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imaginarylogs2020-08-08 08:15 pm
imaginarymods) wrote in imaginarylogs2020-08-08 08:15 pm
extra mission log 1 : the island of dancing animals
EXTRA MISSION : LOG ONE
Mission Dossier | NPC Information | Setting Information | Questions
| "Being a detective in real life isn't like it is in stories. I can't solve this one alone." |
A New Transmission.
"Hello sirs! I finally got this thing working — or it started working, I'm not sure it was me — anyway, I'm — I'm Angus McDonald! I'm a detective. S-some of you know me, you worked together to help me solve a mystery and I — I need your help again.Something's missing, um, in my head. Memories. I know I should know some things, but when I reach for them they're gone. There's a Relic on this island, I know that much, but I don't know where or what it is. I don't know where the Director is, or the Bureau, and I don't know where the Hunger is but I know — I know it's out there. It's close. It's coming.
If you can hear me, if you can help me, please come find me. I know we can figure this out, but being a detective in real life isn't like it is in stories. I can't solve this one alone."
The Island of Dancing Animals.
The island of Baisla has been hospitable to you Reclaimers for the past few weeks, its Animalian hosts eager to share knowledge, housing, food, and work with your seemingly-shipwrecked souls. The menagerie wastes no time introducing Reclaimers (and, for some reason, a few Lyrabar socialites and pirates) to their vibrant music, energetic dancing, enhanced technomancy, and magical connection with the runestone beasts of the southern ruins. Though there has been no sign of any member of the Bureau of Balance while you've been here (and no one to brief you on a mission, of course), a light appears in the form of some direction from one Angus McDonald.
The mysteries don't stop with you, either. As beautiful as this island is, there are certain... oddities.... such as the shimmering barrier that surrounds the water at all times, keeping everyone in. Or the Gilded Wall, rumored to hold back a terrible evil.... or the glitches that seem to keep cropping up. It seems every moment spent here is accompanied by a newer, fresh mystery. Some questions loom more than others, though: Will your investigations uncover the secrets behind this island and your — and Angus's — lost memories? Or will your search for the last Relic leave you marooned?
G-G-G-Glitching
By now you've noticed those strange glitch-like images all around you on the island; fruits that don't quite "load" correctly and instead display fruit-shaped static; otherwise-ordinary-looking but immaterial trees and lampposts with miscolored squares and rectangles pieced out of them; even natural stone walls that can't be climbed as they display nothing but what appears to be a warped, miscolored stone-texture; and so on.
The more adventurous Animalians have discovered that using different path actions can fix these glitches (or worsen them, depending). They don't have much other intel on them, but tampering with the glitches seen around the island may lead to some.... interesting outcomes... Success will certainly earn the gratitude of the Animalians, who would really like their island to not look like a heat-damaged VHS tape.
A Wall of Gold
Some of you may have encountered the consecrated Gilded Wall and its strange magic-dampening properties as you've gotten the lay of the land. It's a pretty noticeable landmark, both opulent and foreboding. The Animalians have discouraged you from getting too close, referring only vaguely to its necessity in keeping the residents of Baisla safe. Some of them don't seem to want to talk about it, in the sense that speaking of evil gives the evil power. Some of them, though, just don't understand the history well enough to explain it.
But there is someone on the island who understands the history, because he was there to see it: Elder Marinero, who the Animalians may eventually point you towards if you're particularly persistent in asking after the Gilded Wall. However, if you try to ask him about it in Common, you may be out of luck; he only speaks Animalian! Magic and old-fashioned studying will certainly be a boon in communications with this stubborn old bat. If the Elder is a bust, it's possible to get past the fussy Animalians to investigate the Gilded Wall yourself. Try to test your magic by the wall again, and you'll find that it's working now. Surely someone can figure out what's got the islanders so spooked about this great golden landmark.
A History in Ruins
On the other hand, maybe the Strange Ruins will have a hint on your current predicament. They're a wonderful experience for the academically-inclined, regardless of your interest (or lack thereof) in the Gilded Wall. Animalian archaeologists and tourists from Lyrabar are a common sight at the Strange Ruins, both groups often being guided by Professor Jerry or his assistant, Kipper. Prof. Jerry explains that these ruins are what Animalians have based their practice of magic on for all of recorded history; they're much older than even Elder Marinero! You can enjoy the sights with the tourists or lend a hand to the archaeologists--including Angus, whose sharp detective instincts have led him to the murals in these ruins. He doesn't know why, but these images call to him. He's certain they have something to do with his missing memory and the location of the Relic! Perhaps deciphering some of these images will help him solve this mystery. Or at least (re)teach you some pretty cool path actions!
Runestone Rubble
If you want old stuff that's less academic, check out the Coliseum. You can watch all kinds of cool fights here--or participate in them! Of note are the large, animal-like creatures made of glowing stone, which feature in many of the challenges. They say the eccentric magpie K.V. of K.V. Labs is the resident expert on these beasts, as well as the rest of the magitech on Baisla. It might be worth paying the lab a visit if you're curious about the nuts and bolts of it all--but if the Coliseum is your kind of place, you're probably more interested in punching than studying!
