Event Log: July, Seeing Red & Hot and Cold

[faileas]

Event Log: July, Seeing Red & Hot and Cold

I. Underground (18th on) The Matriarch presents herself around mid-month to announce that the tunnel leading to the city will remain open to Mirrorbound indefinitely. With that said and done, visitors may find residents of the city setting up more permanent signs to point the way, and a guard station just past the curtain of moss that covers the tunnel entrance, manned by friendly enough Monsters who only want to make sure that nothing too important (like scrolls from the library) leaves the city. The atmosphere is overall fairly welcoming, now that the Mirrorbound have earned the Matriarch's approval, but it's also around this time that the locals become rather distracted by a new issue cropping up. Not a new problem, but a problem beginning to escalate. The gray-green protective moss that grows over all the entrances to the great cavern like membranes has sported flashes of a new color in the last several weeks, a bright red algae-like organism that creeps over the stone walls, and attaches itself to the moss sheets. It seemed benign at first, but as it spreads further and thicker, it starts to eat holes in the moss, from small pinholes to holes the size of a fist. The protective moss seems to be fighting back, now trying and failing to consume the patches of what locals are beginning to call Red Death. If you've breathed in the red algae's spores, the moss will wrap around you, creep into your mouth and nose, trying to remove the spores but not trying to absorb you. Trying to protect, perhaps? Mirrorbound are welcomed with open arms to assist if they are brave enough to do so; no doubt providing help with this vital matter could cement their position as allies of the Underground. a. Root of the Issue Removing the algae and healing the moss becomes number one priority around the city. Small groups of both fighters and researchers venture out into the tunnels, the smaller and lesser used ones, to try and track the source of the algae. It seems to first show up growing out of thick veins of Cwyld in the stone walls some miles out from the city, and have grown toward the main cavern. Careful eyes might spot patches of red algae that are much less vibrant, more of a pink color, and seem entirely benign. Maybe the Cwyld has mutated it? But be careful researching. The tunnels are dangerous on a good day, even putting aside the risk of infection, and the risk of the mutated Red Death giving off clouds of spores that threaten to choke and suffocate. The infected creatures out here are much bigger, and hungrier - massive, carnivorous blind armadillos with impenetrable upper shells and soft underbellies, dog-sized bullet ants with a bite that feels like you've been shot, and more rock-burrowing moles, most infected to some degree, will ambush any unaware travelers. With a potential source found, elimination of the Red Death becomes the next step. The people of the Underground have not seen something like this before, and do not entirely know where to start; they're willing to try anything that will not blatantly harm the protective moss as well, and a multi-pronged approach of different solutions may be the answer. b. The Side-Effects Number two priority is battling back the infected creatures that take this opportunity to squeeze and tear through holes in the moss without being eaten, as they normally would be. While many of the citizens are warriors themselves, there are plenty who are not, and the infected blood-sucking bats, fat white venomous wasps, and sharp-fanged earthworms quickly become an issue, spreading minor infections to the locals with their bites and stings. Many hands and weapons are needed to perform pest control. They've set up a pyre in the center of the city, safely surrounded by stone, to drop the infected creature corpses into, and open use in the streets of magic and Monster abilities alike will not be scolded as long as it's meant to be helping with the problem. Just try not to catch any bystanders! So too will people need to be healed of minor, new infections. Those who have been taught by the Coven or the Wilders are considered quite helpful here, but there is another option - moss from The Ruins above-ground can be eaten to act as an antibiotic for the Cwyld, so fetching containers of it to bring down below and distribute is a job that any Mirrorbound can do. The Red Death can be cleared out in multiple ways, including magical herbicides, manual scouring with heat, spells or potions, use of Faun magic to encourage it away from the moss, finding or creating plants or fungi that will kill the algae, discovering small creatures that will actually eat it (the wormipedes will not), purging the Cwyld infection from where the Red Death seems to begin, etc. Feel free to be creative with how your character would tackle the problem, we will be accepting anything short of fire as a partial solution. Just drop us a note in this thread what your character does!

