ǣfenglōm (main comm)

Got a question.

Anyone around that had a chronic health condition or illness back home?

Did it clear up when you got here or is it still affecting you?

Asking for myself.

Name: Momo
Date: July 19th
Format: Video

[Rather than a person, this video opens on an image from the Underground - heavily infected veins through the earth where the Red Death algae seems to begin, and the signs of a less virulent pink moss beyond if one looks closely enough at the image.]

So I know everyone down here is gonna be pretty busy trying to figure out how to deal with this Red Death problem, but it looks like these infected veins are a big part of it and I want to try to deal with them. If we can purge them kinda like that leyline through the forest a few months ago, I think it'd help, but I'll need a lot more Witches than just me and we'll also need Monsters to back us up while we work. Don't worry if you're new, I did this in my first month here, just let me know and I can show you how to do it. It's pretty much about pushing clean magic in to force the infection out, so even someone who's recently gotten in touch with their magic can throw in with us and it'll make a bigger difference the more people we can get together!

[Momo finally turns the camera on himself, looking pretty serious for him but also with...some kind of weird semi-transparent pink bubble shield over his mouth and nose. The joys of trying to bash together a consistent anti-spore shielding spell through trial and error.] I'm sending a message to the Matriarch too and I hope we can get some locals, but anyone who can help, whether you need a bit of guidance on it or not, is totally welcome! This is gonna be a big job, but I think it'd really help to strike at the source of the problem, even if you can only be here for a little while. Every bit would count. If you've got any questions before you come, I can answer them here, otherwise we can organise things when you get down here! I'll be in the circled tunnel.

[Attached to the post is a hand-drawn, seemingly recent "map" with the problem tunnels marked in red, all smaller ones, plus one in a fairly central position circled. It's essentially more of a marker of where the tunnel entrances are relative to other tunnels and what edge of the city they're on, but it's at least enough to position oneself.]

[[Feel free to go pretty wild with this if your character would help - you're welcome to run with it in your own TLs without responding here, though Momo's event TL has a prompt if your character would need in-person help. Other experienced characters are welcome to help show the method to newcomers as well, Momo just wants enough people to be able to do a decent attempt at a purge! You can also let me know OOC if your character would be involved so I have an idea of what kind of numbers he'd end up with, via Plurk/PM/game Discord depending on your pref. The main thing to know is that this is targeted particularly around where the Red Death begins in the tunnels since purging entire tunnels wouldn't be possible in this amount of time.]]

Hey everyone!

First of all, welcome to all the new arrivals! Seems like we had a really big group this time. I'm sorry you got dragged into all of this.

Anyway, my name's Elliot. I'm a musician and a healer. If you're interested in music lessons, I offer private and group lessons for violin, piano, guitar, recorders, harmonica, or singing. It's always a good time to learn, and the first lesson's free! Oh and don't worry if your monster changes might complicate things, we'll find a workaround! Just let me know if you're interested.

Finally, for most of my stay here, I've been studying how to heal Cwyld infections under the Coven's infirmary. I've gotten pretty far...but I can only see so many people. So...I want to offer lessons to teach people what I've learned. I'm only allowed to teach methods that the Coven will approve of me sharing, but they should be effective at healing new or mild infections!

Unfortunately only witches will be able to do the techniques. Not only that, it's pretty tough stuff to learn and if it goes wrong it can lead permanent damage. So anyone who wants to learn will have to prove they're capable with alchemy and enchantments first. Sorry.

Anyway...let me know if you're interested, I guess.

[OOC: Sign ups for music lessons can be found here. Most lessons will be handwaved unless you want to hatch out a specific thread]

Name: Marie Antoinette
Date: Maiuril 2nd
Format: text

So I would love to hear about all the cute things people in Aefenglom do for their Bonded! :D

Do you have matching accessories? Matching shirts, clothes? Anything you do together? Please tell me all about it!

[Marie is looking for ideas to spoil her own Bonded but also possibly planning... something? Who knows]

Name: Hresvelg (Edelgard von Hresvelg)
Date: 3/4
Format: Video

[A video feed flickers to life in the early evening, not long after sunset. The focus is briefly on Edelgard, dressed in a crisp looking white shirt with a high collar. Her hair is down, her crown set aside for the moment. She smiles, offering the viewers a quick nod, before speaking]

Good evening. My name is Edelgard, for those of you who do not know me.

