ringleaders: (Default)
Lost Carnival Mods ([personal profile] ringleaders) wrote in [community profile] lostcarnival2019-01-16 02:56 pm

⇨ THE WYLDLANDS

Who: Everyone pursuing the Huntsman.
When: Day 134 - Day 140
Where: The Wyldlands
What: Working as scouts from the Summer armies, the carnival makes a dangerous trek into the Wyldlands to find the Huntsman, defeat him, and save the Ringmaster from the Hunt. The day descriptions below are an outline, and details may change based on actions earlier in the week. Overall, though, it will keep the same general locations. You can make up encounters with Wylderkin at any time.
Warnings: Probably violence and gross Huntsman stuff.

HUNTING THE HUNTER

Upon first arriving in the Wyldlands, the carnival will find themselves in a scene much like the picture above - strange mountain ranges rise up around them, while thick forest cling to the land between. Every so often, giant silhouettes of Wyld Fae will fly overhead. Thankfully, the Summer Fae have picked an area with plenty of cover to hide in to begin their infiltration, and as the carnival is arriving via teleporation, there will be squadrons of Summerland and Summer Court Fae spreading out and concealing themselves within the trees. They will be following the carnival's trail as they move deeper into the Wyldlands, looking for their guidance to avoid the maw of the Hunt.

The carnival Supervisors will be given several golden scrolls that unfurl into small light elementals. These will transmit information between the Summer armies and the carnival at speeds similar to sending a text message. They takes various forms, but most of them are abstract motes of light with wings and tails. When delivering messages, they take the form and voice of whoever gave the message, like a custom hologram that disappears immediately after finishing.

After the carnival has been debriefed one more time, they will be sent off ahead to begin their scouting duties. Through a mixture of augury and expertise, the Summer Fae have narrowed down an area the Huntsman should be, as well as designated a general route that will mostly have ground cover. Who knows if it will stay that way, though, with how quickly the Wyldlands change. Much like in the Summer Court, time here is subjective - all sense of time varies between individuals, and the only solid way of knowing when a day is over is to have the light from the sky disappear. All time pieces will perform erratically while here.

The carnival will still need to eat and rest, as well, which means that they will have to figure out the best times to set up camp. They have sufficient rations, at least.


► DAY 134: The carnival heads deeper into the forest on the first day of their scouting mission, told to head for a giant tree that they can see on the horizon. Apparently, this tree is a landmark that will remain consistent for the time being. Someone will have to check above the canopy every so often to keep everyone on target, which risks gaining the attention of flying Wyld Fae. There are plenty of Wylderkin around (lesser Wyld Fae that behave more like standard fantasy animals) but overall the journey through this section will not be hugely perilous, as long as they remain cautious and hidden. There will be a Megathread on this day, dealing with some optional and only mildly important Summer Court NPC interactions.

► DAY 135: Early during the next day of travelling, the forest will begin to fill with more and more magical fungi until giant shrooms have almost completely replaced the trees. At first they will seem innocuous, but as their presence becomes more inescapable, it will gradually become apparent than many of the mushrooms are poisonous to the touch - and eating them will be far worse! Those with empathetic connections to plants may be able to determine which are poisonous and which aren't, while some fungi may even have beneficial effects, if they get lucky enough to find and identify them. Generally speaking, though, there are few non-plant creatures around here, due to the fact that everything is toxic, including the swampy water that covers large sections of the ground. There will be no mod directed interactions during this period, besides handling general investigations.

► DAY 136: During the middle of this day, the carnival will finally reach the giant tree. On one hand, the plant-life has become relatively safe again. On the other, the giant tree is the lair of several neutral Wyld Fae who probably won't like the carnival's presence. On the other other hand, maybe those Wyld Fae might be willing to help or offer them directions? It's up to the group to decide if they want to attempt diplomacy, or to stealth past the tree and find their own way. There will be a Megathread on this day, based on however the team decides to handle it.

