(no subject)

[groundrules]

THIS IS A MAN’S MAN’S MAN’S WORLD

But it wouldn't be nothing... nothiiiiiiiiiing... without a magical wombat or a talking caaaaaaaaaaarp!

Anurr’s emboldened followers begin to congregate more openly, as ruling warlord Unhalad’s forces within Sa-Haret begin to thaw literally and morale-wise. The port remains closed until 31 May, after which it re-opens with difficulty for limited periods. The supply shortages caused by the lack of seaborne imports leave some of Sa-Hareth's population more prone to impatience and violence, questioning Unhalad’s ability to provide. Perhaps some of the surplus farmhouse produce could assist? Careful how you interact in Sa-Hareth at this time! Tensions are running high, and even a casual, ill-considered comment could get unfortunate characters briefly imprisoned by Unahalad’s forces under suspicion of fraternising with Anurr.

A group of young men from Sa-Hareth sets out in the wilderness to meet with their counterparts from the forest people. They all pledge to prove their worth before Anurr over the next few days. Characters are welcome to join, but should prepare to pretend deep interest in Anurr’s cause. Those who have previously imbibed the fabled brew that shares Anurr’s strength will be willingly embraced by the group. Once deep in the woods, characters can encounter traces and even members of the secretive, if not entirely unapproachable forest people — which number both regular humans and those who have been incompletely touched by the same unyielding cold presence as Anurr’s undead. The forest people will look scantly dressed for the weather, speaking among themselves in a clever, bird-like dialect that the quartz pieces struggle to translate. Very few will take questions. By midday, the convoy will be brought before an ancient, eerie and resistant tree that emanates a cold aura. Necromancers and magically sensitive characters may sense death and birth both attached to it. The tree is scarred with marks of chaffing from where the forest people proudly proclaim previous challengers were bound to its bark to withstand the same trials as did Anurr. Stepping closely to the tree will reveal glass and silvered mirror shards at its thickened roots, sufficiently dirtied to suggest they were deposited some time ago. The tree bark also shows nail and teeth marks.

Characters will be invited to take some of the trials inspired by Anurr’s feats. Participation is optional but rewarded. The various tasks on offer: riddle-me-this (SIGN-UPs): deep in the forest lies a small pond, barely the length and width of ten paces. To the burn of a day-long incense stick, an ancient koi carp will peer its head out every two hours and ask those who have gathered for one riddle from each member or from groups. If they can present a riddle the carp hasn’t heard, it will give characters the answer to one burning question, about the past, present or future — or they can take another turn, two hours later! This trial proves the wit of Anurr. trial by magical wombat (MORE SIGN-UPs): in one of the tundra meadows, the forest dwellers will summon forth an oversized arctic, peaceful wombat to test challengers for tactical brilliance akin to that of Anurr. To win the trial and be granted one minor wish, characters have thirty minutes to protect an apple in their keep and seize a bell the wombat wears as its collar. It is recommended to work in pairs, but careful! If the wombat steps on your shadow, it will paralyze you in place and approach to claim its apple prize. a night alone (SIGN-UPs, WITH FEELING): characters may agree to be chained in pairs (with other characters or NPCs) for one night, testing themselves for Anurr’s fortitude. This will be a particularly gruesome experience, subjecting characters to the intense cold, wind voices that madden and question them, along with visits from Anurr’s dead, who might taunt or mark them. By sunrise, if they are particularly suffering, they might hear a lone, bell-like voice asking, What would you give to be avenged?

These events are set to cover the period of 30 May - 10 June, though feel free to pick and choose whether your character will get involved with any of the trials, study the woods and forest people, help out Sa-Hareth locals or, well. Nap. Plot out character involvement to your hearts' content below, but make your own posts/logs, please! General questions not linked to the trials here!

Comments

GENERAL QUESTIONS

[groundrules]

[bearshermark]

birth and death

WELL! Someone is going to become very attached to this tree very quickly and want to spend a lot of time attempting to commune with it.

Um. Y/N?

[groundrules]

Can you refresh me — what does communing involve for Eleven?

[bearshermark]

Sure! I just got excited.

In his game, as Yggdrasil's Chosen (the Luminary), Eleven can commune with the roots of Yggdrasil by holding his marked hand out to it. In DQXI, the mark glows and the root grants him (and usually nearby party members) relevant visions of the past meant to guide him- things that happened in the vicinity of that root. Only once has it actually sent him into the past (v temporarily!) to actually speak to people in that time.

Ehm, without going into extreme spoiler territory, he speaks to Yggdrasil herself end-game.

So, Eleven's intent here, seeing and feeling a cycle of birth and death in a way very similar to Yggdrasil, he's going to try his hardest to commune with it. Concerned about the state of the region being overrun by undeath, if the tree is meant to regulate the cycle of life and death. Worried its power might be waning and wanting to help. Wondering if this tree is a connection to Yggdrasil he could foster after She fell in his own world. Would literally try to pour his soul into it to make that connection.

[jeoha]

"Those who have previously imbibed the fabled brew that shares Anurr’s strength will be willingly embraced by the group."

he didn't take the draught but does this include lee chang

[groundrules]

Lee Chang is excused this time!

Re: GENERAL QUESTIONS

[royal_venant]

I thought about asking this on his arrival tag, but figured it might be better here so others can see.

What would happen if Regulus used his magic 'mind reading' (leglimens) abilities on the forest people? Would he learn anything useful from them that way?

[groundrules]

What would he be looking for?

I think the one drawback of legilimency is — you need 'common ground' or to know what you're looking for. So you'll have to give me more to work with!

[descendency]

dont know if im in the right place but hey can Mingyu try to rip some memories/experiences from the lake corpse before five re-murders it? he wasn't curious but now the merchant wants it dead so his interest is piqued.

[groundrules]

Sure, assuming the water can be held out of the way long enough for Mingyu to work his magic!

By now, like Lily during her arrival, Mingyu should be able to feel that the man hurts, subjected to a constant state of agony. In addition to physical pain, he is cycling through some of the memories characters might have experienced if they were lured into the lake at night time, within days of their arrival at the farmhouse. He will also have a residual memory of Lily, or anyone who's spent a night in the lake more recently.

TRIALS

[groundrules]

RIDDLE-ME-THIS

[groundrules]

They see me carpin', they hatin'...

[weifinder]

Who else wants to tickle a koi's fancy, huh? This is perfect for everyone who is or seems like a smartass, come on, you know you wanna!

Re: RIDDLE-ME-THIS

[royal_venant]

Who wants to riddle the fish with Regulus?

[weifinder]

WOULD THIS RIDDLE CARPE DIEM?

The pluck of devils to repress in influence it abounds,
Like bound silk is its frame, and like thunder its breath resounds.
But one report rattles, and men are lost in fear and dread;
Transformed to ashes, it’s what time to see you turn the head. –by Jia Yuanchun

[lancifolium]

For carp stumping purposes before I forget again:

I can paint pictures,
I can mend clothes
I go under and over
And bring things to a close

My parents are trees
My sisters are with me
When we're finished
We'll give you a story

I have roots but no branches
I illuminate without light
I roll off your tongue,
I'm a man's peace of mind

TRIAL BY MAGICAL WOMBAT

[groundrules]

I got nothin'.

[scrapgege]

So who wants to come yeet a wombat with Xie Lian? He can probably actually lift the thing and throw it.

A NIGHT ALONE

[groundrules]

What a perfect romantic view!

[scrapgege]

And Lianlian might come along to support someone being chained to the tree, too!

Re: A NIGHT ALONE

[corvis]

What do they get for surviving this trial? A wish like the other two?

[jeoha]

Yeah, yeah he is gonna do this.



and probably not tell the people who would tell him not to do it so

who wants to go get tied up to a tree with him

if no takers then ylsa immediately draws the short straw

[binghua]

Listen, if he's going down this whole Anurr rabbit hole, he might as well go big or go home.







Yeah they can't go home, so.

no one is at risk of getting their arm detached, are they

[downswing]

...yeah, okay. I might have him jump on someone for this.

Re: A NIGHT ALONE

[soulsrob]

is it too late to sign up for this bc Winnie would think it seems like fun, possibly after going out to bring jiang cheng some booze.

do the voices like poems and stories?

bc she's gonna babble poems and stories for them