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

[lifespanned]

Heh, that was pretty cool, wasn't it? Misa has all kinds of tricks up her sleeve.

[ She tilts her chin up a bit haughtily, taking in his praise with unabashed pride. Her big ego aside, it's not terribly often that she gets to preen over her supernatural skills, so she takes the chance for what it is, even if he asks her to send a fireball at those obvious obstacles in front of them. ]

Shooting fire is one trick I don't have, though. [ Letting go of one of his hands, she turns to look more fully at the tangle of Blight blossoms, tilting her head and trying to get a peek at every angle - as if that's going to solve a way forward for them. ] I guess I'll just have to take us through again.

[ She swings their linked hands for emphasis, and then just... starts tugging him right towards the danger, no big deal! Does she even understand how the Blight infection works, or is she concerned that getting that close to them will cause problems? Not really, as she has a sort of overinflated sense of confidence when it comes to, well, surviving things. Perhaps stupidly, she's not that worried about some stupid plants. Surely it'd be fine? They just went through a solid wall, so what's the big deal with a little greenery? Besides, he just told her how great and awesome she is? Why should she be worried? ]

[helloween]

[ Lucien shouldn’t know too much about it works either, but another consciousness inside of him has dealt directly with the blossoms already and seen how much danger the impose. Without saying anything, Lucien grasps tightly at Misa’s arm but sinks his heels into the floor, pulling back on Misa with his small weight to try and stop her from moving much closer to the foliage. His eyes flare wider— bright blue, demon-like pupils in them. His mouth opens and a different voice comes out: ]

Hey, hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing? You feel like dying, huh?!

[ It’s brash, shrill, and, most disturbingly, fully grown. Lucien’s teeth appear pointier when Dark, still partially sealed within him, scolds Misa for not thinking things through. ]

[lifespanned]

E...eek!!

[ The sudden shift in tone of voice, paired with the equally sudden appearance of sharp teeth has her letting out a shrill squeak, immediately trying to pull out of the other's grasp. Any grander thoughts about surviving the task at hand go out the window as the concern about just who the boy in front of her really is begin to take priority. ]

No, I don't! What are you, some kind of vampire?! Let go of me, creep!!

[helloween]

Creep—?

[ Well, it's certainly not the first time Dark has been called as such. Despite that fact, Misa isn't labeling him such as a way to coyishly flirt or invite more advances, but she's sincerely so startled that she's pulling away from him. If she's not careful, she may go stumbling into the flowers. Dark huffs and holds a tight grasp on her, trying to keep her from accidentally getting herself caught in the freeze again. ]

Don't you people know a sorcerer stuck in a rut when you see one?!

[ No, Dark. Not when a Shard Bearer's world is vastly than your own. ]

Of course I'm not a vampire. I don't suck blood, I suck on tits, ass, and pussy!

[ His child figure is all the more disturbing now that this obscene language is coming out. It's definitely serving Chucky from Child's Play. Dark moves in front of Misa while she gawks, between her and the Blight blossoms. ]

Anyway, we won't be getting through here. It'd be better to use that magic of yours pass through the sides or something instead.

[lifespanned]

Tits, ass, and pussy?

[ What does a little boy know about tits, ass, and pussy!?! ]

Oh my god, so you're a pervert pretending to be a little kid...?!

[ Or, possessing the body of one? You know, how demons possess high schoolers in fantasy manga?! Realizing that she can't get out of the other's grip, she just gives him a disgusted, scandalized look, already putting an arm over her chest. ]

Don't even think of looking at me that way, [ This is obviously much more important than the task at hand? Her priorities? ] I have a boyfriend!

[ Though, with that warning out of the way, her eyes do drift to the side, wanting to comply so she can not be in physical contact with Chucky for longer than is necessary. ]

If you want me to take us through, then look ahead of us, you got it?

[helloween]

No, the kid is real and his name's Lucien like he said before. I'm a legendary, badass sorcerer that got sealed inside of him because—...

[ Ugh such a long story. And retelling it would make Dark look bad, since he'd need to admit to defeat by Prince Lars' hand. He huffs and eye rolls in summary. ]

Anyway, I reincarnated within this body because some old guy sealed me in here.

[ Belatedly, Dark looks now at Misa's chest, precisely because she is trying to hide it from him. It's at the same time that she starts going on about a boyfriend. Not that small stuff like that has ever stopped him before. The words bounce off of him, his stare a hard, steely shield. Dark thinks about fucking Misa, dryly blinking a few times and deciding that he's certainly interested in spite of her protests. She's cute and has a nice figure. ]

Are you scared that someone other than your boyfriend will see your black, lacy panties?

[ His smile quirks slyly in the corner of his mouth. ]

[lifespanned]

Oh, haha, very funny.

[ Misa frowns, rolling her eyes and looking more annoyed than scandalized by his words. She's sure plenty of guys like him have seen her in swimsuit and lingerie photospreads, so it's not that part that bothers her, but more of the attitude behind it. It's fun and entertaining for Misa to feel that she's sexy and appealing to others, but it stops being fun when guys actually think they can hit on her, or they make comments about her in such a crude way. ]

I'm not even scared of that, [ She says, boldly, absolutely not willing to show anything close to fear in front of him. ] But if you get that excited over some panties, then I guess that tells me all I need to know about your history with girls...

[ The implication being that he must not actually Get with many girls. If it were some really sexy lingerie, that'd be something different. But otherwise? She's starting to think it's all bark. With a sigh, she starts phasing them through the wall, pulling him along harder than she really needs to. ]

[helloween]

There's not a single man out there who'd hate a panty flash.

[ And the worst part of it all is that there is no divine punishment, no karma for Dark's treatment of women. He gets lots and lots of them, and they throw themselves at him left and right despite his terrible personality. Either the sex is really good (which it is), or he must just be that fucking adorable. He's sure that his charms will work on Misa too, eventually!

Feeling cheeky about himself and though he's being insulted, Dark follows Misa through the wall, complacent and easy like a farm pony led from its stable. He wants to flirt with her more, but it's too bad he's stuck in Lucien's body and feels his power straining to supress his other half's awake consciousness. He probably won't be able to hold out much longer. At least now they're somewhere safer. ]

Lucien's about to come back. He likes you so treat him nice, okay? Good job getting us through that wall too. Let me take you out next time I'm properly myself as a reward.