December Undercurrent: Opposing Viewpoints

[lifeaftr_mods]

DECEMBER UNDERCURRENT

Who: Everyone!
What: Oh, inverted world...
When: December 3rd to December 20th
Where: Everywhere!
Warnings: Nothing of note; please mark if anything comes up!

I Wish You Could See the Wicked Truth

The island of Monsun is known for the split down its middle, and how it tends to bring out people's best and worst sides, depending on which side you're on. Some might remember it from previous appearances, but if you've never been, you can read up on the island's details on our Locations page and get yourself caught up to speed! Just like with the previous month, the Water is taking it upon themself to summon the island to the archipelago. And just like with the previous month, this will entail some effects upon the local populace: you.

Given that Monsun hosts the avatar of Balance, don't be surprised if things start to get a little inverted, a little out of balance, a little flipped, a little turned upside down. What do we mean by that, exactly? Well, it can mean all sorts of things. And you get to pick how many of these inversions if any, are going to be affecting you and yours for the duration of the month, at least until Monsun surfaces...and how much each one affects you. Starting on December 3rd, adventurers may find themselves influenced by any of the effects listed below. You are free to vary the intensity and level of each, as well as how many end up being relevant to you. They can start as a slow build and ramp up gradually through the month, or emerge at full force right out the gate. You can be affected by multiple at once, or one every few days, and so on. The only limit is what you're willing to do!

[ ♆ ] Friendflipped: Do you have someone that you love in your life? Perhaps a best friend, a significant other, a member of your family? They might even be on the island with you. That just makes what's about to happen even more unfortunate, if that's the case, because all of a sudden, you're going to learn that you can't stand the sight of them. That's right: your best friends become your most hated foes. You'll find yourself positively despising those you would ordinarily get along with, all with a vicious, unchecked enthusiasm. Perhaps even more unfortunately, that goes the other way, too: your worst enemies are now your best friends.

[ ♆ ] Casual Obsession: One of the critical aspects of having any sort of hobby or preference is balance. It's always good to not go overboard! Which is why you might find yourself losing all inhibition. Your likes, dislikes, hobbies, desires, and so on will become utterly stripped of any balance the might have had. Do you have a mild sweet tooth? Well, now it's a full on sugar obsession. Do you dislike golf as a sport? Now you hate it with a fiery passion - and all those jerks who play golf, they can go to hell too!

[ ♆ ] One or Nothing: Most people will agree that emotional balance is something we should all strive for. That's about to get a lot more difficult. You might find yourself experiencing only one emotion for an extended amount of time, with only varying degrees of intensity to indicate any actual shift. Alternatively, you find yourself experiencing no emotions at all: a complete, deadened shutoff of any emotional instincts you have.

[ ♆ ] Skill Swap: Hobbies are one thing. But what about your personal skill-sets? Well, those are about to get some serious remodeling. Are you a talented musician? Now you can't read music, much less play it. Are you good in a fight? Not anymore, you're not! Now you can barely throw a punch without bowling yourself over. You'll find that your abilities have become seriously scrambled, to the point where you've lost any natural or trained skill you might have in certain areas. This can extend to magical knowledge, technological know-how, or even basic proclivities like stealth or how light you might be on your feet. The flip side of this is that you might find yourself preternaturally skilled in other areas that you've never so much as touched before. Maybe now you're a pro at climbing, or intensely good with social charisma and persuasion. In general, these swaps will work with a one-to-one ratio; one skill will suffer and another will be boosted as if in compensation, but you're welcome to experiment! Maybe you just want to make your character a completely useless loser for a few weeks. You're certainly free to do just that!

[ ♆ ] Interface Screw: In case it wasn't opposite day enough, you've also got the chance to have your personal orientation of the world completely reversed. By which we mean: left is right, right is left, up is down, down is up, and so on. This might manifest in varying ways. Maybe the sky looks like the sea, and the ground is so far above your head...and you feel like you're walking on thin air, even if to everyone else, the world appears more or less normal. Maybe this isn't even a purely perceptual thing as opposed to a literal one, and to everyone else, you're actually walking upside down. How this manifests is ultimately up to you, but you can interpret it as you like.

These effects will all die down by the time December 20th rolls around. Again, you can choose the rate at which this occurs, and whether it's a slow and steady decrease or a complete shut-off all at once. Either way, by the 20th, you'll all have been restored to whatever passes for your mental and emotional equilibriums, and Monsun will resurface on the archipelago!

But I Settle For a Ghost

Of course, there's a lot going on in the background as well. You're free to use this log as a catch-all for the duration of December's Undercurrent Event, as well as any of the other minor events listed on our Monthly Rundown post. You are very, very free to let your dreams about magical mistletoe and snowgoons become reality, and you are always free to create your own individual logs and posts as needed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them over on the Questions header on our Monthly Rundown post!

