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【January Mingling】
Star Sand City
So Fantasy Reclaimed Reality,
Welcome to the world that fantasy took back.
According to the locals, you are not the first stranger from another world to be dragged to this one. This is a world that, up until five years ago, did not know magic. Fantasy did not expand beyond its designated shelves of the library; There were no gods or spirits, only science and reason.
But five years ago, the secret was blown. Magical 'spirits' exist in this world. You may have seen them as flickers of light; Souls without a body. They were once invisible and powerless, existing silently alongside the rest of the living. But with enough faith from the living, spirits can manifest. They can even have the magic powers that others believe them to have.
Nowadays, spirits and magic are impossible to ignore. Magic has transformed the architecture, average people are learning spirit magic, and technology is being upgraded with this new power. Electricity is going out of favor; Spirits now power homes in exchange for shrine offerings and prayers. Though traces of the old era still exist, they are slowly being replaced by magic. Every city is changing at a different pace depending on how the citizens reacted to the news of spirits.
But you're not here for a lore drop, are you? You just got here.
New arrivals have become commonplace in the City of Star Sand. In fact, the city is named for this phenomena; People from other worlds ("stars") appear so frequently that it's like a beach of sand. Even those who normally travel between worlds have found it impossible to leave the pull of the Star Sand once they get here. Some people have even come from other time periods. (the date here is 2025.) No other city is reporting this unique problem for some reason.
Roleplay-wise; This is a semi-private sandbox for a modern-fantasy blended setting. Characters can either be whisked away from their homes or wake up as AUed residents. While there will be a lot of background lore and a mystery to dig your teeth into, it's all optional. First and foremost, the sandbox is meant to be played in. The City of Star Sand is a very flexible place to stretch your imagination. Some parts of the city may just seem like normal Tokyo, while others might feel like a DnD campaign. The world will gradually expand as the sandbox takes off as well, so you'll be able to submit your own cities with unique cultures.
The Mingle is meant for dipping your toes into the setting! You're more than welcome to add journal entries with your own prompts~.
According to the locals, you are not the first stranger from another world to be dragged to this one. This is a world that, up until five years ago, did not know magic. Fantasy did not expand beyond its designated shelves of the library; There were no gods or spirits, only science and reason.
But five years ago, the secret was blown. Magical 'spirits' exist in this world. You may have seen them as flickers of light; Souls without a body. They were once invisible and powerless, existing silently alongside the rest of the living. But with enough faith from the living, spirits can manifest. They can even have the magic powers that others believe them to have.
Nowadays, spirits and magic are impossible to ignore. Magic has transformed the architecture, average people are learning spirit magic, and technology is being upgraded with this new power. Electricity is going out of favor; Spirits now power homes in exchange for shrine offerings and prayers. Though traces of the old era still exist, they are slowly being replaced by magic. Every city is changing at a different pace depending on how the citizens reacted to the news of spirits.
But you're not here for a lore drop, are you? You just got here.
New arrivals have become commonplace in the City of Star Sand. In fact, the city is named for this phenomena; People from other worlds ("stars") appear so frequently that it's like a beach of sand. Even those who normally travel between worlds have found it impossible to leave the pull of the Star Sand once they get here. Some people have even come from other time periods. (the date here is 2025.) No other city is reporting this unique problem for some reason.
Roleplay-wise; This is a semi-private sandbox for a modern-fantasy blended setting. Characters can either be whisked away from their homes or wake up as AUed residents. While there will be a lot of background lore and a mystery to dig your teeth into, it's all optional. First and foremost, the sandbox is meant to be played in. The City of Star Sand is a very flexible place to stretch your imagination. Some parts of the city may just seem like normal Tokyo, while others might feel like a DnD campaign. The world will gradually expand as the sandbox takes off as well, so you'll be able to submit your own cities with unique cultures.
The Mingle is meant for dipping your toes into the setting! You're more than welcome to add journal entries with your own prompts~.
WHAT
Modern/Fantasy Blend Sandbox
WHO
ppl w invites
navigation squares
Prompt Ideas
New Arrival Freebies
When you arrived, it was without warning. Even the locals around you will say that they blinked and you were just there. You might be mid-action or feel like you're waking from sleep, but however it happened you're here now.
