+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

[Halloween dawns a bright and sunny day – crisp and cool, but pleasant. There are appropriate decorations everywhere you look today – jack-o-lanterns, cartoony ghost decorations hanging from trees, candy apples & candy corn, and all that cheery Halloween décor.

The most notable decoration for the day is that you are being haunted… but don’t worry! You have a new friend who’s following after you! These little spirits take the form of an animal that fits your personality – anywhere from a mighty tiger to a little vole – and they aren’t going away any time soon. They’ll interact with you but are impossible to banish. In fact, trying to run away from them just makes them all the more eager to stay close!



If you’re paying attention, however, you’ll know that maybe not everything is well. The trees that have been growing around Kiseki ever since the flood receded are beginning to bloom, slowly, those strange lantern-like plants glowing as the day progresses. Don’t pass too close. Remember – it feeds off negative energy, and it won’t make you feel great.

You know what you’re meant to do in these situations. You’ve been warned of this. You better start that hunt. And don’t worry – your new friends are here to help! If you head into the forest to fight or meet a loose creature elsewhere, your little spirit guide will transform accordingly – to a weapon, to a shield, or perhaps fluctuating between the two. You have options, of course - you can go looking for the monsters, hang back and risk being surprised, or just sit back and let others take care of the mess. Maybe you just want to hang out with your new friend, after all.

The spirits will linger until they are no longer needed. Once they deem that all is safe and that you are alright on your own, they will start to fade until they disappear completely.]

[The days pass, and the water remains as it is, covering the world people were used to, seeming unlikely to change soon. While some supplies might be running short, there's still plenty of water at the reservoir, and the fish from the expanded sea as well as fruits or vegetables found at the treetops don't seem to be about to run out any moment soon. So, while there're obviously some difficulties, this night could be a peaceful one, to enjoy the unusual view with others for a while, try to manage a fire to gather around, nurse any existing wounds, or simply settle in whichever shelter one's found and try to rest until the following day.



But there's the fog. While the days have so far been clear and rather sunny despite the increasing cold of Fall, tonight there's fog creeping up everywhere, growing thicker and thicker by the hour, coming over from where the most dangerous areas are known to be. With it, comes an unsettling, restless feeling. You might find it difficult to fall asleep. Perhaps you'll be llured by the call of this fog, inexplicably drawn to navigate the dark waters despite the late hour. You might follow this call to the dragons' lair around the reservoir, to find them assigning you a new task, even more difficult now due to the lack of visibility. Perhaps you only end up lost. Or wandering off to areas where an attack might happen... It might be wise to not leave alone, but this fog's influence might strip you of any caution.

If that's the case, well... There's only so many hours until dawn, right?]

[[The Flood Event continues! Go here for any questions!]]

[Nothing seems out of the ordinary at the start. The season has changed with the date, abrupt as ever, bringing with it clear signs of the beginning of Fall, a chilly atmosphere replacing the warmth of summer. However, that isn't the only change today – and to anyone finding themselves near any of the many bodies of water around Miracle Country, the difference will become apparent very quickly.

The ocean, the river, the lake, it all slowly but surely rises and overflows, flooding the surrounding areas more and more every second. Good luck finding shelter, as the water level will continue to rise until the buildings, the forests and part of the caves around the islands are all submerged. The trees will seem to expand underwater, until makeshift bridges form from the tangled growth of branches, surprisingly sturdy. In lieu of the usual places to go, people may notice that clear domes will start to rise out of the water, each with supplies inside like blankets, pillows, and bandages. Be careful not to drop them into the sea! Others may find treehouses above the waters with similar basic supplies, none too cozy otherwise. And in the worst case scenario? There are the usual boats to be found.



Food will be available in the varied amount of fish and other animals to be caught in the water. For those who frequent the river or beach, it'll be clear there's a much higher amount of them, of all sorts of colors and sizes. One thing that doesn't change is the rising danger the closer one gets to the area of the forests, and deeper waters may hold even more frightening enemies, even monsters. More rare fish and other creatures live around these areas, as well. Careful where you fish. For those that can get around, there are a few islands here and there, the most important of which is at the location of the Sakura tree, of course. These hold some large containers for drinkable water, some are full and others empty but refillable.

There's a catch, though. Water dragons will be appearing near the island that usually holds the pure water reservoir, guarding it. Anyone that approaches will find that these dragons telepathically make requests of visitors in exchange for the water. Things like fishing for a rare type of fish, bringing them a specific fruit from the trees in the forests, looking for an item that's lying underwater, maybe seeing a specific type of magic/skill or hearing a story. They can be pretty creative, so it's best to be ready for anything – that is, if you're not too intimidated to approach at all.]

[[Our flood event starts! Go here for any questions.]]

