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

[ 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?

[ Gray is busy feeling nice about Eustace's acceptance of her worrywart ways when he brings up something she didn't think he'd heard. ]

Huh? I-Isn't that something boys worry about?

[ She doesn't have much experience with little boys, only media tropes... ]

... And you are very tall.

[ She wonders if that's something he's happy with himself about. ]

[ In fairness to Gray, he had dreamed about being like his dad in all ways (including height) so there's probably some truth to her words. (Or so he thinks, at least; it's been a long time since he was young, with most of the more mundane memories bleached out by the loss he'd suffered twenty years ago.)

Even so. ]

That's like saying most girls worry about getting married when they grow up.

[ Though....maybe that's a little too sexist of him? Hm. It'd been something his older sister had worried about, sure, but that's only one person out of many. It's a frivolous point to make in any case, when both marriage and height are the last of their worries here.

But speaking of height - he looks down at her, and then casually ruffles the top of her hood. ]

Besides, I only look so tall because you're so short. [ Sorry to Gray the shortie. ]

H... Huh??

[ Gray fairly jumps under Eustace's casual hood ruffling and ignores Add's muffled laughter in the depths of her cloak. She can't believe Eustace is being mildly mean to her for two whole seconds?? ]

I'm not... um... well, I suppose I'm a little below average.

[ She quickly concedes defeat when she realizes that the only girl her age she was taller than was probably Reines. ~~tfw you can't tell you're taller than Misa because her heel game is better than yours~~ ]

And I think most girls do worry about getting married when they grow up...

[ That's village life for you........... ]

[ 'A little', ok, sure ~~Jan~~ Gray. If believing that will help her sleep better at night then she should live her best life. Also, where's the police, someone needs to come arrest this man for committing the heinous crime of bullying Kenos's most beloved teenager, a crime he will probaby repeat again soon in the near future.

It's a good thing Gray is so short, because (hopefully) that means she misses the way he cracks a smile above her head, the absurd topic change enough to chase away most of his prior bad feeling.s ]

Do you worry about that too?

[ It seems hard to believe, both with her history and with their less-than-ideal circumstances right now on this world, butmaybe in the future if things settle down, it'll be something she'll look forward to. ]

Should I be worried about someone knocking on our door asking to marry youin the next few weeks?

[ Boy or girl, he ain't one to judge. ]

[ Gray startles again, this time from pure mortification. ]

Mr. Eustace!

[ Romance?? The scandal of it. Her brain sputters for a moment before attempting to turn the tables in self-defense. ]

A-And what about you? You're of marrying age, and I think you'd be a very good husband...

[ She can't insult him even when she's trying to attack him...... ]

[ If she doesn't want to be bullied, she shouldn't make it so easy.... Alas, his smile only grows wider at her reaction, even if his reply is a tad more serious. ]

I'm not interested in getting married.

[ Especially not here or now, with war looming on the horizon. But even without the trouble stirring, he's still not sure he believes Gray's assertion that he'll make someone a god husband. Too much of a workaholic and depressed for that.

But Gray is saved from further needling as his workaholic nature kicks in. Now that their current problem has been taken care of, best to get moving again. ]

We should get going. Something else might show up if we stay here too long.

[ Phew. She visibly relaxes as he moves the topic along, the fluff on her cloak resting. It is a little sad that he has no plans on settling down someday, but it's also true that she can't imagine him trying to woo anyone either. Maybe he would do best in an arranged marriage, in which no courtship is involved but he's allowed to show off his strong sense of responsibility.

Anyway. She nods eagerly, her hood bobbing along as she moves to follow him. ]

Okay.

[ He doesn't need to tell her twice. Off they go... ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

april event, phase one: seeds of unrest 🌱

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TIME POCKETS:

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