riverviewlogs | introductory mingle: FEAST OF THE DYING

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introductory mingle: FEAST OF THE DYING

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: Introductory Log and Feast of the Dying
when: Feast of the Dying from October 1st-8th; various other prompts over the whole month of October.
where: Anywhere around the city.
warnings: please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

feast of the dying

In the days leading up to October 1st, residents new and old will notice preparations beginning, a flurry of activity getting the city ready for the upcoming celebration: the Feast of the Dying. There is an old, widely-known, and widely-believed superstition or proverb in Riverview Quarantine: 'The greater your fear of death, the easier it is for death to find you.' This is a cornerstone belief of a lot of the residents of the Quarantine, most of whom have survived intensely difficult and violent pasts on their own worlds and who are still willing and eager to throw themselves into exploring and settling new worlds, starting their lives fresh. To honor this spirit, the Feast of the Dying is a celebration of the transition between life and death, an opportunity to face death both figuratively and literally, and come out on top.

celebrating the transition from life to death

During the month of October, a particular natural phenomenon on the moon weakens the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead, allowing for the crossover of those dead into the world of the living, with ghosts from the pasts of both the residents and the Quarantine itself to take corporeal form. The festivities during this time feature tests of courage in highly haunted places, escape rooms both virtual and physical with varying levels of danger, and the week-long Feast of the Dying itself, between October 1st and 8th this year.

i. ghosts from the past

During the 10th month of every year on the moon, due to a complex series of chemical, electromagnetic, and magical forces that no one has ever exactly distinguished or completely understands, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead are weakened almost to the point of nonexistence. During this time, residents of the moon are able to see and interact with the dead - ghosts, manifesting in ways that run the gamut from being a strange sense of being watched or being visible or audible all the way to more corporeal spirits that can affect the world around them. The barriers are weaker in some parts of the city than they are in others, with some areas experiencing little to no ghost activity, while others are so populated with these ghosts that residents can barely go a few feet without running into one. The ghosts are generally the unsettled dead, people who died violently, or who were lost, seeking a place to call home, and their behavior is as varied as it was while they were alive. Some ghosts are angry and vengeful, some are simply lonely and lost.

While some people tend to interact with the ghosts only a little and as necessary, others avoid them as completely as possible, and yet others actively seek out souls who are suffering and try to ease that so they can stop coming back year after year. There are other people who have found that ghosts from their home worlds have come through with them, following them through the portal when they arrived, even if they did not die on the moon...

Whether facing death or making peace with those who have died, this is a time to reflect.

A Few OOC Guidelines:
● Characters may see or interact with ghosts from the Quarantine's past. These people will be as varied as the NPCs, from a multitude of different worlds, and characters are welcome to either engage or avoid, as players wish.
● Most Quarantine-based ghosts will have died in either the Great War with the neighboring reality or in the Pandemic that wiped out the population of the Abandoned City years ago.
● Characters may also see or interact with ghosts from their own or other characters' canons, providing the character in question is dead in canon and is not currently being played in the game.
● Canon-based ghosts should not be simply transplanted into the game as they were in canon - they are ghosts, and therefore 'not quite right,' and should not be used as an excuse to NPC a canonmate for a month. These ghosts are there to be used as plot devices to open up new avenues of CR, to create angst, to help a character make peace with their past, or other similar reasons.
● Ghosts should not be complete corporeal physical presences indistinguishable from living people, but barring this, how strongly the ghosts manifest and how much they can interact with the world around them is up to player discretion. Ghosts shouldn't be present the whole month straight, but can disappear and reappear at random times.

● Mod questions and plotting regarding this prompt can be found here.

ii. the feast of the dying

The month's holiday is named after a long-standing tradition in the Quarantine - the Feast of the Dying - that starts at sundown on the first day of the month and continues until sunrise on the ninth day. The Feast of the Dying is a costumed masquerade-style party that is continuously available for the entire week. Set up by volunteers specializing in both magic and science, the Feast of the Dying is hosted in a large conference center that has been decorated and magically altered to provide a very formal, intensely creepy atmosphere. The decor can run the gamut from fancy and classy decorations featuring iconic skeletons or ghosts to incredibly realistic catacombs or any other frightening settings that you can think of. Rooms often become more and more foggy the more people enter them to mingle, and in many rooms the air pressure will be slightly played with to make the atmosphere seem more oppressive and spooky. Costumes and masks are required, and anything from a Halloween-style costume to a formal outfit with mask is acceptable.

Players can feel free to go wild with ideas for decor at the Feast, including linking to inspiration images in their posts - it is, essentially, like having a Masquerade ball inside a disturbingly realistic haunted house.

