[WORLD ONE | OCTOBER INTRO LOG]

[spellbindmods]

Who: The new coven members and old blood
Where: In and around the hub island
When: Day 92
Open/Closed: Open to All

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, repercussions 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 She'll also give you a letter, which may give you more questions than answers since the information is a wee out of date.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 is at first painfully obvious is that you're ill-equipped. Any magic or powers you had previously are suddenly replaced with an empty hole in your being. That's not all that's gone, but perhaps that's what's most pressing. Another thing you may notice is that there are others just like you, wandering around and just as confused. If you feel so inclined, you may want to ask around and see if anyone else knows what's up. A ▢ If one of your characters isn't looking to introduce themselves to others, someone's willing to do it for them. Genette is trying to make sure all newbies are accounted for and have a buddy, so she's grabbing them when she finds them and tossing them at the first coven member she sees. "Hi, so-and-so, this is so-and-so! They're new, so show them the ropes -- be friends, okay?" You get the gist. Your character may be paired up with another newbie, a seasoned character or both! Five times, even! Timelines in RPing are weird! B ▢ Let's say that instead of milling about and doing nothing entirely productive, your character has decided to try and venture off to find a way off this huge floating rock. That's nice -- but be warned that the forest is filled with interesting things. For instance, they've happened to find a hollowed out tree that happens to be where a hoard of land crabs are living. They move fast -- run quick! C ▢ Other characters may want to establish shelter before they do anything else -- and that's their right! The problem is that if your character wants to be well-supplied, they're going to have to do things for themselves. There's something of an assembly line set up, but not a lot has been done in way of making things workable. Genette wanted all new coven members to have a little food parcel to take to their hut, but time constraints, you know? If you want any food for now -- or for later -- you may want to cook some of this (poisonous) eel, salt some boar jerky or cut into one of these rabbits. You've also got some berries to eat in the meantime, if you want something simple!

By the time afternoon sets in, everyone should be a little more adjusted -- or, they should at least be a little more aware of the situation. From there, things still need to be done and exploring is always an option! D ▢ For those characters who want to stick around the base camp, there's something worthwhile in discovering the buildings around the area. One such building is the mansion, which contains extra supplies and a renovated kitchen. The kitchen is now functional with electricity and running water, with a few raw ingredients for making whatever your character would like. It's minimal, but also not totally useless. E ▢ If you mill about too long, you'll be put to work. Run into Genette and you'll be sent to pick western part of the island to look for strawberries, wheat and deer (good luck hunting if your character doesn't have the capabilities, but maybe someone else can help?). Run into Genette and she'll offer your character an ax to chop wood with (is this a wise idea? probably not), or a request to go fishing in either a stream or the ocean attached to the island on the eastern side. Or your character can do both if they so choose...? F ▢ With all of these new people milling about, telepathy is on the fritz again. At least, it certainly is for those who are new! Your character may not realize their broadcasting frustrations to the network, or maybe a stupid secret. Their mental filter is certainly broken, but that's at least a great conversation starter. Night finally falls on the exhausting day, and it's time to rest. Thankfully the island is beautiful at night, especially the sky. The night is filled with space worms, relaxing mist and wondrous sights in the stars. G ▢ Adding to the excitement of the beautiful night, Genette has set up something of a...talent show? In an effort to get new coven members acclimated with their magic, she's asked them all to use their magic in some way -- it may take a volunteer, or maybe they can show it off all on their own. In any case, show me what you got. H ▢ Of course, some characters aren't going to be up for this fancy display and will want to go about their own business. There are plenty of places to sit and stew on this island, both private and in plain sight. The stars are spectacularly bright, and the higher up your character gets the less it seems like night time. If they're lucky, they may catch sight of a shooting star, though it's of course much larger than usual. They're directly in space, after all! I ▢ Wildcard! How will your character interact with this new and unusual world?

Comments

[rootandbranch]

Yeah, I'm here with Vern! He summoned me, and he's really nice, so he's the best person to have with me at a time like this. It's good you and Al found each other.

