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

ii

[dragon_rider]

Honestly, it's not the sudden call for help that puts Hiccup off. He's always been the kind of person to drop just about anything if someone needed it. It was something his father had instilled in him at a young age, a chief's duty was to the people. Nothing was too small to help with. Even if he's already spent much of the day doing the same. When the person calls out it's definitely not the requestion that made him balk. It's how he's addressed.

"I have a name you know," he called back exasperated, a hand moving up and down in a similarly exhausted fashion, "it's Hiccup!"

There's definitely something in being called in a title like it which made him uneasy, for very different reasons. He sighed, however, not further lingering before shaking his head and finding the best way to climb on top of the house. "I think they're just happy to have all this free labor more than anything else," Hiccup remarked lightly, no real heat to it, as he balanced himself, "so where do you need help working on?"

[youngprodigy]

Cid looks down at the boy with interest. It's true that the use of titles is... well. Trying, to say the least. He's used to titles himself, though he did deliberately give his up. This new one doesn't make him any less uneasy.

"They mean well. Whatever 'Aion' means, it's clearly important. Frankly I don't know what to make of it." He certainly doesn't disagree that it's annoying having the villagers not bother to ask their names, but. Well. He can't complain about the work. "Do you see the loose shingles here and there? They need replacing. The explanation I got was the roof, being made from wood like the rest of the building, needs to constantly be reconstructed to avoid it rotting."

Thankfully, it doesn't look like there are any spots that they'll fall through the ceiling or anything, but there are definitely spots here and there that look like they've seen better days.

[dragon_rider]

"I know they don't mean anything by it," the younger sighed after a moment, rubbing at the back of his neck, "but titles come with expectation and let's just say I've never been good at meeting any of those." He ran from being chief more times than he could count, by the gods! He's certain he's an underwhelming 'Aion'.

His grin is wry all the same, though, as he nods and moves to get to work. At least things like house repairs he knows to do — a small grace of a childhood spent having to rebuild houses every other day. "Easy enough," Hiccup says agreeably as he moves to the other section to panel, "what about you, got a name? Don't think we've properly talked before."

[youngprodigy]

"Oh, I know plenty about titles," Cid says knowingly. "Spent most of my life being compared to my illustrious father," despite his wording, it's not said in an overly hostile way. He sounds weary more than anything. "I gave up my title when I left my homeland, but that doesn't stop someone I know from using it on me when he wants to prove a point."

Still, he doesn't want to dwell on it overmuch. "Cid Garlond. I suppose the chaos of the situation kept us from speaking." It's easily remedied now, of course. Having downtime at all is... well, something, given the stakes. "What about you?"

[dragon_rider]

"Tell me about it. Fathers, am I right?" Hiccup remarked drily, lightly enough and though he offers a slight smile it dips just as quickly — He looked up to his father more than anyone else in the world. Every day he wonders if he's done the right thing and what his father would say, not living up to his name or legacy. "Everyone's got to make their own paths, titles or no."

He focused on the shingle for a moment, nailing it in as he tucked the older man's name away in his mind. "There's been a lot of people to meet and things to see," he answers by way of agreement, looking up as he put a hand to his knee. Exhales. Full names, huh? "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock... the third," said with the air of someone who's heard a lot of jokes about their name and has just accepted it, "it's too quiet now if you ask me."

And quiet is never a good thing in his experience, but then he came from loud and easily angered vikings. Silence was deadly.

[youngprodigy]

His expression wavers for a moment. "I had... quite the complicated relationship with my father," he admits, though he doesn't say more than that.

At Hiccup's name, he laughs quietly. But it's obvious he isn't laughing at the name, precisely, because a moment later he says, "Should I have added my title in my introduction? You can just call me Cid, everyone does."

Well, except for one person, but that person isn't here so he isn't so concerned about it. "You're right about how uneasy it feels. I'm no combatant, but I plan on helping the people as well as I can. Though I mislike doing it, I can design armaments to help them in case they've a need to suddenly defend."

[dragon_rider]

Hiccup nodded with some understanding. They'd repaired a lot of their relationship over the years, but his relationship with his own father had always been somewhat complicated. "Yeah?" He said softly, rubbing a hand against his knee, before releasing a breath, "yeah, guess it's just like that sometimes." It's a quiet sort of remark — Not quite sure where it wants to lie, as if its own agreement, consoling or somewhere in-between. He decides rather quickly it's not wise to press on the matter as he shook his head.

Tilting it shortly after with a slightly raised brow. Not at the laugh, but the secondary comment. "Oh, please, if you've got an embarrassing title go ahead," Hiccup said with a nod — nevermind that his own wasn't a title at all, just his name as long as it is, "well, Cid, it's nice to properly meet you. And despite the long-winded name most people just call me Hiccup."

He picked up one the shingles as he listened and gave a nod at the man's answer. There's plenty of people who seem to want to go into combat, just as many seem not to. He's not entirely sure where he stands on that position right. "I spent more time in the blacksmith stall than in my own house when I was a kid," he said, more to himself at first, ignoring the why he was always in the stall, "I don't mind helping there so much. It's just... Something I can't put my finger on."

Maybe it's just the simply accepting everything as it is at face value that gets under his skin, just a bit. But he can't express it in words.

[youngprodigy]

Cid is more than content to just leave it at that. After all, Hiccup is still a boy. More than old enough to handle himself— hell, he's likely older than the average Garlean recruit— but it's still too much to put on a stranger, especially one who is thankfully unaware of the situation in Cid's homeland.

"Hiccup it is, then," he says with a little laugh.

As for his comment about being a blacksmith... "Smithing isn't my main forte– that would be magitek, but I've plenty of experience in developing armaments. I've been helping them when I can to repair their weapons. It's not much, but they certainly need every ilm of defense they can get."

He is almost certainly an overachiever, he can't deny that.

[dragon_rider]

"Magitek?" Hiccup repeated outloud, rolling the word around both on his tongue and mind. It's not anything that he's heard of before, but that's not surprising to him. His world is that of dragons and older, more humble livings. That doesn't mean he's not smart enough to consider things as he raises a brow, "Magic technology?"

Maybe it's not quite the right interpretation of the word, but it's the first thing that comes to mind in such a phrase — No longer an impossibility given how many people he's seen has something of the sort these days.

He scratches the back of his neck with a sigh. "Yeah, between the building repairs and the weapons, there's plenty to keep busy with around here," he mentioned softly, "the problem is, they don't really have the supplies to keep everything up to scratch. There's only so many times you can repair a sword before it's not any good to anyone."

[youngprodigy]

"Ah, aye, something like that." Right, most people aren't from the same world he is. That there were so many in the cave was likely incredibly unusual. "My kind can't use magic at all. Most can, like Himeka and Estinien. So around sixty years ago, technology was developed using a substance known as ceruleum as fuel to compensate for it."

He'd get into it more, but, well, that's his passion right there, and given there's nothing he can do about it for the time being, it makes more sense not to go into it too much. That, and there's his nation's entire history that won't do any good discussing.

He nods a Hiccup's statement. "I was told where I could find materials nearby, but I agree. We need better quality material to make a difference in the long run."

It's been a concern of his to begin with. At the moment, they're hopelessly outmatched. But it's not the first time he's been in that situation and had it turn around.