festivals and mur--ahem, investigations 🎊🔍

[beleos]

COMMUNION WITH YIMA

After given some time for recovery and for Yima to hear reports of what transpired at the Tree of Life last month, a Communion message gently flows through the minds of each Shard-Bearer. They will have to choose to accept this message, and once they do, they will be greeted by Yima’s voice resonating pleasantly in their heads. She first apologizes for their harrowing experience with the Dryad, and that she hadn’t anticipated such a violent reaction from the Tree; she believes that their experiences point to an imbalance within the Tree itself, most likely brought about by the soon-to-come arrival of the Oracles.

She has spoken with Cyrus, and they have jointly decided that an investigation into the matter - and potentially the destruction of the Dryad - may be required to purge its influence from the Tree. Yima requests that any who would willingly seek out the Dryad volunteer to do so and will be outfitted with a ward against any tampering to prevent them from falling into the creature’s clutches a second time. It will take her a bit to fashion enough of these wards - but she anticipates being ready toward the end of the month.

She concludes her message with another heartfelt apology for your suffering, that she would not have sent any into such a situation she believed were truly dangerous. That being said, she takes responsibility for your ordeal and asks that if there is anything she can do in recompense, you have but to ask.

Yima will be available for Communion chatter here!

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - HIGHSTORM

Takiltu is a month cycle the natives of Kenos regard with some amount of reverence and a hearty helping of excitement: the first part of the month (November) is spent reflecting on and celebrating the differing cultures and worlds each Kenosian represents. The second part of the month (December) is spent celebrating unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time.

Each city celebrates differently, the flavor of their festivals a reflection of their people.

In Highstorm, the first thirty days of Takiltu are spent in Remembrance. The city is decorated with string lights, paper lanterns, candles, and torches to illuminate the streets in beautiful colors and shimmering magical illusory shapes. The focal point of the festival takes place in The Court, where the reflecting pool has been especially decorated with arrangements of flowers and lights. Festival stands erected around the Courtyard peddle paper lanterns as well as refreshments, fanciful decorative items, and enchanted jewelry that is said to make one’s recollections of the past temporarily clearer.

The pool itself is the main attraction, here; citizens who approach its waters and gaze into its depths will find its normal abilities to reflect memories enhanced. The images are surreal for their clarity, vivid - and normally, one is requested to look into the eyes of those most precious to them whose souls remain lost, to pay homage to their memory and sacrifices, and to wish them rebirth in the new world to come. A purchased lantern is then lit and sent skyward where it floats into the moonlight, joining the others hovering above.

But this year, there is an addition to the usual fanfare. Emet-Selch has been asked to assist with the festival; as long as he is given permission, he can recreate the memory displayed in the reflecting pool. Yima has granted him a temporary blessing which enhances his natural creation abilities - a gift for their people she is grateful for. Your character can choose what it is they see in the water - whether it’s a place, a person, or the feelings of a certain point and time, he will temporarily recreate it around you. Everyone will be able to see this conjuring and interact with it while it is functional. It will last between 15 to 30 minutes before dissolving into beads of light that slowly trickle skyward before disappearing. You’ll be told to light a lantern, send it adrift, and that this will give peace to the part of you and your Shard that surely aches. But does it…?

Elsewhere in Highstorm, the High Theater has been painstakingly decorated and aglow with magical floating motes of light; the interior has been transformed into something of an Art Gallery. The pieces within are dedications to parts of worlds long gone, as well as the people in them; some are beautifully painted landscapes of exquisite, far-away places beyond the imagination. Some are more mundane and familiar snapshots of life in a home world not too different from your own. There are portraits of families, loved ones, and those the Zenites long for most. This is their time to mourn, to grieve, and to appreciate their pasts - the pasts that will lead them to a brighter future, one day. They must move on into the future, but treasuring that which came before is equally important to them.