The venue the Feast is held in includes several large rooms intended for dancing with different themes and decorations that can change off and on throughout the week, two large dining rooms where feasts will be held at mealtimes and snacks or drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) will be promptly served to anyone who sits at one of the tables, and a plethora of rooms meant for mingling and relaxing. Additionally, there are a large number of smaller lockable rooms set up for sleeping or private encounters.

iii. escape rooms

One of the fun and more commercialized aspects of the season are the many Escape Rooms that pop up throughout the Quarantine. Residents are encouraged to test their survival skills by grouping up with friends or strangers to escape difficult and scary situations together by solving a series of puzzles.

Escape Rooms can be either physical, set up inside buildings with realistic decorations, or they can be Virtual Reality, where the players don VR masks and cooperate in a virtual world. While the former can be more challenging and realistic, the latter provides for higher stakes. Physical Escape Rooms are generally set up to avoid any kind of physical harm to participants, but the Virtual Reality Escape Rooms can simulate pain and injury quite handily, and therefore can put participants in more dangerous situations.

While players can make up an Escape Room that uses whatever theme they like, some prompts are below:

● Zombie Attack
● Torture Machines or Traps
● Cannibal Warlock
● Wrongly Convicted: Escape from Prison
● Escape from Sewer Monsters
● Mad Scientist Experiments

iv. tests of courage

As mentioned before, there are certain parts of the city where the ghost activity is much stronger than elsewhere. These are places where terrible things have happened - hospitals that treated the ill during the Pandemic, insane asylums or prisons where inmates were mistreated, homes where terrible murders happened, places exposed to dark magic, and other similar places. Every year during October, these places are shut down or vacated (unless they were already sitting empty) and entrance is allowed to people wishing to partake in a traditional Test of Courage - to enter these deeply haunted and dangerous places, and stay there as long as possible, sometimes even overnight.

In these particularly vulnerable and terrifying places, ghost activity is intense and almost constant. Characters will encounter strange sounds, smells, and visions; will encounter ghosts that are capable of throwing items or people; and most of all, they will experience powerful and realistic hallucinations due to the sheer lack of boundary between the worlds of the living and dead in these areas. Whether the hallucinations are manifestations of their own worst fears, the ghosts retelling their own tortured stories, or any other kind of terrifying vision, they feel very real. While characters will not be injured by the hallucinations, the sensations of pain, pleasure, hunger, thirst, or other sensations will be almost impossible to tell from the real thing until the hallucination subsides at daylight.

While the haunted locations are highly unlikely to kill characters, whether or not they experience serious injury due to physical actions they do while under the influence of a hallucination (eg. falling down a flight of stairs) or attacks from ghosts (eg. an angry ghost throws books at a character) is up to player discretion.

v. roommates or wildcard

Feel free to use this prompt to meet new roommates, for the purpose of getting to know each other, or hit up the mod-posted prompt to create a Communal Housing floor mingle. Or, if you have an idea for a prompt that isn't in this list, set during the Feast of the Dying, feel free to write it up!

visual inspiration

click on thumbnails for larger view; images may contain disturbing themes

Credit: image i: Olivier Le Gall; image ii: John Watkiss; image iii: unknown (wallpapersfan); image iv: signed (pinterest); images v and vi: unknown (pinterest)

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ah.

They're not far from Taako's place, now. Rin can see it, coming up in the distance. He keeps moving. ]

That's a heavy burden to bear.

[ He can't pass judgment. It was a mistake, right? A terrible mistake, a costly mistake. But it wasn't malicious. Rin's done worse, he thinks, and consciously so. He's not gonna be the arbiter of morality, here.

He just wants to help Taako through this. ]

Almost home.

[Taako is silent until they make it to the front, which opens without the need for a key. He lets go of Rin once they're across the threshold, because his immediate move is to go to the kitchen, turning on the tap so he can splash his face with water, as if that's going to wash away any of this.

He's staring at where his fingers grip the edge of the sink, when he finally speaks.]

I didn't know.

[It's hard to tell what he means here, but what he's thinking is that he spent five years thinking he fucked up, that it was entirely his fault. It was the reason he didn't cook for so long, the reason he was so wary of his own magic. It feels like more than just a burden, sometimes.]

[ This is intensely awkward. Rin stands by the door, hands folded behind his back, his expression the picture of concern. He's a perceptive person, but he can't read minds (or so he'll claim). Even so, he's good at putting together dots. ]

For how long?

[Taako's quiet for a moment longer, taking some time to collect himself, but once his hands stop shaking he can answer.]

Five years.

[The answer comes easily enough; the wound is open and raw, might as well dig around in a little. Either Rin will be horrified or he won't, there's not a lot to change it.

Taako shuts the tap off and moves his hand over a little pool of water that's splashed onto the counter, turning it to flour. He thinks about Sazed, about the way he looked the last time Taako saw him, and turns all that panic and pain into anger, a much simpler emotion to deal with.]

