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!
impacter: (001)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-14 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[He silently takes the bowl, the serious aura around him dissipating just about as quickly as it had come. A light smile, a chuckle that isn't derisive, setting the egg mixture aside as he works on finishing up the filling. Some of the tomato mixture is lightly added as he fetches a spoon to give it a taste. Hm, hm, that should be fine.]

I don't know what to think of you, dear Sage. [The spoon is tossed towards the sink with a clatter.] Even a magic user can't be a mind reader. But that's exactly why we ask questions.

[And their question session has been rather one-sided. But Solomon doesn't mind. They'll have time to extend the reach of their curiosities.]

Thank you for humoring me with an answer. I hope what you learn will lead you to a fulfilling success. Just don't forget what you want in the process.

[A wink, quickly made under softer eyes, before his energy brightens like the flip of a switch.]

Just another minute or two should be fine! Would you like to mold the shape of the rice while I finish the egg? We'll just need a plate.
impacter: (105)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-14 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't find that surprising. If the spirits are really all that different between us, then their magic might have different touches to what we can produce. That's not including our own influence with the feelings we rely on when we cast--

Ah, hold that thought.

[Now that the pan looks like an active tar pit, it's time to watch Solomon bring it over to the sink and immediately turn on the cold water. Smoke mixes with steam, in colors that look like the DEFINITELY don't belong, along with a lingering sickly sweet scent amidst tinges of burning wood and blackened caramel.

Solomon watches it drift across the ceiling with a fascinated expression. The stove is still very much on full blast. This is fine.]
troublereduction: (day12)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-14 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I happened to have mine on me when I showed up here.

[ Is the roomba actually present right this moment, ]

But I saw someone tryin' to summon theirs, so it's possible. You're still trying to figure out what to use for yours, yeah?
shortleash: (pic#17120974)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-14 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
( shhh... it's fine... come into his parlour...

It's really hard to think about himself. He's never had space to - or maybe he's just never wanted to. Never wanted to think about his parents, just the people he needed to take care of now; never wanted to think about his future, just keeping Yuu safe. Being left with only himself and his heart is... overwhelming, in the way being all alone in a great, dark cavern is, every echo mirrored back like a roar. )


... Does anyone protect you?

( Ginger's question mirrored back. If it scares him so much, he probably shouldn't deal with it alone. But Ginger seems... empathetic. Caring. He should have someone, right? That Rum guy, even with his hangups with angels, or some other friends. )
1145pm: (hehe im jk)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-04-14 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A normal assessment of Tatara Totsuka, in all honesty. Kusanagi probably said something similar in the early days. He's confounded a lot of people in his short life.

When Solomon gives his thanks, Tatara gives a little smile and chuckle as a way of acknowledging it. He won't forget. He'll remember what Solomon said and think about it on nights he has nothing else to think about. ]


Sure! [ He'll scoot in and take Solomon's place at the pan, taking the spatula or whatever utensil he had been using for the rice. He nods to one of the cupboards. ] The plates are over there.

[ It smells delicious... ]
fellheart: (coυnт тo тнree)

[personal profile] fellheart 2024-04-14 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Concerned, are you?

You needn't worry yourself. After all, we do share a goal here, don't we?

[ that's not answering the question, ]
impacter: (066)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-14 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm. [He taps his broom with his foot, letting it dissipate back in a slow shower of lights.]

What advice would you give, then?
1145pm: (pic#17103101)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-04-14 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'm not worried about me.

[ He's never worried about himself! In both the good and bad sense. ]

I just wanted to know what would happen if another one of the wizards picked a fight with you.

[ He's curious! Professionally. ]
fallingsand: (36;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-14 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
R... [ Ah, aha, right, right, that. ] You mean Rodrigo?

[ Bruno turns his head just enough to give the rat on his shoulder a sidelong look, right before raising a hand to pluck the rodent off of it. It doesn't seem worried at all at being handled so familiarly by Bruno. ]

He ended up here with me. [ Rat settled in the palm of his hand, he holds Rodrigo up for a better look. ] Rats gotta eat, too, y'know.
impacter: (103)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-14 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[He smoothly trades spots with the younger man, carefully sorting through the plates and grabbing a bowl while he's at it.]

