if you say it's magic, then you're my wizard

[promittere]

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!

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Comments

tatara | sage

[1145pm]

[ After his brief shpeal and dismissing his new wizards, Tatara will hang around in the courtyard for a little bit to answer any other questions anyone may have, or just to chat. He sits at the edge of the fountain, chin cupped in his hands, watching the new arrivals with sharp, curious eyes.

Once evening hits and into the night, Tatara will mostly be hanging around in the dining hall, serving what snacks he can whip up or what he finds in the kitchen. He's here to chat, listen to venting, anything. Despite the chaos and general confusion of the whole situation, he seems oddly composed, a little smile crossing his face whenever he manages to catch someone's eye. ]

Questions!

[specialinquisitor]

[No sooner does the opportunity present then Mòrag steps forward, her frown professional rather than directed as she puts her hands behind her back in ramrod-straight military posture.]

You seem particularly convinced that this is a mistake. May I ask why?

[1145pm]

Hmm...

[ Tatara's eyes drift upward, his finger taps to his chin. He doesn't seem intimidated by Mòrag's presence, taking his time to think. Even if...he doesn't really need to. ]

The wizards don't usually come from other worlds. That should just be the sage.

dining hall

[shortleash]

( Mika isn't really around during the daylight hours; not because he can't be (thanks to his earring), but because, even with the earring, the sun discomforts and repels him. He keeps indoors until evening when he can.

He'd gone around searching for the Sage when the sun sank below the horizon; thankfully, he didn't spend long searching before he finds him in the dining hall. He pauses, studying him for a few, long moments, before slowly approaching. )

... How much do you know about our situation?

( It'd sounded like, though Totsuka knew more about things than they did, he was also just kind of dragged into things like the "wizards" had been. But Mika couldn't be sure. So, he's here to ask. He seems neither frustrated nor angry, but he doesn't seem happy, either. )

[1145pm]

[ And that's understandable, really.

Tatara looks up from doodling; he recognizes Mikaela from the crowd, and offers a warm, welcoming smile. It isn't too overbearing—an open invitation. ]

I can tell you everything I know, if that's what you're asking. [ He puts his marker down, gestures to the seat across from him, and rests his cheek on a lightly balled fist. ] But I'm afraid that won't be much.

q&a!

[positivize]

[Under most circumstances, that would be a pretty unbelievable explanation, but she's already been through a series of unbelievable events up to this point, so what's another? So she'll just approach him with a polite smile and a quick wave, like she's flagging him down for an interview.]

Excuse me! Tatara-san, right? I have some questions about our situation, if you don't mind.

Do you know when anyone last heard from the previous sage or the wizards before they vanished?

[1145pm]

[ Tatara dutifully turns and looks when he's flagged down. He greets Maya with a little smile, and looks expectantly at her, ready for her questions—

But the -san totally derails any thought process he might've had, and he brightens considerably, like the ears perking on an eager puppy. He twists his hand, pointing casually at her, and his voice rises with an excitement that was absent in his little talk. ]

You're Japanese!

[ sorry did she have a question, ]

questions!

[lustro]

So...

[ His stress levels, they're rising. But Ginger can play the part of a wizard, probably. ]

Tatara, was it? What makes you a... sage?

[1145pm]

[ Tatara, was it? Yes. He nods, firm.

What makes him a sage? He presses a crooked finger to his chin and lets his attention drift upwards, turning his expression into a frown that might mimic that of an old farmer worried about the rain. ]

Good question...

[ ...


...



...? ]

Questions

[mirristry]

I... have something of a personal question, if that's all right.

[And he looks a bit unsure about asking it, his arms wrapped around himself.]

... my mirrite. Marcus. If the two of us are too far apart, he'll disappear and return to my heart, but I don't feel him there. [...] Is he all right? Nothing has happened to him, has it?

[Please he just needs to know that his husband mirrite is okay.]

[1145pm]

[ Of course it's all right. Tatara nods, tilting his head as he looks up at Phil in a way to show that he's patient, listening. There's the faintest hue of sympathy as he blinks, watching the way he hugs himself. Ah... He knew not everyone was going to be in the...best place to come here. It pulls on his heartstrings, because he can sympathize. ]

I wish I could tell you, but if I'm honest? I can't tell you either way.

[ There's no way to tell where here even is, in relation to home.

Tatara reaches to place his hand on Phil's arm, and he squeezes, reassuring. ]

How does it feel when you're with him? Is it like this?

