lunaecalamitas | thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

NEW MOON ADAGIO

Between the constant requests from the North and the sense of tension that pervades the manor, Sage Tatara makes an executive decision: we're going North, baby.

Of all the things that have happened thus far, let this be the ultimate test of your magic. Even as we near summer, it's frigid. Protect yourselves and your allies from the cold. Protect yourselves while also fighting off monsters (or other territorial wizards, should you make the terrible mistake of wandering into another's territory), flying through the vast wilderness, or protecting the poor humans who need your help to survive. Time to blow off some of your steam. Just be sure to obey Tatara's one rule: don't kill each other.

One particular problem of note is in the Forest of Dreams. Without its guardian, many of these rogue monsters and dangerous predators, displaced from their normal habitats, have found their way into the forest. Many of them, however, are unable to survive against the fatal toxin, and there are plenty of animal corpses and mana stones that litter the forest. It might be best to clean these up before the forest guardian returns...

That said, the toxin is yet another thing you must protect yourself against in addition to the cold. While you can likely keep yourself from dying from the toxins, you may not be immune to its effects. This deadly toxin causes anyone who breathes it in to dream and hallucinate vividly, be it images of the past, imagined futures, thoughts of the present processed and warped...

Strangely enough, those nearby may end up sharing in your dreams... Did you want the darkest recesses of your thoughts, hopes, and fears unearthed for others to see?

Those who decide to venture far past the more populated (in relative terms) parts of the North may find themselves stumbling upon what looks to be an abandoned bandit hideout. It seems it's been abandoned for quite a while—nothing to loot here, sorry!—but there sure are a whole lot of monsters that have decided to make this hidden corner of the North their home.

While you're at it, you may find a nearby cave. Beautiful crystals dot the walls and the floors, and there are small pools of hot spring water free for relaxing. It seems to be relatively free of monsters, too. So maybe this wouldn't be a bad spot to relax, away from everything else?

However, there's one thing that makes this cave truly unique, and it isn't the vistas or the springs—it's the bats. These bats hear echoes of the past and replay them for visitors. Should you stay a while and listen, a bat may pay you a visit. And when it does, it may play for you the voices from the memories of visitors past, whose stories may hold a clue or two to your circumstances...

While the Forest of Dreams is a memory/dreamshare free for all, the aural memories replayed by the bats in the Cave of Time will come from one of the original wizards only. If you'd like an audio replay of a perhaps significant moment either in their personal life or a clue as to what happened to them (it will be randomized), then please reply to this comment!

JOB BOARD

Clean-up and repairs. While thanks to the hard work of your Eastern friends the worst was prevented, the City of Rain emerged from their short ordeal a little worse for wear.

Buildings need repair, blood needs to be cleaned off the streets, the injured need help. This is, perhaps, the only time you will be allowed to use magic openly in the city (you've been given permits and everything!), but you still are not allowed to talk outside of designated zones. Please, please don't get arrested...

As for the scrap that litters the streets? Unfortunately, you'll have to take it back to the scrapyard. But this time, there's a big, roaring bonfire out there. Just chuck all the scrap and debris in the fire. The city isn't taking any second chances—extreme situations call for extreme measures.

Reverence. Several Northern villages are currently outside the protection of a wizard, and have requested the sage's wizards' presence. They're terrified of the monsters and worried the barriers for their villages will fail sooner than later. They don't simply ask for help for free, however, and these smaller villages are steeped in their tradition—they'll pay you their respects, praying to you, offering you gifts, groveling at your feet, in hopes for a modicum of your time and protection. Do their offerings please you? Then assist them with what you deem appropriate for their worship to you: kill a few monsters for them, or a lot if you're pleased. Strengthen the barrier a lot, or not at all if you're displeased. It's up to you! You have the power here. What's it like to be a god for a day?

Ladies' night. The monthly lady officers' gathering is coming up in the City of Affluence—it's an exclusive meetup for the women involved in and related to Western military and bureaucratic affairs. Anyone is welcome, so long as they meet two requirements: they are outwardly presenting feminine, and they have an invitation to the gathering. Here's your chance to flex your transformation and glamour spells! Infiltrate the meetup with a disguise and a fake invitation, mingle, enjoy the drinks, the jazz, the entertainment, and find out what you can... What's the Western army up to? Be careful, though—don't get caught and kicked out!

The attendees seem to be excited about the new phantasmagoria technology and the upcoming display, and many whisper about the upcoming Venator meteor shower...

G'RAHA TASKS

Greetings, new friends! I am G'raha Tia, and while I hesitate to call myself a mentor or a replacement for the one you had, I am eternally grateful for the assistance I received and will do my best to help your cause in any way I can. To that end, I feel I may need to be caught up to speed on the events and get to know all of you.

We can have some tea and sandwiches and have a discussion! That's the best way to learn, sometimes.

TATARA ACTIVITIES

Even if we're not here for very long, I think we should leave our mark (not literally! Don't paint on the walls!). I got paint and big paper in the dining hall, but no brushes... Do you know what that means? Finger paint! Finger paint a portrait of yourself with your name and I'll hang it up in the library when they're all done!

Thanks to Cid and Khun, my camcorder works now. The thing is, what's the point of filming anything if we have no way to watch the film?! Could you guys work together to make some kind of projector? Or like...VHS player? We could have a movie night together!

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your fourth event! It's your dreamshare and memshare event! Ready to open up with your deepest and darkest secrets?
🌙 We're halfway through the game. How do you feel?
🌙 Back at the manor, Kurapika and Maya have set up a bulletin board! Leave comments, argue with your neighbors, have fun. Be nice. Don't set it on fire.
🌙 On the admin side of things, Lav has swapped out Wanderer for G'raha! Please say hello to your new mentor NPC.
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting to the post, and remember to check back frequently, since not everyone checks plurk or discord all the time.
🌙 The next country to go on their mission is North. Do you think a PVP-enabled mission will go well?

» NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's been getting easier to cast illusions, and though Syrlya is still mindful about being touched lest it become very obvious she is not what she seems, she at least has a very convincing illusion to appear a human female. The human part really been the important one.

She smooths the end of her dress. Jing Yuan, at least, is easy enough to recognize so she remains relaxed.] I like it well enough. Seems everyone is taking the opportunity to relax away from business.

[Which means... he hasn't overheard a whole lot.]

...Mm, I suppose that they are.

[ Jing Yuan says simply, because that appears to be the case. If so, then, she supposes that there is only certainly folly in pursuing the idea of trying to obtain information at a party.

It's time to enjoy herself, her hand already around a drink's container, yet despite it all she can't quite get into the mood just yet. Ah well, she will just give it time. ]

But, it is not too surprising. After all, everyone certainly does need time to relax, no?

Yes, that's true. [Syrlya glances around, and then leans sideways toward Jing Yuan.] I did overhear something about "phantasmagoria technology". Not sure what it is. I imagine some recently developed magitech.

It does sound quite interesting. If it's being put on display it could have something to do with a kind of visually-aligned technological advancement. Though that is not a given, and I may be basing it merely on the definition of the word itself.

[ So just baseless hypotheticals or theorizing at this moment. Hmm in retrospect...she got initially excited but forgets how much she isn't exactly too of a great fan of parties. It doesn't matter if it's all men or all women. ]

So, how have you been managing in getting along with others, by the way?

You mean our comrades? [She pauses, momentarily caught off guard by the subject change.] I can't say I'm having real conflict with any of them. We're all doing our best, given the circumstances. Are you alright, after...?

[He makes a "flying clear across the lawn" sort of gesture.]

Mm-hmm.

We all certainly are.

[ ...

Though, Jing Yuan blinks at the question, not sure what the other is referring to until she makes the hand gesture, which does net Syrlya a considering hum. It may not seem like it but she was actually a little surprised. ]

...Yes, I am. But, I hadn't quite expected to hear a question on that matter. After all, it has been quite awhile since then, hasn't it?

I suppose it was--I apologize for not following up sooner. [They had hardly any time before being shuffled off to a mission and then it was all work all the time for Syrlya.] But it was quite the fall.

My friend, there is no need for apologies.

[ Jing Yuan certainly doesn't blame her for not following up in the space of everything that happened, smiling faintly. If anything, she is a little touched at the thoughtfulness.

There is still a pause as she still considers her response nonetheless. ]

You are correct that it was. Though, you'll certainly find yourself relieved that I could confidently state that I was able to walk it off just fine, yes?

That is a relief to hear. [The situation, at least, was not worse. It could have been worse.] I feel it is best for us to look out for each other. So I should ask you, how do you feel about the rest of our little group?

I believe you're not wrong in that.

[ Firmly stated, because yeah, it sure could've been. ]

...Hmm. I believe as I have had enough time to gauge others' personalities as well, I think that our group is faring decently well.

Even with our little disagreements that have resulted from here or there. All things considered, we should be fortunate that we've managed to carry out whatever we can well.

Your thoughts?

Edited 2024-05-27 16:09 (UTC)

I think, for all we have been forced along into this, we have not had any true failures have we? [He hums, looking into his glass thoughtfully.] That speaks well for us as a group, though we could learn to better trust one another in the circumstances.

No, we haven't.

[ Perhaps that's most fortunate, isn't it? To have not had any true failures at all. As for the other matter, Jing Yuan will smile wryly. ]

We certainly could. Though, to be honest with you, I believe the varying 'trust' that we all have in each other?

...That is an aspect likely to not change, and it may be the best as it will get. Not to say we haven't made much progress on that either. Simply that it has likely peaked from where the current levels are, and will not change otherwise.

[ Which doesn't sound all that nice, but in the grand scheme of things, trust levels could be lower. So she's going to look at it as a plus. ]

Though, I believe most of us certainly trust each other more to perform each other's job professionally so that we can leave. Which is a good thing, is it not?

[Syrlya raises a brow.] Does that not depend on how long we're actually here? If we believe the future it immutable, whether that be in our cohesion, trust, or any other matter, then we certainly will stagnate.

[ At that, she laughs, just a little bit. ]

Mm, you're right.

As it is, I do certainly believe in everyone to do their best; rather than fail due to any sort of stagnation.

I agree, everyone is trying their best. I think, more than we are being asked for, which makes me optimistic. [He nods with a smile.]

How will you spend the rest of this party?

That makes the two of us, then. I'm glad.

[ Jing Yuan considers herself relatively optimistic...sometimes. But in this, she thinks she is. ]

Mm, thinking of whether or not I'd wish to linger for long. Before, of course, leaving sooner than later.

There's not much here for me. What about you?

I think I'll stick around a while longer. If I happen to hear anything interesting, I can let you know.

[And their sage, of course, if it's anything strategically relevant.]

You will?

I suppose you are quite good at enduring crowds, hm?

[ Jing Yuan isn't entirely surprised, though. Syr gives off a rather calm aura. ]

Something like that. [It's no human noble affair. He can navigate soldiers in revelry much more easily.] Usually I like the company of people.

[ Oh, so Syr's more an extrovert; not that Jing Yuan hasn't her fair share of experience with partying soldiers, but... ]

I see. Well, that isn't bad either.

I do hope you enjoy yourself at the party in addition to information gathering.

thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

Ladies' Night | Party

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject