(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.

[groundrules]

To confirm: does communing with the tree in any way attack or change the tree? Does it involve behaviour the tree could interpret as hostile, beyond inquisitiveness?

[bearshermark]

No! Unless it perceives questions and concerns or the touch of his energy as threatening/invasive, no harm or changes would come to the tree itself from Eleven's side.

[groundrules]

Sure, then, commune with the tree outside of its working (night) hours.

On a deep search, Eleven can sense that the tree itself doesn't regulate birth and death, as much as it's been impregnated with the residual energy of both processes happening very often in its vicinity.

[bearshermark]

Wonderful. That should mostly satisfy this not-druid's efforts for now.

[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!

[royal_venant]

This is a fair question!

Regulus would be looking for a few things:

1. Why the forest people hate the lake so much
2. Anything more about Anurr - who is he, why do the forest people revere so much

Right now those are the two things his curiosity is acquainted with.

Can I reserve the question of 'What can he find out via this method?' for later plot developments as his curiosity and knowledge grow?

[groundrules]

So, he'd be able to glean that the forest people don't hate the lake itself as much as they do the body within it.

As for Anurr, he was of the people, a chieftain of old who earned his title following his trial and ruled the forest people in their increasing conquest and liaison with the urban folk. He led fairly and defended them against invaders, from the many merchants come from the east to the city people who broke from the forest and sought to live according to new, perverted ways. Later, he also held his ground against Unhalad.

[groundrules]

.............by the way.

Our resident Five captured a forest person and is keeping them captive in the farmhouse. If Regulus wants to... conduct further 'questioning' of one, perhaps. Engage..........

[royal_venant]

Plans are in motion /eyebrow wiggle

[royal_venant]

So, to follow up now about Five and his captive forest person.

We've reached a point in the log, where we need to ask for your direction on what information will Regulus learn based off the questions Five wants him to ask in this log.

[groundrules]

Absolutely, sure! Based off the last tag (but let me know if I missed any):

Why were they keeping Regulus hidden?
Protection, so he didn't head into Unhalad's mines.

Were they looking for more newcomers?
No, babysitting is a rough gig!

What does he mean by the wind?
The wind element of nature, and the voices in it.

[royal_venant]

In light of how the thread has developed: https://westwhere.dreamwidth.org/5707.html?thread=536139#cmt536139

What kind of answer would they get with the question Five has asked in the last tag?

[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.

[descendency]

What if he tries to summon memories of how the man got to the bottom of the lake? Things he's proud of, things he regrets. I shouted over at Kalyn and she said Vanya can hold the water for 20+ minutes which should be plenty of time.

[groundrules]

That sadly wouldn't be accessible to the man himself, he's been dead and abused too long.

[descendency]

Alas. It was worth a shot. Could it be that daddy dearest has an actual ounce of decency?

[groundrules]

He is aware of what he's doing!