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lunaecalamitas2024-04-04 11:33 pm
promittere) wrote in 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.
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.
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.
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!
no subject
His gaze drops to the leaf as Solomon fiddles with it. ]
I do. [ Said with pretty firm conviction. He's seen weird things, so believing in all this was an easy step for him to make. ] I haven't seen the state of the world myself, but I saw the toll it took on the last wizards. If I'm honest, I'm a little worried.
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You sound like you're rather observant. What is it you think you need to be worried about?
[Like, there's a Lot, but he asks more to see if the Sage has something in particular on his mind.]
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[ His mind first goes to afflictions, but he doesn't know if that's something he should mention right off the bat. Not that that's the only thing that would make a wizard's life hard. ]
...The battles they face. The people and situations they have to navigate to keep this world together. And they're from here.
[ He studies Solomon for a second, seemingly not too worried about him, specifically. But he's seen even the most well put-together wizards suffer, struggle in this short time. ]
But maybe it'll be different with you guys?
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[Tatara isn't much of a salesman, is he? Not that Solomon minds. An anxious response tells just as much as a confident one.]
People have the capability to get through quite a lot, even if they're far from home. I wouldn't see a need for lost faith just yet when we've only just arrived.
[He raises the stem to his mouth to taste. Brief, thinking, nodding. Interesting]
No need to worry about tomorrow, dear Sage. You've gotten through the day, haven't you?
Celebrate the accomplishment. Whatever it is you wish to accomplish here with us, you can't go far with it if you doubt at the first steps.
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And when he's finished, he can't help but give a laugh. The embarrassed sort. ]
It's not often I'm the one getting advice. I'm usually on the other side of the table, so to speak.
[ It probably helps that he's talking to a 5000-year-old and not a 15-year-old... Not that he can tell. ]
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[He's still got plenty of questions, but rushing through them has never really been his style. Instead, he cocks his head towards the kitchen door.]
Would you like to go into the kitchen with me for a moment? I think a snack could perk us both up.
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He perks at mention of food. ]
Are you gonna make me something, too? [ What is this luxury?! He begins to rise from his chair, signaling his answer. ] You don't have to, but I'll take you up on it!
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[He'll gesture with a sweep of his arm as he heads off in that direction. This way, little lamb.]
You mentioned the previous wizards were already from this world, yes? What about their Sage?
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Tatara has no manners, so his chair remains out. He trots behind Solomon, gazing up at the back of his head, following him into the kitchen. ]
Yup. [ In response to question one. ] Their sage was from Japan, like me.
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Time to rummage around the cupboards and see if anything is recognizable.]
Are they always pulled from Japan? The library seemed to have more than just Japanese texts present.
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I don't think so. [ He leans against the kitchen island, watching Solomon rummage around. ] I think there was another Japanese guy before the last one, [ which would make Tatara the third in a row, ] but I don't know about the rest. Probably from all over.
no subject
Interesting. I wonder what it is about Earth the spirits like so much. Kidnapping is hardly the way to go about it, though.
[Pan, pan, he needs a pan, hmm.]
Do you like omurice, dear Sage? I think I could make an equivalent that we could easily split. [Well. Somewhere within equivalent. Several times removed from equivalent. Eh. Details.]
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You know omurice? You can make it?!
[ Is he looking for a pan? Tatara stands up from his spot and gets out a pan from where their home is, the perfect size for omurice.
He holds it up, the kitchen light catching on the sheen. ] I'll help you out!
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Of course I can. I consider it one of my specialties, actually. I'll even decorate it for you when we're through.
[Except they don't quite have rice, and they don't quite have normal eggs, and they don't quite have tomato or dashi or soy or--- well, ALL of this is pretty foreign.
Eh. He'll wing it. He trusts his gut instincts. :)]
Would you mind getting the stove going? I'll test out some of these vegetables and see what we can fry with our filling.
Any recommendations?