Thankfully, you're allowed to do that. Respected Baisla warriors and fearsome magitech beasts are happy to meet you in battle to test your mettle. You can fight your fellow Reclaimers here too, for fun and bragging rights. Victors are rewarded with a variety of prizes, though you never know what you're going to get. And the experience of battle is its own reward, paying dividends in keeping your mind and body sharp. Maybe you'll even learn something about the beasts or gain some loyal fans with your performance in the fights. There are three potential routes you can take: fighting your fellow Reclaimers for some clout, fighting the island's elite Animalian warriors for a variety of rewards, and the most difficult (but exciting) battles of all: taking on the magitech beasts and their handlers, something even most respected Baisla warriors fall short of accomplishing. The rules of the Coliseum are as follows:1.) Show respect and good sportsmanship.
2.) Only those signed up may fight--no outside help once the battle has begun.
3.) Nonlethal bouts only. A victor is declared once surrender or incapacitation occurs.
Island Hospitality.
Cafe Calamari
The Bureau of Balance is missing, which includes Bender! How will you ever get your magical grub on?
At Café Calamari, of course! For some reason, Chef Miso Fou is here smack dab in a saltwater lake in the middle of the island. His cute little swim-up tiki bar caters to the Reclaimers especially with a very familiar menu, as well as a few new courses and the exciting potential of new dishes, should you request them! The aesthetic really seems to vibe with the tourists that flock to it, though the food is not always to everyone's taste.
...But something's a bit strange there, or rather, someone. A goose named Ronaldo paces around the area trying to get the attention of newcomers and convince them of weirdo conspiracy theories about the lake under Miso Fou's bar!! He carries around crayon drawings of otherwise-normal-looking jellyfish with pictures projected in their domes, but most Animalians and tourists alike pay Ronaldo no mind. He's well-known for his... unorthodox ramblings. Could there really be something to his suspicions? The locals certainly don't think so!
Boardwalk Boogie
Looking for supplies, food, or perhaps even a job? Head down to the Brightway Boardwalk for just that! Night and day, the island's economic hub is always at least simmering with excitement, if not bubbling over! Especially with all these tourists and new folk around to entertain. Located just behind most of the seaside cabanas, the Brightway Boardwalk is more than just a bunch of studios, businesses, and fish markets; it also hosts the grounds for the seasonal Dance Competition.
The Boardwalk Boogie Band plays nearly every day at the Boardwalk Square, where one can usually find the island's mayor-of-sorts, a cow named Lola. A tall Astrologian in a starry cape, she makes a cutting figure... if not elusive. Lola might actually be a bit hard to get a hold of, what with a new Dance Competition coming up. If you manage to stop her, she'll simply urge you to join in; after all, non-locals have a place in the competition as well! Dance teams are limited to 3 people for out-of-island entries. You have plenty of time to practice before the big Boardwalk Boogie night, which starts at sunset and ends at sunrise. It seems like Boogie Night is all the island can talk about and studios are even offering free classes lately. Why not jump in and learn to dance?
...Unless you aren't interested, of course. That's just fine! The boardwalk connects to the harbor, where Captain Baxley and his mixed-bag crew pull in the island's share of fish every day. They seem a bit disoriented by being unable to sail out as far as they usually do, but the fishing fare near the shore is just as well. They'll certainly put you to work if you seem bored or they need the help! The fish market caters to early risers and the sea-side taverns cater to late sleepers. Here is where you'll find experts in a wider variety of paths, and even a few fox Vulpish who might be willing to train with a Reclaimer or two.
Scenic Spots
If you're still looking for more places to hit up, there's still quite the array of areas! Academics can refresh their path actions or read up on Baisla at the Roswell Center, a hospital up north that also hosts a pretty good library and all sorts of studies. Just to the west of the center is the scenic natural resort Las Cascadas, or the Cascades. Though most of this smaller island is simply a lush, naturally-organized paradise perfect for relaxing and hanging with platypuses, the highest areas of the Cascades also provide a vantage point where the curious can see the dark mist past the Gilded Wall.
For the more hunting-and-monster-fighting-oriented explorer, the Foggy Forest on the mainland is home to huntable animals and animal hybrids such as frog-squirrels and raccoon-crows. Once you deal with the glitches, the forest also bears the fruits the Animalians love so much; you might be able to strike a sweet deal if you offer them for trade! They will warn you, however, not to venture too far into the forest....
On the outer islands lay Miaoteo's Workshop, where Reclaimers in need of equipment can trade fish for weapons made right in front of them; Elder Marinero's house where Animalians gather for oral retellings of their history; and even an unclaimed island perfect for camping. Try to avoid that last island if you don't want trouble, though; the pirates lurking there don't seem as friendly as those on the mainland.
Check out more to explore on these areas in our Setting Information page!
Island Wilds.
The Crystal Lagoon
Surrounding the main island is the Crystal Lagoon, picturesque still waters full of gorgeous reefs that resemble crystal, which are teeming with docile wildlife like gentle sharks and jellyfish. The ecosystem here is bountiful and full of life -- ideal for the Reclaimer who wants to study, or just cool off and relax. The locals will shoo you off if they see you making too much of a splash, as they prefer these waters remain undisturbed!
It's curious, though. With so much algae and reef underwater, one would expect the waters to be more on the shallow side -- but if a Reclaimer chooses to dive down, they may discover that the waters run much deeper than they might expect. The water itself becomes darker, murkier, as they stray from the coral...
