EVENT #3: VORRUN WELCOMES YOU

[diceofthegods]

A CALL FOR AID

Charlie comes on the network with a grim expression. Some papers are held in one hand and Dimitri stands like a statue behind him.

"I have received an urgent request from our neighbors to the east, Vorrun. Their council has heard of your good work for the local communities and has requested assistance with a sudden influx of aggression in the local wildlife and a disturbing trend of monster attacks. Vorrun has suffered losses in the past and the current population is struggling to keep these assailants at bay.

They have requested our help in not only fending off the attacks, but figuring out the source of the issue.

We will secure transport to Vorrun via a small wagon caravan.

This is wholly optional and you may stay in Town if you like! Or, you can visit Vorrun as a tourist during this time. I just ask that you are polite and sensitive to our hosts. We will be leaving tomorrow at eight AM. Dimitri will remain in Town for those who do not wish to attend."

To do what, exactly? Well... Now might be as good a time as any to begin testing your skills as a newfound dragon.

To those that will be traveling to Vorrun though, Charlie ends with: "Thank you, we hope to see you bright and early!"

HAPPY HELPERS

Vorrun is a city-state located in a steep valley nestled between two mountain ranges. As such, it is blessed with a verdant landscape and plenty of rain. The mornings often come covered in mist that lifts throughout the day but adds an ethereal quality to the locale.

The people of Vorrun tend to be largely Beastmen due to this being a sanctuary for them. Very few children of men live in the city, but there are some here and there who have earned the local's trust and respect. The architecture is reminiscent of what some offworlders recognize feudal Japan.

All around, the locals go about their business as usual. There is an undercurrent of anxiety due to the recent attacks yet most appear to be doing the best they can to remain optimistic. They are also wary of newcomers given the rather isolated nature of the place. Once you engage with the people though, they are overall polite and friendly.

While offworlders learn for more information on how they'll be helping as Charlie and Nobu meet initially, there are a handful of things to do around the city-state.

⁂ Hot Springs - Vorrun has natural geothermal pools that anyone is free to use. There is a venue that is co-ed, but also one separated by sex for people's comfort. Choose whatever suits you or you're most comfortable with! For those bonded with dragon souls though, they'll find that the physical draconic features of their half-shapes may be more pronounced in the warm waters.

⁂ Community Service - If you're Ardyn Izunia, this is mandatory. For everyone else or the non-combatants among the population, the people of Vorrun need help similarly to how those in Town might. Running errands isn't the most glamorous thing in the world but it will help endear the local populace.

⁂ Enjoy The Local Plum Wine - If you help out around the city-state, then you might also be offered some of the local delicacy: plum wine! This drink provides an increase in luck. This will be subtle, but offer you an advantage in nearly everything you do for up to eight (8) hours after consuming it.

⁂ Hide & Seek - One of the favorite people in Vorrun is a lovely tanuki woman everyone simply refers to as 'Ma.' She is one of the kindest and most welcoming individuals that will be come across as she offers food aplenty and matronly advice.

She does have a request though for people visiting: find her kids and tell them that supper is almost ready. How many? Oh, well, it's hard to keep track but she thinks only about twenty or so are scattered around Vorrun still. The rest are working, patrolling, or already here at home.

Ma will warn people though that her children, being mischevious tanuki, have likely disguised themselves as every day common objects throughout Vorrun. Their disguises aren't very good (their tail might be obvious, they're too wiggly, most inanimate objects don't giggle) so they shouldn't give you too much trouble at least!

HUNTING FOR ANSWERS

GAL-OTHY-MOS by Hiroyuki Sawano

1:15 / 5:09

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Hiroyuki Sawano is a Japanese composer, arranger, lyricist, pianist, and music producer best known for his work on many anime series, video games, television dramas, and films. His pieces tend to have exceedingly strange titles, featuring numbers, symbols, and letters from various different alphabets. He stated that he decided this because he wants "people to be able to listen to the songs in their own way and have their own reaction."

code

After a day or so of delegations and working through red tape, offerworlders are allowed to investigate among the mountain range. Their instructions are provided by Nobu who appears to be an authoritative leader.

Everyone is warned again about the increased aggression of the surrounding monsters, but hopefully a cause might be found.

It is recommended to work in pairs.

ABANDONED BATTLEFIELD

The war-torn remnants of an old battlefield from Vorrun's war with the orcs. Old, broken weapons and armaments stand as ghostly relics of the horrors that this place saw.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Poltergeist, Troll, Troll Mutate

⁂ Item of Interest: Ornate spear - Amongst a collection of broken spears, this one is intact and without wear

ROVAAN NAH'S GRAVE

In the bottom of a crystal clear pool, the massive bones of an Ancient Dragon lay undisturbed. This is the final resting place of the great Draconic Saint, Rovaan Nah: The Roaming Fury.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Allosaurus, Boar, Elk

⁂ Point of Interest: Black, oily sludge seeps from a rock nearby the water. It hasn't contaminated it yet but appears to be oozing that way.

