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Let's do the Test Drive Again
I. BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)
It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.
And then, it goes wrong.
The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.
So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—
You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.
I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
And then, it goes wrong.
The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.
So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—
You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.
I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
II. BOUGH-BREAKER, ROOT-QUAKER
There are new Shard-Bearers at the Tree of Life, and Yima has asked that their elders return to the Tree to greet them, to bring them forth and answer their questions. She warns that it will be unlike the last time, for the Dryad's presence has gone -- the root-caverns of the Tree are damaged, the previous actions of some of the Shard-Bearers have left it injured, blackened by ill intent. Be careful, Commune where you must, but be aware that the Tree has reacted to its injury and will seek out the space within your Communions to make its agonies known.
All will experience the consequences to the actions of the few.
Whether awakening within or descending once more into the cavernous, root layer of the Tree of life is precarious; passages are maze-like, with claustrophobic squeezes and sudden chasms. Worse yet, is the miasma that hovers in the atmosphere. It leaches into your eyes, your skin, the space below your fingernails and drags through your lungs with every inhalation. Images of explosions, of fire and the sensation of shrapnel tearing through you begin to spark like fireworks within your mind. The pain builds, souring as it does.
The ambiance here is revolting. Great chasms have opened in the environment, threatening to pour inattentive Shard-Bearers into the Tree's deeper underbelly. The cloying, dark vapors around everyone dull the senses, until those you may have entered with are gone, or perhaps new bodies have joined you in the rancid space. The miasma urges you towards your baser desires, your desperate violence, and even as the Tree's pain evokes a sense of desperate self-defense, your Shard warms upon your body.
Somehow, the Tree still seeks to Commune with all -- pressing its need upon you: a single flame. A roaring pyre. A chilled ember.
All will experience the consequences to the actions of the few.
Whether awakening within or descending once more into the cavernous, root layer of the Tree of life is precarious; passages are maze-like, with claustrophobic squeezes and sudden chasms. Worse yet, is the miasma that hovers in the atmosphere. It leaches into your eyes, your skin, the space below your fingernails and drags through your lungs with every inhalation. Images of explosions, of fire and the sensation of shrapnel tearing through you begin to spark like fireworks within your mind. The pain builds, souring as it does.
The ambiance here is revolting. Great chasms have opened in the environment, threatening to pour inattentive Shard-Bearers into the Tree's deeper underbelly. The cloying, dark vapors around everyone dull the senses, until those you may have entered with are gone, or perhaps new bodies have joined you in the rancid space. The miasma urges you towards your baser desires, your desperate violence, and even as the Tree's pain evokes a sense of desperate self-defense, your Shard warms upon your body.
Somehow, the Tree still seeks to Commune with all -- pressing its need upon you: a single flame. A roaring pyre. A chilled ember.
THE GAME IS AFOOT
The Tree of Life cannot communicate but in abstract images and sounds, but the general gist of its need is eventually grasped by all Shard-Bearers: the miasma present is the result of an attack upon the Dryad that once lived among the roots of the Tree. Actions taken by other Shard-Bearers have left the Tree in dire straits, deeply wounded and unable to prevent itself from naturally lashing out in its own defense as it dies. It cannot let go of those it has imprisoned, until they have revealed their nature to it - until it knows it can finally, finally let go.
Characters can decide amongst themselves how to deal with the threat of miasma. It's easy to figure out, as your shards will naturally want to absorb what's similar to discord within your shards, but just like with discord, holding hands, or joining together in some way will allow the pain to be shared amongst everyone in the group. There's no such thing as failure, but if a character decides for the group, there may be the opportunity for intervention…
Characters can decide amongst themselves how to deal with the threat of miasma. It's easy to figure out, as your shards will naturally want to absorb what's similar to discord within your shards, but just like with discord, holding hands, or joining together in some way will allow the pain to be shared amongst everyone in the group. There's no such thing as failure, but if a character decides for the group, there may be the opportunity for intervention…
- Characters may choose to take on the role of a martyr, accepting the Tree's miasma ( its pain ) upon themselves as the sole sufferant. They will experience excruciating pain and lasting effects, but will spare others from this trauma.
- Characters may also choose to share the pain among themselves, though doing so will require Communion to be shared between all parties -- this will result in the temporary collapse of boundaries and barricades, and emotions and memories may flow against their will into others.
- Characters may also decide to do nothing at all, whereupon their decision to take no action will result in the miasma growing stronger, denser and more cloying until they are rendered unconscious and ejected from the roots of the tree.
- Have you a choice unique to your character that wasn't mentioned? Might you try to heal the tree's pain, or perhaps harm it further? If you're making the attempt, make sure your group is aware and submit your record of action to the link included below!
III. TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY BUT WE ALL KNOW YIMOMMY'S WHERE IT'S AT
Having just celebrated the dual-natured festivities known as the Year's End Festival and Qiasu, Springstar and Highstorm ( respectively ) are wrapping up the period of time where Kenos a celebrates unity and togetherness, coming together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time. While the core festivities are over, many of the residents of Kenos are still caught up in the celebratory mood; those who are not, have begun to fret and whisper about a rumor that has spread throughout both cities.
