Event #14: Locking Up the Sun and Moon

[seasonsmods]

Locking Up the Sun and Moon
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Keep it Clean

Part 1

All of the four guilds are hosting a spring cleaning weekend. There are plenty of things to do! Organizing tools, prepping ready-to-go adventure packages for future endeavors, throwing out old and used things that can't be repaired to give some examples. There's a lot of activity in the buildings and anyone who even glances at them will be pestered to join.

Everyone who participates in the event will get a free ready-to-go adventure package that they can take with them next time they're going questing. The package includes rations, barrier stones, enchanted ropes, emergency one-use travel crystals & as a set of segment-appropriate tools: ice axes & - picks made of crystals to pierce even tougher surfaces, gravity boots that keep someone down during any kind of wind, portable fans that keep someone nicely cool and a cape that turns into a full rain and thunder proof raincoat when the first drops fall.

All of it is, however, a coverup. On Friday, a message was sent to all otherworlders, telling them about the upcoming mission preparations being masqueraded as a spring cleaning event. They still haven't found whoever has been leaking information, so this is a way to keep them out of the loop. Further details of the mission will be given on Monday through the same method.

There's also a request to keep an eye on any of the guild staff in case they do something suspicious or ask too many questions.

Part 2

The message on Monday is cancelled. Instead, come Sunday evening all of the lights flicker and disappear from the city. Not long after most of the electricity in the city also gets cut off. Panic starts spreading in the city and locals start running around, bumping into each other in the darkness.

Some of the districts do have backup generators that they can use to maintain important devices. There are also movable generators that can be delivered to other locations as needed and otherworlders are asked to help move them more quickly.

Despite electricity being restored, the light sources still malfunction. Any lamps just stay dark, almost as if the lightbulbs have burned out. Yet changing them doesn't do anything. Even the tacky neon signs are out of order. The only sources of light are flashlights, candles and whatever magic and abilities can do at this point.

Because even the night sky seems to be entirely too dark.

When The Lights Go Out

Part 1

In the segments, the nights become even darker than before. The moon and the stars disappear from the sky, leaving behind only a blank black canvas. Creatures and plants with the ability to glow or otherwise provide light are the only things that can be seen in the distance.

Hours pass by and morning comes, but the sky is still pitch black. Even the sun has disappeared from the sky and it's impossible to tell the time of day. All of the creatures in the Segments are unpredictable due to this weird change - even aggressive.

Anyone with the ability to get to the skies will note that it's not that the objects of the sky have disappeared; it's like something is blocking them. It's a black veil that feels impossible to break and touching it will make someone suffer from burn damage (even if they'd be resistant to fire). The part of the body that touched the black veil will be stained with black curse energy that will start to spread across the body.

Following the black veil it looks like it's truly spread around the whole world. The dragons will inform anyone they find that there are mysterious black rods near the barriers that are sending energy towards the skies. They tried to get rid of them but they have the same effect as the black veil.

Part 2

Inside the city chaos worsens. Criminals start targeting locals and stores all over the places, robbing whatever they get their hands on. For some reason it seems that all of the criminals are able to see just fine. Anyone who is connected to the crime questboard will have received special contact lenses that will let them see normally in complete darkness.

To make matters worse the Nightwake Main Police Station is under attack as well. Criminals are escaping their jail cells and taking hostages. They range from petty thieves to serial killers. The police force is doing whatever they can to capture them again and protect the citizens. Many of the escapees won't go down without a fight, and some might force a lethal confrontation.

A group of the Nightshade gang is also headed to find the Doctor to release him, armed with weapons and bombs that contain poison. They are determined to free their 'Master' and bring him to safety.

Otherworlders are called to help with the situation. They're even offered all kinds of safety gear, including bulletproof vests and masks that protect from poison. Even all of the four guild leaders can be seen fighting criminals, both inside the police station and outside.

Part 3

Criminals aren't the only danger in the city during the darkness. Creatures of the night start appearing. A clan of vampires that has been hiding in the city's darkest corners take a step forward, targeting anyone for blood. These vampires look very much like humans, but it's all just a glamour and anyone who has the ability to see through them will see their true forms.

