![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kaisoumods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
kaisou2022-03-03 10:58 pm
March Event Log
March Event
Dominant Element: Wind
Waning Element: Earth
※
It's as they say, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The early part of March will be blistery and cold, with strong winds and chilly nights. But as the month goes on, the weather will slowly warm and the snow will melt. By the end of the month, it's well into the early spring and the plants already begin to green up once more.
First Signs of GreenWith Valentine's over and done with, there's only one thing that everyone's looking forward to, and that's the arrival of spring. Shops in town are stocking themselves up with new outfits for spring and outdoor furniture. The garden shops are stocks with flower seeds and spring vegetables, preparing for the warm weather to finally come rolling in. Many restaurants will be having a special on Bara Brith (malt loaf) and Cawl (lamb stew), in honor of St. David's day earlier in the month as it's trendy this year. On warmer days, people will be finding just about any excuse to be outside and the streets will be busy with people. Enjoy some much needed sunlight everyone!
For adults looking for activities to do, with the upcoming St. Paddy's day, plenty of bars are doing their own promotional celebrations. Most of these are the standard kind of fanfare, where you get a discount if you wear green or there's beer that's been dyed green. Though there's a few quirkier promotions, such as the Deathmatch bar offering free beer for everyone until someone uses the bathroom. Work together to hold the line and your bladders.
Gacha DayThroughout the month, there's talk in Undertown about being on the lookout for good fortune. On the surface it sounds like the usual fanfare you hear from gossip - someone reblogged a lucky cat photo and came upon some money. Or someone found a four leaf clover and won the grand prize in the raffle. It's easy enough for the more skeptical to dismiss. However for those who are on the look out for lucky signs may find themselves also being blessed by good fortune. A brand new TV will appear in their house, or they'll befriend a new animal friend, or they'll discover they have a new ability. There's no rhyme or reason for what good luck will befall you, but these lucky occurrences seem to have shortly after seeing an omen of good luck. And granted...some of these occurrences might be hard to perceive as lucky. Some may even be downright cursed.
Still! Maybe it's time to keep a closer eye on any patches of clovers you come across, huh?
The DulahanThe night of March 15th is an usually foggy night. There's an eerie stillness to the world, and the wind that blows with an unnatural chill. Even the normal citizens in town feel a sense of unease, as people rush to get home. As for those more sensitive, you can't help but get a feeling of dread in your stomach. Animals too may seem unsettled, not unlike when they sense an earthquake.
It's late in the night when he shows himself, long after the streets have grown quiet. A horseman riding a horse as black as night, with his own head missing from atop his shoulders. One hand holds onto the reins of his horse, while the other carries the severed head of a woman. He trots through the misty streets of Kaisou, occasionally pausing in front of a place of residences and pointing towards those who dwell inside, before continuing on his way. If you attempt to confront him in the street, he will disappear in a sea of mist and reappear further down the road, focused on his task. Repeated attempts to confront him will eventually enough irritation that he'll pull out a whip made from human spines. Being hit by this whip will render them unconscious until morning.
It's not clear until morning what the Dulahan was after, but when the first rays of morning come through, the horror will sink in. Every person that the Dulahan singled out? Is now missing from the city - whisked away into the Spirit Realm.
New Gate: Tír na nógThe following morning, March 16th, a new message from Zodiac is sent out
ALERT: SHIFTING GATE IDENTIFIED IN BRICK ALLEY.
Element Classification: Unknown
Danger Level: S
Designation: Tír na nóg
ALERT! A highly dangerous gate has been discovered in Brick Alley. It's already been linked to disappearances across the city. Zodiac is currently investigating but we ask all available people to help investigate and recover the missing people. Please visit the Zodiac office for any supplies. Use caution when engaging with denizens in the realm.
