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

Himeka Sui | Wanderer | Open Prompts

[aquaveiled]

[ ooc; I default to brackets but will match your style! ]

i. into the woods

[ Mentions of a resistance effort certainly piqued Himeka's interest when snooping about the villages surrounding the Valley of Innocence, but that they set their base in a large, unwieldy forest has its own appeal. The closer they get to the forests edge, the more she feels that this is the right path. It reminds her of the Black Shroud, old and wild. Familiar whispers reach her horns as they stand at the border, though she can't discern them just yet. ]

I was found not far from here. There have to be people inside.

[ The bodies that were strewn about the Wanderer's Shrine. Were those the people of Greentruth? Only one way to find out... ]

Well, no need to dally. Let's go!

[ With renewed vigor, she pushes forward into the brush and the deep dark woods of Lohkimareen. Those who wish to explore are welcome to join her, even if it is only a little way into the forest. She's keen on collecting various vegetation and fruit to see what may be edible. She managed to barter a pan from the village rather than any sort of weaponry and wants to make good use of it.

But lingering at the edge will only impede process in the long-run. The farther they go in, the more turned around she feels. As they stop on what seems to be the footpath for some large creature, she frowns. ]

Haven't we seen this same...giant imposing tree before?

ii. tending the herd

[ After getting some good food in her belly and an uninterrupted night's rest, Himeka doesn't waste a moment of the filtered daylight. Going up and down the winding pathways of Greentruth is almost as confusing as finding her way there, just much less dangerous. She peaks in to various alcoves and buildings, occasionally incidentally peaking in on a resident (oops). Mayhaps you decided to join her?

In her wanderings, though, she manages to find the man-made pasture somewhere in the main settlement. At first she can't tell exactly what is being kept there, but as she draws closer she sees that the animals there are hard-skinned with large frills and horns. Triceratops-like dinosaurs huddle together near a water trough, adults and babies alike. ]

Oh...I haven't seen scalekin like that before.

iii. lover's festival (CW: Drug use )

[ When she starts to hear about preparations for the festival, Himeka immediately begins to snoop. Any sort of party based around appreciating others is one that she will be happy to participate in, but it is when they start to go over what foods they will serve that she is all in.

Learning the local cuisine and cooking techniques is essential. Yet when she's encouraged to be creative, she contributes with her own take on a spiced fruit bake and some simple heart shaped fresh fruit for aesthetics. If you stop by the kitchens before the event, she will gladly hold out a spoonful. ]

What do you think?

[ One the festival itself is in full swing, Himeka is only too happy to take part in the indulgences. After weeks in captivity and then making due in the wilds, it's high time they had something to feast on. She's usually seen with something to eat or drink in hand. And if you don't, she will supply you with something. ]

We don't know when we can eat like this again. Be sure to try everything at least twice!

[ Which, of course, which means once she's the one receiving the sacred flower, there's only a moment of consideration before she takes a drink of the Mesi. Himeka doesn't even remember passing it on as the world around her suddenly feels lifted and so full. To the person standing near her, she may look ridiculous just standing there staring up at the canopy, but when approached she will quickly shush them down. ]

Can't you hear it?

xx. wildcard

[ ooc; Anything else! I'm pretty open so feel free to drop your own starter or ping me on her plotting comment or on plurk at doggystyle or the discord server. Notably Himeka will be making herself useful at the soup kitchen, so you can find her there if you're stopping by for a meal. ]

III gunna have cake and eat it too

[coerthantorment]

"Himeka?"

Estinien has come to snoop around the kitchen, mostly because he and the other hunters have been hauling fresh meat up there and he's wondering what his friend is up to. His dragoon leaping abilities mean he has finished the work quite a bit faster than anyone expected, and he has some time to kill.

Himeka coming upon him with a spoon at the ready is totally unsurprising to him, and at this point in their relationship, he eats whatever it is as a matter of reflex. He freezes for a moment, chewing, before commenting:

"Those dragonets would appreciate this."

GOOD

[aquaveiled]

He's both a good and bad resource--good because he will give her his honest appraisal regardless of whether or not it's what she wants to hear and bad because there few things Estinien has really strong opinions on. His current feedback leaves her a little puzzled.

"...I hope you're not saying it tastes like day old bugs that have been left in the sun to rot."

[coerthantorment]

"I'm saying it tastes like fruit. They liked fruit," he says, lifting his shoulder. Thankfully, a moment later even he realizes that it's a pretty lame comment to give, and tries to think of what else to add. "It's better than just eating it raw."

[aquaveiled]

'It tastes like fruit.'

