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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
"I get it, but you shouldn't be alone by yourself out here!" Case in point, he would have loved to sound kind of suave here instead of frantic. "There could be bears, or man-faced trees, or anything - I couldn't live with myself if you got eaten and I could've done something about it!"
no subject
"Sorry," she apologizes, trying to relax a little. "I didn't mean to worry anyone. Honestly, I didn't think anyone would be worried. We've all got our things going on, I know, so..." She didn't want to ruin that or the fun of the festival.
"I don't want to go back just yet though. So, if you don't mind- You could go with me a little bit?"
no subject
He scratches at the scales under his eye as he comes into escorting range. She obviously... would prefer that he look at anything that is not her, which they are in agreement on here. Side by side is the polite option.
"When these came in, they looked like extra gross scaly pimples. I told Avan I was going fishing, but I just sulked by the river feeling lousy about my face all day and then said I couldn't catch anything."
He talks faster as he keeps going, he wants to get it over with. This is probably not what Rosie meant when she was urging him to confess his feelings last month but it is a pretty similar trial of courage for him. He's already openly insecure about enough things without people knowing about even more of them.
no subject
She also isn't expecting his admission about his own scales. "Yeah, that's... kind of how mine started too." Of course, she'd noticed them near immediately. When her body was a tool, it needed to be inspected regularly by even herself and so she's been waiting and watching the changes with growing distress.
Since he was vulnerable, she responds in kind surprisingly easier than it might normally be: "It sucks, doesn't it? At least I don't really have anyone to specifically, like, impress or anything. Which probably makes it seem all the more silly that I ran away like I did."
no subject
"Ehhh, I'm the last person who can look down on anyone else for running away, and I don't have anyone to specifically impress either."
He does give her a sideways eyeball for a moment, is she still making assumptions about him? She might be! Is he going to let her have this one? ...He might!
"If anything, it's worse for you, because you're a woman."
It's not a competition, Popp - wrong, everything is a competition, he has self-esteem issues.
no subject
"I mean, you said it and not me," she sighs, agreeing. "Women are held to such impossible standards already, y'know? Now this!" She throws her hands up dramatically before they drop back down to her sides. Gradually, she's relaxing and allowing herself to be seen at least even if she isn't consciously aware of it.
"But I don't want to discredit other people going through it either. So, thanks for saying so but... I'll try to take more comfort in not being alone."
no subject
"So it's even hard to be smoking hot normally without all this extra stuff" he taps one of the horns peeking over his headband. Clink clink. "going on. Like making sure your face is clean all the time."
...He's doing his best...
no subject
Not in that way, but- When it came to her looks? Certainly.
"Or that your hair's not a mess, your clothes are appealing too, that you can't look too emotional or not show enough emotion... It's all so much to think about all the time and it's exhausting. Saying that, I guess it doesn't sound all that great but being hot was, like, one of the only things I was good at." Now, it's gone.
"I guess I could try and find ways to look more appealing like this, but right now that seems impossible."
no subject
"Sheesh, that'd be like me losing my magic power, that sucks! That dragon owes you big time! Maybe you'll look better when more of it comes in? Or you can lean into it, start biting people who turn their noses up at your face, chomp chomp..."
He makes an exaggerated monstrous grimace. He doesn't actually have any fangs growing in, it's just a goofy face. The forest is getting darker, and feels larger. That mushroom off to the side comes up past his knee... it didn't just giggle, did it?
no subject
"Pft," she snorts, at the exaggerated expression. "I guess with bigger teeth, I could just eat anyone that calls me ugly." Granted, the only one really doing that is her. She knows, just- It's difficult.
"Hopefully though, that won't really happen. Everyone's been really nice about it so far, honestly. Especially you! So, y'know, thanks... It does mean a lot." Even if the surroundings are becoming strange and weird cryptid Fae are lurking, Rosie hardly seems to notice. Perhaps that's a subtle giveaway she isn't as 'normal' as she seems but it could be attributed to just simple distraction too.
no subject
"Aw, we're all in the same freaky boat here. Just be nice to me if I get dumb looking wings and yours turn out stunning, okay?"
no subject
She sees that shift though from her compliment and it helps her own mood again. Making others happy is what she likes to do, after all, even if... Well, sometimes she isn't the best at lifting spirits herself. Or she - as he saw - gets so caught up in herself she loses sight of those around her.
"I'm sure your wings will be awesome," she reassures. "since you're awesome! Mine so far are just little, like, branches? That's what they look like anyway." She turns to look over her shoulder like she might be able to see them. She can't, of course, but still.
no subject
The fabric around his shoulders and hips rustles - the wings would be fluttering if there was enough of them to do so. He's so weak to compliments. Two birds of a feather, even if neither of them has any feathers to speak of.
