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EVENT #2: HEARTS LIKE YOURS (GODSBLOOD)
Godsblood
THE GOD'S PATH
For those that head towards Godsblood, the first week or so will be spent travelling, five or so days by cart or foot and then the rest on a boat caught near by the Syraku Shipyard. The workers and sailors that live in the are are slightly suspicious, but if everyone is well disguised, it won't be hard to catch a ride in one of the vessels departing to Godsblood with a load of lumber from the nearby forest. The rate may even be cheap enough to be afforded with whatever charity was offered to you by the village folk, though there are, of course, other ways to make money. That is, if your character is clever enough.One way or the other, the ride on the ship will only last a day or two, and soon you will be docking at the shores of Godsblood. It's city line is densely packed between mountains and ocean, with buildings that stretch impetuously over the water of the bay it surrounds, leaving room for smaller boats to travel in and out of the city's core. The architecture here is storied, carved with inscriptions and painted with murals, depicting anything from tall tales to family histories. To those from Earth, its aesthetic may give off a Nordic impression, mixed with elements of steampunk. The shore is lined with many massive, ancient boats that have been docked there so long they've been transformed into buildings.
Enough people come and go from the city that your presence will not be particularly noteworthy, just as long as your Shards and any extremely outlandish features are kept from sight. The sailors will even offer you some extra jools if you help them unload the lumber they're carrying. There is no paperwork or verification to be done upon entry; Godsblood welcomes travelers and immigrants alike, as long as they don't make trouble.
THE LOVER'S FESTIVAL
The Lover's Festival is a celebration of love in all it's forms, whether that be familial, friendship, or romance. Of course, it's perhaps unsurprising which one of the those is the most marketable to the businesses of Godsblood. The city has a booming, and competitive, economy, and that means as the celebrations ramp up, so do the number of market stalls filling the streets and trying their best to get your attention. You may have anything from fine jewelry to aphrodisiacs' shoved in your face, followed by a string of aggressive sales pitches. It's just that kind of place, apparently. Don't you have a sweetie to buy a gift for?Not all of the celebration is about commerce, but it may become clear on even a cursory view that crafting and selling is the primary battleground for an overwhelming network of inter-family conflicts. Some are based in multiple family businesses selling the same products, others are out of uncontrolled clashes in personality... all of them have a way of turning into loud, public arguments. Godsblood is an unapologetic place in both politics and culture, and forwardness is the assumption, with bartering and haggling being habitual practices.
Yet, it is also a place of faith - specifically, faith in the eleven Legacies. While there is certainly some cynicism in people's approach to the Lover's holiday, there are plenty of rituals of genuine spiritual significance occurring as well, with highly practiced dances and musical performances happening on nearly every street corner, many of which are done in the Lover's honor. Unsurprisingly, this is also something that the most well-entrenched family lines find a way to fight over.
❖ LOVE POTIONS (CW: drug usage)
A particularly noteworthy booth is one set up by a family that is loudly proclaiming to be descended from the Lover themselves... or at least a facet of them! The Faeyr family is controversial to say the least, with the legitimacy of their claim being a subject of hot debate, especially since they are using the claim to sell supposed 'love potions'. They've even giving out free samples! Contained in small, vials of iridescent liquid, drinking these potions will result in the subject feeling overwhelming feelings of love and kinship, but not just to one person; no, this feeling extends to everyone and everything, especially the things they actually do love. There is nothing innately romantic about this feeling, but it could certainly emphasize what's already there.
The Faeyr family is marked by their pointed ears and featureless, iridescent eyes. It seems their samples are causing quite a bit of chaos, and also getting slipped into some unrelated drinks that are on offer. Are the Faeyrs themselves responsible for these spiked drinks, or is it merely a coincidence? It'd take some searching to find out.
❖ ENDURANCE DANCING
Endurance dancing is a prominent sport during the Lover's Festival; that is, dance partners competing against others pairs to see who can keep up a series particularly brisk dance formations without falling or stumbling. Most of the dances are relatively easy to learn but hard to maintain, with prize pools varying from 25-100 jools depending on how difficult the steps are and whether or not you're required to be drunk before starting. The last pair standing gets the prize!
❖ FULL MOON
The full moon is considered the climax of the festival and the mythological peak of the Lover's power; as such, many prospective lovers see it as their prime opportunity to find their destined match. It is extremely common on the night of the full moon to be asked out by complete strangers, all searching for true love, ordained in the light of the Lover's moon. Many people can be seen going on spontaneous dates or finding rooms during this time, and it's entirely possible that the undercover Aions will be spotted and approached in such a manner. If it isn't quite your speed, maybe you need some help disentangling yourself... or perhaps pretending to already be taken might do the trick.