( Many more residents are attempting to get rid of their excess stock, and may attempt to pawn off kitschy goods and, strangely, unclaimed gifts for people they claim they have no memory of, or simply do not exist. )
With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well. After all, the year's end is still lingering in the air, and cooperation is the current name of the game.
( Many more residents are attempting to get rid of their excess stock, and may attempt to pawn off kitschy goods and, strangely, unclaimed gifts for people they claim they have no memory of, or simply do not exist. )
With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well. After all, the year's end is still lingering in the air, and cooperation is the current name of the game.
SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος
In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds.
Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare common to Springstar's warmer climate -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, a series of meze platters and souvlaki skewers have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is light, ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings.
Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare common to Springstar's warmer climate -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, a series of meze platters and souvlaki skewers have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is light, ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings.
HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы
Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Here, formality is of utmost importance, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface.
There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands.
There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands.
RUMOR MILL
In both locations information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once the meet-and-greet has concluded, twin missives from both of the faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond.
No matter how conversations between player characters go, everyone will walk away with the following knowledge to ensure new players do not feel "behind" in terms of what has previously happened on Kenos TV.
No matter how conversations between player characters go, everyone will walk away with the following knowledge to ensure new players do not feel "behind" in terms of what has previously happened on Kenos TV.
- Cyrus, the head of the Meridian faction is a native aristocrat of Springstar, who provides characters with an iliachtida, or sunbeam. This item tethers a character to their world, ensuring it does not fully disappear. His stance involves the idea that, using Meridian's light, worlds can be restored and you may return home.
- In contrast, the head of the Zenith faction is Yima, who has been the head of Highstorm since - arguably - its inception. She provides characters with a Shard of that they love most, to protect and hold. Yima believes former worlds to be lost, and looks to the future instead.
- While Harmonization occurs as the characters' Shard ( literally the manifestation of a character's soul! ) accrues the natural energies generated by Meridian or Zenith, Discord is also as natural an occurrence -- a symptom, in fact, of that process. Discord is best reduced by someone from the opposite faction, and is also influenced by the Aspect of one's character.
Cyrus likes enchiladas.- Many individuals recommend the following locations to new arrivals, as a means of enjoyment, involvement or further information-seeking: Highstorm's Court at Yima's Manor remains a great area for reflection and self-discovery, while the Tomes - a series of libraries - possess a magnitude of amassed knowledge, both foreign and relative to yourself. Heliopolis, the capital of Springstar, is the core of government and administration, and houses many avenues towards involvement in the goings-on of the city. Likewise, the Psychagogía District is the beating heart of entertainment within an island known for its passions.
- Rumors of past exploits linger on the lips of many. Did you know that one of Meridian's Harmonized slew one of Zenith's before the eyes of countless bystanders? That there was an expedition of Meri and Zenite Shard-Bearers dispatched to Alenroux, and some came back brutalized! Did you hear that the Shard of a Zenite is being held hostage by the Meridians?
- The new marking that has appeared upon your character's body is known as their sign of Aspect, and supposedly correlates to the fundamental truths of their soul. A Shard also exists, and is known as the characters' soul itself.
NOTES
no subject
However, he doesn't sneer at the man's previous occupations. There is a certain politician in his own world that he would never want to get on the wrong side of, even if the man may never raise a blade to fight him. May? Ah, will never. Still, that old man was someone to never cross needlessly. ]
I don't have any recommendations of better drink save for one after a battle. [ Hmmm. ] These complaints of yours... it's because you have other issues eating away at your heart, right? And this is the only thing that you can lash out at? Forgive me if I'm wrong... but well, don't forgive me.
Since I'm saying that you're better than a man that whines about wine. [ And he chuckles to himself. ]
no subject
(his heart would do him more good carved out of his chest so that he may turn it over in his hands to find the error in its construction.
it matters not. what matters is that this man attempts to read him and fails, and that's not his fault. they've only just met, so it can't be made to be easy.)
I told you to stop making presumptions, yet you carry on with it. It's possible we have nothing to say to one another, as I am clearly no better than a man who whines about wine.
Tell me something. (the subject change is blunt, voryn unforgiving. just what flamebringer ordered.) What are you?
no subject
Well, this is probably why he was never brought on diplomatic sit-ins; he even recalls being yelled at when he first appeared at Rhodes Island for not comprehending the difficult situation he started by starting a fight with Reunion while having a contract with them.
Hm, whatever. ]
A wandering swordsman. Even more wandering now that my world is gone.
no subject
(of course, he can't conceive of someone not having strong ambitions. without his own, he'd decay alongside his skills.)
It is perhaps the Meridian faction's deceit, but they have decided that our worlds can be saved. Will you try to restore your own?
no subject
[ For such a heavy answer, he gives a shrug of his shoulders immediately after like it is no big deal. ]
I will try, but it's only because I'm still under contract.
[ He cheekily replies as he opens one hand in surrender. Since he's already failed at diplomacy, it seems only right to just speak his mind. Of course, that is a lie; he doesn't favor his contract so much that he would continue to listen to it.
