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

[perfectteatime]

Byleth feels some small measure of victory at getting Emet to speak of his own past. He seems like the uptight sort. Somewhat reminded of Seteth in many ways. As he begins to tell his story, Byleth tucks his knees up and leans his head on them to listen.

His preference in food is silently noted as well.

If he closes his eyes he can almost imagine a tiny Emet-Selch running around in a robe that fits him like a potato-sack. Though he has a hard time imagining his face any differently, so it's more like just a very short version of him with an adult head. Creepy, but eh. It doesn't take away from the meaning he gleans from the tale.

It's not hard to gather the warmth and love there, the way he words things. Grudging affection, but no less powerful. He is somewhat envious of the idea of having friends since childhood like that. He was lucky enough to have his father though, and their lifestyle did not lend well to making friends. The mercenary company members treated him much as family anyways.

"They sound wonderful." He says finally, clearly basking in the sentiment there like a little sponge. "You must love them dearly. How fortunate not to just have one but two people like that." He means what he says too.

"How did you go about showing your affection? That is something I have always struggled with."

[recreator]

"They were," he says distractedly, as if he's still watching something very, very far away. "Are in one case. As you have said, we never fully appreciate nor understand the shape these people have carved into our lives until we blink - and they are gone."

Emet-Selch does not confirm nor deny the rest, although the answer is plain even to someone who does not know him well. Grudging affection, indeed. A well of deep and abiding love buried beneath a mountain.

It's the question that finally drags Emet-Selch back across the eons. Abrupt enough that his eyes widen as his head whips in Byleth's direction. He manages to look taken aback before his scowl catches up with him - having now returned in full.

"I beg your pardon??" he sputters, sounding mildly scandalized. He lets out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head as if Byleth has somehow broken an unspoken code of etiquette. "You do just say whatever it is that pops into your head regardless of how others will react, don't you? I'm hardly the most appropriate person to be asking a question like that."

"Still. It is not a matter I would find myself worrying about. Their are some individuals, like the Emissary, who are open with their affection and choose to convey it with words, compliments, and a gentle hand. Others have their own way. Mayhap it shows in their acts of service, or the time they spend in another's company. Or mayhap they do not show it at all and simply feel it privately. None of these are wrong."

[perfectteatime]

Ah. He's asked something strange again, hasn't he? He turns, watching Emet fuss. His head begins to tilt, just a hint. Well at least he's broken free of that unnerving smile.

"I- ah. Are you not?" he seemed like he knew a great deal of love and affection, the way he spoke of his dear friends just moments before. He elaborates nonetheless. He does make a rather large to-do about things he decides to do anyways. Curious man. Byleth is reminded somewhat of Felix, though he was far less mature about it. Far more obvious.

Regardless, it's clear enough, he's guarding. Byleth is familiar with this. Withholding things that desire to come out, despite best efforts.

"My father once said there was such a thing as 'love languages'. I never really understood that much, but I think I'm beginning to." He wonders what his own might be? "Do you feel it privately then? Or do you go out and do things for your friends?"

[recreator]

'Tis a small blessing, truly. Emet-Selch's expressions are no longer at odds with his fussing, though his hair is certainly still shedding dandelion fluff and he still smells as if he just stepped out of a bakery.

"No, I would not say so. I am the keeper of the aetherial realm, remember? Not a specialist in human emotion." Though the longer Emet-Selch hedges and grumbles over the question, perhaps Byleth will get the sense that it isn't that he is unqualified to speak on such things, it's simply that he is unwilling to put it into words when asked so directly about his own personal experiences. He could speak on his friends for bells, but as for his feelings, well... Guarding is is, indeed.

"By the star, are we still going on about this? Why do you keep asking? I haven't thought about it all that much." Which is...more than likely not true, given the man has had thousands of years to dwell upon such things if he so wished. "As I've said, there isn't a wrong way to go about it, necessarily. You will just have to figure out what works best for you when an appropriate situation presents itself."

[perfectteatime]

Byleth sighs at the answer, propping his chin in his hand. His eyes set on Emet-Selch with an unreadable gaze, clearly examining him before eventually turning away.

"I won't press you further on it then." There is so much he still doesn't understand. He regarded himself as 'very normal', but so many others treated him otherwise. In every direction. Fear and adoration. Curiosity and hate. It became abundantly clear that he needed to learn more, know more, about expressing himself.

There is no wrong way.

Hm.

"Thank you for your insight." He will glean from it what he can, and he would be remiss to not express some appreciation. He also knows when to push and when not to, however. People are fickle creatures no matter what place or time they are from, it seems. Instead, he shifts to a different idea.

"Would you care to dance?"

[recreator]

Emet-Selch returns the look with a blunt (if stubborn) stare of his own, carefully training his expression to its default sternness. And then he is freed from such scrutiny, which he punctuates by tossing the last morsel from his own plate into his mouth and chewing it slowly.

The response earns a shrug as Emet-Selch allows the now-empty plate to disperse back into aether, the only indication it ever existed being a few shimmering motes of magic that soon vanish into nothing.

