⏳ THE SCORCHING ISLE: Oracle Event One ⏳

[beleos]

ARRIVAL

All Bearers have heard whispers of them - the Oracles. Mysterious and unknown entities of an abstract nature, they serve as the heart of each faction’s cause - both as a means to an end and a very real stepping stone in achieving their objectives. To claim an Oracle means growing ever closer to victory: to see your homes restored as they were, or to herald in a new one of your making.

So you go.

A Cornerstone has been set up for each faction; one for the Zenith and one for the Meridian in Yima’s manor and Heliopolis, respectively. They warn you that upon transportation, your safety cannot be guaranteed and there is no telling what waits for you beyond - to be prepared. To make sure you have whatever you deem necessary with you before you go, as there is no telling when - or how - you will be coming back. CONTINUED HERE...

NOTES

Upon your arrival, you woke up with an HOURGLASS NECKLACE. Please refer to the Time Mechanics on the OOC Summary and bottom of this post for details on its usage.

The COURTYARD is frozen in time. Player Characters and the Great Tree are the only signs of moving, free life in the courtyard. During the intro, time magic does not work.

Characters are free to investigate but cannot move beyond the courtyard if you choose a prompt during the intro. You may mingle among your fellow Bearers or speak with [MR. TIBBS] if you so choose. (Also? LOOK AT HIM HELP)

Iconoclasts and Stargazers will notice Aspect benefits/detriments now.

All characters will be weak for the 24 hours - think like mild flu - and unable to leave until Mr. Tibbs has dispersed them. This is the time in which any threads with the NPC will be carried out.

The INTRO concludes with said dispersal of PC’s once interactions concluded. They will be sent to a location around the castle of your choosing; they are free to move about freely from here. Your prompts can start with you waking alone or in the presence of others - whatever you’d like!

Your character will innately understand how to use time magic from this point forward. It will come naturally to them, like a skill they were born with.

CASTLE: OVERVIEW (p a s t)

The Scorching Isles is home to the Atirat, a people of sea-dwellers who have the ability to walk on land. (Think mermaids with the ability to shift back and forth between human and mermaid forms.) As such, much of the Scorching Isles is covered in large bodies of blue water and glistening pieces of ice to accommodate their lifestyle.

THE CASTLE, however, is what dominates the landscape and it's where the Shard-Bearers will be spending their time. The white castle with colorful glass windows is obscured by a thick layer of clouds and fog. Nearly every location on the island has a thin layer of fog that rolls through it, which gives the entire Island an inescapable chill. The castle has artfully built rooms with a CAVALCADE OF DECORATIVE ICE, lavish mirrors, and white plants accented with blue decorations. Several portions of the castle are submerged due to the aquatic nature of the native residents.

And everywhere you go, you find them - STATUESQUE BODIES FROZEN mid-movement. They are haunting reminders of the power in your Hourglass - the very real power to decide their fates.

The castle has many winding paths to explore, as castles often do. There are sleeping quarters, HALLWAYS, a wine cellar, and a few large rooms presumably for diplomatic affairs. Players can use these rooms at their own leisure for whatever purposes they see fit. (Exploration, combat, or supply gathering.)

However, many of these rooms will require some strategy to access their full potential! Atirat were much more comfortable being underwater than many Kenosians may be. Therefore, rooms of higher importance may be COMPLETELY SUBMERGED or require swimming through an underwater pathway to reach them. Very minimal supplies will be kept out in the open for all to reach. More desirable supplies - such as warm clothing, small weapons, treasure, and the like - will be located past or within one of these flooded areas.

Players may gather supplies within and preserve their Sand or use their Sand to make other rooms accessible and gather whatever lies within! The larger the asset you attempt to unfreeze, the more Sand it costs - and the more drained/vulnerable you will be as a consequence, so choose your path ahead wisely.

Currently, a pervasive fog is preventing you from wandering beyond the Castle's limits. Should you try to venture past it, your Sand will rapidly be stolen and you will find yourself suffering the same fate as the islanders if you don't move back to safety quickly... However, if you ask Mr. Tibbs what lays beyond the mist - he will tell you about the thriving farmland, the once-bustling village surrounding the castle, and the beautiful coral reefs beneath it. Sadly, they're beyond your reach - but maybe if the Bearers decide to unfreeze them when the week is up...

