EVENT #2: HEARTS LIKE YOURS (GREENTRUTH)

[aionmods]

Greentruth

THE FOREST'S PATH

It feels old, that is the first impression most get when entering the forests of Lohkimareen. Saplings and young trees quickly give way to regal, imposing beings that stand like monoliths over the ground. The canopy filters out much of the sunlight, leaving much of the wood bathed in dim green light even midday. Moss, ferns, and other ancient plants can be seen covering the forest floor when it isn't otherwise blanketed in a thick mist.

Travelling through Lohkimareen is dangerous, even to those who know her well.

Your journey won't be an easy one. You will get turned around, unsure of which path to take, as well as having to avoid run-ins with dangerous fauna and flora. And just when you believe this may have been a big mistake all together, an arrow flies overhead. The group is quickly surrounded by archers clad in fur, skin, and rough leathers. They exchange glances as they regard the group, communicating using hand signals. After a tense moment, they tell you that you are to come with them unless you would rather take your chances in the mists.

If you ask where they are taking you, they will be honest: Vihreaus or your death. That all depends on you. All other questions will be met with silence.

Two hours later, they say that you have arrived. But rather than in front of you, one must look up. A series of wooden platforms have been built to sit above the mists and it is up that you must go. The archers lead the way and carry the back, making sure that everyone stays in line.

You are immediately ferried to a hollow in the large tree, carved out of the wood itself and dimly lit with torches. There you are shuffled to the center where an old man meets you. His smile is weak, but a smile nonetheless.

"Show me your shards."

One by one, he will inspect them, never to touch but only to study intently for a moment. After each person has been inspected, his smile turns more genuine as he announces to you weary travelers and locals gathered.

"She speaks the truth. Aions are once again among us!"

The Aions are quickly surrounded, but this time with excitement from the scouts. They will readily share some food and tell the weary travelers that they will be camping here for the night and make their way onto Vihreaus in the morning.

WELCOME TO GREENTRUTH

From the outpost near the forest's edge, the journey to Vihreaus takes several days. Luckily for the Aions they have skilled scouts and the winding paths through the trees are much safer than walking on the forest floor, at least for those that know the way. They will encounter smaller outposts along the way where you will camp out as the scouts exchange the good news with others. This allows you some time to explore the forest further, but you will be cautioned not to stray too far from the campsite. The Regent dares not enter these woods for a reason.

The journey is worth it. The scouts proudly announce once you have arrived on the evening of the fifth day. Ladders of rope and wood are dropped from high platforms on the lowest branches of the largest trees. From there, stairs wind around and around, rising above the mists to reveal a secluded but flourishing settlement in the canopy. Torches lighting community spaces, doorways, and rope bridges twinkle like fireflies in the night. This, you are told, is Vihreaus - "Greentruth" in the common tongue. You are greeted by the locals with a mixture of trepidation and excitement, some more hesitant and disbelieving while others wish to know everything about you.

The settlement itself looks labyrinthian. There are no signs or placards to distinguish between public use and private dwellings, but with some exploration it becomes clear that houses tend to be in clusters along smaller trees and branches while the community buildings and businesses loop the main trunks of the largest trees. It seems that some preparations were made for your arrival as "The Aion of Greentruth" had predicted it. If asked about the Aion, the locals will say that she spends her time between Greentruth and the mountains. Despite heralding your arrival, she had business elsewhere but said she would be back in time to greet her peers.

One of the areas that was previously a community lot carved into the main tree has been converted into temporary housing for the new Aions. Until you establish yourself and find your own housing, you may stay here. Hammocks and straw beds with what leathers and furs that can be spared are given. If you want to wash up you can travel to a tree in the south east that gives access to a waterfall and small lake.

Once you've made yourself as comfortable as possible, you are free to explore the settlement as you wish. During the day there is a good amount of activity as residents are trading and either returning from expeditions or preparing for the next. Though you have been given what supplies can be spared, they make due with little in Greentruth. With your help they may be able to gather more resources for the community and for the resistance effort. Aions can help by performing tasks for NPCs, whether that is assisting with scouting, hunting and gathering, offering any sort of crafting or practical skills, as well as building extensions to the settlement and repairing houses. Those who have made a good impression may be invited to dinner by the locals they're helping or make use of the community style soup kitchen that feeds warriors in the mornings and evenings.