"I'm not a fan of being pressed, but I look forward to news of your progress nonetheless." Not that it's of any consequence to him, really, but 'tis clear Byleth is keen to figure things out when it comes to matters of the heart. How unusual that someone so seemingly surrounded by people (being a teacher, at that), who has dedicated his time to academic service, could be so puzzled when it comes to expressing affection for and appreciation of others. Then again, much of his expertise has a more military lean, if Emet-Selch recalls their initial conversation correctly. Perhaps, following his father's passing, there simply wasn't opportunity to dwell upon more tender topics.

Huh?

Emet-Selch blinks.

"Would I care to?" he repeats, and it is immediately clear that this idea hadn't even crossed his mind for all that he has, in fact, paused to observe the musicians and those partaking of quick-footed merrymaking more than once over the course of his visit. "And what, exactly, left you with the impression that twirling about was even on my agenda for the evening?"

[perfectteatime]

"I suppose I'll have to keep you updated." Byleth says with some amusement to his tone. He's fascinated watching Emet banish the created plate, the shimmering motes that dissipate reflected in pale eyes.

Ahh, but yes. The more important matter is at hand.

"Nothing, that's why I'm asking." He extends his hand as an invitation. "It's a party, is it not? Dancing is often expected, at least where I am from." Even the rowdy, drunken parties that the old mercenary company had included some dancing. Haphazard and usually ending in injury or property damage, but dancing nonetheless.

"Perhaps I could teach you a dance from my world?"

Roll for persuasion. Need 12+ to dance (halfheartedly) and 16+ to dance (well)

[recreator]

"I suppose you will," he says, though it's clear enough that he has no such expectations and that he is also in on the joke.

But, yes.

Emet-Selch regards the proffered hand. He's well aware of how common dancing is at these sorts of gatherings, of course, but it has always been optional. And really, who would dare tell the Emperor of Garlemald that he must waddle out onto the ballroom floor in his armor and cane and cut a rug, as it were? No one, obviously.

Emet-Selch mostly just appears less than eager to get up from where he's resting and go through the trouble of exerting himself without good reason.

"It is a party, yes, and I have noticed some few people dancing - though not all. Are you truly so eager to have your feet trod upon for the sake of a lesson?"

Brave man. Brave, but foolish. Emet-Selch still hasn't agreed, however; he seems to prefer to be difficult.

he failed so bad

[perfectteatime]

Byleth shrugs, a slight tilt of his head at the assertion that Emet makes.

"I've had far worse done to me. I wouldn't mind. But I also won't needle you into it." Byleth isn't really keen on trying to convince someone to any great effort today. As such, he stands there, shifting his weight to his other foot.

His gaze is as reticent as ever. So much so that it creates that awkward vacuum of conversation or action that Byleth is so often prone to producing by his mere presence. He's like a video game character waiting for a dialogue option input from a player who has forgotten to return.

it's par for the course for these two, it's okay

[recreator]

(What is he, a masochist...? )

Emet-Selch shifts to rest one arm upon his knee, gesturing freely with the other in a dismissive 'well, what can you do about these things, eh?' sort of a way.

"Well, haven't we all?" the question is meant to be rhetorical, an insertion of some levity for what might otherwise be an awkward situation for the both of them. Or an uncomfortable conversation. Emet-Selch doesn't inquire into what Byleth means by his words, simply continues to speak into the resulting silence as if the other man hasn't just fallen abnormally silent.

"Fortunately for you, I must insist upon sparing you the discomfort this time. Consider it my thanks for the...snacks."

Though what Emet-Selch should probably be thanking him for is the company. The Ancient glances up at him, not revealing much in the way of his own thoughts. Indeed, the professor certainly is a strange one, but he seems to mean well in his especially unique way. Mayhap he'll repay him for real in the future. After all, unselfish kindness is a rare trait in this world, one half-forgotten.

Emet-Selch shakes his head.

"A shame these trees don't much lend themselves to napping. Much more of this merriment and I may grow weary simply from observing it all."

[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.

Fin?

[recreator]

Emet-Selch appears less than keen to move from his current position, though his brow does furrow in displeasure as Byleth reveals his plans. He's had quite enough excitement for one day, and although there may be a slight tug of curiosity in his heart-of-hearts, intrigued by what lies beyond the clearing, the last thing he needs is a gaggle of magical creatures descending upon him to enact punishment for ignoring their carefully written house rules.

"That may well be, and yet I specifically recall the fae ordering us not to go wandering off into the woods, and certainly not alone. Whilst even I've a penchant for breaking the rules on occasion, I believe such a venture would be ill-advised."

He offers a shrug. "You may do as you like, of course. Simply experience talking. The last time I decided to take a nap in an unfamiliar forest, I was set upon by a group of ferocious Viis. Therefore, I will be remaining here, clamor or no."

Ah, yes, the inevitable. Would things have turned out differently had Emet-Selch accompanied the professor on his ill-advised walk? There's simply no way of knowing. Yet perhaps, in its way, that one misstep set something else into motion.

Cause and effect.
Or what some people call: fate.

Fin!

[perfectteatime]