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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
Something had to be different. But what? He frowns at the buns currently in Popp's hands, untoasted. "Almost everything, in fact. I'm barely better than a well trained common trooper at this point." Which isn't a knock against any of the P0s he just.. expected better of himself.
A lot better. "Have you considered making use of one of the wider rivers? I'm intending to speak with our patron about diverting one into a fish pond sometime this winter, that might also make a cover for fire spells."
no subject
"No kidding? Like you feel weaker, or you've forgotten how to do it, or you know how it should work and it just won't happen?"
Popp gets cursed and poisoned and suffers mental setbacks all the time, he has some valuable, hard-earned perspective here. He's a little pettily glad that he's apparently stronger than Sephiroth right now, he's got a competitive streak. Not one strong enough to make him not want to help.
"As for the rivers - they're great practice for ice, but for fire, it'd have to be wider than what we've got now. A pond'd be better than just waiting around until I can make it to the seashore."
The scent's changed as he's been talking, and it's a distinct seafood whiff now. Popp tosses the done bun up to Sephiroth and starts cooking up the other one.
no subject
It doesn't seem to bother him much, at least not visibly. Everyone he knew was similarly limited, maybe there was something to the process of SOLDIER making that didn't work nicely with this planet, and Popp simply didn't have that problem. One example of no inhibitions versus a half dozen of people sharply reduced in ability did not make a reliable data set. He'd have to ask further with others.
... Eventually. The slowly cooling bun, caught easily, is not yet eaten as it cycles though scents, some more tempting than others. "How wide of a river do you require then? It's going to take a long time to dig a deep enough pond to be worthwhile. ..Which means diverting one of the rivers anyway, so flooding an area may be possible."
no subject
"So the reason the dragons picked out me instead of one of the actual Dragon Knights - strength of a dragon, magic power of a darkling, heart of a human - might be because this place isn't equipped to handle all of that all at once and gives you a backlash...?"
He is casually mentioning what a Dragon Knight is to let Sephiroth know that he is cool about whatever non-human hybrid stuff that he probably has going on. It is a touchy subject for a lot of people.
"I don't need a lake as big as this whole clearing, but one maybe a quarter of the size would work if I don't go wild on dualcasting."
The slowly heating and slowly cooling buns don't have different scents, which Popp does not pick up on because he's right up against his limits of how many things he can keep track of lately. He's not going to go wild on dualcasting.
no subject
"I don't know what a darkling is. Are you not human? You appear to be." Aside from any potential dragony bits going on, he himself has plenty even if he keeps them utterly under wraps.
More noteworthy, Popp has dragons on his world and they do selecting.
There are benefits to being unusually small for his age, Sephiroth can't at all pull off the raw physical intimidation his older 'brother' can. He's just some kid, really. "I was .. not selected by dragons or any other remarkable patrons. My parents were merely unethical." It would be a touchier subject if he knew Popp actually did have the right idea and weird hybrid stuff in fact is going on, but Sephiroth still thinks he's human, just enhanced.
He's silent for a minute, considering his half eaten bun or the tray of the remaining couple or both. "Are you capable of water control as well as fire, or are you elementally specialized?" There's a spot or two he found while roaming that might do, but only if any potential brushfires could be extinguished afterward. Probably he should stop changing subjects or asking so many different questions.
no subject
Strictly speaking, there's only one dragon on Popp's world that does this kind of selecting, but he wouldn't be surprised if she was involved in all of this dragon selection also. Maybe she's pen pals with one of the dragon gods over here, it is a mystery and he's not a theologian.
Unethical is such a dispassionate but damning way to describe your parents, though! Even Popp wouldn't say that about his dad... He has no idea how to respond to that aside from a reflexive "Yikes, that's bad," that hangs in the silence for a bit. How do you support someone who has evil parents and doesn't like it? Both parents! They just met would it be weird to offer to fight his dad? It would be super weird and he's not saying it. To displace his feelings, he aggressively eats his toasted bun, which is banana, subtly different from the earlier plantain, and just a little too hot to eat with dignity.
