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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[The waved hand returns very quickly to Ren's pocket as he tilts his head, as if trying to discern what Mamoru means. In reality, he knows very well what he means, because it's basically the same idea he's had since he got close enough to the forest to see it truly - it feels serene, but there's a perfection to it so immaculate it seems false.

It's why he's elected to reserve eating or drinking anything from the area for if he gets desperate. With any luck, he'll make it out the other side before that becomes an issue.]

I'm not sure, I think natural things can look really perfect sometimes...but then, there must be something wrong since so many people have disappeared, right? So it might just be trying to trick us.

[He shrugs, as if forests trying to trick you is completely normal and fine.]

[He notices that right away, an eyebrow arching and his lip twitching.] You don't seem that worried about it.

[Only very few face the unknown with nonchalance. There were two plausible reasons for disappearances to be considered normal somewhere, he reckons: either people want to disappear, or people know what happens on the occasion someone does.

Add a third one to that: it could just be a bluff.

He stands back up, wiping his wet hands on the legs of his jeans.] The question here is why.

[His nostrils flare just a tad, taking in the air. He smells that annoying sweetness that seems to coat the back of his throat, but he can also smell some blood. Though it's a possibility that there are predators around, it's only natural.] I wonder if it feeds somehow on the disappearances?

[Would explain the inviting little coves to sleep on and catch the visitors unconscious.]

Hmm, no, not really. It just means I have to pay more attention if it's trying to trick me, doesn't it?

[He tilts his head and smiles, as if it really is that simple; there's a certain air of oblivious fearlessness to it, as if he doesn't believe it can really be that big of a problem. In actuality, he's familiar enough with the tricks to not be too concerned about falling prey to them at this point - though he's definitely been erring on the side of travelling with company. Nurray lost quite a few people to the forest, it sounds like, so whatever it's doing, he doubts this is the entirety of it.

When Mamoru stands up again, Ren comes a little bit closer, sticking his head up a little as if he's trying to sniff the air as well.]

Maybe? What is it that makes you think that...? [It could just be the fact that it's luring people in and trying to keep them there, but he's curious if the man really did smell anything on the air that put him to that conclusion.]

Unless it wants you to do that, to pay more attention to it. Heard anything aside from news of disappearances?

[He can track people to some extent, but the flora seems very keen on covering paths.

Mamoru takes one second before answering, noting down two things in his mind. The first the way that this person moves. A certain blazéness that is too precise to be entirely honest. He squares his shoulders with that recognition as if it's intriguing but there is no real threat or challenge at this point.

The second kept nagging at the back of his head, and it's the most connected to the guy's question - birds kept singing and insects kept buzzing and chirping. Usually, when there's any semblance of violence, it instills fear in these animals' instincts, making them quiet, stand still, wait for the predator to pass by unaware of their presence.

If there's a lack of it, it could mean a couple of things.] I haven't caught any signs of a struggle anywhere, yet. If the ecosystem acts this natural and so happy to provide, then it's one of the following things: either the people don't struggle at all, or this whole place profits from the disappearances somehow.

[He shrugs, and his body language shifts. There's a pull to his lip and a slope to his shoulders. He honestly looks like a thug this way.] Either that or people ain't disappearing at all.

Well, if you take a pessimistic attitude like that, then it makes it sound like nobody who came in here is going to come out again, and who likes that kind of thinking...? [Other than grumpy people, a group Ren has a great deal of experience with. Nonetheless, he sighs and answers the question.] Not really. I came because I was curious, mostly.

[Which does line up with his rather unconcerned manner. A reason like that doesn't imply any great deal of investment in what's actually going on here. However, he listens to Mamoru's thoughts on the subject - he's not wrong about the implications, and it's something Ren's considered himself, but from the look of creeping realisation on his face, it looks for all the world like he hadn't even thought of it.]

Oh, do you think so? I feel like it still kind of counts as disappearing if nobody else can find them, though...even if they're not actually being taken by force, if the people important to them can't track them down, then it's still a problem, right?

[His manner remains light and airy, despite the relative severity of the topic. It's hard to tell whether the impression is of someone not having encountered this kind of trouble before outright, or someone who just doesn't really think it's that big a deal because it'll all turn out okay, or a little of both. But it's an impression Ren prefers to cultivate when he initially meets someone - he likes to gauge what he's dealing with before he elects to be more honest.]

[ Mamoru interrupts his looking around the small clearing and the stream – may be interesting to follow it to its source – to dart the gaze through darts at Ren from the corner of his eye.] Pessimistic? [A snort] You’d think that figuring out something’s intentions is a step forward and not a defeat.

Not many heroes around here, huh? [That’s a good and a bad thing at the same time. Most people wanting to play heroes were incapable or unaware of their own limits. At the same time, the lack of them can also be bad for Mamoru’s morale.]

