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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!
no subject
Ew. Yeah, waiting here sounds better.
[She's huddled down in the wilderness for hours, even days, before so this is nothing new. At the very least she can keep guard in case one of those weird animals gets aggressive.]
You said this'll take a few hours... Has this happened before?
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[Inwardly, he's cursing his luck a little. Had this happened alone, he could keep it quiet. Try to pass it off for as long as .... well. honestly no. He couldn't pass it off forever. This was only going to get worse. If she didn't notice sooner, she'd definitely notice when he loses his voice.
So he'll have to do something he has strong aversion to: opening up about himself]
It's something of a condition, tied to my powers. Was hoping it'd stay gone, but with our powers returning...guess it was only a matter of time.
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[Not even she would be happy about it, if this is what she had to go through. Though she only has the barest of ideas what exactly is wrong and how it feels, considering she hasn't been sick before.
Her frown deepens even more so, letting herself slouch against the tree as she squints over at Zelos.]
A condition tied to your powers... So should I be worried about anything else happening? Will this happen each time you get a power back?
[Is suddenly collapsing and getting ill going to be A Thing now?]
no subject
...]
Unfortunately, yeah. The fever's just the start. This time, I'll stop eating. Next time, I'll stop sleeping. Then it'll be my sense of touch, then my voice, and finally-- [He cuts himself off, he really doesn't want to say what the last time entails]
...Well, I got a keycrest, so fingers crossed by then it'll kick in and the symptoms will go down. It's just until then I gotta worry about.
no subject
Because it's a painfully familiar story, only she saw her siblings lose all their senses at once - switch from human to mindless, angelic puppets. She's not really sure which is worse.]
You - [Now she cuts herself off, biting on her tongue as she slumps further against the tree - "You won't be human?" she wants to ask, but she doesn't dare actually say it. The word keycrest doesn't make much sense to her, but right now her focus is on how to stop this from progressing.]
There's no other way to stop it?
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If there were, I'd do it. [He never wanted this. Maybe he should've asked Zodiac to figure out a way to remove the crystal from his chest, but he'd been too afraid they'd be tempted by its potential power] But far as I know, there's no way to undo it once its started.
no subject
Fuck... [She sighs, dragging her hands across her face - quietly wracking her brain if there's anything she could do.]
I... [He's revealed this much, so she can share a little as well.] I've seen something similar happen before, but I don't know how to stop or reverse it either. I had an idea, but it's way too dangerous... And Zodiac would be no help.
[But the thought of seeing him lose a sense one by one makes her heart sink to the stomach.]
no subject
Hold up, what do you mean you've seen something similar happen before?
no subject
With some of my siblings. Or half-siblings, I guess, we only share a father. [She hesitates, debating if she really should say it. But well, they've gotten this far and the last thing she wants to do right now is hide things from him.]
As a side-effect of what we are, they'll just lose all their senses at once. Can't feel pain, they can't speak, can't eat, won't do anything unless ordered to. They just become these... mindless angels.
no subject
Well. Yeah. Yeah that sounds exactly what he's familiar with. He already feels like from the toxicosis symptoms, but this makes his stomach feel even sicker. Especially thinking of having to watch her own siblings become that. ]
I'm sorry. [It's one of empathy. That she had to witness that. That he's making her relive it again.
.... ]
The keycrest stops it from getting that bad. If it wasn't for that... it'd be the same.
no subject
That's... Don't apologize. [She's not the one suffering. She's not the one who has to go through this, who is slowly losing their humanity.
And what he says only fills her with more dread. It's so, so similar. It almost makes her wonder...]
What... happens in the end, is that the same too?
[Is he like her, like all her siblings? She wouldn't be surprised if he dodged the question, but she just had to wonder how deeply the similarities ran.]
no subject
He's quiet once more, once again fighting every impulse to close up and not share anything. From running away from the problem, like always.
But he knows it isn't right, and that he can't avoid it this time. And...Ana had been open with him, showed him trust in telling him something that had to have hurt. ]
...Yeah. [Reluctantly, his hand will go to his chest as he concentrates his mana. A moment later, a pair of golden wings appear from his back. They're semi-translucent, different from Ana's feathery wings -- but there's no mistaking what they are]
They call it Angel Toxicosis. Without a keycrest, it'll render the victim a mindless, lifeless, angel.
no subject
Oh.
They're different of course, so beautiful and ethereal compared to her own wings, but Ana already knows what they are before he says anything. It almost makes her want to laugh - he really is like her, like them, and she isn't really sure what she should feel right now.
