kenosooc | SEPTEMBER TDM + SETTING UPDATES

SEPTEMBER 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.

However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.

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.

The welcoming party is in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly fading winter -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to an abundant harvest from Alenroux. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.

The mood in Springstar as a whole is jubilant, with not just a party at the seat of the tribune, but elsewhere, including the Psychagogía district. Parties line the streets, establishments that overflow with bodies, drink, and libations of all sorts. There is a sense of excitement in capturing the latest oracle, and the people seem to treat the shard-bearers of Meridian somewhat reverently, and new ones, they will pull aside and explain with excitement about how the Shard-Bearers captured the oracle (with varying degrees of accuracy) and how it is because of them that they will be seen to victory. Cyrus’s name, however, still comes with notes of disdain. It’s clear that the Tribune has not bought much good favor by their victory, and instead, if any ask, or follow the threads, they will hear the names Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen as likely successors to the Tribune. However if one asks how that happens… details become a bit more muddy. Apparently, the role of the Tribune is for life. And apparently, the denizens of Springstar trust the Shard-Bearers to see the oracles through, and still see Cyrus as a weak link in their chain.

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. Soft tunes filter over the courtyard, and if the sounds of them sound familiar – perhaps remind one of home? That’s because they are! Yima’s musicians seem to be able to pilfer strings and strands of music, and weave it all together expertly, to give both new arrivals and old friends reminders of their home.

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. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world.

The city itself is more muted than usual. The last dregs of Highstorm’s chill summer are coming to an end, and the cold is an opportunity for Highstorm’s denizens to batter in more frequently, and the chill may have something to do with the lost oracle. Though, if asked, they’ll say nothing of the sort, of course! In opposition to Springstar’s mixed jubilation and doubt, Highstorm’s denizens seem determined that lady Yima will see them through, and that one loss is no reason to fall into despair. Though they are still disappointed, and will say so. Though blame does not seem to have a target, mere disappointment filters through the city, as they start preparing for winter. The prices seem higher, whether one is looking for potions, supplies, or even small trinkets from the The Antiques & Baubles Market. Things seem… leaner in a sense. There’s nobody starving on the streets in Highstorm, but the control of Alenroux continues to lead to tense relations, even though a compromise seems to have been recently reached between the two factions.

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 AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Since the Blight’s conclusion, both cities have undergone a fair bit of effort to reconstruct the districts and buildings that were destroyed in the Blight, though Springstar seems a touch further along than Highstorm, due to Shard-bearer efforts. The unusual weather pockets present previously have very nearly all disappeared, though there are some patches still present, lingering in the areas still somewhat ravaged by the Blight. The pockets seem to be losing their effects now, and if one finds themself within, will experience a mild slowing down or speeding up of time. Visions still appear within the small bubbles, reflections of dear ones or important events, though they seem to be only memory, though anyone within the bubble can bear witness.

FURTHER DETAILS
OOCly, characters can still stumble into small bubbles of time, though they are fewer and far between than they were 3 months ago! These time bubbles still have some time-warping energy, and will continue to allow characters to either speed up or slow down, depending on player preference! In addition, the time bubbles are no longer bringing back remnants of Kenosians past, but there is still the chance of some memory reflections to briefly manifest in the bubble. They will come from player characters as a whole, and are purely up to whatever is fun for you! Think of it as brief flickers of memory sharing, they can be as brief or as distorted as you like! Think of this as the last gasp of the Blight, as it withers away thanks to the concentrated efforts of all shard bearers!

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Alenroux continues to improve, and with the new balance between both Springstar and Highstorm, the separate island is safer than ever! The tensions between both factions seem to have reduced over the island, thanks to the efforts of several shard bearers, and the populace seems to be warming to both factions once again.

FURTHER DETAILS
After the resolution of the first Kenos Ambassador agreement, the balance of power in Alenroux is already starting to shift. The island already has a much more evenly-matched number of military forces from both Springstar and Highstorm, the number of troops in the area has reduced significantly. The number of monsters does not seem to have increased at this time, which bodes well for the area. The uptick of Highstorm locals has certainly led to more food flowing into Highstorm than had before, and the people seem pleased with the arrangement – for the moment! The small murmurs of discontent and unrest seem to have alleviated at this time. Though some still seem uncomfortable with the amount of troops, they seem less willing to say that out loud. Though nights in Alenroux will possibly never be wholly safe, the threats seem more manageable, though nobody will ever turn down Shard-Bearer assistance in a pinch!