Going to the Zodiac Office, you will find that it's a lot busier than normal. Several Zodiac employees are coming in and out, talking and using tech as they try to sort out the scale of what they're dealing with. Professor Willow is there too, there to help with consultation. According to him, it's a Dulahan that was spotted last night- though his own information is limited to what's known in popular myths. His specialty is more on animals found within the spirit realm, not mythological figures. Notably, it seems he's managed to befriend a Meltan from last month's gate.
Zodiac will supply weapons made from iron, as well as packs of food. If you press them for more information, they will suggest not to give your name or consume any food while within the spirit gate. If you need motivation than saving your friends to help, Zodiac is more than willing to pay you for your services. As for the location of the spirit gate, they will mention that it might be a little hard to spot this time, so keep your eyes peeled!
Hard to spot will turn out to be an apt description. When they arrive in Brick Alley, there's no obvious standing tall gate as there were the previous two months. Instead, they will have to search around until they find a circle of mushrooms that have popped up on a patch of grass. These mushrooms are impervious to harm, and you'll have to stand in the center of them if you want to enter the realm. It'll take a moment or two to activate, leaving you feel a little awkward as normal people pass by and stare at you standing in a circle of mushrooms, but hold fast, because soon you'll find yourself warped into another realm.
The landscape of Tír na nóg is beautiful, looking like it came out of the pages of a fairy tale. Golden sunlight washes over lush meadows and forests ahead of you. Behind you, are tall rocky cliffs that drop down into the raging sea below. In the distance, there is a castle that stands on higher cliffs and looks like the only place of civilization in this realm. If there's any spot where the kidnapped folks are being held, it's there. You must travel through a long winding path through the forest in order to reach it. The forest is full of wildlife that's more like Earth's, but you can't but get that feeling that you're being watched. You better hope that you ate before you left or brought food of your own, because the trek takes long enough that the unprepared may find themselves feeling famished by the time they make it to the castle.
When they reach the castle, they will find the place guarded by several Fae guards along with a couple mythical beasts. They will allow entry, but only if they leave behind any iron they have on their person. If you agree to do so, they will be rather welcoming, offering refreshments for any weary travelers. Curiously, if you inquire about the other people that were brought here, the fae will seem to be of the belief that the people they're talking about have been guests at the castle longer than they've been missing, by several days in fact. What in the world is going on?
As for those who act with more hostility, well: prepare for a fight. The fae would prefer to talk things out, but they aren't afraid throw down arms when faced with violence. What more, they wield much stronger magic than anything the characters currently have. Don't be surprised to see yourself be turned into a small animal for your troubles. Only apologizing to the fae or leaving the spirit realm will reverse the effects.
Waking up at the CastleThose who were kidnapped by the Dulahan will wake up to find themselves in much nicer accommodations than you'd expect for being kidnapped. You wake up in your own personal guestroom in soft beds. Fae attendants will come in to check on your needs, checking if everything is to your liking while any requests to go home seem to fall on deaf ears. While this place is much more medieval in terms of technology, they seem determined to make your stay as comfortable as possible. You are even allowed to leave your rooms to wander the halls to see others in their guest rooms, though for a least the first morning they block you from leaving the guest wing. It should also be noted that anything made of iron has been removed from your person.
At midday on that first day, the kidnapped characters will be invited down to the main hall of the castle for a grand feast. Any type of food you could possibly desire, as well as foods you've never heard of, are laid across the giant banquet table. The fae are friendly and more than curious to learn about their new "guests", asking personal questions and encouraging them to eat up. The fae themselves come in all shapes and sizes. Some look like classic fairies while others more otherworldly appearance. It's only when they've made sure enough of their new guests have eaten and shared their names do the head of the fae announce their reason for bringing you to their realm: they could sense something special about you, and have decided to have you joined the fae. It's been a long time since they've had anyone bolster their ranks after all.
After this announcement, the fae will allow the guests to travel where they wish. You can explore the realm or spend time with the fae as you like. However if anyone who ate the food or gave their name will find that even if they reach the gate, they won't be able to use it to get back to Kaisou. For now, you're stuck in the spirit realm.
