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awashlogs2019-06-23 02:31 pm
[ Open ] FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP
WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: The forest!
WHEN: Backdated to the 20th–21st
WHAT: Some knights lead an expedition into the forest to find a chicken
WARNINGS: Probably nothing…for now
[ Upon the 20th, a new message pops up on the network feed, from a certain #6363F9. ]
This is Archer. Due to the efforts of Sir Berkut and I, we have uncovered yet another clue as to the history of this realm.
Many of you might remember the sorry tale spoken of by #FFFFFF himself. We learned a great deal about that young man of Blue and the path he had taken into the forest. A few days ago, the locations of certain landmarks have been made known to us. We propose to conduct an expedition into the forest in search of the hen of legend, that we may yet find some way of learning this world’s history and perhaps prevent the forest from encroaching into town.
Needless to say, the journey will be difficult. We have need of fighters as well as healers, cooks, navigators, and others of the sort. If you wish to join, you will find us assembled at the edge of the forest north of Flavo at dawn. You may address your queries to me. Thank you.
[ And sure enough, there will be a small party already gathered at the appointed place at the dawn of the 21st. Tristan will be happy to welcome you into the group since Berkut’s going to be a sourpuss about this no matter what. :’( ]
Preparations
[ This is where everyone’s getting briefed before heading out into the forest. You’ll be given the necessary infodump as well as a few instructions.
Using the remainder of his ink, Berkut has drafted a serviceable map noting the various landmarks and overall direction, which others are free to peruse and from which they can take notes of their own. Pry the map from his cold, dead hands though (unless you're Tristan). In addition, you will be instructed to gather supplies here before heading out. Characters should bring their own food and the like, or be prepared to forage/hunt in the forest. Expecting freebies from others is poor form!
Once the preliminaries are done, you’re free to spend the remainder of this time however you wish. Offer to team up with someone, question the party leaders, find a meat shield to hide behind, draw up your own maps, or simply give the intrepid adventurers a hearty sendoff! ]
The Forest
[ The adventure begins! Though it won’t be too strictly enforced (at least where Tristan is concerned), you will be instructed to please walk in something that even halfway resembles a formation. Healers and support to the center; those with combat experience to the vanguard, rear, and flank; the works. Or don't. Berkut will only judge and not be responsible if Keigo loses his head (thus spoke Tristan, "How sad"). Maimed limbs and lost teeth are not covered by the field trip's healing insurance.
Unfortunately, the forest seen in their visions is different from the present-day location, so finding the right path won’t be easy! You might want to break up into teams to search out specific landmarks and other useful stuff as you make the trek, or help set up camp when the group takes a rest stop, or fight off whatever forest creatures happen to stumble your way! Or maybe try to liven up the trip with a little game of Eye-Spy or even outright sneak off on your own adventures! No one’s going to judge—okay, Berkut might judge a little.
Whatever the case, it’s going to take a long time and a lot of trial and error to find the clues the forest has hidden away. ]
The Destination
[ The strength of your bonds will eventually prevail, however, as you finally locate a large stone covered in strange mossy patterns. You will be informed that the site of the hen must be very near. You’ll have to suffer through a thorny, overgrown path like in the story, but hey, nothing like a trial to strengthen your bonds, right?
Of course, once you reach the fabled site of the chicken, you’ll find…nothing! Wow, that was a waste of time. Feel free to search around just in case though, or set up camp and rest for the night. It’ll be a long and grueling journey back to town. ]
OOC: As part of the ongoing event, Berkut and Tristan have combined their inks to recreate a vision based on #FFFFFF’s forum post. Further details here and here!
TL;DR version:
- There is a way to find the location of the chicken from the story, but it definitely won't be easy.
- Strong bonds with people of a lot of colors will make the search easier.
- The journey itself will probably last only a day or two, but that’s not set in stone, so feel free to fudge timelines if you want.
- The chicken won’t actually be there, though, since the conditions aren’t right for its reappearance. However, those who enter the chicken area will, according to the mods, “have a very strong sense that there WILL be something there at some point… just not yet.”
