January Event Log

[kaisoumods]

January Event
Dominant Element: Water
Waning Element: Fire

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As December comes to an end, it's time to head into the true depths of winter. Throughout the month of January, it will be extremely cold. Temperatures either below zero or in the single digits will be typical throughout the month. Every few days, another round of snowfall comes, constantly blanketing the city in fresh blankets of snow. It's best to bundle up this month and find ways to keep warm.

Kaisou Winter Carnival

The holidays may be over, but that doesn't mean this is a month without celebration! Over in Blue Fish Lake Park, Kaisou's Annual Winter Carnival is in full swing! Scattered across the snowy park, magnificent ice sculptures have been set up as part of the yearly sculpture competition. The crown jewel of the ice sculptures is an extensive ice castle maze, which visitors are welcomed to venture through. Different games and activities will be found throughout the maze, consisting of the usual carnival fare like throwing snowballs at a target or answering winter trivia. The prizes for completing these events range from candy to small toys to winter-themed plushies. Not a bad way to kill some time!

The winter carnival is more than just ice sculptures of course. A section of the lake has been set up with holes to do ice fishing, while another section is reserved for any ice skating you want to do with a ice skate rental plate included. The skateboard park has been converted into a spot for snowboarding and cross-country skiing. The park restaurant is serving lots of warm foods and drinks to help stave off the cold. Hot chocolate, funnel cake, fried cheese curds, poutine, mulled ciders, and a whole host of other items. And for those seeking something more combat-aligned, one of the soccer fields has been transformed into a battlefield for snowball fights. Build a fort and trench and hunker down, it's gonna be a long war.

If you're looking for activities that get you out of the cold, you should head to Undertown. The entire area of Undertown is being kept nice and warm thanks to a combination of electric heaters and fire enchantments. To celebrate the new year, red decorations have been hung up all over with a theme of tigers and rabbits. If you want to know how this new year will pan out for you, there's a vendor offering fortune stick readings. Pulling one of these sticks will give the character a fortune ranging from small to large luck or misfortune. Whatever your fortune ends up being, it seems to really follow you around for the rest of the day. Someone with great luck might find a $100 on the ground or land that promotion they wanted, while someone with great misfortune may trip down a flight of stairs or have their pipes burst. [mod note: the fortune sticks results will have no effect on gacha or side quest results. You can decide which stick they pull, though if you want it RNG then I suggest using the (draw) mechanic on plurk].

The First Full Moon

When one lives in the city, it's easy to not pay attention to the night sky. And in Kaisou, if anything in the sky gets attention, it's that bright and beautiful Spirit Vein. However on the nights of January 5th through January 7th, it'll be the moon that some will realize they need to pay attention to. For on the nights of the full moon, those with certain monstrous changes will find themselves struggling to hold onto their human mind. Bestial instincts will become deafeningly loud inside your mind, demanding to be listened to. It'll take a great amount of willpower to keep oneself from giving in completely, especially for those who never dealt with something like this before. Those who fail will find themselves going completely feral, leaving it up to other people to keep you in check. Once dawn breaks following the long night, they'll be able to regain control of themselves once more. Those who went feral may or may not remember what happened the night before, depending on the person.

Concerningly, it's not just the app users who are experiencing these effects. Throughout the three nights, there are cases of other city residents also succumbing to monstrous instincts. Someone will need to patrol the city and help keep these folks in check before they hurt other people or themselves. While there's not a great number of these cases - the signs are clear. Whatever is going on with these new monstrous changes, they aren't just limited to the app users.

The Other Zodiac

On January 9th, a message will be sent out by Zodiac on the Libra app.

ALERT: SHIFTING GATE LOCATED ON CATHEDRAL HILL.
Element Classification: Water
Danger Level: Medium to High
Designation: Celestial Race
A new spirit gate has been detected upon Cathedral Hill. Initial investigations indicate that this gate leads to the location of the famous Zodiac race. Due to a recent demon infestation, we've been invited to perform security detail for the race participants so they can complete their annual race. Those who help complete the race will be allowed to join the Zodiac Banquet, receive a gift from the Jade Emperor, and make sure the concept of time doesn't collapse on us all.

If you head to the Zodiac offices, the atmosphere has returned mostly to normal. The fuzzy professor is back and has made himself comfortable with a puppet-size armchair. He's happy to tell you what he knows, that according to legend the Chinese Zodiac was created as a result of a race that the Jade Emperor, a ruler of heaven, held. During the original race, the first twelve animals that finished were made part of Zodiac that's used all over the world today. He will also have a bit of a tangent about how the cat was left out because he got told the wrong day, and maybe that's a good thing because cats freak him out. As for the race they're being asked to help with now, the Professor isn't entirely sure, but he surmises it's a tradition done in order to uphold the power of the Zodiac and make sure the concept of time doesn't get out of whack - so pretty important!

