![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
【MAY plot arrivals】
May Mingle
Welcome to Starsand
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.
It is possible to handwave arrival and assume your character has been in the setting for months.
Anyone can top-level in a mingle post. You do not need to be playing a new character.
You do not need to feel restricted to the listed prompts.
Player characters may use this prompt to interact with each other.
This prompt will invite an NPC interaction.
Most May arrivals are dropped into Starsand at the same time.
The handprints can be anywhere that a person might feasibly grab your character.
The unfriendliness of the locals should not be malicious.
Kami & Spirits will continue to treat Fallen Stars kindly.
New Arrivals can also investigate the shrine.
The voices characters hear can be from any point in their canon, past or present.
Native characters will not enter the shrine.
The black goo is repelled by Fallen Stars, as if by a magnetic force.
Festival food can come from any culture.
Food is free and leftovers can be taken home in containers.
The cherry blossoms renew at midnight. Petals will fall backwards and back onto the trees.
Blossoms can be viewed on all levels. There are many picnic areas throughout the city.
Missing people can be brought back and disappear again.
Illusions can speak, but they disappear before they can be interacted with.
Goo puddles do not disappear until the missing person is brought back.
The black goo is repelled by Fallen Stars, as if by a magnetic force.
! Out of Character Notes
(A) Arrival: The Firm Grip of Space
Typical arrivals to the City of Starsand have always been peaceful. Remarkably so. Characters would blink their eyes and find themselves transported into this new world without any pain or drama (Well, aside from the drama of being in another world.)
But it’s different this time. Characters blink and leave their old world, yes, but there’s a less peaceful transition this time. They can feel themselves being forcibly pulled. Like someone grabbed their arm and yanked them across an invisible border. They are moved without balance, sometimes even aware of a finger grip-like sensation on their arms or legs.
And they do not arrive in the city. They wake up in a space that is strangely empty. The only light comes from their own bodies and the ripples left with every step. If they look at these ripples, they can see scenes of their lives reflected in the not-quite-water; Choices they’ve made, choices they missed, even events that have yet to happen.
Characters may see others in the distance and be able to reach each other. These meetings will be brief. A humming sound grows louder and the lights coming from their bodies gradually becomes brighter. Eventually, the hum is too loud for them to hear each other and the light is too bright to see passed. They’ll ‘white out’ and awaken in the Starsand City.
! Out of Character Notes
(B) Arrival Part 2
Welcome to the City of Starsand! Which is still blessed by now out-of-season cherry blossoms, filling the city with a sweet scent. Characters may find their eyes and ears aching from the experience of that other space. Some might even forget the experience all together, or find their memory temporarily blurred.
Regardless, they are here now. And they don’t look like the usual arrivals to the Starsand City. Typically, the civilians regard new arrivals politely and act like it’s a normal occurrence. But this time, there is something different. It’s something that the arriving character themselves may also notice: They have red marks on their skin. It’s always an exposed part of their body, like their arm, wrist, an exposed ankle, or even around their necks. Fingermarks, pressed so tightly (and supernaturally) into their skin that they’re visible for hours.
The townspeople are distant this time. It isn’t the usual friendly greeting of past months. They whisper cautiously: Isn’t it strange? Did a Kami do that? Why would a Kami do that?
Fortunately, spirits will flock to the new arrivals this month. Brave and kind civilians will push passed the rumor to offer aid. Free food, housing, clothing, etc. will still be supplied. But it will not be as easy-going and friendly as before. There are also a lot of new arrivals at once, as opposed to a sprinkling at a time.
! Out of Character Notes
(C) Old Arrivals: A Shattered Shrine
At the same time that this month’s new arrivals were dumped enmass, something dramatic happened on the top level. The TimeSpace Shrine, which had locked doors and closed windows, has changed. All of the windows that lined the spiraling staircase have been shattered and have a dark, sparkling liquid leaking from the cracks. The liquid is gathering at the foot of the shrine and everyone seems rightfully afraid of it.
