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A brisk wind rips through Aether, tearing at the flags atop the castle’s parapets and blowing around some colorful leaves discarded from trees in the courtyards. Outside, Pokémon duck inside to shelter themselves from the sudden autumn weather: but inside, the castle’s inhabitants are safe from the gusts, blocked from the noisy wind and hearing only faint whispers of it over the crackling of fireplaces.
One such fireplace is the source of warm for two monarchs, one current and one former. Alaric is working at his desk in the royal study, organizing paperwork and calculating some figures with a quill pen in the coils of a vine. Jackson, meanwhile, is looking wistfully out the window, eyes roving slowly across the castle courtyard below, following the path of a falling leaf as it dangles effortlessly in the wind before landing on the cold ground. Both are busy in their thoughts, silence wrapped around them -- until the Gengar abruptly breaks the quiet in an uneasy voice.
: D-Do you like the fall, Alaric?
: (placing the quill down on his desk, then facing the former king) It’s a bit of a double-edged sword for grass types: the change of leaves is always a sight to behold, but the dying of plants is always ominous.
: Ha, I see…
: (noticing his companion’s sigh) Do you enjoy it, Jackson?
: It’s also a bit of a double-edged sword for me... (a tense grin forces itself onto the specter’s face) though I won’t bore you with tales of old.
: I believe I once heard it told that spirits tend to become more restless as the autumn moon approaches.
: That’s right; it’s an important time for them.
: “Restless spirits rise ‘neath the pale glow of the night’s blind eye.”
: That’s… what we used to say, back then.
Silence descends upon the duo again: this time, not as a comforting presence, but as a lingering touch of regret, and Alaric cautiously eyes Jackson who has turned back to the window with another sigh, cradling his cheek with one of his ghostly hands and leaning against the sill. Against his better judgment, the Serperior moves closer to Jackson, clears his throat, and speaks.
: I am sorry to have brought up bitter memories for you, Jackson.
: (practically jumping out of his ectoplasm) Huh? O-Oh, nono, you didn’t do anything, Alaric.
: This just always happens for me around this time of year. Nothing that can be done, except…
: Except what?
: Well, Dullahan and I were talking the other day -- see, he gets the same way I do every autumn, that’s why he’s been drinking more than usual -- anyway, we thought it might be a good idea to take some precautions against any restless spirits that might be lingering in Aether or elsewhere in Avalon, find a way to appease them.
: Oh? And how would we do that?
: Wha--? You… You would help with this?
: Of course. If we can do anything to help those who have left this mortal coil -- and even those who haven’t -- we shouldn’t let such an opportunity pass by, wouldn’t you agree?
: (finally sounding more like himself) Heh, yeah, I suppose so~
: Alright, there are several traditions we should follow in regards to appeasing the restless spirits: offering them gifts, paying homage, etcetera. Having them spruce up the graveyard would also be a good idea -- that was Dullahan’s suggestion, by the way.
: All fine suggestions -- but perhaps we could also add some more harvest-related activities as well? We could even make an event out of this, a festival, if you will.
: Hrm, sure, makes sense. What do you have in mind?
: Oh, simple things, really. Gathering the crops, coming up with harvest games, selling relatable merchandise in the market: give everyone something to do, yes?
: Besides, it will help everyone blow off steam after that abysmal mission in Kalka with those interfering rogues…
: Hah, yeah, that was pretty crazy, wasn’t it?
: But yes, I think it would be great if everyone participated in this event. Instead of just cleaning up the graveyard, they can make the entire kingdom better! Really make the spirits feel at home, warm and happy and all that.
: (moving towards the study door) I will speak to the other inhabitants of the castle, perhaps even the theater troupe Tara recently hired, see if they have more suggestions on what the citizens could do for this festival.
: (squinting his eyes knowingly) The guild people too, riiiight?
: … If I must.
: (watching Alaric leave, in search of activity-givers) Thanks, Alaric!
: (grinning awkwardly and sighing deeply) Truly… thank you.
Journal
After all the surprising twists that just occurred in Mission 12, it’s time to take a step back and focus on what’s really important: reconnecting with our loved ones, especially the ones we have lost, and appeasing those more restless spirits who remain behind. We also should take time to show thanks in celebration of the good harvest in Aether this year, thus securing us this winter. So, from September through October, we shall be hosting the Harvest Festival!
During this time, the town will be decorated for autumn, with leaves falling from the trees and a nippy breeze in the air. We encourage members to get out there and enjoy themselves during this festival, even as we honor those who have passed on and spend some quality time with loved ones! Make some leaf piles and jump in them, decorate various things around the town, eat delicious harvest foods and have warm drinks -- Anything fun that comes to mind really! Fall is the time when the spirits get restless, so let’s do something nice for them and honor them!
Unlike normal months, festival stalls will not be limited to ten or even to normal shops, item stock may be unlimited, plus they will be allowed to stay up for the entire event! Please feel free to get creative in how you set up a stall! If you have an ideas you aren't sure about, just ask and we can make sure they're alright.
During this time, a number of behests will take place, given out by S.NPCs and encouraging steady participation from members throughout the event.
Enjoy, and have fun!
A Fright to Remember
: Ah, meraviglioso! You are just in time.
: For what, you ask? Why, to supply me with the most delicious of inspirations!
: The season of spirits is upon us and my muse-- (the overstuffed cat presses the back of a paw to his forehead) she has left me in my time of need! Thus it is you who will help me bring about a truly inspired vision for my newest play!
: The theme? Why, it is one of macabro. Something to send chills down one’s spine, something to set one’s heart pounding, something to raise the hackles and inspire a fear of the shadows that lurk all around you!
: Put bluntly, I wish for inspirations for a horror story.
: Terror is not something many speak of lightly, so it is oft difficult to pry tales from the tongues of many a ‘mon. But it seems the people of these lands have seen some truly frightening sights! So I would love to hear you recount your tales -- if you would be so kind!
: Truth or fabrication, either will do! Simply give me something to work with.
: Ah, hm-- And perhaps, to set the mood for such things, come to the theater at night. We will light a bonfire for an occasion such as this. For what better way to tell a tale of fright than with the fires of hell before you and the shadows of darkness at your back! Ha ha ha ha~!
: Ciao for now, dear friends. We shall meet again by the fire’s side!
Prepare some scary stories for Lorenzo at the bonfire in front of the theater.
The theater troupe members will be there, ready to listen to your tales, as well as any of the other group members. Feel free to RP a chilling tale together, or cameo one another in your entries, anything is fair game.
Like regular group submissions, you can write more graphic stories if you wish (as that often comes with the territory of the horror genre), but remember to tag your work so others know what they can expect from your story.
Wanted Poster
: Ah, good, glad I caught you! The farmers of Aether could use your help -- they have been terrorized by a strange, flying pumpkin, and…
: Why are you looking at me like that?
: Oh. I get it. (sighs and yanks at one of his ears) Do not worry, I am not that sly fox in disguise; I am truly Matteo… I am going to be dealing with this stigma for quite some time, aren’t I?
: Nevertheless, we do need your assistance in the fields. With that pumpkin soaring about, the farmers are concerned about their crops, believing them to be cursed. Let’s put their worries at ease, shall we?
: Do what you can to find this unidentified floating object. I have prepared an official wanted poster with more details for the hunt. Good luck!
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