December Timeline

[ ♆ ] December 1st: "Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snowgoons" begins and lasts until December 31st
[ ♆ ] December 3rd: "Opposing Viewpoints" begins and lasts until December 20th
[ ♆ ] December 10th: "Mistledon't" begins and lasts until December 22nd
[ ♆ ] December 20th: Monsun returns to the archipelago
[ ♆ ] December 21st: "Breath of Cold Air" begins and lasts until December 31st

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[forwearemany]

(And they're also trying to push themselves up, which is unfortunate, because it means they actually get a few inches off the ground.

It's about then that, without the support needed to keep them up, they fall back, with a thud and a rapid burst of chatter.)

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He really really thinks they got it, despite the unexpected struggle from both sides. In fact, Legion doesn't look nearly as heavy enough for the angel to have any trouble helping them up.

But then they fall back down and the angel almost falls on top of them, fortunately only ending up making a funny noise, stumbling, and very embarrassed.

He quickly gets back up and composes himself, looking genuinely confused and a bit flustered.]

Hum.Well. That...didn't exactly go according to plan.

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(For the moment, they just stop trying. Perhaps when they have better figured out how to sort which direction they should move in, they will attempt again to move.)

[salutosinedelectat]

[ In turn, Aziraphale takes a moment to look at his hands in slight desperation.

So that’s something else that’s changed.

He flexes his hands a bit and looks at Legion again.]

Did you suffer any sort of damage or injury?

[forwearemany]

(They watch him.)

This unit is heavier than Human load bearing capacity.

(They chatter a bit.)

All systems appear functional, in spite of difficulties.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ He thinks to say he isn’t human. In fact, not being able to simply lift Legion is quite distressing. But he much rather focus on helping them.]

Perhaps we need to go about it a different way.

Can you sit up?

[forwearemany]

We will try.

(And they do. It's still awkward, but after a few minutes, they'll achieve a sitting position.)

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale watches, for a second concerned they couldn't even achieve that. ]

--Good, good. [ There's some relief to his voice. ] Hum. Lets see.

So, how exactly do you feel?

[forwearemany]

All systems appear fully functional.

(They look up, then correct that movement to look down at themselves.)

And yet, movement remains difficult.

[salutosinedelectat]

Clearly. [ He observes them, trying to find some sort of solution. ]

Say, can you lift your arm?

[forwearemany]

(They attempt to lift their right arm, but move their left arm downwards instead. It takes a moment before they are able to switch to the correct movement and arm.)

...Affirmative.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale watches, pursing his lips when he notices the erroneous movement. ]

I see.

[ One last check, to make sure he's got this right. ]

Say, old chap, can you point out which way is left?

[forwearemany]

(And their right hand twitches, briefly, as though they are about to raise it, before they bring up their left hand and point.)

[salutosinedelectat]

[ The angel nods to himself, straightening up his stance.]

It looks like it’s a matter of opposite direction alone. Which is...odd.

But manageable, I would suspect.

[ He steps around Legion, inspecting them.]

Perhaps if you aim to sink further into the ground, you may be able to get back on your feet.

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(He is correct, and they attempt to follow this instruction. The problem: though they do far, far better at getting up this time, not every part of them seems to go opposite the intended direction at once. They're wobbly, jittery, awkward in every way, as a result, and nearly fall over again.)

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale rushes forward to try and lend them some support, this time attempting to brace their back, instead of pulling them. This might not be a smart idea, but he's trying. ]

Easy does it-

[forwearemany]

(And finally, they manage to stand! They're not standing amazingly well, but they're standing!)

Your assistance is appreciated.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ It is amazing progress! Definitely deserves to be celebrated.
He huffs in relief when they are successful, though he’s still bothered by how the laws of physics really do affect him now.]

You’re very welcome, my good fellow. Now... 

[ A short, hesitant pause.]

Can you walk?

[forwearemany]

(They chatter, and then attempt to take a step. It's wobbly, and for a moment it might seem like they're just gonna fall over again, but they manage to stay on their feet.

Congrats. They've managed to take ... a single step.)

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Congratulations, Legion, you've graduated to slightly drunk toddler level. ]

Good show, old sport! [ As encouraging as he can be. ]

Now, slowly, I'm sure we can get you somewhere a bit better and settle down to find some answers. And hopefully a solution for what exactly is happening, here.

[forwearemany]

Acknowledged.

(They take a few moments to steady themselves before attempting another step.)

Location?

(Where should they go?)

[salutosinedelectat]

Hm. [ Aziraphale takes a moment to think. ]

Do you think you're capable of moving to another area? Perhaps Denny, as there may be someone there with a better solution.

[forwearemany]

We are willing to attempt this endeavor.

(They attempt another step, and stumble, but ultimately manage to stay standing.)

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale raises his arms instinctively, like he would be able to brace Legion and not get immediately crushed by their weight. ]

Slowly, slowly. No need to rush.

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(They continue to do their best.)