empatheias_ooc | Mod Announcement: October

— MOD ANNOUNCEMENT: OCTOBER —

STATE OF THE GAME

Before we go into the usual sections, we'd like to alert everyone who has yet to see the State of the Game we posted alongside this announcement. It's a bit of a read, but not only is it letting all players know what to expect in the future, but it's also a discussion on how we can further improve the game as we continue forward. There's been a lot of changes and developments in the recent months and years, so we hope this will help clarify things a bit. We also have a survey for all the points raised in the post, and we encourage everyone to take it even if they do not have any further feedback.

OOC/IC CALENDAR

The main calendar spreadsheet is here as reference.

OOC CALENDAR:

10/01: Plot and CR with Me Meme posted; Task Board updated.
10/05: Vines Part 2.
10/18: Test Drive; SwordCon.
10/24: A Quest From Thras.
10/25: Activity Check starts; Reserves Open.
10/31: Activity Check end.
11/01: Applications Open.

As a reminder, because we're on a bi-monthly schedule, applications will be open in November and they will not reopen until January.

The skies appear constantly overcast and colder than usual winds blow briskly through the city. The presence of the vines seems to stifle the air, similarly to how they keep twisting and wrapping themselves around everything. While people try to remain calm since nothing too dramatic has happened yet, it's hard for anyone to not feel anxious as the days go on and the vines remain despite best attempts to cull them back. Perhaps it's this anxiety and growing fear that is affecting the weather, providing more gloomy days than not...

ACTIVITY CHECK RESULTS

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.

Allen Walker |

showmystar
Ardyn Izunia |

spitefire
Arthur Inkwell |

inklongdry
Ash Lynx |

jadedlynx
Chief Anabel |

latiosite
Crowe Altius |

avimagus
Evie Grimhilde |

sortofprincess
Gladiolus Amicitia |

pumped
Gon Freecss |

damnbitious
Grimsley |

cardshark
Ignis Scientia |

newrecipe
Jaune Arc |

continuer
Jill Valentine |

torsion
Lavi |

looseleafbook
Lightning Farron |

distantlight
Momo Yaoyorozu |

yaoyoroshka
Noel Kreiss |

dyingworld
Nora Valkyrie |

kaboop
Oscar Pine |

inheirance
Paddra Nsu-Yeul |

lastseeress
Ravus Nox Fleuret |

formerprince
Roman Torchwick |

collectsdust
Setsuna Meiou |

forsaken_taboo
Shouto Todoroki |

thermoregulate
Steven Stone |

geophile
Terra Branford |

slavecrowned
Y'shtola

markofthesea

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

arcsplainist

deathboss

dj_jiraiya

likescaves

shootingstars

spellswords

wolfbitten

yuzanagi

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

JOBS & TASK BOARD

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 (if applicable) 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 = Theasthai; Blue/Grey = Briarlan; Purple = Excursions; Red = Plot.

Note: We always welcome and encourage players to submit various tasks for the Task Board! However, in the interest of fairness and making sure that player-submitted tasks can be integrated into the Board in a timely manner, we ask that if you would like your task to be included that it be submitted no later than five days prior to the start of the coming month. Otherwise, it will be included the following month. Thank you!

EMOTION TRACKER UPDATE

The Emotion Tracker has been updated with a new sheet for the coming month. 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:

Another red month… Let's all lay the blame on Serah Farron, Honerva, and Regis Lucis Caelum. Honorable mentions to Rokurou Rangetsu and Eleanor Bradley. Tut tut. Guess everyone wants the world to burn—

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

MYSTERY GIFTS FOR OCTOBER

Players who submitted to the Emotion Tracker last month are invited to choose an IC Mystery Gift from the list below for each contributing character! Below is a top-level where you can let the mods know what item you've chosen. 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 OCTOBER:

A bag of candy. Each candy is shaped like their aligned Arehtei and consuming them will induce the appropriate emotions.
A small wooden model of a goose that will randomly move, honk, and drag small things around in response to agitated emotions.
A jar of live bees.
Something very similar to the Otherworlder barrel of monkeys game. The toy monkeys tend to react to the player's emotions, putting a new spin on an old classic.
A mini cauldron that releases a spooky orange mist. Also doubles as a great humidifier!

