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

Entry tags:

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

[ To his credit he doesn't try to deny or lie his way out of what (obviously) looks like a very dubious situation. He does try to prevent her from fully wiggling her way through, though as it turns out, trying to split his attention between preventing a struggling child from breaking free and a struggling teenager from breaking in isn't all it's cracked to be, and he ends up doing a shoddy job at both. ]

It isn't real.

[ His words aren't so much a denial as they are what he perceives as fact. There's no way whatever this is can possibly be him, not when he's crouched here with his heart thudding in his chest and his arm still wrapped around something that feels very real. ]

What would you do even if I let him go?

If you thought it wasn't real, you wouldn't have bothered trying to be kind.

[ Whether the child exists in fact or in memory alone, he means something to Eustace. If that's the case, then hurting the child will probably hurt Eustace too — even if only emotionally.

So Gray remains stubborn about trying to worm her way between the two Eustaces, though she does it with her normal teenager strength, not quite willing to use coercive magical enhancement. ]

I don't know what I'll do yet... but let me try! If things don't work out, then... then we can do things your way.

[ It isn't a very convincing argument, more desperation than logic, but it's all she has. ]

[ A few seconds pass....and then a few more, the silence between them made even worse by the stillness of the scenery around them, broken only panicked breathing of the small child they're both currently fighting so hard for.

Then, finally, Eustace answers, though it's with a dismissive action first before he lets go of his target, arm snaking back to return to his side while Baby Eustace, newfound in his freedom, skitters towards Gray. He doesn't look all that convinced, expression still stony as he steps away, but apparently he trusts her enough to at least give her a chance. ]

Fine. Do what you want. But if it doesn't work, then I'm taking care of this myself.

[ No guesses as to what he means by that. ]

Edited (i forgot) 2023-04-19 17:07 (UTC)

[ This is a bit more stoniness from Eustace than she's used to; it puts her into a cold sweat, but it also solidifies her feeling that something is off here, that she needs to do something for all of their sakes.

She doesn't bother affirming Eustace's threat, turning instead to face the sure confused and terrified child now in her temporary care. It strikes her suddenly that she has no idea how to deal with upset children. There was never anyone younger than her when she was growing up...

She starts where she can, by stooping so that she can talk to the child closer to eye level. The child's irregular breathing is loud in her ears, familiar in an unpleasant way. ]

It'll be okay. Um, my name is Gray... What's yours?

[ If nothing else, Gray gets to carry out her impromptu work in peace, Eustace standing abruptly and turning away. There won't be any help from him but at least there won't be any interference either.

Her current project seems a little less anxious now that the Big Spooky Man has put some distance between him and them, and he grabs hold of one sleeve like an anchor, mumbling the answer in a quiet whisper. ]

It's Eustace... [ Wow, who could have seen that coming? ] I...I can't find my family anywhere.

[ Shock and awe... Gray was fairly sure of who the child might be, but to know it for sure pricks her with a different kind of sadness she can't fully keep from shading her expression. She lets him cling to her sleeve, absorbing what he's said. Unless the rest of Eustace's family has manifested in this space as well, it's very likely that his cause is a lost one. ]

I'll stay with you until you can. It might be a little scary until then... but at least you won't be alone.

[ She feels like a bit of an impostor about it, but she she tips a hand forward in offer for him to hold instead of her sleeve. ]

What are your family like?

[ Cautiously, his (smaller) hand travels down from her sleeve and towards the palm of her hand, fingers wrapping surprising tight around hers. Either he has a great grip for his age (debatable) or he truly is so unsettled that he desperately needs something to physically cling to.

His gaze is anxious, flitting around constantly as it travels from her hooded face, to their surroundings, to the Big Scary Man, and then back to her face (rinse, repeat). ]

They...

[ How to describe his family, when all of them are so different in nature? His overbearing, obnoxious sister, his always cheerful brother, his steady and reliable father who's proven to be his idol time and again. ]

They look like me. [ Wow, what a start. ] Um, my older sister's really loud but she means well. Mom's gonna have another baby soon, so she's been really worried all the time. Oh, b-but if we can find my dad [ and here his voice picks up in volume and speed ] I bet he'll make everything okay! He always knows what to do.

[ For a moment, there's a brief gleam of hope in his eyes, warring against the fear also present. ]

[ Gray has doubts as she often does, and she doesn't want to make promises that can't be kept. But maybe Eustace's father is out here just the same as the child Eustace is. ]

Let's look for them together.

