APRIL MID-MONTH MINGLE

[stellafortunamods]

April Mid-Month Mingle: Onward and Upward
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
After the Windblume Festival wraps up, the outlanders' next mission arrives: onward to Dragonspine Mountain, where the remnants of the abyssal dragon and a lost nation await. The bright light shining at its peak seems almost like a lighthouse - calling to you.

It's hard not to be in awe of Dragonspine Mountain's size. The snow on the mountain never seems to stop falling, neither does it seem to melt - the biting cold numbs your fingers and brushes your face, muffling the footsteps of monsters in everlasting white. Dragonspine is dangerous, and has claimed the lives of countless explorers. You'll need to be extra careful to survive.

The pristine snow is marred in places by stains of red, and following the scarlet stones around the mountain eventually brings you to a dark cavern. A warm light shines forth from the stone buried within - just what is this strange object? Should you be leaving it here?

As the cold sets in, you come across the ruins of a buried city halfway up the mountain. The stone architecture and runes are eerily similar to what you have seen in Mondstadt's domains and temples. A locked gate bars your way up the mountain, but the five unlit runes that surround it hint strongly at missing keys.

The inside of Dragonspine Mountain is host to a rather large blue cave. The freezing cold permeates the inside of Starglow Cavern, so you're not likely to find shelter here. The cave is covered with ice crystals and blue plants, as well as large ice crystals that refuse to be melted by Pyro Vision users. You'll need something more powerful to free whatever is inside... like the power of a long-dead dragon, perhaps?

State of the World

After Dvalin's purification, there have been no further time loops as Mondstadt has finally synced up with the outside world. The Windblume Festival will run through to September 20th, giving characters plenty of time to relax and enjoy some vacation time. However, time waits for no man, and our heroes will be approached by the Adventurers' Guild on September 15th to join an expedition to Dragonspine Mountain.

For all questions regarding April's mid-month mingle and events, please head over to our OOC post.

Comments

2

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli takes up a place next to Figaro, so that they're both left gazing out at the frozen sea. The cold does not bother him, and so he doesn't bother to wear extra clothing - stone isn't affected by the chill, after all.

He's content to let the silence grow until the snow settles on him in a noticeable layer. ]

... does this feel like home, for you?

[extinctive]

[ he opens his eyes, realizing that he's closed them till now. ]

In a way. This area feels like my mana area back home. Not that it'd affect my magic any in this world.

[pragmatism]

Your mana area?

[ That doesn't quite seem like a home. However, Figaro did talk about his magic being from his heart. Maybe it's related. ]

[extinctive]

Mm. Every wizard has a special area where they can recharge their magical energy. Our mana area is usually a place from our childhoods that'd bring our hearts peace.

[ he looks out to the ocean again. ]

My mana area is the sea in Northern country. Overcast skies, rough waves, chilly winds -- this location in particular is the spitting image of it. [ he fishes through his pockets and dig out his amulet. ] See?

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli recalls Figaro mentioning he's from Southern Country. This does not surprise him, though. People change over time. Rather unfortunate that he hasn't regained his magic yet. ]

I see.

[ Figaro misses home. He misses the peace that could have been. It makes sense how he would have a Cryo Vision. ]

I could get you a warm drink, if you like. [ So he can stay here longer. ]

[extinctive]

That'd be wonderful, thank you.

[ he has a hip flask full of warm booze but he'd like something else ]

...You might be wondering why my childhood took place in such a frigid landscape compared to the warmth of the South, aren't you?

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli seems about to leave for the camp, but he stops when Figaro continues speaking. ]

Yes, it is curious to me.

[ He remembers the Moon Road again, in a sea that was cold. Figaro had history with the North, he's sure of that. ]

[extinctive]

The answer... will have to wait until you bring us back something warm.

[ a cheeky grin. ]

I'll stay put.

[pragmatism]

[ That gets a smile out of Zhongli as well, and he nods before turning to walk down the snow-covered path towards camp. When he returns, it's with a wrapped flask of freshly-brewed tea. The speed at which he returns suggests that he didn't make it himself. ]

Here.

