Empatheias Mods (
simpathis) wrote in
empatheias_ooc2019-12-01 04:11 pm
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Mod Announcement: December
We hope everyone is having a good holiday season! We have several announcements, including details about the event this month, so please read everything!
OOC/IC CALENDAR
The main calendar spreadsheet is here as reference.
OOC CALENDAR:
- 12/01: New Task Board.
- 12/06-20: Blizzards and Werewolves.
- 12/18: Test Drive.
- 12/25: Reserves open; Activity Check starts.
- 12/31: Activity Check ends.
- 1/01: Applications Open.
Prepare yourself, Empatheias, because you're about to get hit by a blizzard of epic proportions.
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.
Asbel Lant |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Dave Strider |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Demyx |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Ichiro Rangetsu |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Khada Jhin |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Rose Quartz |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Snow White |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Spinel |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Trunks Brief |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Yosuke Hanamura |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Yu Narukami |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Yuan Ka-Fai |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The following received strikes and must pass this month's Activity Check to remain in the game.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
If there are any mistakes, please let us know ASAP!
HALF AC THIS MONTH
We mentioned it earlier, but for the month of December, everyone only needs to provide half of the usual Activity Check to pass. Thus you only need:
- 1 post OR
- Thread(s) totalling at least 7 comments.
Standard rules apply.
However, if you provide the normal full AC, you can earn yourself a free pass to use on any of your characters during the next year.
In addition, we are going to make a few adjustments to the AC starting next month that will hopefully better accommodate the current state of the game. Although we are not discussing it fully right now, just know that we are going to be relaxing some of our previous restrictions since the reasons for them existing are no longer relevant. Some will remain because they have proven to do their purpose, but lifting some of the others will balance it out. We will be using the Jan/Feb cycle for the test run since December would be a poor choice to really see how it goes, and will announce the changes in January.
NEW AIADA
As we announced last month, Pixle stepped down as Aiada and a member of the Think Tank. But we already have a replacement and are happy to welcome Reena back on the team! She has a lot of ideas for our little spritely Arehtei, so look forward to them!
EMOTION TRACKER UPDATE
This is the final month for the Emotion Tracker! It 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:

Well if we needed a reason for this bizarre blizzard, we definitely have something to go with now—but for real, a few things will have been amped up a bit thanks to this negative dip.
In addition, because this is the last month for the tracker, the submissions will affect Selenium next month in some ways. This month will provide a lot of opportunity for characters to experience a lot of emotions, so we encourage all players to submit to the tracker for one last hurrah!
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 DECEMBER
Since this is the final month for the ET, this is also going to be our final month for the gifts. They will not be given out next month. Thus everyone will be receiving the following:
- Arehtei on the Abode (see the Task Board GT0101 for details, but it's a reference to a certain elf used to watch children)
- Eternal mini snowman that will always snow no matter where it is or how hot it gets.
- Silver star ornament that will twinkle when there is a lot of festive cheer.
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 - After what happened last month, Aiada is looking forward to the next one, since she knows a lot of people tend to have celebrations, and if there's something Aiada loves, it's
an excuse to make braids in people's hairseeing others having fun and being appreciative of each other. Expect the sprites to dump snow and/or snowballs on unsuspecting people to get them in a 'festive' mood, and make decorative braid crowns in their hair if they aren't careful. Watch out for the pinecones and flying mistletoe. - Daimonia - Though the cooling weather isn't doing much for Daimonia's personal mood, she seems to be cheering up since last month. With Ennea comes a season of celebration from Otherworlders and natives who have taken on their traditions -- she'll be watching closer this year to learn more about them, and may even feel so inclined as to join in.
- Elios - Elios has been pining for Peromei while she's been away, but he is now ecstatic that she has returned! And with a special gift!!! Oh what great joy! Because of this, his aligned may feel a little more affectionate with their loved ones.
- Peromei - Weirdly, Peromei is still doing pretty well despite the negativity creeping up on the island, although she has settled into more of a neutral state than anything particularly hopeful or despair-filled. The gross weather this month is going to totally bork her sleep schedule, however, as she spends her days snoring away in the Memory Tree and her nights trotting around to investigate certain lanterns. Perhaps she will even join in on the caroling. No one wants this, but she might.