Vampires are humanoid creatures, but they're very monster-like otherwise. Their skin is pale and their eyes are blood red. In addition to their sharp fangs, they also have very long nails. Depending on how fed they are, their appearance will change. Those who have recently had blood will look 'healthy' and resemble humans more closely, while those starving look like they're about to wither away.

Being bit by a vampire doesn't necessarily turn anyone into one. However the risk gets higher the longer the vampire feeds on the person. Those left on the brink of death will turn into a vampire unless they die first. Those turned into vampires are likely to attack the first person they see due to hunger.

Vampires can't stand in the sun for long periods of time, otherwise they will burn. They also can't see their reflection on the mirror, which is also a way to identify one. All of the vampires also have superhuman strength and speed and can only be killed by either a stab to their heart or by decapitation.

Tied Up Solution

Part 1

The situation in Nightwake takes a positive turn as all the electricity and lights are fully restored by Wednesday. The skies, however, still continue to be pitch black.

Most of the criminals start retreating, attempting to flee back into their hideouts. Some, however, continue their crime sprees stubbornly and get more reckless without the cover of darkness. Some of them are even trying to destroy all of the streetlights to bring back their cover.

The worst of the chaos at the police station dies down by Thursday evening. There are still criminals on the run and the whole place is a mess, but the greatest dangers have been dealt with. What happened to the Doctor is still a mystery as the part of the building he was in collapsed during the fights. Until the debris has been cleared out they will assume the Doctor missing.

The guild leaders start figuring out a solution to what is happening with the sky, together with the Fairy Queen, the Dragon Lord, the Mermaid Queen and the Siren King.

Part 2

On Saturday the guild leaders contact all of the otherworlders. A solution to their problem has been found after investigation and analyzation. Everyone is asked to gather at the guilds as soon as possible.

Everyone is tasked to travel to one of the edges of the barrier, as marked on the map. They're the locations of the dark rods that are creating the black veil on the sky. The dragons will take anyone there quickly with their fast travel abilities.

There the otherworlders are tasked to work in pairs or groups and stand somewhere near the dark rod without touching it. They're provided with a special fairy ribbon that is tied around their hands.

Once everything is set up, the task is to channel both touch energy and magical energy into the ribbon. This will take time and concentration and all of the people connected to the ribbon have to achieve harmony. This may fail, but it can always be attempted again.

Only once the required energies are in the ribbon will it move and touch the dark rod, clearing a portion of the dark energy away from it. If someone's concentration fails at the last moment the spell will backfire and send them flying backwards. There's also a risk of getting a part of the corruption due to it.

After enough people have used the ribbon to clear the darkness from the rod it will turn white and break, leaving glittering particles in the air. A portion of the sky is freed from the veil. Once all of the rods are gone, the skies return to normal.

Those who have at any point gotten corrupted by the black veil or the dark rods will find that their corruption starts clearing in the sun- or moonlight. However, some may end up not healing properly, depending on how far the corruption has gone. They are invited to the Fairy Kingdom for some intense healing that will take 24 hours - and a lot of fairy dust.

Part 3

Once again the otherworlders are regarded as heroes. There would be a party, but the city is a huge mess after the chaos. However, they are promised a big feast once everything has been cleared out and made right again.

For now everyone receives a hefty prize of 10,000 Moon Coins and gift cards to either a nice spa weekend or a fancy restaurant.

OOC TIPS

Summary of the prompts [ Click to Expand ]

Keep it Clean
• Guilds are in the middle of spring cleaning
• The real reason for the cleaning is to secretly prepare for the next mission
• Characters are asked to keep an eye on anyone suspicious

• Light start suddenly flickering out
• Soon after all of the electricity gets shut off
• Locals panic and characters are asked to help distribute movable generators
• Even if electricity gets restored with generators, lights don't come back on
• Something is wrong with the sky

When The Lights Go Out
• The sun, the moon and the stars disappear from the sky
• There's a black veil made of cursed material blocking them
• The material will corrupt anyone who touches it
• The reason for the veil are black rods made of the same material

