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

for byleth

[brawlin]

True to what he told Popp, Caspar is set on looking out for this Byleth guy - and, sure enough, that hair color makes him pretty visible among those visiting Vorrun!

When Caspar catches sight of the man, he makes a beeline for him - and straightens up a bit in recognition when he gets closer. He didn't see the fabled Ashen Demon for very long, back when arrangements were being made between the Empire and the mercenary group, but he certainly made an impression.

...Maybe a little awkward, since those same mercenaries went on to surrender to and join up with the Kingdom... but. There was a lot of that going on, toward the end of the war, and it's not like they're at war now. Well. Hopefully he feels the same way.

"Heeey, it's you!" Caspar approaches with a hand in the air. "Byleth, right? Sorry if this is a weird ask, but - Popp tells me you used to live in a church or something, and we wanted to check if you might know how to... y'know, put a blessing or something on that old battlefield? Just... doesn't seem fair that all those soldiers are just left out there."

Re: for byleth

[perfectteatime]

The familiar voice makes him turn quickly with an uncharacteristic bright smile, but the smile fades as Caspar goes on. That little scar on his head.

This is not his Caspar. Nonetheless, he maintains a more even-keel, pushing down the small sinking feeling. Everything is just familiar enough and yet-

"Hello, Caspar. I'm afraid I have no blessings to give other than my own good tidings, but I believe you and I may have a bit to discuss." He gives the younger man a tempering, soft look. Something on the edge of an understanding and sympathetic smile.

"Perhaps we can spar and chat a bit, yes?" Because deep down, Caspar is Caspar, right?

[brawlin]

Oh! He didn't know this guy could make that face! Not that he had a lot to go on, but, y'know-- it's kind of nice. Even if Caspar couldn't begin to guess why Byleth would look so excited to see him; maybe he mistook him for someone else? He does look a little disappointed when he realizes it's just him - Caspar feels a little bad, honestly.

He's also a bit surprised Byleth knows his name - but, hey, always possible he heard it from his father when his group was working with the Empire.

"Ah, well-- thanks, anyway. Worth asking around, right?" There's a hesitation in his voice as he responds; that immediate answer aside-- something to discuss.

He can't imagine that a mercenary who simply did what was in his best interest would feel the need to talk things over with the son of an employing army's commander, but that's all that comes to mind. Is there more to it? Dimitri doesn't remember the war - almost like it never happened to him. Does Byleth, in turn, remember something Caspar doesn't?

But what could he possibly know that involved Caspar?

Maybe that's just it. Maybe he's as surprised to see a dead man as Caspar is to be here.

Well-- there's only one way to find out. Caspar shakes off that momentary hesitation - clearly, they do need to talk, and who would he be if he turned down the chance to spar with such a famed mercenary? "Uh... yeah. Yeah, sounds like a plan to me! Where do you want to spar?"

[perfectteatime]

He lacks his sword here, so one of the basic ones from Town has become his weapon. Good as any. A blade is only as useful as it's wielder. He draws it, knowing full well Caspar is a brawler. It gives Byleth plenty of reach...

But reach isn't everything.

"Come. Let me take your measure."

He'll let Caspar make the first move. The young man hardly ever left him wanting for aggression. For now, he will focus on simply evading and seeing exactly how this version of Caspar varies from his known counterpart. How far he has come.

[brawlin]

"...Alright."

Caspar breathes out slowly. He may not know what's going on, even a little bit, but... this is something he knows how to do. Something he's good at. For now, he's just got to focus on doing what he does best, and... figuring out the rest will come later.

He drops into proper form, and charges - aiming to feint, to start with. He already knows a direct approach won't do him any good-- doesn't know if this will, but it's a starting point.

As compared to the Caspar who Byleth knew, the way he fights is definitely... different. He's had less time to learn overall, being younger than when Byleth met him again during the war - but it's clear that time has been spent on intensive, formal training. Each strike, whether it lands or not, is delivered quick and precise, more attention paid to efficiency in each motion.

His approach is not, however, unrecognizable. For one thing, he is, as Byleth had predicted, as aggressive as ever, defense not completely forgotten but something of an afterthought - not that he needs it so much with Byleth focusing on evading, but Byleth can doubtless see how, every so often, he remembers to adjust to cover an opening.

[perfectteatime]

He's not entirely surprised the fight feels different. Even the impacts of the hits feel different, and he takes full advantage to punish Caspar for leaving himself open when he does. It's a good examination, though it leaves him with far more questions.

Habitually, he offers praise when Caspar makes a good strike, and physically redirects him when he makes a weaker decision, silently showing him how he can improve on it. It feels natural to interact like this. Soothing, actually.

When they break, he rights himself, catching his breath.

"Very good. I can see where you've honed your focus. A strong offense to offset less attention to defense. That can be a good strategy. There are a few things you could improve on, but I think that tells me what I needed to know."