[WORLD TWO-POINT-FIVE | MARCH INTRO]

[spellbindmods]

Who: All coven members, especially new folk!
Where: The outskirts of Shehui, in the wilderness.
When: Day ###
Open/Closed: Open to All
IMPORTANT: While some prompts are newbie exclusive, all characters can tag this intro log!
IMPORTANT 2: While some people have been assigned to or picked teams, you do have some wiggle room -- maybe your character was part of Team Gray, but they fucked off to go see what Team Red was doing. If you didn't sign up for a team, feel free to utilize whatever prompts you want, using RED A, GRAY B, etc. to acknowledge which prompt you're using.

Where have you found yourself? In some grass, staring up at a vaguely dusky sky? A covered forest where you can barely see what time it is outside at all? It's become apparent that you aren't where you once were, and it happened in the blink of an eye. The topography is varied in that there's certainly more than flat spaces of land. One thing that's uniform about the area, though, is that it's certainly untamed. There are flat areas of land that feature weeds and a shrub here and there, as well as more wooded areas that still feature a hell of a lot of foliage. There are also areas that are more mountainous, although they cap out into flat plateaus -- not really anything too tall around here. However, if you're close to the hills, you're also close to the main river bed. Those magical voids aren't just around the exit of Shehui, either. While they do become more sporadic as you venture out into the wilderness, that doesn't mean they aren't totally absent. There's also a chance that the essence of magic has leaked into any water supply, though there are clean sources out there if you look hard enough. For those survivalists out there, yes -- it's possible to live outside of Shehui, but the going isn't exactly smooth. The Hub island at least has some training wheels on it, but this space is all nature, all the time. If someone decides to venture far enough, they'd be able to find another one of those cities like Shehui, but the journey is days long. Animals and edible plants/fruits/etc. are similar to what you know in this world, though there are some strange variants. Bananas are blue, squirrels are a very shocking mossy green colour. Characters aren't the only ones who have been kicked out of Shehui, either, and this is evident by the proof some may find if they stumble upon it -- old campsites, maybe a backpack here and there, some bones....but any other life source seems to be limited to animals. Because of the variations in terrain, you may find that there are different things to do and areas to explore based on where you happened to end up this afternoon TEAM RED SETTING ▢ THE RIVERBED A ▢ Walking along the edge of the riverbed, you may notice that there are some perks to this area -- animals are definitely more likely to show up here because it's a close and dependable water source. Deer, small bears and other woodland critters show up here throughout the day, but they aren't used to seeing humans every day...if you're human, anyway. Something other than human may be even more spooky! Depending on the animal in question, it may be skittish and take off, which is bad for hunting -- or, on the other hand, it may become aggravated and charge! B ▢ An animal that won't run away from you? Fish! Those who are savvy should take this time to find a way to catch them, and luckily you do have the supplies around you. Long reeds, soft soil filled with grubs, strong but thin vines for creating fishing line. The fish are fat, too, which means you may even have luck just snatching one up with your hands. C ▢ The temperature is high, even at dusk...which makes that running water all the more tempting. Jump in and you'll feel a little floaty, thanks to the amount of magic running through the stream, but D ▢ But the ultimate goal is looking for the mechanism that will help to shut off the magic from seeping out from this leak. These magic voids can be found as you travel down the riverbank, but they become much more frequent as you near a large concrete structure built into the riverbank. Once you reach it, you'll also find that the magic is seeping into the water very heavily in this area, causing the water to look almost holographic at the base. The mechanism? A simple wheel. Turn it and stop the leak -- or, maybe you'll turn it the wrong way and cause an even bigger void! TEAM PINK SETTING ▢ A FIELD A ▢ No one wants to walk through a field while the sun beats down on them...and yet that's exactly what you're tasked with. Since there isn't a lot of rhyme or reason to looking for these mechanisms for shutting off the magic, there's