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【FEBRUARY MINGLE】
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
A Snowy Surprise
On February 1st, snow falls. The flakes come down with deceptive grace, like a harmless flurry. One that manages to build into a decent blanket of snow by the end of the night. The locals don't seem too alarmed. If prompted, they'll explain that snow was uncommon in the city before spirits came. Everyone is excited to have some snow, even if they wish it would have come during Christmas. Apparently the Snow Kami was too weak to create snowfall earlier.
The snow will last throughout the month of February. It's not particularly threatening either. There is more snow on the top level than down on the first. The Snow Kami is being mindful of the first level's desperate cling to normalcy, so isn't playing with their weather. It is possible to create snowmen or have snowball fights on the other levels. Things can get a bit slippery if you aren't careful, but the spirits will help catch those who fall.
Most peculiar about the snow is how it is always falling in small flurries. It never stops. The sun rarely goes away either and the sky is typically clear. This snow is obviously the work of magic, not of the non-existent clouds overhead. Yet, no one will be able to tell you where the Snow Kami is. Apparently she is quite shy and tries to blend in with the season. They say that if you can catch her before the snow melts, your misfortunes will also melt away for the year.
The snow will last throughout the month of February. It's not particularly threatening either. There is more snow on the top level than down on the first. The Snow Kami is being mindful of the first level's desperate cling to normalcy, so isn't playing with their weather. It is possible to create snowmen or have snowball fights on the other levels. Things can get a bit slippery if you aren't careful, but the spirits will help catch those who fall.
Most peculiar about the snow is how it is always falling in small flurries. It never stops. The sun rarely goes away either and the sky is typically clear. This snow is obviously the work of magic, not of the non-existent clouds overhead. Yet, no one will be able to tell you where the Snow Kami is. Apparently she is quite shy and tries to blend in with the season. They say that if you can catch her before the snow melts, your misfortunes will also melt away for the year.
Rumor: The Red String of Fate
There are many romantic rumors passing through ears and mouths this month. Among them is the popular notion of a "Red String of Fate." According to this rumor:
"There are red strings that tie us to one another. Bonds that we may not normally notice, if not for the existence of that string... And, well! I've heard that those bonds will be visible this month! Isn't that amazing?"
What the rumor doesn't say is that these 'red strings' are actually 'red ribbons.' And they aren't tied to your pinky fingers... They're tied to your ankle. Randomly during the day, you might look down and see a red ribbon tied around your ankle. It connects to someone else's foot and the more you two move apart, the more you'll feel the tug of the ribbon trying to force you back together. It'll get shorter and shorter until you can't ignore it anymore.
The only way to break the ribbon is to talk to your partner and discover what you have in common with them. After that, the ribbon will fly away to ensnare another pair. If you can't find anything in common with your partner, the ribbon will continue to tighten until you're joined like a three-legged race. You'll need to pray for help at a shrine to have the ribbon removed.
Ribbons can tie people multiple times and to multiple partners. They have spirit magic on them until they are broken. The spirit cannot manifest, but those with a sixth sense might hear a child's voice pleading; "I just wanted to be together."
"There are red strings that tie us to one another. Bonds that we may not normally notice, if not for the existence of that string... And, well! I've heard that those bonds will be visible this month! Isn't that amazing?"
What the rumor doesn't say is that these 'red strings' are actually 'red ribbons.' And they aren't tied to your pinky fingers... They're tied to your ankle. Randomly during the day, you might look down and see a red ribbon tied around your ankle. It connects to someone else's foot and the more you two move apart, the more you'll feel the tug of the ribbon trying to force you back together. It'll get shorter and shorter until you can't ignore it anymore.
The only way to break the ribbon is to talk to your partner and discover what you have in common with them. After that, the ribbon will fly away to ensnare another pair. If you can't find anything in common with your partner, the ribbon will continue to tighten until you're joined like a three-legged race. You'll need to pray for help at a shrine to have the ribbon removed.
Ribbons can tie people multiple times and to multiple partners. They have spirit magic on them until they are broken. The spirit cannot manifest, but those with a sixth sense might hear a child's voice pleading; "I just wanted to be together."
Winter's Warm Good Bye
The false snow only lasts for the month of February, like a final good bye to winter as the spring season approaches. The people of Starsand really enjoy the snow, so they give thanks throughout February. They also really want to catch the Snow Kami before the snow melts, hoping that they might have her melt their misfortunes away.
To lure her, cafes and restaurants on the upper three floors are giving away free tea and desserts all month long. Apparently the Snow Kami has a sweet tooth and can be lured by a good cup of tea. Characters will be able to stop in for a free drink and treat at just about any establishment. These restaurants are also hiring Fallen Stars to work there for some rare cash.
Cash can be used to buy unnecessary luxuries (usually handmade items,) that cannot be prayed for. You can handwave characters having physical cash and the price of items they might want. Cash in this world looks like konpeitto. No one seems able to explain the exact mineral to you, but it does represent gold.
To lure her, cafes and restaurants on the upper three floors are giving away free tea and desserts all month long. Apparently the Snow Kami has a sweet tooth and can be lured by a good cup of tea. Characters will be able to stop in for a free drink and treat at just about any establishment. These restaurants are also hiring Fallen Stars to work there for some rare cash.
Cash can be used to buy unnecessary luxuries (usually handmade items,) that cannot be prayed for. You can handwave characters having physical cash and the price of items they might want. Cash in this world looks like konpeitto. No one seems able to explain the exact mineral to you, but it does represent gold.
Rumor: The Path Not Meant To Be Taken
There's never a warning. No magical signature, no cloud in the sky, no whisper or scream. You were on your way like normal, when the snow flurries turned red. Strangely, they don't blanket the entire area either. They mark red paths in the snow, leading you to the bottom floor of the city.
