balancemod: (Default)
balance mod ([personal profile] balancemod) wrote in [community profile] balance_logs2020-01-03 01:32 pm

Field Mission 7: The Queen of Hearts, Part 1


Once upon a time...
NAVIGATION


Click here for the RNG thread!




The day is met the way all others begin: the sun rises from the eastern stretch of land facing the sea, as the citizens of Emberwharf awaken to a fish market brimming with life and splendor. The same sun is seen in Ok'talar, where its warchief watches, as is tradition for its leader to be meditating under the warmth of its warm embrace. The clans of the Highlands pick up where they left off just yesterday, squabbling over minor infractions of land, marriage, or deals that have fell through. And in the cold clutches of Orrenvia to the north, people are bundling up and preparing to visit the mines at the base of the Spine of the World.

The general news throughout the Kingdom of Fanelia is that today is a day of celebration. It marks the 110th anniversary of the coronation of its ruler, the Queen of Hearts. While some people around the outskirts of the citadel proper consider this as a day of mourning, many are called forth to partake in festivities, dining, and the accompaniment of the finest musicians from the far-reaching town of Peppelfen.

For the last 110 years, the Queen has kept order and, somehow, relative peace throughout the kingdom she rules. Although open defiance and protest is met with swift justice and sentencing, no one can overlook how crafty and careful she is. Her manipulations resonate throughout the annals of the history of Fanelia, present in every major brokered deal throughout its vast land mass and diverse population. Her benevolent guidance is felt by all... as is her tyranny. She is a monarch of paradoxes: obsessed with control, but only acting for the betterment of the realm's self-preservation. Every passionate declaration of "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!" had been necessary up to this point; who else can steer and guide this world into prosperity than she herself?

The horizon in the far off distance swirls with its usual tumultuous temper. A dark cloud surrounds the continent where Fanelia is located, known to all as "The Expanse." Every year, the border closes a little bit more inward, narrowing the lands and threatening the civilizations that reside on the fringes. Its presence encroaches, and with it, a general looming sense of fear that one day only the capital city will be left standing, protected by a magical bubble of pure radiant light that allows only those permitted by decree to enter.

But none of you can remember your life before this illusion took hold. As far as you're concerned, you've been here your entire life. You don't notice that this farce, this world created by the usage of a Grand Relic, has only existed for a year. One whole year has passed since magic was cut loose from Faerun's fabric, and no one is any wiser that it's been gone at all.

You look down to your wrist, noticing the same three clouded, empty colored crystals that have always been there since the day you were born. Each one bears the shape of a heart, and it makes sense to you why Lucretia is known as...

The Queen of Hearts.





1. THE COURT OF HEARTS




A. ANOTHER MORNING, HOWEVER YOU SLICE IT

Good morning! Where are you right now?

Another day is creeping over the horizon, and your life as you know it is continuing down the path it always has. Wherever you are. However you're feeling. The crystals on your wrist, though you've managed to sort out at least one purpose for them by now, remain as dull and lifeless as they've always been.

Maybe you've long since figured out that not everyone has them — and maybe today is the morning that you finally heed a call to figure out why. The harder you think about it, the more questions you seem to have.

It's a wide world out there, and there are people you just might be dying to remember. Where will you go? Who will you run into?

B. NETWORK

Speaking of that one purpose you've stumbled upon: A series of messages that, if you choose to access them, dance across your mind as if they were your own thoughts. Over the years, the messages have ranged from confused — people on the other end wondering what this is, without really finding any answers — to just straight up sales pitches.

One day, though, a message under the name of Avalon appears:

Wandering fortune teller and adviser offering services.

Have a burning question you want answered? Do you wish for a quick peek into the void, to light a match into the unknown?

Giving out free samples now! Just message me ;)


[ooc: If you'd like a randomized way for a memory to begin unraveling, feel free to hit up the RNG thread for a fortune! Note: A low roll doesn't necessarily mean a failure to nudge your character in the right direction, it will just dictate how cryptic and/or troll-y the fortune actually is.

Or, feel free to come up with an unrelated fortune for a prompt.]