The locals inform you that this is a rather common occurrence. There's no way home yet, but they will make sure you're comfortable until they find a solution. And that flicker of light you just saw? The glistening rainbow that darted about in the corner of your vision? That's a spirit. They'll help you too.
You're given instructions to go to the shops that have rainbow star-themed sun catchers hanging outside their doors. These places will give you free clothes, food, and even direct you towards free housing. The catch? You'll need to help with cleaning one of the nearby shrines. Just sweeping up leaves or wiping down the visible surfaces is enough. And strangely, it looks like it rained... pastel paint recently? There are drops of pastel paint everywhere for some reason. Just what kind of weather awaits you here?
The locals inform you that this is a rather common occurrence. There's no way home yet, but they will make sure you're comfortable until they find a solution. And that flicker of light you just saw? The glistening rainbow that darted about in the corner of your vision? That's a spirit. They'll help you too.
You're given instructions to go to the shops that have rainbow star-themed sun catchers hanging outside their doors. These places will give you free clothes, food, and even direct you towards free housing. The catch? You'll need to help with cleaning one of the nearby shrines. Just sweeping up leaves or wiping down the visible surfaces is enough. And strangely, it looks like it rained... pastel paint recently? There are drops of pastel paint everywhere for some reason. Just what kind of weather awaits you here?
Shrine of Spacetime
If you're the curious type, you may have asked why you can't get home. There are powerful gods here, right? Powered by faith? Why hasn't everyone thought to worship a Kami of Spacetime into existence? Couldn't they send you all home?
The answer, if you should dig deeper, is at the Shrine of Spacetime.
You will have to climb a flight of floating stairs to get here, with the gap between them getting wider as you ascend higher. It was beautifully sunny a moment ago, but once you're a few meters into the sky it will turn dark and cold. You can see windows hanging all around and may catch glimpses into them, but they reflect nothing. Not even you.
And then, the stairs stop. There is nothing up here but a floating archway. The door encased in the stone is closed and no amount of magic will open it.
Back on the ground, locals will explain that the door is the Timespace Kami's shrine. People have been praying for a way home, but nothing has happened. No Kami has appeared. There are rumors that the Kami sleeps beyond that door. There is a tea room nearby, which will serve you free tea in exchange for a prayer to the mysterious Kami. They encourage people to sit together and discuss the situation. Maybe that will help the Kami gain power? Or perhaps there is no Kami to empower to begin with.
The answer, if you should dig deeper, is at the Shrine of Spacetime.
You will have to climb a flight of floating stairs to get here, with the gap between them getting wider as you ascend higher. It was beautifully sunny a moment ago, but once you're a few meters into the sky it will turn dark and cold. You can see windows hanging all around and may catch glimpses into them, but they reflect nothing. Not even you.
And then, the stairs stop. There is nothing up here but a floating archway. The door encased in the stone is closed and no amount of magic will open it.
Back on the ground, locals will explain that the door is the Timespace Kami's shrine. People have been praying for a way home, but nothing has happened. No Kami has appeared. There are rumors that the Kami sleeps beyond that door. There is a tea room nearby, which will serve you free tea in exchange for a prayer to the mysterious Kami. They encourage people to sit together and discuss the situation. Maybe that will help the Kami gain power? Or perhaps there is no Kami to empower to begin with.
Rumor of the Starsnatcher
If you're traveling to Level Four, the city level right below the top, then maybe you've heard this rumor. Whispered in many variations and tones, it tends to go like this:
"There exists a creature on the 4th level. A gentleman dressed in fine clothes, glowing star ornaments dangling from his belt. To the rest of us, he is completely harmless. But should you be one of the stars fallen from another world, he is not so peaceful... Take one look at his face and he'll transform into a beast. This beast claws the other worlders apart and drags their bodies to the Shrine of Timespace. I heard it's a warning!"
... Of course, no one has actually report any bodies. You won't find any corpses at the shrine, nor any signs of blood or violence. But on the 4th floor, there have been many sightings of the man with stars on his belt. They say that so long as you don't try to look him in the face, he probably won't attack you... Probably. But there are some recent claw marks on buildings that people say were left by the Starsnatcher.
The Rumor is also said to not be able to pass through closed doors. So if you do find him chasing you, there is a quick way to get him off your tail.
