EVENT #1: FAE FESTIVITIES

[diceofthegods]

INTO THE WOODS

Click Clock Wood (Spring) by Grant Kirkhope

2:05 / 4:59

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.

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After making your way through the tiny farming town of Ich and out towards the rim of a massive raised crater, you will find yourself being led through a narrow split in the canyon wall. Inside, glow worms cling to the ceiling and create the illusion of a thousand twinkling stars above the moistened rocks.

When you finally emerge, it is into an impossibly lush landscape of massive, redwood-sized tangling trees and a soft moss carpet. Life abounds here. It feels like an oasis of birdsong and animal activity.

A short walk leads you to the prepared party-grounds. A large clearing with quaint huts all around decorated with strange flowers for partygoers to rest or otherwise entertain themselves.

There appear to be several games and stalls set up, the sweet and savory scents of delicious food fills the air, and so do the patrons of the forest. Seemingly hundreds of Fae folk zip around and greet the newcomers excitedly by placing garlands of vines and crowns of flowers atop their heads.

Glowing flowers and toadstools light your way here. It also seems that even the animals get in on the festivities! Really, just about everything talks here. Almost everything, anyways! Talking to a tree stump might not yield many results but you're welcome to try.

Each entrant is also provided upon arrival a copy of The Rules. A rolled parchment that resists water or any other damage. It also prevents you from writing on it so you can't just do what you want.

The rules read as follows:

DO:
⁂ Accept gifts from the Fae.
⁂ Sample the food provided at the party ONLY.
⁂ Play games with the Fae.
⁂ Feel at ease to rest in the provided huts.
⁂ Keep tabs on your shadow lest it wander.
DO NOT:
⁂ Make a TRADE with the Fae.
⁂ Provide any personal items as gifts or otherwise to the Fae.
⁂ Provide your true name to the Fae.
⁂ Wander away from the designated party area.
⁂ Ascend any staircases you find in the woods.
OTHER ITEMS TO NOTE:
⁂ If you see an old woman hiking through the area, feel free to stop her and lie to her. The more brazen and obvious the lie the better. She appreciates this!

GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT

Amongst the games and attractions are a variety of fun possibilities!

GAMES

⁂ Battleship! (Fae Style!) A number of Fae will be hiding on a large grid of flowers. You guess the locations and if you are correct then you will win a small prize! It is a cup of nectar that refills endlessly, and numbs any pains you may have. This works even outside of the forest and can be taken home.

Every time you miss though, you receive a small 'curse.' Nothing harmful! Maybe you’re just rotating in place for the next hour, your ears become daisies, or you grow a tree out of your head? (Feel free to come up with your own silly ideas!) All of the curses will dissipate after a time or upon leaving the forest and none will do any harm or cause pain. The Fae are all about fun tricks, not hurting anyone!

⁂ Dress Up Darlings! You enter a booth and allow the Fae to decide your outfit! Upon the agreement that you'll wear it the rest of the party, of course, no matter how silly or ridiculous it is.

⁂ Bobbing For Onions! Yes, you read that right. Bobbing for onions. There are onions floating around... in water. You have to catch them with your teeth. The prize for success is a Bag of Onions. This bag never runs out of onions. They are always fresh and always onions. Not always the same kind of onion, but always onions nonetheless. This bag works outside of the forest and can be taken home.

⁂ What's In The Box? There is a box. There is something in it. Maybe it's frogs. Maybe it's slugs. Possibly bugs? Maybe apples. We don’t know. Stick your hand in the box and take a guess at what you’re touching! If you’re right, you win the contents of the box!

We'll let players decide via coin flip, rolls, or however they want if their guess is correct! Any items won though will be common, every day items like mentioned and nothing especially exciting. Unless you're really into frogs. Then it's your lucky day, apparently!

ENTERTAINMENT

⁂ Slayd & The Possums! Slayd is here and he’s throwing down the banjo tunes with his possum pals. Feel free to join him if you are musically inclined! The Fae will provide any instrument your heart desires! They can't grant you the ability to play it though if you don't know how.

⁂ The Crowning of the King of Misrule! Randomly chosen by the Fae, enter a lottery to be chosen as the King of Misrule for the evening. You will be dressed in a stupid outfit and granted Fae wings for the night! You also have the insatiable urge to play harmless pranks on people. The Fae will also give you a "Special Gift" at the end of the party...

