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childrenofbahamutlogs2024-11-01 12:15 pm
diceofthegods) wrote in childrenofbahamutlogs2024-11-01 12:15 pm
EVENT #1: FAE FESTIVITIES
INTO THE WOODS
Click Clock Wood (Spring) by Grant Kirkhope
2:05 / 4:59
▶︎
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.
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:
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.
- ⁂ 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.
- ⁂ 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.
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.
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
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
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.
FIRST LAYER
Rak'tika Greatwood Theme ( Civilizations ) by Masayoshi Soken
4:34 / 5:15
▶︎
"Civilizations" prominently features a female vocalist. The lyrics are in the Ronkan language, and has not been officially translated.
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
▶︎
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.
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
▶︎
...hordes of aggressive plant life exposed to the strange substance stand between you and the information you seek.
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
▶︎
'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.
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.
⁂ 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 ⁂
- - 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...?
⁂ 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!
Sheliak Saarela | Original Character | OTA, will match format
[Sheliak had only recently arrived in this realm. He was still adjusting and the last thing he felt like doing was attending a party. Unfortunately, appearances were important and he couldn't afford to offend the people here. So, he resigned himself to a night of tedious socializing.
The glow worms that clung to canyon wall reminded him of the magical crystals back home. His blue eyes seemed to ripple, as if there was a piece of water trapped inside them. They softly glowed with his loneliness as he lingered in the canyon for a moment before going inside.
Sheliak had learned not to cause an unnecessary ripples so he hid his sorrowful expression behind a polite smile as he joined the festivities. Roses were the symbol of nobility and he approved of the white roses in his flower crown. The symbolism of death was also fitting, although he hoped no one else made the connection. He studied the rules on the parchment intently. Seems simple enough, although his stoic expression cracked with a faint scowl at the last part.]
My shadow?
[That reminded him of an insufferable shadow mage back home and his eyes glowed brighter with a sharp flicker. Must Altair torment him even here?]
II. Games
[The rules said to play games with the fae so Sheliak happily obliged. It had nothing to do with his competitive nature or wanting to regain a small semblance of control in his life. He had a flawless victory with battleship but after the fae accused him of cheating he played a few more rounds to defend the honor of his family name.
The next two rounds didn’t go quite as well and by the end of the game he had been twice cursed. Snowflakes grew on his eyelashes and skin and more appeared the more stubbornly he hid his flaws behind his icy mask of perfection. The other curse replaced his ears with purple larkspur, turning everything he heard into flowery compliments. His pride ruffled, he moved on to the next game.
Bobbing for onions sounded like a ridiculous game but he had an advantage. He could breathe underwater so it should be simple enough. The cool water on his face as he submerged was soothing. It wasn’t as nice as an underwater nap, but he could still feel his worries fade under the water and the onion was quickly forgotten. He closed his eyes with a sigh, forgetting that staying underwater for too long may be worrying to most people.
He hesitated when he was invited to play What’s in the Box and his eyes flickered with a brief flash of uncertainty. As a mage, the world felt different to him now. His human body was just a physical vessel crafted with his past memories. If he focused on how it felt to be human, he could feel things, but they still felt off, like a memory instead of the real thing. However, his imagination still needed some guidance. This was impossible when the object was hidden inside a box.
This game was impossible for him, and yet it tugged at his desire to be human again and he stubbornly tried anyway. When he put his hand in the box his glowing eyes sparked with sharp, irritated flash before they softly burned steadily brighter as his helplessness grew. He could tell from the resistance his hand met that the object was solid. That was all he could tell and his eyes narrowed in frustration as he yanked his hand out.]
I’m afraid I don’t know.
[He calmly admitted, his voice a bit tense from the storm of emotions he withheld.]
III. Slayd & The Possums
[Sheliak loved music. It reminded him of Arrakis and his eyes softy glowed brighter as he watched with a faint smile. He politely declined the fae’s invitation to join in with light chuckle.]
I’m sure there are plenty of talented musicians who would appreciate your offer more.
[He didn’t have any musical talent, but he didn’t mind. He preferred to listen and enjoy the music other people created.]
IV. A brief respite
[Sheliak needed a break from all the tedious socializing so he slipped away to one of the small huts to rest. His polite mask fell as he laid down with a huge sigh. Finally, he thought as he closed his eyes. He can rest.
Or not, his brow slightly furrowed when he heard someone come inside. He swallowed his irritation and calmly spoke without opening his eyes.]
Can I help you with something?
V. For the Foolish
[Sheliak followed the rules and didn’t stray from the party area, unlike some people. There were always troublemakers after all. At first, he ignored them. Their foolish actions were not his concern. However once the worried whispers about missing guests grew Sheliak reluctantly went to search for them. As a mage he couldn’t abandon anyone who could be in danger. Unfortunately, he always had a terrible sense of direction and it wasn’t long before he was hopelessly lost.]
A.)
