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 youโ€™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
๐ŸŒ™ Welcome to Lunae Calamitas's first event post! Yer a wizard, whether you like it or not.
๐ŸŒ™ 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...
๐ŸŒ™ Your OOC plotting post is here! Please keep all your plotting on the plotting post, since not everyone uses discord or plurk.
๐ŸŒ™ The South will be going on their mission next week to get this party started. Keep an eye out, Southies!
impacter: (020)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-20 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Mmm....I guess I should be clearer, then, shouldn't I? Ah well.

[Will he ever be clear about anything? Oooo what a mystery.

Solomon pushes open the nearby window, letting the fresh air in, sunlight hit the mess at the bottom of the pan. Specks of unusual reflected color dance against the window frame.]


No, I meant more at home. You have the pleasure of being the first in this manor, I'm afraid.
revengier: (31)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-20 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ Don't worry, Ginger. Kurapika fully believes that he can grow one!! Maybe.

He furrows his brows, fixing Ginger with a look of confusion and mild disbelief. ]


A choice?

[ Explain your reasoning, please. ]
lustro: (005)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-20 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
[ He freezes. Wait, is that what she expected????

Very cautiously handing her a lump of sugar. ]
impacter: (053)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-20 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
[It might very well be a shock of white against a muddling sea of twisted, stretching black - a push and pull that holds a careful balance.

Solomon's hand presses down on Ginger's retreating fingers, very gently.]


I won't tell. That's not my place.

You don't need to look so worried.
positivize: (pic#17104058)

[personal profile] positivize 2024-04-20 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
A monster? But...

[The ones she's seen so far have all been pretty harmless, and distant from the manor. And while she can't say she knows him, his demeanor with that response is kinda...

Well. There's time to mull it over later. Right now, taking care of the injured is more important.]


I'll do my best. Don't worry--with so many of us helping, I'm sure they'll pull through!
positivize: (pic#17104058)

[personal profile] positivize 2024-04-20 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a nod as she starts casting another healing spell.]

He was pretty insistent about dragging me over to help, and I can only imagine he did the same with the others. I don't think he'd do that if he'd meant to hurt everyone.

[And the way Mika had called it a 'monster attack' instead of anything else is, well, certainly telling in some ways.]
troublereduction: (day25)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-20 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
Looks like most people here ain't the type to just do nothin' when something happens. [ Which is good to see, if anyone asked him. ]
annihilator: (โžค 69)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-20 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Oh c'mon, you wanna be borin'? Where's the fun in that?
annihilator: (โžค 59)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-20 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
[bold of you to think malice does any studying at all.]

You don't have to go that far for me, but if you do, I'll owe you one, 'kay?
dyingtohealyou: ([Think] Someone is crying out)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[What a laid back guy...]

Well, good luck with that.
dyingtohealyou: ([Sigh] If there's a heart)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
Do you still have your non-human powers?

[+10HP! +10HP! +10HP! +10HP!]
meanspirited: (198)

[personal profile] meanspirited 2024-04-20 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
[sir he is at least 500 years old!!!!]

Tch.

[The impassive mask their mentor wears slips for a moment, a complicated expression crossing his face. There's a lot he could say to that, and perhaps he should, but he doesn't owe anyone an explanation. Nobody has the right to the truth of his existence and how he is a man who, quite frankly, shouldn't exist.

Technically, he doesn't, not anymore, but the scars left behind by everything he's done, everything that's been done because of him...

If people knew him, nobody would want him around. It's by writing himself out of history and memory that people think they do, because they don't know.

Solomon hasn't earned the right to know that, though, so the mask goes back up.]


Whatever you say, but I don't think it'll matter here anyways.
dyingtohealyou: ([Look] The temperature of)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Maybe he's just a rude guy. It's always possible.]

...You're a real straight-laced one, huh?
dyingtohealyou: ([Fear] or world peace)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
-!

[He does in fact startle! But also, he's not moving out from under here because in the event of an explosion cover is the safest place???]
dyingtohealyou: ([Look] long night with)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
Damn. That must really suck.
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Since before today)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
Got the address?

[Sliding off his broom, but keeping it floating to carry the bags.]
dyingtohealyou: ([Think] my throat)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
Never heard of it... it's a country?
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] If the dawn)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-20 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Off they go to decorate a room!]
positivize: (pic#17105365)

[personal profile] positivize 2024-04-20 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
[She'll continue the search too, since it seems like they haven't had any luck so far. They might have to move to another rooftop soon, huh. As she muses on that, her expression goes thoughtful at the question.]

I'm sure that's true, in a sense. While I think the rumor started elsewhere, people have a way of exaggerating the parts they find interesting while downplaying others... In the end, I wonder how different it ended up from where it began. I'm sure the person who started it didn't intend for it to end up this way, either...
shortleash: (pic#17120830)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-20 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
( Mika ... doesn't look like someone with a lot of hope in him, but still... he nods. )

... Please do.

( First "please" of the game... maybe. He's upset, and frustrated; and maybe more so, because he thinks he doesn't want them to die. And it's frustrating that he cares so much.

As they enter the common room to the horror show that's here, he says simply: )


... Starting with anyone should be help enough. I'll go get more people.
themanwhoerasedhisname: 9 (9)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-20 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
I have had a few people going after me because they took an interest on me.

[A whole lot of people want to face a living legend, turns out. It's troublesome.

Also he's partly convinced the spirits found him interesting and that's why he's here]
dadsandals: (yama54)

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-20 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
Ugh...fine, you're right. The Sage won't let me hear the end of it if I don't put anything on it.

[ And that guy can really talk your ear off if he wants to, so. ]

Sticker... Well, since you've got a knack for this, pick one.

[ Here you go, Khun! A cute ol' sticker sheet. ]
Edited (wrong link oops) 2024-04-20 05:20 (UTC)
dadsandals: (yama42)

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-20 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
Kiryu. Nice to meet you, too -- I'm Nikaido Yamato.

[ Idly, he wonders if the guy's from Japan, too, but he'll ask later. They've got other things to worry about! ]

I'll do my best while we're here. [ ...Sometimes. ] Let's give it our all so we can go home, though I don't think I need to tell you that specifically.
dadsandals: (yama5)

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-20 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ He wouldn't be the only one, but Yamato won't elaborate unless Day asks. They've got more important things to discuss, such as the fact that you can...summon an object from home out of thin air, apparently? Wild. Who knew magic was this capable? ]

So there has to be some sort of significance, even if it's not the exact thing. Do I just imagine it or something?

[ This is a complicated process, isn't it. ]

Either way, I guess I can think of something. It's not like I don't have anything that's important to me...
dadsandals: (yama48)

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-20 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
What's that supposed to mean?

[ Hello? Are these good looks not enough to make it obvious, Mika!! ]