promittere: (Default)
lunae calamitas mods ([personal profile] promittere) wrote in [community profile] lunaecalamitas2024-04-04 11:33 pm

if you say it's magic, then you're my wizard

WANING GIBBOUS OVERTURE
The seconds tick by, the elevator rattles. There's a soft, musical chime announcing your arrival before the elevator doors creak open, leaving you and a number of others in the courtyard of a stone manor. The manor is large, looming over the trees surrounding it, and the gardens are well maintained, rows of hedges and beds of blooming flowers as far as you can see. The doors linger open until you clear the threshold, as if waiting patiently for you. Dawdle too long and you’ll feel a gentle push, nudging you out into the yard. The doors shut with more rattles and a cheerful ding!, and if you turn to look at it there's nothing to be seen behind you but the milling strangers.

Then there's a sting, mild at first. But soon, the spot where your sage's crest is starts to burn. It's as though you have been branded, and the searing heat clings to your skin. Should you look at your crest, you'll find it glows a faint red, like the dying embers of a fire, but given enough time it will cool to black and no longer hurt.

Once the pain fades, you notice is that the air around you feels distinctly different. It's hard to say exactly what makes it different, or how. It feels brittle, but malleable. That perhaps if you said or did the right thing, you could command reality to your liking—

The wind blows, stirring leaves and flowers, and that's when you notice there are two people in the courtyard that did not emerge from the elevator like everyone else. The taller of the two looks briefly shocked, before a warm smile blots it out, while the shorter of the two looks remarkably unimpressed—for as much as you can make out his expression under the large hat he wears. He glances at the taller man, the charms that hang from his hat clinking, and crosses his arm over his chest.

The taller man nods, turns to the group, and says, "Sorry. I know you were probably in the middle of something important. But...I need you. My name is Tatara Totsuka. I'm your sage, and you are my witches and wizards."

He looks up to the moon hanging in the sky, still pale and visible despite the light of day, and lays it all out for you: a wizard under the sage's guidance is supposed to fight off the Great Calamity—the moon—when it nears. But you are not meant to carry out this task. The original sage and twenty-one wizards suddenly vanished not long ago. No one knows what happened to them, or where they are. They aren't dead. They are gone.

That you are here, that there are so many of you, that you came from different worlds, means that this is a mistake. Something, somewhere, isn't right. Yet the world has decided to claim you in a frantic attempt to keep itself together.

This world is breaking. If you don't fix this, then you'll be stuck here fighting the Calamity yourselves.

When Tatara looks back down to the rest of you, there's a smile on his face, tinged with apology. "But I think it'll be okay. We'll figure this out... Right?"

The golden light of sunset is oddly cold. It settles over you not in a welcoming embrace, but in a possessive hold. There is a sinking feeling in your gut: whatever your home was before matters no longer. Welcome to a world on the brink of destruction—let's hope it's not for good.


The day begins to draw to a close. You're given the rest of the day to process Tatara's words and to familiarize yourselves with the manor. There are plenty of empty spaces in the manor with sparse furniture where you can rest and try to unwind, and hopefully get some sleep. Everything about today might be a lot to unpack, but surely you can at least relax and prepare for the next day.

The morning starts with the sound of bells. A cacophonous racket of them, ringing in your rooms, in your head, jolting you from whatever slumber you can grasp. The source seems to be a note, unassuming if not for the way it shakes with each toll of the bells, and the noise only stops when you read it.

"Go to the courtyard," it says, and if you try to ignore it the noise returns, growing louder and louder until your vision swims and you find yourself standing in the courtyard with everyone else—and the shorter of the two men from yesterday.

"Practice starts right now," he says, looking bored and just as unimpressed as he did yesterday. The sun has barely started over the horizon—it's early, almost absurdly so. "You need to learn magic sooner instead of later, unless you want to die like miserable worms. If you do, just quit now so we can replace you with someone useful."