TO INFINITY – AND BEYOND

Rumbling about temples being erected in the Beyond, which lies outside of Highstorm’s city limits, close to another that had been erected previously. Not one shrine out there, but two it seems. It shines like the sun when the moonlight catches it just right, and it’s visible over the line of trees that marks the edge of the Beyond. The more brave and curious of Highstorm’s denizens have started making more treks into the Beyond for both shrines, and the fact that most come back unharmed seems to encourage others to follow. And for those that may not be able to make the trek safely, there's an opportunity to make a bit of money by leading the way to the shrines and offering the curious pilgrims protection from the Beyond's dangers. There’s rumbling amongst them – Quetzalcoatl – Set – the names of gods of worlds long past, and though there are not many that will stray from Highstorm’s resident deified figure – Lady Yima – there are enough that it’s easy to catch pilgrimages out to the temple, and to visit them yourselves, as well!

FURTHER DETAILS
Quetzalcoatl erected a bright and gigantic temple right next to Set's in the Beyond! Right next to Highstorm! I'm sure that's fine and will not have any diplomatic consequences in the future! Both gods have been drawing in new curious individuals – some who may be worshippers with time – and it's drawn the curiosity of many.

SMALLER CHANGES

GRAND LARCENY
An uptick in crime between both Springstar and Highstorm has both the Legion and Yima’s own private guard scrambling as they struggle to find rhyme or reason behind the latest crime spree taken up in both cities. Though there doesn’t seem to be a specific source, local chatter suggests that it might be coming from a mysterious underground, though most can’t say where... there’s vague gestures, and remarks about Below, without any concrete details. Those who are familiar with – or find out about – Kowloon, may find plenty of stolen items within Kowloon’s markets, though if asked, the keeper will simply shrug and say they retrieved it from a reputable source. Who? Well, they don’t know, they don’t remember their face. I’m sure this is fine and won’t lead to trouble later down the line!

Completely unrelated, those who are known to be or obviously affiliated with Springstar continue to encounter difficulty in Kowloon. It’s become a touch more brazen – more pickpocketing, even higher prices, or even some outright derisiveness from some businesses, although they seem to be centered more around Draumahol, and the further one gets from the business in the underground city (or as far as one can get) the more willing businesses seem to engage with those from Springstar, and the more… apologetic they are about higher prices, though they do still seem to be across the board.

FAE MISCHEIF
It’s not just the underground that seems to be reeling from a spike of theft, though this one seems more obvious – and innocuous! Faeries from the Greenwood Yard seem to still be reeling from recent Shard-Bearer intrusions, so bearers new and old may find small items of varying importance are missing. They’ll generally come with a calling card; a small note that is part threat and part invitation for a game, to come find them within the Greenwood Yards. After hearing about the issue, a certain potion shop owner sets up a small stall by the yards, and will offer to help the shard bearer with their predicament – for a price, of course! Better have a few gold coins on you!

The owner will offer bearers a round-trip to tiny town yet again, to retrieve whatever was stolen, though this time it comes with no visions, and generally the fairies will consider things to be even, if bearers come to retrieve it with politeness and a request for it to be returned. If a bearer threatens them… well. Let’s hope you brought a friend along to help with this fae threat, then!

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.

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

a. Bearing chickens

[ Dreams of a cataclysmic end are nothing new as their world had long ago begun its descent into an untenable blight that wilts and decays everything in its path. However, this one feels different. More potent and steeped in a chaos that overwhelms his senses fast.

The stone ground that once spread across the foundation of Phoenix Gate fractures as fire rains from above, unleashing shadowed flames that envelop his body and smothers all the air out of his lungs until Joshua finally wakes with a start. Violent cough after violent cough spills out of him, enough to rack his body with harsh shudders but not enough to draw blood from within, which in itself is an anomaly.

Immediately, Joshua's hand flies to his chest, feeling over flesh that had served as a prison for five years now, only to find it dormant and unresponsive –replaced with a crystal that is cool to the touch rather than tempestuous.

