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!
annihilator: (➤ 14)

[personal profile] annihilator 2024-04-06 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Easier if you come down here.

[He gestures with his right arm - it's missing from just above his elbow, so climbing is Kind Of Difficult right now.]
foresightis2020: (17)

B. HIDE AND SEEK;

[personal profile] foresightis2020 2024-04-06 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh? Me?

[ This old man? With his frail old bones? Anyway... ]

I'm afraid I'm not so good at this game. How about you give me a five minute headstart?
lustro: (029)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-06 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
A-aha... That. Well. It should go away - eventually. I hope. I don't look - too scary or anything, do I?
foresightis2020: (37)

i. same floor;

[personal profile] foresightis2020 2024-04-06 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I do.

I'm afraid I'm still lost in the thick of everything. [ lol ] How about we walk around together and see what we can find or what will find us?

[ Tasks? Other things? Wouldn't dream of it. It's time for an easy going day. ]
jokey: (18 - JGiONJ2)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh.

[Ah. So he really does need a hand here, buuut Akira thinks better of saying that out loud. He lifts his own in a wait just a sec gesture and darts back into the manor, emerging on the ground level a minute or so later.]

Sorry for the wait. First things first, try and call up your broom. I need to see what I'm working with here.
lustro: (058)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-06 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Erk - don't put him on the spot like that. His brain has supplied him with only bad ideas so far, you think he's gonna have anything prepared now? ]

No, that's fine, let's keep working on yours.
revengier: (91)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-06 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This will definitely go well and they definitely won't run into any issues!

Honestly, he likes her attitude, so he'll step back from the board and cross his arms. ]


Have you? Show me.

[ He'd like to see what she's been working on!! ]
foresightis2020: (19)

activities;

[personal profile] foresightis2020 2024-04-06 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Shopping...a wonderful time for everyone involved. Jing Yuan has been just absorbing the information and gradually getting acquainted to everything. So, perhaps a bit of whirlwind surprise change in direction isn't too bad.

He will chuckle as he is just suddenly ushered off with such immediacy it's hard to give much protest. ]


Aren't you excited? Have you already imagined what might be for sale?
positivize: (pic#17104135)

words to live by

[personal profile] positivize 2024-04-06 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, she doesn't really mind hearing him out considering she's still pondering on her own, but she does laugh a little at Akira's choice.]

Wow, that's pretty bold! You must be quite the heartbreaker back home then, huh?
1145pm: (hehe im jk)

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-04-06 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he REJECTS miette's meat stick...

Tatara just stares at him for a moment, then shrugs, then takes it back. Well. More for himself! ]


What sort of information are you looking for? You could always ask someone. The people here are friendly.

[ He is also ignoring Kurapika's scolding, talking with his mouth full. ]
Edited (smh..............) 2024-04-06 19:54 (UTC)
dadsandals: (yama13)

[personal profile] dadsandals 2024-04-06 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
A nametag...

[ This guy is all too excited for this. Yamato sort of just watches him head off for a moment, and he feels way too moody to really want to socialize. The better part of him, though, is what prompts him to slowly, leisurely follow the other man towards the glitter... ]

Is it not enough to just say what your name is?
dyingtohealyou: ([Sigh] If there's a heart)

Sugar

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-06 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[He was roped in. He is not thrilled about this, but for some reason he still went along with it. Ahitos work in mysterious ways.]

Overachiever much?
Edited 2024-04-06 19:55 (UTC)
jokey: (bV9YWG7)

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
What do you mean, work on mine...?

[This guy!!!! Akira huffs, shaking his head. Alright. Okay. Maybe it's not as badass as it could be, so fine. He'll humor this weirdo and consider a different phrase.]

Okay. You're the expert, so give me some lessons in badass. I'll take it from there.
revengier: (19)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-06 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He just barely holds back rolling his eyes. ]

Kurapika.

[ There? Better? ]

Do you have some yourself? We could probably evenly distribute all of it between us so it's easier to carry.

