you opened your eyes, spreading it wide

[promittere]

THIRD QUARTER ALLEGRO

While our newly-arrived wizards have been settling in, learning their magic, and getting to know one another, the sage and their mentor have been busy with a different kind of work behind the scenes—bureaucratic work. It hasn't been particularly exciting, but it has paid off.

Because now, the world is ready to receive them.

Put on your finest clothes, because Granvelle Castle invites you to a welcome ball in your honor.

Didn't bring any fine clothes with you? No need to worry—specially chosen tailors from Central Capital have been commissioned to take care of you, and they will be visiting the manor to get you gussied up in the fashion of your choice for the day (by this, we mean feel free to pick whatever fancy clothes you want for the ball).

As the sun sets on the designated day, all the residents of the manor make their way to the castle. Granvelle Castle stands proud in Central Capital, its lights a beacon in the darkening city, and its doors open to outsiders for the first time in weeks. Upon arrival they're greeted by brightly lit halls, welcoming staff, and a grand ballroom, windows flung open to let in the spring breeze and pale moonlight. Everyone and everything seems determined to make this a cheerful affair, despite the underlying sense of dread and tension.

Live music fills the air, played the greatest musicians in the world. There are some larger ensembles, solo acts; some pieces are of more traditional folk dances, while some are slower, and some are upbeat and avant-garde. Regardless, the floor is open for dancing—grab a buddy and dance the night away!

Lining one wall is a long banquet table, filled with plenty of food and drink, both alcoholic and non to sate the new arrivals. The hors d'oeuvres and small plates comprise an array of delicacies from around the world, with everything from savory lobster bites to the sweetest portions of tres leches you have ever tasted. It seems someone has also put in a specific request for Japanese food—a part of the banquet table has been set aside specifically for Japanese dishes, and this includes small portions of ramen. There also seems to be a plate on the far end of the table filled with lovingly stacked pieces of charcoal... Is that meant to be food?

You aren't the only ones in attendance tonight. Representatives and dignitaries from around the world are also present—they have quite a lot to say about the unusual situation, and they are most curious about these otherworldly individuals tasked with fending off the moon under their national banners. The most dignitaries are from Central, West, and East, while there do seem to be a few representatives from the less populated North and South. Those from Central, West, and South in general seem to be the most social, while the rest are more reserved. There are also a few of the castle staff that seem (begrudgingly) willing to speak with the new wizards. Most are here to chat and mingle—lend them an ear, you may learn something new...

For those tired of socializing, the ballroom opens out onto a breezy, spacious balcony. It looks out over the main thoroughfare leading to the main castle entrance, and the nighttime lights of the Central capital twinkle in the near distance. For those that would rather take a breather, there is a small patio table and a couple of chairs. Despite the waxing moon in the sky, it is a very nice evening.

If you would like to have a chat with an NPC, then please respond to this comment. NPCs will be assigned randomly if no preference is given. While everyone has something valuable to say, they're not giving potentially sensitive info out for free—let's hope your diplomatic skills are up to snuff. We're doing our best to give everyone meaningful conversations, so please bear with us!

JOB BOARD

Rejuvenation. Thanks to your Southern friends' hard work, the South has been saved from a potentially devastating crop failure, and these fledgling towns can continue to grow as they're meant to! Give them a pat on the back and a round of applause.

But the South is not without its scars. While the root cause has been taken care of, the damage has been done. A town's wheat field has been partially destroyed—help them tear out the blackened, dead wheat, till and fertilize the soil, and replant what can be replanted. The City of Clouds, the most prosperous of the Southern settlements, have also offered extra tools, hands, and seeds to help set the town back on the path to recovery. Transport these supplies to the town. Let's hope your broom skills are up to snuff too, because it's a long ride.

Shadows in the night. The residents of the Central capital have recently been reporting eerie sightings after sundown: shadowy figures lurking in corners, the constant feeling of being watched, and, in some extreme cases, these shadowy figures attacking when traveling alone at night. Many reports seem to indicate an odd concentration of these creepy figures lurking around the Granvelle Castle moat, as though trying to find a way into the castle. Residents are understandably frightened and unnerved and cannot go about their nightly business—beat back what shadows you find and make the streets safer for the Central capital residents.

While physical attacks don't seem to do much against them, they dissipate rather easily under magic. Try not to wear yourself to the bone, though—there are a lot of them.