Curious indeed.
Deep Foggy Forest
No Animalian would dare wander here, as there are whispers of terrible creatures lurking within and other strange happenings... But if any Reclaimer should venture out here against their advice, they'll find a peculiar atmosphere, indeed. Despite being part of the Foggy Forest, there's a marked difference in the visuals alone. The foliage itself almost seems to be hostile: denser, more like a jungle, gnarled and threatening to trip you at every turn. The fog pervades, making it difficult to see more than five feet in front of you. Even some of the trees seem to be in decay.
The glitches, too, are more threatening in this place: black sap, glowing fruit, vines that clip through the ground and grab you, patches of quicksand that seize you the second you make a wrong step, insects much larger than you’d ever expect to see them, and so forth.
Worse than that, the further in you go, the more you may feel as though you're being watched -- every so often, you catch sight of something monstrous and grotesque in the corner of your eye -- but as soon as you move your head, it's gone. Strange, indistinguishable whispers fill your ears, just louder than the buzzing of insects, and well. Best to be alert. Most creatures you may encounter are not hostile, but the more time you spend here, the less the forest seems to tolerate you. Your luck may not last so long.
Tread lightly, Reclaimers.
Whispers in the Water
Speaking of peculiar happenings, there seems to be more strange happenings afoot. Or... aswim, rather. If a Reclaimer should be swimming around Miso Fou's Bar, the Crystal Lagoon, or the Cascades, they may find themselves hearing voices.
Some unfamiliar, some familiar -- some so familiar, actually, that Reclaimers may hear words they could have sworn they've either said themselves or heard another say to them -- giving them the strangest sense of deja vu.
The voices subside just as abruptly as they began, leaving the source difficult to identify.
A note from your Navigators.
Welcome, Reclaimers, to your first Extra Mission Log! Thank you for sticking with us! We hope you'll enjoy the plans we have for you in this mysterious adventure to find Lucretia and the missing Relic.
We have a couple of fun signups available here, including a special NPC interaction! These particular signups will be open until August 13th at 9PM EST. Regular NPC interactions can be found here!
For adventure rolls head over here and to order food from Miso Fou, head over here! Please direct any questions here!
Thanks for playing, and happy navigating!
Dancing Competition
When commenting to this signup, please include the names of the Reclaimers in your group, the name of your dance troupe, the routine you'll be doing (be descriptive!), any musical accompaniment, and any other details you'd like to include. Path Actions are allowed, as well! Most importantly... Have fun with it!
Signups close August 13th at 9:00 PM EST!
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Comprised of Christine, Rose, and Michael, they're here to dazzle and dominate the competition.
The routine is pretty free form with an emphasis on visuals to accompany their sick moves. Rose can use her size to her advantage to lift either Christine or Michael in the air to perform lovely moves. Christine can use Acrobatics as well to do flips and such out of Rose's lift. Her backstory is she was a trained ballerina in her youth and still loves all kinds of dancing so she does have moves to show off. Rose and Michael also have experience dancing with others and can hold their own.
Effects: All three can do visual effects of some manner for this. Christine can use Telekinesis to pull objects around the dance space. Rose can use Druidcraft to create blossoming flowers, gusts of wind to ruffle the hair, falling leaves, etc. Michael can use Major Illusion to create visuals, Misty Step to teleport around the dance space, and cast Haste for a FAST DANCE BREAK! Rose will also use Lucky Flair to create a rose token they can all wear on their outfits to match.
Music: They'll ask the locals to play a fast paced number with a strong bass beat that they can time their visual effects along with.
DANCE DANCE RESOLUTION
Christine, with her experience as a dancer and a Dancer, makes her way through the routine with ease. But there is one tense moment, one heart-stopping, terrifying instant where she goes for an Acrobatics maneuver as Rose throws her into the air—
And flips entirely out of Rose's reach, surely headed for catastrophe with nothing below to catch her except the dance floor (3.)
But then the rose charm she's wearing as she spins through the air catches the light just so. It glimmers and glows with the magic of Rose's Lucky Flair, then dissipates into small points of light.
Christine finds the strength to do one more mid-air flip and sticks the landing with style and confidence (DEX +1, dance training +1, 18.)
Empowered by the adrenaline rush of her brush with danger, Christine pulls off some truly breathtaking tricks with her Telekinesis. With a natural 20, she can hear the gasps of the entire audience as she beautifully synchronizes the motions of Dance Dance Resolution's props, and Lola's voice exclaiming incredible! carries distinctly over it all. Not only that, but another voice, which comes from no discernible direction and which the Animalians take no note of even though it's clear to the ears of Dance Dance Resolution — "Shit yeah, that was awesome!"
Rose's Druidcraft effects work wonderfully with Christine's Telekinesis (15.) Michael's Major Illusions, being illusory, don't get such seamless integration, but they're nice to look at nonetheless (CHA +1, 7.) His Misty (dance) Step tricks stand out a little more, garnering occasional applause as he pops up here, and there, and there (CHA +1, 11.)
The real amazing thing is Michael's Haste. With another natural 20, it simply enhances Dance Dance Resolution's reactions to perfection. No one can keep up — literally! As they execute their Haste-enhanced dance break at breakneck speed, the applause is deafening. And again, strangely clear to the ears of Rose, Christine, and Michael, one distinct set of applauding hands that's heard more in their heads than from the crowd around them.
