ringleaders: (Default)
Lost Carnival Mods ([personal profile] ringleaders) wrote in [community profile] lostcarnival2018-07-08 06:50 pm

⇨ EDEN

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 79 - Day 85
Where: Eden
What: Everyone arrives in Eden with their new animals forms - unfortunately, the welcoming party is a bit more intense than expected, with a ritual called 'The Anointment.' Better get this place figured out before anything gets any crazier.
Warnings: Hopefully no ritual sacrifice!

FLAME OF INSPIRATION

So it begins. After everyone has been given their new animal form and have had about an hour to readjust to it, the Ringmaster begins the infiltration. You don't see a lot of the specifics of the magic - all you know is that Pru's sword, the Hand of God, is somehow involved. It alone can tear through the wardings of Eden's realm, and once that entrance is made, the teleportation is instant. Everyone will find themselves in an open grassland overlooking a dense forest, with buildings and lights poking up out of the leaves. Behind you, there is a darker place - the barrens, the Ringmaster has explained. It's were the Outcasts are sent after they're banished.

You are scattered across the area as if you've been dropped in with nothing. You've been given specific instructions - act as if you have no memory besides the vague life of being an animal. None of you know each other. You don't know how you got here, you've just been suddenly found yourself enlightened. Hopefully feigning ignorance will be what the residents are expecting, as what information the Ringmaster could find suggests it should be.

Before the beasts of Eden come to claim you, you'll see the Ringmaster once last time, in the form of a giant serpent. With a nod of her head, she slithers away towards the barrens - she'll be in touch.


► THE WELCOMING: It's not long until you're discovered. The first to find you is a pigeon, who seems rather surprised. She'll ask the first few new arrivals she sees a couple questions - 'did you just get here?' 'did you meet the great Lilith?' Regardless of your answers, she'll hurriedly say she's going to go get help, and will fly away back into the forest. A short while later, an entire welcoming party of different animals will have come to greet you, sweeping out to find every straggler and explaining that you are the newest of the chosen. After they are sure that nobody is being left behind, they will invite you into Eden.

► THE GARDEN: Eden is a beautiful place. Every street, every structure, is surrounded by flowers and vibrant plant life - every bit as idyllic as its mythos would imply. The architecture is ambitious and creative, as if the residents have been perfecting the art for thousands of years, which they almost certainly have. There is the sweet smell of perfumes and incense on the other animals are you are led into the city. This is your home now, the locals will explain. You have been chosen by the Creator to serve Her cause. You will become one of the Honorable, one of Her artisans working towards the Divine Clarity. But first, of course, you must be sanctified.

► THE ANOINTMENT: On that first night, everyone is brought to a vast cathedral, covered in unknowable writings in a shining script. You are brought in through several gorgeous hallways lit with shining crystals and blue flame torches, only to emerge in a great hall built around a circular, sparkling pool of water. There are several braziers around its circumference blazing with fire, with sets of tools hanging out of them, like iron pokers. All of the new arrivals are gathered into the grand hall, and scriptures are read in the background that you can't really make out the specifics of.

You will all be made to stand around the outside of the pool, and the local animals will gently explain to you what needs to be done. To become a new Honorable, you must be Anointed with the Flame of Inspiration - that is, they are going to brand you with the metal pokers they have heating up. If you go along with it, they will burn the mark into a highly visible part of your person (they have smaller brands for smaller animals), and then cool it off in the pool of water, where you are encouraged to bask until you are comfortable again.

There are obviously a couple concerns with this. The biggest one is that it's sketchy as hell. The second one is that the brand is definitely made of medium grade iron. While the painful difference it makes won't be super obvious from the outside, long-term veterans and those with superlative fae qualities will find it very uncomfortable, and it will blister for a fair while afterward, which is seen as unusual. If your character refuses, or tries to get around it somehow, please explain in reply to the post down below.

► THE DAYS AFTER: After everyone is branded (or isn't, as the case may be), you'll be given the opportunity to dry off and head back into town. All of the fancy structures here are communal, they will explain, and you can choose wherever you'd like to sleep. There are a few buildings that are mostly empty that newbies seem welcome to hole up in, though the locals assure everyone they will be nearby in case they need help.

In the days that follow, everyone will be welcome to explore Eden and find their bearings, and begin to discover what gifts the Anointment has bestowed on them. Whether or not you were good at a creative pursuit before, you will find yourself filled with inspiration for something - any artistic talent will do. It's like a creative talent will have been born in you overnight, or like an existing talent of yours has been boosted to near perfection. This effect will last as long as the characters are in Eden unless you are told otherwise.