[She clears her throat and the video lurches in unpracticed hands. Turning down towards a dog that's peering curiously up at the watch. It's jaw hangs open a bit in a doggy smile, but otherwise it doesn't seem too bothered by the device.]]

I was wondering if this dog belongs to anyone. He's remarkably well trained, and I believe he's escaped from his owner, but there was no collar. Unfortunately, he seems to have taken a shine to me after I found him rooting around in my garden two nights hence, and he's been trying to follow me indoors.

[She sighs.]

Asking him to sit yields results, but he won't leave. I confess I've little experience with dogs, and if he doesn't belong to anyone...does anyone know if such behavior is normal?

Thank you for any information you can provide. I can meet you somewhere if you'd prefer not to use the watches or want to see him. I await your-oh! Goodness!

[She cuts off as the dog moves suddenly, tail wagging as it decides to get closer, feeling more friendly.]

...Response!

[That strained, croaked out word is the last before the feed cuts out.]

( ooc )

Name: Anonymous | Vanitas
Date: 3/1
Format: Text



[ So Vanitas has been terribly frustrated for the last few days trying to figure this out himself. Unfortunately, he isn't really equipped to come to the answers on his own. ]

Normally I wouldn't bother with things like this, but it would appear that all my other options are exhausted or unavailable.

A little while ago I found myself experiencing some strong urges. I can't say that they are entirely unfamiliar, but the circumstances and conditions are different. Wanting to throttle someone and make them pay is nothing new, but because they hurt someone I am acquainted with is. So I suppose my question there is why. This person is perfectly capable of handling it themselves so why is it that I also want to?

Which brings me to the second issue since this is all tied to the same situation. The look this person had on their face? I didn't like it and I don't want to see it again. That is new and I don't know what that means or what it is at all.

This is probably a waste of time, but I can't figure it out. So here we are.

[ tl;dr: Vanitas might actually care about someone - or at least have something of an urge to protect them - but he can't recognize it at all because pfft he's not the sort that does that, right? ]

Name: un: ven
Date: feb 13th
Format: text

can you be allergic to chocolate?

i mean i don't think i am or i HOPE i'm not because i've never gotten sick from eating chocolate before but now i feel really sick!

maybe it's made weird here? is it possible to become allergic later on???

this really sucks...

[don't let your dog turnskin eat chocolate, a life lesson learned by ventus the hard way.]

Name: Mettaton
Date: 01/05
Format: text

Oh yes! Hello beauties, and happy New Year... From me, to you. I'm looking for plenty of willing assistance to end a common problem among Monsters.

Being handsome and being metal are not mutually exclusive. As a robot, I happen to be both. Throw being a Monster into the mix... And I'm still beautiful! However. Cute ears and fluffy tail notwithstanding, my transformation is giving me some undesirable side effects.

Here's a simple trivia question for you.

QUESTION: What is a MAJOR weakness shared by both Puca and Fae?
A. Alcohol	B. Math
C. Anime	D. Iron

I have faith that 88.1% of you can answer correctly. (Margin of error: 5%.) I even dropped a little hint for you above! If you still can't get this... Just look at the quest board!!

I require a magical solution to eliminate this weakness. After getting plenty intimate with a handsy band of passionate Witches... They've surprised me with a list of ingredients for an alchemical enchantment. It can all but treat this weakness! Turnskin, Fae, and Puca will ALL benefit. And that's where you come in! All of the ingredients necessary to perform this spell are found in the depths of the Wilde, and I could use some help in fetching LOADS of them. I've been warned, however, that this journey will be a treacherous one. If you could spare the time and risk the dangers... And don't mind being COMPENSATED for it... It's nothing you lovely people can't handle!

As a robot who has never experienced pain before coming here... Well. A few months of it is enough. And it's getting worse. I appreciate all of the help I can get. So let me make it worth your while, darling. Won't you be the dashing hero to my ACHING rescue...?

Name: Elliot Craig
Date: 12/13
Format: Text (with an Audio recording)

Hello everyone!

As many people have noticed, there isn't anything in the way of rock music in this world. So my friend Crow and I have been working on synthesizing the sound of rock music instruments using audio illusions using classical instruments and memory. And I'm happy to say, I think we've pulled off!

So I'm here to present the first rock style song in Aefenglom: Unfathomed Force!

Unfortunately, the process of creating a new song with audio illusions takes a long time, not everyone can learn how to do it, and honestly the quality will never be as good as having it played from a real band.