Should you touch any of the motes of light that are around the art pieces decorating the Gallery, you will find yourself able to feel, hear, see, and taste a piece of the world the piece represents. Some of these are warm gatherings over a dinner table with family; others are heart-wrenching expressions of loss and bitterness and pain. Be cautious which you choose. Oh, and do be careful not to stand too closely with someone else when you touch one, or one accidentally touches you - the experience is absolutely contagious through Communion.

CELEBRATION OF CHERISHMENT - SPRINGSTAR

While Highstorm’s Festival of Remembrance is a more demure and reflective time, Springstar takes a much different approach to the season. In true Meri nature, the Celebration of Cherishment encapsulates celebrating life in all forms - and that means parties! The Psychagogía is the main hub of excitement considering, but festivities can be found in almost every single district of Springstar. Wherever you go, something is happening and someone is trying to rope you into having a good time.

The city has been decorated with bright and colorful multi-purpose magical ivy-like vines that sprouts buds that bloom over the course of the month into gorgeous flowers. These flowers are considered sacred, and their blooming is a momentous time of joy and good fortune. Each flower is left intact; disturbing one is tantamount to a war crime by the natives, so don’t get observed if you try to pluck one!

The Psychagogía is incredibly lively, teeming with people and events; almost every venue is peddling some kind of ‘Cherishment’ celebratory sale or discount. The first portion of the month includes what the locals call “the meri-ment” (and seem quite chuffed about that pun), in which Kenosians are encouraged to go bar hopping and taste the wide variety of specialty ales and liquor unkegged only around this time of year. Participants are highly encouraged to share stories of their worlds and cultures, to tell those they mingle with tales of the worlds they will one day return to and why they’re special, unique - to celebrate their one-day return.

Alongside this comes a great deal of outdoor grilling, fresh meats and vegetables sending tantalizing scents everywhere you go once the evening hours arrive. Some of these food and drinks can cause… interesting… effects if you consume them in excess, especially at the Emotional Damage - so try to show restraint. It would be a bit embarrassing to find yourself strangely infatuated with the first person you lay eyes on after your fifth night out on the town, or feeling compelled to express warm feelings aloud you wouldn’t normally commit to another. Luckily, it only lasts a short period of time - but beware the wicked hangover afterward. Strangely enough, if you’re suffering, you feel oddly compelled to seek out a little TLC from someone else - someone with whom you might have some unresolved feelings toward, positive or negative. Is it longing? Anger? Jealousy? Unspoken affections? Love? Whatever it is, you're more likely to seek them out for some care.

At the Coliseum, nightly brawls between Meris take place and the usual assortment of monsters are temporarily taken out of offer. This part of the festivities is one where each Kenosian is encouraged to settle any differences or misgivings with others and to get it out of their system, cleansing them of bad mojo - “leave it in the ring,” as it were. Despite beating each other bloody at times, most combatants willingly stop before it gets too serious and fighting to the death is not permitted. You must embrace your adversary before you leave, and your ‘bad blood’ will be considered purged and settled so you can start anew.

The Empório district is celebrating consumerism, because of course it is! All the usual goods are on a considerable discount, and for a brief time, gardening tools and supplies are free! The reason for this is that Springstar’s citizens are encouraged to plant one seedling in the gardens in Katoikitikós once the flowers lining the city have gone into full bloom. It is said this honors gods across cultures and time as well as invites good fortune. You are encouraged to plant a seedling in a group or pairing, as space is limited - and there are superstitions regarding this togetherness resulting in more favorable results. Should you plant a seedling with someone else, you might indeed find that something is beginning to blossom between you… Based on your Aspects, you might find yourselves feeling closer and more connected - or repulsed depending on your compatibility. This effect will last through the month after planting. Should you check on the seedling later, its health will be reflected in the state of your relationship. Friends will find the little plant thriving; enemies will find it is sickly and dying.

