oblivium: (Default)
nightfell mods ([personal profile] oblivium) wrote in [community profile] logs2022-10-06 01:15 pm

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.

windsongs: (238)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-10-24 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh. Okay bet.

Well, she was only going to propel them a few meters at the most. But then he had to issue a clear challenge, one that the smaller blonde will meet with a shrug. She "revs" the engine once as a gust of wind whirls at their feet, lifting them slightly as the two hover before taking off.

They make it about a block before they come to a stop, and as they continue to hover, Hibiki looks at him with the biggest shit-eating grin. ]


And they don't call me Hurricane Hibiki for nothing!
invinciblemikey: (85)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-10-25 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
(hibiki is managing to pull parts of mikey he himself had buried, and well, it wouldn't be happening without the strange food they've being served. it's terrifying to let her see it, but you know? he's after-life fucked up. he'll regret it later. right now, he's just laughing and throwing his arms up as a teen would.)

That. Was. Awesome!!!
windsongs: (12)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-10-25 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ And that is exactly the kind of reaction she was going for! Man, weird drunken Mikey is the best!! ]

I know, right? Gets pretty good mileage too, and it's dirt cheap on fuel and maintenance!

[ Hibiki you're admitting to a lot more than you think you are with that joke ]
invinciblemikey: (8)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-10-26 01:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, Hibi-chan. That was really fun!

(and honestly, the most he has had in a decade that isn't Destructive. he'll pet her hair... good job, child...

he should stop seeing her.)
windsongs: (159)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-10-28 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ She blinks a few times as he suddenly pets her head. Even under the influence, that still manages to surprise her. ]

Hey, don't mention it, I had fun too, you know! Just wait until I can figure out the whole flying thing, then we'll really have a blast!
invinciblemikey: (Default)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-10-30 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
These things don't exist where I'm from. I think. I haven't seen anything like that.

(takemichi aside, but that's not the same as flight.)

You're cool.
windsongs: (57)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-01 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hibiki blinks owlishly at the compliment before smiling brightly. ]

Me? No way! More like a disaster. Hurricane Hibiki, at your service! But I guess if you think I am, I might be a little cool.

[ She laughs a bit, before something suddenly comes to mind. ]

Hey, what if sometime I could make you go fast like that without having you hang on to me? That'd be so cool to do with some of your moves. Wire fu'd have nothing on you!
invinciblemikey: (77)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-01 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Hah! The world would collapse like that.

(the ego never really changed, at least. it is what it is to know he's good, just as incredible in a fight as the streets tell him he is.)

... I don't think I'll be this happy any other time, so. Let's do it.
windsongs: (002)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-02 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She's not going to say anything about the happiness comment, because she doesn't want to bring the mood down. So she rubs her hands together instead. Yesss, this is gonna be good! ]

That's what I like to hear! Wanna head toward Serene? We should have plenty of space out there!
invinciblemikey: (Default)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-03 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Right now?! No, I want more happy food! Here or nothing!

(you're prying the drugs out of his cold, dead hands.)
windsongs: (046)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-06 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I mean obviously, same here! But we probably shouldn't be trying out moves with so many people around, you know?

[ Hibiki is all for figuring out whether she can fling this guy around, but not in a crowded area like this. ]
invinciblemikey: (4023036 (17))

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-06 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Lame, Hibi, lame.

(he even puffs his cheeks, clear childish manner.)
windsongs: (068)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-08 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh my god how is this stone-cold killer actually cute ]

Yep, totally lame! [ And yet she's still laughing. ] But I'm still trying to figure out how to make it work, so I wanna make sure we've got a lot of room to fling you around if I'm able to.
invinciblemikey: (Default)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-08 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
We can combo. With my kick and the flying, it's insta-K.O.

(NEW MARTIAL ARTS. FLYING HIGH KICK.)
windsongs: (126)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-08 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh my god that sounds amazing? ]

Let's make it happen! You gotta teach me how to do that kick sometime though. Like, I'm super light on my feet, but if I wanna hit hard I have to put some wind behind it.

[ ... ]

Wait. What if we make it into a double kick combo?
invinciblemikey: (Default)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-08 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Hell no! It's mine! Besides, my spine is made of jelly. You need absurd flexibility to do what I do, it's not about being fast... Only.

(look, a demonstration. his leg goes up behind his head, almost a 180-degree stretch.)
windsongs: (208)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-08 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What the fuck is that hip joint, Mikey??! ]

Oh my god, and I thought I was flexible! Are you triple jointed or something?

[ Okay, so no special kick, got it. How can she make a one-two combo work... ]

Maybe... I launch both of us, you kick from the flank and I come in from above and drive them into the ground? I guess it depends on how far you end up launch your opponent. Hmm.
invinciblemikey: (1)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-08 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't really know-- it's always been like this? It's like my joints are all wrong.

Works. I'm very physically strong.
windsongs: (30)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-10 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I can tell! I'm totally jealous, I wish I was that strong! It feels like you're in a whole other league.
invinciblemikey: (Default)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-10 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
This've been my whole life, you know... Even though - I'm not as strong as I used to be. I lost a whole lotta weight, which looks worse! Because even if I can do all these stretches, I don't grow an inch! It was all better proportioned back then.

(and here he is, now honestly in a cracking his joints mood. his elbows are on the ground, his back completely bent.

if hibiki wanted to know what the fuck, she can definitely use the happy drugs to have him talk.)
windsongs: (139)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-11 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
So what I'm hearing here is that we've gotta try whatever food people have brought over from their worlds. Oh! I bet I could totally adapt some of the stuff from the bakery. Wanna be a guinea pig?

[ She's not being remotely serious, but also Mikey please for the love of god eat something. Hibiki sits down on the ground right with him, not stretching (her joints don't crack that bad yet) but watching and grinning easily. ]

Well if you ever figure out how to grow, let me know. I swear I've been the same height since I was twelve, it sucks. [ A beat. ] So what kinda trouble did you get into back then? You had some guys you ran with, right?
invinciblemikey: (86)

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-11 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
... Sweet stuff? Yeah, I'd be down.

(crack, crack, crack, he grips onto his own ankles as he slowly resurfaces. ah, that's absurdly refreshing, and now his little arms are getting stretches, too.)

I've been the same height since that, too, and I'm 28. Mhm, back in the day... I had the Tokyo Manji, around that age. We ruled all of Shibuya. It was... Nice. We made it to the top, and then I disbanded us.
Edited 2022-11-11 15:51 (UTC)
windsongs: (128)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-11 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, got a sweet tooth huh? I can totally hook you up!

[ Sweets aren't really her thing, but she's spent enough summers helping out at her aunt's bakery that she's picked up a few recipes. It's just a matter of getting creative with the ingredients available. ]

Huh, I didn't think you were that older than me. [ Just a casual observation. ] Wow, all of Shibuya, really? You guys must've been huge! But why disband once yoy got what you wanted?
invinciblemikey: (4023036 (52))

[personal profile] invinciblemikey 2022-11-11 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, well. You're not the first one to doubt it in this place.

... And, we were. We were the most influential gang in Japan, and then, yeah. That was it.

(and some other bullshit.)
windsongs: (44)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-11-11 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Whoa, so you're kind of like royalty! I mean obviously, because of the whole yakuza thing. So you were like a high school gang? Was it one of those biker gangs or something else?

(no subject)

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