LIBRARY (s a f e z o n e)

The ROYAL LIBRARY - A treasure trove of knowledge, history, and glimpses of a fractured past scattered throughout. The lower floor of the Library is void of much reading material and contains several intricate-looking art pieces on decorative pedestals.

A spiral staircase dominates the center of the room, with its once delicate structure overtaken by sheets of formidable ice; it leads you toward the upper levels where a sea of books awaits. There are isles and isles of books, most perched on intricately carved shelves. Many books lay in piles or are discarded onto the floor, and scattered papers are common throughout.

Curious Kenosians may pick out books from the shelves and read on various topics, but players may also pass through this room on their way elsewhere. This area will function as a safe haven where violence and the taking of others' Sand is not allowed; do not disturb the books or Mr. Tibbs won’t be happy!

NOTES

Characters who wish to receive a book with lore specific to the island may comment [HERE]. You will be RNGed a book from a pre-written list of topics. The books may give you a deeper look into the island, its inhabitants, and its history! (Only 1 book per player! Please assume all other books they read are about commonly-available topics.)

THE EATING PARLOR (p a s t)

There are no basic amenities on the island. No hot water, no warm beds, and no salacious magazines (that you know of. heh heh). That would make the Eating Parlour a wise stop for anyone. After all, this could be the perfect chance to procure some provisions!

The EATING PARLOUR has all the equipment one would need for meal preparation. Dried plants hang from the ceiling, and the walls are lined with mason jars filled with every strange manner of presumably edible thing (Is that a head over there? Hmm… maybe you should check).

The parlour also comes with a garden under a massive windowed dome so that the inhabitants could have fresh produce at hand. Many plants have withered, but there are some salvageable plants if you know how to look for them. But beware… Some of the plants have a strange blue glow. These plants can spell potential disaster.

If someone should make contact with these glowing plants, they will crumble into glass shards - glass that will quickly burrow its way under the skin and curse that person with Blight. Blight will make all resources within that person's vicinity slowly age and eventually crumble to dust. (Which I relate to on a personal level tbh.) Iconoclasts will be immune to its effects.

NOTES

Please see the "Blight" section below for more information on its effects.

TREASURE ROOM (f u t u r e)

Faint singing can be heard coming from this room. Once you hear the song, it dulls your senses and leaves you in a haze. There is no stopping your feet from guiding you to it through the doors and into the Treasure room. The door slams shut at your back, sealed with a wall of ice and magic.

Players will find themselves lured to an icy chamber bordered by a ring of cold blue fire. There is a deep pond that surrounds the platform you’ve found yourself standing on. Beyond its glassy surface and crystal clear water, one can glimpse all manner of treasures - from crowns, jewels, ornate statues in various statues of repair, scepters, spears, and books that seem impervious to the water's cold chill.

As you come to your senses, you will find yourself frozen in place and at the mercy of a large statuesque being before you. This beautiful and horrifying figure in a perpetual song is the SIREN, the only Atirat you’ve seen in person. She measures nearly 20 feet (6 meters) from her head to the tip of her long-finned tail. She cradles an icy shard in her arms, singing to it as if it were a child.

She sits serenely in front of a large hourglass filled with white sand, which is bordered by a spear and a lance. Emblazoned in faint text at the base of where she sits reads: “The future lies in our hands.”

NOTES

Welcome to the Siren’s Chamber! Players must use their wit, charisma, or some good ol' fashioned elbow grease to escape the room or break the Siren’s magic. The Shard that the Siren holds contains dormant time magic that players may activate by using the Sand within their necklace. Players can access the future in 5-second intervals and use whatever they find in that time period to escape their predicament.

For example, if they activate the shard by using their time magic, that shard will begin to glow blue. The room around them will shift, and it could change to a point in the future where there is a sword nearby. If you can grab it, now you have a weapon! When the 5 seconds are up and time returns to the present, you will still have that weapon on your person. You may also try verbal communication if you’d like. If your character is someone who would try and talk their way out of a situation diplomatically, they may give it a try!

It is up to player discretion/creativity to think of a scenario you’d like. Each “future" does not have to be the same across player encounters! What one group experiences may be tailored to the player wants (because branching timelines exist). Let your imagination run free!

