kaisou | December Event Log

December Event
Dominant Element: Light
Waning Element: Shadow

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The sun has returned in all it's glory. The days may be shorter, but that's only because of the season. Throughout the month, snow will fall on Kaisou, leaving the city to look like a winter wonderland. While it's certainly cold enough to bring out the winter coats, it's not an unbearable cold (yet). On clear nights, the Spirit Vein in the sky will glow brightly in hues of white and gold.

The Holiday Season

The darkness of November seems to be all but forgotten as Kaisou enters the holiday season. The normal citizens have forgotten that the sun ever disappeared, remembering it as just a bout of awfully cloudy days. All around the city holiday decorations are being put up. There's a massive Christmas tree in Central Square, and there's not a neighborhood that isn't adorned in holiday lights. Stores are full of seasonal goods of varying sorts: from peppermint treats to chocolate coins to latkes to holiday cookies. Even places that aren't focused on Christmas got decorations for one holiday or another, whether it be Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or the Solstice or something else entirely. Basically, there's nowhere in this city you can go that hasn't been touched by some holiday spirit or another.

There's plenty of seasonal and holiday activities for you to enjoy. In Blue Fish Lake park, the lake has frozen over and there's ice skates that can be rented out. In Kami State Park, slopes have been open up so people can go sledding, skiing or snowboarding. You can gather friends together to go caroling, build a snowman, or attend the holiday ball that's set to happen in the middle of the month. While the University students finish up their first semester finals, the high schoolers are hard at work putting together their winter play: Beauty and the Beast. If you're up for it, find a way to help the school theater out or grab some tickets to watch the show.

The folks in Undertown are far from immune from the holiday spirit either. Enchanted holiday wares can be bought if you want a little extra magic to season. Some of them include dreidels that conjure chocolate coins on lucky spins, crowns of holly with candles enchanted to not burn the wearer, Christmas lights enchanted not to tangle (unfortunately not true, they actually tangle more), and so on. The Enki academy is holding seasonal one-time classes that teach about the history of the various holidays, as well as certain fun enchantments meant to make the holiday season a little better (such as spells to help with perfect wrapping jobs).

Yuletide Mischief

Unfortunately, there are some magically inclined folks that get a little too into sharing the holiday spirit. Throughout the city, sprigs of mistletoe have been hung up in inconspicuous places. Some of these have even been stashed away in unexpected locations and places not easily reached, thanks to the power of magic. Should a pair find themselves both underneath the mistletoe, they will feel a compulsion to display some kind of physical affection towards each other. Anyone that tries to leave without following through on it will find themselves stuck in place until they act it out. What type of physical affection will vary: it could be a classic kiss, a warm embrace, a spirited fist bump, a head pat, lewd handholding - the mistletoe isn't too picky! It just wants affection dammit.

However if you're really against the idea of expressing love and affection, there's a rarer variant of mistletoe can be found around the city: mistlefoe. From a distance, it looks similar to normal mistletoe. It's only when you're up close that you notice it looks a lot sharper and covered in thorns. Pairs that find themselves under the mistlefoe will feel a strong compulsion to fight one another. These fights can either be verbal or physical, but you're stuck near the mistlefoe until a clear winner of the battle is decided (or three hours past, for those extra stubborn).

The mistletoe isn't the only mischief going on. Amongst all the candy going around this season, there are some candy canes that have been enchanted. They look like ordinary candy canes, though people with magical sensing may be able to detect the magic if they're looking. A teenager or adult consuming one of these candy canes will magically revert to their childhood selves. Some will maintain their older minds and memories, some will have their memories will be hazy, and some will completely forget their adult years altogether. Take a chance to relive the spirit of being a kid in the holiday season, or just try your best to get along until you can grow up once again. The effects of this spell is thankfully temporary, no more than one to three days per magic candy cane consumed.

What's This

On December 10th, a message will be sent out by Zodiac on the Libra app.

ALERT: SHIFTING GATE LOCATED IN KAMI STATE PARK.
Element Classification: Light
Danger Level: Low
Designation: Christmas Town
3 A new spirit gate has been detected deep within the Kami State Park. Initial investigation has indicated that this may be the gate that leads to where Santa lives and works. We've also received reports that due to an outbreak of lutefisk-induced food poisoning among Santa's elves, they are currently dealing with a labor shortage. Any assistance that can be provided would be appreciated. That said, we do ask that while you're there you resist all urges to steal Christmas. Please stop by the Zodiac offices for more information.

If you head to the Zodiac offices, the atmosphere in the place is much calmer than the previous month. Professor Willow is still gone, but the fuzzier professor is back yet again, looking to fill in the void of educational knowledge. True to the season, he's got himself on a little santa hat and is more than happy to give you lots of facts about the historical St. Nick if you're willing to stay and listen. Do you really need to know about the time St. Nick revived some boys in a pickle barrel? Probably not, but it's still a fact that'll live with you for the rest of your days!

