aionlogs | EVENT #2: HEARTS LIKE YOURS (GODSBLOOD)

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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.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

—?

[ dextera flinches at the feeling of a hand on him in this vulnerable position, but the immediate fear at least passes with the realization that he knows that hand and that voice.

…and being that his body has now acknowledged it’s safe, he nods only once before collapsing onto his knees in a pile of pathetic, stinky misery. ]

[ --oh, god. Abel gives a soft noise of surprise as Dextera melts like a withering flower before sinking right along with him. oh geez. oh boy. oh goodness me. ]

J-just take a deep breath, alright...? Are you hurt somewhere? Please take it easy, it's alright...

[ maybe he's sick...? he doesn't look well at all, and in a terribly disheveled state-- has he been taking care of himself at all? (no, screams reason. no, he has not. DEX....) ]

[ miraculously, no, dextera is not hurt. he’s just in a bad state of affairs, and the greatest thing someone could possibly offer him now is a glass of water. or perhaps a lot more than a glass.

following abel’s instructions in lieu of that, however, dextera does take a deep breath. ]

…

[ he’s in no state to attempt that connection that allowed them to communicate about rituals before, but he does have regular hands. without looking up from the ground, he lifts his hand to write on the wall, a simple message of ineffective reassurance. ]

OK.

[ ...'okay?' buddy, this doesn't look okay, and Abel doesn't look effectually convinced of it either as he gently offers Dextera a hand so he might lift himself upright. ]

Come on... do you think you could walk? Please lean on me if you need to-- let's get you out of here and somewhere a bit more hospitable, mm...?

[ Abel's smile, at least, is kind - if a little frayed around the edges with concern. but, you know... maybe some Concern is valid in this instance? maybe. ]

[ dextera has to take a few more calming breaths before he’s ready to do anything, but he does pick himself up with abel’s help. he also takes the offer to lean on abel… which means that abel surely gets a whiff of weeks now of not bathing.

it’s not like dextera is unaware—he just can’t be bothered. ]

[ Dex...? Dex. Dex, dearest. dearest, sweet Dex.

you reek, good Lord. Abel's expression briefly withers, but he doesn't make much of a show of it aside from a wrinkling of his nose. g-geez, has Dextera cleaned up at all since their escapades in the cavern...?? ]

There we go-- nice and easy now, alright? If nothing else, I'm an especially sturdy leaning post, you see~?

[ tall dumbasses are good for something it seems...!! who knew. but Abel is, indeed, keeping an arm wound around his friend and begins gently leading him out of the alley and for the streets, seemingly with a destination in mind. ]

How did you end up in such a state...? Have you been wandering all this time? Lost?

[ they had all gone their separate ways at the valley, but even so-- they had tried to remain in smaller groups. maybe Dextera had struck it off on his own for a while? ]

[ the combination of leaning on someone and time go a long way in easing the panic that had been making him the sickest, but there is still an unhappy sensation in the pit of his stomach that would probably put him out of commission if he felt safe enough to go lay down somewhere isolated. it’s stubbornness, and maybe a little shame, keeping him upright in the presence of another person. ]

…

[ he gives a quick nod in response to abel’s question. his ill-advised solo adventure didn’t lead him to getting lost, precisely, but his condition would be considerably better off had he been wise enough to travel in the company of others. ]

[ well... the important part is he isn't alone now, and whatever he's done to himself-- that can be fixed, right? probably. hopefully, maybe.

Abel, for his part, isn't keen on letting Dextera off on his own in such a state - so, at least there's the promise of being looked after for the time being...! the priest is gently leading him through the streets and toward where he had found temporary lodgings; the crowds are thick during festival times and everything sure is bustling, but... ]

--It's alright~! We'll get you cleaned up, something warm in you-- you'll feel right as rain in no time, mm? Are you all on your lonesome...?

[ if he has no one waiting on him, Abel is free to borrow Dextera long as is necessary to, you know. get him in working order, so to speak?? god, ]

Ugh…

[ it’s the first sound he’s made other than heavy breathing, and it’s wrung out of him when abel suggests that anything might be going in. he will not be eating or drinking so much as a morsel until his stomach settles.

but he then nods, pathetic as ever, to abel’s inquiry. because he left after the initial group to godsblood and left behind those hoping to venture into greentruth, the past week, excluding the boat trip, has been a lonely journey. ]

…

[ he exhales through his nose, turning a guilty but grateful gaze abel’s way for the help—but the moment he stops looking where he’s going, he gets bumped and a whimper falls right out of him. ]

[ ah... that noise in combination with Dex's poor pallor is beginning to clue Abel in on where the other man's discomfort might be stemming from. mm, mm, now that he's piecing it together? it seems all too obvious in hindsight... ]

--Easy! Goodness, no one is watching what they plow themselves into, hm?! Are manners in short supply around here or what...?!