MOUNTAINSIDES

The high cliffs make for a difficult hike, but for a dragon with wings, they are no obstacle. Lush moss hangs from every surface and the ferns are thick. This old-growth forest feels just packed with secrets.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Awakened Giant Wasp, Giant Lizard, Roc, Corrupted Orc

⁂ Item(s) of Interest: A bundle of scrolls is hidden in a tree somewhere. Trying to read them gives one a headache and appears to be in a language that is indecipherable to most.

CASCARA PASS

You can only come through this way with an escort from Vorrun. The pass is dark and full of winding passages. One could easily get lost if they did not know the way by memory. Take care and avoid deep pools of water here. Tempting as they might be to jump in, the escort advises against it.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Aurumvorax, Cloaker, Dire Flat Worm

⁂ Item of Interest: Abandoned along the pass is an old, charred painting of a woman in a veil, with inscription "fire purifies all" along the bottom.

WAYSIDE BAY

A hidden bay that Vorrun receives their trade through. It is a small but busy port is bustling at all hours and well-guarded. They will, of course, let investigators come through and see what they can find. Yet, they will be under close watch so no funny business.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Elemental Spirit (water), Flail Snail, Giant Enemy Crab

⁂ Item of Interest: Hidden by the sand under a dock is a Draconic Medallion. It is of obvious importance, but exactly what can't be determined.

Notes

⁂ If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback relating to this post then you can leave it here.

⁂ The partner plotting post for this event/quarter is up!

⁂ Please sign up here to see if your character finds the item/point of interest listed in the searchable areas. We will be RNGing for who finds them. Even if your character doesn't find the artifact mentioned in the post, we will be giving other clues, information, and so on to everyone that receives something if investigating.

⁂ These artifacts are also meant to spark discussion and theories among characters rather than actually answer what's going on here. We encourage those who find the artifacts to share this information ICly! All will be revealed... in due time! For now, have fun putting the puzzle pieces together.

⁂ The sparring requests page is now live! We hope it's a fun little surprise that people enjoy utilizing. It's for fun, mostly, but also to provide an IC avenue for characters to get more comfortable with their new dragon selves.

⁂ Thank you for your patience on this post as we recovered from a difficult April! We hope you enjoy visiting Vorrun and look forward to the changes we'll be making re: the quest board and a couple of other adjustments planned!

⁂ Full Navigation ⁂

Comments

[gladio] starry nights and bright hearts

[threevirtues]

Ever since returning, and having a full night's sleep... It's become clear that Ignis has found his stride again. His purpose. Gladio likely never doubted that his boyfriend would, but perhaps the difference is clear compared to before. After all, learning the prophecy was immediately followed after with going blind, and then getting to the Empire.

And, well... A lot of things that Gladio didn't get to be there for, in the world he remembers.

But here, he gets to see the way that Ignis wakes up with a little more steadiness beneath his feet and a sharpness in his gaze of a man on a mission. How it gets cut and forged with every day, rather than already sharpened with desperation. Gladio likely doesn't even need to ask just what's got him going like this, having been told the answer before by another Ignis, or perhaps Talcott, or anyone else. This one will readily answer if he hears it, however.

He's going to find a way to stop that prophecy.

He's going to stop fate.

However, whether in Lucis or here in town, the answer to that is something that requires time, patience, and lots of research. Ignis has a feeling that there is a solution to this problem out there somewhere in this world, and he needs to work towards it. Good directions in his opinion have been learning the magic of this place with the help of Sveargith, and repairing his relationship with Charlie. You know. After that time he killed Ardyn. Which he still doesn't wholly regret, and is a cherished memory of its own in some ways, but it has been a bit of a set back.

These aren't the only reasons he seems so readily interested in visiting Vorunn, of course. Fact of the matter is that they're all meddlers in their own right. Going to help solve a mystery and help people is simply something of a habit by now, even if the early wake up time is a nightmare for their prince.

...But it's hard to deny that undercurrent.

That's likely part of why when they are being tasked with looking into various areas in an attempt to locate the issue of aggressive wildlife, the grave of a draconic saint seems to stir some of his interest especially so. While he could venture out with anyone.... Well, perhaps there is some measure of trust when he takes Gladio with him.

An interesting place, truly. Mostly inhabited by wild animals more than being at risk from any proper monsters, and those are really chased away easily enough - especially with the two of them, used to even worse fare while camping back in places such as Lucis.