[Here comes a thought…

It’s funny how the mind works, isn’t it? Always working, thoughts constantly coming in and out. Seeing something triggers a memory and a thought along with it, something that might make one smile or sad. Or perhaps it’s the possibility of something happening or whatever weights on your mind as the day pass. They are usually easy to dismiss or even forget by getting distracted by anything else that comes by.

But it’s rude to ignore them, right? So today, instead of them just being locked inside your head, they’ll be everywhere, represented by butterflies of different colors.



Each color might represent what that thought makes you feel, so they might be as generic as blue for a sad one or red for one that makes you happy. Or they could also be colors that make you feel something: if you hate the color green, that might be the one that comes along with your bad thoughts. It all depends on the person and their experiences. After all, thoughts affect everyone in a different way. Which is why the amount of butterflies that follow you around for the day really is up to you and what your mind is usually up to.

You’ll get used to it. Or you should, at least, because they’ll be there, following you, during all day. No shouting or no ignoring them will get them to go away. Have fun with that!]

[It’s been a lovely couple of days, hasn’t it? With the onsen, and the advice everyone was supposed to kindly get from each other thanks to Miracle’s Country little push. But the nice things don’t stop there. Doesn’t the beautiful day that it’s outside give you an overwhelming desire to express nice feelings? To grab the hand of the one you love or care about, or simply touch them? Even if you’re not the kind of person who is a big fan of public displays of affection, the feeling is still there.



To give everyone another reason to go outside aside from the nice weather, the Usyagi will be giving out invitations for a little food fair on the main island near the shops. There are many different mini-shops with food from many places and worlds. Maybe you’ll find that favorite kind of soup you hadn’t had since you came here or your favorite homemade food; anything kind happen and that’s kind of the point. Time to expand your culinary horizons and, most importantly share some love!]

((Event replay of the hand-holding event! Have fun!))

[It's Friendship Day in some select, great countries!!!, or so Miracle Country seems to be showing everyone. Places like the amusement park or the zoo have discounts if you bring along a friend, many shops in the city have similar sales, and the Usyagi might try and pester you into taking a friend along on a boat or balloon ride.

But of course, what better way to make a new friend on such a day than by bonding over something that is entirely none of one's business?

All of today, people might notice words floating around them, like strange holograms, spelling out certain questions. How to ask a certain someone out? What to pick for breakfast today? Should they get that cute hat that's on sale even if they never wear hats? How do they get over that overwhelming fear of water? The questions vary in content depending on what the person might need advice on, and can range from the silliest little detail to much heavier, troubling issues.

Once a question gets a decent solution for it, it'll disappear... but another might take its place after a while. Fear not, they'll all disappear by the end of the day. And you're allowed to ignore them, as much as one can ignore strange floating words around others. Perhaps the available entertainment can help with that?]

🌸

[And just as quickly as it started, it stops.

The last twenty-four hours have been a difficult one – and it likely shows around you. Everyone who was caught up in the attack is tired, injured, and scared after everything. It’s still again, just like before – can you trust it?

The monsters are now gone, and even if you tried to pursue them into the forests, you wouldn’t be able to find them. It’s as if they have simply vanished. But the impact they’ve left on the island is clear – the shopping district is a mess of broken glass and claw marks in the walls and street. The park has a few fallen trees and broken branches. Some of the bridges have gaping holes in them that haven’t been repaired yet. Some Usyagi are floating around, magically repairing things, but some other damages will be left untouched, especially if it’s a character-run business.

And, even though healing is no longer blocked, it’s – delayed. What would normally heal within a day is going to take a couple of weeks to heal properly. Too bad, considering almost everyone was attacked in some way, right? But it’ll be quiet for the next few weeks, so hopefully that’ll give you all time to heal…

And at least it’s a sunny summer day. The sun is shining, there’s a light breeze, and there’s at least some peace. For now.]


🌸

[[The invasion event is over; keep in mind that this log is backdated to a day after the invasion event began.]]

[It starts like any other day, really. It’s a lovely summer day – the sun is shining, birds are chirping. You might be outside relaxing or inside escaping the heat. Perhaps you are at the beach, enjoying the new set-up. Or in the park, enjoying the cherry blossom trees.

It is not to last, though.

You might notice that the hotel begins to lock you out. It’s sealing itself. But why? No one is allowed to get inside and if you were within your room or the underground tunnels, you’ll find yourself magically pushed out, gradually at first.

And then the sudden, complete silence follows – perhaps those with a sense for it will notice that something is going wrong. Everything is too still. There are no more birds chirping, no insects buzzing. Even the wind has died down.



When the monsters come out of the forest, they strike without hesitation: anyone and anything in their way are in danger. You might want to grab weapons before the hotel seals itself completely – because it will, in the next few minutes.