Overall, Dance Dance Resolution puts on a stunning show. The applause and cheers of the crowd persist long after they strike their finishing pose. With an overall score of 26 (+9 from successful execution of dance moves), plenty of Animalians are going to be wondering where they can get a lucky rose charm to proudly show off their love for Dance Dance Resolution!
Your performance netted you 1st place in the Visitors' ranking!
Congratulations! As the competition draws to a close and the public dancing begins, you are invited to dine and speak with Lola. She will wait for you at the dining tables outside the dancing square. (NPCs will respond to your thread shortly with prompts for you.)
After the whole event is over, each member of your team finds a coin in their pocket or bag. This coin is a gameplay reward (to be noted on the AC page) and can be used in the gacha!
A Meeting with the Holstein Herself
Once they've had some time to have their fill, Lola joins them, still in the dress she was seen in at her performance.
"Christine, Michael, Rose," she addresses them each with a smile, giving Rose a particular glance; she doesn't often see such human-shaped visitors at Rose's height, she may be a little impressed. She's more impressed, however, by the team's dancing.
"You three put on quite a show tonight. This festival is what the whole island looks forward to every season, and even in light of the recent happenings you've helped to make it one to remember," Lola tells the three. "I appreciate your performances, and the experience you brought to the show."
"Now, as I understand it, the lot of you with the matching wristpieces are all the same.. troupe, and some of you have been trying to speak with me before when I was unavailable. Well, you have all my attention right now. What is it you'd like to speak to me about?"
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"I can't speak for what Rose and Michael might want to ask, but I can say that those recent happenings have concerned us too. We've learned a little about what's on the other side of the wall and though I don't have proof that it's the Cursed that are causing these glitches all over the island, they do seem related. Elder Marinero mentioned strengthening the Wall, but said you believed that the purging dance could be enough. Would you tell us more about the dance? We want to do what we can to help."
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"Yeah, anything to get rid of those. I tried to fix one of them, a few days ago, and it zapped me in the face and turned me into a rabbit. Not a rabbit person, just a rabbit. Very weird experience." Thanks, bud.
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+2 for interacting with Marinero
+2 for first place entry
15)
Yes, Lola does understand the concern over the glitching and what she assumes to be more of the Cursed. In fact she has an answer that she's sure should satisfy all of your queries!
She explains that purging dance you all mentioned is, as she's researched, was actually more of a spell. The truth of it is, even though Lola isn't really the magic type herself, she's in charge of keeping everyone safe here in Baisla and that means learning everything she can about its history and its magic. In all her research, though, she couldn't seem to place the magic of the dance in any particular school, though all signs pointed to it being some kind of radiant energy.
There is, as she has come to understand it, a school of thought that particularly strong emotions have a magic of their own. Things like love, joy, anger, all these things could have a magical conductivity, she suggests, and that school of thought also suggests that magical energy can be channelled just the same way any other magic can.
Lola is certain that this dance is, much like the gesturing spell-casting of the Vulpish, a means of channelling magic from the dancers' strong emotions. Their joy, their passion, their-- their willingness to look forward to a new sunrise.
Her research suggests that the purging dance existed to somehow eliminate those cursed, glitched beings. Early on in the Island's settled history, there were so few cursed on the Island that the few warriors that knew the dance were enough to fight it. But the cursed multiplied faster than the dance could be taught, and even if someone learned the dance, if they couldn't harness that energy in their hearts, it was useless.
She's sure if you spoke to Marinero you already know, the wall was built to solve this problem, and for a while it has. But Lola is sure that wall is getting weaker. She believes the Animalians are smarter and more connected and more positive than they were a hundred years before in the face of a new threat, and that this is the perfect time of the year, right after a festival, to keep Animalians' spirits high. Lola believes that they can teach as many Animalians as possible to perform this dance and purge all of the cursed, freeing that portion of the island forever.
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"Now does seem like the best time to band together and teach it. Does anyone know why the wall is failing, though? Or why the glitches are appearing? We saw a video one of our own took from the top of the wall. The Cursed came as close as they could, but with the anti-magic defenses, they couldn't even touch the wall. It might be a good idea to buy time by strengthening the wall while people are being taught the dance. No one can perform at their best when caught off guard."
She doesn't know if it's possible to do anything about the wall, but she has Marinero's back here. Christine told him she'd talk to Lola about reinforcing the wall, so that's what she's doing. Not to mention that it makes sense from a practical standpoint to have multiple plans in place, should one not go off as planned.
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Christine can talk about the wall, but to Rose, dancing together to communicate feelings and use that power to defeat an enemy feels natural.
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Starting it off with Maya casting Darkness and Moonbeam to put a spotlight on the trio as they begin the routine! She will have talked to the surrounding foliage in advance to ask them to provide ~atmosphere~, as well as used Animal Friendship + Wild Shape to get a bunch of the native birds to fly overhead and enhance the dance routine! Maya will also be using Druidcraft to make small shooting star illusions periodically.
For the rest of the routine:
Boosts:
● Bardic Inspiration (+2)
● Quick reaction curry bread (Maya)
● Chocolate gelato for increased sexiness (Mista, because he’s the hot one apparently, disgusting???)
