Field Mission 7: The Queen of Hearts, Part 1

[balancemod]

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

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[seasaltkeys]

[ Your Town, Fanelia; Bless my soul, Herc was on a roll]

[Rule #50 - A Hero's job is never finished.

There's always a village to save or a D.I.D. to rescue and well, Roxas isn't exactly off duty in these situations. He's just glad he can spot them from the air thanks to Pegasus. With a flash, he lands, sword out, shield ready, and charge to block some monster from making a meal out of some kids. Attack blocked, he grins at the kids with a confident swagger.]

Get to safety, I got these guys.

[He shoves the monster back with his shield, and to the monster's surprise it goes back a bit further than it expected. He glances around for anyone else who might be fighting back.]

Hey, you need a hand!?


[Capital; Where a great warm welcome will be waiting for me]

[It's the first time he's ever been to the Capital.

Roxas has been in cities before but not any as big as this one, and so it's kind of hard to not keep looking up and around in awe. He probably looks a little silly, truth be told. And he knows he stands out.

Not just because of the winged horse that walks beside him, Roxas knows he's gaining a reputation. He can hear people mentioning his name on the streets. Mostly just "is that him?" or "That's Hercules!". No "That's Phil's boy" yet, but hopefully he'll get there. He wants to get there. He said he'd go the distance.

Eventually Roxas makes his way to a tavern. Might as well get comfortable if he's here for a few days at least. He's got to make it in the big leagues now.

He sits down at a table and glances at the crystals on his arm. Is it worth reaching out to the voices he sometimes hears?]

Alright, where to first.

[Dating Game; Person of the week in every Greek Opinion poll]

[He's not entirely sure why he signed up for this. He's mostly been busy with Hero training to even really go on a date. But he's here and it's happening, and at the very least he'll get his name out there.

He's a bit awkward when his name is called though, losing that heroic composure to try to casually lean on some of the set dressing. But he doesn't know his own strength sometimes, and ends up knocking it over.]

Didn't...didn't mean to do that. Sorry, sorry.

let me help!

[He turns to his would-be partner.]

Sorry. Just be a minute!

[Wildcard; Zero to Hero, just like that]

[Have another idea? Go for it, or hit me up at urbaninja and we can plot]

[seasaltkeys]

Additional prompts; Who put the glad in gladiator?

Capital

[hijumpkick]

[Roxas may be gathering a bit of a crowd, but as he makes his way through the Capital, he'll here a familiar voice.]

Hey!

[He recognizes that golden hair and winged horse! Hayner grins, making his way over.]

Fancy meeting you here!

[seasaltkeys]

[Groupies are probably the one thing Roxas has yet to get used to. He knows it's part of being a hero, his name getting out there, but the attention's a lot to deal with sometimes.

So, when someone calls out to him, he's always a little wary. It could be a call for help, but it could also be someone looking for an autograph.

A friend, however, is always welcome. Even if they've only met once.]

Yeah, no kidding. Did you just get into town?

No more giants on the way?

[hijumpkick]

[Hayner chuckles at the question.]

Nope, no giants on the way, thank goodness!

[He grins.]

Yeah, I just got in town recently. What about you?

[seasaltkeys]

About the same. Figured I'd see what was happening around town.

[Before he heads back into the world for more heroing.]

Might be adventures to pick up, things like that.

[hijumpkick]

The hero job's never done, huh? [Hayner chuckles, lightly punching Roxas in the arm.]

But man, adventures sound like fun! Not sure if I'm up for another one after visiting that giant in the clouds...

[seasaltkeys]

Nope. I'm always on call.

[That's rule #50 after all. ]

They usually go a bit smoother if you've got a party. But I'd think coming to a big city like this would count as one.

[hijumpkick]

Yeah, definitely. It's so big here! And there's like, a ton of people, too. I don't come to the capital very often but it always feels like an adventure coming here.

[seasaltkeys]

Well, it sounds like you've come more than me. This is my first time here.

Big's definitely a way to describe it. You, uh, found a place to stay and everything?

[hijumpkick]

I've only come here a couple times, usually with my mom. Last time I was here was for, ah, business I guess.

[Aka when he traded the family cow for those pesky beans.]

No, not yet. I was just looking into that.

[However, he perks up.]

Hey, if you need help affording a place to stay, we could room together!

capital

[mylawn]

[Despite his status, Jack has no problem taking what he can get when it comes to lodgings. If he's traveling with a smaller group, he and his men are generally fine occupying the local tavern. When he's on the road, he never stays in one place too long anyway--preferring to take care of whatever local problem he's here to deal with, and either move on or return home. He has a feeling, however, that whatever drew him to the Captial in the first place is not going to resolve itself so easily.

He needs a drink.

The dual needs of alcohol and lodging bring Jack and his men to said local tavern. Despite the fact that he clearly doesn't want to make a scene, it's hard to ignore the heavily-armored-and-weaponed entourage that enters the building. As a show of good faith, he starts to unstrap his swords, handing them over to the innkeeper for safe keeping (and to let it be known he's not here to start a fight), then starts to discuss lodging. It doesn't cause a commotion, per se, but he cuts such an intimidating figure that the scene is a little difficult to ignore.

Especially if one is seated at a nearby table, wondering what they should do first.]

