stellafortunalogs | JANUARY MINGLE

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JANUARY MINGLE

January Mingle: A Ballad in Goblets
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
You open your eyes to an unfamiliar sight. A cool breeze flits through rustic buildings and sunny streets, carrying the smell of flowers and wine. The very air itself seems charged with mana, the warm pulse of the land palpable beneath your feet. This is a new world, a world where the elements compose all of reality. Before you is a bubbling fountain, and a key is entwined between your fingers. And that weight on your hip? A sparkling bauble that you've never seen before, yet it feels natural, as if it had always been there.

Asking around nets you the name of this world - Teyvat - and the name of this city - Mondstadt, blessed by the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. Your new home is accessible with the key placed in your hands, though this also brings to mind another question. How will you get money? Food isn't free, after all.

Luckily for you, there's plenty of jobs available for the enterprising Traveler. Be it taking requests from the Adventurers' Guild, or working part-time at one of Mondstadt's many food establishments, Mora is to be had when hard work is involved. The cuisine of Mondstadt is best paired with its wine, served at bars or enjoyed in private with a few friends.

And about that shining gem. locals will tell you that it is a Vision, a sign of favour from Teyvat's elemental gods. With the Vision on hand, you find yourself capable of commanding one of the seven elements. What will you do with this newfound blessing? Use it for good... or for evil?

Mondstadt's liveliness doesn't diminish when night falls. Bards sing through the wee hours of the night, and the lights of the city help keep most evildoers at bay. All seems peaceful, a pastoral idyll of a life that seems more at home in a storybook. Yet for those Travelers who venture out beyond the city's walls and into the ruins dotting the landscape, they may discover hints of a bloodier past now forgotten.

Glancing at any of the calendars in the city will tell you the current date. August 10th was the day you arrived. As soon as the last minute of August 16th slips away, the world around you changes. A blink, and time itself rewinds by seven days. Looking outside, the mown lawns have regrown, the windmill needs fixing again, and the well is once again full. Just what is happening here? It seems only you, Traveler, remembers the week that never was.

State of the World

For the first two weeks of the game, IC time will be looping from August 10th to August 16th. It's currently late summer in Mondstadt, and the trees are just beginning to turn out their autumn colours. The weather is cool and pleasant, with light showers on Tuesday (11th) and Friday (14th). It's also a good time to go out gathering berries and nature's bounty from Mondstadt's forests and valleys.

These two weeks will let us trial out our commissions and regains system and craft improvements for February onwards. There will be no activity requirements for January, so all threads started during this time period can be used for regains!

For all questions regarding January's mingle and events, please head over to our OOC post.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Being straightforward does work. As upset as Jun was, seeing those symbols make him stop in his tracks. The style was different from what he's seen before, but even without his spiritual sense he can recognize a curse when he sees one. ]

That's...

[For the second time today, Jun feels like the rug's been pulled out from under him. And more than that, that pesky emotion of empathy was nagging on him once more, making feel guilt. Zhongli must be more distressed than anyone about what's going on, and here Jun had been ready to chew him out because of his own issues. His hand lowers and his body language shows the guilt]

...Sorry. When I heard it was a Geo Vision, I... [Well. You know. He trails off, eyes averting away like an ashamed puppy]

[ Seeing Jun's downcast expression, Zhongli musters a slight smile. ]

It was only natural for you to think that way. [ There's no offense taken. And... ] It is rather unbecoming for a god to lose this much power. I still intend to honour our promise, but it will take more time.

[ They had promised to investigate Fogtown together, and that mission to bring to light the truth is not something that will be forgotten in this world. He glances at Jun again, not seeing any physical deformity, but he can sense a shift in the boy's spiritual form. It's similar, yet different to what he experiences himself - a seal to isolate him and whatever magic he had used on South Sister. Of course, Zhongli is the only one who is being actively drained. ]

Did anything change for you?

[It's a blessing that Zhongli doesn't seem to take offense to Jun's behavior, even if it'll take a bit more for the guilt to ease off. ]

With how strong you are, it must've been something very powerful to be able to do that...

[Jun remembers the energy he could read from Zhongli back on the island. There was no chance even his strongest seals would hold against him. Was this a work of another god? Or a devil?

And if Zhongli wasn't the one to give him the vision, who did?]

...All the power I had is gone. My magic, the seal- er, my god's version of a Vision ... I can't seem to use any of it. Even my sword and uniform seems to have lost their enchantments.

