acatamods: (Default)
acatamods. ([personal profile] acatamods) wrote in [community profile] acatalepsy_logs2019-06-13 09:27 am

world # 6: joikull.









welcome to joikull.
QUICK LINKS

COMMENT SECTION:MOD QUESTIONS | BEYOND THE WALLS | TASK SUBMISSIONS
WORLD INFO:WHEN YOU WAKE UP | JOIKULL | NEW MAGIC | BEYOND THE WALLS | JUMP SUMMARY | MOD NOTE


You're lying in bed, when it happens. There's an odd pulling sensation in your stomach, and people who have been through this before know that the Jump is about to occur. You have time to grab what's closest to you, and that's about it, before you suddenly wake up in... a bed? But not your own.

The first thing you notice: the temperature.

You were comfortable when you fell asleep, but now it’s very, very cold. Even if you pull the blanket up over your head, the chill seems settled into your bones. How did it get this cold? You were sure the flurries at the Temple last week were not in your bedroom.

When you finally peek out to face the rest of the world, it will start to make sense. Your room appears to be made of ice now. You are, as far as you can tell, inside an igloo. Your blanketed bed is made of wood, but everything else inside is ice. The door. The desk. The floor. It’s all carved out of the stuff, to an expert degree, sure, but it’s still ice.

Just when you begin to wonder what in the hell is going on, there is a ping on your watch.

A NOTE FROM YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD WITCH.
"Hello, dear Traveler! It worked, it worked..."

Astoria's expression is cheerful and chipper, on the watch. Those who have done this for awhile know that Astoria typically reaches out before the Jump, but for the second time in a row, she seems to have managed to contact you afterward.

"You are now in Joikull! It appears to be a bit cold, so I sent you with some coats and things in your rooms! Make sure you wear them. ♥ I feel a darkness in that world that is hard to explain, a bit warm but -- "

Astoria's voice suddenly stops there, and her brow furrows slightly. The image wavers, ever so much, and Astoria's eyes suddenly shift off-screen, her mouth opened slightly, her brow furrowing in confusion. There is a sound of a voice offscreen, but it's a bit too muffled to make out. And then, Astoria says:

"How did you get here?"

But the image cuts, after that. You have little time to wonder what the hell that was on about, though: you're busy pulling on the fur-lined coat that Astoria has seemingly left you, and set off to explore . . . what had she said, again? Joikull?


WHEN YOU WAKE UP.
Welcome to Joikull!

➜ It hits you in waves — the icy cold, biting and relentless. Whether you’re accustomed or unaccustomed to the cold, the temperature is a drastic contrast to that of the Temple’s. The walls around you are a transient white, and it’s not long before you realize that they too are forged from ice. There are 2 other beds in your room, both of which are occupied, and the wood underneath you begins to creak.

Suddenly, an elderly woman enters the room, clanging a silvery white (is that more ice?) pot and pan. “Rise and shine, darlings!” she crows out before standing at the center of the room. “It’s time for breakfast! She beckons you to come downstairs, and should you follow her, you’ll be sure to discover that practically all of this newly discovered...inn? is also forged from ice.

➜ The dining room is grand — it’s fitted for a castle of sorts, but this appears to be the norm around here. The tables are overflowing with food, ranging from warm stews and breads to chilled meats and sweet, frozen delicacies. And when one plate runs out, Joikull’s civilians rush to simply fix another one out of thin air. And while there are plenty of other natives here, none of them seem to be eating. In fact, they seem to be looking excitedly at you to eat instead. You've got to be hungry, don't you?

➜ People are quick to make conversation with you, and if they notice that you’re cold, you may get wrapped into somebody’s embrace or asked if you need to huddle for warmth. Perhaps you’re better off asking one of your Circle members?



JOIKULL: MORE THAN JUST THE COLD
The city is built on the top of a mountain, with cliffsides surrounding each side. With the help of the stone and the ice, the city itself is grand in scale. Buildings and homes and places of business have all been expertly crafted and carved. Lives happen here, as they do in any city, and they all seem to surround themselves with ice, snow, or the continued existence of it. The magic is particularly curious, as it doesn't seem to match the rest of it, but there doesn't seem to be any clue as to why.