Some things will always remain the same, it seems - even in other worlds, being an angel really only meant misery.]
... Thank you, for showing me. [She doubts it would've been easy for him, and she doesn't want to belittle this show of trust.]
"Toxicosis", huh... How appropriate. [Her words leave her in a shaky sigh, before she shakes her head and buries it in her hands.] This is so fucked.
no subject
I'll say ... fucked is right. [He lets out a little breath. He feels like crap but, it does feel... a little good to have someone listen. What a strange feeling]
I never wanted this. When I woke up here as a human ... I was really hoping I get to stay human.
[He makes a tired and bitter laugh.]
Should've known better than to think anything I hope for will come true.
no subject
It... it hurts. You feel like things are looking up, then it's wrenched away from you. [She can at least understand, in a way
She falls silent for a moment, drawing her knees to her chest now and wrapping her arms around them.]
You mentioned something called a "keycrest". What is that, exactly?
no subject
It's a relic, made by the dwarves. They're meant to regulate things like Exspheres and Cruxis Crystals - the latter being what causes angel toxicosis.
Long as you wear it on you, you're safe from the worst of the symptoms, more or less.
no subject
[At least she's assuming he has it, it's just inert. Which is annoying, that a solution is right there but it's busted because this place takes away powers and then gives it back randomly for some stupid reason.]
Maybe there might be something similar in one of these weird gates. There's all kinds of weird shit, so there has to be something.
[She sure will look either way. It may be a fruitless search, but she can't just sit back and just watch this happen to him.]
no subject
Yeah that...is a slight problem, I'll admit. But Angel Toxicosis takes awhile to run its course, so maybe it'll activate in time?
[Maybe??? Goddess he doesn't believe in, he hopes so]
Don't get your hopes up. Cruxis Crystals are very rare. Back home, people were doing all kinds of twisted experiments to try to make more since the old supply was running out.
no subject
Hopefully. Maybe since powers work so weird here, the Angel Toxicosis will progress more slowly too.
[Just gonna pray to all the deities that this is the case, despite wanting to murder most of them - ]
... Do I even want to ask what those experiments are?
no subject
Yeah. I'd say fingers crossed, but we'd probably end up with broken fingers with our luck.
[It's a half-attempt at a joke, but who is he kidding? He knows his luck. He's practically cursed]
You don't. [But he knows it's important, so he's going to share anyway] Exspheres and Cruxis Crystals are made from human lives. That's why I don't want knowledge of them spreading in this world. It's already bad enough back home.
[While he'd like to believe most people would turn down a cost like that, he knows there'd be enough that'd be too tempted not to give it a shot. It's best to leave that pandora's box unopened. ]
no subject
I got some of my old endurance back, so maybe my fingers wouldn't break right away.
[But ah... Any sort of good humour she had before quickly evaporates at that little piece of information. Somehow she's not surprised, but it still makes her drag her hands down her face with a groan.]
Yeah, that's... Very valid concern. I don't even want to think about what people here would do with that knowledge.
[Such as Zodiac. And Ana knows too well what people would do for power, having witnessed it first hand in her world - no price it too high for certain people.]
Well, everything you told me is under lock and key. [Many things she may be, but she knows how to keep a secret.]
no subject
[Just what the world needs! But it's said as a joke, more or less. A little levity amidst such a dark topic. ]
Me neither. [he can take a few guesses, after the stuff he's seen, but honestly the less his mind lingers on that stuff? The better.] And I figured as much. You got your own share of secrets you're good at keeping.
no subject
[She manages to flash him a grin - small, but still playfully amused before she hums thoughtfully once more.]
That and, well, it's easier to not talk about that stuff. Better everyone thinks I'm an ass with no cares in the world, y'know?
[Of course that's very much who she is, but it's simpler without letting others know the baggage behind all that.]
no subject
[He says, like a liar.
He gives a weak laugh at that, which tampers off with a bit of a cough]
Damn, we really are birds of a feather. Playing hits from my playlist right there.
[Better to act the jerk than risk getting hurt. Too many people take advantage of kindness, that's what he's always learned]
no subject
[Even though she doesn't believe him at all.
There's a moment where she tenses as he coughs, before slowly relaxing again - her breath now leaving her in an amused huff.]
Obviously we have amazing taste in coping mechanisms. [Amazingly unhealthy, at least. It's just so... easy, to pretend there isn't a problem. Too pretend that she isn't just an absolute mess on the brink of another mental breakdown.
Then she sighs, tilting her head back against the tree and looks at the clear sky overcast.]
... We really are a mess, aren't we.
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