C. AROUND THE CAPITAL

One way or another, you may make your way to the capital city, the seat of the Court of Hearts. Whether you're here for answers, or whether you're here just to see the sights, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Chaotic croquet: Indeed, you will be discovering how the capital city plays the queen's favorite game. You and a fellow crystal-bearer/Reclaimer will near immediately be roped into a round and pitted against each other, with a rather stern reminder to follow the rules.

If only the rules made sense! Each path to the next wicket is more treacherous than the last — you may find yourself quite literally navigating the ball over a bottomless pit, or bumping it up stairs that threaten to send the ball right back, careening toward your face. There is also the Stone Golem guarding the final wicket to contend with.

It's a bit strange, actually. It's almost as if this match of the Queen of Hearts' imagining would prefer that the two of you worked together, rather than against each other.

○ We mentioned earlier that the castle, should you wander past the common areas, gets a little ... strange. It's labyrinthine in nature, with staircases, doors and hallways that lead to no where, or straight into the ceiling. The neat line of roses planted along the hallways begin to wither the farther you walk — almost as if nobody dared getting lost just to water some plants.

And then, you wander into an empty room, that quite literally transforms before your eyes.

It's the place you call home. Or ... is it? This is most certainly not your bedroom back in whatever corner of Fanelia you hail from. In fact, you don't think you've ever set foot in there before — it might be a bedroom with views into outer space itself. It might be a place from another world entirely, one that you definitely don't recognize.

But as time passes, and as you stand there, your sense of longing grows stronger. You should probably get out of there, before the guards find you.

○ The Queen of Hearts, in a recent twist (not unusual for her), has a keen interest in the relationships her subjects have with one another, whether it's romantic or platonic. And she'd like to see to it that the people of Fanelia are able to find those important people in their lives.

Enter: THE FANELIA FRIENDSHIP (OR SOMETHING MORE?) EXTRAVAGANZA


Yeah, it's pretty much a dating show, for both the amusement of onlookers and for your benefit! Or friendship show, as it were. Sign up, answer a brief survey, and showrunners will pair you with a fellow crystal-bearer/Reclaimer that they think you may be compatible with.

Let the dating begin! You may:
- Slay a monster together
- Take a nice long walk around the capital city together
- Be given a series of embarrassing questions to ask each other
- Cook a meal together
- The list goes on

Is the right person, or your new best friend, waiting for you in plain sight? Sign up and find out!




D. EXPANDED WILDCARD

As we mentioned in the OOC post, we highly encourage worldbuilding and creating your own scenarios to recover your character's lost memories! Outside of the capital city, the entire setting is yours to alter, and play in, as you see fit. Want to haunt the Enchanted Forest, or hunt wild boars? Want to follow your character's fairy tale story and have them work their way to leader of a clan, or of a settlement in Kingstown? Go for it! This is your story to write.

If you have any questions, feel free to hit us up on the OOC post.







blurb code by photosynthesis
seasaltkeys: (Huh)

[personal profile] seasaltkeys 2020-01-14 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
Still, that's more than me.

[You have to work your way up to the big time. Which is now.]

Well, I have a room at the local tavern, which I think has an extra bed. It's mostly until I can find some more adventuring work.
bu773rfly: (23)

C

[personal profile] bu773rfly 2020-01-14 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
[Erika's lips purse.

She'd been about to do the nice thing. Her hand still hangs outstretched, one of three crystals pleasant red, ready to shake.

It is not shaken.

So instead she rolls her eyes and reaches for Kaede's wrist, prying it away from her face so she can get a nice eyes-on those ever so mysterious matching rocks.]


It doesn't.
quiescis: <user name=moes> (pic#11849212)

[personal profile] quiescis 2020-01-14 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Yuri turns away.]

Sometimes the Queen's guards are too daft that I don't even need to run. [She sighs.] Don't tell me you're worried.
quiescis: <user name=moes> (pic#11849219)

[personal profile] quiescis 2020-01-14 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
So, you are a monster.

[She stands up, holding her book close.]
quiescis: <user name=moes> (pic#11849219)

[personal profile] quiescis 2020-01-14 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
[...? She watches the girl suddenly yelp and take off just like a---]

Rabbit...?

[Yuri frowns quickly and drops her book in favour of following the girl instead.]

