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

[epiprocta]

[ He just looks confused by that shake of the head at first, squinting uncertainly at Dextera -- blinking quickly lest the watering in his eyes spill over -- before snapping, ]

W-what's that supposed to mean?

[ Because he knows what he said is right. It's what he's been told all his (short) life, what he's learned from his surroundings. Whatever feelings he might hold towards Reiji beyond simple, pure friendship are wrong and not permitted. There's a certain way he'll always have to be, and that will never change.

The younger Gen glowers at Dextera for a moment longer before abruptly turning to kick at that makeshift grave; the little stick serving as a headstone topples as dirt scatters. It's an obvious challenge when he looks back to Dextera afterward, huffing another hard exhale. ]

I never should've bothered.

[ And from behind him, Dextera might hear the sound of faint movement, along with a pulse of emotions that prickles at the back of his neck -- irritation, mostly. It's the original Gen pushing away from the tree he'd been leaning against, hand once more coming to rest against the handle of his mace. Because even if it's just another version of himself, hearing Dextera being spoken to like that still pisses him off; he might as well step in soon, since it sounds like Dextera won't be able to do much here.

It's not like that younger version of himself is wrong, after all. ]

[passio]

[ maybe there was only one way this could have ended after all, and dextera was only delaying the inevitable by trying to speak with him. maybe he even made it worse—if this were the real thing, and gen had years and years to sit with this conversation, it’s possible this could have been a seed planted.

instead, dextera is still on the ground, and he leans forward to brush the scattered grave back together. ]

It’s okay.

[ he says it quietly to the real gen, without lifting his gaze from the little headstone he’s putting back together. ]

I don’t want you to do it. I can do it for you.

[epiprocta]

[ That earns a startled little jerk, both physically and across their connection, a little blip of something surprised and wary. There’s a brief pause before Gen grits without words, ]

What difference does it make.

[ But lying across Communion is a fairly futile endeavor.

Those words prickle with the same sort of defensive ire that that younger version of his had displayed, almost as easy to see through. Gen is loathe to admit it out loud, but a small part of him does desperately want Dextera to take that step for him. (Simply because he’s sick and tired of dealing with that wretched thing, he tells himself. Not because the prospect of dying at Dextera’s hands, even by proxy, sends a strange thrill of gratification shivering through his guts.)

The child, meanwhile, unaware of that covert exchange between them, gives a derisive little huff aimed at Dextera. ]

Say something! [ Even so, he does back off a half-step to let Dextera continue patting at that little grave. ] Or you’re just admitting I’m right! I know how I have to be!

[passio]

[ dextera doesn’t immediately go in. the child gen is still talking, still obviously torn between the world he knows and what’s being told to him now—it’s just a matter of seeing which one will win out, even though dextera now feels a real concern, a dread, that years of whatever life he’s lived outside this brief hallucination still has him bound.

he straightens up the grave as much as he can, until it resembles what had been created before. his hands linger over it for a moment, unhurried, and then he returns to his notebook to hastily scrawl a message before the child’s limited patience runs out.

does gen still feel this way? is he struggling even now? it seems so foreign to dextera, who has never had a relationship with being a boy, nor struggling with any feelings he might have because of it. he’s always been so secure with it that it’s never occurred to him; any panic he’s ever felt was the pure fear of feeling anything at all.

if he thinks about it like a baroque, it’s easier to understand. everyone has their obsessions. ]

I want you to be wrong.

[ he shows the child this sentence first, before he continues writing. ]

You can feel however you want here.
No one else has to know.
It’s OK to me.

[ if this doesn’t work, then… ]

[epiprocta]

[ For better or for worse, that does earn a reaction. The younger Gen balks when he sees that first line Dextera's written; by the time the addendums are offered to him, he still has his face scrunched up as he visibly considers what he's being told. And after a moment, he mumbles, ]

-- that's just 'cause you're weird.

[ (Behind Dextera, Gen-the-original exudes another spike of irritation laid atop the steady, simmering blanket of discomfort.)

Sneaker-soles scuff against the dirt as the child retreats another small half-step, fingers balling into the hem of his T-shirt. Though he's still struggling to act tough, that offer of acceptance and understanding is obviously something he can't turn down easily. ]

It won't matter if one weirdo freak says it's okay. I still can't -- ... [ He takes a shallow breath, blinking hard. ] I still have to act like everyone else. It's what's normal. It's just ... just that I'm strange. So I'm not allowed to ...

[ The discomfort radiating off of the original Gen is starting to reach suffocating levels, boiling hot and restless with near-anxiety, but the child doesn't notice that. He takes a deep breath, then another one, before angrily swiping his sleeve across his eyes. It's with great effort that he meets Dextera's gaze before managing to speak again. ]

... you're just saying all of that anyway. It's not like you really think it's okay.

[ 'I want you to be wrong,' Dextera had said. Maybe he wishes that for himself, too. He wants to be able to believe in this odd, mute stranger. ]

[passio]

[ dextera is weird. he doesn’t fight that—he doesn’t even register it as being an insult, however childish, just an apt observation that this younger gen has made about the world. certainly to anyone, this whole conversation would be weird on an objective level.

but although the consequences feel massive, they aren’t, not really. speaking softly to this phantom of the past won’t have any rippling effect. the real thing standing behind him, so tense in his discomfort that it feels like the air would warp around him, is going to be the same coming out as he was going in. it’s dextera’s selfish indulgence to have this moment, even if he didn’t know—and still doesn’t—how it would turn out. ]

…

[ he taps the last sentence again. it’s okay to him.

then he decides to put the notebook away in favor of shrugging off his coat just enough that it slips from his shoulder, giving him slack at the sleeve. gesturing first with it to his own eyes, dabbing at tears that don’t exist, he offers it out. this child gen has been cleaning his face on his sleeve and dextera’s coat isn’t any better, but that’s not what really matters about the gesture. not in his mind, anyway. ]