WEEKS 7 & 8

[linkupmods]

WEEKS 7 & 8

THE SEASONS TURN...

Time really passes, doesn't it? Before you know it, you're halfway through the time that the goddess Braphine has promised that you'll be here, your home away from home. You are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, maybe, even through all the challenges and eventful (!) twist and turns that have followed you through your stay here. Surely there can't be anything else lurking in the wings, right?

Through the efforts of all of Braphine's chosen, the city definitely is starting to feel a little bit cheerier, in contrast to the temperatures that are starting to cool as the seasons in Sunset City turn and the leaves change their colour. The Shopping District and the Entertainment District look and feel decidedly more warm, and a quick trip into the Nekyia also show that the haze has cleared from both districts, with the Shadows lurking much fewer in number.

Further exploration will find that the haze has thinned to explorable levels in the Nekyia Fashion District - there are Shadows to be cleared, after all. Maybe if you are lucky, they might drop you a little something in reward for your efforts.

DO YOUR PART FOR CHARITY!

On Saturday, there's a notice pinned in the lobby of the dormitory:

CHARITY EVENT FOR THE TEMPLE OF BRAPHINE
9/21
FLEA MARKET AM
FORMAL MASQUERADE BALL PM
Come and support the temple when we need it most!



Yes, you read that right: There will be a Charity Event for the Temple of Braphine, hosted by no one other than her devoted followers. They sent this over to the dorms to request the Chosens' assistance, it seems, and as the flyer says, this is an all-day event to take place on September 21st.

In the morning, there will be a Flea Market! There's a note from the hosts that they'd like the Chosens to either find a vendor to assist, provide entertainment, or participate as vendors in the Flea Market. At night, a ball will be held with live music, dinner, refreshments, and an open dance floor for all. They are not asking for your assistance with the ball, however; rather, you are automatically invited as esteemed guests and are encouraged to dress your finest for the occasion!

Given that this isn't for another week, however, it is highly encouraged that you shop around to find an outfit you'll look snazzy in for the ball. You can also start preparing merchandise to sell; or maybe, perhaps, you'd like to save that street performance for the Flea Market? Either way, you've got a long week ahead of you…

…but it won't be all rainbows and sunshine.

KEEP DREAMING.

Late into the night on Saturday, you will dream. What that dream consists of varies with each individual, but you will have one, even if you've never dreamed before. This dream could be a core memory, or perhaps about something you've always wanted, your worst fear...the list goes on.

The next day, anyone who enters the Nekyia will find that, aside from the strange "Palaces" that have popped up, things aren't right yet again…but for an entirely different reason. No matter where you are, you enter the Nekyia to a hallway full of dressing rooms. It's a fairly long hallway, because venturing down it will eventually lead you to a door that has your name on it.

Why don't you journey there and find out what awaits?

–

After seeing "Sayaka" and finding your door, you'll find something even more strange.

That dream you had last night? Well, it's here. Your dream may manifest as a small, contained landscape from your dream; a creature that you may have dreamt of might be scurrying around; another version of you, different from a Shadow; or you could be unlucky and have one of your memories on full display for everyone to see.

This phenomenon will last for the next two weeks, and dreamscapes will shift with the different dreams characters have. It won't be a one and done ordeal, unfortunately…but there is, perhaps, a way you can stop it.

(OOC: Sayaka's top level is NOT time sensitive, nor is it a mod-run event. This can be treated like a regular top level to be tagged at your own pace!

Please see the "A Dream Unraveled" commission for some details on what's causing the dreamscapes to appear! Welcome to your dreamwalking/memory share event!)

WEATHER FORECAST

Temperature: hot and humid, but gradually getting cooler! Surprise showers may occur during these two weeks when you least expect it, so stay sharp and don't get drenched!

Characters who journery into the Nekyia when it is raining may find HP-restoring items dropped during combat with Shadows.

COMMISSIONS

REAL WORLD COMMISSIONS

BATTLE OF THE BRANDS

Two boutiques on Amaranth Avenue have been at war with each other - figuratively, at least. The sweet lolita brand Cookies for Mice and the punk brand Panthera Punks started out merely vying for advertising space, but have now been taking rather pointed pot shots at each other in their marketing. As the shops are across from each other, it’s plain to see the owners are taking it personally as they can’t seem to stop glaring at each other from across the road. Won’t somebody help mediate before it escalates any further…?

AN ALTERNATIVE CANVAS

Up-and-coming makeup artists are looking to land a job with a new makeup brand in the area, and their final test: finding a model (or two) to model their work and prove their skill. Characters will find that these artists are on the prowl for willing (or not so willing) faces - but at least you’ll be compensated for your patience as they endeavor to make you look your best?

