EVENT 001: BY LANTERN LIGHT

[sticksandbonesmods]

BY LIGHT

APRIL SHOWERS

...bring may flowers, as the rhymes go. None are so brutal as the tantrum the Woods threw upon it's defeat in the game, no lightning visibly striking the ground or targeting you when you have to step outside... in fact, most of the afflictions from the game all those nights ago have seemed to have faded, save for lingering plant friends who truly intend to overstay their welcome. And with the rain, new life springs forth: the small flowers that littered the ground sporadically grow in number, and some in size. It's a pleasant sight, even if... hm. You may not be an expert in flowers but some of these don't seem Forest-Native. And if you are an expert in flowers, then some of these definitely aren't. Alongside the wood anemone, wild geranium, and blue wood aster, there are sunflowers, poppies and jasmine flowers and more - keen eyes can also spot the sprouts of wild strawberries.

Oddly enough, Rusty seems to disapprove of some of these flowers. Because he is just digging them up when he finds them, huffing angrily when he's done. His choice almost seems random, but as time passes there are plenty of holes scattered throughout the grove. Watch your step.

Another oddity is that some of these flowers are larger than they should be. And some of those large flowers, when you reach out to touch them in your inspections, touch back - leaves or viney tendrils gently wrapping around your fingers. When you jerk your hand back, blood drips from your fingers from where the edge of the plant had turned razor sharp for just a moment as you withdrew, but the flower returns to normal. Notably, this doesn't happen with every normal or odd flower though...

SIGILS

Occasionally, one can hear heavy footsteps through the hallways of the inn at night, slow and steady, pausing just before a door. And then moving onto the next. Whatever the source is, it makes no effort to come in- but in the morning, every door to a room that houses someone is marked: a semi-hollow circle at the bottom with an outer barrier that holds back several diamonds, painted in red. ... It's not blood, at least, that is immediately obvious. Should you try to remove the mark, it reappears the next day, freshly painted. The magically inclined, however, can tell that this is a sigil to protect your room.

And of course no one is just going to let a heavy-footed stranger wander the halls at night after they had to fend off a wood-and-metal moosetaur. So those who step out at night to investigate will find... the Shopkeeper, carrying a bucket of rather foul-smelling paint. When questioned, he simply tells you to go back to sleep. And you do.

However, during the day, the Shopkeeper seems even more tired than usual. Why, you might even catch him dozing at his counter. Who knew shadowy whisps in the shape of men needed to sleep too? ... You might have to wake him up for your purchases, though. Unless you want to try something.

GUIDING LIGHT

On a dry day, the Shopkeeper can be seen hauling out a large wooden table- almost like a half of a felled tree. Once that's done and settled, stumpy chairs join the table, and then? Paper, reeds, twigs and wicker are laid out. Paints and little carving tools, too. Eventually, he sits down and starts to make something. When questioned, he gestures for you to have a seat.

"We're makin' lanterns," Is what he says eventually, as he guides you in what to do. "The Trader out in the woods has more things that can help, but she can't navigate the woods without a guide. So we're makin' them for her."

As you construct your lanterns, working together or playing around, he watches almost fondly before resuming his work. Gradually, as each lantern gets finished, he either takes them to hang, or instructs you to hang them up either outside or in a window- wherever they can be seen from the outside. Though he hadn't provided a light source, once the lantern is hung it begins to glow. Once the final light is strung up, the Shopkeeper steps into his store and then comes out with a strange horn, blowing into it. The sound is loud, deep and bellowing, but he only plays once. And then he waits...

And waits.

And waits.

Until finally, in the distance, the sound of a similar horn echoes back.

CARAVAN

It's a typical foggy morning when the clamor begins, with heavy steps and loud laughter and dozens of items rattling together. Through the fog, a dim light can be seen before a rather... large red and brown turtle slowly lumbers through. On it's back sits a shadowy woman cloaked in a vivid scarlet and gold, hood wrapped as if it's draped from a horned headpiece sits, and behind her a large pack of everything and anything sits tied down. As soon as the turtle settles in the center of the grove by the well, she slides off, already bringing the pack down with her to set up a stall. Her good mood flickers when she sees you.

"So you are the reasons he called me back! Here I thought he was just being sentimental. But! A new meeting is always something beauiful, no? Come, come, help an old woman out. Or better yet, tell that old stiff I'm here-" The Shopkeeper almost definitely knows already. "-He can do the heavy lifting."

The stall unfolds quickly, like a tent full of light and warmth. Her wares include metals and tools, candies and fruits- and behind her, a strange mirror. It isn't for sale but you can't help but think of home when you look at it, no matter how familiar or unfamiliar it is. The turtle settles onto the ground, eyes fluttering closed before he settles into a deep nap. The Trader seems to dance around as she flits from display to display, before she settles before you. You think if she had a face, she'd be smiling wildly.

Welcome to the Trader's stop.

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

APRIL SHOWERS

With the rain, new life blooms... literally. More flowers have grown throughout the grove, but some of them definitely don't belong in a forest. Severla flowers, some larger than usual, will try and latch on when touched- but not all of them. The only cleer indicator of which is safe or not is Rusty, who is trying to dig up the unsafe ones with prejudice.

SIGILS

At night, the Shopkeeper has been drawing protective sigils on your doors. However, he won't take questions during the process, and during the day he seems to be incredibly tired.

GUIDING LIGHT

The Shopkeeper asks for assistance in making lanterns to guide his sister, the Trader, through the fog back to the Grove. He doesn't provide a light source but is happy to see people making lanterns together. Or playing around. That also makes him pretty happy, honestly.

CARAVAN

The trader arives, but seems to recognize you. She pretends not to. Her items seem almost fantastical compared to the Shopkeeper's, and the large mirror she has reminds you of home somehow. Also she has a giant turtle, very important.

