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

[gravings]

[ Gray straightens with the unexpected compliment, though she can't take it to heart. She wouldn't have characterized herself as brave then or now. ]

I was only trying to survive using the path of least resistance. Because I was weak... and because I was too afraid to disappoint the people around me.

[ That tendency is still in her, most days. Mordred's nickname for her is appropriate in that way. Always trying to skirt around the edges, in the walls, trying to get by on crumbs. It makes sense that Mordred, a completely opposite type of person, would see to the heart of her with a critical eye. ]

I wouldn't mind being a little more like you.

[ Emphasis on just a little. ]

[uproared]

[ With a snort of laughter: ] Well, obviously! Everyone should wanna be more like me!

[ Does she have to say that she's joking...? Considering that even Mordred hates being Mordred, she'd hardly wish it on anyone else. But, hearing Gray disparage herself is enough to make her turn back and tug repeatedly on the front of her hood, as if saying pay attention. ]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I bet you've disappointed a whole lot of people in your dumb village, haha!

[gravings]

[ Gray wobbles with Mordred's rough handling of her hood, surprise breaking her melancholy. She feels that Mordred is trying to be reassuring in her brash way, and Gray isn't sure if she should lament Mordred's rough manner or be impressed by her ability to smash through the mood with a sledgehammer. Either way Gray doesn't get around to laughing along with Mordred, to the surprise of no one.

Thankfully, she's spared having to respond by the sudden clarity of clip-clopping hooves making a beeline for their location. With how quiet everything else remains, the clopping sticks out like a sore fetlock. ]

Slow Dancer...

[ Gray steps the rest of the way out of the store to watch the horse in question casually make her way over. She's a pale Appaloosa with a sharp look to her eye, seemingly unperturbed by the strangeness around them. ]

[uproared]

[ At this point, Mordred would be shocked into silence if Gray did laugh with her. She starts a bit at the sound of an approaching horse of all things, but she's quick to relax when she sees Gray's (lack of) reaction, and bravely, stupidly, approaches Slow Dancer from the side. ]

You never told me you got a horse! C'mon, let's go for a ride!

[ She assumes that between her Riding skill, and her... well, regular riding skill, she'll be fine. Let her eat shit. ]

[gravings]

Ah—!

[ Mordred approaches Slow Dancer so quickly and confidently that Gray doesn't have a chance to warn her.

Slow Dancer whips around with unlikely horse flexibility to kick both legs out at Mordred, a move that could well hospitalize a normal human. ]

[uproared]

Holy shit!

[ Mordred feels the whoosh of air as Slow Dancer's hooves only narrowly miss sending her flying. She blinks, backs up a few steps, and then...

laughs. ]

So you're the rebellious sort, huh? I can respect that. But for a knight, taming a horse is like taming a woman — the wilder they are, the more fun it is! Don't think I'll give up so easily!

[gravings]

......???

[ Gray's expression divebombs. The plea to Slow Dancer to please not fight Mordred, dead before they can leave her lips.

Slow Dancer doesn't move to attack again but turns to face Mordred head-on with a defiant glare. Gray takes the horse's side. ]

Are you certain that's knightly behavior?

[uproared]

Huh? Why wouldn't it be?

[ Genuinely confused........... ]

[gravings]

[ What is Gray supposed to do with this.........

Then again, Sir Kay did make a comment about valuing his hands for holding pretty girls shortly after they met. Completely unsolicited. Gray sighs in her soul. She taps Slow Dancer's saddle, which is basically just there for decoration nowadays, and begins to lead the two of them forward so that they can get out of this mess. ]

Did you "tame" very many women in your lifetime?

[ She will probably regret asking but she's a little curious. ]

[uproared]

[ Mordred stares at Gray like she's an idiot. ]

You really need to think before asking stupid questions. [ Helpful...... ]

[gravings]

[ Gray looks back like she (Gray) is an idiot because she genuinely has no idea why her question is stupid. ]

??

[uproared]

[ The answer is her face and armour situation (which Gray does know about), and the fact she's technically like six (which Gray does not know about). Mordred mentions neither of these, because they both involve admitting she never actually got any, and instead opts to let Gray keep feeling stupid. ]

... Forget it. Just get outta here before more weird shit happens.

[gravings]

[ How is Gray supposed to know that Mordred didn't do the thing she literally just implied she did!! She feels distinctly like something's gone over her head, but if Mordred doesn't want to explain, then Gray won't force the burden on her. ]

Alright. Then... I'll see you later?

[ It's more of an actual question than a goodbye. It might be nice to see Mordred on a less dire-feeling occasion. ]

[uproared]

[ It's not your fault, Gray... it never is when Mordred is involved. ]

Don't forget that we're enemies, mouse. The next time you see me... it could be your last. [ Is that meant for Gray, or for herself? ]

[gravings]

[ So she says, but Mordred was the one who approached in peace this time. It's hard to see her as an enemy after she so kindly encouraged Gray's younger self, but technically she's right.

Gray decides not to press the issue lest Mordred feel the need to prove just how much of an enemy she can be. Gray just nods carefully and heads off, accompanied by Slow Dancer's sedate hoofbeats. ]