look at me, i'm the wound you tried to hide

[promittere]

ANDANTE ALLA WANING CRESCENT

Another day dawns for the Sage's wizards. It's been a month, now, since arriving in this world and being given a task nobody seems to fully understand—though after the jobs the Southern and Central wizards have taken on, it seems like it might just be possible after all.

And it seems like there's another task for the wizards, from the Eastern nation. However, unlike the other requests the Sage has been fielding, this task is far too big for five wizards alone. This is a task everyone will need to help tackle, whether they like it or not. Those that aren't particularly altruistic will still be whisked together by Tatara and Lazuli both, and they may still find the journey...illuminating. Answers to what happened to the original wizards may be just within reach.

Traveling via the elevator at the manor is familiar to some of you, at least, Lazuli setting a mana stone into the control not a surprise in a the slightest. The fact all of you can, somehow, fit in the elevator comfortably may be a surprise, but it's best not to dwell on it too much. You'll be staying at the City of Rain, Lazuli tells you with the air of someone reading you a court sentence, but you've been tasked with clearing up the site of some sort of disaster. He doesn't have much information beyond that—a fact that seems to greatly annoy him—and he warns you not to break any of the City of Rain's laws well before you're out of the elevator.

Which that shouldn't be too difficult, right? Right...?

Perhaps not, as the rules of the city are extreme. There are certain areas which forbid socialization and talking entirely, some areas where only talking to strangers is forbidden, only a handful of businesses allow chatter of any sort, and the list goes on. The most pressing law of all, though, is very simple: no use of any sort of magic within city limits. Do your best to follow the rules because breaking them will result in an arrest, and do you really want Lazuli and Tatara bailing you out? With the rules laid out and lodging sorted, Lazuli ushers you to the site you're tasked with dealing with. You will have downtime to explore the city, though, as it's expected to take several days to clear things up.

The site is a terrible, terrible mess. In what must have once been a peaceful patch of wilderness, there now sits a terrible gouge in the earth, several meters deep and twice as wide across, hollowed by what must have been a powerful force. The dirt is gray and sandy, dead in the manner the Southern wizards will recognize. Plants on the edges of the crater are dry and withered and splintered and broken. Permeating the air is a lingering dread, one both Southern and Central wizards will immediately recognize...

But it is clear now, now that your magic is considerably stronger, that the spirits are agitated by the disturbance in the fabric of magic. Dark clouds hang low over the site, and low thunder rumbles in the constant threat of a storm that will never come. The spirits' agitation, coupled with the dread hanging in the air, will feel uncomfortable, and perhaps leave the more sensitive of the bunch feeling on edge. This is not something that can will resolve on its own, so your most important task is to calm the spirits. That means doing the things they like: playing music, dancing, praying, telling stories, wearing fanciful and whimsical clothes to soothe their temperaments.

Your second most important task is to clear out monsters. The unusual energy in the air is attractive to beasts magical in nature—they slink out of their hiding places in the deep wilderness to the area, and their presence is threatening the humans who regularly use the nearby routes for trade and to commute. Kill them, take their mana stones for yourself. Win-win.

The third task is general clean-up. Remove the dead plants from the earth, remove the broken trees and any natural debris that might prove to be a hindrance. Characters are more than welcome to search inside the crater for any hint or clue as to what might have caused this strange explosion, but they'll find the site picked clean, earth having fallen into cavities where there might have been larger objects present at one point...like someone was here to clear out any evidence.

JOB BOARD

Reinforcement. Peace in Granvelle Castle has been restored. A liveliness and energy has returned to the castle and the surrounding parts of the city that hasn't been seen in nearly a month. Thank your Central friends for their hard work!

Their issues aren't quite resolved, however. The castle is asking for help in creating and then reinforcing a magical barrier around the castle. The barrier is a bit bigger than what one wizard alone is capable of at this point, so band together to create and reinforce what parts you can. Perhaps it's not a bad idea to use your own hair or blood as a conduit.

The type of barrier is specific, however—they want one that masks magical signatures. If you step inside, you'll feel a faint, but powerful presence within... What are they guarding?

