seasonsrpg | Event #8: Fairytale Gone Live

Event #8: Fairytale Gone Live

Fairytale Gone Live
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Knowledge is Magic

Part 1

Fairies have managed to uncover something in the Amberfall Library. Powerful magic had kept it covered, but with the help of their queen they managed to reveal what was hidden: an entrance to an ancient library. No one has recollection of a library being hidden there, but the fairies claim it feels 'familiar'. They started exploring the library in earnest and identified it as the Magical Library of Knowledge. As it's a magical library, it's completely possible that it teleported itself into safety when Darkness came and found its way here.

This ancient library is known to be good willed in nature. However, it does have some quirks and sometimes pulls pranks on unsuspecting visitors. Fairies are immune to such things, but there's a reason for it: fairies aren't able to pick up the books in the library, not even with their magic. Only those with the ability to touch the books will be affected by the magics that happen in the library.

The books contain important information about the world that has been lost, so a request has been sent to otherworlders to make a trip to the library and find important seeming information. Everyone who volunteers will be given a bag that helps carry any books (will keep the books safe and the bag remains light no matter how many books it has inside - only works on books) and an amulet that has a one-time magic that will teleport someone to safety if necessary.

Of course anyone is also welcome to just bring back books that interest them personally. The bag does have limitless space, after all. It was developed for people who want to loan a lot of books at the same time - good thing the invention will now have other uses!

Part 2

After descending down a long spiral staircase, people will find a huge library that has more books than eyes can see. They're all on shelves, at least, instead of being scattered around. There are various sections and all of them have been put in an alphabetical order by the book's name, as most of them lack the name of an author. The place has three floors, all with various staircases leading up and down.

The ambience in the library is dark, making reading there seem a little bit unpleasant. However, anytime someone opens a book, a small lantern will float above them, making the surrounding perfect for reading a book without disturbing anyone nearby. Once the book closes, the lantern will float away to find someone else to help.

Floating lanterns aren't the only things moving around the library. Occasionally one may notice movement from the corner of their eye and if they turn around they might see an owl sitting on top of a clothes rack or a table. These are library owls - intelligent owls that oversee the library and just live there because they enjoy being there. If someone offers them a snack, they will perch on the person's arm or shoulder.

Even if the library seems extremely organized, the sad truth is that all of the important knowledge containing books have been hidden among normal books. But the library owls will know where the look, as long as someone is nice to them and will give them snacks. Those who are mean to the owls will be guided towards useless places - like the section filled with just empty books or one that has magical traps.

Immersed in Books

Part 1

Some of the sections of the library behave differently than others. There are odd magical effects (like making someone act like they're in love when reading a romance book) or traps that have been made to surprise people (mostly harmless 'chalk dropping from above' or 'water sprouting from a fake flower' type of traps). Some sections even have guardian books that are floating books that will push people out of the section if they're being loud or otherwise disturb others. Attacking one of them will make the books reflect the attack back to the person.

Some of the rooms containing books take being magical to another level. Whoever opens a book will change the whole look of the room. All of the shelves and the surrounding area is replaced with a scenery from the book. If two or more books are opened at the same time, the scenery will be a mix of all of the opened books. Fortunately, none of it is actually real so if someone happens to open an informative books on sharks, they will just get a very realistic illusion of being in an ocean with sharks.

Sometimes these sceneries will also change the clothes of the people to fit the book characters' clothes. Wearing these clothes might make the people talk like the characters do in the books (in accents or elven languages) or act out a dramatic death scene in the middle of the room. Usually this passes after the scene is played out or once the book in question is found and closed.

Part 2

Another weird phenomena happens in the aisles that have books on fairytales. Anyone who opens a book in one of these aisles might find themselves become a fairytale character. The change is visual at least, but some might even go through a complete change. In other words, someone could just look like the Prince from Snow White, but another might even believe they are him. Someone who starts off as just looking like a character might later end up acting like them as well, but not the other way around.

