dec event.

[crescentviewmods]

prologue

You awake to find yourself in a bed that creaks with your every movement, motes of dust flitting about the sparsely lit room. Whether you wake alone or with another by your side, you exit the worn-down building to find yourself on an old, abandoned farm. It isn’t long before a familiar voice lilts in your ears, carried to you on the breeze—

“Hurry over to the town square. Chop chop!”

Whether you go willingly or find your feet inexplicably compelled to trudge into town makes no difference. Once you arrive, you find yourself surrounded by a small ocean of new faces— some confused, some angered, and others quite chipper. At the center of the crowd is a bright-eyed woman with an otherworldly allure, her white hair tied up neatly in a bun, pamphlets and assorted papers tucked in her grasp.

“Welcome to Crescentview, farmers!”

Spreading her arms out wide — as much as she can without her papers blowing away — she eagerly regales the crowd with some fun facts about the island and the town while also reminding everyone of one very important fact:

“Remember, you’ve been brought here to tend the earth, fall in love, and begin your new lives together. You’re not leaving until you do. It will be quite the experience for you, I’m sure.”

Complain, grouse, or rejoice if you like, but don’t expect the Goddess to budge. Oh, right, there’s that too: she, the Harvest Goddess, is the one presiding over this land. Don’t get on my bad side, she gently warns as she stuffs pamphlets into the hands of Crescentview’s aspiring farmers.

spring breeze

While you’re here, you may as well check out the pamphlet the Goddess insistently pressed into your hands. Within it, you’ll find a handy infographic on each of your neighbors detailing their likes, dislikes, and... ideal dates? Even the Goddess’ profile is there. How invasive! Each farmer’s picture is hand-drawn by crayon into simple stick figures with the only difference being how the hair looks on top of their heads… if it can be called hair with the mess of crayons, that is. Every single stick figure is smiling. In front of each personalized pamphlet, there’s a stick figure on the cover with the same style as the photo. It’s definitely yours with how the hair color seamlessly matches yours. For the ones who have multicolor hair, you might notice the goddess seems a little more huffy with you.

The pamphlet also includes a map of Crescentview and lists the services available in town. There aren’t many on this small, remote island. Learning how to fend for yourself seems like the best course of action. Finally, a hand-printed bingo card has been made up for each new island resident. The Goddess must have spent quite a bit of time making these...

The Goddess gives her new questionably loyal followers a chance to mingle and mix before speaking up with another announcement. A small group of haggard-looking fairies appear at her feet, and clapping her hands, a notice board springs into existence. When the fairies fail to react, she gives one a nudge with her foot, prompting them all to burst into the world’s smallest round of applause. It’s a little... pathetic.

“Ta-da! Behold: the task board. Every season, I’ll give you new tasks to complete, and in exchange, you’ll be richly blessed by me, the Harvest Goddess. Spring is the season of new beginnings, so let’s take a look at what we’ve got cooking, hm?”

task board

The task board is located in Town Square and changes from season to season. In real time, a season is one month long. The following tasks are available from December 1st to January 1st and more tasks may be added mid-month.

Certain rewards are only available through event participation, so please keep this in mind when planning your threads. Multiple tasks may be completed within a single thread, but when turning in, please link to the individual tags in which each task was completed.

Finally, rewards are per character, not per farm, so those with housemates may want to coordinate with one another with regard to what animals you’re bringing home to your farm.

1. Greet your neighbors. For every person you meet, you will be given a random bag of spring seeds. Potato, cabbage, turnip, strawberry, and cucumber seeds are available at this time. Alternatively, random mushroom spores are also available. These include morel, matsutake, and common white mushroom spores. This task can be completed a total of 10 times for rewards. Please specify how much of each you would like when submitting your threads, i.e. “I’d like 5 random spring seed bags and 5 random mushroom bags, please!”

2. Exchange names. Start learning some names and faces: you’ll be seeing a lot of these folks! For each name you learn, you’ll earn a random bag of spring flower seeds. Daffodil, tulip, forget-me-not, primrose, and hyacinth are available this season. This task can be completed a total of 10 times for rewards, and yes, you can cheat the system and introduce yourself to someone you already know, but the Goddess won’t like it.

3. Check out your new farm. Take a look around and settle in! After a bit of wandering, you’ll notice a small cat or dog following you around and looking up at you with them big ol’ eyes. Looks like it wants to stay with you, but will you adopt it? This task can be completed once.

