isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ Something (Celli)Wigged This Way Comes

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EVENT ✨ Something (Celli)Wigged This Way Comes

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Autumn, despite the chillier weather, is a season of warmth and gathering. Perhaps moreso this year than normal, given the rather unplanned gathering of Celliwig and Lestari underneath Camelot's roofs. Though significant contributions from otherworlders have made food, shelter, clothes and other productions and donations, medical care, security and protection, and childcare an amazing group effort, typical individual celebrations for the departure of the dead from Avalon aren't being held, like Lestari's Death Ball. After looking at all the support they've been given, Lestari and Celliwig have looked at what they have to offer to help both their own people and the people of Camelot and other worlds.

The people of Lestari excel in cognitive magic, and while there are those who use it for mind-altering magics, there is a good portion who dedicate their studies to emotional and psychological support. One such method is the enchantment of origami paper into something affectionately called Worry Monsters: an specialized counseling technique used to help form support bonds between people with negative emotions. Having spent a portion of the month enchanting paper, two square sheets of paper are handed out to anyone the encounter. The first paper says: "Personifying your emotions can give them a tangible form and make them easier to face. Write down something that causes you worry, stress, fear, or sadness. This is your Worry Monster." The second paper says: "When your Worry Monster is present, how does it make you feel? Any reaction is valid."
When both papers are written on, the writing on both will disappear as if absorbed by the paper, then the pages will animate and fuse, then begin to fold into a monster! Halloween is this month, is it not? There is no sense in not having a little fun. These little Worry Monsters will stomp off and begin roaming Camelot until they find a match-- someone who shares those feelings. Once they find an emotional matching Worry Monster, the monsters will return to their creator and grow to the size of kaiju. They are very light, enchanted paper, so even if someone or something gets stepped on, they won't be hurt or damaged. However, they are strong enough to pick their makers up and carry them to the matching monster who will do the same. Don't worry-- characters will be invisible while being carried by their monster, so their identities will be protected until they are brought to their match. The paper monster will turn to butterflies and fly away once their task is complete. What matches do after they are brought to each other is up to them-- but they will know, undoubtedly, that they share the same worries-- they are with someone who understands. Do it as many times as you'd like, for as many negative emotions as your character wants. For finding something to do, Celliwig offers a solution. While Lestari's people have spent their efforts this month enchanting papers, the people of Celliwig are less apt to share so openly. Instead, they take their time learning about a variety of holidays from other worlds, and come to find one they can apply their particular talents to. While most of their showcase in the past has been on light magic, a holiday such as Halloween plays in particular to their talents in dark magic. A number of locations that have opted in and won't interfere with other relief efforts have been enchanted with dark magics for brave souls to venture into and test their courage! What's more, each of these locations will yield tokens for the victors that can be used to gain prizes. All courage tests must be performed with partners. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
	The library has been converted into a haunted art gallery, many of which have had their paints and other implements enchanted. Some paintings will seem like they're watching you, others will seem like a small figure in the background is following you throughout the library in different paintings. A painting of fruit may start throwing the fruit at you and materializing it into real fruit, so you may find yourself pelted with tomatoes if you don't run fast! A single painting filled with black paint might start leaking and filling the room you're in, pulling you into shadow until you're stuck in the library's underground labyrinth. (Reference monthly quests here and here for more info about the labyrinth.)
There are a variety of paintings with different curses applied. Navigate through the library and escape the haunted paintings-- pairs who make it through without turning back will gain a Celliwig Token.
Another token can be gained via scavenger hunt in the Broceliande. Find cursed dolls from within tree hollows. The dolls will giggle and try to run away, may move when they're only visible in the corner of your eye if you set them down. What's perhaps a little spookier is that they take on the appearance of the first person to touch them, though they will never exceed three inches in height. Beware during your search, however, as there are a good many trees that have been transfigured into mimics. Though the mimics are not going to attack anyone, they do have giant hidden, wriggling tongues that will reach up and wrap the unalert up above the ground for capture. The only way down is if a partner fights the mimic, so don't go alone! Find a doll of both you and a partner and make it back to Camelot to obtain your token. The curse will break once they're exchanged for a token, so you can keep the cute little doll for yourself if you'd like.

The last test of courage invokes a temporary blindness hex on one of the partners. Both partners are walked into a soundproofed room, entirely silent in a way that truly seems to mess with one's head.

The unblinded partner is only allowed to answer "yes" or "no" questions, though no one will fault them for giggling as long as they give no clues otherwise. The blind partner is to stick their hands into a tank of water with mystery items hidden within. These items may be mere objects like peeled grapes in soggy noodles, or perhaps the tank is filled with chicken bones and those tiny garra that eat dead cells and are sometimes used for pedicures. All the items are set up to feel spooky, but ultimately are unharmful. As long as the partner who can give clues doesn't break the yes/no rules and the item is guessed within 3 guesses, a token will be rewarded!

