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

[zauneyete]

[ Silco in his angry spiral paused. It's a very good thing that Sebastian had restrained the man, as it is, Silco would find an entire reality to burn before he was satisfied, if left to his own devices. He takes it all personal, from the smallest slight -- but then again, if it all reminded him of --

Well, it's of little matter.

His lips curled at the question, almost an actual smile, or as close to genuine as the man can get. Because he thought of himself as a shark in a pond, and -- at least while the Contract held -- Sebastian was another shark that wasn't a threat to him.

Which, you know, would likely change at some point. He wasn't an idiot. However, he saw no need for cruelty, or denial. Not when questions like this were testing the waters on what Silco would allow. And why would he care about what happened to the Dryad's soul. There were few lines, that Silco would not cross, after all.

Sebastian might have chosen one of the men who lacked in the most power in Kenos, but he was one of the most bloodthirsty. So it's with that same smile, that he said: ]

You weren't joking, when you said you're a gourmand, hm? As long as you don't steal Jinx's kill, I don't care if you eat it.

[ A flash of a sharper smile. ] I hope it suffers, when you do.

[cutlery]

Not at all. I have the luxury of being selective, so why would I waste my time with anything but the most exquisite or novel souls?

[ This… could be a compliment for Silco, though it would likely be the oddest one he’s ever received, even indirectly. Of course, considering Sebastian’s tastes for a soul, it might not be all that complimentary in that context. But regardless, he’s pleased for the permission since he doubts many of his masters would have allowed him his hungers. It was a bit too close to looking at their future. ]

I should be able to snatch up its soul before it truly leaves, at least. Though it may be… [ He trails off with a thoughtful noise, then shrugs ] —Inelegant. Taking a soul while it is still alive is a bit more dignified but snatching it before it moves on is not so. Its agony should be exquisite, though.

[ A thought occurs to him, and his smile grows enough to show some of those sharper teeth that his polite smiles generally keep hidden. ]

Why, if you would like, you may Commune with me while I do it. I believe you would enjoy experiencing such a complete death as I do.

[zauneyete]

[ Some people, who were perhaps a little more adept with the arcane (eyyy) would think about the offer, and what it meant. After all, wasn't that going to be what Sebastian did to Silco someday? Consume his soul? Perhaps even Silco, for all of his clumsy knowledge about the forces beyond his control, could put two and two together.

But the difference was that the Dryad had done something to him -- and Jinx. It had made a grave mistake, and therefore, Silco thought of as if it should be tortured. he wanted it to suffer, and if there was a way -- even in death -- for it to die even more completely? For its soul to wither and crumble.

He smiled. ]

Now wouldn't that be quite the treat? I would enjoy that experience.

[ He blinked -- a single eye closed, but the other one watched Sebastian, almost delighted by the offer. How could he not enjoy that? ]

[cutlery]

[ It’s not as if Sebastian expected any other response, but he’s delighted with it all the same. While he still largely hated the process, Sebastian has been realizing how Communion can be useful in Kenos. He can send the pain of his own death crashing into someone’s mind. He can think of plenty of other memories that he could force through as well, making a whole new dimension to torture to explore. But this is the best version he could hope for.

Silco may not think of himself this way, but he’s a project for Sebastian, just as every soul that agrees to his terms is. He’s shaping it into the flavors that he loves most, which are all the complex feelings that come from someone giving into the worst parts of themselves. Granted, it wasn’t his impression that he would have to do all that much work in Silco’s case. He has a guess that he’d done most of that work himself well before they’d met.

But if he can encourage him to embrace them further?

Why, that’s delicious. ]

I had a feeling that may be the case.

[ Despite his vicious thoughts, his voice and laugh are as smooth as his smile slips back to one that’s more controlled. It’s still one tinged with cruelty, but it’s not so openly showing his nature. ]

And besides, it may simply be an interesting intellectual exercise if it works! I would be rather interested myself to hear what the experience is like from your point of view.

[zauneyete]

[ Can't believe Mr. "Make Them Worse" himself is also being made worse.

Silco laughed, and it's not quite indulgent, but it's close. His tone says, very clearly, that he appreciates the offer. He can expect what Sebastian means by "point of view", of course, but... Silco didn't feel fear over the eventual fate he'd been pulled into. It was just a soul, after all. Excruciating pain was nothing, agony, nothing.

It was power Silco wanted, and he wanted to hurt his enemies -- and yes, that included the Dryad. It was like a little free bonus, to get a little more pain and misery doled out as a part of it. ]

I'll be more than willing to share. It's a unique opportunity, I suppose, to get to feel that while you consume it? A bit like...knowing how the steak feels when it's being eaten.

