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

[awryprincess]

[Oh look at this gentleman. Little things like that will curry favor with her. She's going to keep fearlessly walking forward, though. Yes, she wants to see what became of that umbrella.]

Hmm... I can't say I know the word. [Technically, guitars do exist where she comes from, but the word doesn't, necessarily.] A musical instrument, I presume - what's it look like? Perhaps I can figure it out based on a description. [Honestly? Gush, it'll kill more time.]

[tothemetal]

Well, it's like -

[hm. how to describe a guitar to someone who may not have ever seen one before? Styx's arm drops back down to his side as he contemplates this problem for a few moments before deciding to plunge ahead as best he can.]

's kinda like us, really. Got a body, a neck, 'nd a head. Body's the biggest part, of course - usually kinda shaped like a round hourglass? Goes in and out, like this.

[and he makes a sort of...wobbly dipping motion with his hands to try and get the general idea across.]

Uh, electric ones can get pretty wild with the designs since they don't gotta worry about how it'll effect the sound too much, but 's the same kinda idea. Neck's just a long thin bit to stretch the strings out and put the frets on, 'nd the head's a little piece on top where they're connected and you can adjust 'em - you know, tighten or loosen stuff up.

[he laughs and then rubs the back of his head, kind of sheepish.]

Dunno if any of this is really helping, but...'s the general idea.

[awryprincess]

[She watches him, carefully - this particular game of charades is actually pretty entertaining - and her eyes narrow briefly in thought. Ah...] Oh, perhaps like a lute?

[That is what she knows a guitar as - a sort of proto-model of one.] You strum along it, right, and that makes the noise? That doesn't quite sound like a harp, but it does sound a bit like a lyre, as well.

[A laugh.] I'm getting the feeling we're from very different places, but that's not a bad thing!

[tothemetal]

Yeah, yeah! You hold it like this, 'nd you use your fingers or a pick.

[his arms settle into the position he's seen Ymir and Vincent take hundreds of times, albeit with an imaginary guitar at present. he laughs in mild surprise that he's actually managed to get his point across, hands eventually dropping back to his sides with a broad smile.]

Everybody's from a different places here, yeah? 's what makes it kinda fun, especially with stuff like music.

[awryprincess]

It is; and this place is really different from my home, and it sounds like both my home and this place are different from yours! That makes it all the more interesting. Music isn't my forte, but I have seen plenty of entertainment troupes use instruments like that. Are you able to play here? Even just your part?

[There's the giggling of children nearby, and they splash about in a freshly-formed puddle. They're definitely on the right track for that umbrella.]

[tothemetal]

[they look like they're having a lot of fun, aren't they? Styx's steps slow for a few moments as they pass, his expression thoughtful. could it be that somehow his magic had actually managed to achieve what he'd originally hoped for after all? that seemed...like a bit of a stretch. but maybe it wouldn't be too terrible to be hopeful.]

Here? Not the way I wanna...uh, yet, anyway.

[he frowns, the topic one that brings him down ever so slightly. he's been working so hard to get a proper set of drums, but it was difficult.]

Don't think they've got drum kits the way I know 'em here - 'cause it's kind of an old timey place, you know? So I've been talking with some music shops 'nd things, trying to get one made custom.

[which...cost money, along with taking time. it was a long process.]

[awryprincess]

I see. Will you try to play by yourself, or will you seek others to make a troupe again? [Drummers are well and fine on their own, but other musicians or dancers would probably be more successful, she thinks, but she's also going to trust he knows that if he's been part of a musical troupe before.]

And at least you found a way to make it happen! There are probably things from home that we can't get here, so it's nice to be able to get even something like them.

[She can't think of anything off the top of her head aside from specific foods, but that's not that interesting. One of the kids stomps their foot in the puddle, and splashes another nearby, cackling when the other squeals. Heralia laughs, and shakes her head, as they pass.]

[tothemetal]

Mm, for sure! 'm pretty lucky that they kinda know what I'm talking about for most things...but I think even if they didn't I'd find a way. Can't imagine not playing the whole time I'm here.

[music was a part of his soul now, something that filled him with both life and fire whenever he played. even more than a connection to his own world, it was a vital facet of his identity. even someone as docile as Styx was willing to fight for such a thing, no matter how impossible the odds - although he certainly counted himself lucky to not have such an insurmountable hurdle to climb in reality.]

Be nice if I could find a band, but metal kinda seems to be real ahead of everybody's time. [both in and outside the mirrorbound community. it makes him laugh fondly.] Just gonna be happy if there's some people I could jam with now and then, honestly. 'm not picky!

[awryprincess]

Oh that is good. It seems drums haven't changed too terribly from the time of... well, of when people lived in tribes. Though I'm curious what kind of improvements they make to them in your time - I guess I'll have to wait until your commission is done, and then see for myself.