This Rumor can be fought multiple times. His attacking style is physical, with a focus on scratching with his claw-like nails. He is capable of inhuman agility. When a door is closed between you, he will halt his chase and vanish. Every time that he is defeated, one of the stars from his belt will be left behind. When brought to the Shrine of Timespace, these stars shoot out of the holder's hand and out of sight.
"There exists a creature on the 4th level. A gentleman dressed in fine clothes, glowing star ornaments dangling from his belt. To the rest of us, he is completely harmless. But should you be one of the stars fallen from another world, he is not so peaceful... Take one look at his face and he'll transform into a beast. This beast claws the other worlders apart and drags their bodies to the Shrine of Timespace. I heard it's a warning!"
... Of course, no one has actually report any bodies. You won't find any corpses at the shrine, nor any signs of blood or violence. But on the 4th floor, there have been many sightings of the man with stars on his belt. They say that so long as you don't try to look him in the face, he probably won't attack you... Probably. But there are some recent claw marks on buildings that people say were left by the Starsnatcher.
The Rumor is also said to not be able to pass through closed doors. So if you do find him chasing you, there is a quick way to get him off your tail.
This Rumor can be fought multiple times. His attacking style is physical, with a focus on scratching with his claw-like nails. He is capable of inhuman agility. When a door is closed between you, he will halt his chase and vanish. Every time that he is defeated, one of the stars from his belt will be left behind. When brought to the Shrine of Timespace, these stars shoot out of the holder's hand and out of sight.
Rumor of the Tea Too Calming
Back on the 5th floor, a new cafe has opened! The little old woman who runs this cafe was delighted when someone sponsored her dream. In this world where money is less of an issue, she can now chase her fifty year dream of selling her own tea blends. Everyone in the neighborhood is very excited for her. Other shops have been passing out flyers that advertise the cafe's signature drink: The World's Most Relaxing Tea.
It is said that the flavor of this tea is so refreshing that you'll be reminded of better days. Drinking it will cause your stress and worries to leave your soul! Of course, this is probably some silly embellishment. While the old woman does admit that there is spirit magic involved, she says that it's only meant to be taste refreshing. Her mysterious sponsor made those flyers and she finds them rather embarrassing, but figures they were meant to be a silly joke.
But take a sip of the tea, and you will find that it is indeed very relaxing. If your thoughts linger on it, you'll begin to nod off into an unexpected nap. Victims of this extremely relaxing tea will begin talking in their sleep; They mumble aloud about the things that are stressing them out, even if they normally wouldn't discuss something so personal. Someone will have to shake them awake, otherwise the nap can last many hours.
This Rumor does not require a fight to deal with. Within a week of the cafe's opening, it is mysteriously and suddenly closed for repairs. The old woman can still be spotted around the neighborhood and says that a pipe broke in the cafe kitchen! How weird! Well... At least now she can reopen without that embarrassing advertisement...
It is said that the flavor of this tea is so refreshing that you'll be reminded of better days. Drinking it will cause your stress and worries to leave your soul! Of course, this is probably some silly embellishment. While the old woman does admit that there is spirit magic involved, she says that it's only meant to be taste refreshing. Her mysterious sponsor made those flyers and she finds them rather embarrassing, but figures they were meant to be a silly joke.
But take a sip of the tea, and you will find that it is indeed very relaxing. If your thoughts linger on it, you'll begin to nod off into an unexpected nap. Victims of this extremely relaxing tea will begin talking in their sleep; They mumble aloud about the things that are stressing them out, even if they normally wouldn't discuss something so personal. Someone will have to shake them awake, otherwise the nap can last many hours.
This Rumor does not require a fight to deal with. Within a week of the cafe's opening, it is mysteriously and suddenly closed for repairs. The old woman can still be spotted around the neighborhood and says that a pipe broke in the cafe kitchen! How weird! Well... At least now she can reopen without that embarrassing advertisement...
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10billionghosts
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[She gets up, points her wand, and starts chanting an unintelligible spell. Shortened slightly, but not to the point of their standbys like Hazel's air-self-yeet. The wind picks up, stronger as she goes, up the stairs at batering force.
Of course, the door is unmoved.]
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[She hurls her own fire, but to no avail. With nothing left, she just... kicks the door in frustration.]
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