Umm...! Excuse me!
Edited 2020-01-14 03:48 (UTC)
bu773rfly: (6)

iii

[personal profile] bu773rfly 2020-01-14 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Detect Magic is a reflexive action.

This is...

...a wretched coincidence.

If he doesn't recognize her, it's by design. One very short young woman in a thick dark hooded cloak at night looks like any very short young woman in a - yeah. And it's always inevitable. He's everywhere, after all, eventually. No use getting indignant about it. No use getting heartbroken about it. Whatever he's up to, it's going to happen.

Not much to do about it except try to pop him in the nose with a Mage Hand while the opportunity is there.]
myliteratureclub: Not for free use (Do you love me?)

The Evil Queen

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
((OOC note: please read about Monika’s AU before tagging!))

Audience with your Queen

[ Once upon a time, there was a beautiful queendom by the name of Uta ruled by a beautiful queen. By her law, artists and the like are hailed as heroes for helping to provide such a wonderful place to live. Though none deserve praise so much as their queen who made it all possible.

But she isn’t the superior queen… is she? That title goes to the Queen of Hearts in the neighboring kingdom. And it drives the Evil Queen mad. She’s good at keeping it to herself, but some of her closest court members may have caught her sour musings about the red queen. The Evil Queen even wears long gloves to cover the hearts on her wrist as they remind her too much of her enemy.

Enough of that, though. The Evil Queen isn’t so obsessed that she doesn’t have time for her own queendom. On this day, there’s open court in the Queendom of Uta if you wish to speak to Her Majesty. She sits on a high throne as members of her court watch in hush as the common folk and even political allies and enemies come to speak to her. Keep in mind of the guards that also stand nearby...

While looking down on you, a smile spreads on the Queen’s face. There’s just something slightly off about it though. ]


And what brings you to my court today?

Unfortunate Fortune

[ Her Majesty may have traveled to the neighboring kingdom with a political agenda… but that doesn’t mean she can’t have a little fun. And ooo a mysterious fortune teller? That does sound fascinating, doesn’t it? However, it doesn’t end up being the fun she had hoped for.

After receiving her fortune, the Evil Queen storms out of the tent. Her guards try to quickly follow after her, but she tells them they are dismissed and should leave her alone. They look very conflicted in the order, but before they get the chance to really decide what to do, their queen is gone.

The Evil Queen can be found hiding in the gardens if you go looking. It would be easy to write off her display as her temper getting the better of her. However, looking carefully at her here… she does not seem okay.

She stares with wide eyes at her hands as they shake. She even pulls her gloves off, sweat visibly dripping down her skin. One of the hearts embedded into her wrist seems to have a faint glow to it. ]


What… is this feeling?

The Wrong Fairytale

[ Rumors of a “magic room” in the Queen of Hearts’s palace most definitely catches the Evil Queen’s interest. How could she not be curious about such a supposedly magical thing? When there’s a quiet, she manages to sneak away from the court and her guards to explore the palace on her own. It’s rare for her to do something so naughty… but she has to see it for herself. If something the Queen of Hearts has, she wants it too.

After almost getting completely lost in the palace, she manages to find the fabled room. The Evil Queen opens the door eagerly but is almost overwhelmed instantly. A warmth washes over her as she quietly steps into a kotatsu filled room. It’s been covered in blankets and pillows for some reason, but she doesn’t question that.

Rather she questions why this room is even here. This is not her queendom… yet it makes her feel a familiar warmth. Without thinking, she kicks her shoes off and walks in to sit at one of the tables. Nearby there’s a tv screen playing static, yet every once and awhile an almost too on point song cuts in and out. It makes her head hurt even more.

She’s wide eyed as she hears the door open again, but the blanket of the kotasu almost keeps in her place. ]


I… [ Her expression hardens a little. ] You shouldn’t be here.

Wildcard


((None of these prompts work for you? Let’s plot it out here! before tagging!))
quiescis: <user name=moes> (pic#11849217)

[personal profile] quiescis 2020-01-14 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
[She will not hesitate, bitch!]

... Ahh?

[Somewhat startled, she turns towards the voice. Knife still in hand.]