[The darkness of the second layer didn’t bother Sheliak. The darkness was quiet, and he could sense his surroundings with his magic. His glowing eyes cut through the dark as explored the area.
The rules said not to trade with the fae or offer them any personal belongings, but his eyes glowed brighter with longing when he saw what they wanted to trade. It was a black knight with the initials AF carved on the bottom of the piece. It was impossible. The piece shouldn’t have survived the destruction of his world.
He didn’t have much to trade and he hesitantly fiddled with the silver ring with a blue gem cut into the shape of a star on his finger. It was his family ring, and all he had left of his life as a noble.]
If I were to accept your trade, would this suffice?
B.)
[When he reached the fourth layer it was completely dark. He could magically sense his surroundings with his magic but he preferred to be able to see. So, he pulled out a black crystal with a faint glowing flicker inside it. The glow grew brighter as Sheliak poured his magic into the crystal and wished for light.
His crystal light illuminated the darkness around him, although, he wished it hadn’t. He froze when he saw his reflection. The startled bright flicker in his eyes mirrored the burning bright glow from his reflection’s eye. His reflection’s left eye was closed, with a slash through it, the blood mixing with the tears that ran down his face.
Sheliak’s careful walls over his emotions shattered with an anguished whisper as he stepped back from the shallow pool.]
No! I don’t want to see any more!
[It reminded him too much of his visions of death as a water mage. Those visions had cost him too much and he hadn’t used his ability since Arrakis died. He squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to fight the desire to reach for his reflection.]
I can’t.
Wildcard
[Surprise me with your own prompt! Feel free to talk to me on plurk
Into the Woods
Yes, as can be in realms of the fae, what usually is connected to you may be swept away in some form of prank. Generally, at least. With spirits as high as these, I would not be surprised if it is the energy in the air itself that may suffuse our shadows with temporary movement of their own.
[He taps his lower lip in thought.]
Leaving us to chase them down, should it come to that.
no subject
I see. That would be inconvenient.
[Surely a shadow couldn't cause that much harm but he still didn't like the idea of a part him wandering off on its own. His strange, watery eyes glowed with a quick flicker at the irritating thought. Ah, but where were his manners, and he brushed the annoying thought aside with a polite smile.]
It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm, ah, [His gaze wandered to the fae flying around them. He remembered the rule to not give him true name to the fae.] I suppose proper introductions will have to wait. You can call me Lyra for now.
no subject
Just so. You may refer to me as The Emissary for the duration of this festival, considering present company. The fae present seem in good spirits and do not seem to intend harm within the event proper, but I would not test those bounds needlessly.
One may just end up bereft of a piece of themselves they do not wish to see missing.
v., a.
( Ko's voice cuts in as he approaches, holding out his dead hand. He shoots a brief look at the fae in question, pulling a worried expression. He bows his head briefly to Sheliak. )
Excuse me for intruding.
no subject
I hadn't made a decision yet.
[He tried to defend himself. He was well aware of the risk but that chess piece was worth any cost. Perhaps he could make a better informed decision though and he hesitantly added,]
Do you know anything about these creatures or is your advice based solely on the rules we were given?
no subject
( He admits it readily, but his gaze is still unwavering. )
But partially experience. They've been playing tricks on new arrivals since we've come here. I ... get a bad feeling about it, but I'd also hate to see someone lose something to a trick like that.
no subject
[Sheliak's hum of agreement sounded a bit tense. He may have a point, but it wasn't what Sheliak wanted to hear. He was hoping for a weakness in Ko's reasoning, not to be swayed by his words and his brow furrowed.
It was a cruel trick and the ache in his soul dragged the truth out of him.]
I'm not sure what else I could lose at this point.
no subject
Were you not offering something up already? I don't know what that something is worth to you, but ... I urge you to consider how this place gained something worth trading for.
( That's what stood out to him: how would the Fae here have gotten items and the like from their homes? It feels off; he'd been able to resist it himself by thinking of that. )
III. performance!
[ That might seem a bit rich coming from the lady who was on stage herself not too long ago. Maybe Sheliak recognizes her from her lively show with Slayd. ]
Music is a skill like anything else, y'know? Gotta' start somewhere. You could try, like, the triangle or something! Learn to keep a beat. [ People give instruments like that a bad reputation, but they were important for learning the rhythm of songs and keeping along. ]
no subject
True, but I prefer listening to talented individuals such as yourself.
[He was hopeless when it came to music. The triangle sounded simple enough but then again dancing should be easy and yet he had to calculate the steps rather than follow the music. He could appreciate music just fine from a distance, and there was something special about music being untainted by his perfectionism.]
no subject
[ Well, Rosie could understand that... For the arts, she'd never much cared about perfection. The point was the imperfections in her mind. But when it came to her and her job? Now that needed to be perfect. ]
Well, I'm happy to perform again but I figured I'd give other people the opportunity to shine for a bit. Maybe check out some of the festival.
Have you gotten to do a lot yet?