❪ event ❫ spirited away

[natha]

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! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs ● bestiary taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp ● quest bulletin calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

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Miles Edgeworth || Ace Attorney

[milesedgelord]

WITHIN THE FOREST

A.[Hearing about the missing people, Miles did what he could in order to aid the search. Even though he was definitely not the outdoorsy type of person, he was well prepared for this journey, with his travel pack filled with items he may need.

The dense forest did have a sense of serene beauty to it and this wasn't lost to him, however, it had felt like they had been wandering for hours, he turned to his partner offering them his flask before asking.]

Did you want to take a break at the next clearing we see?

B. INFLUENCES — [Closed to 25+]
[Miles had wandered deeper and deeper into the woods. He had forgotten why he had come here in the first place, things were feeling fuzzier than usual. He could have been walking here for five hours or five days as far as he could tell. Due to the warmth, he had stripped down; opting to wander in a white tank top and his slacks. Most of his clothes were stashed in his travel pack, all expect his coat which hung on his arm. He sneezed loudly and held his handkerchief to his face.

There were little bits of pollen everywhere as he walked, and he vaguely remembered being susceptible to hay fever. It had clung to him, so much so that he even had some attached to the pale hair on his arms. But there was certainly a pleasant warmth to the air as well. It had been a while since he had last indulged in anything sexually, these days things have been so busy neither he nor his partner had much time to have sex. Miles shook his head as if that motion would dispel the thoughts. Focus Miles.

Oddly, just when he thought that he should perhaps find a river or stream to wash off the pollen so that his allergies didn't get too out of hand, he came across one. He sat down, setting his coat on his pack and knelt next to the clear water and attempted to wash off as much of the pollen as he could. When he put his glasses back on he noticed he wasn’t alone. He adjusted it peering through them at the newcomer.]

Are you lost as well?

YOUR NEW (NEW) LIFE

C.

[The village was as it had always been. Slow moving and quiet. It wasn’t an exciting life but it was his. Was he always a hunter? Of course, he was. It was his duty to be able to provide for the village and he took his duties seriously. It had been a few days since any of his friends may have heard from him, his communicator always went to voicemail. If anyone were to see he him they would have noticed, some rather feline features to his appearance as well, most notably a pair of silver perked ears and a long tail.

Currently, Miles was busily dragging a deer carcass fresh from the hunt, beginning to prepare a table in front of his home to carve it up, the ugliest pink military grade hunting knife known to man, in his hands.]

Wildcard
[Dont see what you want here? Feel free to PM me or hit me up at peacockdance ]

[unos]

[ While it's not accurate to call Katsura 'outdoorsy', he is a lot more used to this time of simple, physical work than Edgeworth. He has has his own flask and waves off Edgeworth's offer, but he does nod at his question. ]

WE should. It'll give us a moment to orient ourselves.

[ He says it quite casually, but the truth is that Katsura is pretty lost. ]

[milesedgelord]

[He took a sip of water, realizing that it was now empty before putting it away.]

All right then, hopefully we can find a place to refill our flasks as well.

[It wasn't as if they had a map or anything to go by. When he had asked for such at the last place he had picked up supplies from the salesperson had laughed at him. Being in the forest now, he could understand why they did.

As soon as they had mentioned it, the trees seemed to have given way towards a large meadow, with a small clear stream running through it, full of colorful fish.]

huh...Looks like luck is with us today...

[unos]

[ That's... awfully convenient. Katsura isn't one to take too much care in most situations, but even he thinks that's might suspicious. ]

It's certainly an easy forest to navigate.

[ Even though they're wandering without a map and with who knows what out here. ]

I expected there to be more danger so far.

[milesedgelord]

It's downright odd, to say the least.

[Though El Nysa was full of magic that was mostly unexplainable to him, the fact that this seemed almost too convenient made him distinctly uncomfortable. Or perhaps it was just exhaustion.]

I expected so as well. Still, I suppose it is best to keep our guards up. We don't know why these disappearances had occurred after all.

[He set his pack down in the grass and knelt next to the stream to refill his flask.]

For the moment, let's try and regroup.

Also A <3

[inaurare]

Oh-- thank you.

[the flask is accepted with care, his sip from it delicate. He would not wish to take more than his fair share.]

I think I can stand to go on a little longer. But perhaps it might be wise to take a moment...?

[and it might allow him the chance to examine some of the plant life a little more. Though it fascinates Linneus, he hasn't really be in able to look, lest he slow them down.]

Hi!

[milesedgelord]

[They weren't in a rush, and there had been no sign of those who had made the distress call in the first place as of yet. He squinted at his pocket watch.]

As you wish, we can venture a bit further. Perhaps in an hour or so we should start searching for a place to set up camp.

[Miles in the meantime had been making notes in his organizer since he had trouble getting a hold of a map.]

Does that sound alright to you?

:D

[inaurare]

That suits me well.

[shifting his pack a little bit, securing its weight a little better for this final hour, but reminded with the feel of the weight on his back.]

I feel I should warn you - I enjoy the outdoors, but I can't say I have ever made camp before...

[erecting a tent isn't too hard, right...?]

[milesedgelord]

I cannot say that I am particularly adept at it either. However, I did bring along a book as well as notes that will hopefully help us figure out what needs to be done.

[Placed in unfamiliar situations he had a tendency to over prepare.]

I wonder what types of fauna we will need to be aware of in this region.

[inaurare]

That will help a great deal.

[but that means it's all the more important they stop before they lose the light.]

I have not seen a guide. Usually I would find one, for my own reference. But I have come to know the plant life of Nysa well enough...

[it's a personal interest, though a casual one - he isn't schooled by any means, but he was raised doing odd jobs in the gardens, so he feels quite at home there.]

[milesedgelord]

I hope so.

[He made his way along the path, admiring the rich lush foliage of the forest around them.]

I can imagine that botany would be a useful interest to have here. The plant life is so different than what I had seen back home. You should consider making one. I can imagine that such a thing would be useful.

[inaurare]

[a soft chuckle at that]

Oh... I'm not educated in botany by any means. I simply worked in my house's gardens, in my childhood. I suppose that left me with a fascination for growing things.

Though it is wondrous, to see such different things.

[milesedgelord]

That is still an impressive hobby. I'm afraid I barely know any flowers myself.

[Once he was made fun of in court for not knowing much about flowers, to begin with.]

Yes, it feels sometimes that we ended up in some sort of fantasy book or something. Everything around us feels like a fairy tale. Do you mind if I ask what your occupation was back on your homeworld?