kaisou | July Event Log

Entry tags:

July Event Log

July Event
Dominant Element: Water
Waning Element: Fire

※
Summertime in the city continues! Throughout the month, the daytime hours will be scorching hot. Not only that, but due to the water element being in effect- everything will be miserably humid, making everything feel much worse. Make sure to dress for hot weather, or hide yourself away in an air conditioned building. The nights will be cooler and give some reprieve, but even then the humidity will be sticking around. About once a week, the city will experience a heavy thunderstorm. More on those in a bit!

Freedom & Fireworks

As June ends and July begins, the Pride flags are put away for an absurd amount of red, white and blue ones. Like any American city this time of year, Kaisou has plenty to do for the national holiday. All over the city you will see the classic red, white and blue. Blue Fish Lake Park is having a summer block party to celebrate the holiday. You can go there to hear some live music or play some games like cornhole (where you stand at a distance and try to throw beanbags into the hole), three-legged races, or tug-of-war. There's also plenty of delicious grilled and barbequed food to be had, such as hamburgers, ribs, shish kabobs, potato salad, shaved ice, and of course the coveted mac and cheese.

If you're truly brave enough, there's a chili cooking competition you can enter. Just about every other entry comes from an ancient secret family recipe and they are insistent it is the best. At some point, the competition will get so heated a large fist fight will break out over whether beans should be in chili. The goose will attempt to knock over your pot of chili before it can be judged. There are tears shed. You suspect the grand prize winner bribed the judges. Regardless of your behavior, you manage to make several enemies.

Of course, no Fourth of July is complete without fireworks. And boy, are there fireworks. So. Many. Fireworks. The city will have its grand firework show over Blue Fish Lake, which is an impressive and professional display of pyrotechnics. But the fireworks don't end with just the professional show, as there's plenty of private residents playing with their own sets of explosives. While Kaisou has some laws on the books about many types of fireworks being banned, it's obvious that a lot of people completely ignore that law. Smaller fireworks and sparklers can be purchased in normal stores, while the bigger grade stuff can be found in more shady shops. Some vendors in Undertown will even sell enchanted fireworks that'll do more specialized imagery and movements than normal fireworks. Grab some fireworks to blow stuff up for freedom yourself, or find some earplugs - it's gonna be a loud weekend.

Stardew Valley and the Kanto regions can still be visited throughout the month, though there isn't anything new going on with them. Still, sometimes it's nice to retread some familiar ground.

Storm Season

With the spirit vein's summertime shift to the water element comes Kaisou's infamous storm season. About once a week, Kaisou will be hit by a heavy thunderstorm. Shortly before a storm arrives, storm sirens (warning: loud alarm sound) will sound off to warn citizens of potential danger. From there, characters will have a few precious minutes to seek shelter if they decide to do so.

True to their name, these storms will feature constant heavy lightning that can strike you if you aren't careful. Sudden heavy downpours will immediately soak anyone still outside and cause flooding in some areas and basements. Be careful not to drive into any standing water on the roads, as some flooding spots can get deep enough to submerge a car. While there's thankfully no tornadoes this year, there are strong straight line winds that can get up to 100mph, meaning they're strong enough to knock over trees, throw around lawn furniture, and damage the sides of buildings. And if all that wasn't enough, there's baseball-sized hail that'll easily take out a car window or cause some serious damage if it hits you.

These storms will only last a few hours, but they can cause plenty of damage. Power outages caused by down powerlines are common, causing blackouts in numerous neighborhoods from several hours to a full day before the lights come back on. The Zodiac building where otherworlders stay will also be susceptible to these blackouts, and anyone who decided to take the elevator during a storm will find themselves stuck in there for a half-day. Beyond that, there's plenty of volunteer and odd job opportunities focused around cleaning up fallen branches and other debris.

