Lunar Interlude 5

[balancemod]

looks like i'm in charge now NAVIGATION Click here for the RNG thread! 1. FROM THERE TO HERE AND THERE IS GONE A. YOUR ARRIVAL For those of you who were just casually (or not so casually) pulled between the universes, depending on how you viewed your home world, your day just got a whole lot worse. You can't really remember what happened, but the grass beneath you is plush and comfortable, and out in the well manicured field of trees you're sitting in are ... well, a fairly sizeable crowd of people. The Director has pulled in new Reclaimers so often by this point that it's become something of an event. And quite frankly, according to the murmurs of other members of the Bureau, she's become pretty adept at picking some real weirdos. The Director, standing before you dressed in regal robes, clears her throat and begins to speak. She doesn't appear to be wearing any mics, but her voice is somehow amplified so that it booms through the Quad, and onto the Bracers of those who aren't in the Quad. When she's done, there's silence. In the distance, trains. No, really, you most definitely heard the sound of a train just now. That's probably normal. In any case, you have a few minutes to gather your bearings before you're taken to your initiation. You can talk with other newbies who are sitting there with you, or if you happen to spot somebody you know among the crowd watching, now's your chance to reunite with them. And maybe one of those people out there will be able to relay a fact to you, even if you can't remember exactly how: Your world, and the people who were there and are not here, are now gone. B. THE VOIDFISH Once you have your bearings, you are divided into small groups of three or four and brought to the easternmost geodesic dome, to an elevator in a well maintained, but sparsely landscaped field. There's nothing particularly ominous feeling about the space — in fact, the two guards who greet you at the elevator entrance seem pleased with your arrival. You are, after all, one of the few chosen by the Director, the few who will reclaim what the Hunger has destroyed. And in a few moments, you're about to find that out for yourself. After a tightly packed elevator ride, your group is ushered out to a rather grand looking hall, banners of the Bureau of Balance adorn both sides of smooth metal walls. And inside the Voidfish's chamber stands a tank — impossibly tall, and soaked in a black ink that obscures whatever the tank may be holding. Standing by the tank is a bard, who happens to be reciting the lyrics to a song. Considering what he's about to do with the sheets of paper in his hands, the lyrics might be apt enough. When he's finished, he takes the sheets of paper — sheet music — opens a drawer at the bottom of the tank, drops the papers in, and shuts it. And swiftly, you feel as if there's something you can't just shake off about the melody you just heard. If you seem alarmed, the bard takes notice of it. "Yeah, man, like... don't think too hard about it, it's like that every time. I'm guessing you're here to be inoculated? Just a heads up, you might want to, like, seriously, hold your nose while you drink it down. It tastes wicked gross, man." You sort of get the sense that he's said this speech once or twice in the past. It's well rehearsed, much like the stories you'd expect a bard to be able to recite. "Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you that you have a choice. If you drink the black stuff, you'll be able to hear through the, uh... Huh, how do I describe it? Through the [TSHCSCHTSHCHSC] sound. You guys like, hear that? Anyway, it's all about knowledge or something. I don't know, I'm just here to, like, feed the thing. We call it the [TSCHHSCHSCH], by the way. So, like. You get a choice. You can drink it and understand stuff, or not drink it and then hear that crackling noise all day every day. If I were you, I'd drink it. But, hey man, I'm not like, your dad or anything." The bard takes five cups and draws liquid from a spigot connected directly to the basin of the large tank. Stormy, muddy looking ichor is drawn into them, one by one. He offers each of you a sip. Drink it (he wasn't kidding about what it tasted like), and you're inoculated to the wisdom of the Voidfish. You try to remember the song this bard sang a few moments ago and the melody, the meter, every octave, all come back to you. And if you think back to your arrival, some of the things you may have heard other people in the Quad say, that simply sounded like static, are suddenly clear. Bureau of Balance. Grand Relic. Reclaimers. Yet you still can't remember the Hunger or what it had done to your world. And as you look back to the tank in front of you, the water has become clear. There's a jellyfish, as tall as a building, floating within. You look into the body of the creature and you can almost make out a beautiful, tiny universe floating within it. 2. TEST OF INITIATION You are immediately divided into pairs and brought to the Arena, a large building that is capable of running several simulations for combat training, events, or, in this case, your Test of Initiation. When you and your partner walk into the Arena, the simulators switch to Initiation Mode, the scenery shifts, and your test begins. The experience is wildly different for each group — that's because the test will be drawing from both of your experiences back home. Initiation Mode replicates an amalgam of thoughts, metaphors, and ideas between the two people who signed up in order to make an obstacle course suited to appropriately test their ability to stay focused. This is a good opportunity to introduce new CR to some of the thoughts and feelings that your character has going on through their mind, their preferences, or give away a piece of information about themselves that might not be on the surface level. For example, let's say that your character was born on a ship, and spent their entire childhood growing up at sea. Your partner's life involves a lifetime of academic research (setting aside our dearth of smart archetypes for a sec here). An amalgamation suited for the Test of Initiation may involve navigating a ship through choppy seas with flying book monsters that breathe fire. Be as creative as you want! The design is 100% left up to you. All tests will eventually lead