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promittere) wrote2024-04-27 03:43 pm
promittere) wrote2024-04-27 03:43 pm
central mission
ECHOING PAST MARZIALE
The sun sets on the manor when Tatara seeks out Akira, Kurapika, Syrlya, Kiryu, and Mòrag individually and brings them all outside, saying they've been summoned.
When they step outside, they will quickly see why: dressed in the royal blues and golds of the Granvelle family is an entourage waiting for them on horseback. Among the multitude of castle guards are two distinguished-looking gentlemen that everyone here will have seen at the ball. One, a shorter, portly man, leaps from his horse when he sees the wizards emerge, while the taller of the two remains perched atop his white horse to watch in silence.
"Good! You decided to show yourselves," the man says. He remains professional, but there is a hint of distrust in his eyes. "I am Drummond, Minister of Arcane Management at Granvelle Castle, and we have summoned you today to fulfill a direct request of ours.
"We believe the the castle is experiencing—don't laugh!—a haunting to a degree never before recorded or spoken of. It is simply unbearable to be there after dark. It is so much worse in the lower levels of the castle. Too many of our staff are flat-out refusing to come to work, and the situation is growing dire.
"We believe a magical artifact located somewhere in our vault is causing this. Locate this item and neutralize it."
He gestures to five horses, saddled with no riders.
"You will be coming with us back to the castle. Chop-chop! We don't have all night."
When they step outside, they will quickly see why: dressed in the royal blues and golds of the Granvelle family is an entourage waiting for them on horseback. Among the multitude of castle guards are two distinguished-looking gentlemen that everyone here will have seen at the ball. One, a shorter, portly man, leaps from his horse when he sees the wizards emerge, while the taller of the two remains perched atop his white horse to watch in silence.
"Good! You decided to show yourselves," the man says. He remains professional, but there is a hint of distrust in his eyes. "I am Drummond, Minister of Arcane Management at Granvelle Castle, and we have summoned you today to fulfill a direct request of ours.
"We believe the the castle is experiencing—don't laugh!—a haunting to a degree never before recorded or spoken of. It is simply unbearable to be there after dark. It is so much worse in the lower levels of the castle. Too many of our staff are flat-out refusing to come to work, and the situation is growing dire.
"We believe a magical artifact located somewhere in our vault is causing this. Locate this item and neutralize it."
He gestures to five horses, saddled with no riders.
"You will be coming with us back to the castle. Chop-chop! We don't have all night."
OOC NOTES
Welcome, Central wizards (and witch), to your mission!
Missions are mod-guided events that are partial CYOA, partial play-by-post instances. In general, you are free to interact with a scene as you please, and the mod will tell you how the scene reacts as a consequence of your actions. Some scenes will allow for more flexible threading, such as exploration or conversation, while some scenes will require strict turn order to preserve rounds, such as combat or other time-sensitive conflict. The mod will inform you if strict turn order is required at the start of a scene. Regardless, always be sure to bold any important actions you take.
This mission has been specifically tailored to Central disposition, attitudes, and magic. If you find yourself struggling to tackle a situation, refresh yourself on the description of Central on the locations page, and make sure to confer with your teammates too!
As a bonus, here's your theme music!
You will have until 11:59 AM EDT on Saturday, May 4 to reach a conclusion for this mission. Good luck!
Missions are mod-guided events that are partial CYOA, partial play-by-post instances. In general, you are free to interact with a scene as you please, and the mod will tell you how the scene reacts as a consequence of your actions. Some scenes will allow for more flexible threading, such as exploration or conversation, while some scenes will require strict turn order to preserve rounds, such as combat or other time-sensitive conflict. The mod will inform you if strict turn order is required at the start of a scene. Regardless, always be sure to bold any important actions you take.
This mission has been specifically tailored to Central disposition, attitudes, and magic. If you find yourself struggling to tackle a situation, refresh yourself on the description of Central on the locations page, and make sure to confer with your teammates too!
As a bonus, here's your theme music!
You will have until 11:59 AM EDT on Saturday, May 4 to reach a conclusion for this mission. Good luck!
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He channels everything he can into a purification spell—his desire for this to end and for no one else on their team to be affected by this object pouring into what he puts out (20). ]
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But with the space to do what they need, the four of them channel purifying energies past the pulsating energy, aggressively enveloping the evil rock with their intention—it will be neutralized, whether the stone likes it or not.
It works. Willing the stone into silence, the purple glow fades, sputters, then darkens completely. Waves of anxiety pass through them, but those, too, eventually fizzle, and the stone lies dormant. With the glow gone, the team can see that it resembles the one that the Southern wizards brought back: it is a fragment of the moon.
The white glow, emanating from the crate beside it, eventually fades in turn. Should any of them take a look later, they will see an ornate sword, carefully enclosed in its crate. Kurapika may be able to put two and two together—this is Caledfwlch, the sword that forged Central country as it is known today.
And when Caledfwlch quiets, the ghosts around Kiryu evaporate. It seems this artifact's energy was attracting them to fulfil a duty no longer needed in this day and age.
The castle falls silent. The air lightens, it becomes easier to breathe, and the warmth of spring returns. In the first moments of peace, before any of them can speak or move to leave, four pale golden orbs appear before them. They emit a warm, friendly glow, and they seem to gaze kindly at the crew. Should they lend their ear to the spirits, they can hear a distinct voice coming from each of the orbs: Thank you.