Commence the Beach Episode

On the morning of July 8th, Zodiac will send out an alert:

ALERT: SHIFTING GATE LOCATED ON KAISOU BEACH.
Element Classification: Water
Danger Level: Low on the mainland, high on the sea
Designation: El Nido
A new gate has been detected off Kaisou Beach. Initial scouting reports that the mainland is a peaceful beach resort, with plenty of amenities and less humidity. There are rumors of more dangerous elements should you take a boat and sail away from the mainland. Zodiac is unable to confirm what those dangers may be, so take precautions should you decide to do so. Zodiac is not liable for any injuries or deaths that may occur if you leave the mainland.
That said, Zodiac will provide compensation for any investigation reports or valuable items obtained in the realm.

If you swing by the Zodiac Headquarters, the mood of the office is rather relaxed. Some of the staff are talking amongst themselves visiting the realm to get a free vacation - it's not often you get a realm with few things trying to eat your face! If you ask about what happens if you leave the mainland of this realm, they will say that reports are full of untold dangers and bad luck. But what else can you expect from a high sea adventure? Professor Willow doesn't have much to offer, other than speculating if there's sea monsters in the water. Mostly he's occupied with data he's been gathering from the Kanto Realm. Seems pokemon are his first and always love. But as usual, you'll be able to rent out weapons and equipment from Zodiac.

The gate is a hard one to miss. While Kaisou Beach is packed this time of year with regular folks that are trying to cool off in the summer heat, off to the side there is a very noticeable rock formation that wasn't there before. The passage underneath the arch glows a tropical blue color and seems very inviting. Sure enough, that must be the gate. The normal people on the beach don't seem to notice its presence in the slightest, and it should be easy enough to slip past them to head into the realm.

El Nido: A Tropical Paradise

Upon entering the gate, you'll find yourself on a white sandy beach. While it's still warm, it's not the stifling humid heat that blankets the city. Instead, it's an ideal summer temperature, perfect beach weather. The skies and oceans are both an intense blue, the kinds of shades you see on postcards, with white fluffy clouds on the distance horizon of the ocean. Something about the entire scene already feels like a wondrous reprieve compared to previous realms.

As you walk along the beach, you'll come across a village resort. Rather than humans, the village is populated primarily by anthropomorphic birds of various types that are no bigger than waist size compared to a full grown adult. They welcome the visitors warmly, with happy chirps amid their words. They're used to humans visiting their place, so they have set up human sized lodging for people separate from their village to stay if they like. Payment wise they don't ask for much, mostly just things like birdseed, fruit, small rodents, interesting sticks, and other things birds enjoy. Overall they're a friendly and kind flock of birds, mostly interested in making sure your stay is a great one. However, if you do anything to mistreat the birds- you will quickly find yourself being swooped at and attacked by multiple birds.

The lodging is what you'd expect from an idyllic beach vacation. Despite this place being run by a bunch of small bird people, the human rooms are surprisingly modern, with proper indoor plumbing and electricity. There's a restaurant with all sorts of delicious tropical dishes and drinks (no bird meat though) and you can get room service for some extra birdseed. It's an extremely comfortable stay with varying room sizes, though due to the number of people visiting, some of you may end up getting roomed with another person. Or two.

As for activities, there's plenty you can do. You can go swimming in the ocean, even borrowing scuba gear so you can do some scuba diving and check out the gorgeous coral reefs around the island. You can go hiking and survey the breathtaking flora and fauna the land has to offer. You can stay close to the resort and treat yourself to a spa day by getting a relaxing bird-given massage or sitting in a hot tub. And don't forget fun beach games, like playing volleyball or making sandcastles. Or if you venture a little farther, you will find an amusement park situated on a pier over the ocean. You can ride the Ferris Wheel or the small roller coaster, eat carnival food (again, no bird meat), or play carnival games for fun prizes such as stuffed animals or t-shirts.

This is truly an idyllic, wondrous vacation. For once, you guys are getting nice things!

Yay a Pirate Adventure!

Too bad some of you refuse to just have nice things huh.

While you're staying in the resort, you may hear rumors floating among some of the birds, especially if you ask what lies beyond their island. They will say there's rumors that there's amazing treasure out there, if anyone is brave and strong enough to seek it out. However, if you press more about it, you'll find out that no one's actually ever returned from sailing out into the sea, so it's impossible to know if the rumors are true or not. They do try to caution you that it is very dangerous to go out there. Also, to try to avoid the pirate ship that sits on their shore, because obviously a pirate ship must have dangerous pirates aboard.

