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

npc interaction toplevel

[stellafortunamods]

Forneus can be found at Base Camp through his glowing door. This time, the interior of his 'office' - as he's come to call it - is more decorated, with a couple tables and blue display panels around, as well as a good ol' fruit infusion dispenser. If you stay in his office, he can be seen looking at the panels with a vaguely thoughtful expression. However, any text on the panels are written in a language that you can't understand.

He's keeping his promise of being around, at least. Feel free to hang out here... but why would you hang out with a time god?

Hu Tao | Genshin Impact

[whotao]

[Base Camp]

Aiya, this place is freezing! No wonder we get so much business from here.

[Who is this person? How long has she been here. It’s difficult to say. At some point during the journey to the base of Dragonspine mountain, the travelers picked up a hitchhiker.]

[That hitchhiker would be one Hu Tao, the 77th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Her presence isn’t exactly inconspicuous; she is very energetic, dressed in nearly all black, and being followed by a friendly looking ghost.]

[She also hasn’t bothered to say ‘hello’ to anyone yet, instead acting like she was part of the group all along. She (more like her ghost friend) is currently working on pitching tents. Maybe this is a good time to say hello?]

[Exploration]

[It is extremely cold on Dragonspine, a fact that does not escape Hu Tao. She seems to be fine, though, and doesn’t bother donning a heavier coat. Helps to have a Pyro vision, of course.]

[But not everyone is so lucky, and should Hu Tao come upon a less “fortunate” soul, she will move to help them. Look, she may be quirky, but she’s not evil. Plus, can’t have their business if they die before signing a contract.]

Hey! You need to be careful. Plenty of people die up on this mountain, you know.

[Have a ghost friend to help you warm up.]

[Exploration, Part Two]

[When approaching the ancient ruins, Hu Tao grows quiet, almost unnaturally so. They can’t progress further without the keys, but that’s not going to stop her from exploring.]

[She appears to be deep in thought, studying the ancient structures. Maybe this is a good time to offer help?]

[Wildcard]

[Wanna do something not listed here? PM me or reach me at bronnichiwa for a custom starter!]

Base Camp

[whiteshroud]

[This place really was freezing. Jun's got his seal knight uniform on mostly for warmth. Never has he been so thankful for its extra padding. And since he'd been here long enough to recognize most of the other travelers, this new one? Sticks out.]

...Who're you?

[Says the guy with the distorted mysterious voice and the hooded face. ]

[whotao]

[There are some people who would be unnerved by Jun's attire. Hu Tao is not. Hu Tao lives in her own world, marching to the beat of her own drum, impervious to everything happening around her.]

Hu Tao, 77th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, at your service!

[She does not mention how she got here. She does not mention why she's here.]

[whiteshroud]

[You know what it's not every day someone reacts like his uniform is no big deal -- and he'll take it. Especially when that name is one he recognizes. A normal person might be unsure by the sudden presence of a funeral director - but Jun is not a normal person.]

Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Isn't that all the way in Liyue?

[whotao]

[Jun is not the only one who's not normal. And that makes them friends! Probably.]

You got it! The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is known far and wide. Glad to see my advertising efforts are paying off.

[They aren't.]

Dunno what I'm doing all the way out here, though.

[whiteshroud]

[Advertising...efforts...well. Gotta make a buck somehow he supposes.]

Wouldn't say that. I just know someone else who works there.

[Though that confirms it...she must be another person tapped by Forneus.]

...It's a long story.

[Informative Jun. What. He hates explaining.]

[whotao]

[See? Jun is her people! It's important to have money.]

Aiya, you do? I trust they've given you a good impression of our distinguished business.

[Otherwise she needs to dock their pay.]

[whiteshroud]

[ ... 💧 ]

Of course. Zhongli's very professional.

[Sure, it took Zhongli months to MENTION that he even had a job outside of being a god, but he ain't snitching on his grandpa]

[whotao]

I see. As it turns out, that walking dictionary is our most important employee! I trust he's been treating you well?

[Or else.]

