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

[snapp_crackle]

"The men croak and fight more, I think? Avan would know for sure."

He thinks about this for about ten seconds before brilliance strikes like a bolt from the blue.

"This is Hopp."

[hasitsthorns]

It's not something she talks about often, unfortunately, mostly just to the fact that as a human they're not things she should be privy to. But Elidibus - and others - know that she isn't as average of a person as she tries to seem. So, it's been a bit easier to broach those topics. Dragons in particular though is a complicated web of her own experiences coloring her already biased, bitter view.

"Where I'm from, dragons just aren't all that great. They're high and mighty holier than thou types that think they're better than everyone else. So, I wasn't too thrilled to find out I was turning into one." But! She knows this worlds' dragons aren't hers, so: "I'm not trying to, like, bring my bias here but- It's tough, y'know? A lifetime of being looked down on by them doesn't just go away overnight or anything."

[zodiheart]

Unable to hold back the tide of his own amusement any further, Themis nonetheless valiantly tries to stifle his laughter, shoulders shaking with the effort. It's absurd. The whole prank is completely ridiculous.

His composure breaks.

Themis dissolves into peals of bright laughter, holding himself upright using Angeal as a support. It's several long moments and deep breaths before he's able to get some semblance of control back.

"It is creative, yes. Unfortunate, as well. Pie does not taste nearly as delicious when chased with a shot of mustard."

[zodiheart]

Watching as he is prone to do, Themis does not take a step back. Why should he? Angeal only needs enough room to play the game, and the two of them were not exactly picky on maintaining personal space with one another.

"I have seen algae and slime mold pulled from these boxes, as well as books. But one must guess correctly before receiving the item - should you know it to be an animal, you may always guess incorrectly on purpose."

That takes the fun out of the game slightly, but it would avoid any additional animals to care for.

"Do you desire to obtain a puppy?"

[zodiheart]

Perhaps some may think of Popp as childish for the name, or laugh at its simplicity and, frankly, absurdity. Elidibus is not among them, however, only feeling a welling warmth of affection for him. It is rare, those individuals that remain true to themselves.

"Hopp they shall be. With the cooling weather, you will no doubt need to keep them indoors." He grins. "And if your home suffers from flying pests, they shall help greatly."

[zodiheart]

"That is entirely understandable, dear Rosie," he answers honestly. Because it is. It is incredibly difficult to attempt to change one's way of thinking suddenly after having thought along those same lines for however many years one has been alive. "I do hope that when we become able to converse with our bond-mates, that the ordeal eases for you in some manner."

Nothing like knowing a kind individual through a mental connection to break previously held notions. He hopes that whoever is bonded to Rosie is kind - she deserves such a thing.

"In my world, dragons are individuals with differing personalities. There are, however, those prone to rage or violence, and if the only exposure to dragons had been through those particular individuals..." he trails off for a moment. "What I mean to say is that I understand your mindset."

[berriedmemories]

Noct drags in a deep breath, enjoying the tightness of those arms around him, savoring the scent of Ravus and burrowing in close to the other man. There's a part of him that can't help considering how easy it might be to just grind down against him once more. After that earnest declaration of intent, though, Noct can't bring himself to do it. Which... is torturous in its own way when he's so recently been introduced to just what arousal feels like with the changes in his body.

Thankfully it's also a hell of a lot easier to hide now. Hopefully, Ravus is as painfully inexperienced as his kisses might have implied and won't be thinking too hard about the extra heat against him. Or maybe that's exactly why he might be thinking about it. Noctis heaves out a breath, burying his face in Ravus' shoulder for a moment with a quiet groan.

"You can't just say things like that. What did I say about making people swoon?" His tone is playful but there's a hint of something strained under it. Something that has Noct tilting his head to press another kiss against Ravus' jaw, teeth nibbling softly at the skin there. "Y-yeah... I get what you mean... but I should really get out of your lap then..." Reluctant as all hell but it needs to be said.

[berriedmemories]

Ardyn has been out of touch with society for so very long he certainly has no idea that he has just played his role perfectly. There's a certain spiteful bone-deep satisfaction that all teenagers feel when someone responds to their whatever by parroting the word with outrage and disgust. Noct has a lot of practice with maintaining that detached expression while internally cheering in bitter victory. It only solidifies that he has, in some manner, won this particular argument.

What he doesn't expect is the burst of ice, something that frosts his bare skin painfully but that he is quick to turn his face from. The bulk of it falling on his side where there is at least some of that thick protective fur. The arm he raises to shield his face makes it even easier for Ardyn though, makes certain Noctis does not anticipate the claws that come at him. It means he doesn't have time to phase away from them before vicious claws bite into his side, tearing open fine lines along his ribs, just above the protective fur.

Noctis snarls a sharp sound, pained and startled before he's phasing away from the other man. It doesn't take him far, half a step away, able to duck out from under the space where Ardyn has had him blocked in against that tree. The pale draping fabric of his cloak is swiftly stained bright red as he pulls the material close to stop the bleeding as much as he can. "What the fuck is your problem?!" Noctis snaps and this time it's his sword that comes to his hand.