"They look a lot like yours right now, so I'll be happy about them when they're large enough to use as a cape. They can't stay bony forever!"
no subject
But, hey- She's got friends here now to help. While she might not think of them as such yet, she will eventually. For now, she can recognize at least the importance in community and people going through similar struggles. "That's a cute idea," she mentions. "Or big enough to wrap around someone when you hug. I might not mind that." Granted, her thoughts are already straying to the R-18 implications of being able to be held close by someone but shielded from obvious view.
"I'm sure there'll be fun stuff about the changes, it's just right now... Ugh."
no subject
"Ahhhh, that's a good idea, I've always liked giving hugs, that's a good way to put my back into it without resorting to a flying tackle or anything."
He has no idea how big of a giveaway in body language he has coming to him. It does sound like a lot to look forward to - dragons are pretty cool. They have a lot of physical power and it's hard to get a weapon or most spells through the scales. He's got severe mixed feelings about looking like one and he fully intends to feel all of the feelings he has coming about it.
"But look, any time you get tired of putting on a brave face and want to complain, you can borrow my ears for it. I whine about everything all of the time, so I owe it to the world to balance it out now and then."
no subject
"See? There you go, silver linings," she mentions, both to him and herself. She's glad that he's more looking forward to the changes, at least, even if she's still... dubious. Silver linings, she'll try to remember. It won't be all bad, she knows, but right now it seems to impossible to see the better parts on the horizon.
"And I appreciate it. Really." Which, she does want to show her appreciation for in one of the only ways she knows how. "You're a good guy," she follows it up with, even if there's... a bit loaded in that statement. Too good to entertain wanting her approval for long, she thinks, but will enjoy it while it lasts. Regardless, she finds a moment where they're paused long enough that she can reach to give him a small, fleeting peck on the cheek.
But there's so many emotions here, it seems, that she doesn't expect her breath weapon to activate as she does pull in that air to step up and smooch someone even if in a chaste way. From her lips there spills wisps of a strange, noxious fume. It isn't enough to cloud or anything but 1) it is vile smelling and 2) it will burn his skin slightly.
no subject
He freezes up, not believing his luck, his brain might have converted to pure jelly for a moment from just one soft touch from someone who appreciates him-
And then the burning kicks in, which feels like it could be, like, a tingling emotional reaction for about half a second and then really, really can't be anything but dragon breath?! He yelps and throws himself backwards and away. He'd be angry if it was someone he expected an attack from, but right now, he just looks like a wide-eyed young man who's been hurt.
cw: vague mentions of past abuse
"I-" He looks hurt, too, from the unexpected attack. Frightened, betrayed- Rosie has wide, misty eyes herself as she tries to process what she just did. "I'm sorry," she manages to choke out. "I didn't mean to- I didn't even know I could, I just-" Her thoughts are still racing a mile a minute and her mouth is trying feebly to keep up.
"I can heal you," she offers, but remains frozen and posture defensive. She doesn't want to make any sudden moves, just in case.
no subject
"You're asking me to trust you after you just went and- and sneak attacked me?! How stupid do you think I am?"
He's trying to sound angry, which he is, but his voice is cracking underneath it. Even if she is some kind of demon, what's he going to do, attack someone who looks exactly like a crying woman that he rather likes?! That's impossible; if this is a trick it's a really awful one.
no subject
It's reasonable that he's scared, too, and says what he does due to it. That doesn't make it hurt any less though. To have her apology discredited, her motives questioned- To feel like the very monster she doesn't want to be and never did. "Very, if you think I wanted to hurt you," she manages to snap, but her own breath catches in a hiccup due to her erratic breathing.
"I didn't! I don't. That's the last thing I ever wanted to do again, just-" A strained sound of frustration sounds as she shakes her head. "All I'm trying to do is make it better."
no subject
"...I mean, I am pretty stupid, I guess..."
He steps closer, shaking from nerves. His eyes are wet around the corners, even if he's not outright crying. She might try poisoning him again, honestly, and then he'll feel really stupid. He'd rather feel stupid for trusting people than for not trusting people, is what this comes down to.
no subject
"Just regarding this," she chides, which- For all her own frustration, there's still an undercurrent of affectionate exasperation in it. Rosie too understands all too well about trusting people against your better judgement; if she didn't still, she wouldn't even be here today. Would she?
"As far as I know, it's just my breath, so. It should be fine." Right? It should be. Thankfully, she doesn't need to actually touch him directly for her healing to work. It can be at a small distance, ambiently. It's a softly warm sensation unlike the acidic burning of her breath when she starts... until that former sensation is almost gone entirely.
no subject
"This isn't even the worst I've been hurt from letting a girl kiss me in the woods, just so you know. If I let this kind of thing scare me off, I really would be stupid."
He did make a big fuss over what's a minor injury by his standards, and he feels, if not stupid, extremely sheepish right now.
no subject
She gives it a moment or two to make sure that it heals properly before drawing her hands back. "Still, I am sorry. I'll... have to be more careful, I guess." No more kissing for her. Not that she was really planning on doing any, but still.