(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

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!

[lancifolium]

Pure of heart, smart of ass reporting for duty?

[weifinder]

young lady Evans, let's riddle the heck out of a massive koi!

[lancifolium]

Heck yes! You might say we're going to make that koi fish for answers.

[weifinder]

we may offishally say we're gonna carp-e diem ask over this pond--

I'm going to try and get some stuff up tonight, would you like me to kick us off the and we can riddle the fish?

[lancifolium]

That would be spectacular! If I'm not able to get to it this evening (today was a beast and my bed is already calling me) I will definitely be all over it come tomorrow. You could say I'll sashimi my way over even.

[weifinder]

all right! so we have at least one riddle to stump the koi, did you have a question lily would want to ask?

wei wuxian's suggestion would be: who should we trust to get all of us out of this region and eastward alive

... because if they're already asking a riddling carp things why not go full in

or! he can say asking what The Merchant's gains are out of helping them out... he'll try not to be offhand because that'll be how the wombat went for him!

[lancifolium]

You read my mind, I've been pondering this same issue. So on the bright side, we get two questions since one of my riddles stumped the koi. Since Lily hasn't been here long and thus isn't aware of the specific details of everything beyond Karsa's intro and the little bits she's managed to pick up from people she would probably stick to what's striking her as most important about the information she does have, something like:

Where in the east do we have to go to get home?

For the same reason, how often do you best a magic carp and get the chance! I really like both of your questions, though Lily doesn't know enough about The Merchant to really advocate for that option if asked.

On a semi-related note, I'm not sorry that she's going to try and high-five him when they beat the carp.

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

[groundrules]

I was going to ask if it's a dragon, but I looked it up after, and no — so I guess you win! What burning question do you have for our friend, the carp?

[weifinder]

Okay so after Much Discussion™, Wei Wuxian's question posed post riddle is along these lines:

"Who should we trust to get all of us out of this region and eastward alive?"

Which he's not expecting much back on but if they're going to ask a magical koi something and assume it has an Anurr bias, why not? (Otherwise at this point he might have asked What Is Anurr but hey.)

[groundrules]

To confirm: will it be Wei Wuxian who asks this?

[weifinder]

Yes, this is specifically being asked by Wei Wuxian!

[groundrules]

"Wei Wuxian, These waters are cold. Will you first sink your hand in and turn the ice away, and make them warm for me?"

[weifinder]

Wei Wuxian breathed out in a huff of laughter before he knelt, shaking his head. "What, did Lan Zhan tell you about my water trough adventures?"

Senseless statement without context, but in his pause to take out a small knife and cut the tip of a finger, enough to start bleeding. Lo! Behold a warming talisman, drawn in blood! Then a hand shoved in with a warming quartz as well. "Like this?"

... Yes, so, bleeding into the koi's waters, how's that for Anurr's wit.

[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

[groundrules]

Are you a brush?

[lancifolium]

Oops sorry I should have numbered them. It's three riddles.

[groundrules]

Pick one!

First one's needle.

Second's page or paper.

Last one, sunflower.

[lancifolium]

Wait wait I can read. Let's go with the last as my pick.

[groundrules]

.......was that the only one I got wrong.

[lancifolium]

The chaos of this thread is killing me, apologies again for not double-checking the parameters. You actually got the first and the third wrong

The first was a stitch, the third was a word.

[groundrules]

Fair, go with #3. Stitch and needle are same principle, tho stitch doesn't go under...

Fine, you guys get another question.