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MOD EVENT #001

A CHAOTIC RESPITE

It isn't rare for the seasons in the Netherworld to be a little erratic, though many days have passed now without much of a hint of its typical mercuriality, a good and a bad omen all at once. This respite is commonly referred to as the proverbial "calm before the storm", but it also marks the beginning of merrier celebrations. The Moons above are gilded silver, the twilight sky edged with faint pink and orange -- a sunrise phantasm, spilling over the horizon. It's an infrequent spectacle, accompanied by a dulcet breeze and light drizzles that seem to encourage growth nearly everywhere. Unfortunately, under its influence, people seem a little on edge, quick to anger, but no matter; around Stygia, Restless have begun hanging decorations and ornaments on trees and windowsills, left to catch the moonlight and give off marigold and ginger glows, warmly lighting up the city. Rather than fish, the smell of freshly ground spices permeates the air in the Harbors, Mirth keeps its doors opened to all, but just before the festivities officially begin, a cacophony of chimes resounds all over, a transmission difficult to ignore.

On the screen of your cellphone, nothing; only a voice, ragged, out of breath...

“The woods... Oakwoods! They've come alive! O-One minute he was complaining about the water seeping into his boots, and the next he was... he was being yanked up into the trees! We didn’t see what happened to him, but we heard... the screams, ohh, the screams. Please! Come to Serene, I beg you. This is our safest sanctuary, and the lan... oh, no... wait, no, please... please... NOOO--”

...and the feed abruptly ends, a dull chirr of static. Will you ignore the stranger's call for help and feast, or venture into the woods?

► I. KNOCK ON WOOD (OH PUCK, HE'S HOT!)

When you cross the gates of Serene, an old woman welcomes you, palm flat against her chest and disquiet in her eyes. Myrtille, her name. Oakwoods loom dense and dark in the distance behind her, groaning low as leaves rustle without wind. The Mourning Lantern was stolen, and malevolence rose in turn, dooming them all.

“It was once kept here, a sacred Artifact crafted from the bones of Serene's first founder, who gave her heart’s blood willingly to the woods in an act of contrition. It's the absence of the lantern that is contributing to the wood’s unusually active malice, and if you lot cannot retrieve it, then we must sacrifice another. Go! Take these torches and go, before Oakwoods swallow us whole.”

So you've decided to be brave. Commendable, or foolish? The wood is dark and shrouded in mist, and the trees crowd around you, an absent wind somehow whispering foul nothings in your ear as dead leaves rustle around your feet. Your Shadow basks in the murmurs, sensing the malign presence in Oakwoods as a faint, garbled scream echoes in the distance. You wander deeper and the canopy thickens, thin streaks of moonlight peppering the woods in deep patches of darkness. Behind you, a creature you can't see hisses, and a fluttering of wings nearby alerts you to the arrival of snickering harpies lurking on branches. “Dead,” they croak, in a sing-song chorus. “Dead as daylight.” Oddly enough, they seem content to just watch and stalk you, perhaps expecting you to die quickly, an easy and effortless meal.

It's a frustrating errand if you've ever known one. You barely know what you're looking for, and your Shadow thrives in the dark, taunting, coaxing. You hear it then; a haunting melody, the silhouette of a boy on a fallen tree trunk, strumming. “Come,” he says, with a voice that shimmers like the sun on moving water. If you remember what that's like. “Rest a while. Forget your troubles.” For anyone familiar, you'll recognize him as a Puck, famous prankster, and from his hand dangles a lantern.

► If you attempt to take the lantern from him, he'll immediately drop it to the ground, causing it to break. You may choose to kill him and offer his blood to the woods, or let him go and bleed in his stead. Myrtille should be able to repair what's left of the lantern once the offering's been made.
► If you politely ask to return it, he promises that he will... if you indulge him for the night.