II. The Northern Outpost (17th-22nd) In the thick of winter, this section of the Wilde could be a cool relief from the Juril heat that takes over Aefenglom. Easily reached by teleporter, the Northern Outpost has made strides in setting up as a true outpost, especially with its new importance as the closest location to the tunnel that leads Underground. A few more cabins have been built up in a little mini-settlement, offering a place to shelter and rest from exploration and research. Thankfully, because the snow is manageable but steady outside. They're not surprised by these snowdrifts forming, but around mid-month, it just grows worse. A flock of summer pixies sweep across the land, leaving large swathes of ground around the Outpost cleared of snow as they throw off sparks and heat, and they bring patches of lingering summer with them. They don't stick around for long, moving on quickly as they head toward Aefenglom, apparently drawn toward a real summer. This flash of the opposing season angers something else. Where before there was a winter of normal severity, now blizzards howl and snow piles up waist-high or better, freezing over a chunk of the nearby river and threatening to overwhelm ill-prepared travelers with frigid temperatures and treacherous ice build-up. Bundle and cuddle up, because it's about to be a long winter. It does make reaching the Ruins, a long-abandoned, now fully exorcised settlement just south of the Northern Outpost, more difficult, even if the cold doesn't seem to kill the valuable infection-curing moss that covers its tumbled buildings and broken walls. With the situation Underground threatening to turn dire, something needs to be done up above to keep the path accessible. The culprits behind the blizzards are discovered to be semi-tangible frost elementals, angered by the procession of pixies that threatened, however briefly, to bring an early summer. They can be dealt with in many ways: fighting them (they wield powerful ice magic and flit in and out of being solid, so it isn't easy, but it's possible), appeasing them with wintry offerings or kind words, or other creative solutions. They do not speak, but their otherworldly faces are quite expressive, and once they've been driven away or settled, the blizzards will end, making traversing this area of the Wilde much easier.

III. Aefenglom (18th-22nd) While the Wilde is a winter wonderland, Aefenglom is suffering from a Juril heat wave. The temperatures are high even before the procession of summer pixies reach the city. Like their icy counterparts from Deceuer, these tiny, Fae-adjacent winged beings are semi-sentient, and bring their season with them wherever they go. In shades of red and orange, with fluttering wings of fire, these pixies ride fist-sized fire-scarab beetles that throw off sparks and raise the ambient temperature wherever they fly. In these dry conditions, it could spell disaster. The pixies seem to only have mischief in mind. Their language is long lost to time, but they're delighted to chatter at unsuspecting passers-by while they set fires; these are mostly insults, and they seem to know some crude human hand gestures to go along with them. Needless to say, they are unpleasant little beings, and the Coven regards them as dangerous pests. They can be eliminated if necessary, by dousing them with water or ice, or by trapping them in metal or stone containers. They can also be distracted or appeased with various offerings, opportunities to cause controlled chaos, or with sufficient deference. Separating them from their fire-scarab mounts will also cut their power in half. Just be careful when squashing the beetles: they go up in flames when they die, and instantly burn to a pile of ash. Regardless of how they are dealt with, they need to be dealt with. With the procession comes: lengthened days, the sun remaining high in the sky for longer than it should; a heatwave like Aefenglom has not seen in quite some time that starts to evaporate the River Temese, lowering the water levels and making algae bloom in the water; gardens wilting from the heat, the soil drying out more quickly; and of course, building and market stall fires throughout the city as errant sparks catch wood or fabric. The Coven Witches are out in force trying to do damage control with water and ice spells, and any help is welcome from Witch or Monster. Special classes also turn toward learning these water and ice spells, along with how to enchant umbrellas to cast a perimeter of night-time darkness (for Vampires and other nocturnal Monsters), and how to enchant items into sprinklers - both to beat the heat and provide some wet relief to Merrow and other water-needing Monsters. These items are available already enchanted to anybody who needs them, and citizens languishing under sprinklers become a common sight on the streets. The more pixies are removed or appeased, the quicker the effects will abate, returning to a somewhat warm if otherwise pleasant summer, but the pixie procession will take its leave by the 22nd regardless, forming up and erratically flitting away, following a similar path to the ice pixies back in Deceuer.

Welcome to July's event log! All weather effects in Aefenglom and the Wilde will ease off after the 22nd, and the weather will return to whatever is normal for that area. The Red Death will continue to be an issue for the Underground if not solved - player solutions should be dropped here! It will take a combination to fully clear up the problem but we encourage many different creative solutions. As always, please direct your questions here!

