Mod Announcement: March

[simpathis]

— MONTHLY MOD ANNOUNCEMENT: MARCH —

Hello everyone! February definitely flew by really quickly! We hope everybody had fun last month, and we hope that what we have in store for you guys will be even more enjoyable!

As last month's crystal was in the negatives, some atmospheric changes will happen in to Verens. For one, majority of March won't be sunny. What a way to end the IC year! It will be raining most days, or if not, then it will be cloudy with the thunder rolling, signifying that there could be rain.

Every so often, there will be tremors and light magnitude earthquakes. Some might even hear rumours of a part of the island falling off. Wait— what? Here’s hoping they really are just rumours. There will also be a slight increase in illness this month, with many people within the city catching mild colds or having coughing and sneezing fits on par with allergies. Some may even find themselves feeling feverish, but that’s not all that uncommon as Notus winds down and we approach a change in seasons, right? Right.

» CALENDAR

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The main calendar spreadsheet is here as reference.

Here are the basic dates to keep up with:

• 3/01: Canon and Original Character Applications open; Plot and CR with Me Meme posted; Task Board updated.
  
• 3/05: Applications close; Reservations close.
  
• 3/05-06: Application processing.
  
• 3/06: Intro Log and Player Intros posted.
  
• 3/14-3/18: Event*.
  
• 3/18: Test Drive.
  
• 3/23: Player Plot.
  
• 3/25: Activity Check starts; Reservations open.
  
• 3/31: Activity Check end.

As you guys can see on the calendar, our event this month will be four days long. This is connected to the month-long atmospheric changes. Of course, you guys are free to backtag and backdate your posts and threads, but for these specific dates, the atmospheric changes in Verens will have an even bigger effect on the city. We will post details regarding the event closer to the date, so watch out!



» ACTIVITY CHECK RESULTS

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Below are the following who were either removed from the Activity Check or dropped out of the game. The list includes all characters who left the game throughout the month. The following names will also be posted in a visible place within the residential area where most of the characters are residing. This list reflects the names that are also on the wall.

9S | 9yes
Azura | leitmotifs
Chiaki Nanami | realitybytes
Elsa | gelum
Finn | misplacesfriends
Hiyono Yuizaki | tradesecret
Ichigo Kurosaki | anarchyinsoulsociety
Jackass | mackerelscience
Jude Mathis | spyrited
Jun Naruse | quietsong
K1-B0 | hopesearching
Kakashi Hatake | battlefieldbrat
Kanji Tatsumi | cuteshit
Kyoko Kirigiri | detectiveexmachina
Luke Skywalker | ajedi
Luna | lunarguardian
Lunafreya Nox Fleuret | sacredrites
Marcille | manasponge
Milla Maxwell | elementalshot
Minato Arisato | biddentodance
Naoto Shirogane | fortunesgun
Noctis Lucis Caelum | thatgoodnight
Sae Niijima | gambledfates
Seven (707) | unfallenangel
Utena Tenjou | therevolutionarygirl
Veigar | isthatashortjoke
Vin | somnatic
Yu Narukami | izanyagi

The following received strikes and must pass this month's Activity Check to remain in the game.

callyourname
fifthreplacement
fontechnician
original_songstress
purreptitious
ribbonbon
righthandedchirality
royalfuss
shanghaiworld

If there are any mistakes, please let us know ASAP!


» JOBS & TASK BOARD

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The Task Board has been updated so characters can start taking on odd jobs if they are so inclined. Details as to how the Task Board works and sign-up can be found on the said post, as well.

In addition, there is a Job List sheet that lists out more permanent jobs available for characters. The link to the job list can be found here. These are different from the Task Board jobs as they can be used as part-time or full-time jobs and do not have any specific time period. If you want your character to have a job, that's it. This is also where we will list character run businesses. So if you have one or are thinking about one, there will be a place where it can be referenced and looked at. You can even make tasks relating to your business.

The location of each task is determined by the colors they're labeled with. So, White = Verens; Yellow = Shaarnath; Pink = Theastai; Blue/Grey = Briarlan; Purple = Excursions; Red = Plot.

As a reminder, last month we decided to trim down the number of tasks offered on the board each month, in addition to removing sign-ups, with the exception of player-submitted tasks or tasks with limited spots. We hope that this will streamline the task board process and make it more accessible, while still providing a variety of tasks for players to choose from! Player-submitted tasks, as always, are welcome and encouraged as well.


» EMOTION TRACKER UPDATE

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The Emotion Tracker has been updated with new sheets. If you forgot any threads from last month, you can still submit to the tracker and just have it count toward this month. This includes any events that occurred.

This month's survey link is here.

Here is the screenshot for the end of last month:


Anyone who is interested in the fancy breakdown of points can find it here—but don't worry too much about it if numbers aren't your thing.

