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!
discomposer: (ᴢʜᴜ ᴊɪᴀɴ'ᴇʀ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-07 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
Music! [ IMMEDIATELY, INSTANTLY. ] I also think aliens are pretty cool~?

[ The...the latter is just a thing that he brings up sometimes, the music thing is the part that can be used to get him to do things more reliably. Though he'll get stubborn about pieces he's writing if he doesn't agree with what the rest of Knights wants to do. Arguing about things until they figure themselves out is how his unit operates. ]

Oh! And my favorite food is coffee! [ Is any of this useful? Who knows. ]
dyingtohealyou: ([Think] if I can't see any love songs)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, good call.

[Going to turn to head towards the market!]
dyingtohealyou: ([Serious] my body; in)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
That's unfortunate, because losing magic would improve my life by about a hundred times.
dadsandals: (yama42)

sugar

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-07 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ Dude... ]

Haha, a taste tester? Don't mind if I do, then. Your hard work shouldn't go to waste.

[ Yamato walks over to Akira and observes the other's process. Not that he really wants to entertain this job anyway, but he won't lie: It's fascinating to see what's going on, here. ]

Aren't you an overachiever?
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Since before today)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. That one depends on you, doesn't it?
lustro: (044)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-07 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Unsalvageable isn’t the same as okay. It… doesn’t always mean forgiveness, does it?

[ He shakes his head. Maybe in his weaker moments he’ll ask. ]

Did I forget to say - my name’s Ginger.
discomposer: (ᴀᴛsᴜᴛᴀᴅᴀ ᴏᴛᴀᴋᴀ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-07 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
I don't really get it! Do I have to pick something, or just think of something, or what? Have you mastered that one~?

[ Help him study. ]
dyingtohealyou: ([Sweat] that I don't forget)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[This guy... Ahito can't relate at all.]

That should do it alright.

[Time to scoop a bunch of sugar stars into bags.]
revengier: (59)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ OH DON'T WORRY I WILL DO IT ]

I can't believe we're the same age...

[ They look about the same age, so he's not surprised, but still! ]
jokey: (7 - dOT2YlS)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-07 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
There you go. This'll work out after all.

[Artistic types are good at honing in on their hyperfixations special interest, yeah? Akira's pretty positive this plan of his is flawless, but also!!]

Knock this essay out of the park and I'll make you coffee every day for a year. [Coffee bros gotta stick together.] First things first: know anything about writing music?
dadsandals: (yama19)

research

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-07 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ There is one in the manor (thank you mods), but Yamato hasn't discovered it yet. May as well work with another person who wants to do the same thing he does.

...

Is that a tree?
]

Uh...don't you want to look for a library first? The magic one seems harder to me, anyway.

[ Hi, Tree Man. ]
discomposer: (ᴀᴋɪʀᴀ sᴇɴᴊᴜ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-07 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
Wahahaha, I'm a fully fledged adult~! ☆

[ Says the man who has not EATEN a simple meal ALL DAY???? But it's fine. ]

Well, then let's get ready! Summoning brooms will be way easier with a goal! [ A fun goal. Summoning a broom just to summon it wasn't FUN enough to succeed at, you see... ]
dadsandals: (yama47)

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-07 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, okay. Then you should help me find a bigger job for Musashi, in that case.

[ Damn, dude. If Yamato knew he was hungry, he could be persuaded into making a meal for him or something... ]

Seen any messes around?
lustro: (060)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-07 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ The offer is still there! Ginger removes his coat, holding it out in case Leo wants it. ]

Tsukinaga is kind of long. Can I call you Leo? I’m Ginger.
revengier: (53)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ That just makes Kurapika arch a brow, but he'll be more than happy to offer his real feelings.

The sugar is more important, however, so he focuses on tying his first bag of it. ]


Are you having trouble controlling it or summoning it? Anyone with a strong enough will should be able to summon it without issue.
dyingtohealyou: ([Confuse] long time past)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
What's fantasy-like about being jailed?
revengier: (91)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
However long I want.

[ He keeps his hand extended. Gimme. ]
dadsandals: (yama10)

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-07 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
No.

[ :) ]
discomposer: (ʜɪʀᴏᴍᴏʀɪ ʜᴀʏᴀsʜɪ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-07 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh! Bribery! That actually works on him really well so he perks up again. ]

Of course! I'm a world-famous genius composer, so I know pretty much everything there is to know about writing music! I can arrange it, too. ♪ [ He's not bragging, he's that good in his canon to the point of raking in ludicrous cash he promptly throws at other people so he doesn't have to deal with it. ]
jokey: (pic#14562339)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-07 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
Help yourself. There's more where that came from.

[He can magic up more no problem! But for now, he'll just scoop a handful of shiny red sugar up and plop it in Yamato's hands. Don't get a cavity, gramps.]

I wouldn't call myself an overachiever. Goal-driven, maybe? And what about you? Figured out the whole sugar making process yet, or are you the type who always takes it easy?
revengier: (91)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
[ He starts to meticulously scoop his sugar into one of the bags. ]

How is the rest of your magic coming along?
lustro: (006)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-07 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ The Easterns and their bad brains. ]

Would you have been more willing to help if they were?
discomposer: (ʟᴜᴅᴡɪɢ ᴠᴀɴ ʙᴇᴇᴛʜᴏᴠᴇɴ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-07 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ He slings it on over his current red coat, help. Let him into the Eastern private chat now (no). ]

Sure! I don't care either way, Gin!

[ /shortens the name just because he feels like it and he's got a weird pronunciation for names anyway sometimes...he'll often use a slightly different Japanese pronunciation on names or shorten them in canon without asking. ]
discomposer: (ᴛᴇᴋʟᴀ ʙᴀ̨ᴅᴀʀᴢᴇᴡsᴋᴀ-ʙᴀʀᴀɴᴏᴡsᴋᴀ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-07 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah! I made a huge mess with glitter in the dining hall!

[ ...

And just left it! ]
jokey: (a4ICRvF)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-07 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
You know what? It's okay to not be okay, Ginger. I've forgiven people for some pretty bad things, so I can't be the only one.

[pancake-kun.....................]

Pretty name, by the way. Unique, kinda like you.