⇨ HOME AGAIN

[ringleaders]

Who: Anyone!
When: Day 68 - Day 72
Where: Carnival grounds.
What: Everyone makes it back to the carnival after their adventure in hell. The Ringmaster makes a new lake to celebrate, apparently.
Warnings: A notable absence of torture.

TO HELL AND BACK↴ The rescuers and the liberated captives will emerge from the portal like bats out of hell. Much like their previous return, this arrival will be met with a flurry of medical activity as everyone gets their injuries seen to, particularly those that had been held prisoner within Morningstar's hell fortress. It will still be night when they arrive, and the rest of Day 68 will be clouded over completely, for the benefit of the new vampires as they get settled in. After the immediate panic is dealt with, the Ringmaster will disappear into the forest until the morning of Day 69. It will be raining off and on during her absence. ► RECOVERY: Unlike the last time, the Ringmaster will be supplying the carnival workers with some healing potions from her private hoard, given that most of the healers are already wounded or spent. Damage caused by iron poisoning will not be cured by healing magic or healing items though, unfortunately, and those who have spent a lot of time in contact with iron will take at least a week to fully recover. However, regular healing remedies like bandages and herbs may help speed things along if the patient is suited to them. ► A BRAND NEW LAKE: On the morning of Day 69, the Ringmaster will return the forest to announce that she's built a new lake into the carnival grounds, only a short trail's distance from the backyard. Unlike most of the forest, this area won't just lead you in circles when explored, meaning that it can actually be modified and developed as the workers see fit. The water is always clean and just the right temperature for swimming, though it gets a bit cooler the deeper you swim. At the far side of the lake, there is a warm, stone pathway leading up the side of the mountain, that will eventually take you to some bangin' hot springs. Brought to you mostly because the Ringmaster doesn't know how to say sorry with actual words. At least it gives you something to play with while you try to shake off the trauma. ► FRUITS OF VICTORY: On Day 70, all the workers who came to hell for the rescue mission will be given a gift from the Ringmaster. Each of them will receive a bright green, glowing seed, about the size of your thumbnail. She will tell you that, when planted, the seeds will swiftly grow into a small citrus tree, which will grow fruits with regenerative properties. More details about these plants will be written up in a separate post, but for now your characters can ogle them and decide if they are going to plant them or not. ► TAKE ME TO CHURCH: Staring on Day 71, the Ringmaster will be starting to work on removing the vampirism from those infected with it, which apparently involves a lot of... meditation? She will take the newbie vampires out into a shady area of the forest and encourage them to look inside themselves and attempt to separate themselves spiritually from their demonic beasts. How well you character masters her teachings over time will determine whether or not she is ultimately capable of stripping out your demon soul and returning you to life. Of course, not all demons are made equal, and some will be more difficult to separate than others...

Comments

[fourthscribe]

[Tanyuu startles a little bit, looking back curiously and smiling to see Rin. Her antennae twitch in interest, and she circles around to face him.]

No worries! [She frowns a little, taking note of his expression.] Are you alright? If you need to talk about anything, I'm happy to listen.

[flashover]

Huh? Oh uh... [Rin shakes his head and puts on a smile] I'm ok! Really. I'm just heading up to the hot spring. What about you?

[fourthscribe]

Oh, I'd love to join you, but I'm afraid I can't.

[She sighs a little and smiles self-consciously, her tail curling over itself.]

I was about half-way up there before I started to feel sluggish--the cold was getting to me. Of all the problems to have...

[flashover]

Huh? ... Oh! Like a real snake! [he didn't realize she was also cold blooded on top of just looking like a snake. That makes sense. He frowns thoughtfully, looking up the mountain path] Well... it'd totally suck if you didn't get to enjoy the hot spring.. [he snaps his fingers] I got an idea! I can keep you warm on the way up!

[fourthscribe]

Apparently. This is the first time I've been anywhere cold enough for it to matter, honestly. [Her antennae twitch in surprise when he offers, and Tanyuu blinks a few times before smiling.] Really? If you could, I would be quite grateful. How will you do that, though?

[flashover]

Like this! [Rin is suddenly completely aflame, covered from head to toe in an aura of blue fire. It's alarming! But... there's no smell of charred flesh, and not even his clothes seem to be catching fire] I can cloak you in fire without burning you. Ah... if you'll trust me to do it, that is. It can be sort of scary.