You won't feel the need to eat, but there is breakfast available, if you'd like it. The locals are very courteous, though they seem a bit confused. Something about your entry seems to strike them as different than usual.
periphrasing: (Funny story about that!)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2018-07-23 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Um. So..." Peridot chews her lip and glances away, because she says next is going to upset him a lot. "Apparently... Lilith has been bringing people here for the Twelve to study. 'Peoples' the Furies called them, specifically? And I'm pretty sure they didn't volunteer for the job."
starseedling: (human beings)

[personal profile] starseedling 2018-07-24 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
Steven stares at her for a few long moments, the idea of that gradually sinking in. His reaction isn't violent, but instead kept to a more subtle yet still obvious flinch. It's starting to feel like an exhausting inevitability.

"Oh..." he says, stiffly. "Okay. I guess... we have to deal with that, too."
periphrasing: (The light inside me is dying!)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2018-07-24 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Well the GOOD news," she says, forcing herself to look more chipper, "is that it's likely those people are being held where the mirror is! Sooooo. If we can get in there, we can probably help them!"

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE?
soft_focus: (.w.)

[personal profile] soft_focus 2018-07-24 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
The spot they reach is....largely empty. There's a very small pile covered with a sheet that someone's penned a note reading 'Phanu's things' on, but that's about it. Otherwise however, it looks to be good for sunlight at particular moments of the day, which is exactly what Reira was after.

She soon lands, nods, and turns. "Ok! Here is where I need the things."
soft_focus: (o0o)

[personal profile] soft_focus 2018-07-24 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Flex...flex...

She pauses, swiveling her head to look back to the cat. "Umn-! I will! I think it'll be okay though," she insists, slowly preparing to take off. "...This feels right...."

So she says- and as she trails off she lets go, flapping both wings madly and careening off on a rather awkward flight path. It's...Something, at least, and she certainly makes it to a safe landing on the ground some distance away. "Hah-!"
bananaspeedrider: (sure whatevs)

[personal profile] bananaspeedrider 2018-07-24 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
"To glide? ... Never heard of a snake that could do that." Yugo even looks a bit skeptical of the idea, raising a brow ridge.

"How does that work with all the bones... and stuff?"
fortuneglass: credit - haptisms @ lj (:))

[personal profile] fortuneglass 2018-07-24 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh it's easy..~ Like this," she demonstrates casually, promptly flattening everything behind her head.

"...Tadaaaah~"
pipers_son: (insovereign) (His cell phone just went off with)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-07-24 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
Amazing how he can be clever when he stops fucking around, really. At least he can't grin obnoxiously at the concession, instead left to tug a feather out. It's one of the smaller ones, which means it's still pretty big, just not enormous. "Well, I guess there's only one way ta find out!" Feather in beak, he comes over to start inspecting the wall.

"If ya would like, I can chat with people, get some cloth, help ya out." He cocks his head to the side, eye on Childermass. "Could be fun!" And could be an easy excuse for them to have constant communication with one another.
pipers_son: (Don't get me wrong)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-07-24 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
It's a good thing Joker has experimented with plucking some of his own out as well, or else this would probably be a lot more surprising than it is. Still, for all that he's used to it, and sort of expecting it, that doesn't necessarily stop the way he jolts a little bit.

"Whoa- ya just went right for it, didn't ya!"
starseedling: (i'm never wearing pants again)

[personal profile] starseedling 2018-07-24 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
HE'S DEFINITELY TRYING.

He clenches his fists at his sides and nods, trying to accept that as an answer. It never feels like they have enough time to help with the nightmares they come across.

"Yeah. I just... wish we had more time, to make things better here."
periphrasing: (I lied I'm dying inside)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2018-07-24 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
"I mean... We might not need a lot of time. To fix things. ...This time," Peridot tries to reassure him while picking her words carefully, swishing her tail anxiously. "From the sound of things they're using the Mirror for the examinations, so if we take that, it should cripple their operation pretty seriously."
bananaspeedrider: (Oh..?)

[personal profile] bananaspeedrider 2018-07-24 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
Oh that's definitely weird and yet interesting to see. Yugo presses his cold nose to her flattened body right at the belly scales, then dares to nudge his snout up as if to get a feel for Carly's weight as a snake.
prazerbutterfly: (yeah...)

[personal profile] prazerbutterfly 2018-07-24 11:07 am (UTC)(link)
"At least you seem persistent," he remarks, mostly hinting at him trying to do a good job. He's already pegged Strange as Ignatius' personal babysitter. That poor skink, sort of. Mostly, Strange just seems stressed earlier. He hadn't paid attention after the branding.

