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

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

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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. ]

It's more of a mental exercise for you, old man. Keeping secrets, that sort of thing.

[Jing Yuan may be aggravating... But Ithaqua has stumbled upon something quite big, and while he wants to share it, he doesn't want to be known as the source of the information, lest the wrong sort of people ask how he managed to get his paws on it. Jing Yuan is far more stable than most others here, in his opinion.]

[ Well, Ithaqua certainly could have chosen worse, and that is not a lie. Either way, if the other might expect Jing Yuan to potentially show any kind of apprehension at the thought, he will certainly find none.

His serenity remains unchanged. ]

Ah, I see...so it's like that.

Don't worry.

You will find that I am very good at keeping secrets. Please, feel free to start off wherever you like.

[Ithaqua looks around, just in case, then turns back to the older man.]

Are you aware of what's been going on in the castle? That suspicious request to create a barrier around it?

[ Well then. Good thing they're not near the castle, huh?

Jing Yuan doesn't copy the movements, but waits instead until he asks those questions. ]

I do remember that request and I was a little wary of it. Unfortunately, I have no clue about any in-depth on-goings within the castle. So, I must ask...what do you have to say on both matters?

The prince has returned, apparently. [Ithaqua looks at his claws as if he's inspecting the condition of his nails.] Though that's not the purpose of the barrier-- of course, I doubt the prince went anywhere with his express permission, but I digress.

They're attempting to keep someone deep within the castle, a wizard.

You're familiar with the names of the wizards who came before us?

[ Jing Yuan supposes he was right to be wary about that barrier. Especially if they're holding a wizard hostage? That is not a happy plot twist. ]

...They're holding someone within the castle hostage. Did you get information on why?

[ Suddenly everything is coming up Sussy. ]

I can't say that I am, no. Why?

The deep chasm right here in the Central country is called Ravages of Oz-- Oz the great and powerful, a wizard without peer who turned to conquest and tyranny. He's quite popular in the books. [Ithaqua places his hands on his hips.]

The guards spoke as if he was the one they were keeping.

[Which is a dilemma-- on one hand, the castle is in possession of one of the wizards that came before them and clearly is capable of helping the state of the world as it is... On the other hand, everything that even vaguely mentions Oz paints a very terrible picture of the man, supported by evidence throughout the land.]

[ That is quite the dilemma, isn't it? A powerful wizard, yet someone who clearly might just decide Destruction was the better Path to take, given the insult that must have been granted to him due to being imprisoned. ]

I see.

He could be a formidable ally. But, he could also become a dangerous foe were he to be set free.

[ Bluntly stating this, because yeah. ]

Was there anything else?

That's it. [Then he gives a shrug.]

Given the gravity of the situation, I'm sure it will balloon into something much worse later. But, given everything we've seen and heard so far, I'm sure he's the reason for the barrier, and the presence of the shadows that crawled about the moat weeks before.

[He also can't rule out the presence of the prince, but then again, who knows why the prince was gone in the first place.]

[ Jing Yuan falls into a quiet, and then smiles slightly. Not because he finds this amusing, but simply due to the fact that it is a good thing to have more information.

He is not the type of person to gather it in this way and in some ways, it leaves him a bit lacking. ]

Given the pattern of everything, and the steadily building tensions that may be occurring with or without our knowledge in the natural way that is expected between countries, I wouldn't be surprised if the situation regarding this went awry.

I suppose if the shadows were looking to free him, that could be a reasonable line of thought. Is that why you're certain?

Oh, and one more thing, I do appreciate you disseminating this information to me. Perhaps I can look into matters on my own end and if I discover something, I'll let you know.

[ It'd be interesting, let us say, if he had a chance to talk to this Oz himself. Dangerous, perhaps, if he even found one, but considering every option of action is imperative. ]

Edited 2024-05-07 18:18 (UTC)

You, looking for information for yourself? You're more likely to fall asleep. [There it is. The sharp tongue has returned.]

And no, I don't believe the shadows wanted to free him. A wizard with that much power, why would anyone want him?