a lot of wandering. That's why those moments where you come across a nice, shady tree are absolutely electrifying. Take some time to chill out and regroup once you find one of these rare rest stops. B ▢ The outside of Shehui isn't completely devoid of animals, including things like gophers and snakes. Something you'll likely run into is a gopher hole, and these can be pretty tricky. Once you step in one, you may scrape up your leg or even twist an ankle. Some holes, however, aren't going to be so simple. They're weak and open up into the entire tunnel system itself, and falling into one can be a true pain. The question is, can you actually get out of them? C ▢ One of those magnificent trees you happen upon also bears another gift: fruit! What appears to be some type of mango hangs from this tree, and the fruits are obviously fat and overripe. The catch? If you run to this tree, you'll likely fall into one of those magical voids. There is a gap that can allow you to reach it safely and reap the rewards, but will you find it on your first try? D ▢ After quite some walking, you'll come across a tiny shack situated in the forest. It's very small and dilapidated -- likely used as a tool shed rather than a place to rest. Once you open it, you'll discover a few different tools: a machete, a rake, a contamination suit. You'll also see a small hand crank that looks like it's connected to a small tube sticking out of the ground, open just a sliver. Turn it one way or the other...if you can reach it through the void. TEAM GRAY SETTING ▢ A FOREST A ▢ The perks of venturing through the forest include plenty of places to sit, as well as cover from the sun. One thing you'll discover, though, is that animals who live in the forest are a bit more...sinister than those prancing through the forest. These include large spiders, mossy rats...but also monkeys? These critters are fuzzy and round, about as tall as half an average man's legs, their faces are sloth-like, but their arms and tails are as active as any lemur's. These tiny tricksters are used to pulling one over on animals, but humans are a nice, rare target...make sure to keep track of what's in your pockets. B ▢ With all this walking comes some hunger...there are quite a few animals around to hunt, but maybe you're looking for an easier, less violent target when it comes to your lunch. There are certain mushrooms you can pick, but even someone with a knack for identification may not be able to identify these alien mushroom species. Most of them are edible with no side effects, but there are two that aren't so savoury: one that causes the eater to break out in blistering hives, and another that causes temporary blindness. Both reactions will last about four hours. C ▢ It's actually a bit easier to see where the voids are located in the forest -- the slight shimmer to the air is more evident in the darker light. This is useful, but also a hindrance...these voids can't light your path in dense areas, and the darkness level in some areas of the forest is absolute. If you have a flash light, or maybe some other way to illuminate an area, you'd better take advantage ASAP. D ▢ Are you good at climbing trees? You'll have to be in order to find this mechanism. After a long day of walking, team members will discover a broken ladder attached to a very tall tree. The ladder isn't very stable, which means climbing up to the connected tree house will be the best option. Once you do reach your destination? There is a small control pad situated on the edge of the wooden landing pad, and tube that emerges from the tree itself. Instead of any crank or switch, the leak here comes from a crack in the tube that is showing. Have anything to cover it with? TEAM MAGIC SETTING ▢ A CLEARING A ▢ Are you curious about these voids and how you can use them? This can be for your own purpose, or maybe even with the intent to better the coven with their potential. It's definitely not an exact science, and there will be a lot of trial and error -- results won't likely come. However, those with scientific minds can try and utilize the voids to the best of their ability. You will find that utilizing your magic near a void makes it shimmer and gleam a lot more than usual, and it does have the potential to become tangible with enough magic users goofing around with their powers near it. B ▢ Speaking of which, what if you're new and just want to goof around with this magic that you've been told about? You're free to do so! This clearing is pretty isolated and comfortable, so make use of the space and show everyone what you're made of. WILDCARD ▢ Have your own idea of what to do in this setting? Feel free to throw it out there.

