MAY MINGLE

[stellafortunamods]

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.

Comments

[pragmatism]

I do think he may enlist your help in doing it. The outlanders are free agents, and it would be easier for you to set up the trial than to employ native citizens.

[ Zhongli sighs, folding his arms in a familiar posture. ]

The Cryo Archon has long since been of similar mind to us. However, she has her own plans, and thus she does not join us on every occasion. She does plan to help me test Liyue.

[whiteshroud]

[He nods] Understandable. He is my commissioned client, so I'll go along with what he wants me to do.

[Gotta earn that massive paycheck somehow!]

Oh, she is? What's the Cryo Archon like? I don't know much about her.

[There is a not-zero chance his research prioritized reading stories about his grandpa and liyue.]

[pragmatism]

Most of the Archons have one elemental aspect and one abstract aspect. Her aspect is of Ice and Love.

[ The most difficult aspect of all... ]

She cares greatly for her people and for the world. Unfortunately, gentleness is rarely rewarded.

[ aka she had god-level trauma 500 years ago. ]

[whiteshroud]

[Ice and love....yeah those are two things that are rarely associated together on Earth, so Jun needs a moment to process that how that works.

...

... 💡 ]

Oh! She's a tsundere!

[JUN NO]

[pragmatism]

[ ............... ]

What is a 'tsundere' ?

[whiteshroud]

[Sorry Zhongli you adopted a goddamn otaku, this is what you get]

It's a classic character type in anime. They're tough on the outside, but soft and gentle on the inside. The "tsun" refers to the tough exterior, while "dere" refers to the more gentle side.

It's most common to see the "tsun" side be portrayed as angry and temperamental, but they can also be cold and aloof.

[pragmatism]

[ yuff I would literally die if she turns out to be a tsundere ]

I suppose.....

[ ..........????????????? ]

She is rather imperious in recent times.

[whiteshroud]

[We'll die together Sept]

Mm, that can be a common feature with tsunderes...

[Jun for the love of any God stop]

I'll remember to keep a safe distance from her should we cross her path.

[Tsunderes are dangerous and he's been too lucky with how nicely the gods of this world have treated him. Not looking to play with fire here (or ice in this case)]

[pragmatism]

Yes, that would be wise.

[ Considering that her lieutenants are... Like That.... yeah. ]

She too wishes for rebellion. However, she did not fully agree with Forneus' methods, and only helps us when it does not directly have to do with him.

[whiteshroud]

[Yeah don't worry. He can be reckless but he knows sometimes it's best to hide behind his much stronger grandpa]

Well, his methods are rather unorthodox. I can see why many gods would take issue.

But occasional help is better than opposing us, so that's fine.

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli closes his eyes, then opens them again. There's a lot that he wanted to tell Jun, but could not. The boy will just have to find out in time. ]

It will be quite a while before we get to her nation. For now, it would be wise to focus on the task at hand. I have asked Forneus to give everyone a short reprieve before we embark on the mission proper, so you will have time to explore Liyue as you please.

[whiteshroud]

[ ... !]

Really? You mean I'll get to visit Liyue as a vacation after all?

[Sure he'll have to do a mission there eventually, but close enough...!!]

[pragmatism]

Yes, you will.

[ He's gonna bonk Forneus with a mountain if he doesn't agree, that's for sure. ]

[whiteshroud]

[rip forneus.

For a moment, Jun's at a loss for words. The truth was, he'd lost hope of actually getting that vacation ever since he learned of his purpose here. He was meant to be here as a Seal Knight, a useful pawn in a mission of utmost importance. This was no place for childish dreams, he understood that.

And yet Zhongli had actually...

Today had already been an emotional day for Jun, so maybe it was just hitting harder than usual. But when finding the proper words to convey his feelings fail him, he does the next best thing. He jumps off that tower he's on and down towards Zhongli, fully intending on hugging him but his lack of hugging skills means it's more like a glomp from a dangerous height. Probably a good thing Zhongli's made of rocks or it would've ended badly for both of them.]

Thank you, Grandpa.

[His voice is quiet but it's so sincere and heartfelt. Sure it was just a silly little vacation, but the fact Zhongli did this means a lot to him.]

[pragmatism]

[ It's fortunate for the both of them that Zhongli has the stability of a whole mountain, which prevents him from staggering because of Jun's hug. Otherwise, both of them might have gone flying off the mountain given that Jun had regained his superhuman strength.

Instead, he's going to hold his grandchild carefully with one arm and pat him on the head with the other. He's done such a thing many times before with his other kids, so it's almost natural. ]

[whiteshroud]

[It's very fortunate indeed. Jun will take a moment to enjoy the warmth and comforting feeling of the hug. Maybe Zhongli isn't as warm as a normal human in body temperature, but considering Jun's only hugged one other person it's not like he really notices or cares. Grandpa's hug feels great to him.

Eventually he'll let go and make movements to get his feet back on the ground either by getting lowered by Zhongli or dropping down himself. Just height difference things.]

...Wish I could enjoy this view all day, but we should head back before I start to freeze.

[Look at him, remembering to avoid hypothermia on his own. Talk about growth. He really does like it though. If this wasn't a frozen death mountain, he'd probably try to stay here all night. ]

[pragmatism]

[ Someday Jun will unlock the secrets of being immune to extreme temperature, but that day is not today. ]

Alright.

[ He waits for Jun to teleport them back. The boy is probably too tuckered out to walk, all things considered. ]

[whiteshroud]

[You mean the secret of finding a pyro that you can make sure never leaves your side? yeah that'll be a great day.

He's right about him being tuckered out. He'll take Zhongli's hand and teleports them. This time instead of going back to Mondstadt, Jun only goes as far as the supply camp on the mountain. Teleporting over long distances takes more energy, and Jun rather not risk something going wrong because of feeling worn out.]

...Hope this is okay.

[pragmatism]

It is.

[ He'll walk Jun to his tent before heading off on his own. They'll have more time to explore tomorrow. ]