[ And no, he's not going to ask for a name. ]
revengier: (20)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-06 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
If you don't mind carrying fruit around all day, I won't stop you.

[ Jing Yuan does have a point there, after all.

But he nods at the question. ]


I am, actually. I think anything we can find out about this world could only benefit us, even if there's only fiction available in that store.
dyingtohealyou: ([Smile] Since before today)

Activities

[personal profile] dyingtohealyou 2024-04-06 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Honestly he's just been bumming around harassing meeting others so you know what? Sure. This guy's a little too in his space for his liking, but that can be rectified by simply moving towards the door, maybe.]

Guess they did give us some money...

Sure, let's go.
fallingsand: (35;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-06 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Whoa! [ Bruno cringes and turns in his chair with a startled jerk to look at Ahito. ] H-hey, don't just sneak up on a guy like that.

[ Okay, maybe the library wasn't somewhere to go for solitude. People are being told to write papers, after all, on top of the rest of this nonsense! He gives a miserable glance back at the list of possible incantations. It's a whole lot of words scribbled out, to be honest. ]

I mean... yeah? [ He confirms that, albeit sounding reluctant to. ] Mostly?
lustro: (051)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-06 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Eh? I-is that right...

[ What's this? Someone who seems completely unfazed by everything? It... actually helps Ginger relax a smidge. ]

Sure. [ But - ] For someone who says he's lost, you're not at all panicked, are you? Why's that?
impacter: (122)

Magic class

[personal profile] impacter 2024-04-06 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Mm?

[It's a light sound that comes from the silver-haired man, watching with relaxed attention at their giant talking hat of a host and letting his eyes alone travel to the teen with a glint of amusement.]

You have quite a lot of faith in your fellow humans. [Though his smile doesn't break, it's hard to tell if he's being even remotely sincere.]
jokey: (2875116 (3))

[personal profile] jokey 2024-04-06 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I don't know about that. I just thought it sounded cool.

[But the fact that he's preening like a proud bird is confirmation enough. If he could get away with it, he'd have eighty girlfriends.]

And what about you? Got your incantation all figured out?
revengier: (78)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-06 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Ugh...

[ Don't mind the displeased face he pulls... though, Tatara probably won't mind at all. ]

Anything, really. There's value even in fictional hero stories, so I'd like to see what's available in text before I go around asking questions. Besides, having some background knowledge for any questions I do have wouldn't hurt.
fallingsand: (13; they couldn't understand)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-06 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Perfectly fine? Perfectly fine?! Nothing about this is me being perfectly fine and— and, geez, what did they do to your eye? Did someone punch you or... is that what they're doing?! If we don't go along with this?!

[ He steps back, once, twice, putting a little more space between himself and Ginger. Just. Doing his best to hide behind the bucket. Again, it isn't very good for hiding behind. It's a bucket, after all. ]
1145pm: (pic#16970042)

i - floor 2

[personal profile] 1145pm 2024-04-06 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ At Ginger's voice, Tatara whirls around. There's a bright smile on his face when he sees the guy, and he seems genuinely happy to have bumped into him. They're on the same floor?! ]

Oh, yeah!

[ He draws up his hands to reveal a bunch of candles, all of different sizes, thicknesses, and colors. The biggest candle is the red one. ]

I found these in the closet at the bar. Wanna help me put them up?
discomposer: (ᴢʜᴜ ᴊɪᴀɴ'ᴇʀ)

[personal profile] discomposer 2024-04-06 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
What's the point of doing something if you're not confident! Even if you aren't, you'll get a hell of a lot further if you fake it!

[ But also he doesn't mind falling so... ]
revengier: (20)

[personal profile] revengier 2024-04-06 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't gain much by underachieving.

[ So, like.

Yeah. He's a proud one. ]


I hope we'll at least get some kind of compensation for this, so the more we have, the better.

[ And if not, at least it's good practice! ]