”What is this? Did someone vandalize the shrine?”
”Is the Kami inside there alright?”
”There are so many new Fallen Stars! Are they connected?”
People murmur from a safe distance.
When approaching the shrine, one can hear a strange humming noise. Like static from a radio with a distant melody lost in the noise. As you climb the stairs, the sound gets louder and louder until it’s unbearable. You can hear voices and sounds from the world you once knew, but they’re drowned out by the static.
If you manage to reach the top and touch the door, you may find yourself in the same space as new arrivals. Use this to interact with new arrivals from Prompt A! You can also put !NPC REQUEST in a thread title for an NPC interaction.
! Out of Character Notes
(D) No Plot: Cherry Blossom Viewing
It is a few days after the Shrine of SpaceTime broke. Reception to the new arrivals has grown warmer as the marks on their skin faded away. In order to ease tensions, the Kami of Love has renewed the cherry blossom trees and called for a final good-bye party for the season. Grassy parks are lined with picnic blankets, food vendors are opening all kind of stalls, and cherry blossom themed trinkets are being sold for faith.
It’s an easygoing sort of prompt. Fallen Stars, as out-of-worlders are called, are welcome to join in the festivities. People are encouraged to take a spot on an empty blanket and view the blossoms. The blossoms are renewed with faith every day, so the trees do not go bear for long. But because the blossoms are faith-based magic, they also don’t linger on the ground. Try to take petals home and they’re disappear overnight. Perhaps it’s a small price to pay for reviving the sight over and over again. The blossoms are getting no rest this month.
! Out of Character Notes
(E) Rumor: The Fallen Stars
Unfortunately, despite the Kami and their attempts to maintain peace, Rumors still exist. These stories carry the power of faith, which can turn a lie into truth if spoken enough. They’re unfortunately common in the City of Starsand, though admitting to their power will only make it stronger. Very few average civilians realize that Rumors exist, and those that do know better than to explain this dangerous magic to just anyone.
Since the Shrine of SpaceTime shattered, there has been a common rumor about Fallen Stars. It’s one whispered between the native civilians, which they try not to let Fallen Stars hear:
”Perhaps the reason that they’ve come here is to replace us? So many of the Fallen Stars have magical powers unrelated to spirits and Kami. Are they going to replace us? Is the SpaceTime Kami trying to make a stronger and more magical world?”
This Rumor has an unfortunate power. It is replacing civilians with illusions of Fallen Stars. You may see someone you know suddenly running the general store in the place of the old lady who once gave you free snacks. Once you get closer, both the person you saw and the person who should be there are gone. In the civilian’s place is a pile of the dark, glittery substance that was leaking from the SpaceTime Shrine.
The missing people can be brought back. If Fallen Stars visit the broken shrine, they can pray for the return of missing civilians. Missing civilians are typically the ones who bravely reached out to help at the beginning of the month.
! Out of Character Notes
Notes for May
The arrivals in May are different from normal. Arrival process is expected to return to normal in June!
There will be a second part to the Rumor event later in the month.
There is a possible third event that can be triggered by exploration this month.
The NPC contact is open to anyone who wishes to interrogate/meet a specific NPC.
no subject
[He makes an affirmative noise.]
Yes. I felt the grip good and well. It tugged me along until we got to where we are now, and until you started speaking to me.
If you wanted to be noticed, you were. [They sound lost. Uncertain. Surprised that they managed to reach anyone.]
If I may ask for an introduction and where this is?
no subject
Inspiring a lot of confidence, they shake their head.]
I... I do not know.
But I've been reaching for so long. I've wanted to meet one of you. I wanted to know you were real... [The soft voice trails off,] You are real?
no subject
...I see.
[His voice is gentle. That's fine.]
I'm real, yes. I'm a flesh and blood human - Ushiromiya Battler - drawn to this area, by you, Mystery-san.