● Prodigy (Sayori)
● Mista actually has the ability to dance, technically, for whatever that is worth
● Silver Tongue (Mista); could potentially be used to talk up their performance ahead of time and jazz the crowd up in their favor!
Moves:
● Lifts for days! Using Levitate (Sayori), Teleportation and Dimension Door (Maya), and Mista's buff arms (Mista), which will also provide Spins
● Dancing animal troupe, using both Sayori and Maya's familiars, plus Animal Friendship and Wild Shape (Maya)
● Sayori occasionally uses Virtualize on herself and Digital Phantom on Mista and Maya to make their lifts and disappearances more exciting
● Generally the dance is a lot of goofing and very fun, with the three of them trading the center spot throughout
Effects:
● Shooting stars throughout, courtesy Maya's Druidcraft
● A faerie sparkling around them throughout, courtesy Maya also
● With Tinkerer's Tools, Mista will have made a disco ball whose panels are in the shape of stars; these stars pulsate in and out to the beat, expanding and contracting the ball and making stars dance across the dance floor
● Flower step cupcakes (Sayori)
● Mage Hands (Sayori and Mista, who has MGL), jazzed up to match their outfits. Sometimes they hold props, sometimes they throw confetti, sometimes they participate in the dance, Thing-style
● A light show, featuring Aura of Courage (Mista), Prestidigitation and Minor Illusion (Sayori)
● Arrows of Bahamut for neat silver rings to dance in for the finale (Sayori)
SHOOTING STARS
Sayori's use of Prodigy in learning the routine served her well (DC 10; +2 Prodigy = 13+2 = 15.) She gets +1 to pulling off her moves. Plus, Sayori's Bardic Inspiration and Mista's Silver Tongue successfully pump up the crowd, adding +3 to their final score.
Maya's killer combo of Darkness and Moonlight to create a spotlight is a strong opening move (16,) drawing an amazed hush from the crowd. The suspense of this intro builds and then explodes as Maya's efforts at Animal Friendship pay their dividends; with a natural 20, there's not a bird out of place, not a single move that their familiars miss, and the crowd goes wild for these little furry friends. From no particular direction, sounding almost as if it's being spoken right into their heads, the members of Shooting Stars hear a distinctly male voice giving a pitched up Awwww~ as Maya's animals do their thing.
Unfortunately, this does seem to totally overshadow Maya's Druidcraft stars (CHA +1, 4) and Sayori's cupcake flowers (9), leaving Shooting Stars with...fewer stars than they planned. But the disco ball made with Mista's Tinkerer's Tools still brings the stars! (DEX +1, 17.) The Shooting Stars manage to live up to their name anyway.
Sayori's Levitate lifts go over well, though they aren't showstoppers (Prodigy +1, 10.) It's more for the novelty of such a small girl appearing to lift up her teammates than anything! Maya's lift assistance with Misty Step and Dimension Door is similar; good, but not wow (DEX +1, 7.) Overall, Sayori and Maya are getting some solid playful lifts in.
And then disaster strikes.
Mista, with his beautiful buff arms, goes for a daring double lift. One girl in each arm — no magic, no tricks, just a one-way ticket to the old-fashioned gun show.
As he hoists Sayori and Maya up into his arms and steps forward to show them off...
He slips on a discarded plantain peel from the very rowdy crowd, presumably abandoned in the hype that Shooting Stars stirred up with Bardic Inspiration and Silver Tongue.
Every single member of Shooting Stars completely eats shit with a CRITICAL FAIL on Mista's lifts. Flowers explode out from Sayori's point of impact as she hits the ground. Horrified gasps ring out from the crowd. Many heads turn towards Lola, who does not look impressed. Again, that voice in their heads, which none of the Animalians seem to hear; this time, though, it's just helpless wheezing laughter.
But the show must go on.
Unfortunately, that spill causes Maya's bond with her summon to break, and the faerie isn't present for the rest of the routine (2.) That doesn't stop Maya from dusting herself off and goofy dancing her heart out with her friends, though! And who needs a faerie when her cute animals are doing so well?
Sayori blipping in and out of the bracers with Virtualize is a very good trick (Prodigy +1, CHA +1, 11), but the crowd is a little too worried after that spill she took to get super into it. Her work with Digital Phantom goes over better, after she's proven herself recovered and the crowd can truly admire the way she and her dance partners blink in and out of their sight (Prodigy +1, 15.)
Despite the fall, Mista and Sayori still seem to work well in tandem. Their Mage Hands are impressively in sync as they dance and do their prop work (DEX +1, Prodigy +1, 16.) It's similar with their coordinated light show (CHA +2, Prodigy +1, 15.)
The finale using the Arrow of Bahamut still manages to draw awe and cheers; hard not to with the sacred fire of a silver dragon! (Prodigy +1, 17.)
Overall, Shooting Stars make...quite the impression. The crowd loves their plucky energy and their team dynamic, but it's hard to shake the scandal of that massive fall, especially given Sayori's somewhat-celebrity status. It's like tripping on the Oscars red carpet. With a total score of 12 (+11 from successful execution of dance moves), it's not enough to get them a meeting with Lola, but they'll be remembered with fondness! It's just the fondness where you also dunk on someone a lot.
