Chapter 2 Act 1

It was a restless wait in the small crevice shelter that the group had come upon, far too small for everyone to rest safely inside. As soon as the second team returned, reporting unanimously that the mountain ruins were was unsafe, guarded by a terrible dragon and consumed by a magical storm, it was decided that the group would move to the buried town. Scouted by the Errant Boar, Felony, and the late Volt, they reported it viable. Hoping to find it so, the survivors gathered for the trek north.

The Scarlands did not make the journey any easier for the group than it had been on the others. A sandy expanse stretched on, broken up by occasional blue-gray shrubbery and mankind’s scattered scrap. To the east, hints of gold-hued grasslands in the distance gave temptation to the herbivores. Scorching heat bore down on the travelers as they pressed on, and a few scraps with warped left them exhausted. It was not until the sky cast down fiery rays that they were forced to take shelter though, huddling under a narrow stone ledge. There they rested before continuing the journey late into the night, while the air was still cool.

The scent of water on the air rubbed the recent wound Felony and Errant bore. The group came upon the river that took Volt, and paused with a mixture of caution and sobriety. With the time since the storm and the hot weather, the river gurgled innocuously, water level low. Most carefully waded across without much issue, but Felony and other confident swimmers guided those with shorter stature as they crossed. Past the far bank, glances were stolen back at the river, already giving consideration to a more permanent crossing solution.

Those who direct their gaze forward slowly make out a initially small silhouette. A three-finned tower at the crest of the next hill. 

Tie your history together with newcomers, Luca, Storm-gored, Catchfly, Rainwalker, Kismet, Scout, Solaris. This must be a past connection, pre-fracture or early post-fracture. Connections must be agreed upon by both players.

Reward: +20 Karma Bonus

You may connect with all three characters, but may only claim this reward once.

Salty, Pyro, Caesar, Donnie, and Griffin may claim this reward as many times as applicable, maximum once per character.

BANES
Whether through extreme injury or exposure, several characters developed banes in the attack. For some, simple treatment will be enough to help them. Others may need daily help just to survive. This prompt will be updated to reflect the developing health of these characters.

RECOVERY: Bernese
April's healing magic has proved ineffective against Bernese's paralysis. Kraft continues to wear himself thin looking after the coyote. Perhaps more can be done to alleviate their condition, or at least help Kraft provide care.

RECOVERY: Monocorn, Jonsie
Monocorn and Jonsie remain acrid, unable to shake the poison which flooded them weeks ago. The risk of harming their allies keeps them distant, but it is clear they are both still feeling weak. Jonsie's investigations show that this poison is not a traditional poison.  It will linger indefinitely unless somehow treated. 

Reward: May mitigate Bane

Show a fine feastly delight your character is indulging in!  In addition to the plants/animals listed on the Scarlands page, there are a variety of domesticated crops that can be harvested in the area.  

Corn, barley, hay.  Carrots, beets, turnips.  Grains and root vegetables are best able to survive the harsh weather of the region, and are readily available for the feast.

Reward:

Characters who complete this prompt earn +1 Taste and have a 10% chance to earn +1 Alchemy.

These rewards can only be earned once per character.  Submissions can be repeated to get another chance at the 10% alchemy point

The domesticated crops that survived the Fracture did so by evolving to their new environment.  Much like the animals of the world have developed new ways to protect themselves, many plants have grown thorns, thick shells, and other means by which to prevent their harvest.

Have your character share their knowledge with the members of Voltspire Hearth!  Show how a domesticated crop has changed and how one can harvest it successfully.  

Reward:

Submitted crops may be added to the Scarlands Bestiary for all to use!  (As long as they fit within lore)

Characters who complete this prompt will earn +1 Gather.

This reward can only be earned once per character

This piece will be a collab!  On the final day of 2024, I will combine all submissions into a single grand feast submission.  

To make an entry for the grand feast, either create a transparent image of your character partaking of the food/festivities, or create a short written work on the subject.  I'll create a background that ties it all together!

For my computer's sake, and to share the space, please keep images under 2000x2000 pixels, and written works under 500 words. 

Reward:

Attendees will receive 1 flux.

This reward can only be earned once per character.  

Add a depiction of an NPC to the grand feast!  If written, the entire written piece must be dedicated to this one NPC.  Art must have a fullbody.  No little callouts to get this one.

Each NPC can only be completed 1 time, so coordinate with your fellow players to avoid going for the same characters!

Reward:

In character, this prompt covers your character inviting the NPC to the event.  As a reward, the NPC will give your character a gift.

This prompt can only be completed once per player.

