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.

code

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.

code

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.

code

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.

code

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.

code

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

[miniroth]

"..A 'fun party' I am told, but I don't really see what's fun about any of it." He didn't really plan on coming back here, so it's a first and only venture for him. These lands are held by a kingdom that may or may not suddenly choose to become hostile, and as he is ... that might not be an equal fight.

More willing to risk it eventually, if he regained his proper strength and speed. "Do your best to not damage anything, then."

It doesn't sound judgmental, or like he's implying Cloud might suddenly go on a rampage. "Even if the beings who live here aren't a threat to you, the town of Ich may rely on their good graces to get through winter. Antagonizing them unduly may hurt the civilians." So: leave no trace behind.

Otherwise, he obviously isn't taking the 'don't leave' rule to heart himself, it's probably just there because usually when humanity roams freely they leave filth EVERYWHERE.

[relativefugue]

"Least we can agree on that," Cloud says flatly with a light shake of the head. His nose wrinkles at the comment to not damage things, but the merc manages to hold his tongue. He's already seen how far arguing with the kid gets the both of them, and with how exhausted he is by the party, he's trying to be selective with what he goes in on.

Trying, at least. So he listens further. Sure, the part about Ich needing the peace makes enough sense. Even if Cloud naturally bristles at the feeling of being once again schooled by a miniature Sephiroth.

"Yeah. Not gonna give them problems."

But...Now what? Storm off? Or...? He has to keep reminding himself Sephiroth is young. Also, that this Sephiroth is likely going through some serious things.

Cloud allows silence to hang in the air for a few moments, before mumbling:

"Find anything not worth pissing off so far?"

[miniroth]

There are indeed profoundly upsetting things going on, but one of them at least is comparatively minor compared to the rest of his life.

Things like the noise levels and the lack of fun are low scale and more easily adapted to, or run away from. In this case walked away from. "There's occasionally others out here. They may be fae but they're not pixies. They seem nice. Very inquisitive."

Uncomfortably so in fact, to the point where he'd balked not out of suspicion but dislike of social interaction of any stripe.

At least if nothing else Cloud did not seem intent on causing problems for the forest, its rulers, or the unfortunate little town outside. "..When Slayd said there would be entertainment," he adds, slowly, "I expected something other than ... dancing, or humiliating oneself in public attempting to bite an onion." There were countless other games and all of them were the same tier of obviously meant to be laughed at, not with. "They could have worked in at least one more combat oriented challenge, that would have been more fun."

[relativefugue]

"Bunch of them keep following me and talking nonsense. Been ignoring them as I go." That is to say, Cloud's been pissing off a good amount of local fae folk with an ice cold shoulder. Not that they can do much about that. No instigation, and no names or barters to be had.

Combat oriented...Now the kid is speaking Cloud's language. "Yeah, it was all kind of ridiculous. Not even some kind of fighting ring. Just public humiliation. Seen more interesting 'games' over at Costa del Sol. It's pointless without a challenge." He especially got in to the sharpshooter one. It was a fun way to hone his reflexes and maybe show off to his traveling companions a little. How is someone supposed to look cool biting an onion?!

"Parties always seem to be bad anyway."

[miniroth]

"Nobody's spoken to me out here aside from Elidibus. It's been nice." Quiet. Quiet was extremely good, no chaotic noise to mask the sound of strangers' approaches, no lights and dancing to obscure trouble..

But if the fae were lurking out here too he might not be able to ENJOY that quiet. One could appear at any time.

There's a low hum of a thoughtful noise. Parties always were bad in his experience. "I think you're right. The ones running it are different but the purpose is the same. We're here to be displayed for the entertainment of our hosts, to perform the right tricks for trinkets and be grateful for the opportunity."

He's been doing that his whole life. "Though at least Shinra would have certainly had at least one battle royale. I don't know if they still do them in your time but it's a good way to bleed off the misery of the rest."

[relativefugue]

Cloud never looked at going to parties as a performance for the hosts- moreso social interactions (especially at parties) as a performance by the individual for the other people involved. It still makes perfect sense to him, though. Maybe there's some implications there in Sephiroth's specific wording that the blond will unpack later.

But what's important right now is...

"Tournaments, sometimes. Some over the table and others under the table hosted by restless SOLDIERs. Pretty popular, either way. I only really got a chance with a few. Too busy on active duty."

though, he sure did enter a few different types of tourney in his time out of SOLDIER that are far easier to recall. The one at Corneo Colosseum seems like an adrenaline-fueled fever dream in retrospect.