[whiteshroud]

[Walking...dictionary... There is a garbled sound, like someone just choked back a laugh]

Yes. Very well.

base camp

[pragmatism]

[ At some point after Hu Tao gets comfortable at Base Camp, she'll find her unofficial guardian making a beeline for her at the highest speed a man can walk while still seeming dignified. ]

What are you doing? How did you get here? Why aren't you dressed properly? Have you been eating well? Did you remember to hand over the Parlour business to Xinming? What about the ceremony the Ming family ordered?

[ For all of his questions, he doesn't seem angry - just worried, though it can be hard to tell when he steps into the role of a stereotypical Asian parent ]

[whotao]

[She’s not wrong, Jun, and you know it.]

I’m glad to hear it! Zhongli may act like a decrepit old man, but he’s got a real soft spot for kids.

[She is speaking from experience here.]

Oh! Where are my manners? What’s your name?

[whotao]

[Zhongli is exactly the person she wanted to see. Not because she’s worried or concerned, this might be the strangest thing that’s happened in awhile, but she’ll manage. No, she’s glad to see Zhongli because she’s missed her surrogate parent and top employee.]

Well well well, if it isn’t my favorite employee! I see this is where you’ve been slacking off.

[It is absolutely a joke. Zhongli does many things, but he never slacks off. He does ask a lot of questions, though.]

Aiya, don’t you know who you’re talking to! Xinming has extensive orders on what to do in the event of my absence, I’m sure he’ll be able to handle the Ming family. As for what I’m doing, isn’t it obvious? I’m talking to you!

[She smiles at that last bit. Does she know what she’s doing? No. But then again, does she ever?]

[whiteshroud]

[He cannot deny it. And sure enough, there's another garbled sound that sounds close to a chuckle]

Mm, it seems that way.

[It's strange to think that this girl is Zhongli's boss in a way, but it sounds like they have a positive relationship- so that's good.]

Ah, right- [Manners. those things. He'll actually move to pull down his hood. There's no point in hiding his identity here.]

I'm Kohinata Jun. Nice to meet you.

[pragmatism]

[ Does she? It's a very good question. One that will be answered another day.

He doesn't reply at first, looking her over carefully. No sign of spiritual disturbance.. that's good. ]

So he's gotten you into this mess too... [ SIGH ] Might as well make the best of it. Are you going to climb the mountain?

[whotao]

[They do have a positive relationship, which is a near miracle considering that Hu Tao is...this.]

[At least she hasn’t started the poetry yet.]

Kohinata Jun, that’s a pretty strange name. Where are you from?

[whotao]

[“He.” Hu Tao knows exactly who that’s referring to. As the Funeral Parlor director, she’s beholden to usher souls into the next life, but she can’t really ignore a request from a god, either. Who knows? Maybe her expertise will come in handy!]

[She smiles in return, her ‘friend’ popping up behind her.]

Of course! Who knows what treasures could be lying in wait?

[Or, more importantly, if there are souls that still need to be seen off?]

[whiteshroud]

[yet]

A world called Earth. The country of Japan, specifically.

[Ok, that last part is something of a lie, but eh. Who cares.]

Call me whatever name you wish if it's easier. [Kohinata or Jun or something else entirely. he honestly doesn't care what people call him.]

[whotao]

Jun...

[Oh no. Oh no. Run now, Jun. Run before it’s too late.]

Gentle Junbug, he conceals his kindness behind a hood. Fierce Junbug, his kindness belies his strength.

[The poetry has begun.]

[whiteshroud]

[STOPS...AND STARES.]

Huh..?

[Nani da fuck are you saying girl]

[whotao]

[Welcome to life with Hu Tao. Where else are you going to hear sick rhymes like this?]

It’s a poem, of course! About you.

[Surely, her skills haven’t dulled that much.]

I didn’t have much to work with, though.

figaro / cryo

[extinctive]

i.

