[MU] - MARCH STORYTELLING / VOTING

[lifeaftr_mods]

It is a dog that greets you, come the night of the Storytelling. The breed is indiscernible beneath the way the thick ruffs of smoke-black fur hang heavily from their lean frame, the entirety of them as pitch dark as the surrounding, metaphysical night save for the bright pink spot of their hanging tongue.

"I cannot fault you for choosing as you did," they murmur. "We had no way of knowing...we could not have seen what sort of civilization would be involved. If my reach could extend past my home..."

The words seem directed at themself, more than anyone else. With a swift shake of their coat, the dog regards the islanders once more, their eyes glittering in the firelight, rich as garnets.

"Three choices remain. I hope that, for all our sakes, the other islands on the horizon are far kinder than the first. The first will allow access to vegetation. The second, ore. The third, beasts."

There is little point in warnings. After all, it is not as if they predicted the outcome of your first choice - and it is not as though they were pleased to realize what that "civilization" entailed.



It is time, once more, for you to tell a story. The setting will be familiar for oldcomers, and newcomers will recognize it from the introduction they received in their dreams. This too is a dream, and the ink-black dark is illuminated only by the bonfire surrounded by log seats. And seated around the fire are your fellow islanders, many of whom doubtless know the drill by now.

One by one, you will each have the opportunity to share your stories, as stories possess a certain undeniable power. Newcomers can tell whatever tale they wish, but for those who have been in LifeAftr for at least one Storytelling, only stories of their time in LifeAftr will count down the road. The story need not be long, or conventional, or even verbal; as long as the Storyteller knows it has been told, it will qualify. Those of the nonverbal persuasion have, as of a request issued by Ren (catpiper), an alternative means of telling their stories if they so choose, in the form of the Chamber of Glyphs.

If you prefer to keep your mouth shut, that's always an option, though you're more liable to benefit if you do. Perhaps you'd rather not relive any of your history, varied and variegated as it must be. Or maybe you're something of a compulsive un-truther, prone to embellishments and long, fanciful tangents. As long as the core of the story is true to its spirit, you are free to spin your tale however you like.

So choose well.

Comments

OOC || FORM

[lifeaftr_mods]

Reply to this comment, having filled out the corresponding form, if you wish to participate in the Storytelling for non-compulsory AC. Non-compulsory AC allows for IC rewards such as Item Requests, but is not mandatory - though it will ICly benefit your character to try and participate, even if they're not the storytelling type.

Remember that those who have already undergone one Storytelling cycle must tell a story of their time in LifeAftr in order for it to count. Newcomes may tell whatever stories they like!

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Character Journal:</b> <user name="NAME"> <b>Number of Offerings:</b> List character's number of offerings here. A maximum of THREE STORIES can be told each Storytelling. <b>Offering(s):</b> Describe the story related here. A link to a past game or a wiki will suffice if you'd rather not write it all out, but it is helpful to note if your character was an engaging or enthusiastic storyteller, plainly unwilling and undetailed, or anything else of note! <b>Public/Private:</b> Is this story told for all to hear, or to the Storyteller privately? Please let us know!

[catpiper]

Player Name: Lexy
Character Name: Ren
Character Journal: catpiper
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
Story 1: About a strong boy who wanted to sing even though his face was burned by those weird birds. He didn't need a rock or treasure to make it hurt less-he's just that tough. She sounds impressed throughout the whole ordeal.
Story 2: Wild life and times of tiny Ren who met a nice boy that held her hand and didn't know about baseball. She's going to stress how fun and important that game is. Really, this is an excuse to talk about baseball again and how everyone needs to play.
Story 3: An exciting story about dancing when all the pretty fireflies were out and singing to her friend, having him sing to her and then Luna's timely appearance. She'll talk about how much fun it was to play for that whole night and how talented Guzma and Luna are at dancing. She's thrilled-look at her face. Everyone needs to dance.
Public/Private: Public

[achievementhunter]

Player Name: Bird
Character Name: =)
Character Journal: achievementhunter
Number of Offerings: Three, one of which will be going to the ST for future Stones of Far Speech
Offering(s):

The First is a story of talking flowers and a man who gained his eyesight back, no matter how briefly. The entire story is more whimsical than anything- most of what is portrayed is talked about in the past tense with a very... strong note of finality.

