Empatheias Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
simpathis) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
empatheias_ooc2017-01-27 04:04 pm
simpathis) wrote in empatheias_ooc2017-01-27 04:04 pm
Selenium 2017 Details
For its third year, we're going to do something different for Selenium. Instead of it being in the city, Theasthai is hosting the festivities. While most of the traditions are the same, the also have their own flair to it. And for those who were expecting previous iterations, fear not! While different, we've managed to keep the essence of previous events while giving it an interesting twist.
» WHAT IS SELENIUM?
First thing we should explain is to once again explain what the tradition even is. Selenium is basically our version of All Souls Day. Everyone takes the time to send their respects (or grievances) to the dead and on the evening of the last day of the month, they release floating lanterns. The candle symbolizes the departed souls, and the act is to help any lingering spirits to pass on. It's both a solemn and celebratory affair as while there is grief, the goal is to also send the departed off with joy of the lives they lived.
» EVENT DETAILS
Except for one thing, this will be a bit more straightforward. Nevertheless, be sure to read all the details!
- Time frame. ICly, this happens during the last two days of the month. OOCly, it runs from January 27th through January 31st. As always, you are free to tag in late and tag for as long as you need to. Because this is an event running through the Activity Check, all threads will count toward AC!
- Location. Just to make it official, it will be set in the Theasthai's Hanging Gardens. Everyone is invited, including the locals of Verens and Shaarnath. The teleporters will be in full operation with additional hot air balloon rides.
- Opt in. As always, this is an opt-in event. It's also true for locals, as some may stay behind to do their own private ritual of the tradition.
- Arehtei. Surprise, the Arehtei will be there! This is the first time all of them will be together for Selenium, so they will have a special opportunity for those who wish to visit them to do so. They may even share their own personal memories of their past.
- Activities. While there will be an overall festive atmospheres, there will be certain items and activities that characters can focus on.
- Candles of Remembrance. These candles are freely handed out to those who may want one and are for personal use, not the lanterns. They are made with the petals from the Tree of Memories, and what makes them unique is that when lit, both the flame and the smoke will create a reflection of a dead or just sorely missed but alive individual. It's tuned to draw in good memories, but it is possible for a negative image to slip image instead. This image is viewable to all near it. The only real effect this will have is to evoke emotions regarding the individual, but it's otherwise just a subdued little "memory candle" of sorts. Or at least, it's supposed to be.
- Ghostly Matters. For those hoping to have their characters experience the "ghostly shadows" that appeared from memory petals of years previous, they will be able to do so but in a different manner.
- Bad grudges. This year, ghostly apparitions will appear in Theasthai and the candles will be the source. From the smoke, a ghostly figure will be recreated and form in front of the individual. However, the difference here is that the figure does not have to be the same as the initial image of the flame. Instead, it will draw deeper and try to pull the worst memories. So even if someone is seeing a loved one in the flame, their hated enemy will appear from the smoke. These apparitions will move and even speak, but their goal is to torment their source.
- Soothe the soul...? Like before, the "haunted" character will need outside help to try and get past the negative experience they will be having. However, it will be difficult as the apparition will try to spread the negativity and may even try to physically obstruct them.
- Success! If the "haunted" is able to overcome their emotions, then the the apparition will disappear in white fire and disappear. A hint that they are improving is if the candle turns white.
- Failure. If the "haunted" is unable to overcome their emotions, then the spirit will actually smile, converge on itself to turn into a black, glowing ball, and disappear. There will be no trace of it left and the affected will be overcome with sickness, but it will pass after a few hours. The hint for failure is the candle will turn black and will even crumble when the apparition disappears.
- Success! If the "haunted" is able to overcome their emotions, then the the apparition will disappear in white fire and disappear. A hint that they are improving is if the candle turns white.
- Bad grudges. This year, ghostly apparitions will appear in Theasthai and the candles will be the source. From the smoke, a ghostly figure will be recreated and form in front of the individual. However, the difference here is that the figure does not have to be the same as the initial image of the flame. Instead, it will draw deeper and try to pull the worst memories. So even if someone is seeing a loved one in the flame, their hated enemy will appear from the smoke. These apparitions will move and even speak, but their goal is to torment their source.
