kenosooc | MARCH TDM + SETTING UPDATES

Entry tags:

MARCH TDM + SETTING UPDATES

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.

TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY

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.

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 typical 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.

However, those who have attended the forum in the past or simply have a sharp eye may notice: food doesn’t flow as freely in a feast-like setting as before. It’s more subdued in presentation and portion because as you may hear, the Blight (see below) is an affliction that’s been affecting the food stores of Springstar and Highstorm both. The Meri are nervous about this and blame it on the Zenites since they had won the Oracle on the Scorching Isles (January's event) and with it, punished the Meridian, even if unintentionally. As such, those who are notable Zenites or who wear their allegiance openly may not be treated as kindly. The military also seems to be more present at the forum. These two things are related, as it turns out, because only a few days after the new Shard-Bearers arrive, an invasion will begin.

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Formality is of utmost importance here, 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.

The mood of Highstorm is subdued as always, but still seems to be pleasant and joyous thanks to claiming the Oracle in the Scorching Isles. The Blight may be affecting the city and causing plants and the like to die, but there’s admittedly not much of it to be seen with Highstorm’s harsh winters. Maybe they’re not hit as badly as Springstar, or maybe they just haven’t noticed yet. Only time will tell. But regardless, notable Meri or those that wear their allegiance more openly will be treated politely, but perhaps with a little condescension. Highstorm is one step closer to winning than Springstar, after all.

para bellum (the occupation of alenroux)

A few days after new Shard-Bearers arrive, the word spreads quickly as the campaign begins: Meridian is invading Alenroux.

To those who have Harmonized with Meridian, they’ll be contacted by Cyrus through Communion 48 hours before the invasion begins. As he explains, Springstar is a city that depends on Alenroux far more than Highstorm (because of its much larger population), and with Alenroux currently under Zenite control, it’s imperative that they make sure that Zenith isn’t able to cut off access and cause a famine for Springstar. Zenith won’t be denied access to Alenroux or its bounty either, he makes that clear. This is just a matter of being proactive in their defense to protect their people. For the Meridian, their goals in supporting this effort are clear:

Create secure outposts. Well-built, defensible outposts are needed, so anyone who can assist with building efforts, and quickly are appreciated.
Defend the outposts and the Meri soldiers at large. Alenroux is still dangerous because of the monsters, and soldiers will be staying overnight. Fighting off monsters is something that will also eventually make Alenroux inhabitable.
Prevent Zenith interference. Highstorm surely won’t be happy about this, so make sure that the soldiers and the outposts are protected from Zenites just as much as from the monsters that roam the lands.

And indeed, the invasion and occupation does come as a surprise to Highstorm. While they had noted the increased training of Springstar’s military, it was assumed to be in preparation for the intensified tensions of losing the first Oracle, not something as bold as an open act of war like this.

It takes some time for Yima to learn more about the events herself, but Zenith will also be contacted through Communion. With the air of a disappointed mother, she’ll explain that Meridian’s choice is regrettable since she thought they would be better than this. Yima explains that there’s no need to turn Alenroux into an open warzone and cut off both cities from their breadbasket. Instead, she lays out the following direction to gently break Meridian’s spirit first before turning to open hostilities:

Collect information. Where are the outposts, how many soldiers are assigned to them, and what are their general movements. Scouting and spying will be valuable. Learning more about the Meri Shard-Bearers’ capabilities while they’re fighting creatures rather than Zenites is also useful.
Create dissent. The people that work and visit Alenroux regularly have mixed feelings about the occupation unless they’re Meridian loyalists. Making the campaign unpopular with the people can push Meridian back without needing to raise a finger.
Sabotage. But don’t get caught doing it, at least for now. Whether breaking defenses or leading more powerful monsters to the encampments, it’s best to break morale before needing to fight back openly.

If you’re unharmonized when all of this begins, then you’ll be finding out about it with the general populace. However, it’s a good opportunity to learn what a faction is about in a more hands-on way. Though you may not be privy to their private, factional discussions, both sides will still welcome the help of those still yet to decide.

SETTING UPDATES

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 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. As Shard-Bearers new and old take in their cities, they'll all see it change throughout the month...

OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.

THE BLIGHT

During the events of the Scorching Isles, Shard-Bearers encountered an affliction upon the island and unintentionally brought it back to Highstorm and Springstar with them. Known simply as “the Blight,” this condition steals time from the things it infects. It most frequently infects inanimate objects and will cause them to rot or degrade rapidly (such as a piece of metal rusting within hours) but is able to infect living things as well. Most notably, the Blight is infecting plants and animals in the two cities. Plants both decorative and necessary will wither and die, and small animals grow sick and die seemingly of old age. This has been seen in small amounts throughout the past month OOC but is greatly increased in frequency in March and beyond.