➜ Do you want to build a snowman? No, really - in one of the parks there seem to be a large group of natives (all swirling snow and ice and all) who are collecting snow into forms and figures. They'll ask for your help, if you're willing to grant it, and while putting together the snow and ice you'll find that you're able to create...a new person? Or at least a new native, with an energy, personality, and appearance all their own! They will also want to be your new best friend, so I hope you're...ready for someone to follow you around at least for a day or two. No worries if you've decided to do some crafting on your own, though. They definitely need the magic of the natives (and not the new, warm kind) to actually come alive. So if you want wanted to make something on your own, you're quite safe.

➜ The city seems to basically be made of ice. And by basically, we mean almost entirely. The use of wood and fire and food and really, anything that isn't ice and snow, is all vaguely new and foreign to the natives. You may be asked, even walking down the street, how to use a specific item or what to do with it. If asked, they got it through the magic, it looks quite fun! They just need....some help! Or it's possibly you can see a native using something in a very incorrect way. Will you step in?

➜ You're more than welcome to explore the city. The natives are all quite trusting and eager to welcome you into their lives! But something you may notice while you do so is the...well. Way that everything seems a bit off. It's subtle, so much that you might not even notice it, but the walls of this building definitely seem to be...melting. No, that can't be possible, can it? The natives will argue with you, say that everything is fine, but actually no - you're looking at it now - and it's definitely melting. Like. Very much so. But what can you do?




A CELEBRATION OF VISITORS

Joikull’s people are more than amiable enough — and they’re at their prime during their festivals. This celebration has been hosted with the intention of welcoming the Circle, and it certainly shows. They’ve up and concocted makeshift buildings to accommodate their festivities, and a circle of flora forged from ice surrounds the premises. There are stalls, games, and food for all, alongside people eager for your company.

➜ It's only natural that in a winter wonderland, you're expected to get creative with snow: well, it appears as though Joikull has taken a bit too far. There are games ranging from the average game of rope tow to full fledged snow wars. People have gathered into teams, and fortresses have been constructed from the ice — the objective of this game seems to be to destroy your enemy's defenses. With the power of magic, everyone has a bit of an advantage...and a disdvantage. Apparently, the winners will be receiving a day's worth of shopping fully on the house.

Or you could play rope tow. That's an option too.

➜ Food is integral to any festival. Today, plates of curry are offered from vendor to vendor — now, curry may seem a bit random, but this is the first time they've been able to make it due to the sudden surge of magic! Does it taste alright? Some plates are far spicier than they should be, but it's the thought that counts. Wash it down with pineapple upside down cake-on-a-stick, or a few gourmet popsicles (all of which which happen to be enchanted with a random side effect unbeknowest to you.)

➜ Keeping warm is likely on your mind right now. The vendors have rustic, sizable antiques to offer, varying from lanterns to wooden carvings to glass orbs, but they also have a collection of weavery to offer as well. Oversizes dresses and jackets seem to be in style right now — but there are ponchos and hats to suit your needs as well.

➜ Once the sun begins to set, Joikull’s citizens get into position, all circling the center of the festival grounds. Suddenly, they hook arms, joyfully dancing and shifting from person to person. It appears as though they’re square dancing — either find or a partner or get roped into a dance unwillingly! The goal is to dance until you’re the last pair left; the flashier you are (perhaps with the aid of magic), the more attention you’ll draw to yourselves.

BEYOND THE WALLS.
The decision to venture down under the fortress to get beyond the walls is one you will need to make on your own, as the natives are quite adamant about the fact there is nothing wrong and nothing to see out there. It will actually take you, and other Circle Members, to even find the door that will lead you out of the city - an old, dusty, boarded up doorway. Boarded up with wood, strangely enough.

Your decision to investigate is entirely up to you. If you signed up here, it will be your or your team’s decision on when, and for how long.

The natives weren’t wrong - the trip will be dangerous, but there are enough supplies for you to bring with you to survive, as long as something else doesn’t get in the way.

For those who have decided to go off into this journey, direct your attention to The Beyond The Walls Log!

TEAMS/GROUPS/ADVENTURERS
Zari, Wanda, Steve, Bucky, and Nate.