toward a room with a relic locked within it. What that looks like is up also up to you! If you need a few ideas, though, it could be: A bright red pair of gloves that can manipulate matter, or a ball of yarn that can roll up pretty much anything. Regardless of what the relic looks like, all you have to do to pass is retrieve the relic without using it. 3. AROUND THE MOON BASE The Director's sudden absence isn't particularly anything new, given she spent the majority of her time on Lyrabar, leaving the Moon Base to manage itself. It is the first time Lucas has been left entirely in charge of it though. Controlled chaos becomes something of a much less controlled chaos. The sound of trains in the distance, though nobody can seem to pinpoint where they're coming from, isn't helping. Though, that isn't necessarily Lucas' fault It's largely the fault of a technomancer supposedly stuck on a different plane and infecting the Moon Base's tech. She's figured out where the Director went, and she's going to be using the next two weeks to her advantage. It's hard to say what her motives are here. But then, Miss Zarves has always been a little bit inexplicable. C. WHAT A CRUMMY WEEKEND THIS HAS BEEN Oh man, Miss Zarves has been wanting to try this thing she wrote for ages, and for a few weeks at least, she's figured out how to override the Director's simulation settings. Did you know the Moon Base has an arcade? You're about to find out if not: If you happen to wander into the Arena, you'll find yourself inexplicably trapped in a simulation based off of an arcade game — and no, you're not going to get out until you win. As a note, you can't die in these simulations, but you can be busted up a bit. You can repeatedly get game overs until you win. You can run with any game on the conveniently copyright infringement free list linked above however you like, but here are a few settings to get you started: ○ Mesozoic Park: The Lost Chult. You and a friend find yourselves in a lush jungle, with no clear path to the escape helicopter. Using your wits and path actions, you are going to need to clear one for yourselves. And thanks to not wanting to be sued by Michael Crichton's estate, the T-Rex that's chasing you down in this game is actually in the correct era. Once both you and your friend are safely strapped into the helicopter, the simulation will end. (As a side note, Lucretia would actually approve of this one — there are many very powerful monsters out there in Faerun, and learning to outrun/outwit/defeat them is a vital ability.) ○ Immortal Wombat: Actually becoming a wombat is optional. You and a friend will be situated in the middle of the arena, with a very loud and very rowdy simulated crowd surrounding you. As the name of the game implies, this simulation will not end until one of you is KO'd. Again, these are just a few examples! Feel free to use any of the games listed as you see fit. E. THERE'S NO ESCAPE The town, though it might not rely as heavily on Moon Base tech as the rest of the Bureau does, isn't exactly escaping unscathed either. It's more like, Miss Zarves find you Reclaimers a lot more entertaining than a bunch of shopkeepers who have had to put up with a deals warlock's shenanigans long enough that it's hard to surprise them. That said, if shopping or the occasional dining is on your agenda in town, then you'll find that you'll be able to do so largely unhindered. Shopping at Fantasy Costco is normal, too, if Garfield being himself falls under your usual definition of normal. There is one exception, though: It's a small alleyway that leads to the back entrance of Madame Frione's Tea Kettle. Step into it, and weirdly, you'll find that something unseen is blocking your exit. And then, a message appears on your bracer. From: Zarves♥Scarves hello!!!! since madam in charge is off tryin to fix something i thought id help out a bit you know like a team building exercise so you can do the bureau thing better sounds fun right??? anyway what would u say is your least favorite thing about yourself go on dont be shy You won't get a response from Miss Zarves, but you will find that you won't be able to leave until you respond to her text with something. And you'll also find that whatever you answer? It's automatically sent to the entire network. FYI: If you lie in your response, whatever's blocking you in will suddenly give way — you'll be able to move about three feet before there's suddenly another one blocking your escape. Unfortunately, it looks like if you want to escape this, you're going to have to be honest with yourself. And the network, as it were! E. LET'S JUST ESCAPE There is a very easy way to avoid anything a technomancer tries to do to mess with you, of course: Avoid the tech she's using to mess with you. And after the sort of messed up mission that Lyrabar was, and after the sort of screwed up ordeal that is being initiated into the Bureau to begin with, some of you will probably want to just chill out for a bit, too. Here are a few suggestions! ○ Another small art studio with a supply of magic paintbrushes has been set up in the Academy. Previously, the paintbrushes had painted in a color that represented the energy you're giving off. Nowadays, it's a bit more versatile: You can now change the color you're painting with by simply thinking about it. ○ Speaking of the Academy, there are a few new classes available: "Logic and Puzzles for the Easily Puzzled," led by a rather intelligent chemist who tends to speak in riddles herself; "Charmed, I'm Sure," led by a warlock who seems to have an uncanny sort of charisma, and knitting. What? You guys don't want to knit? Additionally, if you are interested in reading up on some of the advanced paths unlocked so far, the materials unlocked have been made available in the Artificer's Office. If there's an advanced path your character wants to reach someday, now's a good time as any for them to start studying it. ○ Before leaving, the Director set up a comfortable pile of large pillows and blankets out by the Whomping Willow in the Quad. Feel free to have as many sleepovers as you want. The Whomping Willow will also offer advice if you ask it, though it's particularly good at dispensing love advice. ○ WILDCARD: This is, of course, your time to rest as you see fit. Please feel free to use the setting however you wish!