There's only one way to find out, right? As luck will have it, if you wander past the amusement park, you'll find a seafaring vessel next to a dock. It's a large pirate ship, one that is surely large enough to sail out on the ocean. It's the ship that the locals told you to stay away from, but surely it wouldn't hurt to have a look right? Characters who are 15 years or younger will find themselves unable to board unless they're accompanied by another older character - which also might be a telling sign. If you go on the pirate ship, the ship is somehow fully stocked and ready to go on an adventure, despite no clear sign of any crew. In the captain's quarters, there's a treasure map with a route that'll take them to some marked treasure as well as a small chest full of golden coins and gems. Below deck, they will find that there is plenty of food and drink to be had, as well as an entire wardrobe full of classic pirate clothes.

But be warned, trying to take anything from the ship will seal their fate. As they do so, they'll feel a burning sensation somewhere on their body as a skull-and-crossbones tattoo appears. They will also now be magically unable to leave the ship. After about 12 hours from the first person to try to take something, the ship will begin to set sail out into the ocean that so many people tried to warn you about. Looks like you signed up for a pirate adventure, whether you wanted to or not.

Oh No a Pirate Adventure

The pirate ship voyage will last about a week. Characters with the pirate mark will be forced to see it through to the end, even if they attempt to teleport out of there. The ship is enchanted to run itself, but there's books and guides in the Captain's quarters to teach how to run a ship in case you don't trust the ships autopilot. It might be wise to read up on that. Characters can still connect to the Libra network, but any other internet access will be cut off. Also you should take care not to waste your battery - as there's no electricity on the boat.

The trip will play out as followed:

Day 1: Smooth sailing! Characters will have time to adjust to their new sea life.

Day 2: The characters will make landfall on their first island. It's a barren dessert island, full of caves and quicksand. Near the shore, they will hear the call of sirens (img cw: nipples). These siren songs will be alluring to anyone who are attracted to women, making them fall into a trance. If you get too close to the sirens, they will attempt to drown and eat them.

Day 3: More sailing! The sailing is going through some choppy waters, with fog causing the visibility to get worse and worse. Halfway through the day a ghost ship tries to attack yours with cannon balls. Work together and fight them off before they sink you to the bottom of the ocean.

Day 4: You arrive at an island covered in bones. As in there are bones everywhere. Of course, there are many living skeletons here who will come out of the bone piles and try to murder you.

Day 5: It's smooth sailing until late into the day, when a kraken appears and tries to take down the ship. You can try to fight it off to buy time for other crew to make it to the lifeboats, but the sheer size and strength of the beast will eventually prevail- snapping the ship in half and dragging it down into the ocean. Try your best to survive by grabbing a lifeboat or using some ship debris to float.

Day 6: By morning, the now-shipless crew will wash up onto the shores of a new island. Unlike the last two islands, this is a tropical island that's full of life. It's the island that the treasure marked to have the treasure. Spend your day trying to gather what you lost and recovering. Traveling around the island is impossible to do all in one day. They will get halfway around before they need to camp for the night. You'll also have to be mindful of food and water, as all of that was lost with the ship.

Day 7: On the final day, they will finally make it to the other side of island and the spot of the treasure. Luckily there's some shovels nearby. Do some digging and they will unearth a treasure chest. Inside, there's various types of fine jewelry that is enchanted to give the wearer underwater breathing, and plenty of gold that when split among the crew - will give them each about $500 worth. There is also another ship on the shore here, one that looks just like the one you lost. This ship will sail once everyone is aboard, and take them back to the mainland by morning.

Aftermath

Those who were on the pirate adventure will find themselves returning safely to the resort. The bird people will be thrilled of their return and excited to hear of their stories. The tattoos appeared may begin to fade once the adventure is over, freeing them from the curse. Or if you rather, they can keep the tattoo on them for the memory.

