lunaecalamitas | thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

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

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[With his ears, Ithaqua of course hears the voices, and he straightens up, looking around.]

Other wizards?

'Tis possible...

[Whether those voices are coming from wizards or not, something urges Urianger toward them. But before he takes another step, he looks up at Ithaqua.]

Let us investigate.

[He's not about to wander off without his excursion partner, of course.

As they press on toward the voices, the scenery begins to change yet again. The forest gives way to something completely foreign- a barren rocky outcropping and a nebulous sky. They are now in the far reaches of space, and the atmosphere is heavy with despair.

This time, Urianger remains right at Ithaqua's side, and the hardened expression he now wears means he knows exactly what's happening now.]

Keep calm, and listen well.

[A voice comes in loud and clear this time, unfamiliar to Ithaqua but quite the opposite for Urianger.

A dire scene is unfolding before the pair. A group of five stand tense as a howling cloud of darkness surrounds another. One of the onlookers is unmistakably Urianger, but there is another familiar face in the crowd: G'raha Tia. Between them are a pair of young elezen twins and what can only be described as the most generic and heroic-looking guy of all time. Inside the cloud is a miqo'te woman, who is quickly identified as the one speaking earlier as she continues.]

Though my body may soon dissipate, there may be a way to restore it: Azem's magick. So long as our souls remain, you can use it to summon us back.

[Azem? Summon her back? What's even happening to her?]

[From the start, Ithaqua can tell that Urianger and G'raha are from the same world. An interesting detail, but unimportant for now. Instead, he looks at the scene, notes the tension, and looks back at Urianger, how his expression is tight.

But he's not so silly as to not understand the words.

Someone's about to die, likely sacrificial, but while this is a memory and there is already some assurance that she (they? why are there more?) have likely been restored as she said, that doesn't dismiss the emotions as fake. Ithaqua's priority is Urianger but his best enemies are physical, not emotional.

He can only put his hand on Urianger's back to remind him that he's here.]

[It's a difficult moment to relive, that's for sure, but Urianger seems to be taking it about as well as he can. He gives Ithaqua an appreciative nod, then turns his attention back to the scene.

But not without giving Ithaqua a warning first.]

Pray do not be alarmed by what thou art about to witness.

[That's fine, probably.

Back at the scene, the miqo'te's words seem to take the generic hero man by surprise.]

But you mustn't, for it would mean losing our way forward. [She immediately follows her previous words up.] This, I only reveal to so that you can promise not to invoke the magick.

We came here knowing what victory may cost, so press on. Press on and do not look back.

[The others watch somberly, knowing that the woman is right. With her sacrifice, a path will be revealed to them. They have to continue, for much is at stake. Such is palpable in their silence.

As the woman waits for the storm to take her, someone else steps forward to join her.

Urianger.]

["Do not be alarmed", Urianger says, and while Ithaqua doesn't understand why at first... when he does see why, he stops breathing for a few seconds.

He inhales sharply, and his hand fists in the back of Urianger's clothing. He doesn't want to see this, but he keeps watching anyway.]

[By contrast, Urianger’s hand reaches up to rest on Ithaqua’s arm. It’s gentle, compassionate. He knows it’s hard to watch. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what his comrades were thinking when he took those steps to his certain demise. It’s still difficult to say, now that he’s seeing it from an outside perspective.]

I shall join thee. [Urianger speaks to the woman from within the storm.] As subterfuge is not required, thou shalt not suffer for mine absence.

Urianger…

[Urianger’s sudden appearance is a surprise to her, but not an unwelcome one.]

My resolve has never been as strong as thine. Full oft have I wavered in my decisions, and afterwords been stricken with regret.

In spite of this, I may still stand with my comrades, supporting them as they attempt the greatest of feats.

[He smiles down at the woman, more sure of himself than he has ever been.]

This truth, I have learned in the course of our journey.

And many though my shortcomings may be, I may also claim to excel in prophecies. My studies into which have granted me the flexibility of mind needed to bend this malleable reality.

Thus may I hope… That thou mayest have the strength to resist, and our comrades the strength to continue.

[Urianger’s speech seems to rouse the woman further. After a moment of contemplation, she gazes upon him, proud and determined.]

With you to urge us on, how could we possibly fail?

[With that…the storm intensifies. The two figures within become lost in the swirling darkness, and after a moment more, the storm collapses in on itself and dissipates.

Urianger and the woman are gone, leaving only the onlookers and heavy silence in their wake.]