Last month left us distinctly in the negative, the effects of which can be experienced all across the island in the coming month with the dull, dreary atmosphere and threat of foul weather— not to mention the tremors. A swing back towards balance might be enough to set things right, but who knows what could happen between now and then?


» MYSTERY GIFTS FOR FEBRUARY

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Last month, we announced that we will be changing how Mystery Gifts are distributed. Instead of each character receiving a notif in their IC inbox, we'd kindly like to ask players who submitted to the Emotion Tracker to check the list provided and pick amongst the list of Mystery Gifts the world so kindly provided for the month.

Understandably, this takes out the mystery feature OOCly, but at least the mystery factor is still there ICly!

Below is a top-level where you can let the mods know what item you've picked for your character.

These Mystery Gifts will appear at the foot of the character's bed once they wake on the day of your choice. If the character doesn't sleep, it will be at their doorstep.

Here are the Mystery Gifts for February:

• Chess Set - What it says on the tin! It's a beautifully crafted chess set that can be folded in the middle for easy carriage. It comes with a green velvet bag for the pieces, and a black leather case for the board.
  
• Book from Home - Surprise! This can be any book from home: Romeo and Juliet, The first volume of the completed Sherlock Holmes works, or Fifty Shades of Grey! Of course, the book has to be appropriate to the character's world's setting (place and time). If your character is from 1991 Japan, then they shouldn't be receiving a Harry Potter-type of book just yet.
  
• Comfy Pyjamas - This sleepwear is so comfortable that after putting it on, the wearer will find it incredibly hard to will themselves to move. In fact, a nap sounds great...
  
• Creepy Teddy Bear - This Teddy Bear seems to be watching you at all times. . .
  
• Shovel - A shovel is a tool for digging, lifting, and moving bulk materials, such as soil, coal, gravel, snow, sand, or ore. If you ever need to bury something or someone. . .
  
• Flower Pot - Whatever your character’s favorite flower or plant happens to be, it will begin to grow from the soil in this pot so long as it gets enough sunlight and love. Neglect, however, will not only make it wilt, but your character may hear the faint sound of crying whenever they turn their back.
  
• Dreamcatcher - In the case that your character has bad dreams, perhaps this might be the perfect Mystery Gift for them! (Product is subject to not actually catch dreams. At least it looks pretty!)
  
• Dog Biscuits - It says on the packaging that it tastes like "your master's favourite food!" Will curiosity kill the ironically used cat?
  
• Aloha Shirt - Tired of cold and dreary Notus? Show the world you’re ready for Zephyras to hurry up and get here with a bit of color! Wearing it is almost as good as being on vacation! (Options one, two and three.)
  
• Bubble Wand - A giant bubble wand that doesn’t need any soap or solution to create bubbles, but emotion energy instead. The more positive the emotion, the bigger the bubble, although think too positive and things could get out of control.
  

» STATE OF THE AREHTEI

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Appointments can still be made with individual Arehtei here, complete with updated player list. Here’s a glimpse of where each of the Arehtei are at right now:

• Aiada - Aiada is doing well, and has been buzzing around people-watching for the last few week, curious as ever.
  
• Daimonia - Daimonia's a touch grumpy from all the residual grief and such happening, but it's nothing she's not used to at this time of year. Although she'll still often be in her sanctuary in Theasthai, she'll often be absent also, because she likes to go flying when she gets restless this way.
  
• Elios - He is still trucking along! The end of the year is also coming soon, too, and he wishes to address how everyone is doing now prior to the new year, so expect him to make an appearance some time soon!
  
• Peromei - Peromei will be largely keeping to herself, although she will occasionally be found dragging herself out of the Memory Tree to leave puddles of black goop near a few unsuspecting storefronts. Hopefully no one will step in it, as it's a struggle to wash it out of anything...
  
• Piphron - Piphron is still in a generally positive mood, but his previous ebullience will have subsided to something a bit calmer. He's still riding the Selenium high and will be more open to speaking than he normally is, but he won't be visiting the island or initiating any conversations. Those who want to find him can visit his valley.
  
• Sosyne - Sosyne has retreated back to her usual part of the lake and is sulking a bit more this month. She’ll still talk to people, but seems to be sliding back towards her usual grumpy self.
  
• Thras - The negative trend for Thras the last few months has been wearing on him, and whereas last month he was quiet and withdrawn, this month he is nowhere to be found. Presumably, he’s still in Shaarnath, but he’s withdrawn so completely that he is refusing audiences with those who wish to meet with him, and the people of Shaarnath are understandably concerned.
  

» RUINS OF VERATI FINDINGS

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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Ruins of Verati event! All three puzzles were solved, unlocking new sections of the buildings to explore, and allowing native researchers to collect and decipher a number of reports involving Verati's technology, culture, and military. The reports will be shared with anyone who asks for them, and if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the event log to see the initial findings that were uncovered as characters bypassed the city’s defense mechanisms.


