April Fammeet

[diplomaticimmewnity]

Who: Town Meeting
What: Town Meeting
When: April
Where: Enciodes' Corporate Building Office Meeting Room (Neo Eden)
Warnings: Typical Stix game warnings: Child death mentions, physical abuse via Nene, torture, body horror, cannibalism via Callan. More will be in post titles as they come up.


[ Enciodes is actually thriving for this town hall meeting. He's not tired or anything - rejuvenated simply from existing in this silly town and kicking his husband's ass at CEO-ing. Still, he knows it's important to be keeping everyone updated on the happenings within the Grove. Thus, he's invited everyone via Notebook/Phone, or even by delivery drones, to attend the meeting at his office building (address listed) (he can send a party bus to pick you all up!). When you arrive, either by sent party bus or on your own, you'll be escorted by a little robot to the elevator, to the very top floor - floor 15. And then... to this pretentious-ass room.

He'll let everyone get settled before he speaks. ]

Hello and thank you for coming to our town meeting. As a reminder, I do not tolerate fighting, and you will be escorted out if that happens.

Secondly, I encourage you all introduce yourselves. Informing us of both your name and your skillset will help us all as a group, as it'll let us know who is here at the Grove and who is best to see for specific situations. This will also help myself, as I intend to keep a headcount and census of everyone here at the Grove, to keep track of who may have gone missing and to direct those who need help in the correct location. I shall begin by introducing myself. I am Enciodes Silverash. I am a diplomat of my world, and here I have taken a role of setting up meetings like this and clearing out the problems that lie with us in the fog wall.

And finally, for the newcomers, I am sorry to have to inform you of the circumstances, but I implore you to come to me for any questions you may have. I want to make this transition for you as easy as I possibly can, and wish to provide you with all the resources and information that we currently have available to us. This may be a bit lengthy, so I understand if you may have questions for clarifications or anything of the like. I do ask that you hold onto these questions until I've finished, however.

As usual, we'll go over the old stuff, and I have a PowerPoint Presentation to bulletpoint everything a little easier for everyone.

UPDATES since or from the last meeting:

Callisto, the merchant who had a hand in releasing the Forest from the temple, resides in the town.

Renard has been rescued from the forest and is sleeping off his... centuries of torment, I imagine.

Beiwe now has a church in the Northern part of the Grove.

Sehul has been revived, mostly. They are skeletal, however, and have been standing around Beiwe's church.

There's been an effort in portal-making to go to some sort of expansive divine library, I believe? I don't know much about this, however, so I defer to those involved.

As discussed last meeting, I have rallied everyone to a fight against the Forest. This ended at the cost of many lives, and many of us learning his name. We will not under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES spread his name more than he already has. This is a warning to all of you. We have learned things from this fight, such as:
- Dying feeds him. As such, even if we come back, do NOT die, regardless, as it will make him stronger.
- He can be damaged. Bombs seemed to be effective, as well as magic fueled by emotions.
- Calisto has mentioned that healing magic actually hurts him.
- Now that all of the Guardians are full strength, we may be able to contain him. If not bind him fully - as last time that required sacrifice - just keep his powers contained so we can fight him? Unclear. Something to workshop.
- He uses illusion magic to feed on our fears.

Aldric's Manor is inaccessible now, though Heimr's kids have been rescued from it and are currently comatose as far as we know. They are... no longer kids.

Where there was previously tree-like replicas of people we love back home, there is now a scar of Nethersea Brand. The Seaborn tend to make nests out that way. Do not step in it. They should make that abundantly clear, however.

To start with, we lived a previous life we have no real memory of here at the Grove.

This is mostly as it sounds, but we all used to be here at the Grove in one way or another. After horrible events occurred here, Heimr and Ydalir tried to preserve our souls, which lead us to our "current" lives. The ones we all have memories of. Though, it does seem many of us carry the same personalities and other such traits we had while here.

