October Event Log

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October Event Log
Dominant Element: Earth
Waning Element: Water

Full Moon: October 27th - October 29th

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The fall weather continues as October begins. The wind dies down, and Kaisou's weather is perfect for the fall; the air is crisp and cool, and the trees are dressed in brilliant autumn hues. However, as the month goes on, there is an increase in foggy weather. It's mild, at first, and only lasts a couple hours, but it only increases in length and thickness as the month goes on. Guess fog is a great way to make Halloween a bit more spooky.

Grim Grinning Ghosts

October means one thing and one thing only: Halloween. The entire city is decked out in pumpkins, ghosts, and black cats to get everyone in the spooky spirit. Kids are excitedly planning for their great trick-or-treat adventures, and older folks are picking out the sexiest (or spookiest) costumes for the Halloween parties. To assist in such plans, everyone's favorite seasonal costume pop up shop is back in the city, even if they seem a little bummed they didn't get the former Enki-current Cygnus Acadamy building again this year. ("The displays we had out, man!") They have to settle for empty department stores like everyone else, which can be found sprinkled throughout the city.

It's not all fun and games, though. The barrier between the supernatural and normal worlds is at its thinnest this time of year, just as it has in years prior. This means that, once again, normal NPCs are able to perceive supernatural things for what they are. Unlike the rest of the year where they remain oblivious to all things paranormal, now they absolutely notice that zebra centaur for what he is, and they will notice if you start casting spells. And boy, you better believe they'll have questions. You can expect a lot of dramatic reactions, people asking questions, and the occasional freak outs. Might be better to keep a low profile this month to avoid any incidents.

Osorezan Festival

Kaisou is no stranger to throwing festivals throughout the year, and the month is no different. This month, they've outsourced it to the Osorezan Japanese Cultural Group who have been looking for ways to raise money. Early in the month, they'll begin to set up in Kami State Park. If you want some quick cash, helpimg them out with the setup would be a good way to do it. By mid-month, the festival is ready to go. There's a big opening party where the group's executive director, Ms. Jenna Tayu, thanks Kaisou for allowing her people into their city and making it their home for the next while.

For the most part, it feels like any other sort of fall festival, with festival games like shooting alleys and tests of strength. You can buy masks, enjoy all sorts of Japanese festival food like taiyaki and Okonomiyaki, and generally have a good time! Curiously, despite the wide array of foods available to eat, there aren't any products that use soybeans. If you ask about it, they will say a couple members of the crew have serious soybean allergies. Fair enough! During the day, it's pretty kid-friendly, and there's a parade every evening around six, filled with lanterns and floats like one might see in similar festivals in Japan.

After the parade, things get a little spookier, with several different haunted houses, "tests of courage," and costumed people not hesitating to spook passersby. With the fog this month, it lends the whole festival an eerie air--perfect for Halloween.

On October 28th, the festival holds a sort of trick-or-treating event for everyone in Kaisou. Kids can go from stall to stall in costumes to get their treats (or get a trick played). It runs from eleven in the morning until sunset and people of all ages are more than welcome! Talk about a good practice run for Halloween itself.

The Stable Gates

The Halloween spirit has spread to some of the Stable Gates as well. In Stardew Valley, they are selling pumpkins to carve at the general store. If you want to grow your own, there are plenty of pumpkin seeds to purchase as well. They'll also be holding their own Halloween festival, with their own corn maze filled with spooks. If you're looking for a little real danger, though, the mines are now available. A twisting labyrinth of tunnels, these mines can be used to find rare metals, gems, and other goods. However, there's plenty of monsters down in the mines as well, so be careful.

Meanwhile while there's no people in the Kanto region to celebrate Halloween, it's not without it's own spooks. Due to the changing spirit vein energy, there is an increase of Ghost-type Pokémon, especially during the night hours. These Ghost-type Pokémon, normally rare, are now all over the place. Be careful not to let any of the more dangerous species snag your soul!

They're Fine, Probably.

On the morning of October 7th, several users of the Libra app will seemingly go missing. They are still on the app, it just seems like they aren't around town anywhere. They don't show up to work or school, and they don't seem to be home either. However, while this would normally be cause for alarm, for some reason, the remaining app users don't seem to find it suspicious. Instead, their minds keep trying to go for "rational" explanations to explain their absence -- regardless of how much sense it actually makes. They'll convince themselves that their missing loved ones went on a weekend trip, or are just that busy. It's not unusual for people to be out of touch for a weekend, right?

It's only on October 10th, when the missing folk come stumbling of a portal in Brick Alley, do you realize that maybe it wasn't a normal absence. Many of them arrive either bloodied or injured, or may even speak of dying. Just what happened to them?

[OOC Note: The characters that disappeared are ones who volunteered to take part of the horror side of the event. Anything pertaining to that event will be taking place at this log with OOC sign-ups here. Please be aware that the log comes with MANY content warnings and to proceed to with caution.]

Monthly Gate Intro

On the night of October 4th, Zodiac will send out another message.