Guess you could see it that way. [While Ren is focusing on the people who miss the disappearances, Mamoru is also thinking on those who disappeared. It wouldn’t be a first, someone having a reason to go to a place where it’s easy for their tracks to mix with the growth – it’s a perfect escape plan, whether you were a criminal or someone who just wished to change their scenery.] They can still be here. The questions are how, why, and if we should be even looking for them in the first place.

Is that what you were doing...? [Ren's tone is vague, as if he really hadn't realised, though his actual thought is that figuring out what you think something is doing isn't really the same thing as figuring out what it's actually doing. That's a little bit too perceptive for what he's pretending to be right now, though.

He hums a little bit at what comes after, tone somewhat thoughtful.] Well, I think more people here like to think about things before running in...though Nurray-san first mentioned this was going on a little while ago, so I think they would have had their time by now. Maybe that's why everyone's going in now instead of then, but the people missing have also been gone for a little while in that case...

[The unsaid remark on that being that it's probably safe to assume that they should be looking for them, for one reason or another.]

I can't move back, can I? [He states, simply. A step forward can be a misstep, but it's a step given. It can lead to a change in direction and an altogether 180 turn, afterward, but Mamoru is nothing but adaptable.] The moment you stop thinking, you die.

[He gives Ren a once over.] For someone who looks so casual, you sound like you already have a plan.

See, that's pretty pessimistic again... [Ren says that in an almost sighing tone, as if it's somehow disappointing to have to deal with people with cynical attitudes.

His head tilts in curiosity at Mamoru's other observation, though, as he does a spectacular job of stopping himself from expressing the amusement he feels at that. It seems this guy has gotten the sense of something more to him, but he's not quite right about what it is.] Really? I hate planning things in advance, it makes them boring...

[There's a slight pout to his tone at that, but he's certainly still holding that light, careless tone.]

[He snorts at that.] Bet you're devastated to know everyone dies.

[To Mamoru, that's just inevitability - to be in a perpetual flow of thought in order to take the most advantage of his surroundings is nothing but what has kept Mamoru alive, considering the way of life he decided to travel into. To him, death is an outcome, one that he plans to avoid, as there are way too many things that he needs to achieve before he kicks the bucket. But it would be foolish to not consider it as a possibility.

How would you know where and how to move if you didn't know which other motions would get you killed?

Ren could call it being pessimistic, really. But to Mamoru, that's nerve-ending-exciting.]

[This guy reminds him of someone else - a person who doesn't want to show all the cards yet, just for the sake of it. It almost... ] Why's that?

It's a pretty dull ending, isn't it? [Ren's tone is somewhat whiny in saying that, so it's hard to tell whether he noticed it was a bit of a joke or not. But really, that kind of ending is incredibly overdone, and he's met more than enough people trying to make that sort of thing happen that he'd really rather they just not bother at this point.

He's still frowning about that when Mamoru asks his other question, and Ren tilts back to the other side again with a rather blank look.] What do you mean? If something's boring then it's boring, isn't it?

[It really is that straightforward to him, though he is somewhat aware of what's actually being asked. Planning makes things predictable, to him, so he avoids it as much as he can, because predictable means boring and that circles them back around to the original issue.]

If you have any alternatives at your disposal, happy to hear them. [He can't help but be slightly amused at that.] Ain't part of my plans to do it yet, though. So don't worry. [Making it sound like Ren doesn't worry at all - a dig at his act.

He walks around and does some analysis at the clearing - he sees animal tracks, some that he recognizes (a bunny, for instance, probably has its burrow around), and others that he doesn't - a pair of feet but a... tail? - and he frowns at the inviting little nook, beckoning him to sleep at one point. Speaking as he goes:] There are reasons for boredom - it may not be to your liking, or it may not challenge you enough, or you just find the tasks involved dull but not the goal of the plan itself. And let's not get started on the concept of "spontaneity", yeah?

[His lip twitches.] But if ya think that all plans are boring, then I'd say your creativity needs work.

Oh, did I look worried...? [Ren touches at his cheeks a bit, like someone might if they were told they had something on their face. It takes a bit more than poking at his act to make him break it, especially considering the kinds of people he deals with back home.

For now, Ren stays mostly in one place, watching as Mamoru wanders the clearing, only moving if he gets close to getting out of earshot. The remark on creativity gets a somewhat doubtful hum, Ren tapping his lip slightly as if it's not very convincing.]

That's a funny thing to say... [Lack of challenge is generally what makes plans predictable, so as far as he's concerned, that's everyone else's fault.] I like to be surprised, so why waste time on a plan when you can just do things freely? I don't really get it.

Dunno. [He shrugs a quick but very easy and very cheap joke. Mamoru is able to see the surface of Ren's face, the twitches, and the way the facial muscles contract and stretch. In fact, it's something that kind of makes Mamoru pick on the falsehood of it all - it's too easy to read. Even the most heartfelt emotions had their level of subtlety that Mamoru could only vaguely sense or assume. With Ren it's like a bluff while putting all the cards on the table.

The system picks on a nick on a tree trunk. A claw? No. A beak. But Mamoru arches an eyebrow and glances at the guy from the corner of his eye - just enough to go through the lenses of his shades.] Sounds like you're waiting for shit to fall on your lap.