The longer someone 'stays in the fairytale' the more likely it is they will be taken over by the character they've become. It will be harder and harder for them to remember their real name or react to someone calling them by it. They will share the goals of the fairytale character and think they're in a strange trials set up by someone that they need to get out of.

A way to break free of a fairytale is to either receive a kiss (preferably of true love, but just a normal kiss will do) or by having a key item destroyed. The key item will depend on the fairytale character in question (so for a princess it might be a crown or for a fairy godmother it might be their wand). Destroying the book that started it all isn't possible, as the book is 'inside the person' until they snap out of the fairytale.

Part 3
CW/TW: horror, gore, paranoia, murder (attempts)

In the lowest floor of the library exists the horror sections. These aisles are full of different thriller and horror books. Unfortunately, upon escaping the darkness this particular section was partially corrupted. For that reason there's a high change of running into danger here.

The further in you go to these sections, the creepier the ambience becomes. Is that blood on the floor? Is that floating lantern flickering ominously? Some may even start seeing things that aren't even there or just generally feel paranoid.

If someone happens to open a book under these circumstances, they might summon a shadow of a killer from the stories who will attempt to murder the reader to break free. Some might become possessed by character from the books and do their bidding. The fastest way to break any of these is to destroy the book. This is the only time that doing so is encouraged. Other ways include destroying or capturing the shadow or knocking out the person possessed.

Perhaps the safest option is to just open a book and witness a gory scene being laid out on the ground beneath them, just like described in the books. It's not pleasant, but it won't hurt anyone. The scene will disappear once the book is put away.

Destroying books here also helps deal with the partial corruption, as it will slowly disappear and the aisles start feeling a little bit more "normal".

The Cold Case

Part 1

To those not keen on diving into a strange library, there are other things to do. Of course, anyone who went to the library can later also join the events happening in the city.

A public announcement is made that the next big mission would happen in the Winter Segment. More specifically, the Research Center and the four Power Holders are making preparations to tackle the mystery of the Frozen Falls. With the new information gathered from exploring, it's now a known fact that the storm preventing their access is actually the souls of the previous power holders keeping anyone from entering the place. However, with the right preparations, gaining access to and exploring the falls will be made possible.

The first set of preparations happen in the Frostreign District. Anyone is welcome to join the project in one of the big houses near the Sauna Spa area. The place is filled with materials for making winter gear for the mission. There's almost every imaginable colored fabrics, different accessories and even yarn for those who'd rather knit. The main goal is to make gear for themselves, but any extra is also appreciated.

Those who don't feel so confident in making gear can also choose from pre-made ones and edit them with the enhancements needed to keep the cold away. Even the most basic summer clothes can be made to be perfect for the cold weather, as long as the enhancements are made right. People are at least encouraged to enchant any metallic parts of their weapons (or even jewelry!) to prevent them from becoming too cold to handle.

Participants are taught a spell that will let them enhance the gear or clothes of their choosing into ones that resist cold. This spell needs to be chanted in a freezing temperature, which is why the event is held in Frostreign. Once the enchanted item starts glowing in an a warm, orange color, the spell has worked.

The spell has to include 'With the warmth I draw from' and 'I protect this', but otherwise it's up to the person how the spell goes. Popular phrases are 'from within' or 'from the earth'. Saying the spell wrong, such as 'With fire I protect this' will result in a burning item instead. It won't damage the item, but it will be impossible to use unless the fire is put out.

Part 2

Frostreign also offers other ways to prepare for the coming mission. A challenge has been posted on the billboard outside the Sauna Spa area; The Ice Hole Swim Challenge. The goal is to first go into the sauna and then walk through the snow in just their swimwear to the ice hole at the center of the district and dip in. Those brave enough to enter the water will get a reward. After the swim everyone is encouraged to run back into the sauna to warm up.

