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

Hm?

[ Why is Cloud looking at her like that? She tilts her head as she looks up at him, only for him to reach out to her and fix her ribbon. A soft squeak comes out of her when she realises that she must have looked like a fool just now! Colour tints her cheeks and she looks away as soon as Cloud gives the signal that they should get going.

Instead of apologising or asking to be excused? She puts a smile on and whispers a "thank you very much" before getting a move on. ]

How long do you think climbing will take us? [ :|a A day? A couple of hours? Hm... ] I cannot imagine taking only a short while...

Not to mention, we may encounter some worthwhile things as we ascend.

[ Don't think he didn't hear that little whisper, Ayaka. Not with the way Cloud spares a little glance over his shoulder and nodding with a hum of acknowledgment. ]

Judging the height from outside? [ He brings a hand to his chin as he approaches the base of the stairs, giving the first one a stomp to test its fortitude. It creaks in protest to the pressure, but it's nowhere near giving way. It's surprisingly sturdy. ] Couple hours if we're steady about it.

Let's not rush it. [ Unless they wish to put their cardio to the ultimate test, he takes a few steps up before looking back to Ayaka to make sure she's following. The stairs aren't too narrow. And thankfully, there appears to be some kind of intricate railing to guide them. ...whether this weaving of wood and branches follows them the entire way up was anyone's guess. But for the first leg of their ascent, it seems relatively safe for now. ] Last time I ran flights of stairs, my legs regretted it.

[ Storytime on the way up? ]

[ Storytime on the way up!! There's a bit of hurry when she catches up with him, ensuring she's on his tail because she would like to hear what he says as they make their way up. ]

Really? [ This must be an interesting story! If only because- ] I've never seen you get tired before!

[ Except for the Month of Love and that one October night, but... that was a different kind of exercise. ]

The walk up the Grand Narukami Shrine is something like this as well, actually. But the stairs were out in the open, so you had to be very careful during windy days.

Surprise, surprise.

[ Even Cloud can get fatigued under the right circumstances! ... but when adrenaline is pumping, that's another story entirely. It's like lighting a spark near gasoline with his body and the enhancements done to it. ]

When we infiltrated Shinra HQ, we had a choice. Take the equivalent of the front door and use the elevators...or sneak around and take the stairs.

[ Guess what they picked. ]

59 floors later...

[ Now. Was this tree 59 floors tall? It IS a Very Big Tree. ]

Betcha it's way more scenic than just industrial steps on repeat.

Fifty-nine...

[ Ayaka pauses to look up at what's ahead of them. A long spiral staircase up! She can't even count how many floors this place has... ]

Goodness!

[ Okay- gotta catch up! The bells in her slippers make some noise as she catches up with him up the stairs. ]

Then... let's count. [ How many floors this tree has. ] I want to see if I can manage fifty-nine floors, too.

[ Hearing the bells in her slippers, Cloud slows down for her so that she could stay close behind him as they traverse and make their way up. Maybe whatever inhabited this tree came out at night...but he had every intention of keeping his guard up. It wasn't like they were sneaking in. This felt like the only way up. ]

Bet you'll do better than Barret did.

[ It feels like a low blow to jab at the man when he wasn't here. ... But hell with it. In hindsight, he at least made that 'journey' memorable. ]

[ Don't diss your friend, Cloud??? ]

Did he not make it?

[ He disses with love(?) ]

He made it. [ Barely. ] Just with lots of commentary on the way up.

[ ie. complaining. ~~Of which the mun won't elaborate further on because the scene has to be seen. afsdjkl~~ ]

They have anything this big back home?

The Sacred Sakura tree sits at the top of Mt. Yougou, but it is nothing like this.

[ But if he means a climb? Then it's the Grand Narukami Shrine in general. ]

The most grand place in Inazuma would be the Tenshukaku. It is the highest point in the city, and it is where the Raiden Shogun resides.

I still wanna see it someday.

[ Possibly while evading a certain mischievous fox's ~~bullying~~ teasing. They've only just begun their ascent, but he takes a short glance over the side of the intricate wooden railing to the ground below, gloved hand gliding over the surface as he walks. ]

Tenshukaku...

[ The most grand place in all of Inazuma, huh? ]

Makes sense that's where Ei would stay.

Ei... eh?

[ O_O It doesn't register right away, but when it does? She sounds quite startled. ]

Do you mean Her Excellency? [ Ei did tell even her to just call her by her name! Ayaka just... couldn't! It felt too casual. ] I did not know you were acquainted with the Electro Archon.

[ Oh, that's right. The woman was a literal god in their world, wasn't she? ... okay, he didn't necessarily forget that part. But he'd been given a pardon by the Electro Archon, herself, who told him to forgo the formality. There was a reason that Cloud didn't bring up his initial encounter with the Raiden Shogun...and it'd only been recently that he met her again before they all parted from Nippon. He stops walking to turn and face Ayaka.

They still had a ways to go, and they'd only just started. But stopping here and there wouldn't hurt. ]

Only recently. First time we met, it was a duel. Sword versus Polearm.

[ It technically wasn't a lie. He's just omitting the part where he was faced with her Musou Isshin. Most that witnessed that weapon were marked for death. He's well aware of that now. Despite this, he knows how surprised Ayaka looked and sounded hearing him speak so casually of her. So he huffs with a light smile. ]

She insisted on Ei. Trust me, [ shrugs ] I fumbled on what to call her at first.

[ It's clear that from the look on her face, she's a little uncomfortable about the topic. Not because of Cloud, mind. Just that she finds it so informal to call the Raiden Shogun as "Ei"... ]

She had wanted me to call her by just her name, as well. I could not bring myself to do so.