If you talk to Zodiac directly, they will explain that they found the gate deep in the woods of Kami State Park. They explain that Santa's elves approached them about extra assistance, since with a chunk of the workforce sick in bed, they will have a harder time hitting deadlines. Zodiac will also mention that if you are wiling to give them any information or any interesting items connected to how Santa runs his workshop...well, they'd be willing to give some monetary compensation.

Once you're finished with the Zodiac offices, it's time to head into the woods. It's a long hike into the Kami State Park, made slower by all the snow that's fallen. But eventually, just when you're about ready to give up, you'll find a circle of trees. Each tree has a famous holiday emblem painted and carved into it: a turkey, a pumpkin, an easter egg, etc. It seems like they're all doors, but every one except the Christmas Tree door is sealed shut and can't be open. Should you open the Christmas tree door, you'll find it looks like a bottomless void. Don't look for too long though, as after a strong gust of wind and snowflakes will blow from the door, and pull you inside- making you fall down quite a long ways.

Christmas Town

When you finally land, a massive snowdrift will thankfully break your fall. Pulling yourself up out of the snow, you'll find yourself atop a snowy hill, looking down upon a small village that's completely decked out in Christmas decorations. It's the type of city you'd expect to see only in a snowglobe honestly. Heading down the hill, you'll find a sign on the entrance arch of the village that reads "Christmas Town".

The town itself is populated entirely by short elves dressed up like they belong in a Dr. Seuss story. The folks of the city are very active - it's a busy time of year! The elves currently not on shift are seeming to try to make the most of the holiday season, engaging in every type of Christmas traditional imaginable. As you enter their village, they'll great you warmly and invite for you to join in their acts of merriment. Meanwhile the ones who are on shift are frantically getting ready for the oncoming holiday. Getting in the way of these elves will have them get irritable, telling you to either help out out of the way. This is a very busy time of year for them, and the work shortage has made it tougher than usual.

In the center of town, is a massive building that can be none other than Santa's workshop. Curiously on the front entrance of the workshop, there is a sign that reads "ALL SKELETONS MUST BE CHAPERONED AT ALL TIMES". If you inquire about the sign to the elves, they will shudder and mention that there was an incident some years ago and refuse to elaborate further. Inside the workshop, you'll find more elves hard at work assembling toys for the big day. Causing any problems within the workshop will get the elves irritated really fast, and they may try to chase you out.

It's up to you what you do in your time in Christmas Town. Perhaps you want to play in the snow and have fun with the elves. The ones who aren't on shift are always happy to have someone to play with. However, if you choose to help out as they requested, there's a number of things you can do:

Reindeer Tending: Out behind the workshop there is a stable where the famous nine reindeer reside. Magical beasts of legend or not, they're still animals that need caring for. Help with grooming their fur, feeding them, polishing their hooves, or cleaning their stables. If you have an aptitude with riding or flying, you might be invited to run the reindeer through a obstacle training course - which entails either riding on the back of a reindeer or riding a sleigh through a large obstacle course that's both on the ground and in the air.
Toy Making: Got any craft skills? Well join the assembly line of Santa's workshop! There's various tasks to be done from creating toy pieces, assembling toys together, painting them, sewing any cloth parts, and putting them in packaging. A couple elves will watch you for awhile to make sure you're doing everything up to code. Characters that do well will be given more complicated tasks, while others who struggle will be given basically the filler jobs.
Elf Tending: There are a lot of elves and worker, and they need to be looked after! Help with cooking the elves meals or giving them breaks when they look like they need one! Well rested workers make for a better product!
Toy Testing: Both the most fun and potentially most dangerous of the jobs. It's your job to test various toys and gifts to make sure they are both fun for the children and safe. Elves who have been coming up with new ideas will approach you with prototype toys for you to try out, and it's up to you to test them to see if they work, and if they don't explode. And yes, occasionally, they will explode.
Flight Planning: Santa's annual trip is easily one of the most ambitious flights ever done, and so there's a lot of logistics behind it. Help with making sure the maps are updated, the GPS is working properly, help make sure the sleigh is ready for the flight, and propose any flight paths that might help save time. No pressure though, the only risk is disappointing and crushing the dreams of children around the world!

Aftermath

After a few shifts of helping out in Christmas Town, the elves will invite you to come into Santa's office to meet the man himself. Santa is warm and friendly as you'd expect (albeit very hard at work going through his list). He thanks you for pitching into help out his workshop and making things easier for his employees. As a thank you, he is willing to help you with your own Christmas shopping! He will create a magical item imbued with abilities of a specific element (see information HERE). This item can be anything that'd reasonably exist in the world! However there is one catch. Since this is the season of giving, this item can't be for you but instead another person of your choice.

