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!
dyingtohealyou: ([Look] The temperature of)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like you'd have to get pretty creative so you don't run out of tricks.
fallingsand: (55;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-07 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
Wizard folk? Oh, no, no, that's. No, we aren't from here. It's just her gift? Like, a thing she can do? Her cooking heals, like, everything, so I figure wizard sugar would be a thing she could do.
annihilator: (โžค 20)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-07 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
They're great, aren't they?

[citation needed

But anyway, Malice seems content to move on from here for now, so...]


Where d'ya wanna hit next?
dyingtohealyou: ([Ow] right below my throat)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
[That's definitely how this works, absolutely Cid.

He does finally spot the fountain (he doesn't seem to notice things visually on his right side as well?), heading over to look.
]

Damn it...

[How many times must his eyes get fucked up!!]
impacter: (002)

1/2

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-07 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
[There's nothing at first, silence coating the air. He normally doesn't do this with his wand, but different magic calls for different rules even in a faraway world.

The wand lifts.]


Manu Propria.

[There's a ripple, a flicker of a response from the end of his wand. But the circle doesn't react. Solomon's expression tightens slightly, but he continues, lifting his other hand.]

"Hear me, denizens of darkness, you who are born of shadow and you who give birth to it. Hear me and do as I command."

[...]
dyingtohealyou: ([Sigh] The lonely parade)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Waving as he leaves.]

Have fun with the newbies.
annihilator: (โžค 11)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-07 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
[we are so good at this!!

Anyway, Malice nods at that and holds out his hand, thinking about the necklace in question. It was something the lady who raised him held onto so dearly - the last thing he had of her, that he clung to for a long time until circumstances forced him to sell it to have enough coin to survive. He loved that necklace because he loved her, and she'd disappeared on him one day, never to return.

For a brief moment, something begins shining in Malice's hand - the shape is circular, but it's smaller and thicker than a necklace would be, forming something... else.

Then it abruptly puffs into smoke when Malice tries to focus on it, and he exhales loudly.]


...Well, that's more progress than I've been makin', so maybe I'll get it eventually.
fallingsand: (53;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-07 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ :( ]

Welll, no. [ He's got him there. ] But I'm not gonna hurt anymore and I. I kinda hope you aren't planning to, either, so maybe it'll be alright?

[ doesn't look at the rest of north pretend they aren't there ]

And do we even know if there are still other wizards here? Why would we get picked for this if this place had any left?
annihilator: (โžค 09)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-07 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
I was betrayed by a guy I thought I could trust. Lured me to his place, an' made sure I couldn't get back out.

[Malice folds his good arm behind his head like it isn't a big deal, but his expression spells otherwise. Though he's smiling, it isn't a pleasant look at all.]

I'll pay that bastard back twice over once I get back home. But that's somethin' to worry about later!
shortleash: (pic#17103463)

wildcard

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-07 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
( A day or two after arrival, returning to his room for [whatever reason] (probably to brood, let's be honest), Mika comes to a stop a the three-fourths point, gazing at Leo writing out his score across his door and presumably further down the hall.......... This is probably not the first time he's seen the score, but it is the first time he's seen the culprit.

The words don't come to him immediately because. hello??? )


... Are you the piano guy.

( the guy with the annoyingly catchy tunes :/ )
impacter: (99)

2/2

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-07 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
[there is sure a whole load of jack and shit happening right now. Lots of night sounds. This all looks very silly.

Solomon doesn't even bother finishing the incantation, letting out a long sigh as he lets his arms drop to his sides.]


Nothing at all, huh? Hm.
troublereduction: (day76_colour)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-07 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ He seems to pause to consider how to answer this, but then decides that eh, it's fine to answer this naturally. ]

My sis gave me these. I don't have a ton of stuff from her, but I've managed to hold onto this one so far.
annihilator: (โžค 53)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-07 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
[What does steam have to do with anything... His world is not quite there yet, rip. But anyway that question gets a laugh from him.]

Just the two. This one's for fightin'.

[He gestures to the clawed one. Obviously. And then, after a moment of thought...]

Well. Three, if you're countin' this'n too.