Ardyn can look as hurt as he wants, it's not something that Noctis pays any mind to. Maybe later when he looks back on this he'll wonder about it but right now, in the moment, he's just pissed.

[snapp_crackle]

It's an extremely classy name if you ask him!

"Not in winter - wait, am I going to need to hunt down bugs?"

He can't exactly leave Hopp to starve now that he's named it! He has a responsibility now!

[zodiheart]

Humming a bit to himself, Elidibus casts a thoughtful eye on the frog.

"If it is similar to the freshwater frogs to which I am familiar, Hopp should enter into hibernation when it grows cold enough. The optimal place will be underwater, if I recall, in an area that will not truly freeze that has ample oxygen."

Unless this is not that kind of frog. He's pretty certain that it is, but this is a frog from the fae, so goodness knows what other traits it may possess.

[snapp_crackle]

Don't say like in the bathtub. Do not say it. Don't.

"I'll set up a place in-" DO NOT. He clears his throat. "In my room somewhere. If it's good enough for me, it'll be good enough for this kiddo here."

[zodiheart]

A kiddo rather than a pet, mm?

"So you have chosen fatherhood?"

A smirk is followed by a wink as he teases Popp.

"Quite the responsibility for once so young, but I have no doubt that you shall bear it well."

[snapp_crackle]

Oh god he takes it back he's not prepared to be a single father-

A frogfather. A frogther?

[zodiheart]

Oh, the faces Popp is making. Elidibus tries to hold it together, he really does.

But with one last glance around them he dissolves into bright peals of laughter.

[fatedfinality]

"I did wonder about those robes," he admits. The Ancients seemed fond of their garb from home. Ardyn didn't have any such attachment to his clothes, really, and why he didn't mind trying new things. They were a gift from the Emperor so it behooved him to wear them, but also they were convenient for shielding him from the sun.

"I have a few things in mind. It'd feel like cheating to offer them a body part when I could just grow a new one." He wouldn't tell them that, of course, but also wouldn't beyond them to find a way to fuck him over still so- That one is a bit too risky.

"A lot of them seem to want a lock of my hair for some probably nefarious reason, but I'm almost curious enough what it is that I may do that."

[zodiheart]

"You may always ask, you know, should you find yourself curious. I am always glad to answer questions. My robes are white due to my station - a symbol," it's said casually. If Ardyn wants to know more details he'll provide them, but that's a longer explanation and the conversation has clearly continued.

Particularly about body parts. Clearly Ardyn is not fool enough to offer too much for a potentially greedy fae, but you never know.

Like the hair, for instance. "I may think of several reasons that readily come to mind. Your hair contains your essence, be that magical or biological, and possessing such a thing will hold great power over you. One may influence another with such things combined with magicks - and the fae are nothing if not clever in their ways of magical utility. Using the essence of one, it is possible to create realistic facsimiles of the individual - clones, as it were. Though I am unsure if they have those facilities available to them in this world," he trails off, clearly giving it some thought.

Ah, but to continue. "By giving an intrinsic part of yourself, you hand over your whole wholly. There is a practice I am distantly familiar with - from another star - that may attach a lock of hair to a doll, and any motions or damage committed to the doll are reflected upon the donor."

His mouth thins, pressing his lips together in distaste.

"That includes physical control and manipulation."

[perfectteatime]

He listens, quietly moving a hand so the backs of his fingers barely touch Angeal's shoulder. Some kind of connection. At first he nods or hums in acknowledgement of the very one-sided conversation. Eventually though, he falls silent as his eyes slide shut and his breathing deepens.

He's not a complicated man with his needs. This is enough.

He will have fitful dreams, that much goes without saying, but at least he sleeps. At least he's resting. That is worth plenty.

LMAOOOO

[perfectteatime]

"Far more than that. It... it was a transcendent experience." Byleth says as he sits down with some effort. He feels truly sated.

"I cannot begin to quantify my praise for this." Is Elidibus quite so perfect at everything? It seems to be that way, not that Byleth is complaining at all. Quite the opposite, really.

"Were I not at an event, I'd be excusing myself to bed for a long sleep after such an incredible feast."

[perfectteatime]

"Yes... well. I think mostly due to the clamor of the event. I bet I could suss out a good napping tree if I really tried." After all, all that moss does seem rather cushy. Byleth stares off into the forest, glowing with magic light.

"Hmm. In fact, I may take a walk. You are welcome to join me of course, but a break from the noise might be nice."

Byleth waits a moment more before getting to his feet again. Perhaps Emet can delay the inevitable. Either way though, he will end up walking into that forest.