HALL OF MIRRORS (p r e s e n t)

Should you reach the rightmost wing of the massive castle Library, you will find a door hidden in the very back of one aisle against a wall; it looks as though the door used to be concealed by magicks that have since dissolved.

The stairwell leads down and into darkness. Once you reach the bottom, shimmering light cast from an unknown source beneath sheets of glistening ice will illuminate your new surroundings; you are in a maze of mirror-like ice. This labyrinth is silent save for the quiet creaking of shifting ice that may disquiet you and leave you uneasy regarding the stability of this area… but it holds beneath your feet.

Mr. Tibbs had told you that the “Kaleidoscope” - where your Sand is counted - rests through here, so eventually, you must brave the journey. Is it a trick of the light? Maybe the product of an especially active imagination…?

Did you just see one of your reflections move without you?

NOTES

Please refer to the OOC Summary for details on the Hall of Mirrors!

THE BLIGHT and TIME MECHANICS

BLIGHT

Blight is an infliction that will age supplies and infect people with a creeping disease that steals their Sand. For objects, this includes weapons, food, and items like cloth. It will take a few days to deteriorate things beyond use - so watching your supplies and acting accordingly is in your best interest. Generally, it will make it more difficult for PC's to get by given that their already scarce resources will dwindle and deteriorate - especially since it's 'contagious' through touch.

The Blight will not act quickly enough to severely hamper infected persons, but repeated exposure will cause effects to a person's body - notedly protruding VEINS in the face and extremities, a lower body temperature, and increased agitation. These effects start out mild and grow more severe with each 'dose.'

Characters must touch an object/person that is Blighted to become inflicted with Blight themselves. When that happens, it will become easily identifiable as Blighted from the faint blue, shimmering outline around the infected subject, as well as the WITHERED, FROSTBITTEN or ashy appearance it takes as it progresses.

However, there is one single perk with Blight. (Or is it a perk?) Players will feel reduced impact by the cold surroundings, making the climate around them somewhat more hospitable. Beware of falling victim to a chill you can't feel...

TIME

To use your Sand, each character is granted access to and innate knowledge of a spell they channel from their Shard that automatically manipulates their Hourglass. This allows the remote control of Sand (aka gathering and dispersing), as well as the ability to pull Fragments of time from Shards.

Fragments are literal pieces of you taken from your Shard. They manifest as memories or images displayed on little shards of broken glass (think of the memory being played out in real-time on the mirror's surface), and can be crushed to convert into Sand automatically, either voluntarily or by force. The only stipulation is that the parties must be close to one another, and the Fragment must be exchanged while both Bearers are still. This means someone has to give it to you, or you need to immobilize them before you take it - one way or another.

Once the Fragment is crushed, the memory and associated time of that person's life is lost and your character will suffer amnesia until the Oracle is claimed. How deep this goes is up to you; they could lose a large chunk of time - even all their memories surrounding a person or place for a big payload of Sand, or they could lose very little for a meager net gain.

Sand is automatically gathered or distributed by your Hourglass and added/subtracted to your running total. No need to micromanage. Convenient!

Please note that using Sand to unfreeze anything (resources, a door which can be then opened, etc) is an unpleasant experience. Each time you use Sand in this way, your character will be left feeling weakened and flu-like for an hour or two, which will leave them vulnerable. This effect stacks and scales up to outright KO-ing them for a few hours if they go crazy, so unfreezing too large of an area is off the table!

NOTES

• An OOC POST will be coming shortly explaining how Sand is going to be tallied and the Oracle claimed.
• Should your character attempt to unfreeze any NPC's, please respond [HERE]. NOTE: unfreezing NPC's may result in physical violence with CW's for severe mental instability/illness and a potential reference to self-harm.
• HAVE FUN!!!

CODING

Comments

[vapour]

[ ah, hi! Mr. Tibbs is very cute in all his magically little otter floating. Childe glances up towards the sky at Mr. Tibb's reference towards it. ]

Really? Does that mean it has nothing to do with the island being frozen in time?