[ windblume came and went, and while figaro was sure he enjoyed his time there, he didn't exactly remember what he did during the festivities outside of tasting one too many wines at the various pubs and taverns scattered in the walled city... mondstadt sure knows how to party, he kept thinking while his mind went in from sobriety to drunkenness throughout the festival.

oh well. now that the fun occasion is over, it is time to focus on the mission. he's looking forward to dragonspine since he'd talked it over with zhongli a while back, so he is at the base camp, helping the other adventurers set up camp and running little errands before setting forth towards the mountain.

and in case he spots someone shivering even before they start their trek, he'll take off his trusty doctor's coat. he'll also do this even when they've started exploring the mountain, even with the Sheer Cold impacting their progress. ​]

Here, you look like you need this more than I do. [ he wears a turtleneck underneath his coat, so it's not like he's going to freeze on the spot without it. ] Unless you'd like a drink from my hip flask? It has alcohol in it, though.

[ but of course. ]

ii.

[ at some point, figaro can be found at a cliff just south-east of dragonspine, overlooking the frosty sea. this is another reason why he's been looking forward to dragonspine, so it might be a little odd to see figaro acting like the cold doesn't faze him at all, because it doesn't.

there's no place like home, after all. dragonspine's a decent facsimile of northern country, to the point that the sea in particular is almost the spitting image of his mana area back home. he takes in a deep breath of the viciously nippy air, and... just takes his surroundings in like a photosynthesizing plant.

...he will get cold later on, though, so disturbing his peace might not be a bad idea. ]

iii.

That's a heart, isn't it?

[ just putting it out there, once he reaches the literal heart of dragonspine mountain. his hand hovers over the strange blood-red rock, as if to warm himself up. ]

This must be Durin's heart... I wonder what happens if we take it out. Has someone tried it before, I wonder?

[ an idle suggestion, merely talking to himself... but you never really know with this guy man he's done magical surgery before and he can do it again. ]

wildcard

[ y'all know the drill by now. ]

[whiteshroud]

A poem? About...

[Oh. It sinks in now. Jun wasn't good at hearing good things about him in normal sentences. But this girl coming up with a poem about his kindness.

He clears his throat, and there is the very slightest tinge of pink on his face. But maybe it's the cold!!]

Ah- T-Thank you! I-It's really impressive you came up with that so fast, but I'm sure there's much better topics to write about.

Jun Kohinata | Tokyo Xanadu | Geo

[whiteshroud]

I. Base Camp
[Jun did help out with pitching tents and setting up camps initially, but spending too much time in the camp will eventually make him a bit antsy. So during some downtime, you might see a figure shrouded in white, standing on one of the high ruin walls that surround the camp. Sometimes he's looking at the view, other times he's observing the camp.

But I think we can all agree he's mostly just being a weirdo. Either join him or tell him to get down.]

II. Exploration
[While Jun could teleport, teleporting into a location he's never seen himself is a good way to teleport into a wall or worse- so he had to climb the mountain the same way as everyone else. In this cold weather, he's opted to stay in his Seal Knight uniform that provides him extra warmth. Not enough to make him entirely immune to the cold, but it helps. Though, the voice distortion that comes with it might be a little unnerving to some.

Inbetween staying warm and fending off monsters, he's rather curious about the mountain around them. While warming themselves by a fire, he'll look around at the ruins around them]

Why would a mountain this cold have so many ruins...?

[It didn't make sense, when you think about it. It wasn't like there was ancient stone ruins on Everest. ]

III. Baby It's Cold Everywhere
[Even if his uniform gave him warmth and his abilities gave him more endurance than most people - it didn't make him impervious and this trek was a long one. So on some points of the journey you might find him shivering, or attempting to get warm on a small fire he's built. Either way, he could probably use some help with warming up. ]

IV. Call an Uber
[Finally, after a long journey, they reach the second campsite. Jun gets to work with helping with setting up the camp with what supplies they managed to bring up. It's not quite enough to make a permanet camp though, but luckily the following trips should be a LOT easier, thanks to the power of teleporting.]

Would you like to stay here or come with me for supplies?

[He's asking if you wanna teleport off this mountain for a bit- in other words. Be responsible and help with the supply run or convince him to drop you off somewhere else, the choice is yours]

V. Wildcard
[Got another prompt for me? Let me know! Jun will be open for most things this plot!]