diplomaticimmewnity: (Default)
diplomaticimmewnity ([personal profile] diplomaticimmewnity) wrote in [community profile] sticksandbones2024-03-08 01:53 pm

March Family Meeting

Who: All
What: Town Hall / Family Meeting
When: Mid-March
Where: Inn Lobby
Warnings: Child death mentions, torture, body horror. More will be in post titles as they come up.


Silverash will leave a note in the inn's lobby, as well as one in the notebook about a meeting coming up — a town hall to let everyone know what's been going on and gather information between one another. The Guardians, as always, are invited, and Enciodes even lets Ydalir and Heimr know what his plans are, in case they want to attend, though he does mention it might get rather uncomfortable for them, and he understands if they would rather not.

Silverash will use the notes taken at the last town hall and write them down again for all to see and pay attention to. There is a lot of information to note, so he is sure to outline and title all the important things to look at via your own disclosure. (As an OOC note, this is also the IC reasoning of why a lot of this was copy and pasted from the last meeting.)

Reincarnation and Our Past Lives
Our lives as we currently know it, while it did happen, are because of we've originated here at the Grove in a past life. Some sort of ritual was meant to save our souls, thought we physically didn't survive. For the most part, it seems our personalities from our past life carried over somewhat, but overall, it doesn't seem like learning about them in detail provides any information on how to get back to our current home or how to best the creature.

The Residents
The Shopkeeper and the Trader — They lost their names to the forest, so their new names are Heimr and Ydalir. With this in mind, do not give the forest your name. They cannot be referred to by their old names, but Heimr used to be the person in charge of the Grove and Ydalir his sister.
The Guardians — the Guardians we can currently seek out within the Grove are Zahliya, our small gargoyle friend; Moder, the large moose-like creature; the River Guardian, a fish(?). Treat them respectfully and give them offerings if you require their assistance or plan to take anything that is theirs. There are more guardians outside of the Grove. They're akin to... demigods, in a sense of the word. Moder and the River Guardian used to be corrupted, though on their deaths seemed to have been cleansed of this corruption. Though, going forward, killing the Guardians to purify them may prove detrimental. We simply got lucky with the first two. They were strong enough to revive. If we try again, we might not have this luck.

Purification, Zahliya, and the Corruption
Zahliya is able able to purify things with some sort of holy magic. However, his purification is not as strong as it needs to be to fully purify something of corruption. As such, it's in our best interest to figure out how to do this so we can use this ability to cleanse other Guardians and residents in the future, like Elsword and Nene. If you know of anything that might be helpful, but don't think it's a good idea for the creature in the forest to know, ask those two to leave, first. They may be on our side, but their corruption lends to the forest being able to listen in anyway.

We've found shards of the sun, the moon, and know of Ydalir's star shards. They seem to be manifestations of holy magic, considering that this world reveres the sun and moon deities. We've given Zahliya the sun shard in hopes it'll help him purify things. So far, it seems to be going well, though it seems like there needs to be something a bit stronger to help.

Belief and the "magic" of this world
Belief in something gives it power. Names give it power. As such, refrain from giving the forest/the creature/the entity a true "name" of any kind. It's recommended to swap out the vague reference you use. Vice versa for our Guardians - please use their names, and believe in them intrinsically when we require their assistance. Mizuki has recommended before that we sing to Zahliya when he purifies things. Songs of protection and such might do us some good, I think. Just remember not to wish for things too frequently, only if it's absolutely necessary.

Forest Entity
It considers us toys. When it gets bored, which so far has been every handful of weeks or so, it will play games with us of some kind, as you may have noticed with the race. They seem to vary in intensity. Residents were trapped inside a volcano and meant to get to the top before else risk burning alive… and it also seems to know what our absolute worst fears are, respectively. It will get in your head. Don't give it that opportunity.

It is not a god, but it does possess a great deal of power, somehow. Finding the source of this may be vital, as it is a chaotic nature with a child-like, sadistic personality, which is a deadly combination.