REST INTERRUPTED
After scrounging up some jools, it will be possible to find an affordable place to rent a room, at least for the night. Of course, in the throes of the festival, not everyone's minds are set on sleeping. After you've enjoyed your complimentary meal and retired for the night, you'll find those in the inn's dining hall stay up until all hours of the night hollering, laughing, singing, and playing loud music on an assortment of instruments. Despite having left the streets, you have not left the party, and for those exhausted from travel the inability to catch a wink may be a trying ordeal.
Maybe that isn't your only problem. It's more cost effective to split costs, after all, and finding the more affordable room could be a fast track towards sharing a bed with one or two of your new Pleroma kindred. After all, if you're staying here indefinitely, you'll have to make those jools last.
Maybe that isn't your only problem. It's more cost effective to split costs, after all, and finding the more affordable room could be a fast track towards sharing a bed with one or two of your new Pleroma kindred. After all, if you're staying here indefinitely, you'll have to make those jools last.
QUESTIONS
How do characters get enough money to pay for ship fair?
We invite you to be creative in how your character accomplishes this, whether it be by stealing, gambling, sweet talking, or doing chores on demand. If you really have no ideas, however, it can be said that the villagers surrounding the Valley of Innocence gave you some money on the way out. It probably wasn't much, though, and the more money you can gather the easier it will be to survive in the city.
What kind of long term work is available?
Low level labor and service positions are easy to come upon, which pay about 25 jools per day. There are also roles that can be found in crafting and manufacturing, but those will require you to display some skill in the subject before they hire you. Fishing is also a big industry, as well is mining. In general, you can find whatever sort of work would plausible be in a bustling city, but more academic and management positions will be harder to acquire.
You describe the Faeyr as having unusual physical traits, which are seen as normal. What kind of physical traits in player characters will stick out enough to raise suspicion?
Horosians are incredibly biological diverse, with many family lines having unusual physical traits such a extreme heights, horns, odd coloring, animalistic features, and other such things. While people that look basically human are still the most common, things like pointed ears, for instance, are considered fairly average. "Extremely" otherworldly traits would be things such as visibly being a robot, being made of plants, having a snake tail, and other huge deviations from the norm. Faeyr are considered normal because their family have existed in Godsblood for centuries.
It's a bit of spectrum, with the further you deviate from the human norm being more and more of a risk; not because it's impossible for such people to exist in Horos, but because if those traits do exist, they are probably connected to certain family lines. Whether or not moderately inhuman traits give you away depends entirely on how worldly the NPCs you're interacting with are. If one can pass as human it will generally be safer to do so, because then NPCs will have no cause to question what family or region you come from.
How long does the festival last?
Each 'moon' in Horos lasts 30 days, so the festival starts around the 10th, peaks at the 15th around the full moon, and then tapers off until the 20th. The events following the full moon tend to be a little more chill and family orientated, but the same activities can still be found.
How will the portal to Greentruth be unlocked?
Unless your character goes looking for Godsblood rebels, the portal will be unlocked from the side of Greentruth on around the 20th of the month, at which point those that travelled there will be able to enter Godsblood and show the Pleroma there the way. This will happen after the event prompts on each log have concluded, chronologically, but can be used to have characters reunite later in the month.
We invite you to be creative in how your character accomplishes this, whether it be by stealing, gambling, sweet talking, or doing chores on demand. If you really have no ideas, however, it can be said that the villagers surrounding the Valley of Innocence gave you some money on the way out. It probably wasn't much, though, and the more money you can gather the easier it will be to survive in the city.
What kind of long term work is available?
Low level labor and service positions are easy to come upon, which pay about 25 jools per day. There are also roles that can be found in crafting and manufacturing, but those will require you to display some skill in the subject before they hire you. Fishing is also a big industry, as well is mining. In general, you can find whatever sort of work would plausible be in a bustling city, but more academic and management positions will be harder to acquire.
You describe the Faeyr as having unusual physical traits, which are seen as normal. What kind of physical traits in player characters will stick out enough to raise suspicion?
Horosians are incredibly biological diverse, with many family lines having unusual physical traits such a extreme heights, horns, odd coloring, animalistic features, and other such things. While people that look basically human are still the most common, things like pointed ears, for instance, are considered fairly average. "Extremely" otherworldly traits would be things such as visibly being a robot, being made of plants, having a snake tail, and other huge deviations from the norm. Faeyr are considered normal because their family have existed in Godsblood for centuries.
It's a bit of spectrum, with the further you deviate from the human norm being more and more of a risk; not because it's impossible for such people to exist in Horos, but because if those traits do exist, they are probably connected to certain family lines. Whether or not moderately inhuman traits give you away depends entirely on how worldly the NPCs you're interacting with are. If one can pass as human it will generally be safer to do so, because then NPCs will have no cause to question what family or region you come from.