[Which was the main reason he was so touchy just moments ago. Seal Knights just don't lose their power like this. ]

[ Jun's words fall in line with what Zhongli perceives. Nevertheless, he closes his eyes and makes a show of appraising the other before speaking again. ]

I feared as much. I hesitate to make any definite claims in haste, but if I were to venture a guess, it may be due to your body and tools being unaccustomed to Teyvat's unique magic. It should improve with time... but regardless, I intend to look into it.

[ The curse that Zhongli himself bears seems familiar; yet he cannot remember where he had seen it before. That in itself is strange, given how he is sure of his own perfect memory... but Zhongli is also patient, and he's sure that he will figure it out eventually. ]

[His eyes widen a little at Zhongli's hypothesis.]

It might just be an acclimation problem? [It was a thought that hadn't occurred to him. But now presented to him...it made a lot of sense. It'd be one thing if he lost his Seal's power thanks to the Vision, but everything else? Even if all his powers, his innate ones and the Sealed were stripped from him, that shouldn't have affected the sword, and yet...]

That'd ... make sense, if that were the case. [He makes a face] It didn't even occur to me, I really am having an off-day.

[Yeah jeez Jun how could you let being kidnapped to another world and having the powers you worked your whole life to obtain stripped from you rattle you. Honestly]

Edited 2021-01-18 16:00 (UTC)

[ It's a lot to take in, so Zhongli hopes that Jun would at least feel more settled after their conversation. Children tend to jump to conclusions, and Jun doesn't have Zhongli's thousands of years of experience. Good thing the child is receptive to new ideas. ]

As you may have noticed, Teyvat as a world is charged with high amounts of elemental energy. Even the very air itself is full of potential. [ He has to go into Lecture Mode for a bit, so it's good that Jun can listen ] When I arrived on South Sister, the distinct lack of elements was immediately apparent to me. Perhaps the magic of this world is merely much more concentrated compared to others. It could interact with your world's magic in various ways that would not have happened on the island. Of course, this is merely my conjecture at this point, though I would keep you apprised if I discover something else.

[ Softer, this time: ]

Being in a new world is a great shock no matter who you are. Take all the time you need to adjust. If you have questions, I can try to answer them.

[ Talking with Jun makes him feel a bit better - at least, there's something he can focus on other than the constant sensation of advanced decay coming from the black seal. ]

Edited 2021-01-18 16:10 (UTC)

[Ah, it's Zhongli's lecture mode. Even if he's only known the god for about a month, there was something reassuringly familiar about it. Perhaps it reminded him of the priests that trained him, at least a little. He does take in the information, thinking it over]

...Mm, I remember you commenting on that. [South Sister's lack of energy] Earth has more than South Sister, but it's not to this level. [It'd be crazy dangerous if it was, what with the Eclipse and all] If you're right, no wonder my body went into shock.

[It'd be like dropping a creature from an arid environment into a rainforest. But whether or it's conjecture or not, it's reassuring enough to ease the boy. A logical explanation for what happened rather than fear that God had left him. Whether it's the truth, he'll have to see...but humans are nothing but good at holding onto hope where they can find it. He breathes out.]

Thank you. You've already answered my largest concern. [As much as Zhongli can, and he's grateful for it. Truly.] Though ... I am confused to why I have a geo vision, if you didn't give it to me.

[ Given that Jun is extremely devoted to his God, Zhongli can understand part of his anxiety. Humans are driven to do extreme things in the face of great loss, and it's not something he would want to subject a child to.

Even if that in turn brings to mind the question of why a child would have such fervent faith in the first place... ]

Ah, about that. [ It's probably a question that he will have to field more than once in the future. ] It is in part due to the will of Celestia, the realm of the divines that rule Teyvat. We Archons act as intermediaries between them and all mortal life. Though... I am unable to tell you more. As per my contract, such knowledge cannot be divulged.

[ There are gods that exist above the gods that walk the earth. Is it surprising? ]

[Well it's what happens when you raise a kiddo in an intense cult-like environment. But hey, that's neither here or there. ]

I see...so it was Celestia that did it. [The system sounds ... complicated, in Jun's opinion. But he already knew the scope of the Teyvat gods were much more limited than the Lord's, so it doesn't surprise him too much there was some system of oversight.

He knows better than to really comment on it at least. Or to press for further answers. ] I understand, I won't ask further about it.

[A glance at the vision in his hand, mulling things over.]

