![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
- !event,
- baroque: koriel xii (dextera),
- bastard!!: dark schneider,
- black butler: sebastian michaelis,
- ennead: set,
- expanse (the): amos burton,
- fire emblem: byleth eisner,
- fire emblem: claude von riegan,
- fire emblem: dimitri a. blaiddyd,
- genshin impact: tartaglia (childe),
- genshin impact: zhongli,
- granblue fantasy: eustace,
- jinba: hayame,
- legend of zelda (the): link,
- made in abyss: bondrewd,
- magnus archives (the): the archivist,
- marvel: gamora,
- oc: liem talbott,
- star wars: cassian andor,
- star wars: jyn erso,
- trigun maximum: vash the stampede
The Seeds of Unrest: the Iconoclast Oracle
RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK
The situation is bleak.
The Blight - and the massive labyrinth of roots tearing both cities asunder, spreading deadly flowers wherever they penetrate - have progressed to a point beyond catastrophe. People are dying in rapid numbers. Bearers are having difficulty keeping up with the spread of infection - even among one another. The collapse of Kenos seems inevitable; a cure will not come in time. You can do nothing but watch as each new day brings further disaster, ticking down the seconds until it all falls apart.
And then, you feel something seize your Shard. As if physical fingers have wrapped around it, as if it is being clutched through you by invisible hands, you feel invaded. You feel wronged. But before you can panic, a voice enters your mind through Communion.
“Excuse the dramatics, but there isn’t much time for pleasantries. The Trees are about to hit the point of no return. But there's still work to be done. The Tree of Life will take you where you can find it: the Oracle and the creature causing all this mess. Fix this when you find them. However you'd like.”
Have you heard Aetos’ voice before? Perhaps it is the first time; perhaps it is familiar to you. Either way, the last thing you will remember is a confusing jumble: a spell of immense and incredible power, one utilizing the Tree’s strength to shelter you. The sensation of every cell in your body coming alive, yet seeming to break apart and render you into billions and billions of tiny pieces, all hovering in different times and places across all the different iterations, timelines, and realities in which you have ever existed. A voice that speaks not through words asking your forgiveness, unspeakably sad.
And then, there is nothing.
The Blight - and the massive labyrinth of roots tearing both cities asunder, spreading deadly flowers wherever they penetrate - have progressed to a point beyond catastrophe. People are dying in rapid numbers. Bearers are having difficulty keeping up with the spread of infection - even among one another. The collapse of Kenos seems inevitable; a cure will not come in time. You can do nothing but watch as each new day brings further disaster, ticking down the seconds until it all falls apart.
And then, you feel something seize your Shard. As if physical fingers have wrapped around it, as if it is being clutched through you by invisible hands, you feel invaded. You feel wronged. But before you can panic, a voice enters your mind through Communion.
“Excuse the dramatics, but there isn’t much time for pleasantries. The Trees are about to hit the point of no return. But there's still work to be done. The Tree of Life will take you where you can find it: the Oracle and the creature causing all this mess. Fix this when you find them. However you'd like.”
Have you heard Aetos’ voice before? Perhaps it is the first time; perhaps it is familiar to you. Either way, the last thing you will remember is a confusing jumble: a spell of immense and incredible power, one utilizing the Tree’s strength to shelter you. The sensation of every cell in your body coming alive, yet seeming to break apart and render you into billions and billions of tiny pieces, all hovering in different times and places across all the different iterations, timelines, and realities in which you have ever existed. A voice that speaks not through words asking your forgiveness, unspeakably sad.
And then, there is nothing.
AWAKENING
Your eyes open, gritty with the feeling of a long, deep slumber.
Perhaps it takes a moment to shake off the heavy veil of exhaustion, to recollect what you were doing before you fell into this state of hibernation - but as soon as you do, you feel an immediate sense of foreboding around you. It is thick in the air, oppressive and pervasive, and you aren’t left long to wonder at its source. You lay beneath the branches of the Tree of Life, but as your bleary eyes focus… you see it. The Tree is all but bereft of life. Its bark has withered down to gnarled wood, the soft lichen dried up, and the grass that should be alive beneath you is long dead and gone. There is not so much as a single leaf on its decaying branches.
It has been this way for a long, long time... you realize this with a feeling of intense dread as you see it - the beautiful expanse of stars, of the cosmos, of universes scattered like starlight above the tree's boughs, gone. In its place hangs a sickly, ominously low-hanging, and dying sun ready to sing the end of everything.