The resort itself will be open for any and all visitors until the end of the month. Zodiac as well will be happy to pay you in compensation for any items you bring them. All ends that ends well, it seems.

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is Water! Anyone with an affinity to the water 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 Fire 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.

This event is meant to be a low-key fun event! Have your character go on a very dangerous pirate adventure, or just relax in the resort! Anyone who goes on the pirate adventure will get a piece of jewelry that lets them breath underwater, and $500. Totally worth that level of danger right? Totally....

The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Luisa still counts! Though she's not much of a chaperone right now, distracted as she is listening to the Siren song. ]

Seen them...? Uh, no, I don't think so. You think they're nearby?

[ Asking for totally innocent reasons. ]

[Yes she does, so Luz is in pretty good company! Also, now that her ears are covered, she has less to worry about, so she might as well, right]?

If you wanna see them, you only need to ask!

[Luz straddled her staff and left room for Luisa to step on. Once she did, Luz took up, realizing that WOW, Luisa was much heavier than her usual companions, but was not shaken by that one bit! She moved them upward, enough so she could get an eye on where the sirens were, and just enough so Luisa wouldn't, well, try to leap into the water (like a certain someone AHEM). She lowered down enough so they were a good distance, but where Luisa could get an eyeful].

See what I mean? Dangerous, but, ah. Impressive.

[ She almost doesn't notice Luz offering her a ride, still too entranced by the song. But when she does, she carefully gets on behind the younger girl, holding on tightly as they're lifted up into the air.

And as they fly overhead, Luisa can't help taking a breath when she sees the Sirens. ]

Wow...They're amazing.

[ Luisa's voice is filled with awe as she stares down, leaning maybe just a bit too far to see them. This close to them, their song is so much louder. Could she maybe...? ]

Right? Aren't they...impressive?

[Luz made sure to stay away just enough so the Sirens didn't notice them: if Luisa were to jump off now, sure, they'd have some time trying to drown her but what if she couldn't swim? Luz was trying to be careful (and block out her ears from the singing].

Hmm. I'm still wondering why we were affected but my friend Luca wasn't. It might be because of, ah, certain things I found out about him but maybe...

Maybe they just affect anyone who can be attracted to the female sex? Like, usually it's sailors, but back then they were all men, right? And the only reason women never had that happen was because they were never allowed to sail, and that's why we don't know about women getting entranced by the song?

[ Luisa had actually been contemplating sliding off the staff and jumping down, just to get a closer look at the Sirens. But Luz's words startle her a bit, enough that some of the magic of their song dulls enough that she pulls back. ]

A-Attracted to...what? I don't -

[ The words catch on the tip of her tongue because, suddenly, Luisa isn't quite sure anymore. ]

Hmm?

[Luz looked at Luisa, then suddenly her eyes widened].

Oh! Right! You're from an earlier time, so...its not like you'd find anyone who also...well.

I guess I should admit something. I like boys, and girls! Heck, now that I think about it, I probably shouldn't have just thought it was a sailor thing. But yeah, that's something that you can actually admit to back where I'm from!

I'm thinking you might not have thought about it much, huh?

I-I mean...I know about things like that. [ There is that one male couple in the Encanto who everyone knows. ] B-But yeah, I...I was always really busy working, so I didn't think much about...dating or anything.

[ She'd always just assumed that she'd either not get married, or would marry someone that Abuela arranged for her. ]

So you...you're attracted to both boys and girls? People...can do that?

Right, I guess that would make sense. No time for romance, that's probably the case.

[Definitely in the "or anything" category, which Luz did not think was fair].

It's not really a case of "doing" that so much as it's something you realize. People TELL you that the normal thing is a man and a woman, but it's silly to think everyone is like that, right?

I am. Actually, I have a girlfriend back home that I miss a whole lot!

I...guess that's a good point. [ Again, she hadn't really thought too much about relationships, either her own or other people's. ] How...How do you know if you're attracted to both?

Oh you do? I'm sorry that you're separated from her right now.

I think so!

