【MAY plot arrivals】

[berriah]

May Mingle

SHRINES LORE DROP LOCATIONS NPC CONTACT FAQ CLAIMS LIST

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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.

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Out of Character Notes

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.

(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.

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Out of Character Notes

Player characters may use this prompt to interact with each other.

This prompt will invite an NPC interaction.

(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.

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Out of Character Notes

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.

(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.

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Out of Character Notes

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.

(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.

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Out of Character Notes

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.

(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.

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Out of Character Notes

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.

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.

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Comments

[nightwild]

[Fauna shakes her head, as if to clear it. What just happened? Who was that girl?

What the hell is Chron doing here?]

I have... no idea. This place is even weirder than normal.

[omichron]

Tell me about it. This shrine has basically been an empty husk since it got here and now this?

[Chron points the toes of one foot towards some of the black, glittery goop that is gathered around the shrine.]

Did you actually get to the door or did it throw you back too?

[nightwild]

No, it threw me into...

[She pauses. How do you even describe that place?]

I don't know. Someplace weird. Dark, watery, I think? But also... not that.

Didn't get any further than the door, though. I touched it, and bam.

[omichron]

The fact you even saw the door is impressive. Most of us can't even get one foot on the stairs.

[Chron shudders involuntarily at the thought.]

Did you not hear all of that noise? And it's like having a flashlight shone right in your eyes. And you can't even move, right?

[She asks questions, because Chron is beginning to suspect that her experience differs from Fauna.]

[nightwild]

[Fauna goes still, having to think about all this information. That... doesn't match up. Well, part of it does, but...

... Think. Think, Fauna. What's this mean?

She reaches out to grab Chron by the wrist.]

We need to go somewhere private. This place is too open to have this talk.

[If enemies are listening...

No. If whoever did that to the shrine is listening, then giving them more information could be a terrible mistake.]

[omichron]

[Fauna's reaction confirms a suspicion: They had different experiences. Something about the shrine reacts differently to the Fallen Stars and lets them get up to the top, while the natives get stuck near the bottom.

She nods.]

Mom's shrine is a long walk away... But the library has private rooms for studying. We should be okay if we go there.

[nightwild]

[She nods, releasing her wrist.]

Lead the way.

[Fauna's never been to the library....]

[omichron]

Right.

[She moves as if to start leading the way, but stops herself abruptly. Fauna is trusting her enough to discuss their findings privately... so maybe it's safe to open up a little bit. At least in a way that won't endanger her family.]

But real quick. This is gonna sound weird, but did you see any boys while you were up there? I kinda thought I'd see my brother here...

[nightwild]

[She shakes her head.]

Not that I noticed. I wasn't paying the most attention, though.

[omichron]

That's fine. If you didn't see him then he must not even be here.

[She sighs, then starts off again. This time actually leading Fauna down a pathway, to another part of the city. At least it's on the same level.]

I think I told you that my dad is a Kami here, right? Well, a sort-of Kami. A lot of my family got stuck in that role. I expected one of them to be able to ascend those stairs, but none of us could even get like five steps up.

[nightwild]

[Fauna shakes her head.]

Don't say any more than that. Not yet.

... It's possible I'm just being paranoid, but...

[omichron]

[Chron hushes her tone, frowning at the implication.]

... wouldn't be the first time, actually. Right, let's hurry up.

[nightwild]

[She nods, and hurries them along until they get into the library.

... And then, she looks around. Looking around, she grabs a particularly hefty rock, and scans the library for the nearest window...]

[omichron]

[The library is also the Shrine of Curiosity, but it isn't horribly busy at that time. Likely because people are meeting at the Shrine of Love to discuss the weird goo that came out of the other shrine.

Still, Chron notices Fauna pick up a rock and yelps;]

Uhhh whatcha need that for, Fauna?

[nightwild]

Huh? Isn't it obvious? How else are we going to get inside?

[fauna people are ALLOWED INSIDE THE LIBRARY]

[omichron]

Through the front door, Fauna! Gosh, I know the library is sacred-ish or whatever, but you're allowed in!

[Chron hurries to the door and opens it a few times to demonstrate. If her dad found out that one of her friends smashed a window for entry---

... He'd laugh.

But Chron would still be embarrassed!]

[nightwild]

... Huh. Really?

[She tosses the rock aside.]

Don't have to sneak in through a window or anything? Don't kick you out for not buying anything?

[omichron]

No? You don't buy things at a library... It's supposed to be free.

[Chron opens and closes the door again.

Then opens it.

The library assistants can't do anything, because she is the boss's daughter. Oof.]

Come on in.

[nightwild]

Weird.

[Fauna peeks through the door, before sticking one foot in like she's expecting someone to come and bite her, before stepping through entirely.]

... Really, really weird.

[omichron]

You think..?

[Chron follows after her, closing the door behind her. They enter into a reception area, where a literal cat is laying on the desk and keeping watch. The black cat lifts its head to inspect their arrival, then lies down again when seeing who has arrived.

Ignoring the cat entirely, Chron points down a hallway;]

This way. The section over here has a lot of secret rooms that even the staff forget about. We should have no problem with privacy.

[For good reason. While the reception looks normal enough, the section of the library they're going to is hardly typical.]

[nightwild]

[Fauna just follows, looking around. She's never been inside a library before, not really, so she can't tell how unusual this is, though at least she's a LITTLE sure is isn't right.

She does pause on the cats, looking at them, before moving on. She then has to double-check the room, making absolutely sure they won't be overheard...]

Right. So. You can't even climb the stairs? What happens when you try?

[omichron]

Right, that...

It was like we got frozen. We started moving more slowly and it felt like trying to push through a wall of some sort. Mom got maybe 5 or 6 stairs up before the shrine threw her back.

[nightwild]

[Fauna has to think about that.]

I heard noise when I climbed. Like static, or voices, I couldn't really hear... more like, I wasn't paying attention. It was so loud I thought my head might burst by the time I made it to the top.

[But she didn't stop. Nothing can stop Fauna once she's going.]

But nothing pushed me back. Not until I got to the top, and touched the door.

[omichron]

I didn't hear voices, but I heard the static and saw a lot of light. But only you got to the top...

[She crosses her arms over her chest, sighing.]

And, well. I'm sure you and I can think of at least one big difference between us.

[nightwild]

[She thinks a while longer.

Fauna is a straightforward person. She's not good at thinking in the abstract, in the strange ways that this weird situation requires. The fastest path from problem to solution is a straight line.]

...

You up for taking a weird risk?