Your performance netted you 3rd place in the Visitors' ranking! You're free to enjoy the public dancing after the competition.
After the whole event is over, each member of your team finds a coin in their pocket or bag. This coin is a gameplay reward (to be noted on the AC page) and can be used in the gacha!
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girlsdogs) and cooperative dancing like this, while Papyrus, Mira and Ogata do some energetic number that likely features some high speed waltz moves.Ogata's been in charge of canine wrangling, using speak with animals to help the dogs learn the choreography during practice and to keep them following the routine in the performance. Mira and Papyrus are heading the special effects, starting the group out with darkness - to let the canines join them on stage with no one the wiser before it's pulled down at the start - then adding various flourishes of flowers and colors and sound with druidcraft and prestidigitation, some eldritch blasts into the sky, even some rhythmic gymnastics effect with a thorn whip - the pups jump over it to the sound of the beat at one point.
The whole gang is charismatic (Warlock, Vuplish, Warlock), with Mira and Ogata some bringing extra practiced dexterity to their moves (Rogue, Ranger)! Mira and Papyrus are more genuinely into it, Ogata refuses to back out or half-ass it, and the dogs are here to have a good time. The routine features slightly fewer bones than advertised at the sign-up time, as canine skeletons are few and far between, but Papyrus does his best to make up the shortage with some bone magic patterns at a few points (spreading out like a fan in the air above them), and the dogs each pose with a bone in their mouth at the end of the song.
DOGS N' BONES
Maybe it's the former military discipline coming out, but Ogata has trained the dogs in their choreography well (autopassed for amazing choredography research,) getting the pups +1 to pulling off their moves! Who knew a cat man would be so good at wrangling dogs?
Theoretically, Papyrus's Darkness should be a strong start. Blackouts are a staple in the elaborate illusion that is theatre. But, uh, he gestures and speaks his incantation and it just...doesn't happen. It's like flicking a lighter with no juice, similar to the way magic failed by the Gilded Wall weeks ago.
For this CRITICAL FAIL, Papyrus just has to use his scarf as a makeshift curtain to hide the dogs behind while he ushers them onstage. There's some laughter from the crowd.
When the scarf-curtain is dropped, some of the crowd are charmed to see the canine background dancers, but they aren't quite in awe just yet (7.) Plus, given the failed blackout, the dogs weren't exactly a surprise. These pups will just have to prove themselves!
Mira's Druidcraft serves to get them a little more excited, charming little bursts of flowers and pleasant chimes to accompany their waltz (13.) It works well with Papyrus's Prestidigitation effects (CHA +1, 12), adding splashes of color to the routine and exciting lights for the dogs to follow as they hop along to the beat. They're fitting accompaniments for a fast-paced waltz, and Ogata manages to keep the dogs on track through it all! Even through Papyrus's cool Eldritch Blasts (CHA +1, 9), which would be pretty distracting to any bog standard pup!
Dogs N' Bones have managed to prove themselves by the time Mira gets to her Thorn Whip gymnastics. As she spins the vine up and around herself in beautiful twirls, prancing elegantly over the dancefloor, the crowd is quite taken with her (DEX +1, 15) and they cheer accordingly.
But, when it comes time for the dogs to do their jump over the whip, there's some loud crack in the distance. It's not an uncommon sound from the sometimes unpredictable research at K.V. Labs, so the Animalians don't pay it much mind — but it totally breaks the concentration of the dogs. The pets just start barking. The familiar, a little smarter, is drawn back to the Thorn Whip more quickly; but it just thinks it's time for tug of war!
Laughter in the crowd returns with this second CRITICAL FAIL. Over that laughter, the members of Dogs N' Bones can hear a singular voice more distinctly; it doesn't seem to come from any particular direction, but it sure does sound way too pleased with itself when it says "Well, doggone it!"
Doggone it, indeed. It's an awfully cute mistake, though!
Papyrus manages to get everybody back on track with his bone magic patterns, at least (CHA +1, 15.) Even if he doesn't entirely remember it, he's got plenty of practice making cool bone patterns, and it shows as he uses them to get the dogs focused again and to get the crowd back into the beat! They're cheering again in no time.
Their final pose is solid, the dogs with the bones netting a few cheers (choredography +1, 8) just for how darn cute they are.
Overall, Dogs N' Bones did their very best! At times it seemed more like a comedy routine than a dance routine, but fun is the most important part, and their routine was most certainly boatloads of fun! The strange line-up of a cute girl, a spooky skeleton, and an unsettling cat man just made them even more memorable. And who doesn't like cute dancing dogs, right? They end up with a total score of 14 (+3 from successful execution of dance moves.) Good job, Dogs N' Bones!
Your performance netted you 2nd place in the Visitors' ranking!
Congratulations! As the competition draws to a close and the public dancing begins, you are invited to dine and speak with Lola. She will wait for you at the dining tables outside the dancing square. (NPCs will respond to your thread shortly with prompts for you.)
After the whole event is over, each member of your team finds a coin in their pocket or bag. This coin is a gameplay reward (to be noted on the AC page) and can be used in the gacha!
Meeting Lola Part 2: Second Place
Well after their meal is finished, Lola joins them, still in the dress from her performance.
"I apologize if I kept you waiting," she gives a little bow in apology as she sits at the head of the table.