This in no way is an encouragement to learn about your past life, of course. If this makes you uncomfortable or frustrates you in any way, I completely understand. Learning about things you've done back here does not currently seem to help us find our way home, so you are under no obligation to try and find more out about this if you do not want to.

Our enemy here is the entity possessing the forest.

There's still a lot we don't know about him, but that is perhaps for the best. The more we know about him, it's likely the stronger he will become in turn. It's only right we keep this section brief, in that case. If you truly wish to know more about him, I would be willing to answer questions, but understand my hesitance in doing so. That, and also it's likely he can hear us through the people here who are Corrupted by the forest.

He is the entity who got us all here. He wants us to suffer. He feeds on our misery. We won't let him have that satisfaction because we have this second chance. If he couldn't kill us before in a way that sated him, than he'll never get that satisfaction from us because we are resilient. Just be careful when going out into the forest. He can corrupt you, and... if you'd like, you can speak with those who have had first hand experience with it before, but essentially it means he can possess you if we're not careful.

Do not call it by its name. Do not worship it. Do not give it power of any kind. I am no longer going to be understanding to those who give it more than it deserves.

He is afraid of the ocean. Beiwe, his sister, mentions she doesn't believe he's open to listening to reason. She said the best way to fight back against him is simply rejecting him, turning sadness into resolve, and continuing to call him rude names.

And we'll talk about the previous residents here - the ones who didn't have new lives. As well as the deities here.

Heimr and Ydalir, or the Shopkeeper and the Trader respectively, both lost their previous names to the Forest. Heimr recently became human; maybe there's a way to get Ydalir to be the same? You can say "Aldric" now, but Heimr still prefers to be called Heimr. Please keep this in mind if the Forest ever tries to speak with you. Do not, under any circumstances, give it your name.

Nene is here as well, and very recently purified, but had previously been confined to the Forest's hold for... centuries, it seems. Please be kind to her, as I'm sure I needn't even point out. She is daughter to Grace, who was a doctor here at the Grove. She has a few books in the archives that I've been perusing. She's also apparently the person behind the Garden - a place in the forest that I'll cover shortly.

The Guardians are a group of... demi-deities, as far as we are concerned. Treat them respectfully and give them offerings if you require their assistance or plan to take anything that is theirs. The few we have with us here at the Grove are as follows:

Moder, the forest Guardian, and the large moose-like creature who's seen wandering around. She is incredibly kind even if her appearances may be a bit horrifying. She's helped clean up the northern part of town with me. She's also willing to take people through the forest safely if needed, seeing both as she knows it well, and was also once corrupted, so knows roughly what to expect in there. Considering she's lost her domain to that bastard in the woods, I ask that you give her your tribute as often as you can, as I believe she will be the one to most fiercely fight with us for her home back.

Zahliya, who has many titles I've listed in the notebook, is the gargoyle who is generally on fire. He can burn away any Corruption, and cares about each of us. His powers have since been fully realized, and can rid of your corruption. If you're unsure if you have been corrupted or not, please speak with me, as I believe I have a method to find out.

Sinann, the River Guardian, is the blue, glowing fish within the River. It has regained its power and is able to turn into a humanoid form to walk and talk freely. Please do not remove the bones from the River, and return any fish bones of those you eat to it as well. Shells and medallions are able to be taken freely from it, however.

Callan, the Lake Guardian, is thing that you all may have seen diving into the well when we got back from our time under the ocean. He is... not the kindest, but I don't believe he is malicious or malevolent by any means. I'm not entirely sure what to make of him. The Behemoth is his daughter, and the giant crocodile-like creature you've seen around the Grove. She isn't a Guardian, as far as I'm aware, but it's still recommended you are kind to her as well.

The Cosmic Serpent is in the ocean. For a good majority of the time, they are asleep. They do not seem to be opposed to helping us, but can only offer us so much, and likely may get annoyed if we expect too much of them. Apparently became what they are today by feasting on fallen stars.