4. Till your field and begin planting. Find the beat up farming tools in your beat up house and begin beating your farmland into submission. Plant some seeds and be rewarded by the Goddess with a single chicken or rabbit to keep in your coop. This task can be completed once.

5. Visit another farm. Pay one of your neighbors a visit to receive a stationary set blessed by the Goddess herself. There are no cell phones or Internet on the island, so get used to sending all your “LOL”s and “XDDDD”s by hand. This task can be completed once.

6. Make a new friend. Isn’t friendship wonderful? For each person you proclaim to be your friend, you will receive two random gacha items. This task can be completed 3 times.

7. Pray to the Goddess. Whether you do so grudgingly or willingly doesn’t matter much to her so long as you’re doing it! Clasp your hands together and bow your head or throw an offering into her pond— she’ll hear you either way. Praying to the Goddess will net you a barn animal of your choosing: a cow, sheep, alpaca, or goat. This task may be completed once.

Caution: throwing certain items into her pond may have consequences. Choose your offerings wisely.

mod notes

⬥ Welcome to the game's opening and our first event!
⬥ A second event post will go up in mid-Dec.
⬥ Please plot over at the Dec Plotting Post.
⬥ As a reminder, please keep all plotting on the OOC post as not everyone has Discord or Plurk.
⬥ Please submit your completed tasks at the top-level below.
⬥ Have fun!

navigation

Comments

[accredit]

[ when she rouses from her sleep, there's an evident hint of relief on his features. honestly, even as a servant who traverses wherever and whenever they're aptly summoned, it's... still strange. no, perhaps, because of his experiences, it only seemed that much more peculiar. different isn't really what he's used to. he doesn't get the lull of comprehension he normally does, nor does he feel like he has a good grasp of this world, or his purpose in it. he's actually never felt this... aimless in that sense. it's why seeing uta laying there beside him was almost comforting...

it gave him some sort of objective, at least for now. he actually, just got up and was about to attempt to wake her himself. his head coming closer, if just to hear her breathing, and just as he's actually about to touch her face...

her eyes open!?!

he catches himself mid-way, his shock all too palpable. that is, before his expression does settle on something a cross between sheepish and relaxed. ] Good morning. You were really making me sweat for a second.

[tot]

[ achilles is very fortunate that uta is reeling from a number of outstanding factors to care too much about how he was just about to touch her while she was sleeping. or, well, thought she was sleeping. or the fact that he at least had the decency to feel embarrassed about what he had almost done. it might cross her mind later but for the present she's just giving him a look over instead.

she doesn't know him. it's not like she was expecting to see anyone she knew but she also wasn't expecting anything that was happening right now. nevertheless, she does manage a bit of an awkward, dazed response of her own eventually. or maybe it's one of awe. hard to say given that she hasn't taken her eyes off of him yet or done much else. ]

Good...morning, and I'm sorry.

[ not that she knows what she's apologizing for?? she was already confused enough as it was and him saying that doesn't help. ]

Do you know where this is?

[accredit]

[ the sudden apology makes him feel a little bad that she seems so startled? disoriented? he supposed anyone would be in a situation like this. it isn't much of a consolation, but he decides from here he'd do his utmost in order to get her to speed. ... once he finds out what this actually entails.

as of now— ] Don't be. It's my bad that I didn't explain anything to you first. [ if only because, he knows nothing. ] I don't, but from my own experience, this is definitely not normal.

[ he seems to look down at his hands momentarily, before looking back at her. ] Do you need more time, if you're feeling up to it, maybe we could look around together? [ it's a careful suggestion as he seems to watch over her reactions; doing his best to be as considerate as possible. ]

[tot]

[ oh. ]

No, it's okay; I was just surprised. I hadn't expected to meet anyone.

[ uta's voice will sound less disorientated but it's clear that she's still somewhat distracted. she takes a moment to gather her composure and brush aside the thoughts to the back of her mind. why was she being like this after all of the resolve she had shown before? she'll be fine. (at least she isn't alone.) she needs to focus on what is before her.

and despite him being a complete stranger to her, he hasn't shown himself to be threatening which is nice—a bit unexpected as well—but there's comfort in it. uta's well aware that it would be best if she was more cautious than blindly trusting someone like this, but given the last thing she remembered—company of another is welcomed. ]

But I'd like to take a look around with you. [ she'll push herself off of the bed to an upright position noting how the bed creaks with her every movement. hopefully there will be a way to deal with that. ] You said that you had some kind of experience with this sort of thing?

