![[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}
kaisou2022-02-04 09:08 am
FEBRUARY EVENT LOG
February Event
Dominant Element: Fire
Waning Element: Wind
※
The coldest part of winter is now over with! While there's still snow on the ground with the occasional snowstorm, the weather has become much milder. So long as you have a decent jacket, it's not unpleasant to be outside. Perhaps on a romantic stroll, considering the time of year.
Love is in the AirFrom the beginning of February, stores are fully decked out with red, pink and white decorations for Valentine's Day. Just about every place has some special sale going on for the day, whether it candy shops selling candy hearts or floral shops being filled with roses or roofing companies desparately trying to convince you that new roof tiles are a romantic gift, really! Restaurants are pulling out all stops to get ready for the romantic holiday, with specials and discounts for any romantic couples - or really, any pair of people willing to pretend to be dating for a discount.
On top of the usual Valentine's day faire, a new drink seems to be all the rage! The Cosmos Canyon will be the newest fad drink found in any alcohol serving establishment in the city. Online, there's many tutorials about how to make the drink, as well as non-alcoholic versions for those too young to drink! Besides the new drink, many florists will be selling glaze lilies among their bouquets. They are a popular flower, seen as a nice romantic flower alternative to roses. Strangely enough, the people around the city act like glaze lilies have always been around, but you can't remember seeing these flowers before.
It's not just the normal shops that have gotten into the holiday spirit. In Undertown, several shops and apothecaries are selling magical products of varying effectiveness that are revolved around love. Aphrodisiacs to spice up the bedroom, courage potions to give you that boost to confess your feelings (some of the cheaper ones smell suspiciously of alcohol), crystal ball readings about your romantic prospects - stuff like that. Some of these products are legitimate, but there's many scams so watch out! If you're looking for something like a love potion, you'll be disappointed, as those are generally seen as taboo and the few shady vendors that do sell the potions will be scams.
Cupid's ArrowsThroughout the month, the spirit vein in the sky will occasionally flicker pink before an arrow with a heart tip comes flying out of nowhere. If a person is hit with an arrow, it will dissipate in a glitter of hearts and they will feel a compulsion to be near the first person they see for the next few hours. The feelings they may feel towards their intended target could be insistent curiosity, an intense need for friendship, romantic, or familial - but whatever it'll be, this person is their new obsession until the effects wear off. The strength of the effects will be based on how lonely the person hit is. The more lonely they are in general, the stronger the effects....
On the other hand, if you find an arrow lying on the ground that hasn't hit a target, characters who pick it up and poke other people with it will hear the people's true opinion about them - unfiltered. Each arrow will allow you to poke up to three people before it dissipates into heart glitter.
The Gate: A New Faction Appears!On February 15th, a new message from Zodiac is sent out.
SHIFTING GATE IDENTIFIED IN BLUE FISH PARK.
Element Classification: Unknown
Danger Level: A, Hostile Creatures
Designation: Kanto
A new shifting gate has been located in Blue Fish Park. Early reports suggest the realm contains a high population of unidentified animals. Many of the animals exhibit special abilities unseen in Earth fauna. Currently no civilians have been harmed, and the area has been blocked from the public for safety. Zodiac has partnered with P.O.K.E.G.O. and will offer rewards for information and gathered materials. Please visit the Zodiac office in Undertown for more information and equipment.
ETA: Beware of the tall grass.
If you head to the Zodiac offices, you will be greeted not only by the Zodiac customer service, but a new face as well! Professor Willow is a researcher from POKEGO, a group that's well known for their devotion to researching the Spirit Realm for knowledge sake. After the reports of the Helheim Gate last month, Professor Willow decided to come to town and research the unusual paranormal activity in the city. A middle aged man, he's friendly and is happy to talk about any creatures that come from the Spirit Realm, as that's his research specialty. As such, he asks anyone interested to please collect data on the creatures in the shifting gate. Photos, drawings, observation notes, samples -- he'll be happy to accept anything that helps further knowledge.
The Zodiac operatives meanwhile, are much more interested in the material goods this realm has to offer. For those who want low risk work, they'll request for batches of berries to be gathered. For those more daring, they'd like a captured specimen to be brought to them. The more interesting the specimen, the higher the payout. The highest payout will go to anyone that manages to bring them a "large rodent that yields electricity" To do this, they will supply some animal tranquilizers and a net made out of the Hel's bramble gathered last month. These nets are stronger than normal rope, and will withstand most normal attacks and weak magic attacks. Weapons are also available, for anyone feeling the need for extra protection. Finally and most curiously, they'll offer mountain bikes for anyone who wants a faster way to get around the realm. How handy?
Once you're all geared up and ready to go, the gate can be found in Blue Fish Park in one of the soccer fields, which has now been closed off to the general public due to a "sinkhole". It's easy enough to slip past the barricades. The gate itself is newer looking than gate last month, almost resembling an archway you'd find in a park. Warm air emanates from it, in sharp contrast to Kaisou's winter weather. Once through, you'll be treated to a vibrant wilderness, covered in tall grass, beautiful flowers and green trees. The weather is closer to early summer than winter, and the sun feels warm against the skin. Compared to Helheim last month, this place is a virtual paradise.