Head over to the public roleplay channel to hang out with your fellow survivors!  Enjoy the feasts, festivities, and more.  There are no specific rewards for public roleplay during this event, but character actions might lead to all sorts of fun results.  

New games, developing culture, rituals, whatever you'd like to contribute to the Grand Feast!  If the event is significant enough in the character's minds, they might just decide to host one again next year...

That's right, it's time to hold a census of how many active players we have in the group!  This will help me plan out events and make sure everything is scaled to the right number of players.  If you miss this one, don't worry-there's not really any consequences.  

Anyone who makes a submission or posts in the Question Corner for the duration of the headcount will be considered an active player.  

If you miss the headcount, your character will be considered __Not Present__ at the Grand Feast, or any other events until you are next active.  Given how large the world is and how much travelling is done, this isn't really a surprise!  Characters come and go from the Spire all the time.

Headcount ends on January 15th.

Calling Voltspire Hearth home isn't enough. It's time for the Hollow Hill survivors to take action. To fortify their environment against attack, and prepare themselves for the next Warped encounter.  

To complete this prompt, propose a Construction Project or a Research Project. Your proposal must be written in-character, addressing the group or an NPC.

The project will be led by your character. If proposed to and and agreed upon, they may be assisted by an NPC. Keep in mind, NPCs will only agree to help if the project interests them personally, so try to pick something that appeals to them! If your character is leading a selected project, their contributions will be vital to it's completion, and they will not be allowed to make more suggestions (or lead other projects) until completion.
*Bernese is not available for proposals, as they have made one themself: Excavation!

The Map is available as a reference of the terrain and some of the available structures. Construction projects will be added to the map as they are progressed.

Reward: 10 Karma per proposal
Each project will have its unique rewards upon completion, such as skills, items, and potentially flux.
Each project will permanently reduces weekly risk level gain by a set amount upon completion. 

10/10 Contributions

Hunting and gathering food for the group remains a necessity, however, you hope to do more than simply survive. Chip in a little extra effort to prepare for a celebration of your new home!

To complete this prompt, describe what your character does to prepare for the feast. A good quantity of meat and plants must be collected, though some may prefer contributing to the festivities—or perhaps even try cooking?

Reward:
Loot Drop based on your submission

Wandering warped occasionally come through the area. Depict how your character chooses to keep their new home safe. Do they stand lookout to watch for potential threats, drive off warped before they can harass your allies, or even just thin the population with some old fashioned hunting. Perhaps something else entirely? 

Reward:
10 bonus Karma

Depict your character aligning themselves with the new leyline.  Not much is known about aligning one's self to a leyline.  One must appeal to the magics within. Visual submissions must be accompanied by a short written description of your character's experience interacting with the leyline. 

Reward: Characters will be able to purchase powers natively at this ley line.  (Characters who are not aligned may still purchase powers here at the Wild cost.)

Reward:
Native Power Purchases: Characters will be able to purchase powers at regular cost
-5% ???

Aligned Characters: Errant, Felony, Burnze, Newt, Daybreak, Catchfly
Pending Alignment: Coni, Boon, April 

As the hollow hill survivors move into their new home, they pick up new faces along the way. Build comradery by working alongside your new allies! 

Hollow Hill Survivors - 1 Time Only

To complete, participate in 3 other prompts with a Non Hollow Hill survivor. (Luca, Storm-gored, Catchfly, Rainwalker, Kismet, Scout) Two of these must be roleplay, the last can be any form of collaboration, to include roleplay. All three must be done with the same character.

Reward: One item from the Reward Selection
15 bonus Karma

New Survivors - 2 Times Only
(Luca, Storm-gored, Catchfly, Rainwalker, Kismet)

To complete, participate in 3 other prompts with a Hollow Hill survivor. Two of these must be roleplay, the last can be any form of collaboration, to include roleplay. Each set must be done with the same character, with a separate character featured in the second set.

Reward:
1st Time:  1 Flux
15 bonus Karma

2nd Time:  One item from the Reward Selection
  15 bonus Karma

The leyline within Voltspire Hearth is powerful in contrast to the small leyline at the Hollow Hill.    Magic flows strongly enough here to become visible, flickering with striking flashes of blue.  Your fur stands on end as you approach.  

There's something about this leyline that puts rabbits on edge.

The leyline itself jitters in place, sharply darting back as forth as though straining against its confines.  Its behavior must be understood for the safety of the colony.

To complete this prompt, describe how your character investigates the leyline or attempts to interact with it. 

Reward:
Leyline research progression
-5% ???