Once you decide what you want Santa to create and for whom, he'll write it down. The next day, the person in question will find the item wrapped in a present box in their home. Any attempts to trick Santa will result in a box full of coal being sent to your home and spilling all over you.

After your chat with Santa, it's time to head home! If you got any insider information for Zodiac, they'll be happy to pay you monetary compensation. Besides that, things are at peace and everyone has a chance to enjoy the holiday season.

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is Light! Anyone with an affinity to the light 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 Shadow 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.

The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here. Another Zodiac Post will be going up December 15th to serve as an intro post for new characters and allow characters to react to developments over the network.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hmm...in the city itself? Usually Godbert on a bad day, I'd say, or particularly cranky thamuaturges. But in the spirit realm, where much of the chaos stems from? Titan or even Zenos, depending on what the problem is. Some of the realms are perfectly pleasant, however.

...Oh. Wasn't expecting that dire.

[yaaaay we're doomed]

Well, place looks like it's standin' and you're in one piece, so that's a heartenin' thought for how difficult s'going to be to handle here.

To be entirely fair, we've only tripped over the Zenos limit once, with the aforementioned incident last moon. Got to punch that one as well. Very cathartic.

[So cathartic.]

It really is fairly calm most of the time, it's simply that when it isn't it goes a bit bonkers. There are even lessons for those of us who are new to this star, and it isn't terribly difficult to find employment if you know where to look.

Don't suppose a place like this is much in need of a blacksmith? I'm a capable enough hand with weapon forging, and it's soundin' like we could use a good amount of 'em by your account.

[you get a sword and you get a sword and you get a sword]

You know, I've no idea. I'm a black mage myself and the only weapon I can actually use is a handgonne. If there is, though, I know where one might be found.

Those're a bit tricky--I'm better with forging blades and the like, the fine detail work gets a little tough with a hammer n' file.

Oh, no, I meant that if there was a blacksmith looking for help, I know where one might be found. There's a section of the city called the Underground, where everything magical tends to be sold. Most of the city is unaware of the....well. Of the bullshite.

Really? If it's as rough around here as it sounds, how th' hells do most of 'em miss it?

I suspect there may be some sort of veil or very strong perception filter that prevents most people from knowing about it. They think my tail is a long belt.

That's...real strange. Guessin' it saves a lot on panic and explanations both, though.

Oh, yes, though when it fails it is catastrophic. Thankfully that has only happened once.

[Ish. The dinosaurs were...a thing.

But! They have reached a place where Scintilla can get a damn coat.]

Allow me to get you the coat, at least until you've gotten some spending money of your own?

Imagine it'd have to be, that's a lot for someone to reckon with all of a sudden.

[She laughed in what sounded a little like embarrassment.]

I'd appreciate it, if it ain't trouble. Don't much like owing folks anything, but I'll be glad to repay you soon as I can.

Don't worry about it, please.

[Though that does remind her.]

By the way--and I've made this offer to everyone so far save Takame--but...if the need for a Warrior of Light should arise, I will be that Warrior, if you would rather not.

...?

[She raised an eyebrow, giving Rhel a look that bordered on utter confusion.]

Why would I wanna do that? Hells, why would you for that matter? Ain't to say I don't get that some of us would be after a break, but i can't call it all that fair only one of us should take the job as a result.

[wat

Rhel just sort of blinks.]

Well, no, I suppose it isn't but...if I can offer someone a break from it, why wouldn't I?

Well, then why's it gotta be just you? [Frowning slightly, she put her hands on her hips.] Ought to take it in turns between those've us that're willin' to shoulder it, if the others need a rest from the trouble. Else you're just liable to need that rest more'n any of us before long.

[A beat. Two.]

Well...you aren't wrong, I suppose? I simply...hm.

If I didn't already believe you, that'd definitely have convinced me you're a Warrior of Light. Leave it to one of us to put that much on our own bleedin' shoulders.

'Sides that, I don't mind it. Used to, maybe, but that was a long while ago.

...I can't even argue that. It is so very quintessential us, isn't it?

[Someone bop her.]

If you're sure.

Course I'm bleedin' sure, I'm always sure about the dumb choices I end up makin'. You and I can take care of things for any of us that have need of it, it'll be easier done with two than just one.

You're not wrong. ...thank you, Scintilla.

Nothin' to thank me for. [A shrug.] S'what we always do, ain't it? Call it payment for the cloak if you want.

...very well. Now, do you also want a shirt? Since....

[Rhel just sort of gestures. Ma'am your tits are out.]

Ah...right. Yeah. Probably a good idea. I usually dress a little better for the weather than this, but I was around Thavnair until just now.

[so you know, bad time to be slapped with ishgard weather.]

Edited 2022-12-05 00:55 (UTC)

Understandable. Pick out whatever suits you best, then!

December Event Log

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