Another challenge is starting to heat up in the sauna, which isn't really related to withstanding the cold. Some Sauna Fanatics are challenging people to stay in the sauna as long as possible while the heat rises higher. Those who manage to stay inside the longest and in the highest temperature will get a reward! However, those who cheat using seasonal powers will be subjected to the ice bucket challenge, which is basically having a bucket full of ice water dumped on them.

One of the more traditional challenges is the snowball fight where the goal is to hit as many people as possible with a snowball. Those who manage to hit at least ten other players will receive a rewards. Those who don't manage to hit anyone at all will received a star that said 'You tried' with a sad snowflake drawn on it.

The fourth and final challenge is a speed contest that's run on a rink made of ice. No one is allowed to use skates; just normal shoes (or no shoes at all if they prefer). There are multiple races and multiple winners in this contest - as well as a lot of medicine for the pain caused by falls.

But what are all these rewards that someone can earn? It's a choice between various things: one free item from Riki's Rewards (max. 30 comments price), a set of five different gift cards for five different restaurants (of characters' choice), a collection of useful potions (one that fixes any status effect, one that creates a substitute to take damage for the user, a five hour invisibility potion and a potion to revive someone from a fatal hit) or a giant teddy bear that feels like hugging someone the person loves. All rewards can be taken once, but someone can do multiple challenges to get more than one reward.

Just participating in any of the ongoing challenges will get someone a five star gourmet meal in the Frostreign's famous Northern Cuisine Restaurant*. Currently staying in the Sauna Spa hotel rooms is also free for the duration of the events.

* As long as the food is from "somewhere north", like even 'northern part of country in the south', it's likely a dish can be found in this restaurant.

OOC TIPS

• Ask event related questions here.

• In this event, gathering information is the main goal. If you wish to participate, please see this comment for OOC mechanics. The more people participate, the better! All requests are OOCly open until June 9th, 23:59 PST!

• Information gathered may not match the section explored.

• Feel free to come up with new fairytales, use existing ones (with changes, if a character of that fairytale exists in the game) or even use mythologies as fairytale stories. Have fun!

• Any types of books can be found from the library, even those that come from characters' worlds, as long as they're not straight up a manga or diary of someone's life from home. Feel free to come up with the weirdest cookbooks or a "X thing for Dummies".

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a separate entry (like to your musebox or characters' journal).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Reminder to players that this month is Activity Check-in month and check-in ends on May 31st, at 23:59 PST.

code bases by tricklet

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Both, optimally. These books are rather old, are they not? There may be things that exist now that didn't exist back then that could work better; not to mention that because I'm not from this world, it means I could possibly come up with solutions that those from here wouldn't have thought of.

[Frieda wants to assure her that she'll hand the book in to spring guild leader Jade and that the native power holders will doubtlessly put their heads together if they deem the matter worthy of their attention, but once more Maomao's personal initiative surprised her.]

You think so? Are you a mage yourself, then - back home, I mean?

[If so, perhaps she really could come up with a countermeasure! Frieda mentally chides herself for assuming that everyone's a novice at magic like herself until proven otherwise - after all, the first otherworlder friend she made here is a skilled mage in his own right; why wouldn't there be more like him?]

I'm not. We don't even have magic back home. But I am an apothecary whose specialty has been in making potions.

I'm in the same boat, in a way. My world has no magic either, and I started out with potions here in Ellipsa.

[She initially struggled with most other types of magic (except for the healing kind) due to her inherited vow of non-aggression, hence potions were one of the best ways for her to apply herself, but the gears have slowly been turning and opening new possibilities to her since. She honestly isn't sure if a potion could really cure such a strong madness, but she keeps quiet about that, not wanting to dampen Maomao's enthusiasm.

Once they reach the second-lowest level, she intensifies her light magic, illuminating the rows of bookshelves. Spotting a map, she stops to study it.]

There's a countercurse section! That'd be the most likely place to have anything about it, wouldn't it?

