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

01. BEARING FRUIT (NEW OR OLDBIES AT THE TREE)

[ There's a number of strange things someone could fixate on in the situation upon waking up — for most of them it probably isn't that they should be asleep in the first place. Nebula hasn't slept in the normal sense in... a long time. It's more like powering on and powering off, if she had to put a word to it (and she hates putting a word to it). So sleep in its traditional sense is abnormal, almost like a lost art. ]

[ But when she takes a breath, sharp it's distantly familiar wakefulness. Heavy. A strange sensation as she thrashed beneath the earth in too soft cocoon. Panic doesn't set in, but annoyance - anger does. It grows worse as she tries to shift her left arm and hand from their usual mode to something to blast whatever's compounding her there. It doesn't work. The steel claws installed in her right hand function, at least, and she digs herself out. ]

What in the hell.

[ She grounds it out to herself as she pulls herself out from the hole. Thankfully she's still wearing clothing - the Guardians uniform offering a small blessing - or this would be worse before it gets better. Worse because her heard jerks over towards any noise - hearing still better than most even if it's been dampened now - and snarls out in low irritation: ]

Don't come a step closer. [ Once, this may have been followed with a 'or I'll have your head' or something of the like. Once, the warning wouldn't even be given. Now, it's just low and dangerous huskiness - half an unmeaning threat as she adds, ] Name yourself and this planet.

02. SPRINGSTAR

[ Nebula is yet another who looks misplaced in Springstar's bright fanfare of a city. She may have found a place to wash and clean up the uniform, but somehow that made her look more stalwart. Even without a blaster at her side and her arm unable to transform, she still manages to look hard and formidable. A stature of a woman so serious it's almost comedic. ]

[ She keeps to herself, for as much as she can. Which isn't to say she can. The locals are eager to tell stories of the latest Oracle grab and while she's not... eager to hear it for a fifth time or to gasp with interested oohs and aahs she is interested in knowledge. So she listens for as long as her patience allows before finding a way to dismiss herself (semi-politely) or in a vaguely ominous dismissal. ]

[ As the time goes on in the forum the latter becomes more of a common mention. Towards the end, she's decided the drinks aren't poisoned and is nursing one when she annoyedly (sourly) mutters to the nearest seeming Shardbearer: ]

Do they ever shut up?

III. HIGHSTORM

[ Not visiting both cities would be a shame and a waste of information. She at least looks more the part of someone who belongs in Highstorm — All serious expressions and as seriously met steely words. But there's something that unsettles her about the city, that makes her skin itch in a way she hadn't forgotten but had put behind her. ]

[ It takes her a moment to allow herself the realization it's that of control and oppression. ]

[ After seeing one-too-many price gougers in the markets she almost chose not to go to the assembly in front of Yima's manor. She notes some of the looks at the uniform - not to whatever dress code passed for around here and it only made her raise her head higher and pass like she hadn't noticed. She was still a Guardian of the Galaxy here. Now. ]

If this is what they consider is making better world... I've seen better ones in the gutters of the galaxy.

[ This too is all but muttered to herself. And if she catches an eye of someone else, her mouth twitches and she demands: ] What's happened here?

OOC / WILDCARD

Feel free to Wildcard your own things! I'm also happy to either include Memshare from the Blight stuff worked into any prompt/new stuff (just let me know). I've been trying to figure out a decent character for Kenos! Feel free to message me on hopewillbloom or discord deadlynadder for any plotting. If you need something more I'm always happy to make adjustments.

[ He hears that muttering; frowns a little at it, annoyed. Highstorm's a pretty good place to live, you know? It's been his home for nearly a year now, and he's already lived in worse places. Just because things are a little chillier, just because they might be licking their wounds a little...

But he keeps it to himself, is ready to pass on by her before she addresses him, directly. Amos stops and gives Nebula a quick once-over — okay, definitely new; okay, her arm is definitely interesting, and though his slightly lingering stare is judgment-free she might not recognize that herself — before deciding, fuck it, it'd be weird of him not to answer. ]

Temporary setback. We'll get back on our feet proper soon enough.

[ He sounds self-assured, at least; not too bothered, despite the cold and the muted air around the city. The Oracle loss isn't that big of a deal, he's been assured. They'll be fine. ]

Unless you mean this whole thing — [ accompanied by a light gesture out at the gathering at large with his free hand, other one occupied with a plate of food for himself — ] then that's just set up whenever there are a bunch of new people at once. Doesn't really have to be a whole thing, I don't think.