See! See, that's exactly what she means when she thinks that he doesn't have strong opinions on things. Though she supposes as long as it isn't overtly bad she'll have to take it.

Still, she makes no effort to hide the fact she finds his feedback less than helpful.

"Well that's good I suppose because it's mostly fruit."

[coerthantorment]

Her (justified) criticism is just making him become more contrary. He crosses his arms, scoffing softly.

"Well, what else is there in it? ...Spices, I assume?"

Spices are a thing Estinien understands in the abstract, but he couldn't tell you which ones are used for any particular meal. What do you put on fruit? Sugar? Pepper?

[aquaveiled]

She crosses her arms right back at him, still holding onto the spoon. Are there two Aions having a stupid stand off in the soup kitchen? Yes, yes there are.

"Mhm." He got that much. There are spices, not just fruit.

"And nuts."

A beat.

"You know, the hard crunchy parts."

ii

[dragon_rider]

[ For anyone who'd known him it's really no surprise that Hiccup doesn't sit still when they've arrived in the village. Becoming Chief of Berk hadn't stopped his adventurous spirit and with no people to run it leaves more time to himself — and that also meant never stopping. So the past few days he's been seen doing nothing but bouncing between activities: asking about the landscape, studying the animals, helping repair houses, or in the weaponsmiths repairing and making things.

He spends a lot of time among the animals, however, interested in the draconic creatures that surround the village — It's the most at home he's felt since arriving in the world even if he's cautious of the fact these aren't their dragons (that doesn't mean lack of trying).

When Himeka appeared that day he raised a single brow:]

Scalekin, huh? That's a new one. [ But he turned back as he crossed his arms, thinking: ] They remind me a lot of the Buffalord. Except for the lack of wings and I'm going to hope lack of ability to inflate their body.

[aquaveiled]

[ A new one? She cocks her head to the side for a moment at that. "Scalekin" refers to a rather large breadth of animals, doesn't it? Mayhaps not everything she thought was universal actually is.

Speaking of... ]

"Buffalord"?

[ She raises a brow as she steps closer. ]

I'm not sure about the inflation...we can ask? They are round, but not perfectly round like one would expect a Bomb or Fugu to be.

[dragon_rider]

[ Hiccup shrugged his shoulders, settling his hands against his hips — gaze flickering between his companion and those just beyond. ]

A type of dragon. Mystery class, surprisingly docile for its size. Gentle unless you take it from its food source.

[ It's said simply. Dragons are such a part of his life that not talking about them fell away several days prior — probably encouraged by a forest being able to live alongside them. ]

I don't know what a Bomb or Fugu are... those Scalekin you were talking about? I hope inflation isn't a universal feature in our reptilian friends.

[aquaveiled]

"Mystery class?"

[ There have been mysterious dragons this whole time, by definition, and she didn't now? ]

I'd like to see a Mystery Dragon! But could I? Do they become invisible to enhance their mystery?

[ She's taking this and running with it. ]

Oh no, they're not scalekin at all which is what would make that odd. They're fish.

[dragon_rider]

[ Hiccups responding laugh was light, as he offered a shake of his head. It's not a motion that seems judgmental — Honestly, he's yet to fully wrap his head around the fact most of the people here haven't lived with dragons in every scope of their life: ]

Changewings, yes. They can go invisible, but some of the Mystery dragons went there after the Fear class of dragons was dissolved and we were still working out if there was a better place for them...

[ He caught himself quickly, offering a sheepish grin and the quick shifting of a hand behind his head: ] Not that I've seen anything like the dragons I know since we woke up here.

[ Despite himself, there's some curiosity there — A person ready to learn all they can about some other dragons. ] Fish? No relation to your scalekins or any other leviathons?

Well, there is always something new to learn out there; Nothing surprises me anymore.

[aquaveiled]

[ He's tossing around a lot of terminology and Himeka is beginning to feel that despite the time she's spent with dragons on her own star, she hasn't really ever considered how they prefer to categorize themselves other than by brood. Mayhaps it matters less? There are scalekin that inhabit the same environments as dragons, but they are definitely not the same thing. ]

Where do you place wyverns on that list?

[ She needs to find some sort of basis for all this. What is a "Fear" dragon? A really...scary looking one? ]

Estinien made friends with some little dragons. So the ones you know aren't like that?

[ Though to be fair the dragons she knows are also only small as children, not just...permanently.

Oh wait, he knows Leviathan? ]

The Primal? I killed him a few times.

[ This is all clear as mud, right?

She turns her attention back to the creatures in front of them. They look peaceful, at least from a distance. ]

Mayhaps we should get closer so we can see for ourselves just where they fit in?

forests....