• Back in the city criminals start moving and causing chaos
• Criminals (and anyone connected to the criminal questboard) have contact lenses that let them see in the dark
• Nightwake Main Police Station is under attack
• Criminals of different danger range escape
• Nightshade is on the move to free the Doctor

• A clan of vampires emerges from the shadows
• They will target anyone they see for a meal
• The longer they feast on someone the higher the risk that they turn into a vampire
• Vampires can only be killed by either a stab to their heart or by decapitation

Tied Up Solution
• Electricity and lights are restored to the city by Wednesday (May 21st)
• Some criminals are trying to destroy light sources still
• Chaos at the Police Station calms down, but the Doctor is currently missing behind a wall of debri
• Guild leaders and the various leaders of other races start working on a solution

• On Saturday (May 24th) the guild leaders contact all of the otherworlders, asking them to gather at the guilds
• Everyone is tasked to travel to one of the edges of the barrier, as marked on a map
• Otherworlders are tasked to work in pairs or groups and stand somewhere near the dark rod
• Using a magical fairy ribbon tied to each of the group's hands, they will work together to destroy the dark rods bit by bit
• Losing concentration risks getting corrupted
• Sun-/Moonlight will cure the corruption, unless it has spread too far - in that case the Fairies will invite the person for some intense healing that will take 24 hours - and a lot of fairy dust

• Otherworlders are regarded as heroes
• ... but partying has to wait until the city is cleaned
• Everyone gets a prize of 10,000 Moon Coins and gift cards to either a nice spa weekend or a fancy restaurant

• Ask event related questions here

• Sign up for RNG on if your character catches a suspicious guild staff member.

• Please head to this thread to help us determine the Doctor's fate at the Police Station.

• Characters can avoid getting their electricity cut off, but lights will go out everywhere for a good while.

• 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

Comments

[assent]

I would not. { honestly she sounds offended he'd even say that as a joke. at least with how she is now. } But very well. Give me a moment to understand how it works.

{ she isn't exactly as tech savvy as kazuichi is. even then it differs to what she'd seen in oska, from the devices given as part of being on team audentes. but she's gone through enough processes by now that pressing around she'll eventually find what he suggests: quick teleport to amberfall. }

Here.

{ her other hand reaches out for him again in case they have to be connected for this to work, ensuring he winds up there with her. thankfully the glow from the crystal lets her see a little before they head into darkness again. } We have arrived.

[assent]

{ if it helps, she is essentially blind right now and it's mere luck that had her bonking that guy on the head in the right place. or at least having trained enough to get by on sound alone. she isn't exactly an expert, if she'd had to do it again, she likely would have missed.

good job this guy didn't keep trying, that her voice and authority made him fall before things escalated. }

He's gone now...? Thank you for your help. If I am honest, I am not sure where is best to go. I had just left the welcome centre when the lights went out.

{ awful luck tbh }

[urtitan]

You arrived at a time of crisis, I'm afraid.

[She sounds genuinely apologetic. Nightwake is usually such a safe and welcoming place - outside of the underground and red light district and some other unsavoury areas, at least -, and the juxtaposition with its current state is jarring.]

Have you already gotten situated in the apartment building? It may just be one of the safer places right now.

[Unless the Nightshade decides to storm it... but they wouldn't dare, would they?]

RNG is in their favour!

[mayoninofukucho]

[He hopes for the same, but sadly, it does drag out. It's a slow ebb and flow of energy, like a pulse that gradually grows stronger in the ribbon. Eventually, it starts moving on its own, bending towards the rod emanating dark energy... and when it touches it, there's a bilateral surge, with the energy they provided shooting into the rod and a gust of darkness shooting out of it.]

We did it, Oryou!!

[In part, at least - while a solid amount of darkness was expelled, the sky-blocking barrier above them remains intact.]

Let's do it again.

[roundandaround]

'Kay. Sorry, Frieda-chan.

[Rinku snuggles on her once she gets up. She holds onto her and heads out to the square to look for anyone who might be hurt. The locals will urge the both of them to go seek medical attention and not worry about them, there are other volunteers!