For those Shard-Bearers who have already harmonized with the Meridian or who have quarters in Heliopolis, you will find the communal meals much more lavish and indulgent than usual. There may even be a taste of home waiting for you among the spreads on offer, or some comfort food you haven’t had in a while. It is encouraged to share anything to your taste - or even to share why it is meaningful to you via Communion. Or you can just eat. You do you, man.

Once the flowers have bloomed and the festivities reach their peak, one might find the city loud and boisterous and sleep a little more difficult to come by. Springstar is absolutely thriving and alive - and you, too, feel more invigorated and energetic despite any lack of zzz’s. Should you leave the city, however, this effect will vanish and you might find yourself unnaturally fatigued and in need of more rest than is customary. Returning to Springstar will slowly build up your stamina again. This effect lasts until the end of the month.

THE MYSTERY OF ALENROUX

Once celebrations are in full-swing in the cities, some characters (i.e., any characters that choose to participate in this prompt) will be contacted by Cyrus or Yima, depending on their faction or whichever they feel a stronger inclination towards if they are currently Unharmonized. Both will explain that there’s something that they’d like you to investigate, but also to prepare and be careful, since this request doesn’t come without danger… A Shard has been lost in Alenroux, and they both hope you’ll be able to retrieve it.

MERIDIAN

“I’ve gotten word that a Zenith Shard-Bearer was sent to Alenroux a little bit before you arrived, and they haven’t come back yet. Normally, none of our business, but based on what some of the farmers have been saying, I think they’ve gotten hit by Discord. If it gets high enough, well… You don’t really have your mind anymore. We can help them through Purification. Even if it’s just for long enough to calm them down, it’s better than them being trapped in madness. It might be easier to dissipate them first, though, then Purify their Shard. They were last seen heading to the Northern forests. Let me know what I can give you to help, and make sure to help each other. Good luck.”

ZENITH

"Please heed my request, though I do not ask this of you lightly... One of the Zenith's children has been lost among the fields of Alenroux come nightfall and I fear the worst has befallen them. There are dangerous elements attracted to the presence of a soul, and the likelihood our brethren has been lost... it is great. Seek out the Shard - and if you are able to retrieve it, please do so. If it has suffered corruption too great to be saved or would place you in too great a danger to take back, then... I trust you to make the merciful choice. I place this in your hands and will give you whatever you require to see it through. Look out for your fellow Zenith and work together, as I do not want to lose more of you. Be well."

Both factions will offer their recruits access to standard weaponry and armor/protective clothing. If a character asks for more, they’ll be given a weapon or a piece of armor with minor magical properties which would normally cost 1 AC token to purchase. Magical weapons are on loan however. If your character takes these and/or chooses to keep it, please note this in your Committed Actions! If they choose to keep standard weaponry, Cyrus/Yima will just be disappointed in your dishonesty. :(

When you arrive during the day cycle, you’ll also find horses and magic hoverboards to use (they go the same speed tbh), because heading North to the forests is a bit of a trek, and you might not make it there in time on foot! As the sun starts to set, you’ll see the people in Alenroux start to leave, going clearly your opposite direction. Once night falls (Nov. 9th OOC), it doesn’t take long for things to change.

There’s just a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky, which makes the rolling hills and forests much more ominous than they were during the day. And as the stories say, it only takes an hour or two before you start to run into strange creatures. Closer to the Cornerstone, there are indeed strange creatures, and while they may not all look scary, they might present different kinds of dangers such as…

• A light in the dark looks like a fairy, but stare at it too long and you’ll find yourself hypnotized by a ghastly fish will lead you to a body of water to drown you.
• An innocuous puddle may form up into a mass of corrosive goo, complete with the bones and items of the last person it came across. When you slice it, it simply creates a copy of itself, so hopefully you realize this before you’re surrounded.
• A strange straw poppet (sans pins, of course) that possesses you once you touch it and will use your body to try and fight anyone else while your consciousness is trapped inside the doll. To be freed, you only have to destroy the doll, but you’ll feel the pain of how its destroyed even if you don’t bear any injuries from it.

