july mingle

[stellafortunamods]

July Mingle
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
It's time. For the sake of its future, Liyue must face unrest and a trial from the divine.

The Rite of Descension goes horribly awry, plunging the bustling harbour city into unrest and apprehension. You, Traveler, already know of the plan - but the people don't, and a good portion of them are unable to envision a world without their god. However, there are also those in Liyue who see this as an opportunity to show mortal strength. Give them your support, and the city will realize that they can move forward into the era of humanity.

While the Liyue Qixing scramble to investigate Rex Lapis' assassination, the funerary rites still have to be prepared. For this purpose Wangsheng Funeral Parlour is seeking the help of Travelers and locals alike - ritual implements, flowers, and peripherals all have to be gathered for the ceremony, and the Lord of Geo would expect only the best materials to be used. As for who's footing the bill... well, it's a good thing that you've got divine backing this time.

For those who mingle with the Fatui, they would find out that the Snezhayan 'diplomats' have begun to make a move on Guyun Stone Forest. The islands are a place where the remains of old gods have come to rest, and they are under the order of the Cryo Archon to unseal a demon god from where it had been pinned beneath the waves. As for how... it's a closely guarded secret, but travelers would be told that it is a blessing from the Tsaritsa that allows them to do so. There's no way for you to prevent it, only to prepare for battle when the inevitable comes. Such is the rules in a chess game that pits gods against each other, and against Celestia.

What will you do?

State of the World

The majority of activities for the first two weeks of July are set in Liyue and surrounding areas to gather rare historic materials for a god's funeral. Each of the special items needed for the Rite of Parting require hard work to be obtained. Characters will also be forewarned that they will need to face the Lord of the Vortex, Osial, very soon. Forneus' intention is for humanity to triumph against the god by joining forces with the Adepti and fighting together. As for what happens to Osial - should it be defeated, Forneus will ensure that it will never rise to menace Liyue again by erasing it from existence.

The success of this operation hinges on you all. Good luck.

Please direct all questions to July's OOC post!

Comments

npc interaction toplevel

[stellafortunamods]

[ Forneus can still be reached in his office next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlour. Zhongli is seen less often around Liyue, though. Wonder why. ]

Jun Kohinata | Geo | OTA

[whiteshroud]

I. Rite of Descension
[Jun watches the Rite of Descension. But not from the crowds, instead choosing to watch from a nearby rooftop in his shroud outfit - far enough away that it'd be hard for any normal human to make him out beyond a "white figure". He has a vague understanding of how this event will go, but he still wants to see it. As the Exuvia drops, he can't help let out a soft amused sound as he speaks out loud to himself, his voice distorted through a voice modulator. ]

It begins at last. Struggle against your chains, Liyue. Prove you can fly free.

[he lingers long enough to see if anyone catches sight on the roof - because nothing generates more chaos like rumors of a "suspicious white figure". Once they do, he'll talk directly to anyone that joined him on the roof]

Time to go.

II. Lurking - Nighttime
[Jun was given a Fatui disguise like everyone else, but outside of his trips to Northland Bank to blend in -- he usually opts for his shroud as it leaves a much deeper impression to the stories.

During the nights, he roams with the intent to cause tension. Some nights he just picks different secluded spots of the Harbor to linger, waiting for someone to spot him before he teleports away. Other nights, he causes property damage - using his unique powers to destroy things in way that can't be explained by visions or normal means. And once and awhile, he performs "strange rituals" that leave mysterious sigils burnt into the ground the next morning.

Anyone familiar with Earth magic or religions will be able to tell that the sigils are harmless, even meaningless. But to the unaware people of Liyue? It only adds to the tension and gives a sense that of a bad omen. Soon, on top of everything else, rumors start to spread of a dangerous white spirit in Liyue. Perhaps its Rex Lapis's killer, or something unleashed by his death, or maybe even his vengeful spirit.

Help the people of Liyue by "dealing" with this "spirit", or help cause chaos with him. The choice is yours]

III. Daytime - Totally Innocent
[During the day, Jun plays nice. He's out of uniform, appearing as a normal teenage boy. He's on his best behavior, doing everything he can not to raise suspicion about himself. Heck, he'll even help with the item gathering for the funeral parlor.]