No matter what you choose, you will come across camps, either on your way in or on your way back: pitched tents, most moth-eaten, and some containing vestiges of prior expeditions such as putrid corpses or rotten food. You've been wandering for a while, and sleep sounds terribly inviting. Unfortunately, a wind finally picks up, and leaves begin to blow around you. A nick, then a cut, then a slash reveal the leaves to have razor sharp edges. Sleep well yet? If you've spared the Puck, he'll encourage you to sit with him around a campfire, where he'll sing and tell stories. Or are they. Perhaps you've heard of Bloody Mary before. Slenderman? The Devil that'll make you dance until you die? While the lantern remains in stranger hands, the thread between reality and fiction narrows; protagonists from the Puck's legends come to life, and the only way to rid of them is by quenching the flames of the fire.

Your journey unfortunately doesn't end there. The Puck has a riddle for you: I am a word that is hardly there. Remove my start, and I'm an herbal flair. What am I?

If you fail to answer correctly, he'll vanish before you, and you can bid the lantern goodbye. You'll be forced to gather the bones from the corpses scattered across the woods, and feed it your blood -- or a friend's -- before you escape and return to the woman. The offering will leave you drained and exhausted, weak on your legs. If, on the other hand, you do answer correctly, the lantern is yours, and you'll be teleported out of the woods with a boon in your pocket: a piece of parchment invites you to visit your home in the Shadowlands. There, you'll find an object (or a pet) that belonged to you in your world.

the answer to the riddle is sparsely! it's up to you whether you'd like your character to fail.
legends told around the campfire can be any of the ones mentioned above or any other that might strike your fancy! go wild, have fun!
remember that if you pick an item from your character's world as their boon, it'll eventually disintegrate unless reforged with a soul.

► II. GO BIG OR GOURD HOME

Welcome to the Frightful Harvest, a festival that marks the beginning of the Respite, a temporary period of tranquility between seasons. It acknowledges the blessings offered and the role that both good and evil play in the Netherworld. It is a time to give thanks, but more importantly, it is a time of reflection and warding. Warding against not only the darkness of the next seasons to come, but of the nefarious creatures and struggles that will undoubtedly follow.

Carved pumpkins and straw bales are placed everywhere around the city, and streamers and banners are hung from every home and storefront. Decadent cakes, candies, and pastries are made in over-abundance in order to accommodate everyone, and from the lush gardens of Radiance, an elderly, dark-robed man addresses the Netherwork. You'll learn by eavesdropping on nearby Restless that his name is Doran, the oldest among you and loved by all. His smile stretches kind, and while not an official member of the Hierarchy, it's clear he has certain privileges -- well-deserved, or so you hear.

“Let us gather, feast, dance and celebrate. Let us hold our glasses high for those who heroically perished, for goodness, and for the Ascended. May their journey inspire us to change our lives and the lives of others, to resist evil, and to triumph. To you, dear friends!”

And without further ado, let the festivities begin!

► BARDIC BLITZ
The bardic blitz is a friendly competition that pits talented musicians against one another in an attempt to win over the affection of the crowd through festive melodies or personal compositions. Although it can be hosted just about anywhere, the bardic blitz is normally held in a large canvas tent directly in the heart of Mirth, though smaller crowds also gather in Serene and the Harbors around bonfires.

► FEAST
Although all cultures around Stygia bring their own tastes and specific flair to the celebrations, there are a few staple trade goods that you can find at nearly any celebration of the holiday throughout the city. Many producing the various cakes, beverages, and cookies also use the time to test and perfect their recipes, teaching others or using them as guinea pigs.

► Firstdawn Tea: This revitalizing crimson tea soothes the mind and body and is brewed from the roots of the dawn flower, which only sprouts during the Respite.
► Grablenuts: These fist-sized brown nuts have a hard, stippled outer shell and soft, delicious spicy centers. A single bite will slightly lower your inhibitions, and you may find yourself seeking proximity and warmth.
► Elysium: A nonalcoholic beverage that smells and looks as bad as it tastes. Only those with the strongest will manage to gulp it down. Once drunk, the person experiences true bliss, which seems to last for hours; in reality, it's only a few minutes.
► Will-o-the-Whiskey: Whisky with minor hallucinatory effects, visual and auditory.
► Sundrop: A pound cake coated in a sugary lemon drizzle. No side-effects, just delicious!
► Shadowfell Candy: Chewing on this candy will grant the character a deep and rejuvenating sleep, during which they will appear dead to anyone.