Dining hall

[impacter]

[He'd remained quiet during the morning, a momentary solemn break in his stature with eyes that stayed trained on their new hosts' every word. But the smile settled in, just as it always did, comfortable and constant.

He's slipped in from the gardens, hands in the pockets of his jacket as he peeks his way into the kitchen, watching Tatara mill about like a lazy cat watching its owner.]

Our dear sage is certainly the optimistic type. One might think you're used to this.

[1145pm]

[ Tatara whirls at the voice, and there's just the briefest look of surprise when he sees the Granville-ass-looking-motherfucker before a grin bursts over his face, and a loud laugh soon follows. ]

What makes you think that? You have no idea how nervous I am.

[ He gestures, with a grand sweep of his hand, to a nearby chair. ]

Have a seat!

dining hall

[annihilator]

[Here's another vampire who doesn't want to be out in the sun and will in fact be seeking Tatara out in the evening! Malice has no interest in the snacks (for obvious reasons) and instead holds up a hand in greeting.]

Hey, so. Gotta couple'a questions for ya. First things first, I can't use magic where I'm from. Vampires can't do it at all. So I'm not sure how much use I'm gonna be here.

[...that wasn't a question??]

[1145pm]

[ two of them...

Tatara stops what he's doing, and then cheerfully cups his chin in his hands, watching Malice as he speaks. He has cool hair.

He waits for the question to come, and...

...?

It's fine, he can help. ]

Are you worried you won't be able to use magic?

dining hall

[discomposer]

[ Oh, snacks. What kind? ]

Coffee please!! [ Don't feed him if you don't wanna keep him. ]

[1145pm]

[ but he wants to keep the weird guy, ]

At this hour?

[ Though the way he laughs and gets up from his chair says he's not going to argue. He can go with this flow. ]

Come with me.

[ And he gestures for Leo to follow him to the kitchen. He'll have to make a pot... ]

dining hall

[fallingsand]

[ It takes a bit before Bruno feels up to approaching the sage but he does, eventually, once people have scattered for the night. ]

Er, excuse me? Mr. Sage, sir?

[1145pm]

[ Ah, it's this guy. Tatara turns to look at the newcomer, and a little smile crosses his face. He remembers him from the crowd, but not for the same reasons the louder ones stuck in his memory. ]

Heyo. [ He says this softly. It's nighttime, anyway. ] Can I help you?

dining hall

[fellheart]

[ robin does not, in fact, take the first opportunity to ask questions, preferring instead to sit back and observe at first before eventually slipping away to do a bit of his own investigation.

regardless of what that does or doesn't turn up, later in the evening he'll approach their supposed sage proper. his demeanor and how it contrasts with their overall situation is taken note of, but goes unmentioned for now, instead filed away somewhere. hmm. ]

You seemed somewhat unsure of yourself during that speech earlier. If you are to be the one who guides us, then how much longer have you had to acquaint yourself with the current state of things here?

[ 'how long have you been here and why does it sound like you don't know what you're doing.' ]

snacks

[shadowkin]

[He was actually here for the writing utensils and whatnot?? But he gets immediately distracted by the munchies. What is there to eat. What can he mooch. This is a very important introduction to the Sage (and his kitchen) one-on-one.]

So like, what's a Sage, anyway? Are you some kinda cult leader?

Dining Hall

[themanwhoerasedhisname]

[Kiryu sits on the other side of the table. He seems more resigned than anything]

You said us all being here is a mistake. Aren't I more of a mistake than the rest?

[What's magic, what's wizardry, what's this...truly fantastical stuff that really doesn't fit anything except fiction where he's from? Kiryu is familiar with a lot of things, especially since he was the manager of an orphanage once and therefore that put him in contact with some of the more whimsical media for a short while -- which of course included fictional magical content -- but that doesn't prepare him for anything like...this. Especially since those times were many years ago]

Questions

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya winds around to find Tatara after he's had a moment to... come to terms? That's not quite right, perhaps simply find himself not in a state of being wary of everything. At least enough to take Tatara at his word.]

Pardon me. Do you know more about what happened when your prior wizards... disappeared?

Dining hall

[troublereduction]

[ Day's gotten a drink for himself and Tatara to go with the snacks. Probably juice, since he has no idea if Tatara drinks. ]

Drink?

[ He's offering. ]

Dining Hall

[jorunna]

[ Comet's stopping by for a quick snack but since they see the Sage and might as well prod him. ]

Hey Tatara-san, how long have you been a Sage?

[ They grabbed some books from the library in their arms, hence the question! Even one in a language they can't read... ]