The second is the story of a person they met who shared their story in ways they...never realized people could. This one is told with a thoughtful, solemn air, and leads to a pretty significant question that Chara...isn't too sure what to do with. If someone else, someone better than them in every way, could face the same sort of consequences they had, then

Did either of them deserve those consequences?


The third and final story is about wandering through the city with the clothes Hollow Knight stole for them, and their disdain for Ai'tuoh in general.

Public/Private: The second is private, but the first and third are public!

[savedbyasong]

Player Name: Katy
Character Name: Shion
Character Journal: savedbyasong
Number of Offerings: Two (One which is going to the ST for the upkeep of Lupnet)
Offering(s): The first is another report. It is even worse than last months. Shion is not okay at the moment and this is very obvious in his story telling. It lacks passion and drive but he gives a general report of the month.
The second is about Aster saving him from the void. Sort of. This has more feeling and it's clear he's trying to put feelings into words. Pretty much his sister is badass and a saved his life again and is the sort of hero who deserves a story. Written out here
Public/Private: Public

[crosslaced]

Player Name: Star
Character Name: Laurent
Character Journal: crosslaced
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
> There’s a sad ‘thud’, not a ‘fwump’. This bed sucks he’s been scammed.
>”I wonder, if someone were to become like Damen, would they have kissed their nasty, mistrustful, snake politician by now?”
>Three: A story of a boy orphaned because the kingdom next door wanted to take back what was ‘rightfully theirs’. A story of a village razed to the ground. It seems like canon material but it’s an allegory for Ai’tuoh and how he’d probably sell everyone out for one corn chip. Ai’tuoh is worth maybe two.
Public/Private: Private.

[postictal]

Player Name: Zero
Character Name: Tim Wright
Character Journal: postictal
Number of Offerings: Two
Offering(s):

1) A story about learning a small child's birthday, coupled with an announcement as to what that birthday is. Everyone's gonna know Ren has a birthday now. Deal with it.

2) A story of reconciliation and understanding. He sounds...pensive and regretful as he tells this one. The encounter's definitely stuck with him for some time.

Public/Private: The first is public, the second private.

[encircling]

Player Name: Michelle
Character Name: Mira
Character Journal: encircling
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s): 1. A story about how she tried to spread herself too thin and heal everyone during the dark times. Oops.
2. While in the caves, she and Ren went treasure hunting! This is told with a fair bit of affection in her voice.
3. Her gratitude for her gift comes through in this story, which is about how she's been taking good care of her plants... and how she plans on using them to help others.
Public/Private: Public.

[hyperlit]

Player Name: Zero
Character Name: The Drifter
Character Journal: hyperlit
Number of Offerings: Two
Offering(s):

1) The story of how, while imprisoned and alone, a cellmate was still kind enough to speak to them and keep them company and even try to help, despite the fact that the Drifter could not answer very well back. They use the Chamber of Glyphs to tell this story. Though it ends solemnly, in uncertainty, it's clear that they are still grateful.

2) The story of how, when one drifter was cast into a deep and seeming unfathomable abyss, someone saw fit to descend after and retrieve them. They had thought themself doomed, but were instead faced with an incredible courage and kindness. They use the Chamber of Glyphs to tell this story, too, and end it humbled and grateful.

Public/Private: Both public.

[ungrieved]

Player Name: Zero
Character Name: Gabe Goodman
Character Journal: ungrieved
Number of Offerings: Two
Offering(s):

1) A general description of his adventures in being invisible, aka blending in on Ai'tuoh and getting away with it. Includes slightly exaggerated stories of petty theft that are considerably more exciting than the rather dull practice itself turned out to be.

2) A smattering of assorted vignettes about all sorts of strange types you meet while congregating in a tent. Swings between amused and grumpy in equal measure, depending on who he's referring to and when.

Public/Private: Both public.

[souldeterminant]

Player Name: Angel
Character Name: Frisk
Character Journal: souldeterminant
Number of Offerings: 1
Offering(s): A short and blunt recollection of Ai'tuoh from the eyes of someone who managed to navigate it without getting arrested. They mention their success at completing a trade, stealing an apple for a doggy, and how people for the most part seemed alright, even if it was hard to get a sense of what kind of person anyone they talked to was. They also briefly mention getting to deface a book in the name of passing notes in the library, which they recount with some pride.
Public/Private: Public.