His explanation on magic is brief—he explains that magic is a deal struck between caster and the spirits of the world, using a meaningful word or phrase to communicate your will to the as-of-yet unseen spirits of the world, who will respond to your desires and power your magic. A focus, an object of significant meaning, will help strengthen your ties to the land and direct the magic for your spells. If you have nothing that would work as a focus right now, he says, chances are the perfect thing will find you anyways.

While he looks unhappy to do so, he emphasizes that magic—as it works here—is all tied to your emotions and your convictions, and then he assigns you a challenge for the week. He wants you to come up with your incantation—the words you'll use to cast all of your magic—as well as find or draw forward your focus, with the final task being summoning a magic broom you'll use for transportation.
Threading out magic practice and ICly discovering your characters' magic words, manifesting their foci, and summoning their broom will count as three different jobs, and will be eligible for a set of rewards each. While not technically classified as a job this time around, this is a special circumstance. When you've accomplished any of these things, please submit them to the rewards page as a job submission.

If you're having trouble coming up with a focus or incantation, think about your answers for the first and third mandatory questions on your app! Your focus of choice does not have to be in your character's inventory—if what works best for them as a focus did not come with them, then they can focus and reach across universes to bring it here with them.

JOB BOARD
You may have just gotten here, but people across the continent still need the sage's wizards to do things for them. The job board will typically have 2 - 3 requests each event that can be turned in for rewards when completed.
Sugar delivery. Confectionery shops and pharmacies put in regular orders for wizard sugar to the manor, and despite the unusual circumstances, now is no different. Wizard sugar—sugar spontaneously created through a wizard's magic—is said to have restorative properties and said to bless those that consume it, so it's no wonder it's in high demand. It also happens to be one of the first things young wizards learn to do. So once you've perfected your sugar, go deliver it to the shops in Central capital and to the Southern merchants waiting for shipment near the Central tower.

The Southern merchants, in particular, seem rather anxious to receive as much sugar as possible, as soon as possible.

WANDERER TASKS
The wizards' new mentor knows that this must be an incredibly overwhelming experience, so he has a list of things that should help break down the process of learning and understanding magic. Or that's what he says, at least, but it feels like he's trying to make things more difficult...
Nobody is going to hold your hands for you, and the best way to learn is to understand the root cause of an issue. Use that paper being left around for something actually useful and do some research on the spirits of the countries you've been tasked to represent. I'll be expecting some actual thought out papers within the week.

For the idiots who can't research to save their lives, prove you can actually manage the bare minimum. There's a spot you can't reach without magic within the manor grounds—bring me one of the trinkets you find there.

For the even bigger idiots who are overconfident, come find me and we can spar. I won't go easy on you.

TATARA ACTIVITIES
Tatara knows things are tense and uncomfortable for his new wizards, so he'll offer up a few activities each event post to help them relax if things get too tough.
We're all new here, but we'll be friends before long, I know it! There's a table in the dining room with paper, pens, markers, glitter, and pins so we can all make name tags and get to know each other better. We'll go from strangers to neighbors to besties before you know it!

Oh, you should probably get a feel of the manor, too. This IS your new home, after all! And what better way than...hide and seek?! Sounds fun, right? I'd tell you MY favorite spot to hide, but then that wouldn't be fair!

I don't know how long we're going to be here, so it probably wouldn't hurt to settle in. Grab a friend or two and head to the market in the Central capital to stock up on whatever food you like and stuff for your room. May as well get comfortable!

OOC NOTES
🌙 Welcome to Lunae Calamitas's first event post! Yer a wizard, whether you like it or not.
🌙 While not technically jobs, ICly working out your character's focus, incantation, and broom are all separately eligible for rewards. Good luck on your basics, little wizards! You'll need them...
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Please keep all your plotting on the plotting post, since not everyone uses discord or plurk.
🌙 The South will be going on their mission next week to get this party started. Keep an eye out, Southies!
jokey: (NCFcTXs)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 09:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh. Christ. He nearly killed an old man with a broom?? Akira doesn't need more trouble with the law. Time to go on the run...............]