You can't help but wonder how long Kenos has been in this state, but a sense of gratitude fills you as you realize that the Tree expended the last of its energies to protect you, the Bearers, during your state of rest. Had Aetos worked with the tree to see you sent here?
The next question comes quickly: how much time do you have left…? And can you find the Oracle before that time expires?
Perhaps it takes a moment to shake off the heavy veil of exhaustion, to recollect what you were doing before you fell into this state of hibernation - but as soon as you do, you feel an immediate sense of foreboding around you. It is thick in the air, oppressive and pervasive, and you aren’t left long to wonder at its source. You lay beneath the branches of the Tree of Life, but as your bleary eyes focus… you see it. The Tree is all but bereft of life. Its bark has withered down to gnarled wood, the soft lichen dried up, and the grass that should be alive beneath you is long dead and gone. There is not so much as a single leaf on its decaying branches.
It has been this way for a long, long time... you realize this with a feeling of intense dread as you see it - the beautiful expanse of stars, of the cosmos, of universes scattered like starlight above the tree's boughs, gone. In its place hangs a sickly, ominously low-hanging, and dying sun ready to sing the end of everything.
You can't help but wonder how long Kenos has been in this state, but a sense of gratitude fills you as you realize that the Tree expended the last of its energies to protect you, the Bearers, during your state of rest. Had Aetos worked with the tree to see you sent here?
The next question comes quickly: how much time do you have left…? And can you find the Oracle before that time expires?
ABANDON HOPE (DAYS 1 & 2)
The cornerstones are still active and will take you to whichever city you wish to see.
Highstorm and Springstar sit like empty monuments to the cities that were once filled with life - yet the first thing you will notice is they are strangely absent the signs of the Tree’s overgrown roots, the Blight, the catastrophic damage that you can recall all too easily. Instead, each city sits as those they were summarily abandoned overnight, leaving nothing but their shells behind. There is a stillness in the air that is unnatural and unsettling. Despite the lack of any sign of the citizens of either city, you cannot help but feel… watched.
Something terrible happened here. Best you find the Oracle before something terrible finds you, instead.
The burning of a dying sun beats down on you wherever you go, unbearable heat sending waves off the aged cobblestone streets. Perhaps it is your instinct to seek refuge in the shade - but linger too long about the shadows and that feeling of eyes on your back, of being unable to breathe, of your world closing in around you will grow untenable and drive you back into the light. If you hope to explore the ghostly shell of your city in search of the Oracle - or to sate your curiosity, some problem-solving might be in order.
And while you acclimate yourself to your circumstances, you cannot help but note you feel wrong inside, somehow…
Highstorm and Springstar sit like empty monuments to the cities that were once filled with life - yet the first thing you will notice is they are strangely absent the signs of the Tree’s overgrown roots, the Blight, the catastrophic damage that you can recall all too easily. Instead, each city sits as those they were summarily abandoned overnight, leaving nothing but their shells behind. There is a stillness in the air that is unnatural and unsettling. Despite the lack of any sign of the citizens of either city, you cannot help but feel… watched.
Something terrible happened here. Best you find the Oracle before something terrible finds you, instead.
The burning of a dying sun beats down on you wherever you go, unbearable heat sending waves off the aged cobblestone streets. Perhaps it is your instinct to seek refuge in the shade - but linger too long about the shadows and that feeling of eyes on your back, of being unable to breathe, of your world closing in around you will grow untenable and drive you back into the light. If you hope to explore the ghostly shell of your city in search of the Oracle - or to sate your curiosity, some problem-solving might be in order.
And while you acclimate yourself to your circumstances, you cannot help but note you feel wrong inside, somehow…
EXPLORATION
- If your characters choose to explore previously unreachable areas, please use THIS TOPLEVEL to report when they get there in the thread! We will get back to you with what is discoverable in that location.
- The following areas are off limits for exploration: below Yima’s Manor; below the Church of Heliopolis; Alenroux; Kowloon.
- The Great Trees of both Highstorm and Springstar are in a similar state to the Tree of Life and will not respond to Communion.
