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

💮 Guizhong

[godofdust]

i. Keep it Clean

What are you just standing around for?

[With a bright smile and far too much enthusiasm for so early in the morning, Guizhong will flutter around the Spring Guild making sure that everyone has everything they need to get to sorting and organising the place. Does she know there’s an ulterior motive to all of this? Absolutely! But she also knows very well that it has to look real if they’re going to flush out the people they’re looking for.

So--!]

Time to get a move on, we have things to do.

[Wink.

Later on, she’s still at the guild when everything goes dark. She starts passing out candles immediately and sets up a few lanterns outside the guild door, making it a clear beacon for anyone coming by looking for somewhere safe to stop.]

ii. When The Lights Go Out

What you doing out in the dark all by yourself, little lady?

[Said ‘little lady’ is Guizhong, peering into the dark towards the voice speaking out to her with a full air of innocence and nothing about her to suggest she has any real means of self-defence.]

Little lady? [She replies, an almost playful little quiver in her voice.] Oh dear, am I about to be robbed?

[Someone may step in here, perhaps just passing by or looking to be a hero. Or… they might be a few minutes late, and find the would-be assailant lying flat on their back with a small woman’s foot planted firmly on their chest as her eyes shine with a golden light.]

iii. Tied Up Solution

[Guizhong is one of those who stays behind to keep an eye on the city and those still in it while the local heroes go to the borders of the veil to fix the problem. She’s in the middle of Nightwake when the barrier begins to break and reveals a portion of the sky overhead, and in her excitement she grabs hold of someone’s arm and points--]

Look! It’s working!

[And maybe there is a small sense of missing out on something, but she has a feeling this isn’t going to be the end of these problems.]

iv. Wildcard

[Something else? Go for it! Plotting can be found here!]

2

[roundandaround]

[Rinku's making her way back to Dayrise from Nightwake after confronting the Nightshade. She's glowing bright herself, but she runs down the alley to Guizhong once she spots her own lights.]

Whoa! Are you okay? Did that guy hurt you or something?

[godofdust]

I do believe that was his intention.

[But it clearly did not go according to plan. The man is on the ground, unconscious, and Guizhong appears to be entirely unharmed.]

... He should be fine. I think.

[roundandaround]

[Rinku sighs with relief. She glows a little more and sparkles at Guizhong.]

How'd you get that strong? That's so cool! You beat him just like that!

[godofdust]

[She looks startled for a moment, then she smiles, then laughs.]

Oh, my. I may not be able to hold my own against other would-be gods but I can certainly handle a human.

[Since he does seem to be fine for the moment she steps away, towards where Rinku is.]

Are you all right?

[roundandaround]

Uh-huh. I'm just looking to make sure everyone is okay and stop these guys. The sun and moon being gone, the riot, the vampire thing...

[godofdust]

[She nods.]

Of course, so am I. I've grown quite fond of the people here; I don't want to see any of them come to harm.

[roundandaround]

Yeah! Are you mostly going around this area? I was in Dayrise yesterday, but I think Nightwake has the worst right now.

3

[urtitan]

[Not too long ago, Frieda was out there, aiding in the dismantlement of the black barrier... only to realise that she didn't think it all the way through. When part of the sky was freed of the darkness, the sunlight hurt her terribly, and she had to fast-travel back to the city with her Travel Crystal. As such, much as she'd like to join in the other woman's joy, her feelings are subdued.]

Thank goodness.

[She takes her umbrella from her Hammerspace Purse and opens it to protect herself. Her pallour, red eyes, and small but notable fangs speak volumes about her evident concern: Once the day-night cycle is reinstated, her whole life as she knows it will change even more drastically than it already has.]

I wonder if the Magical Manor offers many night classes...

[godofdust]

[It takes her a moment but she's seen this... problem already, so she gives Frieda a glance up and down with a small expression of concern.]

One of those creatures got you, did it?

[Calling it as she sees it, though she keeps her voice quiet to avoid alerting anyone nearby who might not take it as well as she is.]

... I'm sure there will be a cure soon. If you wanted one, that is.

[urtitan]

[She nods in confirmation, grateful to see no fear in her companion's eyes, and faintly smiles at her confidence in the local researchers.]