[Of course, there's no telling what else may be in that section... but at least they're not on the library's bottom level (yet)!]

I see.

[ She'll follow with mild curiosity, humming thoughtfully as she keeps her footsteps light with her movements. ]

That's interesting. And most likely, yes... if there is anything on it, of course.

[Frieda nods, not having very high hopes herself - but Maomao did have a point in saying that the book seemed quite old, so there's a possibility that countermeasures were discovered and recorded in the interim of its publication and the Tragedy of Greed.

Luckily, they aren't the only ones researching on this level of the library - scattered lanterns illuminating books for readers, in some cases accompanied by a library owl, make the place feel less eerie. Once they reach the countercurse section, both girls soon get immersed in the pages of any books they deem promising.

After looking through several works and not finding anything on blood magic, nor anything else that seems relevant to any current challenges Ellipsa is facing, Frieda is about to give up and prioritise one of the many other matters of interest, when she suddenly feels a push against her backside. She turns to apologise to the presumed person - only to find a large, heavy tome floating in front of her. When she reaches out for it, it snaps at her hand in warning.]

Ah...

[She turns to see if Maomao is still nearby - they both did get engulfed in their reading! -, and if so, she'll wave her over.]

Look at this book!

[What is it doing? Well, a glance at the section she unconsciously got near will give a hint: It's the neighbouring section on curses, which is guarded by books intent on sniffing out the visitors' intent. People who emanate a lot of anger may be escorted out to prevent impulsive curse usage in the library! Luckily, neither young woman fits that bill, so if they want to explore further, they ought to be granted entry.]

Hm?

[ She's been looking through several books, some of them which she absolutely plans on bringing back with her so that she can use them for reference later. ]

What does it say?

I don't know. I can't read it.

[The floating book's cover is so old and worn, its title is undiscernible - and all of a sudden, it zooms away to snap at a pair of people who are entering the vicinity loudly giggling and chatting, demonstrating its role as a keeper or order. Frieda's eyes wander over the bookshelves filled with material on curses.]

...

I don't know if we should be here. I think the potion section is right across; do you want to go over there?

[There probably will be something of interest there for the apothecary, no matter how old or obscure the books may be! Frieda herself hardly knows what to prioritise; it feels like anyhing and nothing might or might not be of importance... but it does feel safer to stick together among the tall dark shelves.]

[ Well, if she can't read it, Maomao can't expect herself to read it, either. It isn't as if she's studied much in the way of language outside of her own mother tongue and a few things from the West, although if it winds up being relevant to her interests, she might just have to pick it up. ]

Well, if it's really that bad, I'll head on over to check on the potion section, just to see if there's anything of relevance there.

[ And off she goes...! ]

Wait, I'm coming too!

[She didn't make it clear that she wanted to stay close together, did she? She's starting to feel awkward around Maomao's, given that they don't really know each other and so far, their "research" has just been more or less aimless meandering through sections of the library.]

I... I never introduced myself. My name's Frieda. I'm a spring power holder, so I've been focusing on healing magic...

[And how's that relevant to what we're doing here?, she castigates herself. She can't help but feel like she's become an akward hanger-on to the other girl, but surely, splitting up in an unfamiliar setting like this wouldn't be a good idea at all!]

You know, I've always wanted to see healing magic in action.

[ She's not planning on hurting herself for it, but she can't help but be curious, as she hasn't exactly seen it be used in play yet. ]

Maomao. I'm a Summer.

Oh, summer, that's good... then if we find any truly cursed book, like the ones that were draining people's souls in the city, you'll be able to destroy it quickly, right?

[She's seen summer power holders' fire magic in action, especially at the arts festival tournament!]

And if one of us gets hurt, I'll have us covered.

[Not that she's hoping for that..! Ideally, the worst they'll have to contend with will be a papercut.]

Well, if I can tear it in half with my hands, probably.