FURTHER DETAILS

Within the NPC populace, there’s a low-grade fear of the Blight intensifying and being able to infect larger animals/the people. There’s no evidence of this yet, but Shard-Bearers that were on the Scorching Isles will know this is possible.

Some characters will be aware that the rare, blue flowers that grow in the barren portions of World’s End (February’s event location) seem to reduce the effects of the detrimental effects of the Oracle and the Blight. Because of some drops of characters that knew this information, you can assume that characters are able to learn this information if they’re interested enough to dig into it.

Dr. Julia Melnik of Springstar is openly researching cures for the Blight and will recruit anyone interested to be research assistants to test formulations of cures on afflicted plants/creatures. You can handwave these interactions and use them for prompt(s), if you’d like!

Finally, if curing the Blight is something your character would specifically be interested in, please note it in your Character Survey so that the Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.

THE OCCUPATION OF ALENROUX

As mentioned above, Meridian has launched a surprise invasion and occupation of Alenroux. Because Meridian was able to successfully keep their efforts a secret throughout the months (!) they’ve been planning this, Zenith will not be able to repel their advances… Immediately, at least. After roughly a week OOC from this log’s posting, the Meridian outposts in Alenroux will be stable and will change the island in the following ways:

FURTHER DETAILS

Outposts have been established in well-chosen, defensible locations throughout the island of Alenroux. They’re clustered more heavily closer to the Cornerstone and are non-existent in the more dangerous Northern portion of the island where little farming is done anyways.

Meridian soldiers will be always staying in the camps and outposts. For now, they’re a more supervisory force that are protecting the farmlands of Alenroux. During the day cycle, the military will respond with hostility to anyone that threatens the farms. If your character would antagonize or outright fight Meridian military, please contact a Loremaster, since this will have repercussions! Otherwise, the soldiers will assist workers and visitors to Alenroux in a professional manner.

During the night cycle, the military will defend their outposts from monsters and make occasional offensive excursions to reduce the threat of monsters. The secondary goal of the Meridian military is also to make Alenroux a place that people can live, though this is a longer term effort.

Meridian Shard-Bearers will be strongly encouraged to assist with the effort. “Assist” is purposefully defined broadly so that characters can help in whatever way suits them. Scouting, building, monster killing, or just morale improving are all valid ways that will gain favor with their faction and may lead to further opportunity. For now, abstaining will not have consequences, but may in the future.

Zenith Shard-Bearers will be treated with suspicion in Alenroux and are not allowed to approach any of the Meridian outposts, or at least not without triggering a fight. The military will not outright attack Zenites (unless provoked) and essentially encouraged to move along. However, they may wish to gather information about the outposts and Meridian forces to attempt to push back against the occupation.

Unharmonized Shard-Bearers are not treated with hostility, but similar to Zeniths will not be allowed to enter any of the encampments.

If your character has an interest in continuing or stopping the occupation, please note it in your Character Survey so that Loremasters will be able to help you pursue this organically.

If Zenith would like to repel these advances, this is a response that will be purely in player hands (but will be assisted by Zenite NPCs, of course!). If they want to reclaim Alenroux, they can, or they can simply let Meridian continue. It’s up to you! This is something that Zenite players should discuss both IC and OOC, and if this plot develops further, Loremasters will help facilitate the ongoing conflict as a part of our changing game environment.

SMALLER CHANGES

HIGHSTORM: GREENWOOD YARDS
Considering the affliction that threatens the well-being of flora and small fauna alike, the greenhouses are far more discerning with those who are permitted inside its gates, afraid of the contagion affecting the precious, invaluable greenery of long-dead worlds. After the occupation of Alenroux, Meridian will be outright turned away, and while Zenith possesses no formal military or police, the greenskeepers appear to be prepared to defend their property with physical force should it come to that. Unharmonized are still allowed inside. The rest of the Yard beyond the greenhouses are still open to all factions.

And though it may seem an odd place for such a gathering, the indoor bathhouse at the far end of the Yards appears to be gaining popularity for mysterious reasons; if asked, none of the locals will explain the abrupt uptick in visitation. But should you investigate yourself, the reason why becomes apparent through experience: the tea served by the attendants here has changed properties. Should you be a Zenite, you will be served a cup that decreases your body's natural need for food and drink for 24 hours - an effort to test a concoction to relieve the need to deplete resources and lessen the city's reliance on Alenroux. Should you be a Meridian, the tea you're served will increase your appetite a considerable degree even if you normally do not require sustenance, and you will find yourself unfulfilled even if you are unwise and eat yourself to the point of illness; this lasts for 24 hours. The Unharmonized will find the tea might make them vaguely woozy, and either cause mild increase or decrease in appetite.

