diplomaticimmewnity: (021)
diplomaticimmewnity ([personal profile] diplomaticimmewnity) wrote in [community profile] sticksandbones2025-04-21 09:51 pm

April Fammeet

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.
nitrotempered: (d25)

[personal profile] nitrotempered 2025-04-23 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ A click of his tongue, of course the weeb has a #2, he turns his head sharply towards the other and quickly says outloud - ]

What are you, his boyfriend? [ He gets cocky and leans in on it - as if this is punchline. ] Didn't realize he needed his hand held through a conversation just to survive five seconds without being a baby. You gonna tuck him in next, too?
outofsynth: (6199869)

[personal profile] outofsynth 2025-04-23 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[WELP. This isn't the first time someone's levelled that accusation, but it is the first time anyone's said it in front of Ryan. His panic is brief but unmistakable, and he definitely seems more flustered even if he is still angry.]

What? No! Of course I'm not. We're friends. He doesn't need me to hold his hand, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to sit there when someone being a jerk to him for no reason.
chickenchoicejudy: I'm Just Your Problem - Adventure Time ft. Olivia Olson (Inconvenience to you)

[personal profile] chickenchoicejudy 2025-04-23 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[Any soft feelings from Min-Gi stepping up to defend him are quickly extinguished when Min-Gi gets accused of being his boyfriend, as though that's something terrible to be. Unfortunately for Bakugo, Ryan cares infinitely more about someone shit-talking Min-Gi than someone picking on him. He can handle it, he's used to handling it, but Min shouldn't have to deal with it. He shouldn't be getting accused of being gay just because they're friends sitting next to each other.]

What is your problem? There's nothing wrong with him standing up for me, just like there's nothing wrong with me telling you to fuck off for assuming things about him!
nitrotempered: (d86)

[personal profile] nitrotempered 2025-04-23 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Katsuki Bakugo clicks his tongue, annoyed. This went in the wrong diretion for whatever fuck all reason - he tries to salvage it. ] Whatever. I don't care for a bunch of fake-ass band weebs, [He shrugs,] trying to drag in more people so we have to sit there and suffer through your shitty music taste, bet you actually can't play for shit.
outofsynth: (but it will)

[personal profile] outofsynth 2025-04-23 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Dude, what is your problem? You don't know anything about us. You don't know anything about our music.

If you don't want to listen to it, fine. No one's going to force you so you don't have to sit there insulting us.
chickenchoicejudy: Art is Dead - Bo Burnham (I am an artist I am an artist)

[personal profile] chickenchoicejudy 2025-04-23 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ryan's still pissed off, of course, but he remembers something important in this moment - it's two against one.]

More like trying to insult us. [He elbows Min-Gi in the side a little.] He's so bad at it he has to make up words!
nitrotempered: (d66)

[personal profile] nitrotempered 2025-04-23 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ IT IS two against one, and they are totally winning. ]

Don't need to try when you guys just walk around lookin' like a bunch of nobody's! I ain't makin' words up, you're just both stupid!
outofsynth: (of what began with a passionate start)

[personal profile] outofsynth 2025-04-23 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Min-Gi's still too pissed off to really lean into the banter the way he might at other times, but he gets the reminder. They're in this together.]

Yeah? Then why can't you even say what it means?
chickenchoicejudy: Bang Your Drum - Dead Man Fall (Everyone will hear you)

[personal profile] chickenchoicejudy 2025-04-23 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's perfectly fine. Ryan will just lean into the sass twice as hard for both of them.]

Because he totally doesn't know what it means. I still think he just said dweeb wrong and hoped no one would call him on it.
nitrotempered: (d59)

[personal profile] nitrotempered 2025-04-23 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Whatever, Dynamic Duo of Delusion. With your dumbassery and cluelessness, you form one whole functioning human - almost. At least you have a comedy act between you.
outofsynth: (lying and waiting)

[personal profile] outofsynth 2025-04-23 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[The longer this goes on, the more Min thinks Ryan's probably right about him messing up the insult. He rolls his eyes.]