Well, for me, I just looked at all my stories that had all these damsels in distress and I thought: why not me? I could save them all if I wanted to, you know? So I started putting myself in all these scenarios where I'd be the one that was the prince, dashing in to save the day, being the one that girls swooned over. Eventually I realized that was because I didn't mind the idea of the girl falling for me too. It was just the same as being that girl that wanted to fall for a guy, only different!

Of course, it also helps when you realize a girl saving YOU is just as satisfying as a guy doing it too.

[ Luisa is still frowning, thinking back to all the stories she'd heard or read about while growing up; all the myths about fantastical figures going on epic adventures, or of fairy tales with dashing knights or princes rescuing princesses or fair maidens. ]

I...don't know if I ever really thought about that. When I was growing up, I - [ She hesitates a moment, feeling her cheeks and ears flush before forcing herself to press on. ] I had always kind of wished to be the girl being rescued. I always admired how delicate and graceful and pretty the girls in those stories were.

[ And it's only now that she's starting to think...maybe there was a reason for that. ]

Girls are really nice, aren't they?

[Luz had a slight dreamy look to her face].

Not that there's anything wrong with brawn! I appreciate all sorts of different types of bodies. But there is something about that kind of girl too, smart and pretty and the kind of laughter that just lets in the sun.

[Luz blushed. Oh boy. She was missing a certain someone BAD].

B-but that's just me! Do you still want to be that girl that's rescued?

[ Luisa laughs a little, but it sounds just a bit strained. ] Yeah. I always thought that it was just one of those things where...you kind of admire the things you don't have, you know?

[ Or at least, she had always thought those were things she didn't have. She's trying to be better about how she views herself now, but even then it was difficult some days.

She hesitates a moment, considering Luz's question. ] ...I dunno. I think...I think so? I mean, I don't like the idea of being helpless, but...I guess I still kind of like the idea of someone helping me. [ She can't help wincing as the words leave her mouth. ] Is that selfish?

What? Are you serious?

I mean, not to make things awkward but...you're really pretty too, but you're also brawny, and for a girl like me that's also very attractive! I know that society tends to prefer having this idea that girl should be this delicate flower, but there's something just as engaging about a girl that are strong, or a little more plain!

I mean, look at me! I'm not the typical pretty girl myself, but I still think I have a lot to offer! And you, well, you're kind of a whole package!

[Luz thought a world where a girl as amazing as Luisa wouldn't be cherished and seen as attractive was a dumb one, personally].

Not at all! Everyone needs help! I like to help people all the time, but that means I can make really, REALLY rash and dumb decisions, and in those times I need my butt bailed out. I've been lucky to have had that happen! I think it's sweet you can admit that you'd like someone who would be willing to help you with things too, even though you're very capable of helping yourself. Personally, I think you deserve someone who would be willing to carry that load with you, whether it's some brawny dude or some nice, capable girl who loves a partner that's muy fuerte!"

[ Luisa's cheeks and ears flush, and she can't help an embarrassed laugh. ] Well, uh...thank you. To be honest, I'm...learning to like how I look. I think being in this place kind of helps, getting to see other women who look different.

But growing up...All the women in my family are really beautiful, and more what people typically think how women should look like. So it was kind of hard being from the same family and...looking like this.

[ She'd always felt a little self-conscious about her appearance, compared to the other women in her family. She'd never felt quite as pretty as they did, and all the heavy lifting and manual work she did didn't really help. ]

Thanks. And of course I'd help them too if they need it, but...yeah, just having someone there for me would be nice.

[ And as she thinks about it, she finds that it's not entirely weird to think that that someone could be a woman. ]

[See, it was so sad that she had to come somewhere else to actually have people appreciate how she looked]!!

Like this? Like this?! You DO look pretty, and I'm so insanely jealous of your muscles! Not only that, your eyebrow game is amazing! I know that it's hard to see that because you look different, but I think that's what makes you unique too! Imagine how boring it would be if we all looked like we had to be, I don't know, all waifs and all weak! It'd be so boring! I mean, well, you feel however you want about it, but personally I think people are missing out!