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. It is also a time of year where the peoples of Greentruth can take a moment to forget their struggles against the Regent and their forces and instead indulge in the company of one another. Preparations for the event will take place days before it and you will see extra care taken to cleaning up the amphitheater in the center of town. Garlands made of vines and brightly colored flowers are lovingly hung by at least two people at a time, as is custom. Barrels of fermented honey are rolled out of storage and petals and mosses soften the wood of the trunk.

The festivities begin in the mid-afternoon. All are asked to remove their shoes so that their feet can enjoy the softness of the flower petals and moss, symbolizing how our bonds too can soften our journeys. A large bonfire is lit in the center which is used both for light and warmth but also to cook throughout the evening.

If there is an Aion of the Lover's Legacy in their midst, that person will be a point of interest during the celebration. Learning more about that Aion as a person is important and they may find themselves being called to join people throughout the night to take part in their drinking, feasting, and dancing.

❖ FEASTING
Greentruth regularly goes through periods of a sudden influx in foodstuffs and preparing it for long-term storage in case of a food shortage. But during the Lover's Festival, attendees are encouraged to eat to their heart's content. Meats are abundant thanks to the megafauna that are scavenged and hunted, while an array of fresh and dried fruits and pickled vegetables are also available. Nearly everything seems to be spiced. Fermented honeys and fruits make for the available liquor and a watered down version is available for children or those who would prefer something a little less strong.

❖ SACRED MESI (CW: drug use)
One staple of the Lover's Festival is the drinking of the Sacred Mesi. Throughout the evening, large flowers are passed around, brimming with a glowing liquid in the center. This is what they call the Mesi, nectar of the Mesiya. To drink this is to bond with spirit of Lohkimareen herself. It is completely optional to take part but it is fairly commonplace between adults in the settlement. Aions that choose to partake will immediately feel warm and tingly. Common effects of the mesi are slowed reflexes, blurred vision and seeing colors, a feeling of floating and general "carefree" attitude for the remainder of the evening. It is seen as a state of being unattached to the concerns of the physical world, and said that those who are particularly sensitive to the mesi may hear the voice of the forest.

For Aions in particular, the effects turn out to be more radical. The disconnect from your physical body becomes literal, with your consciousness seeming to transcend confines of your body, free to commune with the spirits of the trees themselves. Everything has a soul, you realize, while looking at the world through this lens, and when looking at other Aions you may see spiritual representations of them, their form appearing in abstract concepts and symbolism rather than a literal body. With how metaphysical the experience can be, it is hard to draw any factual information, so much as a series of emotional impressions. This effect will last for a few hours. Drinking more can prologue the effect, but the mesi can be powerful and those that over indulge may feel unwell the next day.

❖ THE AION
As promised, the Aion who predicted your arrival has made it back to Greentruth in time for the Lover's Festival. She is greeted heartily by the locals and it is not just because of the atmosphere, they appear to hold her in genuine affection and regard. She makes her rounds with a placid smile, but her true interest lies in meeting you. Those who choose not to speak with her directly will hear that she is called "Tehri of the Deep Mists" and that she has been the only Aion in Greentruth for some time. Her legacy is the Visionary and other Visionary Pleroma may feel a special connection to her.

If you would like to speak with Tehri, please tag into the open NPC thread below.

EXPLORATION

On the 20th, after the Lover's Festival and have had time to earn her trust, Tehri will request that they take a walk with her. On the boughs of one of the more secluded trees of the settlement, she will reveal that while the resistance effort has been quiet of late, she is skilled in portal magic. What appears as a tree hollow glows bright and gold as the Aions approach it. This, she explains, is her personal portal to the city of Godsblood. It leads into an an underground space beneath Godsblood, with tunnels that lead out unto a few inns and other businesses that are sympathetic to the resistance cause. They are well hidden, but from there they will be able to seek out the Pleroma that went to Godsblood and show them the way if they are interested.

She will advise that the portal needs to be kept hidden - not all in the settlement know its location. Though only Aions may pass through, the physical barriers of the portals may still be destroyed, rendering it inert.