. ► HARVEST HUNT
The harvest hunt happens in a corn maze located in Mirth's amusement park, specifically created for the occasion. Because of the labyrinthian horrors dwelling in the Tempest, some find the terror-free replica a little inappropriate, yet participants still abound every time. A favorite seasonal game of the exuberant and athletic, characters take on the role of either hunter or prey, racing through the maze to either corner their quarry or escape the hands of their pursuer. As long as Shadows behave, it's a relatively safe activity. Friendly spars sometimes occur, picnics, and star-gazing.

► THE PARADE
The parade is the activity most looked forward to by younger Restless. Citizens clad in colorful costumes walk the streets to the rhythm of festive music, and according to tradition, it helps ward away any lingering evil that might try to hide in the community. For reasons unknown, incidents where Restless unwillingly swap bodies sometimes occur.

► III. WAYWARD SUN

The Warding Ritual is a private affair, a behind-the-scene execution on the last day of the festival as you dance and feast and frolic, blissfully unaware. Something goes awry. First, a shriek in the distance, and soon, birds flying away in apparent surprise as the landscape rustles with the sounds of creatures and Restless alike fleeing. A vague sense of dread knocks the air out of your lungs, an iron grip around your throat. And you see it then, a headless figure shrouded in a black veil of cloth, sword in one hand and a bright flaming pumpkin in the other. Its head. It thunders through the night on its skeletal horse, its blade flashing in the moonlight in search of prey. Heads fall. You might get injured during the chase -- collateral damage. 10 members of the Hierarchy won't ever rise again, and the rider eventually charges into the Tempest, leaving behind bloody puddles and a slather of confusion. If you opt to help clean up the mess, you might come across stained sheets of paper on the ground, a painting of a white scorpion in the middle. Otherwise, it's time for you to go home.

ooc note

► Welcome to Nightfell's first event! If you'd like additional, more casual prompts, the Notice Board is right here! New prompts will be added next month, if you've already had your fun with them!
► You'll find some answered questions here, but if you'd like to ask something else, please comment below!
► For a little spooky ambience in the woods.

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[ Joonghyuk isn't sure why he is receiving that look. He hasn't done anything wrong? At least, that's what he thinks. His arms fold across his chest as he assesses the situation under the dim light.

Hm. ]

You're going to kill him?

[ Puck... Sure is getting uncomfortable by this conversation topic, so he tries to steer it to maybe talking this out? Why not they follow him into the forest, indulge him a bit, and he'll give them the lantern shard? Fair exchange! ]

Either he gives me the lantern, or he gets cut in half. Simple.

[the offer of indulgence is rejected outright. Puck makes a "what's his problem" gesture, and appeals to Joonghyuk instead. what about you, my friend? perhaps you might be more amenable?

felix flicks his blade, waving the two of them apart.]

No. He's not involved. This is between you and me.

[ Hm... Yeah, that's simple enough and Joonghyuk has no qualms with that, so his answer is silence before Puck starts propositioning him. The word choice is suggestive in a sense, along the lines of Victorian courtship yet saucy. It leaves the impression that the sight of ankles would make someone go primal.

Puck means well. His intentions are actually not that type of nefarious. Either way, Joonghyuk is disinterested, throwing Puck a distrustful gaze. ]

Hand over the lantern if you want to stay whole.

[ He sides with Felix. Threats first. ]

[welp. faced with Two Of Them, Puck seems to pause, in fake contemplation, then shrugs helplessly, a smile playing across his lips, the lantern held out in a harmless mea culpa...

except as soon as felix reaches for it, he smashes the lantern on the ground as hard as he can.

as the light goes out, all they can hear is Puck's laughter, haunting and encompassing, seeming to dance around the space and around the two men. felix growls in irritation, but doesn't move immediately—instead closing his eyes, listening to the sound.]

There!