The entire time, Rinku is magically heating herself up. If Frieda feels cold, she'll be warm enough for the both of them.]

[urtitan]

[The other vampire hisses aggressively, but does retreat into the shadows - though Frieda, apparently having a change of mind, takes the severed arm from White Rabbit after all and calls for her fellow undead to wait. To the rabbit, she offers a hasty:]

Excuse me!

[If he can wait for a moment, she'll heal the limb back into place, even as the other vampire keeps growling like an animal and doesn't say a single word. Once the process is complete, she reaches into her bag and takes out something like a couple of juice boxes, which she hands to other undead.]

Drink this. Leave the people alone--

[But the vampire darts away with the bounty, not even hearing her out. She sighs, turning back to her patient companion.]

Thank you. I'm really sorry - I don't know why some of us let their hunger get to the point where they become incapable of civility.

[urtitan]

[When Frieda approaches Reiner, her steps may just elude his detection... but being light on one's feet is a spring power holder ability. More questionable, perhaps, is her drastic eye colour change from blue to red, along with the pallor of her skin, but just like him, she looks unharmed.]

I heard your titan. Are you alright?

[She sounds genuinely worried, but it's not for Reiner's physical wellbeing - her concern is for his mind. Nightwake has given them peace, and now, without warning, he has to fight again. She doesn't think that he's so easily shaken, let alone broken, by an uprising of the city's criminal elements, but the pitch black sky speaks of a concentrated effort to damage their sanctuary, and that threatens them all.]

Re: Wildcardish

[dadbeatdad]

[Lucifer is breathing heavily as the last wave ends and the sounds of rioting are only now off in the distance. He lets his wings fold into his back and is about to grumble something when he hears the voice behind him. He turns around and immediately smiles, his voice becoming soft. He kneels down in front of her.]

Hello there. They are gone for now. You and everyone else are safe right now. It's okay. Do you need anything? Juice? Or a snack?

[abnormalizes]

"Making fire harmless is a summer ability, so not really? I could give you a hug right now if you'd let me, and you might catch fire but it wouldn't damage your clothes or anything."

It'd be a problem if she was trying to rescue people and then set them on actual painful fire...

[forkeroni]

Boothill, being a Pathstrider, was able to see that Amaterasu was no ordinary wolf. But she was obviously unable to communicate in the traditional sense. After a few moments of quietly charging and dozing and petting, Boothill tiredly reached for the back of his neck. There were some sounds of metal and buttons and what not being pushed and whatnot. Then, he leaned his head back against the wall, his eyes moving a little to work with the system in his neuro chip that connected with his voice box. He couldn't actually change his synesthesia beacon for his benefit, otherwise he lack of cussing wouldn't have been an issue, but changing his voice box for animal speak allowed the beacon to adjust. It was a happy accident he found not too long ago even if he wished he could go further and let himself curse...

One day. But, for now.

"Can ya understand me, ol' girl?" He tried, looking down at the exhausted wolf.

[doggoduties]

Amaterasu usually wasn't one to talk a lot, even if someone would understand her. But there were situations she made exceptions, of course. This was one of them, considering how kind he was being to her.

"I've been able to understand you the whole time", she barks. "I can understand human."

If nothing else at least the barks could be thought of as a yes, she thinks. Since she can't be sure if he can actually understand her.

[forkeroni]

Boothill chuckled quietly. "Yeah well, one sided conversations ain't always fun."

He was too tired for a full conversation himself, but even this small bit was good. "What's yer name? I'm Boothill."

Tohru Adachi | Persona 4: Golden | Winter

[foggydetective]

opt out here.

---

When The Lights Go Out
Crime Sprees

Adachi could see perfectly well in the darkness. The ability to see in it just came automatically with his winter powers. This meant he could very well just wander around. With how sinister he seemed most of the criminals proper avoided him. Which worked fine for him, since he could do what he wanted.

Which included

A) Using his persona to destroy things. Usually to trap NPCs behind debris to make the criminal's life easier.

