lostcarnival | ⇨ WISMUTH

Who: Everyone!
When: S2:D6-D11
Where: Wismuth and the Carnival Grounds
What: The carnival enjoys a few days in Wismuth, a coastal city on this planet's version of the American east. However, there are a few things very unique about this version of the planet...
Warnings: The usual, wholesome fun.

PILLAR OF CREATION↴

Upon arriving, things in Wismuth will seem pretty peaceful. It's a massive city, with no shortage of things going on, but things like violent crime and homelessness are at an all time low. You can wander the streets without much scrutiny, presumed to just be tourists, and most people here come across as helpful and friendly.

► VIBRANCY: The main thing that sets this planet apart is its vibrancy - AKA, the raw creative energy its filled with, flowing from its status as a Pillar of Creation. There is no literal pillar, but Wismuth and its planet is a place where Creation's energy comes through strongest. As a result, everything here feels somehow more real, more intense in a way that's hard to put a finger on. Life is abundant, and its bleeds through in every sensation.

► ATTRACTIONS: There are plenty of things to see while going around the city. First and foremost, there is a lovely beach area bordering the ocean, and a number of tourist aimed attractions built around it. There are giant malls, movie theaters, live stage performances, museums and all kinds of other points of cultural interest. Anything you can do in a big city you can do here, but better.

► ALLOWANCES: The Ringmaster will be giving everyone a reasonable amount of local currency for a few days on the town. You can't make any massive acquisitions with it, but it's more than enough to eat out, see some shows, go to the beach, and whatever you like. You can feel free to pick up some casual supplies, like mundane clothing and souvenirs. There will be more given out later, after the performance week.

► PERFORMANCE: Performance week is starting early this time, after only a couple days of exploration. When the carnival has already been on vacation for a month, the Ringmaster figures they may as well get right to it, and then do more touring afterwards. Members of the local populace will find themselves in the carnival once performances begin, dazzled by the other worldly sights. Magic doesn't seem to exist here, despite the fact that it will flow easier for people bringing it from other worlds.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So it's not the first time. Well, obviously it isn't, because the Ringmaster's magic technically changes them the same way. But those usually don't come out quite as painfully, and this is bothering Steven a lot more.

(He would probably feel the same to have pieces of himself suddenly turn to flesh.)

"I'm sorry." It's the best he can say, shifting sideways a bit in uncertainty for how to comfort him. It's a moment of silence, and then Syrlya starts to pull off his left glove. "The Rose changed me, too, for wielding it."

He rolls his sleeve up to reveal his arm. Unlike the pale, waxy leaves that make up most of his body, most of his left arm is now made of large rose leaves, darker and more reminiscent of the Blue Rose itself.

There's no taking back what's already happened, but he can at least let Steven know he's not necessarily alone. "You'll be all right."

Steven sits up, looking at Syrlya's changed arm more closely. He guesses it sticks out a little bit less because Syrlya was already a plant person, but... it's still weird to think about. How just interacting with something could change a person like this.

"Do the Rose parts of you feel any different?" he asks, cautiously. "I haven't tried any of my magic yet, but..." He fidgets, hesitating. "...I feel like it might be different."

With his body and gem changed, it's hard to imagine it won't be, somehow. Every time he feels like he's used to things, they change.

Syrlya hums, his gaze drifting down to his own arm as he considers how to explain it.

"It does. Not actively, but it is a part of my body I no longer have the same control over as before. Normally, I should be able to form my body in whatever way I choose, but... something in it prevents me from growing this any other way, and it feels foreign and... disconnected if I try."

He taps his arm for emphasis, looking unsettled. He did try to force his arm to shape back to normal. But at its core, it wasn't unlike the fangs that grew in after a couple weeks. The Rose was just stronger, faster, about it than whatever seems to leak from the Ringmaster or the Prince.

"I believe it is the same as the changes all fae magic cause, but more potent and... invasive. The effects are greater because of its power and how close to it you were... though, what aspect of your magic are you worried about?"

"Um..." he starts, sounding as if he's ashamed to admit it. "After... after I was a changeling in Portland, I got really good at growing plants. I can just... make them appear places, sometimes... the easiest ones are roses."

Maybe that's self-explanatory, he doesn't know. Is it possible that his magic could be corrupted by something like the Blue Rose?

"I could already make plants into animals and people, sort of, but everything got way more intense when fae stuff got involved."

Syrlya leans back a bit as he considers that. "The Blue Rose does have abilities of its own, but they are more... general, and a significant part of it is its ability to amplify existing magic. If you are already skilled in shaping, and can make plants..." Wait. Wait, wait, wait.

His attention snaps back to Steven, suddenly alarmed. "Excuse me, did you say you could create people and animals of plants?"

He doesn't mean to sound so disbelieving, that's just... well, to someone like Syrlya that's an absurdly powerful ability at his disposal. Just what is Steven?

Steven flushes, the gem freckles on his cheeks glowing pink and blue. Syrlya makes it sound like such a big deal. The fact that his mom could do it before him always seemed to make it less shocking.

"Y-Yeah..." he admits, like he's worried Syrlya will have a bad reaction. "I accidently... made a bunch of watermelons grow into little people shaped like me. They ended up wandering into the ocean, and then I found them on an island later, and they'd made this cute little village with crops and babies and everything."

It's a mix of fond and sort of bemused.

"Those... Little lemon birds in the forest here... I kind of made those, too."

Syrlya's shocked, really. The existence of plant life as complex as the Sylvari is unique, and originates from the magic of an elder dragon. To even have so much free will is the result of a very special circumstance. There are almost animalistic plants, from unknown centuries of evolution, but no one really understands them. Certain, no one can just create them.

"That's... well! That's very impressive, Steven. Not everyone can give a flower a brain," he says it with a wry smirk, resting his hand on his cheek with his eyebrows raised.

"Then I don't believe the Rose can change much. If anything, you may see a temporary increase in its potency... but it requires wielding the Rose to continue using its power. Otherwise, it eventually wanes."

Like that giant rock the Prince used.

⇨ WISMUTH

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