Comments

[eudaimonikos]

I can't say I really understand what the gods here are up to.

[Surely they ought to be a little more involved, if they're part of the human world at all?]

But they do seem to mostly leave well enough alone. Not down here bothering the warlocks or anything.

[diffidentive]

Mmm...

[He supposes that's a good thing. If mythology is anything to go by, divine interference isn't always a good thing. Though...hold on a second. Something about Michael's wording sticks out to Shuichi. He frowns slightly, in a contemplative, curious sort of way.]

...Are you saying you can normally understand what gods are up to? In your own world, I mean. [Or is he reading TOO deeply between the lines there?] I kind of thought being beyond the understanding of mortals was...standard fare for gods.

[eudaimonikos]

We don't have gods, in my world. The closest thing might be the Eternal Judge who rules over the afterlife, but she didn't make anything. She's just a bit older than the rest of us.

[Although he's not that invested in the concept of gods, anyway.]

Honestly, I think gods are just particularly arrogant immortals. Nothing all that special about them.

[diffidentive]

Oh right, sorry. You said that, didn't y-- [Wait. Older than the rest of us.] So...are you an immortal?

[eudaimonikos]

Yeah. My physical vessel's gotten a little weird, but you know - an immortal's an immortal.

[diffidentive]

[Shuichi's brow furrows a little bit.]

What do you mean it's gotten weird?

[eudaimonikos]

I need to eat and sleep now...I think there may be blood inside me.

[He presses a hand over his heart, almost unconsciously. There might be a heart in there too.]

That's very disturbing.

[diffidentive]

So...you're a normal human?

[You only THINK there may be blood in you? It's not like that's hard to check, Michael!]

[eudaimonikos]

[People who have blood are supposed to keep it on the inside! He knows that much!]

No! There's more to a demon than whether or not he has blood! More to a human than that too, I'm sure.

