nysalogs | ❪ event ❫ spirited away

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❪ event ❫ spirited away

PRELUDE

I'll get straight to the point, Thesaens. Dranbu is in dire need of assistance. I have received confirmation that the disappearances we were investigating last month have... escalated. Be cautious as you make your way through Josa Forest. Ideally we could go straight through, but it seems the main entrance to Dranbu is overgrown with thorns and vines, and there's a bit of a glitch with the rail system - the train is having trouble recognizing the Dranbu station as a destination.

I've uploaded a homing beacon to your devices with this message. Once enough of you have arrived in Dranbu proper, it should communicate with the train and register it as a stop. With any luck, that will make getting back and forth much easier for you all from now on. Best of luck.

Entry to the forest is not only overgrown with vegetation, but seems to be growing at an increasingly alarming rate. Any attempts to clear the vines will be met with even larger ones growing in its place, and it only confirms Nurray's findings as true.

The only way in is across the sound from Nadril, entering the forest from its snowy back yard. It doesn't stay cold for long; as one ventures further into the forest, the snow will disappear, as though it was completely out of place in the first place. The red sun's warmth will take its place soon after— and before long, you'll feel too warm for the clothes you came with. That's when you know you've entered the heart of Josa Forest.

WITHIN THE FOREST

The forest seems to be thick with a profound presence that can’t be ascertained. While venturing through it, one will feel like there are being watched or followed. This feeling will only intensify as metallic-scented drops of rain begin to fall between the clearings in the trees. Unfortunately, what many don’t realize at this point is that this is how the forest itself eats. How it subsists and lives through the minds of those who eventually get lost in it. Wandering this far in is akin to walking into a lion’s jaw, or rather… straight to its stomach.

But, the forest has a way of making one stay. While it swallows someone up, it shows them sinfully beautiful and picturesque sights. Even showing them people or things that are familiar to the lost. All of which will urge them to go in deeper and deeper. But, while the forest begins to prey on the mind of their victim— they will suddenly hear an elegant and alluring voice urging them back.

This voice promises them comfort and safety. Promises to be kind and open. Promises she has a place for them where they will never feel displaced or unwanted, or lost. Before they can fully accept, they will find that they are whisked away in Barthala’s embrace.

Some will be taken, wiped of all their previous memories and inserted new ones. Others will find they have no prior memories at all of themselves, only urged to go on with regular life. What is prevalent is the forest's desire to turn you. Metamorphosis is a phenomenon that occurs only to certain individuals, and there is no rhyme or reason to them. Some adventurers would find themselves changing by the minute, the hour, or the process may even take days and weeks. The forest toys with you, but it only wants to draw you closer to its core — as though there's a story there it wants you to see and understand. Will you go on anyway, knowing the forest has already has its claws on you?

I. ALL ROADS LEAD TO —
Exploring the forest is not a perilous experience - Barthala's blessing ensures that paths remain clear of any dangerous obstacles, and keeps anyone who enters the woods from losing their way. However, it will not always lead adventurers where they want to go. Stressed? Your path leads to a meadow, grass drifting gently in the breeze. Tired? You'll find your way to a tree with roots perfectly curved for a nap, the shade a peaceful retreat from the sunlight. The hungry will find streams full of fish or bushes laden with berries, and the curious will come upon elder trees, unique and beautiful. Only those who are truly satisfied with their circumstances, with themselves, can forge their own path, and venture to Barthala's Grotto.

II. BARTHALA'S GROTTO —
The deity's home is host to an abundance of life. Butterflies drift through the air, brilliantly colored and unbothered by any intruders. Foliage blooms in a rainbow of colors, many plants unique to this area alone. With trees arranged to provide a canopy over the path and small clearing, the scene is something out of a fantasy. Any plant life taken from this area will not survive long, though even in its dead, dried state, it retains a curious beauty. Explorers and creatures finding themselves in this area will suddenly find their clothing to be an unnecessary burden - what could be better than feeling the wonders of nature against bare skin? There is nothing unbecoming about such a natural state, any perverse inclinations are an aspect of personal preference. While the presence of Barthala can be felt here - a warm, comfortable sensation emanating from your core - she is nowhere to be found. Only one will have the opportunity to pass under a veil of willow branches and emerge to the cool air of a clear-as-glass spring.

