hugtopiamods | Past World Status Posts

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Past World Status Posts

A compilation of all prior World Status posts. For the current world status, please see this post.

❥ August 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Actom's weather is hotter but clearer than that of the previous month, at least within the barrier where the climate is a humid heat that breaks into the occasional rainshowers. Outside of the city's limits, the dark, dry lightning storm to the south continues to churn. However, this storm appears to stay in one place. The distant, tall pillar silhouette seemingly located within the storm remains intact.
The engineers working on the train station are visibly buzzing with excitement at the progress they're making, and some are speculating that either by end-month, or possibly mid-month, that both tracks and engine will be functional. Those that walk the Corridor may be able to hear the occasional train whistle or two echo throughout the passage. Perhaps the conductors are practicing?
The Corridor to the train station is now a proper road! While no greenery lines the side of the barrier this far out from the city center, locals have taken it upon themselves to decorate by using their unsold miniature wishing trees. They place these synthetic trees on the side of the benches that line the path. Some of their branches carry the woven pinecone and streamer decorations of the previous event.
Additionally, those that participated in reenacting the legend of the star-crossed lovers Quil and Alyr in the previous event will find posters of them displayed at the local playhouses and theaters. Some may even be approached by locals for autographs.
With the help of those who have restored the Wishing Willow (or Wishing Tree), as it has come to be called by the locals, the tree now stands a proud, unique central attraction within the botanical garden. Interestingly enough, at the turn of the next month, the slips of paper that characters placed upon the tree vanish one by one! If someone is there to see them vanish, they'll witness the papers glowing, then disintegrating into tiny, golden particles that wisp upward. These particulates rejoin the barrier above, causing its displayed night sky to ripple gently wherever the wish is absorbed. For those who placed a wish on the tree, they will see a box with their name (or names) on it beneath the tree with a gift contained within. The contents of the boxes will be posted in this thread, as a response to the wishes characters submitted.

Unlike the legend, the Wishing Willow itself does not vanish - much to the natives' surprise. It is now a permanent fixture within the botanical gardens. And while its wish-granting magic seems to have faded, it still is a lovely spot for a picnic and always has a soft glow that relaxes those who sit beneath it with another.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Ohma
4. Diacht
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ July 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Lasdia (July) begins with its first week sunny but drenched in a thick wave of humidity and heat, which by the following week creates a haze that clings to the tallest of buildings. Interrupting these humid days are bouts of rain that drench the streets, which fortunately do not last for long. The rainstorms within the dome of the barrier come and go, leaving a hint of rainbows in their wake. However, outside the barrier, dry storms paint across the southern horizon, only known because of the incessant lightning interrupting the vast darkness beyond. If someone were to sit on one of the corridor's benches to watch the storm unfold, they may just see the silhouette of tall, thin pillar peaking out in the distance in time with lightning strikes. (And indeed atthis distance, the structure must be quite massive). While locals still allow those who wish to venture outside an exosuit, they warn against straying too far from the corridor.
The locals themselves can be seen enjoying a stroll on the corridor. While many of these may be friends and family units walking in the morning or afternoon, there are also organized temple groups marching in solemn procession to the train station and back. They carry the wax candles the off-worlders had fashioned months ago and bow their heads as they walk. While the procession appears solemn, if asked, they smile with hope, insisting that they feel that now more than ever, progress is being made. Perhaps, if this "Shoremere" colony still exists and if people yet live there, they may find long-lost relatives, whether or not they remember them.
With the help of the off-worlders, the corridor to the ruins of the train station is completed. Both the workers and the researchers thank each and every off-worlder who participated in the event! Characters are free to walk down the golden-lit pathway so long as they remain mindful of the heavy equipment being delivered to and from Havenwell and the station as the restoration process continues beyond the station. Outside the research towers, the scientists continue to ask for any assistance capturing creatures from beyond the barrier, saying that their findings are still inconclusive. They would welcome any more captured creatures to study (which can be OOCly contributed here). In regards to the reports of the apparitions and the nets not working to capture them, they apologize for any inconvenience and are currently seeking a way to ensure their nets may work on these phantom-like beings. For As for the cafés, the Ainea acolytes wrap up their pop-up shop, allowing any who assisted to keep their uniform. They insist that the frills and mouse ears fit them perfectly.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Ohma
4. Diacht
Rawna is back in power, but is more evenly matched with Ainea. Diacht's colours have noticeably faded.
Ainea's success was brief but is still quite celebrated, even if Rawna has reclaimed his throne. Rather than feeling defeated, Ainean priests and the adherents who care enough are for the most part confident that they've made (and will continue to make) an excellent contribution to their world's power and have brought some balance to those they worship.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ June 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

The beginning of Dianir (June) marks the official start of summer, and the weather within the barrier steadily becomes fairer and less misty in the mornings. With the temperature slowly but surely rising, more locals begin to arrange their wares outside of their shops to peddle. A few drape colored fabrics to use as awnings to provide shade from the shining barrier above.
The windows showing visions of the past a month prior revealed that the locals had animalistic qualities, such as ears or tails. In an effort to try to reconnect with their past physical forms (in the hopes it might jog some of their memories), a surprising amount of the Havenwell denizens begin to adorn their shiny, furless, featherless, earless metal heads with fake animal ears or horns. Those who align with Rawna adorn their head with metal-carved scales or horns, those who are aligned with Diacht attach shawls of fake, paper feathers to their arms and flap them around, and so on. Many of these locals can be seen meditating in the early hours of the day, hand in hand as if awaiting another vision to appear or another memory to return.
Thanks to the efforts of all of those who had volunteered to help power the conduits, the researchers announce that they believe they have now refined the device to allow for safer and longer travel outside of the barrier for both themselves and off-worlders. Additionally, they are also pleased to announce that an expedition led by Era not long ago has revealed what appears to be a train station a few kilometers southwest of the city! The station is in major disrepair, but thanks to its discovery and the power of the conduits allowing more time beyond the barrier, they already have a few repairbots working on it. The technology is dated, but hopefully, the researchers say, they will be able to restore a single train and the rails for use. Perhaps it may become operational by the end of this month. Additionally thanks to the expedition and Era and Emet's contribution, and in a want to maintain more transparency with the locals and off-worlders, the researchers announce that the most likely destination of the train is another city. They know the other city is called Shoremere, and that Shoremere was once known as Colony #12'79'4Q. At this time they are unaware if it is still populated, or if it is, whether or not the colony still has a barrier.
The "windows" showing visions of the past have created quite a buzz within the community. Some of those who had claimed to begin remembering distant, old memories swear that they are the individuals shown in the visions. Others insist that, no, they are the ones in the memory! With no way to know who exactly may be the original individual shown in the visions, the priests and researchers agree that until there is definitive proof someone is the person as shown in the windows to the past, it is best to refrain from claiming so. In the meantime, a few priests and locals organize pop-up flower memorials placed beneath where the windows had appeared. Centerpiece plaques are placed in the middle of these bouquets engraved with the locals' quiet, but excited hope: "We will remember you soon."