Hisoka

Pigdge, Shiro, Firo, and North.

Roy, Riza, Maes, Molly, and Konoha.

Vex, Vax, and Percy.

Ruby, Ren, and Carmen.


HELP NEEDED:
➜ Calling all able-and-solid-bodied workers! The festival is in need of some hard working hands to help, you guessed it - CARVE SOME ICE. There are new structures in need and new buildings that need help and they need as many hands as possible to carve into these huge blocks. Their new magic just isn’t working fast enough!

➜ Are you interested in food? Cooking? What about trying to teach the natives about said food and cooking? Because somehow, this magic has created a way for them to find food - mostly veggies and salted meats - but they’ve never eaten before! And this looks fun! Share some of that knowledge and experience, yeah?

➜ There are booths set up all along the main street of Joikull sporting a variety of games, crafts, fortune tellers, drinks and food, and everything else in between. And boy- do they need help managing! Ever wanted to work in the service industry? For an entire population of ice people? Now’s your chance.

➜ Clean up! Each day, as the sun begins to set, it will be time to clean everything up and put it away. Even with the new and fun lights everywhere around, making the job much easier than it would have been previous, it’s still a bit more…..difficult. Can you tell a small ice statue from the next? How about sweeping up snow off of…snow? Have fun! Because the natives are leaving you pretty much on your own.

➜ One of the larger establishments (Marietta’s Mansion is the name carved above the front door) is a working and busy tavern of sorts. Natives move in and out of the large open space chattering loudly an excitedly about all of the newest and brightest things they’ve seen. But what Marietta, yes the owner, can’t seem to keep any of her native workers on task. Spend too much time in here and she will put you to work - carving new seats out of the walls, cleaning the tables, figuring out some way to keep everything from wearing down and melting…it never used to be this difficult for her before!


traumaplate: (sounds about right)

[personal profile] traumaplate 2019-07-01 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Most likely, but that's something I don't think we're going to find inside the city. [Seems like it'd be too easy, for one thing, and Klan imagines the locals would probably have some kind of weird worship business going on if the source of the power was clearly visible within the city limits.]

For now, I guess we'll probably have to do our own investigations for the most part until we get enough leads to do something more meaningful.
wraithes: (072.)

[personal profile] wraithes 2019-07-01 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ at any rate, still an incredible power. nina would absolutely love it... and while inej is content with her own power, she certainly wouldn't mind instantly being able to change her clothes into whatever would help her blend in. or even be a nice change of pace. ]

The witch certainly has a gift, in awarding these abilities.

[ finally, as she spins. ]

I can only blend in with my surroundings; I have to, unfortunately, purchase any new clothes I want.

[ with a slight skip of her foot. ]

Having a portable suitcase is certainly something I wouldn't have minded to have on past worlds.
Edited 2019-07-01 17:48 (UTC)
mollymocked: (⚔ and proudly above the waves)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2019-07-02 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
That's exactly what it is. [Molly snaps his fingers.] I am all for outright ignoring troubles, but not the type of troubles that cause societal collapse. Good luck bloody convincing them that's on the verge of happening.

[He blows a lock of his hair out of his face.] Maybe we're meant to make them comfortable before the end comes.
foundafamily: (:/)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-03 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Firo looks from Ren to the base, then tosses up his hands in perhaps overstated exasperation.]

Fine, make legs if you want. What do you want me to do with this, huh?
fairysong: (98)

[personal profile] fairysong 2019-07-03 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a little confusing, and to be honest sounds like a pain to her-- instead of just flopping down in a bed.

But her friend is her friend, and that's how she sleeps.]
Well, as long as it's not inconvenient or you or anything, then yes. You're incredibly warm. I'd love to have my very own jinba space heater~ [She says cheerfully, her voice kind of a gentle tease.]
fairysong: (98)

[personal profile] fairysong 2019-07-03 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[In, out. Step forward, step together. It's a fairly simple dance once you get the beat down.] She certainly does. It's one of the places I really can't complain, I suppose. [Though it'd be nice to be a little more useful.]

It's not much useful in something like a fight, I'm afraid, but if I ever need to look fancy, I'm very covered.