Do I need to worship you or the Celestia to use it?

[ While most of Tevay revere the gods, there are always those who believe that humanity can stand on their own. Venti had subjected Mondstadt to a godless millennium, and Zhongli had taken very long to come around to that same conclusion... though, it wouldn't be possible without the presence of people like Keqing, who stand ready to seize the future with their own hands. ]

No, you do not. Once the Vision is bestowed to you, it leaves the jurisdiction of the gods. You are free to decide how to use it, and you are not beholden to the corresponding Archon in any way.

[ Baal could simply choose to collect every Electro Vision, if she did have that power... but she did not. None of them did. ]

[Well that's good news to Jun, and the relief shows on his face. That definitely makes things easier. There was no rule in his pact about using items from other gods, it was just touchy about the worshipping part.]

I see. [He nods, looking at it] In that case, I might as well learn how to use it properly.

[He needed every asset he could get if he wanted to return home. So no throwing it out into the lake like he was considering, yaaaay]

[ That's the Jun that Zhongli knows. Hardworking, determined, and firm in his beliefs. And since they wield the same element, Zhongli can be of more help than usual ]

I could teach you some things, if you like?

[ Even if he threw the Vision in the lake, it would appear next to him again. It's stubborn like that. ]

Really?

[He looks mildly surprised. Someday, he'll stop being surprised by people willing to help him. Today is not that day.]

That would be nice, but are you sure you don't have more important things to do?

[ Zhongli sighs. ]

I am a god no longer, and this nation is not of mine domain. Here, I am merely a displaced mortal, like you.

[ It's Mondstadt, not Liyue. Maybe Venti will appear and show Jun how a disrespectable deity behaves... but that's a story for another day. ]

Come. A graveyard is hardly appropriate for lessons.

[ He sets off along the path circling the Cathedral, intent on leading Jun out of Mondstadt's main gate to somewhere more stable. Being on a lake meant that the city itself isn't fully connected to the earth below. ]

Ah...Alright. Thank you.

[If Zhongli insists, he wasn't going to argue. So even in a situation like this, Zhongli was sticking to the arrangement not to meddle in Mondstat's affairs. Fair enough, he supposes. He had seemed pretty adamant about it when they talked of it before.

He follows after, like instructed. He's explored some of this city, but it's not like he knows the lay of the land well enough to be familiar with everything]

Where are we going?

We will head to the open area outside of the city. Mondstadt is built on an island in the middle of Cider Lake. The element of Geo is present everywhere in the land beneath our feet, but the lake will introduce the influence of Hydro to its surrounds.

[ Also that Zhongli doesn't want to accidentally cause Mondstadt to cave into the lake, in case the black seal decides to suddenly release itself. ]

Magic in this world comes greatly from drawing on the elements around you, instead of from your own reserves or vitality. To bear the power of Geo is of advantage - while others may struggle to contrive flames in a snowy land or water in a desert, the earth is ever-present and will accompany you wherever you go.

[ Once they reach the grassy clearing before the Whispering Woods, he stops walking and closes his eyes. ]

The Vision should also grant you Elemental Sight, the ability to perceive concentrations of mana around you. Try to relax and call upon it in your mind.

[Jun listens as he walks, taking the information quietly as usual. Drawing elements from around you? Yeah, that was different from how his abilities worked up until now. ]

So draw from the earth rather than myself... [That will be important to remember for sure.

As they walk outside the city, Jun can't help but stare a little in awe of the natural beauty around this place. He hadn't ventured outside the city walls yet, so this was new to him. It reminded him of the park he lived by in Morimiya, but much much larger. Truly an sight to behold.

Enough of a sight that he almost misses what Zhongli says. Oops. Luckily, he focuses up in time.]

Elemental sight? [That...sounded a little bit like his sensing.] Let's see... [As instructed, he takes a deep breath and tries to focus on it...like in the early days when he was learning how to refine his spirit sensing. And since that training wasn't too different...it's not long until he starts to see some flows of energy]

-- Oh! I think I see it!

[ It is not impossible to cast from one's own vitality, but the downside to that is that it quickly kills the individual involved. Most of Teyvat's natural Vision users have been trained to use external sources since receiving it, so it's not something oft heard off.

Zhongli folds his arms, watching Jun as he tries to connect with Teyvat's elemental forces. It doesn't take too long - Elemental Sight is not too different from other types of magical senses, after all. ]

Good work. Now, try to focus on the Geo energy beneath you, and make it rise to the surface.