[ Even if it kind of does have the air of. Being a whole thing. Amos certainly isn't adhering to that; his clothing is juuuust barely enough to be considered formal, and he isn't bothered by anyone who doesn't happen to be adhering to the dress code. It's kind of none of his business, you know? ]

[ For as wide and vast as the universe is you do get used to staring. Especially when much of you is apparently inorganic. The woman raised her brow a touch, as if to dare him to say anything and he doesn't. So for a moment that's enough and she focuses on the conversation at hand. Mouth half a low curve at a temporary setback as she glances back over the crowd. Obviously, she thinks but does not say. ]

[ And isn't that always the problem? Temporary setbacks lead to heavier hands. She doesn't know the currency enough to say, but she knows when something seems absurdly prices all the same. ]

No. It appears talent poaching is something both sides are eager for. [ If there was a word for it - it could be said mild amusement could be found in the too serious way she speaks. She can think of a few ways it reminds her of, none of them pleasant. ] People only do that for big things.

[ A beat. ] What's the setback?

[ Even if she knew, wasn't it better to hear it from someone else's mouth? ]

[ He smirks at her assessment of talent poaching, a small huff of a laugh escaping his lips. Yeah, that'd be one way to put it; both cities really are just job recruitment agencies right now, aren't they.

He sobers at the notion big things, though, since that kind of gets into what her question is, doesn't it. Amos pauses, assessing her before offering a half-shrug; no reason for him not to answer. ]

Lost one of those big things to the other side. They're called Oracles, and I know it sounds stupid, but they're gonna determine the fate of all life going forward, so, you know. Doesn't get much bigger than that.

[ A beat. ]

There are six of them. We've got one each, so four still out there. Plenty of time to make things up, just kinda sucks at the moment, you know?

[ He's still plenty affable, in decent enough spirits with food in hand and among his people — so things can't be too bad, surely. ]

[ It's not like Nebula hasn't had the dreams. Roughly discarded things, but not forgotten. Especially not in their seriousness when she typically doesn't dream - or sleep in the way others do. It earns a tilt of her head as she listens and a usually expressionless face does show something. ]

[ The deep curve downwards of her lips and narrowed eyes says she doesn't like that. The statement - six items and the course of all life... Sounds too familiar with her own experience. If her ears could burn, they would. But they don't and she doesn't and her attention turns sharply to the man. ]

It's not stupid.

[ How can it be? ] ... And you want to make things up. Why?

[ He was... not expecting her to take the whole Oracle thing seriously. He wouldn't have, at first; it just helps that he's been through the whole thing a couple of times now. Is aware of how important they are. Someone new would probably need some convincing; especially someone who seemed dismissive at first... He wouldn't have blamed her at all.

But her attention is squarely on him, and Amos drops his more casual nature. She's right on board already, and he's less inclined to fuck around in that case. ]

Make things up. Get even. Or, well. Get back ahead, I guess. [ Ah — the problem when he speaks too flippantly. And also just, by default, assumes Zenith should be ahead, like it's a win they will get. ] The other side, Meridian, they're... I don't get what they're going for, wanting to use the Oracles to bring everything back. That's not how these things work. Things die, and they stay dead. You don't get a rewind on that. Just makes more sense to keep moving forward, you know? Build something new.

[ She seems practical. No-nonsense. Surely she gets it — why Zenith has to be the one to win. ]

[ See, Amos, sometimes you come from a universe where "oracles" can simply be replaced by "infinity stones" and everything makes sense. ]

[ Well, maybe the making sense part wasn't exactly true. They Infinity Stones hadn't been destroyed, but she knew them to be returned to their rightful place. It's possible, then, they would have moved through time and space - hah! - but it should have been... a long time before anyone got their hands on them. ]

[ But whatever it was, it did make things easier - especially in any dire part of the situation. A deep frown as she considers it. It sounds familiar, in a backwards sort of way, that people believe they're in the right. ]

... No, you don't. [ She agrees after a moment, but while there's a heaviness in it she doesn't fail to continue: ] Unless the manner in which so many people were killed was unnatural.

And nothing about this situation seems normal.

[ At least that much he can probably agree on. It's like the cosmos trying to force sides - it's funny, she doesn't even know exactly which she'd be on. ]

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:

nebula | guardians of the galaxy (mcu)

highstorm

Re: highstorm

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highstorm

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Springstar

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bearing fruit

sorry! meant to respond sooner and then i sprained my wrist :(

all good! hope ur wrist is doing better ♥

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im sorry... she's just like this

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