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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!
no subject
"Maybe it'll follow you back on its own."
Is it... alive? He can't tell. It doesn't even have eyes.
no subject
"Does slime in your world typically possess eyes? There are some varieties of constructs I have seen that resemble slime that have a facsimile of eyes, but that appears to be very different from this." He moves his hand back and forth slightly.
The slime jiggles.
"It appears more akin to algae than anything else. Or a variety of fungus?" Hmm. "If you wish to touch it, you may."
no subject
"If it's a creature, it's got eyes. I'm used to a more... wide-eyed, onion shaped kind of little guy."
He's got onions on the mind for some reason.
no subject
Onion shaped... interesting. The slime only oozes at the jostling.
"It may simply be mold, then. Think of it as a variety of plant."
no subject
It's kind of lazy... he can identify with being lazy and green. Something in the back of his mind doubles his empathy with this situation.
no subject
With a last lingering look at his new slime mold, Elidibus turns towards Popp once more.
"I do believe it is your turn to partake in the game. Perhaps you shall find something that is decidedly not slime." He sounds amused as he speaks.
no subject
He shoves his hand in a box, bracing himself for any weird textures. Frogs? Mud? A hedgehog? Do your worst - huh. It's...
"Square and flat... there are a lot of them, and they're not alive."
no subject
Seeing as he is not the one touching them, there's only so much that Elidibus can guess at. "I suppose it is time to make your best guess."
no subject
His excitement turns to a fascinated horror when he is presented with a pocket sized field guide titled The Illustrated Companion to Talahee Part IV: Identifying Monster Dung.
"I don't even get to pick which book?!"
The fae running the boxes wistfully says that no, he just automatically gets the best one in the bunch. They couldn't find any owlbear pellets for the game but they hope to inspire others to seek some out for themselves.
no subject
"Not the most engaging of volumes by the look of it. It will, however, prove extremely useful to many of us here. While the topic may be about the dung of the creatures, it will inevitably contain a list of those monsters that dwell in the forest." Elidibus taps his free hand against his chin in thought.
"Seeing as none of us are native to this world, we also do not know which monsters may be found nearby. Using this book we would be able to anticipate dangers we may otherwise overlook."
content: dung talk we're doing my 5th grade biology class
He flips through the book, a man on a mission, until he finds a page that will tell him approximately what an owlbear is and exactly what a pellet is.
"It says they hork up the skeletons and hair they can't digest?? This looks like a human skull in the picture!"
He points at the illustration. You look at it too, buddy! On some level that's actually quite cool but also, flat out terrifying as a concept that exists in a place where he also is.
I WAS rather partial to 5th grade bio...
He thinks on the varieties he knows of for a moment. "In some instances, they may be intelligent enough to know magic, though that is not the case for each reality to which they belong."
Elidibus sure does look at the illustration while he speaks. It's entirely unsurprising that there is a human skull there. They do eat people. He decides to say as much.
"Owlbears have been known to prey on human or human-sized creatures. Already this book is serving the purpose of forewarning us of possible dangers, excellent work, dear Popp."
no subject
"So it's one of those animals that shows up in a lot of places with variants, like dragons and chickens... You're not scared of them, though."
Popp isn't, especially in a nice safe place surrounded by other people. He's pretty sure he could take one unless he was already in bad condition, and Elidibus is a huge badass if you take him at his word, which Popp is.
no subject
But this is not what he does.
"I do not fear most creatures, be they owlbear or otherwise. Researchers or specialists of my people were known to create more fearsome beasts with far more potent abilities. Should an owlbear accost me, I will deconstruct it to its base aetherical energies and repurpose them for other means." It will be tiring, though. Far less effortless in this place than in his home. "Here, it will be more taxing than otherwise, but I know myself capable."
He holds out the slime mold. "Observe."