Bring tokens to the inn where a stall has been set up, with Gwion working the booth to exchange tokens for the following prizes:

1 Token: Celliwig glasswork glass set of 4-- spooky themed! It's filled with candy upon receiving, so they are friendly for everyone.
2 Tokens: Recipe: Smokescreen - Cast this spell on any liquid to make it billow plumes of fog. The smaller the water surface, the smaller the billow. A shot glass might just create a small whisp, but two mop buckets would be enough to fill up a medium room. Will not effect the contents of the liquid. Cannot be used on water bodies larger than a swimming pool (could screen about half a block).
3 Tokens: Recipe: From the Void - Summons a disembodied tentacle from the shadows. It takes a lot of energy, so you could probably manage up to three casts a day at most before becoming exhausted. Great for binding enemies, sneaking in small spaces, and reaching places you might not be able to otherwise. The tentacle will follow whatever command you have in mind upon summoning, so be sure to concentrate on the task at hand!

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[ Why do things keep happening in the forest without his knowledge? Is there really any place he can live where he won't be bothered?

Well, Hijikata, there is someone in "need" - a familiar, roaring voice echoes through the threes, as the Berserker has been caught by the mimic!]

RAAAAAAAUGH!

!!!

[He recognises that loud voice from when he and Asterios faced the massive worm together in the Lands of Rot! Without hesitation he draws his trusty sword and follows the roars. When he finds the tall fluffy-haired Servant standing right next to a tree and struggling against something he can't immediately identify he calls out.]

Berserker!! What's wrong?

[ Sorry, Hijikata - solid sentences aren't gunna be available right now. He's so angry, all he can manage are savage, animal roars - ]

RAAAAAAAUGH!

[ Like so. But upon closer inspection, he's wrapped tightly by the tongue of the tree - ew - while his anger rising by the second. ]

Pull back!!

[He just needs Asterios to get enough space between himself and the tree to see where that weird appendage is coming from - aha!! Without hesitation he raises the sword and brings it down sharply. Do mimic tongues grow back? He doesn't intend to stick around long enough to find out (and it probably doesn't apply here anyway since it's only a transfigured tree, but he doesn't know that!). He menacingly holds the sketchy tree at swordpoint while the Berserker can free himself of the thing.]

Damn, come Halloween everything just has to get creepy!! This better not result in plant doppelgangers again!

[There are no doppelgangers in sight, but there is a small, featureless doll jumping out of a tree hollow with an eerie little giggle. Hijikata nearly slices it into pieces on instinct, but remembers that this is what he's here for just in time and tries to grab it.]

Berserker, the doll!!

[If Asterios has a hand free by now maybe he can snatch it!]

[ But now that Berserker is free... he's got ANGER to vent out. After letting out another beastly roar , he rips apart the tongue with his bare hands, then punches his fists into the tree, almost knocking the damn thing over.

He vaguely hears something about a doll, and sees something moving in the corner of his eye - the good news is, he slams his hands down on the doll, so it's not going anywhere... ]

RRRRRGH...!

[ the bad news is, with it in his hands, he now looks like he's ready to tear it apart! ]

[Wow, this Servant really has one hell of a temper... the impact of him punching a new hole into the tree makes it rain down brittle yellow leaves on them. Hijikata quickly sheathes his sword as he sees the dolls get flattened and picked up, ready to grab Asterios' arm to keep him from ripping it apart.]

Wait, don't!! We need these to get the token for the challenge!

[Asterios is participating, right? Just as it occurs to Hijikata that he may just have been caught by the mimic by happenstance the doll, with a little "poof" effect, transforms into a cute, small version of the man holding it, complete with shiny red eyes and a soft plush mane of hair.]

[ Thankfully, the sudden change does confuse Asterios momentarily. He's still growling and snarling, but there's a quizzical head-tilt, and this is the sort of pause one needs to take advantage of! ]

Rrrgh...? What is...?

[Wow, so that's what the transformation looks like... it's kind of adorable, really.]

Look at that, it's a little you.

[The doll is still wiggling and trying to get free, so he hold out a hand.]

If you want I can hold on to it until we find a second one. Or can you put it somewhere safe, like a jar?

[Asterios doesn't really look like he's got any containers on him, but hey, you never know!]

[ This is so weird. Very weird. Calming... calming... His body seems to deflate a bit as his anger and insanity dies down...

He finally holds up the doll in the air, and then slowly turns to Hijikata, trying to give the doll over. ]

... What is going on?

[He takes it and, for lack of a better option since he also doesn't have any container, straps it into his belt, where it keeps wriggling and flailing.]

It's a game. People hid many of these dolls here in the Brocéliande, and people have to find them. If we manage to catch one for me too each of us gets a set of drinking glasses.

[He's definitely aiming for the grand prize himself, but Asterios is clearly out of the loop, so Hijikata is already glad if he's willing to complete this one challenge with him.]

[ Blink. Blink-blink.

It's the drinking glasses that really get him. Like, what the actual hell. ]

... You can keep doll. I do not need glasses.

I think we can keep the dolls anyway. We just have to show them to prove that we went searching for them, then we get the token, and that we can exchange for the glasses.