Thank you. It still doesn't feel real, you know? Even though I've been like this for days now, it feels like a dream I'll wake up from.

[Strangely, she's no longer sure if she'd call it a nightmare. Isn't it terrible how fast she's gotten used to drinking blood, as well as the sharper senses and increased speed and strength? Even so, she's clinging to her humanity. If she lets go of it, what will she be but a monster?]

[godofdust]

[It takes more than a vampire to scare someone like Guizhong! Besides, it isn't as if Frieda is trying to attack her... not that she'd get very far if she did attempt it.

She gives Frieda's arm a little pat.]

You're probably going to want to get indoors soon, is your home far from here?

[urtitan]

You're right. Much as I'd like to witness everybody's success, I should find shelter from the light. I live in...

[Suddenly, after days of almost non-stop emergency activities, it sinks in just how unsuitable her home is to her condition, and her face reflects her dismay.]

In Solarpeak.

[Out of all the district's perks, she'll only be able to enjoy the heat anymore - it'll keep her feeling warm despite how cold her body is now. Granted, with her new night vision, perhaps she can swim after dark... but it'll be no compare to the play of colours underwater in the daytime.]

I need to prepare my home while there's still time.

[What should she do, other then install heavy curtains? If she knew that she's talking to an inventor, she might ask for suggestions. At least she lives with her boyfriend, so in the worst case, he'll be able to implement some workarounds while they figure out a more permanent solution.]

[godofdust]

You need to get to your home first and foremost!

[Never mind preparing it! It isn't as if getting into the segments is going to be a hop skip and jump right now with everything that's going on.]

Come along, let's find a teleportation node, before they uncover another segment of the sky and things get more difficult.

[urtitan]

You don't have to come with me.

[She says that, but realistically, what's she going to do if the whole city gets exposed to sunlight again while she's still on the way home? She'll have to take shelter and will be stuck until nightfall - and that's the best-case scenario. Granted, this kind woman also won't be able to do much to help her... or will she?

Another section of sky gets revealed, as if a black curtain were pulled away, and the people in the vicinity cheer. Frieda feels uncomfortable. During the blackout, adjusting to her vampirism was a big challenge, but she still felt a sense of belonging as everybody worked together to protect and defend the city. Now, she's forced to hide away while everyone else gets to celebrate. As she turns to head to the nearest teleport node, she sees that her companion is already leading the way.]

Thank you - you're too kind.

ii.

[malleiform]

[ He's found the presence of his large hammer has been a good deterrent on its own. He doesn't like the thought of using it on people, but if he has to carry it with him to help, he can. Though it seems like he made it after the problem is long solved. He sees that foot planted on the assailant's chest and deactivates the hammer, setting it down on the grown as the blue glow stops. He sees her, offering a smile and immediately shifting to fold one hand behind his back as he stands nearby her. ]

It looks like you handled it yourself, Miss Guizhong.

[ He realizes after the fact that she probably told him not to call her that, but he ]

They're pretty bold out here doing that without knowing how skilled the people here are.

[godofdust]

Hmm. You're right.

[And that is a little odd, isn't it? She moves her foot and crouches beside her assailant, who is blessedly unconscious, frowning as she scrutinised them as best she can in the dark.]

There's nothing terribly special about him at all. I must play the part of a distressed damsel too well.

[A pause, then she straightens up and shakes her head before her attention falls on Jayce.]

Didn't you have a weapon with you?

[malleiform]

I do.

[ He certainly prefers not to use it as a weapon, but it is an effective one, so he has it so he can ensure that he is helping people. He nods towards the hammer in his hand, activating it, and lifting it off the ground with ease. It's about his height, and has a faint blue glow at the center of the head of the hammer and on the handle of it - the sign he's 'activated' it. ]

It's been a decent deterrent. Can you see in this dark, Miss Guizhong?

[ He never asked her about her season or things like that. ]

[godofdust]

Can I-- oh! No, not even a little. It is quite dark isn't it.

[Said as if she has only just noticed how it's borderline impossible to see more than a foot in front of your face unless you have a torch.]

But I am quite a bit older than I look and not easily taken by surprise.

[Then, with a small gesture, she summons a few shining, golden motes into the air around her hand.]

That's better.