His hands and the slime shimmer with light, before a gentle glow overtakes the entirety of the mound of slime. In a few moments, it dissipates into formless magical energy, scattering into sparks that flicker and fade.
no subject
Holy cow. Popp leans into the dissolving sparkles, completely unbothered at his proximity to Elidibus' Delete This Entity hands. He made it vanish, just like that. It would have been seriously disturbing if he'd used it on something with eyes that wasn't attacking him, of course, but this was just a demonstration on something that's basically a plant. Popp is not aware of his own full destructive capacity but something in him is yearning. Can he blame it on the dragon soul? It's not the dragon but he's gonna.
"The perfect offense that lets you fill up your magical power?! That's even better than lightning! How can I learn how to do that?!"
no subject
Many do not subscribe to that philosophy, he knows, of creation before destruction. He completely bypasses that drop of knowledge he had just given. If Popp wants to know more about Creation, he'll explain.
But he does have good news.
"Though I will not be able to teach you the nature of this particular ability..." he trails off, running a hand through the last remaining sparks. They swirl with the passage, before coalescing together into a flock. He urges the flock to land on Popp's hands where they come to rest and puff into nothingness - leaving tiny bursts of faint buzzing against his skin. "I may be able to translate a siphoning spell that will have a very similar effect. The function and form behind the scenes would be entirely different, but harnessing energy is relatively universal."
no subject
The difference between passive listening and actively engaged is pretty clear when the sparks land on his hands and he lights up in awe. A voice in the back of his mind suggests that he try catching one in his mouth. He ignores it and lets them puff away into abstract power.
"For real? If it keeps me from running dry in a tough fight, I want to learn it!"
He's already got a lot of destructive spells he's trying to perfect, after all, some of them from principles Elidibus has introduced him to. He doesn't really need a godly deconstruction technique on top of that, he's only got so much hours and magic in the day.
no subject
Unable to be taught as it was, unless someone was truly passionate about learning the ins and outs... well.
Best that he move on to other things with Popp.
"Do you know how to drain power from a source? Be it, ah, what was a term I have heard used..." he trails off, frowning. "Ah, yes, mana! Mana, aether, magic reserves... there are spells one may use to sap the strength from an enemy. The key is to learn how to absorb such strength for yourself."
no subject
"Yeah, I know what magic power is, and how to build up how much of it I have to work with... but it just comes back over time if I rest, that's the way just about everyone has to do it. I've heard about potions that can restore it faster, but those are hard to come by."
He'll get into alchemy if he absolutely has to, but it'd be a way better use of his time to get a spell that covers the one thing he'd want to get into alchemy for. Also, alchemy is kind of gross and esoteric, and he's not sure about Elidibus' prowess in this one area. There is a public record.
"But don't teach me any alchemy, I want to keep my bathtub."
no subject
"Oh, but how else are you to brew your concoctions in bulk batches?" he doesn't giggle. Not quite. But it's a great laugh to play along. A deep breath does bring his voice back into order with a happy sigh.
"Ah, thank you for that. In truth that entire incident may be attributed to Ardyn, I merely sampled his results - which I do not recommend for any who wish to retain their dinners," that was an unpleasant morning, to say the least. "It has been some few years since I last partook in the alchemical arts, but it was amongst the professions I studied over time." Omni-crafter and all that.
"Much to your delight, what I recommend lies firmly in the realm of magical practice."
no subject
"All right, how do I start practicing? Do I need an enemy or an onion for it"
no subject
"I would recommend testing on objects or entities less complex to start - the onion suggestion may hold its worth. Plants, simple animals, and the like. Do you wish to begin now? Or take the evening to rest and start at a later time." A pause. "Particularly to allow your curses to fade."
Both are valid options, as far as Elidibus is concerned.
no subject
Which is of course a much bigger deal when a year is over five percent of your total lifespan.
"I'd rather see you put your hand in another box."
no subject
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.
no subject
"That was a joke, right? This little guy isn't poisonous or anything, is he?"
He pokes it, for emphasis. Gently, since his growing claws are out in the air in these gloves.
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