[zauneyete]

[ Silco had just been about to pull something out from within the depths of his coat -- being raised a street kid from a place like Zaun, and going into the unknown had necessitated some supplies, and although Silco would project that he was bringing his staples -- knives and cigars -- he had prepped a good deal better than that. There's a small notebook tucked into his coat, along with pencils and wrapped charcoal, in case he needs an impression, a lockpicking kit, matches -- even though his fingers have been able to light the ends of his cigars regardless -- some wire in there, needle, some other bits and bobs in a small packet tucked into the pouch at the back of his belt.

He wasn't wolly useless, although he suspected Sebastian wouldn't have considered him quite that.

Instead, though, as his fingers were inching toward his pack, he whirled to the newcomer, and a sneer lit across his lips.

Ah. Fo figure, he would meet one of the people he'd had such a pleasant introduction to. ]

Hm. [ Eyes back to Sebastian. ] Let's break the lock.

[ Then back to Ocelot. ] I do hope you're not thinking of stealing our find from us.

Eating Parlour

[lachtara]

[ After some time, one must put the books aside and take a break to gather their strength. Such is the case for him as he finds his way to the Eating Parlour. He finds Amos among the large eatery and pays him a slight nod of acknowledgment from afar.

The wall of jars is the first point of interest, so he wanders over and picks out something that appears moderately edible. It's released with a flourish of sand - along with another jar that sits nearby - and he makes his way closer to Amos so that he may take a seat on a stool close by. ]

Eugh. These look woefully akin to military rations, but beggars can't be choosers I suppose.

[ He puts a hand on the lid of his jar and tries turning it. It doesn't want to budge. He sighs heavily and holds it out to Amos, silently asking him to do what he is obviously very good at. Please open the jar? ]

[halsband]

Nope.

[Heine nudges the unfortunate person with his boot.]

I'm not playing this game. That otter could probably free them all if he wanted.

[He only half payed attention, but this seems like more of an evaluation of loyalties than actual high stakes.]

Library

[lachtara]

[ Emet-Selch is doing much of the same. He would spend his time combing through aisles of books to absorb what information he may - after all, "knowing" is more valuable than any weapon. And he would like to know what brought this island to its knees.

It seems one of his former acquaintances happens to be doing much of the same nearby with a book of his very own. Emet-Selch looks up as they make their observation known, and he cranes his head to look at the picture. ]

So they have. Any craft can be honed with time, dedication, and practice. Seems they took that to heart.

[liuli]

I've learned quite a bit even just from our conversation, so, I would say so.

[ gu yun returns the gesture - he claps his hands together and then sets them on his book. ]

One more question, if you'll have it. What happens with you, at the end of these seven days?

1!

[lachtara]

[ Emet-Selch is far from wary when approaching anyone - even if that person happens to be on the opposing "side". Meridian allies could be just as valuable and insightful as those on his own side. No reason to throw that potential connection away for mere superfluous designations as either Zenith or Meridian.

So he approaches and stops when this stranger holds up their hand. Keeping some distance. That is a fair request. ]

If it's a place of healing, would it not be obvious why I am here?

[kenosevents]

This is my home. I would want to stay here, of course!

[ He twiiirls! And then comes to a (unnaturally) complete stop. How? Iunno. ]

But don't think I haven't seen that murderous look in some of your eyes. Tsk tsk.

[kenosevents]

[ He squeaks and squeaks. Maybe it's a squeak? Could be a laugh. Probably a laugh. ]

Oh, my dear boy, time can be frozen on a Tuesday.

[ Yes....yes it does have something to do with it. ]

[kenosevents]

[ Oh my god I hope Mr Tibbs runs like that. Wait I have the power he absolutely runs like that ty for showing us the light. Well minus the screaming. For now. I don't know your plans.

Anyway, Mr. Tibbs stops nearby and gestures with both paws to a big block strangely shaped of ice. One can feel those smooth smooth curves. ]

Like this! Isn't it so much more interesting than some old wizard? Hah...hah...

[kenosevents]

I would half think that was a pun, given your present predicant.

[ It looks like he is being beckoned! And what is that smell? Hmmmmm... Excuse him as he pops out of existence and pops right back in so he can sniff the delightful scent of tea. Warm tea! ]

Sure, sure! What might I do you for?

