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!


thedarkbond: (spinbau)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-10 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, that's your problem, isn't it~? [The fact that he's trying to treat it as logical, mostly.

In any case, Ren makes a few minor adjustments to his legs, then steps back a bit to give them a rather critical once over.]


I think... [He knocks off a bit of ice that's making them uneven before he seems satisfied.] Okay, now you can put the body on.
mollymocked: (⚔ what if we rewrite the stars)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2019-07-10 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I definitely don't intend to bake cookies for the entire time we're stuck here. There's... something outside those walls. And maybe I didn't learn my lesson from the Horror Show, but I'd rather slam into a brick wall than stand still. There'll be time to regret my stupidity later.
rougerebelle: (Default)

[personal profile] rougerebelle 2019-07-10 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I was trying to explain what a hammer was used for and they seemed to have a hard time understanding. I figured a demonstration might be more helpful.

[It wasn't super important, but Carmen felt it was helpful to bond with the locals. It had helped in the last world after all.]
thedarkbond: (Default)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-11 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I don't really like this sort of busywork, but there's not really anyone I can rely on to do it for me here, which is unfortunate. [A somewhat sighing tone, as if Ren is very much used to delegating his work. It's in part a matter of trust, but primarily because their comms have broken on these kinds of missions before, so he can't guarantee anyone who went out would stay in contact.]

Though I suppose you can probably call it something other than stupidity when we don't have much of a choice.
rougerebelle: (Sides)

[personal profile] rougerebelle 2019-07-11 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[To be fair, Carmen is only 80% sure of what she is doing, but it seemed like a good idea to at least attempt to ask the locals. It's not like they knew what was 'normal' for this place. Then again, the locals seemed interested in other matters.]

It's not like it's a lot. Nothing to worry about...probably even refreeze and be fine by night fall.

[It's becoming obvious that these two do not see or do not care about the problem. Carmen raises an eyebrow, but decides this might be a lost cause.]

We'll, uhm, see if we can locate some to share. My friend and I were planning on taking a walk around anyway.

[She glances at Firo and nods her head in a direction away from the pair. She really will keep an eye out for tea, but it doesn't seem like continuing this conversation is going to reveal much at all.]
rougerebelle: (Red Hood)

[personal profile] rougerebelle 2019-07-11 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[This captures Carmen's attention as she tilts her head in Keith's direction.]

You think something beyond the walls could be impacting the city?

[Even as she says it, she realizes it sounds fairly credible.]

It would make sense...even if it's a weather-based phenomenon it's likely that the city wouldn't be the only place feeling the effects. Of course the only way to prove such a thing wold be to go outside the walls.
foundafamily: (pic#7645517)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-12 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
[Firo opens his mouth like he's considering grilling the locals further, but he catches Carmen's glance and follows instead. He's spent enough time with strange people like Isaac and Miria to realize that sometimes you're just banging your head against the wall.

He at least has the decency to wait until they're out of earshot of the locals before snorting:]


Their brains must've melted too. They don't even seem worried about any of it.
foundafamily: (14.1)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-12 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Lacking a proper comeback to that, Firo can only offer a grumble of annoyance as he hoists the body up onto the legs.]

Here goes... Now we just need to put the head together, right?
formleg: (Default)

[personal profile] formleg 2019-07-13 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Hunk sighs and mutters.]

You just have to include the yet...

[But he's resigned, he knows all too well what can happen when they let their guard down. It had happened before...numerous times really.]

At least they have blankets. I'm not sure there's much else we can do to make it warmer around here without hurting them.
thedarkbond: (judgebau)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-13 12:35 pm (UTC)(link)
That and find some arms...though it's probably better to get one of the locals to help out now, so we can be sure it comes to life.

[Because clearly this is all going to be a lot of effort wasted if that doesn't end up happening.]
mollymocked: (⚔ we light it up)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2019-07-13 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Right. Godlike interference? Inej and I have already basically decided that's what we are to all of these people in all of these worlds.

[He has mixed feelings about it, but eh. Let's be gods, then. The perks are great. Kind of.]
thedarkbond: (undead angel)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-14 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm, it kind of is, isn't it? Appearing from another place to solve that world's problems and then disappearing again.

[...When he thinks about it like that, his normal powerset basically constitutes godlike interference as well, but then, the people of Cray do call people like him "prayer-granters". So maybe this isn't all that unfamiliar territory for him.]

Though I guess the actual god here would be the witch lady. [Ren...still doesn't call Astoria by name, because reasons.]
foundafamily: (pic#7644853)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-15 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
All right...

[Firo nods, as if he's about to get right on that task. But then he just stands there. And stands. And then looks at Ren, scratching the back of his neck.]

...So we just go ask 'em? Is that normal here?

[Normally Firo has no problem approaching strangers and blurting out whatever, but going up to a bunch of people and asking them to bring a snowman to life... well, a guy's got to have some dignity.]
thedarkbond: (dark night maiden)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-15 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, they're making them as well, aren't they? [Ren points out some of the locals nearby who seem to be in the process of building additional people.] I'm sure it's fine.

[And because dignity is for chumps, Ren immediately heads over to the nearest interested-looking local, waving a hand to catch their attention...and also beckoning Firo over behind him to help their case here.]

Hi there...do you want to help us finish our person? It looks like we'll need your help if we want to do it properly.
mollymocked: (⚔ reachin' up to the sky)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2019-07-15 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
And what a benevolent god, she is, sending arseholes like us here to grant her miracles to poor, hapless worlds.

[He shoves another cookie into his mouth.] She's either brilliant or daft and I can't figure out which.
rougerebelle: (Default)

[personal profile] rougerebelle 2019-07-16 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
I'd hope not, but I don't think we can rule it out.