[He waves his hand.]

The power. They want that magical power. For what purpose? Who knows, but we all see the effects he had on this land.

[ Wow, it was nice while it lasted...!! Jing Yuan flashes him an amused look at that. ]

Ah, quite a critic as always. But, you never know, I could always find a way to manage something. Though, it would be amusing if somehow falling asleep would make it work out, wouldn't it?

...Mm, while in retrospect I do agree it would seem odd for the shadows to wish to free him, a wizard with such terrifying power can be seen as an attractive prospect to others, even if dangerous.

[ Jing Yuan himself wouldn't see the point of jumping to that. But engaging in a dialogue at the least could get info. He'll have to think on it a bit more. ]

As for the why, we have seen the effects on the land, yes. Though, we also do know a Great Calamity is also supposedly coming up upon us as well. If those creatures are linked to that, then them having more power would suit that purpose. Just a thought, of course.

That is relying on the hope that Oz, or any other wizard in that position, will be willing to do something about the calamity.

[Which... well, Ithaqua cannot say for sure.]

The other predecessors, yes, but Oz? Hm. The man's very nature is suspect.

That's correct. That doesn't seem to be the mindset of those who imprisoned him, though.

Either way, even with his nature, if there is a method to at least speak with him, I wouldn't consider it a terrible idea. Though, I wouldn't think it something that's easy to manage, given how much security must be on his person.

[ If everything regarding him being locked up is going to go topside anyway, getting a word in before that can't hurt. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Though he's not about to think of things like that. ]

Edited 2024-05-08 10:08 (UTC)

Of course not. It was fairly difficult to get in there in the first place.

[It was pure luck, really.]

And they're well aware that they're sitting on a prize, so even if they do not find anyone to erect the barrier, they'll still find ways of adding more security. But in the meantime... there are guards everywhere.

I don't suppose you got far enough where you could have narrowed down which corridor or general location deep within the castle he might have been kept within, hm? In addition, were there any other magical defenses you noticed the further you snuck in?

[ While Ithaqua didn't give specifics on either to the point where he doubts that he will receive anything enlightening, it can't hurt to ask. ]

...Regardless, it seems then that the best time to continue to look into it would be better sooner than later.

Edited 2024-05-08 12:47 (UTC)

An entire other wing, separate from from where the royals live. [And he gives directions, which are vague bc those were handwaved in the discussion with the mod.............

But hey. He knows where he went, okay. He has a brain despite everything.]

As for magical defenses, none. Merely guards at every corner. [Whichh are annoying on their own. One per hall would have been enough for Ithaqua to consider picking them off one by one.]

[ Directions and information that Jing Yuan receives well enough.

At least it indeed seems like Ithaqua has decent memory recall to where things are as well, so it will help with narrowing things down. ]

Noted. I suppose that's all the questions that I have relating to your sneaking around, though I won't object to hearing any other thoughts you might have on the matter.

I do still plan to work on something—it will likely take awhile given our level of magic, but there is no point in not taking any action at all.

[Maybe sharing with Jing Yuan was a mistake after all... He has to shrug.]

If you get caught attempting something unexpected, that is not my problem. [Then he raises a finger.] And you did not get your information from me.

It may come as a surprise to you, but I am not so careless to get caught.

[ Though, Jing Yuan yawns right after he says that. Very helpful with his image right now. ]

Mm, but very well. I can abide by your request to keep your anonymity as well. No one will ever know I heard anything from you.

[Ithaqua really, really doesn't trust that statement. He has to shake his head-- he's kind of regretting telling Jing Yuan anything now.]

Don't make me regret this. [Oop, he kinda is...]

[ There's a moment of silence on Jing Yuan's end as he seems to be considering Ithaqua's words, blinking sleepily at him.

Then, he just gives him an amused smile. ]

...Ah, your exceptionally large worries about my potential actions are heard very loud and clear, Ithaqua.

But, I would not have gotten this far in life if I did not know at least some bit of caution. So, there is no need to have any fear.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

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