Places of interest
Aldric's Manor is a place where Heimr's kids are currently. We can't get to it, but the children inside do have a notebook, and we hope they'll try to communicate with us. One of his children… There's a grave outside for her. Do not do anything disrespectful by it.
There's a part of the forest where you might find people you know, but as trees. It's… very upsetting there. Refrain from visiting it too frequently.
The Garden is where you'll end up if you die. Nene brings you back if you do end up here. Do not die. Do not end up here. Coming back will have you giving up something important.
The River is where the River Guardian is. Return any remains of the fish we eat from there back to it after we're able to fish there again. Thank the River Guardian when you take apples from the tree nearby there, and thank Moder when you take berries from the bush near it. Do not take bones from the river without permission. Be kind to the river's inhabitants, and don't dump any trash into the water.
The Well The well water will always stay clean. Don't go dumping garbage into it, of course, but know that the water there is safe to drink regardless of what happens, it seems. Also, the well is completely bottomless, so if you can't breathe underwater, I don't recommend trying to swim down it. Mizuki tried to, but at a certain point it felt like something was pushing him back.
The Burnt Part of Town and Other Expansions — The Grove, prior to stuff going awry, was a sizeable place, so we're likely to explore more areas as a "reward" for participating in games. For the people who weren't here, it seems to have been "frozen in time". Which also means any corpses that were in there haven't been fully decomposed or anything, so be wary of that. Please also look out for the sink holes at that part of town — it's quite dangerous there.
The Church was Nene's previous home, and a former place of worship for whatever sun-based deity this world revered. It has since been worn down and transformed into something to worship the creature.
The Temple is separate from the Church. Zahliya was formerly a statue guarding this place. It is also where the creature was previously contained.
There's other places within the forest and such, but if you want specifics, talk to Elsword. He has a map.
If you do end up going into the forest, bring a pair of the golden spectacles that Heimr has with you. They will show you a safe-adjacent way into the forest. It won't guarantee safety, but it'll be your best case scenario.

Returning home
Not outside the realm of possibility, but currently unable to. The creature in the forest needs to be dealt with first, as even if we find a way home, it can likely just bring us back.

The shards
Mizuki has the moon shard, and has since apparently swallowed it, giving him the ability to stop the corruption. Likely, the moon shard itself has calming, healing, and soothing properties. The sun shard is able to burn corruption away. Not as much is known about it, but we can likely ask Ydalir about it, and the star shards, if needed.


livlaughlove: in poppy fields, we've all been put to sleep (081)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-10 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
[despite his propensity for wallowing, livio is just as stubbornly resilient as his body is. it'll be a cold day in hell that he stops pushing himself. wolfwood wouldn't want him to lay down and mourn forever, after all.

nick also wouldn't want livio to deliberately make himself more miserable, but he doesn't need to think about that.]


I prefer gathering information firsthand.

I'll be fine.
purevanillacookie: (081)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-10 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ Stubborn. It does make Pure Vanilla smile a little. It reminds him of Dark Cacao, honestly. So forgive the sort of fond exasperated look. ]

Then would you care for some company, my friend? Or would you prefer to be alone?
livlaughlove: but that won't do no good (237)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-10 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
[pv is, naturally, of course, very sweet. even now, livio realizes this. although he doesn't acknowledge it aloud, he appreciates that pv doesn't continue to push the issue.]

... Whatever you want. [and though the words themselves may be a bit dismissive, his tone is genuine. he won't send pv away for showing him kindness.]
Edited 2024-03-10 05:32 (UTC)
purevanillacookie: (042)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-10 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[ That's all the permission he needs, and he will find a spot to sit. Near enough to offer Livio his companionship, a quiet warmth and silent offer to be an ear should he need it, but far enough to give him his room.

... Though he will also slide the tea over a little closer.

His soul is a Grandpa and he will fuss.

Quietly. ]
livlaughlove: begging, please don't go (223)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-10 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[livio catches the movement out of the corner of his eye, and, well... even now, he is not immune to a caretaker's attempts to look after him. he may finally accept the tea and take a small sip or two for pv's sake rather than his own, but nonetheless that means pv wins in the end.]

... Thank you.
purevanillacookie: (003)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-10 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ If it helps Livio get some liquid into him, to focus on 'doing it for Pure Vanilla's sake', then Pure Vanilla will gladly take it.

And he will smile, gently and sweetly, at Livio's thank you. ]


Of course, my friend. Please do not hesitate to ask for something, if you find yourself desiring it.

[ Grandpa will hustle off into the Inn kitchen and whip up whatever he can. Even if he knows all too well the way grief robs anyone of any desire to care for themselves. ]
livlaughlove: please, tell me you know that i care (227)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-10 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[... sorry, but since pv walked away to presumably try to make something for him to eat, liv will down the rest of that tea and then move somewhere else. totally sly. totally not super bulky and seven feet tall and very, very easy to spot anywhere in the room.]
purevanillacookie: (101)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-10 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Livio you are dealing with an over thousand year old Cookie who has snuck his fair share of ways throughout school to sneak out of class and go play with forbidden knowledge.