Sure, man. You don't know what you're saying, but we're the clueless ones. That makes sense.
chickenchoicejudy: Scrawny - The Wallows (With a cool hairstyle)

[personal profile] chickenchoicejudy 2025-04-23 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's so easy to not take this guy seriously and just riff off of Min-Gi.]

Bet he's so embarrassed, not knowing what words are. You know, like a dweeb.

[He's totally not above name calling, especially when Bakugo did it first.]
nitrotempered: (d5)

[personal profile] nitrotempered 2025-04-23 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Katsuki clicks his tongue, losers - weebs, trying to cling onto something that they feel they have a foothold on and trying to act better than him - it grinds his gears bad! So he spits out. ]

You keep clinging to one word like it's your last brain cell, [ Her offers his hand up, and sticks his tongue out. ] but I don't see either of you denying you're mid at best - so a fucking weeb.
outofsynth: (i know it sounds absurd)

[personal profile] outofsynth 2025-04-24 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
We keep clinging to one word?

[Min-Gi raises an eyebrow, incredulous.]

I don't think we're mid, but I don't see why we have to prove ourselves to you either.
chickenchoicejudy: Bang Your Drum - Dead Man Fall (I've been waking at 4 in the morning)

[personal profile] chickenchoicejudy 2025-04-26 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ryan raises his eyebrow too - they practically match, looking at Bakugo.]

Dude, you're the one who keeps using it.

[The rest though, Ryan shrugs.]

We totally don't have to. If you don't like our music that's your problem, man.
nitrotempered: (d33)

[personal profile] nitrotempered 2025-04-27 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ Bakugo clicks his tongue angrily and like the dumbass he is, turns away and all tsundere like says - ]

Whatever, wouldn't want to play drums for a bunch of idiots anyway.
outofsynth: (with too much resistance)

[personal profile] outofsynth 2025-04-27 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Uhhhhhhh. At this point Min gives Ryan a confused look.]

No one said you had to?
chickenchoicejudy: Ramblings of a Lunatic - Bears in Trees (Of me finally accepting)

[personal profile] chickenchoicejudy 2025-04-27 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Up until now, Ryan's been confused and annoyed at this guy, but this? This makes him snap. He's got a long fuse, and Bakugo's hit the end of it. His tone shifts dramatically.]

It was literally never on the table! What makes you think you can come up to an already established band, be a dick to us, and then act like we should have thought about letting you play?! Never said we needed drums, man! Especially not from a--

[He almost says it. Oh man, he thinks about calling this guy a weeb, but he still doesn't know what it means or if it's a slur or what.]

--especially not from a prick like you!
nitrotempered: <user name=hegi_10 site=twitter.com> (d165)

[personal profile] nitrotempered 2025-04-27 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Katsuki's fuse is always lit, because to him it's always him against the world and how he has to be better than it,now more than ever. He is only slightly impressed by Ryan snapping back and hitting him with a "hard" comment, however, without missing a beat and not so much as showing fear within his eyes. Katsuki turns and slams his hand HARD against the wall, table, whatever will make a noise and shock them into looking at him. ]

I said I aint playing drums for a bunch of weebs who can't handle someone being a fucking dick to them in the middle of this fuck all universe and fuck all situation, where we have magic fucking cookies that can talk and magical snakes that make you delusional and everyone here running around talking about Gods likes it normal -

[ He's not shouting, but he's angry. Firm, and annoyed. ]

I'm a fucking prick, but I'd rather be a prick then a half assed loser trying to put together a band for fun and not for seriously trying to get people together - so go fuck yourself.

[ And with that he, rather rudely and selfishly turns not giving a damn what else is said and. Kicks everything out of his way as he exits where they are. ]
beathollow: (FA. 004)

[personal profile] beathollow 2025-04-23 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
( literally just staring at bakugo like bro why are you calling them weebs )