Thought I must've fucked up with the magic I used, like I transmuted something poisonous into the meal. Sazed... left, I never had a single fucking suspicion until the chalice showed me the truth.

[ If Rin's horrified (he's not), there's no sign of it in his demeanor. He takes a few steps forward, into the kitchen, though he doesn't sit down anywhere. He's watching carefully, his eyes following Taako's movements, his attention fixed on Taako's tone, his posture, the shifts in his facial expression. All of the minute things that suggest mood, that help Rin know how best to react. ]

So. You were betrayed.

[ He frowns a little, his eyebrows furrowing. He doesn't question the reference to the chalice--he was here for that thing running a bit wild. ]

Do you know why?

[Taako idly brushes the flour away, then turns to face Rin a bit better, leaning against the counter and folding his arms across his chest in a move that's more self-comforting than defensive. He can try to focus on his anger to get through this, but he's still rattled. ]

Jealousy. He wanted in on the fame and like fuck that was gonna happen, guess he figured if he couldn't have it, no one could. [And then, because he can't not say something.] Sorry you had to see that shit, I know it's not like, super great.

[ Hmm, so. Someone earns fame and accolades, and another person close to them burns with resentment over it. This feeling eventually boils over into dangerous rage, resulting in violent betrayal and crippling consequences.

Sounds like Tuesday afternoon in the Underdark.

Rin smiles, a putting-at-ease kind of face, and waves his hand dismissively. ]

Ghosts vomiting blood? Please, it'll take more than that to scare me off.

I meant, uh--

[He sort of fumbles with that, losing a little of his briefly gained control, because he started talking and now he's not sure if Rin could guess what he meant and was just being nice and vague about it, and either way now he doesn't really want to acknowledge what he did mean. But he's started now, so after a hesitation that's at least three seconds too long, Taako awkwardly gestures at himself and leaves it at that.

If Rin is anything like him (which he is, in ways) he can't have enjoyed that dip into unpleasant emotions.]

[ Rin shuts one eye. ]

It'll take more than that, too.

[ Rin doesn't mind dealing with other people's feelings. It's his own that give him trouble.

He crosses the room, trying to set the latter aside very valiantly, and puts a hand on Taako's shoulder. ]

We're friends, aren't we? I'm here for you.

[Taako exhales a little shakily, not sure if he's relieved or not by Rin's decision to stick around; on one hand, if Rin wasn't here it'd be fine to sit himself down on the kitchen to floor to have a private but cathartic little cry. On the other hand, he's glad not to be alone.

As soon as Rin touches his shoulder, Taako drops his head to the side, resting his cheek against the Rin's hand. He could honestly go for a hug right now, but he's not brave enough to ask, so the contact he's getting will have to do.]

We're friends. [It was probably a rhetorical question but it seems important to answer anyway, considering their last conversation about this.] So, uh, thanks? Thank you. For not letting me get eaten by ghosts or whatever.

[That's such a cop out, but he's struggling to find the right words when even after Rin watched it happen, Taako doesn't want to acknowledge that any kind of negative emotions just transpired. It's easier to say something dumb about being eaten by ghosts than to say thank you for not leaving him alone.]

[ As soon as Taako's cheek presses against the back of his hand, Rin shifts so that it's his open palm instead, cupping the side of Taako's face gently.

By this point, he knows a fair bit about Taako and what the guy's gone through, and none of it puts him off. How can he judge, after the things he's done? The things he knows he'll do in the future.

His fingers curl against Taako's skin. He leans forward, pressing their foreheads together. ]

Not happening on my watch.

[Aw, heck.

This is a gesture that Lup does with him a lot, a way to reassure him that she's close without crowding him too much, so Rin doing it right now, especially when it's not something he can get from Lup because of her stupid lich form, is... a lot. Taako closes his eyes, making a valiant effort to keep his breathing even as he (somewhat hesitantly) moves his hands to rest on Rin's waist. He's struck with the impulsive urge to go in for a kiss, but that seems like a less than stellar idea when he's just had a rough time like, emotionally.]

We've come a long way from killing high elves on sight, huh?

[It's half a joke, half genuine, but his voice is soft.]

[ He laughs, sounding sheepish. ]

Honestly --

[ for once ]

-- I don't know why I even told you that. You were just so different from every high elf I've met before. Or--any elf, really.

[ He knows why, now. The disparate development of their worlds. But it was shocking as hell at the time, enough that he felt like he had to be clear.

He mutters. ]

That philosophy was never mine, anyway. Just something fed to me as a child.

[ He brushes his thumb across Taako's cheekbone. ]

Sorry if it freaked you out.

Flatterer.

[It's a quiet little murmur after that any elf comment, not really needing a response, Taako just wants to make it clear he takes that as a compliment.]

I wasn't like, super freaked out or anything, I just kinda appreciated the bluntness. Like... I knew something was off, it was good to hear it was some weird culture thing and not a me thing, you know?