Locals will warn you not to follow the red snow. They tell you that this snow falls every year, without fall, and that it is meant to punish those who have committed grave sins. "You look like a lovely person. Surely that snow isn't for you!" is what they will insist to you.
If you do follow the snow, you will likely find that you aren't the only one on this red path. Many branches of the path join together at the bottom floor, specifically at The Shrine of Destruction. You'll find yourself standing among many others, Fallen Stars and locals alike, who had followed the path. The locals seem to be listless, as if they're in some sort of daydream state. They whisper about the awful things they have done, trying to theorize why they got sent down this red path. Some of the locals even begin to distort into monstrous versions of themselves: Rumors made by their own fear of sin.
Characters can defeat these monsters with physical or magical attacks. Spirits in the area will offer their aid to powerless characters. It is also possible for characters to temporarily become rumors themselves. Defeating a rumor doesn't kill the victim, but it will knock them unconscious. If characters need help, put "Kami Intervention" in the subject line for... well. A Kami's intervention.
No civilians will die, nor will any of them remember the event once they return home.
Locals will warn you not to follow the red snow. They tell you that this snow falls every year, without fall, and that it is meant to punish those who have committed grave sins. "You look like a lovely person. Surely that snow isn't for you!" is what they will insist to you.
If you do follow the snow, you will likely find that you aren't the only one on this red path. Many branches of the path join together at the bottom floor, specifically at The Shrine of Destruction. You'll find yourself standing among many others, Fallen Stars and locals alike, who had followed the path. The locals seem to be listless, as if they're in some sort of daydream state. They whisper about the awful things they have done, trying to theorize why they got sent down this red path. Some of the locals even begin to distort into monstrous versions of themselves: Rumors made by their own fear of sin.
Characters can defeat these monsters with physical or magical attacks. Spirits in the area will offer their aid to powerless characters. It is also possible for characters to temporarily become rumors themselves. Defeating a rumor doesn't kill the victim, but it will knock them unconscious. If characters need help, put "Kami Intervention" in the subject line for... well. A Kami's intervention.
No civilians will die, nor will any of them remember the event once they return home.
Curiosity Trapped The Cat
A casual walk around the top level suddenly becomes a desperate attempt to dodge a blizzard. Maybe it's your imagination, but the winds seem to be pushing you towards the Shrine of Curiosity. The door is easily opened, but once characters are inside they will find that the wind is too strong for them to push open the door again. Weird.
Fortunately, the shrine isn't a bad place to be stuck. It is a giant library, with room after room of books and seating options. Coffee cups float around and pour their own drinks, which are (curiously) perfectly suited to those offered a drink. The doors will become easier to open after characters have read a book or two... So it's possible that you may be stuck in this library all day. Maybe it's best to get cozy. There are some lofts on the upper floors that are free to use for the night if it comes to that.
Characters can escape the library without reading if they leave with someone who did read.
It is possible to live longterm in the Shrine of Curiosity if your character really likes books. The lofts are shaped by spirits to suit the needs of the occupants. The books on the shelves change to reflect the wants of the occupants. Each loft has a spirit helper, who only wants to hear a book read aloud for them as they fall asleep at night.
Fortunately, the shrine isn't a bad place to be stuck. It is a giant library, with room after room of books and seating options. Coffee cups float around and pour their own drinks, which are (curiously) perfectly suited to those offered a drink. The doors will become easier to open after characters have read a book or two... So it's possible that you may be stuck in this library all day. Maybe it's best to get cozy. There are some lofts on the upper floors that are free to use for the night if it comes to that.
Characters can escape the library without reading if they leave with someone who did read.
It is possible to live longterm in the Shrine of Curiosity if your character really likes books. The lofts are shaped by spirits to suit the needs of the occupants. The books on the shelves change to reflect the wants of the occupants. Each loft has a spirit helper, who only wants to hear a book read aloud for them as they fall asleep at night.
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10billionghosts
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How do you fight, if I might ask?
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Whips, huh?
Kinda like this, maybe?
[And then Rita reaches for the sash of her coat... Pulling it loose and spinning it around with a flourish. The tip seems to stiffen in mid-motion, though she doesn't hit anything with it.]
... Seems we've got that style in common, too. I've actually used straight-up whips a few times, but the sash means I don't have to carry a weapon openly, which is. Convenient.
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... St. Gradius being, what, a research city on your world?
[The idea of normal schools is weird to Rita. She's only ever seen it on Nam Cobanda Isle, which was a low fourth wall zone so...]
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[She starts to walk around the shop, even if she isn't actually looking at anything for sale.]
I presume your own work was done in a "research city."
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Or, well, Mana-based stuff now.
I've been there since I was, like, five. Orphans who have the right potential are a major source of Aspio's researchers.
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Saved Estelle. That's more important to me, honestly.
And now I guess I get to figure out what can be done here. Learn the local technology, put it to use, you get the idea I think.
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... Where were we headed again?
[Rita may have gotten distracted in trying to be positive about the situation. And forgotten about the cold a little. Whoops.]
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Sorry.
We're not far now, thankfully. It's... Not super set up, yet, though? But it works for now.
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Still think it was Karol who thought ice cream on a glacier was a good idea...
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[... Okay, that's a slightly uncharitable description of Yuri, not that Kokoro would know that. But she's very confident it'd only be one of them being stupid enough to do that.]
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What of your group?
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[Rita opens a door into a small apartment set. Hers is on the ground floor, and not too much further, she's at the door.]
Mm, wanna come in for a few? I'd be up to join you once I've warmed up a bit myself.