[and he plunges himself forward, slashing with purpose. there's a shriek—but then there's just more laughter.]

[ Puck really cannot be trusted. With the lantern broken, dim light is all they have to parse the darkness for the source of the snickering. Joonghyuk's eyes glow gold as anger heightens. He didn't come here to be inconvenienced, let alone be swindled.

The laughter zig zags around them, then circles, and Joonghyuk takes a chance in sending a lightning current the same direction. A flash of light follows the crashing sound and fire ignites when levin meets bark, sending splinters here and there. The blaze illuminates figures on the floor, bodies scattered across this portion of Oakwoods. Silence. ]

... Tricksters are annoying.

[ Puck breaks the quiet with cackling and, as response, he puts out the flames. ]

He won't be alive to annoy us much longer.

[the flames are snuffed out, and felix is back to stalking on sound alone. without a target, his own magic stands no chance—and the light too dim to aim properly. as much as he's loathe to admit it, Joonghyuk might come in handy.]

Cast your magic on my sword.

[the laughter seems to briefly come from all sides—and then above. there's a sound, and several tree branches fall—or, it seems like tree branches, at first. when the moon's light glints off them, it's clear they're appendages—limbs—twisted and contorted.]

Quick. If we see him, we can kill him.

[ It isn't a bad idea, but the way Joonghyuk's face scrunches illustrates his thoughts. ]

... Abilities are strange here, as a warning.

[ Joonghyuk says during the reprieve. There isn't even a pause for Felix to rethink his command. Placing his hand over Felix's, lighting courses through metal... But it may also run along his body, shock, him and leave his hair standing on end, crunchy and frizzed.

It is up to you, but hey. The weapon is instilled with lightning. ]

[it absolutely courses through him, as he is holding a literal lightning rod, and his teeth clench as his body tingles. he couldn't let go of the sword if he tried, the electricity clamping his fingers around the handle in a vice grip.

but it's enough to work with, and he starts his search, the flickering light of the blade better than none at all. he swings it this way and that, listening to the sounds that come forth—and paying attention to when the laughter stops.

but puck keeps moving around, jumping here and there—and even felix is having a hard time keeping up with the movement. he can feel the same cramping his hand is undergoing creeping up his arm, and he slashes out in desperation—rewarded with a scream.]

Is that it?

[the lightning, at least, seems to think so, because the magic sputters out.]

[ Joonghyuk can't join Felix in pursuit because he had paralyzed himself somehow when imbuing the other man's blade. The Netherworld makes powers so volatile. Sulkily and angrily, he's stuck in place, dealing with the consequences of his power abuse. ]

Check for a body.

[ Double tap! Wait. That isn't important. That was definitely his Shadow guiding him, raising his paranoia towards Puck. There's a momentary pause as he rewires his mind. Objectives, objectives. ]

The lantern.

[ In the darkness, they receive woody creaks and crackles as response. The branches are moving their spider-line limbs and elongated fingers. ]

In a second.

[felix snaps it back because

he is also semi paralyzed from his stupid lightning sword idea.

...]

If the lantern is broken, does it count?

[the trees sure are. getting close. felix isn't super worried, though. they're trees. it's fine!]

[ Silence........................ As they're both paralyzed because of bad ideas. Let him think about it. ]

Technically, the original lantern was broken into parts already, right?

[ Despite what he says, there isn't a lot of confidence here. ]

Right.

[silence again. he's mulling it over.]

If we take the pieces back, they can repair it. [probably.] It just needs blood and bones. [or something.

he tries to wiggle a finger. hm.]

[ He grumbles as he tries to circle his arm and shoulder... Blood? Sure. Fine. Though he doesn't want to bleed to soothe the forest. Bones? ]

We can use the corpses.

[ There are some around. ]

So we gather that trickster's body, the lamp shards, and some of the stray corpses?

[this is an incredibly morbid conversation to be having. but felix has managed to start moving a hand, so he's feeling better about things. not all is lost, quest-wise.]

And I'd say any debt I owe you is erased.

Unless we want to bleed ourselves, we do need Puck or someone else.