[passio]

[ dextera has never really had a choice before. while most of the others he knows have made their way toward the nearest city, dextera weighed his options and decided to at least stop at the forest’s edge and see what’s going on. he’s never seen so many trees in his life… and with any forest comes any number of strange plants and fungi that have made their home under the canopy in this unfamiliar world.

he picks up plenty of things on their little cautious venture around the forest’s edge, and when he can’t hold anything else, he reaches out to tug on himeka’s sleeve like a lost child.

when she turns, she’ll see that his arms are full of a variety of things, some which are definitely not edible but have piqued his curiosity nevertheless. ]

…?

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka is admiring one rather strange and colorful bush when she feels the tug. Blinking, she looks over to see the veritable feast he has provided. Her eyes widen at the array, strange plants and fungi she hadn't even seen herself. This...calls for experimentation.

Anything is edible until it's been proven otherwise! ]

Oh...yes, I think we can make something with this. A few things, actually.

[ She cracks her knuckles, ready for the challenge. ]

First thing we should do is arrange it by...texture? No, taste. We'll need to arrange it by taste. Here, let's lay it out and see what you've found.

[ She hurries over to a flat spot of grass, dusting it off with her tail quickly as if there is a way to make it more clean. ]

[passio]

[ dextera had noticed her tail, since he was walking behind her, but he’s surprised to see how efficiently she uses it to just straighten up the space. even if it doesn’t necessarily make sense objectively to clean off the ground, he completely understands the impulse and lays the variety down in the area she’s designated. ]

…

[ the first thing he picks up for her examination is what looks like… actually, just normal moss. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ Normal moss.

Okay well that wasn't the first thing she had in mind but she will give him points for creativity. And who knows, maybe normal moss in this world is actually quite delicious? ]

Alright then, I guess we should each take a piece?

[ That's right, Dextera. Time to eat the moss.

She breaks off a little chunk and pops it in her mouth to chew on, both figuratively and literally. ]

That...

[ She swallows. ]

...sure tasted like unprocessed green.

[passio]

[ dextera too takes a piece and chews, and while himeka seems mostly underwhelmed by it, dextera is quite impressed by the flavor. it’s bitter like medicine, but the dewy freshness of it is remarkably welcome to someone who doesn’t normally eat fresh foods. wait until he finds out that other greens taste even better.

he takes another chunk of it and stuffs it into his mouth—and okay, yes, he shudders because of the astringency, but he’s not spitting it back out. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ That shudder doesn't look like one of pleasure. Himeka shakes her head and sets it aside. ]

Mayhaps this is...a back-up, would you say?

[ Green roughage if there is literally nothing else to eat. But other pieces that he's gathered do seem more promising. ]

It looks like you found a few types of mushrooms too. That could be delicious or lethal! Let's try it.

Into the Woods

[hippocarnival]

[Ultimately, it seems like if the people of the forest are still around, that's a direction to have some sort of protection against the Regent. If they are being looked for, he's not looking forward to being found.

So, he's with the group as they head into the forest. At the beginning, at least, he manages to stay in the center of it, and he gives Himeka a curious look at her statement.]

Found... you mean, the shrine you woke up at? [He looks around, like it'll give him any indication where it was. He woke up in the middle of a lake.] How far is it?

[aquaveiled]

[ Into the forest, it's admittedly harder to tell. She does try though, pausing as she looks around to see if anything looks remotely familiar. Unfortunately, her time in this forest was extremely limited and frantic at the time. ]

I think it was...farther east, but honestly I remembered the way it looked when we emerged more than it did inside the forest. Though...mayhaps we'll find that shrine too?

[hippocarnival]

Huh. [Yuya looks... well, actually he has no idea which way is East so he's just looking in a random direction.]

The cave I was in was in the middle of a lake, but I don't think it was anywhere near here. They must have been finding us from all over the place.

[It's a little worrying to think about, how far the Regent'a influence extends.]

[aquaveiled]

In the middle of a lake?

[ Hm, that does sound an awful lot like the place that Meteion had been describing. Does that mean Yuya had been there as well? ]

Was there a girl with blue hair and wings for ears there with you?

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya shakes his head.] Not that I saw. There weren't a lot of people where I woke up. Just those soldier... I guess people who lived nearby? But they didn't really want to look at me.

[aquaveiled]

Hmm...

[ She's not sure whether that is good or bad, but mayhaps it's best not to get this boy wrapped up in Meteion's rather unique situation. They could have been taken at different times? ]

Well, nevermind that.

[ Himeka tries to wave it off with a smile. ]

We best be on our guard. If the villagers were right, then we could probably die in here. Let's not plan on that.

[ You know. Just casually. ]