[prettypurpleparlor]

Player Name: Echo
Character Name: Muffet
Character Journal: prettypurpleparlor
Number of Offerings: Three, one to be used for maintaining the stone network.
Offering(s): The first is the story of arriving in an unwelcoming land told plainly and clearly, to warn those any who might need to be told.
The second is the story of fighting beside a friend, told calmly and solemnly, to remember one loved and lost.
The last is the story of a beautiful sight on a gentle night, one that reminded her of home, told with fond nostalgia.
Public/Private: All three are public.

[want_to_belong]

Player Name: Eisah
Character Name: Prompto
Character Journal: want_to_belong
Number of Offerings: 3? 2.5?
Offering(s): Prompto tells the story of how an adorable bird dropped on Ignis from the sky, and how come he gets a free bird? There should be more birds for everyone! Also, it explodes.
He also tells the story of how girls are really into the artsy types! He might get himself in trouble here. It's not very subtle what he's talking about (although it at least sounds more like he's overexcited than arrogant). Half of this might just be wishful thinking.
He's also excited to announce that he got some brand new clothing! Why? Gotta let the girls know he's the freshest, cleanest boy on the island somehow.

Public/Private: Public

[yourattention]

Player Name: r
Character Name: Connor Murphy
Character Journal: yourattention
Number of Offerings: 2
Offering(s):

1. Infinite Island, which is kind of a rambling and incoherent montage of memories that boil down to "I'm a fucking mess, aren't I? Is this what character growth feels like? I hate it, thanks."
2. Sailing Towards Home, which is a retelling of his voyage home the day before storytelling. He kind of tells it like it . . . didn't happen to him? Because he feels like he learned something? And nobody died? H O W.

Public/Private: The first one is private, because at this point the Storyteller is Connor's therapy friend. The second one is public because, like . . . a huge chunk of people were there. There's no point in telling it privately.

[dedamastai]

Player Name: r
Character Name: Damianos
Character Journal: dedamastai
Number of Offerings: 1
Offering(s): I'm not rewriting Rilke, but just know Damen told an extremely thinly veiled version of "Orpheus. Eurydice. Hermes" about him and Laurent. Laurent did ask for poetry.
Public/Private: It's public. Unlike Connor, Damen has like. 0 qualms about being hella fucking embarrassing.

[thermalwind]

Player Name: Sam
Character Name: Keith
Character Journal: focusedroar
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
1 - the story of his failed stealth mission. He isn't shy about bringing up how it failed. It's clearly intended to serve as a warning and to give intell on the city defenses.
2 - The story of the curious guard - he shares their conversation and how it went. It's important to see how two views oppose one another from the same problem.
3 - Standing Water - Another story made for the sake of cautious. He talks about what he saw. The tethers and wonders just what other things like this exist out beyond their island.
Public/Private: Public, he doesn't have anything to hide here.

[finethanks]

Player Name: Ash
Character Name: Eichi Tenshouin
Character Journal: finethanks
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s): Story 1 - A story told in the most elaborate fashion of a knight who stands up and speaks kindly even to a stranger, the stranger being a fallen Emperor, as he tells it. He goes into flowery detail on how the Emperor was feeling so terribly alone, but that the kind knight reaching out in such a brief moment was what gave him the strength to raise his chin once again.
Story 2 - A story of a man who thought he didn't deserve help. This is just as flowery, but in a much darker way with mentions of hell and such. Eichi names the one who saves this sad man as the "truly darker heart of the two" and things like that, but the moral of the story is that you always have more worth than you think.
Story 3 - ...This one he just straight up says he tried to avoid a needle and drank a health pack since it seemed casual like that, but it was a horrible idea and he doesn't recommend it. He's too casual and cheery about this story and goes into detail about how gross his mouth tasted and how he thought he poisoned himself even though he spit it up.
Public/Private: Public

[sorewatopsecret]

Player Name: Mola
Character Name: Takane Shijou
Character Journal: sorewatopsecret
Number of Offerings: 2
Offering(s):
1. The first story is framed like a campfire ghost tale, Takane takes great effort in building up a tense atmosphere with her dramatic verbiage. She was out exploring the island, when suddenly, she stepped on something strange. She takes the time to describe the feeling of how what she stepped on was soft and springy, yet firm at the same time, illustrating it as something foreign. When she finally looked down, what she was stepping on was... A CORPSE!!!

After a brief pause she clarifies that it wasn't actually a corpse, but some boy taking a nap on the ground. She really hopes you all were entertained, though.

