seasonsrpg | Event #1: Welcome, Adventurers

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Event #1: Welcome, Adventurers

Welcome, Adventurers
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Guild Playing Games With my Heart

Part 1

A new message on everyone's smartphones says that all the Guilds are finally open for business! Instructions on how to get to each one of them are sent with the message.

Each Season has their own Guild (Winter in Frostreign, Spring in Blossomcrown, Summer in Solarpeak and Autumn in Amberfall). Originally they were formed when the world was thriving and the natives were power holders, now they serve a purpose for aiding Otherworlders.

Although there are some aesthetic differences, all of the guilds have the same basic layout, which the newcomers are given a tour of:

The main floor is for information, containing computers that are connected between all guilds. Using them brings up holographic boards which contain information on each of the segments, with a focus on their home segment. You can find out here what the weather is like in each segment, what quests are available, an explanation on how the Flower Yards work, and even a list of powers that have been discovered and how to practice them.

The second floor is a place to go for combat practice, or just practice using your powers. There are simulators here that can be used to create a space to test your skills against virtual monster opponents or against other power holders, all with safety precautions to keep anyone from being injured.

The third and final floor is meant for relaxation and provides a temporary place to nap when necessary. Those who do quests on a regular basis will receive a key that opens their own, personal room for relaxation that can be customized as much as they want. It's void pocket space that doesn't appear unless the specific key is used or the owner invites someone in from the inside.

It's also the floor where the leaders of the guild have their own private space in that's a restricted area. They have their public office there as well.

However, the power holders are expecting everyone outside, in the backyard of the Guilds...

Part 2

The main event of the opening day of the guilds is a lesson on how to become more attuned with your new elemental magic. Some characters may already feel comfortable with them, but the Power Holders wish to help anyone who might still feel like they're struggling.

Behind the guilds there is big open space. A yard meant for lessons like this. Each of the power holders is own their own stage (even Sawyer, who seems rather reluctant to be there) and announces the name of the lesson: Elemental Dancing.

They explain each in their own way that dancing while focusing on their basic element is a way to start properly feeling the element. The dance can be anything, as long as their bodies are moving and they can feel their magical energy align with the element.

To demonstrate, they dance:

Olwen dances a slow dance that looks a little like ballet, with water flowing naturally around him and increasing in quantity as he goes.

Jade has a much quicker dance method, like she's dancing at a party and is surrounded by wind that sometimes helps her even jump higher.

Dawn's dance is a passionate belly dance accompanied by rings of fire around her that turns into a pink fire so she doesn't burn herself as the flames come closer to herself.

Sawyer, as reluctant as he, goes full breakdance with each of his tricks forming pillars of earth that he can use to dance even more.

Once their demonstration is over, they encourage new power holders to give it a try themselves and remind them that they can dance however they please. They also advise that the dances can be attempted with a partner, as long as they can learn to trust one another. Sometimes magic is far stronger when done together... but it may also backfire.

I Came In Like a Questboard

Anyone interested is encouraged to join their guild. The staff explains that it's very beneficial, as they would get access to the upper floors that just today were shown to them, and that nearby stores would give guild members discounts for potions and other such adventuring necessities.

Even without joining, all of the first floors services are available for everyone. That includes the questboard that is now on display, though it only shows four quests for now.

There are some necessary preparations still going on with the questboard itself, but the staff assures that later there will be more of them, with some permanent ones added to the mix that would help with making the Segments safer for those without powers to explore as well.

Why not find a friend and go out on an adventure together? The guild does recommend doing quests together with someone, rather than alone.

Well, except Sawyer of Autumn, if he's around. He will always encourage people to go on their own and claims it's an act of bravery. Oh, and make sure to check the Beastiary before heading out, once you've picked your targets!