Want to come with me to gather silk flowers?

IV - WILDCARD
[Got another prompt? Hit me up!]

1

[poisontippedcure]

[Jun is not the only person who's come in disguise today. Rose is also here, dressed as a Fatui witch, holding her latern close to her. Not because she's on board with the plan, of course. She's actually still very skeptical of plan "sow chaos in Liyue." But, she's already been framed for the fake death of a monarch once, and she's not looking to make that a second time.]

[She catches sight of Jun on the roof immediately, but waits until he comes down to approach him. Some things never change, including a certain teenager's penchant for over-dramatic entrances and exits.]

My, you certainly know how to cause quite a scene, don't you.

[whiteshroud]

[It'll take a bit of work to track down this teenager. Instead of jumping, he teleports away from the roof after enough people spot him. He knows better than to linger too long unless he wants to get arrested. He can only be found later, in his civilian clothes, ordering some lunch from a restaurant away from the pavilion. ]

Oh, hey Rose! [He blinks in innocent confusion] What do you mean?

[PLAYING DUMB YOU CAN'T CATCH HIM COPPERS]

[poisontippedcure]

[Does Rose know exactly where Jun teleported to, or does she simply wander town and happen upon him? It is a mystery. Still, after taking a look around to make sure there aren’t any officials in the area, she lets the hood drop.]

You’re too good at lying for your own good. I hope you know that.

[whiteshroud]

[She has a stupid little brother radar, that's how. He also gives a subtle glance to make sure no one's listening in.]

Haha, perhaps. It's a useful skill for someone like me to have though.

[Lying was a necessity to get by in the Underground. ]

Care to join me for lunch?

[poisontippedcure]

I suppose I could be convinced.

[Rose takes the seat across from Jun after making her own order. As cautious as she is, she’s almost sure that Jun is more so. If there was someone listening in, he would catch it.]

It’s not the first time I’ve been witness to something like this, but it’s nice not to be the prime suspect.

[whiteshroud]

[He's not letting it show outwardly, but she's not wrong. He makes a thoughtful sound]

Hm, I can imagine. [Rose there sure is a pattern with you and gods dying what gives] Just be careful not to do anything to change that. Foreigners will probably be high on their list of suspects, especially if they were at the ceremony.

[Says the guy that made himself seem sus as possible at the ceremony. The nerve of this kid]

[poisontippedcure]

Oh, I’m well aware of that possibility. I intend to stay as far away from the authorities as possible, and make as little fuss as possible.

[Frame me for regicide once, shame on you. Frame me for regicide twice, shame on me.]

Of course, you did make that much easier.

[whiteshroud]

Good idea. Among our group, I can't say you're one of the ones I worry about accidentally incriminating themselves.

[Tsuru, Ana and Bakugou though....well. We'll see. And at that remark, he gives a slight smile and shrugs]

Haha...I thought it'd add a nice touch to the pandemonium.

[poisontippedcure]

Happy am I to hear it. I’ve been incriminated enough for several lifetimes, I’m happy to stay unnoticed.

[He’s absolutely correct, though. There are a few that are likely to explode, possibly literally.]

It took eyes off a good deal of us, if nothing else.

[whiteshroud]

Noted.

[So don't frame Rose for a crime if you can help it. Got it!!!]

Mm. [That wasn't his intent, but he won't point that out] How much do you know about the "test"?

II

[nefilim]

[While Ana waking up to the current events could be summed up as this, she managed to quickly get back into the swing of things after some adjusting and telling a few select people what had happened to her. With "the swing of things" being causing some chaos here and there.

While she happily did her own thing, mostly some property destruction and some stirring up fights, she would also help out other trouble makers - such as her little brother. Snickering quietly as she meets up with him one evening after listening to some gossiping and anxious murmurs, Fatui disguise in place; her wings are a massive tell, and even she's not that reckless to let herself be that easily spotted.]

A "dangerous white spirit", huh? You've really gotten them all freaking out.

[It shouldn't be funny, but she does find it a little funny. Totally just a little.]