FOR THE FOOLISH

Ahh, but there are rule breakers amongst us aren't there? If you choose to sneak away from the party, chances are nobody will stop you; however, you are now on your own in the Talahee Forest.

FIRST LAYER

Rak'tika Greatwood Theme ( Civilizations ) by Masayoshi Soken

4:34 / 5:15

▶︎

Click here to listen.

"Civilizations" prominently features a female vocalist. The lyrics are in the Ronkan language, and has not been officially translated.

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The first layer of the forest is very much similar to what you have already seen. Everything is coated in a thick mat of moss and trees wind away like a massive birds nest to form the canopy above. The faint sounds of animals can still be heard. Up here, you may encounter Fae who did not attend the party. They'll ask you your name and other personal details.

Best that you lie.

SECOND LAYER

Click Clock Wood (Autumn) by Grant Kirkhope

1:12 / 4:11

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.

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The further in that you head, the darker the forest gets. It seems you are following a downward slope. The trees get bigger here, as do the insects and toadstools. Bioluminescence rules down here it seems. You may encounter stranger creatures here. Ones that will try to make very tempting trades for your personal belongings. Things that will seem like an amazing deal to you. They offer magical items of great power, or even personal effects from home.

Don't be fooled though. These objects are cursed, and are not at all what they seem. You have the distinct feeling of being watched at all times here.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Owlbear, Displacer Beast, Giant Badger

THIRD LAYER

Saint Mocianne's Arboretum (Hard) by Masayoshi Soken

2:50 / 5:10

▶︎

Click here to listen.

...hordes of aggressive plant life exposed to the strange substance stand between you and the information you seek.

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Are you getting smaller or is everything else getting bigger? Were Slayd here, he would have told you about the concept of Deep Forest Gigantism. The deeper you go - just like the ocean - the larger that the flora and fauna get.

You are dwarfed by the mushrooms here in the pitch darkness and only guided by the latent glow of the creatures and fungi that dwell here. Bugs the size of house-cats skitter in your wake. Are you sure you want to be here? Should you encounter anything larger, you’d best stay silent. Or run!

⁂ Possible Encounters: Giant predatory Elk (RUN), Rodents of Unusual Size, Extra Large Bugs

FOURTH LAYER

Poison Tree by Grouper

0:30 / 3:16

▶︎

Click here to listen.

'Poison Tree' is a meditation on the complexities of anger and the internal conflict it causes. It draws inspiration from William Blake's poem of the same name.

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The trees seem to clear out here as you reach the bottom of the forest. There is no light here so hope you brought a match. The landscape down here is a blanket of moss dotted with countless shallow pools. Looking into one of these pools, you will see your reflection... though it may look different in some way.

You will feel extremely compelled to reach down and touch the reflection in the water. Should you give in, you feel as though your world is turning upside down. You could receive memories not quite your own. Memories of a different version of you, even! (CRAU, Canon Update, or Canon AU!)

Yet, you will be experiencing them as your own. A long time could pass in your mind while only seconds have only elapsed in reality. Upon waking, you will find that you have been ejected from the party and the forest entirely. You find yourself at the entrance to the crater. Disoriented, and compelled not to re-enter, you have only yourself to blame as you must shamble your way home with this burdensome knowledge.

Notes

⁂ For the game prizes, we're using the honor system here! So long as you clear the roll then you can receive a prize with no mod permission needed.

- Battleship: If you roll a d20 above a 13, you can receive one of the nectar cups.
- Bobbing For Onions: If you roll a d20 above a 10, you can receive one of the bag of onions. En...joy...?

⁂ To sign up for The Crowning of the King of Misrule, comment here! We'll RNG the winner likely within a few days to a week to give folks time to participate if they want!

⁂ The plotting post for this event/November is up!

⁂ Additionally, we have a state of the game post available to people read about updates, clarifications, and a poll to participate in!

⁂ If you have any further questions or feedback about this event specifically, please comment here!

⁂ Full Navigation ⁂

Comments

[zodiheart]

He is. It would be welcome, should you express that to him. I would ensure that you know this, however, even if you already do so.

[Lahabrea was never the most forthcoming with his emotions. Still. Elidibus may as well be encouraging. At the second portion, he continues to smile.]

I do wish so. Now that I am possessed of your blessing, however, it will be far easier to do so.