[diffidentive]

N-no, I meant...physically. Of course mentally you're different...you presumably have experiences no normal human ever could. Especially since you've probably been around for a very long time, right?

[Dimly, it occurs to him how ridiculous this conversation sounds. And how if he were back home, he probably wouldn't believe a word this guy was saying. It's a little scary how quickly and easily he's accepted all this magic stuff.]

Sorry, I should have made myself clearer. I guess I was just expecting you to have changes that were...weirder than that. Though, in retrospect, it was pretty biased of me to think that. Of course it's really weird for you, if you've never had blood or bodily needs.

[eudaimonikos]

Yeah. All of it, basically.

[Michael was a little indignant, but it fades quickly.]

I had this vessel before, and the looks of it didn't change at all. Normally I'm not even a physical being, so I was using this as a sort of...cool human suit.

[diffidentive]

[Well that sure is a way to word that. Shuichi isn't sure how he feels about "cool human suit" but decides not to say anything about it.]

Mmm...but now you're stuck in it permanently and it has human needs on top of that? Was that something that happened before you came here or...did the Director do it?

[eudaimonikos]

Director did it. Or else it's a property of this universe. Different planes have different natural laws, after all - I'd already lost access to my powers just by going to Earth.

[So maybe there's no blame to lay here...but you know, Michael doesn't think Lucretia's all that trustworthy anyway.]

[diffidentive]

Ah...do they? This is the first time I've ever um...been in a situation like this. I wasn't even aware there actually were...other planes of existence.

[Shuichi isn't sure what to think of Lucretia yet. Kaede seems to trust her, but Kaede is kind of trusting to a fault and tends to think the best of everyone. Shuichi, on the other hand, has some nagging concerns and doubts.]

That's the kind of thing you only hear about in stories, not reality.

[eudaimonikos]

Yeah, most humans think that. It's for the best.

[They have enough trouble handling everything on Earth. Someone else ought to take care of the larger-scale stuff for them. Michael wanted to do that - he tried.]

[diffidentive]

Mmm...

[Honestly, Shuichi can agree with that. As fascinating as all this stuff is...he would have been perfectly content going his whole life without knowing about the existence of other realms or dimensions or whatever. He would have lived out the rest of his boring, mundane human life without complaint, had the Director not interfered.]

Ah... [A sudden realization seems to strike him and he glances up from the dirt to briefly make eye contact with Michael.] I'm Shuichi Saihara, by the way.

[He inclines his head in the closest thing to a bow he can manage in his kneeling position.]

It...occurs to me that I never actually introduced myself, after interrupting your gardening...

[Which he's probably intruded on enough at this point, he's thinking.]

[eudaimonikos]

Right, right.

[Michael just shrugs a little; not like he introduced himself either.]

I'm Michael. Nice to meet you.

[diffidentive]

[True! He didn't either. But he's not the one who interrupted so clearly it's Shuichi's bad. Or maybe it's just that he tends to assign fault to himself over others most of the time.]

Nice to meet you too. [He smiles a little, getting to his feet and brushing dirt off of his hands.] I'll let you get back to your gardening now, though. I've probably distracted you from that long enough at this point.

[eudaimonikos]

Sure, sure. Have a nice night.

[.....]

Or maybe go to sleep. You're supposed to sleep. [MICHAEL SO ARE YOU]

[diffidentive]

[Shuichi looks a little taken aback. That certainly wasn't what he was expecting to hear.]

I will, but. Um...aren't you also supposed to sleep?

[He does plan on sleeping eventually, at least. It's just a little odd to be told to do so by someone who is not doing the very thing they are advising.]

[eudaimonikos]

Probably at some point, yeah.

[He should be ABOVE SUCH PETTY MORTAL THINGS but yes he absolutely needs to and should]

[diffidentive]

I'm guessing that's something else you didn't have to do when you were immortal... [It would make sense, especially if he was a demon (which Shuichi was a little surprised to hear and still having some trouble believing). They're associated with night and the dark, after all.] Well, you should follow your own advice, it's not good for humans to go too long without sleep.

[eudaimonikos]

Tch, yeeeeeeah...

[He'll do it eventually. When he haaaaaaas to.]