Comments

[teratias]

Team Red
Having gone through too many of them to ignore, studying and trying to understand the voids had become Waver's devotion. He wasn't build for hunting and gathering, survival, whatever one wanted to call it. He was a creature happiest in the library or in the lab, writing detailed studies after whatever had captured his attention.

As a result, the concentration of the voids along the riverbank had Waver's full attention. It definitely implied a source that was upstream, and he had absolutely no issue in following it to it's source.

A. The water itself was something that he wanted to test. If magic was in the supply, then there had to be an effect on the liquid itself. It was with that thought in mind that Waver carefully dipped a finger into the water, only to withdraw it a few moments later.

"That's odd," he said, holding the damp fingers up to his face.

B. Waver couldn't say what had his attention first - the water or the concrete. All he knew was that the water looked all kinds of wrong, and that there was a manmade structure that needed to be examined immediately. The pen and paper Waver had had hiding in his back pocket the entire journey were pulled out, and Waver looked ready for...action? Maybe?

"Okay, no one should be using their powers here, since the concentration of magic is so high. The results could get out of hand really fast."

TEAM PINK // Newbie Arrival - OTA

[moneytwin]

i. Warning: Incoming Newbie

[ Being sucked out the darker past memory of Castle Whitestone, dragged through stiff doors and away from Percival, none of this-- whatever this is? Is remotely pleasant. Nor is faceplanting in no way close to something resembling a dignified landing. Vex is left momentarily dazed, before rolling onto her side, wincing at the change in light. Around her, long blades of grass shifting in the breeze, beneath a blazing sun, far too warm for the time of year back home. Wincing, she pushes herself up onto her knees, mind beginning to process her surroundings: an expansive empty field, an entire grassland stretching before her and rolling off into the distance.

Well, this is.

Not Whitestone. Definitely not Whitestone.

Instinctively, one hand reaches for her weapon, and finds dead air, Fenthras absent from her back. That is a shock, especially as a mostly full quiver rests against her side, and she stiffens in place. Her hand moves further, still grasping dead air, lack of magic broom also suddenly, worryingly apparent.

Alone. Without a weapon, but plenty of ammo. And not a single sign of anyone else as far as the eye can see. ]


...Mother fuck.


ii. Seeking Shade

[ Even without being incredibly perceptive, it isn't hard to spot a tree, or even a small copse, out on a flat plain that stretches out forever, like this one seems to. At some point Vex will need to seek out water, but respite out of the direct sight of sun is very appealing right now. She's still careful in her approach, however, keeping low in the tall grass and stalking carefully across the parched earth, pausing from time to time to check on tracks and the sign of burrows.

Though she doesn't spot any wild life, fresher tracks look familiar enough that Vex feels confident that there aren't much in the way of dangerous predators hereabouts. But as for the ground itself..? There's a near ominous shift about 300 or so yards out from the broad branches of the tree she spied, and Vex freezes as the earth begins to move below her.

Quicksand..?

No. The earth seems to crack and groan, before beginning to give way, falling to pieces and sinking down and inward between her and the tree. With a yelp, Vex sidesteps, then changes her mind and attempts a very awkward jump. And makes it. Sort of. If you count hanging off the side of an unexpected collapsing hole as 'made it'. ]


..help?


iii. Fruitful Endeavour

[ Finally close enough to the tree to get a good look at its branches, Vex can't help but lick her lips at the sight of the dangling mangos. Would that she had at least one of her bows to shoot one down..

There's one of these weird rippling patches before the tree, however, and Vex isn't too keen on approaching directly. She does stoop to collect a few pebbles, and tosses them at it, just to see what happens.

For science, you understand. ]

iv. WILDCARD

[ Come at me, bro! :) ]

crossing over teams; iii

[teratias]

[Waver had to sidebar to investigate a void that was off track from the rest of them that ran along the river bed. Fluxuations like that were important, they offered understanding of the voids and their patterns of behavior.

But it also means that he ends up going past Vex throwing rocks. Waver pauses, stopping to watch the scene before him.]

...A slingshot would probably help with more direct, forceful throws.

Safer than crossing the streams! :D

[moneytwin]

[ Vex doesn't startle, but she IS surprised to be addressed, and she pauses mid-duck to collect another stone when Waver addresses her.

Straightening up, she arches a brow at him, brushing dark locks behind a pointed ear. ]

Lacking in one of those, though I fail to see what difference that would make with these weird portals.

[ Cue another skip of a stone towards one; the air doesn't ripple but the stone never lands on the other side. ..On this side, at least. Hmm..

She turns back to Waver, attempting some nonchalance. ]

Are these common here?

For sure!

[teratias]

Hm. You'd think someone might've made one since we're in survival mode.

[Waver makes a little mental note to try this later. He's definitely been attempting to be more proactive since the portals made themselves known and demanded actual study. It also means that his response of they're more consistent so your results would be more uniform is completely muted.]

Those voids? They're not uncommon in the area. Have you been working only from this particular angle?

[moneytwin]

[ Survival mode..? ]

"We"? There's more people around here?

[ So it's a 'void', rather than a portal? That does give some context for what she's looking at, even if Vex's own experience with portals is limited to arcane and nature-based spells. Her arms fold across her chest. ]

I just got here, darling. [in more than one sense] And this seems to extend far enough that I'm not keen on getting closer to find out if it has more than one angle.

[teratias]

There...should be. [Waver pauses to look around. That was not good, someone else had to be around.]