[Luz couldn't help but think that Luisa was both pretty AND strong, which was a killer combination]!

It is a good feeling though. I think the wait helps though: when you find someone REALLY special, it's all worth it!

[ Her face grows a bit hotter, and she just catches herself before letting go of the staff to tub the back of her neck. ]

Gosh, wow. Thank you. That...That means a lot, really.

But, I don't know, I don't think more delicate-looking women are necessarily weak. They might not be as physically strong as I am, but they're strong in several ways. And looks can be deceiving.

[ The women in her family, for all their smaller frames, were plenty strong on their own. And she's seen other women in this world like that too. ]

I guess that's true. Sometimes...it can be hard to be patient though.

[Luz smiled].

Hey, people all turn out different, I just can't believe in a world where only one type of look is favored.

I don't mean weak as in they're pitiful or anything, just "weak" in comparison to how you look. People can be weak in a LOT of ways, and strong in others. I probably should have just found a better words, honestly, that's my fault.

[Luz really had seen some remarkable women, especially coming to the Boiling Isles. Honestly, weak and strong were relative concepts].

Trust me, I know! I think I always wanted someone special, so I'd write little stories about my ideal person. Sometimes they were chivalrous knights that were sleek and adventurous and debonaire. Sometimes I was that person and saving and being cool to THEM. The reality is that we both started out not really liking each other, and then we got to know each other and slowly, that changed to liking each other a LOT.

It's the best feeling, really.

No, it's okay. But yeah, it's hard to really judge how weak or strong someone is by how they look.

[ That's definitely also something she's been learning more recently. ]

Aww, that's pretty sweet. I'm glad you guys were able to get to know each other better.

It is! Like, how people here look at the kids that arrive and think they have to be protected. Sometimes they do! Other times, they'll learn that we can defend ourselves when we need to, and can even fight!

[Kaisou's new options made that harder to discern, but Luz saw both sides of the coin now].

It was actually really funny how it happened! We both started out really different and not understanding each other. I think initially she hated me! But the more we hung out, the more we started to understand each other. We even had a dance where the two of us together defeated a monster and were crowned the prom queens together! Then one day, when I was in danger, she swooped in to save me, even calling me "her" Luz. I fell for her that day!

[Never mind that Amity's own parents were the cause of the danger, or that Amity had actually been head over heels for Luz after Grom, but poor Luz could still be oblivious about some things, and others, she didn't want to give negative impressions at first].

Yeah, that is true. And it's not like all adults will really know what to do in those kinds of dangerous situations either.

[ Luisa certainly had trouble figuring out what to do most of the time. ]

Wow. That sounds like the kind of relationship that you'd find in a story. That's really nice. [ Luz's girlfriend even saved her from harm! Just like in books. ]

I think it's scarier for adults when kids are in danger rather than when adults are. I guess the thinking is that adults can think faster on their feet and are more used to dangerous situations].

[Which honestly could go either way depending on what your experience was].

I know, right? I don't think either of us were expecting it! We were sort of enemies, and then I wanted us to be friends, and then I just...began to realize that I really, really liked her. She's one of the strongest people I know, and even when she struggles, you can tell she's going to beat out whatever is stopping her.

Yeah, I guess that's true. About adults being afraid of kids in danger, I mean.

[ She's not entirely sure about that second part, but she could see the logic behind it, even if it's questionable. ]

That really is sweet. I'm glad you were able to find something special in each other, and she sounds pretty amazing.

I'm starting to get where they're coming from.

[Not that Luz herself agreed with the last part herself, but it seemed to be the thing most people were implying: with age came experience. That, and she figured, it was a bigger deal when a kid got hurt than when an adult did].

She is! I don't know if she'll ever show up here, but she's something else! You'll know her when you see her: purple hair, a little on the pale side but a perfect smile and these sweet, golden eyes.

[ Luisa, at least, could do her best to protect any of the younger kids. But then, she had gotten into a lot of trouble herself. ]

She does sound really pretty. What's her name?

July Event Log

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)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)