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Ainea
2. Rawna
3. Ohma
4. Diacht
For the first time in more than a year, Ainea is the god manifesting the most power.
The temple of Ainea is, understandable, abuzz with extra energy this month. The dragon is defeated! …Okay, not really, but while they are not outright bragging, the adherents of the mouse god are understandably proud to have generated so much energy this month. The glow of the town's central statue has changed for the first time in who knows how long, and it is their corner that is gleaming brighter than the rest. It's very exciting, and as a result the temple itself is bustling with extra activity and the seasonal decorations remain on display despite it no longer being one of Ainea's designated months. Meanwhile, in response to the sudden shift of (purely aesthetic) power away from their god, the priests of Rawna… are pretty apathetic about the whole thing, true to form. It's not a competition! Though you might find a few who are grumbling extra emphatically about their woes this month.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ May 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Early Ealom (May) weather contains a sprinkle or two by lighter showers, which drizzle newly blooming flowers in beads of clear, fresh water that almost make their petals appear as if dusted with crystal. The rainbows, which had been intermittent throughout the previous month, are more prominent and defined. Enjoy the mildly warmer weather as the blooms boast their full splendor in late spring.
The natives continue to be both cautious and excited as more of them begin to remember things of their past. Most of it remains innocuous, such as the name of a song or a memory of holding another's hand. Only a handful may recall more, specifically about their appearances, and you might just find one local staring at themselves in a mirror, bringing their hands to their head and insisting that they used to have taller ears, or a tail, or maybe even wings. Press them for more information, however, and they'll sadly shake their (earless) metallic head, saying they cannot recall what type of ears they had or even if they had more than two.
Those that have paid attention to the subtle shift in the world beyond the barrier in the previous month may now see those changes as a trend. The stormy, ominous environment from before appears to be diminishing, not so much as to call the world outside clear, but just enough that visibility has increased to be about half a kilometer more, revealing sparse, weathered ruins beyond. Locals are taking notice, most of them are commenting that this is a good sign.
As quickly as they arrived, the surplus of off-worlder visitors vanish. If one deigns to ask a researcher or a priest, any questions regarding the mechanism of how they arrived or how they disappeared will be met with shrugs and shakes of their heads. The snow-like colored candy that had been falling from above also ceases, leaving many a vendor pleased that they no longer have to continuously dust sugar off of their wares or sweep the front of their shop entrances. However, much like the stubbornness of glitter, a few flakes of this candy can still be found in the most inconvenient of places, difficult to remove save for a thorough washing or hosing. As for the speed (not)dating, the locals remark that the event had been a success, and they tell others to look forward to more in the future.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Diact
3. Ainea (tie)
3. Ohma (tie)
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
With the hazardous weather (somewhat) thinning closer to the barrier, the researchers and various priests of the temples make a joint announcement: they will begin an in-depth examination of the prototype crystal-conduits a few off-worlders had offered to them, possibly in the hopes of using them to facilitate further excursions. They ask for everyone's patience on the matter, as research is ongoing and the ability to test said conduits is slow.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ April 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Spring is persistent, and with it, occasional bouts of light precipitation. Nothing unusual for this time of year, which is nice. Enjoy the relaxing weather, steady breeze, and afternoon sunshowers. Some might notice that the clouds in the sky are occasionally more rainbow than they ought to be, but that's probably nothing. Or maybe it's something, but the locals don't really have any predictions for pastel cloud formations.
Something curious is happening with the natives, and it's creating a light buzz around town for those who regularly interact with them on a more-friendly-than-passing basis. Some of them are starting to… remember things. It's mostly nonsense, old fragments of ages long past, things like their favourite food back when they had a mouth that could eat, or the lyrics or tune to a song that feels new to everyone except for the one singing it, who swears they heard it centuries ago. They're quite excited (albeit confused) by this new development, and are trying to pair up (either amongst themselves or with a handy offworlder should they be passing by) and hoping to be asked questions that might stir up the memory banks more, so to speak. Anyone got a list for an AMA handy? It would really help them out.
Locals try not to focus overmuch on the world outside of the barrier, since it's still rather unpleasant and demoralizing to look at, but those curious enough to check it out might notice that the stormy atmosphere normally apparent around the entire perimeter is substantially less spooky all of a sudden. It still looks remarkably dead, admittedly, aside from a few odd bursts of colour closest to the barrier, or the occasional wild creatures' eyes gazing in from the dark, but it's sort of like a serene lake in a fog these days: dark and cold and empty but no longer storming the way it always has. Huh.
The abrupt and oft-embarrassing skits have thankfully ceased around town, which is a blessing to those afflicted and a disappointment for those enterprising enough to walk the streets with cameras at the ready. You may be free from the shenanigans but you're not free from the compilation videos being released on BitBot or NanoTube. The network is very busy and everyone's laughing at themselves, so you can either roll with it or maybe tune out for a few days, they'll get bored and move on soon. (Hopefully.)

Meanwhile, the stars have mostly returned to normal, but you might still catch the occasional familiar starscape. Between that and the rainbow clouds, the sky continues to be weird. At least it's pretty?

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Ohma
4. Diacht
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Thanks to the efforts of the Eorzea/Etheirys crew, another shift has occurred with the robot body held in the temple. They have opted to keep it interred for longer while they investigate a series of visions acquired from what remains of its soul, alluding to a southwest colony that may have, or recently had, still-living occupants. After a long back-and-forth they have at last invited some of the more trusted and faith-respectful researchers to join them in studying the remains, in order to learn more about the colony, how far it might be, and whether it could be worth it to try and reach it. Additionally, they are digging deeper into whether or not someone may know the deceased now that a few memories are beginning to return to some locals. It's still a long shot, but with these new developments, they're more reluctant to give up just yet.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ March 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Ainir marks the beginning of spring, as well as the beginning of Ainea's season, so in the early days of the month residents may notice a sudden uptick in temperature, where the number of mild days outnumber the cold ones. The snow is melting, the occasional precipitation transitioning into rain instead. Enjoy the sunshine and look forward to warmer days ahead!
With spring well underway, locals are cultivating the flowers that are beginning to spring up in the green spaces around town, greenhouses carefully planting and replanting fresh seeds and measuring the excess of flowers in preparation for the Festival of Flowers taking place later on in the month, as it does every year. Residents might be a little sick of flowers, after last month's shenanigans, but to forgo the beloved celebration would be absurd, so hopefully the return of flora and fauna to the city after months of grey won't be unwelcome. Anyone who wishes to help with planting are welcome to volunteer at the botanical gardens- those who put the effort in will earn some dora for their troubles alongside first dibs at the rainbow of available flowers when the festival begins in earnest.
The recent excursion into the mines have led to fundraising and petitions for work to be done beneath the city in order to pursue the newly discovered veins of critical Sildar and Nicean ore that exist where none were found before. As the pathways still fall outside of the barrier, it's not yet safe to properly explore and work in, but in the coming months they'll be taking steps to try and expand their safety zone and stabilize both the shaft itself and the tunnels leading towards those precious resources.
The Cyorgus have been collected now that the beta testing has concluded, and the researchers are delighted to find that, for the most part, responses were positive, or at least neutral. A message will be broadcast to every communicator thanking everyone for their cooperation (although anyone who might have damaged their Cyorgus will receive a more passive-aggressive tone) and that, based on the feedback of everyone who participated, they will work on the AI and their aggressively persistent tendencies. The notice comes hand in hand with a reluctant apology that their enthusiasm was poorly received, and that customer satisfaction will be first and foremost their focus going forward. It's all very corporate, but hey, at least they're following up about it.

Those who had flowers growing from their hands will find themselves free of any and all body modifications, thank goodness. For the residents who managed to free themselves by way of physical contact, the flowers that came loose remain preserved in something of a living-dead status, not growing or dying, but as real as they ever were. They are somewhat more fragile than regular flowers, but if you're inclined to keep them, you can set them in a vase somewhere and not worry about them ever wilting or running dry of water. Be proud of them! You grew them all on your own. From… your hands. That's fine, right?