Life among the FaeOne thing will become obvious when the kidnapped meet up with their would-be rescuers: time flows differently in this realm. A single day in Kaisou is several days in Tír na nóg. By the time the would-be rescuers have found the people they were looking for, several days have passed - more than enough time for the kidnapped to explore and experience this realm on their own. The fae themselves aren't too concerned about the new arrivals, and will treat them as guests as well. It's not like they have a way to ESCAPE after all. Though just like those kidnapped- any who share their name or eat the food will also find themselves stuck in the spirit realm. Whoops.
The fae are friendly and playful race. While they rarely give a straight answer, they enjoy playing games and hearing stories about places outside the realm. Some of their games include riddles, fishing, or playing with balls made of sheer gold. However, their good nature will quickly sour if you do anything to cross them. Attempting to cheat, steal, or honestly any perceived slight against them may result in you getting cursed with magic. This magic will either turn you partly or fully into an animal, depending on the severity of their rage. Though at the same time, getting endearing yourself too much to the fae may also end in your body getting changed, with them deciding to "bless you" by granting you fae-like features.
It's not just the fae you need to be wary of. A popular dish among the court is called the "Fish of Knowledge". It's a type of salmon that admittedly tastes extremely good. However anyone who consumes it will find it having an effect on their memories. AU characters may find all their AU memories getting swapped for the memories of their canon counterpart, now even more lost and confused to what's going on here. Otherwise, characters from other worlds (and any AU characters that rather go this route) will find themselves becoming an expert in a random field of study. Never went to medical school? Doesn't matter, you now have a PhD worth of medical knowledge in your head, or any other subject that you feel apt.
The RescueAs much as the Fae want to keep their new friends, it's not like you guys can actually stay forever. Eventually, they'll be able to strike a deal with the leaders of the Fae. If they can retrieve the head that the Dulahan carries and bring it to Gwenffrwd well atop the mountain (there's murmurings among the court whether it's ACTUALLY a mountain, this seems to be a contentious opinion), everyone will be allowed to leave the realm. They'll even be nice enough to give back your iron weapons for this quest -- once you leave the castle grounds, that is.
Finding the Dulahan will take some work, as he wanders the bogs of Tír na nóg. These bogs are treacherous, where taking the wrong step could lead you to fall under the murky waters. No matter the time of day, it's dark and gloomy in these spots. Will-o'-the-wisps appear as lights floating over the bog, intent on leading people off the path. Undead skeletons are also found in these bogs, and they are more than happy to try to get you to join their undead horde. When you do finally find the Dulahan, you'll have to be careful to make sure he doesn't run off before you can grab that head. Not only that, but his power is stronger now that he's in the Spirit Realm, meaning his attacks might do more than just knock you out for awhile. Teamwork is likely your best option here.
Once you have retrieved the severed head (which is the real severed head of a woman, wonderful), it's time to go up the mountain(?)! Away from the bog, the path up the mountain(?) is winding but straightforward, but it'll turn out about three-fourths up the mountain there is one teensy little detail the fae left out. And that detail being that the path to the well is being guarded by a large, fire breathing, red dragon. It seems some fae have even gathered around to spectate the whole encounter, because who are they to turn down free entertainment?
Good luck guys!
If you manage to find a way past the dragon, then the rest of the trip to the well is pretty straightforward. Drop the head into the waters of the well, and there'll be a glow of magic. All characters, regardless of if they ate the fae food, will be allowed to come and go from this realm as they wish.
While for those trapped in the realm, it'll feel like they were there for a month -- once they return to Kaisou they will find they were only gone for 1 IC week (the 15th to the 22nd). You're welcome to deal with the consequences with work or school that'd happen for being missing for a week, though if you rather not then you'll find that Zodiac stepped in and was able to give believable excuses for your absences. It's uh, a little unnerving how good they are at handling explaining people disappearing, honestly
Any knowledge or memories that your character gained from eating the fish will disappear, becoming fuzzier and fuzzier until it's hard to recall anything they learned. As for any animal/fae features they received from Fae magic, it is optional whether or not they will stick around for any amount of time.