How long does the festival last?
Each 'moon' in Horos lasts 30 days, so the festival starts around the 10th, peaks at the 15th around the full moon, and then tapers off until the 20th. The events following the full moon tend to be a little more chill and family orientated, but the same activities can still be found.
How will the portal to Greentruth be unlocked?
Unless your character goes looking for Godsblood rebels, the portal will be unlocked from the side of Greentruth on around the 20th of the month, at which point those that travelled there will be able to enter Godsblood and show the Pleroma there the way. This will happen after the event prompts on each log have concluded, chronologically, but can be used to have characters reunite later in the month.
Full Moon
Probably not.
The hand that Ernesto grabs tightens a vice-like grip. It probably hurts. The look on the regressor's face would have killed countless if looks could kill. He really doesn't look too pleased though.]
What do you want? [It was impossible to tell who he was saying it to. Honestly, it could have been either Ernesto or Ernesto's suitor. At the very least, the scary aura the man gives off seems to deter whoever was accosting the smaller man.]
Re: Full Moon
Those ears of his pin back, even as he smiles nervously. He could probably bail right now. Confess to it all being a ruse, and apologize to the suitor, while dealing with potential further harassment. That's probably the smarter route to take, honestly.
But he's already dug his hole, so...
In a move that is as bold as it is stupid, Ernesto raises his other hand to place if very lightly on Joonghyuk's upper arm. ]
There's no reason to be so angry about it.
[ To the third person it hopefully sounds like Ernesto is trying to appease a jealous boyfriend, but actually he's subtly begging the other man to not be upset with Ernesto using him. Just for a second. Really, he'll let go as soon as this flirt is gone.
So please stop crushing his hand... ]
no subject
His eyes just narrow further as he glances at the hand placed on his upper arm. It's hard to tell, but somehow Yoo Joonghyuk looks even more pissed? If it's even possible (it is). He bares his teeth a little and those canines are looking mighty dangerous.]
Who is this?
[One could practically feel the vitriol that drips from his voice.
To others, he might seem like an overtly jealous boyfriend, but he's actually just a really paranoid bastard and assumes anyone and everyone is a potential threat. Does that make him a little overprotective of the other? A bit. Did that make him any less annoyed of the situation? No.
His grip, unfortunately, does not really loosen in anyway.] What do they want?
no subject
No one important, and I don't think they wanted anything serious, but...
[ He casts a glance over to the person, deciding at least one person can still act here. He fakes an apologetic smile, and shrugs one shoulder as he lets that "but" hang in the air for a moment.
That seems to be enough to make the troublesome third party turn metaphorical tail and flee quickly.
And none too soon either, because now it's time for Ernesto to drop that placating hand on Joonghyuk's arm to the hand currently crushing his own, so he can try to pry it off. His fingers are going numb. ]
Sorry about all of that, but I meant it when I said it really wasn't that serious. They just had a pretty unfortunate combination of selective hearing and desperation.
[ As casual and relaxed as his tone is, his expression is just a little strained as he wiggles his index finger between Joonghyuk's hand and his crushed hand now. Goddamn this guy is strong. He laughs a little in disbelief, and his own desperate attempt to alleviate some of the tension of the moment. ]
Not that I think this is what you were going, but you make for a scarily convincing jealous fake boyfriend.
no subject
He glares at the back of the person retreating as though accessing if letting them flee would be a mistake or not. Yoo Joonghyuk eventually sighs and lets some of the tension in his shoulders ease before turning his attention back to the other.
At least the dark haired man's entire stance seems to ease. From the way his ears move to a more neutral position and his tail sags from how upright it sat.]
Isn't being accosted my strangers something to consider serious? You don't know what their intentions might be. [He doesn't have trust issues. What are you talking about? At the very least though, he seems to notice the other trying to wriggle their fingers free and lets go of Ernesto's hand.]
Jealous...fake boyfriend... [He closes his eyes for a moment.] That wasn't my intention. If they were a problem, I would have made sure they weren't one.
no subject
But Ernesto is pretty sure they just wanted to fuck him.
That's the reason for the ironic smile that quirks on his face as he flexes his now freed fingers. Gotta get that circulation going again. ]
I have a feeling I know what their intentions were this time. They weren't particular subtle about it.
[ His head cants to the side a little, that amused smile still in place. ]
Saying things like that just makes you sound a little more like one.
[ He'll finally take his let his other hand drop from Joonghyuk's arm. ]
I appreciate the readiness to get into fights on my behalf regardless.
no subject
Even so, you should just tell them to leave if you don't want them around.
[Man has 0 tact. Please do not listen to him. He has no idea how to converse without being overtly blunt. It's a Problem.