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Diacht
4. Ohma
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
The unknown robot has been moved to Ohma's temple, the final journey for this mysterious soul. As previously noted, this is the final month before the priests surrender their hope of its potential revival and at last lay its body to rest. As the days of its posthumous pilgrimage draw to a close, the researchers of the tower collective are growing more insistent that it be examined properly first. While there are no signs of aggression at this time, many locals (those who have been watching closely) have been volunteering their time to stand vigil with the body, even if they aren't especially religious, to ensure that it doesn't conveniently go missing by the time the month ends. As time passes and word of this precaution spreads, the grumbling of the tower leadership quiets down, as they're still trying to regain positive favour with the population and don't want to add "body snatching" to their list of recent offensive transgressions. They do, however, protest firmly against the idea that they harbour plans of grave robbery.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ February 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

While it's still quite cold out and the snow isn't showing any indication of melting, the snowfall has lightened up at least! Residents may need to shovel their walks just to maintain clean streets, but if a person lets it go for awhile, they certainly won't be having any trouble anymore. The air is still cold and crisp though, so don't go out without jackets or some other way to stay toasty warm. Without the constant need to shovel it, though, at least the snow is pretty to look at.
It seems that the gods are surprisingly fond of the absurd (and harmless) defacement of their central statues last month. Or maybe they just understand that they've put everyone in a rough position by dragging them here, who knows. Either way, The plaza fountain has completely melted by now, and those who happen to visit it and look into the now-flowing water may on occasion find not their own reflection in the clear liquid but a bioluminescent coloured shadow instead, that of an animal or humanoid shape resembling one of the statues themselves. Sometimes they echo the movement of the reflection's source, sometimes they point over the person's shoulder as if to warn them of some unseen danger, sometimes they attempt to pantomime an indecipherable message. Their appearances do not last long, and their personalities reflect the gods themselves (Ainea would be more playful than Ohma, for example). Does it serve any purpose? No one's quite sure. But it's a new thing to look at, and for some, that is meaning enough.
There is some reluctance among the locals to remove the mistletoe decorations in the month that follows their installation; they really are fond of off-world winter holiday traditions, bastardized versions they may be. Thankfully they recognize that keeping them long-term can be a nuisance, so down the decorations come. They thank the offworlders kindly for their patience and indulgence throughout these… shall we say trying times.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ohma
3. Ainea
4. Diacht
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
The unknown robot body found two months ago has now been moved to Diacht's temple in an attempt to see if it has a connection to the raven god, after showing no changes with Ainea. The Diachtians are hoping for some sign, but they aren't particularly optimistic considering the lack of response previously. They have determined that, once it has spent a month in each of the temples, they will complete final rites in a secular manner and lay it to its final rest. The research towers have continued to try and negotiate for access, but to no avail, and residents who are interested parties on either side of the equation are watching closely, some eager for the drama, others wary of potential aggression that they really don't need right now.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ January 2022

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

The weather outside is frightful! Well, okay, it's mostly just snowy. The town is expected to receive layers and layers of the stuff, but thankfully it is overall a soft, fluffy snow, perfect for packing together, easily shoveling, or enjoying the diamond-speckled scenery. It's quite lovely, overall, and the temperature is more mild than one might expect. Either the gods are in a good mood, or the weather system is especially stable this month.
The new year has arrived, and with it, the annual celebrations devoted to thanking the gods for enduring the prior year's struggles, and praying to avoid disaster in the future. The previous holiday decorations have been toned down to account for the changing year; more silver and streamlined, to accent the already-glittering city thanks to the snow. Residents can visit the temples and find the fortunes available for random selection ("Your Yearly (Mis)Fortunes"), which may or may not have unusual effects on the recipient, depending on how lucky (or unlucky) they happen to be in the moment.m
The fishing pond remains frozen, though whatever magic had been infused it in the previous month appears to have mostly dissipated. Dancing lights do still on occasion flicker beneath the surface, but diving below will find nothing but cold skin and darkness, and fishing attempts will draw up an odd collection of bizarrely developed bioluminescent fish. The tastes are… eclectic… but an ambitious chef can probably make something of whatever is pulled up. Good luck. Since the ice was enough of a hit with the locals, the skating attachment booth will remain an active feature until the ice melts enough that it is no longer safe to skate on the pond.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Ohma
4. Diacht
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
The unknown robot body found last month has shown no changes. It has been moved to Ainea's temple this month to see if a connection is found with one of the other city gods, though the priests are not especially optimistic about its chances. They have determined that, once it has spent a month in each of the temples, they will complete final rites in a secular manner and lay it to its final rest. The research towers have continued to try and negotiate for access, but to no avail, and residents who are interested parties on either side of the equation are watching closely, some eager for the drama, others wary of potential aggression that they really don't need right now.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ December 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

With the city more or less back in working order (in the essential areas, at least) thanks to everyone's efforts, the weather has returned to normal, and winter has arrived proper. It's beginning to snow sporadically throughout the month, sometimes just a sprinkle, and sometimes measured in feet. Generally it shouldn't be more than the city can handle, but make sure you have a jacket and some mittens on hand. Or someone to hold your chilly hands, ideally.
Long-time residents might have noticed that despite Malom/November being the usual time that the Feast of the Winged Lord (This Might As Well Haven) festival occurs, there was none held this year, for quite obvious reasons! The majority of the populace were either too busy or in poor condition for planning any cultural events. The locals do feel badly about it now that things have settled, however, so the Temple of Ohma will have a section of their building set aside for a mini-festival, with tables set up with known information about the festival, the Winged Lord, and any leftover paraphernalia from last year. A week into Ranir, residents can visit the temple for a potluck, and are encouraged to bring food, items of cultural significance, or stories to share, if they feel so inclined.
Ranir is back, and with it, the beloved lore of the Santa of Clause (Bring Out Your Pens). Wreaths and boughs of varying colours (and not necessarily Christmas-y, because that's not how they roll here, bless their little robot hearts) decorated with a variety of complicated wordplay in silver tinsel ribbons. It'll be a good test for those who are learning how to read Aellyn.
Most of the critical repair work has been completed, thanks to the efforts of everyone, and the god-given powers (which have of course now faded, along with those mysterious glowing marks). The soil left behind by the worm statues is free for the taking, for those who wish to prepare for when spring returns and rejuvenate their gardens. A healthy portion has been taken by the botanical gardens, who intend to expand their domain and improve on the existing park area. There are new features to add to the museum and zoo exhibits as well- namely, giant worms for the former, and larger pens for the latter, preemptively preparing for the new season and when (hopefully) a fresh round of fuzzy babies are born. The fruit-giving trees have lost their leaves and magic, but tamer versions of the side effects might still occur when you eat whatever fruits you've stored away, so have fun with that while they last.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Diacht
4. Ohma
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Residents who like to keep an ear to the ground might notice an interesting rumour filtering around town: one of the synthetic bodies recovered from the worm statues is… different. The build is significantly more squat and short, the design not recognized by local historians. Researchers from the towers made an attempt to claim the body in order to verify its origin, but due to the unease between the city population and the towers themselves, a collaboration between the priests of multiple temples and metalworkers who specialize in synthetic repair prevented the body's seizure and blocked all efforts researchers made to examine it, not trusting their motivations.