If you talk to the Zodiac staff, they will explain that your job will be to escort the animals of the Zodiac through the race course and make sure no demons get them. They also caution that since the upcoming year is a water year, the race track will be cold and snowy on top of being dangerous and long, so they REALLY recommend bringing cold weather gear and and plenty of supplies. As usual, they are willing to rent out any supplies or weapons that your character needs. And for those they know are looking for extra income, they will mention that if you could bring back a peach from the banquet...they'll pay very generously.

Once you're finished with the Zodiac offices, it's time to gear up and head to Cathedral Hill. While the area is named for the cathedral that sits atop the hill, it's not the only place of worship around. Per Zodiac's instructions, you're to head to the Buddhist temple that's located nearby. Once there, it'll be easy enough to ask access to the gardens. It's normally a modest garden, so the massive and ornate spirit gate being guarded by two large guardian lion statues will certainly stick out. No doubt about it, this has to be the gate.

The Zodiac Race

When you pass through the gate, you'll find yourself up in a snowy mountain range with steep mountains that resemble the mountains of Asia rather than anything on North America. Once you're done surveying the scenery, you'll be waved over by a man dressed in finely made court robes. He introduces himself as an attendant of the Jade Emperor's Court, and assumes that you're here to be the security detail for the Zodiac race. Once it's confirmed, the attendant will begin to explain that it's your job to escort a zodiac animal through the mountain passes and across the river. The animals will know the way, but you'll need to make sure to protect them from any demons that try to attack. Apparently the demons seem under the impression that consuming those involved in the race will grant them immortality, which isn't true, but good luck explaining that to hordes of demons.

If you ask why they needed to get outside help for assistance, the attendant will give the most exasperated look on his face and simply say "You can thank Sun Wukong for that. Again." and not elaborate further, as if that explanation alone is self-explanatory and should not be pressed further. That said, some may hear the attendant grumbling under his breath that he hopes Buddha drops another mountain on that sha bī.

After the basic explanations you'll be escorted to the zodiac animals and their corrals. There's a whole lot of them, as they wanted to make sure at least one of each animal type makes it to the finish line. Characters will be assigned the animal the corresponds with their birth year. If your character is a special case who was born under a different calendar system or before the concept of time, the attendant will sigh and assign you an animal at random. Each animal assigned will come with their own quirks, that may help or hinder the journey ahead. The animals are:

• Rat: Will ride upon you during the race. Clever and on high alert, the rat will warn you of any ambushes and potential shortcuts.
• Ox: Can be ridden or pull a sled. An animal with high endurance, it'll need to rest less than other animals.
• Tiger: It's a tiger. It'll help fighting any demons and may even pull a sled. For your own safety, keep it well fed.
• Rabbit: Can be carried, ride in a sled or hop along. You seem to be luckier in small ways throughout the trip.
• Dragon: An eastern dragon about the size of a tiger. Cannot breathe fire and can only fly short distances. It'll help with fighting any demons and may pull the sled, will not allow you to ride it and tends to be prideful.
• Snake: Unfortunately due to the cold weather, the snake is useless and will try to hibernate the whole time. Using your own body to warm the snake will bring luck though.
• Horse: Can be ridden or pull a sled. Faster than the ox, but needs to rest more often.
• Ram: Has a very easy-going temperament. Can pull the sled and has horns it'll headbutt into demons. Also fluffy.
• Monkey: A monkey that'll ride on you or in a sled, and can use tools to help out. Unfortunately, it gets easily bored and is prone to pulling pranks.
• Rooster: It's a chicken. However if you hold onto its feet, it can fly you short distances. Will always wake you up early.
• Dog: A good boy. Can do all the things dogs can do, including helping with demon fights and pulling the sled.
• Boar: While more stubborn, the boar can also pull the sled and do many things that dogs can do. Will charge at demons.

The animals while more intelligent than many of their species counterpart, are still animals. So they will behave as such, and respond to characters accordingly. Characters that are good with animals will have an easy time bonding with their new companion, while others will struggle. Once all the animals have been assigned, characters will be given a bag of feed for the animals (though the dragons and tigers will need to have food hunted for them). They also are allowed access to a sled painted red if they have access to an animal that can pull one. Those with animal that can't pull a sled are encouraged to team up with others if they want, otherwise they'll be expected to go on foot. Finally, they'll be offered a pack of fireworks and firecrackers, but cautions them to be careful where they set them off.

Once everyone is ready, it's time to being the race! You all will be brought to a starting line, and once everyone is there, a gong will ring out! The race is on!

Challenge One: The Elements

As the race goes underway, it soon becomes clear that it's less a race of speed and more a race of endurance. The trip is a long one, lasting several days. While there are paths through the mountains, they are numerous and all winding. You will either have to get along well enough your animal to show you the way, or you'll be left up to your best judgment. Being in the mountains in winter, it's freezing cold. You'll have to make sure you don't succumb to the elements: keep warm, rest often, and keep yourself hydrated. Once and while, you'll find mountain lodges that have been set up to be used to warm up from the elements and restock your supplies. Be sure to take advantage of these. As for those accompanied by a dragon or tiger, make sure to let them hunt once and awhile- before they turn on you to feed.