KOWLOON: DRAUMAHOL (cw: drugs)

Those that frequent Kowloon may have heard about the sudden disappearance of the former owner and operator of the drug den Draumahol, though it was only really noted because of the business being closed for a few days. Practically unheard of, since the desperate of Highstorm and Springstar come to Draumahol for their various fixes that are a little more taboo on the surface. But, never fear. After a brief closure, Draumahol reopens.

While it may not be obvious early in the month, it'll be increasingly so that Draumahol is under new management. Those that frequent the business enough will be able to figure out that the new owner is Silco (or, if you personally know him, it's fairly obvious). If you would like to plot anything regarding Draumahol, we encourage reaching out to Silco's player, Jill!

SPRINGSTAR: THE CHURCH
After the loss of the first Oracle, the Church of Heliopolis has been busy tending to its flock as the numbers coming to seek comfort swell. The gatherings aren't formal "services" so much as they're chances for people to come together and inspire each other with their homes and dreams of home. One formal process that does stick out though is that with each "service" one member will tap into the world shown in their sunbeam and open their minds to Communion. Anyone that wishes to can also experience this member's home, see their friends, loved ones, and the sights. It's a intimate bonding activity, but seems to be very cathartic for those that partake.

Additionally, those that come by the Church frequently enough to be known faces at the "services" may also be approached by priests and priestesses and invited to join in smaller ceremonies. Always taking place during Springstar's dawn or dusk, these ceremonies have a markedly different vibe and are lead by Hieropoios Natalia herself. Attending these ceremonies is an exclusive honor that will reduce attendees' Discord and has a subtly addictive quality that will encourage them to return. Hm!

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all new players need an invite to apply to the game, which are now open.

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this sometimes happens since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They may return to Kenos one day, but for now, weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a note primarily for current players, closed toplevels/prompts are not allowed in this log. If you would like to interact with the setting changes in a way that isn't open to all characters (new and old), we ask that you instead make a log in

kenoslogs.

As a general reminder, any new characters that choose Zenith will receive a bonus 2 AC token reward, which is a purely OOC incentive. Our factions are a bit imbalanced at the moment, so we'd appreciate more Zenites!

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

When characters emerge from their cocoon/the ground, they may be wearing their normal clothes or nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision about which Faction they'd be drawn to.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are freed from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM until they Harmonize, AKA make a choice of which faction they choose to support. For some characters, this may be an easy decision, but it make take others time. We just ask you keep this in mind!

CODING

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

🫀 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐓

[ Dark Schneider's arm erupts from his place in the soil, gripping and yanking whatever’s closest to it. Ankle, hand, tit, hair, whatever. There’s no respect for it— he just wants to be out of the floor. Garbled while he’s still buried, the sharp, hyena-like quality of his voice bubbles up through ground. Another hand busts through, clawing angrily with dirt under the nails. He grabs something else of yours; he pulls you across the floor, even, if you’re not prepared for it. ]

ABIGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIL!

[ His head and shoulders finally burst out of the soil. Nostrils flared and crazy-eyed, Dark spits all the dirt that's collected on his face. ]

I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU–!

[ It’s apparent that he’s looking for someone specific, and you are not that person. The moment hits him, and he locks eyes with you. Breath heaving, hair like a white mane all around him. ]

🫀 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐓... 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍!

[ Now that Dark’s realized that ripping his heart out has somehow landed him in another realm, he understands that other displaced people, one at a time, are sprouting up around these parts. The chance of them being naked as naked as he is? Very high. That much known and being enough for him, he has very childishly decided that he will wait for more women to turn up.

He can’t even be assed to help anyone out of the ground when he sees the hands blooming out of the soil, either. Instead of that, he grins at how they wiggle and grasp, sitting himself at the edge of whatever screwed up flower garden Yima has made here. Legs crossed wide and while scratching one of his thighs, Dark Schneider cackles with wicked amusement at one particular arm that has been struggling for some time now.

Oh. That would be your arm. ]

🫀 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌

The other place had better food.

[ His comment earns him an eyeball from somebody. Dark doesn’t really even look away from his platter to know who it’d come from. A Ze…nite maybe? Is that what these well-dressed people called themselves again?