- Basically, consider this an open mingle that’s available to everyone whether or not they have CR with Tristan or Berkut. Have fun, get lost, take pictures—you do you!
no subject
“I had only hoped that we would attain more than its mere location, for others have trusted us to come this far.”
no subject
So much of Chroma, including its landscape, remains a mystery. That they even managed to find this place can count as progress in Berkut's book. The hen would have been an additional asset, nothing more.
"A war is not won by a single battle. If this much is enough to dissuade them from future expeditions, they have no business being here."
no subject
Harsh as that statement is, he can just as easily imagine King Arthur saying it as well, albeit couched in somewhat gentler terms.
“Indeed, it is so. Something must happen there eventually, though I know it not. But…should that time come, I would be honored to witness it by your side.”
no subject
"Yes. When that time arrives, you will come with me and see that today was no loss."
Proving that he, of course, was right. In the meantime, he settles for giving Tristan a swift kick behind the knees with words.
"You make for a poor display, begging forgiveness from those you lead. Unless you wish to lose control of this disgruntled lot before the journey back has even begun, you had best gather yourself."
no subject
He at least squares his shoulders at those words, though he can’t help looking all the more despondent still.
“You are not wrong,” he sighs. “Truth be told, I am not fit to be a leader. If I had any confidence that this journey would succeed at all, it was placed wholly upon your shoulders and that of the others who joined us.”
no subject
Really, is there anyone more pathetic than Archer in this entire realm? Even the supposed god who feasts on raw organs has more spine. As a fellow knight, this attitude irritates Berkut.
"Know your place. You do your master a disservice with those words. And you call yourself a knight? Where is your pride?"
no subject
The recollection does get him to tense up. His master, who’d gone above and beyond to save humanity despite their meager talents in magecraft. His master, who would face down terrible risks and never give up no matter what. What would his master do in a situation like this?
He frowns, setting his harp aside as he stands up to Berkut, cracking his eyes open that their gazes might meet.
“My master would have told me that it was not my knighthood which had carried me this far.” And no knight stands alone—not even King Arthur, despite the distance she maintains between herself and the Knights of the Round Table.
“And so I know well where my place is—by my allies’ side, for no knight stands alone. Upon them I lay down my pride.” And that includes you, asshole.
no subject
Tristan's estimation of his own worth is so low that a peasant who can scarcely afford to clothe himself would sell himself for higher. What a piteous display for the spirit that should have been the paragon of nobility.
"Then where is that pride now? You claim that it is with these people, only to grovel at their feet when the quest leaves you dissatisfied. You speak of standing by their side, yet here you are."
He motions sharply to their immediate surroundings. While the campfire is by no means deserted, Tristan's glum affect is hardly inviting.
"Words are pretty, Archer, but they are cheap. Your actions insult the very people you call your allies."
no subject
But Berkut’s not wrong. About any of this. Even if Tristan just can’t accept it. Something about Berkut’s pride always niggled at him—it’s a touch worse than Sir Agravain’s, if that were even possible.
And the downfall of Camelot had begun because of Tristan’s own foolish pride…
He doesn’t raise his voice—he never does, at least not in this lifetime—but there’s a hardness to it all the same, one that’s haunted—that comes from a lifetime of regret.
“Watch your words, Sir, for you cannot speak of that which you do not understand.” The king does not understand the hearts of men, he’d once reprimanded King Arthur. He feels something painful wrenching at his heart even as he says this to Berkut.
no subject
Perhaps Tristan does. Yet what of it? Berkut sees no flaw in his own rationale, detached though he may be from the hearts of others. Such intimacy might have no place in Rigel, but he understands his fellow knights and their collective pride well enough; consequently, Tristan's reproach does little to deter him from snarling back.
"Go then. If you are so familiar with the hearts of those present, continue as you are. See where it takes you."
Then, with a contemptuous huff, Berkut shoves past Tristan.
no subject
Beyond their little campfire, the trees seem to whisper, “No bond strengthens from a fickle heart that cannot commit.”