specifics.
At least the younger-her stops her struggling for a moment after Cassian shakes off her fleeting grasp. Sheâs watching him with suspicion even as the two adults exchange that glance.]
She just wants to prove sheâs still strong. If we can wear her out, thenâ
[âStop talking about me like Iâm not even here!â
Right, shit. This probably wasnât helping matters.
And before she can do much more that think about that, the girl suddenly leaps back into action, breaking free from Gavialâs grasp with the suddenness of her movement. Young-Gavial whirls around once free, raising a fist to swing at her, while at the same time her tail lashes out in a low-arc to try to sweep right into Cassianâs leg.
Guess she's answering that question for them.]
no subject