Aurora, the Sky Guardian. She had been recently dead, though we'd put in an effort to reviving her. She is the bird that can change its size from a towering pheonix to a much smaller one at will. Her feathers can also serve to revive the recently deceased.

The Gods — Beiwe, the Goddess of the Sun, and Ourania, the Goddess of the Moon, are the current overseers. According to Moder, they are very weak and may need some help regaining their strength through prayer and acts of devotion. We likely have the power to help them return to their former strength.. We just need to figure out how. We've spoken directly to Ourania with a seance, and we've done the same with Beiwe. People can speak with them personally by praying at their statues, though there is no guarantee they'll respond.

Zonari, uh, the forest's gargoyle. She's no longer in the Grove, but visits occasionally. Probably to keep tabs on us to let the Forest know. Refrain from giving her details you would not want him knowing.

Magic and belief of this world.

Belief in something gives it power. Names give it power. Hence why we don't want to be using names for the forest. It's recommended to swap out the vague reference you use. Vice versa for our Guardians — please use their names, and believe in them intrinsically when we require their assistance. Mizuki has recommended before that we sing to Zahliya when he purifies things. Songs of protection and such might do us some good, I think. Just remember not to wish for things too frequently, only if it's absolutely necessary.

There are shards that seem to hold power of deities inside of them. Sun and Moon shards from Beiwe and Ourania respectively, and star shards from... likely, the stars? Be on a look out for them, as the Forest wants them destroyed. It also leads me to wonder if there are any shards of the entity we may be able to destroy?

We've also learned that the seasons are controlled by spirits, and will lose control of their magic every hundred years and need some sort of "sacrifice" to stabilize them. We've just passed the hundred year mark, so this is likely not something we'll have to face again.

We have baby dragons who grant certain blessings, as well. Feel free to see them if you'd like.

Places of interest.

Aldric's Manor is a place where Heimr's kids are currently. We can't get to it, but the children inside do have a notebook, and we hope they'll try to communicate with us. One of his children… There's a grave outside for her. Do not do anything disrespectful by it. Read updates.

There's a part of the forest nearby where you might find people you know, but as trees. It's… very upsetting there. Refrain from visiting it too frequently.

The Garden is where you'll end up if you die. Nene brings you back if you do end up here. Do not die. Do not end up here. Coming back will have you giving up something important.

The River is where the River Guardian is. Return any remains of the fish we eat from there back to it after we're able to fish there again. Thank the River Guardian when you take apples from the tree nearby there, and thank Moder when you take berries from the bush near it. Do not take bones from the river without permission. Be kind to the river's inhabitants, and don't dump any trash into the water.

The Well's water will always stay clean. Don't go dumping garbage into it, of course, but know that the water there is safe to drink regardless of what happens, it seems. Also, the well is completely bottomless, so if you can't breathe underwater, I don't recommend trying to swim down it. Mizuki tried to, but at a certain point it felt like something was pushing him back.

The Lake, where Callan used to reside, and Terho's cabin nearby. According to Mizuki, the bottom is littered with bones, so it's likely not a good swimming spot.

North Aldric's Grove and Other Expansions — The Grove, prior to stuff going awry, was a sizeable place, so we're likely to explore more areas as a "reward" for participating in games. The part of the Grove to the north used to be horribly burnt and unlivable - in a perpetual state of fire and decay. We've since fixed the time anomalies there and, with Moder's help, I've managed to get it looking like the rest of the Grove. There are no more sinkholes to be wary of.

The Church was Nene's previous home, and a former place of worship for Beiwe. It has since been worn down and transformed into something to worship the entity of the forest.

The Temple is separate from the Church. Zahliya was formerly a statue guarding this place. It is also where the Creature was previously contained. It has since been destroyed due to our attack on the Forest.

In the Lighthouse is a corrupted person who seems very territorial. It's recommended that no one go into the lighthouse or get near it, or they risk being attacked or even killed. There is a statue of Ourania embedded in the cliff face nearby the Lighthouse. Any more questions can be addressed to Vash about this area.

