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!
troublereduction: (day19)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-09 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ Somehow voluntold into figuring out logistics. ]

Are you the type who gets lost for hours until someone finds you.

[ This should be a question but it comes off as a statement since his gut is telling him he already knows the answer. ]
fallingsand: (05; muttering and mumbling)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-09 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
Aha, alright, I think I get it. Do y'all have different roles or is there only a king and a buncha knights?
fallingsand: (18;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-09 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ That flash of recognition has Bruno preparing for the worst. What he gets instead is understanding. That's unexpected. He's left giving Urianger the most befuddled of stares, replaying those last words in his head a few times.

Another in the...? He gives a slight jerk and straightens up in his seat.
]

W-wait, wait, what? You're a prophet, too?!

[ Oh no, what should he do? Run away? Hide? Stay? Be excited? Be terrified? Nothing has ever prepared him for this. ]
positivize: (pic#17104058)

[personal profile] positivize 2024-04-09 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
[A nod.]

He didn't really leave us with much to try except for summoning a broom. [And the sugar, technically, but that was a job board posting.] Must not be very exciting if you're used to doing a lot more, though.
Edited 2024-04-09 04:42 (UTC)
jorunna: (comet05)

[personal profile] jorunna 2024-04-09 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
It'd be nice to know them a little better, but I think that's true.

[ Thank you spiritual upbringing. But capricious is not far off the mark for spirits. Sometimes they don't need to follow human common sense or morals! ]

But that's a start, I think! I also don't sound crazy for trying.


themanwhoerasedhisname: 11 (11)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-09 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
Small like sugar or is there anything else I should also be trying?

[Little things, little things...

.........

Salt?

Kiryu has never been known for being creative. Clever, yes, but not creative]
themanwhoerasedhisname: 5 (5)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-09 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I know how that feels. The one that worked for me was also something I'd rather not use.

[Mood, Bruno]
Edited 2024-04-09 04:31 (UTC)
themanwhoerasedhisname: 3 (3)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-09 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Kiryu shakes his head]

Fine. Whatever works -- I'll race you. Don't expect me to go easy on you.

[He'll do what he can]
leewards: (005)

[personal profile] leewards 2024-04-09 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
Mmmh. [That's a slightly annoyed grumble, but not because of what the man said-- it's because what the people want is something Ithaqua isn't all that familiar with, and thus not well-equipped to give, and the idea of failing at something rankles at him.]

I suppose it's best I do more research, but you have been a help.

[Then he hops off the counter, landing precisely on the points of his stilts with a couple of clinks.]
troublereduction: (day58)

[personal profile] troublereduction 2024-04-09 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Day knows this Too Well. As long as these spirits aren't making him file paperwork, they're okay. ]

Haha, I dunno 'bout the others, but where I'm from, spirits are pretty normal.
themanwhoerasedhisname: 8 (8)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-09 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
Why? Coming from a place with no magic or something?

[Can't be Kiryu is the only one who is from an entirely mundane world! Right? Even though Malice said the prosthesis wasn't working, there are many reasons to think it might be a mechanical flaw -- that perhaps something of its inner mechanisms is gone. That Malice may be from a magic place isn't his first thought]
lustro: (066)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-09 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ And here’s Ginger, who only has stubbornness going for him. He tends to cling, desperately, to the idea that he has to make the right decision. It has to require countless nights of fretting and many bags under his blue, blue eyes.

It’s been, like, a day so clearly he hasn’t despaired enough. ]


For your people… When do you… do things for yourself then?

[ He reflexively touches one of his star earrings when he sees Kurapika’s. ]
themanwhoerasedhisname: 10 (10)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-09 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
Completely ridiculous. I'd think I'm getting scammed, if it wasn't for how it's obvious this is all true.

[Getting branded and also being in an entirely different world says pretty well this is all for real and not a scam. Poor Kiryu, easy enough to entrap with scams]
lustro: (008)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-09 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
It… could be a boon. But couldn’t it also… I mean, sometimes you regret learning something, right?