"I was just tying up business with the other winning team. Papyrus, Mira, Ogata," she addresses them by name and nods at them individually, "I have to thank you each for participating tonight. You certainly raised the crowd's spirits tonight. It's what we Animalians look forward to each season and with things looking the way they are around the island lately, and we certainly haven't seen a routine like yours in a while."
"Now, as I take it, the lot of you with the matching wristpieces are on the same team. Some of you have been trying to speak with me before when I was unavailable. Well, you three have all my attention right now. What is it you'd like to speak to me about?"
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He tacks the last part on in a rushed afterthought, acknowledging what she seems to care about. Better than saying anything that sounds like complaining that they didn't win. The dance competition was perhaps not the ringing triumph he had hoped for, but given the various mistakes made in their performance, second place isn't bad. Regardless of Ogata's feelings on the matter. More than good enough for Papyrus to enjoy the non-spoiled spoils of the buffet, and pass bits to his familiar - who has opted to doze under his seat, rather than get a seat itself.
His familiar nudges him with its particularly cold nose, and reminds him - people did have something to ask her about.
"Oh! But. Some friends of ours are wondering, is the Purge dance really enough?" Not to question her judgement or her grasp of the social nuances of life on the island, but. "The Cursed seem kind of scary..."
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But when Lola comes over, he sees no reason not to pay attention, so after Papyrus brings up the topic of the dance, Ogata pipes up, "is there a reason you can't just kill them? Or hire us to. I think most of us have weapons and magic to deal with things like that."
Dances are dumb. Let's just do a bunch of murder. Clearly a better solution.
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"You visitors really don't know shit. Tell me, do my people look like the type that wouldn't fight?"
Lola braces her hands on the table, giving each of them a long look.
"I think it's time you three had an assumedly-foreign history lesson."
And so she regales the three with a tale about that very wall. Lola explains, a bit more in depth than Marinero had to Christine, that golden, gilded wall was built 100 years ago.
That wall cut off useful, viable land, but see, they had to build it. Before that time, while the island was still developing, there weren't a lot of the Cursed at all. They were able to learn a very special dance, one that used magic beyond the schools and aspects of magic known to Faerun, one more powerful. (Lola comments as though Baisla has always been a part of Faerun, but come to think of it, Mira and Ogata... Was Baisla on your maps of Faerun before you came here?) Those who learned the special dance were few and far between, regarded as special warriors, and that was fine, as there again weren't very many Cursed.
But quickly they noticed the number of the Cursed was only increasing, and faster so than the Animalians could teach others how to channel that positive magic. They noticed that radiant magic still repelled the Cursed, and so they could utilize it to trap them, but it didn't destroy them the way the dance did. Still, it was decided that there wasn't a way to make sure the animalians had enough time to learn that magic before the Cursed overtook the island, so the dancers sacrificed themselves against the rapidly growing horde to give other magic users time to create a wall that would contain the Cursed.
Radiant energy, Lola asserts, is not a permanent solution to ending the Cursed. If it was, the face stealer and the Copy Cat wouldn't be around. They have plenty of fighters, barbarians- normal monsters? Even Lola can crush them under a hoof. But fighting doesn't solve everything. Fighting doesn't destroy the cursed. No magic does.
No magic except that magic beyond the schools. Positivity. Joy. Love. Even anger can create magic. That magic, the magic used in the dance, Lola says, looking at Papyrus, is enough.
Hope and compassion... those are magics enough to make even bones dance, she laughs.
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And at the mention of 'the face stealer', he remains cool as a cucumber. Supercool. Like a cucumber sitting under a mister. Sweat materializing all over his skull, definitely just from the dancing. She's not saying that was actually one of the Cursed, is she....?
"So, the wall's there... to buy you time," Papyrus slowly summarizes, "with everybody safe, while you look for the greatest dancers, who can win this for real?"
Sounds like the best dancers would be heroes, especially if they can harness the powers of hope and compassion to open the island again.
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So, she asks: will Mira, Ogata, and Papyrus learn the dance?
If they can learn it, she'll allow them to help her teach it to the rest of the islanders.
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3 over 30.Eleanor, Mia, and Nana will be working together with a show that's definitely all about stunts and showmanship, and a lot of using Mia's strength to enhance Eleanor and Nana's lead dancing.
Boosts: bardic inspiration, allure (x2), Nana actually being a trained dancer, and both Nana and Eleanor having the dancer path.
Moves: Nana'll start the show hyping up the crowd like an idol do! And with that introduction, both of them will fire arrows at Mia, who'll catch them using Catch Missiles. being that Nana and Eleanor are both so tiny, there's going to be a lot of Mia doing dips with them and perhaps even tossing them up to do twirls (protected by Eleanor's featherfall to make that perfect floaty effect). Mia may use Shadowstep to move in Eleanor's darkness and meet Eleanor and Nana at opposite sides of the stage.
Effects: Mia smells like the sea, and can maybe concentrate her rage to make that more apparent
Eleanor's prestidigitation allows her to light and snuff out flames at will, which she'll use to create light effects/flashes/movements in the dark.
Nana's grease could be used to make a cool slip-slide effect... or could potentially go wrong, who knows. Similarly, Mia's intimidation and Nana and Eleanor's Allure might... have an interesting effect.