Ignis is as meticulous as always, keeping track of anything which seems out of place in such a serene setting, noting animal behaviors, all of that. It may give Gladio some idle time to note that, perhaps as a result of becoming older or gaining control over himself or even both, Ignis is much more relaxed in utilizing draconic abilities - wings to gain a birds eye view, claws to help him get up difficult areas, and even simply looking more animalistic when in town to make the locals feel more at ease.

A productive day, to be sure... but a busy one. Once they've finally finished up, the sun is shimmering on the horizon about to tuck itself to bed, and Ignis checks on the rocky talky with the rest of their little party. Whatever he hears back has him pause, an eyebrow raised judgmentally.

...But that's none of his business.

Instead, still clad in his ankle-wrapped hakama and an open-backed shirt for the ease of transformations, he presses the rock to his lips while looking out over the scenery. He's seen a wealth of beautiful sunsets, truly. Their journey has been filled with difficulty, pain, and heartache... but the sights are incredible. This is one of them, and it pulls at his heart. More importantly, it reminds him of the very light weight he has carefully attached to his cloth belt - a small bag with two stalks of bamboo sewn into it.

Coming to a decision, Ignis tucks away his rock into its proper place (notably not the bamboo pouch) and smiles at Gladio.

"It seems the others shall be rather preoccupied. So, shall we finally have a proper date all to ourselves?"

Considering all that's happened, dates really have been the last thing on their minds. There's simply not enough time for it with all the housekeeping and research he's been doing back in Town, and, well... Clearly, from Ignis's time, there's been other reasons to be busy as well.

Vorunn offers some relief from all of that. No housekeeping, no cooking. All he needs to do is drop by into town to make some inquiries, and then he's found the perfect place where he can pick up a large bento for them both. If Gladio opts to take the heavy thing rather than let Ignis carry it as he heads towards a little dirt path outside of town, well, he won't complain. Instead, he stays close with him and enjoys... well...

Everything.

He enjoys the conversation with Gladio. He enjoys the way the energy and noise of Vorunn fades behind them as they make their way through the trees. He enjoys the stretch of the shadows, a night in which they need not fear daemons lunging for them as they simply go to a little spot he's heard about, which overlooks the town.

The sun pulls a purple sky over them, the last remnants of light, and Ignis stares over it. Drinks it in, commits it to memory, before he looks back to Gladio with an adoring smile. Small, but intense in its sincerity.

"You make all of this wonderful, you know."

[swordlily]

Gladio is already stretched out on the grass beside him, looking up at the sky and enjoying the colors before they fade completely. At Ignis' words, he looks over at him with a grin tugging at his lips. "Oh, just me, huh? Not the beautiful locale or the incredible sunset or the fact that you didn't have to cook tonight? Seems like a lot to give me credit for."

It's been a good day. Fighting, spending time with Ignis, seeing new sights and trying new foods, and maybe most significant of all, getting to use their skills to help others. Gladio certainly enjoys simply getting to have a quiet life with the people he loves, especially after everything they've all been through and the misery that will most likely await them all if they ever end up going back to Eos and having to pick up the threads of the prophecy again, but his sense of duty and all the time they spent helping people on their road trip does have him tending to get a little restless when they go too long without putting everything they can do (which includes both their skills from home and their new dragon abilities) to good use. And not just their own personal benefits, either; given the scope of what they're capable of, helping only themselves simply can't be justified. So he's in a pretty great mood...and obviously Ignis is, as well.

A perfect night, all things considered. He can think of maybe one thing to make it more perfect, but Ignis would probably skin him alive before he'd consent to a roll in the grass out where anyone could see them. Still, Gladio can be perfectly content with what he's got.

[threevirtues]

"With all the good work we have done today, I have no doubt we will allowed back to this locale whenever we wish, so long as the weather is agreeable. Food, as well, and I can recreate that whenever I wish." Settling down a bit besides Gladio, Ignis braces his weight against one hand. "And while I shall never take for granted a beautiful sunset... I have seen so many in my life."

He leans over his love, just a little bit, and hopefully he is forgiven for blocking the view for but a moment. "You, however? Gladio, nothing in the world could ever replace you at my side."

That's all he allows before he steals a kiss, and then sinks down against Gladio's side, into his embrace, so that he isn't blocking the view any longer. There's still some food to enjoy in the quiet night, and they'll want to light a lantern sooner than later... But those are all things they can do in time. He still takes so much delight, being able to walk out into the forests and only having to worry about regular beasts for the most part. Here, the night is not such a death sentence. It makes him feel rather greedy, truthfully, wanting to steal every night he can.

