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: (X1z4ZZc)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-12 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
True enough. There's power in numbers, right? You've just got to unite people under a common cause.

[It really does sound like Malice is talking about the tiger cub he illegally keeps in his big fat mansion. Weirdo.]

Those people are lucky to have you. Freedom is the only thing you can't put a price on, you know? Your freedom matters just as much.
impacter: (Default)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-12 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah.

Solomon remains quiet to that, his expression not budging for the longest time.]


I see. Am I really so intimidating??

[Well. It's not as though this is anything new.

A sigh escapes him, his eyes softening just slightly.]


Your honesty is really a good trait, Ginger. Thank you for speaking your mind.
revengier: (53)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-12 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ He grabs one of the other vegetables on the list too, picking one up in his hands and testing it.

It... seems fine? He's not good at this. ]


There is, and most people tend to find it in my experience, whether that be going to medical school or starting some sort of charity.

[ He pauses, looking up from his list and at Akira. ]

It sounds like you've done a lot of thinking about this.
jokey: (IjwmltW)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-12 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Smart. I want to believe our hosts are good people, but you don't know who you're working with until the pressure's on. Everyone reveals their true colors eventually.

[...]

I hope this place is a much safer one than the world you've come from. You should never have been experimented on in the first place.
Edited 2024-04-12 01:08 (UTC)
revengier: (19)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-12 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
I haven't figured that part out just yet, but I have a few thoughts.

[ Vague ideas floating around in his head that have yet to fully materialize. ]

What do you have in mind?
lustro: (077)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-12 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
After Lord Michael? And similar eyes, too…

[ He doesn’t know what face to make then. Not that… his emotions let him have much input. If he can’t smile his pain, then he’ll likely -

Ah, knew it. He rubs his wet eyes with the base of his palm. ]


The options aren’t great, Mika.

[ But - strangely enough, it helps. Mika’s words, or just the existence of someone he doesn’t have to pretend around.

(For now?) ]


I’m Ginger, half-angel and… half-demon, since you asked earlier.
jokey: (2875116 (3))

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-12 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
That's a great idea. Are you some kind of genius?

[No japes here, Akira means that. He hadn't even considered melting the granules down in a broth, but that's pure genius.]

But you say rations like you're expecting us to go to war.
revengier: (91)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-12 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
I was thinking about focusing on Central for now.

[ And it doesn't sound like Khun would particularly mind doing that either, so... ]

Let's grab whatever we see about Central for now and work from there.

[ Kurapika starts doing a cursory look around, trying to see what he can find about Central just by eyeballing. ]
revengier: (93)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-12 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
You have some serious issues.

[ The fact that he's having fun is of course the first time he says this, and it's obvious just by his voice that Kurapika is frowning.

He grips the broomstick and tries to go faster, only to end up speeding up a lot more than intended. At least the ride isn't bumpy. ]
shortleash: (pic#17072497)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-12 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
( doubt.jpg

Well, unfortunately, Mika doesn't know Yamato well enough to tell he's not mentioning he's married, if with martial problems, so his remark slides by without suspicion. )


... It's only natural, I guess. We've known each other since we were little, and... we're basically all the both of us had.

( He thumbs the hilt of his sword idly, the feeling of the cuts still fresh on his palms even if the wounds have long since healed. The scar across his chest seems to pulse, not really painful, but in reminder.

His eyes fall closed, for a moment. No... that's not true. It's hard to acknowledge that, even if he already has had to. )


... Well, I guess I'm just speaking for myself. ( He opens his eyes again, seeming unsure of how to feel. ) He's bright, and he's kind, and he's easy to love, so people flock to him. When I turned around, I realized... his world had become a lot bigger than just me. I think I was just weighing him down.

( Mika's love is too heavy, and Yuu-chan... most certainly had more people to love. Mika wasn't as important to him anymore. (Or so Mika believes, anyway.) )
fellheart: (doυвтғυl oғ тнιѕ world)

[personal profile] fellheart 2024-04-12 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
The second seems likelier to always be on your person, so in terms of convenience and accessibility...

[ one has the clear advantage. that said, it's the other way around if one thinks in terms of use, but. ]

Though, if we are supposedly meant to be able to find our foci even if they aren't an item that came with us, it might be that we should similarly be able to dismiss and recall them as well.
lustro: (091)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-12 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
But I’m not that honest…

[ So he thinks, not realizing that he’s easily read, that his attitude always betrays his emotions. ]


You’re not - intimidating. That’s different. But if I don’t understand you, I might not know how to protect you when you need it.
fallingsand: (93;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-12 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. W-well, it wasn't like I was hoping you would fix thhhi...