- Piphron - In passing, Elios recently commented that it would be nice to spend the human holidays getting the Arehtei together and perhaps Piphron's mountain, being so large, could accommodate them all? Thus, any visitors to Piphron's domain will find that it is starkly empty for the entirety of the month. There is a sign left beside the door announcing that Piphron is on a world journey and to not wait for his return. In actuality, he can be found hiding in the Ferril Mountains from his family, collecting vast quantities of serpentinite, his favorite rock. He will begrudgingly respond to telepathic summons.
- Sosyne - Due to all the negativity this month, Sosyne's taken off from the memory tree in an angry huff and headed out of town again. She'll still respond to requests for completed crystals, but she won't be sticking around for long chats or anything of that nature this month.
- Thras - After the retrieval of his artifact from the ruins of Ephyria, Thras is in very high spirits, grateful to all those who assisted in this venture. For the time being, he'll be returning to Shaarnath, but not for long: since he only hatched in the middle of last year's seasonal festivities, he'll be looking to enjoy them firsthand this time around, in addition to making regular trips back to Ephyria with his guards to see if there is more that can be done to restore the city.
CITY OF THRAS, RUINS OF EPHYRIA - WRAP UP
Thanks to everyone's efforts, the city of Ephyria was explored, the labyrinth navigated and the fearsome minotaur lurking at its heart defeated after being weakened by the efforts of the puzzle and combat teams. Though the labyrinth collapsed shortly afterwards, thanks to the sword's protection, the Otherworlders were able to escape into a now restored city. More information about the ending can be found in the event epilogue post and teams from Shaarnath have begun forming expeditions to see what else remains to be discovered in Ephyria now that the sword has been recovered.
As players likely guessed, the sword is Thras's artifact, and that just leaves Aiada, Daimonia, and Sosyne's to be found. They will be explored further in the coming year. Characters will have opportunities to go to Ephyria for various tasks in the future, but if there are any players who have other interests in it, please let us know!
PLAYER ORGANIZED PARTIES AND EVENTS FOR THIS MONTH
We'd like to inform everyone that there are a couple of player organized parties and events happening this month outside of our event. As far we know, Sora is holding a Christmas party and the log will be posted early and forward dated to Christmas. Usagi will have her annual toy drive. We will happily update this space with other details if needed! If other players have anything in mind, please let us know and we can add you in here, too.
WINTER WONDERLAND?
Similar to the Ivy and Pumpkinvasion "event" we had back in October, this month we have an "atmospheric" event that has effects that will last for a large portion of the month, but will end before Christmas. To give time for players to enjoy any forward dated Christmas logs, our event won't really start until Friday, December 6th and will end Friday, December 20th. This will allow for any IC effects to have reasonably worn off and allow characters enough time to recuperate before any Christmas related events occur.
As for the event itself, it is basically a very weird blizzard. Peromei had been out exploring during November and has returned, but unfortunately a few things stuck with her. Starting today, December 1st, snow will start falling and continue to accumulate throughout the week. Friday is when the real weird stuff happens, and this is what you can expect from the log that will posted on that day:
- Mistletoe. This is not the usual mistletoe that characters are familiar with from previous years. This plant will actually be aggressively mobile and attach itself to a victim. The person will then seek out what they loves or longs for the most—and not necessarily romantic. It could be a feeling of wanted affection of a parent, the support of a friend, sibling bonding, etc. This mistletoe is influenced by Elios and Peromei, however, so if you want to go traditional you can. Most importantly, the effects are indiscriminate. Sure one could easily seek out someone they're familiar with, but this mistletoe will have enough influence for their "host" to seek out random strangers who can fit the bill. So if you ever wanted to explore a certain aspect of your character's personality and want to try find CR that could fill those gaps, this is a perfect opportunity!
- Blizzard. This blizzard is none like any have faced before. There is going to be some despair mixed in with the snow, and while it won't make anyone ooze black goop, it will make those "winter blues" a reality. The natural dangers of big snow buildup and icy patches will be prevalent. Some may find themselves facing a wall of snow upon opening their doors and will need to shovel themselves out or find some other way to get rid of it. The snow will fall heavily for the first two weeks but will taper off to just light, consistent snowfall for the rest of the month.