Fuck. Okay, someone'll probably find us if there's enough noise. [But at any rate, Waver can't say he blames Vex for being cautious about her experiment.]

Even shifting slightly left or right could make a difference, that's all I'm saying. You don't have to change your radius, nor should you.

[moneytwin]

[ It is pretty darn empty out here, but the upside of the extensive grassland is they should theoretically be able to see anyone else approaching. This kid certainly seems to think there should be more people, which is at least a little bit reassuring in an otherwise very worrying scenario.

Then again, this kid doesn't seem to have any kind of weapon on him either.. ]

Given how some of the ground around here likes to rumble, I'm surprised no one came looking sooner. [thumb points over her shoulder, where an extensive pothole seems to have tripled in size several hundred yards away.] So how many 'someones' are there around here?

Hmm. If you say so. [doubt.jpg] Just what can these things do exactly? Assuming they do anything. [see: no (overt) reaction to stone throwing]

[teratias]

[Waver would be insulted to be called a kid (nineteen, damnit!, so it's a good thing that thought isn't voiced out loud. Instead, he focuses on where Vex is pointing, and gives a nod.]

You're right, that ought to have been heard. We've been spread thin in numbers lately, but I'd say that there's a few dozen at any given time.

[As for the portals, Waver picks up a stone and scoots a few feet to Vex's right. One thing he's curious about is the depth of these things, and this is as good a way as any to test it.]

From everything we've been able to figure out, they're memory driven portals. Enter one and it'll manifest an environment, likely one with a strong memory attached to it.

[moneytwin]

[ She's got a good 9 years on you, elvish youthfulness notwithstanding. That said, Cassandra's around the same age as Waver, and she is in charge of an entire country.. ]

A few dozen. Good to know. [that's at least a guild's worth of people, though given how empty things are here, there must be a lot of ground to cover] How long have you been here, doing..this?

[ This, punctuated with a hand gesture towards the portal. ]

Well, that explains why rocks have no effect then. And where I was before I ended up here. Does the manifestation consume the whole area, or is the memory only visible if you go in the portal after?

[teratias]

[Look let him live the dream of pretending he's really a grown up. He'll evolve into a cranky professor soon enough.]

Er...a few days? It hasn't been too much time, but there's been some useful data to come out of it. Mostly from when one's in there and how trying to manipulate the surroundings works, but that's still important.

[Just not the real focus anymore.]

I believe the memories have been proven localized to within the portal itself, rather than impacting the environment around it.

[Waver gives the rock a throw. It...does not go very far.]

Team Gray - Newbie arrival! OTA

[trickfoot]

[A.]

The last time she was in a forest was when she was last in Whitestone. It's bittersweet that that's the first memory she thinks of when she opens her eyes, seeing the treetop canopy overhead. The second memory is that wasn't she just in Whitestone? With Percy. Pike spins around, trying to make sure she's not alone where she's found herself, only to realize she is.

"Shit."

On top of things, she's clearly not the best tracker or survivalist of the group. She'd absolutely kill to have Vex or Keyleth with her, especially in a place that hardly looks familiar. Okay Pike. You've done this before. You've done things alone. You've got this. A quick look around, and remembering a few things Vex has said before, she starts making her way north, careful to ignore some of the animals.

[B.]

There's a sudden rumble to her stomach after hours of walking. She hadn't noticed she was hungry before, but she actually can't remember the last time she ate. Did she have breakfast that morning? She's now not entirely sure. Looking around, she really doesn't want to hunt unless she absolutely has to.

Searching around for a bit, she finds the next best thing - mushrooms. Mushrooms were a staple in gnome foods, so she's used to their earthy texture and taste. Excellent. The first group of them look a little like something they have back home, so she picks those and puts them in her bag. The second grouping, however, looks completely different than anything she's seen. Weird is an understatement. They look almost otherworldly to her.

Help?

[Finding Friends]

Okay, enough of these shenanigans.

She knows at least Percy is here, so there's a possibility that some of the others are there, right? When there's one, there's many. She's at least learned that. None of them could do anything by themselves. She's made her way to the nearest clearing, somewhere sunny so that it could reflect off her armor and show at the longer distances. She already knows her earring doesn't work, otherwise they would have heard her by now, so she does the next best thing.

Climbing onto a rock, she cups her hands around her mouth to amplify her voice. "Jenga!!"

[Wildcard]

Put up your own prompt!