However, as you get closer to the Northern forests, they become significantly more fearsome…

• With a roar, a massive, multiheaded beast descends, and each of its mouths is perfectly capable of taking a bite out of you. Watch out for the snake’s head in particular, since its venom will cause you to hallucinate your worst fears.
• As you come face to face with an odd creature, bioluminescence lights up on its skin, and the spins on its back quiver with a sound like a rattlesnake’s. As the spines quiver, you find it exceptionally difficult to take your eyes off them and move as it stalks closer slowly. You can fight blind, right?
• Diving in and out of larger shadows like its water is a slimy beast that’s incredibly fast. Its teeth may be small, but its tail is a razor-sharp whip that could remove a limb if you’re not careful.

These are just examples, however. There are many creatures lurking the wilds of Alenroux, so feel free to create your own monsters with unique effects.

It's a difficult trek North, and you may be tired from hours of running, fighting, or both… But eventually, a few people do find what they were looking for. They might have even missed it, if not for how their Shards suddenly felt like they were burning. From the shadows, a twisted creature of roots and lights which what looks like many crystals in a glowing mass appears and one of its eyes locks on you. It looks like now is your chance.

NOTES

Weather summary for the first 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

Highstorm is in late fall, early winter season. Some flurries may occasionally fall and it is getting considerably cold out there! Bundle up!

Springstar is in the throes of early summer; the weather is climate and pleasantly warm for outdoor celebrations (but not sweltering). There are occasional afternoon showers, but they don’t last very long.

Notable city changes:

If you wander the Markets in Highstorm, you might notice some of the peddlers seem a bit wary of you. Hm, guess something happened around here! Probably totally unrelated, but Silco and Vander (or anyone with them) will be treated with nervous suspicion.

Similarly, if you're traveling with Set (or you're Set) in Springstar, you might occasionally find yourself getting strange looks. Ask Set why.

Faction updates:

There are no explicit changes in faction behavior at this time. This will be a staple in all future event write-ups to catalogue the fluidity of the conflict as it progresses, though, so we're including it here for posterity!

Event Notes:

The Reflecting Pool in the Courts of Highstorm can be observed normally with no addtional effects or can bring your memory to vivid life thanks to the help of Emet-Selch (and Yima). If you grant him permission (which can be handwaved), he will breathe life into whichever memory you have chosen to view! If this includes any NPC’s or interactive elements, you will be responsible for playing them out in any tags until they disappear. Please see Emet’s toplevel for any interactions you’d like to thread out with him as a part of this.

For the Gallery in Highstorm, the art depicted in and scenes experienced through the pieces are up to you to create! Feel free to go wild with any associated NPC's in the scene and worldbuild as you see fit. Highstorm holds a variety of citizens from across the multiverse, so you could feasibly go fantastical places, or experience something distinctly profound and beyond your imagination...

The drinks and refreshments in Springstar can be enchanted in just about any way you’d like, including bringing upon minor physical changes of the cute, fun, and flirty variety! Feel free to get creative (as long as you get permission from your thread partner), the Meris would also merrily insist growing extra fluffy, scaly, etc bits during the celebration will only help you party harder! 🥳

As reminders for Alenroux, once night falls, a character is not able to leave until sunrise, which is 24 hours later. If your character is dissipated, you can have a PC retrieve their Shard or the respective Faction they're allied with will send out a search party to find it. Remember to report character deaths!

CODING

Comments

[impiety]

"It does." He gives a simple reply as he stares at the body of his sister.

Pausing, he reaches into his clothes to carefully pull out a shard. His fingers gently touching the item with careful, loving touches. "I wish I had other memories I could remember of her, but we were kept apart from one another."

The Shard is gently put back away. "Father worried that if I remained in contact with her that I would start to distort as she was." The warmth and affection that he spoke with before fades to quiet irritation and rage. "He believed it was already happening due to the unnatural color of my eyes."