► DAY 137: Past the area surrounding the big tree, the lush foliage of the forest will begin degrading until nothing is left but dark naked trunks filled with glowing pods of various sizes. It's here that those with a connection to the Hunt will start to get a sense of the Huntsman's presence, and will be drawn in a vague direction. Unfortunately, this will also be their first major brush with the Hunt itself. Hunt patrols skirmish with neutral Wyld Fae in this forest, and the collateral damage of their warfare can be seen all over. The carnival will want to either map out a path through the trees that the fighting can be avoided for the sake of the Summer troops, or give them enough data to be able to handle the threat. How this portion goes will partly depend on the outcome of the previous day's Megathread.

► DAY 138: The forest will open up into the beginnings of a mountain range, with flowing water, luminescent plant life, and the occasional cluster of crystals sprouting from the earth. There are large parties of Hunt controlled Wyld Fae patrolling this area, and so making it through will require careful navigation. As the path becomes more and more mountainous, it will be possible to find routes that mostly avoid the patrols - this information will need to be communicated back to the Summer troops. There will be a Megathread here dealing with a Hunt patrol encounter.

► DAY 139: The mountains will continue to steepen, and the crystal formations will grow more huge and consistent. The air is always cloudy, and the air condition is bad, making it harder to breathe. Weather will become more and more unfavorable the higher into the mountains the carnival gets, with cold winds and lightning that frequently strikes the crystals and causes them to send out bursts of destructive energy. Paths will occasionally crumble. There is still a heavy Hunt presence, here, though they keep to safer trails - the best way to avoid them may indeed be taking the most dangerous routes. It's probably better than being mauled to death by beasts, though. Some distant mountain tops look like the might be volcanoes. There is almost no plant-life here, besides the most stubborn of brambles. By this point, the pull of the Huntsman has grown much stronger.

► DAY 140: The sky clears enough to show a deep red skyline. Barren cliffs are punctuated with rivers of lava, and paradoxically vibrant trees and foliage in erratic spurts. The those in the carnival with a connection to the Hunt will find themselves drawn to a valley in the center of the rocks, absolutely filled with Wyld Fae and other slaves gathered from around the multiverse. This will be the final encounter, and the carnival may have to trust in their Wyld Fae disguises to make it through. There will be multiple Megathreads here, detailing the encounter with the Huntsman and bringing this log to an end.
betheman: (o3o)

GONGENZAKA | OTA

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-06 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
betheman: (FOREVER)

135/136

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-06 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
[The Journey's Start | EVENING 135 | OTA]

[It isn't much armor that he was wearing- just enough for protection, accented by such things as his belt, and his crown of flames. But it is enough that when the time comes to set up camp for the evening, Gongenzaka can be seen gently taking pieces off and setting them into a neat pile at the side. The journey has gone well so far- but it has also only been the first day. Unable to help himself, Gongenzaka finds himself staring off about the 'campsite'. Looking to the others of the group, to their surroundings...to the few wylderkin that are sitting near in trees.

Eventually, his somewhat vacant musings carry his attention to someone near.
] ...We managed to come a fair distance, it should seem, [He manages, eyes drifting elsewhere again.]

...Do you know what everyone intends to do for food, before we turn in for the evening?

[In Anticipation | The Wyld Fae Tree, Evening 136 | OTA]

[The inside of the tree feels safe, despite the rocky interactions. For all that they could have easily been prey, the Wyld Fae have stated they will ally with them for the time being- and with that in mind, the tree seems a much safer option for rest. Gongenzaka sets up for the evening much as he did before, even while aware that he will likely be spending it with Steven and others in a 'dream'. For now at least, he can rest.

So, it is while he meditates- his daemon at his side- that he thinks.