[He absolutely would have done it anyway, and both of them likely understand this.]

[zodiheart]

And thus Elidibus has found his strategy to be entirely effective. With the attention of the pixies away from them for the time being, he takes advantage of the lull to step closer to Ignis. A friendly conversation should not have to include slightly raised voices, after all, even if it is to be heard over the rest of the party. Or pixies.

The Emissary also did not want his flower crown to be stolen by one of Ignis's hangers-on.

"I do work there currently, yes, just as I had during my time in the Simulation." There is pride in his eyes now, and in his voice as he next speaks, "Several of the pies are of my own making. I did, however, allow myself to perhaps go a bit far on the intricacy of the crust, but thankfully Angeal does not seem to mind. I hope you have enjoyed what we have brought to share."

He knows they are as delicious as they look, but it is always good to seek other opinions.

[abyssalflames]

I am aware.

[Whether or not he will say as much in any sort of timely matter is another question. But he is at least aware of the fact.

As he is likewise aware that Elidibus would have endeavored to look out for his well-being regardless of whether or not he had given his blessing. Though that he doesn't comment on save to offer a nod of acknowledgement.]

[firsteditionbfs]

Honestly, Angeal's first thought with the fae was along the same lines... but at the same time, he's decided that you can never be too careful. After all, if they're already playing by loose enough rules to think that 'giving' your name means literally handing it over, well, he'd rather not waste his energy getting into a whole rules lawyer thing with them.

Nicer to just have a simpler solution instead of watching over his words too much for every little thing. Lets him enjoy the party.

And, you know. Get a little confused because, well, yes, he does know Sephiroth, but, well, there's an issue there-

"Well, I am," he says after a second, because he guesses it's true either way, however allergic the younger may be to the idea of friendship. "Although I didn't think I'd be called out for it so suddenly. Anyway, I brought the usual suspects over, just for something to fill up on or put meat on top... But there's garlic bread, too, if you want something real nice and buttery."

[giftoffamily]

Gethen is a bit less prepared for that revelation. He's used to looking for common ground, but he's rarely met people inclined to meet him halfway, never mind actually taking the lead. To learn that they have something like this in common is even more of a surprise.

"That's...candid." He pauses to quietly clear the nothing from his throat. "And appreciated. Harder to doubt your optimism, knowing that."

[firsteditionbfs]

[At least Angeal is more than willing to experiment, and seems pretty quick on coming up with ideas that might make Slayd feel a little better when it comes to dancing around. There might not be a perfect match when their bodies are just that much different, but Angeal does his best.]

[There's nothing impossible when it comes to things like this, in his opinion. Just adjusting for what makes people happy and comfortable.]

[With the song coming to an end, he pulls Slady off the dancefloor with a grin.]

So, what do you think for a first go at it? I think I still got my feet and all.

[firsteditionbfs]

Byleth really can nail him down so well. Angeal was going to deny needing anything, almost instantly, but, well. Byleth beats him to the punch, and he falls silent.

He... knows how that feels. The desire to take care of another, the time that comes with such things, getting to know other people. It's always been something that he's enjoyed on a level. Ever since he was a kid, peeking over the fence into an orchard and seeing a redhead with no friends.

Angeal sighs, silent for a second. "...If you ever want to just visit us more, that wouldn't be a bad thing. It's a bit stuffed of a house already, but company is never a bad thing."

[firsteditionbfs]

"I mean, I'd actually would say that's true in most cases, but here I'm unsure." Partially because he is well aware that his own body is no longer as sturdy as it naturally is... or, well, unnaturally, depending on who you ask. The other thing is because this is the Fae, and who knows what sort of nonsense they can pull?

But it's a party, and honestly he thinks he'd trust the Fae more than your average Midgar businessman.

So after a quick glance over Popp's plate, he's more than content with taking those delightful little pinwheels. "I really gotta know how they get it so thin," he reflects. "It'd be nice to have some tricks for the bakery..."

[avanture_time]

Look, if Popp doesn't think Avan should prioritize pies then maybe he shouldn't eat the pies???

"Pies it is!" he repeats, grinning broadly.

[hasitsthorns]

"Oh, it's not that," she mentions, to them being more 'vulnerable.' She knows. If anything, they're even sturdier than just flesh but that's... The woman smiles as he shows his off.