Rice into the bowl, I'll take the pan back for the egg. It shouldn't need much time at all. I'll let you decide on the portioning.
fallingsand: (54;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-14 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Don't tell Bruno that, he'll go back to thinking this is a weird afterlife. ]

Do I? I only just met you. A-and you only just met us! I don't know if anyone should be trusting anyone else... but... I don't... [ His gaze drops to his hands, where he's still fidgeting with the cloth of his ruana. ] I don't really like not trusting people, either, and you seem okay...
troublereduction: (day27)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-14 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Huh. What a strange guy, is what Day thinks. The way his gestures don't quite match his tone, the fact he's even talking about it in this way at all. It sounds a lot like personal experience. Something to put a pin on for some hypothetical future. ]

I'd say I was pretty lucky. The monk was strict as hell, but she wasn't unfair or anything.
fallingsand: (54;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-14 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Can't we just leave it at nothing useful? I won't help us here...
positivize: (pic#17104058)

[personal profile] positivize 2024-04-14 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not much of a photography buff myself, but they can be pretty fun to use!

[There is something charming about being able to capture a moment on paper instantaneously, without fussing over edits and things like that.]

Mmm, you have a point there. It's only human to look back and long for a more idyllic time... The surroundings might change, but I guess people are still people when it comes down to it.
fallingsand: (44;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-14 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Right, I can do this. I can totally do this. Uh, I'll just...

[ Hold his hand out like this, cupping his palm to give the (hopefully appearing soon) sugar somewhere to pool, closes his eyes to concentrate, and then, with his other hand, he raises his focus and states, ]

Su futuro espera.

[ Green light sparks around his token and he feels something land in his upturned hand. Then another something, a few more, and when he opens his eyes again? He's looking down at a handful of wizard sugar. ]

Oh! [ First, he sounds shocked that it worked at all. Then, a grin breaks out across his face gradually and a laugh nervously titters out from him. ] Ha! Haha! It worked! Look!

[ He turns to show the sugar to Yodarha. ]

I did it!
Edited 2024-04-14 21:51 (UTC)
fallingsand: (11; and the family fumbling)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-14 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
...are you gonna keep asking 'why' until you have enough answers on this?
fallingsand: (27;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-14 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't have to tell me twice about the world not being friendly towards that, trust me...

[ It's been a bad time. ]

I suppose it's worth a shot. Doing the sand circle might be overkill, but... but I bet matches aren't hard to come by.
dyingtohealyou: ([Sweat] that I don't forget)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-14 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Just. Face.]
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Where you are)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-14 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh? And here I thought you suggested it because you wanted an extra challenge.
lustro: (008)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-14 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Um… ]

Rum, my coworkers.

[ He doesn’t say friends because he really only has two so far: Rum and Akira. And Mika is something else. That he’ll decide later. ]

When it comes to a fight, I know they have my back. But none of them understand my heart, so…
dyingtohealyou: ([Surprise] Amid the noise of the)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-14 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
No? The king and his family head different areas of the government.
dyingtohealyou: ([Serious] Somewhere inside my body)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-14 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
...I guess that depends on who you ask. That, and how honest they're being.

[Tying his own bags on.]
lustro: (067)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-14 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Ugh, fine…

[ Don’t try to get cute with him. He knows your type…

He will try, though, murmuring something under his breath and - maybe there’s a spark? He can’t really tell, but it doesn’t light up properly and he just sighs again. ]
lustro: (045)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-14 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you alright to walk around? Or should I go find something for us -
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] my heart still intact)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-14 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Isn't it important to indulge in the youth's curiosity? Broadening horizons and all that.

[Probably.]

Besides, if it's some kind of curse or whatever, we've already got a vampire around. Other magical or supernatural stuff isn't that surprising with a group like this.