2. This doesn't really feel like a story to listeners. Rather, it feels more like a very solemn PSA about fire safety. She lectures about the importance of avoiding things that can cause you to catch fire, and also the value of "stop, drop, roll." She also talks about immediate actions that must be taken for burns, based on severity, and overall this is an educational experience. Despite how it all sounds, this definitely stemmed from something that happened, and thus she considers it a story.

Public/Private: Surprisingly, these stories will not be top secret for once and will be public for all.

[shatteredlenses]

Player Name: Neko Sandy
Character Name: Ignis Scientia
Character Journal: shatteredlenses
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):

Story One: Ignis' first story is told with an amused tone and fond look, a combination that is usually saved for the telling of silly or embarrassing stories about Noctis, Prompto or Gladio. The target of the embarrassment this time is Ignis himself, though, as he tells about how he was nearly brained by a bird falling from the heavens. Despite their rough start, they were able to strike up a strong friendship afterward.

The story is told with as many bad puns as he can fit in and a fair bit of exaggeration for comedic value. After what they have just been through, he figures they can use the laugh, even if it's at his expense.

Story Two: Unfortunately, Ignis' second story is more serious. He makes certain it's clear how much he appreciates everyone's participation since even as chaotic as their rescue was, he's sure it would have been far less successful without the pooling of everyone's ideas and their cooperation. After this, though, he chooses to focus on some of the more humorous moments of the meeting--really, he's pretty sure he never expected to be talking about the logistics of airlifting a Fustercluck via Imperial dropship, and would honestly like to never do it again no matter how funny the idea might be in hindsight.

Story Three: The rescue. Really, there is no humor to be found in this, so Ignis doesn't even try to find it. Instead, he focuses on congratulating everyone on a job well done. Things shouldn't have gone as well as they did, and yet here they are. As usual for him, he doesn't focus on any of his contributions despite the fact he's still feeling his wounds. Instead, he focuses on how everyone worked together and helped protect each other as they fought. As weird as this team might be, right now he's proud to be on it.

Public/Private: All Public!

Re: OOC || FORM

[proficienciesouttheass]

Player Name: Cat
Character Name: Magnus Burnsides
Character Journal: proficienciesouttheass
Number of Offerings: 3

Offering(s):

[BIGASS SPOILERS]
First story: A story about spaceships, explorers, monsters, and a planet of animals. Of how Magnus tried to fight a giant bear, and instead earned his respect and became his student. A year of learning how to properly fight, protect, and respect your friends. Of learning what real strength really is.
The story is told mostly in fantastical, and over exaggerated terms...until the true message of the story comes in. As he talks about the Bear and his lesson, Magnus' voice quiets down. There is some sadness in his face, but also pride. He misses him and hopes he did him proud.

Second story: A story about Candlenights, about how old habits die hard, how snow is a hell of a weapon, and how the real gift is the forced friendships we had along the way. Also, he's really good at ice skating! He tries to make it sound like a holiday story, making himself as a definite hero, embellishing the battles and the skating finesse. It's pretty fun to listen to him talk, if you're into that.

Third story: Now, a different one - how about the time he taught his new friend Ren how to have a snowball fight? He tells this store more like an anecdote, a funny little ramble about a good moment during his short time in the island. Maybe he gets a little distracted when it comes to actually giving the Storyteller "proper" stories, but he seems entertained, because who doesn't know about snowball fights?!

Public/Private: Public

[scourgingstars]

Player Name: Nao
Character Name: Ardyn Izunia
Character Journal: scourgingstars
Number of Offerings: one!
Offering(s): Ardyn's discussing his experience ending up on Monsun and living there until the island disappeared. He might be moderately to very bitter about the experience overall.
Public/Private: Public

Re: OOC || FORM

[suspecteverything]

Player Name: Bry
Character Name: Jules Dagger Samari
Character Journal: suspecteverything
Number of Offerings: 1
Offering(s): Jullien tells the story of convincing a fellow captive islander living near him that he eats humans. He seems to find the entire thing rather amusing and doesn't need to embellish much given the nature of the story is bizarre enough on its own. At no point during the telling does he give any indication whether Andarions eating humans is all just a made up tale or whether it's completely true. He's an asshole like that.
Public/Private: Privately

[seafriends]

Player Name: Kori
Character Name: Kanata Shinkai
Character Journal: seafriends
Number of Offerings: 2
Offering(s):

one. A story about finding another person from Yumenosaki, and their discussion about the confusing magic that brought them here. This one comes out as straightforward as it sounds, as he's not an illustrious storyteller, but Kanata is pretty remarkably unbothered by the fact he's talking about Existing and Not Existing simultaneously back home.

two. A story about appreciating eels, and his friend who did not appreciate them quite so much. He retells this breezily without talking much at all about his experience in Ai'tuoh leading up to the boat rescue. In fact, most of this story gets derailed with him explaining how cute the eels were, and how he would have liked to catch one and bring it home.