So I was wondering if there was any people out there interested in reverse engineering instruments that make rock music sound. I can help with giving isolated instrument sounds and tell you everything I know about specs, but I'll admit I'm not exactly an instrument maker. So I can't say it'll be easy. But...seeing how many worlds rock music has reached, I think it'd be a really worthwhile project.

Thanks everyone!

Name: Waver Velvet
Date: Deceuer 1st
Format: network-wide text


QUESTION:

When considering patronising a shop, do you prefer when it has a name that makes it easy to understand exactly what is offered there, or one that is "creative"?

Thanks in advance.

Name: Marie Antoinette
Date: Octeuril 30th
Format: Video


[The clip starts with a closeup on Marie's face. She is beaming and waving at the camera.]

Ahem, I believe it is working! It is a pleasure to meet you, good people of Aefenglom! Vive la France!

So, I know that celebrations of Samuin are set to begin soon and I cannot wait to attend! However, if after the festivities you will still have some energy in you, the 2nd of Noveuer is also my birthday and I would love to celebrate with everyone here! It does not matter if we have talked before or not, you are invited anyway! And please bring your friends, I want to meet them!

[She moves backwards a bit and more of her surroundings can be seen. She is standing in front of the house she is living in with Scathach and Zelda. Come to think of it, she did not discuss this with them yet. Whoops.]

This will be the place! I am looking forward to meeting all of you, so see you all very soon! And please do not hesitate to contact me for more details if you need any!

[She waves again at the camera as the video ends]

[ His video is set up so he can clearly show his entire face on the network as he talks. The camera seems steady, and he is leaning forward, propping his chin on the palm of his hand as he talks. His expression seems almost annoyed, though not serious. ]

Everyone has seemed rather upset. I guess for good reasons. Mostly, at least.

[ There's the slightest pause, as if he's trying to figure out the best way to explain it. ]

But, with that, I think we need to start looking forward, and I feel like an overdue distraction might be the best way for us to take the first step.

[ He closes his eyes, and tilts his head slightly. ]

A party. Something fun where people can dress nice. Something like a masquerade, I guess. Or a formal party of sorts. I guess it would depend on what others are interested in or what the participation will be.

If I see interest, then I don't mind starting to put stuff together.

Maybe it would be a good time to make amends if you hurt anyone. We could use an unoccupied larger house.

But, I wouldn't want to do it alone, so there is also that.

Name: Entrapta
Date: oct 16th
Format: text

HELLO! I WANT TO COLLECT SOME DATA.

IF YOU HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT ETHICS, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1] ARE THERE ACTIONS YOU CONSIDER UNACCEPTABLE REGARDLESS OF CONTEXT? IF SO, PLEASE PROVIDE EXAMPLES

2] ARE THERE SOME MITIGATING CONTEXTS THAT RENDER OTHERWISE UNACCEPTABLE ACTIONS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU? IF SO, PLEASE PROVIDE EXAMPLES

3] IF A PERSON HAS PERFORMED AN UNACCEPTABLE ACTION, WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER AN APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT?

THANKS! 8)

Name: Monika
Date: Octeuril 18
Format: Text

Isn't it funny how you can spend weeks, months, and maybe even longer in trying to be a better person.

Only for a couple of bad days to make it feel like you lost most of your progress?

Name: Lambert [ un: 'fuck this' ]
Date: Backdated to Octeuril 15th
Format: Text

just so you know, in case you haven't figured it out already: try not to sell parts of you without asking what it's going to be used for first

because sometimes those parts get used to brew up shitty mist that turns half the city feral or gives them new parts they don't need

the coven's got one of the bitches that started that mess now, but she wasn't working alone, so i sure fucking hope someone else found them

[ ooc: a very belated wrap-up of sorts for the mist investigation, at least on team lambert/nyskie/steak/rw's end! ]

Does anyone have any holidays that they celebrate around this time of year back home? I feel that, after what we have experienced, spreading a bit of cheer might help take the edge off things. I would also like to know if there are any similarities between our worlds. Perhaps if we find a common correlation, we may be able to understand why we were brought here.

I can start us off. Where I am from, we celebrate the Harrowing. People from all over Valoran dress in costumes, to confuse the evil spirits that rise from the depths of the Shadow Isles. Most of it is superstition, but I have heard of cases where sailors who were lost at sea suddenly appear once more during this time.

Does anyone have a similar tradition where they're from? I would like to hear about it. Maybe we can take a few of these ideas and celebrate here. It might be good to have something for the people here to look forward to, rather than focusing on recent events.

- Lux