The pond and pond alternatives are a much safer topic.
"I can do ice, but, my best fire is a step above my best ice."
no subject
Or not worth bothering with. Either way.
Fire and ice. No water. At least, not directly. "Find a large open field of your desired size, and practice ice first. The thicker the better. Then practice fire on top of it. As the ice melts, it will provide the water needed to keep fire from catching." Instant pond! "There are some fields, now harvested, that may be suitable and will benefit from any ash that results in spring."
no subject
Why didn't he think of that! It's a really straightforward solution! He'd be mad about it if he weren't so stupidly happy about having a breakthrough.
"I'll dedicate my first double Kafrizz to you when I pull it off!"
no subject
Surely Popp has friends. Probably a lot of them. Someone to stand by with some means to contain the fire, since ice won't be an issue in this sort of season. Or offer encouragement, or whatever it is friends do. "Though many may encourage practice solo, that can lead to problems in unfamiliar territory. Someone may take offense."
no subject
Popp puts his hands behind his head casually, leaning back into the tree and looking up. He does have friends, of varying levels of would be useful in a magic emergency situation, and it can be pretty inspiring to have someone else watch you when you're doing well and giving feedback when you're not... But what he is reading here is an indirect hint that Sephiroth is also on the lookout for this sort of backup. He's also a magic guy, and maybe he wants someone to watch his back while he works on honing his sword skills in the wilderness... or encouragement or something, it sounds like he might have been short on that.
"I'll train with you as long as you don't expect me to pick up a sword."
no subject
It lasts only a moment. His control of his expressions is excellent after long years of practice. "Surely there's someone far more suitable for your needs already amongst your allies, familiar with the things you intend to try?"
no subject
"Ehhh. I didn't exactly come here with an entourage." He makes a back and forth tipping motion with his hand and then starts counting people off on his fingers.
"Elidibus can dual cast but I want to work on my own and impress him later. Avan can't even at his best but we use the same magic system... Prompto's pictures would be handy for me to look at even if he's not a mage himself. Gaia's into magic, but she's kind of scary..."
There are few things scarier to a boy of Popp's age and temperament than a girl of the same approximate age who is confident and has a good reason to look down her nose at him. What if he asked her for help and she laughed at him?? He would perish on the spot.
"You'd probably get along with her; you're all, hmmm," how does he say this without dragging himself, "serious."
He doesn't known either of them super well, but Popp thinks he's a pretty good instinctive judge of character. It'd be funny if he got another horrified look, though.
no subject
"Elidibus' experience however may be able to allow him insights that the rest of us lack. He might be impressed you're bold enough to ask. I've met Gaia." He's not horrified by that suggestion, which might be telling in of itself. They were absolutely not friends, because he had no friends and would not tolerate it. But they even dressed in similar shades of black! "She is perfectly capable as a fighter, though I have not seen her skills with elemental powers yet. If you wish her aid, and are uncertain how to approach it, I can ask for you."
Definitely not friends, but also perfectly at ease enough to be able to volunteer such a thing.
Sephiroth himself is about the same age, but he hasn't quite cottoned onto why most OTHER sixteenish year old boys might not be quite as keen on being around rich girls who may or may not scorn peasants.
no subject
Impressing Eldibius for real might be downright impossible, which is not going to stop Popp from trying. He's participated in impossible things before, and not trying wouldn't impress anyone at all, least of all himself.
"So you do know Gaia - and you'll talk to her for me? That'd be great! Even if she makes fun of me for asking, it's not as bad if it goes through someone else first."
It figures that the gloomy kids are already buddies. They're both kind of mean by Popp's reckoning but they're mean in slightly different ways that might cancel out?
no subject
"She's not really the sort to mock people without provocation." Which left the question, what did Popp do to earn her ire?
But apparently, he intends to do so right now, as out comes the sending stone they're all given, and he begins writing. "I've only seen her criticize people for unbearably silly ideas. I'm ... sure you've given her no reason to do so."
no subject
"...Standing on your head's a traditional meditation technique where I'm from, and it's great at expanding how much magic you can store up at once. It's not that silly once you get used to it."