[it sounds like Alphonse and Edward's family relationship is probably closer than Geir and his brother's-- Geir hasn't seen Aghi (or is it Fenrir now?) for thousands of years. they're lucky, but Geir doesn't feel very envious of them, just glad about it. he's already gotten a strong sense from Vern that human families are just Different.]

The telepathy thing is annoying. I couldn't make it work at all at first. It's useful, though-- you can show people pictures of home, or memories, or anything you want, with it. I can see why Qri included it in the weird-abilities package.

[his tone betrays irritation with Qri, even though he legitimately is starting to enjoy the telepathy. after their conversation before, that's probably no surprise.]

[equivalence]

Summoned you?

[Is that how dragons work? Edward doesn't know. But well, he can appreciate the sentiment. And he nods before remembering right. Telepathy.]

Yeah. It's definitely good.

[To his credit he does listen curiously as Geir continues.]

I imagine she's probably also pretty happy to have an instant way to listen in and eavesdrop when she wants to. Useful as this may be, it's not entirely innocent. I'd bet on that.

[rootandbranch]

Ha! You're probably right. Qri's not very good at making herself popular around here. Even the people who like her admit that she seems really under the level. They just say "maybe she really doesn't have a choice!" For all I know, they could be right, but that doesn't change it.

[he's somewhat perversely satisfied to find yet another person who's feeling disgruntled with Qri. he's sure that Alphonse will invite Edward to plot with them if he thinks Edward is a good addition to the party -- especially since they're talking over telepathy right now. still, it's always nice to have your kvetching reciprocated.]

Besides that, is everything okay? You found everything all right, and got settled in?

sorry for the delay! heath issues sidelined me a bit

[equivalence]

Everyone has a choice. And this is the one that she made. And I don't buy the reasons they're trying to feed us either.

[But they are talking in a way that he is sure this is not as private a conversation as it could be. But then no guarantees Qri or her allies aren't listening to regular conversations either, or spying telepathically. Edward doesn't know, he's just suspicious and cranky.]

I found Al. That's good enough for now. Settling in is going to take a while. I'm too pissed off for settling.

no problem, always up for backthreading!

[rootandbranch]

Guess we'll have plenty of time to see...

[Geir doesn't continue that line of thought for now, at least not over telepathy. but he's very open about being amused by Ed's response to his second question.]

Well said! I don't think I mind being here that much myself, but I don't blame you. If Vern and I had been-- if we hadn't been waiting on our other plans anyway, it would sure be an itch under my wing right now.

[more slyly, obviously teasing:]

You don't need any more help with the boars, right?

[equivalence]

Yeah. Al and I have things we need to get back to.

[Though. Really. The implications of the abilities people have here, how that could interact with alchemy, if it could be any help for their situation.

And he has at least been reassured that Winry is safe, at the moment, at least the moment that Alphonse left from.

A pause and he makes a face that can't be seen. But his tone is very dry.]

Haha. I've mostly managed not to get run down by any wildlife for a bit. Maybe things are looking up.

[rootandbranch]

That's the spirit!

[he considers what to say next. he doesn't really want to reopen the topic of dissatisfaction with Qri, but he does want to offer any help and solidarity he can in this annoying situation. and Qri aside, he does have some helpful information to offer sometimes.]

If I find out anything else about the island or anything else going on, I will find you or Alphonse and let you know, okay? People who got summoned should at least stick together that much. And if you guys need anything, let me know.

[it's strangely pleasant to make the offer, even if it's a bit of an unprecedented paradigm for a dragon who's never spent much time living around people.]

[equivalence]

Yeah, same here. I think you're right. We're all in this together, whether we like it or not.

[Though Edward is also wary enough to think there may well be those who know more than they let on, who may be in closer cahoots with this Qri than anyone wold guess.]

I gotta ask though. Are there a lot of dragons where you're from? They're mostly storybook stuff back in my world.

[rootandbranch]

There are a few. Not nearly as many as there are humans or Aesir. And I'm probably the biggest and the strongest of the ones there are -- or at least, I will be someday.

[Geir considers getting more into that -- about how he'll be the biggest and strongest someday because of his specific mythological fate, and how he may have changed that by coming here -- but decides not to get into it. what he doesn't say, he doesn't have to take back, at least for now.]