Why the ground? We're supposed to be able to fly with these things. The best place to start's up high, so you should join me.
Edited 2024-04-06 21:04 (UTC)
annihilator: (➤ 69)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-06 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Human.

[I'm so sorry.]

Though I guess I could live off of other vampires, if needed, but seems like there's a lotta humans 'round here, so.

[He doesn't have to drink gross blood!!!]
impacter: (074)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-06 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow. I wonder if I should feel offended by that.

[His long sigh sounds pretty much for show, though. To drop from the roar of the ocean to the trickle of a faucet as far as what he can feel in the air around him is pretty impossible to ignore.]

I'll have to store my complaints for later, I suppose. Though I'm curious how strong of a magic it is that can pull things so drastically out of place. That isn't like any spirit I've ever met.

...At least, as far as I can remember.
jokey: (xPOD3rA)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh? Same hat? Akira's gonna have fun practicing his cringe pickup lines on this guy.]

I'd like to think I understand myself pretty well, but who knows? Maybe there's a side of me I haven't met. Wisdom comes with age, so maybe you're right.

[did he just call solomon old]
dyingtohealyou: ([Look] long night with)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-06 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
...Huh.

Police don't use guns - though, most people put their trust more in magic or swords for combat where I'm from. Guns are relatively new to the game - but it's a better option than magic, as far as I'm concerned.

Airsoft? As in, it doesn't use gunpowder?
meanspirited: (pic#16390290)

[personal profile] meanspirited 2024-04-06 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
...More of a power vacuum.

[Which probably needs more explanation, unfortunately.]

The positions of the "Sage's wizards" are something that have existed in this world for millennia, though there aren't usually as many as there are right now. This is an abnormal situation, after all.

[He gestures as he speaks, looking up at Malice. Somehow, the hat does not slide off his head.]

Four wizards are chosen to represent their countries to keep the Great Calamity—the moon—at bay, though apparently something incredibly strange happened in the last confrontation, and the world is spiraling to pieces. You were brought here to help restore balance, or fight the Calamity should the real Sage's wizards remain missing.
jokey: (25 - eZ65FEQ)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
As much as you can stomach.

[But he's kidding, just kidding! Unless...]

Just enough to tell me if it's crap or I'm ready to haul it all off to the merchants. Don't spare me your scathing critique.
impacter: (014)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-06 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[There there kiddo, shake off those morning blues.]

Would you find it more productive to stay in bed?

A growing boy needs his rest, but I don't think our teacher here will hand out extra credit.
meanspirited: (pic#16390285)

[personal profile] meanspirited 2024-04-06 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
That's your prerogative.

[Anyways.]

It's not just one spirit that's at work, here—and it's likely the ritual to summon new wizards was warped or corrupted by the Great Calamity, anyways.
positivize: (pic#17104135)

[personal profile] positivize 2024-04-06 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Can't stop the Persona protag swag train...]

Hmm, I'm still thinking on it. But since it should be something cool [according to Akira, anyway--] how about, "It's whoop-ass time!"
jokey: (15 - 4klQ5XX)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[He sure does! Akira swipes the pieces out of the air and tosses one into his mouth. Mmm. It sure do be tasting like table sugar.]

Tastes like konpeito. Did it take you long to figure out how to make it?

[Akira pockets the remaining pieces and gives his pocket a little pat. These are much too pretty to eat. Akira's, on the other hand, is a fine and silky red like polished rubies. They're red buddies.]
shortleash: (Default)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-06 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Besides that.

( He crosses his arms. Still, he can see an evasive answer for what it is. )

Not a human. Not a vampire. ( Both of these are assumptions, mind. ) Anything I should be concerned about?
shortleash: (pic#17074093)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-06 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
( "Cute." His nose wrinkles. But thank god they're at the end of that... )

... Once we're done here, do we go back to where we were before. That.
dyingtohealyou: ([Serious] Somewhere inside my body)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-06 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Alright. Let's see...