The Quests [ Click to Expand ]

Quests

CW/TW: possible nudity, possible death

Name: Skeletal Mischief
Rewards: 100 Moon Coins per 2 Snowskeletons vanquished
Location: Winter Segment
Description: For some time Snowskeletons have bothered natives who visit the Flower Yard. Usually the only nearby place of peace has now become a nuisance to visit. Those who attempt it usually return to the city in just their underwear (if they’re lucky). A request has come for the guilds to get rid of the Snowskeletons near the Flower Yard in whatever means necessary.
OOC notes: Snowskeletons have two types: either they're snowmen made from bone or they're skeletons made of snow. Either way they're definitely not friendly and often disguise themselves among the snow to surprise their prey. They're not really out to kill anyone, but may sometimes accidentally do it. Instead they're looking to steal clothes and wear them. Basically they're notorious bandits.

CW/TW: mind altering

Name: That Very Big Tree
Rewards: 500 Moon Coins, Loot you find
Location: Spring Segment
Description: The researchers are curious about the “One Very Big Tree”. They want to know what the tree does and are asking people to take a look and report back what they find.
OOC notes: One Very Big Tree is hollow on the inside and looks like a big tree house. The higher someone climbs it the less they feel like they’re themselves. In fact, they will turn into the exact opposite of themselves. There are also dangerous Gale Squirrels living inside that use wind magic of their own to attack!

Reaching the top, however, will reward them with feathers of a mighty monstrous bird that can be used to enhance any weapon so that they fly back to the user's hand. Only one feather per character, magic stops them from taking more than one.

CW/TW: possible death, possible mind altering

Name: Treasure Ship
Rewards: 500 Moon Coins, any treasure they find
Location: Summer Segment
Description: “The abandoned ship in the Great Ocean Lake used to be a treasure ship! So why not go fetch the treasure? I’m sure it can be used to make some neat weapons or armor. I’d love to help do that, I’m an expert in using treasure for enhancements! But I’m not strong enough to go get them myself. The fastest route there is from the Airship Station!”
OOC notes: The ship is full of Octokitties that are cats with six to eight limbs. They’re territorial and won’t appreciate anyone coming to their ship for any reason and will attack viciously. They can also spit ink that includes side effects of going into a berserker mode and not caring who is an ally and who is an enemy. But the treasure is real.

CW/TW: eaten alive, death

Name: The Blue Flash
Rewards: 700 Moon Coins for finding a lost one*
Location: Autumn Segment
Description: “Help, my friend disappeared on our trip to visit the old lady of Autumn Airship Station. We walked outside to stretch our legs after our airship journey and then there was a blue flash in the corner of my eye and he was gone! Nothing at all remained and I was too scared to go look for him so I ran back inside. I’ve heard this isn’t the first time a blue flash has abducted someone!”
OOC notes: The reason for disappearances is the Angler Will-o'-the-wisps: Most will-o'-the-wisps are harmless, but there are types that act like anglerfish. They take the form of other monsters and toss a "fishing line" out of a dark bush to make it look like a normal will-o'-the-wisp was trying to get their attention. When the prey gets too close, they will attempt to devour them to get more soul energy. They have left their normal place in the forests and invaded some bushes around the Segment.

*Reward stays the same even for just figuring out the mystery behind disappearances.

Enhanced to Meet You

Part 1

Enhancing items is a magical specialty in Ellipsa. The power of words determines how your item of choice gets enchanted. If you're trying to make an armor stronger, it would be wise to use kind and encouraging words but a weapon might need violent and determined words. Enhancement include defense boosts, attack boosts, health stealing and even adding status effects. All of these effects aren't permanent, but they should last for at least a month before fading away.

The workshops around districts will offer teaching to anyone who is interested in learning the basics of basic item enhancement. For more advanced things (like learning to make the enhancements permanent) the natives suggests taking an apprenticeship in the Magical Manor of Amberfall or Tower of Potions of Coldreach. Especially with potions, as those are more advanced than what they are showing.