At least, until you run into some of the dangerous wildlife the message warned about. Scattered all over the realm are creatures not seen on Earth. These creatures will range from harmless and friendly to extremely hostile and dangerous. Attempting to capture any with the net may prove difficult, as they will use their special abilities if they feel threatened. Stepping into the wrong cave could get you a whole swarm of Zubats flying at you, and fishing for Magikarp might incite a Gyrados attack. And much like the Zodiac message warned, wandering through any tall grass patches is particularly dangerous as that's where many aggressive creatures lurk.
However, that doesn't mean ALL the creatures are out to kill you. Depending on your actions, you might have a wonderful time playing with Eevees and other cute critters. Many of these creatures don't have any fear of humans, and will approach on their own or be coaxed over easily. Someone with good animal skills might get to live out a disney princess fantasy, so long as they don't accidentally attract any hostile ones. For those who wish to gather berries, there's thickets and trees full of various types. Gather them for Zodiac, or use them to make more animal friends.
The size of the Realm is immense, with the landscape spreading for miles. One could feasibly spend days hiking through the varying biomes. Forests, swamps, rocky hills, sandy beaches, sprawling cave systems - this place has it all. The easiest way to get around is by using a mountain bike on worn down trails, or with a car if you want to figure out how to drive one through the gate. If someone is really devoted to mapping out the realm, they'll find it's a massive island about 30 miles in total diameter, surrounded by a deep blue ocean that goes on until the horizon.
The TownAs one makes their way across the realm, it's clear no humans live in this place. However, there are the occasional sign that people used to be here, long ago. Broken up cement roads, rusted street signs, a bench that's been completely overgrown by plants. If one heads to the center of the island, they'll find the clearest sign yet: the ruins of a town. Whoever once lived here, it's long since abandoned and nature has overtaken the buildings, reducing many of them to rubble and hollowed out shells.
One building still stands intact at the center of the town. It's unclear what it's purpose is, maybe some type of clinic or visitor center. Inside the building, much of it has fallen into disrepair. However there is half-working vending machine that'll dispense a single pokeball for each person. A half-legible pamphlet nearby will explain that these were used to "catch Pokemon", and that the people here used to do that to have them as companions
Sure enough, these pokeballs still work. If you use one on a Pokemon you've befriended or managed to tire out, it'll capture the Pokemon. This Pokemon will now view itself as your companion, and you'll have an animal friend of your own! Just choose wisely, the pokeballs can't be reused and the machine will only dispense one.
If you return to Kaisou with any pokemon, either in the pokeball or in the net, the pokemon will have most of their powers muted. A Pikachu will cause static shocks, but it won't be enough to actually harm anyone. Professor Willow will be thrilled to hear of any discoveries, and Zodiac will be happy to accept any pokemon or berries you brought back for them. They'll be unable to accept any pokemon you caught in the pokeball, as that pokemon is now magically linked to you. As long as you bring back something, Professor Willow and Zodiac will be happy to pay in cash, the amounts depending on what type of stuff you brought back for them. And once again, failing to return any loaned out equipment will result in being sent a bill of $2000 and a mild curse so anyone who uses your name will call you "THIEF" instead. The curse will last until either pay your bill or set up a payment plan with their office. Returning items after this point will get the bill reduced down to $500 (a late fee, they explain).
The dominant element this month is fire! Anyone with an affinity to the fire 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 wind 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.
Players are allowed to catch one pokemon per character for their character to keep! These pokemon will be mostly depowered unless they are in the Spirit Realm, and then they will go back to full strength. Most pokemon are allowed, except for Legendaries and any pokemon that wouldn't normally be found in the wild (so fossil pokemon or mewtwo). If you want to keep a pokemon, please leave a comment 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!
Ris Bancroft | OC | OTA
[For anyone who hasn't seen Ris since last month, there's a notable change in her appearance now: she has blood red eyes. Or, rather, eye, since her right eye is so clouded over it may as well be white. And of course, it's not just a change in looks, oh no. She's also blind in that clouded eye, and if her stepfather's word is anything to go by, it's unlikely that's ever going to change from now on.
It's been a process, getting used to this whole suddenly being half-blind thing. She's at least gotten to the point where she feels more or less comfortable going out on her own again, but her depth perception is still a hell of a lot worse than it once was.
So it is that, upon exiting her coffee shop of choice, she very quickly finds herself running into someone else (read: insert your character here) who she could have sworn she had time to avoid before walking straight into them. She quickly apologizes and, after making sure there's not coffee all over either of them (there isn't, her stopper stayed in place, score!), she's on her way.
...Or she would be, if not for feeling something... hit her? Stab her? She's not even sure what she felt in her shoulder just now, but when she turns around, nothing's there.
...Except, of course, the person she just hit. Who suddenly seems very, intensely interesting, and the idea of going back to the condo just to sit around by herself feels... well, painful.
It... wouldn't be a problem if she just... followed at a safe distance for a while, would it? Just to see where they're going? Sate her curiosity? She's small enough that she should be able to hide if she's in danger of being caught, right?]