[ Quiet worry in his voice. ]

And sometimes the fear of an answer you’ve yet to know is… crippling. What then?
divineth: (🌒 75)

[personal profile] divineth 2024-04-09 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Wow, that’s quite a reaction.]

Hast thou never met another practitioner of prophecy?

[He stops himself there before motioning to the seat across from Bruno.]

May I? I shall be happy to speak further.

[This might turn into a rather long conversation.]
themanwhoerasedhisname: 3 (3)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-09 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
Something that reminds me of something I like. A hobby, for example.

[It's not a terrible bad first option, is it? Perhaps?]
themanwhoerasedhisname: 13 (13)

[personal profile] themanwhoerasedhisname 2024-04-09 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Kiryu looks down when he hears the noise. He hadn't expected it. He also steps aside, like that'll make it easier for him to move around]

You never had sugar ever before?

[Is that even possible?]
shortleash: (pic#17103510)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-09 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
( If only the world hadn't ended before Mikaela could learn performing arts people are just Like This, )

... Aren't pianists supposed to be dignified...?

( He's understanding this is a losing battle, though. He's picking up that this guy is ... happy-go-lucky, in a word. It reminds him of the boundless depths of Yuu's stupidity, which is not something he was sure could be matched... )

Look, I didn't really keep track of which thing was which. They all sound like ear worms, I guess. I don't think that helps.
leewards: (007)

[personal profile] leewards 2024-04-09 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
... No. [Flat. Dead tone. He really doesn't want to be dancing with a fool, even if he technically can.]

Why are you dancing to my lantern?
shortleash: (pic#17103513)

[personal profile] shortleash 2024-04-09 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
No, it's fine. It's already healed.

( He turns up a palm. The slight blood smears are still there, but there's no evidence of injury. So he can't sense things anymore, but he can still feel his thirst, and he still regenerates... hmmm. )

I was just startled because I wasn't expecting it... Not when I was thinking about Yuu-chan.

( He was in his happy place (sorta)... But thinking about Yuu inevitably brings up memories of how they parted, how Yuu's doing now (is he safe? is he happy? is he happier than he was with mika?), and... well, his final dream. Getting lost in the introspection sauce in just a few moments... Yuu-chan always does that to his brain. )
lustro: (033)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-09 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ He nods. ]

Yeah, though I gave it away to Leo. He was pouting about his color.

[ An absentminded answer as he studies Mika.

Trapped in this place, he’s lost some of his divine awareness. And so he can’t be sure of how old Mika is - he looks younger than Ginger. He knows appearances don’t mean much when it comes to age - and definitely not maturity.

But all of what’s inside him is a lot, a century that’s built up in ugly desire. Has Mika had that long? And aren’t Mika’s own feelings heavy enough? It would be unfair to put any more on him. Ginger doesn’t want that.

And yet he does. He’s selfish, a hypocrite. He wants… ]


Us, talking like this. That’s enough for me. You’re already great at that.
fallingsand: (36;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2024-04-09 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
What? Really? What is it? Er, or would you still not say?

[ Gasp, is it swear words? ]
lustro: (004)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-09 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ Muttered: ]

It could have chosen a better location. Not happy about being claimed either.
lustro: (050)

[personal profile] lustro 2024-04-09 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
Slaving away. And now we’re here.

[ Way past clockout time. ]
chronosynthesis: (❖ Confusing Images)

[personal profile] chronosynthesis 2024-04-09 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Waxy, bona fide leaf. It's far from the first time his appearance has bewildered anyone, even in Tyria, but it's usually the children who want to touch him.

And then he starts when his wrist is grabbed, fingers flexing. Tatara only gets a view of Syrlya's glove going under his sleeve when he grabs his wrist, but it feels much thinner than is natural.]
Um, it's Syrlya.