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[ Well, maybe he was too young to remember if he did, but...
Anyway! He gets the fire on the stove going, and then steps away to look at all the cabinets. ]
Hmm... I found a sauce the other day that looked like tomato paste. [ Is it relevant? Maybe! He starts opening up the cupboards, trying to look for it. ] How does that sound?
no subject
[His voice tinges with nostalgia as he finds a cutting board and starts to dissect their strange collection of produce, tasting as he goes and taking great curiosity in the cross sections.
Maybe!tomato is brought up and he nods immediately.]
Close enough! You can't have a decent omurice without it. We'll try to make it work to our advantage.
Though I can't say I saw rice when I looked... maybe there's a substitute for that as well. We can get creative between the two of us.
no subject
Oh! [ He whirls around, having found the small container of tomato paste in one of the cabinets and holding it high in the air, triumphantly. ] I think I saw something that looks like rice the other day, too! I'll go look for it.
[ He places the container on the counter and goes to rummage... In the meanwhile, he thinks out loud: ]
What about a lion? Or a— [ He didn't find the rice, but he found a wooden spoon, which he is going to brandish in the air dramatically as he whirls around to face Solomon. ] —loyal hound?!
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RIP Tatara, Solomon's dropping more of those leaves from the garden into the jar of tomato replacement while he's busy, turning to view the Sage with his new weapon held out like a toddler playing magician. How adorable.]
A hound? My, my.
And whose hound would you be, dear Tatara?
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My King's! [ Said normal, like this is normal?
When he whirls around again, he has a little packet of something-like-rice in hand. Found it! ] But he said no when I asked. Oh well!
[ He is not bothered... He strides over and places the pack next to Solomon. ]
What else do you need?
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I would think serving royalty would make you a knight, not a hound. I wonder why he would say no to enthusiasm like yours.
[He carefully examines the not!rice. Yeah, that should be good enough to fry. Might have to eyeball the doneness, sure, but he trusts his gut.]
Mm... just eggs and a replacement for the dashi. We can improvise the latter - wasn't there seaweed somewhere around here?
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I think it's because he liked me the way I am.
[ That's his selfish idea of the rejection, anyway. ]
There is!
[ He snaps out of his little mood shift and strides over to a row of jars lining a small shelf on the far wall. He snatches a jar appropriately labeled, feels like konbu.
As he places it next to Solomon, he peers up at him. ]
Do you need me to do anything else?
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[Experience was a good teacher sometimes and a burning scar in others... He could see a soul of authority taking pity on this one, though. Earnest and quiet with a decent head on his shoulders.
Solomon regards his Sage with a moment of quiet as he opens the kombu. Mmm, that scent brings him back... yes, he definitely could try this.
And he could definitely see the resemblance to a dog. At attention, eyes sparkling, tail wagging in anticipation of instruction.
Cute.]
I could always find something. [He feigns a long and thoughtful hum as he starts gathering up the produce he's already diced up.] Let's see... I can leave you to handle the eggs if you tell me a little more about yourself while you do it.
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[ His whole identity is his king. He made Mikoto Suoh his whole life and never once did he regret it. Maybe, after hearing about the Black Dog, all he wanted was to be the same, with a title like that.
Anyway, Tatara grabs a few eggs and a bowl from nearby, and laughs. ]
What? You want to know about me? [ But he wants to know about Solomon! As he cracks an egg into the bowl, though, he gives in. ] What do you want to know?
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Here I didn't think I'd be seeing food with a mouth again so soon. Hahah!
[Still leaving the questions to him? Accomodating, polite. Maybe their Sage is more of a wallflower, or maybe...]
Would you like a boring question or a more troublesome one?
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Is there really such thing as a boring question when we're from different worlds? [ Another egg, cracked into the bowl. ] I'll leave that as dealer's choice. Unless you're trying to get a rise out of me with a troublesome one.
[ As he cracks a third, he looks straight at Solomon. Well? ]
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