ALERT: SPIRIT REALM GATE DETECTED ON CATHERDRAL HILL.
Element Classification: Earth
Danger Level: Low
Designation: The Land of the Remembered
Zodiac has detected a Spirit Gate on Cathedral Hill. Initial inspections indicate that the realm is the Land of Remembered, one of the afterlife realms. Should you choose to investigate, we highly recommend you remain on your best behavior.

Should you visit the Zodiac office, which is also decked out in Halloween decorations, you can find the office is extremely busy. With all the normal people noticing the paranormal, they are working around the clock to help mitigate any issues that pop up from it. The Professor (fuzzy) is there however to try to answer any questions. He explains that according to Mexican beliefs, the afterlife is a festive place for all our remembered loved ones - which sounds pretty nice! He speculates that this might be a good chance to check it out and see if there's any deceased relatives you'd like to reconnect with. If you ask him if there's any deceased relatives he'd like to reconnect with, he seems to get a far-off look in his eyes as he briefly dissociates and whispers "I don't know." in a shocked way.

Yeah you know what, maybe it's best not to pry there.

The gate is found in Cathedral Hill, in an old nearly-forgotten cemetery behind all the churches. It appears to look like a majestic mausoleum of sorts, just like the one that appeared when the Land of the Forgotten came last year. However instead of dark energy, the entire energy of the area feels much warmer. There are Black Order members stationed around the gate, given the job of guarding the sacred realm from any would-be trespassers. Normal citizens will get turned away, the Order isn't above using force if necessary. However, since this time you know the Black Order members, it should be easy enough to convince them to let you pass. However you best be on your best behavior and not looking to cause harm, as the Order have also been ordered to remove any threats. Protecting the Sacred Realms is one of their main jobs, after all.

Día de los Muertos

♪- Crossing the Marigold Bridge

Stepping through the Spirit Gate, you will find yourself facing countless bridges made of cempasúchil- Mexican marigolds. Despite being very clearly made of flowers, the bridges have no problem holding your weight. They lead into a bright and vibrant city; buildings several stories high, paper lanterns guiding the way through. Music can be heard from every corner, played by skeletal mariachis.

Ah, right. The skeletons. This Gate is filled with them, all with la calavera markings over their skulls. Everyone is colorful and vibrant - it is clear that these skeletons are not to be feared. In fact, they're delighted to see you! "They explain that you have arrived just in time to help prepare for Dia de los Muertos. The day itself isn't until November 1st, but that's not that far away, and they want to make sure everyone is ready to meet their living family when they come to visit. You seem just perfect to help with that!

Not that they need that much help. This place has a pretty constant party atmosphere, but regardless, the skeletons hurry you along, pulling you into the preparations. You can hang some banners, or help make bowls - the skeletons explain that the food (or, at least, the spiritual essence of the food) that their loved ones leave on their offrendas will come to them in those. If you really want, you can find a group of mariachi and help them with their music- they're only too happy to loan an instrument or two! There are also huge floats that travel down the main street in an endless parade. You're welcome to catch a ride on one, if you so desire, to traverse this part of the underworld to your heart's content.

Should you travel a little too far or get yourself lost, you will find yourself in the company of an alebrije - colorful spirits to guide the living and the dead. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the minuscule to the truly enormous. They don't speak, but they seem to be able to understand you just fine. If you need help getting anywhere, flag one down and ask for its help. It will surely lead you safely where you want to go... although, a good pet for all its hard work certainly wouldn't go amiss!

The Remembered

♪- Reunited With Mother

Eventually, either through helping with the celebration preparations or exploring the city, you are bound to find your own family amongst the skeletal denizens of the Land of the Remembered. Be they bound by blood or otherwise, if you considered them your loved ones, they will swarm you, delighted. You might even find ancestors who passed long before you were born. What matters is that the spirit of their memory is kept alive; that is what keeps them so vibrant, so happy. They'll happily chatter about your life- it turns out they've been watching you, and they have plenty of opinions on how you've lived your life, too. Turns out, even family from beyond the grave will ask you what you thought you were doing when you dated that person with the PIERCING? But, for the most part, they are genuinely happy to see you.

If you are an AU, you will find not only family members of this life, but also of your past life. They are possibly even happier to see you than your relatives from your current life. They explain they have existed on the outskirts of the Land of the Remembered, almost forgotten completely, fading away and waiting for what they call "the final death". But as you were reborn and regained memories of them, they have been brought back from that terrible brink, and now they can rejoin the Land of the Remembered! They are only too happy to chatter about your past life; after all, the more you remember of it, the stronger they become. Much like the library last month, this is a way you can connect to your past life, but this time, in a far more tangible way. Get loved, idiot.

AUs might even find traces of themselves, here. After all, you were dead once, too- or, rather your past lives were. You won't remember being dead, no matter how hard you try, but you might find a few effects you left behind. A poster, a favorite mug, a hat. Your family will confirm that this did belong to you, and as much as they miss you being on this side of life and death, they are delighted to see you live a new life, and can't wait to see what else you do with it. Heck, there's always a chance they'll be reincarnated too, and then they can come and join you in the land of the living- wouldn't that be something?