[He wiggles the fingers on his good hand with another laugh.]
impacter: (028)

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-07 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'll make the time go by somehow.

Give me your name when you wake up, okay?
dyingtohealyou: ([Think] if I can't see any love songs)

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-07 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Don't look at the pistol holstered at his side it's fine it's totally cool definitely not gonna get anyone hurt at any point.]

They said the sage's wizards, didn't they? Not just any wizard in general.

Sounds to me it's possible there are other wizards from this world around.
annihilator: (โžค 95)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-07 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Whoa, this is really cool, look at him go—

...

............

Ah, so it's like that, huh. He understands everything now. โ† Doesn't get it at all.]


So I'm guessin' that's not the way it's supposed to go. Magic of this world's not playin' nice with yours, maybe?
divineth: (๐ŸŒ’ 15)

[personal profile] divineth 2024-04-07 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Such a response doesn't entirely surprise Urianger. He looks down upon the other man with sympathy.]

While 'tis true that we shall be called upon for assistance in the future, thy reaction is understandable. We've been spirited to a faraway realm, and have had its fate placed square upon our shoulders. In some circumstances such as thyself's, the concept of magick is completely foreign and thou art expected to master it in service to this star.

'Tis much to process.

[It is a lot to process, even for Urianger who has experience with this sort of thing.]

As for myself... [He gazes at his star globe, watching its machinations.] 'Tis my way of processing the situation. Though I do admit to my inclinations toward magick.
revengier: (29)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
Power makes people do irresponsible things.

[ He shoves his hands into his pockets. ]

At least, in my experience. [ He pauses, a thoughtful look passing over his face. ] I think I'd prefer that this was the result of an ability over any other alternative.
troublereduction: (day47)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-07 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Huh. Day was watching with pretty rapt attention, if only because he's curious what sort of things can end up as a focus, but...well, looks like he'll be kept in suspense a little longer. ]

You said you don't know magic, yeah? I'd say this is pretty good progress.
revengier: (104)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ He stares at the little broom, almost taken aback. It would be funny if it wasn't so unexpected, honestly. ]

How much willpower are you putting into it? That's a big part of summoning them.
revengier: (39)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ah, what an unpleasant expression. Kurapika almost glances away. ]

Are you going to kill him?

[ Yes, Malice said it's something to worry about later, but he's curious. There's no judgment in his tone either.

Killing is dishonorable, but it's understandable when it comes to revenge. ]
annihilator: (โžค 69)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-07 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
Yep. I think it's easier if it's somethin' I know pretty well an' have a reason to care about? Might be easier to stick with this for now...

[Since he's made progress here!! Unlike everywhere else, smh.]
shadowkin: (Default)

[personal profile] shadowkin 2024-04-07 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, he finally does sit up because yelling to the guy at the fountain from the ground seems like more work, but he also does not go over to the fountain because see above.

At the least, when he lowers his hand after that round of protracted melodrama, his vision is only a little bit altered. It's really not that bad. Guess they switched places in the freaking out department?? Cid looks at the guy freaking out over the fountain.]

I guess the vision's still there, so maybe it isn't the sun... [halfway to himself, then, raising his voice] You saw it, right? I'm guessing that's new for you?
revengier: (106)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-07 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
You can get as creative as you want. If you want to have other ways of taking down your opponents, you can create them to supplement your other abilities.

[ It's what he does, after all. ]
fullspbar: (63)

[personal profile] fullspbar 2024-04-07 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
...What do you mean 'try'? Why else would you be burning sugar?

[ There's not a whole lot of stuff that requires it, besides baking?? Not to mention, now that he looks, he doesn't really...have anything else out...huh.

Luckily, these thoughts go out the door once the guy drops '600 degrees'. The splutter Shinjiro makes is almost comical. ]


Give that here! [ HE'S TAKING THE PAN. GIVE HIM THAT. ] No fuckin' wonder it's hard to breathe in here, sugar ain't supposed to go over 350! You can't even eat this anymore!

[ Shit, will boiling water even be enough for this? Do they have vinegar and baking soda here? He's already getting grey hairs. ]