[ the GALL? that lady didn't even turn around after clipping Dex with her shoulder, smh. but Abel is carefully guiding Dextera through the din and into a much quieter through-by street that isn't quite as packed. ]

...I've got a small room over there, you see? [ he points

but there is a wall of a building to their left in the way, so it's... not very helpful, ]

We'll get you inside and figure this out, alright? I can have a bath ran for you, and... ah, do you need a doctor, do you think?

[ is Dex slowly perishing or can Abel's 2iq bedside manner handle this, he wonders, ]

[ most of abel’s chattering goes unheard. dextera picks out keywords like an animal trying to make sense of commands, efficiently dismissing the things that don’t matter until he realizes he’s been asked a question. the talkativeness is hard, but not impossible, to follow as long as he keeps his ears perked for the important things.

he shakes his head, with possibly a little more force than necessary. he doesn’t need a doctor, and even if he did he would probably refuse one—the idea doesn’t sit well with him, though he can’t exactly place why. ]

…

[ furthermore, now that there are fewer people, dextera pulls himself away from abel and stumbles—vaguely guided, thanks to the quality of the instructions—in the direction abel pointed. ]

[ ah. this is a terrible combination, isn't it-- Abel never shutting up and Dextera barely absorbing his endless rambling. sad, sad, sad.

but the priest trots diligently by Dextera's side, hovering to assist if he looks like he's going to lose his balance again, fretfully; thankfully for both of them, it isn't long before they're ducking into another alleyway-- this one leading to the back of a building. the interior is a narrow stairwell leading to the second floor. ]

--This way, alright? Please watch your step... do you need a hand up?

…

[ ugh, stairs.

dextera shakes his head again at abel’s question. he still doesn’t feel completely himself, but given a few minutes’ walk to clear his mind, the only thing still ailing him is that his stomach hurts. the panic has, more or less, subsided.

he slowly inches his way up the stairs; despite having taken the lead, he seems unsteady on them, as if he’s not totally sure of the best way to ascend the staircase.

he’ll get there, just… give him a second. ]

[ Abel has so many questions compounding upon questions that they're forming a pile he might never dig himself out of at this rate... but his concern is mounting, too; he keeps a close trail behind Dextera just in case the young man should lose his balance so he doesn't go toppling down the stairwell. ]

Easy does it... um-- once you reach the top, Mr. Dextera, it'll be the second door on your right in the hall! It's not much, so please temper your expectations ahead of time, would you...?

[ and don't mind some of the questionable folks holed up here. this is what you get for dirt cheap during the festival, okay, ]

[ after getting to the top, dextera keeps his head down as he passes the other clientele. no one actually looks as if they’re interested in bothering him or abel, but he’s more than accustomed to making sure nobody can see him or will bother him. he scrunches himself up on his hasty way over to the designated door. there is a passing greeting from someone to abel, though, an acknowledgment of his present residence here.

dextera simply flinches and shuffles on. ]

…

[ a bit like a dog uncertain of its boundaries, dextera pauses in front and waits for abel to open the door for him. ]

[ Abel is patting Dex's shoulder reassuringly as he exchanges pleasantries with one of their passers by, as if there's nothing strange about the decidedly ill-looking and huddled interloper in their midst-- which doesn't garner much attention, thankfully...! many are over-eager to indulge in the festivities, the occasional soul worse for wear because of it isn't a rarity.

but the priest is soon opening the door to his humble abode-- it's a very small and barebones affair, little more than a rumpled bed and a table with a single chair situated up against the window, but it's a place to retire to and that's all that matters. ]

Here... please relax, mm? [ his tone is gentle as he closes the door to give them privacy, and out of an over abundance of caution moves to draw the curtains as well. ] ...You really do look a mess. Are you sure you're alright?