Housing Crisis

♪- El Latido de mi Corazón

Of course, it isn't all smooth sailing. A few official-looking skeletons from the Land of the Remembered will take you to one side- especially if you're an AU. They explain that as wonderful as it is to have your loved ones back in their midst, it has, unfortunately, upset the balance of things somewhat. The natural order is that, eventually, people are forgotten and pass on to their final death- freeing up space for the newly dead and still freshly remembered in the city. But now that reincarnated people are remembering their past lives, it means those who were close to passing on forever have now come back, but with nowhere to go to. The officials don't really blame you, per say. It's not your fault you begun remembering - but you are, at least, part of the problem. You have to hold some level of responsibility for your relatives now suddenly brought back, vibrant and remembered once more. As such, they're requesting some help in dealing with this.

The most obvious way you can help is with building homes. Skeletal construction crews are dotted around, trying to build new homes as fast as they can to solve their new housing crisis. They will welcome any help you can give them. Perhaps you can help draw up plans to prioritize what little space you have with how many homes are needed. Or, perhaps, you'd like to roll up your sleeves and help with the building work itself. Not only will the construction crew be grateful for the help, but your family will be delighted and proud to have a home you helped craft for them. One, they state, you will be able to share with them one day. Everyone ends up here eventually, after all.

Another way you can help all of your skeletal family, original and AU alike, is in Kaisou itself. Your family explain that they are held to the Land of the Remembered by you actively remembering them- by passing on their stories to future generations. They explain the best way you can keep this, keep them hale and happy, is to build an offrenda in the living world. These are small family shrines dedicated to them. Having a picture of them is best, but they understand that's a little difficult in a lot of cases, so a drawing will do! They ask you put candles and food offerings, and be sure to visit it to speak about them, to remember them. They tell you if you leave a trail of marigolds leading from the offrenda on Día de los Muertos, they will be able to visit you. You won't be able to see them, but they will be there, and they will be delighted to see you once again.

The Wager

♪- The Maze

For those who are looking for something a little more exciting to do, the denizens of the land of the dead point you in the direction of their rulers, Xibalba and La Muerte. They are a married couple of Gods who protect their people and lands fiercely, but also have a tendency to enjoy wagers now and again. It turns out even Gods can have gambling problems. Upon heading to La Muerte's castle, they will find the pair bickering- at first, it seems pretty vicious, like they're about to tear the world asunder in their rage at one another, but then, like the flick of a switch, they are spouting sickly sweet words at each other and looking very much in love. If you were around last year, you might recognize this pair of Gods. They certainly recognize you- La Muerte giving you a warm and welcoming smile, welcoming you to her realm and Xibalba rolling his eyes, muttering oh, it's YOU again."

Regardless, the Gods are delighted in the chance to play a game. With a flick of his wrist, Xibalba transports you into a huge stone maze, carved walls towering above you- he and La Muerte watching from on top. They explain that you need to escape this maze and the dangers within. La Muerte bets that you will succeed, while Xibalba bets you will fail. The maze is a dangerous place, you will face sudden trapdoors into spikes, walls suddenly moving around you, threatening to crush you, and big stone balls rolling through to run you down. Eventually, you will get to the center, where a huge, flaming stone bull attacks you on sight. Avoid or confront it. Nothing in the maze can kill you - you're already in the Land of the Dead, after all. But if you get struck down with what would be a mortal blow otherwise, this will count as a fail, and the maze will vanish around you. Only getting through to the end relatively unscathed will count as a win.

Should you be successful in the maze, La Muerte will give you a blessing. She will tell you that should you ever find yourself in a dire situation with no way out, you will get a burst of courage to help push you through. Should you fail, Xibalba will bless you instead, stating should you ever find yourself in a similar situation, you will get a burst of rage to help push you through. The blessings are pretty much the same, they only come from very different places in your heart. It in no way guarantees a victory, but it does give you a little boost to help you along.

Aftermath

Whether you had a horrible or great experience this month, time continues to move on. The Land of the Remembered will be available throughout the month, for anyone who wishes to spend time with their dearly departed. However as it gets to the last week of the month, you will have to say your goodbyes and head back to the land of the living - you still have your life to live, you know?

Meanwhile back in the city, life continues. However, as the month progresses, the fog that started light earlier in the month keeps getting thicker and thicker. What started as a thin haze for a few hours turns into a constant visibility problem. Not only that, but anything designed to detect Spirit Energy levels will have their readings climb higher and higher throughout the month, especially around the areas of Kami State Park. They say the barrier between Earth and the Spirit Veil thins this time of year, but is this normal?

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is Earth! Anyone with an affinity to the fire element will find themselves boosted throughout the month. This could mean a boost to their power, having more energy, feeling more inspired with creativity, having better luck on different attempts -- the boost can manifest in all sorts of different ways. By contrast, anyone with an affinity for Water will be experiencing the opposite. Perhaps their powers will be weaker, they have less energy, they're having a creative block or general worse luck - again it can manifest in all sorts of way and players are free to play with this mechanic as they'd like.

The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here. Another Zodiac Post will be going up October 15th to serve as an intro post for new characters and allow characters to react to developments over the network.