The beach is now accessible thanks to Moder. You may head there with the path she has made without needing help of the goggles. Just stay on the bridge of fallen trees she's made and you'll make it there. In the water are very dangerous creatures, so be mindful. Dipper has also found the evil entity's original temple under the water. Maybe that is partially why it has it's fear of the ocean?

Within the forest are star shrines, which may provide moments of respite while you are out there. Not much is known about them at the moment, besides that star... spirits? guardians? creatures reside there. Hoku, a lion-esque spirit, seems to be the "leader". We don't know what happened to him.

There are other places within the forest and such, but if you want specifics, talk to Mizuki. He has a map.

If you do end up going into the forest, bring a pair of the golden spectacles that Heimr has with you. They will show you a safe-adjacent way into the forest. It won't guarantee safety, but it'll be your best case scenario.

Comments

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua has been giving Luca a curious look ever since his introduction. Something... changed, he can tell, but it's hard for him to say what, exactly, outside of the obvious. Luca had never professed to be the Phoenix before, just Blessed by it. What had happened...?

But that's a question for later. Right now is for information. And boy, does Luca give it. ]

Freyr... I shall remember that the next time I pay her a visit.

[ But! There is something far more interesting here! Two somethings, but one should be addressed first. ]

So, you are also a priest of Beiwe, then?

[unheiring]

[The smile Luca offers when he catches Joshua's eye is bright. Brighter than it has been in some time. The last few months had brought glimmers out, while Clive himself had wrenched open the doors for something much more luminous. But if that were all that was at play, then surely a shadow would have returned.

Not that he is entirely without shadow. When he realizes where he is, what's happening and who he's smiling at, he does falter slightly. His gaze falls.]

I am. I visited her before... [He trails off. They both know what before is.] And now, it seems all the more important to be in her service.

[kingincognito]

[ It's good to see that brightness, honestly. He hasn't seen Luca since that day when he'd burst into the bar looking for Clive, but clearly a lot has changed. For the better, perhaps.

Though it's hard to miss how that brightness falters a bit. Joshua frowns, concerned, lifting an eyebrow in question but not voicing it. Hopefully it isn't difficult for Luca to be around him... ]

It is. And I appreciate it, truly.

[ Because he does know what before is. ]

I look forward to working alongside you, then. If there is aught that one Phoenix might not be able to achieve, I daresay two could do it.

[unheiring]

[It's the opposite, really. He worries that his own light might reflect poorly on his relationship. It's a complicated thing, what happened to him after he ran into the woods. Even now, he still grapples with how he should feel versus what he does.

Still an ache in his chest, but one soothed by months that had not passed in this world.]

Two could certainly handle a great deal. Perhaps even... regrowing flesh upon a dragon?

[kingincognito]

[ That Luca is still comfortable enough to stand here and talk to him tells Joshua all that he needs to know. It's a good sign. He won't question it.

And he's glad to see that Luca picked up on his own thoughts. Joshua smiles, nodding. It would normally be a bit risky, but with Willowisp's help...

Still, he keeps his voice down. ]

Perhaps, indeed. I can only assume that your Phoenix can heal, considering you have reanimated bones. I cannot revive the dead, but I can mend fatal wounds. It is worth a shot, particularly for Lady Beiwe's sake...?

[unheiring]

[Luca gives a nod, shifting in just that slightest bit closer. If they're meant to keep this a secret between the two of them, then he won't go blabbing.]

Healing and revival are both within my grasp, yes. Perhaps limited due to this place's own magic, but not because of any other force. [He wonders if Joshua understands what he's saying.] But, yes... I want to do this for her.

[kingincognito]

[ It's a curious phrasing. Joshua ponders it for a moment. Limited due to this place, but not because of an outside force? Hmm... ]

It is settled, then. Though, I would like to have a day or so to speak to someone first. I have promised not to use my healing, but this is for a good cause. I can channel it through my stolas, as well, so it should not hurt me. But that does not mean it won't cause anyone to worry about me.