QUESTIONS

What basic necessities are provided?
In addition to the beds and a roof over their head, Aions will receive clothing which is main mostly with leathers, furs, and animal skins. All will have their own water skin and a carved wooden bowl, handmade soaps that come in a variety of pleasing scents, and a candle. Other essential hand tools and weapons would be temporarily supplied to anyone who assists around the settlement with hunting crafting, etc. They would be expected to be returned at the end of the work day for repair.

My character knows how to make their own weapons or items. Is that allowed?
It is allowed and encouraged! If your character can help craft arrows, make more hand tools, bowls etc. the locals would be very pleased. If you make something of your own will you would be able to keep it as well.

Can my character join the resistance?
Congratulations! By choosing to come to Greentruth they are automatically part of the resistance effort. More information on what that will entail regarding in-game action and missions will be made clear in future events. For now you are safe to assume that helping the other members and locals is just as important.

What megafuana are in the area?
Most creatures in Lohkimareen are reptilian in nature, though more standardized birds and mammals can be found as well. The megafauna are exclusively draconic and dinosaurian in nature, though you will find that they too come in a variety of sizes. They may range from small insect-hunting dragons to forest giants. Predatory dinosaurs and dragons tend to be more aggressive and should be avoided. Dragons tend to be more elusive but can be seen both on the land and in the trees and air. There are rumors that you can plead for your life with a dragon, but not so much with others.

So I can travel back and froth between Greentruth and Godsblood?
You may! But remember that it is important to keep a low profile in Godsblood. Do not draw attention to the location of the portals on either side or else the integrity of the resistance may be at stake.

Comments

Eleven | Martyr

[bearshermark]

I. Exploring/End of the Day Repairs

Proper food, rest, clean clothes and a thorough wash leave Eleven far more agreeable and in much better spirits than when they arrived. His smile comes a little more forced with those that approach with a myriad of questions, but he laughingly downplays his importance or intrigue and tenders dissatisfying non-answers where he can manage it.

But really, once he can stop looking down, he finds a genuine admiration for the people living within the settlement. There's a breathtaking cleverness to the walkways winding around the tree trunks with bridges suspended between platforms. Ropes and simple structures act as ingenious systems with which to raise and lower goods to and from the forest floor. Sentries stand guard with the forest spread in every direction, and it feels oddly safe in a way he hopes those in Godsblood have managed to replicate for themselves.

And while he could spend days marvelling over the wooden houses and walking circles about the trees, there exists a sense of purpose to those living in the canopy that leaves him feeling rather as though he should find something to be doing. At first, that's simply tending to those returning injured from expeditions and hunts, but Eleven discovers further purpose the moment he catches sight of a few smiths and swiftly finds a place among them.

Near the end of each day, Eleven faithfully greets those returning warriors and hunters that borrowed weapons for the day.

"I hope your venture was a successful one," he says with a warm smile. "Are you returning your weapon for repair?"


II. Festival- Out of Body Experience (CW: drug use)

[Eleven hesitates to imbibe the sacred mesi at first, wary of unknown substances entering his body after the last, but as he keeps an eye on those who do and their lack of distress, he finally agrees to partake.

The sensation is unlike anything he's ever before experienced. It isn't unpleasant, but even his visions or his trek into the Void itself had never felt like this. For several heartbeats, he thinks he may still have made a mistake, and then- then..

Then it's beautiful.

If he had physical eyes, they'd be watering. If he had breath, it would catch. He's drawn up the trees and feels.. he isn't sure what. Certainly, there's a distant voice somewhere.

His spirit shudders pleasantly, then floats in a mute wonder- at first around the space he recognizes the small shoot of leaves he intuitively knows represents his physical body—where his real face looks only hazily aware—then drifts around the others with a curious attention to their own spirits.

The noise of the festival itself has dulled to a quiet rush and he basks in the warm energy, sensations, and emotions like slow-shifting mountains rolling through him.

It's a feeling of spiritual connection he's only felt once (or twice?) before, like everything and every one..

We're all.. connected.]

We're all.. connected.


III. Amongst the Trees

Something awoke in him that night in the amphitheater. He'd felt echoes of it before as they walked, like the grass of the forest beneath their feet was alive, or that a few of the ferns seemed unwell. Paranoia or imaginings, he'd thought.