But before anyone can communicate with them, they shoot through the air, through the ceiling, and away.
For the first time, the air in this world has felt more stable than it has been since coming here. It seems neutralizing the moon fragment has smoothed over one of the cracks in this breaking world.
You emerge from the castle to see Drummond and the rest of the entourage still waiting for the team. They are shocked and horrified when they learn of the moon fragment, and are more than willing to allow them to take it back to the manor to study if they like. Upon returning the vault key, they will express their heartfelt gratitude, and, nothing the late hour, they offer the Central wizards a place to stay at the castle for the night.
In the morning, you'll be free to return to the manor (or not return) in any manner you like (that includes knight escort, if you're feeling extra). Tatara is there to greet everyone as they return, and he seems relieved you made it back safely. Afterwards, the five of you are free to resume your regular activities.
Congrats on a successful mission, Central wizards and witches! Now you can rest, and decide what to share with your companions and what to do with your new rock, should you choose to bring it back. ]
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He'll pass the rock over to whoever wants to take it, now that it no longer seems volatile. ]
That sword... that's the Caledfwlch.
[ Kurapika goes to reach for it and get a better look at the weapon, but he can feel his balance starting to shift and he quickly latches onto Akira's arm so he doesn't keel over. ]
Can you heal?
[ He's still bleeding, the back of his shirt soaked a deep red. ]
FUCK THIS I'M NOT ROLLING FOR SHIT
You okay? That's a pretty nasty wound. I can take the edge off, but we need to get you medical attention ASAP.
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Take me wherever you need.
[ Kurapika won't fuss, even though he's sure that whatever has happened to him can't be fixed at an infirmary. ]
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[Kurapika will understand why Akira asks that of him in a moment. Hunching down on bent knees, Akira sweeps Kurapika up into his arms, adjusts his hold, and sets his feet into motion. Kurapika is so much smaller than he looks.]
How are you feeling? Aside from the obvious pain.
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Fine.
[ Because that's the thing. He feels normal, despite knowing that there's something wrong. ]
And you?
[ Actually, let him do something stupid. He places his hand on Akira's chest, murmuring his incantation as a light warmth blankets Akira.
A healing spell. ]
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[A quick, rote answer, one he's delivered countless time regardless of how he's truly feeling. Something within him feels wrong, like a set of books shelved in the wrong order, but the feeling will pass. He's sure of it.
Akira carries Kurapika off in the direction of the bed chambers. They'll be staying overnight, so they may as well get comfortable while they're on the mend.
He's about to say something else, but he falls silent when Kurapika expends his limited energy on healing him. Rather than thanking him with the usual warm smile, Akira frowns.]
...Kurapika. Conserve your energy. I told you I'm fine.
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[ And what he wants to do right now is help heal. Despite his exhaustion, he certainly has a lot of fight left within him and his tone suggests he won't be taking any orders even in this state. ]
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[There's a hint of fondness in his delivery. So stubborn, so determined, so honest. Akira likes people like Kurapika most of all.]
How's the wound? Still bleeding? We should find a place to wash off before going to bed.
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I think it's mostly stopped by now.
[ Though it still smarts like hell. If only he had his powers... he could heal this with no issue. ]
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They reach a bedroom before long and Akira lays Kurapika down, settling beside him perched on the mattress' edge.]
Good. If you start bleeding again, say something right away, okay?
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I will. [ He glances over towards Akira. ] I've been injured worse before. I'll manage.
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...No sense in getting spun up when they're in such ragged condition. Akira slants forward, massaging the bridge of his nose.]
There's probably a shared bath in the castle. Should I call the others?
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...Sure.
[ Shared baths are still something that embarrasses him, but... may as well. ]
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Alright. Let me check the bathroom out first. I'll be back.
[Some five-odd minutes later, Akira returns looking a little displeased.]
They're individual tubs, but that's just fine. You need help with your back.
[In other words, he insists. He holds his hand out to help Kurapika to his feet.]
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I can get myself, thanks.
[ Sorry, but even in this state, he doesn't want to invite trouble. Not where the mods can see it so easily. ]
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Akira's slow to respond, but he nods, withdrawing his hand.]
Alright. I'll go after you, then.
[Kurapika will probably be fine on his own, and if not... well, if he isn't back within the hour, then Akira will go looking. That's respect enough for the man's autonomy.]
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While he isn't in there for an hour, he's there for just about that long. But it takes a while to thoroughly clean himself, and even more time to use a bit of magic to heal himself up more.
Still, he emerges eventually, changed into the pajamas the castle staff outfitted their rooms with and his hair still wet. ]
All yours.
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Akira's about to get up and hunt Kurapika down when he returns. He considers briefly offering to towel off Kurapka's hair for him but instead slaps a dry towel over the other's shoulder before heading off on his own.]
Gotcha. Thanks.
[He'll be back.]
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He can't figure out what's broken inside of him, what's changed, or what has happened to him. Something has shifted, and the fact that he doesn't know what it is makes him feel off center. He should try to do more, to check on the others, but...
Here he is in bed.
If Akira chooses to join him over the unoccupied bed, he won't say anything. ]
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The bed groans beneath Akira's weight. Kurapika, curled up on his side, takes up no room at all. He looks so small, so alone, so frail. This isn't the Kurapika he knows.
The bed creaks, evening out when Akira's weight lifts from it, but a minute later and he's lying down beside him. Back to back, they can at least share in each other's warmth. Goodnight, Kurapika.]