"Held my own in em. Good challenge."

[miniroth]

How much of that is true, and how much is invented by a mind distorted by too much mako? There's no telling from a casual observation, and Sephiroth had been warned however gently about prying too deep and causing harm that didn't leave bruises.

"Barehanded or with that?" A nod, however slight, towards the gargantuan slab of metal that is Buster. Either could be an option, depending on the rules of engagement. Using a weapon made a show bloodier, which some spectators preferred. But also made for shorter fights, which was less approved of.

[relativefugue]

Been a damn long time since Cloud fought bare handed, but he also considers that he can only wield Buster for limited amounts of time at this point, given his SOLDIER strength is just about gone. He's running on his own strength, which is plenty all things considered, but the blade itself is unrealistic for the wild, long stretches he's used to.

It sucks, really. Like a part of him is just swept away.

Cloud figures that either they play on short rounds, forego weapons, or do something makeshift. The familiarity of Buster may as well have a siren song. Not much else in the merc's life is constant, but the sword is.

"Either we pick up some sticks and use them, or we do short bouts with the real deal." He tilts his head up, as though towards the blade on his back. "Barehanded ain't my style." He would sooner (and has, when dealing with humans) use the blunt edge of his blade before throwing punches.

"I'm always ready to use this. Drained or not." The thought of finally getting some kind of action sparks a fire in Cloud. It feels like it's been far too long.

[miniroth]

"I want to suggest a different technique with it, but if we regain our proper strength then you'd have to unlearn it all over again." The languid stretch that follows is deliberate, testing for sore spots he might have to be careful of; all these changes meant that kept changing too.

There's no tournament here. Just nagging, gnawing boredom with a lifestyle he was not designed for. "Show me how you fight. If nothing else, it's better exercise than digging post holes."

He's a kid. He's smaller than Cloud, and that's a feat. Is fighting him fair?

Absolutely. Sixteen he may be, but he's First Class for a reason. "And more interesting than bobbing for onions so faeries can laugh." The slim blade of his katana is absurdly small compared to Buster, but it suits him well enough, as he reaches back and draws it in a slow hiss of steel. There's deliberation in the way he moves, slow and lazy - this isn't about hostility, about triggering blind instinctive reactions. Where's the fun in that?

[relativefugue]

"Finally. Something good to do."

Cloud raises Buster over his shoulder in response, bringing it to position in front of him. It points towards Sephiroth as he braces both legs in a motion that may as well be second nature.

He is so eager for action that Cloud is able to, at the very least, push back how haunting it is to see a young, mini facsimile of his greatest foe moving just like him. They've already made it clear this is a friendly bout. He's just a kid. A dangerous living weapon of a kid.

He remains poised for a few more beats, mako eyes seeking the best angle of approach- but Cloud has always been a somewhat impulsive man of action, his true talent in combat being improvising on the fly. So with a final appraisal, he makes the first move. It's simple enough, one to test the waters-a direct lunge forward, with intent to sweep under Sephiroth's feet.

[miniroth]

In another few weeks, were he back at home, there would be no slow hiss of steel being drawn from the sheath across his back, Masamune required no such thing. The nameless katana, however, absolutely did, and there's the faintest ghost of a smile at how much it put him at an advantage to have a four pound sword versus an eighty plus pound sword - and in fifteen years, when Cloud faces off against a far more dangerous version, the stance will be exactly the same.

Blade raised, shoulder height. Different weapon, different size opponent. Same person, same calculating gaze.

They're both slower than they could be, that much is immediately obvious. Sephiroth is less hindered by his choice of weapon and lack of staggering strength, and as the Buster sword cuts its vicious descending arc, he doesn't attempt to block it, stepping back just barely enough to allow the blade to slice past, and immediately steps inside its reach, right hand aiming for the dull side of the massive weapon and shove it further awry from its target in an effort to unbalance Cloud. At some point the katana's turned in his hand so when he swipes at Cloud's hypothetically unprotected side, the tip might leave a scratch, but with the sword rotated to strike with the flat of the blade it's only going to sting like a bitch instead of slice the not-quite-SOLDIER open.

This too is a test. Of how fast he can react with that bulky weapon. How much training there really is, how much he leaves himself defended or not. Sephiroth had been warned not to push some things but this is surely fine.