- Generally speaking, items will be of poor quality. Most will look as though they’ve aged thousands of years. Others will be in half-decent shape, but sparingly so. Oddly enough, it doesn’t seem like the whole city has aged at the same rate, so especially diligent rummagers can find worthwhile supplies. Please consider this should be rare and don’t go overboard!
NOTES
Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!- Characters will have a diluted connection to the Zenith or Meridian.
- There will be periods powers are weakened or non-functional during days 1-2 (up to player discretion).
- The sunlight results in scorching; the shadows cause claustrophobia and fear while outdoors.
THE RITUAL (DAYS 2+)
The place you started your journey to Kenos is also where it seems it will end. As soon as the first Bearer makes contact with the Iconoclast effigy, you are collectively drawn to the roots beneath the Tree - like a pang sent through your Shard. Your objective has been found. The Oracle awaits.
Trusting Aetos seems like a fool's errand, but you must put your hope in the Tree. What choice do you have left? It's time to find what lies at the end of this.
Bearers descend, your steps echoing in the dark, cavernous space. Once brimming with life and vitality, the roots are now dried and brittle like the bones of some ancient leviathan that died long ago. As you make their way deeper into the earth, the deadened roots twist, leading you to a vast chamber deep within it; the air here is thick with the smell of decay, and the faint glow of luminescent fungi and mosses barely illuminates the space.
To your left, the Bearers will notice what has drawn them here - and the object of their search.
An effigy sits on the ground between two darkened tunnels. The effigy is made of gnarled, dead branches woven together in a humanoid shape; its hollow, empty eyes are sightless, yet you cannot help but feel it is watching your every move. Branded on its forehead is the Iconoclast symbol carved into the rough wood.
Once all Bearers are present, the Ritual will begin. Your means of exit have been sealed off, and you are trapped, slowly deteriorating together…
Trusting Aetos seems like a fool's errand, but you must put your hope in the Tree. What choice do you have left? It's time to find what lies at the end of this.
Bearers descend, your steps echoing in the dark, cavernous space. Once brimming with life and vitality, the roots are now dried and brittle like the bones of some ancient leviathan that died long ago. As you make their way deeper into the earth, the deadened roots twist, leading you to a vast chamber deep within it; the air here is thick with the smell of decay, and the faint glow of luminescent fungi and mosses barely illuminates the space.
To your left, the Bearers will notice what has drawn them here - and the object of their search.
An effigy sits on the ground between two darkened tunnels. The effigy is made of gnarled, dead branches woven together in a humanoid shape; its hollow, empty eyes are sightless, yet you cannot help but feel it is watching your every move. Branded on its forehead is the Iconoclast symbol carved into the rough wood.
Once all Bearers are present, the Ritual will begin. Your means of exit have been sealed off, and you are trapped, slowly deteriorating together…
NOTES
- Bearers will have access to the Ritual Chamber which is a very wide, open space with the effigy situated against the far wall from the entrance. Several smaller tunnels off-shoot from the Ritual Chamber. They all run to dead ends; some are very small or narrow. This may afford you meager privacy away from the group.
- Once a Bearer steps into the Chamber, they can no longer head back out the way they came. They’ll find themselves automatically walking back into the Chamber as if of their own volition.
- For brevity’s sake we won’t list them out again here, but the complete description of effects Bearers will experience days 2+ is available in the OOC Summary.
- The effigy is impervious to damage.
- It Is Watching You.
- In a dead-end root tunnel attached to the Iconoclast’s Chamber is the Blighted statue of an Otter that may be familiar to some… Please see THIS TOPLEVEL for more information!
THE PURGE (DAYS 5+)
The sap has festered in your veins for what feels like days. It’s impossible to tell how much time has passed; this place has no sunlight. The effigy watches as you remain trapped, huddled together around it, unable to leave as you find yourself sick with the affliction of the Meridian, Zenith - or both.
And then… something finally gives.
Though it does not move and speaks no words, you feel the effigy offering you guidance. Knowledge. Much like the Tree speaks to you in impressions and feelings, you are conveyed wisdom you did not have before: a way to take what you want and rid yourself of what you do not. A way to make your convictions known to all who would hear them. A way to be known. To write your path in blood, be it yours… or theirs.
When all is said and done, only one force - Zenith or Meridian - will gain its favor.
Show it who you are. Show it what resolve looks like to you - and what you are willing to do to attain it.
And then… something finally gives.