Yet he did have a memory of his sister that was different from this one. He had snuck to see her and she had told him his eyes were beautiful. His chin drops as he chuckles to himself. And I fear that earned you more ire from our parents.

"But yes, this gives me what I seek. My feelings have not changed." He steps forward, into the blood and milk that was swirling and mixing. "I will save them. All of them here, I will save them."

He fixes his gaze on his sister, on his father, and then onto himself. All of these people, all that they represent, he will do what he can to save them here.

[lachtara]

There were those in the world he know that would think something of the same. Some would scorn such features and call them cursed. It's an unfortunate trait of many who were weak and flawed.

"An admirable goal." One that he does not disagree with even if he can't imagine that they will have differences of opinion on how to go about it. "And what would your world look like once they are saved?"

[impiety]

"Thank you." He offers a brief, quick smile.

And he sighs as his younger self attempts to walk toward his sister. It had taken awhile for the shock to fade and the child reaches out -- of course, the shadowy figure of his father drags him back, screaming nonsense about how he can't touch that thing or else end up distorted.

"It would look much softer and beautiful than the one we're looking at now, Emet-Selch."

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch hums in soft agreement.

It is not difficult to see how this could make one twisted and ugly. Not from the appearance of this girl, but in the actions of those who claim to care for her. Stolen moments like these, between those who 'cared' for one another, would scar the deepest.

"Would you rather have a happier memory of her?" Instead of what they see now.

[impiety]

"I hate to say it, but I have none."

He openly lies to him, but does not think that it will come back to bite him. His understanding of how emotions are fed from one person to the other is limited at best, but he can only hope this lie holds up. It is his hope to breed enough sympathy for him and his cause. Because so long as a person sympathizes and hopes, they can do a great many of atrocities.

"My parents kept us apart from one another. They were concerned that if I interacted with her too much that I would end up twisted." He smiles, sad. "But--"

Again, he pulls out a shard to show to him. "Dear Yima gave me this. My sister's shard. There may be a chance for her to be born here... and maybe some better memories can be had for the both of us."

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch raises an eyebrow as he glances at the shard. Outside is a green emerald with flecks of gold, but inside of it resides a soul that is not as bright as this jewel. This soul is mournful and sad, stricken with a color that reminds him of a clouded day.

"This is a pool where you may call to those you wish to see." He says in a tone resembling irritation. "Most of those who have come here today are not in possession of a shard that houses the very soul they seek, but they still manage to see what they like."

He waves a hand at the bloodied room around them and it fades from view - all except for the chair in which the dead girl sits. As he raises his hand, she is lifted and healed in a strange light only to be sat back down in the chair. She is an illusion to be sure but one that he can converse with just as so many others have done on that day.

"Speak with her. Make your own memories."

[impiety]

"Is that so?" There is something sad about the way that he asks his question. Because it is a lie -- it is no memory that he actually had with his sister, but he should not spit on the charity that is being offered to him.

She looks no less twisted as before. Her voice is distorted due to how much her body has become warped. But still she calls to him, recognizing him as her little brother.

"Thank you." He gives him a tight smile as he steps forward. Kneeling down in front of her, he gently takes her hands in his own. His throat shudders a few times; it looks like he may break down crying, but he holds it together despite himself. "You look beautiful today."

There is honest happiness in her eyes when he tells her so; she tightens her grip on his hands. She tells him in that warped voice that his eyes are just as beautiful as she remembers them.

"You changed... you suffered... but that does not make you less. It does not make you something to hide away." In so many words, he tells her how he was never ashamed of her, of her suffering. He leans up so that he could kiss her gently on her forehead -- probably where he remembers she was shot.

As always, she looks happy. There is some honest sorrow, melancholy in each smile, however. Her hands gently pulling out of his grip to pet his hair. She begs him to forgive their parents for what happened. Concern bleeds its way into her expression, even though it has been smiling up to this point.