[liuli]

Well, [ gu yun starts, conspiratorially - pretending to look left and right and then lean in to talk behind his hand. ] If you'd heard the sort of talk before we arrived here, you might've been scandalized, if better forewarned.

[ that glimmer of amusement is still on his face as he pulls back, very playful, and then, a little more seriously, he tilts his head. ] It must be terribly boring to be by yourself, home or not, though. Many books to read, not so many people to recommend them to, like you said.

What happens if no one unfreezes any part of the people of this place, when the seven days ends? Back to waiting for another group of questionable strangers to come flounce around?

[prizeneck]

[The speed with which Heine flicks those pages also make Mamoru conclude it's not that interesting a book to begin with. The swordsman presses his lips, not in distaste or concern, but in actual consideration for what this guy is saying.]

Right, no wins but no losses, either, huh? [Who hurt you, Heine?] Must be tiresome having to look over your shoulder all of the time, though.

[kenosevents]

Here is a book please don't eat it.

David will be wandering the great halls of the Library. There are so many books around but which might he choose to look at? There's a bright yellow one nearby, perhaps that will do.

As the book slides out from the shelf you will be able to see an emblem on the cover that matches many of the standards around the castle. The royal emblem, it seems.

Inside are several maps that show pictures of a lush and green continent. There are labels that show it to be part of a nation, with this very castle pictured at the center of it all. It seems this island used to belong to a greater landmass. It can only be left up to speculation what happened to the rest.

At the back of the book are more maps, these showing the current castle in the center of a simple island. It looks unfrozen, but is still recognizable as the island where you currently stand.

[prizeneck]

[Should he laugh at that snap? Probably not, but neither Mamoru there seems to mind with that, the snicker tearing from both the flash of teeth in the mirror and the person between them. The trash-talk is all well and good, especially when he seems to be with someone this capable, and—

—'Is it? I'm in such good company here, after all.'

Wait.

Mamoru frowns.] Is he bluffing? [He can't see how many reflections are around them, after all.]

[kenosevents]

That really is edgelord wow

As Flamebringer walks down the aisles and aisles filled with unremarkable books, one may catch his eye. It's blood red with black writing and seems to be clasped shut with two small buckles.

Within the book are pages of strange creatures with a nearly illegible scrawl beside them. Some are labeled "inedible" while others are labeled "approved". Approved for what? Consumption, it seems like. Stranger still is the notes on what "time" that each of them is consumed best.

After the creatures is a section for plants and their best "time" to be consumed. It mentions that if they go "beyond" that time, it can be reserved in slight increments in order to preserve flavor and nutrients. Some of these very plants and animals may look distantly familiar to what can be found in the Eating Parlor...

[prizeneck]

[Aside from going 'Y R U RUNING?', no plans whatsoever to make Mr. Tibbs scream.

He's curious. Mamoru's shades work to capture the shape of the ice before he even steps closer to it, projecting the surface of it through gridwork into his retinas.] What am I looking at? Can you guide me?

[kenosevents]

Luckily for them, it's just a simple embrace. Nothing malicious here, just two people hugging before being frozen in time with one another.

That is until they wake up and find two strangers in the room with them.

One seems very lethargic and looks around the room as if they can't quite come to terms with the world around them. The other makes to attack - and completely misses thanks to your forward thinking. The trick is only going to work temporarily so hopefully, they have a backup plan!

I encourage more, in fact. he deserves it at this point

[settingup]

[ There's a lot happening in rapid succession, both in the literal sense of getting bowled over by a flying girl, only for an exact replica to appear an instant later, and the fact that Atsumu's understanding of this girl is getting shattered to dust at the snap of a finger.

He barely has time to register the fact that absurdly mild-mannered Gray apparently has the ability to look intimidating, before still mild-mannered Gray is hoisting him up to use him as a meat shield. He's leaning backwards at an uncomfortable angle, making a choked sound that doubles as pain and confusion.

Only to make a much louder sound a half-second later, when the second Gray smacks into them both.

Atsumu flails wildly, trying to make sure neither of the girls gets a grasp on him to use him as a shield again, as he tries to crawl out of the Gray sandwich. ]

What the hell is goin' on!?