"You just, uh. You make it look so easy to be comfortable with it." And there is the issue: she's not. Already, she struggled with looking human but not being one. Now, to look closer to a 'monster' after years of trying not to- It's just difficult, is all. Even on her best days, she'd rather not be reminded of what she is and what she's not.

Now, she can't escape it. Nevermind that the connotations of being a dragon were worse than even a regular yokai. That's a whole other can of worms.

[berriedmemories]

Those sweet, subtle smiles are the things that make Noctis' cheeks brighten with color and he can't help the way his own lips mimic the soft curve of Iggy's smile. "Yeah I guess. You know I suck at ballroom shit and-" AND nothing. He cuts himself off, biting his lip. No, he and Prom would definitely never have snuck into a club or anything of the sort. Never.

(He knows Ignis probably knows about that one but they'd both been 19, they were allowed to and Gladio knew and was on hand to keep him safe if anything happened. He'd just also dragged a promise out of his Shield not to be the one to tell Ignis.)

He certainly knows no other kinds of dancing (and sure as hell nothing he'd do at a party his dad is also at). But even if he did it still wouldn't be appropriate to...... whatever this is. So while Ignis looks longingly at the dancefloor Noct shoves another raspberry in his mouth. Only to make a soft curious noise around it, brows raising and head tilting slightly.

[firsteditionbfs]

"Maybe stop needing a babysitter, and we wouldn't be in this kind of situation, Strife."

Yeah, he'll say that. Cloud can prove him wrong if he doesn't want to hear it.

But that will have to come later, because this kind of situation is a huge pain in the ass, and Angeal already knows what the deal is even before the cackling starts up. Sighing, he pinches the bridge of his nose. Really, he should have taken a cue from old folktales and leave a trail of garlic bread or something.

"Alright. So I'm going to need you to keep your calm and not wander off. Got it, Strife?"

[firsteditionbfs]

"Then we should be all set." And hey, if nothing else, there's plenty of other foods to act as a chaser and help cleanse the taste of raw onion.

Certainly just from what the bakery has brought alone, which is clear enough as Angeal brings Avan over to it all. The shepherd's pie crust has a pattern of little stars all along it, and Angeal gets one of the latest slices. And that's just the simplest pattern, really. The dessert pies are even more outrageous.

"You want a big slice, or should something smaller do? I don't know how much you've eaten so far."

[firsteditionbfs]

"I bet it was." Angeal sighs. "Well, as long as it's open for the entire night... I guess that's time enough for me to decide if I want to get involved in the whole mess." Doing it right away would probably be the best for a marginally less terrible experience, but, well. It would still be the experience.

He shakes his head. "But thanks for the offer. You can do a whole lot with onions... It'll be nice to get them good and caramelized in all sorts of dishes." He kind of wants some, now.

"Other games around that are a little less terrible?"

[firsteditionbfs]

"Not quite living creatures. I mean, usually," Angeal concedes, understanding the shenanigans of young children even as he looks over the little toad. He hopes it's a normal toad that can live in the rest of the world, and not have any needs specific to the Fae areas.

"But it'd just be little things to trick people - like, telling other kids that they were touching eyeballs, but it was just wet grapes. Silly tricks like that, for little kids who didn't know better."

There's some noise of interest from the pixies. He has a feeling he's given some of them ideas.

[firsteditionbfs]

[Is this a bit of a stupid plan? Yes. But it's a stupid plan for a stupid situation, so it ought to be just fine. What really has Angeal's concern is that Sephiroth has to hold everything by the blade itself. Sure, they're still a good bit stronger than the average person, but that is a blade. And they've been weakened just a little bit.]

[But if Sephiroth isn't complaining or bleeding, he'll have to put his faith in him. So he just keeps his head tilted back, watching to see how Absinthe manages.]

[Honestly, he's starting to wonder if they'll have to go with their back-up plan... when she finally manages to do things on her own end to grab on, and he whistles.]

Nice work. Glad that we don't have to go with Plan B. [Because that would have made things even more precarious.] Now hold on tight! Seph, you good to pull it down on your own, or...?

[hasitsthorns]

That's Rosie's own tried and true method. When something seems too good to be true, it usually is and so she doesn't think about it too hard. Although she imagines that it's an especially difficult thing for Angeal considering this isn't his first rodeo.

