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lunaecalamitas2024-05-04 01:06 pm
promittere) wrote in lunaecalamitas2024-05-04 01:06 pm
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.
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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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My special talents are potion creation, magical items, demonic pacts and home cooking. My height is 180 centimeters. And my birthday is...
[...
A beat, as he glances to the side for a moment - first in thought, and then in confusion.
When... when was it again?]
Sorry. Uh.
...
December. December the 9th.
[He thinks.]
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"Demonic pacts" gives him pause, but he shrugs and writes it down anyway. Day said "dodging." Whatever works...? Everything else, quickly written down as Solomon says it out loud.
The pause at his birthday draws Tatara's attention up from his book. He smiles at him patiently, doesn't rush or urge him. He understands, theoretically—he's very old, so.
However, there's a visible reaction when he hears the date. Shades of surprise, delight, melancholy, and regret quickly pass over his expression, before ultimately a peaceful smile settles on his features. ]
...Huh.
[ It's a happy sound that he makes, and he writes it down in slightly bigger writing than everything else. ]
Someone very dear to me is December 8th. I won't forget yours.
[ And his death was on December 7th. ]
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Ah. Perhaps it was his King? No... no, he would have said so. Maybe just one of his other friends, then.]
...That's kind of you. It's not something I celebrate much anymore. But it's nice, to know I'm in someone else's thoughts.
[However briefly. Such goes the fragility of life.]
What about yours?
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February 14th.
[ Valentine's Day! Tatara beams up at Solomon. ]
Will you celebrate me?
[ In the future, in the eternity that he'll never have? A little flame, carried on in the millennia to come? ]
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Tatara shines that smile up at him like the sun, blinding and warm, impossible to reflect. His eyes crinkle slightly, the immediate giving away of how the idea settles in his chest despite its melancholy.]
To remember a heart like yours on the day they are most important?
That would be my honor, Tatara.
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Yay!
[ That's all he wants.
But he doesn't let any of the melancholy stay. With a whip of his head downwards, he brushes it all away. He scribbles a few more things down in his book. ]
Next—favorite thing, least favorite thing?
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Least favorite... mm. I don't care for the ocean, or going to the beach.
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[ mans always dressed in long sleeves... didn't go in the bath... ]
Anyway, last question! Anything you don't think you're good at?
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Regardless of what he sees, he takes some time to think... before responding intentionally in Japanese.]
< I've been told I'm not always as upfront as I could be. >
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But since Tatara isn't expecting this, he stares up at Solomon blankly for about half a second in his bewilderment. ]
Eh?
[ And then, he bursts out laughing. ]
How do you know Japanese, Uncle?!
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[None of it is surprising from the notes, none of it worth dwelling on beyond swells of pride... save for one, which has him falling rather quiet.
...]
You didn't like my cooking?
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[ Is the whole thing just a cosplay?! Wtf is going on!
He looks at Solomon for a second, carefully choosing his words. ]
Mm... I can't remember! I passed out almost as soon as I took a bite...
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He meets that look with one that watches carefully, hears words that are light and somehow grows complicated under their lack of weight.]
...I see. That's a shame.
[He remembered enough to think it was dangerous, though, just like many of the others... why hadn't he said anything?
...
With effort, he lets the concern pass with a sigh.]
Did you really not question why I knew about Japan, or Japanese in the library, or why I mentioned Earth, back when we first met?
[What is he going to do with you, Tatara?]
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...
...
]
I guess I thought you were a normal Earth guy at first... [ Retracing his memory very carefully... ] But then you said you had magic students, and then you told me you were really old, so I guess I forgot...
[ He pops an eye open. ]
Unless it was an act and you've just been cosplaying?
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[It's very, very hard to tell if he's kidding, because he isn't.]
It's better that you thought that way, though. It means we're doing things correctly.
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Aww... But I like you knowing you're a strict magic teacher and that you're thousands of years old. That's way more interesting!
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You're aware the countries here all have different views of how they treat wizards, though, correct? Earth is not much different.
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[ It is possible Tatara's bubble was so small he simply ignored all of that. ]
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[Teasing, teasing, just as always. He isn't giving out information for free.]
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[ He doesn't even know what happened 5000 years ago on Earth!
He puts his hands on his hips and puts on a faux air of importance. He lifts a finger. ]
Plus, I am your sage. I will not consider your job finished until you tell me precisely one thing no one else knows about you. [ this is a threat, ]
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[That is a very, very different pool of info he has to hypothetically choose from.]
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[ He thinks, before an impish, mischievous smile crosses his face. ]
Both!
[ Give him your worst, Uncle! ]
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[His expression thins, his normal confidence starting to fray into melancholy as he thinks. How genuine should he bother to be here?
He likes Tatara. But what does he even share that could be beneficial? Should it even be beneficial at all?
...
Ibuki, perhaps. But no, that was something plenty at home knew about. Mostly. And he isn't quite in the mood to be pitied for the rest. But...
...
...
When brassy eyes finally lift from the ground, Tatara will see hesitance, despite the firm nature of the words that quietly leave Solomon's mouth. There is a fragility in the memory that he does not want to explore in depth.]
This is not to go into your book. Understood?
I need you to promise that.
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With a loud thwap, Tatara shuts his book and tucks his pen away in his palm. When he looks up at Solomon, his expression is flat. It seems he's incapable of looking too serious—this is his best. ]
I promise.
[ Nothing will happen to him if he breaks this, but he understands the weight of it anyway. So he promises. ]
no subject
--
Long ago, in a corner of the human world, a child of rare and extraordinary power was born.
He was extremely unique, in both power and nature. As such, he was unable to find a place within the touch of human society. He was persecuted by his people, who would not accept such an aberration.
Due to this, for quite some time, the sorcerer fought to suppress his own power... until he could hold back no longer, and lost control. Tremendous damage and destruction shook the human world.
Once it became clear that the sorcerer was a threat, not only to humans, but to all the realms, a lone demon appeared before him. This demon offered him guidance, and brought him to guard a place untouchable - a Fountain of Knowledge, filled with all that has been, all that will be, and all that could have been - that he might have a new purpose for his purposeless life.
Thereafter, now the guardian of knowledge itself, he became known as "the wise sorcerer". "The witty sorcerer".
Or "King Solomon the Wise".]
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