[cutlery]

[ At the long pause, Sebastian cants his head curiously as he wonders if something is wrong, but… No, he gets to it. There’s a little note of amusement at getting called by Master, but he won’t correct it. Prone to formality as he was, it would feel a bit odd to do so. And besides, he has an inkling that Teacher is a bit more sincere about the formality than he is. ]

Not in particular, no. If I were to pick, I do prefer things warmer, but…

[ It’s a joke about Hell that Teacher won’t even get, alas. He shrugs and approaches to take a curious look into the pool to see what, if anything, may have caught his eye. ]

I have difficulty perceiving temperature as humans do. My human body is a… construction, more or less. [ That’s the quickest way to explain it, at least. ] So the senses are a bit difficult for me to recreate. Touch is not so bad at this point, but I still struggle with taste, to be honest with you.

[appeale]

[ the reminder that anyone else is around her and might be listening causes Rudbeckia to bolt upright, her book falling to the floor with a soft thud—but more than that, it's the sudden hostility that raises her hackles. Gen barely catches a glimpse of alarm on her expression before she ducks her head, avoiding his stare, fingers twisting in her skirts. ]

N-No, that's not...

[ there's no point in explaining herself. it's not like she can tell the truth: that it had been absent-minded, that she had simply found herself thinking about events in recent years before her first life ended, the anthrax outbreak in Russia ascribed to the thawing of a reindeer corpse frozen in permafrost, the discussion surrounding further viruses that might emerge due to climate change. and if she could say any of that, what would it matter? this boy didn't ask because he wants to hear it.

no, she knows that tone. she's heard it so many goddamn times in her lives that she can't even associate it with just one voice. ]

I'm sorry. [ this is how it goes: rather than trying to defend herself, it's best to accept the fault. ] You're right, it was stupid. I shouldn't have spoken.

[ragou]

[ A brief moment, where Douman wonders what will happen if he pushes Matsui into the water. And by "brief", we mean like, a good five seconds. I keep referring to his scrutiny as reptilian, because he's just a weird lizardcat with too much hair, but I also keep thinking of Reptilians, which are also basically Douman anyway. I'm so sorry I keep giving you these shitpost tags, Aki, you deserve more than this.

ANYWAY,

Douman, the Reptilian, observes an ongoing trend with Matsui: blood. Actually kind of hilarious to him, that Matsui possibly goes around observing humans and their adjacents as big skin bags full of blood. He laughs. ]

Mmm...! A noble endeavor, to be sure! Though I wonder how that thin body of yours would be able to warm so many people...

[ Wow, did Douman have to say it Like That? (he did.) ]

How do you propose to extend your aid, Matsui-dono? Perhaps this humble monk can provide some support.

[ At A Price. ]

[sharethememory]

[ Zhongli returns the question with a polite smile. ]

There is no need to apologize. It hardly can be called study at the moment - more thinking aloud to better grasp my thoughts.

[ Zhongli has been fortunate enough to not have engaged in any hostile encounters and has found the majority of the population of Kenos to be quite reasonable (for perhaps a slightly warped sense of reasonable), so he does not seem concerned at all about having another Shard-Bearer here with him. However, in response to his arrival, a small water creature with a narwhal horn (not pictured) hovers back to float over Zhongli's shoulder from whatever nook it was exploring. ]

I am. But I've also heard rumors of people restoring time to individuals only to find they were afflicted by a mysterious illness. If that is the case, I have nothing that could treat them, which results in a cruel ending for them and a net loss of time for myself.

[ He glances down at his hourglass once again. ]

Still it does not sit well with me to leave them all behind.

[ragou]

[ The familiar floats, its cyclops eye staring at Sebastian with an eerie awareness; Douman lets it circle in their periphery for a few beats, idle as he peers into the expanse of the water spreading in front of them. ]

A bit of both, I supposeー there seems to be an office of sorts at the bottom of this pool, [ he gestures down into the depths, where the faintest outline of a semi-study is visible among murky shadows. Something that looks like a desk, a cabinet, and rows of impossible bookshelves. ] And it's so often that the rooms of bureaucrats are treasure troves of illicit information.

[ Big smile. Humans simply have not changed from the time he served in the Heian court, centuries ago; he doesn't expect alien races in other worlds to be any different. ]

[hurricaneofblood]

Yummy.