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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
But humans have to think of themselves that way. Because they can't accept their fundamental nature is cruel. )
Love. Sure. And how far would you go for love?
( Perhaps surprising no one, Mika also sees love as another expression of greed— one of the most deadly forms, in fact. )
no subject
[ He'd done a lot of things for Sena during the war, but all those things he'd done had utterly broken Leo. He doesn't like hurting people - each and every time he's hurt the Knights he's been trying to take on all the pain they've been carrying for himself so they didn't have to feel it.
They've never agreed to let him do that. Leo still doesn't always get why they want him on that stage with them, but...it's where he wants to be, too. ]
I've made mistakes I never want to make again, when I was still naive enough to believe that anyone who I loved felt the same way in return. Well, being alive is making a lot of mistakes as you figure it out...but you and I probably won't agree! It seems like you're the kind of guy who's been hurt so badly you see those wounds as something that are inevitable, that everyone would cause...right?
[ He's guessing here, empathetic as ever and watching Mika with a gaze that's kind more than anything else. ]
There's people who enjoy hurting others. There's people who don't. There's people who would cut off their own limbs and offer them to you whole just to help and there's those who'd shove you off a cliff for a cheap snack. It's impossible to condense the whole of humanity - or any living thing - into a single emotion or underlying trait because no single person is the same. I'll never argue that humans are capable of great evil - but the other side of that coin is a great good.
[ Well, that's just how he thinks of it, though... ]
Disagreeing with people is also a part of being alive. ♪ What a boring universe this would be if you thought the same way as me, or me the same way as you! Greed or love, charity or hate - all I can tell you is that the kinds of wounds I hear in your voice aren't the kind I wish to inflict on anyone, for anything.
no subject
He would rather assume the worst and be right (and be proven right again, and again, and again) than think better of humans and find his trust once more betrayed. Mika can take the injury, he can limp along, but what if his naïveté harms someone he cares for again?
That's the true face of his fear. )
I don't need your pity. ( Spoken like someone who hasn't been faced with kindness in a long time, and struggles to recognize it. ) My human mistakes are what made me a vampire and ruined so many things for so many people— and other human's mistakes are why so many people have had to suffer. I know what I've seen.
( But he also knows he's not going to convince Leo. Leo is... not as absent-minded as he figured he'd be - he has a better sense of articulation and complex thought than certain idiots he's known. If anything, Mika at least wants to establish his perspective as legitimate. )
If you want to tell yourself you can live and learn, then fine. If humans are actually capable of good, I'll believe it when I see it.
( At least Leo's not stupid enough to go overboard for love. Allegedly. )
But you only get the chance to really screw up once. If you die, that's it. I don't count as "alive" any more than a corpse in a grave counts as alive. The only thing I can do is look back at the people who are still living— all of you, and your "mistakes" you speak so highly of.
no subject
Wahahaha, this isn't pity! [ At least, he doesn't think it is...? ]
Acknowledging someone else's pain is just looking at them and accepting them as they are. You're not your pain, Mr. Vampire, but neither are you without it. It's a part of you, so I'll look at it, but it's also just a part. ♪
[ He's used to seeing this kind of scar on people. Probably for wildly different reasons than what hurt Mika, though. ]
Oh, but we're gonna disagree again. I happen to like vampires like Rittsu and Rei, so I'll be counting you as alive. You're still here, so your thoughts and words still matter and have an impact. And it's because of that I'd like to find out which song you like best.
no subject
You can't just count things as alive just because you can communicate with them. Would you consider a ghost alive?
( smh!!! )
What's the deal with those vampires you know, anyway? Do you have a vampire problem where you come from, too?
no subject
[ Who cares that ghosts are by definition alive! Anyway...vampire problem, huh?
Leo considers the Sakumas. ]
Mm, I feel like those two mostly cause problems for one another, if anything...? I wouldn't call them a problem myself, but I've never really fought with either of them? Rittsu and I have been on opposite teams sometimes but he's never been that mad about it, and Rei and I usually get along fine, too.
no subject
... It's not like I've met vampires who wouldn't turn on each other at the drop of a hat, either, so that sounds about right.