[cutlery]

[ truly a match made in hell ♥ ]

[ Sebastian shakes his head, but it comes with a thoughtful noise. ]

Ah, no, it is not exactly that. It is more…

[ Another thoughtful noise bridges the gap as he considers it further since it’s a bit difficult to explain. Sebastian loves to learn, to experience new things, but deeper than that is a desire to understand. It’s not for anything sentimental, but rather, a combination of what he’d call a professional interest and a personal one. The better he understands his prey, the more effective he is as their predator, of course. But it’s not so simple as that. He’s unusual for a demon since he finds humanity incredibly interesting. Like a scholar bridging the gap between two cultures that have never overlapped, he wants to understand humanity just for the sake of it.

It was also something he had gotten a taste of. Recently. Mr. Jamison’s magic was unusual, a sort of Communion that was more revealing and intimate, but… He had understood, if for a few brief moments, what it was to be human, just as Matt understood what it mean to be the sort of demon Sebastian was. It’s more the thrill of that he wants to chase. ]

Allow me to start with this—my sense of taste is entirely different from your own. Human food tastes horribly foul to me. I only eat or drink for appearances, as the experience is terribly unpleasant. And so, I have always wondered in turn, what must eating a soul be like to humans? I speak of it in “taste”, but that is an analogy, honestly. The way I experience the process is simply a sense you do not have. So, would that not be interesting to perceive through your experiences? Inherently, you possess things I can never have, and they shape you.

[ And, thinking of how the process has gone with Matt again, he adds: ]

Presumably, the reverse shall also be true. You would know what it is to be a demon, in part. To be the abyss which swallows up Light. If you will forgive the turn of phrase, it may well be an illuminating experience.

[zauneyete]

[ That last one truly caught Silco's attention.

His mouth formed into a small, slight quirk of a smile, so interested in that. Certainly, it must be unpleasant to eat or drink if it was naught but ash in ones mouth, and he'd seen some come down to Zaun and sample their food, only to be left...disgusted in the end. He could imagine it to be similar -- perhaps more intense as a whole -- but he at least has context for that.

He could see it being similar, if anything from the taste of this "soul". He did want to sample it, he wanted to see if it would truly be as foul as food was for Sebastian, or if it would be different, with his limited palate. Perhaps he would even like it? Who was to say?

He was interested in trying that part out, but more than that... ]

I can assure you, the food standpoint alone, if anyone could like it -- a Zaunite might. [ It's said with the twist of his lips, into a joke. After all, they were... odd types, down in the undercity. ]

I would be interested to know the second, however. I wonder what it's like, to have a hunger that's only occasionally satisfied?

[ Or to have such power? Or to be a part of something so dark, so encompassing...

That flash of hunger in his eyes didn't even need to be hidden. ]

[cutlery]

[ It’s rather funny to hear Silco say that. Because just by the look in his eyes that Sebastian has seen a few times now, he wants to respond with “You already know.”

But that wouldn’t suit his purposes. It’s a taste he’ll be happy to offer. After all, he’s sure the feeling is one Silco would chase but never catch. Just from how Matt had described it back to Sebastian, he’s sure that the power that thrummed through Sebastian like blood through veins would be intoxicating.

The irony of presenting that kind of chase to a drug dealer isn’t lost on him. ]

Well! Hopefully you may find out for both. I admit, I am slightly more interested in the first, if only because it would be terribly unfair if they were also delicious to you…

[ He’s teasing, of course, and his light tone carries no trace of what he was thinking. ]

But to only satisfy your hungers on occasion is not so bad… Since I do not need to eat very often, it at least allows me the luxury of choice, after all.

[zauneyete]

[ Silco doesn't know what it will be like yet, but Sebastian will understand soon enough that Silco's just as susceptible as Matt was to that hunger. Sebastian's play is perfect, really, as Silco's own ignorance regarding anything metaphysical will absolutely be something he struggled with, like sand through his fingers, when he tried to grasp a concept of it.

As it is, he only thinks of the satisfaction that could come from having a rarely-satisfied hunger sated. ]

Hm, I suppose that's true. A Dryad's quite the novel choice, too. We'll see if it sates your hunger along the way.

[ And, he'd get to do something interesting with it, at the same time. ]

I suppose, though, until it happens...

[ His eyes slid toward the end of the alley, an indication of where Silco was going, and an implicit invitation... if he so chose to join him. ]

[cutlery]

[ He feels a natural satisfaction at reeling Silco into such an indulgence, but it’s at least one he’s well-practiced at keeping to himself. So Silco is just given a nod, though Sebastian is the one to gesture elegantly into the alley. It’s probably a slightly mischievous gesture, considering he’s aware of Silco’s distaste for Sebastian playing at being a butler. That, and the comment he adds. ]

Of course. I believe I have kept you in the sunshine long enough, hm?