[Spin. In. Out.] When you say "blend in," do you mean like invisibility, or...?
fairysong: (05)

[personal profile] fairysong 2019-07-03 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Okay, Sheryl is many things, and she is very confident in her ability as a performer, but being a dancer and a singer is very different from being an acrobat, and it takes a little work to get the coat on her arms without stopping to put it on. Stopping, of course, would be admitting defeat.

She succeeds, though, and almost immediately regrets it.]
Please don't tell me what I look like wearing this. I don't want to know~

[She says, cheerfully, and then begins to sing a little under her breath to the tune of the dance-- the lyrics aren't particularly meaningful or indeed anything more than some random thoughts set to tune, but it fills the requirement for the power.

In a little shimmer of sparks, her dress becomes something short, with ruffles on the front, and a great, flowing seafoam green cape that probably used to be his jacket.]
fairysong: (13)

[personal profile] fairysong 2019-07-03 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
Hm hmm~ [Sheryl hums to herself.] I suppose I could work that into a show next time we get home. I've done something like that with a holo double of myself, but never a Meltrandi. Maybe that'll be a first.

[No, she's not embarrassed in the slightest.

She wraps her arms around herself, tugging the furs more tightly around her.]
And you know you can only put on so many layers before you can't really move. Besides, I run cold! Don't judge me, Klan.
thedarkbond: (leaping knight)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-03 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
You could turn it into a body if you made it a bit more cylindrical, I think. It should be fine.

[Ren makes a gesture as to what he means, a sort of tube shape that would be less likely to overbalance than just having a big round body.]
thedarkbond: (Default)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-03 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm, that's basically how I think about it too... [Ren is perfectly happy to ignore every problem that comes his way until it starts threatening his world and/or his friends, at which point he sighs and gets out of his fancy chair to deal with it because having the world blow up under him isn't really his idea of fun.]

That seems a bit morbid compared to the witch's usual tastes...I'd say maybe we were meant to be more diplomatic, but it's hard to be diplomatic with people who outright won't listen.
traumaplate: (respect mode)

[personal profile] traumaplate 2019-07-03 12:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Klan can't help but let out a snort of laughter at that.] There's probably a reason for that, though who knows, maybe they'll build venues that can hold a Meltrandi at full size now that we've got the space for it.

[They'd essentially been relegated to that one ship that was sacrificed to the Vajra if they wanted to remain macronised, but with a whole new planet to work with, they could have a full city with amenities for both humans and Zentradi to access.]

I'm hardly judging you any more than I judge any other human, you guys are kind of soft when it comes to this sort of thing in general. Can't really be helped if that's how your bodies work.
mollymocked: (⚔ i think of what the world could be)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2019-07-04 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
And if they did listen, what then? [He waves a hand.] If they stopped using the new magic, does that end it? Or do the flames take them anyway. There's just too much we don't know, and I haven't one fucking idea on how to figure it out.

[He takes a plate of cookies while the Joikullians are cooing over something else and takes a few before offering the plate to Ren. Time to stress eat.] At least they're not shite at baking.
foundafamily: (14.1)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-05 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, all right.

[Again, he doesn't offer any enthusiasm, but he can see the sense in Ren's suggestion as he starts knocking off snow to work the "body" into the kind of shape Ren indicates.

Half-jokingly:]


Have you done this before?
thedarkbond: (dark saga)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-05 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm, I haven't heard anyone say much on it so far. I'd be surprised if we could find an answer easily within the town, otherwise someone probably would have had a lead so far...

[It's not that big a place, especially compared to places like the Horologium that they've investigated before, so he can't help but think the answer probably lies somewhere beyond here. Still, he leaves that aside for now in favour of taking some cookies.]

As long as you don't think too hard about how weird baking is for a world like this one. [Or ovens in general. Or not melting from the ambient heat.]
thedarkbond: (koilbau)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-05 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I've made snow people before, just never ones that were intended to come to life.

[He probably hoped they would as a kid, honestly, because that's exactly the kind of weird he was, but most of his...imaginative creations would probably benefit more from never having to live.

In the meantime, he starts making some legs that are hopefully sturdy enough to not just break upon having a body placed on them.]
I think it's the kind of thing most people have done at least once before, though. Unless they're from somewhere it doesn't snow.
wraithes: (052.)

