[WORLD ONE | SEPTEMBER INTRO LOG]

[spellbindmods]

Who: The new coven members, old blood & Palai people
Where: In and around the city land of Aimintas
When: Day 61
Open/Closed: Open to All

The initial setting information found here should be utilized for threads here.

There's no official OOC account for the Palai people. You're free to roleplay their actions and reactions on your own, as in depth as you want -- asking questions, hand-waved interactions, becoming best friends. The new world is your oyster!

All characters are told briefly what their powers are by Genette -- no extemporaneous details. For instance, if your character has the ability to detect lies, they'll be told as such -- no warning about limitations, repurcussions or the like. They'll also be given a variant of this letter so they aren't totally ignorant of the situation -- though of course adapt this letter to the current setting and surroundings of the game.

This setting may be familiar to you -- maybe you caught a glimpse of it when you first visited. Maybe this is your first time experiencing this weird world and the panic is setting in. If you're totally lost, a tall human woman with a long scroll of paper will stop by to give you the run down. She'll also give you a letter, which may give you more questions than answers since the information is a wee out of date. (Maybe someone else can fill in some gaps for you). What you may not know is that this world recently experienced something of a tragedy. You wouldn't be able to guess this based on the festive energy in the air. The main marketplace where you've shown up finished reconstruction last night, and after grief comes joy to the Palai -- those lizard creatures you see wandering around. They're now hosting a festival to celebrate their success and the lives of those both still present and those lost. It's also a chance for them to host one of those big celebrations like they'd previously seen in human books. However, their resources are limited -- don't blame them if things are a little cut-and-paste! A ▢ One of the preferred methods for masking grief in the Palai world is playing games. Because the Palai are still on their shrimp kick (the old blood characters are probably sick of them at this point), the shrimp are being used as part of a few festival games: Shrimp Scoop: Live prawns have been placed in a tank of water. Instead of paper scoops, players are handed small scraps of cloth which they may then dive into the six-foot tall tank to try and grab the prawns with -- no hands! And no magic or your prawn will be revoked. For extra incentive, sacks of golden coins have been tied to the prawns. These coins can be exchanged for goods and prizes, though what your character receives for their coin -- no matter how bland or wacky -- is up to your character. Shrimp Shock: Dead shrimp have been placed in a wading pool. Your character and another character enter the pool while Elto shock the shrimp out of the water. With about 20 shrimp in the water, the character with the most shrimps caught out of the air wins an allotment of coins. Whack-a-Shrimp: Eltos have powered six large, stuffed shrimp dolls (made with cloth), that will pop out of cut holes in a large game board. Hit the shrimp as many times as you can in 30 seconds, and your number will amount to the coins you receive. Shrimp Fest: Is your character a big eater? Your character is given a plate of cooked jumbo prawns. If they can eat all 50 jumbo prawns in 30 seconds, they win 100 coins. B ▢ What good is a festival if there's no face painting? Don't worry, you have more options than shrimp. Palai have an assortment of paints and are making colourful designs on both their kin and coven members -- your request may not look exactly as you want it to since they have bumpy hands and claws that get in the way.

This is all pretty juvenile, but fear not! For the mature sort and adults of Aimintas, there's a more quiet part set up that may cater to your older interests. A softer atmosphere, away from the excitement of things. If you want to wind down from the thrill of being magicked away to a new world, this is probably the best way for it. C ▢ Fans of alcohol will find that the Palai have broken out their best spirits for themselves and the coven. Some of these aged spirits are decades old and have aged accordingly, giving them a bitter flavor with a nasty bite of alcohol. Others are more recently distilled or imbued with magic for an extra buzz. Accordingly, some drinks can get you inebriated pretty quickly. Some drinks are essentially giddy truth serums. Others may have an effect on magic or telepathy. Pick your poison! D ▢ The environment in this more secluded area of the marketplace is supposed to be more relaxed, but it's also the best place to sit if you want a front row seat to the fireworks exhibit the remaining Eltos are putting on. Through balls of dye and their electrical powers, they're quickly blowing up the sky with arcs of color that rain down in the form of bright pieces of glitter once the spectacle is over. They also have a special service they're offering -- the Eltos have a grasp on electrical magic, which means they can draw certain things in the sky with these dye balls. If you have a request for a written message or a drawing of some sort, they'd be happy to comply with your wish! For the real adult experience, however, you may want to check out the large rolling cart that Palai are pushing around the marketplace, landing it in the fireworks area. This cart is filled with all of the eggs that were a product of their mating season, and this part of Aimintas is the warmest. E ▢ For newbies and those who missed the egg train, your character can instead be Egg Parent for a Night. The Palai are holding their eggs to warm them for the evening, but (like most parents with new babies) they're certainly trying to show off their creations. Hold them, pass them around -- or maybe even act a fool and fend off a fiercely angry Palai parent.