For the incantation... that organization's name should do. And for a focus...

[He rests his hand on the pistol holstered at his side.]

So between the two of those...

[He focuses, thinking about the people who ruined his life and so many others, of the revenge he seeks to enact upon them-

The hope he still has in his heart, to put a stop to them once and for all.
]

The End of the World.

[Behold, broom: summoned.]
specialinquisitor: (sidelong look)

[personal profile] specialinquisitor 2024-04-06 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mòrag is neither amused nor comforted by his choices. Or his attitude, for that matter. This boy clearly has no idea of the importance of teamwork, and from that, attitude. But rather than venture her opinion, she opts to leave his efforts undisturbed.]

[Indeed, she's rather curious if he will succeed.]
jokey: (pic#14562276)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[is he diabetic?? did he lose his arm to diabeetus???]

You catch on quick. The hard part's getting the aiming down, but it just takes practice.

[Akira holds out his gun to Malice. Go on! Take it!]

Try shooting something. [quick correction—] Not me. Anything but me.
1145pm: (pic#16970047)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-04-06 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Amano-san!

[ In a very, nice to meet you type of voice, but obviously, the reporter (?!) has other ideas in mind. ]

Ah yeah, that.

[ He offers an apologetic smile, realizing a touch too late that he kind of breezed past that, huh. ]

It was the wizards before you who told me that. The oldest ones. They said it's usually a one-way ride, but... [ He pauses to think for a moment, a brief flash of sincerity passing over his eyes. ] I don't know.
dyingtohealyou: ([Sigh] If there's a heart)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-06 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you want to go grab them while I keep an eye on all these?

[He would not put it past someone to try to claim credit for their work.]
fallingsand: (17;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-06 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Wow, that's an awkward tangent. Bruno isn't sure how to respond to that. ]

Er, sure. [ That'll have to do! ] I mean, I mostly meant that... it's a genre trope? A-and they just aren't genre-savvy in those stories, so... but.. I mean, you aren't wrong?
dyingtohealyou: ([Sweat] hope don't dry out)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-06 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cool...........]

How do you usually... get it? Asking, or...

[Does he just kinda pick a person and go for it................]
meanspirited: (pic#16390287)

[personal profile] meanspirited 2024-04-06 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[He watches, head tilting to the side. (The hat does not shift at all.) It's like he's... listening to something.]

I see.

[But what does he see...]

Though your anger won't carry you very far. The spirits think it's cute that you're driven so, but that will only help with parlor tricks.

[He is a very harsh grader.]

And the end of the world? Awfully lofty pick for someone as strong as an infant right now. You're going to have to earn that before they decide you're not entertaining anymore.
fallingsand: (34;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-06 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah? Well, that's just how it works for my family. I don't even know if... well, apparently there is other magic out there, just! Not on my world? Or I don't know? I've never met anyone that wasn't in my family with magical gifts, okay?
fallingsand: (29;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-06 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yikes, that look. Bruno shrinks away from Wanderer but not without taking the offered coat. ]

...uh, r-right, sure.
1145pm: (pic#16970047)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-04-06 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'm not really clear on the specifics...

[ Murmured, like he's still thinking about it.

Then he decides not to think about it anymore, and he smiles apologetically at Ginger. ]


They're someone who leads the chosen wizards, and they're almost always from another world. Besides that...?

[ Not even the last sage could tell him. ]
annihilator: (➤ 15)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-06 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[this mental image is hilarious given how tiny wanderer is]

So they split us up, hopin' at least one of us'll be able to fill in the shoes of the missin' guys. Got it. Could be worse, I guess.

[Not that he really likes the idea of having people depend on him for something he shouldn't even be able to do, but fine, whatever!!]

Thanks for the info. Oh yeah, an' what's your name?

[Did he just miss that in the intro... maybe, he's struggling to remember all this info smh.]