Two can definitely play at that game. He just needs to muffle his hooves on the floor, which is easily done with some light shield spell work.

Is that a sandwich that mysteriously appears by his elbow at some point, along with the tea he left behind? My goodness how did that get there. Look it's even been cut up into smaller bite sized proportions. Hohoho, who could have done that, PV is most certainly no where around see he's over there drinking his own drink, enjoying the fire place. ]
livlaughlove: when it's all in your head? (253)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-10 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[and what good sneaking pv does! livio doesn't even notice the food and drink for a minute. the smell of fresh tea is what clues him in, and he blinks in alarm when he sees the sandwich and the refilled mug... he glances around himself, looking for the culprit...

and doesn't pure vanilla just look a little too innocent over there?

... fine. it's very slow going, because even thinking about food still turns his stomach, but livio will try. just one bite-sized bit every few minutes, when no one is looking.]
purevanillacookie: (105)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-11 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's all right to take it slow. That's precisely why Pure Vanilla cut the sandwich up. Eat what you can, drink what you can, but do not feed the misery with nothingness.

And when it looks like Livio is done, he will just as quietly whisk the items away. He doesn't try as hard to hide himself. The faint scent of vanilla, the soft clip of a hoof on the inn floor.

Maybe a fire warmed blanket, so if Livio wants to mope, he can blanket himself in warmth and hide. ]
livlaughlove: or just for your pride? (205)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-11 12:12 am (UTC)(link)
[pure vanilla has grown on livio very quickly, in general, and all of this only cements that.

before he disappears again, though, liv looks at him directly.]


Why are you being so nice to me?

[while the answer may be obvious, it doesn't seem to be for livio. or maybe other things are even more obvious to him and override it.]
purevanillacookie: (039)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-11 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
Why would I not be?

[ The reply is returned with a smile and a faint tilt of his head, his ears relaxed and down. ]

You deserve care and kindness, my friend, and I know it is hard, in this moment when you are deepest in despair, to treat yourself with such.

[ He knows it too deeply. Missed meals. Sleepless nights. ]
livlaughlove: couldn't explain it at the time (200)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-11 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[despite his own feelings toward pure vanilla, livio can't help but point out.]

You barely know me.

... And I encouraged it. I could've... tried harder to convince him. [hell. he's pretty sure that if he had sincerely asked, wolfwood might have actually called it off.] But I didn't. I put everyone in danger.
purevanillacookie: (115)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-11 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
You're right, my friend, I do not. But I don't need to know someone, to care for them.

[ And to not feel bad when they berate themselves. Pure Vanilla hears his own worries echoed back at him - I could have stopped her if I had tried harder, if I had understood her, if I had simply put my foot down, if I had told her to stop digging into what was best left alone - and sighs softly. ]

No. It is not your fault.

[ Moving closer, Pure Vanilla finds a spot to sit and perch, his staff on his knees, the eye closed. It's the closest he can give Livio to privacy while here. ]

I know it is easy to blame yourself. It is a trap grief sets for us, and we all fall in to. That doubt will gnaw at. But the fault is no more yours, than it is Wolfwoods, than it is mine, or Elswords, or anyone elses that lives in this Grove. The sole blame lays on the creature that terrorizes us. You are a victim, my friend, not the perpetrator of this.
livlaughlove: OKAY, OKAY, OKAY (ONE SIX FOUR)

[personal profile] livlaughlove 2024-03-11 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
[pure vanilla has a good point. so good that it makes livio actually question his train of thought.

he doesn't think it's possible to stop blaming himself... not for this, or for many other things. but it does call attention to the idea that blaming himself for not stopping wolfwood is equal to blaming wolfwood. and... even though, sure, nick orchestrated it all, livio doesn't blame him. he hasn't, once.]


... That's generous of you. As always.

[and unique, livio thinks. he wonders how angry the rest of the grove would be if wolfwood hadn't paid for his mistakes with his life. would they run him out of town? he wants to think no, but he probably doesn't know them half as well as he thinks he does.]

You're probably right.
purevanillacookie: (038)

[personal profile] purevanillacookie 2024-03-11 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
It is less generosity, and more the Truth.

[ He offers the other a faint smile, and a light shrug of his shoulders. ]

I am merely stating something I know you know, deep in your heart. I can not ask you to cast aside any anger you may feel in the moment, but I do ask you to be gentle on yourself.

[ Maybe, with time. This young man seems as stubborn as Wolfwood did. This entire Grove is full of stubborn stubborn people. ]