No, he favors the person far too much to not do his part to restore the world. Look at that. I finally found a cause to spill my blood for, and it is only because you would want the world to be brought back. He smiles. Laugh at me, won't you? I'd like to hear your laughter sometime. Maybe in my next dream? ]
no subject
(deeply judgemental and set in his ways, voryn does not let up. the bad wine is drunk slowly and with a pointed look away, wielded as a tool to demonstrate his lack of interest.
POLITICIANS.)
Typically, you explain what it is you mean or elaborate in other ways if it's a matter you do not wish to discuss, but perhaps I expect too much of you people.
no subject
He can't help but smile upon hearing that phrase. If he was any other Sarkaz, he might have taken offense, but since he is him; he can only laugh a little at the response that he gets. ]
If you're curious what that means, you don't have to be so cute about it.
no subject
(his head tilts enough that black hair, previously wet from a bath and drying in larger volume without a comb to pull through it, slips from his shoulder. the sap sensation from being birthed beneath the tree of life still clings to him despite it being scrubbed away from his body until ashen skin flushed.
his expression is apathetic, but when he speaks, his words are quieter, slower.)
I thought I made myself clear. I do not know what contract you have entered into. If you explain it to me, I will listen. And if you choose not to explain it, say something else.
This is the way of conversation.
no subject
[ He takes a moment to flash a fairly sincere smile before his expression sinks into a more arrogant sly grin. ]
Anyway... it's a contract like any other, I suppose. Written on paper and agreed to by all people involved. [ Like that is all that it is. ] It connects me to a certain organization and because it was officially terminated, I consider it my duty to continue to honor it.
That's all there is to it.
no subject
(ykinmk flamebringer
the contract sounds interesting. though the explanation is still vague enough to stay neutral, voryn can make suppositions from it, and that makes him ease back in his seat to air his wine with a swirl.)
It is honourable that you choose to go this far for people that are dead. Do they mean something significant to you or do you have no ambitions left to turn to in life?
no subject
[ Another smile comes and goes.
He lifts his glass up to him like they are making a deal with one another before drinking down half of the wine in the cup. Flamebringer is glad to do so, since it gives him time to formulate an answer to the question. ]
It's a matter of pride. I gave them my word and they did nothing to incite an act of betrayal from me. [ Setting the cup down, he runs his finger along the edge he did not drink from as he continues: ] So, I can't go breaking my contract without good reason.
The world I lived in was quite chaotic. Oftentimes, contract holders would be killed in order to cause a break in a contract. But [ He lifts his finger up. ] that should really only be if the wording says it is broken upon the death of one of them. [ And he sticks his finger in his mouth, sucking off whatever is on there. ]
no subject
(interesting. for him to lose everything and still adhere to his own personal credo is impressive. voryn doesn't expect much from others, generally having a low opinion of them from the outset, but this is a step in a better direction.)
It is honourable that you choose to refrain from it, but some contracts are forever. What will you do if your world or your contractors are unable to be restored?
no subject
If it turns out that they cannot be restored, wouldn't that mean I've been lied to? Let's hope that the people are being at least a little bit truthful. Because if they're lying to me, then they're lying to quite a few others, right?
[ Flamebringer pauses to glance out toward the rest of the little party. He lets his eyes roam over those that are being given favorable attention, and hums yet again. ]
I get the feeling that I'm not the only one who would burn things to the ground if it all turns out to be lies.
no subject
(but the thing with lies is that they are all clues to something greater, something hidden.)
There is no such thing as honest people, honest governments, or honest gods. And you cannot walk out your door without being lied to at least once in the period of a day. But understanding that that is simply the way of things is important, as is balancing yourself so as not to become paranoid.
no subject
[ And he is the one that said that anyone could be their enemy in the future. Indeed, he sees everyone as someone that will be a future problem. Or rather, he used to easily see such betrayals.
Could it be spending so much time at Rhodes Island had dulled his suspicions? Even though Rhodes Island was the one that betrayed him first? Even though every single last one of them wants to pretend it didn't happen. ]
All right, all right. I admit I was wrong. I let my mouth run a little more than I should because I forgot something important. [ Or rather, he too started pretending that it never happened in the first place. ]
no subject
(it leaves a question unanswered, however, which he is quick to try to remedy.)
What did you forget?
no subject
[ And he tilts his head a little bit back as he flashes an arrogant smile. But there is some honest sincerity in his thank you. He appreciates that Voryn does not posture after Flamebringer admits to being wrong. Well, posture anymore than any politician postures, anyway. ]
Since I'm learning from you, Voryn, I'll say that isn't anything I want to talk about. And we can move on from there, hm? [ But where to move onto? ] Have you ever killed anyone?
no subject
his )
Certainly, (he says, an answer to both flamebringer's desire to change the subject and the question he's asked.) I have killed many. Campaigns of foreigners and traitors had to be halted to prevent the sullying and claiming of my province.
War is war... Why do you ask?
no subject
[ But his tone is less joking and more empty. It's the tone of someone who has fought a battle for their land and failed. ]
Merely curious. I'm happy to hear that a politician like yourself got to enjoy the taste of that carnage. [ So he hopes. ] Most nobles just buy their men to do the killing for them.