- Naptime. Over time, people will start feeling rather morose and lethargic, enough to the point where all they want to do is sleep. Even sleeping outside sounds like a great idea even when it really isn't. Normal means of waking those affected won't result much except for a lot of grumpiness, but fortunately there are solutions.
- Caroling. Music is proven to be an excellent way to ward off the sleep. Whether it's good music… In any case, jingle bell
collarsnecklaces will be handed out for people to wear, and it should help stave off some of the sleepiness. But the real music from carolers will have a stronger effect and will help wake up anyone already asleep. Ideally the music should be pleasant to the ears, but there really is no requirement for the music to be good. Just positive. - Light the way. The blizzard will be so thick that not even the sunlight will pass through, which can make conditions even more dangerous. Special lanterns will be set up and handed out for everyone to infuse with hope. This will help reduce some of the blizzard's despairing effects. Aiada's sprites will also be helping, so appreciation will also help make the lanterns glow brighter.
- Werewolf flu. Yes, you read that correctly. On top of this bizarre weather, there is also going to be a very bizarre disease going around. Passed around like the flu, those infected will be afflicted with various "werewolf" traits. This can be from partial transformations of ears, tail, a little bit of fur, but otherwise mostly human to full wolf transformation. At least they will mostly maintain their personality and ability to speak regardless of the state. And yes, those who turn into 100% wolf can turn back to human, but it can be unpredictable so have fun with that. How severe it gets varies.
- Who's a good wolfie. As for one's behavior, those infected will find themselves much more affectionate and will seek the comfort of others, especially other wolves because of that pack mentality. Not romantically per se, just a bit clingy like our friendly pet doggos. The more positive attention and affection they get, the faster the flu will pass. However, if they are neglected their behavior will become more feral like a wild wolf and the condition will worsen. Trust will be required to coax them back. A cure WILL be found, but that won't be until the end so. Enjoy being a furry.
- Playtime. One side effect of the flu is that those infected will have a lot more energy than usual with a desire to frolic and play around. Despite the conditions, a large area by the lake will be sectioned off to allow everyone to just goof off and have fun.
- Receiving the cure. When the vaccine is made, it will be distributed all over. However, there will be some who have become feral and distrustful due to neglect and won't take it so easily, so some...more aggressive measures may need to be taken. Grab a net and a blow dart.
- Who's a good wolfie. As for one's behavior, those infected will find themselves much more affectionate and will seek the comfort of others, especially other wolves because of that pack mentality. Not romantically per se, just a bit clingy like our friendly pet doggos. The more positive attention and affection they get, the faster the flu will pass. However, if they are neglected their behavior will become more feral like a wild wolf and the condition will worsen. Trust will be required to coax them back. A cure WILL be found, but that won't be until the end so. Enjoy being a furry.
- Naptime. Over time, people will start feeling rather morose and lethargic, enough to the point where all they want to do is sleep. Even sleeping outside sounds like a great idea even when it really isn't. Normal means of waking those affected won't result much except for a lot of grumpiness, but fortunately there are solutions.
As mentioned earlier, we will have a designated log that everyone can use, but players are free to use the effects in their own logs and threads outside of it.
This event is also an opt-in event. Although it's impossible to ignore the blizzard, all effects are optional. It's definitely possible for people to remain unaffected and mostly go about their day. Use of the teleporters will also be closed during the event. One reason is the heavy blizzard, but once the werewolf flu strikes, the island will essentially be quarantined to prevent the disease from spreading to other cities. The teleporters will reopen after a vaccine has been made at the end of the event.
That should be everything. We hope everyone will take this opportunity to form some new (if interesting and possibly estranged) CR with this event! Because we are not posting a CR Meme this month, you are free to use this mod post for plotting or seeking out certain CR, particularly with the mistletoe. You can use the following form to discuss what you're doing and hope to do (one thread per PLAYER, but you're free to make separate comments for multiple characters if you'd prefer to organize it that way):
If you have any questions, please ask them here.
If you guys have any questions or concerns regarding any of the above, please don’t hesitate to comment here!
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