For the rest of the month, characters are allowed to come and go into Tír na nóg as they wish. The fae will be sad that you won't be staying with them forever, but they are still happy for your company. With the crisis averted, Zodiac will once again offer paid incentives to bring back items from the realm. Those gold balls in particular are of interest to them, but don't let the fae catch you thieving. And per usual, there'll be penalties for anyone who doesn't return the items that Zodiac loaned out.
The dominant element this month is wind! Anyone with an affinity to the wind element will find themselves boosted throughout the month. This could mean a boost to their power, having more energy, feeling more inspired with creativity, having better luck on different attempts -- the boost can manifest in all sorts of different ways. By contrast, anyone with an affinity for earth will be experiencing the opposite. Perhaps their powers will be weaker, they have less energy, they're having a creative block or general worse luck - again it can manifest in all sorts of way and players are free to play with this mechanic as they'd like.
Memories gained by eating the fish will not remain, but characters are welcome to retain any animal features. If they were turned fully into an animal, they'll find they are now able to shift between human and animal form. Nice! (EDIT: Details on the feature have been elaborated on here.)
Any fights or interactions with NPCs will be handled by the players! Feel free to thread out things however you'd like! If you have any questions, please ask them on the plot questions thread below! The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here.
no subject
A sparkly room... perhaps gold?
[ Do Fae simply leave their possessions around? He's starting to think that they shouldn't take things on a whim. It has to be something of importance. ]
no subject
I can have a look further ahead, I have an okay range with my eyes at the moment.
[It's not as expansive as she's used to, but it could stop them from aimlessly wandering around.]
no subject
[ Technically he could stealth and go ahead, but it's wiser to send something disposable. He's not questioning Ana's abilities when it's quite on par with a few people he's seen back home. ]
no subject
[With that, the eyes flicker back to existence - drifting down the hallway, peering into rooms and down other corridors. Ana humming softly before she grimaces, her eyes spotting the Fae that turned her into a cat in the first place.]
I haven't found anything yet, but I did find the one who turned me into a cat... [And it would be really ideal if she could change back, especially after getting harrassed earlier. But that means she should... probably... apologize............]
no subject
[ Phantom doesn't know that apologizing will revert it, but he thinks this might be an opportunity to negotiate at the least. ]
no subject
[She slumps even more at the approaching dread of swallowing her pride, but she can't stay like this. So, with great reluctance, she starts to drift in the right direction.]
So I'll probably have to apologize to get them to fix this.
no subject
[ He says this quietly; not a trace of sneering or ridicule. He says it just as it is. ]
no subject
[As much of a stubborn idiot she is, even she knows there's a limit. So with a deep breath and gritted teeth, the cat drifts over to the Fae who is lounging about in a small, elegant tea room.
Of course they aren't happy to see her, and Ana really doesn't want to do this - but she forces herself through it. There's back and forth for a while, before the Fae finally decides to forgive her and change her back.
So gone is the flying fluffy cat, and now in it's place is a young, blonde woman with black wings.]
Phew... I thought I was gonna be stuck like that forever. [Judging by how the Fae giggles at that, it maybe have been a possibility.]
no subject
He's looking rather noticeably at her wings when she comes back, though his attention quickly snaps back to her face, as is polite for conversation. ]
Welcome back. [ Pause. ] I apologize if this is an untoward question, but... is there a reason why you have those wings?
no subject
Glad to be back! [Though, huh... He's actually the first person to ever ask why she has them. Most people just turned the other way about it.]
Oh, it's because I'm half angel. So I was born with these. [She has no reason to hide her heritage anyway.] It's also why I can do that weird eye thing too.
no subject
[ He appears to accept that fact without further questions. She didn't seem to be a denizen of the Spirit Realm, so she must be one of those otheworlders that he's heard about. ]
We should move.