Performing their own examination, it was determined by local artisans that the body was constructed using the same metal composition as their own, but it did not seem to originate from this location. Inquiries were made throughout town and no one claimed it or knows who the body belongs to. There is no record of this person in Havenwell, living or dead. Unfortunately, there was no accessible memory storage in the body that they were able to find, and without anyone in town to connect them to their god, the soul can't be called back to its body. Until more can be done, the corpse is temporarily laid to rest in Rawna's temple, since it is the beginning of the dragon god's season. Priests are hopeful that a miracle will occur and life will return to this unknown entity from beyond the walls.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ November 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Winter is coming! Oh, wait, winter is here. It's starting to get cold and precipitation keeps wavering between rain and snow, with occasional bouts of light hail. For the most part, the weather is still quite mild. Seems the world is giving everyone a break, so in general it just looks a little more sparkly than usual.
In the aftermath of the worm attacks, there's quite a to-do list in order to get everyone back to normal, everyday life. Those who were injured will need to recover, and for the locals, that represents a number of issues; with the worms converted into statues, whatever they devoured has become a big question mark. Is anything left in there? The answer is simple enough: dismantling worm statues will sometimes net parts, limbs, or components not yet digested. Some are broken, of course, and beyond repair, but nothing is worthless! Any recovered metal will be welcomed by mechanics and metalworkers in the city, who will get to work creating new parts for those in need.
Those who survived the attacks are doing their best to repair the city, as well as search for the ones still unaccounted for. Posts are flooding the network calling for missing friends, people reconnecting with one another, "lost and found" entries for synthetic parts of each others' bodies, harddrives dug out of the worm statues, etc. Thank goodness they're all robots, or it might seem a lot more gruesome than it is. If offworlders are looking for something to do, any and all assistance in finding that which has been lost will be very welcome, and natives will in turn help offworlders with whatever they might have lost, too.
Another thing that residents might be able to do is assisted care for those in a bad state. Many robots with broken limbs will need help with transportation/mobility, and would appreciate help running errands or getting around the city. An extra pair of hands can suddenly become very useful, for those who are trying to perform their job and have now found themselves possessing only one of their own! One particularly grim task might be to organize the recovered parts into matching sets, so the broken bodies can be made whole again. Finally, some residents have lost memory components, and may be confused, scared, and unsure of what's going on, where they are, perhaps even who they are. A gentle hand and calming voice would be a great boon to those who aren't quite themselves anymore.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea (TIED)
3. Diacht (TIED)
4. Ohma
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
The worm attacks have ended, thankfully, but the damage is done. Quite a number of robotic locals were devoured, fully or partially, and not everyone made it out unscathed. There are a handful of residents who passed away, either unable to make it to the plaza in time, or caught off guard before hints of danger reached them. Tragic as this is, all is not lost. Friends and neighbours are gathering together in the temple that the deceased resident was most connected to, performing a ritual of prayer and material sacrifice to try and coax the soul of their loved one back into their body. It doesn't always work. They don't always have the right prayer, the right sacrifice. But offworlders are (if they are respectful) welcome to observe, and participate for those locals they might have known. Who knows, you might witness a miracle?
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ October 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Autumn is in full swing with the evenings beginning to dip into actually chilly weather territory. The afternoons can still be considered warm or even hot on occasion, but layering up to account for the temperature differences from morning to evening would be wise. The nights are growing longer and the beautiful fall colors are on display everywhere that nature has reclaimed. It's perfect cozy weather, if it weren't for the strange wind and the occasional rumbling that is still plaguing the city.
Speaking of the rumbles, where they were once a sporadic and disjointed event, as Lasohm stretches on, people who are near or in the Factory may begin to notice that the vibrations are more akin to that of a subway train passing by - sustained, periodic, and much stronger. This phenomenon only seems to be noticeable close to the Factory, however. Elsewhere, they remain as they were before - smaller, shorter, and infrequent.
While the Ohman festival of sharing is still happening in the background, people may notice that the natives seem to be on edge. It's nothing that the offworlders have done, however! Instead, they seem to be furtively watching the city itself - the walls, the rumbling, each other. Things always seem to get a little...strange during the month of Lasohm and the natives are wary of any little noise and bump that goes in the night. Which, honestly, might make it fun to prank some of them, resulting in their laughter and thanks for the distraction so long as it's a good-natured one.
The collection of flowers that bloomed in the city green belt are still blooming and glowing at night, but many of their flowers are beginning to wilt as time progresses. Local researchers are taking suggestions for names as they continue to study this curious new species. For reference the flowers are vaguely star-shaped, can grow in a broad range of colours, and there is nothing particularly exceptional about them… in the daylight. At night, however, they begin to glow with a lovely, ethereal bioluminescence.
The unusual darkness has mostly receded from the city, and with it, so has the magic that was fueling the candles. While they are still quite lovely to look at and light, and can even help boost a romantic atmosphere as any candle can, there's no longer anything magical about them.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Ohma
4. Diacht
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna. However, due to a character run plot, some excess power to Rawna is being siphoned off into a containment unit. For this reason, the world is artificially being rebalanced toward the other gods.
As per the previous month, characters are still welcome to visit the temple for Aellyn language lessons. It has been added to the prompt compilation page as "Duelingo".
Amid all the beautiful fall colors, characters can see pops of blue and gold as natives continue to decorate in honor of Ohma. On occasion, they can see decorations that seem out of place for this world and time, off season Valentine's hearts, candy canes, etc. Things that the natives have learned from the offworlders and are occasionally hanging out without realizing the fact that they're for the wrong holidays.
That weirdness that began to affect some of the priests last month seems to be spreading to the most pious among the natives. The more involved they are with the temples, the more those natives are becoming forgetful, slurring speech, glitching out, or wandering off in the middle of...what? Oh right, conversations. The priests are quick to help their constituents, talking about buggy software upgrades. But on occasion, offworlders may come across a native who seems inert, staring blankly at nothing at all. When spoken to, they snap back to themselves, but don't seem to remember that they were acting oddly at all. Pressing the issue seems to upset them, and most will walk away from any particularly nosy or pushy native or offworlder alike if questioned too thoroughly.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ September 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Autumn has begun in full force, which means that the trees in the botanical gardens and scattered throughout the city are now changing to all manner of different shades of brown, orange, and red. The temperature is still relatively mild, even warm on some days, but the days cool off faster than previous months, and the sun darkens at an earlier time. The population carries on as business as usual, but with much more sweeping of the street.
Sharing is Caring: Ohma's temple is particularly lively during Ohnir and the priests are busy cleaning and sweeping, decorating it with rolls of parchment and digital inkwells and quills that write as if they were actually fountain pens. The natives, especially adherents of Ohma, start to make pilgrimages to the temple in little processions, some playing music, others flying banners.

Anyone who chooses to follow can observe the natives going up to the altar and sharing stories with one another. They talk about things they did over the past year or things that are far, far in their past. Some of the stories are happy and result in the procession laughing and some are...well, not everyone came back from the lightning storms. The priests diligently write every story down on those parchment rolls and deposit them onto the waiting altar, where they're summarily lit on fire to the cheers of those present. The more emotional the story it seems, the brighter and bluer the flame that it emits and the louder the procession cheers.