Yeah, I wanted that to be clear.

[ He's not sure if he can articulate why. A sudden impulse. A desire to connect. The thing that always gets him, in the end.

He's still got his hand on Taako's face.

He clears his throat. ]

I--should. Probably let you go now, huh?

[In almost immediate response, Taako's fingers curl into the fabric of Rin's shirt where they'd just been lightly resting on his waist. Which says more than he really wants it to, but also - fuck it, a little bit, because Rin just saw him messed up and shaky and is still here.]

I'm not complaining, like, at all.

[Physical affection isn't always what he wants, when he's stressed or upset, sometimes it feels too cloying, but right now it's grounding and reassuring and he... really doesn't want Rin to pull away just yet.]

[ He's thinking this through. He likes Taako, as much as he's tried to deny it. Charm and humor, style and excellent hair aside--Taako's been kind to him. Non-judgmental (though, admittedly, he doesn't know a lot yet to judge). It's a pretty rare experience for him.

But going in for anything right now--it feels exploitative. Sleazy.

Rin shifts his weight from foot to foot. He is not a man of impulse. He takes deliberate action; he makes careful choices. But Taako's fingers are warm against his chest.

He shuts his eyes, slips his arms around Taako, and pulls him in close. Rin's a slender guy, but he's strong: all lean, wiry muscle, suggestive of a body worked hard all his life.

He presses a kiss to the top of Taako's pale hair, light and gentle. ]

All right, then.

[There's not a second of resistance from Taako, as soon as he realizes that Rin is moving closer, not away, he lets go briefly so he can wrap his arms around Rin in return. He feels the kiss to his hair and smiles to himself, still not quite sure if he's read this situation correctly, but Rin doesn't come across as the type of person who'd do something like this for someone who's just a friend.

Taako's quiet for for a moment, just taking comfort in Rin's presence without needing to fill any silence with words, but eventually there's something he does want to say.]

You're a good dude, Rin.

[It feels important, to make that known.]

[ He sighs against Taako's hair. ]

Well. I have my moments.

[ He's not really sure if it's possible to be good, coming from what he did; doing what he's done. But his heart beats, thrums; sings, on occasion. That's true enough. ]

But thanks. I hope I helped, at least.

[It would be easy to make a joke here, something enough to reassure Rin that he did help without actually delving too far into messy emotions, but he's decided to try this new thing where he's honest for more than five seconds at a time.]

I don't think that would've gone, uh, great if I was alone, you know? And you didn't-- uh, it still could've gone not great.

[If Rin had immediately gone in for some kind of affection or tried to make Taako talk about it, he would've pulled back hard and probably straight up bounced, which would've been fun for neither of them. So he's grateful, for the way Rin approached it.]

[ Rin likes to think he's pretty good at reading a situation. It was necessary for his survival as a child, and for his work (and continued survival) as an adult. He's always trying to figure out what people want, and how to give it to them--but it's usually so he can get something in return.

He doesn't know what he's hoping for from Taako. He thinks, with alarm, that it might be absolutely nothing. The notion makes him feel warmth and dread in equal measure.

At length, he finally lets go. ]

I'm glad, then.

[ He pauses a moment, lingering. ]

Do you need time to yourself?

[ He glances back, towards the front of the house. ]

Though I could always guard the door.

[Taako is, perhaps, a bit more reluctant to let Rin go, but he realizes that logically they can't spend the next handful of hours just hugging in the kitchen, that would be weird, and Lup will probably come home and some point and scare the shit outta Rin.]

My wards are pretty solid, but if that was just an excuse to stick around you don't, you know, need one? [Which is Taako fumbling his way around asking Rin to stay.] Has anyone introduced you to the wonders of cinema yet?

[ It was definitely an excuse. He rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head 'no'. ]

I'm afraid that's one modern marvel I've yet to experience.

[ Among, like, so many. At least he can use the smartphone pretty well by this point. ]

Dooooo you wanna watch a movie with me? We can just chill, I'll make us coffee?

[It feels low pressure, something they can do in silence if neither of them really want to talk too much, but it's also an excuse for Rin to stay, and a potential excuse for more contact. He's probably not going to sprawl on Rin the way he does on literally everyone else who ever sits on one of their couches, but he could do something bold and daring like hold his hand.]

[ Are they about to Netflix and chill? Nice. ]

Sounds like a good deal.

[ He's already heading for the couch, because that thing looks cozy as hell. He gives Taako a thumbs up once he's down. Trying to keep it casual. Truthfully, Rin doesn't know where Taako stands, relationship-wise. There was a break-up, yeah, but Taako doesn't strike him as someone who stays by himself for long--and Rin's not going to press the matter. Especially not right now.

As ever, he just takes what he can get. ]

I like it black.

introductory mingle: FEAST OF THE DYING

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