[ She'll tug him along in some random direction, and Big Scary Man can follow along if he wishes. As Gray tries to maintain a calm exterior, she keeps her ears sharp for anyone else who might be in the area. It's doubtful with how silent the stillness is, though. ]

So you have a sister... [ Eustace feels like an only child to her. Maybe it's his lone wolf syndrome. ] I always thought it would be nice to have a sibling.

[ Big Scary Man would rather die than leave Gray unattended while suspicious happenings are afoot, so unfortunately her furry shadow ends up following behind. But at a respectable distance behind, far enough that he can only barely make out their conversation.

Though as far as conversation topics go, this one's oddly safe and soothing, enough to distract her small charge from his otherwise panicked thoughts. Automatically he makes a face, nose and eyes scrunching together for the briefest of moments. ]

Younger siblings are better. They're nicer to you and you get to boss them around if you really want.

[ Speaking from experience..... But he peers up at her, curious himself now. ]

Do you really not have any brothers or sisters? Doesn't that get lonely?

[ She really wasn't expecting such a blatantly bratty comment from him, and it earns a small smile from her. If someone had asked her to imagine Eustace as a child, she would have pictured someone much more withdrawn. She wonders what made him turn so stoic... ]

Yes, I was a bit lonely growing up. For the most part, it was only me and my mother.

[ And even her mother was distant, almost a stranger. ]

Are you planning to boss around your new brother or sister?

[ Incredible what twenty years and immense trauma can do to a man.....

But this child is from before all that, still untainted by all of life's cruelties. Even with the confusion brought about by being lost in a strange new area with not a single familiar presence in sight, the resilience of youth has him responding to Gray with more curiosity than fear. ]

With only your mom?

[ He wrinkles his nose, trying to imagine a life where he's all alone with only a single parent for company. A life that's mostly quiet and peaceful instead of loud and boisterous. It sounds incredibly lonely, as she's said. ]

What happened to your dad?

[ They'll get to his status at the (near) top of the totem pole in a bit... ]

He passed away when I was little.

[ Not so little that she has no memories of him, but little enough that those memories have real distance. She hardly remembers the actual events around his passing; she doesn't doubt that her mind helpfully dulled itself to protect her. Fate(/) truly killed off Gray's dad in the most unceremonious way possible, so she doesn't elaborate further because I don't have details, thank u for your understanding. ]

[ i will turn a blind eye to the vague circumstances surrounding the death of gray's dad ]

Oh.

[ A single word, more sound than word really, as baby Eustace looks up at Gray, the tiny frown on his face deepening. Maybe he shouldn't have asked...? ]

I'm sorry. Dads are pretty great to have around.

[ So believes Dad Simp #1, at least. He thinks a few moments longer before seemingly coming to a decision, the lines on his face smoothing back out. ]

If we find them, you can meet my dad. And my brothers and sisters. Although once you meet them, you'll probably be glad it was just you and your mom.

[ "Sorry that you don't have a dad because mine is awesome." Amazing. Luckily(?), the death of Gray's father was a tragedy lost in the flow of the other tragedies of her childhood. The entire village had died to her, replaced by alien-like beings. The loss of her father is only a dull pinch now, regret that she couldn't have known him better.

Little Eustace's description of his family strikes her as a bit funny, especially because he sounds at least halfway serious. ]

You're the best sibling of the family then?

[ Who doesn't love a child who has never experienced any of life's harshness and thus can safely wander around being spoiled and self-centered?

He puffs out his chest a little, looking slightly proud for some unfathomable reason. ]

I am the oldest son. I have to take responsibility for everyone else.

[ Apparently being the oldest sibling means nothing if you're a girl?? Amazing. ]

As soon as I'm old enough, Dad says he'll take me hunting for real too. Then I can really help everyone in the family out!

[ And then he really will be the best!! ]

[ Eustace sure loves his dad. It's very cute, and yet it sends a thread of anxiety through her with the thought that they might never actually run into any of his family here. Where should they go...? In the end, deciding that a vantage point will be helpful, she steers them toward one of the taller buildings in the area. ]

You do sound like a good brother.

[ It makes sense with how much he looks after Gray in the present. Maybe it's his older brother DNA. ]

I'm sure you'll make your father proud. And that you'll be very good at hunting, and tall too.

[ Not that she'd know or anything. ]

[ Still not over and tall.