Scrape, plop. Scrape, plop. Like the gluttonous animal that he is, Dark has stopped the line of the buffet right before the small selection of eat dishes, spearing as much food onto his platter as he can. And boy, can he. Yoko’s not even here to stop him, heh!

Ah, shit. Yoko is still out there somewhere without him. ]

Tch...

[ He still hasn’t decided which of these factions he takes to just yet. Even so, deciding’s not as important as stuffing himself with food. He’s got to do something to distract himself from Lucien’s weird, codependent 14-year old feelings he’s been bonded to. There is no more meat left at the buffet. Turning away like he’s taken an appropriate serving for one person, Dark begins to saunter back to the courtyard to eat. ]

🫀 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐏𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓
( hit him up with whatever! just a heads up also that his canon has questionable content in it and you can opt out here if anything makes you uncomfortable. )

Edited 2023-03-11 18:23 (UTC)

[ Yes, it earns an eyeball from this well-dressed whatever-you-called-it, though Zhongli's eye is much more inquisitive than anything else. Also, he might be watching Dark Schneider continue to pile meat on his plate with growing amounts of mild distress. Sir, think of this balanced diet! ]

Does it? A pity. I did not have time to go to the Springstar gathering this time.

[ Zhongli also nudges a side-dish full of vegetables in his general direction. ]

I believe this would go well with your current selection. Perhaps it will make things more palatable.

[ Dark doesn’t expect an answer. His eyes widen when some vegetables are nudged his way by an earth god of another land. But it’s not as if he’d know. He looks from Zhongli’s wrist, follows up his arm, and finds that he’s a guy. Just a well-dressed civilian Ze-nite(???) guy. He has a cool earring though, honestly.

There’s a quick moment as the wheels in his mind turn. He tries to decide if he wants to be offended or accept because Zhongli's gesture ironically also reminds him of Yoko and sets off Lucien’s needy kid lizard brain. God, god— no. For fuck’s sake!

Here come the waterworks. Fat tears ready to fall, Dark sniffs snottily and groans at the same time. Gaah, how he hates sharing a soul with this little freak. ]

Don’t need them.

[ It’s defensive, like a child about to bawl. Dark tries to find something else to talk about to keep himself from crying. ]

Tell me where you got your earring!

[ Oh.

Zhongli takes another slow blink.

Oh.

Perhaps this man had an unfortunate experience with vegetables. Zhongli can relate! Though the sight of seafood makes him more violent then teary. Each to one's own coping mechanisms -- as Zhongli swiftly slides the plate down the table and hopefully out of immediate sight. ]

Ah, this earring. Yes, it is quite a work of art.

[ Zhongli tilts his head to one side so Dark can get a better view of it. ]

The jade was carved by a member of the Yun family of Liyue - a prominent family of blacksmiths that date back over five centuries whose craft eventually turned to that of the opera and similar theater. The technique to craft it was quite revolutionary at the time, using the purer water of hydro slimes to---

[ Zhongli can and will talk about the craftsmanship and history of the different components of his earring for a whole fifteen minutes if allowed. Quite an effective topic change.

At some point, he'll even answer the actual question and mention that the earring is from his home world of Teyvat (so probably not much luck in obtaining another one.) ]

[ Phew, close call. The conversation’s teetered away from things that remind Lucien of Yoko, and now instead he can focus on… opera. Something something hydro slime. He smears snot on the back of his sleeve, wiping and sniffing and sucking the tears back into his eyelids. He’s good now. All good.

In fact, Dark hasn’t even really realized he’s pushed Zhongli’s old man ramble button, and finishes topping off his platter with the last piece of meat available.

The two of them are a nightmare to whoever else is in line for the buffet, frankly. Dark is generous enough not to walk away mid-conversation right now despite not caring about the earring’s lore. He’s now standing and eating right here in front of the lineup. A spitting, beautiful image of masculinity and power.

With a cheek full of ham when Zhongli finally, finally mentions Teyvat: ]

Tho ’m not gettin’ one then.

[ Chew, chew. ]

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

THE BLIGHT

THE OCCUPATION OF ALENROUX

SMALLER CHANGES

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑 | 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐃!!!

🫀 Highstorm

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐓

no subject

no subject

no subject

highstorm-ish

no subject

no subject

no subject

𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐓... 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍!

no subject

no subject

no subject

Highstorm

no subject

no subject

atsumu dont fall for it you still have a bright future 😭

what's up i hear dark is goin zenith 👀

yes, i'm pushing him there! i want to help even the ratio 🥺🥺

EXCELLENT..... if he needs a nudge, I'm happy to help!