Recycling. The Eastern country is known for its expertise in all things mechanical, particularly when it comes to clockwork. While not as bombastic or flashy as Western technology, the use of magic and mana stones being deeply frowned upon and rejected, Eastern artisans can create truly fantastical things just with gears and cogs and a bit of know-how... But, of course, sometimes it's better to scrap something and create something new than let the old items waste away, so some Eastern craftsman have asked for help gathering clockwork automatons and other creations in order to melt it all back down. Some of them seem a bit nervous and harried, but it's an easy enough job to scrap automatons and cart junk around.

Monster hunting. The few settlements in the North have been sending in frantic request after frantic request. There has been a disturbing increase in monster activity in the North, and the native Northern wizards are as unreliable as ever. They need your help in thinning the numbers, and that's all they really ask for—you can keep all the mana stones you earn.

For those of you who haven't been to the North yet, the weather is harsh, no matter the season. Protection on oneself to survive the negative degrees is crucial; make sure your magic is up to snuff enough to keep yourself at least room temperature. And using your magic to battle on top of that? This isn't going to be an easy job, not at your level. Be cautious, and good luck.

Mana areas & amulets. You've been here for a month now, and living in an unfamiliar place, alongside unfamiliar people, using unfamiliar magic must be wearing you down. Isn't it? In that case, it's time for the last piece of your wizardhood puzzle: your mana area.

Mana areas are spots where wizards feel most at peace with themselves, most whole, and a place where they can refill on the emotional load they've been chipping away at for their magic. It can be a specific location, or a conditional circumstance. Find more detail on the magic page. Your task—given to you by your sage and your mentor—is to traverse the continent, find your mana area, and recharge your batteries, so to speak. While there, make an amulet to take back with you, like a portable battery.

WANDERER TASKS

Listen to the spirits.

You've been here long enough that it's time to see if you can actually communicate with the spirits who've laid claim on you and have been empowering your spells. Try your listen and see if you can hear what they have to say to you.

OOC Note: For those attempting this task, ping one of the mods and roll a dice! Based on the dice roll, your character will get a little tidbit from the spirits... Or they might not hear anything yet, but they can always dedicate themselves to their studies and try again after leveling up!

TATARA ACTIVITIES

Don't make promises.

If you've made a promise, don't break it.

If you break a promise, you'll lose your magic. And I don't know if I can help you anymore or send you home if that happens. I'm sorry this is so late. But please...be careful.

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your third event! Everyone's lasted a month, congratulations! Keep working on your magic, keep forging those bonds.
🌙 As your characters settle into the world, they might find themselves irresistibly drawn to crowds, to music, to dancing. It's hard to resist the allure of a gathering, and it's hard to keep yourself from swaying to music when it fills your ears, no matter what sort of person you used to be. You're changing...
🌙 As we enter the second month, we are announcing a deadline for finding your pairs. This will be Friday, June 14 at 11:59 PM EDT. Remember, you may submit a guess at any time, and there is no penalty for getting a guess wrong, so long as you have a thread to back up your guess and consent from your partner. The pair page is here.
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting on this post, as not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
🌙 Next up for missions is East. Let's hope they don't have to talk to anyone for this one.

» NAVIGATION

Comments

[foresightis2020]

i. recycling

[ Guess who is participating in getting down on the ground to get things done. It's this guy!

There is definitely a chance to see Jing Yuan doing things as he is usually wont to do, and actually helping out.

But, at some point, someone might catch Jing Yuan gathering a little group of battered/broken automatons that no longer work as intended, and making them do silly things like dance. If he catches someone he turns around and makes a little wave. ]

Oh, hello. Did you want to help me?

[ Even now, he is still like this. Sorry not sorry. ]

ii. monster hunting (two prompts)

[ Jing Yuan is a fierce warrior who has braved a myriad unforgiving conditions. A man who has seen war, destruction, horrors beyond one could even begin to imagine. Who is peerless in many battlegrounds when it comes to martial arts skills.

Indeed, why should this be any different?

Despite everything, Jing Yuan seems to be unaffected by the cold for quite awhile. Not even a sneeze...not even a flush.

