Event #14: Locking Up the Sun and Moon

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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

[malleiform]

It is, yes. I can see in the dark because I've got winter.

[ An easy answer. He raises a brow at her. He has some experience with immortals, or at least immortal-adjacent types. Though they were mostly Yordles - and she's certainly not one of those. He's met people older than they seemed. He is admittedly, curious. Though he doesn't ask because he was certainly trained better than to ask things like that. He's certainly not the most typical person from Piltover, but he does keep their polite approach to things. ]

Magic of yours?

[ A curious eye. Asking the real questions. ]

[verytired]

I planned on staying away.

[ He suspected it wasn't good, so he kept his distance. He didn't like to get himself too involved in messes like that. And this seemed like something wholly and well outside his area of expertise. He was good at just making sure things stayed away from him. ]

You won't get too close to it either, then? Now that we know it's not good.

[ Different from the sort of darkness the two of them are used to , at least. ]

[assent]

My apologies. If it gets to be too much we can always pause our efforts as well. But, the sooner we start, the sooner we finish our part as well.

{ she may not have been here long but she's almost a natural when her energy flows to harmonise with his. she pays attention to how it ebbs and weaves, eyes confused as it flows into the ribbon between them. }

So far it seems to be working.

[assent]

{ honestly alice in wonderland is very fitting here... so yes. yes that is true. }

You as well. Thank you again and I shall see you again soon. Toodeloo!

[orangebrained]

When he starts to sit up E'kayan slides a hand against his back, supporting him in getting settled.

And he might just flush slightly when the man says it would be nice to practice with him. It would be nice, he's right, and not something he ever saw the two of them being able to do together.

"I think so too, and... maybe Lamaty'i could join us as well? Do you know how to use a bow?"

He looks to her as he asks, thinking he might already know the answer.

[orangebrained]

Oh, uh, not at the moment.

[Probably not the answer Ezra was expecting. One of his cat-like ears twitches.]

I can't hear anything. That's not right.

[sapphireknight]

I have made some progress. [A small shake of his head follows.]

Some of this could be repaired, but it will depend how much work the guilds are willing to have put into that over simply commissioning new items.

[sapphireknight]

[His urgency comes more from the fact that they both left their posts and who knows what might happen if someone notices, especially someone that it would be best did not notice.

Edmond pauses between one step and the next as the ground shudders slightly underfoot. He doesn't swear - he rarely does - but he does hiss softly between his teeth and get a better grip on the criminal he is escorting.]

Right.

[inevitablerest]

[... Hm.

He does prefer this type of mortal. The ones that don't make him suspicious by way of over-done engagement. Thanatos had already learned that lesson once and it is not one he is eager to undertake a second time.]

That is an acceptable position. I can agree.

[inexorablejudgment]

[He can see she's not going to be dissuaded from staying by him when she knows he's hurt, and since she's already given ground on his determination to not sit idle he decides to allow her this.]

The network ought to be safe. [Though it might be better if she does that, if only because Neuvillette is not exactly the best at operating the devices.] I see no harm in broadcasting information that our unseen assailants are likely already aware of.

[emanation]

{ not at this moment?! is this guy okay? like no one should be hearing voices at any time nevermind at the moment...

the look he gives him is very concerned for a moment before he finally clocks on what e'kayan means.

right--normally you'd be able to hear people walking or breathing--right? }

An ambush?

[emanation]

Nice. Here, let me put them out in front of us and we can go through them. Do you want a box for ones to ditch, one to keep and then a couple for maybes?

{ he'll unpack the boxes as he talks, placing them on the ground between the piles of stuff and himself, giving space for edmond to move as needed. }

[inevitablerest]

If you believe they deserve death for their audacity, I invite you to bring it upon them.

[Because Thanatos won't, it simply isn't his way. He might be stern and cold by nature to most but he has the name of the god of gentle death for a reason. Brutal murder simply is not what he's about, at least not when it comes to living beings. He does not consider it murder when the beings in question are already dead.

If Hijikata wants to go about it though, Thanatos will not stop him...]

[godofdust]

It does seem that he does. We can always use more people like that here.

[mayoninofukucho]

[As they arrive back in front of the HQ, the whole area is cloaked in even more smoke than before. Hijikata pulls the Magical Mask he was wearing around his neck up over his nose and mouth, where the plain black thing assumes a snarling oni mouth pattern, and casts a glance at Edmond - does he have any protection? The men they arrested are coughing, too... they'd better hurry.]