Though apparently being tall is a great perk for a boy, since Eustace seems pleased at his potential future as a tall man. There's not even any doubt on his face that Gray might be handing out false reassurances. Truly, he's such a blissfully ignorant child right now (or maybe just overly confident). ]

I hope so...I wanna be just like him when I grow up. [ TBD on how successful that ended up being, but. ] But I guess that means I should go find him and everyone else instead of standing around here all day.

[ As nice as waxing poetic about his idols is.... ]

[ Boy, she hopes Family Eustace Lastname really is around. Aware of Adult Eustace somewhere in the background with his neckbreaky hands, she decides that time will need to be more of an essence. ]

We can go faster. Is it okay if I carry you?

[ Family Eustace Lastname is nonexistent in this scenario, but that's okay because: ]

I'll be okay on my own.

[ Look at this child, doing his best to be brave and staple a shaky smile onto his face. Maybe he's realized the futility of dragging a pair of strangers along with him on his search, or maybe whatever strange magic in the air has finally decided to ease up some. Either way, Gray's soon to be free of her temporary babysitting duties as he takes a step back—though not before he grabs her hands with both of his. ]

But if you're ever visiting my hometown you should definitely come visit. You can hang out with me and my mom and my dad and my brother and sisters and you'll never have to be lonely again!

[ Ah, what a nice dream, except its destined to be nothing more than a dream as his frame goes oddly stiff, face and body and clothing losing their texture as the branches and roots that have made up this child finally expose themselves.

But hey, at least everything around them seems to be moving again? ]

[ What a sweet sentiment. It gets a smile out of Gray... which quickly turns to mild panic when the little Eustace goes strange and the surface of him gnarls into the texture of wood — before he stops moving completely.

Her hands remain clasped in his for a moment longer as she looks over him in distress, left side first then right, and she gives him a little wiggle to see if it will make a difference. But no, he really has turned completely to wood with no hint of reverting, and she slowly lets go of his hands with a touch of sadness. It seems like he really was connected to the time stoppage, but she still feels like something died with him.

With the issue resolved, she looks up to find where the Big Scary Man has got to. ]

Mr. Eustace?

[ Big Scary Man is a little less scary now that his death target is no longer present (or at the very least, no longer in need of being taken out). There's still a certain amount of darkness present on his face but at least he no longer looks murderous. Just tired, but that's about the norm for him.

He'd been staring at some point off in the distance but turns his attention back to Gray once she calls out his name. ]

What?

[ His voice sounds a little more guarded than usual, but he's always been (pretty obviously) soft on Gray, so maybe it's safe to proceed for now... ]

[ Gray trots up to him, her footsteps muted and gaze low with apprehension. ]

I'm sorry. I know I interrupted where maybe I shouldn't have...

[ She looks up unhappily. ]

It just didn't feel right, making you do that.

[ It's kind of her to apologize after stepping in despite her misgivings. He can't really blame her for wanting to preserve an innocent life (even if it'd all turned out to be a lie), though his hands feel oddly empty and his psyche more than a little unsettled. ]

It's [ —fine? For once he can't bring himself to say it, going silent instead of finishing his statement. He sighs, closing his eyes briefly. ] It worked out in the end.

[ For certain definitions of the phrase 'worked out'. There doesn't seem to be anything else suspicious in the area, and other than his ruffled feelings, neither of them are hurt. ]

Were you worried about me?

[ Cute if so. ]

Yes...

[ She is always worried about him? Maybe not in the same way he might worry about her, though.

She doesn't voice her feeling that killing your younger self must be damaging to the heart, even if that younger self ends up not being the real deal. In the world of magecraft, symbolism has weight even if logic dictates otherwise. ]

Everyone should have someone to worry about them, don't you think?

[ His heart is cold and dead already so it's fine, she doesn't need to worry about him. ✌️

But it is both heartwarming as well as a little distressing to know that she worries about him, if only because he doesn't feel as though he deserves it. Especially not after she witnessed him basically try to murder a child. Still, they've been together long enough that it seems worse to invalidate and dismiss her feelings entirely, so he settles for a quiet acceptance instead. ]

I'll try not to make you worry too much in the future then.

[ Hopefully there will be no more little hims he feels compelled to kill. Speaking of little hims... ]

Do you reassure most little boys that they're going to grow up to be tall?

april event, phase one: seeds of unrest 🌱

ROOTS:

TIME POCKETS:

ROOTS:

TIME POCKETS:

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)