[ This is kind of just normal for Joonghyuk. Eventually, with choppy jerks and writhes, his body is free and he makes way to one of the corpses. It's suspiciously dusted in blue... ]

How so?

[ Still an asshole despite this mildly pleasant encounter. ]

[he moves one foot, and then the other, but that's about as much as he gets this tag round. frowning, he points to the direction he perceives as having slain puck in.]

Over there.

[and without missing a beat,]

Because I'm the one that completed this mission.

With my assistance.

[ Specifics are important when it comes to exchanges and contracts, not that Felix is truly bound to any of it. Joonghyuk is just particular and adamant.

With his small piles of limbs in tow, he looks for fresh blood Felix pointed to and deposits it on the spot. The bones ignite softly, jumpstarting the process of creating a new lantern shard. If the dude is dead, cool. If he isn't, at least they got a nip. ]

Didn't you say earlier that I was not involved in whatever it was between you and Puck?

[ Set the situation for him to better understand the conditions here. ]

You involved yourself.

[he's just about got full range of movement back, now, and he stalks over to beside joonghyuk, and the blood and bone, which is now coiling together. puck looks... out. oh well. hopefully they could just take this back to the lady and be done with it all??]

And it was my idea that solved it. [and paralyzed us both] That should be worth a coat.

[ They should just kick Puck no i'm kidding. Joonghyuk eyes stay on the binding bone and blood which slowly forms into the shape of the lantern shard they saw earlier. It flashes a light, pulsing slowly, and blooms with whatever dark magic at work.

The trees have been slowly creeping on them with their long stretching branches closing the distance. Maybe they wish to steal Felix's candy cane. ]

You were taking too long. [ which just makes you rude yjh but okay ] You consider the coat a worthier debt than climbing onto a lifeboat?

[ When the artifact piece finalizes, Joonghyuk takes it. ]

[hands off his thighsweets trees]

You were too hasty. And that wasn't even your boat--hey!

[joonghyuk takes the lantern, and felix frowns, immediately tailing after his rude taller tsun twin.]

Give it here.

[as they walk, the trees stop waiting for them to notice them, and simply start attempting to grab at both of them. felix bats them away, like an annoyed cat. he's got bigger fish to fry.]

If anyone is going to turn it in, it should be me.

No one else claimed the boat, so it became mine.

[ That boat is still his to this day. He docked it somewhere like the possessive and greedy madman he is.

With a knife, he cuts the branches that try to barricade their way with sharp precision and carves their path back. Fortunately, he doesn't try to abandon Felix in the foray. ]

If you believe your debt is paid and this has become a joint effort, why does it matter who turns it in?

[ He doesn't sound against it, though... Just mildly annoyed. ]

That's not how possessions work--

[felix cuts himself off, literally and metaphorically, as the branches get a little too handsy. the sword isn't that good, though, so it takes a couple hacks to get through the live wood.

still, he keeps up, although this might just be because joonghyuk doesn't leave him behind.]

If you take that lantern, you agree we're even.

[their tone is nearly the same brand of vague annoyance, like two siblings bickering.]

[ Oh. Felix comes from a proper world where there are rules and laws... Joonghyuk takes note of that and pauses in his trek to turn back to him, staring. Thinking. Considering very carefully.

The knife stops running electricity out of caution so he doesn't shock himself again. Idly, he twirls it in his hand. ]

I accept.

[ They can be even. ]

[that was... surprisingly easy? he slashes another branch out of the way, and strides up to joonghyuk, hands on his hips.]

Good.

Then the next time we meet, let's duel.

[the blade in his hand hasn't escaped notice for the purpose of sparring.]

I'd like to see how else you use your beastly strength.

[ Oh. Felix doesn't even suspect that he might be thinking other things... This is a strange experience, but the duel part isn't surprising. He has seen his profile.

It would be a lie to say he isn't curious. ]

I don't only have strength. [ Just so Felix can stop thinking he's a musclehead. ] I'll need a sword first.

[ Sword bias. ]

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boarwitness - 2022-11-05 05:29 (UTC) - Expand

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