stellafortunalogs | MAY MINGLE

MAY MINGLE

May Mingle: Entombed City
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
Everyone's hard work resulted in the gate to upper Dragonspine opening. These ruins have not been traversed in years, if not centuries - everything within has been lost to time and living memory. An entire city has been buried in the snow.

People once lived there. The broken buildings host damaged furniture and weathered streets. There are various cloth-covered mounds in a house here and there, accompanied by a sprig of blue flowers. Someone has laid these people to rest after they passed away.

Traces of technology can be found in the city - golden boxes that contain crystals capable of recording and playing back holograms. One of the boxes introduces this place as Vindagnyr; a land once full of greenery and life. Just what happened to these people? What caused the eternal winter?

The highest point in the city is occupied by a temple built into a Domain. Within the Domain is a pale white tree, split in half by a strange object that has fallen through the Domain's ceiling. This temple was once a site for worship for Vindagnyr's people, and even in death they continue to pray for salvation. The priests have been frozen in ice, and the sheer cold emanating from the Skyfrost Nail makes it obvious that it is the cause of winter.

The city's inhabitants worshipped Celestia. Why then were they left to die?

State of the World

On October 1st, the entombed city of Vindagnyr becomes open for exploration. Travelers can choose to look for clues or try to scavenge the city for ancient materials or tools. Recording boxes all around the city tell stories of Vindagnyr's greener past, and of the days when winter suddenly arrived. This is the cruelty of Celestia that Forneus wished you to see.

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

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That'd probably be for the best.

( if she's going to be rude it will be with intent and purpose. there's nothing more embarrassing than social faux pas. )

Are there really so many of us?

You got strawberries?

( because she will steal a god's entire stock of strawberries. but like... in a polite, good kid way.

still, that is kind of interesting... if he makes sure things flow properly, are they anomalies? or was this supposed to happen? jinx only hums in acknowledgement of what he says, though, still slowly wandering around and inspecting things like a cat might. )

( she's only been able to use her hexes all her life- so she gets the frustration, but god does she wish she could do more in general. )

Just means you have to put your all into it. Get creative.

( oh! oh, she's floating now. okay. that's a thing. blinking owlishly, jinx turns to look at the other girl- about her age, it looks like? and oh my god she's adorable. figures that jinx would get caught slipping though- just her luck. )

Ah- yyyeah. It doesn't snow unless someone's acting up in my home town, I'm? Really not used to this weather. Thanks for the save.

[ As always, Forneus seems to be looking at one of his screens with the illegible text when someone walks in. He turns to offer Ochako a smile, though ]

I suppose you could say that. I redecorated a little so it doesn't look as awkward.

[ But most people come here for a reason other than small talk. ]

Did you need me for anything?

Yeah, I've got some.

[ Jinx will be able to see that the interior of his office is very modern. Everything is neatly arranged; an artificial copy of a living room instead of one that's actually lived in.

He walks over to the wall fridge and pulls out a generic-looking box of chilled strawberries. ]

Here you go.

Ah, alright.

[ He'll try to get cards and games specifically from Elliot's world, as a show of respect. ]

I rarely interact with humans, so I appreciate your advice.

[ Zhongli tilts his head slightly. ]

If by 'us' you mean those who are aware of Forneus' plan, then yes. Most of the people who live here are unaware of it. To spread such knowledge may cause mass panic and expose his plans earlier than necessary.

Can't do anything because of the magic rules, huh?

(That gets a laugh out of him. It sounds like something out of a story. The wish-granting spirit that can only grant wishes within a certain limit. The nature spirit that can only offer help under a specific conversation. Well, to be fair, being pulled to another world feels very much like something he would read in some of those childhood stories.)

Alright. A visit's overdue anyway.

(But there are other things he can ask Zhongli,)

Then how about a different line of questioning for you and me... what do you think about all of this? You're the one who actually lives here and has to deal with whatever we end up doing.

(JUN SURE DID BEFRIEND A PROTAG. A lazy, sneaky, suspicius and no good schemer... who is actually a RPG protag.

It's kind of amazing how a spell like this can still make a difference. The cold is so intense that every little bit really helps. He's never really thought about the cold feeling warm but he knows it's only because the cold from the portal is just less cold than the brutal cold of this domain.

Let's say this gives him another minute to get closer to the tree, the cold getting more intense the closer they get. It's close enough to be able to figure out that the nail seems to be the source of the cold and the tree doesn't look like it's alive... but nothing else. There'd definitely not going to get close enough to touch the tree or check out any of the finer details before Claude reaches out to grab Jun's hand without thinking. Call it survival instinct; a desire to live and not die like a curious cat.

It's definitely time to get out of here, Jun.)

It doesn't matter who it is. But the sooner we can leave this place, the better.

[ for so many reasons, ]

There are more flowers that way.

[ he nods toward (throws dart) the southern side of the mountain ]

[ The fact that Claude takes things in stride makes it much easier for Zhongli to answer him. He derived no pleasure from hiding things, but contracts still have to be obeyed. ]

If you asked me this question a long time ago, I would have answered that humanity cannot survive without the guidance of the gods. However, the world changes, even if one wishes it not to. The greatest asset mortals have is their potential, and it is not to be underestimated.