B) Shining his own created moonlight into people's eyes, but never the criminals, only the good and neutral parties.

C) Making roads slippery with ice.

D) And just anything that would aid the criminals instead of anyone trying to stop them. There was nothing he really needed to steal or do for himself, but he enjoyed seeing the chaos.

closed to Frieda, cw/tw for future death

[foggydetective]

[Of course Adachi was getting cocky and feeling unstoppable in the middle of the chaos. It felt like nothing would stop him.

Even the vampires around weren't an issue to him or Magatsu-Izanagi.

However, there was always a limit to energy, which he was starting to run low on. Both magic- and touch-wise. He should really retreat soon or he would be making a mistake that costs him.]

closed to Dojima - Winter Flower Yard revival

[foggydetective]

[A massive Ornamental Cabbage was now growing in the flower yard. It carried the scent of gun powder and blood, as well as cabbages.

For three days, nothing happens. But after the days are up the flower opens... and spits out a person wearing white clothes. Not the most gentle of arrivals, but it's said the flowers have different ways of treating people.

Adachi is faced with the cold snow under him and he shakes his head. There's still the red marks of something biting into him on his neck, as a cruel memory of the death.]

Fuck.

[He actually died. This was embarrassing. But it also hurt. A lot. Of course he had laughed at death when he hadn't experienced it himself before. Now he had experienced it and that feeling wasn't pleasant.]

[doggoduties]

Her ears perk a little when he clearly seems to understand her.

"Amaterasu. Though some call me Ammy." It was easier to write so she usually told that as her name. Thanks Issun. "Thank you, Boothill."

For providing her some comfort. She was still no closer to healing, but at least she felt more comfortable, with the touch energy.

[rustyhonesty]

Jean also decides to take a brief rest. Aside from protecting Sunwaning, he's also been dropping in on the neighbouring districts. Both important to him, one way or another.

"Some day, huh?" Jean says with a tired smile as Reiner turns to look at him with a smile. Even now he still had cat-like eyes that he uses to see in the dark.

Most of Jean's wounds have healed due to his tattoo magic, but he did have a deeper wound on his arm, thanks to a recent fight. However, once he's sat down he starts healing it with his Avalon powers; his hand glowing above the wound as it starts closing.

"I saw you spook people with the armor. That was a good tactic."

[urtitan]

[She is cold, but she doesn't feel cold - it no longer bothers her.

At the hospital, they arrive to a hectic scene. The waiting room is so full that people are standing, there are drops and smears of blood on the floor, and nurses are hectically running to and fro. Frieda is shocked.]

...

Rinku, I think I'd best get my blood from the butcher. They need what they have here for the people.

[Scanning the room for the weakest-looking person - an elderly man who looks pale and pained -, she approaches and offers her services, and he agrees to let her heal him. If she'd known how needed her magic would be here, she wouldn't have stayed at the food preparation site, much as that's important too!]

Once you have your blood donation, go back and help people with your light, alright? I'll stay here.

[She's determined to help as many people as she can. She can't replenish their blood, but closing their wounds will at least prevent them from losing more of it!]

[roundandaround]

'Kay. If things get worse, I'm gonna go home and check on the kids, but... you be safe too, okay?

[Another hug before she hobbles off. Rinku is already glowing softly as she walks away through the hospital.]

[tweelight]

[ Sure does bring to mind that advice she gave about not poking into people's backgrounds too much. ]

Do you feel responsible, too? For doing things like this?

When The Lights Go Out Part 3

[luckynumber13]

Dick felt like death warmed and had been trying to sleep through the pain of is corruption burnt arm. But the crack of the door breaking and Paulo yelling is impossible to sleep through. He falls more than rolls out of bed and staggers to the bedroom door, opening it he sees Paulo at the front door desperately trying to hold the line.

He might only have one good arm right now but he can still summon a flaming dagger, and judging by the screaming on the other side of the splintered door he hit something important when he threw it through the gap.

[abnormalizes]

[Could be related!!]

It’s a little like responsibility and a little like gratitude? Being taken to Ellipsa is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, so I want to contribute to protecting it.