- Bad Ghost Count. While we won't have a separate Emotion Tracker, we'd like for everyone who has a failed bad ghost encounter (ie, the ones who escape), to leave a comment here. Yes, this does mean we actually would encourage failure, and that does mean that this is not the last you will see of them.
- "Rare" Occurrence. Although it's clear that the candles are at fault, it is not all the candles. In fact most everyone should have the more pleasant experience with their candles, with only the "unlucky few" getting the bad ones. So these ghostly incidents should not be considered as a widespread problem. Even so, an investigation will be conducted after the festival.
- Floating Lanterns. Despite the candle incidents, lanterns will still be lit and released. Just like in Verens, everyone writes the names of their deceased or deeply missed loved ones, attach it to the lantern, light the candle, and release it. For Theasthai, this ceremony will be aided with perfomancy to create an even more illustrious display.
- Candles of Remembrance. These candles are freely handed out to those who may want one and are for personal use, not the lanterns. They are made with the petals from the Tree of Memories, and what makes them unique is that when lit, both the flame and the smoke will create a reflection of a dead or just sorely missed but alive individual. It's tuned to draw in good memories, but it is possible for a negative image to slip image instead. This image is viewable to all near it. The only real effect this will have is to evoke emotions regarding the individual, but it's otherwise just a subdued little "memory candle" of sorts. Or at least, it's supposed to be.
And that should be it! So the main take away from this event will be that it's set in Theasthai's Hanging Gardens, there are memory candles, and some are broken and create bad "ghosts."
» POST-EXCURSION REMINDERS AND UPDATES
For those wondering about the aftermath of the Excursion, that is still happening. However, we are pushing it to post Selenium as what will happen matches with that. Also, we need everyone who participated to fill out the trackers before we can really proceed.
-----------------------------
And that's it! If you have any questions, feel free to ask here. You are free to use this post for plotting.
no subject
Would anything happen if someone picked one up and tried to influence one, such as how someone can try and draw out a certain memory through emotions? Also, are the pods doing okay if someone were to check on them?
Also, I'm assuming no ghostly apparitions will be hanging around Verens this year in any form, and the release of the lanterns at Lake Niras will still be a thing for those on the island?
no subject
2) There would be no change and pods also have no change. So far it seems to only effect the petals and some of the tree itself.
3) Correct on both fronts!
no subject
- Do the crystallised petals break easy?
- I'm assuming smashing/destroying the candle will not help with the ghostly images?
no subject
2) And unfortunately no. If anything breaking the candle may (but not always!) release the ghost. This is more likely to happen the darker the candle is.
no subject
I'm assuming apparitions are more likely to get physical the stronger they are, correct? And since they can obstruct other people trying to get involved, would they also acknowledge them to draw on issues/to dig into deeper into certain painful issues they may have in relation to that character? In their mission to torment and spread that lovely negativity.
Could an apparition potentially hurt another character or make them feel sick/weak, even if it's just temporary and only a side effect to the negative emotions being released? Or whereas a character might usually suppress the way their emotions manifest, the apparition can cause trouble with that?
And can the sickness symptoms overcome a person as they're experiencing the apparition, or is it only once it's done?
look i'm not seeing what kind of a mess i can make here or anything
no subject
Their main source from the initial character, though in terms of spreading negativity, it's more like they would be sending waves of whatever emotions its forming from. So if for example it's mostly out of grief and despair, then those trying to help may start feeling those same emotions. It's possible it could spur memories related to those emotions, but the ghostly baddie won't draw on the other character. I think that answers the second part, too.
As for the sickness, it can indeed overcome a person as they are experiencing, but the full effect won't happen until it disappears. So for example they could start having a throbbing headache while the ghost is there, but it's not until it disappears that they will suffer from extreme fatigue or feel nauseous. Basically, a progression of sorts.
no subject
By drawing on issues by involving another character, a situation I was thinking was more like-
Character A is having issue with Ghost when Character B comes along to help them. Ghost brings up a question that Character B had asked Character A, and their true feelings behind that question because there's actually a lot of grief/hurt behind it and is also connected to what originally brought them out.
no subject
If I understood your scenario correctly, then I think yes, that is indeed possible.
no subject