As they file out, they notice you watching and urge you to go up with someone else in the temple to clear your heart and offer up your own stories. They can be stories of home, information about your worlds, or stories about your life. It seems the more personal the story, the brighter the flame though and the more Dora that will mysteriously show up in your account at a later date. If the priests are asked about this donation later, they're just as perplexed. No one they know would have paid anyone for an offering to Ohma, so where could it have come from....?
Congratulations, Havenwell! The relative calm of the last few months alongside the culture festival have done wonders for the population. Things are reverting more or less back to normal, and much of the tension has settled. There will likely always be some dissenting voices on either side, as this is a new event that the locals get to argue about (and they love that), but they're in the deep minority.
Despite the fact that autumn has arrived and the usual changes that occur in spring have faded away, something curious has occurred in the green belt that surrounds the city, where the old wall used to rest. A collection of flowers have begun to grow and bloom, but only within the belt vicinity itself, strangely. They are vaguely star-shaped, can grow in a broad range of colours, and there is nothing particularly exceptional about them… in the daylight. At night, however, they begin to glow with a lovely, ethereal bioluminescence. Local researches are very curious to figure out what species they might be, as they don't appear to be one that is easily identified.
The magic found within the water guns delivered to their houses last month has faded, which means they've reversed to regular toys- no longer creating strange transformations in their neighbours' aesthetics, and no longer self-refilling. Residents are welcome to keep the guns, of course, as who doesn't love a good (normal) water fight once in a while? Maybe save it for when the days heat up again, though. Thankfully, with the guns only splashing water, there's no clean-up this month! Thanks for the kindness (for once), gods.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Diacht (TIED)
4. Ohma (TIED)
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
As per the previous month, characters are still welcome to visit the temple for Aellyn language lessons. It has been added to the prompt compilation page as "Duelingo".
Something's a bit off about a handful of the priests this month, for those who spend a lot of time in their vicinity. It's hard to put a finger on what, though! Sometimes they seem extra-forgetful, losing track of pre-arranged meetings despite having their schedules built-in, or they lose words in their speech (or the words are backwards for some reason). It doesn't seem to be a major concern, and most will either brush it off or mention that they'll be having some software repaired later. They will agree that it's a random and unexpected quirk, though.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ August 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Summer continues to intensify as Achtom begins, with a rotating nature cycle of gentle heatwaves and cooling storms. Intermittently residents will enjoy a day of perfect weather, with the sun not too hot and a gentle breeze blowing. Overall, however, this is going to be a hot one. You might overhear the occasional local speaking of the newest model of cooling system that they'd like to install ASAP.
A full month-and-change of no further incidents has the overall mood of the city beginning to relax, and a great deal of the tension has eased. Businesses are falling back into the normal rhythm, and while known participants or open supporters of the tower break-in will likely still get a lukewarm or strictly-professional reception, much of the fear and panic that had stressed out the locals will be passed to the wayside with the vast majority of offworlders. They haven't forgotten, but the goodwill earned over the last couple of years of healing the world goes a long way to helping them forgive (in the case of transgressors) and regret (in the case of innocents). Some may open up to express their reasons and worries: not knowing who else could be involved and what (if any) target could be next, recognizing their own personal defenselessness, fearing their inability to provide what was wanted, that none of them saw it coming. Fear and desire are both powerful drivers of behaviour, after all.
The research towers are still closed off to the majority of the population, though those who had established relationships with researchers will gradually be allowed back to their regular positions as security eases up and the investigation concludes. There is some expressed frustration that none of the stolen items or documentation was recovered, but they're doing their best to revamp the network and recoup their losses. Security around the city has also eased up some- more strict than usual, but less so than the previous month.
Last month's shenanigans have left two separate messes to resolve: any lingering damage from the acid rain, and the sudden growth of (now-inert) sunflowers scattered throughout the city. Some of them are well-placed! Others are quite the inconvenience, for business owners or landscapers alike. For the first week of the month, the network will feature a board listing all of the sunflowers that locals or city officials would like to relocate, and residents can claim any up for grabs- first come, first served. (Seeds can also be acquired, if all the flowers are claimed or you would prefer to grow from scratch.) By month's end, any unclaimed flowers will be relocated to the botanical gardens. As for the acid rain damage, volunteers interested in helping to mend or replace broken parts can earn some dora for their troubles, or perhaps use the experience to fill an empty day or earn extra goodwill from your neighbours.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Ohma
4. Diacht
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
At the suggestion of a few offworlders, the priests of Ohma's temple are offering written language lessons for the modern Aellyn script, if you feel so inclined to learn! It won't do you much good for spoken language, thanks to the god-given auto-translator, but plenty of linguists or those who love to learn might find it to be a useful and fun new skill to work on. You never know when it might come in handy! Do keep in mind that it takes an average of 500-700 hours of work to reach basic fluency of a new language, so if you're looking to master it, you'd better put in the work.
The Aellyn language is a geometric script, with letters and words composed of combined shapes and symbology. Basic words are simple enough to learn, especially once you get the base characters down pat, but longer or more difficult to define words lead to increasing complexity in the symbol arrangement. Some sentences can create entire pictures, and there's an entire sub-genre of art-and-poetry combination pieces in the cultural corners of the entertainment districts. (Slam poetry using digitized sound and facial display is really big these days.)
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ July 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