His words also convey a sense of understanding. In truth, he knows that all Strange wants to do is help but he can't. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. You have other things to consider." Like keeping a lower profile perhaps or not harassing geese.
prazerbutterfly: (yeah...)

[personal profile] prazerbutterfly 2018-07-24 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
He looks around when they arrive and he'll pad over towards her pile of things to set down what he has in his mouth. He noses it open, letting the contents spill into the pile and then pulls the cover back around his neck. He'll need a moment to phase it together at the end like an odd scarf or other neck attire.

"A quaint little spot," is all he'll give for now.
textsfromhotland: (:T)

[personal profile] textsfromhotland 2018-07-24 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"But this is all wrong!" Alphys whines. "Mew Mew's dress is supposed to be pink, not... uh... cerulean?"

To say nothing of the neon orange of her attacks. Everything is ruined!
textsfromhotland: (eyyyyyy)

[personal profile] textsfromhotland 2018-07-24 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've got tons!" Alphys scoops up pages upon pages. "I went through a lot of rough drafts, you see and- wait, how does your talent work again?"
starseedling: (academia is killing my friends)

[personal profile] starseedling 2018-07-24 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Steven stares at his bleeding arm, nodding a little. Then he abruptly changes the subject.

"Did you actually get in a fight with Mr Strange?" he asks.
periphrasing: (meltdown)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2018-07-24 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
To say Peridot is caught off guard by that question would be an understatement. She closes her mouth, lips pressing into a thin line as she gawks at him for a long moment.

Then she flops down onto the ground and sits with her legs crossed, looking defeated.

"Yeah," she groans miserably. There's other more important things to be talking about, specifically regarding this mission? But Peridot has absolutely no qualms about taking a break so she can dump her emotions on Steven.
starseedling: (i'm not dumb i just like nice things)

[personal profile] starseedling 2018-07-24 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
It could be that Steven doesn't really want to think about the animals or the Mirror anymore. So, in a signature move, he's focusing on someone else.

"What happened?" he asks, sitting down as well.
periphrasing: (I'm sad and I don't wanna explain)

[personal profile] periphrasing 2018-07-24 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Peridot makes an unpleasant face, almost like she's going to vomit or something, and flops onto her side.

"It's complicated," she whines. "It was just before we left on this mission. I tried to get him to come with us because, OBVIOUSLY, he's been hanging around with Ignatius, who's already gotten in trouble with the Twelve. I figured if we found the rebels, it would be safer for them to stay here than it would be in the forest."
kingsroads: (what a creepyass house)

[personal profile] kingsroads 2018-07-24 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do," Strange responds, with a little sigh. This...this was going to be tough. He isn't the sort to keep a low profile or be responsible in the first place. But the Ringmaster gave him this, he's got to do it, and he's got to keep Ignatius safe.

Strange hops back from Tyki a little, fluttering his wings as he turns to look at the wolf.

"And now that we've brought it up, I probably should go check on one of those things to consider himself. I'll see you around?"
prazerbutterfly: (Default)

[personal profile] prazerbutterfly 2018-07-24 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"Everything ends with time," he responds with his usual grace and charm. It's just lost on him given he's speaking a little more seriously than usual. Tyki adored Strange and he trusted and respected him to do certain things. It was just the odd stuff out that made him doubt.

He snorts, like his old self, and takes a step forward when Strange hops back. "It's not as if I'm going anywhere. I'll be around."
pipers_son: (leyline) (You talked to that cop for like)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2018-07-24 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Listen, it's more fun to have an excuse for this kind of thing. Just like it's more fun to twirl around, enormous tail bumping into walls and anything else that gets in its way, so that he can start to hop away. There's a sort of fun to just hopping around like this, he has to admit....

"Pesagni, my deer!"

...A beat, and he starts to cackle like the absolute jackass that he is.
atouts: (013; l'arcane sans nom)

[personal profile] atouts 2018-07-24 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Pravu," Childermass duly supplies the name he's been given, still craning his head around to look down at this 'Rachi' if only because he sure does have a lot of neck to crane right now. Inevitably he will turn to shove his bright blue claws back up in Shima's face.

"And I'll only consider it a collaboration if you fix these first. Black isn't a hard color to get right, Rachi."
starseedling: (the creepiest pasta is lasagna)

[personal profile] starseedling 2018-07-25 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
"And... he didn't like that?"

He sounds uncertain. From the story so far, he can't imagine how a big conflict could come out of it.