He immediately puts some distance between them. It's nothing against the other, but just how he is. Lone wolf and all.] Isn't it to be expected? We'll be getting into fights regardless.
no subject
Maybe also a little hard to blame him.
Ernesto does what he did when Lumine pulled this move on him too, and holds up his hands to show that he is not going to be trying to make any other grabs at Joonghyuk. He is free from Ernesto's attempts at pretend boyfriends. ]
I thought I was direct enough, but...
[ A weak laugh as he trails off. Apparently not.
As for this fighting business. ]
We might have to, but I assume it's better to try to keep the number of those down as much as possible. We certainly don't want to stir up trouble for ourselves in this city.
no subject
They should probably stay together if only to keep people from approaching them as potential suitors.[
I suppose some might be more desperate than others.
[A no can become a yes if they try hard enough, or something.] Hmm. Have others been stirring up trouble? [He had spent more time gathering intel, although he wasn't the most friendly sort, so it made for somewhat tense conversations at times. Still, people will speak with a looser tongue when inebriated or when they've been given good food.]
A lot of the people here don't seem too fond at the idea of us appearing. [He keeps his words vague, but what else could he mean but them being Aions?]
no subject
Maybe he is though. When he brushed off the advances the suitor hadn't been willing to back down. Either they really were out of options, or the really had a thing for dog ears.
At least those same ears perk back up again at the offer of an information exchange here. ]
Hmm, as far as I can tell everyone has been behaving?
[ Well, no... not everyone has, but they've at least kept a low enough profile that it hasn't caused issues yet. ]
You can't really blame people though. Even if it's not exactly our fault, it's hard for the average person to welcome those that might bring some real trouble right to their doorstep.
[ His voice drops into a lower tone as he says this, though he does well maintaining a casual look and demeanor in order to not arouse suspicion from those passing by. ]
no subject
Hmm. [Yoo Joonghyuk doesn't seem entirely convinced at being told that, but he also doesn't seem to argue it either. As long as people aren't getting into trouble, he isn't going to do anything about it. Really, he hopes he doesn't have to deal with it at all.]
I'm not really blaming them. If anything, it just means that we should try and leave this place in its entirety as soon as possible. [It would help if there was a clear reasoning for their being there in the first place. Just why exactly do they have to do this? How is it beneficial for the people here?
He just remembers how Returnees turn into Disasters. It leaves a bad taste in his mouth.] I want to know why we're being brought here. What has this place feel compelled for it.
no subject
Assuming those worlds still exist.
The nodding stops at what Joonghyuk ponders out loud though, and Ernesto looks over to study the other man's face carefully. ]
Honestly? I'm wondering the same thing. It doesn't seem like we were chosen that carefully.
[ There are any number of people from his world that would be more useful than him to bring into this war. ]
no subject
Not at all. It also doesn't really make sense to me. Based on who I've met, a lot of us arrived alone. What decisions were made for that discrepancy? If someone came then why not another alongside? Why were the numbers so low too?
[It didn't really make sense. If they were here to do something, then why were so few of them brought? It felt too random. Maybe it was out of desperation that they were just spirited away out of urgency.] Tsk. How irritating.
no subject
You've put a lot of thought into this, haven't you, Mr. Joonghyuk?
[ Said as if Ernesto hadn't been pondering this very same thing almost daily himself. Though all that thinking has brought him to one, unfortunate theory again and again. ]
I'm not entirely certain whatever it was that nabbed us was a really a sentient and thinking force.
no subject
I couldn’t afford to be careless back home. I’m not going to be careless here. [He didn’t want to suffer another turn if he had to back home. He doesn’t know how things will go here.]
Perhaps not. Perhaps it was a force desperate to seek people and pulled what they could. Whatever it was, it certainly has no means of going against the Regent. Why that is though… [The problem was how little they knew about the Regent other than they held enough strength to rule over Horos.] It begs the question if we’ll be sent away once we make whatever needs that need to be met or not.
no subject
The speculation is interesting too, though... ]
I wonder where exactly it would be sending us then.
[ The smile on Ernesto's face rings hollow as he draws attention to the fact that their worlds are supposedly scattered into dust.
It's not that he believes that this is really the fate that befell Terra...
But it's hard to completely dismiss the possibility. Ernesto isn't nearly optimistic or delusional enough for that. ]
no subject
[It's not exactly said confidently, but more in a way that he can't imagine anywhere else. It probably seems a little different from the image he gives off. An optimist at heart.]
There are people to return to.
[Whether it's unrelenting optimism or delusion, he seemed intent on not believing the dream they experienced.]
no subject
It makes the assumption he's making here all the more interesting.
There's a slight twitch to one corner of Ernesto's mouth that allows for just enough change to bring something a touch more ironic looking to his smile. ]
Yeah, I guess there are.