STATE OF THE AREHTEI

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 feeling somewhat positive despite the vine situation, as this time of year is one of her favorite and she's very appreciative of it. She will be floating around the city with her sprites that suspicious smell of pumpkin spice (in fact, if someone manages to look carefully, it looks like they have rolled in containers of it) Aiada, will, of course, deny it because she's not addicted. The sprites sometimes lead to the Memory Tree where her sister is trapped. She'll be screaming encouraging words to help her get out, probably during the time of day most people want to be sleeping.
Daimonia - The state of Daimonia's balance has her feeling more introspective and melancholy than normal. The cold weather and dull autumn colours have her grieving the end of the bountiful season rather than seeing the change as positive, and she's both concerned about the vines causing a nuisance to the populace and irritated about Peromei's... antics.
Elios - Because of his own personal feelings towards Peromei as well as the steady stream of love, her being trapped in the Memory Tree has sent Elios in a tizzy. He can be seen flying around the Memory Tree, calling out to his "beloved Peromei" and even diving in to try and break through the branches. Of course being made of fire, this isn't really the smartest idea, but so far the "fires of his love" disappear into the vines. So far.
Peromei - Peromei is feeling pretty in-the-middle at the moment, actually -- so naturally the vines have her trapped in the Memory Tree. She alternates between hoping some of her dutiful aligned will come to visit her with snacks before she runs out of her stash of treats, and laying around in an ooze puddle thinking about what an ignoble death it would be to waste away in here. Anyone who does approach the tree will either hear the Arehtei screaming to hype herself up as she attempts to headbutt her way out, or singing the first few lines of that Otherworld "hello, darkness, my old friend" song over and over, as she doesn't remember the rest.
Piphron - Piphron has no desire whatsoever to engage with whatever nonsense it is that is happening on the island this time around and strongly feels that the Otherworlders can deal with some rogue plant infestations. He can be found in his usual stone hermitage if anybody wishes for a consultation. At some point during the month, he will, however, select a particularly shiny rock and leave it at the Tree of Memories as Peromei's memorial stone to mark her eternal entombment.
Sosyne - Sosyne's continuing to reside in the mountains. She's been too angry to think about heading back to Verens or to the lake. Back in town, word is that the mountains' streams are getting warmer and warmer and the occasional rumbling can be heard from somewhere in the mountains. Those who seek her out will find her in a foul mood, but may still be able to conduct their business so long as they tread carefully. News of Peromei's situation may get her to head back to town, but be forewarned, she most likely won't take it well.
Thras - What little the crystal has to show for Thras this month is leaning negative, though only slightly— the result is a hot-tempered little dragon, but one that still welcomes visitors. He just may be more inclined to playful headbutting and challenging them to duels during the coming month. Though the appearance of vines may be cause for concern, he's not all that worried at the moment. It's probably ~~vine~~ fine.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING SO FAR

Quite a few things have happened this past month, so here is a quick recap to bring everyone to speed:

INVENTIONS: The city saw an invention convention of sorts with Otherworlders showing off their inventions at the behest of the CrystalTech Research Institute. A number of new and newly innovated devices were on display and experimented with such as effect dampeners and emobytes from the institute and new armor types and power amplifiers from the Otherworlders. The event was a hit, but some wonder if some of these new devices could be dangerous in the wrong hands. But even with those concerns, science marches on. The benefits surely outweigh the risks.
MISTERIOUS PHENOMENA: Strange things began happening throughout the island. Weird mists appearing in scattered locations, odd metal creatures being spotted, and people's shadows rebelling against them. Each carried their own set of negative emotions and seem to be part of a large puzzle, but solving it may have to wait.
INTRUSIVE VINES: During the last week of the month, bizarre vines sprout all over the city, disrupting everyday life and bringing equally bizarre pumpkins with them. The vines are manageable by applying the right emotions, and the pumpkins while occasionally glowing or taking on odd shapes seem harmless enough. But there's also the matter of those odd hoofbeats at night…

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS MONTH

As for what to expect for this month, there is a brief summary with further details to be provided closer to date:

UNUSUAL GROWTH: The vines continue their widespread invasion over the island, and some swear that they've grown thicker as the days pass. The pumpkins are also starting to begin to change shape, some seeming to react more visibly to nearby emotions. With ominous cold winds blowing in and the sound of hoofbeats growing louder and more common, perhaps more caution should be taken.
SWORDCON: Despite all this, or perhaps because Shaarnath is unaffected, preparations for the second SwordCon is underway. Swordsmiths from all over are preparing to display their best, and swordsmen are honing their skills for the bouts to show their prowess. Modern day inventors will once again present new innovative blades (much to the consternation of traditional smiths), some using the research that was tested last month. There will be other festive activities, and there are rumors of a certain swordsman demanding duels from every fighter they meet. (There will be a designated log.)
THRAS'S QUEST: Unfortunately, there's not much we can say at the moment as this relies on a few things that will occur later in the month, but there will be a designated log and further details when the time comes. We can at least say this won't be intrusive and more on the "investigative" side than action. This will also lead to a more proper Thras related event next month.

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

Mod Announcement: October

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