FISHY FUN FASHION

Saffron Street has been chosen to host a highly regarded fashion show! The theme: aquatic life. They need models of all sexes and sizes to walk the runway in ethereal clothing that brings to mind deep sea creatures like bioluminescent jellyfish, or even angler fish! For those who are not brave enough to walk the walk, volunteers are needed to help maintain the large, specially made tanks the city’s aquarium has generously lent out for the occasion. The tanks are full of friendly fish and plant life to create the perfect backdrop for the show! …You know how to use diving gear, don’t you?

NEKYIA COMMISSIONS

THE LION AND THE MOUSE

She thinks she’s so great… I’ll show her! We don’t need her prissy, holier-than-thou attitude around here! We’ll see how she behaves when her shop’s reduced to shreds…

It seems the owner of Panthera Punks having beef with the owner of Cookies for Mice isn’t just a real world problem - she has her very own Shadow in the form of a level 30 Narcissus. Take him on in battle and help to loosen its grip on her in reality before things get much, much worse.

HER HEART WON'T GO ON

How could he… After all I’ve done, after all the money I’ve spent… He leaves me behind for her?! I’ll make him pay… I’ll make them both pay!!

It seems one of the local models has had a rather nasty breakup, and the ex and other woman may end up suffering a rather harrowing fate if all these feelings of anger are left to fester… Characters who follow these angry rants will find themselves face to face with a Level 32 Leanan Sidhe, a jealous lover all too willing to enact a very real harm on those who wronged her. Fight back against the Shadow and teach her the value in moving on from a lover who was never worth her time to begin with.

A DREAM UNRAVELLED

Deep in the Nekyia, whispers and wails can be heard; a fashion designer bemoans their dearth of ideas, and hotly defends their choice to steal their designs instead. After all, this was their dream, and they can’t give it up now - no matter the cost.

Characters may find the Unfaithful Dream-King in a nest of collected dreams of the populace - including some of Braphine’s own chosen. He will be a powerful opponent for sure, but it seems solving this particular Shadow problem is the only way to ensure everyone can have a good night’s rest once more.

Once he is defeated, he will drop a rare item. Who knows, maybe this will help you in your journey ahead.

(OOC: Please turn in your threads for this commission on the rewards page to receive a stat boost item, valid for one time use during any battle.)

OOC

READ ME!!!!

Welcome to your log for Weeks 7 and 8! Feel free to use this log for any developments that happen during the next two weeks. There will be no log posted next week, but a top-level for the charity event will be posted instead on next Saturday!
For plotting, please feel free to head over to this post on the OOC comm to post your plotting top levels.
For Nekyia commissions, you can assume that the Shadows will respawn until they've been beaten enough times to go back to normal.
Don't forget that the deadline for applications and character swaps is on September 28!

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Comments

[prozaic]

[Bless Yi Sang for understanding and not judging him...

Unfortunately, Shalem is still a bit distracted, because he doesn't notice Narcissus getting so close until the Shadow is actually right there in front of them. The Magarula still misses both Shalem and Yi Sang though (3, 8), how did that even happen? Hello?]

Sir, you should take a step back! Thank you! [Shalem takes a step back and angles himself so he doesn't clip Yi Sang with a Giant Slice, but he definitely gets that Narcissus well (15).]

[idealitas]

[ How he missed we won't know... perhaps it's his self-centered nature? ]

--Ah.

[ He heard that warning thankfully to take a step back as instructed... he's sure that's meant towards him, and is grateful to not be struck by the slice. Unfortunately, when he tries to approach for a hit ( ...1 ), Narcissus spins and Yi Sang is smacked by a fluttering part of his robe that he slices at out of reflex. Not the greatest idea. ]

Just beyond my reach... What a fitting diversion

[ The damage done by both effective and ineffective slashes aren't gonna make the demon happy. His clothes! ]

[prozaic]

[Well, with Yi Sang out of the way, Shalem is the target, now-- which is exactly as the serpent wants because he knows he always must protect the healers first and foremost. He's a much better target-- for his side, and not for the enemy. He can either handle the hit, or dodge it entirely...

Though his dodging skill requires some more practice (10), because he's hit by the Narcissus' Nocturnal Flash. He tries to blink the spots out of his eyes and tries to take a swing... but of course, misses because of the Dizzy (2, 7).]

I hate this, I hate this... [He keeps getting this from Mokoi, now this twink??]

[idealitas]

[ Unfortunate... despite being the healer (or perhaps because of it, compared to defending), Yi Sang fares a bit better at dodging, perhaps by turning around in time (14, a decent roll so it's an evasion check now, I can read orz). His focus is on Shalem now, realizing his vision is impaired.]

Here, do not be discouraged.

[ He understands the frustration and the risks from experience... Hm. So Yi Sang has a Me Patra for Shalem. ]

I'll see to it these are treated promptly.