Comments

[galdorleod]

[ Howl can't help up try to read the spell drawn on the floor the moment he sees it, inevitably remembering a second later that the inscription spells in Aefenglom are not the ones he learned in Ingary. Still - an inscription! It's the first one he's seen. He'll have to come back and ask the witch to explain it later.

After introducing them both to the witch, he instructs them to walk to the circle and stand within it. Howl separates from Iramaat and glances at her over his shoulder as he moves to his spot. ]

As fate would have it, we both look appropriately beautiful today.

[wylderrant]

Aren't we always beautiful?

[ She winks at him as she settles into her spot across from him. The witch comes over and offers them both another smile before he instructs them to clasp hands. Once that's done, he gently "ties" them together with a simple bit of ribbon. It's more symbolic than anything. ]

Before we begin do either of you have something you would like to say? Some people exchange vows...

[galdorleod]

[ Howl watches the witch curiously, taking note of his movements in case any small gesture could be important. The ribbon makes sense; he hopes they're allowed to keep it afterwards. ]

Vows? I thought bonding isn't meant to be romantic. [ He looks to Iramaat with a playful smile. This is fun - if only because it feels like a date. Maybe he'll take her for dinner tonight to celebrate, invite her home afterwards.

But - what exactly is their relationship, aside from that, for which to base any vows? ] Hm. [ ] He takes a moment, thinking. ] I vow to be bound to you today, Iramaat, as your dutiful and admiring wizard. All rights reserved with regard to faelike agreements.

[wylderrant]

It doesn't have to be, but they like us to be comfortable with each other...

[ She winks in reply and then settles down a little. For a moment she actually looks serious, as if she's considering her words carefully. ]

I pledge myself to you, Howl, as your faun; I will defend you with my sword, accompany you as I can, and provide you with whatever words of wisdom I think appropriate. No promises about faelike agreements, though...

[ The last bit is clearly meant in good humor and she laughs aloud. The witch nods and then extends his hands, beginning to murmur and chant. The circle around them begins to glow, a wave of energy and magic rising to meet them. It rolls through them and over them like a spark of electricity, meeting where their hands are joined and for a long moment there's a tug before it settles into a low hum and the energy begins to fade. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Howl was only half-joking about that exception for faelike agreements. He is still trying to keep an eye on her. But her laugh is charming, and he can't help but grin in response and feel somewhat flattered at the level of commitment she alluded to in her vows. Is flattered the right word? Well, he feels something, and he makes quiet note of it before the circle starts to glow, the magic in his rises, and something attaches and tugs at his core before it all settles down again.

...Is that it? Howl blinks and glances around. ]

That's all? We're bonded?

[ He doesn't feel any different - not yet, at least. ]

[wylderrant]

[ There's nothing for a moment - until Iramaat laughs at him in amusement. He feels it in the heartbeat before it happens; a warm feeling of joy that spreads. An echo. ]

Yes, that's it. It's deceptively simple, isn't it?

[ She squeezes his hand before letting it drop. ]

[galdorleod]

[ The precognition of her laugh catches him off guard. It's eerily similar to his contract with Calcifer, wherein his heart is held within the demon at all times, often far far away from the rest of Howl's body and soul. He hasn't felt an emotional ripple like that since his arrival here; feeling it again is both comforting and eerie.

That's right - he remembers this now from their introductory lecture. The Bonded can sense each other's moods and be affected by one another. If a bond becomes strong enough, they might even be able to share dreams or memories. Some say that these two factors lend the bonded to a deeper mutual understanding, and then a tendency towards romance - not the other way around.

Howl had forgotten about this. He wonders for a moment if he hasn't, to a certain degree, entered into what is essentially a faelike agreement with her in everything but name. His poker face remains strong, still only displaying his mild curiosity from the moment earlier - but if Howl can feel her emotions, then that means Iramaat... ]

Yes! Very simple. [ Grinning back at her, he lets go of both of her hands and starts to untie the ribbon joining their wrists together. He turns his head to the witch. ] Thank you very much, my good witch. Might I obtain your business card, if you have one? I plan on opening my own practice here soon, you see.