[Ithaqua's grip doesn't loosen, even with Urianger holding him in turn. Mortality of course is something he's quite familiar with, but never has he seen someone go so willingly to their end, regardless of the possibility of being revived later-- much less someone he cares for.

Perhaps Urianger can hear the deep, unhappy rumble in Ithaqua's throat when the two figures disappearing to the dark mass, but he might also be distracted with the way Ithaqua then gathers him up into a tight embrace, the hunter's face in the crook of his neck.]

[Having been the one to go through it firsthand, Urianger has the benefit of knowing the end result. After much sacrifice from his comrades, the Warrior of Light would go on to reach Meteion and use Azem's crystal to bring them all back.

Thus it is a great surprise to him when Ithaqua takes him into his arms.]

Ithaqua... [He gasps at the ferocity of this embrace, and the distraught fueling it.] 'Tis all right. I am here before thee now.

[The scene begins to dissolve around them as Urianger returns the embrace. As it fades and the forest begins to encroach once more, a bright path upward opens for the remaining party. A sign that everything will be okay.

Urianger closes his eyes and gently rests his head against Ithaqua's own.]

I am truly sorry that thou hadst to witness my sacrifice, but know that I did survive. Y'shtola and I both, as well as the star we labored to save.

[Ithaqua mumbles incoherently before deciding he must use his words.]

Do not do this for anyone. [He leans back enough to look Urianger in the face, the lines of his body curled and curved just so he can do this, with his hands on Urianger's shoulders.] Not for me, not for the sage, not for anyone else, in this world or yours. Anyone or anything.

[Then he takes a deep breath and exhales-- though his body is cool enough that he doesn't expel mist when he breathes.]

I am not asking you to promise. Just... keep it in mind.

I...

[It shocks him to hear any of this. His eyes waver, almost being unable to meet Ithaqua's own behind the mask. His decision that day was the result of much internal reflection and the desire to stand with his comrades rather than the shadows he had grown so weary of. His conviction had never been stronger in that moment.

And now Ithaqua is asking him to never make such a decision again.

He closes his eyes and shakes his head.]

I am glad thou aren't, for I cannot make such a promise. If the situation doth become dire and the world is at stake, I...

[He can't sit idly by. He just can't. He's so tired of it.]

Then don't do it if I am in danger. [For a second, he has to silence himself because he feels a promise on the tip of his tongue.]

Someone like you should not be dying for a beast.

[And he's fully capable of rescuing himself-- but that defeats his entire point.]

[It takes Urianger a moment to realize he's begun gripping Ithaqua's cloak. The regret of loss, once quelled, starts to bubble up in his throat again.

But before it can take hold, his lips begin to move.]

Then we shall stand together, as one.

[That's the conclusion he came to, after all. Just as he said in the memory.]

This so-called beast is my friend. If he is in danger, then I shall support him.

[Ithaqua makes a noise that sounds like a strangled laugh. "Friend", ah, what a powerful word, and yet--]

Not too much, else you put yourself in danger. [Now he lets go of Urianger's shoulders, placing his hands on his knees to support himself.]

I need you alive, Urianger.

...

[Urianger's gaze, intense once more, does not let up.]

Then thou hadst best not make me concerned for thy safety while I am present, for as long as I have the opportunity to do so, I shall not allow thee to die either.

[Oh Urianger, you should not have said that. What is Ithaqua to do but become more preoccupied with him? His words are almost possessive, protective, and it resonates with an instinct all beasts have.

He reaches out and takes Urianger's hand. Laces fingers together.]

I shan't promise. But take this as my answer.

[Ithaqua takes his hand, and Urianger softens almost immediately. He lets out a gentle sigh as his fingers curl into Ithaqua's.]

Thine answer speaketh more than enough. I thank thee, Ithaqua.

[A sudden gust serves to remind Urianger that they are back in the forest.]

...What sayest thou to ending our exploration for the time being? I know not how much more taxing this may become on our magick.

[Given the emotional wringer they just went through.]

[It drains more of Urianger's magic, doesn't it? Given Ithaqua doesn't need to cast anything for warmth, only protection (which showed it was all useless anyway), he's not expending as much as Urianger is... but the moment he realizes that, he tugs on their joined hands.]

Back to the manor it is. If you're to warm up, best do it there, and not the City of Ice.

[On the plus side, neither of them have fallen ill from the toxins. Urianger isn't so sure if he can forestall that much longer, so he's grateful that Ithaqua has taken the lead. He does his best to keep up with those long strides.]

A fine idea. I should like to spend time before a fire.

[Maybe with a book in hand. That sounds nice.]

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thousand dreams, lotus boats upon the waters

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spoilers for endwalker endgame

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