[One noteworthy thing about the expressions, however obvious they might be, is there doesn't appear to be anything like a tell or a lacking sincerity that would otherwise indicate falsehood. It is, at the very least, not completely manufactured reactions - they appear genuine in the sense of lining up with all the points that would usually indicate an expression as sincere, such as a smile reaching the eyes.

He pouts in a rather exaggerated manner at that remark, as if it's not very fun.] That's a pretty crass way to put it, isn't it...? Do you like chasing things around that much? I know some people are interested in that...

[He snorts. It's a quiet sound, a slight grit to an exhale. Occupational hazard.] My bad. [Not sounding at all guilty.

His eyes are back to being focused on the trunk, looking upwards. He mutters a quiet 'magnify', letting the system in his shades zoom in on the surface. It seemed like a bird of prey had been attacked, but he hasn't seen the tracks their regular predators tend to leave.

What the hell.

He frowns at the word choice, though. ] "Chasing things around"?

[Ren watches Mamoru work - it's pretty obvious that he's got some method of getting a little more information on the environment, but at the same time, presumably training with this sort of thing as well. It's a bit meticulous for an amateur.

At the question, Ren waves a hand.] "Looking for trouble", maybe? That's pretty much what I meant. The opposite of waiting around.

[Ren usually waits for other people to find trouble that he considers worth his time, honestly, even if he's certainly not one to avoid trouble.]

[At that, Mamoru stops. It's a minute motion, one that is only evident to those carefully watching. To someone else, he could just be looking into the distance, check if he hears any sounds in the fake silence of nature around them.

But his gaze isn't on the projection of his shades, while his ears have cast out to indeed listen to their surroundings, his mind heats up. Whatever influence the forest tried to cast on Mamoru is, for that moment, absolutely powerless, when his thoughts and calculations zero into a final goal. ]

"Trouble", huh? [His lip tugs into something ragged despite the absolute familiarity of what he obsesses over. Voice sounds like the sharp kind of gravel that cuts through your hands when you try to find purchase.] I can't afford to wait.

[He turns to Ren, and points at two spots of the edge of the clearing.] There are two tracks I don't recognize that head out from here. I'm going to follow this one [jerks a thumb at the first spot, closer to them.] but careful, they're apex predators.

[That's a somewhat telling reaction in its own way, and Ren hums in a somewhat vague manner at the notion that he can't afford to wait. There's probably a story of some kind there, but it seems this guy is eager to move on, and Ren tilts his head with some curiosity at the description of the footprints that he provides.]

Oh, you figured that out just from looking at them...? [He definitely sounds a little interested in that, but it also sounds like an innocent sort of curiosity when it comes into his voice.] But if you're going to run off so quickly, at least introduce yourself.

[He sounds a little huffy about that part, though it also looks somewhat like he only just remembered himself that it's kind of important to know people's names.]

[This shrug is one-shouldered, almost imitating Ren in its casualty.] It's as you said, I look for trouble a lot.

[He points at the trunk of the tree he'd been looking at.] I can tell that there are carnivores here that tried to hunt some sort of bird. Claw marks. A little too deep for a simple cat, though. Never hurts to be careful.

[Before any introduction, though, he gives Ren a once over. He isn't exactly sure, but better ask.] Are you going to be alright here alone?

[It's a fair enough observation, and Ren hums slightly in understanding before he laces his hands behind his back with a slight smile and a shrug.]

Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine. I didn't have anyone with me for a while until I ran into you, anyway. [His manner implies it's just a matter of...not thinking he's really in any danger at all, despite everything that's going on. Obviously he's aware of it if he's in here in the first place, it just doesn't seem to trouble him any on a personal level.]

[While he's actually not a fan of leaving people who are seemingly unaware of the dangers around them, the forest was not outright out to get them all and Mamoru can't really help but get an inkling in the back of his mind that this guy was actually going to be alright.

So he nods, and makes to follow the tracks he indicated before with a wave.] If ya say so. In any case, you can reach me through the username "Blade" in the network if you need it.

Hmm, are you that shy about your actual name...? [Ren gives a slightly doubtful hum at that. It does give him a point of contact, at least, but it's not that useful for if anyone else mentions the guy and he needs to know who they're talking about.

It seems like Ren's more inclined to follow the river for a little while to see where it goes, since that's the direction he's starting to take himself.]

[He shrugs at that, the priority was establishing a useful connection, not a rapport.] Hijikata. Mamoru Hijikata. You?

[He's very well aware that his name may ring familiar to some - he does have a $100.000.000 bounty on his head, after all. But no matter, it was only bound to make things interesting.

Suzugamori Ren, but just Ren is fine. [It's a strong opposition in terms of their preferred modes of address, though Ren's surname is a bit of a mouthful anyway. He doesn't seem to recognise the name at all, though.]

Well, it was nice to meet you, anyway. [He definitely has to come up with a nickname between now and next time they meet.]

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