Dirt is hastily shoved away as Joshua digs himself out of the ground, growing increasingly panicked by his foreign surroundings. He knows he's not in Phoenix Gate. Not in the Hideaway. No longer approaching Origin. Not even in Valisthea. ]

...Did we perish then before we could ever meet our destination? Founder, it can't be...

b. Springstar - That smell is exactly what you think it is

[ There are fewer experiences more harrowing than apparently dying (again) and resurrecting (again), and one of them is dying and resurrecting underneath a copious amount of dirt to the point where Joshua has never felt more unclean in his life, except perhaps after his and his brother's unfortunate run-in with an aggressive morbol in the wild. Even then, this is starting to feel like a fair contender for the top spot, which should be the last thing on his mind, Joshua realizes. Unfortunately, circumstances have led him trekking through unforgiving terrain without access to magic or his weapons, which has only amplified the amount of sweat and grime clinging to his skin.

When he'd finally reached civilization, he also hadn't expected to be immediately tugged into a festival of sorts while being heaped with praise for being a 'shard-bearer,' a title that immediately had him on edge. Before he can even ask any proper questions, a plate of fresh food is thrust into his hands, piled to the top with berries, meats, and cheeses –enough to send some of them nearly toppling off the edge.

As he weaves through the throng of eager bodies, trying not to drop anything, he manages to find a more secluded area to simply breathe and sit next to someone who looks either equally confused or unamused by present circumstances. Whatever the case may be, Joshua remains cautious in his approach. ]

Forgive my present state. In spite of being so eagerly plied with gifts from the locals, no one has thought to offer more suitable garments for the occasion. I suppose I should have taken my chances and bathed in the wilderness earlier, but I had not been expecting this level of welcome.

That being said, would you mind terribly if I took a seat? I promise to leave ample space between us.

c. Highstorm - The non-odorous option

[ A trip to the markets had been in order after sneaking out from yet another welcome celebration, this one slightly less overzealous than the one in Springstar, though that didn't seem to put a damper on anyone's recruitment pitches. Rather, there had been talk about rallying for the next oracle, a term he's beginning to think doesn't mean what he thinks it means.

In the process of investigating this new world, he'd found himself poking his head into the Antiques & Babbles Market in search for something he could use in self-defense, but judging from these prices, he'd be better off learning hand-to-hand combat or finding a way to reconnect with his eikon. Maybe even learning the fine art of wielding a wooden beam, though his arms are clearly not built for that level of athletics.

He sighs after a moment and approaches the nearest person to him, who he mistakes for one of the shop vendors– ]

I don't suppose you would be interesting in bartering labor in exchange for one of the plainest poignards on display? Or is there a hunt board I should consult?

[ He highly doubts he's going to find much success hunting with no weapons or magic, but he has to find some way to survive long-term. ]

d. Wildcard me!

[ Like it says on the tin, throw anything out there. Feel free to poke me at dreadwyrm on discord if you're unsure. ]

[ It seems the custom, from Yuri's experience, to welcome new arrivals with feasts. As a man who appreciates a good one of these, as well as recalling vividly how it was to be new, Yuri had seen fit to attend. He's idly watching the crowd from a nice, quiet distance when he's addressed, attention flicking up to the fellow so politely asking to sit. ]

So long as you're not perching on me, it's free real estate. [ He waves a casual hand at the open seating at his side. ] Take your pick.

[ It isn't as though Yuri is lord of the chairs, but he's quite certain no one would fault the fellow for sitting in one space or another, though he did look uncomfortable. Pointedly so. A small wonder, for the coating of earth he still bears is a mark of his newness. Yuri didn't much enjoy it either. ]

...You want a hand with that situation first, though?

[ By way of illustration, Yuri gestures to, well, the fellow's present condition. ]

I will endeavor not to, I assure you.

[ True to his word, he keeps a respectable amount of distance between them as he takes a seat, though he's still working to balance his plate in his grip. He hasn't felt this spoiled in some time, even if the spoiling has mostly been relegated to food and paltry compliments.

At the stranger's question, his gaze drops back to his own clothes, feeling ever the sorry sight for traipsing through mud to get here. ]

As difficult it is to say no to a bath, I am aware how uncomfortable it is to invite a stranger into your home without knowing whether or not he'll be friend or foe.

