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

[abnormalizes]

Oh, thank you. We can talk about it after we're done here! I'm not busy.

[Despite the hiccups, they're doing pretty well at the ribbon thing, she thinks, so it shouldn't take too long.]

[tweelight]

[ Yep. Like this he can just focus on the magic. Mind like crystal. A crystal where every facet is reflecting nebulous imaginings of exactly how much she's planning on telling him about that side of her. Maybe he should have phrased that differently? At least she didn't seem offended, but is he going to learn things he isn't prepared for? He can only guess- ]

-you can ask me a question though!

[ Maybe a boring one. Boring would be good. ]

[abnormalizes]

A question… normally I’d ask if you’ve been enjoying Ellipsa so far, but the last couple days have been really not very reflective of the average state of Ellipsa at all.

[So he definitely doesn’t have a good perspective on what it’s normally like yet.]

How does the technology level here compare to what you’re used to?

[It’s not a boring question if you’re a nerd, which she is.]

[tweelight]

Good to know.

[ That's an understatement. They have their occasional crises back home, but only a couple of them were ever this bad... ]

The simulators are really cool. I don't think we can do anything like that without using dream magic.

[abnormalizes]

Oh, yeah, they are! We don't have anything quite like them at home either, it's great to be able to practice against any opponent you want.

[tweelight]

You're pretty into fighting, aren't you?

[ Not the first comment she's made to make him think so, but she doesn't really come off as intense that way to him so he hadn't really acknowledged it. ]

Is that by necessity? Or is it like a hobby?

[abnormalizes]

It's kind of a little of both? My neighborhood back home was rough, and the mortality rate at my job was really high, so if I didn't know how to fight I'd be dead several times over.

Here... I have the option not to fight if I don't want to - most of the time, the danger stays out in the Segments. But if I get out of practice, I start getting uneasy, just because I'm used to fighting all the time. So less like a hobby and more... habit, I guess?

[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?

[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.

[tweelight]

Yeah. I don't know it that well but I don't want things to get worse. Especially when everyone's been really welcoming.

[ The ribbon seems to be coming along... almost there... ]

[abnormalizes]

That's good! I'm glad showing up at a weird time didn't put you off Ellipsa completely.

[-and there the ribbon goes, flying up to take out the black rod and revealing some sunlight.]

[tweelight]

[ Sunlight has always been too bright to his eyes, but when it's only a little, after days of moonless gloom, even he can only welcome it. Especially when the pain in his arm seems to lighten. Still... ]

I'm so tired... it doesn't usually take this much out of me.

[ He may have decent feeling for the process, but his... spirit, or such just isn't used to using the touch energy. Like a weak muscle made sore. ]

[abnormalizes]

Have you been keeping stocked on touch energy?

[Things were a little bit busy, so she can't exactly blame him if he ran low...]

[tweelight]

I'm not really... used to asking?

[ And he's trying not to just cling to her specifically. It's the sort of habit he'd easily fall into but he wants to try to be more independent! ]

[abnormalizes]

[She reaches out and gives his shoulder a squeeze.]

It's hard to ask sometimes... But you can always let me know, and I'll help you out as soon as I'm not busy.

[tweelight]

[ He leans into the hand. It isn't just the energy; after running around for days with barely any sleep and the curse draining him he's just bone tired in the ordinary sense. Almost unsteady on his feet, now that the final effort with the ribbon is no longer there to hold himself to. But he isn't sure how much is one or the other. ]

You're free now? I think I could use it.

[abnormalizes]

Yeah, I'm free now.

[She takes his hand and gives him a squeeze, and a shoulder to lean on if he needs it.]

You look pretty wiped out. We're not that far from Amberfall, do you want to crash on my couch for a bit?

[tweelight]

If you don't mind. Thanks.

[ Though honestly. Probably not easy to fit him on a couch with those horns. ]

[abnormalizes]

[You are deeply underestimating the size of her couches.]

No problem. This way - you can lean on me if you need to.

[tweelight]

I think I'm okay if we keep moving...

[ With the curse abating he can use his own magic more easily, so he can hover to pick up the pace and rest his legs.

...though if he does nod off midway he's going to faceplant. ]

[abnormalizes]

[The good news is if he falls, she'll catch him before he hits the ground!

The bad news is that then she'll bridal carry him.]

Alright, then. This way to the safe spot, that's the nearest teleport crystal.

[Off they go!]

[tweelight]

[ He's not the chattiest, tired as he is, but there is onnnne issue that's hard to avoid thinking on, looking at the half-bared sky? ]

Think it'll all come back?

[abnormalizes]

Yeah, absolutely. We’ve got plenty of people working on it, so it might take a little time, but things’ll go back to normal.

[Doing her best to be reassuring.]

[tweelight]

It wouldn't be a problem for me. But I don't think humans can just go live underground if things get bad the way demons can...

[abnormalizes]

It’d take a lot of effort and we don’t have the infrastructure for it right now, but humans are actually pretty good at surviving in different environments. We’d figure something out.

…You’re the type who worries about other people a lot?