[ If Jun is able to connect with the earth correctly, he would be able to make a small mound of soil appear out of the ground. ]

[He takes a moment to adjust to the Elemental Sight. It's different from his own sensing, even if it's the same principle. Not to mention, Zhongli wasn't kidding about this world being full of elemental energy. The stuff was everywhere.

But once his eyes adjust a little, he focuses on the next task at hand. Focus on the geo energy and make it rise. It takes him a moment to find it, and then he holds out his fingers like he was when doing spellwork back home to help him concentrate. And...

Well, this doesn't go quite as smoothly. Zhongli can see that he's managing to make connections with the geo energy, but only making small movements at best before it slips from his grasp.]

Nngh ... it's like working with oven mitts on.

[Or, you know, a brand new form of magic, different from the one he worked with for years. It's only expected that it'll take a bit to get a handle on it.]

[ If anything, Jun's ability to perceive the elemental concentration is a good first step. All he needs is more practice, so that he would be more accustomed to channeling Geo instead of his native magic. ]

Take your time. Proficiency will come with practice.

[ If Jun is still struggling, he might intervene to give the earth a little push, making it more malleable for the youth to work with. Though, he doesn't need to move to do that - he keeps himself standing still with arms folded, employing only mental suggestion. Maybe Jun won't notice? ]

I know...Rome wasn't built in a day.

[Not that Rome exists in this world, but the sentiment is there. Even as he struggles, he doesn't seem to be giving up. He'll go at this all day if that's what he needs to do. Little by little with each attempt, he's showing improvement as he adjusts to this new method of working with energy.

Fortunately, he's not so used to his elemental sight yet that he misses Zhongli's subtly pushing the earth. The push is just what he needs to get a notable grip on things. This attempt, the energy gets connected to correctly and he's able to push it up enough to make a noticeable mound of dirt]

Ah- There!

Your first success at calling upon the earth.

[ Zhongli sounds... approving? A little pleased, even. ]

As you become more familiar with how to command this element, you will be able to create constructs to suit your needs. They can be used to reach greater heights, or to block projectiles.

[ Those are the typical uses for Geo constructs, but he's sure Jun will be able to use them creatively. Maybe, he will one day be able to summon a shield out of the pure element itself ]

The earth's very nature is unyielding, so it takes time to become acclimatized to handling it. Soil is easier than rock, for one.

[ Suffices to say that Zhongli's own command over the earth comes from millennium of practice... and maybe, the similarity in personality might cause the earth to sympathize and listen to Jun more. ]

[The good feeling from both succeeding and hearing Zhongli's approval is enough to get a little smile out of Jun. It reminds him a little of his training back home. The priests would rarely give direct praise, so to avoid building any egos, but you could pick it up in their tones. ]

Mm, I can tell it has a different feeling than Light. It'll take some getting used to.

[He is listening, constructs to help him reach places and block projectiles...that'll come in handy. He wonders what else he could do with it, it's something he'll have to figure out with practice. ]

So work with the softer forms of earth and work my way up to the tougher ones?

[Seems reasonable enough. Motivated, he's already working on pulling up second mound of earth. Now that he's getting a hang of what to do, it goes easier]

Yes. That will prepare your mind for more advanced usage of the element.

[ It will take centuries of study to be able to summon meteors like Zhongli does, but Jun has a different advantage. The ability to command a power that did not exist on Teyvat at all. ]

Since you are attuned to Geo, you might also find it useful to employ your command of the earth when you wish to retrieve any natural resources. [ Like... mining! ] Metal and gemstones have different temperaments. Learning to coax them from the surrounding rock will give you an advantage.

[Yeah giant meteors are out of his league but just watch grandpa one day Jun's gonna learn to make it rain fire and brimstone just like Big G Papa would want. ]

Oh? That's a good tip, maybe I can do that to cover expenses until I find the true commissioner.

[Someone brought him here to help, and when Jun finds out who it is? They are going to pay the Orden's fees. He can't have people from these different worlds thinking they can just kidnap a Seal Knight and make them work for free every time they got a crisis.

But none of that is Zhongli's problem, thankfully.]

...I just pray I master Geo and gain my powers back fast enough to help you.

[The cursed seal markings on Zhongli hasn't left his mind. He's still assessing what he'll do about this situation, but it doesn't sit right with him not to at least try to help Zhongli with what's happening. ]

JANUARY MINGLE

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