II: your very own pokemon adventure is about to begin
[Well, after that debacle, Ris finally makes up her mind to venture into the new gate and see what she can find. She's just searching for berries, right? Seeing what the wildlife is up to? She certainly has no intent on catching any electric rats, that's for sure, so she's keeping her eyes on the plants.
And wouldn't you know it, she's stumbled across a bush just loaded with plump, blue berries! Score.
Ris kneels down to start picking them, putting them into her bag, and only stops when she hears some rustling on the other side of the bush. Rustling, followed by cracking.
When she cautiously peers around to take a look, she finds herself face-to-face with some kind of blue and white bird, which is now blinking open large blue eyes to look at her.
It lights up upon seeing her, chirping with a sound that sounds suspiciously like "pip!"]
O-oh! Did you just hatch? Hey there, little guy... I didn't know you were nesting here.
[And now that she knows, she's getting up to her feet, planning to go try to find some other berry bush. Where there's an egg, there's sure to be parents, and she doesn't want to piss off the local wildlife if she can avoid it.]
I'll just be on my way, then. I'm sure your mother will be back for you soon...
[And she's already taking off as she's talking... or she would be, if not for the little plops of waddling feet against the ground following behind her.]
...Oh. Oh, no. Why don't you just go back to your egg, darling? I'm not your mother...
III: the trials and tribulations of parenthood
[Yeah, about that. Turns out the little blue penguin thing (which Professor Willow has, very originally, named "Piplup" after the sounds that it makes) did not take "no" for an answer.
So, now she has a very exotic pet, one that she has no idea how to explain to her stepfather, let alone feed. And feeding it, as it turns out, is not an easy endeavor, because it refuses to let her feed it.
It just turns its nose up at her every time she tries, while simultaneously trying to pull itself into her fridge and rummage through her food every time she opens the door. Ris, for her part, is pretty sure that nothing she has in there is good for penguin digestive systems. She's also just about done with this fickle little monster.
So, she can be found in the park well after the sun's gone down, sitting on the bench near a mostly-frozen-over pond with her arms crossed, looking none too pleased as Piplup forages for itself and looks absolutely delighted.]
Stupid little...
[She's muttering under her breath, but notably, she's still just sitting here and waiting. She's not going to leave it alone.
Every so often, the Piplup falls over, face-first into the snow, while waddling. Looking at the footprints leading over to the bench and the pond will tell a similar story, as well— a set of human footprints, followed closely behind by tiny webbed footprints and the occasional full faceplant into the snow.]
III
no subject
Piplup, for his part, raises his head with a tiny fish in its beak, blinking big blue eyes before swallowing his catch. He doesn't answer... but he does make an attempt to run for it and go hide behind Ris.
Unfortunately for him, he only makes it about halfway before tripping over his own two feet and faceplanting the snow again.]
Oh, for god's sake... come here, you little scaredy-cat.
[Ris pushes herself up off the bench and goes to scoop up her Piplup, who makes a couple of offended little chirps before finally sulking and flopping his face against her chest and resigning himself to his fate. It's something like hiding, anyway.
Ris turns her attention to the human and her fire-scarf.]
Hey. You new to the app, or something? I see you've been through the gate.
no subject
Yes. Strange place. New memory. Remember animals, names.
[She pauses to speak out loud, gesturing at the two creatures between them.] Pokemon. [She gently pats the Quilava's head.] Quilava. [She points at Ris' penguin.] Piplup. [After that, she goes back to the assistive device.]
Most remember Twin. [She pats the Quilava on the head again, making a soft hoot-chirp that seems like a name from the way he reacts.] Hatch together, grow together. Flock.
no subject
Well, she can at least name the creatures. Interesting that she calls the penguin 'Piplup,' that was Willow's guess at the name too. Maybe whatever Tiera remembers was just equally as unoriginal and named it after the sounds it makes?
Speaking of sounds... welp. The girl's making bird sounds now. Tonight just got weird.]
...New memory? [Didn't someone make a post about that on the app?] Like, memories that you didn't have before all of this?
[She hasn't gotten any of these "memories" herself, but she's just trying to decipher.]
If that last thing you said is true, though, that definitely explains why you two are so close. I, um... accidentally watched this little guy hatch. I think he thinks I'm his mother now.
[The Piplup makes a little "pip!" at the word "mother."]
I named him King. ...I'm Ris. Do you have a name?
[Ideally once she can pronounce?]
no subject
All new. Same size, different place. Different people. No phone, no computer. Still Jann, still store, still flock.
[She lets out a small chuckle-chirp when King reacts to the word "mother." Tilting her head, she speaks out loud again.]
Human name Tiera. Jann idea.
no subject
I haven't "remembered" anything for myself. All I know is I've heard people talk about it.
[But she will file this info away for later!]
Ehe. Yeah, I think I'll stick with Tiera. I'd rather not embarrass myself trying to mangle your little chirps.
no subject
[She does a little chirp-chuckle when she mentions sticking to Tiera.] Understand. Good sense.