Another nearby grotto is home to a plant with intoxicating effects. Just smelling the leaves is enough to entice most animals, and consuming them has effects on both mind and body. More easily amused, with thoughts that weave deep and distant, along with increased sensory perception can bring the user on a pleasant trip lasting up to five hours.

III. INFLUENCES — (18+)
Every five days, a weed scattered in patches among the forest underbrush blooms. The flowers are small and white, unremarkable except for how clustered they grow. When their petals fall, after only hours of blossoming, pollen drifts through the air. It clings to clothing, to hair, in the throats of the sensitive animals dwelling in the forest. Even those unaltered by Barthala's magic can be affected. The locals of Dranbu claim the pollen enhances fertility, but in practice, it simply serves as a poignant aphrodisiac. Those affected won't differentiate between the warmth of another or their own, a simple need to experience sexual ecstasy overwhelmingly pervaded. The pollen loses its potency after about three hours, leaving behind only a sweet smell.

YOUR NEW (NEW) LIFE

Adapting to an entirely new setting isn’t always so simple. People often say that assimilating oneself to the environment happens fluidly, and before you know it, you’re a part of it. In Dranbu, these words hold an uncanny sense of truth.

When you awake, your day begins like it always has. Your daily routine meets largely unchanged, except a few tinier details. Perhaps, you’ve realized your true calling is an occupation within the villages itself. Maybe in farming up strange medical herbs, maybe in acting as a witch doctor for the people, or maybe you find yourself drawn to the arts and you really enjoy sculpting fellow villagers in the nude. Once you commit these tasks, you realize, it feels like what you’ve always done. As if it were natural, as if you’ve done them for years, and maybe you have? At least that’s what your gut is telling you, and slowly your memories will too.

At the end of the day, when you return home, you realize you’re not alone. You have a partner who shares the same values and whom you love deeply. Or maybe a spouse whom you’re always arguing with. But, even that will feel as commonplace as the rest of your day. All you know is that the day that might have started off not being yours is entirely yours and yours alone.

IV. THE HUNT —
Those taken by the forest, animal features adorning their bodies, will find that their palates have changed as well. Carnivores crave raw meat, while herbivores don't mind snacking on a patch of grass or pulling leaves from branches. For most, there's no reason to cook a meal; once prey is captured, instinct says dig right in! It can be a gruesome sight, mangled bodies gorged upon leaving bloodstained faces, but it's natural. As is the hunt itself - any size of game can be found in the forest, and no one will go hungry for long. The magic that dwells here ensures a catch even for the clumsiest predator. Just take care not to stalk one of your own. For a hungry predator, there's no difference between a deer and a deer-like human.

THE BOUNDARIES BEYOND

For some, placated is synonymous with bored. While there is a sense of wonder in the beauties of nature that adorn the woods, serene forest life isn't for everyone. Those seeking more adventure can explore the challenging slopes of Waco Mountain. Barthala's influence is weaker on those bluffs than in Josa Forest itself, so thrill chasers won't be disappointed. Lose the path, slip on loose rocks, fall into a stream and spend a night wet and cold, there are many perils that come with traveling a mountain-side. Scattered ruins offer some shelter, their walls carved with images resembling Barthala, a dragon, and three other stranger creatures. While the deity's pacification does not flow as deeply through this region, all are still save from mortal wounds, and the veil cast over their memories will not lessen.

If you have made it this far, however, there is no reason to try to return to the main city of Dranbu. Accommodations are always available in the neighboring villages: Phares in the north, and Stroln in the south. These villages are in friendly competition with one another, and will tempt travelers with women and men of their kind in order to draw in business to their hotels.

FINAL OOC NOTES

No REP is available for this log. REP will now be primarily available through achieving NPC quests, which will be available on the 19th! Please keep an eye out for that!

Dranbu is entirely available for exploration! You may find that most of Wyver and Olympia Flora/Fauna may be found in the forest as well. For more information on your characters' (opt-in) Metamorphosis, please refer to the November Outline!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Emori fumbled with tying her hoodie around her waist. She was wearing the mitten over her mutated hand so that no one would gawk at it. She didn't care what people thought, but she understood that sometimes, you get treated differently. Emori strolls up the line of people to where Clementine was meandering.]

This place is nice, isn't it? Where I'm from, everything is dead. But we're not there now.

[She sounds sleepy. Emori looks down and sees a little bit of the brand on Clem's arm. It makes her mad-- (or it would, if not for the forest. She's immediately calmed down) branded people usually didn't ask for it.]

[Clementine isn't necessarily aware of the brand at her arm being visible. It's more a priority that she's more comfortable, without so many layers of clothes, than keeping hiding it. At least in the moment. With the influence of this place. Not that she necessarily is even conscious of it.]

It is. I like it. I mean, not that everything back home is dead, but....most of the people are. So this is nice.

[Seeing so many people here trying to help. Actual people. Hearing them talk soothes her in some ways. Because that's a telltale difference between the survivors and walkers back home.]

[Emori hadn't seen this many people since she was in the miner's camp. Before that, it was six years of just a handful of people.]

Everything is beautiful. Everything in my home is dead too. I feel kind of dizzy, do you feel dizzy?

[She stops walking and leans against a tree. The plants are making her feel kind of... nice. Drunk nice.]

Dizzy? A little.

[But for all she knows that's just her adjusting to this place or whatever? Different altitudes could do this even back home, right? So this probably wasn't necessarily something to be worried about? Not that Clementine is exactly herself at the moment either.

She shifts then, glancing back to Emori against the tree. Her hand raises to her forehead as she frowns briefly, before deciding to join the other at the tree, sitting next to her.]

Maybe this will help.

[Emori had taken off her vest and shoved it into her pack. It was already full of food and a change of clothes that it hung out the front.]

Hm? Yeah, a good sit down might help. Do you feel all right? I feel really weird. I've walked farther than this before, why do I feel weird?

I've definitely walked further. But yeah, I don't feel too good either.

[It's strange. She made it through all that back home just to get sick or something here? Well, maybe it made sense if this was some weird virus or something specific to this place. But still. She raises a hand and rubs at her face, pouting before shifting her backpack next to her.]

Should we just rest here for a bit then? Until we feel better?

[Emori nods, and starts to dig through her pack.] Maybe we need to eat or drink. I know when we were in the Dead Zone, Otan and I would see mirages.

[She pulls out a granola bar. She never had one before until she got here. They're pretty good and they have tiny little chips that are really good. She breaks it in half and holds it out to Clem.]

Mirages? Are you seeing things now....?

[If so that. That's concerning. But probably, maybe drinking some water might help to deal with being that dehydrated. If that is what is wrong. Not that Clementine has a reason to suspect otherwise, given how new she is to this place and all, the idea of other powers and such beyond the normal survivors and walkers back home.

She seems to debate for a moment in being offered some food. Not because she doesn't trust Emori, but more in part wondering why she's depleting her own supply like that. Of course, she did that all the time in usually prioritizing food for AJ over herself, but still. She's not used to it being the other way around. And probably didn't realize it was like that for her back with Lee and the others when the outbreak initially happened.

But she gives a thanks and reaches, taking her half and taking a bite.]

I'm not seeing anything, but it's possible with heat exhaustion.

[Emori wants to share with Clementine because she had always shared with someone. When it was just her and Otan, sharing. Then her and John, sharing. On the Ring, there wasn't much to share. Sharing to her just showed you cared.]

It feels really nice in here though, don't you feel nice?

Hm. I do.

[Which is probably why she would normally be confused and cautious because Clementine is so unused to feeling so nice lately. The last....what, seven or eight years of her life now? Since the walkers turned up and changed everything. Still, she takes and munches on a mouthful of the food.]

Feel nice I mean. Not that I'm seeing anything. This is good though.

[Honestly, she'll probably get a stomachache with gorging on the fresh food here, with so much of it being available after scavenging and living off of cans and hunting for so long by this point.]

I'm glad you feel nice. It's good to have some of that in your life now and again. Some people say it'll kill you to not feel nice now and again. I don't know if that's true.

[Emori tears off little pieces of the chewy granola bar, filling her cheeks with food. She wasn't storing it there, just getting a full mouth. Soon the granola bar is gone and she's looking at Clementine again.]

Let's just sit here for a bit, it's a pretty long way, isn't it?