Escorting nobility. The Eastern Blanchett noble family have called an important meeting, inviting nobles and others of import from across the Eastern Country. However, their castle lies beyond Sherwood Forest, a very large, dense, and deep wood—while a fine natural defense for the Blanchett family, it's a bit of trouble for those looking to visit. While the Blanchett's own forest guard is absent, it is your job to safely escort these nobles to the Blanchett abode, and back out. But be careful: lurking in the shadows amongst the trees are all sorts of territorial predators like bears and wolves, not to mention the magical beasts that sneak up on unsuspecting prey. You may come across a brigand or bandit or two, since the forest is a near perfect hiding place for illegal activity. And please—try not to get lost.

Typical of any Easterner, the nobles are reluctant to make much small talk and are a bit suspicious of the new wizards, but they are otherwise pleasant and will generally comply with most requests.

WANDERER TASKS

Can you go a week without ruining food or the pots and pans? Stop being so wasteful and learn how to cook or stop trying.

Learn how to use magic to repair things. Again, if you're going to keep ruining the kitchen at least learn how to put it back together.

TATARA ACTIVITIES

I need milk. I'm trying to perfect latte foam art, but I haven't really gotten the hang of it yet... I used up all the milk (oops, sorry!), so I need more. Actually, could you grab me other kinds of milk while you're at it? I want to experiment! I'm sure other markets in the farther reaches of the world will have weirder milk... Please!

We should start a veggie garden! Or an herb garden? Doesn't matter! I found a nice sunny patch of grass in the training forest—we could dig up that spot, right? Help me get it set up! I need people to dig, and till... Oh! We need seeds to plant, too! Please and thank you~

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your second event post! Get out your snazzy outfits. It's time to party.
🌙 As you grow into your magic, your character might start realizing they can differentiate between everyone's magic. Everyone has a unique signature, and you may be able to start sensing who cast what, where. Someone put a magical seal on the kitchen door? Smells like Shinjiro's magic. Akira had some of Solomon's sugar? You can sense that, too!
🌙 As you start getting past the basics, your character might realize they have a much easier time with certain kinds of magic over others. For North, this will be offensive and attack spells; for East, this will be intricate seals and curses; for West, this will be manipulative magic like illusions and transformation; for South, this will be healing, purification, and protection. Central? A little bit of everything. Read up on your country if you need a refresher!
🌙 It's been peaceful at home in the manor thus far, hasn't it? Do you think that will last?
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting contained to the OOC post, since not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
🌙 Our next group to go on their mission is Central. Be ready, heroes...

» NAVIGATION

Comments

III

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya steps in line beside Kurapika to survey the alleys and corners with him.]

Or at least observe the ones gathering around the castle before engaging. There have been no reports of any attacks yet, have there?

[revengier]

Only a handful. They seem to mostly be watching people.

[ He crosses his arms. ]

I think it's only a matter of time before they begin to escalate, however.

[chronosynthesis]

What do you suppose they are? Some sort of spirit, powerful enough to manifest?

[revengier]

It's hard to say... I'm not well-versed in spirits, since they don't really exist in that capacity where I'm from.

[ Sure, he's read up on them here, but it's still a foreign concept to him. ]

My first assumption would be some sort of monster... or a remnant of someone's negative will.

[chronosynthesis]

Could also simply be magical constructs, though it seems like magic is uncommon outside the hands of wizards. [Of course, natural spirits here don't seem to be corporeal either so this is out of the norm either way.] I suppose we could try talking to them first, just to see if it is possible.

[revengier]

[ He was honestly content on just dispatching them, but... talking to them might be a better solution. ]

That's not a bad idea. We can see if they respond at all.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya nods as they approach the castle, just close enough they can see the shadows that have started to congregate around the edges.]

I don't mind approaching first.

[revengier]

Then I'll be here for backup while you do.

[ There are two shadows off on their own a fair distance away from the rest. Kurapika nods toward them. ]

What about them?

[chronosynthesis]

Good catch. Alright, I'm going in. [Syrlya's pace quickens just a touch, but he still app approaches quietly until he's close enough to make out... well, it hasn't improved visibility of the firm any but that sure is a three-dimensional shadow.

He lifts his hand to his mouth as he calls out.] Excuse me. Hello! Can you hear me?

[The shadows don't react. Syrlya waits a little longer before creeping closer.]