[ which honestly begs the question of what he thinks this is verses what she thinks this is. ]

[accredit]

[ reading someone in the heat of battle; their motions, the movements of their muscles, the way and direction their eyes look— it's all quite different from attempting to sort someone's internal thoughts. hence, he doesn't have insight into what she seems to be thinking of. being here like this.

he only really stops wondering when she finally agrees to his words. once again, there's some reassurance that's pressed into the act. not that he would admit it, but you never know. she could have been injured or something else for all he knows. not that he sees pain on her features, nor blood...

something he verifies quickly enough when she pushes herself upwards. ] Something like that. On the bright side, we probably weren't called to war? [ he says this as debating this for himself, his head tilting along with his words. a master of assuring everyone that everything is okay. ]

I guess you could call this a summoning? But, for what purpose...

[tot]

[ as far as physical appears goes, the only thing that seems out of place is that her sleeve has its middle portion ripped away. everything else about her is perfectly fine as she keeps moving towards the edge of the bed as she waits to listen for his answer. even her disorientation and confusion seem to slowly fade away as she moves with more intention. unfortunately, her actions halt upon hearing his response.

ah. she didn't know what kind of answer she was going to hear from him but it wasn't that. ]

Summoning?

[ it was true that they were thinking of two different things but she gets no comfort from learning it. maybe someone else might have been happy to know that it wasn't what she was imagining for one reason or another but not her. especially not when considering the "probable" reason that they hopefully were not brought here for.

why did it have to come back to things like this? why couldn't people just focus their energy on something else? ]

I hope that we weren't brought here to take part in a war. I don't like violence or having people get hurt. [ her voice softens as her hair loops droop. ] There's more than enough of that.

[accredit]

[ ah...

it kind of looks like he steps on a mine with that one. he visibly winces a bit, realizing his misstep a second too late. maybe chiron was right when he called him careless. he reaches to rub the back of his neck absently, as if deliberating on his next words. but, well, he wasn't really good and mincing his words or trying to censor himself, and so he eventually decides to respond as he normally would. ]

Yeah. [ he says as if expressing his comprehension. they say that the history of humanity was also the history of war. it was a simple truth, and she seemed no stranger to that. but, precisely because he's also lived through it, well... he could comprehend a life of regrets. ]

Sorry, my master always said I tended to be absent-minded about my words... But, as I said, I doubt that's it. [ he attempts to put as much confidence in those words as he can. there's a brief second where he pauses, before he speaks. ] Besides, haven't you heard, miss? Sometimes smiling at times like these can lead to salvation.

[tot]

Is that so?

[ she knows it's a sentimental statement told to lift people's spirits and keep them from wallowing in negative thoughts. it's so obvious, yet, as uta replays the words in her mind, immediately a comforting voice comes to mind. a voice of the person she had both wanted to see so desperately but also never wanted to see again. the person who was her family and the who she admired and respected until... no, she still did. this was the feeling she wanted to hold onto.

it was fortunate that the decision of if she would see that person again was taken out of her hands. had it not been, then things would have ended differently. and, despite what she had wanted originally, the end result that she got instead was probably the better one. ]

It almost sounds like something my father would say. [ a small smile creeps up on her face as she looks up at the man with her. her voice sullen but carrying a hint of levity. ] ...which means that your master must be super cool, so I'll forgive you.

[ not that she was going to hold his words against him in the first place when he had only been answering her questions in the way he only knew. ...and there would also be no way that she would tell him that either. at least uta's choice to believe that he was a kind person who she could trust was being reinforced slowly. ]

[accredit]

[ at first, he inevitably thinks that he's somehow botched this again; made another verbal misstep that could have just as easily made her feel that much more unsettled in a situation like this. when she finally does speak, he's glad to see that isn't the case at all. there's something about how contemplative she looked before speaking that had somehow resonated with him? maybe, it's just the general vibe. whatever the feeling is, he finds himself smiling, if just a bit. ]

Guess I need to thank him, after all. [ not that he wasn't always grateful to his teachers. but, in the same breath, he also remembers all the bones he felt breaking under his fists and then... isn't sure if he should feel this way so quickly. still, he seems to metaphorically shrug them off all the same. ] But, it sounds like your father is pretty wise himself. [ maybe, also a teacher in some ways? he'd like to think they have something in common from that alone.

which is kind of nice, really... to feel like you have an ally right out the floodgates. ]

If you're still feeling up to it... [ he reaches a hand out. ]

[tot]

Humans are not so fragile.