The heart of summer has arrived as Lasdia begins, and with it comes heat and humidity that can last for days at a time. Occasional bursts of rainstorms sweep through the city to help with offworlders who can't regulate their internal temperatures the way the robots can, and the sky is decorated with subtle rainbows when the rain clears, which is a mixed blessing, since the heat is very quick to follow after once more.
The second anniversary of the offworlders' arrival in Havenwell is thoroughly soured by the assault on the research towers that occurred a week or so prior. Any celebratory events that might have been announced like last year are decidedly absent, and the city decorations are somewhat neglected as the native population in general feels anxious and distressed; many are angry that the peace has been so disturbed. Offworlders may find locals less friendly and far less eager to share information as a whole. Not everyone is being treated like criminals, as they understand it was a relatively small portion of the population that did the deed, but a wariness can be felt within the city that did not exist before. It will take some time for that feeling to ease.
Due to the ongoing investigations related to the research tower break-in, residents will notice the following temporary changes:
the research towers are off-limits to all non-staff throughout the month
the streets show increased police and security presence, and those behaving suspiciously are likely to be questioned more strictly than before
the temple priests are as wary as the rest of their native population, but are doing their best to maintain peace and continue welcoming visitors
a smaller subset of the populace (generally those not connected to the science division) are sympathetic to the offworlders and the frustration that must have brought about this criminal activity; some may agree that it was called for, while others are less emotionally charged about it all and simply offer understanding.
Following June's odd… throat condition… locals are likely sweeping a lot of stray flowers from the streets, which look very nice and colourful until they start to rot and wilt, and then it's just a big mess, especially when the rain sweeps through an area. Some very odd collectors have emerged to ask offworlders to donate or sell their intact flowers to be pressed into books. You can make a few dora that way, if you feel so inclined, and if you aren't weirded out by the idea of your flowery phlegm being part of someone's offworlder archive.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Diacht
3. Ohma
4. Ainea
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Diacht's second month encourages honourable behaviour, which is discussed within the temple with an air of irony, considering the current situation in town. Still, those willing to listen will be encouraged by the priests to "do the right thing" at every possible opportunity this month, and behave with integrity. Be sincere with your words, be respectful with your peers, and be courteous when your company is unwelcome. The priests understand how difficult such behaviours can be, and will gently offer advice to those who feel that they struggle with any or all.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ June 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Dianir has arrived and with it: summer. The days are hot and humid, the skies are gorgeously blue, and the evenings retain a lot of the daytime heat still. You can expect to have mostly sunny weather as the humidity builds until a summer storm rolls in and washes it away with a few days of light to heavy rain. The natives often carry umbrellas with them wherever they go just in case a sudden rainstorm catches them unawares, so it might be wise to follow suit. Once the rain clears, you'll have a few nice sunny days before the humidity starts to build again, signaling that the rain is returning. Hopefully you watch the weather so you (or your laundry) don't get soaked!
With the beginning of Diacht's months, the city has bedecked itself with the crow god's colors: red and white with the occasional splash of blue here and there are all the rage. Diachtians especially like to adorn themselves with their god's colors to show their loyalty to them. The city's ribbons and window dressings have switched to a feathery theme, and emblems with a crow or raven's face are in abundance. Since two months ago when feathers suddenly became in vogue, this month you can really see their influence as the fresh influx of feathers have been dyed or painted the appropriate colors and are being used everywhere from decorations to accessories. Especially popular this month and throughout Diacht's reign are over the door hangings of feathers and sticks, a final parting nod to Ainea.
Following the expansion of the barrier beyond the city walls and offworlder efforts to clear the new area, native conservationists are sending more excursions outside the wall to comb the ruins for species their zoo doesn't have yet. Those they don't collect will be tagged and monitored when appropriate so they can continue to chart the progress the world is making toward revival. They also send out teams regularly now to observe the animals within their natural habitats, so offworlders who choose to venture outside can often see teams of 3 naturalists observing and documenting the flora and fauna. The area is now permanently open to offworlders who want to stretch their legs a little further than the city allows. Just be careful when venturing out there as monster attacks can still happen and not all the creatures that wander the wastes are friendly. For those interested in hunting or fighting monsters, please refer to the Bestiary for information.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Diacht
4. Ohma
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
This first month of Diacht's reign focuses on honesty. Their priests encourage residents (local and offworlder alike) to visit the temple grounds and "confess", if they are carrying any secrets that they feel the need to unburden but lack a willing and listening ear to do so with. The priests will not judge any confession shared, and no actions will be taken against those who come to their god for aid. (Meaning if you recently broke into one of the temples to steal a certain high priest's ancient bong, you won't be arrested for it.) Those who would rather not risk judgement, but still feel the urge to do so, Diacht's ravens are always ready to hear you out, and they know how to keep their own secrets, if need be.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ May 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Ealom brings late spring weather with pleasantly warm days and nights, and all the city's flowers in full bloom. Thanks to the offworlders' efforts in the past year, Havenwell has regained a lot of its greenery and Ealom displays it fully with beautiful green trees and bushes, grasses pushing up along the sides of buildings and in open areas, and the occasional weed here and there that the natives still fawn over. Most days are sunny and bright with the occasional cloud in the sky, but occasionally sudden localized bursts of inclement weather can pop up out of nowhere. Whether that's a summer storm with thunder and lightning, sudden snowfall, intense cold or heat, or just torrential downpours, these weird weather pockets are few, intense, and last only a short time; typically under 20 minutes. It's perfect picnic weather most of the time though, so go out and enjoy yourselves!
Offworlders may also be excited to find that as of this month, any food created by the replicators just tastes better. The synthetic-ness that always lingered with any food the replicators created seems to be mostly gone now, leaving food tasting fresher, realer, and overall just better. The spaghetti's tomato sauce has a better hint of a tomato's natural acidity, the rice has a better chew when steamed, the dehydrated vegetables come back with a fresher taste than ever before. People aren't sure why it's happening, but perhaps it has to do with how the colors in the statues seem to be more balanced...?
Last year, the VR Cafes released a flying game that let people soar over the city. Now, a year later, they've revamped it to include new details such as the Factory, the Arena, and the Bathhouse. They've added in birds to the air as well, in a nod to the last month and its feathered intrusion, which makes the journey through the sky a little more hectic as you have to dodge birds, but also more colorful. For more information on the game, visit the "I Can Show You the City" prompt here.
One year ago, the conservatory and zoo experienced a major boom in the number of babies born and needed everyone's help to both raise the new creatures and create a larger enclosure for them all. Now, a year later, all the little ones are grown and having babies of their own and the zoo has decided to put on a celebration to thank everyone. Along with holographic posters put up around the zoo and the city showcasing the animals' growth from babies to full fledged adults, the zoo will give away plushie versions of the featured animals to the first 10 pairs of visitors a day. That's right! Come with a friend and have a fun day at the zoo, and be the first 10 to drop by the zoo's visitor center to receive a plushie clackoo, sinory lizard, lohpeh, or nirofu baby. You can't cuddle the real thing anymore, but this toy is just as good! For descriptions of the animals, visit here and see the "There Must be Something in the Air" prompt.
Thankfully, with all the birds gone, there aren't any new messes showing up, but the city is definitely showing the aftereffects of having a massive swarm of avians taking over. Whether it be leftover feathers that aren't good enough to be used in products and clothing, twigs and sticks brought in from somewhere to be used in nests that never came to fruition, actual half-built nests in inconvenient locations, or the birds' droppings, the city needs some clean-up. The City Council will pay people a modest gratitude fee if they pitch in with sweeping up, pressure washing, or removing all traces of the birds before Diacht's time comes to pass.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
Rawna
Ainea
Diacht
Ohma
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.

However, due to a character run plot, some excess power to Rawna is being siphoned off into a containment unit. For this reason, the world is artificially being rebalanced toward the other gods.
This is the end of Ainea's reign, so the city is still predominantly dressed in pinks and purples. However, a few hardcore Diachtians are starting to mix their god's colors into their Ainean displays, putting reds and whites in to complement their window dressings or adding them to their clothing. After all the bird fights that happened last month, the temple priests are focusing a lot of their energy toward soothing their temple animals. They will ask adherents to bring in things they think their temple creatures might enjoy in order to help them relax. Ohmans will ask for offworlders to synthetize fish or bring in feathers fashioned into toys. Diachtians will ask for offerings of shiny objects. Aineans ask for synthetic fruits or pieces of warm, fluffy fabrics. Rawnans ask for things of value like costume jewelry, knick-knacks, or well-loved clothing for their dragonlings to hoard. They don't offer money in exchange for this, but they will pray for your good health and offerings will foster more good will for your character in the respective temples.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ April 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

The weather is much warmer now, with nice sunny days dominating the weather cycle. While mornings and evenings can still be a little chilly, the afternoons are great for having strolls in Havenwell's green spaces, which are now bursting with flowers beginning to bloom. The snow and cold are officially over and everywhere, people can feel that spring has arrived. Dress in layers to account for the temperature difference as the simulated sun warms the city, but otherwise, just enjoy these halcyon-like days of pleasant weather. The occasional spring rain may roll through, but the month of Lasai has overall very docile weather.
Lasai marks the one year anniversary of the city's expansion! The natives are happy to celebrate this momentous occasion by decorating the city shopping and entertainment areas with banners of gratitude. Many go to the green space that notes where the original wall was to lay flower wreaths and sing (literally) the praises of the offworlders - which might be annoying to some, as the robot natives tend to go at all hours of the day since they have no concept of sleep themselves. At the Bathhouse, Factory, and Arena, characters will find extra decorations of appreciation up as well - banners, flowers, random knick-knacks that must be someone's idea of an offering. Some particularly well known offworlders may even have natives stopping them for autographs or handshakes, especially if they were present for the original event.