VERIZON
Eleanor's Bardic Inspiration and Nana's experienced idol hyping get the crowd going nuts right off the bat! These tiny but fiery ladies know just what to do to get everyone excited for their routine, getting +3 to their final score. Mia's seaside scent is pleasant, but it's hard to pick out from the seaside scent that naturally covers most of the island (9.)
Mia's Barbarian strength serves her well in helping to show off Nana and Eleanor. The crowd oohs and aahs as she dips her dance partners down low in elegant, somewhat sultry motions (STR +1, 13.) Mia's lifts get cheers but not as much captivated interest as the dips; perhaps they just lack the chemistry of the dips, or maybe it's because Eleanor's Feather Fall takes the danger out of them (STR +1, Feather Fall ADV, 9.)
As far as chemistry goes, Mia and Eleanor seem to have enough of it that Catch Missiles is a solid success! (Catch Missiles +2, 11.) An unusual maneuver for a dance routine, but the crowd seems to dig it! They don't dig it quite so much with Nana's arrows, though; Mia can't react quite quickly enough to being fired at again, and narrowly dodges out of the way of Nana's trick-gone-attack (Catch Missiles +2, 4), which gets the crowd a little nervous!
As far as Shadow Step goes — Mia tries, but in the current lighting, the smaller frames of Eleanor and Nana simply don't cast enough shadow for Mia to step into (2.) Short people problems! Eleanor manages to distract from the arrow mishap with her Prestidigitation effects, though (CHA +1, 12.) The sneaky, flickering flames add an air of intimidating mystique to the routine.
Nana's Grease maneuver is already risky, and it's even riskier with fire added into the mix. But miraculously enough, through sheer 3-over-30 willpower, Verizon manages to utilize the slip'n'slide effects of the grease without disaster striking! (CHA +1, dance training +1, danger DIS, 7.) Effectively enough that the audience barely notices the grease and thus can't truly appreciate how dangerous a trick it was, explaining why they don't go absolutely wild over it.
Allure and Intimidation do have an interesting effect, but...probably not exactly as the members of Verizon hoped for. Mia's Intimidate is too effective. With raw Barbarian rage, she intimidates 85% of the crowd, rendering the majority of them too scared/turned on/both to pay attention as the group goes on with their routine. Even with Nana and Eleanor working in tandem to Allure the audience, they only manage to catch the attention of about 12% of them (even with ADV I am so sorry.)
Overall, with their risky stunts and shows of strength, Verizon stood out more as "most likely to kick your ass" than as the best dancers. That's not a bad thing, though! Who doesn't love a woman who could kick their ass? Confidence is key, and Team Verizon brought that in spades! Mia especially will be noted as not to be fucked with, and what an honor that is. They get an overall score of 10 (+4 from successful execution of dance moves.) It wasn't much dancing, but it was pretty cool anyway!
Your performance netted you 4th place in the Visitors' ranking! You're free to enjoy the public dancing after the competition.
After the whole event is over, each member of your team finds a coin in their pocket or bag. This coin is a gameplay reward (to be noted on the AC page) and can be used in the gacha!
DEADLINE EXTENDED
SIGNUPS CLOSED
BOARDWALK BOOGIE NIGHT
The elusive Holstein stands about the height of a taller half-orc, walking on delicate hooves despite her muscular frame. She stands gracefully in a traditional dress with an amazing petticoat and her hair wrapped up over her horns. Lola's demeanor may remind some reclaimers of their missing director, though one thing stands out; Lola's face doesn't carry the same weight of worry that Lucretia's so often could. When Sergio introduces her, the crowd of Animalians crow lovingly for her, and Lola regards them just as warmly.
She introduces the Reclaimers in their Visitors' Division and lets them have the stage just as darkness starts to fall, lending to their...impressive performances. Through the ups and downs, Lola keeps smiling, free with her laughter. The Reclaimers put on a good show, even if some things didn't go quite as planned.
Once their division is over, more local teams and soloists begin to compete, with hip-hop routines to reggaeton dances to captivating salsas and even an experimental number. Even Niely makes an appearance rapping the number for a team of youths, and KV can be seen out in the crowd watching the competition and cheering for their young apprentice.
After all the Reclaimer and local teams perform and the winners of both have been announced, Lola begins one last performance for the night.
Sergio sings to the rhythm of the bomba drums behind him, and Lola and her endless dress take the stage. The other dancers — dressed similarly in bright, pigmented overdresses — slide around and behind Lola, their movements half a mystery as their legs disappear and reappear past bunches of fluttery frills. Grasping the kale-like bunches of fabric, they all toss those skirts in waves like the churning seas, like the fluttering of doves' feathers, like spiraling streamers of brightly colored crépe paper. They dance the bomba passionately, with smiles on their faces, and when the song seems to draw to a close it doesn't actually end. It starts over again, and all the other Animalians get to their feet, too. They begin to dance along with Lola's team and with each other, dancing the rest of the night to the sounds of the Boardwalk Boogie Band.
Lola herself, after the other Animalians come to the dance floor, leaves to take a break. Shortly after, she finds her way to one of the dining tents to meet her victorious Reclaimers.
Eat, drink, and be merry for tonight, Reclaimers. The festivities won't end 'til dawn.