[whiteshroud]

[Ana had told him a little about her jump through time. It was bizarre to think that one could go to sleep, and then wake up with a memory of a lot more time -- but he supposes that what happens when you're agents to a time god. Time Shennagains ensue.

Still, it's nice to have company on one of these ventures. Tonight's agenda was simple- some property damage, some cryptic sigils - easy stuff. Even with the fatui disguise, Jun didn't want people to get too close a look at Ana. Better they keep thinking this is the work of something paranormal than some pranksters]

He did say to test them. How they handle paranormal incidents is a feature of the test.

[He says it so passively like he's not at all enjoying playing up the part of villain. Spoilers: he totally is]

hi forneus

[nefilim]

[A sudden jump through time must have a reason, and luckily it's rather easy to speak to the local expert on time shenanigans. There's no dramatics when Ana steps into Forenus' office, merely quiet curiosity as she steps in - absently rubbing at the small, faint, but still visible, sigil on her wrist that hadn't been there the night before.]

Sooooooo, what just happened? I spent like... seven or so months at home, but nothing has changed here.

I

[dispassionatedevotion]

Of course.

[ Ledah has never been one for being personable. But he can't say he's ever had to terrorize normal people before...

However, with dark wings and in the guise, it probably makes him look scary as all hell.

But then he teleports out of there swiftly. Following that, he will begin to look for Jun. Where may he find him? ]

[whiteshroud]

[The wings for sure are a nice touch. Definitely going to add to the rumor mill. Jun will teleport away as he does.

As for where he turns up, eventually he can be found on the bridge that leads out of town, in his normal civilian clothing, looking out over the port like he's just a normal boy enjoying the view of the harbor]

[dispassionatedevotion]

[ Ledah will eventually find him at the bridge, then!

He's luckily also made sure to take off the disguise so people don't have a heart attack. ]

...Jun. How do you think it went?

[whiteshroud]

[As Ledah approaches, he'll look over and give him a friendly smile before starting to walk across the bridge across town - slow enough so Ledah can keep up. Better to take conversations like this out of town. ]

Zhongli certainly has a flair for the dramatics, that's for sure.

[ Says the guy that stood on the rooftop in a white shroud saying cryptic melodramatic stuff. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree, apparently. ]

I'd say it went well as we could expect. Word should spread through the city about what occurred in a matter of hours.

greetings

[stellafortunamods]

[ Forneus gives her a wave as she comes in. He seems to be looking at those screens as usual. ]

Well, I was doing the ol' regular soul maintenance. And I guess the time streams got crossed for a sec or two? Nothing's changed here since your 'leaving', though. It's kind of all relative.

[nefilim]

[Luckily Ana is an expert in property damage and unusual sigils, so it should be an easy enough night. And while her disguise covers most of her face, her shit-eating grin is still visible (with some makeup to better hide her identity) - snickering quietly in response.]

Okay, but you can't tell me that you aren't enjoying this. Like, even just a little bit.

[Since if he really wanted to just stick to the mission, he wouldn't have gone this route. And there's no shame in playing the villain sometimes!]

[nefilim]

Soul... maintenance?

[It's weird god shit time.]

And seven months isn't really a sec! Though, hmm, considering your age...

[Casually just calling Forneus an old man it's fine.]

[whiteshroud]

[Yeah he sees that shit eating grin. Onee-chan is being a gremlin tonight.]

It's been one of my more interesting missions, at least.

[Is he being difficult on purpose? Probably.]

[stellafortunamods]

Well, as you know, all things tend to degrade. Souls are no exception. It's what happens when you lose your memory and/or die. Though, since you're in a different world from the one where you were born in, the degradation tends to accelerate. I can remediate that with my power somewhat, though I do send people back in case the instability becomes dangerous. After all, you weren't contracted to die.

[ Shrugs in a way that might be 'that's all that can be done about it' rather than 'I don't care'. ]

It's all relative! Seven months in your world is barely ten seconds in this one.

[poisontippedcure]

That Zhongli is planning on testing the populace of Liyue by making them think their god is dead.

[Those are the general particulars of the plan, right?]

Also, something about causing chaos.

[She's less clear on that part.]