[ To change the mind of the stubborn Lord of Geo would take an incredible amount of work. Eventually, Time managed to do it. ]

Given how many bodies there are... either this all happened quickly or something prevented them from leaving. Either way, it looks like most people weren't able to get out of here before it was too late...

(Little does he know, the answer is a combination of both.)

Considering this is all supposed to show us "Celestia's cruelty," I'm guessing this isn't natural. Probably some sort of divine retribution...

[In that case, get ready to play knock-off Yu-gi-oh cards (no i don't know why that video runs slow) Forneus]

Eheh ... so I've noticed. But that's alright! It's good that you're trying, and I'm pretty used to people with, uh, curious backgrounds.

[Half of Class VII were friendless losers before they became a group, he means]

[He sure who matters some, but it's not on him to manage this guy's relationships...so he lets it go]

No argument here.

[But ah, the flowers! He glances at where he's pointing curiously]

There are? Are they far from here?

[He asks because Elliot does know better than to wander off too far on death mountain by himself]

[ Ah yes... Forneus. Now that the next stage of his plan has been put into motion, Zhongli has resigned himself to going along with what he may have otherwise avoided. ]

I am also one of the Adepti of Liyue. That should suffice for concealing my identity.

[ Which brings up the question of where the Adepti came from, but - that's a question for another day. As for how he's feeling... ]

The earth itself is weighed down by centuries of snow and ice.

[ He seems to be talking about both the mountain and himself. ]

(They can both suffer in the cold together, though, Claude is going to do his best to keep it together because he's used to being the "reliable" one. He still gives her a sympathetic look, like he can definitely relate to her and decides to keep an eye out in case he needs to lend her a scarf or something... he is, after all, a nobleman, even if he isn't particulary noble.)

Something when they deserved more.

(His own usual cheer and jovial attitude is subdued, replaced with something more somber for the moment,)

If we could do something else... It feels wrong to just leave them like this...

[ Zhongli... sighs. It's a few moments of silence before he replies. ]

Celestia considers itself above needless conversation.

[ So, that's a no. While it is undeniable that they've done their job of keeping out bigger dangers from the world, they've still consigned other civilizations to ruin. ]

[The comment about Adepti gets a squint, but that's something she'll just file away for now. there's something else that has her attention anyway.]

Did you... know? About what happened here?

[He must've, if he seems so affected by it.]

[ Unfortunately for Jun, Zhongli does pick up on that posture - but only the posture. He had assumed Jun would also have the tenacity of stone given that his powers have somewhat returned. While he doesn't appear to do anything, a warm golden light appears around Jun's bruised hand and takes the pain away. ]

Shall we explore elsewhere?

[ He figures staying around here would only make Jun feel worse about everything. Surely there's something else they can occupy their time with. ]

[While Claude was doing his shonen best to get to that tree, Jun was focusing mostly on keeping that portal open. Normally it's not hard for him to open a portal and leave it, but it's harder to keep magic steady when he's in pain from the cold. And so he focuses on that, so the portal continues giving "warmer" air instead of destabilizing and exploding on them.

Thankfully, Claude's survival instincts kick in at a good time, before Jun gets too cold to do anything. As soon as he does, he'll close the portal. He then doesn't hesitate to lift his other hand and cast a teleportation spell. There's a blue glow, and then the area around them disappears for a moment.

When the scenery reappears, they're by the barbatos statue halfway down the mountain. Thankfully due to the statue's presence, it's warm here. Jun breathes out in relief]

You alright?

(He was almost anemo for a reason.)

...

(He listens to Zhongli. His first answer results in Claude's expression shaping his mouth into a thin line,)

I've always hated praying to gods. As far as I'm concerned, you can only rely on yourself. Putting your fate in the hands of a god won't help you win a war or improve your life. Only tangible things and real actions can do that. The side with the better weapons, the one with the better tactics, or the most troops... The decisions you make and the things you do are the only things that will change a situation.

Why put all of our faith in a single, great god? Or a few divine beings? When you can believe in yourself and people and have unlimited greatness?

(There was never a god that listened to the desperate prayers of a lonely boy. Not a goddess that reached out to help a child fighting for his life. He's gotten this far because of his own merit. )

Why indeed...

[ Zhongli's tone is neutral, but he seems like he's agreeing with what Claude says. ]

The gods of this world have a duty to guide humanity. Not all follow this duty. Those who do not eventually meet their end at the hands of those they were meant to protect.

[ He... sighs, somehow, as if this is all very personal to him. ]

The age of the gods is ending, and the age of mankind is dawning. Soon, it will be time for us to depart.

[ Yes, he said 'us'. ]

(The door opens and Claude yelps. He actually yelps at how cold it is and immediately reaches to pull his heavy cloak closer to him. He's never had much affinity for the cold considering he's lived in warm places for most of his life. Even he can't keep his composure when faced with this biting cold.)

Maybe someone with a Pyro vision... a lot of them seem busy these days, though.

(Since they're the only ones with rights.)

(The warmth washes over Claude and he can feel his body finally relax after being tense from the cold for so long. Everything feels like jelly and he wobbles on his feet before collapsing, sitting down in the snow and just needing a moment to collect himself,)

Yeah.

(He sounds breathy,)

I just need... a minute. (He never knew the cold could be so draining,) ... Thanks.

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MAY MINGLE

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jinx, pointing at ochako: i diagnose you with Round

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