Inside!

[Trying to look out for any threats as they cross the open space is easier said than done, but they make themselves known before long: Fellow NCPD officers are doing their best to fend off a whole swarm of armed attackers, but it looks like the building has already been breached.

Once again, Hijikata's priorities formed by a life in Edo kick in as he draws his weapon and dashes ahead to support his peers. He hardly cares if the freshly arrested criminals run away or get caught in friendly fire; they need to prevent a massive prison break!]

[shatteredprison]

Silver wasn't the only one who would sleep for days when this was over. His fingers wrap around the ribbon with Silver and he focuses on the goal. To bring back the sky. To bring safety back for Maria. To save this world. That determination and drive fuels his emotions. He pushes his energy into the ribbon. He feels the connection with Silver and how his own drive mixes with Shadow's.

"That's it. Keep focusing on that drive. Just like that."

[urtitan]

You're right. Let's seek shelter first, though. We're vulnerable here.

[Much as she still wishes they could shelter in the library, any halfway enclosed space that isn't under attack will do for the moment. As they move from their spot, she soon locates a public pavillion, and once inside, she hastily records a video, warning the citizens of the danger in the sky (and, if Neuvillette permits, briefly showing his injury on camera).]

There. Hopefully, no one else will--

["There are some in there! They must be weakened if they're hiding like this - let's get them!" Oncoming running footsteps promise trouble, and Frieda can't help but think of the anti-otherworlder group Rinku told her about. Reaching for Neuvillette's hand, she hastily asks:]

Can you still fly?

[mayoninofukucho]

No, they can run... for now.

[He looks after the men, exhaling smoke from his cigarette. (Yeah, he's trying to look cool, even if he knows he can't measure up to Thanatos.)]

If I catch them later trying more of the same shit, I'll send them your way.

[After all they'll become ghosts once they're killed, won't they? It's not October yet!]

[vulnstacks]

"I do know 'Absolute Balance'. It's been a good ability."

Such tender movements and E'kayan looks cute as he ever so slightly blushes. Have they always been this close and touchy, she wonders, or has she just missed it.

The question makes her blink.

"I mean, I tried when I was younger. I know the basics, but I've never been good at it."

She just practiced it to get better at throwing her axe at enemies to be honest.

[godofdust]

[She looks at him with a twinkle in her eyes that has nothing to do with the way the golden light is reflecting from them.]

Quite so.

[And it should do, though she imagines being able to see in the dark would be more useful about now.]

Shall we move along? Before more vagabonds descend upon our position, that is. I may have made a bit of a racket.

[godofdust]

Oh, don't worry about that.

[The faintest flurry of a breeze seems to whip around her as her feet lift from the ground.]

I'm sure that I can keep up.

[And if she needs to change shape, she can do that too.]

[physicianhealthyself]

[Baizhu nods. They're here, so... now should be as good a time as any.

He curls the ribbon that he was given around his fingers and looks at the imposing, dark pillar supporting this segment of the veil.

... Imposing.]

Are you accustomed to clearing your mind? [The doctor asks, almost casual in his tone.] I can give you some advice, if you need it.

[assent]

{ thankfully she's experience enough in other worlds to know some people need their own space. giovanni had been the same, and bit by bit he started telling her things of his own accord. even then, though, she never expected it. hoped? maybe. expected? nope. }

Exactamente. { she goes quiet then, to the point he may start to think the conversation is over, but then she'll comment on one pair as their ribbon makes their way up. } It does seem as though some of the others have grasped the mechanism for now though--perhaps we will not be waiting long.

[myeasterbest]

Hmm. Then perhaps they need to be shown by example how working in tandem with the living can be quite profitable for both sides.

If not, well, examples can be made of them.

[urtitan]

[While she finds that last part discomfiting, she can hardy argue - if the vampires keep turning people, they can't be surprised to find themselves counterattacked. As for the first part...]

I'm sure that the vast majority of newly turned vampires will want to live in harmony with the living. Most if not all of us still have the same attachments to our community as we did before we were turned, and we're not ready to give up those bonds - all the less when our sires hardly took us under their wings.

[It's hard to feel connected to what should be their new community when the old vampires didn't bother to onboard and mentor them!]

I think a division of the vampire community is inevitable, and I can only wonder about the lack of foresight on the native vampires' part. They may disregard us fledgelings as weak, but in time, we may turn into an asset to the living, and a threat to them. Eventually, they may have to accept our terms for coexistence in Nightwake.