Finally, the Palai are getting used to the standard familiar faces, so they aren't unaware that there are quite a few new faces in the mix. Based on how familiar your character is, they'll receive a nice little gift from the Palai. Older coven members will receive a scrolled parchment that lists them as honorary citizens of Aimintas and a handmade, harden clay sculpture of their likeness. It may not look a lot like them, but they tried. F ▢ What about new members? Well, they get the Aimintas Starter Kit: an unmarked vial containing Palai mating pheromones (makes your character affectionate, etc), a bag of cooked shrimp, a collection of their baked goods and energy drinks (containing Elto magic that makes magical abilities hard to handle), and a harmless paper flower. Your character likely isn't used to the dangers of some of these items, so maybe someone can help them...or is it too late? G ▢ Because the Palai recognize new faces, these new coven members will be dragged to other coven members who they do recognize. In an effort to help make introductions, the Palai are trying to connect new members with old members in order to foster friendships. Say hi to a new, awkwardly introduced covenmate...? H ▢ Wildcard! How will your character interact with this new and unusual world?

Comments

[mech_and_mutt]

...doggy dots...?

[Well, her word choice may have been a bit weird to hear, but her offer was tempting enough to draw his attention entirely away from the shelves and shelves of Palai kitsch.]

Roast bone marrow? Is that a thing??

[songbird_slayer]

Oh, yes. You roast the bones in a hot oven until the marrow is just about to melt, and then you spread it on toast with a lovely green salad.

Rather than chew until you get the flavor out, it's warm and cozy, and ready for dipping.

[spaceforged]

If I change back now I'm not sure I'll make it to the door. Don't worry, as soon as we're inside I'll change back.

[The disorienting feeling of changing between flesh and blood might just be enough to knock him out. Better to play with the cards he has now. They're nearly to the door. He can make it that far.]

[rootbound]

Yikes. Well, suit yourself...

[HOLDS...THE DOOR OPEN FOR HIM...at least if Shiro collapses he can call Geir to lift him onto a couch or something]

[travelles]

[The tiniest of grunts escape her as she takes Rollo from 2B. She stumbles a few steps backwards, but doesn't thankfully fall flat on the ground.]

Nope, he's usually really well-behaved!

[Rollo does seem to really like 2B though, to which Elle throws her a bright smile.]

He really seems to like you! Did you want to hold him for a while?

[travelles]

Yeah! I don't mind!

[She grins widely. Even if Jude is no Ludger, he's still a familiar face. And so is Alvin, for however weird he was.]

Is that all? That's easy!

[travelles]

[Rollo meows disinterestedly when Akira reaches out to pet him, but bears the treatment with grace. When the mention of fish is made, however, he perks up and seems to meow his assent. Which is to say, seafood is the way into this cat's heart.]

[travelles]

Really...?

[Elle doesn't sound too convinced, not really sure what other explanation there might be.]

And yeah, I just arrived. I don't know about that... the only cat I had before Rollo didn't go out much. Daddy didn't really allow it.

[enflame]

Oh...is that your magic?

( Emil still can't totally see Lancer, so he's moving around quite a bit to be able to try and catch a better glimpse. )

At least that's useful. I'm sure that makes escaping things and running away easier.

[travelles]

[Ugh, that wasn't supposed to happen. Elle's clearly red in the face as she tries to get her bearings, none too happy about needing help as much as she needs it.]

OK, if that's what you want. [She sighs heavily, almost as if the act of being favored pains her greatly as she offers her bag to Flynn.] I had everything under control even without your help.

i'm so sorry for this super late response

[travelles]

Wait, this isn't--

[But none of the Palai would hear of it, convinced and happy that they've helped out the poor little girl find her beloved feline. As such, they've gone off already, patting themselves on the back as they leave the definitely wrong cat in her hands, to which she throws a frown.]