( His arms undone, he lays a hand to rest idly on the hilt of his sword the way someone might passively let it rest on their hip. )
But I wouldn't trust them, if I were you. I've never heard of humans and vampires actually being friends before. Maybe you're dumb enough to be fine with them, but humans on the whole don't like vampires, and vampires on the whole see humans as food— you know that, right?
no subject
[ Rei gets sick about blood so he wouldn't want to, Leo figures. ]
Besides, you don't seem to feel like I'm a snack, unless you're the kind of guy who needs to be super scolded for playing with your food. So aren't you another exception to your own rule, here?
no subject
Still, he doesn't answer immediately— his brow furrows, lips pursing brief for a moment. )
... I'm not an exception.
( He's not happy about admitting it, but in admitting it, it's almost a gesture of self-flagellation. )
You don't know what it's like to hear so acutely the way blood rushes just beneath the skin— so close to the surface. You don't get what it's like to want it so badly. I'm just holding myself back. That's why I'm telling you to be careful of vampires.
no subject
[ He genuinely...wouldn't mind...sorry Mika. Leo's a headache and a menace for almost everyone who meets him. ]
I think you're a kind person, even if you're a grouch. Reminds me a little bit of Sena. ♪
no subject
I'm not going to bite you. You could die? How are you going to compose if you're dead? Come on.
( Says guy who previously argued composing More Music was a form of greed which is humanity's primary sin!!!!! Ugh. )
You keep mentioning this Sena guy. ( He's not happy being compared to a human... ) I don't know if he's that much of a grouch if he's had to deal with someone like you who'd just give his blood away.
( Maybe his headaches are justified? )
no subject
Like. There is a huge list of headaches Leo has caused Sena specifically and he is 100% valid in any level of irritation he feels...but luckily (?) Sena enjoys fussing over people (???) so Leo being a useless man is fine. ]
Well, it's my blood! I can give it away if I wanna! And if you think biting would be too hard I could just cut my hand and put it in a cup or something! It's like donating to the hospital.
[ Is it tho... ]
Anyway, Sena is Sena~! He's picky about everything and he complains about me just as much as you do...actually, you guys aren't allowed to meet, I've just decided! I feel like it'd turn into a be mean to Leo-kun festival!
no subject
( Humans??? smh (This has nothing to do with being human specifically,) )
At the very least, make sure you have access to healing magic before offering yourself up so recklessly. I don't know how that works, but you really can't take things like cuts lightly. One bad cut and it just keeps bleeding forever.
no subject
[ "what do you mean" Leo once had his arm broken and wrote music on the ground in his own blood. ]
So what you're saying is if I learn a healing spell you'll drink my blood?
no subject
He sighs. This guy just doesn't let up. )
... If you learn a healing spell and it's good enough to patch you up after bleeding out some, then I'll consider it. Maybe. I'm not enthused about having to drink blood either.
( Not that not wanting to changes that he has to, so... )
no subject
It's a deal, then! I'll move that to the top of my spell list!
[ Even above an orange jacket... ]
Anyway, who are you again? [ Somehow. Mika never gave his name nor did Leo really...they just leapt into philosophy and blood drinking help ]
no subject
( He doesn't understand the dedication... If only he knew how far this dedication went (above the orange jacket!!) )
... Mika. I'm not asking for yours, but I'm going to guess you're going to give it to me anyway.
( mika "i'm not rude" lastname )
no subject
[ He knows someone called Mika...so, Michael or Mika it is. That's what he uses with "his" Mika. ]
no subject
... Sure. Beats "vampire," I guess.
( And Mika-chan (stares at Tatara)... )
Are you normally that forgetful?
no subject
I remember the important stuff, but, ahhh...I don't know, names can be a bit hard! It takes a few goes.