[revengier]

[ All the shadows do for a few moments is stare at Syrlya as he creeps closer, their stares pointed and somewhat hostile.

Kurapika watches, waiting for them to react. Will they be friendly?

After a few beats of silence, it seems like they are very much not friendly, one of the shadows quickly dialing up an attack. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[No response at first. So Syrlya steps closer and raises his voice.] Pardon me! I was--

[The shadows twist to react. Syrlya stills. Then the first one lunges and Syrlya supposes that is an answer. He brings his blade up and strikes with a horizontal cleave through the shadow's form... only to find it simply phases through without deterring it at all.]

Well. [All right, stabbing doesn't work.]

[revengier]

[ Hm. Valuable information to have, even if it's to their detriment. ]

Pro populus meus!

[ Kurapika sends a bolt that cleaves right through the shadow, causing it to dissipate almost immediately. ]

It seems like magic is the only thing that's effective against them.

[chronosynthesis]

So it seems. [The other shadows, of course, begin to close in to the commotion. Syrlya mutters his incantation and imbues the magic onto his blade directly. Problem solved, now the stabbing is magic.

With that, Syrlya cuts through the next one to get close enough with more success.] At least they go down easy!

[revengier]

[ As Syrlya is in the thick of it, Kurapika uses his distance to pick off the shadows that try to come at Syrlya in his blind spots. ]

They do, thankfully. Though that makes me worry that there may be a lot of them to make up for their lack of strength.

[chronosynthesis]

Numbers to make up for lack of strength? [He speaks between taking down a shadow, and then another.] Certainly seems like it. We should get closer to the castle.

[revengier]

I think so.

[ And he'll take out the two remaining here, a little bit further away. ]

Let's go.

[ Kurapika pulls a thread out of his pocket as he starts to walk, preparing it for transformation. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[And Syrlya takes the lead with the last of them dead. As they reach the edges of the moat, it's immediately obvious the shadows are denser, partially obscured by the ones cast by the building.]

It looks like they're trying to get in.

[revengier]

It does.

[ He mutters his incantation, the thread in his hand growing into a long stretch of chains. ]

We could try holding them back with this. It'll give you a chance to attack them with spells as well.

[chronosynthesis]

Oh, if you can subdue them that will make things much easier. [He is a proponent of crowd control in a fight.] How many can you catch at once?

[revengier]

[ He creates a loop with his chains, a bit of a makeshift lasso, and tests the tightness of the loop by tugging on it. ]

A dozen, I think.

[ Maybe a few more, but Kurapika doesn't want to oversell his abilities when he's still figuring them out. ]

Give me a signal and I'll loop them into this.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya nods. He surveys the group before gesturing to the ones idling around the right.] Let's start there. I'll go in ahead to catch their attention. Once I do, draw them together at whatever distance is safe for you, and I can take them out.

[He waits for a confirmation before starting off. Walking right up to the shadows with his blade ready means he catches their attention pretty much immediately.]

[revengier]

[ Kurapika nods, hanging back so he can watch the group at large, waiting for their gazes to turn towards Syrlya.

When he watches their collective gazes shift and they begin to launch themselves at Syrlya, Kurapika readies his chains, calculating the angle he should toss them to capture the most shadows. Once he's sure of himself, he launches his chains at them, capturing them inside the closed loop he created.

The shadows howl as they strain against the chains, but Kurapika only tugs on them, pulling them more taut. ]

Whenever you're ready.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya flashes Kurapika a brief, appreciative smile, and then it's all business against the shadows. With magic along his blade, he cleaves with expert form through two or three of them at a time and makes quick work of those Kurapika has bound.

It draws the attention of others, of course. Syrlya's focus remains on cutting down those that close in. Now it's on trusting Kurapika to be watching the field and support him from afar.]

[revengier]

[ When others are involved in his battles, Kurapika is watchful of his allies, focused on any threats that might come towards them.

When he isn't able to properly dispose of them, he uses wind to blow back the shadows that try to sneak up on Syrlya, using the time that buys him to withdraw his chains. He uses wind to blow a few of those shadows together before throwing his chains at them again, trapping them together. ]

[chronosynthesis]

[The combination is effective, given how weak the shadows ultimately are. It only takes a few rounds for them to clear them on this side of the castle without any trouble.

Once they're cleared, Syrlya turns back to Kurapika.] Good work. They don't seem to be regenerating... at least, not quickly enough to notice now.