I feel like we made decent progress today. Not that I know my way around, but. From how far we traveled to get at least this far. I'd say we earned a break.

[Even as she savors the granola bar, her part of it, that food doesn't last long. Given how hungry she is and that she isn't also having to share with AJ or anyone else. It's just hers, from Emori. All for her. That isn't something she's had in a long time, really.]

I think we did. I haven't walked this long forever.

[Back before she met the others, back when she was pulling rocket launchers on people and taking all their stuff. She walked miles and miles back then. It had been comfortable for awhile.

She looked down at her granola bar and shoved the rest in her mouth. They were in a nice place, they were allowed to be happy and eat too much. ]

I'm used to it. All I've been doing for....well, not as long as I can remember. But basically since the outbreak. Could never stay in one place too long.

[Eventually, someone died and that led to the place being compromised, or....well, various circumstances changing that meant she never got to settle anywhere. Not long term, at least. She seems content enough for now though. Resting and eating.]

Though speaking of. Before we get too comfortable, if we plan on crashing here the night we should figure shelter before it gets too dark.

[Emori quickly covered her mouth, big mitten hand coming up to show some sort of manners.] Shit, you're right. Do you think there's any way to cool it down? Anything off the path seems like a good hiding place but it's steaming in here.

[She dusts off her hands and moves to stand.]

Cooling down? Uh, short of like, cold water, removing layers of clothing? It's easier to warm up than cool down.

[Not that Clementine is unused to swearing. Living with a group of kids at the boarding house back home, and knowing Kenny in general. Of course she knows some. Might occasionally swear at times herself, even if she tries to be a good influence for AJ and avoid it where possible.]

But yeah. I can help you figure something for shelter at least.

[Emori has no idea you're not supposed to swear in front of younger people. To her, Clementine is as much of an adult as she is.]

We'll help each other find our shelter. Too bad we didn't pack tents.

[She thinks maybe this will help-- Emori bends over and unlaces her boots.]

Maybe I can dip these into that pool of water.

I can survive without a tent if I have to.

[She is used to just having whatever she can fit in her backback. Say, food, water, her knife/pistol. More for survival than comfort. Still, she can't deny tents being useful too. And more comfortable. Though she does tilt her head a little at the idea of wetting their boots.]

You're sure that won't make you too cold?

[Emori meant her toes when she said 'these' and realizes she was maybe misunderstanding words again. Clementine makes a good point, just because it's hot right now doesn't mean it won't be cold later.]

Well, I'll just take them off. Oh hey, look at this little rock formation. That'd make a good little den for someone.

The rock -- oh. That could work. It's something at least.

[Shelter. Assuming someone else or some animal isn't already using it. Best to check first, but they might be in luck. At the least, even if they don't have a tent, this would get them out of the worst of any weather than might occur during the night, once it gets darker.]

Let's go check it out.

[Emori is already ducking down to go through her pack. She produces a flashlight that may or may not be stolen.]

I'm ready when you are, Clem.

[Emori strides on over to the rock formation, realizing it's a little bigger than she originally thought. She shines the flashlight in and some sort of fox-like creature jumps out. There is screaming.]

Alright. Let's do this then.

[She follows Emori easily enough, using the flashlight to try get a better view of their surroundings, of what might be in the cave. Part of her of course expected that it might already be....er, occupied. But somehow she still starts at the fox.]

Shit, that gave me a fright.

[But she does try to remain on guard, ready to defend herself if the creature feels startled and threatened enough to attack. If it doesn't just bolt off.]

[The fox darts into some foliage and gets low to the ground. For all they could know, it was gone.

Emori's whole body jerked when the fox jumped out, and she let out a small shout.]

Nomonjoka!

No-what now?

[It's not a word or language she herself is familiar with. But probably it's a language specific to Emori's people, her time? Clementine guesses, anyway. Still, it's just a relief to find the cave otherwise unoccupied, so it's some form of shelter for them for the night at least.]

[Emori shines her light into the cave. When she responds to Clementine, she doesn't look at her-- she's just worried about the cave.]

Oh, I told Frank I was gonna teach you guys Trigedasleng. [She laughs quietly.] I said "motherfucker."

II

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HAHA U SAID TELLTALE!!

Yes. Yes I did.

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