I'm here. Who are you?
seasaltkeys: (Stand firm)

[personal profile] seasaltkeys 2020-01-14 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
It's because I'm a Hero that is my business. I won't stand by when someone's in trouble.

[And it doesn't matter the situation, he's prepared to put his life on the line.]


myliteratureclub: (Even cuter!)

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
(( Please do not reply to this in case future prompts are needed! ))
parfaitgirl: (sparkle)

audience;

[personal profile] parfaitgirl 2020-01-14 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, after Natsuki's fateful encounter with Sayori, she had mentioned that Queen Monika also had a bracelet that was mysteriously similar to the one that the two of them shared.

And so, after some discussion (well, as much as Natsuki could discuss, not having a proper human voice and all), the two of them headed to the castle to obtain an audience with the Queen. Perhaps she might be able to shed some light on where the bracelets had come from!

Natsuki waits ... somewhat patiently for her turn, flitting about curiously as she examines the decor of the castle. She's never been in a place like this before! ]
Edited 2020-01-14 04:13 (UTC)
myliteratureclub: Not for free use; DNT (Emerald Green)

3

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ When Sayori finishes her poem, Her Majesty stands to join in the applause, even trying to clap louder over everyone else. Both Sayori and her poet friend had become valued members of her court; their poetry and performances bring her a lot of joy. She may even consider them friends...

The crowd parts for and her guards as she approaches the little mermaid with a smile. ]


Bravo! You were simply wonderful! You've truly come into your own.
eastofeden: (pic#13395910)

ii

[personal profile] eastofeden 2020-01-14 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ Aziraphale doesn't appear terribly amused by Church's antics. The Robot, especially, only seems to confuse him.

But he can recognize someone in need when he sees them. And though the state of the rags he's wearing suggests that he may need the money more than Church does, though he looks around furtively, as though afraid he'll be caught in the act, he hurries over, dropping two small coins - barely worth anything - into the bag at Church's feet.

He smiles, apologetically, eyes full of sorrow and compassion. ]


It's all I can spare. [ All he can afford to give away, or his stepfather will surely notice he's brought less change home from the market than he should have. ] I hope it helps.
myliteratureclub: (Just Monika)

B

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's never a good idea to anger a queen. Especially an evil one. And especially if you're a goose.

She may have even ordered the creature to be served for her that dinner that night... but Hayner's proposal catches her attention. A golden egg? Well doesn't that sound interesting... and useful.

But first things first: Her Majesty holds out her hand with narrowed eyes. ]


My bracelet. The beast stole it from me earlier; I demand that back first.
eastofeden: (disbelieving)

i

[personal profile] eastofeden 2020-01-14 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ Michael's current shape may be innocuous enough, and yet, Aziraphale's eyes are wide and frightened, growing wider still at the sight of the hearts on the stranger's wrist. He's never met anyone else with those same hearts on their wrist - not to his knowledge, anyway. Most of the time, he tries to keep the hearts hidden. In the end, they're just one more thing to set him apart, one more reason for his stepfamily to hate him. But his sleeve had come rucked up a bit as he did the family's shopping, and now -

He swallows, shaking his head and casting his eyes away. ]


I - I've always had it, sir. Since I was a child.
bu773rfly: (24)

c

[personal profile] bu773rfly 2020-01-14 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
Probably, [says Flayn's dour young partner, name not yet given, in a tone of voice that suggests she cares very little about what's frowned upon and much more about solving the puzzle set before her. She's scanning the pit from left to right with a long, low hum; the mallet is being bounced against one of her palms in a genuinely kind of threatening-looking fidget.

Follow the rules, eh.]
Edited 2020-01-14 04:29 (UTC)
hxppythxughts: (hope♥ like you missed me.)

[personal profile] hxppythxughts 2020-01-14 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Sayori is a bit less restless, given that she's made her home in this court and considers Queen Monika a friend. She's content to watch as Natsuki explores, a fond, amused smile on her face. She'd be doing the same thing anywhere else, probably. The castle really is beautiful.

As they're signalled to approach, Sayori waves Natsuki back over excitedly. She approaches Monika with...perhaps less than the usual court-mandated amount of deference, her wide grin far too eager and familiar, but the respectful bow she gives after stopping just short of the throne is deep and flourishing.]
Your Majesty!