OOC

Welcome to the first event! This month is a bit chiller in comparison. That said, changes could happen soon due to Elsword and 9S's actions, so watch out!

UPDATES

❖ None yet!

SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS & INVESTIGATIONS ⚘ NPC CONTACT

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Comments

NPC CONTACT

[sticksandbonesmods]

Shopkeeper.

[sticksandbonesmods]

[amhran]

[ Caoimhe stepped into the shop, expecting to explore it, only to discover the sleeping shopkeeper. As her gaze wandered around the space, it landed on an unoccupied chair, beckoning her to take a seat. Without hesitation, the eleven woman does so. She retrieves her harp of illusions from her bag, and delicately plucked its strings. This coaxed forth a soft and soothing melody. The melody would help revitalize the shopkeeper, as this was a skill of any Bard. A song of rest. ]

[sticksandbonesmods]

( the shopkeeper hadn't meant to fall asleep. but even drawing sigils could take it out of him sometimes- he is an old, weary soul with almost no way of replenishing his power after usage, and there's so many who need protecting. he can't fail this time...

the spell is welcomed. soothing. observant eyes may note that the shadows holding the clothes up seem firmer, seem to grow a bit more. eventually, he rouses gently, eyes a soft... pink. )

... Ren?

[amhran]

Ah.... [ The name, or rather the word itself, escapes from his lips in a peculiar manner, Caoimhe makes note of it. However, she responds casually. ] Are you alright? You seem rather exhausted...

A shrine.

[amhran]

[ At some point at another time. Caoimhe approaches the Shop Keeper, with a thought invoking look. She gently gathers her wits and attempts to collect his attention. ] H-Hello S-Shopkeeper... I... Have a question - if you do not mind me taking up a moment of your time.

[sticksandbonesmods]

[He's just cleaning off the countertops as he usually is. Come in, come in.]

Afternoon, young lady. It ain't no problem. What's on your mind?

[amhran]

[ Does he need help with anything? She can help... ]

Ah... It is... A bit funny that you call me young, I suppose to your I do look rather young. [ Caoimhe seems to blush a little bit, happy to hear the other feel she is youthful in some way. ] Oh.. B-but that is neither here nor there. No. I came to ask... If you new of a fine area - of a spot to dedicate a shrine to a God that lives among us. I understand all Gods should be respected and, perhaps... As a show of kindness I would like to form a small shrine for them. So that we may pray to them and embolden them with strength in some way.

Trader.

[sticksandbonesmods]

[simplicitas]

[Elsword heard "help me unpack" and he was THERE for this okay, so he's going to help her out. He can carry hundreds of pounds of stuff at once don't worry about it. You need something unboxed he's here.

So here's your amnesiac boy with his hands in boxes and bags and whatever else, helping set up stuff.]

Where did you travel from?

[He's roamed a lot so he would have found her, right.... theoretically...... probably not this place is weird.]

[sticksandbonesmods]

Mmm... Nowhere in particular, child. I wander the forest, mainly- the fog cannot touch me or my dear Goldie- that'd be my turtle- and so we try and find anything and everything. But I will always come home when my brother calls.

( she'll cheerfully direct him by the box- this one goes by goldie, but the other one must be by the mirror. )

[simplicitas]

Your brother? [Huh. He is also a brother! Wild.] ...do you miss him, when you're out wandering?

A MIRROR YOU SAY

[lostpsalm]

<sub>[ Rennuid's immediately caught by the mirror. He's staring at it a long damn time, as the Trader's busying about.

His hand, as it tends to, goes to the spot he carries his own mirror, always with him, folded away in fabric out of sight. ]</sub>

Excuse me. That mirror...

Does it. Have a name?

I SURE DO SAY

[sticksandbonesmods]

A name...? Hmmm... not officially, that I've ever known. Found it in an old temple one day, felt like welcomin' an old friend home.

( the trader glances over, eyes alight with a teasing glow. she'd be smiling coyly if she could. )

I take it you've interest in it?

[lostpsalm]

Yes, ma'am. It's real.. it's real pretty.

_{[ no way of hiding that. he'd forgotten himself, staring at it, and he... has no idea how long he was, actually. ]}

Rusty.

[sticksandbonesmods]

[simplicitas]

[hello rusty

how do you feel about a big lion—]

[sticksandbonesmods]

( gonna be honest chief he's a little intimidated )

[simplicitas]

[what if Leon rolls over onto his stomach like a baby]

Re: Rusty.

[lostpsalm]

_{[ picking up flowers rusty has dug up and putting them up in a basket so they're not just sitting around rotting ]}

Re: Rusty.

[sticksandbonesmods]

( HARUMPHS GRUMPILY AT THE FLOWERS. BAD. EVIL. AWFUL. NO GOOD. )

Re: Rusty.

[lostpsalm]

Avess'qul is a hard work~er 🎵 .

_{[ <--clueless ]}

Re: Rusty.

[amhran]

[ The goat follows behind the dog and starts munching on some of the flowers... nomnomn.... His brain full of empty, only hunger, doge y do u dig flowers. ]

Re: Rusty.

[sticksandbonesmods]

( GOAT :0

... the flowers that rusty digs up will taste terrible, tragically. but the healthy ones are free game, at least. the flowers he's targeting also smell terrible. like sick. like poison.

rusty gently harumphs, like a dad softly scolding their child for chewing something they shouldn't. don't eat that, man. )

[amhran]

[ Goat looks at him with its O _ O eyes.... And Reluctantly bucks its head.

Spits out the flowers, stomps on them... As the dog digs them out... He stomps on them. Yeah that'll show the flowers. ]