I'd never spent time with many humans before I came here, so this has been different.

[equivalence]

Yeah? You still growing?

[Is he a kid dragon? Ed is still growing too! For sure. He's definitely got a growth spurt or two in him. For sure.]

Different, huh? Different good? Or different bad?

[rootandbranch]

Sort of... it's complicated. But, yeah! I'll probably be bigger.

[at least a little bigger. that much is true without talking about the end of the world, he decides, so he'll stick with that.

Ed's second question pauses him in his tracks a bit more, but he answers honestly, after a moment's thought.]

First I liked it, so it was different good. Now it's still different good, but there's a lot more to it than I thought. I don't think I'm very good at people yet.

[equivalence]

Heh. You and me both.

[Edward agrees with a laugh. He's really not good at people, despite occasional and unplanned little hours of charisma. It's an odd mix.]

You seem decent enough at it to me, so far.

[rootandbranch]

Thanks-- wait, you're not good at people either?!

[Geir is very startled, and insensibly reassured, to learn this fact. is Ed for real, though? he seems like a normal person who has probably not grown up in the ocean with no human contact. Geir and Dirk are the only two people on the "don't know how to interact with humans, were raised by the ocean with no social experience" list that Geir's aware of, but should the qualifiers for that list be expanded?]

Why not?

[equivalence]

Not really. Depends who you ask I guess.

[As for the why not. Also depends who you ask. But Edward has heard a few.]

Let's see. I've heard I'm Arrogant. Abrasive. Contrary. Cynical. Obsessive. Short-tempered. Cranky. Overly blunt. Stubborn. I've heard a lot of different reasons. Truth is, Alphonse is definitely the nicer one between the two us.

[Ed is at least self aware anyway. But he does manage to mske friends. And he's as loyal to said friends and loved ones as they come. So it works out well enough, despite his many many flaws.]

[rootandbranch]

Are those things bad? Do you have to be nice to be good at people?

[Geir sounds fascinated by the topic, though the viewpoint implied by "is being abrasive bad?" is either very insightful, or very clueless. the genuine interest is, at least, easy for someone as dedicated to seeking after knowledge as Edward Elric to pick up on.]

[equivalence]

Depends. Not always bad. But not exactly great for popularity. Being nice definitely helps.

[Edward can recognize the genuineness of the inquisitiveness. And he finds himself wondering about this guy. But then again he's a dragon so it's to be expected that human nature isn't exactly something he's an expert at, right?]

[rootandbranch]

Popular... oh. I guess I haven't defined "good" yet, at least for this.

[there's a busy-feeling silence as Geir tries to nail down what exactly he's talking about when he says he isn't good at people. does he want to be popular? is popularity a good metric for what he's talking about? maybe not, he decides. Vern is less popular than him, but knows more about people. he needs to know more before he can decide whether he wants to be popular or not -- needs to understand who he's talking to, and what his conversation can do by accident.]

Maybe something like "not doing something you didn't mean to do." Or knowing what you're doing at all...

[equivalence]

Okay. So like cultural understanding almost? Yeah I guess that'd be a challenge. It's hard enough for humans who are from different countries sometimes.

For the most part, it has probably doesn't hurt to ask if you're worried something gets taken the wrong way or misunderstood.

[That is a different sort of bad at people than Edward is for certain -- though he can be awful at reading sensitive situations. Just ask Winry.]

[rootandbranch]

I never heard the idea of "cultural understanding" either. So I'm not sure. But maybe? Hmmm...

Sometimes me asking is the problem. But I'll look for patterns, I guess.

[he thinks about the stuff that Edward quoted -- being blunt, being abrasive. all of those are things people do when they sort of know who they are, and how they want to operate as a person in a social sphere. those are two things that Geir doesn't really have yet, but he can see that Ed does have them, and knows exactly what he's doing, even if it turns some people off. that's a powerful example.]

I think I see the difference. Thanks!

[equivalence]

Patterns are good, sure. You seem bright enough. You'll figure it out.

[Ed offers that vote of confidence at least. Trying is half the battle, right?]

Yeah, no problem.