But, wait...what's this? If someone pays particular attention to him while accompanying him on the task, they'll notice something peculiar...

...It seems he's just been silencing the sound of his sneezing all along?!

On the other hand, once they encounter monsters, things get easier, ironically enough, in a sense since moving around generates more heat. Even if he will need to use magic to regulate temperature, it doesn't mean that his natural capabilities with channeling electrical-themed attacks have suddenly vaporized.

Though it does require a great deal of concentration, but that is something Jing Yuan is talented at. Whoever is with Jing Yuan may be facing off a pack of wolves, or otherwise towering monsterous creatures with dangerous claws. He attacks quickly without warning, shocking at least 5 or 6 enemies all at once.

But, there is quite a number of them, and the sudden rush attack did not defeat them entirely. Better keep on your toes! ]

iii. mana area & amulets (two prompts)

[ So, all things considered, the courtyard was probably going to really be his spot, but given that events have changed with the violence occuring, it's hard for it to stay a place of peace. Even if he refuses to stop his walks there.

Therefore, Jing Yuan can be seen in the West, looking for somewhere that will suit him better following events. Feel free to tag along for whatever reason!

As for amulets, he probably already made something like that. If anyone wants to catch him in the general town holding one for whatever reason, they can. ]

iv. wildcard

[ Feel free to hit me up with whatever and wherever, including my room post! I am good for anything. Here is where my OOC post, alongside a new comment for effects below. In general, Jing Yuan can also be probably helping with tidying up things at the manor with the impacted courtyard and kitchen from the recent incident(s), so if you want to help him out here, feel free.

Though he can also be found around the courtyard taking his afternoon walks, other countries at various points, or near the castlegrounds for plain interactions as well. ]

Recycling

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

Do you even have to ask?

[The answer is 'yes', more often than not. Kiryu is a helpful person]

[foresightis2020]

Assistance is never a guarantee; especially the type that is freely given.

Even when one has the same goals.

[ Jing Yuan says right as he makes one of the automatons do a split. Perhaps he is amusing himself too much; the mild look containing that as he watches the thing stand up does indicate as much. ]

Not to say I expect that sort of thing from you necessarily. You don't strike me as the type to usually refuse to lend a helping hand.

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[The automaton making a split gets Kiryu to stare at it, like he's surprised it didn't fall apart from that]

I have refused to help before. It's not like I say yes to any random person.

[Kind of false, he can be pushed into nonsense much easier than most think, and a lot of strangers have done that]

[foresightis2020]

[ You can say it's...magic at work. Or something like that.

Putting good decent miscellaneous magic skills to use, at least?? It's fine. ]

Well, I am afraid I may be a bit curious, then. When have you refused to help someone?

[ The automaton does a hand-stand, still in tact. ]

wildcard

[leewards]

You really seem to like busywork, don't you?

[All right, maybe Ithaqua is being a little judgmental... Or a lot.

Either way, he watches Jing Yuan putter about tidying up, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.]

Take a break, will you?

[foresightis2020]

Mm-hmm. But, it must be bad if you're asking me to take a break.

[ Jing Yuan has just about finished taking care of most of whatever mess remained in the courtyard; who knows who else has been tending to it?

But, he will seat himself on the grass since it is an ask. Fortunately, the grass also is now free of blood.

He'll then yawn, and pass an amused smile. ]

So, what's the occasion? You never struck me as a fan of too much socialization outside of work, Ithaqua.

[leewards]

Because this is not socialization. [He won't even address that he's not the sort to associate... mostly with people he's not pleased with. And he's still not sure where Jing Yuan stands with him, outside of being a strange man who somehow, oddly, has his head firmly on his shoulders.

And a bit of a narcolepsy problem, apparently.]

If you'd rather I take my business elsewhere...

[Just baiting him to say something.]

[foresightis2020]

Hold on, hold on...I was only teasing.

[ Jing Yuan laughs lightly, looking hardly bothered by it, as per the usual. The same goes for the obvious bait, even if it appears that it is more or less something of a success.