[ uta's voice is more confident and there's warmth in her words as she takes his hand to help herself out of the bed. they were some of the last ones she heard but they were some of the most important ones for her to hear after everything. things are still confusing and no one has explained anything but it'll be okay. ]

...is another thing that he told me. [ if they were going to use words that they've picked up from someone else. in a way, exchanging borrowed lines from someone else was doing wonders for her own sake. ] He was the person I admired most in my world even if he could be stupid sometimes. Is your master also like that?

[ as he suggested moments ago, the smile on her face grows as she stands upright and takes another look at their farmhouse now that she's standing. sadly, there isn't much to look at in the first place but a different perspective is a different perspective. ]

[accredit]

[ it's a statement that... is actually a fairly good reminder. sometimes even in his own divinity, he forgot importance of words like those. then again, he supposes such knowledge could apply even to his own weakness. the only part of him that truly remained "human," that is.

that said, he gives something of a defeated exhale. it isn't that they fought, nor did they argue, but the words themselves sort of diffused any other thoughts he had, really. about this situation, his lack of powers, and anything else in between. he supposed, it was fine just to exist for now and figure it out as they went. which, he appreciates about her calmness. ] I don't think I could ever recall a moment where my teacher was stupid. [ he laughs at that. ] Though, maybe that just shows he's beaten more than a few things into me. He's scary, you know? [ obviously, it's a joke though as there seems to be genuine respect to words despite it.

but, as she eyes the home, he almost feels sheepish, even if it isn't like either of them chose this life. that said, he begins walks, reaching towards the entrance ad they talk. ] But, I also think what he said is true. Humans are strong. [ despite it all. ]

[tot]

[ not knowing the exact reason for his exhale, uta will still give him a smile and a small chuckle regardless with the simple satisfaction that he didn't disagree with her. ]

He certainly sounds scary, or maybe you weren't watching him enough to see his stupid side.

[ uta has no idea what so ever about whether that is true or not but she does feel strongly that there is a stupid side to everyone. no one is completely infallible and perfect all of the time. everyone has a weakness. nevertheless, she's finding enjoyment with this light banter with a few laughs here and there. both of them are completely unaware of how their statements have affected the other.

sheepish as he may be, uta doesn't seem to mind too terribly much about their predicament. he hadn't tried anything and does uta even think of those things? instead whether she's entirely aware of it or not and as things go with her, she'll sing a few lines from a song that would resonate with the statement of humans being strong. (humanity, itself, is strong.) she doesn't mean to drop the conversation for it but it's self-soothing to sing. ]

You make me invincible when you're here by my side ♪ Though this path has twists and turns if I can walk it ♫ There's so much I'll learn ♪

[ ...and with that she'll look outside of the window before going to open the door while still humming the tune for the rest of the song. it would probably be best to get a good look at what where ended up being before going out into it to explore it. ]

[accredit]

[ that's probably not all too inaccurate. he figures there were lots of things teachers couldn't easily convey to their students, if just because they were precisely that. students. each to fill their own role. he doesn't doubt his teacher who had taught and bred numerous heroes would be anything less than that. if anything, it was their conviction. ] You're probably right there. Good thing I have you beside me to do enough looking for the both of us this time.

[ "this time," he says, but what he really means is anytime going forward.

he presumes that's the most important thing here. regardless of whatever tied them down before this, it's clear this was a new reality for all of them. perhaps, just like humans, he also suspects he's not all too fragile either, no matter what thoughts he had right until now.

when she begins to sing, he finds himself perking up naturally. for a few moments, he doesn't interrupt. letting her sing it through before speaking. ] You have a nice voice, miss. It really does make me feel like I could do anything. [ with that said, he does also peer out the window, and... to be honest, it doesn't look all too bad.

hence, he doesn't think twice when she reaches for the door. if anything all the more curious to see what their next adventure looked like. ]

[tot]

gently puts this into your hands.