[ Wait, what. ]

Hold on. Excuse me? Abilities?
impacter: (021)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-12 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
Leo! Or perhaps... Tsukinaga-kun? That will do, haha.

[He dusts himself off briskly, shooting Leo a bright smile as he makes his way back to the kitchen.]

Rest up. The Witty Solomon will be here if you're ever feeling hungry again.
lustro: (003)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-12 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Yessir…

[ Hopefully, he can break through his incompetence with mediocre results. ]

I think - maybe I can just use my earrings like you used yours. [ Copycat. ] They’ve been with me for a while, sooo… that can count for something?
discomposer: (ᴋᴏᴢᴀʙᴜʀᴏ ʜɪʀᴀɪ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-12 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not one for plans! Well, outside of cases where you have to. ♪

[ He's actually very good at chess, but the second he figures out he's got checkmate in the bag he'll improvise and add dumb rules like laser beam eyes and pretend he doesn't know what's happening so he can keep playing instead of having to end it...

Leo's not sure if Akira's planning to take the lead - he keeps the tune going a little, a beat of his fingers tapping on Akira's waist when he can't hum, but he'll shift their hands after a second to see if he can dance both parts. ]
fellheart: (oppoѕιтιon accυѕaтιon coмplιcaтιon)

[personal profile] fellheart 2024-04-12 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
I was a military tactician by trade, so it might simply be that I have a tendency to think of many things in terms of utility.

[ is the explanation he ends up offering. ]

And my earlier words may have been a bit misleading; I may not have been a priest or ... leader of the faith, perhaps, but I did serve as Hierophant where I came from as well.

After a while, you more or less end up discarding those kinds of attachments.
discomposer: (ʏᴜsᴜᴋᴇ ᴋᴀᴛᴏ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-12 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ HE'S BEINT TOTALLY LITERAL. There is a graveyard of students who died during the ~idol war~, apparently from suicide in a few cases but also just... [ idol war shenanigans ] I'm so tired just even thinking about this lmfao ]

...Well, I don't know about that! I try not to hurt people, but sometimes it just happens.
fallingsand: (39;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-12 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Mm, no, I would have. Have definitely been seen as useless. It's, uh. It's just a family thing. I guess.

[ Admittedly, bad visions are also useless, so he sort of knows how his niece felt when she got no gift whatsoever. ]

Anyway. [ Bruno is going to slide right by the "family thing". Let's ignore it. He loves ignoring it. ] Yeah? That's one way to put it? Seems... too good to be true, even? Or maybe it is. Maybe anything I ask you about prophecies won't end up applying to what I do.
discomposer: (ᴋᴏᴊɪ ᴋᴏɴᴅᴏ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-12 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
I've only got Ruka-tan! I mean, Knights is as dear to me as family, but when it comes to siblings...it's just the two of us. ♪

[ And he's obviously the oldest since she's younger. ]
impacter: (007)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-12 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
Of course. No matter which way you look at it, we're at a rather large disadvantage right now. Biding our time would be a good option.

[Hm. That sure is a creed Akira stands by. Solomon considers him in silence for a while, the crest against his ring finger prominent as he taps at his own lips in thought.]

I wonder. What's the difference between freeing someone of their mistakes, and letting them free themselves? Is a human still a human, if only the good remains?
fellheart: (can ι вe)

[personal profile] fellheart 2024-04-12 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
... unless that refers to something different from what I'm familiar with, I believe coffee is a drink?

[ at least it's one he's aware of at, since I'm making the executive decision that plegia is of appropriate climate to be growing it in places. it might even be native to plegia actually, in the archanaea world... ]
discomposer: (ɪsᴏᴛᴀʀᴏ sᴜɢᴀᴛᴀ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-12 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
I do! We've all gotta adapt, right?
discomposer: (ʜɪsᴀᴛᴏ ᴏʜᴢᴀᴡᴀ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-12 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ EVEN LEO IN DEATH SEEKING MODE ISN'T THAT DUMB (maybe)

(bye solomon) ]
fallingsand: (12; grappling with prophecies)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-12 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ Look, crisis averted, because he is not too leery to do that at all. ]

Bruno. [ And he'll stick a hand out to offer to shake. ] I s'pose I should sat it's nice to meet ya, even if the circumstances are pretty dang weird.