Though it does not move and speaks no words, you feel the effigy offering you guidance. Knowledge. Much like the Tree speaks to you in impressions and feelings, you are conveyed wisdom you did not have before: a way to take what you want and rid yourself of what you do not. A way to make your convictions known to all who would hear them. A way to be known. To write your path in blood, be it yours… or theirs.
When all is said and done, only one force - Zenith or Meridian - will gain its favor.
Show it who you are. Show it what resolve looks like to you - and what you are willing to do to attain it.
NOTES
Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!- You can Purge your alignment through various methods: Trading, Corrupting, or using the Effigy itself.
- All characters will understand the end goal is for everyone to Harmonize; the alignment with the higher rate of Harmonized Bearers alive when time’s up wins the Oracle’s favor.
NOTES
- A reminder that the Harmonization tally will take place on Friday, the 19th and be open through Monday, the 29th. The results will be released on Wednesday, the 31st OOCly.
- Don’t forget to submit any deaths to the Death Tracker, with a gentle reminder characters will remain dead until the event conclusion!
- Reminder to fill out the SETTING POLL ASAP if you haven't already!
- Have some MUSIC if you'd like. LYRICS here!
- HAVE FUN!!
no subject
[ Someone’s voice that he recognizes. Relief washes over Lucien when Rin comes nearer, and if he could uproot himself to latch onto her, he would have. An attempt to do so is apparent in how his wooden figure outstretches. Try as he might, he’s locked in place: completely stationary. Lucien seems to have forgotten how to cry in spotting the person he’s most familiar with in Kenos, and comforted simply by her reaching him, his mind is open and willing to be reached.
There’s a burst of light in the vision they share, but Lucien becomes nervous once it’s initiated. The scene around them seems to dissolve. ]
Is this place safer? I-I think people are hurting each other outside.
[ Lucien may be obtuse, but death is plain and cold enough to be understood. He’d heard some death cries from beyond for certain— violence and raised voices. In the wash of psychic union, though, he feels less anxious than he had in the physical chamber.
Rin does well holding up her act of inner strength in dark circumstances. She’s fooling one of him, but the other one, the dormant one without a say for now, knows better than to believe it. ]
no subject
[There is concern in her voice. He'll feel it as she seems to emotionally probe him for an answer he might not be able to give.]
no subject
[ The hollow lights of Lucien's eyes squint when he tries to recall. ]
No, I'm sorry. I don't.
[ It bothers him to give her an unfavorable answer, but he looks about the abyss they're in, somewhat able to relax more without the sounds of fighting and arguing from the main chamber. ]
You're starting to grow branches and stuff too. Is this still the Blight? I hope we go back to normal soon...
no subject
[Whether or not the the foliage is Blight, that is. Tohsaka reaches out to — in this imaginary space — rest a hand atop his head.]
Do you remember what happened or what you were thinking before you got trapped like this?
no subject
ᴵ ₜₕₒᵤgₕₜ ₐbₒᵤₜ Yₒₖᵒ.
[ Two voices say the sentence at the same time. Though Rin will, Lucien doesn't hear Dark's voice. There's a dizzying rush of sap to the effigy's head when he says it, but it doesn't compare to how he'd felt while dormant in Dark's mind earlier in the chamber. He feels calmer now, more numb to either perspective. ]
I got really, really sad.
[ There are no signs of Dark now. ]
I just wondered if the shard Lady Yima gave me is really enough to bring her back with. I'm scared she won't remember who I am, or something...
no subject
A shard was enough to bring you and me into this world with our memories, so why not? Though, if you want we can follow that thought process. What if she doesn't remember? Would that be completely terrible? Do you think Yoko wouldn't be friends with you again if she forgot? Would her forgetting be better or worse than being dead? Since you are stuck anyway don't feel like you have to rush to an answer. Take your time, because if you panic you won't think clearly.
[Now that she knows Lucien is mostly safe the world reminds her he's connected to Dark, too. So frequently she forgets that because of how opposite they are. But... maybe the secret to understanding them both is to always remember that fact.]
no subject
[ Lucien sits down to mirror Rin, no longer appearing as an effigy in the space of their minds. He pulls his knees to his chest. In the distance, Dark can be seen watching them. His presence is faint. ]
I think she would be sad without everybody else. Like her dad, and her other friends.