» MEME COMMUNITY

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For organization purposes, we've created a meme community for the game: memepatheias! From here on, we will be posting the Test Drive Meme and Plot/CR with Me Memes on this community. OOC Player Intros will remain on the OOC comm.

Players are free to post on the meme comm with whatever meme they wish to post, whenever they wish.

With the meme comm now present, the latest mod announcement and likely the player intros or the latest event details will be pinned (stickied) to the OOC comm, while the TDM and Plot/CR with Me memes will be pinned to the meme comm each month for easier access. Enjoy!


If you guys have any questions or concerns regarding any of the above, please don’t hesitate to comment to this post!

Comments

QUESTIONS

[simpathis]

MYSTERY GIFTS

[simpathis]

Please comment here with the mystery gift you've selected if your character is eligible!

[ryuwrighthistory]

Naruhodou will get a dreamcatcher!

[schmisse]

Weiss will receive dog biscuits!

[glorifies]

Akashi will receive a chess set!

[newrecipe]

Ignis will be receiving an Aloha shirt!

[rebelpugilist]

Snow will be receiving a shovel.

[untalented]

Waver will get a chess set!

[heartofalioness]

Allura will receive a dreamcatcher! Thanks, mods!

[modelcivilian]

Adrien will receive a bubble wand!

[lightthedarkness]

Alice will be getting bubble wand
Usagi will be getting comfy PJs
Snow White will be getting a flower pot.

Re: QUESTIONS

[showyouthesight]

Can the flower pot grow a mini tree? Or like make a tree house-sized?

[oratorical]

Leia will be getting a flower pot!

[fabling]

Kokichi will get a dreamcatcher, thanks mods!

[justpastdawn]

Kevin will get the dreamcatcher! A bit of decent rest at last.

[yielded]

Pyrrha will be getting an Aloha shirt!

[sobored]

Junko'll be getting the creepy bear. Thanks.

[peacewithouttyranny]

Regarding the book mystery gift-- Would a datapad (like this one here) be eligible? Since a datapad is the closest thing to a book in Soundwave's world.

[simpathis]

That's fine! It may have to be charged through Dunamis once its energy source has run out.

[simpathis]

A mini-tree/tall plant (up to 6 feet) is fine, but it can't be any bigger than that.

[showyouthesight]

That works! Thank you!

Re: MYSTERY GIFTS

[showyouthesight]

Rin is getting the flower pot so he can grow a mini sakura tree.

[peacewithouttyranny]

Alright! Thanks, mods!

[peacewithouttyranny]

Soundwave will be getting a book, or a datapad in his case-- Towards Peace

Re: MYSTERY GIFTS

[tea_rs]

Bubble wand for Hibiki because for some reason people don't want her getting a creepy bear

And Hizumi will be getting the dog treats!

[unguilded]

CHESS SET FOR DIO!!!!!

[lastseeress]

Yeul will be getting a flower pot.
Machina will be getting a book from home: Nameless Tome.

MYSTERY GIFTS

[strayspride]

Comfortable Pajamas for Gabranth.

[bonafidebrother]

Larsa is getting PJs to match Gabranth's.
Izana is getting a dreamcatcher.
Suzaku is also getting a dreamcatcher.
Regis is getting a flowerpot of sylleblossoms.

[gr1m]

Aloha Shirt for Reaper

Re: MYSTERY GIFTS

[retconnaissance]

Comfy pajamas for the insomniac!

[spellswords]

Alisaie will get a book from home! It will be about the history of Eorzea.

[lothrat]

Ezra is getting a chess set!

[holdsodear]

Ciel is getting a chess set.
Mrs. Bradley is getting a book from home, i'll determine what kind later so I don't overthink myself into a pit with this

[markofthesea]

SO HI I realize as I work on this catchall that I had a question or two about the sneezing and everything:

Is it something, uh, diagnosable? Like if anyone asked Y'shtola about it would she be likely/able to tell them it was anything more than just a cold/the season changing/things of that nature? Or is it looking like run-of-the-mill stuff regardless of whether or not that's true?

[simpathis]

Hello! She might be able deduce that the negative emotional energy is making it a bit easier for people to catch these things, but the illnesses themselves are your standard cold/mild flu and allergies, with people being more susceptible to them. Some people might experience a combination of these, but there's no specific disease beyond that to be diagnosed. We hope this clarifies things!

[markofthesea]

Thank you!

(sucks to be allergic to bad moods, i guess)

Re: MYSTERY GIFTS

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan will be getting a book from home. Specifically The Jedi Path

[nailed_it]

Quick Mystery Gift question! How large is the "giant" bubble wand? Are we talking like a foot length-wise "big" or "size of a small person" big? XDXD

[simpathis]

It's about double its usual size!

[nailed_it]

Ah, perfect! Thank you!

[nailed_it]

Yang will be getting a bubble wand.

[huxceptional]

Hux will get comfy pajamas!
Ishimaru will get a chess set!