"Then we won't go hungry," she agrees. "Or, well- No one will ever lament their sweet tooth cravings since it'll always be satisfied." Due to her nature as a yokai and ethnicity both, she wasn't a huge sweets fan. Exceptions could be made though! The woman does peruse the selection though and ultimate decides on a fruit tart(?) of some kind. That seems safe enough, after all, even though some fruits could still upset her stomach...

"Mm," she hums, after taking a bite. "Damn, dude. You guys do know your stuff."

[hasitsthorns]

He isn't wrong, exactly, in that she is a flashy city type of girl. That's only been in the last few years or so though. Even before that, she was a rockin' roadie who went where she wished and had no home to call her own.

She sees that shift though from her compliment and it helps her own mood again. Making others happy is what she likes to do, after all, even if... Well, sometimes she isn't the best at lifting spirits herself. Or she - as he saw - gets so caught up in herself she loses sight of those around her.

"I'm sure your wings will be awesome," she reassures. "since you're awesome! Mine so far are just little, like, branches? That's what they look like anyway." She turns to look over her shoulder like she might be able to see them. She can't, of course, but still.

[zodiheart]

His agreement is easy and comes with no words. Instead, Elidibus answers by taking a half-step forward and plunging his arm into another box.

Pauses once more, clearly feeling around.

"Behold, dear Popp, your newest companion," he announces, beginning to withdraw his arm. "The most fearsome of frogs."

And it is a frog. A cute little leopard frog, green and brown and staring up at Popp with large eyes. It seems perfectly happy to be held, even when Elidibus plops it down into Popp's hands.

[firsteditionbfs]

"With how much we made, it'd be embarrassing if we didn't," Angeal says with a smirk, before going to take something for himself as well. Knowing too much about her as he does, it'd probably be a little... much if he just dumped the chocolate knowledge on her like it is. Which is the main source of reassurance he can offer, with how carefully she looks over the food on display.

...Or, actually...

"I'm a little torn that we don't have chocolate, however. Could have gone real fancy on desserts with that. Although I suppose it's not as if we aren't excellent at handling a lot of different foods. Especially since we all have a friend or so who's allergic to something or other. I knew this lesbian who was also a werewolf, so, you know. Nowadays, I guess I'm not even thinking about it when I try to have a little variety. Sucks that I'm going to have to relearn everyone's allergens in a new place, however."

[zodiheart]

"I do not doubt that when our joinings are complete we will have access to a host of new abilities. The way magic works in this world, for instance, is different than my own. Finishing our bonding process would make us akin to a native of this place, and as such it should then be possible to utilize said magic."

At least, that's his hypothesis. He's been able to use his own magic just fine, and has been able to translate it into using the energies of this place - but there's something to be said about learning a land's own energies, being part of that... well. They shall see.

"But what I speak of does not have to do with what may come. You are proficient with materia, yes?" he waits for the response before continuing.

[hasitsthorns]

That's fair. She'd rather have the rainbow tulle than the clown outfit, so... At least they got their respective Unfortunate, But Not The Worst outfits.

"I mean," she sighs, pulling herself up even if still cloaked in a blanket, "the alternative is staying here feeling sorry for myself, so- I'll take my chances, I guess. ... The ointment will help though." She does take it, finally, though it is hidden swiftly beneath the blanket.

a tiny tag.

[miniroth]

What materia has to do with any of this he doesn't know, but there's a slow nod anyway. "Yes, of course. Every SOLDIER is."

He could do quite a bit with materia shards as well, but that was a one-and-done, not reusable like a normal sphere. "..I have one with me if it is required."

also smol

[zodiheart]

"Not every person can wield materia. What is the feeling you experience when activating it? I have been told in the past that there is a physical sensation."

By Angeal. Though that could differ from individual to individual.

[miniroth]

"..I admit I haven't encountered anyone who couldn't, with time and effort," the boy says slowly, weighing his words against his memory. He supposed it was possible, especially if this included things like a modifiable simulation run by very dubious people who liked to tweak parameters at random.

It's also not something he's thought about in a long time, if at all. "It's hard to describe in words, I don't know how I perceive it is the same as how anyone else might, it could be subjective. There is of course, warmth when handling fire materia, or a chill for blizzard. They have different tastes." They what. "I haven't paid much attention to what the experience is when used in a very long time, I'm afraid."