[ To the next hallway, or somewhere that might give them a clue. ]
no subject
[Once more she summons her eyes, and they drift on further ahead. It's only after some walking that she comes to a stop, canting her head slightly as she "looks" at something.]
There's an open doorway being guarded up ahead... I can see something shining inside, maybe this was the "sparkly room" that fae was talking about.
no subject
[ He isn't actually able to see what she's talking about right now, but you know. ]
I could conceal myself and investigate. [ If she's ok with it, that is. ]
no subject
[He's the sneak expert here, so if he feels he can go investigate then she'll be trusting his skill. Especially since she's as subtle as an angry bull in a china shop.]
no subject
[ Phantom vanishes from sight and moves towards the room. Inside is... well, a room filled with the golden balls that Zodiac told them to look out for. There are so many... surely it would be possible to take a few without anyone noticing, right?
He doesn't see any traps for now, but the fact that the room is just left open like that is a little suspicious. After a minute or two, he returns to where Ana is waiting. ]
There are a lot of gold orbs in that room. No traps... not on the surface, at least.
no subject
We should probably be careful, but they shouldn't miss an orb or two.
[Because she has rent to pay and two roommates to feed, she needs the money!!]
no subject
[ It's only now that he starts to think about what consequences might come out of stealing from the Fae. Then again, the Fae have stolen actual people. Maybe this is a way of payback. ]
Two, then. One each.
[ All they need to do is to walk in, and walk out. Phantom keeps his senses on alert, watchful for any sudden movement or potential threats. ]
no subject
[Since it really is only fair, after they kidnapped some of their own. So there's zero regret as she walks in, her "eyes" still drifting around to keep watch - but as far as she can see, there doesn't seem to be any traps.
She does reach to snap up one of the balls of gold though, quickly moving towards the door once it's in her hands; they're all good so far... But she really doesn't trust this quiet.]
Okay, got mine, let's get going!
no subject
[ Phantom takes one as well, bolting after Ana as soon as he's able - and not a moment too late, for a low rumbling begins to shake the entire room and a large golem-shaped creature appear from beneath the pile of golden balls as if a colossus rising from sand.
Oh dear. ]
Run!
[ There is a guardian. There is always a guardian. ]
no subject
[Of course there's a catch, of course there is. But she will at least send out her eyes to act as a distraction, glancing behind her to make sure Phantom is keeping pace.
It irks her to run and not fight, but she's had enough of dealing with fae bullshit today.]
no subject
This is not good. Well, this isn't the end of the road for them, either. He has an ace up his sleeve still. ]
Catch!
[ He throws his orb to Ana's direction, then stops running. ]
I'll hold it off. You go on!
no subject
Instead there's a golem on their asses, and... And Phantom is throwing his orb at her, which she catches with a stupefied look.]
What the fuck? I can't just leave you here! [Can he really hold this off on his own? He's always seemed more stealth focused, so she's just a little worried.]
no subject
[ As if confounded by their sudden lack of evasive maneuvers, the golem comes to a slow stop. It's definitely intent on punching them in the face, though.
Phantom takes off his collar and fastens it around his arm instead. ]
We shall meet again outside. [ He says it as if he's confident... he knows he won't die, his patron won't allow it. The more important thing is to evacuate anyone that might be caught in the crossfire. ]
no subject
[She takes a few steps back, vivid red eyes flicking from the golem and to Phantom.]
Ten minutes. If you aren't out in ten minutes, I'm coming back!
[And fuck whatever this... weird power does, like she'll let that stop her. But she'll be trusting him for now, turning on her heel and rushing to the exit.]
no subject
That was probably why he asked her to leave.
Once she's outside, she will no longer hear the black song. Everything is a perfect picture of fairytale forest, until a very distant boom that might suggest a certain golem falling to pieces.
Ten minutes pass. Phantom has not left the castle. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)