[fauxbot]

...

[He can kind of... feel that he may have said something wrong? Something.
He's not sure what it was, considering he meant that seriously - he doesn't know Sonia, so of course his guard is going to be up! But still, he feels like maybe it was... bad.
Maybe?

But that means she's going to get a quiet little nod in response, before he moves to take a step forward - nice and slow to make it clear that he's about to walk, so she can follow along and keep her hold on him.]

... If you gonna need any supplies, the house should have some. Just so ya know.
I ain't the one who owns it - it's Dr. Miyata's house, he just lets me live there. But that means, y'know... it's full up on first aid stuff, good food. All that jazz.

'S also why I wanna bring you there. Truth be told, I don't know shit 'bout the hotel I almost took ya to -
Just saw'em mention it on the network, said it was safe. Dunno if it'd have anything you need, no.

[Sorry to Mr. Lucifer Morningstar, he's sure your hotel is lovely, he just needs to actually experience it himself first--]

[emanation]

{ it really is harder to tell. sometimes the paths themselves have a hint, given the differences in architecture between each part of the city but still not enough to get it without a few moments figuring it out.

ezra shakes his head. }

No, but if it's a hotel it must be pretty big right?

Erenville | Final Fantasy XIV | Autumn

[gleaner]

Keep It Clean - Part 2

Erenville was starting to regret taking the shorter route through Nightwake City to get back to Amberfall. It was the logical choice after being at the Botanical Gardens. But once the lights began to flicker and go out, unsettling the others around him as well as the stars seeming to twinkle before disappearing, Erenville felt a fear grip his chest. It wasn't quite like the End of Days, but the sky changing in any fashion certainly reminded him of it.

In his distraction, a panicked citizen ran right into him before fleeing with a startled cry. The Shetona fell to his knees, his heavy rucksack easily upsetting his balance and a sharp pain struck his knees. His gloves protected his hands, thankfully but goodness, how long had it been since he had skinned knees? With a groan, he pulled his arms from the straps and felt for his trusty lantern. With a strike of a flint, it was on. He turned the knob at the bottom to raise the brightness and began to pick himself up.

"Running in the dark is not a good idea," Erenville replied to no one in particular, he grimaced at the fabric of his pants rubbed against his injured knees. Great, first aid and stain removal once he got home.

When the Lights Go Out - Part 3 (Locked to Wuk Lamat and E'kayan Tia)

Erenville did not have great night vision, he was not Hrothgar or Miqo'te. So, he had been caught unawares when the lights went out and could really only rely on his lantern and seismic sense to get though the city and make him way home once he was able to settle the panicked people around him. Thank the Stars for the map function on the phone as it was a boon despite his lack of sight. Still, it seemed to take even longer to make his way through the city and he had definitely more than one wrong turn given he couldn't always properly see the street signs to cross-reference with the maps.

So, imagine his surprise when he took one wrong turn and found himself face to face with a terrified citizen cornered by a vampire. He reacted without really thinking about it (although later he would blame both his childhood friend and his boyfriend for rubbing off on him), he swung his arm and a large piece of earth and concrete was lobbed right at the creature, striking it and allowing the poor citizen to flee.

But everyone who knew Erenville knew that he was not a fighter. He certainly trained his seasonal abilities to help circumvent this, but as his mother once said, he didn't really have the aptitude for combat. His reaction time once he struck the vampire was nothing in comparison to the vampire's reaction once hit. His rucksack was on the ground, lantern cracked and rolling away and Erenville was caught by the neck by the vampire before he could even blink. Off his feet and against the wall, it snarled at him and the Shetona tried to kick and claw at the vice-grip preventing him from breathing properly.

However, once the teeth sank into his shoulder and blood was pulled from his body, his movements slowed. He wheezed, long ears lowering to the sides of his face as his vision wavered. It didn't matter if death was truly nothing in this world, a matter he still didn't know how to feel about.

E'kayan was going to be pissed.

Wildcard

[Wanna do something else? Hit me up by PM or Discord at mossflowered.]