[ blue eyes find his friend with no small amount of concern and question; he's hoping to hear what has befallen dear Dextera to find him in such a state. ]

[ dextera makes his way over to abel’s bed and claims it. (abel will need to wash the sheets later.) although this place isn’t exactly luxurious, for the moment, it’s the most comfortable mattress dextera has ever had the pleasure of lying on—and once he’s horizontal, he reaches under his clothes and withdraws his shard so he can communicate. ]

…

[ he exhales; although he doesn’t like receiving messages through this whole strange system, he can’t deny it’s useful for communicating. his words, a little faint due to his lack of true voice, still manage to form audibly when abel accepts the prompt. ]

I ate too much.

[ ...w-wait.

wait.

wait, wait. Dextera looks so wretched because he-- he ate too much??? WHAT. Abel looks utterly dumbfounded for a good few seconds; this is an affliction he can definitely empathize with, but even still.

WHAT. ]

Wh--

[ hold please, he is attempting to wrangle his singular brain cell for a proper response. ]

Wh... what did you-- I mean, how did you get the jools for enough to-- ah, it isn't important. I-in that case, if you rest for a while... you'll surely feel better, mm? Right?

[ but he needs a bath....... direly.

and Abel may just burn these sheets, honestly, ]

[ ‘ate too much’ may be a simplification of the situation that’s leaving out dextera’s natural inclination towards panic, and the fact that he probably consumed at least one non-edible item in his haste to get away, but it’s nonetheless the explanation that he’s given.

he nods, grimly, at abel’s gentle advice. ]

I don’t know what I ate. But it was too much.

[ the closest he’ll come to admitting things are inside him that shouldn’t be. ]

[ 'don't know what I ate' is a bit more worrisome, considering they're in a land that's foreign to all of them - and certain things might not be... taken... as well as others. is Dextera also inclined to shove things in his piehole if they look appetizing without thinking twice about the consequences??

...little does he know,

he gives a small wince of sympathy, before he gestures for Dex to stay where he is resting on the bed. ]

Well, then the best thing you can do is get a little R&R-- so please stay put, alright? I'll ask for a bath to be ran and we'll get you cleaned up... I bet that alone will make you feel worlds better, Mr. Dextera! --Ah, do you have a change of clothes anywhere, by the way?

[ because he is NOT going to be permitted to climb back into these bad boys. nosiree. they may be utilized as chemical warfare, honestly. ]

[ to this, dextera just shakes his head. he came here with nothing but what the villagers had initially offered him, which has worked just fine for him. again, the worrying part comes in his follow-up. ]

I can just wear these again.

[ he knows they’re gross, it’s not like he’s unaware when he’s the one wearing them, but he also doesn’t have a better option. maybe he’ll just get in the bath with his clothes on and scrub off the worst of the filth. ]

You-- you absolutely cannot wear these again!! Gross, gross-- you don't mean that, do you?!

[ Abel's leaning over the bed a bit, looking a mixture of befuddled and utterly flummoxed at this response. s-surely Dex is joking...? ]

...Look, if you haven't any other clothing, we'll just have to fetch you something. [ that can't be too hard... ] Um, or you can wear mine until we can locate something more in your size-- it might be a bit big, but that's not the worst deal in the world, right...? --Listen, the moral of the story is that we are absolutely getting you into something clean, so don't think of arguing the point!

…

[ the outrage is a little much, but dextera keeps that thought to himself. abel is just trying to be kind, after all. momentarily setting aside his shard as well as his pride, dextera grabs the front of his collar so he can get a good whiff of his own situation.

hm, bad. the scientific conclusion is that he is very icky. like smelling salts, however, he feels a little more clear-headed after the unpleasant sniff.

he nods. ]

...Okay.

[ good. some of the dramatics settle as it seems Dextera is in agreement with him, and Abel eases up as he straightens his spine again, moving to the bag resting against the floor in the corner of the room; it contains what little he has in the way of personal belongings. ]

Okay! Then... I'll have the bath ran, and you can wear a change of my clothing for now. We can go about finding you something more to your, ah. Size and liking? After you're clean and feeling a bit more yourself-- sound like a plan?

[ dextera nods, but there’s a pause that follows that suggests there’s still something more he wants to say. there’s a reason that he hadn’t dunked himself in the water in the valley of the innocent, nor has he taken any other available opportunity to bathe until now. ]

I don’t remember the last time I had a bath.

[ it’s unfortunately not a figure of speech. he literally does not recall it. ]

Help Him

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