He isn't the type to wave people off unless it's a matter of necessity. ]

But, you must understand that I am curious as to what you would call this, then? And please do go easy on me. An old man like myself was just finishing up quite some hours of hard work.

[ Words spoken as light-hearted as ever, there is genuine curiosity. ]

monster hunting

[lustro]

...

[ That's strangely cute. Ginger calls for the stuffed bear in his room and passes it to Jing Yuan without a word. The bear warms whoever hugs it. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan will take the stuffed bear, a little on autopilot, and he has a stuffed lion back in his room (that does not do the same), so he does hold it close. Which is how he discovers this warms up. ]

Ah...many thanks.

I had no idea you had such an item on your person.

[ He just looks kind of sheepish though, because he sure wasn't expecting people to notice. But, he is grateful. ]

[lustro]

[ His cheeks are a little red, but: ]

It was, uh, a job reward. Is it helping?

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan offers the other a proper, appreciative smile now. He won't be able to hold it for all the time they're out, given encountering monsters are an inevitability, but it will be useful until then. ]

It is. I'm afraid getting used to cold environments can be quite an adjustment. But, it's likely the same for most, hm?

...You're not feeling too cold yourself, are you?

west

[revengier]

[ Kurapika has decided to tag along, because why not! After all, Jing Yuan went shopping with him, so it's only fair that he return the favor and tag along here. ]

So, what kind of area are you looking for? I assume you want something quiet.

[ Y'know. So he can sleep. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Hey Kurapika, good of you to join him! He will happily have the other come along; it fortunately did not take them long to arrive, and things are relatively peaceful... ]

Haha, you know me well.

[ Besides some people here not being excited about wizards strolling about either, but eh, fuck 'em. ]

It seems that this country is quite developed than most, and commotion can be found easily, but with two sets of eyes, I think I may find somewhere easier than not. Oh, by the way, did you happen to have a chance to find your own spot?

[revengier]

[ Kurapika can see it—Jing Yuan choosing a spot that's adjacent to chaos where he can rest in his own relative quiet. ]

I'm still trying to decide. I'm thinking I might choose the ruins in Central or the library.

[ He does, after all, spend a lot of time in the library. ]

[foresightis2020]

[ That's exactly it. It'd be just the right place for naps too. Preferably with a lot of shade, naturally. ]

Oh? The library holding many books must call out to you.

[ He remembers when they were shopping Kurapika picking carefully those books. ]

But, what is it about the ruins that makes it potentially ideal?

Recycling

[dyingtohealyou]

[Ahito spots him and gives a silent nod, scanning the area. Is there any indicator of the level of talking he can do in this place...]

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan has been talking and he hasn't gotten himself arrested (yet)

Though he also hasn't been yelling either.

But, Ahito is free to play it safe, considering this is Eastern Country times because who knows about indicators in this particular area. ]

Hm?

[dyingtohealyou]

[Quietly:]

What's the law in this area?

[foresightis2020]

[ He speaks back in a tone and regular volume to match: ]

We can talk just fine, I believe.

I haven't gotten any dirty looks or otherwise.

[ ... ]

Though, we probably shouldn't yell...

recycling

[1145pm]

[ He's checking in on how everyone's doing, but his footsteps are quiet enough that he does manage a glimpse of Jing Yuan playing before he gets close enough. ]

Recycle, or put on a puppet show, you mean?

[ hehe ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Um no he was doing important, difficult work...okay who are we kidding. ]

Why not both?

[1145pm]

[ silly man to silly man communication ...

Tatara snatches up a dismembered, clockwork arm from a pile nearby and waves it around, mechanisms inside clicking. ]

Okay, then catch me up on the story so far while we go throw these out.

[ Look at the way the arm wiggles... ]

[foresightis2020]

[ Nyoro~n ]

Ah, I suppose I can do so.

But first, let's start with the background.

The story itself is a simple one. It is as old as time itself. Where a knight must rescue the poor damsel in distress who has been kidnapped by a deadly and ferocious dragon to its draconic lair.

[ ...

Was it really something like that from just automatons dancing? Anyway, he reaches into a pocket to get out a piece of paper while getting one to move into a pile or something. Maybe it's a script?? ]