Of course, armor and weapons aren't the only things that can be enhanced anything is possible as long as it's a non-living thing.

Part 2

A group of mischievous Imps are causing trouble. They're doing everything they can to make people angry (like dropping items on people's toes) as they try their magic. This could happen to anyone, even otherworlders testing their new magic.

Due to their mischief, a group of magical performers who were meant to enhance some animal statues to make them move around in a show ended up cursing a lot while the magic was happening. Because of that the animal statues did come to life, but they're angry and started running around, ramming into people left and right. It's especially alarming when one of the statues enhanced is a giant elephant, and some of the statues were meant to be used in a bullfighting show. Those are some very, very angry stone bulls coming at people in high speeds!

The natives don't want to break the statues, but they would like the statues to be stopped. With kind and loving words the effects of the curses will vanish and the statues will calm down and act like they were supposed to.

Of course they would appreciate catching as many Imps as possible so they could be returned back outside into the Summer Segment.

OOC TIPS

- Ask Questions here

- Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a private entry of your own (your own entry or a new locked post on the comms).

- Remember to content warn as necessary!

- Event starting date is March 17th, but the opening day of the guilds and the elemental dance lessons happen for a week so everyone who wants to attend them can have a chance to do so.

- NPC Power Holders can be interacted with, but it will all be handwaved. Feel free to ask questions on the questions thread if you're unsure of how the interactions would go.

- Starting in April, quests will be posted bimonthly and there will be a Quest Mingle available for people to use to thread out the quests! This format is just here because it's the first event where they're introduced.

- These particular quests are canonically open until end of month.

code bases by tricklet

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You could have, but you were also using it as a means to stand.

{ and now they have to consider this carefully. }

I can distract them, just be careful when you try and get it back.

{ he should be careful too, especially since they actually seem to wield an element as well. he's drawing his sword then, stance shifting as though he's getting ready to charge forward.

the only difference this time is they have more of an idea of what is up there. }

Get ready to move.

{ and then he's off, a blur as he speeds towards the tree so he can almost flood the thing to the point said squirrels will want to leave. }

Got it!

[ He allows himself just a moment to admire the fluid form of his lord in action, the grace behind each of his steps before reminding himself that he's only got moments to act after he's pulled away their attention. ]

[ There's an instinct to put a shield up around the other man, there always is whenever they're out on the field, but he doesn't want to disrupt the plans he plays to enact, so instead he hangs back, waits until the squirrels focus on Ayato before he starts circling around to where they aren't lingering so he can scale up again, without fire this time, to get high enough to call his spear back. ]

{ they're lucky he's fast on his feet as with every slash of his blade, letting water cascade towards the squirrels in waves, he has to twist to avoid a gale that one of them hurls towards him in response. he grunts through the pressure of it, having no time to stop so that thoma gets his opportunity.

and then he has, at least, effectively distracted them. thoma has his moment to get up there now the squirrels have come down to their level, clearly very angry for having water everywhere in their home. }

[ He's even lighter on his feet than before, focused in a way he hadn't fully been on his first approach to the tree. This time, he looks for natural footholds, using them to scale up the backside of the tree as quickly as he can until he's close enough for him to wave a hand and bring his spear back to his side. Just as quickly, he lets it vanish so it doesn't get in his way during his descent, backflipping off the tree as a stray squirrel notices him and sends a blast of wind his way. ]

[ His landing is much neater this time, a tucked roll that has him back on his feet in seconds. ]

Got it!