[personal profile] wraithes 2019-07-07 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
I imagine it would be useful in avoiding the fight, which is just as important.

[ in reassurance; it's a useful power! but at sheryl's question... inej lifts a free hand as they spin, and as they do so, her hand begins to change color... and appears to disappear, but really, it's just blending in with the surroundings. like a chameleon, but really good at it. ]

And I do not completely vanish; I simply blend in.

[ which is, really, akin to what she does in her own world. it's a fitting power, for inej. ]
foundafamily: (Thinking for once?)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-07 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Firo nods, knocking more snow off.]

I was wondering more about the bringing people to life part.

[Given what he's seen back home, it's not that odd a question, though he's not going to deign to explain why just yet. He'd rather reserve the ability to play it off as a joke if Ren seems to think it's too weird--or seems to get too curious.]
thedarkbond: (leaping knight)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-07 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ren actually laughs a little at that, because it's not so much a thing where he's from, even if he's seen some very strange things in his life.] I don't think that's a thing most people normally do...I've definitely never done it before, I'm just thinking about what I'd probably want if someone was building me out of snow.

[Like proper legs. And potentially lots of arms or weird accessories once Ren gets that far.] I have to ask why that was your first thought, though.

[Potentially leaning into the "too curious" here, because to Ren that does seem like the kind of train of thought that would be natural to someone who has seen it happen before.]
foundafamily: (14.1)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-08 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Too curious indeed, and Firo quickly looks up from the would-be-snowman to Ren, finding himself on the defensive.]

Huh? [He turns back to his work to recover and come up with an answer.] Well--you know, it's all pretty weird to have a snowman come to life, but you're not acting like it is. Seems like a fair question to ask.
thedarkbond: (Default)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-08 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ren gives a light little hum at that, as if somehow amused by the observation.] Well, we've all been taken to all these other worlds, by a witch who pulled us all from our own places and gave us powers...I'm surprised other people can still think there are things that are "weird" when you think about all that~

[Which is a neat excuse for the fact that Ren is so used to weird because he deals with it constantly back home.]
mollymocked: (⚔ for the world we're gonna make)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2019-07-08 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't think too hard about anything ever, if I think at all. [He says, while thinking too hard about literally everything and that most of this conversation has been about overthinking.

He's a hypocrite, and now he's a hypocrite full of cookies.]
The only answer is to go out and see what else is out there. Maybe there's fire fairies or something.

[Fire fairies are an act that Gustav and Ornna came up with and probably not real, but boy if this is solved by making some Genasi stop being pricks he'd be thrilled. He's sasses Ornna enough to feel good at that.]
foundafamily: (pic#7645517)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-09 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Firo sighs and dips his head in concession.]

All right, I see your point there. ...But, you know, some people'd just lose their minds after something that crazy.

[Ren instead seems to go the complete opposite route of just chilling with the information. Firo finds himself wondering if that makes him one of the strangest in the Circle, moreso than Hank who seemed to have trouble coping with the whole thing.]
thedarkbond: (sharp fang)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-09 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I suppose how good that would be would depend on what kind of fairies they are... [Human legends do somewhat run the gauntlet between fairies as benevolent and faeries as the cunning, potentially malicious figures they turn up as in older legends. Ren would probably find it more entertaining dealing with the latter, honestly.]

But I don't think I'll be staying around here the whole time if we get a chance to go outside. A city this small only holds my interest for so long. [They'd been stuck in what was a "small city" to Ren in Faerun as well, so he's not too interested in going for a round 2 of that.]
thedarkbond: (leaping knight)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-09 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Would they? That sounds kind of boring of them. [Ren says that in a tone that implies he can't even imagine someone being that thrown off by finding out something like that. Which may have something to do with coming from a world where "that card game we play is based on another populated planet" is common knowledge among his inner circle and often has to be introduced to new people.]

Even if something starts off weird, it becomes normal eventually, so it seems easier to just treat it as normal from the start.
foundafamily: (Default)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-10 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not exactly sure I get your logic there...

[He stands back from his snow creation--now more streamlined, if not exactly symmetrical--to rub his hands together for warmth.]

Are you ready to put this all together?

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