[ His eyes dart to Dion, elsewhere in the room, and his hand lifts to idly give Willowisp scritches through her neck feathers. ]

And, if we are able to revive Sehul into a complete body, that will give us one further ally against the Forest. I daresay Lady Beiwe will be happy on all accounts.

[unheiring]

[Luca follows his gaze with a small smile. There's no protest there, only strong understanding. If he thought it might cause any risk to his own well-being, then he would have just as likely sought out his sibling in kind.]

Take all the time you need. I will be returning to the Watchtower once we are finished here, so you will know where to find me.

[It's the first time he's let himself come back in some time.]

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua nods. It will be nice to be able to go to the bar again. He's still not certain how he might handle seeing Clive's table empty, but... well. He'll just have to deal with that when he comes to it. There's no accounting for being in the moment, and he isn't in that moment yet.

But he is in this moment, and Luca seems... better. Far better than when he'd last seen him. It does his heart good.

So, Joshua does what he'd do to any of his friends, upon seeing them feeling better. He pulls Luca into a hug. Firm, but gentle enough to not be insistent. If Luca wants out of it, he will not need to struggle. ]

It is good to see you feeling better, my friend.

[unheiring]

[Luca doesn't try to bow out, but he is still for a moment. Guilt washes over him in the moments it takes Joshua to fully envelop him. His mind races, searching for words to explain his current feelings, everything that's happened. He still worries that every smile he offers is a slap in the face to that memory. To his grief.

But eventually he does lift his arms. He returns the embrace. In those moments, Joshua surely won't miss just how warm Luca is. He was toasty enough before, but now it's as if fire practically burns beneath his skin.

When he does eventually step back, he does so with a small, sheepish smile.]

There is... more we should discuss. In private. Things I would like you to know.

[kingincognito]

[ If Luca is still for a moment, Joshua thinks nothing more of it than Luca perhaps not being used to such gestures. After all, he knows he's a bit more liberal with gestures of physical affection than most.

But Founder, Luca is warm. It isn't as though he has any prior experience to draw upon, but... has he always been this way? Is it some benefit of the Phoenix? Quite possibly. ]

Oh. Of course. Perhaps I could meet you at the Watchtower, then?

[ It seems important. And it may answer his own questions in the process. ]

[unheiring]

[Luca's smile is as almost warm as his own form is. He gives a nod.]

I would like that.

[He casts a glance toward... not quite the door, but someone near it.]

I do have a small matter to attend to first, but after, I should be glad for your company.

[kingincognito]

[ Ah. Luca, too, then. Perhaps for different reasons, but he won't pry. It isn't his business. ]

Of course. Once we have completed our business here, we can both tend to our own personal matters, and meet afterward.

[ He would invite Luca to the house, instead, but... well. Either way is going to be a place full of reminders, isn't it? ]

I wish you luck in whatever it is you must attend to.

[unheiring]

A few hours, then? And... [He purses his lips, gaze flicking over Joshua. It's a gentle assessment, trying to take his measure before adding...]

If the bar is too much, we can meet at the inn. Or anywhere else you prefer.

[It's easier for Luca to go back to it. He knows Joshua doesn't have that same luxury.]

[kingincognito]

[ Oh. There is a brief note of surprise there, Joshua's eyes widening just a fraction at the consideration, because he recognizes it for what it is. Echoing his own thoughts, in fact.

But after a second, he smiles and shakes his head. The inn, too, holds memories. There is, frankly, nowhere in this town that doesn't. ]

No, it's all right. The bar is fine, so long as it is fine with you. I don't mind.

[unheiring]

[Luca gently nods, smile as soft as ever.]

A few hours, then? I look forward to seeing you.

[kingincognito]

[ And Joshua nods in return. ]

A few hours. I look forward to it as well.