Mhh... I guess we need to find your owner too [he does look a little too clean to be a stray, she thinks, even without a collar of a kind] but first we gotta find Rollo! I'm counting on your help, OK?

[Cats never talk back to her, but she feels they can understand her on a fundamental level, so she just goes on like that as if it were a human she was talking to--not that she knows she's holding a human in a first place.]

[apatheia]

... If you wouldn't mind. [He was so soft... Although actually:] He's not too heavy for you, is he?

[In which case she'll definitely hold Rollo for her. She really doesn't know much about children, but seeing her stumble with the sheer weight of the cat, it seems like she's not exactly equipped to deal with an animal of his size.]

[travelles]

Hmmm...

[She stares long and hard and 9S, wondering what to make of him for Rollo to bring him back to Elle. Nothing really stands out about him... maybe except for that blindfold, but that aside...]

Do you have anything weird or interesting on you? He tends to be attracted to that kind of thing.

[1/2]

[travelles]

[This woman is an expert and it shows in Rollo's expression--that of a silent wish to end this all, even if it requires his death of a kind.]

[2/2]

[travelles]

[2/2]

?!

[In the meantime, Elle looks rather surprised when her attention is called, but it's an emotion that quickly gives way to relief when she sees Rollo in the woman's arms. However, she can't help but be a little worried about Rollo, given the look and feel about him, thus causing the aforementioned relief to be of the short-lived variety.]

Is he OK?!

[1/2]

[travelles]

[Rollo dutifully takes each piece, very much happy with the way this interaction is turning out. Cats don't really discrimate as long as you're nice to them, and such is Rollo's way as well even if he's a little smarter than the average cat.]

[2/2]

[travelles]

Rollo, where are you?

[In the meantime, Elle is still searching for her cat, looking around in worry as none of the expected round fluff seems to be in sight. She's not very close to where Souda and Rollo were, but if Souda strains his ears, he might catch the tail-end of her first call, which start to grow in volume as she draws near.]

[travelles]

[She shakes her head vigorously before grinning again, hefting up Rollo and offering him back to 2B.]

We had a cat like him back at home and I used to carry him a lot too. Daddy likes to spoil them.

[travelles]

[After several more moments of fruitlessly searching for Rollo amongst various merchant stalls, Elle sights a girl who seems to be around her height, much to her own surprise. But what's even more shocking is she seems to be holding a cat, who looks suspiciously like...]

Rollo!

[She scoots over to where the two are, stopping just a few feet away before panting and letting relief wash over her expression.]

Why did you run off like that?

[To Cagliostro, she says:]

Thanks for bringing him back! [She beams.] Hope he didn't give you much trouble!

[talim]

Good.

[ well, this should be an adventure. jude had no idea he'd be keeping an eye on a child here, but he can't say he minds. he's just thrown for a loop what with all this timeline stuff, what with alvin and elle both coming from different points; the past and the future, respectively. ]

[spaceforged]

[He stares at the door. Could he...fit? The answer is no. No he can't. Lion form is just too big.]

Okay, here goes.

[He edges as close to the open doorway as he can get and changes back, his hand snapping out to grab the doorframe. The wood creaks under his robotic fingers.]

...I'm fine. [Just really exhausted. He steps inside and moves to the wall just inside beyond the door and leans against it.]

I can take it from here. Thanks again.

[cuchulainn]

You mean the one from the witch? No, not that.

[ shut up, lancer. let the guy think that if he wants. but no, it's too late. ]

Oh, but I don't use it for running away. Unless I'm told to. [ shrug. ]

If you wanted up here, I guess you'd have to do it the hard way.

[deem]

I'd say I've got a lot of things I find interesting, but...

[Rollo couldn't have seen those. So 9S offers her the bag of coins he'd been carrying around, supposing this must be what the object of interest was. They're not really worth anything to him, but they're shiny.

Sometimes that counts for something, right?]

Maybe it was these?

[travelles]

Maybe! He does like shiny stuff.

[She... doesn't quite pick-up on 9S's robotic nature, which is more of the reason why Rollo's brought him to her in the first place. Speaking of which, he begins circling around 9S's legs, rubbing his head against one before settling down with a loud purr.]

Though he seems to like you a lot...

[deem]

[Cats sure do love electronics]

He does?

[9S glances down when his leg is nudged, quite unfamiliar with feline behavior. But he supposes it is something like the way boars and moose would respond to him and 2B when they had their sachets on them]

I've never seen an animal like him before.