[prozaic]

Thank you. [Frankly, he'd rather have that Me Patra rather than any healing spell, because he's still on his feet even with the light sting the spell dealt to him.

And Yi Sang's assistance comes just in time, because Shalem is alert enough to not that the Narcissus is casting another Magarula at both of them... which forces the serpent to stand in front of the man in an attempt to shield him from the damage-- he fails (2), though the hit doesn't hurt that much, anyway (8). Hopefully it doesn't hurt Yi Sang as much... sorry for not being a good tank right now.]

[idealitas]

[ They can both take some hits, and better chances at DPS means pretty guy dies faster, which means we can count it as damage mitigation! Yi Sang is fine, on that note. He's quiet as braces for those harsh winds, arms in front of him. ]

I appreciate the shielding, but... Pardon me.

[ Unfortunately his single target spell and his melee attacks require getting in close... so he uses Rain in Motion to slip by Shalem's defensive stance and more fortunately, Narcissus's own defenses (19)! He lands in a good Curse-element stab before backing off. ]

[prozaic]

[Well it's not as if Narcissus can do anything much to them anymore... (2). That spell really did hit him hard! So Shalem takes advantage of this opportunity.

He gives a Lunge (13), it doesn't do much, but it's a hit, and he will take that.]

Keep going, he won't be able to hold on for too long.

[idealitas]

[ Yi Sang feels pretty encouraged by that...! Only to miss with his second attempt at a spell (8). An exhale. ]

...Using a skill with a spread for many targets is... Not advised on a lone piece. Alas.

[ RIP his Masukunda, dice rolls with math attached were not to be messed with this late. It requires a different kind of focus and better RNG. ]

You are correct though, he seems to be withering.

[ Meant metaphorically, but he's slouching and the flower on his head has lost quite a few petals... If Yi Sang can't get off the debuff, he'll opt stand back near Shalem again. Back to being support! ]

[prozaic]

[Fortunately for both Shalem and Yi Sang (or all three of them including Narcissus...?), Shalem can stave off his bloodthirst (3) thanks to these incredibly low rolls thanks to the fight just being... lowkey? despite all of these spells being flung about. No one needs to get shredded to pieces today.

Unfortunately it apparently also means that no one gets to land a damn hit today, because Shalem tries for another Lunge and just barely misses (10).]

We are apparently not at our best today. [Bit frustrated about that!]

[idealitas]

[ Yi Sang would have to have the empathy of a dead fish (dw jordi he's not talking about you) to not feel that frustration... He'll just reapply the Rakunda. In the chance one of them can hit the guy. ]

I suppose the winds of fortune do not look kindly upon us... He seems to be that element, after all.

[ Two mobage guys out of their element... He wants to clash against this jerk so bad. That's a bit more exciting. ]

[prozaic]

I don't see the correlation.

[So it seems dice roller is just a hater and Avrae got jealous Shalem tries not to get frustrated in general, but this is going on a bit too long, isn't it? How does someone in such close proximity to their target just miss like that?

And Shalem clearly lets it all out in a particularly strong Giant Slice (20) that swipes Narcissus so hard, he's thrown onto the ground... but is calm in the aftermath, even a little disappointed, likely because he just hasn't been feeling the fight from the beginning. Is this a good thing?]

[idealitas]

The... Do not worry about it. We should be finished soon.

[ With this (19) blessed upon him by the dice roller bit for once, Yi Sang is just running in to stab this fucker dead while he is down (I fucked up the bold html last tag so at least this is purposeful weeps). Assuming this is after Yoon's palace... His skill with the dagger tracks at least.

Yi Sang gets up from the ground when Narcissus vanishes. He stares at his hands and knife like the end result not as bloody or messy as he's used to... But turns to Shalem. ]

...You look troubled.

[prozaic]

I can hardly believe it was this simple. [Definitely troubled!] With the way our battle had been going, I was convinced we would need to spend more time fighting.

[So... was it truly that simple? He'll be waiting for the other shoe to drop until they're out of the Nekyia.]

[idealitas]

It can feel... odd like that, yes. If it was any longer however, it would be because our accuracy decided to fall to the wayside, rather than us lacking in skill or strength. That would be more of an exercise in patience.

[ A beat. He puts away his weapon for now.]

You did well anyway. Thank you.

[prozaic]

[Shalem sighs a little, then nods. He curls his tail around his staff, freeing up his hands, and gives his combat partner a bow, a hand on his chest. Like a gentleman thanking a dance partner before moving on to another.]

Thank you for your assistance.

[idealitas]

[ U-um! ]

You don't need to bow...

[prozaic]

[Shalem just smiles, gives him a nod, and then wanders off. He can't stealth away, he failed his stealth roll (2).]

[idealitas]

[ The dice letting down Shalem one last time... He gets an awkward wave as he leaves. Enjoy the rewards! ]