[ And just as quickly, he brings up a shield over himself as he starts getting targeted by those very angry squirrels, hurrying over to Ayato's side so he can do the same for him. ]

{ the squirrels are pretty resilient for what they are, though the fact they dodge about as much as he does likely has something to do with it.

plus, while thoma was off grabbing his weapon he hardly wanted to scare them back into the tree, merely doing enough to keep them occupied.

he hears the words he's been waiting for and then all bets are off he lets his patience go out the window, nothing in the quest talked about preserving anything they find inside the tree, nevermind the tree itself, so they can just pass on the information if this goes wrong--

and before thoma even makes it over to him there's a long slow movement before said squirrels are getting overwhelmed. his water clone is left behind him by a few steps and he's twisting instantly to hit the nearest two squirrels with a barrage.

he may or may not be taking some things out on some innocent squirrels. rip squirrels.

the rest of them seem to recoil in terror and start darting back towards the tree, squeaking at each other on the way. }

[ Thoma's shield protects him from the few air blasts that are sent his way, and once he's in range, all of his remaining energy goes into setting a shield around the other man as well. He nearly sets a Scorching Ooyoroi, but at the moment... more fire is probably the last thing they need right now. ]

[ Though from the looks of Ayato's strike, it might be best for him to hang back and cover Ayato's back while he works out... whatever he's working out. ]

{ it's definitely easier when that shield goes up, enough that he can allow his focus to settle again, eyes dropping to the two gale squirrels that didn't make it away and are essentially on their last legs, fighting for their lives.

they were tasked with finding out what was going on with the tree, would it count if they brought back one of these for testing?

did the locals know this species existed anymore? would it be problematic to kill one or take it alive?

they don't have the means to take one alive }

We're taking one back with us.

{ it should let his intentions be known, but as much as it would be nice to be kinder to the wildlife, that did get kind of messed up when thoma stabbed his spear into the tree. }

Understood.

[ While Thoma is the type of person who would quite happily give up his savings to take care of stray animals... he knows when to be practical. Ayato's words make him straighten up a bit, realizing what the other man's not saying from the situation. ]

[ They'd only brought supplies to keep themselves taken care of, not another creature. ]

I can take care of it if you could keep watch for any others approaching. I don't want to get take by surprise again.

{ there's a split second where he's ready to him no, it's fine, he can handle this--

--but maybe he should have been paying more attention as well, since those same squirrels that ran away seem to have realised the two that got left behind are in grave danger. }

You may want to be quick about it.

{ though he doesn't say why, he uses his water clone before rushing back out of the way so thoma can take his place.

and it may or may not be because he could see what said squirrels that had made it back towards the tree were going to do, as combined they try to send a gust their way, which he matches with slashes through the air, hydro crashing towards them to knock them back and disrupt them.

out of one danger, into another.

they'll be fine. probably. }

[ The crash of hydro and wind above him echoes, raining down as harmless drops around him that hiss against the heat of his shield. Those hisses keep him focused though, dashing forward low enough that he's sure his shield would burn up the grass underneath him if it weren't for the frequent splashes of water on them. His eyes aren't upward though, but forward, entrusting Ayato entirely with keeping him safe. ]

[ He can see the squirrels struggling for life just ahead of them and he gives a soft apology under his breath before throwing his spear, a clear and clean piercing of one creature before resummoning his spear into his hand to take out the other one. He'll reach to snag both tails, refreshing his spear as he dashes back out, stumbling briefly when a stray gale hits near his feet. ]

{ to his credit, ayato is holding out well considering he's a lot more outnumbered than thoma had been. the squirrels have synchronised well, each blast of wind coming harder than the last. he's less quiet by now as each slash comes, huffing and grunting under his breath from the pressure to parry each blast with another wave of water so the wind is torn apart and fizzles into nothing but normal air. }

[ With their prize in bloody hand, Thoma's even quicker to return to Ayato's side than he was to get the squirrels, the familiar heat of his shield encompassing the other man the second he's within reach to. Once more, he holds back from using Scorching Ooyoroi, but he suspects they might get themselves into trouble if they linger too long while trying to hold themselves back. ]

Should we take our leave now?