The VR Cafes have a limited time offer of a virtual experience "tour" of the events of that month, available for all of Lasai. Characters and natives alike can log in and be a part of history, watching the walls move and can even partake in the event itself by fighting virtual monsters, cleaning up the city of vines, and touring what the Bathhouse, Factory, and Arena looked like before they were restored to their current glorious functionality. For ideas of what this could look like, visit the previous event here.
Those pesky replicator snack monsters have mostly disappeared from the city, either contained in the zoos or otherwise dealt with. However, here and there throughout the city, the remnants of their existence - namely that tacky, somewhat slimy, viscous replicator goo - remains. Natives are having a hard time cleaning it all up, so if anyone wants to help them, especially in the shopping and entertainment district, the shop owners there will happily pay characters to do it for them rather than take the time to do it themselves.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ainea
3. Diacht
4. Ohma
The power output is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.

However, due to a character run plot, some excess power to Rawna is being siphoned off into a containment unit. For this reason, the world is artificially being rebalanced toward the other gods.
Lasai is the peak of Ainea's power, and with her decorations and temples cleaned and read, the Ainea priests are engaging in as much compassionate work as they can to honor their deity. Characters can expect a little more kindness from native adherents of Ainea, and can often visit Ainea's temple if they find they need an extra dora or two to get through the month (or if they just need more to buy that massive Cuddle Bear to round out their collection, Aineans don't judge). Any good work done by an Ainean adherent comes with a short spiel about how kindness is the foundation of goodness, and sometimes characters can receive gifts of old temple mouse nest bedding. For example, cleaned sticks and cleaned cotton ball sized wads of bedding sealed in glass tubes or plastic-like baggies and decorated with Ainea's colors of purple and pink. Do you want old mouse bedding? Maybe not, but it'd be rude to refuse, right?
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ March 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

With Ainir (March) beginning, the cold days are coming to an end. The beginning of spring is here and snow begins to melt, revealing the flowers and greenery underneath. The occasional rainy day might drop the temperature again, but overall, offworlders can look forward to the days warming up as March continues. You'll still want a sweater or a scarf during the day, but you'll no longer need those heavy jackets and all of your winter wear!
As Ainir (March) rolls around, the spate of chocolate precipitation peters out and ends. The researchers are studying any of the chocolate that people turned in, but they won't have answers on that for awhile. The clean-up from the cocoaful weather is still ongoing, however, so people can still take part in that throughout March. The outer edges of the city, especially, need some good scrubbing since no one lives out that way. The Community Council will pay those willing to go out and scrub off old chocolate a Dora payment by way of thanks.
A year ago today, the flowers returned to Havenwell and with it, an ancient celebration called the Festival of Flowers!
A major part of the festival involves flower weaving, in many intricate patterns and arrangements, all of which have different meanings, like an arranged bouquet might. These flowers are sewn together into crowns, or woven directly into the recipient's hair, a delicate and rather intimate act done between friends, family, or lovers alike. Since the robots of town can't really benefit from this shared experience (of neither physical interaction or hair weaving), instead they happily pass along their knowledge of arrangements and techniques, floral symbolism. You can follow along with their directions, or just make something up/create something new, though certain unwitting combinations are bound to earn some curious (or amused) looks from the locals.
For those of you who lack long hair for such acts, despair not! Crowns placed on short hair are just as socially welcome as the weavings, as you'll see from the robots wearing similar designs around town.
Now that the citywide test of the Cuddle Bear line has concluded, the bears are no longer wandering around the city and are instead relegated to movies and entertainment. However, people can find a lot of Cuddle Bear merch for sale in the entertainment and business districts. Keychains, digital stickers, holographic projections of their Marks, keychains, hats and mittens, miniature stuffed toy versions, and - the most expensive, but most desired of them all - the life-sized plushies. The life-sized plushies come with a high price tag, but with how soft and luxuriously cuddly they are, maybe they're worth the price. They also have a very rare chance of randomly activating their Marks when hugged during this month.
1. A Rainbow Heart: When the rainbow heart bears hug you, a matching rainbow heart will appear either on your hand or your cheek. With this mark on you, you'll be overcome with the urge to confess something to whomever is close-by. This urge can be fought off with enough willpower, but as the month drags on the mark will grow larger and larger and the urge will get stronger and stronger until you finally get something off your chest (or the month ends). The moment you confess, the mark disappears and so does the feeling. What can you confess? Well, anything really! Do you have a secret you need to release into the wild? Someone you love that you've been avoiding telling? Are you just hungry and really craving some crazy topping pizza (cinnamon apple is a legit creation, I swear!)? Your confession can range from your current regular ol' feelings to your deepest darkest secret. That's up to you!
2. A Fluffy Pink Cloud: When a pink cloud bear hugs you, a matching pink cloud mark will appear on your hand or your cheek. With this mark on you, you'll be overcome with the urge to cuddle someone. This urge can be fought off with enough willpower, but as the month drags on the mark will grow larger and larger and the urge will get stronger and stronger until you finally give in and pay the cuddle forward (or the month ends). The moment you give someone a great big cuddle fest, the mark disappears and so does the feeling. Whomever you cuddle does not inherit your mark. How long do you need to cuddle someone to get the mark to disappear varies by person. You can, of course, resist the urge and go into hermit mode to avoid the mark's influence, but why be such a Scrooge? It's Cuddle Time!
3. A Pair of Blue Mittens: When the blue mitten bears hug you, a matching pair of blue mittens will appear either on your hand or your cheek - and a secondary unique personal mark will show up somewhere else on your body. With these marks on you, you'll be overcome with the urge to complete a personal mission. This urge can be fought off with enough willpower, but as the month drags on the marks will grow larger and larger and the urge will get stronger and stronger until you finally finish your mission (or the month ends). The moment you finish it, the marks disappear and so does the feeling. Your secondary unique mark can be anywhere on your body, but it will be visible regardless of whether it's covered by clothing, projecting itself on top of whatever is covering it. The marks seem to correspond (sometimes loosely) to what your mission is - and what are they? That's up to you, the player! Your character's mission can be as simple as hugging a stranger they don't know to as complex as throwing someone who looks a little down a very merry un-birthday party to cheer them up. The possibilities are on these endless, but if you have a question if your 'mission' would be allowed, please ask a mod.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Diacht
3. Ainea
4. Ohma
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Rawna's time is over and Ainea's months are beginning, so Havenwell is bedecked in pink and purple and Ainea's temple is bustling with activity. Pink and purple streamers, banners, and window dressings are abundant throughout the city. At Ainea's temple, the priests are actively spring cleaning - clearing out the old mice nests and bringing in new materials for their temple creatures to make new nests from. The temple priests will gladly accept any donations of materials - things like soft bedding, old t-shirts, sentimental items, letters, synthetic and real plants, anything. You never know what a mouse might want!
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

❥ February 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

The snow remains into Nalom, the third and final month under Rawna's purview, but it isn't as heavy as it was in Lasra. The weather has more cold, crisp sunny days than days of active snowing than the previous month, but the frigid temperatures ensure that what snow there is, it doesn't melt. Natives like to keep the roads clear, but may require some help thanks to last month's heavy snowfall, especially at the beginning of the month. Whatever was causing those strange snow pile-ups has abated, however, and the cold - while sharp - no longer seems to defy logic and magic, returning to regular old snow.