[ Lucien's unhappy frown deepens, but he tries to carefully sort his thoughts. ]
Maybe if Lady Yima could pull everyone's shards back... like the ninja guy's and the Princess's. It would be sad too if we go back and you're not there in Metalicana with us either.
[ He's getting attached to the people who reside here in Kenos too, after all. ]
no subject
[Maybe she's being to abstract for a child? But really, he's fourteen. He should be able to handle that much.]
no subject
[ He has never heard of it, but as Rin does her best at the very least to describe it, Lucien manages to follow and guess what the lost art of the Old World may have been. ]
We don't have that in Metallicana, but I think I get it. It sounds like it'd be pretty, so maybe I wouldn't mind. Maybe it just depends on which parts broke...
[ He's curious about Rin's opinion. ]
Are you excited to make a new world instead? Aren't you worried about maybe leaving certain people behind, like your parents or your boyfriend...?
[ Lucien's mind kind of hiccups. Dark's form looks a little more shadowy and prominent when he asks the latter. Lucien, though, looks innocent enough though as he asks, sincerely wondering how Rin might answer him. ]
no subject
No. I did not have a boyfriend and my parents were dead long before I arrived at the base of that tree.
[Melancholy seems to blanket her. Rest on her shoulders like a shroud. Her father dead, her mother handicapped and then dead, her sister she was preparing to kill — and her Servant dead. Emiya had been sort-of adopted as her pupil, but they weren't incredibly close. She was alone. By design.]
no subject
[ It's clear that Lucien is sad for her. That much bleeds through the communion and the space. ]
I guess that would make it easier to pick a new world instead...
[ He'd never known Rin had lived such a lonely life in her home world. It sort of explains why she's so snippy with him from time to time. ]
My world was kind of bad off too, but at least it wasn't lonely. If you ignore being under attack by zombie armies and the scary prophecies from the grown-ups, living in Metallicana was really nice.
no subject
Ah... but wouldn't you be happier with Yoko in a new world? Imagine being able to live with her without the zombie threat. You could take her to places like they have here. The gardens, the library, or you can even find a nice beach to take her to.
no subject
[ Hopeful tone of voice here. ]
The worst part is probably all of Metallicana's people disappearing. Like the head priest— her dad.
[ Lucien himself has far fewer to worry about. No family. ]
But we don't have a family anymore and we're okay, right? And maybe Lady Yima could try to take as many shards as possible with more and more people supporting her.
no subject
[Reaching out she brushes a few locks of hair away from his face. In reality he is a creepy tree effigy, but in this space... she can dote a little.]
no subject
[ Agreeing, Lucien's form begins to glow inside the space, the setting of his mind now melting away. The two of them now back to the tree chamber, it seems that Lucien slowly reverts to his usual body, tree bark falling from his outline and collecting in the sap by his former roots.
He twists side to side to make the wood at his hips fall, stepping out of the ring of effigy remains at his sides the way one does a hula hoop that's hit the floor. ]
A lot of grown-ups said that the bad guys in my world are trying to make another cataclysm happen, so I really think that's what happened when our world ended. It would be better if that kind of thing didn't happen in the new one...
no subject
Mm, yes. It's probably for the best. What kind of world would you want to make, Lucien?
[She's not terribly interested, but Rin knows how to humor kids.]
no subject
[ Lucien being Lucien, he's actually more curious about Rin's ideal world. ]
What about you? Would you want one really different than the world you were in before?
no subject
[Her vague answer implies she's not really up to sharing.]
no subject
[ He isn't offended that she doesn't elaborate. ]
Getting rid of the bad parts is a good idea. Like how I'd be taller. Oh, and since you said you didn't have one, you could make yourself a boyfriend or someone to keep you company too! I don't know why you don't have one. You seem like you would be really popular.
no subject
[She was popular in school, though. Some could say "the whole Homurahara male population" was interested in her. Except for Issei, perhaps.]
no subject
[ Maybe girls are different? Yoko isn't leaping to try and find one, either. ]
I thought a partner was something normal for people to want.
no subject
I am a mage so my priority is the pursuit of knowledge. Friends, significant others... they're all a lower tier.
no subject
[ The irony. ]
no subject
[She speaks immediately and without hesitation.]
Being a mage is not fun nor is it good. Being a mage requires you to follow a certain set of ideals and give up on the simple comforts of a normal life. You'd probably cry.
no subject
[ She seems to have pride in it despite the downs... ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)