[ And he engages in small talk with the Haven witch, using it as an excuse not to talk to Iramaat for the moment. While they chit-chat, the pockets the untied ribbon.

After a few more minutes of casual networking, he excuses himself and takes Iramaat by the hand after she finishes giving her own parting words. It's the first time he's acknowledged her since he responded to her rhetorical question right after the ceremony was over. ]

Rather friendly fellow, that one. [ Howl's mood has relaxed since his spike in nervousness earlier. He's smiling gently at her now. ] Where to, then? Dinner?

[wylderrant]

[ She gets a hint of his nervousness and trepidation; it comes rolling back to her, but her smile stays on her face. If anything, she's even more pleased. It's been a long time since she's felt like someone's been disconcerted by her and... well, she'd almost forgotten what that felt like. She's less enamored with the way all of his attention goes to the witch afterward, but she stays close to him and says her own goodbyes, laughing and being just fine about everything.

There's a pulse of satisfaction as he takes her hand and they depart together. ]

Very friendly, although you were being rather cozy with him yourself. [ She teases him with a spark of glee. ]

Maybe you should've asked him if he had a bond already. [ There might be a bit of irrational jealousy there, but it's mostly just Iramaat poking fun. She speeds up a little, threatening to drag him along by the hand. ]

I know a good place for dinner, honestly! We may as well enjoy ourselves while we can, yes? And - oh-[ Curiosity blooms. ]

Where are you staying these days?

[galdorleod]

[ That joke is much less charming when Howl can feel how it skews ever so slightly on the genuine side. Perhaps Iramaat can sense Howl's lack of amusement at her comments as he swiftly quickens his pace to match her own, not allowing her to drag him along. ]

I've been living with a Mirrorbound named Mikasa, and... [ pause. ] ...another one. A child I hardly pay attention to them, I've forgotten their name.

[ He chuckles to himself and shrugs his shoulders. ] It's a convenient arrangement. I'll move out eventually, once I have the funds to establish a storefront for my own practice.

[wylderrant]

[ The lack of amusement is disappointing, but well... can't win them all. She tries to move on. ]

A child...? How strange. I've only ever seen a few mirrorbound children. Most of us are fully grown.

[ Or, like her, were always fully grown. ]

Is there any area of town you're thinking of setting up shop in? I don't precisely have a head for business, but... [ Well, she can kinda help. Maybe. ]

[galdorleod]

Nowhere yet. I'm still far from picking a location... much less possessing the talent and knowledge to compete with other witches in Aefenglom.

[ His tone signals just how much he still resents that last part - and maybe explains why he was looking for another witch who was willing to risk exploding with him for the sake of getting better, stronger magic faster. With a sigh, he pats the back of her hand with his opposite. ]

But, it will be in whatever area that allows me to make the most money with the least amount of effort. Common sense, dear. [ or should it be deer? har har ]

[wylderrant]

An admirable goal, really. If you can get by with less effort, so much the better!

[ She bumps her shoulder into his. ]

I'm sure you'll figure it out in no time at all - and I am perfectly willing to help you. [ She grins. Isn't she just the best? ]

For now - perhaps a mid-day drink?

[galdorleod]

Sure. We're celebrating, after all. [ He responds to her physical nudging with a smooth smile - and decides to broach the topic that had quietly bothered him earlier with a joke. ]

So, while we may be tapped into each other's feelings and inclinations now, that wouldn't apply to libations too, would it? [ There's a pub coming up on their left - Howl wonders to himself if this is the place she'd referred to when she said she knew a good spot for dinner, or just where she's taking him for a drink, or neither. ] I'd rather not have my well-trained stamina handicapped by your low tolerance, but if it's a side effect of stronger magic, I'll accept.

[wylderrant]

I don't believe it does - although we'll certainly be able to tell when the other's enjoying themselves.

[ She seems amused by the question and gives him a nudge with her elbow. The pub is a decent place, honestly. Good food, good drink, and not that expensive - so she's steering for it. ]

As for my so-called 'low tolerance' - I think you might be surprised by how much I can put away! [ A low laugh and then she sweeps the door open for him. ]

After you.