[A small giggle. She straightens up and indicates Natsuki.] My friend and I have come to ask after one of your possessions, if you don't mind telling us the story!
eastofeden: (pic#13358970)

b

[personal profile] eastofeden 2020-01-14 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's glad enough for conversation; market days are the only opportunity Aziraphale has to escape the chateau and the watchful eyes of his stepfather and stepsiblings. Best of all are the trips that take all day. His feet may grow tired and sore in the process, his arms aching from carrying heavy bags of food and drink and whatever trinkets his selfish stepsiblings may have demanded he seek out for them, but every minute away from those cold stone walls is a gift. And best of all - even his stepfather can't deny him a pause for a meal on those days, when he's out from sunup to sundown.

Said meal is meager enough, but Aziraphale is eyeing it as if it were a feast, as he heeds the young woman's wordless invitation and joins her at her table. At the offer, though, he only gives her a sad smile and a reluctant shake of his head. ]


Oh - I'm afraid not. I wish I could.
myliteratureclub: Not for free use (Thank you...)

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her tight smile actually softens to a genuine when she sees Sayori approach. Although she's with a stranger, the queen is pleased to see her friend. Though what an odd request! ]

Oh? And what are you looking for exactly? [ She gestures to the pixie. ] And who is this?

[ They may be friends but mind your manners! ]
myliteratureclub: Not for free use (Forget-me-not)

C

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ah someone messing with the Queen of Hearts; now that's a girl after her own heart. Her Majesty can't help but approach with a smile on her face. She's actually trying to come off friendly but may be intimidating instead. ]

And what're you up to? Causing trouble?
parfaitgirl: (lollipop)

[personal profile] parfaitgirl 2020-01-14 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ Natsuki also seems to lack the usual amount of court-mandated deference, but she has seen enough people come in to know that she's supposed to curtsy.

So, she does a mid-air curtsy for Queen Monika, jingling a little as she does. ]
hxppythxughts: (sunny♥ more dreams.)

[personal profile] hxppythxughts 2020-01-14 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Manners whomst?

At least Monika and the guards are probably used to Sayori's particular missteps by now.]
This is Natsuki! We met on our travels and realized...

[She holds up her hand in indication, pulling her sleeve back slightly to ensure that the bracelet with the blue quill charm is visible from the throne.] She has a bracelet like this too, Your Majesty!
myliteratureclub: (Finger)

Queen of Hearts

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, her royal majesty the Evil Queen would also like a word with a fellow queen as well. Tension between them as always been bad but maybe this one time they can meet peacefully? After all they are here to celebrate the Queen of Hearts reign, yes?

Well nevermind that. Her Majesty is is actually here to discuss The Expanse. Just how long are you going to ignore this issue, Miss Queen of Hearts? It's getting worse and worse and has barely been addressed. And why hasn't it been? Is it perhaps because you don't know how to deal with it? Maybe you just aren't strong enough?

Maybe you should let another Queen take the reigns (tee hee) for once, don't you think? One much stronger. One who isn't afraid of her people and protecting them.... oh but haha she isn't suggestioning herself!

Unless...?
myliteratureclub: Not for free use (I warned you)

[personal profile] myliteratureclub 2020-01-14 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her eyes widen when Sayori shows her charm bracelet. When they originally had realized they had matching bracelets, they wrote it off as a funny coincidence! But now, looking at the pixie, she sees another. How is that possible?

The queen stands from her throne, addressing the entire room now. ]


I'm afraid open court will have to be cut short for the day.

[ There are murmurs from the court members as Her Majesty steps down from her throne. She motions for the two to follow her, leaving her guards in the dust as she hurries ahead. She takes them to her private study where they can speak without peering eyes.

Monika sits in a chair and slides her own bracelet that had been carefully hidden up her sleeve down her arm. It does in fact match the other two.

She addresses Natsuki now. ]


Where did you get that?
bu773rfly: (58)

[personal profile] bu773rfly 2020-01-14 05:15 am (UTC)(link)
[oh god not more fortunes.]

name: metamorphosis

does it matter?

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