[He almost seems to immediately dislike that nickname, though.]
Ihihihi. If you don't have a name, I might give you a nickname. If you reached me...we have a bond.
Just one we should be very, very careful with.
[He notices their form becoming darker, after all.]
no subject
Thinking aloud;]
Battler... san? Is that how you humans speak? [Honorifics are foreign to them. Then again, a lot of things are.]
I know that I am not human. That person says so. I reach and reach, but I cannot touch.
Because only 'humans' can touch time and space.
What I am can only observe it. That is... what they said...
[And yet, here they are. With proof that they touched Battler. It makes no sense.]
no subject
Some of us do. That's a little human quirk, though.
[This is...a sweet person, he thinks. He recalls a name...]
Ariel-san. Do you mind if I call you that? It sounds more friendly than 'Mystery'.
[A name of an angel of non-specific gender, an angel Maria has mentioned before. Yes, that's what they appear to be. An angel. The being - who he has dubbed Ariel - asserts they're not human. They're someone who watches, because 'that person' says so. He figures pressing on who 'that person' might be is a moot point. He'll find out eventually.]
...It seems as though you've changed things. Because I'm right here, speaking to you. [He shrugs lightly.] I've met a few - I suppose you could call them 'other beings' before. They called themselves 'not human'. But they had a name. They could speak to me. They were, to their surprise...becoming human.
Because their love allowed them to do so.
You might be changing, too. If you wish it. I can imagine it might be lonely out here all the time.
no subject
[A name. Battler may be one of the few who can imagine what a treasure that is. After all, this person cannot have physical gifts. A name is as good as a gifted box of chocolate to this one.
That talk of changing, too, is a valuable gift to this one nicknamed 'Ariel.' They repeat Battler's words, cementing this valuable conversation in their memory.]
Change. I could do that. I've already... changed one thing that is forbidden.
[Silence. Then, a soft laugh.] 'Time' is not here. 'Space' cannot be here either. No, those I know I cannot change. However.
[Battler's experience in this strange area will come to a quick close now. As 'Ariel' runs towards him, racing their own vanishing light, and reaches out for his wrists. Their form turns to darkness quickly, yet they are painfully hot to touch when the light is gone.]
This, I can-- [There's a loud sound like a roaring train, which drowns out their voice. Then they are gone and Battler is, again, the only source of light in the darkness.
Well. Battler, and the experiences that reflect in the ripples beneath his feet. When he wakes up, the red marks of 'Ariel's' hands will take a few hours to fully fade away.]
1/2
They remark - they've changed one thing that is forbidden. One thing, which may be the most outstanding thing of all if it's enabled this conversation.
They laugh to themselves. Time is not here. Space is not here. It truly does feel like he's unlocked another layer.
However. That word catches his attention. However. Battler's attention is drawn, and Ariel comes bolting towards him.]
Wait, wait--! You're fadi--
[His wrists are grabbed. There's a loud sound that drowns out his voice, and he looks at the spot where Ariel once stood, his mouth gaping. He looks down to his wrists. There's an imprint there. It's proof, proof Ariel was here.
They're not anymore, though. They're gone to the darkness, and he's the only one left. He's staring down at his feet.]
2/2
Oi, OI! ARE YOU LISTENING?! YOU, THIS 'OTHER PERSON'...IF YOU KEEP A BIRD CONFINED FOR TOO LONG, SOMEONE IS BOUND TO OPEN THAT CAGE!
COME OUT HERE! FACE ME! WHY ARE YOU KEEPING ARIEL-SAN BOUND HERE?! WHAT IS THIS?!
ANSWER ME!!!
[He'd scream all day, if he were allowed to. But he isn't. He's being taken away. Battler doesn't get a showdown with whatever--whoever--caused that noise. He gets the marks on his hands, proof Ariel existed, and even then those will fade.
But what he does get is resolve.
If this is the new game he's playing, so be it.
Ushiromiya Battler never intends to lose.]