That Marishi speaks.
] Things appear to be going quite well, [She remarks calmly.] ...A good sign for what's to come, wouldn't you say?
hippocarnival: (✮ 069 ✮)

135

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2019-02-06 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
I think we brought enough. [Yuya sits beside Gongenzaka, holding out some dried fruit in offering. That means he should fuel his energy, too.] It sounds like the mushrooms aren't safe to touch, anyway. So we should stick to what we packed.
betheman: (HRMMMN =3=)

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-08 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
AAauh, or at the very least, enough have been poisonous that it is not worth the risk... [He'll take that fruit though.]

I, the man Gongenzaka, hope that these rations last through the time we appear to be here... [That whole nebulous time thing makes it worrying otherwise.]
hippocarnival: (✮ 001 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2019-02-08 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Ignatius knew what was safe to eat in the Wyldlands, before we left Polaris. If worse comes to worst, I think we'll be fine.

[They're not alone and totally ignorant out here, hut they did also bring plenty of rations. Having pocket dimensions helps with that.]

It's been pretty quiet so far.
betheman: (-3- hrmnnnnnn)

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-08 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Aauh, that is true- provided we do not wander through more regions like this, of course, [He observes, looking about at the mushrooms.

Well.
]

...Aah. It has. It is something of a relief, if I, the man Gongenzaka, am honest. The more calm, the better for now.
hippocarnival: (✮ 167 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2019-02-08 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[It won't stay calm, and Yuya'a not sure if anticipating is better. But this way, at least, they aren't being caught off guard.

He leans sideways against Gongenzaka.]
Are you ready?
betheman: (g od he actually did it)

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-10 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[There is a slow exhale of breath, but Gongenzaka nods.] Auh. ...Certainly, as ready as I, the man Gongenzaka can ever be I expect!

...Are you? [He finds himself asking, turning to the other.]
hippocarnival: (✮ 086 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2019-02-11 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
Ready as I can be. [Yuya repeats the words back to him, reaching for Gongenzaka's hand to lace their fingers together.] But I'm going to trust them, and us, and we're not going to give up or go down easy.
betheman: (:0)

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-12 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Hm! [He grips Yuuya's hand as well, fingers moving between the other's before they close over.] Of course!

...After this...it should be 'over', yes?
hippocarnival: (✮ 093 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2019-02-12 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope so. I hope we can get the Ringmaster pardoned, or... just not have to run away from one Court or the other all the time.

[That's really been the cause of their increasing troubles, and if they save her only to be left to the Winter Court again, or have Summer decide she has crimes to answer for that they'll be dragged into, well.

Yuya's grip tightens briefly.]
But we can't give up even if it's not over.
betheman: (something seems Not Right)

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-13 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
Aauuh. In addition to our current goal, it would be an immense relief if she could at last be free to travel as she wished. ...At the very least...I, the man Gongenzaka, suspect they will not have time to focus on that, while the matter of the Winter Court stands however...
hippocarnival: (✮ 052 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2019-02-13 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
[But that says nothing for whether the Winter Queen will keep pursuing them. But Yuya decides not to point that out.]

I'd really like to finish our contracts with a lot less pain...
betheman: (When You Have Sum Regret)

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-14 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
...

[Considering he didn't mention anything about pain, the comment is worrying.]

...That is the goal for all of us, is it not? ...To bring things back to how they were, before this began.

[He did have a few months of 'normal carnival', after all.]

...You would have preferred things then. ...I, the man Gongenzaka...can at least confirm that.
hippocarnival: (✮ 001 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2019-02-14 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Getting chased by the courts hasn't amounted to much else.]

I liked performing. Maybe if dueling doesn't work out I'll join the circus.

[As if dueling wouldn't work out, and Yuya isn't basically a one-man circus with it anyway.]
betheman: (WINKY FACE-)

[personal profile] betheman 2019-02-16 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Kffhh..! I, the man Gongenzaka, suspect that even if that would somehow be the case, a circus at home would not be quite as interesting as the Ringmaster's own.

Perhaps stick to dueling, in the end, aaah? [He chuckles.]