stellafortunalogs | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Zhongli nods. It seems like he's agreeing with Claude's words, but: ]

It will be easier to convey what you need to know if you ask us questions instead of sitting through a lecture for a few days. Though, as willing as I am to provide you with anything you seek to know, there are also certain rules that bind those who possess such knowledge. Your host is better able to circumvent these rules than I am, though there are still hard limits that we face.

[ Certain truths that, once spoken to an unauthorized party, will instantly bring divine retribution. ]

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.

[ 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. ]

(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'. ]

(As far as he's concerned, a god that doesn't help people is no better than a noble that gives into hedonism, indulging and seeing the people they're meant to protect as nothing more than a resource and not people. Which means they can all go.

But listening to Zhongli, who seems to want what's best for the people even if it means doing so without him? It's interesting. When he'd asked for Zhongli's thoughts and opinions, he hadn't thought he was asking for the perspective of an actual god,)

... Where will you go after all of this?

[ It's a very good question. Zhongli looks thoughtful for a few moments, and then his expression turns a touch lighter, as if he is harbouring the ghost of a smile. ]

I will visit a few old friends. After that, I suppose I will take a very long rest.

[ Claude is free to interpret that however he wants to. ]

(As a notorious fake smiler and a protagonist with a sad past surrounded by more sad people, the smile doesn't go unnoticed. )

Ready to retire, huh?

(There are definitely a few ways to interpret this but since he actually likes Zhongli, he chooses to interpret it in a more positive way. )

I think the world is better off without gods and belief systems... but the future should be for everyone.

(Even former gods, if they can adapt and accept the new world.)

[ Zhongli chuckles, but only once. ]

I appreciate your kindness. If all goes well, the world may still have a place for a dusty antique like me.

[ Anyways, ]

I respect those who are able to speak their mind with full confidence and are willing to take action. If you ever visit Liyue, I am sure you will find people of similar mind amongst its leaders.

Or you can always make your own place. A better place.

(H e h.)

First Mondstadt and now Liyue. It almost sounds like you're trying to get me to stay.

[ Claude's a smart one. Alas, Zhongli is far too tired for that. His time will come soon. ]

When you do return to your world, it will be at the exact moment you leave. While I have no desire to retain you against your will, I believe the experience may aid you in your endeavours back home.

... Nothing could keep me here anyway.

(As interested as he is, as curious as he is, as much as he might want to learn more about this world and gain whatever lessons he can from it... There are bigger things he has to return to. His personal pursuits can be put aside for now,)

Ready or not, there are things I have to do back home.

[ Zhongli nods again. ]

Good luck. [ Not that there's anything else he could offer Claude to take back. At least, not physically. ]

Was there anything else you wished to ask me?

Luck's got nothing to do with it.

(And he winks. Why rely on luck when he has his own skills and the best friends anyone could ask for?)

Yeah, actually. Just one more. (He sounds so serious, too!!) Aren't you cold?

(WHERE IS YOUR WINTER OUTFIT, ZHONGLI???)

[ Zhongli looks down at himself, as if he's only just realized. ]

I do suppose I have forgotten....

[

]

...

(How do you just forget tho.)

Are you going to be okay?

I will be fine.

[ Zhongli appears to have collected himself after that momentary lapse. ]

I am very... durable. Please do not worry about me.

No one's completely impervious.

(Even a god, Zhongli.)

... But alright. If you need anything, you can rely on us though. We might all be a bunch of outsiders to you but... You're one of us, you know?

[ Zhongli is not one to take uncalculated risks, but - he appreciates it regardless. ]

Thank you. I will keep that in mind.

MAY MINGLE

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