"Why, my darling sister, I have already forgiven them."

Her smile freezes and she looks so heartbroken. Her hands continue to pet his hair, like she wishes to pretend she never heard what he said.

"My sister was always a kind person. Do you ever wonder why such kindness ends up being hated by others?"

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch looks on as the interaction continues. This is what this festival is about - seeing those who were long lost and rekindling their memory.

In regards to the question, he provides a wistful answer. "Sometimes it is not about hatred, It is about taking advantage of those who would willingly give part of themselves." Many saw kindness as a weakness. "Do you have your own interpretation as to why?"

[impiety]

Archangel breathes in; he pulls her hands close so that he could lightly kiss the top of them. She gives him another sad, worried smile.

He breathes out; he turns back towards Emet-Selch as he lets go of her hands. "Yes, I suppose that I do." And he steps away, deciding that he should not linger in this memory when he has a point to make. "I was being too broad with my question before. In the case of my sister, my parents hated her. They would not have tried to rationalize or defend their reasons for plotting to and killing her, if they felt nothing."

Brushing his hair out of his face, he continues. "To keep myself sane, I like to believe they recognized that much about what evil they committed. Everyone can admit that much, even if it is to themselves and no one else." A step forward. "What is truly evil are those that deprive the happiness of others without thinking of them. It is not even taking advantage of their kindness, it is not realizing their actions would bring others despair."

He stops. "It is living a happy life without realizing that others suffered for that happiness. It is living that happy life and never acknowledging the lives that were ruined for it. Even if they were told, I don't think they would see the connection from how they're living to someone else's suffering."

A soft, sad smile graces his lips. "I am glad my parents hated my sister. At least, they recognized in some small way that she lived."

[lachtara]

It's an expression he does not return. Is that using misery as a foothold to achieve happiness really a noble way to live? He seems to turn over the reasoning in his mind anyhow; understanding the logic behind decisions can be a valuable thing. In the end, he seems to move on without comment.

"These conjurings only last a few precious minutes." His gaze slides toward the girl he's brought to life through the power of these illusions. "I would hate to steal those remaining minutes from you. I shall leave you to your sister, perhaps you may remember her this way as you have with the former."

[impiety]

"I doubt it, but I do appreciate it."

Archangel decides to be difficult for no reason other than this is not a true memory. It is, as Emet-Selch says, a conjuring. While he can hear his sister's voice once more, while he can feel the touch of her hand and see her sad smile, it isn't her. His sister has not yet been reborn in this world to live the life he promised her -- and those like her.

"There is nothing you are stealing... since this is something that never happened." He lets out a small laugh as he smiles warmly at him. "You've instead gifted me something precious and I don't want to do anything more to ruin it."

I don't want to ruin the lie you gave me anymore than this.

[lachtara]

Lie or no, a comforting illusion could be more pleasing than the empty truth. Emet-Selch meets his gaze but does not return the warmth in his expression. Instead, he looks past to the illusion as it begins to break apart. The minutes have passed the by quickly.

"The magic is beginning to fray at its edges. If you want to say your farewells, be quick about it."

[impiety]

Archangel gives a small nod of thanks, and turns back towards the illusion.

"Goodbye, my dear sister." He calls to her as she gives him the same sad smile that she always does. "The world that you hoped for... I'll still try to make it."

Her eyes widen as she opens her mouth to say something, but the illusion fall away. He wonders what she would say. Was she going to condemn him? Or was she going to praise him for holding onto his goals even now? It's hard to say.

"A peaceful world where people can be better than what they once were... yes, I'll keep trying to make that here."

[lachtara]

All he can do is look on as the illusion fades away. So another person among them loses sight of something precious to them.

There are countless here that would willingly do the same, if only to gain a sense of comfort in their memories - Emet-Selch among them.

"I should look forward to this world you promise." At least in witnessing the efforts towards it. Whether or not it would be the paradise promised...remains to be seen.