[ He offers the tea to Figaro, the flask's cap loosened a little so he can drink it immediately. ]

[extinctive]

[ he takes the flask from zhongli, wrapping his clammy fingers around it for a moment before taking a sip. ahh, that hits the spot.

it takes him another long moment of staring out into the sea, as if to ponder how much he should share with zhongli here. this man already knows so much, yet figaro can't say the same about him. it's a little unfair, isn't it?

hm. ]

Wizards don't always stay in their home countries permanently. We can move from one place to another, and the longer you stay in one country, those spirits are going to accept you as one of them in the long run.

...I was born in the North, which was as cold as this one. I don't remember much of my childhood anymore, though. All I know is that this certain landscape will always soothe me.

[ not just because of the moon road, mind you. ]

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli nods. There's no judgement or otherwise negative reaction from him as he listens to Figaro's words. People do change over time - even the mountains themselves will become a valley or a plain. ]

I see...

[ A happy childhood, or a sad one? Zhongli remembers his own childhood, but it can hardly be called a childhood for what it was. Gods live very differently from humans, and wizards. ]

I am glad you can find such a place here, then.

[extinctive]

It's not the same, though. [ said a little too quickly. ] As they say, there's no place like home.

[ he takes a sip of the hot tea. ahh, that's better. ]

What's Liyue like?

[pragmatism]

It is a land that spans the mountains of Qingce and the harbour by the Sea of Clouds. From north to south, Liyue comprises of tranquil hills, marsh riverlands, forests of stone, grassland plains and a weathered coastline. Much of it is uninhabited; most humans live in Qingce Village or in Liyue Harbour.

[ There is much untouched wilderness in the land, which is vital to keeping the balance. Zhongli is content to keep talking about Liyue if it means Figaro has something else to think about. ]

The Harbour is the biggest city of commerce in all of Teyvat. It was founded three thousand and seven hundred years ago. We host ships from all seven nations, though our own culture remains undiluted by visiting influences.

[extinctive]

[ figaro listens intently, taking sips of tea here and there. he can feel zhongli's passion for his homeland from the thorough way he talks about it, and it makes the wizard feel even more homesick than ever -- ​]

Haha, sounds like Southern Country in a way. I'd love to visit and have you guide me around sometime. [ in another world, in another thread, ] Don't you miss it too? It feels like we've been here for months and months on end, and the time loops only made it worse.

[pragmatism]

[ There's a noticeable pause as Zhongli closes his eyes, then opens them again. ]

I do.

[ He will always miss Liyue when he is not home. He has shaped the land himself, raised its nation from its conception, and it is part of his very being as a deity. ]

I will always think of Liyue, even if I may be entire worlds away.

[extinctive]

[ there's another bout of silence as figaro watches him, before letting out a laugh and placing his elbow on his shoulder like an old friend. ]

Haaaaah, what a sentimental guy. But I guess you're that homesick, huh.

[ ... ]

I wonder if Forneus would even let us visit each other in our own respective countries. Unless that's also out of his control.

[pragmatism]

[ A slight hum. He doesn't reject Figaro's apparent friendliness, staying firm and still. ]

Hmm... I do think it is possible. However, he would probably tell me to only take a vacation once our work here is done.

[ And if he is to see Forneus' plan to the end, then it will be a long time. Then again, they both have time, don't they? ]

[extinctive]

As if you're not already having one? Although this little adventure can be hardly classified as a vacation...

[ at least the view's fantastic. ]

Jeez, that Forneus guy. Still not sure what to think of him, but being pulled here into this world with a contract I don't remember signing doesn't really put my heart in ease. Probably why I sought this ocean in the first place to clear my head.

[pragmatism]

I suppose I would only consider a vacation as one when we are not inclined to intervene in heavy things such as fate.

[ But speaking of Forneus... ]

He has good intentions, but being a god means that his perspective of mortals and what is important to mortals can be very skewed. I know this does not undo the slight of being subjected to a potential promise in the least, but... he is very proactive at changing his ways when given feedback.

[extinctive]

I'm not a mortal too, you know? Well, not yet anyway. I'll be able to embrace my mortality in due time.

[ a soft sigh. ]

That's a small mercy, at least. But you know - I don't need a contract or a promise in order to get things done. I'd gladly save another world if he need only ask; it'd be a great way to pass the time.

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli glances at him for a moment. ]

You are very kind. [ Even if you have problems, Figaro... ] It is a blessing that we have met you.

[ For all of his personality, it is rare to find someone who was not blinded by greed and immediate satisfaction. Amongst the immortals, a benevolent soul was hard to find too. ]