The creatures move in waves, each wave a different type of creature – wolves, spiders, bears. Then, creatures you might not recognize at all. They move swiftly and silently and without mercy. They are not real animals, more like spirits given form, come to seek vengeance and invading every place they can find. They will bite and they will claw and they will attack – but they will not kill, not if you get away quickly enough. Some of them are poisonous, their jaws dripping with it, enough to make you ill or to paralyze or to make you weaker.

Thankfully or perhaps unthankfully, they seem to be specifically targeting: they go for the strongest first and bypass the weaker characters. But it’s only a matter of time before they start coming for you, no matter how strong you might be.

The invasion will go on for the full day, without relief – not that you can know how long it’ll last. You can fight back – in fact, it will be necessary for you to fight back – but it will not be enough to stop the hoard. The monsters will not retreat until they’ve hurt you enough.

You won’t be able to escape to the safety of the hotel, as they will all lock you out, but some buildings might be open elsewhere. You might have better luck escaping to the other islands, although the creatures will follow. Do not try to escape to the water because there are monsters waiting there, too: giant sea serpents and other creatures in the ocean, lake, and river. They will linger near the bridges crossing between islands and the train no longer works.

You will not be able to heal your wounded, as magic and bending are blocked – and even traditional medicinal skills don’t seem to work. Wrapping the wounds means the bandages slide off the skin. Painkillers and herbs do nothing.

You have one job for the next twenty-four hours: survive.]

🌸

[[The invasion is here! Here is last month’s plotting post regarding the event and remember you can ask here about anything concerning the event.]]

[The first, most obviously noticeable thing: all the lights have gone out. Not only are the buildings and other spaces not illuminated any longer, but the sky is completely dark as well, no sun, moon or stars to light up anything. No matter the hour, the whole of Miracle Country looks this way, swallowed up in darkness that doesn't change.

The second thing to notice: it's not easy to create new sources of light. Are you grabbing some candles? Perhaps want to attempt building a bonfire of sorts? Using your own magic? All new sources of light created, even large ones, will glow very faintly, dimly, in a blueish light. Like they're struggling to stay there at all. So while they might be better than sitting around in full darkness, they won't fix the issue that much.





The third thing to... possibly be alarmed by: there are certain sources of light. Unpredictable, creepy and changing around, there're phrases and words written in different ways across walls, on tree trunks, on the surface of the caves, anywhere you look at. They glow brighter than fire or magic lights, shining for a while before it stops, and another phrase somewhere else lights up. Not only that, but the words they show might appear... relevant? Accusing? Sad, even? Confessions, bold statements, secrets, it'll be soon noticeable that these aren't random phrasings, but things that those here might think, even if they might not ever wish to say them out loud. Once that much is clear, it's likely easy to have misunderstandings. What if you think a certain phrase is something you believe your friend thinks, deep down? How can you know for sure? Nothing in the words shows who they truly belongs to. Perhaps it's a relief, if your own secrets are something you cannot afford to have out in the open...

In any case, it'll all be over after the weekend. Try to manage in the dark until then.]

🌸

[[Secrets in the dark~ event! Secrets list is here, remember you can ask here about anything concerning the event.]]

[There's been time to rest and heal, after the recent events. Nothing to be concerned with, no magical flora to die for this time. The calm after the world stabilized itself continues through these days, and by all means, it looks like things are normal now. Nothing is attacking, the city looks the usual, the Usyagi still have one single expression...

And yet, something isn't quite right. As you go through your usual day, it'll be difficult not to notice... Maybe that friend of yours who always seems weighed down by their issues back home seems far too cheerful today. Or maybe your significant other is looking at you funny when you jokingly comment you're as good as married? Perhaps your usual sarcastic jokes about tragic events in your life are being met with exceedingly horrified, shocked looks. How about that person you can't stand who now doesn't even seem to recognize you or know why you shouldn't get along?

Perhaps it's not them, but you who is acting odd and doesn't realize it yet. Does something feel off? Is someone talking to you like you should know them better? Or differently? Do you even remember where you are?

What's happening, then? During the next couple of days, memories will be altered, removing significant moments in people's life from their minds. Had they achieved something? Saved someone else? Fought someone? Watched someone die, or died themselves? Had they made a big choice? Had they arrived somewhere important? Fallen in love? Were they witness to some very relevant event in their worlds? Had they formed a deeply important friendship while in this world? If it's crucial to their development, it's at risk of disappearing for a while. And with it, memories that match the loss. So perhaps you only forgot about one person, or one big event happening, or maybe you're so removed from things that you can't even recall arriving to Miracle Country in the first place.

Of course, what you forget isn't forgotten by others. So you can be told of these things you can't remember, should they wish to spoil you. Otherwise, it's simply a matter of waiting for those memories to come back - and they will, even if some might take a little longer than others.]


[[No spoilers event! Mingle as you'd like!]]