[They should move on to look for a second doll, but...]

Why don't you need glasses? What do you currently drink from?

[This is bothering him!!]

I live here.

[ He points downward, trying to indicate the forest itself. ]

I drink from streams... from rain. I do not need glasses.

[Damn, Asterios, you live like this? Not that Hijikata is one to talk; he was homeless for his entire adolescence and pretty much also lived in the wilderness. Nevertheless that taught him that things get quite dire during the cold season, so he stays on the topic as he starts moving on, casually looking around for dolls.]

Are you planning on staying out here even in winter? The small streams will probably freeze, and it'll be really hard to find food. What kind of place do you live in back home?

... That is different.

[ He looks away, choosing not to elaborate on that point. ]

I am too dangerous... to be among people. It is better, for everyone... if I am here. You have seen... my anger. My madness. I belong here. Not with anyone.

[Those words hit home, in a way. After all the reason Hijikata ran away from his family was his violent outlash at the bandits who invaded his home and seriously harmed his oldest brother when he stepped in to protect him. Hijikata's other older siblings were horrified to see him with a bloody knife in his hand, and while it doesn't haunt him anymore now after so many years he still remembers how they recoiled from him in fear.]

...

Is it because you're a Berserker? I don't know much about your kind, but berserkers are said to be unable to control their fury, right? If so, then I'm a little like that, too.

[He's just a human with a horrendously shitty temper, but since it's bad enough that they call him the 'Demon Vice-Commander' it's got to count for something!]

[ Well. Yes and no. He's no longer a Servant, and thus no longer bound by those rules... but he lost his mind long before the grail "chose" him. You don't stay a lifetime in a maze eating people and retain your sanity.

As tempting as it is to point out exactly that, Asterios just isn't up for airing his sins. If need be, if ultimately pushed, he will... but he can't trust that word won't spread, and this world will (deservedly) hate him and want him dead.

So after a long beat of silence... ]

Mmm. Yes. But you are... human. I am... a monster. The worst human... cannot compare... to a monster.

[That's a wise decision. Hijikata can keep a secret, and he's generally adopted the stance of "A deed that wasn't committed on Avalonian soil doesn't need my investigation", but he's not about to spill his life story either. That said he does feel an urge to ease what he thinks must be quite the burden on Asterios.]

People will call others monsters way too quickly. There are so many different kind of people here, surely you're not the only one who's been treated that way.

[That doesn't make it better, but at least Asterios shouldn't be alone in this experience. Hijikata would like to offer better support than referring him to other outworlders (or even some species of natives), but even his "werebull" experience on Prismatica isn't in the same league, after all the monthly transformations affected all outworlders there and were accepted as normal.]

For what it's worth, you're not a monster to me. You tried to save me back in the Lands or Rot, didn't you?

[He didn't think he needed rescuing and bitched about it, but what counts is Asterios' intention!]

[ Asterios was tempted to argue semantics - he is the son of a human and a bull, so by definition, he is a monster - but that's a whole can of worms that doesn't need to be opened right now.

Still, Hijikata makes a valid point at that last part, much to Asterios' chagrin. He grumbles a bit, maybe a bit tsun. ]

... I almost hurt you anyway. Next time... might not be so fortunate.

We'll see about that. I'm hard to break, trust me on that.

[Sometimes the line between 'monster' and 'different species' blurs easily - many youkai of Hijikata's homeworld are both in one -, but Asterios with his singular existence is a tough case to argue against. Ultimately it hardly matters to Hijikata, though. He'll judge anyone, holy or unholy as they come, purely by their behaviour towards others. He interrupts the conversation, though, when he spots a doll just as it hides behind a large root.]

Aha!! There's one!

[He runs towards it, and while the doll flees he quickly catches up and grabs it.]

Got you!!

[ ... Hmph. Well, at least the awkward conversation is over. He brushes off a bit of tree stuff from his fur(?) before turning away. ]

You can keep dolls. Keep glass. I will... stay away, from these trees. I cannot risk... anger again.

[The newly caught doll poofs into a tiny Hijikata complete with uniform, but the original's attention is on Asterios as he turns to leave without even collecting the reward. It doesn't seem fair, but if he really has no use for any of those things...]

Alright, but if you ever change your mind I'll owe you some glasses! Take care, okay?

[He's feeling a little bothered leaving Asterios out here among the elements as autumn takes its reign on the island, but if nothing else he still remembers what it was like to feel like he couldn't live among other humans anymore. He eventually learned it again, but he shouldn't meddle in the affairs of someone who spent his entire life that way. He does resolve, though, to return and check on him before winter.]

... You as well. Take care of yourself.

[ Not a bad human. Perhaps one he can count on if he needs help with something or other... but Asterios doesn't plan on needing help with anything.

With a nod and a grunt, he walks off into the woods, content to stay there. ]

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EVENT ✨ Something (Celli)Wigged This Way Comes

Accursed Thanks - Cursed Dolls

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CW: Human-on-Mimic Violence

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