[seasaltkeys]

[Roxas has been quietly people watching from his table in the tavern. Partly keeping an eye on the various people moving through, in case something happens that he should step in for and partly with starry-eyed wonder and just how many different people are here in this one building of the city.

But his eyes possibly get even wider when Jack walks in. It takes a few moments to figure out where he knows the man from, and a few more to get over his disbelief, and a further few to stop himself from getting up and going over to speak to him right away. (And maybe one or two more to blink away the feeling of deja vu.

He waits, forcing himself to finish his meal and allowing Jack to get settled before he finally stands up and walks over. He's trying his best to retain his composure.]

Um, hello sir?

[mylawn]

[Jack is used to eyes on him—that comes with the territory, but he’s well-practiced at ignoring it focus on the task at hand, even if the current task at hand is working out lodging. He can tell that someone’s staring at him, waiting for the conversation to finish, which it does in short order. Jack turns and finds that the kid has outright approached—he regards this not with hostility, but with a healthy degree of suspicion.]

Need something?

[seasaltkeys]

Uh, well, it's just....

[Mentally, he's kicking himself. Trying to get over being the stammering fanboy and become the confident hero that he wants to think he is. Eventually he seems to calm down, find his words.]

My name is Roxas and, well, I'm a Hero, or at least, working to be one. I'd be honoured if I could, maybe train with you?

[mylawn]

[Jack is used to being recognized, and perhaps is not unaccustomed to inquiries like this, though he's often conflicted about how to handle them. On one hand, he knows it shouldn't be his responsibility to train every wannabe do-gooder that crosses his path. On the other, he's not going to be around forever.

Perhaps he'd feel less ambivalent if he wasn't trying to puzzle out recent strange happenings. He gives Roxas a good look up and down.]

Who says I'm here to train?

[State your credentials, kid.]

[seasaltkeys]

[There is definitely a part of Roxas that is screaming to abort. To thank him for his time, and and just pack his bags and get out of town. But that would be breaking a number of Phil's rules and well, if word got around he'd probably be toast.]

Well, maybe not train, but. Something. At the very least, I'd like to show you my stuff.

I've been training with Phil...that is Philoctetes. And I'm trying to prove that I'm a True Hero.

[He's had a good run but it's all over now.]

[mylawn]

[Jack lets out something of a long-suffering sigh. It’s clear he likely gets requests like this on a fairly regular basis, but he’s not quite curmudgeonly enough to outright refuse to hear someone out. What he hates the most is feeling like this is an audition—but he reminds himself that he’s here for a reason. He gestures to Roxas to come join him at a table.]

What do you think that means? True Hero.

[The kid certainly says it with enough importance.]

[seasaltkeys]

[Roxas hesitates for a moment at the invitation before scrambling to the chair. There's a chance he accidentally trips someone while doing it so there's a few apologies made. His coordination is not the best sometimes.

But he sits and then has to think for a moment.]

I've been, trying to figure it out. My fath--I was told that I needed to prove myself one. So I've been out, saving people and fighting monsters. But I don't know if it's enough.

slams a vaguely capital flavored wildcard down

[snyaiper]

[Ogata hadn't wanted to participate. But as famous as Hercules is, Hades is equally infamous. A cruel, imperious man, rarely seen in such lively places as the capital. Still, he is a man with sizeable land holdings and equally sizeable powers, or so the rumors hold. It would be strange for him not to show his face for such an important anniversary.

But he's not used to the crowds. So when someone runs around a corner and bumps into him, he doesn't take it well. Word passes through the crowds fast, "Someone angered Hades!" and general cries of alarm. Any hero arriving on the scene will find a man cowering on the ground, a steely, if small, man looming over him, dark magic crackling across his fingertips.]

Give me one good reason not to strike you down where you stand, you ingrate.
[Looks bad!]

[seasaltkeys]

[Roxas has been given a fortune that basically says to look before he leaps. And he's been trying to do that, honestly, he has. But a hero's duty always comes first. Even if it is a god.

So naturally, he throws himself into the mix, shield out and sword ready. He places himself in between the man and Ogata, trying to maintain a steely glare.]

And just what did he do to you?

[snyaiper]

[Hm. He instantly dislikes this boy. It's like instinct. Some sort of shining hero... it's the opposite of what Ogata is.]

I don't see how that's any of your business. What exactly is so heroic about sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, hm?
[It's a good way to get killed, really, he thinks.]

[seasaltkeys]

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.]

[snyaiper]

[He sighs, pausing to smoothe his hair back with one hand.]

Don't feed me those tired old lines, boy. I've seen plenty of your sort. Heroes always think they get to do whatever they want. Coming into my kingdom and "rescuing the dead. Stealing my things. And they're always "just" because I'm the bad guy.

[He just sounds like a grumbling old man now, doesn't he? Oh well.]

Go ahead, then. I'm sure vanquishing Hades will be a sparkly star to have on your record.
[None of this has actually answered Roxas' initial question.]

[seasaltkeys]

[It certainly would, in a lot of ways. But there's a niggling part of him that makes him wonder if that would make him a True Hero if he did.

Maybe if Hades was planning a coup of Mount Olympus through some ancient ritual, but that doesn't seem to be the case right now. Doesn't change the fact that he can't help feeling annoyed though.]

I'm not looking for a fight, but an apology will do.

Or just not harming an innocent man.