Of course, these are the challenges if everything goes well. There are plenty of things that can go wrong. Many of the paths you travel on will be narrow passages over a steep cliff. One wrong step could make you fall to your doom. And some areas, marked with small warning signs that are easily missed, are prone to avalanches. In those areas, be careful not to do anything big enough that could set one of those off and bury you under a thick layer of snow.

Challenge Two: The Demons

The elements were bad enough, but remember you were brought on to act as security from demons. So throughout the trip, your party will be attacked and ambushed by various types of demons. These demons are less the classical residents of hell that western cultures are familiar with, but rather closer to anthropormophic animals beings. These "demons" vary in their intelligence level, elemental alignments, and skills- but overall seem to be more interested in eating you for the sake of their own benefit rather than some great evil plan. As such, any holy relics won't have any stronger effect on them.

It'll be up to you to make sure the demons don't harm you or your companion. While some demons can be persuaded that eating you won't actually bring immortality, many will not listen and will have to be battled. Whether you incapacitate them or kill them is up to you, though the dragons and tigers sure won't hold back their own predatory urges, and the boar will certainly try to consume any demon body that is left lying around. Lovely.

While many demons will try to attack you outright, or make simple ambushes- there is one foe that is extra dangerous. On some paths, characters will find come across a cave with a beautiful woman that is wearing very little despite the weather. She'll act friendly and charming, even flirtatious to those who'd seem interested, inviting the characters into the cave to escape the cold and share a meal with her. While she is being truthful about the food, turning your back to her is a dangerous mistake as that's when she'll strike. Her true form is that of a massive scorpion, with a stinger full of powerful venom. She'll proclaim that she is so powerful she managed to injure even the Buddha. And while that claim is a bit of an overstatement, she'll still be a tough opponent to fight. Do your best not to be caught off-guard.

The Final Challenge: Nian

After a few days of travel, the characters will finally make their ways out of the mountains. As they come down the mountainside, they'll see the frozen river that's meant to be the finish line of this race. The ice on the river looks thick enough to cross with ease. However as soon as they step out onto the ice, there'll be a deep rumbling before a gigantic beast bursts out from the ice below, landing on the ice. Standing twenty feet tall, it'll lunge at the party. This is none other than the legendary beast Nian, looking to feed itself during the new year season.

Characters will have a number of options. They can choose to fight the beast, though it'll be a dangerous fight and you run the risk of breaking the ice beneath you. You can also try to outrun it and hope it'll stop chasing once you make it to the other side. Finally, you can attempt to scare it off by using the firecrackers and fireworks given to you earlier, if you haven't used them up already. Nian also seems to avoid anything that's the color red, so maybe something can be done about that. Though no matter what you do, you'll need to be mindful of the ice beneath you. Do anything that breaks the ice, and you'll find yourself being plunged into freezing cold waters and having a whole new problem to contend with.

Whatever choices you make, you'll have to do your best to make sure you and your companion survive this encounter, as it'd be a shame to lose the race so close to the finish line.

Aftermath

Once you survive that final challenge, it's time to cross the river. Once you do, you'll no longer be in a wintery landscape but a beautiful courtyard that's warm and full of blooming plant life. You have reached the true destination of the race: the Heavenly Palace. More friendly demons and other celestial beings are there to welcome and cheer your arrival, and you'll be invited to join in a massive new years feast full of the finest Chinese cuisine. At this point, your animal companions will part ways with you, as they are off to have a private banquet with the Jade Emperor as is tradition.

Once you are fed and warmed, you'll be given rewards for all your work by attendants of the palace. The first will be a small charm of the animal you helped. This charm will allow you to summon your animal companion within the Spirit Realm, should you ever want to see them again. You will then be offered one of two choices: the first choice is a bright red envelope with about 8,000 dollars within. The other choice is to have a peach of immortality. Anyone who eats the peach will become immortal and unable to die, however it will come at the cost of being forever tied to the spirit realm. This means unless you travel through the spirit realm, you'd never be able to leave the boundaries of Kaisou as you need to stay near the spirit vein. And for otherworlders ... well, you'd never return home. Though they say you don't have to consume right right away, so people may choose to take the peach with them and save it for later. Still you can only choose one option, so choose wisely.

Whichever you choose, once the feast winds down, they will open a gate that'll allow you to return directly back to Kaisou without going through the mountain again. Once you return home, the rest of the month shall prove relatively peaceful. As for anyone who actually heeds Zodiac's request to hand over a peach. Well...they will hold up their offer to pay handsomely and hand over 40,000 dollars for your work. Surely they're just feeling extra generous and this shouldn't leave you with a feeling of dread, right?

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.

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