[ Hopefully his voice can be heard over the piercing wind around them. ]

{ it's definitely easier with the shield, and despite being able to keep parrying attacks despite taking damage, he looks as though he's been fighting harder than normal. given the distance it made no sense to use his burst at all, but even with what they have it's been tough to hold out on his own.

not wanting to push their luck, he nods in response to that question. }

Go on ahead. I'll cover us from behind.

{ though as soon as they do start stepping away the squirrels will start to calm their attacks, even if their frantic squeaking doesn't die down just yet. }

[ Thoma moves ahead as instructed, without a glance back because he has full trust in Ayato watching their backs. He only listens for the sound of those familiar footsteps behind him to ensure he's there, and it's not until the anger chatters of the squirrels are drowned out by the ambient sounds of the wind in this sector that he finally turns around, panting softly. ]

I suppose... that could have gone better.

I apologize for my hubris.

{ he doesn't stop until there's no more need, when no more of those gales chase them and they're far enough the squirrels calm a bit more. }

We didn't come back empty handed, that's what matters.

{ as much as they could have discovered more if it hadn't been for thoma's mistake of stabbing into the tree, it isn't the end of the world. }

...Did you want me to carry them?

{ he's already aware of how much he's asked for given thoma's fondness for animals, but out of the two of them, it made much more sense to fight wind with water than fire. the last they needed was fire being blasted their way. }

[ He glances down at the squirrels in his hand with a slight grimace; his strikes hadn't been nearly as clean as Ayato's, so there's splatters of blood both on his hands and parts of his clothes. At least he was well versed in getting such stains out... ]

It's okay, my l-my friend Ayato.

[ Damn, he'd been doing so well! ]

My hands are already bloody, there's no need to get yours a mess as well.

{ his eyes drop down to the squirrels as well. it isn't exactly the most bloody either of them have been, but in this case these squirrels had done nothing wrong but exist in their home. it may be a reminder to be more cautious in the future though, this could have been avoided that way. }

If you're certain. The quicker we get back and drop these off, you can clean up. Let's go.

[ This is his punishment for trying to show off, a shortened time spent with his friend. :( ]

Yes, let's.

Do you suppose these guys are the cause behind whatever strange effects people believe the tree to have?

{ lessons have to be learned somehow... }

It's possible. Perhaps someone else managed to get here earlier and found out more. Or if anyone comes after those squirrels are willing to calm down.

{ he's already walking on towards the teleporter though. }

[ Thoma is following after him without a second thought, though he is digging through his pockets for something to use as a sack so that he's not just. Carrying two dead squirrels out in the open like this. ]

It seems like they're fairly settled in, so I don't think they arrived recently.

{ ayato, obviously, has nothing to help with that. }

I'd agree. Which makes it entirely possible they're part of the reason for it. Probably not all.

Should we return at a later time? Or do you suppose they'll be alert for a while now?

[ He digs out a small sack he'd brought their lunch in and uses that to set the squirrels into. Now all that's left to deal with is the blood that's dripped over his hands and parts of his clothes... ]

I imagine they will be for today at least. We can try again another day if you'd like to give it another go?

{ he watches as thoma hunts for something to put them in, quiet with a slight furrow to his brow. }

We should get you cleaned up first, however.

Hmm, perhaps at a later point. It'd be best if we didn't stay out in this segment too long.

[ Ayato's birthday was coming up after all! And Ayaka would have his head if he kept her brother out on the field instead of at home. ]

[ He's broken out of his thoughts for planning Ayato's birthday present by the attention drawn to his clothes. ]

Oh- yes, it'd probably be a bad idea to go back in this state. I would hate to disturb the locals.

{ he gives a small nod to that. }

Most likely the best idea, given the circumstances.

{ and he isn't even thinking about his birthday yet. likely won't until it's upon him, honestly, because the idea of having a full day to enjoy it hasn't really crossed his mind yet. }

Did you want me to hose you down?

{ he says it with a hand covering his mouth, trying to hide the laughter of the image that brings to mind. it likely wouldn't be much better than going back covered in blood, honestly. }

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