Ignis tucks his head against Gladio's shoulder. "I've become rather contemplative, since... coming back, I suppose is the proper term," he muses aloud. "It makes for a strange contrast, thinking back to my memories of when I first arrived here." A low chuckle. "I put you through such ridiculous difficulties. Silly little things that I think I would have grown past, or gotten over, in small inconsequential events in our life in the crown city, and yet which unfortunately ballooned ridiculously during events like this, with me at that young age." A low sigh, heavy in how content it is. "Well, I've caught up a touch more, at the very least... although if it were to do with me as a person, then it always was thanks to you."

His hand crosses over himself, comes to rest along Gladio's torso. "That's what the entire peculiar event has taught me, I think. So much good in me was because I could look to you, and see what a good man truly was."

[swordlily]

"Now that I don't believe." Gladio lifts a hand to brush through Iggy's hair, tracing fingers around the shell of his ear. "I mean, I believe that you believe it, and that you mean it when you say it. But I had a lot more growing to do over the years than you did, so I don't know how good of a role model I could really be said to be. I even managed to wreck as good of a thing as us for awhile, and it was me who needed to fix myself to get us back on track.

"And yeah, I would have done that work on myself regardless of you or anyone else, because you know me - I'm not going to just sit back and give anything less than my best. I don't think I could if I tried. But becoming the kind of man you deserved, a man worthy of being by your side...nothing could have motivated me as much as that did. And that feeling's been guiding me practically since we started dating. Not just to be better, but to be better for you. And I think if you asked pretty much anyone who knows both of us, they'd say I've changed more than you - that I needed to change more than you - and that if anyone's been good for anyone, it's you who's been good for me." He rests a hand over Ignis' on his chest, stroking a thumb along the back of it. "So if I'm a good man now, any kind of beacon worth following...it's because you lit my way first."

[threevirtues]

Everything Gladio says is hardly a surprise. Men like them are always men of high standards, never truly satisfied with where they are in life. Always needing more of themselves, always striving to improve, always viewing any little flaw with the harshest criticism.

Still. Really now.

"Sometimes, I daresay you put me on a pedestal," Ignis murmurs, resting his hand over Gladio's just to take in more of his warmth. "Or perhaps it is that we have been together for so long in one way or another-" Because clearly even when broken up, they never truly moved on. "-that you think only of the most recent moments."

His fingers idly shift up against Gladio's palm, feel the callouses that feel near permanently etched in there. "But I was a clumsy youth, Gladio. Perhaps you've put it behind you, and yet there's still no denying it even when I met you here. I had lived my entire life in such a narrow little cage.... With no complain, mind you." He chuckles lowly. "All I wanted to do was be helpful to Noct. So my life was all classes, all focus. I would never say I was unhappy, exactly...

"But I could always have been even happier. And somehow, I never quite connected the dots. Never saw the most obvious path in front of me."

Sighing, he shifts his head until his lips can brush against Gladio's skin. "Not until, one day, you asked if I wanted to see what the night sky looked like, unblocked by the lights of the crown city, and we went camping."

It's a memory he'll always hold fondly in his chest. How could he ever let it go? "I don't believe I will ever forget that night for as long as I live, you know. All of my worrying on the way there about all the little things I was leaving behind, the big things that wouldn't fall just because one single teenager was missing... And then the content way in which we set up camp together, a little domesticity even in the face of so much potential danger."

And...

"The way the stars looked - stars there before my eyes, no equipment necessary, shining so brilliantly there over the trees, more color than I thought could ever exist in the night... And you, there besides me."

Ignis smiles, achingly fond, just recalling it all. "I had such a revelation, looking at you there in the moonlight. Seeing the way the stars showed every beautiful curve of your jaw, shined in your hair, lit up your eyes. I realized that you lived in such a different way to me, and it was such a wonderful way. I'd always known you were courageous, and talented, very attractive-" This is said with a low laugh, Ignis twisting their hands so he can hold onto Gladio's, bring it up where he might kiss his ring finger.

"But it was then that I realized... You lived a more open and full life than I did. That you knew how to do that was incredible to me, back then, where I had never even thought to step outside my life in my uncle's apartment, later my own, and the Citadel. I don't think you realize how incredible you've always been to me, my love, and how you became ever moreso.

"Perhaps I'd always known all of that deep down... but it was beneath the stars that it was brought into crystal clarity for me. That you lived out there in the rest of the world, incredible and courageous and kind, good, and not afraid to go out to see the stars with your own eyes."

Gently, with purpose, Ignis takes Gladio's hand, and moves the other so that he can press something small and cool into it.

A ring, the metal curving and twisting like branches, with hints of the stars and moon peeking through, and a single beautiful green gem in the midst of it all not too unlike Ignis's own green eyes.

"Gladio... I want to be in that world with you, beneath the stars, for the rest of my life."