Public/Private: Public!

[mamaterasu]

Player Name: Roxy
Character Name: Ammy
Character Journal: mamaterasu
Number of Offerings: Three (3).
Offering(s):
All stories will be made in the form of perfectly detailed, beautiful paintings on the walls of the temple made for them:
- One will be of her continued work in the monkey compound, maintaining her community garden and all those who helped her with it thus far. She'll write out the symbol for "praise" under each character, thanking them all for the help, no matter how great or small their contribution.
- A hilarious recount of her time evading the Ai'touh jailers trying to capture her for being a bothersome animal and her lackluster escape from her pen. And yes, she does include herself taking a ripe, little shit on their front steps. Fuck da po-leez.
- The far more exciting attack on the Water, and helping people reclaim good, save those in need, and fight back those trying to interfere with the rescue.
Public/Private: All public!

OOC || VOTING

[lifeaftr_mods]

Respond to the island your character will be voting for with the appropriate journal. They do not have to vote if it would not be IC for them to, but this will decide the central plot for the following month, or months!

OPTION 1

[lifeaftr_mods]

While the dangers are unknown, the Storyteller promises vegetation that can be used for medicines, sustenance, and the like.

IC || STORYTELLING

[lifeaftr_mods]

If you wish to thread out the relaying of your story so that other characters may react to it, you may do so here!

[savedbyasong]

Story One

[Shion is sat very still throughout the storytelling. He sat in a way that seemed to make him smaller, as if the very longs of the campfire circle could swallow him up and he would welcome it.

His eyes were dry though. You don't get to cry. When it was his turn he spoke quietly not meeting anyone eyes.] This month I joined Yuka's art club and learned to draw a horse. Thalassa the cat joined me, Aster and Excalibur. [There's no... no enthusiasm here even when he's talking about the animals he loves so much]

I met some phoenix chicks with control issues. They set me on fire. [An unfortunate connection to what had just happened] Shouto, Akko and Ignis all managed to make friends with them though. Me and Aster worked on the house some more. We went to Ai'Tuoh to find out information. Aster was successful at retrieving a copy of the rules. I got arrested. I did not learn much whilst in prison. We were taken to the standing water. A child called Ninth was taken to the waters edge, a guard who called themselves 41916 intervened. There was chaos and some people might have escaped, the rest were... [He closes his eyes, because no. It turns out he can't do this] Everyone knows the ending. End of report.

Story Two

[Again he sits silently while the other stories are told. He is listening though. Letting the words wash over him and yet memorising them. For the first time in a long time he is pretty glad of his memory, that he can drift and yet will still be able to remember what people said.

It is near the end when he speaks again.] When... when I was in that place [That place being the colourless terrifying void. He doesn't think it needs any further explanation.] I thought... I thought it was the end. That everything would end there... [There is emotion this time, his voice is strained. He hates this. Hates having to talk. And he wouldn't except the Storyteller... they had helped them hadn't they? Stories were how they got power and Shion figures he probably owed them. Because without their interference he would be sleeping eternally right now.]

I've died so many times. It... it doesn't scare me [Much] But that... that did. But then... Aster was there. She's saved me so many times, I think she's saved me from something ever week I've been here. [Physically, emotionally. How had he ever even thought he could function without her.]

She's so brave. I've lived longer than her and yet she is... She is really tough, even when she's scared. She managed to not get caught in Ai'Tuoh and she saved more people than just me. [She is right here, and probably dying of embarrassment] Everyone who jumped into that place after us is so brave. [This is meant to be a story, but he's lost control of it again.] I've never... she was hope in a place of great despair. Our dad is not here but if he was he would be so proud of her right now.

[As proud of her as he would be disappointed in Shion. I don't think you're capable of control, Shion.

He goes back to sitting in silence]