The festive garlands are still up around the city in some pockets, left hanging as decorations, but the mistletoe and other plants have been replaced with silver, rainbow-colored, pink, or purple ribbons instead. While beautiful, these decorations don't seem to have any magical effects to them anymore.
The VR snow beast that chased inhabitants and then suplexed them into snowbanks can still be seen on the rare occasion, normally with a native from the VR cafes hot on its heels trying to shut it down. While less likely to grab at passersby to slam dunk them into the powder, it can still happen to those unlucky enough to be caught before the VR creature glitches out and disappears. The creature also seems less substantial than it did in the previous month, with bits of its code fritzing out, leaving it showing up as semi-transparent, or as missing pixels.
As with the previous year, some businesses and temples are celebrating the final month of Rawna's reign and the soon to be beginning of Ainea's with some delectable treats that have some...odd side effects!

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ohma
3. Diacht
4. Ainea
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Rawna's time is almost at an end, and his temple's priests are embodying his apathetic aspect this month more than before. While the city is still mostly decked out in the dragon god's colors, hints of Ainea's pinks and purples are beginning to show up and her priests are busy tidying up the mouse goddesses' temple for an influx of visitors. Where Rawna lounges, Ainea nests and her adherents are no different.
The little dragons that live within Rawna's temples, after having spent the last several months as delivery-dragons for letters, packages, and parcels, are exhausted, or have decided to take the month off. Rarely will they be found flying through the air of the temple; rather, they are napping, sprawling, or even hibernating in their nesting grounds. And since their nesting grounds is more or less the entire temple, visitors may find them curled up on chairs, statues, in the grass or on the floor… really, the little fellas are everywhere. Some have even flopped in random places around town, too tired (or lazy) to fly themselves home. Watch your step! Should you interrupt their nap by accidentally treading on them, you may find your foot bitten or set on fire...
As Ohma's power is creeping up behind Rawna, the feline god is feeling a similar sort of lethargy. They're vibing, you could say. Followers of Ohma might find themselves more inclined than usual to cozy up to someone on the couch, or rest on their shoulder, maybe take a nap lap. Some may especially find it tempting to follow those aligned with Ainea and "pin the mouse", so to speak. Enjoy your ~~prey~~ cuddles!

❥ January 2021

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

Snow is more widely spread, but natives and offworlders alike can help curb it from piling up too much by shoveling the fresh powder into snow banks. The only area that seems to have very little to almost no snow regardless of the condition of the rest of the city is the Factory and near the Walls.
Some enterprising natives are still trying to cash in on Santa Clause by selling commemorative metal plates of letters supposedly sent by famous residents. They come with their signatures and everything! It's almost as good as getting autograph, wouldn't you agree? Just don't ask how they obtained these letters.
The Archive scholars seem to be buzzing about the news that the offworlders have received visions about the lost god, the Crawling One. While the Archive doors are still closed to outsiders, more native researchers are seen going in and out as they investigate the message.
Those who were here last year will remember the seasonal VR game that simulates a pilgrimage to the top of Aellyn's highest peak. Well, it's back! For those curious for a glimpse of what the world used to be and wanting to experience some of Havenwell's culture, here's a description of the game:

Load into the simulation "Memories of the Sun," and you'll be transported along with all others who are currently logged in to make a pilgrimage up Aellyn's most sacred mountain. Although its peak is rocky and somewhat barren, it has a serene beauty as it reaches up through the cloud layer and you climb upwards through the dark. The path is clearly lit by small lamps embedded into the ground, but you might find it easier to take the climb if you hang onto someone else. Once you reach the peak, whether you're alone or with someone else, you'll be treated to the sight of a gorgeous sunrise peeking over the thinning clouds. It's a sight to remember, and a sight that brings memories. As you watch you're overcome with a very real vision of your home, a place you remember, or people you know. This vision is typically of a better time in your life, something to bring you hope and peace as the new year dawns - but not always. Is this a vision of your past? Your future? Of your present? If you came here with someone else, they can also choose to share in your vision and you in theirs. Are you brave enough to face what the mountain has to show you?

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ohma
3. Diacht
4. Ainea
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Rawna is at the height of his power now and his iridescent hues can be seen in things like the natives' adornments, banners, and window dressings in shops. Rawna's temple doors are open and the priests are more active than normal, inviting passersby to come in and relieve themselves of any emotional burdens they may be experiencing. Naturally, as they are still Rawna's priests, they aren't especially insistent about this, but they do tend to call out to any that they think look gloomy or downtrodden. The dragonlings that populate his temple can be seen lounging in the doorways or crawling around the architecture of the temples rather than remaining indoors like usual.
In celebration of the new year, each temple has music playing and all of them have their associated animals not inside the temple like normal, but spread all over the temple grounds and surrounding areas. They aren't lost for once, but seem to be beckoning people toward their respective homes which are bedecked with holograms of dark green leafy boughs, ribbons, and ornaments all in the temple's colors. Diacht has red and white striped ornaments, Ohma has blue and gold, and Ainea is bringing up the cute factor with pink and purple. But Rawna is looking especially resplendent with rainbow sheened silver ornaments hung in the air, mixed in with real ones that are suspended from wires so thin they look as if they're hanging in midair. The dragonlings fly through the air, trailing silver ribbons behind them that make the temple really seem to shine this month.
Additionally, temples have booths set up that have a strange and unreadable Aellyn script on them. The robot sitting behind the booth has their face covered with a strip of fabric that obscures it completely, but it calls out to you when you walk by. It offers you an ancient-looking wooden container with a single small hole at the top. If you take it, it mimes shaking the container and tipping it over. Do as they say and a wooden stick pops out of the top with that same strange script on it. The robot takes a look at what you got and takes the container back, passing you a single strip of paper with reverence. "Keep your fortune close or learn to let it go," it says, and then looks to find another patron. Turn your paper over and discover what your fortune holds for you.
Feel free to choose your own fortune or ask a mod to randomize one for you by PMing the mod account.

❥ December 2020

State of Havenwell & Aellyn

The colder weather means there are many days where snow is falling in the city. The snow will pile up on some days, but be mysteriously gone the next. Some areas have snow and others don't. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to this disparity.
For the first week of December, natives are cleaning up after the Feast of the Winged Lord. They would love to have offworlders help and will offer Dora payment for anyone who does.
With the opening of the Arena, there is more activity in that area with natives heading that way to deal with the upkeep on the machinery or looking to participate themselves.
The VR bees that haunted Havenwell are mostly under control by December, but some are still known to spring up from time to time, albeit in more isolated incidents. These bees are still just as aggressive, but are more likely to be a single wandering bee rather than an invasion. They're notably slower now that the days are colder.

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Current God Status & Effects

The current god power balance, from strongest to weakest, is:
1. Rawna
2. Ohma
3. Ainea
4. Diacht
The world is still heavily imbalanced toward Rawna.
Ohma's time is over and Rawna's time has come. The colors in the city reflect this, with a switch from Ohma's blue and gold to Rawna's iridescent hues in things like the natives' adornments, banners, and window dressings in shops. Rawna's temple doors are open and the priests are more active than normal, inviting passersby to come in and relieve themselves of any emotional burdens they may be experiencing. Naturally, as they are still Rawna's priests, they aren't especially insistent about this, but they do tend to call out to any that they think look gloomy or downtrodden.
Optional god effects: characters with an association to the deity who rules over this month will find themselves more energized than normal, like waking up already having drunk a cup of coffee. Characters who belong to the gods who are the weakest at the moment may find themselves feeling more of an urge to participate in events that will earn them positive physical contact. It's never more than a gentle nudge, however, as the gods are still all about consent.

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