Popp has several dozen variants on the ways he complains about things, and this one is one of the more good natured ones. He's still inherently defensive over the way his precious teachers have taught him to do things, but this is a mostly performative display of grouchiness.
no subject
He's not overly used to these things yet, he wasn't allowed a cellphone and would have no one to message in Midgar anyway if he did. But here? ..Well there were two people at least. "She remembers you. .. Because of that."
Another message follows. "She's willing to be a sparring partner, and a second set of eyes while you set fire to the countryside, but wishes to know if you're alright with the fact that she's never sparred before and may accidentally kill you. Presumably Charlie can help if that happens."
.. That can't possibly be what she's actually said.
no subject
Auuuugh in a different mental tone. He shoots right up to his feet with a yelp.
"Wha- well, of course I don't want her to kill me!"
He died like two months ago, he doesn't want to become a regular... At least it sounds like they've got spells for that?! A couple of paces back and forth. It'd sure be some serious incentive to do his best, having a terrifying goth girl come at him with a hammer and dark spells.
"I've managed to avoid getting offed by plenty of people who were having a serious try at it, though... So I'm fine with it if she promises to give not killing me a fair shake! You can tell her that!"
no subject
"If it helps she doesn't want to kill you." That probably doesn't help at all, but he sounds confident it absolutely should. "She intends to try to not do any permanent harm, but when the only fighting she's known is fighting for her life .. ah, muscle memory? May take over."
So in a way it'd be training for both of them. "It might be a good time to practice any defensive techniques as well. Just having a strong offense isn't always enough." Especially with a giant hammer swinging for someone's head.
no subject
"Beyond just dodging? I can... work on that, sure." That is what sparring is for, working on things. In theory, as a mage, his primary defense should be cowering behind someone with a boatload of armor and a big sword. In practice, it usually is setting whatever's coming at him on fire before it can get him. If he can, and then his primary defense is having a normal amount of flesh and bone in between attacks and all of his vital organs. There are probably alternatives!
Is this a good idea? Maybe not, but it is an idea and they're doing it, that's what forward progress is about!
"It'd be pretty mean of me to go on a full power offensive before I know how tough she is, anyway. I don't want to kill anyone either."
no subject
He himself, without more useful materia, is not inclined to find out if he can curb the careful lifetime's training of 'kill the target'. If he couldn't, Charlie was going to be upset.
.. Honestly he should practice at some point but would need to do so with someone who heals. "But you could start with the fire and ice and progress further if you both are interested. You should leave her a message so you can arrange times and places."
no subject
"I'm great at surviving confrontations with people about that strong. I'll send her a message, but I'm not going to fiddle around with my talking rock when there's a party going on."
He stretches - much like he's stretching the truth. He's fought people who have fought gods and destroyed continents and he's currently alive right now, at present. Among other things, being alive means that you get to enjoy being alive. He's not going to drag Sephiroth into dancing or shoving his face into onions, he apparently likes being a cool lone wolf over here, but...
"...Want me to bring you a plate?"
Some people are better at talking to scary girls, some people are better at chattering crowds. ~Allies cover each other's weak points~
no subject
But if Popp's being truthful, then there's probably nothing wrong with leaving him and Gaia to beat on each other. She could smite mighty foes, he's used to surviving that, what could go wrong? One day he'll understand better why teenage boys are SUPPOSED to be a bit apprehensive about extensively dealing with teenage girls, but that's not occurred to him yet.
The question of getting further food besides the flavor changing totally not magical buns earns the festivities a long, measuring stare. "No," he concludes after a time. "I'm here to work on my difficulties with crowds. Having someone do it for me defeats the purpose. Thank you though, for the offer."
no subject
Popp just has to respect having integrity and courage and wanting to improve yourself!! He clenches his fist to his chest, overcome with emotion that fortunately does not have him weeping this time.
"All right, I'm rooting for you!"
And then he takes off... Realizing only a little later that he never got this guy's name.