[Casually inviting herself to hang out with him more, nbd.] I hope you can! Unfortunately, I don't know much about bands here... but that's not my forte. I'll keep an ear out for you though! Mirrorbound Council might have connections.

[Which is what she has going.]

[tothemetal]

Drums are pretty much the same - can't really change 'em too much, you know? - but the accessories 'nd stuff are real different now. You should totally come check it out, though! Won't have any of the electric stuff, obviously, but it's still gonna be killer.

[although he wondered, would it be possible to substitute the things which relied on electricity for a magical source? considering their current task Styx doubted he'd be able to do it himself, but maybe somebody at the Coven...hm. something to think about.]

...you're on the council, though? Geez, you don't gotta go that far for me! I mean, 's real nice, 'nd thanks for thinking of me, but uh...don't wanna waste all that important time on something like that, you know?

[awryprincess]

Killer? That sounds great! [Haha, slang terms, but she's all for it.] I'd be happy to come see you perform, whenever you find a band again... or even if you just decide to go and put a show on yourself.

[Still, she tsks softly, and shakes her head.]

It's just asking around a few questions! If nothing comes of it, then neither of us really lost anything, did we? But if something does come up, then there's a lot to gain! It's no trouble at all.

[tothemetal]

Um, if you're really sure, then.

[but it still feels awfully presumptuous of him to be asking that kind of favor, even if she'd offered it freely. after several moments of pause Styx speaks again, having happened upon what he hopes is an acceptable compromise.]

...whenever you come hear me play though, I'll buy you lunch, ok? To say thanks for trying.

[awryprincess]

It's really not too big a bother, I insist.

[She laughs, and is really just expecting that train of thought to end there, when he comes back with...

... A totally different suggestion. One which really does catch her attention. For a moment, she wonders if he's one of those types that just can't stand to feel like they owe someone anything, but he doesn't quite have that sort of jaded attitude.]

Oh-! You don't have to repay me that way, but if you'd like to make an equivalent exchange, I gladly accept!

[Not that she always likes an even playing field, but she's making friends here, not trying to take down kingdoms. He doesn't seem like the kind that has that much anyway. Not if he's a simple performer.]

Hmm... well, your umbrella definitely came through here, but I think it's since flown the coop. You can rest assured, I don't think anyone got hurt, at least... and the kids seemed to like the shower!

[tothemetal]

[it's a big emphasis on simple, Heralia. Styx is far from cynical - he just doesn't feel that he's worth anyone going out of their way for, even in ultimately trivial matters. to allow it always feels as if he's taking advantage of somebody's kindness, so...he's perpetually trying to give back in a strange mixture of guilt and gratitude.

hearing his companion accept his compromise makes the big guy beam, quietly glowing with his foolish contentment. it really didn't take very much to put him in a good mood, did it?]

Yeah, think you're probably right...be a lot more people yelling if it was still hanging around, I think.

[even so, he can't help tilting his head back to squint up at the bright summer skies. was that a speck moving on the far horizon, or just his imagination? ...well, it was going away from the city regardless of its state of existence.]

They were really having a blast though, weren't they? Kinda made me wanna jump in, too. Guess somebody got some good stuff out of it, yeah?

[awryprincess]

Honestly, I think the only real bad part was that you lost your umbrella. Sounds more like a net positive to me... my shirt's even drying out. But it's cool, so I can't complain.

[Now that her fur's growing in, she has found that she overheats a little bit more easily. Especially since it is "mountainous region leopard" fur, so it's especially thick and fluffy.]

So, I think you actually did some - accidental - good today. [And caused perhaps a bit of chaos, but Heralia loves a bit of chaos.] And you know what not to do if you decide to try it again. Meanwhile, I think I should be getting back on task to where I was going, now that we know there's nothing too bad happening. I'll poke around with the council next I see them and get back to you, aye?

[tothemetal]

Better than I usually do, so I'll take that!

[he laughs heartily, the sound rich and filled with something akin to relief. he'd already begun to believe that maybe this particular fuckup wasn't such a severe one, but hearing that same thought spoken aloud is all the validation he needs to truly accept it. even in his own mind Styx can't be certain of his own opinion.]

Don't wanna hold you up any more than I have already, though - you've been real killer about this, honest. Real grateful.

[he was already going to get her lunch whenever she came by to hear him play, but...he'd have to remember to make it an especially nice one. to cover her kindness today as well. the big dummy very nearly nods to himself after having come to this conclusion, but thankfully he hasn't gotten that daydreamy just yet.]

Good luck with counciling 'nd stuff! ...uh, not just for me. Like, you know, in general.