[ Or to be the one invited to a stranger's home without knowing much about the city and its inhabitants. Like whether or not this one intends to hold a knife to his throat and rob him off what little possessions he has left. ]

That isn't to say that I don't appreciate the offer, but I would feel terrible putting you in that situation, unless you intended to point me towards a public bath.

[ As on edge as Joshua is being in a strange world without allies, he is honestly tempted by either offer just so he can feel clean again. ]

My residence doesn't have a washroom, so that'd be a moot point.

[ Intoned gravely, for to this day he has not one idea how Byleth tolerates hosing himself off in the yard. Yuri has invested in an approximation of a tub, but filling it is an endeavor. One day, he really ought to see about an addition to the house, if only because a good, hot bath is such an indulgent experience.

Imagine knowing someone has never gotten to enjoy such a simple luxury. Tragic, really.

But for as unfortunate as the present lack is, Yuri's light tone rebounds in the next breath. He'd far from propose someone come into a house he still views himself as a guest in, nor would it be advisable for anyone to just waltz into a stranger's home. This fellow's discretion is well-placed.

His offer is of a different nature, far less intrusive for them both. ]

Rather, I've a spell that'd do the job. Couldn't access it when I first got here, and I distinctly remember how it felt.

[ ~~Yuri, where do you and Byleth pee~~ But also, the clarification makes Joshua's eyes widen slightly. ]

Cleaning by magic, you mean?

[ Not entirely out of the ordinary, to be honest. There are many bearers who had been used for menial tasks such as that since time immemorial, whether it be filling tubs or heating them to the right temperature. A waste of a precious resource, if anyone asked Joshua, which is why he shakes his head quickly. ]

There is no need to exert yourself on my account. I would rather see that your magic is preserved for times of utmost urgency of which this is not. Unless you mean to suggest my smell is truly unbearable...?

[ There's a bit of humor in those last few words, though he wouldn't take any offense if Yuri agreed. Joshua is not a fan of his own sorry state much at the moment either. ]

[ ~~This is a reason he'll try to buy an addition to the house...~~ He offers a slant of a smile to his new companion. ]

A cleansing spell. I've found it pretty versatile, with time and practice.

[ Marianne had taught it to him to alleviate the effects of his terrible allergies, but Yuri has an abundance of fred time here with which to practice. He'd ended up finding that cleansing had all sorts of handy applications, small and mundane as they might appear next to a flashier spell.

It does wonders for blood, even, which has proven a greater convenience here than he'd first imagined. He supposes, despite lulls like this, that they're fighting a war just the same. A deeply peculiar one, but even so. ]

I'd be a terrible liar if I made a claim like that, considering I was pulled to this realm from a military encampment.

[ The odors are many and pungent. This very polite, muddied fellow beside him, at his respectable distance, doesn't hold a candle to any of that. Yuri simply remembers how much he hated being caked in dirt, how it practically itched through his clothing. He can tell from how this fellow carries himself that he likes the experience no better than he did. ]

But it's not a taxing spell by any means, I can assure you.

[ ~~Treat yo' self. Get a toilet and a bidet.~~ ]

It may seem like a drop in a bucket, but it does not take long for all those drops to add up over time. I have seen far too many succumb to the curse and live the rest of their days in agonizing pain from mere household chores carried out with magic.

[ It might even be a blessing that Joshua can't use his own at the moment. He knows his own body had been on the verge of ruin from calling upon the phoenix's flames too many times. It's a burden he would wish on no other nor a burden he would contribute to.

Unless.

Unless.

He frowns as he glances down at his plate, recalling he's in another world, one whose natural rules differ significantly from his own. As far as he's aware, he's heard no mention of eikons nor witnessed any hesitation to use magic. Has only bore witness to the fixation of shard-bearers, who appear to be more revered than enslaved –as far as he's aware anyway. ]

...Do those in this world suffer no risk of petrifaction from over-use of magic?

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

THE BLIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

CHECKS AND BALANCES

TO INFINITY – AND BEYOND

SMALLER CHANGES

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

Joshua Rosfield | Final Fantasy XVI

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