Event #1: Welcome, Adventurers

[seasonsmods]

Welcome, Adventurers
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Guild Playing Games With my Heart

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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.

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I Came In Like a Questboard

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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.

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Enhanced to Meet You

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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.

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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

Comments

[acquirement]

Ah, that I could.

{ but he didn't, did he? and doesn't seem to be doing so even now. }

Maybe if you ask nicely.

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ ... This feels vaguely like getting your pet dog to beg for treats... ]

[ But also he wants Ayato cleaned off as much as he wants for himself to be cleaned off... ]

... My dear lord Ayato...

[acquirement]

{ if this is what it is, he has the cutest pet dog.

but, the only sign of him listening is a blink.

then he gestures with his hand, indicating for him to- }

Go on.

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ He knows that look and he knows there's no stopping what he's already willingly started. ]

This humble ser- friend of yours-

[ Look, he's learning. ]

- requests that you grace us both with a refreshing and cleansing rain, so that we need not trudge into town in our current state.

[acquirement]

{ half way through him speaking drops of water start falling around them, a sign that the full thing wasn't necessary. in fact, even just a small 'please' would have been enough, but as always thoma completes his tasks by going above and beyond. }

Hopefully this should be enough.

{ it's just the area around them both, nothing too big, but hopefully enough to wash away some of the blood and grime as needed. }

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ There's a small sigh of relief that Ayato doesn't ask for more of him, doesn't tease him more rather, as he suspects the commissioner could if he were so inclined. Instead he takes what he's earned, tilting his head back and letting his eyes fall shut as water washes over him. It's cooling, especially after the sweat he'd worked up doing all that, and he takes care to rub his hands together to try and clean off as much of the blood and dirt from his hands and gloves as he can. ]

Mm, thank you Ayato.

[ He cracks an eye over to look over Ayato, who undoubtedly shows dirt and blood far more easily than his outfit does. ]

I'll have to bring along fresh changes of clothes more often in the future.

[acquirement]

{ he could, but they've already suffered enough today, and he'd quite like to be cleaner as well. though a little water isn't going to be enough with the colours of his clothes in comparison. }

Or perhaps I need to finally look into a different set of clothes for quests like these.

{ it would make sense to do so. maybe at some point he'll be able to find a tailor for that, it would be helpful to keep his arm guards after all. }

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ There's a perking from Thoma as he hears that gentle musing; while he'd certainly seen Ayato in other outfits before, the man was rarely outside in this kind of environment and so Thoma had never seen him in anything unique for it. ]

Some questing clothes are a great idea! It's a lot easier to pay no heed to getting dirty when your clothes are meant for it.

[ Why else would Thoma wear such dark colors all the time- ]

[acquirement]

{ he looks thoughtful. }

I imagine there are tailors who could meet my needs. I need to get clothes for every day occurrences as well. Though I may ask Ayaka if she'd like anything for that.

{ dark clothes are a blessing for that... hides all the stains. }

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ ... Waka, there are ready-made clothes out there- ]

[ At the same time, it's odd to imagine Ayato wearing something not tailored to his proportions. Well, there's some things he could imagine, but he's not going down that train of thought. Focus on your doggy bath shower, Thoma! ]

[ Slipping off his headband, he reaches up to ruffle the dirt from his hair now that his hands are clean, pulling his ponytail over his shoulder to check it for more. ]

You could go shopping together. That sounds like it'd be fun.

[acquirement]

{ that isn't good enough

well, for casual wear it is. it seems like a lot of effort to go and get something tailor made for that. but for anything that could likely help between life and death--it makes sense to pay a little extra. }

Then should I save the quest gear for shopping with you? You'd be more likely to see any flaws in the protection it provides, at least.

{ not that ayaka wouldn't, but she has also had people picking things out for her all this time. }

[wayofthehousekeeper]

Oh, if you'd like, certainly! I'd be happy to offer any and all advice I can.

[ His response is immediate, one spoken out of duty rather than opportunity because he's just as concerned about Ayato's wellbeing on quests as Ayato likely is. Though his eye for fashion may be somewhat questionable, he's confident in his ability to measure practicality in clothes, and consider what would and could suit the man's needs. ]

[acquirement]

Then we can arrange it once we're back.

{ instead of trying to arrange anything now while thoma is trying to clean off, that is. ayato has pretty much given up before he even starts. the water has already just made the mud smear more, than actually get rid of any of it. }

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ Thoma at least looks fairly clean from the knees up in turn now, as willing as he was to scrub himself off, so when he turns his attention back to Ayato he's startled to see the man looking more of a mess than last he saw. ]

Of cou-

... Ah, would you like me to help you wipe off?

[acquirement]

{ the smile he gets in return is strained.

he tried!!! briefly... to fix it. very briefly. }

I think it may be easier once we're back.

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ His poor lord is suffering how could he let this happen :( ]

[ He gives him a lookover again, the kind that is all Business before nodding. ]

Would you like to take off your coat and borrow mine? I can carry your coat back.

[acquirement]

{ he gets a small shake of his head in return }

It's quite alright, thank you, Thoma. We came out here for a quest, it would be quite a feat to return with not a mark at all. I'll be fine.

[wayofthehousekeeper]

Well, if you're certain...

[ Thoma is still uncertain about letting his lord walk around as much if he could help it in some way, but if Ayato insists then he'll acquiesce. ]

Let's hurry back then. It's easier to get the stains out the sooner we treat it.

[acquirement]

{ it could be worse, there could be tears and other things as well. if anything, they got off lightly after everything went south. }

I see, then we shouldn't delay, I wouldn't want you to struggle to fix the only clothes I have from home.

{ is this bullying? yes, a little. it's a rude reminder anyway. }

[wayofthehousekeeper]

I'll keep them in pristine condition on my honor as the retainer of the Kamisato clan.

[ He is dead serious about this, never doubt him Ayato!! ]

[acquirement]

{ a small laugh follows that, and at least now they're drawing nearer to the teleporter it doesn't feel as tense. }

I didn't doubt that, I just wouldn't wish to waste so much of your time doing laundry.

[wayofthehousekeeper]

Oh- it's started to take next to no time at all! There's some fascinatingly useful potions and magic around that have made laundry work much faster. And Rui has mentioned to me some machinery that could make it even more so.

Oh- but I would of course still take personal care of more delicate items until I know exactly what such machines could do to clothing.

[ Yes, he's excited about laundry, please give him this. ]

[acquirement]

{ he doesn't understand it, but that comes from a displeasure of chores altogether, but he wouldn't trample on the excitement thoma seems to exhibit now. }

I'll take your word for it. I've just about managed to learn how to use the 'microwave'.

{ which is scary in itself. }

[wayofthehousekeeper]

Those are amazing as well! They hardly seem very useful for cooking, but to be able to reheat any meal so that one can consume it hot at a later date makes for an all new way of looking at preparing food!

[ Yes, he's excited all over again. Even for just the microwave. ]

[ Ayato is going to stick foil in the microwave at some point, isn't he. ]

[acquirement]

I take it that it's given you some new ideas?

{ he most definitely is putting foil in there at some point. there is nothing on the microwave to say that isn't safe. it's completely safe!!! }