[ Ayato could, surprisingly. But Ayaka's finding it difficult to. Especially now, after representing the Raiden Shogun as her emissary. ]

[ He can see it written all over her face. It was easier for someone like him. Somebody who spent so much time on the outside looking in. A true outlander... ]

There's nothing wrong with that. [ A beat. ] I know if I ever see her again, I'm gonna hafta go back to "Excellency" or "Raiden Shogun".

[ If the Raiden Shogun remembers him when they see each other again? Maybe they can keep being familiar with one another! Otherwise? It would be best to keep formal.

Onto her other question... ]

How did you fare in the duel?

[ Almost beheaded. Literally saved by Ayaka's ruler and deity getting a case of the hornies and running. ]

Not bad at first. Till she musta gotten serious.

[ He decides to start walking again, a slow pace to keep conversation with Ayaka going! ]

Next time, I'll win. [ He looks over his shoulder to her, a small smile of confidence. ] And I'll do it with your art.

[ Huh? Wait- don't move yet! Ayaka follows him and talks as she walks. ]

All forms of martial arts that use a sword and naginata are based on the arts that the Raiden Shogun herself developed.

I do not think that one can win against her using an art that came of hers.

You never know if you never try.

[ There's a fleeting pause before Cloud suddenly...giggles? It's still rather low in tone, but it's still brief and almost like the way he usually laughs, at least. He doesn't think anything of it though, back to his usual tone of voice as he tells Ayaka, ]

Guess I should focus on getting past you first.

[ When it came to their training, Cloud had yet to best either one of the Kamisatos. They were losses that didn't shake him, however. As skilled as he was as a swordsman, when it came down to a match that didn't involve magic or raw power, all technique...he still had a lot to learn. In short, if someone were asking Cloud to be honest? He'd actually put Ayaka above him when it came to the art of the sword. Even compared to the way he'd fight with the Buster Sword. ]

Let us visit the gym soon, then. There was a big space where where Venat and I sparred.

[ It was where they held their dancing and yoga classes... :B ]

I should like for you to be prepared when you face my brother.

That sounds like a plan.

[ Ayaka + Yoga... .... ..... Ahem anyway- ]

Won't let you down, Sen—

[ Suddenly, he stops ascending the spiraling stairs, placing a hand upon the handle of his Buster Sword as he heard an audible whistling of...wind? He knew there were knotholes and various other openings amidst this massive tree. But the sound wasn't coming from outside... Up above them is what appears to be a solid floor, with many hanging gnarly tree branches. But it's what's gliding around them that catches Cloud's attention more.

They still haven't ascended high enough that they would feel their natures shifting drastically yet. But hopefully, nothing touches Cloud's sharp instincts. ]

Up there.

[ Gale Squirrels. At least a couple of them, larger than your regular little woodland critter. Seems they haven't noticed the couple yet... ]

[ She stops to see what's up ahead. Hopefully this won't give them so much trouble... ]

Do you think they are a threat?

[ The space they have to move around in is not much, after all. They could fall back down if they're not careful. ]

We should be careful.

Probably. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes back home.

[ But Ayaka's completely right. If they do wind up getting into a fight with them or anything else residing in this tree...he'd rather it not be while climbing these stairs. They're not the widest. And the last thing he needed was to have a heart attack if Ayaka were sent over the side. ]

If the floor up ahead is stable enough, I'd rather hafta deal with 'em there.

[ Or not at all. ~~Cloud doesn't need the EXP. And Ayaka barely gains any from enemies. KDFJSHA~~ Maybe it's just because they weren't thinking of the Gale Squirrels before, but now that they're actively trying to avoid being detected...these steps were sounding awfully creaky.

💦 ]

Do we try and get their attention once we find a stable floor, then?

[ They aren't that far away, so one wrong move would definitely attract the Gale Squirrels. But they must also find a way to deal with these squirrels soon, just in case things don't go their way. ]

I wonder if there is a way to keep our footsteps light with our magic. . .

[ It's this thought that gets her to stop in her tracks. Wind magic isn't something she's fluent with just yet, but if she can lift her feet off the ground for even an inch!!! Then this could work!!

And so, she concentrates... ]

[ Cloud's first thought was to sneak past them! So the fact Ayaka was propositioning getting their attention once they reached past this first spiral of stairs was a surprising one. Then again...she is also an expert in the art of combat. And it was just a matter of differences in approach. Not that he was a stranger to charging on in. ]

A surprise attack... [ He nods his approval. And she proceeds to concentrate on her own magic to lighten her footsteps. ] That might work.

[ And at first, he stops to watch her, curious to see her own progress. Cloud had only just begun tapping into it thanks to fast tracking it by literally dancing. It's something he'd have to share with her! ...since he wasn't the best at surprises, anyway. She's concentrating, but he has to ask, unaware that he might be hampering her focus, ]

So you're just...channeling it through your legs?

[ Her idea may not be anything like a sneak attack, but they're practically luring those squirrels into their territory, which should be even worse. Ayaka has no intention of getting either of them swept away by more wind this time.

It takes a few seconds before Ayaka responds. He's not being a distraction to her, but she does need to get her mind in order. The breeze that starts to surround them isn't threatening like what the Gale Squirrels could summon. In fact, there's warmth and friendliness to it. ]

I do not think the wind is something you can control... [ Or channel, for that matter. She may not have an Anemo Vision, but she's heard enough from others like Kaedehara or the Traveler. It is an entity on its own, and it is free.

When she opens her eyes, there is a smile on her face. From beneath them and by their feet, the wind dances in circles, very, very slowly lifting them from the floor. If they add a bit more weight to their feet, the wind would bring them back down, but if Cloud doesn't fight it? He'll find himself about an inch off the ground. ]

I asked the wind for help.

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