[ Maomao: an expert of not being good at any magic that isn't the ones related to her profession. ]

[Frieda tries to figure out whether that was a joke, but after a few seconds she determines that no, Maomao meant it. Oh well, as someone who struggles with offensive wind magic, she can hardly critisise her for having trouble with her fire magic! She musters an optimistic smile.]

There's no guardian book here, so hopefully, this section is less dangerous..!

[It may be less (ostensibly) dangerous, but it's no less full of surprises. The first random book she pulls from the shelves and opens glows in her hands, and the next moment, they both find themselves in the shade of gigantic mushrooms, with the ground littered in different small ones. There are even some floating around like spores!]

Oh..! This is the Mushroom Sanctuary! I've been here before!

Ohh... are these real? I've never tried these mushrooms before.

[ She's absolutely curious, eyes shining brightly with keen interest. ]

[Frieda crouches and tries to touch a small mushroom on the ground next to her, but her finger passes right through it.]

I think it's perhaps a hologram, like the one of Olwen in the Research Centre.

[She's a little proud of being able to identify high technology like this by now! But then again, it may just as well be a magical illusion. Where's the line between magic and science? She focuses on the open book, which has stopped glowing by now.]

"The most characteristic fungus of the Mushroom Sanctuary is undoubtedly the house mushroom, which stands at an imposing size of--" oh!

As soon as she named the mushroom type, all the oversized specimens started emitting a gentle glow while the light everywhere else appeared dimmed.]

This is so handy! Do you want to take a video?

[That way, Maomao will be able to look back at all the different types as they're highlighted in turn! But maybe she has a good enough memory to not need that.]

Ah, I'm... pretty bad at taking videos. But a mushroom sanctuary, huh. That's another place to add to my list to visit.

Let me take one. I can send it to you later.

[She's gotten fairly savvy with her electronics! She takes a moment to arrange herself, juggling the book and phone, while adding:]

It's in the Autumn Segment, about three days out from the city and two days out from the airship station - on foot, that is. However, I heard that the fae who live there are dangerous. I didn't encounter any of them during my visit - I wasn't aware of them then -, but best don't go alone!

[Granted, that goes for any ventures into the Segments, and Maomao seems like a sensible girl, but it can't hurt to reiterate!]

That is pretty far out... I'll have to keep that in mind when I travel out there again. Best be prepared.

[Frieda nods - it really can't be overstated how important good exploration preparations are! - and, with her phone ready, proceeds to read out the next couple of paragraphs, which results in various types of mushrooms being highlighted. When the lights come back on, so to speak, she hesitates for a moment before stopping the recording and closing the book - and just like that, they're back in the library.]

This was amazing! I wonder if they've got more books like this. It'd be a safe way to see the Segments!

[Not being a collector of plants and other ingredients, she'd be quite content with that!]

I think it's possible... perhaps a book on geography or an atlas.

Those probably have their own section, but I don't mind staying here for a while first.

[She leafs through the Mushroom Sanctuary book a little more, wondering if it was misplaced here in the potion section, but it turns out that only the introductory chapter focused on the location itself, with the brunt of the pages featuring various mushroom-heavy potion- and meal recipes, complete with warnings about potential side effects.

She'll take it with her - there's no telling if it won't come in handy! At this rate, her book bag will end up quite full... but maybe not as full as Maomao's, depending on how many valuable works she finds.]

...hm? Well, I'm not particularly interested in seeing the world, myself. I'm more interested in all the herbs and plants this place has to offer.

[ And poisons, but she leaves that off. ]

Do you prefer to buy them in the city, then? That certainly is safer.

[Granted, someone has to go out there and gather the ingredients that don't grow in the city or safe zones, but that's a job better left to professional adventurers, or at least done in collaboration with them. In any case Maomao seems very dedicated to her craft!]

That depends on what I am looking for. Sometimes I'll hire someone to get the ingredients, but most times I'll gather them myself.

(no subject)

urtitan - 2024-06-10 01:20 (UTC) - Expand

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