[errant_knight]

"Apologies, I had not realized this was swoon-worthy." It's only halfway to a joke, considering he truly had not been aware. But realizing it has affected Noctis so makes him huff a soft, amused sound. He noses into downy, dark locks, and takes in the same comfort of warmth and scent. The teasing with it is enough to make him feel like he's back home, and he's just a teenager comforting his dear sister's little friend after a long day of healers attending to his injury.

He doesn't want it to end. But Noctis insists, and that soft teething at such delicate skin reminds him they're far older now. Thankfully, Ravus doesn't equate the extra heat to anything besides the press of their bodies. His own changes have made plenty of things internal, but given he's not tested any of it, he hasn't a clue. Still.

Ravus shifts Noctis from his lap, but not away from him entirely. Instead, he tucks the younger against his side, so that contact isn't lost, but perhaps it's not so charged. And where he needs only duck down a bit to kiss Noctis' temples with chaste affection.

"You should consider what sort of date you might enjoy though. My intent, and way of apologizing for this, both."

[abyssalflames]

It will serve as some small comfort.

[He still isn't sure if the plan to summon Zodiark will even work, but at least the star will not suffer unduly in his absence. Even if there might be other people capable of the spellwork that will need to go into Zodiark's creation.

The question of knowing the future, on the other hand, takes a moment of genuine consideration. He will not deny some curiosity about what is to come. But what has already been is not anything he would consider comforting as it stands. Enough so that with him so newly arrived to this world he ultimately decides against it.]

At a later date, perhaps. Newly arrived as I yet am I would learn more of this world first, if we are meant to remain here.

[parer]

Noctis doesn't even need to say anything. Ignis has watched him so closely for nearly all his life - perhaps half of his life now, and which will only become more. Until the day it can't. Just to see the little changes in his stride, the way he's able to move with a little less careful hesitance...

It's enough to lift his heart enough until it seems as though it's floating all amongst those pretty colored lights.

No doubt this is the reason that Noctis can swoop in to steal a kiss, which earns a huff all its own. "You are terribly fond of kissing aren't you?" he comments, pulling Noctis through the throng as they dance. "I guess there are no complaints from you on the appearance of that, either."

[parer]

"Indeed." It's not very open, as Ignis very rarely is when it comes to such positive emotions and to those who are mostly still strangers (in his mind), but he does smile. "The visuals are as important as anything else when it comes to a meal. Of course, to the ultimate goal of survival, there are times when one cannot be fussy... But the best meals feed your eyes and mind as much as your stomach."

It's one of those little things he's always quite liked, as he got better and better with cooking. The appeal of making it come into the proper arrangement on a plate or in a bowl, the colors that went into it....

Baking is an even stronger arena for that idea, in his mind. There's already so much effort put into making sure it all comes out perfectly.... dressing it up only makes sense.

As for everything else... He tilts his head to the side thoughtfully. "That is right... I had always noticed that something was off in relation to my senses when in the simulation. The affect that it had on powers, one's own body in a far deeper way than merely the physical... It had never been a problem I had to deal with."

[fatedfinality]

As it happens, it satisfies the mis-wired part of his brain that was craving the violent outlet. The feeling of fabric and skin tearing beneath his claws gives him a rush. The recede though is so much more powerful; it leaves him aching once that initial angry flow ebbs and he has to face the immediate consequences of his actions. "I..." he starts, unable to really find the words. 'I didn't mean to' would sound hollow and feel so since, well, he did mean it. He knows he did, but hates that's the case. Hates himself for it.

Even worse, the blood tinting that white fabric reminds him too much again of those long gone. Of holding Aera dying in his arms. For him, of all people. The last man who deserved her kindness, her sacrifice- Just like Noctis is the last person he really wanted to draw his ire.

"What did you think was going to happen, brother?" asks Somnus, condescending.
"You want him to hurt," says Aera. "Both of you to."

"Shut up," hisses Ardyn, shaking his head as he goes from looking years away to back to the now. "Not. Not you," he attempts to correct, realizing Noctis. "As for my problems, too many to count." And Noctis is one of them, but not in the way the boy probably thinks after all this.

"I'll..." he starts, trying to think. He probably wouldn't be trusted to help him, would he? Does he even remember how to heal, after all these years? Is it something he should even show to Noctis that he's capable of? No, it's all too risky. "I'll get help," he decides on.

[fatedfinality]

"I like to keep the mystery alive where I can, he counters, to Elidibus' offer. What he presumes also is sometimes far more entertaining than the reality. For example: He appreciates the clarification on the color of his robes, but it is a bit boring reasoning.

"I doubt anyone would want another me running around this place," he hums, almost thoughtfully and with no small amount of consideration at the possibility. "All the more reason I might allow them a lock or two." Anything others don't want, he's more inclined to do. That's certainly a running theme here it seems.

The other explanation though is just intriguing. "The doll would be an interesting bit of witchcraft though as well. I doubt they'd be able to do anything to me that would truly matter. If it even worked in the first place! I probably shouldn't find out and I probably won't, but I'm prepared to face whatever consequences if I do."