Eleven may have spent the day after feeling poorly as he came down from the intense effects of possibly overindulging, but just as soon as he was well enough again, he set out with a borrowed sword in hand to touch nearby trees and simply listen. The results were more muted, but he understood with a clarity he hadn't had before what it was he was feeling. Even if those emotions seemed too great or too old to grasp properly, understanding even a fraction of it left him awestruck.

"They have feelings!" he exclaimed with a broad grin without knowing if anyone else was around to hear. Still, his enthusiasm was hardly faded, and he drew his hand down the bark of tree he'd listened to with an inexplicable fondness.

His voice quieted, still warm though subdued with the realization. "They all do. Everything does. ..It's beautiful."


IV. Wildcard

[Feel free to do anything adjacent to these prompts, or pop in with any communal meal or casual run-in around the settlement, or else hit up El's plotting comment if you have any other ideas you'd be interested in playing out!]

I

[coerthantorment]

"Aye," Estinien says, one of those warriors come back from a hunt. Though, his appearance makes it unclear what the results were. He's spattered in blood, and the spear he holds out is almost completely broken in half, with only a few splinters of wood holding it together. The spear tip still has blood staining the cracks around its base.

"It'll need a new shaft, but the blade can be salvaged," he says. "If more lengths of wood are needed here, I can take another journey this evening."

[bearshermark]

Eleven takes the splinted spear with a frown, but he's torn from examining the damage by the blood on the man himself and turns concerned eyes on him instead.

"Are you injured?"

[coerthantorment]

"Nay," he says. "'Tis only the blood of the beast I slew. Yet, it seems my lance wasn't up to the task." He shrugs. "I'm used to wielding finer materials... ones that can account for the force of my blows."

Of course, most normal spears would struggle with that, even if they hadn't been forged in the middle of a forest.

[bearshermark]

Reassured, Eleven nods and returns his attention back to the weapon. Certainly, it isn't the finest of spears. Jade would likely break it as well. At least the metal would be salvageable.

"It's unfortunate," he agrees, "If we had more materials, we could afford to make more enduring weapons."

[coerthantorment]

Estinien agrees with a grunt, gesturing at the shaft. The metal is hardly masterwork, but it's the wood that's the weak point.

"Were it feasible, I could benefit from one that was metal all the way down," he says. "The techniques of a dragoon place immense force upon our weapons... I've found a single dive is oft enough to shatter the ones here."

Which does tend to result in a dead beast, ready to harvest, but he'd feel better if he weren't putting their smiths under strain.

[bearshermark]

Eleven peers closer at the point of break, intrigued to think this man might have shattered the wood in a single blow. A dive, he'd said. He's never seen a spear used quite like that, but the force and break makes more sense that way.

"An interesting technique," he muses with an apologetic smile. "Would that we had the metal available to fashion one for you. I'm in need of a good sword myself.. But we'd first need to source more material for such things. In the meantime, all I can offer is to have another made for you on the morrow if you'll be hunting again."

[coerthantorment]

"'Twill do for now," he says. He falls silent for a moment, and then adds: "Have you thought much of our future here?"

It may not feel like it quite yet, but this is going to be a long-term battle. If there even is a home to return to, it's far out of reach, and Estinien increasingly understands that this is something that is his responsibility to take care of, using whatever power he has.

"The people of these woods are our true allies, and this place our only source of protection... if we had the means to better arm them..."

[bearshermark]

Eleven looks back to him with a considering tip of his head. Their future? Admittedly, he hasn't thought much beyond settling into their new life to help where he can- where it matters- and hoping to obtain a sword before they need to fight.

But beyond just a sturdy sword or lance.. he follows the man's line of thought. His eyes flash with the spark of it. If the entire settlement was well-outfitted..

"If we could find that much ore, I'd be willing to spend weeks here refining it. Though even if there is a plentiful source, we'd need more than just the two of us to haul it here."

[coerthantorment]

"'Tis far from my area of expertise," he says. "But I could lead someone better equipped through the woods."

Estinien has next to know practical skills outside of combat, which makes this whole prospect of trying to build something quite difficult to him. He is absolutely motivated to try, however.

"This place is lacking the infrastructure to accommodate moving large quantities of anything. It does make me wonder how things fair in that city the others went off to... Godsblood?"