[She wants to hope their brains aren't literally melting, but given the subtle temperate increase it probably isn't impossible. Carmen has a different theory though and explains it as she walks, her hands finding their way into her pockets.]

I don't think the temperature has gone up enough to do that though. More likely it's just people being in denial about bad things happening. That's a pretty common trait, I imagine it might even be multiuniversal. They just don't want to accept that something could be happening out of their control. They're scared and it's just easier to pretend sometimes.

[She looks up at the walls, trying to determine if there seems to be a particular area where the melting might be worse, where things might be warmer.]
thedarkbond: (Default)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-16 09:38 am (UTC)(link)
Mmm, it's not exactly a foolproof plan, is it? [It does kind of depend on to what extent she can pick who comes. There doesn't seem to be anyone outright incompetent yet, but he's seen a few selfish or priority-skewed types here.]

I suppose people will call it brilliant until it fails. Maybe that's why opinion seemed to turn against her so much after Akvos.

[He wasn't around for that, but he'd certainly seen the aftermath going on on the network when he'd arrived.]
foundafamily: (pic#7645517)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-17 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
[He sure is just walking up to them, isn't he? Firo follows reluctantly, stepping in line with Ren only once he's waved over.]

Uh, yeah. [Real helpful contribution there, Firo. He sighs and shrugs his shoulders.] Look, we figure you guys are the experts at this, and, besides, you're gonna have to live with this person. Mind finishing him up for us?

[The local doesn't seem to need much convincing, though, and nods eagerly.]

I'd be delighted to! Lead the way!
foundafamily: (:/)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-17 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Firo wonders if he should mention that he didn't mean it literally, but... honestly, who knows what could happen at this point. Either way, he chooses to keep on grumbling. Despite taking the head in the sand approach himself with many day-to-day worries, he can't imagine doing it with physical danger.]

They're not doing themselves any favors. Besides, that's gonna make it harder for us to actually do anything if we've gotta convince these people there's even a problem... We'll have to do all this without 'em.

[And even Firo has to admit that it would be helpful to have the locals on their side; they simply know more about this place, if they'd bother to share it.]
thedarkbond: (koilbau)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-17 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, that was easy. Not that Ren was expecting it to be anything otherwise considering what the locals have been like so far, but it means he can lead the local over to their half-finished snowman nice and quickly.]

Here it is...what kind of thing do you think we should do for the arms?

[Ren spreads his arms a bit dramatically at that, like he may be implying more than one set of arms. The local looks at it thoughtfully, crossing their arms.]

I think we had some good icicles we could use...if you two get them for me, I can make sure this'll be sturdy enough to hold them, alright?
rougerebelle: (Red Hood)

[personal profile] rougerebelle 2019-07-18 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
We'll have to work backwards then. Find something they can't just shake their heads at and then maybe they can give us more intel.

[Carmen seemed to be hard to discourage. And it might help that she had a partner in the field to bounce ideas off of and explore with around town. Carmen keeps her eyes peeled, some sort of clue or a good place to check out next.]
foundafamily: (Default)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-20 12:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Icicles, huh? All right.

[The local nods and points to a hefty bunch of icicles hanging from the eaves of one of the homes. Firo starts heading for it, though after a few steps he'll turn back to look at Ren and make sure he's coming too.]

...This still seems way easier than it should be.

[They're making a person, for Pete's sake. From Szilard's memories, he can recall that making a homunculus is pretty easy, but it does at least take something of yourself and some effort. Perhaps it's the memories bubbling to the surface or perhaps it's the whole deal of making a snow person--either way, Firo finds that he's not quite comfortable with this idea the farther they get into it.

Not to mention it's so weird. So weird. Just wait until he finds out how many arms Ren may want to put on this guy.]
foundafamily: (1.1)

[personal profile] foundafamily 2019-07-20 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[This is why Firo leaves the thinking to other people. He tilts his head as he considers that plan, nodding as the logic of it makes sense to him--that's smart. Smarter than his "plan" of griping and then just ignoring the locals for the rest of their stay.]

That's not a bad idea. I guess they might not be completely useless in the end.

[As long as they can find something to convince them.

A large icicle hangs from a nearby house, and Firo start veering towards there to check out if there's any visible water near it. As he does, he asks:]


Do you do this kind of interrogating often?

[Since that's what it feels like, in a way. He imagines that what they're trying to do might not be that different from when the police trip up a suspect by showing them a piece of evidence that erases their alibi.]
thedarkbond: (judgebau)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2019-07-20 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[And this is again making it sound like Firo has some sort of personal experience with making people. Ren wanders over to the icicles a little way behind him, but he gives a slight hum of curiosity at the choice of complaint.]

What do you think it "should" be, then...? I mean, it's not our world or anything...

[There are one or two mythologies that he knows talk about making things like golems or other kinds of artificial human, though he can't imagine this would be entirely the same thing if this is their primary way of making people. Still, that's about the only preconception Ren is coming in with.]
rougerebelle: (Unsure)

[personal profile] rougerebelle 2019-07-21 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[She stops walking for a moment. She hadn't seen it as interrogation. In fact the thought of it nearly makes her laugh. Instead she just rolls her shoulders with a shrug.]

Not particularly. I usually have more reliable ways of getting information, but since I don't have that here I figure I have to do it the old fashioned way by just talking to people and paying attention.

[She missed her technology and, more specifically, she missed her friends. They usually did this part of the job for her, at least in terms of research and gathering information. That wasn't to say that she didn't or couldn't explore a situation on her own. She certainly did her fair share of 'on the ground' research aka casing a joint. But typically she had at least some information going in: layouts, police patrol shifts, that sort of thing.

Carmen decides to refocus, turning her attention in the direction Firo seems to have interest now.
]

See anything?

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